Swaps Continue

Here are some more swaps from my Amy's Awesome Addicts meeting before my vacation.....

The first is Susanne Russo's featuring what is one of my very my favorite sets out of the new catalogue, Garden Whimsy. I asked Susanne how she got this marbled effect on the snail, and she said she removed some of the ink with a q-tip and then applied the groovy guava ink in its place.

Next is Laura Howard's card using Pick a Petal. This color combination is great, so cheery and she did such a great job placing the petals evenly. Laura you were so brave to stamp those directly to the paper, but I can't imagine cutting out all those petals for 12 swaps either!! Well done!

The last card today is from Robin Johnson. This uses a stamp that I've recently added to my collection - Simply Said. (Sadly, I've been so crazed lately, that I haven't had time to trim it up.) I didn't notice till I got this cute card that it coordinates perfectly with the designer prints paper. What a great "demonstratable" card Robin! Gotta love those.

Ahoy!

Last night, I was supposed to do a lot of things, billing, laundry, dishes etc. But instead, I sat at my stamp table for HOURS. It was wonderful, and way more relaxing than all that work. I'm paying for it this morning with a messy house, and the billing will have to get done tonight....

The Big Boy is having his birthday party this weekend. I can not believe he's going to be five! Wow.

Thanks to Jen Del Muro for posting instructions for these on Splitcoast. They're so simple to make. I just had to complicate things by adding a zillion layers and images that had to be colored in! My friend Erica loaned me this set. I've been ogling it a while!

I made the girls version last night - just don't have a fully assembled one just yet. Hopefully later today!

What I did on my Summer Vacation

We've just returned from a week in Nantucket. I panicked that first day, that we had no Internet access. I could check my email every once and a while at my mom's. But there was no blogging (reading or writing this week) and at first I was feeling a little disconnected. But then, once I got used to it, I have to say, it was SO relaxing.

This week, I did something I haven't done in a really long time. I read an entire book this week. Okay, it wasn't challenging reading or anything, but it was L-O-N-G! Before stamping I used to knit... and before that, I always had a book in the works. But then, I found I'd just konk out and fall asleep. I must have been really relaxed this week though, because I finished the entire new Harry Potter book. Don't worry, no spoilers here.

Tonight I worked a little more on my class sample for Thursday night. We're making the new Chipboard Clipboards from Stampin' Up. I hope to have photos for you maybe tomorrow night, but it might beTuesday night. I also worked on some goodie bags for the Big Boys upcoming party this weekend. I'll post photos tomorrow by Daylight!

So much laundry to do, but it has been a very long day today. So Off to Bed. But before I do, a little eye candy....

This is an invitation I've made for a "getting to know you playdate" for this years preschool class. Since I've kept the big boy at Pre-K for a "bonus year" he doesn't know many people in his new class and I thought a playdate would be fun. Also a good excuse to ... stamp!

Au Chocolat Notebook

I covered a junior legal pad with Au Chocolat as a door prize for my most recent stamp club meeting. Everyone liked it so much, that we'll be making one in my September club meeting.

I was given the directions the directions by fellow demonstrator Diana Rush. You'll need a piece of the lightweight cardboard that you receive with each package of designer paper. Never throw that stuff out!

I'll post new versions of this in September after I run my class with directions to make them. By the way, if ever I announce something here that we're making in class, I'm happy to kit up the materials if you'd like to make one at home. Or, if you'd just like to HAVE it, I can generate a price to make it for you!

Chipmunks

So, about a month ago, we saw this cute little chipmunk sitting on our deck eating crumbs the kids had left behind after snack. Before you knew it there were two, running around in my garden. Now, they're everywhere. Digging holes EVERYWHERE. In my garage (where I now won't go anymore!!) and totally creepy. Suddenly, they're not cute anymore.

My neighbor is like Bill Murray in caddyshack. He and my husband went out for traps last night and they're having a chipmunk contest. We're at three, he has two.

Don't hate me for trapping chip and dale. They're cute in Disney and all, but I do NOT want them in my home.

A Matchbook for Your Birthday? Well, not really....

I promised Rachel I'd learn to make a Matchbook card. Of course, I searched, but wasn't able to find directions anywhere. So, I searched the gallery to look at them, and then played around to see how I might make it work.


