SUDSOL blog tour

Well, what an honor to be allowed to participate in the SUDSOL blog tour for the new Idea Book and Catalog. SUDSOL has become my little family on the web for all things Stampin' Up!  I can always find a friend online who has advice to help me out of a bind with my stamping, my business or whatever I need at the time.  My upline lives 800 miles away and SUDSOL has been a lifesaver more than one time!   I have gotten great workshop ideas and unique templates that you don't find elsewhere on the web, I have gotten so many great templates and worksheets to help me out in my business. It is an invaluable tool for me and my Stampin' Up! business.  Best of all I got to try it out for FREE for 2 weeks!  What more could you ask for?  If you are a demonstrator what are you waiting for?  CHECK IT OUT!


First is a set of cards using a new set that coordinates with our newly redesigned punches. I also picked 2 colors that were reassigned to the Brights collection; Melon Mambo and Pacific Point.

Perfect Punches, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Scallop Oval punch, Scallop Trim border punch, Round Tab punch, Curly Label punch, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz

For this project I used one of the new DSP to make this cute purse. You might recognize the patterns of this paper pack as it is a recolored pack from last year - Cottage Wall. It has been redone with new exciting colors from this year. It uses Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight. These two colors are quickly becoming my favorites!  The stamps I used are from a new set that I have fallen in love with called Just Believe. It is so versitile.

Just Believe and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets. Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive. Sunny Garden DSP, Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Fancy Flower punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Rhinestone brads

Since the purse was so adorable, and I had some scraps left over from making it, I decided to make a couple of little cards to go inside the purse. I simply used by scraps from the whole sheet of 12 x 12 and a little bit of Daffodil Delight.

The last card I made was one we all struggle with - a masculine card. I used the new set Grunge Rock. When I saw this one I knew it would make it's way onto my shelf.   It also used a couple new colors - or colors that were brought back - Cherry Cobbler has quickly become my new 'go to' red!  And many remember our love affair wtih Baja Breeze!

Grunge Rock stamp set, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, 1 3/8" circle punch, Designer Label punch, Scallop Square die

I hope you have enjoyed your stop at my blog.  If you want to see more of my artwork, check out my SUDSOL gallery here.  I certainly enjoyed creating my samples for you - that is what Life is all about!  Creating items for others to enjoy! 

Upsy Daisy

While you and I are both waiting for the SUDSOL blog tour on Sunday, I pulled out a favorite set that I haven't inked for a long time - Upsy Daisy - I hope they inspire you to have a great day!

Upsy Daisy, Basic Black, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Vintage Wallpaper impressions folder, Scallop Oval punch, Oval punch, silver brads

Upsy Daisy, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Thoughtful Friend wheel builder, Daffodil Delight 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

Upsy Daisy and Vintage Vogue, Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Oval punch, Perfect Polka Dot impressions folder

Upsy Daisy, River Rock, Perfect Plum, Concord Crush,  Scallop Oval punch

Stamp set challenge - Thoughts and Prayers

So I made a couple more entries for the stamp set challenge.  These cards I can show you - I have been working on some special projects for my stop on the SUDSOL blog tour that is on SUNDAY.  So, check back and find a great tour set up for you to enjoy filled with new stamps and products from the new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog.

Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy, Vintage Wallpaper Impressions folder, Three Flower punch, 1/8" Daffodil Delight taffeta ribbon

Thoughts and Prayers and Define Your Life stamps, Pumpkin Pie, Night of Navy, Garden Green, Travel Journal DSP, 1/4" Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon, Bashful Blue satin ribbon, Wide Oval punch

SUDSOL Blog Tour

I am very excited to be part of the Official SUDSOL blog tour for August.  In just a few short days you will find my samples and a link to the blog tour to see many other wonderful samples of  NEW Stampin' Up! products.  So, check back on August 1

Set Challenge - Word Play

This new Stampin' Up! set is quickly becoming a faborite! I used the set Word Play; it is so versitile for almost any occaision of lack of an occiasion you could think of.  I made a quick set of 5 matching 6 x 6 cards.

