Friends in Stamford

You are probably tired of hearing about our weekend in Stamford but we got so much done. When you stamp for about 12 hours in one day, you are able to get a lot accomplished! And we certainly did get a lot of samples to take back to our customers. This is a favor box that I would like to think holds lots of chocolate! The card stock color that is used to make this box is Chocolate Chip. So it only stands to reason (in my mind) that you would put chocolates (my favorite) in the box. I like the way Kim had us run the card stock through the big shot to create texture on the box. The supplies that were used to make this project were:

STAMP SET: Friends Never Fade

PAPER: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

INK: Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip

ACCESSORIES: 1-1/4" Marina Mist Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Embossing Folder

I love the new color MARINA MIST. It is such a nice compliment to the Chocolate Chip card stock. I think I am going to try to use that color more in my projects. Well I am on my way out again today to finish up on all the running I need to do. Hopefully then I will be able to have a relaxing weekend. So all of you go out and enjoy the day!

Here is another gift that was given at our Stamford weekend. This notepad was given to us by Cindyrae. What a cute gift to give someone. This would be a nice teacher gift. She used the retired DSP Cottage Wall. I miss that paper but Stampin' Up came up with the same designs but a different color combination of DSP. The new paper is named "Sunny Garden". It is a beautiful color combination of Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, and Peach Parfait. It is a beautiful paper. The Mini Pizza Box that I had posted a few days ago, uses the Sunny Garden DSP.

Here you can see the notepad closed and you can also see what the notepad looks like when you open it. Cute, cute, cute! Thanks Cindyrae!

Katherine's Blueberry Card

How cute is this! Katherine demonstrated how to make this adorable card at out stamping weekend in Connecticut. The leaf is from a sizzlet and the berries are made from a small circle punch. The only stamping on this card is the sentiment.

The supplies that she used for this card were:

STAMP SET: Smarty Pants

PAPER: Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand Always Artichoke, Night of Navy

INK: Night of Navy

ACCESSORIES: 1/4" Night of Navy Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Big Shot, 1/2" Circle Punch, Vintage Wallpaper Texture Embossing Folder

I loved this card from Katherine! You might not be able to see it but the Very Vanilla background is textured by using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder. I find myself using those Textured Embossing Folders more and more. I love the subtle texture it creates on a card.

Well I am off to do a bunch of errands today and then for dinner I am meeting some good friends. We all have summer birthdays which are close, so we are celebrating them tonight. You go out and enjoy your day too!

Christmas in July Event

Well yesterday Susan and I had our annual Christmas in July Event. We had such a good time! I posted pictures today so you can see that we really get into this. When you arrive at the house you are greeted by a snowman sitting at the entrance to the house. I am surprised he did not melt since it was hot, hot, hot yesterday! Then when you walked into the house there was Santa standing next to a Christmas Tree. If you look very closely you will see presents under the tree for all those stampers who had been very good all year. We had Mr. Snowman holding a wreath guarding the door prizes. Susan and I were both dressed for the occasion. She wore a Christmas apron and crazy me wore a red turtleneck top with a Christmas shirt on top. And believe it or not, I actually baked homemade Christmas cookies. Our customers could not believe what we had done to make this event a special one. As you can see, with Christmas music playing, they were busy making those projects we had prepared for them.

Well today I will be working on some new Christmas cards for our Holiday Stamp A Stack next month. So I will be busy but you make sure to go out and enjoy the day!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!! (in July that is). Today is Susan's and my big Christmas in July event. We have some great projects planned with home baked Christmas Cookies and Christmas Carols will be playing all day! After the event I will post some pictures of the day.

So Merry Christmas and have a great day!

Friends Tri-Shutter Card

Last week in Stamford, Buffy showed us how to make this card. I had been wanting to try to make one of these cards but was overwhelmed at how complicated it looked. I was so excited when Buffy chose to demonstrate this card. It was not as hard as I thought it would be. I think I will be making this card in the future with my technique classes.

This is a short post today because it is a very busy weekend. I am still preparing for tomorrow's event and I have a wedding to go to today. Busy, Busy, Busy! You go and enjoy your day. I know that I will because it is also my birthday today!

