Stampin' Delicious!

Yum!  That's pretty much all I have to say.

That's pretty much all I CAN say, because my mouth has been uber-full of cookie tonight.

This evening I made a batch of Stampin' Up! cookies.  Didn't know there even was such a thing?  Well, there is!  I used my Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps to make two gifts for a baked goods auction at work tomorrow to benefit The United Way.  I just happened to have borrowed my mom's recent purchase of the Perfectly Preserved clear mount bundle (a stamp and framelets set), so I set out to create a cute tag to go along with the jar full of cookies.

So now, not only will someone have the benefit of eating some VERY delicious cookies, but they'll also get those cookies in some super-cute packaging!

YUM!

Cookie Tools:  Occasions Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps (127081)

Holidays Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps (125152)  Stamp Set:  Perfectly Preserved Clear-Mount Bundle (129944)

Doing Beautiful

“Your art matters...You are a unique expression that will never occur again in history.  So if you don’t give your gift of art to the world, the world is deprived of what could have happened.  So just treat your art, whatever it is, with respect.  It is fragile.  It is precious.  And it matters more than you think.”  
-Michael Hyatt

I was driving down the highway, listening to a new podcast I had just picked up when I heard these words.  I'm not sure what it is about those words, if it's the way he said it, or just the truth that is stated there, but I was moved nearly to tears.

How often do I forget the value of my own worth...
The value of my art...

How precious
how fragile
how important
it is.

And although I believe the product of my art is valuable, I think the act of creating art - sharing art - with the world, with those I love, and those I have yet to love, is also just as important.  The act of doing beautiful things - this is important.

So, I'm committing myself today to doing beautiful.
In my words.
In my thoughts.
In my actions.
In my art.

Don't Miss Out!

Only half of September left to qualify for FREE ribbon!!  Every $40 purchase in September qualifies, so get yours today!

Christmas Cardapalooza

Sign up now for my Christmas Cardapalooza SAYOP (Stamp-At-Your-Own-Pace) class.  Only $25 for five beautiful Christmas cards to get you in the holiday spirit!  If you've never attended a SAYOP class, it's a great opportunity to get individualized attention when you need it, but not be bogged down in your stamping fervor by waiting for everyone to do each step at the same time.

My first Christmas Cardapalooza SAYOP class is happening soon:  Saturday September 29 at 12:30!!  Seating is limited, so sign up now!

Fancy Folding - Easier than you think!

This fancy fold card wasn't too difficult to make.  The trick is to use 12" x 12" paper, a good paper cutter like the Tabletop Paper Cutter, an Exacto knife with mat (like the Stampin' Pierce Mat), and just a little patience.

Another important detail for making a beautiful card like this, is having a great set of decorative papers that match each other well.  I used some of Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Paper, which already does all the work of coordinating colors for me - it's so easy to use!

For the base paper, I have to admit, I did not have the color I wanted on hand.  I had only Whisper White card stock, but I wanted the paper to have more of an aged look.  So, using my handy-dandy Stamping Sponges, I was able to ink on a color that matched the palette I was using.  Presto-chango!  Stamping Sponges + Stampin' Pad = beautiful, matching paper!