A Touch From the Heart

Stamping 411: Saturday Sketch

 Yay, it's the weekend!!!  Even though they are crazy busy, I wouldn't trade them for the world.   Even though we make plans for the weekend, they hardly ever turn out the way that we planned them!!!

I can say the same thing about this card.  My original vision changed as I was sitting at my stamping desk.  Can you believe the card started with using the Bella Toile background stamp?  When you look at this card, you know THAT didn't happen.  LOL!!!

See, I told ya so!!!!!

Since this is the last few days of Sale-a-bration, I decided to use as many Sale-a-bration choices as I could!! 

The base card is Close to Cocoa cardstock.

The patterned paper comes from the Welcome Neighbor dsp pack.  This pack has patterns that coordinate with the Good Neighbor stamp set (also used on this card for the house).

The Bermuda Bay cardstock strip measures 4" x 2 3/4".  Flanking each side is a strip of Crushed Curry cardstock that has been punched with the Scallop Trim border punch (also a Sale-a-bration freebie).

In the top left corner, I added a Pumpkin Pie photo corner that has been sponged with some Close to Cocoa ink.

The sentiment is stamped on a strip of Crushed Curry.  I used my Photo Corner punch to make the banner edge.  The sentiment (from Thank You Kindly....another Sale-a-bration freebie choice) is stamped with Chocolate Chip ink.  I sponged the edges and popped it up on dimensionals.  I bent the banner edges to make it look more interesting.

Using the Good Neighbors stamp set, I stamped the house with Pumpkin Pie ink.  Before stamping onto Whisper White cardstock, I colored the door with my Chocolate Chip marker.  The roof is inked with Chocolate Chip ink and cut out.

The house sits upon some Pumpkin Pie cardstock that has been punched with the Scallop Circle punch.  I punched the same shape in Old Olive cardstock and tore it to resemble grass.

Are you ready to take the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge?

I hope so!!!!

Make sure you link your project back to the Stamping 411 blog using the Mr. Linky widget.  It's fast and fun!!!  The operators vote on their favorites of the week.  The winners are placed on the Stampers Showcase on Friday morning!!!

Until next time....Happy Stamping everyone!

Stamping 411: Color Inspiration #111

 
It's Thursday......which means one more day until the weekend....and also the unveiling of a new Stamping 411 Color Inspiration challenge.  

This week, I decided to start with a color I rarely use.....Handsome Hunter.

It's not that I don't like this color....it's just one that my eye doesn't necessarily gravitates to.

Handsome Hunter is perfect for "guy" cards.  No groaning when I mention "guy" cards.  I know they can be challenging.....but a little creative push is good every once in a while, right? 

I threw in some of my favorite colors:  More Mustard and Ruby Red.

My project is one of the cards my Stamp Club members will be making tonight.  It combines the gorgeous Medallion background stamp with Vintage Labels (one of the Sale-a-bration stamp sets this year).

This card combines heat embossing, sponging, spritzing and paper piercing. 

What techniques will you use on your Color Inspiration project? 

If you choose to take the challenge, please leave a comment on this post with a link to your project.  I would love to take a peek!!!!

Until next time......Happy Stamping everyone!!!

All products by Stampin' Up!.......Click HERE to order them today from my demonstrator website

Card Recipe
stamps:  Medallion, Vintage Labels (SAB)
paper:  Handsome Hunter, More Mustard, Ruby Red, Basic Black
ink:  More Mustard, Basic Black Craft
accessories:  Black embossing powder, piercing tool, mat pack, Scallop Circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, Color Spritzer tool, Basic Black marker, Basic Black 5/8" grosgrain ribbon  

2nd Day of Leadership

(sing this to the tune of Twelve Days of Christmas)

On the second day of Leadership, Stampin' Up! gave to me......

• tons of stamping inspiration
• business tips galore
• lifelong friendships with ladies across the US and Canada
• memories I will never forget
• and a really yummy lunch (will explain tomorrow)

The day started with swapping cards while waiting on line to get into General Session.   I only made 18 general swaps.  I also made swaps for some organized swaps during lunchtime.  

Today's card was inspired by a card I received in an organized swap....the Go-Divas swap.  I loved the card sketch so much.  So here's a BIG thanks to Jane Allison for inspiring me with her card.  Jane's card used the Chocolate Bunny stamp and the new Sweet Pea paper.  I decided to go more bold for my card.  Here's what I came up with:

I told you it was vivid!!!  The base card is Crushed Curry (a color I have a really hard time using).  All of the patterned paper comes from the Razzleberry Lemonade dsp pack. 

