TRY STAMPIN' ON TUESDAY #8: PEACE WITHIN WATERCOLOR

I am writing this post Monday afternoon so I can automatically update my blog at midnight tonight.  Trust me, I WILL NOT be awake past 8 p.m. tonight or up tomorrow morning before 8 a.m.  I am totally walking around like a zombie today, after 3 days of being sleep deprived (my own choice by the way).  Twice a year, I attend my upline's (Ronda Wade) and sideline's (Melissa Roberts) Creative Escape Retreat.  This last weekend was the Spring retreat; thus, the reason for no sleep.  I had so much fun, non-stop, that I didn't even remember to take pictures again!  I am so sorry (Lynn) that I didn't because I had said I would in my last post.  Trust me, there was so much fun going on that taking pictures was the last thing on my mind.  The next retreat will be in October, so if you are in Michigan and want to attend, let me know as ladies were putting deposits down before they left this weekend.  The spots go really fast, so putting a non-refundable deposit of $25 down is really worth it to reserve your spot.

And here it is, the last Try Stampin' On Tuesday challenge for the month of March.  So very hard to believe there are only a few days left before April 1st.  This also means it is the last inspiration card for me that features the Watercolor Wonder Crayons from Stampin' Up.  I have had so much fun trying to improve my watercoloring this month and playing with one of my favorite accessories (crayons).  But it is time to move on and create new and different projects with the other awesome Stampin' Up products.  Here is what I came up with to inspire you for this week's challenge:

Thank you card using the following Stampin' Up Product:  Peace Within and Tiny Tags Stamp Sets; Very Vanilla and Early Espresso Card Stock; Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper; Watercolor Paper; Antique and Vintage Brads; Victoria Crochet Trim; Twine; Distressing Essentials (Precision File and Mahogany Stain);  Watercolor Wonder Crayons: Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Old Olive, River Rock, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Early Espresso, and Basic Gray.

 

Try Stampin' On Tuesday (CherylAnn Robinson) card sketch for Week #8

Don't forget this is your last week to get in on the drawing for this month's prize.  And to sweeten the pot, CherylAnn will have an additional prize drawing for "followers" of her blog if there are at least 50 followers signed up by the end of the month.  So get on over to Try Stampin' On Tuesday for more details and get in on the fun!!

Happy Tuesday!!
Sandi
"Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you."  --  I Peter 5:7
"Lord help me to be open to your unconventioinal methods of healing."  --  Roberta Messner

CARD EVENT SAMPLES

Well here it is, Thursday, my favorite day of the week. Usually I stay in my PJs all day on Thursday because this is my stamp day. Nothing better than stamping in solitude all day in your PJs (well maybe “To Die For Chocolate” ice cream from Quality Dairy). Even when I go out to check the mail in my PJs, if a car comes by (which is rare), I just wave at them and let them think what they want (being a senior also helps in this respect because most people expect seniors to act weird, so who am I to let them down).

And today is a very special Thursday because I’m packing for retreat this weekend – Yippee!!! Maybe Tamie and I will stay in our PJs all weekend while we stamp (she’s not as old as I am, but she thought of it first). I still don’t know what projects I will be working on, but I will be taking some of Ronda’s and Melissa’s classes and doing the fabulous make’n-takes they have planned for the weekend. So that leaves me very little time to socialize, which is the biggest reason I attend retreat. I mean, really, with almost 60 females attending, who would not want to socialize and see what they are creating. This will be my 7th retreat weekend. I have attended all of them since Ronda Wade first started back in March 2008, and she has them twice a year. Every one has been awesome. So if you are interested in attending the next one (probably in October), leave a comment because people reserve their spots early (a lot will do it this weekend).

I suppose you want me to get on with showing you whatever new stuff I have been doing instead of how “happy” I am. As promised in my last post, today I have cards created for my last class event. I’m only showing 3 of them as I previously showed the 4th card (I do 4 designs and they make 2 of each). Okay, okay, okay – here they are:


This card is a CASE from one of the make’n takes we did at Ronda Wade’s demonstrator meeting. It is so gorgeous and was a real hit at my event. My 20 yr. old granddaughter had to leave early but had to make the “doll card,” as she called it before she left. Supplies used: Easter Blossoms Stamp Set; Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, and Very Vanilla Cardstock; and Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon.

 

This birthday card would be great for males. Product used: Bring on the Cake Stamp Set; River Rock, Not Quite Navy, and Whisper White Cardstock; Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper; Regal Brads; and Circles #2 Big Shot Die.

My Iris Fold technique card below was the “hit” of the class. We did this card together classroom style at the beginning. The first client who finished just kept sitting at the table, so finally I told her to feel free to start any of the other cards at the work stations. She just looked at me with this surprised look on her face, saying: “Oh, I thought after doing 2 of these we wouldn’t be doing any more because they were so beautiful.”  Now you just know she made my day. This is why I love doing events – to see the joy in their faces when they are done. I wish I would have had my camera to take pictures of their faces when they turned their card over to look at their Iris Folds they had created. They thought it was going to be so hard, and was amazed at how easy they were. Here is the card:

Product used: Elements of Style and Oval All Stamp Sets; Baja Breeze, Early Expresso, and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper; and Basic Pearls.

