Scrapbook Workshop

This Friday I will be doing a workshop with Pattie and her friends. Here is a page that we will be creating.

How pretty is this? It uses a lot of the Deck the Halls DSP. It's so much easier to use already created elements like these. Stampin' Up! does such a great job at making scrapping easy!

If youthink that you and your friend would love to create a page like this, let me know. I'd love to get together with you all and teach you how.

Hope that you had time today to get ink and creative.

Hugs
Megan

Workshops ROCK!!!!

I've had 3 workshops this past week and they have been so so so much fun!!! Wanna look at what we have been doing?

Isn't he adorable? This photo doesn't show how his antlers sparkle - but trust me - they do!! And so does everyone else after they have created him!!! (And just for you Lori - "He is soooo PRETTY!!!!)

If you haven't booked your Christmas workshop with me yet, I only have 2 dates left in November.... Get you friends together and have a ball, and create some great Christmas cards.

I'm doing my workshops a little differently right now. Come and create 3 cards for $5 - or place a $25 order on the night and get the cards FREE!!! This is such a great deal for you - do it now!!!!!!

Oh - and "Dasher" is one of the single stamps that you can buy from Stampin' Up! He really is one of my favorite Christmas stamps this year - you really need him!!!

So - give me a call to get one of those 2 dates in November- you really will have an amazing night and your friends will thank you! 303 805 2344 or megan@verhoevenfamily.us

I can't wait to get inky with you and your friends at YOUR workshop!!

Hugs
Megan

I'm ba-ack!!!!!

Our visit 'home' to Australia was wonderful. But after nearly 3 weeks it already feels like a distant memory!

I (mistakenly) thought that I would get some stamping done while I was away!!!! Hmmmm - I know that you are not at all surprised that it just didn't happen! But I have managed to get some done since we have returned. Wanna see?

How gorgeous is this? I made it for my good friend Kimmy - and I hope she likes it! And also that she doesn't look too closely! I'll let you in on a little secret - I placed the tag on upside down!!!!! The En Francais Script is now upside down too! I am just loving how 'bunching' up the ribbon like this (and why - yes - that IS the technical term!!!) gives such a vintage, girly feel. Just pretty - like my Kimmy!!!

This color combination is way off what I would have chosen - I am just delghed with all of the new color combos that the Color Coach is giving. It gives some of the most imaginative selections ever!

SO you want to make a card as gorgeous as this? Here's what you will need... and remember that you can order all of the supplies right from my Stampin' Up! website!

Recipe
Stamps: En Francais Background stamp (#109521, $17.95), Artistic Etchings (#118517 wood $18.95, #120573 clear $14.95) Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370 wood, $36.95)
Cardstock: Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Very Vanila
Ink: Perfect Plum
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch,  Decorative Label Punch (from the holiday mini), Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Victoria Lace Trim

Go and get creative and a bit inky!!!

Hugs
Megan

More MDS creations!

I've been on a bit of a MDS spree this morning!
My kiddos started school this week, and so I used their first day photos to create some amazing (and super fast!) pages using My Digital Studio.

William - my baby. Now a third grader - so darn cute!!

My Princess girl - Laren. SHe's now a Sophomore - I can't believe it!!

Seriously - this is an amazing program! i can't believe that it has taken me this long to actually get playing with it. If you love scrapbooking, but feel a little 'behind', this is the solution for you!

It's quick, fast and FABULOUS!!!!

Give me a call - I'd love to show you a demo of how easy it is to use - and then you can order it from me! Or just order it now - push the button over there to so it!!!

I'm off now to get ready for tomorrow night's Fabulous Friday Night Card Class. If you live in the Denver area, let me know your email address and I'll add you to my newsletter so you know when it's coming up.

Go and get creative - the inkier the better!!
Hugs
Megan

another MDS creation!

I was just playing around with this fantastic program, and came up with this!

I can't tell you just how easy this program is to create fun and fast pages.... I love the way that my kids feel so special when they see themselves on a scrapbook page!

GO and get inky today - it'll make you feel great!

Hugs

Megan

MDS - Friday Faith

I know - I think I said many, many months ago that I would share part of my faith journal every Friday.

