8/31 Tree Trimmings Sketch Card

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Welcome! This post is featuring a sketch by Stamping 411 as you can see to the left. It's a great one and perfect for me to test out one of the freebie sets I got this year at Convention called Tree Trimmings. I also played with Shimmer Paint . . . not so noticeable in in the picture but very shimmery in person. This is one of the cards that my customers will make at my Christmas Dozen class coming up in September. It will be fun to have every one play with those Jumbo Grommets . . . I think it makes the perfect accent on this card.
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Do you like the patterned paper? It's a sneak peek from the Holiday Mini that debuts tomorrow! It's a specialty paper called Christmas Cocoa. (The name is wonderful, don't you agree?!) Anyway, some of the paper is shiny and some of it is flocked!! This is a piece that is flocked . . . the white part is fuzzy-like and so, so touchable! The olive taffeta ribbon is also making its first appearance on the SU scene via the Holiday Mini Catalog. It's part of a Ribbon Originals called Mistletoe. (Another darling name!)
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So how did I use the shimmer paint? Exactly like they told me to at Convention! haha! (I've never claimed to be an original thinker!! lol!) This is what I did. I picked one of the translucent paints . . . in this case Frost White and gave it a good shake. After I took the cap off the jar of paint, picked up a sponge dauber and put it in the cap. That allowed me to pick up just the right amount of paint. Then, I inked up my ornament and dabbed the dauber onto the inked up image. . . stamp like normal and ta da . . . a shimmery image. It's sort of glittery looking . . . and no glittery mess to clean up afterwards.
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Have a happy day! Shopping is 24-7 at my SU website!
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Stamp: Tree Trimmings (116722)
Paper: Handsome Hunter (105122), Old Olive (100702), Whisper White (100730), Debuting September 1: Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper (116770)
Ink: Real Red (103133), Handsome Hunter (105215)
Accessories: Basic Jumbo Grommets (114348), Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Dimensionals (104430), Debuting September 1: Mistletoe Ribbon Originals (116792), Silver Elastic Cord (109866)
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8/29/9 Sesame Street Class

This past week I offered a Mom and Me Sesame Street Card Class to my customers. I had to share a few pictures of Cooper and Jenni. My girls and I babysit Cooper two days a week so he's had some card making experience . . . but it's fun to see his smiling face and I think he will enjoy seeing his picture on my blog! Above, Cooper is cutting out the scallops for the character's faces with the Big Shot Machine.

Cooper LOVED helping punch all the punches that we needed to make the cards. It was a great opportunity to practice counting!

Cooper and I focused on stamping and prepping all the punches while mom Jenni did all the gluing. We were quite a team!

Below is a picture of the cards we made . . . two of each character for eight cards in all. We also made a box to put them in. Cooper was eating a rice crispie bar by the time we got around to doing the box, but Jenni was thrilled to get step by step instructions that she can use for future projects.
This is a picture of the box. Isn't it great? it easily holds eight cards and envelopes. Or, if your cards have a lot of embellishments . . . four would be a comfortable fit.

Do you know where I got the idea for this class? Straight off the demonstrator website! Demonstrator Tamara Bertram shared this idea and was selected as one of the stamping challenge winners. You know how busy I've been since convention . . . being out of town as much if not more than being in town . . . it's a relief to be able to turn to the demonstrator website and find ideas right there ready and waiting to be used. One of the fabulous perks of being part of the SU family.

There are only a few more days before August is over and we say good bye to the greatest recruiting opportunity I've seen since becoming a demonstrator two years ago. I WILL be in town this weekend . . . so if you've been contemplating and you've decided that you would like to join the SU family of demonstrators . . . whether for personal use or to make extra money for the holidays . . . PLEASE contact me!! You can read all about the mini kit . . . only $85 through August 31 right HERE. It's really a great time to get started and I would love to have you join my team. Go to my SU website to sign up and use my password - stampingtoshare. There's nothing to lose . . . if you decide that being a demonstrator isn't for you, simply do nothing. You will still get to keep all of the goodies in your starter kit and your $30 new demo gift from me. It's a win-win!!