I have to run because I need to get that packing done, make a challenge card, do my laundry, and take my nap (all in that order -- LOL).  Being as it is now noon, I doubt I will get my nap :(

Until next time (hopefully I can take pictures at retreat and post this weekend).

Sandi
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you . . .." -- John 14:27

TRY STAMPIN' ON TUESDAY #7: BEARY NICE WISHES WATERCOLOR

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

This week I am continuing with my collection of cards using the Watercolor Wonder Crayons for the Try Stampin' On Tuesday March challenges.  I want you to know that I went "way" out of my box this week.  So not only was this a challenge for the design, but a challenge to not make a vintage or flower card.  Way too much for me to handle all at once.  But I was bound and determined that I was going to complete it (and you know how us women are when we are determined to do something come * * * or high-water!).  Yes, I did want to throw in the towel many times, but the Lord saw me through and provided me with the patience I needed to stick to it.  No, it is not one of my best, but when I was all done I really liked it and some little girl will love it I am sure.

Here is what I ended up with:


Now isn't she just the happiest "Bearthday" girl with her glittery crown and balloons!!  Here is what I used:  Beary Nice Wishes, Beary Best Friends, and Berry Best Times Stamp Sets; Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, and Perfect Plum Cardstock; Watercolor Paper; Linen Thread; Rhinestones; Stampin' Dimensionals; Decorative Label Punch; and Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, River Rock, Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum, So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Basic Gray Watercolor Wonder Crayons.

 

Week #7 Card Design Challenge from CherylAnn Robinson, Try Stampin' On Tuesday.

Now I know this isn't one of my very best watercolor cards, but I think it would be nice if all of you would leave a comment to at least congratulate me for completing my personal challenge!!  Don't forget to check out CherylAnn's Try Stampin' On Tuesday blog to see the other inspiration cards from the Design Team and directions on how to participate.

Make sure you stop back later in the week because I will be posting pictures from my Classy Card Event (my new name for my card classes because my ladies really don't need "classes" any longer).  Only 4 more days until I go to Ronda's Getaway Weekend Event -- woohoo!!!

Until next time,
Sandi
"And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me."  Genesis 21:6
"Today, dear God, let me not beat myself up for my blunders -- and perhaps even see the humor in my mistakes." -- Linda Neukrug

BUCKLE PURSE FOR 3" X 3" NOTE CARDS

Well I got my house all cleaned so that means I can sit down and play!!  WooHoo!!!  But even before I do that, I thought I would share with you an oldie-but goodie Buckle Purse for 3" x 3" Note Cards that I made for my thank you gifts this month.  This pattern was introduced to me from my upline, Ronda Wade, way back in 2006, and I love it now just as much as I loved it then.  So simple to make, but it is always a WOW.  I was afraid I wouldn't find my instructions so I could get all the measurements.  But I did, and I am so glad I only had 2 different places I had to check.

So moving right along (as I want to play you know), here is how it turned out:


I inserted four card and envelopes -- nothing fancy, but I liked them and they look so pretty in person as I misted with Champange Mist.  Click on the pictures to enlarge.  I used Night of Navy Card Stock and Classic Ink, of course my favorite Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper, Perfect Punches Stamp Set, Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestones, and Elegant Lines Embossing Folder.



Here is a close-up of the notecards and how the inside looked.

I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful weather, as I know I have been out yesterday and today just loven' it and soaking it all in before it changes.  Have a beautiful weekend, as I plan on it!

Until next time,
Sandi
"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." -- Romans 13:8

TRY STAMPIN' ON TUESDAY #6: FAST & FABULOUS WATER COLOR

Yep, it's Tuesday again and you know what that means.  It's time to Try Stampin' On Tuesday!  And that is exactly what I have been doing since  7:30 this morning.  Of course I am writing this on Monday and you will be reading it on Tuesday -- not to mix you up or anything.  Actually I will be doing the same thing tomorrow, as I am prepping for Saturday's card event.  I have decided not to call them "classes" anymore because that would infer that I am teaching something.  Nope, usually my participants are teaching me new things.  So I must come up with a new name for our group events -- adding it to my very long list of things to do (any suggestions would be welcome)!!

Getting right to the point today (pick yourself up from the floor), here is my creation for this week's challenge:

At first I thought this flower was a Daylily, but now that I see this picture, I realize it is a Gladiolas.  Fortunately for me Gladiolas come in many shades of color!!  Products used:  Fast & Fabulous Level II Hostess and Perfect Punches Stamp Sets; Cherry Cobbler, Riding Hood Red, and Watercolor Cardstock; Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper; Black Staz-On and Cherry Cobbler Classic Inks; Scalloped Oval XL and Scalloped Trim Border Punches; Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon; and Watercolor Wonder Crayons:  Cherry Cobbler, Riding Hood Red, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, and River Rock.

This is what the inside looks like.

And this is the design CherylAnn provided for Try Stampin' on Tuesday Week #6.

