Scrapbooking 101… a Beginners Class

Last week I offered a beginner class in scrapbooking… we created five two page layouts based on the Tailor Made Simply Scrappin’ Kit (item 114326 / $19.95).  The kit comes with 3 sheets each of two double sided patterned papers, 2 sheets of textured 12” cardstock in 4 different colors, and 6 sheets of matching stickers, borders, tags for embellishing.  Speed forward… how many local hobby stores would you actually have to visit to get all that (and matching too).  Not that going to the store isn’t fun :-) 

This is just one of many Simply Scrappin’ Kits offered in the Idea Book and Catalog… and you can order this kit as well as others when you visit my Online Stampin’ Up! Store HERE.

Enough chatting… here are some of the pages we made!

 

 

Hope to see you back tomorrow… for the release of the Stampin’ Up! Last Chance List and June Hostess Specials!

Sharon

 

Technorati Tags: Simply Scrappin,Tailor Made,Scrapbook,Beginners

And the Blog Candy Winner IS… Lucky Number 7!

LINDI… Now you need to email me your address, so I can ship your blog candy directly to YOU!!  I hope you enjoy it!

June is packed full of surprises… Stampin’ Up! will be releasing the “Last Chance List” for retired stamps and accessories on June 1st.  Place your orders quickly and directly at my ONLINE Stampin’ Up! Store… many items will sell out quickly.

Extra hostess benefits when you host an in-home workshop or book party!!  Full details will be posted on June 1, but book your party early… dates will fill quickly!

New catalog sneak peek.. WOW.. can you believe it’s almost July?  (The new Idea Book and Catalog will come out July 1)… but check back here for a sneak peek of the new catalog in June.

Now… just in case you missed it, here is the blog candy which Lindi won:

See you tomorrow with some really great scrapbook pages for beginners!!

Sharon

Technorati Tags: Online Stampin Up Store,Shop Now,blog candy,lucky 7

Short Post … Reminders Blog Candy Tomorrow and Tutorial

Just wanted to post a reminder… blog candy will be given away tomorrow.. If you haven’t entered to win, visit this post and leave a comment now: BLOG CANDY FROM ME TO YOU

Also, my tutorial for the Under the Sea exploding/floating magical box has had a great response… it is my first full color pdf tutorial, with 17 pages and 24 full color photos and diagrams… perfect for clubs, stamp camps, and demonstrators too. View the FULL POST HERE… or simply click the button below, and your tutorial will be emailed shortly.

Delivery costs/options

Email Tutorial $5.00 Printed Tutorial $9.00

 

 

 

 

Sharon

Technorati Tags: tutorial,exploding box,blog candy,under the sea

Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators Having Fun and Meeting!

Yesterday I posted my new CHEAP $5.oo tutorial for the magical exploding/floating box using the ocean commotion stamp set… view that post HERE. 

AND… tomorrow, I will announce a blog candy winner… qualifications are:  leave a post with a tool tip, or place an order, read more HERE on that POST.

And… the $75.00 sign up kit expires at the end of the month.. YIKES… yes, it includes only scrapbook supplies.. but.. how many of you stampers out there ALREADY have ink pads, pens, paper, etc… great way to start your business your way, and a great way to receive a discount of 20% or more on exclusive products (hint, hint… )  I’m trying REALLY hard to sign up two more demos by the end of June… too, and may just “sweeten the pot” per se… Call me if you’re interested!!  OR simply go to my SU WEBSITE CREATEDBYU  click on the Join Now button in the upper right corner, and copy/paste JoinMyExclusiveTeam into the password box… I’ll be in touch soon too!

NOW don’t you just know by looking at them??? THESE people are FUN!!  These are pictures from our most recent downline meeting at the Golden Corral Restaurant.. the weather was really bad, so many just didn’t venture out… but everyone who came had a GREAT time!!

Here are Joy and Tee… capturing the “moment”… and I giggle every time I look at this photo!! (psst… I was there!!)

 

Gina, Eva, and Lisa..

 

 

And even more pictures of the some of the group members…  Robin demo’d  a scallop butterfly.. how fun!!

 

Food, friends, make ‘n takes.. q & a… WOW!!!

 

 

If you know any of these ladies, please call them to book a workshop, I’d love to see their businesses grow.. they are so much fun, and so creative!! 

 

See you tomorrow with a Freebie Friday Blog Candy Winner!!!  Make sure you Enter NOW!!

