Swallowtail Friend

Hello all my bloggy and crafty friends!

I have been playing around with my blender pen and NEW inks.

FUN!  Here's what I came up with. 

Here's My Project Recipe
Project Name:  Swallowtail Friend
Stamp Sets:

• Sentiment from Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit
• 129144 Secret Garden (flower and leaf stamp)
• 129216 Swallowtail

Ink: 

• Retired - Summer Sun
• 131178 Strawberry Slush (don't you just love that name?) (butterfly coloring and flower) (available May 31)
• 131176 Crisp Cantaloupe (butterfly coloring) (available May 31)
• 131175 Coastal Cabana (butterfly coloring and sentiment) (available May 31)
• 131177 Pistachio Pudding (butterfly coloring and leaf) (available May 31)
• 131174 Baked Brown Sugar (butterfly coloring) (available May 31)

Paper:

• 100730 Whisper white (card base 5 1/2" x 4 1/4", sentiment matting and image matting)
• 131296 Baked Brown Sugar (matting 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" on card; sentiment matting and matting for butterfly cut to fit) (available May 31)
• 130024 Coastal Cabana (matting 5 1/4" x 4") (available May 31)
• 131295 Strawberry Slush (strip 5 1/4" x 2") (available May 31)

Accessories:

• 129372 Framelits - Secret Garden (dies to cut out leaf and flower)
• 127749 Sizzix Big Shot Embossing folder - Chevron (this thing is awesome!)
• 120845 Blender Pen (used in combination with ink pads to color butterfly)

Adhesives:

• 104332 Snail (everything except leaf)
• 100425 2-Way Glue Pen (leaf)

My Monthly Stampin' Up Club: (USA addresses only)

1. 6 members in the club (6 month committment)
2. Each member takes turns being the hostess for one month out of the 6 month memebership and gaining all the Hostess Benefits
3. Each member has access to a secret Facebook group where we can ask questions, show our SU projects we've been working on, and just chat and have a good ole time
4. Each member receives from me a monthly club kit that contains everything you need to make 1-2 fun projects (except adhesive)

Contact me CraftyJanis@live.com for more details or to sign up!

I hope you enjoyed my project for today. Thanks so much for stopping by!

 :) Janis

JanisLewis.stampinup.net

  
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The Squirrel & the Fox - 2E, 2W - (1st week) Here come the Girls (ends 29th May) (Sun)

No Matter Which Challenges - M, F, must use stamp (rubber or digi) - (May) Things with Wings (ends 25th May)  (Sun)

Hey there friend

Hello all my bloggy and crafty friends! Look what arrived at my house today! 

My PAPER PUMPKIN! 

This is my FIRST month of Paper Pumpkin, and all the crafters out there get the same kit for their first month. It includes an ink pad (Basic Gray) and a Crystal Block along with everything I need to create 4 cards (even includes the envelopes!)

Here are all my created cards using goodies from this kit.

I added the Pool Party twine left over from another kit I received from my upline, Raven, this month.

I love that splatter stamp! Oh my... that's going to get used a LOT!

What have you been crafting lately?

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

 :) Janis

Love to Read!

Hello all my bloggy and crafty friends! I'll have a craft post up a little later on this morning, but I did want to spend a little time just chatting with you all.

You know I love to read. I keep the current book I'm reading and the one I've recently finished on my sidebar if you are ever curious to see what's on my nightstand with a page bookmarked.

I love Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series. My friend, Lynn of Boots and Bling Time, introduced me to this series a year or so ago. I read a couple of them and then put them down to read a few other things. But I went back to getting caught up with them last year. 

It's fun to read a series that already has several published so you don't have to wait months for the next one. I did that with the Twilight series. I started reading it after most people, but I got caught up in time that when I finished the current latest one, I was just like everybody else waiting on pins and needles for the last in the series to be released so I could devour it.

My husband, Tom, and I also have read the Harry Potter series the same way. Bought the first few and shared reading them and then as each book came out, we read those too. When the last book was released, we were at Walmart to grab it before they sold out. And we bought 2 of them so that we could each read at the same time without waiting on the other to hand over the book. LOL

So.....  back to the Sookie Stackhouse series....... I love these books. I love the wide variety of characters and lifestyles and how their paths cross and intersect with each other. Again, I was sitting on pins and needles waiting for May 7th for the next one to be released. The next one, and sadly, the last one in this series.