Have a great weekend . . . and remember my SU store never closes! lol! Shop 24-7 right HERE!

Stamps: On Your Birthday (111664)

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482), Brilliant Blue (100721), Old Olive (100702), Only Orange (102837), YoYo Yellow (102824), Basic Black (102851), Chocolate Chip (102128)

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Scallop Die #2 (113469), 1/2" Circle Punch (104390), 3/4" Circle Punch (107217), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Large Oval Punch (107305), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (112004), Wide Oval Punch (112082), Small Oval Punch (107304), Whisper White Organza Ribbon (114319)

8/28 QC Swap for Convention

This card is one I made for a special swap that I organized for the QC Swappers Group. (QC stands for Quality Control.) We met at lunch one day at convention and had a ball getting to know each other in person. I feel so privileged to be a part of this great group of stampers.

My card uses the Level Three Hostess set called Kind & Caring Thoughts. The Kraft base of my card is stamped with the background stamp called Tres Chic. There's a layer of card stock vellum and a panel of textured Dusty Durango. The orange paper on this card is from the Designer Series paper pack called Razzleberry Lemonade. I used a combination of punches to create the sentiment panel and my other embellishments are Vintage Brads and Polka Dot Soft Suede Ribbon . . . with the polka dots turned face down.

Feel free to shop with me 24-7 at my Stampin'Up website.

Stamps: Tres Chic (109258), Level Three Hostess Set called Kind & Caring Thoughts (115324)
Paper: Kraft (102125), Textured Dusty Durango (115719), Soft Suede (115318), Razzleberry DSP (115675) Card Stock Vellum (101856)
Ink: Soft Suede (115657)
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Modern Label Punch (116630), Designer Label Punch (107590), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Vintage Brads (109109), Polka Dot Grosgrain in Soft Suede (115612), Dimensionals (104430)

8/27 Another Holiday Mini Preview

Here's another sneak peak from the Holiday Mini catalog . . . so many goodies and LOTS of new things for your die-cutting machine! Isn't this decorated bag just the sweetest? The bag is just your basic small Kraft bag from Micheal's. The Build-a-Bear die-cuts a just sooooo darling. The Stampin'Up Bear Bigz Die is a must have . . . and then of course you have to "dress" your bear! There are all kinds of outfits to choose from. Halloween to Christmas and of course your regular every day wear kind of outfits. I used the Stampin'Up Originals Die called Kooky Spooky. I decided to put some shoes on him . . . can't go trick or treating without shoes! The shoes came from the Stampin'Up Bigz Die called Beary Essentials . . . your basic bear wardrobe!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by. You can always shop 24/7 from my Stampin'Up store - follow the link HERE!

Paper: Basic Black (102851), Sahara Sand (105328), Close to Cocoa (101341), Creamy Caramel (102514), Dusty Durango (115321), Ruby Red (102030)
Accessories: Big Shot Machine (113439), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), 1/4" Black Grosgrain (109027), Kraft Bag & tissue from the craft store, And . . . available on September 1: SU Bigz Bear Die (117977), SU Bigz Beary Essentials Die (117978), SU Originals Kooky Spooky Die (117979)

8/26 Sneak Peak from Holiday Mini!

Stampin' Up partnered with Build-a-Bear Workshop and introduced some very sweet and exclusive stamp sets and Sizzix dies that are guaranteed to be "beary fun" to work with! I am giving you a sneak peak of the stamp set called Beary Best Friends and the coordinating sentiment set called Beary Nice Wishes. These sets will be available to order on September 1. They are darling and truly one of the cutest collection of bear products that I've ever seen! Today, I am working on a Craft Night Out for my Fall Hostesses featuring the Build-a-Bear collection.

The design of my card was inspired by a sketch at Stamping 411. The bear is water colored with an Aqua Painter and ink taken off the lids of my SU ink pads. I stamped the bear with Basic Brown which is a permanent ink and it will not smear when you are painting your image. I stamped the bear onto a panel of Naturals White . . . this paper is fabulous for water coloring because it is very forgiving and it can take quite a bit of water without any negative effects. The dress is colored with pretty in pink but to add in some darker highlights where the gathers are I used just a bit of Bravo Burgundy. To make sure my sweet bear wasn't "floating", I gave her a bit of ground to stand on using Going Gray ink.

