HAPPY THURSDAY!!

Good Morning America!!!

Yes, buy the time I finish typing this post it will be after 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning. Now I know why Tamie updates her blog in the middle of the night -- no interruptions.

Today was a day full of interruptions for me. Tuesday and Wednesday most of my day was taken up with service men. What is it about Spring that makes everything break down or you start thinking about updating? I guess I won't be getting an updated kitchen this year, as my husband decided to finish off the pond by putting a sealer all around it (no, I don't know the technical name that the pond guy calls it). Hopefully, by putting the sealer all around the pond, our electric bill will go down in the Summer because I won't have to keep turning on the pump for the pond well (my electric bill in the Summer is double what it is in the Winter). The pond is not spring fed, so I always have to fill it up in May as it is down about 10 feet (which takes about a week of the well running to get it filled). Then the rest of the Summer, I usually turn it on each weekend because I swear when the kids come over to swim, all the water splashes out when they dive in (kinda like when they were little and taking their baths). Before they can spray the sealer on, we have to drain more water out, then they will spray all around the pond with the mixture that will expand and harden to form the sealer, so the water doesn't seep through the sand. Sounds to me like when it is done it will end up like a swimming pool, but it is a pond??? I will have to make sure I take pictures of before, during, and after as I am curious how this is going to work myself.

Anyway, would you like to see some samples??? Well, I just bet you would! So here you go:

Beautiful Card done by Sandy Haynes, using new Island Oasis Designer Paper and Tropical Party stamp set in the Summer Mini Catalog.

I made this birthday card for my sister using ALL SU PRODUCT: even the cardboard box (layered on Crushed Curry) is from SU!!. Also used the Tulip Bigz Die for the flower pot, lot of shimmer spray, Smooch Spritz (Gold Gloss & Log Cabin), Mostly Vintage Decor Stencil, and Watercolor Trio stamp set.

I made this birthday card for my daughter, using of course my new favorite stamp set: Elements of Style (embossed in gold embossing powder).

Little treats I made for my last card and scrapbooking classes using the 5-petal Bigz Die and new Flower Punch (and some chocolate of course -- no tea bags for these ladies!!)


And finally, I had to show you this picture of Lisa Ashton's scissor charm, using the paper bead technique. She made these for all her downline. I totally loved this so she sent me a picture to show all of you. I will be making some of these for sure as soon as I get the material.

I hope you enjoyed these projects, I know I did. Let me know what you think.

Sandi

This and That

Good Evening!!
Today is going to be a "this and that" day. A little of this and a little of that (sounds like a lot of my dinners). So after showing you my last three projects from Ronda's Spring Event, I will show you a couple of the other presenter projects. I do have to apologize because I didn't get pictures of all the presentations -- just ran out of time as Ronda keeps us moving along doing all the make'n takes, eating lunch, and demonstrating. Hey we don't let any dust gather under our tushes (is that how it's spelled???). You know what I mean, and if you don't, life will still go on.

So, without further ado, here they are:

Yes, I'm still working on my Family Heritage Album!! These pages feature the Presto Patterns Speciality Paper (frames); Mini Vintage Tags; Smooch Spritz; Rough Type alphabet, Happy Grad, and Elements of Style stamp sets; and Mostly Vintage Decor Stencil from the new Summer Mini. I also added some paper beads to the 1 1/2" Twill Tape. The direct link to the tutorial for the Paper Beads is from Carole'Anne Sluchinski's Blog, "Stamping Stress Away with Carole'Anne."

And my last Elements of Style card using the Scalloped Oval Bigz Die.

I loved, loved, loved Tamie Ackerson's wrapping paper made with the new Builder Wheels. You really needed to see this in person, as it really looked like designer paper. I was NOT going to get these wheels, but they are at the top of my list now! Thank you Tamie

Wow, isn't this just the prettiest page!! Tricia Bloomfield was presenting projects using the Presto Patterns Speciality Paper and Mostly Vintage Decor Stencils. I will be casing this for my Heritage album. Tricia always has the most outstanding album pages (and my style).

Both Tamie and Tricia had other gorgeous projects, so aren't you sorry you did not attend Ronda's RubberQueens Spring Event??? Well there will be another one coming up in a couple of months, so check back.

My next post will feature a few more pictures of other presentations and some personal projects I worked on in May. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Sandi

MORE SUMMER MINI PROJECTS

Good Morning America!! (I told you that I love saying that!!)

Well, not to bore you, but here are more pictures of cards I made for the Spring Fling Event. I have a lot of chores to do today, so I guess you will just have to look at the pictures without my brilliant blow-by-blow descriptions. Don't cry -- I'll make up for it next time -- LOL. Here they are (all using the new Elements of Style on sale starting May 1).

