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Friday, May 22, 2009

I'm still here...

Sorry, Everyone...I'm still here ~ I've just been busy this week. Besides being the last week of school for my Kindergartener (with Kindergarten Graduation on Monday), it was also the last week of the Bible study I've been involved with for more than 30 weeks, plus we had Vacation Bible School this week (Monday - Friday) at our church, and my husband was out of town on business for a few days...it's made for a crazy week!!

Here's a picture of my little graduate ~ ;D Boy, does time fly!!

And...here is a picture of the card I made for his teacher as a Thank You for such a wonderful year! On the Top Note die cutout...I actually used the frame that was left over from a swap card I did (here). I figured since I had more than 20 frames, I might as well use them for something...

Hope you like it!

Supplies:
Stamps: Varsity Alphabet, Tart & Tangy, Thank You Kindly
Cardstock: Basic Black, Kraft, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Whisper White, Real Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Real Red Gingham ribbon, Basic Black Gingham ribbon, 1-1/4" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Explosion Photo Box

Good morning, Everyone! I wanted to share a project that's been quite popular for me ~ an explosion album box. What is different from this box compared to most I've seen is it can hold 4X6 photos. Most explosion boxes only hold small photos because each "layer" is made with one 12X12 piece of cardstock. The box I've made is actually made with 2 pieces of 12X12 cardstock for each layer. Here are the photos of one of the boxes I've made. I also did one for a Mother's Day class I did ~ but sold my sample so I don't have one to show. We used the DSP Tea Party for it. I also have a kit made up that uses the DSP Good Morning Sunshine and Good Friend stamp set. I'll post it as soon as I get one made up. The box stands close to 7" tall and is about 4-1/2" on each side.

Thanks for checking in!

Supplies:
Stamps: Inspired by Nature
Cardstock: Bella Rose DSP, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Versamark, Whisper White Craft
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon

Sunday, May 17, 2009

More Swaps & a Funny...

Here are a few more of the swaps I received. I have discovered so many talented people out there that have such great ideas!! If you ever get the chance to participate in a swap, I highly recommend it. I know I tend to make cards that have the same style, but by participating in a swap, I have more samples for myself and my customers that might inspire us differently than my style.

I hope you enjoy them!

by Susie Wood

by Ruth Anne Lilley

by Dena Rekow

by Lisa Hoffman

by Karen Kurz

A funny story:

So...I've been having trouble with my boys (ages 6 & 3) getting ready to go to bed, then starting in with "I'm hungry," "I'm thirsty," etc, etc, etc. So I've been fussing at them, telling them to "Quit stalling ~ it's time for bed." So, on Wednesday, we were running a little behind getting them ready for bed and I was rushing them through a bath. I got my little one out and started drying him off, when he says, "Momma, I'm stalling. I want something to eat." All I could do was laugh until I cried. You gotta love kids and the things they come off with ~ it definitely keeps life in perspective! Have a great rest of the day!!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

More GREAT Swaps!

Just sharing more of the swaps I received! Hope you are enjoying these swaps as much as I do!!

Thanks for stopping by...

by Cherri Gustafson
I loved how Cherri paper-pierced in between each of the diamonds from the texture plate on the background ~ what a great idea to add just a little more dimension!

(Sorry ~ there's not a name on the back of this swap.)

by Staci Wood

by Dianne O'Connor

by Nancy Hall

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Masculine Swap Cards

Here are some of the Masculine Cards I received in the swap I participated in...

Enjoy!!

by Sharon House

by Jackie Ordway

by Carol Stelzer

by Deb McCahan

by Emily Tull

Monday, May 11, 2009

Masculine Swap

I participated in a Masculine Card Swap at the end of April. I don't know about you, but masculine cards aren't always the easiest cards to come up with...so I was pretty excited about getting more than 20 ideas in my hot little hands! This is the card I did for the swap:

This is a pretty basic card that can be used for any age male. I started with the Basic Black layered onto the Kraft. I then added the Top Note Die after I stamped it with the Sanded background and ran it through the crimper. Layered a few punched stars ~ the two sizes work great together or separate. I stamped off on the baseball images so they would be lighter with the wording ~ then added a touch of hemp twine for interest and that extra-masculine touch.

I hope that I've given you something to think about the next time you need a masculine card. Check back over the next few days for the swaps I received ~ I guarantee you'll see something that will inspire you!

Enjoy!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Just Baseball, Sporting, Sanded
Cardstock: Kraft, Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red, Brilliant Blue
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Metallic Eyelets, Hemp Twine, Large Star punch, Star punch, Crimper

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Project for Downline Business Meeting

I asked one of my downline, Katy to share a project with us for our get-together. She had done this small glass votive holder from the $1 store using the bulk buy Decor Elements for a class and had a few of the kits left. I knew this would be the type of project that would be quick & simple and that was different than a card. This went together SOOOO FAST!!! and it turned out super-cute besides. Who doesn't love those type projects??

Hope you like it, too! Be sure to come back later this week when I share the card I did with them ~ I can't show it yet because I'm also doing it for my clubs this next week. I don't want to spoil the surprise!

Supplies:
Stamps: Oval All
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery
Ink: Basic Brown, Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom, and one of the pinks (I can't remember which one she used ;D) ~ the Basic Brown was used to stamp the image and the other colors were used to color the image in using a Blender Pen.
Accessories: Glass votive from the $1 store, Bulk Buy Flower Decor Elements, Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Linen Thread, 1/16" Circle punch

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Business Meeting Swaps

I had a Business Meeting with 3 of my downline about 1-1/2 weeks ago. We talked business, did a couple of projects, and swapped. Here are the swaps they brought ~ (I have to admit...I cheated a little and used projects that I've used for classes over the past month...so I've already shared my swaps with you!)...

The following 2 cards were done by my downline, Katy ~ you can check out her blog here. Katy was a demonstrator for 10 years before she decided to resign when she had her 2nd child...then I talked her into doing a workshop for me and she remembered why she loves Stampin' Up! and she decided to sign back up under me. Her experience has really helped me with my business and we've got a good working relationship to talk "business strategy" and ideas! Look out for her name over the next couple of years ~ I guarantee you'll see it!

The next 2 cards are from my downline Laura Lynn. She signed up with me about 1 year ago only wanting to be a hobby demonstrator ~ then she went to convention and it started to change! Now she's doing a couple of workshops a month, a class, and she's getting ready to start a club. I'm really proud of her!

This last card is from my downline Jamie. She was the first person I approached about signing up as a demonstrator ~ she's just got the personality and the passion for all things Stampin' Up! She's been battling some health issues this past year, but is now "back in the saddle," ready to get rolling again! She's working on promoting to Sr. Supervisor this month ~ she had two people sign up yesterday and she needs the one recruit she already had to place a $50 order to promote to Sr. Associate ~ SO...she should have it!! Way to go, Jamie!!! (She also brought the cute bug card to the other 2 girls that she'd already brought to me.)

I hope you enjoyed their cards as much as I did!! I'm really proud of all of my downline (even the ones that couldn't make it to the Business Meeting!) ~ they are who keep me motivated in this business.