STAMPIN' UP: BEST OF LOVE AND MORE!!

Whew, what a day!!  I have been seriously getting into cleaning this week to get ready for my grand daughter's Open House in about 23 days.  I saved my spring cleaning until now because I didn't want to do it again for the party (actually, if it gets done once it is only for a party!!).  Today was getting all the baby and kids toys bleached from the toy boxes.  Have you ever washed about 300 McDonald toys with a tooth brush before????  That doesn't include all the little Playschool people, army men, jewelry, play dishes, 25+ stuffed animals, a couple of dolls, large toys, and tons more!!  Trust me, a lot got thrown away, but obviously not enough.  As I am doing all this, I kept waiting for my husband to say, "the grand kids are all grown up, so why do you have toy boxes."  Bless his heart, he never said a word because he probably knew exactly what I would say.  That is, "we still have small step grandchildren, great grandchildren, great nieces and nephews, and others that visit with children."  Besides that, some of the grown up grand kids won't let me because they are still known to play with these toys (these are the same ones that have never forgiven me for remodeling their basement playroom into my studio).  So tomorrow I move on to weeding outdoors (I got the pond done!!) and finish painting downstairs.

So between all that, I did do a couple of projects that I want to show you today.



Another 12" x 12" double-page layout for Holly's album featuring Stampin' Up's This and That Product Suite.

Close-up of left page.  This was such a great layout for using lots of pictures.

Close-up of right page.

Card I made for my husband on Father's Day, but can't show you the inside!!  He really loved this a lot, so much so that . . .




I made about 20 of these without an inside sentiment for Project H.O.P.E.  Simple, but mailable and saying exactly what I want to say.

Until next time,
Sandi

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so."  --  Proverbs 3:27

SANTA BABY BAGS

I don't know why, but I have been humming the "Santa Baby" song all day long.  Maybe it is because I finished all my prep work for Christmas and relaxed half of the day today.  Granted, I still have a little cooking to do when I get up this morning (yes, it is after midnight).  But very little (couple of pecan pies, corn casserole, and roasts on Christmas day).  A few years back, my daughters decided it was time for the next generation to take over the holidays so I am blessed with very relaxed holidays.  And it doesn't hurt that they are all awesome cooks (which they learned on their own).

Today (okay, technically yesterday), we took over all our gifts to my daughter's house (with a lot of help from our son-in-law).  This way we won't have to worry about carting it all in on Christmas day.  I am so proud of myself for getting everything done 2 days ahead of time.  I shopped for 16 family members; made Santa fabric bags for 12 (hubbies shared with wifes); and made stocking decorations for all the bags yesterday.  I hate to shop with a passion; but at Christmas time, I love shopping for the kids.  Always have, always will.  This year was extra special because I have my first great-grandchild -- who doesn't love to shop for babies!!!  I did get a little carried away probably, but they are only babies once (except if you have a daughter named Tricia).

Anyway, I want to show you my Santa fabric bags that I made to go totally "green" this year -- that's right, NO wrapping paper!!  And I can use them every year.  Everything is Stampin' Up but the fabric (as you can see, I didn't have enough SU fabric to make these bags):

It looks a little bare in front of my daughter's tree, but that is because she hasn't put any of her gifts under it yet.

I couldn't get all of the bags in one picture.

A little closer (if you want to see my Stocking Tags, right-click on the pictures and select "open in new tab" to enlarge).  The picture hanging on the wall was done by my grand-daughter, Holly, when she was in 9th grade (she is a Senior now).

Last two Santa Bags.  I can't remember what kind of fabric I purchased but it was like a soft blanket.

Close-up of one of the Stocking tags (gift card is behind the stocking).

Another close-up of Stocking tags (ran out of disk space on my camera so couldn't get pictures of the other stockings).  The red stocking with snowflakes was made out of fleece and all the stockings have chipboard backings that I ran through the Big Shot using the stocking die.

Wishing all of my blogging friends a very Merry Christmas!!

Until Next Time,
Sandi
"For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord."

