Last Day To Order From Summer Mini

A reminder that this is the last day to order from the Summer Mini. If you still would like to order items from that Mini, please contact me today before 9 PM and I will place it for you or you can place an order online from my Stampin' Up website.

This weekend was crazy with moving my daughter and son-in-law into their new place. Besides moving, I painted their bathroom for them. So needless to say when I got home I was exhausted. We took my father and dog, Lucy along with us. My 90 year old father was the dog watcher this weekend. We needed someone to do that so Riley (their dog) and Lucy did not get into any trouble while we were busy. Here are pictures of Lucy getting ready to go on her mimi vacation and my Dad keeping everything under control. I missed the shot with all three sleeping together on the sofa.

Well I am off to work again on the shower invites. I got an order yesterday with the paper I needed to continue working on them. I also hope to start my swaps for regionals today. Hope you are able to work on something you enjoy doing today also. Enjoy the day!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Doesn't this Santa look jolly? He is from the stamp set Jolly Old Saint Nick. This was my swap from our downline meeting last Sunday. The theme was Christmas this month and everyone had to come up with a Christmas themed card. I was having so much trouble coming up with a design this month for the swap. I have been on overload this month trying to come up with designs for our stamp a stacks, swaps for various events and baby shower invites. So when I had to come up with one more design, I was tapped out. Luckily one of my designs for the baby shower was rejected but I really liked the layout. So I took that layout and replaced the DSP with our Christmas DSP and changed the colors to Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Very Vanilla and then placed Santa on top.

This is a very short post today because in 2 minutes I am leaving for my daughters place for the weekend. We are helping her move in their new house. I will not be able to post until we get home. So have a great weekend!

Downline Meeting Make & Take

Yesterday we had our "Love at First Stamp" downline meeting at Susan's. We usually have our meetings at Kim's but Kim moved to SC a week and a half ago, so we were on our own for the first time. Kim did join us via Skype but it just was not the same. Buffy and I did demos. Buffy did a demo of a gift bag that Cindyrae had shown us when we were at Stamford. Buffy did a great job. When we made them at Stamford, I was all thumbs and decided trying to do this one time was enough. But after watching Buffy demo the gift bag yesterday, I guess I should try again. They are so nice and when you use our Designer Paper to make them, they are so special.

Susan was in charge of the Make & Take and she did a great job. Here is the card we made. I thought that I would post it since this card seemed more season appropriate. I figured you were getting tired of seeing Christmas cards! This supplies that were used to make this card were:

STAMP SET: Dark and Dreary

PAPER: Old Olive, Whisper White, Basic Gray

INK: Pumpkin Pie

ACCESSORIES: Spider Web Embossing Folder, Raven 1/2" Lace Trim, Black Flourish Designer Jewels, Nite Owl Designer Paper, Silver Foil Smoosh Spritz, Basic Gray and Old Olive Markers

If some of these items do not seem familiar, it is because they are in the new Holiday Mini which you should have received last week or should get this week. I highlighted in red the new products from the Holiday Mini. If you do not receive your Mini by the end of the week, contact me and I will make sure you get one.

Well I am off to work on invitations to a shower. I probably will be busy all day stamping. That is the way to spend a day, doing something that you love to do. You enjoy your day too!

Holly Jolly Christmas

I have been telling you about our Holiday Stamp-A-Stacks where Susan and I have been planning for the next few months. Saturday we will be hosting our first in the series of four Stamp-A-Stacks. But we have been working our cards for our next event in September. This Holly Jolly card is one of the cards that we will be featuring at our September Holiday SAS. What a simple and quick but cute card!

The September SAS will be held at Susan's house again on September 25th at 9 in the morning. For $25, you will make 15 cards with envelopes (5 cards each of 3 designs). We will again offer you four designs and you get to choose which three you would like to make.

Contact me if you live in the area and are interested in attending. My regular customers should have received the new flyer for this event. If you have not received it yet, please contact me and I will get one to you.

Today is "Deeper Cleaning Day" at my house. So after I post this, I will be on a cleaning frenzy all day. So you enjoy the day even if I won't today!

