BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!

Boy, this last week "LIFE" has really taken up a lot of my time!!  Why can't I just squeeze in a little more time to do what "I" want -- CREATING???  I even have a "to-do" list for every day (which I'm sure all women do).  However, it seems I'm never getting to this list until late afternoon because there are always these "can you do this" requests at the last minute.  So today's post is a little late and it will be short (mark that on your calendar).

This month my card class was all about birthdays.  So let me share with you what I came up with for my stamping friends:

Stampin' Up product used:  Secret Garden and Happiest Birthday Wishes Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Basic Black, and Daffodil Delight Card Stock; Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, and Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink; Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Daffodil Delight 1/4" Grosgrain Stitched Ribbon, White Baker's Twine; and Tag Punch.

 

Stampin' Up product used:  Summer Afternoon Hostess Stamp Set; Basic Black Classic Ink; Naturals Ivory, Basic Black, and Summer Starfruit Card Stock; Patio Party and First Edition Specialty Designer Papers; Summer Starfruit, Chocolate Chip, Gumball Green, and Basic Gray Markers; and Summer Starfruit Satin Stitched Ribbon.

Stampin' Up product used:  Feeling Sentimental and Oh, Hello Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Basic Gray, and Riding Hood Red Card Stock; and Fan Fair Designer Series Paper.

As a little gift for my friends I made these little charms, monogrammed with their initials, to tie on their craft bags, key chain, scissors, or whatever they wished.  They loved them.  I still haven't made one for myself, but here are a few of them (front and back pictures):

Stampin' Up product used:  Silver Soda Pop Tops (crushed in Stampin' Up's Big Shot); Lovely Letters Alphabet Stamp Set; Fan Fair Designer Series Paper; VersaMark Ink; Melon Mambo Embossing Powder; Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon; Rhinestone; and Crystal Effects.

On the back of the charms I used the same product as the front except I used the Collage Curios Stamp Set and the 3/4" Circle Punch with the 1" Circle Punch.

 

And finally, I have a winner to announce from my last blog post asking the name of the discontinued stamp set used for my birthday card.  And the winner drawn was (drum-roll please):

A Touch of Sol: Marisol Gutierrez

Marisol, please e-mail me with your address so I can get your card in the mail.  After posting my card, and based on the many comments I received, I think Stampin' Up should bring back this Hostess Set because everybody wants it (including my best friend who I have left it to in my will -- LOL).  I will be updating this post to include all the product used in the creation.

Until next time,

Sandi
"Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. "  -- Matthew 6:34

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR 25 YEARS!!

Just in case you haven't heard the hottest news around town:  Stampin' Up is celebrating 25 years of making a difference this year!!!  I am so happy to be part of this celebration -- so much fun already, and so much more to come.  We are seeing so many new products, new options for buying this product, and to-die-for creations!!  All of this while still maintaining the core values of Stampin' Up -- with the focus on making a difference in people's lives personally and professionally, locally and globally!!  Stampin' Up's philanthropic efforts include celebrating 10 years as sponsors of Ronald McDonald House Charities, breast cancer research, heart health, and many organizations dedicated to helping people recover from disasters.

Personally as a demonstrator, I love being able to make a difference by sharing what I love and spending time with friends at my events and those sponsored by Stampin' Up.  Now is the time to join the Stampin' Up team.  Just click on the "E-mail Me" link on the right to find out more and make this happen!!

In honor of the celebration, I picked out one of my very favorite stamp sets from the past and had fun making a card for my granddaughter's birthday party last Tuesday.  This stamp set fit her personality to a "T" -- I thought of it immediately when I got ready to make her card.  I'm not going to tell you what the name of the stamp set is or what product I used -- I WANT YOU TO GUESS!!  Just remember it is not a current set -- that's the only hint you get!  Submit your guess in a comment below and I will pick a winner next week.  No, you are NOT going to win the stamp set -- I wouldn't give it up for any amount of money.  But I will send you the card and a little surprise.

So, GAME ON, here is the card:



One of my most very favorite Stampin' Up stamp sets!!!  Can you guess the name?  Extra credit if you guess the year!!



Inside of the card.