{Hugs}

Sharon

 

Technorati Tags: blog candy,tutorial,paypal,freebie,starter kit,demonstrator,stampin up,sign up,$75 kit,scrapbook

Tutorial.. 3D Exploding/Magic Box Under The Sea

You asked for it...and I'm delivering it.. the class and tutorial option you've all been us exploding/magic box which was featured during the May 15th and 16th blog tour. The box used the fabulous little stamp set from Stampin' Up! called Ocean Commotion Stamp set (item #114423 / set of 4 / $17.95)... a lot of bang for your buck!! AND...You can order the set online HERE at MY SU WEBSITE.





The first hands-on class for the Ocean Commotion Exploding 3D box (or Under the Sea Magic Box) will be held on June 10th at 11am, and a second at 5pm. Be sure to reserve your spot early... I've already had a lot of inquiries, and class size will be limited to 8 to ensure hands-on success for your project creation. The cost of the class is just $15.00... but place an order on the day of the class and $10.00 will be refunded with your paid order!! HOW cool is that? Here's another peek at the open box...


I've had several requests for this class from people out of state... and so I've come up with a solution... a tutorial by mail. I've posted many other tutorials on this site.. but this will be the first one which I've offered by mail!I've been working on the tutorial since the 16th of May... and it's finally ready to ship!!

The Ocean Commotion 3-d exploding box tutorial contains 17 pages of step by step instructions complete with 24 full color photos and 2 illustrations/cutting diagrams. I know you're going to love making this lovely and exciting exploding box!! Simply select your options.. email or paper copy in the button options (below) and your tutorial will be coming your way right away!!

THIS TUTORIAL IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE!

Thanks, as always for stopping by... and thanks for supporting my business too!
Hugs,
Sharon

Technorati Tags: under the sea,blog tour,magic box,ocean commotion,tutorial,3-d,exploding box

Blog Candy Reminder…

Just a quick reminder.. On May 30th, I’ll have a drawing for blog candy as seen in THIS POST late last week.  Don’t forget to visit that post and leave a comment or place an online order to qualify! 

Don’t have any cards to share today… so what have I been up to?

I’ve been working furiously on setting up a new blog for Cindy Fodor, a demo and friend from Littlestown, Pennsylvania.  It’s still a work in progress… but be sure to bookmark her site, STAMP THE LOVE.

My calendar for June has been updated with new classes and offerings… check out my EVENTS HERE.

I’m also working on the tutorial for the UNDER THE SEA magical exploding box, which I hope to post within the next day or so… Check out the >>UNDER THE SEA BOX HERE<<

Many of you have already reserved your spot for the February Brayer Workshop with Michelle Zindorf (2/20/09 and 2/21/09)…  The workshop will be held here in my Jacksonville, Florida home… be sure to email Michelle (mzindorf@aim.com) to reserve your spot and make payment arrangements to reserve your spot! 

June 1st is just a few days away, and so is the LAST CHANCE LIST of retired accessories and stamps from Stampin’ Up!  Be sure to check back on June 1st for the complete list… and new specials for hostesses effective June 1!

See you tomorrow!

Sharon

Technorati Tags: blog candy,stamp the love,my events,stampin up

Congratulations, Brian on your Accomplishments!

We’ve known Brian for a very long time… it has been a lot of fun watching him grow into such a wonderful young man!  Last week, he graduated from Bishop Kinney High School, with lots of honors and a full scholarship to Notre Dame… Dave, Debbie… and the rest of the family are still beaming with well earned pride!

We knew Brian would need nice warm clothes for graduation… but couldn’t help poking a little fun too.. so we prepared this Graduation Gift with lots of fun, and practical stuff too..

First, here’s the card I made… I was going to make it in Red and Black, but my husband and daughter absolutely insisted it be done in Notre Dame colors of Blue and Gold… Using the Great Grads Set, and DSP…

 

We got this collapsible bin at our local Target, and then proceeded to stuff it with all the new college student “essentials”…  all grouped together in their own gift bag, and tagged according to the occasion.

 

Scroll down to see the individual kits..

• Test Cramming Kit Complete with mug, coffee, propel, hot chocolate, pens, #2 pencils, energizer drink, gum.. late night snacks, and more than I can really recall!

