Artisan Design Team Wednesday Wow

Welcome to this weeks Artisan Design Team blog hop! This week we are featuring the projects we shared on facebook for the month of April. You hopefully have arrived from the oh-so-talented Wendy Weixler's blog. If not, keep clicking on the button at the bottom of each blog post and hop to work your way back around.

This weeks project is a card that features the Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit, Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper and the Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper. 

The flower from the Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit was the perfect addition to this card. It was so easy to put the flower together, and it added the dimension I was looking for. I got the inspiration for the color combination from the Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper and the Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper. My favorite part of this card is the little hanger (Cute Clips) with the saying.

Thanks for stopping by today! Please continue on to Cindy's blog, she always makes the most beautiful things!!

Stamps
122710 (wood-mount) or 122712 (clear-mount): Family Reunion Stamp Set
126340 (wood-mount) or 126342 (clear-mount): Made for You Stamp Set
131395: Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit

Ink
126975: Crumb Cake Classic Stampin’ Pad
126982: Pool Party Classic Stampin’ Pad
120967: Crumb Cake Stampin’ Write Marker
123002: 2011–2013 In Color Collection Stampin’ Write Markers (Calypso Coral)

Paper
120953: Crumb Cake Cardstock
100730: Whisper White Cardstock
130814: Epic Day This & That Designer Series Paper
126922: Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper

Accessories & Tools
125573: Calypso Coral Baker’s Twine
129389: Hung Up Cute Clips
131269: Epic Day This & That Designer Washi Tape
107066: Color Spritzer Tool
126883: Ticket Duo Punch
119877: 1-3/8" Square Punch
113439: Big Shot
127010: Finishing Touches Edgelits Dies

Levi's Birthday Celebrations

This past week was all about Levi's birthday! 

He started the celebration out on Thursday with a class birthday party at Galaxyland. The kids had a great time playing in the 4 story play park. 

Cupcakes...

and gifts with his friends.

On Saturday, his actual birthday, Levi got chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast:

And a surprise cupcake after dinner:

Perry the Platypus!

The fun continued on Sunday with a family party. Levi requested turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner and then pavlova for dessert!

Happy 7th birthday, Levi!!

Playing with a new game:

Our big boy is 7!!!!

Artisan Design Team Wednesday Wow

Thank you for joining me today for this weeks Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team blog hop! Hopefully you have arrived from Wendy Weixler's blog. If not, keep clicking on the button at the bottom of each blog post and hop to work your way back around.

This week both my projects feature the Rain or Shine stamp set and the Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series paper. I am loving the versatility of the Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series paper. I can't seem to get enough of it lately and have been using it on all my projects!

First up is a scrapbook page of my son Jakob. I've actually had this picture laying around for awhile. I just couldn't find the perfect product to use with it - until now! The cute umbrellas and the embossed clouds fit perfectly with this picture of Jakob in his raincoat. I am also really enjoying the new washi tape and seem to use it on everything!

My second project this week is a card. I stamped the tiny little hearts in Crumb Cake onto the background and heat embossed the saying in Melon Mambo.

I stamped the umbrella in 3 different colors and then cut out each section.

Thanks for hopping along with us this week. I hope you have enjoyed this week's projects. Please continue on to Cindy's blog to see what she has created this week!

Stamps: Rain or Shine, Oh Hello, Epic Day This and That Rotary Stamp

Ink: Crumb Cake, Basic Grey, Marina Mist, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo & Daffodil Delight Classic Ink, Versamark, Lucky Limeade & Marina Mist Stampin; Write Marker

Paper: Whisper White and Crumb Cake cardstock, Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper

Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Cloudy Day embossing folder, Apothecary Accents framelits, Cute Clips Hung Up, Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit, Paper Doilies, Heat Tool, Melon Mambo embossing powder, 2 1/2 Circle Punch, Epic Day This & That Designer Washi Tape, White Baker's Twine, Old Olive & Marina Mist 3/8 Striped Organdy ribbon, Subtles, Neutrals & Brights Designer Buttons

Happy Birthday Levi!!

Happy 7th Birthday Levi! I can not believe that Levi is turning 7 today! Time just goes by way too fast.

At 12:01 pm, April 20, 2006 - Levi Nikolas was born. Weighing 8lbs, 7oz.

 What a little cutie!

We are so proud of our big boy - Levi is so caring, compassionate and an all round great kid. We love you very much Levi!

Artisan Design Team Wednesday Wow

Thank you for joining me today for this weeks Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team blog hop! Hopefully you have arrived from the talented Wendy Weixler's blog. If not, keep clicking on the button at the bottom of each blog post and hop to work your way back around.

This week's projects were all about the Swallowtail stamp for me. I love butterflies and was very excited to work with this huge Swallowtail stamp!

The first project I have to share with you is a scrapbook page of my husband Michael and I. I embossed the butterfly with Pool Party embossing powder and the flower is from the Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit. I spritzed it with Pool Party, Daffodil Delight and Soft Suede. I love the way Whisper White cardstock looks like when it's spritzed with a color. I also included some washi tape as an accent on this page.

The second project I made this week is a journal cover. I don't keep a journal, but I do draw out A LOT of scrapbook sketches. This book has all my sketches from March 2013 until I run out of space. I used the new stamp from the This and That bundle to stamp the date at the bottom and once it's finished, I'll stamp the date below. I also used the washi tape from the new bundle - I really love that washi tape!

The Swallowtail is sponged with Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Calypso Coral and Pool Party, then stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock. I am very happy with my new sketch book!

Thanks for hopping along with us this week. I hope you have enjoyed this week's projects. Please continue on to Cindy's blog to see what amazing-ness she has in store for you this week!

