OFF TO CONVENTION!!!

I'm as ready as I'll ever be! Only thing I didn't get done was some 3D trades. Oh well. I finished up all my organized swaps, did about 60 general swaps, everything is ready for my 3D Shoebox swap (it is SO cute!) and my roommate/friends gifts are DONE! I LOVE those...I'm so glad I made one for myself! Those took me all day to put together yesterday! I can't wait to show you, but need to wait until I get back...cause I know a couple of the gals peek in at my Blog. lol!

I didn't get to the Weekly Bloggers Challenge (gift packaging) yesterday, but check out the gals work on their blogs...some did it, some were at Convention and some (like me) were too busy getting ready for Convention to do it. Things should be back to normal after next week for all of us.

I'll chat with you next Sunday! Hope you all have a wonderful week. I am SO excited to be going to Denver! Woohoo!

Serene Sunflower

I pulled this card out of my archives since I haven't scanned my swap cards yet. Still trying to finish up some things before I leave for Convention bright and early on Sunday! I did this card for a new catalog swap LAST year. I think Sunflowers are so cheerful. This set caught my eye last year and was one of the first I ordered (even though I had 2-3 other Sunflower sets!) lol! Hmmm...I need to pull this set out again.

This is a tri-fold card. The front "card" is cut on a diagonal and scored so that it folds back on itself. Then I added a pull-out tag/bookmark for the recipient to use. Enjoy! (This scan was done before I adjusted the card. I didn't like how the pocket showed on the front when it was all closed, so I narrowed the width of the pocket so it wasn't visible from the front!)

Sets: Serene Sunflower, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

C/S: Bravo Burgundy, Confetti Cream, More Mustard

Inks: Summer Sun, So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, Versamark

Other: Chocolate Grosgrain, mini brads, paper piercing tool and mat. Clear Embossing Powder (front flower)

Matching Colors

Sorry I've been MIA. As you know, I'm frantically preparing for Convention. After today, I do feel in pretty good shape. I have my organized swaps done...and my 3D shoebox swap figured out...just need to cut paper and get stuff together for that. Tomorrow I plan on working on some general swaps and then my roommates gifts!

But...I thought after yesterday, everything I was doing would come to a screeching halt! I was out for my normal morning walking exercise, when I tripped and took a nose dive on concrete! I wrenched my shoulder and scraped up one hand (luckily my left one!) pretty badly. My left arm and shoulder are really sore, I can hardly raise it above my waist...I must have taken the brunt of the fall on my left side (even tore my t-shirt!). Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel much better. But, it is hard to type, so here is a quick post!

Wow...the new designer double sided papers and designer ribbons are LUSCIOUS! I just received my order (second big one!) with several packages of the DS paper...I love the patterns...especially the stripes! Sometimes it is hard to know exactly what colors to coordinate with the paper, so here is a list of all the DS papers and the coordinating Stampin' Up! colors!

Brocade Backgrounds: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, River Rock

Cerise: Real Red, Very Vanilla

Charbon: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla

Creepy Crawly: Basic Black, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust

Cutie Pie: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, So Saffron

Darling Doodles: Brocade Blue, Groovy Guava, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi

Dashing: Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock, Very Vanilla

Fall Flowers: Old Olive, Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky

Flowers for You: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise

LeJardin: River Rock, Soft Sky, So Saffron, Very Vanilla

Linen Prints: Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Pink Passion

Notations No.2: More Mustard, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi

Outlaw: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla

Petals & Paisleys: Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Soft Sky

Porcelain Prints: Blue Bayou, River Rock, Wild Wasabi

Uptown: Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi

Wintergreen: Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Soft Sky

Prints: Monochromatic papers available in Almost Amethyst, Always Artichoke, Blue Bayou, Brilliant Blue, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, Groovy Guava, Lovely Lilac, More Mustard, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, River Rock, Rose Red, So Saffron, Soft Sky, Tempting Turquoise

I'll try to post some new stuff I've been working on over the next couple days!

