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Best Decision Ever – Fun Stamping

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So what is one of the best decisions you have ever made??  I can say without reservations that becoming a Stampin’ Up demonstrator was one of mine.  Why?  The people!  Ok, the products are amazing, the company is extraordinary, customer service is an example others should follow but the people….  That is where this decision has impacted me the most.  When my dear upline Brandi planted the seed for me to become a demo, I could have never predicted where the journey would take me.  My husband got me my demonstratorship as a birthday present.  Yep….pretty awesome present!!  If someone had told me then that I would even enter the Artisan Design Team competition, I would have laughed.  That fact that I actually BECAME one of those team members is beyond anything I could have dreamed.  The friendships that I have developed with other members of my upline, with my FMS team mates, with the Stampin’ Addicts, with the Artisan Design Team, and with so many other amazing stampers are precious to me in a way that defies explanation.  My life is more blessed because I took that step to become a demonstrator!

So when we got this stamp set called Best Decision Ever for the Leadership Display Boards, I fell in love.  I fell in love with everything behind that stamp!  I wanted to created a really cute card that reflects the fun in stamping with friends and I hope I did it here.  This one meant a lot to me!

Best Decision Ever - Stamping Fun

Using this fun paper from Kaleidescope DSP I created a square 4-1/4″ card (use Whisper White as the base underneath).  Then stamp this fun sentiment in Strawberry Slush.  I cut it by hand before the Word Bubbles Framelits were available but those would make the card even faster.  Tie on a button with some White Baker’s Twine and done.  But really, this needed a special envelope don’t you think?  Yeah, me too.  So I made one with the same DSP using the Envelope Punch Board.  The rounded corners on the card are from the Punch Board too.

This set is an incentive set available as a demonstrator.  This card is fun to use if you already are a demo (and you already know what I mean about becoming a demo).  If you are not, consider it.  Really.  It is a decision that might be one of your best ever too!

The rest of the team is showing their Leadership Display Board projects as well so make sure you take a look!

Here is the rest of the Artisan Design Team:

 

Click HERE to purchase wonderful Stampin’ Up products.

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Geometrical – Hooray for Today

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I realized that I hadn’t shown you any of my scrapbook pages made for the Leadership Display Board and thought that would be a fun way to end the week.  I’ll start with a little background.  My boys are Lego boys…all three of them!!  Sometimes I feel as if the Legos will take over the house but they love playing and creating and building, so I accept it and move along.  Since the day it opened the boys have been talking about Legoland Florida and have wanted to go there.  When we took our vacation in October, we were finally able to go.  They were crazy, ecstatically, ridiculously happy!!  Thus this page.

Geometrical - Hooray page

The primary colors from the Legoland sign and the red in the boys shirts told me what colors to use for this.  I tried to keep the feel of the page fun and kind of silly, just like the day.  I used a base of Crumb Cake mounted on Real Red and started building.  The triangles from Geometrical create fun arrows and the designs go so well with Polka Dot Parade DSP and the Gingham Garden Washi Tape.  I created some strips from those and added them at angles then stapled to add detail.  The dates were added using the Remember This Rotary Stamp.  I love this stamp.  So great for so many scrapping projects!  The little arrow from Hung Up Cute Clips makes sure the date gets emphasis.  Finally the sentiment from See Ya’ Later captured the feeling!

I had to send this one off of course but made duplicate pictures so I can build a series of matching pages from all the adventures of the day.  I hope your week has been wonderful!  Happy Valentine’s Day to you all and I will see you again on Monday.  Thanks for stopping in!

The rest of the team is showing their Leadership Display Board projects as well so make sure you take a look!

Here is the rest of the Artisan Design Team:

 

Click HERE to purchase wonderful Stampin’ Up products.

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Freshly Made Sketches #123

Freshly Made Sketches #123 published on 10 Comments on Freshly Made Sketches #123

FMS Final 123-001

 

Well the Freshly Made Sketches gallery from last week blew me away and I have a feeling this week will be the same.  The lovely Jen Brum has created this fun sketch for us to use and I love it!

FMS123 - Hip Prints

Ok, so where Jen sees circles, I see triangles.  Using the Triangle Punch and the Fresh Prints DSP stack made this so fun to put together.  I just randomly chose some patterns I like and popped out the triangles.  I thought this cute little sentiment from Hip Notes was perfect for the feel of the card (and I needed a card for my awesome nephew).  I stamped in Real Red ink and then put the triangles up on Dimensionals.  I used some Baker’s Twine from the Tag a Bag Accessory Kit and tied it onto a Cherry Cobbler button (which goes wonderfully with the Real Red in the DSP).  The layer got Coastal Cabana “frame” and then that panel went up on Dimensionals to attach it to the Real Red base.  On the inside I used the “Hooray for today” sentiment from Sale-a-bration.

