Parks and Rec Oct15

Today I want to share the first of three cards that we made at my last Parks and Rec class.  I really love the way this flower looks in Fall colors. I think it was a favorite by everyone who attended.....

We used Crumbcake, Very Vanilla and More Mustard cardstock, More Mustard, Always Artichoke and Cajun Craze inks and the Field Flowers 2-step stamping stamp set.  With a little Crumb Cake ribbon for an accent.  I think you can see the flowers are stamped separately, cut out and popped up on dimensionals.  Hope you like it!  See you soon ~Maureen

Crafty Candles

I found a bunch of these cute little fall candles with copper like tops on sale at a local grocery store - how weird is that - and they smelled amazing!!  So I decorated them with some pretty fall colored ribbon and Stampin' Ups! Copper buttons and the leaves from "Gently Falling".  Here is a sampling.

They turned out so lovely.  Here is a close up of one of them below.  First I wrapped coordinating DSP around the candle, then wrapped the ribbon - but the bow together and tied the ends of the ribbon through the button to hold it all together.  You can see I added a couple little twigs with hot glue to each to give them that natural look.  I checked the store this week, and the candles were gone - but I have two left and unless I sell them they will definitely be gracing my home soon. 

Thanks for stopping by - see you soon - Maureen

Holiday Treats!

Today I want to share some of the treat tubes I made recently for a craft fair.  With Halloween this week - I'll be giving out those I did not sell to grandkids and student workers!! I think they are so fun and adorable. Here's a sampling of a few of them  - -

Ghost Poop (mini white gumballs)

Pumpkin Poop (candy corn)

Rudolph Noses (mini red gumballs)

These were so much fun to make and will be even more fun to give!!  See you soon!!! ~Maureen

I really love the look of clothespins covered in DSP.  Here are several packages I've made recently for gifts.  I did them in three different color groups - the browns and brights in the first picture and pink pastels in the second.  Then added some adorable little embellishments.  These are just clips - I use them to clip my chips, coffee, even loose note papers on my desk.  How cute they look.  But you can also add magnets on the back and use them for holding notes on your fridge.  Hope you like them too!!

 

See you soon.  ~Maureen

Ribbon Book Markers

Today I wanted to share these precious little bookmarks I made using retired SU ribbon, gems and paperclips.  I love the colors - and how they look layered.  Cute little gift to give with a book or as a stocking stuffer.

 Here's a group of them.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stop back tomorrow ~Maureen

It's an Amazing Offer - Sat. Oct. 20th

Earn 10 FREE Ink Pads!!

and a 1/2 price stamp set from me to boot!

Stampin Up! announced this week that they are holding a fun contest tomorrow, Saturday Oct. 20, for their demonstrators!!!

They are having a company wide Book-a-Thon.  So I have decided to play along and have set a goal for myself of adding 5 parties to my calendar!!!!

That's where I need your help!!!

I am asking you to schedule and hold a Christmas Card Party, Christmas Scrapbook Party, or a Birthday Card Party with your friends!!!!  We can collaborate on what you'd like to do with your guests.  I have several available dates between November 1st and December 16th, so grab your calendar and call me!

And here is what's in it for you:

When you say "YES" to hostessing a party - I'll send out a current catalog, mini catalog and hostess packet to you - and on the day of your party you'll receive a special hand-stamped  HOSTESS gift made just for you.

If you host a qualifying party ($150 in orders, pre S&H and tax) you can choose any current stamp set for 1/2 price

(up to a $25 value) from our current catalogs - in addition to the hostess benefits SU offers!!

AND if you host a party that subtotals $450 or more pre S&H and tax, you will receive a FREE set of 10 ink pads (value $49.95) in the color family of your choice in addition to the 1/2 price set and SU benefits - how great is that!!.

All you have to do is either call or text me at 805/404-8183 or send me an email to crazystampinglady@gmail.com and then I will contact you to set the date and plan your event!!!!  Get ready to have a FUN stamping time with family and friends!!  NOTE: This offer is not available to current club members or current workshops on my calendar - but you can always book another :)

Everyone who hostesses will also be invited to my annual Hostess Appreciation event next year!!

Thanks so much for helping me win in this contest!
I love being your creative coach and demonstrator!!!!

