MORE SALE-A-BRATION!

I have some really, really cute and beautiful cards to share with you today!!  These cards were our make'n takes from Ronda Wade's RubberQueen meeting this month.  I loved making them because they were so easy, but WOW cards.  Call me to find out how you can get two free Sale-A-Bration stamp sets and/or product and attend the awesome RubberQueen meetings to make cards and meet new friends that love to get their fingers inky like you!!  These cards use the Hey, Chick and Advent Garden Stamp Sets in the Sale-A-Bration Mini Catalog.  You only have until the end of March to get your hands on these FREE stamp sets. 

Until next time,
Sandi

"We walk by faith, not by sight." -- 2 Corinthians 5:7

OCTOBER RUBBERQUEEN MEETING

We had another awesome RubberQueen meeting this month at Ronda Wade's new storefront studio.  (I really need to remember to take some pictures next month so you can see how beautifully she has decorated her studio.)  Today I'm sharing with you my swap card and Tamie Ackerson's cards she made for her technique presentation.  Tamie demonstrated the "oldie-but-goodie" Dryer Sheet Technique.  I only wish my camera would have accurately depicted all the dazzling diamond beauty in her cards -- they truly shimmered in real life. 

My very favorite stamp set in the Holiday Mini:  Father Time!

Supplies:  Father Time Stamp Set; Real Red, Crumb Cake, and Vanilla Card Stock; This Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper; Real Red, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black Archival, and Versa Mark Stamp Pads, Copper Embossing Powder; Candy Cane Baker's Twine; Layering Ovals Framlits Dies; Sponges; Aqua Pen; Heat Gun; and Big Shot.

Tamie Ackerson's Dryer Sheet Technique (also for the next 3 cards).

Until next time,
Sandi

"I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." -- Psalm34:4

MARCH RUBBERQUEEN MEETING

I saw my first robin today!!  With that and all the noise made by the geese coming back, I think we can start thinking Spring is almost here!!  Today I'm sharing the projects we made at our March RubberQueen meeting, my swap card, and a look at an old stamp that is one of my favorites (yes, I'm just like you -- I have my favorites that I will keep forever!!).  The projects from the meeting showcase the awesome Party Pants Stamp Set you can get free for only 2 more weeks during Stampin' Up's! Sale-A-Bration!!  I love it, it is so cute.  Just purchase $50 of product (or a 3-month subscription to My Paper Pumpkin) to get this set or any of the other free product.  If you get this set, I would suggest buying the new Balloon Bouquet Punch in the Occasions Mini, a couple packages of cardstock, some glitter paper, and diamonds (of course).  Just remember, for "every" $50 you spend, you qualify for a free Sale-A-Bration product -- time is running out on this once-a-year promotion!!

A cute little box you can put a gift in or note cards you have designed for that special person!

Love this sentiment -- this is a stamp set I will forever keep!!

Darling design to hold a gift card!! 

Just in time for graduations -- I told you this stamp set was awesome (and you have only seen a few of the stamps!!).

This was my swap card using the new Timeless Textures Stamp Set, Expressions Natural Elements (frosted with the new Wink of Stella Gold Glitter Brush), and the new It's My Party Designer Washi Tape.



I love to take out my favorite old Stampin' Up! product once a month and revisit the joy I felt creating with it when it was new.  I purchased this "Summer by the Sea" stamp set over 10 years ago and the antique brass embellishments almost that long ago!! 

Until next time,
Sandi

"For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."  --  Mark 10:45

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

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

MAY RUBBERQUEEN MEETING

Another awesome RubberQueen meeting this month.  Ronda's theme was "masculine" for her make'n takes and our swap cards.  I really got a lot of ideas for future masculine cards and a sweet, sweet CASE from Ronda for Mother's Day (sorry can't show it today because I don't want to ruin the surprise).  Demonstrators also have the opportunity each month to share projects they are using for their classes; and they really outdid themselves this month. Here are a few pictures:

This was on the WOW table, not sure who did it, but love the Blackberry Bliss!!

Another WOW table card.

One of my favorites on the WOW table, loved this one for masculine card (I always have such a hard time doing masculine).

 



This was my swap card using By the Tide Stamp Set (so glad this set is being carried over another year!).

Hope you all have a beautiful Mother's Day!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever." --  2 Chronicles 20:21

RUBBERQUEEN MAKE'N TAKES FOR MARCH

I finished my make'n takes finally last night from Ronda Wade's RubberQueen meeting this month.  These are all simple cards, but as always Ronda came up with some WOW designs.  She designed these cards without any sentiments so we could use them in an event where the attendees could add whatever sentiment they wished.  You will notice I have added my own choice of sentiments in my version of her cards (and, yes, there were a few other minor changes only because I didn't remember what Ronda's looked like).  But, as stampers, we all know when we CASE (copy and share everything) some things get changed in the shuffle.  Here is what I came up with:



Couldn't leave without showing you the ice blocks that fell from the house roof yesterday.  You can't tell by this picture but these are humongous -- close to 2 feet in thickness!! 

I am so glad the dogs were not out doing their jobs when these fell.  In the 30+ years we have been here, I do believe this is the worst winter we have ever had.  And yes, I did a lot of shoveling ice yesterday to get them moved from the patio!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name."  --  Psalm 29:2

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

MORE SHOEBOX SWAPS & CHRISTMAS MOUSE

Today I have my cute Christmas Mouse to share with you and a few more RubberQueen card designs from our shoebox swap.  I can't pick any favorites because, honestly, I love all of them!! 

My plans were to start Christmas shopping today, but as you can see I am doing something that I like to do much more than shopping!!!  Oh well, maybe the crowds will die down by next week.  I am seriously thinking about visiting my brother in Texas after Christmas to find some warmth (a mile from the warm Mexican border).  I totally can't handle the thought of going out in this cold weather.  Now to just persuade my husband to take a month off from work (2 months would be awesome!!).  If anybody has an idea on how I can do this, I would love to know the secret (don't bother suggesting the "S" word, I have used that one way too often). 

I only made 2 of these and the snow in both of them are a little different.  You can use whatever embossing powder you like to make these, but I went with this:  Heat & Stick and Dazzling Diamonds Embossing Powders; Silver Glass Stampin' Glitter; and the retired Stampin' Up Mica Flakes.  Mix them all together in a small container and dump on your card.  Use a brush to remove snow from your images and make your piles of snow.  Using tweezers, pick up your cardstock and heat on the back, using Stampin' Up Heat Tool, and making sure you don't move (that was the hard part for me).  After the embossing powder/heat & stick have melted, check to see if you need a few sprinkles of Heat & Stick to adhere all the Mica Flakes (I didn't do this, but I should have).

On this one I added a little bit of White Embossing Powder.  As you can see, I added too much at the top.  I wasn't going to show this picture, but wanted you to see what not to do (I did like it, however, in the bottom snow).  You can't see it in these pictures but the snow just sparkles in real life.  I also used Silver Embossing Powder on the top of the ornament.

This shoebox card design was done by Ronda Wade (that I altered a tiny bit).

I didn't get the name of who designed this card, but I love how she used a masculine stamp (Wetlands) to make a Valentine's design.

Another awesome design done by Joanne Jeter.  Perfect sentiment for the I Am Me Designer Series Paper.

Sorry, I didn't get the name of the person who designed this card, but loved all the small details added (notice the bottom-right corner half-square under the Summer Starfruit Card Stock to tie in the Night of Navy).

Okay, see if you can pick a favorite and let me know (along with suggestions on how to get to Texas).

Until next time,
Sandi

"Through love serve one another."  --  Galatians 5:13