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 

STAMPIN' UP! SPIRAL FLOWERS ORIGINAL DIE MEETS VINTAGE

What a beautiful day in Michigan!!! Today I went to lunch to celebrate my youngest daughter's birthday with her daughters (my granddaughter's) and my great-grandson. So it was a 4-generation lunch, which doesn't happen too often because its very hard to get everybody together.  In honor of the day, I made a special birthday card for my daughter, which I just loved and had a hard time giving it away. My inspiration for the card came from an advertisement featuring a box made with high-end "expensive" product. Well, I couldn't resist making this card to show you how you can get the same design using Stampin' Up! product for a lot less cost (I love doing this when I see pictures using other brands!). So let me know what you think:

Hang on to your seats the product list is long:  Etcetera Designer Series Paper; Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, and Calypso Coral Card Stock;  Pool Party and Calypso Coral Core'dinations Card Stock; Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, and Soft Suede Ink Pads and some Markers in those colors; Gently Falling, Dictionary, and Papaya Collage Stamp Sets; Spiral Flower Original Die; Apothecary Accents Framelits; Scallop Tag Topper, Bitty Butterfly, Elegant Butterfly, 1/2" Circle Punches; Victoria Crochet Trim and Burlap Ribbons; Large Pearl; Sanding Block; Sponges; and Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

  

Because of the card depth, I needed a box to hold it instead of an envelope.  So this is what I came up with using the Envelope Punch Board; the same Etcetera Designer Series Paper; Pool Party Core'dinations  and Very Vanilla Cardstock;  Sanding Block; Label Love Stamp Set; Artisan Label Punch; and Deco Labels Framelits. 

 

I loved how it looked in real life when you opened the box and everything matched -- the biggest reason I love using Stampin' Up! products -- everything matches and we get new "In-Colors" every year as an add-on to the core Stampin' Up! colors.

 

Until next time,
Sandi
"My strength is made perfect in weakness."  --  2 Corinthians 12:9

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

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

A card created last month that I didn't post -- but so beautiful.  This is truly a girly-girl card, that sparkles even with the lights are off (okay, maybe with a candle glowing).  And what girl doesn’t like diamonds?  Of course there was no way I could get all the sparkles to show up with my limited camera skills, but trust me; any girl would love to get this card in the mail:
 

You really need to right-click on this card with your mouse and select "open in new window" to see the sparkle and shine.  I totally love this card!!  It looks like a hard card to put together but it really isn't -- see directions below.

PRODUCT USED:

(Note:  Some of this product is now discontinued; i.e, card stock color & embossing folder, but just switch with current SU product.)
Stamps:  Parlor Prints Background and Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Card Stock:  Rose Red, Very Vanilla, and Basic Black.

Ink:  Rose Red Classic Ink and Illuminate Pigment Ink.

Tools and Accessories:  Dress Up Framelits; Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder; Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder; Embossing Buddy Static Remover; Heat Tool; Brayer; Rose Red Marker; Vanilla 5/8" Flower Trim; Rose Red Seam Binding; Rhinestone; Word Window, Modern Label, and Little Labels Punches (½" tiny postage stamp cut in half).

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut 4 ¼" x 11" card base from Rose Red cardstock; fold in half.
2. Cut 4 1/8" x 5 5/16" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and emboss with Vintage Wallpaper folder.
3. Use Illuminate Pigment Ink to brayer over the embossed Very Vanilla layer.  Use heat tool to dry before adhering to base of card (Rose Red).
4. Use a 2" x 5" piece of Rose Red cardstock to run the Dress Form framelit through the Big Shot.  Cut the bottom part of the dress form so you have two pieces.  Attach top half of dress form to Very Vanilla layer.  Set aside the bottom half until your dress is made (see #12).
5. Cut 2 pieces of Basic Black cardstock:  (a) 4" x 2 ½" and (b) 4" x 3" and run through both pieces in Big Shot using dress framelit to make the dress.  (The smaller Black cardstock piece is for the bottom of the skirt only.)
6. Use Embossing Buddy on both the dress and skirt, and then stamp with the Parlor Prints Background Stamp inked with Illuminate Pigment Ink.
7. Quickly apply Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and set with Heat Tool.
8. Attach the skirt bottom under the full dress with Sticky Strip.
9. Wrap dress waist with Rose Red Seam Binding and make small bow.
10. Cut one rose from the Vanilla Flower Trim and color with the Rose Red marker.
11. Attach rose flower to the bow using Mini Glue Dots.
12. Attach dress to the dress form with the previously cut bottom piece of the dress form positioned under the skirt.
13. Use a scrap of Basic Black cardstock (that was stamped and embossed like the dress), to punch with the ½" postage stamp from the Little Labels Punch Pack. Cut diagonally across the square to make a diamond shaped neck choker with a diamond rhinestone in the middle.  Adhere to the neck of the Dress Form.
14. Punch Rose Red cardstock with Modern Label Punch.
15. Stamp "Thinking of You" (from Teeny Tiny Wishes) with Rose Red Ink on Very Vanilla cardstock, punch with the Window Punch, and adhere to Rose Red punched cardstock.  Adhere sentiment to the bottom-right corner and trim off excess.

