Handmade Gift Exchange

There are a number of us gals that get together for a handmade gift exchange. The only stipulations are that it has be ~$5 and made by someone (if not yourself, that's okay). Aren't they gorgeous?








Here are the beautiful handmade gifts I received:
Karen: Acrylic bag (with breast cancer pen & sticky notepad), acrylic clothes pin (with snowflakes) and M&M jar
Tammy: Tumbled coasters (with SU!m edallion stamp)
Theresa: Family tile (with SU! medallion stamp)
Cara: Elf shoe with chocolate bar chimney and bells
Steff: Santa terracotta pot (Steff painted by hand)
Jenny: Monogrammed towel and hot chocolate holder

I made a clock, made with the SU! medallion stamp too! Didn't know it was going to be a medallion Christmas?! :o) Who would have thunk that three of us used that one stamp? Just goes to show you how versitle it is, huh?!

Thank you ladies, for such wonderful gifts! You're such talented women . . . it's no wonder I enjoy time with you gals! :o)

Thank you for stopping by my craftroom . . . need to get Christmas cards in the mail today!
Peggy

Christmas Postcard

Is it just me, or does it feel that Christmas is sneaking up on me to fast?!

I can't believe that Christmas is two weeks from Saturday!! We have so much to do . . . and we have 2 family holiday celebrations + a birthday party too! GEEZ!

I hadn't even gotten our Christmas cards done yet! So . . . what'd I do?! I whipped out the My Digital Studio and created a postcard! I'll print these off and then mat them on some cardstock (Cherry Cobbler of course)!

This was kind of fun, putting multiple pictures all together. Whatcha think?

Have a happy weekend! Thanks for stopping by my craft room!

Peggy

BSA Locomotive

I did something I hadn't done before . . . a solid colored background, with nothing else! I wanted the pictures to be the focal point.

The background color IS the color of the locomotive though, using the color picker, and used the color picker again . . . for the photo mats colors. Why not? The colors all look great on the train, why not incoporate the colors . . . easy peasy!

I'm feeling pretty comfortable with scrapbook pages, using MDS, I really need to try my hand at the cards! I'll try it an then post what happened . . . good, bad, or ugly . . . I promise! Giving myself a challenge there, aren't I?

Hope you're having a great day! Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

First KU Game

We took the boys to their first KU game, ealier this month. Nathan & Patrick had an absolute blast!

I'd toyed with what to use as a background . . . the solid KU blue was okay . . . but it didn't pop. I'd taken a picture of the crowd . . . so I'd enlarged it (it pixelated, but that's okay) and then changed the opacity to 25%. You still still see the blue background . . . but you can somewhat see the crowd too, just kind of intermingled. :o) This is one of my favorite ways of doing backgrounds.


I'm definitely catching up on getting pictures into MDS (My Digital Studio) scrapbook pages! I'm having so much fun playing with MDS . . . I think I got another weekend event to scrapbook, when we took the boys to see the BSA train engine.

Happy Monday! Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

Family Hayride Night

Hope everyone's Thankgiving holiday went well. The four of us stayed here at home and had a nice/little Thanksgiving dinner. I did get to contribute (a little) in the making of our dinner . . . I made my Mom's dressing recipe. The rest of the dinner, Terry made . . . and he did a fantastic job too! Nathan sure did put away Grandma Betty's cranberry salad! :o)

After a week, I am doing much better! I'm only taken pain medication 3 times a day and I've expaned into canned corn today! WAHOO! :o) I'm using the boy's old baby spoons, so that I don't get overly confident and take too much of a bite . . . knew keeping these things on hand would help out someday?!

I did get out the laptop today, to do some digital scrapbooking . . . the boy's pack has an annual Family Hayride Night. We always have a great time with Caleb's (Nathan's BFF) family.

I just love the picture of Caleb, Nathan, Patrick, and Jim (Caleb's Dad), on the hayride, bottom right picture. Isn't it a cute picture of them? I share the scrapbook pages I finish, with Caleb's Mom . . . she loves taking pictures, but that's about as far as the pictures get. I'm trying to get her on the side . . .

The boys go back to school tomorrow. :o( I'm sure going to miss my 'lil snuggle-buddies!

Thanks for stopping by my craftroom! Hope you have fantastic week!

Peggy

Thanksgiving Cards

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile . . . I've been working some late hours and then when I get home, it's time to eat dinner, finish up homework, take baths, and then go to bed. It's just been a bit of a worldwind . . . it'll calm down in awhile . . .

