April 17, 2019

Abstract Impressions

Part of the fun of attending Stampin' Up! events is swapping.  This is the card that I took for an organized swap we did Saturday night.

I made thirty five of these cards and got back thirty five new ideas!!  Like I said before I was on a purple kick!!

Stamps:  Abstract Impressions

Cardstock:  Gorgeous Grape, Whisper White

Ink:  Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather

Accessories:  Stitched Shapes Framelits, Layering Ovals Framelits, 

Country Floral Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 

Whisper White 5/8" Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, 

Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Here we all are lined up waiting to swap!  It may look chaotic but it really works quite smoothly.  The first person in line starts exchanging cards down the line and by the end . . . voila  . . .your bag is filled with thirty five new cards!!!

Today will be filled with stamping and getting ready for events that are coming up!  Tonight is a Paper Pal night, were we each bring two shoe box swaps and spend the evening making cards.  It has been a while since we have gotten together so am looking forward to the evening!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 16, 2019

Geared Up Garage 

A few weeks ago we all met Hanna and Jake in Grinnell to celebrate winter birthdays.  This was the card we gave Jake for his birthday.  It was one my friend, Janeen, brought for a swap at one of our demonstrator meetings.

This was one set that I knew I had to have as soon as I saw it in the Occasions catalog!!  Both of my son-in-laws are into cars so I think I will be keeping this set around for a very long time.  I was happy to see that it will be in the new Annual Idea Book and Catalog!!

Stamps: Geared mUp Garage

Cardstock: Basic Black, Tranquil Tide, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Classic Gray

Ink: Memento Black

Accessories:  Garage Gears Thinlits Dies, Big Shot, 

Versamark, Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 

Tranquil Tide Stampin' Write Marker, 

Classic Garage Metal Elements, 

Black and Silver 1/4" Striped Metallic Ribbon, 

White Baker's Twine

As soon as I am done posting this I am out the door for an appointment in Iowa City.  When I get home I hope to spend some time in my stamp room getting ready for my big pre-pre-order that is arriving tomorrow.  I am also hoping to get some stamping done!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 15, 2019

Abstract Impressions

One of the stamp sets that I knew would be carrying over to the next catalog is Abstract Impressions.   And since purple is my color of choice these days this was a match made in heaven. 

I had everything all stamped up and so instead of staying up late Thursday night and putting them together, I just went to bed and took advantage of the car ride to finish them up.

Stamps: Abstract Impressions

Cardstock: Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape, Whisper White 

Ink:  Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grap

Accessories:  Stitched Shapes Framelits, Layering Circles Framelits, 

Country Floral Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 

Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

What an absolutely wonderful weekend. We had no travel problem what so ever and arrived in Minneapolis mid afternoon on Friday.  Susie and her daughter, Amanda, had an event to attend Friday evening so her Aunt Kathy and I decided to have supper at the hotel Friday evening rather than walk out in the cold.  We were up and going early Saturday morning to attend On Stage and see all the wonderfulness of the new catalog!!

As you can see my wish list is LONG and I am not even all the way through the catalog the first time!!!  I can't wait to share with all of you!!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 12, 2019

Healing Hugs

A couple of week ago a friend contacted me and wanted to know if I could help her make some Easter cards.  She has a group of people that have a hard time getting out and about that she routinely send cards to.  This is one of the cards that she made.

Notice all of the detail in the bloom.  That is because it is a DistINKtive stamp, where it does all of the work for you.  It is gorgeous in person.

Stamps: Healing Hugs

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Whisper White

Ink: Gorgeous Grape, Old Olive

Accessories:  Tufted Embossing Folder, Big Shot,  

Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

As soon as I am done posting this I am out the door to head to Minneapolis for the unveiling of the new catalog.  I am excited to see it and visit with all of the people that I haven't seen for a while!!  I know that part of the country was hit with a lot of snow over the last couple of days so I hope we don't encounter any trouble getting there!!   I am not sure if our hotel has good internet access . . . if they do I will try to post over the weekend.  If not . . . look for me Monday morning!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 11, 2019

Amazing Life

The Stamparatus is a must for many types of cards, especially one like this that uses hinge stamping.

I think even those people who do not like to color would agree anyone would like to receive this colorful birthday card.

Stamps: Amazing Life, Piece of Cake

Cardstock: Mango melody, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White

Ink: Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Daffodil Delight Combo Pack, Real Red Combo Pack, Granny Apple Green Combo Pack, Highland Heather Combo Pack, Smoky Slate Combo Pack

Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Big Shot, Stamparatus,
Cake Builder Punch, Whisper White 5/8" Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon,
Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins,
Stampin' Dimensionals

I have been busy in my stamping room since early this morning trying to get everything ready to leave in the morning for Minneapolis.  I am getting there but there is still a lot to be done!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 10, 2019

Playful Backgrounds

Who knew Playful Backgrounds could be so fun??  I have used this stamp set before but not with quite so many colors!!