Here's how I did it.....I took a piece of cardstock measuring 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 and scored it at 3/4 inches, 1 1/2 inches and again at 5 1/2 inches.

I folded over the bottom two scores and added a strip of designer paper to the front bottom piece. Then secured it with two brads that went all the way through to create the matchbook closure. Then just folded at the 5 1/2 line like a standard card. The top piece tucks right inside the lip of the matchbook bottom.

This version uses my so saffron designer prints paper from Stampin Up as well as the Office Accoutrement stamp set and my new favorite sentiment "Birthday Hugs and Wishes" also from Stampin Up within the set Hugs and Wishes.

Have a great night!

What I got back in my swaps.....

I've heard back from many of my fellow Amy's Awesome Addicts and will be posting their creations over the next few days. Please remember, that all of this artwork belongs to the individual named artists. This work is only for inspiration, you may not copy it for contest purposes or publications. But, you already knew that right?? -- wink!

So, the problem with swaps is that it makes you want to buy MORE! Yikes. I've had embossing powders on my list for a while, but this settles it. For Christmas, I've got to get the metallic embossing powders. This card made with pieces of both the new Cerise and Dashing papers was made by Helene Egilman and Sue Adams - it is just beautiful! I love it.

Up next, is Erica's card. I love the colors she selected here. This uses the new doodle jumbo wheel. (Hmm. That would look great with my existing Doodle This set!) and the center of the flower is coated in Dazzling Diamonds. Erica also used the new double stitched ribbon in groovy guava that I love.

This third card was made by Nicole Caporizzo. This uses the same set I selected, Perfect Presentation, along with the scalloped circle punch. But as you can see, it is a totally different effect. This is a great color combination - looks like old olive and real red to me. I think its funny how many of us did Christmas cards!

More to come tomorrow..... thanks for sharing everyone!

It has been even nuttier than usual around here the last week or so. I have four little ones (no not all mine...) that are in the process of toilet training. Its great news, but it means a lot of in and out of the bathroom to cheerlead, to "assist" as necessary and to clean up in there, four extra visitors to that room means we're flying thorugh soap, toilet paper and handtowels!! That and the fact that three year olds LOVE to play in the sink... they need a lot of supervision in there.

Its all good though, they're making such great progress and suddenly are all so close to being fully trained. Its great that so many of them are working on it at the same time. Its just that not much else gets done during the day!

I've sent an email to all the women I swapped with tonight, and I'll begin posting some of them for you tomorrow. Lots of eye candy! I just want to get approval from my "swap-ees" before I post anything.

Liz, your blog candy prize will be going postal late tomorrow afternoon after daycare pickups! I hope you enjoy it!

Tonight...I'm going to sleep. G'Night everyone!!

Merry Swaps!

Its way early for Christmas, but I wanted to use something different for this month's swap at my "Amy's Awesome Addicts" meeting tonight. I love swapping so that you can see how everyone looks at things differently.

The only hard part is making a card that I don't mind making 12 or 14 times in a row. I want to do a good job, but don't want to make myself crazy in the process.

This card uses the new level 2 hostess set Perfect Presentation, real red and wild wasabi. A smidge of the wild wasabi double stitched ribbon. The quality of that double stitched ribbon is amazing. It ties up so nicely and the colors are gorgeous. I'm so pleased with it!

I wish I had the new polka dot background for this card, but I made do with the polka dots from Polka Dots and Paisley and I also wished I'd had the new 1' circle punch...just one more layer on that card!!

Sadly, while making these, my brand new scallop circle punch locked up on me and is now totally useless. (Another demo - Erica's mom in fact- came to my rescue and punched me out the remaining scallops I needed to finish my project-- thank you Tricia K!) While I'm so sad that it doesn't work, I was thrilled to hear that Stampin Up is very actively on the case to fix the problem. And, the people on the phone for Demonstrator Support are just SO nice, clearly the happiest customer service people I've ever dealt with at any company ever.

I can't wait to see what I come home with tonight!!

Second Call for In Color Swaps

A few weeks ago, I had mentioned running a swap featuring the new In Colors. But then, I forgot about it! Imagine, forgot my own swap! HA!


