Wooohhoooo Holiday Mini time!!!

First I want to say welcome to everyone from loadedcouponbook.com.
I don't have a sample to post today. I had migraine & shoulder muscle issues. So, on to the goodies.....
Christmas is my favorite time of year! I am so excited that the Holiday Mini Catalog sale has started. You can either shop through that link or download your mini  here. I will be posting examples from this new catalog next week.

Only a few more hours left!!!!

What?? You haven't shopped the Buy 3 get 1 FREE DSP sale at Stampin' Up!? Well, you had better hurry on over there! The sale ends today!! While you are over there, don't forget today is also the last day to buy from the Summer Mini Catalog!

Now, on to the craftiness. :) Remember I said I would show you projects with our fabu Designer Series Paper? Well this is just the beginning! This planner is made with a file folder (just snag one out of your filing cabinet, this is a much better use! lol), Paisley Petals DSP, Always Artichoke cardstock and ink, Bravo Burgundy cardstock and ink, Christmas Collage stamp, Stamping Sponges, Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder and Whisper White cardstock.

Get them while you can!

You have just 2 days left to order from the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini catalog!!! My favorite set from the Summer Mini is Strength & Hope. Yes, I used this one in my post yesterday. I want to share as many ideas with y'all about this fabulous set while I can. Don't forget, $2 goes to BCRF from the sale of this set as well as the digi set. I was inspired by a card on another blog for this one. For the life of me I can't find it in my saved links. (note to self, organize favorites) I used Early Espresso cardstock and ink, Blushing Bride cardstock and ink, Very Vanilla cardstock, Stampin' Dimensionals, 1 3/8" Circle Punch and 1 3/4" Scallop Punch. I inked all over this one using one of our Stamping Sponges. LOVE the way those sponges help with the distressed look.

A little hint about the sponges.....Cut them into wedges! I have wedges of different sizes. I use one per color family. Cut the sponge in half, then in half again, then in half, etc, until you get the size wedge you prefer. I hope your week is off to a fabulous start! Its a gorgeous day today here in Virginia! I will be in my studio most of the day creating for an upcoming fair. Of course I will have the windows open to enjoy the sunny day, the fabulous view and light breeze.

Hello Blog World! I'm back!!!!!

Yes, yes, its been a long time! However, I am back and ready to keep blogging! So many things happened since my last post. We had hundreds, yes hundreds of aftershocks in Japan following the big quake in March. I helped my friend Tammy with her program sending backpacks of much needed supplies to Sendai and other areas affected by the tsunami.
My hubby retired from the Air Force after 24+ years and we have moved to Virginia! It is GORGEOUS here. I love it. We are far enough inland that Irene did not bother us. We had light rain and a breeze. There was a bigger thunderstorm that went through the week prior that was worse! I am sure you are wondering if I felt the quake in Virginia. Why yes I did! (and NO, I did not bring it with me! lol) We are about 30 miles from the epicenter. We still feel aftershocks occassionally but NOTHING like what we felt in Japan! This is easy breezy! I can handle this. :)

OK, enought with the update on me and on to the craftiness....... You have until August 31st to receive FREE printed paper from Stampin' Up! Yes, our DSP, Designer Series Paper, is on sale! Buy 3, get 1 free. This is a fabulous time to stock up on those fabulous 12x12 patterned papers. I made this lovely set last week. For the composition notebook, I used the Paisley Petals DSP, Melon Mambo and Crumb Cake cardstock, Crumb Cake from the Neutrals Collection Paper Stack, Melon Mambo and Crumb Cake inks, Very Vanilla cardstock (for the butterfly), Stampin' Dimensionals and the Strength and Hope stamp set. That stamp set is also only available unil the 31st! Get it while you can. Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from the purchase of this set to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.®

I will be back later with more projects. I hope you have a wonderful craft filled week!

Mickey Adorned

I was so excited when Dawn sent me the Simply Adorned charm and chain. I have waited and waited for inspiration to strike. It finally did....while I was at The Disney Store! The Japanese are CRAZY about phone charms. I saw several Mickey icon charms and knew they would look adorable on my necklace. I used Love Letter paper for the background inside the charm. The Mickey head on the front (the side with the gold heart) is punched out of black paper from the Neutrals DSP stack. The Mickey on the other side is punched from the Love Letter paper. I can't wait to make more Simply Adorned projects. These would make fabulous gifts! I am planning to use the charms to make Christmas ornaments. Have you taken time to get crafty lately? I hope so! Crafty time is good for your soul! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I will be spending time this afternoon under the cherry blossoms with our Japanese friends & neighbors.

