DOUBLE HARVEST donation by Whitney Bingham (the MUSE)

Thank you to Whitney Bingham for her donation to the Building Dreams charity store.
Whitney is the owner of a fabulous store right here in Frederick, MD! She is gracious enough to carry my greeting cards (and occasionally other items)!
You can view her profile here! Her store website is www.shopthemuse.com. If you are local to Frederick, MD... you should definitely stop in and say "hi"! You will instantly fall in love with Whitney and her store!!!

Whitney has donated a HANDMADE MAKEUP BAG (complete from several paint layer steps on fabric canvas to the final assembly!)
This item will list for $24 and will be available on the www.buildingdreams.etsy.com charity store in just a few minutes! 100% of the profit will go directly to Doubleharvest.org's Benevolent Housing Project!

Thank you Whitney for helping to build someone's dream!

ATCs for FEB

I dropped of my Scrapbook Store swap atcs yesterday. The theme was love/Hearts. The same as my swap.
Here are my cards for the store swap:
I had a lot of fun making the cracked glass! So much that I used the same technique for my own swap... but with birds.
Here are the entries for MY swap. They were more assorted. Many people made all different ones. I made two sets of 4 instead of 8 of the same.This month was so much fun! Thank you to all who swapped this month!
Next month: Theme is sports. If you don't have anything sporty... go with St. Patty's!
Right now sign ups are still open. Once I get a final head count I will send out notice on how many. I always start with 8... but some months have been less.
SIGN UP by commenting below, or email me! allison@stampinwithallison.com

Coming up... a new addition to Double Harvest (Building Dreams). Check out my next posting for more info!

Last of the cards... for now!

Well I think I've finally finished my 80 cards for the stores.
The last of the ones I made today were wedding cards.
The new set from Stampin Up - FOR THE BRIDE - is the perfect set!
I used the Shimmery White cardstock, vellum cardstock, dimensionals, flower punch - all from Stampin up.
Swarovski Crystals and retired SU organdy ribbon... (I think they are coming back with some colors...).
Just love the way they turned out!So I'm finally ready for a little R&R. (After delivering them tomorrow...)
Or... maybe I can make some more!!! You know I can't stay still for long!
See you soon!

More Easter creations...

Using the stamp set my sister bought me (Cavallini) last year... I was deep into more cards today!
I just really love birds and the eggs are perfect for Easter!
The colors are Stampin' Up's new BAJA BREEZE and CLOSE TO COCOA. I stamped the image using CHOCOLATE CHIP ink and then colored in the eggs with a light blue marker. Then I used the CRACKED GLASS TECHNIQUE to make it look old. Raised the image using two dimensionals...
The Background is speckled using a STIPPLE BRUSH and CREAMY CARAMEL ink refill mixed with a little water. You can check out the technique - FAUX SPECKLING! You can view these and lots more tutorials on my other website: www.stampinwithallison.com.

Well. I did get to make lots of cards today... and I am hoping to get around 40 more cards ready for stores by Thursday... my fingers are crossed!
See you later!

distressed edges TIP!

Do you love the look of distressed edges? If you don't have a distressing tool... here's a tip!
Go thru your take out food drawer and pull out a plastic butter knife. Use the "serrated" edge to rough up the edges of your card stock. Also... you can use the handle end to use as a temporary BONE FOLDER!

Double Harvest donation by COURTNEY PRAHL

Thank you Courtney for your generous donation to the BUILDING DREAMS - DOUBLE HARVEST service project!
(you can view this at www.buildingdreams.etsy.com).

Courtney Prahl is a Mixed Media artist here in Maryland.
you can view her full profile HERE.
She sells on etsy: www.courtneyp.etsy.com
She also has a personal blog at :http://www.courtneyp-findinghome.blogspot.com/

Courtney has donated a 8x10 original collage in canvas. This item will be available at buildingdreams.etsy.com right away! We are selling this art for $55.
100% of the profit will be donated to www.doubleharvest.org.

Double Harvest donation by STACIE SPENCER

Thank you STACIE SPENCER for donating two pendent necklaces to the service project - Building Dreams.
Stacie is a good friend of mine and she is so generous to donate these handmade sterling silver necklaces! 100% of the profit from these two pieces will go toward the www.doubleharvest.org service project.

You can view Stacie's full profile here.
You can view all her sales items on www.staciejewelry.etsy.com.

THANK YOU Stacie!

finished Easter card...

Yesterday I posted a few pics of my work in progress. Today's job... finish each card. add embellishments to make them pop!
Here's the easter card...
I plan on finishing all 20 cards today and start an a different theme this afternoon!

More cards!

