Return of the Faux Wood Technique!

Revisiting an old technique, and always a favorite!  The Wednesday Technique class really enjoyed this old favorite!  Even better… the stamp sets used in this sample are both absolutely FREE when you host a book party or workshop with merchandise totals equal to $150.00 or more!

The faux wood technique is so much fun!  Dependent upon the inks and base cardstock used, you can create rich, dark wood planks or even golden hues!

The technique utilizes three classic ink colors (in this sample, all shades of brown) and Very Vanilla Craft Ink.   Each color was dragged across the cardstock using a corner of the classic ink pad… beginning with the lightest color, and migrating to darker tones.  Once the cardstock and ink are completely dry, the entire surface is dragged again with Very Vanilla Craft Ink.  A Stampin’ Write Journal Pen was used to draw in the planks at 3/4” intervals, and to add the nails.

Technique Supplies:

Cardstock:  Close to Cocoa

Classic Ink: 

• Creamy Caramel
• Close to Cocoa
• Chocolate Chip

Craft Ink:  Very Vanilla

Stampin’ Write Journal Pen

Card Making Supplies:

Stamps: 

• Country Morning (Hostess Level 1)
• Holiday Best (Hostess Level 1)

Cardstock: 

• Not Quite Navy
• Confetti White
• Close to Cocoa
• Old Olive

Classic Inks:

• Not Quite Navy
• Old Olive
• Bashful Blue
• Close to Cocoa
• Yo Yo Yellow

Other Supplies:

• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Aqua Painter
• Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon

Don’t forget to leave a comment… we’ve got some terrific blog candy to hand out to a lucky winner quite soon (see post dated November 11th for details!)

See you tomorrow… I’ve got some special gifting containers to share with you!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: faux wood,techniques class,stampin' up!,hostess sets,level 1,country morning,holiday best

Techniques Wednesday Sample Vellum Sparkle & Squish

At techniques class, we always do at least two techniques for the sample rings and cards using the technique too!

This is one of the cards we made on Wednesday, and it features the Vellum Sparkle & Squish technique.  I was trying to come up with something “different” for my gals and in the final hour it came into being!

Up close, the vellum feature on this card is kind of like looking through an antique glass window on a very sunny day, and directly into the trees.

Classic Ink Stampin’ Spots were used on the vellum.  The inks were applied by tapping and twisting, starting with the lightest of three colors.  After all three colors were applied, we lightly sprayed with Champagne Shimmer Mist, and then a clean layer of vellum was lightly placed atop the inked vellum to absorb excess ink. 

The wet paper was gently dried with an embossing gun, and then additional ink tap/twist layers were applied to both pieces.  Spraying one more time with Champagne Shimmer Mist (LIGHTLY)… and then allowed to dry a bit before gently coaxing to dry with a heat gun.

One of the inked vellum pieces was used for our sample ring, and the other was used on the card.  This is a messy technique, so attendees wore rubber gloves to protect their hands and skin… (hmmm… one of them could have used an apron too!)

Stampers on Wednesday also got a sneak peek of the new Sale-A-Bration and Occasion Mini Catalogs… I have to tell you they were quite impressed and can’t wait for the catalog release!

Technique Supplies: 

Classic Ink Stampin’ Spots: 

• Gable Green
• Old Olive
• Always Artichoke

Vellum Card Stock

Champagne Shimmer Paint Mist  (Instructions and supplies in THIS September 14th CreatedByU Post)

Supplies for Card:

Stamp Set:  Adorable Parc (the Hispanic version of Pendant Park)

Card Stock: 

• Confetti White
• Close to Cocoa
• Vellum

Classic Ink: 

• Old Olive
• Soft Suede

Tomorrow I’ll share the other technique we did… I’m sure you’ll love the card, please come back to visit!

Hugs!

Technorati Tags: techniques class,vellum,stampin' up,champagne shimmer paint,glimmer mist recipe

 

My First Christmas Showcase…Photos!

Last weekend was the 24th anniversary of the Christmas Showcase Craft Boutique.  Thirteen ladies prepped and crafted all year long to bring about the event. 

We met monthly, we worked hard at setting up and tearing down… and now it has all come to an end…

Thanks to all of you who came and showed your support! 

