If I didn't already have a crush on Gary.....

Well....it's time that I come clean...

If i didn't already have a huge crush on Gary..I'd be in love with my UPS guy....
afterall.....how could you not cast an affectionate glance and have your heart go pitter patter over a guy (in uniform, nonetheless!!) who brings you packages filled with goodies?

As if Iweren't already a fan of my extremely nice UPS guy....(he is just an all around nice guy who cares about his job..and is always pleasant.)..well.....after yesterday..I might be prone to proposing to him...

He knocked on my door yesterday and delivered 4 boxes!! All for me!
One from Stampin Up! ...(geez..it's about time! that order took forever!..but defintely worth waiting for!)
One from thetapedepot... (yay! my 2 ATG's and oodles of refill ahesive rolls..and the free sample they promised to send me of their "x" tape )
One from Just Rite Stampers aka JRS..(another yay! my oval stampers!!! and some other goodies from the BIG "bonus" and clearance sale they were having)
One from Stampington ...(the donation for the Card-a-Thon that I wrote about yesterday)

So I say..bring on the blizzard!!..I'm ready!...Altho I'm sad that my monthly workshop/crop had to be cancelled today because of the forecast of horrific snowy sleety icy weather.......to every cloud there is a silver lining! ...because NOW.....I get to stay in all weekendand play with my new toys...

And whatta ya know...just as I am finishing this note....here comes the snow!

A project I that have been working on....

I have been so involved with making mega amounts of cards lately...and working on the 2 Valentine's Fairs that we have coming up in February...that I forgot to give a little bit of space on my blog to share some exciting news about a "project" I have been secretly working on!

I have...for quite some time now...wanted to organize an event that would be dedicated to making cards for our US military soldiers...There is a wonderful group called Cards for Heroes
that is an amazing and impressive reflection of the kindness and goodness in people...by the end of 2008..they had sent a total of over 82,000 blank cards and cards of encouragement and support to soldiers in the US and abroad... I first learned of Cards for Heroes from a SCS (Split CoastStampers) friend, Trish.......thank you Trish.

I have wanted to do something similar for a long time now....and have been quietly getting the ball rolling...and am planning a Card-a-Thon!

Planning and promoting the event will be a cinch...mostof the details are in place.....(of course being in the "event planning and promoting " business is a convenient an fortunate coincidence..!) ..and if all goes as planned..the Card-a-Thon will be happening this Spring!

But ....the true challenge will be in getting people to participate..and in getting donations of materials for that day...

so..I have been focusing on how..and where to secure what is needed....and about a month ago......I began emailing craft/stamping companies..telling them of my planned event..and asking for a donation of card making supplies...

I have had (numerous) letters and responses declining my request..for one reason or another..and was beginning to wonder IF anyone would consider making a donation..

Well....today was a very exciting day for me! I received my first box of donations for the Card-a-Thon from Stampington ....such beautiful printed paper...(actually...it is all beyond beautiful....and bordering on gorgeous!)..and also some copies of Take Ten (a "magazine/book" that is a card makers dream resource for card making inspiration)

I can't tell you what a wonderful feeling it was to have my enthusiasm fueled by the arrival of this box..and to know that there ARE people who are willing and able to lend a helping hand....
(with so many rejections, I was beginning to wonder)

So here's what I am thinking tonight....I am just one person..little old me..over here in my corner of the world..who has an idea..and a plan and desire to do something good..and nice..for others...and with me simply reaching out to another person...I am now a step closer to making this "event" a success......thanks to Stampington.

I am so appreciative of Stampington's generosity...and can only hope that others will respond similarly..

I'l be sure to keep updates coming on how things progress......and will now add a section to the right of this page titled "Applause!Applause!" that will list all Companies/Individuals who make a donation to the Card-a-Thon

Workshop Ladies Cover Your Eyes!

If you're one of the workshop ladies who attend my monthly workshops...COVER YOUR EYES!!..you're not supposed to see this until Saturday!

This is the mailbox project we will be doing this Saturday when we get together..(Thanks Chris for sending me the mailboxes...I've never seen them in my local Target..so thanks to Chris...we are able to do this project at our January Workshop/Crop.)

I used SU Bella Rose DSP (designer print paper) for this mailbox...(I love the patterns and how it all goes together and mixes and matches so nicely...)..and for the goodies inside of the mailbox, I covered some "nuggets"(chocolates) with the same paper and then made a bag topper in the same coordinates.

I have had the MS (Martha Stewart) butterfly punch for ages now and never used it..this was the first time..and I LOVE it...I have a feeling that I'll be using it often...(picturing some 3-D butterflies on cards etc..) I like the size of the butterfly..and like that the "body" (center) of the butterfly attached nicely with a mini/small glue dot...leaving me the opportunity to crease the wings a little bit and pull them forward for a 3-D look...I could have gone butterfly crazy with that punch and this project..but I FORCED myself not to...

I also obsessed about the naked silver "bolt" that was used to attach the mailbox "flag" to the box itself..but remedied the ugliness of it by covering it with one small self adhesive gem...and then I was happy!

Every time I have see one of these mailboxes in the Splitcoast Stampers gallery..I have liked them....and now...thanks to Chris....I've had the opportunity to make one myself..and will share this fun project at this weekends Workshop/Crop.

