Haiku Pocket Card

This is a pocket card using the brand new Haiku Designer Series Paper (my favorite) and the color scheme suggested in the front of the catalog for the silhouettes style. The Upsy Daisy stamp set is one of the Never before seen stamp sets on sale for 15% off!

I love these cards. They are easy to make and look so sophisticated!

Here's my recipe:

Stamps: Upsy Daisy

Paper: Haiku, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla

Ink: Tangerine Tango, So Saffron

Accessories: Apricot Appeal Ribbon, Silver Brads, Stampin Dimensionals

Happy Stampin',

Susan

Chat and Challenge 129 and Sorry for the Absence!

Where, O where have I been?

Well, I went to Stampin' Up's convention. Had a blast! There was no internet access there, so I got out of the habit of posting, and the overwhelming pile of laundry and household chores kept me from posting when I got back home :o)

So, I'm back, and I have tons of ideas that I want to post over the next few weeks.

This card was one I did for a demonstrator challenge on Sudsol. If you are a Stampin Up Demonstrator, sign up for a free 2 week trial, and mention my name - you'll love it! If you are not, contact me, and I'll tell you how to become one ;o)

This card uses 2 stamp sets from the brand new Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog: Pocket Silhouettes and Thank you Kindly. The paper is the new Bella Rose DSP, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. I inked all of the edges with close to cocoa, and I used the gorgeous chocolate chip tafetta ribbon around the card.

I hope you enjoy, and I look forward to posting more over the next couple of weeks.

Stampingly yours,

Susan

Playing with my Copics

I just got my new copics. I ordered them from the Carpe Diem store. Great prices, quick shipping! I love this image from Whipper Snapper and I used the wood grain background again with this card. This stamp is big, so my image panel is 4x4, my Taken with teal panel is 4.25x4.25, and my More mustard card is 5X5. I really think I'm going to LOVE my copics, and I was so fortunate to be able to go to the class with Marianne. I really had a great time.

If you ever get the chance to go to a Copic certification class, I strongly recommend it!

Happy Stampin',

Susan

CHA fun!

I had a great time at CHA. It was a little strange because I wasn't buying anything, and some of the vendors were a little snooty when they found out I was only an educator, but most of them were very gracious. I have a new appreciation for Sandylion. They have some really cute kits, and I will definitely be looking for some of them in the future. There were so many people there, and so many great make and takes. Provo Craft was very generous.

The card above was made with patterned paper from Making Memories Vintage Hip line. It matches the Kiwi Kiss paper perfectly! I used some pieces from a make and take kit that was given from me together with my SU Kiwi Kiss and Very Vanilla CS and the retired Stem Sihouettes stamp set to make this card. The ribbon was part of the kit. I shadow stamped the stem in Kiwi Kiss.

I have so many more ideas now, and just as little time ;o)

Happy Stampin,
Susan

Kristina Werner Color Inspiration 16

This is my entry for Kristina's Color Inspiration 16. The challenge was to use the colors Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla, and Soft Sky. I covered chipboard with patterned paper and added it to the card for the sentiment. Different from my usual style, but I like it.

Recipe:
Stamps: None!
Paper: Spring Sillhouettes DSP, Pumpkin Pie Prints Paper, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: None!
Accessories: Very Vanilla Tafetta Ribbon, Scalloped Edge punch

Happy Stampin',
Susan

Color Challenge 175 and an Oldy but Goody

This is my entry into Color Challenge 175 on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ This is a new take on an old set, and I think it's pretty effective. I love the double scalloped edge. I think I'll be using this a lot!

Recipe:

Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Almost Amethyst, So Saffron, Confetti White

Ink: Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, So Saffron, More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery

Accessories: Scalloped edge punch, Wild Wasabi Double Stiched Ribbon.

Thanks for looking and

Happy Stampin'

Susan

Kristina Werner Color Inspiration 12

This is a card that I did for Kristina's Color Inspiration #12, and then I got busy and didn't enter it! Now, I think the Sahara Sand band is too wide, but I really like the butterfly. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it is popped up so that it's wings look like they are fluttering. And I stamped underneath in sahara sand.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps: Touch of Nature, Hugs and Wishes

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, So Saffron, Sahara Sand

Ink: So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Sahara Sand

Accessories, Corner rounder (for scalloped edge), Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon

Happy Stampin'
Susan

Absolutely Priceless

This card was made for the SUDSOL Chat and Challenge 124. I really like the double scalloped edge, and I think this will show up on more of my cards! The new scalloped edge punch is so easy to use, and so perfect for adding a nice edge. No more slipping off the guard on my corner rounder!