Maureen G Rauchfuss
YOUR Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!
805/404-8183 cell
Email: crazystampinglady@gmail.com

Clouds over Simi Valley

Okay - so I know my friends and family will think these pictures are crazy, as they see clouds like this nearly every day.  But in the clear skies over Simi - this is a rarity - and I LOVE clouds.  The images make me feel close to God.  The pictures below were taken last Friday as I was going to an off campus event - I was feeling awful - but these clouds lifted my spirits - the top picture is my very favorite!!

Can almost feel God's love radiating here!

 

Can you see the elephant :) ?

Here's the lane on the way to the conference center - it was so lovely.

And a view from the hill on the way out of the conference.

 Thanks for letting me share something that makes me happy!! See you tomorrow!  ~Maureen

Christmas Peace ... and a health update

First I want to share this final card we made at this month's card camp - it was our Christmas card.  We used two amazing sets from the SU Holiday Catalog - Watercolor Winter and Greetings of the Season.  I love both of these sets and highly recommend them as they are so versatile - you'll be seeing  more samples with these sets in the weeks to come. 

The top layer is stamped and sponged with Espresso and Artichoke inks on our Craft card stock.  The seam binding ribbon is Cherry Cobbler and really pops on the natural background.  We used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder on the second layer and sponged that also to bring out that embossed image.  Then layer those all on a craft base.

Close-up of branches with snow :)

But the best part was the sparkle - we took our two way glue pen and dazzling diamonds glitter and added a bit of snow like sparkle to the tops of our branches and pine cones.  Guess that comes from my days of growing up in Wisconsin - I love the look of snow on pine branches.  Brings back wonderful memories.  Hope you enjoyed!!

HEALTH UPDATE:
For those of you who have been asking about my health - read on - for those that don't care :)  - see you tomorrow.  For six years this past September I have been battling an autoimmune disease - I have seen many, many specialists - mostly infectious medicine and rheumatologists.  They are pretty much all in agreement I have an auto-immune (or two) and that it is in the rheumatology family - but cannot actually give me a for certain diagnosis.  I've had surgeries, several years of testing different meds, treatment for a rare tick bite disease and more - but nothing has helped and they still don't really know.  Right now (for a couple months, but especially bad the last couple weeks) I am doing very poorly and would appreciate any prayers.  I see a new RA doctor tomorrow for muscle biopsies, and I am calling USC today to try and get into a Dr. that was referred to me.  So my prayer is just for an accurate diagnosis, whatever it is, so at least we know what we're fighting.  Thank you so much to all my friends and family who are concerned, and encouraging and praying for me - you have no ideas how much you all mean to me.  Love, Maureen

I'm Fallin' for You!

Or at least the leaves on this card are.  Here is card two from our Cards, Cards, Cards Stamp Camp.  I especially love the French Foliage stamp set on page 86 of the current catalog.  It is beautiful - but what I love is the little image of water spots.  For those of you who live where the leaves change, that little touch of a bit of muddy water splatter on the leaves, makes them look so real.  We also used the Elegant Lines embossing folder for the background - to me it gave me the feel of the swirling fall winds that blow the leaves around.  We stamped, splattered and cut out the leaves, curled up the edges of the leaves and popped them up with dimensionals.  I really love the look.

The colors we used were Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White, and Early Espresso.  You can purchase all materials for this card online here at my website.  Stop back soon for the Christmas Card we made at this stamp camp.  ~Maureen

Who's your Mummy???

This month at my Cards, Cards, Cards Stamp Camp we concentrated on the upcoming holidays - the first card we made was this adorable little Mummy card for Halloween.  I LOVE this guy - and I know you've seen him on other projects from me.  I also love the bat!  Both the Mummy and bat are cut out and the bats wings are curled a bit - the Mummy's arms and feet are curved out - like they're coming off the card.

We used Googly Ghouls set from the current Holiday catalog - the colors used are Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black and Old Olive.  We used Staz-on Black ink for all the stamping and note the little Googly Eye on the Mummy  - those are also available in the Holiday Catalog.  Check it out here, and you can order right there through my website if you like.  See you soon!  ~Maureen

Rosebowl Flea Market

Hey everyone!  Come out and help support me at the Rosebowl Flea Market this weekend!  We will have a booth in the Arts and Craft area on Sunday, October 14th.  Click Here for more info!  Hope to see you soon :)   ~Maureen

Halloween Stamp Camp

ENCORE - Halloween Stamp Camp

Saturday, October 20th, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Pacific)

Cost is $25*

Maureen's Home in Simi Valley

Come and make four different and amazing Halloween 3D projects - framed Halloween art, Test tube holder with test tube, wine bottle tag and Frankie treat tin.  These will be perfect for teachers, co-workers or your kids! Fun refreshments will be served. No additional purchase required, but we'll have a purchase special for that day ONLY!  This is a repeat of our previous Halloween Stamp Camp from September - due to popular demand.
Limit 12. Must RSVP to hold your spot.*

*Stamp Camp/Class Cancellation Policy –

If you cancel your reservation at least 48 hours in advance of the event there will be no cost to you.

