Definately Summer but looking towards the holdays!

I love summer vacation and the extra time I get to spend with the kiddos with out all of the stress of school.  But of course with that my schedule becomes more and more unpredictable.  And then when I finally got the chance to get back to stamping and have some computer time to myself, the air conditioning goes out.  This is just in time for triple digit weather, so we spent as much time away from home as possible.  I am happy to report that we are now cool at home and I have time to stamp once again (until something else happens). 

One child noticed that the gift for their teacher was not posted so he felt left out.  He had the same teacher as his sister did last year so she already had a Teacher Story Journal Jar, so we made some cards and a clipboard.

I have the privilege of designing again for the next round of UStamp With Dawn and Friends!! I know that it may seem a little too early to start thinking about the Holidays but trust me it will be here before you know it.  I have already got a big jump on my Christmas cards so I am excited to get started on some more holiday projects.  Plus from seeing the chatter on our designer group of the ideas people are throwing around, you will not be disappointed!  Plus each event is just so much fun.

I ♥ the Holidays!! 2011...

 Aug 12 - Aug 31: I ♥ the Holidays!! 2011

 * Get a HUGE jump on your Holiday Crafting!! Featuring FAB projects for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!!

* 40+ projects shared in 20 days!!

* Downloadable PDF Tutorial for EVERY project!! 

* Live Chats!!

* Prizes!!

* Member Gallery to share YOUR creative genius!!

* So much more!!

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School’s Out For the Summer!!

Well the kids got out of school on Friday and we are all at home.  I love being able to spend extra time with the kids.  We always start summer out with trips to the library and bookstores to sign up for reading programs and of course some extra cleaning. 

Last year we gave out Teacher Journal Jars, and they seemed to be a big hit, so I did one again this year.  This is such a great gift idea for teachers to record their history and to share a part of them with their posterity.  (You can check out the one that we did last year here with links to downloads).  I was able to use up some retiring items on this gift!  I will be sad to see Tart and Tangy go, the little images are so great to use for all occasions.  I have also really enjoyed using the Greenhouse Gala DSP over the past year. 

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Blog Hop - Blog Candy Winner

The winner of the free pass to the next round of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! is .........  
DAWN EVANS!

Handcrafted By Dawn said...

I wasn;t sure I wanted this stamp set, but I believe you have just changed my mind. Lovely project, thanks for sharing and for the chance for blog candy.  

 Congratulations Dawn, and thank you ALL for the sweet comments.  I will be back tomorrow with some new stamping samples for you!Pin It Now!

First EVER UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Blog Hop - Brag Book

Welcome to the UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! World Showcase Blog Hop.

If you have been following the Blog Hop from the beginning, you have just been wowed by Beth's project. Wasn't it great technique??

If you are just joining the Blog Hop, no problem as you can start at any point. All the Designer's Blogs are linked together so you will be able to see ALL the super projects we have for you.

For my project I of course had to use my current favorite stamp set Fabulous Florets. (I hope I have not made you sick and tired of it already.)

This is a fun little brag book to tote around or even a mini scrapbook out of. The pages are made out of Stampin' Up!'s fabulous clear envelopes. You can just slip a picture into the pocket of the envelope or you can take it a step further and decorate the pages like you would a scrapbook. I love making these books and giving them to someone special makes them even more fun. I made this one for my 3rd child who is always amazed at her baby pictures. She is 4 now and will just love to get this book. Here is a sneak peak at one of the inside pages.

As a Special Thank You for stopping by my blog I am giving away BLOG CANDY!! Please leave a comment about my project to be entered for a chance to win a FREE PASS to the next UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! session - I ♥ the Holidays!! I will randomly select a winner to be announced on Monday, so please check back to see if you are the lucky recipient. If you have already joined I ♥ the Holidays!! for the Special Party Pricing and you are selected as the winner, you will get a FREE Pass to the NEXT event after I ♥ the Holidays!! which will launch in the Fall.

AND now for the really cool part!! You will NOT want to miss out in THIS!!

