A Birthday Shout Out and my swaps

First off I want to give a shout out to my friend, Margaret.  Today is her birthday.  I couldn't send her a card because they are en route from their home in Colorado back to Texas.  They have their mail forwarded to Colorado and I figured my card would get caught in the forwarding and who knows when she would receive it.  Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

By the time you see this, I should be at the Quarterly meeting in Greensboro.  So I can go ahead and show you a couple of the swaps I am taking.

The first one is the general Holiday swap card.  I can't believe how long it took me to put this card together!  I don't usually pick a swap card with so many bits and pieces.  What was I thinking!  But the effort was worth it I think.  My snowman turned out so cute!

 I punched all the pieces out for the snowman and put him together while watching TV.  But when I started assembling the card, he was too tall!  So I had to make some adjustments - cut his hat down a bit and cut his bottom a bit (wish I could do that with mine!)  The punches I used are:

Body:  2 1/2" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch
Head:  Ornament Punch
Hands:  Snowflake Punch
Eyes & Cheeks:  Owl Punch
Nose:  hand cut
Scarf, hat band:  Label Punch
Hat:  Tag Punch
Heart on hatband:  3 Hearts Punch

Of course the stocking in his hand is stamped with the Stitched Stockings stamp from the mini and punched out with the Stocking Punch (so easy!!).  It is so easy to punch out the toe, heel, and top trim with the punch and stamp.  SU has grouped them together so it is just stamp and one punch to get all three .... easy, peasy!  I used a white gel pen to accent the hat, eyes and do the mouth.  The bottom snow is hand torn white cardstock, sponged with Bashful Blue and glittered.  The Bashful Blue background was run through the Big Shot with the new Snowflake embossing folder (mini catalog).  The DSP is from the In Color Stack - Poppy Parade.

We are also doing a technique 6x6 card swap.  I received a great card at Convention that used a new technique (to me anyway).  It is called Iced Crystals.  So that is what I did.  Can't wait to do a card with this technique.  I think it would look great for a Halloween card background.  What do you think?

It's hard to get a good picture due to the glare of the crystals.

I have a couple more to share with you but I haven't snapped the pictures yet so I will try and share them tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!

Creative Elements

I have a new favorite stamp set.  It is Creative Elements.  I don't know why it has taken me so long to use it and realize how beautiful it is.  I ordered the stamp set before I went to Texas and took it with me but I never got a chance to use it while I was there.  And since I've been back, it's been pretty crazy.  But this week, I finally got a chance to put the rubber to the paper.  What do you think?

I stamped four flowers on white cardstock and colored tw of them with different shades of blue Copic markers and cut them out.  The other two I colored with a green Copic marker and cut them up.  I taped the green ones under the blue petals of the flower.  I stamped the flourish in Garden Green.  The Brillant Blue cardstock is the last piece of the retired cardstock that I had and it matched my Copics perfectly.  The green cardstock is Garden Green which is one of my least favorite colors but on this card, it just set off the flowers perfectly.

Marianne and I am going to the Quarterly meeting tomorrow in Greensboro so I probably won't be blogging over the weekend.  But, I'll have new goodies to share when I return.

I went to the Southern Living Luncheon today and ate way too much!  We had 13 people and everyone brought something so that was a lot of food!!  Needless to say, I didn't make dinner tonight.  I had cheese and crackers and tried to get Sonny to make himself a sandwich.  Instead, he had a slice of apple pie!!  So nutritious!   I made the appetizer today - Blue Moon Inn Cheese Spread from the September issue.  It was really good.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup pecans

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed Spanish olives, chopped

1/3 cup bottled chili sauce 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 (10-oz.) block sharp Cheddar cheese, finely shredded

Garnish: sliced pimiento-stuffed Spanish olives

Assorted vegetables and crackers

 Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant. Cool 5 minutes; finely chop pecans.
2. Stir together mayonnaise and next 3 ingredients until well blended. Stir in cheese and pecans. Garnish, if desired. Serve with vegetables and crackers.
 
We had a lot of dishes that I wouldn't normally try.  That is why I enjoy these luncheons .... I get to try new and different things.  Today I had gazpacho and risotto for the first time and liked them.
 
