Hinged Cupcakes

I love Splitcoast Stampers. It is full of swaps, ideas, examples and instructions (not to mention talk about books, tv and current events). It's especially good for inspiration. Lately when I've sat down at my stamp desk my mind has gone completely blank. Lucky for me, Splitcoast has daily challenges.

Today's card is a hinge card, which is Technique Challenge 222, for May 25th. It's actually a very simple technique, I was able to make mine just by looking at the examples and using the measurements in the original post. If you'd like more detailed instructions, though, Wendy Weixler has posted a video here.

Everything in this card is from Stampin' Up. Here is what I used: Paper - Bella Birds Designer Series Paper, Bordering Blue, So Saffron and

Whisper White cardstock. Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes and Boho Backgrounds. Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Bordering Blue, So Saffron, Real Red and Pink Pirouette. Accessories: Blender Pen, Eyelet Border Punch, Flower Designer Brads.

The colors for this card were drawn from the designer paper. I love how perfectly Stampin' Up colors work together. Since May is National Scrapbooking month, Stampin' Up is having a special on Designer Series Paper and 12x12 textured cardstock. It's mix and match, by 3 get 1 free. Contact me for more information, or you can click on one of the links on the right. This promotion runs through May 31 and is valid for workshops, individual orders and web orders. Don't miss out!

Mark your calendar for the Mystery Hostess Workshop on June 18th! It will be a lot of fun, with two projects featuring retiring stamp sets and good company. There will be several door prizes in addition to the hostess credit. And, I just found out that Stampin' Up is having a hostess promotion in June, so if the workshop goes over $250 in sales the lucky winner will get extra hostess benefits! Of course, if you'd like to be sure you get those benefits, you can hostess a workshop yourself. Or, if you need lots of goodies, place an order through my website for more than $250 and you'll also get the extra credit. The promotion runs from June 1 through 30th.

Snow, snow, snow, snow!

Tax season really wore me out, and then as soon it was over I got sick. What a way to celebrate! I'm starting to remember who I am and other little things like that, and I'm ready to stamp again!

To celebrate the end of tax season I went to Stampin' Up's Seattle Regional seminar, a great activity for demonstrators. We got free stamps, made 6 projects, got to say hi to Shelli and watched some inspiring presentations with all kinds of ideas. I printed the pictures I took the other day and am really looking forward to sharing some of the ideas with you. Check back often for ideas.

One of the projects we did was a cute 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 scrapbook page for a snow picture. We had some pretty memorable snow last year so I had the perfect picture for it, but I don't have an 8 1/2 inch album. I do have a 6x6 book just of grandbaby pages, though. So, I adapted the page to 6x6. The cutie in the picture is my 3 year old granddaughter Leah.

The page uses Pacific Point, Bashful Blue and Riding Hood Red cardstock, Pacific Point classic ink, Old Olive and Whisper White craft ink, a Basic Black Stampin' Write journaler and a VersaMarker. Accessories: On Board Timeless Type chipboard, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, a Mini Library Clip, clear rhinestone brad (from the Pretties kit), a 2" white circle metal edge tag, 1/2" circle punch and 1 3/4" circle punch. I'm still a little intimidated by chipboard, so it was great to have an example to work with. I will be using it a lot more!

May is National Scrapbooking Month and Stampin' Up has two great specials to celebrate. Our beautiful Designer Series Paper and Textured Cardstock is buy three get one free, and you can get as many as you want. (If you are like me, you want them all.) And, there's a sneak peak stamp set from the upcoming 2009/2010 Idea Book and Catalog, the new Jumble Alphabet at 20% off. Contact me for more information.

The first Mostly Monthly Mystery Hostess Workshop is coming up in just a few weeks. Mark your calendars for May 28th at 7:00 pm. There will be snacks, two projects to make, and great company, as well as a chance to win hostess benefits. I hope to see you there!