Quarterly cards #3

 Back again!  Monday posts don't usually work for me unless I get it done on Sunday & schedule it for Monday.  I play canasta Hand & Foot every Monday and love that game.   Yesterday I took a "walk about" at WalMart.  I got about 25 of these great clear pouches for less than $1 each.  I am going to use them to store each month's Paper Pumpkin Kits.  It takes up much less than the boxes do & I can see most of the elements from the kit without opening the pouch.  Maybe you have some good uses for them in your craft room.

Well, thanks to my persistent daughter, we got a partial refund for our hotel stay in Hendersonville for the Quarterly.  They refunded one room for us so that was great!  Now I can't decide whether to still give them a bad review or just let it be!

Here are a few more cards we made at Quarterly.

This was a shoebox card.  I can't remember what the technique is called but I remember doing this several years ago & it was a technique I saw on Splitcoast many years ago.  I used post it notes to mask off the center and sponged ink around the sides and top and bottom.  

This is a popular fold now called the Book Fold.  The 1 1/2" section on the left side is scored and adhered closed so the card opens like a magazine or book.

Card - opened.  Great fun fold!

This card took a lot of work - hats off to the creator !   It folds flat for mailing.

All Squared Away

 Day #3!  I played bridge today with friends at my house.  Can you believe the COVID numbers are going up again?!!  I talked to Ashley yesterday & she told me the number of cases in Maryland (where she lives) is 64 per 100,000 whereas in NC where I live the number is 197 per 100,000.  We were planning a trip to Tennessee the end of August but their numbers are even higher - 265 out of 100,000.  So, we have booked a condo at Ocean Isle that has a full kitchen so we will enjoy the beach, Sonny will enjoy the golfing and we'll cook most of our meals ourself, limiting our contacts.

Here are a few more of the cards from Quarterly using the All Squared Away bundle.

I can't tell if the watercolored background is DSP or made with the alcohol technique!  The card is made with Soft Succulent.

Another great one.  Love the way she used the words on the card.

I like the way she raised the middle image up with dimensionals and left the 2 yellow one adhered to the Crumb Cake card.

This card had me stumped!  Can you see the background on the yellow piece?  That is a die that I didn't see but will be putting it on my list!  It is on page 165 of the annual catalog & is called Stitched Greenery.  It does not cut anything out but is just used for background.  You can see a sample of it also on page 83.  This is a die that definitely gets lost in the catalog.

Hope you have a good weekend and create a few of your own cards!

Quarterly Cards #2

 I'm on a roll - two days in a row!!  I have lots more cards from Quarterly to share with you.  Unfortunately, I don't know who made each of these cards!  I was in charge of lining the gals up for the swap and that was like herding cats!  

What a great use of the Pattern Party DSP.  You can purchase this pack of 48 sheets of paper with a $150 order for just $18.  On one side of each page is a black and white design while the reverse side is colored in all different colors - pinks, greens, yellows, blues, reds ......!!  I have used this paper a lot.

This is really a good idea - she used the stamp from Artistically Inked to create the water.  Wouldn't you like to be on that sailboat?!

Another good use of DSP.  This time she used the In Color 6"x6" assortment.  

I fell in love with this die during the Quarterly & have it on my next order.  I have several cards that were made using this bundle & when I first looked through the catalog, it didn't do anything for me.  Well, I have changed my mind after seeing all the cards that were made using it.

Tune in tomorrow to see several more cards made with the All Squared Away bundle

Isn't this paper gorgeous?!!  A simple card but oh so elegant.  I had to look up the DSP because I must have missed it too in the catalog.  But there on page 133 at the top you will see the beautiful Simply Elegant DSP.

This is a neat fold that I have never seen before.  Notice how the Crumb Cake piece tucks behind the blue circle to keep the card closed.  She used the new Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder (pg 155).  You can see the opened card below.

Quarterly Cards #1

 Can't believe that I haven't posted anything since July 20!  So sorry.  I am well though .... for a change!  Well, actually, my left hip still hurts a bit but I can handle that!  Some days I even forget to take the Alieve!

We had a NC Demo Quarterly meeting in Hendersonville, NC July 23-25.  Ashley drove down for it (and for her grandmother's birthday on the 25th) and we rode up to Hendersonville with my sister, Marianne.  We stopped off at a brewery/restaurant that Marianne knew about for lunch.  The seats were inside a barrel!

