Multifunctional punches

These two cards use the butterfly punch to make a pansy! I found this idea on the web, can't remember who made it first. I added my own twist to the top card by using the crimper to give the flowers added texture. I used watercolor crayons (more mustard and elegant eggplant) and an aquapainter to make the one on top. The second one was made with reinkers and the aquapainter. The leaves for both are from the two step bird punch.

My friend and July hostess, Alison asked for ideas on how to use punches in a variety of ways. So I made these two cards using the wing from the two step bird punch. It takes 3 wings to make a tulip. You can make it fat or thin depending on which direction you lay out the wings. I think the torn paper really looks like a bed of grass.

I used 12 wings to make the blue flower. The leaf is another wing. And the vase is the ornament punch with the bottom cut off. I ran it through the square lattice embossing folder and sponged with cajun craze ink to make it look like a terra cotta pot.

Watch for more punchy ideas.

Wedding cake

This was another of my convention swaps. I saw a card similar to this with textured cardstock, but I took it a step further and used the bigshot and embossing folders to make different layers. The top layer uses the perfect polka dot folder, the middle layer is the brand NEW elegant lines folder, and the bottom is the wonderfully versatile square lattice folder. I used chocolate chip for the base and pink pirouette for the cake. The sentiment is from Oval All and the flowers are from a NEW level 1 hostess set called punch potpourri. I added a NEW jewel pearl in the center of the flower for the finishing touch. So simple but soooooo elegant if I do say so myself!!

Convention 2010-LONG, but read it all

This was my 7th convention and every year we always say it was the best ever. But hands down this was the best ever. I soooooooooo totally love Stampin'Up! They outdid themselves this year. Where to begin?

We had a flower power party Tues night with a 60's theme. All I had to wear was a tie-dyed shirt, but you'd have had to be there to see some of the great costumes! We played twister (not me), hula hoop (I tried), wore love beads they gave us, got our faces painted, mingled with lots of SU employees, and watched stamping demonstrations. I had a picture taken with Shelli and her husband Sterling.

The extras at lunch were awesome: the first day we had candy stations with salt water taffy, hard candy, friut jellies, and atomic fireballs. Day two we had huge chocolate fountains with fruit, all sorts of cookies, marshmallows, and pretzels. Day three was ice cream sandwiches, drumsticks, crunch bars, choco tacos, etc. And nothing ever ran out. There were also fresh fruit stations everyday.

I got to be a make and take helper, and had a class to make my projects early so I could help a group of about 600 people. We each had about 5-6 tables of demonstrators to work with. I am sworn to secrecy, but got several free stamp sets and embellishments for helping as well as some other perks.

I roomed with some awesome gals. Three were from Texas, 1 from Mass, and 1 from Pheonix (we had a 2 bedroom suite with 4 beds and 2 bathrooms. We had lots of fun sharing our swaps and business tips. The friendships I have made through Stampin'Up! are one of the best parts of being a demonstrator.

Share what you love was the theme this year and all of the classes focused on this. In the class on getting bookings, they actually had us make calls during the class to book workshops. I booked 2 workshops and have 1 more in the works. Usually I get all excited while I am there and make a list of people to call, but never get around to it when I get home, can we say procrastination. Stampin'Up! came up with a great hostess promotion to help us. They will give an extra $25 in hostess credit for all workshops from 7/27-8/31 with $350 or more in sales. That's $65 free plus hostess sets. Call or email me to get in on this great offer.

More convention swaps

I made these shirts for a Bigshot WOW fabric swap. I laundered the cotton fabric and shirts, then ironed the fabric onto wonder under, then cut the flowers out with the bigshot, then ironed them onto the shirts. So cute!! I'm thinking of making one for me!

This card is for a technique swap and is the chalkboard technique. I stamped with white ink on black then colored over with the watercolor pencils.

My convention swaps

I have been so busy making my swaps for convention that I haven't posted lately. I made 70 total of these butterfly cards for a WOW full card swap. Lots of Bigshot time, but just a bit of stamping. So excited about the new Stampin'up! jewels-adhesive backed clear rhinestones and halfback pearls. They really finish off the butterfly nicely. So does the new 1/8" ribbon.

NEW IDEA BOOK AND CATALOG

My shipment arrived yesterday!!! I have had my personal copy for 2 weeks now and have been taking it with me everywhere I go. And may I just say "I love it, I love it, I love it".

So many fun new stamp sets and accessories. New colors in ribbons and brads, there are adhesive backed pearls and rhinestones, more punches in the new fold flat design, lots more choices in the clear mount stamps, ala carte individual stamps priced from 5.95-9.95. But the best part is all the new colors. There are 5 totally new colors, 10 returning colors, and 5 new "In Color" colors. See post from April 11th and buttons on sidebar for more information about that.

