A fun shirt

I checked my email and received a message from a friend who said for me to look at a shirt online. At first I thought it was just a scam to get me to click, but after some investigating, I discovered it was all legit. When I clicked on the link, this is the shirt my friend chose for me. I LOVE IT! I may just have to buy it! I will admit I'm guilty of one of the comments, but the others make me laugh too!

In case you can't read it, it says:

you use stamp cleaner as household cleaner.

you know that McGuiver would still be on TV if he just would have had glue dots.

you don't need eyeshadow when you have SU's 49 exclusive ink colors and glitter.

the family eats off of TV trays because you have been working on convention swaps on your dining room table for 2 months.

when you get pulled over for speeding, you hand the trooper a mini catalog and ask him if he'd like to hostess a workshop.

A card for me!

It isn't very often that a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator receives a homemade card from someone, let alone someone from our home office in Utah. But I did, and am especially happy to share it. It was sent to me by a man named Rett who is actually my own personal cheerleader! Don't get those very often in a job.

What I love is that this card is super simple, but also super cute!

I like how the Chocolate Chip is combined to show off how awesome it looks with some Bashful Blue. The "Circle Circus" stamp set is also one on my wish list, which was used to make the middle of the flower. I just like how simple it is to make a card by adding a few circles stamped and then punched out. What a time saver!

And let's not forget to admire the "Modern Label" punch! Such a cute little punch and easy to include words from my "Little Bitty Words" stamp set.

Thanks to Rett for thinking of me. Now for me to return the favor and create a card for him! A thank you card for the thank you card!

Busy week!

WHEW! So glad this week has finally come to an end. Now time to enjoy my time and my family!

Had a wonderful time with a good friend on Tuesday, who came over to spend some time to learn a new technique while on her lunch break. I must say...I was AMAZED at how well-behaved my children were. Anyway, so I told my friend to pick something she wanted to make, and she decided to learn how to create some boxes she can make for some of her Relay For Life events. Being a demo means access to some great templates, so here is what we made. This box is very small, but perfect to hold some little items, such as a charm. This was a super fast project, created in less than 30 min, and we had fun doing it! I also promised her I would show her how to use her piercing tool, so I added in a little circle punch, stamped and pierced with the piercing tool and mat.

The color paper we chose was Certainly Celery and a shade of red which I'm not sure what it is to be honest. ;)

The ink we chose was Whisper White.

The stamp set was Elements of Style.

We of course had to add some texture with the Big Shot with use of a texture plate.

This 3-D project is something that is super easy, fast, and something you can apply to any size box. Great way to personalize a gift for the holidays.

A Week Filled with Stamping

I am so looking forward to this week! I have some exciting events coming up and I can't wait to get the chance to stamp with such amazing people! It all started today with my second mom. I went and saw her and taught her how to use the emboss resist technique to make some great Christmas cards with a snowflake stamp and sponges. She loved it so much and has realized what I've known all along...the VersaMark is a MUST for any stamper! After spending the day with her today, tomorrow I get to enjoy some time with a friend during her lunch break. She is always saying how she goes by my house, which is right by her work, and thinks how much she would like to come over and stamp. I told her she is welcome and so we set up a "play date." Can't wait to show her a new technique or two that she could use. I know she will LOVE to get a sneak peek at the new Holiday Mini. What is there not to love?!

Wednesday is a full day of stamping. It starts with a friend who is coming to my house to create a gift for her mother. We are going to use a 12 x 12 canvas to create a scrapbook page. That brings me to my picture. Since I had never created a canvas page before, I decided I would use my daughter's three year pictures. Now the other kids are jealous, so I will have to do the same for them. Being a perfectionist means there are some things I would've liked to have done differently and added, but this will do. My daughter LOVES it, and that is all that matters.

The paper colors I used are Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, and Garden Green.

The ink colors I used are Tempting Turquoise and VersaMark.

The stamp sets I used are Priceless and With All my Heart.

I used the Big Shot and my Beautiful Butterflies die, as well as Little Leaves.

I also included my retired Chit Chat Rub-ons.

Since I have so many events this week, there is much more to come! Come back again to see what my friends and I create!!!!