A Christmas Wish

This is one of the cards that we will be making this Saturday at the first of four Holiday-A-Stacks. This picture does not do this card justice. This card has a Window Sheet where the sentiment is. The sentiment is actually on the inside of the card. When you lift open the card, you see the words A Christmas Wish plus the rest of the sentiment which is covered by the poinsettia portion of the card. This card is very simplistic but what a statement when you open the card. I also used Shimmer Spray that I made from the Shimmer Paint in the catalog. You really can't see it on the card but it does add do the elegance of it. The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS: Gifts Of Christmas, Home For Christmas

PAPER: Whisper White, Old Olive DSP

INK: Old Olive

ACCESSORIES: 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon. Window Sheets, Real Red, Old olive, and Daffodil Delight Markers

Today I am finishing my packets for the Stamp -A- Stack and my cards for the swap on Sunday's downline meeting. So whatever you need to do today, enjoy!

Still Working on Christmas

This card uses a number of new items that you will be able to find in the new Holiday Mini. I have been playing around with the new products that will be available for ordering n September 1. I love the new Northern Flurry Embossing Folder. A very simple card but the subtle embossing of snowflakes and the rhinestone make it a little more special. The cute little snowman that adorns this card has the retro 50's look. The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SET: Jolly Old Saint Nick

PAPER: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

INK: Black Staz-On, Night of Navy, Real Red, Basic Black, Garden Green

ACCESSORIES: 2 Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds, Blender Pens, Big Shot, Northern Flurries Embossing Folder, Rhinestone Jewels, 1/4" Night of Navy Grosgrain Ribbon

I have been working on Christmas cards for the last week trying to come up with designs for our Holiday Stamp-A-Stacks. This one could be a contender for one of the Stamp-A-Stamps. It is a cute card and I think people will enjoy receiving it. I think it will put a smile on your face. The snowman looks like the Pillsbury Dough Snowman (one of my friends gave me that description). I am going to finish cutting paper for our Stamp-A-Stack this Saturday. So whatever you are doing today, enjoy!

Santa Surrounded by Flowers

I really enjoyed doing the Crayon Resist with the embossing folders and thought I would try it with the "PETALS A PLENTY" Embossing Folder. Well I think it was a better idea than a card but decided to show it to you anyway. It looks like something is missing and I can't figure it out. Maybe the problem is that the background looks so busy. I think I have a good idea here but I need to tweak it a bit. Perhaps I will make an updated version and post that to see what you think. The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SET: Jolly Old Saint Nick

PAPER: Old Olive, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler

INK: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Blushing Bride, Pretty in Pink

ACCESSORIES: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, Sponges, Aqua Painter, Dazzling Diamonds, 2 Way Glue, Big Shot

Sometimes when you have an idea, you need to experiment with it a number of times before it comes out the way you want it to. so do not be discouraged if it does not turn out the first time. I usually end up with a variety of cards before I get the one that I really like. So don't be afraid to make a number of cards before you hit on "The One". Enjoy the day!

Sweet Scoops

This is the second card that we are making for our Technique Class. I did not originally post this card because it is so hard to see the technique. But my customers said I should anyway. The technique is used on the Pretty in Pink cardstock. I used a Faux Texturz Plate Technique on Stamping Pro's blog and thought I would try it. It is another way to give your paper texture without using bought Texturz Plates or Embossing folders. Basically what you are doing is making your own Texturz Plate using scraps and punches of your choice. You punch out shapes and layer it on top of another piece of cardstock to create your own Texturz Plate. To create texture for this card I used various sizes of circle punches. But you could use hearts, stars, circles, or whatever shape you wish.

The supplies that I used for this cards were:

STAMP SET: Sweet Scoops

PAPER: Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

INK: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Real Red

ACCESSORIES: 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, 1/2" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch. 1" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Cutting Plate, Multipurpose Platform, Rubber Silicone Pad

This is a great way to create textured backgrounds for your cards when you do not have a plate or embossing folder that fits your needs at the time. I wish you could see the texture better but the technique really does work and helps you in a pinch. I plan to work on my upcoming Holiday Stamp-A-Stacks today with my friend Susan. Go out and enjoy your day!

Same Layout-Different Card

Here is another card that I was working on this past week. This is the same layout as the last card that I posted. But using a different stamp set and different colors, you get a completely different card. This card, I think, looks more elegant. I used the stamp set "Snow Swirled" and embossed the tree using gold embossing powder on Brushed Gold cardstock. I also used the new Rhinestone Jewels to embellish the tree. The sparkles and the gold cardstock make the tree so festive.

