BEAUTIFUL YOU!!

Well if you haven't already heard the news, the new Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog is out and with it came the 2017 Sale-A-Bration Catalog!!!  That's right, the most awesome time of the year for stampers/crafters:  FREE PRODUCT!!!  For EVERY $50 you spend you get to select free product from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  Who doesn't like FREE????  And let me tell you, besides all the gorgeous product in the annual catalog, you are going to love, love the new Occasions' product.  Let me know if you don't have your catalogs, I still have a few left for my customers. 

The sample I am showing you today uses stamps from the "Beautiful You Stamp Set" in the Occasions catalog -- it truly is the hottest stamp set on the market right now!!!  If you don't believe me, just do a search on Pinterest and see all the incredible samples.  Buy the Beautiful You set with 13 stamps, the new Watercolor Pencils, and either the Blender Pens or Aqua Painters and you can make this card AND GET A SALE-A-BRATION PRODUCT FREE!!!  This is the time to buy!!  Here is what I came up with using this set:

I also used the Wherever You Go Stamp Set (bridge and sun) on this card (in the annual catalog) and the Playful Palette Designer Series Paper Stack.

Until next time,
Sandi

"Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ ." -- Ephesians 4:32

FEBRUARY RUBBERQUEEN MEETING

Hello stamping friends!

Sorry for the long break in posting, but it has been another busy month (does it ever stop?).  This week was our monthly RubberQueen meeting and, as usual our leader, Ronda Wade, had some amazing presentations and make'n takes.  If you don't know already, this is the time of year Stampin' Up! gives away amazing stamps and other product -- yes, FREE PRODUCT!!!  To see the fabulous Sale-A-Bration free product and all the new product in the Occasions Mini, check it out here.  There's not much time left and you don't want to miss out on this once-a-year offer.

Below is my swap card for the meeting, using the new Picture Perfect Stamp Set, from the Occasions Mini.  The gift cards and box to hold them were our make'n takes made with the free Sale-A-Bration Perfect Pairings Stamp Set and new Timeless Textures Stamp Set.

I love this stamp set and always wanted a Hummingbird in my bird collection.

Look at all the different designs using one FREE stamp set and the new Timeless Textures for all the cards

Until next time,
Sandi

"In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." -- Proverbs 3:6

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

STAMPIN' UP FRINGE SCISSORS: SPRING IS IN THE AIR!!

Are you getting tired of all the snow and cold yet?  Well, I am!  Today I'm going to get you in the mood for Spring with these adorable projects featuring the new Stampin’ Up! ^© Fringe Scissors.  These were our make'n take projects at our monthly RubberQueen meeting -- designed by Ronda Wade.  This is just another reason why I love being a demonstrator -- being able to attend Ronda's monthly meetings for training, doing beautiful make'n takes, and sharing time and fun with other stampers -- and you can too by joining Stampin’ Up! ^©.

Now if these projects don't make you think SPRING there is no hope for us:  

I love the cute little fringe on the bottom of the new Scalloped Tag!



And of course what are flowers without some fringe grass!

  

How about a flower as a cute pencil topper!!

Here is a close-up of the fringe flower.



This has nothing to do with the Fringe Scissors, but I wanted to show you our new 2014 Calendar all the RubberQueens received as a gift from Ronda Wade, which I took home and decorated.  The design on the bottom-half is Ronda's, and I added the top half to distinguish it from all the others when we are at our meetings.

This was not one of Ronda's make'n takes.  I was just playing with my Fringe Scissors before the meeting and came up with this card (for someone who is experiencing unexpected challenges in life).

I hope these projects perked up your day by thinking Spring!! 

Until next time,
Sandi

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."  --  Mathew 5:5

STAMPIN' UP! SALE-A-BRATION IS HERE!!

That's right, the once-a-year Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration (SAB) Party started this week!!  What does that mean?  FREE (that's right, I said "FREE") product for every $50 you spend!!  Contact me if you want more information -- but don't delay, the party ends March 30st.  Here is a card sample using some of the free product you can own:

This card features the Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper and Sweet Sorbet Accessories Pack that coordinates with the Petal Parade Stamp Set.  The sentiment is the You're Lovely Stamp Set.  All 4 of these SAB products can be yours free!!  The tags in the pocket were created using the new Scalloped Tag Topper Punch from the new Celebrate the Everyday Mini.

I even had time to do a little bit of scrapbooking this weekend.  I'm still working on my heritage album (there is no end to this -- the family is huge!!).  I used all Stampin' Up! product, but the majority is now retired (just like the pictures are).  Right-click on the pictures for a larger view.

Yes, I did use the new Angled Tag Topper Punch on this page.

All retired Stampin' Up! product except the new Scalloped Tag Topper Punch and Antique Brads.

A close-up (I loved this designer paper from Stampin' Up!).

 Even though these album pages use retired product, I hope they inspire you to get out your scrapbook and preserve your memories!!

Until next time,
Sandi
"He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness."  --  Psalm 107:9

STAMPIN' UP HEAVEN BLESSED

Ask me how hard it is to get back into a routine after being on vacation for a month!!!  Sad to say, my vacation is over -- but what a trip it was!!!  My brother really pampered me and my sisters with a whirlwind of adventures he had planned.  I hope you had a chance to look at my previous posts showing a few pictures from our adventures.  Trust me, just about every second of our trip was packed with something new and exciting -- I even had to bow out on a few things just to catch my breath.  Sorry I couldn't post any pictures of our four days in Vegas, but I really didn't think my pictures were appropriate to post on this blog.  For all of you who have toured Fremont Street in Vegas, you know what I mean.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't X-rated, but those dang show girls kept getting in the pictures.  Personally, I thought the people just walking around (visiting) had some worse issues (i.e., they weren't mid-west country girls or boys).  I did see some awesome shows and the massive hotels with unbelievable architect and grounds.  And best of all, we met up with my brother and sister-in-law, whom I haven't seen in 25 years!!!  I cannot even put into words how great that was -- we've already made plans to meet again next year in San Francisco!! 

