CARD CLASS SAMPLES

How about this weather??  Can you believe it.  I just went outside and it is pouring rain.  But I'm not complaining -- who would complain about rain in January?  I just have this awful feeling we will be in for a real surprise before June gets here (have we ever had snow in May?)  One of the reasons I love living in Michigan -- you just never know what the weather will be like, and if you think you know than 9 times out of 10 you will be wrong.

I finally got started today working on my assignment from Ronda for her Sale-A-Bration Kick-Off Event.  I'm not lying when I say I sat at my work table for almost 4 hours looking at my designer paper trying to get something to pop in my brain.  Well nothing really popped right up in my mind, so decided to try this new idea using one of our new dies.  After wasting one whole sheet of designer paper, my brain started working.  So my whole day was spent just thinking (which we all know is hard for me) and I only finished one sample!!  Now I know why my doctor has been sending me for all this testing.  I could have saved myself a lot of time and money if she would have asked me and I could have answered -- "No, I don't have a working brain at the moment.  It hibernates in the winter -- Don't they all?"  So I am really hoping my creative juices will runnith over tomorrow and the man in brown shows up at my door to bring the rest of my supplies.

Oops, I almost forgot.  You came here to see something new.  So here are the rest of my cards from my card class:

Supplies:  Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper; Melon Mambo and Whisper White Card Stock; Distressing Essentials (Tea Stain Ink); Soft Suade Classic Ink; Fleurette; Pretty In Pink Brad; Organza Ribbon; and Tagtastic Stamp Set.

This card design came from Ronda Wade.  Supplies:  Pretty In Pink, Real Red, and Whisper White Card Stock; Real Red Classic Ink; Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon; P.S. I Love You Stamp Set; Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; and the Hearts Collection Framelits Dies.

Another Design from Ronda Wade.  This was a card we made at her SAB Baggie Book class.  I didn't have the same ribbon she used (new Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon), so used the Poppy Parade 1/2 Stitched-Poly Ribbon (I love this line of ribbon, it ties up so nice and neat).  Other Sale-A-Bration product used (my favorites):  Fresh Vintage and On Your Birthday Stamp Sets; Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper; Pool Party and Poppy Parade Classic Ink; and Pool Party, Poppy Parade, and Whisper White Card Stock.

 Happy stamping everybody -- I think I will go have a very small glass of wine (if I can find some), its just that kind of night.

Until next time,
Sandi

For my two younger sisters who will be flying in an airplane for the first time with me soon (after 60 years of their first life):

"If you ever get a second chance at life, you've got to go all the way."  -- Lance Armstrong.

RUE DES FLEURS MEETS EDGELITS DIE

Well it looks like ole' man winter has final stopped in town.  Here we are freezing our buns, and everybody in stampin' land is down in Texas enjoying the sun and Leadership.  I won't give it away, but get ready for an awesome new product coming soon from the company (aka Stampin' Up).  I am so excited and thrilled that I work with the best direct sales company in the country (if not the world!!).  The company doesn't keep up with the trend -- IT MAKES THE TREND, which the other companies follow.  You will just have to stay tuned for the announcement, if you don't hear it from me first. 

So getting on with today's post.  I have a beautiful card to show you today, my favorite design for this Saturday's card class.  Also, a great tip on how to use your new Edgelits and Framelits Dies (actually, I think I will use it for most of my Big Shot Dies).  So here we go:

I think this is the 1st white on white card I have every created, and I love it.  I used the new Reu Des Fleurs and Loving Thoughts Stamp Sets stamped in Basic Gray Classic Ink, on Whisper White Card Stock.  The card base was embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder with a 1" strip of Basic Gray Card Stock adhered behind the bottom front of the card that was cut with the new Adorning Accents Edgelits Die.

I love the inside as much as the front.  I used the beautiful sentiment stamp God's Blessing for the inside of the wedding card.  At the bottom I used the Romance Standard Wheel (sorry, I just realized it was discontinued from last year's IB&C).  Everything was stamped in Basic Gray Classic Ink.

 Here is how I cut my card stock using the new Edgelits Dies:

You might want to "right-click" your mouse on the above picture, and select "open in new tab" to show a larger picture.  First, I cut a portion of Grid Paper (p. 207 of IB&C) the same size as a Big Shot Standard Cutting Pad.  I then high-lighted the 1" lines in red marker, and extended those and the 1/4" lines (high-lighted in black marker) across to the right.  I also wrote in the inches on the left.  If you don't have grid paper and choose to make your own template, make sure you use very thin paper like copy paper or vellum.  You don't want anything thick like card stock because it will be too tight to run through the Big Shot with your dies.  To keep it clean and intact, and because I knew I would be using the template a lot, I covered the back and front with Avery Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets.

