hello, hello, hello

This layout will be published online, so I have to take it off. Sorry!!!



ETA:Feeling the need to share a project with you, here is the layout I did for the Spellbinders design team contest this year. We had to use Inverted Scalloped Circles and Filmstrip.

The first thing that popped into my head, was spiders. Then I thought, oh my, I could make the filmstrip into a downspout. And seeing as Itsy, Bitsy, Spider is one of my son's all-time favorite songs, it was a perfect fit. The photos were taken of him singing the song and doing all the actions. Could it get any cuter? :) One side note, the spiders are made from die cut felt (inverted scalloped circles and classic circles) and the legs were cut from leather trim. Love the dimensional feel to this page!

Supplies: Spellbinders (Inverted Scalloped Circles Large, Filmstrip, Classic Paisly, Classic Circles Small, Labels 6), Patterned paper (Crate-Little Sprout), Cardstock (Core'dinations), Felt (Wal Mart), Leather trim (Wal Mart), Googly Eyes (Wal Mart). Letter Stickers (Scenic Route)



Hello again!! Just wanted to give you a quick update as to how we are doing. It feels like I haven't been around forever and its such a strange feeling! We have moved into our house and are starting to get settled. There are maybe 6 boxes left to unpack and most of the rooms are in tip top shape. We even got to the point of hanging pictures and artwork on the wall today. Its amazing how simple things like that can make you feel more at home!


My parents left yesterday after visiting for a week. It was a wonderful time together and I already miss them terribly. But I did get to shop with my mom a ton. That was good. So good.


My mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law arrive on Thursday night for a several day stay. We cannot wait to show them the house and around the area too!!


So, as you can see, life has been a busy blur. A happy one, though. Hopefully I will get back to sharing a project or two, before too terribly long. thanks for always stopping by! ((HUGS))

take care

A quick card, with a flower made from die cut muslin. This muslin has a bit more texture to it, which I like. Nothing else too fancy here. :)

Hope you are doing well! thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies: Patterned paper-Fancy Pants (Road Show), Lace&Twine-May Arts, Stamps&Cardstock&Button-Papertrey Ink, Spellbinders-Big Scalloped Circles Small

This is a scheduled post.

you’ve been so kind

Shabby, shabby, shabby, with lots of texture. It was the theme of the CHA show. For this card, I created a pleated fabric border (tutorial HERE). Underneath that is a piece of fantastic tape from 7gypsies. It looks like a measuring tape. If I were to make this card over, I would have let more of that show through.

The frame was cut using the latest from Spellbinders, Labels Sixteen. The cork pieces are actually reversed, as they are printed on the other side. But adding twine-tied buttons made cute accent pieces.

thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Patterned paper-Fancy Pants (Road Show), Tape-7gypsies, Cork-Pink Paislee (Queen Bee), Fabric-American Crafts (Dear Lizzy), Twine-May Arts, Buttons & Stamp-Papertrey Ink, Spellbinders-Labels Sixteen, Classic Scalloped Border Petite

This is a scheduled post.

Waffle Cone Maker

My latest kitchen toy! A waffle cone maker! I have been wanting one of these for SUCH a long time. I found just the one I was looking for at the CSN stores. (wonderful online shopping, for whatever you are needing-kitchen, home, office, their stores are impressive, and the free shipping level can usually be obtained with one item)

This waffle cone maker is from Chef’s Choice International. Its a great size. Looks great in stainless steel. And you can store it vertically. Love that.

The machine comes with a cone former and a guide book, with recipes.

The iron surface is easy to clean.

The buttons help you time the baking of your waffle cones and you can also control the color of your cones.

There are three recipes in the booklet. We chose the standard one-easy with a few ingredients. Be careful with how much batter you place on the iron. It is thin and spreads out quickly. And makes a huge mess. :) Trust me, its much less batter than you would imagine.

When the correct amount of time has passed, you take the cone off the iron and use the form to roll the cone. Its hot, using a towel helps. And be sure to pinch the end of the cone, or you will have a large ice cream mess later. :)

I have these darling cone holders and they were the perfect place to let the cones cool down.

We made the bowls by placing the flat cone over a small bowl.

We had a few mistakes, but we were able to make 3 cones and 3 bowls from one set of batter. We, of course, ate our pick right away, and placed the others in a sealed plastic bag. They kept wonderfully for a few days. Which means, making them ahead of time for a party would be easy.

And here is the final result. These were yummy and super easy. They aren’t ready for Martha Stewart and a cover shoot, but who cares, they taste fantastic! :) We are really looking forward to getting our ice cream maker out of storage, so we can make ice cream and the cones! I see ice cream socials in our future!

thanks for stopping by!

