Wednesday, September 30, 2009

THANKS, FRIEND



Just a quick card today.  I have to get my samples made for a workshop coming up. The colors aren't right (again); the background patterned paper is Sahara Sand, not that putrid grey.  If you click on it, the enlarged picture looks closer to the true colors.

I think the Bermuda Bay stamped image works well with the Sage Shadow DSP matted behind it.  Of course, it looks much better IRL!

This would make a great Father's Day or masculine birthday card, too, dontcha think?

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you all have a great week.  Don't forget to check out the Clearance Rack on my Stampin' Up! website.  There are some great deals to be had, and they won't last long!!!

Stamps: Image- Autumn Days (115452), Itty Bitty Backgrounds (114996), Sentiment- Upsy Daisy (111710)
Inks: Bermuda Bay Classic (115655), Chocolate Chip Classic (100908), Creamy Caramel Classic (103220)
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip (102128), Very Vanilla (101650)
DP: To The Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper (114038)
Accessories/Tools: 1/16th inch punch (101227), Chocolate Chip ¼ inch Grosgrain Ribbon (111367), Chocolate Chip 5/16 inch brad (112534), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

STAMPIN' UP! CLEARANCE RACK!!!


Woohoo!  Who doesn't love a bargain?  Stampin' Up! has added a clearance rack to my online store, so be sure to check out the fabulous bargains (up to 80% off!) on surplus inventory!   There's everything from ribbon, to Designer Series Paper, to rub-ons to alterable tins.

To get there, click on link above to get to my Stampin' Up! website, then click on "Products" and then "Shop Now".  On the left will be a menu with "Clearance Rack".  It's right under "Holiday Mini" at the top of the menu.

Better hurry, because they're sure to sell out fast!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Another Swap Card

Swaps seem to be a major part of my life lately.  Here is another card made for a swap (Stampdiculous club members, cover your eyes!).  This stamp is from the Patterned Pines set and is the Hostess Level I set in the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog

Stamped in VersaMark on Old Olive cardstock first, then heat embossed with white embossing powder. Stamped again on white CS, and heat embossed with gold, then cut out and "popped" middle tree.  I like the combination of Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive.  Nice, non-traditional Christmas combination!

Stamps: Patterned Pines (Hostess only 116525), Short & Sweet (115060)
Cardstock: Old Olive (100702), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Whisper White (100730)
DP: Old Olive Patterns Designer Series Paper (112160)
Inks: VersaMark (102283), Rich Razzleberry Classic (115658)
Accessories/Tools : Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129), White Stampin' Emboss Powder (109132), Heat Tool (100005), Gold Brads (104337), Rich Razzleberry Polka-dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115613), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Here's the Fourth Card!

This was the other card we made at my Sweet Treat Cups Card class (say that five times fast!) last Saturday.  I got the idea from my up-upline's (Natalie Travis) Fall Event last week, and thought it was pretty clever, too.  You don't have to hold the card over your head to keep the filled cup from spilling its contents into your mouth all over the place while adhering it to the card.  I suggest you do what I did....buy a big bag of Jelly Belly jelly beans (or other appropriate candy), pick out the colors that match your card, and eat the ones that are "rejects" save the rest for another project.
Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net




Start with a half-sheet of cardstock, cut lengthwise (4¼" x 11").  Score at 3½" and 7".
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE


Fold flaps in along score lines.  You should have a ½ inch flap showing on the right side.

Adhere a 3" x 3" piece of designer paper to the outside of the center panel, leaving an equal border at the bottom and two sides (top border should be larger, for sentiment).

Center 1¾ inch punch (pushed all the way in) and punch hole for treat cup.

Fill cup with candy and remove backing on adhesive.  (Note: Don't over fill the cup or the candy will push the cup away from the card to which it is adhered.)


Drop cup through hole from inside card, leaving adhesive face up.

Fold left flap (smaller side) over and press firmly to cup's adhesive.  When open and closed, it should look like this:


Insert slit punch so that side tabs are about ¼ inch from edge of right (larger) card flap.  Punch slit.

