Create With M.E.

I'm a Little Teapot~Short & Stout

My Friend Karla accused me of singing the little teapot song when I was creating last weeks teacup project here.  I think there was a little humming going on for sure when I re-created this little teapot card by Michelle Reynolds.  I first saw her card on pinterest and knew it was a "must duplicate" for my M.E.'s 3C's class that I hold every other Friday in my kitchen.   (M.E.=Mary Ellen and 3C's=Coffee, Cookies and Cards)

Isn't it adorable?!  I love how she took this die and thought outside the box.  I just love the fun creativity.  I put together a short picture tutorial on how you can re-create this pocket card too.

Start with a piece of paper that is 5" x 10" and fold it in half. I put a piece of Blue painters tape on my Oval Accent Bigz Clear Die #127005 so you could see exactly where to place the folded side of the paper. You may have to trim the paper on the corner so it will fit in your Big Shot.  Cut as shown.

Trim one side of the bigz die as shown right before the "shoulder" of the die.  Save that piece it will make the spout.

Using your 1/2" circle punch #119869 punch a partial circle out of one side of the image as shown.

Next you need to punch out a piece of paper with the Large Oval Punch #119855 and discard the punched piece.  Then line up the Extra-Large Oval Punch #119859 over the punched out image and punch to make the handle for your tea pot.

Open up your card and glue down the pieces as shown.  Use your Medium Envelope as a guide because you want to make sure it will fit in the envelope when you have it all done. :) Then you have the choice of either putting a bead of multipurpose liquid glue along the edge and turning this into a pocket where you can add a tag or teabag to, or you can cover your handle and spout pieces with a layer of whisper white paper to make it a card that opens up where you can add a personalized message.

Add some Designer Series Paper to the front and finish with your favorite greeting.  I used the friendship stamp from the From My Heart set #132007 Wood Mount or #126557 Clear Mount.

I decided to add a 2" tag to mine punched with the Scallop Tag Topper Punch #133324

I hope you enjoy recreating this little cutie as much as I did.  If you click on each link it will take you to my store for more information on each product.

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

 

Look Up To Father~Quick and Dirty Technique

Actually it's not dirty but there is dirt involved because it involves this awesome tree stamp from the Occasions Catalog. (get it trees grow in dirt, ok lame I know)  This stamp is called "Look Up To Father" and is a wood mount single stamp #133218

I saw a quick and easy idea from Ronda Wade on Pinterest and knew it would be perfect for this stamp. A couple of swipes from your ink pad with an Aqua Painter and a quick stamp and Voila' you have a card in a minute, literally. I LOVE it!

Now for a couple quick bits of savings for you.  For a VERY limited time you can get some of the retired products for up to 50% off! This is an only while they last deal so...It's worth checking out here.

Also, Shelli Gardner Stampin' Up!'s CEO, has a special message about our subscription papercrafting kit called Paper Pumpkin.  Click here to see more details on having a Paper Pumpkin Getaway delivered right to your door every month for half price in June!

Tell them Mary Ellen Stites sent you! :)

The kits have everything you need so it's perfect for the beginning crafter, the crafter who has limited space, the crafter who has limited time, the advanced crafter who wants it ALL! These projects are so great.  Who wouldn't love to try out this kit for only $10!  Well worth it!  I love it coming to my mailbox every month. It is a little crafting retreat just for ME!

 

Enjoy!

M.E.

Peaceful Petals~Peace and Quiet

Sometimes when I am looking for inspiration I come across an idea I like perfectly (that means without changing a thing).  Simple yet striking and this was one of those times.  This card is CASEd (Copy And Share Everything) from a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in the Netherlands called Krista Driessen.  I like your style Krista!  You can see her original card here (won't understand what she is saying though unless you speak dutch or use google translator ;-)

I guess I did make a slight change.  I beefed up the greeting in my card and made a couple different colors out of it.  This card uses a technique I like to call the whitewash technique.  You heat emboss the image in your color of choice.  Then with an old Blender Pen or an Aqua Painter you pick up some Whisper White ink and color in the image.  Let that dry and then color the image in with your markers.  What a nice way to showcase a colorful image on a darker paper.

