We had sooooo much fun!

So this weekend was a weekend of grandbabies - Sat to Sun we watched Heidi and Aaron's kiddos while they took an anniversary trip to Las Vegas. It was a beautiful day and we spent a lot of time outside with the kiddos - here are Kamili, Makai and Zavian (excuse the dirty shirt - as I had just finished feeding him lunch - but it was such a cute picture.)

Then on Monday we watched Jenee and Robert's kiddos so Jenee could have a break and catch up a bit on her college work - so here are Paisley, Prince and Zamarah. They spent time playing in the house with their toys - but we were also outside a lot.

By the time Monday night came Paul and I were exhausted - but we had a wonderful weekend - can't think of anyone better to spend it with than these sweethearts!!

3-D Flower Class Final

So here is the final project we made during our flower class - we made this lovely shadow box with a large waterlily type flower and a great saying. Here is part of the flower art we had on display -

and here is the rest of it -

And finally a picture of our group in the midst of the creative project - it was a fun and flowery day!!

September Downline Challenge Cards

So this month Heidi (our winner from last month - www.stampinking.blogspot.com) set our challenge. We had to make a Halloween card that was all black and white - except for using a spotlighting section that could have color. Not everyone followed the rules perfectly - but I am so glad they all showed their cards as they were terrific.
The first cards was our WINNER - it was Shawna's card - so she won our prize and she gets to pick our challenge for next month - what a great card! Next is Valerie's card - notice the cute little bubbles from the calderin are colored - don't think I got a great picture of that as it is hard to see. The next card is from Kathy B - loved her watercolored spotlit area -

This card stepped outside the rules - but what a great card - I'm so glad she did it- this one is from Julie - www.simistamper.blogspot.com -

Here's another great card and this one was strictly by the rules - nice job Toni!!

And our final card with these adorable little owls was made by Bobbie - so cute - the black layer is embossed with our spider embossing folder in case you can't see it.

Great cards ladies - and sooooo much fun. The purpose of our challenges is to help everyone think outside the box and step it up a notch and I LOVE seeing what everyone comes up with each month.

NOW is the time to become a CSL!

It's a Great Time to Join Stampin' Up! and my Crazy Stamping Ladies Team.
Stampin' Up! is offering a wonderful deal and if you have been thinking about becoming a demonstrator, now is a great time to sign up. With the brand new catalog, your starter kit will be full of all the newest items and guess what - if you have some of the product you can choose something else. Join my Crazy Stamping Ladies and you will also get this amazing tote using the colors and patterns from the Greenhouse Gala DSP.

Remember, the Starter Kit is $175.00, BUT, you'll get over $310.00 worth of stamping products, or you can choose the Digital and Starter kit for $175.00 and it's value is over $320.00.

BUT THAT's NOT ALL - I'm sweetening the DEAL! Sign up during this promotion and I'll throw in a package of the GREENHOUSE GALA DSP and a roll of 3/8" DAFFODIL DELIGHT TAFFETA RIBBON! How's that for a Deal!
This special offer is good September 1-October 18, 2010, or while supplies last - so don't wait!!

Details
New recruits who join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator during the promotion period will receive a FREE craft tote (valued at $39.95) with the purchase of their Starter Kit.

Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote Description

•100% twill nylon exterior; 100% nylon interior
•Dimensions: 15-3/4" x 7-5/8" x 8-7/8"
•Includes attachable shoulder strap for easy transport
•Center section fits 12" x 12" card stock, Craft Keepers, and Paper Cutter
•Outside pockets fit extra-large punches perfectly
•Outside flap pockets offer secure spot for accessories
•Back zipper pocket holds up to seven Stampin' Pads
Things to Remember:
•This incentive is available to all new recruits, including first-time joins, rejoins, etc.
•Free Craft Tote will automatically be added to Starter Kit and shipped at the same time, but in a separate box.
•Free Craft Tote will also be shipped for free.
For more information, go to http://www.stampingwithmaureen.stampinup.net/ and then click on the tab that says "Start Your Own Business". The password to join up as part of my team is "CSLs". You can e-mail me with questions at mrauchfuss@aol.com

