An Egg-cellent Easter

Hi Stampers! I took a little time to play with my new Easter set, An Egg-cellent Easter. This card is 3x3 and perfect for tucking in a gift or Easter basket.
This basket below I created from a 6x8-3/4" piece of so saffron cardstock. Very economical and quick to make! Notice I used thin strips of the matching cardstock and ran through the paper crimper to create my basket filler.


Coloring tip: to make the bunny stand out, I used the barely banana marker just below the black lines, kind of like a shadow.
To make the subtle background I stamped the hanging egg using summer sun.

Here's what I used if you want to make these at home. All products are Stampin Up! and can be ordered directly by clicking on the catalog in the upper right corner.

stamp set: An Egg-cellent Easter (113196)

cardstock: so saffron, lavender lace, certainly celery, whisper white

ink: certainly celery, bashful blue, pretty in pink (for sponging edges), so saffron, black Staz-On and Stamp 'n Write Markers in certainly celery, pretty in pink, lavender lace, barely banana, bashful blue

accessories: eyelet border (113692), celery twill ribbon (free from SAB), paper crimper

And remember, that Easter set can be ordered today, you do not have to wait for the spring mini-catalog release.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Tasha

Happy Spring!

Hi Stampers! The good news is we are getting some much-needed moisture. The bad news is that it's coming in the form of a near-blizzard and so my two clubs today and a workshop tomorrow all have to be rescheduled.

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Here's a picture of my front steps 3 hours after I cleared them.

But the kids have enjoyed it since this is the only snow we have had this winter. While my modem was broken I spent the time completely overhauling my stamping space. Hopefully I will get to be more productive now!

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Thanks for stopping in! Tasha

Blog Candy Winner!

Hi Stampers! No, I didn't go on vacation. We had the wind blowing 50mph on Monday so our power went out something like 15 times in the afternoon. And one of those times it took my modem with it. So the UPS man brought my new one today and I am back in business!!

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First order of business is the blog candy winner. Thanks to everyone who participated. It's actually fun to go back and see all the comments at once as I get them all numbered. So congratulations goes to lucky #10 out of 131 and that happens to be Rebecca.
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Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:10
Timestamp: 2009-03-26 20:44:52 UTC

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And she said:
I saw your first card on split coast, and hadn't even realized it was your card when I left a comment. And I really do love your paper piercing. It looks fantastic!
March 4, 2009 3:17 PM

If you'll email me (tasha_hickert-consulting@yahoo.com) your address, I'll get that sent out!
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Thanks for stopping by today! Tasha

Here's a Request and Tip of the Day

Hi Stampers! I've missed posting the past few days. I was wondering how I would handle my Stampin' Up! business and blogging once spring arrived. So far, outdoors is winning!! Actually, that not true, I helped host a big scrapbook workshop last night and so the past few days have also been spent getting ready for that along with planting seeds, etc.
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Last night one of my friends requested that I post this card so she can make it at home. This was part of my fall workshops. So here you go Dana!!
Here are the supplies I used, if you want to make it at home:

card stock: baja breeze (retired, substitute another blue such as bordering), old olive, whisper white

stamps: heartfelt thanks, close as a memory

ink: old olive, rose red, versa mark

accessories: hemp twine

I hope that you are enjoying these first days of spring as well. We plan on cooking over the fire pit tonight complete with s'mores. Which brings me to the:

Tip of the Day: Since the process of s'mores can be messy, you can make it easier by using chocolate-coated cookies. We use the fudge stripes kind. Just toast the marshmallow and squish between two cookies. They come in a plastic tray so it's easy for 3 kids to be grabbing at once. ;) No having to open chocolate bar wrappers and graham cracker packs with sticky fingers!!

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As always, if you need any supplies to make the card above feel free to email me at tasha_hickert-consulting@yahoo.com or you can order directly by clicking the catalog in the upper right corner.

