This card reminded me of something

Isn't it funny how you can look at something a thousand times and for some strange reason it always takes you to the same place? That was true of this card, it kept popping into my mind and each time I was drawn back to thoughts of the wonderful days we spent living in Sweden.

Then it hit me, it's the colors, they are the colors of the Swedish flag and the images just reminded me of the very simple and clean country we loved and will carry with us in our hearts forever.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

We often think to ask what inspired us to create a card, but it isn't too often that I stop to think what the card itself inspires.

When you make a friend in Sweden, you make a friend for life. When you live a moment of your life in Sweden it is in your heart for life.

For some reason Spring is always a season of reflection for me, I don't know if it is because I was born in Spring, or because everything is new in Spring, but I always think back to the wonderful places I've lived in Spring - England, Sweden, Germany and of course America and then there are all the amazing places that we've visited in Spring - the memories of all these places are just a little fresher and more vibrant when I remember them in Spring.

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I'd Be Delighted To Make Them For You

I was surprised to discover that some of the people who received these tags and some who saw them here, wanted to know if they could purchase them.

If you would like to order your own monogram tag, please email me reeveelizabeth@hotmail.com
Cost per tag is $4:00 + shipping and handling (no shipping & handling if you collect from me).

Tags come with three coordinating pieces of ribbon attached and an attached lanyard clip. The front has the letter of your choice and the back has my blog address and Stampin' Up! Angel Policy Stamp and a similar pattern to the front. Ribbon may vary slightly depending on availability.

Availability of this product is limited.

PayPal charge me a handling charge and so if you choose to use PayPal, then the cost per tag is $4.50 + shipping and handling.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

This is a unique gift and dresses up any gift or bag.

Please feel free to email me for more details.

When is a lunch bag not a lunch bag?

I can't believe it, I live 3,000 miles away from my family and every single one of them got my cards and gifts here on time - not that I ever expect anything, but WOW - that was just amazing and what's even more impressive, is that even with a five hour time difference, every single one of them contacted me in person - new babies, busy work schedules, Easter and Golf did not stop them.

This is definitely not a card any member of my family needed to use this year, but it reminds me of Audry Hepburn, my all time favorite actress and so I thought today was the perfect day to share it with you.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Just like my favorite actress, who looked stunning in just about anything, it proves that even a brown lunch bag can look stunning.

Yesterday was a special day, my husband took the day of work, my children had a special day off school and as the sun set on a picture perfect Spring Birthday, I couldn't have wished for more.

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Thanks Mom!

It's my Birthday today, so I thought I'd post this card for my Mom, to say thank you for bringing me into the world and for putting up with me all these years!

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

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Monogram Tags - Lots Of Monogram Tags

Yesterday I said that if I had time I'd make tags for the party bags and so I did. There was just one problem though. My daughter loved them, even my husband loved them, but that wasn't the problem.........

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

The problem was.......



....My son loved them too and promptly told me that boys have backpacks and sports bags too and the boys should get their own tags too. So guess what I've been doing this morning........

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

.... Yep, making "boy" monogram tags.

My fingers are sore, but now that I've made this many, I'm getting a lot faster and working smarter so that my fingers won't get so sore next time. For the boy ones I added a hemp tie, so that they can add a charm of their favorite sport or something and personalize it a little more.

It has finally stopped snowing here and although everywhere is still white, the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day!

Squares Without Stitching or a Big Shot

Last week I posted my challenge card and all the ladies who don't yet have a Big Shot wanted to know what they could make using square punches but without a Big Shot, so here's an idea.....

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

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Monogram Tag

I promised myself I'd stay off the computer today and just be creative, but what fun is that if you don't share?......

My ladies always ask where my inspiration comes from and for this project it came from multiple places........

• I have this cute new bag and I just like to add my own touch. As soon as I saw this bag, I had a feeling it would inspire me to be creative in one way or another. My daughter gave me the most delightful cherry bag jewelry to go on my winter bag and it wouldn't look right on this bag and I knew I'd miss my special gift from her.

• For Christmas my daughter's Godmother gave her a delightful monogram tag similar to this and I really wished I had one too.
• My daughter's Godmother took me shopping in North Carolina and we went into a shop that sold tags like this - oh my gosh, I could have eaten that shop for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it was absolutely delightful, but oh boy, a tag like this was $7:00 - $9:00.

• Every year when I make party bags, I like to put something I've created for the children and if time allows, this is what I'd like to make this year. My daughter has been busy creating things to go in the bags too and so this year I'm going to have to step up my game - do you think they'll like them?

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

One thing that you can't see is that the ribbon is hiding a little silver clasp (lanyard clasp), so that the tag can be easily attached. I forgot to photograph the back, but it just has my blog spot address in very simple tiny print so that anyone can see where the tag came from and then it has the black and white images stamped all over.

I chose not to put an address, since this is just a monogram to personalize and I'm always worried about having things with addresses attached to bags.

Well, it's taken me since Christmas for my inspiration to become a reality. I hope you enjoyed seeing my project.