Susan's Purse

Most of us made little gifts to give to each other when we saw each other at our own mini-convention at Stanford last week. Susan made this cute little purse which is holding a mini note pad and a gel pen. Susan made a cute little key ring with our initials attached to the purse. How cute is that? Susan made each of the purses out of Real Red. To make the texture on the purse, Susan used the Square Lattice Texture Embossing Folder. I love using the embossing folder makes the mini purse look as though it was made from fabric.

And of course, Love Monkey came along to join us for the weekend. Here he is stamping along with us. That silly monkey! Today Susan and I are going to start to set up for our Christmas in July event on Sunday. I have a busy weekend this weekend. A going away dinner tonight for my upline who is moving, tomorrow my birthday and a wedding, and then Sunday is the Christmas in July event! So if you don't hear from me for a couple of days, please understand. I will be exhausted! So you go out and enjoy the day!

Mini Pizza Box

Today I decided to post what I shared at our weekend at Stamford. Each one of us did a shoebox swap and half of us also did a Three Dimensional project. This is what I shared for my 3-D project. I wanted to share the easy Pizza Box which holds 3" x 3" note cards. I used the stamp set, "Watercolor Trio". My goal was to show how you can take the same stamp set but change the feeling of the card by changing just the color of the flower and design of the DSP. I used the new "Sunny Garden" DSP. Last year my favorite DSP was Cottage Wall. "Sunny Garden" uses the same designs but changed the color scheme. It is a winner in my book. The supplies used for this project were:

STAMP SET: Watercolor Trio

PAPER: Whisper White, Dafffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizazz, Sunny Garden DSP

ACCESSORIES: Pear Pizazz Poly Twill Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Large Circle Punch, Pear Pizazz, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade Markers

I think this is a cute little set which would make a nice gift for someone. You don't always have to do a complicated design or project to make a nice gift. This project is a good example of that. Today I need to work non stop on the "Christmas in July" event. So you go out and enjoy the day!

Totally Tess Was There Giving Us Chocolate

I thought this project that Cindyrae did was so cute! We had this huge glass container FILLED with Dove Chocolate that Cindyrae brought. It was a glass container that you can buy at any store that sells glass jars or canisters. Totally Tess is that cute stamper that is adorning the jar with a heart in one hand and her stamping bag in the other. Cindyrae first used our Decor Elements to decorate the jar with the white design. She then used the stamp set "Totally Tess" to stamp the stamper and then with the technique of Paper Piecing she was able to complete Tess. Tess was attached on top of the design.

This was something that Cindyrae made using supplies from the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog. So unfortunately you are unable to get the DSP or Ribbon, or the colors that she used anymore. But the upside is that Stampin' Up has great new colors, ribbons, and papers that you would still be able to make a similar project. The stamp set "Totally Tess" is available in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog.

Although this is something that we did not make at our stamping weekend, I thought that is was so cute that I wanted to share it with you. It was a perfect project to give us a great idea. I am sure that all of us went home to buy a jar to make our own. Well, I know Susan and I stopped on the way home from our weekend to get a jar to try to make our own. HAve a great day!

I'm Back!!!

Well all of us our back in our own homes after a wonderful weekend of stamping with my upline and sidelines. We arrived in Stamford, Connecticut on Friday evening after EVERYONE had been stuck in traffic! Which should have been a 2 hour+ minutes drive for everyone, ended up to be a 4 - 5+ hour drive for us. My group arrived a little more than a 4 hour drive after being stuck in stop and go traffic. The next group arrived, after being stuck in traffic, in about 4-1/2 hours. The next two groups arrived after 5-5+ hours and they were also stuck in traffic. What a crazy time trying to get there! But once we all got there, we had so much fun meeting each other with some and catching up with others. The next day we met in a conference room for about 12 hours sharing all different kinds of projects techniques and tips with each other. For the next few days I will be posting pictures of my fantastic weekend

I am starting with posting a picture of a scrapbook page that Mabel showed us how to do. She used the new DSP Garden Gala from the new Catalog. We all felt that this page was perfect for the picture that was taken of all of us this weekend. I also included a picture of Mabel showing off the scrapbook page she created. Please believe me when I say, a great time was had by all! Now all of you go out and enjoy your day!

