Sophie's Potty Chart

At home, we are in the midst of potty training with our daughter. We aren't wanting to push it too much, but she goes potty every afternoon at daycare so we know she can do it. I thought a little positive reinforcement might be good and I was thinking about buying some sort of potty chart at the store. Yesterday durring my blurfing I came across a potty chart on the SunnyStampin blog by Sophia (Andrea's, the blog owner's, sister). Ding, ding, ding- great idea! A light bulb goes off above my head, I can make one too, no need to buy one! So last night I went home and whipped this up.

I still have to come up with the "stickers" for each circle, which should be easy, but I can't decide whether I should use butterflies or flowers, what do you think? I'll use the two way glue pen to have them stick temporarily- brilliant! Once I have this up, every she reaches the end of the row, she'll get a prize. I am hoping when she is older we can use it as a chore chart. Let's just hope it works. :)

Gotta love a good screw up

Last weekend I had a Year in Cards Class, it went well and was fun. I had a few left over supplies after it was over (apparently I can't count- LOL!) and decided to make good use of them.

This first card is an adaptation of this card. I initially I was going to stamp monkeys on the upper portion of blue, but smudged the ink, so I had to cover it up! I decided to use this fun new cloud paper from the Sale-a-bration and cut a few out to add dimension. I used the giraffe from teh Fox & Friends set and the tiny owl from the saying on the previous card ("Thanks for {owl} you do) that comes from the Picture This hostess sett in the Occasions Mini. I quite like this card (rare that I like my own cards for more than an hour) and think I'll give it to my Dad for Father's day.

Next is a birthday card, again used from leftover supplies from this card. I am not overly thrilled about this one, but whateva!


Finally, I have created this hello card. I combined some of the leftover supplies from these two cards (#2 & #3)and some extra ribbon from the above card. I added a little bling to top it all off and wallah! I do like this one, so fun and bright.

Here is a close up of the bling.

So, moral of the story is, just because you screwed up or things are considered leftover, doesn't mean they can't be used! You know what they say, waste not, want not! :)

Thanks for stopping by- hope you enjoyed!

A Year in Cards Class

This weekend I am hosting a Year in Cards class. Attendees get to come and make 2 each of 6 different cards. For the second version of each card, they get to change up the sentiment. For example, this birthday card might become a thinking of you, Father's Day or sympathy card. In the end each person has 12 cards to give out through out the year for only $20. Pretty good if you ask me. :) Hope everyone enjoys it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Disaster Relief for Haiti

On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope. As a Stampin' Up! customer, you can help make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of this earthquake by purchasing, the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.

From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold will be donated to the American Red Cross' Haiti Relif and Dvelopment Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Clear mount set- $18.95- ID#118571

Wood Mount Set- $26.95- ID#117010

If you'd like to purchase these sets in support of Haiti's Disaster Relief fun- please go to my website.

Curtain Call Act 13

Yesterday I had the opportunity to do a little blog surfing, it was fun since I haven't done much of that lately. I got to check out some of my favorite blogs (check them out on the right side bar). I stoped by Stacey's Stamping Stage, I love this blog because Stacey is so talented! I had the opportunity to meet this fabo woman at convention in August and she is pretty great. Anyway, she often does a color challenge called the curtain call. I like color challenges and have always wanted to play Stacey's but I think this might actually be my first time playing.


Anyhoo, here is the pallete Stacey chose for this week. Isn't it great! I wanted to make something flashy and that stood out, because that is what this color combo makes me think of- 80's, neon colors, crimped hair...oh wait, that isn't 80's- that is 2010 now!!! LOL! It amazes me sometimes what comes back in style, I mean, wasn't there a reason it went OUT of style?!?! Anyway, it was fun to make a card with this pallete (and have flashbacks of spandex while doing it!) I didn't check the final colors I just knew the basics (didn't know Pumpkin Pie- just a shade of orange, same with the pink) so my colors aren't exact, but I figure they are darn near close enough.
So here's what I've got. What do you think? I think it is got that chic, fashion designer, trendy feel to it. I like the colors, it makes me pretty happy and just feels so fresh and springy (we could all use a dose of brightness right? At least that is true in Seattle. And hey, yesterday it was sunny and is supposed to be today too- whoo-hoo!)

Anyway, thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed. Later today (which actually means tomorrow) I hope to have my year in card samples up for you to see.

Cheers!

ATC- Come Join Us!!!