Next year will be the 25th Anniversary of the Christmas Showcase Craft Boutique, I am certain it will be bigger and even better than the last…  

For those who could not make the event.. hope you enjoyed the photos, and that you’ll come see us next November too!

Tomorrow and Friday I’ll be sharing my techniques class photos and steps…

Remember too, you can still win blog candy (Nov. 11th post)… just leave a sweet comment and you’ll be eligible to win!  Blog candy winner will be chosen randomly.

Hugs..

Technorati Tags: christmas showcase,blog candy alert

What kind of TEAM do you want to be part of? Just Venting… Soapbox Post!

I’ve asked this question before… “what kind of demo would you like to become?”  But a few months ago, after speaking with another demonstrator not affiliated with me… it occurred to me that I should also ask “what kind of TEAM do you want to become part of?” 

WOW.. what an eye opening moment.  What do YOU expect from or hope to get from your direct sales mentor and up-line?  What kind of post-signing support do you want and/or expect?  If you were applying for a position in a major corporation, you would research the corporation, and would be expected to provide references. 

Will your up-line abandon you and expect you to build your business on your own, or will they provide support through training opportunities and teleconferences?  Is your up-line actively building their own business, or not?  Do you want to do this on your own, or do you want to do it as part of a team? 

I was so surprised to find out that my new friend had no contact with her up-line whatsoever…. and even more surprised to find that she never even answered the phone when called.  Oh my goodness!!!

I have to stop here and tell you that I personally know many direct sales people with conscious and ethics.. and who have adopted abandoned direct sales people… in all venues… There are some good doobies out there, and a lot of them too… but this should NOT be the norm.  If you are thinking about joining a direct sales team, do your research… dependent upon your goals and aspirations, this can greatly affect and impact your success and/or failure.

The real question is “what do you want for your business.. and what do you want for YOU”… Your business, your way… and do your research!  If you simply want a discount… then hobbyist is the way to go… if you simply want to pay a car payment… then you may want to be a part time direct sales rep… either of those may not be impacted by your choices in up-line and mentor.  HOWEVER if you are looking to build a business, do your research, choose wisely, and never judge a book by its’ cover… it could be the biggest investment mistake you have ever made!

If you want to join a TEAM, look for a team!  If you want to get a discount, just sign up… you are all welcome and treated equally… but… I mean BUT… no that’s BUT… if you want to build a business then you need to find a fit… someone who will answer the phone, someone who will encourage you.. and most of all someone who will help you build your business… think about it.

 

Read Opportunity knocks article HERE..

Read  Frequently Asked questions and What kind of demo would you be HERE

I want you to build your business, your way,… and for you to succeed..

 

Hugs..

Technorati Tags: faq,stampin' up,your business your way,upline,direct sales,business builders,success

Christmas Showcase Banners.. Two Peace

Christmas Showcase banner share… then I’ll start working on Happy New Year Banners (maybe…)  This time, they feature the word Peace… and hoping for world peace some day soon too!  I actually made three of these too, but didn’t photograph the third one… hope I’ll have time to do so before the show.. now just a few days away!
Handsome Hunter, and Real Red, love those dazzling snowflakes!
Holiday Lounge Designer Series Papers…
Tomorrow I hope to share some of the jewelry pieces I made for the show.. hope to see you then!

Technorati Tags: christmas showcase,banners,christmas banner,peace,stampin' up,holiday lounge

Christmas Showcase Banners

Inspired by a Boo Banner from fellow Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Richard Garay, I decided to create Christmas themed banners for the Christmas Showcase!  Here are a couple of the banners I created with the help of my lovely assistant Vanna (oops.. I meant Eva!)
All the materials are Stampin’ Up!, although some of the designer series paper is retired.  So… here you go.. JOY three ways!

 
See you tomorrow!

Technorati Tags: banner,joy,stampin up!

Noel Banners for Christmas Showcase

More banner shares for the Christmas Showcase Boutique.. this time featuring Noel.
Holiday Lounge and Soft Suede Combination..

Soft Suede, Real Red, and Merry Moments DSP…

Retired Kiwi Kiss and DSP…

All banners feature Stampin’ Up! stamps and designer series papers!  One more banner share tomorrow… and then on to other things ( I hope:)

Technorati Tags: christmas showcase,holiday banners,noel,stampin up,holiday lounge,merry moments,dsp