Say Cheese!!

The Correct Project

I got the correct project organized for my Stamp And Run on Tuesday. Of course I made my 'sample' one and then I had to do another one with a little more embellishments.

The girls start school tomorrow! I can't believe I have a 5th grader and a 4th grader! I swear I was just pregnant with them yesterday! As a matter of fact, I still have the baby fat to prove it! I'll post a picture of them tomorrow. Maybe I'll even get motivated to do a scrapbook page with it???? I have lots of great hopes for tomorrow, the first day they are back in school.  Drop them off at 7:30, head to the gym, grocery store, meet the contractor to fix our bathroom (leak behind the shower), lunch with my peeps, finish preparing for Stamp And Run, emails, pick up from school, tutoring, dinner, work on two projects for a friend of mine, fall into bed. I'll let you know how I did!

 

This is the project we'll do for the SAR on Tuesday.

Materials (all SU! unless otherwise noted):

Cardstock: More Mustard, Elegant Eggplant(yeah, I know, it looks black on the scan), Very Vanilla, Vellum CS.  Inks: Classic So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust Marker. Stamp Sets: Inspired By Nature, Wonderful Words, Itty Bitty Backgrounds. Other: gold mini brads

 

 

 

 

This is the "up a notch' card. I used basically the same materials but I put black flocking from Doodlebug Design Inc on the flower centers and a pretty yellow sugar micro glitter on the petals (also from Doodlebug). I don't know why my scanner made this look so neon'ish because it's not. It's very mellow and calm looking.

Also, the twill tape on this is the white tape that SU! sells. I turned it's color by dropping it in my husband's coffee (yes, he had let it get cold and it was sitting around a couple of hours). The color is very pretty and antique looking.

HOT TIP OF MY DAY... Another card I was working on had ribbon that kept fraying and I kept trimming it away. By the time I was done, I had trimmed off an entire inch. This left me no more room for error. As I was contemplating how to make it quit fraying, especially for the recipient who had to open it, I thought of that old trick to make your pantyhose quit running. Yep, a dab of clear nail polish on the end of it did the trick. I painted it unto the backside and edge very carefully and it dried clear and perfect. No more fraying!

Stamp & Run Project

Remember I told you yesterday that I had a SU! event this coming week? And that I had to prepare for it? Well, I was a good girl and I worked on it today (amongst other things). My Stamp and Run event is a monthly camp where my guests come and work on 10 cards in 2 different designs for $18.00. Everyone really enjoys this because it keeps their card stash filled and they have instant access to a variety of cards for under $2.00 each. Each month I change the theme, style and colors. I'm always trying to keep it fresh. It's a great deal.

For inspiration I look at Splitcoast Stampers, swaps, blogs and magazines. This month I found my inspiration in a swap I received at convention (Image on the right). I would love to give this lady credit for her work but alas, she didn't put a label on her card so I don't know who it belongs to. Take my word when I say this card is simple and very glam. Just a touch

of glitter, sharp colors and a little bling with the build-a-brad. I really liked her card and decided to use it for my "tween" theme. I changed up the colors to use up cardstock I had on hand and I modified it for my customers to make 5 each (total 75). I was really happy with the result and thought this made a great project. I cut all the cardstock , cut all the ribbon, set out all my inks...got all my ducks-in-a-row for Tuesday morning and then realized that I worked on September's theme project, not August's!! Aughh....I wear myself out!

Materials (All SU! unless otherwise noted):

Cardstock:Purely Pomegranate, Regal Rose, Bashful Blue, Whisper White. Ink:Classic Purely Pomegranate, White Craft. Stamp Sets: Seriously Sassy, It's Your Birthday, Sprinkles. Embellishments:silver brad, Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, itty-bitty flower punch (from where, how long ago?) Dazzling Diamonds, 2-way glue pen. Other: Glue dot to hold ribbon and dimensionals.

I'm Baaaack.....

School is getting ready to start again for the kids and my DH decided we need to take a quick impromptu trip to San Antonio this week. God love him, it threw my schedule under the car but at least he does it right when he plans getaways. We stayed at the Westin La Cantera and we had a luxury suite! No, we don't usually travel in this fashion. As it turned out, they didn't have a room for us when we arrived so they put all four of us in the smallest room available, shut the door and left us to fend for ourselves. It wasn't a pretty sight. Suitcases everywhere. Shoes everywhere (my youngest daughter packs like Paris Hilton) and swimsuits everywhere. Needless to say, Momma wasn't happy and when momma ain't happy well...you know...So Big Daddy went straight down the next morning at 10:00 and requested another room. At 12:00 he checked on the status. Still no room. At 2:00, still no room. I mean come on...I can only drink so many mojitos at the pool before happy hour right? I don't want to look like a lush but, what else was there to do? At 4:00, still no room. So by this time, Big Daddy has lost patience with them and decides he can't afford my cabana bill so he diplomatically asks for the manager and the next thing you know we have a Luxury Suiteon the fifth floor. I love traveling with him. He goes for all the perks. When I'm in charge of hotel accommodations, you can expect the Best Western. My children have told me on more than one occasion that they like it when they travel with dad better than with me because I'm too cheap!