• The Dorm Essentials Kit – My daughter tells me they ALL have their own distinct odors… so air freshener, dry erase board and marker, post it notes, flashlight, and ear plugs

 

• YIKES.. Mom’s not answering the phone… OK, we know he’s a guy who probably won’t need to ever call home (wink, wink, ;)  But… just in case, a cookbook with ALL the answers, tide to go, wrinkle release, and a little detergent too.

 

• College Student First Aid Kit… BIG Bottle of Advil Liquid Gels (I hear they work faster), emergency chocolate bar, general first aid kit… and more

• And finally, the essential and all important “Party in a Bucket”… popcorn, drink cups, 2 all purpose measuring devices (some crazy college kids call them shot glasses) and ping pong balls.  Disclaimer on the tag says:  “Warning.. 3am fire drills will not make you popular, pop your popcorn in the microwave with care”

I hope Brian enjoyed his gag gift… and that you did too… couldn’t have pulled it together without help from Kristin and Melissa B.  AND, once again, Congrats Brian on a job well done!!

 

See you tomorrow!

Sharon

Technorati Tags: Graduation Gift,Card,Great Grads

Another 2 for 5 card, and my downline meeting swap

Another card created for a recent 2 for $5 stamping session.  This card uses the Friends 24/7 stamp set.  Stampers almost always seem to enjoy coloring. Perhaps it awakens child like senses.  We used Stampin’ Up! watercolor pencils to color the delicate floral image on the front of this card, and stamped the background image with lovely lilac ink.  Everyone seems to enjoy purple and green color combinations, they are always so fresh and crisp!

 

My swap card for the downline meeting… I totally forgot I was supposed to use a technique on it!!  OOPS!!  I was really quite down to the final hour on this one, I had to leave my home at 4:30… swung by Lee’s house to pick her up, and then went to the Golden Corral on Beach Boulevard to set up.  We brought tons of samples, cards, boxes, and scrapbook pages to inspire our team members… and it was a really fun evening!  FYI… if you’re interested in joining Stampin’ Up! and want to see what’s it’s all about, we meet at 6:00 pm on the fourth Thursday of each month (except when it falls on a holiday… and then it is moved to the Fourth Monday)…

Do  you recognize the background stamp?  YUP!! It’s from the Friends 24/7 stamp set… I just LOVE that image!!  It creates such a beautiful background, doesn’t it? 

Stamps:  Branch Out, Friends 24/7

Classic Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, Certainly Celery

Cardstock:  Kraft, Very Vanilla, Bravo Burgundy

 

Don’t forget to enter the contest to win fabulous BLOG CANDY (Posted on Friday 5/22)… You could be the lucky winner… and there are three ways to win!!

 

See you tomorrow!

Sharon

Technorati Tags: branch out,friends 24-7,blog candy

A Tale of Two Trees… And Background Stamping

My new friend Lisa recently asked me just how long I have been stamping… and I had to stop and think (gee, what year is this?).  I was quite surprised to hear myself say “15 years”!  I haven’t been a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator all that time, but I definitely considered it that long ago… but was working more than full time as a software analyst.  Looking back, I really wish I would have had the foresight to join SU back then… the company was only 5 years old, the product was great, and I could see in that very first workshop that the products were loved by everyone! 

Of course much has changed since then… the products are still perfectly matched and color coordinated, the stamps are updated and current, so many new products, tools, and techniques have come and gone.  The company has grown tremendously, and even during tough economic times Stampin’ Up! continues to be a debt free leader in the world of stamping and scrapbooking.  Gosh, I wish I had joined 15 years ago!!

In my monthly 2 for $5 groups, we generally make two cards (sometimes more...)  Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned stampers, 2 for $5 is a great way to try out new products and enjoy a pleasant outing with friends too.  Since I bring along all the supplies and pre-cut product for the event… there’s no need to tote along all your supplies.  It’s really a great introduction to basic stamping techniques, along with tips and suggestions from myself as well as the participants. 

Using the stamp set Branch Out, I created the sample on the left as one of the cards for this months’ 2 for  $5 group.

 

I have grown quite fond of this very versatile little stamp set, which will be great during the winter holidays and fall as you can add different colored fall ‘leaves’ to the tree to obtain optimum autumnal splendor.  It also comes with snowflakes, which will be beautiful during the winter.  In the samples above, I’ve also used the top of the tree and stamped it repeatedly with Certainly Celery Classic Ink along the bottom of the Whisper White Cardstock to achieve the look of ‘grass’… pretty cool, huh?