To add a bit more wind . . . I needed to have my tonsils taken out. Since I've had strep throat 5 times a year, over the past 2 years, I guess is too much!? So we schedule it for last Friday. I'll be off of work for 2 weeks. I promise that I behaving by taking all my medication on time, keeping my voice to a minimum, and relaxing. I think Terry is liking the quietness around the house too! :o) All I can say is, "thank goodness for pain medication!" :o)

This morning, at 4:30A, I couldn't sleep . . . and the house was so quiet! So . . . since I hadn't made Thanksgiving cards yet, for our families . . . I figured WHY NOT NOW?! :o) The "card" is inside the craft pocket. Whatcha think?

Thank you for stopping by my craft room! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Peggy

ABCs of the perfect handmade holiday

Create Amazing cards, Beautiful packaging, and Cherished gifts this holiday season!

From October 19 - December 16, choose from several different holiday bundles containing gorgeous Stampin’ Up!® products—perfect for creating cards, gift packaging, and gifts—and all at 20% off!

Check my website (under promotions), to see the bundles!

Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

Clearance Rack Blitz

The Clearance Rack Blitz has been a big hit customers, and us demonstrators . . . but if you want to take advantage of up to 80% off of discontinued Stampin’ Up! products, you need to act fast. The Clearance Rack Blitz ends on October 18, so make sure you get your orders in before the blitz ends!

Terry and I were in the basement last night, as the boys were playing Super Mario Galaxy in the living room . . . so while Terry was watching college football . . . it was an opportunity for me to make a card, of course! :o) Here's the Halloween card I made . . . Wicked Cool is one of my new found favorite stamp sets. I know it's just for Halloween . . . but it's a good one! I used the Wicked Fun DSP (2" of it), on the bottom of the card too!

We had our annual Cub Scout Hayride (here's the boys, with Caleb - Nathan's 'lil BFF) . . . which was just SO much fun! About the only time we have "smores" is at the hayride . . . man, those are tasty! Today, we're going to the Renaissance Festival! What a fun packed weekend, huh? Alot of scrapbooking possibilities too!

I'm going to have alot of opportunities, for scrapbooking, at the end of next month . . . I'm going to have to have my tonsils out on November 19th! It's going to be SO quiet around here, since I won't be able to talk for awhile. I think Terry & the boys are looking forward to that part! :o)

Okay . . . off to the Renaissance Festival we go . . . thanks for stopping by my craft room!

Peggy

October Workshop

This past weekend, there were a bunch of us gals that got together for a weekend of cropping and fun! Some of us went to the CK Convention on Friday . . . and some went on Saturday, but we all met up for the Manager's Reception! Here are the gals (l-r): Jenny, me, Vicki, Jeri (SU! Upline), Theresa (sister), Elaine (celebrated her 29th birthday), Cara, Sharon, Sherry (SU! Sideline), DeAnn (SU! Sideline), and Laura. It was so much fun being around such creative women for a whole weekend!

I swear we all played so many practical jokes on each other all weekend . . . I laughed so hard that at times I was in tears! You gals are so creative and alot fun! Thank you for a wonderful weekend!

I'm also very lucky and thankful to married to a wonderful husband, of 9 years this Wednesday, that allows me to have these wonderful (and much needed) times with these gals. Thank you Terry!

I am having the October workshop, this Friday at 6:30P. Here's a picture of your projects! Isn't that 'lil bunny just the cutest?

Please RSVP, if your coming to the workshop. Thank you for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack

As you know, the Clearance Rack has been operational for over a year now, and apparently the SU! customers are finding it a great place to discover discontinued Stampin' Up! merchandise for fantastic prices. Stampin' Up! has added over two hundred more discontinued items--some at up to 80% off--to help make room in the Distribution Center for new Stampin' Up! products!! WAHOO!

Take a peak and let me know if there's anything I can help you with! Thanks for stopping by my (clearance) craft room!

Peggy

Waterfall Birthday Card

I'd seen this the instructional video of this card on Dawn Griffith's blog and new I immediately had to make it!

The first one (okay . . . two) I made, were the Halloween ones similar to the one Dawn makes in the video, for the boy's teachers . . . but I need a birthday card, for a girlfriend's birthday this week . . . so . . . I went downstairs and played?! Here's what I came up with.

The background is one of the new DSPs, Greenhouse Gala, isn't it cute paper?! Kinda reminds me to something retro . . . but not as blah as than the 'ole 70's colors. :o)

Once you pull down on the tab, you see each of the little tabs individually . . . as they "waterfall" . . . I stamped "if you are what you eat, eat something cute" on the bottom.

