Wonderus Wood Sheets

I had my quarterly downline get together over the weekend. I love these events! This month our make and take project featured the NEW Wood Sheets from page158 in the Idea Book & Catalog. These wood sheets are fantastic! They are thin enough to use in a paper trimmer, but have a layer of REAL wood on them! They add a beautiful natural element to your projects.

The first card I made was a copy out of the catalog, with a few tweeks. This card uses the Upsy Daisy stamp set, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, and Rich Razzelberry card stock, Rasperry Tart Designer Series Paper, Crushed Curry and Rich Razzelberry Classic ink, Wood Sheets, Organza ribbon, Big Shot & Matchbox die, Scallop Edge punch.

The next card was a simple Christmas card. The tree was colored with Garden Green and Really Rust markers and stamped on the wood piece that was cut out using the Top Note die and the Big Shot. It also features Real Red Grosgrain ribbon and the Jumbo Grommets, Dazzling Diamonds, 2-way glue and Cheery Chat Rub Ons.
This adorable notebook was made with the Scallop Square Big Shot die, which we stained using Pumpkin Pie classic reinker and an Aquapainter. Then we stamped the images using Craft and Staz On ink. To bind them together we stacked it all together and used the crop a dile to punch the hole and tied it with some ribbon.





My favorite project though, was this little wooden treasure box. We made it using the Matchbox die and the Big Shot. TIP when making boxes with the wood sheets, place them on the die wood side up. The wood will crack a when you fold it, but it is less noticeable when it is scored on the underside. We kept the box in its raw color. and just added some Old Olive wide grosgrain and vanilla narrow grosgrain ribbon and tied them on with some linen thread, and added a stamped image from the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set. Now I just need something fun to put in it!

Deal of the Week #4 July 20-26

VANILLA STYLED HODGEPODGE HARDWARE
ONLY $18.99!!
You'll Save Over 35%!
Remember, this deal is only good for one week. You can order directly online at my website and click on the Shop Now link in the upper right corner. Or, you can call or email your order in to me.

Now here are some fun samples using this fabulous set of hardware.

Quick Project

Just wanted to share a quick project I made today.
I picked up a bunch of little notebooks that were on clearance in a craft store a while back and sat down today to alter some for my group training this weekend. I used the Crackled glass techique for the flowers. I love the way it looks - clean and simple. Kinda fun.

Other supplies used were:
Cardstock: textured basic grey, whisper white, basic black, regal rose.
Ink: Stampin write markers - mellow moss, pretty in pink, regal rose. Black Staz on, Versamark
Accesories: glassy glaze EP, heat tool.

Would you like to learn how to do this technique? Lets schedule a class for you then! Check out my calendar of events at www.deborahlarsen.stampinup.net for available dates!

Matchbox Madness

One of my favorite dies for the Big Shot is the new Matchbox one in the Occasions Mini Catalog. This is such a fun one to use! I sat down to play with it a couple of weeks ago as I was preparing for a presentation I was asked to give at a large group training. I did not take this picture of my boxes, but I am glad one of my friends did so I can share them with you since I hadn't done it yet and accidentally left the training without them and haven't gotten them back yet. So a BIG thank you to the photographer!

The red one is holding some Tic Tacs. It is made with Riding Hood Red cardstock for the sleeve and confetti cream for the box. There is a window sheet behind the Designer Hardware Frame.

The Pink one is made with Candy Land DSP for the sleeve and holds two little bottles of nail polish!

The yellow one is made with Tea Party DSP for the box and a window sheet for the sleeve. I wrapped the nuggets in coordinating DSP. This box can actually hold 4 nuggets perfectly, I only had 3 left in the bag though. - Kids!

The Green one uses Good Morning Sunshine DSP and the Matchbox Messages stamp set from the Occasions Mini. It holds a set of 4 little Thank You Notes!


I will be offering a class centered around the Matchbox die in the near future, so stay tuned for more details!

Aloha....Part 2

Day 3, Tuesday, March 24
Our day today started with a 260 mile tour of the island. Our first stop was at a coffee place. Kona apparently grows the best coffee in the world. Since coffee doesn't interest us much, I spent the time at that stop trying to make travel arrangements for our snorkeling expedition the next day. Back on the bus and another stop we made was at the beautiful black sand beach of Punalou. This was a cool beach. You walked on the solid cooled lava. Check it out! You can see the ripples! Off to the side it was literally black sand, which makes sense because the whole island is created out of the lava. Basking in the sun on the beach was a sea turtle or two. They are protected here so you can't get too close, except for Sherri, she about walked on one because she didn't notice it there! It was incredibly windy at this beach, if you can't tell.












We were able to take a stroll through the Thurston Lava Tube. That was amazing. It was so big! Hard to imagine lava running through there.

