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All Stitched Up

I got my layout done for Tanner regarding his swimming incident a couple of weeks ago where he had to get stitches.  This isn't the title I was thinking of a week ago.  My friend, Jeanne sent me a suggestion and I took part of it.  Thanks, Jeanne!  I used My Digital Studio to create this layout and Jen's scrappy sketch challenge from Paper Craft Planet.  I used template c & d this time.  Here are the sketches again:


You can click on the layout to read the journaling.  Please let me know if you see typos.  
I would greatly appreciate it.



Have a great day!



Inspired By Nature

Oh, My!  I created this week...YAY!  We have been enjoying these hot, summer days by the pool, so I haven't had much time to create.  Today, is going to be a scorcher, so I decided I better get busy this morning creating my card for the sketch challenge I am hosting this Saturday at Paper Craft Planet.

I have had this set, Inspired By Nature on my wish list for a while and decided it was time to buy.  I see so many pretty cards made with this set.  I love the silhouette.  I stamped my main image in Night of Navy craft ink and embossed it with iridescent ice embossing powder.  This "stuff" is the bomb!

See the background?  I used the square lattice embossing folder, but I turned it up a notch.  I inked it up with crumb cake ink before I ran it through the Big Shot.  Love that technique!


Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted
Stamps: inspired by nature, tiny tags, cute by the inch
Paper: crumb cake, cherry cobbler, night of navy, buttercup
Ink: night of navy craft, cherry cobbler, night of navy
Accessories: 3/8" twill, hemp twine, square lattice embossing folder
Punches: 1" square, 1 1/4" square, scallop square, jewelry tag medium
Techniques: embossing


Click here to place an order


I am working on a layout for Tanner's stitches; however, I can't remember the title I thought of for it.  I am stuck on a title now.  Can you think of a good one?


Funny Face

Whew!  I finally completed a layout for the July Scrappy Challenge at Paper Craft Planet.  I started this one the first week in July.  I was determined today to finish it.  My friend, Jeanne has been scrapbooking like crazy and has inspired me to get mine done.  Below is a layout of Tate making silly faces on his birthday.  I love this one!  Well, I love all of them....hee hee!

Click to enlarge

I used templates a & b to create a double page layout in My Digital Studio.  

Click to enlarge

I used the stamp set Circle Circus on this layout.  It is a fun set to use and it is only $5.95.  This is what is looks like.  I change mine stamp to white, once I pulled it onto my layout.



Now, I am working on a layout with templates c & d.  

Have a great day!



MY

I am home from my sister's. Jeri's workshop was great!  We had a great time and made three awesome projects.  

Wow! I had an exciting day on Sunday.

There was a HUGE storm at my sister's Saturday night. I went downstairs to get my Diet Pepsi in the morning (yes, addicted) and there was a lot of water in their basement. Everyone jumped into action (my parents were there too). I was helping move furniture. I bent down to move this exercise bench and was staring straight at a snake. At first, I thought it was fake and then I thought, "Eek, that isn't fake!". I ran across the room and everyone laughed. I am still cringing.

After lunch I headed home. It is a three hour drive. I was about 15 minutes from home, when Seth called and said that Tanner (first day back into the pool , since stitches) swam down to the bottom in the low end and hit his chin on the bottom and broke open his scar. I got home, took a couple things into the house, and drove him to the ER. Luckily, he didn't need stitches again; however, they had to put little bandage strips across it to hold it in place. No swimming again for a week. Now, I know how my mom felt about all of my "accidents". Whew!


I have been busy, since I got home cleaning and playing with the boys.  In addition, I signed up for an online training course from Stampin' Up! called Recruit Crew.  The first week of assignments started, so I have been busy working on projects for class.  First assignment is to create a project that shows MY WHY.  Why I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Here is My Why:



Click to enlarge

I wanted the colors to match my blog, because I wanted to post this on my sidebar to remind myself and to tell others why I became a demonstrator.  Here is the text:



Inspire others to tap into their creativity.

Create cards for my family and friends.

Create scrapbooks to cherish our memories.

Share my passion for paper crafting.

Build relationships into friendships.

Stampin' Up! offers a complete line of quality paper crafting supplies.


The second lesson is to write down My Story or journey to becoming a demonstrator.  I used the same format and wrote my story:



Click to enlarge

This is the story I hope to tell at my workshops, so stampers know who I am and the story behind me becoming a SU! demonstrator:

My interest in scrapbooking was peeked about six years ago.  My friends and neighbors were going to "crops" and I wondered why they were so passionate about it.  I am a researcher, so I asked them a bunch of questions and researched on the internet.  Then I took the plunge, and never looked back.  I fell in love with scrapbooking and about three years later into stamping.  I thought I would never stamp or make cards, and now it is part of my every day life.

