STRIKE A POSE!

I am in seventh heaven!!  This past week I have devoted all my crafting time to scrapbooking!!  I decided I better dust off my skills before Ronda Wade's Creative Escape Weekend in 12 days.  Let me tell you, it has been 6 months (at her last Escape weekend) since I have scrapbooked -- and I can tell.

I am working on my granddaughter's album, which was on her 2012 Christmas gift list.  Well, I just started this week but have 18 pages done, so that means I have only about 7-10 more pages to do (depending on how thick my embellishments are, and I love embellishments!!).  She wants the album done for her school graduation open-house.  My daughter, Holly's Mom, goes to retreat with me and she hasn't even started her album; so I'm feeling prettee good right now.

Holly is an artist in her own right and has helped me a lot when I'm doing big projects or just comes over to create.  I really hope she likes her album when I am finished (she intimidates me sometimes, but I know vintage is her favorite).  Here is a two-page layout I finished today:

This is Holly!! Yes, she loves to take pictures of herself to express her moods. You will notice some discontinued product on these pages -- product I saved especially for my scrapbooking!! The discontinued Well-Worn Alphabet and Numbers Stamp Sets on the right page were stamped on vintage muslin material from my mom (Holly's great-grandma). I thought Holly would really like that added touch because she liked my mom and is constantly asking for her stuff.

A close-up of left page. The background was created by cutting strips of the discontinued Everday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, and then sponging the edges with discontinued Charcoal Stain. The large flower brad was also made with vintage muslin fabric using the Fun Flowers Bigz L Big Shot Die and a discontinued Naturals Assortment Brad in the material (colored with black perma-marker).



Close-up of right page.

I hope you like my vintage/shabby chic layout and maybe see some ideas for your pages.

Until next time,
Sandi

"He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.  By his wounds you have been healed."  --  1 Peter 2:24

MARCH STAMPIN' UP CLASS EVENT

I had such a great time yesterday at my stamping event.  I actually had time to sit with my friends and visit for a change.  It was also nice because I got to see and visit with some ladies I hadn't seen in quite a while.  And of course, we always have fun stamping!!

Here are the cards we made:

This was my favorite card, featuring a new single stamp, "Spec-Tacular;" and as of this week, the discontinued "Vintage Versus Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set."  I will have a hard time not using this stamp in future classes (but I will keep it forever!!).

This was another favorite of mine, featuring the "Million-Dollar Moments Hostess Stamp Set," from the mini catalog.  The sentiment is from the "Rain or Shine Stamp Set," also from the mini catalog.

This is the inside of the above card using the "So Sorry Stamp Set" for the sentiment, and the hearts and duck from the "Million-Dollar Moments Stamp Set."



 



 A very quick but WOW card featuring the "Flowering Flourishes Stamp Set" and "Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp" for the sentiment. After stamping and adding the flowers and sentiment layers, the entire Whisper White Card Stock layer was put through the Big Shot using the "Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder" and then the pearls were added.



Until next time,
Sandi

"Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up."  -- Galatians 6:9

CHALKBOARD TECHNIQUE & STUFF

Been playing with my stamps the last couple of days.  I rarely get a chance to do this, and really didn't have the time the last couple of days.  But I'm the kind of person who prefers to start a design then leave it overnight, so I actually only spent about an hour each day when I was watching TV and didn't want to fall asleep in the middle of a show like I would if I was just sitting on the couch -- LOL!!

So today I'm going to show you the good and bad (this is how I learn).  I have been wanting to do the chalkboard technique for ages after seeing so many beautiful cards done by others.  The technique is easy, just emboss your stamps in whisper white embossing powder, add a few highlights using your white watercolor pencil, then sponge a little Whisper White Craft Ink on your Basic Black Card Stock.  EZ, PZ!!  So here is my favorite one out of the group:

I just love this for a child's birthday!!  Stampin' Up supplies used:  the new Photopolymer Designer Typeset and Henry Says Stamp Sets; Calypso Coral and Basic Black Card Stock; Natural Composition Speciality Designer Paper; White Watercolor Pencil; White Gel Pen; Sponge; Whisper White Embossing Powder; and Word Window Punch.

I used the Blooming with Kindness Stamp Set for this card, with Summer Starfruit Card Stock for the card base.

This was my first try -- so be kind!!

I was just messing around with my new Dress Up Framelits for this card.  After I made this one I did some really gorgeous dresses -- but can't show them right now -- LOL!!  I really like to make my own "material" for the dresses.  I'll let you figure out how I made the material for this dress.



And lookie here!!  My new addition to my stampin' studio -- a ribbon storage unit!!  I so love it -- thank you Ronda!!!  If you look closely (or enlarge the picture by right-clicking and selecting "open in new tab"), you will notice some neat little tricks I have picked up from other stampers.  I love the idea for using the clipboard, with tin foil, for embossing.  You just clip your card stock to the board and heat (no more burnt fingers).  I also keep my embossing powder in a Keurig K-Cup Coffee Carousel.  (I love it, but need to get another for all the new Stampin' Up colors!)  I also use coffee filters to catch my embossing powder instead of the trays because I can dump the excess back into the jars without it sticking to the paper.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I do in my "off-time."  I would love to get your comments.

Until next time,
Sandi

“And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, understanding, knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze…” --  Exodus 35:31-32

VINTAGE SCRAPS!!

Last week I decided to get out my designer paper scraps and do something with them.  My other goal was to get some gift packaging done so I wouldn't have to create something at the last minute, which is the "usual" for me.  So putting those two goals together, this is what I came up with:  two gift boxes to hold cards, tags for the boxes, and two pillow boxes to hold little gifts.  Sounds easy -- but with all the boxes I have made, I had never gotten around to making a regular gift box to hold at least ten cards and envelopes.  Plus, I thought I owned the pillow box die only to find out I had never bought it and it is now a discontinued product from Stampin' Up! 

