Is it or isn't it?

After making this card, it struck me that it could be a Valentine. Not that I was planning on it that way. In fact, that wasn't my idea at all. I was just using some 'In Colors' to make a card. Maybe it's all that 'pinky' Melon Mambo color that pushes it over to the Valentine look. Or maybe it was the sentiment. Who knows? But looking at it now, I guess it'll have to go into the "Big V" file!
Pun Fun and Fun & Fast Notes have been two of my favorite, go-to sets ever since they were introduced a couple of years ago. Between the two sets, there's just about everything a beginner stamper could need to make cards for the entire year. Even though they're both good sized sets, I've always felt they were well worth the money spent. I wonder just how many dozens of cards I've actually made with these two sets since 2007?


Stamps: Pun Fun
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla, and Watercolor Paper
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Going Gray, and (oops, I just realized I never colored in the beverage!! Gotta do that now before I forget!)
Accessories: Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dot Impressions Folder, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Mat Pack with Piercing Tool, Silver Mini Brads, AquaPainter, and Dimensionals

Did you catch the dotty theme going on here? Dots on the cup, the background, the ribbon, even the mini brads follow that theme. Maybe I'm even going a little 'dotty' myself today!! Yikes, look out!!

And did you notice the little strip of Bermuda Bay cardstock tucked in along the bottom edge? It just screamed out to me that it needed a splash of color to off-set all that bright pink! Usually I tend to go for a softer pink like either Pretty in Pink or Regal Rose for my pink choices, but I'm waiting for an order to come in and replenish my stock. So it was time to pull out a different pink to use. It seems to have worked out nicely for this card. Maybe I need to get out that boldly pink color, Melon Mambo, more often. Put a little wild pizzazz in my life!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you've had your creative juices jazzed up and are ready to create. Toodles for now...

Sharon

Another Valentine

Yes, we're still crankin' out Valentines here in the Motor City. There are just so many different stamps to use, and so much gorgeous paper to try out, and I just can't seem to stop myself!! The one I'm sharing with you today was the make & take at Kathy's workshop on Wednesday. (hi Kathy and all you wonderful ladies!!) I was going to have them make a different one, but then changed my mind that morning and went in a totally different direction with this one. Hope you like it!

This was fun because of the different fold shape and adding the Scallop Trim Border punch on the edges. Wow! What a pretty, feminine card. Not everyone put the 'i love you' inside the card. That was more for the hubbies, and not everyone there is married. But we managed to create something for friends too.

Stamps: I (heart) Hearts, Well Scripted, and Three Little Words

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, and Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Pretty in Pink, and Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Scallop Trim Border, Acrylic Blocks A, C, D, Full Heart Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Small Heart Punch, Real Red Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, and Dimensionals

The size of the card is the regular 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", but there is 2 1/2" cut off the front of the card. This lets the pretty paper you stamp yourself show through the front nicely. It's just a little quirky difference that makes it fun and not the same old thing. Even with 10 ladies passing around the stamps, inks, and punches, it went pretty smoothly and everyone had fun. Hope you give this idea a try and send a little love to your honey!

Hugs,

Sharon

Vintage Vogue in Melon Mambo

I was cruisin' around the Stampin' Connection (a site for just SU! demos) and came across a picture of 6 cards made by Laurel Matthew. How cute they were! One of the things I really liked about her cards was the use of 'white space'. So I thought I'd give her ideas a try. I mean, they say that copying is the sincerest form of flattery. I wonder what it means when you start to copy and then take off on a whole different tangent???

The only parts that really were copied are the white space with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder, the same stamp set, and the strip of brown cardstock on the side edge. The rest is totally different! It's always amazing to me how a few changes - like colors, style, accessories, and placement on a card can change the whole idea and feel of the card. Hope you like what I came up with.

Stamps: Vintage Vogue and Three Little Words

Cardstock: Whisper White, Close To Cocoa, Melon Mambo

Ink: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Perfect Polka Dot Impression Folder, Big Shot, Buttons Latte', Linen Thread, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

I'm so happy with the way this turned out. First try there was only Pretty in Pink flowers in the background. Too blah. So I added some Melon Mambo flowers that were off-stamped to give a softer look. Love it now!