(Okay workshop ladies.....you can uncover your eyes now!)

The Cutest Little Love Birds

This was one of those stamps that I wasn't sure I'd like..but I picked it up on sale an gave it a try....and now? I LOVE it! It was nice making a Valentine's card that wasn't made with the traditional red..pink..etc...This color combo is a favorite of mine...Stampin Up! soft sky...river rock..and vanilla(embossed the vanilla with my CB and the birds and swirls embossing folder)..The stamp is called LoveBirds and is made by Hampton Art...coloring was done with SU inks and an aquapainter....(love my aquapainters!..how did i ever live without them?) I'm also hooked on the CTMH sheer ribbon...I find myself reaching for it all the time.
I do wish the photo was brighter tho.....I'll post this pic for now and if I do a re-take..I'll re-post the new pic.

Better Late Than Never....This Weeks Card Inspirations

Gary just finished this weeks Card Inspirations video......(Thank you Gary xoxxo)
I've been in the Valentine's mode...and if you're a card maker..I'm sure you are too!..We cardmakers are always working on the "next" holiday..while the current holiday is going on, it seems....I was in the Valentine's mode in December..but didn't have time to create anything until this weekend...with all of the Holiday hub-bub behind me..it was really so enjoyable just to relax and make a some cards...
Hope you enjoy this collection...

PS..don't forget to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and turn off the blog music/playlist before you start the video.. so that it doesn't play over the video music.

A Day Late....

The Weekly Inspirations is running a day late...but will be posted Monday evening.....sorry

(I guess Gary's been s a slacker! haha)

Today I spent a nice amount of time making some cards...probably the first time I've made anything since the day befor Christmas Eve.

I was so excited ..and looking forward to making a few cards today mainly because of a new stamp I just got...Couch Riley...he is beyond cute!

So here's a little peek at one of the cards from this weeks Inspirations...made wiht this adorable Couch Riley image from Hanna Stamps. I fell in love with this Riley as soon as I saw him..and about 2 weeks later had a wonderful surprise when a SCS friend, Doris (aka glitterdovefairy) secretly gifted me a giftcard to Hanna Stamps via the SCS"Guess Who?" Swap!

So now ....you must know what i did with that gift card ASAP!!....Yep...I ordered this Riley faster than my fingers could type the order!

I'm happy with this card..(papers, colors, layout etc)...however...I used my aquapainters to do the coloring...and I'm not sure that I like the watercolor look...so next time, I think I might use my Stamp-n-Writes and see if I like that look better.

Some images just aren't meant to be watercolored, I think.

I am in LOVE with this Riley!

Thank you Doris!

It's Guy Thing Card Swap....Join Us!

I've got a Card swap going on at scs (Splitcoast Stampers) and am inviting you to join us!

This card swap is for masculine cards...thus the name "It' a Guy Thing"....and will allow us to share some masculine images/cards ....

It seems that everyone is always saying that they don't have masculine images..stamps.etc..and that they rarely make guy-type cards...

So here's your chance to wow us with your manly-man creations.....and in turn you'll receive 5 cards back...just in time for Father's Day!

Swap spots are opened..and your cards will be due on April 15th....so you've got lots of time to create...

Now put away all of your frilly girly images and embellishments....and get out the "guy-stuff'".....and see what you can come up with!

Just take a peek here to see what its all about: "It's a Guy Thing".....MASCULINE CARD SWAP....OPENED TO EVERYONE - Splitcoaststampers

Blog Candy Links!

Be sure to check out the Blog Candy and Give-a-way links to the right of this page...
I've dated them (when possible) so you will know when the contest/give-a-way ends.
Just click on the link..and you're there! Post your own comment..,,and then post a link back at your own blog... and be "in it to win it"!

It's Time for a Facelift....A New Year....a New Look!

It's 2009....and it's time for a facelift!

Gary has been busy working on re-vamping the Par 3 Productions web sites...and finally....as planned..they are up and running on this first day of the New Year!

Both websites have a fresh new look...easier navigation features...galleries..related links...downloadable applications .... easy to use contact and FAQ Features..and more!
(the Stampin Up! web site remains unchanged, as it is designed and hosted by a separate service, contracted directly thru Stampin Up!)

So when you have a moment...please visit us at:

PAR 3 PRODUCTIONS INC.

http://www.par3photoshows.com/

and Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

You can also follow/join the Oceanside Scrapbooking and Card Making Workshop/Crop Group at
Oceanside Scrapbooking/Cardmaking Meetup Group (Oceanside, NY) - Meetup.com

*Subscribing as a follower to this blog, "My Paper Bliss", will allow you to automatically receive all updates to this blog via email. (*follower sign up is to the right of this web page)

And so..as this New Year begins...you will know exactly where to find us on line!

Facelifts.....A New Year...A New Look

It's 2009!...and both of our Par 3 Productions websites have a new look for a new year

Gary has been busy re-vamping both sites and today they are finally up and running...and ready for viewers...

There's a new look on both websites... and new features as well...

a photo gallery on the "Event" website...downloadable applications...sample photo shows...related links to browse....and more...(*the Stampin Up! website remains the same as it is designed and hosted by another service)

So when you have a moment...visit us at:

http://www.par3photoshows.com/