More Consignment work

A couple of stamping gals over at my house for a class saw the work I did for my Mary Kay consultant's convention. She wanted me to do the same for her Jewels by Park Lane convention this week. I didn't want to do exactly the same thing, and I wanted to focus a little more on the jewelry aspect, so here are the goodie bags I made up for her.

The top is a photo album using Stampin' Up!'s clear envelopes inside. I used the retired sets, Haute Couture and Mini Mates. The words were printed on the computer. The earrings and hat jewels are little rhinestones! Sparkle seemed to fit the theme, too! The bottom is a small 4x6 composition notebook, personalized with each of their names. A matching pen and tag for the bag (not shown) completes the goodie bag!

Blogger's Challenge Week #4

Our challenge this week was to use the sketch from the card on Page 97 of the new Catalog. Here is my intrepretation. I used the Cutter Kit scissors to make my curve lines at the top and bottom. The scallop edge is done with the slit punch. I used the piercing template to pierce around the opening. The flowers are popped up with dimensionals. All in a Row was used for the stitching at the top and bottom (I need to practice using that stamp! lol!) Online you can barely see the paisleys from Double Line Doodles on the So Saffron layer.

Make sure to check out all the others Bloggers who did this challenge from my sidebar list!

Sets: Double Line Doodles, All in a Row, Happy Everything

C/S: Cameo Coral, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Inks: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Whisper White craft

Other: Blender pen, Hodgepodge hardware (Antique Brass), Celery grosgrain ribbon, slit punch, Crafter's Tool Kit, dimensionals

Priceless Notebook!

I love notebooks...I think they are so fun to alter. This one is a mid-size composition book...about 4 x 6 size. The kind that you find around the start of school. I made this one for my 10,000 hits Blog Candy winner, to thank her for her patience in waiting for me to get her Blog Candy pulled together and sent. This is just part of her mystery Blog Candy...the rest she'll have to wait and see what she gets. lol!

I covered the notebook with Petals & Paisleys paper and matched it up with Priceless stamp set (what else?) The Butterfly is cut out and popped up AND she has a tiny star rhinestone in the flower part of her wing! I used the new Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon...I thought it blended well with the paper.

I'm plugging away at my huge to-do list. I'm beginning to think that I will get it all done in time for convention! lol!

Sets: Priceless

C/S: Whisper White, So Saffron, Petals & Paisleys DP

Inks: Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Regal Rose

Other: Narrow Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon, rhinestone, dimensionals

Down to the wire!!!

Whew...I was really cutting it close! I am participating in an email group swap with some of the gals going to Session 1 of convention. My swaps (54...27 each of 2 different designs) had to be in Colorado by Friday. I had the general layout in my head and one sample done (similar to the Priceless one on my blog), but I started yesterday to pull them together. The layers took me MUCH longer than I anticipated! I literally spent ALL DAY stamping and adhering all the pieces...8 FULL hours! I'm exhausted now! lol! I hate leaving things to the last minute, but with the computer problems, then classes and club meetings I had the past few weeks, I had no time to work on the swaps...especially since I didn't get my new sets until last week! I'll be sharing my swap cards once I get back from convention.

This card uses one of the techniques from last week's Technique Class called Faux Linen. My version uses Craft ink and sanding blocks on Glossy paper. One fun thing I learned, when using a blender pen with my classic ink pads to color the flowers and leaves, the blender pen fluid seems to eat away the Craft ink...allowing the color from the Classic ink to flow onto the paper! Cool! That is how I got blue flowers and green leaves showing thru the Regal Rose Craft ink! The simplicity of this card allows the technique to be featured.

Sets: Artfully Asian, Fine Lace

C/S: Glossy White, Regal Rose, Bashful Blue

Inks: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Craft Regal Rose

Other: Blender pens, sanding blocks, Light Blue gingham ribbon

I'll try to keep up with posting over the next few weeks, but I still have another group swap to finish (52 cards), a 3D Shoebox swap to pull together, some commission work, room mate gifts and general swap cards to do before I leave for Convention Session 2!!!!

