Filled with Love Promotion

 



Promotion dates: December 17, 2010 - January 24, 2011


Details: Valentine's Day is the second biggest holiday for sending cards, and during the Filled with Love promotion, you and your customers can get an exclusive package of Designer Series Paper perfect for creating cards for family, friends, classmates, and more!


From December 17, 2010 through January 24, 2011, get a FREE package of Bitty Buttons--a $4.95 value--when you purchase an exclusive Filled with Love Bundle. CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETAILS OF THIS PROMOTION.

Things to Remember:


• You must use the promotional bundle item number to receive the free buttons.


• You can also purchase the exclusive Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack alone for $9.95 (item 124156). There is no limit to the number of packs of Love Patterns Designer Series Paper that a customer can purchase. See the flyer for more information. Free Bitty Buttons are not included with the purchase of only the paper pack.


• This promotion has no limits. You will receive a free package of Bitty Buttons for every bundle you purchase.


• The Filled with Love Bundles include the Filled with Love Set from the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog. Although the Holiday Mini sales period ends January 3, 2011, this stamp set will continue to be available for purchase through January 24, 2011.


Shop online with me 24/7!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

I pray all of you are enjoying this Christmas with those that you love.  I will go to my sister's house today to watch my two year old nephew open his presents. Then it's back home for some time with my husband and son.  I'm hoping to enjoy a peaceful Christmas today.  Whatever your plans are today, may God bless you each.

Here's another card that was made during my Christmas card class earlier this month.  This card was inspired by the ever talented Corinne Somerville.

I know it's hard to see, but the trees have Dazzling Diamond glitter on them to make them look snow covered.

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  I'm wishing you each a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2011.

MERRY CHRISTMAS WISHES

Just wanted to share a couple cards we made at my Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack class. 

The dove card is a remake of card I made last year.  I love that chunky glitter on the dove.

I've seen the snowman card on several blogs and I'm not sure who originally came up with this cute idea.  I think this was one of the class favorites.

I do have another post scheduled for tomorrow.  So be sure to peek in on me.  Sorry I haven't blogged in forever.  That was not my intention this holiday season.

CASING THE CATTY

Just a quick post tonight to let you know that I am indeed alive and well.  I've just been as busy as one of Santa's elves.  Tonight's card is one of the cards my customers made in my October card class.  It's not an exact CASE of the Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog, but it's pretty close.  I just love the Friends 24-7 stamp set.  It's versatile for either feminine or masculine cards.

Well, I need to get moving.  I've joined a new gym and my husband, Dave, joined too!  I'm trying to motivate him to exercise and tonight is no exception!

Thanks for peeking in on me!  I enjoy your visits! 

JUST BELIEVE

This is card from last month's stamp-a-stack card class.  It is heavily inspired from this card by Dawn Griffin.  I just changed the color palette slightly and the stamp sets.  I swapped out the Pretty in Pink card stock for Melon Mambo and changed the stamps from Aviary and Elements of Style to Just Believe and Perfect Punches.  I know it is hard to see, but I brushed Smooch Illuminate Top Coat over my flowers.  It gives the flowers a water colored effect.  I kind of like it.  I also used some Basic Rhinestones Jewels to "bling up" my card a bit.  I paired the Melon Mambo with Basic Black and the new In Color, Pear Pizazz.  Is anyone else loving the Pear Pizazz too?

I need to make this a quick post today.  I'm heading to Jingle Bell Festival here in my hometown.  All the storefronts downtown are decorated for Christmas and the stores are holding their annual Christmas Open House.  (Most stores have fresh baked cookies, hot cider, hot chocolate and coffee for their guests.)  Later, I'll watch the parade with some great friends and hopefully enjoy the Lantern Tour.  My husband's uncle, Delmar, is in charge of the tour every year.  He writes a play using stories from real people in our community from the late 1800's and early 1900's.  Each actor dresses in era costume and reenacts the happens of our town during a particular era.  The tour leads guests to historic buildings through town.  Of course, the tour guide lights the way with what else - a lantern.