So thank you Laurel Matthew! I loved your ideas and had fun making my own totally different version of your card. I guess that's what stamping is all about - seeing something you like and changing it into something more your own style. My hope is that you, my reader, can use my ideas to come up with your own brilliant creations too!

That's what's so great about this craft. Anyone can do it and feel very creative no matter what their skill level is. And it's so much fun!!! lol Now get out there and do some stamping!!

Sharon

ps - I just noticed I didn't use any punches on this card! Now how in the world did that happen? I normally use punches on everything!

Sweet Baby Invites

I'm having such a great time with my daughter as she is progressing through her pregnancy. Since this is her first child and our first grand-baby, life is full of expectations! Yesterday she came over with the intentions of deciding on what she'd like for her shower invites, favors, decorations, etc. My goodness, do we ever have different ideas about it all! She knows she's carrying a boy and has decided everything needs to be blue. But her hubby doesn't like the baby blue color, so it needs to be more masculine. Ok, she decided Not Quite Navy would fit the bill. Now I had fallen in love with the cute little washcloth bunny and baby-sock roses that we saw at Leadership earlier this month. My mind was just whirring away with ideas for how we'd do this shower, and I couldn't wait to show my daughter. NOT! Oh no, there'll be no such frou-frou things for her little baby boy! Oh well, there go all my cute little ideas out the window!

So we started pulling all my current and retired baby stamps out to have a look at. What a project that was!! lol But she fell in love with a retired set that I think is adorable too. Do you remember the darling "Bundled In Love" set? I always thought the giraffe in the set was just the cutest thing ever! Thank goodness she did too! lol The card we designed is a compromise on our styles and colors, and I think it turned out very cute. And here it is....

Stamps: Bundled in Love

Cardstock: Barely Banana, Not Quite Navy, and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Brown, So Saffron, and Close To Cocoa

Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, AquaPainter, Wor Window Punch, Earth Elements Mini Brads, White Gel Pen, and Dimensionals

Oh my goodness - I'm surprised how different the 2 die lots on the Barely Banana cardstock show up on the pictures! Thank goodness they don't look like that in person! Wouldn't that be a mess taking them all apart and trying to get the right color strip on the right color card. Yikes, my mind is spinning just thinking about it!

Anyway, we finished making all the invites this afternoon. Now they need to be addressed and gotten ready to mail. The next step will be the favors, and no we haven't decided on those yet. But I still have another 3 months to finish those. I need to get my sister over here to help me with those. No sense in doing everything myself when I've got family and friends I can cajole into helping me. Right?!

Hope you're having a very blessed Sunday. Take time to thank God for His many blessing - especially for our children (and soon to be grandchild too)!

Blessings,

Sharon

Neighborly Get Well

I have a friend who has had surgery on her knee, so of course that called for sending a hand-made card. Right? So after looking around at all my new stamps and also finding Gretchen Barron's blog challenge, the idea for her card was born. I hadn't even put my new 'Good Neighbors' set together yet, so this seemed like the time to do it! Then the thought of adding some of the new coordinating cute 'Welcome Neighbor' Designer Series Paper to the mix was a given. Hope you like what I came up with...


Stamps: Good Neighbor and Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Whisper White cardstocks and Welcome Neighbor DSP
Ink: Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay pads, and Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede Markers
Accessories: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Word Window Punch, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool, Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon, and Dimensionals





Of course I carried the theme into the inside of the card by stamping the house and trees again. It just makes the inside of the cards so much more fun!

Just in case I haven't mentioned it earlier, most of this card was made with products from either the Occasions Mini or the Sale-A-Bration catalogs. Don't you just love those freebies during SAB? Did I mention this is one of my favorite times of the year?! Now get out those stamps, start creating, and show them some love!

Have a great Saturday...
Sharon

A Little Peace Within

Ok, you're gonna have to help me decide which one is better. I did it again. I just couldn't leave it alone. sigh I made a card for a swap and was really happy with it. Well, it did take a bit of fussing with it to decide on which sentiment, cardstock color, and punches to use. But after that I was happy. Then it happened... Not everyone came to the meeting so I had swap cards left over. And since they were just cardfronts and not full cards, I thought I'd trim it down, and layer it up, and get 'er done! Now I can't decide which way I like it better!

