Blog candy!

While I am at convention, I will pick up a few goodies for blog candy! I will draw the winner when I return on Friday evening! I'm thinking of the ribbon keychain from Stamin' Up! and more! Leave me a comment for one chance. Leave a post on your blog for 5 more chances!! Tell me what your favorite book of all time is! (I love to read and need some new books and authors!) ((Hugs))

Last Convention Swap!

Here is a diorama card for a WOW card swap. These are so much fun to make. Scoring is at 1/2 and 1 inch on each side and then just fold! Here is one of the few stamp sets that didn't retire - Eat Cake. Fun to work with! I need to get one of those light boxes that Taylor blogged about! My photos just don't turn out clearly! Vent! Vent! Well, It's hard to believe - this is the last one I need to work on! Yeah! Thanks for stopping by!

Spazzgirl's CHA Giveaway!!

I bet most of you have been to Spazzgirl's (Simone's) blog! She is the best! She was a lucky girl and went to CHA! She has so generously put up TWO blog candies from her CHA loot! It is fabulous! Click here to enter to for a chance to win the most amazing blog candy! Thanks for a chance Simone!

RAK and Christmas in July

Seriously, have you been to Miss Trish's blog? You need to check it out! She is the sweetest and so talented! Today she sent me this amazing RAK. It was truly Christmas in July! Thanks so much Trish! You are an angel!!

The Blog candy winner!!

is.................


Tisha! Yeah! Check out Tisha's inspiring blog here! Please email me your address and I will get the package out to you! Thanks everyone. Be certain to look for more blog candy soon!

Big Celebrations Swap

Guess what I'm doing today? Making more swaps for convention. I will never be ready!! Are you loving this set yet??

The Open House Was a Success

The Open House was lots of fun! Ruth Ann was my first guest and she drone 1/2 hour to get here!! There were samples, a make-n-take, free catalogues, free stamps with a purchase, cookies, and sign-up for classes! Here is Kris who signed up for a party! Yeah!! Ruth Ann signed up for the holiday stamp-a-stack in August.

Here are two future bloggers and stamping stars! Claudia and Natalie love stamping and may be taking the mother-daughter class I am having September 8th. Aren't they adorable!?

Don't forget I am pulling for blog candy tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by! I am off to make some more swaps for convention! ((Hugs))

Card for Mother-Daughter Class and Rhi's Challenge

Here is a card I made with Rhiannon's tutorial and challenge! I needed to make a card for a mother-daughter class I have coming up and I love her ribbon technique! Click here to see. For the colors, I knew I wanted to use Groovy Guava and for the rest I used the Stampin' Up Color Combo Site . I love this SU! set, Big Celebrations. I colored with colored pencils (Simone you have me on a roll!). Hugs! Hello Tami and Trisha! I miss you!

Today is the Open House!!!

I'll be back tomorrow! I'm planning a mother-daughter class in early September and a Christmas stamp-a-stack for the end of August. Have a happy day! I need to get the craft room more organized, does anyone have any great tips??

Anything, but a Card

Hello! I just finished 20 of these gatefold mini albums for a SU! swap! As with most things, they are so much cuter in person. It's hard to a capture how they open. But I hope this gives you some inspiration! Here is the album closed:

Here is the album opened:

And there is a trifold that kind of springs out at you :). You can place 5 photos inside:

If you have any questions, just leave a comment and I will get back to you!!

A Great Find

While waiting around at Barnes & Noble for Harry Potter, I found this book. The Cute Book by Aranzi Aronzo is filled with patterns to make felt mascots! How adorable is that. I am going to attempt making a few of them. If they turn out semi-well, I'll post some of the creations! Don't they look adorable?

BLOG CANDY!!