The card on the right shows one of the TIPS I shared with my class…

 

TIP:  Use an image from your stamp set to create a background for your card base! 

Some attendees chose the original design, and others chose to pattern their background base too… and that’s the beauty of stamping… no mistakes, creative opportunity, and very unique and individualized art!

Don’t forget to enter the Blog Candy Give Away Posted YESTERDAY!… Blog Candy will be awarded on JUNE 1st!!

Well, I’m off to clean my kitchen, and then sneak in some stampin’ time before bed… Have a really good evening!

Sharon

 

Technorati Tags: branch out,trees,2 for 5 group,beginners,tip,join stampin up

Friday Freebie… Not Just Any Blog Candy and Thank You

Gosh, didn’t I promise BLOG candy on Friday??  And I ALMOST forgot!!  I really enjoyed last week’s blog tour, and so many wonderful people left such lovely comments… I just had to do something special to thank ALL of YOU!

So… as promised, here is my blog candy and it’s not just any Blog Candy, It’s FREE Stampin’ Up! Products!  Perfect for new or seasoned stampers, and everything you need to make a complete set of simple note cards.. now, how cool is that?  To win this Blog Candy**, all you have to do is……..

Post a comment on this post telling me which Stampin’ Up! Accessory you love the and share your TIPS for using that accessory for my readers, place an online order of $50.00 or more at my Stampin’ Up! Store, or Join My Team by Saturday, May 30th 9:00 EDT and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win this fabulous BLOG CANDY**… a $35.00 value!!  Winner to be posted on June 1st.. and will be shipped via priority mail ** Continental U.S. addresses only (sorry!)

Blog candy contents:  One Classic Ink Basic Black Stamp Pad, “Best Yet” Stamp Set (6 pieces), 1 spool of Real Red narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, and set of Whisper White A2 (greeting card size) Cards with matching envelopes.

Sharon

 

Technorati Tags: blog candy,friday freebie,give away

White On White Wedding Card

Actually, White on Shimmery White, that is!  This card popped into my brain as I was flying home from Utah.  Now, people who know me well realize that it probably did just pop into my head… possibly while I was having a conversation with someone, watching the in flight movie, or who knows.  I’m a multi-tasker at heart… and often do a lot of things at the same time.  Yesterday was a really good example.

This is a card I made while waiting for the Comcast Guy to arrive and repair my internet connection… it seems that it ‘broke’ while I was away, and my DH made an executive decision that it would get fixed when I got home and fixed it.  Well, the problem wasn’t the equipment or computer, but an amplifier in the box at the corner of our street!  But it had to wait for me to get home… so I got to make the phone call!  It was a nice day all in all, the cable guy was really one of the smartest and nicest cable people I’ve ever met… that reminds me, I need to call and tell his boss that too!

 

Here’s a close-up of the card so you can see the white embossed lilies and leaves, maybe….

The card is really quite stunning in person… even the Cable Guy loved it!!

Cardstock:  Shimmery White, Basic Black

Stamps:  God’s Beauty (leaves with the lilies), Fifth Avenue Floral (lily image), and Oval All (greeting)

Inks:  Basic Black Classic Ink, Versamark

Accessories:  Large Oval and Scalloped Oval Punch, White Signo Gel Pen, Pretties Kit, Valet Ribbon Originals

 

Well, now I’ve got to make some swaps… hope you liked the card!

Sharon

Technorati Tags: wedding cards,invitations,fifth avenue floral,oval all,God's Beauty,stampin up

Ocean Commotion 3 Dimensional Pop Up Side Step Card

I had to try this one more time… but added a little twist… 3-D pop ups!  Borrowing the design from my magic box, I added a floating fish, seahorse and shell to this version of the Side Step Card.  Are you ready for this cool card?

The colorful coral (swirl designs) were embossed in not quite navy and cameo coral classic ink, and the angel fish was embossed with basic black ink and clear embossing powder.  Sponging on layers of color with my handy dandy sponge daubers, I started with Baja Breeze Classic Ink, and then Not Quite Navy followed by Night Of Navy. After allowing the inked layers to dry for a few minutes, I wiped the entire image clean with a soft paper towel, which brought the embossed layers back to life and full color. The bubbles above the fish were made with my White Signo Gel pen.  There is a sea shell pop up right between the fish and the seahorse, but it’s tiny and hard to see in the very reflective sunlight… just realized it appears to be missing from this shot… hmmm…. where did that shell go??

