HAPPY BIRTHDAY & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

So it's been a little while since I have posted again. Usually I am on vacation this time of year -- going someplace where it is warm. So even tho we didn't go anyplace this year, my body thinks I should be on vacation. Starting Saturday, my unofficial vacation is over, and I will be back full-force. Just so you don't think I have been doing nothing, yesterday I did get at least 20 stamp sets mounted (yes, I'm staying with my wood for a while). Tomorrow I will type labels for about 50 sets. Saturday (or before) I will box up all my Christmas stamps and move my discontinued sets to the discontinued cabinet, then I will have room for all my new rubber!! And before Monday, set date(s) for my January card and scrapbooking classes. Before my classes, I will definately make a decision on storage for all my punches (they have outgrown the drawers) and my Big Shot dies. I pretty much know what I will be doing, it is just hard knowing I will have to put nails into my wall. Of course it will be up to all of you to keep me on track. If you don't see a picture of my new storage space by the January 15; then get on my case!!

Okay, would you like to see my first project using new stamps from the Occasions Mini Catalog? Did I hear somebody say, "No, please tell us more about your TO DO LIST." Okay, I have tons of things on my list: buy a new PC/Laptop for my studio so I can load My Digital Studio that I have had for months; schedule a Home Decor workshop; do my taxes, get new livingroom furniture . . .. And the list goes on. And yes, I will be pennyless by the end of January; but I love living on the edge!! Now are you ready to see something??????????

Whether you are or not, I'm tired of typing so here it is (sorry, only one card today). Today is my husband's birthday, so of course he needed a card. This is a card to remind him of what I looked like when we got married (poor guy):

SUPPLIES:

Stamp Sets:  Tote-ally Tess, Well Scripted, & A Little Bit of Everything Incentive Stamp

Paper:  To The Nines Designer Series Paper, Sage Shadow and Whisper White cardstock

Accessories:  Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Sending Love Brad, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, and Scallop Trim Corner Punch and Photo Corners Punch.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Sandi

THE DAY AFTER . . .

Ask me if it is 9:30 in the morning and if I'm still in my PJ's.  Yep, I sure am.  And I plan on keeping it that way all day long.  It's been so long since I have posted, I'm having a heck of a time typing.  I hope you all had a marvelous Christmas and got to spend it with your loved ones (now that could be family or ?).  I say this every year -- but my Christmas was awesome this year. 

My middle daughter, Deborah and Steve, had us over for Christmas dinner.  She wouldn't tell me what she was having and insisted I was not to worry -- she had everything under control.  When my husband and I got there, she and Steve and my other daughter and granddaughter had the kitchen door locked so I couldn't get in.  Every once in a while they would come out and fill up the hors d'oeuvre's table.  Then when dinner was brought out from the kitchen everything had tin foil on the top (they really made a production out of the surprise).  After grace was said, then they did the grand removal of tin foil.  It was well worth the wait and pampering.  They really put on a spread and we didn't even make a dent in the food.  And no, I didn't get a picture -- I was sitting back in a corner without my camera.  They really treated me like a Queen, and I truly feel very blessed to have such wonderful daughters.  I did get a few pictures. 

And as usual, I was making gifts right up until we went out the door.  There are just so many hand-made things we can create with stamps -- and I just love it!!  My last minute gift for their gift bags was mixing up a batch of body lotion and decorating the containers with rub-ons (I have so many that are discontinued and this is a good way to use them up instead of spending a ton of time creating something else).  Here are a couple of pictures.  Remember, you can click on the picture to enlarge for a better view.

Some of these are pictures of my gift bags -- I love makig these!  I cannot believe I didn't get a picture of my daughter Deborah (probably because she was hiding behind locked doors to the kitchen)

I forgot to take pictures before I gave away as gifts, but here are two containers of the body lotion that I had left over -- awesome batch this time (cocoa butter and aloe scent).

Hope you had a beautiful Christmas and here's to a blessed New Year!!
Sandi

POLAR BEAR PUNCH CARD

How cute is this!!

Okay, it wasn't my idea (saw it somewhere & it's been in my mind) -- but it has my touch!!  Very simple -- just uses circle and oval punches.  A little shading, a multi-colored brayed background, some Shimmer Paint, and you are good to go.  The sad part is that I only made "ONE" of these cards for a special someone because she had seen all my other Christmas cards (or they were her ideas).  It was my last card, so therefore I didn't feel up to doing another for myself.  Maybe after Christmas for a class tho because this would make a good card for other occasions during the Winter months.  I hope you like this as much as I did.