A bunch of us gals are going to the Creating Keepsakes Convention next weekend and stay at Embassy Suites . . . oh my, I can't wait! Theresa, Cara, Jenny, and I are staying all together . . . a whole weekend of crafting with girlfriends . . . what could be better?!?! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend . . . thanks for stopping by my craftroom!

Peggy

My Digital Studio Design Contest

Date: October 1-November 15, 2010

Stampin' Up! invites YOU to participate in its first ever digital design contest using My Digital Studio and Stampin' Up!'s digital downloads! The My Digital Studio Design contest was created to recognize the amazing digital design skills of our talented, creative customers and demonstrators! The contest is open to all customers and demonstrators who have access to My Digital Studio in the US and Canada; five customers and five demonstrators will be selected to win. To enter the contest you will need to design one digital card and two single-page layouts using ONLY My Digital Studio product and Stampin' Up downloads. Submit all samples along with an official entry form and photo release form (if applicable) to MDSContest@stampinup.com.

Winners will receive free My Digital Studio digital downloads from Stampin' Up valued at approximately $400! You will also receive a digital pin for your personal blog.

Don't own My Digital Studio or want to purchase new Stampin' Up! digital downloads? Click here! Our panel of judges can't wait to see your digital artistry on display, so submit your project today!

Ready, Set, Create! Good luck! Thanks for stopping by my craft room!

Peggy

September Workshop

Well . . . it's been awhile, huh? I've gotten alot of flack, over not updating my blog in awhile! :o) Two weeks after I broke my left ankle and right foot . . . I got a new boss (my last boss had retired in April). Needless to say . . . between late hours, the boys starting back to school, and now we have two 'lil Cub Scouts . . .

In July, I had the Stampin' Up! Convention and two days later, we traveled (with the camper and nothing broke), on a week-long family vacation for the airshow in Oshkosh, WI with Papa & LaLa! Going to the EAA airshow used to be an annual Father/Daughter trip . . . prior to kids! :o) This was wonderful to share the whole EAA experience with Terry, the boys, and LaLa.

See . . . I told you we've been busy! :o) Then to beat all, I lost my USB adapter to my camera . . . so I had to order a new one . . . that was shipped from China (took a month to get here)! GEEZ!

We did find some time to get a Cousin Night in . . . boy that was difficult, to find ONE Saturday that would work, between Theresa's boys schedule and ours! I can't wait until Brent (Theresa's youngest, far right) has his birthday next month . . . then the boys will be 6, 7, 8, and 9 . . . until Jackson (Theresa's oldest, orange shirt) turns 10 in December. We had a Wii tournament and our tradition breakfast, Pancake Puffs . . . oh what fun!!

I actually went shopping yesterday . . . something I hadn't done in awhile . . . for shoes non the less! :o) I've missed trying on shoes! My right foot still hurts, every once in awhile, but it's tolerable. I bought a couple pairs of short heals . . . WAHOO! Of course, with new shoes . . . has to come an outfit . . . right?! :o)

Here are the projects, for the September Workshop, this Friday, at 6:30P . . . finishing up the 4th project (drum roll please) . . . a recipe page!

I'm having some 'lil ladies over, on Saturday, for a a Kids Krop . . . they're going to make the owl and witch card + they're going to make a travel scrapbook! This will be something that the kiddos can add their travel pictures to, for the rest of their lives . . . 'ya know?

How are you doing? How was your summer?

Hope you're having a great weekend! Going to go watch the Chiefs game with Terry . . . thanks for stopping by my craft room!

Peggy

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Scrapbook Weekend

We'd gone on a scrapbook weekend, in April, at Country Keepsakes Scrapbook Retreat . . . we'd won this weekend (for 4) last year, at a silent auction.

Sarah, the owner, is so personalable and sweet . . . the food was fabulous! If you're looking for place to have a scrapbook weekend, I'd highly recommend this place!

We had such a fun weekend! Girl-time with your sisters and/or friends is so important . . . isn't it?

I hope you're having a great weekend! Thank you for stopping by my craft room!

Peggy

Another MDS Scrapbook Page

Last night, when I was getting into bed . . . I heard a pop, from my right foot (the sprained foot). Then the pain started up again . . . :o( When I talked with Jenny, she said it was probably a ligament . . . boy it's great to have a BFF, that is an orthopedic nurse too!

