Harmony's House

A Stamping Frenzy

2011-01-18T09:53:00.000-08:00

I'm making baby shower invites, birthday party invites, valentines, swaps for the Stampin' Up! regionals, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Well, maybe not the partridge in a pear tree.

Now that I have a new camera that's working efficiently, I hope to be more proactive on the blog. This month? A quick and easy "Thinking-of-you" card. Look for it soon.

Peace,

Amy

Holiday Stamp Camp Saturday

2010-10-21T07:05:00.000-07:00

I still have a few open spots for Saturday's Stamp Camp! Join us to make six projects, including:

A Caroline Ingalls-inspired needlework book that's so easy, there's no sewing required! It uses our new line of fabric.
A jar label and topper that use our new "Homemade and To Die For" Stamp with matching punch.
A candy wrapper ornament with matching small card.
A Christmas card using our new Postcard stamp.
A Holiday card using the new clear-block ink technique.
A Halloween card using our new regals, with the Big Shot pumpkins and faces for a truly scary treat! This one also comes with a pencil topper for the ghoulies and ghosties in your lives.

There will also be a few surprises. Call or email to let me know if you can make it.

Amy

Heading to the Mall of America Saturday?

2010-09-17T07:13:00.001-07:00

There's a HUGE event for stampers and scrapbookers at the MOA tomorrow, sponsored by Archivers. I will be going along with a handful of buddies and my foster daughter to do make and takes, check out the workshops, and look at all the new products coming out from our favorite companies. Of course, this also means I'll be bringing back dozens of new ideas to incorporate into our favorite Stampin' Up! projects! Stay tuned. And if you're around the Twin Cities tomorrow, join us!

So Much for the New Year's Resolution!

2010-08-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been approximately three months since I last posted, which probably means I've lost any followers I've got. But I'm making a renewed commitment now to re-post!

I have some exciting tips and tutorials I'll be sharing with you all in the next weeks--including a gorgeous paper peony that can be used to make a lovely accent on a card.

If you're still with me, holla back! :)

Peace,

Amy

Ready for Chocolate Chip Cookies?

2010-05-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

I made this for a 6 by 6 scrapbook page recipe swap! It's my famous recipe (with procedure) for perfect chocolate chip cookies.

No stamps used in this one; it's a combination of paper crafting and punches to make this look.

Materials: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand Cardstocks. To the Nines DSP. 1 3/4 inch circle punch. Circle Scallop punch.

This is a simple layout, but the cuteness factor is in the cookie, which is made by punching out a circle of Sahara Sand, then mimicking a "bite" by just catching an edge of the circle with the circle scallop punch. The "chips" are roughly cut Chocolate Chip card stock.

And hey--the cookie recipe is right in the photo! Enjoy.

Happy May!

2010-05-04T16:46:00.001-07:00

Wow. This is coming to you in the flurry of activity that is my finals week at MSU. I'm grading, grading, grading, and temporarily pausing my Stampin' Up classes and camps for the month.

But don't despair! I'm going to continue to hold the monthly virtual workshop that has become very popular among you. Everyone who places a $25 or more order by May 30 will get a ticket in a drawing for hostess benefits for the total order! You get a ticket for every $25 spent, so increase your odds of winning with a larger order.

This month is National Scrapbooking month, and in its honor, SU is offering some fabulous specials on stamp sets that are perfect for use in journaling and scrapbooking. Check my website for details!

And looking ahead to June, I'm going to try hosting a stamp camp on a weekday evening. If you've got a night during the week that's best for you, let me know.

Happy May!

Amy

PS--All you moms out there, contact me this month for your special gift. :)

Still Time to Sign Up for Saturday's Stamp Camp!

2010-04-15T08:27:00.001-07:00

Saturday's Stamp Camp will feature three 3D projects with three matching cards--all designed so that you can complete three gifts perfect for a mom, dad or grad. (If you wish, you could change a sentiment and make your gifts birthday gifts, as well.)

The first gift, perfect for mom, is a favor box filled with small note cards for her to give, along with a matching Mother's Day card.

The second, a message center, will be perfect for the grad who will be off to college next year, and the card sentiment--"It's time to bloom!" -- reminds grads that this is just another stop on their journey.

The third, a handmade box filled with candy, will work perfect for the dad in your life. The matching card has a masculine look.

Join me Saturday any time between 10 and 4; plan to spend about three hours making your projects. Let me know if you're coming! :)

Amy

Time for Flowers!

2010-04-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have been hectic, keeping me indoors while I desperately want to play outside in the sunshine. I can't wait for the flowers in my yard to come up, and I'm anxious to dig my hands into the dirt and plant. But April in Minnesota is still a little early to do too much planting, even if the temps have been perfect.

So this month is all about spring for Stampin' Up! We're playing with flowers all month long, and I'm featuring a new set, Awash with Flowers, at my Stamp Camp on April 17. Stamp Camp will be held at my house this time--17 Camelot Drive, Mankato--because of a scheduling conflict with other venues. We'll be there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and you can stop by any time to make your three cards and three 3-D projects, perfect for giving to mom, dad, or the grad in your life this spring. Cost is $20, and prepayment is appreciated to guarantee your spot. Plan to spend about three hours making your projects.

You can also find me at the Minnesota State University-Mankato Centennial Student Union on Sunday, April 25, for MamaPalooza, a showcase featuring items for and from mothers.

I'm going to the Regional Seminar for Stampin' Up! on April 10 in Milwaukee, and I'm excited to find out what new projects and ideas are in store for me. I'll be passing on my new knowledge to you!

And Congratulations to Mavis R., who won the drawing for mystery hostess benefits last month at our virtual workshop! Yay, Mavis!!

Happy Spring!

Amy

Don't Miss Your Opportunity!

2010-03-24T10:25:00.001-07:00

This is just a quick note to remind you that I'm taking orders this week for a virtual workshop--and one of you can get the hostess benefits from it! Everyone who places an order of $25 or more can get their name in the drawing for hostess benefits for the total order. If six of you place an order, the winner of the drawing gets a free stamp set and $15 in free merchandise! How cool is that?

And, since Sale-A-Bration ends on March 31, this is your last chance to place a $50 order or more and get still more FREE stamp sets, punches or paper. If you place a $50 order for this virtual workshop, you'll get TWO tickets in the hostess drawing. Feel free to browse my web site, http://harmonyshouse.stampinup.net, for a look at all our fabulous stamps and papers.

Email me or call me with your order as soon as you can. I'll be placing the order on Sunday.

A Swap Sneak Peak

2010-03-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share a sneak peek of the card I'm bringing to trade, or swap, with other demonstrators as the SU Regional Seminar in Milwaukee in April. I was looking for clean and pretty, a note card that could be used for literally anything. I found it in this combination of bright and vintage colors, using the smaller flower stamp from the Vintage Vogue set out of the Mini Occasions catalog.

Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue
Cardstocks: Elegant Eggplant, Sahara Sand, Whisper White.
Tools: Scallop Trim punch, Scallop Square punch
Inks: Creamy Caramel, Razzleberry, and Brilliant Blue

I really like the look of the Scallop Trim punch; it offers a lacy edge to the center strip. You could use this layout in multiple ways. If you shift the strip up or down, you can add a sentiment. You could also turn this card the other direction, and add a sentiment to the right of the strip. It's an enormously versatile layout that you can use to build dozens of designs from.

Think they'll like it in Milwaukee? :)

A Niece's Present

2010-03-12T10:15:00.001-08:00

I have a niece, Kesinee, about to turn fourteen at the end of the month. Where did that time go?

Well, anyway, I made a chipboard scrapbook journal for her, and covered a small paper mache box in paper from the Sale-A-Bration Designer Series Paper pack (free with a $50 order)! She likes things with her name on them--since she has an unusual name, she can never find things in stores that are personalized--so I made sure everyone knew this was KESINEE's Scrapbook by adding her name in calligraphy on the front.

I also used the Happy Birthday stamp from the Four Square stamp set, Creamy Caramel Ink, Top Note die for the Big Shot, Scallop Trim punch, and Whisper White cardstock (for the interior). Page one features a big picture of her auntie and uncle--Me and Matt.

New Look for the Blog

2010-03-11T17:03:00.001-08:00

...and new specials for March!

This is the last month for Sale-A-Bration, so I've got a little more incentive for you to order this month. In addition to Stampin' Up!'s FABULOUS specials--a free stamp set with every $50 you order!--I'm going to put all orders of $50 or more together this month, and draw one customer's name for all the benefits from the total order!

Just think--your free SAB set, plus a chance at free hostess sets, additional SAB sets, and free merchandise--all the benefits of hosting, without having to clean house. :)

Email or call to place your order today. I'll be drawing and posting the orders on March 28.

To help you out a little, I'm posting new links on the blog to the Sale-A-Bration and Mini-Occasions Catalogs. Enjoy!

