Today was a Red Letter day!

I can hardly believe what a great day today was. Just one good thing after another. Where do I start?
Well, first of all, my Nestabilities dies came in! They have been on backorder since before Christmas. Woo hoo! Along with the dies, there was the Cricut Design Studio disk.

OMGoodness! This is the coolest. I can search the entire Cricut cartridge library for shapes and designs, "weld" letters together to cut out words instead of just cutting out letters and sooo much more. I will keep you informed as I figure out all of it's features.

Then, I stopped by Milissa's house for a little retail therapy. I picked up 2 of her kits and some other papers and this cute little bird stamp. What is my attraction to birds all of a sudden? Look at all of that YUMMY eye candy! I will be busy making some fun stuff to share.

A little later, my Mom came down to play. She brought me an old dictionary to cut up and punch shapes out of. Thanks Mom! I am so happy that she shares my passion for paper crafting. I love hangin' out with her. It's like we have a whole new friendship starting.

While hangin' out with Mom, the UPS truck pulled up with a Stampin' Up! box full of Sell-A-Bration stamp sets. Man, I love the smell of new rubbah! Can a day get any better than this?

Well, it's after 12:00 AM so, I am going to end this fabulous day. Thanks for visiting with me on a great day! XO, Mimi

I'm in the Mood for Love!

I got the idea for this card from my blogger friend, Vicki. I love her work. You have to go see what she does with vintage. No wonder she is a designer for major companies. Anyhoo, when I saw this card I just had to make my own version.

This is a big card. I made it to fit in Stampin' Up!'s large envelope. I am sure my dear hubby will love it. The foam hearts are from my daughters art bin. Tee hee. I swiped something from her, for a change.

Thanks for checking in. Have a fabulous day!! XO, Mimi

Ta Da!

So, here is a very quick project that I made with fabric in the Cricut Expression. I know that I will come up with something better than this, with time. I was just so excited to put something together. I used the Doodlecharms cartridge for the bugs and the Opposites Attract cartridge for the words.

You have got to try this, if you have a Cricut. Link back to me so I can see what you come up with. Have fun! XO, Mimi

More to love about the Cricut!

As some of you know, I work at Michaels Crafts store as a Scrapbook and Scrappy Cards Instructor. I also do demonstrations on whatever they want me to do. My favorite being the Cricut Expression. Well, yesterday, while doing such demo, I was asked about putting fabric through the Cricut. This was something that had entered my mind as well but I had not tried it yet. Well, I decided to try it today. Much to my surprise, it worked!!! I took a piece of fabric that I had added fusible web to and put it in the machine. My needle was set at 5 and my pressure was at high and speed was at max. It worked like a dream.

This opens a whole new world of possibilities. Imagine the appliqués I can make and add to clothing. Wow!

I was so excited that I had to share this right away. I will post a picture of what I do with it, tomorrow!

Have a great day. XO, Mimi

Servin' Up Some Love!

I just love to play with this set. It's like paper dolls for grown-ups. LOL! I love to dress the little chef in all sorts of pattern paper and serve stuff on his platter.

While clicking around, the other day, I came across this picture on Splitcoast. The title grabbed me and I had to make a card with it. Not sure who will get this cutie for V-day but I am sure they will be happy.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend! XO, Mimi

Kickin' It Up with Lizzie Anne Designs!

As a tribute to my friend Kirsten, I just had to make a kick stand card. Her design was used for the sketch challenge at Splitcoast this week. Since she was nice enough to let me borrow one of her brand new sets from Lizzie Anne, I decided to use it on my card. I love the simplicity of the card and the double ribbon is so yummy!

Thanks for stopping by! XO, Mimi

Merci, Mon Amie!

I LOVE how this turned out! This is more from my day at Kirsten's. More tearing out pages from a perfectly good book. Tee hee! And stamping on felt with my new Lizzie Anne set "Ohh La La!" I have wanted this for a while!

I made this card for my Mom as a thank you for the awesome book she made me for Christmas. She loves everything French! And I love her! Merci, Momma!

Thank you for sharing this with me. XO Mimi

Something Different and Fun!

I made this cute little card, yesterday, at my friend Kirsten's. I had seen the idea for the flower on this video and HAD to try it. Kirsten was less than thrilled that I was tearing a page from a perfectly good book. Sorry K! The book was actually purchased just for altering.

The birds and small flowers are cut from felt. I drew them on the back first, then cut them out. I didn't use a pattern. They are freehand.

