Retro Cross-stitch Cards

Look at these adorable cross-stitch cards available in the current mini catalog from Stampin' Up! - how great are these.   It is the Sweet Threads Simply Sent kit - item #126924.   I remember doing cross-stitch cards similar to this the 70's and I loved them.  These kits come with the bases pre-printed in pink and green, white envelopes, 8 die-cut pattern pieces (4 flowers, 4 cupcakes), embroidery floss, needles and dimensionals.  You can also purchase a coordinating stamp set with the words "Thank  You" and "Happy Birthday", but I opted to use a "thanks" that I had on hand.  I also added the Regal Rose Taffeta Ribbon for a little added touch - but they were pretty even before.

I really love how they turn out and they are soooo fast to complete.

You can order these and any other Stampin' Up! products you'd like at www.stampingwithmaureen.stampinup.net !!  Check it out!  ~Maureen

Great Christmas Cards

Just wanted to share a couple more Christmas Cards that I think I missed sharing earlier.  I love the handmade cards I get and these two are just lovely -

From Elaine

From Kathy B

Thank you ladies for the lovely wishes!! ~Maureen

Cards Camp January

Here's the third and final card we made at this month's Cards stamp camp - It uses the new banner framelits and doilies from the current mini catalog.  What a fun card to show your thanks to someone for their kindness.  Perfect for this time of year as we're sending out our holiday thank you's!

Hope you like it - if you do - plan to join us for our February Stamp Camp!! Just email me to RSVP!  ~Maureen

Stamp Camp Valentine

Here's the second card we made at this month's Cards Stamp Camp - an early Valentine.  It uses some great new products from Stampin' Up!  I absolutely LOVE the Honeycomb embossing folder - it looks great anyway you use it.  We cut a few extra honeycomb pieces out of DSP and taped them on to add some great contrast. 

Hope you liked it!! ~Maureen

Health Update

Hi All - 
sorry I have not been posting much lately.  I have been in so much pain for the past weeks - hard to walk - my right knee killing me.  Well, I finally had an MRI this week - and the prognosis - bursitis, torn meniscus and a cyst - no wonder I hurt.   I see the orthopedist in a week and we'll see what he says :(  

Anyway - I apologize and will try and do better!!!  Thanks for sticking with me!

~Maureen

UPDATED: Valentine Stamp Camp with Product Bundle!!!

 Valentine's Stamp Camp

Sunday, February 3, 2013* (come craft while hubby enjoys the Super Bowl and join him later)

1:00 - 4:00 PM (time correction)

Heidi's Home in Thousand Oaks (ask if you need the address)

 Cost $25.00

 Come and make some adorable projects for the upcoming Valentine's Holiday.  

Your registration will include the Valentine Treat Bundle ~

which includes the Happy Valentine Heart Single Stamp (clear-mount, shown on the left above) and a package of our 1" x 8" cellophane bags perfect for filling with treats!!

We'll be making four projects at this event - 1) Treat bags (you will complete several at the event); 2) A beautiful Valentine card; 3) a 3-D item to display in your home for Valentine's day; and 4) a 3-D Valentine package.  No additional purchase is required - but purchase $50 in merchandise at the event and you can pick a FREE sale-a-bration product.  Limit 10 spots.  Must RSVP to hold your spot.  On-time drawing at 2:05 PM.

Click here to RSVP, just include the event name and date in your email.
For more fun stamping opportunities click on the Upcoming Stamping Events tab at the top of this page!!
~Maureen 

Sympathy

This month at my cards class we made this beautiful sympathy card.  I have to apologize for the lighting - I took this late and so not the greatest picture.  But I hope you can see how lovely it is.  The colors are Always Artichoke, Summer Starfruit and Not Quite Navy.   It uses the "So Sorry" and the "Field Flowers" sets. 

Hope you like it ~Maureen

Downline Project

Heidi provided our downline project at this month's meeting.  She had us each make one of the adorable cards from the SAB Simply Sent kit - just to show us how cute and easy they are - and so we each have a sample to show our customers.  Here is my card all done - all the products on the card are included in the kit.

 

 I love the great die cut look of the card, and  note the matching shape on the envelope flap. 

 

The only thing Heidi did -was instead of attaching our flowers flat she wanted to give them some dimension.  So using our embossing buddy we powdered the back of each layer of flower to remove the sticky - then curled up the petals and attached them together with glue dots.   Here's a close-up!

 

 Love it!!! Thank you Heidi!  You can see more of her work here.  ~Maureen

Oval Punch Bow

At my downline meeting this past weekend I demonstrated how to make these cute little paper bows using oval punches.  I want to thank both Jill Olson and Kelly Acheson for their pictures and info on these on their blogs.

 You start by punching out four ovals using your oval punch.  The bow size varies by the size of the oval punch you use.

 

 Take one of your ovals and gently fold in half, keeping the curve of the bow and attaching with glue dots - do this twice.

 Here I attached those two pieces to a scrap piece of cardstock I'd punched for a base.

 Next take your other two ovals and cut a "V" out of one of the ends on each.

 Next attach those ovals with glue dots to the underside of each of the loops.  I then punched a little flower, added a gem and adhered in the middle of the bow to finish it off.  So cute and easy!!! ~Maureen

Christmas Eve Traditions

This year we celebrated Christmas Eve at Jenee's home.  This is a tradition in our family to get together Christmas Eve - have yummy appetizers and desserts, open up our stocking stuffers and read the Christmas story.  Here is Jenee's tree!

 

Here's just one of the yummy appetizers - a cute cheese ball snowman with crackers that Jenee made - so cute!!!

 Jenee and her family -

Zamarah, Paisley, Jenee and Prince

 Heidi and her family  -

Aaron, Heidi, Kamili, Zavian and Makai

Our other Christmas Eve tradition is NEW PAJAMAS from Gramma and Papa -

 Here's the crew modeling them.

Kamili, Makai, Paisley, Prince, Zamarah and Zavian

Fun times with family - just can't beat them!!!  ~Maureen