It's almost time!

Oh my word! It's almost time for me to leave on a jet plane! I am leaving for the airport Wednesday morning at 4 am EDT. Holy cow! I may just stay up all night. I don't want to sleep through my flight! Am I the only one that has that nightmare? This will be my 1st convention! I am so excited! I still have lots to do, including work tomorrow, but I'm sure the time will zip by, and I will be flying the friendly skies before I know it!

This is a luggage tag that I made for my suitcase. I haven't flown since 1995. Yikes! The nerves are kickin' in now! I have no idea if this suitcase ever had a tag. LOL There was none to be found when I dragged it out of the garage. My ex was a dear and took it outside and de-spider-webbed it for me. EEEWWWW! I hope there's enough room to bring all my goodies back home. I may have to mail my dirty laundry home. LOL

Anyway, I made the tag by printing out my information on the computer and adhering it to some Bali Breeze DSP. (The tag is double-sided. The orange pattern from Bali Breeze is on the other side with another address card.) Then I adhered that to some Whisper White cardstock. I then ran all the layers through my Xyron with the 2-sided lamination cartridge. I used my Crop-A-Dile to set a jumbo eyelet. I used a cable tie to attach it to my suitcase. There are a few different pieces of Sweet Shop Ribbon Originals (retired) tied to each side of the handle. I hope I can find it easily in the sea of black suitcases which are sure to be joining mine on the baggage claim merry-go-round. LOL

This will probably be my last post for awhile. I will post all about Convention when I return from Salt Lake City! I can't wait to get my hands on the new catalog! Is it Wednesday yet?

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- none. Paper- Bali Breeze DSP, Whisper White. Accessories- jumbo eyelet, CAD, Sweet Shop Ribbon Originals. Other- Xyron, cable tie.

Thanks for visiting!

A Demo Challenge

Happy Monday! Only 2 more sleeps until I leave for Salt Lake City!

I was browsing the demo forums over at SCS, and came across what I thought would be a fun challenge...a bookmark. I was right! It was fun and easy! If you are a demo, click here to participate in the challenge. I used 2 of the new In Colors and a stamp set that will be available on August 11th. The calendar was provided in the challenge thread. See the top corners? That cute design was made with the scalloped edge border punch that will also be available on the 11th. Check out Andrea's blog for the easy, peasy instructions. I made the tab with the oval punches, set a jumbo eyelet and tied some ribbons through it. That's it. These would make great gifts to put in your customers' catalogs. I have some books to read on the plane ride, so I'll be packing my new bookmark for my trip. :)

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Dreams du Jour. Paper- Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red. Ink- Pretty in Pink. Accessories- Pretty in Pink taffeta, Whisper White grosgrain, Black & White gingham, jumbo eyelet, Crop-a-dile, Scalloped Edge border punch, Large and Small Oval punches.

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Stamper Frame

Happy Sunday! I decided to take a break from laundry and check out the Featured Stamper challenge. Today's gallery belongs to artystamper. I came across a beautiful coaster frame. Here is my version of it. I don't have nestabilities, so I cut mine out with a craft knife. I tried to use my Scalloped Edge border punch, but the thin coaster was just too much for it. I used a medium coaster for the back of the frame, and a thin one for the inside frame. I covered the coasters with Tombow Mono Multi and then put the paper on top. I punched 2 holes at the top with my Crop-a-dile and threaded some ribbon through for a hanger.

I better get back to the laundry. I still need to get packing for Convention! :)

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Dreams duJour. Paper- River Rock, Bali Breeze DSP. Ink- Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Tempting Turquoise, Always Artichoke. Accessories- white gel pen, chipboard coasters, Crop-a-dile, Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, craft knife, sanding block.

Thanks for visiting!

Faux Metal Saturday

Wow! What a day! Sorry for the late post. I have been running around today with my MIL shopping for Convention. WooHoo! Only 4 more sleeps! I think I have everything I need now. I just have to do laundry tomorrow and get packed. I hope I haven't forgotten anything! ;)

My card today uses the Faux Metal technique. Stampin' Up! posted a video tutorial on the demonstrator website. Oh. My. Word. They used new stamp sets and coordinating punches! I can't wait to get my hands on the new catalog on Wednesday! (A great perk of Convention this year!) There is a great tutorial posted on SCS if you aren't a SU! demo. (If you'd like info on joining my team, drop me a note or give me a call!)

Back to the card... : ) I used the One of a Kind flower for my faux metal piece. I also made faux metal photo corners. The DSP is Bali Breeze and the cardstock is Rose Red with a pop of Basic Black. I adhered a Fire Circle Rhinestone brad to the center of the flower with mini glue dots. I just opened up the prongs far enough so that I could pop them off the back. Let me know what you think about my first faux metal!

