Latest Posts

Shut the front door!  Stampin’ Up! just revealed a HUGE secret they’ve been keeping and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share the news!

I am so so so excited to let you know that Stampin’ Up! has partnered with the amazing Becky Higgins to bring you the real deal—authentic Project Life products, now in exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors and designs. If you’ve somehow missed the Project Life craze and are wondering what it’s all about, it’s a super simple, totally affordable way to get your photos into albums: you just slip your photos into Photo Pocket Pages and add designed cards. It’s a back-to-basics approach to documenting your life. In a nutshell, it’s all about spending more time making memories and less time scrapbooking them.

You’ll be able to order a selection of Project Life products starting May 1! And with the launch of our new annual catalog on June 2, you’ll be able to buy from our complete line of Project Life products.

Can’t wait that long? Stampin’ Up! demonstrators will be able to order the limited selection starting April 21. So if you’ve been thinking about becoming a demonstrator sign up now and you can order the products early too!  Click HERE to join my team.

Here are the items you’ll be able to purchase on May 1:

Click HERE to shop Weekly Deals!

Click HERE to shop Clearance Rack!

Click HERE to shop New Arrivals!

We made these cute little Easter baskets in my March Seasonal Style Class and I wanted to share with everyone how easy and simple they are to create!

The cutting dimensions for the card stock are:

Crisp Cantaloupe:  10-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ and 9″ x 5/8″, Pistachio Pudding:  3-3/8″ x 2″ and 3″ x 1/2″, Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper:  3-1/8″ x 1-3/4″ and 9″ x 1/2″, Whisper White:  2-1/8″ x 3/4″

The scoring dimensions for the basket are:

Score the 10-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ piece of Crisp Cantaloup cardstock in portrait mode (long side) at 1-inch.  Turn the paper one quarter turn (now in landscape mode) and score at 1-inch, 4-5/8 inch, 5-5/8 inch and 9-1/4 inch.

Please watch the video below and let me know if you have any questions!

Products Used:

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen 128547 (W) 122652 (C)

Ink:  Crisp Cantaloupe 131176

Paper:  Crisp Cantaloupe 131298, Pistachio Pudding 131294, Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper 132994, Whisper White 100730

In Friday’s post I promised to have a video today for making the featured Easter basket (see it here).   I started working this morning and it became apparent that my internet was not.  Doing everything I know of to make sure the problem is not on my end consists of rebooting my computer and pressing the tiny “reset” button on the router with a paper clip.  When both those things failed I called our internet service provider.  An hour on hold listening to a recorded message telling me about the high call volume and suggesting I log onto the internet to report that I don’t have internet, it was verified that there was an outage in our area.

Not being able to proceed as planned I did what anyone would do and called a girlfriend to meet for lunch and she invited me over!  After a delicious salad and a couple hours solving the world’s problems with her I left to drop some stuff off at Goodwill.  On the way to Goodwill I pass Kirkland’s and well, you know, they get a fresh shipment in every Monday.  It snowballed from there and stops were also made at Hobby Lobby and Pier One.

Long story short, I didn’t find anything I was ready to make a financial commitment over so I came home empty handed.  Probably a good thing because a lot of that stuff I dropped at Goodwill started out at Kirkland’s, Hobby Lobby or Pier One!

I will try to post the Easter basket video tomorrow.  No promises though because, you know, the internet.   In the meantime enjoy a photo of my salad making friend Carol’s basket.  She surrounded it with some of her Easter bunnies.  Isn’t it sweet?

One of the things I enjoy most about Easter is putting the baskets together!  My children are grown and out of the house but the Easter Bunny still delivers a basket of goodies.  If we’re all together for the holiday we have epic egg hunts.  Now that there’s a grandson in the mix Easter Sunday has gotten even more legendary!

We made this cute little Easter basket in the March Seasonal Style Class.  If I wasn’t trying to keep off the sugar there would be some jelly beans with mini Lindt bunnies in that basket!  I think they would be adorable at each place setting at Easter dinner.  What do you think – cute, huh?

Look for a video to make this basket on the blog Monday!

SUPPLIES:

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen 128547 (W) 122652 (C)

Ink:  Crisp Cantaloupe 131176

Paper:  Crisp Cantaloupe 131298, Pistachio Pudding 131294, Watercolor Wonder DSP 132994

Do you garden?  I’ll never be featured in Better Homes and Garden but I do plant a few containers with annual flowers each Spring.  Petunias are starting to show up at the nurseries around here and I’m itchin’ to get some dirt under my nails.  I’ve been told the rule of thumb is to wait until Mother’s Day to plant in order to avoid any Spring freezes.  Not sure if that’s true or just an old wives’ tale.

