Banner Blessings

My daughter nominated me for a Blog Hop.  I haven't blogged in quite awhile so I was happy to accept the challenge and start posting once again.  Thank you, Julie!  

Last evening was our Advent by Candlelight Tea at church.  I was invited to a table so thought I would make everyone a note card set.  My choice of stamps was easy!  Stampin' Up! is offering a new Photopolymer set called Banner Blessings.  I didn't have a lot of time so basically used the same sketch for each of the four stamps.  The Notecards and Envelopes were a perfect size, I used Washi Tape and the Deco Label Framelits and added some embellishments.  

As part of the Blog Hop, I was asked to answer the following questions:
What are you working on? Currently I am working on my Christmas Cards.  As soon as I get those done, I will "reward" myself by working on upcoming class projects using stamps and product from the upcoming Occasions and Sale-A-Bration catalogs!  
How does your work differ from others in your genre? I really don't have a favorite style.  I love clean lines and simple, easy to duplicate projects.  On the other hand, I love vintage or shabby chic as well!  Depends on the stamp set, depends on my mood!
Why do you create what you do? I started off as a hobby demonstrator,  My daughter, Julie, introduced me to Stampin' Up! and I fell in love with the product!  I don't scrapbook very often.  I really love to make cards. 
How does your creative process work? I often see something that inspires me.  For example, I was walking through a store and saw a white box covered in evergreen and pinecones.  That sparked a Christmas card idea.  Other times, I see a photo in a magazine or a color combination that inspires me.  
The last thing I have to do for this Blog Hop is to nominate someone.  So I nominate Nancy Brown She will post next Monday, December 15

Work of Art

I am really liking this stamp set from the upcoming Annual Catalog!  It's very "user-friendly"!  At the catalog premier we were shown a technique to soften the water marks.  I like the effect.  After stamping the image, I used an Aquapainter around the edges and then let it dry.  There are a lot of fun projects to be made with this awesome Work of Art Stamp set!

Supplies:  Wild Wasabi and Strawberry Slush Card Stock and Ink; Gold Baker's Twine; Gold Sequins; Black Stazon Ink, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

My Favorite Flower

My favorite flower is the daisy.  Daisies make me think of warm weather and sunshine.  They make me smile...

Supplies: Pool Party, Whisper White & So Saffron card stock; Circle Card Thinlit Die; Itty Bitty Banners Stamp set and Framelits; Pool Party Classic Ink; Blossom and 1 1/4" Circles punches; Vintage Faceted Buttons; Delicate Details Lace Tape; Retro Fresh Washi Tape, Large Rhinestone

I Love the New Catalog!!!!!!!!!

I was one of over 7,000 demonstrators from around the country who attended the Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog Premier last night!  The new catalog is fantastic!  Just thought I would share a few photos with you!

The long awaited Blendabilities are finally here!  I can't wait to get my hands on them!  And isn't this flower beautiful?

This is just one of many projects we were shown with new products!

I was so excited that so many of my Sparkler friends were able to come with me!  We had a ball! Freddie and Nancy were lucky winners of a pack of the new In-Color card stock and Designer Series Paper Stack!

I couldn't wait to get home and go through the catalog!  I can't wait to share it with you!

Bzzzzz.........

My daughter saw a card similar to this on Pinterest and I thought it was so cute! I used the Ornament Framelits for the bee's bodies.  The wings were punched with the small oval punch and attached to the bee's head with glue dots.  The finishing touch is using 2-Way Glue and Dazzling Diamonds on the wings.  The antennae were drawn on with a marker.

Supplies:  Vellum, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black & Whisper White card stock; Hexagon Hive Thinlit; Holiday Ornament Framelits; Four Greetings stamp set; Black Stazon Ink; 3/4" Circle & Small Oval Punches

Cards We Hate to Send...

I recently attended the funeral of my mother's cousin's husband.  He was 100 years old. He was a fascinating man and will be missed.  I keep telling myself that I'm going to have a stash of sympathy cards on hand but....well....once again, I needed to head to my stamp room to make some cards for my parents and me.  I've made this one several times - it seems to have become my "go-to" card.

