STAMPIN' UP: FROSTWOOD LODGE & LETTERS TO SANTA

Well I didn't think I would be posting again before Christmas, but wanted to show you this album cover that I decorated before I give it away for Christmas.  I decorated the 20 album pages a couple of years ago with a now discontinued Stampin' Up Christmas Simply Scrappin' Kit.  The actual album is our discontinued On Board 8 1/2" x 11" chipboard album.  But, I decorated it with our current Frostwood Lodge and Letters To Santa Designer Paper.  I hope she likes it.

And look, no stamping!!

Before I leave I want to say thank you to Nancy Dawson for honoring me with The Versatile Blogger Award.  It is always such a joy to know others like your blog and might go away with some ideas. 
Please take a moment to visit Nancy's blog here, she is a really talented stamper and I love her card using the new Gnome Sweet Gnome stamp set.

Merry Christmas!
Sandi
"Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles." -- Psalm 71:18
"Heavenly Father, thank You for the books, classes, workshops and groups of friends that help keep my mind active and my life punctuated with pizzazz."  -- Patricia Lorenz

STAMPIN' UP BELLS & BOUGHS

Happy Monday!!
Is it getting crazy at your place yet?  I think by tomorrow I will be in my "frantic" mode.  Still haven't even started making my gifts yet -- so many ideas floating around in my head.  My kids have mentioned so many different things that they want me to make for them, that it is hard to narrow it down a bit.  I guess I will start with the things they asked for last year, which I didn't get done and will keep me busy right up until Christmas Eve.  Thank goodness the guys in my family never seem interested in hand-made gifts.  Or could it be that "I" am not very talented in that area?  I think it is the later.

I have been fooling around for 3 days just completing cards that I started "last year."  Yep, don't even ask me to explain, but the short version is I completed about 60 Christmas cards from left over supplies and projects I started last year.  I am so tired of having this huge plastic wash tub full of stamp sets, cut card stock, accessories, etc. sitting in my storage area.  I have actually enjoyed doing them (maybe it is because it gives me an excuse to not start something new?).  So, because I have been fooling around and not creating "new" projects, I am showing you a couple of cards I have gotten this year and one of my cards (from last year) that I finished this morning (I had supplies for 10 cut and ready to go).

This is my card from last year, I just changed it a bit.  Everything but the designer paper is still current product:  Bells and Boughs Stamp Set, Belle Standard Wheel, Gold Embossing Powder, Cherry Cobbler Ink and Card Stock, Sahara Sand Card Stock, Very Vanilla 1/8th inch Taffeta Ribbon, Watercolor Brush with Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, and Tea Stain Ink.

This is a card I received from my sister Lois Purcell.  Love that Glimmer Card Stock!!

This card I received from my friend, neighbor, and customer:  Cheryl Tonkin.  And, no, she did not do this card at one of my classes.  She is a very talented stamper on her own!

This card I received from another friend, whom I am forever in debt to because of all the times she has typed her heart out entering product into my Automated Excel Workshop Forms.  And that would be Linda Tarolli, from New York.  Isn't it so cute with all the bling and Mica Flakes.

Thank you ladies for the beautiful cards.  I am being totally honest when I tell you that receiving hand-made cards really is the highlight of the holiday season for me.  It is so true, even for us stampers, that it truly brightens your day to get a stamped card in the mail -- forget the gifts, I'll take a card any day!!

I probably won't be posting again until after Christmas, so I want to express my gratefullness to all of you who visit my blog and take time to leave a comment (another thing I love).  And I leave you with these words from one of my very favorite stamps this year (it so expresses what I want to say and exactly what I would never be able to come up with on my own):  "May the miracle of Christmas find you safe in the Peace of God, warm in the Light of Christ." -- Stampin' Up Gods Blessing

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Sandi
"Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife."  -- Matthew 1:24
"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."  -- Chambers

STAMPIN' UP CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ!!

