Early Retirement

I just can't believe it but it's true. I'm finally a stay-a-home mom. The Lord has blessed our family so much. On my last day at GSK, my department gave me a farewell party. There was cake and lots of finger foods. One of my friends at GSK was aware of something that I had been wanting for a long time from stampin up and the group went in together and got me the "STAMPIN UP BIG SHOT KIT" along with lots of accessories plus stamp sets and I also got all of the sell-a-brations sets.

Here is a list along with a picture of everything that I got:

• Big Shot Starter Kit
• BIGXL Baskets & Blooms
• Sizzix SU Decorative Strip Billboard
• BIGZ Flower, Daisies #2
• BIGZ Frame, Oval Scallop
• Animal Crackers (Stamp Set)
• Buttons (Latte & Bouquet)
• Sweet Slumber Speciality DP
• Bella Rose DP
• 2 Pks of Ribbon Bundle (Sell-a-brations)
• Delicate Dots DP (Sell-a-brations)
• Congrats (Sell-a-brations)
• Yummy (Sell-a-bations)
• Botanical Blooms (Sell-a-brations)
• Polka Dot Punches (Sell-a-brations)
• Rustic Rooster (Hostess)

I also got a gift card to spend anywhere and my plans are to buy the Cricut Expressions or a new digital camera. Just waiting on the right deal to come along. I also want to say thanks to Amy Ward because she had a part in helping Anne get all this stuff ordered for my farewell party. Thanks Amy!!

Valentine Pencil Holders

I've had so much fun making these pencil holders. You can see the instructions for them on Laurie's Blog (Just Give me Stamps). Here are a few that I made tonight and they went together really fast. I used the sticky strip along the side and bottom and used regular adhesive for the scallop and cirle.

Happy Valentines Day

Here is just a few cards that I recently made when a few of my friends got together. I made several of these valentines cards from the retired sets (Toucan of my Love and Animal Valentines). By adding the googlie eyes and outlining them in glitter added a lot to them. As you can see the don't only work for valentine cards, they work for birthday's too!!

This is the valentine card that I demonstrated. We also made a window box but I will have to post it later since I gave the extra's that I made away.

Set: A Happy Heart

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White

Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 3/8 & 1 1/4 circle punch, and Scallop Edge

Scallop Edge Ornaments

I know that Christmas has come and gone. I think you could do them for any holiday not just Christmas. The directions can be found on Taylor's Blog. I had just ordered the scallop edge punch and couldn't resist making these cute ornaments. Here are the 2 that I made this weekend.

Stamps: Punches Three (2008 Fall Winter Catalog)
Ink: Real Red and Pixie Pink
Paper: Real Red, Handsome Hunter, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa and Pixie Pink

Christmas Gifts

As sewing is one of my other hobbies, this year I worked on making 2 christmas tree skirts for a couple of friends. One of them had snowmen on it and the other was with red poinsettas. They both turned out really nice and I wanted to share them with you.

Valentines Cards/Treats

Recently I finally got back into stamping and made these cute pencil holders. I cased it from Robin Lea but the directions came from Laurie and I think these turned out really cute. I'm hoping to make more for my daughter's friends at church.

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, & Basic Black

Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch

I also cased this cute card from splitcoaststampers. She used the scallop edge punch from Stampin up but since I didn't have that one yet, I decided to substitute and use the spiral punch.

Paper: Baseful Blue, Real Red, Basick Black, & Whisper White

Set: A Happy Heart

Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Sprial Punch, Dazzling Diamonds

Ink: Basic Black

Markers: Real Red, Bordering Blue, & Green Galore

Missing in Action

Sorry to have not been able to post since the end of July but with working full time, taking care of the kids and helping out with my mother-in-law, it hasn't left much time for blogging. I'm hoping over the next month or so to get back at it regular. Please keep checking back to see what I'll be posting.