FALL IS HERE AND CHRISTMAS COMING!!

Hello my stamping friends!!  It has been a long time since I last posted, but life has just gotten in the way it seems.  However, it doesn't mean that I haven't been stamping -- since my last post I have stamped probably a hundred cards and stamping projects.  It seems like after I get done stamping, I never have time to post and share.  Please accept my apologies, and I will try to post more often even with the holidays approaching us.  I have a few cards to share today that I worked on this month.  Let me know what you think:

Watercolor using the "Peaceful Place Stamp Set"; colored with SU Watercolor Pencils, misted with Frosted White Shimmer Paint; Cajun Craze, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla Cardstock; and Decorative Ribbon & Triple Banner Punches. 

Used the "Beautiful Blizzard Stamp Set and Blizzard Thinlits Die"; Soft Sea Foam Cardstock and Ink; and Whisper White and Silver Cardstock/Paper.

I CASEd this card (changing the background) from a swap card I received -- I thought it was just the cutest card!!  I used the "Playful Backgrounds Stamp Set"; Thick Whisper White and Basic Black Cardstock; Large Letters Framelits; and Cat Punch.

 

I used the "Beautiful Baubles Stamp Set and Detailed Baubles Thinlits Dies"; Real Red and Whisper White Cardstock, Under the Mistletoe Designer Series Paper, and Silver Foil Paper; and 1/8th" Sheer Whisper White Ribbon.

Until next time,
Sandi

"I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners"  -- Luke 5:32

FLORAL STATEMENTS AND DECORATIVE MASKS

Hello my stamping friends!!

I just wanted to pop in real quick to show you a couple of new cards.  We are having such beautiful Fall days here in Michigan it is hard to stay in the house creating (even though I love to stamp!!).  So I did a couple of quick watercolor cards yesterday using the same stamp set, but different colors (I loved it so much).  I also have a card using a different technique with the new Decorative Masks.

I just love the Floral Statements Stamp Set.  I ended up making two of the same cards, just using different colors.  I watercolored  these with our ink from the Stamp Pads -- very easy and quick cards, but a real WOW!!

Watercolored with the Blushing Bride and Old Olive Stamp Pads.

 

Another new product I am in love with (because I love to create backgrounds) is the awesome new Decorative Masks.  You get 4 different decorative masks in the package, for only $6.00!!  Typically most people use these with the new Embossing Paste, but I wanted to try applying just ink with a sponge to create this beautiful background.  I love the look.  Also used on this card:  Just Add Text Stamp Set, the new Leaf Punch, Fresh Fig Ribbon and Cardstock, Lemon Twist Ink and Cardstock, and a half doily sponged lightly with Fresh Fig Ink. 

Until next time,
Sandi

"Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths." -- Psalms 25:4

BEAUTIFUL YOU!!

Well if you haven't already heard the news, the new Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog is out and with it came the 2017 Sale-A-Bration Catalog!!!  That's right, the most awesome time of the year for stampers/crafters:  FREE PRODUCT!!!  For EVERY $50 you spend you get to select free product from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  Who doesn't like FREE????  And let me tell you, besides all the gorgeous product in the annual catalog, you are going to love, love the new Occasions' product.  Let me know if you don't have your catalogs, I still have a few left for my customers. 

The sample I am showing you today uses stamps from the "Beautiful You Stamp Set" in the Occasions catalog -- it truly is the hottest stamp set on the market right now!!!  If you don't believe me, just do a search on Pinterest and see all the incredible samples.  Buy the Beautiful You set with 13 stamps, the new Watercolor Pencils, and either the Blender Pens or Aqua Painters and you can make this card AND GET A SALE-A-BRATION PRODUCT FREE!!!  This is the time to buy!!  Here is what I came up with using this set:

I also used the Wherever You Go Stamp Set (bridge and sun) on this card (in the annual catalog) and the Playful Palette Designer Series Paper Stack.

Until next time,
Sandi

"Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ ." -- Ephesians 4:32

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

This will probably be my last post for 2016, but I am so excited for the new year coming!  Most of you have probably seen sneak peeks of new product coming in the Occasions Mini, and I have a box load of new product to start playing with and share with you.  You are going to love everything!!  But, I do have to admit, I'm sad to see so many of my favorite holiday stamps and accessories retiring.  You still have until January 3rd to order your favorites, with up to a 60% discount.  Click on the picture below and see what is on sale and what is retiring:


Check out the list by clicking on the picture!!

Here are a couple more projects I finished for Christmas.  The card was made with the Snow Place Stamp Set and matching Snow Friends Framelits (I sure hope this set stays around for a while because it is so versatile).  I made the 16 treat boxes for place-settings at our family Christmas dinner. Of course they are filled with chocolate (even my great-grandbabies are old enough for chocolate this year!!).  I used the Gift Bag Punch Board to make the boxes -- I love how they turned out -- what do you think??

This was before the party.

This was after the party!!

My kids just keep multiplying!!

Final note:  I saw a blue crane fly in and sit on my frozen pond this morning -- do you think this means winter is over?????

Until next time, Sandi

"Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people." -- Luke 2:10

WONDROUS WREATH IS WONDERFUL!!

