SALE-A-BRATION WITH OCCASIONS STAMPIN' UP! STYLE

I had so much fun yesterday at my stamping event to showcase some of the new product in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration Catalogs.  I love getting my friends together for a morning of stamping, catching up on the events in their life, and then all the ooh's and aah's over the new stamps and accessories.  We were all in total agreement that we loved and "wanted" everything in the catalogs -- best ever!!!  And for me, it was so difficult to narrow down my favorites to just 4 cards this month.  

Here is what I finally ended up with, but I'm serious when I say it was a really tough decision:

The #1 favorite this year for Sale-A-Bration is the gorgeous Lotus Blossom Stamp Set!  Here I have used the Strawberry Slush, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Old Olive, and some sponging with Sahara Sand Ink Pads; Something Borrowed Designer Series Paper; Sahara Sand Lace Trim Ribbon; Lovely Lace Textured Embossing Folder; and Whisper White, Sahara Sand, and Strawberry Slush Card Stock.

My friends loved the Butterfly Basics Stamp Set, used here with Whisper White and Blackberry Bliss Card Stock; Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow Ink Pads; water-colored with Blender Pen; and Blackberry Bliss Stitched Satin Ribbon.

Another personal favorite, the Moon Lake Stamp Set using Staz-On Jet Black Ink to stamp, then sponging with Pool Party Ink, and the Aqua Painters for water-coloring the water in Marina Mist Ink.  The image was colored with Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Wild Wasabi Markers; Whisper White, Early Espresso, Pool Party, and Marina Mist Card Stock;  Something Borrowed Designer Series Paper; Marina Mist Chevron Ribbon; and On Film Framelits.  I was inspired and CASEd the layout of Hélène den Breezen’s card when creating this design.

One of the most versatile sets in the Occasions Mini Catalog is the Sheltering Tree.  Here is a simple Winter birthday card, using the Stamping-Off  Technique.  I used Whisper White and Soft Sky Card Stock; Soft Suede Ink; the new Painted Blooms Cotton Twine; 2-Way Glue Pen; Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter and  Dimensionals.

Until next time,
Sandi

"With God all things are possible."  --  Mark 10:27

WATERCOLOR AND TISSUE

How do you like that title???  Sometimes I run out of ideas when it comes to putting a title on a blog post, so this time this is all I could come up with.  What does water coloring and tissues have in common -- NOTHING!!  At least not for this post, but maybe in the future I will come up with a technique using both of them together -- my wheels are spinning already!  However, I am going to show you projects today using both of these.  So let's get right to it with the water coloring first: 

I got this idea from Sandi MacIver and just had to make these for this month's thank-you cards to clients.  They scream "Spring" and so easy-peasy to make.  I used the "Another Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set" for the embossed sentiment.

Here is a group shot.  They are all different as I was just trying different brush strokes.

Here are all the supplies I needed (except VersaMark and Black Embossing Powder needed for the sentiment).  The Ink Refill colors I chose were:  Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Strawberry Slush. Heat Emboss your sentiment or image first.  For the water coloring, start with about 10 drops of Ink Refill in the lid of each stamp pad and mist some water in each (one squeeze of mist).  Prior to applying ink to Water Color Cardstock, brush clear water (see bowl and large brush at top of picture) all over the cardstock.  Then, using a separate brush for each color, apply ink to the Water Color Cardstock.  You might want to hold the cardstock down with your tweezers when applying the color.  Let it dry (or use your Heat Tool after the ink has sat a few minutes).  That's it -- easy-peasy!!  I used the same method to create the flowers.

I finished the project below last night for my husband's bathroom.  I have made many of these tissue box covers, but never with a "male" theme.  This was so much harder because I had to keep it manly (you know how I love adding flowers and ribbon -- but not this time), plus I used more pictures than normally because I couldn't make up my mind which ones to use.  So here is where the "tissue" came from:

I love these acrylic tissue box covers because you can change out the design whenever you want (which I have done before).  I had a few of these left over from a class I had a few years back and got them out because my daughter wants to make a couple at Retreat next week.

Here are all four sides to the box (and yes, I added Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper to the top).  Another quick and easy project.

Let me know what you think of the beautiful water coloring technique and give it a try, you will have so much fun!!

Until next time,

Sandi

"I will rescue you . . ., and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm." -- Exodus 6:6

STAMPIN' UP! WATERCOLOR WONDER

Happy Thursday everyone!!  Thursday has been my favorite day of the week for as long as I can remember.  That is one of the reasons I always try to keep the day free so I can stamp all day and/or work in my studio.  Today I did a little of both.  I'm so in love with all the new product in the Celebrate the Everyday Mini Catalog (aka, Occasions Mini).  The Watercolor Wonder Suite is so "sweet" (no pun intended).  Here are two of the cards I made today using the new Watercolor Wonder Designer Notes Cards (what a deal, for $12.95 you get 20 cards and envelopes on watercolor paper -- 4 each of 5 designs!!).