I'm a bit smarter now - SOME Fridays I will have a page from my faith album to share with you!!!!

Today is a really simple one. I love how easy this is! I just placed a photo on the page (just drag and drop), changed the opacity, and then placed my text (journaling) over the top. Love it!

If you haven't had a chance to play with MDS yet (My Digital Studio), give me a call and I'd love to let you play with mine!

Now go and get creative - and get some ink on those fingers!

Hugs

Megan

Faux metal tiles

Doesn't it look like one of those old tin roofs that you see in old houses?

This looks so much better in real life - the silver is shiny! And this is such an easy technique to make. The 'tiles' are actually silver embossed paper run through one of the Big Shot Embossing folders. Easy peasy - I think that we'll make this at my next Fab Friday card class next week!

If you live in the SE Denver area, shoot me an email and I'll send you an invite!

Hope this inspires you to go and get inky,

Hugs

Megan

Adorable Baby Tees wheel

I know! I know! I KNOW!!!!! A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!

I made this with a tutorial that fellow demonstrator Illina Cruise made. There are so many fabulously talented stampers within this great company that I work with! I am so glad that they are generous to share!

So - as I wait for the news that my first great-nephew is born (congratulation Ryan and Tahlia - oh and Nanna Winkles!!!)I thought that I would give this card a try so I can send it off as soon as Jordan in born.

It's another of the step cards, and Ilina created it to look like a wardrobe! It's so stinking cute!

The little piece of fabric hanging out of the 'drawer' is a piece of the new lace trim called Victoria. It's a new fave of mine, so you'll be seeing a lot of it!

And those adorably gorgalicious onesies? From the new wheel "Baby Tees"! I've been playing with that today and made up some really simple cards - I think it might be my 'go to' stamp for all the baby cards that I need to make this year!

So - I hope you liked this little sample - because we will be making one a bit like it at my next Fabulous Friday card night on August 13th!

Watch for more details soon!

Recipe: (design by Ilina Cruise)

Stamps: Baby Tees Jumbo Wheel, Occasional Quotes (Level 3 Hostess set)

Paper: Close to Cocoa (retired) Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze (sentiment) Crumb Cake and Bashful Blue Markers

Accessories: Jumbo Wheel Handle, Victoria Lace trim, Bashful Blue Taffeta ribbon(retired)

Hope you are inspired! Now go and get inky!!!!

Hugs

Megan

Notably Ornate

Isn't this pretty?

I couldn't wait to play with Stampin' Up!s new Notably Ornate set from the new catalog. It goes perfectly with the new lace ribbon "Victoria" too. Definitely a set you need to own so that you can make all of those 'girly' girls that you know feel special!

It comes with the great little sentiment "Just because" - and it fits so well with cards that you are sending to make someone you love feel special.... Just because!

I stamped the biggest image with Versamark and then clear embossed it on a Whisper White Top Note die. This is by far my favorite Big Shot die - and it's exclusive to Stampin' Up! It makes it so very easy to make cards quickly and simply - but also beautifully. The ink was 'swirled' over the top note with sponges - Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery. Don't they look fabulous together?

You can see on the base that I used the swirly image form Baroque Basics in the Celery, again on a Whisper White background.

To get the lace trim to sit like this, I just ran a piece of sticky strip along the card front and then 'bunched' up the lace. It is really easy to work with, and it just looks sensational!

Punch out the sentiment with the Modern Label punch, and you have a winner!

I hope that this inspires you to go and get ink, and show someone that you love how much they mean to you!

Recipe:
Stamps: Notably Ornate, Baroque Motifs
Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue (base),
Ink: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Versamark
Accessories: Victoria Lace trim, Top Note Big Shot die, Big Shot, Clear Embossing powder, heat tool, modern label punch, sticky strip, sponges

Now - go get inky!

Hugs
Megan

Stampin' Up!s new Two Step Owl punch

It's here! The cutest punch to come out of SU! HQ since the 2 step bird. I LOVE these little guys!

You can make them into so many different looks - it's hard to stop myself!