Is everybody gearing up for SNOW???  I can't believe we had flakes on the ground already the first couple of days of October.  I am sooooo not ready for this weather.  Actually, I should stop talking about it because I am aging myself.  Instead I should be writing about how much fun it is going to be sledding, skiing, making snowmen and angels in the snow, and let's not forget about the snow forts.  Okay, now I feel like I just built a bridge in Alaska.  Now I just need to get a new snow suit (mine is about 40 years old) -- oops, there I go again, aging myself.  Either way, I feel much better now that I have an agenda for all the snow coming this year again.

And speaking of snow, how about looking at some Wondrous Wreath Stamp Set cards?  I love this set because it has the matching Framelits that you can buy with it in a bundle, saving 15% -- WOWZER!!  Here are a few I made for Creative Convention combining the stamp set with the Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Pack:

Until next time,
Sandi

"For I am the Lord, thy God, who grasp your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'" 

--  Isaiah 41:13

CREATIVE CONVENTION 3: BEAUTY OF THE SEASON

Today I have another installment of cards I made for Creative Convention, and for which I am offering as a product-based class.  These cards feature the Beauty of the Season Stamp Set and Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Pack -- two of my favorite products from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Here are some sample designs that are simple, easy, and fun; yet beautiful and elegant:

This Christmas Cardinal is beautiful all on its own without any color.  Here I have embossed it with Black Embossing Powder, on White Vellum Cardstock, before layering it on the beautiful designer paper.

Here I have added a watercolor wash on the White Cardstock than stamped directly on the watercolor.  I used the Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake Blendabilities Assortments and White Gel Pen to color the image.

Again, I used the same Blendabilities to color.

I love how this card turned out by stamping directly on the designer paper.

And of course, a Blue Jay is perfect with this stamp!!  I stamped directly on the new All is Calm Designer Washi Tape and then colored with Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, and Night of Navy Blendabilities Assortments; using the White Gel Pen and Project Life Black Journaling Pen to finish.

I hope you like my ideas on how you can use your designer series paper to really add dimension and make a WOW card without adding bulk, which would require extra postage when mailing your cards.

Until next time,
Sandi

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."  --  Psalm 56:3

STAMPIN' UP NEW 2014-2016 IN-COLORS

I'm back!!!  I thought maybe I would take a short break from my vacation (which lasts all summer!!) and show off the new 2014-2016 In-Colors from Stampin' Up.  I just got around to making Ronda Wade's make'n takes from her June RubberQueen meeting.  I love that she always designs something that we can use for a product event.  These cards would be perfect to offer a class that would include the Feels Good Stamp Set and a package of Rhinestone Basic Jewels to show off the beautiful new in-colors: 

Introducing:  Blackberry Bliss Ink, Ribbon, and Card Stock.

Introducing:  Lost Lagoon Ink, Ribbon, and Card Stock.

Introducing:  Hello Honey (love that name!!) Ink, Ribbon, and Card Stock.

Introducing:  Mossy Meadow Ink, Ribbon, and Card Stock.

Introducing:  Tangelo Twist Ink, Ribbon, and Card Stock.

Don't you just love the names for all the Stampin' Up colors?  It must be hilarious sitting around the Stampin' Up Board meeting table and coming up with names for all their delicious colors!!  Which one is your favorite?

Until next time,
Sandi
"Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."  -- 1 Corinthians 15:58

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

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: PAPAYA COLLAGE

So much to do, so little time!  Yep, my life has been one big party for the last 3+ months!!  So sorry that my blog has been suffering because of this, but I made a vow to myself that I would be spending more time with my family and less on the PC!!  Let me tell you folks, this is "not" easy (at least the "PC" part -- but loving every minute of the family time).  Every week there has been a birthday party, holiday celebration, or a family cook-out.  It has been so much fun, and I have been trying some new recipes that are yum-yum!!  And Monday I get my big order of "new stuff"!!  And yes, I have been such a good girl that I am going to take a few days to just play with all of it!!  I mean, what choice do I have -- Stampin' Up Convention is just around the corner and I haven't even started my swap cards!

In the meantime, I did get my fingers inky once this week (just for a few minutes) as I wanted to do a challenge I saw on Patty Bennett's blog (you can see it here).  The challenge was to create a card using the Reverse Masking Technique.  Here is what I came up with using the Reverse Masking, Direct to Paper, and Embossing and Sponging Techniques:

Stampin' Up Supplies used:  Papaya Collage and My Friend Stamp Sets; Black Embossing Powder; Basic Black and Glossy White Card Stock; Always Artichoke, Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, and Black Classic Inks; Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder, and Basic Pearls.

This was my first try at doing this card and didn't like it so threw it away.  Then I decided to pull it back out (because if you know me, you know how much I hate to throw anything away!!).  It actually looks better in person, but still not the greatest either -- LOL.  What I love about both of these cards is how it looks like there are layers (so much dimension) when in reality you only have one layer.

Take a few minutes to drop by Patty's blog, watch her video, and enter the challenge!!  Let me know what you think of my attempt.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst."  --  John 4:14
"Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy the thirsty soul."