Amy

Valentine Stamp Camp, Part II

2010-02-21T17:31:00.001-08:00

Oh, we had so much fun at the Valentine Stamp Camp last weekend! Everyone got a bag of goodies when they walked in the door at the Ravine Room of Bethel Baptist Church. This cute stamped bag is a simple brown lunch bag on which I used stamps from the I {Heart} Heart set (the purchase of which will send $2 to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief efforts). I also used that set to make the heart tags on the bag and on the bottled water. Everyone got to write their names on their own bottled water, which made it super easy to keep track of drinks.

We also had several door prizes:

The vase of flowers in the center was one of our featured projects this month. I used Tempting Turquoise Fluttering Butterflies from our Decor Elements line, and burnished them on to simple glass vases I found at the local dollar store. (Hint: If you do this, make sure the sides of the vases are smooth, not faceted.) I added a handful of turquoise glass pebbles in the bottom, and when I added water, the pebbles refracted light in that color all the way through the vase! How neat!

The daisies I picked up locally. I couldn't believe my find when I saw the bouquet had flowers that matched my turquoise. A lucky first-time stamp camper won the drawing for the fragrant and elegant home decor item.

The fishy cards in the front I donated to the church after camp. The fish is made using the ornament punch! It's a fun way to use that punch in a new way.

Finally, one of the three cards we made:

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts; Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant & Sahara Sand; DSP: The FREE DSP sample pack from the Sale-A-Bration catalog; and the Heart Punch. This is a simple and fun card with a real WOW factor. You won't believe how easy it is to make!

That's it for this week. Look ahead to the next stamp camp: April 17. We'll be making cards and gifts for Moms, Dads and Grads! Details to come.

Peace,

Amy

A Masculine Valentine

2010-02-09T14:45:00.000-08:00

For my honey and my nephews, I made a heart card, but not in traditional colors. I'm not the only one thinking this technique works for Valentine's Day; check out Lily's Ink Pad for another version.

Stamp Set: Fundamental phrases.
Cardstocks: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Mellow Moss.
Punch: Modern Label
Ink: Creamy Caramel
Big Shot dies: Heart Embosslits, Top Note

Easy-peasy! Even if you don't have the Big Shot dies or machine, you could do a variation of this card with square layers, punched out hearts, and assorted embellishments. And using the more masculine colors makes this a cinch to use for the men in your life this Valentine's Day!

Feel the love, people.

***

I still have two spots open for Saturday's Stamp Camp! Contact me to reserve your spot.

Favor bags for Valentine's Day

2010-02-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, I spent my afternoon with one of my favorite people: My niece, Katie. Katie is getting ready for her first school Valentine's Day, which will celebrate friendship. So I brought my Stampin' Up! stash, Big Shot, and punches to her house to see if we could create fun, friendly valentines.

Well, Katie fell in love with the favor bag we could create with the Big Shot. So we ended up with 20 favor bags, cut from card stock and decorated with stamps, stickers, and other die cut shapes, including the Embosslit Heart of Hearts and Beautiful Wings die shapes.

These fun bags will be filled with small treats, including candy, erasers, and bookmarks for Katie to bring to her new friends at school.

Hey, if I was a six-year-old kindergartner, I'd want one!

Beating the winter blahs with Stampin'

2010-01-23T10:05:00.000-08:00

Well, today, faced with gray, gray weather and a decided disinterest in doing much of anything, I changed out my "SNOW" door decoration for the turquoise butterflies from our Decor Elements line. They look awesome, and remind me that, indeed, spring is just around the corner.

Come beat the blahs with me this afternoon! I still have room for three for stamping from 1 to 3. Three cards, $5, Valentine themes. Plus demos of some great gifts!

Thinking of You...

2010-01-22T09:31:00.000-08:00

I was sitting down to do some basic correspondence today, when I realized I was fresh out of "Thinking of you ..." kinds of cards. So I created this one:

This is primarily a punch and die-cut card, with just one stamp set--Fundamental Phrases--used. One of the things I love about being a demonstrator is the freedom it gives me to have all these lovely tools in my tool box whenever I want to play!

Tools used: Circle punch, Circle Scallop punch, Modern Label punch, Embosslits Fluttering Wings die for Big Shot, SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Cardstocks: Whisper White (base and tag), Very Vanilla (butterfly), Green Galore (Grass and stems), and InColor colors Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, and Soft Suede.

I used a faux suede technique to make these fluffy sunflowers. I punched out the circles and circle scallops, then spent some time with my bone folder "stripping" the fibers of the card stock (much like you would to make a curly ribbon with scissors). I carefully peeled the card stock apart, so I got two circles from each punched circle. The interior side is fuzzy, like suede. Scrunch it up, and you get even fluffier flowers. But I liked this simple look.

Don't forget to register for the Valentine Stamp Camp, coming soon!

Relief for Haiti, Stampin' Up! style

2010-01-21T08:21:00.000-08:00

From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set you buy will be donated American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Product Name	Item #	Price
I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount (block D recommended)	118571	$18.95
I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount	117010	$26.95

This is a beautiful set, and it's a great way to help make a difference to the people of Haiti. Contact me today to place your order.

Amy

Creating a Gate

2010-01-07T10:21:00.001-08:00

I love this layout, which I spied on my cousin Sara's blog this week. So I decided to try it out on a card:
Materials: Soft Suede and Crushed Curry cardstock; Vintage Vogue stamp set; Basic Black and Creamy Caramel Classic Ink Pads; Circle Fire Rhinestone brads; Fundamental Phrases stamp set; Modern Label punch.

As I finished it, I thought about how easy it would be to turn this layout into a gate card, which involves having two flaps meet in the middle of the front of your card. So I created this:
Materials: Old Orchid and Very Vanilla cardstock; Vintage Vogue and Four Square stamp sets; Rich Razzleberry and Creamy Caramel Inks.

Gate cards are really simple to make. Start by cutting your card stock lengthwise, so that you have a piece of base cardstock 4.25 by 11 inches. Turn with the 11 inch long side facing you, and score at 2 and 7.5 inches. Fold on score lines, and adhere your next layer of paper to the front of each flap, like this:
Next, cut your center piece, which will hold the card shut when you're finished, and place your next layer, embellishing that piece, as you go. A plain gate would look like this:

Finally, adhere your gate to the left flap of your card, being careful that you only use adhesive on the left half of the back of your center piece. Below is the finished sample; I've embellished with more Vintage Vogue stamping, Rich Razzleberry and Creamy Caramel Inks, and two flowers embossed and die cut with the Flower Burst Embosslits die for the Big Shot. (Ignore my smudgy sentiment on this sample, please.)
There! Creating a gate is an easy way to breathe new life into your card designs.

Peace!

Amy

Sale-A-Bration Starts Today!

2010-01-05T11:26:00.000-08:00

Stampin' Up! offers an amazing sale every year called Sale-A-Bration, and it starts today! For every $50 you spend, you receive free product, including stamps, punches and more, from the Sale-A-Bration catalog OR a free stamp set, up to $15.95 in value, from the main catalog.

It's also the perfect time to become a demonstrator. You receive a big discount on the starter kit AND a free stamp set up to $47.95 in value from the main catalog, in addition to your free Sale-A-Bration product. It's a fabulous deal--and exactly why I became a demonstrator almost a year ago!

Today we also introduce the Mini Occasions catalog, which features fun products just in time for the spring holidays, and introduces our new punch design. I'm thrilled with it! And you can see samples of projects made with the new Vintage Vogue set in the Mini on this page.

Check out my web site today to place your order, or contact me to set up your personalized workshop.

The Iris Technique Tutorial

2010-01-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

This is a simple technique that can yield some real WOW factor for workshops and cards. It's based on an old Eastern paper-folding craft, and is ideal for using the Stampin' Up! designer papers. Since it uses so little of these papers, crafters can get a lot of bang for their buck. It can also be used with ribbon or cardstock.

The "Iris" in this technique refers to the window through which viewers look at the pretty papers you've layered behind it. Much like the iris of your eye reveals the soul within, the philosophy goes, the window of the Iris technique reveals the soul in the paper.

Literally any shape can be made the window. The Big Shot Movers and Shakers dies, for example, could make really interesting windows. In fact, my first attempt at this technique used the basic tag opening:
I quickly figured out, though, that using simple punches could create a window opening. This tutorial uses the Circle Scallop punch, Very Vanilla cardstock, and assorted scraps of the Tea Party Designer Series papers. For the back, I used Razzleberry cardstock, cut with my Top Note die on the Big Shot.

Step One: Punch your window out of the front of your card stock.

Step Two: Lay a line of SNAIL adhesive around the outside edge of the window on the BACK side of the cardstock.

Step Three: Using short, narrow strips of designer series paper, cover the window from the back, overlapping each piece, with the side you want visible from the front facing down. I used the scallops on the scallop circle as my initial guide, just covering two scallops at a time. Repeat your pattern as you overlap each piece of paper. I used three different, light, contrasting pieces of DSP for my circle.