Thanks for stopping by! Tasha

Double Sketches For You Today

Hi Stampers! I love a sketch challenge-hope you do too! The first one is posted over on splitcoaststampers, sc220. Head on over if you want to participate. If you'd rather just use my sample for an inspiration, the supplies are listed below.

The image is a sneak peek!!! It will be available in April, see bottom of post.

Here are the Stampin' Up! supplies you need to make this card:

stamps: scene in a garden (available April 1)

cardstock: so saffron, whisper white, kraft

designer series paper: delicate dots (free during SAB)

ink: black staz-on, Stampin' Up! markers

accessories: 1/4" blue grosgrain ribbon, 5/8" twill certainly celery ribbon (free during SAB), mini-library clip

tools: aqua painters

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The second design I have for today uses the Wednesday sketch from Diva Coffee Break Designs. This is the second purse I created this month. Hmm....wonder if my brain is telling me it's time for some retail therapy?!

Stampin' Up! supplies to make this card:

stamps: polka-dot punches (free during SAB)

cardstock: so saffron, kraft, bashful blue

designer series paper: delicate dots (free during SAB)

ink: versa-mark, craft white

accessories: gold brad

tools: crop-a-dile

I hope one of the cards inspires you to get stampin'! My order came a couple days ago with several sneak peek sets!!! So fun--but I haven't had time to play until today. If you need some of these supplies, you can email me at tasha_hickert-consulting@yahoo.com or order 24/7 by clicking on the link in the upper right.

Thanks for stopping in, Tasha

Want to see what's coming in April? I'll be showing off some creations with the sneak peeks in the next few weeks!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hi Stampers! I hope you'll get a chance to do a little celebrating today, green cookies, green beer, soda bread...whatever your preference.
I might just have them all! :)
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My card idea today is for those of you who have Stampin' Up!s Pinch Proof set and aren't quite ready to put it away. I think shamrock birthday cards are fine for the next week or so! (Yes, if you participated in the March Cards of the Month Club you have made this card.)
Here are the Stampin' Up! supplies needed to make this card:

cardstock: whisper white, kraft, garden green

stamp set: Pinch Proof, greeting from Big Bold Birthday

ink: certainly celery, basic black, garden green

tools: scallop punch, 1-3/8" and 1/2" circle punches, tool kit (for paper piercing tool and mat)

accessories: white organza ribbon, 1 stampin' dimensional (to pop up the small shamrock in the center of the medallion)

I hope you like it. As with most designs you can switch out colors and stamps and still make a great card so don't be bummed if you don't have this set! Remember, each comment you leave will get you entered for the blog candy giveaway ending March 24.

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Thanks for stopping by! Tasha

On The Fence?

Hi Stampers! In case you have been toying with the idea of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I think you should know about a Never-Done-Before promotion that just started. As I mentioned before, the starter kit is on sale until the end of the month. But sometimes, it is hard to come up with (or at least justify to your spouse) even $169.

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So to sweeten the deal, you can now spread it out over 3 months!!

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Here's how it works:

sign up March 15-31, pay $56.34 +tax

April 15, pay $56.33

May 15, pay $56.33

At this rate, even a new demonstrator can earn that money before even paying it all!!

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The most important stipulation is that this cannot be done online. So in order to get going you need to either call me at 620-662-8130 or email at tasha_hickert-consulting@yahoo.com .

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And here's my stamping idea for the day. For this card I used the Mojo Monday sketch. Our friends' dog was hit by a car this weekend and they were all heartbroken at church Sunday. I know not everyone would send a sympathy card for a pet, but it depends on the situation I think. Here's my card:

To make this card you need these Stampin' Up! supplies:

cardstock: whisper white, so saffron
ink: certainly celery, basic black

stamp set: Eastern Blooms

designer paper: delicate dots (offered FREE till March 31)

ribbon: bashful blue 1/4" grosgrain

Want to earn that free paper or a stamp set? Click on the Sale-A-Bration catalog on the right to see what it's all about. Or email me, I am happy to answer any questions and place orders for you.

