Earning Fiji trip and Moving Forward quick card with sketch

It's official!

We're going to Fiji with Stampin' Up! in late April/early May 2013!!! I am truly grateful for my friends, family, customers and downline who supported me throughout the year.

THANK YOU!

Without you, this wouldn't be possible. I am blessed.

When I logged onto the demonstrator website to check my Activity Statement, I saw the simple phrase:

Congratulations! On 30-Jun-2012 you achieved the required points for the Grand Vacation!

That's it. It's about that size too. Not in bold or anything. I guess I was looking for virtual confetti to rain down, bells and whistles... something! lol

 

Now for the card I'm sharing today. I used markers to ink up this boat from the Moving Forward stamp set, which is the Ronald McDonald House Charities set of the year. Two dollars from the sale of every set benefits RMHC, which I support every year. I'll be hosting a class with this set later in July (check My Classes tab above for details!) where you get the stamp set and three cards. You don't need to come to the class, and it is available by mail (add $5.00 for shipping please).

The 10 women who attended my 10-card class Thursday night made two of these. It's a Wild Wasabi card with a 2" x 5-1/2" piece of Storytime dsp, and a 1-3/4" piece of Pool Party card stock that's been scallop border punched and then run through the Houndstooth embossing folder. I followed a sketch provided by The Paper Players, though I didn't enter the challenge, which ended Friday at noon.



I like sitting down at my stamping area with a few sketches. They're good jumping off points for card-making, especially considering I prep for a 10-card class in about 2-1/2 hours.

Well, that's it for me today. I'm going to hunt down some furniture today at a couple of promising places. I still have some painting and sanding to do in my garage, but if rain comes as promised, I may have to park in the driveway and use the garage for painting just to get some things done! I hope you have an amazing weekend. Thanks again for your support. It means the world to me!

P.S. Today is the last day to buy the Starter Kit for $99 AND receive up to $48 in BONUS product. Visit http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net and click on Join The Fun twice to get started.

Today is a great day for Bootiful Occasions

These boots are made for walking... and for great cards! My customers will get to make two of these cards at a 10-card class tonight. I CASE'd this design from page 51 of the Stampin' Up! catalog.

The boots are from the Bootiful Occasions stamp set. I used a 2" x 4" piece of Polka Dot Patterns dsp, a 2-1/2" punched circle of Daffodil Delight, a Brights button with white linen thread, and a 7/8" x 4-3/4" strip of Real Red card stock. The boots were stamped in Real Red and then I used a Bashful Blue marker to color in the "sky." The sentiment is perfect for my neck of the woods. It's been quite a wet summer so far, but the sun is shining today.

Happy Stampin'!

Pinwheels and Pinterest

This month, my club members all made a card with a pinwheel on it. Pinwheels are so fun and easy to make. I've got a FREE, easy photo tutorial on how to make a pinwheel under my Free Tutorials tab above. You can make them any size you like too.

I used the Chevron embossing folder on the Whisper White card front, added a knot of stitched Real Red grosgrain ribbon, and my pinwheel (with a silver glimmer brad). The "hip hip hooray" stamp is from a hostess set called Happy You. I punched it out using the 1-3/4" circle punch, and layered it on the larger scallop circle. I don't know about you, but polka dots make me happy!

Now onto my Pinterest shares:

Today I baked two loaves of artisian bread. You need to let the dough sit for up to 18 hours, so make it a day ahead then bake it before you want to eat it. It uses a crockpot in the oven and is SIMPLE.

I also baked two loaves of Peanut Butter Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips. My kids love it (thanks Maria for steering me to the recipe!).

Then I made a couple gallons of laundry detergent - one is for a neighbor. I added a tag so she can make her own next time.

While I was waiting for bread to bake, I cleaned out what I call my baking cabinet. The few things that were expired got thrown out, I saved a couple of containers and washed them out to hold things like brown sugar (I can't stand those plastic bags because I get sugar everywhere!), and the super high top shelf has items only on the edge so I can actually see what I have and use them.

I've included the links for all of the Pinterest items under the photos, but you may choose to Follow me on Pinterest. I've got a button for that in my right-hand column.

I hope you're enjoying your day! Next on my list: stamping!!!



From My Heart swing card with Apothecary Accents Framelits

This Pumpkin Pie card uses the From The Heart stamp set with the Apothecary Accents Framelits to make a swing card. You're looking at the front of it. The card itself measures 4-1/4" x 7-1/4" with score lines at 2-3/4" and 3-3/4".