Continue overlapping until you cover all but the very center, or IRIS, of your window. Tack each layer of paper down with SNAIL. (You could also use a non-tacky glue or adhesive to help you place the pieces until you get a feel for the technique.)

You can take advantage of the Iris to place pretties, embellishments, or other fun things in the very center. It's a spot for a little "tease." In this case, though, I opted to just use a contrasting colored cardstock to back the entire piece.

This is, of course, the secret. Trim your edges, then cover the entire back with a second piece of cardstock.

Step Four: Cover the back of your cardstock with another piece of cardstock. In this case, I used a Top-Note Die cut out of Rich Razzleberry card stock.

When flipped over, the rich, deep color peeks through the iris in the window on the card stock.

Here is the finished iris. Accent, trim, and embellish as you'd like.

I decided to give it one more try, using the Square Scallop Punch as my window, and Green Galore CS as the base. I used the same DS paper for my irising. I think the contrast works much better here:

I finished this with a Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad in the center, "Hello" from the Fundamental Phrases Stamp Set, stamped in Green Galore Ink, using the modern tag label. This little guy is just 3.5 by 3.5 inches, backed by another full square of the same colored cardstock.

Give irising a try!

All samples and images here were created by Amy Lauters. Sentiment and papers courtesy of Stampin' Up! All rights reserved. Feel free to share the link to this tutorial far and wide. (With thanks to the Man of the Place for taking some of the images when my hands were needed elsewhere.)

A Simple, but Effective Technique

2010-01-01T18:36:00.001-08:00

It's called Iris Folding, and it's used to create sometimes intricate designs inside an "iris" or window, in a card front. I witnessed the results last spring, when a student of mine gave me a beautiful iris'ed card as a Thank You at the end of the term, and I wondered how it was done. Cue my sister-in-law, Bridget, who gave me some marvelous paper-folding and crafting books for Christmas this year. (Trust me, there are more techniques to come!)

I'll be putting a full tutorial together tomorrow, but for now, here's a tease of a simple card you can make with some spectacular results:

Stamp set: Vintage Vogue (just the sentiment)
Ink: Creamy Caramel
Papers: Very Vanilla and Green Galore cardstock; Tea Party Designer Series Paper, several scraps; Eggplant cardstock for interior (seen only in smallest part of the iris in the picture above).
Circle Scallop Punch

What I really like about this technique is that it can use up all those little scraps of designer series paper that pile up as you work with larger pieces. I hate wasting pretty paper, and this can use up all those little scraps to make something beautiful. It's recycling at its best!

New Vintage Vogue Set

2010-01-01T18:14:00.001-08:00

I'm so in love with the new Vintage Vogue stamp set featured in the new Mini Occasions catalog! You will love it, too. It has a French baroque feel to it; it just begs to be used with black ink and bright colors.

I've made several different card fronts featuring elements from the set, but here are two of my favorites:
This one uses the Vintage Vogue set, SU Classic Black Ink Pad, Whisper White cardstock, Basic Gray cardstock, and Circle Fire Rhinestone brads.

The next one makes use of the leftover frame from the use of my Top Note die for the Big Shot. I loved the leftovers--they make perfect frames for quick scrapbook pages. I decided to use this Real Red scrap frame, left over from Christmas projects, to make a sample Valentine:

Vintage Vogue set, Real Red cardstock, Basic Greetings Hostess Set, Scallop Oval Punch, Whisper White cardstock.

The set just has a touch of old-fashioned elegance that makes it a must-own for your stamping toolbox.

Look out for more samples and tutorials this year!

Peace,

Amy

Holiday Sales and Open House

2009-12-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

Folks, I've discovered I'm a terrible blogger. I'm going to make getting better at it my New Year's Resolution, along with a second promise: More pics, more projects, and more inspiration.

Now, the news:

* Stampin' Up! is having a 12 days of Christmas sale that starts on Friday! Put your order in by Tuesday, Dec. 15, to guarantee Christmas delivery. The company is promising huge discounts on never-before-discounted items. I can't wait. Maybe I can talk the Man of the Place into getting me my Valentine's Day present. He already got me a Big Shot for Christmas!

*Speaking of the Big Shot: Come to my Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. and play with it yourself! I'll have a free make-and-take for you to try using the Top Note and Flower Burst Embosslit dies for the Big Shot. I'll also have my famous Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, door prizes, and fun. Come join me!

Wishing you and all of yours the best of holiday seasons!

Peace,

Amy

Holiday Stamp Camp Sneak Peek

2009-10-14T11:20:00.001-07:00

Just 1 1/2 weeks to go until my first Holiday Stamp Camp, and I've been busy getting ready! We've got tons of fun in store!

* Embossing: A gold tree on a white and green background

* Rub-ons: A fun holiday sentiment for our new ornament punch in reds

* Relief and glitter techniques: An elegant and simple snowflake in blues

* Decor Elements: An easy way to dress up a picture frame for a gift

* Candle-stamping: Want to turn a candle into a hand-stamped treasure?

* Paper-crafting: Create a book-mark with a notepad to go with it!

Cost is $20, and registrations will close on Monday, Oct. 19. Reserve your space today!

Amy

New Month, New Deals from Stampin' Up!

2009-10-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

The new My Digital Studio program is ready to sell; it's fabulous, and I can't wait to get it myself. This month, new demonstrator recruits can get the program with their starter kit at a really good price. See my site for details.

Stampin' Up! is also restarting the "Deals of the Week". From now until Oct. 11, you can order three different punches--Trio Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, and the My Way punch--for just $10.99! That's a steal.

And a new month means new classes at Harmony's House. Check out my Holiday Stamp Camp on Saturday, Oct. 24. You can come and make three different cards and three different holiday gift projects for just $20. This includes snacks, prizes, materials, and instructions to take away with you. Sign up by Oct. 17 to reserve your seat! Location: Harmony's House, 17 Camelot Drive, Mankato. As a special bonus: Those who come get 10 percent off cash orders placed at the time of the class.

And finally, I'm working on different class ideas that I can present to you. Remember that I can tailor any of my classes to work with you and your group of friends, and I'm happy to! One idea that came from an attendee at the Pregnant Pause event I helped sponsor last week: A class that focuses on three uses for one holiday stamp set. That definitely got me thinking. Look for that class to show up on November's schedule, or call and book one in your own home.

Have a good month,

Amy

Thinking ahead ...

2009-09-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

October Classes

at Harmony’s House:

Feelin’ Punchy:

Break out your punches and head over to Harmony’s House to make three different punch projects. Learn how to use the different shapes available through Stampin’ Up! for fun and unique cards and gifts. 1-3 p.m. Sat., Oct. 3, Twin Cities, $10

Basic Techniques I:

Learn how to put together and use your stamps for three different projects. Learn two-step stamping, “huffing”, and masking to make simple but beautiful cards.

7-9 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 15, Mankato, $10

Holiday Stamp Camp:

Make six different projects that are perfect for holiday gift-giving! Three holiday cards and three handmade gifts are included in the cost, which also includes written instructions to take away with you. 1-4 p.m. Sat., Oct. 24, Mankato, $20

to reserve your spot.

Contact Amy at alauters@yahoo.com,

or 507-491-3093.

Course fees are cash or check only.

October Special:

Class attendees get 10 percent discount on all cash orders placed at the time of the class.

Check out http://harmonyshouse.stampinup.net or

http://harmonyshouse.blogspot.com

for news and updates.

Upcoming Events and Classes

2009-08-13T06:29:00.000-07:00

It's been crazy this month, and I just realized I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. So I think now is a good time to let you all know about upcoming events and classes at Harmony's House.

First up? A Back-to-Stampin' Pub Night at my place Thursday, Aug. 27, from 7 to 9 p.m.

I discovered a wonderful locally brewed hard cider recently, from Welsh Heritage Farms, and I thought it would be perfect paired with stamps! We'll do a make-and-take, visit, taste the cider and some of the wonderful cheeses that go with it, and celebrate the start of another school year.

Second: For my Twin Cities friends, I'm having an open house at the home of my good friend and cousin Shawn Mattson August 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. Email me for details. We'll have demonstrations, doorprizes, a free make-and-take, and more! Stop by any time between 1 and 3.

So many friends have just gotten started with stamping that I thought a couple of classes in how to use their new stamps would be in order. For September, I'm offering:

Basic Techniques I: How to use and clean your stamps; masking, coloring and two-step stamping techniques. $5; includes all materials for two projects. Sunday, Sept. 6 from 1 to 3 in Mankato.

Feelin' Punchy: (Title shamelessly stolen from my upline, Sara Mattson-Blume at LilyInkPad) Use punches to make fun and fabulous cards and projects quickly and easily. $10; includes all materials for two cards and two 3-D projects. Thursday, Sept. 10 from 7 to 9 in Mankato; Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1 to 3 in the Twin Cities.