Here’s another shot/close up… much better!

Want one of these cool cards sent right to you?  Simply place an online order of $40.00 or more on my Stampin’ Up! Site (or sign up for the $75.00 demo kit) and I’ll mail one right to YOU!

Stamps:  Ocean Commotion, Oval All

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Pacific Point, Cameo Coral

Classic Ink:  Cameo Coral, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Night Of Navy, Baja Breeze

Accessories:  Large Oval and Scallop Oval Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, White Signo Gel Pen, Sponge Daubers, Clear Acetate Sheet, Paper Snips

Check back tomorrow for more stampin’ ideas… and BLOG CANDY on Friday too!

Sharon

Technorati Tags: ocean commotion,oval all,online ordering,blog candy,free card,online store,side stair step,3d pop up card

A Really Great Guy Card For Any Occasion

This was another card I made while staying in Utah… Using the Friends 24/7 Stamp Set, which I have really grown to love!  This card was crying for Chocolate Chip Card Stock… but, since my supplies were limited, I had none!  I played around awhile with the supplies I had on hand, and this is what I came up with… What do you think?

I LOVE the Ribbon Originals Dress Up Pkg. Riding Hood Red Ribbon used on this card… it’s kind of a wavy taffeta with rich tones, and a beautiful hand.  TIP:  Remember, when working with wider ribbon, to tie knots and/or bows loosely… gathering them too tightly will cause an imbalance between the knot/bow and ribbon sides.  You may not be able to see it too clearly, but the background was stamped with close to cocoa classic ink and the Sanded background stamp… adding a lot of texture to an otherwise plain background.  I used my mat pack to perfectly pierce the holes in the upper left corner of the card.  The mat pack is an invaluable tool for punching perfectly spaced holes, placing brads, eyelets, or other embellishments and can even be used as a guide to do dry embossing with your Crop-A-Dile.

Stamps:  Friends 24/7, Sanded

Card Stock:  Close To Cocoa, Sahara Sand, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

Classic Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, VersaMark

Accessories:  Sweet Slumber Specialty Textured 12x12 Designer Series Paper; Ribbon Originals “Dress Up” Package, Close to Cocoa Corduroy brads and buttons, linen thread, glue dots, mat pack.

Sharon

Great Stampin’ Up! products available online 24/7 simply click HERE.

Technorati Tags: masculine cards,friends 24-7,dress up,sanded,specialty paper

A Beautiful Wedding Card You Won’t Believe

This was so much fun to make, really the result of a little creative ‘play’ and of course limited supplies on hand during my stay in Utah.  (Oh, what I would have given for one sheet of Chocolate Chip Card Stock!!!) 

I used the new Stampin’ Up! Window Sheets and a new faux etching technique shared by my good demonstrator friend, Tee (Dragonfly Dreams)… and then I decided to have a little more fun, so I used my heat gun to warp the window sheet.  It’s really very pliable when it’s warmed, and you can shape and hold it almost any way you want… What fun!

The black background was stamped in versamark and Basic Black Classic Ink then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, and of course the card needed just a little more bling so I added rhinestone brads too.  It was very difficult to photograph this card.. believe me, I tried!  Here’s another close up so you can see the detail a bit better:

= 

I love the new ribbon in the mini catalog.. it’s so silky and elegant too!  The Oval All stamp set was used for the “Best Wishes greeting, which was punched out with my large oval punch before being mounted on the brushed silver cardstock scallop oval punch.  If you look closely, you can see that I added Signo White Gel Pen “pearls” around the scallop… had I been home in my stampin’ room, I’d have added tiny pearls from my pretty kit, or perhaps some from my drawer of miscellaneous embellishments!

Stamps:  Friends 24/7, Oval All

Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black

Card Stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Brushed Silver

Accessories:  Satin Ribbon, Window Sheets, Large and Scalloped Oval Punches, Rhinestone Brads, Dimensional Dots

Come back tomorrow, I’ve got anothe Friends 24/7 card to share!

Sharon

All the products shown above are available 24/7 in my Online Store, simply click HERE to Shop Now!

Technorati Tags: window sheet,faux etching,dragonfly dreams,friends 24-7,oval all

Side Step Card ala Yvonne Metz

Well, I just had to do it…. I saw Yvonne Metz’s side step card, and just had to try one of my own! 