Cut a 3" length of ¼" grosgrain ribbon, fold in half and center on punched slit.  Use a 1/16" punch through all layers.

Insert brad through punched hole and trim ends of ribbon.


Add sentiment and embellishments, as desired!




Sunday, September 20, 2009

Sweet Treat Cups

Here are a couple of the cards we made yesterday in the class I held at my house.  Originally, I had planned to do two of the style on the left for Halloween and two of the style on the right for Christmas.  But between the time I scheduled the class and the actual date of the class, I discovered some pretty cool variations on the theme, so I just had to incorporate them!  












 The first idea (below) is by the very talented Becky, from the Inking Idaho blog.  She came up with the exceedingly clever sliding window idea for accessing the candy without destroying the card!






So, have any of you noticed that the Halloween M&Ms are nearly a perfect match for Green Galore and Perfect Plum? (Ignore my color-distorted photo and check it for yourself!)  It's a match made in heaven, to be sure......Stampin' Up! and chocolate!Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net   I'll save the fourth card for tomorrow's post.

Happy Halloween Card
Stamps: Sweet Centers (116521 ), Twick or Tweet (116497), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Cardstock: Basic Black (102851), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: VersaMark (102283), Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker (105115)
Accessories/Tools: Sweet Treat Cups (116802), Black Stampin' Emboss Powder (109133), Heat Tool (100005), 1¾ inch Punch (112004), Ticket Corner Punch (107214)



Merry Christmas Card
Stamps: Sweet Centers (116521 ), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Cardstock: Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650)
DP: Merry Moments Designer Series Paper (115672) 
Ink: VersaMark (102283), Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad (103133)
Accessories/Tools: Sweet Treat Cups (116802), Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129), Heat Tool (100005), 1¾ inch Punch (112004), Modern Label Punch (116630), Real Red ¼ inch Grosgrain Ribbon (109034)


Sweet Treats Card
Stamps: Sweet Centers (116521 ), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Cardstock: Green Galore (101768), Perfect Plum (101889), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: VersaMark (102283), Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker (105115)
 Accessories/Tools: Sweet Treat Cups (116802), Black Stampin' Emboss Powder (109133), Heat Tool (100005), 1¾ inch Punch (112004), Round Tab Punch (108340), Pumpkin Pie ¼ inch Grosgrain Ribbon (109030)

Holiday Mini Swap

Those of you who know me, know I've had an interesting week.  Someday, when I am at liberty to say, I may explain what's been going on.  I don't want to jeopardize anything by bringing it to a public forum right now.  On a bright note, I've been busy in the craft room for a couple days, and have a few cards to share.  I'll start with the oldest one first:




I can now finally post the card I made for the Stampin' Addicts 2009 Holiday Mini Swap a month ago!  I had to wait until all the swapping was complete.  I loved, loved, loved getting to see the card fronts made by the other demos!!!  Since I'm still new to the whole Stampin' Up! demo thing, it's really nice being able to add different styles of cards to my "inspiration" box, and let me tell ya, there were some AWESOME cards sent back to me!  Thank you, all you crafty women, you!


Stamp: Wandering Words
Inks: VersaMark, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip
Papers: Real Red, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Christmas Cocoa DSP
Accessories: Texturz plate, Scallop Edge punch, Ticket Corner punch, circle punches, Dazzling Diamonds, White Stampin' Emboss powder, Whisper White ¼ inch grosgrain ribbon

Saturday, September 12, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW!

Our beautiful daughter-in-law will be celebrating her birthday in a couple days, so this is the card I made for her.  I did the baby wipe technique, starting with a Pacific Point re-inker.  The Stipple Butterfly was stamped with VersaMark, and heat embossed with SU's Heat & Stick Powder.  I did the baby wipe again, this time with Not Quite Navy.  After gently wiping off the ink from the embossed part, I reheated it with the Heat Tool and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds over it.  I think it turned out pretty neat.  Of course, it looks way better IRL!