Thanks for stopping by! Tasha

PS Don't forget the chance to win some blog candy by leaving a comment. Scroll down one post for info.--good luck!

April Cards of the Month Club Release!! and Thank You Blog Candy

Hi Stampers! It's that time of the month--release time. For those who are new, I'll catch you up.

• On the 15th of the month I release the Cards of the Month Club for the following month. This consists of 5 cards designed specifically for the upcoming month.



• You can join any one month or several in a row.



• If you are local, you will come make the cards on the last Friday of the current month (ie April's COTM will meet March 27th) so that your cards are ready for sending in April.



• If you are not local, I will send you all the pieces along with instructions to assemble.



• Each month is based on a Stampin' Up! stamp set which you can choose to purchase--or not. This month it is Eastern Blooms. You can order it online to be shipped directly to your home by clicking here and choosing "shop now" in the upper right hand corner. Or you can email me and I will get it ordered for you.

Here are the cards you will be making. You can sign up by visiting this COTM page.

And, of course, the Blog Candy.

These wonderful springtime pattern papers, pastel felt ribbon, pastel eyelets, and pastel jeweled brads plus the black "Anchored" rub-ons from Stampin' Up! are just in time for making all your spring cards!!!

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So here's how to enter: you will get an entry for each comment made. You can enter once per post between now and March 24th at 11pm CST. And here's the THANK YOU part. I truly appreciate those of you that come to my blog regularly. It is fun to get your feedback and I enjoy getting to know you a little through your comments and blogs. So for every comment that was already made from March 1-March 14, you will get 2 entries as a gesture of appreciation.

Let me know that you linked me on your blog and you earn 1 more entry!

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Good luck to everyone!

And thanks for stopping by today! Tasha

Card Holder Tutorial

Hi Stampers! Putting together a 3-d tutorial has been a challenge, especially since I still don't have any photo-editing software and lighting is always an issue. Anyway, I hope you can get through it enough to make some of these card holders/organizers. They are really quite easy and each section can go together in just a few minutes. Decorating time, of course, depends on you!!!

What you need:
1--12x12 piece up cardstock cut to 11"x12"
sticky strip or other very strong adhesive
Scor-Pal or cutter with a scoring blade


What you might want to add:
extra cardstock for base
designer pape
accessories
To start:

On the 12" side, score the cardstock at 6" and 10.5".

On the 11" side, score the cardstock at 4.5" and 6.5". Make a small mark 1/2" outside of your score line--at 4" and 7".

On the 12" sides, you will need to make a small mark 2-1/4" from your center score line. On one side that will be at 3-3/4" and the other side will be at 8-1/4". This is to get a diagonal cut line. Now line up your small marks on the cutter (see pic)










Cut both sides.



Next, on each 12 " side cut along the score lines in to the score line. Hmm...that's tricky to describe but you will end up with a cut along the 6" score and the 10.5" score. Hopefully the next picture will help.

The last score will be on the middle section of each 12" side. I think it is easiest to fold up the other flaps so you don't score them by mistake and then score it right in the middle which is 2-1/4" from the edge, see picture. It will also help assembly if you trim a little from the edge so it folds up well.











Now you are ready to assemble. **If you are going to decorate this by stamping, you need to have that done before assembling for best results.



Start by placing sticky strip on the center flaps as shown.

Fold up the front (short edge) as shown.


The center flaps will fold over this.

Now you will attach the sides. And you have to decide if you like them inside or outside. It will be more structurally sound if you put them inside. BUT, I like the cleaner look of having them outside. So try it out before you put any sticky strip on!!





This shows one side in.

This shows the same side on the outside.

And here is the completed project. Check yesterday's post to see the double one with a base.

I hope you like this as much as I do!! I can't wait to make some for each month to store my Cards of the Month Club cards. Have a great weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!
Tasha

Card Holder

Good morning, Stampers! I have pictures today of the card holder that I am so jazzed about. Yes, you can decorate it up a whole lot more and have it be totally awesome--mine was created quick at midnight in order to show a client the following day.