We ate lunch at the Volcano House in Volcano National Park. The views were really neat. We didn't get to spend much time at lunch because we were headed to Jagger Museum and to view the smoking crater....no lava though so don't worry, we just had to be careful not to breathe the gasses since that could be hazardous to our health! Also, we learned a story about the Ohi'a tree. This tree only grows on the lava beds. It is a very strong tree, hard to kill. Some can even withstand the flowing lava. The story goes that Pele, the fire goddess who lives in the volcano, fell in love with a young warrior, Ohi'a. Ohi'a was in love with and planned to marry Lehua. Pele fell very jealous that Ohi'a wouldn't leave Lehua for her, so she turned him into a tree. A tree that would only grow on the lava beds- near her. Here is where the legend can differ. One story goes that Lehua went to the Kahunas and begged them to turn Ohi'a back, but they were unable to undo Pele's curse, but they were able to turn her into the flower. Another story says that Pele felt bad afterward because Lehua was so sad to be separated from her love that Pele turned her into the flower so she could be with him. At any rate, to this day, Hawaiians believe that if you pick the flower from the tree, it will rain. These are the tears of Lehua for being separated from her love, Ohi'a again. Here is a flower from this tree.













We finally returned to the hotel around 5:00. Just in time to stop by the Stampin' Up! hospitality desk for a spin on the wheel for free products, and to get ready to go to dinner. After we spin the wheel and get our freebies, we put our ticket into a drawing for an i pod. Every night SU! gave away 5 red I Pods engraved with the SU! Logo. I got my freebies (the picture shows all the freebies collected from the wheel during the whole trip) and entered the drawing and shortly after we got back to our room, I got a phone call, I won an I Pod!!! Yippee!! Oh, and I dropped by the Make and Take hall to pick up my supply packet. I didn't have time to stamp my projects while we were in Hawaii, but the supplies (ink pads, stamp set, and such) were packaged in this cute box. I took a picture of the contents, but forgot to remove the stamps. I can't show you the stamps because they are not yet released, cute set though, you'll just have to trust me.



























We were invited to have dinner with Brent Steele. He is the Vice President of Creative Services at Stampin' Up!. It was a fabulous dinner. As a thank you for inviting us, I made a little smores kit for him. I used a Fusion Flowers tin to hold it all.













Our pillow gift that night was this adorable pouch made from tea leaves. I didn't want to open it, but curiosity just kills me, and it was filled with all sorts of yummy island snacks!













Well, that was a busy day, and so you'll have to stay tuned for our snorkeling adventure tomorrow!

Fun 3D Items

Last week I attended a business builders meeting with other members of our group. It was so much fun. We swapped cards, stamped 3 really fabulous projects, traded 3D items, had a yummy supper, and shared some fabulous business ideas about goal setting. It was a wonderful evening. One of my favorite parts was the 3D trade. I love 3 D items. It always amazes me what fun ideas can be thought up!

I helped out one of my downline members who also attended by making her item for her, as she was crunched for time. Here is what I came up with:

I loved how this stationary kit turned out. I will be offering it as a class and class in the mail in April, so stay tuned for those details.

I know, I have slacked getting you some new things to look at. No excuses, I just hope you will forgive me.

Here is a recent project I did. Kasia showed hers on her blog and I liked the idea, so I made one for me! Yes, the DSP is retired, but I really liked it, so I used it. Inside, I used the big calendar stamp to stamp the months. I left room on the sides so I can make myself notes and stuff. I have to write everything down or I forget it.

I love this planner, and am so happy I have good friends who inspire me!


This next week I will be preparing for our FREE trip to Hawaii, courtesy of Stampin' Up!. A full week in paradise will be nice after all this snow!

If you would like to know how you can get a free trip every year, now is a perfect time to become a demonstrator and learn all about it. The starter kit is on sale 15% off (only $169) PLUS you will get an additional stamp set of your choice to add to it, AND the company has announced there will be a payment plan option (details will be availible soon)! There hasn't been a better time to start!

Good Friend Gift Set Class

Can you keep a secret? I have to admit, when I first saw the the Good Friend stamp set, I was less than impressed. It was a cute little bird, but I really didn't realize then, how much I would actually come to LOVE it! It is usually that way for me though. Sometimes a set just grows on you. I will be posting more samples from this fun retro set in the future, so stay tuned.

My March Specialty Class will feature this fun, fresh, new set in a fabulous little gift set. This class will take a full 3 hours in which you will learn some fun ways to use Chipboard, Craft Ink, and Designer Series Paper to make cards, gift tags, and a cute box/bag to hold it all.













There are 2 sessions to choose from, a daytime class and an evening class. Another great option would be to host this as a "Specialty Class Party" and earn hostess benefits!

Dates: Thursday, March 12 9:00 am - Noon
Thursday, March 12 6:00 pm - 9:00pm

Cost: You choose
Option1: $25
Includes: pre-cut supplies to make one complete gift set

Option 2: $55
Includes: Good Friend Stamp Set, Good Morning Sunshine DSP Pack, So Tweet chipboard set, pre-cut supplies to make one complete set, BONUS #1 - color instructions to take home so you can make more sets! BONUS #2 - Sale-A-Bration item of your choice!

Registration for this class closes on March 5th, and space is limited in each session, so reserve your spot today by calling or emailing me.


"What is a Specialty Class Party?"
A specialty class party is where you gather your friends together, and everyone pays the registration fee for the specialty project you choose host. (in this case the Good Friend gift set). Your guests pre-pay for the class and we come to your house (or mine) to hold the class. The registration fees go toward your "party" sales toward hostess benefits. It is a fabulously, fun, way to get a private class for your and your friends and you can get the hostess freebies! I have many other options for Specialty Class Party's too. Contact me for more information!