The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS: Snow Swirled

PAPER: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Old Olive, Jolly Holiday DSP

INK: Versamark

ACCESSORIES: Scallop Trim Edge Punch, Ticket Punch, Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewels, Gold EP, Dimensionals

This is a perfect example of how color can effect the look and feel of a card. I think I will have a hard time deciding which cards to use for my upcoming events. Go out and enjoy the day!

Oops!!!

Could someone explain to me what happened here? I only hit the post button once I swear. This is why people do not want me near a computer!

Holly Jolly Christmas

I have been working on a variety of Christmas card samples this past week. I need to find a card for my Christmas cards which I need to start working on. I also need to pick out my next cards for our next Holiday Stamp A Stack which will be held in September and I also need to find a card for my swaps for Pennie's. This is one of my samples that I did this week. I like the old vintage feel this card has. I think the colors that I used helped to give it that feel. This was an extremely easy card to do and I think it is one of my favorites. The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS: Bright Christmas, Jolly Old Saint Nick

PAPER: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Deck the Halls DSP

INK: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler

ACCESSORIES: Stampin' Pastels, Dazzling Diamonds, 2 Way Glue, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Edge Trim Punch

I hope you like the way this card came out. Enjoy the day!

August Technique Class- Card 1

I love this stamp set "Because I Care". It is a level 1 Hostess set. I love Hydrangeas and was so excited when I saw this set. I have been using it a lot since the new catalog came out. I used it for this card because I felt that I needed a simple design for all that is going on in the background. The background uses the Embossed Resist Technique. Very simple to do but it looks so cool. The Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder helps to create a worn look for the background. If you want to learn how to create this card, contact me to attend my Technique Classes this month.

Saturday Aug.14 @ 9 AM

Tuesday Aug. 17 @ 9:15 AM

Wednesday Aug. 18 @ 7 PM

Today I intend to rest a bit. Yesterday we were at my husband's family reunion. It was a long day but I had a good time. Some of his family need to travel to join us and there was a cousin from Oklahoma there and one came up from Florida. It is always good to see and talk with them. So now all of you go out and enjoy the day!

Kim's Technique Lesson

While we were up in Stamford, my Up-line Kim, demonstration various techniques. This is one of the techniques she demonstrated. If you look closely, you will see the flower in the top left hand corner of the card. This flower is made by using the Scallop Circle Punch. We punched 4 pieces out of card stock and then scrunched them together in our hands. After scrunching them, we then placed them on top of each other and attaching them all together with a brad. We then pulled them out to create a 3-D flower. After we placed all the pieces together on the card, we sprayed the card with Log Cabin Smooch Spray to give it an antique look. I like this card that Kim demonstrated to us.

I need to run Lucy to the Vet again for more blood work. But when I return, I plan to play some more with my new stuff. I am loving what is in the new Mini and I can't wait until the new Holiday Mini comes out that I can share it with you. Until then, enjoy the day!

Susan's Shoebox Swap

This seems to be a very popular stamp set this year. "Artistic Etchings" is a stamp set that I see on a lot of different blogs. Although it is not one of my favorite sets, I love this card. Susan used the new color, Marina Mist and I absolutely think that is one of my favorite new color that Stampin' Up introduced this year. It was so exciting to share all these new ideas with each other!

I received some of new items from the upcoming Holiday Mini yesterday. So today I plan to play a little bit. Go out and enjoy the day!

Just Believe

The sentiment on this card says it all. On our Stamford weekend, Kim (our up-line ) wanted to make our weekend like a mini convention since none of us were able to attend in Utah. So just for us, Kim gave each of us the stamp set "JUST BELIEVE". It is a very versatile set. This is one of the projects we created with it. We had a wonderful time there. Our group bonded with each other and I think we are closer than ever. So thank you Kim. You helped make the weekend the best time ever! Enjoy the day!

Tropical Sunday

Cindyrae demonstrated this card at our Stamford weekend. I just had to post it today. Since it has been such a hot and steamy summer, I thought that this scene was just so appropriate for the summer months. We used a brayer to create the background. I like working with the brayer but it does take some practice to learn how to control it. We used a white gel pen to create the reflection of the moonlight.

Thank you Cindyrae! We all enjoyed making this card and it was a great technique to demo. I hope Love Monkey is doing well during his stay with you.

Tomorrow I am hoping to have an announcement for you. Until then... enjoy the day!