Off to Connecticut

I am running around this morning trying to get all my stamping stuff together. I am off to Connecticut with my Upline and 6 sidelines ( I prefer stamping sisters ) for a weekend of stamping or our own mini convention. Six of us live in PA and one of Kim's downlines live in Massachusetts. So we decided we like to get together since the last few Regionals have not been close enough for the Massachusetts people to attend and some of us from PA have not met them. So we decided that we all wanted to get together and today all of us are on the road heading to Connecticut to meet each other.

So you will not hear from me for a few days while we all get together to stamp our little hearts out. When I get back I will have so much new stuff to show you. We are going to be sharing a lot of information with each other and hopefully learn new techniques and projects. I will be leaving in 30 minutes. Go out and enjoy your day! I know I will.

Christmas in July Christmas Card

When I plan my Christmas in July events, I try to offer a variety of projects. But I always make sure that there is a card. This is the card that we are offering at our Christmas event this year. It was cased from a very talented stamper, Jackie Topa. Jackie always comes up with these great cards using punches, dies, or stamps in the most creative ways. She has done it again with the idea for this card.

This is the last project in the preview of what we are offering at our CHRISTMAS IN JULY event. You still have time to contact me and sign up to attend. Here is the info on the class:

WHAT: CHRISTMAS IN JULY

WHEN: Sunday July 25, 2010

TIME: 1 PM

COST: $15

WHERE: Susan's House

Please email me or call if you are interested in this class by July 17.

Have a great day!

Christmas in July Fry Box

This Fry Box is decorated with vintage looking skaters from the "Winter Post" stamp set. Bashful Blue snowflakes also decorate the fry box. Filled with cocoa mix, marshmallows, and peppermints is an adorable quick christmas gift for a friend, teacher, postman, or as a Secret Santa gift. This is the fourth out of 5 projects you can make if you join us for our CHRISTMAS IN JULY event. The countdown to Christmas (in July) is on!

Enjoy your day!

Christmas in July Tag Bag

Who doesn't need tags at Christmas? I am always looking for tags for my packages at Christmas time. Who couldn't use this adorable package of tags. We have 5 different designs of tags and everyone will make 2 of each design. There is one design missing in this photo. But I assure you that the 5th design is just as cute. This Bag of Tags is made using the new Jolly Holiday DSP from the new catalog. I love it! The color combination Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla is great and the designs are great too. When I saw the paper, I immediately ordered a couple of packages because I knew I would use this will use this paper a lot for the Holidays. The package does not only have to be used for tags but you can use the design for the package for other things. On a later blog, I will give you directions on how to make the packaging for the tags. Another quick, easy and impressive project that will amaze your friends and family when you give them to them.

Please don't forget to contact me before July 17th if you are planning to attend our CHRISTMAS IN JULY event. It will be held on July 25th at 1 PM at Susan's House. The Christmas Carols will be playing, the house will be decorated and Christmas cookies ready for devouring will complete the Christmas fun.

Enjoy the day!

Christmas in July is Getting Closer

Here is the second project that we will be making on July 25 at my annual "CHRISTMAS IN JULY" event! Isn't this candle so cute! We are going to choose 1 of three designs from the stamp set "Big on Christmas" to stamp on a candle. After the candle is stamped, we are going to package it and add penguin gift tag from the Ronald McDonald set, "Tags Along". What a great gift idea for a teacher, friend, Secret Santa gift, or just to have in case you need a quick gift at the last minute. Keep checking my blog this week to see what other great projects we will be making at this fun event.

Have a great day today!

Christmas in July is Starting!

My customers wait for my Christmas in July event because they know that I try to give them some great ideas that they can work on over the summer. This way when it gets closer to the real holiday hopefully they will be more prepared and less stressed. This is one of the projects they will be making. It is a gift card holder disguised as a gift bag. I made one a few weeks ago but used a summery paper instead. Once you have the pattern down, there are so many variations that you could create. I used the Christmas DSP in the NEW 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog. Isn't it so cute! For the next couple of days I will post more projects that we will making at the Christmas in July event. More information will follow.