Has it dawned on you yet that I am using the same technique??  Yep, I decided I am going to try to use my Watercolor Wonder Crayons (watercolor technique) for all of the challenges in March.  Not sure if the next two designs will be appropriate for watercoloring, but I will be trying my hardest.

Okay, you know the drill:  get your stamps out and get inky, it's time to Try Stampin' On Tuesday!!  Click on the link to go directly to CherylAnn's blog for more information.  Have fun and thanks for playing with us.

Sandi
"The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, the the Lord looks at the heart." -- 1 Samuel 16:7

RUBBERQUEEN MEETING & SWAP

Good Evening Everybody!
I had to make sure I posted tonight so I wouldn't forget to tell you this very exciting news.  It won't mean much to those that don't live in Michigan, but for me it was a WOW day.  I had actually already experienced this last week, but failed to mention it because I thought I was dreaming, but today I had a witness so I know it was not my imagination.  Have you guessed yet?  Okay, I will spill the beans.  This morning around 7 a.m., when I was having my cup of coffee and sitting on the front porch talking with my sister, you will never believe what I heard and she heard from my phone.  Yep, that's right -- all the birds chirping!!  She was totally floored because they were so loud.  To me it was music in my ears.  You know what that means, Spring is around the corner.  Count on it -- the birds know!!!  Every year I know when the birds come back, the weather will warm up.  Plus, the wild turkeys are all over the place (doing their thing and driving my dogs crazy), so I think they are looking to make their nests.  I have yet to get a really good picture of them or the birds (we have some very colorful birds -- but then my husband feeds them better than us).  So tomorrow (if I remember -- and that is a big "if"), I am going to carry my camera around with me to see if I can get some good pictures.  Anyway (as Helen D. would say), my sister was thrilled that she got to hear them singing and I was thrilled because I could see and hear them (she said the birds haven't come back to her place yet).

So as long as I'm here, I might as well show you my swap card I did for Ronda Wade's RubberQueen meeting Tuesday night and a few that I received.  Everybody votes on their favorite card and the winner receives a prize from Ronda.  Let's just say I did not vote for myself this time -- I mean there were some GORGEOUS cards!!  I have quite a few already set aside to CASE at upcoming classes.  And here they are:

The winning card, done by Heidi Wilkins, using the "Baby Blossoms" stamp set from the Occasions Mini.

Here is mine using the Hostess Level I stamp from the Occasions Mini, "A Slice of Life."

Isn't this beautiful!!  Done by Lynn Schulz, using many of SU's beautiful Big Shot dies and Embossing Folders.



Are you feeling like it's Spring yet??  If not, here's one more to get you in the mood.  Done by Jackie VanDommelen featuring the "Inspired by Nature, Flight of the Butterfly, & Sincere Salutations Stamp Sets" and the "Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die."

Okay, if these cards have not helped you get out of the Winter blues then you are going to have to stop back to see my next update.  I'm working on something using Daffodil Delight and if that doesn't shout "Spring" then you need a glass of wine.

Until next time,
Sandi
"God gives blessings to us so we can give glory to him." -- Our Daily Bread

TRY STAMPIN' ON TUESDAY #5: ELEMENTS OF STYLE WATER COLOR

Welcome back for another week of Try Stampin' On Tuesday Challenges.  I really, really had a tough time with this challenge design this week.  Don't get me wrong, stamping, water coloring, and coming up with my image was easy.  I just can't "cut" in a straight line, it's just not my forté.  These old eyes just can't manage that any longer at all .  So you will have to look past this issue, and just try to imagine what it would look like if I could cut straight, LOL. Otherwise, I loved the final result.

I hope you are enjoying these challenges.  I know it has really stretched my creative abilities and allowed me to try new things. I have been told I need to keep my posts a little shorter (which is just not "me"), so without further ado here is the challenge:


Here is your Challenge #5 Design This Week

 

This is what I came up with for some inspiration.  I so enjoyed using my "Watercolor Wonder Crayons" last week that I had to use them again.  Products used:  "Elements of Style Stamp Set"; "Staz-On Black Ink"; "River Rock & Night of Navy Card Stock"; "Watercolor Paper"; "Photo Corners Extra Large Punch"; "Bashful Blue 5/8" Satin Ribbon"; "Aqua Pen"; and "Watercolor Wonder Crayons: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Old Olive, River Rock, Always Artichoke, & Basic Gray."

And before you all raise your eyebrows; yes, I just realized the "Bashful Blue 5/8" Satin Ribbon" is discontinued.  Somehow I neglected to remove this ribbon from my current products (maybe because I love it???), so never even gave it a thought when I used it on this card (hey, it went with my colors).  You can substitute this color with the "Marina Mist 5/8" Satin Ribbon" however, and it would be just as good.  Obviously I had a tougher time on this card than even I thought when I started this post.  I hope you still like my creation anyway.

So now it is your turn.  Get on over to the Try Stampin' On Tuesday blog and check out the rules.  I really would like to see a few more of you joining the challenges -- I promise you it is fun!!

Sandi
"I give you a new commandment:  love one another.  As I have loved you, so you should love one another." -- John 13:34