Finally, we're gearing up for a winter stamp club. The first meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fill-In coffee house, Front Street, Mankato. Email me to RSVP at least a week in advance. $5 to cover the facilities cost. Bring all your materials! We'll make one card together, then simply have fun building our winter stash of everyday cards.

I hope you can join us!

Laura-Looking Stamps

2009-07-16T10:00:00.001-07:00

Friends, I had a marvelous time this weekend on my tour of Laura-land: Walnut Grove, Minn., and De Smet, S.D. I met some wonderful friends, planned a great conference for next summer, and toured my favorite places. I even got to sleep in a covered wagon on the Ingalls Homestead!

For some of my friends who were curious, there is a stamp set through Stampin' Up! that reminds me a great deal of Laura and her friends. It's called "A Kind Word," and it can be found here.

You can purchase it right on the web site if you'd like. I think it's going to be my next purchase!

Don't forget: Sunday is my First Look Open House, from 1 to 4 at Harmony's House. Take a look at the new catalog, play with some of the new stamps and colors, and win prizes! RSVP so I can make sure I have enough snacks.

Peace,

Amy

This Week's Deal!

2009-07-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

Buy the doctor's bag for your Big Shot for $49.95, which is $20 off the current catalog price! Go to my Stampin' Up! web site to order.

New In Colors, July Specials, and More!

2009-07-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

I'm absolutely in love with the new colors offered by Stampin' Up! this year, and I've been playing particularly with a deep color called Razzleberry. At my June 19 Open House, you can play with Razzleberry, too, as well as with the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper.

This card will be our featured free make-and-take for July:
Supplies: Razzleberry Card stock, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper, Crimper, Corner Rounder, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, and Fundamental Phrases Stamp Set, Razzleberry Classic Ink Pad.

I also made this cute little 3 by 3 book, perfect for a quick album:
Supplies: Razzleberry Cardstock, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper, Crop-A-Dile, Crimper, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Fundamental Phrases Stamp Set, Razzleberry Classic Ink Pad.

Cut a strip of paper 3 inches wide by 12 inches long; score at three inch intervals, then fold accordion-style with the pretty side out. Punch holes and set gromets at edge. Crimp 1/2 inch strip of Razzleberry Cardstock; adhere. Punch Scallop Oval out of Razzleberry Cardstock; adhere. Punch large oval out of Very Vanilla cardstock; stamp with sentiment, and adhere.

Done!

Finally, a cute card I made with one of our new stamp sets, Animal Stories. It goes very well with the Garden Whimsy set, and I'm absolutely in love with the elephant.

Supplies: Razzleberry Cardstock, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper, Razzleberry Ink, Creamy Caramel Ink, Nearly Navy Ink, Paper Snips, Animal Stories Stamp Set, Garden Whimsy Stamp set.

****

July Specials: Stampin' Up! is offering a Deal of the Week each week in July. This week: The Scallop Edge Punch, just $10.99. Contact me to order or go to my web site.

At this month's Open House, you get to earn raffle tickets, and the grand prize for the drawing is a basket of assorted stamps and other goodies valued at more than $20! Get a ticket for coming; bringing a friend; placing a $25 order; booking a workshop (and setting the date) and winning small games at the party. It's July 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. Be there or be ... well, you know how it goes. :)

Also, get a first look at the new colors, the new catalog, and the new stamps out with this year's Idea Book. And buy last year's catalog--chock full of great ideas, techniques, and stamps -- for $3. Get a free new catalog when you book a workshop!

Happy Fourth!

Amy

Emergency Wrapping Paper

2009-06-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

From the files of the panicked:

The Man of the Place and I are going camping this weekend to celebrate a number of family accomplishments, and we have gifts for several people, both birthday and graduation-type items.

I was all set to wrap them up today when I realized--all I had was Christmas wrapping paper!

Horrors!

We, unfortunately, have a great deal of Christmas wrapping paper; the MOTP got an entire case from his employer as severance when he was laid off at Christmas.

Waste not, want not, I thought.

With the help of the MOTP, I laid out a large sheet of the Christmas paper, printed side down, so that the white side was on top.

Then, I cracked open my Garden Whimsy set, handed him the Green Galore ink, opened the Brilliant Blue ink, and we just stamped the whole paper up randomly.

We ended up doing this three times in order to have enough paper to wrap all the gifts, and each piece was unique.

When we were finished, we simply wrapped up the gifts, stamped side out. Worked like a charm! And the cards that I made for each person heavily featured Garden Whimsy, coincidentally enough, so they all MATCH the paper.

How cool is that?

Try this the next time you're in a pinch! For that matter, you could easily adapt this to a kid project the next time they're bored. Just assign each child a color ink and a stamp, and let them stamp up the paper any way they want to. You'll have a stock of unique wrapping paper that shows off their talents.

Simple changes for Stampin' Up! fun!

2009-06-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

So many of my new clients are new to stamping that I've decided to offer a monthly class time for basic stamping techniques. The first Sunday of the month, barring holiday weekends, Harmony's House will host a three-hour class that focuses on how to use the stamps you've already bought, and how to use the accessories to go along with it. The first stamping technique class will be held in August, unless there's a great demand for it. Cost, to cover supplies and snacks, will be $5 each. Reservations required.

Secondly, the monthly open house will now be held the third Sunday of the month at Harmony's House, starting June 21. Each open house has a different theme, and guests who join us will have the opportunity to make-and-take two new projects as well as participate in door prize drawings and see demonstrations of new techniques. This one's free--and June's will feature summer fun projects, such as the star-spangled box and the summer mini-album. Stop by--and bring a friend!

Finally, while there's a great deal of interest in the stamping club, we're not quite off the ground yet. I've been in touch with the owner of the Fill-In coffee house in downtown Mankato, and he's offered to let us use his big back room for a monthly stamping night! What's fun about this option is that none of us provides snacks--you can purchase your choice of snacks right from the coffee house. There's also plenty of room to spread out for as many people as can join us. If you're interested, email me.

Don't forget: if you need any supplies, you can contact me directly or go to my web site (link at left) to order online.

In other news:

The Last Chance list is out, and some of our old favorites are on it! Contact me right away to see what you're missing, or go to http://harmonyshouse.stampinup.net. The new catalogs are out July 1, and I will feature project using the new colors at the July Open House. Come check us out!

And, the project of the week:

I've been playing with making bakery bags using the Designer Series papers, and I've discovered that a six by six inch square of paper makes a perfect little favor bag. It's ultra simple: just score the paper at 1, 1.5, 2, 3.5, 4 and 4. 5 inches; turn and score at .5 and 5.5 inches.

Fold in the sides, adhere, trim the bottom and adhere. Fold in the top, punch and put a ribbon through it.

Pictures next, I promise.

Peace,

Amy

Celebrating Graduation...

2009-05-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

Well, this isn't a Stampin' Up! post; it's a post about my other world of academia.

My favorite part of the year, and my favorite ceremony, is graduation.

I've come to realize that not all professors share my enthusiasm for watching their students celebrate this milestone. I've attended every graduation ceremony I could since I got my doctorate and started teaching myself. And each time, I get one or more colleagues who offer their sympathy that I've drawn "graduation duty." I've gotten suggestions to bring papers to grade with, or a paperback slipped up a sleeve of my robes, or other materials to take away the tedium of the speeches and the calling of the names as students walk across the stage.

I find it rude.

Maybe that's because I have a slightly different perspective on graduation than some. I earned my education. I paid for it myself, with burns from deep-fat fryers, sweat from midnight deadlines at the student newspaper, many versions of "Twinkle, Twinkle" sung for four-year-olds at the campus day care center, and hard studying to keep my four-year full tuition scholarship. I was one of the first in my family on the Mattson side to get a bachelor's degree, and I value it. I recognize the blood, sweat and tears it takes to get that degree.

And I believe we all should celebrate it.

Both universities at which I've worked as a professor have student bodies comprised of working-class students. Very few of these students have a great deal of family money to help them over the hurdles of tuition and books. Most are working in addition to going to school; some have families; some are single parents, reaching for that degree.

We in the professoriate should honor them for their hard work and the significant achievement of attaining a bachelor's degree. They could have given up on it at any time. We could have given up on them.

But they didn't, and we didn't.

And that's worth celebrating.

To Oval All, or Not To Oval All ... Well, Why Wouldn't You?

2009-05-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with the new Oval All stamp set in the Mini Occasions catalog, the large oval punch and the large scallop oval punch. In minutes, I made this card:This card uses the Echoes of Kindness and Oval All stamp sets, the large oval punch and large scallop punch, and Walk-in-the-Park Designer Series paper, in Nearly Navy ink, matted on Nearly Navy card stock which is, in turn, matted on a Very Vanilla cardstock card base. (Tough to see here.)

It's remarkably easy to use these sets! And as you can see, the results are very nice.

I spent a good hour Sunday playing with just scraps of paper, the Oval All sets, and the punches, creating easy gift tags. I've got stacks, now, let me tell ya. Some samples:

The far right, top tag was the inspiration for the card above.