Getting lots done!
Some Mother's Day and Easter cards... (I know! Easter already! - have to stock the stores early!) These cards are colored in using copic markers. (of course I added GLITTER! - ultrafine Dazzling Diamonds). However, if you do not have copic markers, you can use SU markers too! Just stamp your image onto your WATERCOLOR paper (cold pressed) and marker in. Then using a paintbrush and water, pull the colors around to make the same effect! You can check out directions on my other stampin site: www.stmapinwithallison.com (under TIPS!) or click here! It really looks GREAT!

Bird on a Branch

Here's some cards I made using the new set: BIRDS ON A BRANCH.
The sentiments come from the retired : Warmest Regards, and current SAB set: Congrats. I just love the corduroy buttons!

my Black and White swap

I signed up for another ATCs for all swap online. This time the theme was Black and white fabric, beads, ribbon, lace.I really should be making cards. I will get right to work! It's unusual that I should have all this time on my hands when the kids are off from school! So that's what I'm starting on right now~!
Chao!

Today's projects...

So as planned I woke up totally inspired and ready to work! And then in the next second I realized that my mom's birthday is next Tuesday and I have been wanting to make her an apron. Then I got the kids ready for school and was prepared to push everyone out the door... when Emily says..."Mom, i'm not feeling well.." So I look at her breakfast and realize... she didn't eat anything.
I reached to touch her forehead and was shocked to "feel" her fever. (102... that's not good).

So. Dosed her up and put her back in bed. (she's much better now. Fever is manageable... but I'm sure she'll miss her Valentine's Day party tomorrow - boohoo).

Then made coffee... mmmmmm...

Ok. Now ready to work! Made my mom's gift and packaged it. I sewed on a twill patch that in stamped "from my heart to yours".
I painted the shipping (CISCO - hubby's) box. I think she'll like it.







Then I made cards. Today I am concentrating on the TRENDY TREES set. I just LOVE IT!!!
Looking at it reminds me of fresh air.
Clean, crisp and perfectly clear!



So that's where I'm at right now. I have lots of cards half cut out and almost ready for the stores.

One last note: For those who prepurchased the 2009 Spring/Summer catalog from me and now have an order ready for SAB... remember your $5 credit! I HAVE NO MORE COPIES left at the $5 price. If you wish to purchase a catalog, please contact me. I have info.

Well that's it for now. I think I'm going to go and subscribe now to Somerset Arts magazine.
And work on more cards!

What Stamp sets did I get?

Are you wondering which stamp sets I just couldn't live without from this 2009 Spring Catalog?
I, of course, wanted TONS ...
but here's my list of stamps that arrived today:
-Cheep Talk
-Note of Thanks mini note kit
-For the Bride
-Trendy Trees
- coordinating wheel... Funky Forest
-Animal Crackers
-Introducing
-Bird on a Branch (of course!)

SAB sets:
-Congrats
-Polka Dot Punches
-Yummy
-Botanical Blooms

Hostess set:
-Rustic Rooster

As for accessories that I JUST LOVE:
Corduroy Buttons in Kraft, Chocolate Chip and Pacific Point
and the new 12x12 Textiles Designer paper

I am making sure I am STAYING IN tomorrow and getting right to work! The new sets are already mounted and ready for use!

In March, I, (along with Stacie Jewelry) will be featured at Art Partners, Inc in Clarksville, MD. The whole month they are nice enough to give us the middle table and promote our work! In addition, Stacie and I will be present for a "one day SHOW" of sorts where we can meet and greet out customers and mingle about for the day! I can't wait. As soon as I get details, I will let you all know!

So there we are. I will close up shop tonight and start fresh (with a cup of joe in hand) tomorrow morning! I am feeling the creative vibe and I can't wait to get started.
See you soon!
-Allison

Wondering where I've been?

Me too!
Actually. last week I wasn't feeling very well. Not sick... just run down a bit and tired. also the thought of gearing up for a series of craft fairs and vendor sales has me a bit nervous.
So today I spent the day having some me time. Relaxing and just taking a breath and I am ready to start full force tomorrow.
And just in time, I am anticipating a shipment either tomorrow or the next day of my new catalog goodies - stamp sets and accessories I purchased from the new 2008 Spring Catty!
So I will get a few cards put together tomorrow and post very soon!
Also...
I do have one thing to share. Recently I made a few journals for sale.... using some fabric and the great SU chipboard, i was able to make 80 pg journals! Added some one of a kind embroidery and vintage buttons!
Here's some pics!
Anyway... If you like this... you can view more by the week's end on my etsy store!
So... that's where I'm at. hope you are having a nice week. Valentine's Day is just a few days away. Do you have plans?
See you soon!
-Allison