Priceless!

This card is one that my Stamp Club did this week. I love the colors of Wild Wasabi with Soft Sky and Rose Red...very elegant looking!

The butterfly is my favorite image in the Priceless stamp set and it fits perfectly in the 1 3/8" circle! Add the Scallop Circle punch to the outside...with a little Iridescent Ice EP and WOW! I'm impressed with the Double Stitch ribbon, too...it feels and handles great!

Set: Priceless
C/S: Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Glossy White, Rose Red, Soft Sky Prints DP
Inks: Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, Versamark Other: Iridescent EP, 1/8 hole punch, Soft Sky Double Stitch ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Paper Piercing template

This week I'm dedicating time to working on my swaps for convention. It will be here before you know it. I also have a couple consignment projects to complete. Lots of time in the Stamp Studio...yeah!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

BLOG CANDY WINNER!

OK...I have the winner...are you ready? My husband picked the number and.......

Cathy said...
Congrats on 10,000 hits. Count me in on this sweet mystery candy. I just know it will be fun once the package arrives to the lucky stamper. Oh and I hope it's ME! (teehee)
One of my fav sets is BAROQUE MOTIFS!
Thanks for a chance.

July 12, 2007 6:38 AM

Sheer coincidence that Baroque Motifs is one of my favs, too! Cathy...please contact me about your prize...and let me know if you are a SU demo or not, too! I have a couple things picked out for your prize!

TAG - YOU'RE IT!

Over the past week or so, I've also been tagged several times! I did this a couple months ago, but I'll play along again! I am to mention 7 things you probably don't know about me...

1. I used to sell crafts at the fall Craft Shows. Things I have sold over the years...

• painted sweatshirts
• 3 foot tall "dolls" made from tomato cages and jumbo paper twist...I did witches, angels, bunnies, carolers, Santa's, snowmen, his and her pilgrims, bride and grooms (I have a funny picture of 20 angels stuffed into the back of my van!)
• Stiffy bows and baskets
• ornaments
• fabric items...bibs, baby quilts, etc.

2. I worked as a manager for the telephone company for 20 years and I took an early retirement when I was 38.

3. I love to play the quarter slot machines in Las Vegas and usually am pretty lucky.

4. I've been married for 28 years this September. I married when I was a BABY! lol!

5. I drive a candy apple red 2006 Nissan Murano SUV and LOVE it!

6. My wedding colors were Brown and Peach (and those colors are BACK!) lol!

7. Hot fudge sundaes are my FAVORITE ice cream treat!

Since I think everyone and their brother has done this tag game, I'm just going to leave it that if you have NOT done it on your blog...you're IT! lol!

Week #3 Blogger's Challenge

Here is my card for this week's Blogger Challenge. Our assignment was to make a Christmas card using any set with non-traditional colors. I think Regal Rose, Gable Green and Bashful Blue are pretty non-traditional...at least in my house! lol! It is really hard to see the sparkle on the tree and star, but I used Iridescent Ice EP.

Sets: Glorious Garlands, Holidays & Wishes
C/S: Gable Green, Bashful Blue, Regal Rose, Whisper White, So Saffron
Inks: Basic Black, Craft Regal Rose, Gable Green, Versamark
Other: Iridescent Ice EP, Key Tag Punch, 5/8 Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, Star Punch

Check out the rest of the talented ladies submissions from my sidebar below.

I had my monthly Stampers Club meeting in Canton today. I love those ladies (hi Pat! I know she reads me regularly! lol!), we always have a great time. Brenda, the hostess today, has an AWESOME stamp room her hubby made her! It has been a long day...I drove up and back (2 hours each way)...usually I stay overnight, but I've had so much going on lately that I just couldn't manage the extra time away.

