Give thanks Choice #2

Today's card is choice #2 for our upcoming stamp-a-stack on October 18th.
I love our textured paper, and Dusty Durango makes an excellent backdrop for this fall-inspired card. A simple oval punched and then layered over a die cut is topped with a clip to draw your eye up to the greeting. Simple stamping and our great ribbon finish the card. It's another simple-but-pretty card that only takes a few minutes to put together making it an ideal choice for when you are making multiples of the same card.
Check back tomorrow and Friday for our 3rd and 4th choices - both are Christmas cards!
Supplies:
Stamps: Holiday Best (115364), Autumn Days (115452)
Ink: More Mustard (103162 pad, 100076 marker), Really Rust (100073 marker), Chocolate Chip (100071 marker)
Paper: In-Color Textured (115719), Chocolate Chip (102128), More Mustard (100946), Very Vanilla (101650)
Tools: Sizzlits Lots of Tags (114508), Wide Oval Punch (112082)
Other: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain (109051), Clips Asstmt (112580), Silver Brads (104336)
Need Supplies? Click here to shop 24/7!

Ready to stamp-a-stack?

It's that time again - time to showcase what we'll be doing at our next stamp-a-stack on October 18th. Today through Friday, I'll be showing the cards that we'll be making. Participants choose 2 cards and make 5 of each. (However, if you like them all, you are welcome to request them all.)  RSVPs are due by October 7th so that I have enough time to order any necessary materials. Materials fee is only $15. Contact me to reserve your spot!
This card is one that I completely cased from SU! demonstrator Lori Ames. I thought it was just adorable and so unique! And you should see it done with Christmas colors and bling - even cuter! So, of course, we have to include it this month so that you can either use it for Fall cards or consider it for your holiday cards. I also love how easily it comes together, making it a great choice for our class.
Supplies:
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes (111672), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Ink: Summer Sun (100537), More Mustard (103162), Really Rust (102549), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Paper: More Mustard (106542), Chocolate Chip (107102), Very Vanilla (106530)
Tools: Modern Label Punch (116630)
Other: Linen Thread (104199), Flower Assortment Brads (112583)
Need supplies? Click here to shop 24/7!

Mojo 106 Ghostly Greetings!

It's almost October, can you believe it? My boys are already excited about the costumes and the candy and I'm just happy that they share the loot with me! *grin* With Halloween on the brain, I wanted to play some more with my Halloween paper and stamps; so, I used them along with the Mojo Monday sketch challenge to make this card:  

Instead of having the larger rectangle as my main focal point, I decided to let it play 2nd fiddle. The 1/4" grosgrain ribbon adds some extra color but also helps to drag the eye towards the other image. To help make the smaller rectangle my main focal point, I skewed it a little to catch the eye and also topped the ghosts with Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Just a note.... the Dazzling Diamonds is so fine that I exhaled too hard and made a little fly out of the container - now my desk is also shimmery! That'll teach me to stick my face so close to my projects! Thanks for stopping by!
p.s. I invite you to check back each day this week for a preview of the Fall and Christmas cards we'll be making at our October stamp-a-stack!
Supplies:
Stamps: Twick or Tweet (116497)
Ink: StazOn Black (101406)
Paper: Cast-a-spell Designer Series Paper (115677), Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730), Pumpkin Pie (105117)
Other: Dazzling Diamonds (102023), Crystal Effects (101055), 1/4" Grosgrain I used a retired orange, however Pumpkin Pie is available (109030), Dotto (103305), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Need Stampin' Supplies? Click here to shop on-line!

How to make a Dahlia Fan

Here's the promised video! Enjoy!

DivaSC49 Meet Barry

Happy Saturday!

