Hi stampers!  Have I ever mentioned that I like...I mean LOVE background stamps?  Well I DO and when I saw the Hello, Doily stamp in the new catalog I knew I had to have it.  Which, just like the set, is funny because I hate doilies.  I'm serious when I say that I may judo chop my mom if she tries to put any fugly old doilies in her new house when she gets it:-)  However, she COULD totally hang this card up in her house and I'd be ok with that.....

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Hello, doily, pursuit of happiness
Paper:  Whisper white, island indigo, pool party, calypso coral
Ink:  Island indigo and calypso coral markers, pool party, versamark
Accessories:  White EP, scallop circle and circle punch, basic pearls

OMG!  Isn't it purty?    Now, there is a bit of a funny story here about why I have two cards.  Normally I make two identical cards but when I was stamping the doily the other night I totally stamped it in the wrong spot from where I wanted it on one of them.  Oh well....it still works:-)  I think I like the one of the right better though.

I used the Colour Q color challenge from this week as a jumping off point and this card just kind of took on a mind of it's own.  I made a number of cards yesterday and THIS is my fave!  The sentiment is from Pursuit of Happiness and I love how it combines different fonts.  This one just begged to have the happy colored in calypso coral to make it stand out!  One more detail is that the circle of island indigo was heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I LOVE the contrast!

Anyway, I haven't done any stamping today yet but I did get my office and closet cleaned out!  We'll see what happens!  Happy stamping!

Hi stampers!  Ever had a week or so when you just lose your mojo?  That's where I'm at now!  It's so frustrating.  I WANT to stamp but I just can't come up with anything, urhg!!!!  I saw the Colour Q challenge earlier this week and fell in LOVE with it, lookie:

Isn't it just FAB?  And I need that cookie jar, he is so cute!  So I've been thinking about this challenge ALL week and came up with a big fat nothing!  Normally, I can think of something pretty quick even if I can't sit down and work on it right away! Anyway, I finally did get something done today and I'm fairly happy with it BUT I really like this combo so I may keep playing with it a bit:-)  Or not...you probably all know I have stamp a-d-d and will probably flit on to something else soon, lol! 

I actually took not only the color cue from the challenge but I figured I'd dust off my poor neglected owl punch since I LOVED the owl in the picture up there!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Family reunion
Paper:  Whisper white, calypso coral, early espresso, pool party, island indigo, in color DSP stack
Ink:  Calypso coral, island indigo
Accessories:  Owl punch, in color polka dot brads, fan letterpress plate, scallop circle and circle punch, polka dot embossing folder

It is a pretty straight forward card.  I used a large panel of white since the other colors are pretty bold and I thought it needed it for better balance and contrast.  I also used the fan letterpress plate for the owl's chest.  I think it looks like feathers!  Note that I used it with regular paper AND dye ink NOT craft ink.  You can do that it just doesn't work as well or impress into the paper like craft ink and watercolor paper.  I had to do it that way since we don't have craft ink in our in colors.  I think he turned out cute!  It did take me a while to figure out what color combo to do his eyes so my desk is covered in little bitty bits of paper, hehe!  I also really went with a polka dot theme so I couldn't resist throwing an in color brad on there too!  Well, that's all I got!  I'm going to try to squeeze some more mojo out of somewhere for the rest of the afternoon!  Happy stamping!

Hi stampers!  I'm just full of acronyms today aren't I?  Well I am happy it's Friday although I've been on vacation for a few days so I kept thinking the past two days were Saturday, lol!  I got to hang out with one of my BFF's Wednesday and Thursday, my momma!  We had fun and I really miss spending time at our family farm where she grew up.  It's so pretty there and relaxing too being away from the rat race that is my life, hehe.  I wished I'd had more time to spend there with her this week.  She's currently waiting for her new manufactured home to be set on the basement and she can't wait...and neither can I!!!!!  Of course, it was supposed to be all done by now but you know how it goes when getting a new home....I did get to go see inside one half of it yesterday though...and with the heat index being around 115 it was a tad hot, hehe. 