This image got a little washed out but I think you can see it.  I also inked the Background stamp called Dictionary with Versamark ink.  Do this by omitting some ink from the center.  I told my ladies to "tamp" the ink pad around the edges of the stamp while it's laying on it's back then stamp.  When this card is all dry you can add a sponging of Whisper White Craft ink around the edges for a softening effect and embellish with Bakers twine (currently on the clearance rack so don't wait to get it only $2.95!) or Linen Thread  and a few Rhinestones for a pop of Bling.

This stamp set is from the Occasions catalog and is called Peaceful Petals #133107 in Clear or #133104 in Wood.  I really enjoy using this set.  each flower is beautiful in it's own right.  The greeting set is called Four You #130538 Clear  or #130535 in Wood and it's a must have addition to anyones greeting collection.

Peaceful Petals #133107 in Clear or #133104 in Wood.

Four You #130538 Clear  or #130535 in Wood

On a side note, and why I decided to title this Peace and Quiet, I don't have to tell you what a rough winter this has been and here we are May 21st and very little warmth yet, right?  Crazy town!  Well, I've been dreaming of the day I can sit outside in the morning with my coffee and talk to you and this is the perfect day.  The birds are singing, the dogs are playing and I am chillaxin...oh and working but it sure doesn't feel like work, almost like when I am in my studio.  I just wanted to share my little piece of heaven with you and where you can find me (and the dogs) for a few more minutes taking it all in!

Enjoy your little slice of Heaven when you are able!

M.E.

 

 

 

Simple Stems~Hairy Little Monsters Are Out Of This World, or Box.

I saw a little hairy monster the other day, not a scary little monster, but a cute monster that if you were in the same room with it you wouldn't scream but say...Awwww you are such a cute little fella! Want to see him too? 

See, you either said Aww out loud or in your head.  Admit it!  So, you have paged through the catalog over and over trying to find out where this little monster is.  Well, would you believe he is made out of a flower:

See it in the above images?  This is from the set Simple Stems out of the Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog. #133101 $17.95 in Clear mount

Always fun when I see someone think outside the box.  That is what I thought when I viewed this monster on the interweb the other day. So many out there I don't know who to give credit to.  If this was your orginal idea please let me know I am happy to credit you!

The Greeting to complete this cute kids card for that cool cat in your life is a set that will be available in the new catalog on June 2nd called So Social.  I can see it is going to be one of my favorites.  Be the first to get it on June 2nd by shopping on my website.

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

 

Perfect Blend~It's my cup of Joe!

The minute I saw the stamp set Perfect Blend I knew it would be at the top of my wish list.  As soon as I was able to order it I did, no questions asked.  I really love my morning cup and that's why when I received this delightful gift from my friend Kim Peck I was thrilled!  It's has taken two of my loves, coffee and paper crafting and made them work together!

Isn't that just adorable?  It's a actually a very fancy gift card holder!  That's right it was stuffed with a heavenly gift card to Starbucks! Yum, I will enjoy every cup Kim and think of you as I indulge! Thank you!!

Look at the beautiful detail on top using the Spiral Flower Originals Die #129379 which I am thrilled to announce is carried over to the new catalog coming out next month.

She could have left the Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper #132994 just the way it was but no, not Kim she stamped with the Flower Shop Stamps #130942 Clear or #130939 Wood that really made it all come together. 

The following week my friend Teresa Rogers made this Crisp Cantalope matching doilly for me!  Yes, I do have some very creative friends.  I am Blessed! If you love Perfect Blend as much as I do you can click here and order it now Perfect Blend #130745 Wood and #131392 Clear

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

FREE SHIPPING~Retiring Stamps and Accessories!

Yes, you saw that right!  FREE SHIPPING on EVERYTHING! April 21st-25th Now is the time to stock up on all things Stampin' Up!  This is a great time to get your online profile set up in my store so you can order 24/7 all week long. 

Click here to begin then click on Shop in the upper right hand corner or on the banner on the bottom of the page.

ADD HOSTESS CODE: UUHHQTHN
before you check out.

That means you can order while in your jammies or like me lately, when sleep evades you and you remembered you need to restock your Whisper White Cardstock or replace that Red Stampin' Write marker that has been chewed up by the puppy! :( BUT because it's free shipping if you forget something you have all week long to place another order.  But do not wait this deal ends Friday April 25th! 

Retired Stamp and Accessory list just announced too!!

