Ink & Paper Cafe'

Gotta Love Stamping...

I've been stamping more than my "new normal" and it feels great!  It's relaxing and just so...fun!  Last night was another EXPRESS Card Class and we made 4 more terrific cards.  Once again, I can say that because I do get most of my ideas from many resources.  Also looking forward to a new party this month (looking forward to it, Jackie!) plus my Oldies but Goodies Night.  Remember, this is a FREE event and the more people who attend, the more (exponentially) I'll give away.  Gotta love FREE!

Did you see my Crazy-Amazing Sale?  Because I am SO close to earning the Disney Incentive Trip, I'm offering a once-in-a-lifetime discount...I have never done this before and likely won't ever do so again.  So...take advantage of it!!  Ready??  35% OFF!!!!  This Crazy-Amazing Sale expires June 30th at 7pm.  So HURRY! 

• Please call or e-mail me with your order for your instant 35% Discount
• Order soon to make sure any retiring items are still available - Accessories are available on a 1st Come 1st Served basis.
• On-line orders are great!  However, you're 35% Discount will not come off of the top.  I'll send it to you separately.
• Want to see the Last Chance Lists?  Click Here!

Okay...here's another project from my May EXPRESS Card Class:

     

We made a card similar to this at my bi-monthly Team Shoebox Swap.  I believe Kathy Howes was the originator and I loved the simplicity...plus it could be a masculine card (although there are scallops...).  When inking up the Medallion stamp, ink up the whole thing in Garden Green Ink, then sponge (I like the Sponge Daubers for this technique) Not Quite Navy onto the edge.  Love it!

The Happy Birthday stamp is from Engraved Greetings, which IS retiring - it's a GREAT masculine set!  See page 182 of the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog.  Let me know what you think - thank you all for your comments!

Beautiful Wings on Pretty Petals

I love this background stamp (Pretty Petals)...and it's saying "C'est la vie"!!  And I love this cool ghosting technique.  So easy!

     

Ink up the stamp using VersaMark Ink then place FACE UP on the table.  Place Glossy Cardstock, glossy side-down, on top of inked stamp.  Cover with scrap paper (to keep your hands from getting sticky from the ink) and rub to stamp.  Remove cardstock and place face up on the table.  Ink up your Brayer (I used Pear Pizzazz) and brayer over the inked cardstock.  Brayer in different directions, picking up the brayer so you get full coverage of ink.  I did this 2-3 times to get this look.  It dries quickly...isn't it lovely!

Add dimension to the other elements (Beautiful Wings Embosslit using the Big Shot) with Dimensionals (I should take out stock in Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, and Snail Adhesive - I use a ton of this stuff!) - paired with Concord Crush and it's a sweet spring project.

Do join me at my next class (Tuesday, June 14th - MUST register by today at 5pm!) where we will make 4 brand new projects. 

Have a wonderful day!

The Last Chance List is Here!!!

 

           
Clear Mount Stamps    Wood Mount Stamps    Accessories

      
Definitely Decorative    Discounted Products         

It's that time of year again!  As always, THESE ITEMS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.  The Accessories are some of the first items to go, so if you'd like to purchase these items do so quickly (the quickest way: via my Online Store).  I also have a great special for anyone who hosts a Catalog Party as well as an in-home party.  This offer expires June 30th, so don't wait!

Click here for a sortable list featuring the Last-Chance STAMPS
Click here for a sortable list featuring the Last-Chance ACCESSORIES

Catalog Party Special
Collect orders for a final total of at least $150 and you will receive DOUBLE THE FREE MERCHANDISE!!!  I will purchase for you the additional stamps and supplies...woohooo!!!  Examples:
* $180 subtotal will normally net you $15 in FREE Merchandise (plus a Level 1 Hostess Set), but with my special, you will receive $30!!!
* $305 subtotal will normally net you $35 in FREE Merchandise (plus a Level 1 OR Level 2 Hostess Set), but with my special, you'll receive $70!!!! 

All orders and payment MUST be received by June 30th at 6pm to qualify for the special.  If you are taking advantage of the Last-Chance List (and who wouldn't!), submit your orders ASAP and include a list of alternate choices in case your first choice isn't available. 

This special is available via in-person, phone or e-mail.  NO Online Orders for this special (due to the extra FREE Merchandise offered - I need to input the details).

In-Home Party Special
Host your in-home party and you'll receive the same DOUBLED FREE Merchandise as listed above PLUS up to two fabulous make-n-takes that all of your guests will love!  Check out my calendar and book your date right from the site.  Cool, huh? 

Oldies but Goodies Night
This annual FREE event is lots of fun and the more people that RSVP, the more freebies I give away.  Bring your friends!  Click here for all the details PLUS RSVP!!

 

And now for a sweet little idea...

