Create With M.E.

Boo's & Brew's ~ Popcorn Box Treats

This morning we had a ton of fun at my annual Boo's & Brew's event.  This is our bimonthly Coffee Class all dressed up for Halloween.  It's something I really look forward to every halloween season.  I make lots of spooky delicious treats and the ladies dress up and we have prizes for best costumes.

Aren't they all so cute?! They outdid themselves as usual. The food was delicious too.

And that wasn't even all of it.  We have spider web chocolate covered oreos and Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Witches Brew! Yum.

We all made popcorn box treats filled with carmel corn to give away. They were all different and all cute! My daughter made us the Carmel corn with her special microwave recipe.  It is so good and very easy. 

And the awards go to...

Most Creative- Gail the "Tea Lady"

Scariest-Hannah "Hell in High Heals"

and Cutest goes to- Russell and Carl from Up

Happy Halloween Wishes from Create With M.E.  I hope you will enjoy making your treats special for holidays or just the everyday with the Popcorn Box and Accessories. 

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

 

Product List

Popcorn Box Thinlits Dies [141473] $33.00	Gusseted Cellophane Bags [141704] $4.50	Halloween Night Baker's Twine [142027] $6.00	Jar Of Haunts Photopolymer Stamp Set [142247] $17.00
Home Sweet Home Thinlits Dies [140279] $38.00	Spooky Fun Photopolymer Bundle [144437] $36.75

 

Thoughtful Branches~Hedgehog

The minute I saw this card that The Pampered Stamper created for one of her classes I knew I had to recreate it and I knew others would want it too so that is when I decided that my biweekly Coffee Class was the perfect place to have others create it.  It was a huge hit! Thanks Jackie for sharing your design with us.

Here is my version:

So much fun to put together. I am totally in love with the Thoughtful Branches Bundle.  I am so sad that it's only available while supplies last so if you have not gotten it yet I am not sure why but click on the links below to purchase yours before they are gone then come back to finish reading about this card!

Phew OK so you have gotten your bundle now lets talk about how to complete this card.  I made my hedgehog on an oval body cut from Crumb Cake Paper and the Layered Oval Framelits.  I punched my ears from the Festive Flower Builders punch I used the medium size "petal" and cut it in half for the ears.  I attached them to the oval and then layered the branchy part of the Thoughtful branches (I trimmed off the trunk of the tree) I popped it up on Dimensionals.  I layered all of that on a sponged Circle that I cut from the Layered Circle Framelits. 

Punch a heart from Crumb Cake for the "hogs" face and layer it upside down.  Punch eyes from the Owl punch and decorate with the Chalk marker.  add the nose and voila you have your "hog" ready to mount on the card.  Just cut your 1/2" circle in half and attach them as shown for your feet.  Aw isn't he/she adorable?! Mine is a boy. Just Sayin'

If you needed to see the full instructions and see how easy it was before picking up your supplies then now is the time to make a few purchases to show your love to me and to all those recipients of this awesome card you too are going to recreate!  Shoo-Shoo, go shop, be happy, but most of all...

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

Product List

Thoughtful Branches Photopolymer Bundle [144328] $52.00	Thoughtful Branches Photopolymer Stamp Set [143539] $27.00	Beautiful Branches Thinlits Dies [143538] $31.00
Big Shot [143263] $110.00	Festive Flower Builder Punch [139682] $18.00	Sweetheart Punch [133786] $16.00
1/2" Circle Punch [119869] $6.00	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00
Thoughtful Banners Photopolymer Stamp Set [141614] $21.00	Duet Banner Punch [141483] $18.00	Builder Owl Punch [118074] $18.00
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [120953] $8.00	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686] $8.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $9.00
Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper [140550] $5.00	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974] $6.50	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [126948] $6.50
Brights Designer Series Paper Stack [138434] $22.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	White Stampin Chalk Marker [132133] $3.50

Best.Day.Ever!~WWYS#2 Entry

Last week I got this honor. So of course I had to play along again this week.  Watch for my guest appearance on the What Would You Stamp Blog? Challenge in a couple of weeks.

