Shoebox Stampers

Summer time vacation warning!

We had a great time on our vacation at the end of May - we went to St Petersburgh, FL, and spent most of our time on the beach and in the pool.  We took one day to go to Magic Kingdom in Orlando. Considering we drove to Florida from Missouri, and that our kids are 4, 6, and 8, we really enjoyed the trip!  However, well, keep reading...

Don't they look like they are having fun?  We did so much while we were there!  My husband found a tour online and we were able to get to all the rides we wanted!

Doesn't she look like she's enjoying herself?  She had a great time jumping in the water, and she even joined her father way out in the water.

Ben just started showing some bravery in the water - those arm bands didn't last very long!

Andrew had the best time doing it all!  He loved the beach (was going out over his head - thank goodness for arm bands!), enjoyed the pool, and found out he loves mint ice cream!

I took over 400 pictures on that vacation.  Guess how many I am in?  The only pictures I am in are the ones that were taken on the last full day there as a group!  I am not in any of the ocean pictures, pool pictures, beach pictures, etc!  So here's the warning - make sure you hand that camera off to someone else on your summer vacation so everyone knows you were there too!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Had to share some of my favorites

So, just in case you need one more reminder, one more subtle push to pick up that stamp set before it's gone...well, I am here to provide!  I pulled some of my favorite swaps I have received from various meetings to share with you. 

This swap from Doreen Viking in WI uses It's a Sign - while I think this set is cute, I just love what she die with it!  I'm saving this one - I was even thinking scrapbook!  What a fun card!

What is it about dinosaurs that are just fun?  I know they would have been terrifying to have seen in real life (admit it, you've thought about it just once!) but as stamps they are just fun!  This swap uses Prehistoric Pals, and I'm sad to see it go - it's nice to have a great little boy set - can't wait to see what's new for boys!

I picked up To have and to hold (swap by Cheryl Hoffman) when it first came out since my sister was getting married, and I just love it!  I really love the glittery wedding dress on this sample, the beautiful pink flowers, and the white stamping on vellum.  Very pretty!

Oooh, this stamp set, Wild for you, reminds me so much of my sister's baby room!  She did it in a jungle theme, with lions, elephants, and giraffes, in beautiful greens, blues, yellows and purples!  This is another great kid set - sorry to see it going.

And Zoofari is leaving us - another fun juvenile set.  I love this one because I am not much into coloring things in.  I really like the idea of stamping in colors.  This will be a card that I case into something else. 

Did you see anything you like?  Make sure to place your order here (click shop now on top right corner) before midnight mountain time tomorrow.  No regrets now!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Scrapbookin' on Saturday - birthday breakfast

While I was really wanting to pull out some girl pictures, I grabbed some of Andrew's since he's been a bit frustrated because the pages were not his!  This was his second birthday - Ben was still attending the school for the deaf so we took him to his favorite "coffee shop," Mobil in Chesterfield!  My husband took the day off and came with us, and the girls in the store (who had known Andrew since he was less than two weeks old) gave him a bag of m&m's. 

I used prints from our Urban Oasis and Walk in the Park Designer Series papers - I loved how they used the same colors (kiwi kiss and basic gray) so were really easy to mix 'n match.  I also used a couple pieces from our Stylized silver hodgepodge hardware, plus our new grommets, and a clear button (I haven't used those yet - what fun!).  The sentiment on the top right is from Short & sweet on kiwi kiss in basic gray ink.  I punched it out with our 1 inch circle punch and it fit perfectly!  Finally, I used our retiring Short order alphabet in whisper white ink for the title.

Did you notice all the circles in the page (remind anyone of donuts???)?   Did you also notice how simple and easy it is?  There is no stamping other than the title, and the pictures are all rectangles - in fact, I didn't even crop the two on the left page!  But if simple is not your style, let me know and I'll try to mix it up.  If it is, share some ideas or your favorite layouts!

Wish shoe stampin' (and scrapbookin') fun!