This particular card was inspired by this piece of art that hangs over the trash bins at Culver's.

And here is the completed card that everyone made on Monday at Make-It-Monday.

Stamps: Playful Backgrounds, Gallery Grunge, Picture Perfect Birthday

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Lemon Lime Twist, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White: 

Ink: Crumb Cake, Lemon Lime Twist, Bermuda Bay

Accessories: Versamark, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 

Embossing Buddy, Story Label Punch, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

I had some errands to run and orders to deliver early this morning and then came home and started working on my swaps for this weekend and forgot all about a blog post!!  The good news is my swaps are all stamped and just need to be put together and I still have a day left.  Worse case scenario . . . I can assemble them on the car ride up there!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 9, 2019

Floral Statements

I am on a mission to use the designer series paper I have amassed before it is retired at the end of May!  This card, which everyone made at the Sale-a-Bration Celebration definitely uses some of the DSP.

At first I just tried coloring with my markers and black Stazon ink but I didn't feel like the black was dark enough so redid it and used Versamark and black embossing powder.   I was much happier with the results!!

Stamps: Floral Statements

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Basic Black, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Share What You Love

Accessories:  Versamark, Black Embossing Powder, Heat Too, 

Embossing Buddy, 2017-2019 In Color Stampin' Write Markers, 

Regals Stampin' Write Markers, Berry Burst 3/8" Metallic Edge Ribbon, 

Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Today's agenda includes working on my swaps for this weekend and finishing arranging my stamp shelves once my order arrives this afternoon with the ink refill toppers.  I can't wait to finish the arranging process.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 8, 2019

Butterfly Gala

I am SO SO SO happy that the Butterfly Duet punch is back in stock.  There are just so many things that you can do with it.  And you can make butterflies in whatever color want since the stamps are just the outlines of the butterflies.

This is one of the cards that everyone will be making tonight at Make-It-Monday.   I hope they like it as much as I do!!

Stamps: Butterfly Gala

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Whisper White

Ink: Stazon Black, Highland Heather, Calypso Coral, Balmy Blue

Accessories: Lace Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 

Big Shot, Blender Pens, Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins, 

Butterfly Duet Punch,

Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Everything is pretty much ready to go for tonight so I can turn my attention to getting some swaps done for this weekend when I travel to On Stage in Minneapolis for the reveal of the new Annual Idea Book and Catalog.  I am anxious to see the catalog, but more anxious to see all of my friends and have a great weekend of  visiting and stamping together.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 7, 2019

Life Is Grand

I love the sentiment on this card, I love the designer series paper on this card, I love the layout on this card.  I guess I just love this card, which comes from a blog I follow, StamperCamper.

This is one of the cards everyone stamping this week will be making.  I hope they like it as much as I do!!!  You can't see it very well in the picture but I used markers to color the sentiment different colors .  . . Hello in Fresh Fig and Dear Friend in Mossy Meadow.  It look really cool in person.

Stamps: Life Is Grand

Cardstock: PetalPink, Fresh Fig, Mossy Meadow, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Floral Romance

Ink: Fresh Fig and Mossy Meadow Stampin' Write Markers for sentiment, 

Blackberry Bliss Stampin' Blend Light to color pearls

Accessories:  Layering Circles Framelits Dies, Subtle Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 

Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

As soon as I am done posting this I am out the door for a vendor event in West Branch. If you are looking for something to do today stop out and see us between 10-2.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 6, 2019

All That You Are

Many people overlook this stamp set which is on on back of the cover page the Occasions catalog.  I know I did! But you really need to give it a try. It is pretty awesome.

For this card we embossed the image with white embossing powder and then colored it in with blender pens.  I love the results.

Stamps: All That You Are

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Whisper White

Ink: Lovely Lipstick, Old Olive

Accessories:  Versamark, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 

Embossing Buddy, Blender Pens, Lovely Lipstick 1/8" Gros Grain Ribbon, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Today is going to be another busy one . . . I need to get everything sorted and loaded into the car for a vendor/craft show tomorrow.  I would also like to get more things ready for Monday's stamping night.  And I am going to spend the afternoon stamping with friends in North Liberty.  As the fourth graders ask me yesterday when I was working with them . . . "Do you ever get tired of stamping?" . . . I could honestly answer them . . . not very often!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 5, 2019

One Wild Ride

The second technique we worked with last night at Technique club is what I call Image in Motion.  I found a card very similar to this from a stamper called Pink Buckaroo.

The Stamparatus is a MUST for this card because you use it for every single image on the card!!  You can't see it very well in the photo but there are pockets of clear and silver embossing on the marbled background made to look like oil.