It's so nice and I can't wait to stamp some nice home decor items for her! And if I'm MIA around here for a while soon it's probably because I'm slaving away helping to paint the house and get her moved:-)

Today we went to Bloomington where my other BFF lives but who wasn't there:-(  My hubby wanted to go eat there last Satruday night as well so I've been to her town TWICE in a week when she wasn't there!  It's so sad!!!!  I don't get to see her as often as I'd like either...so I guess I could send this card I made to both of my BFF's:-)


Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Best friends forever
Paper:  Whisper white, melon mambo, wisteria wonder, basic gray
Ink:  Melon mambo, basic gray, wisteria wonder
Accessories:  Wisteria wonder ruffled ribbon, basic pearls

I have to say I didn't much care for this set in the catalog or when I found out it was a set we were getting at convention BUT as per usual SU and all the other talented stampers out there have helped to change my mind.   It still might not be a top pick for me but I do like it and have seen some super stuff done with it!  This is my first attempt playing around with it and I hope to work with it some more.  I really like the combo of wisteria wonder and basic gray together too.  Well, I've been lazing around all day...I guess I really should take a shower and get some stuff done....like stamping:-)

Hi stampers!  I have a quick little post today as I'm still spending some time with my momma today and we are about to go do some shopping and get pedicures...and eat some yummy lunch of course!  Anyway my card today is made again with my mom in mind and is a cute little one I can send her when I miss her.  I really need to send more cards to her and other people!  It uses Easy Events which is a set that I got at convention.  I probably would not have ordered this set on my own but I have to say it's really cute and have seen some great cards with it!  I just love the little tree image, don't you?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Easy Events
Paper:  watercolor, pear pizzazz, lucky limeade, subtles DSP
Ink:  staz on and various for watercoloring
Accessories:  Chocolate chip scalloped polka dot ribbon, frames embossing folders, tasteful trim die, dazzling details

Isn't it just cute?  And the images are all really fun to color!  I also love the polka dot scalloped ribbon and the frames embossing folders.  I used the tasteful trim die to make my "grass" and just popped one layer up on dimensionals to give it more depth.  It's hard to see but the little tiny heart on the tree has some of the upcoming dazzling details glitter glue on it too.  The main image was layered on top of one of the embossing frame folders that I cut out.  Happy stamping!

Hi stampers!  Well it's like Christmas in July for me.  Want to know why?????  Well, I was picked to be on the design team called the Creative Crew on Splitcoast!  I'm so excited BUT I'm a bit scared and nervous too as I have some other fun things going on plus it's about to be my busy time at work!  Eek!  I'm also feeling the pressure to create GREAT things, lol!  Anyway, I'll be doing the challenges starting in September so keep an eye out for them if you're on SCS and if not then go sign up.  It's a truly great place with great artists and you can learn so much there!  I'll be sharing more fun news soon...

So what better way to celebrate than with a Christmas card right?  We all know I LOVE Christmas.  I came up with this card a week or so before convention.  I was trying to use ALL of the stamp sets I had ordered at least once before I left!  It was kind of a challenge since it's summer I tend to be into fun and bright colors.  I kind of had to switch gears for this one.  It uses a new set from the IBC called Merry & Type and I just loved it.  It reminds me of the pretty glass ornaments my grandma on my dad's side of the family had and those were the inspiration for this card.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Merry & Type, Grateful Greetings
Paper:  Soft suede, cherry cobbler, always artichoke, very vanilla
Ink:  Soft suede, always artichoke
Accessories:  Crochet trim, neutrals glimmer brads, modern label punch, fan letterpress plate, fine glitter, smooch ink

I used the fine cosmo gold glitter for the top most ornament and I think it turned out really pretty!  I also love the sentiments in the set BUT I thing that the Christmas Greetings sentiment from grateful greetings worked too well with this set to pass up.  I LOVE how our sets are so versatile and combine so well with other sets.  I ALWAYS have something to "go" with my project.  My favorite little touch on this card is the top of the ornaments.  It's hard to see in the photo (you can click on it to make it bigger) but I used my smooch accent ink in the gold color to make it look like they are gold and sparkly!   I also used the new fan letter press plate for the background.  And finally, I tried my hand at those little bows with the brads in the middle.  Sadly, I broke a few of the brads before I got one that worked:-(  Oh well, they are still worth a try and I need to remember to do this little technique more often!  Let me know if you have questions on how to do them, I can always do a video for you!  I should also do a letterpress plate one too, huh?

Anyway I hope you like it!  Maybe it will bring some thoughts of cooler weather to mind which I could use again about now, it's gotten HOT again.  I was a bit (ok or a LOT) warm on my 4 mile run this morning!  I didn't go until 8 and I think I should have gotten up even earlier...but who wants to do that on vacation?  I took a few days off to go spend some quality time with my mom since she moved away!  I am sad I'll be away from my stamp studio (and my hubby, hehe) for a few days BUT we have the interwebz at the farm now (and that's a BIG deal, lol) so I hope to be able to share a few projects with you while I'm there!  Happy stamping!

