STAMPIN' UP'S TRULY GRATEFUL MEETS THINLETS CIRCLE CARD DIE

I had a really fun class last Saturday.  Had a chance to visit with friends I hadn't seen over the summer months and found out we are all still sassy and young at heart -- love my stamping group!!  Everybody got a chance to try out the new Envelope Punch Board to make an envelope and discuss other projects you can make with the new tool.  They all loved it as much as I do -- best new tool offered by Stampin' Up since the Big Shot was announced around 4 years ago. 

I only have a couple of cards to show you today as I have already posted three of the projects done at last weeks card class: 

A simple birthday card with matching envelop.  Main supplies:  Quatrefancy Specialty Designer Series Paper, Bring on the Cake Stamp Set, and new Envelope Punch Board.

Inside of card.

 

I finally had a chance to play with my new Circle Card Thinlits' Dies and the Truly Grateful Stamp Set.  I think I used every stamp in the set and 3 of the Thinlits' Dies, plus the Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper, Autumn Accents Bigz Die, and Woodgrain Embossing Folder on Early Espresso Core'Dinations Cardstock.

 

Here is the opened card.

JUST RELEASED THIS WEEK:  Check out the awesome Everyday Occasions Card Kit below – these will be sold out fast!  This is a fantastic deal for 20 cards (7 stamps, with a clear block and ink included, plus much more!!!).

 

Stampin' Up! introduces the Everyday Occasions Cardmaking Kit! Designed for the new card maker, by providing a simple, fun experience at a great price.  However, it's a great kit for both beginning and experienced stampers alike! Also makes the perfect gift for that creative someone in your life (friend, daughter, niece, mother, etc.).   

The kit contains everything necessary (except: adhesive and scissors) to create 20 beautiful cards for almost any occasion, and it comes in a beautiful box to store them in.

• 7 Piece Stamp Set
• 1 Clear Block
• 2 Stampin' Spots
• Card Stock and Envelopes for 20 Cards
• Twine, Buttons, Clips, and More
• Die-Cut Paper Embellishments
• Full-Color Tips and Tricks Brochure
• A cool, storable, giftable box.

Click on the link above to put in your order now, using HOSTESS CODE:  4PNC2WS9.  Order on-line through my “Shop 27/7” web site and your product will be mailed directly to you.  Copy and paste the Hostess Code 4PNC2WS9 in the box located in the lower-left of your shopping bag (see picture below).



Make sure my name shows as your demonstrator, enter the Hostess Code, and continue shopping (you know you want more!!)

Until next time,
Sandi
"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink."  --  John 7:37

CATCHING UP ON STAMPIN' UP PROJECTS!

I hate to admit this but I just pulled out my Stampin' Up 2013 Convention Make'n Takes (from July) to stamp.  I'm sure many of my fellow demonstrators have posted pictures, but to be honest, I had not seen any so I had no idea we were given so many projects and how awesome they were.  I loved all of them so much that I have to share, just in case you haven't seen them yet.  I also made 20 Project H.O.P.E. cards as I never seem to have the "right" card when I need it.  So this card is very generic and can be used for all types of situations.  What do you think:



I used a card I received from Lacie Latimore for this layout.  I love the new Wetlands Stamp Set and how generic this card turned out.  So simple, just stamp and add a little bit of sponging.

Here are the make'n takes from Stampin' Up Convention:



Five note cards and envelopes that go into the Tag a Bag Gift Bag below.  My favorite is the ampersand.

Decorated Tag a Bag to hold the note cards above.

How many ways can I say, "I LOVE GRUNGE!!!"  My very favorite make'n take -- don't you just love the colors!

Another darling gift bag -- perfect to use for birthday party favors.

And a final packaging idea:  Tag a Bag Gift Boxes.  These are so cute in person -- perfect to hold cookies or beauty products.  So many ideas for packaging gifts and very sturdy.

I don't have room to post all of the make'n takes, but I hope you like my take on the above projects.

Until next time,
Sandi

"Through love serve one another."  --  Galatians 5:13

CREATIVE CONVENTION FINAL PHOTOS

Today is the last of my make'n take photos from Ronda Wade's Creative Convention Event.  I finally purchased a picture frame this week for my last project.  When I signed up for this class, I indicated I wanted to make the cards instead of a framed project.  Needless to say, after I saw these 3"x 3" squares behind a glass frame I forgot about doing the cards and decided to frame them.  Don't get me wrong, they also made 9 gorgeous cards -- but the frame is truly gorgeous with all the sparkle. 

