Thursday, February 27, 2014

January Thank You

Hi there!  Today I'm posting the January 3x3 thank you notes that went into each customer's order bag.  It's just a very small way of showing my appreciation!  (No pun intended)  I don't recall the exact colors that were used but it looks like Island Indigo, Marina Mist, and Old Olive.  A dauber works best for this Bokey technique.  For the lighter colors, stamp off the ink on the dauber before applying to project.  Stamp each color in a random pattern.  Towards the bottom, you'll use ink full strength.  It's actually an easy technique.  Try it and have fun with it!

Must finish packing up supplies and kits for our Card Buffet being held at DeLeo's in Florissant this Saturday.  Snow is being predicted for Friday - about an inch.  Please, no more snow!  I'm so over Winter!  I'll stop whining now.

Thank you for coming by today!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Tag - You're It!

Hi there!  Hope you're having a good week.  It's been a busy one here with making final preparations for our Card Buffet scheduled for Saturday and just catching up on sleep from this past weekend.  Without further ado, let's get to the above card - another sample from our Card Buffet display board.  The inspiration for this tag card came from my friend and fellow Demonstrator, Sally Nusbaum.  I changed the base color from Gumball Green to Crisp Cataloupe and also used some different ink colors to make it my own.  The supply list can be found below.  Here is a better shot of the tag.




Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted. 
Stamps: Too Kind 
Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Gumball Green, White, Watercolor Wonder DSP 
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Wild Wasabi 
Tools:  Standard hole punch (non-SU)
Other:  Gumball Green Satin Stitched ribbon 


Must get busy.  Thanks for stopping in for a peek at my blog today!


 


Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Weekly Deals


Hi again!  View the Weekly Deals for Feb 25 - Mar 3, 2014 here.

  • Backyard Basics Framelits Dies Item # 129380
    Regular Price: 24.95
    Discounted Price: 18.71
  • Gold Metallic Encore Pad Item # 132141
    Regular Price: 9.95
    Discounted Price: 7.46 
  • Basics Glimmer Brads Item # 121003
    Regular Price: 4.95
    Discounted Price: 3.71 
  • Paper Doily Sizzlits Die Item # 125592
    Regular Price: 21.95
    Discounted Price: 16.46 
  • Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon Item # 126844
    Regular Price: 8.95
    Discounted Price: 6.71 
  • Summer Starfruit 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon Item # 126846
    Regular Price: 8.95
    Discounted Price: 6.71 
  • Season By Season Kit - Digital Download Item # 130060
    Regular Price: 9.95
    Discounted Price: 5.97
Please contact me if there is something you'd like to order.  I'd be happy to help you!  My contact information is located in the header.  If you prefer placing an order online, click on my photo in the right side bar to take you to my Stampin' Up! web site.  Thank you!


More Scrapbooking

left side
Hi there!  Today I'm back with more 8x8 scrapbook pages.  The above page is the left side.  The Festive Flurry stamp set and coordinating Framelits were used for both sides.  I also used the Notable Alphabet set to stamp the title.  Below is the right side.
Today's post is a very short one.  Saturday is our Card Buffet and there are some final preparations to be made.  I'll be very busy with wedding stuff after the Card Buffet.  Please bear with me until things get back to "normal", whatever that is!  Ha!

Thank you for peeking in today!


Monday, February 24, 2014

8x8 Scrapbooking

Hi there!  Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was absolutely awesome!  You can read more about it at the end of this post, if you wish.  Something new today - a scrapbook page!  After I started making cards, scrapbooking kind of fell by the wayside.  The Hostess for my Friday evening Workshop mentioned there were a few scrapbookers in the group who would like to see how to incorporate stamping into their scrapbooks.  The above page was one sample I made using the See Ya Later stamp set that you can earn for Free with a $50 purchase (before tax & s/h).  The "clouds" were cut out with the Word Bubbles Framelits and embossed with the Fancy Fan embossing folder.  The sun "rays" were punched out from the new Triangle punch that can be found in the 2014 Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog.  The "rays" were adhered to the back of a 1-3/4" circle punched from Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper.  The colors used on the sample page are Smoky Slate and Daffodil Delight.

