A Blissful Moment!

As my friend's wedding is rapidly approaching (one week to be exact), I have been shopping for dresses, shoes, making place cards, menus, etc. Karen is actually coming over tonight so we can complete our projects. I must say, it has been enjoyable helping her with her plans.

I managed to spend some time in my scrap room working on my own projects. I haven't scrapbooked in months and it was starting to get to me. I find myself getting frustrated with the small stuff. When I am in my room working on layouts, I am completely blissful. It really relaxes me and recharges my batteries. It is also nice to reminisce over older photos.

This layout is of my daughter's 7th birthday. It's funny, she hasn't really changed very much. Looking at her photos and her cute little face brings a smile to mine.

Stamps: None

Ink: None

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery card stock, Sweet Pea DSP

Accessories: Blossom Petals Punch (this is a must have!), Designer Brights Buttons and miscellaneous jewels.

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis

http://www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net/

Raffle basket - part IV and Blog Give A Way Winner

I really do enjoy giving little treats. As my aunt would say, "it's all in the delivery". Being a SU demonstrator makes it so easy to package even the simplest things and make it extraordinary. The last gift for the raffle basket is a sweet treat. I don't know about you, but I LOVE snacking on something sweet when I am working on projects. That could explain the extra "baggage" that seems to follow me where ever I go, if you know what I mean :)! Yummy huh? I am actually quite proud of it. The inside note is the Rules of Chocolate.

On another note, I want to thank everyone who participated in my blog give a way and left such sweet comments. I used random.org to pick a winner for me, and .... Patti is the winner!



I had a chance to visit each participant's blog, and am now following them. You should check them out too. Really cute stuff posted there.



1. Amanda
2. Melissa
3. Patti
4. Jeannie
5. Ivy

Thanks again ladies for making my day.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Sending Love DSP
Accessories: Large heart punch, word window punch, miscellaneous ribbon

Be Blessed Everyone!

Shannon Willis
www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Raffle basket - part III

Short post today. Just wanted you to see one of the other gifts in the raffle basket. I don't know about you, but I am always looking for something to write on. Funny thing is, being a paper crafter, I AM A PAPER FANATIC! Go figure!! I love paper, but sometimes I tend to hoard it for something special. That being said, I thought it was about time I did something with these little scratch pads. What do you think?

I have one more raffle gift to show tomorrow.

Stamps: Polka Dot Punches
Ink: Real Red, Rose Redl, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Chocolate Chip cardstock, Sending Love DSP
Accessories: Large heart punch, miscellaneous ribbon, RSVP pen

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis
www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Raffle basket - part II

These are photos of one of the gifts in the raffle basket, shown in my previous post, I made a set of Valentine gift cards and matching envelopes and boxed them all up as one of the treasures inside.

Stamps: Filled with Love
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Sending Love DSP, Pretty in Pink cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock and Real Red cardstock
Accessories: 1 1/4" circle punch, paper crimper tool, miscellaneous red eyelets and ribbon

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis
www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Come on, you know you want it!!! - BLOG CANDY GIVE-A-WAY

Come on, admit it, you know you do. You could be the lucky receipant of this basket. On Saturday, February 5th, I will be a vendor at Boyette Springs Elementary's 1st Annual Scrapbooking Crop and was asked to provide a gift for raffle. I CAN'T WAIT!!! It has been sometime since I actually attended a crop other than my house. As many of you know, I hold a scrapbooking crop at my house the last Friday of the month. We will be scrapbooking from 9:00 am. until 6:00 pm. There will be the raffle, goodies bags, a boxed lunch from Honey Baked Ham, demonstrations, make n takes, you name it.

I made this basket for a raffle to give away at the crop. It is full of products, gifts I made and some sweet treats. What girl can scrapbook without CHOCOLATE??!! I will share photos of the gifts in the next few days. I hope the lucky winner enjoys it. If you are in the area, it may not be too late to register. This is the link and contact information if you are interested.

Also, I have a special BLOG CANDY GIVE-A-WAY gift to those who will not be able to attend, I will randomly select a name from the first five people that leave a comment on this post giving me your thoughts on my raffle basket. Are you feeling lucky??!!