Quick tip of the day:

When matting on cardstock, cut each piece a half-inch smaller than the piece before it to get a nice, quarter-inch border on your card.

For example, if you're making a standard 5.5 inches by 4.25 inches card, size the next piece of stock at 5 by 3.75 inches, and the next one up at 4.5 by 3.25 inches. The standard sized border there is actually an historically accurate measure called a pica, and in journalism, we have research that shows us human eyes like that border. From the files of "Who knew?"

Probably only PhDs in mass communication.

Happy stamping, and don't forget to visit my other website: http://harmonyshouse.stampinup.net.

Books, brads, and banter ...

2009-05-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

Well, all right; I only added "banter" to keep the "b" alliteration going. Once a writer... well, you get the idea.

I've been psyched this weekend after the discovery of a great book about making books! It's Esther K. Smith's book about book crafting, purchased for me by the Man of the Place, and I'm already head-over-heels for the ideas inside! They're simple ways to make small-to-large, handcrafted books, content not included.

I immediately went to work with plain typing paper and a scissors, and got the techniques down for a 3 by 5" book, a 2 by 2" accordion-style book, and another 2 by 4" book. These all can be generated from single sheets of paper, folded and cut properly. I also crafted a single, multi-paneled 3 by 3 inch accordion-folded book that I wrapped in black designer paper to create a really unique little album-style book. It would really be perfect for gifting, set with individual pictures of family members. Or a neat little alphabet book for a shower gift.

I also made two small notebooks, using the simplest form of the beginner book folding technique, designer paper covers, and brads to hold it together. I presented the first one to the Man of the Place in thanks, and he loves it. He plans to use it for taking notes during his martial arts lessons. If I can wrestle it away from him for a few seconds, I'll scan it it in for y'all. And yes, I'm still waiting on batteries for the camera.

Finally, a note about brads: I'm now completely in love with these little decorative elements. As a journalist by trade, and therefore, a book-o-phobe (there's gotta be a better word for that), I love how I can use brads to bind and hold things together. However, just lately, I've been using them purely for decoration on certain cards. I'm also using them on the belly-bands that keep the accordion-style books and mini-albums together. There's a beautiful line of decorative brads available through Stampin' Up!, and I'll have to get some more.

That reminds me: Paper's on sale this month! Buy three designer packs and get one free. Check out my other web site: http://harmonyshouse.stampinup.net for more details.

Peace!

An Unfortunate Acronym

2009-04-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

As a publications designer with nearly 20 years experience in layout and design, I'm often called up on to teach and share my experiences in layout with classes and in other venues. In fact, I'm writing a book chapter about it for a new editing text.

Most of what I can teach is boiled down into four terms, which, taken together, spell a rather unfortunate word: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity.

Yes, folks, the word is CRAP. (Also used in the Nondesigners Book of Design, which I frequently use as a text in class.)

Contrast, essentially, means if you're going to use two different fonts, colors, shapes, sizes or images in your layout, make sure to make them VERY different. Good, contrasting colors in the Stampin' Up! line include any true colored cardstock and Whisper White. Very Vanilla also contrasts well with the jewel-toned and darker cardstocks.

In the world of stamped images, look for clean lines that go with fussy florals; fancy type that goes with simple images, and so on.

Repetition means, in part, consistency. Using the Eastern Blooms florals on a card? Use them all the way through the design, and resist the temptation to break out a different set of florals that may not work well with them. But it also means repeating simple elements all the way through a design--a butterfly on the front of a card can be repeated on the back of the envelope, for example.

Alignment means to have elements line up in such a way as to draw the eye naturally from one element to another. A classic pattern is a left-to-right zig-zag, which mimics the way most in Western civilizations read. Start with text or an image in the top left, draw a mental line to the middle right and add something contrasting, then draw a line to the lower left for some sort of embellishment. Other patterns can be viewed in the 2009 Idea Book and Catalog, but the idea behind alignment is to work with what human beings do naturally with their eyes.

Finally, proximity: group like items together. That's it. Florals go together, shapes go together, dots go together, texts go together, colors go together, and so on. Stampin' Up! has that one nailed with coordinating papers, inks, colors and stamps that make it practically impossible to make ugly cards.

Nothing is ever completely wrong. Let your creativity be your guide. But if it helps, when you're frustrated, just think of CRAP.

Working on Samples ...

2009-04-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

My first open house is on Sunday, but now I've got my first workshop to prepare for in May. I'll be demonstrating for a group of day care providers in the Twin Cities.

I'm working with my cousin and good friend, Shawn, who is a day care provider, to come up with good, stamp-a-ble projects for kids to do as useful, inexpensive gifts for parents and grandparents. We've decided on the acrylic post-it note project, and on an accordion-fold booklet that can be dressed up with family pictures, a kind of mini-album. It's perfect for national scrapbooking month in May.

I've been playing with the design, and the dimensions of the original piece of card stock are 3" by 9" long, scored at three-inch intervals for folding. This gives you six panels to work with.

Fold the cardstock into the accordion along the scores. Stamp the front cover with your theme; in my sample, I used "together" from the Define your Life set. As you open it, add other stamps and photos, mounted on a contrasting colored cardstock, to each panel. Reserve the back panel for embellishment and ribbon.

When you've completed the interior panels, fold and flip it to the back. Embellish with flowers, brads, and other fun stuff. Lay a line of adhesive across the back panel, then press an 8-inch piece of ribbon on it, leaving the ends to dangle free.

Turn the book to the front, and draw the ribbons around to tie in a bow on the front cover, under your stamped theme.

It's simple, cute, and fun as a mini-album for a kid gift.

Options with Define Your LIfe ...

2009-04-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

I finally got a clue and started using my scanner to get images of the cards and items I've been making.One of the fun things I've been working with are small note pads, using a Wal-Mart Mainstay acrylic picture frame, post-it notes, and a background paper with stamped goodies to make door prizes for upcoming events.

The finished project is really cute, and I've been playing with my new favorite sets: Eastern Blooms and Define Your Life.

One example:

And another:

I'm using a technique here where I randomly stamp a piece of Whisper White card stock in coordinating colors and texts, then I use it as a background for layering the coordinating colored card stock and stamped images. They've turned out pretty cool. Like this card, which I made for our dean, who's retiring after more than 30 years in her post:

I also thought you might be interested in the Harmony's House signature card layout:

And, finally, a variation on that card that we'll make at the April 26 open house:

These were made with Caramel Cream card stock, Caramel Cream ink on Very Vanilla card stock, the Garden Whimsy stamp set, and Apricot Appeal Pattern Paper, cut into a strip and crimped, as a background.

The Harmony's House signature stamp comes from a stamp set called Happy Harmony, which is a limited edition and/or hostess set.

Enjoy!

Amy

Open House April 26!

2009-04-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

And I finally decided on the make-and-take projects.

We're going to do the Harmony's House signature card, which uses the Garden Whimsy set with Caramel Cream cardstock & ink, an Apricot Appeal crimped accent, and brads. I finished cutting the paper for it last night.

We're also going to do the recipe book in spring colors.

And, finally (Cue the drum rollllll.......) a birthday card featuring the Big Birthday greetings set.

Someday, I'll get batteries for my camera so you can see samples.

How Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cancer, and Stampin' Up! all intersect ...

2009-04-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

We were talking in my ethics class yesterday about volunteer organizations, evolving from a case study we had read about the American Red Cross and social responsibility. In that conversation, one of my students piped up with a certain knowledge: being a volunteer coordinator could be really difficult, because volunteers, by their nature, don't have to follow through unless they want to.

How did she know? Because she was coordinating volunteer bakers for a bake sale her Relay 4 Life team was holding in preparation for the campus wide Relay 4 Life fundraiser for cancer research, and several had backed out on her.

She needed chocolate chip cookies.

I asked her to see me after class. I am, as my family knows, a champion chocolate chip cookie baker. And I firmly support cancer research; my grandma Elsie died of cancer and its complications, as have other relatives. Baking chocolate chip cookies? An easy way for me to help.

So I spent my evening yesterday baking chocolate chip cookies, alternating pans through my old gas oven while simultaneously playing with stamps at my kitchen table. (I finally got my starter kit, and I'm in LOVE with the Stampin' Pastels and blender pens. Seriously a must-buy. Seriously.)

I brought my student six dozen cookies this morning. When she stopped to pick them up, she offered me, on her team's behalf, a luminaria or a label for a luminaria to be displayed at the event. "Have you lost someone to cancer?" she asked. "Because if you want, we'll give you a luminaria."

A luminaria is basically a white lunch-sized bag into which glow sticks will be placed, surrounding the track in the big field house on which team members will take turns walking, honoring those we've all lost to cancer. Each bag represents another soul lost. Many decorate their bags with their relative's name and other things.

I was touched by her offer, and I accepted. In my bag to take home with me tonight, I have a luminaria that I'll stamp on behalf of Elsie, with her own Stampin' Up! personalized stamp, still in my things. I'll probably add a butterfly, because she helped to give me wings.

