My Weblog

"Even the best laid plans...."

I was traveling this past weekend and had planned to prepare posts that would load automatically while I was gone but... as they say... "Even the best laid plans go awry"!

I am working on scrapbooking some of my photos to share with you, but until then
here are a few Easter projects that I haven't had the chance to share yet.  Some of them will be included in tomorrow's Chick & Bunnies Class.

The Egg-shaped Chick Baskets were made using a
template that Stampin' Up! provides to demonstrators.  The punch art chick was inspired by this card made by fellow demonstrator Mary Jo Price-Williams... and for the DSP eggs I stamped the image from A Good Egg on the DSP before cutting it out.

The Chick Favor Baskets were inspired by the card in this tutorial from fellow demonstrator Gretchen
Barron; while the Bunny Favor Baskets were inspired by this one created by demonstrator Wendy Hawkinson.  I used the Big Shot Fancy Favors die... which is a Stampin' Up! exclusive.

Finally, I made the Skinny Candy Bags using A Good Egg and our Designer Label Punch for our Guam based nieces and nephews... and as a thank you for some of my sister-in-law's coworkers.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these projects as much as I enjoyed making them!

If you want more information then contact me.  If you would like to order the supplies to make your own then click here to shop my website.

Have a blessed Easter!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Easter Class Project Preview!

Here is another one of the projects I had on display last weekend at Sea Grill in Tumon, Guam.  It is one of 5 Easter themed favors that those attending my Chicks & Bunnies Class on Saturday, April 23, 2011 will be making.  Details of the class and a PayPal link are included below.

What: Chicks & Bunny Class

When:  Saturday, April 23, 2011

Time:  1:00 - 5:00pm

Where:  Yigo, Guam

Fee:  $25.00

This will be a fun Ladies' Afternoon Out!!!  We will make one each of 5 different Easter favors and learn several different stamping/scrapbooking techniques that can be applied to other projects throughout the year.  It is an opportunity to try the Big Shot, punches, rubber stamps and embellishments before you buy them yourself!   The deadline to sign up is Saturday, April 16, 2011.  Contact me asap if you have any questions or need additional information.  Otherwise sign up now by using the PayPal button below.  I'll see you there!

 

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Stamping Is Fun!!!

I've been busy preparing for a display at the 12th Annual Women United Against Cancer Brunch to be held on Sunday, March 27, 2011 from 11am-2pm at Sea Grille in Tumon, Guam.  Since we are approaching Spring, Easter, Mother's Day and National Scrapbooking Month I have temporarily taken my focus away from Thanks for Caring to focus on projects for those holidays.

 

This is one of the items that will be on my table next weekend... and it is also my first project using Stampin' Up!'s exclusive Big Shot Candy Wrapper Bigz L Die (#120890 - $32.95... when ordered through my Stampin' Up! website!).  They were so much fun to create... and turned out so adorable!  In addition to the Candy Wrapper die you will need:

Stamp Sets:  A Good Egg (pg.48)

Card Stock:  So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Baja Breeze, White Confetti (pgs.166-170)

Inks:  Daffodil Delight, Jet Black StazOn (pg.195)

Accessories:  Greenhouse Gala DSP (pg173), Lap of Luxury and Sunny Garden DSPs (pg.174), Elegant Soiree and Play Date DSPs (pg.175), Springtime Vintage DSP (Occasions Mini, pg.15), Extra Large Scallop Circle Punch (pg.200,201), 1 1/4" Large Circle Punch (pg.202,203), Aqua Painter (pg.195), Peach Parfait Stampin' Write Marker (pg.165), Multipurpose Liquid Glue (pg.197)

Come to the brunch next Sunday not only to see what else I will have but to support a good cause... the fight against cancer!

Also, when you place your order be sure to use my Stampin' Up! website by clicking here or on the "Order Online" in the upper right corner so that you can get the preferred customer pricing.  Be aware that Sale-a-bration is ending soon so place your $50 order NOW to get the FREE Sale-a-bration product of your choice.  As always, if you have any questions please feel free to call or email me.