So here goes! Anyone want to swap? All you have to do to play is to create an artist trading card (sized 2.5 x 3.5 inches) using only SU product (so I can share them with my customers for inspiration) and using at least ONE of the new in colors! It is a 4+1 swap meaning you make the same card five times and you'll get back an assortment back! Cards are due to me by August 1st!

Here's a sample... this **might** be my swap, but I **might** just create something new too. You never know.

Just comment here to sign up for the swap, and I can send you my mailing address! Come on and play!!

Lucky Number One!

Thanks to everyone for participating in the blog candy contest! Random.org selected number one! Liz posted the first comment and said:

"Congrats on approaching the 15K marker! Choosing the paper is tough...it's a toss up between Darling Doodles and Linen Prints!"

Liz, please email me at basilefamily@comcast.net and I'll get your prize right out to you. If anyone uses the directions to make a folio I'd LOVE to see what you did with it. You can post a link to either your blog, email me a photo or post a link to your gallery if you have one!

Thanks for playing and have a wonderful day!

More Beach Beauties

You know how you can tell this Beachabella is a single girl? She has only a towel and this teeny beach bag.

For me, going to the pool is an adventure in packing.... I'm the maniac pushing the baby carriage, loaded up with towels, juice boxes, floatation devices, sweatshirts etc etc etc. Its quite the production. In fact, my sister has the funniest picture of me at the pool in Hawaii last year looking like a bag lady pushing all my paraphernalia for both kids!

And there's nothing relaxing about being in the pool with Little Man. Its a full body workout. But they both thoroughly enjoy themselves.

But here's to summer, there's nothing better!

Blog Candy - and Folio Directions

I noticed this morning that I'm closing in on 15K posts! Thank you everyone for dropping by to visit. I'm going to offer up my my most recent Stamp Club sample which you can see here. Its a card folio which contains four note cards and four stamped envelopes. The folio uses the Uptown Designer paper and Wild Wasabi double stitched ribbon.


The directions for making a folio for anyone that might be interested are below.

To enter, please leave a comment on this post. I'd like to know what new Stampin Up designer paper you like the best. I love the Cutie Pie collection and we'll be using it in my next month's project club class! I'll be collecting posts till Monday at noon and then will use Random.org to select a winner.

Supplies Needed:

2 pieces colored cardstock 8 ½ x 11 m (one is for the folio, one forthe notecard accent color)
1 piece neutral colored cardstock
4 envelopes
Designer Paper or stamps to decorate folio front
Ribbon
Hole Punch


Folio:
Score one piece colored cardstock at 2 inches up (holding paper the long way up and down)
Score again at 5 ½ (holding paper the long way sideways) so that it folds in half.
Fold on score lines and using a hole punch, make a small hole in each pocket to place ribbon for closure.
Embellish folio front with designer paper or stamps as desired.


Notecards:
Neutral colored notecards are trimmed at 4 x 5 ¼
Accent color is trimmed at 4 ¼ x 5 ½
Stamp card the neutral card, apply a monogram, or a strip of designer paper


Have a great weekend!

Last night my new box of goodies arrived from the new catalogue. I got the new Uptown and Cutie Pie designer papers, the "So Happy" stamp set which I think is too cute!

My project club meets this Thursday, and my guess is we're going to want to chat and browse the new catalogue a lot, so I made a project that we could do easily allowing lots of time for new purchase discussions!

I learned how to make these at a recent demo meeting that I attended (actually one that I attended before I signed up.) The cover is made from one piece of 8.5 x 11 and the notecards inside are made from one piece each colored and neutral cardstock 8.5 x11.

The folio holds four notecards and four envelopes and close up with a little snip of ribbon. They'd also be really cute with a monogram, but I couldn't get over these sweet little paisleys!

I'll post directions for these after my class Thursday night.

I didn't bring stamps and ink with me on this mini vacation, but I was able to crank this little card out before I left. A friend had asked for a box of assorted "congratulations on your pregnancy" cards and I thought this set was way cute. Sad they retired it, even more sad I didn't pick it up first....

Luckily, my friend Laura H came to my rescue and loaned it to me. Dressing these preggo ladies is like paper dolls for big girls. She's "wearing" a dress made from a piece of the sky double sided designer series paper.