Today's sketch provided me with just the right amount of space for my new friend, Barry. (His name is copied from my son's favorite stuffed bear; of course, we spell his name "Beary". *grin*) My son is a little old for this card, but that's okay. We've got plenty of little boys in the family for whom this would make a fun birthday card. Barry was colored in using a Creamy Caramel Stampin' Write marker. Instead of coloring in his clothes this time, I used paper piecing to dress him. If you are not familiar with this technique, this means that I stamped the images I needed (him, the balloon and the hat) onto different papers, cut the images out and applied them over the main image on the card. This gives a little added dimension and texture boost to our finished product. Note: sharp scissors with a fine tip are a must! Our Paper Snips are very sharp (mine are still incredible after 5 years) making it a cinch to get smooth edges and to get into small or detailed areas.
Thanks for stopping by! And don't forget to visit the Utah Divas site and see what the other ladies have designed for you!
Supplies: Stamps:Beary Best Friends (118052), Beary Nice Wishes (118050) Ink: Ballet Blue (100907), Night of Navy (102977), Basic Black (101179) Stampin' Write Markers: Barely Banana (100039), Close to Cocoa (100072), Creamy Caramel (100078), More Mustard (100076) Paper: Pawsitively Prints Designer Series Paper (118060), More Mustard (100946), Very Vanilla (101650), Barely Banana (102701) Other: Earth Elements brads (106955), More Mustard 1/4" grosgrain, Clips Assortment (112580), Paper Snips (103579)
Need supplies? Click here to shop 24/7.

Come with me to Salt Lake City!

You can't do this to your kids.... seriously....



So, come on.... join my team The Escape Artists and we'll go to Salt Lake City next July and learn how to make projects worthy of our children (and grandchildren!)

A lovely fan for you...

Today's card features a sweet fan made using the Dahlia fold technique. Instead of folding 8 circles for a complete flower, 4 are folded to make the fan. The tassel was made with some of our silver cording, but I'm sure it would look adorable made with a colored cross-stitch thread as well.
I wish that I could give credit to the crafty person who came up with this project; unfortunately, there wasn't a name on the picture or the file I saved. But I did figure out how to make it and this card will be our project this Friday at Hope Lutheran. If you can't make it, be sure to check back this Sunday when I'll be posting a video with step-by-step directions.
Attendees - please remember to RSVP by tomorrow and let me know whether or not you plan to attend. Thanks!

Let's Party Hearty!

Party Hearty is the name of the stamp set used on this card and it is one of the many included in our new digital paper-crafting program My Digital Studio. My son's birthday is tomorrow and I have a plan to make him a card or little something each day this week. I don't have that many birthday rubber stamps, so today I turned to my program to make the card you see here.
I still prefer a hand-made card - I love the texture, dimension and feel of it; but it was fun to put this card together. Plus it was fast and mess-free which is what I needed on a busy Monday like today.  And it also gave me the idea to share a blog-only customer special with you!

Today's special: order Party Hearty (item 111532/$26.95) from me and I will give you a package of our wonderful Stampin' Dimensionals for free! Contact me to place your order! (This offer is only valid through Friday, September 25th, 2009 and only through me.)

DivaSC48

Here's the sketch for our weekly challenge with Utah Divas Int'l.

I'm away this weekend at a women's conference, so I don't have a card to share with you. I apologize for that, but I just couldn't fit it in to my crazy schedule this week! But, check out the UDI site above and you'll be able to link to our other Sketch Divas and see what they have in store for you!

Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back on Monday with a new project share.

Shimmer Emboss

Here's a video of the fun new technique I'll be sharing with my club members today. I didn't come up with the idea, so I'm showing you the original video shared by Heather on her blog "Stamp with Heather". Enjoy!

My Digital Studio Video

This new video was just released today - what great timing! Click here for an introduction to My Digital Studio.

My Digital Studio

I have a great new product to share with you! On October 1st, our new digital program My Digital Studio will become available to our customers. As a demonstrator, I was able to purchase an advanced copy (one of my favorite things about being a demo!!) so that I could then share in the fun with you. I was afraid it might be difficult to learn and get started, but in just 2 hours last night I had made 15 pages of a scrapbook! (Scrapping is NOT my forte'.... trust me when I tell you that it's amazing for me to have done that many pages is 2 hours.... instead of 2 months!) But, as you'll read below, it's much more than a scrapbooking program - A LOT MORE!
Here's a brief intro, but clicking here will direct you to our corporate site where you can read more. And, of course, check back because I'll soon be sharing project ideas with you here!

My Digital Studio is new software from Stampin' Up! that allows both demonstrators and customers to digitally create a variety of products including (but not limited to) photo albums, cards, calendars, individual scrapbook pages, and multimedia projects that use exclusive Stampin' Up! art, accessories, and colors. When printed with Stampin' Up!'s professional print services, your projects can be combined with traditional Stampin' Up! products to create unique, multidimensional "hybrid" projects.


