Holiday Hoopala -- #3

Good Morning!

I thought I would post a 3-D today instead of my usual cards to give everybody a break.  Yes, this one is a little different, but I like different!!  I got this idea from a picture I saw in the Country Living magazine of a blackbird in a jar.  So, I said to myself, why not try this for the Holiday Hoopla.  Well now that I have done one, and made all my mistakes, I can honestly say I will do another one and it will probably only take me ten minutes instead of about a total of 12 hours that I put into this one (gosh, I hate to even admit that in print).  Most of my time was spent figuring out what I was going to use for my tree (yah, I know -- if I would have had the Christmas Tree pop-up die it would have been simple and truly goooorgous, as Jan Tink would say).  After cutting up some fake tree greens and wiring them together I was almost ready to quit.  Then I had to figure out how I could add some height to raise the scene so you could see all the stuff above the curve in the jar.  Lightbulb again, cut up some old Styrofoam that I had laying around.  The good news is that the snow was easy -- cotton balls!!  Then it was another 3 hours trying to find something tiny to wrap up as gifts under the tree (looking through my grandkids' toyboxes for something/anything!!!).  Yep, the lightbulb finally went off again: folded little pieces of cardboard and wrapped in SU's gorgeous Christmas Cocoa Speciality Paper.  And of course, the Cold and Cuddly stamps embossed in black before cutting out a front and back image, with a toothpick glued in the middle.  Here are all of the supplies I used to make my Scene in a Jar: 

Stamps:  Cold and Cuddly; and Christms Punch

Paper:  Bashful Blue and W. White cardstock and Christmas Cocoa Speciality Paper

Ink:  Silver Encore, Black StazOn, Night of Navy (brushed on the dove)

Acessories:  Silver Cord, White Shimmer Paint, Black Embossing Powder, VersaMark Ink Pad, Boho Blossoms Punch, 1 1/4" Red Stripped Grosgrain Ribbon, White Satin Ribbon, Holiday Windows Die (dove), large gallon jar, Styrofoam, glue, wire, toothpicks.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Sandi

Holiday Hoopla -- #2

Hello all!
Yes, I remembered (mark it on your calendar).  As promised, here is my second card for the Holiday Hoopla event on Saturday.  I so loved making this one -- it was truly an easy-peasy card, thanks to Michelle Zindorf's brayer tips.  She truly is one gifted person.

And here are the deets: 

Stamp Set:  Cold & Cuddly (remember, that was my theme)
Paper:  Night of Navy & Whisper White cardstock
Ink:  Bashful Blue, Brillant Blue, Whisper White, and Basic Black
Accessories:  White Shimmer Paint, Brayer, Sponges

This was so easy, I don't even need instructions!!  Yep, it's your lucky day.  I do have to say, however, I loved learning the technique for the treeline.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you tomorrow with another project!!
Sandi

Holiday Hoopla -- #1

Another Christmas card!!  I know you are probably getting sick of my holiday cards, but that is all I am working on right now.  So just to prepare you -- I will be uploading one every day for at least the next week!!  I have so many samples from my presentation at our RubberQueen Holiday Hoopla yesterday, the gorgeous make'n takes that Ronda designed, and pictures of the other demonstrators' presentations.  Oh, and even the beautiful swap cards.  What a day it was -- awesome, awesome, awesome!!!  And along with all of that, we had the fabulous Jan Tink doing a presentation (yes, she love's herself -- and so do we!!).  Our team (the RubberQueens) is so very spoiled by Ronda -- she totally gives back to her downline 150%.  I will say with no hesitation, even tho I love Stampin' Up products, Ronda is the reason I am still a demonstrator.  When you have an upline that gives you so much training (basically she creates/designs our workshops and classes for us) and is just a beautiful person to have as a friend, you really don't want to stop being a demonstrator.  I wish that all of you that visit my blog on a regular basis and call my cyber friends lived close enough so I could bring you as a guest to one of her all-day events.  You would have so much fun (so call me if you every get to Michigan!!).

So you want to know a little about this card?  Okay, there were six demonstrators that were to feature something from the Holiday Mini Catalog in their presentation.  I chose the Cold & Cuddly stamp set; hence, the reason for this card (and more to come).  We also had to demonstrate a project to the group (I will post this later -- I want to keep you in suspense).