Supplies used:  Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder card stock; Pear Pizzazz, Wisteria Wonder & Elegant Eggplant Markers & Classic Ink; Love & Sympathy stamp set; Decorative Label punch; Delicate Designs Embossing Folder; Crochet Trim

April Snow Showers Brings May Flowers??

OK....this is just WRONG!  Yesterday it was 80 degrees!  Today there is just over 3" of snow on the ground, breaking a total snowfall record from 1890!  And we were supposed to go to a Tiger baseball game tonight....yep!  Snowed out!  Guess I'll stay in and stamp! (smile)

Who wouldn't love to get a bouquet of flowers in the mail?  Easy and so cute! 

Supplies:  Flower Shop & Wetlands stamp sets; Primrose Petals, Pear Pizzazz, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit & Whisper White card stock; Raspberry Ripple Classic Ink, Summer Starfruit ribbon; Pansy & Itty Bitty Shapes punches.

LEGO® Card

One of my grandson's celebrated his 10th birthday a few weeks ago.  He loves, loves, loves LEGO's ®!  He has created some amazing things!  So I thought it was only fitting to make him a card with card stock LEGO® blocks. Can you guess what his birthday gift from us was? LOL!

Supplies:  Whisper White, Pacific Point, Real Red, Daffodil Delight card stock and Classic Ink; Gifts of Kindness stamp set (greeting); Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

Leadership, Part 2

One of the activities I participated in at Leadership was the Craft War.  We could use any of the Paper Pumpkin stamps on either a Whisper White and Cake Crumb card base.  A limited number of ink pads and designer paper were available.  The new Basic Metal buttons, Rhinestones and Pearls, the new silver and gold Bakers Twine were the only embellishments supplied.  We had 20 minutes to complete a card.  Here is mine:

I made two swaps for Leadership this year - one using Sale-A-Bration (will post that in a day or so) and the following Valentine's Day card:

Supplies:  Real Red and Whisper White card stock; Real Red Core'dinations paper; Fresh Prints designer series paper pack; Scallop Textured Impressions & Decorative Dots Embossing Folders (Sale-A-Bration); Hearts Collection Framelits; Read Red Classic Ink; Rhinestones; Chalk Talk stamp set
 

What a Great Time!

I can't believe how fast the past few days have gone!  I fully intended on posting every day we were in Houston but we have been kept so busy that when I got back to our hotel, I just crashed!  So here are a few of the highlights - will post more over the next few days!

The conference started on Thursday with the announcement of an exciting new product:  Blendabilities!  Alcohol markers!  I am really excited about these and can't wait to get my hands on them!  I did get to play with them for a few minutes - wow.  So much fun!  They will be available sometime during the next couple of months.  There will be three to a package: a light, medium and dark of the same color tone - Stampin' Up! colors and the cost will be $11.95 (US dollars).  The launch will include 12 colors along with 6 flesh tones, a color lifter and Memento black ink.  

I just love being able to attend Stampin' Up! events with my daughter Julie.  I am so proud of her!  She presented on the afternoon of the first day and did an awesome job!

As we were leaving the convention center on the first day, we ran into Shelli and Sterling Gardner.  Shelli is recovering so well after her accident in August!  The nurse in me is truly amazed at how well she is doing!!

After a short (and I mean short) rest, we boarded a bus for the Manager's Reception.  This year we headed to the Downtown Aquarium.  What a fun evening!  Here a just a few of the things we saw!

I think that's enough for tonight!  We need to pack up as we are heading out first thing tomorrow (Sunday) morning!   Will post more tomorrow!

The Occasions Catalog is Here!

Happy 2014 everybody!  I hope all of you are staying warm!  It's a balmy -3 degrees with a wind chill of -18 degrees here in Southeast Michigan!  Perfect weather to stay inside and stamp!  I thought I would kick off the new year and the new Occasions Catalog with a video tutorial featuring the new Spiral Flower Originals Die (#129379)  Be sure to scroll down after the projects to watch it!