Hi All!
Just wanted to share a few things with you before Wednesday…
Stampin’ Up! NEW CATALOG TIME!
The new annual Stampin’ Up! Idea Book & Catalog is coming out June 1st instead of July 1st this year. Last year, I sent a free catalog to all of my customers who spent at least $100 with me during the previous catalog period. I plan to do the same this year! I will be pre-ordering my catalogs at the beginning of May. So, if you have already spent $100, be on the lookout for your catalog by the end of May. If you would like to SHOP NOW and spend at least $100 in merchandise by the end of April, I will mail you a catalog!
If you have placed an order this year but can’t remember how much you spent, email me and I’ll let you know!
As you know, I donate my 20% commission to Foster Kids Charity. The cost for me to have Stampin’ Up! mail you a catalog is $5. If you would like to help subsidize the cost of your catalog, or if you will not be spending $100 and would like to purchase one for $5, you can CLICK HERE TO DONATE $5 THROUGH PAYPAL TO ME. If you spent $100 or more, you will receive your catalog whether you donate or not. It is completely optional, so don’t feel pressure to give. 
If I receive $5 from you and you have not spent $100 in merchandise, you will receive a catalog. Also – just a note – you must live in the US to receive a catalog from me.
My Distress Ink Swatches
I find that I spend a lot of time trying to figure out coordinating colors with distress inks. I’ll create the front panel of a card, then spend tons of time coloring multiple background panels with different colors to see what looks the best. I can’t tell just by looking at the cover of the ink pad whether it will work. So… I decided to create my own “color coach” of distress ink panels. I cut one sheet of 8.5×11″ white paper into 8 equal pieces. I colored each piece with a different ink and then wrote the name on the back. Here’s a photo of all my distress ink colors:
I plan to do the same thing with Stampin’ Up! inks because using the foam applicator on white paper gives a different look than what you would get with colored cardstock. I’m giving my arm a rest because it was hard work!!
This Frog
My 7-year-old came home with this frog on a lily pad that she made from clay in pottery. Please just humor me on this one. I’m just so proud of her! 
Michael’s Craft Master Competition
I just want to say thank you for all the wonderful comments and congrats wishes you sent my way. I am always so amazed at how kind everyone is – thank you so much! Someone requested that I post a close-up picture of the bird cage because it was shown so fast in the video. Here it is:
I used the bunny punch to wrap the eggs after I finally got some glitter to stick to them!! I didn’t realize that getting something to stick to styrofoam was nearly impossible!
Thank you again for all your thoughtful comments – it really means a lot to me. See you this Wednesday with a new video!
Thanks for visiting my video blog! I post a new video every Wednesday and sometimes an extra when I have time.
That’s a great idea for your color swatches! I bet your arm need a good night’s rest.
I can’t believe a seven year old created that masterpiece! Wowzers! She did a terrific job. That frog has lots of personality!
Your daughter is an amazing artist, just like her mom! I’ve seen a LOT of 7 year old art projects & hers is outstanding!
First of all, I work with 3rd and 4th graders, and I can tell you that your daughter’s art project is great work! In fact, I’d feel quite proud of myself if I had created it! She did a beautiful job with proportion, color, everything!
Next, your bird cage is even better up close! You did a fabulous job, especially under pressure! To me, the true sign of creative genius is being able to create something out of nothing more than a vision in your mind! Well done!!!
I love your froggie, your 7 year old must be super proud of herself! I remember my 8 year old cousin giving me a mushroom, I still have it! Congrats again on your Michaels win!
Your 7 year old created that??!!!! How amazing. Even I couldn’t create something like that!! What a fantastic job. I’m new to your blog, and I absolutely love your cards. You are so creative and talented, and it would appear to run in the family. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
Your 7- year-olds creation is fabulous. Takes after her Mom. What a great idea for making your own color chart of Distress and Stampin’ Up inks. I’m gonna steal it.
Uhhhhh, Darlene? I would be happy if I could make that frog thingy!!! No humoring is needed!!!!!!
Hello Darlene: I just adore that frog!!!!! I’m sure you will keep it always. I still have some of the flower pots my daughters made for me when they were in grade school, I think this things our kids make for you when they are young mean the world to us because they make them thinking of us. I also wanted to tell you I saw the video of the craft competition…..It was amazing to see you in acction, you did a wonderful job under such pressure, you have the most wonderful imagination. Thank you for sharing all your talent with us. God Bless you.
Maria.
What a great idea with the Distress Ink swatches-I will definitely give this a whirl.
Your daughter’s pottery is quite good for a 7 year old. I have three pieces of pottery made by my two children that I dearly cherish and I must say that theirs are not as good as her frog and lily pad-and my two were in junior high at the time!
Obviously there is a creative gene in your family, and your daughter has it too. That is so adorable…and such great work for her age! I doubt I could make anything recognizable at all. Love his eyes and the flower!
Darlene,
Your daughter has real talent. What a great little frog design. She managed to give him personality and style. He’s a real prince!
The bird cage is so lovely. You deserved first prize. Your card videos are first place every week!
Cheers!
I can’t believe a 7 year old made the frog & lily pad! I guess the artistic gene went right to your daughter. Good Job!
Hugs!
Your daughter’s frog is so cute, know where she got her craftyness. Love your swatches for distress ink, very good idea, must do that for mine. On pins and needles to see your card tomorrow.
Great idea with the swatches Darlene – could you please make me a set??????!!! (Well, your arm is already sore – so why hurt mine!!!! LOL!)
Can you please tell your daughter that her frog and lily pad is fabulous – I love it. So looking forward to this week’s card video.
Thanks.
Your daughter’s frog on a lily pad is exceptionally good. She show’s an artist’s eye well beyond her years. I truly enjoyed seeing her art work. Tell her, thank you for sharing it with the rest of us. I look forward to more in the future! Holly M.
Hello Darlene !
I see that the daughter is as talented than the Mother !!!!
Tell a “un grand bravo !” from me.
You can be proud ! It’s excellent ! I’m sure I couldn’t make it as good.
Thanks for sharing and Bravo to you for the bird cage ! Lovely !
Hugs from France !
Looks like your daughter is following in your footsteps. She did an amazing job for a seven year old. So glad we all got to see it!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Awe…Darlene, the frog on a lily pad is so eclectic and pretty. I would ooh and awe over that in a store. Good for her. I almost missed your Michael’s competition win! That is so wondeful. Should have known you would win. I adore your centerpiece and have been a fan since I spotted your videos. Yay!! You rocked it!
Just a note to let you know that your daughter did an awesome job on her frog and lily pad. You should be so proud of her.
I did some swatches up too! They’re very helpful. Love your daughters art work! It’s hard to believe she’s only 7 with talent like that. Looks like she’s a natural…look out Mommy!!
NO need to humour you on the frog – it is FANTASTIC. Well done to your DD.
That little frog is just too cute. Kudos to the daughter who is creative and talented. I always promoted creativity when the kids were little, it was fun to play together, also! Let ‘em lose and boy, what a fun and surprising event! Kids have such wonderful imaginations, I always encourage that! Now, grand-kids, and still crafting together. Each has their own little creative path, it’s cool to explore it with them.
OOPS, forgot to mention the color swatches. Lots of people are making tags, and putting a binder ring on it. Easy to add to with the ring! I think color charts, swatches, anything to refer to is the ultimate helpful hint! Isn’t it just so cool to grab your swatches and see what it looks like in “real life”? The colors on the inks, or markers, or whatever are just not always “true” to what actually comes out on the cardstock, right? Then, like you said, white versus another color, even off-white cardstock is still different. I love tips. Keep ‘em coming! TFS!!!