Items in the OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG will be gone come May 1st. There's so many items I'm going to miss and today's share includes several of them.

The BORDERING ON ROMANCE stamp set,

TWITTERPATED designer series paper and

the LABELS COLLECTION framelits die.

Other items used can be found in the 2011/12 Idea Book & Catalog: Basic Gray and Whisper White card stock; Stampin' Write Markers and Basic Rhinestone Jewels. The Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon is retired.

I love the simplicity of this card and it can be used for many different occasions.

Like what you see? Then please go to my Stampin'Up! Website, www.shirleybmckay.stampinup.net, to place your order. While there check out all the products on the "Retired List" and on the "Clearance Rack". Wishing you a great Wednesday and until next time, do something good for yourself and stamp daily!

Stampin'Up! Adorning Accents EDGELITS DIES & EMBOSSING FOLDERS

Today is my EDGELIT CLASS and here is the card my ladies will be making. Unfortunately I can't take credit for the design ~ it is totally cased from a fellow SU Demonstrator, Gretchen!

My attendees are bringing their BIG SHOTS and will get some practice on using different dies and folders.
A closer view of the different textures on the hearts. Products used: Lucky Limeade, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Calypso Coral card stock; Everyday Enchantment DSP and Ribbon; Adorning Accents Edgelit Die and Textured Impressions Embossing Folders; Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die; Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder; Jewel Pearls and Word Play Stamp Set.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4

Stampin'Up! BIG SHOT....so many possibilities

Yesterday I was greeted at the mailbox by another beautiful thank you card. This one from my sister, Sue! Isn't it so pretty?

Sue used Very Vanilla and Soft Suede card stock; the Big Shot along with the Final Press Embossing Folder and the Flower, Daisies #2 Bigz Die; Antique Brads and the Decorative Label Punch. There are so many possibilities with the Big Shot ~ check them out in the 2011/12 IB&C beginning on page 214
And like so many cards that Sue mails to others, she left the inside blank and wrote her message on an insert. So not only was it a thank you to me but also a card that I can re-send. What a great idea! Thank you Sis for the beautiful card. I will be using this design for one of my upcoming Stampin'Up! parties! Have a wonderful weekend...thanks for stopping by.
"Remember, a good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude fair results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude." - M. Russell Ballard

2012 Stampin'Up! LEADERSHIP SWAPS

For today's post I wanted to share several cards made using the APOTHECARY ART stamp set and the LABELS COLLECTION FRAMELITS DIE both featured in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

BY: Carol Gonzales

BY: Robin Friedeck
My photography doesn't do justice to either card.
To view the Occasions Mini Catalog, go to my SU website, shirleybmckay.stampinup.net. By purchasing the Apothecary Art Stamp Set (125525 wood-$34.95 / 125527 clear-$27.95) AND the Labels Collection Framelit Die (125598-$$26.95), you qualify for a FREE Sale-A-Bration item. Anyone purchasing this "bundle" directly from my website will be reimbursed for their shipping charges.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalms 37:4

SALE-A-BRATION is under way ~ jump in and join the fun!

Today's post is a Valentine idea using the Stampin'Up! TOP NOTE DIE (113463). The idea is from my upline, Karen, and was shared with my customers earlier this week.

Below gives you an idea of what other products you'll need: Twitterpated DSP (125406), Island Indigo (122923) and Blushing Bride (119796) card stock, Small Heart (117193) and Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer (122464) punches, Bitty Buttons (118761) and Basic Rhinestone Jewels (119246).
By purchasing the Top Note Die, DSP and Blosson Punch you can choose a FREE Sale-A-Bration item.
Please go to my SU website, shirleybmckay.stampinup.net and order your items today!

Here Karen and I are with my downline, Myra. We had a chance to visit with her and see her Stampin' Studio earlier this week.

Until next time, do something good for yourself and stamp daily!

Stampin'Up! BERRY BLOSSOMS DSP and 2011-13 IN COLORS

Thanks for joining me ~ I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I'm sharing with you today a really easy card. In fact, it's one that I'm making about 75 of for swaps at Stampin'Up!'s Leadership and Regional Events coming up later this month in San Antonio.