This is the original card. See, it's just fine the way it is. Really kind of nice too, isn't it? The new Scallop Trim Border Punch was used both top and bottom to dress up the main image. I just loved coloring all the birds and baskets. For some reason I find watercoloring to be a very relaxing pastime. Of couse it helps alot when you can really see what you're coloring. The image is so detailed and tiny that I had my "readers" on, but was still having trouble. My hubby gave me his and I put them on right over mine to be silly. Funny thing is, I could really see all the lovely detail so much better! So if you want a good laugh, just think of me sitting there with two pairs of glasses on my nose! LOL

Okay, here's the updated version of the card. I tried several different cardstock colors for the card base, and stayed with the Regal Rose. Well, which one do you like better? With or without the rose base layer? Give me a holler and let me know.

Stamps: Peace Within and Well-Scripted

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Whisper White, and Watercolor Paper

Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Lovely Lilac

Accessories: Watercolor Crayons, Aqua Painter, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, and Dimensionals

Since painting all that detail was so dog-gone important, I thought I should show it to you big enough to actually see. There, did you catch all the little flowers and stems and such?! Anyway, whether I could see all the detail very well or not, I really enjoyed making these cards for swapping. (And yes, Connie, your cards and other stuff should be in the mail on Monday!)

Ok, it's time to decide and cast your vote. What will it be - with or without the rose layer in the back. I'm waiting with bated breath to hear what you decide!

Sharon

New Birdhouse

Ever since I saw the new punch with the 2-step bird and branch, I've had this little idea floating around in my brain. Today it came home to roost. Or something like that anyway!! LOL I love birds and birdhouses as decorating accents, so I thought I would make a cute little birdhouse card. No problem - an easy afternoon project. It took me awhile to put together a card that would actually fit into an envelope that we sell. I didn't think that would be much of a problem. But when you're engineeringly (is that a word?) challenged, it's the little things that cause all the problems and take up all my time. A little trim here, measure again, another snip off that edge, measure again, and so on. Good grief! Almost 4 hours later I finally have a finished card! Hallelujah!!

And after all that, here's my masterpiece. Well at least it's my finished card even if it isn't quite a masterpiece! Hope you like it...

Stamps: Baroque Motif

Cardstock: Kraft, Taken with Teal, Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Cameo Coral cardstocks with Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper (SAB freebie!)

Ink: Chocolate Chip for sponging, VersaMark pad, and Basic Black Marker

Accessories: Stampin' Pastels, Scallop Border Punch, Small Heart Punch, Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, and a sponge quarter

Well, what do you think? The final dimensions let the card just barely fit into a 5 1/2" square envelopes that Stampin' Up! sells so it can actually be mailed. So that's good.

The swirly design is so soft because I used the "poppin' pastels" technique. It's been ages since I cracked open my pastels, but they worked very nicely on this card. This is one of those techniques that seem to be forgotten most of the time, but always look lovely when used.

And in case I forgot to mention, half of the punches are all new ones from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I just love all the new products that are available. If you don't have the mini catalog yet and would like to see one, you can click on the button to the right to see it online right now, or contact me and I'd be happy to mail you one. Either way, you'll be impressed by all the new stamps and accessories that are now available!

Well, that's about it for today. I hope the next project I tackle doesn't take quite so long to finish. But sometimes what you get is worth all the extra effort. Thanks for stopping by. And leave a comment 'cuz I just love reading them!

Sharon

Sending Love to You

I'm so hooked on the new Sending Love Designer Series Papers. Aren't they all just gorgeous?! I've been having a hard time cutting into them because I can't decide which side I want to use first or which one I want to keep (let's be honest -horde) for a little while longer. Isn't that just crazy? Do you ever deal with earth-shattering problems like that???

Anyway, cut I did, and this is the card that was the result of it. For this card, I didn't use the glittery side of the paper. Instead, the main image is embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder to give it a little glitz. With using the darker DSP and not adding a ribbon, do you think this might qualify for a masculine card? With the smidgeon of Pretty in Pink and using the Pinking Hearts border punch, I'm just not too sure. Let me know soon, 'cuz it might be going to my son and he won't want anything too frou-frou. lol

Stamps: With All My Heart

Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink cardstock with Sending Love Designer Series Paper

Ink: Real Red Craft ink, Chocolate Chip Classic ink, and Real Red, Chocolate Chip Markers

Accessories: Big Shot with Circles 2 Bigz Die, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Modern Label Punch, Dimensionals, and Sponge Daubers

After the card had been done awhile and I've been looking at it, it seems like it needs something in the center of the red flower image. I can't decide whether to add on a brad, corduroy button, or what?? And if I add something else, will that get it even more non-masculine? Oh the problems... Maybe he won't get this one at all and I'll have to make him something with maybe the Love Bandit instead. What do you think? I need some input here...

