Learn to Stamp and Scrap with Lynn Larson

Look What I Found on my Walk in the Catskills

While at my Cabin Scrappin' Retreat in the Catskills I decided to go outside and take some photos of the house and the area we were in so that I could do scrapbook pages of our retreat.  I saw a Bald Eagle fly over my head a couple of times and kept walking and taking photos.  A few houses down from the house we were staying in, I saw these two...

 

I couldn't believe it when I saw them.  I was trucking right along down the road and they didn't even move.  In fact, I would take a step and they would take three steps toward me.  It was too funny.  I probably stood there for 30 minutes taking pictures of them before I kept walking.

 

This little girl was so close to me.  I think she would have eaten right out of my hand if I had something for her.

My next mission was to walk down to the lake to check it out.  I knew that it was supposed to rain our last day and I wanted to take pictures of the lake before then.  You know us scrapbookers, always looking for the shots for the scrapbook pages.  I will definitely be scrapping this trip and will share those pages when they are done.

 

Walking back to Tina's I came across three more deer.  I spooked them and they ran back across the street.  I only got two of them in the photo.

 

Back to the "cabin" where everyone was stamping - surprise, surprise.  We actually sat out on the deck and had a fabulous breakfast of french toast and orange juice.  It was a gorgeous day on Thursday!

This is a photo I took the next day of two deer laying in the field next to Tina's house.  We actually were packing up the car getting ready to go home and the deer just layed there and watched us:))

 

Ahhh...to be back at the cabin again.  I have only been back home for two days and miss the relaxation, fun, friends and stamping already!

Thanks for stopping by,

Lynn

More about our Cabin Scrappin' Retreat

I am so off schedule this week after my Cabin Scrappin' Retreat.  We were there Wednesday, Thursday and Friday but we all felt like it was the weekend.  This is the longest "weekend" I have ever had since it is really Sunday and I thought that Wednesday was Friday...

Anyway, I wanted to share more with you from this retreat.  There were 7 of us total there from a combination of states - New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont and Pennsylvania.  We all arrived within 10 minutes of each other Wednesday afternoon at about 2:15 pm.  We walked in, said hi to each other, gave hugs and dropped our bags off in our rooms.  The very next thing we did was put our stamping supplies out near the table and start stamping.  I don't think we left those spots much during the three days we were there either!

Tina told us that she had some stamping supplies up at the cabin - like ink pads and paper and we just needed to bring whatever we needed to create any special projects we wanted to work on.  I packed supplies for a 20 card swap I was doing and some Simply Scrappin' Kits to create some 6x6 albums.  I personally completed 25 cards and an entire 6x6 scrapbook.  In total, all 7 of us completed 293 cards, 72 scrapbook pages and 23 miscellaneous 3-D projects.

Here are the ladies hard at work.  From left to right, you will see Gayle, Kristin, Claire and Cindy. 

 

Next you have Kathryn on the left and Tina on the right.  I am sitting to the left of Tina when taking this photo.

I don't know if you are taking stock of all the stamping supplies around the room, but there were an awful lot of them there.  Take 7 girls stamping supplies from their rooms at home and put them in one place and that is about what we had going on.  We had BOXES of stamp sets, ribbons, every single punch (as you can see in the holder behind Kathryn), etc.  We all brought Designer Series Paper, Simply Scrappin' Kits, adhesives and refills, scissors and paper cutters, dimensionals galore and other specialty ink pads.  I don't think we didn't have any supply we needed amongst all 7 of us!  It is hard to see in this photo, but the buffet on the side of Tina was loaded with ribbons, buttons, brads, eyelets, papers, etc., etc.

Some parts of each day were spent taking walks to the lake, sitting outside on the deck, reading magazines (crafting ones, of course) and taking naps.  Here you can see very pregnant Claire (due in 3 weeks) sitting on the couch with her feet up reading a magazine and Kristin on the recliner taking a nap while the rest of us "addicts" stamped.