OK...BREATHE!!!

Sorry...I truly didn't mean to leave you hanging for several days! Best Buy's awesome Geek Squad came out and restored my computer to its former FAST self! Yeah! That nasty Norton AntiVirus is gone...it totally corrupted my files. Now, I'm working like a charm! However, I spent yesterday reinstalling all my software, my documents, my photos, etc. I had a mini crisis when I thought we wiped out my Contact List...but he installed it on the wrong ID, so I was able to Import it into my business one. Whew. The only thing I forgot to backup was my Free Fonts file. I'll have to find a bunch of special ones I've been saving for years. Oh well...

I see my Blog hit over 10,000 visits! Yeah! Thanks to all of you for visiting. I will take comments up until tomorrow night and then draw a random number for the Blog candy. I've been busy today preparing for my Stamp Club meeting tomorrow...nothing like waiting until the last minute. But, I think they will be very happy with the projects we are doing...2 cards and 1 3D item. I'll share them with you after tomorrow. I've also got a picture on my camera of my first SU catalog order of this year. But, I have to reinstall my Canon software before I can download it...

Have a great evening!

10,000 HITS - BLOG CANDY TIME!!!!

Wow! I can't believe I'm close to reaching 10,000 hits on my Blog! Thank you all for visiting. In celebration, when we hit 10,000, I'll be giving up some Blog Candy. Don't know what yet...but I know you'll like it! (And hey...it's FREE, right?!!!) To enter, leave a comment with your FAVORITE new stamp set in the Fall/Winter 2007 Collection catalog! Winner will be chosen randomly.

My computer will be down today. He is coming out to do a complete restore. I'm praying I don't lose all my favorites and emails in Outlook Express! It is my lifeline! I've backed up all that I can.

My Technique Class was last night...what a FUN group of gals! They always make me laugh.

Woohoo! My Stampin' Up! new catalog order ARRIVED around 3:30 PM this afternoon! I met the UPS guy at the door...lol! I took a picture of all my goodies, but I'll have to post it later when I have time to "wait" on my computer to upload the camera. Good news is tomorrow my sick computer should be FIXED...yeah!

I just HAD to cut and mount one of my new, favorite stamp sets...Priceless! I love the butterfly and swirls in this set. Here is the first card I made with it. (Plus, I also stamped the name tags for my class tonight using it!)

Did you notice the NEW ribbon in Regal Rose? It is the new 5/8" size and it is MUCH bigger than I expected! Great size and same great texture and ease of using as the 1/4" size.

On the left is another one of the techniques we will be doing tonight called Faux Linen. They are doing another card because I didn't have my new stuff in time, but I'll have this card on display.

Got to get off here and finish getting ready for tonight!

Sets: Priceless
C/S: Glossy White, So Saffron, Certainly Celery
Inks: Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, So Saffron
Other: White Gel Pen, 5/8 Regal Rose Grosgrain

Hmmmm....for some reason I've lost the ability to place a title on my posts! Wonder if there is a Blogspot glitch. I see the place for it to go, but it won't let me type in the block. Anyone know anything about it?

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. They go by SO fast, don't they? Our son left for his home...it was good to have him back here for a week. I miss him when he is away.

Guess what!!! My FIRST order from the new catalog should be here tomorrow! I'm hoping since I expedited it, that UPS will get me on an early route and I can open and play a little before my Technique Class tomorrow night. I have 2 out of 3 cards done and need to work on one more...plan on getting that done in the morning. I was good...I didn't order everything I wanted, but I am getting several new sets and lots of new ribbon.

I've been doing Technique Classes for a couple years, but this is a new group. So I've been going back and doing some of the techniques I've taught before. But, since I lost a LOT of stamp sets due to retirement, I'm redoing the cards with updated sets. However, my options of CURRENT sets is SLIM! One of my projects over the weekend was to clear out the retired sets on my current shelves. My current shelves are looking pretty empty! The order tomorrow should help fill them up a little! lol!