I know I CASED this from somebody, but for the life of me I cannot find a picture. It must have just stuck in my brain when I saw it -- if it is you let me know so I can give you credit.

Believe it or not, this one came from my own head.

Another one that I had my thinking cap on and came up with.

CASE of Connie Bubbert's card.

This is one of my favorites -- I got the swerve idea from a card that I had seen with the sentiment underneath. I think they used the masking technique on their card, but I wanted a little more shabby-chic on mine with layers and sponging.

Hope you liked and will let me know your favorite. I still have some really awesome stuff to post so come on back!!

Sandi

SUMMER MINI PROJECTS

Hello America (don't I just wish!!)

Yes, it would be wonderful if all of America would visit my blog, but I am happy with just having you visit!!

Today and for the next couple of days I will be posting pictures of projects I worked on last week for Ronda Wade's RubberQueen Spring Fling Event. Yes, I have to repeat myself -- it was another totally awesome event. You cannot believe the over-the-top displays the presenters had showcasing the new products in the Summer Mini Catalog. I didn't get a cheat sheet this time, so let me see if I can remember the names and projects the other gals presented: Trisha featured the new Smooch Spritz and Mostly Vintage Decor Stencil; Sandy Haynes featured the Tropical Party Designer Series Paper, Island Floral Bigz Die, and much more; Tamie Ackerson featured the new Builder Wheels; Christine Kolly also had a table with lots of goodies but I was not able to get over there after she finished her display (long story). So you will have to visit Ronda's blog to get the deets on her display presentation (from what I did see it was awesome).

Here are a few of my projects showcasing the new Elements of Style stamp set and other products in the Antiques Collection.

I cased the idea for this card from Sue Grant (using the new Presto Designer Paper after I brayed with Black Classic Ink and a clear button). This was also my swap card for the event. I did this one for Tamie Ackerson because she is a black and white card lover.

For a 3-D project, I decided to do this gift box with matching 4" x 4" cards; using the envelopes that came with the Fresh Cut Notes (these would be easy to make however). It is the first (and only) time I made one of the roses everybody is displaying on their blogs. I punched the flowers from Bella Bleu DSP and sponged the tips with Night of Navy classic ink, and after assembling; added some Crystal Effects with Dazzling Diamonds.

Here is a close-up of the card box. Make sure you click on the picture to enlarge so you can see the awesome sparkle in the rose.

A close up of the cards.

This beauty was cased from Vicki Burdick; but I added different accessories to showcase my handmade paper bead on the hat pin and new Mini Vintage Tags. I also made it a large card to fit the Bigz Scallop Oval die and everything else.

I hope you like, and check back to see more projects from the Spring Fling!! Thanks for stopping by!

Sandi

April Card Class

Good Morning America!!

(I just love that saying!) Well today is another busy day. I am having the family and their friends over to celebrate my daughters' birthdays. Tricia (the baby was 39 years old on April 11) and Deborah (the middle daughter will be 41 on April 27) are celebrating their birthdays together this year due to time schedules for everybody. The older they and the grandkids get, the harder it is to get everybody together with the work and play schedules for all the adults and grandkids. So that makes the celebrations even more special.

I sat here this morning while these pictures were uploading and started thinking back to when they were born (starting with my oldest, Christina, who turned 42 on March 31). Yes, I had 3 girls all under three years old, but fortunately back in those days we potty trained starting at 9 months old, so I never had more than one in "real diapers" at any given time; all eating table food around 9-10 months old; and not ever having experienced a diaper rash (so much for the ads today that say "real diapers" cause diaper rash!). They never had an ear or throat infection, but a couple of times I did have to use the Vicks vaporizer for colds. That was the extent of my problems: a few colds! Now you know why I say I have been blessed. Oh, and did I mention they didn't use pacifiers back then (or maybe they did and nobody told me about them???). Back then when they were fusy, we put them in the "car bed" -- yep, didn't have seat belts then, you just held your baby or put them in a car bed that had little metal arms to fit over the back seat -- and away we would go for a drive until they went asleep. It really helped because we had a little Volkswagon Beetle Bug and they loved the sound of that engine purring right under them (engine was in the back).

So I won't bore you with my memories anymore and will get down to business by showing you what the ladies did at my card class yesterday.


This card was cased from Ronda's last upline meeting (I love it because she provides all of us samples for our monthly workshops). I did add the Chocolate Chip Base that went through the Big Shot with embossing folder.

Here it is opened, and showing the pocket to insert a gift card or money.

