This is a picture of the new Sizzix Bigz Matchbox Die and the Matchbox Messages Stamp Set that coordinates with it. I will get a sample up soon to show you what this wonderful box looks like. It would be so great for wedding favors, etc. I think it is suppose to warm up a little-it was still below zero again this morning.

Punch Scallop Oval & Walk In the Park DSP

This is the new Scallop Oval Punch and the Oval All Stamp Set that will be in the new Occasions Mini Catalog that will be released for customers on April 1st. If you would like to become a demonstrator you could order these sets now plus a big discount. Email if you would be interested in becoming a demonstator.

This is a card I made with Going Grey (oops! it is retired) and Basic Grey Card stock. I also used Walk in the Park DSP along with the Butterfly from Summer Love Rub Ons. I used a 4 x 8 piece of card stock, 2 x 4 DSP, and also added some Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon. The Scallop Oval Punch is used along with the Oval Punch. I stamped Fabulous Friend from the new Oval All Stamp Set in Basic Grey ink.

New Stamp Sets & Accessories

Oh, My gosh! Where does the time go? I have been so busy playing with the new items and now I need to get busy and do some posting! I got this new DSP in-Walk in the Park--the grey is beautiful!

Look at the cool new stamp sets you will get to order April 1st. Actually, you can order the Wagon Full of Fun stamp set anytime! The other ones are Comfort Food, Matchbox Message Set, Soft Summer Stamp Set, and the fun one Golden Oldies. I will also have to share a picture of the new accessories I got in--Jumbo Grommets, Punch Scallop Oval, Wheel Egg Hunt, and Whisper White Satin Ribbon. So beautiful!!!!

Top Note Thank You

This is a Top Note Card that I cased from here at Gretchen's site. It is using the DSP from Sale-a-bration and also the Ribbon Bundle. I turned the DSP down about 1 1/2 inches and then adhesived the rest to the Bashful Blue Top Note. I cut off the little pointers on the sides so it would be easier to put the ribbon on. I also used some ribbon at the top and put it through the hole I punched with my Horizontal Slot Punch. The image is from the Sale-a-bration Yummy Set. Remember, there is only 23 days left to get the Sale-a-bration Sets. If you purchase $50 of merchandise you get one free item from Sale-a-bration.

This is another card just like the above only I used Sahara Sand along with a different sheet of the DSP from Sale-a-bration. I also used the Outline for Fun stamp set for "Thanks". Just image all of the different DSP's you could use with this same card. This will easily fit into a standard envelope. Thank you for looking and have a great day!

Recipe for Mashed Potato Doughnuts

Raised Mashed Potato Doughnuts

1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup mashed potatoes (1 medium one)
1 cup Lard or Crisco
9 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups scalded milk
4 pkgs. yeast (dissolved in water)
Combine in creamy mixture and rub into flour and salt. Knead real good. Let dough rise 40 minutes, roll and cut. Let them rise 20 more minutes. Deep fry at 380 degrees. Glaze or sugar coat right away. I usually set them on a paper towel after I take them out of the deep fryer and then coat right away. Glaze--combine powder suar and water to form a thin creamy mixture. Add vanilla. Sugar coated--put sugar in a plastic bag, add doughnut, and shake. Enjoy!!!!

Hershey Candy Bar

This is a fun idea to use for a Door Prize, Hostess Gift, etc. I took a piece of 7 x12 DSP and wrapped it around the large Hershey Candy Bar. Next time I would probably make it 6 1/2 x 12 so a little more of the silver paper on the candy bar shows. I wrapped Pink Pirouette Ribbon and some Old Olive Organdy Ribbon around the candy bar and added a Baja Breeze scallop with a 1 1/2 inch Pink Pirouette circle. I stamped the Heart from the Hand Drawn Bundle set in the middle of the circle with Baja Breeze ink. I used some gold cord to tie the scallop to the ribbon.

Homemade Mashed Potato Doughnuts

It has been years and years since I made these Mashed Potato Doughnuts. My mother used to always make them and they would be waiting for us when we came home from school or later on in life when we would stop in and see them. I was going through her Cookbook yesterday and decided I would either make her homemade Cinnamon Rolls or Doughnuts today. I didn't know if I could still remember how to do it but they really did turn out well. It makes a huge batch so I had to take some over to our neighbors and of course that is what Bud had for lunch. I glazed some with a powder sugar frosting and some I put in a bag of sugar and coated them. Not too many calories----Oh, so good and the memories are so precious!!!!