--  Luke 2:11

STAMPIN' UP: ELEGANT BIRD GOES CRAZY

I don't know about you, but I am really ready for some warm weather.  I am so tired of wearing a shirt and 2 sweatshirts over the top and then sometimes a jacket on top over everything.  The weather channel is predicting temperatures in the 70s by end of the week, so I guess we have something to look forward too (not sure if I should have added that extra "o" on the word "too" but I can't end my sentence with a preposition now can I?).  We did need the rain today so I'm not going to disk the rainy day.  Besides I always love how everything looks after a good rain.  Looking out the window while I am typing this is so awesome, as there must be a hundred different shades of green bursting from the landscape.  (No, I don't do "flowers" - just not my thing, but love to stamp and color them!!).

As I promised, today I am showing the final 2 card sets my ladies did at my last class.  One you have seen before (crazy birds!), but it is so worth showing again.  It is crazy, crazy!!  So let's just jump right into what I came up with:

Yep, Stampin' Up's Elegant Bird Bigz Die went crazy on me!!  I have been wanting to share this card with my ladies for a couple of months, so when I told them we would do a birthday card for young males, I knew just what card I was going to create.  Of course you can use this for something other than a birthday (I gave one to my grandson after his first performance in a local play -- he "was" one of the very good ones!!).  Stampin' Up supplies used:  Elegant Bird and Lattice (for beaks) Bigz Dies; Big Shot; Smarty Pants Stamp Set; Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper; So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, and Poppy Parade Card Stock; Paper Piercing Punch (retired); and Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, and Black Markers.

This is the same design, just different background designer paper from the Just Add Cake Designer Paper.  I also used the 1/2" Circle Punch for the eyes (so you don't need to go out and buy the Wiggle Eyes).  TIP:  I punched Early Espresso Card Stock with the 1/2" Circle Punch first, then adhered the whole circle to Whisper White Card Stock, then I punched off-center with the 1/2" Circle Punch again -- much easier to get the crazy look -- LOL.

I have also wanted to showcase how beautiful and easy you can make beautiful cards using the Simply Sent Card Kits, especially when you want something in a hurry and don't have tons of supplies.  I didn't add a lot to these cards, as I really didn't want the beautiful lace border and background to get "lost" in the card design.  Adding the punched out dies from the Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit  to the Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Kit made this a 2-minute card -- just stamp a sentiment, add some ribbon, and punch a circle and you are done!!!

This was the 2nd card using the same product.

If you like these cards and/or the product used to create them, make sure you stop by my Stampin' Up Store and click on the "RETIRING LIST PICTURE" -- product used for these cards will be discontinued in 30 days!!  Stampin’ UP! has released it’s Retiring lists and there are so many goodies on there that you are going to want before they’re gone.  Some of the Accessories are even up to 60% discounted from the regular price. WOWOW!!!   Retiring Accessories are "WHILE SUPPLIES LAST."  You know those are going fast!  If you have questions or need help just give me a call.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. . . .  He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water. . . ." -- Jeremiah 17:7-8
"Lord, what awesome wisdom You've given us in Your creation!  Give me the heart of an oak:  strong, steady and with the will to endure."  Fay Angus

STAMPIN' UP: ATTIC BOUTIQUE SUITE - #4

Do you feel like you are an hour behind on your schedule today?  Well I do.  I really don't like this time change, but then I don't suppose most people do.  The only bright spot (and I always try to find one), is the fact we are getting closer to Spring.  I have been working furiously trying to get everything done that I want to do before I leave in 2 days for my trip.  I hate to leave my husband or house without getting all those irritating chores done that I have been putting off the last six months.  You know, cleaning out the refrigerator, filing all the bills and discarding tons of junk I found out I didn't need to save, cleaning bathrooms, closets, drawers, laundry -- you get the picture!  Notice I didn't mention dusting -- that's because he does a better job dusting than I do -- LOL!!

Today I have a few more pictures of items I made for the Spring Sale-A-Bration event (yep, and I still have more).  I will post a few more while I am on vacation and hopefully a few pictures of places we see when in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.  I am getting so excited!!  Until then, hope these pictures will give you some inspiration to create projects using the new Rue Des Fleurs Stamp Set and the rest of the Stampin' Up product featured in the Attic Boutique Suite of the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Product used for 2-page 12" x 12" album:  Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper; Rue Des Fleurs Stamp Set; Attic Boutique Side Notes; Dresden Designs Bigz Die; Designer Rosette Bigz XL Die; Big Shot; Everyday Enchantment Brad (SAB Mini); Distressing Essentials Tea Stain; Twine and Early Espresso/White Baker's Twine; and  Soft Suede and Poppy Parade Card Stock.

