MORE OF THIS AND THAT ALBUM

Well, I did it!!!  I worked right up until the day before my great-granddaughter's birthday party and finished her album.  I still can't believe I stuck with it, even though I was trying to prepare for the holidays.  Did you know that there are 62 pages in one of Stampin' Up's! This and That albums?  I'm sure glad I didn't count the pages until I finished, as I probably would have been overwhelmed.  And yes, you can still get this album from Stampin' Up, under the Clearance Rack -- so very worth the price and perfect for a project like this.  You really don't have to do anything but attach your pictures and it will still look beautiful with the page designs.  I just did mine different because her mother (my granddaughter) loves vintage (just like me), so I tried to incorporate a lot of pages keeping that in mind.  I so hated giving it up, but here are a few more pages (a lot of the product is discontinued, but the design is there for copying):

Until next time,
Sandi

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world may be saved by Him."  --  John 3:17

ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS WITH STAMPIN' UP!

Yes, I have been having a holly, jolly time playing with my new Christmas stamps from Stampin' Up!  I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving -- I know I felt very blessed and thankful to be with my husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  I have come to the conclusion (with the help of my bathroom scales) that the women in my family are all great cooks.  Yes, we patted ourselves on the back many, many times (the guys were all too busy eating).  Bottom line, we had a beautiful day and I'm back to business, crafting and making Christmas cards.  Here are a few I made this month:

I actually made this design last month while away at retreat as I couldn't wait to try out new product!!  Directions for embossing with the Woodlands Embossing Folder are from Patty Bennett: 

1. Lightly brayer some Lost Lagoon ink directly onto the Woodlands Embossing folder (the side with the raised background and "depressed" tree trunks)
2. Stamp some trees onto the folder with the Wonderland set and Garden Green ink
3. Punch out a circle using a post-it note, and put it onto your white card panel
4. Put the white card into the embossing folder, run through the Big Shot
5. Take the post-it note circle off the white card and VOILA! A winter tree scene with a moon!

Until next time,
Sandi

"For thus says the Lord God:  'I myself will look after and tend my sheep.'" -- Ezekiel 34:11

GIFT CARDS -- WE ALL NEED THEM!!

In this day and age we all need something to hold gift cards, and especially when the Christmas season is upon us.  For me, with a large family, this is my "go-to" gift, a beautiful card to hold a shopping, dinner, or event gift card.  Practically all businesses sell them, so for someone like me, who has a hard time shopping, this is the best way to match up the personality with the perfect gift card all wrapped up in a beautiful card.  Today I have a few designs that are easy, peasy (but so cute) to put together and hold that gift card.  We made these at our November RubberQueen's meeting as our make'n takes:

This is so versatile that you can use it for any occasion!!

This is what the inside looks like -- I didn't stamp anything because I want to wait until I know what type of occasion I will be using it -- but the gift card just slips into the pocket!!

You can't tell by this picture, but there is a belly-band that slips off so you can insert either cash or gift card.

Something a little different -- the gift card goes in the little envelope (made with the Envelope Punch Board) right on the front of the card and leaves you lots of on the inside for stamping and writing.

And finally, this one uses the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits to hold your message and gift card.

I hope these samples give you some ideas on making cute holders for your gift cards!!  Until next time, Sandi

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  --  2 Peter 3:18

A LITTLE BIT OF SCRAPBOOKING

I had a wonderful time at Creative Retreat last weekend.  Ronda Wade and Tamie Ackerson totally spoiled all 60 of us that attended.  The very best thing about going to retreat is spending time with a fabulous bunch of crafters.  I used to be able say "women," but now  say "crafters" because we have one gentleman who has been attending for the last two years.  We had games to play (loved the scavenger hunt), songs to sing, and lots of gifts from Ronda.  We have traditional scrapbookers, Project Life memory keepers, card makers, 3-D crafters, and quilters attending (and I probably forgot a few other crafts).  Let's just put it this way -- the rooms were oozing with artistic talent!!