Its been 4 weeks/1 month.....

What a long sad month this has been. A major earthquake, a tsunami, threat of nuclear fallout, thousands (yes over 1000) aftershocks including the 7.1 last night..... So much to deal with. So many emotions. So many lives lost. So many people with nothing left. Japan still has a long road to recovery. The people here are amazing. They WILL pull through this. Military and volunteers from around the world have come together to help this great nation. If you have helped by donating money or supplies, thank you! If you have volunteered your time, thank you! If you have prayed for everyone involved, thank you! Tomorrow I will be gathering with over 20 people to help put together backpacks for the children of Japan. They will include things like toothpaste, toothbrush, underwear, small toys, coloring books, crayons, water and snacks. Its not much but every little bit helps. It has been stressful enough for me dealing with all the aftershocks. Last night's big quake/aftershock was especially rattling for me. Then I thought of all those in this country with no home, no belongings, no family. That made me remember how blessed I truly am.

Thanks Kath!

I feel so honored! Kath has chosen me for the Stylish Blogger Award! When you are given this award...there are (4) things you must do...
1. Thank the person that gave you the award and link back to their blog (above). Thanks again Kath!!!!
2. Share (8) things about yourself:
(1) We will be moving from Japan this summer. (more details to be posted later on my blog)
(2) I love to watch Disney movies, even when the kids aren't around.
(3) I am still a Disney nut. (Always will be.) I will never grow up!
(4) I am participating in Brave Girls Soul Restoration.
(5) I rarely watch the news. All that negativity, over reacting and exagerating annoys me.
(6) Things here in Japan are not as bad as everyone in the US thinks it is. I am fine. The water here on base is fine. The air is fine. (well other than the pollen lol)
(7) I am VERY allergic to the cherry blossom trees. :(
(8) I LOVE teaching others how to get crafty.

3. Pass this award on to (8) other Stylish Bloggers:
Bootybella Designs
Debby's Stuff
There's glitter on the dogs
Kindred Gypsy Soul
Cards, scrapbooking and musings!
Stipple Shapes
kareN stampZ
Viv's Visuals

Sping is Blossoming

Stampin' Up has some GORGEOUS papers for their Spring is Blossoming promotion. I created this cake card using: Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz and Concord Crush cardstocks, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz inks, Four Frames and Strength & Hope Stamps, Pop-up Three Tier Cake die and the gorgeous new Paisley Petals DSP (Designer Series Paper). You may be asking, "What is this Strength & Hope stamp set you speak of?" Well, thats a little sneak peek for you. It will be available May 1st. There will be much more from me with this set in the near future. Stampin' Up will be donating $2 from the sale of each set to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Patriotic Vintage Canvas

Hello blog world! Yes, its been a few days. I'll try not to let that happen again. Well, until we start the big move. lol Anyway....Remember the canvas I mentioned the other day? Well, this is how it turned out. :) I started with a blank canvas, a calendar with reprints of these old war posters, the Bands 4 Arms photo, mod podge and plenty of ink. I used Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Early Espresso to ink up the canvas. I tore the poster prints from the calendar and inked the edges using a sponge. I tried several different arrangements before I came up with this final design. I covered everything but the B4A photo with the matte mod podge. I have to say..... I LOVE the end result. Oh and to fill you in on the B4A photo....Bands for Arms is a fabulous site started by Nick, an active duty guy in the Navy. Go check out the site. I have purchased MANY of these bracelets for my family and plan to purchase many many more.

Happy Birthday Taylor!

Today was my daughter's 12th birthday party. I thought I would take a break while the girls are upstairs singing and dancing to post. I bought the Stampin' Up Pirate Party Kit from the clearance rack. When Taylor saw it, she decided she wanted a pink pirate theme. It came with the supplies to make a flag banner but the colors just didn't work for our color theme. I gathered my supplies and changed the colors to match the pink and brown theme we decided to use. Taylor and I sat down together and made the flags. We used Chocolate Chip and Melon Mambo cardstock, Versamark ink and Beware Pirates stamp set. The pink embossing powder is from my stash. It was a lot of fun to do something crafty with my creative kiddo. The banner has been hanging up since her birthday earlier in the week.
Taylor wanted her cake to be covered with gold sprinkles, "like a huge bar of gold with gold coins around it." I wanted to cover the cake with fondant and dust it in gold. She insisted that the sprinkles were what she wanted. So, I gave her the cake she envisioned in her head. When I was finished, she said it was perfect. I love making my kiddo happy by little things like that. With all the decorations in place, we were ready for her guests to arrive. The Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack was playing on the radio. Her friends walked in and said, "This is going to be the best party ever!" They each got their own eye patch and treasure chest. Later tonight they will be back downstairs for a Pirates movie marathon. I wonder who will fall asleep first and how long they will all be able to stay awake. May your weekend be full of smiles and fun times. Mine sure has been so far. :)