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by to visit my blog.

You can shop with me 24-7 at my Stampin'Up website!

Stamps: Tres Chic Background (109258), Beary Best Friends, available Sept. 1 (118052), Beary Nice Wishes, available Sept. 1 (118050)

Paper: Chocolate Chip (102128), Pink Pirouette (retired), Close to Cocoa (101341), Bravo Burgundy (105123), Naturals White (102316)

Ink: Basic Brown (104315), Close to Cocoa (103139), Pretty in Pink (101301), Going Gray (103274), Bravo Burgundy (105214), Chocolate Chip (100908) for stamping the sentiment

Accessories: Pink Taffeta Ribbon (109067), Soft Subtles Brads (106954), Dimesionals (104430)

8/24 Circle Circus Fun

I've been immersing myself in the new "In-Colors." This card features Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry paired with Basic Gray. The base of my card is made from Very Vanilla card stock so I used that to stamp my circles on as well. One of the fabulous, fun things about the Circle Circus set is that it coordinates so well with a variety of our Circle Punches.

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I was in need of a few monogram cards . . . just so happens that the letter "K" from Lovely Letters Alphabet fits perfectly into the open circle found in the Circle Circus set. As I was stamping this, I found myself wondering how many of the other letters would fit into this open Circle. Here is your answer: All of them but Three! M, Q and W are just a bit too big.

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Notice the lovely texture on the Dusty Durango card stock? That is from the In Color textured paper pack which for the first times now comes in 8.5"x11". I love that new option from Stampin'Up. I gave the Crushed Curry a bit of textured with a quick run through my Big Shot machine using the texturz plate from Stampin'Up Backgrounds 1. I find that I can easily get a more defined texture by spritzing the plate with rubbing alcohol before laying my paper on it. I used to use water, but that seemed to curl my paper and it took a long time to dry. Rubbing alcohol dries very quickly and there is minimal curl.

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To give the base of the card a nice stable feel, I added a strip of Crushed Curry Polka Dot ribbon. Lovely, yes? The gray panel is popped up on dimensionals as it the monogram.

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Have a great day and if you need to do some SU shopping . . . click HERE.

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Stamps: Circle Circus (115778), Lovely Letters (115030)

Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Dusty Durango Textured (115719), Crushed Curry (115319), Basic Gray (108692)

Ink: Dusty Durango (115654), Crushed Curry (115659), Basic Gray (109120)

Accessories: Big Shot Machine (113439), Stampin'Up Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate (114512), Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615), Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon (115614), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), 1" Circle Punch (109046), 3/4" Circle Punch (107217), Dimensionals (104430)

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8/18 SOS!! I'm too busy to stamp!!

August is the family month around here. No ballet, no school and eleven months of my husband being very patient with all of our activities, waiting . . . waiting patiently . . . and saving it all up for August! I've been running, vacationing, playing (and golfing) non-stop since convention and not much time has been spent in my stamp room. I promise things will get back to normal around here once August has past . . . but until then, I will share some swaps I've made for various swapping groups and some of my convention swaps.

This is a checkbook cover that my hostesses made at my Hostess Appreciation in July. I think it is positively darling!! So did all of my hostesses! I also made these as gifts for my convention room mates. Too much fun . . . especially the saying from Razzle Dazzle which says, "It's Good to Dream" . . . very appropriate for your checkbook cover, wouldn't you say? I know I never get to get it "all" . . . but at least I can dream about it! LoL!

One of my dreams that did come true was becoming a Stampin'Up demonstrator. (It took my a long time to decide to do it and the only thing I would do over is this - I would sign up a LOT sooner than what I did!!) If you are thinking about becoming a demonstrator, August is such an AWESOME time to jump in. You will be able to make beautiful hand-crafted gifts in time for Christmas all at cost! And wouldn't it be fun to have your friends wanting to learn how to make what you are making? That's how it all started for me! My friends telling their friends who told their friends and so on! Word of mouth is always the best way to advertise, don't you think? The starter kit is only $85 through the end of August. E-mail me and let's get started!!

