I'm Still Here!

Wow...over a week since my last post! Almost 2...good grief!

Well, with Thanksgiving last week, lots of family time, I did some stamping, but took no photos of my actual cards! Whoops!

But, this weekend, I am camping out in my craft room! I am sooooooooooo far behind on Christmas projects! Plus, I am prepping for my Stampin' Club Christmas party in just a few weeks.

I'll be back soon...Promise!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Celebrate In Blue and Silver

When I was creating cards for a Clean and Simple (CAS) challenge on splitcoastsampers, I decided to pull out my neglected brushed silver card stock. Love this stuff! Lots of shimmer with zero effort! I made 2 very similar cards...each use the silver, white organza ribbon, not quite navy ink, and Fabulous Phrases stamp set.


In the first card, I used the Circles Big Shot die to cut out the large circle from Candy Cane Christmas dsp, found in the Holiday Mini. Serene Snowflakes and some rhinestones sitting on a large scallop circle add all the detail I needed.

The second card uses the Tags til Christmas stamp set for the ornament, and the absolutely-gotta-have-itornament punch. Of course, some bling too!
Quick...Clean...Simple...Wow!
Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Clean and Simply Daring!

It's Wednesday, and that means another Color Dare!! Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, and Blushing Bride...hmmm...I RARELY use melon mambo. But that's why it's called a "challenge," right?

There was also a special Clean and Simple Challenge on splitcoaststampers that used ribbon, bling, and a decoration theme. I combined the 2 challenges, and came up with this card. More "paper crafting" than actual stamping in this card...but I like the results! All of the supplies are from Stampin' Up!

I used the Color Dare colors, punched out ornaments, then embossed with my Petals-a-Plenty impressions folder in the Big Shot. I then added a Rhinestone on each ornament. I wrapped blushing bride twill ribbon around the confetti white card base. The blushing bride pattern paper, from the Hostess level 1 pack, was punch with the scallop oval. Pacific Point ink, Teeny Tiny Wishes, the word window, and a few dimensionals finish out the card.

Hope you like it!! Now...where do I send this one? Hmmmm...

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

What Kind of Demo are YOU? *wink*

Do you ever find yourself looking at project ideas and thinking, “I wish I had that stamp set,” or that punch… or that ink color… or ALL of it? Then you need the “I Want It ALL Kit”, aka the Demonstrator Starter Kit.

Normally $175, now for $87.50, you can purchase the awesome “I Want It All Kit”. This kit is an excellent way to ensure you have all the necessary supplies to begin stamping or provide you with a wide variety of product to compliment what you already own.

There are 2 Starter Kits available:

• Standard Starter Kit...Click on the "Become a Demonstrator" at the to of the page to see a complete list
  
• Value: $310, Was: $175, SALE Price: $87.50, S & H: FREE

• Digital + Starter Kit...
  
• Value: $310, Was: $175, SALE Price: $87.50, S & H: FREE

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Stampin’ Up! needs all kinds of demonstrators…

• Discount Purchaser-Likes the idea of buying stamps for personal use at a 20-30% discounted price. Occasionally sells to neighbors, friends, and relatives.

• Short-term Demonstrator- Sells for a short period of time. Wants to earn a specified amount. Stops demonstrating when the goal is met.

• Seasonal Demonstrator- Works hard at the business during October, November and December, doing demonstrations for seasonal money. Takes minimum orders and sales during the balance of the year.

• Hobby Demonstrator- Loves doing demonstrations and earning money when it’s convenient. Works a lot some months and very little other months. Likes to do demonstrations that are easy to book.

• Career Demonstrator- Views Stampin’ Up! as a viable income with a long-term career potential. Pursues management and wants to move up the career ladder. Loves attending Stampin’ Up! functions. Has developed close relationships within the business. Works at her business in a consistent and ongoing manner.

Do you see yourself as one of these kinds of Demonstrators?

If any of these ideas appeal to you, this is a GREAT time to get started at a fabulous discount. The Demonstrator Starter Kit “SIMPLY AMAZING” sale gets you $310+ of stamping and business supplies for only $87.50, which is like a 72% discount! WooHoo!!!

When I signed up 2 years ago, I was definitely a Discount Demo! Give me the goodies, please!! But I had so much fun sharing my stuff and teaching techniques, that I became a "Hobby Demo" with a monthly club and occasional in-home events.