This is some left over after I took the others to the neighbors. They are best when they are eaten the day that you bake them so you need to share them!!!

Organization

Finally, I found the "x" cube at Office Max to organize my Stampin' Write Markers, Aqua Painters, and other markers. You can stack as many cubes as you want on top of each other or put them side by side depending on the room you have. There is a little clip that clips the cubes together.

This works great as I can put each color family in a division. Hmm, wonder how long it will stay this way! I just put all of the neutrals in the other cube. I have had so many different organizational tools for these. The last one I just dumped them all in my top desk drawer and got them from there. This just looks a little nicer! I have been busy preparing for my St. Patrick's Day Appreciation Open House! We should have fun! I soooooooooo appreciate all of my customers! Have a great evening!

Botanical Blooms-Sale-a-bration

This is a card I made with the Botanical Blooms Sale-a-bration stamp set. I used Pale & Perfect Plum card stock along with Mellow Moss. I haven't used those colors for a long time and they are so pretty together. This card is a 4 inch square (cut 8 inches x 4 inches). I also used a piece of Pale Plum 1 inch by 4 inches and used the new Lace Punch. On some cards I turned the lace piece one way and on others I turned the lace piece opposite. I also used my Stampin' Write Markers for the stem of the flowers. The ribbon is Eggplant.

I stamped the image right on some of the cards and on one of them I got it a little crooked so I just put a piece of Pale Plum card stock over the saying. Actually, I like that card better. Fun cards to make!!

Petal Pizzaz Scrapbook Page

This is the 12 x 12 scrapbook page we made in Club this month. We used the theme "something old, something new". Old was Soft Sky, Cool Caribbean or Groovy Guava In Color 12 x 12 card stock and new was the Ribbon Bundle from Sale-a-bration. The gals had a lot of fun making many colors of flowers from Petal Pizzaz. And of course, I left my camera at home so I didn't get any cool pictures of their creations. I usually just make a very basic page and then they take off from there. We do not add pictures at Club--too time consuming!!!! If you were unable to attend club I will have your materials in with your order. I did not put your scrapbook page or your Scallop Bag together so be sure to look at the blog. If you are interested in coming to my St. Patrick's Open House be sure and sign up by the 14th so I can prepare the Make and Takes, and of course the most important is FOOD AND DOOR PRIZES!!! I will be having lots of DOOR PRIZES!!! Even some fun activities!!!!!!!!!!!! Come and have fun!!!!

More & More Scalloped Big Shot Bags

This is a picture of some more Scalloped Bags made with the Big Shot. We made these in our Club today and had so much fun! This is such a great club that we have then afterwards we usually go out for lunch. It becomes an all day gathering! Lots of laughing and socializing and stamping!!!! The ladies chose their half sheet of DSP, ran it through the Big Shot and then put their boxes together. They had so much fun with all the accessories from the Pretties Kit, Corduroy Buttons, and the cool new flower brads. Of course, everyone wants to make more as came up with all kinds of ideas for weddings, luncheons, gift bags, graduation, etc. Thank you for looking and have a great evening!

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

Occasions Mini Catalog Stamps for Sale

The Occasions Mini Catalog does not begin until April 1st but Stampin' Up! has listed 4 sets that they will sell to the customers beginning March 1st. These sets can be used for the Easter Holiday. Click here to view the items.

Blog Winners

BLOG CANDY WINNERS!!! BLOG CANDY WINNERS!!

The Winners of Blog Candy ::: Jodie R. (#3) and Kris H. (#31) Email me and let me know which Sale-a-bration item you would like.You can choose between the 4 stamp sets, DSP, or the rolls of ribbon. Congratulations! I used the Random Generator to get the winners of the 32 entries. Watch for the March Contest!!!

Basketball Clipboard Photo

Finally, I spent most of the day today at Best Buy getting my computer checked out! Unreal, but the good news is--no viruses and it is ok. This is a gift I gave to my niece for her birthday! I put a piece of DSP on a 3 way clipboard and added her basketball picture. I added her name from the Big Shot in Handsome Hunter card stock. On the top of each clip I put 3 ribbons of white and green! A very quick and memorable gift!

Waterfall Scrapbook

This is a Waterfall Scrapbook that Heather had on her website. I bought a pattern from her and will have a class on it if there is enough people interested in it. You can make them for babies, wedding, friends, etc. You can make 4 of them from 1 Scrappin' Kit! This one I made for my niece for her birthday and used a retired Scrappin' Kit as I wanted one with Friends on it.