I’m guessing you know what I will say.  But yes, the design team has rocked this sketch and you need to get right over to check out their work.  Make sure you play along and let Jen B know how much you love the sketch!

I’ll be back on Friday with another one of my Leadership display projects.  Until then, I hope your week is wonderful!  Thanks so much for stopping in!

Click HERE to purchase wonderful Stampin’ Up products.

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Artisan Wednesday Wow – Ampersand

Artisan Wednesday Wow – Ampersand published on 13 Comments on Artisan Wednesday Wow – Ampersand

02-Feb-Blog-Hop-Button

The Artisan Design Team’s February box of products is fantastic.  Were you as wowed by last week’s projects as I was?  We are continuing to use some of the latest and greatest from the Occasions Catalog.  If you have come over from amazing Jeanna, welcome to the next stop.  If you are starting here, just continue around using the next buttons until you get back to me.

AWW Feb - Ampersand

So, the Ampersand Embossing Folder.  I know these little symbols are incredibly trendy (yea, Stampin’ Up!) but what to show you?  One of my favorite suites in the new Occasions Catalog is the Watercolor Wonder Suite.  The DSP (just got it and wow), the notecards (ditto) and the pretty stamps.  So that was my inspiration.  I took Watercolor Paper and cut a panel to emboss (4″ x 5-1/2″) and ran it through the Big Shot with the Ampersand Embossing Folder.  Then I grabbed Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink Pads.  I squished the lids (that is the official term) and then opened the pads to get the ink from the inside of the lids.  Using my Aquapainter, I picked up the ink and started coloring.  Just let the ink run out and keep the colors a bit uneven and imperfect.  When I was happy with the coloring, I took some splotches from Gorgeous Grunge and inked first in Daffodil Delight and then touched on a little Pumpkin Pie.  I stamped off a little and then added the splotches randomly.  The whole panel was popped up on Dimensionals and put on a card base made of Watercolor Paper.

AWW Feb - Ampersand inside

So I told you yesterday that this would be a non-standard Valentine.  On the inside of the card, I chose the stamp from Perfect Pennants that has another ampersand in it.  Again I inked first with Daffodil Delight and the rolled on some Pumpkin Pie (always use the lightest color first).  I spritzed the inked stamp with water so that the stamped image would mimic the look of the front (I practiced a few times first to make sure I had it down – clean off the stamp before each reinking).

I think this will be my DH’s Valentine so shhhh….don’t tell him!  Making a whole card of Watercolor Paper is not for every day cards but perfect for special ones…he’s worth it!!

I’ll be back tomorrow with the latest from Freshly Made Sketches and then later in the week with more Leadership Display projects.

Okay, off to go visit the awesome Mercedes Weber.  I can’t wait for you to see what she has created!  Make sure you hop around the whole loop to take a look at beautiful creations by the whole team…you’ll be happy you did!

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Click HERE to purchase any of these wonderful Stampin’ Up products.

Stamps:  Perfect Pennants, Gorgeous Grunge; Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie; Paper:  Watercolor; Accessories:  Big Shot, Ampersand Embossing Folder, Aquapainter, Water Spritzer

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Perfect Pennants – You & Me

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I hope your weekend was wonderful!  Mine was full of de-icing, instrument approaches and all the challenges that winter flying can bring.  I’m grateful for passengers who were patient with the winter delays (de-icing and large headwinds) and said kind things as they deplaned.  A couple more days before I get home…

I have another Leadership project to share today and this one is fun to make.  Need a Valentine card that isn’t too girly?  This might be the one for you!

Perfect Pennants - You & Me

Since the Occasions Catalog showed the Perfect Pennants stamp set and the Kaleidescope DSP on the same page, it seemed natural to pair them up for a card.  I started with a Bermuda Bay card base then cut different sized pennants out of the DSP.  I just used the size of each print to decide the size.  The sentiment was inked with Stampin’ Write Markers in Bermuda Bay and Strawberry Slush.  I punched it out with my circle punch (1-3/8″ I think but I forgot to write it down).  After layering all the pennants and attaching the circle with a Dimensional, I still felt like something was missing.  So, out came the Basic Rhinestones and a Sharpie marker.  The little gems added the touch I wanted.

Tomorrow is the day for our next Artisan Wednesday Wow hop and I have another non-traditional Valentine for you.  Until then, I hope your day is fantastic!