 

IThe side step card is  a variation of a step card Jackie Topa & Kate Wilson’s original design and it’s really quite unique!  Yvonne’s website and directions may be found on her site Yvonne’s Stampin’ Place.  I chose to use the cute little stamp set from the Idea Book and Catalog page 100 called “Branch Out” (item #113200/ set of 8 / $22.95).  The words are borrowed from the Friends 24/7 stamp set ( page 81 / item #113218 / set of 6 / $25.95) and of course the offset stamped image behind the tree is En Francais large background stamp(page 129 / item # 109521 / $17.95).  I’m going to have to make more of these cards, it was so much fun to make, and Yvonne’s directions are excellent too… After all, she IS the Queen of Stair Step Cards!

Stamps: Branch Out, Friends 24/7, En Francais

Card Stock:  Close To Cocoa, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla

Classic Inks:  Close To Cocoa, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze

Accessories:  Ticket Corner Punch, Vintage Brads, Sponge Daubers, mat pack, To the Nines Textured DSP

I’ll be travelling back home tomorrow… it will be nice to sleep in my own bed again, hug my sweet patient husband, and get back to ALL my stampin’ supplies!

Thanks for visiting, and hope you enjoy Yvonne’s tutorial too!

Sharon

Order these wonderful Stampin’ Up! products and more at my ONLINE STAMPIN’ Up! Store 24/7

Technorati Tags: side stair step,tutorial,yvonne metz,branch out,online store

National Scrapbooking Month Special For You

Join My Team

Sign up online in under 15 minutes!

Simply Go to My Stampin’ Up! Website/Store "HERE"

Click JOIN NOW (upper right corner)

At prompt, copy and paste this password:  JoinMyExclusiveTeam

Through May 31st, 2009!
DOWNLOAD THE SCRAPBOOK KIT ORDER FORM

Promotion Details

In celebration of National Scrapbooking Month, join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator for only $75 with our limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

#113510   Schoolbook Serif Alphabet Stamp Set*    Retails at: $42.95
#113059  Simply Scrappin’ Petal Party    Retails at $19.95
#108697  Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12×12)   Retails at $11.95
#105240  Whisper White Craft Stampin’ Pad    Retails at $7.50

*you can substitute for a set $43.95 or less

Please note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items.  Please see the Scrapbooking Starter Kit Order Form for details.The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the standard Starter Kit:

> Getting Started DVD

> Getting Started Guide

> Guest Invitation Postcard (100)

> Idea Book & Catalog (8)

> Occasions Mini Catalog (8)

> To My Hostess Envelope (10)

> Recruit Folders (5)

> Recruit Brochures (20)

> Hostess Brochure (20)

> Hostess Benefits Form (10)

> Customer Order Form (50)

 

Your demonstrator-ship is as individual as you are!  Your business fits your style and your family. The company benefits of being an active demonstrator are the same whether you are a hobbyist (purchasing all your supplies at a discount) or as career demonstrator. I provide individualized training to help you get started, whether you live near OR far.  Get started TODAY.. with your business, your way! 

Learn more about the opportunity on Stampin’ Up!’s company website, or watch this video:

 

Fifth Avenue… Travel and Stamps

Did you enjoy the blog tour?  I’m hoping to do it again, it was such fun hopping from blog to blog and enjoying all the beautiful, creative projects!  Can’t wait to do it again… hopefully I’ll be home when the next one rolls around though… I’ve managed each day to carve out stampin’ time too..

Stamps:  Oval All, Fifth Avenue  Card Stock:  Barely Banana, Close To Cocoa, Whisper White, Baja Breeze  Classic Ink:  Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, Always Apricot, Pumpkin Pie  Accessories:   Valet Ribbon Essentials, Large Oval and Scallop Oval Punch, Mat Pack, Signo White Gel Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Clear Embossing Powder, Mat Pack, Baja Breeze Designer Series Paper

I brought along ALL 48 colors of classic inks, cardstock, and all sorts of tools.  Of course, it was a little difficult to bring ALL my stampin’ supplies to Utah, Georgia, San Francisco, Destin or anywhere else my travels take me…  (I always have to leave a few things at home (darn!)  And YES, you heard me correctly... I brought along ALL 48 colors of Classic Ink… plus my basic black, in colors, and versamark pad. 