     

This is a card we made at my last EXPRESS Card Class (another one is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14th - Register by clicking here) and features the FABULOUS Triple Layer Punch (Blossom Bouquet from the Summer Mini Catalog).  I love the little embellishment off to the side - got the idea from a card that my sweet friend, Wendy Highfield, shared with me.  We used the Lap of Luxury Designer Paper (it's retiring!!!) as well as Basic Rhinestones (a staple for me in my stamp room).  I hope you like!

It's Almost Time to Go Home

Saturday in Seattle was a treat!  Again, the weather was beautiful - still a bit chilly, but sunny and clear.  We began the day by visiting the Museum of Flight.  Truly, we could've stayed there all day.  We were there for about 3 hours and didn't even see the whole thing.  Very cool!  Connor and Seth went into the flight simulator and drew a crowd with their antics in the simulator...twisting, doing complete rotations, lurching.  Then we heard Seth holler through the closed doors, "Oh my gosh!!!".  My guess is that Connor had control at that point.  ;-D 

     

Our plan was to visit the aquarium, but the line was crazy - and our thought was if it's that crazy OUTSIDE, think of what it's like INSIDE.  We passed and headed back to the Market.  This is when we snacked on humbow (Devin had pizza and a HUUUUUGE cookie).

          

Seth was tired and wanted to go back to the hotel, so we dropped him off and headed back to the FolkLife Festival.  Friday was JUST the beginning.  This was like Boulder on steroids.  Seriously!  We were all in awe of the sights - what GREAT people-watching opportunities!  This is like no festival I have ever seen - musicians everywhere selling their home-made cd's, vendors featuring food, gifts, textiles, jewelry...and no duplicates.  SO interesting!  And we even ate dingleberries.  HAHAHA!  These were actually from the Shishkaberries variety.  Yum!

    

As you can see, this place was PACKED.  Normally, this would've stressed me out a bit, but there was just so much to see...lollygagging was totally acceptable.  One of my favorite "musical stops" featured a group of teens who played xylophones.  Amazing!

 

Much of the music was quite good - but if it wasn't, all you'd have to do is keep moving along.  There's be another group 10 yards away!

          

By Sunday, we were ready to be home.  10 days is a long time to be away from home.  And we barely made our flight!  We got in the slowest line known to man - and the line to check bags was the worst I have ever seen.  To make a long story short, we jumped to the front of the line after the bag-checker told us to "get up here now" - our flight was leaving in 20 minutes and we still had to finish the checking and get through security.  We had an angel with us because security was deserted by the time we got there.  Then we RAN to our gate.  Whew!  We made it home, but some of our luggage wanted to stay a bit longer.  In the end, we were all reunited!  It was a wonderful trip and I'm so glad we were able to work it out for the boys to join us.

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Here is the final make-n-take on the cruise.  This is darling!  Plus it features some of our new In Colors and stamp sets.  Can't wait for you to see the new catalog!!!

          

Check back soon and have a wonderful day!

 

 

 

And the Trip Continues...

When we returned to Seattle on Friday, we stayed on a couple more days.  What a treat Seattle was!!  Once again, the weather was delightful!!  Once we got our rooms (boy, was I glad to see the FULL SIZED shower!), we walked over to the Space Needle.  While we didn't take a ride, Doug got a sweet-shot of a photo:

 

We came across a free festival (Folklife Festival) that was right by the Space Needle.  It was just being set up, but there was still so much to see.  More on the festival later.

The next place we ventured to was the Pikes Place Market.  We loved it so much that we went back on Saturday to munch on vendor treats for lunch (Chinese humbow...DELICIOUS!!!).  Back to Friday...

     

The Market was bustling and the fresh flowers (holy cow!  $5 for a HUGE bouquet!), fresh vegetables & fruits, food vendors, and of course the fish-mongers.  You could certainly tell which vendors have the freshest fish - the "phew!" factor escalates as the freshness decreases.  We found ONE Starbucks (surprised the heck out of me) and it was swamped, so we visited Seattle's Best (which was a delicious treat - missed good coffee!).

               

For dinner, we picked up Robin Merriman and her family and headed to a Dom Polski Polish Community Center.  What??!?  Doug did some research before we left and one of the top hits for "family friendly seattle must-sees" was this community center.  They host dinner on Friday evenings - but you must be polish to visit.  Since none of us are polish, we were able to become "polish for a day" for $1.  Let the fun begin!  The top recommendation?  Pickle Soup!  And was it ever delicious!  Honestly, if I didn't hear the strong recommendation, I'm not sure we would've tried it.  Now I'm ready to find a recipe online-DELICOUS!!!

               

    

 Yes, our kids were really there - just at the next table.  They ended up pulling out a deck of cards and playing once dinner was over.  That fit right in!