We were supposed to go to Jenny's home tonight, to celebrate Ashley's (Jenny's youngest daughter) 21st birthday. We were all looking SO forward to going and seeing all of Jenny & Scott's family . . . since we only get to see them for the life milestone celebrations. Since I can't walk (like I had been the last two days) . . . Terry has banned me to the bedroom. So . . . I guess the next time we'll see all of them is when Ashley graduates from KU next year.

So . . . as I sit in bed (again) . . . I have my laptop opened, creating more scrapbook pages! :o) Here's another one. We started a tradition, this year, that on the first & last day of school . . . we celebrate by going to Ben & Jerry's, for some ice cream. With MDS, you can color match the punches and stamps. I color matched the apples, to the wall color at Ben & Jerry's, and the mats (and scallop edge) are from the booth. Fun, huh?

Okay . . . back to scrapbooking . . . thanks for stopping by my craft room!

Peggy

TGIF

How are you doin'? I went to the physician on Wednesday and they took off my cast! WAHOO!

They put on a beatiful CAM boot (similar to a walking cast with velcro, so you can take it off). Good thing is that I can be walk around . . . bad thing is that I am! :o) Terry gets on me, when I'm up and around too much, but then all my fellas have almost been waiting on me for almost a week . . . I feel guilty! 'Ya know?

Being forced to lay in bed, is at least making me do some "fun" things finished too! This is a scrapbook page, from the school carnival (last month). It was alot of fun to make, in My Digital Studio.

Stampin' Up! has some retired items too! Want to check them out? Stop by my website . . . great way to get some "Last Chance" embellishments and stamp sets at a fraction of the original price!

Thank for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

As I'm bed contained . . .

I am bed contained, due to the fact that last Saturday I missed the last step of our camper. Terry took me to the closest hospital and come to find out that I broke my left ankle and sprained my right foot. As you can imagine, it's hard/painful to walk . . . Terry has to help me walk to/from the 'lil girls room. The boys are being cute and helpful . . . coming in every once in awhile, to see if there is anything I need. Terry (and the boys) are being great with all of this . . . I'm so lucky!

I had to fill out my forms (online) for the physician's office, so . . . after I was done filling those out, I decided to scrapbook our Cinnamon Roll Critters class, that we took last month.

I got some cards done too, while the boys were out on their bike ride, with their Dad. Hey, as long as I don't have to get up get it . . . I am able to do craft here in bed! :o)

We'll have to play the monthly workshop by ear . . . I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for stopping by my craft room (bed) . . .

Peggy

More Friday projects . . .

Here are the other two projects, for the workshop on Friday night. I hope you gals enjoy doin' them!


With it being National Scrapbook Month . . . we're doing something new . . . a scrapbook page! "King of the Grill" is a new stamp set in the mini catalog . . . with Father's Day next month, I'm sure there are expert "grill masters" with our Dads, husbands, and/or sons. :o)

Here's the Christmas card we're going to do . . . we also going to "alter" the front of a little memo notebook.

Hope to see you Friday night . . . thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

Father's Day Gift Card Holder

Happy Saturday to you! How are you doin'?

School is coming to an end . . . then summer time, which equals hopefully alot of camping time! We found a place for our camper to go, it's near a small lake and we have a beautiful view! The owner, of the campground, is going to put in a concrete pad for our camper. Once that's done . . . "Alice" (our camper) is going to be moving to the lake!! WAHAOO! We can't wait!

Terry's step-nephew is getting married tonight, so we've been busy finding "dress" clothes for the boys, for an evening wedding. We bought ties for our 'lil men too! Gosh they're going to look SO handsome! I'll have to snap a picture of all my men together, dressed up! :o) I know time flies by SO fast that we'll be (before we know it) dressing up for our fella's weddings . . . right?

If you're coming to the workshop, this Friday, this is one of the projects you're going to be making . . . a Father's Day Gift Card Holder. It has three envelopes enclosed, where you can put two gift cards + a note in the third envelope. Isn't this the cutest stamp? It's "King of the Grill", from the summer mini catalog! I just fell in love with it . . . this is one that I'll NEVER get rid of!

If you haven't RSVP'd yet . . . please send me a note, letting me know you're comin'! I'll be posting the rest of your projects, this week, so stay tuned! Hope to see you on Friday night!

Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

Little Flower Basket

Here is a little cardstock basket . . . I'd found this on the Internet earlier this week and just HAD to make it. All you need is a 8.5" x 8.5" piece of cardstock and a piece of double-sided coordinating DSP to make it. Here are the instructions . . . if you'd like to make it bigger, you could use a 12" x 12" piece of cardstock . . . but I'd score it maybe @ 4" or so. If these don't make sense, let me know.

