A Little Valentine Basket

We made it to Saturday.  Seems like it's been an unusually long tough week or maybe I'm just feeling my age this week.  Not sure exactly what it is, but I keep trudging along.  Sorry, I don't mean to be a downer.  I guess I've just run into too many joy suckers this week.  My bad for letting that get to me.  I have been spending time in the stamp room which is a joy.  I truly love what I do.  I was reminded of that this morning when I listened to the keynote speaker from Stampin'Up!'s leadership seminar on a live stream.  His talk really bought back lots of memories as to why I do what I do and how much I love to share it.  It's even one of the reasons that I blog.  I don't get a lot of comments and I don't necessarily get a lot of sales because of my posts here, but I get that overwhelming satisfaction of doing what I love and then sharing what I love.  He used the Stampin'Up! statement of the heart in his presentation.  It reads as follows............

"To love what we do and share what we

love, as we help others enjoy creativity

and worthwhile accomplishments....

in this we make a difference."

This really is why I love sharing my love of stamping and creating.  I've loved creating with paper from as early as I can remember and I hope to love it as long as I can remember and beyond.  You're never too old or too young to love paper crafting.  I honestly believe there would be a lot of healthier and happier older people if they would just learn to really learn to love something and share it with others.

Ok, enough of my little rant for today. *grin*  I want to share with you what I made yesterday.  I had just purchased one of the newest Big Shot dies this week from the Occasions Catalog.  It's called the Berry Basket Bigz L Die (137366 $37.95).  It makes the most adorable little basket.  I can see using this basket for so many occasions.

I used Strawberry Slush cardstock on the inside and then some of the Back to Black DSP on the outside.  You really don't have to do both, but I was just having fun creating so I thought why not?  Then I had some chocolate candy bars that had a Santa wrapping on them and I remove that and wrapped the DSP around the gold foil that the candy was wrapped in.  I then added a punched heart that had been stamped with one of the hearts from the Hello Life stamp set.  (127136 $24.95)

Here is a close up of the tag.

Hope you enjoyed this little basket and remember you can order any of the items I've used from my store at www.reneeond.stampinup.net.

Blessings,

Renee

Wood You Be Mine?

Here it is Thursday already and the end of January.  Hard to believe, but that means we are one day closer to Spring.  I always thought that I was a winter person, but I can honestly say that I don't think I really enjoy it like I use to.  Even though this winter has been milder than last year's I still am not functioning well.  The cold is just not good on someone who has Fibromyalgia.  Ok, moving on................

I finally put some ink to a new set from the Occasions Catalog called Wood You Be Mine?  I just had to get this set since my hubby is a wood cutter.  He loves to cut wood and did it for many years and gave the wood away.  We then finally purchase an outdoor wood burning stove quite a few years ago and he cuts wood almost every day or several times a week.  I help when my health allows and both our girls are good about helping.  Although this year they swear that we have to do it in the Spring/Summer and that they will not do it in the winter.  Frank on the other hand loves to cut in the winter.  The wood heats our home and also our hot water.  It's a big money saver for us.

I really am rambling today.....sorry!

I colored in this wood cutter with my Blendabilities.  The background DSP is from a new stack in the Occasions Catalog called Adventure Bound.  I think this makes a nice masculine card.

Stampin'Up!'s leadership seminar is this week and they are live streaming several sessions for those of us who couldn't attend.  I can't wait until the one today at 3.  They said they'll be sharing a secret.  I'm like a kid.  I LOVE secrets.  Hopefully it will be something I can share with you all as well.  I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Have a blessed day!
Renee

A New Technique

I tried a new technique and wanted to share the finished product with you.  Maybe this needs to be my next video?  We'll see.  The word for this technique is Bokeh.  It is pronounced "Bo" as in bow and "ke" as in kettle.  I looked this up on the Internet because first I was intrigued by the name and second because I wanted to know how to say it.  I watched several videos and some were more complicated than others, but as you can expect I took the route that seemed the easiest and I like how this turned out.  The thing you have to remember is no two are ever going to look the same.