My Digital Studio is available in English only and will be sold in the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec).

There are three different components to My Digital Studio:
•Software: The My Digital Studio software will install directly on to your computer. The software contains nearly 2,000 unique elements including stamp brush sets, embellishments, templates, kits, punches, Designer Series papers, card stock, borders and more--all in exclusive Stampin' Up! designs and colors.
•Professional Print Services: When you are done creating your projects, you have the option to have your projects professionally printed and delivered right to your door. Our professional print services are the best way to insure correct color matching with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors.*
•Digital Downloads: You'll have access to an ever-increasing library of downloadable digital images that are perfect for seasonal projects, important events, or just everyday creativity.

Click here to read more.

Of the Earth

Just a quick share today -  These bookmarks were another quick and easy project. And they measure 2"x6", so I was able to get 12 out of 1 sheet of 12x12 cardstock. (A second sheet was trimmed down to add some layering.) These are for a Bible study group, but I think I'll pull out the Fall and Halloween colors and images and make some for the kiddos to take to school. I love it when a project is fun, inexpensive and easy to share!

Supplies:

Stamps: Of the Earth (115336)

Ink: Tempting Turquoise (100814), Cameo Coral (103035)

Paper: Tempting Turquoise (102067), Cameo Coral (100475), Certainly Celery (105125), Whisper White (100730)

Other: Misc. ribbon and rhinestone brads

Tools: Paper-Piercing Tool (116631), Square Scallop Punch (112081), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Need supplies? Click here to shop 24/7.

How-to pierce circles

In yesterday's post, I mentioned a technique that could be used with the Mat Pack to pierce around a circle (and the fact that I didn't know how....) Janine left a comment and was nice enough to explain the process. Here's what she shared:

To pierce around circles you line up the grid with the edge of the circle and pierce one hole - you keep your piercing tool in the hole and swivel the grid until the gridmark lines up with the circle edge again by the next hole. You pierce that hole and keep moving round...

Also, she reminded me that Beate Johns had shared this info previously on her blog. Click here to be directed to Beate's post. 


Thanks, Janine!

I'm escaping laundry....

There's mommy-work to be done after the weekend, but I managed to escape to my craft room for a little while and make this card for today's Mojo sketch challenge.

One quick tip I wanted to share with you: use the paper-piercing guide from our Mat Pack to help you place the holes needed for your brads. You'll be able to line them up properly and space them evenly, too! There's also supposed to be a way to use it to pierce around circles - I'll have to try that and get back to ya! Now it's back to Mount Washmore for me, but I'll be back tomorrow with more fun stampin' stuff. Thanks for stopping by!

Need supplies? Click here to shop 24/7!

Stamps: Animal Stories (116716), Dias Felices (115720)

Ink: So Saffron (105213), Chocolate Chip (100908)

Paper: So Saffron (105118), Chocolate Chip (102128), Brocade Blue (101166), Tall Tales Designer Series Paper (115678)

Embellishments: Vintage Brads (109109)

Tools: Stampin' Sponges (101610), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Dotto (103305)

Chrissy Bear gets special ribbon

 Chrissy is my little girlie Christmas bear! I felt like a little girl again, trying to figure out how to dress my little friend :)
I decided to use patterned paper and gave her a paper-pieced dress. She needed a little something special for her accessories, so I applied Crystal Effects to her shoes - now they look like little patent leather Mary-Janes! I didn't give her earrings (this time...), but I did add some of the CE to her flower to give it some shine, too. She was looking so special that I decided the card needed some bling, too and made this little ribbon bundle to match. Here are some pictures of how it came together:

Thanks for stopping by! 

Need Supplies? Click here to Shop anytime!

Stamps: Beary Best Friends (118052), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Ink: StazOn Black (101406), Stampin' Write Markers in Real Red (100052), Creamy Caramel (100078), Barely Banana (100039)
Paper: Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper (116770), Soft Suede (115318), Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730)
Embellishments: Clear Button (105447), Fire Circle Brads (109110), Crystal Effects (101055), 1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon (109034), Silver Cord (109866)
Tools: Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Dotto adhesive (103305), Glue Dots (103683)

Layout is one used previously, but was recently recommended by Stamping 411.

DivaSC47 My earth-friendly neighborhood

Welcome to the neighborhood! Today is Saturday, so that means that we have a new sketch challenge with my stampin' friends the Utah Divas International. This sketch challenge has a simple layout, and I didn't alter it too much except to change it to a square card.

