Moving to a New Home

I have a new home for my blog....please visit me at InkyMom.stampincorner.com

Convention Goodies!

I am all about Stampin Up! I use 98% all Stampin Up! supplies. I absolutely {heart} Stampin Up! Because of how much I love this company, I want you all to go to Stampin Addicts and sign up to view the gallery, the information that is there, and to meet new people.

Plus, right now they are having a giveaway. If I win the giveaway from Stampin Addicts, I will then pay it forward and give it away here on my blog! Wanna see the items??


Aren't these fabulous goodies? Items included are a reuseable bag that will fit 12 x 12 paper, an SU! water bottle with Trendy Trees images on the bottom, a manicure kit (and the quality of the tools is AWESOME), a nail file, and an SU! pen. All items are fabulous in real life, so help me win them so you can have a chance to win them!!!

Convention 2009

Oh my goodness is about all I can say. I am back from Stampin Up! convention in Salt Lake City. I had an AWESOME time and I can't wait for next year. I am working on getting some posts ready with not only some of the items I swapped, but items I received in swaps. I will work on that in the next day or so and get them up here. By looking at the photo below you can tell I had a GREAT TIME! These are some of my Stampin Addicts Sisters....for more great pics of Convention, visit Stampin Addicts. If you are not already a member, join! It is a fun group of women (and men) and it is 100% Positive and Postively Stampin Up!

And here I am with Shelli Gardner, co-founder of Stampin Up! She is such a "real person" to talk to. She could tell I was nervous and just said to breathe!

In the meantime, if you are interested in hosting a workshop and receiving some extra hostess benefits, please contact me. There will be a special incentive for the first 2 people to book and hold the workshop! (Think free goodies!)

School starts next week so I am sure everyone is getting finished up with their summer plans. I will start the regular craft nights once I get back into the school groove!

Have a great week....check back soon for the updates!

Special of the Week #2

So here is the deal of the week for this week....The Doctor's Bag for the Big Shot at 30% off!!!



If you are interested in purchasing this item, please let me know! This offer is good through 9:50 MDT on Monday, July 13!!

Big Shot Ideas - and a Giveaway!

Okay, because I want to win some awesome new stuff for my fab-o Big Shot.....I am going to enter a contest.
If you are needing ideas for your Big Shot, then you should go to Stampin Addicts and look at the galleries. OR, if you have awesome ideas you want to share, you should join Stampin Addicts and upload your creations!!!
Even if you don't need ideas for your Big Shot, just go visit Stampin Addicts and chat, upload photos, and get to know other stampers. It is a great site....I seem to spend A LOT of time there!!! It is easy to join, and it is a POSITIVE environment for all you SU stampers!!!

Specials of the Week!

Stampin Up! has announced a wonderful promotion for the month of July.....there will be weekly specials! From now until July 6 at 9:50 MT, you can purchase the scallop border punch for $10!!!!

See the button on the side of my blog for the weekly special!!!

Urban Oasis Card Fest

Have you ever bought a package of Designer Series Paper because you like one or two pieces of paper? I have! Then you have to wonder what you are going to do with the rest of it. Well, what you do is step out of your comfort zone and make some cards!

So here is what we have....these two cards are the same, only different. They use the same piece of paper, but from a different "section" of the page. I also had to step outside of my comfort zone and use some of the soon to retire Kiwi Kiss cardstock. This card is also a 5 inche square card. It is a size I like, but seldom make.

So here is another card, and I even decorated the inside! Like I said earlier, I was trying to use up all the scraps too! This one is made into a birthday card, but there is still a little bit of room on the inside to even write a hand-written note.



Kiwi Kiss is not one of my favorite colors, so I had to change up the color of the card! I used some of my beloved Baja Breeze, and this is using pieces of the same paper used above, but this time parts without the green leaves. I added some Baja double stitched ribbon and some of the Gray Tafetta ribbon as well. The card in front has the medallion embossed in clear.





