A LITTLE OF THIS AND A LITTLE OF THAT

Oh my goodness -- I'm still alive!!!  Yes, it has been 3 weeks but life sometimes takes a detour and you just run out of time.  What have I been doing?  I have been immersed in either fixing my computer (the first week), scrapbooking (3 weeks), and doing an on-line event to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day (last 3 days).  So I only have about 20 minutes to post this on my blog and eat my dinner before my shows start tonight (yes, I am prioritizing my time).

First up, I finished a birthday gift for my middle daughter, Deborah. She had her birthday on April 27 and is still waiting for her gift (well this one anyway).  This project started out as a class I took at Retreat to make a squash album using the Artisan Embellishments Kit and More Amore Specialty Designer Paper (the product was included with the class fee).  I decided to make it "my own" by changing it up a bit and using a little more product.  I will be showing the entire album, a little at a time (more in future posts). 

This is the front cover.  The theme of the book is "YOU ARE . . . ".  I wanted to capture what my daughter was in my eyes.  So each page captures a different trait so that when she needs to feel good about herself she can open this book. 

Inside cover (by the way, the front and back cover were made using the chipboard used for packaging the "Artisan Embellishments Kit").  I tried using pictures that I could give up because I still have to complete a 12" x 12" album for her.  This album really took me a long time to finish because it required a lot of soul searching, finding pictures, and the right adjectives to go with the pictures. 

My thank you card to customers this month, using the "Bug Me" stamp set and the new stamp included in My Paper Pumpkin' this month ("seriously").  I also did this same design for a birthday card to my sister this month, just switching "thank-you" with "happy birthday."



My "TO DO" list for the Summer -- LOL!!  This was a challenge we were asked to create from Big Picture Classes.  This is the 3rd year they have had this free class to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day -- and you know how much I like challenges!!

I loved the try it out My Paper Pumpkin kit so much that I decided to get a few more of these little journal books to decorate.  I made this one for my youngest daughter, Tricia, for her birthday on April 11.  I used SU's "This and That Washi Tape" to stamp her name using the "Designer Typeset Photopolymer Stamp Set" and a retired SU button. 

Until next time,
Sandi

"You have been by defense and refuge in the day of my trouble."  --  Psalm 59:16

STAMPIN' UP MEETS SPLATTER PAINTING

Whew, it has been a very busy last couple of weeks!!  I have done tons of projects, just not enough time to post -- so sorry!  I will try to make it up with lots of pictures today.  I am still working on my granddaughter's album for graduation open house, so I'll show a 2-page layout I did this weekend. 

Speaking of this weekend, I got to attend Ronda Wade's Creative Retreat for 3 days of solid enjoyment stamping and taking classes.  Ronda only does this twice a year, so for me it really is a "retreat" to get away from home and be pampered (no cooking, cleaning, or answering the phone)!!  Between Ronda and our co-host Tamie Ackerson, they wine and dine us from Friday through Sunday with tons of gifts and games included.  I am also posting a few pictures of our pillow gifts and make'n takes (all included in the price -- woohoo!!).

First, here are 2 more album pages completed for Holly's album:

This picture really doesn't show up the ink sprayed on the background -- it is much brighter in real life.  You will recognize mostly discontinued Stampin' Up product on these pages (e.g., designer paper, brads), but I did get a chance to use the new Stampin' Spritzers to apply the ink splatters.

A close up of the left page, which looks better if you enlarge (right click on picture and select "open in new window").

Right page enlarged.  These pictures of Holly were taken by a school classmate, who used Holly as her model for the photography class she was taking.

This is our Creative Escape bag we all received at retreat, filled with Stampin' Up product.  The dress-up card was my name tag for my table, and the other three items were pillow gifts (Petite Pocket had Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon inside, the purse has chocolate inside, and the Daffodil Delight flower was attached to a container of Silver Soda Pop Tops.

Two of our make'n takes.  So cute!!

More Stampin' Up product in our goodie bag!!

The gift card holder was another make'n take and the soda pop top was another pillow gift from Ronda and Tamie (so beautiful in real life).

Thank you Ronda and Tamie for an awesome weekend!!  I have a few more pictures that I will show in my next post.

Until next time,
Sandi

"I command you:  be firm and steadfast!  Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go."  --  Joshua 1 1:9

STAMPIN' UP: VINTAGE MEETS PUNK ART

I'm still working on my granddaughter's album, so you are going to see some really different art styles in my future posts for a while.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun I have been having.  First, just working on album pages is a dream come true for me -- don't know why I don't do it more often.  Second, I have found a new art style that I love:  Vintage with Punk Art!!  I really didn't feel like I had much of a choice when designing my pages, based on the pictures I knew were being featured.  I had pretty much decided how I was going to design the pages, but then came across some awesome blogs featuring punk art and found out the style had a name!!  I love it because you use lots of color and shapes -- so it seems kind of weird that I decided to mix it with vintage, but that's just me.  This style is one that you will either hate or love -- but isn't that true of all art????

Here are my next two pages:

I told you it was different!!!  Here is what I used:  Collage Curios, Circle Circus, and (retired) Pick a Petal Stamp Sets; Basic Black, Island Indigo, Pacific Point, Garden Green, and Crumb Cake Classic Ink; Newsprint Designer Series Paper; Whisper White and Crumb Cake Card Stock; Remember This and That Rotary Stamp (love it!!) and 1/2" circle punch; Antique Brad; Sponges; and retired Antique Brass Build-A-Brads.  I also used Acrylic Gesso to paint over the card stock prior to sponging with ink.

Close-up picture of left page (which you can make larger by right-clicking and selecting "open in new window").  This picture is one of my favorites of Holly, it really shows her beautiful eyes.  I added some vintage lace that I purchased quite a while back from the antique store, as it really set this page off by continuing the circle theme along with the vintage look.  You can't tell by this picture, but the lace actually has green in the crumb cake lace.

Close-up of right page.  I actually used the Pacific Point Classic Ink (mixed with the other colors) only on this page because there was so much blue in the photo.  The flower petals were cut using the discontinued Clear Flower Bigz Die and then stamped using the discontinued Pick A Petal Stamp Set using Basic Black Classic Ink, and then over stamped using Acrylic Paint to add dimension.  I wanted to use this stamp set because it flowed with my circle lines.  I forgot to mention that the largest circles were made by inking up the lid of an embossing powder jar in Basic Black and then stamping -- perfect size!!

I hope some of you enjoyed my "experimenting."  I think everybody should just sit down and get crazy once in a while with their art and have fun!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if ministry, in proporation to the faith . . .."  --  Romans 12:6

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.