Saturday, January 30, 2010


Here’s a similar pin to those I made last week except this one is made with regular fabric instead of felt. Love the blue colors and I added a button I had been hoarding in my button stash for awhile. I think it gives it more of a vintage look. I even added some tulle to the layers.

Enjoy!

Renee

Friday, January 29, 2010

It's Friday!

Do you ever feel that way after a hectic week? I know I do and I'm not sure why we think Friday is the answer. I think it's really all a mental thing for a lot of us. I think Friday means we get Saturday and Sunday to recoup, but many people don't get that and have to keep keeping on. Life can be so busy sometimes and we don't know how to slow it down. Well last year around this time I think I had shared a website that I find so helpful in getting me a little more focused with all those have to do things and put a little more priority where it belongs. The website is Proverbs 31 Ministries It really is very focused on women and the things that we all face each day. It always seems to be just what I need that day and I've also found that if I miss reading it and catch up, I find myself saying why didn't I read it yesterday? It would have made my day go so much better. So I encourage you to subscribe to the daily devotion. It's doesn't take long to read it and I'm sure you'll find it a blessing.


And speaking of blessings, I have a very dear friend who sent me this card yesterday.

Doesn't she do an awesome job at water coloring? The picture really doesn't do it justice. When I first opened it up, the thought crossed my mind of, "why doesn't Pam make a card with all her SU stuff instead of buying one?" Then I realized I recognized the stamp set and looked close and was amazed. Pam you did a great job. I absolutely love it! Thanks so much!

I have a Stamp Class tomorrow and I can't wait. This class is full, but if you'd be interested in other classes please feel free to drop me an email or post here and let me know what kind of classes you are interested in. I love to offer classes and would be more than happy to accommodate projects you'd like to make.

Have a great Friday (and Saturday & Sunday too)!
Blessings,
Renee

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Tote-ally Tess

This adorable stamp set appears in the Occasions Mini catalog and since I got it I've been dying to come up with something fun to do for myself with it.  Not that I don't love making things to show you, but I wanted to make something that would be useful to me.  Every year it becomes a challenge to find something that will work great for keeping track of my mileage for my Stampin'Up! business.  I've bought several things, but they always seem much more than I need or I've used pocket calenders and they just don't have the organization that I want so I thought why not make my own and here it is


As you can see the pages have just in the info I need to keep track of.  Not a bad job if I do say so myself.  If you'd like the Word Doc. for this please feel free to email me and I'd be more than glad to send it to you if it would help in your busines.

Blessings,
Renee

A Sweetheart Treat



Aren’t these little Heart Treat Cups just the cutest? This little cup works great with our Full Heart Punch and once you see how they go together you will have so much fun with them. I like to make the cups refillable so I make a little tag that slides in and out and you can see in the second picture how you get the candy out. These could be filled with anything. How about birdseed for a wedding favor? Maybe some eyelets, brads or buttons for a paper crafter? Or even some coins? The possibilities are endless. Stampin’Up! also carries them in a round cup as well and they sell for $2.95 for 12. What a deal!



As always if you have any questions please feel free to email me. ibecakes@airadv.net  All items used are Stampin'Up!

Blessings,
Renee

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I almost forgot!

Last week I announced that if you visit my blog, leave a comment and I would have a drawing for a Big Shot flower pin that you can see HERE.  Well since only 5 of you responded I'm going to give each of you one.  Please email me at ibecakes@airadv.net with your address and I will send you a pin next week.  Colors may vary.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Renee

Quick and Simple


Hi, Stampers, just a quick post today. This card is made using the Sweetheart stamp set. I used the In Colors—Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Soft Suede and then a little Crushed Curry with the embosslit heart Big Shot die, which cuts and embosses at the same time. The only part that took a little effort was to cut the bird out, but you could just stamp it and now cut it out as well. This card was very quick and simple.


Hope you’re having a great day!

Renee

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Card Swap


Here’s a card I am sending in to a demo only card swap. First one of these I’ve done in a long time and I’m looking forward to being in this swap and sharing with you some of the great swaps I’m sure to receive back.


Colors: Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Orchid Opulence and Whisper White

Stamp Set: Thoughts and Prayers

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Orchid Opulence

Acc: Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon and paper piercing template and tool, Scallop Trim Border

Sorry I didn’t post the winner of the Big Shot pin. I will draw the name later today and get that posted. I was just so busy with the scrapbooking retreat last week. Thanks for your patience.

Have a great day!

Renee

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Live from Bay Shore Camp

Good morning my stamping friends.  I am live from Bay Shore Camp this morning.  Ok, maybe that sounds corny, but humor me.  Lots of scraping and stamping going on here today.  Even digital scarpbooking has taken over a section of the place.  Just a little photo of the make and take I"m doing here today.