Hi stampers!  Man, it's been HOT and humid here but today it got down to 70 some degrees!  I thought it was fall, lol!  Of course it rained and cooled off TODAY since we were planning to go to my husbands parents house and swim in their pool.  I guess we should have planned it weeks ago so we could have had some rain:-)  We still got to visit and made some hot dogs and ate way too much so I guess it was successful after all (not to mention that I got some extra stamping time in today too....and a nap!).  Too bad I think it's supposed to get hot hot hot again!

The cooler weather did remind me that fall is coming up quick (not sure if I'm happy about that though, summer's going way too fast) so I thought I'd show you a pretty fall card that I made a week or two ago.  I'm sort of in a summer/bright color mode so it was out of my zone to make this card but it turned out great.  I was inspired by a fellow Splitcoast stamper, Susie Nelson.  You can find her card in the SCS Creative Crew gallery.  So here is my take:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Falling leaves, woodgrain
Paper:  whisper white, pool party
Ink:  Pool party, wisteria wonder, lucky limeade, peach parfait, island indigo
Accessories:  Circle punch, polka dot brads

Isn't it just FAB????  I love the way it turned out.  They aren't traditional fall colors but they still work.  Have I mentioned that I LOVE the new in colors?  Oh I have?  Ok:-)  I didn't have any of the DSP so I pulled out one of my fave background stamps, woodgrain.  It works great for fall cards.  I also sponged around the edges and then popped it up for a bit of depth.  I also used my favorite new accessory, the in color polka dot brads, they are so fun!  Anyway, I think it turned out really well and it is one of my favorite cards lately and I hope you enjoyed it too!  And I have some exciting news to share in the coming weeks so keep an eye out:-)  Happy stamping!

Well...it's for both!  Hi stampers!  Know what's better than stamping?  What???  I know, you're thinking how can anything be better than stamping?????  How about stamping with FREE stamps!!!!!!  Heckya! 

That's exactly what I did with the card I'm going to show you today!  I love being an SU demo for many MANY reasons but a BIG one is FREE STAMPS!  Did you know that as a demo you can earn FREE stamps from the new catalog during sale-a-bration time?  Yep, you sure can and I earned any set I wanted at $31.95 or less so I chose Letter It!  Would YOU like to earn free stamps?  I mean who wouldn't right?  Well right now is a fabulous time to sign up as we have a great promo going on where you can get a mini-starter kit for the LOW price of $99.00!  It's a great value and a terrific investment.  Now, it's really a win-win situation because even if you don't decide to stay active you still got a great deal on fab stamping stuff.  AND if you decide to keep on keepin' on you can make some money or pay for your addiction...er...I mean your hobby;-)  For more details check out the promo page on the customer website.  And feel free to contact me if you'd like more info or have questions!

Ok, ok...on to the pretty stuff because that's why you're here right? :-)  Well here is the cute card I made with my free stamps!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Letter It, Fabulous Phrases
Paper:  Whisper white, so saffron, rich razzleberry, subtles DSP stack
Accessories:  White taffeta ribbon, 2.5" circle punch, curly label punch, itty bitty punch pack, basic pearls

Isn't it just DARLING?  I loved the little jar of jelly bellys on the page in the catalog with this set and thought it would make a cute card.  I thought right if I do say so myself, lol!  It was super easy too!  Letter It and Fabulous Phrases were just made for each other!!!!  There are so many possibilities with this combination.  Try one out for yourself and let me see what you come up with!  Hey, it's like my own little challenge blog, hehe. 

Hope you like it and please don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like more info on the special price starter kit!  SU really is the best, you can't go wrong!  Happy stamping Saturday!

Hey stampers!  SO it's HOT here!  It was 100 degrees without the heat index yesterday and we won't even talk about how humid it is!  I want to go back to lovely Salt Lake City where I was COLD for the first few minutes of my morning run before convention each day, haha!  I thought I'd break out Raining Flowers which we got at convention as my own sort of rain dance:-)  So while trying to stay inside and keep cool I thought I'd play along with the Create with Connie & Mary color challenge this week.



Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Raining flowers, just because
Paper:  Whisper white, regal rose, sahara sand, marina mist
Ink:  Same
Accessories:  Basic pearls, neutrals glimmer brads, dazzling details
A few notes about the project:
1.  The sahara sand flowers were actually stamped off once on scratch paper because I thought they were too harsh full strength.
2.  I added some of our new dazzling details to the center of the rose flowers
3.  The glimmer brad isn't exactly sahara sand but it was as close as I could get with what I have.
4.  I think about every flower that made it onto a card at convention was scrunched up so I had to scrunch my flower too:-)  I wanna be one of the cool kids!!!
5.  The sentiment is also a free set we got at convention!  I wanted to use Pursuit of Happiness but again, had a hard time working that in....it's funny the twists and turns a card takes from my brain to the paper:-)

Hope you liked it, now head on over to the challenge and play along with me, will ya?

