Cape Cod Visit

While in Boston my sister-in-law and her family happened to be in Cape Cod so we drove down to the Cape for an adventure.   The Dennis Yacht Club and East Dennis, MA are quintessential Cape Cod.  I could have spent hours photographing houses - the beautiful architecture, the hydrangeas in bloom, the majestic water, and nautical flags flying everywhere.   My mom had fun capturing these pictures of Molly, Connor and their cousins.   They spent time on the swing set, crabbing at the beach, and we all had a great lunch.

PSA Essentials Anchors Aweigh Peel & Stick pack really is perfect for my scrapbooking of this day.  

Life's a Beach is also going to work well. 

It was a long drive down to the Cape and back for the day, but it was worth it to see family.  Molly was so happy to see her cousins and we all had a great time.  Can't wait to start my layouts.  I am sure I will have time soon.... 

Bridal Shower

This past weekend I went to Boston for (among many other things, but most importantly) a bridal shower for my best friend from high school Danielle.   The shower was held in her childhood home in their backyard, which was newly redone with a beautiful pool and deck area.   Her mother and her sister who hosted the party had over 75 ladies attend.  It was quite the affair!

Here's the guest book for the couple from the shower, guests were also asked to write down some marriage advice in here.   I stamped the inside with various stamps from PSA Rosetta.   This added a little touch to the pages to dress things up!

Her sister sent out recipe cards with the invitation and guests were asked to bring a recipe to share with the couple! 

The food was delicious!  A beautiful salad, grilled asparagus, caprese salad, shrimp and chicken.  There were also tons of passed appetizers as well.  Amazing! 

Isn't the couple cute? Here are Danielle and Marc at the end of the night.  

We all had a great time! 

Bridal Shower & Weekend Plans

 This weekend I am headed off to my hometown of Winchester, MA for one of my best friend Danielle’s bridal shower.    Unfortunately Mike can’t come because of work, but Connor, Molly and I are flying up with my mom and staying at my parents.    Danielle’s shower is taking place at her childhood home with 75 of their closest friends and I am working on an activity.   You know it involves PSA stamps!  Some of the bridesmaids went in on a big ticket registry item, so all I am showing up to the party with is a card.   Jennifer Holmes created this one that has me inspired.   She’s used stamps from PSA Mr. & Mrs. for the dress, the cake and the groom.   It’s a clean and simple style card, with an unexpected large white bow for a twist.     She’s colored the stamps up to make them extra special. 

While we are up there, my mother is also introducing Connor to all of her friends in Winchester and many of my friends, too!   She’s hosting a Sip & See party to show Connor and Molly off.  Should be fun and a great way to welcome my little one.    This other card by Jennifer Holmes uses the duck stamp from PSA Carriage.   I love this set for baby!

Jennifer took the time to carefully write out instructions for this great card which I thought I would share with you today – just in case you are interested in making the card!

 1.            Cut card base from Aqua Mist cardstock to create a 4 ¼ inch square card.  Round corners.

 2.            Cut patterned paper slightly smaller, round corners.  Ink edges with distress ink and adhere to front of card.

 3.            Cut felt with ric rac border die and adhere to front of card along bottom.

 4.            Using ribbon die, cut a piece of cream cardstock.

 5.            Slightly curve the sentiment onto an acrylic block.  Stamp sentiment onto ribbon die cut using Dark Chocolate ink.

 6.            Place die back onto cardstock and lightly sponge distress ink onto cardstock.  Adhere to front of card.

 7.            Using oval die, cut an oval shape from rustic cream cardstock.

 8.            Slightly stretch the border stamp into an oval shape onto an acrylic block.  Stamp border onto oval using aqua ink.

 9.            Stamp duck image in center of oval and color with Copic markers. Lightly sponge distress ink around edges.

10.            Cut a scalloped oval shape from Lemon Tart cardstock using die.

11.            Adhere stamped oval onto scalloped oval and adhere to front of card using foam dimensionals.

I am excited for the trip.  Wish us luck on the plane!  

The Food Network

I am working. I swear.  But in between baby and blog, I sneak in a little Food Network here and there.   I used to be the kind of stay-at-home worker who never turned on the TV during the day.   Now I’d be lying to say I never did because I am newly obsessed with The Food Network.  More specifically Barefoot Contessa & Ina Garten.   I don’t really watch it.  I am not studying the recipes and sitting idle in front of the TV.   But something about it makes me feel extra domestic, inspired and super relaxed.   Watch a little now and you will see…  

I am convinced all the Food Network hosts and chefs need PSA Essentials “from the kitchen of” stamps.   That’s what I am working on this summer – sending my “friends” at The Network personalized stamps.   Every good chef who shares their recipes with friends and family should have a personalized stamp, don’t you think?  It makes a great gift for a foodie!

