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

A FEW MORE SWAPS FROM STAMPIN' UP CONVENTION!!

Today is my first day in a week that I have been up and moving for 7 hours straight!!!  It probably won't last for more than an hour longer, but it feels so good just feeling almost normal again.  My poison ivy is still with me, but it now has a friend to keep it company:  upper-respiratory infection (I think or hope).  Yes, I am going to break down and call the doctor tomorrow to see what the heck is going on with my body.  I feel blessed that I was able to have a couple of days last week to go camping with some of my family.  I hadn't seen a couple of them in over 10 years so it was especially fun to catch up on their lives and families.  In my post last week I mentioned that my grand-daughter was riding with me to the campground to make sure I didn't get lost.  Well I ended up letting her drive, and we had the most awesome adventure -- we only had to turn around 5 times on the way there and twice on the way back!!!  Everybody kept calling us from the campground wanting to know what was taking us so long and to give us directions.  But none of that worked because it is a little hard to give directions when you don't know where you are to start them.  I finally figured out that my GPS was programmed to take back roads and we were trying to take the highways -- that is why it kept telling us to make U-Turns.  Also good that our destination was only 2 hrs. away and it only took us about 3.5 hrs. -- so we did good!!!

Because I haven't opened any of my new Stampin' Up Product and have been sick all week, I am showing a few more swap cards and some camping pictures.


Love all the texture on this, by Marjie Shulsinger (www.stampoutloud.com)

I can see that I really need to purchase this stamp set!!  By Donna Sheehan.



My son-in-law, Ethan, sitting by the campfire (dinner is cooking) with my niece's husband on the right.  I slept in my Blazer behind the screened tent (on a very comfy air bed mattress and sleeping bag).

Breakfast:  Sausage, bacon, potatoes already cooked on fire and scrambled eggs keeping warm.  There was tons other food but I was headed to the showers and didn't look under the tin foil.  That is my water warming up on the side for my tea!!

Getting ready to go to the beach!!  My grand-daughter Emily (who drove me to campground), my great-grandson Kail (her son), and my great-niece Layla.

Some of the campers!!  (My daughter Tricia trying to get her butt warm by the campfire, my other daughter Deborah is sitting in chair on the left, and my sister-in-law Allyson in the middle.

Hurry up Mom!!  I want to go swimming!!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to have some new creations the next time I post!!

Until next time,
Sandi
"My grace is sufficient for you,  for power is made perfect in weakness."  -- 2 Corinthians 12:9

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS: STAMPIN' UP!!

Back from Convention and finally got all my bags unpacked, laundry done, and house back in order -- in less than a week!!!  This is an all-time record for me.  It usually takes me 2 days just to start thinking about it.  So today I spent the day packing up again and writing lists so I can go camping tomorrow.  Unlike my friend Ronda Wade, when I go camping we cook over the open fire or Coleman stove, sleep in sleeping bags (me on the ground I think as I didn't pack my tent), and play board games all day long.

I'm really not recovered from my poison ivy, as it has now spread over my entire body; but I am on medication now and the weather has been cooler so that helps when your body is itching from the heat.  I'm also only going camping for 3 days (most are there now).  I think my daughter, Tricia, told her daughter (my granddaughter, Emily) to ride with me as she called late tonight saying she needed a ride all of a sudden.  Everybody in the family knows I get lost just going to town (6 miles away), so they don't trust me to drive by myself.  I just laugh because I never get lost, just temporally can't find my destination!  I definitely have gotten my money's worth out of my compass in my car.  I have a GPS, but the lady always tells me the wrong directions -- however, she does do a good job telling me what lane to get in.

Today I want to show you all the goodies I got at Convention.  Stampin' Up just showered us with gifts this year.  Wow, over $200 in free product/gifts, and then on top of that I won a $100 Stampin' Up shopping spree!!!  I had so much fun looking through the new Holiday Mini Catalog to order my free stuff yesterday (demonstrators get to order early).  This is just one reason why you need to sign up as a demonstrator (call me and I will tell you even better reasons).  I also have a few swaps to show you that I received at Convention.  Enjoy!!

Our Convention bag/backpack we received this year (upper right corner) is awesome -- top quality!!!  So many features and so many zippers!!!  Memento Mall Strawberry Slush Hoodie (upper left), RubberQueen T-Shirt (lower-left), and Convention T-Shirt (lower right).

Convention Goodies!!  (can't show you all the stamp sets because they aren't for sale yet).

Everybody received a free Paper Pumpkin Kit, the 25-Year Stampin' Up silver pen was in our Convention bag, and the charm bracelets and key chain from Memento Mall. 



My new friend, Kelly Mayou, gave me this cute 3-D box with a little Keurig® hot chocolate mix inserted. 

Isn't it just the cat's meow!!!

This swap was done by my friend Eleanor Faught (another RubberQueen) -- so cute!!

Another cute one!!  No name on the back.

Another RubberQueen and friend, Melissa Roberts, made this sweet card -- I love it and will be CASEing this for a class!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Every day is a gift, Lord, each moment a treasure,
Give us eyes to see beauty, hours to hug pleasure."

-- Fred Bauer