If your still need to think about it . . . but you know you are ready to shop . . . You can Shop with Me 24-7 at my Stampin'Up Website!

Stamps: Circle Circus (115778), Razzle Dazzle (116714) Paper: Melon Mambo (115320), Bermuda Bay (115317), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Whisper White (100730) Ink: Melon Mambo (115656), Bermuda Bay (115655), Rich Razzleberry (115658), Crushed Curry (115659) Accessories: Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Ribbon (115610), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Scallop Edge Punch (112091)

8/14 A new look for my blog!

WOW! What a difference! Do you like the look of my updated blog? I am thrilled with it!! Tee of Design byTee did it for me. She is super easy to work with and didn't mind incorporating changes as we went along. She always gave me several choices to work with and I can tell that she really enjoys the whole process. If you would like a makeover on your blog . . . check out Blogs by Tee. I highly recommend her expertise and she's fun, too!

I love the swirls from Baroque Motifs and I also love the bird from Special Blessings. I put the two of them together for some general swapping at Convention. I used new In Colors . . . Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay for some extra punch.

You are welcome to shop my Stampin'Up Website 24-7!

Stamps: Special Blessings (113411), Baroque Motifs (113490)

Paper: Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730), Bermuda Bay (115317), Melon Mambo (115320)

Ink: Basic Black (101179), Bermuda Bay (115655), Melon Mambo (115656)

Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109027), Black Gingham Ribbon (104832)

8/11 I'm Back from Convention!

One of the coolest things that I did at convention was go to a Stampin' Addicts Meet and Greet. I signed up for an Artist Trading card Swap hosted by Barbara Welch and this is what I did for it. I used the set called Kind and Caring Thoughts. The flower is inked up in Versa Mark first, then inked up with Rich Razzleberry before being stamped onto the Whisper White. Then, I poured clear embossing powder over it and heated it up with the heat gun to give the flower a shiney raised look. I used a Rich Razzleberry marker to ink up just the "thanks" portion of the sentiment before stamping it onto a scrap of Whisper White. Then I punched it out with the small oval punch and edged it with a dauber also inked with Rich Razzleberrry. The size of an ATC is 2.5"x3.5" so they are a cute little size to work with. However, one of the things I like best about ATCs is incorporating them into a full size card after all the trading is done. This next picture shows just that.

I went back to a sketch that I did in this post. I love that sketch and it works perfectly for incorporating your ATC into. Isn't it fun? I love the way that white jumbo brad minics the big white circle.

Here are all the supplies:

Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts (Level Two Hostess Set)
Paper: Melon Mambo (115320), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Whisper White (100730), Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (115675)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry (115658), Versa Mark (102283)
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Circle Scissors (112530), Photo Corner Punch (109042), Small Oval Punch (107304), Jumbo Brads (112533), Mat Pack (105826), Paper Piercer (116631), Dimensionals (), Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon (115613)

Talk about being in SHOCK! I went to get my convention bag . . . and went to the awards booth to collect my stamp set for $20,000+ in sales and look what they handed me . . . a Founder's Circle Bag!! Yes, it is true, I am going to St. George, Utah on the Founder's Circle Trip! Of course, I had absolutely no idea why . . . but later found out it was because I was a Rising Star. Notice the dorky banana sticking out of the pocket of my fanny pack? I put up with more than a few . . . "Is that a banana in your pocket . . . or are you just happy to see me?" jokes all afternoon! I don't even like bananas so this makes it even funnier. Now my husband is teasing me that I probably eat bananas on the sly all the time. (I don't!) The banana went to my room mate . . . I ate the apple.

I was able to bring a guest with me to the reserved seating area so I took along my biggest cheerleader and picture taker, my room mate Mary Haugen aka DramaQueen.

Shelli Gardner, co-founder and CEO of Stampin'Up on Awards Night.

Here I am on stage, Rising Star #14!!

Here are all the Rising Stars that were at Convention getting their pictures taken. Mary Fish, in the front row next to Shelli was our Number One - no surprise there!!