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- One of a Kind, All Holidays (sentiment). Paper- Rose Red, Basic Black, Bali Breeze DSP. Ink- Versamark, Basic Black. Accessories- Silver EP, Basic Black grosgrain, Photo Corners punch, Large and Small Oval punches, Fire Circle Rhinestone brad, mini glue dots.

Thanks for visiting!

CAS From the Garden

I made these for JulieHRR's Dare to Get Dirty Challenge. (The link will take you to her thread as long as you're a SCS Fan Club Member.) These were super simple to make. I used my Scallop Edge border punch (available August 11th) to scallop the edge of a Whisper White card base. I cut a strip of colored cardstock and glued it to the inside. Then I just stamped From the Garden (hostess set) in the same color ink. I really like the way they look. I think I may make lots more of these to give to my sister to use as wedding Thank You cards. I'll use her wedding colors to make them personal and maybe Shimmery White cardstock for the base. I know they are simple, but I don't want her to have to pay extra postage for ribbon and brads and things. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- From the Garden (hostess set). Paper- Whisper White, Almost Amethyst, So Saffron. Ink- So Saffron, Almost Amethyst.

Thanks for visiting!

It's Halloween in July!

I decided to combine a couple SCS challenges for this one. It is for the Sketch challenge and the Ways To Use It challenge. I dragged out some retired paper from last year, Creepy Crawly, and some soon-to-be retired chipboard, On Board Accents. Dang, I have a lot of retired stuff. LOL I colored the chipboard frame with my Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Spot. I think the Craft Spots will go on my Wish List. I stamped 4 of the images from Batty For You in the holes. That's it. Easy peasy. I can't wait to get Deer Friend (Yay! I won the demo contest PaisleyPrincess held! Thank you!), and do something like this for a Christmas card. I can't wait to see the new Christmas paper. Of course, I can always use my retired Dashing paper. LOL It's a sickness, I tell ya! No more hoarding! That needs to be my new motto! LOL

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Batty For You. Paper- Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Creepy Crawly DSP. Ink- Basic Black. Accessories- On Board Accents, black grosgrain.

Thanks for visiting!

Congratulations on your first grandbaby!

This is for a friend and former co-worker of mine who just became a grandpa on Sunday. Yep, his new grandson was born on my birthday. Too fun!

I used Lauren's onesie tutorial which she posted here. I just love this card shape! I got my colors from yesterday's Color Challenge at SCS. They are Very Vanilla, River Rock and Soft Sky. (River Rock and Soft Sky will be retiring on August 10th.) I punched some River Rock holes with my CAD and covered them with crystal effects to make them look more like snaps. The lion from Wild About You was stamped on Very Vanilla with Bashful Blue twice and once in Ballet Blue. I punched out one of the Bashful Blue images with the 1 1/4" circle punch. I cut out the mane of the Ballet Blue image and the head from the 2nd Bashful Blue image. Both are up on dimensionals. The Very Vanilla circle is layered onto a 1 3/8" circle of Soft Sky and then onto a River Rock Scallop circle. I love the way this turned out! What do you think?

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Wild About You. Paper- Soft Sky, River Rock, Very Vanilla. Ink- Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue. Accessories- Scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, CAD, Crystal Effects, dimensionals.

Thanks for visiting!

A Dirty Dare from Lauraly

This is my submission for Laurie's (Lauraly) Dare to get Dirty Challenge over at SCS. If you aren't a Fan Club member, you are missing out on so much! If you are a member, here's a link to the challenges. I haven't used vellum on anything but my son's 5th grade banquet invitations. I just had to try and get dirty. It just sounds so fun! LOL I embossed the leaf stamp from Embrace Life in White EP. Then I colored them in from the back with my Cameo Coral marker. I attached the vellum to a piece of Ginger Blossom DSP with mini glue dots. I covered the dots with half-pearls from the Pretties Kit. The sentiment is embossed on a piece of Groovy Guava CS. I punched it out with the Large Oval punch and layered it on a piece of River Rock CS punched with the Key Tag punch. I also paper pierced 2 of the corners. I need to use vellum more often. I really like the look of this card. What do you think?

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Embrace Life. Paper- Vellum Cardstock, Groovy Guava, River Rock, Ginger Blossom DSP. Ink- Versamark, Cameo Coral. Accessories- White EP, Pretties Kit half-pearls, Large Oval punch, Key Tag punch, mini glue dots.

Thanks for visiting!

