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

BIRTHDAYS FOR ALL AGES!!

Oh my gosh, this has been such an amazing week!!!  First, I had an awesome time at my card class with all my amazing stampin' friends -- who always bring so much cheer into my life. 

Then I attended Ronda Wade's card class and dinner prior to attending Stampin' Up's! first-ever live 2014 Catalog Premiere with stampers from all over Michigan.  We enjoyed a 2 1/2 hour show, with over 7,600 other U.S. and Canadian demonstrators in 39 theaters, to watch the Simulcast show, hosted by SU Co-Founder and CEO Shelli Gardner, from Long Beach, California.  We saw a sneak peek of the new products coming in June; and Shelli, Carrie Cudney, Shannon West, Bonnie Thurber, and Donna Griffin (LIVE in Long Beach) demonstrated projects using the NEW products coming out in June!  (And of course the ever delightful Brian Pillings, in an awesome tux, also added his 2-cents.)  I'm SOOOO excited about the new product …and those were just the tip of the iceberg!  On our way out, they handed us a NEW 2014-15 Stampin' Up! Catalog and  new stamp set!  How awesome was that!!! 

And then, today, to top my week off -- I put in my sneak-peek order for all NEW product!!!  That means I should have it in my hands by next week to play with and prepare projects for upcoming classes.  In the meantime, don't forget about ordering those stamp sets and accessories that will be gone on June 1.

Here are the cards from my card class:

Here's Elmo for that little guy's birthday!!  Made using the Circles Framelits and Circle Card Thinlits' Dies.

And here he is inside showing his big smile!!

And here's Sweetie Pie for that little girl's birthday!!

And here's to the graduate using the Envelope Punch Board.

And here's the inside showing the gift card holder that pops up.

And here's to the older kids, using all the new Gold Washi Tape, Baker's Twine, and Card Stock.

And here is the inside.

Until next time,
Sandi

"We love Him because he first loved us."  --  1 John 4:19

STAMPIN' UP! FRINGE SCISSORS CONT.

How about another use for those new Stampin' Up Fringe Scissors!!!  I haven't done a vintage card in a long time, so this was a real joy to design and stamp this card making another type of flower using my Fringe Scissors.  So here is what I came up with:

The card base is Crisp Cantaloupe Cardstock with a layer of Sale-A-Bration Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper stamped with the En Français  Background Stamp in Soft Suede Ink.  Then a layer of Soft Suede Cardstock run through the Big Shot using the Hexagon Hives Framelit.  (Hint:  Use Wax Paper between the Framelit and cardstock so your cardstock just pops out of the Framelit.)  Next, for the large flower, I used all but the smallest six Circles Collection Framelits (so you have only five circles) using Pool Party Cardstock.  Cut each using the Fringe Scissors, mist with water and squash together.  Gently open back up and let dry (or use your Stampin' Up Heat Tool).  Layer the five pieces, using Tombo Glue between each layer and insert Antique Brad.  On the bottom layer I used a Circles Framelit to cut a circle from the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to keep my fringes from ripping and to adhere the flower to the card (I used one size smaller circle than the bottom petal layer).  The smaller fringed flower layers were punched out using two different circle punches.  The tiny flowers with Basic Pearls were punched using the new Petite Petals Punch, misted, squashed, and sponged with Pool Party Ink, and adhered with Dimensionals.  I used Pistachio Pudding Cardstock and the Bird Builder Punch for the leaves.  And finally, used Soft Suede Ink, Perfect Pennants Stamp, and Banners Framelits for the banner tag.  

And here is an awesome swap card received from a fellow RubberQueen, Kim Vogel, which I then added the inside sentiment.

Next to vintage, I just love GRUNGE!!  Kim even had the back of the card stamped in the same grunge pattern (using the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set).

Here is what I did with the inside of the card:

The card was for my granddaughter, which I was a little late getting in the mail.  I carried Kim's theme to the inside using the same background design.  Then stamped using Countless Sayings I and II Photopolymer Stamp Sets.  I love using the Photopolymer stamps because I was able to mount all these sentiments on one Clear Block F!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on his faithfulness."

--  Psalm 37:3

RUBBERQUEENS: LAST OF SHOEBOX SWAPS

Obviously I am running around like a chicken trying to get everything ready for Christmas, which includes a few more stamping projects that I can't show right now.  However, I still have a few more of the fabulous cards, designed by the awesome RubberQueens, that I can post for you today.  One more week and things will slow down and I can get back to some serious stamping projects that I have running around in my head (I so hope they don't bump into each other and scramble my thoughts).

So here are the last of cards we did at our swap (sorry I don't have the names of the ladies that designed these cards):

No, this is not one of the swaps!  My granddaughter came over the other day and made this shadowbox to give to her boyfriend for his Christmas gift.  Yes, he is an avid outdoorsman and they like to target practice together.  I think she did an awesome job for her first try at a shadowbox -- and the design was totally hers (right-click on the picture and select "Open in new window," to really see the details)!!