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Had a birthday party last week and I decided that I wanted to try a bit of punch art. I just love how this little girl turned out! I actually CASEd the idea from a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in Australia. Her name is Julianas. I did change it a bit and add a little of my own thing, including the Shimmer Paint, which I'm absolutely obsessed with!!!! I have to admit that this was a last minute card, so there isn't anything else to it except the little girl. But it would be super easy to just add borders with border punches, some designer series paper, and/or even an embossed background.

I will be trying my hand at some other punch art and will post it when I have it done. I like how easy it is to create animals and people with punches. Really makes it easy on us non artistic people! Not to be confused with creative people, because that I am!

The punches I used are the scallop circle, circle, square, tag, and curly label.

The paper colors I used are Real Red, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla, and Lavender Lace (retired).

I can't seem to make a card anymore without the assistance of my Big Shot, so I cut out the flower in her hair from the Floral Fusion and added a Clear Brad in the center.

The stamp set I used is Itty Bitty Words.

The ink pad I used is Rich Razzleberry.

I had a good time coming up with how to put this little girl together and would love to share how she's made with anyone!

The Three C's

What are the three c's exactly? Camera, cord, and creating! First my camera died and the flash wouldn't work, then the cord to my USB port wouldn't work, so that meant no pictures could be uploaded to my computer! This wasn't going to stop me from CREATING!

I took the time to make some pretty awesome cards for some pretty awesome people! The first one is one I made for a good friend of mine who recently went through a tough time in her life. She lost a loved one, and I wanted to let her know I'm here for her and love her bunches! Not to mention how much I appreciate her protecting me from that cricket that jumped out at me from my Stampin' Up! box! That's another story for another time. (If you saw Kimberly's reaction on her video, then you can just apply that reaction to this situation.)

My friend purchased a new catalog from me and was admiring a lot of the new stamp sets. I of course had to point out my favorite ones. We both agreed that the "Elements of Style" is simply wonderful! Though I like the flower, my friend admired the swirly with floral. She also commented on how she liked the bird with the image inside of it. I of course knew I had to use those stamps to create a card.

The paper colors I used are Bravo Burgundy, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, and Cajun Craze.

The ink colors I used are Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron, and Cajun Craze.

The tools I used are the Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, and the Eyelet Border Punch.

I added some Champagne Shimmer Paint to rubbing alcohol and put it in a little spray bottle so I could spray the entire card when I was finished. This gave it the sparkly look that you can somewhat see in this picture. Ever since I've learned that technique, I've added to it almost every card I've created, just to add a little something. Maybe that will become my signature with my cards!

Thanks to my upline, Jenny, who gave me the idea for the design.

I love this card so much I will be using it for my next workshop!

A Little Setiment

I made this little card to put inside of a purse (see next blog post) I made for a workshop hostess. I wanted the card to match the purse, so I included everything on the card that was on the purse.

The stamp set I used is "Three Little Words."

The paper colors are Very Vanilla and Cherry Cobbler.

The ink colors I used are Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, and Old Olive.

I also added a Clear Brad, Very Vanilla Ribbon (which is in there with use of the Horizontal Slit Punch that is now retired), and Perfect Polka Dots Folder.

Thanks sis!

This post is for my sister, who just left Michigan to head back home in Iowa. We miss her so much already! She came home for the first time in two years and we were so glad she did! While she was home, I introduced her to stamping and my business, and she was so helpful to me as I prepared for a workshop! Maybe I will make it to Iowa sometime to teach her AND her friends how to stamp!

I had a workshop last week and had a blast! I featured this Top Note Purse for my hostess as a gift. I also made one in Tempting Turquoise for my Door Prize. Inside there was everything a woman would want: chocolate, a compliment, and a stamp. I decided to make this purse because my hostess sells Miche Bags, and this purse made a great little holder for her business cards! This purse was CASEd from another demonstrator named Becky Roberts. She included the full directions on her website, but I went with my own colors and design. My purse is nowhere as fancy and cute as her polka dot purse! I will be definitely making me a purse for my business cards!

The colors I used are Very Vanilla and the new Cherry Cobbler.

The dies I used are the Scallop Circle, Top Note, and Perfect Polka Dots Folder.

The Clear Brad was a way for me to add a little sparkle, which I almost always add to my cards and projects. The ribbon is Very Vanilla and is put in with the now retired Horizontal Slit Punch.