Anyway, this isn't the best picture, but the base of my card is Night of Navy Cardstock with a Bashful Blue cardstock layer for my image (walrus from Cold & Cuddly stamped in Basic Black ink).  I adhered 3 pieces of Whisper White rectangles/square cardstock that had been misted with the Frost White Shimmer Paint and alcohol mix (also used on the tag).  I then used a brush to paint on the Platinum Shimmer Paint between the Whisper White blocks and edges to look like melting ice (I hope).  The tag is from the new Holiday Windows Movers & Shapers dies on Night of Navy Cardstock and layered with Bashful Blue cardstock stamped with Christmas Punch Hostess Level 2 stamp set and punched out with Curly Label punch.  I used the Silver Elastic Cord from the Holiday Mini to hang the tag.  This card really sparkles and looks like ice in person -- sorry the camera does not show this up.

Stay tuned for more Christmas this week, and thanks for stopping by!!

Sandi

Class Gifts

Good Morning!!
Just a quick update being as it has been a while since I have stopped by to let you know I am still ambling along out here in the woods.  I sooo very much love this time of the year.  I just wish it would last a little longer.  I guess some would say it did this year because of our cool August.  But isn't it beautiful in Michigan during the Fall season.  I love going down our dirt road (which is narrow with big trees on both sides) and seeing the leaves in their bright colors covering the road.  I never get tired of it.  I cannot imagine living in Vermont.  If there was anyplace I would ever move, that is the state I would pick.  Love the trees, rocky streams/rivers, rock formations, hills/mountains.

I have been to so many interesting & beautiful places.  Two places come to mind right off the bat that I am sure most of you have never heard of before, and they are must see places (close to Michigan also).  I want to hear from all of you who have been to the House on the Rock (in Wisconsin) and Hocking Hills (in Ohio).  I won't say anything more about these places until I find out from you if you have been and what you liked.  Or if you haven't been, let me know what is your favorite place to visit as a family.  I will have to come up with some blog candy for a drawing for those that let me know their favorite family trip (please don't say Disnyland -- we all know that is the absolute favorite for everybody).  Okay, here I go again:  RAMBLING!! 

Oh, I suppose you want to know what this picture is all about.  Simple little treat boxes made for those who attended my Christmas Card Stack class.  I used my Big Shot (of course) and two different dies:  Bitty Box and Matchbox.  They both hold the same amount of chocolate!  Supplies include:  Real Red & Whisper White Cardstock, a piece of green print Christmas DSP on my test box (liked using cardstock better because it was heavier); Mistletoe Ribbon; Ornament Punch; Delightful Decorations stamp set  (two ornaments glued together, with one side using the "To: & From:" stamp); Real Red classic ink.  So very easy, but always elegant and something for them to use again.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Sunday!!
Sandi

Going Back In Time . . .

Good evening everybody!!  And you are saying to yourself -- why is this crazy lady posting this ole card for??  Well, to put it bluntly, I'm tired of my Christmas cards (still working on Christmas projects), so decided to pull out one of my favorite ole' timers.  Product used is all discontinued Stampin' Up (except for inks of course & we still have this chipboard).  Alas. the stamp sets and designer paper are gone (except in my stash -- as these are both favorites of mine and waiting for that perfect scrapbook page).  Aaah, do yah think I'm a hoarder????  Don't answer that -- as I am taking the 5th amendment so as not to incriminate myself.  Anyway, hope you like the change of style and subject -- it works for me.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!
Sandi

Whew . . . I can play again!!

My Christmas Card Stack class is over (the first one anyway) so I can play for the next 2 weeks -- well sorta anyway. I kept saying every day this last week I was going to post a couple of cards and those "little jobs" kept popping up so it never happened. Actually, I spent over an hour this morning writing a post telling you all about one of my "little jobs" that took a week to get done. Then right after I uploaded pics of my cards, somehow I deleted the whole post. I was so surprised that I just sat there and stared at my PC and kept saying, "it has to be in there someplace." Nope, after an hour of searching I decided not to even post. Well after going out for a Sunday picnic at my daughter's, I decided to try one more time. So here I am.

As far as my little job, I'm not even going to tell you about it. I already did and nobody looked at my post (or could find it), so to bad. It's not going to happen now. But I did have an awesome time at my daughter's. She was doing a little get-together for my granddaughter to say goodbye, as she is leaving for Florida in the morning. Very sad for me as I have a lot of good memories of our special times together. I will miss her very much and told her I would try not to call every day.

Here are my pictures "again."  The first one is another of my cards the ladies did yesterday at my Christmas Stack class. It uses the beautiful Tree Trimmings & Christmas Greetings stamp sets from the IBC. Supplies include Real Red, Glorious Green, and Whisper White cardstock; Real Red and Basic Black ink; and the beautiful 3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain ribbon.

