November Page of the Month

Sneak Peak - Chirstmas Card Class & Color Throwdown

There is a card on the cover of Stampin' Success that caught my eye - it's so simple yet elegant with white on white.  When creating cards for my Christmas class I knew I wanted to put my own spin on the card layout and here's what I created.  It also uses this week's color throwdown colors too.

Fabulous Resource - 2010 Idea Book & Catalog

If you’re having troubles getting your creative juices flowing  a few great places to seek inspiration are blogs, social networking, and publications – the Stampin’ Up Idea Book & Catalog for example is a great place for inspiration. I have been guilty of thinking of my catalog as strictly that – a catalog that houses all the fabulous paper, tools and supplies on my wishlist but that’s not all - it’s a great creative resource! Open any page and you’ll see project ideas that you may want to duplicate or seek inspiration from. I have tried to incorporate this into my activities and workshops so that those in attendance can see why the catalog is a must have tool!

If you’re still finding it difficult and are more of a co-dependent stamper (no worries I’m a co-dependent sewer). I host a month class that you can attend or you can host a workshop in your own home. I bring all the supplies you need – all you have to do is loosely follow my instructions.

Stampin’ should be fun and like anything else we do in life the more we practice the better we become! Remember to have fun and even the best stampers have do-overs.

Time to Give Thanks

Fall is my favorite time of year and it has my favorite holiday - Thanksgiving!  I've always loved Thanksgiving but as an adult I've really come to enjoy it and look forward to hosting my family in my home.  In honor of this month of Thanksgiving.  I thought it would be fun to list something I'm thankful for everyday.  So to catch up here are two things I'm thankful for:
1. A large, loving and supportive family
2. My wonderful husband

October Page of the Month

Stampin' Success Inspired

As a Stampin' Up independent demonstrator I receive a monthly magazine called Stampin' Success it's full of ideas, stories and inspiration.  I loved the card on this month's front cover so I decided to recreate it with my own twist.  I actually used this card at a recent workshop - the layout is simple and versatile.



Afterthoughts

For the month of September I have tried to use the Play Date designer series paper for all my projects and workshops.  This was the card we created at my last workshop - so fun and simple.  I think this layout would be perfect for Christmas - check pack I'll post that creation soon. 

Card Recipe

Stamps:

Afterthoughts - level one hostess set

Ink:

Soft Suede - one of my very favorites

Crumb Cake

Card Stock:

Baja Breeze

Crumb Cake

Whisper White

DSP:

Play Date

Embellishments:

1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Old Olive

Linen Thread

Silver Brad

Adhesive:

SNAIL

mini glue dots

sticky strip - another fav!

Page of the Month

The white 4x6 are place holders for photos.  I think it would be cute with 3x2 school sized photos on these pages.  Click on the photos below to see larger more detailed versions.  If you have a questions let me know either in the comment section or via email.

Priceless

I had a workshop last week and for many reasons needed a card idea that was quick, easy, demonstrated a couple techniques but didn't need many supplies.  I know this sounds like a lot to ask but I knew it was possible.  I turned to my Idea Book & Catalog for inspiration and I found it!  (on page 134 - if you're wondering)  I have had the Priceless set since I became a demonstrator last summer but rarely use it - so why not try it out for a workshop?  I saw the card with 3 hearts and thought "it's perfect!" but I'll use a stamp I can use a punch with and here is what I created:

Greenhouse Gala

Sunday was my monthly class and this was one of the 2 cards we created.  As always the ladies had a great time and are loving the new products - no one can resist a little bling! 

Sunday - Sneak Peek

The 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog is filled with so many beautiful things - here are a few.

Stamping 411 - Sketch

Greenhouse Gala is the theme of this month's stamp class.  This will be one of the cards my ladies get to create.  I took the layout from the Stamping 411 challenge sketch. 

3 Challenges in 1

I took this week's Stamping 411 Sketch, Stampin' Royalty's KISS challenge, & SPCC color challenge and put it all into one card!  Here's what I came up with.  I love how simple yet elegant it turned out.

PPA 53 Monochromatic - Purple

I feel a little rusty - I haven't participated in a challenge in quite a while and this one was definitely a challenge!  I don't gravitate to purple so that was challenge # 1 and I wanted to step outside by normal style - challenge # 2.  If you look through my blog you'll start to see that I tend to lean towards nice clean crisp images and lines.  With this card I tried something a little different.  I used markers to color the stamp creating a distressed image.  I also tore the edges of the paper to make it look worn as well as adding a little crumb cake ink to the edges of all the layers.  The basic concept for that card was taken from one of the make & takes and the Stampin' Up Convention I attended a little over a week ago - it was great fun, look for more fun things to come from what I learned! 

Obsessed with 3x3 cards!

I have fallen in love with 3x3 cards and at my last class we created the cards below.  The new In Colors are fabulous and on this project I used pear pizzazz and poppy parade.  I ran a piece of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Pawsitively Prints II through my sizzix with the Fancy Favor die.  Pair that with the flower bouquet from the summer mini catalog's blissful bride set and you end up with a super cute little card bundle.

Oh My Goodness!

Stampin' Up has out done themselves this year!  I, L-O-V-E, love the NEW 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog!  I love it so much I think I may have to host another class each month just to fit in all the projects I would like to do!  The NEW catalog is available on July 1st - contact me to find out how you can receive your very own copy.  Look for my new class schedule coming soon!
 

Something Blue

I have a couple weddings and bridal showers this summer so I thought I would try my hand at a cute gift tag.  I used the level one hostess set in the summer mini, It's the Thought, along with the hearts from a Last Chance set, Sprinkles (one of my favorites).  I love how it turned out - can't wait to attach it to a gift! 