• Score CS @ 2.5" on all four sides and cut to the score lines on end pieces.
• Cut 4 pieces of coordinating CS (cardstock) at 2.25" square, 2.25" x 3.25", and 1 piece at 1.5" x 8.5".
• Cut 4 pieces of coordinating DSP at 2" square, 2" x 3", and 1 piece at 1.25" x 8.5".
• Adhere the DSP on the CS and then adhere those pieces to the outer edges of the scored CS. The 2.25" pieces go on the four corners (if that helps out on placement).
• You'll also need to have 2 brads - to make the place where the handle and side pieces come together stonger. I place the brads in backwards, so when the basket is emptied . . . it looks pretty. Besides . . . the flower embellishment I made covered up the "not-so-pretty" side of the brad.

We'd driven by Nuts & Bolts today and since they were having 50% off plant sale . . . figured it was fate! Wouldn't this make a cute gift for those green thumb friends, as a "thank you"? You can fit four of the little starter plants (that are about the size of your thumb).

The boys have their "Cinnamon Roll Critters" class today, at the local culinary school . . . I'll be sure to take lots of pictures! Can't wait to see all the critters they make!

Happy Mother's Day, to those of you with 2 legged and furry 4 legged kiddos! ;o) Enjoy your day tomorrow and thanks for stopping by my craft room! Peggy

Lake of the Ozarks Scrapbook Page

I hope things are going well, with you and your family. Sorry it's been awhile, since I posted last . . . I can't believe how busy it's been around here!

In May alone, we have a wedding, a school carnival, t-ball practices starting, a "Cinnamon Roll Critters" kid's cooking class (for the boys), a Stampin' Up! workshop, and a KC Royals game! Where on earth has the year gone?

Terry's sister and brother-in-law have a home, at Lake of the Ozarks. They've retired and moved to their lake home full-time now . . . so we went to the lake last weekend. Terry's bother (Gary) even went too . . . gosh we had a great time!

You know I just HAD to take pictures! :o) So I created a My Digital Studio scrapbook page!

Bring it on May . . . I'm ready for 'ya! Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

Teacher Appreciation . . .

During one of the craft shows last year, a gal approached me about creating the shopping lists I had for sale. She's a PTA President at a local school and wondered if I could put their school mascot on the top (instead of what I had) . . . of course I said, "you betcha!"

The PTA is going to give each one of their teachers one of these, during Teacher Appreciation week . . . which is the first week of May. Here's what I'd created . . . went to Office Depot and purchased 24 of the small lined notepads and then asked them to cut 'em in half ($3) . . . I'll be working on these, this weekend. :o) One down . . . 44 more to go! :o)

Theresa and I are working on the Teacher Appreciation Pill Boxes this weekend, to give to our son's teachers. I know it sounds odd . . . but they're really cute . . . go to her website and see 'em! We'd found Skip to My Lou's blog last year (after we'd already done our gifts), but just HAD to remember this project. Isn't it cute 'lil gift?

Okay . . . gotta finish packing for the scrapbook weekend! :o) Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

May is National Scrapbook Month

Did you know that May is National Scrapbook Month? Well, guess what?! We're going to change up one of the workshop projects, to include a scrapbook page! This is something we haven't done this yet . . . see . . . you CAN actually incorporate stamps into your scrapbook pages!

Here is the layout of the page . . . want another hint? It'll be a 12"x12" scrapbook page for Father's Day!

Want to complete the page that night? Bring your photos with you! If you wish to have 3 photos, as in the layout . . . you'll need 3 - 4"x4" photos . . . if you wish to do just 2 photos . . . you'll need 2 - 6"x6" photos.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Friday - May 21st, for the workshop! Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

Workshop Projects

Sorry 'bout posting this the night before the workshop, but this week has been absolutely nuts! I'm glad that tomorrow is Friday and let the weekend begin! WAHOO!

I sure hope you enjoy these projects . . . with Mother's Day, next month, we just had to do a Mother's Day card. :o) The flower, on the box, I found on Dawn Griffith's website. It's so easy and it turns out really cute! I used the wing, from the Two Step Bird Punch, as the leaf.

Next weekend Theresa, Jenny, Tammy/Laurie, and I are going to Country Keepsakes Scrapbook Retreat . . . it's scrapbook weekend place, about one hour south of Kansas City. Theresa's husband bid on this weekend for us at an auction last year and we actually won! I say "Tammy/Laurie" because Tammy can only come or part of the weekend . . . she over extended her commitments next weekend, so she's splitting the weekend in half with Laurie. There are eight gals staying there in the course of the weekend . . . so we'll be meeting 4 other gals. We're all really looking forward to this scrapbook weekend!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Thanks for stopping by my craft room,
Peggy

Blooming Flower

Today is the one year anniversary of Terry's Mom passing . . . today is very heart-warming, with our loving thoughts of her.