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

SHAVING CREAM TECHNIQUE

Today I am featuring the Shaving Cream Technique, presented by Lynn Schultz at our last RubberQueen event.  I have never done this before, and I totally love it, so don't be surprised to see some more projects using this technique.  Basically you just swirl your re-inker color in the shaving cream (making sure you just make some swirls and don't totally mix as you want a design).  Then just plop in the ole' cardstock, pull it out, wipe off the excess shaving cream and you are done!!  Here are a few of her samples, plus an added bonus at the end:

First, you need to get in the mood for the demonstration:  This is Lynn presenting the technique.

(Payback Time Lynn!!)

This was my favorite & my picture is blurry (drats)

My surprise:  Lynn made this Michelle Zindorf card for me!!

Another Michelle Zindorf card Lynn made at Michelle's class -- gorgeous!

I still have more pictures!!!  So stay tuned.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Sandi

MORE TECHNIQUES

I really thought I would get on here and post before today, but it just didn't happen.  So I will post double samples, to give you more for your click!!  These are a few more of my samples, using the Iris Folding Technique.  Can you tell I loved doing this????  Enjoy.

Features: Square Iris Fold & new Pocket Card Fold

ETA:  Source for fold pattern was: Dawn Griffith

Showing Inside Pulled Out

Features: Heat & Stick Technique with Glitter and Circle Iris Fold

 Album Page Features:  Definitely Decoratve Template Stenciling and Rub-ons

Album Page Features:  Rectangle & Border Iris Folds with Big Shot Scalloped Square.

Stay tuned for my next post -- I will be featuring a new technique.  Thanks for clicking!!
Sandi

Iris Folding

Oh my gosh, did we every have an awesome day yesterday at Ronda's all-day Technique Event.  I'm telling yah, I don't thing I have seen so many talented ladies in one room.  I learned so many new techniques, and new tips/tricks on some I had already tried.  We had a new place for the event, with so much room and tables that we could sit at (instead of just chairs) so we could listen, take notes, eat lunch, and visit.  And of course this enabled me to do a lot of "listening" while my co-hearts were talking when Ronda was presenting.  And then, of course, I got all the blame for it, and was threatened with being moved to a corner by myself (just like it was in school and at my jobs later).  I don't know why people think I am the instigator, especially yesterday when Sandy Haynes and Lynn Schultz were doing all the talking -- I was just laughing, geeeez.  Anyway, you don't want to here about my problems.  You came here to see pictures!!  Yes, I took a lot but the lighting didn't like my camera so much, so I will show you some of my Iris Folding Technique projects off and on the next couple of weeks along with some of beautiful projects the other presenters designed for their assigned technique.  You will be ooohed and awed by their designs, so make sure you check back often for updates to my blog. 

These pictures are of my chipboard Calendar book (using the Calendar Kit).  I used SU's long chipboard (cut to 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" and glued Bella Bleu Designer Paper on the back and insides of chipboard.  I also used the Bella Bleu for my Iris Folding.  I glued Basic Gray cardstock on the front panel and made the frame by cutting an X in the center of a piece of Bella Bleu DSP and then folding the paper behind the outside frame (showing the reverse side of DSP).  The "Pocket Flowers" set was stamped in StazOn and Embossed with Winter White EP.  I made my own Iris Folding templates to fit the Small Tag and Ornament Punches.  I cut a piece of SU's Thick Window Sheet to cover the front cover (using the large pewter eyelets to hold it on).  I did this to protect the Iris Folds, as I plan on using this book again after I use it for my calendar next year.  I tried to stay with an antique theme for my pages (keeping the same look as the Calendar Kit), and using the Soft Suede as the main color for my ink.

Front Cover (sorry for the glare from the lights on the Window Sheet)

Used "Mark the Date" & "From the Kitchen Of" stamps on all pages for notes.

I made this card using the "Vintage Ornaments I" Definitely Decoratve Stencil for the base of my template (just cut off top and bottom).  Stamped with the "Embrace Life" set.  For my Iris paper I brayed the Bride Speciality Designer Paper (DSP) with Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Night of Navy, and Always Artichoke (I think) and wiped with tissue to reveal DSP design.  Tamie Ackerson did her presentation on this technique (I will show you more of her designs later).

Stop by later this week for more Techniques!!
Sandi