My fun filled weekend began Thursday after picking up Daughter #1 from the airport.  We ran a couple of errands, then met up with Baby Girl, her BFF, Baby Girl's fiance, his brother, and his BFF.  I didn't get home until around midnight.  Friday night was my Workshop - another late night.  I had a blast with this super FUN group of ladies!  Thank you ladies!  This is why I LOVE my job!!!  Saturday morning was the Bachelorette party for Baby Girl.  (Baby Girl's fiance had his bachelor party the same day/night.)  We met at her BFF/Maid of Honor's house to board a bus, then headed to the Montelle Winery in Augusta.  What gorgeous weather we had for sitting out on the deck - and what a beautiful view!  We had such an awesome time!  The bus had to be back at BFF's house by 5:30 pm, so we only had time to stop at one other winery - Sugar Creek Winery.  The day just flew by!  We continued the party at BFF's house.  Most everyone left by 9:30 pm but it seemed later since we started at 10 am.  My girls and I spent the night at BFF's house.   We met the guys for brunch the next day, then went to Baby Girl and her fiance's house to "watch" the Daytona 500 with fiance's family.  We had such a good time - lots of laughs and funny stories.  We all left their house about 9 pm.  Everyone was so tired.  Today I dropped off Daughter #1 at the airport around noon.  Tonight will definitely be an early night!  Hope I can stay awake through The Bachelor (a reality show).  Ha!

Need to sign off for now.  Thank you for stopping by today and hanging in there with me on this long post!


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Gently Falling Sympathy

Hi there!  Surprise - I'm posting today.  Ha!  This is really gonna be quick since I'm on a very tight schedule today.  Above is a card that was displayed on our January and February Card Buffet.  How about some measurements to make it?  It doesn't have to be a sympathy card.  I used the solid leaf image from Gently Falling.  Stamp full strength, then stamp again (without applying more ink) for the lighter images.  This is known as second generation stamping.  Repeat the process - ink up, stamp twice.  Do that a few times until you get the look you want.  Stamp the sentiment on the strip.  Hint: It's easier to put the brads through both layers (the strip and the embossed panel) before adhering to the card base.  You'll have to let me know if you make this card.  Enjoy!  Here are the dimensions:

Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted. 
Stamps: Gently Falling, (inside - Loving Thoughts or Blessings from Heaven) 
Paper: Perfect Plum, White 
Ink: Perfect Plum 
Tools:  Fancy Fan embossing folder, 1/8” hole punch 
Other:  White mini brads (non-SU), clear block 
 

White card base = 5-1/2 x 8-1/2”, scored at 4-1/4” and folded
White Fancy Fan embossed panel = 4” x 5-1/4”
Perfect Plum mat = 3” x 4-14”
White stamped piece = 2-3/4” x 4”
White sentiment strip = 1” x 4”


Ok, must run.  Chances of a blog post tomorrow are slim.  So with that, hope you have a great weekend!  Thank you for coming by for a visit today!  Your visits are always appreciated!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Everything Eleanor

Hi there and happy Wednesday!  This week is crazy busy so I'm just gonna jump right in with details about the above card.  First off, I CASEd a similar card but failed to note who.  If it was your design, please let me know so proper credit can be given.  Thank you!
The flower background was stamped with either Soft Suede (stamped off) or Crumb Cake - can't remember.  French Script (by Stampin' Up!) was substituted for En Francais to make the background of the focal piece.  (Used what I had.)  The swirl was stamped full strength.  The flowers were heat embossed with white embossing powder, cut out by hand, and adhered with Dimensionals.  The CASEd card used Early Espresso mats and ribbon.  My mat color was determined by the ribbon selection in my stash.  It turned out fine - in my opinion.  Early Espresso is so dark, it looks black.

Thursday I'll be picking up the oldest daughter from the airport.  There will be no rest until she flys back on Monday!  Ha!  Saturday morning we will board a bus for a winery tour for my youngest daughter's bachelorette party.  Should be a ton of fun!  If you don't hear from me the rest of the week, you'll know why!
Must scoot to run some errands, prepare food for the weekend, and pack for a Workshop on Friday.  Thanks for peeking in today! 

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Another Valentine

Hi there!  Here with a quick post today.  The above card is another sample that was displayed on our Card Buffet.  The hearts were cut out from Framelits or punched out with punches.  I CASEd (Copy And Share Everything) Amy Rysavy's card that was posted on her blog January 5, 2012.  A few changes were made to make it "my own".  Sorry - must run!  Below is a supply list of products used.

Thank you for visiting today!



Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Delightful Dozen (inside sentiment)
Paper: White, Real Red, Crumb Cake, Black, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Ink: Black
Tools: Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Hearts Framelits, Expressions Thinlits “love” die, Small Heart punch, Decorative Dots EF, Owl punch (small heart)
Other:  Dimensionals, Quickie glue pen (non-SU), clear blocks
Inspiration: Amy Rysavy    www.prairiepaperandink.typepad.com    posted Jan 5, 2012


Monday, February 17, 2014

A Big Kiss!