Colors used here are Lost Lagoon and Blackberry Bliss.  Hopefully I can share more of how to do this later in the week.

Hope you're having a great day in spite of it being a Monday.  I'll leave you with this little guy and wish you a Happy Hedgie Monday!!!

Blessings,
Renee

A Love Tree

Well did you like the video?  Thanks so much to those who left comments.  They really do mean so much.  I do this blog to inspire others and I hope that I do that.

I've got a little love tree for you today.  This is made using the Sheltering Tree stamp set.  This is a photopolymer stamp set so it is super easy to see where you are stamping.

The trunk of the tree was stamped in Early Espresso and the leaves are Strawberry Slush and Pink Pirouette.  I layered it on a piece of Strawberry Slush DSP and the card base is Early Espresso.  The little bow is Strawberry Slush Twine.  A very simple and quick card.  Cards don't have to be a lot of work to make them adorable.  This would be a very easy card to make multiples of.  You can purchase all the supplies to make this from my STORE.

I'd like to give a BIG THANK YOU to those who ordered from my daughter Brooke's book party.  She reached the goal of an additional $25 in hostess benefits by reaching $250 in sales.  She was able to get herself some of those basic items that a lot of us already have.  This way she can work on her album at her own apartment when she wants to and not always wait until she comes here.  I'm really happy that she is discovering her crafty side again.  As a young girl she would help me with workshops and classes and loved to make everything.  She is extremely talented in all kinds of media.  Crafting with her is one of my favorite things to do anytime.  Again, thanks to those who helped her achieve her goal.

Would you like to earn hostess benefits and earn an extra $25 to spend as well.  All you have to do is host a party, either an in home one at your house or mine or you can do a book party and earn great hostess benefits for yourself.  It's very easy to do.  You invite friends and family to come to your party, provide a light refreshment (nothing fancy or time consuming) and I'll bring the projects to work on.  If you decide to host it at my house you don't even have to worry about cleaning your house, just bring the snacks.  If you don't have time for an in home party and would like to do a book party, those are easy as well.  You would just let your friends and family know you were having a book party and they can order directly from you or me or go and visit my on line store and order there.  If they order on my website it will be shipped direct to them.  I will set up a hostess code so that you can share that with them.  They will use the code and then you will receive the credit towards your party.  So who wants to book?  I have several dates available and will work with your schedule.  Remember that it's Sale-a-bration time so there is no better time to host and by hitting the $250 in sales you get an extra $25 in hostess benefits.

Well, I guess I'm going to call it a day.  I worked on a project that I will be sharing with you in the next few days and will also be offering a class to make it.  Until then.............have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Renee

A Corner Bookmark.....and yes it includes a video how to!

I can't believe I'm actually posting this, but it has been on my "to do" list for a couple years now and so I decided I just needed to take the plunge.  I asked for a little tripod for my Iphone for Christmas and my hubby delivered, so I need to use it.  I know this video is probably a little rough and not the smoothest you'll see out there, but hey, ya gotta start somewhere.  Right?  It has actually taken me two days to figure out how to upload and post this.  Uploading took quite awhile.  I'm not sure if that is normal or not.  I'll have to look into that, but I think I did it.  Even did a little editing with some word bubbles.  The real test will be if I can do this again.....soon.

First I'll show you a pic of the completed project and then add the video.

These are little corner bookmarks.  I got the idea from fellow demonstrator Dawn Griffith.  I made it my own, but the folding part I got from her.  Not sure if she is the originator or not.

My voice sounds horrible since I am currently getting over the flu and I know I have much to learn, but at least I have a start.  Thanks so much and I hope you enjoy the video.





