Blushes and Banners

I'm gearing up for an upcoming Extravaganza with our extended Stampin'Up! Team next weekend.  I'm going to be doing a demonstration using the new Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz and I'm taking the ideas right out of the January Stampin' Success Magazine.  

For the card above, which uses the sketch from Stamping 411 (positioned horizontally), I've used the Smooch by spritzing it right onto the rubber stamp image and then stamping it.  You have to spray lightly or stamp lightly otherwise the image is fuzzy; and the areas where there is more of the spray glistens very nicely.

Next I'm sharing a Valentines banner I created using a tutorial from Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition 2012.  Check out their website if you're interested in getting a whole whack of fantastic creative ideas with products from the Occasions Mini and the SAB mini!

I had to change some of the things on my banner because I didn't have the same supplies as were used in the tutorial, but I'm happy with how it turned out.  I also added a central heart to the banner, just to make it a bit longer.

As I sit in my stamping room in the basement this afternoon, I can hear the water on the road in front of the house as the cars drive by.  Very bizarre for January 29 in Northern Alberta!  Hope it doesn't rain like it's expected to later!  However, precipitation is precipitation - and the farmers will be needing it!!!

Hope you are having a great end to your weekend.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.

Joan

Celebrate Mashup!

I honestly don't know where last week went!  There were things I was suppose to do, people I was suppose to call and suddenly it was Friday - now it's Saturday and I hadn't even checked on yesterday's Friday Mashup!  I'm losing my head!  It's all okay though - I've been in my craft room all day - finishing up a banner and working on the Mashup!  So here we go.

This week's Mash Up was....

1. Make a project using the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using "Something NEW in your stash". (Stamps, ribbon, pretty paper...anything!)
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project "using the Sketch & something NEW in your stash" 

I hadn't used the Everyday Enchantment brads that are included in the Sale-a-Bration Ribbon and Brad Pack.  And I love that thin ribbon, it's so easy to work with!

The colours I used for the sketch are from Create with Connie and Mary....Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Lucky Limeade.

I'll share the banner I created once I check on some logistics!

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday!  Thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Packed for Baby

Yeah - I still have babies on the brain - probably will for a long time now, what with the new grandson and all.

Today's card is using the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary.  I used a piece of DSP from Just Add Cake.  I had wanted to use Peach Parfait and So Saffron for my colours - so this paper worked out well, and gave me a few more options for colouring in the Packed for Baby image.  And, I'm just loving the little hands and feet from the Baby Prints set!

I'm sort of wishing I had done something to the base to keep it from being just plain paper .....but I'll get over it!  Oh - and do you see that tiny little twinkling above the Baja Breeze Pleated Satin Ribbon - Yeah - I missed a bit of the sticky strip that I used to attach the ribbon - so I added a wee bit of glitter.  I didn't notice it until the card was completely put together.

Anything glittery in your life today?  Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Dare to Dream

Well, the middle of the week has come and gone.  I just can't believe how time is flying - and if I'm not careful I'm going to find myself overworked because I'm not doing bits and pieces ahead of time.

Today's card uses the photograph above for inspiration from Stampin' Royalty and a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  I've used Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade ribbon and Soft Suede. I spritzed the birdcage and the little birds with the gold smooch Spritz and those layers have been raised with dimensionals.

Hope you are having a wonderful week - it's almost done!  Thanks for visiting.
Joan

Sale-a-Bration is HERE!!!

 THIS POST WILL REMAIN AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG DURING SALE-A-BRATION.  PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MY LATEST POSTINGS.  THANK YOU.

Stampin' Up!'s biggest sale of the year begins today! 

January 24 - March 31, 2012

Customers...

Choose a FREE Sale-a-Bration product for every $60 you spend (before shipping/Handling & GST) 

 

Hostesses...

Get a FREE shopping tote when you host a $200 workshop

Get a FREE hostess bundle when you host a $525 workshop

(That's in addition to all the regular Hostess benefits!!! )

New Demonstrators

Join my team for just $150!  AND

Get FREE Designer Series Paper or a digital download every month for the rest of 2012!!!

   

Stamp and Dash....

A quick post today, before I head off to school, which incorporates the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge and colours from Stampin' Royalty.

With the sketch I thought I would try just stamping the quadrants with the flourish from Elementary Elegance and topping it with the punched image, which is raised with dimensionals.  In the end I wasn't sure about the central piece - but I used that to incorporate the fourth Stampin Royalty colours - They are Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, and Crumb Cake.

One I embossed the centre piece, I flipped it and coloured in the swirls with a white gel pen.  And of course, just a little bit of bling added to each section.