It was fantastic! I started it on Saturday during our day road trip to Virginia and finished it last night. Now my problem  is... what series can I read next that will be just as good?

Click here for my Book Reading List

What are you reading?

One more thing.......... thank you all so much for being so supportive during this new step in my life. I signed up to be a Stampin' Up demonstrator on May 9th, and you all have had nothing but nice and encouraging things to say to me. Thank you. It really does mean a lot to me.

I'm enjoying this so much! Back in the 90's I used to buy a lot of the Stampin' Up products (back when I was still a full-time working mama raising 4 kids with my husband.)

A few years back, I "retired" to stay home full-time with our special needs daughter, Bonnie. You guys hear me mention Bonnie now and then in my posts. She's such a blessing!  

For the past 3 years I've been trying to figure out what could I do from home that would still help contribute to our budget. There are several things I've considered and thought, "yeah, I'll do that," but then didn't end up doing whatever it was because "it didn't feel right."  Then one of my friends, Raven of Love 4 Stamps, signed up with Stampin' Up. Immediately, I thought, "I wish I could do that. I love Stampin' Up goodies."   But I was apprehensive and a little on the scared side.  I spoke with my very best friends, daughters, and husband about it before I committed to go ahead and give it a try. There is a great promotion going on between now and May 30th for those who sign up. I thought, "Well, if this doesn't work out, at least I got a GREAT deal on some products I love and will use."

I'm so glad I signed up! I am loving this! Not only am I having fun using these products and being "in the know" for upcoming events, promotions, products, etc, but also, I've met some really fun, creative people already. I'm sure this is where I'm suppose to be. This "FEEL RIGHT."

I'd love to be your Stampin' Up demo gal.
I'd love to have you be a part of my Stampin' Up team!

If any of these links peek your interest... click away!

Paper Pumpkin Monthly Subscription to a box of FUN... HERE

Shop with me in May using my Hostess Code JEQXSNSV  unless you order $150 (before tax and shipping) because if you do that, you'll earn your own Hostess Benefits Free Goodies... HERE

Join my Stampin' Up! Team... HERE

Be a part of one of my monthly Stampin' Up Clubs... HERE

Check out the JUNE MYSTERY HOSTESS details and how you can win Hostess Benefits without placing the minimum $150 order to qualify for free SU goodies... HERE

 Thanks so much for stopping by!
My craft project will be posted here just a little later on this morning.
Enjoy your day!

 :) Janis

JanisLewis.stampinup.net

Love You

Hello all my bloggy and crafty friends! We are attending our niece's high school graduation in Virginia today. Congrats, Jessica! She is leaving for England soon to stay with one of her brothers there who is in the Military. She's very excited. Who wouldn't be?  

For her card, I couldn't decide if I wanted to make a cute style, a soccer card (she's a soccer girl), or something more mature. I mean, this is high school she's graduating from. She's all grown up... practically.  I decided to go with a more mature / whimsy style.

I pulled out my favorite Stampin' Up! stamp set (fav for this week) and set out to create a TALL card for her since I know we needed it a good size to hold her CASH for her graduation gift. I didn't want to fold the money to fit into an A2 size card, so the Tall card idea won.

Here's My Project Recipe
Project Name:  Love You
Stamp Sets:

• #126447 Summer Silhouettes (images)
• #122667 Little Friends (sentiment)

Ink: 

• #131174 Baked Brown Sugar (stems & sentiment)
• #131176 Crisp Cantaloupe (flowers)
• #131177 Pistachio Pudding (leaves)

Paper:

• #100730 Whisper White

Accessories:

• #126877 Stitched Grosgrain 1/4" ribbon - Whisper White

Adhesives:

• #104332 Snail

I hope you enjoyed my project for today. Thanks so much for stopping by!

 :) Janis

Mosaic Madness

Hello all my bloggy and crafty friends! Today I'm going to show you a Clean and Simple card using some of the NEW products coming available at Stampin' Up! starting May 31st! Exciting!

 Same card except the one below includes an Antique Brad.

