Stamp With Lisa

A MUCH NEEDED BREAK!

A couple of days ago my son, Matthew, was diagnosed with allergies to 35 of 44 items tested.  Every tree pollen except red cedar, every grass pollen, every weed pollen, most molds, dogs, cats, mosquitos...you name, chances are he's allergic to it.  So this weekend, we have bought new 'allergen free' bedding, washed his walls, curtains, blinds, carpet, etc.  We have started the same throughout many other rooms in the house.  Most of the time, I can avoid housework with any number of excuses...you now....I have to stamp a card for a class I am having in June of 2010....I have to go grocery shopping...I have to pay bills...I have to bathe the dog...I have a whole list.  (Just let me know if you need one that your husband and kid's haven't hear yet!)  Seriously though, I just didn't think that I could avoid this job with this latest development.  Thank God my sister-in-law called to say they are celebrating my nephew's birthday tonight with a cookout!  Now there is a REAL reason I have to stamp!  So, I headed to my little ole stamping table to whip out a card for his birthday.  But, I didn't have much time...you know...more housework.  UGH!  So, I kind of cased one from the SU! catalog.  I used Extreme Elements...LOVE THIS SET!  (Finally something for the teen guys and gals!)  Used the Extreme Guitar coordinating stamp...who doesn't play Guitar Hero these days.  And pulled the You Rock stamp from the Just Jawing set.  Colors are Old Olive and Brocade Blue.  SUPER QUICK, SUPER EASY!  Ohhhhhh.... maybe it was too quick, I really want more stamping time.  (cue tears)  

 

STAMPS OR CAKES...

OK, so I haven't done as much stamping as I wanted to or needed to do.  (cue whining and crying here)  I need Gloria Elder to get over to my house to help me get that done...she is the only one that I know who can hang with me during late night stamping!  :-) 

I am blaming the lack of stamping on the TV show, CAKE BOSS.  I have to find a scapegoat somehow.  My son, Matthew, is addicted to this show.  (So is his mom.)  However, every time we watch it, he says to me, "Mom, you can make that can't you?"  No matter how many times I tell him that there is a reason this cake decorator has his own show...and I do not...he doesn't seem to believe me.  At first I contacted the bakery from Cake Boss...but when I found out their video game cake (for a Wii) was like $500, I knew there was no way we would spend that much money for a cake!  (I am sure it feeds a lot of people but that is a lot of money for a cake!)  Matthew asked for an xbox cake for his birthday.  This was WAY OUT of my league.  I haven't cake decorated in about ten years...and even then I was somewhat limited.  Though I had never worked with rolled fondant icing, I told Matthew that I would see what I could do.  (At the very least I knew I could pray like crazy!!!!)  :-) 

Well, rolled fondant was a lesson, that's for sure.  I learned that you can not really 'patch' it...though I tried.  So you will see in the following pictures my 'patchwork'...front and almost center, no less.  And little things like I realized after the fact that the xbox is not curved in the back...but sometimes you just have to go with what you get.  Though I now know why that video game cake costs so much!

 

The most important thing is that Matthew loved it.  The really funny story...he wanted the 'controller' cake on top for his piece.  I told him that he couldn't eat all of it at one time...so he takes a few bites...then I notice him digging UNDER the icing.  He had eaten almost the entire cake out from under the icing all the while I am thinking he has only had a few bites!  Sneaky ten year old, I have!

So my daughter, Emily, turned 15 about two weeks after Matthew.  Though I hadn't really recovered from Matthew's cake, she didn't want rolled fondant so I figured I could get this one out.  She has always loved cupcakes...making them, drawing them, reading about them...you name it, she likes it.  Her best friend gave her this giant cupcake cake pan for her birthday so we used that for the cake.  I thought it would be much easier to make since we were not using fondant...no such luck.  But, it was fun nonetheless.  Here are the pictures of this huge cupcake!

 

 

And I am done with cakes for another year!!!  Woohoo!!!  And with a little luck I will get some card pictures up here in the next few days now!

FLIGHT OF FANCY CLASS

Have a fun flight of fancy creating this adorable birdhouse box and coordinating cards using bright colors and the versatile Good Friend stamp set!  In this class, you will make one Birdhouse Box to hold cards and four coordinating cards with envelopes. The whimsical style and bright colors in this project are sure to make you smile. 

With this class you will receive an emailed file with 21 pages of detailed instructions including over 75 color photos and a template for the birdhouse box.  In addition you will receive photos of an alternate birdhouse box and four alternate card ideas.  $15.00 class fee.  (Please bring adhesive of your choice.)

You can purchase the Good Friend stamp set at 20% off when you purchase this class.  Order by Aug 5th and receive the set at the class.  This class is available by mail, also.

