How do YOU eat Candy corn?

I like to eat the small white part, then the orange center, and finally the yellow top. It just tastes better that way! ;)

I haven't dragged out my Halloween decorations yet. I can't believe it's October tomorrow. I'm going to wait until it really feels like Halloween to me--and frankly it's too deliciously warm to think about real Fall holidays. I am dying, however, to get up into the mountains and take some fall photos. The color is already starting to fade a little, and I don't want to miss it.

Worked on some Little Yellow Bicycle stuff today. Wanna peek? (I hate it when I do stuff that I can't ever share with friends--it's like it never existed.)

Here's a set of "Delightful" cards:

And here are some "Frightful" cards. For these cards I repeated the same design but used different supplies. I call them the "Moonlit Night" set. Like that? I'm so clever. Hee, hee.

I got those cool pumpkins at Tar-jay for cheap! They were in the Bargain section, and I probably could have gotten more because they are cheaper than real pumpkins. (I really need to start a garden.)

Well, I'm off to bed (or to read or watch some TV). It's been kind of a long day--with a long week ahead of me--I may have jury duty next week--YUCK!! :(

Ebay Listings

I have a few things that I didn't sell at the garage sale that I'm listing on Ebay. There are 4 Inque Boutique stamp sets that are brand new that I'm listing.

The Hugs set:

The Cabana Set:

The Memoirs Set:

And the Nightingale Set:

And a brand new PURPLE Karen Foster Design seat case crop bag:

Just thought some of my peeps might be interested. :)

Back to Work

Ok, so after the grueling garage sale and the recovery effort, I'm back at work today. Working on some projects for an upcoming book I am contributing to--shhhh it's a secret. Can't tell you who it's for or the VERY awesome designer that's writing it. I'm just so happy to be involved.

Over the weekend, I went to a crop and got a lot done. I used to hall a bunch of photos and papers and such. That was just too unproductive and I would stare at things the entire time and accomplish nothing. Now I start a bunch of projects. I gather products and do nearly everything at home before I go. Then I leave about 5-6 steps that I can finish at the crop and take all the product to that there. That means I pre-print my journaling. Print my photos for the right size. And then almost assemble everything beforehand to make sure I have it. I pack everything up for that project inside a sheet protector and then bring basic supplies: cutter, adhesive, pencil, etc. At Saturday's crop I completed 2 cards, 1 frame, 1 layout, and 2 altered projects done all in a 5 hour crop. It's a much better way to spend my time.

One of the fun kits that I got to work with at the crop is the Mix-It Up KOTM from Creating Keepsakes. This has to be one of my favorite kits ever. I am drawn to happy colors and die cut images. This kit has foam letters, chipboard die cuts, acetate images, and chipboard colored images. It is both playful and sophisticated.

Here is a frame I created using the rainbow border strip, a chipboard flower, and the chipboard title: 24 Seven. I printed a long line of tiny photos that mean something special to me and mounted them at the bottom of the frame. I didn't use the glass so you could really see the dimension of the chipboard pieces. I love the 70's retro feel to this frame. Do you remember those cool rainbow shirts and belts they used to have? I always wanted them.

I also created this layout about my son's first crush. You can see the acetate clock behind the chipboard figures. I love those little figures. :)

And finally the last thing I can show you ;) is a haunted birdhouse and candy container using Little Yellow Bicycle's "Frightful" line. Very delicious stuff!!

The candy container is actually wrapped with the paper lace word sheet from LYB. Here's a close-up:

And finally, do you want to win something? How about this stamp set from LYB? Isn't it an awesome set? Just leave a comment by Friday at midnight MST and I will randomly select a winner to send it to. :)

The Next Time . . .

That I tell you that I'm going to do a garage sale -- STOP ME! :) I am sore. I am tired. I am covered in dust.

Ok, it wasn't really that bad. We had a pretty steady stream all day long, and my sister and I both made $$. It's just such a pain to prep and price; and when you're done you just want to chuck everything into the trash.

I completed some items to show you at a crop last night, but I'm too tired to take photos of them right now. I'll post some hopefully tomorrow. :)

As far as the stamp class goes, I have 9 spots paid for (including me). I am waiting on one person's check for 3 people. And that leaves a few spots still left. If anyone is still interested after today, you can contact Robyn to see if there is time to gather supplies for more people.

Now I'm off to shower or nap. ;)

Last Chance to Come and Stamp! :)

K, here's the list of people coming so far . . .

1.Heather (paid)
2. Katie (paid)
3. Jennifer J
4. Loni (paid)
5. Alisa (Paid)
6. Krystal
7. Krystal's guest
8. Natalie
9. Kim
10. Kim's guest #1
11. Kim's guest #2

If you are coming, then $$ is due to Robyn or I by Saturday. You can mail it to me (contact me by e-mail if you need my mailing address) or use Paypal (it's my e-mail address).

I don't have much to say. I'm going to a crop tomorrow night and preparing for my garage sale this weekend. YUCK! Why do I do these things--probably so I can save $$ for Christmas and more scrapbook goodies. LOL!

