Monthly Archives: August 2012

Artisan Finalist Blog Hop — Day 2

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Well, I hope you were able to enjoy the first day of our blog hop.  Did you come here from Melissa Stout’s blog?  Isn’t her project great!  It has been so fun to see all of the talent in this group!

My post today includes my simplest card.  In fact, it is so simple that I debated until the day I had to ship everything off in order to meet the deadline, about whether to include it or swap it out for something else.  I was worried it was too simple.  But since I didn’t really have anything else I liked better, and I truly love this card, I decided to send it in.  This card is so me!  I am drawn to florals and clean and simple lines. 

The hardest part about this card was lining up the polka dots border stamp to make it look like all of those polka dots were from one stamped image.  I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped them in Versamark and then embossed them with clear embossing powder.  It doesn’t matter how often I use heat embossing — I still think it is magic!  I love watching the powder melt, and you are left with such a professional look.

Thanks for stopping by today! 

Now hop on over to Sandie Conner’s blog to see her amazing project and continue your blog hop journey.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Borderlines, Vintage Vogue, Loving Thoughts
Paper:  Basic Gray and Whisper White Smooth Card Stock
Ink:  Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, and VersaMark
Embellishments:  2011-2013 In Color Designer Printed Brads, White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, and Pool Party Baker’s Twine, 3/16” Corner Punch

Artisan Finalist Blog Hop — Day 1

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You know the saying, “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride?”  Well, I think that could apply to me and Stampin’ Up’s Artisan Award.  Stampin’ Up has an annual contest in which its demonstrators can enter ten different projects and they then select ten winners based on creativity, craftsmanship, etc…  I’ve now entered this contest three times over the past five years, and I’ve never won, but I have been a finalist three times.  One of the good things about being a finalist this year is that there was a nice prize — a paid shopping spree with Stampin’ Up! merchandise, and they put all of the finalists’ projects on display at convention.  I’ve seen a lot of different entrants’ projects and I’m AMAZED that I was even selected as a finalist.

For those of you who didn’t get to go to Stampin’ Up’s annual convention and see all of the projects, all of us bridesmaids finalists are having a blog hop over the next ten days to show you our ten projects which we submitted.  Since we entered this contest back in May, a lot of my projects use products which were retired with the new catalog.

This is one of the five cards I entered.  I stamped the vines on the five panels, and then embossed the flowers with Cherry Cobbler embossing powder.  I made a ribbon flower with Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon and then added the embossed card stock flower on top.  This card was much more tedious than cards I usually make, but I was happy with the result.

Thanks for viewing my project! 

Now go enjoy the project of the next finalist, Sandie Conner. 

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Borderlines, Fabulous Phrases, Itty Bitty Bits
Ink:  Certainly Celery, Versamark
Paper:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Embellishments:  Cherry Cobbler embossing powder, Cherry Cobbler 1/2″ Seam Binding Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions embossing folder, Fun Flowers Bigz L Die, Basic Pearls, Regals Designer Buttons, Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Boho Blossoms punch, Scallop Edge Border punch

Birds from my Sweet Up-Line

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I feel blessed to have such a sweet up-line.  She achieved some amazing goals this past year in her business (so proud of her) and she recently gave me the For the Birds stamp set, which has been on my wish list since the new catalog came out, for reaching one of my goals.  Thank you, Amy!  So when I made my first card with this set, I had her in mind.

I used this sketch from the Freshly Made Sketches site for my layout.

 

Have a great day, and thanks for visiting!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  For the Birds
Ink:  StazOn Black, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Old Olive
Paper:  Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, watercolor paper, Floral District dsp
Embellishments:  Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Brights designer buttons, Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine

Fan Fair Flower

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This is another card I made while playing with the Postage Due stamp set.  When it comes to trying to make something with a vintage look, I find I end up pulling out a little of this and a little of that from all of my supplies.  Before I know it, I have a big mess!  Can anyone else relate to that?

