Friday, July 29, 2011

A Little Personalization

I had to take my clear blocks to Convention this year to use with my new stamps for my Make & Takes.  I had visions of thousands of demonstrators (yep, there were just over 3000 of us...granted not everyone brought their blocks and not everyone uses clear mount stamps, but still!) with clear block caddys and them getting mixed up, so I decided to personalize my clear block caddy a little so it wouldn't get mixed up with anyone elses!

Big Shot and Vinyl Sheets to the rescue!!!


I should have taken a before picture!  You can see what it looks like without decoration here.  So, the vinyl sheets I used have been retired, but we do still carry some colors.  You can see the vinyl sheets we still carry here.

I used the new Perfect Pennants die, and the Floral Fusion and Little Leaves Sizzlits.  My letters were cut with the Timeless Type alphabet dies.


For a little punch, I added a circle Bitty Button with some Whisper White Bakers Twine tied in it to the center of the flowers.

I love the way it turned out!  Sadly, I didn't even pull it out at Convention!!!  We decided to bring our Make & Take packets home and have a group Make & Take session at home.  We had fun taking pictures (goofy pictures!) at the photo background place they had set up and then took pictures at the amazing display boards (I have loads of ideas from taking those pictures that I can't wait to share!).

That's all for today!  Have an inspired day!



Wednesday, July 27, 2011

A New Look

So, did ya notice the new look?  I thought it was time for a little change.  Again, I used My Digital Studio to create my background, blog banner and signature.  I used the new Noteworthy Digital CD that you can get FREE by hosting a workshop!  I'm booking workshops for August and September right now, so contact me today to choose your date for some stampin' fun!

Did you notice the ribbon loops on my banner?  I learned how to do this from one of the girls in my downline who learned it in a class at Convention.  It's surprisingly easy to do and rather than me writing out the steps, I'm going to send you to Alise's blog.  She has a great little tutorial on her blog which you can find here.  Her instructions are super easy to follow!

Well, that's all for today...short and sweet!!!  I will be back tomorrow with some stamping to share.


Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Birthday Boy Cupcake



A couple weeks ago my oldest son attended a birthday party, so, of course, I had to make a card.  Aaaand, it had to be good because his mom is a demonstrator in my downline!  Here's what I came up with.


My color palette for this card was Not Quite Navy, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive...perfect for a boy card!  And, I chose to use one of my "go to" sets for masculine projects, the Extreme Elements set.


You can see that I used the cupcake punch and made a little cupcake for the focal point.  I wanted to use some ribbon, but not have it girly, so I chose the grosgrain ribbon and tied a simple knot in it for some added interest.  My sentiment was stamped with Not Quite Navy and it 's from the new birthday set that you can get FREE when you host a qualifying workshop.  Contact me today to book your workshop and earn this set!  It's a definite "must have" for your collection!

Have an inspired day!


Monday, July 25, 2011

Butterflies and Post-Its

The last time I went to one of my upline's meetings, I participated in a fabulous swap.  My friend Winonna swapped a great little post-it holder and I knew I was going to make it with my clubs!  So, that is just what we did in June.


Now, I know it uses retired DSP, but remember, we made these in June!  Here's a look at it open.


We used the Strength and Hope set...that's the set that Stampin' Up! is donating money to the Breast Cancer Research Organization for each set sold (wood, clear and digital).  For some reason, I feel the need to use colors other than pink with this set!!!  This time we used Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade.  And, to create the effect we did the Rock & Roll technique.  Here's a closer look.


Here's another little tip.  See how the butterfly is kind of popping off the page?  Well, it kind of is!!!  It's cut out, wings curled and then glued in with a little Tombow in the middle of the wings.  I know what you're thinking...cutting those antenna out would be painful.  Well, I 'm here to save the day!!!  The antenna were stamped first, then when the butterfly was cut out the antenna were cut off.  When you glue the butterfly back on you glue it so the antenna are in the right spot.  Easy peasy!!!

Have an inspired day!


Sunday, July 24, 2011

Simple Swap

Before I get into today's post, I have to announce the winner of the ribbon I promised in this post!  Kelly was the only one who responded...and she was right!  I used a square punch (1 3/8" square punch) and one of the new 3 in 1 punches (Blossom Bouquet) for the bow on the present.  Congrats Kelly!!!  You should buy a lottery ticket because you are on a roll this month!