Join the Advanced Technique Club!!

Here's what you get:
Come learn 10-15 new techniques...
get a booklet with examples and summaries of your techniques, and...
a hostess stamp set, paper, or decor element, and...
$15 dollars in free current SU! products, and....
make 10-15 free projects that are yours to keep, and....
spend time with existing or make new friends, and....
finally, a free joining gift from me!!!

To Join:
5 individuals sign the club agreement and we meet every other month for 10 mos (total of 5 meetings).

Here's how it works:
The club runs from March 15- November 15. Club members take turns hostessing and receiving benefits. Each person is instructed on 2-3 techniques each time, makes a project and small sample for their technique booklet. You will purchase $35 (or more) worth of current SU! product each meeting month to ensure that the person who is that month's hostess receives the minimum amount of benefits. At the end of the 5 mos. you will each have received 10-15 projects and 10-15 new techniques, a technique booklet summarizing what you learned, a hostess only stamp set, paper or decor element, $15 in free SU! merchandise and a gift from me.

There are only a few open spots that will be filled on a first come first serve basis, contact me today to sign up! Katieannbrooks@gmail.com or via phone at 206-047-8273.

Advanced Technique Club Tonight

Hey again!!! I just wanted to share the projects that I am making with my advanced technique club tonight. The theme for January was Make it Pop! Originally I thought this would be a good New Years theme, but seeing as class takes place after the New Year already begen I thought I'd change it to something more appropriate- so we are going with Valentines Day!

So here is the little chocolate box I made. Unfortunately, a some rain got on it this am and it is a little warped on one, side, but still really cute. What a great gift for a friend or your mammy- anyone who you want to tell they are special. This could really be something you give any day, but the colors say Valentine to me.

Next to go with Make it Pop! and Valentines we have a little valentines pop up card. I wasn't sure about the color combo at first, but I just went with it and I think it worked...especially given the little sentiment and inside, "I am nuts about you!" and scroll down to see the inside.

Haha, it is a little squirrel with a nut in hand! (Animal Crackers stamp set) I love clever little puns like that, cutesy and dorky, but that is me. :D

If you are interested in joining an Advanced Technique Club feel free to contact me to ask how.

Cheers,

Katie

Occassions Mini Swap

I recently participated in a swap with other demonstrators consisting of only Occassions Mini stamps sets. There were some GREAT cards in this batch. I have selected a few of my faves to show you below:

First is a card that features the I {Heart} Hearts Stamp set. This card was created by (don't have it in front of me, will get back to you on this. I love this card for several reasons, first I really LOVE the color combo, so great isn't it. I also quite like how she has tucked multiple layers of ribbon onto one another, it just looks great!



Next, is a card by....(will provide later today) featuring the same stamp set and the three heart punch- so fun. I love they way the hearts are stacked and they are all popped up. She has used one of my favorite ribbons (Polka Dot Grossgrain), so sweet and it goes great with the embossing folder polka dots in the background! I also just love the new punch in the Sale-a-bration (SAB) catalog featured below. I just got one for free the other day and can't WAIT to use it!



Next is a card by Heather Hildebrant featuring Garden from the Heart. You can visit her at website here. Stay tuned though, she is working on revamping that and you'll see some great new stuff from her! Anyway I love the simple but lovely layout here, with the rounded corners. I also love the nice touch of the spiral punch on the edge that balances this card out so nicely. It is one of the few cards (along with mine) that wasn't valentines focused, love that and the spring feeling it gives.

Finally, I just wanted to give you a gander at my card which features Fox and Friends. Again, one of the very few cards that wasn't valentines focused and one of ONLY two cards with a masculine focus. I thought this was a good card for a boy's birthday or a new baby boy. I love this little stamp set, so cute. I had fun with this card, although a lot of cutting those squares to make 25 cards! Whew!

Anyhoo, still working on perfecting those pictures. Don't think the blue backdrop (behind cards) is the best; too dark. Anyway, hope to get better so the cards are good to look at! :)

Three Cheers!

Is it the weather/gray skies, or perhaps my need to get away from Christmas colors, I dunno, but I made a few cards lately and I noticed that all have something in comon... they are all Blue and Yellow! In fact, now that I look at them, the Yellow paper is the same in all three- I was liking that paper this weekend (SU!'s The Write Stuff DSP), so I guess that is what's up.