This is a scheduled post.

just saying hello

Just a quick reminder that School Basics from Mint Motif is now available at i {heart} papers. If you missed the sneak peek projects, you can see them HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE. I am SO excited about this set! And exciting news, look for Mint Motif stamps being used in projects in upcoming magazine issues!! :) :)

Just a quick card and hello. I had to start using the newest line from October Afternoon, called Seaside, as soon as I got home from CHA. I mean, look at those darling pendants!!

With the move well under way and our families due to arrive shortly, I am going to be posting few and far between for the next couple of weeks. Maybe I will get the chance to sneak in a few more posts, but sometimes you just have to let things slide. I hope you understand and don’t mind. Your visits, emails, and comments are so appreciated, so thanks for always stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Hero Arts (Truly Appreciated), Patterned paper-October Afternoon (Seaside), Ink-Memento (Tuxedo Black), Buttons-Making Memories, Twine-May Arts, Spellbinders-Petite Ovals Small, Labels Eight

Introducing School Basics

School Basics $10

• 15 images
• handwriting line image measures 5 5/8” x 5/8”
• all the sentiments fit onto the handwriting line

School Basics is now available a i {heart} papers.com!!

And don’t forget to pick up some of that fabulous Chalkstock too!

Check out what the wonderful Mint Motif design team has created:

• Charlene Austin
• Geny Cassady
• Kazan Clark
• Latisha Yoast
• Julie Overby
• Kate Baldwin, iheartpapers.com owner

Have fun shopping! I cannot wait to see what you create! Remember, email me with your projects in a gallery or on your blog, I would love to see them and to share them! thanks for stopping by!

School Basics: For Teacher

One more final quick card before the release tomorrow!!! And before we move out. This was the only place left to take a photo! :)

I used the same small chalkboard from the tags yesterday and put it on a card. How quick and easy is this? You could whip this up in a few minutes and have a thoughtful card ready to go.

Thanks so much for all your support and excitement and for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (School Basics available August 14), Patterned paper-October Afternoon (Thrift Shop), Chalkstock-Canvas Corp, Ink-Palette (Canvas), Twine-May Arts, Wood Paper-Creative Imaginations, Spellbinders-Classic Rectangles Small

School Basics Chalkboard Tags

Another take on chalkboards today! How cute are these little tags? They are tied to crayon shaped candy pops that I made. Wouldn’t they be cute in a little bouquet, maybe in a jar or a basket?!?

To make the chalkboards, I started by die cutting a piece of Creative Imaginations Thick Cherry Wood paper with a Spellbinders Classic Rectangle (Small-die #4).

Then the best part-the new product that iheartpapers.com is carrying-CHALKSTOCK!! Yep, its cardstock that is chalk. You can DIE CUT IT! You can write on it with chalk and erase it!! You can STAMP ON IT! This stuff is so cool!! And so trendy in home decorating!!

For this project, I stamped words from School Basics onto the die cut (die #3). I used Palette Canvas ink, but Versamark Cloud White also stamps on it beautifully. (Palette doesn’t need heat setting, but the Versamark needs it.)

Hope I have inspired some creative ideas for you-easy to create ideas! thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (School Basics-available August 14th), Paper-Chalkstock, Ink-Palette (Canvas), Twine-May Arts, Wood paper-Creative Imaginations, Spellbinders-Classic Rectangles Small

School Basics Chalkboard

Today’s peek is a cute and easy to make chalkboard. You might want to save this project for later on in the year, but a new teacher might like a classroom sign, if they don’t have one already. I picked this up in the wood section of Michael's. They had several sizes of pre-made chalkboards. This one measures 5 3/4 x 7 1/2."

Using Palette ink, the words stamped beautifully on the wood edge of the chalkboard. It also worked to stamp the stars in the background. When I am going to stamp in a certain amount of space, I always start with the word at the end of the space and work my way backwards.

The apple was stamped onto patterned paper and so was the leaf. Love the open images in this set for that very reason!

The cutie pencil again. Stamped, colored, cut out, and adhered.

The handwriting line stamp image fit perfectly on the chalkboard. You have to use a bit more pressure than normal, as the chalkboard is not perfectly level, like paper on a table would be. But missing ink, it could also add to the charm of the project. :)

Stop back for tomorrow’s peek, with another take on chalkboards and a FABULOUS new product that iheartpapers.com will be carrying. thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (School Basics-available August 14), Ink-Palette (Paris Lights, Sunflower, Noir, Canvas) Memento (Tuxedo Black), Ribbon-May Arts, Patterned paper-Basic Grey (Oliver), Copics (Y15, R22, C03)

On a personal note…we are in the middle of packing up our rental townhouse and getting ready to move into our house in Iowa. We close Friday morning and the movers arrive with the rest of our belongings (which have been in storage since May…) on Monday. Its exciting, stressful, and crazy around here!!