Happy stamping!

Hey stampers!  So one of my FAVORITE things about convention this year was the "product park" that SU had set up for us.  The theme of convention 2011 was GROW so they had set up a little park for us to look at lots of products, ideas, and inspiration.  These pictures do not begin to show how beautiful it was!  Basically, they had a little section set up for most of the product suites in the catalog.  And let me tell you, I WANT whoever's job it is at SU to come up with this stuff:-)  It would be sooo fun and my dream job;-)  So sit back and take a little tour with me (click on any of the pics to enlarge)......

This is an overview of the park.  Isn't it just so cute????  Each product suite had it's own little place of the park and it's own little theme. 


This was rather bare on the first day but it said "watch me grow".  I had NO idea they would put up all these FABULOUS things from the Holiday Mini once they had given them out!  There were so many awesome things on this display.  This side was Christmas and the other was.....Halloween


 Here was the Christmas suite.  So cute and had letters to Santa!

 Under the big top suite.  I wanted to ride the blue bike around:-)

 Flirtatious suite.  I love the towels and they had some baby clothes with the fabric sewn on.

Possibly one of my favorite displays.  I'll probably have close ups in another post about my favorites.  You all know I love Halloween and this display was CUTE!  I wonder how long it took to cut and crinkle ALL those leaves!!!

 The bella chateau suite.  This was also a fave because my mom loves chickens and this was too cute!  There was a paper rooster, hens and cute chicks as well as eggs.  I may have to try some of these things for my mom!  Details sometime soon!

 I can't remember what this one was for...oops:-)

 Domestic goddess.  There were some cute ideas here as well and it turned me into a fan!

 Just add cake

 Paisley petals.

 Pocketful of posies.  Also did not care for this suite until convention!  This set up was so cute and had so many projects I need to case!

 Paisley petals again.  I wanted to show the ribbon above the display.  HOW pretty is that and I wonder how much ribbon it took?

 The timeless suite.  Still not a fan but it had some pretty stuff/

Well worn.  Again, so cute and I love all the vintage stuff!

Ok, I think I got it all....I think:-)  I hope you enjoyed the virtual park.  I can't even begin to do it justice in pictures!!!! 

I'll also be posting some of my favorite details of convention some day soon too as well as display boards and pics from main stage also!  I have SO many pics it's going to take me a while to get organized, edit and post while still trying to get some STAMPING in:-)

Hi stampers!  I wanted to share another swap I took with me to convention.  This one was just for general swapping with random demos and was by FAR the most popular one that I had.  That really surprised me since I got the idea straight out the catalog!  Anyway, it was a card that I had liked when I first looked through the catty and I thought it would be pretty easy to mass produce and it was....UNTIL....the sewing machine and I had a run in:-)  I will master you someday mini sewing machine!  Anyway, I'll share the card and scoot because I really need to try to stamp something tonight!  Hope you like it....



Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Word play, I {heart} hearts
Paper:  Very vanilla, peach parfait, crumb cake
Ink:  Peach parfait, early espresso, island indigo, cherry cobbler
Accessories:  Itty bitty buttons, linen embossing folder, sewing machine

Happy stamping!

Hi stampers!  I actually have a card for you today, shocking I know:-)  I wanted to post this when I made it weeks ago but it was for an organized swap so I didn't want to ruin the surprise.  I had been thinking about this card since I saw the new catalog.  I loved the button buddies set first off and I also loved the flower image and card shown in the catalog.  This set is named button buddies because it's made to use with our buttons.  I LOVE how SU thinks of stuff like that.  Now, of course you don't HAVE to use buttons if you don't want to and I wanted to show with this card that you could use MORE than just buttons.  I do have to say that my roommate at convention had some funny comments about the name of my most favorite set and now I can't mention it without giggling...but I'll forgive her, I guess:-)  I hope all the people in the swap liked the card, wanna see it?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Button buddies, pursuit of happiness
Paper:  Whisper white, calypso coral, blushing bride, peach parfait
Ink:  Calypso coral, blushing bride, peach parfait
Accessories:  Basic pearls, in color printed brads

EEK!  Don't you just love it?  I LOVE when a card turns out BETTER in real life than in my head and that doesn't happen often!  LOL!  I was really pleased with the simple layout and pretty color combo.  I also loved the sentiment I used.  The pursuit of happiness set is another favorite for me!  I knew I wanted to use the in color polka dot brads (LOVE LOVE LOVE those) but the card needed something else so I added the pearls and they were the perfect touch!  See, you don't NEED to use buttons at all!