This is the last card I made using the same paper. I needed a card to send to a friend just to let her know I was thinking of her, and I thought this was a cute and quick card to make. I matted the scrap of paper on Pink Pirouette and then again on Basic Gray, wrapped some Pink Pirouette ribbon around it, and wah-lah!!

Mother-Daughter Tea Part Two

Wow!! Posts two days in a row, can you believe it!!?? As promised, here are pictures of the other table I decorated for my Mother Daughter Tea at my church held on Friday, May 8, 2009.

Here is the full table view. I used my own gold charger plates, the china I received as a wedding gift, as well as the silver I received for our wedding. It is a good thing we have this event so I can use these items!!! LOL!
I love fresh flowers, and we have a fabulous florist here in Iowa Falls that does beautiful arrangements! I love how they turned out as well.

And here is the close up view of the table setting. These napkin rings were made without paper, but instead I used Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon and attached one of the flowers from the Pretties kit using a glue dot. I used a sponge dauber with So Saffron and Regal Rose ink to color in the flower to make it coordinate with the rest of my "color scheme."

Excuse the messy desk, but here is a close up of the items I made for each guest. The stamped images are from the retired set of Mixed Bouquet (this will NEVER leave my possession!). The placecard is Regal Rose cardstock with the large flower from Mixed Bouquet stamped in Regal Rose ink. I then took my white gel pen and wrote each guest's name. The matchbox is made with my Big Shot. The base is from Regal Rose cardstock, while the "wrapper" is from Whisper White with stamped images in Regal Rose, So Saffron, and Certainly Celery.

The dessert was made by me this time. It was SO easy....want to know how to make it??
Easy Lemon Cake
1 Lemon Cake Mix
2 pkgs. Lemon Instant Pudding
1 1/2 c. cold milk
1 8 oz. pkg. Cool Whip
Mix cake mix according to instructions and bake in 2 - 9 inch round pans. Cool Completely.Mix pudding mixes with milk. "Frost" top of each layer of cake with the pudding mix and layer.Frost layered cake with Cool Whip and refrigerate for one hour prior to serving.

You can also make this in a 9x13 pan, which would make it even easier!! I found that the longer the cake was refrigerated the better the flavor in the pudding. When I make it the next time, I will want to figure out a way to get the pudding to be a bit more flavorful and tart. Maybe add a teaspoon of lemon juice?

All in all, the event at our church was a success....Until next time....happy stamping!!!

Mother-Daughter Tea Part One

My church offers an event at Christmas which is beautiful and festive. The women of the church host a table, decorate it using their "Sunday best," make a dessert, and there is Christian entertainment of some sort. The event is held in December every year.

This Mother's Day weekend, our church, held a Mother Daughter Tea with the same concept. I decided to be overzealous and decorate two tables. Yeah, that was a bit much!!! I like to do as much from paper as I can, so I make my napkin rings, place cards, and usually some little "trinket" for my guests to take with them.

Here are the pictures of the "extra" table I put together at the last minute. Someone else made the dessert, which was the strawberry pretzel dessert (yummy!!), but everything else I put together.

This table was decorated using silver chargers (borrowed from a friend), white Pfalzgraff dishes, and then my paper crafts.

I made the napkin rings with brushed silver paper for the "ring" and then black CS punched from the scallop circle punch. I stamped the image from Heartfelt Thanks in Versamark and then embossed with silver EP. The matchbox dies were made with my Big Shot (best investment I have made in a long time!!). I cut the pieces from black cardstock (for the box portion), and brushed silver for the "wrap" piece. I found some black velvet ribbon in "my stash", and then again used my Big Shot and an embosslit for the flower.

Here is a close up picture of the items I made for this table. The placecards were made with brushed silver cardstock, and then again using my Big Shot, I used the Lots of Tags die to make the portion for the names. Those pieces are mounted on top of piece of So Saffron twill ribbon.

All in all, I was very pleased with how the "extra table" turned out. Stay tuned and I will show you the other table I decorated!!