When my husband and I decided I should stay home with our boys, my friends suggested I sell scrapbooking and stamping supplies.  Again, I researched it and did; however, it was for a different company.  I worked in that business for about four years, but found myself always looking outside of that company to buy other stamping supplies.  Most of them were from SU!, so I decided to talk to my club members about becoming a demonstrator.  Almost all of my customers followed me to this great company.  I am so happy I did, and I think they are too.  I don't have the desire to shop outside of the SU! Idea Book & Catalog, because they have a full line of quality supplies for all my paper crafting needs.  


So I have been busy, but not creating cards or scrapbooking.  I did use My Digital Studio to create My Why and My Story.  I have decided not to spend the morning surfing blogs like I used to and see what everyone is making.  I decided to start focusing on my business and this class.  I hope to create along the way and I will share with you those projects, when I do.  In fact, I have a few ideas for club next month, but haven't started them yet.  

Summer vacation is more than half over, so I am trying to spend as much time with our boys before they go back to school.  We have a little trip planned and family coming to visit in August.  I will be around, but just not as often I used to be.  Hope you are enjoying your summer and do all the things you want to be doing.

God Bless!


Big Storm & Catch Up




Hello Everyone!

Well, last night we had a HUGE storm and the power went out around 7:30 p.m. and didn't go back on until 3:00 a.m.  The storm only last about 1 1/2 hours.  It was SO windy.  I was surprised there weren't big limbs all over the neighborhood; however, we had a big storm earlier this summer and there were a lot of limbs down then.  

There was a lightning and thunder show.  One thunder was so loud that our whole family about jumped out of our skin.  Since the electricity was out, it made sleeping in our beds (without air conditioning) a little tough. The boys camped out on this huge bean bag we have in my craft room, and Seth and I headed for the basement floor.  I can't believe I slept as well as I did.  I did get up when the electricity came back on to turn off the lights we had on before it went out.  

I am so glad I cut materials for Jeri's workshop earlier that day and I am ready to go.  I wanted to share some news from Stampin' Up!:

CARRY OVER STAMP SETS

Here are a few stamps sets that are not in the current catalogs; however, they are still available purchase.


Click on image to enlarge


NEW DIGITAL DOWNLOADS

The latest group of digital downloads for My Digital Studio are now available!

Item        Description        Price
119839Always Elegant Digital Kit$9.95
121431Wedding Sweet stamp brush set$3.95
121432Paper Daisies Kit$3.95
121433Elegant SoireƩ Designer Series Paper$4.95

Click HERE to see these new images, and place your order today!



HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG

I received a copy of the new Holiday Mini Catalog this week and it is GORJUS!  I thought I had my wish list completed and now I need to add to it.  If you have placed on order with me online or at club, you will be receiving one in the mail.  I added your name and address to my mini catalog mailing list.  If you would like to receive one too, just place an order before July 31, 2010 and your name will be added.


MY DIGITAL STUDIO CERTIFICATION

I completed My Digital Studio Certification and passed....YAY!  The certification consisted of webinars, quizzes and completing and printing at least one My Digital Studio project.  Soon I will be able to add a My Digital Studio Certification button on my sidebar.  I would like to congratulate my fellow Demonstrators who completed the certification!


I will be on the road tonight traveling to my sister's for the weekend.  Seth took the day off on Friday to hang with the boys, so I could visit my sister and mom (she is coming too).  Thanks, Honey!


Have a great weekend!



My Friend

Here is another card I made last week with my friend, Kim.  I love how we used the movers & shapers to make this.



I haven't taken time to create this week.  You know why?  I am ADDICTED!  Yes, addicted to the series LOST.  We have Netflix and my sister, Connie told me I would like it.  She is right.  I can't quit watching it.  I am working on a scrapbook layout and I am getting materials cut for Jeri's workshop this weekend.  Hopefully, I will create tonight.


Mr. & Mrs.

Wow!  We had an exciting Saturday!  I left to meet someone about scrapbooking and got a call from my husband that Tanner (our youngest) hit his chin on the diving board doing a cartwheel off the board and needed stitches.  I just got to my destination (1:30 p.m.), so I couldn't leave.  I told him to take Tanner to Urgent Care and I would be home as soon as possible.  Urgent Care gave him four options and he wanted to know what I thought we should do.  I told him to pick the option that would leave the littlest scar.  He decided from their suggestion to take him to Children's Hospital to see what they thought.  I was coming home at this time and decided to pick them up and head to the ER.  This was around 2:30 p.m.  I had a wedding I was supposed to go to at 3:30 p.m. and knew I wasn't going to make that.