Want to sign up? This special lasts just until November 30! Contact me to get information on how you can sign up online Today!! Click on the tab up top to get some more details!!

I still love what I do...and I am even getting ready to plan my 2011 Stampin' Calendar!! Watch for more details!!

Christmas Tags

I had a small, but very fun Christmas tag workshop today! 3 teens entered my Stampin' Space, looked at a few samples, then created a wonderful variety! Here they are, working hard...can't believe I managed to get a picture. All of the products used are from Stampin' Up...though some items are retired.

They really liked the Candy Cane Christmas DSP and Tags til Christmas stamps found in the Holiday Mini. We also got Dasher inked up for the first time...Gasp! Can't believe it took me so long to buy this fun single stamp image! He'll get plenty of attention now!

I had my hubby take a picture of just some of their tags, ready to tie onto fun gifts.

Actually, they joked that the tags may be the highlight, instead of the gifts themselves!







Stampin' Mission Accomplished!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Thanks, Cowboy!

Just a quick post today.

I am using up more of my samples of last year's DSP for thank you cards to use at the ministry. It's easy to make pretty, feminine cards. However, I struggle with masculine designs. My card bases are in always artichoke and chocolate chip. The dsp here is "To the Nines" which has some strong patterns that work well for guys (yes, I know...women are strong too!) and deep, earthy tones. I stamped the thank you from a very old retired set, Lexicon of Love. The twine was a nice alternative to my usual ribbon and bling. I did a lasso look on several cards...inspired by some of the patterns which reminded me of bandannas. My hubby punched out a bunch of stars, which rounds out the western look.

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Another Challenge Catch-up!

Just some various cards I have made recently...gonna squeeze them in. They're not related, except that they are each challenge cards, and all use just Stampin' Up goodies!

My first card was made for a Stamping Sisters in Christ challenge, which I found through The Daily Dare website. One of the Design Team members shared a scripture (Isaiah 55:10-11), talking about how, like the rain and the snow, God's Word will come down upon the earth, making it bear fruit. We needed a card that shows off weather!

The base is River Rock, and I added squares of Not Quite Navy (embossed with our Northern Flurry impressions folder, found in the Holiday Mini) under a Very Vanilla layer. I stamped Serene Snowflakes in Baja Breeze, and Not Quite Navy, and the flourish is from Baroque Motifs, in River Rock. Doesn't it look like wind? I got this idea from a world-famous stamper...Michelle Zindorf! I stamped and heat embossed Extreme Snowboarder in Night of Navy with craft ink and clear embossing powder. I added brads (retired earth elements) and a sentiment from On Your Birthday on a small square layer.


The next card was for the Clean and Simple (CAS) challenge back home...err, I mean, on splitcoaststampers! Yes, SCS is my second home! Any way, it was a color challenge inspired by projects seen in this year's Stampin Up! Idea Book and Catalog (IBC), page 156-157. The colors were crumb cake, pink (I choice pink pirouette) and olive, with the option of adding marina mist. I used wide striped grosgrain ribbon and the 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. I punched ornaments from the Subtles Designer Pattern Paper Stack, and popped them with dimensionals. This simple sentiment from All Holidays is heat embossed in basic black. Fun, isn't it?

Ok...when I started this post yesterday, I intended to have another card uploaded. Nope. Nada. Busy day at work! But hey, I got some good news there at the ministry...a mommy choice life for her unborn baby today! Now that's inspiring!! I should have something to show you tomorrow!!

Inky {{HUGS}}}

Dare to Double Dip!

Well, I am posting right away for this week's Color Dare: Soft Suede, Night of Navy, and Pear Pizazz. I double dipped my challenges by combining it with today's sketch challenge on splitcoaststampers. When I saw the colors Riley picked, I knew I was going to make a masculine card. I need to do that more often! This card is long overdue! I'll be giving it to a good friend from church who helped me with a couple of big events recently. I think he'll like it...I'm pretty sure his wife will! I've been trying to recruit her for my club! She recently retired and needs a new hobby! LOL!!