I'm back now and desperately trying to catch up on my schedule. I have two SU! events planned next week and I haven't even started preparing for them. It was on my schedule to start preparing first thing today but, I made the mistake of checking my 163 waiting emails and saw that 2sketches4you had a new challenge. Of course I had to try it again. (Side note: I made the FAB 5for the last challenge I did! Thanks 2s4u!) Here is my card for Kazan's Sketch 7: As a footnote: the inside flap also opens (swings to the right)

Materials(all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Cardstock: Haiku DSP, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Glossy White, Very Vanilla

Stamp Set: Embrace Life

Inks: Old Olive, So Saffron, Jet Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, Markers: Pumpkin Pie

Other: SU!'s new scallop punch, crop-a-dile, 1/4" punch, ribbon (from where?), brad (from where?)

Technique: Crayon Resist (white crayon)

There is another challenge listed and I'm going to try that one too but, not until tomorrow. I'll post it and let you know how it turns out.

Shhhhh, Friday is my girlfriend, Leanne's birthday and this is what I made for her. A note bag with 6 laser cut notes. I had fun working on it because she thinks everything I do is fabulous. Doesn't it make you warm all over when someone likes something you do rather than just complaining that the laundry isn't done or they don't like what you cooked for dinner? mmmmm, warm all over...

I used scraps of DSP from last year, added punched out vellum flowers behind the laser flower and applied these rhinestone brad flowers that I found at Walmart a looooong time ago.

For the big flower on the bag, I purchased a stem of flowers from one of the craft stores and cut the flowers off as close to the petals as possible without making the flower fall apart. I like to do this because, 1) sometimes it's less expensive than the packaged flowers 2)sometimes I like the colors better, they tend to be more two-toned and 3) because if I'm careful, I can keep the center of the flower attached and it looks like a real flower. I don't have to use a brad to make a middle.  Then I just attach the entire flower with one of those huge glue dots.

Happy Birthday Leanne! (In case you're reading this!)

I'm addicted...

So, last night I'm really, really tired and I decide I'm going to bed as soon as I get the kids in bed. About 9:30'ish. I'm too tired to clean up the kitchen (husband is out of town, so I don't HAVE to do it), I'm too tired to do a load of laundry and even the Olympics seems too daunting. Too much anticipation. I get exhausted cheering on Michael Phelps and coaching our gymnastic teams. So, to kill about 40 minutes, I decide to try to make those cute little box/purses I've seen on different people's blogs (see Angie's). They all say they're super easy.

I decided to make one using the Bali Breeze DSP. I followed the tutorial from Stamp a Little Love Baby and boy oh boy! I finished the first one and I was addicted! I had to make another one and another one another one. By the time I finished the 7th one, I thought I should probably get to bed. It was 12:30!

I turned on the TV to kinda wind down from the "high" of making this little bags and the Olympics were still on!

I went to bed at 1:30.

I hate it when that happens...

Materials:Bali Breeze DSP, Rounded Tab Punch, 1/4" hole punch, tacky tape, ribbon flower using widest twill tape from SU!, Soft Sky CS stamped in Tempting Turq. with Wanted stamp set. Lg. Circle Punch, Silver brad from Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Green Twill Tape.

Materials:Bali Breeze DSP, Pumpkin Pie, Tempt. Turq. Old Olive,Vellum CS. Flower Punch, Scallop Punch, Lg. Circle Punch, 1/4" hole punch, Round Scallop Punch, Tacky Tape, Microbeads, paper flowers from Making Memories, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon. Round crystal brad.

Materials:Bella Rose DSP, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss CS, Build-a-Brad, 1/2" circle punch, Rounded Tab Punch, 1/4" hole punch. Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.

Ribbon Flowers

Here's a quickie tutorial on how to create a ribbon flower.

Start with a piece of wide ribbon about 12" long, a needle and thread.  I used the 1-1/2" Twill Tape from SU! you can also use the straight pin from your Crafter's Tool Kit and the Linen Thread from SU!

Starting at one end of the ribbon, stitch the ribbon close to one edge in loose stitches about 3/8" - 1/4" apart. In sewing terms, this is called basting.

When you've reached the end of the ribbon length, start gathering the ribbon on your thread by gently scrunching it together.

Keep scrunching until the ribbon makes a little circle. Tie the ends of the thread together to keep the circle in shape.

Shape the ribbon to make a pretty flower. If the ends of your ribbon are too frayed, make a little hem by folding it back on itself and hold the hem in place with a glue dot.

