AND THE WINNER IS....

Gayle Menias!

There are 161 images in this jar and they are waiting for you here with your scor-pal. Happy Stamping Gayle!

My Progressive Scrapbook

Hey Scrappers and Stampers! I have had lots of requests to see samples of my progressive scrapbook. Here are two layouts. The first is the layout that we did at Escape as a make and take. It inspired the whole progressive album class series. I was so happy with this simple, smart, sophisticated project!
The second picture is my title page for the progressive album I am working on. My book is titled 'OUR WEDDING STORY' I am going to use this unique 6x9 format to scrap all the wedding photos that were not taken professionally. You know the pictures that tell the real story, before, during and after. These are the pictures that are not in the leather bound wedding album, but are just as, or more, precious to me. Both are the same layout. The first is done with the Mimi Soar With It Collection Designer Paper, Cardstock and Ribbon. The second page is made with the Hemmingway Soar With It Designer Paper and Cardstock. I blogged both in this entry so that you can see that the paper you choose will really effect the way your album turns out. You can make this album ANYTHING you want it to be.
Here is how the progressive album class works. We will meet FOUR times. Over the four meetings you will complete an ENTIRE 6x9 scrapbook. You can do like I am and do a theme album OR you can do each layout for a different occassion or event. Each meeting will have a unique class kit and a small class fee of $15. The class kits for our second, third and fourth meeting are TBA. Your initial investment is made in the first kit. You get a SWIC Designer Paper Collection of your choice, matching Cardstock, matching Ribbon, 6x9 Album and Enchanted Florals all your first kit.
Here is a break down of the class, dates are subject to change as we firm up our group.

Friday, February 29th 6:30 – 9:30pm
Progressive Scrapbook 6x9
Class ONE of FOUR.
Complete a 6x9 scrapbook in just four classes. You choose your paper pack and 6x9 album. Each class you will receive a new batch of supplies and stamps. Class is $15 class fee plus supply kit. Class one supply pack includes album, SWIC paper pack, matching cardstock and ribbon and Enchanted Florals stamp set.
COMPLETE FIVE PAGES.

Friday, March 21st 6:30 – 9:30pm
Progressive Scrapbook 6x9
Class TWO of FOUR.
Complete a 6x9 scrapbook in just four classes. You choose your paper pack and 6x9 album. Each class you will receive a new batch of supplies and stamps. Each class is $15 plus supply kit. Class two supply pack to be determined.
COMPLETE FOUR PAGES


Friday, April 18th 6:30 – 9:30pm
Progressive Scrapbook 6x9
Class THREE of FOUR.
Complete a 6x9 scrapbook in just four classes. You choose your paper pack and 6x9 album. Each class you will receive a new batch of supplies and stamps. Each class is $15 plus supply kit. Class three supply pack to be determined.
COMPLETE FOUR PAGES


Friday, May 9th 6:30 – 9:30pm
Progressive Scrapbook 6x9
Class FOUR of FOUR.
Complete a 6x9 scrapbook in just four classes. You choose your paper pack and 6x9 album. Each class you will receive a new batch of supplies and stamps. Each class is $15 plus supply kit. Class four supply pack to be determined.
COMPLETE FIVE PAGES

Toodle Loo 12x12 Club

Monday, February 25th is 12x12 Club. Only or mostly scrap 12x12? Well this class was designed for you! Class is $30 and you get to keep the supplies left from your class kit which includes a pack of Toodle Loo Soar With It Collection Designer Paper, Toodle Loo Cardstock, and Toodle Loo Ribbon. Email me if you are planning on attending so I can order supplies ASAP.

Class is $30 and you will have enough paper and ribbon to do 3 more 12x12 2-page layouts or up to 12 cards on your own.