So, I decided to use up some toilet paper rolls that I had been saving for another project to make my pillow boxes.  First problem fixed!!  Next I sat down and did the math to make my card boxes for standard A2 cards -- so easy peasy with Stampin' Up's Simply Scored Scoring Tool!!  Wahoo, all problems fixed and here are the finished projects.

Main Stampin' Up supplies used are the Fan Fair Designer Paper; Riding Hood Red Card Stock; Basic Black and Riding Hood Red Ink; Petite Pocket Bigz XL Die; Linen Thread, Victoria Crochet Trim, Vanilla Flower Trim, and Pink Pirouette Two-Tone Ribbons; Silver Soda Pop Tops; Crystal Effects; White Creped Filter Paper (large flower); and  Pretty Petites Sale-A-Bration and Postage Due Stamp Sets.

Don't these toilet paper rolls make cute pillow boxes (recycle, recycle, recycle!!).  This card box was made for a male gift.  Believe it or not, males love to receive a box of cards so they won't have to shop!!  Same products were used except I used the Sale-A-Bration Island Indigo Sycamore Street 1/4" Ribbon and Island Indigo Card Stock.

Close-up of the back/inside of tag. 

 

Close-up of the front of tag -- which is terribly out of focus!!



Pillow box close-up.



This is my favorite!!  I cut the ribbon in half as it was a little too wide for this box.



Picture of the box lid before adhering sides.  And to save you time here are the measurements for the box (if you don't already have): 

Top Lid of Box:  Cut 6 7/8" X 8" piece of designer paper.  Score 1" on all 4 sides and crease on score lines.  Cut the 4 corners as show in the picture above and apply Sticky Strip on the front side.  Adhere the 4 corners to finish the lid.

Bottom of Box:  Cut 7 3/4" X 9" piece of card stock.  Score 1 1/2" on all 4 sides and crease on the score lines.  Finish directions as written for top of box.

Until next time,
Sandi

"I remember the days of old."  -- Psalm 143:5
Fellowship with Christ is the secret of happiness now and forever.

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

STAMPIN' UP SALE-A-BRATION -- WAHOO!!

Had lots of fun over the weekend.  Friday I spent the day visiting and stamping with my middle daughter, Deborah; more stampin' on Sunday with daughter Tricia while playing with my great-grandson and trying to burn my house down -- just for Stampin' Up!!  (More to that story below.)  Honestly, there is never a dull-moment in my house.  But you know, "life" is for living; and I try to live every day like it is my last (which it almost was Saturday).  My husband finally asked me today why the house smelled like there was a fire!  I laughed so hard I couldn't hardly get the story out of my mouth -- couldn't believe it took him almost 2 days before he noticed (I told my daughter I was going to test him to see if his "smeller" still worked). 

Okay, I promised to show you the rest of the cards we did at card class last weekend.  I know, what was the hold-up??  Well, I wanted to also show you this cute box I made for the WOW table at Ronda Wade's RubberQueens Founder's Circle Event she has as a reward for demonstrators meeting certain criteria.  Problem was I ended up giving the box to Ronda (with special Stampin' Up! cookie inside) and forgot to take a picture.  I made about 50 cookies to take besides that one, but they were also all gone. 

So all week I kept saying I was going to make some more cookies and that just didn't happen. Therein I came up with this brainstorm to make "one" cookie that wouldn't mold to put in my cute box.  So, I dumped a little flour, butter, and salt (don't know why I added that, but all recipes call for a pinch of salt) in a bowl and mixed it up like pie dough, stamped it with the "Stampin' Up!" cookie stamp (last year's Convention item). 

Being the impatient person that I am, I stuck it in the microwave for 4 minutes.  And, like the good cook that I am, I checked it at 2 minutes -- still looked like it needed more time, so put it back in for last 2 minutes, then went back downstairs to stamp.  All of a sudden my daughter says she smells something burning and went upstairs to check.  She starts screaming at me that there is a fire.  Who would have thought?!?!!?  I didn't take her seriously until I came upstairs and couldn't see through the smoke to get to the microwave.  Needless to say, I won't be making any "no mold" cookies again.  Can't wait to get my electric bill next month, as I had to open all the windows (with the furnace running continuously) and put the ceiling fans on, light tons of candles, washed my microwave down with soda paste (all the scorch marks are still there).  Morale of story:  Do as the micro-wave directions say:  Do Not Leave Your Micro-wave Unattended!!"

And here is the "famous box":

Now isn't this "smokin"!!  And what makes it even more "smokin" is the fact you can get this Simply Sent Happy Hello card kit FREE!!  You get 8 cards and envelopes and everything to decorate this card from Stampin' Up's Sale-A-Bration promotion going on right now!!  (NOTE:  There is no cookie in my cello bag!! -- sad face.)  The box will also hold little note cards, which I plan on doing for my next box.

We made this box and note cards at Ronda's Founder's Circle.  Another stamp set you can earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration:  Patterned Occasions Stamp Set.  Love it!!

Top of box close-up.

Another FREE Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set:  Madison Avenue.  We did this card at my last card class.

Here is the inside, using one of the five sentiments from, "Feel Goods Stamp Set."

I loved this card (shown previously) so much that I included it in my last card class.  All the stamps (plus more) are in the "Happy Hour Stamp Set."

And here is the inside of the card using another FREE Sale-A-Bration set:  "Vintage Verses."

Do you want to earn any of these free Sale-A-Bration products?  It is so easy, call me to find out how!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." — Proverbs 3:6