STAMPIN' UP CREATIVE CONVENTION: MAKE'N TAKES #1

Finally got all my make'n takes from Ronda Wade's Creative Convention organized so I can show you all the awesome projects we made.  Of course, I won't be able to show you all 24 projects today, so stay tuned for future posts.  I arrived at the hotel on Thursday night to participate in a swap with 40 other ladies.  I can't wait to show you some of the adorable cards we made.

The mini Stampin' Up Creative Convention started on Friday, bright and early, with inspiring and invaluable presentations from top-ranking demonstrators in Canada and United States.  I cannot go into detail but can say, there is no way a demonstrator could leave this event without knowing how to run a very successful and profitable business.  By the time I left on Sunday afternoon, my brain (and notepad) were overflowing with ideas!!

These make'n takes were designed by Ronda, with a few alterations by me.  The idea behind each make'n take was to give us ideas for classes we could give when we returned home using product from Stampin' Up's new Holiday Mini. 

These projects could be offered as a packaging class, using different types of packaging from the Holiday Mini.

I stamped the back of the Mini Muslin Bag above with the Santa's List Stamp Set as an added touch.

Mini gift card designs for a class making 20 with envelopes.  I added the envelope liners, glitter paper, and Dazzling Diamonds because I love "bling."

A card class using one of the new wooden stamp storage boxes to hold your Christmas Cards.

Christmas Cards included with the class above (storage box).

All of the above projects are very simple to create and duplicate for classes, but are packed with a WOW factor.  I loved all of them and hope you do also.  More to come!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Walk worthy of the Lord."  --  Colossians 1:10

CREATIVE STAMPIN' UP CONVENTION SWAPS

I have a million things to get done today, so don't ask me why I am on my computer updating my blog.  Probably because it has been over a week since I have posted and you all are starting to think I haven't been getting my fingers inky!!  But I have been a busy beaver the last couple of days getting my swap cards done for Ronda Wade's Creative Convention this weekend.  It is such an awesome event, with demonstrators attending from many states and Canada.  It is packed with information, demonstrations, and fun things to do; like a smaller version of a Stampin' Up Convention.

I really will try to post a few pictures while I am there (but I always say that and end up posting when I get back).  So instead I will share an advanced look at my swap cards.  The night before the opening session we have a huge Shoebox Swap -- which I love attending -- and then there will be general swapping during the convention.  So these are my swaps:

This will be my Shoebox Swap card.  Product used include:  Post Card, Christmas Messages, Postage Due, Tag It, and Snowflake Soriee Stamp Sets; Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake Cardstock; Early Espresso Classic Ink; Chalk Talk Framelit; Postage Stamp Punch; Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine; and Sponge.

 

This is for my Christmas Swap.  I couldn't make up my mind which design I liked the most so I did three different designs (see other 2 below).  Stampin' Up product used:  Joy to the World Stamp Set; Craft Bow Bigz L Die; Winter Frost Designer Series Paper; Pool Party and Smoky Slate Card Stock; Silver Glitter Paper; Smoky Slate Classic Ink; Mini Silver Brads; Sticky Tape; and Dimensionals.

 

I changed the background designer paper on this one (not sure which one I like better -- how about you??)

 

And of course I had to try a Shabby Chic look by misting and scrunching my bow and then adding some Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (doesn't show up well in the picture, but very pretty in person).

 

I would love to know what you think of my swaps -- I never feel they are worthy enough to swap with others who have such amazing designs.

 

 

Until next time,

Sandi

 

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  -- Proverbs 16:9

 

STAMPIN' UP: GORGEOUS GRUNGE AND WETLANDS

Can somebody tell me what happened to our summer?  I'm going to think positive and hope it will be back in September.  I do have to admit that I love all the green, lush foliage I am surrounded with this year and the fact I don't have to run the air conditioning, but this is very unusual for Michigan in August.