Blessings,
Renee

A Party, a Project and a Deal

Hey stampin' friends. My daughter  Brooke is doing a Stampin'Up! book party. She is really loving all the Project Life stuff and has an awesome start to her first PL album. She has ordered as have a couple others and she is so close to the Sale-a-bration hostess special of an additional $25 in free product. Is there anyone who would like to help her out? I have a hostess code set up XDQ3WQ4X and you can order directly from my website

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx?dbwsdemoid=27350

It will be shipped directly to you or give me a call 989-453-3267 to place an order and I can deliver locally...Either way works. Brooke would appreciate it and I would as well. A great way to help a young person get a great start at preserving those precious memories. Thanks!

And don't forget if you place a $50 order before tax and shipping you get to pick something free from the Sale-a-bration catalog.

Here is a little eye candy for you.  The new Butterflies Thinlits Dies are a must have.  

Don't forget about this week's Weekly Deals.

2013-2015 IN COLOR STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS Price: $14.95 $11.21 2014-2016 IN COLOR PRINTED CLOTHESPINS Price: $5.95 $4.46 2014-2016 IN COLOR STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS Price: $14.95 $11.21 BASIC GRAY BAKER'S TWINE Price: $2.95 $2.21 BERMUDA BAY BAKER'S TWINE Price: $2.95 $2.21 BOX OF CHOCOLATES KIT - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $9.95 $5.97 CRUSHED CURRY BAKER'S TWINE Price: $2.95 $2.21 STAMPIN' BLENDABILITIES™ MARKERS SKIN TONE ASSORTMENT Price: $22.95 $17.21

Blessings,

Renee

You Warm My Heart

Hey there!  Well it's Thursday.  This has seemed like a long week.  I hadn't been out of the house in over a week and on Tuesday I went and got my hair cut.  By the time I got home, I was exhausted.  I thought I'd sit on the couch for a minute and rest and then come down to the office/stamp room to work.  Well let's say the kitty crawled on my lap and that was all she wrote.  We took a nice long nap and then it was evening.  On Wednesday I woke up and ate breakfast and took to the couch again.  I was just exhausted.  This flu has been something else.  I'm not one to take long naps during the day so this is really hard for me to handle.  Not use to doing nothing.  My sister keeps telling me I just need to rest to let my body heal and she is probably right.  Now she knows I've said that. ;)

Anyway, I am taking it slow and I've done a little housework today and I made a card and here it is.

I used the new set called Sheltering Tree.  This set has so much potential.  Lots of fun things to make.  I look forward to more stamping with it.  The colors I used are Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Whisper White and the DSP is from the Occasions Catalog and it's called Something Borrowed.  A very classic type paper and can be used with so much.

  

Here are this week's weekly deals.

ANGLED TAG TOPPER PUNCH Price: $22.95 $17.21 BLACKBERRY BLISS 3/8" SATIN STITCHED RIBBON Price: $8.95 $6.71 HELLO HONEY 3/8" SATIN STITCHED RIBBON Price: $8.95 $6.71 ITTY BITTY ACCENTS PUNCH PACK Price: $16.95 $12.71 LITTLE PIECES EMBOSSLITS DIE Price: $11.95 $8.96 STARBURST FRAMELITS DIE Price: $26.95 $20.21 TANGELO TWIST 3/8" SATIN STITCHED RIBBON Price: $8.95 $6.71 WATERCOLORED WINTER KIT - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $9.95 $5.97 I have a hostess code going right now.  If I get enough orders (at least $150) I will select a hostess from all those who order.  The hostess code is XDQ3WQ4X.  Be sure to use this code before you check out. Blessings, Renee

Wow.........and not a good Wow!

It's been a few days since I've posted.  This flu bug that I've had has been something else.  It really knocked me for a loop.  Today is my first day back in the stamp room.  It's bad when you want to stamp, but you are just too sick to even make an attempt.  I haven't been out of the house in over a week and that was only to see the doctor.  I'm doing much better today, but tire easily so I'm not doing too much.  I want this to be gone and gone for good.  I've got a couple of things to share with you.  The first is a card I made using some new things.  The stamp set is from the Sale-a-bration Catalog and the punch in from the Occasions catalog.

