Under the Weather

This is going to be a very brief post today.  I didn't get my project done, well, I didn't even get it started.  I've been running a slight fever and been so cold I haven't wanted to venture very far from my nice warm spot on the sofa.  Top it off with a headache and you know there was just no way I felt like being creative.  It's been rainy off and on for the past several days here and today was just plain cold, so this photo fits so well with my gloomy outlook.  Tomorrow will be a better day!

It's A Storage Solution!

Well, I had a busy day with two grandsons who love to share their happenings with me.  We had a good time.  It was good to see them again.  It has been a while.  So, while they worked in their activity books, I reorganized my card stock getting ready for the Color Refresh.  Here is how I store card stock and ink pads as well as markers.  It's just one of the shelves in my supply cupboard.

The cupboard holds the majority of my stamping supplies.  It sits in my dining room which in most cases is my crafting room.  My space is limited and once I have it all organized, I'll share the big picture.

Sunny Day Thank You

Sunny Day is one of the templates available in My Digital Studio.  It makes it so easy to create a card or scrapbook page.  I changed up the colors for this one which is one of the new features of MDS2.  If you'd like more information about My Digital Studio, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Imagination Abounds!

The other day Aiden and I found a bag of magnetic letters in Grandma's cupboard.  His eyes lit up and he had all the fun of putting them on the front of the refrigerator.  Each day he goes in and plays with them after his nap.  His three year old imagination runs wild and I love the pictures he draws and the stories he tells.  Yesterday he came up to me and asked me to come look at his dinosaur bones.  This is what I found.

My Digital Studio makes it so easy to add another page to the scrapbook dedicated to my grandchildren.  So many memories can be shared with them through these pages.

Enjoy Every Moment with My Digital Studio

What do I do when you don't have a lot of time to craft?  I fire up My Digital Studio.  Since I've been so limited in my crafting time lately, I came up with this simple design using Lovely As a Tree.  I love trees, especially oak trees.  Hopefully, once I get all this early spring, well, late winter, cleaning done, I'll have more time to work on new projects.  For now, My Digital Studio will give me some crafting moments when I can't get my hands all inked up.

Stamp Brush Set:  Lovely As a Tree, Enjoy Every Moment; Inks:  Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple; Card Stock:  Villa Designer Series Paper, Early Espresso; Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Edge Punch, Pearl Basic Jewels

If you'd like to learn more about My Digital Studio or to download a free 30-day trail, visit my online store.

Wall Art

These past few days have seen me busy, busy, busy making some new projects that I'll be offering for sale.  This one was inspired by a picture I clipped out of a magazine months ago.  I really do like how this turned out.  Now all it needs is a frame to set it off.

I'm planning to work up a tutorial for it, but that is going to take me a while as I will have to make another one in order to help me remember what all I did.  I will that it is mostly Stampin' Up! product.  I added some acrylic paint but the rest of the colors are all ink.  The words and designs are cut out of Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock using my Cricut.  The image in the center is the only one I sanded off.  I wanted the words to stand out so just left them alone.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Cheryl, a friend and fellow Stampin' Up!®, came over one night a few weeks ago to show me how they were doing the mixed media canvases.  She had shown this at our monthly demo meeting but I was not able to attend that night.  She graciously offered to spend an evening crafting with me.  We shared pizza and had a good time visiting.

Most of what I used is current with just a wee bit of retired added to the mix.  Actually, this is a good way to use up some of your retired card stock.  The flowers can be made any size and you are only limited by your imagination.

Ink:  Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Gumball Green, First Edition Specialty Paper, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack, Cheerful Treat Designer Series Paper (retired); Accessories & Tools:  Fancy Flower Punch, Butterfly Punch (retired), Secret Garden Framelits Dies, Boho Blossom Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Everyday Enchantment Brads (retired), Bitty Buttons, Antique Brads, Mini Brads/Silver, Ice Cream Parlor Buttons (retired), Linen Thread

The stems for the flowers were made out of various Designer Series Papers but unfortunately, I don't remember which ones but you can use any greens you have on hand.

I'm working on a black and white canvas now.  It's actually a photo transfer that went bad but the image will be part of the design.  If all things work out, I'll share it with you once completed.  It's just a matter of transfer what I see in my head to the canvas.  Now that's an iffy proposition.