Clearance Rack Blitz Begins Today

December 15, 2011

From December 15, 2011, through January 5, 2012, nearly 200 products are being added to the Clearance Rack in the Online Store--with some discounted up to 80 percent! Visit my Online Store and click on the "Shop Now" button to take part in the savings yourself!

Please note: Within the Online Store, in the Clearance Rack Blitz category, there will be some identical punches that have two different item numbers; this is because we are using inventory from both our American and our European warehouses. It will indicate which punches this affects in the product description.

Dates:   December 15, 2011-January 5, 2012

Details:  Nearly 200 new Clearance Rack items are being added to the Online Store at discounts up to 80 percent off retail--while supplies last!


Things to Remember:

• Only online orders qualify for this promotion. Orders can include non-Clearance Rack items, as well.
• The Clearance Rack Blitz includes old-body style punches.
• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion.
• Qualifying Clearance Rack orders are eligible for hostess benefits/Stampin' Rewards.
• Following the Clearance Rack Blitz sales period, some blitz items may remain in the clearance rack; others may be removed and reappear at an undesignated time in the future.
• Clearance Rack Blitz items are only available while supplies last. There are no refunds or exchanges on Clearance Rack items.
• You may view Clearance Rack Blitz items by going to my Online Store here then click on the "Shop Now" button. (Make sure my name is indicated on upper-right as your demonstrator so you get the lower "preferred" price.)
• Deadline: Thursday, January 5, 2012; 11:50 PM (MT)

If you have any question please give me a call or e-mail me. I hope to update my blog again soon with some new projects, just started Christmas shopping yesterday (finished in 2 hours) and still have a lot of gifts to make. Hope you are all are having a merry holiday season (I know it is hard sometimes with all the things on our list, but actually I am!!).

Until next post,
Sandi
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" -- Romans 12:18

GIFT CARD TUTORIAL

I finally remembered that I promised you a tutorial on the gift card my ladies did at my Stamp-A-Stack.  The idea for this card came from a RubberQueen make'n take (I just designed differently and changed measurements so it fit in a Stampin' Up Open End Envelope).  I would have had this posted yesterday, but no juice in my camera!  Because this is so lengthy, I’m getting right down to business (pick yourself up!). You can use the card to insert a gift card or picture(s), or both!!  That is why I love the design.  This is what you will be making (doesn’t look like much, but so cute in person).   

STAMPIN' UP PRODUCT USED: 

STAMPS:  Jolly Jingles Jumbo Wheel and Snow Much Fun

CARD STOCK: 

      6" x 8" Crumb Cake (card base)

      1 ½" x 6" Cherry Cobbler (punched with Scallop Edge Border)

      1" x 7" Cherry Cobbler (belly band)

      Two pieces of 2 ½" x 4" Crumb Cake (inside note cards)

      Whisper White (1 ¾" circle punch) and Cherry Cobbler (2 Round Tabs) scraps.

INK:  Black StazOn and Night of Navy

ACCESSORIES: 

Markers (Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, & Marina Mist; Punches (Scallop Edge Border, 1 ¾" Circle, Round Tab, & 2 3/8" Scallop); Medium and Open-End (#107286) envelopes; Sticky Strip; Dazzling Details; and Dimensional.

DIRECTIONS:

Instructions 1 and 2
1. Score 6" x 8" Crumb Cake at 2 ¾" and 5 ¾". 

2. Fold so the long end (2 ¾") folds inside and the short end (2 ¼") folds down on top for front of card.

Instructions 3 & 4
3. Unfold and turn card stock to the front, with short end at bottom, to decorate.

4. On the short end (2 ¼") wheel the Jolly Jingles Jumbo Wheel in Night of Navy.

 

 

Instructions 5 & 6
5.   Punch the 1 ½” x 6” Cherry Cobbler Card Stock, using Scallop Edge Border Punch & adhere to front panel (short end).

