Our furbaby who is having FUN - first attempt at posting her flix

Our furbaby, Inu, had lots of fun at last weekend's doggy event, Wags for Wishes.  This was a fundraising event for Make a Wish, and there were many different activities for dogs - you could do activities that your dog had never even tried too!  Since we have been taking dog agility classes for a couple years now, our furbaby, Inu, has improved at jumping over and through hurdles so we wanted to see what other things she might enjoy at this event.  In the picture above, she is waiting to try the luring run.

In this activity the dog runs after a "lure" that is attached to a rope that is set up to entice them to get it - in this lure run, it looked like some fuzzy object. Inu keeps trying to run after the rabbits she sees during her daily walks, so when we said "bunny," she immediately perked up -- like in that movie, "UP," where the dogs perk up when they hear "squirrel!"

Inu is looking at that fuzzy lure and not quite believing, but hoping, that for once, she will be able to run loose after that bunny - although she has gotten away from us a couple time doing just that....but this time, she will be encouraged to chase it!  Now you have to know, that when Inu was 5 months old, we tried one of these lure runs with her, and guess who ended up chasing the bunny?  Not Inu, but ME, trying to show her what she was suppose to do!  So we weren't entirely sure she would do what she was "suppose" to do!!  But look at how Inu is watching the lure? That's a good sign!!

 Boy, did she take off after it when we let her go!!  I used my cell phone to get a flix of her, so hope you can see her in this little video!

She had such fun, doing this 3 times- the second time was her best - 16 seconds!! 

Springtime vintage card with ribbon rosette

I played with some of the new Stampin' Up items I had (from the Occasions mini-catalog) since I was inspired from the class I took last weekend by Diana Gibbs....This card is cased from one of the cards we did, and also is for a design challenge on SUDSOL - You can try out Sudsol for free for 2 weeks if you are a demonstrator...click on the link at the bottom of my blog.  Right now is a perfect time to become a demonstrator since you can get lots of free products at a great savings with the SaleABration event!  If you are interested, let me know OK?

I used cardstock in Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, and Old Olive, along with the new designer paper Springtime Vintage - don't they look great together?

The top 2 layers are torn and edged with matching ink, and the stamps are from the Razzle Dazzle and Upsy Daisy stamp sets.  Now you wouldn't think tearing paper could be difficult....but there is an "art" to tearing it so it looks pretty! lol

Then I outlined the floral stamp with an Old Olive marker and also used it to color 3 pearls that were adhered.  But my most favorite part of this card is the ribbon rosette!!  These are a new item and not only are they already made up from ribbon, but you get a bunch of them!  Quick and easy, now that's painless!!  I just put several mini-glue dots on the back of the rosette, and it added a whole new beautiful look to this card, don't you think? 

You can get the Stampin' Up products to make up this card (and more) too - and then get free products as well right now....I would love to help you and get you started!  Please send me an email if you have any questions on any of my designs - I like reading comments and feedback too!  Have a great weekend...

2 more polka dot cards with "hybrid" Stampin Up; SaleABration pics

SaleABration....Free product of your choice in SaleABration catalog with every $50 order

Here is one of the products that you can get free with your order - click on SaleABration picture on left side of my blog to view the other products you can get free in this catalog!  Limited time only....

Photo cube - details and pics on how to make it; SaleABration started today!!

First I have to tell you the biggest news about the Stampin' Up SaleABration that just started today - it is one of the best all 'round events offered every year where you can get great FREE products from the SaleABration catalog for every $50 you order.  On the left side of my blog you can click on the picture of the catalog and see the awesome products you can get free....I know I am going to take advantage of this - I've been waiting to put in my order so I could take advantage of this!

 And here are the pictures of the Decor Elements decor block that I made into a photo cube (yes, you can order the blocks from me - $9.95 for a set of 4, so you can make a set of them!)

More dots - polka dot card to match the photo cube

I wanted to make a card to match the photo cube I did this week, and needed to come up with a double embossed/textured card and a card using a polka dots theme.  So I combined all these ideas, and here is what I came up with...The colors I used were Stampin' Up's pear pizzaz, always artichoke, and marina mist....I love the glimmer brad that I put in the center of the always artichoke seam binding ribbon bow.  This ribbon is so soft and smooth.  Before I embossed the bottom half of the card front, I stamped little polka dots - this stamp was from the Season of Joy stamp set and it is suppose to be little snowflakes, but it worked for the dots!!  The card looks much prettier IRL (in real life).

So does this card scream "DOTS!" or what??!!

The 2 Stampin' Up embossing folders used were perfect polka dots and square lattice, along with the ticker corner punch and greeting from the Sweet Birthday stamp set.

Dot, dot, who's got the dot? Is it the dog?

I was in a dotty mood this week...a polka dot mood that is, and wanted to make something with polka dots.  Here is what I started with - I covered a plain wooden block with designer papers, then sanded the edges with Stampin' Up's distressing kit.  Used the same designer papers to diecut lots of daisies out because I had in mind to case something I made at the local Spring Fling last year.  And I wanted to give someone a little birthday present.

And here is what I ended up with - it's a photo cube - in bright and cheery colors!  I will share more details and pictures later this week....