Now I would like to share a project I adapted from this post for week #2 from the What Would You Stamp? Challenge blog using the stamp set Best Day Ever from the FREE Sale-A-Bration selections.

The minute I saw what set was announced for the What Would You Stamp? challenge blog I knew what I was going to create because I had just shared with my Coffee Class Ladies, on Friday morning, a project similar to my previous post and I still had calendars left over. 

Here is my entry to the Best Day Ever Stamp Challenge:

I knew I had to do a little more stamping on mine to really get some good use out of that set.  I stamped three rows of images starting with the random dots in Crushed Curry then a row of the "flower" or "pinwheel" design in Calypso Coral then finishing it out with a row of Coastal Cabana hearts. 

The Best Year Ever Paper coordinates perfectly so I had to do a few flags.  I finished it all off with the greeting Best. Day. Ever. It was easy to do because I cut the words apart. It is a FREE set and I had 2, therefore one to cut apart! YaY!

A few tips on the construction of this desktop calendar.  Use half of an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of cardstock cut long ways and folded in half (4 2/5 x 11) then using a 4 2/5 x 5" pieces of matching cardstock score on the long side at 1", 2 1/2" and 4" and fold into a "W" adhere inside the folded card to make your stand. Use Sticky Strip or Fast Fuse to adhere. Decorate as desired.

Are those the absolute dirties blocks ever? Sorry it's just who I am!

OH OH OH! I have to share a story with you! My customers know that I am not the most meticulous in the cleaning of my stamps. (and they still like me go figure)  I love my stamps and they work just great and so I am often seen cleaning them off on my jeans. (and yes I may have been known to lick one or two, get over it, I just want to prove the ink is non-toxic) My daughter wanted to make one of the projects leftover from Friday's class and she started to wipe the stamps on her jeans.  That was a mother-daughter high five moment. She's so my daughter. 

Back to the project.  I finished off the calendar card with a selection of colored pearls to highlight the Best. Day. EVAH! :)

I thought this would make a fun birthday card for a special lady in my life who's birthday is this Saturday.  I stamped her birth date with the little heart in the set to highlight her special day.  It's my Mother-In-Law Judy. (aka Mom) Happy early Birthday Mom! I love you!  You may or may not get this card in the mail...(she knows me well after 30 years)

To earn the items I used to complete my project for each $50 order you place in my store you can pick one of the items for FREE and also be entered into my Stampin'-versary drawing for the Stampin' Trimmer. Click on any of the images below for more information or to order.  Just make sure you use the hostess code at the top of this post by the end of the day Saturday March 14th.

And because I know you will ask you can purchase the calendars from www.vippies.com. You are welcome.

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

Product List

Best Day Ever Photopolymer Stamp Set [139149] $0.00	Best Day Ever Clear Stamp Set [139094] $0.00
Best Day Ever Wood Stamp Set [139091] $0.00	Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper [138633] $0.00
Best Year Ever Accessory Pack [138634] $0.00	Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments [119247] $4.95
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [131173] $5.95	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [126983] $5.95
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [131175] $5.95	Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131297] $6.95
Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $8.50

 

M.E.'s 3 C's Coffee, Cookies and Card Class~Add Camraderie and CASE-ing

So today I held my "M.E.'s 3C's" class (I hold it every other Friday morning) but today's should have been called 5C's.  So many great friends (Camraderie) and a card I completely CASE'd (Copy And Share Everything) from the Stampin' Up! blog this week.  It was made either by the great Patty Bennett or the equally great Michelle Last you can visit the post here.  Sometimes you just see a card and you love everything about it.  Here is my version of the card.

The other thing I LOVE about it is it uses a stamp set that I got for FREE!  Yes FREE and so can you!  This set the Best Day Ever is one you can earn during Sale A Bration for a $50 purchase.  The colors really pop on this card and lastly it's so easy.  Easily duplicatable.  You can make it without many supplies and hey it's just cute! 

