Graduation Owl

My son graduated preschool this year. *sniff* *sniff* I still get a little teary eyed - he is my baby...and he is growing up so quickly!

Here is my "baby" - at the first of many graduations.


Here he is again, showing off a Graduation Owl that he helped make with various punches. We taped lollipops to them and handed them out to his classmates. He was very proud of himself, and I was quite impressed that he left the lollipops attached when he handed them out. He has been known to hide out in the pantry, the bathroom, even the coat closet, to eat his favorite snacks.

We used the Scallop Circle punch, the 1 3/4" circle punch, Round Tab punch, Heart to Heart Punch, the 5 Petal Flower punch (we initially just folded a piece of paper and cut it but decided to switch to the 5 Petal after playing around), the Small Tag Punch, the Word Window punch, the 1/2" Circle Punch, and a standard hole punch (from an office supply store??).

I enjoyed making this owl with my son, he requires a little more direction and a lot of independent hands-on time in order to keep his attention...we stayed up late to make them, drank chocolate milk, and really got some good bonding time in. He bragged to his sister in the morning that he stayed up past bedtime, had chocolate milk and got to use almost all of the punches...small individual moments that don't come too often are huge prizes in our house...I'm glad I remembered to take a picture.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." Pablo Picasso

More Post-It Note Holders

Ack! These things are so easy to whip out...I've been handing them out to everyone!

These ones I made for co-workers...they think I am a creative genious! While I appreciate the compliments...they have no idea that I'm just beginning and have found so much great inspiration by drooling over so many blogs!

Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Walk in the Park DSP

Stamps: Great Friend (Mini Occassions 2009), Botanical Blooms (Sale-A-Bration 2009)

Ink: Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: 3x3 Post-Its, Sticky Strip, White Satin Ribbon, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals

Paper: Pacific Point (retired), Good Morning Sunshine DSP

Stamps: Cheep Talk

Ink: Pacific Point, Basic Black

Accessories: 3x3 Post-Its, Sticky Strip, Prima Flowers, Square Punch

Desk Set with Cards (MOJO92)

Blog-hopping has caused me to be attacked by the creative bug (finally)!!

I found this great post regarding desk sets, a cute little box to fit a few cards into. To be short, you have to buy the template. I am all about supporting a fellow stamper, but, unfortunately, I do not have the money to shell out for a template. So, I took the thought, some scratch paper (8 1/2 x 11) and my Scor-Pal, and worked my way through it. Here is a picture of my 2nd attempt (first one DH splattered with Kool-Aid, a side effect of having to share your craft space with the kitchen table...).


Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White and Delicate Dots DSP
Stamps: Polka Dot Punches
Ink: Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue
Accessories: Scor-Pal, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Clear Rhine Stone Brad, Dimensionals, Scissors

I still have some thoughts on improving "my template", and once I work out a few bugs, I promise to share.

I also created these cards to be included in the set:


The sketch for this card I got off Mojo Monday for this week (Week 92). I love that site and often look to it for inspiration when I get stuck.

Paper: Bashful Blue, Kraft, and Delicate Dots DSP
Stamps: Polka Dot Punches and Just A Little Note (Stampendous)
Ink: Bashful Blue and Basic Black
Accessories: Heart Punch and Heart Die (Sizzix), Certainly Celery Ribbon, Button from CTMH, Dimensionals, Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities and Rectangle Nestabilities


Paper: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Delicate Dots DSP, Whisper White
Stamps: Polka Dot Punches (SU!), Just a Little Note by Stampendous
Ink: So Saffron and Basic Black
Accessories:1 1/4" Circle Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Scissors, Clear Rhinestone Brad, Top Note Die


Paper: So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Delicate Dots DSP
Stamps: Just a Little Note (Stampendous)
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals, Rhinestones

Here it is all together! Hope you enjoy!

I HAVE THE NEW CATALOG!!

I GOT IT!! (Actually, a whole box!!)

I've been through it, circling and highlighting, labeling, getting ideas, and LOVING IT!!

If you would like to purchase a copy, e-mail me at ambercerda@hotmail.com.

They have some amazing new stamps, the new InColors are BEAUTIFUL, and they have matching markers!!!

Plus, the new stamps in the "Under $10" Section are very versatile! I can't wait to order!

Post-It Note Holder

A fellow SU! demo/blogger/mama recently admitted and shared her addiction for making note holders. While I thought that they were very cute, I could not post the exact item on my blog. I scoured blogs and thought and thought.

After searching and thinking, I found something on Dawn's Stamping Thoughts that I could easily create with scraps of paper. All you need is a base of 7 3/8" by 3 1/4" scored at 3 1/8", 3 1/2", and 3 7/8" and 3x3 Post-Its. Use some stamps or DSP scraps for backgrounds, a few punches and embellisments, and *poof* - A GREAT find.

So, Angela, I, too, must admit my addiction. So far, I have created three...here are pictures of two:


Paper: Lovely Lilac, Basic Black, Whisper White
Stamps: Botanical Blooms (SAB Catalog)
Ink: Basic Black and Lovely Lilac
Accessories: Scallop Oval Punch (Mini Occassions Catalog) and Large Oval Punch


Paper: Pink Passion, Ghostly Greetings DSP (Retired)
Stamps: Be Yourself (CTMH)
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Acrylic block, Scallop Edge Punch

*Life* Update & Printable Coupons

*Update* My life has changed. We are officially a one-income family. The unfortunate part is that it was unplanned, and it is the smaller income that we are going to be living off of. I have reviewed our budget, canceled a few things, limited expenses, and we will be selling things off. The job search has begun and we are exploring a few options that may be available to us.

