First Stampin' UP! Order

My first Stampin' Up order arrived a little "wet" last week.  At least that is what the UPS man said when he gave it to me.  Looked like it got dropped into a huge puddle.  I was a bit concerned that something might be missing out of that big hole or damaged due to the soggy box, but only 2 cases were broken, and nothing appears too damaged.  (Stampin' Up did a good job of packaging, thankfully)

  It was so exciting to get my first package full of stuff with an additional 10% off on top of the regular 20% discount demonstrators get, because it was my first order.  Even though I still haven't played with everything that was in my starter kit on Christmas Day. 

Just look at some of the things that fit in that little box!  Can you spot some of my new "goodies".    One of the other "perks" of being a demonstrator is I was able to order early from the new Occasions Mini catalog being released next week.   SU even gave me free Sale-A-Bration items for every $50 I spent.  (I won't tell you how many $50's I spent, but let's just say Merry Christmas to me, and thank you to our parents for sending me $$$ for Christmas.)  Sale-A-Bration doesn't even start until the end of January.  The more I explore this company the more I like it.  I had to hide the items that haven't been released yet, because I'm not supposed to show them on my blog until they are.  ;) 

The first thing I did after opening everything up and getting a tad bit OVERWHELMED was to clean up my creative space and find places to put things away.  You can see I started with the ribbon since I got the Ribbon Keepers on clearance.  Once I had regained some counter space I was able to make a card, then I had my kids and husband come look at how clean my side of the hobby room was before I made a big mess again.  :)

Come back tomorrow to see how I am storing my punches.

P.S.  The Ribbon Keeper storage system is currently on the clearance rack in my Stampin' UP! store.  If you want one for yourself you should get it now, before they are sold old.  I've decided I need to order another set of Medium and one of Large. 

Ribbon Keeper

Easy Events

When I first saw this technique of wrapping bakers twine around the corners of cardstock that had been punch with a corner ticket punch, I wanted to buy one of those punches.  Of course, I kept forgetting to order the punch. Finally I remembered to order it, and when I logged onto the SU demonstrator website I saw a really cute card using this technique and a strip of Wild Wasabi Striped Grograin Ribbon.  I was going to copy it exactly, but I don't have the Wild Wasabi (green) Striped Grograin Ribbon.  (Guess what is going on my next order.  :)

In true creative fashion, I improvised.  I used some paper that had the wild wasabi color in and cut it into a strip, and tied a knot around the top.   Then I popped my focal image using dimensionals.  Super quick and easy, but it looks like a lot of work.

To create the focal image I stamped the image in Early Espresso onto Whisper White cardstock.  I used Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo and Early Espresso markers along with a blender pen to color in the image.  I layered the White cardstock onto Wild Wasabi cardstock, then added another Whisper White Mat, and finally cut a Wild Wasabi mat and punched the corners together using my new Ticket Corner Punch.  Yes, that is 4 layers!  (Image, Green, White, Green)  The effect is so worth it though! 

Next I wrapped White Bakers Twine around all four sides and popped up the image using dimensionals.  If I ever figure out how to get my Tripod to hold my camera without falling over I'll film a video on how to do this.

Easy Event Clear Mount

Ticket Corner Punch 

Holly Berry DSP

CD Envelope

There is something so striking about the color combo of black, white and 1 other color.  If you are ever stuck for a color combo, try it.  For this CD holder I added pink to Black and White.  I also used a touch of grey.  Some of my favorite "other color"s are Red, Pink, Teal or Purple.

I made these CD holders on Tuesday and saw the Color Q challenge for this week was Black White and 1 other color.  I guess great minds think alike.  Click here for the challenge if you would like to play along.

In creating this holder I came up with several combinations.  Here are the final projects I will be giving away to my Bible study group soon.

And here is a picture of the holder open.  It's basically an envelope large enough to hold a CD/DVD.  I cut a piece of Velcro to hold the flap closed.

The scripture sentiment was printed from my computer. On Tuesdays Dee posts a free Ruby Tuesday Scripture.  Her scriptures are beautiful works of art that she graciously creates and shares.  Here is a link to this scripture freebie. 

Basic Rhinestones 

Blushing Bride Ribbon 

Cardstock

Corvette Christmas

Scott, my dear husband, got a Corvette for Mother's Day, Father's Day, his birthday AND Christmas this year.  LOL   I made him this paper album of some of the places we have gone in his shiny new Vette since we got it last May.  It was fun to make and look at all the things we have done.  We call it our date car because all summer long we would take it out for a date after dinner.  Mostly just driving around in our beautiful area.  It's a fun car to drive and ride around in.