Orange Is The Theme For One Of The Stampin' Up! challenges this month

There's something to be said for having simple card ideas and this one can change with your mood, just by changing out the colors or the sentiment.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

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For My Friend

This card is just for you - Happy Monday Friend!

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

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Gift Certificate Pouch

We made these at stamp club last year too so that we could share a recipe using the set "From The Kitchen Of" - It is such a nice way to share a recipe when a friend asks for it.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

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Sock Monkey

Hi there, another early post tonight ready for tomorrow.
We are expecting a huge snow storm to start any minute and continue through tomorrow and so my guess is that tomorrow will be as crazy as ever.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Coming up with cards that work for boys and girls is hard, but I think this one does the trick. Only yesterday I was in Target and there sitting on the shelf was a "sock monkey".

Have a wonderful week everyone - For everyone around here - Stay warm and stay safe.

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Luggage/Backpack Tag

When it comes to thinking of things to go in party bags for older children it isn't always easy - ten year olds don't want play-doh any more.......

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

As children get older, they absolutely love getting or making things that are personalized. It's a fun project idea for a party or scout/brownie activity too.

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Shower Table Idea

It's always a challenge to know what to create for a shower of any kind.

This is a fun idea for the bride to be - collect recipe's from guests, print them on designer series paper - you know there's a design that will go with your color scheme, then run them through the big shot and wrap them around the napkins - hold closed with some ribbon and a peppermint chocolate decorated using the scallop punch. The bride to be gets to keep the recipe's and the tables will look delightful.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Do the same thing for a children's party but print a joke on the inside

- it will keep them occupied while they wait for their food.

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My First Ever Challenge!

Once in a while I head out the door on a Friday night to join a fabulous group of ladies for an evening of Scrapbooking/Paper Crafting. We gather in the basement of a local church and everyone does their own crafting thing.

This week, Sarah (who organizes the gathering) sent out a challenge to create a project. The parameters were that you had to use eight different designs of patterned paper, eight stickers and a stamped image.

I have never in my life done a challenge, but I’m one of those people who just can’t resist a dare and that’s what it was to me.

Well, for a start – I don’t have any stickers, so I had to make some with a sticker machine I won last year – lucky for me Sarah likes “outside the box thinking” and so making my own stickers was OK with her.

On Friday evening, I get to take my creation. Do you think they’ll like it?

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

I used one of my favorite Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Papers – Bella Rose and of course I had to get out my secret weapon “Big Shot” – have you noticed how many times I’ve called upon the Top Note die and how many different uses it has?

For the stickers I ran coordinating Designer Series Paper through my sticker machine and then had the delight of using my new button die to create sticker buttons – Even my son was impressed. Was I done using the Big Shot? Oh no! I used the texturz plates to create the dry embossed background.

Then it was time to punch things up a bit with my brand new Eyelet Boarder punch – I thought I loved the Scallop Edge punch, but this one is dare I say it – even better?

I’ve resisted ordering oval punches ever since they came out, but recently I caved and so out they came too. Oh my gosh, why did I wait this long to go “oval”?

Finally I created my stamped image using one of the “Under $10” items that you can earn for FREE this month. Oh and there's glitter too on the stamped image.

Sorry if that sounded excitable. I just had the best time with this project.

Have a Fabulous Friday and a Wonderful Weekend everyone!

Amber's Make 'n Take - Seeing Spots and In Colors

OK, yesterday I posted early because life has been running away with me this week and so I'm doing the same again today for tomorrow - I hope you don't mind.....

I've been meaning to post the Make 'n Take card from Amber's workshop all week and things just kept coming up, so here it is at last.

I know I've used "seeing spots" a bunch lately, so I'm going to put it to the bottom of the pile and try to resist the temptation to use it for a while - plus one of the stamps needs to dry out since it was dropped in a cup of coffee - Lisa, that's how I know stamps float - it was soooo funny. You just never know what will happen at a workshop.

We used the chit chat rub ons again and once again the ladies were very complimentary and agreed that not all rub ons are created equal - they assured me that these rub ons really are top notch and it isn't just my imagination. I loved the fact that our make 'n take was kind of an any occasion card and because Chit Chat rub ons have sentiments for just about any occasion, the ladies could make their card just right for their needs.

I finished the projects for my Spring Rub Ons class today - using the Bright Delights rub ons and I can't wait to put the class details together for you in the coming weeks.

Cards From Fellow Demonstrators

As you know, I absolutely love making hand made cards and projects, but one of the downsides of being the "maker" is that I don't get that fabulous feeling of receiving hand made cards in the mail.

As you also know my Best Ever Simply Scrappin' Kit Class was posted on the Stampin' Up! web site recently and a number of demonstrators purchased the class from me to share with their own customers. One of the extra benefits to me, as well as sharing what I love, is that some of the wonderful demonstrators out there have included a hand made card with their payment.

I wanted to share as many of the beautiful cards I've received as I can, so here are two more cards that just made my heart sing when I received them.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Thank you ladies, they are quite simply delightful, they made my day and made me feel special.

I Love The New Occasions Mini!!!!!

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Click here to see why: http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Occasions09_US.pdf

Playing Catch Up or as my Children Say "Ketchup"

Wow, it's just been one of those weeks.