I skipped out of the Make and Take session early so I could take some pictures of the displays and who do I run into? Ms Rene Watson, the #14 Rising Star from Convention 2008. How amazing was that? And, we both have degrees in accounting! We had a great time visiting. Rene earned the cruise this year . . . not so sure that I will manage that . . . but who knows?? Anything is possible with Stampin'Up, right?

And, here I am on stage for the $20,000+ sales march. Do I look like I was having a little too much fun? I think so!! I have a lot to be grateful for - thank you to all of my customers, my awesome supportive downline and upline. And most of all, a heartfelt thanks to Stampin'Up for making such an opportunity possible.

My room mates at Benihana. L to R is Margaret Mead, Mary Haugen, and Kim Bolzenthal. And, of course, convention also provides an opportunity to meet in person people we have become friends with online. Below is a picture of my online stampin' friend Vera Schoeters.

Vera has a style of stampin' style that I've always admired . . . never cluttered, but always a sweet detail or two that just MAKE the card if you know what I mean. You can check out her awesome art work at her blog called Vera Stamps. We had such a nice visit first at the Stampin' Addicts Meet and Greet and then the following night at Benihana's. Thanks so much, Vera, for a delightful time getting to know you in person!

8/3 A Whale of a Day!

There's a new blog on the block put together by Mary Fish and some of her downline called Pals Paper Arts. I'm excited about this challenge blog because it is going to feature all Stampin'Up products on their challenge sample cards . . . and you know that I think Stampin'Up is where it's at!! Love everything about this company and plan on lovin' it even more when I go to Convention in just two days! The very first challenge issued by Pals Paper Arts was a color challenge using a couple of new In Colors, Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay, paired with Chocolate Chip. Super luscious!!

I used the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge as well in making this card. Love that sketch. I tried free-hand cutting my sentiment and that was a little challenging, but I guess it looks okay. I was attracted to the wave of the words because I thought it went so great with the whale from the stamp set called Animal Stories.

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I'm loving clear buttons these days . . . it's fun to keep them clear . . . or you can turn them any color by layering paper onto the backs of them . . . in this case, I used Melon Mambo. To get the threaded look, I just cut a really skinny strip of paper and threaded it through the button holes and ta da . . . looks great!

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You are always welcome to shop my Stampin'Up Website and THANK YOU to those who do!!

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Stamps: Animal Stories (116716), Stem Sayings (115078)

Paper: Chocolate Chip (102128), Melon Mambo (115320), Bermuda Bay (115317), Whisper White (100730)

Ink: Bermuda Bay (155655)

Accessories: Clear Buttons (105447), Dimensionals (104430), 3/4" Circle Punch to make the circle behind the button (107217)

8/2 Autumn Days

I am really enjoying the Saturday Sketch Challenges at Stamping 411. This week's sketch was no exception. I absolutely LOVE how my card turned out. . . and it was my first time to ink up a new stamp set called Autumn Days. The strip of designer series paper was the inspiration for all the colors on this card. It's from the pack called Autumn Traditions . . . I think I've ordered three packs of it so far . . . just gorgeous! I've been using it on my Swap cards in preparations for Convention. Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!!
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You can shop at my Stampin'Up Website 24-7!
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Stamps: Autumn Days (115452), All Holidays (114916)
Paper: Always Artichoke (105119), Kraft (102125), More Mustard (100946), Soft Suede (115318), Confetti Cream (102835)
Ink: Soft Suede (115657)
Accessories: Circle Scissors (112530), Photo Corner Punch (109042), Rich Regal Brads (106953), Sponge (101610), Dimensionals (104430), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

8/1 Just for Kids (and the Kid in You!)

Click on the picture above to view this month's special.

Click HERE to Shop the Growing Up section of the Stampin'Up Catalog.

And, below a pictures of the buttons that you can get free with a $35 purchase of stamp sets from the Growing Up section. . . Button Latte, Playground Buttons and Sherbet Buttons. They are super cute, excellent quality and so versatile. You can use them on cards, home decor and scrapbook pages. I am looking forward to working with them, too! lol! Guess it takes a special sometimes!