Still confused in Michigan,

Sharon

Inspired Wedding Card

I was just checking out the new 'Stampin' Connection' and saw a card by Scrappywonder that just blew me away. It was so pretty and delicate looking that I had to sit down and make one right away! lol Do ideas hit you like that? This one sure did. After I finished my card, I went back to the computer to look at hers again and started laughing. Only a few of the components remained unchanged - the embossing folder, the stamp set, and the basic layout. Other than those several items, it was all different! Isn't it fun to see a wonderful idea and then make it your own? Here's my version of Scrappywonder's card...

Stamps: Vintage Vogue (new!!) and Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pale Plum, Plum Perfect

Ink: Pale Plum, Plum Perfect, Certainly Celery

Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Word Window and Modern Label Punches, Soft Subtle Mini Brads, White Organza Ribbon, Big Shot with the Finial Press Impressions Folder

What do you think? My ideas were the look of a wedding cake and the lace on the bride's dress. Now that it's made, I need to find somebody that's getting married so I can use it!! lol

Hope you enjoyed this look. I love getting comments, so make sure you let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by...

Sharon

Sweetheart Stamping

What do you think of the new Sweetheart stamp set and the heart shaped treat cups that coordinate with it? Aren't they just the cutest items ever? I just got mine this week and had to play with them. You know how that goes, don't you? Of course, we all share this addiction to rubber and need our fix on a regular basis. Especially if it involves purchasing and using new products! (giggle) My friend Anita hosted a workshop for me last night, and I wanted to share this with the ladies. They made this card as one of their make-n-takes. Isn't it cute?

Stamps: Sweetheart and Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, and Real Red cardstock with Sending Love Designer Series Paper (new!!)
Ink: Real Red and Garden Green
Accessories: Big Shot with Finial Impressions Embossing Folder, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Full Heart Punch, Sponge Daubers, and Dimensionals






When making the original card, I couldn't decide whether it needed ribbons, brads, etc. or if it should remain a simpler card like this. None of the embellishments seemed like they really belonged, so here it is. Almost naked! But with the dry-embossing, sponging, and layering, I thought it was just right the way it was. Anything else seemed to detract from the gorgeous Sending Love Designer Paper. This picture shows the layering with Dimensionals nicely and really plays up the dry-embossing. Did you notice how the design really follows through to the flower image on the DSP?


In fact, I like the DSP so much I had to post another picture just so you could really see how lovely this paper is!! lol This is the last look at this gorgeous paper and card. Hope you liked this and give it a try too! Remember, Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so get those special stamps ordered so you can make your cards and special treats!

Sweet stamping,
Sharon

Love is in the air

Can you feel it? No? Not yet? Well, stick around, 'cuz we've got lots of love here! This is the last class project from this week and of course it has hearts on it. What else are you gonna do this time of year?! Does it look sort of familiar? If you've been following along with me, you'll notice the similarities this card has to some of my swaps for Leadership last week. I had made this card first and then shrunk it down and made a few changes for swapping. (I just love those little cards!) Here you go with the full-size version...


Stamps: Eight Great Greetings, and Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Melon Mambo and Whisper White cardstock with Razzleberry Lemonaid Designer Series Paper
Ink: Melon Mambo Classic and White Craft ink pads
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Full Heart Punch, Slit Punch, Sponge Daubers, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Eggcellent Egg Kit (self-stick rhinestone), and Dimensionals





Did you notice the edges of the sentiment piece? That is done with the Scallop Border Punch too. Cool idea, huh! Perfect accent to match the border on the DSP. And what do you do with the leftover strip of paper when you use the border punches? Why I'm so glad you asked! You can add it as an accent somewhere else on your card, like on an edge or even inside your card. Without that tiny strip of DSP on the right edge of the card, this card looked so blah. :-( But it perked right up with the addition. Isn't it funny how just a tiny addition like that makes all the difference in the world! They say it's the little things that count; and in this case, they are certainly right!