Recipe:
Stamps: Absolutely Fabulous, Priceless
Paper: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose
Accessories: Scallop punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch, Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon

Now I'm off to the Copic Certification class in Milwaukee. I can't wait to come back and show you what I've learned!

Happy Stampin'
Susan

Window Dressing

I was having a hard time decided what to do with this stamp set I preordered. I really liked the concept, and it reminded me of Basket full of Fun, which was another level 3 hostess set from last fall.

I used several techniqes for this one, including wood grain, where I swiped barely banana ink over barely banana cardstock, then swiped my whisper white craft ink pad over the cardstock. Then I took my more mustard Stampin Write marker and a ruler and drew the boards.

The windows and curtains are made with vellum cardstock, and the window is popped up on dimensionals.

Here are ingredients:

Stamps: Window Dressing, Sincere salutations

Paper: Vellum Cardstock, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Watercolor Paper, Pacific Point

Ink: Pacific Point, Barely Banana, Stazon Black, white Craft ink, Chocolate Chip, More mustard Stampin Write Marker

Accessories: White grosgrain ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'

Susan

Celebrate Friendship

This is a card that I did for Kristina's color challenge a while back. I love doing quick cards, with only one layer. They are so beautiful, and the ink does the talking. I think that sometimes understated is better ;o)

Recipe:

Stamps: Celebrate everything, Just Like you

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Ink: Purely Pomegranate, River Rock, Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose

Kristina Werner Color Inspiration 15 - Sock Monkey Style

I love Kristina's Challenges. Her colors combinations are a really great inspiration. I wanted to use this combination with some of my Stampin Up preorder from the new catalog, so I decided to have some fun with the Sock Monkey. I used the ink from the lids of my Classic Stampin Pads picked up with my bender pen to color him in after I stamped him with Stazon Black on Watercolor paper. I loved the effect.

I also learned how to tie a tiered bow from my latest issue of Stampin Success, Stampin Up's Demonstrator only magazine. I hope you like it, and let me know what you think.

Recipe:

Stamps: Sock Monkey

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Really Rust, Au Chocolat DSP (retired)

Ink: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery

Accessories: Satin Chocolate Chip Ribbon, 5/8" Grosgrain in Certainly Celery, Sm Oval Punch, Lg Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch

Bloomin Chocolate Guava Banana Chips...

...or something like that ;)

This card is my second entry for the Color Challenge 174. I really like this combo, and I was thinking about this card design while I was exercising this morning. (for the second day in a row- yay me!)

Here are the details:

Stamps: Bloomin Beautiful

Paper: Groovy Guava, Au Chocolat DSP (retired), Chocolate Chip, Watercolor paper:

Ink: Stazon Brown, Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana

I altered the Au Chocolat paper by sponging barely banana all over it. I love the effect, and it's a fun way to use this paper

Happy stampin'

Susan

Be Yourself!

I was playing around more with the Smarty Pants and Prehistoric Pals stamp sets. I love the combination of these two sets. They can be so whimsical!

Stamps: Smarty Pants, Prehistoric Pals

Paper: Only Orange, Green Galore, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Green Galore, Only Orange, Basic Black

Ribbon: Black Grosgrain

Moose You So Much

This card has two purposes. It it for the Splitcoast color challenge 174: Groovy Banana Chips. The challenge was to use Barely Banana, Groovy Guava, and Chocolate Chip in a card. Also, my friend Erin is now in Kuwait, and I am going to send it to her electronically since I don't have her address yet ;o)

Here's the recipe:

Stamps: Moose you

Paper: Au Chocolat DSP (retired), Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana

Ink: Barely Banana, Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Chocolate grosgrain ribbon

Happy Stampin!

Susan

Sudsol Chat and Challenge 123

I had a lot of fun with this card. I love the Pretty Peony stamp set, and I mounted it so that I can use the 2 step stamp effect with the Stamp a ma Jig and I don't have to use the imaging sheet every time. I love that I can get the beautiful image, I have the clearer image that rubber provides and I get this reallly neat effect.

Here's my recipe:

Stamps: Pretty Peony, Hugs and Kisses

Paper: Regal Rose, Pretty in pink, Whisper White, pretty in pink DSP

Ink: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery

Accessories: White Taffeta Ribbon

Goofy Prehistoric Pals

I enjoyed making the hokey pokey dinosaur so much that I decided to see what else I could do with Prehistoric Pals and Smarty Pants combined.

