7-13-08 A Great First Week

I'm wearing my other "hat" now and wanted to share with you that my first week with my new class of second grade students was fantastic! My students are so eager to learn and help each other. Plus I already know many of my students' parents since I've had older siblings in previous classes. With wonderful students and lots of parent help I know this will be a great year! I'll keep you posted now and again about this school year (if it's ok with you).

Now... back to Scrap-n-Stamp. I hadn't been in the shop for over a week and even though I wasn't scheduled to work yesterday, I wanted to stop by and say hi to Chas, Marilea and Sommer and see what's new. (I also got a chance to talk to Lisa who called us from Leavenworth, Kansas!) Lots of new cards designed by Marilea (with some design assistance on some of the cards from Daniel, her husband, and me) for the Sizzlin' Summer Make-n-Take cards. Check out the new Dinosaur kid cards, birthday cards, congratulation cards and all occasion cards at the shop.

Sommer, Denise and Lisa have been busy creating page layouts with Disney, Hello Kitty, and Friends' themes . Some of these designs will be posted later this week.

I noticed new arrivals from Boxer -- acrylic stamp sets and charms, Melissa Frances -- rubons, clipboards, accordion albums and Sassafras Lass papers, stamps and stickers!!!

I'm having trouble posting a layout Lisa designed using Cosmo Cricket's Cogsmo line of paper. I'll try later today to post her layout.

Thank You Cards

Last weekend Deniz and I ventured to Santa Cruz for the Fourth of July. We stayed with our friends Kelly and Lindsay, and boy did they roll out the red carpet. I wanted to make a Thank You card, but for some reason I just don't seem to have enough time. Lately I have been purchasing the pre-made cards at Scrap-n-Stamp, they are so cute. But I decided I could make something quick, so I used Bo-Bunny Beachy Keen paper line (my favorite) and the Imaginisce Penguin Chick Stamp. I think it turned out pretty cute.

7/8/2008 - Chipboard never fails...

I was in the mode of creating something with "chipboard" and decided to make a mini 6x6 book. Using "We R Memory Keepers" White Out-Explore paper line and the matching sticker sheet, it was so easy especially because the 12x12 sheet I used had four designs divided on one 12x12 sheet. So all I did was cut the paper in fours, adhere to the chipboard and distress the edges. With some simple ribbon to accent the finish book...my creation was done. If you like what you see, come in and set some time aside. I'll help you put your very own book together. A personal class just for you :-)

BTW: Thanks Becky for reminding us that is was National Chocolate Day...I had my share to celebrate...yummy!

7-7--08 If Ever There Needed to Be An Excuse to Eat Chocolate

Today is National Chocolate Day! If you haven't already indulged there's still time to savor some chocolate. With the hot weather we're "enjoying" I think I'll indulge in some cold chocolate ice cream!

Hope you're inspired by Chas's "Best Wishes" birthday card. She used 3 Bugs in a Rug papers to paper piece the birthday cake and embellished the card with American Crafts' ribbon and stickles. Make a wish!

7-5-08 Seashell Contest Winner

Congratulations to Sarah Wong! Sarah guessed there were 201 seashells in our container. Her guess was the closest (without going over the number). The exact number of seashells was 209. Sarah wins a gift package worth $25!!!

7-4-08 Happy Fourth of July

Today we celebrate the birth of our country. Many people celebrate with barbecues, parades, block parties, and fireworks. However you celebrate the fourth, we hope it's happy.

Here's before and after pictures of a Petaloo cake box. The decorated box was created by Debbie using Bo Bunny papers and stickles. These boxes would make great party favors or gift boxes for birthdays, weddings and many special occasions.

Just a reminder that the shop will be closed tomorrow, July 5th. We'll reopen on Monday, July 7th. Stop by on Monday to make our free make-n-take card.

July's Challenge has gone to the dogs!

D.O.G.S. that is! Our challenge for you this month is to create either a layout or a card using a minimum of four techniques, embellishments, and/or products each beginning with the letters D, O, G, & S. You don't have to use a dog in your creation unless of course you want to!

Becky's card design:

Distress ink on the pink dotted paper (Bo Bunny, my fave!)

Oval - Spellbinders Nestabilities - Scallop and Classic Ovals

Gemstones

Stickles on poodle's hair, and Souffle pens to color (and Scallops, too)

Isn't that Poodle hilarious!

Lisa's layout design:

Distressed edges of striped paper, title, & photo with sanding block

Oversized title (Chip Chatter chipboard letters)

Glossy Accents on butterflies & flourish (love the dimension & epoxy look it gives) & Gel pen

Stickles (of course!) in yellow and turquoise & Scallops (made with the EK Success large corner rounder)

The paper I used is Sandy Lion's new paper line rouge de garance inspiration. It's exclusive to the independent scrapbook stores. Come check it out - it's lovely!

Becky, Sommer, & I did a little brainstorming for the different letters. A few ideas are...

D - decorative punches or scissors, diecuts, digital, doodle

O - Overlays, overlapping, old

G - glitter glue (Stickles!), ghost letters or shapes, Grandma's buttons :)

S - stitching, symbols, shaker box, silhouette

Ok, so put your thinking caps on, let the creative juices flow, and doggon it- create something!