I'll give you more detailed instructions next week.  Time for lunch.  Yum!

Blessings,
Renee

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Ain't it Pretty?


As I’ve been telling you the last few posts, I’m attending the Bay Shore Scrapbooking Retreat this weekend and one of the things the committee decided was that each one would use their memories to make a table centerpiece. Again, what to do? I’ve had a tutorial that you can find HERE book marked like forever and decided maybe this should be my inspiration and I should give it a try. So after a little work, ok a lot of work, because my mind was having a hard time wrapping itself around the directions I finally succeeded. Yay for me!!!! I used my mom and sisters as my inspiration for my memories. Of course I have lots of memories of my mom and sisters and they would be too numerous to mention so the pictures of them themselves will represent my memories. I then used the Flower Folds Big Shot die to make my flowers for the center. They are made using the Rich Razzelberry DSP and the New Pink Corduroy buttons for the center. Hope you like it.


Blessings,
Renee




Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Memories--A Winter Retreat

This coming weekend I will be vendoring and teaching at a winter scrapbooking retreat at Bay Shore Camp in Sebewaing. If you are interested I believe they still have some openings. You can view the details of the retreat HERE. This retreat is held twice a year, once in the fall and then again in the winter. It's a great time to enjoy what so many of us love, the art of paper crafting, whether it be scrapbooking, stamping, card making, you name it, if it has to do with paper and making something from it you'll find it at this retreat. You'll also get such a spiritual lift as well with a great speaker. I've had the honor of being on the committee as a vendor for several years now and I count it a privilege and each time they have asked me to make the name tags for the committee members so that others will know who they can go to if they need something, have a question, etc and each time I wonder what I'll make. They tell me the theme and I take it from there. This year’s theme is Memories of Family and Friends. And how do scrapbookers preserve memories. Through pictures taken with a camera of course, so this is what I came up with. They are made using all Stampin'Up! punches and ribbon.  You could even use this idea for on a scrapbook page or a card, but just making the camera itself.  How about with a caption of "You ought to be in pictures." 


Blessings,
Renee

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

What can you do with the Big Shot?


I made pins!  I've seen so many places on the web where they've been making these cool pins and yesterday I had to give it a try.  I made these out of felt that I've had forever.  Wouldn't they look cute on your coat or maybe even a bag/purse?



As you can see they are a little bigger, but they aren't too big.  And from what I hear they are all the rage right now.  Places have been selling them for $15 and up.  Wow!  I'm going to make some out of other material, but this was what I had in a box in my office.  They are made with the Flower Folds Big Shot die.

Would you like one?  Leave a comment on here and tell me how often you visit my blog or if you subscribe to my blog and I'll put your name in and I'll draw for a winner on Thursday.

Hugs!
Renee

Monday, January 18, 2010


 Last night we got home from a birthday party for our friends 2 year old twins and also a scare from my mom falling and I just felt the need to relax and make something. Many times I go on line and look and look, but end up not doing anything. Last night was different. I came across a tutorial HERE and decided I need to try one. It was really easy and so cute. I can’t wait to make more. I used the new Sweet Pea DSP pack and the butterflies are cut from some of the paper. This pack has the most awesome designs. It’s available in the Occasions Mini Catalog and you can shop that catalog HERE in my Stampin’Up! Store or give me a call or email and order from me direct. In fact you can buy everything from Stampin’Up! to make this adorable little basket. As always if you need more info please contact me.



Hope you liked this and thanks for stopping by!
Renee

God Must be a Crafter




As I looked out the window this morning and saw the frost on the trees, I just couldn't help admire God's handiwork.  When we have a frost like this I find it so magical.  So when I went to let the dog in I had to take a couple of pictures to share with you.  Aren't they beautiful?  Then my mind got to thinking and I think God must be a crafter and that He certainly has a special place in His heart for crafters, maybe even a special section in heaven for us?  What do ya think?  I'm crazy!  Well that just may be, but for whatever it's worth today, I hope you enjoy these pictures.  I'll be back shortly with a stamping project.

Blessings,
Renee

Sunday, January 17, 2010

With All My Heart


This new stamp set appears in the Occasions Mini Catalog and it’s called With All My Heart. One would think it would be a heart set, but it really isn’t. It has some neat flower shapes made with hearts and then the words Friends, Thank You and With all my heart. I fell it’s a pretty versatile set and besides it goes great with the Sending Love DS Specialty Paper, which is what I used here. The cool edge you ask? Well that was made using the Slit Punch. Maybe later this week I can show you how that is done and if you are attending Bay Shore Scrapbooking Retreat next weekend I will be demonstrating it there.