When you pull the Tab on the side it opens up and keeps flipping. She can add sayings or pictures of her Friends.

This is another page for Notes, etc.

The pages become smaller as you go. It is just something a little different and fun for a gift. I hope she has fun with it!!! It is snowing here again and it is cold out. We just got done sorting calves as we sell them today. It gets you going for the day when that wind hits your face at 6 degrees. Nice and healthy though!!!!

Blog Candy

Blog Candy!!!!! Blog Candy!!!!! Blog Candy!!!!! Blog Candy!!!!! Blog Candy!!!!!

Are you ready for some Blog Candy? I will be giving away 2 Sale-a-bration sets on March 1st. Everyone that has purchased some Stampin' Up! merchandise during the month of February will have their name put in the pot and I will draw out 2 names and each will receive a FREE stamp set from Sale-a-bration. If you put in TWO orders during February you will get your name in the pot twice, etc. I will be announcing the winners on March 1st. If you have not ordered yet and would like to order to be elgible for some Blog Candy just email me at pegireland@hotmail.com or click on SHOP NOW and make your own order on the Stampin' Up! website by February 28th!!! Be watching for some more FUN ideas coming your way in March.

More Scalloped Bags

It is snowing out again!!!! Many of the schools are closed or starting late--It is beautiful watching it come down from the inside! I keep telling myself that we can always use the moisture. Luckily today I had plans to stay home and clean my stamp room and being a little creative! This is a couple more of the Scalloped Bags that I made with the Big Shot. (the directions are on the previous post). I used the Rockability DSP which is on the opposite side of the Cherries. This paper is so fantastic-both sides are cool! I used the velcro to close it and then put a Pretties Flower on the top with another added flower and half of a white pearl. I used Crystal Effects to glue the flower and pearl together. The Pretties Kit is found on page 175 of the Stampin' Up! Catalog. There are around 390 pieces to this kit for $29.95.

This was the first Scalloped Bag that I made and it is from Washington Apple DSP. I reversed the paper on the scallop and added an image from Say It With Scallops (The Ronald McDonald set) . Stampin' Up! has donated over $2,000,000 to these charities all over the world. When you order this set $2.00 goes to the Ronald McDonald Houses. I added the "Congrats" with Riding Hood Red ink on Whisper White card stock and then punched it with the 1 3/8 inch punch. Let's see how creative you can be!! Send me some of your samples!!!!

Bag With Scallops ( Part 1)

I am very late posting today! I had appointments in town today and I just picked up this new die so of course I had to try it out tonight. Wow! It is so much fun and so quick and easy. This is a picture of what the large die looks like.

I cut a piece of Urban Garden DSP (6 x 12 inches) and ran it through the Big Shot like a sandwich using the 2 Extended Cutting Pads.

After I ran it through the Big Shot this is the 3 pieces that were cut out along with the scored lines.

This is what the remainder of the DSP looked like. Note that there is just a little left in the middle to use for a scalloped, circle, or square punch.

I used my scalloped punch to add a little accessory to the bag.

Bag With Scallops (Part 2)

I folded the bag on the scored lines.

Add a little adhesive to the 3 sides of the side pieces and adhere to the bag.

You put the adhesive on these sides and then attach to bag.

I added velcro to bag and to top part of scallop on the bag. I added a Kiwi Kiss corduroy button to the front scallop and then covered the clasp of the button with the velcro.

This is the completed bag. You could easily add a small gift of jewelry, money, etc. This can be completed in a few minutes. I have some more that I will show you tomorrow. They were so much fun to make!

Lace Punch

I am going to share a little demo on the Eyelet Border Punch (113692) found on page 184 of the Stampin' Up! Catalog.

You can start at either end of your card stock depending on if you like to work right to left or left to right. You push down on your punch to make your first eyelets.

Move the punch over and you can line up the card stock on the silver images of lace along the sides of your punch. Just keep going across the card stock until you come to the end. I should have started over just a little bit more on the left hand side when I made my first punch.

This is your completed edge. It adds a lot to the bottom or side of a card. I hope you have a fun and creative day!!!