When I woke up this morning the plant, that Jenny purchased us last year, was in bloom! :o) Seeing the new blossom just put a smile on my face. 'Ya know? Our Mom used to say that "everything happens for a reason" . . . I believe that the plant bloomed, this morning specifically, to remind us of Betty and let us know she is okay. Isn't the flower beautiful?

"Grandma Betty" was a wonderful Mom, terrific Mother-in-Law, fantastic Grandmother, and an awesome cook. We sure miss our Grandma Betty!

Please keep Terry and his siblings in your prayers today; as I know it is a very heart-warming and emotional day for all of them.

Thanks for stopping by my craft room,
Peggy

Kids Krop

I'm having a Kids Krop (all girls) tomorrow. I didn't want to post this earlier, because their Moms subscribe to my posts and I wanted it to be a surprise for them too! :o) This is one of their projects tomorrow.

I'd found a similar project on the Internet (sorry I can't remember what site, or I'd give you the credit). Thought it's be good for young gals to create, don't you think?

We're having another weekend crop, this coming October, and this will be my M&T project for the attendees! A little sneak peak, for those of you coming in October! :o) For those going to the weekend crop, in October, I thought if you would be going to the scrapbook convention also . . . this would be perfect to put your money, credit cards, & license in . . . so you don't have to lug around a purse. Those purses can be heavy after awhile! :o) I put my 'lil name tag button, from the Spring Fling on it too! I just had to! :o)

I'll post the rest of their projects . . . their doing a alien card and the the glass jar, from one of my M&Ts at the Spring Fling. I sure hope the 'lil crafters, coming tomorrow, enjoy all their projects.

I'm meeting Jeri (my upline) tomorrow afternoon, to start discussing the Stampin' Up! convention . . . the convention is in Utah, at the end of July. This will be my first year attending and absolutely I can't wait!

Thanks for stopping by my craft room,
Peggy

Color Renovation!

Stampin' Up! has just announced "Color Renovation"!

At Stampin’ Up!®, color is part of our identity. It’s fundamental to your ability to create and be creative. That also means that it’s important for you to be able to stay up-to-date with the trends in color to keep both your artwork and your business fresh and exciting. That’s why we’ve worked to present you with the Color Renovation—a refreshing, updated color palette!

The new color collections combine current colors with previous In Colors, and five new colors. These luscious collections give you new and vibrant choices, keeping your papercrafting passion original and exciting. Mix and match for your favorite combinations, and make the Color Renovation work for you!

Don't these colors just make your socks go up & down?! Oh my . . . I just LOVE 'EM! The colors will be available this summer, in the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog.

Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

Farewell Party

My boss retired on Wednesday . . . I was the party "paparazzi". Imagine me without my camera, on a life changing day?! NOT! I'm putting a scrapbook together for him, with all the pictures . . . there was a wonderful turn out and Mark had a great time mingling with everyone.

This is a premade kit, with My Digital Studio (MDS), Rock-a-Bye Boy . . . but I changed out a few things, to make it for an adult. I just loved the color combinations and thought it would work. See . . . nothing in MDS is permanent! :o) I figured out a way to place names of the people who attended . . . 'cause you know 5 years from now, he'll forget some of these names. :o)

Once I got home from his party, I found Patrick on the bathroom floor with a blanket and his 'lil puppy. YUP . . . he was sick! :o( Poor thing! He stayed at home from school on Thursday. I then started feeling bad on Friday morning. Since yesterday was Good Friday, we were all off from school and work . . . so we snuggled and slept alot!

Okay, gotta go . . . I have 40 more pictures to scrapbook and add names to the first page! :o)

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter! Thank you for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

Two-Step into Spring Promotion

Two-Step into spring with a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog! Be the first to add the Awash with Flowers stamp set to your collection. Promotion runs April 1 - 30, 2010.

Awash with Flowers
117062 - Wood Mount - $39.95
120549 - Clear Mount - $27.95

Plus, purchase spring-themed Two-Step Stampin' sets at 20 percent off the retail price--no additional purchase necessary! Qualifying stamp sets are listed below:

113824 (Page 94) Greenhouse Garden - $20.76
113734 (Page 98 ) Fifth Avenue Floral - $19.96
111578 (Page 101) Flower Fancy - $29.56
113258 (Page 112) Trendy Trees - $14.36

You can purchase directly through my website or e-mail me and I can place the order for you. I highly recommend you to use the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig with this stamp set, to get the perfect placement.