6.   Stamp the long end top-fold (2 ¾") with Snow Much Fun Stamp Set and color with markers.

Instruction #7
7.   Seal a Medium Envelop and fold it in half. With the fold at the bottom, cut ¼" off from the top (gives you 2 pockets).

  

Instruction #8
 8.   Apply 3 pieces of Sticky Strip (approx. 2 ½") long to the front, center, and back of envelop – making sure each strip is centered in the middle (see picture). If you tape around the edges it will be too tight. Adhere to inside of the card.

This is what the inside will look like after attaching the pocket.

  

Instruction #9
9.   Assemble belly band using 1" x 7" Cherry Cobbler (I used small piece of Sticky Strip to tape together); punch a scrap of Cherry Cobbler Card Stock with the 2 3/8" Scallop Punch; and stamp the snowman on Whisper White scrap, punch with1 ¾" Circle Punch, and color with markers. I used a dimensional to adhere to belly band and used a drop of Dazzling Details on each scallop.

Instruction #10
10.   Stamp one of the 2 ½" x 4" Crumb Cake note cards and leave the other note card blank to adhere the gift card. You can use these note cards to attach pictures also. For class purposes, I had them stamp one of the note cards so they could adhere a picture over the top when they got home if they wanted. Punch 2 Round Tabs from scrap Cherry Cobbler Card Stock and adhere to tops.

Finished card on outside and inside.

Wow, there must be an easier way to add instructions than the way I just did.  I sure hope with all these pictures that I didn't leave anything out -- if nothing else, I think these are over-kill!!  However, if for some reason I did, please let me know so I can edit this post.  Thanks for hanging in there!!

Until next time,
Sandi
"Most people don't realize that writing is a craft.  You have to take your apprenticeship in it like anything else."  --  Katherine Anne Porter

ADVENT CALENDAR: 25 & COUNTING

Glory be!!!  Finally I have my Advent Calendars completed.  I can only show you one because that is the only one I have a picture for (yah, nothing like waiting until the last moment -- my favorite saying!!).  I started this project in the middle of October because I had to put the Advent Boxes together (yes, that was a story that we won't go into now).  It came in about 5 flat boards, which you glued together and then made the boxes and glued them together.  Okay, got that done and thought the worst was over -- nope, opened my paint up that was mixed at store to match Stampin' Up's Cherry Cobbler and it was an ugly pink/orange!!  Okay, didn't get real upset as I had my backup mixed paint that was matched with Stampin' Up's Early Expresso.  You can probably guess what color that looked like -- I can't write what I was thinking, but a synonym would be "do-do."  I called my husband in despair, and he came to the rescue by going back to the paint store.  Of course, they made him pay for a new can and could only create a color for the Cherry Cobbler -- Early Espresso was not in their computer (don't ask, that would be another book).  The good news is that I got them painted in time for the Creative Retreat weekend, but only managed to get my Stampin' Up designer paper glued on 50 boxes (hey, Ronda keeps us busy).  So for the entire month of November I have been designing all the boxes off and on -- yep, this week was crunch time!!

Okay, if you are still with me, how about some pictures?  These are not the best because we have no sunshine today (just rain), but if you right-click and open in new window or tab you can see the larger picture.  I will take it as a "yes" that you don't want me to write any longer and just show the pictures -- LOL.
 

And here it is!!

 



Sorry, this is a little blurry, but best I could do at my age!  These are my favorite 2 boxes (just love the shaker frame with all that dazzling diamonds).  And yes, that would be our retired Pretties Kit hanging off the ornament.

 

Don't drop over - - I actually sewed Santa's bag with Deck the Halls Designer Fabric and lining!! Hanging is a Beveled Windowpane.

 ADVENT CALENDAR WITH MY DIGITAL STUDIO & SUPPLIES (PARTIAL LIST)

Stamps: 25 & Counting

Ink: Marina Mist, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Early Expresso, Soft Suede, Mahogany Distressing Ink, Versa Mark

Paper: Marina Mist, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Early Expresso, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Red and Silver Glimmer Paper, Crumb Cake and Letters to Santa and Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper.