I hope to have some new stuff to share soon as well as more convention highlights.  Does anyone know where I can get a few more hours in my day?  LOL!  I took a nap as soon as I got home from work today, I'm wiped out.  AND I was dumb and made a hair appointment for before work tomorrow morning, yeesh!  What was I thinking?  I could sleep in a bit as I go in later tomorrow but it's hard to get in so I hate to postpone my appointment!  Anyway, I hope I can stamp tomorrow night.  I have SO many ideas and so much free stuff after convention and it's all sad and sitting in a heap on the floor in my studio.  Maybe I can at least put it away before bed tonight.  Wish me luck and hope to see you soon!  Happy stamping!

So I've gotten a lot of comments about my profile picture on SC, SCS, and my blog here at convention (not to mention a lot of comments about how short I really am....but that's another post, lol) so I thought I'd explain a little bit about that picture.  It was taken my my hubby a few years back right before we went on our first weekend getaway to St. Louis.  I had just gotten a box of new stuff (you can see the stamps I was mounting in the background) and was sad to leave it home all alone:-)  Anyway we were being silly and he said "show me your stamp face" and that's what he got.  Stamps make me happy...just look how happy free stamps make me and my convention roomie.....

See, stamps just MAKE you make that face!!!!!  So, now you know the story and I'm not just crazy...well I am but again...that's another post:-)

Anyway convention wrapped up today and I'm so sad!  It was so much fun.  I am looking forward to seeing my hubby and dog but I'm sad to leave this lovely city and all my wonderful "new" friends.  I am however, not sure if I'll have to pay a crazy overage on my suitcase with all the free stuff I got, eek!

I have LOTS of pictures and stuff to share but it will take some time to get organized, I feel so behind already!  AND I have to go to work on Monday, boo!!!!  Most of all I can't wait to STAMP because I actually didn't do much of it at all over the last week!  I'll show you a few other photos of some of my favorite things and maybe you can spot some sneak peeks from the holiday mini. 

 A raincoat of PAPER!  How cute?

 LOVE these frames and now I HAVE to order the pocket full of posies DSP!

 Just LOOK at all that yummy ribbon!

 Boo!

Christmas in July!

Ok, time to go study the holiday mini and total up the damage before I head to bed, I have to be up and at em early for my flight home!  Wishing all the demos who are traveling a safe trip and it's been a great week and I've honored to be one of you this year!

If YOU would like to join in the fun just ask me HOW you can do it.  Not only can you get a great deal right now with a starter kit at a reduced rate but you can get a free project that is so yummy with sneak peeks from the mini!!!!!  And then you can be my convention buddy next year!!!!  Happy stamping!

Ok, first off my apologies for not blogging last night. I fail:-)  I was SO exhausted and I didn't sleep much on Wed night so I passed out after awards last night.  And you know me...I'm always up for a par-tay but I did one walk around the awards night party and was dead on my feet.  I wanted to blog, I really did but the bed was calling to me:-)  BUT tonight I'm all hopped up again so here we are (although I DO hope I can fall asleep tonight as the wonderful Wendy Wixler is picking me up bright and early at 6:30 to go running...have you seen her blog Wickely Wonderful Creations?  It's pretty much the bomb dot com and so is she!).  I just hope she doesn't kill me...the oxygen is thin up here you know, lol!

Anyway, convention is amazing and although I KNEW it would be totally radical it has blown my mind.  I'm usually pretty good at multi tasking and blogging and checking emails and stuff but I've failed again.  I have 200 some emails sitting there because I've just been so busy.  I haven't even had time to talk on the phone to my poor hubby!  Awwwwe!  Anyway, not complaining, just amazed!  I'm also amazed at some of the friends I've met or finally got to meet in real life!  They are the best!!!!!  Ok, I know enough of the mush...you wanna know the dirt and see pretty pics...I have some tonight and I'll try really hard to post next week.  So here is a quick marathon of cool schtuff (no time to edit so excuse the cruddy photos mmmk?):

Opening session with song and dance!  The BEST part was upon entering the hall ALL of the SU employees (and I'm not kidding...they closed down the home office for the day) were there cheering and high fiving us as we walked in!  It made me cry!  They honestly looked so excited for us and like there was no where else they would rather be!  SU employees ROCK!  More to come on the song and dance...and maybe a video;-)

Shelli is as NICE (or nicer) than I thought she would be AND sassy and funny!!!!!  I heart her!  She's also as tall and well dressed as I thought she'd be too:-)

Some eye candy from the holiday mini...need I say more???