I used my brand new stamp set, Vintage Vogue, for this card.  It's in the Occasions Mini, and it is gorgeous!!!  I stamped the big "F" two times (once on the Crushed Curry dsp and once on Whisper White cardstock) using Rich Razzleberry ink.  I cut out the "F" from the Whisper White cardstock and popped it up using dimensionals.

I stamped the sentiment with Rich Razzleberry ink and punched it with the Modern Label punch.  Of course, I sponged the edges with Crushed Curry ink. 

The flowers were stamped three times using Pumpkin Pie ink on white cardstock.  I cut them out, popped them up on dimensionals and added a clear rhinestone (popped out from the Clear Rhinestone Brads) in the center of each flower.

 Here are some pics from Leadership:

 
This is me and my good friend Robin Merriman.  Robin and I met at my 4th level upline's team dinner a few years ago at Convention.  Robin invited me into her incredible Go-Divas swap group.  Since then, we've been buds.  I only see her once a year, but we chit chat via email, Facebook and the occasional phone calls.  Miss you already, Robin!!!

Now, it's time for me to boast a bit about the company I work for.  People who know me well, know that I pretty much tell you what I think about something.  I don't like to lie......ask my college friends....my nickname was Snow White.  Getting to the point, I was SO impressed with Stampin' Up!, their employees, the information presented and the amount of support we receive as demonstrators.  I left Leadership being inspired......knowing that I can build a business I can be proud of.  Thank you Stampin' Up!

Here's a peek at the main stage before our first General Session.  The vintage feel is so my style.....loved it!!!!

All of the stage decorations were handpainted.  The frame on the left looks like the Top Note die, doesn't it?    

We were then greeted by Shelli Gardner, the co-founder and owner of Stampin' Up!  We had plenty of stamping inspiration, business tips, project ideas and announcements. 

After General Session, we had lunch.....not a boxed lunch.....but a wonderful meal served on real plates.  This was a wonderful treat from the boxed lunches I was used to at Convention and Regional seminars.

After lunch, we break out into classes for the afternoon.  The classes cover all aspects of a demonstrator's business.  My to-do list is HUGE!!!!

I'll be back tomorrow with the "deets" on the last day of Leadership including the surprise free goodies we were given just for attending.  So exciting!!!

Until then.....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Would you like to order Stampin' Up! products?  It's easy......you can either send me an email or place an online order through my demonstrator website.

Remember, it's Sale-a-bration......select FREE products when you place a $50 order.

Happy 2010!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!

Have you heard that the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration starts on Tuesday, January 5th?

If you've purchased from me over the past year, you will be receiving these catalogs in your mail box from me.

Now, Stampin' Up! let us demos know that the catalogs didn't get sent out as early as they would've liked. 

To make everyone happy, they posted the links to both the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration catalog early.

Click HERE to view the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Click HERE to view the Sale-a-bration Brochure.

Now, here are some things to be on the "lookout" for in these catties:

• stamp sets are available in both Wood Mount (traditional) or Clear Mount options.  Both have the same wonderful rubber images you are used to.  The difference is using an acrylic block for the Clear Mount option.  The Clear Mount is also about 25% less expensive than wood mount.  Click HERE to learn more about Clear Mount stamps. 
• the punches have been re-designed.  They are now lock and can be stored more easily.

Sale-a-bration is back!!!  This year the promotion runs from January 5th through March 31st.  There are three parts to Sale-a-bration:

• As a customer, for every $50 of your purchase, you get to choose one item from the Sale-a-bration brochure for FREE. 
• As a hostess, for every $300 of your workshop sales, you get to choose one item from the Sale-a-bration brochure for FREE.
• If you would like to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator yourself, the starter kit is on sale for 15% off and you get to choose any stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog for FREE. 

The Sale-a-bration brochure includes stamp sets (your choice of wood mount or clear mount), a pad of designer series paper and a border punch.  You can also choose from a variety of stamp sets from the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog too!!!!  The list of stamp sets to choose from is in the Sale-a-bration mini catalog. 

I am very excited about both the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration.

Take a peek at the new catalogs and let me know what you think!!!!!  I know you will fall in love too!

If you would like to hostess your very own workshop to earn free goodies from both the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration brochure, email me today to get your workshop scheduled!!!!