I also stamped the envelope so it's all cute-like (yes that's an okay phrase to use)...and then stamped the inside with a little treat. How super cute is that?!

You know what you can do...click on the link below to order your supplies 24/7.  You will need to order $50 to be able to choose the FREE Best Day Ever Set.  You may consider the Weekly Deals to add to your order.  There are so many good deals this week just in time for valentines but don't wait or you won't have them in time. Click on the image below to see details about the weekly deals.

To get more details and to order click on the links below. 

Product List

Best Day Ever Photopolymer Stamp Set [139149] $0.00	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack [133787] $16.95
Cut & Ready Card Bases Real Red [136658] $4.95	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $8.50
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $5.95	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [131175] $5.95
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [131173] $5.95	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [126953] $5.95
Brights Candy Dots [130931] $5.95	Medium Whisper White Envelopes [107301] $6.50

Enjoy!

M.E.

Flower Patch~Flower Flair

If I had to pick one stamp set out of the new Stampin' Up! Create, Inspire and Share catalog I think it would have to be the Flower Patch set. (Thank Goodness I didn't have to only pick one though! :) I love the versatility of it.  It's Photopolymer so it's clear-clear for perfect placement. Because it's Photopolymer it sticks to the block like glue. (love that!) Look at all these pieces you get in the set and 3 awesome greetings make's it super GREAT in my book!

It has a matching framelit set called Flower Flair and so that means no fussy cutting with scissors! <cheering crowd sound>

I first stamped with this set at my 3C's class on Friday.  I have been so super busy with wedding plans for my daughter I needed something fast so I found this gorgeous card by Jill Franchett on Pinterest and better yet she had a full pdf of instructions so I didn't have to use my brain. Thank you to people like Jill for generously sharing. I made very little change from hers as you can see for yourself.  (if you choose to use her pdf be aware of some minor measurement errors on the card layers)

Then after all my ladies left Friday I needed to put together 11 swap cards for a group demonstrator meeting that evening. So, since all these supplies were already set up on my work counter I came up with this card.

I started with a 4 x 5.25 inch layer of watercolor paper.  Using my Aqua Painter I picked up some ink from the lid of the Crisp Cantalope ink pad and "washed" it on my paper then I "washed" on some Coastal Cabana ink.  I set this layer aside to dry while I stamped and "cut" with my Big Shot all the flower and greenery pieces from Flower Patch.  I used this sample from the Create, Inspire and Share catalog to help me with my placement.  This catalog is a huge source of inspiration for me and I hope it will be for you too!

You can see where I used the sample and where I went solo. I added a little bling with a Rhinestone that I stepped up with a matching blendabilities pen.  I am not sure I will ever be able to use a Rhinestone straight out of the package again, I love changing the colors with these alcohol based pens and you bet as soon as I get word they are available for YOU to order I will let you know.  Like Create with M.E. on Facebook for the quickest word on all things Stampin' Up!

If you have been inspired by my cards and want to order Flower Patch or the matching Flower Flair Framelits click on the links below and thank you for looking.

• Flower Patch Photopolymer Stamp Set #134207
• Flower Flair Framelits #133731
• Or save 15% and buy the Bundle #136788

 

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

Regarding Dahlias~It's Just Charming!

When I saw this idea on Pinterest by Diane Olson I really was charmed by it.  I knew I had to pin it for my 3C's class.  We finally got around to re-creating it at our last get together.  I have taken it to a few classes since then and everyone seems to be as "charmed" by it as I am.

Seemed like it needed to be photographed outside with those big beautiful flowers and all that lovely color.  So, let's talk about how easy it will be for you to duplicate this card for yourself. 

Start with a Whisper White layer of cardstock that is 4" x 5.25".  Emboss the Big Dahlia from the Regarding Dahlia stamp set with Versamark Ink stamping the flower randomly on the cardstock.  Pour white embossing powder generously over the stamped images and then heat set with the heat tool.  Make sure you get all the powder melted well. 