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Here's the recipe:

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Stamps: Prehistoric Pals, Smarty Pants

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Paper: Lovelly Lilac, Green Galore, Basic Black, Whisper White

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Ink: Lovely Lilac, Green Galore, Basic Black

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Accessories: White grosgrain Ribbon

Strawberry Blueberry Banana Jam

My mom has a strawberry box in her backyard. The other day I had my kids help me pick 4 Gallons of strawberries. Since we couldn't possibly eat them all, I got to make some jam. I love to make jam! I decided to experiment and make some strawberry-blueberry-banana jam. Let me tell you - it is delish! I think part of the reason it's so great is my mom's strawberries. They are a beautiful deep red all the way through, and aren't hollow like the ones in the store.

I went to my friend Katie's house last night, and wanted to bring her a small gift, so I used some stamps to decorate the jar. I sure hope she enjoys the jam ;o)

Strawberry-blueberry-banana jam

5 cups strawberries

1 pint blueberries

2 ripe bananas

7 cups sugar

1 package Sure-Jell

Combine all ingredients and let boil until it can't be stirred down for 1 minute. Then pack immediately in jars that have been sterilized in the dishwasher. Keep on the counter until all the lids have popped and then store for up to a year (if it lasts that long) Makes about 8-8oz jars.

*

For the decoration I used a Papertrey stamp set, and SU real red, wild wasabi, and whisper white card stock. The top is layered circles and the scallop punch. I adhered the cardstock strip to the jelly jar with sticky strip.

I hope you have fun making your own gifts. A hand stamped creation is a great way to show you care!

Susan

Hokey Pokey Convention Swap

Nothing says fun like a dinosaur doing the hokey pokey. If you make your way out to my open house, you can try your hand at this filmstrip card.

I am going to make some of these for convention as well.

Stamps: Prehistoric Pals, Smarty Pants, Polka dot background

Paper: Green Galore, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Green Galore and Basic Black Classic Stampin Pads

Accessories: 1 1/4 square punch, 1 3/8" square punch, spiral punch, black grosgrain ribbon

Convention Swap

I am going to the Stampin' Up convention in Salt Lake City at the end of the month! I am so excited. It should be a lot of fun, and I hope to enjoy time with old friends, meet some new ones, and stamp, stamp, stamp!

Here's my first swap. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Stamps: Priceless

Paper: Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise, Lovely Lilac, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise, Lovely Lilac Classic Stampin Pads

Accessories: Designer Label punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Turquoise ribbon.

Thanks for looking, and please, leave a comment!

Susan

Chat and Challenge 122

Here is a card I did for the SUDSOL Chat and Challenge.

Recipe:

Stamps: Embrace Life

Paper: Purely Pomegranate, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Stazon black, basic black.

Accessories: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, Vintage brads, black, corner rounder, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, a saucer for the circle

The layout was taken from Taylor VanBruggen's website, and I have seen this color combination other places. I will really miss Wild Wasabi. It is just the perfect green.

Kristina Werner Color Inspiration 14

No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth. And I have been stamping, just not posting. Here's my entry for Kristina's challenge:

Stamps: Party Hearty, Happy Everything.

Paper: Basic Grey, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Basic Grey, Basic Black

Accessories: Stardust glitter pen, Three for you punch, vintage brads, 1/4" grosgrain white ribbon.

Happy stampin'

Susan

Kristina Werner Color Inspiration 3

Here's my take on Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #3. I really love her blog (I think I've said that before).

I used the Spring Solitude hostess set, and her colors. Let me know what you think!

Susan

Kristina Werner Color Inspiration 5

Here's my take on Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration # 5. I love her blog, and get a lot of inspiration from it. She is truly an amazing designer.

The colors from the inspiration were bashful blue, certainly celery, so saffron, and close to cocoa.

I used the set Big on Spring from the Ocassions mini, and colored the image in with SU markers. The ribbon is certainly celery. The patterned paper is the so saffron dsp.

My friends Tom and Jen had a baby this weekend, so this card is going out to them. I knew that checking Kristina's blog would be a great place for inspiration!

I haven't been posting much lately, because I have moved! But I am looking forward to keeping the blog updated as often as I can.

Occasions Mini Preview!

I made this card for Beate's weekend sketch challenge. I chose a set from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog, and one of my favorite color combos, groovy guava, purely pomegranate, wild wasabi, river rock and chocolate chip. The image was stamped with Stazon on very vanilla and colored in using blender pens and the ink from the lid of the stamp pads. The designer series paper is also from the mini- it's called afternoon tea, and I just love it. It has a beautiful weathered look.

Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think.

~Susan

Cherish Baroque Motifs

This is a card using the beautiful set Baroque motifs. It's so romantic, and the possibilities are endless.

I've been busy creating an entry for Convention Display Stamper. I just mailed it off today. If they select me, I believe I would be given supplies to make samples for convention, and that would be so cool!

I'm going to convention this year with my wonderful upline. I can't wait! It's going to be so much fun.

