A couple of wonderful days with a 10-card class thrown in

I've had the best couple of days between yesterday and today. Yesterday, I took the kids plus one to the beach. I have to show you a photo. My son thought there was a fire!

Well, the fog burned off, and we had a gorgeous view of the water, mountains, ships and freighters. It was a day well spent, digging holes for poles to support our driftwood fort and makeshift furnishings, beachcombing, walking, wading and sunbathing.

Today, I met up with my friend, Barb, and spent the day shopping at craft stores and talking. We have so much in common, especially where our families are concerned. In fact, we were talking a bit too long because Kim called to say she was waiting. We went to a  newly discovered vintage market, and boy, did we get some great things! I spent all my money on one vendor's goods. The coolest thing I bought is a wooden chair that turns into a ladder. We all found something. It was fun!

Now onto stamping. I had two clubs meet earlier this week (I'll share those projects a little later), and a 10-card class on Tuesday. Here are the cards from that class:

This card uses the Fabulous You and Sassy Salutations stamp sets with the Fancy Fan Folder. I love the In Color Dahlias. They look so cute on the toe of the shoe! Of course, the card is finished with 2-way glue and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

The Very Vanilla card features the Postage Due stamp set and Postage Stamp Punch. The colors are Cherry Cobbler, River Rock, Always Artichoke and Marina Mist.

This card uses the Need for Speed stamp set in Basic Black, and a stamp from Clockworks in Wild Wasabi. The sentiment is from Made for You. This card was inspired by Deb at ARTfelt Impressions.

This Whisper White card uses Floral District dsp with a corner rounder punch, and the cake and greeting from Embellished Events.

This was my favorite card. It uses the Blue Ribbon stamp set and World Spectacular dsp. The ink colors are Cherry Cobbler and Island Indigo. The stampers could use any stamp out of the Family Reunion stamp set. If it was for a female, they used rhinestones; and if it was for a male, they used brads.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend! I'll be back later this weekend with swaps and make & takes from my American Ink team gathering, which is tomorrow morning.

Happy Stampin'!

Blue Ribbon best card for downline and challenges

I have some of the best demonstrators in Stampin' Up! in my American Ink group. This year's stand-outs in sales and recruiting will not only receive this card, but the item of their choice out of the catalog at our July gathering.

Here's the card in its entirety. I love the bold patterns in the International Bazaar dsp pack. I felt they married well with the color challenge at Just Add Ink:

It's the first time I've entered a Just Add Ink challenge, and I love all things Australian! There's great designer team inspiration there and you have till tomorrow to add your card.

I stamped the words inside the ribbon in Wild Wasabi and adhered it over the Early Espresso outlines, both of which I had to hand cut ("What?" I can hear you saying, "There's no punch for that?" I wish! lol) The only other wasabi on the card is a layer under the Marina Mist word "BEST."

I used this fabulous sketch from Frosted Designs. I believe the challenge started Friday, as there are more than 11 days left. And, get this, there are always three challenges going on at Frosted Designs! What's your excuse? Get stamping!