Alrighty then, on to my fun little project for Simple Card Sunday!  One of my favorite traditions at Convention is the roomie swap that I always do with the girls I stay with.  In the past we have set up little stampin' stations around our room (even the bathroom...where else can you heat emboss when you can't find a plug in anywhere else in the room!!!).  This year, we took our stampin' stuff down to the breakfast area in the lobby and stamped the night away.  Sadly, I don't have any pictures!  But we had a blast!

Our rules are that our card can't take more than 10 minutes to complete and we don't want to travel with a lot of stuff, so we prep stuff a lot and then have fun stampin' and assembling.  Today, I'm going to share the card I did.  It's quick, easy and it's a masculine card!


I used the new Well Worn DSP (eeek, I love this pack of DSP!!!) on the right edge of the card.  Beside that is a strip of Cajun Craze cardstock that I embossed with my beloved (my Big Shot) and the new Houndstooth Embossing Folder.  You're going to want this embossing folder to add to your collection for sure!  Beside that strip is a narrow strip of Not Quite Navy cardstock.  Super simple background!


My sentiment is on the outside of my card.  I colored it with Not Quite Navy and Cajun Craze markers to get the dual color image.  It was stamped on Naturals White and matted with River Rock cardstock.  It's popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.


And, here's a fun little detail.  I made some ribbon loops (Not Quite Navy Taffeta and Early Espresso diet taffeta...that's the skinny taffeta!!!).  I stuck them to the back of the white piece and then added a staple for good measure!  Actually, the staple is keeping the two layers of cardstock stuck together...so it's not just decorative (although it works well with the whole masculine thing), it's useful too!

Well, that's all for Simple Card Sunday.  Give this card a try...you'll be surprised at how quick your card will come together!  And, it's a super easy design to change up for any theme...in fact, check out Sherri's blog here to see my inspiration for this card!

Happy stampin' and have an inspired day!




Friday, July 22, 2011

Swapping & Chocolate

I always try to have a 3D swap at events because I love the fun little projects I get in return from other demonstrators.  I get a lot of ideas for 3D projects from these swaps.  This year at Convention was no different.  I made a cute little book of Hershey Nuggets that I swapped.


I used a few new things for this swap...Melon Mambo Scallop Polka Dot Ribbon (love it!), and the new Best of Everything stamp set.

I used the fabulous Top Note die for the base of my project and scored it 1/4" on either side of the middle points to make a book.  The flowers were colored and stamped on Naturals White cardstock and I added a little rhinestone to the middle of the Melon Mambo flower.


Each one held three Hershey Nuggets which I wrapped with some First Edition DSP.  Super Cute!

Have an inspired day!


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Swappin' Crazy!

One of the hilights of any Stampin' Up! event is the swapping!  Sometimes, the swapping even starts in the airports and hotel lobbies before Convention even starts!  This year I made 2 cards and 1 3D item for swapping.  Over the next few days I will share all three of my swaps with you and have a fun class announcement...so keep watching for that!

I decided to do a bright and fun birthday card for one of my swaps this year.


I used Peac Parfait, Poppy Parade and Not Quite Navy for my card.  The base is Peach Parfait which I embossed with my beloved Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.  You can see my sentiment on the Whisper White piece...I stamped it with Not Quite Navy and the stamp is from the new birthday hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes.  I absolutely love this new birthday hostess set and I know you will too!  Check it out here...and contact me today to book your workshop so you can earn it FREE!!!

Notice how I wrapped a piece of Peach Parfait ribbon around it and tied it off with a cute little bow?  I used the Bakers Twine to do this.  I think I made 30 of these cards...that was 30 bows too many!!!!!  But, they were cute, so it was worth it, right?!?!?  Everyone I swapped with told me how cute they were.


My little present was done with some punches.  Can you guess which punches I used?  Leave me a comment with your guess and you could win a spool of Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon!  I will say that I used the new Just Add Cake DSP and a little rhinestone to add a little bling!

That's all for today!  Have an inspired day!


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Home Again...

Well, I made it to Convention and home again in one piece...with a nasty case of Strep Throat.  Yuck!  And, to top it off, I came home to 2 kids with Strep Throat and one with an infected toe (double yuck!).  I have spent waaaaay too much time at the doctor the last few days, but on the plus side, we are all starting to feel better. 

I went to Convention with a group of my downline and we had a blast!


That's us on Check-in Day waiting to get our name tags (didn't get mailed to us because of the postal strike) and our Convention Bags and stamps.  We had a great day!

I wanted to do something special for all my downline that attended convention this year, so I decided to make all of them a little gift.  Here's what I came up with...


I always take a lot of notes during convention, and there's never enough space in the convention book for notes, so I thought this would be great for them! 