Here's the deets on the card:

Stamps: Baroque motifs

Paper: River Rock, Groovy Guava, Very Vanilla Cardstock

Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Groovy Guava, River Rock Classic Stampin Pads

Accessories: Halfback pearl (pretties kit), Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon

Another Challenge

I posted another card to the demonstrator-only website SUDSOL. It's great to be able to participate in the challenges because they really help me to think outside my stamping box ;o) This one is very simple, but you need that sometimes!

Hope you enjoy!

Cardstock : Pretty in pink, very vanilla

Ink: Regal Rose, pretty in pink, Stazon black

Stamps: Embrace Life.

SUDSOL C&C 102

This is a card I made for a Chat and Challenge on a SU demonstrator only site called SUDSOL. Let me know what you think!

Stamp Set: Embrace Life

Card stock: Regal Rose, Very Vanilla, River Rock

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Stazon Black, Groovy Guava

Groovy Guava DS Ribbon

Lg Oval Punch

Ginger Blossoms DSP.

Infinite Goodness Quick Card

This is a very simple thank you card using the level 2 hostess set "Infinite Goodness." I love simple cards sometimes. Layers and ribbons are great, but sometimes simple can be very effective, especially if you are concerned about overpowering your message.

Plus simple cards are really quick ;)

Chocolate Holder

This is a Ghiradelli Holder that we will be making at our Valentine's Stamp Camp on February 2nd. I just love the new Happy Heart Day stamp set. It's so versatile!

Hope to see you there,

Susan

For Our Sweethearts

Here's a peek at the Sweetheart card for the February 2nd Valentines Day class. Registration is now full, but if you'd like to purchase the bundle, I will make you a kit with instructions for the cards we make at the class.

I chose the Carte Postale stamp set for this card because it is so romantic, and I wanted this card to be romantic for our sweethearts.

Let me know what you think! I am really looking forward to the class. It should be a lot of fun!

Susan

Stamps: Carte Postale

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Pretty In Pink

Ink: Chocolate chip

Accessories: Halfback Pearl, pretties kit, Chocolate Chip ribbon (theatre ribbon originals)

Sneak Peek

Here's a look at the friend card for my Valentines Bundle class on February 2nd. I have had an overwhelming response to this class, and I am really looking forward to sharing it with you all.

Stamps: Happy Heart Day

Paper: Regal Rose, Green Galore, and Whisper White Cardstock

Ink: Regal Rose Classic Stampin Pad

Accessories: Stampin Pastels, 5/8" Regal Rose Ribbon, blender pen

More photos coming soon!

I've just finished working on my samples for my Valentine's Day Bundle class! It is going to be so much fun! Everyone who purchases the Valentine's Day Bundle from me by January 15th is eligible to attend a free class on February 2nd from 1-4PM. If you'd like to come but don't want the bundle, admission is $15.

Here are the details on the Valentine's Day Bundle. The total with tax and shipping comes to $39.49. What a deal!

Valentine's Day Bundle
January 2 - January 31, 2008
January is a sweet time at Stampin' Up! In addition to a brand-new catalog full of stamping and crafting treats, we have two special offers we know you'll love.
Customers: Make quick and cute Valentine projects for your loved ones using our exclusive Valentine's Day Bundle and receive a free spool of Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.
Hostesses: Hold a workshop of $350 or more and choose any one stamp set from our Spring-Summer 2008 Preview Brochure FREE (up to a $29.95 value!)!
Item
Description
Price
111089 Happy Heart Day stamp set $20.95
109052 Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon $7.95
102757 Medium cellophane bags $4.50
109056 Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon FREE! ($7.95 value!)

111903 Valentine's Day Bundle $33.40 (a $41.35 value!)

We are going to have a great time! I hope you can join us.

For those of you who can't make it to the class, I will have a class kit, with instructions, available for you to make all the projects that we have planned.

Until tomorrow,

Susan

My first card upload

I am really happy with this one. It uses a template that was created by Juli Smith, an SU demonstrator, on a Stampin Up Demonstrator website named SUDSOL. She and I have a lot in common! We are both SU demos, both Catholic, and have both been involved with Marriage Encounter - she much more than me. You can visit her blog here .

Any comments on my first card would be greatly appreciated!

Stamps sets used: A Beautiful Thing, Fabulous Flowers

Accessories/ Tools: Designer Label, 1 3/8 inch circle, scallop, 5-petal, snow blossom, ticket corner punches, 1/8 in circle punch, pretties kit rhinestone brad, 5/8 inch grosgrain Regal Rose

Ink: Regal Rose, Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Regal Rose, Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink

There will be more tomorrow. Check back!