And finally, additional pictures from my daughter's "You Are . . ." squash book album (see previous posts for other pictures):

Until next time,

Sandi

"He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."  --  2 Corinthians 10:17

STAMPIN' UP: VINTAGE MEETS PUNK ART

I'm still working on my granddaughter's album, so you are going to see some really different art styles in my future posts for a while.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun I have been having.  First, just working on album pages is a dream come true for me -- don't know why I don't do it more often.  Second, I have found a new art style that I love:  Vintage with Punk Art!!  I really didn't feel like I had much of a choice when designing my pages, based on the pictures I knew were being featured.  I had pretty much decided how I was going to design the pages, but then came across some awesome blogs featuring punk art and found out the style had a name!!  I love it because you use lots of color and shapes -- so it seems kind of weird that I decided to mix it with vintage, but that's just me.  This style is one that you will either hate or love -- but isn't that true of all art????

Here are my next two pages:

I told you it was different!!!  Here is what I used:  Collage Curios, Circle Circus, and (retired) Pick a Petal Stamp Sets; Basic Black, Island Indigo, Pacific Point, Garden Green, and Crumb Cake Classic Ink; Newsprint Designer Series Paper; Whisper White and Crumb Cake Card Stock; Remember This and That Rotary Stamp (love it!!) and 1/2" circle punch; Antique Brad; Sponges; and retired Antique Brass Build-A-Brads.  I also used Acrylic Gesso to paint over the card stock prior to sponging with ink.

Close-up picture of left page (which you can make larger by right-clicking and selecting "open in new window").  This picture is one of my favorites of Holly, it really shows her beautiful eyes.  I added some vintage lace that I purchased quite a while back from the antique store, as it really set this page off by continuing the circle theme along with the vintage look.  You can't tell by this picture, but the lace actually has green in the crumb cake lace.

Close-up of right page.  I actually used the Pacific Point Classic Ink (mixed with the other colors) only on this page because there was so much blue in the photo.  The flower petals were cut using the discontinued Clear Flower Bigz Die and then stamped using the discontinued Pick A Petal Stamp Set using Basic Black Classic Ink, and then over stamped using Acrylic Paint to add dimension.  I wanted to use this stamp set because it flowed with my circle lines.  I forgot to mention that the largest circles were made by inking up the lid of an embossing powder jar in Basic Black and then stamping -- perfect size!!

I hope some of you enjoyed my "experimenting."  I think everybody should just sit down and get crazy once in a while with their art and have fun!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if ministry, in proporation to the faith . . .."  --  Romans 12:6

STRIKE A POSE!

I am in seventh heaven!!  This past week I have devoted all my crafting time to scrapbooking!!  I decided I better dust off my skills before Ronda Wade's Creative Escape Weekend in 12 days.  Let me tell you, it has been 6 months (at her last Escape weekend) since I have scrapbooked -- and I can tell.

I am working on my granddaughter's album, which was on her 2012 Christmas gift list.  Well, I just started this week but have 18 pages done, so that means I have only about 7-10 more pages to do (depending on how thick my embellishments are, and I love embellishments!!).  She wants the album done for her school graduation open-house.  My daughter, Holly's Mom, goes to retreat with me and she hasn't even started her album; so I'm feeling prettee good right now.