This is one of the cards we will be doing...Faux Diamond Dust...it is such a fun technique. Easy but with WOW results! I think my group will like it!

Sets: Baroque Motifs
C/S: Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Bravo Burgundy
Inks: Garden Green, Versamark
Other: Iridescent Ice EP, 1/4" circle punch, Burgundy grosgrain ribbon

Blogger's Challenge Week #2

I just joined a Blogger's Challenge group this week. The challenge is to do a weekly "task" and post it to your Blog on Friday. Our challenge this week was to use the sketch from the card on Page 108 of the new SU catalog. This is my interpretation! I combined the challenge with my need for a birthday card for my niece who turns 1 today! Along the side I have listed the other bloggers who are participating in the challenge.

I combined an old set with a new set...Figures of Speech has been around for a couple years...I was truly surprised that it didn't retire this year. But, all of a sudden I find myself using this set, so I was glad it is still arond. I combined it with the cool background swirl stamp in Baroque Motifs...LOVE that stamp! I think it is my favorite single stamp in the entire catalog. I liked the contrast of the circle stamp with the square 1-3/8" punch...combining with the swirls of the background stamp for a mix of shapes in one card. The cupcakes have Dazzling Diamonds on the frosting and flame...a little hard to see in this scan. Simple staples adhere the ribbon to the card. Pretty quick to put together...cause the sketch was already done for me!

Sets: Baroque Motifs, Figures of Speech

Inks: Barely Banana, Basic Black. Pretty in Pink and Lavender Lace and Barely Banana markers

C/S: Lavender Lace, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Other: Liquid glue, Dazzling diamonds, 1-3/8 square punch, white grosgrain ribbon, staples

Wedding Card

Hello! I hope you had a safe and happy 4th of July! We had an awesome time at the Lake, like usual. The fireworks were GORGEOUS on Tuesday night overlooking the water. On Wednesday night, we enjoyed the fireworks in our home town! Again, just breathtaking...definitely Ahhhhs and Ohhhhhs all around!

My son needs to attend a wedding on Saturday (did you know the date will be 07/07/07? I guess it is a VERY popular date for weddings! lol!) Anyway, not much stamping on this card I made for him to give. The "love" is from Wonderful Words I. He saw a similar card at the drugstore for $4.00! I said...what are you doing? I can MAKE that card in a few minutes! The base is white cardstock, folded to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 size (I like bigger cards for weddings) and layered with Going Gray paper, with printed vellum on top, secured with two silver mini brads. The wedding bell vellum I picked up free at a stamping retreat! It is gorgeous! I wrapped the white ribbon around the layered gray and vellum and stamped "Love" in black Stazon ink. Simple...but very elegant looking!

Sweet Little One

I'm sorry...it will really be hit or miss for me on posting until the Geek Squad comes back out and does a complete restore on my computer. I have trouble saving scans and closing out of any program. And, because I'm so impatient, I end up clicking and clicking and then freezing up the computer and having to reboot. Doesn't make me very happy right now!

I'll be gone the next couple days anyway. We are headed to the lake to do some boating and watch the fireworks on the water...it is SO pretty to see the lights reflected in the water. One of the neighbors usually hires a band and you can hear them play from almost anywhere on the lake. In the cove where we are, the boats are lined up right next to each other. Lots of fun. Hope you have a safe holiday.

This card is for my niece who just had a little boy this week. I love the new In-Color, Soft Sky...just perfect for a baby card! I used Big Deal Alphabet and the new Soft Sky printed papers. Inside one of the B's is a clear button that I backed with the printed paper, too. The ribbon is non-SU, only because my order with the new ribbon hasn't arrived yet. Sweet Little One verse is from the new stamp set, Holidays and Wishes, and fits just perfect! Baby is stamped with Soft Sky ink on vellum and then layered over white. Enjoy!