The other two are pictures of a make'n take we did at our last RubberQueen meeting. It is a gift card, with 2 pockets inside to hold a gift card and little note. I forgot to take a picture with the little note with a cute tab on it, but you get the idea of what it would look like (you actually can put anything you want in the other pocket. This was really neat because you didn't have to use ribbon or any other type of accessary to keep the card closed. It just tucks neatly behind the layered panel that is attached with two dimensionals on the bottom only (leaving the top open so you can tuck the flap under it). The inside pocket is made from one sealed envelope cut in half then adhered to the Real Red cardstock. Isn't that just nifty!! Making gift card holders is one of my favorite little projects as there are so many different patterns/ideas.

Hope you had a beautiful weekend -- it was beautiful here!!  Thanks for stopping by to visit.

Sandi

TERRIFIC TUESDAY!!

I know, I know!!  I've been slacking off.  I seem to go in streaks, either I post every other day or once a week.  But that's what I love about my life.  I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING I DON'T WANT TO ANYMORE.  Yep, that is one of the advantages to being a senior citizen.  People expect you to be flakey, slow, forgetful, and feeble.  Sometimes it is really hard for me to live up to their standards.  Especially when my daughters started taking my arm last Winter to walk me across street.  Geez, I did draw the line there and let them know I wasn't officially a senior citizen yet.  But God Bless them, they think I can't lift 10 lbs. or walk in a straight line (okay, sometimes I can't). And yah, I have had some doozy falls.  But I've been like that since I was a teenager.  Even got some old videos with me taking my falls during family reunions.  Boy, I could sit around a campfire and tell some real good stories about my many falls.

Oops, there I go again (another thing I will blame on being a smart senior -- yah, I left out a word there).  Got away from the subject:  you want to see something extra-ordinare!!  Well, go to some other blog then (seniors get sassy too).  You will just get a fast, simple card here at my blog -- something you can use for a workshop or class.  Today I am showing you one of my cards that we will be doing this Saturday at my Christmas Card Stack.  This is a card I cased from Ronda Wade's Christmas Card Stack class (yes, I let her do all the hard work).  I did change it a tiny bit as  didn't have all her stamps and wanted a bow knot in front, also used silver Encore ink instead of Whisper White.

Supplies: 
Christmas Punch Hostess Stamp Set (Level II)
Many Merry Messages Stamp Set
Ink:  Silver Encore, Real Red, Soft Suede
Cardstock:  Kraft, Real Red, Whisper White
Accessories:  3/4" Polka-Dot Real Red Ribbon, Tag Corner Punch, & Dimensionals

Until next time.  Thanks for stopping by and hope you had a wonderful Labor Day Holiday!!
Sandi

I SEE FLOWERS . . .

"I see flowers, I see flowers . . . "  Your trivia question:  Did Julie Andrews sing a song like this??  It's been popping into my head all morning every since I took this picture of my swap card for tonight.  Maybe it is because it just looks so cheerful -- AND I SEE SUNSHINE THIS MORNING!!  Sad state of affairs when you feel like celebrating with a party just because you see sunshine, but that's the way it has been in Michigan (well I guess we aren't really known for our sunshine in this great state, which I will never move from).

Anyway, back to my swap card.  Yes, I love it (how could you not).  My base is Whisper White, with Ruby Red cardstock embossed in the new Final Press embossing folder after I brayed with Craft White on the debossed side of the folder. I thought it looked like strawberry ice cream after embossing (ask me if I like ice cream).  Now I'm hungry!!  I cut the curve and adhered a 1" strip of textured Chocolate Chip cardstock (oops, I applied my W. White sentiment panel from "Beary Nice Wishes" & 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon first).  My "Beary Best Friends" girl bear (I think she looks like a "Jane" bear -- you know from "Dick & Jane" -- oopsie again, I'm aging myself here) is watercolored with SU crayons and applied to a Chocolate Chip cardstock panel and then applied to card using dimensionals.  I cased this layout from the Fall/Winter 2008 SU IBC.

Gotta get off this PC and get some work done today.  RubberQueen monthly meeting tonight and we will be doing a new technique that I saw on my sideline's blog yesterday (Melissa Roberts) -- looks awesome and I can't wait.  Plus Ronda will have samples of her Shimmer Paint cards that she did at her last card class (if she read her comments this morning!!).  I hope they like my swap as I had to put my thinking cap on for this one.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!
Sandi