Ben Franklin

While in Maui, I would always visit a craft store called Ben Franklin.  I thought it was a Hawaiian craft store chain and didn't realize that they were "all over the place" on the mainland.  So, after doing some research I found one about an hour away from me in the sleepy town of Grass Valley.

I was impressed by their inventory they had.  And was surprised to see a large Scarpbooking/Stamping section.  They also had Copic markers for $5.99.  Not the best price, but ok for retail.  But I did find a stack of 250 card bases cut and pre-scored for $7.99.  I can finally stop using my good white cardstock as card bases and dedicate them to stamped images only.

Vday RAK!!!

On Valentine's Day I came home to find a box sent to me by my good friend Tammy at thestamperscottage.blogspot.com.  How nice of her to think of me!!!  Well, she sent a sweet Valentine's Day card and an adorable tic tac toe stamp set.

Tammy even gift wrapped the stamp set for me!

I'm already thinking of things to do with this set.  XOXO's on a wedding scrapbook page, mini game sets for a kid's card, or just using the hearts, stars and flowers on their own.

THANK YOU TAMMY!!!  

Valentine's Day 2011

Hello Everyone!  I hope everyone is enjoying their 3 day weekend.  I am so thankful I have tomorrow off from work.  As much as I love my job, they tend to not acknowledge federal holidays.  So, when we are actually given a paid day off from work, it makes me more and more appreciative of the time off!

This past week was Valentine's Day!  I hope everyone enjoyed Vday in their own way!

This is the card I gave to my husband this year.  I made this at a Stamp Camp my friend Lisa hosted.  He loved the card and agreed that "we're good together."  

My Valentine's Day gift from my Hubby.  Love Hello Kitty!

And the matching watch!

Flash Back Friday 8.0

Hello Everyone!!!  Happy Valentines Day!  I hope everyone is enjoying their Happy Heart Day.  I will be uploading my Vday card pictures soon.

But this blog posting is about the newest Flash Back Friday 8.0 Challenge.  8.0's challenge is to post your very first 3D project.  And my 1st 3D project I posted was my stationary box.

Believe it or not, I used pattern paper scraps on the tags, cards and the box.  It pays to keep the scraps, you never know when they will come in handy!  

If you would like to play along, just check out the Flash Back Friday Challenge site!  It's tons of fun and you might just win some blog candy while you are at it!!!  

Happy V Day everyone!!!  

Hawaiian Happy Birthday

Who doesn't like birthdays?  And who doesn't like Hawaii?  Put the two together and it's a match made in heaven!  Made this card for my mother in-law.  I purchased the snow cone and hibiscus stamp while in Maui.  The stamps are Dandelion Designs.

The little hula girl was a stamp from A Muse. The inside of the card I wrote, "Hope your birthday is filled with sunshine and shaved ice!"  

Speaking of shaved ice, the best shaved ice in Maui is Ululani's Shaved Ice in Lahaina.  They made their syrups with real fruit, real sugar and filtered water.  They taste less sickening sweet than the other HFC syrups.  My favorite combo is Lilikoi, lime and tropical punch.  YUM YUM YUM!!!!

SORRY!!! Dang Samsung!!!

I love my Samsung Fascinate phone.  It's a digital camera, camcorder, computer, phone and ipod all in one.   I thought I struck gold when I found this smartphone.  It was so convenient to take pictures and videos of my crafting finished projects for my blog.  And then the glitch started...no longer able to transfer pictures to my laptop, which means...no more blogging.

So, while I wait for Samsung to find a software upgrade to resolve this issue, my blogs will be limited.

Ok, now that technical business is out of the way...how about some great deals?!  A Muse was having a sale on their winter stamps, and well, I can't resist a sale.  And apparently neither could my friend Tammy.  And one of our selections was a super cute ice skating squirrel stamp.

  It's hard to see, but I used my Copic Spica clear glitter pen on the squirrels' sweaters for a little bling.