 

I will have more to share over the next couple of days about this retreat.  It was just an incredible experience and I came back so relaxed and rejuvenated!  What a blast we all had together!  (More about the "blast" tomorrow).

Thanks for stopping by!

Lynn 

Cabin Scrappin'

 

Ahhhh..."RELAX".  This is a sign that sits in the kitchen window of Tina's cabin.  Boy does it sum our "weekend" up.  

I just returned tonight from the most incredible three days at my upline Tina's lake house in the Catskills in New York.  I knew that I would have a fabulous time with the five other demonstrators who earned this trip and with Tina, but I didn't know how incredibly relaxing and fun this trip would be.  We were certainly pampered as promised.  We didn't have to cook all "weekend" (which consisted of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday).  We took turns cleaning up the kitchen after meals, but we certainly didn't have timelines, deadlines or people waiting for us to cook and clean.  No responsibilities, just time with good friends and TONS of stamping. 

This weekend (I have a hard time not saying weekend even though this trip was during the week, but you get the idea), we got to stay up as late as we wanted, laugh as much as our bodies could take without our cheeks craking or our stomachs feeling like they were going to split open.  We could sleep as late as we wanted, shower whenever we wanted, nap if we wanted, stamp if we wanted (which we all did for nearly 3 days straight), read, go for a walk to the lake, see wildlife or whatever we wanted to do.  No schedule, no deadlines and no one to answer too.  Ahhh, it was wonderful!  (Thanks SO MUCH, Tina!)

For some more photos and "Tina's" view on the weekend, check out her blog posts:

http://tinastamps.typepad.com/tinastamps/2008/09/cabin-scrappin.html

http://tinastamps.typepad.com/tinastamps/2008/09/more-cabin-scra.html

I will post more about our wonderful weekend in future posts, so stay tuned!

Lynn

Bella Rose Scrapbook Pages

 

This is a quick scrapbook page to put together using Bella Rose Designer Series Papers.  I did one of these two pages, slightly altered, at a workshop back in August.  The two pages together are part of my 6x6 scrapbook kit for this month.  If you are interested in the kit for only $9.95, please contact me at 802-390-0222 or lynn@learntostampandscrap.com.  The only thing different when you receive this kit will be that you will not receive the prestamped element.  That will be blank for you to use as you wish for your page.

I am off this morning to the Catskills where I will be joining 6 other incredible stamping ladies for a "Cabin Scrappin" event.  My wonderful upline, Tina, promoted this event and I earned it during the last quarter of the year.  We just have to get to the cabin and Tina will be pampering us with food all weekend and great company to stamp with as well.  I am so excited!  I am riding over with Cindy and Gayle this morning.  I am actually typing this post in Cindy's driveway waiting for her to get here:))

I am not sure if I will have internet connection where I am going so you may not see another post from me until Saturday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lynn

Frankie Halloween Card made with Top Notes Bigz Die and Big Shot

Remember all those Frankie's that I shared with you a couple of days ago?  Well, I not only made the gift bag with them, I also made this adorable card. 

 

This is one of the two Halloween cards that I designed for my Cards in the Mail Program.  I send out Halloween cards in the mail by request only, they are not in the standard program mailing in case someone doesn't celebrate Halloween. 

If you would like to order some of these Frankie Halloween Cards in the Mail, or other style cards, click here for more details. 

If you have any questions, please email me at lynn@learntostampandscrap.com.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Lynn

NEW Cards in the Mail Program

 

How would you like to have a variety of beautiful, handmade cards right at home and ready to send when you need them?  Now you can have just that with my NEW Cards in the Mail Program!  Each month you will receive a variety of five cards mailed right to your door.  I will be doing cards for occasions like a wedding or baby shower, thank-you, birthday, anniversary, get well, thinking of you, holiday, seasonal, all-occasion, note cards, etc.  