It is so strange not having stamps here. I've been dreaming of stamping. How SAD is that? Beautiful designs in my dreams, and when I wake up they're gone, or else I'd be scratching down sketches for me to work from! While it has been so relaxing to go to bed early, and cat nap a little when Little Man takes his nap, I'm itchy to get to work with all my new catalogue goodies!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Meet My Friends Friday - Erica, the one who started it all!

As I mentioned yesterday, I've got a double whammy "meet my friends" this week. I've known Erica since our eldest (now five) were 12 and 7 months old.

When she asked me to join her six month club I thought "What will I buy? I don't use this stuff!" I was attending the class simply for a chance to get out of the house and see my friends. Oh, how quickly that changed.

And, she's such a great friend. I always say that she's too nice, because she never says no to anything, and takes on so much! I'm amazed that she finds the time to pull it all off.

This adorable page she made for her daughter's scrapbook is just one example of the beautiful pages she makes. She's all about the details and it truly shows. These books will be treasured by her children for many years to come!

"I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator because I enjoy stamping and wanted to share my talent for scrapbooking. I am blessed to be able to stay home with my children and love that I am able to plan my business around my busy schedule! I am very lucky to have both a great up line and also a fabulous, fast-growing down line! We have so much fun and I know there are many, many more great times in store for us. I'm really looking forward to Leadership in Palm Springs, CA and hope that some of my down line will be able to join me, too!

I am thrilled with the new catalog. Love the new layout (the samples seem to POP more than they have in the past), love the new in-colors, jumbo wheels and all of the new designer series paper. My favorite thing? Right now I'm most excited for Ginormous Flowers since I'm going to use that set to finally make the wall clock (page 192 of '06/'07 catalog) in my stampin' studio."

So here's to Erica who has been a great friend, a great inspiration to me, and is now a great "upline" a.k.a boss to those of you not familiar with the SU lingo!

Meet My Friends - My Brilliant Sister

This week, I have two friends for you. One tonight, my sister. Tomorrow, my friend Erica.


My sister has such a way with words, she's an amazing writer. On the other hand, I wake in the middle of the night with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach...how will I ever find the right things to say at her wedding (yikes, in just a few months!!) that will be able to express how in awe I am of her. She does everything with grace and beauty.



Tonight I have some of her amazing photography to share with you. I hope it goes without saying that these images are copyright Lauren Noble and that you may not steal them for your own personal gain or use! (Sweets - you gotta get a watermark!!)

However, should you wish to retain her services, please contact me at basilefamily@comcast.net and I can put you in touch with her. Here's what she had to say when I asked her to write a little about herself:



" I am the doting aunt of 2 brilliant nephews, the admiring sibling of an inspiring and selfless big sister and a witty and brilliantly complex little (23-year old) brother, and the favored daughter (just kidding, Jo) of two amazing and exemplary-in-every-way parents.











In 114 days I will be married to the only man on earth who could possibly both anticipate and hopelessly love my every crazed thought process and diatribe. He offers me a sustaining, unconditional love and an eternal promise of self-sacrificing commitment, so I thought that was a pretty good deal. In addition to being devastatingly handsome and romantic, he is patient and understanding and strong. And I’ve learned only recently that the tenderness he shows me every day is only a small reflection of the way God deals with each of us, which is a really tremendous thing to think about. And it makes me smile. I also smile when I think about the unbelievable party we’re going to have to celebrate my wedding. "




I can't wait till that wedding either!! I know I've said it thirty times here, but she is going to be a beautiful bride. And, my family sure knows how to party, what fun we will have.

Water Fight on the Fourth

What I love about Nantucket is its small town charm. Each year on the fourth, they close Main Street for a huge water fight between the Nantucket Fire Department and the Volunteer Fire Department. We're not talking about squirt guns and water balloons (although there were actually plenty of those too!) these guys break out the fire hoses and everyone is totally soaked.


This one fire fighter was on top of the ladder truck, and he had no mercy. We watched him spray some poor old lady that walked by, kids, cameras you name it. My husband was taunted him by chucking a water balloon his way, and as a result we ALL got soaked. (Including my grandmother.)