Workshop Card

Got a workshop this week on Thursday and I will be showing off my Big Shot. What better way to do that than by creating a card using the Big Shot. I love how I was able to feature the different style dies we offer. I included as many of them as I could! This card is super fast and simple. Just sandwich, turn, and glue. Not sure what I mean? Then you really need to invite me and my Big Shot over for a private class!

The paper colors I used are Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Real Red, Whisper White, and Old Olive.

The ink I used is VersaMark.

The stamp pad I used is With all my Heart, which coordinates wonderfully with the Fancy Flower Punch.

The dies I used are Top Note (my favorite and most used die, a MUST HAVE!), Perfect Polka Dots (another one of my favorite background dies and MUST HAVE!), Background 1 Texture Template, Little Leaves, and Beautiful Wings Embosslit (LOVE IT!).

Did I fail to mention that this Big Shot can cut up to 8 pieces of fabric as well?! It is super easy and saves lots of time. Next year's Relay For Life booth will feature many of my fabric ideas with the Big Shot, including purses, pins, flowers, and quilt squares. Can't wait another year to see these? Let's book a class on how to make 'em!

Inspiration from a Punch

Stampin' Up! has a new punch available with a scallop design on both sides. It is called the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch. I decided I would attempt to get the same effect with my favorite punch, the Scallop Trim Border Punch. I of course had to use my new stamp set that I just got today, "Elements of Style."

The paper colors I used are Rich Razzleberry and Crumb Cake.

The ink I used is Early Espresso.

The outside edge is made with my Scallop Trim Corner Punch, which coordinates with the Scallop Trim Border Punch. I sure hope Sale-a-Bration gets here fast so I can get another great punch for FREE! Gotta get through the holidays first!

It Finally Arrived!

Did I mention the awesome perks of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator? Not only do I receive awesome savings and get paid to stamp, but I also get free stuff!
I just recently joined a program through Stampin' Up! and am given assignments to complete each week. Yes, that's right, stamping school! :) I completed an assignment and was entered into a drawing to win a FREE stamp set of my choice. Although I debated getting the most expensive stamp set on my wish list, I decided to go with the stamp set I wanted the most. It is called "Elements of Style" and is a great stamp set to use just to stamp something quick and fill up the card. No layering or fancy stuff required. This stamp set speaks for itself.
I was so excited I received my free gift, I was like the guy from "The Christmas Story." I had to show it off right away. But don't worry, my gift is much more appropriate than a giant leg lamp. Love that movie! Makes me laugh everytime!
Back to my story now: My daughter told me the UPS man came, I ran to the door, ripped open the package, and immediately put the stamp set together. I then made my way down to the dungeon AKA: My Stamping Room. (It's in the basement.) The first card I created demonstrates how easy this stamp set can create an elegent card with just paper and an ink pad. Although I did more to the card, it could've been made without all the bells and whistles.
The paper colors I used are Early Espresso and Crumb Cake. Both are apart of our new Color Renovation.
The ink colors I used are Early Espresso and Soft Suede.
I sponged the outside of the Crumb Cake paper with Soft Suede ink. The hummingbird is Early Espresso ink, but I stamped off first to make it lighter. After using VersaMark with Early Espresso ink, clear embossing powder, and a heat gun on the floral part, I colored in the leaves with an Aqua Painter and Old Olive ink. Although you can't see it, the flowers are colored in with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint. I really like adding some sparkle to my cards.
This card was CASEd from Cathy North.

Here's Another One

This is another card I made for one of my friends, who wrote me a letter of recommendation and has been a wonderful support for me lately. This lady is one of my customers who purchased the paper piercer, so I wanted to be sure to include that technique on the card. I love using my mat pack and paper piercer to add just a little something to the card! My favorite thing about this stamp set, "Charming" is how it offers the background stamp that goes perfectly behind little images, such as the flower that is included in the set.

The paper colors are Regal Rose, Real Red, and Chocolate Chip. The ink colors are Crumb Cake, VersaMerk, and Real Red. Crumb Cake is one of my new favorite colors! It is as delicious as it sounds! The brad is actually from the retired set, but I thought it looked alright and I gotta use 'em up!

Design CASEd from Vera Stamps.