For the base of the card I used CALYPSO CORAL, an In Color for 2011-2013, layered with BERRY BLOSSOMS DSP and Whisper White card stock. I used LUCKY LIMEADE for the leaf and trim.

Just wanted to show you how a little touch (by adding the leaf) adds so much to your card.

Here's the entire card front. Other items used: The Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Big XL Die, Floral Fusion Sizzlit Die, Bird Builder Punch, Gold Brads, Sincere Salutations Stamp Set. This card is a great way to use up some of your DSP scraps. Until next time, do something good for yourself and stamp daily!

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." Maya Angelou, author

Stampin'Up! THREE LITTLE WORDS Valentine Card

I've got two Valentine camps coming up this week so I've been playing around trying to decide which cards my ladies will be doing. My share today uses the THREE LITTLE WORDS stamp set. In addition to the i love you sentiment, this set also includes so very sorry, i miss you, thanks so much, you-you-you and thinking of you. This set is very versatile and is available only in the wood mount for $13.95.

For the base of the card, I used Basic Black card stock, topped with Whisper White which I ran through the Big Shot using one of the Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates. The hearts are made using Cherry Cobbler card stock and the Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die featured in the new Occasions Mini Catalog. The Occasions Mini goes live tomorrow and has some awesome new products featured. Be sure to go to my Stampin'Up! website, shirleybmckay.stampinup.net to preview.
Now for a little inspiration other than card making....I decorated my bathroom in my stamping area with frogs. You may have seen the towels, mats, trash can and the other things at Wal-Mart. I was so tickled when I ran across the frog decor because it reminded me of a story that I read a long time ago. A lady (I can't even remember where she was from), always carried with her little ceramic frogs and when she would cross paths with someone going through tough times, she would give them a frog and tell them that no matter what their circumstances, they needed to "fully rely on GOD". Well I've never forgotten that little story so the above picture is what my friend, Christy, and I came up with to hang on the bathroom wall. Now it's not perfect by any means but I do hope my stamping ladies will remember the FROG when they face challenges in their lives.
Another word I love is PUSH...Pray Until Something Happens
Have a great day and until next time, do something good for yourself and stamp daily!

Stampin'Up! CHRISTMAS LODGE Stamp Set

Another CHRISTMAS LODGE share....received from my friend and downline, Donna S. Donna used the Big Shot and Top Note Die on her card. You'll notice how she sponged around the edges to add a bit of texture. This picture does not do this card justice. Donna used glitter on the trees and roof top which made the card pop!

Here's a closer view of the lodge which gives you a glimpse of some of the sparkle. Very pretty indeed!
Thanks Donna for remembering us with such a beautiful card!
For those visiting my blog today, I hope you will stop by tomorrow for another handmade card we received this holiday season. Until next time, happy stamping!

Stampin'Up! HAND-PENNED HOLIDAYS Stamp Set

Today is the last of my CHRISTMAS IN JULY classes for this year. Below is one of the four designs my ladies will make.

Those who have attended all five sessions have a total of 40 cards ready to address and put in the mail.

Products used: Whisper White, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler card stock; Big Shot with Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; Bird Builder, 2 3/8 and 1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punches, Hand Penned Holidays Stamp Set, Gel Pen, Rhinestone Jewels.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope to see you again soon! Have a blessed Sunday!

For everything comes from God and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever.
Romans 11:36

Stampin'Up! DAY of GRATITUDE Stamp Set

Four more days til Thanksgiving ..... here's another share from my fall occasions class this past week ....

I don't know about you but I love the POOL PARTY card stock. It is so beautiful and I can't imagine not using it any time of year! It coordinates so well with the SPICE CAKE designer series paper featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog. I used a stamp from the DAY of GRATITUDE stamp set for the background on the Pool Party paper. The leaf is made using the BIG SHOT and LEAVES #2 Die. I used a dauber to give the leaf some texture after crumbling it. Then I used the Hemp Twine for the bow. Other items used: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Pear Pizzazz and Very Vanilla card stock; More Mustard Grosgrain Ribbon and the Scallop Trim Border Punch.

I'm so "thankful" you joined me today and hope you have a "blessed" Sunday. Until next time, happy stampin'!