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis
www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

January 2011 Stamp Club

My peeps and I had a great time at our monthly Stamp Club. Our projects consisted of one card, an 8 x 8 scrapbook layout and a treat box, all geared toward Valentine's Day and using the Filled With Love Bundle that was a special a few weeks back. Although the group was small, we had a wonderful time. It was nice to finish our projects and then enjoy a cup of tea and visit with one another. That is one of many things I enjoy so much about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I have met some truly wonderful people over the years and look forward to spending time with them.

Debi Kyle, Leticia Canet and I enjoying great conversation and tea.

The mess we made!

Completed projects.

This is Penny, our rescue dog. She loves it when I have my stamp club. I was working on some things in my scrap room and heard a funny noise coming from the kitchen. She made herself at home waiting patiently for the stampers to come. I think she missed Hope.

If you would like to make projects like these, you are welcome to join us if you live in our area or you can order the supplies online at my Stampin' Up! website. Customers that place online orders will receive the printed cutting guides in PDF format and a free gift from me!

Stamps: Filled With Love

Ink: Real Red

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Whisper White, and DSP Pattern Love

Accessories: Lots of Love Letterpress, Box # 2, Heart punch, Threading Water punch, Old Olive ribbon, Pretty in Pink ribbon

Be Blessed Everyone!

Shannon Willis

www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Christmas in September ??

During my glorious scrapbook weekend, I decided to scrap a Christmas layout. I was hoping it would get me in the holiday spirit since they are right around the corner. If it weren't for this heat, I would be there. In this layout, I used some of the new DSP from the Holiday Mini and the new jumbo wheel Jolly Jingles. The new Holiday Mini is packed full of wonderful project ideas and the new products are absolutely fabulous. I had to put myself on a holiday diet if you know what I mean. Call or email me to place your order.

Stamps: Jolly Jingle jumbo wheel, Delightful Decorations

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Baja Breeze, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White and Candy Cane Christmas DSP (LOVE IT!!)

Accessories: Ornament Extra Large Punch, Ticket Corner, and wire

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis

www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Christmas Card Swap

I was invited to participate in a Christmas card swap by my adopted upline Jeri Fontana. I was really excited to be asked as this is my first card swap. Jeri made the swap so easy by allowing us to pick a layout in the new Idea Book & Catalog or the new Holiday Mini Catalog (those on my mailing list should be receiving any day now) and we needed to use current colors and product. Since I just got my Stampin' Up! order yesterday, that was REALLY easy. The Christmas DSP ROCKS! For my project, I chose a layout in the Holiday Mini on page 26. Take a good look as I have used some of the new items from that catalog that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE! So, what do you think? I may use this card as my Christmas Cards this year.

BTW, did you notice my new watermark? I have been playing around with My Digital Studio again. It is such an versatile program. With the particular watermark, I used the images in Microsoft Publisher.

Stamps: Dasher
Ink: Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso (one of my favs)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Whisper White and DSP Candy Cane Christmas
Accessories: Brights Designer Buttons

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis
www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net
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Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 80

Oh, it is so nice to wake up Sunday morning, grap my cup of coffee and read the blogs I follow. This morning was perfect as I checked in with Karen's blog and there it was ..., a sketch challenge for this week. I had to start working on it right away.

Here is this weeks sketch

and here is my take.

I loved the layout in the sketch. I think this is my favorite thus far. What do you think?

Stamps: Best Yet (retired)

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive

Paper: Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White and DSP Build A Bear Workshop Pawsitively Prints II

Accessories: Daffodil Delight 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Brights Designer Buttons,

Dies: Beautiful Wings Embosslits

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis

www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Shop Online 24/7

SP Color Combo Challenge # 58

While drinking my coffee and reading my blogs, Karen at The Sweetest Thing had to cancel this weeks challenge. I am bummed because I enjoy them so much. No worries, I am certain next weeks sketch will be spectacular. I did however notice that Samantha at Scrapmaster's Paradise does a weekly color combo challenge. Being a fellow demonstrator, she invites participants to create a card, scrapbook layout or other paper craft item using Stampin' Up! colors. I decided to take part in her challenges too. This will be my first submission. Wish me luck!!

This weeks challenge is .....

and here is my take.

