Spring Retreat Getaway!!

What an awesome weekend I had. Ronda Wade and Melissa Roberts hosted their semi-annual Scrapin' and Stampin' Getaway Retreat this last weekend. I had so much fun -- I'm still on a high! I laughed and played hard let me tell you. I can't say I worked hard -- because that is not why I go to retreat (like most people). I go to socialize, for the classes, and for the prizes (at least I'm honest and admit to being greedy). And as usual, the classes were totally awesome along with the prizes. I feel a little guilty because I won so much, but of course not enough to stop playing, LOL.

On Friday Ronda always has the PJ contest and this was the first time I have participated. I double-dog dared the other ladies to enter so we gave Dianne Emery (the winner in the last five Retreats) some competition. It was hilarious. I was a garbage bag with scraps glued all over it (as I get accused of going through the garbage for scraps thrown away -- doesn't everybody do this????). My daughter went as "Maxine" and won the contest. I have to admit she did look cute, but then I am partial. Actually everybody was cute. Dianne Emery and my sister Kathleen both had tons of flowers attached with pins on their PJs. We should have stood them out front of the motel as a "flower stand" to make some money selling flowers. My dear friend Patti Matejewski was a princess of course, and Kim had her T-shirt decorated with the Sweet Pea Felt Flowers (I would go into more detail, but my blog is G-rated).

Anyway, for today, I am only posting pictures of Friday night, along with the PJ contest participants. You really had to be there to feel the "laughter" and fun we had. Ronda and Melissa truly treat us like queens for the entire weekend.

And here are our hostesses!! They are holding one of the gifts they made for everybody. A birdy mini album with our names on the front -- we are so spoiled! Thank you Ronda and Melissa for another awesome weekend -- I had more fun than I can describe in this blog!!

Here is the group shot of the PJ Contest participants: (from left to right: Patti Matejewski, Kim, myself, Dianne Emery, Kathleen Miller (my sister), Jane Delau, and Tricia (my daughter) sitting on the table of course (she is such a drama queen).

And the winner is "Tricia"!! If you haven't guessed already, she is the famous "Maxine" from the cartoon.

Here is a close-up of her nasty slippers (see if you can guess what they were made from)!!

Here is the back of her robe with the Birdie made with the Big Shot die (all of the flowers were made with material cut from Big Shot dies)

Here we are soothing crazy Maxine so she doesn't start spouting off!

Close up of Dianne's Garden Flower PJ's -- another great use of the Big Shot to make all her flowers, which were all embellished!!

A close-up of Patti's PJ's

Here is a close-up of Kathleen's PJ's with all her pins made with the Big Shot dies.

Here is my other sister, Lois, working away -- next time she will be getting into the contest.


My guest, friend, and neighbor Cheryl trying to hide her face from me. This was her first time going to the event and I think we shocked her with how crazy we get (of course this was also taken after she used her drink ticket)!!!!

I have lots more pictures, so stay tuned to see some of the projects we did, along with other event pictures. Ronda's next weekend retreat will be in November -- so start saving your money if you think you would like to go. You will not be disappointed, I can promise you!

Sandi

My Purse

Hi everyone! Did you miss me? Yep, I’ve been playing hooky. There has been so much going on in the last couple of weeks that updating my blog went way down on the priority list. I have been working on a few projects, but forgot to take pictures before I gave them away or I can’t show them yet.

Anyway, I am suppose to be packing right now for Ronda’s Getaway Weekend – I believe this is her fifth one and I have attended all of them. So I better post a picture because I know it will be at least 4 days before I post again. I finally got around to doing my rag purse. Was going to do it a month ago and decided yesterday morning to start it, then after cutting out the material using my Big Shot and Square Scallop Die, I decided that nothing has changed: I STILL CAN’T SEW AND IT IS STILL ON THE VERY BOTTOM OF MY LIST OF THINGS TO DO!! My sister talked me into finishing it this morning so here is what I ended up with:

This is the front. This material is probably over 40 years old as it belonged to my Grandmother, so I am surprised it didn't fall apart.

This is the side view, showing one of the pockets (there is one on the other side also).

This is the back view -- yes, the purse is full but I did have enough room for everything!

I followed Patty Bennett’s directions (thank God she had pictures – thank you Patty!!). Of course I didn’t understand any of the “sewing” language so just punted and made up stuff so I could get it done. Don’t get me wrong – if I did not have my trusty Big Shot, I would have NEVER attempted making one. My husband said it looked very nice, and I like it better than I did this morning (could it be because I didn’t wash my material before I started like I was suppose to and now that it has been washed and dried it looks better???) And yes, I did have to get my 40-year old sewing manual out to remember how to thread my bobbin. And that was after I cleaned all the cobwebs out of the 40-year old sewing machine. I know my very BFF is laughing her head off out in Prescott, Arizona reading this because she is like a seamstress and has made tons of clothes for my girls.

