Mini Monday - Thanksgiving Wishes

In my Mini Monday posts, I feature a stamp set (or two) from the current Mini Catalogue

We received the Day of Gratitude stamp set at the Hamilton Regionals to use for our make & takes, and I thought it was perfect for a couple challenges I wanted to participate in. The leaves work perfectly with the colour challenge this week at Just Add Ink, and the images work perfectly scattered on the main panel of FTL #110 on the Clean & Simple blog.

I heat embossed the sentiment with Old Olive Craft ink and Clear Stampin' Emboss powder and then sponged over it lightly with Pumpkin Pie ink.

Stamps: Day of Gratitude, Seasonal Sentiments
Inks: Old Olive (Classic & Craft), Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Always Artichoke
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Other: 2 1/2" Circle punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch, Clear Stampin' Emboss powder

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Sketchy Sunday - #97

On Sketchy Sundays, I have a card or layout sketch to hopefully inspire you. I also have a project I've done inspired by the sketch.

Here's a card sketch for you to work with this week...

It's also the sketch for the challenge on Stampin' Connection for any SU! Demonstrators out there... we'd love to have you play along!

Here's the card I made based on this sketch:

Stamps: Cute by the Inch
Inks: Rich Razzleberry Craft
Cardstock: Naturals White, Rich Razzleberry (textured), Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Other: Clear Stampin' Emboss powder, Rich Razzleberry 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Curly Label punch, Elegant Soiree DSP

Fast & Fun Friday - Decor Frame

On Fridays, I share something quick & easy to make (under 15 minutes).

I found this very nice frame and thought it would be perfect to create a fun and easy decor project with Designer Series Papers and Decor Elements. Believe it or not, the hardest part of this project was getting the backs open to switch out the photos that were in it. I still plan on getting a few photos printed in Sepia to put into some of the spots, but I like it with the papers for now. The Decor Elements vinyl words go on so quickly and easily on the glass in the frames. Then I just cut various papers from the Elegant Soiree Designer Series paper to 4"x6" and popped them in where photos would normally go.

This would be super easy to change out the papers to make it a seasonal accent, or to work in another room with different colours.

Whatever Wednesday - Paradise

This week, I was inspired by a card sketch challenge on Stampin' Connection (A SU! Demonstrator message board & gallery) by Susie Nelson. This is also a one-layer card which I enjoy creating every once in a while.

I inked up my clear B block (just the edges) with Old Olive ink, then stamped it down one side of my Sahara Sand card base. I inked the leaves (from the Paradise stamp set) with VersaMark, then kissed with inked stamps from the Extreme Elements stamp set. I heat embossed the leaves with Clear Stampin' Emboss powder. A few Brights Brads in the empty corners finished off the stamped images. It's hard to see in this picture, but I scored three lines between the stamped leaves and my sentiment (from FYI).

Stamps: Paradise, FYI, Extreme Elements
Inks: Old Olive, Pear Pizazz, Tempting Turquoise
Cardstock: Sahara Sand
Other: Clear Stampin' Emboss powder, Brights Brads, Bone Folder, Paper Trimmer, B Acrylic Block

Hamilton Regionals were a blast!

I had a great time yesterday with some of my team members (thanks for a fun day Margaret, Nancy and Sherri!) at the Stampin' Up! Regionals in Hamilton. We saw some great presentations from Stampin' Up! staff and Shelli herself was there too. There were also six great Wow presentations... I had lots of 'aha' moments. There were lots of great swaps and samples for us to look at too... and a sneak peek at a stamp set from the upcoming (January 2011) Occasions Mini. You can actually get this stamp early, and for free! I can't show you the set itself, but I can show you some cards using this set. It's called Eat Chocolate, and it's perfect for cards to send to friends (my friends love chocolate, anyway).

If you purchase the Starter Kit from me by October 10th, this set can be all yours! Add this to the already fantastic deal on the Starter Kit, plus the free Greenhouse Garden tote and it's an even better deal! My September special makes it even sweeter... I'm giving everyone who joins my team by September 30th a free Colour Coach too! To get your Starter Kit, all you have to do is go here and click "Join Now" on the left hand side. My password is: gold star

Anyone in Canada can join my team... if you'd like to learn more about the benefits of begin a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can check out info here or contact me with any questions you have.

This Eat Chocoate set is fun, and totally me... I can't wait to play with it, and I hope you like it too!

Fast & Fun Friday - Aviary Stamp-a-Stack card

On Fridays, I share something quick & easy to make (under 15 minutes).

Before I get on with Fast & Fun Friday, I want to welcome Mair to my Gold Stars, Ink. team! She took advantage of the great special this month (the free Greenhouse Garden Craft Tote) which is on top of the already fabulous discount you get on the Starter Kit products (44% less than you'd pay as a customer). If you're in Canada, and you'd like to get this tote, or you'd like more information please e-mail me, or check out the Join My Team tab at the top of my blog.

This card is one that we'll be making in my All Occasion Stamp-a-Stack coming up on World Card Making Day (October 2nd). Since we make 12 cards (three of each design) , they have to be quick & easy to stamp and put together. Yvonne came over and helped me design these stamp-a-stack cards, and I love the way they turned out!

Stamps: Aviary
Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Naturals White
Other: Square Lattice TIF, Basic Rhinestone, Corner Rounder Punch, Scallop Edge punch, Two-Step Bird punch

I'm off to Regionals in Hamilton with three of my downline bright and early tomorrow... I'm very excited and know I'll have a good time!

Try it Thursday - Fancy Favor Luminary

On Thursdays, I try something new, and invite you to try it too!

I saw this idea (or something like it) somewhere online at least a year ago and I've finally tried it out. I ran some textured Rich Razzleberry cardstock through my Fancy Favour Big Shot die and then cut the top inch off the top. I cut the bottom section an inch from the bottom score lines too. Then I ran a piece of Vellum Cardstock (2 3/4" x 11") through the Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Folder twice (once at each end). I stuck Sticky Strip along the edges of the Rich Razzleberry pieces and stuck the Vellum Cardstock to the rest of the Fancy Favour box. I used my Bone Folder to score the Vellum Cardtock with the Fancy Favour pieces, and stuck it together like I normally would. I have a battery powered tealight to put inside my luminary.

This is one of the projects from my Home Decor Class this weekend... it helps pass the drying time required for a couple of the other projects.

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry (textured), Vellum Cardstock
Big Shot: Fancy Favor die, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions folder
Other: Sticky Strip, Two-Way Glue