My card base is 10"x5" sheet of Bashful Blue card stock, scored at 5" to give me a finished card of 5"x5". Wondering about the "earth-friendly" part of my title? *grin* What I'm referring to are the colors I used in my image today. I had only planned to use a couple of colors, but ended up using just about every color in the Earth Elements color family!  ( You know.... I can't remember, but I probably hogged all the crayons in kindergarten....)


You may notice that the sketch has a circle at the top of the card. I tied the hemp twine into place, planning to attach a metal-edged circle tag to it; but, my bow came out so cute I couldn't get myself to mess with it! I may add the tag later, but I'll wait until I use the card to decide. It's good to have options, right?

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to stop by the UDI site so that you can see the other sketch Diva cards! Also, I welcome your comments - let me know if you have any questions or requests for future projects!

Supplies:

Stamps: Neighborhood jumbo wheel (109685)

Ink: Basic Black jumbo cartridge (104582), Earth Elements Classic Stampin' Pads (105559), Bashful Blue (105209)

Paper: Bashful Blue (105120), Really Rust (100661), More Mustard (100946), Watercolor Paper

Other: Hemp Twine (100982), Aqua Painter (103954), Jumbo Handle (103661) 

Need supplies? Click here to shop 24/7.

You Make Me Smile

My card today is based on yesterday's sketch challenge at stampinaddicts. I've just recently joined the site and am enjoying getting to know the nice people there. The challenges don't close by a specific date, so I invite you to check out the site, play along and add your card to their gallery.

(Yup - another Halloween card! I can't wait to start sending these out to my cousins, nieces and nephews!)
Since the layout itself is clean and straight-forward, I thought it would be fun to use bright colors and a focal image that pops! I used the colors in the Cast-a-spell Designer Series paper to guide my card stock choices and kept my coloring simple on my Twick or Tweet pumpkins. A tiny bit of grosgrain and a Star brad finish dressing up the card - it's now ready to Tweet someone special. (Ok, corny.... but hope it brought a grin to your face!) Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Twick or Tweet (116497)

Ink: StazOn Black(101406), Stampin' Write Marker Only Orange (100051) and Lovely Lilac (100056)

Paper: Cast-a-spell (115677), Only Orange (102837), Elegant Eggplant (105126), Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730)

Other: Star Brads (112572), 1/4" Orange grosgrain ribbon (pumpkin-109030), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

To see another card from this stamp set, click here.
Need supplies? click here to shop 24/7.

Hi, I'm a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator...

you probably already knew that... but I thought I would mention it again as a preface to what I'm going to share with you today.

When I signed up with SU! 5 years ago I signed an agreement stating, among other things, that I would not sell competitive products. This was slightly before the BOOM of blogs on the internet, etc. so there were not any specifications about electronic media.  Recently, SU! decided to address this omission and has asked all of the SU! demonstrators to re-sign the agreement which has been adjusted to include the details just mentioned. For me, it was just a detail. They just want us to sell for them.... got it.

I decided to write this blog post today because I have read a number of negative comments about this change, some very rude, and some stating that SU! is afraid of competition. Because the most vocal are usually the complainers, I wanted to give a thumbs up to SU! and hopefully balance the scales a little.

Re-signing the agreement was an easy decision for me. I AM a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. The projects and the supplies that I share - whether at classes, on-line or with friends and family - are the things that I will encourage others to use. I have shown "other" products before, shown how they work well with our wonderful products, and I noticed the interest it generated. I quickly learned: Any time I show any item, I'm selling it. I don't believe it's a matter of SU! being "afraid of competition" as a few have stated; I believe they just don't want us selling for our competitors. Why would they? It makes perfect sense to me.

I love the craft and I love the great products put out to support the craft. I encourage you to use the products that make you happy and help you to enjoy your "escape". Just know that I love my company and will continue to support the one who supports me. Thanks for stopping by today. I'll get off my soap-box now and go create a lovely project to share with you tomorrow! See you then...

It's fall.... somewhere!

The fall leaves on this card are the only ones I'm likely to see this year! As much as I love Florida, I do actually miss the fall season. Pretty leaves, cooling temps and even rainy days where you feel justified relaxing with a good book instead of getting out and about. *Sigh*
Well, since we don't have the real thing, this Friday at Hope Lutheran we're going to pretend we're in Vermont and make a nice fall-inspired card. Don't forget to RSVP if you plan to attend!