Big Shot Dies: Peek-A-Boo Frames, Stocking Accents, Northern Frost, #2 Circles, Movers & Shakers

Punches (some that I remember): Curly Label, Large Tag, Doily Triple Layer, Ribbon Border, Eyelet Border, Scallop Square, 1” circle and Square, 1 ¼” Square and Circle, & Postage Stamp.

Ribbon: Victoria, Very Vanilla Satin, Cherry Cobbler Stripped Grosgrain, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Whisper White Taffeta, Cherry Cobbler Quilted, Vanilla Designer Velvet, and Baker’s Twine.

Additional Accessories: Stitched Felt, Shaker Frame, Beveled Windowpane, Basic Rhinestones and Pearls, Gold and White Embossing Powders, Dazzling Diamonds, Vintage Trinkets, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Deck the Halls Fabric, Jingle Bells, On-Board Sheets, Dazzling Details, Anywhere Glue Stick, Multipurpose Liquid Glue Stick, Glue Dots, Crystal Effects, and Distressing Essentials (Precision Tools). (You will see a few discontinued items also; e.g., Hodgepodge Hardware and Pretties Kit).

The supply list above probably does not include a few things, as I started putting things away before I thought of writing down everything I use.  Let's just put it this way -- my "inspiration table" is 10 feet long and it was covered and stacked in some places!!
 
Please let me know what you think by leaving a comment -- I always appreciate feedback (pros & cons).
 
Until Next Time,
Sandi
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. . . ."  -- Mark 12:30
"Lord, help me to love as intensely as You do."  -- Lucile Allen

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"SNOW MUCH FUN" WITH MORE CHRISTMAS CARDS

Good Morning America (and my friends in other countries!!)

Well here I am on this beautiful Sunday, blessing the Lord for all the sunshine he is sending our way.  I have to admit, I can handle the cold and snow so much better (about 99.9%), as long as the sun is shining.  Here in Michigan, noted for the least amount of sunshine in the states, I always feel like it is a blessing to see the sun.

Yesterday was card class day and I created some really different (and a little more challenging) cards.  This class was not a "stamp-a-stack" so I could have cards that took a little longer than 10 minutes to re-create.  But I have to tell you, and this is the truth, my customers met the challenge with flying colors and said they enjoyed learning the new techniques.  They water colored with crayons for the first time, did a gate-fold card using a difficult fine-lined stamp to emboss, did some paper piecing, and created a beautiful gift-tag holder (I will post that, with step-by-step directions, next post).  Here are three of the cards:

I loved this card, very simple -- but a few tips to make it work.  My images were from the Welcome Christmas and Christmas Lodge Stamp Sets.  The tree was stamped in Wild Wasabi Classic Ink and before stamping I applied Garden Green Marker directly on top of the ink to highlight areas before stamping.  Then used Early Express Marker on the image for the tree bark.  The Baja Breeze Card Stock was then misted heavily and set aside to dry while the snow layers were put together.   I cut a 3" x 4" piece of Whisper White Card Stock and stamped it with the Welcome Christmas stamp image.  Then it was torn and sponged with Baja Breeze Classic Ink (the smaller piece of torn card stock (top piece) was flipped over to expose the ripped edge prior to sponging).  The object here was to cover the bottom of the tree image that was stamped in Wild Wasabi.  Then the sentiment on the tag was adhered.  Ask me why I didn't spray the Frost White Shimmer Paint on the whole card.  Okay, I confess -- found out the hard way that my Basic Black Classic Ink images bled because I wanted a "lot" of snow affect!!!  And it looked better dog gone it!!