Thanks for stopping by my craft room!

Peggy

Blogs I have to share . . .

Stampin' Up! came up with this "Stampin' Connection" website, for us demonstrators to go and share business tips, talk about upcoming events, share projects (pictures and sometimes instructions), and most recently . . . a place for us to link our blogs for blog-surfing.

I've gotten so many great connections through this blog-surfing . . . if you have some time, go check out these blogs! These are some very talented women!

Amanda's Blog: Krafting Kreations
Amy's Blog: Amy's Creative Corner
Andrea's Blog: Scrap Stamp and Play
Ann's Blog: The Stampin' Schach
Brandy's Blog: Brandy's Cards
Corie's Blog: Creations by Corie
Crystal's Blog: Crafting & Rambling
Debbie's Blog: The Paper-azzi Connection
Diane's Blog: Rubbers 'n Rafters
Elizabeth's Blog: Stamping Party
Elizabeth's Blog: Covered in Crafts
Ellen's Blog: Puttin'OnDaGlitz
Holley's Blog: Hello Holley
Jacqueline's Blog: Scraps of Life
Jean's Blog: JeanStamps
Jennifer's Blog: Stamptastical
Jenilee's Blog
Jeri's Blog: Coloring Our World
Katherine's Blog: Craft-a-torium
Kath's Blog: All That Scrap
Kathryne's Blog: Crafty Kat Creations
Kristin's Blog: Sunshine, Smiles & Stamps= Lovin' Life
Julie's Blog: Julie B's Stampin' Space
Katie's Blog: KBStamps
Kim's Blog: Jenkins Journal
Kim's Blog: Kim's Kreative Place
Lesley's Blog: Always Playing with Paper
Lisa's Blog: Add Ink and Stamp
Lou Ann's Blog: LouAnn's Inky Ideas
Lynn's Blog: Stamping with Lynn
Marie's Blog: From Boots to Stamps
Maureen's Blog: Crazy Stamping Lady
Pam's Blog: Stamping with Serendipity!
Peggy's Blog: My Craft Room
Rebekah's Blog: Stamp That
Ronda's Blog: Stamp Scrap Diva
Shari's Blog: Southern California Stamper
Sherri's Blog: Lost in Stamping
Sherrill's Blog: Late Night Stamper
Tashana's Blog: Honeybee's Stamping Hive
Tina's Blog
If I left someone off, I'm sorry . . . it was by mistake, believe me! :o)

I hope you have fun blog-surfing . . . I know I get inspired each time I blog-surf the above blogs . . . I hope it does that same for you! If you see something that makes your socks go up & down . . . please leave these gals comments, subscribe to their RSS/e-Mail feeds, and be sure to follow them too!

Thanks for stopping by my craft room . . . now go get inspired!
Peggy

Retirement Gift

Mark, my boss, has decided to retire after 21 years at our company. I've worked directly for him since 2002 and before that, my previous boss reported to Mark . . . so really I've worked around Mark since I've been at my job (1994). His last day is next Wednesday . . . I'll be taking next Thursday off, to mourn! :o(

I gotta tell you a funny (but lengthy) story though. A few years back, Mark mentioned that his wife was putting together a scrapbook for their oldest son, who was graduating high school. I told him how he HAD to purchase this "new" electronic die cutting machine on the market! Well . . . a few months go by and it's Administrative Professional Day . . . guess what?! He bought me one! He actually listened to what I'd said two months before!? I'd never mentioned where he needed to purchase one . . . just that he needed to buy one for his wife. I figured if he wanted to buy one for her, he'd ask. So . . . he started out at the Cricket (Wireless) store, thinking that's where you purchased them. :o) He also went to a local craft store and Office Depot, because I'd told him that it was about the size of a printer. Someone told him that you could purchase them at Walmart, but they were out of stock. He went there every morning, on the way into work, until that Friday . . . he came to work with a card and a Walmart gift card (enough to cover the cost of the machine). He knew if he didn't come to work with something, he'd be in a world of hurt (the official day was on that Wednesday). It still amazes me at the trouble he went through for 'lil 'ole me.

