Pick Me! Pick Me!


Like many of you who own pets, I enjoy having deep, philosophical conversations with my dog, Missy. Actually, she is more like a daughter to me. (Never once did she complain when I did her scrapbook pages in “pinks” and “girly swirls”. I can’t say the same for Brady, my son.) Just the other night we were discussing why people should select me to be their demonstrator. Missy is such a wise dog, and her comments made excellent sense to me. Since some of you may not be fluent in “Boxer”, I will translate her answers for you. What follows is our conversation:

Me: Missy, what do you think I could do to entice people to book a workshop with me?
Missy: Well, Mom, I think that you should tell them what makes you and your workshops special. (It always slays me when she calls me “Mom”. After all, she is so much older than me in doggie years. But anyway, I digress.)
Me: What would that be?
Missy: You could tell them that you give treats after they go potty outside.
Me: Hmmmm! How about if I change that to “I provide treats at the workshop!” That’s not such a bad idea, Missy. Good dog!
Missy: Can I have a treat now for that answer?
Me: Not yet. How about some other ideas that I could share.
Missy: You are really good at teaching me tricks.
Me: You are so right, Miss. I love to teach, especially when it comes to techniques and design tips. I absolutely love sharing all that I know about card making and stamping.
Missy: And you know how you surprise me with little toys when you come home from getting the groceries? Maybe you could give them toys, too. Like my “baby” and my “kong” and my “quackie duck”. Hey, do you have to get groceries later?
Me: Whoa, hold on a minute! No groceries, and no surprises today. But, you know, I do give incentive stamps to everyone who attends my workshops.
Missy: And remember how you talk about giving away kitties? How come you never gave me a kitty?
Me: Kitties? I don’t give away kitties.
Missy: Yes you do, Mom. (At this point she was getting a little “growly“.) You are always talking about the Holiday Mini catty and the big catty. I want a BIG catty.
Me: Oh, Missy! Catties aren’t kitties. They are catalogs! And you are right, I should mention that everyone who attends one of my workshops does receive a FREE Holiday Mini Catalog. And if they place an order with me, they also receive a 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog. Missy, you have been such a big help to mom tonight. What a goooood dog you are! Such a pretty gurl! You are Mommy’s smart and pretty gurl! (Sloppy Boxer kisses followed!)
Missy: Mom, can I have that treat now?

So, if you are located in southeast Iowa or western Illinois, email me today to book your fall or holiday workshop. I offer:

  • Design Tips
  • Technique Training
  • Demonstrations
  • Make and Takes
  • Free Mini Catalogs
  • Incentive Gifts for your Guests
  • Hostess Gifts
  • Support after the Workshop
  • My Home or Yours
  • And yes…Treats!
And even if you do not live within driving distance, I will help you host a catalog workshop. It’s the same great benefits, but without the treats and demonstration! Email me for details!

Need a Holiday Mini Catalog? Email me with your address, and I will drop one in the mail for you! Goodies galore are in this fantastic little catalog!
The weekend is coming up and that means card-making time for me! I plan on inking it up all weekend. Stayed tuned as I share more of my creations! And please, leave me a comment or send me an email. I really do appreciate them. If you have a question about a technique or a question about how I created a specific card, do not hesitate to ask. Until later…

Missy

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Jumbo Snowflakes for PPA


It’s Thursday! Can you say, “It’s fun to play at PPA!”? I can! And I had a blast creating this textured card for the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge this week. Sketch designer Margaret Moody was at her best with this versatile sketch:

Notice how I changed it up slightly? The circles became snowflakes, and I layered the horizontal strip while adding a bow. You can certainly alter the sketch if you need to! As you look at the inspiration cards that the design team created for you, you can see all of the unique touches that each designer added in making the sketch her own. I hope that you have tons of fun with this challenge! I know that I did. But before you bid me adieu to check out the challenge, I would like to share my recipe for “Jumbo Snowflakes” with you:
  • Prepare a card base from Taken with Teal card stock.
  • Zip a piece of Whisper White through the Big Shot with the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder.
  • Using the Jumbo Snowflake Punch, punch snowflakes from Rich Razzleberry, Taken with Teal and Old Olive card stocks.
  • Ink the Delightful Decorations image with Old Olive and stamp onto Whisper White. Punch out the center using the 1″ Circle Punch. Repeat with Rich Razzleberry and Take with Teal inks.
  • Adhere the “Circles” to the “Snowflakes”, and add a Clear Rhinestone Brad to the center of each. Adhere this element to the textured Whisper White as shown in the photograph. (I layered Old Olive onto Rich Razzleberry, Rich Razzleberry onto Taken with Teal, and Taken with Teal onto Old Olive.)
  • Whisper White forms the horizontal strip. Mat this onto Old Olive, followed by Taken with Teal. Adhere to the textured Whisper White. Add a snippet of Rich Razzleberry Ribbon, polka-dot side down. Position and adhere this element to the textured Whisper White as illustrated.
  • You are now ready to adhere the entire textured mat to the card base.
I have a new love in my life. I absolutely love the Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, and Taken with Teal combination for holiday cards! And, are you ready for another little secret…I also love the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder. How did I ever get along without it? I love the rich texture that it imparts to any holiday card.
Thanks for stopping by today and allowing me to share my new favorite color combination with you. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think about today’s card. I do appreciate your comments, and your questions, too! Until next time…

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Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations (116517—Holiday Mini Catalog)
Inks: Rich Razzleberry (115658), Old Olive (102277), Taken with Teal (103257)
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Old Olive (100702), Taken with Teal (101584)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder (116824—Holiday Mini catalog), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628), 1” Circle Punch (109046)
Embellishments: Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Rich Razzleberry ½” Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115613)

Mojo Crock and Apples


Do you know what I like best about Mondays? I just love the Mojo Monday challenges! And today was definitely a challenge for me in finding just the right size stamp for this layout. I opted to use “The Crock and Apples” image from Gifts of the Earth. Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper provided the rich colors which I felt were perfect for the look I was trying to achieve. The eyelet border and smaller Chocolate Chip “Masterpiece” Ribbon add a feminine touch. As for the crock itself, this is the reason I wanted this stamp in the first place…I collect crocks!
  • Prepare a card base from Chocolate Chip card stock.
  • Select the “Sahara Sand Floral” and “Small Rose Red Dots” patterns from the Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper collection. Punch the edge of the dotted paper with the Eyelet Border Punch. Add a snippet of Chocolate Chip Masterpiece Ribbon at the interface of the two pattern papers. Adhere to the card base.
  • Ink the “Crock and Apples” image with Basic Brown and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Color using Blender Pens and the following inks: Rose Red (apples), Sahara Sand and Bordering Blue (crock), More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive (leaves), Sahara Sand (shading). Mat onto Chocolate Chip.
  • Zip a piece of Very Vanilla through the Big Shot with the Finial Press Embossing Folder. Cut into strips as illustrated and mat onto Chocolate Chip. Adhere to the card base and pop the image mat on top with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
  • Ink the “Grateful” sentiment from Falling Leaves with Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch out with the Modern Label Punch and mat onto Chocolate Chip. Adhere on top of the ribbon.
I enjoy participating in challenges. Sometimes they really stretch my creativity, and that is a good thing. And speaking of challenges, there is still time to participate in the Pals Paper Arts color challenge. But hurry…Mr. Linky closes at Noon (CST) Tuesday.
And speaking of hurrying, don’t hurry off before leaving me a comment or dropping me an email! I do appreciate them. And, if you have questions about any of the cards that I make or techniques that I use, don’t hesitate to ask. I love sharing what I do! Until later…

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