DATE:  Monday, Aug. 17
TIME:  7:00 - 9:30pm

BIRDHOUSE BOX (to store cards):

ONE OF THE FOUR CARDS WE WILL MAKE:

ALTERNATE CARD (you receive pictures of alternate projects):

A NIGHT OF CASE-ING...

OK, so I had my 'open stamp camp' last night.  I LOVE open stamp...it is just all about having fun with no pressure.  One of my long-time stamping friends, Gloria, came over.  When I first met Gloria she was about the only person that I knew that could stay up as late as I did.  At the time, I was in my first house where I used a VERY small (like 8'x9') bedroom for my stamp area.  She and I would stamp and organize until the wee hours of the morning.  Then we spread our bad habits to anyone that would join us.  I moved and for the longest time we all stamped in my basement (see craft room picture below).  Well, Gloria had grandkids, Shelley had more babies, Missy moved...and I started my company that took over the basement.  No more late night stamping.  (cue tears)  Well Gloria came to my stamp camp...everyone left...my hubby did a midnight run for the border for burritos...and we stamped all night long!  LITERALLY.  :-)  My almost 10 year old son came down to the basement saying he woke up and couldn't go back to sleep.  He hung out with us for a bit and then started playing some video games.  (I know, bad Mom!)  Next thing you know, I asked Mattew what time it was and he said 4:41!!!! 

 

My stamp room has been condensed to about 1/4" of this area now.  Everything else was taken over by my business, Sweetbriar Designs.  It still works to stamp in though...and I love, love, love the new business!  (I even have great quilted microfiber totes in super fun colors that I have embroidered "Stampin' Lisa" on to carry my supplies and albums when I go to local crops for 'stylish' advertising...there is a picture of one on the left side of my blog!  Speaking of which...I can't wait for the new Sweetbriar Designs website!  We will have online ordering for our entire catalog!!!!  WOOHOO!  For now you have to email me...I tried putting up a Paypal Store on the left, but can't figure out how to get the options set up correctly so that you choose the black, brown, pink, lime green or teal tote and then what style and color font, what you want it to say...all the good stuff.  The Paypal store is very frustrating.  So sorry!)

So here are the cards that we cased last night.  The floral one (the scan makes the ribbon appear slightly different in color than the flowers when they are really the same) and the flower pot are Patty Bennett designs!  I can not for the life of me figure out where the puppy card came from...sometimes I can blog surf for what seems days on end and forget.  I print the pictures and try to write the name of the original creator so I give due credit...but I have missed this one.  Will try to figure it out and post back.  I apologize!

  

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

At my stamp camp last week, we used stamp sets that retired June 30th.  Just thought I would share three of them with you.  These stamp sets are retired now...but there are some GREAT new sets in the 2009/2010 catalog.  Email me if you would like to pick one up at my home ($4) or mailed to you ($8).

  

 

 

RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR NEW CLUBS & PRODUCT SHARES FOR 2009/2010!

Here they are...new clubs and new product shares.  There are a few clubs to choose from...product based for things like Sizzix and punches or the standard card club or scrapbook club.  Clubs offer several benefits in addition to accumulating some great stampign products, such as project ideas every month, hostess benefits, and a girls night out every month!  I have attached the flyers with the details on what I am offering this year.  Please don't hesitate to email if you have any questions about these...it is a lot of information. 

Download STAMP CLUBS 2009_2010

Download ACCESSORIES SHARE 2009

Download RIBBON SHARE 2009

Here is a list of the clubs that are being offered this year if you don't want to download.  I can email the details on the product shares, too.  Below the club description you will see some samples of projects that we might do with the product based clubs.

SIZZIX CLUB

Purchase:  $30 in Sizzix tools for five months

Receive:

·         Free 2009/2010 Catalog & Idea Book

·         Free project class each month of club

·         Free ‘End of Club Party’

·         Free level one stamp set

·         Free $15 in merchandise of your choice

·         First order due:  FIRST TUESDAY in July

·         Last order due:  FIRST TUESDAY in November (End of year party in Dec)

The club will begin the first month with making two projects using Sizzix dies.  You will place and pay for your first order that evening.  The following month (and each month until the end of the club) you will pick up the previous month’s order and make two more projects and place the next order.  You will pick up your last order at the “End of Club Party” where we will also make additional projects, door prizes, refreshments, etc.  It will definitely be quite the party!

 

 

PUNCH CLUB

Purchase:  $30 in Stampin’ Up! Punches for five months

Receive:

·         Free 2009/2010 Catalog & Idea Book

·         Free project class each month of club

·         Free ‘End of Club Party’

·         Free level one stamp set

·         Free $15 in merchandise of your choice

·         First order due:  FIRST TUESDAY in July

·         Last order due:  FIRST TUESDAY in November (End of year party in Dec)

The club will begin the first month with making two projects using SU! punches.  You will place and pay for your first order that evening.  The following month (and each month until the end of the club) you will pick up the previous month’s order and make two more projects and place the next order.  You will pick up your last order at the “End of Club Party” where we will also make additional projects, door prizes, refreshments, etc.  It will definitely be quite the party!