Let me know what you think of my card!

Sketch Queens Challenge 6

I'm so excited to share this week's card for the Stamping Queens Sketch Challenge!

Here is the sketch:

And here is my take on it:

I made this card this week with My Digital Studio.  It uses the download Frightful Sight DSP and Pick Your Poison embellishments.  I don't have many Halloween stamps so this is a fun way to get these items.   Each download costs only $4.95 so it is also very economical.  This card took me about 20 minutes to make!    You don't have to have MDS to re-create this card.  You can actually download the embellishments, print them out on cardstock and add your own DSP.

Check out the rest of the sketch cards HERE.

I hope you will play along with the Stamping Queens challenge this week.  Remember -

•You may flip or rotate the sketch, change or replace the shapes, but please make sure the general layout is recognizable.
•Share a direct link to your creation, not just your blog, using the InLinkz feature at the end of this post. If InLinkz is down, please add a link with your comment.
•When uploading to online galleries (Splitcoast, etc.), please use keyword SQSC6.
•If you'd like to be considered as one of our spotlight cards, please be sure to link your project by Sunday at 9 p.m. PST.

I would love to hear what you have to say about the cards this week.  Leave me a comment to let me know what you think.

Card Shares

I've been trying to go through some of the swaps I received this summer - from Quarterly, Regionals and Convention!  They are getting a little overwhelming!  Thought I'd share a few with you this morning.

 This is a card that we made at SU Regionals in August.  It uses the frame from Four Frames (pg 141).  This is embarresing to say but I can't tell you where the "love" stamp comes from.  I have looked in the catalog 3 times and can't find it.  If you find it, leave me a comment and let me know!!

EDIT:  Found the stamp set!  It's in the mini catalog on page 40 - You Are Loved.  So pretty!

 This card is a double easel card (see below).  It uses Up, Up & Away (pg 63) and bright primary colors.  The clouds are sponged on for the background.  A great card!!

 Another cheery card using Pennant Parade (pg 69).  I have seen so many great cards using this stamp set.  You can make Christmas trees, party hats, ice cream cones, banners, etc with this set.  It is very versatile.

A punched flower - so simple but looks great.

Another card using the Pennant Parade set.

A pretty card using Aviary (pg 83).  This is another set that I have seen used in different ways to make a WOW card.

 Hope you have enjoyed these cards and have gotten some ideas for your own card making.

Wait till you see my Halloween card tomorrow for the Stamping Queens challenge.  I made it with MDS and I love it!!

What a weekend!

I've had a pretty busy weekend.  Friday Marianne came over after work so we could work on our project for the NC demo Quarterly meeting next weekend in Greensboro.  I signed us up for all the swaps which is stressing Marianne out!!  We are doing 3D (9 total), holiday card swaps (16), 6x6 technique (8) and 30 shoebox cards!  The hardest thing for both of us is deciding on what to do!  We both had decided on our 3D project so we set to work finishing them.  We took a break at dinner to go to the Boathouse for some catfish (well, I had BBQ).  When we returned home around 8:30, the electricity was out.  The sky had looked really bad earlier.  I half expected a funnel to drop down although I didn't mention that to Marianne!  But we really never had a storm - it just looked really bad and their was some wind so we didn't know why the power was out.  I set about finding flashlights and candles.  We worked for a while by flashlight but by 10:30, we gave up and called it a night.  The power didn't come back on until midnight!  We found out the next day that a tree had fallen on the lines.  So we got up Saturday morning, it was straight to work!  We worked hard until about 4:30 - didn't even get dressed all day!!  Sonny and I were going to a friend's home for dinner at 7 so I had to get ready.

Here are a couple of the cards I made that didn't make the cut but that I love anyway!

