This one is for the Shoebox Swap

This is probably the card I struggled with the most. You see, it needs to be worthy of a very special group of top-notch stampers! I design it, cut everything out, pack up all the supplies and let the ladies loose! Meaning: I didn't need to make a bunch of these, just pack up everything so others can make it!!....that's why it's called a "shoebox swap!"

I really should have used a brand-new set from the brand-new catalog for this "swap," but try as I might, I just couldn't come up with anything I was happy with. BUT, it does feature one of the new In Colors: Pacific Point. More greenish than Brilliant Blue, but definitely different than Not Quite Navy, this is truly a lovely color. And I just LOVE it with Close to Cocoa, don't you?!! Add in a dash of Chocolate Chip...it's the new black, you know!....and I was finally happy with the end product!

Stamps: Fabulous Flowers, Twill Background

Inks: Versamark, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Carmel

CS: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Pacific Point

Misc: Clear Embossing Powder, 1/8" Punch, Clear Crystal Brad (from Pretties Kit), Dimensional, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon

The central flower on this card was stamped with Versamark ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder...the flower then turned a wonderful rich, navy-ish hue. Notice the inside flower that is cut and raised...it's really a part of the same flower, which was stamped a second time and embossed.

I'm off to Convention!

I've been very lucky because I've gone to the SU Convention since the very first year that I signed on to be a demonstrator. Now my family expects me to go....and I can't very well disappoint them, now can I?!! LOL!! But, getting ready for Convention is not like getting ready for just any trip....there's shopping for the proper clothing, of course......getting in enough supplies to make swaps and then MAKING THEM!.....and then the normal, packing, getting the family ready for my absence....... Well, you get the picture!

The real difference in preparing to go to Salt Lake City...where the SU Convention will be held this year....is planning and making SWAPS! So, that means lots and lots and lots of stamping!! Different than past visits to the land of the Stampin'Up! Convention is that I now participate in just a few planned swaps. Typically...and this is the way I received my swaps for many of my convention trips....is something called "general swapping." What this means is that as soon as you leave your hotel room and you run into another demonstrator, you had better have those swaps in hand and ready to swap! It can get a little crazy.....I've actually seen demonstrators running down the street to swap! BUT, as I mentioned, I've opted just to participate in a few group swaps.....after all, how many swaps do I really NEED to come home with?!!

So, with all that said, I'm sharing the first swap that I made for this year's event. This is a very special group of ladies....this group was put together just after Convention last year and I was invited to join. I'm thrilled and honored to be a part of this very special group! AND I'm really very happy with this card. Have you ever created a project and when it came together, you just fall in love with it? Well, this card did it for me. I've created 4 different swaps, but this one is my favorite! (Hope the ladies like it half as much as I do!)

Stamps: Always, Twill Background

Ink: Chcolate Craft & Classic, Sage Shadow Craft & Classic, Creamy Carmel

CS: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Carmel, Sage Shadow

Misc: Clear Embossing Powder, 1/4" Round Punch, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Mni Glue Dot

NOTE: The bird (don't you just love this image?!!) is embossed; the little green circle flower added to his belly is also embossed and adhered with a Mni Glue Dot.

One Last Card.....

before I leave! Needed to make a quick thank you. What did I say recently about not owning many non-SU stamps?!! Well, I really don't, but I do have a few! Everything on this quick card is SU...except the stamps! Used the last of my Soft Sky CS on this card! BooHoo! Gonna miss that color!! (I do have a few scraps left, but no more whole sheets.)

Stamps: Many Thanks by Printworks; Silouette Corner by Hero Arts
Inks: Blue Bayou
CS: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky DSP
Misc: Horizontal Punch, Double Stitched Ribbon in Blue Bayou

This card took me 5 minutes....really! I loved this corner silhouette stamp when I saw it and it's differenet that anything I own from SU....although it kind of resembles Essence of Love from the last Mini....and you KNOW I how I loved that one! Hopefully, there will be some silhouette-type stamps awaiting us in the SU new catalog!! Can't wait to see what the catalog has in store for us!!

One of my Convention Swaps

This is probably my last post before I leave for Convention. There's still tons of stuff to do, although my swaps are all done now! (Thank goodness!!) I have a few posts scheduled for you while I'm away in Salt Lake, and then on vacation, so, please come back and visit.....you won't even know I'm gone!