Hope you have a great Sunday!

Renee

Saturday, January 16, 2010

A Hostess Gift for Today








If you are reading this around the time I have this post scheduled to post on line, I will be at a Stampin’Up! workshop for a wonderful hostess of mine. Her name is Shannon and she has been having SU parties with me for quite a few years now. She always does such a great job. Sends out her invitations, calls ahead to see who is coming and usually calls me before I can even call her to get a number count. She’s one of the best. I am very blessed to have such great hostesses. Want to be one of my great hostesses? Call me and we can set a date for your workshop and don’t forget Sale-a-bration is a great time to host a workshop. SAB runs now through March 31, 2010. For more info view the SAB catalog on the right side of my blog.


I love to make things for my hostesses and this is what Shannon will be receiving. That’s why I had to wait until her party was started to post so as to not ruin the surprise. I used the Thoroughly Modern SU file folders sold on page 169 of the SU catalog. You get 12 folders for $10.95. These folders are heavy weight and have a wonderful smooth finish to them. As you can see from the inside picture it was scored and folded to create the pocket and a small portion was cut off as well. If you need the directions please email me and I’ll do my best to explain them. It really was rather simple. I used Velcro for the closure, the Beautiful Wings Big Shot Embosslits Die to make the butterflies, Bermuda Bay ribbon and then to personalize it I made a clear label using my regular Dymo label maker and clear tape. I really hope she likes it.


Here’s to a great Saturday,
Renee




 
(This is a mini legal pad to clarify the size)

Friday, January 15, 2010

What I did Today!


Sorry for the late post today. This is what I've been up to today. I had a baby shower cake order and the picture they brought was a cake covered in fondant and had animals on it made with fondant as well. Well I told them up front, I just don't do fondant. In the first place it really doesn't taste good (IMO) and in the second, people usually don't want to pay the extra for it. They also gave me a napkin they were using for their theme. Hmmm what to do? I lost most of my cake decorating supplies/stash in the fire so my resources there were limited and on such short notice (they only brought the picture on Monday) I really didn’t have time to run to the city, (I would have drove, not run, but you get the idea.) LOL and I had checked Wal-Mart for ideas, but that went nowhere fast. So what to do? Ok, I already said that! I of course turned to my stamping and knew immediately that my problem was solved. I’ve laminated photos to put on cakes why not stamped images? And I just happened to have just bought the new set Fox and Friends stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I’m good to go right? Well almost, they wanted blocks for the top of the cake. SU’s MDF wood blocks would be perfect, but I didn’t have any on hand (you saw the ones I did in yesterday’s post) so I visited our local Ben Franklin and found some smaller wood blocks, covered them in DSP, added the word BOY using my SU exclusive Big Shot alphabet and some more stamped images and I was in business. I think it turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. Besides that they will have no yucky fondant to pull off and the topper could be saved as a keepsake for the baby or used in the nursery and the laminated animals could be used in the baby’s scrapbook. What a concept! I am good, if I do say so myself. LOL


So that’s my story for today. Thanks for stopping by. See ya next time.
Renee

Love you a latte!


On Tuesday Stampin'Up! launched a new on line community exclusive for Stampin'Up! demonstrators and boy have I been having fun perusing the gallery. Stampin’Up! Demos are some of the most creative people you could ever find. I saw a card using the Fun Pun cup made by Tara Macfarlane and loved how she had stacked the cups up. Her card had a little different layout, colors, DSP, etc, but the idea of stacking the cups came from her. Thanks Tara for the inspiration.  I used the Sending Love DSP and some of the Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP for the cups and also the background.  The little brad is the Chocolate Chip Sending Love Epoxy Brads that are new in the Occasions Mini Catalog and it is wrapped around the 1/2" Striped Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon.  I punched the border around the cups using the Pinking Hearts Border punch that is also new in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I tried adding the sentiment I love you a latte on the front, but nothing really quite worked for me so I think I would just add that in the inside of the card.

Have a great day!
Renee

Thursday, January 14, 2010

I know Christmas is over, but I have a couple of things to share with you.  Christmas isn't really over at our house since our tree and decorations are still up.  I'll get around to that eventually. *grin* The first is a card made by a fellow demo and faithful blog reader. Michelle is from Canada and has been so supportive of my blog and especially during our recent house fire. I’ve never met Chelle in person, but truly think of her as a friend. Thanks so much for the lovely card Chelle and for thinking of me and my family!