There is no way my cheap little camera can capture the beauty and sparkle from Stampin' Ups' new Frosted Finishes Embellishments, Silver Ribbon, and Winter Frost Specialty Designer Paper (love that foil paper!!).  So unless you come to one of my classes -- you will never be able to appreciate this wall decoration.  I also have a few of the Halloween make'n takes to show you.  Ronda always comes up with fabulous designs for our make'n takes.  So here they are:

I couldn't find a 12" x 12" frame like Ronda's that I liked, so I ended up getting the 13" x 14" frame above.  The frame was white, and I painted it with Island Indigo Classic Ink Refill mixed in white Acrylic paint, but it just didn't come out the color I wanted.  So I will probably take off the color and go back to white -- what do you think?

Okay, it's the next day and I had to edit this post.  I couldn't stand that picture above any longer and removed a lot of the color on the frame.  So which one do you like better?  (#2 below is my pick):

The coloring is still not accurate (the background is really Whisper White -- just looks darker).  A little bit of glare is showing and none of the bling really shows up -- darn camera skills!!  You can probably see better if you right-click on the picture and select "open in new window" for the larger view.  But I definitely like the frame better.

Isn't this just the cutest treat holder?  I see I forgot to trim my Baker's Twine before I took this picture.  I'm too lazy to go back and take another picture, so just use your imagination of how pretty it is now that the tails are trimmed.

Simple, but so cute -- love the Washi Tape!!  I just found out today what the word "Washi" means:  "WA" means Japanese and "SHI" means paper.  The things I learn when I'm ordering tea canisters on-line!!

Creepy, but so cute!!

Now that I finally have all my new stamps mounted and organized, I hope to have some of my own designs to post next time. 

Until next time,
Sandi

"Life is good when you walk with God!"

BACK TO VINTAGE!!

I lasted as long as I could, but was having a vintage craving that had to be satisfied!!  I have been having fun with the new grunge look and all the new Stampin' Up grunge product (love all of it!!); but, I still need my vintage fix to keep me going.

I saw this new design (can't remember where) and it has been sticking in my head for a couple of weeks.  I knew I had to try it out, but didn't have directions -- just a mental picture in my head.  So I started playing with it yesterday.  I found out that there is a specific sequence to put it together, based on the fact I was using 2 different Framelits and embossing on the front of the card.  Plus I wanted something a little different on the inside.  I went with an extra page, using Stampin' Up Vellum Paper (the lighter paper weight works better than the Stampin' Up Vellum Card Stock) and embossing my image with Early Espresso Embossing Powder.  Under the vellum I stamped my sentiments.  I really like how it turned out and ended up making 3 cards after taking an hour getting the sequence figured out -- the other 2 cards were much faster to assemble/stamp.  Here is what I ended up with:



Stampin' Up product used:  Soho Subway Designer Series Paper; Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel; Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Vellum Card Stock/Paper; Beautiful Baroque Stamp Set and Embossing Folder; Lattice Bigz Die; Window Frames Collection Framelits; Early Espresso Classic Ink; Sponge; Early Espresso Candy Dots; and Envelope Punch Board to make my envelop using the brown packaging paper that comes in my Stampin' Up orders.

The extra center page stamped with VersaMark and embossed with Early Espresso Embossing Powder.  Sponged and added Early Espresso 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon.  The Soho Subway DSP was attached to the back of the front to hide the Lattice Die edges that were adhered.

The sentiment added to the back page, using Once in a Million and Thoughts and Prayers Stamp Sets.

And more make'n take class ideas from Ronda Wade's Creative Convention:

Monogrammed card holder that will hold 4 cards and envelopes (see below).  This class takes only one sheet of Designer Series Paper to make the holder, cards, and envelope liners.

Two of the very simple but cute monogrammed cards and envelope liners that go in the card holder.  A very quick and easy idea for a class -- everybody needs monogrammed cards to send notes.

Until next time,
Sandi

"The Lord is gracious and full of compassion."  -- Psalm 111:4

STAMPIN' UP CREATIVE CONVENTION: MAKE'N TAKES #1

Finally got all my make'n takes from Ronda Wade's Creative Convention organized so I can show you all the awesome projects we made.  Of course, I won't be able to show you all 24 projects today, so stay tuned for future posts.  I arrived at the hotel on Thursday night to participate in a swap with 40 other ladies.  I can't wait to show you some of the adorable cards we made.

The mini Stampin' Up Creative Convention started on Friday, bright and early, with inspiring and invaluable presentations from top-ranking demonstrators in Canada and United States.  I cannot go into detail but can say, there is no way a demonstrator could leave this event without knowing how to run a very successful and profitable business.  By the time I left on Sunday afternoon, my brain (and notepad) were overflowing with ideas!!