Happy Monday!

I want to share the beautiful cards I received for the 9th anniversary of my 29th birthday! The first picture is of the cards my daughter, son and ex-husband made me. My MIL has a Cricut, so she let my kids use it. My daughter helped her daddy out with his. She showed him where all the supplies were and supervised. ;) The second picture is of all the cards received from my Diva sisters! I am so lucky to belong to such a wonderful group! I have never met any of them in person, but I feel like I know so many of them! I have made some wonderful friends for life. I will finally meet some of them in person next week at Convention! :)

I am so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends!

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Stamper Sunday

Today is Featured Stamper Sunday over on SCS. Today is also the 9th anniversary of my 29th birthday. LOL That means I get to do whatever I want today...stamp! WooHoo! Well, I do have to go to the grocery store later, but I'm not going to think about that until later! ;)

Susiestampalot is today's Featured Stamper. I chose this card to CASE. I used the cracked glass technique and the "nature" theme. (Here are the instructions for cracked glass.) The sentiment panel was just too stark against the card, so I "aged" it by wiping the panel with the same tissue I used for the cracked glass technique. Unfortunately, I needed another sympathy card for another co-worker. A girl in my office lost her MIL on Friday. I sure hope I don't need any more of these any time soon.

I hope you all are enjoying your day! Take some time to hug the ones you love!

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Live Your Dream, Warmest Regards (retired). Paper- Very Vanilla, Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip, Afternoon Tea. Ink- Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel (for aging), Versamark. Accessories- Groovy Guava ribbon, UTEE.

Thanks for visiting!

Lovely as a Tree Sympathy

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend. Unfortunately, I needed to make a sympathy card today. A co-worker lost his father this week. I thought Lovely as a Tree would be a good set for this. I used the Faux Silk technique for the image panel. I used a sponge dauber to rub Creamy Caramel chalk all over it. The sentiment is from Warmest Regards, a retired hostess set. It's punched out with the Designer Label punch and glued into a Styled Silver HPH frame. I used Chocolate Chip polytwill from the Occassions mini to adhere it to the panels.

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Lovely as a Tree, Warmest Regards (retired). Paper- Very Vanilla, Sage Shadow, Handsome Hunter, tissue. Ink- Chocolate Chip. Accessories- Creamy Caramel chalk, sponge dauber, Styled Silver HPH, Chocolate Chip Polytwill ribbon.

Thanks for visiting!

Bali Breeze Birthday

I finally got around to cutting out the huge flower from one of the sheets of Bali Breeze DSP. I don't know what took me so long. I love the clean and simple look of this card. I used 3 different patterns from the Bali Breeze DSP. I used my scalloped edge border punch to make the ric-rac. How cute is that? The flower is popped up with dimensionals and outlined in Dazzling Diamonds. It really sparkles!

Enjoy your Friday! :)

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- All Holidays. Paper- Whisper White, Bali Breeze DSP. Ink- Taken with Teal. Accessories- Scalloped Edge Border punch, Dazzling Diamonds, 2-way glue pen, dimensionals.

Thanks for visiting!

Unfrogettable birthday card

I needed to make a birthday card for my little brother. I used Mr. Crabby Pants last year, so I decided to use my poor little retiring froggie this year. I used this week's Sketch Challenge at SCS for the layout. I first made the clouds background using a scallop circle and a sponge. Then I stamped the frog. I masked him and stamped his mushroom. Then I masked the mushroom and stamped the other 2. I sponged the grassy area and colored the frog and mushrooms with my markers. The blue background went through the crimper. The white card base looked bare, so I used a marker and a ruler to draw lines. I also colored the edges of the card with the same marker. I added big googly eyes for fun. It is for my little brother, after all. :)

Supplies(all SU!): Stamps- Unfrogettable. Paper- Whisper White, Brilliant Blue, Real Red, textured YoYo Yellow. Ink- Bashful Blue, Glorious Green, Garden Green, Creamy Caramel, Pumpkin Pie, Barely Banana & Real Red markers. Accessories- Scallop Circle punch, sponge.

Thanks for visiting!

A "Lovely" Color Challenge

This week's color challenge at SCS is Wild Wasabi, So Saffron & Almost Amethyst. I wanted to use my newest set, Lovely as a Tree, for the image. I stamped the trees in Wild Wasabi. I sponged So Saffron and Almost Amethyst pastels in the sky and Always Artichoke on the ground. I sponged the sun on with YoYo Yellow. The trees sparkle in the sunlight. I used my Versamarker to color the branches and covered them with Iridescent Ice. You may be able to see the sparkle better if you click on the picture. The sentiment is from a set that will be available on August 11th, Heard from the Heart.