Hi there and happy Monday!  The weekend sure flew by.  Saturday we had our Card Buffet.  What fun we had!  The turnout was great despite the weather we've had.  Thank you ladies for such a wonderful time!  Sunday was spent with family.  We attended a welcome home party for our nephew who is home from basic training (Marines).  He sure did look handsome in his uniform!  It's amazing how much he has matured in that short amount of time, too.  Afterwards, our granddaughter spent the night with us.  She'll be getting up soon so let's get to the reason you stopped in today - the card.  My inspiration came from Selene Kempton's June 1, 2012 blog post (you can view her blog here).  This card was one of the samples for our Jan - Feb Card Buffet.  To make the "kiss" I glued some foil to a piece of cardstock, then punched out the large petal of the Blossom Punch (currently on the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack found here).  Just trim off the scalloped portion of the petal.  The sentiment on the banner is from Petite Pairs.  A little bit of Baker's Twine added some interest.  Below is a peek at the inside of the card.
A sentiment from Love You to the Moon set is used here, along with the XOXO from the Circle Thinlits die.  Oh, and the cardstock color is Chocolate Chip.  Of course!

Must get some other tasks completed before the little one wakes up.  Thanks for stopping in today!  It's always a pleasure to have you come by!


Friday, February 14, 2014

Love You to the Moon

Hi there and Happy Valentine's Day!  We're getting snow....again, which may keep a lot of couples home tonight rather than go out to celebrate the day of love.  Mother Nature has certainly been wicked this year!
Since it's Valentine's Day, I'm sharing an appropriate card made with Love You to the Moon.  This stamp set can be found in the Stampin' Up! 2014 Occasions Catalog.  When I saw this set, I knew it had to be mine.  My granddaughter and I use that expression to each other, so it was perfect for her card.  (Just noticed that my stamping is a bit wonky.  Well, that's just so you know we Demonstrators are not perfect like some seem to think!  Ha!)  The "moon" is a Basic Gray circle embossed with the Decorative Dots embossing folder.  Love this new embossing folder!  I flipped it over to use the debossed side to mimic the craters of the moon.  The "clouds"  were cut out with the Word Bubbles Framelits.  A bit of Soft Sky ink was added to the edges for more definition.

OK, that's all for today.  Hope you have a great weekend and thank you so much for peeking in today!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

More Spring Fling Swaps

Hi there!  Back today with the last of the swaps from Spring Fling held last Saturday.  Yesterday I was in a rush to get out the door and didn't mention an important fact.  These swaps were just given to me (and a couple of others) without reciprocating!  A few of us volunteer Spring Fling helpers didn't have time to make swaps, or at least, that was my reason.  These gracious ladies gave us their swap card anyway!  Stampers are the BEST!  Now for a little info on the above swap, which was from Rebecca Schuder.  She used Delicate Doilies for a tone on tone effect in Midnight Muse.  The sentiment from the Best of Birthday set was heat embossed with silver embossing powder.  Love the Pistachio Pudding and Midnight Muse colors together!  The ruffled trim and Delicate Designs embossed border really add a feminine touch.
Next up is a Minion by Peggy Gebhardt.  She made him using Stampin' Up! Circle Framelits
Cute!!!  I've been wanting to make this character.  Now I have a sample!  Thanks Peggy!

The last swap is from Tamara Lobb.  She has used the new Hardwood background stamp.  It can
be found in the 2014 Occasions Catalog.  What a perfect backdrop for this adorable owl made from an oldie but a goodie punch!  The sentiment is from a stamp set called Just Sayin' and cut out with the coordinating Word Bubbles Framelits.  Both items are from the Occasions Catalog.  Tamara stamped the chevron pattern (Tape It stamp set) onto the 7/16" Natural Trim and embellished it with stacked Naturals Designer Buttons.  Love it! 

There are a gazillion things on my to-do list.  Must sign off now.  Thank you so much for stopping in for a visit today!





Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Spring Fling Swaps

Hi there!  Today it will begin to warm up a bit.  Hooray!  Get some of this snow melted.  It could be worse, though.  Need to make this short since I have errands to run today.  So, on to the cute card that I received from Ann Nahm at the Spring Fling held this past Saturday.  She made the lion's mane and paws using the Stampin' Up! Modern Label punch.  The background was made with the Stripes embossing folder.  The numbers are from the Bring on the Cake stamp set.

