Wow what a day!

I thought I had already posted for today and then double checked and I hadn't.  I've had a busy day. Was up at 6:00 am because I'd had a rough night and my fibromyalgia was acting up, went and got my hair done, had a doctor appointment, went grocery shopping, closed a Stampin'Up! party, came home put supper in the crock pot, went and baked at the hunting lodge, came home and entered my Stampin'Up! orders and now it's 8:00 pm.  I'm ready for jammies and Grey's, but I need to get a card posted for you all first.

I used the DSP Love Letters again.  That paper really has some neat patterns.  The stamp set is Bells & Boughs and the words are from All Holidays.  I love that set.  I embossed with gold embossing powder and I colored some of the self adhesive pearls with a marker and then sprinkled Irridecent Ice embossing powder on them and heat set.  Cool huh?  The pearls are colored and sparkly.

Ok, that's it for tonight.  Hopefully I'll get back here tomorrow with something more to share.
Blessings,
Renee

Praying for You

Seems like a card that says praying for you could be used for any reason.  There certainly a lot of cares, worries and heataches that people carry with them and prayer is the one thing that can help.  Even if a person isn't going through something terrible, it's nice to receive a card that lets a person know that you are thinking about them and praying for them.  I've been trying to make that my goal this week to send out a couple of cards everyday to just let people I know and love that I'm thinking about them.  Has anyone else taken me up on my challenge from last Saturday?  If you have and you've sent a card or two just for no reason to someone, post here and let me know and as I said before I'll have a little stampin' giveaway drawing.  Here is the card I made yesterday.

The DSP I used is the Love Letters and I stamped the leaves in Crumb Cake form the Great Friend set.  Stamped the butterfly from the same set with Cherry Cobbler and cut it out and popped up with a dimensional.  Punches are the decorative label and the large oval.  Very simple and quick.  I have to mention that everytime I use this set I think of fellow demonstrator Lyssa who gave me this set.  She had sent it to me right after our fire and this set has become one of my favorites and I think of her and her generosity every time I use it.  Thanks again Lyssa.

Have a blessed day,

Renee

Parts is Parts

Do you remember that old commercial?  Ok, maybe not, but that is the saying that came to my mind when I went to give this post a title.  This card is made up of so many parts that originally weren't intended to go together.  I was doing some stamping, just for fun yesterday and as I've said before that usually includes using things just laying on my desk.  Well I had the leaf stamped piece laying there and it was over 7" long  and I didn't want to have to cut too much off.  Maybe a scrapbook page?  No, not in the mood for that.  I know a 6 x 6 card.  I picked out a cardstock color that would go with the stamped images and as they say the rest is history or as I say, the rest came together bit by bit with pieces on my desk.  I think it turned out rather well.  Now to find an envelope and send it to a friend.  I'll have other cards I worked on yesterday to share with you the rest of the week.
Hubby and I are off tonight to a John Deere awards dinner in Frankenmuth tonight.  Not sure what all it entails, but one thing I'm sure it will include is chicken. LOL!

Blessings,
Renee

Upsy Daisy Sympathy Cards

A man from my hometown passed away this week.  His wife was my bus driver all through jr/hi school and his sister is one of my customers and my mom and dad have known the family for years so I really needed to get a couple of cards made.  I tend to not have sympathy cards on hand.  Not that I'm superstitious by any means, it just seems creepy/weird to have them on hand.  I know, I'm weird and it's something I probably should get over.  Anyway I saw a card somewhere that had used the Upsy Daisy set on this Woodland Walk DSP and wanted to give it a try.  I stamped first in Versamark ink and then in Early Espresso so that I could heat emboss.  Well guess what?  No clear embossing powder to be found.  I know I've had some, but haven't seen it since the move back into the house.  Hard telling what happened to it.  So I took my Glassy Glaze Embossing Powder and used that.  That's a little chunkier powder and a lot of it blew away as I heated it.  The card on the left looks like dew drops on the flowers, which is a neat look.  Then I took and heated the paper from the bottom and got a much nicer coverage.  Guess what's going on my next order.  How can I not have something so basic as clear embossing powder?  The words I used on the inside and out are from the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set.  Guess I better get these in the mail and then I probably should make a couple more for just in case I might need some sympathy cards again.

Hope you are having a blessed day!
Renee

What a Week!

It certainly has been a busy week.  Last weekend was Bay Shore Scrapbooking Retreat for 3 days, a Christian movie night at church on Sunday night, Stampin'Up! party on Tuesday, breakfast with a friend on Wednesday morning and then worked at the hunting lodge with my daddy afternoon and evening, funeral and dinner yesterday for a sweet lady from our church, 2 cakes made and prep for my Stampin'Up! party today, plus all the regular routine--laundry, bill paying, meals, dog, cat, you get the idea.  I'm not he Energizer Bunny nor do I pretend to be.  LOL!  Admittly I'm a little pooped and really haven't had time to stamp, so I'll be sharing a card made by my dear friend Pam.  Pam sent me this in the mail this week.  How fun to get "fun mail."  It certainly made my day and her kind and encouraging words were the best.  Thanks Pam!  I love you!