Happy Stamping~

Mia

I LOVE Recycling and Reusing!

First of all.... belated happy Easter one and all!  I had hoped to find the time to post yesterday, but obviously was not able to.  If I had... then this is what I would have shared.....

I made these for our nieces and nephews that live here on Guam.  There isn't any actual rubber stamping, but I think they are soooooo cute!  They all use retired Designer Series Papers... but any of our wonderful papers could be used instead.  I enjoyed creating these from Crystal Light containers... and then filling them with an assortment of Easter candies.  They are so quick and easy to make.  To create your own you will need:

Inks:  Your color of choice for sponging the edges of the chick, scallop borders, etc.

Card Stock: Designer Series Papers in your color of choice (I have used the Spring Fling - which I believe was one of last year's Sale-a-bration options - and Candy Lane), Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black

Accessories:  Scallop Circle Punch (pg.186-187), Word Punch (pg.186-187 - the Modern Label Punch can be used instead), 1/8" Circle Punch (pg.186-187), Scallop Edge Punch (pg.186-187), Big Shot Scallop Circle Die (pg.199), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.192), assorted Ribbons (pg.182-183... I used Stampin' Up! gingham ribbon - some of which have already retired), and your empty Crystal Light container.  (Note: I have used the old style container that was round, but the new oval container will work just as well.)

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Since I am behind schedule sharing my recent projects with you, and since it is a related project, I am also sharing my "Coffee for Two"!

Each of these containers holds 2 Biscotti, 2 packages of coffee singles, 2 packets of Sweet & Low and 2 packages of creamer.  A perfect gift for the coffee lover!  I made them the same way as my Easter containers with the following changes....

Stamp Sets: Voila to Go (pg.57), Loads of Love (pg.58)  (Wondering where I used Loads of Love?!?  Check the picture below!)

Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Rose Red, Jet Black StazOn

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Dusty Durango

Accessories:  Thoroughly Modern DSP (pg.163), Scallop Trim Border, Bermuda Bay and Dusty Durango 1/2" Polk Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (pg.182), Sticky Strip (pg.192), Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker (pg.156), 1/8" Circle Punch (pg. 186-187), Big Shot Two Tags Die (pg.198)

So, now that I've given you a few more ideas for those plastic drink mix containers... start saving yours, decorate them, and share your recycling ideas with your family and friends.  And if you need any of supplies necessary to create them, then visit my Stampin' Up! website and place your order today!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Project: Another Good Egg Treat!

Easter will be here before we know it, so we need to start getting ready now!  This means we need to start planning what our special treats will be so that the supplies can be ordered.... and the candy bought.  This is especially true for those of us on Guam if want to get them rubber stamped and assembled in time for the holiday and before our stores run out of their candy supplies! 

Today's project is designed to help you get started with planning your own Easter treats!

 

Here is photo showing what the inside looks like..... with the packet of candy.

To make these Easter Matchbook Treats you will need:

Stamp Sets:  A Good Egg (pg.46), Teeny Tiny Wishes (pg.145)

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn (pg.190), Orchid Opulence (pg.156)

Card Stock:  Left - Certainly Celery, Whisper White, So Saffron; Right - Substitute So Saffron for the Certainly Celery

Accessories:  Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper (Occasions Mini Catalog, pg. 25), Watercolor Wonder Crayons - Rich Regal and Soft Subtle (pg.154), Bold Bright Stampin' Write Markers (pg. 154, Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.192), Scallop Trim Border (FREE Sale-a-bration Product, pg.9), Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive (pg.192), Stapler, Candy of choice (I've used Sour Patch Bunnies!)

If you would like more detailed information on how to make these matchboxes, then be watching for the notice regarding my Easter Treats Class... to be offered soon!

Also, you probably noticed that many of my recent projects have used items from the Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-a-bration Catalog.  The Occasion Mini Catalog is valid for another month, but the Sale-a-bration catalog expires on March 31, 2010.  Time is running out so be sure to call or email me today to place your order of $50 or more so that you too can earn some of the fabulous FREE products that are available through Sale-a-bration.  Or... go here and click on "Shop Now".

