Swaps, part 3...

Another group of great swap cards...this time from Janice L. Janice used Lots of Dots jumbo wheel, Phrases for a Friend and Friendly Flowers stamp sets from the Occasions Mini catalog. Didn't Janice do a great job!

more swaps....

My sideline, Kim Mullin created these wonderful cards. She used the set named Big on Spring from the Occasions Mini catalog. I love the variety of cards here and the colors are so soothing. The Dazzling Diamond glitter on the bride card really pops!

Swap results...

My creative, talented Upline, Pennie, made these SWAP cards, using a new stamp set named "Just Celebrate". Aren't these great! The versatile set is available in the Occasions Mini Catalog. Stampin Up has extended the deadline to order from this "Mini" until June 30. All the swap cards I'm posting use sets from the Occasions Mini. Check back in the next few days to see more Swap results from Mary Ann R, Janice L and Kim M.

Carrie...check this out!

My DD is going to her first prom...guess which dress she chose?!?

Love Notes

These were the Make and Take projects from my recent Workshop. Each of the 17 ladies made all 3 cards. The 3 x 3 inch size makes them easy to embellish. You can use them as they are or attach them to a standard 4.25 x 5.5 inch card. The pink card was colored with Stampin' Up! Pure Color Pencils. The center card was simply stamped with Tempting Turquoise ink and punched using the Scallop Circle Punch. We added some Ginger Blossom Designer Paper and layered. The final card uses Kraft Cardstock and Berry Bliss Designer Paper. We added a Chipboard heart and the greeting from Define Your Life was stamped in Purely Pomegranate ink. PP ink was also sponged on the heart to color it. Thanks to Dawn and Margie for helping me the day of Eileen's 7th Annual Workshop! It was wild!

Sr. Center Class projects 4/24/08

I had 17 ladies sign up for class this time. I created these simple, easy cards for them. (click on each card to enlarge)
It's a challenge for me to create cards that use only one ink pad.
Keeping the cards simple is the key. Using different techniques and tools helps.

I generally used makers and punches for the Sr. Center cards. These are great for adding some "punch" to simple cards.

Rub-ons + Scallop Notes = Easy

Although this photo doesn't show these cute Scallop Notes very well...they are really sweet. Scallop edges are all the rage. I made this note card for a Party I held recently. No cutting, scoring or stamping involved. I simply applied Stampin Up Rub-ons! These are superior quality, in my opinion. This was a fun, easy project.

My SWAP cards...

I was recently invited to participate in a SWAP with 4 other Stampin Up Demos. I love this new set from the "Occasions" mini catalog, called Bloomin' Blossoms. (Pgs 2&3) Card #1 Reverse masking: Used the Coluzzle to cut an oval shape in a piece of scrap CS to create the oval template. I held the template over the card front and sponged Old Olive ink to create the look of a layer of CS. While the template was still in place, I stamped the flowers and the bee. Removed the template and colored the images with Stampin' Up PURE COLOR pencils. I added the new Ribbon Sliders and Olive Poly Twill ribbon, also found in the Occasions mini. Card #2 This card was water colored using the AquaPainter and ink from my Purely Pomegranate ink pad. Card base is Purely Pomegranate. Designer Paper is Certainly Celery and the image was stamped on Whisper White using Black Stazon ink. River Rock ink was used for the vase color and Old Olive for the leaves. Card #3 Pretty in Pink card base. I used Shimmery White CS for the flower image and added a simple layer of vellum. Again, water coloring the flower with Old Olive and Purely Pomegranate ink. I love the simplicity of this card. I want to make one in every color.

My Hero...

My family and I have had a tough couple of weeks...the toughest we've ever had. We have suffered a devastating loss. My Dad passed away...suddenly and unexpectedly. Although we missed him terribly, we have to be thankful for the 75 years he graced this earth. He was a good man...actually an exemplary human being. He loved his family deeply and we all knew that. He loved his neighborhood, his community...he loved life. My Dad was kind and gentle, smart...a consummate teacher, loving and fun. You couldn't find a more devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend or neighbor.

Dad probably wouldn't like this picture I've posted...but it was the most recent. He came to my house to do a few "jobs" for me. My son took this one of Dad in one of his signature flannel work shirts. Dad was smart and skilled...there wasn't a problem he couldn't fix or job he couldn't do. I will miss Dad everyday and can't possibly explain the emptiness I feel.

More pictures of my Dad are listed under Sept 7, 2007 entry. We went on our annual family vacation and I posted a few photos from that trip.