Not so School Basics and a Video Tutorial

One trend I noticed at CHA was notebook lines. Thick, dotted, elementary school line paper. Almost everyone had a piece in their collection. I also noticed a few seasonally colored lined papers. The handwriting line stamp in this set is going to allow you to make your own handwriting paper, for whatever project you are working on! There is nothing school or teachery about this card. :)

Because all the word stamps are separate, you can build your own sentiments. Here is a list of sentiments you can make, non-school sentiments.

• for you
• you’re the best
• thank you

I also made this flower from the stamps in the set. By stamping the leaf several times on patterned paper, I was able to create the flower.

And one last fun feature of this card-the notebook edge. I made that without an edge punch or die template. And to show you how, I made a quick video tutorial. If you need the direct link, click here: NOTEBOOK EDGE

thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (School Basics), Patterned paper-October Afternoon (Seaside, shipping soon), Ink-Palette (Water Lily, Orangerie, Noir), Twine-May Arts, Velvet Trim

Oh, I know you are looking for the winner of the School Basics stamp set...here she is...

Kathy Martin said...
CUPCAKES! Gotta love cupcakes! And apple cupcakes...these are just too cool for school! ;) Love the card, by-the-way! I was a bit distracted by those yum-licious cupcakes! :)
August 7, 2010 7:19 PM

Congrats Kathy! You need to email me your address so I can get your stamps out to you. Thanks for all your comments!!!

More School Basics

A set of cards using School Basics (available at i {heart} papers.com starting August 14). This time I paired the images with the cutest new school themed paper from Crate. Their new line, School Spirit, will be shipping soon. And I am way beyond excited to say that Crate will be selling 6x6 paper pads!! These will not be scaled down, but 1/4 sheet versions of their paper. But you can see how easily I worked those into these cards. Love the colors!

A look at how the words fit perfectly on the handwriting line stamp.

My favorite feature of this stamp set:

The handwriting line stamp measures 5.55”, which means that you will be able to stamp the line the entire side of an A2 card, the long side!!!!

A paper pieced star.

A paper pieced apple, leaf, and star. So cute! Leaves the possibilities wide open for your creativity!

thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (School Basics available August 14), Ink-Palette (Burnt Umber, Water Lily, L’Amour) Versamark (Watermark), Patterned paper-Crate (School Spirit-will let you know when it arrives)

Mint Motif: Sneak Peek of School Basics

Today I am thrilled to share a sneak peek of the next set from Mint Motif! It will be available for purchase at i{heart}papers.com on August 14th.

I am so very excited about this stamp set! Everything I have been making with it has been easy and cute! This $10 stamp set has many images, ones that I cannot wait to show you this week. And if you are saying, I don’t need another school set, just stay tuned…

The sentiments are all designed to fit in the handwriting line in the set. Each word is separate, allowing you to build your own phrases.

There are two star images, an line one, shown here, and a solid star.

There is also an line apple and a solid apple, and line leaf and open leaf. Perfect for when you want to color, or paper piece, or not.

A pencil is in the set. Love this pencil.

And of course, I had to do some baking! :) These apple cupcakes are from the new book, “What’s New, Cupcake.” They would be pretty cute to bring to school for the teachers.

Make sure and see what the design team has been up to! They are fantastic!!

Charlene Austin

Geny Cassady

Julie Overby

Kazan Clark

Latisha Yoast

Kate Baldwin-i{heart}papers.com store owner

Once again, I will be drawing one winner to receive School Basics, from all the comments left here, and on the design team’s blogs. You have until 10 pm CDT on Sunday, August 8 to leave comments. A winner will be drawn and announced in Monday’s post.

Wheeeee!! Have I mentioned how excited I am about this set?!?!? more to come tomorrow! thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps-Mint Motif (School Basics), Ink-Palette (Burnt Umber, Noir) Memento (Tuxedo Black), Patterned paper-Basic Grey (Oliver), Twine-May Arts, Copics (Y15, R22, C03, E53)

Spellbinders Grand Calibur Video Introduction

This is one secret that I have needed to keep in for a long time. The new machine, The Grand Calibur™, from Spellbinders has me SO excited!! All the awesomeness of a Wizard, with a large platform!! The Grand Calibur accepts 8½ x 11” paper without trimming, as well as cuts and embosses up to 8⅛” wide with the turn of a handle. It weighs about 7 pounds. The interior is made from metal and the outside is a sleek design of plastic. Its sturdy and pretty! :)

For all the other details and a how-to, check out my video. Direct link here: GRAND CALIBUR VIDEO

Can't wait to hear what you think! thanks for stopping by!

