Happy Birthday Robbie

Another Birthday! I can't believe he used to be so small!

Now he's 3!

Rudely woken up by us singing Happy Birthday!

He was NOT impressed!

Until he realized we had a present...
Now he's getting into it!
Really impressed, we got him a "Ninky Nonk". For those of you who have no idea what that is, it's like a train on the children's show "In the Night Garden". His party, opening more gifts
Buzz Lightyear
Sam's helping open presents
He blew out the candle!

Card Class

Every month I teach a card class at the library on base. I usually have about 10 to 15 people come and we make 3 projects. I thought I would share what we are doing on the 18th.

Pillow Box

Supplies:
Stamp Sets
Cute & Curly
Card Stock and Paper
Whisper White
Designer Paper
Ink
Basic Black
Accessories and Tools
Sizzix Big Shot Die Cut Machine
Sizzix Pillow Box Bigz Die
Sticky Strip
¼” grosgrain ribbon

Curly Label Punch

Punch Birthday CardSupplies:
Stamp Sets
Heard from the Heart
One of a Kind
Card Stock and Paper
Kraft (8 ½” x 5 ½”)
Baja Breeze (5 ¼” x 4”)
Whisper White (4 ½” x 3 ¾”)
Baja Breeze (scrap)
Riding Hood Red (scrap)
Tangerine Tango (scrap)
Kiwi Kiss (scrap)
Ink
Baja Breeze Classic Pad
Riding Hood Red Classic Pad
Tangerine Tango Classic Pad
Kiwi Kiss Classic Pad
Whisper White Craft Pad
Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker
White uni-ball Signo Gel Pen
Accessories and Tools
Kraft Taffeta Ribbon (9”)
Small Oval Punch
Boho Blossoms Punch
Scallop Edge Punch
Aqua Painter/Blender Pen

*Inspired by the Stampin' Up! Artisan Award Winner's Showcase, Artist: Michelle Fischer

Season of Friendship

Supplies:
Stamp Sets
Season of Friendship
Card Stock and Paper
More Mustard Textured
Close to Cocoa Textured
Kraft
Really Rust
Whisper White
Autumn Vine Designer Series Paper
Ink
Chocolate Chip Classic Pad
Really Rust Classic Pad
More Mustard Classic Pad
Accessories and Tools
More Mustard ¼” Grosgrain
Crop-a-dile
Stapler/staples
Dimensional adhesive

*Inspired by the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog, page 7 - available beginning October 1st.

Stampin' Up! and my cards

Some of you may already know that I am an Independent Demonstrator for Stampin' Up! which is a direct selling company specializing in rubber stamps, card making, and scrapbooking supplies. I've had a blast over the last few years sharing what I love about Stampin' Up! but it hasn't really been a profitable business for me. Well, my friend Abi and I have been trying to sell the cards we sell and we are off to a slow start so far. We are hoping that the contacts we are making now will be solid and we can slowly build our business.



Well, Stampin' Up! as a company has just added the feature of online ordering! I am so excited about this!!! Now it will be easier for my US customers to make orders from me because they can now visit my business website at http://www.karenspain.stampinup.net/ and click "shop now" and can fill their shopping bags to their hearts delight and pay for it all with their credit card in the comfort of their own home and at their convenience. So if you are looking to start your Christmas projects or make a unique and special card for someone you love, visit my website and I'll love to help you out.



Additionally, from time to time, I will be posting some of the projects that I have been making so let me know what you think. I'll start by posting a few pics now!

This first card is the one I made for Natalie's Birthday. It uses the Dreams du Jour and Family Phrases Stamp Sets; Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze Classic Stampin' Pads; Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon and Aqua Painters to watercolor the butterfly.

This card uses my favorite product line, Sweet Bella! The stamp sets are Thank You Kindly and Frames with a Flourish; The cardstock is Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White; Bella Rose Designer Series Paper; Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pads; Riding Hood Red 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon. I made a set of 10 cards and made a matching gift box.

These are 5x5 art journals that I altered using Simply Scrappin' Kits. The kits are now retired but it is still a good example of how to use our products. I tied ribbon on the spirals and used a bit of designer paper to make a matching pen. I just took the pen apart and wrapped a small scrap of paper around the "ink" part and put it back together. What a cute way to personalize a unique gift for a wedding, baby shower or just for someone that you love. These are some of our 4 1/2" x 9" On Board Clipboards. I just used cardstock and retired designer paper, Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch and 1 3/8" Circle Punch. The stamp set is Baroque Motifs and colors are Basic Gray, Real Red and Very Vanilla. Notice again the matching pens.

Natalie's first day of Year 1

Yesterday was Natalie's first day of Year 1. Here in England, children start "big" school at the age of 4 in what is called Reception, which has a very similar curriculum as American Kindergarten. At 5 they enter year 1 which would be like 1st grade in the U.S. with the exception that many of the activities are child centered and the children can choose activities at their own pace, very much like the Montessori Method (which is what I think I want for our kids when we go back home if we can afford it). Natalie was so excited for her first day when she could see all of her friends again and she got to know her teacher a little bit last year and already likes her a lot.

Robbie really liked Natalie's class as well and threw the BIGGEST tantrum that his little 2 year old self has ever thrown when it was time to leave. It was probably the most embarrassing moment of my life so far. I had to pull him kicking and screaming from the classroom with him kicking me and in the process lost one of his shoes, which I didn't realize until after we finally got him dragged out. Thankfully one of the other parents went back in to get it for me because after all of that, I was NOT going to go back in there! There was just no reasoning with him and bribing didn't work either. I ended up half carrying him and half dragging him half the way home until he calmed down to walk respectably the rest of the way. When we got home, I realized his arms got bruised from his resistance, but I wasn't about to allow him to run into the street to get away from me and be hit by a car.

Anyway, not on to the pictures, which is all you really care about anyway...

Natalie in her uniform

Again in her uniform along with the school sweatshirt
With her teacher Mrs. T