So . . . I absolutely know he'll be expecting me to make something for him! I got the idea from Patty Bennett's blog. Mark and his wife own a home with alot of acreage and horses . . . so I thought the sentiment on the front was fitting. On the inside, I put two gift certificates . . . one to a truck parts place (he recently purchased a '53 Chevy pick-up to tinker with) and a local shoe place (he and I have always made a point to go for an annual shoe shopping trip). At least now I'm guaranteed at least one more shoe shopping trip with him! :o)

I sure am going to miss him . . . but I do know they'll do well through this next adventure of their lives.

Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

p.s. In case you're wondering . . . Mark never has purchased one for his wife, but she is a bit technically challenged. :o) I'm grateful that I'll be able to think of him, whenever I use my machine and smile at the story behind it.

March Workshop Projects

Hope you had a fabulous weekend! Kansas City was hit with a winter snow, on the first day of spring . . . the accumulation varied between 7" - 11.5". I do recall, as a little girl, having to hunt for Easter eggs in our house . . . since it had snowed on Easter. I'm so looking forward to spring!

With the boys headin' back to school tomorrow, I'll be returning back to the office. I sure have enjoyed my extended weekend, with my men! Vacation days always seem to short, don't they?

Here are your March workshop projects . . . don't forget to RSVP, if you haven't already.

I downloaded the School Days II stamp set, for My Digital Studio . . . here's what I came up with. At our boys school, they're assigned a 6th Grade buddy on their first day of Kindergarten. Then, on the 6th Graders last day of school, there is an Ice Cream Party for the Kindergarten class and their 6th Grade buddies, to wish the 6th Graders well . . . as they go off to Middle School. It's such a neat tradition (can be a bit of a tear jerker too). :o)

Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

Walking with Papa . . .

I know this picture pretty much speaks for itself . . . I just couldn't help but to whip out my camera, when I saw my Dad holding hands with our boys.

I need to branch out and do some cards, in My Digital Studio . . . but I've got ALL these pictures on my hard-drive collecting dust! They're just screaming to be put on a page! :o)

Thanks for stopping by my craft room!

Peggy

April's Christmas Card

Since the boys are on Spring Break this week, I decided to take a couple days off and hang with all my fellas.

We were going to go to the Lake of the Ozarks, but there is a likely chance of snow this weekend. Driving on those Missouri lake roads + snow = one nervous Nelly driver! Can you believe that?! The first day of Spring and it's supposed to snow in the midwest?! So . . . the we'll have to save the lake for another weekend. I think with the NCAA championship on television, Terry wasn't too upset about staying at home either! :o) I was 1st place, last night, in our NCAA bracket (there are 390 of us) . . . I'm down to 4th now. :o( No money for 4th place . . . so I'm hoping there are some upsets today!

Okay . . . you know how we're doing a Christmas card each month, at the monthly workshop? Here's the one for April! I got my inspiration from Jennifer Tribue's blog. This was one of her card swaps, from the Regional seminar she attended. She has a cute blog . . . if you get some time, check it out.

Don't forget the March workshop is next Friday @ 6:30P. Please be sure to RSVP, with how many sets you'd like to make. I'll be sure post the project pictures this weekend.

Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy

MDS Page + Sale-A-Bration

I created a couple scrapbook pages last night, with My Digital Studio (MDS) . . . of our Spring Fling weekend! Creating pages in MDS is so much fun . . . if you can drag & drop photos and like to be creative with colors & stamps . . . MDS is for you! If you have Stampin' Up! products at home, you can create "hybrid" pages and/or cards, to include coordinating products you already have . . . you can me it more dimensional that way! :o)

We're already starting to plan the next crop, so mark your calendar for October 8th - 10th at the Embassy Suites in North Kansas City . . . if you'd like to join us, please e-mail me.

As a friendly reminder . . . Sale-A-Bration (SAB) is through March 31st . . . two weeks away! For every $50 you spend, you receive an item from the SAB catalog for free! Also, if you've been considering becoming a demonstrator, now is the perfect time! During Sale-A-Bration, anyone who joins can choose any stamp set--a value of up to $47.95--from our current Idea Book and Catalog or Occasions Mini Catalog. Plus, through March 31st, get 15% off the price of the standard Starter Kit or Digital+ Starter Kit!

I became a SU! demonstrator because of the quality of the products, I loved how all the colors coordinated together, I wanted to support my hobby, and obviously be surrounded by fun & creative women! :o) As you can see from the weekend scrapbook pages . . . we do have a great group of C.O.W. members and would welcome the opportunity to add you to our group. Please contact me, if you'd like to discuss this further . . . I'll be happy to tell you more about the great benefits and support Stampin' Up! provides.

Thanks for stopping by my craft room!
Peggy