CSL's Card Challenge

Here are the entries for this month's card challenge at our monthly downline meeting. The challenge was to make your best Valentine using Black and Vanilla or Black and White and one other color. We had three terrific entries - this one is mine with a fabric flower I'll talk about more below.

This gem is Julie's - great card and great use of the polka dot emossing folder on the heart and circles - nice detail. And this was our winning entry from Heidi. She and Julie were definately on the same wave length with some of the details - big heart, button/brad, pin and little tag. It is a great vintage card that I understand was made in the wee hours of the morning :) Congratulations Heidi!She got to pick her prize out of our CSL prize basket of SU goodies - I think she won the linen thread.More about the flower - I demonstrated at our meeting how to make this beautiful flower out of our 5/8" satin ribbon. I followed the tutorial found on Kelly Acheson's blog here -http://astampabove.typepad.com/my-blog/2010/12/ribbon-flower-tutorial.html

Kelly used her heat tool and said to be patient - but I guess I am not, as I gave up. So instead I used a candle flame and loved the affect it gave - the edges look as if they've been painted with dew, and they got a little black, which I liked on the rose. I also used about 18" of ribbon. Next time I'll try the heat gun again and see if I can get it to work. If you try and have any tips, please let me know. Here's a close up of the detail.

Thanks for stopping by!

Non-stamped project

So my Godson Brian and his wife, Jen, had a baby girl on Christmas day - welcome Morgan Lou! She also has an adorable brother Owen at home. I am so very happy for them and their Christmas angel as well as my sister Sharon who is the proud Gramma. Wish I was closer to Wisconsin to share this moment with them. Hubby and I spent some days in Prescott, AZ following Christmas and I used the time in the car both there and back to finish up this afgan for Morgan. Since they didn't find out the sex of the baby till she was born, I did all the yellow strips ahead of time and then just added the pink ones when she was born. I also had blue yarn on hand just in case :) I'm sending it off to them Monday with a cute little outfit for her. Hope you like it Morgan - know that every time you are wrapped in it, you are wrapped in my love!

January CSL's Downline Meeting

Yesterday was our monthly downline meeting for my first level Crazy Stamping Ladies - and we had such a great time. Yes - that is my Christmas tree in the background - all the Christmas stuff comes down - TOMORROW :) This month Sandy brought a project for the group to do using our Watercolor Crayons. Several in the group had not used them at all, so it was great for her to demo some different ways of using them, and share some tips.

Here Maria and Heidi watch Sandy demonstrate.

And here is the beautiful card we each got to make! Thanks Sandy for a fun and cute project for the group.

And I had to share this amazing basket of Home-made muffins Julie brought for our snack. She was even so kind as to make most of them low-fat for those of us in the group who are in Weight Watchers - the Raspberry/Almond ones in the middle were delish. Thanks Julie!

Snow in them thar hills -

This was taken Jan 3, 2011 leaving my driveway - it's hard to see but the hills on the picture are covered with snow - it was absolutely breath-taking. Here in Simi Valley it doesn't snow, occasionally we see snow in the distant mountains - much farther than these. But during this storm the snow levels dropped and the hills were covered. Here's a close up cropped from the picture - where you can probably see the snow better. I'm from Wisconsin and I love to see the snow - but hated to live in it - so this is the best of both :)

January Stamp Camps - Come Join the FUN!!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011 - 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Cards, Cards, Cards Stamp Camp

Cost: $15 or FREE with a $30 merchandise purchase at the event.*
Maureen’s Home in Simi Valley.

At Cards, Cards, Cards we make 6 cards (2 each of 3 different designs) using the Valentine's Bundle available from Stampin' Up! Please note, due to a delay in shipping from SU we will be using only part of the available bundle. You'll be ready to make feminine, masculine and children's valentine's. Join us and be ready to SHARE THE LOVE. Limit 12.
Must RSVP to hold your spot.
On-time drawing at 7:10 PM

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Wednesday, January 26- 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Anything But a Card (ABC) Stamp Camp

Cost: $25 or FREE with a $50 merchandise purchase at the event.*
Location to be announced - most likely Maureen's Home in Simi Valley.
At this event we’ll be making an amazing working desk clock using beautiful DSP and flowers similar to the one on the cover of the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog (see my sidebar). Watch for a picture of this project coming soon. We are currently awaiting the arrival of the clock parts to complete our sample. Limit 12. Must RSVP to hold your spot.
On-time drawing at 7:10 PM

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*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 but you will receive the material packet with pictures (by email) to make your projects. Stamping will not 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.

The Occasions Mini is here -

This mini catalog is amazing and you can browse through it and see all it has to offer, by clicking the mini catalog ICON on my sidebar. You will not be disappointed! To order email me or visit my SU website here - www.stampingwithmaureen.stampinup.net

If you'd like a mini catalog just contact me with your name and mailing address and I'll get one right out to you. Please note that if you already have a SU demonstrator, please contact them to receive your mini catalog. Thanks!

Christmas Day!

On Christmas Day - Jenee and Heidi's families celebrated at their homes with their families in the morning. So all was quiet here at our house. Here's a picture of the tree ready for all to arrive. At 1:00 PM we had dinner and I was able to shoot a quick picture of the table all set up and ready.

Then the kiddos arrived. They were all wearing matching PJ's with their names on them - so we thought we'd take some pictures - you can see the craziness in the next few shots!

I think this last one is the best! What a crew! Didn't get many other still pictures of the day, as I always video Christmas!

My Thank You Notes

Here is the thank you note I sent out after Christmas for the wonderful gifts I received. It is such a simple and striking card. I know I saw one very similar on a blog somewhere and it stuck with me - so if it's your design let me know and I'll give credit and post. I made this one with Riding Hood Red - just stamped the "Thank you" punched the snowflake and mounted this layer on dimensionals over the Red layer to give it some lift. Then I added a rhinestone to the middle and was ready to go. I just might make some cards like this for next year's Christmas - hope you like it!!

Christmas Eve 2010

So Jenee and Robert hosted our Christmas Eve celebration - we ge together for appetizers and desserts - and then do stocking stuffers. Just look at all this good food! Here are Papa and Prince in an intense competition of Wii Mario Karts.

Here is Robert's sister Diana, Robert and Jenee sharing a laugh.

And the crew opening goodies from their stockings - Zavian, Papa, Makai and Heidi.

Wa a wonderful night of fun in anticipation of Christmas morning.

Happy 2011!

Happy New Year!

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
I contemplate what brought me joy,
And think of my loved ones and my friends.

Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how you enriched my life,
I reflect upon who really counts,
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when I ponder those who do,
I immediately think of you.

Thanks for being one of the reasons I'll have a Happy New Year! ~Maureen