Holly is an artist in her own right and has helped me a lot when I'm doing big projects or just comes over to create.  I really hope she likes her album when I am finished (she intimidates me sometimes, but I know vintage is her favorite).  Here is a two-page layout I finished today:

This is Holly!! Yes, she loves to take pictures of herself to express her moods. You will notice some discontinued product on these pages -- product I saved especially for my scrapbooking!! The discontinued Well-Worn Alphabet and Numbers Stamp Sets on the right page were stamped on vintage muslin material from my mom (Holly's great-grandma). I thought Holly would really like that added touch because she liked my mom and is constantly asking for her stuff.

A close-up of left page. The background was created by cutting strips of the discontinued Everday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, and then sponging the edges with discontinued Charcoal Stain. The large flower brad was also made with vintage muslin fabric using the Fun Flowers Bigz L Big Shot Die and a discontinued Naturals Assortment Brad in the material (colored with black perma-marker).



Close-up of right page.

I hope you like my vintage/shabby chic layout and maybe see some ideas for your pages.

Until next time,
Sandi

"He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.  By his wounds you have been healed."  --  1 Peter 2:24

VINTAGE SCRAPS!!

Last week I decided to get out my designer paper scraps and do something with them.  My other goal was to get some gift packaging done so I wouldn't have to create something at the last minute, which is the "usual" for me.  So putting those two goals together, this is what I came up with:  two gift boxes to hold cards, tags for the boxes, and two pillow boxes to hold little gifts.  Sounds easy -- but with all the boxes I have made, I had never gotten around to making a regular gift box to hold at least ten cards and envelopes.  Plus, I thought I owned the pillow box die only to find out I had never bought it and it is now a discontinued product from Stampin' Up! 

So, I decided to use up some toilet paper rolls that I had been saving for another project to make my pillow boxes.  First problem fixed!!  Next I sat down and did the math to make my card boxes for standard A2 cards -- so easy peasy with Stampin' Up's Simply Scored Scoring Tool!!  Wahoo, all problems fixed and here are the finished projects.

Main Stampin' Up supplies used are the Fan Fair Designer Paper; Riding Hood Red Card Stock; Basic Black and Riding Hood Red Ink; Petite Pocket Bigz XL Die; Linen Thread, Victoria Crochet Trim, Vanilla Flower Trim, and Pink Pirouette Two-Tone Ribbons; Silver Soda Pop Tops; Crystal Effects; White Creped Filter Paper (large flower); and  Pretty Petites Sale-A-Bration and Postage Due Stamp Sets.

Don't these toilet paper rolls make cute pillow boxes (recycle, recycle, recycle!!).  This card box was made for a male gift.  Believe it or not, males love to receive a box of cards so they won't have to shop!!  Same products were used except I used the Sale-A-Bration Island Indigo Sycamore Street 1/4" Ribbon and Island Indigo Card Stock.

Close-up of the back/inside of tag. 

 

Close-up of the front of tag -- which is terribly out of focus!!



Pillow box close-up.



This is my favorite!!  I cut the ribbon in half as it was a little too wide for this box.



Picture of the box lid before adhering sides.  And to save you time here are the measurements for the box (if you don't already have): 

Top Lid of Box:  Cut 6 7/8" X 8" piece of designer paper.  Score 1" on all 4 sides and crease on score lines.  Cut the 4 corners as show in the picture above and apply Sticky Strip on the front side.  Adhere the 4 corners to finish the lid.

Bottom of Box:  Cut 7 3/4" X 9" piece of card stock.  Score 1 1/2" on all 4 sides and crease on the score lines.  Finish directions as written for top of box.

Until next time,
Sandi

"I remember the days of old."  -- Psalm 143:5
Fellowship with Christ is the secret of happiness now and forever.

MORE TALKING ABOUT BABIES WITH BEAU CHÂTEAU

As promised, today's post has more pictures of my album layouts featuring the fabulous Beau Château Designer Series Paper. (See previous post for other pictures.) I really didn't get a chance to use this designer paper until this last month, which is really sad. I love it so much, and it will be gone, gone, gone in 7 days!!! If you love it as much as I do, hit that "SHOP NOW" button in the right margin to buy it now -- I promise, you won't regret it!!
Here are a few more pictures (more to come very soon):

I love this page.   Stampin' Up product used:   Beau Château Designer Series Paper, Labels Collection Framelits Die, Beau Château Side Notes, Victoria Crochet Trim, Tea Stain, Linen Thread, and Twitterpated Designer Buttons.