My Paper Pumpkin

The first kit you'll receive is the Welcome Kit, shown below, and it includes a free gift - a clear acrylic block.  Each kit, thereafter, includes stamps, ink, paper and accessories - everything but adhesive.  It's all color-coordinated, measured and precut so all you have to do is sit down and treat yourself to a 30-minute creative escape.
 

Head on over to My Paper Pumpkin and sign up today.  A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95 per month and shipping is included!   If you have any questions about My Paper Pumpkin, please be sure to let me know.  You can always e-mail me at marsha@coffeepotstampingcafe.com.

Tell them Marsha sent you.

Welcome to my Saturday!

I have determined that this is going to be one of those slow, lazy days for me.  I'm going to do whatever I have a mind to do, whether it be crafting (which I've already done some since I woke up early), shopping, reading or movie watching.  It has been a whirl wind week and I'm ready for a bit of a slow down.

 

Flowers & Vine Birthday

Monday night's class was a lot of fun and the cards made turned out beautiful.  One of the cards we made used one of my favorite stamp sets, Everything Eleanor.  The swirl makes the perfect looking vine which was stamped in Gumball Green.  We added little flowers using the rest of the new In Colors.  Clean, simple and colorful.

Stamp Set(s):  Everything Eleanor, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink(s):  Gumball Green, Midnight Muse; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse; Accessories & Tools:  Itty Bitty Punch Pack/Flower, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Dazzling Details/Silver Sparkle, Crystal Effects, Stampin' Dimensionals

Don't you just love those new In Colors?  They are all so beautiful.

No Get Up And Go!

Once again I've been fighting a cold and congestion and it has really sapped my energy.  While I've been trying to keep up with my posting, today finds me with no ambition and no new creations.  My speed has dropped to zero and my mileage is really making itself known today.  Never fear, I'll be back in fine form, eventually!

Is It Spring, Yet?

Okay, so things didn't go as planned and I won't be sharing new creations with you today.  What I am sharing is a photograph I took in the spring of 2010 as I was making a run through Culver's drive through for lunch.  The bushes were so full of blooms that you could barely see the wall behind them.  So, enjoy this little bit of spring from the past and I'll be back later.

Until we meet again...

Join During Sale-A-Bration

Do you love crafting?  Have you ever considered earning money while doing something you enjoy?  And what about the convenience of setting your own hours? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then Stampin' Up!® is the perfect opportunity for you.

I love being a Creative Coach and sharing my love of stamping with others.  I truly enjoy meeting new people and sharing the Stampin' Up!® Opportunity with them.  I love being able to set my own schedule and having time to spend with my sons and their families.  And, having the chance to build a great business is definitely a plus.

Join during Sale-A-Bration, January 24-March 31, and get your Starter Kit for only $125. You'll also get a free paper pack or digital download every month for the rest of the year.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me.  My contact information is listed above or click on the Contact Me tab.

Until we meet again...

Take It To Heart

Now that my Christmas crafting is winding down, I was in the mood to do something different.  I'm really excited about the new product featured in our new Occasions Mini Catalog.  Many of you may have already received your copy.  If not, let me know and I'll put you on the list to send you one.

Today's card is made with new products found in the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog.  The Take It To Heart and the Hearts Collection Framelits Dies are the perfect match.  With Valentine's Day looming on the horizon, it just seemed right to let a little love shine.

Stamp Sets:  Take It To Heart, You Are Loved, Tiny Tags; Inks: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Stampin' Write Markers in Certainly Celery, Pretty In  Pink, Pink Pirouette, Calypso Coral, So Saffron; Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Watercolor Paper, Red Glimmer Paper; Accessories:  Big Shot, Hearts Collection Framelits Dies, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, VersaMark, Jewelry Tag, Heat Tool, Silver Mini Brad, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive. Blender Pen

On the inside of the card, I stamped the Happy Valentine's Day sentiment from the You Are Loved Stamp Set with VersaMark and embossed it with a mixture of Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  It added just the right amount of sparkle on the inside to match the sparkle in the Red Glimmer Paper on the outside.

And now, since I've forgotten mealtime again, I'm off to grab a bite to eat and keep working on next years' schedule as new classes are being added.  Stay tuned for what will be on the menu at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe!

Blessings from Marsha

Technical Glitch All Fixed Up

As  promised, I wanted to let you know that you can now click on all the links to my Stampin' Up!® website.  I'm so thankful that it didn't take long to get it all worked out.