A very full day - loved it!

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Want to see another project we made on the ship?  This card features NEW In Colors (heehee!) and supplies.  :-D

     

Thank you for visiting...chat soon!

 

Alaska was WONDERFUL!

We got home this past weekend from our Alaskan Cruise + Seattle visit.  We had a wonderful time...it was all about our family.

 

While we felt the ship was not on-par with past cruises we've been on, we had a great time with great weather.  Connor and Seth enjoyed many of the teen events (where they met Matt, our "extra" son for the week Ü) and Devin, Doug and I spent nearly all of our time together.  We played lots of cards (here's to you, Crawford Family! - see picture below), hung out at the spa pools, and enjoyed the gorgeous Alaskan scenery.  Simply stunning.

    

Our ports-of-call were Ketchikan, Juneau (my least favorite but probably Doug's favorite...read on), Skagway (my favorite), and Victoria, BC.  We also got fairly close to a glacier (Tracy Arm Fjords) and were wow'd by all of the spectacular ice and waterfalls (we looked up in time to see the glacier calve...wow!).  Doug and I were invited to an amazing dinner with Rich Jutkins and his delightful wife, Wendi - along with another Stampin' couple (Bernadette and Anthony).  This invitation included a visit to the bridge!!  Rich invited our boys to see the bridge the next night - we all loved it!!!

          

A highlight for Doug...he won one of 10 spaces on an amazing tour which began with a float-plane ride to a fishing area in Juneau along with 9 other demo-husbands and Dave Baugh, an executive with Stampin' Up!  We felt like we won the Stampin' Up! Lottery!!!

     

I could easily become addicted to zip-lining (all pictures of this are on Seth's iPod - will share some later)!  What a THRILL!!!  We enjoyed this adventure in Ketchikan that included a small rapel as well as a long slide.  If you ever get the chance...do it!!

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I have lots more to share, but will end for now - now onto a special treat!  Each Incentive Trip, we have a make-n-take session and this year we were treated to 3 great projects that included the NEW 2011-2012 In Colors!!!  Here's one of those projects for your viewing pleasure.

          

Have you subscribed to my blog yet?  When you do, any new posts I make come to YOU...easy, safe and just for you.  Be sure to subscribe soon!  Have a wonderful day~

Dear Devin...

I have to say that I sometimes look at you and still see the adorable cherub of a toddler who loved to hold sticks and speak his own language. 

           

It’s amazing how quickly these years have gone by – what an exciting time for you!  Believe it or not (since I am older than dirt), I remember the excitement and anxiousness that I felt at this time in my own life – ENJOY. 

Throughout my adult years, I’ve learned much more than I ever thought I would:

• I’ve learned that being, and having, best friends cannot be duplicated.  Treat your friends kindly.  Some you will have for a short time while others you will have for a lifetime. 
• Your brothers are always there for you, as I hope you will always be there for them. They love you.
• If you lose everything else, you always have your word. Make it honest, true, and kind.
• Never cheat, lie, or steal.  Never.  Ever.
• Be open to trying new things as long as they are legal and won’t hurt anyone else or yourself.
• When you’re sick – GO TO THE DOCTOR.  Seriously.
• Do NOT drink and drive. 
• Be responsible for your own actions.
• Be punctual and respectful of other peoples’ time and efforts.
• Study, play, work, learn, vacation, and love with gusto. 
• Be open and communicate.  Words are not overrated.
• Have FUN – maintain a sense of humor – and laugh every day.

Should you ever feel like talking or texting, you may call on me any time.  There’s something very special about a mom/son relationship and I love you more than I can express.  I am SO proud of you – for so many reasons.  You have immense dedication and self-motivation.  Most people never fully “get” this, but you have been this way your whole life.  It’s a gift and you clearly have not wasted it.  You are funny.  Truly funny.  Your dry sense of humor comes naturally – your Grandpa Drake, your Aunt Chelcey, your dad and myself.  Advice…this does NOT translate well in e-mail unless you are conversing with another like-minded sense-of-humor individual.  You tell it like it is.  Advice…watch your “tone”.  ;-D  You’re helpful – what a HUGE blessing this will be to you and everyone around you. 

     

I get “misty” every time I think of you going to college.  I will miss you something fierce.  It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way – most college kids do not.  You may come home as often, or as little, as you’d like.  I won’t bug you about it – just don’t use us as a hotel/restaurant.  Remember, we want to see you on breaks, too.  Please remember to: Call home on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, any of our birthday’s, and when you know something special is happening with any of us;  text to say “hi”; introduce us to your first love; if you get homesick (I won’t tell), give us a call. 

Finally…”make good choices!!!!”  Okay…I couldn’t resist.  Ü

High-Five and some mushy hugs in there, too.

Mom