Velvety Vanilla!

One of the new items in the upcoming Holiday Mini catalog is the gorgeous Very Vanilla 3/8" Velvet Stitched Ribbon.  It is so soft and yummy-licious and will be the perfect addition not only on Christmas cards, but on Fall cards, baby cards, you name it!

Stamps: Christmas Collage, Bells & Boughs
Cardstock: Real Red, Shimmery White
Ink: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Old Olive, Basic Black, and Sahara Sand Classic
Accessories: Very Vanilla 3/8" Velvet Stitched Ribbon, Round Rhinestone Brad, Gold Waffle Paper, Blender Pens, Stampin' Dimensionals

Jill Olsen's Demonstrator Day

This was my first time going to this event in St. George, Utah, and I had sooooo much fun!  It is an amazing bargain for Stampin' Up! demonstrators......for $50 we did 24 make n' takes, mostly cards, but a couple of 3D projects, too, plus LUNCH.  The day-long event was held in the beautiful Dixie Center.  I was really impressed with how it was so well-organized.  

There was a swap beforehand for any demos that wanted to swap cards with other demos.  That was my first "event swap", too!  I'm tellin' ya, this is a fabulously fun time, and if you'd like to join Stampin' Up! so you can participate next year, I'd love to have you join my team!  If you sign up before Oct. 18th, you'll get the free tote, too (while supplies last, a $39.95 value).  For more info, click on the button on the upper left.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like....

CHRISTMAS!  The new 2010 Holiday Mini is open for business now (insert me doing a happy dance!), and I positively adore the way the vintage Christmas stamp sets all coordinate with one another.  The bells and sentiment on this card are from the Bells & Boughs set, and the Sahara Sand background image is Christmas Collage.

The bell image was stamped in Basic Black Classic ink on watercolor paper, and blender pens dipped in the lids of the classic ink pads were used to color it. Gold Lame Smooch Accent Ink was added to the bands around the bells and on the clapper.  (You can click on the picture twice to really see the details.)

The holly berries were made shiny with Crystal Effects.  After it was dry, I carefully cut it out and popped it up on Dimensionals on a Pear Pizzazz circle (with the edges inked in Old Olive).  That, in turn, was matted on a Brushed Gold circle, which was also popped up on Dimensionals.

The stamped background was colored using just a touch of ink with the blender pens (I wanted a faded look).  That Poppy Parade Stitched-Poly Ribbon is a breeze to fray! 

Stamps: Bells & Boughs (W-120831, C-121142), Christmas Collage (121279)
Cardstock: Confetti White (102028), Watercolor Paper (105019), Brushed Gold (102935), Pear Pizzazz (119795), Old Olive (100702 - behind sentiment)
Inks: Classic Stampin Pads - Poppy Parade (119782), Pear Pizzazz (119784), Old Olive (102277), So Saffron (105213), Sahara Sand (105208 - background), Real Red Stampin' Write Marker (100052)
Accessories: Poppy Parade Poly-Stitched Ribbon (119263), 1-3/4" Circle Punch (119850), 2" circle punch (non-SU), Gold Lame Smooch Accent Ink (119968), Crystal Effects (101055), Metallic Brads (119741)

Another Peek

By now many of you have received your 2010 Holiday Mini Catalogs, so I guess this really isn't a sneak preview any more. This stamp is called Christmas Postcard, and is on page 41 of the mini.  I'm having so much fun coloring these days!  The Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon is also in the mini (pg. 21), and is absolutely heaven to work with. It's so soft, and ties into lovely bows that aren't bulky. Love it!  It is available in Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla, too.

This will probably be the last card for a few days, because I really must get cracking on the projects for the Holiday Mini Blog Hop next weekend!  I'll be holed up in the stamp cave, trying to think up ways to wow you. ;-)

Edited to add: The background was stamped in Sahara Sand on the Confetti White cardstock.

Stamps: Christmas Collage background (121279), Christmas Postcard (121428)
Cardstock: Confetti White (102028), Crumb Cake (120953), Cherry Cobbler (119685)
Inks: Cherry Cobbler Classic (119669), Sahara Sand Classic (105208), Basic Gray Classic (109120), Baja Breeze Classic (111833), Blushing Bride Classic (119786), Pear Pizazz Stampin' Write Marker (119801, set of 5 In Colors), Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker (100079), Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Marker (120975), So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker (105114)
Accessories: Basic Pearls (119247), Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon (120992)

Before and After

Okay, I was all excited about playing with the new stampin' goodies, so I could show you all a teaser, right?  Well, first off, one of the stamp sets I ordered appears to have disappeared.  I don't know where it could possibly be.  When I unpack that carton of goodness that Mr. Brown delivers (on a too regular basis, lol), everything goes into its rightful place, and it was no different with that clear-mount stamp set.

Arrrrggghhhh!  Not finding it is driving me crazy and, believe me, that's not a very long drive!  Oh, well, here's one sneak peek for ya.  That little peek above is the Christmas Postcard single stamp that is divine.  Such a lovely, old-fashioned, vintage Christmas feel, and perfect for coloring!

So, since I couldn't use the set I had originally planned, I pulled out the Christmas Collage background stamp. It has a lot of the same elements in it, all in a collage (*snerk*, hence the name, 'eh?).  After I completed the card, I just wasn't thrilled with it.  I couldn't put my finger on it, but it was just "off".

I even tried adding some rhinestones! That usually does the trick, but not this time.  It just wasn't making my skirt fly up, as the Pioneer Woman would say.  So after giving it some thought, I decided it needed more Cherry Cobbler.  Here's the result:

It's better, I think. Still far from my favorite card evah, but definitely more balanced and pleasing to the eye.  Oh well, I guess I can't hit a home run every time, huh?  But I can keep trying!

There is a new blog hop coming that will be featuring these goodies and much more, from the soon-to-be-released 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog!  I'll be showcasing Jolly Bingo Bits.  Intrigued? It will run from Friday 8/27 through Sunday 8/29.  You won't want to miss it!!!

Items from the new Holiday Mini are highlighted and will be available September 1st.
Stamp: Christmas Collage (121279)
Cardstock: Confetti White (102028), Always Artichoke (105119), Cherry Cobbler (119685)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic (119669), Sahara Sand (105208), VersaMark (102283)
Accessories: Always Artichoke Seam Binding (121000), Silver Glass Glitter (120995), Silver Tinsel Trim (120994), Basic Rhinestones (119246), 2-1/2" Circle Punch (120906)