And I'll take a picture for you.

If you're in Mankato April 18, stop by the campus fieldhouse to see the luminaria displays. It's a moving experience.

And if you need chocolate chip cookies for a bake sale, I'm your girl.

The Mini-Cookbook!

2009-04-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

I've been working with my "From the Kitchen" stamp set to find just the right make and take project for my April Open House. I think I've found it! It's a mini cookbook, perfect to use as a shower or Christmas gift, attached to an edible item for which the recipe is included in the book.

It's also super simple.

1. Stamp the big recipe card stamp in basic black on 3X5, unlined index cards.
2. Using a different color of your choice, stamp the "yummy scale" stamp in the upper left hand corner of the card.
3. Cut two pieces of 3 1/4 by 5 1/4 cardstock, colors of your choice.
4. On the first piece of card stock, layer it in your favorite colors and stamp it with the category stamp in the set. If your recipes are desserts, for example, stamp it with the dessert stamp and color it.
5. Stamp the back of the second piece of cardstock with "From the Kitchen of" stamp, and sign it.
6. Stack your cards together with the card stock, using the first piece as a front cover and the second piece of card stock as the back.
7. Punch through the cards in the upper left hand corner.
8. Use a brad to bind them together.
9. Write in your recipes!

The brad allows you to fan out the cards, so that when you're cooking, you can simply fan out the one you want to look at and put the others away under their protective card stock covers.

Cool, or what? I plan to use this at the holidays to accompany my treat baskets.

When I get pics going, I'll post 'em.

Playing with Boxes and Baskets

2009-04-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

I have probably been having way too much fun this week with my stamps and papers, building samples for future workshops. As soon as I get batteries for my camera, I'll take some pics of my favorites.

One of my current hot items is my crimper, simple piece of machinery that transforms any paper into a wrinkled, corrugated-style ribbon that adds texture and interest to virtually any project. I made some fun cards with a crimped ribbon of contrasting color across the front, layered with sayings and pictures. They turned out really nicely.

I've also been playing with box templates, available from the demonstrator's portion of the Stampin' Up! site, and when I started digging through my big box of paper, I found an entire manila envelope full of old box templates that played with years ago. I've been having a great time making new boxes and baskets of different styles out of paper. I think my favorite is a cone-shaped basket with a handle, perfect for hanging over doorknobs for May Day (May First!).

Surf over to check out my new web site just for Stampin' Up!: http://harmonyshouse.stampinup.net . You can browse catalogs, look at projects, and order right on-site.

Happy stamping!

Welcome to Harmony's House New Purpose: Stampin' Up

2009-04-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

I finally took the plunge and am now an official Stampin' Up demonstrator! I've been stamping for years, and I'm really enthusiastic about all the great stamps and products Stampin' Up has to offer for this fun hobby.

To celebrate, I'm offering some wonderful opportunities to you for the month of April:

1. The Open House Launch Party! Sunday, April 26, from 1-4 p.m. at my place (also known as Harmony's House), 17 Camelot Drive in Mankato. Come if you can for three separate free make-n-take projects, door prizes, and specials.

2. In April, if you set a date for a workshop with me, you'll get a free 2009 Idea Book and Catalog!

3. The Mystery Hostess Catalog Party: Any of you who submit a catalog order of $25 or more to me personally by April 20 will qualify for a "Mystery Hostess" drawing. The winner gets all the hostess benefits for the the party, which can include lots of free stamps and supplies. The current catalog is available here: http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/543.asp

Stampin' Up is also offering a great promotion with some fun stamps in April. The Occasions Mini-Catalog launches today, and anyone who orders $40 worth of merchandise from that catalog will get an additional $10 of merchandise for free! And you can add that up. If you spend $80 from that catalog, you get $20 of free merchandise! Check out the catalog here: http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Occasions09_US.pdf

What a great month to start a business!

For my Milwaukee friends who might want a workshop: I will be in Milwaukee at the end of June, so call me if you want to set something up.

Watch for the launch of my new Stampin' Up web site, coming soon. Meanwhile, check back here for pics, projects and more!

Big Announcement!

2009-04-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

I've just won the Pulitzer for my new book, "More than a Farmer's Wife," available for pre-order now at amazon.com.

The Beyond Little House Site is LIVE!

2009-03-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

Well, all, it's been a great spring break, and I'm back in the trenches today with my very first post on the new online sociable/blog I've created with other friendly LIW experts. We're live at http://www.beyondlittlehouse.com/.

Sarah Sue Uthoff, Sandra Hume and Zoie/Rebecca Brammer join me in creating a space where all of us Laura-lovers can congregate and ask questions. We've even included a section for "Playing Laura."

Check us out!

To conjugate, or not to conjugate?

2009-03-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

In the eighteen years I've been tutoring or teaching writing at the collegiate level, one theme recurs with disheartening frequency: students who have not taken a foreign language have never conjugated a verb. Period. And those who have taken a foreign language admit they've never conjugated a verb in English.

Frankly, I never had, either, as a high school student. But learning how to conjugate English verbs helps all writers see the parts of speech that become necessary to understanding singular and plural tenses; distinguishing between first, second and third person; and (drum roll) recognizing passive and active voice in their writing.

As an example, in many of my beginning writing classes (and some of my upper-level ones, when it's necessary) I walk students through the conjugation of the verb "to be."

First person, singular: I am. (What a definitive existential statement!)
Second person, singular: You are. (Again, a beautiful thing.)
Third person, singular: He/She/It is.
---
First person, plural: We are.
Second person, plural: We are.
Third person, plural: They are.

Students recognize immediately the meaning of the passive verbs they've been using. The true meaning of "is," "are," and "am"? "Exist"!

Teachers identify these verb usages also as "linking" verbs because they do aid in expression of larger concepts when combined with other verbs. Example: "Students are playing." However, "students play" says the same thing, with one fewer word, and more actively. Now we want to know something: "Students play" what? And the story can take off from there.

The other frequently used passive verb is "to have."

First person, singular: I have. (meaning "I own," or, in combination with the preposition "to", "I must.")
Second person, singular: You have.
Third person, singular: He/She/It has.
---
First person, plural: We have.
Second person, singular: You have.
Third person, singular: They have.

When students unpack the meaning of these verbs, they understand much more clearly the distinction between passivity and activity in writing. In addition, tenses and voice become more apparent.

For the average student writer who already possesses a good "ear" for writing, that's often enough to make their writing MUCH better.

So now, to end with what I tell my students is a "call to action": Start conjugating in English, teachers! It makes a difference.

Thoughts on the Craft

2009-02-24T07:40:00.000-08:00

Teaching an upper-division writing class makes me happy.

By this point in their college careers, my students--all journalism/pr majors--have spent a great deal of time writing and learning how to write. My challenge to them in this class? Go beyond what they've been taught; write actively and show me what they're talking about. Paint with words. Stop writing with "is" and "has" and "was" and "were."

This challenge disarms them, and me. Just in writing this entry I've deleted and started over sentences that I wanted to write passively. Such writing makes us lazy. Moreover, these students need to be challenged, as do I. Only good can come from thick description that uses active verbs and adjectives.

For example, I could describe my desk:

"A polished silver shell of new Mac rests on top of an oak-toned wooden desk, surrounded by cluttered papers, post-it notes, and reminders. An inspirational calendar, torn to reveal yesterday's message from a notable woman in history, looks perfectly in place among the varied colors of newsletters, brochures and postcards that rise in a stack next to it, ready to use as demonstrations in a publication design class. Next to the stack, the efficient gray phone with its secret-password screen stands ready for use in a call to a student, a spouse, or a future student employer who wants a reference. Under my hands, the keys of the ergonomically flat keyboard click softly while I ponder what else to say in this message."

See? Not a single "is." Believe me when I tell you how challenging writing actively can be!!

What's your challenge today?

Fine, fine, fine.

2009-02-17T07:09:00.000-08:00

I've apparently been lax in updating the blog, so this post is for my cousin Sara, who pointed it out over the weekend. :P

Some friends and I are starting a new, online sociable/blog, dedicated to friends and fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her universe. We want to let visitors see the side of the Laura-verse "Beyond Little House," so that's what it's called: Beyond Little House, and it will be launched at http://www.beyondlittlehouse.com by the end of the month. Visitors will find an A-Z directory of links and other resources about Laura, weekly blog posts by the experts, and an opportunity to ask the experts your questions about Laura.

We've each got a different range of expertise that we'll offer.

In other news, my second book, "More than a Farmer's Wife: American Farm Women's Voices, 1910 to 1960" will be out in June from University of Missouri Press. It's available for pre-order on Amazon.com right now. Go here to find it.

Peace.

