Sending Good Thoughts!

It's time for Spring Break! And the Forces are off on another adventure... so I'm going to leave you with some GOOD THOUGHTS!

I made this with my new Texture Boutique Embossing Machine - love that lil' thing!!

Have a fantastic break!
Michele

Tag Punch Treats

Here's another idea for your Valentine Treats - (as if the monsters aren't cute enough?!)

These were made with the new Scalloped Tag Topper Punch ($22.95, item #133324 in the current seasonal catalog). SUPER simple! These were sized for a Ghirardelli's chocolate, so the Whisper White cardstock is 6-1/4" x 2" (they can't be any wider than 2" in order to fit into the punch). I scored at 3" and at 3-1/4".

Whip a bunch out for YOUR Valentines!
Michele

Pink Heart Valentine

Here's a more traditional Valentine, done in pinks with a touch of black to make it pop. The heart is from the Whole Lot of Love promotion - the Flowerful Heart stamp. I blinged it up a bit with some Dazzling Diamonds, but that may not show up much in the photo.

This is another one that wold easily lend itself to a birthday or anniversary card.

Blessings,
Michele

Elegant Valentine

Here's an elegant Valentine that makes me think of my mom. :o) The colors are Cherry Cobbler Coredinations (and sanded a bit for the antique look), Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, and a touch of Crumb Cake.

Blessings,

Michele

Polkadot Valentine

Not exactly typical Valentine colors, but a fun card none-the-less! This paper is from the Sale-a-Bration brochure, and so is the texture folder! Gotta love free stuff!

The sentiment is from Yippee Skippee!

Blessings,
Michele

Pink & Gray Valentine

Here's another one that I really like - the softness of the pink and gray is perfect for a Valentine!

The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, but is easily interchangeable for an anniversary or birthday.

Blessings,
Michele

Valentine

Hopefully, you've been thinking about Valentines?! I have - here is one of several that I will show you over the next few days.

This one uses Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, and some Red Glitter paper. This is one of my favorite color combinations because it is always so striking! The stamp is from Perfect Pennants in the new Occasions catalog. Perfect for a Valentine!

Blessings,
Michele

FREE Markers With Paper Pumpkin!

Now is a G-R-E-A-T time to sign up for Paper Pumpkin! In addition to getting a beautiful box full of wonderful stamping supplies each month, from now through February 10th, Stampin' Up! will include a FREE set of 2012-2014 In Color Markers ($14.95 value) with each new subscription!

Not familiar with Paper Pumpkin? Here's the nitty-gritty:

• Each month, Stampin' Up! will send you a unique, surprise kit to complete a project... it could be cards, journals, decor, or something else!  The best part is that they have color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories - everything you need except scissors and adhesive.
• The kits only take about a half-hour to complete - that's a 30-minute creativity escape!
• The Welcome Kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive, and it includes a FREE GIFT - a clear acrylic block! You will use this block with the new stamps you receive each month.
• For my personal Paper Pumpkin subscribers, I also send an inspiration packet each month full of ideas on how else you can use the supplies in your kit. It's just my way of saying thank you by giving you more ideas!
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is only $19.95 per month!  ...and that INCLUDES shipping!
• There's no commitment - you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at any time.  You can also skip a month if you need to.

And remember! If you sign up before February 10th, you will ALSO receive the FREE set of markers mentioned above! Can't beat that! Click on the flyer below for full details:

Sign up today by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com. If you would like to receive my inspiration packets each month, be sure to select me as your Demonstrator (Michele Force, Evergreen CO). Let me know if you have any questions!

Michele

Too Cute!!

I'm in love with these ADORABLE little Valentine treats!

 And look at their back-sides...!!

 They come in kits that make 18 Valentine treats each - one set for boys (#132162), the other for girls (#132163):

Best part is that they're only $5.95 each! What a bargain! Grab a set of each, a bag of candies, and you're all set for your kids' classroom Valentine parties! Shop Now!

Blessings,
Michele

December Paper Pumpkin

The December Paper Pumpkin kit gives you everything you need to create a fun journal that you can use for all kinds of things - a brag book for a grandparent, an autograph book for a school-aged child, a memories book for an event or holiday, an address book... the list goes on & on!

I chose to create a little family memories book. Because I have all boys, I needed to substitute the tabbed dividers (none of my boys would've been too keen on having their section represented by Strawberry Slush!). It was easy to create new tabs in the colors I wanted using my Envelope Punch Board.

Here are some photos of how mine turned out:

I shortened my cover and used an extra piece of cardboard in my kit to create the next layer.

I kept the same color scheme, but omitted the Strawberry Slush. My tabs are Naturals White, Basic Gray, Summer Starfruit, and Coastal Cabana.

I have photos of each member of our family behind their tab and then plenty of room to write all sorts of memories! This is the first page after mine & Michael's tab:

I think that's it for me this year - Happy New Year to everyone!! Be safe!
Michele

Merry Christmas!

I know it has been ALL month since I've posted... that's just how it goes this time of year! I hope that you and your families have all had a wonderful holiday (we sure did!) and are enjoying some time off this week (we sure are!).

Here is the Christmas card I sent to each of my team members this year. I thought I'd share it with you before we close out this month.

I used the immensely popular Photopolymer set called Endless Wishes along with some Pool Party, Island Indigo, and the sparkly Silver Encore ink. It was simple to make and easy to duplicate.

I can't stay to chat - must get back to game-playing and movie-watching with my family! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every one of you!

Michele

Gift Card Holders

What a wonderful Thanksgiving! I hope you had as wonderful a time as I did! I hosted this year and our table was surrounded by some of my favorite people - my husband, sons, mom, dad, brother, and his girlfriend. I am truly blessed...

Now onto Christmas preparations! I am having just one class this month to help with all of your gift-card-holder-making needs. Here are some samples I've made recently:

These cards use the new Envelope Punch Board to create the "file folder" look. I love this new tool - it is so simple to use, and so affordable too! (item #133774, $19.95)

 When you slide the belly band off and open the card, it looks like this:

Instead of using a belly band, you could also just tie a ribbon around the card:

Here's another sample:

 ...and let us not forget that the Envelope Punch Board can ALSO make custom-sized envelopes - which you need for this particular card!

 Here's one last one I made for a friend's 40th birthday...

Such a fun and simple card - with a wonderful purpose! I do believe every one of my nieces and nephews will be receiving one this year!

Hugs,
Michele

November Paper Pumpkin!

Wow! What a kit we got this month! I absolutely loved the sample as-is, but I did come up with several alternate ideas for my Paper Pumpkin subscribers (let me know if you'd like to join)! Here are just a few...

This next idea is actually an altered Altoid tin... I used to make these all the time. It was fun to pull one out again!

Next is my favorite style of gift card holder. It's held closed with a belly band, but when you slide that off...

 ...a gift card is revealed inside!

Stay tuned to my blog, as I have made several of these. I'll be showing the rest of them over the coming days.

I have family arriving this weekend for the holiday, so if I don't get back to you before Thanksgiving, I hope you have a WONDERFUL time eating turkey with those you love. :)

Michele

Thanksgiving!

Here's a fun autumn card that could be used for Thanksgiving - or change the sentiment and use it for your fall birthdays. Best part - it's fun to make! I used sponge daubers to color the leaves from Gently Falling... makes them look watercolored!

Colors are Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, and Very Vanilla.

Michele