Enjoy your day!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Postage Due, Measuring Stick, Daydream Medallions
Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Island Indigo, More Mustard, Crumb Cake (splatters)
Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Island Indigo, More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, First Edition Specialty dsp, Fan Fair dsp
Embellishments:  Floral Frames framelits, Vintage Trinkets, Naturals Designer Buttons, 5/8″ Crochet Trim, Early Espresso 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon, Island Indigo Bakers Twine, Postage Stamp punch, Color Spritzer Tool

Back to School Rules Challenge

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The Paper Players have a fun challenge this week to create a project with the theme, “Back to School Rules.”  Though I’m definitely not ready for my kids to go back to school yet, I thought I would play along.

I thought I would make a little notecard for my daughter to give her teacher with a little gift for the first day of school.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved, Measuring Stick
Ink:  So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive
Paper:  Whisper White, Subtles dsp stack
Embellishments:  Cannery Set framelits dies, So Saffron 3/8″ Taffeta ribbon, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Lots of Postage

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I’ve been playing around with the Postage Due stamp set lately.  I’ve always loved old postage stamps, though I’m not a collector.  So I fell in love with this set the first time I saw it in the catalog.  But then once I got it, I didn’t really know what to do with it.  I think that’s because I struggle with the vintage look.  While I love this look, I struggle with using it.  I think I’m too much of a clean and simple person who likes straight lines.  But it’s good to stretch yourself every once in a while, so I decided to get this set out and get busy.  I used a sketch from this week’s RetroSketches Challenge:

Here’s my take using this sketch:

I’ve never participated in this challenge before, having just found it.  I’m looking forward to checking it out each week.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Postage Due
Ink:  Versamark, Basic Gray, Summer Starfruit, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake (for sponging)
Paper:  Fan Fair dsp, Very Vanilla, Summer Starfruit, Island Indigo
Embellishments:  clear embossing powder, 5/8″ Crochet Trim, Linen Thread, In Color Dahlias, Pearl Basic Jewels, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, Postage Stamp punch, Brushed Bronze designer buttons

World Spectacular Balloon

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Of all the new product suites in the catalog, I think the World Spectacular suite may be my favorite. 

I mixed things up a little bit by using some of the new Howlstooth & Scaringbone designer series paper from the Holiday mini catalog.  I love how this paper is great not only for Halloween projects, but for everything.  It’s such a versatile paper!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  You’re Amazing, Itty Bitty Banners (sentiment)
Ink:  Gumball Green, Tangerine Tango, Summer Starfruit, Basic Gray
Paper:  Howlstooth & Scaringbone designer series paper, Pool Party, Brights designer series paper stack, In-Color designer series paper stack, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla
Embellishments:  Ticket Duo Builder punch, Labels Collection framelits, Apothecary Accents framelits, Window Frames framelits, In Color Dahlias

Lovin’ Perfectly Preserved

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I am loving this stamp set from the new Holiday Mini catalog!  I love how there are coordinating dies for all of the images, and I just love the cute images.

 

I also used some of the yummy new Orchard Harvest designer series paper.  I just love the colors in it!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved, Perfectly Penned
Ink:  Island Indigo, More Mustard, Raspberry Ripple, Early Espresso
Paper:  Orchard Harvest dsp, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Embellishments:  Cannery Set Framelits dies, Island Indigo ruffled ribbon, Naturals Designer Buttons

Howl-o-Ween Project Kit Promotion

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Anyone who joins Stampin’ Up! during the month of August will get this exclusive Howl-o-ween Printer’s Tray project kit absolutely FREE-a $60 value! This exclusive kit contains the perfect elements of a spooktacular Halloween decoration!

So how do you join?  For just $99, choose up to $125 worth of brand-new products from the annual or holiday catalogs, for your completely customizable Starter Kit!  You’re never required to make any further purchases, but as long as you remain an active demonstrator you’ll receive a demonstrator discount and have access to the many demonstrator resources (a private website and gallery for demonstrators only, a monthly magazine, access to products early through pre-order opportunties, etc…).  Some people choose to make Stampin’ Up! a business and some choose to just get the discount on their products and maintain a hobby demonstratorship.  If you’re thinking about it, e-mail me and I’d love to talk to you about it.