The other new aspect on this card is the daffodil yellow cardstock. I was so sure that I would miss yoyo yellow - but this new color is AMAZING! I don't miss yoyo at all!

The punch cuts out all of the pieces that you need all in one punch. So all you have to do is to punch out the owl in 2 different colors (or 3 or 4!) and put him together. Now, I'm not going to lie to you - some of those little, itty, bitty circles can get lost pretty easy - so I would suggest punching them out on a white piece of cardstock (or black if you are using white). That will help you to find all the teeney pieces without having to punch ot more (although, that is often the easiest option!!!)

The woodgrain background stamp grounds this whole card, and if you don't have any background stamps you need to get some right now!

Book a workshop now and we'll play with this little cutie - and you could earn him FREE with your extra Hostess Benefits. Email me now and book a date before the special ends at the end of August.

Recipe:

Stamps: Many thanks (retired), Woodgrain Background

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Greenhouse Gala DSP

Accessories: 2 Step Owl punch, wide oval punch. 2 step bird punch (leaf), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch pack (flower)

Have a great day and go and get inky!

Hugs

Megan

Stampin' Up! embossing folders

Here is another Thank you card. I just love this color combo! The new Color Coach from Stampin' Up! is amazing - it creates combinations that I would never think of by myself. Do your creative side a favor and put one of these babies on your next order (#121620, $14.95)

I used two different embossing folders for this card - the square lattice embossing folder (exclusive to SU!) #119976, $7.95 is the one for the back layer, and Finial Press embossing

folder, #115963, $7.95 (also exclusive to SU!) is the one in the front panel. These are such a great way to add texture to your card for a bargain! Seriously - my Big Shot is the hardest used tool in my stamping room. WHAT? You haven't got one yet? Book a workshop now so that you can use your BONUS $25 Hostess Benefits towards it.

The only stamping on this card was the heat embossing of the sentiment. It all came together so easily, that this was the second one with the same layout that I made. You can see the other one over here on my Facebook page.

Recipe:

Stamps: Many thanks (retired)

Paper: Red Ridinghood Red, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Gold embossing powder, heat embossing tool, 1/8" taffeta ribbon in Daffodil Delight, Big Shot, EMbossing folders - Square Lattice and Finial press

Hope you are enjoying my week of thanks - come back tomorrow to see the darling new owl punch!

Hugs

Megan

Many thanks!

I've just had one of the best weeks ever! If we forget that part of it was turning 40 (I've learnt to say that without it sticking in my throat anymore!!!), I had a surprise visit from my sister and her family from Australia!

Piet threw me a party and so now I have a lot of thank you cards to send - what a great reason to get down into my stamping room and get inky!

This one uses some of the new DSP from Stampin' Up! called Newsprint. It's FABULOUS!!!! It's black print on Very vanilla, and can you say GORGEOUS!!! You will be seeing a lot more of this coming up!

I also used one of my favourite colors that returned from past In Colors - Baja Breeze. I still had some ribbon that matched and it seemed to add that finishing touch.

The image from Upsy Daisy was stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed with black embossing powder. Then I just sponged some of the Baja Breese ink around the embossed image and matted it on a Baja Breeze card base.

The sentiment was also heat embossed in black and I punched it out with a retired (and sadly missed) punch.

Wouldn't you friends love to learn how to make a card like this one? Book your workshop now and you could earn another $25 in Hostess Benefits with a qualiying party. Send me an email and book yours now!


Recipe:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Ink: Versamark, Baja Breeze
Paper: Baja Breeze, Newsprint DSP
Accessories: Ribbon (retired), punch (retired), blackmbossing powder, heat embossing tool

SO go get inky and make something for those that you love!
And don't forget to book your workshop now.
Hugs
Megan

Stampin' Up! Sweet Treat Baby Rattle

How cute is this?

This is one of the cards that we made a while back. It's such a fun card. I don't think that you can tell from the photo, but the cup is filled with seed beads and 'rattles' when you handle it.

These sweet treat cups fit perfectly in the 1 3/4" circle punch and so they make putting them together in a card so, so easy!