Each subscription comes with FREE shipping and all you have to do is order before the 15th of the month and I will ship your cards out to you by the end of the month.  As a special thank you for subscribing to my Cards in the Mail Program, I will even include a little surprise or two for you in the envelope with your three month, six month or one year subscription!  The bigger the subscription, the bigger the surprise inside!

Cards in the Mail would also make a fabulous holiday or birthday gift for a loved one, just purchase the subscription and let me know the name and address of the gift recipient and I will take care of the rest!  With the holidays coming up, this is one gift to someone that you can cross off your list.  Don't forget that guy in your life either - they can always use cards for an anniversary, birthday or holiday as well!

Sign-up today for one of these subscriptions:

One month subscription - $19.95

Three month subscription - $57.95

Six month subscription - $114.95

One year subscription - $ 229.95

Sparkly Snowman

  

This card is a little different for me.  I actually used a snowman stamp from Inkadinkado along with some Nestabilities Oval and Scallop Oval Dies.  I couldn't help but play with this snowman the minute it arrived at my house today.  The picture unfortunately does not do it justice.  The colors are so much nicer in person and the sparkle really stands out. 

Let's try taking a closer look at the snowman to see if you can see the sparkle and the watercoloring a little better...

  

Ahhh, this is better.  You can see the glitter more clearly in this shot.  The oval and the scallop oval are done by using Nestabilities in my Big Shot Die Cut Machine.  Too much fun:))

The watercoloring was done with an AquaPainter and Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Bordering Blue and Pumpkin Pie Watercolor Crayons.  The Dazzling Diamonds glitter was attached with Tombo Multi Liquid Glue.

Here is the supply list:

Stamps:  Inkadinkado Snowman, Stampin' Up! Classic Stripes Background Stamp

Inks:  Basic Brown and Always Artichoke

Accessories:  Watercolor Crayons - Bordering Blue, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie,
Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Nestabilities Oval and Scallop Oval Dies, Dewdrops, Mini Glue Dots, White Grosgrain Ribbon, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Tombo Multi Liquid Glue and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Whew...a lot of accessories were used on this card.  I hope you like it as much as I do:))

Thanks for stopping by!

Lynn

Meet Frankie from my Spooky Treats Halloween Class

 

Isn't "Frankie" the cutest thing?  I think that he is just adorable and have been playing around with him for many different projects.  One version is one that I did at my Spooky Treat Halloween Class.

 

Doesn't he look adorable on this white craft bag?  Fill it with treats for your favorite little goblin this Halloween - they will just flip over your gift!

I was making a bunch of faces for some projects I was working on.  Check this out....

 

The supplies used were:

Cardstock:  Gable Green, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White, Basic Black and Silver Metallic

Ink:  Green Galore (sponged around the eyes and the nose to help them "pop")

Accessories:  Top Note Bigz Die, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, 1 3/8", 1 1/4" and 1" circle punches, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, White Gel Pen, Paper Snips and Stampin' Dimensionals

I hope you have fun this Halloween making your treats, decorations and gifts for your special goblins!

Lynn

TUTORIAL TUESDAY - Check out this Color Combo!

Today is Tutorial Tuesday and boy do I have a really fun and easy project for you to try!  I was playing around with this technique with some of my downline.  Ilene was showing us how to make these oval petals.  We had some black scraps we wanted to use and I thought that Stampin' Up!'s Kiwi Kiss would look striking with the black used in the flower.  What do you think?

  

All supplies are Stampin' Up!, here is what I used:

Cardstock:  Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White

Accessories:  Small and Large Oval Punches, 1" Circle Punch, White Gel Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals and A Perfect Day Rub-ons

 

The "thinking of you" on the bottom of the card is from Stampin' Up!'s "A Perfect Day" Rub-ons.  They come in black and white and were just simple and bold enough to work perfectly with this card.

 

A dimensional was added under the 1" circle in the center of the flower to make it pop and add a little more interest to the card.  Simple, but classy...I like the way this card came out.

Do you want to learn how to do the petals of the flower?  You are in luck, today is Tutorial Tuesday and I have a short and simple tutorial just for you:))

First, start off by punching a small oval in your cardstock. 