First is a card I made for my brother for his birthday. You'll note the little "error, I'm sorry" in the corner, that is because, I am ashamed to say, it was a belated birthday card. Someone who makes cards should not send cards late, my cheeks are red like tomatoes. :( Sorry Brother!!!! Not that I think he looks at this blog anyway, but hope he knows I truly am sorry and love him. On the inside it says "Happy Birthday Human" and I added in a belated. I really love this stamp set, Lots of Bots, I think it is great for both genders, but it is nice to have something for the guys, they don't get much.


Next is this Little Boy Blue card I made for a baby shower I attended this weekend. I guess, again, I picked the colors b/c they were masculine, but not overly so- they could work for women too. I used my crystal effects to gel up the little oxygen bubbles and make them look real. I love the little Joy bit with the button in the middle- that's what the baby will bring (besides sleep deprivation! LOL!).

Finally, this last card if for my girlfriend Lindsay who recently found out she was prego. So very exciting for me as she is one of my closest friends! She doesn't know the sex yet and again, like I said above, I think these colors can go for either gender. Everything here is SU! except the stamps- ha! This is my PregoBella from Bella stamps. I like t his one cause I cut out the belly and put a dimensional behind it and it sticks out really far like a prego belly. :) Anyway, I had fun with this one using my SU! Watercolor crayons and blender pens. I also like the little diaper pin hanging from the ribbon.

Three Cheers for Joel, Kelley & Linds! You are all awesome!

Thanks for Stopping (TFS)!

So Cute!!!!!

OMG, aren't these ADORABLE!!!! I am thinking these might be perfect for the kiddos at daycare! If you want to make them for your kiddos or family or whatever, here is the link to where you can find them- Valentine's Treat Cups.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

My Little Love Monkey

So Christmas is over but I still have some SU! Designer Series Christmas Paper, what should I do with it?! Yes, I could save it for next year, and likely some of it will be around next year, but I figure if I can use if for something else, might as well right? So enter my red and vanilla striped DSP. Now, I think red, I think Christmas, but also valentines, so I decided to use this red and vanilla in a combo with pinks for a fun valentines card. Here is my Little Love Monkey Card:

Isn't that monkey so cute hanging from the O in LOVE. That little guy is from my new Fox and Friends Clear Mount Stamp Set from SU!'s Occassions Mini Catalog. (Yep, SU is no selling clear mount stamps for those of you that don't like the space the wood blocks take up.) I adore this stamp set, SU! has some decor elements in their Definitely Decorative Catalog that are just like it. If we didn't have highly textured walls, I'd be all over these for Sophie's room!

Anyway, making this card was fun because I got to use some of the new booty I got for Christmas. :) :) :) The letters are the SU! Simple Alphabet die my hubby got me for my Big Shot. (Again, love you hubby!) These are so fun and I will use them so much, especially for scrapbooking. I also used the new studio in a box JPW (hubby) got me to take a better picture. You can totally tell how much better the quality is with this- compare, this pic to another older card with similar colors below:

NO CONTEST! The image with the studio is clearer, the colors are brighter and the backdrop isn't all washed out. I can tell I am gonna LOVE this thing. If you want to check it out, you can find it HERE. Obviously my hubby did a great job with the Christmas gifts this year! I hope he is enjoying his too (although I got him the Wii Fit and then our TV died right before Christmas! Bummer!!! I am sure he won't mind saving up for a new better TV though...)

Don't forget to check out the Occassions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-Bration Catalog (go to the upper right of the blog to click on them or just go here.) to check out the awesome new product and great deals!

Happy Wednesday!

Happy New Year (on 1/5)

OK, my goal for the new year was to never be late, but here it is 1/5 and I am finally getting to my new years post- lol! Actually, in truth that wasn't my goal at all, so I don't really care. I just wanted to share this sparkly card and tiara (made with big shot die, ribbon and a few punches- easy!) with you. Nothing says New Years like sparkles, I mean, ball dropping, confetti, glitter dresses, champagne, right?!

I made this card just for fun and the tiara's for a few of the adult girls where I was spending the eve. The kiddos (well at least one of them) wore the tiara and looked so cute- like a little flapper! Wish I had gotten a picture of her...but I did get some pics of the two kiddos (two girls both two) in the bath tub together- so cute! That was until bed time when neither would sleep and screaming ensued....we went home and mine eventually went to sleep. The other screamed half the night.......sorry Berni. :(

Anyway, Happy New Year and good luck with those resolutions, whatever they may be.