Supplies
Stamps: Autumn Traditions (115452), Sincere Salutations (115068)
Ink: More Mustard (103162), Chocolate Chip (100908), Ruby Red (102259), Sahara Sand (105208)
Paper: Autumn Traditions (115668), Kraft (102125), Very Vanilla (101650), Ruby Red (102030)
Embellishments: Wide Chocolate Grosgrain (109051)
Tools: Paper snips (103579), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Stampin' Sponge (101610)
Need supplies? Click here to shop 24/7.
SC202 layout

Black licorice - scary!

Not sure what scares me more.... the black licorice or the tombstone :)
Here's a great project shared by Stampin' up! Enjoy!
Graveyard Gala Treat Holder

Stamps • Graveyard Gala stamp set
Paper • Going Gray textured card stock • Pumpkin Pie textured card stock • Whisper White textured card stock
Ink • VersaMark® pad • Black Stampin’ Emboss® powder
Accessories • Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon • Linen thread • Spooky Treats Rub-Ons • Stampin' Dimensionals® • 1/16" Circle punch • 3/4" Circle punch • Sizzix® Big Shot™ • Pillow Box Bigz™ die

Need supplies? Click here to shop 24/7.

DivaSC46 It's all about the paper!

Happy Saturday everyone! Today's Utah Diva sketch really stretched my brain... the sketch was cool enough on it's own, but an additional part of our challenge was to focus on the Designer Series Paper - no stamping allowed! OUCH!

In truth, our paper is so pretty that it's a shame to cover it up with anything. With this layout, our paper gets to shine! I love this Bella Bleu paper - it is so elegant that it would be a great choice for any special occasion. I couldn't resist a little bling to girly it up even more *grin*. Thanks Carol for a fun challenge!


Thanks for stopping by and don't miss out on the other cards made with this sketch. Click here to be directed to the Utah Divas Site.
Supplies:
Paper: Barely Banana (102701), Not Quite Navy (101722), Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper (113974)
Other: Ice Circle Brads (109111), Jumbo Grommets (116874), Beautiful Butterflies Die (114507), 1" circle (109046), 1-1/4" circle (104403), Sizzix Big Shot( 113439)
Need supplies now? Click here to shop 24/7

For Cynthia

Today's project is a gift for my hostess at today's workshop. She'll be getting a cute decorated tin filled with some Stampin' Mist, a decorated Sizzix die box #2 (filled with chocolate nuggets) and this great little box. It has 3 little (2x2) note cards as well as more chocolate!
Jealous? Contact me and we'll set up a workshop for you where you, too, can learn how to make this little box and get plenty of chocolate!

Supplies:
Stamps: Circle Circus (115778), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Ink: VersaMark (102283), Bermuda Bay (115655)
Paper: Bermuda Bay (115317), Rose Red (102544), Thoroughly Modern (115673), Whisper White (100730)
Other: Filigree Brads (112577), Silver Embossing Powder (109131), Heat Tool (100005), 1-1/4" circle (104403), 1-3/8" circle (104401), Round Tab (108340), Silver cord (109866)
technorati code: 5knyu9he6c

What do you think?

So, you might be thinking... "what's with the poll about Christmas colors"? Well, here's what happened.... The cards you see above are choice #4 for my upcoming Stamp-a-stack. I was trying to do something a little different and really wanted to use this gorgeous Designer Series Paper. I thought to myself, "Why not use a different color, instead of being so predictable?" So I made the card (the one with the More Mustard card base) and happily go show it to my un-paid critic.... my husband.

Simply put- thumbs down for the card because it didn't have "Christmas Colors". Now, as card makers (artists?), do we really have to stick to traditional colors?! I mean... come on! Break out of the box a little! *grin* But, okay - tradition can be good - so I pouted a little and came back to my stamp room to make the front card with Old Olive. Then I started wondering if I'm the only one who likes the mustard one. This the poll was born... let me know what you think!!

*Note to class attendees: you get to choose - when you RSVP let me know if you prefer:
a)Break-out-of-the-box: More Mustard
b) Rules keep the universe in order: Old Olive
c) The Bipolar Choice - some of both please :)