On the back side is this cute blimp from the Moving Forward stamp set. I'm hosting a class with this stamp set on July 3 at 11 a.m., though I need to know by the end of today if you want to attend. Click on the Classes tab above for details. Two bucks from the sale of this set go to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

So the trick to this swing card? Line up the end of the Apothecary Accent Framelit on the end of the 2-3/4" scored side of the pumpkin piece. Set the top cutting pad so the edge is at the 2-3/4" score line and run through the big shot. Then without picking up the framelit, turn the pumpkin piece 180 degrees and line up the end of the cutting pad on the 3-3/4" score line and run through again. The framelit will only cut through the card stock with the cutting pad on top. Stamp your images and use the same framelit to cut them out, then adhere them to each side of the swinging pumpkin piece.

This card was the third of three technique cards made for a class last Thursday.



Just Believe thank-you card by Linda

My friend, Linda, brought by this card for me when she brought back a punch. I love how simple and cute it is! She used the Just Believe stamp set with all of the new In Colors. Thank YOU, Linda!

Whoo Hoo! Okienurse wins my Blog Candy

It's a good day. My hubby is back from a several-day trip to Canada, and I've hit 225 Followers on my blog! Thanks to all of you who are Followers of my blog. I appreciate it.

I used the Random Number Generator, and the winner came up as Okienurse.

 Here's what she wins:

• So Cute clear-mount stamp set
• Black Flourish Designer Jewels
• Taffeta ribbon
• Personal Tissue Holder with Summer Smooches fabric

Okienurse - please contact me at ericandterry@comcast.net so I can send these items to you.

Thanks again, everybody!

Storybook Friends with Storytime dsp

Tip for clear-mount stamps: If you get tired of your stamps falling off the block when you go to ink them or stamp them, try using 2-way glue on the label side of the stamps. Let it dry (it'll be clear) for about 10 minutes.

This simple card was my swap at my last American Ink team gathering. It uses the fox from Storybook Friends. The card is So Saffron with a 3" x 4" piece of Storytime dsp, and a scallop border punched strip of Real Red. I watercolored the image with watercolor crayons and an aqua painter.

Happy You card using Bargello Technique & Summer Smooches

I used the Bargello Technique on this card, which was for my technique class last night. It was the first time I'd even heard of the technique; but, I'm game to try anything... once! The boot stamp is from the Happy You hostess set. Bargello Technique involves using 3-4 patterns of designer paper, cut into 6" strips and adhered to bond paper (regular paper using when you print from your computer). With those strips laying horizontally, you then cut varying widths of strips, lay those in a pattern (pyramid, wave, ric rac, etc. Mine is a simple zigzag.) and adhere them down to a piece of card stock. After I had my design, I die cut it with a 3-1/2" circle die and built my card.

You can see the 2-1/2" x 4" piece of Whisper White card stock that I ran through the Chevron Embossing Folder. I used a 1-3/4" circle punch for the image, which was colored in with markers that coordinate with the Summer Smooches dsp.

There's a tutorial for the Bargello Technique at http://splitcoaststampers.com under Resources.

Happy stamping my friends!

Stamps: Happy You (hostess set);

Ink: Jet Black StazOn, markers - Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry;

Paper: Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise card stocks, Summer Smooches designer series paper;

Accessories: Chevron embossing folder, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1/8" Real Red taffeta, 3-1/2" Circle Die, Big Shot, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Baby wipe technique with Papillon Potpourri for Freshly Made Sketches #40

I thought I'd join my friend Lesley this week for a challenge at Freshly Made Sketches. I'm doing a technique class tonight and the Baby Wipe Technique featured on this card is one of the projects. I used a few drops each of Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry and Tangerine Tango reinkers on a folded wipe and used that to stamp butterflies from Papillon Potpourri. One butterfly was punched out using the Elegant Butterfly punch, and the other two were hand cut. Then I added 2-way glue and Dazzling Diamonds glitter to really make them sparkle and shine.

The patterned paper is from the Floral District pack, and my "oval" is a label framelit stamped with a flourish from Everything Eleanor in Baja Breeze, and a few pearls. The stitched Daffodil Delight ribbon looks crooked in the photo, but the card is bowed. The sentiment is from the Sweet Essentials stamp set.

