Introducing the Reed Family!

Last Monday, for the first time ever, my three sons and all of their children were together!  Jody, my youngest son's wife, thought it would be a good time to take some pictures since it was definitely an occasion.  She was so right.  After work, on Monday, I headed over to their house for some picture taking and a cookout. 

From left to right, Devin, Matthew, Mariah, Michelle, Aiden (on Bailey's shoulders), Bailey, Rodney, Wayne (kneeling), Me, Gage, Dustin, Michael, Nicholas, Jody and Zachary.

We are a noisy bunch but we sure do have fun together!  I am already looking forward to having us all together again.  Can you imagine all of us together at Christmas?

Until next time. . . happy creating!

Another Framed Home

This gift is the one I gave me youngest son, Michael and his wife.  While it is the same, it is different than the other one I made in that it goes along with the color scheme in their living room.  The word 'home' is a very pretty dark green with a background that has hints of green and cream.  I can't wait to see it hanging on their wall.  I love how things can be the same but look so different with the change of a color and frame.

Family Frame

For this frame I paired the Bravo Burgundy Card Stock with some Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper (retired).  The word family was attached with Mini Glue Dots.  Now I'm in the mood to make some new greeting cards.  It will be a nice change from all the gifts I've been making.

A Very Proud Grandma!

My oldest granddaughter, Bailey, posted this picture to Facebook so I copied it so I could make a scrapbook page using My Digital Studio.  Although I don't know her well, she stole a little piece of my heart from the moment I first laid eyes on her when she was just a wee babe.

Happy Birthday, Wayne

My oldest son's birthday is today.  In my hurry to get his card made and in the mail on Monday, I forgot to take a picture of it.  DUH!  Just another 'senile' moment for my boys to tease me about.  Of course, that is if I tell them.  They never read my blog so they have no idea what I tell you about them.  So, in lieu the card, I made a scrapbook page using My Digital Studio.

The card I sent him was made using the retired Motorcycle Stamp.  My friend and llama sister, Buffy, sent hers to me and I stamped a bunch of images so I'd have them for future use.  Thanks, Buffy, you're the best!

When my three boys get together, you just never know what will happen or how they will act.  Wayne was back for a visit and this was the first time he had seen the motorcycle that his youngest brother, Mike, was building for him.  When it's finished, I'll take some close up photos so you can see the detail.  It's really unique!

Grandsons Abound!

Today is another day spent with my three youngest grandsons.  At the moment, they are watching Angel Wars.  Even the two year old likes these.  Action, adventure and a good message.  Yes, you guessed it, they are quite the trio.  Never a dull moment.  I won't have time to do any creating today so I'm just going to enjoy the boys.  Have a great day everyone!

Read All About It

The llama hop is over.  My house is full of wild Indians.  It's been a make green monkeys and orange lions kind of day around here.  My seven year old and five year old grandsons are spending the night with me and we have been busy doing some crafty things they brought with them.  Please don't ask about the key chains that are suppose to look like dogs.  They are the saddest looking things I've ever seen.  Zac informed me that when Mom helped them make the last ones, they actually looked like the pictures.  When I asked him if she had helped him a lot, he said yes.  Grandma let them follow the picture for themselves.  It was a learning experience.  :-)

I've been trying to make up some new cards for an upcoming Birthday Extravaganza I'm planning.  It isn't easy when I'm having to glue tails on the dogs.  Since they will be here through all of tomorrow, it looks like I won't get a lot done of my own.

No complaints here.  I love spending the time with my grandchildren.

My Digital Studio Family Album

Recently, I've been working on a photo album of my grandchildren.  My Digital Studio (MDS) is making that work so much easier.  The biggest chore is scanning all of my photos to the computer.   Such hard work, right?  Here is the album cover I designed using one of the templates found in MDS.

As I continue to work on other pages, I'll share them with you as they are done.  My Digital Studio is an easy program to learn and once you give it a try, you'll be hooked, too.  The 30-day Free trial is an ongoing offer, so give it a try today.

It's Another Journal

This is the other journal I designed to place in my display at the Crafters' Gift Boutique.  Tomorrow I'll show you the card I made for our Make & Take at the Open House.  And, yes, it is all current product.