One thing that made it much easier was my Stampin’ Spots!  Compactly packed into a box slightly larger than an A-2 card, I brought along all four color families… GREAT for travel!  One color family of Classic Ink stampin’ spots retails for just $22.50… I earned mine free as a demonstrator, and have had them for 3 years now.  I store them upside down so that the ink stays at the surface of the pad… and they’re always ready to travel (just like me)!  (And they said there was no room in the RV for your stampin’ supplies.. hmmm.)

Speaking of the card… this little Fifth Avenue Floral Rose must have gotten tucked cardstock when I was packing my suitcase.  It was made during my last downline training session.  We used watercolor paper, an aqua painter, and ink from the lid of our classic ink pads to color the rose.  You can read more about that technique in this post >HERE<.

Today, I decided to cut apart some of the flower layers, and add it to a card… I didn’t cut on ALL the lines… I only had one flower to work with and simply wanted to add dimension.  The center bud of the rose has two sets of two layered (together)  dimensionals to make it stand a bit higher than the next layer of petals, which have one dimensional each.  The base of the bloom was simply attached with tombow multi adhesive to the card base.

Ah, yes… and I did bring along some selective punches and tools too.  I was kind of bummed a couple days ago when my heat gun gave out… but luckily there was a Joanne’s Fabric store right around the corner!  I really want to play some more with my “Ocean Commotion” stamp set, I’ve got plenty of ideas floating around in my brain for that adorable little $17.95 stamp set!  NOT that I needed another heat gun, I have three more at home :-)  But a girls got to stamp when she wants to stamp, right?

This is my seventh day away from home… WOW!  It’s been a very busy seven days for me, I’ve spent a LOT of time in the kitchen cooking and preparing freezer meals for my son… my world champion chili, spicy southwestern white chicken chili (with extra jalepenos ), chicken fried rice, chicken soup, jambalaya, tamale pie, and more… I’ve also been preparing some of his favorites daily, chicken salad, steak and potatoes, steak and spinach pinwheels, and more… My fingers are sliced and diced (I NEVER do that at home!!).  He’ll be on crutches for a few more weeks post knee surgery.. but he won’t starve, will he??

Thanks for stopping by, I’ve enjoyed your visit!  Now, I’m off to play with the Ocean Commotion Stamp Set again… I’ve got swaps to do for our downline meeting next week too!

Sharon

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Technorati Tags: blog tour,fifth avenue floral,stampin spots,travel

May 15th and 16th Blog Tour… Welcome to Day Two

Welcome Back for Day Two!! You’re at Stop # 19, Tour #7 featuring the Ocean Commotion set from Stampin’ Up!  You’ve already had 24 hours to enjoy this fabulous tour featuring over 20 blogs, each show casing  beautiful projects items from Stampin' Up!'s - Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog.  Don’t forget to bookmark your favorite blogs as the links for this tour will disappear at midnight May 16^th. 

Today, I have THREE cards to shares, all using the Ocean Commotion stamp set, and each with their own, unique style!

This first card also uses an offset stamped image background using Stampin’ Up!’s En Francais background stamp.  The Valet Ribbon Assortment, and Baja Breeze Corduroy Brads are used as embellishments to add a unique touch of class to this card too!  I used the new scalloped oval punch from stampin’ up! to make a larger scalloped oval cut out to spotlight the angel fish image on this card.  After sponging on baja breeze classic ink, I re-colored the stripes of the ange fish with my white signo gel pen.

 

Stamps:  Ocean Commotion, En Francais

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Basic Black

Classic Ink:  Baja Breeze, Basic Black

Accessories:  Baja Breeze Corduroy Brads N Buttons, Scalloped Oval Punch, Stampin’ Sponge, Valet Ribbon Originals

A second card share, this one with a totally different ‘feel’ or style.  This card features fun Stampin’ Up! Micro Beads (104266 / 2 containers / $5.25) which are adhered with Tombow Multi Adhesive to the colorful angel fish and as sand below the Pig Tails Ribbon Originals rick-rak ‘wave’!  (The micro-bead ‘sand’) isn’t too easy to see, obstructed by blades of grass).  I LOVE the clips assortment (112580 /  3 styles and 24 pieces total / $6.95) which added just a little ‘something to this otherwise very simple and plain card.  “Thinking of You” was borrowed from the “Bird on a Branch” stamp set by Stampin’ Up!