I love how it turned out! Thanks for stopping by. XO, Mimi

Hanging clips and a Quick card

I had a few questions about the clips I used on my version of the Clip-It-Up. They are available at Michaels Crafts. I found them near the value packs of key rings, barrettes, jump rings and such. They are called Badge Holder Clips and a pkg. of 21 is approx. $3.00. Hope that helps anyone looking for them.

This is a very fast card that I made yesterday in my Scrappy Cards Class at Michaels. I help people by showing them how I dig through my scraps and make pretty cards. This is my most popular class so far. I love it when everyone leave happy and looking at what they have in a whole new way.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day! XO, Mimi

Copy Cat!

When I am in a creative slump, I go trolling for cards to CASE. I just think it's better than sitting here with idle hands, ya know? Anyhoo, I was clicking around, the other day, and came across this cute card and it made me happy so, I just had to do it. LOL! I had to change a few things, do to the fact that I don't have the stamp set that she used on it. It still makes me smile!

Hey, a little secret of mine, see the rhinestone that matches the flower? That is a clear rhinestone that I colored with a sharpie, to make it match. Cool, huh?

Thanks for stopping by. I have a Scrappy Cards class to teach at Michaels today. So, I should have more stuff for you later or in the morning. XO, Mimi

My word for the year is "Motivation"!

I resolve to motivate myself to post more, share more and do more. I have become so un-motivated that I am just tired of myself. Nobody can change it but me. So, that's what I'm gonna do!

I figured, since the little darlings are off to school, finally, I will start fresh today!

This is a card that i was inspired to make from the sketch of this card by Annieht at Splitcoast and this fabulous card by Beauty Lies Within.

I LOVE the way MJ Albright uses all of the dimension in the truck and can you see the window? Is that not the coolest! Well, I did my best to do a good job and not mess up her hard work. Hope I did it justice.

Have a wonderful Monday everyone. Thanks for stopping by! XO, Mimi

My Favorite Christmas Present

I cannot believe that my Mom made this for me.

I am always making small albums or board books and many other little projects. Well, over the years, my Mom has been the happy recipient of many of my projects.

I just love handmade presents. There is so much more heart and soul in them than any store bought gift.
This is my Mother's first attempt at an altered project or board book. I am in AWE! She did such a fabulous job, I cried!

It is a compilation of recipes and photos of my Nana, myself, my Mother and other family members.

There are 11 pages and they are double sided so there are more pages than I am picturing here. I just wanted you to see a sample of this very thoughtful gift.

Thank you, Mom. I love you bunches!!!

Clip it up, Mimi style!

This is my version of the, ever so popular, Clip It Up. I made it with a wooden paper towel holder for the base and a lamp shade hoop for the hooks to hang from. The clips are available at Michaels. I covered the base and rod with patterned paper and painted the top nob. It is much prettier in my room that the store-bought version. Thanks for checking it out.

Hope you all had a happy and safe holiday! XO, Mimi

Where have I been?

My, how time flies. I cannot believe it has been over 2 weeks since my last post.
Well, we went to Disney for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This is our 3rd year going and is one of our favorite traditions. My DH is a serious fan of the Mouse! I, however, have grown bored with Disney and wanted to see Universal and Islands of Adventure. So, this year, we included that in our plans. Let me tell you, we had the most fabulous time! Since we stayed at one of Universals hotels, we could use our room key as an express pass for all of the rides. What a blast! We could just walk onto the rides, no matter how long the line was.
The kids had a blast too!
Here are a couple of pictures of our fun. I hope to have some projects up for you soon!
Enjoy! XO, Mimi

A Visit with Santa

We went to the mall, last night to get the girls picture with Santa. I was sad when I saw that it was a new Santa. We have had the same one for several years. This one was fine though. I am so happy to finally have the pictures done. Now, I can finish sending my Christmas cards. I add one of these to all the cards that go to family.

Have a peaceful Sunday! XO, Mimi

Too Much?

I had this card in my head and once it was done, I wasn't sure if it was a little too much. I made the frame with my new Cricut Expression and the Accent Essentials cartridge. I'm in love. It's my Christmas present from DH but I told him there was no way I could wait till Christmas to use it.

Enjoy your weekend! XO, Mimi

Semiannual Retired Stamp List

Our first semiannual retired stamp list is here!

Stampin' Up! does not discount retiring stamps, however I am offering the following promotion:

Twelve Days of Christmas!