Another simple card, but different card layout for my customers.  I believe this was the first time they have ever done a gate-fold card.  I used the Merry & Type Stamp Set; Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, and Whisper White Card Stock; and Early Espresso 1/4" Taffeta Ribbon.  The main tip for this card is to make sure you use your Embossing Buddy on the card stock prior to stamping the ornaments in Versa Mark Ink because this is such a fine-detailed stamp.  I also cut my gate-fold panel at 4" x 5 1/4" and scored at 2" and 4", using Stampin' Up's  new Simply Scored tool, to allow a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" back panel in the Early Espresso Card Stock.  Did I mention how much I love this new tool????  One of the very best new tools since the Big Shot!!

Okay, I thought this card would scare the crap out of my customers -- but was totally surprised when they all wanted to start at this card station.  I gave them 2 versions (this one and the one below) and told them they could watercolor a lot or as little as they wanted.  I didn't get to see all of the finished cards, but the ones I did see had watercolored the entire card and they did a totally awesome job.  None of them had used Stampin' Up's Watercolor Wonder Crayons before so this was a learning experience for them.  One lady just didn't want to stop and was late to her child's semi-finals game.  Anyway, I used the totally awesome Snow Much Fun Stamp Set and the following Watercolor Wonder Crayons with the Aqua Pen:  Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Cajun Craze, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, and Early Expresso.



Here is my "oopsie" card that I used just to demonstrate how it would look without watercoloring everything (or everything but the sky -- LOL).

That is it for today.  Now I have to get my order ready for tomorrow's Online Extravaganza, Stampin' Up's annual sale to kick off the holiday shopping season.  It will run through Wednesday, November 30, 2011. Log in to my Online Store* on Monday, November 21, to take advantage of great savings, like FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express, 60% off select Designer Fabrics, and 30% off an exclusive ribbon bundle!

In addition, there will be two items on sale for 24 hours only (November 21, 12:01 AM – 11:59 PM [MT])—so make sure you don’t miss the first 24 hours of Online Extravaganza! Even I don't know what these items are, so I can't wait to find out!!!

Remember your blessings on Thanksgiving Day!
Sandi
"To every thing there is a season. . . .  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." -- Ecclesiasters 3:1 - 4
Lord, thank you for blessing me with the knowledge that as I grow older, there will always be new life, new joy, and new discoveries. -- Sandi

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VINTAGE BACKGROUNDS

Well today is your lucky day!!!  Yep, I am posting the last of my cards I made for Creative Convention.  You will remember, my assignment was to showcase background stamps for my presentation.  (Of course, I gave the assignment to myself because I love using Stampin' Up's background stamps.)  I am so glad that Stampin' Up still comes out with new backgrounds every year.  I was afraid we were going to loose them with all the marvelous Big Shot Embossing Folders (which I consider in the same category as Background Stamps).  Females love to have it all you know -- kinda like shoes and purses, you can never have too many.

Speaking of "never having too many," I found out that men have this same problem -- at least my man does!!  My husband has this habit of going to the grocery store (mind you, I do all the grocery shopping and cooking -- so don't know why he needs to get in the grocery isles) and buy 5-10 of the same items.  It drives me bananas because I have very little cupboard space, so I end up having to store groceries in the spare bedroom closet.  At any given time you will see 10 jars of pickles, mustard, boxes of cereal, doggie treats, etc.  You get the picture.  And the very worse part:  NOTHING WAS ON SALE!!  Now would any woman in her right mind buy something that is not on sale?????????  (Exception of course would be Stampin' Up product -- but that is okay because we have saved so much from buying everything else we need on sale.)

Okay, I hear you.  Here are the cards you came here to see:

I paired the Sweet Floral Background Stamp with the Netting Background Stamp (sorry the picture is a little dark).

Another card using the Sweet Floral Background Stamp Set.  You can't really tell by this picture, but parts of the flower petals and leaves are raised using Stampin' Dimensionals.   I got this idea from a card done by Lynn Pratt.