Once we got to the ER, we went through all the options again...1) do nothing (biggest scar), 2) butterfly (second biggest scar and not good for active boy), 3) glue (smaller scar and not the best for active boy) and 4) stitches (smallest scar and best for active boy).  My vote was stitches and the doctor agreed, so that is what he received...THREE STITCHES and we were home at 4:30 p.m.  Missed the wedding, but had time to get ready to go to the reception at 6 p.m.

Before the accident, Seth was building a shed we purchased from Sam's club in our backyard that had to be finished that night, since it was going to storm and it would probably knock down what he built and ruin part of it.  The walls were up with no doors and the roof needed to be built and put up before it rained.  Seth wanted to go with us to the reception, but knew he needed to continue working on the shed.  Finally, I said get showered and go with us.  We will all help when we get home to get the shed built before it rains around 1 a.m. (that is what the weather site reported on the internet).

We went to the reception, and I saw friends I hadn't seen for three years.  We had a great meal, CAKE (yummy) and wonderful company.  We got home at 8: 30 p.m. and started on the shed with about one hour of daylight left.  We worked together and got the shed done at midnight with flashlights in hand.  The boys helped too.  All of us got to bed around 1 a.m. and fell asleep quickly.  I woke up due to the storm at 2 a.m. and look out at our shed standing tall and all enclosed.  YAY!  We did it!  Whew!

Here is Tanner right after he got his stitches.  He loved the blue camouflage bandage:



Here is the card I made on Friday (thank God I decided to create a day early) for the bride and groom:


I got this card idea from page 2 of the new SU! Idea Book & Catalog.  I knew when I saw that card I wanted to make one similar.  I used retired paper from SU!  In addition, I used the All Holidays stamp set for the Mr. & Mrs. sentiment.  Last but not least, I used the following for texturing the hearts punched with the XL Full Heart punch:  Square Lattice Impressions folder, Vintage Wallpaper impressions folder, Petals-a-Plenty impressions folder and the crimper.


Ice Cream Shop

I created with Kim again last night and we made this adorable card.  I saw this somewhere in blogland, but don't remember where.  I am so glad she showed me how to make this one.  I don't have this stamp set, but have a set that might work for club next month.

The adorable ice cream shop card was made using the Sweet Scoops stamp set from page 10 of the Summer mini catalog along with the Scallop Edge border punch on page 201, and the Word Window punch on page 203.


Good enough to eat!




Thank You Birdie

I almost forgot Jeri asked me to create something for her party on the 16th that showed how to use the blender pens and pastels.  Whew!  I am glad my memory kicked in today, and I am glad it rained.  I know that sounds weird, but that is the only way this week I was be able to create.  If it is nice and sunny, the boys want to spend the afternoon out at pool.  I don't like to create right after Seth gets home, because we hang out as a family then.  So....yay, it rained!

You will want to stamp your image with Black Stazon Ink, so the ink will not run.  I used three different stamp sets on this card.  They seemed to just go together.  The main image is from A Flower for All Seasons.  The sentiment is from Short & Sweet, and the little bird that matches the main image is from Itty Bitty Bits.  Love this combination!



Do ya see the pattern paper at the top of my card?  Oh, so pretty!  This is the Presto Patterns Specialty paper that is in the new catalog and summer mini.  This awesome paper appears white with white glossy designs you reveal with ink for an emboss resist look.  I revealed this pattern with the new Blushing Bride In Color.  Oh, I love this!  I like the emboss resist technique, and now I can have it without all the work.  There are two sheets each of 12 x 12 single-sided designs.

Of course, I pulled out my Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder to emboss the rich chocolate chip cardstock on the bottom.  Don't ya just love it, when a card comes together?

Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted
Stamps: short & sweet, itty bitty bits, a flower for all seasons
Paper: whisper white, chocolate chip, blushing bride, so saffron, presto patterns specialty
Ink: early espresso, blushing bride, black stazon
Accessories: stampin' pastels, blender pens, dimensionals, 1/4" chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, white gel pen
Punches: punch pack, word window, modern label, scallop edge border
Techniques: dry embossing, coloring with pastels, emboss resist (paper)

I wanted to show you a couple other colors with this pattern.  Here are Real Red and Old Olive on the Presto Pattern Specialty paper.  Wow!  The pattern jumps off the paper.  


Great news!  This paper is an additional download for your My Digital Studio for just $3.95.  This six-piece Presto Patterns overlay stamp set (#122142) makes it easy to add depth and texture to your digital projects with just the click of a mouse.  And with the six unique designs, Presto Patterns has the variety you need no matter how many projects you have in mind.  I can't wait to use it on my digital projects.
Click here to place an order


Updates

This is one of those weeks!  It is Wednesday already and I have not had time to create at ALL!  I had club last night, which is always fun.  I don't know where the time is going this week, but it sure hasn't left me time to sit down at my craft table, so I wanted to share with you a lot of updates and news from Stampin' Up!

