Last of the

convention swaps for now. I made this card using the pun fun stamp set. I like how versatile this set is, especially since there are not many boy type stamps. (Having two boys and all that's what I tend to look for.) My previous attempts at blending colors haven't come out as nice as others I've seen. It was suggested to use gamasol or odorless mineral spirits as a blending agent but since I have an aversion to using chemicals I decided to mineral oil instead, much safer. I really like how it looks but I do have to say it works better on the White cardstock than on the watercolor paper, it seems to blend better. Another tip is to use the mineral oil sparingly.

Recipe: Stamp Set: Pun Fun Ink: Night of Navy Cardstock: Watercolor paper, Barely Banana, Night of Navy, and Ballet Blue Accessories: Pure Color Pencils, Silver Brads, White Gel Pen, Sweet Stars Jumbo wheel, blending stumps and mineral oil.


This is a luggage tag I altered with my first initial. I used it to put on my bag so it wouldn't get mixed up. Originally tried to emboss on the tag itself but that just turned into a mess. I wanted to spruce it up some so I added primas and the felt flowers to it. (I'm so glad we have another set of colors in these felt flowers.)

Another convention card

I only have one more that I made after this and then I will be all done showing off my convention cards. I'm sure you are sick of still enjoying being able to see them. This one I did with the big birthday candle that is currently on the dormant list. It's still available just not shown in the big catty. This would be an easy card to make into masculine card just by changing the colors.


Recipe: Stamp Se: Big Birthday Candle Cardstock: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, and barely Banana Ink: Pale Plum Perfect Plum, Going Gray, and Barely Banana Accessories: Versamarker, silver brads, iridescent ice, basic gray taffeta ribbon, staples and stapler.

I've also noticed that sometimes when I post pictures it will let you click on them and it'll open another page to see it in more detail but not others. I upload them the same way so I am not sure why it does that ... is there any one who is blog suavy that knows how to make sure it does that each time??

How do I always manage....

to get myself volunteered for projects?? For my youngest child's cub scout group I am making calendar's. We are hoping that this is going to help get everyone to remember all the activities we are doing so we can have a higher participation for all the activities. I decided that since I am making about 30 of these calendar's I would keep it rather simple.

What was I thinking? First of all 30 ... how exactly is that simple?? THEN I decided I would use my scout stamp which requires coloring!!! And NOOO I couldn't just color them but had to use the water color crayons. Apparently my brain doesn't quite understand the concept of simple or I would have just print monthly calendars. But at least I did keep the concept simple so that counts right? Besides I think they are cute!

Woohoo ...

I made it into Stampers Showcase!! I 've been a demo for 5 years and this is only the second time I have made Stampin' Up!'s Stampers Showcase. The first time was within the first month I started with SU! I actually had submitted this card for a monthly card contest they had in July for uses with the brayer. I came up with this card :It is very similar to this card I made for convention. Except this time I added buzz marks and of course flipped the card a different direction. It still uses the sames technique and the colors and papers are the same. I didn't win the contest but at least my card still made the spotlight!! Have a great day!!

Creative use for Post It's

Post it's always seem to make it into many of my 3-d creations. I think it's because they are so easy to use and you can come up with a million different uses for them. I made these cute magnetic post it holder for a workshop last month. I liked them so much I made 20 of the for convention swapping. Can you believe it took less time to make these then the cards I made, even with cutting out of the flowers. I got the acrylic frames for a 25 cents right after Christmas, (I know it's amazing that I actually took them out of my stash to ACTUALLY use) they had a little bow glued to the front of the frame that I took off. So what do you think?

Amazing Secret Sister

I joined a SCS secret sister group and have been doing it for about a year now and I have to tell you I have had the most amazing secret sis this round. She has been beyond generous and is an absolute creative stamper. Her creations have been beautiful. Just look at this project she made for me in my reveal gift all I could say was WOW!! Everything about it is gorgeous, I love the paper the stamp set she used, the colors ... just everything.

Not only is the outside great but check out in the inside of this purse. It's a mini scrapbook too. It's made with the 6x6 envelopes and carousal notes. I'm in complete awe over this project and of course can't wait to make some myself!! So what do you think??

Projects and random thoughts...

Just wanted to share with those of you how were unable to attend my open house the projects we made. I am really surprised on how these turned out as I wasn't really lovin' the new in colors but now I have completely changed my mind even kiwi kiss!! Everyone seemed to really like all the projects especially the clip.

My friend Sharon tagged me from her blog Trails and SNAILS so here are 7 random thoughts:

1. Most people are surprised to find out I am sooo not a people person. I could easily be a hermit.

2. I am contemplating taking an online photography class.

3. I find listening to the TV to be quite annoying.

4. Will the painter's ever be done painting our house??

5. I got my new SU Toys and I haven't even taken them out of the box.

6. My dog tried to run away TWICE today.

7. I love the rain!!

I'm supposed to tag 5 other's but everyone has been tagged already. I know what a party popper I am but at least I participated. So instead I will share 5 of my fave websites.

BECAUSE I SAID SO - I have visited this site daily for the last year.