Speaking of August 11th, demonstrators got a sneak peak at a couple new sets with matching punches and some new ribbon today. I can't wait for the new catty! Do you think my kids really need school supplies? LOL Just kidding! ;)

Supplies (all SU!)- Stamps- Lovely as a Tree, Heard from the Heart. Paper- Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Almost Amethyst, So Saffron Prints DSP. Ink- Wild Wasabi. Accessories- Scalloped Edge punch, Versamarker, Iridescent Ice, Stampin' Pastels, sponge daubers.

Thanks for visiting!

A new Blog Candy winner!

I used random.org to find a new winner for my blog candy.

Here are your random numbers:9
Timestamp: 2008-07-15 18:34:09 UTC

Congratulations, Carol! E-mail me with your snail mail address, and I'll get your blog candy right to you!

Thanks for visiting!

Friends & Flowers blog candy

This is a scrapbook page I put together quite a while ago. Since I am trying to give away a Friends & Flowers Simply Scrappin' Kit, I thought I would post something I made using one. :) I still haven't heard from Sandy from Michigan. If she hasn't e-mailed by 1:00 PM ET today, I will use random.org to pick another winner.

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- none. Paper- Whisper White. Ink- Versamark. Accessories- Friends & Flowers Simply Scrappin' Kit (retired), Bodacious Bouquet SA Jumbo Wheel (retired), Stampin' Pastels.

Thanks for visiting!

Dreams duJour Frame

This frame is for a 3-D swap I'm in with my online group, Utah Divas. I bought a 2-pack of white frames at Target last night. My Target Dollar Spot rarely has anything worth a dollar in it, so these are from the Home department. I covered the frame with Mod Podge then put the Bella Rosa DSP on top. I put another layer of Mod Podge on the paper. I let it dry for a few hours before sanding the edges. I stamped the Dreams stamp with Staz-on and colored with markers, reinkers and a blender pen. I cut it out and used my Versamarker on the Dreams banner. I covered that with Iridescent Ice and heat set. I stamped the butterfly in Ruby Red and colored it in with Blush Blossom. I cut it out, outlined it with my Versamarker and covered it with Iridescent Ice also. I used my scallop punch to make the bottom layer. The Dreams stamp is up on dimensionals and the butterfly is adhered with a mini pop dot. I tied a piece of Whisper White taffeta ribbon around the bottom of the frame. I hope whoever gets it will enjoy it.

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Dreams duJour. Paper- Bella Rose DSP. Ink- Stazon. Accessories- Pretty in Pink, Ruby Red & Blush Blossom markers, Versamarker, Riding Hood Red & Kiwi Kiss reinkers, blender pen, Iridescent Ice EP, Scallop Circle punch, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, pop dot, dimensionals, frame from Target.

Thanks for visiting!

Lovely as a Tree

I finally got Lovely as a Tree. I have no idea why I never purchased it. I love it. I told my Stampin' Sis, Jill, that I was going to buy it if it didn't retire, and she got it for me! Thank you so much! I know this will see lots of ink. I kept this card relatively simple. I stamped the middle tree first. I stamped off once for the 2 trees on either side. The farthest trees are fully inked liked the middle one. I rubbed the edges of all three panels with Chocolate Chip ink. The sentiment is a sneak peek from an upcoming set, Dreams duJour. It's stamped on a piece of twill tape. I frayed the ends of the tape after stamping. I used Sticky Strip to adhere it to the card base.

Have a great Sunday!

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Lovely as a Tree, Dreams duJour. Paper- Kraft, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Very Vanilla. Ink- Chocolate Chip. Accessories- Twill tape.

Thanks for visiting!

Blog Candy Winner!

It's time to give away the Blog Candy! I counted up the comments and went to random.org to pick a winner. Here's what happened!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:3
Timestamp: 2008-07-13 14:12:13 UTC
I guess that's Ireland time. It was 10:12 AM here in Florida. :)

It was very easy, so I figured I would go ahead and post the winner now. Congratulations, Sandy from Michigan! Please e-mail me with your snail mail address, and your prize will be on its way!

Come back later today for a new project.

Thanks for visiting!

Heard from the Heart

One of my little sisters is getting married on 8/8/08. Her colors are Red and Light Blue. This is the wedding card I'll be giving her. I'm also going to make her Thank You notes as a gift, but I haven't figured those out yet. LOL The sparkly hearts are from the Sticky Cuts Letters set. I placed one on Real Red Prints DSP and one on Bashful Blue Prints DSP, both from the Level 1 hostess set. I removed the red liner from the top of the hearts and covered them with Dazzling Diamonds. Then I cut them out and adhered them to my card base. I stamped the sentiment from the new set, Heard from the Heart, which will be available to customers on August 11th, and then made the score lines with my bone folder and paper trimmer. I love the simplicity of it. I hope she does, too.

