Birthday sparkle

Our life has been turned upside down again and again lately - my father-in-law had very risk emergency surgery Friday night so we were gone for the weekend again. Between the full-time working, homework duty in the evening, and all the family emergencies, stamping time has been very hard to come by. And when I do have a moment or two, I can't seem to get my groove going. *sigh*

But tonight I grabbed a few moments and was able to sit down and stamp something! Ah, that felt good! I made this quick birthday card with my favorite color combo - pink and brown. You probably can't tell in the photo, but I did some highlighting with dazzling diamonds to add a little sparkle. I thought the eyelet border punch played up the stamped image with the scallops and dots nicely!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Stamps: On a Pedestal, On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Close to Cocoa, Summer Sun
Accessories: eyelet border punch, stamp-a-ma-jig, stampin' dimensionals, 2 way glue pen, dazzling diamonds glitter

Regional Swaps

Thank you for continuing to visit my blog even though my posts have been very sparse lately! I started back to work full-time at the same time as my son's activities kicked into gear. In addition, I had 3 stamping events last week, so other than prepping for them, I haven't had a chance to stamp (criminal, I know!). So today, I'm going to share some wonderful creations by other demonstrators.

Earlier this month, I attended a regional seminar for Stampin' Up! demonstrators. Oh what fun! Imagine 500 stampers in one place, learning new techniques and business tips, stamping fun projects and swapping card samples! I only made 50 swaps this time around and was "swapped out" before the seminar even started!! I got so many wonderful cards, but there were a few that really made me stop and say "wow!" Here they are...

Isn't this color combination fabulous?!?!? This beauty was created by Lynne Aikins from West Leechburg, PA.

This one features the wonderful new shimmer paints from the Holiday Mini Catalog. This card is simple but sooooo elegant. It was designed by Joan Misner.

I love how this card features stamping on sheet music! How clever is that to recycle??? Sharon McNeely is the creator of this one.

And lastly, I just loved the monochromatic theme of this card. Debbie Prants created a very elegant and classy card!

I loved being surrounded by so much creativity! PLUS, I got to meet Shelli Gardner, Co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! What a thrill - she is such a geniune and caring woman and terrific role model!! The regional seminars are just one more fabulous benefit of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Every once in a while, the seminars are opened up to non-demonstrators and two of my customers joined me for the fun. A shout-out to Shirley and Kay - hey ladies!!! :-)

Well, gotta run. I hope to be sharing some new projects with you real soon!

Happy Birthday

to me! Wanna see what my wonderful husband and fabulous in-laws got me???


Oooh baby, I can't wait to play around with this beauty! And I got a fantastic photo backpack with all the bells and whistles! Lucky, lucky me!! :-)

Sorry for the lack of stamp posts - after last weekend's fundraiser craziness, I haven't had one moment to create. I started back full-time this week, my son started cub scouts and piano lessons again, I had stamp club last night and a class tomorrow and Sunday! I'm hoping to spend some time in my craft room this weekend so hopefully I'll have some new projects to share!

Grateful

Here's a quick and easy card! The panel of Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper was made using the Top Note die with the Big Shot. I ran it through once to create the usual top note. But then I turned it 90 degrees and ran it through again, this time resulting in a decorative square. (You could actually run it through a third time, this time turning it 45 degrees, if you wanted something more circular.) The color is very subtle but I stamped the Upsy Daisy image with Crushed Curry and then gently colored the flower tips with a Pumpkin Pie marker. I also used a scrap of the designer series paper to stamp the sentiment, which was punched out with the fabulous new modern label punch.

Just a note: I won't be posted again until next week...I have a crazy busy weekend in store! I'm heading to a Stampin' Up! regional conference in Cincinnati on Friday and the rest of my weekend is a big fundraiser (part of my day-job work!). So I'll see you next week! Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Falling Leaves
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Whisper White
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper, Big Shot, Top Note die, modern label punch, stampin' dimensionals

It's a boy!

No, I'm NOT pregnant! My sister-in-law's sister is expecting her first, and I was asked to design a simple invitation for her. She found out they are having a boy, so we worked out the color combo, I sent a few different ideas, and this is the one they decided on. I needed to finish them up so that I can get them shipped off tomorrow so I apologize for the poor photo. I sure hope she likes them!!

Stamps: Nursery Necessities
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa

More Christmas...

Yes, it's yet another Christmas card! And, oh how I wish, you could see this one IRL. I used some Brushed Gold cardstock, and it's so beautiful, but doesn't show up well in the photo. I really adds some sparkle and elegance to this simple card. I used some of the new Sleigh Bells cotton ribbon from the Holiday Mini Catalog (download it here) - love this stuff! In fact, there's a lot of stuff I love in the mini...glittered chipboard, ornament punch, fabulous designer series papers, digital scrapbooking, and much, much more! You've GOT to check it out!

Well, I'll try to stop with the Christmas projects for a while. Although it has been nice to get a jump start on my holiday cards...

Thanks for stopping by! :-)


Stamps: Lovely As a Tree
Cardstock: Old Olive, Brushed Gold, Real Red, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories: color spritzer tool, jumbo eyelet, Crop-a-dile, Sleigh Bells ribbon, sponges, stampin' dimensionals

Snowflakes

I just joined a great online group of Stampin' Up! fans called Stampin' Addicts. I took a look around and found their challenge section. Working off a sketch challenge from last week, I created this Christmas card using one of my favorite holiday card color combos. The colors look a little washed out in my photo, but the card is so vibrant IRL! The wide grosgrain ribbon makes it a little bulky for mailing, but would be perfect for a hand-delivered card. Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by! :-)

Stamps: Christmas Punch, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue
Ink: Brilliant Blue
Accessories: 1" circle punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, modern label punch, silver brad, Real Red grosgrain ribbon, Big Shot machine, Harlequin texturz plate, stampin' dimensionals

Bright buttons

Last month I took advantage of the free button promotion and picked the Playground buttons - they are such fun colors!! I had a special celebration card to make (can't tell you who for until he/she gets in their hands!) and thought these would be perfect! I wanted something bright and fun and these buttons certainly fit the bill!

I hope the recipient likes it! :-)

Stamps: Starring You
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: white embossing powder, heat tool, Playground designer buttons, glue dots, 5-petal flower punch, scallop edge punch, sponges

It's Here!!!

It's that wonderful time of year when Stampin' Up! releases its Holiday Mini Catalog (download it here)! And wow, are you in for a treat with all the fabulous new products and hostess special!! :-)

New products:

• Level 1 and Level 2 hostess sets
• Big Shot dies
• Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas stamp sets
• designer series papers
• glittered chipboard
• ribbon
• ornament punch (a must-have!)
• rub-ons
• shimmer paint
• Simply Adorned line of customizable jewelry, (quality issues have prevented this from being available but hopefully soon!)
• Build-a-Bear Workshop products
• My Digital Studio, digital scrapbooking software with Stampin' Up! images and colors (available October 1st)

Hostess incentive: during September, October and November, with a $250 workshop, you can choose any item in the mini catalog (excluding hostess sets and My Digital Studio) for only $10 as part of your hostess benefits!

Don't say you weren't warned when your wish list explodes! ;-)