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.

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

GRADUATION & BIRTHDAY

Wow, I just looked at the clock and can't believe my morning is just about over and I still have about 12 hours of work yet to do!  So what in the heck am I doing updating my blog?  I guess just because it has been a week and I didn't want you to forget me.  Oh yes, I have been working up a storm for a month now but just haven't had time to post.  Some of my projects are now discontinued (or in dormant stage I hope), but I will be showing these to you hopefully before the month is over.

Today I am showing two birthday and graduation cards.  Both of the designs are the same but switched up the colors and/or layout.  I could make another contest out of this to see if somebody can guess all the slight differences between the two cards.  They used to do that in the People Magazine all the time, and they still might but I haven't read one in a couple of years.  I always loved playing it, as I do any game.  Anyway, I have to get back to work so here are my cards:

Birthday Card for my grandson featuring:  The Open Sea and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Sets; Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper; and Distressing Tool Kit.



Slightly different version using some different accessories.



Graduation Card featuring: Word Play, Go Graduate (discontinued), and Something To Celebrate (Occasions Mini) Stamp Sets; Owl Punch; and Tasteful Trim Big Shot Bigz XL Die.

 

Same card, just a few differences.

So there you have it for today.  I have classes all weekend, but hope to update again by Monday -- or maybe sooner if I have extra time (that "CAN" happen you know).
Until next time,
Sandi
"Your word, O Lord, is eternal.  . . .  Your faithfulness continues through all generations. . . . -- Psalm 119:89-90

BIRTHDAY BAKERY

It's birthday time today folks!!  No, it is not my birthday.  However, it seems like Spring is a very popular time in my family for babies to be born.  All of my girls, most of my grandchildren, and the majority of my siblings were all born during March, April, May, and June.  So there are tons of parties going on that is for sure.  I remember when my youngest daughter was born, Tricia, and having to sit in the hallway with her after she was born because there were no rooms available.  One of the nurses told me that the month of April is always their busiest month for births.  So do the math and it becomes very obvious as to why.  Could it be because my husband and I always went on vacation in July (and back in those days, most family vacations were in July)?  Lots of free time and relaxation?  Hmmm, something to think about I guess.

Obviously, I have been doing a lot of birthday cards.  So today I'm sharing another birthday card with you.  Very simple, no frills card but very yummy!


Oh yah!!  Don't you just want to dig into all that chocolate!!  Stampin' Up product used:  "Birthday Bakery Stamp Set;" Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla Cardstock; "Sweet and Sour Speciality Designer Paper;" Markers; Decorative Label and Scallop Trim Border Punches; Matchbox Bigz XL Big Shot Die; Neutrals Brads; and discontinued Masterpiece Ribbon Originals.



Here is what the inside looks like (the designer paper on the right bottom does not belong there; I was just covering up my writing as I didn't take a picture before I wrote inside).  The birthday cake is from the "Bring On The Cake Stamp Set" (in the Occasions Mini Catalog).

So there you have it, and now I am off to make some party favors for my girls!!  Have a wonderful weekend everybody.

Sandi
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. . . ." -- Psalm 139:14
"Lord, may I use my birthday to celebrate the person You created me to be." -- Carol Kuykendall