Angel Art Valentine Blog Hop

I made two projects to feature as part of an Angel Art Blog Hop. These blog hops are sponsored by Paperwings, an online community for TAC Angels. After you view my post, please follow the links provided below to see great Valentine ideas from other Angels.

The first of my projects are tags. I have a tool tote that I take with me every time I go out stamping or scrapbooking. It is one of those Tote-ally Cool Totes from AMM. You know, the tote everyone has. Awhile back I made tags for my bag. That way it was super easy to spot my bag and tell it apart from all the other bags like it. These are the new tags for my bag. I used two pages from TAC's Mini Deco Album as a base for my bag tags. I started by tracing the clear acrylic page on the pink cardstock from the Mia's Cottage Cardstock collection. When I cut the traced shape out it served as a little scrapbook page. I made the page with the photo and some stamping or scraps of Pop Rockz paper, then glued it to the clear acrylic. After the the little page was glued to the acrylic, I embellished both sides of the tag with stamping, flowers and ribbon and bound them with a ring.

Wouldn't the pages make great magnets? The book would make a great keepsake gift with all 5 pages all done up.

The second Valentine project I have to share is a simple and fun Valentine card. You might also notice that the multicolor spotted paper on the card is hand made with circle punches of all different sizes. I punched a pile of circles and then glued then randomly to the white cardstock panel. It was a fun way to use up scraps.Both of the featured projects were created using stamps from TAC's I Heart You, Tag Tidbits, Blossom Builder, Tiny Tidbits, and Beyond Measure. Other supplies used to create these samples include; Mia's Cottage Cardstock, TAC's Black and White Ribbon Assortment, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Bitty Blossoms, Scallop Scissors, Giga Scallop Circle Punch, Coluzzle Circle and Circle Companion, Black and White Buttons and buttons from the Ava and Audrey Jars, Srcappers Floss in Black, White Foam Adhesive and Red Line Tape.
Be sure to check out these other Angels and their great Valentine Projects:

Jen
Kim
Christine
Chris
Laurie W
Chelsea
Rita W
Shirley
Carol
Laurie U
Angela
Seleise
Diane
Suzanne
Julie
Rita K
Trudy
Stacy

Want a Free Serendipity Magazine and Level A Hostess Set?

I have my copies of the new Serendipity! I love it! Here is the newest Level A hostess set. It's called Swirled Spring Things. The sample in Serendipity was designed by Barb Foster. It was so inspiring I had to cut my set and whip up some cards right away! Here are my cards inspired by Barb's sample. The other supplies I used include; stamps from Simply Devine, and Tiny Tidbits, a Level A set from the base book, Amberley Grace Paper, Cardstock and Ribbon, Memento Rich Cocoa Ink, Prismacolor Pencils, embellishments from the Audrey Jar, Brown Scrappers Floss, and VersaMark Ink.

So I bet you are wondering how you can get your

free Serendipity Magazine and Level A hostess set. It's really easy! Just email or call me with a $50 order. Be sure to check out the 40% off sale here. To thank you for your order I will give you a copy of Serendipity, a Level A hostess set of your choice, and anything in the TAC catalog for 50% off! That's it, easy.

I am off to the post office with these cards. They are going out to some friends. Be sure to check back on the 24th for my first blog hop EVER!

Enjoy the Ride

This card is for another friend. I wanted to to let her know that I am thinking about her as I encourage her to enjoy an exciting turn in her life. I hope that she likes the card. The products used to make this card include More Mimi double sided Soar With It Collection Paper, Mimi Cardstock and Ribbon, Bitty Blooms, Scallop Scissors, Prismacolor Pencils with Mineral Spirits, Brown Scrappers Floss, Corner Rounder, and the photo corners are a Martha Stewart Punch (thank you Sandy). The stamps are from two brand new stamp sets, Bug of Fun and More Bug of Fun, available from The Angel Company beginning on February 1st, 2010.

Feel Better My Friend

I made this card for a recovering friend, hope she likes it. The bear stamp is from a brand new set that will be available from The Angel Company on February 1st. This all occasion, all season set is called Everyday Cuties. The fun part is the sentiments that come with this set are available in English or Spanish. I got the Spanish version, so for my friend I chose a greeting from TAC's Ordinary Greetings . I also used TAC's Tag Tidbits, Catelynne Fly With It Collection papers, Felt Flower and Buttons from the Ava Embellishment Jar, White Scrappers Floss, White Mini Brads, Ribbon from Bazzill, and Rectangle/Scalloped Rectangle Nesties.

A Card for a Friend

I made this card for a friend. The duck stamp is from Adorable Animals and is now retired. It was a special limited edition stamp set offered as part of the Fresh Spring Things promotion back in March 2009. I am sorry to say this is the first time the set has seen ink. I really like the way the card turned out and hope my friend likes it too!