Every time I turn around there is something else that crops up and everything I had planned goes right out the window......

........So, tonight I'm going to be proactive and post ready for tomorrow and of course that means that it will be a regular day - here's hoping......

Anyway, more than a week ago, I promised to post our Stamp Club swaps and so here they are:

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Hmmm, some of the cards needed to lean against something and so I just couldn't help showing off my new bag - I can't wait to use it as inspiration for a card or scrapbook page.

I think my ladies did a fabulous job don't you?

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Congratulations ladies - you did a fabulous job - I only wish everyone seeing them here could see them in person, they are even better (if that's possible) in real life - Way to go Stamp Club - You Rock!

Get Connected Promotion Update!

Hi there - in my last post I let you know that there was a slight issue with our new promotion - here are the latest details that Stampin' Up! just posted......

Get Connected Promotion to Go Live Thursday April 1, 2009
http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/14084.asp

We have identified and fixed the technical problems that caused a delay in starting the Get Connected promotion; we currently have our Quality Assurance team testing it, and they will be working through the evening to ensure the promotion can go live Thursday, April 2. The specific time will be determined Thursday mid-day after a promotion review, and we will post another announcement along with the previously posted support materials when the promotion goes live.
Please note: We had communicated earlier that we may need to change the parameters of the promotion. We are happy to announce that no changes will be necessary; the promotion will remain as was first announced on March 1.

It's Not An April Fool - It's A Great New April Promotion!!

A Great Way to Connect - Page 208

Connect with family and friends when you make them beautiful cards and gifts using products from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Currently there is a slight technical hitch and I received the following from Stampin' Up! a short while ago:

Technical Issues with Get Connected Promotion April 1, 2009
Due to unforeseen technical issues with the Get Connected promotion, it has become necessary to turn it off. We are looking at several ways to resolve these issues, some of which may require us to change the parameters of the promotion. Currently, demonstrators should hold off on advertising this promotion as it is outlined on the Demonstrator Web Site.
Our team has been working on this throughout the night and we will keep you posted as new information becomes available.

The New Occasions Mini Is Here!!!

Yesterday I posted some fun cards made with just a few of the fabulous new items in new Occasions Mini -
Click on the link http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Occasions09_US.pdf to view this fabulous new catalog.

It's No April Fool - The Occasions Mini Starts April 1st!

I won't be able to use my computer in the morning, so I'm posting tonight for tomorrow.

If the cards below are anything to go by, you are going to love the new Occasions Mini that starts April 1st.

I'll post a link to the mini just as soon as I can.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

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It's A Big Shot Thing!

March 31st is the last day for Sale-A-Bration 2009.

If you order a Big Shot Machine during Sale-A-Bration you will earn two FREE Sale-A-Bration gifts from the Pink Sale-A-Bration mini - Add a couple of Big Shot accessories or the Doctor's Bag and you'll make your own show and earn FREE hostess benefits. Quick - you have only have until Tuesday March 31st to earn Sale-A-Bration FREE items.

Remember you can shop on line with me 24/7 just go to http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/elizabethreeve and select the "SHOP NOW" button.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Do you recognize the Top Note die above - I've used it to create Owls, Santa Dust, Valentines and a host of other great projects.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

I love these little buckets above - you just place any card or designer series paper on the die, run it through the big shot and you have a cute pocket bucket card or a 3d bucket to put treats in. It doesn't get any easier than that.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

I absolutely love how easy it is to create texture with my Big Shot and how long would it have taken to cut out all those leaf designs without the big shot?

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Progressive Scrapbooking and Coordinating Card

Well, as you all know by now, I do not profess to being a scrapbooker and so when Amber called me and said she wanted me to do a workshop for her and she wanted me to show how a card could become a scrapbook page and how a 6 x 6 page could become an 8 1/2 x 11 page and then transform into a 12 x 12 page, I was really challenged.

This is what I came up with - I sure hope the liked it!

The Card

6 X 6 Scrapbook Page

8 1/2 x 11 Scrapbook Page


8 1/2 x 11 becomes 12 x 12

All Three Pages Put Together To Become 12 x 12

The Completed Projects

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

Amber's workshop was a lot of fun, I got to meet some lovely ladies.

By the way, did you know that if you drop a stamp in a cup of coffee it floats?

Also Amber wanted to know about the Stamp A MaJig, which of course I didn't have with me, but did you know that you can actually show how it works using a pen, a calculator and the bag that dimsionals come in?

If you haven't booked a workshop with me yet, you probably should, because you just never know what will happen.

I told the the story about what my Son said the other day when we were out shopping too......

......As we walked past one of those machines you can get that basically seals food so it doesn't get freezer burn etc.

"Hey Mom, why don't we get a FOOD LAMINATOR"

That's just one of those moments you can't resist sharing. Have a fabulous day everyone!

Just Buzzin' By #113228 Page 57

I showed these samples to my ladies the other day and one of them couldn't believe that she'd missed this stamp set in the catalog - she loved it and so today I decided to share it with you too.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!

One of my stamp club members made a great swap with this set and I promise to post it next week.

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Have a wonderful weekend!