Hope you liked today's card idea. It's so pretty I wish you could all see it up close and personal! The class ladies all seemed to like it. In fact at Anita's workshop tonight, two of the ladies were discussing which cardstock colors to buy to recreate this very card. Hope you'll think about making this card too! Thanks for stopping by...

Happy stamping,
Sharon

Spring Fling

I'm lovin' these bright, wintery days we're having and making the most of them. And I'm also lovin' all the new Occasions and Sale-A-Bration stamps and accessories!! Woo Hoo! Stampin'Up! really outdid themselves coming up these new products. When I planned this card for class, I didn't think the new Beautiful Wings Embosslit would be here in time. The card looked a bit plain to me, but couldn't be helped. Lo and behold, my order came on Monday afternoon, so I promptly added a couple of embossed butterflies to the card. Oh, so much better! I couldn't believe how quick and easy it is to emboss and cut out those darling little butterflies all at once! It works just like magic!! Anything that enhances your paper-crafting experience is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. Here's what you need to make one of your own...

Stamps: Well Scripted (new!), and Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel (new!)

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, and Whisper White cardstock with Bashful Blue Patterns Designer Paper 3 (Hostess Level 1)

Ink: Certainly Celery

Accessories: Big Shot with Beautiful Butterflies Embosslit, Jumbo Handle, Scallop Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Butterfly Punch, Buttons Latte', Soft Subtle Mini Brads, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, Distressing Tool, Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

Isn't this a fun, little card with a real feel of spring. (for those of us that are having trouble waiting for spring!) I love all the extra texture that's added with the little embossed butterflies. Can you tell I'm just in love with this new product? lol

Just a little note for bookkeeping purposes. For those of you who placed an order through me in December and are wondering who won the drawing for that month, well wait no more. Roni picked a name for the drawing and the winner is Lynda Jones! Congratulations, Lynda!! Your sister will be bringing the stamp set to you! (missed you at class - hope you're feeling better!)

I'll be having a drawing again after the end of January. If you want to be part of the drawing, just place an order with me during the month of January either on line or give me a call. This is my way of thanking you, my wonderful customers and friends.

Enjoy the day and make sure you find time to stamp!

Sharon

Another Class Project

Good morning to one and all! What a beautiful day it is here with the sun shining like crazy and reflecting off the newest dusting of snow. I just love winter days like today. But that doesn't mean I don't miss summer, because I do. And when I was working on class projects for this month, it was gray and ugly outside. So, that meant I went overboard on summery-looking projects! lol This one is a bookmark and card combo. I'm using a bookmark like this right now and it's doing a great job of keeping my place in the book. Why not give this a try for yourself or one of your friends? Just change the sentiment to 'thinking of you' and start passing them out! I'm sure they'd love something bright and summery like this to perk up their winter days!

Stamps: On Your Birthday

Cardstock: Gable Green, Green Galore, Glorious Green, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Yo Yo Yellow, and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black and Pixie Pink

Accessories: Big Shot with Petals A Plenty Impressions Folder, Two Tags Die, Scallop Circle Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Daisy Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Fire Round Rhinestone Brad, Sponge Dauber, Piercing Tool and Mat Pack, Dimensionals, Paper Snips, and Personal Cutter (whew, hope I remembered everything!)

I love so many things about this card. First of all, the size of the tag die is perfect for a bookmark. Next, adding just a smidgeon of ink onto the embossed background really enhances the overall look. Otherwise, it really looks too white. Sometimes lots of white space is great, but not on this one. It needed the touch of color.

Lastly, isn't the layered flower fun? I just love the added texture of the curled petals so it looks so much more dimensional instead of laying there flat and boring. But I guess it'd be hard to be boring with all these colors, right? LOL

That's it for today. I've got so much to do so there's no more time for chit chat. Have a great day!

Sharon

Leadership was awesome!