So, you may be seeing a lot more posts about coupons and freebies. I hope that we all benefit from this change in my life.

So, without further delay - the First Coupon: $1.00 off Hostess Donettes! I love these things and now that summer is here, they will fit in perfect to that certain little girl's lunch box who needs to be transported to and from art camp during the next month.

Second: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese - Buy 3 get 1 Free! At Wal-Mart they have these for $0.50 - so you can get 4 for $1.50, try and print 2 for 8 boxes at $3.00.

Remember - these coupons are available to everyone that has a computer and a printer. Some coupon links have a Help link towards the bottom. If you click on this tab, there may be an option to also have the coupon mailed to you. If you are interested in a coupon, you need to act quickly. There are many people who are also looking to save money and with the media giving away our formerly secret links to hot deals and coupons, I am sure these things won't last long.

May's Challenge

Sorry for the late posting - family crisis that I am still reeling over. Life may very well end as this small family knows it. I am angry and hurt, dissapointed and lost. Every emotion has run through my body and with only six hours of sleep from Tuesday night to today, I am a tad sensitive. I will do what I can to keep things together, to make sure that my children don't feel the effects too deeply, to try and grow from this moment.

May's challenge theme was Forest. I went crazy looking for stamp sets and items that I could use...but when it came down to it, my thoughts would not come out on paper and it seemed to take me reaching to the depths of whatever creativity I have to pull this one off. Of course, it did not help that my baby was graduating preschool (still a little emotional about that one...), my daughter struggled with end of the year testings, only to receive Honor Roll and various other academic awards (so stinkin' proud of her!!), and of course the gifts that went to teachers. We made it.

Ready? Here is what we did for May:

First set: Bonnie's. She made two cards and a magnet. The bear is covered in Fun Flock. My kids are wanting to know how come we don't make magnets - which will change shortly. (Psst...I found a great inspirational blog by Sandy Hancock, please make sure you check it out. She has some very fun and beautiful ideas!)




Second up: my Mom. She is a little concerned that all of her cards look the same. While I can feel my mom in a card, she is changing. She has started adding texture in her cards and I can see that she is adding more detail to the cards. Don't worry Mom, you're evolving.





Last but not least: Me!

This is a Joy Fold Card I got instructions for over at Split Coast Stampers. Love that site! Here is the card open.

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, DSP from Urban Oasis (soon to be retired!!) and Walk in the Park (to get it before it's gone click here)

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Basic Gray

Stamp Set: Forest Friends

Accessories: Dimensionals, Olive embossing powder (CTMH), VersaMark Pen

Paper: Kraft, Garden Green, Striped Paper from a DCWV Paper Stack
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Old Olive, Kiwi Kiss
Stamp Set: Trendy Trees
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Jumbo Grommet, Spots and Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)

Paper: Old Olive, Old Olive DSP, Chocolate Chip DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Stamp Set: Treetops (CTMH)
Accessories: Acrylic Block, Dimensionals, Crystal Effects, White Embossing Powder, VersaMark, Linen Thread, Chocolate Chip button from Button Latte, Sweet Leaf button from CTMH Winter Craft Buttons, Oval and Rectangle Nestabilities,

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“The growth of grace is like the polishing of metals. There is first an opaque surface; by and by you see a spark darting out, then a strong light; till at length it sends back a perfect image of the sun that shines upon it.” -Edward Payson

Summer Fun!

FINALLY! I have had the hardest time trying to go to sleep but obviously it's not working...June's SU! deals are finally here and I cannot wait to share them with you!

First, there is the Last Chance list...all of these items will be sold until there is not one item left...which means hurry up and purchase before someone else gets it! InColors are on their way out and new ones are making their way...order your reinkers and paper! There are a ton of accessories that are being retired as well, most at discounted prices!! Rub-ons, ribbon, punches and Designer Paper! Check out the lists and make sure you check back often as I'm sure this is a race to see who can get what...check out the stamp list to the right 4
- make sure you grab what you can!

Second, a great deal for hostesses - Summer Fun Hostess Bonus Promotion! This promotion has two parts:
* Hostesses who hold a $250-$399.99 workshop will receive an additional $20 in hostess free merchandise dollars.
* Hostesses who hold a $400 or more workshop will receive an additional $40 in hostess free merchandise dollars.
- Things to Remember:
* Hostesses may use their additional hostess free merchandise on any current regular catalog or mini catalog merchandise.
Order deadlines: Tuesday, June 30, 2009; 6:50 PM (MT)
FAQs Q: Will a hostess get $80 in hostess free merchandise dollars for hosting an $800 workshop? A: No. Awards amounts do not increase above the $400 workshop mark.
Q: Will customers who purchase the qualifying hostess amounts in the Online Store also receive additional hostess free merchandise dollars?A: Yes. Customers who purchase $250-$399.99 in the Online Store will receive an additional $20 in hostess free merchandise dollars, and customers who purchase $400 or more in the Online Store will receive $40 in hostess free merchandise dollars.
Q: Do the qualifying hostess amounts include tax and shipping?A: No. Hostesses must meet the qualifying amounts before tax and shipping.
Q: Can hostesses use their additional hostess free merchandise dollars on products in the Occasions Mini Catalog?A: Yes. Hostesses can use their additional hostess free merchandise dollars on products in any current catalogs, including the Occasions Mini Catalog and the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog.

Don't forget that you can contact me to pre-order your 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog. They will be available on July 1st, make sure you pre-order though, as I'm quite sure that everyone will be busy placing their orders as soon as the catalog goes live!