CHA-S 2010 @ Chicago

Just wanted to share some photos from my trip to CHA. I took all my photos with my iPhone, so please forgive the quality. :)

My first stop of the morning, and the show, HAD to be Spellbinders!!! Look at the Grand Calibur!! LOVE this new machine. Do you know how hard it was to keep this a secret? Its fantastic. Large dies will be available (yay for the awesome designs), but you can use all the die templates in your stash already!! (I have one, stay tuned for videos and lots of details!) Their BLOG.

SORRY. This project has been removed for publication. :)

One of my pieces of artwork in the Spellbinders booth. My parents weren’t sure if they should be happy to “be at the show” or just weirded out. :)

Lunch on the first day was with these fantastic ladies!

Susan Opel, Cath Edvalson, Rae Barthel, Ashley Harris

Bella Blvd. cuteness. I loved their bright colors and great mix of modern patterns. The other thing I liked was their scale could also work for cards. Notice the circles? They are still hot, hot, hot, as circles were everywhere!! Their BLOG.

October Afternoon Seaside. Nautical and fabulous and in my hands!! Loving their 8x8 pads! Their BLOG.

Crate. Crate. Crate. Crate. Their lines blew me away. Restoration (left) is gorgeous in color and style and it will be on everyone’s wish list. School Spirit(right) was fantastic too. Everyone had bright colors, but not primary. The colors all had a shabby look to them. BLOG

I spent the days walking around with Kate Baldwin (above, i{heart}papers) and her design team. Such lovely ladies. So kind and welcoming! Carolyn Mustopa, Gretchen Belknap, Deb Felts, Loretta Lock, Kendra Wietstock, Cathleen Torina, Lori Tecler, and Lynn Mercurio. We had a ton of fun walking, talking, and causing a scene because there were so many of us! We enjoyed a fantastic dinner, hosted by Kate, that night, at The Rosewood. Some of the best food I have ever eaten.

Look at that twice-baked potato! It was massive. I barely touched half of it. And let’s not forget that steak-melt in your mouth. Its a good thing I walked for 3 days straight!

I got to meet Jennifer McGuire! I have long, long, long been a fan of her work, but getting to meet her for real, wow. She is sweet, and kind, and just the nicest person you could meet. Makes you like her even more, doesn’t it? (Another amazing thing..the head honcho of Hero Arts took the photo! I got to meet Aaron! Wow!)

Hero Arts LACE!! Yes, yes, and yes!! I should also mention the darling stamps that came out in the new catalog too… :) BLOG

Here it is! All blown up for the booth!! My first cover on Card Style from Paper Crafts magazine!!

I have to say that it was pretty fun to get to stand next to it!! Amazing!

Pink Paislee’s additions to their Artisan Elements line…look at that circular gorgeousness!!!! Their BLOG.

Sassafrass Lass had beautiful lines. Indie Girl, Mix and Mend, and Count Me In (shown), Soft, girly, yet full of those fun images we expect from them. Wonderful borders on the bottom of the 12x12s and or course, the lines available in Wee Bundles (6x6) for us card makers. Their BLOG.

Although being at the show makes me long for making layouts again. More often, anyways.

More time with Rae. Love her. So much fun!

The fabulous Courtney Baker. The designer behind Practicing Creativity. Love her, love her stamps!

The super sweet, Kelly Alavarez. She had the cutest necklace with a fawn on it. Perfect for the Lawn Fawn lady herself!

Last day lunch was with Rae, Ashley, and Carolyn King!! We giggled a lot, a lot. I could spend a ton of time with these amazing women!!

Echo Park Hill. Love. New line. Great people behind the line. New release each month. Check it out. And great for card makers with their small and large scale prints.

Everything was gorgeousness in the Jenni Bowlin booth. Two new lines and new colors of their Vintage Buttons. Gonna need those! Their BLOG.

Cute canvas shapes from Jillibean Soup!! Their booth was FULL of great new products and eye candy! Be sure and find all their new stuff! Their BLOG.

Basic Grey, Maya Road, Studio Calico…all gorgeous products. The overload was on! If I had to take away just an overall view of the show and the trends, it would be texture and shabby. Which is right up my alley!! :) I will be bringing you more new product in the next few months, and I am looking forward to sharing more then. thanks for stopping by!