I water colored the Beau Château Designer Series Paper on these two pages and used more of the Beau Château Side Notes and added lots of pearls.

Added a few punched flowers on the Beau Château Designer Series Paper, butterflies using the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die , and stamped on designer paper with the Baby Prints Stamp Set.  

Until next time,
Sandi

"When we love each other God lives in us and His love within us grows ever stronger." 
         -- I John 4:12

"Lord, help me to accept that my ways may not be others' ways."  -- Patricia Lorenz

TALK ABOUT BABIES!!

Hello all!!
It's been another interesting week here at the homestead.  Started out beautiful with my daughters having me over for Mother's Day cookout and fun, fun, fun!!  I love when my daughter's cook because you can always be assured there will be a new recipe to try, and they didn't disappoint me.  It was a beautiful day with family, gifts, games, and music.  Yep, everybody knows how good I am at "whining," and I really had to do a lot of it to get my mom's organ moved from the garage into my daughter's parlor (yes, I said parlor). I actually gave the organ to my granddaughter, but she is still at that age when she moves once a year, so her mom can keep it until she is more settled.   Of course I had to clean it first to make sure there were no spiders on it (you know Tricia!!), and then the grandsons moved it into the house for me.  It has only taken 4 years to get it in her house, after I had it brought all the way up from Texas -- so I was a very happy camper.  It looked awesome in the parlor, and what a tribute to my mother when my middle daughter Deborah played it (and Tricia danced of course).  That evening my granddaughter played, but I was gone so I didn't get to hear it when she played my favorite, "Amazing Grace."  Yes, it was a good day!!

My week has gone downhill since then, and today was hopefully the end of the downhill.  My daughter and I were running errands and kept getting behind cars that smelled like burning rubber.  So she kept taking all these side roads in East Lansing to get away from the smell.  By the time we got to the store I thought something was weird because we could still smell the burning.  So I looked out the side mirror when we parked to see black smoke coming out the rear of MY Blazer -- hmmm, not good I'm thinking.  It actually looked like it was on fire -- just no flames yet.  Long story short, it was my vehicle stinking and hubby came to the rescue to pick us up.  Obviously, the car was picked up by wrecker trailer and carried away also.  It was funny because I had just picked my Blazer up Monday from the repair shop after having the first repairs done on it (it is 12 years old, and I have only done oil changes so thought it was time before I took a trip this weekend).  I really don't think the ole' Blazer liked getting cleaned out!!  So I am now without a vehicle (like I care).  Life does happen, doesn't it!

So let's move on to BABIES!!!  Oh yeah, my favorite thing.  Saturday, I started a 6" x 6" baby album for my niece's baby shower this weekend.  She is having a girl, so of course my pages are going to be all vintage.  I have 12 pages done, and so far I love it.  Previously, I did 22 pages at Ronda's retreat as a class.  My goal is to have a total of 40 pages when complete.  Here are a few pages, with more to come in future posts.  The last picture is of a little gift to my girls on Mother's Day.

I used the "soon to be" discontinued Château 6" x 6" Ring Album. If you love this as much as I do, you only have a couple of weeks to purchase this from Stampin' Up (call me and I will order for you).

And of course I used the beautiful Beau Château Designer Series Paper,  which coordinates with the album. This paper is also on the discontinued list, so get yours now. The stamp set is "Baby Prints," which will be carried over from the Occasions Mini to the new 2012-2013 Stampin' Up Catalog. 

All the same product as before, with the addition of the Labels Collection Framelits Die to stamp on. 

I water colored the designer paper on the borders and punched the circles from the designer paper (already colored) for these pages.  For a better view of the details on all these pictures, you can enlarge by right-clicking and selecting open in new window or tab and then clicking on the image to enlarge.

The girls have been bugging me since Christmas for more of my handmade lotion, so I did a batch up Sunday morning as a little gift for them (and myself -- LOL).  Decorated with Stampin' Up's "Twitterpated Designer Fabric."

Here is the "Recipe" for the hand-lotion:

Denise's Lotion Recipe

15-ounces Vaseline

16-ounces Vitamin E cream

"2" 16-ounce baby lotions

Mix all this together with hand mixer in METAL bowl. (It will look like thick cake frosting.) 

Then spoon into jars with a METAL spoon.