Preschool Valentine, Another Cricut Project

I had to do a craft with the Preschool on Thursday for the Valentine's Day party. I thought what better to do then stamp, right? So I took a lot of help from my Cricut. The envelope is cut from Cricut Sampler (Paper Pups) at 3 1/2. The card is 3 1/2 square. The hearts are also cut from Cricut Sampler (Paper Pups) in several different sizes. The biggest heart is cut at 2 1/2 and the smallest red heart (on the front of the envelope) is cut at 1. After the hearts were cut I stamped over them with Swirly Gigs to give them some texture. I used Palette Moulin Rouge on the red hearts and Palette Belle Rose on the pink hearts. The edges of the card and envie are sponged with Palette Burnt Umber. The Happy Valentine's Day! and To:, From: stamps are from a retired TAC Valentine set. The kids, 11 preschoolers, had a great time! Each card turned out slightly different and unique, but all were beautiful and well done.

Just Cards, Friday

Anyone coming to my just cards class this Friday 2-8-08? I have not heard from many of you. I know the snow is high, and the wind is cold, and the temperatures are below zero, but I promise I will keep you all warm and stamping! Email me at risa_v@hotmail.com if you plan to come out and make 'just cards'. The class is $10 and starts at 6:30 pm. If I don't hear from at least 4, I will have to cancel so RSVP right away if you are considering coming.

Just a Note has lots of glitter and glitz. It's a simple card, but doesn't lack pizzazz. I always need a card or two that I can make quick and have on hand. I am striving to be better at sending cards to people that need encouragement or gratitude or acknowledgement. This is a spiffy little note you can whip up in a hurry. Supplies used to create this card; misc. cardstock, satin ribbon, Palette Burnt Umber Ink Pad, PrismaColor Pencils, Just a Note (a level C hostess set), Friendly Note and Crystal Lacquer

It's always springtime in a happy heart. That is the sentiment on this little beauty. With all the snow outside I thought a real springtime card would be refreshing. Supplies used to make this card; misc. grosgrain ribbon, Mimi Cardstock, Mimi Soar With It Collection Designer Paper, It's Always Springtime, VersaMagic Tea Leaves and Gingerbread Ink, Palette Burnt Umber.

There is one more card for Friday's class, I am not going to blog it though. I really like how it turned out so I am going to enter it into TAC's monthly contest. TAC offers a monthly contest with five categories. You interpret the category in your submission. If TAC judges you the winner of the category then you win $75 worth of TAC stamps. The contests are fun and if you win, VERY rewarding. The $75 retail is really about $109 with our demonstrator discount. TAC is VERY generous and gives the winner stamps valued at $109. TAC also chooses Demonstrators to design for the catalogs, supplements, and marketing material. When you submit for the contest you get exposure to TAC. That is how I was picked to design so much for TAC.

If you haven't been to http://www.theangelcompany.net/ recently, go take a peek. TAC contest winners can be seen here. You can also see my work displayed on the home page:

Want a chance at designing for TAC? Want to enter this months contests? Then email me and we can talk about how you can be a part of this incredible company! risa_v@hotmail.com

Jar O Greetings FEB 22nd, RSVP soon

Here is a peek at the Jar O Greetings class I have scheduled for 2-22. You will make 12 little greeting/gift cards, envelopes included, and decorate a glass jar to keep them in. We will be using Everyday Events as our featured stamp set. Class is $20 and begins at 6:30 pm. Email me if you are planning to attend risa_v@hotmail.com
This jar would make a great gift. If you keep it for yourself, you will always have a gift card on hand when you need one.
These little cards measure 3x3. I colored my images with Prismacolor Pencils and Odorless Mineral Spirits, but will have Copic Markers available at the class too. Stay tuned to the blog to see a picture of the jar in a future post.

I Love Easter Kit...One More Peek

I had so much fun with these great bunnies. This is my nephews birthday card! I wanted to show you that there is so much more to do with this set beside Easter. Of course your Easter cards this year will ROCK! However, there are many more applications for the featured stamp set, I Love Easter.

If you want to know more about the kit, see my previous post, here.

This card is colored with Prismacolor Pencils and Odorless Mineral Spirits. All papers and embellishments needed to complete two of this design will be included in the kit along with plenty of extra to play with. I even include the cute little layered tags. They are cut on my new cricut machine.

Notice the bunnies cute little puffy tail, that is done with white liquid applique which is included in the kit.