Don't forget about the blog candy here. You have until 10:00 AM ET tomorrow to leave a comment on that post. I'll announce the winner at 11:00 AM ET. Good luck!

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps: Heard from the Heart. Paper- Whisper White, Real Red Prints DSP, Bashful Blue Prints DSP. Ink- Real Red, Bashful Blue. Accessories- Sticky Cuts Letters, Dazzling Diamonds, bone folder.

Thanks for visiting!

Happy Birthday Stars

I just received the Classic Stars Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel in the mail today from my Stampin' Sister, Jill. I just love happy mail! It was perfect timing as I needed to make a birthday card for one of the guys in my office. I pulled out my Color Coach and decided to try the Dynamic Duo of Handsome Hunter and Sage Shadow. (Anyone else thinking Batman and Robin? LOL) I really like this color combo and can't believe I've never used Handsome Hunter! I rolled my wheel along the Sage Shadow strip in Versamark and covered it in White EP. I also embossed the sentiment in White EP. I used my star punches to make an embellishment. I outlined the large star with my White Signo gel pen. The star is up on dimensionals.

Don't forget to leave a comment on the last post for your chance to win my first blog candy!

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Happy Everything. Paper- Sage Shadow, Handsome Hunter. Ink- Versamark. Accessories- White EP, Classic Wheels SA Jumbo Wheel, Large Star punch, Star punch, dimensionals.

Thanks for visiting!

It's time for blog candy!

I can't believe it! I am over 2500 hits! When I started this blog, I had no idea people would actually be visiting! I am so grateful! To show my appreciation, I will be giving away a Friends & Flowers Simply Scrappin' Kit (retired). All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. (US residents only, please.) I'll use random.org to pick a winner if I can figure it out. If not, I'll use some random kids and let them pick. LOL You have until Sunday, July 13th, at 10:00 AM. I'll post the winner at 11:00 AM. Good luck!

Thanks for visiting!

Simply Said Challenge

Simply Said was one of my very first Stampin' Up! purchases. I love this set, but it hasn't been inked up in quite a while. I'm so glad it isn't on the retiring list. The sketch challenge was definitely a challenge for me. The card began life without the black mats, but I just didn't like the way the Certainly Celery blended in to the Spring Fling DSP. The black mats were a step in the right direction, but I still wasn't happy with the card. I decided to add Faith's (markie'smom on SCS) signature dots to the black layers. It was just what the card needed. I love the end result! I'll add a sentiment when I need it.

I'm almost at 2500 hits, so I'll be posting some blog candy soon! Stay tuned!

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Simply Said. Paper- Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White, Spring Fling DSP. Ink- Chocolate Chip, Lavendar Lace, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal & Pumpkin Pie markers. Accessories- Signo white gel pen.

Thanks for visiting!

Fresh Banana, Guava & Chocolate

Doesn't that sound yummy? O.k., I have to admit...chocolate goes with everything! LOL The color challenge over at SCS was Groovy Guava, Barely Banana and Chocolate Chip. It's growing on me. My card is clean and simple. The Chocolate Chip mat was made with the new SU! scalloped edge border punch. Love it! The collage stamp is from Fresh Cuts. Both these items will be available on August 11th.

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Fresh Cuts. Paper- Barely Banana, Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip. Ink- Chocolate Chip. Accessories- scalloped edge border punch, Groovy Guava ribbon, rectangular hole punch.

Thanks for visiting!

Garden Whimsy Suspension

No, my Garden Whimsy set didn't get in trouble! LOL It did get suspended, though. As in a suspension card. It was Monday's Try a New Technique challenge. It was a first for me, and an easy card to make thanks to Beate's wonderful directions. I used Heat & Stick powder for the first time, too. I love this stuff. My glittery butterfly was a snap! :) One more thing...see that scalloped mat? I did that with my new SU! Scalloped Edge border punch which will be available on August 11th! You need to get one! ;)

Supplies (all SU!): Stamps- Garden Whimsy. Paper- Kraft, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Spring Fling DSP. Ink- Versamark, Sage Shadow, Pixie Pink & Basic Black markers. Accessories- Heat & Stick powder, Fine Cosmo Glitter, Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, CAD, Scalloped Edge border punch, thread.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Thanks for visiting!