If you cancel within that 48 hours I will try and place someone from the waiting and if that works there will be no charge to you; otherwise you will be responsible for the class fee.

(If a stamp camp - you will receive the material packet with pictures (by email) to make your projects.) Not all stamping will be done for you, so you may need to adjust the project slightly using what stamps you have available. Or you can choose to purchase the purchase requirement for the event in merchandise from Maureen/Heidi to meet your commitment.

If no purchase requirement is listed for the specific event (such as Christmas Card Classes), you must purchase 2.5 times the cost of the class/stamp camp/event in merchandise, or simply pay the fee for the event, to meet your commitment.

If event is cancelled by me – I will notify you and a full refund will be given of any pre-payment you may have made.

All events must be half-full to avoid possible cancellation.

Thank you ~ Maureen & Heidi

Fun with the King Kids....

So as promised today I'm going to share some of the pictures of FUN with the Kings.  We had these three little ones with us for 5 days and 5 nights - while Mom and Dad got to go to Hilton Head, SC for the incentive trip Heidi earned from Stampin' Up!   It was a great time - though exhausting - as these kids are non-stop energy.

First day at Gramma and Papa's - Makai, Zavian and Kamili

Having a McDonald's Sundae as a treat after a LONG day of errand running.

Zavian showing me his "BIG BOY" smile.

Kamili at her Soccer game!!

The last evening they were with us Kamili has the wiggliest tooth.  Gramma got the privilege of pulling it out!

My three King kiddos - shortly before they headed home.   Boy is our house quiet without them.  Love you guys!!

Whooooo's Ready for FUN!!

At my club I usually try and do a little project after we're done with our card and this month we made these adorable little bags of caramel corn with an OWL topper.  I've seen these types of owls all over the web, and just had to try my hand at one of my own :)

Here's the punch chart for making these little guys - so you can make your own.  All of these are SU Punches.  I realize that under the scallops, it just looks like white cardstock, but there are actually 2 - 1 3/8" circles punched and adhered there - so sorry that does not show better on the picture.

And here's a close up view of just one so you can see the placement of all of your punches.  Isn't he the cutest!!!  This one is made folding the top note die cut in half the short way - but if you had a wider bag - you could probably do him the long way - might have to adjust punches a bit.  Hmmmm - I'll have to try that.

Thanks for stopping by - stop back soon!!! ~Maureen

Greeting card with technique

So in my last post I showed you the Acrylic Block Blocking technique for a background.   We did this in this month's technique club.  Then here is the card we made using that same technique.  The leaf with the ribbon on is cut out and popped up to give some dimension to this card - although I think this technique already gives the card a great dimensional feel.

And see that little orange gem on the leaf???  In case you didn't know it, you can color SU gems and pearls to match any color you'd like with sharpies.  TIPS:  color the gems or pearls while they are still on the base sheet they come on from SU.  Wait several minutes to make sure ink is completely dry before transferring to your card.  How cute is that!!  Like a little orange dew drop for fall.

Hope you liked my card and technique.  Stop back soon to see the other great project we made.  Here's a hint - it's an OWL!!  ~Maureen

Technique Club

Today I want to share the latest technique we did in my Technique Club.  It's call the Acrylic Block Blocking technique.  It makes an amazing backdrop for bold or silhouette stamps - I have to admit I really love it and it is so simple to do.  In case you cannot read the instructions - they are right after this picture.

Acrylic Block Blocking -

Acrylic blocks in sizes you want

Ink pads

Cardstock

Stamps with silhouette or bold image

Stamp your block down onto you stamp pad - usually just the edges pick up on the block which is what you want.  Stamp this onto your cardstock to form a background or blocking for your image.  If the stamped block image is too dark, try stamping off once before stamping on your cardstock.  

Try this technique - send me a picture and I'll post with a link to your blog if you have one.  Stop back tomorrow to see the card we did using this technique.   ~Maureen