I may not be able to demo the retired things in a workshop, but I can sure use them to make beautiful cards for friends and family!

Stamp: Stipple Butterfly (retired)
Cardstock: Whisper White (100730), Whisper White Textured and Basic Black Textured (108693), Pacific Point (retired)
DP: Baja Breeze DSP (retired)
Ink: VersaMark (102283), Basic Black Craft Stampin' Pad (102192), Not Quite Navy re-inker (102949), Pacific Point re-inker (retired)
Accessories/Tools: Heat & Stick Powder (100625), Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023), Heat Tool (100005), Big Shot (113439), Top Note Bigz Die (113463), Eyelet Border Punch (), Whisper White Organza Ribbon (114319),

NEW LINK ON SIDEBAR

I just added a link on my sidebar to Stampin' Addicts, which is a relatively new (since February) online community devoted to all things Stampin' Up!  Please drop by and check them out.  There's a wealth of good information there, especially if you're a SU demo, and a bunch of very friendly, helpful people!  I'm so glad I discovered them!  (Thanks, James!)

Friday, September 11, 2009

Big Thanks in a Small Package


I am so grateful to the people who are supporting me in getting my fledgling SU business off the ground!  These little 3x3" Thank You cards are getting tucked into the bags of customer orders.  I'm thinking about adding a certificate for 10% off a future class if the order is particularly large, like over $50 in merchandise. 

Stamp: Oval All (113790)

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry (115316), Melon Mambo (115320), Very Vanilla (101650)

DP: Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (115675)

Ink: Rich Razzleberry (115658)

Accessories/Tools: Rich Razzleberry Polka-dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115613), Blender Pens (102845), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Large Oval punch (107305), Scallop Oval punch (114889), tiny rhinestones


Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Is It Christmas, Yet?

Some people never outgrow (or is it grow up, lol) the love of Christmas, and that's a good thing!  There's just a feeling involved that is hard to describe.  Is it the "goodwill toward men", or the gatherings of friends and family, or the satisfaction of finding (or making) the perfect gift for a loved one?  Is it the colors, and lights, and sounds, and smells?  I don't know, but I do know I'm one of those people who absolutely love the holiday season.  When the sun starts slanting toward autumn and becomes more golden, and the nights start to get crisp, I can feel the anticipation building in me.  I love autumn.  I love Halloween.  I love Thanksgiving.  And I especially love Christmas!

I've started thinking about my swaps for next club meeting, trying to get a head start so I'm not up until 4:00 a.m. getting them finished.  It's my month to pick the theme, and I chose "any winter theme card", so Christmas seemed the logical choice and I made this card......but ya know what?   I think I'm going to surprise the club members, heh heh heh.  Winter runs from December until March.  And that's all I'm gonna say about that. Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net

Stamp: Holiday Best - Hostess Level 1 (115364)
Cardstock: Whisper White (100730), Always Artichoke (105119), Real Red (102482)
DP: Certainly Celery PDSP (112154), Flock Together DSP (114018)
Ink: (Sponged) Certainly Celery Classic (105217), Stampin' Write Markers - Real Red (100052), Always Artichoke (1105113)
Accessories/Tools: Real Red ¼ inch grosgrain ribbon, Perfect Details Texturz Plate (115962), Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439)

Monday, September 7, 2009

September Swap

This was the card for the swap club part of the monthly stampin' club.  We were to use a retired Stampin' Up! set from 2000-2005.  I was a wee bit disappointed because I have some really cute SU bear stamp sets from the late 90s, but I like this set, too, so went ahead and used it.  (Still want to do teddy bears, though, lol.)


The stamp set is Summer by the Sea.  It was stamped on watercolor paper, and colored with watercolor pencils and an Aqua Painter.  I deliberately left off any sentiment, because I think this card could be used for several different occasions.