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  I hope you all enjoy your weekend! 

All products are Stampin' Up! unless noted.  If you have any questions regarding my project, feel free to drop me a line.

SIMPLY AMAZING

Yep, this is a truly amazing deal from Stampin' Up!  Starting today until November 30th, 2010 you can purchase the Stampin' Up! Standard Starter Kit or the Digital Starter kit for $87.50.  That's half off the regular price.  Plus, you can even customize the kit to your suit your preference.  Starting your own business has never been so easy.  This offer is great for the hobbyist who just wants great product, but doesn't want the obligation of staying in business.  Purchase your starter kit and enjoy Stampin' Up! demonstrator benefits for three months.  You do not have to commit to anything more.  However, you just might find that you really like the benefits of being a demonstrator!  Here's how it works. 
1. Contact me at my email address to get a password.


2. Once you have the password, go to my website (click here) and click on  Join Now to join Stampin' UP!


3. Read, print and sign the Independent Demonstrator Agreement.


4. Choose the starter kit of your choice - standard or digital.


Don't forget - this offer is only good for two weeks.  What are you waiting for? Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I'd be more than happy to assist you.


Thanks for peeking in on me today!

BE BACK LATER TODAY.................

Just a little note to let you know that I'll be back later today with some exiting news from Stampin' Up!  I also got my husband to photograph some of my cards, so I'll be posting them this week as well.

GRATITUDE......TAKE TWO

Here's my second take on the Day of Gratitude stamp set.  I wanted to create a simple fall card for my October class and this card is the one I decided on.  I do have some more projects to share with you.  However, my dear hubby is my photographer and some times his time to photograph is not my time.  Know what I mean?  I guess it's time I break down and do my own photographing.  Sigh!  I know, I know.  Oh, whoa is me.  I don't know why I fight modern technology so much.  Perhaps it's time I just go ahead and dive in head first.

Thanks for peeking in on me tonight!  I'm going to keep this post short.  I've been up since 1:00 a.m. with yucky head congestion.  I have to get better by the weekend.  A dear friend of mine and I are going Christmas shopping!

SIMPLE GRATITUDE

I love fall.  It's my favorite time of the year.  I especially love the changing of the leaves from lush green to beautiful jewel tone colors.  Although this card is more simplistic in nature, it just speaks "fall" to me.

This card is one of my rejects for my October card class.  When I say "rejects", I mean that it did not make it to the final four cards that were presented in class.  The only patterned paper on the card is directly behind the greeting.  It is from Stampin' Up!'s Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper.  The texture and weight of the papers in this collection are heavenly.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.  Mine has started out a little rough.  My son is sick again with the yucky virus.  Once again, my OCD has kicked in and I'm a Lysol cleaning machine.  I've been scrubbing, wiping and spraying for the last 24 hours.  I managed to escape the last round of the yucky virus.  I just hope I'm able to escape it again!

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  Your visits mean so much to me.

Supplies:  All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.  Stamps - Day of Gratitude; Paper - Autumn Spice DSP, Old Olive, Poppy Parade, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Ink - Poppy Parade, More Mustard, Old Olive,  Stampin' Write Markers- Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, Old Olive; Accessories - Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Lots of Tags Dies, Extra Large Oval Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Dimensionals

You can purchase any of the supplies listed above as well as other great Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7 here.  Yes, you can even shop in your jammies!

WATERCOLOR DAISIES

October is a big birthday month in my family.  My aunt, cousin, my father and I all celebrate October birthdays.  My father and I celebrate our birthdays a day apart.  My father actually had the courage to ask my mother to wait a few more hours so I could be born on his birthday.  (Smile.)  I can only imagine the conversation that transpired after that remark : )  Of course, neither she nor I waited.

I'm not sure what the name of this technique is called.  I saw the technique at the Cincinnati Stampin' Up! Regional last year.  I used markers to color in the image and then doused my stamp with a good dose of water from a spray bottle.  This gives the image a muted, water colored look.  If you happen to be looking for a tutorial on how to make a nice bow, you have to check out this video tutorial by Ann Schach.  It is an awesome tutorial and it really works. 