Other products used to make this card include:
TAC Brighten My Day Designer Collection Papers
Tag Tidbits
Swiss Dot Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
White Ultrasmooth Cardstock
Palette Burnt Sienna Ink
White Satin Ribbon
Pinking Scissors
White Mini Brads
Misc. Punches and Sizzix Dies

Want a Copy of Serendipity?

I am so excited! Serendipity is on it's way! If you would like your very own copy of TAC's newest magazine call or email me. This spring issue of Serendipity retails for $2.95 plus shipping and tax. If you place a $50 order with me this month, your copy is FREE! I will be ordering my customer copies on Monday, January 18th. Reserve your copy today.

January News and Notes

Happy New Year! After a very difficult 2009, I am ready for a brand new year! The Angel Company is making some changes that I am thrilled about and I feel renewed. This month I have a bunch of specials and a new class for you! I can not wait to see all of you in the new year.



I love this months Stamp of the Month. Leafy Trees is yours for just $9.75 (retail value $12.95) with a qualifying $30 purchase. I love this all season, all occasion stamp set.



Vintage Stamp of the Month is adorable too! Don't you think those kissy pigs are CUTE? Hogs & Kisses is available for just $9.75 (retail value $12.95) with a qualifying purchase of $30.

Get the Stamp of the Month and Vintage Stamp of the Month while you can. These special stamp sets are only available until January 31st.



Just click the banner to see the adorable Stamp Spree stamp sets available January 1 - March 1. Hostesses, Customers and New Angels will all benefit from TAC's Stamp Spree.

Hostesses can earn Brighten Your Day and Little Darlins FREE! That is in addition to DOUBLE the normally generous hostess benefits.

Customers will be able to purchase the Stamp Spree sets at amazing discounts. Customers making a $30 purchase can also take advantage of the Jump in to January and Fabulous February BOGO offers on Tutti Frutti and Woodrow Keepsake Albums.

New Angels will receive Brighten Your Day, Little Darlins and Furry Friends FREE with the purchase of a Starter Kit.



The following Serendipity stamps are going into retirement and will not return in the future unless offered in an ‘opened vault’. Make sure you add your favorites to your stamp collection before these retire!
Each of these stamps are available now and are discounted 40% off their regular retail prices. Click the banner above for a full list of sets about to retire. Contact me to see a copy of Serendipity or to place your order. These discounts and stamp sets are going, going, and gone as of January 28th.

Another Free Class with Purchase...I Heart You

Purchase 'I Heart You' and get a funValentine class for free! Class is Tuesday night, January 26, from 6:30 to 9:30pm. We will be making a pillow box filled with Valentine tags and mini cards. The box is perfect for a candy treat after you use up the tags and cards. Please RSVP, with payment for your stamp set, by Sunday, January 17th. There will be a mystery hostess, with double hostess benefits, for every 5 people attending this class.



This class and these projects feature; I Heart You - T3215, Memo Fun (40% off) - T3016, Creative Inspiration (40% off) - T3014, Pop Rocks V827 and Mia's Cottage R2503 Soar With It Collections, Mia's Cottage Cardstock B318, and TAC Black and White Ribbon Collection B222. Be sure to get your Creative Inspiration and Memo Fun stamp sets while you still can.

Merriest Wishes/The Coolest

Buy the stamp set, get the class for free! Next Friday, December18th at 6:30pm. You choose the stamp set you want to buy and use in the class. Just email me with your RSVP and set preference.

..............The Coolest: .................................. Merriest Wishes: .............

Christmas Joy

I LOVE TAC's Joyful Ornaments. I think it is my current favorite set for Christmas. Here, I used TAC's Joy of Christmas, Joyful Ornaments, Toodle Loo Paper, and Coordinating Cardstock. Never thought that Toodle Loo could look so Christmas-y. The inks I used to coordinate with the Toodle Loo Soar With It Collection are Versa Magic Tea Leaves, Pink Petunia, and Purple Hydrangea. It is hard to see in the photo, but there is lots of PrismaGlitter and a crystal rhinestone embellishing the ornaments. I love the Victorian feel the pastels have. What do you think?

Another Card for Tomorrow:

Here is another card for tomorrow's class.
It features TAC's Gingerbread Fun and Fairy Tales stamp sets and the Reece Soar With It Collection Paper, Cardstock and Ribbon.
I colored the image with Copic Markers. TAC has a rockin' deal on the Copic Marker Collections until the end of the year.
If you are interested in coming to class tomorrow or want more info about the great price on Copic Markers just email me.

