BUILD A BOUQUET FLOWER KIT AND MORE!!

Do you know how hard it is to craft when you are finally seeing and feeling sunshine in months???  Here in Michigan the snow is finally starting to melt and I'm seeing patches of green in the yard -- YIPPIE!!!  But nothing compares to going outside without 4 layers of sweatshirts and coats on (and sometimes I wrap in a blanket).  So I decided to celebrate the coming of spring with finalizing my Build a Bouquet Project Kit from Stampin' Up.  I started this at retreat a couple of weeks ago (did a whopping 4 flowers) and pulled it back out this last weekend to work on it.  Of course I did some of my flowers a little different, just because I wanted it to be "mine."  But all in all, I loved the end result.  However, buyers beware:  this is not a kit that you will sit down and finish in a couple of hours (unless your name is Tamie Ackerson).  But that is okay for me, as I never finish a project in a couple of hours -- did Picasso?  It actually took me longer to decorate my flower pot than it did to assemble the flowers (that's a whole story in itself -- let's just say, on the 4th layer I finally was satisfied).  And now that I am finished, I'm so glad I got the coordinating stamp set and Big Shot Bouquet Bigz L Die so I can make more.  So here is my finished bouquet and flower pot:

Well after doing 3 different layers of designs on this metal can, I finally liked my 4th layer using the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper; and for the tag, I used the matching Painted Petals Stamp Set with the tag, ribbon, and twine included in the Build a Bouquet Project Kit.  I wanted to use this designer paper right from the get-go, but I was going through one of those, "I love it so much I can't give it up" moods.  In the end, I knew this is what I wanted and nothing else was going to "work" for me so just clinched my teeth (and cried a little) as I glued it on the can -- now I'm happy!!

This was my name tag/card sitting on my table when I went to Retreat.

One of our make'n takes we did at Retreat.

Pillow gift from Ronda Wade and Jenny Peterson at Retreat (filled with a package of the new Itty Bitty Accents Epoxy Stickers).

Another make'n take with a birthday card inside the pocket.

Until next time,
Sandi

"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand saying unto thee, Fear not; I will keep thee." 

-- Isaiah 41:13

STAMPIN' UP'S! PAINTED PETALS

Whew, it has been a long time since I have posted!!  I was going through some serious withdrawal because I haven't had a working computer since coming back from Leadership -- that is one long time!!!  And then it was gone for 2 days at the tech shop to get a complete check-up and overhaul.  I never realized how addicted I was with using my computer -- not good!!  So now I am going to wean myself a little every day so my life doesn't seem to be consumed by an electronic gadget (we will see how that works, as I sit here typing away on my electronic gadget -- LOL).  But how else am I going to show you some new projects? Today I am featuring one of my favorite stamp sets from the Occasions Mini Catalog, Painted Petals.

Besides the Painted Petals Stamp Set, I also used the Sahara Sand 7/8" Lace Trim to make the flower with a Something Borrowed Embellishment in the center, a Tea Lace Paper Doily sponged in Sahara Sand Ink, Ornate Tag Topper Punch, I Love Lace Background Stamp on the Moonlight Designer Series Paper Pack design, and a Cajun Craze Candy Dot. 

I used the Spring Flowers Textured Impressions Embossing Folder the Sahara Sand Card Stock cut with the new Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Die.

I needed a lot of sympathy and get well cards, so these are some of the designs I came up with (couldn't make my mind up on how to add embellishments).  The Swallowtail Stamp Set is heat embossed with Whisper White Embossing Powder and then colored with Blendabilities.  To get a better/close-up look do a right-click on picture and select "open in new window" or "new tab" and then enlarge by clicking on the picture again.

I have a lot of pictures to show you from Creative Retreat, so stay tuned for my next update!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows."  -- Isaiah 53:4