Carder Heaven!

For the last 5 days I have been down in Arizona visiting my family, spending lots of money and have learned a TON of fascinating new techniques for making some killer cards!  My brain is going on over load and I am DYING to get back to Gooseberry Cottage so I can create a way!

PLUS, my wonderful hubby has a special surprise waiting for me when I get home!  I CANNOT wait!!

I think I have spent the last 5 days in total awe and amazement with a million light bulbs that have been blinking like a crazed Christmas Show Spectacular!  Makes the Disney Light Parade look like a fluorescent bulb on the fritz!  My phrase of the week, "How did I NOT KNOW THIS?!"

I have added 15 Pinterest boards to follow, book marked 4 different companies and have spent many a sleepless hours online watching You Tube videos of super cool products and killer techniques!

One of my new found favorites are the Sakura Glaze Gel Pens. OMG!!!!!   Again, how did I NOT KNOW THIS?!

Wait until I show off my new found goodies!!!  I am in HEAVEN!!!

Thankfully, I did a quick organization tune up on an old client and I have some extra spending money to support my new habit!!!  He he he he

I promise lots of pics and new cards when I get back to the cottage.  Until then, I am going to continue piling on the bags of new goodies in my bedroom.  =)

Have a great rest of your week!

Shopping Suzy!

Notes in a Can

Last week I got a cute little idea from one of my Facebook followers AND childhood friend.  My girlfriend Jessica carries a cute little pail with papers in it to leave notes for her employees.  She thought it would be super cute to have spiffy coordinating notes to put in her bucket and leave for her peeps.

Notes in a Can

Seeing that my orchid HAD to be in the picture AND the fact that it went GREAT with the Rich Razzleberry in the ribbon, it got to stay and add a bit of charm.  So, Miss Jessica, you got your wish!  Cute Notes in a Can.

I must admit, this is too stinking cute and would be great to carry around OR have on your desk for that quick list or impromptu note!

Thanks, lady!!!

Suzanne

Card a Month Club

Before email, before internet, before the large amount of craft supplies I now possess, I used to write letters to friends and my nephews.  I had a cute little Queen Anne style desk complete with fountain pens, ink wells and a wax seal.  I LOVED to write letters and did it religiously!

Then came email.  Need I say more?

Now we have Facebook, Twitter, text messaging and who knows what else I am missing.  Although I do know we are missing one thing.  Correspondence.  A hand written note to say, "hello".

The sad part is I am one of the worst offenders!  I USED to send out letters.  I USED to send cards.  I USED to call.  Now?  Not so much!

I make cards for OTHER people.  I still say "hi" to my nephews on FB and truth be told, I haven't talked to my Grandma Sheire in probably a year or so!  HORRIBLE!

So, maybe it is time a reminder be sent.  A reminder that sending a note, making that call, stopping by to visit is IMPORTANT!

Granted we are all super busy; work, kids, hobbies, LIFE.  So what if the reminder was SENT to you?  A wonderful reminder sent directly to your mailbox each and every month!

A lovely handmade card all ready for you to sign and mail off to your friend who is battling cancer, your grandma who you don't see nearly enough, a daughter who went off to college, or your girlfriend who is going through a killer divorce.

Doesn't get much easier than that!

For $5.00 a month, you can be sending out the warm fuzzies to those you love and care about!

Just select the type of Card Subscription fits your needs and you will be on your way!

Subscription Type

Ladies Birthday Thank You Blank Beauties Surprise Me!

For more information regarding our Card a Month Club, please visit our website and remember, you can unsubscribe any time you want!

Sometimes a day is made by just a simple "hello"!

Warmest wishes,
Suzanne

Fun in the Sun!

I am SO GRATEFUL that I get to go back home to Gilbert, AZ this weekend!  No more 23 degree, windy, cold weather for this AZ Native!  I am going to go back to 80 degrees, sun shine and FLIP FLOPS!!!

I LOVE the colors and the promises of warmer weather!  As cute as this was to make, the cutting of the sandals was a PAIN!  So my darling friend, Tracie is going to do a whole bunch of them for me on her Cricut so I am not wasting time horribly cutting out the pattern!  I did find a nice pattern with the two different sizes so that was helpful!  But my paper cutting skills leaves MUCH to be desired!

The best part is we will be making them for the World of Cards Retreat in June!!

Can't wait!

Happy Stamping!

Suzanne

Dinky Baby Factory

The first time I met Vicki Riley was at a Networking meeting in Gilbert, AZ.  It is 8am and during our little round robin introduction she announces, "Hi, my name is Vicki and I make babies."  As a woman, I am like, ya, well don't we all.  They guys on the other hand almost fell out of their seats!!!  Did she REALLY just say that?

Then she went on to describe said babies.  Lovely cloth doll babies!  Vicki IS Dinky Baby!

Much to the amusement of the ladies and relief from the guys, Vicki has created these fabulous cloth dolls with tons of patterns and adorable kits!  She went from confiscating the dining room table, to stealing the front den and now that she has moved she has her very own Dinky Baby Factory!

Making the Babies!

As wonderful as her dolls are, my FAVORITE piece of Dinky Baby Headquarters is the pattern organization.

All of her patterns have a home in one of those wonderful plastic Sterilite baskets.  Which inspired my very own version of Vicki's organizational method!

Basket of Goodies

Color Families

You can't beat converting a great idea into one that works for your crafting purposes!!!

Be sure to check out Dinky Baby and all the wonderful goings on with Vicki!!!

Thank you, Vicki!!!

Suzanne

Tea Anyone?

I LOVE Scotland!  I have been 5 times and every time it is a new adventure!  So when we decided on the World of Cards theme for the 2013 Retreat, we HAD to go to the UK.

My girlfriend Marcia from South Africa surprised me by staying at the same B&B

Church in Dunblane - GORGEOUS!

<sigh> Now on to the cards!

Who doesn't LOVE the red phone booths?  I walked 5 miles through fields, over scary suspension bridges and was attacked by a persnickety sheep JUST to get to a red phone booth to call work to see if I had made it through the lay offs during my vacation.  Thankfully, I survived the sheep attack AND the lay offs!  (I still have a big dent in my leg from the damn sheep though!)

So here is my tribute to that harrowing trek through the Scottish Highlands!

And you can't go across the pond without having tea...even though I am not a fan!  Shhhhh, don't tell anyone.    Give me a cold Coke with lots of ice and I am happy stamper!

I am still working on the Paris and Caribbean cards so those should be posted soon!!!

Enjoy!
Suzanne

Passport to Fun!

The World of Cards Retreat is coming up soon and how can you take a trip around the world without a Passport?  Especially without a passport that has super cool brads on it!?!

This will be our second Stamp Retreat and I figured everyone deserves a special little something to track the memories.  So everyone who went last year will get a cupcake stamp for the Cupcake Retreat and this year they will get another one for the 2013 Retreat.

Maybe I will have to do something REALLY cool if someone comes to 5 Retreats they get $100 of free product or something fun!

Oooh maybe do a Christmas Card Retreat too!   Ok, now my brain is blowing up with all sorts of ideas.  Good thing I am blogging as I am thinking so I can remember all of this good stuff!

Ok, off to make notes!  Mom, be sure and remind me if I forget!!!

Happy Stamping!

AND for more information on our World of Cards Retreat, be sure and check out the website!

Suzanne