Late Night Stampers challenge set #2 - Bugs and Kisses

Continuing with the stamp set challenge I made this scrapbook layout and the card to match. My scrapbook group will be making this bug layout on Friday night for their class. I used the same colors for both items - Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Always Artichoke.

scrapbook right page

scrapbook left page

set challenge - Punch Potpourri

Here are 2 cards I did for a Late Night Stampers challenge to create 2 or more cards using one stamp set.  I used the set Punch Potpourri; a hostess level 1 set.

For the floral card I used Marina Mist, Real Red and So Saffron. The punch used is the Boho Blossom punch. I also used the Pinking Hearts border punch.

The bird card used the colors Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzaz and Not Quite Navy.  The punch used is the 2 Step Bird punch.  I also used the Scallop Trim Edge punch.  The other products used were the baroque wheel and Pear Pizzaz ribbon and Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon.

July club cards

This was our first Stampin' Up! club of the new catalog - it was short and sweet with lots of time to look at the sweet ingredients of a fun catalog.

The gals made a fun summertime punch card with very little stamping using Pumpkin Pie ink and the Tart and Tiny stamp set.

They then used the new hostess set Because I Care for a gorgeous floral card.  They used two of the new in colors - Concord Crush and Pear Pizazz.  I think Concord Crush may be my NEW favorite color!

Then for their third card they used the new Wheel Builders.  These were a bit tricky, but no one bailed and they all tried their best.  The color combination is Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, and So Saffron.

Then lastly, they made a great card with the Travel Journal Designer Paper and one of the cutest jumbo wheels I've ever seen - Baby Tee's.  The color inspiration was taken from the paper - Garden Green, Bashful Blue and Pumpkin Pie.

A HUGE shout out of Thanks goes to the various stamp creators that I stamplifted from.  If you see a design you made, then THANK YOU!

Stay tuned for some photos from my new Stamp ROOM!  I am thrilled to have a space all my own to play in!  I'll throw in some cards too!

The best day ever!

July 10, 2010 was the day James married Dawnmarie. It was a lovely day and the bride was gorgeous.  We love them both so much and are so happy for them.  CONGRATS to the bride and groom! 

May & June Club projects

The time just keeps going faster and faster!  I think I will get caught up but I don’t. I will combine the two months Stampin’ Up! club cards to try to catch up.  I have to give a disclaimer about most of these cards – I have to admit not many these days are my own design – I have become good at using others wonderful ideas.  If these are your card designs I thank you from the bottom of my heart – and I also apologize as I don’t remember where I got any of the ideas!

So, May we were at Charlene’s house and I had fun new products to show.  I used the new sets from the Summer Mini Catalog.  I also was bidding a fond farewell to some favorite colors that are retiring the end of June.  The first card is using a set called In a Word. The paper is a retiring DSP called To the Nines. 

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The next card used a new set I love called Tropical Party and it’s coordinating DSP Island Oasis.  This was a fun one for sure!  I think one of my favorites.

The third card we did was for a Graduation gift.  It is a gift card holder.  It uses the set Go Graduate and the Bride DSP.  We did a brayer technique on it to turn the striped paper red.  Everyone loved that idea!

The last card for May was another favorite set – Sweet Scoops.  I earned it free from Stampin’ Up!  at regional's in Phoenix in January.  I love it!  and love the benefits of being a demonstrator.  I get FREE product and meet great friends!This ‘sweet’ card used 3 retiring colors – Orchid Opulence, Barely Banana and Cameo Coral (my personal fav!)

Now for JUNE!  These were some fun projects also!  It was our last official club party of the 2009-2010 year.  We start a new club in July.  I love my clubs as they are my best friends and we have so much fun together.  I only have photos done of the cards we made – I will get one done of the metal art we did using the Big Shot.

This first card uses the Tropical Party set also, just a bit less vibrant!  The colors were retiring colors Sage Shadow and Close to Cocoa.  The small sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and we also used a new Impressions Folder called Square Lattice.  It gives just the right texture to the card and gives it a tropical feel.

 

The 2nd card we did was a wedding card since James and Dawnmarie’s wedding is on my brain!  So, we made a punched heart Bride and Groom card.

I guess I had occasions on my mind since we made a baby card next. This one uses the Big Shot to cut out the scalloped circle then add some punched trim and wheels and you have an adorable card to give!

Then the last card we made was using yet another new set in the Summer Mini catalog.  It is called Watercolor Trio.  This was a set I have to admit that at first I did not want to get it.  But the more I saw done with it, the more I had to have it.  Soooo.. I bought it and have LOVED it – the simplicity of the stamp is fabulous but yet it produces stunning results.  This one used my favorite Cameo Coral again, along with Green Galore; both are retired now.