Now that all the problems are resolved, stay tuned for some of the Christmas tree decorations I've been making.

Blessings from Marsha

Holiday Stocking

Today was spent exploring options for an upcoming Workshop I have on Tuesday.  My Hostess wants a Christmas card as our make and take.  I'm wanted to use the new dies but just wasn't sure in what manner.  I decided to use the Holiday Stocking Die and place the card stock in such a way as to have a fold along the left so it actually forms a card.  You could use it as a card or a large tag on a gift bag.  I used the Peekaboo Die to made a window in which to hide the sentiment.  I love that Glimmer Paper, both the Silver and the Red.

The first photo shows the window up close.  The second is of the card itself.  I'm thinking I need a new camera because my photos of late have not been as good as when I first purchased the camera.  The colors are just not right but at least you'll get the idea.  Looks like a shopping expedition is in my future.

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink:  Cherry Cobbler; Card Stock:  Pool Party, Silver Glimmer Paper, Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper (retired); Accessories:  Big Shot, Bigz L Holiday Stocking Die, Bigz L Peekaboo Frames Die

There is still time to get your own Big Shot.  Become a Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator by November 11th and you get one FREE!  For details, click here.

Blessings from Marsha

Christmas in Black, White And Silver

It's been such a busy week and this is only Tuesday.  I've not had a lot of time to create in the last few days so tonight I decided to make a quick and easy card.  I wanted to do something different so I chose black, white and silver.  I've never done a Christmas card with this combination.  Who would think that black and white would work.  I love the Christmas Lodge tree.  It is perfect for embossing.  I added just a touch of color when stamping the sentiment.

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Lodge, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink: Cherry Cobbler; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper; Accessories:  Pewter Emboss Powder, Modern Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Heat Tool

That's it for today.  Watch for tomorrow's post as I have plenty of good news to share.

Blessings from Marsha

Lucky Limeade And Perfect Plum!

In just one short week, I have a Holiday Bazaar where I'll be showing and selling the products I've made using Stampin' Up!® supplies. I have so much to get done. Along with making product for the Bazaar, I have a blog hop, two swaps and several birthday cards to design for family to get done all within the next two week time frame. Guess I'm going to be one busy little stamper!

The card set below is one that will be available for sale at the Holiday Bazaar. It holds five 3x3 cards along with envelopes and a pen.

If you'd like more details on the product used and I how I made the set, leave a comment or e-mail me at marsha@coffeepotstampingcafe.com.

Blessings from Marsha

Are You Ready To Be Your Own Boss?

Do you enjoy crafting?  Wouldn't you love to earn money while doing something you enjoy?  And, what about the convenience of setting your own hours?  If you find that appealing, then Stampin' Up!® is the right opportunity for you.

Creating beautiful cards, scrapbook pages and 3-D projects is something I love to do.  I also enjoy helping others explore their creativity by sharing what I do.  Sharing my passion for stamping, meeting new people and having the chance to build my own business are just a few reasons that made me decide to become a Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator.  I also get to set my own schedule!

Other great benefits of being a Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator, include:

• A 20 percent product discount!
• A free monthly issue of Stampin’ Up!’s demonstrator-only magazine, Stampin’ Success!
• Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
• Invitations to exclusive Stampin’ Up!® events!
• Regular get togethers to stamp!
• Free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!

Now is a great time to become a Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator.  Throughout the month of October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot (or up to $100 in Free Stampin' Up!® products) when you sign up to be a Demonstrator.

Contact me today for more information! 

Precious Butterflies

We have been experiencing our Indian Summer here in Iowa and the butterflies have been flitting past my living room window in recent days.  They made me think of a new Hostess stamp set I've been wanting to use.  My time to create was limited today so I thought a clean and simple design would be perfect for Precious Butterflies.

Stamp Set:  Precious Butterflies; Inks:  River Rock, Concord Crush; Card Stock:  River Rock, Concord Crush, Whisper White; Accessories:  Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Jewels Basic Rhinestones ( six colored with permanent marker), Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die

I stamped the images and sentiment on the oval before I ran it though the Big Shot using the Stripes Embossing Folder.

If you'd like to know how you can receive the beautiful Precious Butterflies Stamp Set, e-mail me for details.

Blessings from Marsha