I covered a notebook and altered a pen to match.  I used the digital download for MDS of the convention logo for the So Saffron section on the cover.  I just printed it in Old Olive on So Saffron cardstock with my printer.  And, since the theme was Grow, I used the Just Believe set on some First Edition DSP for a fun gardeny look.  I also did the same thing for the paper in the pen. 

I also covered a HUGE pack of Tic Tacs for them...of course, it had to go with the theme!


It was easy to make the Tic Tac container pretty!  I just covered it with some stamped cardstock and made a fun little belly band to finish it off.


Well, I came home with my brain swimming with ideas for projects and classes.  I'm hoping to feel great by the end of the week (my voice is slowly coming back!) so I can sit down and plan some classes to share some fun new ideas with you.

Have an inspired day!



Sunday, July 17, 2011

Wish Big Party Hat

Today for Simple Card Sunday I have the other project I did at my Open House/Rubber Garage Sale last week.


Check out that dimension and those fun polka dots...and who can resist the bling!!!  Once again, I used the Pennant Parade set and Petite Pennants punch.  This time I made a fun little birthday party hat with it!


Isn't it fun?!?!?  In addition to the new stamps and punch, I also used two of the new In Colors; Lucky Limeade and Island Indigo.

It's quick and cute and would make a great little invitation, or gift card.  Since it's only 3x3, there's not a lot of space to fill up on the inside...just a quick stamped Happy Birthday and sign your name and you're done!  Super fast...perfect for those busy days when you forget you need a birthday card!!!!

Have an inspired day!






Saturday, July 16, 2011

Summer Fun!

I need to start this post by saying that I totally copied this project from my friend Sherry!  I fell in love with it when I saw it and knew I had to re-create it!


I know, it doesn't look like much in this picture, but take a look at this...


It telescopes out and there's space for some pictures and journalling to remember a special summer event!  It's made with some bright and fun summer colors as well as the Summer Splash stamp set (which you can find in the Summer Mini).  All the circles were cut with the Big Shot and the 3 1/2" Circle die.  And, the rays on the sun were made with the new Petite Pennants Builder Punch...I *heart* that punch!!!  Here are some close ups of the different parts.




This is a great project as is, or all the circles can be used as accents on a summer fun scrapbook layout.  Thanks for the inspiration Sherry!

Have an inspired day!




Thursday, July 14, 2011

A Splash of Color

A while back I got together with my downline members and we stamped all afternoon making samples with new catalogue stuff.  We had a blast and finished the day with a boatload of fun samples to showcase!  My card today was one of the ones I designed for everyone that day.


The first thing I thought of when I first saw this stamp set in our pre-order was the technique Emboss Resist!  I had a vision of this card...it didn't quite come out the way I had originally planned, but it came out better!

I started by embossing the image with clear embossing powder on some Always Artichoke designer paper.  Then I rubbed a sponged inked with Soft Suede ink over the embossed image.  The result is what you see here...


The DSP shows through the embossing because it resists the ink!  Love it!  When I was all finished it looked like it was missing something.  I thought it needed a splash of color, so I punched some cute little flowers from Cajun Craze cardstock.  They were scrunched and peeled apart, they layered together so that they have a fuzzy kind of look.  They're finished off with some itty bitty pearls.  Perfect!

Did you notice the fancy edge?  It's done with a new punch...the Lace Ribbon Border Punch.  Yep, you're gonna be seeing a LOT of this punch!!!

Have an inspired day!


Monday, July 11, 2011

Beautiful Butterfly

In June, I taught my stamp clubs the Faux Mother of Pearl technique.


It's super easy to do (but hard to photograph!).  You stamp your image, color it, dab some Frost White Shimmer Paint over it and then sponge over it with a light color (Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, etc).  You can see a little bit of sheen on the butterfly in the picture...that's the Shimmer Paint.

Here's a look at the whole card.



My stamp clubs learn a new technique every month.  I have new clubs starting in September on the Third Monday and Third Wednesday of each month...contact me today for more info!  That's all for today!  Have an inspired day!





Sunday, July 10, 2011

Purple Hello


Well, I'm going to start off today by saying the Rubber Garage Sale yesterday was a HUGE success and I had a BLAST!!!!  I can't wait until next summer for the next one!  Here's a look at the first three people in the door (they waited at least half an hour on my front step for first dibs on the retired stuff for sale!!!).


Die hards, I tell ya!

As promised, I have some stampin' to share.  It's Simple Card Sunday and I have a super fun simple card to share!



The card base is textured Sahara Sand, sponged around the edge with Sahara Sand ink and there's a piece of Sahara Sand (cut with the Tasteful Trim die) through the middle.