December 1-12, 2007

Order in time for Christmas Delivery

• 10% off retiring stamp sets, wheels & accessories!
• 10% off orders of $150 or more, plus Hostess Benefits!
• Free gift wrapping for Wish List orders!

Check back on December 10 for the list of retiring wheels and accessories.

10% off and $150 order amount are before tax & shipping.

You have got to see THIS!!!

Last night, while my DH and I were talking with our oldest daughter, Katie, we notice that it has gotten quite quiet. Katie peeks into the living room to find Maggie like this.
Katie: "Maggie, get out of there before you rip it!"
Maggie: "I can't, I'm stuck!"
Katie: "Mom, get the camera, Maggie is stuck in her hamper!"
DH, myself and Katie are laughing hysterically and snapping pictures while Maggie is yelling, "Get me out of here and stop taking my picture!" Poor Maggie. The things she gets herself into, blow my mind.

I thought you would like to start your Friday with a smile! XO, Mimi

Black Friday Deals

I have got to show you what I got at my LSS on Friday. They had a sale from 12 to 2. We got 40% off of our entire purchase. It was a mad house. Boy was it worth it! I picked up these beautiful stamps from Technique Tuesday. To see both stamp sets, click on both links in blue. I am in love with them. They make, even the simplest card, elegant! That is the only shopping that I did that day. I am NOT a good crowd fighter. I would rather shop on line, in my p.j.s, with my coffee and NO crowds! With all the free shipping deals, you can't beat it.

Have a wonderful Wednesday! I hope to be going to Michaels later to play with the NEW Cricut. We get our store machine today and I promised to teach the other girls that work there how to use it. I am so excited! Santa had better be droppin' one of these under my tree! XO, Mimi

Someting to be Thankful for.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful time with family and friends. We had a lovely time at my Sister-in-laws and then at my Mom's. It was very nice to see everyone and for everyone to get along so well.
I took my camera, yet I didn't snap one picture. So, I will leave you with some photos from Tuesday when Maggie's class put on a Thanksgiving production for us.

Have a wonderful day! XO, Mimi

More Table Scraps

This is a little gift I made for Katie with some table scraps. The container is from some plastic letters. I used scraps of my softball paper and stickers. The 3 compartments are 3x4. It was quick and easy and, most importantly, she loves it. The finished photos show the front and back of the project.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great Tuesday. If I don't post before then, have a fabulous Turkey day! XO, Mimi

Quad-City Champs!!! Woo Hooo!!!!

My daughter, Katie, and her team, won the Championships in Softball. What a team she plays on. These girls are a force to be reckoned with. Most of them have been playing since they were 5 or 6. I hope Maggie sticks with it till she is 16. She will be awesome. I am so proud of Katie sticking with it. After she broke her leg last year, we didn't think she would play again. She broke her leg sliding into home and will not ever slide again, she says. And most of the girls that were there that day refuse to slide too. It was a freak accident. But it was bad. Anyhoo, she is back in the saddle and high on victory. Here are a couple shots of the girls with their Champagne, (sparkling Cider) and trophies.

Have a fabulous day and thanks for stopping by. XO, Mimi

Fun House Guests!

I know that I hinted, a while back, about house guests that I had. Well, here they are. First of all, we had Nora for a week and a half. When Leslie told me she was going out of town, I asked if we could watch Nora. She asked if we wanted her over Halloween too, since she has 2 costumes. Of course I do. So, we had Nora's company and Maggie and I loved it. Rick and Katie were not as thrilled. Too bad, so sad! Well, when Leslie came back to town, she missed Nora so much that she came for Halloween too. We had so much fun. We went on a hayride and through a haunted tunnel. Maggie, Nora and I dressed up as pirates. Yo ho ho! This is the book I made for Leslie and Nora to remember their visit.

Thanks for stopping by, on this beautiful Monday Morning! XO, Mimi

You Spice Up My Life!

Look at what my friend Milissa brought by for me. She had a couple leftovers of her kit this month and wanted to share. You have got to go see her great kit at Serendipity. She really cheered me up. I have the most wonderful friends!!
I'm sorry I haven't been around much. My mojo has gone on vacation, again. Every time my depression stops by, mojo leaves. I am beginning to see a pattern here!
So, while I am feeling a little creative, I thought I'd bless you with a little card I made today.




P.S. The golden piece on the card is a die-cut from K&Co. Great for cards and journaling!