And for my Halloween peeps....

And that might do it for me for now.  I have SO much to share I'm a bit overwhelmed!!!!  Um and I also don't know how I'm going to get all the FREE stuff I got and the stuff I bought at memento mall home!  I'd rather not have to ship it but we'll see.  I should have some more ready tomorrow so check back tomorrow evening:-)  Thanks for stopping by and happy stamping!

Good night;-)

Hey stampers!  I'm coming to you LIVE from SLC and SU Convention!  It's soooo fun and totally overwhelming but amazing!!!!  It's not even the first "official" day and I've already won a prize (the sweet floral BGS and RHR taffeta ribbon) and I have NO idea how I'm getting all the stuff I've gotten (and sure to get MORE) home!!!  I think I may need to ship some stuff...that or take my roomie's idea and wear every piece of clothing I brought home;-) 

Anyway, I should be sleeping instead of posting since I'm nuts and going to try to get up at 6 tomorrow and run before all the fun starts but I'm too excited to sleep!  I'll try to post a bit daily IF I have time! There is so much to see and do!!!  AND the best part is that I'm getting to meet all my stampin' besties in real life:-)  I'll share some quick pics then I'm going to TRY to sleep....

 Me & my roomate!  BAD pic of me...I look creepy, lol!
 They made a bonnet for the birdy!  I LOVE it, lol!
The distribution center!  Where ALL your stuff comes from.  I'm pretty sure I heard angels sing when I stepped inside!!!  I even got to peek in a couple of boxes with someones order:-)  Very cool and quite possibly the only part of the trip that my hubby will be interested to hear since he's in shipping;-)

Ok, time to hit the sack!  See you soon!

Ummmmm hi stampers!  So I should TOTALLY be packing for convention or at least doing something to get ready....but I'm not....and I leave tomorrow night for my moms!!!!  Eeeek!  Oh well, I always wait until the last minute for stuff...maybe I work best under pressure.  And I still haven't worked out at all today so I need to go for a walk or something but it's soooo hot out today!

Anyway all I've wanted to do this weekend is STAMP!!!!  I've got more cards done this week/weekend than I have in a long time...now maybe I could actually get around to SENDING some, lol!  So when I happened to click over on the Paper Players blog I found this nifty little color challenge and thought I needed to get at least one more card in before convention.  Now, I know I will get to stamp a little bit while I'm there but it will be limited and I'm just so excited about all the new stuff!!!!    Just look at this funky and fun color combo:



So here's my entry for the #55 color challenge:


Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Up, Up, & Away
Paper:  whisper white, poppy parade, baja breeze, basic gray
Ink:  poppy, baja, gray, crumb cake
Accessories:  seam binding, dotted scallop border punch, two way glue pen, dazzling diamonds

Ohhhh!  Isn't it just fab!  I LOVED this color combo as soon as I saw it and I immediately thought of these fun little hot air balloons!  I just love the POP that the poppy parade provides.  I kept the layout rather simple since the colors are kind of bold.  I also used dazzling diamonds on the popped up balloon although it doesn't show too well in the picture.  The sparkle really made all the difference!  Those balloons would look really good embossed as well!  Hope you like it!!! 

I hope to have some cards to share while I'm gone and I hope to post some stuff from convention but we'll see how that goes as I really have no idea what to expect other than it's going to be so fun and I'm going to be so exhausted!  Happy stamping!

Hi stampers!  I can't believe it's almost time for Stampin' Up convention in Salt Lake City!  I'm a bit excited if you weren't aware:-)  Not only am I excited about doing our neat projects, possibly winning stuff, and learning lots but I get to meet all of my stamping "friends" in person!  I'm probably MOST excited about that!

Well, I still have a lot to do before I leave Monday night after work but I got a lot done today....although I'm still not sure how the clock says 5:00 as I JUST looked at it and it said 3;-)  I've mainly been working on swaps and my roommate gifts but I did manage to get a card done just for fun!  I'd like to do more but I have a hot date tonight...with my hubby that is, hehe.  We are going to dinner and then to see Transformers 3!  He's been neglected for my stamps as of late:-)  BUT he is making headway on our master bath shower (that he tore out months and months and months ago) so maybe I should stamp a LOT more often, hehe. 