And here is my in-house supervisor, our furbaby Inu, curled up on the new recliner that is stuck in the "up" position.  The motor broke so until the part comes in, the recliner is "up...."  I was at the table on the other side of the recliner, and couldn't see her, but I heard all this noise - had to check out what the heck she was doing....I even had time to snap a picture of her because I was taking pictures of my photo cube (before the batteries died).  She thinks this is a good spot in case food happens to show up!  lol

More pictures and details on the photo cube later....:-)

Jan. 28th multi-media arts craft class

Monthly craft class

Multi-media arts!

Learn to emboss and make quick and easy diecut decorative embellishments with the Cuttlebug

Friday, January 28th; 2 - 4 p.m.; $10

(sign up by January 24th to reserve your spot)

In this class you will make a heart pouch and 6 cards that you will be able to add a greeting to, so they can be used for different occasions, and ready at a moment's notice!

If you would like the projects but cannot come to the class at my home, I would be glad to put together a kit-to-go for you.....$10 for class or the kit.

This would be a great kit to have your grandchildren or children do with you!!

Send me an email if you want to sign up for the class or would like me to send you the flyer, OK?

One dozen buttons in pear pizzaz-these cards dedicated to Cristena B & Jean F!

First I am dedicating my cards and posting today to a SU friend, Cristena B - she sent me a great Christmas gift that was totally unexpected by me - a RAK....it was such a nice surprise to receive this hostess set from the Stampin' Up 2010-2011 Idea Catalog.  It was the Designer series paper patterns pack In colors (p. 11) and I had seen them but didn't ever think I would be able to get it....but I did and so I used as much of the pear pizzaz paper in it to make these cards.  The papers were reversible, so I had lots of fun mixing and matching them! 

And because another super nice SU friend had a birthday yesterday, Jean F, so one of these birthday cards is dedicated to her long-distance!

I have to mention that I have never met either of these awesome people IRL (in real life) but have become "friends" with them because of my connection with Stampin' Up and the internet!!  Stampin' Up is like that....

So onto the fun I had making these cards, which also were designed for the Sudsol design challenge this week, which was BUTTONS! 

Here are 4 of the button variations

Free bitty buttons; watercolored cards

Just wanted to remind you that there are a few more days for Stampin' Up's Filled With Love bundle where you will get free bitty buttons with your order (to Jan. 24).  Here is a picture of the bitty buttons and a closeup of them. I have used them on several projects and they go with everything....so cute!

The bitty buttons are a $4.95 value:  Add a bit more eye-pleasing detail to your projects with Bitty Buttons. These clear mini buttons coordinate with both the Itty Bitty Bits stamp set and the shapes in our Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack. Mix them all together for a charming spell of itty bits for your favorite keepsakes...

And when you place an order with me you will also receive a free tutorial from me for a Build a Card Kit projects!  Here is a picture of the projects to make in the Build a Card Kit tutorial:

This weekend I was fortunate enough to go to a watercoloring class that Diana Gibbs

Recycling my mini-tree!

I bet you have taken down all your Christmas decorations, just like me. But I just couldn't put my little tree away - I discovered it can be redecorated for other holidays! This is what it looked like as part of our Christmas decorations....I used it as a little Christmas tree for our furbaby...see there is her Christmas gourmet doggy bone underneath it. I hung her doggy Christmas ornament on it, but forgot to take a picture of that....next year I will put more doggy ornaments on it. 

Last year I used the tree for an Easter decoration - I had just bought the little tree at a church lawn sale along with some cute bunny baskets. I made up Easter-type peppermint patty treats to hang on it, which could be reused as candy holders or a bookmark afterwards. See how cute it was?

Oval Scallop Frame diecut photo card a la vintage; oranges in Dec.; more new Stampin Up items

I had to make a masculine birthday card so went with the cream, white, and black colors....I used Stampin' Up's oval scallop frame diecut to put around the photo, which was printed in black and white and lightly chalked with pastels in a few spots, to make it look vintagey! I also distresssed the designer paper Loveletters mounted on gray cardstock. The frame was also swiped with white ink. Here is a great way to use up some of those ribbon scraps you might have! I put one on either side of the frame and adhered them with an antique brad...I just love that striped grosgrain ribbon...

The new Stampin' Up Occasions catalog is here! Get free tutorial with your order

         

I just had to share pictures of some of the beautiful items available in Stampin' Up's newest Occasions mini-catalog, and what you can make with them!  There are breathtaking designer papers and fabric, with matching ribbons, brads, buttons....

Below is a picture of a new diecut to make adorable petal cones (they used to call them "tussies")

And here is a new simply sent card kit called Medallion Medley

If you are feeling kinda down with the after-holiday blues, or already tired of snow and/or cold, take a look at Stampin' Up's Occasions Mini-Catalog that just came out....the items and ideas in it will take your mind off them and put you in a better mood!  Just click on the picture of the mini-catalog on the left side of my blog, and make a list of a few things you HAVE to have....just like that New Year's resolutions list!

But this is something you can act on now and get almost-instant gratification - Send me an email with the items you would like to buy and I can invoice you via Paypal, OK? 

And you will also get my January monthly class tutorial for free!  The tutorial is to make a Build A Card kit so you will have 8 great cards ready to customize in an instant (just add paper, etc.) More almost-instant gratification!!  Wouldn't this make your life more organized and maybe give your children or grandchildren a great project too? 

So take a couple minutes for some "me" time - take a peek at the new Stampin' Up mini-catalog - and send me an email with your list (mklecuyer@hotmail.com) OK?

Thanks for stopping by!!