What you can't see in this picture of me is that I am literally soaked with water, head to toe. I could actually wring out my skirt. My shirt is clinging to my back, but we had a lot of laughs!

In the middle of all this however, Little Man put his thumb in his mouth, and went to sleep. Just checked out. Despite shrieks of laughter and continuing to get doused with water himself, he slept probably as soundly as I've ever seen.

We did get to the beach yesterday for the annual "first toes in the water" but it was freezing. So after dipping our toes, we took a nice walk on the beach with sweatshirts. Little Man enjoyed hunting for shells.

Tonight, my parents are hosting what was supposed to be a cook out, but it is freezing and raining today, so instead it will be a cook in. We're having my very favorite, fried chicken with potato salad. Mom let me be the official taste tester for the potato salad this afternoon, and oh YUM it was even better than I had remembered.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are enjoying lots of "fun family time."

Use What You've Got

As previously mentioned, my Aunt always needs "Congratulations on your new Home" cards. And this month, I'm using SU's (now retired) "Right At Home" (the alternate Image I use is Sell-A-Bella from Stamping Bella).

This month's version uses my new favorite technique -aquapainting. So fast! Scalloped border was a scrap leftover from my first workshop - the covered composition notebook. Its SO handy to keep scraps around, you never know what you'll come up with. Add in a few So Saffron pieces of my Palette O' Prints that I had trimmed up for a "Mish Closure" but never put to use and wow, what a fast card this was!

I referred to the night as "Use What You've Got Night" because I actually made a total of three cards that night made nearly completely by projects I had started, yet never finished. So, save those scraps, tuck away those cards you don't think work... and just revisit them another time. You'll be glad you did. And, for a fleeting moment, I could actually see my entire desktop.

Why did we join a pool club...

We could have saved a lot of money, if we only knew that the boys would love the water table nearly as much as the pool club!

Little Man was the instigator in the splashfest yesterday, but as you can see, they both had SO much fun.

In the end, the Little One climbed right up inside for a full body soaking. His brother could hardly contain himself he was laughing so hard. What a bunch of maniacs!

Stamps for Sale!

So, as a demonstrator, I can't use retired stamps in my stamp camp projects or workshops.... but they're still perfectly great stamps! And perfectly great for Hobbyist Demos, or SU Customers!!

Here is the list of retiring stamps I have for sale. I'll update this post as stamps sell. Please email me at basilefamily@comcast.net if you'd like to add any of these to your collection!

So Very
Sell A Bration Set
condition: mounted
Sale Price $ 10.00

Big Blossom
Sell A Bration set
mounted
Sale Price $ 12.00


Vogue Verses
mounted
Sale Price $ 10.00


Cross Hatch
Original Price $16.95
mounted
Sale Price $12.71

Tags So Much
Level One Hostess Set
mounted
Sale Price $11.25


By Design
Original Price $14.95
one of four stamps are mounted
Sale Price $11.21

A is for Adoreable
Level One Hostess Set
two of eight stamps are mounted
Sale Price $12.00


Around and About
Original Price$11.95
unmounted - NEW
Sale Price $ 8.96

Birthday Best
Original Price $12.95
Mounted
Sale Price $ 9.71


Happy Harmony -SOLD
Sell A Bration Set
unmounted New
Price $ 15.00

Buyer will pay for actual shipping costs. Paypal is the preferred mode of payment, but I will also take a check, or cash (only for local deliveries!)

NOTE: Happy Harmony has sold, but my friend Sarah has another one for sale. If you're looking for a Happy Harmony, email me and I'll put you in touch with her! FYI, any stamps that have not sold by July 9th will be listed on Ebay!

Who Does That?

The local parade for the Fourth of July was yesterday. We drove to where they had closed the streets for the event, parked the car and walked the rest of the way up.

Someone drove directly into my parked car and took off. I'm not talking a door ding here, they smashed right into the front of my car, leaving some significant damage.

The ironic part, we were so busy getting the kids into the car, that we didn't notice it. I found the damage when a 17 year old kid tagged my car in the parking lot at the supermarket later in the afternoon. I went to take a picture of it with my camera phone and instead discovered the damage from the hit and run.

Really, what is wrong with people? Who DOES that?