Masterpiece this Friday

Just a quick update:
I am going to have a Masterpiece class on Friday, December 4th. I have two seats open. If you are interested in joining us, just call or email me. This is one of the cards we will be making. It features TAC's Hanging Out and Willoughby Soar With It Collection Paper, Cardstock and Ribbon.

I will also have lots of cards and stamped gift items and class samples for sale at The Creative Hands Boutique. Because it was such and interesting year for me, I was not able to do a lot of new stuff for the craft fair, but there will be things that you might have seen before all marked down to sell. The boutique is at The Church of the Incarnation, 330 West Golf Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005. The hours and dates are as follows:
Thursday, December 3 from 10 AM to 8PM
Friday, December 4 from 9AM to 7PM
Saturday, December 5 from 9AM to 1PM

Gall bladders, yo-yos and Gideon

OK, I admit it. I am crazy for yo-yos! Today, I have a quick card and a new picture of Gideon to share. I had been feeling pretty bad, tired and extremely itchy. Then I had a huge attack of pain. I didn't think too much of it, I thought it was something I ate. When I had the pain again, I decided to go to the doctor. It turned out that my gall bladder needed to be removed asap! My liver functions were off the charts high, that is what caused the itchy! I just had the surgery on Friday night. I am feeling better now but I tell ya, I have had enough of hospitals for this year!

I made this little cutie yo-yo pumpkin card before but I had been feeling so lousy it was hard to get all my work done and still blog! I am feeling better each day so I hope to share more with you in the coming weeks. The card base is some blue match makers cardstock. TAC has it in 8x8, 12x12 and scallop edge pads. The fence is brown cardstock and I used the Scor -Pal and Kai 4 inch scissors to make the pickets. The stamps are TAC's hinges (Level A-Serendipity) and Tag Tidbits. Ribbon is from TAC's Mimi Ribbon collection. I tied the tag on with brown scrappers floss. I don't know what I would do without scrappers floss!

I thought I would also show you G at four months. Isn't he getting big? I am so blessed! Blessings to you too!

Fall Trio - October 30th

Here is a preview of my Fall Trio Class for you. I will need to order things for class so if you are planning on coming email me this weekend. I am going to place my order early next week. I have room for just 5 in this class.

Again, I have to say that Inspiration Avenue has been my favorite TAC publication to date. All three of my Fall Trio projects are heavily inspired by the samples in the magazine.

The first of the three projects in the Trio is an 8x8 wall hanging. First we will create a 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 scrapbook page using Penelope SWIC papers, cardstock and embellishments. Then we will mount it on a fun flat 8x8 artist canvas. This home decor would make an excellent hostess gift for you to take to Thanksgiving dinner.

We will also be making this cute nut cup and card. These would also make fantastic teacher, coworker, or hostess gifts. All projects feature 'Nuts About You' (those adorable chipmunks), Penelope papers and ribbons, scrappers floss and lots of flowers, buttons and felt from our embellishment boxes.

Last photo is just a fun fall picture taken by my daughter Desi. My kids just love fall leaves! They like to rake them up and jump in them. They build up the pile as big as they can, even including leaves from my neighbors yard. This year Desi got the idea to shape the pile into a heart. I thought it was a very happy fall picture and wanted to share with you. At the Alvarez house, WE {heart} FALL!


Happy Fall Y'all!

A Card to Share

Where have I been you ask? Well see, I can explain. I know these two Funny GIRLS that taught me all about couponing! Now I can not resist a 'deal'. It's an addiction, but one that is good for my family budget. Here is a picture after a wild night spent at Kmart. I had more stuff that didn't make it into the picture and there are somethings that you can not see at all cause other things are blocking. I spent $133.64 and saved $212.00 in coupons. I got all these groceries and essentials as well as 7 Christmas gifts! The picture doesn't do the deal justice.

Anyway, that is most likely not what you are here to read about so...on to the card I have to share! I made this one for a Masterpiece Card Class so you will see it in class eventually. It features Rose Collage, a TAC level A hostess set, and TAC's Angelee Soar With It Collection Cardstock, Ribbon and Papers. I used my handy dandy Dove Blender Pen and fancy dancey Jewel Tone Shimmer Chalks to color the Rose Collage. It has a beautiful shimmer in real life. I stamped a second Rose Collage and colored just the blue banner portion. Then I popped out the banner as a second layer. It is a nice detail that you could miss looking at the photo. I hope you like my Rose Collage! I think it is such a beautiful stamp, it make elegant cards EASY.

TAC is offering double hostess benefits now through the end of the year! Want Rose Collage FREE? Email or call me and we can arrange for you and your stamping friends to have a girls night out hostess split. You host, I'll bring a fun project, Your friends bring a $50 order and EVERYONE is a hostess!