Fundraiser for the Burr Oak LIW Site:

2009-02-09T07:09:00.001-08:00

From Sarah Sue at Trundlebed Tales:

"Card Shower for Burr Oak Museum

February 8, 2009 by trundlebedtales

"The story of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museums is one of grass root efforts. Small towns scattered across the Midwest decided they had to have something for the fans who came to visit them to see and slowly developed museums almost everywhere Laura and her family lived. Among the many methods of raising the initial funding for theses museums were Pennies for Laura campaigns where school children collected and sent in pennies toward getting the museums built. One of the museums these programs, which helped restore is the only original childhood home of Laura in its original location, is in Iowa.

"The Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum is located in the small, northeast Iowa town of Burr Oak, Iowa. The Masters Hotel where the Ingalls family lived and worked has been restored. The bank building that first alerted Wilder’s daughter Rose Wilder Lane that she had finally found where her mother had lived has been turned into a visitor center and gift shop. They had 1,635 fewer visitors this year than last and sales of merchandise are down. They have been somewhat unstable the past few years as they have had rapid turnover of directors. Also, the local restaurant/antique shop has closed down and they have hopes of purchasing the building and eventually re-opening it. Even with this instability, they still had visitors from every state in the Union and 23 different countries this year. They presented programs to 550 children this year alone. Now with a new director with a forwarding thinking plan, they need to stabilize their financial situation.

"Bearing all this in mind, I’ve decided that the time is right to host a card shower for the museum during Laura’s birthday month. You can participate several ways during the month of February.

1. Send the museum a card. Even if you can’t donate, hopefully the display of cards will give them a chance to get the word out and encourage others to donate.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum
3603 - 236th Avenue
Burr Oak, Iowa 52101

2. Send them a card and put in a monetary remembrance. Every little bit helps. Do it alone or as a class or club project. If you can’t afford anything else send them a card, to let them and everyone else know you are thinking about them.

3. Send them a donation even if you don’t want to send a card. Even small donations can add up.

"Please re-post this widely and help spread the word.

I hope that we’ll soon be able to look forward to many more years in this museum. Again, please help us by spreading the word. I’m sending a card and hope you will, too."

I'll be sending my card in, too!

New Year, New Challenges

2009-01-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

Well, 2008 is gone, and in a weird way, I'm both glad and sad to see it go. The year held momentous changes for me; a new program, a new job, a new city and a new home made things challenging, to put it mildly.

A year ago, I would have said that I handle change well, and I think, overall, that's true. But the older I get, it seems, the harder it is for me to let go of the unfamiliar and seek out the new. I don't suppose I'm the only one in that respect. But I found it awfully difficult to leave my house.

Not the job.

My beautiful house in Kansas, currently home to a nice young family who are renting it from us. If I could have picked it up and moved it north, I would have. I put a lot of myself into that home, and I miss it.

This year brings the new challenge of finding a truly new, permanent home. Our townhome already works well for us, but to have something permanent again, something that belongs to me and my family, will be a happy thing.

The year also brings another challenge: to be accepting of change, and to make positive health changes for myself. I want to start my semester (for me, also a point of new beginnings) with the firm resolution to get some exercise every morning. I might even draw up a star chart so that I can give myself a gold star for every day I spend 30 minutes actually exercising.

Finally, I'm looking forward to the challenge of making family my priority. I've missed everybody, and the true joy of the holidays for me was seeing so many of my nieces, nephews, cousins and second cousins, growing and thriving, in the bounty of love that is our family.

Peace be with all of you this year.

Harmony

Wandering and wondering ...

2008-11-18T11:20:00.000-08:00

I've got a great walk to campus most days, now, with our new home just blocks from my office. It's a little cold at the moment, but it's a fresh, 15-minute hike through a quiet neighborhood.

I've been thinking about wandering, lately, and the paths that lead us to different places and spaces. Seemingly small, insignificant decisions can lead to long-term changes in our lives. A decision to join the student paper instead of a choir in college led me here. Smaller decisions--like visiting friends in Stevens Point, Wis., for New Year's 14 years ago, during which visit I met my spouse--have consequences we can't imagine at the time.

I'm a fan of saying, and believing, that everything happens for a reason. I have faith that the road I'm on is the right one, and I feel the presence of the Divine in my footsteps. Some days it's tough; over the last months, my family has lost several dear members, with long lives behind them, and challenging circumstances in other areas have made it difficult for us to remember the path.

But as I wander, I no longer wonder if I'm doing the right thing. I know it.

Of Rose Wilder Lane ....

2008-10-30T14:11:00.000-07:00

I recently wrote a piece for Legacy.com about Rose Wilder Lane, and her lasting contribution to American politics and history. It's posted here:

http://www.legacy.com/ns/FullStory.aspx?StoryType=1&StoryID=17

There's some great clips and pics they've added to it, too.

Enjoy.

Thinking about Moving ... Again ...

2008-10-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

Well, it looks as though we'll finally be in bigger space this weekend, having decided to sublease a townhome here in town. It's three bedrooms, close to campus, and gives us much more room to roam.

There's something sort of final about taking it, though. I had such high hopes that our house would sell and that we could move into a new place of our own, something we owned. Without that, though, we have fewer hopes at all that home ownership in Mankato will happen any time soon. It's tough to suck up, but we'll just have to go with it. Perhaps, if we can get the Wichita house rented, we can move forward.

Meanwhile, our new space will work out well for us.

Sleeping in Seattle ...

2008-10-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

That was not a typo, folks; just a fun play on words, meant to convey that in leaving town for five days, I was actually able to get good, sound sleep. Sleep is at a premium with cats, snorers, and blanket thieves storming our small hotel room at all hours of the night!

I just got back from Seattle, Wash., where I attended the annual American Journalism Historians Association conference. This year I served year two of a multi-year sentence--ahem, service--as registrar for the organization. From that perspective things went relatively smoothly. We had an excellent program, with many panel sessions devoted to my favorite research topic: women in media history.

I also met several friends I hadn't seen in some time, as well as the bevy of usual suspects I see at this conference every year. It was fun to catch up, talk shop, and visit. A big question for me focused on the recent move I made from Wichita State to Minnesota State.

I was not, however, chained to my desk the entire time I was there (just Wednesday and Thursday, which is when most people showed up). Friday afternoons at this conference are devoted to a local historic tour, and this year's tour took us through Seattle's Underground and around the harbor of Puget Sound. When I have a chance, I'll describe these for you all, because they were remarkable sites.

I also had a chance to eat fresh fish and chips at Pike's Market, take the monorail to the Space Needle, visit the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, and drink lots and lots of really excellent coffee. In fact, I think I have a caffeine hangover. Only one of those cups, however, came from Starbucks. I apparently just missed seeing the original, which is in the Pike's Market area, and had to settle for a mocha at a small shop just outside of Westlake Center, where I picked up the monorail.

No part of Seattle is "level" in the slightest. Do not be fooled by concierges or Seattle natives who tell you the six block walk to the monorail, or the harbor front, or anywhere else, is level. It's all up hill, down hill, and around a hill. Reminds me a lot of San Francisco. Or Saint Croix Falls, Wis. Without the harbor.

But, at any rate, I got good exercise getting out and seeing the sights.

And every night, slept soundly in my comfortable, quiet, cat-free room.

On Being a Public Scholar ...

2008-09-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

On Friday, I attended a symposium honoring Professor Emerita Hazel Dicken-Garcia at the University of Minnesota's School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The theme of the day was "Beyond the Ivory Tower," and the challenge of the day was to bring scholarship into real-world applications and connections.

It was a fitting topic to honor a person whose great accomplishments as a teacher, mentor, and scholar stretch beyond the boundaries of academia. For those who don't know, Hazel was my own dissertation adviser at the U. Many of her advisees have gone on to do work that transcends basic scholarship to be publicly applicable. My own work bringing high school students into college journalism classrooms is one example. But there are many, many others who continue to apply their skills at research design and analysis to doing good work.

One example is Nora Hall, a Hazel scholar who now works as a Minneapolis consultant to improve neighborhoods and opportunities for women and others who need them. Another is David Domke, who, as a scholar, has published two books about religion and the presidency, and has found himself thrust into the national spotlight during election years. Others do things like work with local community groups to discuss issues of coverage for their organizations, or write editorials and columns explaining legal and ethical dilemmas for the press in layman's terms.

The day felt refreshing in many ways. The gauntlet for public scholarship was thrown into a crowd of former Hazel advisees, current and former U faculty, and invited guests. It will be interesting to see who picks it up.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to think about what it means, this business of being a public scholar, as I put the finishing touches on my new book, which explores the voices of American farm women from 1910 to 1960. It sheds light on their pivotal roles in American history and offers a kind of foundation for exploring the fissures between urban and rural American cultures that developed during that period, fissures that can still be felt today.

Hey, wait: That topic does have real-world applications!

Looks like I'm a public scholar, too.

If I'd graduated in 1950 ...

2008-09-18T07:23:00.001-07:00

I'd probably have looked like this.

What I find absolutely hysterical is just how much I look like either of my grandmothers in this picture!