  Download Retiring stamp set list

Download Retiring accessory list

What a great time to get those stamp sets and accessories that will be retiring.  Pay close attention because new this year EVERYTHING is "until supplies last"  This used to only apply to our retired accessory list but for the first time ever it will apply to stamps too so if have you eye on a certain retiring stamp do not wait, once it's gone....it's gone!  Get it now and with free shipping you can add to your collection all week long with no penalty. 

Click the links above to see everything that we will be saying Bye-Bye to!

Do not forget to enter the Hostess Code before Checking out!  Why?  Because there is something in it for you!!  Everyone who orders using the Hostess Code: UUHHQTHN

Will receive, in addition to FREE SHIPPING a FREE gift from M.E.!  Yes, I will be drawing random prizes from a basket and sending them to you.  (Guaranteed value of $5-$15) My basket it plentiful but do not wait!  This only will apply to orders placed with the above hostess code when checking out by Friday April 25th. If you have questions feel free to email me or facebook message me.  

Enjoy!

M.E.

Life In The Forest~Fox & Friend + M.E. & My Friend

I love those times when you get to collaborate with other great designers.  This is one of those projects.  Actually my friend Betsy Crider did all the designing and I colored and cut out the pieces and threw them at her and said "Make something!". She didn't disappoint.  How cute is this card?!

It is a little hard to see but I used the whitewash technique on the trees and animals.  I stamped and heat embossed with white then colored the image in with my aqua painter and some white craft ink.  Let that dry then I colored the images with classic ink and my aqua painter.  It really makes the color pop although I used subtle coloring on these images.

Order what you need to complete this card or click on the links for more details on each product:

• Life In The Forest Wood #133848 Clear #133851
• Fringe Scissors #133325
• Aqua Painters set of 2 #103954
• Whisper White Craft Ink #101731
• White Embossing Powder #109132
• Heat Tool #129053
• Crumb Cake Cardstock #120953
• Chocolate Chip Cardstock #102128
• Marina Mist Cardstock #119682

Enjoy!

M.E.

Just Sayin'~Washi Tape and Glitter

So if you read my blog (I guess you do you are right now lol) you know this last weekend we had a big Annual Stampin' Up! meeting and I had company from PA visiting.  One of the reason's my friend Betsy wanted to come out for Spring into Stamping was because she knew I was going to be hosting my M.E.'s 3C's class on Friday morning.  Coffee, Cards and Cookies.  So when I picked her up from the airport on Thursday afternoon we were chatting and I was going over my "to do" list and one of the things I still had to do was design the card for Friday morning's class.  She said "Oh, I have a great card that we just made in my club last month"  As she described it to me I thought that sounds perfect!  She told me "just know it's not my idea I totally 'stole' it from Martha Inchley from Inch of Creativity.  That is totally OKAY! That is why we have blogs.  If we weren't loving ideas online and duplicating them there would be no need to have blogs right?  So, let me show you this easily duplicatable card...

 

We had three different samples to show everyone.

And Lastly here is another one...

If you go to Martha's blog you will see a few minor changes that we made but not many.  You cut the word bubble framelit from the center of your naturals white cardstock and apply Washi Tape to the back so the sticky part is showing out.  Sprinkle it with dazzling diamonds and add the greeting over it all.  Add some washi tape on your cardstock as an accent and a few rhinestones and voila you are done.  So cute!  Thank you Martha for your idea.  Go visit her blog if you love Easter ideas.  She is loaded with them!  And Cah-Ute is putting it mildly.

Now I just have to show you me feeding my soul at M.E.'s 3C's:

Sweet Treats and Sweet Friends

Treats and Stamping go hand in hand

Friendships formed.

Delicious Treats over Tea and Coffee

And of course we STAMP!

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

Gift Giving~Is it Better to Give than Receive?

What a joy it was this last weekend to have an awesome friend and fellow demonstrator, Betsy come and visit me for a few days.  We attended our Annual Stamping meeting together.

She may KILL me for posting this picture!  Silly us didn't get a picture together anytime over the weekend!!!  This was our selfie right at the airport when she landed after a 3 hour rain delay. I personally think it's an awesome picture of two strong, beautiful women.  Yep, I said it! :)

I was my usual busy self all weekend and thought I am going to get to bake for her and cook for her and show her lots of midwest hospitality.  Not so much :(  We were SO super busy the whole time.  I told my husband on Sunday night I feel so bad like I didn't really get to do much with Betsy.  He said "Honey, weren't all the activities you were busy with, with Betsy?"  Well, yes. "Well, then why do you say you didn't get to do much with her?" Ha Ha as usual he is right. (shh, do NOT tell him I said that! He doesn't read my blog...) We did have a grand ol' time together even if we weren't always together!

