Stamp Club THIS SUNDAY, May 4th

THIS has GOT to be the most adorable gift card holder pattern I've ever seen. I got this pattern from SCS. I know how intimidating that site can be (trust me. it took me forever to navigate.) but it can be so fantastic for ideas! Having said that... it can also be time consuming to get onto that or any other stamping website. I have to be very disciplined when I visit. Sooooo... if you would like to but just don't have the time to visit fun stamping websites, let me do it for you! I will share with you what I discover right here on my comfy little blog. Visit any time you like. Email me with your questions or for instructions (a compliment or two from time to time might just make my day, he.) I love to share what I know and thus my Stampin' Up! involvement.

We will be creating this pattern of gift card at our next STAMP CLUB so you won't want to miss it. However, there is a way to get this pattern if you do have to miss club. (Remember, you don't have to be present at every club gathering to be a member.) If you can't make it to this Sunday's club (May 4th) and would like the pattern to this gift card holder as well as the card holder itself, email me RIGHT NOW with your Stamp Club order. I will mail your gift card holder to you. Stamp Club requires a minimum $15 order and you do not have to be a member to attend the fun. Just come! Club is always 2:00 to 6:00pm.

Check out the sidebar here to the right for the CAMP projects we will be creating immediately after club. There are still openings in the camp so RSVP right away! The camp is only $20 and includes all supplies needed for the three projects shown.

Here is a gift card holder using this same pattern I made for my neice who just had her bridal shower this past weekend. It turned out so lovely... just like my neice! I can't believe she is all grown up and getting married. sniff.

Last night's class at Lavender Sentiments was a big hit (with Cindy.) She got the royal treatment with one on one instructions. Our conversations were fun and the paper crafting was relaxing.

These were the two projects we worked on. The gift pail is none other than a vegetable can! What a great way to recycle! They make the cutest gifts and are so easy to alter when you use the Crop-a-dile. It will punch through metal like butter! Do you have a crop-a-dile? Order one today and start saving up those cans! You'll be saving money with not having to purchase little gift packages ever again. (I'm all for saving the green!)

Be sure to check out the next class coming up at Lavender Sentiments. You can see some of the details to the right (here in my blog.) The scrapbook page can easily be converted to a masculine theme. And the "thanks" card can be used for any kind of gratitude (not just for teacher.) Call Lana and RSVP for this class or ask her to email you the entire schedule of classes. The store phone number is (812) 945-0790. You can stop by the store and take a look in person at ALL of the upcoming projects. The store is located at 4510 Charlestown Rd. in New Albany. Feel free to email me with any of your questions.

BUGS and KISSES

This is one of my absolute FAVORITE stamp sets from Stampin' Up!. The bugs are just so stinkin' cute! For this card, I used the Purely Pomegranite TEXTURED CARD STOCK for my base card.

If you haven't worked with this textured card stock, you need to. It is so pretty! You can get them in the assortment pack and let me just tell you... the In Colors won't be here much longer so you will want to stock up now. Can you believe we are in the MIDDLE OF APRIL already?! The current catalog retires in July. That is when we say goodbye for good to these gorgeous In Colors. I am sure the new ones will be just as fabulous but I have to admit this year's have been my favorites.

I used the Fairy Tale and Beachfront Ribbon Originals for my ribbons. I love how the rick rack looks over the ruffly pink! For my cute little "gummy" worm (don't you think he looks like a yummy gummy, he) I used the BABY WIPE TECHNIQUE. This is probably one of my absolute favorite techniques. It is SO easy. Just drop a few REINKER drops onto a folded baby wipe and use this as your "ink pad." The reinkers I used were Rose Red, Bashful Blue, and Certainly Celery. Looks so yummy!

Comfort Chicken

1 lb chicken breast, boneless & skinless, cubed

1/2 C butter

1 med onion, sliced & seperated into rings (I'm not an onion fan so I just used a tsp of minced onion.)

4 med. potatoes, peeled and cubed

1.1/2 C baby carrots (I like to slice these in little round discs.)

1 C whipping cream

1 T dried parsley

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

In large skillet, cook chicken and onions in butter til lightly brown. Add potatoes and carrots. Cover and cook over med heat for 30 min. or until veggies are tender. Stir in cream, parsley, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 10 min. or slightly thickened.

My kids ate this. My husband devoured it. I really enjoyed it but my tummy did not. I am not use to eating the butter/whipping cream type foods. So for those of you with stomachs like mine, eat a small portion. And enjoy!

Please consider sharing your recipes with me. I love getting tried and true recipes. I actually like cooking when I know the recipe has a greater chance of being tastey. Otherwise, I'd rather be STAMPIN'! he.

I just love the stamp set Forever in My Heart by Stampin' Up!! The hearts in this set are so fun and easy to stamp. On this card, I used the "kissing" technique (love when the technique has a fun name like that, he.) I inked the heart in Real Red first. Then I used the check pattern image from All in a Row (another fav) inked in Night of Navy to "kiss" the heart. Next I stamped the heart onto Whisper White and VOILA! Very fun! Very easy!

I am trying a new recipe for dinner tonight. It is from my new cookbook (got it at Christmas from my sweet hubby.) The Graceland Church youth group sold them as a fundraiser. I LOVE LOVE LOVE church cookbooks! This one is so great because it is three-ring bound and has a TON of recipes. It even has a recipe for PLAY DOUGH. Talk about fun! I will post the recipe tomorrow if the family enjoys it.

Wishing you and your families well!

Classes at Lavender Sentiment Scrapbook Store

This Thursday, April 10th at 6:00pm you can create these two lovely projects at Lavender Sentiments Scrapbook Store on Charlestown Rd located near the Spaghetti Shop across from Northside Christian Church.

Most supplies are included in the class fee of $12 and you will need to register by contacting Lavender Sentiments at 945-0790. For other class times and descriptions, email me and I will send you a copy of the store newsletter.

The projects we will create at this Thursday's class would be perfect MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS. There are all sorts of 12 x 12 page frames and this "Bloom" page will look beautiful with any photos. And what perfect way to wish Mom (or any special gal) well than to bless her with this card that reads "May God's everlasting love bring you everylasting joy."