 

  

CARD CLUB or SCRAPPIN’ CLUB

Purchase:  $15 in merchandise of your choice         

Receive:

·         Free 2009/2010 Catalog & Idea Book

·         ½ price standard ($10) card class or scrapbook class each month of club

·         Free ‘End of Club Party’

·         Free level one stamp set (minimum)

·         Free $15 in merchandise of your choice (minimum)

·         First order due:  THIRD THURSDAY in July

·         Last order due:  THIRD THURSDAY in April  (End of year party in May)

You will place and pay for your first order by the THIRD THURSDAY in July.  The following month (and each month until the end of the club) you will pick up the previous month’s order at the class you choose to attend.  You will pick up your last order at the “End of Club Party”.  It will definitely be quite the party with free projects, refreshments and door prizes! 

SIZZIX: Movers & Shakers...LOVE IT!

This was such a super easy card...literally a five minute job!  So, when you need a super quick birthday, thank you, thinking of you, whatever...well, you can get this card done before you can get your purse and keys and get the car started to go spend 30 minutes in the grocery store aisle looking for the perfect card...that you won't, of course, find there!  :-)

This card uses "Lisa's Personal Pink" (wink, wink) one of Stampin' Up!s, new In Colors for 2009/2010.  Oh my gosh...2010...it literally seems like yesterday that we were ringing in the year 2000 with shrimp cocktail and champagne...and then the flu the next day!  OK, I'm digressing...back to the card.  It uses the Sizzix Movers & Shakers die, and the coordinating Movers & Shapers Punch Windows die which is in the new catalog.  These dies will punch out the image on your card front in any place you want it (whereas a punch will only reach so far).  The original die comes with a punch out that coordinates with the Curly Label punch and the Punch Windows die comes with four different punch outs that coordinate with four of our punches (heart, scallop oval, star, modern label).  Really and truly...so cool and so easy!!!  I also used the Texture Plates (Stampin' Up! Backgrounds) for the Sizzix.  Here is a helpful hint on the Texture Plates: use your sanding block to make the embossed images stand out a little more!  For this card, a lot of Sizzix and a little stamping.  The stamp set is Happy Heart Day which is retiring after June 30...such a really cute set that is also good for things other than Valentine's Day. 

IN COLORS...

I whipped out a quick card so you can see the new In Colors!  The set is Razzle Dazzle and has coordinating Designer Series Paper, Razzleberry Lemonade.  Check out the picture...do you see those MARKERS?  Yes indeed, those are IN COLOR MARKERS!  Woohoo!  No more aquapainter or blender pen!!!!  We also have polka dot ribbon of all six In Colors...do you feel like a kid in a candy store?  As much as I LOVE polka dots, for this card, the dots were just a little too much...no problem, just turn it over and use the solid side of the ribbon. 

  

In Colors (Left to Right, Top to Bottom using ribbon)

• Bermuda Bay
• Lisa's Personal Pink (ok, the real name is Melon Mambo...see my name IS better!)
• Rich Razzleberry
• WVU GOLD (not really, it's really Crushed Curry...but, I like WVU GOLD better!)
• Dusty Durango
• Soft Suede

OK, I guess I'll quit renaming the colors.

ATTN: ALL STAMPIN' UP! CUSTOMERS

Notice to all Stampin' Up! customers...the new In Color "Melon Mambo"...has been officially renamed "Lisa's Pink". Since it was brought to my attention that this new name doesn't have two words beginning with the same letter as all the other colors do, if you feel so inclined you may certainly call it "Lisa's Personal Pink" to meet that requirement. Regardless, I am absolutely positive that the powers that be at Stampin' Up! had pleasing ME in mind when this color was chosen!!!! :-)

CARD KITS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE!

Can't make it to a class?  Here is a card kit that is currently available for purchase.  The kit contains an instructions page for each card along with the supplies needed to complete including ribbon, brads, microbeads, etc.  You simply need to provide stamps, ink and adhesives.  All four of the cards are designed so that you can easily incorporate stamps that you already own if you do not have the ones used.

KIT COST:  $8.00 (includes postage and instruction sheets in color)

 

   

 

 

To purchase these card kits, just email and I can send you a paypal invoice.  (Soon I will upload the paypal widget to be able to have you click from here to purchase...but I'm not that computer literate yet!  This $8.00 Kit includes first class postage to you.  There are only a few kits available, so reserve yours now! 

Email me at StampWithLisa@aol.com