Close-up of left page.  The umbrella (top-right corner) uses Designer Rosette Bigz XL Die on top of the stamped image.

Close-up of right page, using the Dresden Designs Bigz L Die and then embroidered border using the Baker's Twine.

Another close-up of right-page showing the tag hidden beneath the picture that slides out (ran out of room for my tags).

Just a fun project perfect for that little girl having a birthday party.  I think it would be nice to hang name tags around the neck for the tea party!!   Product used:  Styrofoam Cone and Ball; Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper; Designer Rosette Bigz XL Die; Elegant Bird Bigz Die; Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die; Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die; Pool Party Seam Binding; Large Pearl Basic Jewels; Dazzling Details; Wire; White Waffle Paper; Mica Flakes; and Boho Blossoms Punch.  I also have an empty brad container glued under the skirt so the ruffles wouldn't sit on top of the scallop circle.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. . . ."  --  Romans 12:2

CARD CLASS & MORE

Well don't fall out of your chair -- yes, I am posting twice this week!!  Why?  Because I have tons of cards/projects that I haven't posted and I won't feel like posting after tomorrow probably.  Tomorrow I plan on doing my taxes and that will give me a headache for the rest of the week!  Thank our great governor for that, with his "take from the poor and give to the rich" philosophy.  I could go on and on about it, but short story is, I'm being taxed more now that I am retired than what I was when working.  I always got money back at the end of the year when working, now it is pay, pay, pay!!  Not so great when you don't get any pay raises when you are retired.  Okay, I'm done griping.  But it would have been a lot more griping if I would have posted "after" doing taxes -- trust me.

Today I am taking a break from posting pictures from my Attic Boutique Product Suite presentation.  The projects today are from my card class last weekend and a card for my grandson.  Here goes:

I have been wanting to do this card since I first saw it done by Kandice Williams.  Yes, it is a little different but I kept the shadow technique, which is the part I loved the most.  Product:  Gently Falling and Thoughts and Prayers Stamp Sets; Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, and Whisper White Card Stock; Lucky Limeade Classic Ink and Whisper White Craft Ink; and Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon.  Such a simple card with a great WOW factor.

Orgami Fold technique card using:  Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper; Pool Party and Calypso Coral Card Stock; Heard From the Heart Stamp Set; Pool Party Seam Binding; Scallop Trim Border Punch; Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder; and the new Large Pearl Basic Jewels.

Now doesn't this just shout Spring?  I got this idea from a card done by Christena Bagne.  It uses new product from the Occasions Mini and some others I love:  Mixed Bunch and Pursuit of Happiness Stamp Sets; Daffodil Delight and Whisper White Card Stock; Blossom Bouquet Triple-Layer and Blossom Punches; Bold Brights Button;  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder; and White Baker's Twine.

And yes, everybody got to make one of these adorable note-card purses.  Everything was prepared prior to class so all they had to do was hand-cut the "V" for the base, attach designer paper and trim, make their flower, put together the previously cut box, and attach ribbon handles.  See previous post for directions/supplies.

Here is one of the four identical note cards for their purse.  I did not have enough designer paper to match the same design as their purse, but at least this came from the same package of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper.  The stamp is from the Tagtastic Stamp Set (I so love this set and hope it stays when the new Stampin' Up Idea Book and Catalog is released in June 2012.

And finally, I just had to show you this card, it is such a fun card.  The idea to use the Elegant Bird Bigz Die came from someone else (I don't have a name, sorry), but all of the colors, stamps, cardstock, designer paper came from what I had here.  Additional product used:  Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper, So Saffron, Baja Breeze, and Poppy Parade Card Stock; Lattice Bigz Die (for the beaks -- you usually throw this part away); Stampin' Up Markers; Smarty Pants Stamp Set; and some old eyeballs hanging out in my cabinet (I will be doing this card at my next camp and will be using circle punches for the eyes so the card is mailable).

You can't say you are not getting a variety of samples with this post -- just hope you like them as much as my class did when doing them.  Okay, now I have to go clean up my mess and gather papers for my BIG day tomorrow!!  (P.S.  A prayer or two, or three, wouldn't hurt.)