There are 3 sets that now co-ordinate with the Treat Cups, including the heart shaped cups. And at only $2.95 for 12 of them, they are a super budget friendly way to make your cards stand out!

Wouldn't your friends love to make a card like this at a girls night out?Book a workshop with me and they all could be going home with something this fun!

Here's the deets:
Stamps: Something Sweet
Paper: Whisper White, Mellow Moss (retired)
Ink: Mellow Moss (retired)
Accessories: Sweet Treat Cup, 1 3/4" circle punch, Eyelet border punch, White taffeta ribbon, beads (retired)

So - let m know when you want to book a fun girls night out and we'll make something fun with the Treat Cups!

Hugs
Megan

Lattice Elements of Style

Here's one of my favorite cards from the last class. I just LOOOVE the set Elements of Style. (#118611 wood, #120045 clear mounted) It made it into the big catalog from the current mini, and I am so glad it did. We all need to have this set in our bag of tricks!

We used one of the retired colors as the base - Brocade Blue may you rest in peace! I will miss this color a little - until I start playing with the new colors!

The other must have piece of equipment here is the new Square Lattice Embossing folder for the big shot. (#119976) After the card stock has passed through the Big Shot in the embossing folder it almost feels like it is fabric. Amazing! Make sure that this little jewel is on your next order!

The focal flower image was stamped in Stazon on Watercolor paper and then we used the aquapainter to color them in. Using the watercolor paper makes it so easy to get an incredible water colored image. Give it a try if you haven't yet! (SU! sells them pre-cut to fit your regular card in a pack of 20. Item #105019 )

Handy Dandy Hint: to get your background image to look softer, but still match perfectly, use a third generation image! That just means that you stamp off the first image TWICE on your grid paper before stamping it onto your cardstock.

So, go to my webpage and place your order now for these fabulous tools... you wont regret it at all!!

Hugs

Megan

Recipe:

Stamps: Elements of Style

Cardstock: Brocade Blue (retired), Very Vanills, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Brocade Blue(retired)

Accessories: Very Vanilla Satin ribbon, scalloped oval punch

Gee - one day I'll get consistant!

I've done it again! Waitied forever to post to this blog! One day I'll get consistant and you will be soooo shocked!

So what have I been up to? Here are some of the cards form the last couple of classes that I've held - I'l post the details later on in the week! (I will - promise!!!!)

So look for some more details - and enjoy your summer!!!

Hugs

Megan

Faith on Fridays

I've been playing around with the idea of 'faithbooking' for a while, and I just never got around to it. Now with MY Digital Studio, I have the perfect place to play around with it. So for the next little while, I'll share what I've created using MDS on Fridays while I create my faithbook.

Oh - faithbooking is just scrapbooking about your faith. It's an important part of my life, and so I want to leave behind a legacy of that faith for my kids.

This also allows me to play around with MDS and try some new techniques and ideas. At the moment I am using a lot of Chocolate Chip (my fave color apart from orange!!!) but I may branch out if I get bored with it!!!

Let me know what you think of my title page.

Have a great day, and go and create something!

Hugs

Megan

Big Shot Scalloped Square Bag

Don't faint- but I've been sewing!!! I know - I'm pretty amazed too!!!

But this is the result - how stinking cute!!!! Yay me - yep, I'm pretty proud of myself!!

And this may be the easiest thing to do in the world (OK - maybe a slight exaggeration there, but it is easy!)

The Big Shot dies can cut 8 pieces of fabric at once - so I didn't even have to cut out the material for this. 6 passes through the big Shot and I had all of the squares that I needed. And Walmart sells this cu-ute fabric for $1 for a 20" x 20" square! (Onya Wally-World! The green was even on sale for 75c!!!!!!)

So for about $8 (there is some batting in between the squares) and about 3 hours work, I now have a really fun little baggy just in time for spring!

So now you will all need to run out and get the Scallop Square die, and a Big Shot if you don't have one already, and make your self something springy!!!!

Watch out - I already have an order for my gorgeous 14 year old - I'll post a piccy of that one when it gets done!

Go get creative today!