And the second is these blocks. These great Décor Accents Blocks were available in the Holiday mine and SU has carried them over into the new supplement in the Definitely Decorative Décor Elements catalog as well. These blocks are smooth MDF, natural wood 3” blocks and are so easy to work with. A set of 4 sells for $9.95.  The little angel on top was a gift from my secret sister at church.  This is on the window sill in our kitchen.  Everything I used to make the blocks is Stampin'Up!
















Have a great day!
Renee

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

A Sock Monkey Obsession

Yes, I have to admit it! I have a Sock Monkey obsession. When did it start? Well it probably started years ago when my aunt made me my first Sock Monkey. I slept with Sock Monkey most of my life, up until the time I got married. And admittedly so that Sock Monkey is really worn out and sort of falling apart. He’s been put away for years. After all I don’t think Frank would appreciate Sock Monkey sleeping with us. Shortly before the fire my sister Chele and my girls went to Frankenmuth for the weekend and they bought me a brand new Sock Monkey. My love was rekindled. Then the fire happened and of course Sock Monkey got smoke inhalation and had to be sent to the cleaners with everything else. Well both Sock Monkey’s came back, first one still not in great shape, but he is a keeper none the less. The new Sock Monkey now sits in a chair in my kitchen. I’m really getting to a point. Just hang on a little. Then my sister Carin bought me some Sock Monkey scrapbook paper and I thought, what a great find and I should start a Sock Monkey adventure and scrapbook Sock Monkey’s adventures. Well since then I really haven’t had time to scrapbook, but I have taken pictures and I have also received a few other Sock Monkey gifts, so I guess I’m on my way to a Sock Monkey collection. And the whole obsession thing? I think has to do with the fact that Sock Monkey reminds me of my childhood and I had a great childhood and it gives me that connection to the “good old days.” Oh no! Does that mean I’m getting old? Heaven’s no! You can’t be old and still play with Sock Monkeys now can ya? *grin*

So I thought I’d share a few of the items I’ve collected (and of course Sock Monkey himself) and also a card that I made as well. Hope you enjoy and if you have any Sock Monkey memories you’d like to share please do so.


 Sock Monkey at Stamp Camp with Myrna.



Sock Monkey eating shrimp cocktail at Thanksgiving.


Sock Monkey's first Christmas


Sock Monkey candy jar from Lindsay.  I love this and it sits on my kitchen counter.  The red goes so great in my new kitchen.

Sock Monkey mug from my dear friend Ruth.  I love this mug and use it all the time.  It's actually tall so it is like drinking out of a glass and works great for Diet Pepsi.


My latest gift from Lindsay.  Didn't you just love these little pop up toys when you were a kid?  I know I did and now they have a retro toy area in Target or so I've been told.  I might have to check it out.

And last but not least here is my Sock Monkey card.  When SU came out with this set 2 summers ago you can guess what was on my first order.  Love this little guy.

Thanks for letting me share my obsession.
Renee

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

My Dear Kind Wonderful Friend


After making an easel card last week I knew right away that this was going to be a card layout I would want to do again.  Want to learn how to make one?  Come to my class on January 30 and I'll show you how.  You can view all the details in this POST.



I used the SAB DSP pack for the houses.  The only stamping I did was the Dear, Kind Wonderful Friend.

As you can see in this picture I added some of the white shimmer paint using a stylus.  I even added some inside the flower brad.  Now what Dear, Kind, Wonderful Friend should I give this to?

Have a great day!
Renee

Monday, January 11, 2010

Hey Friend!



Hi Friends! It's taken me several days to get this card made. Don't ask me why, but I think the big thing is that it has been pretty chilly in my basement office. Don't know why and all I've gotten is the usual hubby answer of "I don't know why." Whatever! So I hope you like this card. I used the new set from the Occasions Mini catalog Vintage Vogue. This set is so elegant, I just love it. The scallop circle is a Big Shot die Circle Scallops #2 and I cut the white circle using my Circle Scissors. The edges are punched with the Scallop Trim Border punch that you can get for FREE with a $50 order (before tax & shipping) during Sale-a-bration.

Ok, that's all for today. I have to take my kitty to the vet. I think she might have a bladder infection. Poor kitty!

Until next time...............
Renee
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Sale-a-bration Begins Today!


WooHoo!  SAB begins today.  In the SU world SAB is the most wonderful time of the year and this year is no exception.  In fact SAB has even gotten better this year.  More free stuff than ever before to choose from.  And the best part is there are no limits.  For every $50 you spend (before tax & shipping) you get to choose a FREE item from the SAB catalog.  Host a party of $300 or more and pick a FREE item.  Party is $600?  Pick an additional FREE item.  Item's range from stamp sets to a paper pack to a NEW SU punch. 