We arrived at our hotel around 4 pm and were told that their washing machine had broken down the day before so they were behind in check-ins - probably our room would be ready in 1/2-1 hour.  Well, at 9:00, we finally got checked in & were able to take our things to our room.  Luckily the even was held at the hotel so we were able to just take our things & start with our shoebox swaps.  When we went up to bed, the temperature in our room was stifling - had to be at least 90 degrees - plus, there was no cold water coming out of the sink!  We didn't get much sleep that night.  I reported the problems to the front desk Sat. morning.  When we went to our room Saturday night, the cold water worked BUT our room was still stifling hot.  We were given the key to another room so we hauled all our stuff to it which happened to be the room right next to ours - which wasn't any cooler than our room.  So, we called down to the desk again & were moved to another room which was cooler thank goodness!  We tried to talk to a manager about compensating us & were told the manager was not there & we would have to speak with her the next day (Sunday).  OK - Sunday we were told the manager doesn't work on Sundays!  Since we've been home, we've tried to contact the manager several times & left messages on her phone to no avail.  She has not called us back yet.  We were not the only ones complaining about the place.  On Saturday, we were given box lunches (no choice) with bacon on them that looked like it was raw so we were all pulling that out of our sandwiches.  And of course, those that don't like mayo were out of luck because it was on the sandwich also.  That evening we were supposed to get a cookie snack but because of all the complaints, they "uppped" the cookie dessert to key lime pie, tiramasu or cheesecake.  Well, they ran out of those so some didn't get any plus we had to ask them for forks and napkins!  I spoke to the Choice Hotel group to register my complaints and will get additional choice points.  (I would rather have them reimburse me for a night!)

Other than all that, we had a good time at the event.  I haven't been to a Quarterly in a couple of years so it was really nice to see all the old and new faces.  We did a Shoebox swap on Friday and Saturday nights and made a few projects on Saturday along with swaps.  I participated in Fun Fold, Masculine and Slimline card swaps.  Here are a few of the cards that were made or swapped.

I love this black and white fun fold card!  A lot of embossing went into this card.

I think this was Marianne's Fun Fold.  The tulips on the bottom are adhered with dimensionals so the top part can prop open.

I love the look of the In Good Taste DSP!

I love the use of this die to make this fun fold.

Another fun fold similar to the above except this one uses Stitched So Sweetly dies.

Another piece of In Good Taste DSP

I just love everything about this card!  More DSP from In Good Taste (I need to get this paper!)  She used the Tasteful Textures embossing folder on the Cinnamon Cider card and Stitched Sweetly for the Cinnamon die.  The glasses are covered with Crystal Effects (I think!  they actually feel laminated!)

Even the inside has the Crystal Effects on the glass!

A great masculine card.  I struggle with making them, do you?  Looks like she used the Postage Stamp punch and made it a bit smaller.  The Daffodil Delight paired with the Basic Black cardstock is just stunning.

More Swaps

 Here are a few more of the swap cards that I got last month.

Isn't that frog the cutest?  He is on the hostess stamp set, Prince and Princess.  

This is the card I made.  I used one of my favorites, Pierced Blooms Dies.  I love how the Magenta Madness coordinates with the new in color, Soft Succulent.  I colored the pearl with a Stampin' Blend and cut 1/4" strips at the bottom.

Love Fresh Freesia!  It's such a pretty purple.   This card uses a two step stamp , Art Gallery.

I think a lot of people like the Soft Succulent!!  This flower is from Color & Contour.  I urge you to get the dies (as a bundle) for this great pair!  The Scalloped Contours Die are great!

Swap Cards

 I have been working on some swaps for Stampin' Up's Onstage Convention which is usually held each November in Salt Lake City.  Unfortunately, with COVID that is not going to happen.  There will be a virtual event and one of the demonstrators is having a swap that I will be participating in.  I have been working on those swaps and they are now ready to put in the mail.  I signed up for Masculine, Artistic, Birthday, Holiday Catalog, and Fun Fold swaps!  Several of the swaps I was able to use the cards I had made for the NC Demo Quarterly that was supposed to happen last May but, again, COVID made that event impossible. 

Below are a couple of the swap cards I made.

I don't usually make many Halloween cards or buy Halloween stamp sets but I loved this designer paper from the mini catalog.  You can find Plaid Tidings 6"x6" designer paper on page 57.  The patterns can be used for holidays and well as all year long.  I love plaids!  I also bought the Festive Post stamp set (page 63, mini catalog) because I can use it for several holidays - Christmas, Halloween, and Valentines  The stamp set coordinates with the Rectangular Postage Punch.  When I can use a punch, I love it!  I dyed the white ribbon black using my Stampin' Blends!

This is my Holiday Catty swap. 