Before I leave you, I have one other amazing thing that happened to me yesterday. I found out that my cell phone has an On/Off button on it. I’m telling yah, what they won’t think of next. Here I always thought it was off unless I pushed the “OK” button. Well yesterday my brother called and wanted to know why I wasn’t answering my cell and I checked and found out it wouldn’t work (just a black screen). I charged it, but still wouldn’t work. Later that day, my husband was going to take it over to Verizon to get it fixed when all of a sudden the light bulb came on in my head (yes, it does happen once in a while), so I pushed this button on top – and there it was!! I was so proud of myself, as I haven’t even opened the manual up yet.

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

SIMPLE AND CUTE

Pick yourself up -- yes, I'm posting twice in one week!!! Only because I have to clean up the studio for class tomorrow, so needed to get these posted before they were gone. Here are the rest of the cards we will be doing at my Saturday card class. Again, easy but cute cards. I mean, come on ladies, how can you go wrong using Stampin' Up stamps. I could have made dozens of cards using these stamp sets, I love them that much. And as you can see, there are two layouts using the Picnic Parade Stamp Set (free Hostess Level 2 set in the Occasions Mini catalog). I couldn't make up my mind which one to use for the class, so they will make both if they wish (they love it when I can't make up my mind).

Using the Picnic Parade and Sincere Salutations Stamp Sets; Melon Mambo Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon; and Polka-Dot Embossing Folder

(Sorry about colors -- camera angle must have been wrong -- it is much softer in real life.) Hello card (2nd layout) using the Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad (Free Sale-A-Bration) and the Picnic Parade Stamp Set (Free Hostess Level 2 Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog).

And then there is the equally simple and cute Easter Card using the Animal Crackers Stamp Set. And yes, I created four different layouts with this one before I decided this was the one for the class. I used the Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper again, punching borders with the Scallop Trim Border Punch, and wrapped with Bermuda Bay Polka-Dot Grosgrain ribbon. The Scallop Circle punch was used before stamping the bunny (using the Stamp-a-ma-jig of course) and little feet tracks were made using Chocolate Chip Marker on a few of the Itty Bitty Background stamp spots. And yes, that is Liquid Appliqué on his tail (believe it or not I still have some of this from when Stampin' Up sold it years ago -- and it still works!!).

Hope you like my cute and simple cards -- and I guess even more important I hope my clients like them!!

Thanks for stopping by and see you around the corner!!
Sandi

Class Sneak Peek

Below are a couple of the projects we will be doing at my card class next Saturday. I am focusing on Stampin' Up's fabulous designer series paper. There is so much more you can do with this paper than use it for your scrap books. I often forget this myself, so this was a challenge for me to incorporate in my class. I also used products from the new Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration. I'm telling you, it was very hard to narrow it down because I am so in love with everything in these minis -- and the majoriety of it was FREE!!! Please contact me if you would like to get in on the free product -- only 5 weeks left!!

Both of these projects were inspired by Ronda Wade's make'n takes at our Sale-A-Bration Event.  All of the Designer Series Paper is different and card layouts somewhat.  I had forgotten how much I love doing the gift cards, and I loved the way she did her simple wrap to put the cards and envelopes in for storage.  Without further ado, here are some sneek peeks:

Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack in the Occasions Mini Catalog and Movers and Shapers Die with Oval Punch used on both cards.

Gift Cards made with Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad (Free Sale-A-Bration Designer Series Paper) and Flower Fusion felt flowers.

Wrap for cards using new Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch and Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper.

 

All of the Flower Fusion felt flowers were frayed with the Paper Piercing Tool to give them more deminsion and shabby chic look.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Sandi

BABY SHOWER

Yesterday was such a fun day because my daughters and I attended a baby shower for my nephew and niece in Marine City.  So that meant we visited with my younger sister and nieces and nephews while we were there.  The weather looked terrible (snowing) when we left my place, but by the time we got on the highway the sun was shining (yes, I was blessed again).

Anyway, I want to share with you my baby shower card and gift wrappings.  I have to admit the colors are not my favorite for "baby" cards/gifts -- but they do not know the gender of the baby and these are the colors they picked (Chocolate Chip and Sage).  The baby's maternal grandma uses Stampin' Up products in her crafts and did all the invitations, table decorations, and gifts for attendees using the same theme.  Even the games were Stampin' Up, which I had never played before and soooooooo cute!!!  I will save that for another post, but will definitely offer it to my clients.

I stayed with the Chocolate Chip and Sage theme for my card, etc.; used the Stampin' Up Pop-Up Look Here Big Shot Bigz XL and Scallop Circle Bigz Dies for the gift card; Nursery Necessities, Animal Stories, & discontinued Buggies and Booties (?) stamp sets; and Build A Bear Bigz Die for decoration.