I have often seen blogs that say, I am offering blog candy because I reached the 10,000 mark and I didn't realize it. I thought, "WOW", how does that happen? Such a big milestone, who wouldn't notice? HELLO... I wouldn't!! I am offering a blog candy for reaching 11,000 posts and I didn't know it! Thanks everyone!! I love doing this blog! It makes me happy! Just leave me a comment and tell me what makes you happy! Here are the goods:

I will use Random.org to pick a number. The drawing will be Friday at 1pm CST! Items include a Creative Memories 7x7 Mickey Mouse album ('cause I love Mickey), scrapbooker's glue, Karen Foster boot loopy brads ('cause I'm loopy), A Muse bling, A Muse ribbon, Stampassions buttons and bows, an A Muse sticker, 2 bee stamps, a tin bucket, assorted ribbon and fibers, 100 heart brads, and metal daisy charms! Enjoy!

Pay It Forward

Hello!! Can everyone who signed up please email me their snail mail addresses so I can mail you your gift? Thanks! (email link is to the right)>

Pay It Forward!

My friend Rhiannon has decided to join forces on a Pay it Forward project. I thought this sounded like such a stupendous idea, that I too am going to take part!

Here’s how it works:

I will make and send 3 handmade gifts to three people. In requesting one of these gifts, you do the same and join in the Pay It Forward exchange. So again, I’ll send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment requesting to join this PIF exchange. I am not sure what my gifts will be, but I look forward to creating something! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. Got it?

According to Rhiannon, this exchange has been going for quite some time…she tracked it back nine times…which makes me number ten! The recap: I will be gifting three people and in turn you need to gift three more! Let’s keep this going!!

If you want to join in the fun, just leave a comment here…Thanks so much! (((HUGS)))

Carloyn P. RAK

I am such a lucky girl. One of my new friends from Amuseapalooza that I met from Tami is Carolyn. She is an amzing artist and such a genuine person. You all would LOVE her. She just sent me these amazing ATC's that she made. I *heart* them! Carolyn is involved with an ATC group that Tami is also in. They create fun themes each month and they learn techniques from each other. How fun is that?!! I'm sending you (((Hugs))) Carolyn!! Thanks so much!

Swap #2 for the SCS swap!

I love this card. It uses the new Batty For You SU! stamp and the Bitty Boos Too set. The technique I found from an A Muse challenge. I love the traditional orange and black for Halloween mixed with a little green or purple. Here goes a busy few days making 49 more!!

RAK and ATC's from Rhiannon at Rings Like A Bell

So most have you have heard about Tami and my fascination with Rhiannon's piggy ATC!! It arrived today! Oh joy! I love it! Thanks so much Rhiannon!! Little did I know I would be equally in love with her other creations! She is a stamping superstar!! Here are the creations and the RAK.

RAK from Kathy W.

Here is a sweet card from Kathy W. She sent it as a thank you for winning my blog candy and Kathy said it was a card from one of the very first SU stamp camps from last summer! Thanks so very much Kathy!!

RAK and I won blog candy!

I won a wonderful blog candy from Lori at Inking Aloud!! She sent me this darling card!!


Thanks so much Lori!

The secret up Tami's and my sleeve...

New A Muse Ribbon! The mystery prize for Trisha and Cheryl is one yard of each of these yommy colors!!

The A Muse ribbon is a super sparkly sheer ribbon with just a hint of color on the edge. They designed it to coordinate with their Paper Products, so color matching is a breeze!

So far, they are only selling it by the spool. They are looking into other options. Spools include 54 yards (50m) and cost $25 each.

Popsicle Pink
Swiss Red
Black
French Roast (brown)
Passion Purple
Orange Crush
Cabana Blue
Fern (green)

Jenn Shurkus Winner!!

I was reading Lexi's blog today (Confetti)and I saw that she won a Jenn Shurkus (Creative Chick)blog candy. So I thought, I wonder who else won... Jenn has tons of winners posted and if you entered any of her contests towards the end of Amuseapalooza you should check out the results! I am one of MANY winners from the 15th. Jenn's blog is very entertaining. A must see!!

I am off to make more swaps for the Stampin' Up! Convention! Can someone please remind me to NOT sign up for so many swaps next year, or at least start creating the swaps earlier!!

Rockin' Girl Blogger Award

Simone at Daily Dose of Spazz named me as a Rockin' Girl Blogger! This is awesome! Simone is the coolest, most creative and witty woman around. You must check out her amazing blog!!
She is heading to CHA this week, so look for updates at Spazzgirl's blog! I so wish I was going with her!!