Stamps: Swallowtail, Baby Prints, Remember This and That Rotary Stamp, Creative Elements

Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink, Basic Grey, Soft Suede, Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Pool Party, Calypso Coral & Daffodil Delight Classic Ink

Paper: Whisper White & Pool Party cardstock, Epic Day This & That Designer Series Paper, Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, 

Tools & Accessories: Epic Day This & That Designer Washi Tape, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Ticket Duo Builder Punch, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Brights Designer Buttons, Dazzling Details, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Pool Party Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit, Color Spritzer Tool, Cute Clips Elements

Ryan & Amber's Wedding

This past Saturday my cousin Amber got married. I was one of her bridesmaids and Zack was the ring bearer. Amber married a great guy, Ryan and they are the cutest couple. Amber looked very beautiful, just like a princess. Congratulations Ryan & Amber!!!

That's me:

Zack looking so handsome:

The Bride & Groom - Amber & Ryan:

Four very good looking boys and me:

The whole Hermann family:

Before & After: Back Entrance & Hallway

Over the past 2 weeks we started a little reno project at our house. We have been wanting to open up our back entrance/hallway for awhile and decided to finally do it.

Here is a "before" picture, I kinda forgot to take a good picture before we started demo. There was a door at the top of the stairs and this wall was completely closed in before:

During construction:

Michael cut open the wall, removing the studs and drywall. He added pot lights to the stairwell and opened up the doorway to the basement, removing the door. The ceiling had to be redone and painted, the walls also got a new coat of paint. Michael cut, stained and fit all the wood parts of the railing. He installed the metal spindles and all the wood around it. Michael did an amazing job! I am so happy with the way it all looks!!

The finished back hall:

Going down into the basement - new pot lights to brighten up the stairs, combined with the natural light from the window, really opens up the whole area:

Artisan Design Team Wednesday Wow

Thanks for joining me today for this weeks Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team blog hop! Hopefully you have arrived from the amazing Wendy Weixler's blog. If not, keep clicking on the button at the bottom of each blog post and hop to work your way back around.

This week I wanted to focus on the "Oh, Whale" set. This stamp set is super cute and so fun! 

The first project I have to share today is a card. I really like the bright colors that the Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series paper has in it and love this cute "Whale you be mine?" saying:

My second project is a scrapbook page titled "Thought of you... SUMMER". We still have so much snow here and we can not wait for summer to arrive! Creating this page gave me a little glimpse into what we can look forward to, hopefully soon!

This page also uses the Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series paper and the Oh, Whale stamp set:

I embossed the Designer Series paper with the Cloudy Day embossing folder and added a little birdie from the Elements Cute Clips to the banner. I love those little clips, they are so versatile! Here is a close up of the details:

Thank you so much for checking out my projects today! Please continue on to Cindy's blog and the beautiful project she has today!!

Stamps: Oh Whale, Rain or Shine, Oh Wave

Ink: Pacific Point, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo & Marina Mist Classic Ink

Paper: Whisper White & Melon Mambo cardstock, Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper

Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Happy Whale Sizzlit, Bitty Banners Framelits, Typeset Alphabet Bigz Dies, Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, 1" Circle Punch, 7/8 Scallop Circle Punch, Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Elements Cute Clips, 3/8 Striped Organdy Marina Mist Ribbon, 3/8 Striped Organdy Old Olive Ribbon, White Bakers Twine

Hilton Head Island

(This blog post is a little delayed, since we have been home for 2 weeks, but I wanted to post it anyway.)

On our way home from Orlando we drove up to Hilton Head Island and stayed there for a couple of days. Michael went golfing and the boys and I played on the beach and in the pool. When Michael got back from golf each night we went out to a really great restaurant and overall had a really amazing time!

Our first look at the Atlantic Ocean. It was the boys and my first time at the Atlantic Ocean. The beach was huge, even bigger than in Florida!

We went for a really long walk, it seemed like we could walk forever:

Both days the boys had a great time in the outdoor pool. The weather was warm and the pool was heated. 

They met some other boys and played all afternoon with their new friends:

Michael golfed 2 really nice courses:

This was our last 2 days in the sunshine before heading home to the mounds and mounds of snow and cold weather!

Artisan Design Team Wednesday Wow

Welcome to this weeks Artisan Design Team blog hop! This week we are featuring the projects we shared on facebook for the month of March. You hopefully have arrived from the oh-so-talented Wendy Weixler's blog. If not, keep clicking on the button at the bottom of each blog post and hop to work your way back around.

I was so excited to work with the That’s the Ticket Stamp Set; it’s one of my favorite sets in the spring catalog! For easy placement of the tags, I stamped each one on a piece of Whisper White Cardstock, then punched it out using the Ticket Duo Punch. It was much easier to lay out the pattern and have them all line up. I love the cheery, colorful look of this card.

Thanks for stopping by today! Please continue on to Cindy's blog, she always makes the most beautiful cards!!

Stamps:
128072 (wood-mount) or 128075 (clear -mount): That’s the Ticket Stamp Set

Ink:
126944: Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin’ Pad
126984: Lucky Limeade Classic Stampin’ Pad
126982: Pool Party Classic Stampin’ Pad
126946: Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin’ Pad

Paper:
122924: Pool Party Cardstock
111349: Tangerine Tango Cardstock
100730: Whisper White Cardstock

Accessories and Tools:
127555: Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons
125574: Pool Party Baker’s Twine
129388: Soda Pop Tops
126883: Ticket Duo Punch
113439: Big Shot (used to flatten Soda Pop Tops)