ETA:  My image was stamped on Whisper White card stock.  The "wet" stamp did not buckle my paper.  I haven't tried this technique on Watercolor Paper, but I'm sure it would work nicely.

STAMPIN' UP! HOLIDAY BUNDLES PROMOTION

Want to purchase select Stampin' Up! products at a 20 percent discount?  Starting October 19 - December 16, 2010 you can purchase select product bundles to create Amazing cards, Beautiful packaging and Cherished gifts!  Check out the bundle flyer below.

 

Things to Remember: 

• This offer is available on all order types (customer, demonstrator, workshop and online.)  Additional products from current catalogs may be purchased on the same order.
• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion.
• You must use the bundle item codes provided.  The 20 percent discount will not be applied if individual bundle item numbers are entered separately.

If you have any questions, you can contact me at l_burkitt@yahoo.com.  If you'd like to place an online order on my Stampin' Up! website, click here.

WHOOOO'S HAVING A BIRTHDAY

I created this card for my cousin, Brent.  It will be a little late getting to him, but it's the thought that counts.  Right?

 I saw this cute idea for a shadow box card on Dawn Griffith's blog and knew that I wanted to try it.  I love her video tutorials.  She makes it so easy for the visual crafter like me.

I really like how my card came together.  Look at that sweet little owl.  This was actually the first time I'd used my Two-Step Owl Punch.  Why I waited so long to use it I'll never know. He reminds of the owl on the Tootsie Roll Pop commercial.  You know the one.  "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?"  I know I'm corny.  Believe me when I say I get it honest.  I also really like Stampin' Up!'s Woodgrain stamp.  Doesn't my card look like the actual grain on a tree?  To create the moon I used the 2 1/2 inch circle punch and also the branch from the Two-Step Bird punch to create the tree branch.  Over all, I was pretty happy with the results of this card.  Looking back I think I would have moved my buttons up a little to hide the edge of my "Happy Birthday" banner.  Looks like I need to pay a little more attention to details.  

I hope your week is sailing along smoothly.  I can't complain too much as I enjoyed a three day weekend with fantastic weather.  Thanks for taking time out of your day to peek in on me.  It really does mean so much to me.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION..........

Just wanted to let you all know that I'm still here.  My husband has been assembling two awesome workstations for my craft area.  We ordered cabinets some time ago and he built the counter tops for me.  He finally got them finished and I'm in heaven!  So, I've been rearranging and reorganizing this week.  I was, however,  able to make a card last night and hope to share it with you soon!

RUFF DAY?

 I'm a dog lover.  So naturally I took right to the "Friends Fur-Ever" stamp set by Stampin' Up!  The set has so many wonderful stamps to change things up.  It has different sentiments and elements that are uber cool.    The two dogs in this card remind me of a couple of friends talking over a cup of coffee or in this instance, a bowl of water. Too cute I tell ya!    I'm thinking this card will go out to my friend, Candace. Despite all the challenges life throws her way, she is always upbeat, bubbly and smiling. You have to love those qualities in a friend.

Today's card was one inspired by the very talented Ilina Crouse. I believe the only things that vary from my card and Ilina's are the patterned paper, button and sentiment. My sentiment, "I'm here for you....", comes from the Occasional Quotes hostess set available through Stampin' Up!.

Thanks for taking time to peek in on me!  Hope you all are having a wonderful week.  Mine seems to be flying by. 

TIME AFTER TIME

I don't know what's up with me lately.  It seems I've only been posting "thinking of you" cards lately.  What's up with that?  I guess I've just needed a lot of them as of late.

Today's card is another one of my takes on a masculine card.  Seriously, I need to break out of the blues and browns comfort zone and go for some other masculine color palette.  Once again I've used the Sense of Time stamp set.  I love this set and see it as one of my future "go to" sets when I need a masculine card.