The following card was from Cindy Williams.  She used one of my favorite sets, Wetlands.  It appears that she used a reverse mask to sponge in the colors, then stamped the sandpipers and wheatgrass.  Very cool technique.  The white portion of the card flips up to open.  It is adhered to a single sheet of Marina Mist cardstock for the base.


Must get going for now.  If you would like to join us Saturday at our Card Buffet, just shoot me an email so we'll know how many tables to put togehter.  We'll be at DeLeo's in Florissant from 11-4.
Thank you for peeking in today!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Spring Fling Make n Takes


 Hi there!  Sorry for the late post sharing the make n takes from Saturdays Spring Fling 
organized by Sally Nusbaum - with the help of Kim Coulter and Cheryl Renth.  The above 
card is showcasing the new Stampin' Up! Ampersand embossing folder, which is found in the 2014 Occasions Catalog (page22).  A piece of gold Foil Sheet was used, as well as gold Washi tape and gold Baker's Twine.   

Our next make n take also uses a piece of the gold Foil Sheet.  This time it peeks out from underneath a piece of gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum.  Here again, gold Baker's Twine was used.  

The sentiment is from Perfect Pennants (found on page 27 of the Occasions Catalog).  It was stamped with Versamark ink and heat embossed using gold embossing powder.

The same patterns in silver can also be found in Fancy Foil Designer Vellum, as used for the following card.
A different sentiment from The Perfect Pennants stamp set was used - only this time, we stamped the sentiment with silver Encore ink.  The banners were cut out with the Banners Framelits Dies.

Isn't this a fun card?  The background was made with Washi tape.  Love Washi tape!  It is so easy to use.  Gold Baker's Twine was wrapped around the panel a couple of times and embellished with a strip of Gold Sequin Trim and a button from the Very Vintage Designer Buttons collection.  This time a sentiment from a Sale-A-Bration freebie set is used, called See Ya Later.  Cute, cute, cute!

Our last project has become very popular on the internet.  You may have seen similar boxes.  What a presentation for the recipient!  It  wasn't difficult - just a little more time consuming but so worth it!  Cheryl did a lot of advance prep work, which made it go quicker.  Here again, the same elements are used as those in the above projects.  The sentiments are from See Ya Later and Just Sayin'Modern Medley Designer Series Paper (found in the Annual Catalog) was used on the panels and for some of the banners.

Here's a better view of the inside workings of the box.  The great thing about this box - it folds flat for mailing! 

What awesome projects, huh?  I just can't express how much I love being a part of Stampin' Up! and among such creative talent!

Not sure what is going on with Blogger today - spacing is all wonky.  I've tried to fix it but it's not happening.  Sooo, I'll sign off for now.  Thanks for stopping by today!



Sunday, February 9, 2014

Spring Fling

Hi there!  Yesterday I attended a "Spring Fling" event and had a blast!  Let me tell ya, it certainly didn't feel like Spring outside!  I heard the snow plow come down our street early yesterday morning.  That got me out of bed real quick to peek outside to see how much snow had fallen.  It wasn't even an inch but I had about 30 miles to travel and snow could make that a scary trip.  Fortunately, the roads were fine!  Now back to the event.... Sally Nusbaum organizes a few different events for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators throughout the year, usually after the debut of a new catalog.  There are demonstrations, make n takes, business information, prizes, and card swapping (optional).  Oh, and food!  The best part, for me at least, is meeting other Demonstrators.  Sally's events are so much fun and I have met the nicest people!  If you're a Demonstrator and would like to attend, contact me and I'll connect you to Sally.  She does an awesome job!  So with all that said, the above packaged plastic shovel is one of the favors we received.  Isn't that just too cute?  We also received this one shown below.
This little cutie holds a square of Ghiradelli chocolate.  Yum!  It was made using the new Angled Tag Topper punch, gold Washi tape, and gold Baker's Twine - all from the 2014 Occasions Catalog.  The next favor designed by Kim Coulter is my personal favorite. 
What a gorgeous presentation!  That rose was made using the new Spiral Flower Originals Die.  Polka dot Gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum was cut from a Starburst Framelit.  (Each package of Designer Vellum contains 3 sheets of 3 different designs) The branch of leaves (bird punch found in Annual Catalog) and banner (new Framelits) were made from our Foil Sheets found on page 23 of the Occasions Catalog.  The Chevron print kraft bag is a product that appears in the Annual Catalog on page 158 and the Tea Lace Paper Doilies can be found on page 156.  What's inside the bag you ask?  Samples of both gold and silver Designer Vellum, gold and silver Baker's Twine, Mini Metallic Clothespins, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, and Gold Sequin Trim!  
Are you seeing a theme here?  lol  It was gold, silver, and red. 