A picture of the template laying on my Multipurpose Platform (in this case on Tab 2).  I used a little Dotto repositional adhesive on the platform to keep the template in place (you don't want it sliding all around everytime you use it).

I "built my sandwitch" laying a Standard Cutting Pad on top of the template, then my White Card Stock making sure I use the gridlines on all four sides, then I positioned my Edgelit on the template/card stock.  Notice that the left and right scallops on the card stock are even (i.e., I centered the Edgelit using the template).  For my card above I wanted to cut off 1" from the bottom of my card (so my stamped wheel would show from the inside), so I lined the Edgelit up on the 1" line (marked in red marker).  I did not have to tape the Edgelit down, I just carefully laid my Standard Cutting Pad on top to finish my "sandwitch" and ran it through the Big Shot.

I hope you can use my tip.  I know I will get a lot of use from the template, as I plan on using it with a lot more of the Big Shot Dies.  Another tip:  Use an old, scratched up Standard Cutting Pad on the bottom of your sandwitch because it will get a lot more scratches on it from the edgelit (no sense ruining a brand new cutting pad).  Have a nice weekend everybody,

Until next time,
Sandi
"The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of distress."
 -- Psalm 9:10
"No matter what, I will trust in You, for You will be with me Lord."  --  Mary Brown

STAMPIN' UP SALE-A-BRATION & MORE

I am so excited because Stampin' Up is having their annual Sale-A-Bration event starting on January 24th!!  And because I am a demonstrator, I got to order Occasions Mini Catalog product in December and received free Sale-A-Bration product!!!  Yes, the home office does spoil us -- another reason you should sign up to be a demonstrator, tons of free product and let's not forget that discount!!  And of course if you sign up now, there are some extra benefits.  I know you want to, so give me a call and I will get you set up.  Some of my cards today were done at our RubberQueen meeting this week, another great benefit if you sign up as one of my recruits.

I have developed a terrible cold (thanks to my sister Pam who stayed at my place last weekend), so I am going to move right along to show you these awesome cards featuring product from the Occasions Mini Catalog and new Sale-A-Bration sets.

I designed this card last weekend when my other sister was here (she is also a demonstrator) just to play around with the new Hearts Collection Framelits Die.  As soon as I saw this in the Occasions Mini Catalog, I knew I wanted to make a card shapped like a heart.  For this one I used a standard card size (10" x 4 1/4" folded in half), in Whisper White Cardstock.  I'm going to do another one, but use the larger Heart Framelit, so it will fit in Stampin' Up's large square envelope.

Here is what the inside looks like.

I pulled the tag out for this picture.

This was one of Ronda's make'n takes at our meeting Tuesday.  Of course I wasn't feeling well so I took it home to make it, and then realized I didn't have the stamp set she used.  So it does look a little different.

This is what I came up with for the inside.  I punched the little hearts out, then punched some in Mellon Mambo Card Stock and applied them a little off center to look like a shadow.

Another make'n take from our meeting.  I just changed the punced border on this one because I love this punch!!

I need to go Vick's up and fix me a hot toddie as I can't breath, sorry for not giving a list of supplies used this time.  If you have any questions, just leave me a comment with your e-mail address.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Love your enemies . . . and pray for those who . . . persecute you."  -- Matthew 5:44
"People may mock our message but they are helpless against our prayers."

ORGANIZING!!

Okay, I know I'm slipping here by not posting in over two weeks.  The truth is, I have been goofing off along with doing some long-needed cleaning in my house.  I actually have been stamping a lot and finishing some projects, but nothing you probably would want to see.  I stamped about 150 Christmas cards and mini projects since after Christmas (in between cleaning).  I told myself that I was not going to pack away my Christmas stamps and designer paper this year until I finished all the projects I started in the last 4 years (yep, you read it correctly -- FOUR YEARS!!).  A lot of it was already cut and prepped, but there was still a lot to complete.  As of this moment I am done!!!  The rest of my day (as soon as I finish this) will be spent cleaning my room and packing everything away.

