You may think that I've lost my mind to post such a snowy project (and an old one) while temps are still in the 80's. This card flashed into my mind as I found myself face down this evening on the sidewalk (partly in the mulch). While there doesn't always have to be a remarkable precursor for my clumsy falls, tonight's tumble was the result of trying to outrun the sprinkler. I was told that I had 15 seconds and, by gosh, I was going to beat that thing! Needless to say, I picked myself up and dusted off my front . . . and dried off my loser of a backside. My son, with his awesome sense of humor, was walking in front of me. He said it sounded like, "Go! Go! Run! Run! [thump] OUUUCCCHHHH!!!!!" Even as my bruises were trying to achieve the perfect coloring, Chadrick made me laugh!!!! He claims that I'm worse than a toddler, and he's right! My "grace" gene was, indeed, replaced with clumsy!
This is what $150 worth of dirt looks like. It still looks like dirt . . . BUT . . . it's dirt that's serving a purpose where my grass will one day be!!!! If it doesn't rain and wash away my premium dirt (wouldn't my neighbors love to see that running down the hill), I'll take a picture of grass seed and straw next. You may have to squint to see the seed, though. And look . . . I still have some shade!
Okay . . . before I take my nap, I thought I might as well post my other faux designer paper projects. In this picture, you can see what's left of the 12x12 designer paper that I made last month. Part of the paper was used to create the box and, as you can see, another piece of the paper was used to decorate the card. Since I still had this ensemble sitting out, I decided to use another cut of the paper on the "100 Wishes" card that I just made. And I still have some of the paper to use on another project or two! 
of it! Once again, I used a strip of "Thoroughly Modern" designer paper with sponged-ink edges and faux stitching. The three-color paper with swirly images is faux designer paper that I created with ink, embossing powder, and Stampin' Up!'s "Baroque Motifs" stamp set. The flower image is from the "Bloomin' Beautiful" set, which is one of my favorite! I dotted the colored flower with 2-Way Glue and jazzed it up with some Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I think this is the last card for now as I desperately need a nap! It won't be long til sunrise.
A friend asked me to design a card for her aunt who will soon be 100 years old, and this is what I came up with. This isn't at all what I set out to create, but I think it turned out nicely. I used Stampin' Up!'s "Thoroughly Modern" designer paper, which is becoming a favorite of mine. The colors and designs in the papers lend themselves nicely for masculine or feminine cards, clean or distressed. A couple of dies, embossing folders, texture plates, and punches were used to complete this design.
the MVP ribbon that I used on this card. I gasped, grabbed the ribbon from the bag, and said, "I didn't buy this!!!!!!" Upon further inspection of the bag, I realized that I had not accidentally grabbed someone else's bag and guess what? This lovely ribbon for which I had no intended use, had not noticed in the store, and didn't even know that I had picked up was on my receipt, which meant that it somehow got dropped in my basket . . . and paid for. There was comfort in knowing that I hadn't become a kleptomaniac, but what do you call someone who unknowingly puts something in the basket that they didn't want--and unknowingly buys it?!? My nephew enjoyed my moment of WTH, so it's only fitting that I would make a card--just for him--and use this ribbon. He is really into basketball, but this football stamp set is the only sporty one that I own. One foot of unwanted ribbon down . . . two and one-half feet to go.
. . . to love these Sweet Treat Cups like I do! Oh, my goodness, I seem to be addicted to them! This is one of my favorite projects using the cups--a holiday snow globe! Is this the coolest thing or what? The greeting is from the "All Holidays" stamp set, but I used several products from Stampin' Up!'s Holiday mini catalog to create this card . . . the trees inside the "globe" were cut with the "Merry Details" Sizzlits die, the 1-3/4" circle on the front of the card was created with the "Holiday Windows" Movers & Shapers die, and the designer paper is from the "Christmas Cocoa" (specialty) paper collection. The white card stock in the globe (to mimic snow) was coated with Frost White Shimmer Paint, although this photo doesn't capture the shimmer. It looks like I'm going to need another box of Sweet Treat Cups so I can share them with my customers at my September class. Who knew I'd use 'em up so fast???? Ha!
but I'll go ahead and tell you (if I haven't already) that it's AWESOME! Granted, you wouldn't expect to hear a Demonstrator say "I've seen better," but this one really is full of fun, creative new products! One thing that I can say about Stampin' Up! is that the excitement never ends, and they just keep getting better and better! Tonight, I enjoyed creating with some of the new products from the mini catalog. Both of these projects showcase the "Sweet Centers" stamp set and "Sweet Treat Cups." 
The holiday tag also features "Merry Details" (a new Sizzlits die), "Join in the Cheer" Decorative Strip die, "Top Note" Bigz die, and "Christmas Cocoa" specialty designer paper. The Valentine project features Melon Mambo dotted grosgrain ribbon, "Join in the Cheer" Decorative Strip die, "Holiday Windows" (brand new Movers & Shapers die used to cut the kissing love birds), and the "Fancy Favor" Bigz XL die. On this sample, the Sweet Treat cup is covered with the scallop circle, which makes it difficult to tell that the cup is there. Come to my class on September 18th, and I'll show you a clever way to assemble the Sweet Treat Cup projects so that they can remain intact, and the recipient can easily get to the goodies!