Driving around Lake Crescent, WA.  LOVE the picture of me in front of the waterfall beside the road.  I didn't even know Scott was taking this picture.  I went across the road to get a better shot of the waterfall, and I was looking for cars before crossing back to the other side of the road.

Simple page, but I liked the double layer of ribbon wrapped around the page.  One of the fun things about making these "paper" albums is that I can add lots of embellishments!

I told my husband we could get the car if we could drive it to Ruby Beach (near Forks, WA) on the first sunny weekend. 

A little baker's twine adds a nice touch to these page.  When we went to Longbeach, WA we found a little store that sold Scrapbooks, Espresso and FUDGE!  Heaven on earth.  Ocean, Scrapbook and Chocolate, not to mention coffee to keep you going for those long crops.  I think I could live here.  :)  It was a cute little town.  We are going to take the kids here for a vacation soon. 

You can drive your car right onto the beaches here in Washington.  It still amazes me.  Of course, the Corvette didn't go on the beach.  :)  See the little picture of me?  I punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch, then punched out 2 more labels in white and layered them behind the picture.  I had a scrap of Silver Glimmer Paper punched out using the Modern Label Punch, so I just adhered it behind the picture. 

Sometimes simple is best.  This way the pictures are the star of the page.  I matted each photo in White.  The strips of Silver Glimmer paper were scraps from my Christmas cards that were laying on my table.  :)  They added just the right touch these pages.  Wish you could see how they sparkle and shine.

That is baker's twine wrapped around the swirly paper clip.  Fun little details were all over this scrapbook.



Bakers Twine

Basic Rhinestones

5/8" Satin Ribbon

1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

3/8" Taffeta Ribbon



White Pen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decorative Label Punch

Modern Label Punch

Red Glimmer Paper

Creative Christmas

When Scott asked what I wanted for Christmas I said "I want to sign up with Stampin' Up! to get their discount."   :)  I've been really enjoying making cards and 3-D projects.   There is so much I still want, but I was tired of paying full price.  He agreed to that.  ;)  The best part is that I was able to customize my starter kit!  How cool is that?  Among other things, I was able to choose 4 stamp set, 5 ink pads, 2 markers, 3 packs of paper, and even this wall art!  

Don't you love it!?!!  The hardest part was deciding which color I wanted.  They come in 3 sizes and 2 colors.  I went with the black because I had this magnetic frame I also wanted to put on my wall. 

Wall Decor

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

May I never forget the reason for the season.  Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

My 2011 Christmas Cards

I made several styles of Christmas cards this year.  Some were from classes and others were from clubs.  I found some online that I tried to copy, but ended up adding my own style.  Then there were the ones that I just pulled out some stamps and paper and started to create.  This card was my favorite of all my personal designs and what I planned to make for all my handmade cards this year....

In making them though I discovered a few things.

1. I started too late.  This was a simple design, but time consuming.  I either needed a quicker card or I should have started sooner.

2. When mass producing cards it is best to have easy to duplicate measurements. 

3.  Variety is the spice of life.  Making loads of the same design can turn that design from something you love to something you never want to create again.  Changing the colors or an element can make any project a little more interesting.

 Above is the original card I designed.  It uses Baja Breeze cardstock for the card base instead of just a layer onto Whisper White cardstock. I also stamped a background in Baja Breeze ink, but liked it better without that.  The original has Baja Breeze seam binding.  I forgot to add that layer to this last bunch of cards I made.  Which do you like better?

I also made a batch of these cards with Marina Mist.  I loved those too.  I planned on making it with Pool Party, but forgot to order that color ink in time.  DOH!  I may make this in Pool Party though with the matching ruffled ribbon because I think that would be pretty.

Suplies:
Ink: Baja Breeze, Versamark

Paper: Whisper White, Silver Glimmer, Baja Breeze

Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Christmas Lodge

Misc.: Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Silver Embossing Powder, Scallopped Eyelet Border Punch, Dimensionals, Glimmer Mist, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Artistic Etchings

Christmas Lodge



Baja Breeze

Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Snowmen Saying "Hi"

Here is another one of my favorite cards from Cindy's Holiday Class.  I almost kept this one to put out as decoration on my mantle or TV or end tables or shelf.  (Perhaps I should have talked to Cindy about making more than one.)  Then I thought about Nana.  She would not only love this "card", but she was likely to keep it and display it herself. 

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