Stamps:  Ocean Commotion, Bird on a Branch

Classic Ink:  Cameo Coral, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Pacific Point

Accessories:  Clips Assortment, Pig Tails Ribbon Originals, Micro Beads, Tombow Multi Adhesive

One last card share to wrap up my contributions to the blog tour…. This card kind of takes us back to where we began at tour 7, stop 20.  Borrowing colors and theme from the Magic Box which I posted as part of yesterday’s tour HERE…

You’ve emailed so many beautiful comments onthat card, here’s another close-up for you:

My last share is also inspired by the Coral Reefs of the Florida Keys.  The images on this card were stamped and embossed with clear ep, and then sponged.  I also re-drew the white lines of the angel fish with my White Signo Gel Pen and then embossed them with clear EP.  Little ‘extras’ include ticket corner punched accents, Basic Jumbo Grommets (white), an element from the “Hooray” designer hardware, and Clear Rhinestone brads (blocked from view in the photo below by a single blade of grass).

I

Stamps:  Ocean Commotion

Card Stock:  Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Not Quite Navy

Classic Ink:  Cameo Coral, Not Quite Navy, Basic Black, VersaMark

Accessories:  Hooray Designer Hardware, Clear Rhinestone Brad, Basic Jumbo Grommets, bone folder, Clear Embossing Powder, sponge, heat tool, ticket corner punch

I hope you’ve enjoyed the blog tour, and that you’ll come back often to visit!  You can follow my blog (follow this blog in the side bar) or signup via email (also in the sidebar) to get updates and ideas daily. 

Be sure to check back next week for a tutorial on the magic box, which so many of you have emailed and asked me for.  I’ll also be featuring blog candy next week… so you won’t want to miss that either! 

Don’t forget to take advantage of my online ordering option (upper left corner) and special through May 20th too.   I’ve really enjoyed your positive comments and requests, and glad to have made so many new friends on this tour!

 

And remember, you can order all these exquisite, matched Stampin’ up! products in my ONLINE STORE:  CREATEDBYU

Thanks for visiting, hope to see you again tomorrow!

Sharon

Technorati Tags: blog tour,late night stampers,ocean commotion,magic box,online store

Welcome to the May 15th and 16th Blog Tour

You are at Stop # 19, Tour #7, and my blog, Created By You! 

This stop of the tour will feature the Stampin’ Up! stamp set “Ocean Commotion” Item # 114423 / set of 4 / $17.95. 

This tour features 20 blogs, each showcasing great projects using items from Stampin’ Up!’s Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book a& Catalog.  Don’t forget to bookmark your favorite blogs as the links that make up this tour disappear at 12AM  on 5/16!

 

Today, I have two shares for you today… a card and a “Magic Box”.  This “Magic Box'” was really fun to make!  Here’s a closed view of my “Magic Box” inspired by the Coral Reefs of the Florida Keys, and a card share last week by my new friend Michelle Zindorf.  Beginning with whisper white cardstock, I sponged several different layers of color onto embossed images from the Ocean Commotion Stamp Set, making 5 panels for the outside of the box:

 

OK… so why do I call this a magic box?  Simply slip off the lid…

                                                                     see what the inside has in store for you!

 

And one more close up of the floating center images:

 

Cardstock:  Pacific Blue, Cameo Coral, Whisper White

Stamps:  Ocean Commotion

Classic Inks:  Cameo Coral, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy, Basic Black, Versamark

Accessories:  Clear EP, window sheets, exacto knife, paper snips, adhesive

 

The magic box was lots of fun to make… I’d love to show you how, check my upcoming classes and workshops (in my side bar) for the class next month!

Here is the card I’ll share today, using the same stamp set, which I’ve had so much fun showcasing for you!

 

Stamps:  Ocean Commotion, and Pocket Silhouettes (friend to friend stamp)

Card Stock:  Sahara Sand, Cameo Coral, Whisper White

Classic Ink:  Cameo Coral, Sahara Sand

Accessories:  Large Oval and scalloped Oval punch, 5/16” Neutral Brads, Linen Thread, White Gel Pen

I hope you enjoyed my shares for today’s tour… check back tomorrow and I’ll have more surprises for you.  You’re going to love the Ocean Commotion stamp set so much, you’ll have to own one for yourself!!

Don’t forget… you can order all of the fabulous products featured during this tour at my Stampin’ Up! Online store:  >CreatedByU  Simply Click HERE<

Hope you enjoyed the tour!  I’d love to hear your comments!  Psst… don’t forget to bookmark this site, and other favorites sites along the way!

Sharon