Tomorrow I'll share the make n take projects.  Thanks for stopping in today!

Friday, February 7, 2014

Bokeh

Hi there and happy Friday!  Here's another technique we learned at the retreat last month.  Cheryl Renth showed us how to do bokey (pronounced bo KAY), which is a background technique borrowed from the photography world.  You can watch this video to learn how to make your own works of art.  The polaroid looking frame and camera were cut from a new product called On Film Framelits, which appears in the 2014 Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog. 

Here is the second sample we did, which is my favorite color combination.
The Silver Glimmer butterfly really adds the finishing touch!  The sentiment from Best of Greetings was stamped and punched out with the Decorative Label punch.

That's all for now.  Have a great weekend and thank you for stopping in to visit!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Kaleidoscope Herringbone

Hi there!  Popping in real quick to show you one of the make n takes we did at the retreat last month.  Sally Nusbaum showed us the herringbone technique.  It is easier than it looks and was a lot of fun to do.  You can Google for directions by typing in "herringbone technique" in the search engine.  Or, watch the video I found on Dawn Olchefke's blog here.  The Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper  used in the sample can be found in the 2014 Stampin' Up! Occasasions Catalog.  The sentiment is from Just Sayin' and cut out with the coordinating Word Bubbles Framelits. (These are also new products in the Occasions Catalog.)  Give this technique a try.  Caution - it's addictive!

Must run.  Thank you for coming by today!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Last of the Swaps

Hi there!  Today is the last of the shoebox swaps from a fun girls' retreat last month.  Our theme was to make a sympathy, get well, or thinking of you card.  The above swap was by Sally Nusbaum.  The sentiment from Sassy Salutations fit perfectly in the center of the Blossom punch.  Both items can be found in the Stampin' Up! annual catalog.  How about that subtle polka dot background?  That is the new Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper (DSP) on page 23 of the 2014 Occasions Catalog.  The finishing touch is the 3/4" Island Indigo Chevron Ribbon.  Who wouldn't feel better after receiving this card?

The next swap was designed by Susan Fields.
Her card is showcasing High Tide DSP (in the 2014 Occasions Catalog), the Banner Blast stamp set, and coordinating Banner punch.  The banner stamp set and punch are FREE products you can earn during Sale-A-Bration!  Some gold Baker's Twine was used for "hanging" the banners.  This is a new item in the Occasions Catalog and also comes in silver.  A circle stamped with an image from Hello, Sailor and matted onto a Pacific Point shape punched from the Curly Label punch makes the perfect embellishment.  What a great masculine card!

Snow is in the forecast.  Looks like another day in the studio.  It's a tough job but somebody's gotta do it.  Ha!  Thank you for stopping in today!



Monday, February 3, 2014

Love and Sympathy Swap

Hi there!  Hope everyone had a good weekend.  There was a lot of partying in conjunction with the Super Bowl yesterday - despite the weather!   Mary Taylor and I felt it was in everyone's best interest to reschedule our Card Buffet for Feb 15 due to the icy conditions.  Saturday it rained all day, then the temperature dropped below freezing that evening.  It isn't going to get above freezing all week!  I stayed all cozy and warm in the studio working on future projects.  Speaking of projects, how about a couple since I didn't get a chance to post Friday?  The first card was Diane Mikle's shoebox swap.  She used the Love & Sympathy set, which is a great set made for these occasions.  The background panel was embossed with the Decorative Dots embossing folder.  This is just one of the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration products that can be earned FREE with a $50 purchase (excluding tax and s/h).  The stamped sentiment was cut out from a new Occasions Catalog item, Starburst Framelits die.  This was then matted onto a piece cut from Midnight Muse with the Deco Label Framelits.  Such a beautiful card.

Here is Kim Coulter's swap.
The honeycomb background was cut from a new item, Hexagon Hive Thinlits die, which can be found on page 26 of the 2014 Occasions Catalog.  The flower and bee images on the focal piece can also be found in the Occasions Catalog (page 21), called Springtime Hello.  A hostess set in the annual catalog, Express Yourself, was used for the sentiment.  The Tea Lace Paper Doily, Linen Thread, and pearls finish off this stunning card.

That's it for now.  Your visit today is very much appreciated!  Thank you!