PAINTED BLOSSOMS

I decided to start thinking "SPRING" today just because I'm tired of winter!!  So, I removed my winter scene from my framed picture on my wall and replaced it with lots of SPRING and lots of layers.  I only have this one project to show you today as I cleaned up my studio to get ready to fly down to Orlando, Florida for Stampin' Up's! Leadership Convention. WooHoo, going to catch some warmth and sun and have fun with thousands of stamping friends -- what more can a girl ask for!!  I hope to post pictures here on my blog while I am there -- if we don't party too much.

Anyway, here is my SPRING frame with all the layers, using product from the new Occasions Mini Catalog:

Okay, so I forgot to mention I'm also showing off my newest great-granddaughter, Hazel Ann (she's 19 days old here).  What better way to do it than using the beautiful new Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper!!!  I also used the new Bouquet Bigz L Big Shot Die (flowers petals around circle pictures), new Butterflies Thinlits Die along with Butterfly Punches, new Sahara Sand 7/8" Lace Trim (love this!!), new Something Borrowed Embellishments, and sentiment from the Feels Good Stamp Set.

The new lace makes such a beautiful flower!!

Until next time (hopefully, in sunny Orlando!!),

Sandi

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills -- from whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."  -- Psalm 121:1-1

SALE-A-BRATION WITH OCCASIONS STAMPIN' UP! STYLE

I had so much fun yesterday at my stamping event to showcase some of the new product in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration Catalogs.  I love getting my friends together for a morning of stamping, catching up on the events in their life, and then all the ooh's and aah's over the new stamps and accessories.  We were all in total agreement that we loved and "wanted" everything in the catalogs -- best ever!!!  And for me, it was so difficult to narrow down my favorites to just 4 cards this month.  

Here is what I finally ended up with, but I'm serious when I say it was a really tough decision:

The #1 favorite this year for Sale-A-Bration is the gorgeous Lotus Blossom Stamp Set!  Here I have used the Strawberry Slush, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Old Olive, and some sponging with Sahara Sand Ink Pads; Something Borrowed Designer Series Paper; Sahara Sand Lace Trim Ribbon; Lovely Lace Textured Embossing Folder; and Whisper White, Sahara Sand, and Strawberry Slush Card Stock.

My friends loved the Butterfly Basics Stamp Set, used here with Whisper White and Blackberry Bliss Card Stock; Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow Ink Pads; water-colored with Blender Pen; and Blackberry Bliss Stitched Satin Ribbon.

Another personal favorite, the Moon Lake Stamp Set using Staz-On Jet Black Ink to stamp, then sponging with Pool Party Ink, and the Aqua Painters for water-coloring the water in Marina Mist Ink.  The image was colored with Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Wild Wasabi Markers; Whisper White, Early Espresso, Pool Party, and Marina Mist Card Stock;  Something Borrowed Designer Series Paper; Marina Mist Chevron Ribbon; and On Film Framelits.  I was inspired and CASEd the layout of Hélène den Breezen’s card when creating this design.

One of the most versatile sets in the Occasions Mini Catalog is the Sheltering Tree.  Here is a simple Winter birthday card, using the Stamping-Off  Technique.  I used Whisper White and Soft Sky Card Stock; Soft Suede Ink; the new Painted Blooms Cotton Twine; 2-Way Glue Pen; Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter and  Dimensionals.

Until next time,
Sandi

"With God all things are possible."  --  Mark 10:27

SALE-A-BRATION IS HERE!!!

One of the best things I always look forward to after New Year's Day is knowing that Stampin' Up! will be having one of the best deals of the year:  SALE-A-BRATION time!!! Yes, you can start earning FREE product for every $50 you spend on Stampin' Up! product (before taxes and shipping).  This means "any" product -- whether it is in the big Catalog, Clearance Rack, Weekly Deals, or the brand new Occasions Mini Catalog that also went live today!!!  I have to say, the products in the Occasions Mini are the BEST EVER and the same for the free Sale-A-Bration products.  It was a good thing I didn't spend all my money for Christmas -- because I want EVERYTHING!!!

Here are a couple of simple cards I made using a cute, cute stamp set from the Occasions Mini and the other is my favorite Sale-A-Bration stamp set.

I know this little guy probably has a name, but I'm out of the loop on the newest characters so please tell me his name!  I do know it is the "Cheerful Critter Stamp Set" with the "Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack" (love, love this paper and plan on getting another pack just for my scrapbook) -- both in the Occasions Mini.

My all-time favorite Sale-A-Bration stamp set -- "Lotus Blossom"  --  and it's FREE!!!  Simple, forgivable, two-step stamping!!  I used the "Note Cards & Envelopes" (pg. 194) to stamp these quick thank-you cards. 

And this is why I didn't get my blog updated last week -- meet my newest great-granddaughter, Hazel Ann.

Hazel is 3 weeks old here.  My daughter and I took a trip to Escanaba to meet her and visit with mamma and daddy.  She is a keeper for sure!! 

Happy New Year!!
Sandi

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love."  --  Romans 12:10