Next using a sponge dauber (or sponge) ink the full flowers in the yellow ink of your choice.  I used Daffodil Delight.  Then using another dauber sponge a pink ink of your choice in the center of the flower.  I used Strawberry Slush.  Then with the matching green ink to the base cardstock sponge ink between all the flowers.  Don't worry if you go "inside" the lines it doesn't matter in this case.  I used Pear Pizzazz cardstock and the matching ink for my card.  Embellish with the natural chevron ribbon turned "inside out" and a punched tag using the greeting from the same Regarding Dahlia set.  I added the cute little flower punch from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack.  I finished it all off with a pearl center for my flower. 

Supplies to re-create your own card:

• Regarding Dahlias Wood Mount #130324 Clear Mount #130327
• Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack #133787
• Sponge Daubers #133773
• Versamark Ink #102283
• White Stampin Emboss Powder #109132
• Heat Tool #129053
• Natural Chevron Ribbon #132982

I hope you will be as "charmed" by this card as I was!

Enjoy!

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.

 

 

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.

 

For Him~Win-Win for You and Him

If I had to bet, I would say at 80% of my card classes someone says "I need a masculine card!".  I think most Stampers would say they tend to lean toward those cards with flowers, ribbons, buttons and bows. The card I am going to show you today is not only a masculine card but it's "Quick n Easy" too! Let's face it girls, most men don't really appreciate all the time and effort we can put into our creations, works of heart! They will be thrilled to get this card with a little sumpthin' sumpthin' in it too!  Money goes in their pocket, card goes in the trash :( This card not only will take you minutes to create but it's cute too!

Just a few quick tips

1. Use your Embossing Buddy before embossing it will save you from having stray powder on your black card (it shows the worst on black cardstock with white powder)
2. Turn your square punch on an angle to punch your lapel
3. Cut your slit in your "Suit Coat" with your trimmer.  Pick a point above your embossing and run your trimmer to open up a spot before attaching to the Whisper White base
4. DO NOT GLUE the area where you want your funds to slip in.

Supplies needed for this card: Click on the #numbers to get more information or to place your order.

• Whisper White Paper trimmed to 4.25" x 11"
• Basic Black Paper trimmed to 4.25 x 7"
• Stampin' Trimmer with a scoring blade #126889
• Versamark Pad #102283
• White Stampin' Emboss Powder #109132
• Heat Tool #129053
• Embossing Buddy #103083
• White Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen #105021
• 1" Square Punch #124094

This card is great not only for a Birthday but what about Graduation, Retirement, the possibilities go on and on.  What are you going to make it for?  Leave me a comment!

Enjoy!

M.E.

Thinlits Circle Card~Raaawwwrrrrr! It's a kids card!

I saw this cute punch art Lion when I was googling ideas for the new Stampin' Up! Thinlits Circle Card die. (Yes, I need inspiration too!) I am not sure exactly why it was on there because it did not involved the Circle Card die but I am glad it was.  The original lion punch art was made by Elizabeth Green. 

Today I had a wonderful group of women join me around my Kitchen table for chatter, coffee, tea some delicious sweet yummy goodness and yes some stamping too!  Of course!  This is the card I "threw" together this morning just minutes before the first doorbell ring! Lucky I had Elizabeths inspiration idea!

Fork n Spoon Man couldn't wait to show you it so he ran outside and said "Take My Picture! Take My Picture!" so as the good mother I am I did just that! 

If you haven't seen these great new dies here is everything you get in them...tons right?!!

Here's a close-up of his cute little face. 

The Inside is ready for your signature along with a small message.

A little text talk with Stampin' Up!'s photopolymer stamps.

Order your supplies by clicking on the links below

133480 Thinlits Circle Card

133479 Thinlits Label Card

132956 Designer Type Photopolymer Stamps

So leave me a comment and let me know what you think....and that you are actually reading this.  Yes, those of you that read this on email may have to click through to my blog to let me know you are reading, learning and being inspired.  Sometimes a blogger just needs to know! :)