 I love this card but I was afraid I didn't have enough of the DSP to do 16 cards.  Supplies used are:

Stamp:  Stitched Stockings, Many Merry Messages
Paper:  Certainly Celery, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue Dotted DSP (from Patterns Paper pack)
Ink:  Bashful Blue
Access:  Stocking Punch, Big Shot, Snowflake Embossing Folder, Crochet Trim, Bashful Blue grosgrain



The Wicked Witch of the West



This was just a fun card!  I CASE-d it from Michelle Laycock.  Supplies used:

Stamp:  Wicked Cool

Paper:  Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink:  Lucky Limeade

Access:  Striped Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Black Ribbon, Square Punches, Glitter, Sponge

Sunday was spent watching football.  First off was the Panthers who got their first win of the season.  After that game was over, the station switched to the final minutes of the New England vs. Detroit game and I got to witness Detroit beat New England.  Thought they were going to have to give Brady and Belecheck a crying towel!!  The Sunday night game was Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis .... a game I thought would be a walk in the park with Peyton Manning out.  I was wrong!!  Pittsburgh ended up winning it in the final seconds but they sure didn't deserve it.  They played like crap!!

Stamp Club for September

I had great intentions of posting this last night.  I downloaded all the cards, resized them.  Then I got interested in watching TV and as I was turning off the computer, I realized I hadn't written my blog post!  By then it was almost midnight so I did a Scarlet and said "fiddle dee dee .... I'll think about it tomorrow"!

Both my Tuesday and Thursday club meetings went good and I think everyone was pleased with the projects.  Thursday as usual was challenging - but more because of me than anything!  I was scheduled to only have 6 gals with 3 not being able to come when I got a call from Joyce that she had not gone to Texas as scheduled so she would like to come.  That was fine - I had enough cut.  About 15 minutes later, I get another call from Anna that her golf game was rained out and would it be ok if she came.  No problem.  Well, I guess I had been gone too long because I told 2 of our newest members that we meet at 12:30.  About 11:45, Sonny told me no, he thought they usually came at 1:00.  I ended up having to call Joyce and ask her what time we met!!  Now, that was embarressing!  Sonny was right .... 1:00!!  Luckily, I was dressed and prepared by 12:30 because Tesa and Anna came right on time at 12:30 just like I had told them too!!  We had a nice visit while waiting for the others to arrive though.  That is the only drawback to having a big group - I don't feel like I get to visit with them on a personal level when they are here.

OK - enough chatter .... you're waiting patiently for the pictures, huh?  Without further ado, here they are:

Judy N. was hostess for Tuesday and she made each of us these darling treat holders .... puts the pressure on Thursday's group!!

This uses SU's note cards and envelopes (pg 182).  You cut 1" off the sealed envelope and punch 1/2 of a circle using the 2 1/2" circle punch.  Decorate the note card to slide inside the envelope.  The birthday cupcake is from the great Easy Events set.  We used markers to color it and then glittered away!  The little flower is from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punches with a tiny rhinestone in the middle. 

This card uses the two-step stamp Raining Flowers (pg 111) that I received at convention this year.  We cut out one of the flowers and popped it up over the others.  The colors used are Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler, and Daffodil Delight. 

This is by far my favorite!  It is a CASE from Kimberly Van Diepen.  I love, love, love the Spice Cake DSP, fabric, and buttons!!!  Everyone was given their choice of buttons and DSP to punch 4 circles from.  The stamp set I used was French Foilage.  We used the spatter stamp to lightly stamp Pool Party and Crumb Cake all over the Confetti card stock.   For the leaf, we took markers (Mustard and Pool Party - some also used Lucky Limeade) and randomly colored on the stamp.  Then it was pressed into the Crumb Cake ink pad and stamped onto the Confetti paper.  Everyone's turned out a little different but they looked great!  That was the only thing they had to cut out which made some happy.  The verse is from Pursuit of Happiness. 

Corner Bookmark using quote from Daring Adventure stamp set

Corner Bookmark using Triple Bouquet Punch



Corner Bookmark using scallop circle flower and retired corduroy button.