Catalogs are free to hostesses and my stamp club members. Otherwise get yours for just $5 and I will give you a coupon for $5 off your next order of $50 or more. Call, email, or leave a comment here to get yours NOW!

June 30th is your last opportunity to order from the current catalog-see last chance lists on sidebar. You may begin ordering from the NEW Idea Book and Catalog July 1st. I will hold an Open House Sat July 17th, watch for more details.

Luau Party, Stamp class

Alison, Dorris, and Sherri
Joy, Tiffani, and Sherri
Marlene and Jackie
Melba "Genell"
These are pics from my stamp class last Sat. 8 ladies came and made 10 cards each. We all had lots of fun, I enjoy my stamping friends.

NEW STAMPS and PAPER

I preordered some things from the new catalog. I used all 4 images from the stamp set "Friends Never Fade" and coordinating Designer Series Paper "Greenhouse Gala". Also NEW Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, and Returning Tangerine Tango, Baha Breeze, and Wild Wasabi cardstock.

Last Chance Stamps and Accessories

The lists are here. Get your favorite items before they are forever GONE!

See buttons on the sidebar to get lists for each. Some of the accessories are discounted, but are only available while supplies last. Stamps will be available until the end of June.
I will be offering 10% off your entire order June 19th if you order any retiring product.

Another Elements of Style card

Click on picture to enlarge it. I saw a card made with this set using black and red here http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1685922?&cat=18835&sorttime=all&sortby=v&way=desc. I was visiting my sister and she didn't have a black marker, so I tried it with navy and red. I also didn't have the striped ribbon, so used the red. I really like how this turned out.

Island Floral Card

Click on photo to enlarge image.
I totally love everything about this stamp set and designer paper! :) Makes me feel like I'm back in Hawaii!! I used linen thread in the flowers to make it look like a lei.

One sheet wonder-color choices

Both of these use apricot appeal, brocade blue, and mellow moss, one with Vintage vogue stamp set and the other with For all you do. I like the vintage vogue stamps better for this project.



This is pink passion, brocade blue, and gable green with vintage vogue stamp set.

One Sheet Wonder Card Class

I am offering this class at my home Sat June 19th from 10am-4pm. Come and go as your schedule permits. Allow at least 2 hrs, but probably 3 to finish your cards. It took me longer than that, but I have the finished product for you to copy or alter to suit your needs. Make 10 cards with envelopes for only $12.50!! You will never get a class for this price at any of the craft stores. I must have your rsvp by June 10th to prep for the class and food. I have enough cardstock in these colors for 7 or 8. If I have more than that interested, I will need to come up with another color scheme. You absolutely must bring your own adhesive, and it's helpful to bring scissors, bone folder, and a paper cutter.

First, you will stamp this sheet of white cardstock, then run through the printer and cut on lines to make 10 cards. I will give you directions to make each card. You will have the option of many different greetings.

I want to thank Lee Ann Greff for this idea and her templates she so kindly put on SCS. Her blog is flowerbug's Inkspot in my list below.

Elements of Style card

This is another card I made while playing with this new set from the Summer mini catalog. I saw one similar in a gallery or blog somewhere, but not sure who made it. I did make several changes, so it's really mine. This is a very versatile set. Buy it in May and get FREE designer brads. I used Rich Razzlberry ink and card base. I mounted the stamped image on black and added a vanilla designer label frame using the razzleberry ribbon.

Spotlighting technique

I got the new Elements of Style stamp set from the Summer mini catalog and wanted to play with it, so I used it with spotlighting for our club technique. I made the blue one first, but stamped the image many times to get the rectangular piece to line up with the image straight up and down.
So I made the pink one for our club card even though I liked the blue better. I do like the "ruby-throated" hummingbird on the pink card though. I inked the hummingbird with gable green marker, and added the throat with pin passion, then outlined the bird with glorious green and cut it out.

Cards made by my clubmembers

I encourage my ladies bring a card to swap. It is optional and I often give them a specific project or category, but this month I just said bring a card. Most of them use mostly SU, but I do not make that a requirement.

made by Joy
made by Marilyn
made by Jackie
made by Marlene

Anniversary cards

I made the things I love card for my husband. Of course the inside says "but most of all you". He told me that he wanted to make a card for me. He chose the stamps, colors, and the idea of tearing the edges and did it all by himself! I personally would have restamped the sentiment and layered it, but it is special to me just the way it is because he took the time to make it!