These make'n takes were designed by Ronda, with a few alterations by me.  The idea behind each make'n take was to give us ideas for classes we could give when we returned home using product from Stampin' Up's new Holiday Mini. 

These projects could be offered as a packaging class, using different types of packaging from the Holiday Mini.

I stamped the back of the Mini Muslin Bag above with the Santa's List Stamp Set as an added touch.

Mini gift card designs for a class making 20 with envelopes.  I added the envelope liners, glitter paper, and Dazzling Diamonds because I love "bling."

A card class using one of the new wooden stamp storage boxes to hold your Christmas Cards.

Christmas Cards included with the class above (storage box).

All of the above projects are very simple to create and duplicate for classes, but are packed with a WOW factor.  I loved all of them and hope you do also.  More to come!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Walk worthy of the Lord."  --  Colossians 1:10

CREATIVE STAMPIN' UP CONVENTION SWAPS

I have a million things to get done today, so don't ask me why I am on my computer updating my blog.  Probably because it has been over a week since I have posted and you all are starting to think I haven't been getting my fingers inky!!  But I have been a busy beaver the last couple of days getting my swap cards done for Ronda Wade's Creative Convention this weekend.  It is such an awesome event, with demonstrators attending from many states and Canada.  It is packed with information, demonstrations, and fun things to do; like a smaller version of a Stampin' Up Convention.

I really will try to post a few pictures while I am there (but I always say that and end up posting when I get back).  So instead I will share an advanced look at my swap cards.  The night before the opening session we have a huge Shoebox Swap -- which I love attending -- and then there will be general swapping during the convention.  So these are my swaps:

This will be my Shoebox Swap card.  Product used include:  Post Card, Christmas Messages, Postage Due, Tag It, and Snowflake Soriee Stamp Sets; Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake Cardstock; Early Espresso Classic Ink; Chalk Talk Framelit; Postage Stamp Punch; Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine; and Sponge.

 

This is for my Christmas Swap.  I couldn't make up my mind which design I liked the most so I did three different designs (see other 2 below).  Stampin' Up product used:  Joy to the World Stamp Set; Craft Bow Bigz L Die; Winter Frost Designer Series Paper; Pool Party and Smoky Slate Card Stock; Silver Glitter Paper; Smoky Slate Classic Ink; Mini Silver Brads; Sticky Tape; and Dimensionals.

 

I changed the background designer paper on this one (not sure which one I like better -- how about you??)

 

And of course I had to try a Shabby Chic look by misting and scrunching my bow and then adding some Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (doesn't show up well in the picture, but very pretty in person).

 

I would love to know what you think of my swaps -- I never feel they are worthy enough to swap with others who have such amazing designs.

 

 

Until next time,

Sandi

 

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  -- Proverbs 16:9

 

STAMPIN' UP: GORGEOUS GRUNGE AND WETLANDS

Can somebody tell me what happened to our summer?  I'm going to think positive and hope it will be back in September.  I do have to admit that I love all the green, lush foliage I am surrounded with this year and the fact I don't have to run the air conditioning, but this is very unusual for Michigan in August.

Some very good news:  I actually felt well enough to get my boxes of new Stampin' Up product opened from the Winter Mini Catalog and then created two new cards.  Yes, they were both very simple cards, but I really liked them, and it just felt great getting to stamp after more than a month of being sick.  I went to the doctor last Monday and found out I had pneumonia and acute bronchitis (along with my poison ivy).  The poison ivy is now gone and I'm not running a fever, but still have a croupy cough that will just take time to heal.  So things are looking a lot better -- YIPPIE!! 

Here are my cards:

I love, love this stamp set:  Gorgeous Grunge.  So simple to use, but always looks different and so many designs you can create with five different stamps in the set.  My Classic Ink colors:  Crushed Curry, Marina Mist, and Gumball Green.  I also used the new Yippee-Skippee! Stamp Set for the sentiment.

This was my "throw-away" card because I dropped my stamp TWICE on the card.  But you know stampers hate to throw anything away so I tried to cover most of it up with chevron pieces punched with the new Chevron Boarder Punch.  I like how it looks completely different just by adding the chevrons.

This card was made for my son-in-law's birthday, and was CASEd from Michelle Zindorf's art.  I used one 8 1/2" x 11" piece of Early Espresso Card Stock to fold in thirds to make a gift money card.  Sorry I forgot to take a picture of the inside before I sent it out.  Stampin' Up product used:  Wetlands Stamp Set; Whisper White and Early Espresso Card Stock; Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, and Early Espresso Classic Ink; White Gel Pen; 1 3/8" Circle Punch; Sanding Block; Brayer; and Sponge Daubers.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly . . . singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

-- Colossians 3:16