CATALOG SUPPLIES

Have you been looking through the new Idea Book & Catalog and wondered, "What did they use to make that?"  Well, I added a link below each catalog on my sidebar that allows you to view a pdf file that shows all the supplies used to make the wonderful projects in the catalogs.  I love this!  Now, I don't have to wonder anymore.  Just click on the link and check it out!  You can print the pdf or come back any time to view it.

MY DIGITAL STUDIO--COLOR UPDATE


The launch of a new catalog is exciting, and there's more excitement to come! On July 13, all My Digital Studio users will be eligible for a free color software upgrade and color downloads.  The color update to the software will add the new core colors, and three previously unavailable carryover colors to the color palette.

Watch for more communication about this free MDS software upgrade and color download!



NEW COLOR KITS FLYER


With all the recent excitement of the new catalog and all the great new colors, you may still be wondering how to best go about updating your existing Stampin' Up! color products. Stampin' Up! created some great new color kits of products that will make it really easy for you to get just the colors you want (and need!) without having to duplicate anything you already have!  Here are the details:






ITEMS UNAVAILABLE FOR JULY 1 CATALOG LAUNCH


Stampin' Up! has a few items in the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog that will not be available to order quite yet:

  • Watercolor Wonder Crayons (page 194): These items are in production, however, and will be coming soon.
    • 119802 - Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Subtles
    • 119803 - Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Regals
    • 119804 - Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Brights
    • 119805 - Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Neutrals
    • 120949 - Watercolor Wonder Crayons, New Color Kit
  • Punch Caddies ( page 200): As noted on page 200 of the catalog, our Punch Caddy storage containers will be coming soon, but are unavailable for July 1.
    • 121053 - Punch Caddy S, M, L
    • 121055 - Punch Caddy L
    • 121056 - Punch Caddy XL
    • 121054 - Punch Caddy Borders & Corners
  • Stampin' Pastels (page 194): These are currently in production and will be coming very soon.
    • 120962 - Stampin' Pastels
    • 120963 - Stampin' Pastels, New In Color
  • Rub-Ons (page 184): Stampin' Up! is working on some potential solutions so that you may not experience much of a delay, but we will keep you updated on any changes in this situation.
    • 119250 - Rub-Ons, Bday Party
    • 119249 - Rub-Ons, Holly & Jolly
    • 118760 - Rub-Ons, Play Date
I will keep you updated in the coming weeks on the status of these products, and when they will be available for order.


I hope to get to my craft table soon.

Have a great week!


Happy Independence Day

We are celebrating Independence Day here in AMERICA today.....AND....my family is celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday too!  She is a firecracker baby!  I made her a birthday card and I wanted it to be generic enough to be an Independence Day card too.  I decided to make it in My Digital Studio, because I purchased the July Fourth Stamp Set.  This set is perfect for layouts and birthday cards.

#121072  July Fourth Stamp Brush Set - Digital Download - $3.95





Here is the card I made with this set:



After designing this card in My Digital Studio, I saved it as a jpeg and opened it up in Photoshop.  Why did I do this?  I wanted to print an entire sheet of the card front, so I would have four cards.  This is what the sheet looked like it Photoshop:



After I printed this, I cut them and added them to the cards...viola!  I was done with four cards that quickly.

Another note:

Every July, I get my toenails painted to celebrate Independence Day.  I hate feet pictures, especially mine.  I had to show you my cute toenails.  Each toe has the American flag and my big toes have rhinestones for the stars.  Oh, so cool!





Remember schoolhouse rock?  If you are from my generation, you probably do.  Here is a YouTube click perfect for Independence Day.  ENJOY!





Flight of the Butterfly

I almost forgot I wanted to make this card for my club next week.  This is almost exactly like the card I made here at Kim's.  I added the Itty Bitty Bits, buttons, border punch and changed the shade of the color scheme.


I like this size of card, because it is 6 x 6 and scored at 3 inches.  You can get four card bases out of a 12 x 12 sheet of cardstock.  In addition, I like the strip of Not Quite Navy cardstock instead of using ribbon.  I always seem to put ribbon on my cards.  I wanted to show my club members other options, if you don't have ribbon to match your color scheme.

Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted
Stamps: flight of the butterfly, itty bitty bits
Paper: whisper white, pear pizzazz, not quite navy, pixie pink (retired)
Ink: marina mist, pear pizzazz
Accessories: bitty buttons, dimensionals
Punches: scallop trim border, butterfly extra-large, punch pals
Techniques: basic stamping


The news is out........The new 2010-2011 Stampin' Up!  Idea Book & Catalog is LIVE!

Isn't the cover gorjus!?



If you would like to look inside, just click the picture.  In addition, I added this catalog, the new Definitely Decorative catalog and the Celebrando Creatividad to the left side bar.  Just click on each image and it will open the catalog for you.

Click here to place an order