Hugs

Megan

Vintage Vogue Easel Card

I really wasn't joking when I said that I got in a shabby mood yesterday! Here is the other card that I made with the same stamps - Very Vintage wheel and Vintage Vogue set. Love love love them!!!!

These easel cards area little addictive, and so very easy. Hmmm - the photo doesn't show it very well, but the card front is 'sitting up' like an easel. It folds flat so that you can still post it,but it is hinged so that it will display itself. Very cool!

I used the FREE scallop edge punch (you still have time to place a $50 order and get this one FREE!) on the inside of the card to hold the front in place. So - that bottom scallop edge is actually on the inside of the card!

Another cool-i-oh idea on this card is the flowers. Notice them didja???? I stole the idea form the very talented Julie Buhler, and adapted the colors for this card. They are made by punching out stamped tissue paper with the 5 petal flower punch and then layering them on another green flower for the petals. Pretty, aren't they? I just sponged some of the Lavender Lace over the top to make them match a bit better. The centers are some of the rhinestone brads, they just add enough bling to this card to make it pop!

I love this card - I think we might make it on the next Fabulous Friday night session!

Onto the deets!!!!

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Very Vintage (wheel), En Francais (background stamp),Well Scripted

Card stock: Bordering Blue, Lavender Lace,Very Vanilla, Old Olive (for petals on the flower)

Ink:Lavender Lace, Basic Brown

Accessories: 5 petal flower punch, Fire Rhinestone brads,Scallop Trim Border Punch,

It's a very easy card to duplicate! Did you run to order the vintage stamps yet? Vintage Vogue is item #118598(clear mounted), #117690 (wood mounted) $17.95, and $23.95. Very Vintage wheel is #117693 $8.50. What a bargain - and if you throw in some papers and a older for the wheel and some inks - you have a nice little $50 order which will earn you the punch FREE!!! And trust me, you NEED this punch (as well as the stamps!!!)

Enjoy your day people, now go and get creative!!!

Hugs

Megan

Shabby Chic Vintage Vogue

Got into a bit of a shabby mood this afternoon! Do you like it? I think you either love this look, or you could live without it! I love the way that my fingers are so messy afterwards - I look like I've been creative!

I am also in love with these new 'Vintage' stamps from the mini catalog. There is a fabulous stamp set (in wither wood mounted or clear mounted) called Vintage Vogue and a matching jumbo roller called Very Vintage. If you like this look, you need these stamps!

So how did I do it you ask? The card base is Rich Razzleberry (an In Color that finished soon, get it while you can), the right hand side of the base is wheeled with Very Vintage. Then there is a layer of Close to Cocoa that I stamped with the En Francais background stamp in Basic Brown ink. I used the floral ivy image form Vintage Vogue to stamp in Rich Razzleberry over the top of that.It as then wheeled as well- it has a lot going on!

The top layer is Creamy Caramel with En Francais in Basic Brown, with more of the images form Vogue over the top of that. All of the edges were really distressed, this one was crumpled a fair bit,and then I just put the ink direct to paper (basic brown). I sponges up all of the edges and then added the flower and the sentiment.

The flower is fabulous, isn't it? I copied the idea from one I saw on YouTube today (I think form Patti Benett?). It's a 12"x 1" slice of Razzleberry edges with the new pinking Hearts border punch and then pleated around a circle. Easy peasy and oh, so cute! Give it a try and let me know how you went!

Get on line now at my site and order the Very Vintage wheel and the Vintage Vogue stamp set -then you are well on your way to the $50 you need to get some FREE stuff because it is STILL SALE-a-bration!

have a great night

Hugs

Megan

Wow - how long has it BEEN????

I can't believe that it has been so long since I have posted! I keep creating things to post, and then life just gets in the way...









oh well, it's a new day and so let's try this again (with a new banner, didja notice?!)









I've just sent out an invitation to my Fabulous Friday Card class for tomorrow night - it's going to be so much fun! I think that you'll be able to see it here (hoping!!!)









Here's the card I cased for the class - I just love how creative my fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators are!











This is seriously one of the cutest sets ever! And you can get it FREE!! Yep - it's one of the Sale-a-bration free sets when you spend $50 - so get busy spending people!!!



Hugs

Megan