I started with a soft suede card base, then added a layer of the Presto Patterns Specialty paper, brayered with the navy and pear colors. The middle strip is also suede, run through my paper crimper for added texture. The sentiment and images are from Day of Gratitude, found in the Holiday Mini. I sponged the edges with the soft suede, used my 2-1/2 inch scallop circle punch, and popped it up with dimensionals. I actually stamped the leaves and acorns on the inside as well...with the tiny "Thank You" that you see peeking out. For accessories, I added my new pear pizazz twill ribbon, and designer buttons from the regal collection (garden green), with a bit of twine.

I like how this turned out...and it was quick! Great colors, great sketch, and Stampin' Up goodies make for fun creations in no time!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

What a Daring Family!

Today, I have the joy of uploading 3 projects...and I just made one of them!
My hubby and I hosted a birthday party for my mother-in-law today. We do it each year, and while the teens and adults are watching football, my younger nieces (Cecelia, Sarah, and Hailey) always enjoy coming into my stamp room.

Since I had not yet done this week's Color Dare, I thought I'd ask the girls to play along. We had a lot of fun...and the girls came up with a lot of there own ideas. I'm so proud of them!!

Here is my card...a rare square card. The Color Dare uses Garden Green, Perfect Plum, Blushing Bride, and Very Vanilla. The sketch is for splitcoaststampers Sketch #305. The plum DSP is retired, but everything else is currently available from Stampin' Up! Good thing I had the plum dsp...I am out of plum card stock! Time to place an order!


I used Fifth Avenue Floral to make my own DSP for the background. The plum and blushing bride pattern papers, as well as the sentiment panel, are all outlined in the garden green. I cut out one flower, colored it with my marker, and added a glimmer brad. I also used the Big Shot Little Leaves sizzlit die. The ribbon is pretty in pink taffeta (my blushing bride twill ribbon is due to arrive tomorrow! WooHoo!)





Here is Cecelia's card...isn't it cute? She chose how to use the colors (she was excited to see the Beautiful Wings embosslit die!) I suggested the modern label and word window punches, because, well, I use them so much, why not share the joy??



My great-niece Hailey saw my sample pull-out scrapbook, and decided to give it a try. Dinner and cake took up some of the time, so she will finish the inside details at home. She brought some of her own stamps, and wanted to color them with markers. I think these colors are perfect for a 9 year old girl!!



Sarah made cards in different colors, and sadly I did not get any pictures. I'll give her double billing next time!






Gotta clean up now. Or maybe I'll just stamp more!



Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Lots of Blues Just for You!

A few weeks ago, I went to Olympia Washington to visit some good stamping friends, and to share my testimony at a Respect Life event. We spent Sunday afternoon doing a lot of stamping, making a big mess! I brought some Night of Navy card stock with me to make some Christmas cards, but I created these instead to showoff some of the newer stamp sets! Gotta entice my friends to shop, right?

The first card was a quick...really quick...attempt at a brayered sky. Hmmm...my full moon is, well,blurred. But I love the silhouette images from Just Believe! I used a baja breeze card base and whisper white layer. The sky is baja breeze, not quite navy, and night of navy. The image is stamped in black, and I sponged some black on the bottom. The sentiment is stamped in not quite navy, punched out with the large oval punch. Silver brads, and non-SU ribbon were added to finish it off.




The next card uses the same colors, and the same stamp set...but the circle image gives a completely different look! I rounded my corners, so that it went well with the ovals and circles.










The final card was really fun to make! I pulled out the large medallion from Day of Gratitude. Instead of stamping in autumn colors, I decided to make a snowflake-type card. I inked up the stamp with retired Soft Sky, then "thumped" a Marina Mist marker over it...neat effect! Note the single rhinestone in the center. I layered it with Marina Mist dsp, and added some non-SU ribbon.

By the way...I have lots of ribbon. But my friend Kelly has even more...Far More!!!

Another Color Dare!

Riley has a great Color Dare again this week: Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy, and Old Olive. I used to use night of navy a lot, but not so much now. I love this combo...classic, yet fresh! I used Baroque Motifs, stamping the small flowers, but adding brads for the centers. I rarely use more than 3 brads on a card...this felt quite indulgent! But I really like the effect! The DSP is Greenhouse Gala, and I used a bit of the striped grosgrain ribbon for the final detail.

I will definitely use this color combo more often...love it!!!

Everything used in this card is current from Stampin Up!

Check out Riley's Color Dare every Wednesday!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}