(NOTE: Don't use anything plastic or your utensils may taste like lotion.)

More pictures of the baby album coming soon!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God." -- Ephesians 1 2:8
God's love cannot be explained -- it can only be experienced.

TAKE IT TO HEART BIRTHDAY & STAMPIN' UP INSPIRATION TABLE

Yesterday was celebration day for my granddaughter's 17th birthday, which was on February 2.  Of course I waited until yesterday to make her a card and get a gift.  In the morning I went over to the Antique Mall for her gift and bought a stack of old 50s and 60s vinyl records (45s ), as she is in love with her antique turntable we got her for Christmas.  I wrapped them all together in a stack before putting into a box to wrap.  I told my husband she would never be able to guess what they were before opening the wrapping (even tho they are round and she could feel them).  He kept saying that she would because you could feel them through the paper.  Well I was right, because I knew she had no idea what a small 45 record looked like (let alone a stack of 30).  She was elated when she saw all those old records and also liked her vintage lead crystal perfume bottle.  So we spent an hour listening to some oldies (for me).  It brought back a lot of memories of my high-school dances and listening to records in my bedroom.  I swear, I am so blessed to have a granddaughter that loves vintage as much as I do -- we both can spend hours at antique stores.
Last Thursday I got the rest of my Stampin' Up product needed to prepare projects for Ronda Wade's Sale-A-Bration and Occasions Mini Kick-Off Event on February 11.  So it is crunch time for me, as I usually start at least 3 weeks prior to an event if I am doing a presentation.  I can't show you pictures of what I am doing until after the event, but wanted to show you what works for me:  my INSPIRATION TABLE.  I learned this trick first from Andrea Walford and then noticed that Ronda Wade does pretty much the same thing.  I get all the product in one place that I need to use for my assignment/theme and then work from that to create.  It really saves a lot of time and keeps me focused on what product I need to use for my projects.  Here are some pictures of what last week was about for me (right-click on the pictures and select "open in new tab and/or window" to enlarge):

Holly's Birthday Card using the Take It To Heart, Elements of Style, and Loved Ones Stamp Sets; Hearts Collection Framelits Die; Adorning Accents Edgelit Die and Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; Distressing Essentials Tea Stain; Vintage Trinkets Brads; Marina Mist Satin Ribbon; and Watercolor Wonder Crayons.

And here is Holly using some Stampin' Up product to finish her poster board for a class project.

My Inspiration Table:  The bucket holds the majority of my Stampin' Up product that I will be using for my projects, next are the Big Shot Dies, Embossing Folders, etc. that I will be using.

Next are my tools, stamps, a few accessories, and working spot.

Next is my "entertainment and inspiration."  I think that explains it all -- LOL!

Here is the long shot of my Inspiration Table.  Yes, it looks like a junk pile, but I have to put up with it until I'm done, then everything goes back to its assigned spot.  It works for me because I have everything close to inspire me and keep me focused on just the new product I want to use for the event.  Sometimes (if I am very lucky), I set up my Inspiration Table with product that is discontinued or I haven't used in a long time, just so I make sure I use what I buy. 

I would be very interested in what you do to inspire you when you are creating.  As you can see, I have used many tips/ideas from all my stampin' friends, and I always love to get new ideas to try out.  So leave me a comment that includes how you get organized to create.

Until next time,
Sandi

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the just run to it and are safe." -- Proverbs 18:10
"Father, how quickly I forget how safe I am in Your love.  Help me come in from the dark and my fears, and simply curl up and rest in the safety You provide." -- Roberta Rogers

VINTAGE BACKGROUNDS

Well today is your lucky day!!!  Yep, I am posting the last of my cards I made for Creative Convention.  You will remember, my assignment was to showcase background stamps for my presentation.  (Of course, I gave the assignment to myself because I love using Stampin' Up's background stamps.)  I am so glad that Stampin' Up still comes out with new backgrounds every year.  I was afraid we were going to loose them with all the marvelous Big Shot Embossing Folders (which I consider in the same category as Background Stamps).  Females love to have it all you know -- kinda like shoes and purses, you can never have too many.

