Cute & Clean Again...

Here is the second card we made at this month's Cute & Clean Stamp Camp.  It uses one of my favorites (yes, I am a coffee addict), Perfect Blend.  I used torn "Typeset" DSP because when I think of coffee I think of early morning, reading the newspaper, etc.  Who am I kidding - when I think if coffee it's definitely not restricted to early morning :) 

We did this card on SU's Crumb Cake notecards - it's a little smaller size and would be perfect to jot down a note and throw in that Starbuck's gift card.  Okay, okay - when I think of coffee I think of Starbuck's :)

Here is a trio of the cards - you can see how the coffee cup and bottom layer are raised up on dimensionals.  This is the same layout I used for my Convention shoebox swap card - but we added a couple more layers.  Hope you liked it - now I'm off to get another cup of coffee!  ~Maureen

Cute and Clean Cards Stamp Camp

Today I just wanted to share one of the cards we made at this month's stamp camp.  It uses my favorite set from the new catalog "Kinda Eclectic".  It was soooo hard for me to hold off buying this - as I new we were getting it at Convention.  In fact you probably recognize this card we made at Convention - I totally CASE'd it because I loved it!  I used a different DSP for the strip and added gems to the flowers - but those were my only changes - so pretty.

Here's a picture using the flash - throws the colors off a bit - I think the picture above better represents the colors of the card.

I'm gonna make up some more with different sentiments - it just has a such a fresh, clean look to it - again - I LOVE IT!  Hope you liked it too!  ~Maureen

More Convention Swaps

I still had some swaps to share from Convention - so here are the rest of them -

Brenda and Tim Georgi

Cheryl Lee

Dawn Wilson

Jill Olson

Kathy Hamrick

Angie Kennedy Juda

Sunita Simon

Unknown designer

Unknown designer

Swapping is just one more way to get the most out of Convention - I'm glad I swapped a few - I put them all in little binders for my customers to look at and get ideas.  Hope you enjoyed!  ~Maureen

Fun Time In Arizona

We recently had an amazing vacation in Prescott, Arizona.  Most of you know we own a home that we plan to retire to there.  My daughter Jenee and her kids already live there.  So we took a week and relaxed and had time with family.  Here's a picture of me with my grand-daughter, Zamarah and Jenee at the local brewpub which is one of my favs!  Prescott Brewery - check it out if you're in that area.

And here's Paul with grandson Prince, and grand-daughter Paisley.  We had such a fun family night with them.

Paisley and Prince already started school last week - here is their first day of school picture!

While we were there we had several days of rain (it's Monsoon season there) dark clouds would roll in, and we'd have a good old fashioned thunder storm - I really miss those from our mid-West days.  Here's picture of what Jenee saw yesterday - a beautiful double rainbow!!!

Great trip, great time with family, and now back to real life :(  Oh well - someday!  Stop back soon for some more cards and stamping!  ~Maureen

Project Life - A simpler way to keep those memories

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this new line of products "Project Life from Stampin' Up!"  I am such a wanna-be scrapbooker - but it is always such a chore for me - so I tend just not to do it at all.  But this product has changed all that.  Everything you need to put your pages together comes in this adorable little box.  You can buy many different themed sets - each has coordinating cards, stickers and 3D elements. 

 

 All you need are the Photo Pocket Pages below, your boxed set from above and your pictures.  You simple slip them into the sections of the pages - add any additional elements if you want (totally optional) and add a little journaling!!  That's it.  This layout with just the cards could probably be put together in just 10 minutes.

The pages I'm showing were done as part of a class - so the card inserts are stepped up a bit - but realize they are very cute just as they come.  On the page above I added gems to one of the inserts, the little star stickers to another and on the third washi tape, the punched triangles and the wooden arrow.

On the above page I added punched hearts to one card; some stamping, sequins and word bubbles to another; and on the bottom one some punched triangles a wooden triangle, and some Crystal Effects to the little colorful circles.  Finally, we punched the big circle out of a card to frame Makai's picture and added the journaling strip, ribbon and camera button.  The I put a couple arrows pointing to Prince and Paisley's picture.  This layout with all the embellishing would probably take still under an hour to do. Much less time than my traditional scrapbooking pages.  So I am really thrilled.  Watch for my next Project Life by Stampin' Up! class coming in September and plan to join us!  ~Maureen

Convention Shoebox Swap

Over the years it's become a tradition to do a shoebox swap with downline who want to participate.  This year 5 of us were together in one hotel - so we did the shoebox swap together.  Here are the five cards we came up with and made - we must have been in a "crumb cake" mood - as four out of the five cards used that!  A glass of wine, stamping and good friends  -- what could be better.  Enjoy these samples!

Devin's Card Design

Heidi's Card Design

Jen's Card Design

Maureen's Card Design

Sarah's Card Design

Hopefully next year we'll be able to get more together in one hotel and have a bigger swap.  ~Maureen

Stampin' FUN in August!