Isn't it beautiful?  Pam is like me and loves the fall time and this card certainly shows that.  She did a great job at watercoloring.  Now I know we all make cards, but how often do we send them?  That seems to be a problem with a lot of us, myself included.  Pam has inspired me to sit down and write those cards out more often.  Anyone with me?  Let's see how many we can send out this next week.  Comment here when you've sent your cards this next week and next Saturday I'll have a little drawing from all those who post and I'll give away a little stamping fun.  Sound good?  I look forward to see who's sending cards.  Be sure to leave your name and email so I can contact you if you're the winner.  Thanks.

Blessings and have a great weekend.

Renee

Bay Shore Scrapbooking Retreat

Well I'm at the end of  a good scrapbooking weekend.  I didn't get time to do any scrapbooking myself, but that's not what I'm really here for at this event.  I'm here to help the ladies by teaching mini classes and being a creative coach as needed.  It was a good time even though I've been feeling a little under the weather.  The devotions by our speaker DeDe Russell were wonderful.  She is truly a sweet and spirit led lady and we had some time to chat, which was a blessing.

Here are a couple of quick pics of a mother and daughter that were here for the weekend and their creations.

Here are some new ladies to the retreat.  They certainly enjoyed the mini scrapbook classes.

I tried to post this on Sunday from camp, but for some reason couldn't get the pics to upload.  Hope you enjoyed seeing what the ladies made.  Be looking for a class soon on making these mini albums here in my home.

Blessings,
Renee

A Scrapbooking Weekend

Sorry I've been sort of missing this week.  I've been preparing for the Bay Shore Camp Scrapbooking Retreat.  I'll be teaching this weekend and maybe even work a little on some of my own things.  We'll have to see about that.

Here is the album I'll be teaching.

What they will learn is how to cut the base of the album and then the scoring and assembling.  They can decorate on their own.  I purchased this kit a year ago from Andrea Walford and had intended to teach it at the last retreat, but well with just moving back into our home after our house fire, I just ran out of time.  The basic construction of this is very easy and you can contact Andrea for the tutorial if she still has it available.  If you are my local customers I will be offering this as a class soon as Andrea has given permission for me to share it in class form.  We will complete the full thing with DSP and all at the class in my home.  Retreaters will just learn the basics since they have all their stuff with them and usually don't want to spend too much time in classes.  They want to  work on their main projects.  Maybe I'll even get a chance to squeeze in a few for myself to give as gifts, we'll see. *grin*  If you are interested in the class, please let me know and also dates and times that work for you.  I know this time of year gets so busy and I'd really like to offer it so that it works with your schedule.

Well I better get going and head for the retreat.  Thankfully it's only about 10 miles from here, so not a lot of traveling time.  I set all my stuff up last night and just have to pack my clothes and I'm off for the weekend.  You have a good one and if I get time I'll post from the reteat.

Weekend Blessings,
Renee

Snowy Trees

I know we aren't ready for the "white stuff" here yet because we are enjoying this wonderful fall weather, but I had to try this card today.  I got the idea from fellow demo Andrea Walford.  This is the week two project in her 12 weeks of Christmas.  You can find out all about it HERE.  I changed it up a bit though.  I didn't use her patterns.  I made my own using the Wide Oval Punch for the trees and cut the tree trunks free hand.  I use to do so many pattern tracings, but have sort of gotten spoiled and like to use only punches or Big Shot dies as opposed to tracing patterns.  It was a fun card to make.  Give it a try and let me know if you do.

Blessings,
Renee 

Book-a-thon Blitz

Stampin’ Up! is having a Book-a-thon Blitz on Tuesday. What it means for me – a free digital download for My Digital Studio and a chance to earn free stamps! What it means for you – I am going to try to overcome my phone phobia and call some stamping friends to book a free home workshop. My place or yours, we can make some holiday projects or have some after the holidays Sale-a-Bration fun. Even if you have never stamped before, I can show you some easy, fun projects for you and your friends. And as the hostess, you can earn lots of free Stampin’ Up! products. You can help me overcome my anxiety by emailing me before Tuesday with the secret code word. Anyone who gives me the code word “BLING”, will get a free package of rhinestones or pearls at their workshop (my favorite new products). Have your calendar ready. Thank you for supporting my business!