Hey there blogging buddies! Yes, Leadership Training in Phoenix was really wonderful and worth all the hassles at the airport to finally get there! Have you flown recently? Do the airlines always overbook and cancel flights on a daily basis? Wow! When it takes over 11 hours of sitting at the airport before you can actually get airborne, something is seriously wrong. My original flight was cancelled over 2 hours after it's original departure time. Then it takes another 1 1/2 hours to stand in line to get rebooked on another flight. Then you sit and wait and wait some more. Then the next flight is delayed for several different reasons and you finally lift off over 2 hours later than posted. Do they have any idea what they're doing, or is it just a case of 'whatever goes'? The only redeeming factor is running into other stampers also waiting and getting to know them! Ok, enough of my ranting on that particular subject.

Back to Leadership - how much fun and learning can you cram into 3 days? When you're Stampin' Up!, quite a bit actually! The demonstrations were very enlightening. I can't wait to try out some of the ideas I saw demonstrated. The presenters and classes were all helpfu and gave me ideas on how to work on some of my problem areas. Shelli's ideas were fabulous as you would expect. She never fails to inspire my creativity. And the Manager's Reception was really exceptional! The amount of detail that goes into the plannning of each aspect of your time there is really incredible. And now I'm all charged up and ready to go!

Coming back home, I had classes scheduled for this week. So that's what I'll be sharing with you until I can get some new samples stamped. I have some quilters in my classes and have been asked to make some samples of quilt blocks using DSP as fabric. Since I don't quilt yet, this was a little challenging, but fun to accomplish. One of the ladies stamping here last night is a quilter and she loved the card. They decided that the embossed background looked like stitching also. What do you think?

Stamps: You & Moi, and Always
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Whisper White cardstock with Real Red Designer Series Paper from Patterns Pack 3 (Hostess Level 1)
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Big Shot with Petals A Plenty Impressions Folder, Build-A-Brad, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch







As you can see, there was very little stamping, but a really cute card anyway! I love how the cardstock changes texture after using the impressions folder. It almost feels like fabric, so it was the perfect technique as a background for this card.

The ladies had fun choosing which side of the DSP 'fabric' to use to get the look they wanted. And the Build-A-Brad was a good focal point in the middle of the 'square'. We made this card as a Valentine, but I think with a little sentiment change, it could fit so many different occasions. All in all, this was lots of fun to make and I enjoyed the challenge immensely. Give it a try yourself and let me know what you've come up with.

Now I need to think up another quilt-square type card. (Along with all the other stuff I need to do!) Happy stamping, and I'll be back tomorrow with another class project.
Sharon

One More Swap

Thought today I would share another swap card I made for Leadership. You know I'm there just having a ball spending time with friends and learning lots of new ideas. I'll be coming home with my mind in a whirl and totally overwhelmed by all the wonderful ideas I saw. There's just so much creativity floating around there that it's difficult to take it all in and remember it. But I'll be doing the best I can! (smiling)



Again I used bright, warm colors to create these swaps. I colored the little birdie as a robin to remind us that spring will be coming soon. (wishful thinking on my part here!).

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, Teeny Tiny Wishes, and Friendly Words Jumbo Wheel
Cardstock: Dusty Durango, Close To Cocoa, and Very Vanilla cardstock with Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper
Ink: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Old Olive, Close To Cocoa, and Basic Brown
Accessories: Jumbo Handle, AquaPainter, Scallop Trim Punch, Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon, Sponge quarters, and Dimensionals

I really like this jumbo wheel with all the wonderful sentiments on it. Why do I forget it for months at a time? Maybe I just have too many stamps to choose from. Oops, I'm sure that comment just slipped out and I really couldn't have meant that at all!!! (Rick, if you read this, I really didn't mean it!)

Well, I need to get back to packing if I'm ever going to get out of here and to the airport on time tomorrow! lol

I'll be back on Sunday if I get any awesome swaps back to share with you. Have a great week. Keep on stamping....
Sharon

Leadership Swaps

Good afternoon to you. Hope you're sitting all snuggled up surfing all your blogs. Since I should be in the air and on my way to Leadership in Phoenix (I sure hope it's warmer there than in Detroit!), I figured it was the right time to be sharing some of my swaps with you. Since it's been sort of gray and wintry here (of course it's January! What else would you expect!), I've been stamping in the other direction - warm and bright colors. And with Valentine's Day right around the proverbial corner, it really needed hearts on it. Don'cha think? So here are some ideas....

