Back to school...something to HOOT about!

Though school has already started for many, we are just getting ready in my district. I try to make a little "sumthin' sumthin'" for the people on my team each year, so when my dear friend, Lisa, owner of The Craft's Meow, gave me this awesome little stamp set, I knew I could put it to good use right away!

I used my Stampin' Up! Top Note Die for the goody bag toppers in Real Red and Kraft. I stamped all the images with Chocolate Chip, Real Red, and Wild Wasabi Inks. I embellished with google eyes (WOOT), SU! brads, and some super fun green twine by WRMK.

I used an old retired SU! lined stamp for the back...a perfect little message spot.
I know all the teachers will need to recharge with a few bottles of water as they set up their classrooms, so some tasty water flavor packets will come in handy!
Well, friends, I gotta' run...back to work to prep,prep,prep in the AM!
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Hear YE, Hear YE...your presence is requested!

A very dear friend of mine is celebrating his daughter's FIRST birthday in serious style! His too sweet wife asked me for some input on the invitations, and you know I can't just stop there... ;)
They've decided to go with an Alice in Wonderland theme, so I got right to work on the invite options-ENJOY!

Option One: One Classy Queen
Front

Detail

Back


Option Two: The Mad Hatter Girls It Up
Front

 

Detail

Back


Tell me, friends, which do you prefer?

Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

A color challenge and a lift!

I had so much fun participating in last week's SplitcoastStamper.com Sketch Challenge, I had to push myself a little farther and try out my first color challenge, this week! The color combo for SCS-CC334 included:
1) Whisper White
2) Basic Grey
3) Tempting Turqoise
I have to admit, I wasn't too sure about this combo at first, but once I strolled through the challenge gallery, I was ready to rock it! A quick rumage through my retired Designer Series Paper packs resulted in a couple sheets from the fifth avenue line in Basic Grey :) I decided to flip through the current Stampin' Up! catty for a layout to copy and was pleased to find a great card on page 109 featuring the "Just Believe" stamp set. I don't have that set, but I did have this retired hostess set, "Kind and Caring Thoughts"! I stamped the foilage in versamark directly onto patterned paper and embossed it in white, embellishing the main panel with some rinestones on a few martha stewart punched butterflies. Then I investigated how the ribbon was attached on the sample and had a go at it, using some whistper white ribbon that I colored with my SU! Basic Grey marker...AWESOME RESULTS!Finally, I used my new "Petite Pairs" sentiment set to stamp half the phrase on a circle of vellum, and then embossed!

 

I'm really happy with how this card turned out and I sure enjoyed teh challenge of having a set of specific colors to work with...I might just be hooked! :)
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia

Resistance is futile!

Dear Mr. Brown (aka UPS Delivery Guy),
I've missed you; I really have. I so look forward to the sound of your truck rolling heavily over the complex entrance gate: kuh-chunck...front wheels, kuh-chunck...back wheels; and then a screech-sigh as you step on the brake and put that giant truck of goodness into park. A ding-dong on the doorbell and a wagging dog tail can tell me only one thing...you've come for me!

 

 

Are those *business supplies*?! No, no..I won't be needing those!

 

THIS IS WHAT I'VE *REALLY* BEEN WAITING FOR!
After much fondling, and too much time mounting new stamp sets, it's time to dig in!

 

I used the new "Delicate Doily" set to create a 3 1/2" x 4" gift card holder. In an attempt to show-off the versatility of this set, I went ahead and used the border punch to create ornament toppers and voila-from doilies to ornaments! Paired with a "Petite Pairs" sentiment, this crumb cake, wild wasabi, and ridinghood red card is ready to go!

 

So, you see, Mr. Brown, I missed you so much, I just coudln't resist re-joining Stampin' Up for at least a few months! Now you may be wondering if it was realy *you* or if I just did it for the discount...can't I have both? ;)
Hugs and HOOTS,
<3 Alicia (in apartment 96)