The final project that we did was to make Corner Bookmarks.  I put cardstock, DSP, brads and ribbon in a basket and passed it around.  They used my bookmarks as ideas as they made their own.  I was really proud of everyone as they did their own designs!  I should have gathered them all up and taken a picture of them.  The directions for the bookmark can be found on Splitcoast but they are quite easy.  Here is how I made mine:

• Cut cardstock 4"
• Mark the center of 3 sides of the cardstock (2") with a pencil.
• Line up 2 of the markings and score diagonally
• Line up the other 2 markings and score them diagonally (your score marks will form a "V" at the top of your paper)
• Fold back on the score lines and tape over them.
• Punch a decorative edge on the bottom
• Cut DSP 2 3/4" square
• Line up the DSP square diagonally on paper cutter and cut in half (2 triangles).
• Put 1/2 of the DSP on the back of the bookmark (where you taped the corners down)
• Put the other 1/2 of the DSP on the front of the bookmark
• Decorate as desired.

Stamping Queens Sketch Challenge #5

This week I have another fun sketch for the Stamping Queens sketch challenge and I did my card using supplies and not MDS this time.  I looked at my stamp sets to pick out a set I had not used in a while and also to use one that the other "queens" weren't using either.  I found Take A Spin (pg. 58) and decided to give it a spin (pun intended!)  I also used some DSP that I have not used in a while either.

Sketch #5

 


Stampin' Up supplies used:

Paper:  Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, River Rock, Paisley Petals DSP

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry

Stamp:  Take A Spin

Accessories:  Designer Buttons, Twine, Game Spinners

Here's a link to the Stamping Queen's Blog.    Grab your stamps and try the sketch for yourself!  We vote for the cards that are submitted to the blog at the end of the week .... you could be a winner!  Here are the rules if you want to submit your card sketch:

•You may flip or rotate the sketch, change or replace the shapes, but  make sure the general layout is recognizable.

•Share a direct link to your creation  using the InLinkz feature at the end of the post. If InLinkz is down, please add a link with your comment.

•When uploading to online galleries (like Splitcoast, etc.), please use keyword SQSC5.

•If you'd like to be considered as one of our spotlight cards, please be sure to link your project by the deadline.

SU Top Ten Tools 2011

I'm excited to announce that Creating Keepsakes magazine has named Stampin' Up!'s wood- and clear-mount rubber stamps as one of its Top 10 Tools for 2011!


While Stampin' Up! has long been recognized in the stamping and crafting industry for producing high-quality rubber stamps and exclusive images in a variety of artistic styles, being recognized by Creating Keepsakes is just another validation that when you choose Stampin' Up! products, you are choosing the best!

Final Swap Share

The last of my Mini Catalog swaps:
 

I love this one!  It uses the new stocking die and the Big Shot.

 

This is one of my favorites!  It uses the DSP Frostwood Lodge and the Stocking punch and stamp set.

Always Thankful  - a good set if you enjoy watercoloring.

You Are Loved stamp set (pg 40)

Isn't this pretty?  It is Comfort & Joy and is embossed on vellum.

 I have got to get back in my groove!  I actually made a card today for a friend's birthday - a little belated BUT I fogot to take a picture.  I got a box today from Mr Brown full of goodies from the mini catalog.  Can't wait to make a few cards and share them with you.  But first, I have a major clean-up to do in my room.  It looks like a tornado hit!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jog

Well, we finally made it back home.  We left the Mobile, Ala. area around 10 CST Friday morning and rolled in to our driveway a little after 10 EST. Didn't even stop for dinner!!  Not my idea .... I suggested stopping in Greenville, SC for the night but since that was only a little more than 2 hours away from home, Sonny wanted to keep going and sleep in his own bed.  I must say, our bed did feel good!!  The worst part of the trip was that we hit Atlanta at 5:15 so it took us over an hour just to make it through Atlanta traffic.    Yesterday was spent just unpacking and getting caught up on mail, e-mail, phone calls, etc.  Today we headed out to Big Al's to watch the Steelers dominate the Seattle Seahawks.  After last week's devastating game, today's shut-out was quite a victory.  And to make it even better, we watched the Baltimore Ravens get defeated by Tennessee.  (Baltimore clobbered us last week so it was sweet revenge!)

Now I am in the process of getting ready for my stamp clubs Tuesday and Thursday.  I'll be sharing those cards soon.  In the meantime, here a more of the swaps I received.

I can't imagine doing all this cutting for a swap!!  A lot of work. 

This is the card closed.