Stamp Set:  Define Your Life (retired); Ink:  Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Spice Cake Designer Series Paper (retired); Accessories & Tools:  Decorative Label Punch, Butterfly Punch (retired), 5-Petal Punch (retired), Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (retired), Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Mini Brads

While my two year old grandson is sacked out on the floor, (he always falls asleep during a movie), I'm going to finish my coffee and relax before my other three grandsons get here.  It's going to be a busy morning.

Grandchildren Are So Special

My Digital Studio affords me the opportunity to work on scrapbook pages whenever I have the time.  Whether it's five minutes or 50 minutes, it is so easy to design an element or page.

When Stampin' Up!® offered the 30-Day Free Trial of My Digital Studio (MDS), I took advantage of it.  It was the perfect opportunity to give it a try.  Once my trial was up, I purchased the software so I could continue to create my scrapbook pages digitally.  It has been such a time saver and I love that you can use pre-designed pages or design your own.  I definitely recommend MDS.

Here is one of the pages I designed today for an album I'm creating of my grandchildren.  As I scan more photos to the computer, I'll keep adding pages.

With the FREE trial, you get:

• Full access to the software at no cost.
• Full design functionality.
• Exclusive artwork that comes with My Digital Studio Express.
• The opportunity to purchase additional downloads.
• Access to Stampin' Up!'s professional print services.

For more information and to start your FREE  30-day trial today, simply click on the coffee pot on the upper right of this page to go to my online store.

How Forgetful Can One Person Be!

Considering I've been posting regularly, you would think that it would never slip my mind.  Sigh... well, today it did.  I don't have anything new to share and I haven't had a chance to be creative today.  My youngest grandson and my youngest granddaughter were here while Mom and Dad were working and I spent all my time playing and giggling with them.  So, here is just a very neat photo I came across that I thought I'd share with you.  Like my head, it's an empty house.  Enjoy!

Framed Friends

Over the past couple of days I've just been a busy little thing.  I've even spent time with family and enjoyed a fish fry on Monday.  Yum!  I love spending time with my sons and their families but they sure do wear me out.  :-)  A very noisy,  happy bunch are we!

I've been working on more projects for my display at the Crafters' Gift Boutique.  I've had this 'friends' frame for some time but just couldn't decide what to do with it.  Once I learned to make flowers, it wasn't hard to figure out.  I didn't need a lot of embellishment for this frame as it had a nice design to it.

The flowers are made from Soft Suede, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla card stock and the leaves I used are punched from Lucky Limeade card stock using the retiring 5-Petal Punch.  I sponged the Very Vanilla and the Bashful Blue with just a hint of Night of Navy Classic Ink.  A Lucky Limeade Brad from the Sale-A-Bration Everyday Enchantment set but it no longer available.  The flowers add just that little bit of dimension to the frame.

Happy Father's Day

Here is a card I designed using My Digital Studio.  Well Worn Designer Series Paper and the All In the Family Stamp Set, both of which retire as of May 31st.  I'm really going to miss Well Worn.

Stamp Set:  All In the Family; Inks:  Early Espresso, Basic Black; Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Well Worn Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Neutrals Soft Suede Brads, Decorative Label Punch

Now I'm off to play Fishdom H2O with my two grandsons who are visiting today.  Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.

My Digital Studio

Yes, I'm on a roll once again with Stampin' Up!'s® My Digital Studio (MDS).  I really should be designing and making my swap cards for tomorrow night's meeting but I just had to make page two of Nic's graduation.  When I told him I was going to do another page using this photo, he commented that he didn't smile.  I'm not sure what he was doing, but it definitely wasn't a smile.  He is just too cute for his own good!

This marks the end of my use of My Digital Studio for a while.  As I shared yesterday, I have so many other things to get done, that I'm not going to have time to just sit at the computer and play with MDS.  And, to add to all that needs to be done, my oldest son and his youngest son will be here this weekend.  They will be here for the week and I know I'll be spending as much time with them as I can.

June 1st is a big day for Stampin' Up!® with the launch of the new Annual Catalog.  Let me know if you'd like one and I'll be sure it gets into your hands.  You are going to love it!

My Digital Studio

Three of the most important things in my life are my wonderful and handsome sons.  This picture was taken many years ago, but I just had to show them off in their tuxedos.  With their busy lives, I don't get to spend as much time with them as I would like but I am so thankful that the good Lord allowed me to be their mother.

I used one the of Designer Templates available in My Digital Studio.  I changed the background to River Rock but have yet to learn how to change the colors on the embellishments.  Little by little I'm getting the hang of it.