Why Stamp?

Ok, I had this really long and very boring post about something entirely different, but when I read it I nearly fell asleep. So I'll spare you all that and talk about something I have fallen in love with: stamping.

I was such the reluctant samper. I just couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. It seemed expensive and difficult and just too big of a pain.

I just didn't realize how creative I would feel when I learned to stamp.

There are several levels of stamping. I would consider myself a very basic stamper. I love tone on tone colors. I love basic, graphic images. I'm more likely to grab my Versamark ink pad than any other color. But I'm a happy stamper. :)

I love that nearly every manufacturer is producing stamps now. You can even find several companies with $1 stamps.

I just bought this one, and I can't wait to use it:

It's from Imaginisce, and it was less than a $1. How cute is that? (Of course, I am a sucker for Halloween).

It's really easy to get started with stamping. You'll need a stamp, a mounting block (if the stamp is acrylic), an ink pad, and something to clean off your stamp. Then just grab some scratch pieces of paper and start stamping.

I was really sad when Inque Boutique was bought out by Darice--happy for IB but sad for me as they did not keep their design team. I absolutely loved their stamps and working as a stamper. Hopefully they will keep many of their designs under the umbrella of Darice. They certainly have amazing stamp designers. Here is a layout that I created with one of IB's alphabet stamp sets:
So totally simple to create and very personalized as I got to choose the design, the colors, and the layout. See why I love stamping?

Want to see some amazing stampers in action? Check out some of these designers: Robyn, Jennifer, Nichol, Keisha,and Karla. These are some of my favorite stampers. I also regularly check the Hero Art's Blog, and the Stampin' Up website for amazing designs. There really are an endless supply of awesome stamps. If you know of some great stampers (including yourself) or stamp companies with great galleries, let me know. I am always inspired by new artwork.

And finally, another update of the party (we're almost done with this). Remember payment is due to Robyn or I by Saturday. Contact me by e-mail if you need my address or want to pay us through Paypal.

1. Heather (paid)

2. Katie (paid)

3. Krystal

4. Krystal's guest

5. Natalie

6. Loni (paid)

6. Kim Pence

7. Kim Pence guest #1

8. Kim Pence guest #2

Quickie Stamp Class Update

Here's the list thus far. I'm waiting to hear from a few more people. And I will try to include some non-stamp class posts as well in the near future (as I'm sure non-Utah people are sick of hearing about it--LOL!) How 'bout the dumb idea of having a yard sale? I could talk about that. Yeah, I'm thinkin' bout it for this next Saturday. Watching the weather before I pay for an add in the local paper. Just want the junk I've been gathering out of our garage before winter sets in. I don't like cleaning the garage in the cold. ;) I guess that means I need to purge the ol' scrapbook room again; although, I've been really good about it lately so there'd better not be a whole lot of stuff. I do know there is stuff, though. Duh!!

1. Heather (paid)
2. Krystal
3. Krystal's guest
4. Natalie
5. Loni (paid)
6. Kim Pence
7. Kim Pence guest 1
8. Kim Pence guest 2

My Hubby is a ROCKSTAR!!

Just a quickie update--my husband just completed his first Marathon today. He rocked it in just over 5 hours. His legs are like jello, but he kept an awesome pace. I am so proud of him. :)

And update on attendance at the stamp party (NOTE: $$ is due to either or I or Robyn a week from today).

1. Heather
2. Krystal
3. Krystal's guest
4. Natalie
5. Loni

There are a few people on the fence about coming. Seriously, I'd love to have you come. I love being with other people who get this craft thing. I don't care if you order stamps and neither does Robyn. This is totally an excuse to have a fabulous designer teach us her stuff. If you're worried about coming because we've never met, don't be. I don't bite--much. ;) And if you need some bribery, I am willing to provide chocolate. That always seems to work for me.

I'll post some project photos later (I'm still taking today and tomorrow off and then it's back to the creative grindstone.)

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Phew!!

Well, I did it! I completed my assignments for the last 3 weeks. In that time, I created:

30 layouts

31 cards

3 albums

5 altered projects

What's even more crazy is that I went through:

A 1" Circle Punch
Tons of white and black cardstock

3-4 boxes of Removable adhesive
2 oxes of Square adhesive
A bunch of permanent red tape
Nearly all my glue dots
I destroyed 2 pairs of Scissors

1 blade for my cutter

Xyron runner

Tons of ink and photo paper
And a Cricut pad

Yeah, you should see my office. I get to the point where I create and then push everything into a pile on the floor. My dd's friend came in the other night and her reponse was, "Whoa, this is a messy office!" Yeah, yah think? ;)

Still I had a good time (most of the time) working creatively. I am going to take off a few days and reclaim my life (and house). I posted one of my favorite new layouts I created for Karen Foster. It's their new pet line--cat specifically. I love the graphic, playful feel of this--and the colors are AWESOME!!