Here's My Project Recipe
Project Name:  Mosaic Madness
Stamp Sets:

• #130249 Mosaic Madness (available May 31st) (all stamped images)
• #122532 Established Elegance (retiring at the end of this month) (for sentiment)

Ink: 

• #131177 Pistachio Pudding (available May 31st)
• #131178 Strawberry Slush (available May 31st)
• #131174 Baked Brown Sugar (available May 31st)

Paper:

• #129310 Gingham Garden (available May 31st)
• #131295 Strawberry Slush (available May 31st)

Accessories:

• #117273 Antique Brads
• #131267 Mosaic Punch (available May 31st)
• #125574 Pool Party twine
• #119747 Brights Designer Buttons

Adhesives:

• #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals
• #104332 Snail Adhesive

 :) Janis

SU BOX OF GOODNESS & June Mystery Hostess Info

Hello all my bloggy and crafty friends!

Guess what arrived at my house yesterday via the little brown truck?

My Stampin' Up Kit! Woo-Hoo! And you know I love everything in the box because 

I GOT TO PICK OUT WHAT GOES IN MY KIT 

FROM ALL THE PRODUCTS IN THE CATALOG!

The hearts are covering up some new goodies you can't see until May 31st. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

You Make Me Smile

Hello all my bloggy and crafty friends! Who is making summer vacation plans already? Summer will be here soon! I know that's hard to believe for those of you who are still getting surprised by snow, but I think summer is going to come this year. 

Here is a bright, fun summery card to get you in the summertime mood.

Here's My Project Recipe
Project Name:  You Make Me Smile!
Stamp Sets:

• Everyday Expressions (retired)

Ink: 

• #126952 Tempting Turquoise

Cardstock & Designer Paper:

• #122926 Lucky Limeade
• #120953 Crumb Cake
• #122925 Calypso Coral
• #100730 Whisper White
• #122923 Island Indigo

Accessories:

• Die cuts created with Print & Cut from Cameo 

Adhesives:

• #104332 Snail

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

 :) Janis

Oh, Hello Candy Treat!

Guest Designer Crafting For All Seasons... HERE

Oh, Hello Project... HERE

Hello all my bloggy and crafty friends! I have another CUTE project to show you that Raven, my upline in Stampin' Up, sent to me as a kit. She sent all the pieces, and I put it together. Fun!! 

Project Recipe

Project Name:  Oh, Hello
Stamp Sets:

• Oh, Hello (sentiment) #130730 Wood, #130733 Clear
• Oh, Hello BUNDLE (stamps and Ovals Collection Framelits Dies) #131102 Wood, #131101 Clear

Ink: 

• #126982 Pool Party (Whale)

Paper:

• #126985 Wisteria Wonder (banner)
• #100730 Whisper White (sentiment matting)
• #122924 Pool Party (box)

Accessories:

• #129381 Ovals Collection Framelits Dies (sentiment matting die)
• #129267 Bitty Banners Framelits (banner die)
• #115950 Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die
• #125574 Pool Party Twine

Adhesives:

• #104332 Snail

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

Have you heard of Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up?

PAPER PUMPKIN:  

1. This club is directly through Stampin' Up
2. No time commitment, you can TRY IT, Skip A Month, or keep playing month after month
3. Paper Pumpkin Kit sent to you directly from Stampin' Up which includes ink, stamps, embellishments, paper.... everything you need to create a complete project in 30 minutes or less (except adhesive). Your first month even includes a crystal block for stamping!!
4. Sign up or get more information directly through my PAPER PUMPKIN site... HERE

Don't forget, I'm my own first HOSTESS in May! 
Please use Hostess Code

JEQXSNSV

when ordering through my Stampin' Site this month. 

Enter the code BEFORE clicking checkout.

Would YOU like to have a Stampin' Up workshop and earn some FREE and half-priced goodies? GREAT! 

Contact me at CraftyJanis@live.com 

to schedule a date and get more info. :)

I hope you enjoyed my project for today. Thanks so much for stopping by! 

 :) Janis

JanisLewis.stampinup.net

  
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(updating soon)

Guest Designer for Crafting For All Seasons - In Loving Memory Of Dawn

Guest Designer Crafting For All Seasons... HERE

Oh, Hello Project... HERE

Hello, and welcome to my blog. I'm so glad you stopped by.  I have a very special post today. 