Speaking of "never having too many," I found out that men have this same problem -- at least my man does!!  My husband has this habit of going to the grocery store (mind you, I do all the grocery shopping and cooking -- so don't know why he needs to get in the grocery isles) and buy 5-10 of the same items.  It drives me bananas because I have very little cupboard space, so I end up having to store groceries in the spare bedroom closet.  At any given time you will see 10 jars of pickles, mustard, boxes of cereal, doggie treats, etc.  You get the picture.  And the very worse part:  NOTHING WAS ON SALE!!  Now would any woman in her right mind buy something that is not on sale?????????  (Exception of course would be Stampin' Up product -- but that is okay because we have saved so much from buying everything else we need on sale.)

Okay, I hear you.  Here are the cards you came here to see:

I paired the Sweet Floral Background Stamp with the Netting Background Stamp (sorry the picture is a little dark).

Another card using the Sweet Floral Background Stamp Set.  You can't really tell by this picture, but parts of the flower petals and leaves are raised using Stampin' Dimensionals.   I got this idea from a card done by Lynn Pratt.

Another using the Sweet Floral and Netting Background Stamps.  This actually was a throw-away card because when I stamped the Sweet Floral it was way to bright after sponging for a vintage look.  So put it aside and then came back to it a week later and decided to experiment by stamping the Netting Background Stamp on top using VersaMark and the new Pewter Embossing Powder (also for my frame around the sentiment).

This card is a CASE from the Stampin' Up Idea Book and Catalog,  page 125,  adding the Netting Background Stamp.

And my final card to show you (yes, there were a few more I'm not showing because I didn't really like them).  Again, I used the Sweet Floral Background Stamp.  This was a last minute card to use up some of stamped tissue paper from the vase made in my previous post.  Just a quick, easy card using leftovers.

I hope you have enjoyed my series on background stamps.  May Stampin' Up keep making background stamps forever.  To me, not having a background stamp is like looking outdoors and there is no sky, clouds, or sunsets.  Yes, we make beautiful cards without backgrounds.  However, we need options (or everything) depending on our moods -- our cards depict the mood we are in or want to portray to others.

Happy Stampin'
Sandi
"You are the light of the world. . . ." -- Matthew 5:14
"Father, let my attitude light the way for happy times -- anywhere You choose to send me."  -- Pam Kidd

HELLO, DOILY AND PARLOR PRINTS

Wow, I survived another great weekend!!!  Twice a year I get to attend Creative Retreat and be pampered, and I love every minute.  However, you can't play without paying.  Attending Retreat means no "sleep."  I mean my gosh, there are priorities when you go to Retreat -- and sleeping is not one of them.  I think I had a total of 6 hours while I was there, and that was a lot more than most of the ladies attending.  I bet Ronda Wade and Melissa Roberts (our hosts) had no more than 4 hours of sleep, and that is being generous.  They prepared awesome make'n takes and the classes were the same.  Great food, games, Halloween costumes, and people attending; along with many other surprises.

However, I know you are stopping by to see what I have created lately, so here are some more of my cards I made for Creative Convention (I promise, only one more post and I will be done showing you these cards).  Today I am featuring the Hello, Doily and Parlor Prints.


If you enlarge this picture by using the "right-click" on your mouse and select "open in new tab," you will see that I have embossed the Hello, Doily Background Stamp with the new Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder.  I love this new embossing color and hope SU will have it in our new 2012-2013 Idea Book and Catalog next July.  I also used the Delicate Doilies Stamp Set, Brushed Gold Cardstock, and Victoria Ribbon (using Basic Black Ink Refill to dye).

 

This card was inspired by a sample in the 2011-2012 IB&C (page 201), with a few things changed.  You can barely see the Window Pane used, but it is gorgeous in person.



I had a piece of stamped tissue paper left over from my glass votive candle and couldn't bear to throw it away so this is what I did with it.  Hello, Doiley was embossed on the tissue paper with White Embossing Powder.

 

I love the Parlor Prints Background Stamp!!  It screams "vintage" at me.  I have paired it with the Always Grateful Stamp Set.

Again, another use of the Parlor Prints Background Stamp Set paired with the Studio Scetches Stamp Set.

Well I guess it is time for me to get some real work done around here, so until next time enjoy this Fall weather while you can!!

Thanks for stopping by,
Sandi

". . . If he [your neighbor] cries out to me, I will hear him, for I am compassionate." -- Exodus 22:26
"Heavenly Father, give me the grace to know when listening is the best thing I can do for a troubled friend." -- Oscar Greene