This sweet little lamb is just adorable, isn't he?....and I couldn't resist him! He is stamped in Basic Black Craft ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. His little heart is simply colored in with the Real Red Marker and for his face, I used the Going Gray Marker and my Aqua Pen. The the little frame was created with the Basic Black Marker.....lots of markers on this one!! LOL

The background was created with the jumbo wheel, Sweet Stars....this was on special a couple of months ago along with Pun Fun, so naturally, I needed to purchase it! After all, who can resist a sale?!! Oh, and check out the "rick rack" in Real Red across the card....created with the fabulous, brand-new Scallop Edge Punch. This punch will soon be available to all....in the soon to be released catalog.

One last thing to show you....did you notice the greeting? That is actually part of the same stamp, but was cut away and mounted separately on the wood block. This was stamped in Basic Gray ink onto Going Grey CS....but, because it is so tiny, cutting it would be difficult......so, I punched it out with the Word Window Punch and just cut off the rounded ends. That made it easy!

Stamps: Pun Fun, Sweet Stars Jumbo Wheel

Inks: Basic Gray*, Basic Black Craft

CS: Whisper White, Going Gray, Basic Gray, Real Red

Markers: Real Red, Basic Black, Going Gray

Misc: Aqua Pen, Scallop Edge Punch, Word Window Punch, Clear Embossing Powder

*Used Basic Gray re-inker in a blank jumbo cartridge.

Christmas in July.....Blog Challenge #57

....AND another in my Good-Bye Series!

This week was easy! I actually made this card last month for a Christmas in July swap that my upline hosted. This card is easy....as all holiday cards should be! After all, if we are going to mass produce them, they need to be fairly simple, don't you think? If they have 50 steps, you'll never get past the first card!! Or worse, simply won't finish (and send) those holiday cards!!

So, this features one of my very favorite Christmas/Holiday sets....and this set is one that I am truly going to miss! In fact, I probably will not part with it...so you just may see something else created with it here.

The evergreen spray....is it misletoe or holly? I have no idea!...just know that it's pretty and it looks nice on this card! Anyway, it was simply stamped into the Always Artichoke ink then the berries were colored with the Bravo Burgundy marker then stamped....and stamped again. That's how the 2-tone look was created. Although the greeting, Peaceful Wishes does not show up really, really well on screen, it does in person. It was simply stamped onto the stamped Always Artichoke background in Gold Encore....and, no, it is NOT embossed!

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes, Flannel Plaid

Inks: Always Artichoke, Gold Encore, Bravo Burgundy (for sponging)

CS: Natural Ivory, Always Artichoke

Misc: Sponge, Bravo Burgundy Marker, Bravo Burgundy Narrow Grosgrain

Don't forget to take a little time to stop by and visit some of my sister bloggers. They are all so talented that it's always a special treat when you stop by and visit any one of them!

Blog Challenge #55 -- Color Combo

WOW! This is a color combo that was just a "bit" difficult for me to put together!! The color combination we were to use was:

Regal Rose, Sahara Sand, Really Rust, Mellow Moss, Bayou Blue and we could use some Vanilla or White

Well, once I figured out what I was going to do (use a brand new stamp preview set!), I took the liberty of changing out the Bayou Breeze to the brand-new upcoming In Color, Baja Blue....so pretty! Because this combination was one I wasn't entirely comfortable with, I kept the card simple, which really shows off the WOW Flowers set. Cute set, don't you think? Easy to use, inexpensive, and best of all....DIE CUT! Yes, that's right! Die cut...you can mount and use the set in just a few minutes!! So, what do you think? Are you like me.....I can't wait for the new catalog to come out!!

Stamps: Twill Background, WOW Flowers

Inks: Mellow Moss, Really Rust, Regal Rose, Baja Breeze, Sahara SandCS: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Mellow Moss, Really Rust, Regal Rose, Baja Blue

Misc: Regal Rose & Really Rust Markers (for coloring the White Grosgrain Ribbon), White Grosgrain and Mellow Moss Narrow Grosgrain, Basic Black Marker, Paper Piercer (from Tool Kit), 1 3/8" Square Punch, Clear Crystal Brads (from Pretties Kit)

Ok, now I'm off to visit some of the other Bloggers'.....can't wait to see what they've done with this "interesting" color combo! Come join me......there's bound to be some awsome entries!

So Sad to Say Good Bye!

After creating these 2 cards, I really cannot tell you why I have not used this set very much....it has sadly sat mostly neglected on my shelf. It really is a beautiful set and now that I've made these 2 cards, I just may play with it some more....it makes the most gorgeous cards!! Artfully Asian is the set featured today in the Good-Bye Series. Both these cards were created with the same set, yet are so very different!