Until next time,
Sandi
"For the love of money is the root of all evils . . .." --  1 Timothy 6:10
Father, I pray that you will give me the strength tomorrow to give away my hard-earned money to the government with a free heart knowing that some of it may go to those without, for this I pray.

Late Mother's Day and Purse

Good Morning America!!

Rain, rain, go away!!  I guess we Michiganders just aren't happy unless we have sunshine every day -- which will never happen here in Michigan.  Yes, I know we need the rain for our Spring flowers; but give me a break for at least one day. 

So today I am going to my studio and make more purses, as both my granddaughters want their own like I made for their mom on her birthday (pictures below).  You will notice this one is larger with a flap over the top -- special request from my daughter.  This was my "purse from Hell."  Everything that could happen, happened!  I think I went through 3 needles, tore it apart more times than I could count, and still ended up with a couple of "oops."  And I hate doing the handles to the purses. So wouldn't you know, the only thing my daughter wanted changed (if I wouldn't mind) was the length of the handle -- she wanted it longer.  Of course, like any good mother, I said no problem (if she only knew!!).  She did really like it, both with scallops and reversed without scallops.

The front.

Side with pocket.

Opened.

These 2 cards are Mother's Day cards that I forgot to post.  The Elements of Style card above was painted with Crystal Effects prior to attaching to Whisper White cardstock (which was embossed with the Lattice Embossing Folder and sponged with inks).

I originally made this for my swap cards to hand out at Ronda's last RubberQueen meeting, but I had so many left over I decided to change the sentiment and use for a Mother's Day card.  If you right-click on this card to open in a new tab, you will be able to see all the Smooch Spritz added -- it really dressed up the card.  And yes, that is the Tulip Bigz Die used for the flower vase.

Well after writing this post and remembering how I messed up on the above purse, I think I will pass on starting another purse today.  It is really a lot more than what I want to handle today.  Instead,  I think I will finish making a card that I am casing for my next post. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!! Sandi

My Purse

Hi everyone! Did you miss me? Yep, I’ve been playing hooky. There has been so much going on in the last couple of weeks that updating my blog went way down on the priority list. I have been working on a few projects, but forgot to take pictures before I gave them away or I can’t show them yet.

Anyway, I am suppose to be packing right now for Ronda’s Getaway Weekend – I believe this is her fifth one and I have attended all of them. So I better post a picture because I know it will be at least 4 days before I post again. I finally got around to doing my rag purse. Was going to do it a month ago and decided yesterday morning to start it, then after cutting out the material using my Big Shot and Square Scallop Die, I decided that nothing has changed: I STILL CAN’T SEW AND IT IS STILL ON THE VERY BOTTOM OF MY LIST OF THINGS TO DO!! My sister talked me into finishing it this morning so here is what I ended up with:

This is the front. This material is probably over 40 years old as it belonged to my Grandmother, so I am surprised it didn't fall apart.

This is the side view, showing one of the pockets (there is one on the other side also).

This is the back view -- yes, the purse is full but I did have enough room for everything!

I followed Patty Bennett’s directions (thank God she had pictures – thank you Patty!!). Of course I didn’t understand any of the “sewing” language so just punted and made up stuff so I could get it done. Don’t get me wrong – if I did not have my trusty Big Shot, I would have NEVER attempted making one. My husband said it looked very nice, and I like it better than I did this morning (could it be because I didn’t wash my material before I started like I was suppose to and now that it has been washed and dried it looks better???) And yes, I did have to get my 40-year old sewing manual out to remember how to thread my bobbin. And that was after I cleaned all the cobwebs out of the 40-year old sewing machine. I know my very BFF is laughing her head off out in Prescott, Arizona reading this because she is like a seamstress and has made tons of clothes for my girls.

Before I leave you, I have one other amazing thing that happened to me yesterday. I found out that my cell phone has an On/Off button on it. I’m telling yah, what they won’t think of next. Here I always thought it was off unless I pushed the “OK” button. Well yesterday my brother called and wanted to know why I wasn’t answering my cell and I checked and found out it wouldn’t work (just a black screen). I charged it, but still wouldn’t work. Later that day, my husband was going to take it over to Verizon to get it fixed when all of a sudden the light bulb came on in my head (yes, it does happen once in a while), so I pushed this button on top – and there it was!! I was so proud of myself, as I haven’t even opened the manual up yet.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!
Sandi