Blessings,
Renee

A Little Pumpkin Thanks

This card was made using the Autumn Harvest stamp set.  This set has been around for several years, but it's my go to fall set.   You can make pumpkins or turn them into jack-o-laterns depending on your mood.  I went with the jack-o-latern because I wanted this card to seem happy.  I was happy that my very good friend Vicki from My Crop Shop in Bad Axe had given me the web looking ribbon that I used on the bottom of this card.  I put SU's glue stick on the black cardstock, laid the ribbon on top and then sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds glitter on top to that.  I then took my brayer and went over it to make sure it adhered well and let dry.  I used the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder to emboss the black cardstock.  Stamped, colored and cut out the images and added them with dimensionals.  The sentiment if from the Level 3 hostess set Occasional Quotes.  I used the large oval punch and the oval scallop punch popped up with dimensionals as well.  Lots of texture and dimension to this card.  All supplies (except for the web ribbon--you can get that from Vicki at My Crop Shop) can be purchased through me directly or from my Stampin'Up Store.  While visiting my store be sure to check out the Clearance Rack.  Great savings on many retired products.  Don't miss out!  Questions?  Please feel free to contact me.

Have a Great Friday!

Renee

A Great Holiday Card Class

Last night I held a Christmas card 10 for $10 class and it was a great time, although I was extremely tired when it was over.  I want to share the cards we they made with you.  I want to say that I've been sending emails out about this class and apparently some aren't receiving them and for that I feel bad.  I'm not sure what the reason is.  If you contact me and let me know that you aren't receiving them I will try and not only send you one in the bulk mailing, but I will send you a private email as well and we'll see if that works.  Just email me at ibecakes@airadv.net and I will add you to my address book in my regular email program.  Now onto the cards.

Here they are up close

This was probably the most time consuming, but I think well worth it.  I just love the Greeting Card Kids.  Notice the New Glass Glitter?  It was adhered with Sticky Strip.  Very easy and a lot of WOW!

We stamped and then embossed with the Square Lattice Embossing folder.  Cool huh?  Stamp set is a Level 2 Hostess set Peaeful Season.

Stamp is is Delightful Decorations and the red ornament is punched and popped up with a dimensional.

Stamp set is Serene Snowflake.  Colors are Concord Crush and Blushing Bride

Stamp set is Bells and Boughs and the Embossing folder is Petals-a-Plenty.

Hope you enjoyed these cards and if you would be interested in taking this class or have some friends who would be interested, please let me know.  I would more than happy to offer this class again.

Have a great day!
Blessings,
Renee

And the Rose goes to.............

Good afternoon.  I've been busy this morning doing last minute prep work for my 10 for $10 card class tonight.  We are going to make some awesome Christmas cards and I will be sure to share them in the next few days.  If your schedule didn't allow you to take this class and you would like to, please let me know because if there is enough interest I will be offering it again.

I made this Rose Box using of course what else?  The Big Shot.  If you don't have one of these you really should think about getting yourself one.  There is so much you can do with the Big Shot.  The possibilities are endless.  The rose and leaves were made with the Table Setting die (116819) and the box itself was made with the Bitty Box & Envelope die (115967).  I used some of our Newsprint DSP and made a belly band to go around the box.  Here's a side view.

And last, but not least, I want to encourage you to check out the Clearance section on my stampin' store.   Click on the SHOP NOW button and then the CLEARANCE SECTION.   Stampin'Up! has just posted today new items in the Clearance rack and will be adding up to 200 retired products for up to 80% off from Oct 5-18.  Don't miss out on the awesome deals.  These can only be ordered on line and not at a workshop.  If you need help placing your online order be sure to contact me and I'll be more than glad to help.

Have a great day!

Renee

It's a Cute Thing!

I posted this "cute" card HERE the other day and now here's a "cute Christmas" card for you along with a "cute" treat holder. Are you seeing a "cute" pattern here? LOL! Ok, maybe it's not a LOL, but at least a *grin*, whatever the case I do find this to be cute. *wink* We made this card on Saturday at Shannon's workshop. Did I mention that we do make and takes at all my parties? Well we do and I'd love to have a party with you and your friends so you can make some fun projects.

This stamp set is called, what else? A Cute Christmas and sells for $25.95 in wood mount (120825) or $18.95 in clear mount (121133). The DSP used is Candy Cane Christmas. Some of this paper has red glitter on one side. It really is cute! The little box was made using the Candy Wrapper Bigz Big Shot die. All of these items are available in the current Holiday Mini Catalog. You can view the catalog by clicking on the Mini Catalog icon on the right side of my blog here. Like a hard copy? Contact me and I'd be more than happy to send you one. Remember too that you can order directly from my Stampin'Up! store right HERE 24/7 or call me anytime to place an order.

Blessings and thanks for stopping by!
Renee

My little Pumpkin Pickers

Our friends little girls came over a couple of weeks ago to pick pumpkins with Frankie.  Frankie is doing his best to turn these little princesses into farmer girls.  They love to get dirty in the garden with Frankie as they call him.  I threw this little 6 x 6 scrapook page together with some stuff laying on my desk.  Do you recognize the border around the journaling block?  It's 3 of the Curly Label punches overlapped in just the right spots so they line up.  How cool is that?  I embossed the leaves that I cut out with the Leaf Big Shot die and then sponged on a little color.

I'm off to do a Stampin'Up! party today with some of my favorite people today.  It should be a lot of fun.  Have a great day yourself.

Blessings,
Renee