I'm going to try to keep it short today.  My sister and I are going birthday shopping for my niece's thirteenth birthday today.  What do you get a thirteen year old girl?  (I live in the testosterone sea at my house.)  My brother offered the following advice to my sister:  "You were thirteen once.  You'll think of something."  Pretty witty, huh?

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!  Mine seems to be shaping up nicely.

P.S.  If you're thinking you've seen a similar card like this in one of my earlier posts, you're right.  I just wasn't happy with that card so I tweaked it a bit and changed the layout.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS..............

.................CASE.  This card was inspired by Diana Gibbs who was also inspired by someone else (the name escapes me.)  I believe the only thing I did different to my card was add the ovals and sentiment at the bottom.

Thanks for peeking in on me tonight.  I'm going to keep this post short.  My uncle passed away this morning and I just can't seem to find the right blogging words tonight.  Thanks for your understanding.

SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY CATCH UP

It has been an incredibly long time since I've sat down and played along with a sketch challenge.  I save all the challenges to a sketch file with good intentions to play along in the time allotted.  Unfortunately, that doesn't happen very often.  The sketch to the left is one from Jen Del Muro from way back in August.  Yep!  I know!  I'm that far behind.  Anyway, I decided to give it a whirl while I was at home with my sick kiddo this week.  If you haven't checked out all the wonderful card sketches available on-line, you really should!  They are such a great way to get your creative juices flowing.

So on with the card..... I decided to pull out my Stampin' Up! Apple Blossoms set for this challenge.  I love the bright colors and whimsical patterns from the Play Date Designer Series Paper.  I really like how easily Stampin' Up! accessories coordinate with the Designer Series Paper and card stock.  They make it a breeze to put a card together in no time.

 

Well, I need to get off here and do a few chores before heading out to church services this evening.  Thanks for peeking in on me!  I hope you're having a wonderful week.

CHECKING IN................

I really, really do have some new projects to share with you.  Unfortunately, life has been crazy busy right now.  On top of everything, my son came down with a very, very icky virus around 1:30 a.m. this morning.  I am hoping to be back very soon provided that icky virus doesn't come looking for me........

SIMPLY YOU

Today's card is one that I cased from a back issue of Stampin' Success.  Stampin' Success is a  publication that Stampin' Up! demonstrators receive monthly and the issues are full of great craft and business ideas and tips.

This card is really simple with very few layers.  I used patterned paper from the Bella Blue collection (now retired) for my background.  I believe the only things I changed from the original (that I cased) are the greeting, background stamp and the button.  Hey, why mess with perfection?

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  Here's wishing you all a very nice Labor Day weekend.  I'm enjoying a four day weekend.  (I took today off from work. Lucky me!)  I have a wonderful group of ladies coming over to stamp tonight.  I can't wait to see them!

ACK! THE "P" WORD

The "P" word as in purple of course!  Believe it or not I truly love the color purple. I love it in fashion, love it in nail polish and I even love purple popsicles.   I just tend to shy away from it (okay, more like run or sprint) when making cards.  I just decided to take the plunge and conquer my fears with this card.  I'm not sure I've conquered my fears but I am telling myself, "Embrace the purple.  Embrace the purple."  So, in honor of the wonderful color purple, I pulled out my Perfect Plum card stock and ink.

 For some reason my card has a yellow cast to it.  Sorry for the funky glow, but I had my dear, patient man of a husband take this picture at night.  I should know better by now but if your dear,  patient man of a husband is willing to set up his camera to take a picture of your hobby...............well, you take what you can get.  I guess that's true unless you're willing to do it yourself.  Ummmmm, I'm not quite there yet!

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  I really, really need to prep for an upcoming card class I'm holding.  Hope to see you soon with another post!

ALWAYS ON OUR MINDS

If you're like me, you struggle making masculine cards.  Why is that?  Today's card was no exception.  Thank goodness I have the Sense of Time stamp set to help me out.  It is absolutely perfect for making masculine card. 