Email me at risa_v@hotmail.com if you are interested in ordering February's kit!

February Kit...I love Easter

Here is a peek at this months kit. It features FIVE awesome tropical colored textured card stocks, I love Easter, Lime Scrapers Floss, Bumblebee and Tangerine Paper Posies and white liquid applique. You will also get 4 full color idea cards with instructions and measurements. This kit is packed with enough product to make two of each design and still have plenty of materials left to be creative and play! The Februray kit is $38.00, just email me to order!

The background of this card is stamped with a little daisy flower in VersaMark and then sanded with a sanding block to distress and make the images pop.

The three orange flowers are all tiny 3D mulberry paper posies. These little flowers are addictive. They come in 2 or 3 shades and in 3 different sizes per pack. This kit includes TWO packs of paper posies, shades of yellow and shades of orange. If you look at the bunny his cute little cotton tail is all puffy. That is done with liquid applique, also included with the kit.

Edited Photo...I heard from some of you that the photo in this post was not very good...Here's one that is a little better. Let's see if you can click for a closer look. HTHs!

Mystery Hostesses!

Violet (for those of you that don't know Violet, she is my spirited youngest child) and I drew TWO Mystery Hostesses today! Here are some pictures and my hostesses are....

....Donna Potteiger AND Tyra Norton!


I have nearly enough orders for one more mystery hostess so if you are considering an order contact me before Friday! I will be putting all orders in as soon as possible. Friday morning at the latest.

Violet drawing the first name. She loves to do stuff like this, and she is a camara HAM.













Mystery Hostess ONE: TYRA


Drawing Hostess number TWO.... and the lucky stamper is.... DONNA!
Congrats ladies and thanks so much for your orders!

Thank You Card for My Mother In Law

Friday my husband gets a call from his mom. She wants to come over on Sunday. Ok, well why? He knew.
Sunday comes around and we are trying to decide what to do for dinner. See, I have an ear infection and I am just not myself. I didn't want to clean and cook. We were thinking about going out to get a dinner. Max called his mom and dad to let them know that he was home from work and ask if they wanted to go out for dinner with us. They were already eating dinner. Now I really wanted to know why they wanted to come over. They didn't even want to eat with us! It's a mystery. Max knew why.
So Max ran out to Jewel to get some chicken for dinner. I cleaned up a little. Max got home from the store just as his mom and dad arrived with a big box. Want to know why they came over? They brought my birthday present! LOL. My birthday is not until April! Mom was so excited she couldn't wait. She bought me a Cricut! A Cricut?!? Can you believe it. I can't! She was so excited she couldn't wait till April to give it to me! I can't believe it, what a gift!

Here is a card I made using the cute little bug. It's for my Mother in Law. I used the Cricut to cut the card (4 1/8 square), the envelope (4 1/4 square), the blue 3 1/2 inch square, the daisies and centers. If you look at the far right side of the picture, you can see that there is a little daisy on the inside of the card. The left side of the picture is the envelope flap. What FUN! I am so shocked and excited. The Thank You stamp is a current Level B hostess set from TAC.
Edited To Add:
Cartridges Used:
George for the blue mat and white daisies
Cricut Sampler for card, envie, and flower centers

Open House Information

What a fun Open House! I had an awesome turn out despite the snow. Thank you to everyone that came out in all that beautiful snow! I am starting to pull together the orders. I will let you know if you are one of my Mystery Hostesses! I will be drawing a name for every $100 in orders. So far we will have two or maybe three hostesses! If you are considering some new stamps send me your order soon to be added to the Mystery Hostess drawing. Even if you couldn't make it to the Open House you can be Mystery Hostess, so get your orders in! Beside Mystery Hostess, any stamper that places an order gets a guess at The Jar. There are lots of fun images in this jar. If your guess is closest you get all the stamps! Sorry, the Jar is not included. It's for my Jar O Greetings class. Get your orders to me before Friday! If you have emailed me with your order already, I will get back to you today!
Thank you for making my Project Buffet and Open House such a great time!