Card Recipe:

Coming...

Mojo 143

I used this week's Mojo sketch to create a card for my father-in-law.  He is an "outdoorsie" kinda guy and I thought this tree paper pattern from the Sweet Pea DSP pack in the occasions mini was a perfect fit.  I love the texture plates for the sizzix and thought the wood grain texture was the great compliment.  This paper is not available anymore but I'm trying to reduce my "stash" so I'll have more room for all the new DSPs coming July 1st.

Card Recipe:
Paper:
Card Stock - So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
DSP - Sweet Pea (no longer available - sorry)

Stamps & Ink:
Good Neighbors, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Chocolate Chip Ink

Extras:
Punched - Modern Lable, Word Window
Vintage Brads

Relay for Life Silent Auction Item

Here is the set I put together for the Relay Auction.  It's a dozen of all you see everything is neatly stacked in the box.  It was super fun to put together! 

PPA 45 - An Inspired Challenge

I had a bunch of graduation cards to make this year.  I used this week's PPA challenge to create a more masculine one.  Here is it:

Stamping 411 - Sketch

Happy Graduation!  I needed quite a few graduation cards this year.  The Stamping 411 sketch came in very handy.  Here are two cards I put together:

Ice Cream, Presents & Cake OH MY!

It’s been a month since my last post – too long!  Life has been full to say the least.  Now I’m back on track. I am donating a silent auction item to our local Relay for Life event.  It’s the basics to start a birthday party – here is the invitation but it will also include thank you cards, party favors & hats.  I’ll post pictures of the finished project when it’s complete.

Invite Recipe:

Paper:

Card Stock - Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

DSP - Patterns in Certainly Celery

Stamps & Ink:

Introducing (on the Last Chance List)

Birthday Bliss

Soft Suede Ink

Extras:

Melon Mambo Grosgrain Ribbon

Stampin' Up Dimensionals

Ticket Corner Punch

Scallop Circle Punch

Island Floral Bigz Die

PPA40 - Monochromatics - Blues

I finally had a moment to sit in my craft room and create.  I thought this week's PPA challenge would be perfect - the monochromatic blues remind me of a baby boy.  Now I just need someone to have a little baby boy.

Card Recipe:

Paper:

Card Stock - Whisper White & Bashful Blue

DSP - Patterns Pack (hostess level 1) Night of Navy

Stamps & Ink:

Picture This

Night of Navy Ink

Extras:

Big Shot Stars #2

Modern Label punch

Jumbo Brads 5/16" Whisper White

Relay for Life

Today was our Relay for Life fundraiser.  It was great fun! 11 people attended - including one teenage boy and a little girl.  Mary raised over $115.00 for her Relay Team.  I've agreed to do it again in for Davenport's Relay!  Check back for more info if you would like to participate.  This is one of the 5 cards we made today. 

Card Recipe:
Paper:
Card Stock - Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink & Whisper White
DSP - Patterns in Rose Red

Stamp & Ink:
Birthday Bliss
Chocolate Chip Ink

Extras:
Cordory Buttons - Pretty in Pink
5/16' Brads - Chocolate Chip
Scallop Edge Punch 
Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip

Stamping 411 - Sketch & Stampin Royalty - KISS

This is my first Stamping 411 challenge.  I really like this sketch/layout and think this card also falls into the KISS (keep it simple, sweetie) challenge over at Stampin' Royalty.

I did a Relay for Life foundraiser today (all birthday cards) and this was one of the cards everyone created.  It's hard to see in the phots but the kraft (soon to be known as crumb cake) is textured using the distressed texturz plate.  I haven't used the In Colors much this year and thought they would be a nice change.  I think this card makes a great birthday card but also be used as a graduation card, for recovery, or anything else you can think of.

Card Recipe:
Paper:
Card Stock - Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry & Whisper White
DSP - Razzleberry Lemonade

Stamps & Ink:
A Little Birthday Cheer
Rich Razzleberry Ink

Extras:
Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon - Melon Mambo
Vintage Brads - Pewter
Modern Lable Punch
Big Shot

PPA38 - Sketch Challenge

Oh My Goodness!  I love Marget Moody's sketches - you can check it out here.  I haven't participated in any challenges in a while.  I know a lot of ladies like to craft at night but I like to create during the day which doesn't really fit in with my 8-5 Monday thru Friday job.  But last night I couldn't take it anymore and had to spend some quality time in my craft room.  Here is what I created:

Card Recipe:
Paper:
Card Stock - Whisper White, Basic Black, So Saffron, Melon Mambo
DSP from the Sale-A-Bration

Stamp & Ink:
Hello Again
Melon Mambo Ink

Extras:
Black Vintage Brads
So Saffron Stripped Grosgrain Ribbon
Punches

PPA36 - Color Challenge

This week's PPA Challenge is a color challenge.  This week I couldn't get the hearts they use to show the colors out of my mind.  So I decided to use them on my card.  I added a little embellishment and this cute thank you card was born. 

PPA35 Anything but a Card

This week's PPA challenge is "anything but a card" I needed cute little bags for my nieces' Easter gifts.  I used the Pink Flamingo DSP since my nieces are in their teens.  I wish I could tell you what's in them but they might read this. [smile]  I think they perfect for "my girls" and they're even cuter in person. 

Project Recipe:
Paper:
Card Stock - Real Red, So Saffron &Whisper White
DSP - Pink Flamingo

Stamps & Ink:
Matchbox Messages
Real Red

Embellishments:
Satin Ribbon Whisper White
Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch
Circle punches