What recipes do you have to stamp?  Here’s one I am dying to try ASAP.  It’s called “Chicken with 40 cloves ofgarlic.”   I love garlic and that’s a lot of garlic!  Find the recipe here and share your favorite recipes or links with me today! 

Craft Coupons

Crafting gets expensive, there's no doubt about that.  Today I am sharing three amazing coupons that you'll love.   Whether you've been eyeing supplies at JoAnn's, Michael's, or longing to stock up on your PSA Essentials goodies, I've got your wallet in mind today.

http://www.joann.com/couponcommotion/?icn=Home&ici=Slot43

http://weeklyad.michaels.com/coupons/print

This is an exclusive sale for a show in Charlotte, NC that I am sharing today... ssssshhh! :)  Click here for the direct link to buy and use coupon code:  LETFREEDOMRING2012.

Happy shopping and saving! 

4th of July Scrapbook

My near 3 year-old daughter calls the 4th of July "America's Birthday" thanks to my good friend, summer babysitter, and delinquent design team member, Susan.  She came home from Sussie's house before the 4th telling me all about the American flag, flag cakes, fireworks, and how excited she was to celebrate America's birthday.  Got to love it!   We spent the 4th at my parents house and did our own "fireworks" show because 9:20pm might as well be the middle of the night for a kid her age.   She knew no different and it was perfect!

Where has the time gone?   With the 4th having come and gone you'll soon be reading posts about the fall and back to school...Gasp!  Time to get started on your scrapbook layouts.   If you're struggling for ideas and need some inspiration, our talented scrapper Kim Schofield has you covered. 

She's used stamps from PSA Topiary - one of my favorites is the heart flag.  She's also used PSA Fancy Flakes - rarely seen for summer crafting.   She's also used the beautiful Fleur de Lis from PSA Frenchie.  I love that she's used 3 different stamp packs here.   If you're limited at home- you can make this work with just a few of our stamps, too!

Share your scrapbook layouts with us on our Facebook page and let us know what did you do for the 4th of July? 

40th Birthday by Mae Armstrong

Our design team member Mae Armstrong threw a 40^th birthday party for her husband that blew mine out of the water.  Not that it’s a competition, but I am really jealous.   What a great party she threw!  Complete with a pig roast, and a “Canadian meets North Carolina” backyard bash theme, Mae spent hours crafting and making the party extra special.   She did all the food (with some help from friends and family.)  A common thread in everything she designed and created?  Her PSA Essentials custom stamp.   The stamp was the heart of all the creativity!   

Up first, this handmade, DIY wreath.  

Mae decorated with red and brown paper fans.  She also created red and white striped paper fans with a maple leaf accent.   Her in-laws helped her find these old pictures of her husband, and she had them blown up to decorate the table with.   I just love this idea!  It gives it such a personal touch. 

Mae baked some chocolate cake cupcakes topped with salted caramel butter cream frosting.  She created these maple leaf cupcake toppers using her custom designed PSA Essentials birthday stamp.

The bar displayed a row of dressed up mason jars.  She used another custom PSA Essentials birthday stamp, check it out.

Mae created felt koozies and dressed up beer bottles. Here's a bottle of Molson Canadian beer. Cheers!

She found these super cute containers at Target to keep our mixers nice and pretty.   Love the simple label around the bottle.

Mae and her amazing friends and family did all the cooking at home – this was not a catered party!

Mae was able to score these amazing picnic tables from Page Farms, just 3 minutes from her house.  This really helped make the party a big success – seating for everyone!  She used butcher paper for the table cloth, which was a great idea with the pig roast and backyard cookout food.   It can get messy!

To go with the theme, she packed plastic ware inside craft bags.  She stamped each bag with her custom PSA Essentials stamp that she designed for the party.

Here are the guests enjoying the pig roast.   Looks like everyone is having a great time!

Mae even surprised her husband Mark by having almost his entire family and closest friends from Canada, Salt Lake City and Baltimore.   Is this the cutest couple, or what?

What an amazing backyard birthday bash.