I Am....Tickled

And this is the card I sent to congratulate my other downline that just recruited.

Stamps: I Am... (free stamp set for Convention attendees)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink: Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, and Primrose Petals Stampin' Write Markers, Midnight Muse Stampin' Pad
Accessories: Big Shot, Framelits Labels Collection, Fancy Fan folder, 1" Square Punch (banner ends), Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stamping Family Growing!

I am so proud of my "girls"!  Two of them got new recruits (one of them got TWO in two days), so our stamping family is growing. There has never been a better time to become an independent business owner, and I'm thrilled that three more people have the opportunity to create their own businesses "Their Way"!

This is the card I sent to congratulate one of my downline for their achievement.

If you have been thinking about how nice it would be to be your own boss, set your own hours, and get paid to be creative, I'd love to talk with you about the opportunity Stampin' Up!® provides! You can get started for just $99 with a fully customizable kit. It is so easy...to learn more, just contact me!

Stamps: I Am... (free stamp set for Convention attendees)
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, plus Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive DSP (Brights Paper Stack)
Ink: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers, Old Olive Stampin' Pad
Accessories: Big Shot, Framelits Labels Collection, Decorative Label Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, 1" Square Punch (banner ends), Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

Still Here!

Life has been a wild ride the past 2-3 weeks. First with my friend Cindy passing away unexpectedly, and last weekend, my eight year old cousin Rayanna lost her battle with leukemia. Then Wednesday my Dad decided he's going to forgo further treatment, and checked himself out of the hospital, and immediately after that sobering news, I found out the floral arrangement for Rayanna's funeral wasn't delivered. Geez, can I just hit rewind, and start this month over?

The highlights of the month were the times I got to spend stamping, especially when it involved stamping friends! This is one of the cards we made in last week's Fancy Folds class. It's a Swinging Z-Fold and was inspired by LeeAnn Greff's tutorial HERE.

With Mother's Day rapidly approaching, I wanted to incorporate something that could be used for just such a purpose, and this was the result. Actually, it could be used for just about anything, by stamping the appropriate message for the occasion inside on the left, and then writing a personal note on the right.

Tomorrow the much dreaded much anticipated (I'm so conflicted!) Stamp Retirement List will be announced, so stay tuned! 

Stamps: Apothecary Art, Loving Thoughts
Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, Whisper White, Flirtatious DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, and Lucky Limeade Classic
Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Blender Pens, Dazzling Details, Lucky Limeade 1/8" organza ribbon (retired)

Swappin' Again

The swapping bug done bit me again, and I signed up for four groups in a birthday-theme swap at Stampin' Addicts. Originally it was only two groups, but FOMS (fear of missing something) took over, and somehow my name ended up in all four groups. I don't know how that happened, really.

I had to come up with a feminine, masculine, boy child, and general birthday design. This one is the feminine one. Could you tell? *grin*

This lovely image from the Bordering on Romance set is so much fun to color! The Shimmery White cardstock is a great alternative to the Watercolor Paper when using blender pens, and it looks awesome with it's shimmeriness (is that a word?).

Stamps: Bordering on Romance, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Shimmery White, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Pocketful of Posies DSP
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Rich Razzleberry, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, and Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pads
Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Blushing Bride pleated Satin Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Blender Pens, Word Window Punch

So, What is YOUR Favorite in the Mini?

That's the theme of this week's challenge at SUO Challenges! Create something using your favorite stamp set or item from the new Occasions Mini. Well, as much as I love nearly EVERYTHING in that catalog (except the gnomes....I just don't get the appeal), I was head-over-heels ecstatic when I saw the Framelits and Edgelits. I've been longing for thin metal dies, made by our very own company, for like, EVAH!

And, apparently, so has much of the rest of our Design Team, because most of us used them, one way or another, in our cards this week, tee-hee! Hey, we know a good thing when we see it.  I was really tempted to use the Bordering on Romance stamp set, too.....so glad I didn't, now that I see what my peeps designed! Long-time followers know that I have to gear up for all the February birthdays coming up, so I went with Crazy for Cupcakes instead.

Thanks for stopping by, and I can't wait to see what YOU choose as a fave from the mini. Maybe one of you can convince me that gnomes are awesome.

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, Bring on the Cake
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip, White Cardstock Vellum
Ink: Cotton White Staz-On, Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede, and Basic Black Classic Pads, plus Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Little Leaves Sizzlits die, Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, Boho Blossoms Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon, Circle Rhinestone Brads, Blender Pens