Even though I've been in a stamping rut, I am pretty pleased with the outcome of this card.  I decided to take out my distressing tool and rough up the edges a bit.  Of course I couldn't just stop there.  I had to sponge the edges a bit to give them a more weathered look.  You may be wondering what those funky little circle button things are doing at the bottom.  Well, the simple truth is that I forgot to put the brads on my patterned paper before adhering it to the card base.  Oops!  (There are no mistakes in stamping, right? )

I will be sending this to a retired co-worker of mine who is battling cancer.  My friend, Teresa, and I have been sending him cards just to let him know that he's never far from the thoughts and prayers of his old co-workers.  He has called to thank us for all the cards and well wishes we've sent.  It truly makes my heart happy to know that a simple card brightens his day a little.  I highly recommend you make a card and send it to someone.  You'll never truly know how much it means to them : )

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  School starts tomorrow and I'll be sending my "baby" off to his freshman year of high school.  I can't believe how time has flown.

IN A RUT

Does it ever happen to you?  You're feeling really crafty and have all these great ideas in your head and then you sit down to stamp and nothing - nothing at all.  You try your hardest to stamp your thoughts on paper and it doesn't work out like you plan.  That's where I'm at right now. 

My card layout today is one I CASE'd from Mary Fish.  Once again, the Melon Mambo has turned out a freakish pink color.  I'm not overly thrilled by this card.  Perhaps it is because I struggle with pastel color combinations.  Perhaps it's because of the above mentioned problem I seem to be having.  The good news is I will have some more cards to show you in the days ahead.  I'll just have to keep stamping until I get out of this rut!

Thanks for peeking in on me today!

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.
Supplies:  Stamps - Punch Potpourri, Trendy Trees (sentiment), En Francais; Paper - Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Whisper White;  Ink - Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo; Accessories - Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Basic Pearls Jewels, Butterfly Extra-Large Punch, 2" x 1 3/8" Oval Extra-Large Punch

PARDON ME, MERCI

Seriously, I don't know a lick of French.  I took three years of Spanish in high school and that was light years ago.  Anyway..........I pulled out my Stampin' Up! Artisitic Etchings and Boutique Bouquet stamp sets for this card.  I really wasn't sold on the Artistic Etchings set until I saw all the wonderful cards out there in blogland.  Enablers, you!  You make me sick : )

This card is one guests made at a surprise bridal shower card class.  Yes, you heard me right - a bridal shower.  Guests "showered" the bride with gift certificates and orders for Stampin' Up! merchandise.  I say, "I want friends like that!"  It was really a great time!  Interested in having a girls night in with all your friends?  Contact me for more information.  You won't be sorry you did!

Shop Stampin' Up! here 24/7.  Yes, you can even shop in your comfy pajamas and fuzzy slippers!

Thanks for peeking in on me today!

BUNCHES OF LUCK

This card was the first time I broke out my Bouquet Bunch stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini.  I just had to have this set and then I've struggled to come up with a layout design using it.  Plus, I think I have confessed in the past that I'm very inexperienced at watercoloring.  I'm trying to improve on that.  Hopefully you can tell that my flowers and shrubs are three dimensional.  Should I let you in a secret?  My first attempt at watercoloring the flowers and leaves was such a total bomb.  I tried to redeem myself by stamping them again, watercoloring again and then cutting them out and raising them off the panels with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I love those things!

I did actually give this card to a friend at church who began a new job in the surgical department at one of our local hospitals.  (Hey, Maria!  Glad the new job is going well.)  I think she was shocked that I gave her a "handmade" card.  (Shocked in a good way of course!)  I'm really trying to make a conscious effort to actually give my cards to recipients instead of hoarding them in my card bins.  It's an ongoing process, but I'm getting better at it.  How about you?  Are you a giver or a hoarder?

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  Have a good weekend stamping friends!

A MATTER OF MOMENTS

I'm just playing around with the stuff in my stash while I wait on my new Stampin' Up! goodies to arrive.  Can you believe I haven't placed an order since the debut of the new catalog?  The ugly truth is that I kept changing my mind and told myself to sleep on it before ordering.  With all the new goodies in the catalog, I just decided to go for it and place that order! 