Anyway I had the main image from this card sitting on my desk for weeks.  I got the color combo idea from some non-SU color challenge that I can't remember BUT it was basically rich razzleberry, lucky limeade, and so saffron.  Again, you can pull inspiration from ANYWHERE!  The technique was inspired by fellow demo and blogger Kimberly VanDiepen who I love!  She had a video on her blog on how to use your watercolor crayons to color directly on a solid stamp then spray with water and stamp resulting in a pretty watercolor effect!  Her video and card were the reason I ended up finally getting the Just Believe set

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Just Believe, Pursuit of Happiness
Paper:  Whisper white, rich razzleberry, so saffron, lucky limeade
Ink:  Basic black, watercolor wonder crayons
Accessories:  Modern label punch, mini brads, ruffled ribbon, linen embossing folder

And although this isn't a new set I did manage to sneak a few new things in there!  I hope my new stamps aren't jealous:-)  I LOVE the greeting and it's from the Pursuit of Happiness set.  I love the new words in the catalog!  This one pairs just perfect with the modern label punch and I love the fonts!  I also used the new mini brads which are so cute and man are they tiny!!!!  There's also some of the new in color ruffled ribbon on the left edge of the image too. That's my favorite way to use that ribbon so far!  Well I better get back to "work" on some things!  Hope you're having a great Saturday and happy stamping!

Yay!  It' Friday!  It's been a long/rough week even though it was a "short" one!  So...I was super happy to get to play with new goodies tonight after dinner!  So I'll try to keep the chit chat to a minimum and show you all FOUR cards I got done this evening!  Forgive me if the pics aren't the best, I usually take them during the day but couldn't wait to share!  They are all fairly simple or clean and simple too...it's just what's working for me right now and most are inspired by cards in the new IBC.  It's a GREAT source of inspiration!  So here we go for some marathon sharing....

First up, a case from the catty cover...turned a 3 x 3 card into a standard size
Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Best of everything
Paper:  Calypso coral textured CS, soft suede, confetti white, first edition DSP
Ink:  Peach parfait, calypso coral, soft suede and lucky limeade markers
Accessories:  Subtles brads. dotted scallop border punch

This set is just so cute and I love that birdy!  And I LOVE how simple this card is!  And you'd never know I messed up, AGAIN!  I realized that after I cut the wings out they were backwards...I wanted them to be blank and not orange but they looked cute anyway and I had more projects to make so orange they are;-)

Next up, another 3 x 3 turned standard on page 176:
Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Kindness matters
Paper:  Wisteria wonder textured, concord crush, very vanilla, first edition DSP
Ink:  Wisteria wonder, concord crush marker
Accessories:  Polka dot printed in color brads

A few notes on this one!  First off I LOVE wisteria and it pairs so great with concord!  Also I LOVE this small stamp set!  I tried to wait to earn it free during SAB but I just couldn't!  And it uses my new favorite accessory, the printed brads!  They are SOOOO yummy!  To make the butterflies I inked up my stamp in wisteria wonder, the lighter color.  I then gently ran my concord marker around the outside of each one giving it a darker edge. 

Coming in third is one I came up with all on my own using little additions...someone better start having babies soon and give me a real reason to use this set:-)  I just couldn't resist it.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Little additions
Paper:  Blushing bride, sot suede, whisper white
Ink:  blushing bride, soft suede
Accessories:  Vintage wallpaper embossing folder, vintage trinkets, frames embossing folder, pretty in pink scalloped ribbon

Again, another simple layout.  The image is stamped on one of the new embossing frames that I cut out and I also cut out the cute teddy bear.  Some of the new polka dot scalloped ribbon and a mini safety pin (from our vintage trinkets) are the perfect details!

And rounding them out in fourth is my very favorite of the night and one of my favorites of all time!  It was another card I semi-cased....it's really a 3-d item in the catalog on page 17 and is the reason I bought this stamp...well I got it FREE with my hostess benefits:-)
Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Just thank you
Paper:  Very vanilla, peach parfait, soft suede
Ink:  Markers - soft suede, pool party, pear pizzazz
Accessories:  Lace ribbon border punch, itty bitty punch pack, pool party ruffled ribbon, mini brads, linen embossing folder

Ok, this card is just adorable, I love it and it uses two more of my favorite new things!  That in color ruffled ribbon is just amazing!  I love it!!!!  And those teeny tiny brads?  Swoon!  They are too cute and just the right touch on so many projects but MAN are they tiny!!!!!  Who doesn't love tiny things though????

Ok, I think I'm done for the night.  Tomorrow is swap day....I've got a lot of work to do before I leave Monday night for CONVENTION!!!!  Can you tell I'm excited?  Ok, really time for bed..have to teach turbokick in the morning!!!  Happy stamping!!!!