The first card features some Hodgepodge Hardware in Aged Copper....another item going into retirement! (Don't forget to purchase your very own set at the specially discounted price.....while supplies last!!....currently 25% off the original catalog price.) Also featutured in this card are 2 retiring In Colors, Groovy Guava and River Rock. Honestly, I cannot tell you that I fell in love with all the In Colors this past catalog year, but Groovy Guava has been a year long favorite and River Rock has lately become a top choice....both will be very much missed!

Ok, the deets!......The leaves were colored in with the blender pen and ink off the lid; the White Taffeta Ribbon was "dyed" with River Rock ink and a sponge; the edges of the Whisper White CS were sponged with River Rock.

Stamps: Artfully Asian, Weathered

Inks: Basic Brown, Groovy Guava, Close to Cocoa

CS: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Groovy Guava, River Rock

Misc: Blender Pen, Large Oval Punch, White Taffeta Ribbon, Antique Copper Hodge Podge, Paper Piercer (Tool Kit)

This 2nd version is so pretty....if I may say so! Unfortunately, I don't think you can see the detail on screen......the floral sprays were stamped in Basic Black ink, and colored in with markers. The flowers were colored using Blush Blossom with a hint of Regal Rose in the center and then just a smidge of Dazzling Diamonds was added to the center of each flower.....in reall life they just seem to jump off the page! Oh, and the scallop at the bottom of the card was created with the brand-new, just-received-it-today, going-to-be-in-the-new-catalog Scallop Edge Punch!!!! It will just be so wonderful to finally punch an edge quickly and easily....instead of using the Corner Edge Punch for each and every scallop!! (Still works...different size....just slower!!)

Stamps: Artfully Asian

Inks: Basic Black

CS: Whisper White, Blush Blossom, Mellow Moss

Misc: Dimensionals; Basic Black Narrow Grosgrain; Blush Blossom, Regal Rose & Mellow Moss Markers; Quickie Glue Pen*, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

*Non SU

NOTE: Some In-Color supplies are already beginning to sell out....the Double Stitched Ribbon is no longer available. So, if you wish to stock up on YOUR In Color supplies, don't wait!!

Oh, and yes, your eyes are not deciving you....this 2nd card IS a bit crooked!....No matter how I tried, I just could not manage to get that card to scan straight!!

Bloggers' Challenge #55...and Another Good-Bye

It's been a busy week....with Convention only a few short weeks away, like many, I'm in a stamping frenzy trying to prepare. (Translation: stamping swaps!) Added to that, I've been making my son's engagement party invites and we had house guests this weekend. Whew! Wasn't so sure I'd be able to participate, but here I am.

Now, mind you, this week's edition is so very simple! Going buggy was the theme....but, I don't really have any sets with bugs. So, last night, when everyone had gone to bed, I whipped this card up....but, does a frog really qualify as a "bug?" Probably not, but this guy was always so cute AND it fit into my Good-Bye Series since Unfrogettable will retire shortly. This is actually an engagement card...and although the images are from SU, the embellishments are not....check out the googly eyes and the "jewels" in the crown!

Stamps: Unfrogettable, Weathered, Fundamental Phrases
Inks: Green Galore and Pitch Black/Adirondack by Ranger
CS: Whisper White, Basic Black, Summer Sun, Gable Green
Misc: Paper Piercer (from Tool Kit), Basic Black Mini Brads, Googly Eyes (adhered using Crystal Effects), Sparkle Stickers by Stampendous, Copic Markers to color in images ( Y17 Golden Yellow, YG11 Mignonette, YG03 Yellow Green, W1 Warm Gray), Basic Black Grosgrain
NOTE: All materials are from SU unless otherwise noted

Well, since a frog doesn't r-e-a-l-l-y qualify as a bug, I quickly came up with another card just a short while ago....right after everyone left; but, I really need to apologize for the simplicity of this card! Guess I'm tired out and kind of brain dead....meaning, I couldn't come up with anything really creative....however, almost everything on this card is soon to be retired. AND a butterfly IS a bug, right?!!

Stamps: Sweet Shapes, Fundamental Phrases
Inks: River Rock, Groovy Guava, Ruby Red
CS: River Rock, Groovy Guava, Whisper White
Misc: Ginger Blossoms DSP, Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon

NOTE: All stamps used on both these cards will retire....with the exception of Fundamental Phrases; River Rock and Groovy Guava are In-Colors and shortly be replaced with new colors; the Groovy Guava Ribbon and background paper will also retire.

One other thing.....everything on this 2nd card is from SU...somehow the copyright disappeared!