3D Flowers - Part II

So here are a few more of the designs from our 3D flower class - This is a beautiful Sunflower Heidi designed (stampinking.blogspot.com) using the largest flower from our daisy die - how cute is that. We added a bag of sunflower seeds and put it all in a cute little paper mache pot from Michael's. Love it!Next we made a book mark from our brand new Deck the Halls DSP in the Holiday mini - this picture seems washed out, as the DSP is beautiful and rich. We made the folded medallion flowers featured on page 123 of the current Idea Book and Catalog with our antique buttons in the middle. The flower hangs down on the front of the book, and the ribbon is tied on the end to stop it from pulling through. Works great - as I have it in my Bible now.We also talked about using punches and dies in different designs to layer and give a beautiful flower. Then I punched several flowers out of an old book and used our Distressing kit to tea dye them, dried with a heat tool and layers with a brad. I then added them to a finished card to show the completed look - how beautiful is that. We'll be doing a similar project in our upcoming Vintage and Distressing class - check out details at my Upcoming Events link at the top of this blog.

September Button Shares - Join the FUN!

Hi All - well last month's Ribbon Share was a HUGE success - thank you to all who participated and I hope you LOVE the ribbon you have. So on the heels of that, this month I'm offering another (actually two) terrific shares for you - this time BUTTONS! SU's Buttons are amazing - the colors are rich and vibrant - the quality is top notch - and they match your projects perfectly. So for you to get all of them in your hands - it can add up - but with this share you'll get all the styles and colors in each of two categories for just $10.65 each share (plus $3.00 shipping if not a local pickup)

The first share consistes of the four sets of Designer buttons on page 186 of our Idea Book and Catalog - here are the four color groups included -
Brights (Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tempting Turqouise and Rich Razzleberry)Regals (Cherry Cobbler, Cajon Craze, More Mustard, Garden Green, Night of Navy, Elegant Eggplant) Neutrals (Early Espresso, Basic Black, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Basic Gray) Subtles (Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Marina Mist and Perfect Plum)

This share includes 1 each of 3 designs in all 24 colors - 72 buttons total - for the same price you would pay for just one color group. If you want 2 of each, just order 2 shares.

*~*~*~*~*

The second share consistes of the two sets of Big Designer buttons on page 17 of our Holiday Mini Catalog. These buttons are bigger than our Designer buttons - perfect for those bold Holiday projects - here are the two color groups included -

Deck the Halls (Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake) -

Candy Cane (Garden Green, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride and Real Red) - These colors also match the beautiful new fabric we offer on page 16 of the mini so you can make beautiful hand-crafted projects and gifts. This share includes 2 each of 3 designs in all eight colors - 48 buttons total - for the same price you would pay for just one color group.

Take advantage of one or both of these shares by emailing me now - the first share (for the first four that sign up) should be ready to pick up Sunday, September 12 at my home; or I'll mail to you on the following day if you pay the extra $3.

NOTE: Sign-ups for these button shares end on Thursday, September 30 at 5:00 PM!
Also, I still have enough of the ribbon share available for two more people, so let me know if you are interested in that (see this post - http://crazystampinglady.blogspot.com/2010/08/saturday-share-opportunity.html)

Check out all the great new products in the mini by clicking on the new link on my side bar, you can view or download - or if you would rather have a copy sent to you, just email me your postal address and I'll mail you a copy FREE. Please note: if you already have a SU demonstrator, please contact them for a copy of the mini catalog

Don't Miss this year's Stamp Till You Cramp!

Come join the Crazy Stampin Ladies for a great day of stamping!!!
Here is a little more information.

Where:
Boys and Girls Club of Thousand Oaks
1980 E. Avenida De Las Flores,
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

This event is ALWAYS amazing - your day of stamping will include:
• 2 Fabulous 3D and 2 card set projects
• Refreshing drinks, snacks and lunch
• Learn something NEW in two different mini classes
• Chance of winning tons of stamping give-aways!
• Special recruitment, purchase and hostessing incentives
• Special stamping bundle; profits will go to Boys & Girls Club of TO
• Your very own stamping goodie bag

Cost:
RSVP and pay by Sept. 25th - fee is $60
(RSVP with payment must be postmarked no later than September 25th
to get the ‘earlybird’ pricing above).
Register after Sept. 25th and the cost of the event will go up to $75
Please contact me today to reserve your space by clicking the link under this event on my Upcoming Events page at the top of this blog!

Also, ask me about discounts for new attendees!