Cardstock: SU Very Vanilla (101650), Watercolor paper (105019), Core'dinations

DP: SU Haiku DSP (retired)
Ink: Basic Black Craft (102192)
Accessories/Tools: SU Silver Brads(104336), Shimmerz Spritz

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Simply Thanks

This card epitomizes the simple, clean lines of Asian influence.  I just couldn't bring myself to add too much frou-frou which, if you know me, is a very unusual thing!  My motto has always been "More is more!".  Or, as Mae West said, "Too much of a good thing is good".  ;-)

Once again, I colored on the stamp with the Stampin' Write Markers.  I'm having so much fun with this technique!  My poor Copic markers have been crying and pleading with me to use them once again, lol.  I will, when I get over the newness of this.

Stamps: Asian Artistry, Level 2 Hostess Set (114399), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Cardstock: Always Artichoke (105119), Ruby Red (102030), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink: Stampin' Write Markers - Always Artichoke (105113), Chocolate Chip (100071)
Accessories/Tools: Linen Thread (104199), Slit Punch (104388), 3/4" Circle Punch (107217)

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Sweets!

Who doesn't love 'em?  My sweet tooth waxes and wanes, but lately it's been giving me a devil of a time, since I'm supposed to be making healthier food choices.  This is due, no doubt, to hormonal fluctuations as I'm going through "the change".  *sigh*  Then Stampin' Up! had to come out with these precious little things in the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog. *Mega sigh!*.  I suppose they could be filled with something other than candy, but where's the fun in that?!   Smiley from millan.net



They are fairly easy to put together, but I've found it's easiest (after the cups are filled) to hold them over my head, looking up, while sticking them to the background.  And if a candy "accidentally" falls in my mouth, well, stuff happens, ya know?  Smiley from millan.net

This class is scheduled for Sept. 19th at 10:00 a.m.!  You can sign up by contacting me through my demonstrator website (upper right), or leave a comment here.

Christmas:
Stamps:  Sweet Centers (116521), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Cardstock: Real Red (102482)
DP: Merry Moments Designer Series Paper (115672)
Ink: Real Red Classic (103133)
Accessories/Tools:  Sweet Treat Cups (116802), 1¾ inch Circle Punch (107217), Modern Label Punch (116630), Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129), Real Red ¼ inch Grosgrain Ribbon (109034), Heat Tool (100005)

Halloween:
Stamps: Sweet Centers (116521), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Cardstock: Perfect Plum (101889), Green Galore (101768), Basic Black (102851)
Ink: Basic Black Craft (102192)
Accessories/Tools: Sweet Treat Cups (116802), 1¾ inch Circle Punch (107217), Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder (109130), Heat Tool (100005), photo corner punch

Friday, September 4, 2009

Get Well Care Package


What a great way to show a friend or relative who is feeling under the weather just how much you care!  I saw this idea on the Scrap Bitz blog a long time ago and bookmarked it, knowing someday I'd use it.  Don't you think this is just the perfect little project for a class, especially since the flu season is coming?  I'm having one next month, and already have people signed up for it!

The inside has a little travel pack of tissues, some lip balm and a throat lozenge, all held in place by Glue Dots.  Too darn cute! 



This class is scheduled for Oct. 10th at 1:00 p.m.  You can sign up by contacting me through my demonstrator website (above right), or leave a comment here!

Stamps: Medallion (115223), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry (115316)

DSP: Razzleberry Lemonade (115675)
Ink: Melon Mambo Classic (115656), Rich Razzleberry Classic (115658)
Accessories/Tools: Filigree Designer Brad (112577), Word Window Punch (105090), Modern Label Punch (116630), Corner Rounder Punch (109047) 

Thursday, September 3, 2009

My First Workshop!

I held my first Stampin' Up! workshop (party) a couple days ago, and boy, what a learning experience!  I knew there would be a couple of people who had never done stamping before, so I kept the make 'n takes pretty simple.  After they completed each one, I passed around a card made with the same stamps and cardstock, but "kicked up" a notch, so they could see one way to take it to the next level.  Here's the first card, just a simple stamped image and sentiment:


Now here is the same card, fancied up a bit:


The second card involved coloring on the stamp with the Stampin' Write Markers (see yesterday's post), "huffing" on the stamp and stamping on watercolor paper.  Then I demonstrated the Blender Pens.  (I had someone sign up for my Many Marvelous Markers Club that evening!  Now I only need three more members to make it work, lol.)  Here's the simple version:



And here it is, a little more dressed up:


Thanks for stopping by!