So now I have to name 5 people. Here of 5 Rockin' Girls (not an easy choice):

Lexi At Confetti - Check out this amazing talent at cards and cakes! Lexi is destined to be a star one day!!

Rhiannon at Rings Like A Bell - This is a newer blogger (like me). Rhiannon is creating some fabulous art that you must check out!! Have you seen her piggy ATC??

Trish at Miss Trish - A Whole Lot Of Stampin Goin On - Trish is super talented and super sweet. She put up a wonderful tutorial today! Trish is one of my newest bloggin buddies!!

Wanda at My Creative Corner - Wanda makes creative cards that truly inspire and has the most fun blog candy!

Kathleen at My Happy Place - This is my upline in Stampin' Up! She is the card master and a truly great friend!

Girlie Giveaway!!

girlie giveaway time! (thanks for the tip Trisha!)
Who doesn't love a giveaway?? Over at Say It With Letters they're giving away LOTS of girlie prizes including their *new* super cute girlie girl dress (10 inch size) and other fun girlie products too.. ribbons, embellishments, cards, mini album, 12x12 papers, 52 ways to nurture your creativity deck (love this!) our bits o' paper pack and other girlie goodies all held together in our cute scrap bag!

The drawing will stay open until Friday and they'll pick a winner over the weekend and post on Monday, July 23rd.

Stampin' Up! New Mini

Click here to see the latest, yet to be released holiday mini!! I love the Halloween stamp sets and the library clips!! I can't wait!

SCS Dinner Swap

You may wonder what I've been up to now that Amuseapalooza is over...well, I'm heading to Denver to the SU! Convention. Right now I'm making 50 of this Joyfold card. I love this new SU set. It is called Big Celebrations and I love the little people decorating the tree!! Too cute. I stamped the background paper on the inside with Seeing Spots. The paper colors are Rose Red and Old Olive. I love the way this card opens! (the scanner cut a little of the image off)

Stampin' Up! Open House

OPEN HOUSE!!!! Come One! Come All!

New Catalogue Open House

is Tuesday, July 24th from 3:00-8:00 pm. If you are in the Twin Cities area you are invited to stop by. Everyone who RSVP's by July 20th and comes to my open house will receive a FREE STAMPIN' UP! Catalogue!!!! At my open house I will have a make-n-take, lots of samples, and some of my retired stamps for sale. Bring your cameras! If you bring a new friend you will receive a $5 Stampin' Up! gift certificate from me! You can RSVP to kristinaalewis@aol.com. I will send you directions if you haven't been to my house before. I hope to see you on the 24th!!!

Double Delight Winners

Congratulations to:

scrappintrish - you won Tami's favorite stamp, the Lacy Oval A Muse stamp plus 8 of something yet to be released. The release date is next Monday, so we will mail it then! There is still some suspense.

CAKVD (Cheryl KVD) - you won the new Inuit Girl A Muse stamp (my favorite) plus 8 of something yet to be released! Tami says that a few of you have guessed the mystery items correctly!

Please email me your snail mail addresses! We will get those out on Monday! I hope all of you enjoyed Amuseapalooza! Thanks for all the fun everyone!

Amuseapalooza 2007-The Finale in Plymouth, MN

Hello! What a wonderful day! Tami had 3 people come to the make-n-take at Artsy Tartsy as a result of reading this blog! Our new friend Chris was a big winner today! She won two prizes! She is a sweetie with lots of talent and she LOVES A Muse (don't we all?) and we are hoping she will be stamping with us lots in the future!

Two other blog readers were the fabulous mother and daughter duo of Darlene and Wendy! When I saw Wendy's name on the list of people coming today, I said "I recognize that name." It's because she has left comments on this blog! It was so nice to meet in person! Throughout the week, Tami brought in A Muse ATC's created by many women in the USA and Canada to inspire and showcase their work. We saw excellent ATC's from Darlene and Wendy. They have some amazing talent! We hope to see both of them soon!

