Thank You - Day 5 - Elements of Style

I made it to Salt Lake City! Linda and I had to be up at 4 AM to catch our flight. Our hotel room isn't quite ready yet. So we're hanging about with other really a tired demonstrators waiting. It's been a "Hurry up and wait kind of day. Still trying to figure out how to attach photos via Linda's IPad. ... I made several of these cards to go in my "Thank You" card stash.  It was a re-do of this card.

Personally, I prefer the original version, but this one is still really pretty.  The photo doesn't do it justice.


Stamps:  Elements of Style, Four Frames, Fabulous Phrases
Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Baja Breeze
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Soft Suede
Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Very Vanilla satin ribbon (retired), Stampin' Dimensional

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Strength & Hope Stamp Camp Extravaganza Part 6

For the final installment of the Strength & Hope Stamp Camp Extravaganza, I'm showing my the traditional "breast cancer" card that I made - because it's pink and it's got the pink ribbon on it.

I used this card design for two of my four Strength & Hope stamp camps.  My last stamp camp was held at a customer's home.  She invited a few guests to join us.  As it turned out, one of them was a breast cancer survivor.  I was honored to have her stamp with us.

In all, I sold fourteen stamp sets and had 20 ladies participate in this incredible fundraiser.  As you may know, Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from every set sold to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  In addition, I am donating my personal sales commission to the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program. I'm told that this money will stay in the Western Pennsylvania region to directly assist breast cancer patients with eduction, going to doctor's appointments, home visits, etc.  The money I made isn't a huge amount.  Collectively, I'm sure that Stampin' Up! demonstrators around the world have made a difference in the battle against breast cancer.

Tomorrow is the last day to order your Strength & Hope stamp set. It's also the last day for the Buy 3 get 1 Free designer paper sale.  You don't want to miss out on either one of these promotions!


Happy Stamping!

Susan

Stamps: Strength & Hope
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice tief, Decorative Label punch, Pretty in Pink Satin ribbon

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Forgotten Photos

Since I only have time for a quick post today, I thought I'd share the card that we did at my Open House.  (I thought I already posted it, but can't find it.  Sorry if it is a repeat.)  I let guests decide what color ink to use and what ribbon to add.  The Paisley Petals designer series paper has been a challenge for me to use.  This card design seems to work well with it.

 

I'm off to the Grove City Outlets with Bradley.  Nothing like waiting till the last minute to do school shopping!  Most of our shopping is finished, but I need to take Bradley alone.  Randy is taking the afternoon off to be with the girls.  I have a lot of tolerance for my children, but I cannot take all four kids school shopping at once.

Stamps: Four Frames, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Paisley Petals designer series paper, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Big Shot, Framed Tulips tief, Decorative Label punch, various ribbon

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Two Mother's Day Cards and Two Challenges

A few days ago I entered a card recipe swap on Stampin' Connection, an online community for Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  My task was to use a product from the upcoming Summer Mini catalog. I chose the category "Mother's Day."  It wasn't until after I commited to the swap that I realized that I didn't purchase many preorder items from that catalog,  (Trying to use some self-control here!)  The only item I had to work with was the Strength & Hope stamp set.  I have two versions:

Oops! I forgot to trim my ribbon on this one.

The second card is actually the first one that I made.  Although I do like the Paisley Petals designer series paper, something about it bothered me.  That's why I created another card.  Here's some neat things I did on this project:

1.  I  colored the taffeta ribbon by rubbing it over my baja Breeze ink pad.  

2. To get that cool border around the Word Window punch, I cut one piece of card stock using the Decorative Label punch, then re-fed it the opposite way back into the punch.  (Can't remember where I saw that idea to give credit.)

3. Immediately after stamping my butterflies, I poured clear embossing powder over them and heat set it. A second butterfly is on top of the first one. I simply followed the pattern on the butterfly to cut a smaller image.  The antennae are "attached" to the bottom butterfly.

I'm entering this card in two challenges this week, Stamping 411 and SUO Challenges.

Stamps: Strength & Hope, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, Night of Navy 

Ink: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Night of Navy, Always Artichoke 

Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper textured impressions embossing folder, Petals-a-Plenty textured impressions embossing folder, Word Window punch, Decorative Label punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, heat tool, clear embossing powder, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, pearls, sponges, dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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This "Thank You!" is For All of My Readers

For a few years now I've been reading various stamping blogs.  Sometimes I wondered, "How do these
people find the time to blog?"  It seemed obvious that some bloggers don't carry the same family responsibilities that I do.  We're all at different stages in our lives.  I can barely get the laundry done and dinner on the table every night!  How would I find time to blog???  Still, I felt the need to challenge myself.  So about six months ago, I took the plunge.  For me, blogging is manly an online record of the projects I've made.  No more hoarding those pretty cards!

After I started I thought, "What did I get myself into?"  It's just a blog.  No one is judging me.  I can contribute as much or as little as I want.  I kinda compare it to the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" which lately Clarice wants to hear every night before bed. 

Some bloggers post every day.  That's not for me. 
Some only post once a month or less.  That's not enough for me. 
Some post once a week or so.  That's just right for me.

This card is a "Thank You" to all of my readers.  I sincerely appreciate all the comments you've left me over the last several months.  They mean a lot to me.  And they keep me motivated to continue blogging : )

This is the card that I did for the make-n-take at Kim's workshop last week.  I got the idea from Debra Burgin .  The card is almost identical to the one that she created.  Thank you, Debra!  The card features the Four Frames stamp set available this month as a "Sneak Peak" from the new catalog that will be released in July.  I love how this frame image coordinates perfectly with the roses in the Elements of Style stamp set.

Stamps: Elements of Style. Four Frames, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: White Organza ribbon, Decorative Label punch, dimensionals

It's not quite noon yet, but I'd better stop blogging and think about what to make for dinner, LOL!

Happy stamping!

Susan

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Sweet Summer here we come!

Oh, I love the smell of fresh air!  It's so great to be able to finally be outside again without the hassle of bundling up with heavy coats, boots, etc.  Actually, today was a brisk day.  I still wear my gloves when the temperature is below 50 degrees. Still it feels good.  I also have to admit that it feels good to be able to say to the kids, "Go outside and play!"

The card I'm sharing today uses the Sale-a-Bration set called Sweet Summer.  Here's a look:

Stamps: Sweet Summer, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Pretty in Pink; markers: Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Subtle Glimmer brad, Crop-o-dile, Signo white gel pen

I stamped the card base with a branch stamp using Pear Pizzazz ink.  Next, I stamped the stem with Pear Pizzazz ink onto Whisper White, then colored the leaves with the Pear Pizzazz marker.  I added a flower using Pretty in Pink ink that was them colored in with a Pretty in Pink marker. I stamped the butterflies by coloring the stamp with Marina Mist ink then coloring them in with the marker.  The two lighter butterflies were "stamped off" with the Marina Mist marker then colored in with Bashful Blue.  All of the bodies of the butterflies were colored with a Soft Suede marker.  The Signo white gel pen provided the final touches to the pink flower.

I demonstrated a similar card at my friend Marcey's house last Thursday night.  I placed three flowers onto the front of the card and stamped a bee using Soft Suede and Daffodil Delight markers instead of butterflies.  Actually, this card isn't the same one that I demonstrated, but very close. 

For this sentiment, I used the Curly Label punch and the Decorative Label punch, the first time I've layered those two punches like that. For Marcey's card, I used the same flower stamp like I did for the first card and only used the Curly Label punch.  Marcey loved it!

Here's a close-up of the flowers:

As I was putting away my supplies the day after the workshop, I noticed that the little bee stamp was missing.  To save time at the workshop, I had placed the materials for each project back into their separate bins. I didn't "dismount" the stamps from their acrylic blocks.  Bad choice on my part!  So, I was panicked for a few moments.  I knew it had to be with all of my stuff.  Turns out that it got stuck onto a punch.  I'll know next time to put all of my clear mount stamps back into their rightful cases ; )

Happy stamping!

Susan

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A Thank-You for Steve

Last Saturday I spent a few hours at the Asbury Woods Nature Center with my eight year old daughter Annika and some of the Girl Scouts from her troop.  We had to drive about an hour and a half to get there.  It was cold and rainy the entire time, but so worth the trip!   Our tour guide was a man named Steve.  He talked about the wildlife native to this area and let the girls pet some animals.  Next, we went into a classroom and Steve talked all about maple syrup and how it's made.   Finally, we went outside (in the cold rain!) and saw maple sap coming out of a tree, listened to the legend of how maple syrup was discovered, and viewed the "evaporator" that processes maple sap into syrup.  We also got to taste maple sugar.   All I could think about was making a batch of my favorite waffles and eating them drizzled with melted butter and pure maple syrup.  Yummy!  After we finished I thought I'd send Steve a thank-you card for the informative tour.

Annika and I got to eat at Red Lobster and do a little shopping.  We went to TJ Maxx, AC Moore, and Target.  I had to pull out my "magic wand" and cast a spell on Annika to change her evil mood into a good one because she was having a tantum about not buying her a 48-color eye shadow collection.  (For those of you wondering, all I did was wave my finger in a circle and looked into her eyes and said something like, "Please remove this evil mood from Annika and turn her into the sweet girl that she really is!")  Randy and I are in serious trouble having three girls who LOVE all things girly.  I was really glad to get some alone-time with Annika.  We rarely have that opportunity.

Dide was also supposed to go with use since she's a Daisy Scout.  But when she woke up she said that she was sick and had a "boogery throat" aka post-nasal drip.  So she stayed home with her dad, Clarice and big brother Bradley. I'm glad that I did because when I got home I took one look at her and realized that she's got pink eye!  I'm hoping that my home remedy will clear her eye so she doesn't miss school -- and doesn't spread it to the entire family.

Okay, onto the card:

I thought I had a stamp of a maple leaf in one of my retired stamp sets, but it was an oak leaf.  Then I remember about the leaf image in the Every Little Bit stamp set.  (I got that set for free!)  So I did a little stamping on the inside.

Stamps: Because I Care (hostess level one) for the sentiment, Every Little Bit
Paper: Autumn Traditions designer series paper (retired), Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Ink: Always Artichoke, More Mustard
Accessories: Decorative Label punch, Modern Label punch, Oval punch, dimensionals

I'm gonna take the card to the Girl Scout meeting tomorrow and have those who attended the program sign it, then we'll send it to Steve.

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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