Today’s card was inspired by Donna Kopenski.  The card uses the Secret Garden Stamp Set and coordinating Secret Garden Framelit Dies.  I love coordinating stamps and Framelits.  They give a crisp, clean and professional look.

This card packs a whole lot of WOW but was oh so simple to create!  If the sentiment is left off  it’s made with one sheet of card stock, one stamp with coordinating Framelit and an impressions folder.  Like the card in yesterday’s post (see it here) this one could be used for many occasions depending on the sentiment used.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by.  I know your time is important and I am humbled by your interest.  If you like what you see please take a second and sign up for my email newsletter.

SUPPLIES:

Paper:  Whisper White 100730, Daffodil Delight 119683

Stamp Sets:  Secret Garden 131940 (W) 129144 (C), Delightful Dozen 128547 (W) 122652 (C)

Ink:  Daffodil Delight 126944, Melon Mambo 126948, Pacific Point 126951

Accessories:  Secret Garden Framelit Dies 129372, Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder 117335, Rhinestone Basic Jewels 119246

Spring is coming!

It’s another cold and dreary day here in Kansas City.  Several friends are posting Facebook photos of their daffodils and tulips breaking through though giving us hope that sunny days are ahead!  Spring brings along with it reasons to celebrate – birthdays, bridal showers, Easter and Mother’s Day to name a few.

This card inspired by Leann Greff would be perfect for any springtime occasion.  The flower petals and stems were punched using the Bird Builder Punch.   This card was so much fun to make – the versatility of this punch never ceases to amaze me!

SUPPLIES:

Punch: Bird Builder 117191

Paper:  Whisper White 100730, Daffodil Delight 119683, Old Olive 100702, Pacific Point 111350, Melon Mambo 115320, Brights Color Collection Designer Series Paper 130134

Accessories:  Whisper White 3/8″ Taffeta Ribbon 109070,     Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder 117335

Today is my birthday and when I walked downstairs this morning I was surprised by these beauties on the dining room table!

I’ve never been to Hawaii but feel for sure that if I were to go this is a glimpse of what I would see.  My hubby sure knows how to keep a secret because he had to have these hidden somewhere overnight!  Did I mention that I am blessed with an awesome husband?  He is my high school sweetheart and we were married when I was a mere nineteen years old!  Going on 33 years later I tell everyone it was the best dumb decision I every made – lol!  We are best friends that have grown up together and I thank God every day for Bruce.

Yesterday I created this card that I “cased” from Kristin.  I wanted to include it in today’s post because the colors and the floral design certainly coordinate with my real deal flowers – lol!

In honor of my birthday I would be happy to send a full color PDF with directions to make this card to anyone who leaves a comment on today’s post (non-scam only).

Wishing you all a happy day!

This has been one of those days – a day full of spinning my wheels and nothing seems to get accomplished.  Ever have one of those?  I did happen to finish this card for a bi-monthly sketch challenge I participate in.  The challenge called for a scalloped edge so I used the 3/4-inch circle punch and created the scallop by cutting 5 of the circles in half.

I also used a scrap of Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper and a stamp from the See Ya Later stamp set.  These are items available for FREE during Sale-a-Bration which ends on March 31.  If you want to stick your toe in and try Stampin’ Up! or add to your stash of paper crafting supplies now is the time to do it.  For more information click here.

Sale-a-Bration Ends on March 31!

Can you believe we only have 7 more days to take advantage of the Sale-a-Bration Sales Event?  Earn FREE Stampin’ Up! products for every $50 you spend.  For all the details click here – Don’t miss out!

New Weekly Deals Start Today!  March 25 – 31 Only!

Glimmer Paper, Core’dinations 12 x 12 Cardstock and more!  Check out the latest batch of Stampin’ Up! Weekly Deals in my on-line store.

 FREE Markers with My Paper Pumpkin until March 31!

New subscribers to My Paper Pumpkin receive a FREE set of In-Color Markers – but hurry this promotion ends March 31!  See more information here.

Clearance Rack – Up to 80% Off While Supplies Last!

Shop the Clearance Rack at my on-line store here.

See All Stampin’ Up! Product Arrivals in One Spot!

See All New Arrivals here.