I stamped my image (from the new My Friend set) with Elegant Eggplant ink on Sahara Sand cardstock and matted it with some Elegant Eggplant cardstock.  It's put on the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.  And, to finish it off, I added a teeny tiny little flower (punched from Wisteria Wonder cardstock...a new In Color!), which was sponged a bit with Elegant Eggplant ink and finished off with a teeny tiny pearl!

Quick, easy and fun.  And, I think my Open House ladies enjoyed making it!

Have an inspired day!


Saturday, July 9, 2011

Ribbon Shares

There's so much new ribbon in the catalogue that I know you're going to want it all!  But, where to start?  Well, why not join some of my ribbon shares?  It's a great way to get ribbon in lots of colors without having to buy all of it right away.  Then you can see what colors you use most and start by buying spools of those!

This year it will be a little different.  You will only get 1 yard of each color of ribbon (if you want more than 1 yard, you can buy double...or triple!).  Each color will be wrapped on the coordinating color cardstock as shown in the picture.


Prices are as follows (shipping & tax will be applied to these prices):

3/8" Ruffled:  $6.75
1/2" Stitched-Poly:  $4.08
3/8" Taffeta:  $9.50
1/2" Scallop Dots:  $10.95
Crochet Trim:  $3.80
1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain:  $14.85
3/8" Denim:  $1.90
1/8" Taffeta:  $8.25
5/8" Satin:  $8.17
1/4" Grosgrain:  $7.65
Seam Binding:  $6.65

Remember, you will receive 1 yard of each of the colors in the style(s) of ribbon that you choose.  If you would like more than one yard of the ribbons, please feel free to order a quantity of 2 or 3 in the style(s) you want.  If you choose to order more than one yard of any particular ribbon, you will have that many yards of ribbon on each of your spools (eg. if you order 2  1/4" Grosgrain, you will have 2 yards on your spools).

The ribbon shares will be offered until the end of August and anyone in Canada can order them.  Please contact me if you're interested!

Have an inspired day!



So much new...

Where to start, where to start!  Since the new Idea Book & Catalogue went live, I've been so busy wading through all the changes that Stampin' Up! has implemented!  Most of it doesn't affect you, but there is one HUGE change that does!  The hostess plan has changed and it's sooooo much better!  Have a look...


I'm so excited about this new hostess plan!  It's so much more flexible than the plan in the past and you have the opportunity to earn half price items.  Can you say HALF PRICE BIG SHOT!!!!!!  I am in love with the hostess sets this year and I know you will love them too.  The best part is that with the minimum qualifying workshop, you can get any of the hostess products...none of them are out of reach!  And, if you happen to not love the hostess sets (I don't know why you wouldn't, but it happens *wink*), you can use your hostess dollars for anything you want in the catalogue rather than hostess sets.  WOW!!!

Ok, so if that weren't enough, Stampin' Up! is also offering a limited time $119 Demonstrator Starter Kit!  It's full of fun new product valued at $205!!!


Yep, new stamp sets, new ribbon, new paper...what fun!  And, when you join Stampin' Up! during the month of July (with the fabulous new starter kit) you will also get a FREE Christmas Keepsake project ($50 value) with some product from the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalogue!


It's so pretty!  I will be hosting a crafting night with anyone in my downline who signs someone up and all the new demonstrators sometime at the end of August so we can all craft together and get to know each other.  Watch for details on that soon!

I've also been busy stamping up a storm!  I have a weeks worth of posts ready to go for next week with so many stamping ideas your head will spin!  Be sure to check back tomorrow for some stampin'!

So, what are you waiting for?  Now is a great time to book your workshop and have a fun little get together with your friends.  Great stamping projects, fun with friends, FREE stuff...is there any better way to spend an afternoon or evening?  Contact me today to book your workshop!

And, if you've been wanting to earn some extra money, now's a great time to start with Stampin' Up!.  Today could be the first day of your new, exciting and fun job!  Contact me today to get signed up and start your journey down a rewarding path with Stampin' Up!.  I welcome all kinds of demonstrators to my team...from the ones who just want the discount, to ones who love to stamp with a group of friends to ones who want to reach for the top and join me on the next trip!

Well, it's Rubber Garage Sale day and I've got a few little finishing touches to attend to.  My reitred product is ready and willing to go to new homes today, the snacks are made, the door prizes are ready (draws every half hour), the make & takes are set up and I'm ready for a great afternoon!   Drop by between 2 & 5:30 for some stampin' fun!

Have an inspired day!