Winner shares creations

Alicia Coulombe from West Melbourne, FL, won the prize pack June 1 for guessing the most correct retired stamp sets, so I mailed off a retired In Full Bloom Simply Scrappin' Kit and wondered what she might create.  Imagine how surprised I was when she shared her cards made from a Scrappin' Kit!

 

Isn't this a great card?  She added the Sale-a-bration set Congratulations for a great anniversary card.  The card is cut 5 1/2 by 12, then scored at 2, 4, 8, and 10 inches.  Cut between the 2 and 10 inch scores at 1 1/2 inches in (leaving a 2 inch center).  I love how she used so many different images and prints.  I can't wait to make one of these - this is so inspiring! 

I love how simple this one is, using the self-adhesive cardstock die-cuts and printed papers to create a really nice card.  She only stamped the sentiment in the center - I'll be this one was quick to complete.

Oh, the more I see her samples, the more I miss this set!  If you'd like to create something like this with a Scrappin' kit, you can go to my online ordering feature and see what's available - several of the sets include sentiments so you don't even need any stamps.  I really love it when someone shares what they've created with one of my prize packs or donations, or even using products they've ordered!  If you have one you've received and would like to share, send me a picture.  I'd love to share it!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

How totally forgetful of me!

When I composed Tuesday's post, I was waterlogged from a day at Raging Rivers (a super fun water park 1 1/2 hours from us) so I wasn't quite all there.  When I went to check on things yesterday, I realized that I had forgotten to share a couple of the cards we had created last Friday. 

You've all heard of Christmas in July, right?  I know it's not July yet, but I just had to use this stamp set, Snowburst, just one more time!  I also had to use riding hood red again, paired with basic gray, so created this not-so-traditional holiday card.  I also wanted to get some more mileage out of Holidays & wishes, another one of my favorites.  Wouldn't this be beautiful in blues too? 

This card uses Wonderful you, a set that surprised me in how often I used it!  I cut a piece from our Walk in the park designer series papers, then stamped on it in kiwi kiss ink, another color that is retiring.  I paired this with elegant eggplant and lavendar lace for a more elegant look.  I don't usually stamp on printed papers so it was fun to do something different!

If you'd like to add one of these stamp sets or ink colors to your stamping supplies, email me or order them straight away at my website.  You only have 5 days left!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Would you like to see another sneak peek?

I participate in a swap group whenever we have a new catalog or brochure because as demonstrators, we get a sneak peek (and a great discount - almost 40%!) at new stamp sets and accessories.  So I was able to use a bunch of new stuff!  Plus I couldn't decide, so I have two similar cards to share.

I love the new Melon mambo color - it's so pink!  Here I combined it with Pretty in pink for a soft, feminine card.  After stamping our En francais background stamp in melon mambo ink, I used our new stamp set Razzle dazzle, stamping in versamark and embossing in whisper white.  I used the paper on the rubber leftovers to create the sponged edging.  And I used our texturz die for the larger background.  The sentiment is from our new set Teeny tiny messages, and I love it!  They all (almost) fit into our word window punch and this new Modern label punch.  (Wait until you see the other punches!). 

This one is so similar, but I added the polka dot ribbon (I just had to!).  The new catalog arrives by July 1, so if you would like a copy, let me know!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Ideas using last chance sets

I had so much fun Friday night doing my Retired class.  Congratulations to Ruth who won the retired guessing game - all she had to do was guess whether the sample was leaving due to color or stamp set.  I love this game!  We also created four more cards than I showed last week so I thought I would share them so you can see more ideas using these great sets.

I like this one!  This uses our riding hood red, which is retiring, with our chocolate chip and the curly label punch kit.  I hadn't made one like this, with the see through window, but how neat is that!  I also like the flower fusion felt flower inside. 

 

I am so sad that To have and to hold is retiring!  I love this husband and wife couple - just beautiful!  I used the pink pirouette, which is retiring, and embossed with our Big Shot Texturz plates.  I added the striped satin ribbon and of course some dazzling diamonds glitter. 

