Just a quick post to let you know that Amy Powers’ Happy Birthday magazine is published and available for download. I am totally impressed by her talent. She put a 245 page idea book together in just a two months and every turn of the page is a delight! I saw her previous “Spring” issue on Facebook and thought it sounded cool so I followed the link, paid my $3.30 and downloaded it. What a treat- talk about eye candy!

Loved the look of it so much, I decided to see if I could submit something for her next issue and contacted Amy. In the course of our conversation, I discovered that she actually lives right down the road from me! We are going to get together at some point and meet in person.

I promise you will not regret getting this magazine- it is so worth it! Follow the link above and let me know what you think… And don’t forget to check out pp. 186-191- you might know that designer 🙂 What is your favorite project? What was your favorite birthday memory? 

Today is a hop with my Designer Connection friends! See the blue logo on the sidebar?  Click on it (back or forward) and you will be taken around the webring of blogs of participating designers. Those taking part in this hop have been busy creating their latest and greatest so you won’t want to miss this. All of the projects posted today celebrate this busy time of year, so you will get lots of inspiration. I’m going to try to get this gift for Mom in the mail tomorrow (she will be in shock if she sees a package from me before the actual event!).

Does your mom enjoy a nice cup of tea? Mine is more of a coffee drinker, but on occasion, she will get the teakettle going. This project was made using my Sizzix ScoreBoard Teacup die. This would be great to give this to your mom loaded up with teabags, small gifts, jewelry, or a gift card to the spa. 

Here’s a quick peek. It’s still a surprise so don’t tell :-). Later this week I will post instructions and share some of the cool techniques (like how to make that fun flower and glittery stem). Thanks for dropping by and hope you will check out the Designer Connection!

I have such talented friends! Here’s a project done by fellow designer Gabriela Delworth, who has used my Sizzix ScoreBoard Cupcake Ruffle die to make a mouth watering cupcake for Mom on her special day. She embellished the matboard holder with beautiful pressed flowers. Lucky Mom!

Sterling has just released Gabriela’s Flower and Leaf Press book kit. The book includes 12 projects using dried flowers. The kit also comes with an actual flower press so you can create the projects yourself. Knowing Gabriela and her attention to detail, this book kit is a winner and sure to have beautiful photos and projects!

Be sure to check out Gabriela’s blog for lots more cool ideas.

More news coming this week- stay tuned, my friends! Hope you are enjoying the nice weather…

1. Clean and dry rocks. You can buy them in craft stores, gardening departments of home improvement centers and sometimes dollar stores. Or you can find them outside in nature. Select them for color or shape. Rocks much be fairly smooth so your pen can move as you write and not get stuck in irregularities of rock.
2. Write words in calligraphy conforming to size and shape of rock.
3. Use as favors with the couples’ initial and date of wedding or as name place settings.
4. If desired, spray rocks with sealer to protect them.

Here’s a sample of one of my new dies that will be coming out in the Sizzix Fresh Vintage collection this June!

You will need:
Sizzix Big Shot
Sizzix Fringed Flower by Eileen Hull (almost here!)
Sizzix Leaves by Eileen Hull (shipping in May)
small white frame
Extreme Glitter Paint– Plaid
matboard scrap for background
tissue paper
spray mist- yellow
glitter brad
sentiment with white distress ink
glue dots

Instructions:

Paint frame with glitter paint using random strokes. Feel free to leave more glitter in the folds and creases. Let dry. (Oh this is fun stuff- doesn’t show up in this pic so well but quite glittericious)

1. Print or stamp sentiment and snip ends for a banner effect. Ink edges with white.
2. Layer 20 pieces of tissue paper on top of smallest fringed flower on Bigz Fringed Flower die. I used the packaging from the tissue paper and folded it to size. Die-cut flowers. 
3. Assemble flower by securing brad in center hole. Spray with desired color mist. Allow to dry. Ruffle up edges using a pencil eraser.
4. Cut 2 leaves and draw in details if desired. Assemble flower and banner on frame with glue dots.

Happy Spring everyone! 11 days till wedding 🙂