MY REORGANIZED STUDIO!!

Well have you missed me???  Please, somebody say "yes."  I told you I had to reorganize my studio because I ran out of room to store my punches.  I have also told anybody that would listen, "I will never put punches on my wall!"  The first statement is true, and the second statement I have to retract -- yep, I had to do it.  Stampin' Up keeps coming out with these beautiful new punches, and I ran out of room in my file drawers.  An even bigger reason for doing this was because my clients always have such a hard time finding the right punch, as I had them stored in 4 drawers (but very neatly - LOL).  Now they can go get what they want, and I think they will use them more.  Before I had it completed, a customer put in an order when she stopped by and noticed some punches she wanted. 

So a new wall went up on top of an old wall (didn't want a million holes in my wall from nails/screws).  After painting it white (thank you hubby for both!!), I decided it looked to blah.  Then came the bright idea to paint a mural of some sort.  Well, it is "some sort" for sure.  Okay, I'm not an artist -- everybody knows this!!  But you have to admit it adds color and I really felt like a kid again -- coloring on the wall.  I used so many stamp sets, Big Shot Dies, new colored SU vinyl, acrylic paints on stamps, and my fingers to finish this "thing."  I wanted Spring -- so at least I had a theme.  It was fun, and I'm glad I did it -- even tho it makes my studio look "junky."  This was very cheap to do, as I decided not to drive all the way to the Canton IKEA store and instead, recycled my old curtain rods from my patio doors, and the rest of the stuff I had just hanging out in my cabinets waiting for the right "moment."  Yes, I am a "green" person.

Without further ado, here are the pics of the new wall and a couple of the rest of the studio.

My new punch wall, with cutting & Big Shot stations below, and Big Shot dies/accessories on shelf above (also new).

Close-ups of my attempt to be artistic.

I used SU's vinyl for the house (I know, it's a little crude, but I plan on doing an addition to the house later).

I think Sally and Wallie got locked out of the house by her big brother, Stanley.

Don't you dare say a word about my tree!!

The long view of the samll room.  On the left is my antique desk I bought from my mom when I was 18 (huge and heavy oak), and on the right is my cutting and Big Shot stations.

This is my desk where I do all my stamping.  Everything I need is right in this area.  All my current stamp sets are in front of me labeled, inks, accessories, etc.  My 8 1/2" x 11" inch cardstock are in the IKEA file drawers next to my desk, sorted by color group, in separate hanging files for each color.

Work stations on left and right of the room.

Picture of room from the back patio looking in.

This is my "mini" kitchen/bar area -- small refrigerator behind bar and plates, napkins, cups, punch bowl, plastic silverware, coffee makings, etc., in cabinets on wall and under bar.

Sorry about all the pics, and for the quality -- I forgot to turn the lights on and too tired to take them over.  Tomorrow I get to start stamping with all my new Occasions product and I can't wait.  Classes are this Saturday, so I better be glued to the studio working.

Thanks for stopping buy and I hope you have a better idea of what my little area is like when I am working.

Beautiful Gifts

Hello All!!

Decided I better give you a quick update on how I am doing on my "TO DO" list.  Yes, I have been working on it -- but you know me, slow motion in everything I do.  I got all of my labels on my stamps I have bought since before the Holiday Mini came out.  I know there was over 30 before I found more in my boxes I have for ungoing projects.  Have no idea what the final total was, but that's probably good because sometimes it's better if you don't know.  I packaged all my Christmas stamps up that I have gotten in the last 5 1/2 years in one SU big box, after I made sure the whole set was there and found the corresponding picture from the catalogs to insert in the stamp box (that way I know what I paid for them in case I ever sell, plus there is usually a sample using the set).  I counted approx. 48 sets.  So that averages 8 sets every Christmas the last 6 years.  Hmmm, I guess some would say I couldn't make up my mind which set to use, but no, I like to think of it as "they were so cute or beautiful that I couldn't resist."

Anywho, I am in the middle of cutting up all my old Stampin' Up Catalogs (including minis) to put pictures in all the rest of my stamp boxes now, so my studio looks like a hurricane came through and hovered about 5 minutes over my space.  That's one good thing about having classes -- the studio and the rest of the house gets cleaned at least once a month.  I think that is why my dear husband got so upset when I told him I was thinking of not having classes this year.