Thank you for stopping by my blog and I pray that you all have a very blessed Christmas and New Year!!

Until next time,
Sandi
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, 'God with us.'"  --  Matthew 1:23

SHOEBOX SWAP WITH RUBBERQUEENS

Wow, do I have a treat for you today!!  Ronda Wade, our leader of the RubberQueen's Stampin' Up Demonstrators, had a Christmas party for our December meeting.  We all had so much fun.  We each brought a dish to pass (enough food for an army!!) and a shoebox swap card.  Ronda had over $300 in new product from the 2014 Occasions Mini Catalog all wrapped in Christmas paper and under the tree.  I wasn't lucky enough to win one of the gifts, but my joy and happiness came from the beautiful swap card designs I got to make, looking at all the new product (can't tell you what it is, but you will love everything!!), and visiting with all the other RubberQueens.  I could have stayed until the wee hours to keep the party going; but alas, some of the ladies had long drives and the weather was not the best.

Here are a few of the cards I made that were designed by the awesome RubberQueens:

I loved the design of this card, which uses my favorite Modern Medley Designer Series Paper.

I have this stamp set (Summer Silhouettes), but have never used it -- shame on me, because I love it now and will be doing this card at one of upcoming classes.

This card was designed by Sandy Haynes.  I loved the background using the Stripes Embossing Folder on the Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock and lightly sanding with Stampin' Up's Sanding Block.  It is so beautiful in person.

This was my simple design featuring the Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape with the Blooming With Kindness Stamp Set.

Very cute card designed by Julie Casper, featuring the Cupcake Builder Punch and Labels Collection Framelits.

I hope you loved these cards as much as I did, they are all perfect WOW cards to CASE for your personal use or classes.

Until Next Time,
Sandi

"Giving thanks always for all things."  --  Ephesians 5:20

ROSES AND MONSTERS!!

Well I'm sitting here again with 4 layers of clothes on, trying to get warm!!  I really shouldn't complain because we did have a whole WEEK of beautiful weather.  However, it makes it that much harder to go back to 40 degree temperatures.  Such is life when you live in Michigan.

Today I have a few cards and another double-page layout from my daughter's birthday "You Are" mini album.  I would have had more but I forgot to take pictures of other projects.  So this is a very short post today.



I made this birthday card for my grandson because he always makes me smile!  I used quite a variety of Stampin' Up product:  Dude, Your Welcome! and Make a Monster Stamp Sets; Paper Pumkin' Seriously Monthly Kit, Sahara Sand and More Mustard Cardstock; and Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, More Mustard, Garden Green, and Cajun Craze Classic Inks.  Yes, sad to say, most of these products will be retired June 1st -- so buy them now before they are gone forever!!

This was my Mother's Day card for my daughter's and grand-daughter.  I really loved this card because I love the Stipple Blossoms Two-Step Stamp Set.  It looked so beautiful in person.  I also used:  World's Greatest and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Sets; Very Vanilla and Gumball Green Card Stock; and This and That Epic Day Designer Series Paper (sneak peek from the new catalog).

Another double-layout from my daughter's "You Are" mini album.  These pages also feature product from the This and That Collection (Epic Day Designer Paper, Washi Tape, and Designer Stickers).

Well that's all I have for you today -- hope to have more next time!!

Until then,
Sandi

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

--  Philippians 2:4

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!

Boy, this last week "LIFE" has really taken up a lot of my time!!  Why can't I just squeeze in a little more time to do what "I" want -- CREATING???  I even have a "to-do" list for every day (which I'm sure all women do).  However, it seems I'm never getting to this list until late afternoon because there are always these "can you do this" requests at the last minute.  So today's post is a little late and it will be short (mark that on your calendar).

This month my card class was all about birthdays.  So let me share with you what I came up with for my stamping friends:

Stampin' Up product used:  Secret Garden and Happiest Birthday Wishes Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Basic Black, and Daffodil Delight Card Stock; Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, and Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink; Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Daffodil Delight 1/4" Grosgrain Stitched Ribbon, White Baker's Twine; and Tag Punch.

 

Stampin' Up product used:  Summer Afternoon Hostess Stamp Set; Basic Black Classic Ink; Naturals Ivory, Basic Black, and Summer Starfruit Card Stock; Patio Party and First Edition Specialty Designer Papers; Summer Starfruit, Chocolate Chip, Gumball Green, and Basic Gray Markers; and Summer Starfruit Satin Stitched Ribbon.

Stampin' Up product used:  Feeling Sentimental and Oh, Hello Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Basic Gray, and Riding Hood Red Card Stock; and Fan Fair Designer Series Paper.

As a little gift for my friends I made these little charms, monogrammed with their initials, to tie on their craft bags, key chain, scissors, or whatever they wished.  They loved them.  I still haven't made one for myself, but here are a few of them (front and back pictures):

Stampin' Up product used:  Silver Soda Pop Tops (crushed in Stampin' Up's Big Shot); Lovely Letters Alphabet Stamp Set; Fan Fair Designer Series Paper; VersaMark Ink; Melon Mambo Embossing Powder; Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon; Rhinestone; and Crystal Effects.