You have until noon Monday (PST) to enter the challenge here. Have fun!

*Only a few more Followers and I'll be giving away Blog Candy! Please Follow me today!!! Thanks.

A gift & card in one! A Fitting Occasion bookmark card

My daughter gets this cute bookmark, which uses the owl from A Fitting Occasion, along with Comfort Cafe dsp and Soft Suede card stock. She loves how it fits on the corner of the pages.

Here's the card my club members made this month. It's a card and gift in one! They loved the bookmark. We used the new Argyle embossing folder on Very Vanilla card stock, and Cajun Craze ink and buttons.

We used the diagonal scoring plate to score the 4" x 4" Soft Suede piece, as well as the 3-3/4" x 3-3/4" piece of Comfort Cafe dsp.

Notice the bright green bucket on the black stand in the photo above? Well, below is the new and improved version. I painted the stand an Heirloom White and the bucket is Satin Aqua so it goes much better with the rest of my furniture at the studio.

Well, that's about it! My kids are officially out of school and they are so excited! I'm excited because I get to sleep in tomorrow.... Have a great week!

From My Heart card with Patio Party dsp

Only 6 more Followers and I'll be giving out

BLOG CANDY!!!

I love the sentiment on this Summer Starfruit card. It's from the From My Heart stamp set. I stamped it in Raspberry Ripple, then used the Apothecary Accent framelit to cut it out. I used a template in the Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (so fun!) to pierce around the framelit. And the new pierce mat is awesome! It's a HUGE surface at 6-1/2" x 9-1/2". Huge! Anyway, other details for this card include the Patio Party dsp run through the Framed Tulips embossing folder for added texture. There's also a 1-1/2" strip of dsp on strip of Midnight Muse card stock that's been punched with the Scallop Trim Border Punch. This was one of my club cards this month.

Four Father's Day cards for your special guy(s)

Happy Father's Day to dads everywhere! I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating.

I hosted a class on Friday where we made four cards for Dad's Day/birthdays:

Best Dad Ever is a must-have set. In addition to the row of ties stamp, you get Thinking of You, Best Dad Ever, and Happy Father's Day stamps. For this card, I used markers to ink up the ties (Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo and Early Espresso), adding a popped-up tie in the middle. The designer paper is from the World Spectacular pack.

I Dig You has been a favorite stamp set of mine because my dad and brother own heavy equipment. When my brother was here visiting over the past couple of days, he said he saved the card I'd sent him using this stamp set for his birthday in March. I CASE'd this card from Jen at http://www.simpleandsincere.com. The Chocolate Chip ric-rac came from the Tasteful Trim die for the Big Shot.

Lovely as a Tree is a great all-around stamp set you may use for many occasions from birthdays and Father's Day to Christmas. I CASE'd this card from Chat at Me, My Stamps and I. I used the new Argyle folder on the Sahara Sand card stock, with Neutral dsp below. The blue is Pacific Point.

The fourth and final card at my class used the Petite Pennants Builder and 3/4" circle punches to create bow ties from Comfort Cafe dsp. The sentiment is from Delightful Dozen (page 140 of catalog). I CASE'd this card from LeeAnn Greff at Flowerbug's Inkspot, who had CASE'd it from Heather Klump at Downstairs Designs. I used a Pool Party marker to fill in the sentiment after it was stamped in Basic Black.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Little Friends birthday card in Island Indigo

I like the card on page 53 of the Stampin' Up! catalog, but wanted to use my Little Friends stamp set. I used the Tasteful Trim die with a strip of Pumpkin Pie card stock for the big scallop, then a 1/4" strip of Certainly Celery, a bow of Island Indigo twine and the adorable puppy pulling at the little girl's ribbon. Cute and simple.

All kinds of new products used for this Make a Cake birthday card

This So Saffron card uses the new Make a Cake stamp set (free with Patio Party dsp and a digital content CD when you buy the Starter Kit for $99 plus tax this month), Bitty Banners sentiment, and Oval Accent clear die for the Big Shot. I designed this card for a 10-card class. I didn't notice till later that I'd cut the bottom part of my oval off! Oops. The cake was stamped in black ink, then I used a blender pen and Gumball Green pad to add color, along with a So Saffron marker for the top layer. The middle layer was stamped on Melon Mambo polka-dot dsp and cut out. And there's a mini silver brad in the little pinwheel.