I spent a little time on my great-granddaughter Hazel's This and That scrapbook album.  A lot of the product I used is discontinued Stampin' Up product that I have hoarded just for my albums -- but everything is Stampin' Up so it all coordinates.  I don't have my pictures of Hazel developed yet but dropped some from my file onto the page (that's why they are a little crooked). Hopefully, these pages will give you some layout inspiration for your own traditional scrapbooking (right-click on the pictures and select "open in new window or tab" to see the details on the pages):

And here is little Hazel a couple of days ago!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed You do." --

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

OCTOBER RUBBERQUEEN MEETING: SNOW PLACE

Hello stampers!  I thought I better update my blog today before I leave for Creative Retreat tomorrow.  I'm all packed, and already wondering what I have forgotten, even though the whole rear of my SUV is packed to the roof!!  I love going to retreat to see everybody and catch up on their adventures over the summer.  And of course, I love working on my scrapbooks; but I dislike the fact that I always forget something that I really need (last spring it was a punch that nobody else had and I needed it to finish an album page -- I have it packed this time and probably won't need it).  So today I'm showing the awesome make'n takes from Ronda Wade's RubberQueen meeting this month -- she always comes up with such cute ideas, and I loved these cute treat ideas using the new Snow Place Stamp Set:

Snow Poop never grows old -- everybody loves this simple goodie bag.

Cute, cute card!!

Another way to give candy, using the Gift Box Punch Board.

Another treat box using the Fry Box Bigz L Big Shot Die.

A cute snowman gift tag!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"In all your ways be mindful of Him and He shall make straight your paths."  Proverbs 3:6

STAMPIN' UP! HOLIDAY MINI SWAPS

I had an awesome time at the RubberQueen's October meeting this week.  Ronda Wade had the cutest make'n takes for us and I received some beautiful swap cards.  I hope to post pictures of the make'n takes before I go to Creative Retreat next weekend.  I can't wait to see what we will be making at retreat!!  I hope you enjoy and get some inspiration to pull out your stamps and get your fingers inky with these swaps:

This was my swap card, using the Christmas Cuties Stamp Set; Winter Wonderland Designer Vellum Stack; Boughs & Berries Embossing Folder; Gold Metallic Thread, Embossing Powder, Glitter, and Glimmer Paper; and Wisteria Wonder Card Stock and Ink.

  

I don't know who did this card -- but I loved it!!

I bet you can't guess who did this card?  Yep, that would be Tamie Ackerson, Ronda's right-hand helper, who also is very talented!!  I loved this idea for a gift card holder!

This was done by Joanne Jetter.  I'm not a Halloween person, but I loved, loved this card because it doesn't have to be Halloween for me to use it!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it.'"  Mark 11:3

CREATIVE CONVENTION SWAPS

Well I certainly did not plan on being gone from my blog this long, so I hope I still have people visiting.  It is no secret that everybody who owns a blog loves sharing and receiving feedback from those who visit -- otherwise we wouldn't post updates and would spend more time creating (which we love even more)!!!  So thank you to all my loyal visitors for coming back to visit and leave questions and/or comments. 

Today I am showing my swap created for Ronda Wade's Creative Convention for Demonstrators.  I hope you like!



This card features the new Sleigh Ride Edgelits Dies and Jingle All the Way Stamp Set, from the new Holiday Mini Catalog.  The horizon was created using the "direct to paper technique" with various stamp pads and sponging.  I wish the Silver Dazzling Details sparkled in the picture like it did in real life, but you get the idea.

I did this card for my shoebox swap using the Awesomely Artistic Stamp Set, Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits Die, Mint Macaron and Marina Mist Stamp Pads, Dazzling Diamonds Silver Glitter, 2-Way Glue Pen, Clear Embossing Powder, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, and Sponges.

These 3 cards use the same watercoloring technique for the background, just different colors.  I used the Watercolor Wash Background Stamp (applying 2 different colors directly to the stamp pad, then mist with water and stamp).  The sentiment is from the Watercolor Words Stamp Set (my favorite new sentiment set).  Very, very easy card to make -- so much so I had to make them all in different colors (not all of them shown, but 2 more below).

Until next time,
Sandi

"When I called, You answered me; You built up strength within me."  --  Psalm 138:3

MORE PAPER PUMPKIN!!

 



Yes, I am posting more pictures of past Paper Pumpkin Kits so you can take advantage of Stampin' Up's! sweet promotion going on for a couple more weeks.  You really don't want to miss out on this!!  Think of it -- 2 months of kits for only $9.95 each month!!  You would pay four times more than this if you had to buy your stamp set, ink, designer paper, and embellishments to create these projects (plus, I love the heavy envelopes and cardstock)!!  Each month a fully designed project kit arrives in a cute pumpkin' box filled with stamps, ink, paper, and embellishments -- everything is cut and ready to go.  Try it out -- I know you will love it!!  You can cancel anytime you want or just call and request to hold for a while.  Here are a few more samples from two other kits.  

