He is Risen! Happy Easter!

Rejoicing in this happy day!  We celebrated at our church's Easter service.  Then we had a lazy day - resting and cooking a delish meal.  Honey glazed ham, mashed potatoes, salad of mixed greens with pears and cranberries.  Instead of the usual egg hunt, I decided to give the kids a challenge and hunt for eggs in the dark with flashlights!  What fun!  We hid some outside and some inside the house ...but we shut the lights and they hunted for eggs in the dark and really enjoyed it.  Happy Resurrection day!  Jesus is the reason for the season.

It's Spring!

It's spring! Beautiful weather we are having after the incredible snow storms and rain storms we've been having. It's been a whole year since I've blogged here and shared any crafty projects. I've still been stamping but not a whole lot. The kids and life are keeping me way too busy. However, I do have some cards to share. Some are CASEs and some were inspired by various crafters in the GinaK, PTI, Our Daily Bread Designs and SU world (some of the most talented crafters in the world)! The first few are some masculine cards that are really difficult for me to produce. The 1st two cards were inspired by GinaK and her design team.

All supplies are GinaK, Papertrey Ink, Our Daily Bread Designs or Stampin' Up! Sorry the pictures are not editted/cropped. Just click on the picture to see it larger.

Getting ready for some easter and spring cards.

Spring is almost here!

So glad that the weather is starting to get warmer. The daffadils and tulips are starting to peek through. Hopefully I'll be able to improve on picture taking and posting them on the blog. I'm definitely feeling blog-challenged - just not enough time to get my posts on. It's faster just making my projects and taking pictures but somehow it takes forever to get them on here.



Anyhow, Stampin' Up! has a new catalog period that will go until June 30, 2009. After that, we are returning to 1 catalog per year - Yay! The 2 catalog turnaround was just too much to keep track of for me. I like all the new products but am not always able to purchase everything I want since I'm financially tight - aren't we all?!? haha.

See here http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/elenalin/ for my website to see new products. You can now order online - a great and convenient feature!



Take advantage of Sale-a-bration which will last until March 31st. For every $50 purchase of product, you can pick a stamp set, ribbon bundle or scrapbook paper pack from the Sale-a-bration brochure (which you can see here: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/elenalin/promotions

or download by clicking the .pdf file here:
http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/SAB09_US.pdf

Also, you can get a sneak peek at some cute Easter sets which Stampin' Up! is offering now from the Occasions Mini catalog: http://www.stampinup.net/uploads/fckeditor/stampinup/File/March%2009/pg11-13_Occasions_09_US.pdf

I've gotten some new products this time around after taking a hiatus for a few months. And, I have to tell you, I'm really loving some of the new stamp sets - particularly Fifth Avenue Floral which also has a new texture plate that can be used in the Sizzix Big Shot and which I use in my Cuttlebug. So sweet! I also just got a new set called Cheep Talk which is extra cute. Been working on a baby gift and my son's 2nd grade Easter craft project for school - which, of course, I had to incorporate stamping in it. So lots of pictures to come - hopefully I will get them all uploaded before the month is up - my track record is not great, but I will try!

Happy stamping everyone!

Fall-Winter 2008

The new catalog has been out for almost 2 months now. Download the new catalog online here:

Stampin' Up! Fall-Winter Catalog

When the new in colors were announced, I wasn't too crazy about them - just for the new soft pink. But now that I have all of them, they are all so fabulous!!! I usually hesitate to use bright colors, but these bold colors are just perfect! You have to check them out! Right now, my absolute favorite new in colors are Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango and Baja Breeze. Okay, well - that only leaves 2 other in colors left - Kiwi Kiss and Pacific Point - and they all go together so well.

Plus, there have been so many new products being introduced by Stampin' Up! this year:

First, we have our own line of home decor called Decor Elements - very versatile, durable vinyl cling run-on elements that you can apply to walls, furniture, frames, mirrors, etc... I have a project that I will post here to show you what I've done with my decor elements. Stay tuned for that! Meanwhile, here is a link to the decor element SpookySpider that will is only available until Oct. 31st:

Second, Stampin' Up! has teamed up with Sizzix and is now offering the Big Shot die cutting machine with exclusive die cuts that are only available through Stampin' Up! These are great for scrapbookers, home decor elements, and even card making! Click on the link above to see all that is being offered.

Third, offered until October 11, 2008 is a $99 starter kit promotion. Click

here for a pdf file for more information. Choose from either a scrapbook focused starter kit, a stamp focused starter kit, or a home decor elements focused starter kit.



This new catalog has been jam packed with new stuff. Plus there are plenty of promotions that will be going on in October as well! I will try and update as I get a chance.

The summer and then the school year just rolled right along with no stopping. The kids have kept me plenty busy as any other 7 and 6 year can do! Later on this week, I will post a few other projects I have gotten a chance to work on.

Happy stamping and crafting!!

Stamps are Retiring

Where do they go when they retire? I wonder...hmm.