Another thing I finished was putting together all my stamp sets from the new Occasions Mini Catalog.  So that was 20 stamp sets (including Sale-A-Bration sets).  While I was doing this I thought I would take pictures and show you how I put my clear mount stamp sets together and organize them when I am done.  I am a "little" finicky when I organize and have to make sure I don't switch my methods.  When you get my age, "organization" is the fix for loosing your memory (along with carrying a pad and pencil around with you all day to take notes so I can remember what I went upstairs to get; or better yet, what I was going to get when I went from one end of the room to the other).  So here is how I do it:

1.  Remove all the stamp images from the rubber sheet (I personally think it is easier if you push them out from the back).

2.  Remove all the white backing from the foam (you can stop here and just mount on clear acrylic blocks or add the label).

3.  I remove one backing at a time, then line up the stamp backing (foam side down) to the sticky label and press down to adhere and then pull up.  The stamp is now ready to adhere to your acrylic block.  Tip:  When mounting on the clear block press down and count to 10 -- you should be able to see bubbles on the label when it is mounted correctly so it does not fall off even when cleaning.

4.  I then cut off the label at the bottom of the label sheet.

5.  Remove the white backing from the front of the label.

6.  Stick the label on the bottom front of your DVD case.

7.  This is the front of one DVD case.  Notice I have written in the catalog and year at the bottom.  This saves me a lot of time when I am asked or need to know what catalog I purchased the stamp set.

8.  This is the back of my DVD case.  I have cut the picture of the set, along with the price and number of stamps, from the catalog.  This saves me time also if I decide to sell at a later date by knowing what was the original cost.

9.  Another picture of the bottom side.  I put the label here because my bookcase shelves are not tall enough for me to store like a book and to see the name when I pack in boxes to store after the set is discontinued.

10.  This is what the set looks like inside.  I always keep the original rubber sheet to put the stamps back in so they stay organized and I am able to see at a glance if a stamp is missing.

This is my shelf for CURRENT stamp sets with everything labeled and organized by theme.  Notice I have one section (middle shelf on right) just for the current mini catalog (no, I don't have "all" the Occasions stamp sets yet).

Close-up of my wood-mounted stamp sets with typed labels.  Besides the name of the set, I include the price, number of stamps, and brief description of stamps. (Enlarge the picture for more detail by selecting the picture and doing right-click to open in new tab).

This is overall view of all my current stamps that sit right in front of me at my stamping desk.

After all of that, I think you deserve a picture of something I created today.  This piece of white cardstock has been sitting on one of my work stations for months, I think it was left over from a class when I embossed it in the wrong direction.  So decided to put something on it for next year.  The good news is that all the product is still current!!

I hope you got some ideas about how to organize your stamps today, or maybe you could leave me a comment and give me some tips to use about how you do yours.  Yes, I probably overdue putting my stamps together -- but trust me, it saves me tons of time later.  Look for more tips in upcoming posts.

Until next time (hopefully sooner than this time),
Sandi

"And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. . . ."  -- Genesis 1:31
"Father, everything You make is good.  Let me look for the pattern of Your goodness in all the happenings of my life."  --  Pam Kidd

STAMPIN' UP: FROSTWOOD LODGE & LETTERS TO SANTA

Well I didn't think I would be posting again before Christmas, but wanted to show you this album cover that I decorated before I give it away for Christmas.  I decorated the 20 album pages a couple of years ago with a now discontinued Stampin' Up Christmas Simply Scrappin' Kit.  The actual album is our discontinued On Board 8 1/2" x 11" chipboard album.  But, I decorated it with our current Frostwood Lodge and Letters To Santa Designer Paper.  I hope she likes it.

And look, no stamping!!

Before I leave I want to say thank you to Nancy Dawson for honoring me with The Versatile Blogger Award.  It is always such a joy to know others like your blog and might go away with some ideas. 
Please take a moment to visit Nancy's blog here, she is a really talented stamper and I love her card using the new Gnome Sweet Gnome stamp set.

Merry Christmas!
Sandi
"Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles." -- Psalm 71:18
"Heavenly Father, thank You for the books, classes, workshops and groups of friends that help keep my mind active and my life punctuated with pizzazz."  -- Patricia Lorenz

STAMPIN' UP BELLS & BOUGHS

Happy Monday!!
Is it getting crazy at your place yet?  I think by tomorrow I will be in my "frantic" mode.  Still haven't even started making my gifts yet -- so many ideas floating around in my head.  My kids have mentioned so many different things that they want me to make for them, that it is hard to narrow it down a bit.  I guess I will start with the things they asked for last year, which I didn't get done and will keep me busy right up until Christmas Eve.  Thank goodness the guys in my family never seem interested in hand-made gifts.  Or could it be that "I" am not very talented in that area?  I think it is the later.