 

Next, you take the large oval punch and punch around the hole of the first oval you made like this...

 

When you are done punching, this is what you have...

 

Use the bottom oval to make the petals, add a little white gel pen and voila - classy flower petals!

Be sure to take a minute and try this technique and see what you come up with.  While you are at it, send a photo of your finished creation to me and I will share it on my blog.  I'd love to see them!

Thanks for stopping by,

Lynn

Today's Piece of Vermont - Fresh Peaches...

Do you like fresh peaches?  My son, Cody and I absolutely LOVE them.  Guess what?  They are ripe and in season in our area right now.  We have been bellying up to a couple of peaches each per sitting:))

These are what are left of the peaches Darryl picked.  I made a big breakfast this morning and had Darryl's mom and uncle join us.  I used some of these fabulous peaches to make Peach and Pecan Pancakes with bacon.  Sound yummy?  They were!  They are definitely different from your regular pancake, but they were very delicious. 

The Peach and Pecan pancakes are the ones on the left and my regular pancakes for Darryl and Cody are on the right.  The Peach and Pecan Pancakes have a little multigrain hot cereal flakes added to them. 

If you think that those were good, you should see what I made for dessert for dinner tonight...I made a fabulous peach and blueberry tart (actually, I am typing this on Monday night but this won't post until Wednesday - sneaky, huh?). 

I love to make fruit tarts.  They are so easy to make and they are absolutely delicious.   I usually make them with fresh blueberries, raspberries and blackberries and even sometimes with strawberries and blueberries.  Tonight was the first time I made it using fresh peaches and blueberries....mmmmm, I can tell you that I will be making this again!

 

If you think this looks yummy, I can assure you that it was!  There is only two slices of this tart left after dinner.  It was so-o-o-o good!

This tart is so very easy to make.  Do you want to learn how? 

Ok, ok, you have twisted my arm...here you go....

I start off by making a simple pie crust for the dough.  You could also make a sweet dough for the crust - like a sugar cookie crust.  Bake the crust in a preheated 375 degree oven for approx. 20 minutes.  Keep an eye on it as it could be done after only about 15 minutes - just until it is golden brown.  Let your crust cool completely.

For the filling - I use 8 oz. of Marscarpone Cheese which is an Italian cream cheese found in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.  To that, add 1/4 c. sugar and 1/3 c. heavy cream.  Beat that with a mixer until stiff peaks form.  Spread the filling into the cooled pie shell and pop back into the fridge.

For the fruit topping, you can use a mixture of any type of berries or fruit you desire.  I probably used about 7 fresh peaches and skinned them and sliced them for the top of my tart.  I added some fresh blueberries from our bush to add some color to the top.  Oh, I should mention that I added a little splash of lemon juice to the peaches in a bowl after slicing them.  I normally don't add lemon juice, but wanted to prevent the peaches from browning.

As a finishing touch, take about 1 T. of preserves - you could use orange marmalade, etc.  I like to use apricot preserves.  To that, add a little water and either heat it on the top of the stove or cheat like me and put it into a small microwave-safe bowl and "zap it" until the preserves melt.  Give it a quick stir and drizzle over the top of the fruit and there you have it.  Pop it back into the fridge to chill it.  I like to do this at least 2 hours before serving.  You can serve the tart just plain for with a little bit of fresh whipped cream.  Oooh, it is good.  I hope you try it! 

Tonight Cody picked the peaches and came back with a HUGE batch.  He gave Gram half of them and she is making a peach pie as I am typing this post.  I plan on making peach jam and peach syrup with some of the ones I have.  By the time you read this, I should already have the jam and syrup made and canned - whew, I am tired just thinking about it:))

This is an aerial view of the box of peaches Cody brought home for me...  Anyone want a peach?  I am sure we have some to share AND enough to still make my peach jam and peach syrup!

Leave me a comment and let me know what type of tarts you create.  If you make one, happy eating to you!

Lynn