Saturday's Haul of Fame!

So...went shoppin' yesterday...I HAD to!  There were coupons to use...and voids that I had to fill...Sigh...

Okay, mom and I went shopping to use those special 40% off coupons that you get get online or through email...they are tempting and really the only way to go sometimes.  I had a wish list in one hand and 7 coupons in the other hand.  I am a big fan of Jennifer McGuire and I follow her blog regularly.  She designs for Hero Arts and contributes to Creating Keepsakes magazine.  She "specializes" on how to use the fabulous tools out there and then shows you how to use them.  She's brilliant!  She posts these awesome how-to videos on her blog.  I have been inspired by her to try many techniques and to do that, I need tools. 

So, I had a few tools that she recommends on my list...but of course somehow things not on my list somehow end up in the shopping cart.  Some of this is mom's too.

Here's a picture of the entire haul from 3 different stores...see it's not too bad!  A lot of things were on clearance too.  Got some clear stamps, ink, some brads, Cinch rings, K&Company Que Sera Sera die cuts, rub-ons, chipboard, leaf punch...

Here is what Jennifer recommended:

~Tim Holtz Ink Blending Tool and Pads

~Distress Inks
~Ranger Craft Sheet
~Glossy Accents
~Hero Arts Friends Definition Cling Stamp
~Tim Holtz Tonic Scissors
~Fiskars Portable Trimmer (this is the small on, still need the big one)
~Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Supplies (with Jennifer McGuire) and she's on the cover

You can also find all of this stuff featured somewhere on her blog jennifermcguireink.

Now...it is time to go play with my new toys!  Have a happy Sunday!

Steph

Birthday Cards with Cute Asian Dolls

I have already posted these on my other blog, Lollipop Jubilee, but wanted to show them here as well.  I saw these Hero Arts Four dolls stamps and fell in love with them.  I made these for family birthdays, but was really hesitant to give them away.  I know that is the whole point of cards, right?

For this one, I used DCWV Summer Dreams paper.  I don't know of you have seen that collection, but it is FABULOUS!  I really, really stocked up at Joann's.  They had the paper stacks for $6.00 at one point.  Their website may still have some left.  Anyway, it is amazing paper.  You'll be seeing more of it in my cards and layouts in the future.

I used Oriental Trading Company Far East Paper for the next one.  I really love the muted pinks and greens and soft prints.  The Happy Birthday and flower stamps are also from OTC, as is the green sticky ribbon.  And of course the doll is Hero Arts.  I used the Provo Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder on the green strip of paper.