STAMPIN UP: TWO BY TWO!!

Do you remember that saying, “Be careful what you wish for?”  Well all of you out there (me included, but especially Tamie Ackerson), should be saying that to yourself right about now.  Remember about 3 months ago when we were all complaining about the cold weather and wishing Spring would get here??  Well, obviously we all wished a little too much – we bypassed Spring again this year and went right into August dog days!!!  The last time I went outside today, it was 100 degrees!  Good news, it will only be in the mid-90s tomorrow (or so they say, which you know we can’t count on).  I really feel sorry for those living south of us.  Needless to say, the swimming pond had another big day of visitors. 

I did sneak in a little time today to pull out one of my new stamps and make a card – it felt sooooo gooood!!!  Nothing spectacular, but something a little different than all the samples I have been seeing (definitely not what you would have thought I would want to use for my first try using a new stamp).  I actually feel in love with it immediately upon seeing it in the new catalog.  And here it is:

Isn't this just the cutest baby shower card!!  This uses the new single stamp, "Two by Two."  I used Confetti White, Marina Mist, Soft Suede, and Watercolor Card Stock; Watercolor Crayons; and the new Fancy Fan and Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.

Before leaving, I want to show you what my dearest friend sent to me (she always sends me the most beautiful and unusual gifts and this was no exception – except it is also cute, cute, cute!!). 

All of my kids thought this was so cute, but they thought it was just a couch!  Nope, it is a tissue box cover; made out of Stampin' Up's retired Deck the Halls Fabric.  And to answer your question:  "No, I don't have a pattern -- darn!!"  But I am for sure going to make one, as it looks pretty easy.  I have to make a couple more with our current fabric!!

I just had to show you one more picture -- it's just so cute!!

Until next time,

Sandi

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”  -- Ephesians 4:32

“Lord, let the power of forgiveness be at work in my life today and always.”  -- Erick Fellman

STAMPIN' UP: PAPAYA COLLAGE

So much to do, so little time!  Yep, my life has been one big party for the last 3+ months!!  So sorry that my blog has been suffering because of this, but I made a vow to myself that I would be spending more time with my family and less on the PC!!  Let me tell you folks, this is "not" easy (at least the "PC" part -- but loving every minute of the family time).  Every week there has been a birthday party, holiday celebration, or a family cook-out.  It has been so much fun, and I have been trying some new recipes that are yum-yum!!  And Monday I get my big order of "new stuff"!!  And yes, I have been such a good girl that I am going to take a few days to just play with all of it!!  I mean, what choice do I have -- Stampin' Up Convention is just around the corner and I haven't even started my swap cards!

In the meantime, I did get my fingers inky once this week (just for a few minutes) as I wanted to do a challenge I saw on Patty Bennett's blog (you can see it here).  The challenge was to create a card using the Reverse Masking Technique.  Here is what I came up with using the Reverse Masking, Direct to Paper, and Embossing and Sponging Techniques:

Stampin' Up Supplies used:  Papaya Collage and My Friend Stamp Sets; Black Embossing Powder; Basic Black and Glossy White Card Stock; Always Artichoke, Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, and Black Classic Inks; Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder, and Basic Pearls.

This was my first try at doing this card and didn't like it so threw it away.  Then I decided to pull it back out (because if you know me, you know how much I hate to throw anything away!!).  It actually looks better in person, but still not the greatest either -- LOL.  What I love about both of these cards is how it looks like there are layers (so much dimension) when in reality you only have one layer.

Take a few minutes to drop by Patty's blog, watch her video, and enter the challenge!!  Let me know what you think of my attempt.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst."  --  John 4:14
"Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy the thirsty soul."

CARDS AND PAGES

Oh my gosh, did you think I went on a cruise????  Sounds awesome, but that didn't happen.  Just been one busy girl attending functions or preparing for functions.  Plus, some spring cleaning and reorganizing my studio to get ready for all the new Stampin' Up product coming my way if I am a good girl!!  I attended my first Open House for the season today for the son of my dear friend, Ronda Wade.  It was very elegant and I really enjoyed going through her beautiful albums she did for her son Andrew -- what a blessing he is to his mom and dad!!  I really think there should be a party thrown for the parents when their children graduate.  It takes a lot of hard work and love to raise a child for 18 years, and it doesn't stop after those 18 years -- it just gets better!!

I have a few more album pages to show you from the baby album I did for my soon-to-be-here grand-niece.  Don't worry, these are the last I will be showing.  I loved this album, so wanted to at least share some of my favorite pages.  And then the last picture is the graduation card I made last night for Andrew's graduation open-house today.  I didn't have any new "graduation" stamps, so had to punt a little with what I had.  Hope you like.

Embossed the Hello Doily stamp on the Beau Château Designer Series Paper, the flowers are the retired crocheted Fleurettes, and added a little Tea Stain from the Distressing Essentials tool kit. 

More of the Beau Château Designer Series Paper, ribbon and stamp set are both retired Stampin' Up.  I used the cracked glass technique on my stamped images (right click to open picture in new tab to enlarge). 

I know, you have seen this card before!!  But I had to show you how just changing the stamp set on the inside of the card can make it into a baby-shower card (next picture).

And yes, this stamp set is retired (but you can buy it in the My Digital Studio digital version).  I had to use this stamp because it matched perfectly with the shower invitations and she wears her hair exactly like this image!!  Isn't it marvelous how I used this very same card for three different functions by just changing the sentiment on the inside (birthday, Mother's Day, and baby shower).

Andrew's graduation card.  I am so mad that I forgot to take a picture with the tag pulled out from the pocket.  So use your imagination -- it says "congratulations" and I used the Ribbon Punch and the same brads to attach it on the tag so I could tuck in a check/gift card/cash.  I used the direct-to-paper and masking (moon) techniques.  Stampin' Up Product:  Loving Thoughts, The Open Sea, and Layered Labels (new) Stamp Sets; Midnight Muse (new) and Naturals Ivory Card Stock; Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; Vintage Trinkets (brads); White Embossing Powder; and Midnight Muse, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Marina Mist, Baha Breeze, Pink Pirquette, and Regal Rose Classic Ink. 

Hopefully it won't take me this long for my next blog update.

Until then,
Sandi
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. . . ."  -- Ecclesiastes 3:11
"Every day is a gift, Lord, each moment is a treasure, give us eyes to see beauty, hearts to hug pleasure."  -- Fred Bauer