Here's the link to the list of retiring stamp sets: http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/10955.asp

The following is the list of discontinuing accessories (*Items marked with an asterisk are 25% off.):

Last updated July 26

Accents & Elements Build A Flower - not available
Accents & Elements Lucky Star
Accents & Elements Messenger
Acrylic Graph & Grid
Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi
Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate
Card Stock Brushed Copper - not available
Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes* - not available
Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
Classic Stampin' Ink Refill Blue Bayou - not available
Classic Stampin' Ink Refill Groovy Guava
Classic Stampin' Ink Refill Purely Pomegranate - not available
Classic Stampin' Ink Refill River Rock - not available
Classic Stampin' Ink Refill Soft Sky
Classic Stampin' Ink Refill Wild Wasabi - not available
Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
Designer Series Paper Azure*
Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep*
Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers
Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*
Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*
Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
Designer Series Paper Notebook*
Designer Series Paper Olive Press
Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints*
Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst*
Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
Designer Series Paper Prints Bali Breeze
Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou
Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa* - not available
Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava* - not available
Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard
Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie
Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*
Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky
Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise - not available
Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Break
Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Fling*
Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Silhouettes
Designer Series Paper Prints Western Sky
Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
Eyelets Basic
Eyelets Bold Brights
Eyelets Earth Elements
Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
Eyelets Rich Regals
Eyelets Soft Subtles - not available
Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter - not available
Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass - not available
Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper - not available
Metallic Art Pencils
On Board Accents
On Board Blossoms & Basic
On Board Ginormous Pieces
On Board Simon Lower
Paper Mulberry White - not available
Punch Box Three For You
Punch Handheld Rectangle
Pure Color Pencils
Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou - not available
Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava - not available
Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate - not available
Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*
Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky
Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi - not available
Ribbon Originals Beachfront*
Ribbon Originals District*
Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
Ribbon Originals Jersey*
Ribbon Originals Sherbert
Ribbon Originals Theater
Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*
Rub-Ons Cherished Memories*
Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*
Rub-Ons Urban West*
Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
Simply Scrappin' Confetti
Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
Simply Scrappin' Home Again
Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl - not available
Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
Simply Sent Friendly Notes
Simply Sent Simple Delights - not available
Simply Sent Three Thoughts - not available
Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad
Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe
Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte - not available
Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture
Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
Stampin' Color Index Labels
Stampin' Color Index Labels (French)
Stampin' Kids Markers
Stipple Brushes - not available
Zig Painty

Coming next week - a preview of new products in the Fall-Winter Collection 2008-2009 catalog!

Some cards for today

I made these cards back in March and April but am finally posting them now.

We celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary on April 13th. Here is my anniversary card for my hubby. It's hard to see on the picture, but the whole front is shimmery.

Stamp set: Together Forever, Hugs & Wishes * Paper: Blush Blossom cardstock * Ink: Versamark, Basic Brown * Accessories: Micro-pearl Pearl-Ex

Paper: Whisper white, pixie pink, basic black cardstock * Accessories: Love & Happiness white rub-ons, Flower Fusion felt flowers, so saffron brads (Sorry for the 'dull' picture. The card looks better in real life - the black base makes the white rub-ons and flowers seem to "pop" on the card).

This was a slider treat. I wrapped a box of Good N Plenty with cardstock and when you pull the orange ribbon, the box slides out of its wrap.

This last card I'm showing you was inspired from a sketch challenge on SCS.

Stamp set: True Friend, Sincere Salutations * Paper: Certainly celery, pumpkin pie, whisper white, Bali Breeze designer paper * Ink: Palette Hybrid Ink Noir Black, markers in certainly celery, old olive, apricot appeal, pumpkin pie, rose red * Accessories: ticket corner punch, rhinestone brad, dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Hello Spring!

It finally feels like Spring these days!!

Here are some great May specials for you!

Cutting Combo Pack - During the month of May, buy a Cutting Mat and get a Hobby Blade for free.

Get On Board with Chipboard - During the month of May, spend $35 on Stampin' Up! products and receive 25% off all chipboard products in the Spring-Summer Collection catalog (pgs. 178-179).

Starter Kit - If you purchase the starter kit during the month of May, receive 20% off the starter kit PLUS get a tin of the Hodgepodge Hardware (a $27.95 value) for free.

Here are also some importating date changes for you: the period for the Occasions Mini Catalog has been extended for an additional month. So products from that mini catalog will be available until June 30th, not May 31st. AND the Spring-Summer 2008 Collection will also be extended until August 10th, not June 30th. The list of retiring stamp sets and accessories will be available to you on July 1st.

Spring-Summer 2008 Catalog: Jan 2 - August 10, 2008
Occasions Mini Catalog: March 1 - June 30, 2008
Fall-Winter 2008 Catalog: Begins August 11, 2008

I know I haven't posted samples lately of any cards. It's been crazy busy with school and after school activities and then my camera went caput! when we went to Disney for our Easter break vacation with the kids. So, it was off to find another camera and I've just been putting off the uploading of our pictures for the longest time. So, hopefully some time in the next week, I will be able to post some pics of projects and cards that I've been working on. I think I will be in the market soon for a digital SLR camera soon. So if anyone has any recommendations, I would love to hear them!!

Have a great day!