Look for more great samples this week highlighting FREE SAB products.

Thanks for stopping by!
Renee


For You Card

Stamps
• Good Neighbors*
• Happy Moments*
Paper
• Kraft card stock
• Real Red card stock
• Very Vanilla card stock
Ink
• More Mustard Stampin’ Pad®
• Old Olive Stampin’ Pad
• Real Red Stampin’ Pad
• Soft Suede Stampin’ Pad
Accessories
• Stampin’ Dimensionals®
• Scallop Edge punch
• Stamp-a-ma-jig
*Available as a Sale-A-Bration reward



Sunday, January 3, 2010

Big Shot Makes a Purse


I made this purse several weeks ago and just kept forgetting to take a picture to share with you. I had seen on several websites where they were making purses using the Big Shot and the Scallop Square Big Shot die. Well I had just a few days before actually taken a class in making a chenille scarf, so since my sewing machine hadn't had time to collect dust, I figured why not give it a try. This was actually fun to make. A little time consuming, but fun. I used some material I had on hand and some I had purchased at the local Ben Franklin with this in mind, but not sure how much material I actually needed so I made do with what I had. When it came time to make the handles, well you guessed it. I didn't have enough material and I was on a mission to finish so I started hunting through my stash of ribbon. Yes, even though I lost quite a bit in the fire I have managed to get my ribbon collection going again. It really is an illness I'm thinking. *grin* Even used one of SU's clear buttons for the closure. Well after making this I realized that for me I need the purse to be one layer higher (make sense?) So my next one will be as such. I even hit the BackStreet Quilt Shop and got some beautiful fabric at 50% off. I will hopefully get to making these up late next week.   I've had several people ask me if I would be selling them and yes I will be, but still have to figure out the price.

Hope you're having a great Sunday!
Renee

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Another Birdie

What a cold beautiful day in the Thumb of Michigan.  The sun is shining and anytime the sun shines in January in Michigan.......well let's just say we all enjoy it even if is from the inside looking out.  The mail lady just brought the mail to the door today and said to stay in, it's too cold to go outside so I will do as I'm told.

I'm really loving this new 2 step Bird Punch that will be available in just a few days (Jan. 5) and after my birdhouse card yesterday and also finding this great idea HERE, I just had to give this a try.  I changed mine up a little, but I give Cindy credit for the great idea.  Thanks Cindy!  And while you are at it take the blog tour of the RemARKable group.  They really have some awesome ideas.  Today was day 3 of the tour, but you can view day 1 and 2 as you take the tour too.
I again used the Sending Love Specialty DSP on this project along with the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flower pieces.  The base of the birdhouse is the Box #2 Big Shot die and the roof is the Scallop Square Big Shot die which was cut to make more of a rectangle.  I covered the hole (which was punched off center, but I wasn't wasting this gorgeous paper) and covered it with clear acetate sheet so the box can be used and filled with goodies, but all I had here was red and green chocolate bells and I didn't figure that would look very good.  Hope you enjoyed this project.

Blessings,
Renee

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!!!

New Years Day 2010!  What does it hold?  I think we all ask ourselves this every time a new year rolls around, but in all reality would we really like to know?  Last year when 2009 started out I was sure it held great things for me and my family and I can honestly say it did.  I know you're now saying, "is she crazy, after all the things her and her family have gone through this past year?"  Yes I can say it although at the time we were going through some of these things I didn't think so.  Yes having a house fire and being displaced for over 6 months, Frank having not one, but two surgeries and being diagnosed with cancer and having treatment and being off work for 6 weeks, our pick up dying on us and our dear calico cat Maizy getting cancer and having to put her to sleep were all things that I wouldn't want to have to live through again.  But the blessings we have received through all this and the things we have learned are something I wouldn't trade for anything.  God has taught me so much and I'm sure He will have lots to teach me this new year.  Let's just hope and pray they aren't through such tragic events, but non the less if we aren't learning and growing what's the point?

I have been blessed beyond words by so many of my blog readers, demo friends, and customers alike this past year through all our struggles.  I hope I don't cease to think everytime I reach for some cardstock or markers, or ink pads of all the generous gifts and support I received from so many demos in my time of need.  It still brings tears to my eyes when I think of how you reached out to me. And speaking of generosity I want to share with you a card I'm sending to my very generous and dear aunt and uncle for somethings they did for us as well.  See this was leading to some stamping, which is why you drop by I'm sure.




Thanks for stopping by and here's to a great New Year!




Blessings,
Renee

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