Another using the Sweet Floral and Netting Background Stamps.  This actually was a throw-away card because when I stamped the Sweet Floral it was way to bright after sponging for a vintage look.  So put it aside and then came back to it a week later and decided to experiment by stamping the Netting Background Stamp on top using VersaMark and the new Pewter Embossing Powder (also for my frame around the sentiment).

This card is a CASE from the Stampin' Up Idea Book and Catalog,  page 125,  adding the Netting Background Stamp.

And my final card to show you (yes, there were a few more I'm not showing because I didn't really like them).  Again, I used the Sweet Floral Background Stamp.  This was a last minute card to use up some of stamped tissue paper from the vase made in my previous post.  Just a quick, easy card using leftovers.

I hope you have enjoyed my series on background stamps.  May Stampin' Up keep making background stamps forever.  To me, not having a background stamp is like looking outdoors and there is no sky, clouds, or sunsets.  Yes, we make beautiful cards without backgrounds.  However, we need options (or everything) depending on our moods -- our cards depict the mood we are in or want to portray to others.

Happy Stampin'
Sandi
"You are the light of the world. . . ." -- Matthew 5:14
"Father, let my attitude light the way for happy times -- anywhere You choose to send me."  -- Pam Kidd

2011 CHRISTMAS STAMP-A-STACK

Okay, change of plan!!  I was getting tired of posting my presentation projects using background stamps, so you are going to get some Christmas today.  It is still a little early for me to think of posting Christmas projects but I know I will be doing a lot more in the next month so I will interchange between my Christmas projects and Fall projects.  As long as there isn't snow on the ground yet, I guess I can get away with that plan -- how does it sound to you?

These cards were done for my annual Christmas Stamp-A-Stack.  I really concentrated on doing cards my customers could send in the mail without having to pay for extra postage and something fast, yet still have a "WOW."  I don't know if I achieved the "WOW" factor, but the ladies liked them (of course I was holding an axe over their head when I asked).  A couple of the cards were CASEd from swap cards.   (Sorry I don't have the all of the names who I CASEd from, so make sure to tell me if you know, that way I can give proper credit.)  Fast and simple cards are very, very hard for me so most times I have to CASE these, but I did create a couple for class or put my own twist on a CASE.  So here they are:


I got the layout idea for this card from one Ronda Wade created, just changed the image (Polar Party Stamp Set) and border to the Ribbon Punch, using the Silver Glimmer Paper (I just love this sparkly paper.)



This was a total CASE from another Ronda Wade card -- just changed the sentiment -- featuring the Christmas Lodge Stamp Set.



Very simple card featuring the new Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin Ribbon, Stitched Stockings and Hand-Penned Holiday Stamp Sets, and the new Stocking Builder Punch.

 

You can't get any simpler than this card, but I still loved it and it was a favorite of my customers.  I used the Christmas Lodge and Welcome Christmas Stamp Sets.  (I have loved this set since seeing all of Tamie Ackerson's cards last year but waited to see if it would stay before buying it this year).

 

And finally, as soon as I saw this card Melissa Davies did for the Creative Convention shoebox swap, I knew I was going to CASE.  Yes, it does take a little more time, but I had everything prepped for my customers so it wasn't as bad.  They loved the card as much as I did.

Please leave a comment and let me know which one is your favorite (I hope you have one at least).  Now this girl has got to get back to decorating my Advent boxes!!!

Until next time,
Sandi
"Now the body is not a single part, but many." -- I Corinthians 12:14
Father, help us to remember that it takes many people joining hearts and hands around the world to share "the gifts His goodness gave."

HELLO, DOILY AND PARLOR PRINTS

Wow, I survived another great weekend!!!  Twice a year I get to attend Creative Retreat and be pampered, and I love every minute.  However, you can't play without paying.  Attending Retreat means no "sleep."  I mean my gosh, there are priorities when you go to Retreat -- and sleeping is not one of them.  I think I had a total of 6 hours while I was there, and that was a lot more than most of the ladies attending.  I bet Ronda Wade and Melissa Roberts (our hosts) had no more than 4 hours of sleep, and that is being generous.  They prepared awesome make'n takes and the classes were the same.  Great food, games, Halloween costumes, and people attending; along with many other surprises.