Offer Dates:  Starts THURSDAY July 23 - Ends September 10, 2015

Offer Details: CLICK HERE and use the code HALFOFF to join Paper Pumpkin before September 10, 2015, and get 50% off the first two months! After that, keep the creativity coming for only $19.95 + tax per month (shipping included). 

• For new month-to month subscribers only (not prepaid subscriptions).
• Discount applied to one kit per month for the first two months of a new subscription. After the first two months, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price of $19.95.
• Enter the Promo Code, HALFOFF when you sign up.

Join Paper Pumpkin Now!
Until next time,
Sandi

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You." -- Psalm 56:3

THANKS A LATTE FROM PAPER PUMPKIN'

If you don't already have a subscription to Paper Pumpkin', you are really missing out.  It is such an awesome deal for only $19.95 a month (shipping included).  Each month a fully designed project kit arrives in a cute pumpkin' box filled with stamps, ink, paper, and embellishments -- everything is cut and ready to go.  You can cancel anytime you want or just call and request for a hold for a while.  Today I'm showing this month's kit (I just love it).  Let me know if you are interested in signing up and/or visit MyPaperPumpkin.com for more information.

UPDATE:  Save 50% on Paper Pumpkin starting Thursday!

 

If you've never tried Paper Pumpkin, Thursday is a great time-get 50% off your first two months. With a deal like this, you'll want to invite everyone you know to give it a try too! 

Offer Dates:  Starts THURSDAY July 23 - Ends September 10, 2015

Offer Details: CLICK HERE and use the code HALFOFF to join Paper Pumpkin before September 10, 2015, and get 50% off the first two months! After that, keep the creativity coming for only $19.95 + tax per month (shipping included). 

• For new month-to month subscribers only (not prepaid subscriptions).
• Discount applied to one kit per month for the first two months of a new subscription. After the first two months, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.
• Enter the Promo Code, HALFOFF when you sign up Thursday.

See what you've been missing!

• July 2015 - Thanks a Latte
• June 2015 - Happy Thoughts & Party Hats
• May 2015 - Birthday Bundle
• Bunny Bag and Flower Card (How'd She DO That?)
• April 2015 - Love You a Lot 
• March 2015 - Sew You 
• February 2015 - Layers of Gratitude
• January 2015 - Filled with Love

I added some punched flowers on this one.

I think this one is my favorite!!

I had enough die-cuts left over to make 4 more cards (for a total of 12).  I used discontinued Stampin' Up product from my stash to embellish.

Another "extra" card.

For $20, I created 8 cards with cute, cute envelopes (plus 4 extra cards).  I just needed my Snail adhesive -- everything else was in the kit (cards, printed envelopes, patterned paper, 3 sheets of die-cuts, pre-tied ribbon bows, paper clips, 2 sheets of adhesive strips, and 1 sheet of Dimensionals).  And I have this 10-piece stamp set to use over and over again and 2 ink-spots to use for other projects.  I love it because people pay $20 for a card class to make 12 cards -- BUT THEY DON'T GET A STAMP SET TO TAKE HOME WITH THEM!!

Join Paper Pumpkin Now!

Until next time,
Sandi

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."  --  Hebrews 13:5

WATERCOLOR WORDS FROM STAMPIN' UP!

I had an awesome time at the July RubberQueen meeting.  We had a shoebox swap so each of us could make 20 cards that other RubberQueen's had designed.  I will be posting some of those in the future, but today I am featuring the versatility of the Watercolor Words Stamp Set.  This is another new stamp set that I love because of the "watercolor" font used in the sentiments.  You also get an awesome bang for your buck with this $26 photopolymer set (with 11 stamps!!).  The first card was my swap card and the other four cards were the make'n takes designed by Ronda Wade (with a few little changes) -- all of the cards use the Watercolor Words Stamp Set:

This is my shoebox swap card using the Watercolor Words Stamp Set for the sentiment, flowers, and leaf and the Writing Notes Background Stamp on the Whisper White Card Stock layer.  I also used the new White Perfect Accents for the center of the flowers.

All of Ronda's make'n takes are "punch cards" using the new In-Colors Card Stock, Designer Series Paper, and Ink Pads.

This is Ronda's design, but we did not make it at the meeting.  I did not have the designer paper, so I improvised by making the striped layer using the new Brushstrokes Background Stamp, which goes so well with the Watercolor Words Stamp Set. 

Hope you like!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." -- 1 Corinthians 13:13