By clicking this really cute blinkie...yeah...go ahead and click it!!...

you will be taken to

THE WORLD SHOWCASE BLOG HOP WEBSITE!!

Of course it's ***FREE*** to join and there you will find the tutorials for all the blog hop projects,

PLUS live chats, challenges and more prizes!!

You will even have an opportunity to be considered for a spot as a Guest Designer!!

Yes!! It is all FREE, so tell all your friends and join the fun with UStamp with Dawn and Friends!!

AND last but certainly not least, please hop on over to NEXT BLOG where you will find Gilda with another great project to inspire you.

Thanks again for stopping by!!

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Fabulous and Fun

I am having so much fun using the Fabulous Florets stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog.  I keep putting it back away so that it is not out and my “go-to” set but I cannot keep myself from grabbing it.  It is so easy and fun to use.  Here is a simple card that I made using the set. 

The colors I used are Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point and Pear Pizzazz.  I didn't really want to mat the image layer but it felt like it needed a little something so I took my Pacific Point marker and used the brush tip along the edge of the cardstock to give it a little outline, just what it needed.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the UStamp Blog Hop!

Have you heard? In honor of our 2 year anniversary for  the NEXT UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! event will be FREE!! Yep, Zip, Zero Zilch, Nada, completely free, no strings attached!!

* The FABULOUS UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Design Team will have awesome projects for you to enjoy at their blogs on the Worlds Showcase Blog Hop.

* Every project will include a link for a downloadable PDF tutorial.

* Every Designer will have BLOG Candy at their blogs and YOU could be a winner!!

*We will have FUN Creative Challenges where you can share your projects

* Talent Search...would you like to be considered for a Guest Designer spot for the UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! Design Team?? Get your MoJo going because details will be announced June 10th.

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Diva Coffee Break Designs Challenge 231

This week’s challenge is a sketch.  It is fairly simple so you can do a lot with it to make it your own.  I have been trying to pull out some of my retiring items to get the most use out of them before they are gone.  I am so sad that the spiral punch is retiring.  Most of what is leaving did not bother me this year but this punch.  I use it a lot, so it is one that I will keep around long after it is retired.

 

It is kind of funny how this card put itself together.  I had the left over flowers (from my UStamp Blog Hop project coming on FRI!) cut out and sitting on top of this miss cut Top Note Die and I instantly knew what I wanted to do and who to send it to.  Since I know that she loves orange I had to pull that color in to and like the way the colors pop out .  It is a fun and cheery card.

Don't forget to head over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs Blog to play along with this week’s challenge.

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A Recent Swap

OK so it wasn’t all that recent, but it was the most recent swap that I participated in.  I made this back before my stamping hiatus.  I chose to share it with you because I really like the birds in this little stamp set and it is on the retiring list.  The birds are just too cute. 

This card is pretty simple to replicate so it would be great for a class or workshop.  It is hard to tell in this picture but there is some saffron sponging on the bird focal image.  In person it adds the perfect depth to make the image pop. 

Stamps: Happy Together, Medallion

Ink: So Saffron, Poppy Parade

Paper:So Saffron, Poppy Parade, Pawsitively Prints II DSP, Whisper White

Accessories:  Stampin Dimensionals, Poppy Parade Stitched Poly Ribbon

Tools: 1 3/8” and 1 1/4” Circle Punches

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Diva Coffee Break Designs Challenge 230

Sorry I am a bit late, I was a day off because of the Memorial Day holiday.  I was completely out of it and off by a day, I even forgot about the retired lists coming out today.  I cannot believe that I missed staying up to find out everything. 

Today’s color challenge is a pretty springy looking set of colors. 

I love making non-traditional sized cards to tuck in with things like little gifts or lunches or even just a plate of cookies to a friend.  This card measures 3 1/4 x 4 1/4.    I figured it was time to dust off some of my hostess sets and use them a few more times since they will be retiring soon.  I really like how easy this set is to use. 

 

Stamps:  Just Because, Three Little Words

Ink:  Marina Mist, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black

Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango Patterned Paper

Accessories:  Marina Mist grosgrain ribbon,

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