Now I don't know about you but I just love the Elements of Style stamp set.  I hadn't inked up the hummingbird yet so I used him this time around.  I didn't want him to feel all neglected.  I also pulled out my Big Shot (love it) and various dies for this card.  Since I had out my Big Shot I decided, "Well, heck!  I might as well try out the new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. "  The embossing folders are always first on my orders.  The embossed image gives cards a  texture and depth making embossed cardstock so easy to use in exchange for patterned paper.

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  I apologize for not posting in a while.  I just got back from vacation over the weekend.  Now that I'm back, I'm in the cardmaking groove even if I'm still undecided if I like this card.  Hopefully I'll have some new projects to share with you soon.

 Have a great week!

3-D ORANGE CRUSH CUP CARD

Don't you just love this idea?  It reminds me of a big old cup of Orange Crush!   I saw Leann Greff's card and was immediately inspired.  Do you want to know a secret?  The cup on this card is amazingly simple to make!  All you need to do is trace a disposable cup on vellum, cut it to size, score the edges at 1/4" and add sticky strip.  Just use a sponge dauber and some ink to color the inside of the cup and you're done!  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!  Dawn Griffith has a wonderful video tutuorial on making a cup card.  You can view her video here. 

Thanks for peeking in on me today!

BUTTERFLIES EASEL REVISITED

You may remember the butterfly easel card I made here.  My card today isn't that much different than my earlier version.  I just changed the colors and size of the card making it to fit in a standard card envelope. 

This is another card we made at my Fancy Folds card class last week.  I think this was almost everyone's favorite card to make.  Personally, it's my favorite Fancy Folds class card too.  Stay tuned!  I have one more card to show you from last week's class.  We made a "cup card".  It's such an easy card to make.  All you need is a plastic disposable cup, printer paper, a pencil and some vellum.  Easy peasy!

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but it is in the upper 90's in southern Ohio.  No relief in sight until Friday!  Ugh!  So, please stay cool, stay hydrated and stay INSIDE!  Thanks for peeking in on me today!

YOU GOTTA HAVE FRIENDS

When I was assembling this card the lyrics "Well, you gotta have friiiiieeenndds" kept going through my mind.  Don't ask me why, I have no idea.  Many times while I'm making my cards I'm singing songs that remind me of the particular card I'm creating at the time.  I know what you're thinking.  "No wonder this crazy lady's blog is called Stamping with LULU! She's a real wacko."  Actually my husband and son gave me that nickname years ago.  Only my son couldn't pronounce his "L's" at the time and he called me WuuWuu.  Fast forward some ten years plus and they still call me Lulu.  I have no idea why, but the name has stuck.  I don't actually mind.  I just pretend it's a term of endearment instead of the fact that they think I'm nuts.

Okay, enough history and craziness.  Let's get on with the card.  Don't you just love this patterned paper?  It's from the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and is called Greenhouse Gala.  Of course I was instantly drawn to the paper collection.  The collection contains my favorite color combination - blue, green and chocolate.  This card is another joy fold card.  It's a card that we created in my Fancy Folds class on Thursday night.  Once again, I have CASEd another more talented artist.  The card front was inspired by this card by Mary Fish.  I just changed the colors and stamp set up a bit.

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  You're visits mean a lot to me.  Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July weekend my American friends.  I hope to spend it by my father's pool and entertaining my family. 

It's that time of year again.  Time for the release of the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog.  This year's catalog is jam packed with all new exiting items.  Take the new color renovation color families - beautiful new colors to play with and the new designer series paper packs are just awesome.  If you click on the catalog in my sidebar, you can check out the new catalog.  Believe me when I say, "You're going to love it."  My wish list is almost a mile long.  If you don't currently have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like to order products from the new catalog, check out my website here.  You can order Stampin' Up! products 24/7 and you don't even have to change out of your jammies to do it!

Well, I just ending a wonderful Fancy Folds card class.  Let's just say, I truly enjoy spending time with these awesome women.  They just make the stress of the day melt away.  Thanks ladies for a terrific evening.  And thank you for peeking in on me today!  I'm a little tired and need to hit the hay.  I've been experiencing insomnia this week and I'm sure to crash and burn soon.  Stay tuned - I have pictures to post from this evening's class.  I hope to share them with you this weekend.