Well, I'm off - hope you are having a wonderful day - thanks for stopping by!
Joan

CAS and Showers

Two quick posts this afternoon - the first is for The Paper Players challenge today to create a card using tags.  I used this large one yesterday and decided to use it again today incorporating the daisy stamp from the upcoming SAB set "Sprinkled Expressions".  Pulled out the daisy embossing folder too.

The second card today will be taken over to Elliot's baby shower this afternoon - I created it as a shaker card to go with Hand Stamped Sentiments shaker card challenge this week.  It was tons of fun to create.

Off to get ready for the shower - hope you have something exciting to do today!  Thanks for stopping by for a visit - Joan

Challenging Challenge

I kind of struggled with this card today - don't know if it's the weather, the headache trying to come on or what - but here we go!

I've used the Friday Mash-up and the sketch challenge from Create with Connie and Mary.  The Mashup! is:

1. Make a project using "Paper Piercing".  
2. Or Make a project using the colors "Blushing Bride, Riding Hood Red & Early Espresso".  
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project with the "Color Combo & Paper Piercing". 

The colours are good together, I'm just not happy with the way my coloured ones turned out.  The poor things are a wee bit pilled from the blender pen!  Oh well, texture is good!  I added the paper piercing around the edge of the tag.

Here is a picture of dear little Elliot with his eyes opened and duded out in a scarf and hat knit by an Auntie.

Hope your weekend is turning out well.  I'm going to spend the rest of the afternoon concentrating on not letting this headache take hold!  I will win!!!  Have a good one - and thanks for stopping by!

Joan

A New Chapter -

I've missed an entire week of completing and posting challenges - but that's because I became a Grandma on January 8 for the first time - so things have been pretty exciting around here!  

The challenge I completed tonight uses the colours from Create with Connie and Mary and the sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches.  The colours are Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade - I've used a piece of the upcoming Sale-a-Bration Everyday Enchantment DSP, and the Fresh Vintage stamp set.  I took one of the stamps and  stamped onto a piece of Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon with the Calypso Coral ink.

Here is a picture of me with Elliot Alan James Jeffery - such a sweet bundle of joy, producing emotions in me I never thought could be so strong.

Hope you are having a wonderful week - thanks for stopping by - Joan

Tea Mashup!

 Yippeee!!!  It's Friday....the last Friday of the holiday, which is sort of sad, but it will be good to get back to school on Monday.  Friday is a favorite day because of the Friday Mashup!  And today's Mashup is.....

1. Make a "Birthday" project.
2. Or Make a project using "Pastels/Chalks or Pastel Colors".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Birthday project using Pastels" .

 As I mentioned yesterday, I'm working on projects to display at my Open House tomorrow which feature new items from the Occasions Mini - So I knew I wanted to use the "Tea Shoppe" set.  This tea cup reminds me of my Grandma, and working pastels today was a perfect reminder of her too because she liked soft colours.

Initially the cup was stamped with Pretty in Pink ink, then I took off the colour from the flowers and stems with a blender pen, and added the Wisteria Wonder and Certainly Celery with markers.  I dabbed a bit of Elegant Eggplant in the centres of the flowers.

The edge was created with one of the Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies, done in three layers.  The card opens at the Pretty in Pink layer.  I am loving these new dies; including the Paper Doily.

Finally, I added the row of pearls at the "gathers".

Here are two cards I created yesterday using the "Mouthwatering" set.

 I hadn't planned on having anything stamped around the edge of this card - but when I added the "smile"at the bottom I ended up with a bit of a smudge - so I pulled out the swirl to cover it up.  Now it looks sort of like the vines for the watermelon.

Everything in threes yesterday!  I was going to add some Crystal Effects to these popcicles to make them shiny, but passed on that - at least for right now.

Well, I'm off to continue the day.  Lots to do to get ready for tomorrow.  I hope you have a good day planned too.  Thanks for taking time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

Mojo Happiness

 I actually started this Mojo MONDAY card on Tuesday and finally got around to finishing it on Thursday - life just sometimes gets in the way of creating.  However, a lot got done in those two days - Tuesday was spent shopping with my daughter and Wednesday began with cleaning and ended up being a major purge of "stuff" - so that was a day very well spent!  So, today I have vowed to work in my stamp room most of the day....we'll see how that goes.

So - The sketch for the card above is from Mojo Monday - I changed that layering a wee big because the doily was initially showing under the ribbon - I guess it wouldn't have mattered once I put the flower on.

The colours are from Hand Stamped Sentiments - a yummy vanilla cupcake with "Pool Party" icing and a silver candy bead on top.  I used the pen from the "Rue Des Fleurs" set in the Occasions Mini; inking the florish with silver ink and the pen with black.