So, I got my fingers inky yesterday (finally) and used the new Heaven Blessed Stamp Set, in the Occasions Mini Catalog, to make my Easter Cards.  Here is what I came up with:

Stampin' Up Product:  Sweet Moments Simply Sent Card Kit; Watercolor Paper; Pink Pirouette Card Stock; Watercolor Pencils; and Aqua Painter.

Card Inside

Birthday Card using Stampin' Up Sale-A-Bration product.

I will be stamping again tomorrow to get ready for Easter dinner, combined with a Birthday celebration.  I can't believe how hard it is to get my creative juices flowing again after being away from my ink for a month!!

Until Next Time,
Sandi
". . . And behold, I am with you always, unto the end of the age." -- Matthew 28:20
Father in Heaven, thank you for being with me and my family to guide and protect us during difficult times.

CARD CLASS SAMPLES

How about this weather??  Can you believe it.  I just went outside and it is pouring rain.  But I'm not complaining -- who would complain about rain in January?  I just have this awful feeling we will be in for a real surprise before June gets here (have we ever had snow in May?)  One of the reasons I love living in Michigan -- you just never know what the weather will be like, and if you think you know than 9 times out of 10 you will be wrong.

I finally got started today working on my assignment from Ronda for her Sale-A-Bration Kick-Off Event.  I'm not lying when I say I sat at my work table for almost 4 hours looking at my designer paper trying to get something to pop in my brain.  Well nothing really popped right up in my mind, so decided to try this new idea using one of our new dies.  After wasting one whole sheet of designer paper, my brain started working.  So my whole day was spent just thinking (which we all know is hard for me) and I only finished one sample!!  Now I know why my doctor has been sending me for all this testing.  I could have saved myself a lot of time and money if she would have asked me and I could have answered -- "No, I don't have a working brain at the moment.  It hibernates in the winter -- Don't they all?"  So I am really hoping my creative juices will runnith over tomorrow and the man in brown shows up at my door to bring the rest of my supplies.

Oops, I almost forgot.  You came here to see something new.  So here are the rest of my cards from my card class:

Supplies:  Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper; Melon Mambo and Whisper White Card Stock; Distressing Essentials (Tea Stain Ink); Soft Suade Classic Ink; Fleurette; Pretty In Pink Brad; Organza Ribbon; and Tagtastic Stamp Set.

This card design came from Ronda Wade.  Supplies:  Pretty In Pink, Real Red, and Whisper White Card Stock; Real Red Classic Ink; Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon; P.S. I Love You Stamp Set; Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; and the Hearts Collection Framelits Dies.

Another Design from Ronda Wade.  This was a card we made at her SAB Baggie Book class.  I didn't have the same ribbon she used (new Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon), so used the Poppy Parade 1/2 Stitched-Poly Ribbon (I love this line of ribbon, it ties up so nice and neat).  Other Sale-A-Bration product used (my favorites):  Fresh Vintage and On Your Birthday Stamp Sets; Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper; Pool Party and Poppy Parade Classic Ink; and Pool Party, Poppy Parade, and Whisper White Card Stock.

 Happy stamping everybody -- I think I will go have a very small glass of wine (if I can find some), its just that kind of night.

Until next time,
Sandi

For my two younger sisters who will be flying in an airplane for the first time with me soon (after 60 years of their first life):

"If you ever get a second chance at life, you've got to go all the way."  -- Lance Armstrong.

STAMPIN' UP SALE-A-BRATION & MORE

I am so excited because Stampin' Up is having their annual Sale-A-Bration event starting on January 24th!!  And because I am a demonstrator, I got to order Occasions Mini Catalog product in December and received free Sale-A-Bration product!!!  Yes, the home office does spoil us -- another reason you should sign up to be a demonstrator, tons of free product and let's not forget that discount!!  And of course if you sign up now, there are some extra benefits.  I know you want to, so give me a call and I will get you set up.  Some of my cards today were done at our RubberQueen meeting this week, another great benefit if you sign up as one of my recruits.

I have developed a terrible cold (thanks to my sister Pam who stayed at my place last weekend), so I am going to move right along to show you these awesome cards featuring product from the Occasions Mini Catalog and new Sale-A-Bration sets.

I designed this card last weekend when my other sister was here (she is also a demonstrator) just to play around with the new Hearts Collection Framelits Die.  As soon as I saw this in the Occasions Mini Catalog, I knew I wanted to make a card shapped like a heart.  For this one I used a standard card size (10" x 4 1/4" folded in half), in Whisper White Cardstock.  I'm going to do another one, but use the larger Heart Framelit, so it will fit in Stampin' Up's large square envelope.

Here is what the inside looks like.

I pulled the tag out for this picture.

This was one of Ronda's make'n takes at our meeting Tuesday.  Of course I wasn't feeling well so I took it home to make it, and then realized I didn't have the stamp set she used.  So it does look a little different.

This is what I came up with for the inside.  I punched the little hearts out, then punched some in Mellon Mambo Card Stock and applied them a little off center to look like a shadow.

Another make'n take from our meeting.  I just changed the punced border on this one because I love this punch!!

I need to go Vick's up and fix me a hot toddie as I can't breath, sorry for not giving a list of supplies used this time.  If you have any questions, just leave me a comment with your e-mail address.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Love your enemies . . . and pray for those who . . . persecute you."  -- Matthew 5:44
"People may mock our message but they are helpless against our prayers."