GO YOU!

Here's a quick graduation card I created for a young man with whom my husband and I attended church.  His high school colors are red and grey.  I usually like to be elaborate with my cards adding several layers.  However, I was in a hurry to get this one together so I cut down on the layers and patterned paper.  Thank goodness for my handy dandy Stampin' Up! punches and accessories.

The stamp set used here is from the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog called "Go, Graduate."  Don't look too closely at the coloring.  My watercoloring needs a great deal of perfecting.  Plus, my optometrist tells me I've reached the magic birthday where cheap reading glasses are a must!  Oh, the joys of being forty and older!  If you will, please forgive me.  My mojo is in a bit of a funk lately and I haven't been stamping as much this summer.  That's not a good thing when you're preparing for an upcoming card class.  Well, I better run.  Lots of cardstock to cut and some prep work to do before Thursday's class.

Thanks for peeking in on me!  I hope to post the cards from Thursday's class really soon.

JOY-OUS DAY

Remember all those wedding favors I made last month?  Well, the wedding has finally come and gone.  It was a beautiful wedding and the bride was absolutely stunning!  This is the card I made for the lovely newlyweds.  It's a joy fold card.  You can find the instructions to make this type of card here.  The middle section of the card opens up to reveal the sentiment.  The large glittery flower is holding it shut.  Want to see what it looks like opened?

This is a super easy card to make.  So go ahead and make one.  You'll be pleasantly pleased with the results!  Not to mention the recipient will think you're one smart little cookie as well.

I'm going to keep it short tonight.  I need to get ready for a Fancy Folds class I'm holding later this week.  I can't wait to get together with this great group of ladies!

Have a great week and thanks for peeking in on me!

"HEART"Y THANKS

Here's a card I made for my son to give to my co-worker, Teresa.  She gave him a nice card along with two black and orange school t-shirts for his eighth grade graduation.  You have to realize that she's a diehard Piketon Redstreak fan and let's just say my son attends a school that is a lifelong rival of Piketon's.  I told my son that it probably pained her soul to have to purchase those shirts and I'm sure she was shaking her head "no" as she handed the money over to the clerk to pay for them. LOL!  At any rate, I think it was a very nice gesture from her.  My son appreciates the shirts and wears them often.  Thanks, Teresa, for thinking of my son.  And by the way, "Go Tigers!!!" 

Thanks for peeking in on me today.  My husband, son and I have taken turns being sick this month.  I think we're finally on the mend.  Hallelujah!  I do have more cards to show you.  I'm just waiting on my dear hubby to edit them.  As you can probably tell, the card above is not edited, but I'm posting it anyway.

ETA:  Yay!  My husband edited this card for me!  It looks so much better now.

STAMPIN' UP!'S LAST CHANCE LISTS

Well ladies and gentlemen, it's that time of year again.  Hundreds of products from the Stampin' UP! 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog and Definitely Decorative brochures are retiring July 1st.  Now is your chance to get them before they're gone forever!

Retiring stamps and Definitely Decorative products will be available through June 30th.  Retiring accessories are only available while supplies last and tend to sell out rather quickly.  You know what's even better?  Some of the retiring accessories are available 25% - 50% off!!!!  So, if there are retiring accessories that you can't live without, you better hurry and order online.

You may click on the links below to see what's on the retiring lists:

Last Chance Stamp Sets - Available until June 30

Last Chance Accessories List - Available only while supplies last.  Some items 25%-50% off.

Last Chance Definitely Decorative Home Decor List - Available until June 30

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at l_burkitt@yahoo.com.  You can order directly from my Stampin' Up! on-line site or email me your order.  If you want to order accessories, I suggest you order them online.  You can check the availability while you're online and don't risk the chance of your favorite accessories selling out before I get a chance to place your order.

Have a great evening!