Stamps: One Wild Ride, Marbled

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Smoky Slate, PumpkinPie,
Whisper White, Silver Foil

Ink: Memento Black, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories:  Stamparatus, Versamark, Silver Embossing Powder,
Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Classic Label Punch, Basic Rhinestone Jewels,
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

As soon as I am done posting this I am out the door for a hair appointment and then to come home and finish getting things ready to stamp at the elementary school with the fourth graders.  This afternoon I want to finish getting stuff ready for Make-It-Monday because I have a super busy weekend planned!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 4, 2019

Beautiful Day

It's the first day of the month so that means that is is Technique/Stamp Club night. One of the techniques we are working with tonight is stamping on patterned paper.  It is such an easy technique but one we forget about sometimes. 

This is one of the cards I found on Pinterest when I was looking for ideas for this technique.  You need to be sure that the pattern in your paper is small enough for your image and that your image has plenty of open space.

Stamps: Beautiful Day

Cardstock: Lovely Lipstick, Basic Black, Whisper White, Garden Green

Designer Series Paper: All My Love

Ink: Memento Black

Accessories: Versamark, Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 

Detailed Trio Punch, Paper Snips, Stampin' Dimensionals

So .. . yesterday my order of the new Storage by Stampin' Up! arrived.  This is what my inkpads, markers and Stampin' Blends looked like before!

And this is what they look like now!!!  Needless to say . . . I love it!! Now to order some more so I can continue my reorganization!!

As soon as I am done posting this I am out the door for an appointment for my shoulder and then head to Iowa City to spend the afternoon running errands before Technique Club tonight!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!! 

Happy Stamping!!

April 3, 2019

Incredible Like You

Since Sale-a-Bration is now over, I have been cleaning up all of the remnants of the cards we have been making for the last three months.  I took all of the designer series paper that I had left and cut it into 3" X 3" squares for these Post-It-Note holders. Now mind you . . . these were just the scraps .. . I did not cut any full sheets of  paper.

I had enough scraps to make 25 of these!!!  I gave some to the Sale-a-Bration Celebration participants and the rest I have put into my craft show stash.  I REALLY like the sentiment on these and so hope that this set carries over to the new catalog!!

Stamps: Incredible Like You

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Grapefruit Grove, Poppy Parade

Designer Series Paper: Painted nSeasons

Ink: Early Espresso, Poppy Parade

Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Layering Circles Framelits, 

Big Shot, Simply Scored, Gold Faceted Gems, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

So yesterday morning I lazed around not doing much of anything and then had a talk with myself . . . and said "Self . . . this is silly . . . you have places to go, people to see, things to do . . . get yourself going!!" So I went to my stamp room and had a pretty productive afternoon. I made a few more craft show items and decided what I wanted to do for several coming events.

Today is going to be a busy day . . . I am meeting some friends for lunch at the Mexican restaurant in Kalona, coming home in time to help another friend stamp some Easter cards, and then hopefully arranging my ink and marker shelves with the new Storage by Stampin' Up!  It should be here just about the time Carol finishes stamping her cards!!!  I am so excited to get my inks actually organized!! Stay tuned for pictures tomorrow . . . hopefully!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 2, 2019

Humming Along

Inspiration can come from anywhere!!  You will never guess where the inspiration for this card came from!!

At the last Make-It-Monday my friend Bev and I were talking about how this bunch of artificial flowers at Culver's would make a neat card.  So I took a picture of the display.

And this is the card to match the flowers.

Everyone that was at the Sale-a-Bration Celebration made this card.  I think some were surprised at where the inspiration came from.  So that got me thinking . . . .and I took some other pictures from around the restaurant . . . look for those to show up in the coming weeks.

 

Stamps:  Humming Along

 Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Gingham Gala

Ink: Memento Black

Stampin' Blends:  Daffodil Delight Combo Pack,  

Flirty Flamingo Combo Pack, Granny Apple Green Dark, 

Lovely Lipstick Light

Accessories:  Granny Apple Green 1/2" Textured Weave Ribbon, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Not sure where my motivation went . . . but she seems to be missing today.  Maybe if I go to my stamp room I will find her.  I have several events coming up in the next few days and weeks that I need to be getting ready for.  Sure hope I find her!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

April 1, 2019

Dandelion Wishes

Dandelion Wishes is one of those sets that I don't think gets enough credit!!  I love the font in the sentiments.  This is another one of the cards that the fourth graders made last week.

I did use some retired sequins on this card but the fourth graders really didn't care!!  LOL  They just thought it was neat that they matched the ink and stuck by themselves!!

Stamps: Dandelion Wishes

Cardstock: Pool Party, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Memento Black, Pool Party

Accessories:  Block D, Tutti Frutti Adhesive Backed Sequins (retired)

Everything is ready for the Sale-a-Bration celebration tonight and sitting by the door waiting to be loaded into the car.  So that means I can work on some things for a small craft and vendor show next Sunday.  I am not making much of anything new but I did see some cute LipSmacker holders that I want to try out!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!! 

Happy Stamping!!