For this month's class gift, I have everyone's new Catalog & Idea Book - woo hoo!  Such a happy time of year!  This catalog opens June 1 for orders, I already have my own list going, I can tell you!
To go along with it, I made everyone a bookmark, using the 2012-14 In Color suite: Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green & Midnight Muse, paired with their "fun" complimentary colors from the Color Coach swatch book - I like everyone to have an actual sample of new colors to consider!
Here are the instructions from tonight's class, as well - enjoy!

I don't know about you guys, but my birthday card stash is getting low!  So, in honor of all the May birthdays around here (including mine!) May's class focuses on celebrating birthdays!  We'll have a mix of old AND new (like from the New 12-13 Catalog & Idea Book, yay!), and the class will consist of 3 cards and one shadow box insert.  I hope to have your new catties here for you as well!  $20 includes all your supplies, but bring your fave adhesive and paper snips if you have them!  Be sure to RSVP for May 17, 6:30 pm, so I can cut out all your CELEBRATE letters ahead of time for you!  Let me know if you need a daytime class as well, I have plenty of availability for that next week.  See you soon!

Everyone with children in school know that it's that time of year again - Appreciation Week!  I've been busy making Pillow Box Treats for my schools teachers, and tokens of my gratitude for all the people that serve on my various boards with me.  Here is a set of a nifty little item I learned to make at Phoenix Regionals this year - the double pocket card!  So simple, made from a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper, and when you use a double-sided DSP like I did here, you get twice the impact!  These were fun to decorate - I included a grateful bookmark and a cup of coffee on me in my two "pockets."
I always use appreciation times as chances to whittle away at my retired stash of papers and accessories, too - I love to use these up in a good cause!

Flirtatious Specialty DSP (retiring VERY soon!), Elegant Soiree & Raspberry Tart DSP (retired); Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, Wisteria Wonder, Pretty in Pink, Daffodil Delight & Kiwi Kiss (retired) CS; various buttons and matching ribbons.

I'm not sure why, but these balloons from Up, Up & Away have been fascinating me, along with the cute kites from Send Me Soaring.  Must have my head in the clouds these days, I guess!
The balloons have been burning a hole on my desk for some time, and I knew I needed to get started!  This is a CAS from the incomparable Mary Brown, aka Stampercamper.  I love the asymmetric way it came together, so clean and simple!  And knowing how badly I need to restock birthday cards, I couldn't resist.  Enjoy!

Whisper White & Pool Party CS; Island Indigo, Calypso Coral & Wisteria Wonder inks; Up, Up & Away and Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess) stamp sets; Cupcake Builder punch.

Here's a picture of the ADORABLE ( if I do say so myself!) tea and cookie treats I made for my class ladies last night.  I wish I could take credit for the design, but that belongs to Debi Pippin, as interpreted by Chiaki Haverstick.  Make sure you check out their fun blogs!
The cookies were of course lemon shortbread, because this time of year in Arizona, everyone with a lemon tree supplies all their friends with bags and bags of lemons - thanks, Barb!  It's lemon everything around here!
And of course, here's the sheet from last night's class.  Enjoy!

Everyday Enchantment, Spice Cake & Cheerful Treat DSP; coordinating CS & ribbons; Elementary Elegance stamp set

So, part of the tea party fun is the extraordinary hats, of course, and so far I have always gotten a new one from Belinda of Ms. Purdy's Hats - she's amazing!  She once again had the perfect hat for my dress, and it arrived with its customary perfection - with a surprise!  Belinda also included a matching handbag - and I had been struggling to complete my party outfit for a while!  It was like a miracle - I had been having a very challenging day, and was pretty mopey, truth to tell.  Then THE BOX arrived.
I HAD to send Belinda a note to let her know how much she had uplifted me - truly, the generosity and creativity of people never fails to amaze and inspire me.  And what better card to thank her with than this one?  Thanks, Belinda - you're the greatest!  And if anyone ever needs that perfect hat, make sure you look up Ms. Purdy!

Pool Party, Soft Suede & Very Vanilla  CS; Spice Cake DSP; Tea Shoppe stamp set

Oh no - it's that time once again - the retired stamps list is OUT!  I knew Loads of Love wouldn't make it another year, {SOB}.

Make sure you get your must-haves before they disappear! Last day to order is May 31!

Oh my gosh - I have been waiting so long to use these stamps in a class!  Finally!
This month's class features three full-size cards, and a little "Love Note" set of 3" x 3"s, all using items found in the almost over Occasions Mini catalog, and from the Summer Smooches special that SU offered for the month of April.  You also get a gift and a snack, of course!

I hope you can join us on Thursday April 19, 630 pm.  If you need a daytime alternative, let me know!  RSVP now!