This is another card using the stamping off technique, which I cased from somewhere (I saw it and didn't save it, but it stuck in my head believe it or not). It may be a little different than the original -- but I can't say for sure. The gals loved this card as it was easy, but a real WOW for that teenage boy in your life.

Don't fall over, but I didn't CASE this from anybody. The ladies had the option of stamping the inside with a Father's Day or Birthday sentiment. This was colored with our Water Color Crayons, and this was another favorite of the ladies (and mine too because I just love this stamp).

And finally, another CASE from Ronda's demonstrator meeting. Isn't this just gorgeous!! All of my gals love two-step stamping so this was a big hit. They also had the option to stamp this with the "Happy Mother's Day" greeting. The inside was stamped with the three flowers also, but forgot to get picture of inside.

Well I'm off to wrap birthday gifts and make food, but thanks for stopping by and looking. Leave me a comment and let me know which one you like the best.

Happy Stamping!! Sandi

COLOR RENOVATION ANNOUNCEMENT

Whoohooooooo!! I have some great news. Stampin' Up has announced a color renovation--an extensive reorganization of Stampin' Ups color product line to the new "Color Collections." This is the first color change to the standard 48 colors in around 5 years. Wait till you see the new colors merging with the old. Click on the link below for a PDF chart of the new colors.

You will now have approximately 40 colors, including: 5 new In-Colors (Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze and Early Espresso) and 10 returning In-Colors (Baja Breeze, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, Riding Hood Red, River Rock, Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango and Wild Wasabi) coming out July 1 to coordinate with new accessories (pastels, markers, crayons, etc.). This is a significant change, and you won't be disappointed. I'm already putting color-combos together in my head for fresh new layouts.

So what does this mean for you? Well, besides the excitement of new colors, this means that some of you who have the retiring colors (click on link below for PDF file), might want to stock up on the products retiring before they are gone (especially ink refills and cardstock if you plan on using these in the future). If you need ink refills, cardstock, or any product using the retiring colors, contact me before the June deadline to stock up now.

Call me if you have any questions about the new Color Renovation, I will be happy to help you or provide additional information. Make sure you have what you want before it is gone!!

Sandi

Vintage Vogue Thanks!

Good Morning Everyone!!

Yes, it's going on the second day of rain -- but, we need it to get our beautiful green grass and trees. And that's not counting the flowers starting to pop out. I'm terribly disappointed in myself for not getting out this last weekend to transplant my perennials. As soon as the rain stops, I don't care what I'm stamping -- I'm outdoors to get this done!!

I know it has been a while since I posted, but I have been busy with many different projects -- just didn't get pictures taken (sorry). Last night was Ronda's RubberQueen monthly demonstrator meeting. As always, I learned lots of new techniques/designs/information. The "hot topic" was Stampin' Ups announcement of our new Color Collection to be released with the new Idea Book and Catalog coming out July 2010. I will have to spend an entire post on this -- so stay tuned for lots of information, exciting new colors, and a list of retiring colors (inks, cardstock, accessories). I am very excited about this because SU is basically retiring the colors I very seldom (if ever) use and coming out with some tantalizing new shades. However, for my customers who did not buy their reinkers when they got their stamp pads: make sure you contact me to get these ASAP to purchase, along with any of the retiring cardstock you might need. Once it is gone -- it's gone forever!! It has been 5 years since we have had a major change in the standard color groups, so we are way overdue for something new.

Along with our beautiful make'n takes from Ronda (I loved all of them and will be using them in my next class), I also swapped some beautiful cards done by some of the other demonstrators. As Ronda said, the ladies are taking it up a notch on the swaps; making it very difficult to pick a winner. I think I would have voted for all of them if we would have been given the chance. Anyway, below is a picture of my swap card. I used two background stamps (Sanded and En Francais) and the Very Vintage wheel on the base of the card (Regal Rose); and sponged Soft Suede around the edges. I used Black StazOn ink to stamp the Very Vintage images on Glossy White cardstock (except for the leaves, Old Olive ink for those). Sponged the entire panel with: Creamy Carmel, Rose Red, Old Olive, and Soft Suede around the edges. The little flower on the Word Window Punch was first stamped with the tiny 2-step flower from Greenhouse Garden on Glossy White and then sponged on Rose Red ink before punching with the Boho Blossoms punch.

This is the card I actually swapped (using Thank You Kindly greeting stamp).

I changed the greeting to Happy Birthday to send to my sister Kathy for her birthday this week.

Inside of my sister's birthday card. I just love this stamp set!!

Thanks for looking and I would love to read your comments!!

Sandi