February Club

Last night was our February Club Meeting - this month's club featured Heat Embossing - here is the technique card that club members added to their binders - And here's the card we made using the same technique. We used the Easter Blossoms set from the Occasions mini - that little girl is perfect embossed in black like a silhouette against the sky. We surrounded her with the apple blossoms, distressed the edges of that layer a bit and added a touch of pink to the distressed edge.

What a lovely spring feeling this card has to me - reminds me of my girls in their Easter dresses when they were little. Enjoy!

Blogging and Life....

So once again - I have been missing from the blog scene for a few days but for a very good and scary reason. This is a picture of my grandson, Prince, in pediatric ICU early Tuesday morning. I had watched he and his sisters Monday night so his Mom and Dad could go out for Valentine's day and he was having trouble with his asthma. Around 2:30 AM he woke his parents with his crying from not being able to catch his breath. His Dad took him to emergency where they got his breathing a bit better, but could not get his severe pain in his chest/lung area under control even with several doses of Morphine - so they rushed him to Northridge Pediatric ICU - scary stuff.So while he was in the hospital we took the girls to our house so Mom and Dad could be with Prince and take turns getting some sleep. We had school and homework duty with Paisley -

And just general baby duty with Zamarah (who by the way turned "1" on Tuesday) good thing the party isn't until Saturday.But after many prayers, and an amazing hospital staff - here is a picture of Prince Tuesday evening when I visited him. The car he's showing off was picked out for him by his "Papa" and Paisley - and he loved it. He was doing much better here but they were still trying to stabilize his breathing and giving him steroid injections -

The good news is that he came home late today - but will have lots of meds to take, and twice a day 20 minute breathing treatments to help keep him well. Thank you to everyone who prayed for him! They still have not determined why he had such severe pain, but I pray that it will never recur. So now that he's home - I'll be back to work tomorrow with long hours trying to catch up; I have my Stamp Club Friday evening, and Zamarah's party here Saturday - so it will be a bit before I catch up on my posting. Till I post again - keep stamping - and hug those you love! ~Maureen

Belated Congrats to the Pack

Okay - so most of you know I am from Wisconsin - and even though I'm personally not a big football fan - when the Packers are in the SuperBowl - I am all about football!! And they WON!! Heidi hosted a Super Bowl party and here she and her crew are decked out for the Big Game!

While we watched the game the kids played - first inside - Then out. No, it was not raining here - in fact in Southern Cal it was a beautiful day - but the girls were making believe they were hiding under a Toadstool.

It was a fun day with family and friends, good food (should have taken a picture of that) and a Packer Super Bowl win!! What a great game.

Cards, Cards, Cards February

So this week was my monthly Cards class - everyone who attends makes six cards (2 of 3 different designs) for $15. This month featured all cards made with Sale-a-Bration sets - and I think they turned out great. Plan to join us next month when we'll feature sets from the current Occasions mini.

Our first one featured Sweet Summer and So Happy for You - The second used Punch Bunch and So Happy for You -

And the third featured Bliss - I love them all -

Now through March 31 you can earn one of these sets FREE with any $50 merchandise purchase. Download the Sale-a-bration catalog on my side bar to see the full sets, and email me with your order - this is too good to miss.

Blossom Punch Tip

So at my downline meeting last Saturday, I demonstrated this great tip from Dawn Olchefske on using the Blossom Petal Punch with the Build a Blossom stamp set. I thought how clever was this - so to save time and cardstock - she shows how to line up your stamps before you stamp it, so you can punch out more than one petal at a time.