3D Flower Stamping Class

Last weekend Heidi (stampingking.blogspot.com) and I teamed up to do a 3-d Flower class - and we all had such a great time. We wanted to show some ideas, have them do some of the flowers, and then complete some take-away projects and we were successful in that endeavor. We also wanted to complete it all in 2 1/2 hours - wellllllll - that was not as successful and we went over about 45 minutes - but I hope no one minded. Each attendee also received a resource sheet of blogs, websites, and more regarding paper flower making.

So throughout the week I'll be showing some of what we did at that class. Here are the first couple - we did one of these great carnations using Whisper White cardstock and our scallop circle punch. Punch 6-8 layers, sponge the edges, spritz till wet, crumple, uncrumple carefully, connect in center with a brad, crumple each into the center individually, then gently unfold each layer and let dry - voila! We put it on top of a cute little treat container filled with pillow mints. Here are a couple samples - the first just as I described, and the 2nd sponged after it was made - the coloring does give it a different look. A bonus is that when these dry they are stiff and do not crumple easily - so they stand up great. The second demonstration (each person just did one petal to see how it is done) is this flower made from 10 circles just folded to make petals and then attached to a circle base. So pretty. Check back again for more of the great flowers we did and check out the upcoming events link at the top of this blog to see info on our next class; vintage and distressing and plan to join us.

1st Day of School

School started last week and I had the privilege of going to see Paisley and Prince off on their first day and get some pictures. Here they both are showing off the new clothes they picked for their first day - they're all smiles - hope that lasts all year :) Here's Paisley, our 2nd grader, posing like the silouette on the wall. She looked so pretty. And here's our handsome Prince, going into Kindergarten, in his cool Mario Brothers shirt. Finally - they both had to show of their great new backpacks - Paisley's is Hello Kitty and Prince's is Buzz Lightyear - how fun!

CSL of the Month - Heidi - A little late!

Okay - so bare with me as I introduce my next CSL of the month - I'm probably a little partial to this one as she's my baby :) But I'll try not to gush too much. Heidi is the 3rd CSL I'm profiling, and it was supposed to be posted on Aug. 15 - but she was just sooooo busy taking care of my 3 grandbabies that she wasn't able to get me the info till a couple days ago. I am glad she has her priorities straight - so I'll forgive her. But here she is - better late than never. Heidi joined our group of Crazy Stamping Ladies on August 21, 2006 - just one day before her first child, Kamili, was born. She is a classic OVER-ACHIEVER and I think that will show through in the samples of her work below. So, just like with the previous profiles, I asked Heidi to answer a few questions, and then share 5 pictures of her work that reflect her style - so here you go - meet Heidi:
1) Tell us a bit about your family.
I have an amazing and crazy family! I am married to a (most of the time) wonderful man and have three (wild) kids. A 4 yr old~who has a bit of a diva complex, 2 1/2 yr old~she is rough and tough but the first one to snuggle up, and 5 month old~who is my little man.
2) What's your favorite stamp set in the current catalog or mini?
I can't pick one~when I was little people would ask me what my favorite color is, and I would answer "rainbow" So here we go...
Welcome Christmas~because it reminds me of my childhood
Just Believe~because it is beautiful and versatile
Homegrown~Again something to do with growing up
Every Moment~I love the clean lines with the soft images
Teeny Tiny Wishes~because how can you go wrong with all of those sayings
3) What's your favorite color family?
This is tough~going back to the rainbow answer you can see why. Before the color renovation, I would have said hands down...Earth Elements, but since it is the only group they got rid of, I can't really say that! And the Rich Regals were hands down my least favorite group. BUT now I would lean towards that as number 1, with brights and neutrals in close second!
4) Why do you love stamping and Stampin' Up!
I think I am yet to find something creative I don't like. Stamping allows me to to amazing things with paper and ink, and simple quick things as well. I love how much or how little time you can put into stamping and it still comes out beautiful! For me, I love that Stampin' Up! is with the trends and remains so loyal to it's customers and demonstrators.
5) Anything else you'd like us to know about you?
I am an interior designer and love to do things a little different. I am not good at casing or copying an idea, I love to come up with my own creations. I especially love making my own new boxes and flowers

So here is Heidi's work -

I think it speaks for itself - to see more of her amazing work check out her blog -http://stampinking.blogspot.com

Love you Heidi - so glad you're a CSL!