On the back of the charms I used the same product as the front except I used the Collage Curios Stamp Set and the 3/4" Circle Punch with the 1" Circle Punch.

 

And finally, I have a winner to announce from my last blog post asking the name of the discontinued stamp set used for my birthday card.  And the winner drawn was (drum-roll please):

A Touch of Sol: Marisol Gutierrez

Marisol, please e-mail me with your address so I can get your card in the mail.  After posting my card, and based on the many comments I received, I think Stampin' Up should bring back this Hostess Set because everybody wants it (including my best friend who I have left it to in my will -- LOL).  I will be updating this post to include all the product used in the creation.

Until next time,

Sandi
"Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. "  -- Matthew 6:34

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR 25 YEARS!!

Just in case you haven't heard the hottest news around town:  Stampin' Up is celebrating 25 years of making a difference this year!!!  I am so happy to be part of this celebration -- so much fun already, and so much more to come.  We are seeing so many new products, new options for buying this product, and to-die-for creations!!  All of this while still maintaining the core values of Stampin' Up -- with the focus on making a difference in people's lives personally and professionally, locally and globally!!  Stampin' Up's philanthropic efforts include celebrating 10 years as sponsors of Ronald McDonald House Charities, breast cancer research, heart health, and many organizations dedicated to helping people recover from disasters.

Personally as a demonstrator, I love being able to make a difference by sharing what I love and spending time with friends at my events and those sponsored by Stampin' Up.  Now is the time to join the Stampin' Up team.  Just click on the "E-mail Me" link on the right to find out more and make this happen!!

In honor of the celebration, I picked out one of my very favorite stamp sets from the past and had fun making a card for my granddaughter's birthday party last Tuesday.  This stamp set fit her personality to a "T" -- I thought of it immediately when I got ready to make her card.  I'm not going to tell you what the name of the stamp set is or what product I used -- I WANT YOU TO GUESS!!  Just remember it is not a current set -- that's the only hint you get!  Submit your guess in a comment below and I will pick a winner next week.  No, you are NOT going to win the stamp set -- I wouldn't give it up for any amount of money.  But I will send you the card and a little surprise.

So, GAME ON, here is the card:



One of my most very favorite Stampin' Up stamp sets!!!  Can you guess the name?  Extra credit if you guess the year!!



Inside of the card.

Can't wait to see your answers!!

UPDATED 2-20-2013:  Product used:  2005-2006 Haute Couture Hostess Level 2, Established Elegance, Happiest Birthday Thoughts, and Trust God Stamp Sets; Always Artichoke and Watercolor Card Stock; Regals Collection Designer Series Pack; Jet Black StazOn Ink; Amazing Accent Wheel; Watercolor Wonder Crayons; Aqua Painter; Rhinestones; Linen Thread; Natural Cotton and Rasberry Ripple Satin Stitched Ribbon; and Tag Punch.

Until next time,
Sandi

"When adversity strikes us, God is ready to strengthen us."  --  Author Unknown

BIRTHDAYS AND SWAP CARDS

Don't ask me why I am sitting here at my computer when I have got a 2-page list of "Things to Do" before leaving at 3 a.m. tomorrow for Leadership in Florida!  But it has been a week since I last posted, and I have no idea how much time I will have in Florida to update my blog.  I really feel very blessed to have the opportunity to attend Leadership.  Normally you have to be a Senior Supervisor, or above, to attend Leadership, but this year all demonstrators were allowed to attend.  And, I am doubly blessed because this is Stampin' Up's 25-year celebration!! 

Last night at 11 p.m., I changed my mind and decided to do a few swap cards for Leadership.  I wasn't going to do any because my mojo just isn't clicking in lately, but I couldn't get to sleep so got back up and made this as my swap card:

I love this new Swallowtail Stamp.  This large background butterfly stamp is so beautiful you really don't even need to color.  I did use SU's Sponge Daubers to apply Summer Starfruit and their Water Pen to apply the Marina Mist Classic Inks.  I also used the brand new mini Butterfly Punch and Ticket Duo Punch.

 

I honestly have not seen anybody use this Happy Hour Stamp Set (in current Stampin' Up 2012-2013 Catalog) -- but I think it is so cute.  This was the perfect set to use for my BFF's birthday in a couple of weeks.  So simple, but really a WOW card in person.  I will be doing this card at my next class for sure!!

 

Here is the inside of the card (new Sale-A-Bration stamp set:  Vintage Verses).  Call me to see how you can get this beautiful 4-piece stamp set for free!!

 

Couldn't leave you today without showing you Stampin' Up's semi-truck parked at the Orlando Convention Center with, hopefully, tons of goodies for us!!
I love it, and I bet the drivers had a ton of fun driving this from Salt Lake City to Orlando.

 

I hope I will get some good pictures to post while I am down there!

 

Until next time,

Sandi

"May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all."

-- 1 Thessalonians 3:12