My Digital Studio Downloads!

See the newest My Digital Studio downloads here.

In my last blog post I shared the arrival of My Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit in a video – see it here.  I had so much fun creating the cards below with my Welcome Kit!  All the supplies were included to create four awesome cards including envelopes – just added adhesive.

This card is copied from the design that came with the kit except for the Basic Rhinestone that I added to cover a little “oops”!

My Paper Pumpkin Kits are versatile. Stick with the plan or add some bits and pieces from your stash and create something totally different like I did with these cards.

The Details:  NEW Paper Pumpkin subscribers who sign up at My Paper Pumpkin between January 11 and March 31, 2014, will receive a FREE set of 2012-2014 In Color Stamplin’ Write Markers – a $14.95 value.

• This special offer is only valid for new subscribers
• Customers must sign up at My Paper Pumpkin
• The markers will be sent with the subscriber’s Welcome Kit.  No coupon code is required.  Anyone who signs up for a Paper Pumpkin membership during the promotion dates will get a set of 2012-2014 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers.

DON’T MISS OUT!  Only 14 days left to take advantage of some BIG specials with Stampin’ Up!

Free Markers with My Paper Pumpkin Subscription Ends March 31

Click here for details.  Ends March 31.

SALE-A-BRATION TIME IS RUNNING OUT! ENDS MARCH 31

Earn a FREE Stampin’ Up! Sale-A-Bration exclusive product for every $50 you spend during Sale-A-Bration.  ENDS MARCH 31.  Get information here.

New Weekly Deals Start Today!  March 18 – 24 Only!

Check out the latest batch of Stampin’ Up! Weekly Deals in my on-line store.

Clearance Rack up to 80% Off While Supplies Last!

Save up to 80% while supplies last.  Check it out here.

Class kits for the March Seasonal Style Classes are assembled and ready to go!  I look forward to class day every month.  It’s a time to get together, relax and get our “craft” on.  Some of us are seasoned paper crafters and some of us are just beginners but we all have a great time.  There’s a lot of chatting, some snacking and a whole lot of stamping!

We meet every month to create 3 to 4 trendy projects.  All tools and consumable supplies are provided to recreate class samples.  Couldn’t be any easier – just show up and escape with some craft therapy for a few hours!  If you live in the Kansas City area and want to join us next month email me for more information:  Leslie@theplaidpoodle.com

Here’s a sneak peak at what we’ll be creating.

Yesterday I participated in a challenge to create a card based on a sketch and this little beauty is what I came up with!  I’ve been hanging on to the Fancy Foil Designer Vellum and Gold Foil Sheets from the Occasions Catalog trying to come up with a “worthy” project.  I went all out and used the Watercolor Wonder Designer Washi Tape and the gold Mini Metallic Clothespins.  This card has “bling” written all over it!

Do you hoard paper that you don’t end up using because a project worthy of it’s loveliness never comes along?  I do it all the time so I appreciated the challenge to step out of my comfort zone and use these fancy papers.

SUPPLIES:

Stamp Set: Too Kind 130447 (W), 130450 (C)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn Ink 101406

Paper:  Whisper White 100730, Fancy Foil Designer Vellum Gold 133363, Foil Sheets Gold 132622,

Accessories:  Watercolor Wonder Designer Washi Tape 133000, Mini Metallic Clothespins 133320, Linen Thread 104199, Labels Collection Framelits 125598

It was 75 degrees here yesterday and although the temp dropped drastically and we had a little sleet last night the warm weather and sunshine just renewed my hope that Spring is coming!

Easter is about a month away and I’m getting anxious to pull out all my bunny decor and put away the snowmen!  I’m also thinking about Easter cards.  I didn’t send out a lot of Christmas cards (shame on me) but just might be able to pull off touching base with family and friends with an Easter card.

This card I created would be a sinch to mass produce.  I used Pool Party card stock for the base layered with Whisper White card stock.  The stamp sets are Too Kind and Delightful Dozen and the ink used was Pool Party, Pacific Point and Old Olive.  I was able to easily line up the floral stamp images using my Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Sometimes the simple, clean cards are my favorites.  If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you!

Paper:  Pool Party 122924, Whisper White 100730

Stamp Sets:  Too Kind 130447 (W) 130450 (C), Delightful Dozen 128547 (W) 122652 (C)

Ink:  Pool Party 126982, Pacific Point 126951, Old Olive 126953

Accessories:  Stamp-a-ma-jig 101049