You don't have to spend a lot of time with this kit to create beautiful cards.  Besides the Watercolor Wonder Designer Note Card, I used the Vivid Vases Stamp Set; Tangerine Tango, Gumball Green, Island Indigo, Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, and Basic Black Ink Pads; Aqua Painter; and Silver Glimmer Paper.

Another easy, peasy card!!  Again using the Watercolor Wonder Designer Note Card; Blessed Easter Stamp Set (I cut off the sentiment and mounted it on a separate wood block to maximize my use of this single stamp set) and Nature's Hello Hostess Stamp Set; Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Island Indigo, , and Basic Black Ink Pads; Aqua Painter; and Rhinestone Basic Jewels.

I will be posting more finished cards using the Watercolor Wonder Designer Note Cards in future posts.

Until next time,
Sandi

"Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works."  --  Hebrews 10:24

MORE TALKING ABOUT BABIES WITH BEAU CHÂTEAU

As promised, today's post has more pictures of my album layouts featuring the fabulous Beau Château Designer Series Paper. (See previous post for other pictures.) I really didn't get a chance to use this designer paper until this last month, which is really sad. I love it so much, and it will be gone, gone, gone in 7 days!!! If you love it as much as I do, hit that "SHOP NOW" button in the right margin to buy it now -- I promise, you won't regret it!!
Here are a few more pictures (more to come very soon):

I love this page.   Stampin' Up product used:   Beau Château Designer Series Paper, Labels Collection Framelits Die, Beau Château Side Notes, Victoria Crochet Trim, Tea Stain, Linen Thread, and Twitterpated Designer Buttons.

I water colored the Beau Château Designer Series Paper on these two pages and used more of the Beau Château Side Notes and added lots of pearls.

Added a few punched flowers on the Beau Château Designer Series Paper, butterflies using the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die , and stamped on designer paper with the Baby Prints Stamp Set.  

Until next time,
Sandi

"When we love each other God lives in us and His love within us grows ever stronger." 
         -- I John 4:12

"Lord, help me to accept that my ways may not be others' ways."  -- Patricia Lorenz

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

STAMPIN' UP BELLS & BOUGHS

Happy Monday!!
Is it getting crazy at your place yet?  I think by tomorrow I will be in my "frantic" mode.  Still haven't even started making my gifts yet -- so many ideas floating around in my head.  My kids have mentioned so many different things that they want me to make for them, that it is hard to narrow it down a bit.  I guess I will start with the things they asked for last year, which I didn't get done and will keep me busy right up until Christmas Eve.  Thank goodness the guys in my family never seem interested in hand-made gifts.  Or could it be that "I" am not very talented in that area?  I think it is the later.

I have been fooling around for 3 days just completing cards that I started "last year."  Yep, don't even ask me to explain, but the short version is I completed about 60 Christmas cards from left over supplies and projects I started last year.  I am so tired of having this huge plastic wash tub full of stamp sets, cut card stock, accessories, etc. sitting in my storage area.  I have actually enjoyed doing them (maybe it is because it gives me an excuse to not start something new?).  So, because I have been fooling around and not creating "new" projects, I am showing you a couple of cards I have gotten this year and one of my cards (from last year) that I finished this morning (I had supplies for 10 cut and ready to go).

This is my card from last year, I just changed it a bit.  Everything but the designer paper is still current product:  Bells and Boughs Stamp Set, Belle Standard Wheel, Gold Embossing Powder, Cherry Cobbler Ink and Card Stock, Sahara Sand Card Stock, Very Vanilla 1/8th inch Taffeta Ribbon, Watercolor Brush with Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, and Tea Stain Ink.

This is a card I received from my sister Lois Purcell.  Love that Glimmer Card Stock!!

This card I received from my friend, neighbor, and customer:  Cheryl Tonkin.  And, no, she did not do this card at one of my classes.  She is a very talented stamper on her own!

This card I received from another friend, whom I am forever in debt to because of all the times she has typed her heart out entering product into my Automated Excel Workshop Forms.  And that would be Linda Tarolli, from New York.  Isn't it so cute with all the bling and Mica Flakes.

Thank you ladies for the beautiful cards.  I am being totally honest when I tell you that receiving hand-made cards really is the highlight of the holiday season for me.  It is so true, even for us stampers, that it truly brightens your day to get a stamped card in the mail -- forget the gifts, I'll take a card any day!!

I probably won't be posting again until after Christmas, so I want to express my gratefullness to all of you who visit my blog and take time to leave a comment (another thing I love).  And I leave you with these words from one of my very favorite stamps this year (it so expresses what I want to say and exactly what I would never be able to come up with on my own):  "May the miracle of Christmas find you safe in the Peace of God, warm in the Light of Christ." -- Stampin' Up Gods Blessing

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Sandi
"Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife."  -- Matthew 1:24
"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."  -- Chambers