And the really good news is that I got my building supplies to add a nice shelf for all my Big Shot dies, etc., and a new wall for my punches.  I still have to paint it and put some type of decoration on it, but the scary part is over (buying the materials).  I'm telling yah, I have made new friends at Home Depot (HD).  Did you know that they will cut your lumber for you!!!  My husband said they wouldn't, but I asked anyway -- so glad I did.  I will probably make a trip down to IKEA to get my utensil and/or towal racks for the punches because I really didn't like what they had at HD.  Anyway, it's a start and I'm really excited to get it finished.  My goal is to get it finished before my next scrapbooking class this month on the 23rd.  Yes, I also crossed that off my list -- card class and scrapbooking class scheduled for January 23rd!!  Yippee, and I'm going to be using all new stamps and accessories.  If you want to join us, give me a call or e-mail me.

For something a little different, I wanted to show you a couple of hand-made gifts that I received from some very special people. 

This first one, below, is from the one and only JerriKay (as she is known on SCS).  Jerri is one of the sweetest and most thoughtful ladies you will ever meet.  She sent me one of her hand-designed Christmas Prayer Cards and card-holder ornament.  These pictures don't even come close to showing the beauty and glitz, glitter, and tinsel used on these two projects.  If you would like to see her detailed instructions please stop by her blog, "A Touch of Grace," and then take a moment to comment -- Jerri would truly love to see comments.  The link above takes you directly to the directions for the Prayer Card, but she has provided tutorials for her entire Christmas ensemble (which is gorgeous!!).  Thank you so much Jerri!! 

Prayer Card and Ornament Card Holder

Prayer Card Close Up

Prayer Card Opened

And my second gift is from the Godmother of my girls, and my best friend Eva, who lives in Arizonia.  I have shown you some of her artwork before, but had to show this beautiful wall-hanging she made.  Actually, I am not sure if the ribbon goes above or below, so I am showing you a picture of both.  I kind of like it below, but for right now have it displayed in my studio with the ribbon above.  Eva doesn't have a blog, so I can't direct you to any details -- but I'm going to really put the pressure on her to get busy on creating one.  Again, these pictures really don't give justice to the beautiful antique inks she used and the glitter in the ribbon.

One with ribbon up

Ribbon Hanging Down

As an added note, nothing today has anything to do with Stampin' Up; but I love showing other works created by artists -- especially when they are both very close to my heart and truly gifted in their own styles.  And the added bonus is that I love trying to duplicate their designs using my fabulous Stampin' Up products (okay, I'm not that good -- but it does get my creative juices flowing).

Hope you are working on your goals and are inspired by these projects!!
Sandi

HAPPY BIRTHDAY & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

So it's been a little while since I have posted again. Usually I am on vacation this time of year -- going someplace where it is warm. So even tho we didn't go anyplace this year, my body thinks I should be on vacation. Starting Saturday, my unofficial vacation is over, and I will be back full-force. Just so you don't think I have been doing nothing, yesterday I did get at least 20 stamp sets mounted (yes, I'm staying with my wood for a while). Tomorrow I will type labels for about 50 sets. Saturday (or before) I will box up all my Christmas stamps and move my discontinued sets to the discontinued cabinet, then I will have room for all my new rubber!! And before Monday, set date(s) for my January card and scrapbooking classes. Before my classes, I will definately make a decision on storage for all my punches (they have outgrown the drawers) and my Big Shot dies. I pretty much know what I will be doing, it is just hard knowing I will have to put nails into my wall. Of course it will be up to all of you to keep me on track. If you don't see a picture of my new storage space by the January 15; then get on my case!!

Okay, would you like to see my first project using new stamps from the Occasions Mini Catalog? Did I hear somebody say, "No, please tell us more about your TO DO LIST." Okay, I have tons of things on my list: buy a new PC/Laptop for my studio so I can load My Digital Studio that I have had for months; schedule a Home Decor workshop; do my taxes, get new livingroom furniture . . .. And the list goes on. And yes, I will be pennyless by the end of January; but I love living on the edge!! Now are you ready to see something??????????

Whether you are or not, I'm tired of typing so here it is (sorry, only one card today). Today is my husband's birthday, so of course he needed a card. This is a card to remind him of what I looked like when we got married (poor guy):

SUPPLIES:

Stamp Sets:  Tote-ally Tess, Well Scripted, & A Little Bit of Everything Incentive Stamp

Paper:  To The Nines Designer Series Paper, Sage Shadow and Whisper White cardstock

Accessories:  Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Sending Love Brad, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, and Scallop Trim Corner Punch and Photo Corners Punch.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Sandi

THE DAY AFTER . . .