However, I know you are stopping by to see what I have created lately, so here are some more of my cards I made for Creative Convention (I promise, only one more post and I will be done showing you these cards).  Today I am featuring the Hello, Doily and Parlor Prints.


If you enlarge this picture by using the "right-click" on your mouse and select "open in new tab," you will see that I have embossed the Hello, Doily Background Stamp with the new Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder.  I love this new embossing color and hope SU will have it in our new 2012-2013 Idea Book and Catalog next July.  I also used the Delicate Doilies Stamp Set, Brushed Gold Cardstock, and Victoria Ribbon (using Basic Black Ink Refill to dye).

 

This card was inspired by a sample in the 2011-2012 IB&C (page 201), with a few things changed.  You can barely see the Window Pane used, but it is gorgeous in person.



I had a piece of stamped tissue paper left over from my glass votive candle and couldn't bear to throw it away so this is what I did with it.  Hello, Doiley was embossed on the tissue paper with White Embossing Powder.

 

I love the Parlor Prints Background Stamp!!  It screams "vintage" at me.  I have paired it with the Always Grateful Stamp Set.

Again, another use of the Parlor Prints Background Stamp Set paired with the Studio Scetches Stamp Set.

Well I guess it is time for me to get some real work done around here, so until next time enjoy this Fall weather while you can!!

Thanks for stopping by,
Sandi

". . . If he [your neighbor] cries out to me, I will hear him, for I am compassionate." -- Exodus 22:26
"Heavenly Father, give me the grace to know when listening is the best thing I can do for a troubled friend." -- Oscar Greene

SUNFLOWER SEASON

Yikes, I guess I am a little behind on updating my blog!!  Sorry about that, but things just kept getting in the way.  I had an awesome weekend of stamping with all my friends in my stamping class.  Did my first Christmas Stack class for the year (yeah, yeah -- I know I started a little late this year).  But that seems to be my middle name lately, "late."  Sorry I'm not showing pictures of the cards today because I still have pictures from my Creative Convention presentation on "Background Stamps."  Today I have a few using the awesome new Sunflower Background Stamp and my shoebox swap. 


I paired the Sunflower Background with the Alway Grateful Stamp Set here. Accesories:  Cajun Craze 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon and Vintage Eyelets.

 

The Sunflower Background Stamp was paired with the En Francais Background Stamp.  The Sunflower was stamped on tissue paper in Not Quite Navy Classic Ink and sponged with Soft Suede Classic Ink.  Accessories:  Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Linen Tread, Jewelry Tag Punch, and Anywhere Glue Stick.

 

I don't think you can get anything more simplier than this card -- it is literally a 1-minute card including cutting!  The Sunflower Background Stamp is stamped directly on Well Worn Designer Series Paper, in Cajun Craze Classic Ink and the sentiment (from Pursuit of Happiness Stamp Set) is stamped in Early Expresso Classic Ink.



I decided to do a bookmark for the Creative Convention Shoebox Swap as I had a lot of the plastic inserts left from a purchase I made a couple of years ago.  Supplies:  Always Grateful Stamp Set; Pizzazz and Confetti White Cardstock; Spice Cake Designer Series Pape; So Saffron, Marina Mist, and Wild Wasabi Markers; and Pear Pizzazz Classic Ink swipped direct to paper using blank rubber stamp. 