Each section is created individually with a 12x11 piece of cs so you can hook as many together as you need. Pretty cool, huh?

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I hope to get the tutorial done tonight. I started last night, but scored the darn thing wrong and I certainly don't want to teach you that!! Here's a picture with A2 cards in it. Maybe it's silly, but this is one of the BEST things I have made--I tend to rate things higher that have a good use value. ;) I make cards all the time and just set them in a pile so this will be perfect.

Oh, and I certainly can't take credit for this awesome idea. I got it from Blythe. However, if you try to follow her tutorial there are a few things missing I noticed which is why I am making one myself. So I hope you are excited, too! If you make some leave me a link because there's a good chance they will be more awesome than mine!!!

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Thanks for stopping by! Tasha

PS The COTM release is Sunday--along with blog candy!!

The Countdown Continues

Hi Stampers! I am getting very excited for the April Cards of the Month Club release coming up this Sunday. But in the meantime, I'll tease you with something else. I stumbled across the coolest card holder yesterday and can't wait to show you!! I will post my version tomorrow and the tutorial might not be on till Saturday. Think mini-magazine holder. I think you will love it, too!
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Thanks for stopping by! Tasha

Wed. Sketch and Another Sneak Peek

Hi Stampers! We are halfway through spring break here and it was 14-degrees this morning. You know what that means...stamping weather!! This first card is for the sketch challenge on scs this morning.

What you need to make this card:

stamps: Game Night

cs: riding hood red, very vanilla, basic black, jackpot dsp

ink: basic black

tools: sponge, corner rounder, spiral punch

Everything is from Stampin' Up! and can be ordered directly from my business site or by calling or emailing me.

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And here's the next peek for my April Cards of the Month Club. The release will be on Sunday, complete with a blog candy giveaway!

I hope you are enjoying the spring cards even if the weather isn't cooperating! Thanks so much for stopping by. Till next time, Tasha

It's Time For A Peek

Hi Stampers! I can't believe it is March 10 already!! And the 10th can only mean one thing...it's the first Sneak Peek for next month's Cards of the Month Club! So without further adieu here's the first card I am sharing:

This card uses designer series paper from the Sale-A-Bration set called Delicate Dots. This paper is available through the end of March FREE with a $50 purchase. If you are planning on ordering, check out my additional March Madness specials.
And here is a close up of the tag and buckle.

The cards for April are based on Stampin Up!'s Eastern Blooms stamp set which coordinates so nicely with the delicate dots paper. It is such a versatile set. The Cards of the Month Release will be on March 15 and I will have the site ready for ordering at that time.

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Have a great Tuesday! Thanks for stopping by, Tasha

Chic New Baby Card

Good morning, Stampers! I have a busy day--we are loading right now to go watch the junior high wrestling league tournament. When I get back, I'll load up for the spring card workshop which starts at 6. I took a quick peek at scs this morning for the inspiration challenge. Here is what I chose for inspiration.

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And here's my card:

Have a great weekend!! And thanks for stopping by, Tasha

Woo Hoo It's Spring!

Hi Stampers! We had a crazy weather day yesterday--85 degrees. Today it is 70 so I can still pretend it is spring. Tomorrow, however, we head back to the normal 40-50 I think. Anyway, I took a picture yesterday of the crocus that is blooming by my front walk. I can't wait for it to be warm everyday again.

And today is the limited supply challenge on scs. I just figured out I forgot to link my picture to their gallery--whoops! The limited item today is TIME.

Supplies needed to CASE this card (all Stampin' Up!):

stamps: Congrats, Polka Dot Punches (both available till the end of March)

cs: delicate dots dsp (available till the end of March), certainly celery, so saffron, and whisper white

ink: certainly celery, bashful blue, Versa Mark

accessories: 1 rhinestone brad, clear

tools: scallop circle punch, square punch (I used the corner to make the end of the flag)

It took me 18 minutes. A good part of that time was spent trying to work in my new Sale-A-Bration ribbon. But I gave up and finished the card without.

