CREATIVE ESCAPE RETREAT -- PART 1

I've lost count of how many retreats I have attended, but it is somewhere in the neighborhood of 15.  Ronda Wade has this event twice a year and, to me, it is like going to a Stampin' Up! Convention, but more intimate because she only accepts about 60 attendees.  And we always, always have a blast -- I mean, REALLY, why wouldn't 59 women and 1 man not have fun (yes, the last 2-3 events we have had a male attendee!!).  Today I am going to focus on the gifts we received in our goodie bags, one of the projects we did for a make'n take, and a gift bag I made.  So let's get to it!!

First, I need to show you what I packed -- mind you, Ronda brings all the punches, inks, stamps, etc.; but I wanted to bring my own so I could have them at my table (and on the floor -- LOL).  The top half of my ink carousel is in the back seat along with other "stuff."

This was my thought when I looked at all I packed, "seriously."

Here are some of the product we received in our "Goodie Bag."  Don't you just love the Gumball Green bag we received!!

A close-up of our name tags for our table and the pillow gifts (love my new monogram stamp that says, "Stamped by Sandi").  The butterfly box had the new Wooden Elements Essentials in it and the cellophane bag from the Sale-A-Bration Twisty Treats Kit  has miniature wooden spools with Sweet Sorbet Baker's Twine wrapped around them.

This is one of Ronda's make'n takes I made.  It has been a long time since I have done a paper bag mini album, so I was thrilled this was one of the make'n takes.  Isn't this adorable (with matching envelope)!! 

This is the inside -- I plan on attaching another layer on the right for an extra picture.

And this is tucked in the paper bag so you can add a couple more pictures -- loved this project!!

 

I created this little bag for a thank-you gift to one of my customers.  The little clips at the top really don't belong there but I forgot to insert the card in the bag so I just clipped it on the bag.  The flower was made using the new Spiral Flower Originals Die.

I have lots more projects to show you in my next post, so make sure you come back to see them!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"The Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  --  Joshua 1:9

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

STAMPIN' UP FRINGE SCISSORS: SPRING IS IN THE AIR!!

Are you getting tired of all the snow and cold yet?  Well, I am!  Today I'm going to get you in the mood for Spring with these adorable projects featuring the new Stampin’ Up! ^© Fringe Scissors.  These were our make'n take projects at our monthly RubberQueen meeting -- designed by Ronda Wade.  This is just another reason why I love being a demonstrator -- being able to attend Ronda's monthly meetings for training, doing beautiful make'n takes, and sharing time and fun with other stampers -- and you can too by joining Stampin’ Up! ^©.

Now if these projects don't make you think SPRING there is no hope for us:  

I love the cute little fringe on the bottom of the new Scalloped Tag!



And of course what are flowers without some fringe grass!

  

How about a flower as a cute pencil topper!!

Here is a close-up of the fringe flower.



This has nothing to do with the Fringe Scissors, but I wanted to show you our new 2014 Calendar all the RubberQueens received as a gift from Ronda Wade, which I took home and decorated.  The design on the bottom-half is Ronda's, and I added the top half to distinguish it from all the others when we are at our meetings.

This was not one of Ronda's make'n takes.  I was just playing with my Fringe Scissors before the meeting and came up with this card (for someone who is experiencing unexpected challenges in life).

I hope these projects perked up your day by thinking Spring!! 

Until next time,
Sandi

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."  --  Mathew 5:5