Keeper of the Scrapbook

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. My brother Dan and his family were here with us for Christmas and we all had a lot of fun. We spent a perfect day at Busch Gardens (Tampa) on Saturday. The temperature was about 70 degrees and so much nicer than in the heat of the summer. I did not ride but I did have fun taking lots of pictures to scrapbook. :-)

Christmas day is always so hectic for me because I try to make sure I visit everyone. We usually have breakfast with my mom, lunch with my grandmother and a huge party with my dad's family (102 family members present this year!!!).  My thought is that as long as I have my family I am going to do everything I can to spend time with them. It is a long day but the memories are so precious it is definitely worth it to me. I hope and pray that my kids will cherish the legacy of family for generations to come.

I am looking forward to some free time to do some scrapbooking and stamping in the next few days. Check back for new projects tomorrow!

Happy Stamping and Scrapping!

Do you cut your stamps apart?

Recently my fellow SBS-5 sister, Nancy,  posted this question on her blog (you can find the original post here: http://seasidecreativity.wordpress.com/) and so I wanted to share my stamp cutting adventure with you.

Stampin' Up! has a hostess set  called "So Many Sayings" that comes on 3 blocks which I would never use as a whole. Then someone on SCS suggested that you cut them apart and mount them on dominoes - very cool! First prepare the dominoe by sanding the slick edge where you will mount the stamp. Then carefully cut the stamp phrases apart. Now you are ready to mount. I mounted mine on the long narrow edge. Let me know if you try this and like it.  Here is a picture.

The "So Many Sayings" set is retired as of January 1, 2008 but you can still get it as a hostess set with any order of $150 through Jan. 1st. Email me if you would like to make an order.

Finally a new Scrapbook page!

I have been so busy working on Christmas cards and gifts that I have neglected my scrapbooking! So today I participated in an SCS (www.splitcoaststampers.com) scrapbook  inspiration challenge. The technique was to sand the edge of your photo. I tried several different sanding instruments but I think my favorite was the small plain emery board because of it's size and ease of use. I did go back over the edge with a larger piece of sand paper and scuff it up a little for added distressing. I would suggest that you first practice on a picture that you don't care about to get the feel of the technique. Let me know if you try this! Happy sanding!

Blogger's Bootcamp Questions

Morning all,

I wanted to followup up regarding a comment I received about the Blogger's Boot camp. That class is finished but you can find out more about John Sanpietro and his stamping coaching business at http://www.stampingismybusiness.com/.

The blogging boot camp was very helpful and informative. I would definitely recommend it. If you sign up or purchase something I would be very appreciative if you would list me (Marcie Howe) as your referral.

Thanks and Happy Stamping!

Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers 5!

I am a SAHM to 3 boys ages 17, 18, and 20! The oldest 2 are in college and my baby will graduate from high school in May. We live in sunny central Florida where it was in the mid 80's today while I was Christmas shopping in my Capri's and sandals!

I have always been involved in crafts of some sort. All through high school I sewed my own clothes and did embroidery work. When the boys were young we lived in Texas and I got involved in quilting - loved it but hated how long it took to complete. About 2 years ago a friend introduced me to scrapbooking which led to another friend introducing me to Stampin' Up! and I have been addicted every since! I became a Stampin' Up Demonstrator without ever attending a workshop! I love the products and the freedom to manage my own business.

I am looking forward to being part of the SBS5!

Marcie

Another Simple Christmas Card

Hi all!

The Stampin' Up retired accessory list is out the Dashing DSP will be going as of January 1st! I didn't love the Dashing paper at first but the more I play with it the more I like it. The colors are bright and cheery but not too busy. I just received the Aqua pen from SU and had to try out the watercoloring technique on this card. I felt like a kid coloring again. (That is a good thing! I loved to color as a kid, got to color again when I had kids and then no more coloring until NOW! Ha-ha! That could be our new advertisement - coloring for adults!) Seriously, I do totally enjoy the creativity of making cards and scrapbooking. It is completely relaxing.

My card for today features the Dashing DSP, Real Red Card stock, Old Olive card stock, SU Watercolor paper, and the Baby Jesus is born Stamp set. Accessories: Real Red grosgrain ribbon, Black Stazon, and aqua pen.

Thanks for looking and let me know if you have any questions.

Marcie

Special HELLO to all my SBS5 new blogging friends! Thanks for all the encouraging comments!

Christmas Card

I have been playing with different ideas for quick Christmas cards. This is one of my first attempts.

(Yes, I know it is already December 8th and no I have not mailed my Christmas cards. Yes, I am a procrastinator. So now you know! LOL)

All supplies Stampin' Up! Here's the recipe. Craft Card stock 6x6 folded in half length wise; Dashing DSP, Real Red ribbon and card stock, Old Olive card stock, SU watercolor paper. I stamped the image with black Stazon, watercolored the tree and highlighted a couple of the words with watercoloring. I also sponged some Old Olive around the edges of the watercolor paper.

Just found a great group for bloggers

I just joined an awesome blogging group called Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers. The purpose of the group is to provide encouragement, support and friendship amoung stampers who blog. You can check it our for yourself here: http://sisterhoodoftheblogging stampers.blogspot.com/

Stampin' Up! Retired List is Out!

The Stampin' Up! retirement list is out! You can see it here... http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/US_Retired_List_ALPHA_1207.pdf

Here is a link to the Stampin' Up! Fall Winter Catalog. The final day to order from this catalog is January 1st. http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampinup/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&fsid=db6344a5-8129-427f-bda6-2d38b557e2a6&storeid=1038724&circularid=10999

Please email me to place an order for a retiring set. All Christmas orders must be placed by December 7th to ensure delivery by Christmas.