Secret Sistah Swap - Day 2!!!!!

I love my secret sistah from Stampin Addicts!! Here is a picture of all the goodies I got today.
Following are the pictures of the individual pages:

Secret Sistah Swap!!!

Okay, so some of my Sistahs and I participated in a secret sister swap..... There are three days to it and I have to hold off on opening the gifts -only one per day! Here is a picture of all my gifts together.....

So today I opened the pretty clear one with the ric rac looking paper on it. Holy smokes look what was all inside!!!

Inside the box were a whole bunch of goodies!!! There is a cute petal card made into a pouch, filled with M&M's (individual pic to be shown below), a scallop circle bag with pencils and some cute Easter brads (see below), some cute buttons, ribbon, and two packages of pretty flowers to put on my projects!

Close up of the scallop circle bag and Easter brads.....CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!!!!

And a close up of the petal card pouch....

THANK YOU SISTER!!! I love it all!!! Can't wait to open another gift tomorrow!!!!

Think I Left??

No, I didn't drop out of blog-land already! I have been one busy lady. This week has been Spring Break, so Jack took both boys and went to Kansas City for a few days. I stamped some cards for a swap, so I can't show you those, and I painted our bedroom. If I ever get the pictures taken of it, I will post them. I painted 3 of the 4 walls a darker shade of Sage Shadow, and the 4th wall (behind our bed) is chocolate chip. I think it looks great, but I don't think that Jack really likes the green. Oh well!!!

I am offering a Mystery Hostess special through March 30. For every $50 in orders you place, your name will be entered into a drawing for the hostess set and the bennies! Plus, with Sale-A-Bration going on right now, you will also get your choice of SAB sets too! Oh yeah, I am offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders through March 31 too!! These offers are only good through me, so please send me an email at my CONTACT ME button on the right hand side.....

I will post some of the recent swaps I have been in so I can share with you guys!! Thanks for reading...I will try to post more often now that work is settling down again!!

Valentines, Valentines, Valentines Everywhere!!

Well, today was a well spent day. I am participating in a secret pal type thing with the SA group and I finished up my Cupid swap and have the package at the Post Office as I type! (Well, actually darling husband (DH) is taking it to the grocery store to get the postage on it for me!)

After I finished up the Cupid swap, I thought I had better get the boys' valentines made for their classmates. Jackson helped design his, and then I just made the ones for Logan's classmates. Here are the ones for Jackson's class:

Stamp Sets: Family Phrases, Darling Dots (hostess Level I)
Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories: 1 1/4 square punch

I made a 3x3 card, which is new for me. I have enough envelopes for them, so thought I would try something new. LOL!! It is odd to see me create a card that doesn't have either glitter or ribbon on it, but I guess boys aren't into that sort of thing. Who'd a-thunk?

And now for Logan's:

Stamp Sets: Pun Fun

Paper: Lovely Lilac, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Lovely Lilac

Hope everyone has a great week! I know the boys enjoyed playing outside in the sunshine. While we still have a lot of snow left, you can tell that there is a lot that has melted! Yea, spring may actually come sometime!!

New Designer Series Paper and Stamps

I even got to stamp this weekend!! I am trying to actually use the things I buy like Designer Series Paper and other accessories that are usually just too scrumptious to cut into. However, I was challenged by a group of ladies I am glad to call my friends, the SA girls over on Splitcoast Stampers. I was challenged to use the paper to make a card or two over the wekeend, and here is one I came up with.

I don't know if you can see it very well, but the white paper on the bottom has a very subtle stripe to it. It is absolutely DELISH in person. Want to see it in real life? We can make this card at a workshop, or come to the Stamp Day at my house on Sunday, February 22. While we won't be making this card, you can see just how fabulous the papers are for yourself!

Have a great week!!

All supplies by Stampin Up!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral

Paper: Basic Black, Taste of Textiles DSP

Ink: Basic Black, White Craft Ink

Accessories: Irridescent Ice EP, White Organdy Ribbon

Stamp Day - Sunday Feb. 22

Need to have some cards on hand for birthdays, anniversaries, thank you's, etc? Well, have I got a deal for you!!!

