Here’s a card I made (with some surprisingly easy stitching too!) to share here today.

For two more new (and exclusive) projects, hop on over to the Simon blog where you can see them. Amy’s stitching templates has me inspired to branch out on my own once again (as I did here) and add more texture to my projects. I like to do this when watching TV – gives my hands something to do!

Supplies Used + 4 favorites from Amy’s latest release:

and finally today, as promised I have a code for a SimonSaysStamp.com exclusive discount!!

use code: 5bucks  for $5 off any purchase. This coupon is valid 5/20-5/24 11:59 PM EST STD TIME

Whether it is for a gift or favor, big or small, there is one surefire way to quickly and easily decorate boxes – no wrapping paper required. You’ll need:

* several ribbons of various colors/textures/widths

* a doily

* something to adorn the top (flower, accent, feather, gift tag….

It only takes a minute, and the results are always WOW. If you have a gift that is in a box, just wrap it with some kraft wrapping paper or even a grocery bag and then do this! First pick your doily and set it down. For this one it goes over the edges, but it doesn’t have to. It could be smaller. Then you tie the ribbon around (just one way, don’t need to do all four sides), tie it in a knot, and add your top accents.

I found these birds and feathers on clearance at Michael’s yesterday and since these are tea party favors, I thought them the perfect thing! What I love about this easy wrap formula is that it can work with any number of themes or variations. Going for a more masculine look? Skip the doily and use a simple circle of colored paper or a large die cut such as a star. Want it to be baby friendly? Use a baby toy as your topper! Of course you can also add a name tag and any amount of other accents to this, or you can keep it simple.

With my crafty stash, most of the time I can do a box or two without ever having to leave my studio.

For now I need to pack these (4×4″) boxes with the whoopie cookie favors, and prepare for tomorrow’s party! I will be sure to share photos and details of that here. It’s not everyday I throw myself a tea party…

It is Thursday – and that means it is Camp Scrap countdown day!!

Today I’m going to give you a peek at the fourth and final make & take for class. I made an 8×8 canvas featuring a (4×6) photo, and using my regular scrapbooking supplies, For those who are joining me in class I thought I’d give you the heads up. You could use any size canvas and really you could make a  card or layout instead of using a canvas too. LOTS of ways to easily substitute in my classes. The only funky thing I really pulled out was paint for the edges, which is of course totally optional!

In all of the make & takes I will share substitution ideas, and indeed you could use any variety of products to create similar projects! In the M&T videos I always share thoughts on “or you could use…” and you never ever have to use exactly what I did. In fact, just to prove it I’m going to go make a new video just for next week’s Countdown to Camp Scrap post and I will share it here. We are down to three weeks before Camp – I can hardly wait!! If you have any questions please feel free to ask via email or in the comment section on my blog.

If you’re in the mood for some crafty fun, I invite you to check out Camp Scrap. The class info can be found here.

And glorious food. Oh yeah, and we might be seen on the show when it airs in August. The Great Food Truck Race is basically teams (3 people) working together, on a food truck, and whoever makes the least $ each week gets booted off each week. They have challenges and setbacks of course - and in the end, after they’ve traveled across the whole country, the winner get cash + the food truck. It’s a lot of fun to watch, but I gotta tell you it was even more fun to see the behind the scenes there in SF. To watch the camera crews, to hear the producers prompting the teams and even re-shooting when something didn’t work. All of it.

The food was good too, though it seemed their challenge only allowed for a single item on the menu which was a bummer. It meant we didn’t order from about 1/2 the trucks. But the girls didn’t mind too much because three INSANELY GOOD local (unrelated to the show) trucks were there with Bao, Bulgogi beef, and Frozen Custard. SO good – and we kept sampling one of each and sharing. I love that my kids are adventurous in their eating! It makes days like this super fun.

Rebecca even got interviewed – which was HILARIOUS to watch because whatever the producer asked her to do/talk about to the camera she did. With extra fancy flair. Of course. I’m not sure any of us will be able to live with her ego should she make it onto the TV show. Ha! That child is not at all shy, to say the least.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth was eating, eating, eating and hiding from all cameras. She was all about the food and observing – totally more my speed! Above you can see two of the competitor trucks – Aloha Plate and The Slide Show. Seriously such a trip to watch behind the scenes but I will save all my geeky iPhone pics for an actual scrapbook page and share with you here on my blog later.

