Easel Card

My son's girlfriend and I went to my favorite stamp/scrap store Mainely Stampin in Fairfield, CA.  We took some classes and this is a card from the Windows and Doors Class.    When you go to a class at Mainely Stampin, everything is prepared for you.  You just sit down and make your projects.  All the supplies are in a basket and all the paper is precut for you.  Awesome !   I thought this card was cute, check out the little chandelier behind the screen door.  Martha at the store taught us all day, when I say all day we were there from about 10:30 am and 8:30 pm.  We still had one class to go, but decided to do it the next time.  I signed us up for five classes, I guess I kinda over did it ;-)   We had fun though, now we have an excuse to go back real soon, so we can take that last class, not that I need an excuse.  

Stick Pin Swap at Minialbumscraps.ning.com

I am very active at minialbumscraps.ning.com   It is a great site for inspiration, friendly people and lots of swaps to join if you would like.   I am in the September stick pin swap, the theme was Halloween, and these are my three stick pins.  One of the rules at MAS is to have a nice presentation for your swap.  I struggle with this part, but I came up with the Window die from Memory Box that I recently purchased from my LSS.   I cut out two of the black windows, put the orange paper on each of them.  I put two strips of foam tape between the two windows for my pins to stick into so they would not poke anyone during transport ;-)   I hope the recipients like it.

StampersBest Floral Corsage Dress Form

Isn't this dress form image the cutest?  It is from StampersBest and it is only $3.00.  I was able to purchase a second one for only $1.00, as it is their "Stamp It Forward" stamp and it comes with a elegant card and envelope so you can mail it to a friend.  You also get a 10% discount by using my code "thesugargrove" when you place your order.  Here is the link http://www.stampersbest.com/search.php?mode=search&page   
I used the recessed image technique that I found at http://stamptv.ning.com/video/recessed-image-card
Thanks for taking the time to look at my card.

My First Coin Envelope Mini

This is my first coin envelope mini for a swap at minialbumscraps.   I used a template for the coin envelopes supplied at  http://minialbumscraps.ning.com/ 

I used K & Co. Botanical papers and embellishments, recollection butterflies and a wild orchid crafts flowers.
I struggled with this mini, but after all the embellishments, I think it turned out okay. 

Have you seen the new Hero Arts Stamps with the Sizzix Dies included, I love them !  Stamp your image, put the die over it and run it through your big shot - Voila !  Easy to pop up with foam tape.  I think this card is maybe a bit overdone, what do you think ?

These three cards are all made with Hero Arts flower and butterfly.  The sentiment is by Stampendous.  Just changed up the colors.   I used the Stampin Up "Tearing Edge" to tear the paper at the bottom.  Thanks for looking.

The end of the night with our Chocolate and Wine !

                                                                         Merry

                                                                              Becky

Last weekend my friend, Becky, took  me to Napa, CA.  Napa is Wine Country in California.   We attended a chocolate class "My Heart Belongs to Chocolate" at  Ramekins  in Sonoma, CA.   We learned about the history of chocolate and  enjoyed a chocolate tasting, and also sampled Aztec Hot Chocolate (ground nutmeg and chilies were optional to sprinkle on the top).   We enjoyed making Dark Chocolate Truffles, Mendiants with Dried Fruit and Nuts and French Macarons.  We ended the night with our own Chocolate Souffle' with real whipped cream and warm chocolate sauce and a dessert wine.