My oldest son will be home next week and I am so looking forward to seeing him again.  It has been over a year since I last saw him.  If all goes according to plan, he will be bringing his two sons with him.  I can't wait to see them!  I hope to have a new picture of my three together along with bunches of others with my grandsons.  I'm so excited!

Petite Purse Nic Style

Yesterday, my five year old grandson, Nic, spent the morning with me.  When he saw the Petite Purse I had made, he asked if he could make one.  Of course, I said yes.  He picked out the card stock he wanted to use, then I showed him how to build his 'sandwich' for the Big Shot.  You should have seen his eyes light up when he cranked that handle and it did all the work of cutting out the purse for him.  He had fun punching out the circles and liked to watch them fly through the air.  He is such a character!  So, without further comment, here is the Petite Purse Nicholas Chance Reed made for his Ben 10 alien parts.

Card Stock:  Pacific Point Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Wisteris Wonder, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight; Accessories & Tools:  1/2" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack Flower, Jewels Basic Rhinestone (colored with permanent marker), Mini Glue Dots

He had so much fun that he has decided that he needs to spend the night with Grandma on Sunday.  I have a feeling I know just what he is going want to do besides order pizza!

You Are Invited!

Ever wanted to be your own boss?  Ever wanted more time to spend with your family?  Ever thought of starting your own stamping business?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Stampin' Up!® is your answer.

As a Demonstrator you receive many benefits which include:
     1.  Product Discount
     2.  Extra Income
     3.  Flexible Schedule

To learn more, click on the image below...

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

The Three Things I Love Most About Being A Stamping Business Owner

It would be so easy to keep you here all day talking about the many reasons I love being a stamping business owner.  But, I'll rein in my enthusiasm and just give you the three big ones.

1.  I love being my own boss.  I get to set my own hours.  I get to work when I want, which tends to be most of the time, but I know that should the need arise, I can be very flexible.

2.  I love being a Creative Coach.  I love helping others explore their own creativity.  There is great satisfaction and seeing someone's face light up when they realize they have made a beautiful card.

3.  I love the freedom of spending more time with my family.  Being an Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator gives me the opportunity to work around my family's schedules.  I love being able to spend time with my grandchildren.

If you'd like to be your own boss and enjoy all these perks and more, contact me and let me show you how.  It's your first step to becoming a stamping business owner.

Until we meet again...

Family Photo Tray Wall Hanging

One of the things I love most in my home is what I call my family wall.  There you will find pictures of my family at various stages throughout their lives.  Most of them are of my sons and now include many with their families.  This is one of the gift items I have on display at the Crafters' Gift Boutique.  Where I have my photos, is where you would place your photos.  I love that memories were not made to be stored in books!

Stamp Sets:  Word Play, You Are Loved,  Tiny Tags, Always Thankful; Ink:  Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Spice Cake Designer Series Paper, Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper, Pool Party, More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, River Rock; Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Top Note Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Bird Builder Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, Modern Label Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Jewels Basic Rhinestone, Jewels Basic Pearl, 3/8" Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon, Dazzling Details, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Brads Neutrals, Sponge Dauber, 1/2" Circle Punch, Paper-Piercing Tool; Other:  7gypies Artist Printers Tray (atc & photo display)

I do take custom orders for this hanging tray.  You chose the colors and the embellishments, such as punches, dies and ribbon, that you would like from those in my supplies.

Contact me if you would like to have a Family Photo Tray of your own.

Until we meet again...

Wisteria Wonder Easter Dove

Here is another of the cards I made the other night.  It was the first time I'd used the new 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon in Wisteria Wonder.  It comes in all the new In Colors.  This is a very simple card and when I was thinking of adding embellishments, I realized that in it's simplicity, it says so much.  The ribbon and the little Jewels Basic Pearl were just right.

Stamp Set:  Easter Dove; Ink:  Wisteria Wonder; Card Stock:  Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Labels Framelits Dies, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, 3/8" Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, Jewels Basic Pearls, stencil for ribbon

As you can see in the photo, the card front is the window to frame the sentiment.  The sentiment is stamped on a cutout using one of the Labels Collections Framelits Dies.  I think friends and family are going to get this one for their Easter cards this year.

Got a question?  Post it to the comments section and I'll have an answer for you within twenty-four hours.

Until we meet again...