Check it out... You, too, can see what you'd have looked like in a yearbook photo of the past at http://www.yearbookyourself.com.

Of Musicals and Melissa Gilbert ...

2008-09-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

Her signature gleams in black ink on a corner of my tattered program for "Little House on the Prairie," the musical I saw Sunday night at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. Underneath the nearly illegible "Melissa Gilbert" is "Ma" in quotes.

It didn't seem odd at all to see Ms. Gilbert playing "Ma" instead of her signature "Laura" in the show. In fact, it seemed just right, as if time had provided her--and the audience--an opportunity to see her original character becoming a mother who dealt with a child, her "Wild Child," just like herself.

The day began Sunday with rain. Lots of it. The kind of rain that seeps into every pour and turns driving down the freeway into a nightmare of poor visibility. As I headed up to the Twin Cities, I boogied to the "Mamma Mia" soundtrack and reflected about the twisty road I'd traveled through my interest in all things "Little House." My interest started as a five-year-old girl who started reading her first "big" book--"Little House in the Big Woods"--in the living room of Laura's cousin, Ruby. Ruby, a friend of my grandmothers, baked wonderful cookies and always had time for little girls.

I don't remember when I started watching the television show, but I do remember the momentous occasion when my parents let me stay up to watch the episode where the school of the blind burns down.

And my sister and sister-cousins played "Little House" all the time when we were small. I was always Mary, because not only was I the oldest; I was blonde. My cousin Nic had the honor of being Laura because she was a brunette, and she was the second oldest. I think we mostly argued about how we were going to pay more than we actually played, but we had fun, anyway.

Throughout my life, I've added to this trove of memories, taking my first adult road trip to Laura's birthplace in Pepin, Wis., and to one of her Minnesota home sites in Walnut Grove, Minn.; tracing out Caroline's first home in Milwaukee, Wis., and finding her mother's grave in Rome, Wis.; finally taking the long-dreamed-of trip to De Smet, S.D., with my ever-patient spouse just three summers ago; publishing my own book about the Ingalls-Wilder-Lane legacy (The Rediscovered Writings of Rose Wilder Lane, Literary Journalist); and meeting many more friends and fans online to feel the same way I do about the program, the women, and legacy that has become labeled "Little House."

On my way to a new adventure at the Guthrie last night, I could barely contain myself. In just a few short hours, I would see the very newest offering in this LH legacy: a musical scripted by a fan who took on the unenviable task of bringing together multiple visions of a story that at its core remains a story of family cohesion in the face of adversity. In this task, the show exceeded my expectations.

And the music was phenomenal.

So when we were told that many of the cast, including Ms. Gilbert, exit at the stage door after each show to sign autographs, on request, my friends (also huge Laura fans) and I took the opportunity. Several people were crowded around that door, blocking the Guthrie's front exit, and cheered as the actresses playing Carrie and other town players left, followed by "Almanzo" (a seriously cute, talented actor!), and Ms. Gilbert herself, who was tired and anxious about the crowd, but gracious in signing programs and memorabilia for fans, who began to drift off as she made her way down the sort-of line that had drawn itself up. Finally, Kara Lindsay, who turned in a remarkable performance as Laura, emerged, and the same bubbly spirit that characterized her performance made her a laughing, gracious and grateful presence. She, too, signed my program--in red.

So what I have now is a document that immortalizes the passing of a torch, in a way. The "old" Laura, and the "new" one. But both represent a living remembrance of a woman, and a legacy, that we now call "Little House."

What color is the Crayon?

2008-09-10T10:30:00.001-07:00

You Are a Yellow Crayon

Your world is colored with happy, warm, fun colors.

You have a thoughtful and wise way about you. Some people might even consider you a genius.

Charming and eloquent, you are able to get people to do things your way.

While you seem spontaneous and free wheeling, you are calculating to the extreme.

Your color wheel opposite is purple. You both are charismatic leaders, but purple people act like you have no depth.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Work, interrupted...

2008-09-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

The challenge of teaching writing becomes the challenge of writing itself: keeping material fresh, interesting, and rewarding.

I talked to a class this week about brainstorming, finding good ideas to write about, and finding a market for them. One of the tips I offered? "Enjoy your work."

Enjoying your work seems to be something that we can't always control. I certainly can name jobs I've had that I didn't appreciate at all, much less enjoy, but they filled the need to pay the bills. And later, turned out to be jobs that led me down this twisty road I've been on toward academia, offering me fodder for classroom stories and experiences to share with others.

But to enjoy your work requires writers to have a positive attitude about what it is they do. Enjoying your work means being eager to find that next idea, research that next topic, pour out the words on paper or on the screen, and move on to the next. It means somehow reconnecting and finding the enthusiasm for the work you need to get through each assignment.

In some ways, I started this blog for that very reason--I needed space and incentive to write again in the ways I've always wanted to write. My second book comes out this spring, but I really want to try to take my writing up to another level--maybe even try my hand at fiction.

Blogging offers me an opportunity to just keep that spirit alive--to write--to enjoy my work.

Some days, there might not be anything here. But for the most part, this is my chance to simply spend some time every day putting down words and rekindling the joy.

Back to Merry Olde England...

2008-09-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of discussing something other than my housing issues, by now well known, I've decided today to talk about the perfectly marvelous time we had Saturday at the Minnesota Renaissance Faire.

I love this experience, which lets participants pretend to be in a 15th century market town on market day, with wares, food and entertainment. On Saturday, we met my sister and her family, who also brought along our brother's daughter, to make merry at the market for the day.

The minute we arrive, costumed folks greet us; as we approach the gate of the festival, well-wishers, already merry with ale at 9 a.m., wave from the balcony. "Good morrow! Good morrow!" calls mix with casual insults and bawdy humor. The scent of richly roasted turkey wafts through air thick with woodsmoke and magic.

Contemplating Housing ....

2008-09-03T12:38:00.001-07:00

About the third time Tommy jumped on my head last night, it came to me: It's really time to find an apartment.

We've been in sort of a holding position for the last month, waiting for some sort of offer on the house so we could move forward with an offer on one in our new community. There's been significant traffic through the old space, so we've got some hope that it will sell soon. But it's getting more expensive to be in this half-limbo of no address, no permanence, and no doors between me and the kitties at night.

Most places here require a year lease, so we'd be stuck until next summer in terms of looking for a home; on the other hand, there are worse things than being patient and finding the right space.

I'd also like to be settled before the snow flies, preferably. And it was less than 50 degrees this morning when I got up. It's a cool chill that reminds me of how precarious temporary housing can be.

I'm finding myself in sympathy with others who, for one reason or another, have been uprooted, and have no place to go. It's wearing to not know what the next day will hold, or whether or how things will go. I want to cook again, using an actual stove; I long to bake. I want my easy chair. (My feet agree!)

Most of all, I want to be settled.

Wish me luck.

In which I think about transitions ...

2008-08-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

Moving terrifies me.

I recently started a long, complex move from one state to another, involving selling one house, and picking out another, and starting a new job. My husband's also looking for work in the new area, which we chose because it a) had a great new job for me and b) was closer to friends and family.

But, though I'm an optimist, I've got to say things aren't going as smoothly as I'd like. Or maybe it's just my standards of "smooth" that need to be adjusted.

For one, the house in the first state has not yet sold. Which means we can't just blithely buy in the new state. We must wait.

So we're holed up in an inexpensive hotel with our cats, viewing our fiscal bottom line with anxiety as we pay for a mortgage and a weekly hotel bill.

Something's gotta give, folks.

My husband found a job almost immediately, but it doesn't start until next week and he's not sure he wants it. Having finally given up second shift work at the beginning of July in order to help me and facilitate the move, he's discovered he really hates it. Working second shift means never seeing his wife (she notes, blinking prettily, that the sentiment is flattering, if not entirely practical), and he's not sold on continuing his life as a call center customer service associate. He's frantically applying everywhere in town, looking for a job--any job--that would prevent him from taking that full-time, second-shift position next week.

My new job, so far, has held a few surprises, but for the most part, things are going smoothly. There's very little I miss about my old job and much I adore about this one.

And the cats love the fact that at the moment, we can't kick them out of our room when we need some sleep. Which leads to minor sleep deprivation on my part, since they learned long ago not to bother the Man of the Place in the middle of the night. I must just look like a sucker who'll snuggle even when she's half-asleep.

Plus, I'm the food lady. And Tommy, the youngest cat at age 2, keeps trying to wake me up earlier and earlier for his first bites of wet food for the day. They only get it in the morning, so when he wants it, he REALLY wants it. Jumps on my head, and everything.

How are the transitions in your lives going?

It's another fine day at Harmony's House!

2008-08-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome, all, to Harmony's House--your source for the inane and the interesting, mostly American upper-Midwest-based news.

OK, maybe not news.

Maybe its mostly rambling and rumblings, annoyances and grievances, therapy and entertainment.

Hopefully, you'll be entertained, too.