Step 1 - lock your punch in place and put on your table upside down. Step 2 - place the stamps onto the punch placing them over where they will punch out, putting the decal side up.
Step 3 - place your acrylic block (I used block D) on top of the stamps and press down firmly.
Step 4 - flip the entire thing over and press down stamps to make sure they are secure on the block.
Step 5 - you can now stamp, punch out the petals and use on your card. What a super tip - thanks Dawn!!
To see a great tutorial (much better than what I just showed you) - check out Dawn's site at -

http://dostamping.typepad.com/dostamping_with_dawn/2011/02/stampin-up-blossom-petals-punch-tip-woohoo.html

February Downline Challenge

This Month's Challenge was a sketch challenge using a sketch I saw on Cardabilities - but for some reason I cannot get it to post here. But we had three wonderful entries in the contest making it very hard to choose a winner. The first card is Heidi's entry - http://stampinking.blogspot.com/ The second one is Kathy's - no blog - but she has a ton of stuff on splitcoast - her name is cakath on there -

And the last one and winner is Julie's entry http://simistamper.blogspot.com/ Great job everyone -these were great cards!!

Downline Project for February

Each month at our downline meetings we take turns doing a project for the group - trying to teach or show something new. This month Maria did our project and she made this adorable card using the cupcake punch to make purses. You can see where she cased it from here - http://flowerbug.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/02/punch-art-purses.html

Here is a close up - how cute is that.The bases of the purses were made from the cupcake base, and the handles and flaps on the purses were made with our circle punches. The little gems give the purses just the perfect 'bling'. Thanks Maria for a wonderful project!! To see more of Maria's great creations check out her blog at - http://stampinista.blogspot.com/

February Downline Meeting

This morning was our monthly downline meeting - and it was such a great time. It was a small group due to several commitments in the group - but it was a fun group! Lyn provided a wonderful "Weight Watchers" friendly snack - and wonderful it was!! Thanks so much Lyn!Here are Heidi w/Zavian and Maria -

Lyn, Karen and Kathy - and Julie, Lyn and Karen. What a great group - check back and I'll be posting our card challenge and winner; my demonstration; and our share items. See you all soon!!

Another anniversary card

Hi all - just a quick post of this lovely card from my downline Lisa - for my 13th SU anniversary. It is so beautiful and the picture does not do it justice. Thanks soooo much for thinking of me Lisa! check out her blog for more of her creations at - http://putnamstamper.blogspot.com/

Upcoming Stamp Camps for February!!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 - 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Cards, Cards, Cards Stamp Camp
Maureen's Home in Simi Valley

Cost: $15 or FREE with a $30 merchandise purchase at the event.*

At Cards, Cards, Cards we make 6 cards (2 each of 3 different designs). For this month we’ll be making three different cards using sets from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. These are all sets you can get FREE with a $50 in purchases.

All materials provided - light refreshments served - on-time drawing at 7:10 PM.

Limit 12 spots.

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Anything But a Card (ABC) Stamp Camp
Maureen's Home in Simi

Cost: $25 or FREE with a $50 merchandise purchase at the event.*

At this event we’ll be making this beautiful WORKING clock - perfect for your nightstand, craft area or gift giving - remember Mother's Day is coming up. You can choose blue (as shown), green or pink for the color theme (or bring 2 sheets of your own DSP in the colors you'd like to use). That makes the possibilities unlimited. This class is still during Sale-A-Bration, so your $50 purchase will get you the class FREE as well as a Sale-a-Bration set FREE - how great is that!

All materials provided - light refreshments served - on-time drawing at 7:10 PM.

Limit 12 spots.

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Sunday, February 27, 2011; 1:00 - 3:30 PM
Christmas Card Making

Maureen's Home in Simi Valley

Cost: $20 for 10 Cards

We'll be making 10 cards - 5 each of 2 different designs for the Christmas Holiday. This is part of my New Year's resolution to have my cards done by NOVEMBER!! 10 cards a month for 10 months will yield me 100 Cards - and this is your opportunity to get ahead of the holidays. Plan to join us each month now through November to do 10 cards a month and you'll be set!!

All materials provided - light refreshments served - on-time drawing at 1:10 PM.

Limit 12 spots.

*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.