Ask me if it is 9:30 in the morning and if I'm still in my PJ's.  Yep, I sure am.  And I plan on keeping it that way all day long.  It's been so long since I have posted, I'm having a heck of a time typing.  I hope you all had a marvelous Christmas and got to spend it with your loved ones (now that could be family or ?).  I say this every year -- but my Christmas was awesome this year. 

My middle daughter, Deborah and Steve, had us over for Christmas dinner.  She wouldn't tell me what she was having and insisted I was not to worry -- she had everything under control.  When my husband and I got there, she and Steve and my other daughter and granddaughter had the kitchen door locked so I couldn't get in.  Every once in a while they would come out and fill up the hors d'oeuvre's table.  Then when dinner was brought out from the kitchen everything had tin foil on the top (they really made a production out of the surprise).  After grace was said, then they did the grand removal of tin foil.  It was well worth the wait and pampering.  They really put on a spread and we didn't even make a dent in the food.  And no, I didn't get a picture -- I was sitting back in a corner without my camera.  They really treated me like a Queen, and I truly feel very blessed to have such wonderful daughters.  I did get a few pictures. 

And as usual, I was making gifts right up until we went out the door.  There are just so many hand-made things we can create with stamps -- and I just love it!!  My last minute gift for their gift bags was mixing up a batch of body lotion and decorating the containers with rub-ons (I have so many that are discontinued and this is a good way to use them up instead of spending a ton of time creating something else).  Here are a couple of pictures.  Remember, you can click on the picture to enlarge for a better view.

Some of these are pictures of my gift bags -- I love makig these!  I cannot believe I didn't get a picture of my daughter Deborah (probably because she was hiding behind locked doors to the kitchen)

I forgot to take pictures before I gave away as gifts, but here are two containers of the body lotion that I had left over -- awesome batch this time (cocoa butter and aloe scent).

Hope you had a beautiful Christmas and here's to a blessed New Year!!
Sandi

POLAR BEAR PUNCH CARD

How cute is this!!

Okay, it wasn't my idea (saw it somewhere & it's been in my mind) -- but it has my touch!!  Very simple -- just uses circle and oval punches.  A little shading, a multi-colored brayed background, some Shimmer Paint, and you are good to go.  The sad part is that I only made "ONE" of these cards for a special someone because she had seen all my other Christmas cards (or they were her ideas).  It was my last card, so therefore I didn't feel up to doing another for myself.  Maybe after Christmas for a class tho because this would make a good card for other occasions during the Winter months.  I hope you like this as much as I did.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!
Sandi

SHAVING CREAM TECHNIQUE

Today I am featuring the Shaving Cream Technique, presented by Lynn Schultz at our last RubberQueen event.  I have never done this before, and I totally love it, so don't be surprised to see some more projects using this technique.  Basically you just swirl your re-inker color in the shaving cream (making sure you just make some swirls and don't totally mix as you want a design).  Then just plop in the ole' cardstock, pull it out, wipe off the excess shaving cream and you are done!!  Here are a few of her samples, plus an added bonus at the end:

First, you need to get in the mood for the demonstration:  This is Lynn presenting the technique.

(Payback Time Lynn!!)

This was my favorite & my picture is blurry (drats)

My surprise:  Lynn made this Michelle Zindorf card for me!!

Another Michelle Zindorf card Lynn made at Michelle's class -- gorgeous!

I still have more pictures!!!  So stay tuned.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Sandi

MORE TECHNIQUES

I really thought I would get on here and post before today, but it just didn't happen.  So I will post double samples, to give you more for your click!!  These are a few more of my samples, using the Iris Folding Technique.  Can you tell I loved doing this????  Enjoy.

Features: Square Iris Fold & new Pocket Card Fold

ETA:  Source for fold pattern was: Dawn Griffith

Showing Inside Pulled Out

Features: Heat & Stick Technique with Glitter and Circle Iris Fold

 Album Page Features:  Definitely Decoratve Template Stenciling and Rub-ons

Album Page Features:  Rectangle & Border Iris Folds with Big Shot Scalloped Square.

Stay tuned for my next post -- I will be featuring a new technique.  Thanks for clicking!!
Sandi