I really enjoyed making this card. I really wanted something quick and simple and I believe it covers both criteria. I also was able to use my severely neglected Cricut to cut out the "F" and use one of the new stamp sets, Perfect Punches from our new catalog. If you would like to order the materials that I used to make this card you can do so by clicking HERE. For every $25.00 purchase, I have a free gift for you.

Stamps: Perfect Punches

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Paper: Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Soft Suade and Sweet Pea DSP (scrap - love that!)

Accessories: Certainly Celery 1/4 grosgrain ribbon, Cricut

Be Blessed and Happy Sunday.

Shannon Willis

http://www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net/

Order Online 24/7

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge # 79

Okay, I thought I was out of my slump, but apparently not. Actually I believe I had a bit of a bug as I just haven't been feeling that well. We had a pretty busy week, and I am thankful my work week is over.

I realized after working today that I hadn't started my Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for this week and decided to spend some time in my scrap room. I loved the sketch this week and the other samples are sooo cute. I am trying to use up scraps and other papers that I have been saving for something (for what I don't know) and decided to use some of the vintage looking DSP Recollection paper. I remember purchasing it to start a scrapbook for my grandmother that passed away a few years ago, but I am not quite ready to tackle that project. My card however, did not turn out quite as I had hoped. Oh well, there is always next week as I am too tired to start over.

Here is this weeks terrific sketch

and here is my take

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Ink: Bravo Burgandy

Paper: Bravo Burgandy, Kraft and DSP Recollection

Accessories: Snaps and Eyelets

I am planning to spend most of tomorrow in my scrap room organizing and getting some projects out of the way.

Be Blessed Everyone!

Shannon Willis

www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

My Recruit Password: Scrap Shack

Card Club

Since changing the format of my card classes a bit, everyone is very excited about the new projects we will be working on. Each month we will create two cards and one 3-D/Scrapbook layout using new products and featuring a new technique. In preparation, I made each of my friends this cute little book to put the sample technique featured at that class. I made these little books using the Top Note die.

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 78

Oh my!! I am actually early or right on time I should say. I think this is the first time I have submitted my card on Sunday. I must say, Karen did a great job on our sketch for this week. I really enjoyed working on my card for the challenge.

Here is the terrific sketch

and here is my card

I was finally able to get my scraproom cleaned up from my mess last week. It is amazing how much better you can work when things are organized around you. Hopefully I can keep it clean. I spent most of the day in my room working on my card club project. In an earlier post, I am changing the format of our classes a bit and have a nice little gift for my girls on Friday. I will share it with you later.

If you would like to order any of the products shown, click HERE to visit my website where you can shop online 24/7 or you can email me at shannon.willis10@verizon.net.

Stamps: Awash with Flowers

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Old Oliver and Daffodil Delight

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White card stock, DSP Sweet Pea

Accessories: Tempting Turqouise grosgrain ribbon and Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embossit die

Blessings everyone. Have a great week.

Shannon Willis

http://www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net/

Christmas in July

I know, funny title huh? I am actually starting to thinking about Christmas and the shopping I must do. This year should be pretty easy as I already have some things planned out.

As I stated in my earlier post, I was able to scrap this weekend. I have been modifying my schedule to allow time for my hobbies. Scrapbooking is really therapy to me. So the more time I spend, the happier I am. What's that saying "... if momma ain't happy then nobody's happy." I think my family has FINALLY realized that and they leave me alone when I am in my room.

Here is a layout from Christmas 1993. I know, I know, I'm a little behind.

I will share more tomorrow.

Be Blessed,

Shannon

http://www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Snaggle Tooth

This is another layout I finished up over the 4th of July weekend. It is a layout of my daughter Sara when she lost a tooth. Since it was SUCH a big deal in our house (she always had to have her dad pull them out) I kept it very simple as I used one of our Sweet Treat cups and wanted to keep the focus on her teeny little tooth.




Stamps: None
Ink: None
Paper: Pixie Pink, So Saffron, Orchid Opulence and Patterns Pack II DSP
Accessories: Sweet Treat Cup, Threading Water Punch and Big Circle Die

Blessings,

Shannon Willis
www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net
www.shannonscropstop.blogspot.com

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge # 76

I am so excited to finally submit something for Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge. I really enjoy these challenges, but lately things have gotten in the way and I haven't been able to submit anything.