If you haven't seen the last chance list, make sure to do so.  All orders must be placed by June 30 because after that, they are gone! So email me or using my online ordering feature so you don't have to kick yourself for missing these favorites!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Sneak peek - New In Colors!

I love this time of year: the unveiling of the new colors! 

The words are a bit small so we have, from left to right, rich razzleberry, soft suede, bermuda bay, crushed curry, melon mambo, and dusty durango!  I am in heaven - there's a pink and purple this time!  Ooh, la la!  Whatever shall I make first?!? 

You know the new book comes out July 1, so mark your calendar and send me an email so you can have your catalog right away! 

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Scrapbookin' on Saturday - Read 2 me

I know, I know, I have to get away from the pink and boys' pages, but I couldn't help it!  The pictures were taken in Grace's room (super girly!) so I went with those colors.  My options would be to print them in black and white, which I think I will do next time, but I guess when I was printing I wasn't thinking! 

I like the kiwi kiss in the Raspberry Tart Designer series papers (which is on the last chance list and still available 113975) - not only is a similar color in Grace's pillows, but it keeps the page from being way over the top girly (at least I'm hoping!). 

You can see there's nothing fancy about this page - it's simply Designer series papers, pretty in pink cardstock and ink.  I used the rose red craft ink for the title, and did the journaling with our Stampin' Write marker in the same color.  I think I finished this page in less than 20 minutes.  I showed it to Ben, and he seemed to like it!

What do you think of the pink for a scrapbook page for a boy?  I'll work on getting back to boy stuff!  Maybe I should go back to the drawing board and just put this in Grace's book!

Wish shoe stampin' (and scrapbookin') fun!

Need some help with Father's Day?

I just had to share a couple cards I found on our Stampin' Up! website - they are so perfect for Father's Day.  The first one uses the And many mower set from our Occasions mini brochure. 

Stamps: And Many Mower Stamp Set Polka Dot Stamp Set	Paper: Card Stock Sahara Sand 8 1/2X11 Card Stock Baja Breeze 8 1/2 X 11 Card Stock Kiwi Kiss 8 1/2 X 11 Card Stock Pacific Point 8 1/2 X 11 Card Stock Whisper White 8 1/2X11
Inks: Stazon Pad Jet Black Classic Stampin Pad Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin Pad Sahara Sand Classic Stampin Pad Baja Breeze Classic Stampin Pad Pacific Point Classic Stampin Pad Blush Blossom Classic Stampin Pad Going Gray	Accessories: Sizzix Big Shot Machine Sizzix Texturz Plates Backgrounds #1 Punch 1 3/8 Inch Circle Punch Oval Small Punch Large Star Aqua Painters Stamping Sponges

The second idea uses our Totally tool stamp set and just screams Dad, if you ask me!  Nancy Wolfe did a great job with this - how many men do you know who golf? 

Stamps: Totally Tool Stamp Set	Paper: Card Stock Night Of Navy 8 1/2X11 Card Stock More Mustard 8 1/2X11 Card Stock Brushed Silver 8 1/2X11 Card Stock Yoyo Yellow 8 1/2X11 Card Stock Close To Cocoa 8 1/2X11 Card Stock Tangerine Tango 8 1/2 X 11
Inks: Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen Classic Stampin Pad More Mustard Versamark Pad Craft Stampin Pad Whisper White Stampin Write Marker Yoyo Yellow Stampin Write Marker Close To Cocoa Stampin Write Marker Ruby Red Stampin Write Markers Neutrals	Accessories: Brads Silver Ribbon Grosgrain Whisper White 1/4 Inch Stampin Emboss Powder Black Sponge Daubers Heat Tool Embossing Buddy Stamp-A-Ma-Jig Snail Adhesive Permanent Stampin Dimensionals Crystal Effects Sticky Strip

Don't you love the way Martha Devries used the brads like nails at the bottom of the card?  I just love this one! 

I hope these ideas give you a jump-start (no pun intended!) on your Father's Day card!  If you need some more ideas, just send me an email!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!