Here is part of the make-n-take crew, Linda, Tami, me, Wendy and Darlene:

When I first met Tami early this winter, we met a fantastic and genuine woman from NY, Marie. We call our little group "The East Coast Conglomerate" because we are all from the North East. Here are the two beauties:

Other make-n-take girls include my new friend Ruth Ann: (here are two ATC's that she made - she is amazing! Although she did hide from my camera today, I managed to get one photo of her and Linda hard at work)



After the darling make-n-take:

we headed over to Buffalo Wild Wings. They donated a platter of wings, shrimp, and tenders to our festivities. How generous is that!? Here are the party girls (Kim, Gwen, Cheryl, Carolyn (not pictured), Marie, and me):

After our yummy food, we raced back for our Amuseapalooza class! The attendees were Marie, Kim, Carolyn, Gwen, Cheryl T., Chris, Cheryl F., Morgan (although she wasn't feeling well and couldn't make it in the end!), me and Tami! We laughed and had so much fun! We talked about our superstars such as Taylor, Scoopy, Amy Rysavy and Julie Ebersole. Tami was so psyched to see her friend Cheryl T. who she hasn't seen in a while! All the cards have the typical "Tami touches" with great attention to detail and decorating the inside of our cards and envelopes! Here are some of the masterpieces:





Tami had a great idea for a new A Muse stamp! "Sending you snowflakes" What do you think? Does she have a winner? Cheryl F. and I love it! We were all dragging a little bit by 4:00. It was such a special and memorable week! I will never forget it! Thanks to eveyone for the smiles and fun! Especially Miss Tami who is the sweetest and most talented gal around! Here is a photo of the aftermath:


And here is the A-Muse-Apalooza Finale Crew:

Tami would love to see all of you next year at A-Muse-apalooza!!!

We Were Spellbound at Amuseapalooza Today!

We had so much fun today, shocker!! Caribou Coffee has been providing coffee for us at all our festivities! How generous is that?! The fabulous stampers today are Ruth Ann, Linda, Liz, JoAnn, Carolyn, Miss Tami, and me. Cara was our Artsy Tartsy helper! Other class participants include Wendy, Jodi, Carrie (candy), Hannelore, and Cheryl.

We had the tip of the day from Linda, to thread ribbon through an eyelet, first put dental floss through, make a loop, insert the ribbon in the circle and pull through! This works really well. You should look for the very thick dental foss that comes in loops.


The tip of the day on Wednesday was to use a coaster while pressing on punches. We have decided that stamping can be a dangerous endeavor. Ruth Ann knew of a woman who had surgery on her wrist after a night of vigerously punching paper! Tami has had some Exacto knife injuries and I have had an encounter with a paper piercer!

The winner of the prize today was Carloyn. You lucky girl, I totally want that stamp set!!

Today, Ruth Ann was "the goddess of details" and she was helpful in making certain we had addded all of the many finishing touches that Tami has on her cards, like the glaze pens.

Here the masterpieces are:



The leaves on the Jeppers Creepers card are by Crafters Direct and Tami thinks they may be discontinued items. The bat is from May Arts. This was one of my favorite "Tami details"!

The moon is from a Martha Stewart punch. Tami always has us stamp the inside of cards and the envelopes so I thought I would share a sample with you.

Are you catching all the new A Muse stamp images? I love them! What are your favorites so far?

On my way to another amazing A-Muse-apalooza event!!!

Spinner ATC

I love this stamp and I thought it looks like it should spin! The arrow is from Cuttlebug. The arrow is raised with Dimensionals so the circle can spin beneath it. Oh and the scanner cut this part off, but the edge of the scalloped circle needs to hang off the edge a bit for easy spinnage (a new word). **wink** I know I've said it before, but I'm a kid at heart! I love that this ATC is really a toy! If these directions aren't making sense, please leave a comment. It's late and I need to stop stamping and go to bed!

ATC for Taylor

This is an ATC I made for Taylor's swap. I used Shimmery White paper and Fun Flock! Love the new A Muse stamps!! And Tami and Rhiannon I made one for you!