I hope you like!  Probably only two more posts and I will be done showing you my projects from Creative Convention presentation -- so bear with me.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."  -- Matthew 28:20
"Lord, thank You for the ways You reveal Yourself to me, even when I'm not paying attention." -- Gail Thorell Schilling

ANCESTORS WITH BACKGROUNDS

LOL, how do you like that title?  Of course I am still showing you pictures of my projects using background stamps for the Creative Convention.  So technically, it is correct -- just had to throw that little "pun" in my title.  I am just going to plop in some pictures with this update because my show is on in 2 minutes (shows you where my priorities are, doesn't it).  So without any more to-do, here are my album pages using background stamps: 

My inspiration for this layout (on left) came from Page 16 of the Holiday Mini Catalog.  Tami Ackerson had shown me a card she made using this weaving technique, and I loved it so much that I knew I was going to do a page for my heritage album using the weaving.  I incorporated the sample on page 150, of the IB&C, also on this page and the one on the right.



Supplies Used:  Parlor Prints, Sweet Floral, and Wonderfully Worn Background Stamps; Well Worn and Paisley Prints Designer Series Paper; Gently Falling and Letter It Stamp Sets; River Rock, Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, and Not Quite Navy Card Stock (and some more, but can't remember); and Lace Ribbon Border, Scallop Corner, and Corner Rounder Punches.

  

I used the Cracked Glass Technique on the Sweet Floral panel (embossed in White Embossing Powder).  Supplies:  Same as page on left, plus Heat and Stick Powder, Holly Berry Bouquet Wild Wasabi Button, and Linen Thread.


 As always, click on the pictures to enlarge so you can see the details.  I love to scrapbook, just wish I did it more often!!

Thanks for stopping by, and would love your comments/suggestions.

Sandi
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord . . .."  --  Psalm 92:1
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of the importance of expressing my gratitude for small favors.

FALL WITH SPICE CAKE

I hope you aren't tired of seeing some more of my projects I made for the Creative Convention.  I told you I had a lot, and I still have enough to show for the rest of my posts this month.  Today I am featuring the Spice Cake Product Suite, along with another background stamp.  The weather and colors of this past week make it the perfect product to showcase.  I just can't get into showing Christmas samples until at least the month before Christmas or there is some snow on the ground.  I think too many of us skip over those beautiful Fall days with all the colors (can you tell it is my favorite time of the year).  I have had these projects done for almost two months, so I am totally excited that I can finally show them on my blog.

This circular box was CASEd from the Holiday Mini Catalog, page 19.  I have never made a circular box from scratch before so it was a challenge for me to do the math.  But got lucky on the first try!!  I used Wild Wasabi Card Stock for the base of the box, stamped with the new Parlor Prints Background Stamp in Not Quite Navy Classic Ink.  Accessories included:  Petite Pennants Builder Punch, 3/8" Twill Tape, On Board Merry Medley Chipboard, Antique Brads,  Brass Eyelets (oops, I thought these were still current), Always Thankful Stamp Set, and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.



And here are my fabric pumpkins and card box.  I got the pattern for the pumpkins from Martha Stewart'sWEB SITE (actually have had it for over a year, just didn't get done last year).  These were easy peasy to make.  I used the Spice Cake Designer Fabric, Chocolate Chip Baker's Twine to make the veins on the pumpkins, and some Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon.  See below for box supplies.



The box was made using Stampin' Up's new Stampin' Card Keeper.  I covered the entire box with First Edition Speciality Paper, then stamped the Sunflower Background Stamp on tissue paper with Not Quite Navy Classic Ink, ripped around the flower and adhered to the box with SU's Anywhere Glue Stick.  I then sponged around edges, etc. with Soft Suede Classic Ink.  A piece of the Spice Cake Frabic was tied around the lid and bottom of the box, then flowers made with the Sunflower Background Stamp Set (stamped on First Edition Speciality Paper and cut) were adhered.  There is a Spice Cake Designer Button in the middle of one of the flowers that you probably can't see until you click on the picture to enlarge.

I hope we squeeze in one more beautiful day before the rain starts, but either way enjoy your week!!

Blessings to all,
Sandi

"He will be our guide even unto death." -- Psalm 48:14
"Dear Father, may all our partings be filled with Your peace." -- Karen Barber