 

For a color variation. Try sponging classic ink along one side of the ribbon like I did here.

You can see a sample of the pink flower on my previous post.

Another fun thing to do is create a flower with organdy ribbon and then carefully heat it with your heat gun. NOTE: the word "carefully" is emphasized because in a flash of a second, it will melt a hole in your ribbon. I really like this look too. It looks like an antique ribbon flower that you might find in your grandmother's attic.

Thanks for looking! Now go create something! And if you're feeling really good, send me a photo and I'll post it on my blog!

2 Sketches 4 You...

My girlfriend Angie at Schwoo is always creating the prettiest cards to post on her blog. So while I was casing it last night, I came across one of her inspirations and decided to give it a try. This is a sketch challenge from another blog called 2 Sketches 4 You. I've never done a sketch challenge but, I decided to put on my 'big girl panties' and give it a try. And...I like it! Following a sketch kinda takes out 1/2 the design work and considering I'm usually stamping after 10:00 at night, this is a good thing! I don't have to think too hard! I encourage you to give it a try. You might get inspired like I did!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Materials, All Stampin' Up!: Riding Hood Red CS, Kiwi Kiss CS, Bella Rose DSP. Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, 1-1/4" Pink Pirouette Grosgrain Ribbon inked with Riding Hood Red Classic ink, Wild Wasabi double stitched ribbon, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon. Eastern Elegance Rub-On words, Embrace Life Stamp set stamped in Kiwi Kiss ink on Kiwi Kiss CS 

Same supplies on this second card except buttons are exchanged for ribbon flower and tied with natural linen thread and Moss Gingham Ribbon. Rub-On words are from the 2008 SAB package.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I apologize that the second photo seems crooked. I had to squash it down on my scanner because the red button was too fat for it to scan clearly.

If you want to know how I colored the Pink Ribbon, I just inked one side of the ribbon before I threaded and gathered it.

Last Convention Pic's

 

 

A last few Convention  highlights. I promise!

This is what opening day looks like at Convention! There is no way, no how that you can not catch-the-fire and feel the buzz. It's totally awesome. It's the party without the hangover.

Well, I did promise a few more photos of convention projects made with new Home Decor Elements so here they are. Enjoy!

This is a regular Shadow Box, the kind you buy at Hobby Lobby or Michael's with your coupon. The back is covered with our new DSP and the front glass has the new Decor Elements applied. Then fill the inside with fall garland that has been taken off the vine. Gorgeous!

I thought this was extremely attractive. Find a picture frame that is clear on the front and back panels. Affix a page of our DSP to the back panel and then apply the Decor Elements & words to the inside front of the window panel. The photo is applied to the outside of the glass so as not to let the adhesive show.

Would You Be Your Best Customer?

 

How much stamping & scrapbooking stuff do you own? How much do you still want? How would you like a discount on everything you order?

Stampin' Up! Is offering you the opportunity to join my team for only $99(reg. $199)!

• This is the perfect price for the person who already has LOTS of stuff and doesn't need all the 'duplicates' in the regular starter kit.
• Or for the person who just likes to dabble in it but doesn't want a full time job of it.
• This is perfect when you're "your best customer" and your girlfriends can buy from you. Yep! This is for you!
• You DON'T have to do workshops, stamp clubs or classes. No pressure to sale to strangers. And you can still come to all of my clubs, classes and workshops!
• Would you like a little extra cash for gas, groceries, tuition or just your "hobby" budget? This is for you!

Keep 20% (or more) of every dollar you sell or item you purchase. You can treat yourself as a customer and always take advantage of "Customer Specials".

And if you don't like it? Well, you're not marrying us, so you can drop without paying alimony but, we bet you'll be in for the long game.

Check out the flyer here for more information, then call me now to join my team. Right now! I'm sitting by the phone waiting for your call!

Your Hobby, Your Choice

 

New Catalog Open House

Hosted by Tisha Copeland

& Jackie Ross

 

Thursday, August 21

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Or 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

 

At Jackie Ross's House

email me for address & directions

 

Join us for an Open House, celebrating the arrival of our new Idea Book & Catalog. There are lots of new stamp sets, embellishments and samples to see!

 

RSVP by Tuesday, August 19th and make this adorable desktop calendar for reserving your space

 

• Door Prizes
• 15% off 10 NEW Stamp Sets
• Bring a friend and receive a gift from me
• Stamp Club members take home your FREE catalog that day
• Book a workshop and take home a FREE catalog that day

 

Place an order this day and choose FREE products (I will pay!)...

$50, choose $10 free merchandise

$75, choose $15 free merchandise

$100, choose $20 free merchandise

$125, choose $25 free merchandise

(Can't attend? Pick up your catalog and place an order by Saturday, August 23 and still choose FREE products)