ThePioneerWoman.com - Also a laugh but totally love her stories about how she met "Marbolo Man"

Stampotique Originals: Penney Torrente - I love these unusual stamps from Torrente

Stampin' With Markie's Mom - she has some super projects of things I would love to make if I ever had that much time

My life...just not on the road I expected (but it's still dang good). - she teaches the photography class I want to take.

More 6x6 Convention Swaps

Here are the other 2 6x6 swaps I made for the Quick and Easy swap I hosted at convention. These are both super easy to make and look really cute when you add pics to them.

Recipe: Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise Ink: Tempting Turquoise Accessories: It's Beautiful Jumbo Wheel, White Gel pen and White Ribbon.

Recipe: Cardstock: Only Orange, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White and Real Red Accessories: Small Cello Bag, mini craft sticks, glue dots, and ribbon.

Open House Reminder

Just a quick reminder that my open house will be Saturday. Stop by any time between 2pm and 4pm. Here is a sneak peak of the 3 projects you can make.

Just for coming you will not only get a chance to see our new catalog but get to see and play with the Big Shot!! I can't wait to get my order!! I have also made a free gift for everyone who stops by. Hope to see you on Saturday. If you can't make it but would like a catalog or to place and order just email me.

Resistible Dragonfly

I am glad the Bug and Kisses made it for one more catalog (many more too I hope), it is one of my favorite sets!! I made this card for a convention swap on SCS called ten minutes to terrific. Basically the rules were to make a card that would take less then ten minutes but still using a technique and still be a wow card. This type of card is right up my alley. I want to make cards that look great but don't take up my whole day. I took my favorite dragonfly from the Bugs and Kisses set and did the crayon resist technique. With this color scheme it wold also be a good male type card. So what do you think?

Recipe: Cardstock: Garden Green, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, and Glossy White ink: Garden Green, Certainly Celery, and Old Olive Accessories: crayon, Dimensionals, Brayer, and Jumbo Eyelets

New Look and More news from convention

So I figured since this is the day for all new things (new catalog, new stamps sets, new accessories) that I would update my blog a little bit. I changed the header and added some things to my sidebar. Do you all like the changes??

If you notice on my side bar there is a new pic link of the new items SU! is going to carry ... the BIG SHOT. I still can't believe we are going to be carrying the Big Shot and accessories. I gasped when they announced it at convention!! I am going to order mine today along with some of the new fab stamp sets. If you click on the big shot picture it will take you to the catalog of all the Big Shots products we carry. Happy stampning!

Open House

Come check out the new 2008-2009 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog during my Bi-Annual Open House. In the new Idea Book you will find dozens of new stamp sets and accessories, along with samples on each page to help get your creative juices running. You can purchase your copy today or get one free by signing up for a workshop. You will be able to create projects using our newly released Stamp Sets. Just for stopping by everyone will receive a free gift and have a chance to win a door prize (pictured at the right). Specially marked books will recieve a special gift with their next order. So come on over, join the fun and check out our new products. If you would like more information just click the email me button to the right and I will be glad to share the details.

Convention Goodies

I'm still trying to catch up from being gone for two weeks so I will still be sharing stuff from convention. I'm not really sure what possessed me to take that much time off ... and as soon as I return to work it's going to be even worse. BUT at least I had a blast while I was gone!!

Here is all the goodies I got for going to convention!! Who doesn't love getting free rubber?!?!? Not to mention the Fall and Winter Idea Book & Catalog!! I can't wait to be able to order on the 11th. There a TON of news sets that I absolutely need. I also picked up the Spanish Supplement catalog with has a bunch of sets for the Spanish market. Which I LOVE being Hispanic and all.

The Thanks Blessings Love on the right hand side is Decor Elements and will be available in phase 2 of the DE line. At the general session on the first day this Shadow box was made. I was really surprised in how fast this project was. You could totally redecorate your entire house in less than half a day. After this segment they announced that anyone wearing a yellow wrist would band would be getting one to take home!! Of course I was screaming and jumping up and down. I am going to make this exact project to hang up for Thanksgiving just as soon as a get a Micheal's coupon for a shadow box that is. This would be really easy to change out for Christmas too ... ahh the possibilities.

I'm a Display Board Celebrity

... well I'd like to think I am. I actually had a project make the display boards at convention!! I was way excited to see it up on the wall. Of course it took me until the last day to notice it was even there!! I decided to take a couple of pictures of it and I have to tell you I am a FANTASTIC photographer!! You'll just love to see all of convention shot blurs and all! How's that for memories ... maybe if I was drunk it would look perfect. I did manage to get one decent shot of it in the grouping it was in. So here it is

It is the planner hanging in the upper right side. Those of you who belong to the SuFriends group should remember this planner as it was the one I made for you all in our Christmas Gift swap. I sent this project in for a contest last year at Christmas time, I didn't win but at least it was kept.

If I would have brought my real digital camera ... my fabulous SLR D80 from Nikon I wouldn't have pictures of my planner that look this. Believe it our not this one is much more in focus then others I took. But I didn't want to lug around my "real" camera so these blurry pictures are just going to have to do.

This was definitely one of my favorite projects I made so it was a pleasant surprised to see it up in lights!!