Imagine the Possibilities

As soon as I saw Valita's blog on making this gorgeous corner fold dress, I KNEW I just HAD to make it! I have made three different dress cards but this one is by far my favorite. I love the Stampin' Up red glitter paper combined with the black pattern paper from the Neutrals stack. I'll have to try and play around with the lighting to get a good photo of this beauty. For now, this scan will have to do. :) Tomorrow is Friday and the start to a very busy weekend. I hope you all are doing well.

Wish Big!

I decided that I would make this 3d cake for my daughter's birthday instead of a card. Her actual cake will be made Saturday before her party. :) This cutie is made using the Pop-up Three Tier Cake die, Melon Mambo cardstock and printed paper, Chocolate Chip cardstock, Crumb Cake ink, Versamark ink, White Embossing Powder, Melon Mambo Pompom Trim and Pearls. A bit of advice......add the pearls and pompom trim BEFORE you assemble the cake. Trust me. It is MUCH easier! :) My trim would have been all even if I had thought of that first. I hope you are getting some crafty time this week. It feels FANTASTIC to be creating again. I might just end up with two blog posts today! :)

Peaceful Bird Card

This card is the one I chose for my Mystery Hostess Party. I saw the idea on someone's blog but can't find it now. I know the inking over embossed images is in several places though. :) I stamped the Always Elegant swirly heart in Early Espresso onto Whisper White cardstock. I then stamped it again in Versamark and embossed it in clear embossing powder. I inked the entire card front in Early Espresso and Crumb Cake. The base is Perfect Plum that has Perfect Plum ink sponged on the edges. The bird is stamped using Perfect Plum ink and the Punch Potpourri bird stamp. I punched it out then with the bird punch. I also punched the branch again in the Early Espresso cardstock. I decided I wanted the branch double so I inked the white branch in Crumb Cake. I used Stampin Dimensionals to attach the bird but it doesn't show much in this scan. One day I will make a photo booth for capturing the photos of my cards better.I hope your week is going well. Today is my daughter's birthday. Her party is this weekend so I will post pics of everything after everything is finished. Tonight was the family dinner at Chili's.

The latest from our area of Japan

We are still safe & sound here in our little corner of Japan. As Col. Feather says, "The water is tasty and the chow is hot!" OK, only my gals & guys here at Yokota will "get" that one. lol Really though....we are fine. They monitor the air and water numerous times a day here. Our water does not come from Tokyo so it does not affect us when they say the water in Tokyo is unsafe for babies. Yokota is the airlift hub for the military rescue efforts. Things are busy to say the least. Several friends & their kiddos have taken part in the voluntary departure. My friend Kate is helping with the relief efforts. I've been gathering supplies to bring to her. I believe the last count for aftershocks since the 9.0 was somewhere over 700. We havent felt them all in our area. However, there have been some decent ones. I won't lie.....sometimes it DOES rattle your nerves. I often wonder "What if" with each shake. What if this is another big one....what if I can't get to my kids....what if it happens when we are sleeping. Then I remind myself of something. Its just like one of our DJs on Eagle810 here said, "You can't keep playing the what if game."
I'm trying to stay busy myself. I've been baking cookies to donate to the relief workers. I'm plan to do something crafty every day. Now I need to make sure that I set aside blog time too! I hope to try a different technique each day. Some of them are new to me and others are not. Today, I plan to work on a canvas. Not sure what it will turn into. I just want to CREATE. Since I am watching or rather listening to Jeff Dunham who knows what it will look like. lol
Taylor's 12th birthday is tomorrow. Her party will be this weekend. Im not sure yet how many kids will make it. So many are gone with the voluntary departure. We will make it fun no matter what. Its a pink pirate theme. She wants a cake that looks like a bar of gold. Should be easy...right?? I'll post pics along the way.

We're safe here in Japan!

I just wanted to post real quick to let y'all know we are ok here. We are about 270 miles from the epicenter. We felt all the rocking and rolling. We are not near any of the tsunami affected areas. I will be back later with a more detailed report of everything. Please continue to keep the people of Japan in your prayers during this difficult time.