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Stampin'Up! BIG SHOT and SCALLOP DIE

I'm sharing with you today a quick tutorial on how to make the cookie monsters that I showed yesterday (see below post if you missed it). First of all I ran a piece of whisper white card stock through the Big Shot using the Scallop Die so you could see the contrast. You will not need to do this when you make your own because you will be able to see where on the Die to place your folded card stock.

Secondly, I cut a piece of card stock 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 and scored at 4 1/4.

As you can see, I placed the yellow card stock across the Die leaving five scalloped edges across the top. This is how you get your fold rather than the edge being cut.

Lastly here is your finished product. Now you can leave how ever many scallops you'd like to at the top. I normally use uneven numbers just because that's how I am. But if you want a smaller fold, then use only three OR experiment to see just how many you like best.

Now wasn't that easy peesy? Remember that you can do this using most any Stampin'Up! Die. The Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die featured in the new Mini Holiday Catalog is a great one to use this technique on. Instead of just a flat stocking, you can make it into a card.

That's all for today. I hope this has given you another suggestion for using your Big Shot and Dies. If you do not have a Big Shot but it's on your wish list, please email me at shirley.mckay@ymail.com, for my promotion details. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon. Do something good for yourself; stamp daily!

Stampin'Up! BIG SHOT and SCALLOP DIE

Thanks for joining me today. I can't believe it's already Tuesday ~ where did the long weekend go? Aren't these Cookie Monster cards so cute? My sister, Sue, made these at one of her recent camps where the hostess requested children's cards.

Please join me here tomorrow as I will show you how to use your Big Shot and Scallop Die to make these. They are easy peesy!

With my hubby being in town this past week, we have enjoyed doing things with our only granddaughter. She was anxious to take us to Texas Children's Hospital to show us the brick her Mom and Dad placed in her honor. This facility is so beautiful and has so much to offer to families of children needing medical assistance in the Katy/Houston area.

Every Friday night, my daughter and SIL plan a "family night". This past weekend we went bowling. Here is Laura and her BFF. We had such a fun time. I hope your weekend was fun and safe.

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

One more thing...please keep us Texans in your prayers due to the uncontrollable wildfires across the state. Thanks!

Stampin'Up! FABULOUS FLORETS

Thanks for joining me today! Last week I had an Embossing Class and used the FABULOUS FLORETS Stamp Set, BEYOND THE GARDEN designer series paper and coordinating embossing powder all featured on page 22 and 23 of the Summer Mini Catalog.

The background of the card is Tangerine Tango, topped with Whisper White that's been run through the Big Shot using the Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates (114512) and then layered with Beyond the Garden designer series paper (122342). You'll notice in the photo above, the stem and flower have been cut out. The flower was embossed using the versa mark pad, Tangerine Tango embossing powder and heat gun.Above is another sample showing the stem stamped directly on the card stock topped with the embossed flower.

I found this particular inside verse at a "big store". I am on the Care Team at our church and unfortunately Stampin'Up! does not offer many stamps appropriate for what I need.

I'm glad you stopped by...thanks for your patience. I hope to be more consistent once school starts back. Stay tuned this week for more samples of cards using FABULOUS FLORETS.

Have a great day!

Stampin'Up! FUN FLOWER & TOP NOTE DIES

HAPPY SUNDAY and thank you for joining me today! I've been MIA the past week or so but wanted you to know that I will be posting as often as I can now that school is out. I feel very privileged to be keeping our 7 year old granddaughter every other week this summer. So I hope you will continue to follow my blog until I can get back on a more normal schedule.

I had four ladies purchase the Big Shot during my May Big Shot Promotion. Included in the Promotion was a FREE class to show them how to use the machine. Here is a card I designed for them to make. It's very hard to tell in the picture, but the Very Vanilla Top Note is layered with a piece of Vellum. If you'll look in the top left hand corner, you can see where I ran the Vellum through the Big Shot with an impressions plate to give it more texture. The flower, once cut out using the Fun Flowers die, was also run back through the Big Shot using the impressions plate. The leaves were cut using the Spring Stem Embosslit die. They also learned how to use the Embossing Folders and Sizzlit dies.