Shower Gift Bag

This is the last picture on the Baby Shower. This is the gift bag I covered for Trey. I used a gift bag from Stampin' Up! and covered it with DSP and then used the Big Shot to make my Letters with Serif Essentials (#113464) page 196 of the Stampin' Up! Catalog. I also used some little accessories (boot and stars). The card tag was made from the Stamp Set that is on the Dormant List which you can still purchase. I also added some So Saffron, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue Ribbon. Thank you for looking and have a great day!

Blog Title

I have been experimenting with a new Blog Title. I finally decided to use some of the new textured paper from Stampin' Up! and used some new corduroy buttons on the sides. This is the Sweet Slumber DSP along with the Pacific Point buttons. I will try and change this title often so you can see the new Designer Series Papers along with some different accessories. I also took a lesson from my husband on 90 degree angle camera shooting which was so interesting, but helpful!!!! I am not very good at understanding different angles--missed out somewhere in my life !!! Also, be watching this week as I will be offering some BLOG CANDY for Sale-a-bration for the months of February and March.

Diaper Cake

We had such a nice time last night at the baby shower. This is the diaper cake we made. We wrapped around 70 size 1 diapers and then put a rubberband around each one. On the bottom layer we had 3 layers, 2 layers on the middle row, and one layer on the top row.

This is a picture of the diaper cake on the table with the Big Shot Pendants.

I added a little stuffed dog on the top which of course had to make a noise. In the middle of the cake is a 15 oz. bottle of Baby Powder and a 4 oz. baby bottle on top of that so it could hold all of the diapers. On the bottom I put a 12 inch Wilton Cardboard. I also added about 88 inches of Bashful Blue 2 inch card stock along with some 1 1/2 inch So Saffron or DSP. I also cut out some scallops with my Big Shot to cover the seams. The best type of glue to hold the card stock together was Tombow. I tried adhesive, glue dots, and Sticky Strip but it kept popping loose so I finally tried the Tombow and let it dry and then put it over the top of the diapers. We also served Fajitas and Snicker Salad. What a nice evening! The little one slept most of the evening and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the new gifts!

Pendants

I made this decoration for the Baby Shower tonight. I used the Little and Big Pendants with the Big Shot and Bashful Blue card stock. I used a retired DSP as it matched the So Saffron and Bashful Blue card stock. Trey was made from the Serif Letters dies. I also added the scallops at the end of the pendants. I love my Big Shot! So many ideas and not enough time!

Jackpot DSP

What a beautiful day! Here is a picture of some of the little accessories you could use at a card party with the Jackpot Designer Series Paper. I just used a condensed milk can and wrapped it with DSP for the pen holders. I used a plastic dish, for the candy on each table, and covered it with scraps of DSP. It was too difficult to put on one strip around the plastic dish so I cut several pieces of 1 1/2 by 3 or 4 inch strips and adhesived it around the dish.

These are the score cards I made. I typed the score pads and then just clipped them on a piece of cardboard (from the DSP package) and then covered with the Jackpot DSP. This way you could use the clipboards again by just putting a new scorecard on. I hope you have a great day!

Designer Series Sampler

This is the new Designer Series Paper Sampler that some of the demonstrators were able to get from Stampin' Up! this catalog season. It is really nice as it has a 3 x 3 sample of all of the DSP that are in the Spring-Summer Catalog. Now I can carry this with me to all the clubs and you can actually see all the DSP. It will be so much better than just seeing it in the catalog or on the internet. If you are a not a club member you are welcome to view this at my home at any time or if you have a workshop I will bring these samples with me. A new great tool!! Have a great day and thank you for looking!

Petal Pizzaz

This is a card made from the set Petal Pizzaz which we will be making at our club on Thursday night. I used the Good Morning Sunshine DSP which has Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point and Summer Sun in it. I stamped the flowers and then cut them out and added a Flower Brad in the middle. I needed some sympathy cards so added With Sympathy for an image. This would also make a cheery Birthday or Thank You card.

Card stock: Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss
Ink: Pacific Point, Summer Sun
Other: Good Morning Sunshine DSP, Flower Brad, Dimensions, Adhesive

Baby Scrapbook

I made a 6 x 6 scrapbook for a friend and added some little accessories on it. Note the "fifth month" "sixth month" etc. on the bottom of each page. I thought she could use this for her favorite pictures each month and can move the adhesives around. These are from the Scrappin' Kits in Stampin' Up!

This little accessory I got at Hobby Lobby! So cute beings they like horses.

These pages are also from Stampin' Up's Scrappin' Kits. Be watching this week for the decorations we made for the shower with the Big Shot and the Diaper Cake! So fun!