This stamp set is actually a three stamp, stamp set.  Those beautiful flowers are made with two ink colors Strawberry Slush and Melon Mambo.  These are so easy to line up and make you look like you are an artist.  The words also come in this set as well.  You can receive this set for free with a $50 order during SAB.  The 3 dimensional bow was made from the new bow punch.  So quick and easy to put together.  You can find all these items on my website www.reneeond.stampinup.net

This second card I'd like to share is one I received in the Stampin' Survivor group I was in.   It was the last card I receive and was for the contestant Wes and came a little late, but it was well worth the wait.  This was made with items from the Occasions Catalog as well.  It was made by Denise Jorgensen.  Thanks Denise for such a beautiful card.

Well I guess that's it for today.  Don't forget to check out the new weekly deals tomorrow.  Enjoy your evening!

Blessings,

Renee

Sale-a-bration is Here!!!!

Hey there my stampin' friends!  How is the new year treating you?  I wish I could say it was treating me well, but such is not quite the case.  On the weekend we said goodbye to my MIL who passed away just before the old year ended.  It was a sad time for my hubby and his family.  His mom was 84 and not unexpected, but it is still a loss.  During all of this I came down with a virus or so I thought.  I tried doctoring myself with over the counter meds and taking some breathing treatments, but knew by Monday it wasn't working.  I visited my doctor on Monday and tested positive for Influenza B.  Great huh?  I was given Tamiflu to the tune of $130 and told it just has to run it's course which is probably 10-14 days.  I'm feeling a little better today, but not much.  Just eating wears me out.  This is the first that I've been on the computer and I haven't even attempted to go to the stamp room.  I just don't feel like doing anything.  That probably tells you how sick I really am.  I'm trying to be patient, but I just want to feel better and get back to life.  Sleep seems to be the only thing that I'm good at right now.

Anyway, I just wanted to catch you up on my little world.  If you are reading this directly from my blog you will see that I've added the NEW OCCASIONS CATALOG and the SALE-A-BRATION CATALOG to the side bars.  You can click on them and they will open and you can view the catalogs on line.  Would you like your own hard-copy?  Just let me know and I can drop you one in the mail.

As a reminder, if you are new, Sale-a-bration (SAB) is the time of year that when for every $50 you spend before tax and shipping you get to choose one item from the SAB catalog.  It is an absolutely great time of year.  There is no limit as to how many FREE items you can earn.  SAB runs from January 6 - March 31, 2015

It's also a great time to host a party as well.  If a host has $250 in sales (before tax and shipping) you get an additional $25 in host benefits as well.  I would love to help you earn host benefits.  Contact me and we can set a date for your workshop.

I'll leave you with this video by Stampin'Up!.  This is a stamp set you can get for free with a $50 order.  I can't wait until I can make some of these adorable note cards.  Enjoy!

 

Blessings,

Renee

Happy New Year 2015!!!!

It's a little late tonight, but I wanted to get a post in for January 1, 2015.  Actually I'm practicing that 2015 thing.  Teaching my finger to go over one key.  LOL!

I'm going to try my best to post the next few days as well, but we will see how things go.  I am currently coming down with something....cough, stuffy nose, aches....I hope it's not the flu.  Frank has been sick, but is feeling better today.  Not the way I had hoped to start out the new year, but what can you do?

I made a project today for Brooke to hang on her apartment door.  I think these are so much fun and a great way to still decorate for the winter season.

I used up some of the winter DSP from the holiday catalog.  I can't remember the name right now and I'm typing this from upstairs.  Remember you can still order from the Holiday Catalog until Dec 5.  If you'd like to place an order you can do so on my website or by contacting me if you need me to place your order.

Blessings,
Renee