My reason for this post was to show you some LOVELY gifts my guest gave me throughout the weekend.  It was pure joy to M.E.

Look at this beautiful vase full of paper crafted flowers!  I love the color and I love the way she twisted the stems.  I just love everything about it! If you don't have the Big Shot and this Die to make these flowers you NEED them! Big Shot can be found here #113439 and the Spiral Flower Die can be found here #129379

The framed picture is a My Digital Studio Project she created.  Ok, isn't it just the perfect House Warming Gift for your friends who move?  Or a new Neighbor who moves in?  You can bet I will be making a lot of these!  I am happy to create them for you too, or if you want to learn how to make your own. Visit www.mydigitalstudio.net for a wealth of inspiration and when you are ready to try it out click here My Digital Studio #130647 you can also try it out for FREE here.  The Program is only $19.95 if you choose to purchase after your trial! That is what is so fun about this.  I am totally INSPIRED to create! Not to mention SO happy to have them gracing my house too!! :) Thank you Betsy!

Yesterday my Sister-In-Law texted me and asked me what I wanted to do about an Easter Egg hunt for the kids this year.  We have always had one for the 7 kids we have between us but now they are grown up, my youngest is 15 and a couple of hers are married and well, they really are getting a little too big for an actual hunt.  I told her I think I will just make them up a little something.

Wouldn't this little cutie be perfect?  I love it!  I know Betsy was thinking I would take these with me to the meeting and share but frankly I knew that one of my table-mates would have chocolate (and she did thank you Linda!) and I am selfish that way with my chocolate.  I love it that much.  But, these will be opened today while I am prepping for class tonight.  I guarantee it!

Check back in Friday for another post about the card we created at Friday's coffee class.  It's Ubber Cute!

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

 

Bring on Spring~Basket of FUN!

I love being inspired by the artisan award winners at Stampin' Up! They are a very talented bunch of ladies! They are generous in their sharing and I look forward to what they are going to post next.  Here is my version of a box that Erica Cerwin shared.

I started with some basic stamping and die cutting.  Here are my pieces:

You will need: (Click on any link # to get more details or to order)

• 4 floral frames (#127012) pieces cut.  I used the second to largest framelit.
• I stamped and punched 4 flowers from the Mixed Bunch set #128442 Wood or #125537 Clear
• Punch flowers with the Blossom Punch #125603
• I stamped and punched 4 butterflies with the Papillon Potpourri #132058 Wood or #123759 Clear
• Punch butterflies with the Elegant Butterfly Punch #127526
• I punched 2 pennants from the Petite Pennants Builder Punch #122361
• I first sanded then fringed a 12" and a 2" strip of Coordinations paper with fringe scissors #133325

 

Put your floral frame pieces on your personal scorer/trimmer and score as shown.  What I did was made sure two side petals were lined at the 3/4" mark on my trimmer/scorer confirming by noticing the farthest petal to the left was just into the dark grey part of my scorer.  Score all 4 pieces this way, then...

Turn the flower 90° and I lay the shoulders of the adjacent petals on the scoring channel as shown in the picture and score the center petal. Flip the flower over and do it on the other side too.

Now it's time to put them together. As always, when assembling a box of any type, I recommend sticky strip to hold your box strong.  Lay the 4 pieces flat and line up the petals and adhere.  I then cut 2 squares from my box color and lay one inside and 1 under the box as a box bottom.  I think mine was 3.5" but go ahead and measure yours to be sure.  Add your grass or even just a strip of your favorite DSP (designer series paper) and pop up your butterflies with dimensionals.  Now it's time for those cute rolled centers.  Take your 2 pennants and cut them in half as shown.

Then you need to roll the beads around a toothpick or your paper piercing tool.  I do not glue mine tight.  I like them to be springy and loose but that's up to you.  I just use a little Tombow Multi Glue to attach it to my butterfly.  LOVE!

I LOVE the detail of the sanded fringed grass, the little rolled bead thorax on the butterfly.  It's all in the details and this basket will hold a lot of fun, delicious goodies too!

 

Enjoy!

M.E.