This next card is one I was able to use from the NC Demo Quarterly cards.  I stamped the tree root with Soft Suede that I stamped off first so it wouldn't be so dark (from Rooted in Nature) on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I stamped the tree on top of it with Early Espresso ink and the sentiment in Soft as Suede (full strength).  Next I ran the piece through the Big Shot embossing it with the Subtle 3D embossing folder and then matted it onto a piece of Early Espresso.  I ran another piece of Very Vanilla (5 1/4" x 4") through the Big Shot embossing it with Tin Tile 3D embossing folder and sponged Soft Suede ink lightly over top of the embossed areas.

Masculine Swap Card

This Rooted in Nature stamp set is a great one for those hard to make masculine cards!

 

SWAP CARDS

The Holiday Mini Catalog is now LIVE and available for purchase in our beautiful NEW On-Line shop.  If you click on the Holiday Catalog in the left column, you can view all the wonderful items available.

Here are some key features of our beautiful, new online store:

• Designed to work seamlessly on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones
• New and improved store navigation
• Larger imagery
• New sorting and filtering options allowing you to find things more easily
• Inventory status information so you can make an informed purchase decision
• Create and share up to 10 personalized wish lists (my favorite new feature!)
• New ‘Quick Shop’ feature makes it easy to add items to your cart
• Simplified checkout process

ALSO .... if you click on the HOSTESS CODE (left column of this blog), it should take you directly to the ON-LINE STORE and it should indicate that you are shopping with ME!!  

These are cards I received in swap hosted by Debbie Henderson.

By Vicki Stevens using Flowers for All Seasons pattern paper

by Debbie Britland - using Forever Blossom stamps and dies

by Carolyn Deleo - Painted Poppies

Facebook Card Swap

The Stampin' Up demos in the southeast area of the US were recently challenged on Facebook  to make a card and send it to the person who left a comment on the post right before you.  It was a great way to connect with other demos in our area.  It was a huge success!  Around 200 different demonstrators participate and send each other happy mail. 

Below are the two cards I received. 

This card was sent to me from Kathy Donovan.  She did a great job watercoloring the image.

I was totally surprised to receive this darling bunny card.  It came from Christi Wroe.  Christi is the person I sent my card to.  She went above and beyond!!  A lot of time went in to this beautiful card.

More Swaps

These are the remainder of the swap cards I received.  Lots of ideas using some of the new stamp sets in the catalog!  My wish list keeps getting bigger and bigger!!!

Love this using Rooted in Nature - definitely on my Wish List!

Another stamp on my list.  The Handwritten background stamp (pg 172)!  Plus I love these new doilies.

I've already purchased the Lovely Floral Embossing Folder.  It goes with the What You Love Suite (p. 176-178).

Another card using the Lovely Floral Embossing Folder.  Is it on your list???

A great set - Hold on to Hope.  This set was carried over from the Occasions catalog.

Another one from my Wish List - Animal Outing!!  I have seen a lot of cute cards using this set.  The Layered Leaves embossing folder pairs with it well.

A beautiful card using Love What You Do.  I really like the new Detailed Trio corner punch.

I hope these cards have inspired you!  If you decide to purchase any of these items, please use my Hostess Code at the top left.  Thanks!

Swap Cards from 2018-19 Catalog!

Hi!  I'm back from Hawaii - returned last Friday.  Had a great time of course and I think my mom had the time of her life!  I'll be posting some pictures as soon as I get them (over 200!) downloaded and edited!  In the meantime, I participated in a NC Demos Swap and thought I would share the cards with you.

This is the card I made using the new stamp set, Love What You Do.  Other products used were:  Black, White and Pineapple Punch cardstock; Stitched Shapes, Flourish and Layered Circles Dies; Lovely Floral Embossing Folder, Old Olive Sheer Ribbon and a little pearl.

This card was made by Robin Purdum.  She also used the Love What You Do stamp set along with one of our new In Colors, Blueberry Bushel.

Isn't this flamingo so cute from Fabulous Flamingo (a two-step stamp)???  This card was made by Wendy Grover.  The leaves on the background are from Tropical Chic (I think!)  

Here is another beauty using Accented Blooms.  There was no name attached to this card so I can't give anyone credit for designing it.  This stamp set coordinates with the Tailored Tag Punch.

This card was made by Barbara Hansen.  She used a piece of the Specialty DSP, Share What You Love.

I love this Lemon Lime Twist card made by Jennifer Granstrand.  The products she used are: Detailed With Love stamp; Blackberry Bliss, Lemon Lime Twist, Whisper White and Vellum paper; Seaside Embossing Folder; Silver Edged Ribbon; and Rhinestones.

These are just a few of the great cards I received in the swap.  I'll be back later in the week to share the rest of the cards.