Here is this week's challenge



and here is my take on it



I love the new Hostess Stamp Set Because I Care and have seen so many beautiful cards created with it. I also like the fact that it is simple and elegant, just like this week's challenge. For this challenge, I attempted the watercolor technique. It is one of my favorite techniques, however I have such a hard time with it. When I use my Aqua Painter, my hand shakes terribly and I sometimes have to re-do my card. Does this happen to anyone else? At least this one turned out pretty good. I hope you enjoy it.

Stamps: Because I Care
Ink: Old Olive, Night of Navy and Bashful Blue
Paper: Kraft, Night of Navy card stock, Watercolor Paper and Patterned Pack II DSP
Accessories: Clips Assortment and Old Olive Ribbon

I Think I've Got My Groove On

Yesterday I was a little worried I had fallen into a slump. Do any of you feel that way? Sometimes it takes me forever to finish a project and when I am done, I am disappointed with it. Since tonight is our monthly crop, after getting my house picked up and the snacks prepared, while waiting for my guests I used my time and completed this layout. I am actually pretty happy with it. Once I finished it I realized that I had three photos in the wrong layout. I quickly pulled them off and used my Cricut to make the basket embellishment. After my quick fix, I actually like it more than my first attempt.

I am however unhappy with my photography. Does anyone know how I can get better lighting or something to make the photo larger and not so washed out?? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Stamps: None
Ink: None
Paper: Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip, Sweet Pea DSP,
Accessories: Always Apricot Ribbon, Cricut Doodlecharms, Fresh Favorites Buttons, Threading Water Punch

Blessings,

Shannon

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge # 69

It feels good to finally create something again and what better way to get out of my funk than to complete one of Karen's challenges. Participating in this week's challenge has taken my mind off everything that has been happening around here. I can't believe I have missed three challenges. Here is this week's sketch



and here is my take.



Stamps: All Holidays and Awash with Flowers
Ink: Always Artichoke and Apricot Appeal
Paper: Always Artichoke, Apricot Appeal and Sweet Pea DSP
Accessories: Scallop Circle die, Nestabilities Circles and brads

Sweet Sunday Challenge # 65

This week I am running full speed and wanted to take the time and get my SSSC card done. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. I am enjoying my Big Shot that I finally broke down and purchased. "Big Boy" is getting a workout. I really enjoy these challenges that Karen does. It helps me get my week started on a happy note. Here is this week's sketch.

and here is my take.

Stamps: All Holidays
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Sweet Pea DSP
Accessories: Small Tag Punch, Flower Layers #4, Rhinestone Brads, Certainly Celery Ribbon

In other news;

I was comissioned by my cousin Heather to help her with my niece's 13th birthday celebration. Heather, who although is small in size, has enormous ideas. She enlisted me with the herculean task of party favors for the party. Little did I know it would turn into something greater.

It started out with me making the party favors. I happily agreed to make 30 box party favors. This gives me the opportunity to use my new Stampin' Up! Box # 2 die cut I recently purchase (LOVE IT!). It has now turned into making 75 paper flowers. It seems gum paste flowers are SUPER expensive and making scallop punch flowers are a feasible idea for those who are on a budget. These little cuties are so adorable, but my are they labor intensive, especially when making 75! Oh well, I love my cousin dearly and would do anything in the world for her. She has become my bestest cheerleader and marketing agent. It seems the bakery is interested in paper flowers as a "Plan B" for people on a budget. Truth be told, I am loving coming home from a hectic day at work and paper crafting. What could be better?!

Sweet Sunday Challenge # 64

I wasn't able to complete the 63rd Sweet Sunday Challenge last week, because of my grandsons' visit. You can see their adorable faces in my previous post. However, I LOVE starting the week feeling inspired! Waking up on Sunday morning with a cup of coffee and being able to scrapbook freely is amazing. I got a certain sense of accomplishment completing this week's challenge. Here is this week's sketch.

And here is my take.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Ink: Pink Passion and Green Galore

Paper: Pink Passion, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Punches: Modern Label and Word Window

Accessories: Pink Ribbon