I'm getting ready for an Occasions Mini Open House on Saturday and since life has been busy, I've turned to casing some cards using the new sets.  Below are two that I cased from Sharon Field at Created by You.  I've changed colours, images or imbellishments somewhat - I like how she took the centre thread out of the quilted ribbon to use it on the tag below and I also like how she just highlighted parts of the umbrella.

That's it for now - I'm off to my room - looking forward to a great day!  Hope yours is full of productivity too.  Thanks for visiting - Joan

Irridescent Celebration

The last day of 2011!  It's hard to believe; this year has gone by so quickly!  A lot of good things happened in 2011 and I am anticipating a fantastic 2012!
Today's card uses the Friday Mash Up!...

1. Make a project that "Sparkles".
2. Or Make a project "Celebrating the New Year".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project "Celebrating the New Year that Sparkles" . 

...and the colours are from Our Creative Corner:
Bright Pink (Melon Mambo), Bright Green (Wild Wasabi), Bright Yellow (Daffodil Delight), and Bright Purple (Elegant Eggplant).

The "fancy" heart from "I (Heart) Hearts" was done with Versamark and Irridescent Ice on each of the colours and then cut out and raised on top of hearts I created using the new Hearts Collection Framelits.  I used one of the flower centres from "Greenhouse Garden" to create the bursts in the background.  I honestly think I use that stamp more often for a background then I do for the centre of a flower!

A bit more bling was added to the Celebrate sentiment which comes from one of the Sale-a-bration sets.

I am now off to do more playing around with new sets - I also vowed I would do some cleaning today too.

I hope you have a safe and fun eventful last day to 2011 - and Best Wishes to you in the New Year!
Thanks for visiting...Joan

Poppin Thanks

 

I've been busy today creating projects and e-mails for upcoming events....and worked in a challenge as well using the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary.

I used a couple of the new products which are in the upcoming Occasions Mini:  The Mixed Bunch stamp set - which I used the Poppin' Pastels technique on to create the two different colours on the one image.  I also used one of the new Edgelits Dies.  Next time I'll have to use the same die and then emboss it with the Impressions Folder.  

So many new things to play with - glad I'm on the holdiay break!

I'm also sharing a picture of the little purses I created for three young ladies this Christmas season - I put gift cards into them.  I got the tutorial for the patterns over at Inking Idaho.  There are three different patterns in the tutorial - I'll be experimenting with the others soon.

Hope you are having a wonderful day - Thanks for taking time out to visit.  Joan

Thank You Snow Much!

Yipee - 1) It's Friday....2) I have the morning off to play in my stamping room before going to school... 3) it's the last day of school...4) Life is peachy keen....5) - It's Friday Mashup! day.  What more can be said?!

I used today's Friday Mashup! and Splitcoasts Color Challenge for this week to create this card to give to our school secretary from my husband and I.   She took care of our concert programs (for his band concert and my elementary concert) without a blink and created a wonderful display table at the entrance of the gym for the programs to be available.  I'm always appreciative of the people in the world who take initiative to do things while some of us have our heads full of other things at the time.

Today's Mashup! was a sketch and/or the use of watercolours.  The colours from Splitcoast were Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade.  Not really for this particular season - which is what they were trying to move away from for the week - but a snowman can be dressed in anything so it all works out.  I thought this snowman image was perfect two because of the two little birds singing out their thanks!

I'm off to finish some more gift card holders and maybe do a bit of cleaning before heading to school.  Hope your day is fantastic and that someone helps you out in some way today.  Thanks for taking the time to visit.
Joan

Happy Snow Day

At this point, I'm not sure we'll ever have a snow day this year - but winter has only just begun I guess, January could have a whole lot of snow in store. 

My creation today covers three challenges:
Hand Stamped Sentiments - is looking for a unique fold this week so I created an easel card, with the top part of the easel resting against a small pile of "snow" created with Dazzling Details.
Stampin' Royalty is challenging people to create a Winter or Christmas themed card.
SUO Challenges - is to create a Merry, Happy, and Everything Joyous card.

I added Dazzling Details to the tops of the letters to create the illusion of snow having fallen on them.  The Bear's toque is actually Sock Monkey's Santa Hat with the point removed; and I drew the snowy hills freehand.

Only one more day of school - and I must say - teaching until December 23 is NUTS - I can only imagine what the kids will be like tomorrow knowing the next day is Christmas Eve.  However, on a positive note - my two concerts went very well - as I knew they would in the end.

Here's hoping you are as ready as necessary for your holiday celebrations.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy

I'm not sure how happy these fellows are about the temperatures right now - but they're happy about coming out to play today.