I have been fooling around for 3 days just completing cards that I started "last year."  Yep, don't even ask me to explain, but the short version is I completed about 60 Christmas cards from left over supplies and projects I started last year.  I am so tired of having this huge plastic wash tub full of stamp sets, cut card stock, accessories, etc. sitting in my storage area.  I have actually enjoyed doing them (maybe it is because it gives me an excuse to not start something new?).  So, because I have been fooling around and not creating "new" projects, I am showing you a couple of cards I have gotten this year and one of my cards (from last year) that I finished this morning (I had supplies for 10 cut and ready to go).

This is my card from last year, I just changed it a bit.  Everything but the designer paper is still current product:  Bells and Boughs Stamp Set, Belle Standard Wheel, Gold Embossing Powder, Cherry Cobbler Ink and Card Stock, Sahara Sand Card Stock, Very Vanilla 1/8th inch Taffeta Ribbon, Watercolor Brush with Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, and Tea Stain Ink.

This is a card I received from my sister Lois Purcell.  Love that Glimmer Card Stock!!

This card I received from my friend, neighbor, and customer:  Cheryl Tonkin.  And, no, she did not do this card at one of my classes.  She is a very talented stamper on her own!

This card I received from another friend, whom I am forever in debt to because of all the times she has typed her heart out entering product into my Automated Excel Workshop Forms.  And that would be Linda Tarolli, from New York.  Isn't it so cute with all the bling and Mica Flakes.

Thank you ladies for the beautiful cards.  I am being totally honest when I tell you that receiving hand-made cards really is the highlight of the holiday season for me.  It is so true, even for us stampers, that it truly brightens your day to get a stamped card in the mail -- forget the gifts, I'll take a card any day!!

I probably won't be posting again until after Christmas, so I want to express my gratefullness to all of you who visit my blog and take time to leave a comment (another thing I love).  And I leave you with these words from one of my very favorite stamps this year (it so expresses what I want to say and exactly what I would never be able to come up with on my own):  "May the miracle of Christmas find you safe in the Peace of God, warm in the Light of Christ." -- Stampin' Up Gods Blessing

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Sandi
"Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife."  -- Matthew 1:24
"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."  -- Chambers

STAMPIN' UP CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ!!

Clearance Rack Blitz Begins Today

December 15, 2011

From December 15, 2011, through January 5, 2012, nearly 200 products are being added to the Clearance Rack in the Online Store--with some discounted up to 80 percent! Visit my Online Store and click on the "Shop Now" button to take part in the savings yourself!

Please note: Within the Online Store, in the Clearance Rack Blitz category, there will be some identical punches that have two different item numbers; this is because we are using inventory from both our American and our European warehouses. It will indicate which punches this affects in the product description.

Dates:   December 15, 2011-January 5, 2012

Details:  Nearly 200 new Clearance Rack items are being added to the Online Store at discounts up to 80 percent off retail--while supplies last!


Things to Remember:

• Only online orders qualify for this promotion. Orders can include non-Clearance Rack items, as well.
• The Clearance Rack Blitz includes old-body style punches.
• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion.
• Qualifying Clearance Rack orders are eligible for hostess benefits/Stampin' Rewards.
• Following the Clearance Rack Blitz sales period, some blitz items may remain in the clearance rack; others may be removed and reappear at an undesignated time in the future.
• Clearance Rack Blitz items are only available while supplies last. There are no refunds or exchanges on Clearance Rack items.
• You may view Clearance Rack Blitz items by going to my Online Store here then click on the "Shop Now" button. (Make sure my name is indicated on upper-right as your demonstrator so you get the lower "preferred" price.)
• Deadline: Thursday, January 5, 2012; 11:50 PM (MT)

If you have any question please give me a call or e-mail me. I hope to update my blog again soon with some new projects, just started Christmas shopping yesterday (finished in 2 hours) and still have a lot of gifts to make. Hope you are all are having a merry holiday season (I know it is hard sometimes with all the things on our list, but actually I am!!).

Until next post,
Sandi
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" -- Romans 12:18