Card Front -- Check out my first try at ruffles (I peeled my cardstock in half so it wasn't as thick & it gave me 2 layers of ruffle).

Inside of Card

Gift before wrapping.

Close up of name tag made with discontinued Stork from Babies and Buggies set

Wrapped gift (clear bag) using SU's Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon

My card peeking out!!

Build-A-Bear topper in PJ's (sex to be determined at a later date -- LOL)

FUN! FUN! FUN!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Sandi

NON-TRADITIONAL VALENTINE

Hello all!
Wasn't it beautiful out today?  Two days of sunshine, the driveway is melted, and white snow everywhere else!!  What more can we ask for, right?  Well, I would feel really blessed if we had no more snow until Sunday being as I am going out of town and want some black pavement to travel.  I know, that is asking a lot for Michigan's weather, especially when we haven't really had a bad Winter (yet??).  So we shall see.

I have a real quick card for you today.  At the last minute (as usual), I ran out of Valentine's Day cards so needed to make some really quick, simple cards.  I wanted to show you this one because I am sure nobody but I would make a Valentine's card in these colors.  I just couldn't see sending my almost 18-year old grandson a red and pink or Chocolate Chip and Real Red card -- it had to be something REALLY different.  As for my husband, I can get by with red and black -- but not for a lively teenager who thinks anything "different" is cool.  Make sure you are sitting down before you scroll down to this:

Are you okay?  I told you it was different and it really does look nice in real life.  So do you think this will grab his attention?  Actually, now that I look at it; I could have made it a St. Patrick's card too.  Well it's too late because I have already stamped the traditional "Happy Valentine's Day" and all the "love you" stuff on the inside.  I know you are just dying to know the deets on this card, so here they are:

STAMP SET:  "Love You Much"

PAPER:  Green Galore Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, and Patterns Pack III Designer Series Paper (Level I Hostess Set).

ACCESSORIES:  Heart to Heart Punch and Green Galore 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Have a "sweet" Valentines Day and thanks for stopping by!!

Sandi

TOTE-ALLY TESS!!

Happy Saturday!

For me, every day is a Saturday, although it hasn't been that long for me to remember what it was like to have a work-week.  But then "work" is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it?  I have always defined it as, "work I have been given to do" vs. "work I choose to do."  Sometimes it makes all the difference in the world when you feel like you have chosen to work your hiney off.  That is probably where the saying, "Life is about choices" came from originally.  Another reason why I always look at a half-glass of water as "half-full" vs. "half-empty."  I even tried to keep this in mind a couple of weeks ago when Wallie (my teenage Yorkie), chewed up my new eyeglasses and then the next day he chewed up my "backup" pair of eyeglasses.  Yes, the poor guy was bored and still has one baby tooth left.  The bright side of it was that I was able to find the missing lense about five hours later in his mouth, so I had all the missing pieces, and I finally made my appointment for a checkup, which was overdue.  Aaah yes, God does work in mysterious ways!  And on top of that, I can finally answer in a positive manner when the doctor asks me:  "Do you ever see spots in front of you?"

Anywho, you didn't stop buy to read my theories on work, you want to see some new creations.  I have been working in my studio, but forgot to take pictures of a lot of my new stuff before I gave it away (but hope to get back, as they were samples for a customer to choose from).  I did remember to take a couple of quick pictures before giving my grand-daughter Holly her birthday card and hair clip.  Of course I used my new Tote-Ally Tess, which I so love because it looks so chic and modern.  This time however, it is a birthday card for a female.  Nothing fantastic, just simple and very fast 10 minutes or less project (same for the clip), using the Viola cake stamp with Tess and Extreme Elements "Splat" stamp.

Doesn't she look gorgeous with her suede slacks!

Holly is still into the "black & white" gothic look (starting to transition into a lady now) so I thought this hair clip would be perfect for her in the black lace and antique white, with some tulle. Every since she started kindegarden, her teachers have always commented on Holly's attire; she has to add 1 personal touch of her own to make her "different" than the others (bold scarf around her neck, in her hair, or hanging out a pocket of  her jeans was a favorite).  Funy how the teachers loved it when she was in elementary school, but in high school they think of you as "different" in a negative way.  Reminds me of her mom when she was about 14 years old and we all went to a nice restaurant.  When the waitress came to take Tricia's order, Tricia pulled her hands up with the menu and what did she have on??  A lacy glove with the fingers cut out (notice, I said "a"; meaning one hand only).  I wanted to crawl under the table, especially when I noticed she had my rosary around her neck when she took her coat off.  Yes, Madonna was "hot" then.  So, I don't sweat the small stuff now when Holly is eccentric -- I just know "that too will pass."  There are so many more important things to worry about, and I love it because they have "personalities."  I just don't know "where" they get it from????

And here is the birthday girl (in the middle), with her mom and sister, at her birthday dinner.

Happy 15th Birthday Holly!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Sandi