On Sunday, February 22, 2009 at my house, we will be making 10 cards for $15. Not creative? No worries - I will have 5 cards designed and cut for you to stamp (following a sample of course...) and you will get to make 2 of each design!

Want to attend? All you need to do is RSVP by Thursday, February 19 and you will have a spot!

Can't come but want the cards? You can get together 3 of your friends and I will come to your house, or you can all come to mine on a mutually agreed upon day. If you have 3 people who have never attended one of my events, you will even get a special gift!

Don't have any friends? (just kidding...) You can still get the cards - I will make them for you and the fee goes to just $25 and you will get 10 cards and envelopes all stamped and ready for you to use! Payment is due prior to the cards being made.

If you come to stamp and bring a $50 order, there will be no fee for the cards you made, as well as you will get FREE shipping on your order, and with a $75 order you also get a free catalog! (Valid through Sara Kobe only)

PLUS, Sale-A-Bration starts on February 1, so for every $50 you spend you will ALSO get your choice of a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set - or this year there is also ribbon and Designer Series Paper!!

Please view the catalog(s) on the side bar and let me know your order!!

Hope to see you on the 22nd!

Wow, that is a lot going on!!!

Sunday....AGAIN???

Good day everyone! I haven't been stamping a lot lately, but I am working on it. In fact, I have joined some swaps so will be stamping a lot in the coming days trying to get everything ready and out the door for them! LOL!!

I stamped yesterday with a friend, it felt good to get the rubbah back in my hands!!


The first card uses some retired products, and it is a CASE (Copy And Share Everything) from a swap I received a LLLLOOOONNNGGGG time ago... I really like this card because with the greeting of "Heartfelt" you can really use it for anything, Heartfelt Thanks, Heartfelt Birthday wishes, Heartfelt sympathy....


Stamp sets: Heartfelt Thanks, Print Pattern (retired)
Paper: Mellow Moss, Pale Plum, Pefect Plum, Very Vanilla
Ink: Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss
Accessories: Ribbon Originals Sherbet (retired)

And since it has been a full week since I have posted, here is a *bonus* card for you all. Again, it was inspired by a swap card, but the set was retired and I didn't have it anylonger, as well as were the colors, so I changed it up a bit....


Stamp sets: Holiday Blitz (cupcake and present), Party Hearty (candle), Hugs & Wishes
Paper: Certainly Celery, Baja Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery, Baja Blue, Apricot Appeal
Accessories: Celery Grosgrain

Well, I had better get back to stamping, but wanted to share these cards with you.

Happy Stamping!!

Sara

Well today I thought I would take some pictures of all of our snow....there is a lot. It has been a very cold January here in Iowa. We have had lots and lots of wind, so the snow blows around a lot! Here are some pictures of what the snow pile looks like in front of my house....

That is my oldest son in this picture....he is 48 inches tall, so the pile of snow is QUITE large....

This is my husband's truck and it is parked on the far south side of our lot. Since there are only 5 houses on my street and we are the only house on our side of the street, the lovely county plows all the snow to our side....I think it will be a while before we get the truck out!! LOL!!

Tomorrow is MLK Day and I have the day off...so I am hoping to get some stamping done since the boys will both be in school. Hope to share more tomorrow!!

Cheers!!

Well, I finally did it....Welcome to my new blog!! I am not sure how often I will post, but will try to post 2 times per week to start off with. Hopefully this will get me stamping more often!





So today I stamped. It was too cold to do anything else. With temps of -15 F and wind chills -30 F, you can't do anything BUT stay home!! So here is what I made...Pretty simple, but really is my style.

Stamps: Cheers to You

Paper: Kraft, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Kraft DSP from Hostess Patterns Pack

Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain, Watercolor Wonder Crayons-Bold Brights, Aquapainter