Can't wait to see your answers!!

UPDATED 2-20-2013:  Product used:  2005-2006 Haute Couture Hostess Level 2, Established Elegance, Happiest Birthday Thoughts, and Trust God Stamp Sets; Always Artichoke and Watercolor Card Stock; Regals Collection Designer Series Pack; Jet Black StazOn Ink; Amazing Accent Wheel; Watercolor Wonder Crayons; Aqua Painter; Rhinestones; Linen Thread; Natural Cotton and Rasberry Ripple Satin Stitched Ribbon; and Tag Punch.

Until next time,
Sandi

"When adversity strikes us, God is ready to strengthen us."  --  Author Unknown

STAMPIN' UP SALE-A-BRATION -- WAHOO!!

Had lots of fun over the weekend.  Friday I spent the day visiting and stamping with my middle daughter, Deborah; more stampin' on Sunday with daughter Tricia while playing with my great-grandson and trying to burn my house down -- just for Stampin' Up!!  (More to that story below.)  Honestly, there is never a dull-moment in my house.  But you know, "life" is for living; and I try to live every day like it is my last (which it almost was Saturday).  My husband finally asked me today why the house smelled like there was a fire!  I laughed so hard I couldn't hardly get the story out of my mouth -- couldn't believe it took him almost 2 days before he noticed (I told my daughter I was going to test him to see if his "smeller" still worked). 

Okay, I promised to show you the rest of the cards we did at card class last weekend.  I know, what was the hold-up??  Well, I wanted to also show you this cute box I made for the WOW table at Ronda Wade's RubberQueens Founder's Circle Event she has as a reward for demonstrators meeting certain criteria.  Problem was I ended up giving the box to Ronda (with special Stampin' Up! cookie inside) and forgot to take a picture.  I made about 50 cookies to take besides that one, but they were also all gone. 

So all week I kept saying I was going to make some more cookies and that just didn't happen. Therein I came up with this brainstorm to make "one" cookie that wouldn't mold to put in my cute box.  So, I dumped a little flour, butter, and salt (don't know why I added that, but all recipes call for a pinch of salt) in a bowl and mixed it up like pie dough, stamped it with the "Stampin' Up!" cookie stamp (last year's Convention item). 

Being the impatient person that I am, I stuck it in the microwave for 4 minutes.  And, like the good cook that I am, I checked it at 2 minutes -- still looked like it needed more time, so put it back in for last 2 minutes, then went back downstairs to stamp.  All of a sudden my daughter says she smells something burning and went upstairs to check.  She starts screaming at me that there is a fire.  Who would have thought?!?!!?  I didn't take her seriously until I came upstairs and couldn't see through the smoke to get to the microwave.  Needless to say, I won't be making any "no mold" cookies again.  Can't wait to get my electric bill next month, as I had to open all the windows (with the furnace running continuously) and put the ceiling fans on, light tons of candles, washed my microwave down with soda paste (all the scorch marks are still there).  Morale of story:  Do as the micro-wave directions say:  Do Not Leave Your Micro-wave Unattended!!"

And here is the "famous box":

Now isn't this "smokin"!!  And what makes it even more "smokin" is the fact you can get this Simply Sent Happy Hello card kit FREE!!  You get 8 cards and envelopes and everything to decorate this card from Stampin' Up's Sale-A-Bration promotion going on right now!!  (NOTE:  There is no cookie in my cello bag!! -- sad face.)  The box will also hold little note cards, which I plan on doing for my next box.

We made this box and note cards at Ronda's Founder's Circle.  Another stamp set you can earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration:  Patterned Occasions Stamp Set.  Love it!!

Top of box close-up.

Another FREE Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set:  Madison Avenue.  We did this card at my last card class.

Here is the inside, using one of the five sentiments from, "Feel Goods Stamp Set."

I loved this card (shown previously) so much that I included it in my last card class.  All the stamps (plus more) are in the "Happy Hour Stamp Set."

And here is the inside of the card using another FREE Sale-A-Bration set:  "Vintage Verses."

Do you want to earn any of these free Sale-A-Bration products?  It is so easy, call me to find out how!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." — Proverbs 3:6