Some very good news:  I actually felt well enough to get my boxes of new Stampin' Up product opened from the Winter Mini Catalog and then created two new cards.  Yes, they were both very simple cards, but I really liked them, and it just felt great getting to stamp after more than a month of being sick.  I went to the doctor last Monday and found out I had pneumonia and acute bronchitis (along with my poison ivy).  The poison ivy is now gone and I'm not running a fever, but still have a croupy cough that will just take time to heal.  So things are looking a lot better -- YIPPIE!! 

Here are my cards:

I love, love this stamp set:  Gorgeous Grunge.  So simple to use, but always looks different and so many designs you can create with five different stamps in the set.  My Classic Ink colors:  Crushed Curry, Marina Mist, and Gumball Green.  I also used the new Yippee-Skippee! Stamp Set for the sentiment.

This was my "throw-away" card because I dropped my stamp TWICE on the card.  But you know stampers hate to throw anything away so I tried to cover most of it up with chevron pieces punched with the new Chevron Boarder Punch.  I like how it looks completely different just by adding the chevrons.

This card was made for my son-in-law's birthday, and was CASEd from Michelle Zindorf's art.  I used one 8 1/2" x 11" piece of Early Espresso Card Stock to fold in thirds to make a gift money card.  Sorry I forgot to take a picture of the inside before I sent it out.  Stampin' Up product used:  Wetlands Stamp Set; Whisper White and Early Espresso Card Stock; Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, and Early Espresso Classic Ink; White Gel Pen; 1 3/8" Circle Punch; Sanding Block; Brayer; and Sponge Daubers.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly . . . singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

-- Colossians 3:16

A FEW MORE SWAPS FROM STAMPIN' UP CONVENTION!!

Today is my first day in a week that I have been up and moving for 7 hours straight!!!  It probably won't last for more than an hour longer, but it feels so good just feeling almost normal again.  My poison ivy is still with me, but it now has a friend to keep it company:  upper-respiratory infection (I think or hope).  Yes, I am going to break down and call the doctor tomorrow to see what the heck is going on with my body.  I feel blessed that I was able to have a couple of days last week to go camping with some of my family.  I hadn't seen a couple of them in over 10 years so it was especially fun to catch up on their lives and families.  In my post last week I mentioned that my grand-daughter was riding with me to the campground to make sure I didn't get lost.  Well I ended up letting her drive, and we had the most awesome adventure -- we only had to turn around 5 times on the way there and twice on the way back!!!  Everybody kept calling us from the campground wanting to know what was taking us so long and to give us directions.  But none of that worked because it is a little hard to give directions when you don't know where you are to start them.  I finally figured out that my GPS was programmed to take back roads and we were trying to take the highways -- that is why it kept telling us to make U-Turns.  Also good that our destination was only 2 hrs. away and it only took us about 3.5 hrs. -- so we did good!!!

Because I haven't opened any of my new Stampin' Up Product and have been sick all week, I am showing a few more swap cards and some camping pictures.


Love all the texture on this, by Marjie Shulsinger (www.stampoutloud.com)

I can see that I really need to purchase this stamp set!!  By Donna Sheehan.



My son-in-law, Ethan, sitting by the campfire (dinner is cooking) with my niece's husband on the right.  I slept in my Blazer behind the screened tent (on a very comfy air bed mattress and sleeping bag).

Breakfast:  Sausage, bacon, potatoes already cooked on fire and scrambled eggs keeping warm.  There was tons other food but I was headed to the showers and didn't look under the tin foil.  That is my water warming up on the side for my tea!!

Getting ready to go to the beach!!  My grand-daughter Emily (who drove me to campground), my great-grandson Kail (her son), and my great-niece Layla.

Some of the campers!!  (My daughter Tricia trying to get her butt warm by the campfire, my other daughter Deborah is sitting in chair on the left, and my sister-in-law Allyson in the middle.

Hurry up Mom!!  I want to go swimming!!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to have some new creations the next time I post!!

Until next time,
Sandi
"My grace is sufficient for you,  for power is made perfect in weakness."  -- 2 Corinthians 12:9