This was an adventure, and the kind of thing that is just so much fun because it wasn’t planned but all worked out. I’m so glad we jumped in the car and went for it!

Another week goes by, and it’s my favorite day – Monday – once again! This week over at the Simon Says Stamp blog I’m sharing my love for all things Mint Julep. NOT the drink, the adorable line from Basic Grey!! Here are some of my faves:

and here’s a new card I whipped up with some extras!

I love playing with + layering BG stickers! I also created a layout with this line – if you’d like to see it I made it just for the Simon Says Stamp blog.

What could make this day sweeter? How about a discount code to Simon Says Stamp?

(code: luvbg5 ) 20% off BasicGrey Items. Coupon Valid 5/13 – 5/17 11:59 PM EST STD TIME

You can use that code at check out – there is a spot for it. Thanks Simon for the chance to save on Basic Grey! Until next time – I wish you very happy crafting.

I just found this card I made weeks ago and laughed – I guess someone will get it Mother’s Day 2014 (if I remember)…

I wish you a very lovely weekend – I will be spending mine with my girls doing all kinds of things including some fun outings, birthday parties, and hopefully a bit of crafty time too.

supplies used: 

It is Thursday – and that means it is Camp Scrap countdown day!!

Today I’m sharing a peek at the last project I made for Camp Scrap. In fact, this project got finished, photos uploaded, and the final videos and handouts turned in just yesterday!!!

This project was a scary one because I’d never quite tried anything like it on a layout *and* I was recording my results as I made the page (for class) on video so I felt like y’all were watching me which added to the creative nervousness. But the thing is? You can’t find awesome new things without stretching and trying. Also: take the fear out! In this case, I made sure to use a photo I could always re-print if needed and I reminded myself “it’s just paper…”  Luckily it turned out EXACTLY as I had hoped in my mind, and I’m excited that it will be part of the final mini-class on mixing up your mediums.

I’ve been working on Camp Scrap for about three months now. Yes guys, I worked for three months on a four week class.  It takes a lot of time and thinking and sorting, then a lot of trying stuff and scrapping what doesn’t quite work and developing what does work, and creating and typing. LOTS of typing.  54 NEW projects just for Camp, 20+ videos, and a lot of typing later… it’s all ready for you. I am really excited about this class - and I hope you will be too!!

It is truly a labor of love, and I enjoy every minute of the process. Now that I’ve turned everything in to the BPC team, I can hardly wait for day 1 of class!!

As I continue the countdown to Camp Scrap I will now be sharing some tutorials and projects inspired by Camp Scrap, as well as a few more sneaky peeks too. If you’re in the mood for some crafty fun, I invite you to check out Camp Scrap! The class info can be found here.

Olly has been hanging here in my studio, keeping me motivated and inspired with his tunes. I’m listening to pretty much the whole album. Gotta love that.

crunch time! better go finish before my editor comes after me.

My Minds Eye Brads, Webster’s Pages (by Allison Kreft) trim, Hero Arts shadow ink in Navy

So guess what? Mondays with May is back over at the Simon Says Stamp blog! HOORAY!! I’m so excited to be sharing ideas, new exclusive projects, and generally crafting up a storm with my Simon pals. What could be better? Well this particular Monday I’ve blended the challenge for the week over at the challenge blog with my feature! Talk about multi-tasking crafty fun!

If you haven’t heard, scrapbooker extraordinare Kelly Purkey has a bi-monthly project kit as well as a line of exclusive products with Simon Says Stamp! I was inspired by these, as well as Kelly’s love of travel and good food when I set out to break into this (fabulous, and sadly sold out) kit. The good news on the sold out kit is that a) there will be  new kit available soon and b) most of the items I used on this page are available in the shop individually.
Supplies Used:

These white letters are fantastic – I painted over mine to get the pink color!

“We were here” is going to be a favorite stamp I can already tell. Oh and those flat sequins. I can never get too many of those!

If you want more Kelly Purkey inspired awesomeness be sure to hop over to the Simon blog to see my other layout there.

Feeling crafty yourself?
Be sure to visit the Stamp & Show blog to see all of the other creations the design team were “inspired” to make, and enter yourself! This week’s prize (as always) is a $50 voucher to Simon Says Stamp! The winner is randomly drawn – you can enter by posting to your blog, flickr, or other site too. See the blog for entry details and rules as usual.