Wedding Invites

Here is the formal invite we mailed for James and Dawnmarie's upcoming wedding.  It was a team effort - the kids put the photos on and Dawnmarie did all the brads (bless her heart!)

Some MDS projects

I love My Digital Studio!  It is my 'go to' for quick easy notes and memos.  I use it for a fast 'thank you' or 'congratulations' card for online friends and family.  I also use it for my monthly calendars of events.  Here are a few of the creations I've made lately - If you want to get a copy of this great digital papercrafting software, shoot me an email or a phone call.  ~ ~ ENJOY!


 

April club projects

These projects were all done at our April Stampin' Up! club meeting.We were at Jana’s house and had a wonderful time!  She is such a lovely friend.  She was so preoccupied by taking care of babies and her house that she hardly got to do her projects, so I did them for her and her daughter Janal.  Here are the 4 cards and one scrapbook page we did. 

Jana's son Evan does BMX racing and is quite good at it, so we did a scrapbook page for him!  It used the Extreme Elements set and the BMX set.  The colors are Handsome Hunter, Not Quite Navy, Really Rust and So Saffron.  We also made a card fit for any teenagers' birthday!  It used Extreme Elements set also and Extreme Guitar as well as Four Square.  The colors worked so well together – Basic Black, Basic Gray and Real Red.

This next card was our technique card – we did a reinker spread technique I had seen by many consultants – the colors are Cameo Coral and Summer Sun.  I will miss these colors.  The set we used is 5th Ave Floral – it is one of my all time favs!

This card was a quick and simple one – we used the Little Angel stamp set and the Sweet Pea Stitched felt pieces. The colors were Rose Red and Old Olive.  We did a companion card to use some more Sweat Pea Stitched Felt – the mothers day card below.  It used Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink for the fun Mother’s Day card. 

Mission Bound

These were the last few photos we took of Nathan before he left for his mission for 2 years!  Mozambique is a long way away, but he is in God’s hands now!  Do well my son!

Have I been shot into a time warp?

So, I realized today that it has been 2 months since my last post.  What kind of blogger am I?  Well, I guess I am a crazy busy one!  My life has radically changed since that last post.  Here are the highlights -

• Nathan got his mission call!!  On February 18 he called us on Mike's cell phone at my book fair at school.  We put him on speaker phone in the reference room in the back of the library while he read us his call.  He is going to the Mozambique, Maputo mission.  WOW!  AFRICA.  Who would have thought he would go that far!  Not me... I am thrilled and scared all at the same time.
• March was a whirl wind!  I have no idea what really happened in that month ....  I just let it slip by without really paying attention to what happened.
• April was insane!  The first week was spring break.... yay!!!  Upon my arrival back to school, I was given some of the worst news of my life.  I was not going to have a job in the fall at my school; the school district was getting rid of half of their librarians and would share 3 librarians between 6 elementary schools.  I have just been reeling from that ever since.
• April also was filled with long talks with James as he was making the life changing decision to marry his sweetheart, Dawnmarie.  I am grateful he asked many questions and did a ton of praying and fasting about it.  He officially asked her on April 24 at the Open House for the Gila Valley Temple.
• Nathan came home from college the end of April and thus began our whirlwind May!
• May was filled with preparations for Nathan's depart to his mission.  We went with him to the Mesa Temple on May 1 for him to recieve his endowments.  That was a lovely day!  and one I will cherish forever.
• May 23 Nathan was set apart as a missionary for the Lord.  That was a momentous occaision; one none of us will ever forget.  Then the next day, Mike, Nathan and I departed for Utah to take Nathan to the MTC to begin his mission.  That was an emotional week - and I was surprized that I did not really cry - the emotions are still very close to the surface and I am sure I will take some time soon crying about his absence.

WHEW!  Now we are almost to June and I have no idea what my future holds besides having my son learn Portuguese and preparing for Africa, having another son make preparations for a wedding in July, and try to figure out what to do with myself after I finish up my last few days at my job.  What will we do?  How will we survive without my check?  How will I make it without my 2 oldest boys?  Many questions that wrack my brain to help me through some crazy times ahead!