Right now I am getting ready for a stamping get together at my house with my close friends from work. We usually get together in the summer months to have lunch and then stamp. Nothing is better than eating, stamping and spending time with good friends. I am so looking forward to today. You go out and enjoy the day!

Punched Posies Case

I cased this card from the card that my upline received from her upline, Pennie. Pennie always stamps such great cards! I saw it on Kim's blog. I wanted this stamp set "Punched Posies" so bad but once I got it, I had a rough time finding time to stamp. You can get this stamp set by hosting a workshop of at least $300.00. I tried to use some of the new colors. I really like this color combination. I would not have put these colors together but was organizing my new papers and I had three of the colors laying on top of each other and thought that the combination looked pretty good. The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS: Punched Posies, On Your Birthday

PAPER: Melon Mambo, Rose Regal, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White

INK: Melon Mambo, Rose Regal, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Pear Pizazz, Bashful Blue

ACCESSORIES: Butterfly Punch, XL Flower Punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Sponges

The products typed in red are the new products and the products typed in blue can be found in the Summer Mini.

I will tell you a secret about this card. I originally was not going to have a sentiment on the card. But I made a smudge at the top of the card after it was all out together. To cover up the smudge, I stamped the sentiment and punched it out and attached it over the mark. I think I did a good job covering up my mistake, don't you. I am going to go over to my stamping sister this morning to finalize projects that we are going to make at our Christmas in July Event. As soon as we have all the projects made, I will start posting pictures of the projects. I know I will be enjoying my day. Now you go out and enjoy your day!

New Catalog- New Colors

I got my Country Living magazine yesterday and I was amazed when I saw the front cover. The color scheme was exactly the same as this card that I made yesterday morning! I used some of the NEW colors that are in the New 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog. For the base of the card I used the new DAFFODIL DELIGHT. What are beautiful shade of yellow! It was the perfect yellow to be combined with PEAR PIZAZZ and POPPY PARADE. A subtle green and a bright orange which are 2 of the 5 New In Colors this year. I was so excited when I saw the colors on that cover. I felt that Stampin' Up was right on with the colors they added this year.

I also used a variety of new products with the card along with an old favorite. The flower on this card from from "Flower Fancy" stamp set and the sentiment is from the "On Your Birthday" stamp set. The butterfly is the single "All A Flutter" stamp which can be found in the Summer Mini. This stamp set will only be available until August 31. Here is the complete list of the supplies that I used for this card:

STAMP SETS: Flower Fancy, All A Flutter, On Your Birthday

PAPER: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizazz, Poppy Parade, Vellum

INK: Poppy Parade, Pear Pizazz, Daffodil Delight, Black Staz-On

ACCESSORIES: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Scallop Rectangle Clearlit, 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Poppy Parade, So Saffron, and Peach Parfait Markers

The products printed in red can be found in the NEW 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog and the product highlighted in blue can be found in the Summer Mini.

This is such a bright and cheery card! I liked the way it turned out. I am so excited about the new products and will be making more new things today. Today is some "me" time for me and my stamping. Everybody needs one of those days once in a while and today is my day. The rest of you go out and enjoy the day!

Open House- July 10th!

When I posted my blog yesterday, I accidentally put that my Open House was June 1oth. It really will be held next Saturday JULY 10th! I will have door prizes, displays of new product, and the new catalog to browse through. And I almost forgot we will also do Make & Takes. Please join me at my house from Noon to 2 PM. See you then!

The New Catalog is Here!!! Hooray!!

The new catalog is here. Yesterday was the first day that you could order from it. This is a picture of all catalogs and Catalog Survival Kits for my customers who pre-ordered the catalog. I already placed an order of a lot of the new products to share with everybody at my Open House. My Open House will be held on June 10th at my house from Noon -2 PM. If you want to check out the NEW 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog and can't get to my Open House or you did not pre-order the catalog, click on the icon of the New Catalog on the right hand side of my blog.

Enjoy browsing through the New Catalog and enjoy your day!