My brother came over with his son for an surprise visit! They just left with my hubby to go to the range, and they leave tomorrow, so we're trying to make the most of it since we only see each other maybe once a year. I hope you have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend ahead!

Wet embossing technique, Fourth of July and pretty butterflies

We had some nice make & takes brought by some of my downline at our American Ink team gathering Saturday. This first one was also our technique, brought by Barb. It's called Wet Embossing. You brayer VersaMark ink on the top inside of an embossing folder, add your card stock, and run it through the Big Shot. Then you simply add clear embossing powder and heat. It's really pretty! You can see it on the card below:

This uses the Blissful Bird stamp set on page 72 of the catalog, along with Bitty Banners and new dsp.

Mary Ann brought this patriotic make and take. I love the polka dots on the white layers, as well as the 1/8" taffeta knots:



And Frankie brought this pretty make & take:

This uses Apothecary Accents Framelits, Beautiful Butterflies embosslit and new dsp.

I'd like to thank those ladies who made my make & takes, and those who supplied them. I enjoyed roaming around and visiting with everybody. I have a great group! Thanks also everyone who shared food. The clear favorite was Cindy's Artichoke Dip. I've included the recipe below (thanks, Cindy). Cindy brought bread and celery and carrots to go with it. Yum!

ARTICHOKE DIP

Ingredients:
1 package (8 ounce size) cream cheese
12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)

Put all of the above in a food processor or blender and blend 'til smooth
(Helps keep the dip from separating later.)

1 onion, finely chopped
1 can (13 ounce size) marinated artichoke hearts (drain well), tear
     artichokes apart with your fingers
I added a couple tablespoons of diced green chiles

Hand mix the above in the cheese mix. Cook about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Birthday cards from Everything Eleanor to Summer Smooches and a vintage suitcase

Kim B.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day today! It definitely feels like summer has started. My kids are so excited to be out of school next week. Now for my share today. Not only did I celebrate my birthday for a week - I received lots of birthday cards. These are the lovely ones created with Stampin' Up! products sent by my friends. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Jules

Colleen

Kay

And while I was with my Monday Card Club members today at the studio, I finally remembered to take my camera so I can now show you the cool, vintage suitcase Kim gave me for my birthday:

I love the colors and textures. There's an old-style label on front that says "Port Orchard, Wash." I like the airport code tag still on the handle! Here's how I'm using the suitcase at my studio:

I absolutely love this suitcase, and how many stamp sets it can hold. Kim lined the inside (top and bottom) with First Edition dsp that she also distressed. It's very cool looking. Oh, and you can see the metal "Inspire" sign hanging there too. I got that for a buck on clearance at a local craft store!

I made a couple more "finds" yesterday and will post the before and after photos when I share them with you. Have a fabulous week! I hope you get a chance to enjoy the sunshine.

American Ink swaps and fabulous clothesline purse

I know the new Stampin' Up! catalog just started June 1, but I received the 40-page Holiday Catalog (now 8-1/2" x 11") Saturday and wanted to suggest you hurry up and get what you want now from the catalog, then save up whatever you can for the Holiday Catalog. There are so many cool and amazing things in it! I'm giddy with excitement!!!

I held our American Ink team gathering at my studio yesterday. There was such a good energy in the room. I love that! The swaps and make & takes were terrific. And Cindy's Artichoke Dip was the highlight of the food bar.

Here are some of the swaps (with a photo of the fabulous handmade purse I received as a birthday present from my friend Jules in North Carolina. She took a special class to learn how to make it, and after all of her hard work she still sent it to me!):

My swap uses Floral District dsp, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Layered Labels stamp set

Kathleen (guest demo) used The Open Sea stamp set

Missy's swap uses Serene Silhouettes and Papillon Potpourri

Sharlene's swap shows the Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon

Kim's swap uses a new Vintage Faceted Designer button

Ginette's swap uses Everyday Elegance and Teeny, Tiny Wishes

Frankie's swap uses Patio Party dsp and she added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

Bernie's swap uses Fresh Vintage (SAB 2012) and Scallop Trim Border Punch

Frankie's swap uses Comfort Cafe dsp and Petite Pairs

Here's the amazing bag Jules made for me. It's gorgeous. It's got a nice weight to it and it's the perfect size for me. I love it! I took many photos of it and just can't do it justice. This photo shows the zippered pocket inside too. Thanks Jules!