We have all lost loved ones in our lives. Today's post is in honor of my friend, Dawn, who was the owner and creator of Crafting For All Seasons Challenge Blog.

Dawn and I "met" through blogging in 2010 - 2011. She was one of my Design Team members for my challenge blog, Paper Playtime, in 2011. I loved seeing her creations. She was a very important asset to the team. (Her blog is still open if you'd like to see some of her past creations and posts. Always Crafting)

In 2012, I joined her Crafting For All Seasons Challenge blog Design Team for awhile. It was a pleasure and a joy to work with her again.

I remember seeing her status updates on Facebook on Fridays where she always wrote, "Chemo Friday."  She didn't shirk from it or hide it or pretend it wasn't a part of her life. She openly answered questions to inquisitive minds about her treatment.

Dawn was a lot of things to a lot of people, but I knew her crafty side.

I was very honored to be asked to re-unite with the Crafting For All Seasons Challenge blog today as a Guest Designer to remember Dawn and share a project in her memory.

In October every year, we are flooded with reminders to get examined, do our self exams, get that mammogram, etc. That's great, but there are 11 months left in the year that we also need to be mindful and take care of ourselves. Early detection is so important.

This is what inspired my card today. Just a little reminder to send to a friend.

Please feel free to right click and save the PNG HOPE sentiment for FREE to use at any time.

Action Wobble in Action

Thanks for stopping by today! 

:) Janis
JanisLewis.stampinup.net

Stampin' Up - It's FUN!!

You guys know that last week I signed up to be a Stampin' Up Demonstrator. It's not even been a week yet, and I am LOVIN' what I'm doin'!! 

Do you love to stamp? Do you love inks, papers, stamps, die cuts, embossing folders, buttons, twine, markers, brads....... all of that crafty goodness?  I've got some exciting news for you! 

If you have ever considered getting involved with Stampin' Up, now is a GREAT time to start! You can sign up because you love stamping and crafting and just want discounts on the products you purchase, or you can sign up because you want your love for crafting to actually make you a little cha-ching instead of taking all your pocket cha-ching. LOL Either way, this is a super opportunity.  Check out this Sign Up Special going on now through May 30th. Contact me if you want more info 

CraftyJanis at LIVE dot COM

Join Stampin' Up! and get $155 in product for $99

Seriously, it's true! Now through May 30, become a Stampin' Up Demonstrator for only $99 and you'll receive $155 worth of products in your starter kit! Best of all, there is no obligation whatsoever to purchase anything further, so you can purchase just the starter kit if you like. What a great deal!

AND... you'll also receive, along with other basic business supplies, EIGHT of the 2012-2013 Annual Catalogs as well as EIGHT of the BRAND NEW 2013-2014 Annual Catalogs!!!!

You decide what products go into your starter kit. You can chose products from any Stampin' up current catalog or promotion, as well as select "Sneak Peek" products from the new Stampin' Up 2013-2014 Annual Catalog.

So what are the benefits of being a demonstrator? Where do I begin?

~Access to Stampin' Connection, a website for demonstators only. It includes forums, samples, swaps and so much more. I am just amazed at all the talented demonstrators out there! I could sit and look through the gallery of samples for HOURS getting ideas after ideas.

~Subscription to Stampin' Success, a publication where you can learn new, artistic stamping techniques on a bi-monthly basis.

~Access to demonstrator support,  where you can receive support and training from Stampin' Up!

~20% Discount on Stampin' Up! products

~30% Discount on your first order

~First access and previews to new products and promotions

~Be eligible to attend Stampin' Up!'s fabulous conferences and events

~Earn free exotic trips and other recognition (like free stamps, cash awards, and other valuable prizes)

~Ability to earn an income while doing what you love

~Meet new friends! 

~ There is no penalty to drop out at any time if you chose to.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a demonstrator, contact me CRAFTYJANIS at LIVE dot COM, and I will be happy to chat with you more about it. Ready to order your starter kit now? CLICK HERE to get started and become part of my team.

 :) Janis

JanisLewis.stampinup.net