WS project...

I made this 3 x 6 card at my recent workshop/party. It was my second most successful event. Orders were just over $1000!
Thank you Eileen!

Faux Silk...

A new (to me) technique...Faux Silk. It's an easy one, although, I was intimitated by the suggested supplies. I simply stamped the branch image on regular ol' tissue paper. I colored the leaves on the branch with Old Olive ink and a blender pen. After it was dry, crumpled the tissue paper in a ball, then smoothed it out. I attached the decorated tissue paper to a piece of white CS using Mono Multi, my new favorite adhesive. In this photo the result looks a little more wrinkled than it does in person. It's the lighting I guess. I used the "Embrace Life" set and the sympathy greeting was from the Close as a Memory set. Flower was stamped with Groovy Guava ink and blender pen used with same GG ink to add more color.

Looks better IRL...

IRL= in real life. I saw this idea on line and tried it...it's very easy! The card base is Old Olive. Using the Embrace Life set, I stamped a Whisper White layer, 4.25" x 5.5", then cut it into random size rectangles. Next I sponged every edge of each rectangle. I attached each piece onto the Old Olive cardbase so the pieces fit back together nicely. The flower was stamped using Groovy Guava ink on watercolor paper, then I added a little more GG ink with the AquaPainter. Finally, I popped up with a dimensional dot. I like the simplicity of this card.

Sr Center Cards 2/14/08

There were 16 ladies for class today. I taught them a few new ways to "kick up" their cards. They made an mini origami envelope to attach to the front of a card that could hold a tag. I also showed them how to do a Tea Bag folding idea called Dahlia Folding, using a circle punch and a few folds. They used the Crop-a-dile to dry-emboss the dots on the Bronco card. Thanks to my DH, I'll never look at this card the same way again (Inside joke ;o) Finally, I showed them how to do Spirelli, using a Scallop Circle punch and some ordinary sewing thread. I saw the instructions here. It looks a lot more complicated than it is. Enjoy!

TriState Stampers...Card Candy

For all you TriState Stampers...here is my version of our project for Monday night. I used White CS and Black ink with a variety of stamps and punches. (click images to enlarge) Contact me with any questions.

Extreme Home Makeover...

My DD met her favorite reality star of all time....Ty Pennington! She was so excited!
Autograph and a picture...woohoo! As you can see from her forehead, it was Ash Wednesday...a day she won't soon forget.

I took this pic of the tent today...I personally was hoping to see Paulie! He is my favorite! What a sweet guy!

"Busdriver....move that bus!"

Too bad she was giving me directions from in front of the camera...heehee

Apparently, this is the first time EHM took on an inner city duplex home.
Unbelieveable...2-1/2 days and there is now a new beautiful house. Or should I say two?
No designers at the site today. bummer!

Which one?

I'm trying to prep for my Sr. Center class. I can't decide which one of these cards I like. We make simple cards...using only one ink pad at a time. For a seasoned stamper, this can be a challenge to come up with ideas using only one color ink. Designer Series Paper and punches do add some color and pizazz. As you can see in the 1st photo, I've got the squares of DSP cut and ready to go...

I'm a "blog-surfer"

I admit it...lately, I 'case' most of my cards. Why reinvent the wheel, right?! I found a card I liked on Sharon Johnson's blog. She is a very talented and creates beautiful cards. I chose this card to case, but made my version a little simplier. I have less ribbon (easier to mail). And one less embellishment. I didn't use the flat-backed pearls Sharon used, from the Pretties Kit. My kit will be arriving any day, thanks to a very generous friend *wink* It's hard to see in the photo, but I used Mono Multi glue to put glittery centers on the flowers. If you click the image you might be able to see it. It's subtle but adds just enough. The colors I used are Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. The stamp set is "A Beautiful Thing"

So, is "blog-surfer" a term you've heard or should I be using another term? Let me know....thanks!

You Tube funny....

One of my stampin' buddies (Hi L) sent me a link to this You Tube video. You have to be from Delaware to appreciate it. I'm not originally from Delaware but do see the humor in the clip after living here for almost 20 years. Enjoy!

Mystery Class...last but not least...

I felt this card had a young, carefree feel. Using the Crop-a-dile again...but this time to create the dry embossed dots under the 3 rows of CS and punched flowers. Before I added the dots, the card was lacking any appeal. The "eye candy" was simply adding texture by adding the dots. Notice the even placement...that's a cool trick I discovered recently. Got your curiosity up?...Leave me a comment and I'll go into further detail. Thanks for stopping by!