I've used the Mojo Monday sketch today - turned on it's side and the colours are from Our Creative Corner....light pink, light blue, red and white.

I attached the small strip of Pretty in Pink to the end of a Bashful Blue piece and then put it through the Big Shot with the Snow Burst Embossing Folder.  The "seam" of the two pieces of cardstock is covered with a piece of Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon.

Silver Glimmer Paper was used for the small strip above the snowmen and for the large and small scallops highlighting the snowflake.  I added Dazzling Details to the snowmen's hats and a bit of Crystal Effects to their buttons.

Well, let me tell ya - our Christmas Concert should be spectacular on Wednesday if today's 1st run through was any indication.  I'm so glad we can do it again tomorrow before it's "for real".  I know you don't want a perfect practice before a performance - but seriously!  I'm really not worried though - I know everything will be wonderful in the end!

Hope the beginning of your week has been good - thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

Cherry Gold Christmas

Well, I'm two for two (two days in a row!) ...not what I'd call a "roll" but it's a start.  I need to get the craft room cleaned up a bit after all the events I've done and then the groove will get settled into some more!

Today I joined the challenges at The Paper Players and Create with Connie and Mary.

The Paper Players are playing with Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla and Gold until the end of the year.  What a rich combination!  I hadn't used my gold embossing powder all season - and I haven't used this Snow Swirled set either, and I really like this tree - especially when you mix embossing powders!

The sketch I've used is from Create with Connie and Mary - I've tweaked it a wee bit because of the tree.  It's a fabulous sketch - so many things could be done with it!

Well, the morning is almost over and I need to go over to the school to put all my instruments onto the stage for our 1st dress rehearsal tomorrow morning.  I will be a very happy person once Thursday comes along this week!
Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday - thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Silver Hope

Well, it's been almost a month to the day since I last posted - and I feel like a stampin' newbie!  Gonna have to get my mojo into action again over the next little while.  I've been busy, busy, busy with stampin' activities and having a blast with it.  I've just missed the time to sit and do challenges also.  So, it felt good to be stamping for myself today, even though I'm not thoroughly impressed with what I created.

I chose to use the Friday MashUp! for this week......

1. Make a project featuring "Chipboard (Precut or Diecut )".
2. Or Make a project with "Distressing ( ink, scissors or the Cutter Tool Kit)".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Distressed Project featuring Chipboard"

 I have a whole tin full of chipboard pieces, not counting some that are still in their packages, so it was nice to pull them out to use them.  I found this "hope" from an old Christmas set and inked it up, along with the little stars, with Silver ink.  The Brushed Silver paper was put through the Big Shot with the Snow Burst embossing folder.

I couldn't find a solid star in my stash of stamps, so I opted to use the one from Floral Fillers.

Tombow Glue is keeping the Silver Glass Stampin' Glitter in place and Rhinestones were added to the stars.....making it full of glittery goodness for the Just Add Ink challenge this week to "Just Add
Glitter"  to your projects.

So, there ya have it.  I can hear my husband and daughter making all sorts of noise watching the Canucks tonight.  Guess I'd better get supper started!

I hope you've had a wonderful day and have a little something to cheer about.  Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

The Holiday Sale is Here

Woo Hoo - the Holiday sale is here.  It was exciting waking up this morning and finding out what goodies were going to be available at fabulous prices!

Don't miss out on getting the Simply Scored or the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps at a reduced price until the end of today ONLY!

Click here for all the details on this Online Extravaganza at my online store.  Remember, anyone who places an order through my online store gets a gift from me.

Happy Shopping -

As a side note - I have been flying off my feet with card camps and trade fairs - once the dust has settled in my stamping room - and I've put everything away - it will be time to do a challenge or two and get ready for the next set of events.

Hope your having a fantastic day!
Joan

Holly Snowmen

Well I had fun with these little guys this afternoon!  I used the colours from this weeks' Paper Players  - River Rock, Always Artichoke and Riding Hood Red.  The sketch is the Mojo Monday Sketch.  I must say that I love this combination of colours and I can see me doing this sketch again. 

I put the Always Artichoke mat through the Big Shot with the Striped Embossing folder going in two directions.  After I cut out the holly leaves using the Stocking Accents die, I folded them and slipped them through the crimper.  The holly berries are raised on dimensionals and have Crystal Effects added to make them glisten, and I added Dazzling Details to each of the snowmen's hats that have pompoms.

I cutting away to get ready for two nights of Christmas Stacks this weekend and another trade fair.  I'm glad I have Allison to help out.  I'm "paying" her with a hair appointment tomorrow. Works for me!

Hope things are working out your way too.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan