This the last card in my series of "Man Cards" that I created for my stamp camp.

I copied this card from Sharon Field with a few changes.  I stamped the oak tree using Early Espresso ink on Very Vanilla, then used the mat pack and paper piercing tool to add some detail to the corners.  Behind it is a layer of Early Espresso, then a layer of Not Quite Navy.  Before popping that layer on Stampin' Dimensionals, I tied a piece of Hemp Twine around it and added a Vintage Tag that was stamped with the small leaf image from Lovely as a Tree.  (Every year I think that stamp set is going to go to the chopping block, but it never does.  Thank you, SU!)  Under that layer is a piece of designer series paper from Well Worn and a piece of River Rock that I embossed using the Stripes embossing folder. You can see the Not Quite Navy accents in the wood grain, too. 

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree
Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, River Rock, Not Quite Navy,Well Worn designer series paper,
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Stripes textured impressions embossing folder, Hemp Twine, Vintage Tag, Stampin' Dimensionals


Happy Stamping!

Susan

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A Christmas Card

My friend and former downline Kim made this sparkly Christmas card for me.  I love those mica flakes. It's super-pretty in real life and I wanted to share it with you.

Kim cut out one of the trees and put it over the top of the other ones with dimensionals.  I think the bird is from one of last year's Sale-a-Bration sets.  Thanks, Kim!

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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I should always have extra cards made -- just in case!

Yesterday at about 3:30 pm my dear husband Randy called me from work and said that he needed a card for his co-worker Gary.  Randy informed me that Gary's last day on the job is today.  Now, my dear Randy knew this information two weeks ago, but neglected to tell me until the day before he needed it. 

So after I cooked dinner, broke up some disagreements between the kids, cleaned up the leftovers, washed dishes, put a load of laundry in the washer, got the kids ready for bed, looked for an already finished card that I might be able to use (and didn't find!), and broke up some more disagreements, I took time to make Gary's card.  The only request that Randy made was that it say, "Best Wishes."

Without further adieu:

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Fabulous Phrases
Card Stock: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Soft Suede
Accessories:  word window punch modern label punch, sponge

It's not a complicated card at all.  I own the Fabulous Phrases stamp set in the clear mount variety, so I mounted the two words next to each other and stamped them at once.  Then I punched out the words with the word window punch.  After that, I adhered the words to a piece of soft suede card stock, then I punched it out using the modern label punch.  It's much easier to do it that way so you don't have to fuss about getting the top layer centered on such a small area. 

I was a bit disappointed that I didn't already have a card made - even one that I could switch out sentiments.  Honestly, Randy rarely asks me for cards.  And I don't often send masculine cards.  So I will have to make some man-cards to add to my stash.  I also do not have any sympathy cards on hand either.  (Those are not fun to make, so I usually wait till I actually need one.  That way, I can also pray while I'm creating.)

Even though I seem like I'm whining a bit with having to make this card at the last minute, I really didn't mind.  Randy appreciated that I made the card for him.  He knows that I am a multi-taleted wife and mom and never let him down : )

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Christmas ATCs

I've got my four children home for the Christmas holiday : )  My sister, who only has one child and lives in a spotless house on the weekends (she lives with my mom and dad during the week because of her job -- long story!) came to visit this morning.  Toys, pillows, blankets, dirty dishes, etc. were ALL over the living room floor.  Even after she complained, I didn't even care.  My kids are having fun and that's what matters.  The mess has been cleaned up numerous times and it will get cleaned up again.

Today I'm sharing Christmas ATCs that I sent out earlier this week.  I belong to the Transit Traders, an artist trading card group that meets quarterly to, of course, trade cards, share techniques, etc.  At the October meeting we all decided to make Christmas ATCs and send them to everyone in the group.  At first I thought, "Oh no!  One more thing that I have to do for Christmas."

Cards from other members started arriving in the mail and I started to feel the pressure.  It took me a while to decide exactly what I was going to do. Once I got started I really enjoyed creating these beauties: 

I stamped the trees with versamark, then applied white embossing powder.  After that, I used the void area from the scallop oval punch to add clouds to the sky and snow to the ground.  My only regret is that I didn't put a "merry Christmas" on it somewhere. But I like it how it is.  And that's how I like my living room, too.

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree
Paper:  Bashful Blue, Brushed Silver, Night of Navy
Ink:  versamark, craft white
Accessories:  white embossing powder, scallop oval punch, sponge dauber

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Evelyn's workshop

Last summer  I did a "Christmas in July" craft show.  Didn't sell a lick of Stampin' Up!, but I got my name out there. A few of the people who stopped by my table signed up for my mailing list and attended my stamp camp.  The best thing that happened to me that day was that I was stationed beside my friend Evelyn Wheeler who is a Pampered Chef consultant.  I have hosted two Pampered Chef shows for Evelyn over the last few years, so it was only fitting that I ask her to host a Stampin' Up! workshop for me.

Recognize that stamped image?  It's the large pine tree from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set.  I got this idea from Sharon Field and simplified it up a bit for my friend Evelyn's make-n-take.



The colors I chose were Real Red and Always Artichoke. I stamped the tree on Whisper White, then added the stamped and punch ornament with some Stampin' Dimensionals and some retired gold cording. Then I matted it with Real Red and Always Artichoke card stock.

What I really loved about doing the workshop for Evelyn was that some of the ladies decided to personalize their envelopes with the pine cone stamp. They all turned out really cute.

Happy stamping!

Susan

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