This is just a cute little 3"x3 1/2" card to tuck in with a gift. Or it could be used for swapping Valentines in school. Isn't just the cutest little thing? I'm so enamored of the little 3x3 cards lately, and this is just a bit different. Below is another version 'cuz you know I can't do too many of one idea before I get bored silly! They all have a little slit on the side to hold them closed. I debated about a rhinestone on each slit, but thought that might be 'too girlie'. But now that I look at the cards, with all the pink and hearts, who am I kidding. They really are 'girlie'!!

Stamps: Short and Sweet, and You and Moi

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry (on one version) with Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper

Ink: Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Slit Punch, Full Heart Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Scalloped Square Punch, Word Window Punch, Triple Flower Punch, Soft Subtle Mini Brads, Frost Shimmer Paint (mixed with Alcohol in a spritzer bottle)

Remember that not everything was used on each little note. As you can see, the different print designs from the DSP were used. And the focal images were changed around a bit. But that just makes them more fun to make!

Have fun with this idea and show me what you've made!

Have a great week! I'll be learning lots of fun, new things at Leadership this week. So that means I should have lots to show you when I get back! Stay warm and keep stamping...

Sharon

Great News!

Hi there! I'm just so excited about some great news and I just had to share it with you right away! Stampin' Up! is holding some items over from the Holiday Mini Catalog!! I can confirm the continued availability of the following Holiday Mini Products beyond Jan. 4.

• Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806)
• Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854)
• Platinum Shimmer Paint (116807)
  

Stampin' Up! is pleased to announce the availability dates of the following Simply Adorned jewelry products:
Item Description Date Available
116798 Simply Adorned Charm 1" x 1-1/4" January 5, 2010
116797 Simply Adorned Charm 1" x 1" January 5, 2010
116800 Simply Adorned Chain 24" January 5, 2010
116853 Simply Adorned Chain 34" January 5, 2010
116799 Simply Adorned Charm 1-1/2" x 2" TBD

• Charming Stamp Set (Holiday Mini Catalog, p. 32, 116519) will be available for the duration of the Occasions Mini (4/30).
• Build-A-Bear: Beary Best Friends Stamp Set (118052) and Stampin' Up! Bear Bigz Die were continued into the Occasions Mini from the Holiday Mini.

I hope all this information will be of help to you when you are placing your order for new products from the Occasions Mini and earning free Sale-A-Bration sets and products!! Remember for each $50 order (before tax and shipping), you can choose one of the Sale-A-Bration items for free!! How great is that?! It's like extending Christmas another 3 months!! Woo Hoo! You can order online starting January 5th, or I'd be happy to help you place an order when I return from Leadership training in Phoenix on January 10th. Either way, now is a great time to shop Stampin' Up!

Last of the Christmas Cards

Sorry I've been incommunicado for the last few days. Oh my goodness! I just looked at my calendar and didn't realize it's been almost a whole week!! So sorry. But that doesn't mean I haven't been creating and stamping. While cleaning up some of the extra cut cardstock sitting around on my work table, I ended up working on a card that had been kicking around in my brain for awhile. I just hadn't had time to work it out. So therefore, the plan was to do it NOW. After much finagling and changing my mind, getting Rick's input, then changing my mind some more, this is the final product...

I wanted something simple with the image being the real center of attention. I think this card is even better than I envisioned in the beginning.

Stamps: Holy Triptych and Many Merry Messages
Cardstock: Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Gold Encore' Pad
Accessories: Big Shot with Petals A Plenty Impressions Folder, Heat Tool with Gold Embossing Powder, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Nestabilities (non-SU!), Sponge Dauber, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Gold Mini Brad, and Dimensionals

Ok, so now I'm ahead of the game, because I have another 3 cards made for next Christmas! How funny! A whole evening spent making 3 cards for next Christmas! I must be daft. But they are finished and for that I'm very thankful!

Hope you like the idea. I know it's not what you're expecting this time of year. But it really is lovely in person and I felt the need to share.

Ok, enough explaining myself. Time to get back to my swap cards for Leadership. I can hardly wait to see my friends again! It's really fun getting together twice a year at SU! functions. If you read my blog and are going to Leadership, I'd love to meet you too and make another friend. You can never have too many friends, you know!

Have a great day!

Sharon