Ok! Now, it's time to visit and see what the other Bloggers' have been up to...come on and join me, won't you?!!

Good-Bye Series....Again!

Oh, my! This week just kind of got away from me! Good thing I didn't promise to post a sample featuring a retired set every day.....I surely could not keep that promise!!

But, here I am.....back again. So sorry that it has been so long. Today's card was made with the beautiful Touched by Nature. So pretty....so elegant.....earthy.....detailed....

what's not to love?!! I'm working with a group of ladies who want to learn to stamp; and this month, the theme is masking.......this card was designed for them. Haven't used this masking technique in awhile.....it's perfect with this set, don't you think?

The flower was colored in with the SU markers. These detailed stamps show you just how to shade....use the darker marker (in this case Ruby Red) on the more detailed, or shaded areas; and the rest was colored in with Cameo Coral. The center colors are Summer Sun and Creamy Carmel....then the Aqua Pen was used to soften and slightly blend the colors. Easy.....for a novice group!

Stamps: Touch of Nature, Sincere Salutations
Inks: Always Artichoke (for the fern and sponging along the side), Jet Black StazOn
Markers: Summer Sun, Creamy Carmel, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Mellow Moss
CS: Natural White, Ruby Red, Always Artichoke
Misc: Aqua Pen, Always Artichoke Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon

Blog Challenge #54....AND Say Good-Bye Series

Happy 4th! No, sorry this post is not patriotic, but is going to do double duty: fits the blog Challenge and fits into the Say Good-Bye Series that I began earlier this week.....haven't used this set in awhile, but always liked it....and it's soon retiring!

The Challenge this week was Color Blocking....and I have to admit, it's something I'm not really very good at, but I gave it a go. This pink "beauty" was inspired by a card I saw briefly in the newest edition of Paper Crafts, which I don't think has hit the newsstands.....but those who subscribe already have it in their possession. My girlfriend shared it over dinner the other night and when I saw this card, I just knew I had to CASE it. Well, my feeble old brain has surely distorted what I originally saw, so this is my version!

Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, White Craft, Basic Gray

CS: Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Whisper White

Misc: 1/2" Round Punch, White Taffeta Ribbon, Horizontal Slot Punch

Don't forget to visit the other participating bloggers! Some took the holiday weekend off from blogging, but there is still plenty to see. Have a safe holiday!

Still Saying Good Bye!

Since I am off from work today, it's easier to squeeze in some extra time to create and post! Today's card is another edition in the Good Bye series.....it is also a sample that we'll be creating at my Stampers' Club meeting next week. The theme of our get-together this month is embossing, so this card features just that! Like yesterday's card, this is another easy one. Isn't it great when we can accomplish two things at one time?!!

Each flower/circle image was stamped in Chcolate Chip Craft, embossed with the Clear Embossing Powder and then punched out with the 1 3/8" Square Punch. Then the cute little mini brads were added to the center, but since I am out of the SU Bashful Blue mini brads, I used these instead. Not as great a color match, they are by Making Memories. (The Chocolate Chip looks a bit washed out on screen.....in real life, the images are a rich brown, nice and shiny.)

The background of this card AND the main focal points are both sets that will retire. Will miss both, but especially the Dotted Background! (I LOVE my background stamps!!) Oh, and the little mini brads in the center of each flower are not SU since I was just about out of the Bashful Blue mini brads. These work, but are not as great a match as the SU issue brads.....the color doesn't blend with our Bashful Blue as well.

Stamps: Seeing Spots, Dotted, Stem Sayings

Inks: Chocolate Chip Craft & Classic, Bashful Blue

CS: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow, Cameo Coral

Misc: Wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Blue Mini Brads from Making Memories, Clear Embossing Powder, Paper Piercer (from Tool Kit)

Until next time, keep on stampin'!

Say Good Bye Series

It won't be long now before some of our favorite stamp sets retire. So, I'm going to try to regularly post some samples of sets that we'll be saying good-bye to......so, look for these postings a few times a week during the month of July....until I go to Convention. (I'd like to say everyday, but I know that won't happen!)

Today's card is simple and easy. Although I love elaborate cards, when I need a card to send, like you, I'm often pressed for time. So, simple is usually the way to go! Check out this sample.....features Soft Sky and Blue Bayou. I'm so going to miss these colors when they go!

Stamps: Three for You, Twill

Inks: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky

CS: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky

Misc: Silver Mini Brads, Paper Piercer (Tool Kit), Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon

Just a friendly reminder to stock up now on re-inkers and cardstock for these fabulous In-Colors.....remember, they are retiring, too!