As always, please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions.

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Project: Another Sweet Treat!

Well, I had so much favorable feedback from my last two postings that I decided to combine the two and create this....... using some of my scraps, of course!!!

 
I created a sliding piece in back of the large egg so the candy can be removed without destroying the card itself.  I wasn't able to do that with my Ladybug Sweet Treat card because of the thickness of the chocolate.  I had intended to fill this Sweet Treat Cup with Rolos, but they are too thick.  The only other option here on Guam were these Spring themed M&Ms.  I love how well they match the Stampin' Up! colors!

Supplies Needed:

Stamp Sets:  A Good Egg (pg.46), Well Scripted (Occasions Mini Catalog, pg.19)

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn (pg.190)

Card Stock:  Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Garden Green, Barely Banana, Blush Blossom, Only Orange, Pink Passion, Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery

Accessories:  Sweet Treat Cups (Occasions Mini Catalog, pg.21), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (pg.186), 3/4" Circle Punch (pg.186), Boho Blossoms Punch (pg.186-187), Stampin' Write Markers (pg.154), Rich Regal Brads (pg.179), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.192), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (pg.183)

Questions?!?  Call or email me!  Want to order the supplies needed to make this card?  Click here!  As always...

Happy Stamping~

Maria

Project: Easter Mini Basket!

Holidays have become so commercial!  Thanksgiving and Christmas merchandise is out before Halloween has even passed.  Valentine's Day is over... St. Patrick's Day isn't... yet even here on Guam the Easter candies and baskets are out.  I hate that we are pushed into buying everything so soon!  So why am I sharing an Easter project with you today?!?

Well, living on Guam one quickly learns that it doesn't take 10 days to receive supplies we order from "the mainland."  It is more like 2-3 weeks...sometimes longer!  I want to inspire you and encourage you to order the supplies to recreate this mini basket now... allowing you enough time to create your own for Easter.

You will need:

Stamp Sets:  A Good Egg (pg.46)

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn (pg.190)

Card Stock:  Certainly Celery, Scraps of Summer Sun, Always Artichoke and Whisper White (pg.156-157)

Accessories: Scrap of Designer Series Paper - I used Tea Party (pg.160-163), Apricot Appeal and Certainly Celery 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (pg.183), Modern Label Punch (pg.186-187), Word Punch (pg.186-187), Scallop Edge Punch (pg.186-187), Big Shot (pg.194), Scallop Circle Die (pg.199), Stampin' Up Exclusive Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (Occasions Mini Catalog, pg.35), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.192), Small Flat Cello Bags (pg.159)

To create the basket:

Step 1:  Cut your scallop circle using the Big Shot and the Scallop Circle Die.

Step 2:  Score two parallel lines separated by four scallops as shown in the photo on the left. (There will be eleven scallops above and below the two score lines.)

Step 3:  Score additional lines as shown in the second photo on the  left.

Step 4:  Score from the intersection of the score lines to the outside of the scallop circle as shown in the third photo on the left.

Step 5:  Fold the scallop circle to form the basket.

Step 6:  Unfold the scallop circle and place in the Perfect Polka Dot Impressions Folder and run through the Big Shot... using the Multipurpose Platform.

Step 7:  Form into a basket by gluing the corner wedges  to the inside of the 4-scallop sides.

To make the handle:  Cut a piece of card stock 1 1/4" x 9".  Punch both long edges  using the Scallop Edge Punch.  (Be sure to save the long narrow scrap for another card!)  Glue the handle to the inside of the 4-scallop sides... covering the corner wedges.

Decorate your basket as desired!

I used A Good Egg, various punches, ribbons and scraps of papers as listed above.

Contact me today to place your order so that you can have as much fun creating these mini baskets as I am!  And remember... they don't just have to be for Easter.  They are a great for all occasions!

Happy Stamping~

Mia