Oh, and here's the updated list for the stamp party:

1. Heather
2. Kristy Lee (maybe)
3. Krystal
4. Krystal's guest
5. Mindy (maybe)

6. Natalie (maybe)

7. Loni

(about 13 spots left--not counting Robyn's guests)

If you need my address to ship the check, please contact me at js_gallacher@hotmail.com. You can also send the check directly to Robyn.

Stamp, Stamp, Stamp!!

A quick update on the party. Here's a list of attendees so far:

1. Heather

2. Kristy Lee (maybe)

3. Krystal

4. Krystal's guest

5. Mindy (maybe)

That leaves 15 spots (not counting Robyn's guests and me). I will continue to update as people send their $$ or ask to save a spot.

On another note, I will be lisiting Ebay things this week. It's time to start setting aside some moola for Christmas. I've already asked for my dd's list. It's fun to see what they want. She's right between fun toys and grown-up items. Her birthday is also next month so I like to use her list for that as well.

Have you been thinking about Christmas yet or decorating for Halloween/Fall? Here's a kfd101 class for a Thanksgiving Table Setting (the instructions haven't been uploaded but continue to check the site):

And how about some Christmas Cooking cards (also on the kfd101 website):

And Jennifer Fleming, if you are still reading this blog I haven't heard from you on your address yet. Can you shoot me an email: js_gallacher@hotmail.com so I can ship out those Halloween goodies that you won?!!

Feels Like Fall

Yep, it's already cooling down just a bit here in Utah. Only slightly though.

Makes me want to make soup, have a fire (although no fireplace in this house), and wear sweaters. Wish this great weather would last for months. It's perfect!!

The above layout was done with the Summer CHA 2008 Release from Karen Foster. I absolutely love this line. So graphic = so me!! Another reason to love fall.

On another note, I've been scouring the SU Catalog and making a wish list. Some things I'm considering:

* Big Shot Label die

* Vinyl Wall art

* Watercolor crayons

* Some graphic/nature stamps

* Scallop punch

My list changes every day. LOL! There's just so much good stuff in the catalog. How can I possibly narrow it down?

For those of you that can't attend, but want to place an order with SU you can now go to Robyn's SU site and order directly. She will ship items to you directly. Pretty cool, huh?

For those of you not familiar with Robyn's work, Robyn has been published in MANY publications. She rocks the stamping, is a fabulous photog, and is currently on the Scrapbooks, Etc. team. (Personally, I love everything she does. She's seriously one of the BEST in the business.) So if you can get away on Saturday evening just coming for the projects would be very worth it. I've been dying to meet her in person and learn at her feet so I'm pretty excited about her coming. :)

And for one last seasonal project, here's the completed Christmas Countdown Box I created for the Karen Foster Design website.

Merry Fallish Christmas (or something like that)!

Classroom Helper

Do you volunteer at your kids' school? I try to, but it depends on the year and how many chillens I've still got at home. This year no one is at home so that leaves me some time to help out at the school. Jimmy surprised me with how happy he was to have me at the school! He kept hugging on me and watching me to see if I was watching him. He made me feel so welcome. (I promise you--that doesn't last. LOL!)

On another note, do you need help at your lss with class ideas? Karen Foster Design has a great tool for stores and teachers. It's http://www.kfd101.com/. It's a downloadable class website that has everything from quick make-and-takes to 90-minute classes. One of my assignments this past week was to create some new downloads. Here's a few peeks:

This is a quick "Back to School" make-and take. You can download the instructions here.

I also created a few other items, which haven't been loaded on the website yet. I don't think it's a problem that I load at least one more here. I'll try and link you once they're all loaded.

A "School Set" to be used as a gift for teachers:

I'll leave the rest for when the website has them posted. These are all Karen Foster owned items and they own the rights to them. :)

And what about our upcoming class with the ever-cool and now recently named Garden Girl: Robyn Werlich? Are you clearing your schedule to come and play with us? I sure hope so!! I'd love to meet more local gals! So let us know. :)

You're Invited!

I am pleased to invite you to attend a Stampin' Up Party with the fabulous Robyn Werlich. Robyn will be traveling up from Southern Utah to teach this class for us! Robyn is an AMAZING designer and a fabulous stamper.

Date: Saturday, October 4, 2008

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: My House

Cost: $10

There are 20 spots available for this adults-only activity. In order to reserve your spot, you must pay by September 27th. Payment can be sent to me or to Robyn. The Cost covers 4 darling projects that we complete that night. Please repond to this post if you are interested in attending (or shoot me an e-mail).

For those that love Stampin' Up products, you can also order items from the catalog through Robyn.

There are some fun new items: the scallop border punch (see photo below), the Big Shot dies, and of course, STAMPS!!

Working Away!

Yep. Still here. Still working. Somedays it's slow going, and other days it's fairly productive.

This one was for Jimmy's Kindergarten "Birthday" album that his teacher keeps at school. The kids get to look at it in the reading center. It was fun to ask him some of his favorites. He's growing up so fast. (I'm not even allowed to walk him to his classroom any more--he can do it "himself.")

Do you like to stamp? Do you want to learn stamping from an AMAZING designer? I've got something in the works for local gals. More info to follow. I am SUPER excited about this.