If you are interested in purchasing a Big Shot, I hope you will contact me regarding my Promotion. The ladies were their own hostesses ~ they received $15 in free SU merchandise, a Level 1 Hostess set AND up to a $21.95 Die FREE from me.

Have a great day and try to stay cool!

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:30

Scrapbooking with Stampin'Up! TRAVEL LOG-Part 1

MAY IS SCRAPBOOKING MONTH

Today I am holding my first Scrapbook Class since being here in TX. I'm using the TRAVEL LOG stamp set featured in the new Summer Mini Catalog which came out May 1st and runs through August 31st. I used the Big Shot and Alphabet Simple Letters Dies for the "vacation" lettering.

I decided to scrapbook the last trip my sisters and I took with our Mom to NY some 20+ years ago. Since then, my Mom and oldest sister, have passed. Shortly before we were there, the World Trade Center had been attacked...little did we know what was yet to come....9/11. I treasure the photos that I took of the Twin Towers.
I still have journaling to do but this shows you my first of four layouts that my ladies will be doing.
Thank you so much for stopping by today. I wish you and yours a wonderful Sunday!

"You will seek ME and find ME when you seek ME with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Stampin'Up! BUILD A BLOSSOM Stamp Set

My share today is a card I received from Ginger E. for Mother's Day. Isn't it so pretty? Ginger used the Build A Blossom Stamp Set and coordinating Punch.

Ginger was part of a group that I stamped with in NC. Thank you Ginger for remembering me with such a beautiful card. Happy Mother's Day to you too!

Stampin'Up! LOVE LETTER Designer Series Paper AND Fun Flowers Bigz L Die

I'm glad you stopped by and I hope my post will inspire you to create something today. These cards which I CASED from Becky Roberts, also a SU demo, will be made at one of my May classes. I did add the piece of black cardstock behind the designer series paper as my way of changing them up a bit. In addition to the Love Letter Designer Series Paper, I used Riding Hood Red, Basic Black and Very Vanilla cardstock. The flowers were made using the Fun Flowers Bigz L Die. Please check back tomorrow to see the box my ladies will make to hold these four cards and envelopes.

Have a great day!

A Granddaughter Share

Our daughter and son-in-law left Thursday for the Jazz Festival in New Orleans so we've had our 7 year old granddaughter while they've been away. My share with you today is the card Laura made to welcome her Mom and Dad back home.

Of course, the dies are not Stampin'Up! but Laura used SU cardstock, markers, the Big Shot and Decorative Label Punch. I'm so thankful that she enjoys paper crafting as much as I do....she's very creative as you can tell.


















I hope you are having a wonderful weekend; please stop by next week to get a sneak peek at some of the things I will be offering in my May stamping classes.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

Stampin'Up! Easter Bunny made out of PUNCHES

Thanks for stopping by.....as you've probably noticed I've been missing for a few days. My sister came to town on Tuesday and returned to the Carolinas Saturday. We got caught up on some "sister time" which was great but I hated to see her go.

Today's share is the bag I made to put our granddaughter's Easter treats in. This picture does not do it justice. These bags are so simple and can be used for any occasion.

The bag is made using a paper lunch sack with cardstock cut a half inch wider than the sack and with the top of the sack cut to the height that you'd like. I CASED the bunny on the top note die from a fellow demonstrator, Connie Babbert. Even though Easter is over maybe this will give you some inspiration for next year. Hope to see you back again soon! Have a wonderful day.

Stampin'Up! PAISLEY PETALS Designer Series Paper

Thanks for stopping by today! For the next few days I'm going to be sharing with you cards made using the PAISLEY PETALS designer series paper. This paper is part of the "Spring is Blossoming" Promotion going on now through April 30th. Please see my 4/5/11 post or visit my SU Website, shirleybmckay.stampinup.net, for more details.

In addition to the DSP, I used River Rock, Marina Mist and Whisper White cardstock. Other items used ~ Decorative Label and Scallop Trim Border punches; Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta ribbon; Big Shot and Texturz Background Plate. Sentiments are from retired stamp sets. This is the inside of the card. You'll notice the Marina Mist cardstock has been run through the Big Shot. Hope you'll join me again tomorrow. Happy Friday!