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Thanks for stopping by today! Tasha

Some Reminders/Announcements

Hi Stampers! I am hard at work designing the cards for the April Cards of the Month Club. Yes, you can still order the March Club packs till the end of the week. I will sneak peek the April cards on the 10th.
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In case you missed my specials this month be sure to click on March Madness off to the right. If you place the order directly from my business website, be sure to email me so I can send you the extra FREE items!!!
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New demonstrator special: Join Stampin' Up! as a new demonstrator in March and receive a set of your choice, up to $47.95, for free plus the starter kit is 15% off. So that means you can get $350 of fabulous Stampin' Up! supplies for only $169. That is the best deal for joining that I can remember!! Want to check it out a little more? Just click on "Join Now" in the upper right corner of my business website and use the code stampin4fun to see videos and more details about the benefits of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.
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Stampin Up! is doing something new in March--a customer Sneak Peek. You can see 3 sets that are coming out in the April mini-catalog right now!! And the best part is that you can even ORDER them now. That way you can get a head start on those Easter cards. Just click on this link to see the mini-catalog peek. As always, you can order directly from my business website. Or you can email or phone your order to me, I will figure your total and you can pay with any credit card.
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Whew! That's a lot of info. to keep track of. But I don't want anyone to miss out on the super deals. I'll be back with some new creations on Friday!
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Thanks for stopping by, Tasha

Special Blessing Two-fer!

Hi Stampers! I just got my SU Special Blessing set yesterday and am all excited to try it out. So I found two sketch challenges today (I just love Wednesdays!!) which helped me get these put together quickly. This first card I followed the scs challenge sc218.

Here's what I used: all Stampin' Up!

stamps: special blessing

cs: so saffron, old olive, delicate dots dsp (Sale-A-Bration FREE)

ink:white craft

technique: paper piercing

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Now for the second card, I used the Diva's Coffeebreak Design challenge 117, minus the bow. For those who have visited a few times you may have realized I am not a big bow or large flower person. I like ribbon and small bows and knots, but I digress...

To make this card you need: All SU!

stamps: Special Blessing, All Holidays (for greeting)

cs: elegant eggplant, delicate dots dsp (Sale-A-Bration FREE), whisper white

ink: old olive, craft white

accessories: gold brads, old olive grosgrain ribbon, scallop punch

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Hope you are having a good day, too! I am headed outside to hang laundry since it is 60+ degrees. Thanks for stopping by, Tasha

Pink Chocolate Birthday

Hi Stampers! This morning I did a quick card for the color challenge on scs. The challenge was for :kiwi kiss, chocolate chip, and pink passion. However, I remembered it as kiwi kiss, chocolate chip, and pink pirouette (which I sub-ed for pretty in pink). Oh well, the card turned out nice. Maybe I should change my name to Queen of Quick!!! It seems I can't settle in to do any cards that are more time consuming. Here's my card:

For those of you with a Big Shot. This is a fine example of when to change your cutting mats. See how the top note is not a clean cut? Yes, I have some on the way so this shouldn't happen anymore! ;)

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Have a great day!! Thanks for stopping by, Tasha

Another Technique Challenge

Hi Stampers! I had to spend the morning doing taxes....eeewwww. Nothing creative about that--in fact, you get penalized for being creative! ;) But I did have time to hop over to see today's technique challenge on scs. It is the Crimped Envelope Card which is a twist on a technique that I do use occasionaly so, of course, I had to try it. Here's what I made:

And I'll let you in on a little secret. I haven't made the card to go inside yet! But I am posting what I have so far because who knows when I'll get back to it. :)

The technique is quite simple, just follow this link for directions.

Here what I used:

cs: chocolate chip, 1 very vanilla envelope

ink: close to cocoa, staz on timber brown, versa mark

stamps: rustic rooster (hostess), congrats (SAB)

accessories: gold brads, gold cord, gold embossing powder

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Thanks for stopping by--hope you have a great day! Tasha