I know I say it every year but I really REALLY mean it this year!  This is the best catalog SU has ever had!  I LOVE the stamps, accessories, and the SAMPLES!!!!!  They are just fabulous this year and I've cased more already than I think I ever have in a catty!  So I sat down tonight after work and the gym and dinner and managed to get TWO done, woo-hoo!  AND I actually LIKED them both, lol!  So tonight's post is a two-fer! 

First up is the card that I semi-cased from page 2 of the catalog.  It was a little 3 x 3 but I wanted to make it bigger so here we go:

Stampin' supplies:
Stamps:  Best of everything, tiny tags
Paper:  Whisper white, pool party
Ink:  pool party, daffodil delight, old olive
Accessories:  Large circle punch, daffodil and pool party ribbon, jewelry tag punch, linen embossing folder

I used the best of everything stamp set.  It's so cute!  I was on the fence about getting it but was able to earn it FREE with the new hostess benefits!  Free stamps = GOOD stamps:-)  All I did here was stamp the bird and a couple of flowers and cut them out.  The stem is stamped on the circle punch and then I popped it all up on dimensionals. 
And want to know a lil dirty secret about this card???  I messed up and used a bigger circle than was called for on the supplies so my flower didn't go over the top and it didn't look right...so I just added the second one to make my flower taller and ta-da all better:-)  There are NO mistakes in stamping...only opportunities to embellish!!!  I also layered the ribbons and I LOVE that new in color ruffled ribbon! It's so fun!  A tiny tag rounds this card out!

Next up, field flowers.  I don't usually go ga-ga over floral sets but WOW!  This one caught my eye right away!  I tried hard to resist it but alas I caved:-)  And I'm glad I did, just look!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Field flowers, tiny tags
Paper:  crumb cake, calypso coral, first edition DSP
Ink:  Old olive, calypso coral, blushing bride
Accessories:  crochet trim, vintage tags

Wow-eeeee!  This is a two step stamp so I stamped the more solid image in blushing bride first and then went back with the detail stamp in calypso coral and I LOVE the way it turned out!  I was afraid calypso was too bright for a vintage card to start with but it works!  I also sponged the DSP with blushing bride.  And a vintage tag and some crochet trim finish this one nicely. 

Hope to be back soon!  Happy stamping!

Hi stampers!  I'm have a card for you today with my most favorite stamp set from the new catalog!  It's called Up, Up, & Away and it's a bunch of cute hot air balloons and sayings!  Not only do I like it because it's super cute but it has sentimental meaning to me too.  My dad has always been a big fan of hot air balloons and one time when I was little and my parents were still together, my mom got my dad a hot air balloon ride!  We didn't go with him but followed it in the "chase car".  That was even fun!  Anyway I still remember it and think of my dad every time I see a hot air balloon.  Anyway, enough of the mushy stuff, check out the card which is also my entry in the Mojo Monday sketch challenge.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Up, up & away
Paper:  whisper white, island indigo, lucky limeade, pool party, peach parfait
Ink:  island indigo, pool party, lucky limeade markers
Accessories:  dotted scallop border punch, polka dot embossing folder, sewing machine

Isn't it cute????  I just love the sayings and the kitschy font!  This one will probably make it's way to my hubby at some point soon as I made it with him in mind;-)  I also tried to keep the colors "manly" and used some of our new in colors. 

I didn't get to stamp as much as I would have liked last night with my new stuff but I'll do my best to keep stuff coming.  I have quite a few things made or in the works that I won't share until after convention since I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone going:-)  I'm going to need more hours in the day to blog when I get back I'm sure!  Happy stamping!

Hi stampers!  Quick post tonight as I'm tired and looking for my mojo..got new stuff today and it takes a hike!  What the heck???  Oh well, hoping to find it tomorrow  If you see it will you send it home?

Anyway have I mentioned that I'm in LOVE, like want to marry them love, with the new in-colors?  Because I do!  And what's great about them is how well they work with our "old" in colors (and isn't it just fantastic that we get to keep each set for a whole TWO years???)!  This card here uses a few of the new colors with peach parfait from the 2010-2012 set!

Stamps:  Delicate doilies, happy greetings
Paper:  Peach parfait, whisper white, island indigo, lucky limeade, calypso coral
Ink:  Same
Accessories:  lave ribbon border, dotted scallop border, circle and triple layer blossom punches, basic pearls, polka dot embossing folder

How bright and fun is that?  And yes, I did sneak those darned doilies in this one:-)  But I also used the triple layer blossom punch and the new lace ribbon border punch!  Anyway it's bed time for me...I'll be back tomorrow with a few new fun things!!!  Happy stamping!