THANK YOU.......THANK YOU VERY MUCH

I first came up with the title for my post  a couple of days ago.  It was meant to be kind of witty since I felt like I had "thank you" boxes coming out of my ears.  However, reflections of this Memorial Day change the tone.  So, I would like to take a moment to remember those who so bravely fought for the freedoms of our country and paid the ultimate price.  One of my childhood teacher's only son is among those that I remember today.  He was part of the Lima Company from Ohio that suffered great loss a few years ago.  Sadly, he was among the casualties.  With that said, I'd like to continue on with today's post.

I'm finally finished the 200+ wedding favors for my friend's daughter, Erin.  I just hope she likes the results.  Would you like to see what I've been working on?  This is what 200+ wedding favors look like. 

Well, actually this isn't quite all of them.  These are the ones I boxed up.

Here are a few lined up on my table.  It was very late at night so the lighting isn't the best.  (Notice my open window in the background.  Our heat pump froze up and was not working.  Ugh!)

The boxes will be filled with cellophane bags of white chocolate dipped mini pretzels covered with purple and green sprinkles. 

Here is one all by its lonesome.  Sorry you can't make out the detail.  Each box has a banner which simply says, "Thank You".  The petals have been distressed and run through a crimper.  The flowers are made out of various sized circle punches and are also distressed.  Each flower contains a button in the middle.

If you haven't guessed, Erin's wedding colors are Elegant Eggplant and Certainly Celery.  Her dress is ivory and the groom and his groomsmen will be wearing linen colored tuxedos.  Erin's chose to go with a vintage wedding theme.  It should be  gorgeous.

Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  Thanks for peeking in on me.  It's back to work for me tomorrow.  I will be attending my son's Eighth Grade Promotion ceremony on Thursday.  I can't believe he'll be in high school soon.

I'M IN HEAVEN, WEDDING FAVOR HEAVEN...........

I'm taking a break from blogging while I work on wedding favors for my coworker's daughter.  The wedding is quickly approaching and I must finish the 200+ wedding favors.  My goal is to finish them by Friday.  Oh, and I WILL!!!!!  I have favors covering half of my dining room table right now.  My sister is going to swing by tomorrow and help me with them.  (Gotta love family, right?)  I'm hoping to have them done really soon so I can get back to stamping and posting.  I hope to post some new creations in the very near future.  So don't throw the towel in on me yet.  I'll be back!

Non-Stamping Related

I hope all you mothers had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I know I did and what a busy one it was.  I don't normally share family pictures on my blog, but today I'm making an exception.  Last week was my son's birthday and the big dance.  (I can't believe he'll be in high school this coming fall.  I don't even want to think about it.)  Here's a picture taken at home before the traditional Eighth Grade Dance last Friday.  I thought he looked quite "dapper".  (That's a word my grandmother used to use.  Wink!) 

He told me he wasn't going to the dance if he had to wear a shirt and tie.  All I can say is, "Never say never, my man."  We compromised with the "casual" dressy look.  I allowed him to roll up his sleeves, unbutton the top button of his shirt and wear his tie loosely around his neck.  He even tolerated pictures.  Here's another picture with my sister, Sarah, and me.  My sister will probably kill me for this picture.  We were acting goofy and she just got home from a three day conference.  Notice how I cleverly hid myself between my sister and my son.  I hate having my picture taken.  I'm not an ounce photogenic!

After dropping my son off at the dance, I had my husband drop me off to a "Mother/Daughter" banquet at my friend's church.  My friend adopted me for the day since I am now officially motherless.  (My own mother passed away three years ago.)  Saturday was dinner night with the family.  I love spending time with my family.  What better way to celebrate family than food?  Am I right?  Sunday, we darted off to church and then spent the afternoon with my sister, brother-in-law and nephew at the Franklin Park Conservatory.  I love the butterfly exhibit.  I don't think I'll ever grow tired of visiting it.  I see something different every time I go.

Well, I need to get off here.  I have piano lessons to give tonight.  Thanks for peeking in on me and letting me share a little of my life with you.  Have a great week!