First card:
Stamps: Dasher (116816), Merriment (115556)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla (101650), Ruby Red (102030), Chocolate Chip (102128)
DP: Old Olive Designers Series Paper (112160)
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic (100908)
Ribbon: Very Vanilla Taffeta (109071)
Fancier card used: Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), VersaMark (102283), Heat & Stick Powder (100625), 
Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023), Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Large Oval Punch (107305), and Scallop Oval Punch (114889)


Second card:
Stamps: Asian Artistry Level 2 Hostess set (114399), Short & Sweet (115060), Bella Toile (111598)
Cardstock:  Very Vanilla (101650), Ruby Red (102030), Always Artichoke (105119), Watercolor Paper (105019)
Ink: Certainly Celery Classic (105217), Stampin' Write Markers - Ruby Red (100075) and Always Artichoke (105113)
Accessories: Blender Pen (102845), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Modern Label Punch (116630)
Fancier card used: Damask Texturz Plate (Backgrounds 1 Set 114531), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Tombow Multi Adhesive (100755), Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023)

A New Card and Some Changes

First, my apologies for not posting any cards in a while.  My BFF came for a visit last week, and the week prior to that I was frantically getting the guest room ready, and clearing out the "OTHER HALF" (insert ominous background music here) of my craft room so we could play together in there.

Anyhooo, I've made several cards, and this is one I wanted to get up right away.  My SCS friend Jen had her baby boy and this is the card I made for her (which is going out in the mail tomorrow, Jen!).

The ribbon was colored with a Brocade Blue Stampin' Write Marker, and it really matches the card much better IRL.  (I'm about to chuck that stinkin' camera...I'm so frustrated!).

The little bear stamp was colored with my Stampin' Up! markers and then stamped on watercolor paper, after which I used the blender pen to move the color into the image.  I'm really loving that technique!  And what is so cool about it is, you can stamp some images, put them in a plastic bag in your purse, and if you are stuck waiting somewhere (dentist's office, kid's soccer practice, etc.), you can pull them out and color them in with the blender pen!  No muss, no fuss. 
 Smiley from millan.net
I used five (count 'em, five!) punches on this card!!!  They're listed below.

Stamps: Teddy & Train (115219), Sweetness Unlimited (115562)
Cardstock: Brocade Blue (101166), Watercolor Paper (105019), Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP (retired)
Ink: Stampin' Write Markers - Brocade Blue (100064), Close to Cocoa (100072), Creamy Caramel (100078)
Accessories/Tools: Silver Brads (104336), Eyelet Border punch (113692), Modern Label punch (116630), Ticket Corner punch (107214), Word Window punch (105090), 1/16" Circle (101227)


=====================================


Okay, now about the changes.  Stampin' Up! has changed its Independent Demonstrator Agreement to prohibit demos from promoting competing products by linking to them.  Until I get a grasp about exactly what I can and can not do on my blog, I have removed the links to other blogs and websites that may or may not be prohibited by the agreement.  I can understand why they are doing it, and while I may not agree with all of it, I did sign an agreement which is effectively a non-competitive agreement, common in many industries.  It is still a fluid thing right now, and I expect I will be able to add back many of the blog links that I had before.  It will take time, and I hope you all will bear with me.


Hugs,
Cindy

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Looks Like We Have a New Winner

Well, it's been over a week, and I haven't heard from the person drawn last week to win the candy, so I'm picking a new winner from my followers. Here is the result:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

26

Timestamp: 2009-09-02 16:48:47 UTC


KIRSTEN, of Kirsten's Krafty Place, you are the new winner! Please email your mailing address to me as soon as possible. If I haven't heard from you by next Tuesday (Sept. 8), I'll pick a new winner.