Flight of the Butterfly

One great thing about being a SU demonstrator is having access to great stamping ideas.  Every month Stampin' Up puts together projects that can be demonstrated at your workshops.  This simple card was one of those and it was a breeze to put together.  Not much stamping involved here.  I made two variations--one with a Pretty in Pink card base and the other in Wisteria Wonder.  I used two new sets, Delicate Doilies and Friendly Phrases.  The doily behind the butterfly was cut from the Flirtatious DSP and covered with Dazzling Diamonds. 

Have you ever noticed what happens when you work with glitter?  It's guaranteed to end up all over your workspace.  A number of years ago I taught Art at my church's Christian school and whenever we used glitter the whole room would be covered with it.  You can never have too much glitter on your project!  (Those of you who craft with your young children can relate to this.) What fun!

If you would like to have a workshop and make a cute card like this, feel free to contact me.  Visit my Stampin' Up Demonstrator Business Website to get all the information. 

Sew Sad to See You Go

It was a disappointment when this stamp set didn't make it into the new Idea Book & Catalog. Here is another card I made for submission to the Artisan Award contest.  I was undecided whether to put a greeting on this or not.  Maybe I would have added a birthday greeting.  In order to make the tape measure pleat, I used my bone folder to break the fibers of the cardstock, similar to the faux suede technique, separated it and used the top, stamped portion.  It was much more pliable and easy to fold with just the top layer.

Not only was I sad to see this set go away, I also miss the Sweet Stitches DSP.  If we can't have sewing themed stamps we will just have to content ourselves with the Delicate Doilies Set and the Flirtatious DSP.  Stay tuned for a look at a quick and easy card with a doily theme.

Don't forget--only one more day to take advantage of the $99 Starter Kit!  Contact me if you have questions.

The Wild, Wild West

Earlier this year I entertained the idea of entering Stampin' Up's Artisan Award Contest.  Ideas swirled in my head but when it came time for the rubber to meet the road, or should I say cardstock, I faltered.  I think it takes alot of confidence in your artistic abilities to put your work out for everyone to critique.  For me, I just procrastinated too long to get my 3-D ideas put together.   This card was one that I put together with the intent to submit to SU.

Can you say "Yee-Haw!"  When you live in Texas you have to have a few cowboy stamps in your collection.  I used the Out West stamp set and the Woodgrain background to create this card.  If you would like to add this stamp set to your collection, head on over to my SU demonstrator website to place your order.  Thanks for bellying up to my blog!

Just Add Cake, SSSC127

This is my first attempt at the Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge.  I decided to use the Just Add Cake DSP and my Patterned Party Stamp set.  The papers in this pack contain an interesting combination of colors.  I'm more of a bold color person, so I chose the Wild Wasabi for my card base.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any Peach Parfait ribbon so I used retired Pumpkin Pie taffeta ribbon instead.    On my second version I omitted the second DSP layer and ribbon for a more streamlined (less fussy) look.

The second card is the one I prefer. How about you? Also, don't forget there are only a few days left to join my group as a SU demonstrator for $99. This mini kit is available until July 31st and it includes the FREE Christmas Keepsake project.  

Order Starter Kit Now!

Please contact me if you have any questions.  Thanks for checking out my blog today.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

My mother made a request for a Wedding card a week or two ago for a cousin who is getting married.  Poor Mom--she has little confindence that I can get a card to her in time. I'm notorius for making lots of cards and never sending them out.  Every time my mom visits she asks for cards and we never get around to sorting through the boxes of my handmade cards that stacked around the house.  Won't she be surprised to see that I can follow through!   I cased this card from another SU demonstrator, Teresa Giordano, with a few changes.  My Big Shot and new punches were put to use.  I used the stamp set Occassional Quotes (retired) and my Lots of Tags sizzlets for the greeting.

   

Had a great time with my stamping friends on Thursday making Christmas cards.  Oh, I mean I had a terrible time (wink, wink)--my friend Linda was not feeling well enough to go and we were instructed not to have a good time without her.  The fudge was delicious, though.  I'll post the start of our Christmas card stash in the next few days.  Next month we are planning to make Christmas gift bags. 

Stay tuned.  I've been busy scouring the interweb (family joke there) for challenges to keep the creative juices flowing.  Thanks for stopping by.

MOJO Monday 200

Not so sure I'm liking the final product for this sketch challenge.  It just looks like it needs something more.  Send me an email with any suggestions for improving this card.  I had pulled out my Big Top Birthday DSP to use with the Patterned Party stamp set but the DSP seemed too busy for this layout.  Instead I took inspiration from the colors and used the Tagtastic Hostess set for the greeting.   For the next few weeks I'll have to take pictures with my cell phone.  I had momentarily forgotten that my son had taken our good camera to Michigan.  Thank goodness this technical dinosaur of a mom figured out how to solve this problem.

Today I am celebrating Christmas in July with a few friends.  We are going to get started on our Christmas cards.  I made fudge to take with me.  Yum!  Why is it that the only time you have fudge is at Christmas--unless you take a trip to Mackinac Island in Michigan where it is a summer staple.  

Posy Punch Take 2

Here are two more of the cards I created with my new Posy Punch hostess set.  I am making duplicates so I can mail them out to a few of my special friends.  The plan is to make one more card for the set. 

Yesterday I sent my oldest son, James, off to Upper Michigan to visit with his Grandma and uncles.  We were up at 5 a.m. to get him to the airport for his flight.  It's rather quiet around here.  Just a little preview of what it will be like this fall when he heads to college.  I'm very excited for him but yet a little sad that he is leaving the nest.  I'll be praying that he makes the right choices and he won't wait 'til the last minute to do his classwork. 

Posy Punch meets Raspberry Lemonade, SSSC126

This week I decided to begin developing my stamping style.  I always check out the Sweet Sunday sketch at the sweetest thing blog.  On Friday I received a shipment of new SU stuff (yeah!) and the Posy Punch Hostess set called to me for this challenge.  I haven't ordered much for DSP from the new catalog so I pulled out my most favorite retired Raspberry Lemonade DSP.   Love Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry.  I am making cards for a special friend who is a Mary Kay consulant.  She has a number of out-of-town customers and I thought she might like a few thank you cards to include with their orders.  You can earn your very own Posy Punch set by hosting a workshop or placing a qualifying order through my Stampin' Up Demonstrator website. 

Getting Creative

It's been too long since I've posted.  Like most of you know, life has a way of getting in the middle of our best laid plans.  Plus, I have been lurking on my favorite stamping blogs to get all the news from the SU Convention last week.  Every year I say that "next year I'm going to go" and then when registration rolls around I feel like I can't justify the expense for myself (and my crazy obsession!).   This past weekend I took the opportunity to get creative again and use a stamp set that I earned during Sale-a-bration.  I used the Creative Elements stamp set with a color combination that I always love seeing used.  My Pure Poppy hasn't been on my list of favorite colors, but paired with So Saffron and Basic Black it takes on an Asian feel. 

If you would like to earn free stamp sets, now is the time to join my Stampin' Up team.  The Starter Kit is only $99 until the end of July.  In addition, the Stampin' Start program has been newly refresed to offer greater rewards than ever for being a consistent Stampin' Up Demonstrator.  Don't delay!  You can find all the information at my Stampin' Up Demonstrator Website.  Thanks for stopping by.