Scraps Challenge!

So many scraps, so little time!  As I was sorting my leftover bits of CS and DSP, I decided to go ahead and file everything (2 crates' worth) by name and "New Color"/"Retired Color" by family palette.  Each manilla folder has the color name and a small floral stamp of the corresponding color.  How empowering is that?? :-D

After looking at all of my scraps, I decided to give myself a challenge:  Use nothing but scraps (including the cards themselves) for 10 cards a week.  Like you, I have accumulated 100's of extra punches, stamps, embellishments etc. from previous projects.  Here was a chance to use some of them!  My other self-imposed rules were:

• No new ribbons (just those from my ribbon jar) or new die cuts.
• Limited stamp sets.
• Unlimited use of punches.
• Any colors could be used.

I decided last week that I would spend some quality time with my supplies anyway so.....in a few hours last evening and and hour and a half this afternoon, I created 2 small 6-page mini-scrapbooks and 8 cards. (By the way, the first follower that comments will win a cool stampin' prize.  Be sure that I have your email address.) You'll see the old along with the new but it is all good and all fun!!  (I don't think I even made a miniscule dent in my scrap crates!!)

Stamping in Hilton Head!!

We've just returned from a short, but really fun and relaxing, trip to Hilton Head, as guests of Frank and Cindy and Bruce and Linda.  We enjoyed many fine restaurants (I'm still longing for a return to AuntChilada's or the Shrimp Trawler), the pool, board games, cooking in, reading, kayaking on Skull Creek, and a trip into Beaufort for lunch and a stamping field trip.  Cindy, my sister-in-law, and our mutual friend, Linda,  and I enjoyed enjoyed several stamping/creating times in between all of our other fun activities!  Word has it that they are still stamping without me!  Stamp on, girlfriends!!

We had some fun with some mini-stamps we found at Carolina Stamper in Beaufort and created some "Black Magic" cards as well.

Linda brought a really cute little wallet/photo project that she had prepped for us.  I told her that I was so stealing it for one of my workshops!  Linda even made the cute little enclosures for us ahead of time AND a great instruction sheet with templates.  (Linda's envelopes are so better than mine but I will work on it!!)  We enjoyed learning, sharing, and creating together and we'll keep in touch for mutual inspiration since we are from Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina!  You'll see them closed at the top of the post and opened below.

Here is the South Carolina version in blue and the Florida version in So Saffron, Pretty In Pink, and Old Olive.  I just cannot stay away from the Watercolor Trio stamp set it seems. 

A REAL Outdoor Oasis with the SOS Stampers!

Here are the SOS Stampers last evening on Claudia's screened patio.  You also see Claudia's pool with a lovely sounding waterfall!  Claudia has a wonderful green thumb (inside and outside!) and is a fabulous hostess!  After a demonstration of some Black Magic, we set to work on our 9-page Mini Matchbook Album with lots of slots and lots of journaling/picture tags. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

We had a wonderful evening topped off with my favorite--Brownies!! Yum!!

Below you'll see the Thank You tags for my Sunday Open House Workshop stampers!  It's time for me to deliver their new toys tomorrow so everyone can play!!!!

My Talented Friends!!

SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE, MAY 16 AT THE STAMPING OASIS!

Here are some of the projects that were featured at our Sunday afternoon stamping get-together! A dessert buffet (lemon cake, dark chocolate brownies, cookies, and "sweet scoops" of orange sherbert, chocolate and vanilla) was served! Somehow I knew that we'd be primed for ice cream after making our sweet celebration card!
We also used the Sentimental Journey set to create a Father's Day or Birthday card. It's hard to see in the photo, but there is a "peep" circle cutout for the compass stamp. I "demo'ed a quick Father's Day gift bag and matching tag using the sparkler stamp from the new Fourth of July stamp set. I can't wait to use the rest of those terrific star and fireworks stamps well-beyond the 4th of July!!

THANK YOU, FRIENDS!!

It's wonderful to give our cards and handmade gifts but what a delight it is to receive a beautiful card from a friend! I love the featured cards--A very customized and detailed card down to the "Stamping Oasis" sign (my stamping room name) and all of my favorite little tools from Kristina Deyette.

The lovely "Thank You" card is from my friend and mentor, Cheri Wenger, whose creativity is always a wonderful inspiration for me!!

Thank you, Ladies!!

TROPICAL PARTY!!

Here are some cards created by still more creative gals using the new Tropical Party set~Betsy Bianchi created 8 Thank You's (Don't you love the grass skirt effect at the top?) and Joyce Ireland created pure bliss with her lovely creation!

Thank you so much for sharing, Betsy and Joyce!!