​The Kids are Back in School (soon) - 

so come have some Stampin' FUN!!

*Please request address if needed when you sign up for events.

August Stamping Opportunities with Maureen

NOTE: Every stamping event includes everything you need to make your projects.  You only need to bring yourself and your payment unless otherwise noted in the event information.  Thank you! 

Tuesday, August 12, 2014 ~ 7:00 – 9:30 PM

Sneak peek of one of the cards we'll be making at Cute and Clean Tues.

Sneak Peek of one of the cards we'll be making!

Cute and Clean Cards Stamp Camp
Maureen’s Home in Simi Valley*

Cost: $15 or get the Stamp Camp FREE with a $50 merchandise purchase at the event.

We'll make 6 cards - 2 each of 3 clean and cute designs using exclusive Stampin’ Up! sets and embellishments ONLY! This stamp camp is fun and easy for all crafting levels.

Light refreshments, coffee, tea and wine served. No additional purchase required.
All materials to make cards provided.  Doorprize drawing!

Limit 12.  Must RSVP to hold your spot.

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Saturday, August 16, 2014 ~  1:00 - 4:00 PM

Have some FUN with Paper Pumpkin

Maureen's Home in Simi Valley*

Cost: $20 or FREE if you are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber of mine.

Come join the FUN - and learn all about Stampin' Up!'s kit of the month delivered right to your door.

You'll complete an adorable special Paper Pumpkin kit the day of the event, as well as enjoy light refreshments, coffee, tea and wine. There will be a special doorprize drawing. All for only $20 or FREE if you are subscribed to Paper Pumpkin with me as your demonstrator. 

To subscribe, go to www.mypaperpumpkin.com. by August 10, choose subscribe - pick me as your demonstrator and use the promo code - HALFOFF2 - then sit back and wait for your August kit to arrive right after mid-month. So much fun!! This special applies to monthly subscribers only - not on the extended prepaid subscriptions. After your first two months you can switch to that option though. As a subscriber you'll also be able to purchase past kits and refills while supplies last.

Limit 10 customers - must RSVP to attend.

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Sunday, August 24, 2014 ~  1:00 - 4:00 PM

Christmas Cards Stamp Camp ~ Start your Christmas cards now!

Maureen's Home in Simi Valley*

Cost: $25 or FREE with a $65 merchandise purchase at the event.

I'm doing a series of Christmas card classes throughout the year to help you get a jump

on the holidays!  Each time you attend you will make 10 simple but wonderful Christmas cards

(5 each of 2 different designs).

If you do not do Christmas cards and would like an alternative winter or holiday design - let me know at time of sign-up. This has become a great way for many of my customers to be ready for the holidays without the last minute stress.  Light refreshments, coffee, tea and wine served. No additional purchase required.  Doorprize drawing.
Limit 12. Must RSVP to hold your spot.

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*Stamp Camp/Class/Club Cancellation Policy - PLEASE READ TILL END OF 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.) 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 Heidi or Maureen. If no purchase requirement is listed for the specific event, you must purchase 2 1/2 times the cost of the class/stamp camp/event or pay for the event. If event is cancelled by me - full refund will be given of any pre-payment. All events must be half-full to avoid possible cancellation.  NOTE: If a different cancellation date is listed in event description it supersedes this policy.

Convention Swaps - So Many Ideas

Each year at Convention there is a lot of swapping going on.  Demonstrators swap card fronts to share ideas with others.  I only swapped about 10 cards - and I think I forgot to take a picture of what I swapped :(  But if I find a picture I will post later.  For now, here are five of the swaps I received back!

Designer: Cheryl Parker

Designer: Chris Price

Designer: Cindy Russell

Designer: Diane Belcher

Designer: Susan Wagner

Great ideas!  Can't wait to CASE some of them.  Stop back soon - for some more great ideas.  ~Maureen

Roommate Gift Number 2

So today I'm sharing another one of my adorable Roommate gifts from Convention - this one came from Sarah.  I took a picture from another angle - but it came out way too dark.  So this one will have to do.  It is a cute little gift bag made from a sheet of DSP - the sides are gusseted and the top is punched and a ribbon threaded through  to close it!  It is so cute - and inside - a Starbucks gift card - she knows ME!  Reminds me of a little clutch purse.

Stop back soon for some more pics of great things I got at Convention!!  Wanna join me next year - be sure to check out the "Become a Crazy Stamping Lady!" at the top of this blog.  ~Maureen

A quick post - and apology

I must be getting old - I simply can't believe it's been a week since I blogged.  Between Convention - extra work at my day job - a vacation - and then EVEN MORE work at my job - time is just slipping away from me.  But enough is enough - as this little gem below says - YOU'RE FABULOUS - for sticking me - so more great posts are on the way!

This cute little post-it note holder and pen was a gift from one of my roomies, Devin, at convention - isn't it great!!!  I love it, and had such a great time getting to know her better at Convention.  Thanks again!!  ~Maureen