The rest of the team is showing their Leadership Display Board projects as well so make sure you take a look!

Here is the rest of the Artisan Design Team:

 

Click HERE to purchase wonderful Stampin’ Up products.

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See Ya’ Later – Heart Box

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Sorry that I missed my promised post yesterday.  Between reserve with United and snow/ice days for the boys, things have been a little crazy.  But in a good way….

In any case, here is a little Valentine’s project that is quick to make and so sweet to hold a special treat.

See Ya' Later - Heart Box

I found this little paper mache box at a craft store and thought it would be perfect for this sentiment from See Ya’ Later.  I painted the top with an acrylic paint (Vanilla) and covered the bottom of the box with this fun print from Modern Medley DSP (I used Multipurpose Adhesive to seal it down.  Using the Small Heart Punch, I popped out a couple of hearts from the Real Red print in Polka Dot Parade DSP, folded them in half, glued the sides together and fanned.  Cute accent that is easy to make!  I stamped the sentiment on Very Vanilla and created the banner then stamped again in Real Red.  Cutting the letters individually is a fun and easy way to add texture.  Another little banner underneath and done!

Quick post today since I’m out to fly tomorrow.  I’ll try to be back on Monday (hotel internets allowing) and back for sure on Tuesday with the next project from our Artisan Wednesday Wow series.  Hope your weekend is fantastic!!

The rest of the team is showing their Leadership Display Board projects as well so make sure you take a look!

Here is the rest of the Artisan Design Team:

 

Click HERE to purchase wonderful Stampin’ Up products.

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Freshly Made Sketches #122

Freshly Made Sketches #122 published on 9 Comments on Freshly Made Sketches #122

FMS Final 122-001

 

Just take a look at this fantastic sketch from Freshly Made Sketches this week!  A classic look with loads of possibilities from the wonderful Cindy Hall.  I knew what I wanted to make the minute I saw it…and I love a sketch where that happens!

 FMS122 - Gingham Stems

So I got this awesome set, Simple Stems, from the Occasions Catalog and it is so fantastic.  Kind of a “build a flower” set.  I stamped the flower top in Strawberry Slush and the stem in Pear Pizzazz.  The sentiment is from the hostess set Express Yourself and I love that pretty font.  I pulled out some paper from Gingham Garden DSP and it seemed so spring-like.  Perfect to improve my attitude about all the winter yuck we’ve been having!!  After I had everything together I thought it still needed a little something.  You KNOW that my go-to solution was ribbon of some kind but as I was sifting through, I came across this little paper clip with a bow on it.  It is the Simply Styled Embellishment that was in the Holiday Catalog.  It seemed to be just what I was looking for.  Still have some left from your holiday cards??  Just pull them out and use them for spring!

The team over at Freshly Made Sketches has some fantastic inspiration for you (I know…they always do!).  Make sure you hop over and check out their work.  I hope you’ll play along too!

Back tomorrow with another project from the Leadership Display Boards.  Until then, so glad that you dropped by.  See you soon!

Click HERE to purchase wonderful Stampin’ Up products.

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Artisan Wednesday Wow – Bliss

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02-Feb-Blog-Hop-Button

The Artisan Design Team’s February box of products is fantastic and I’m so happy to finally get to show you what I have been making with it.  We are continuing to use some of the latest and greatest from the Occasions Catalog.  If you have come over from amazing Jeanna, welcome to the next stop.  If you are starting here, just continue around using the next buttons until you get back to me.

AWW Feb - Bliss

I will tell you now that I am completely in love with the new Hexagon Hive Thinlit (expect to see more this month using it!).  There is so much to do with it but for today’s project I chose to use it as a stencil.  Using stencils is really popular right now and many of SU’s dies are great for creating those stencils.  I also pulled out the Gesso again…just like on my project for the SU blog last week.  This time I used it a bit more.  To create the tag, I started with a larger piece of Watercolor Paper and painted on a layer of Gesso.  Once dry, I used my Aquapainter to add in some ink, Smoky Slate.  Again after drying, I stamped on the flower from Petal Parade (SAB) in Rose Red ink and then pulled out a piece of card stock that had been cut using the Hexagon Hive Thinlit.  I placed it over the paper and stippled on more Gesso.  When everything was dry, I chose a section I liked, cut a 2″ strip then cut one end with the Angled Tag Topper Punch.  The sentiment from Quite the Pair was stamped in Smoky Slate.  Using the same stencil, I stippled more Gesso onto a Smoky Slate card base (4-1/2″ sq.).  I distressed a long piece (30″ or so) of Rose Red Seam Binding by spritzing it with water and then crumpling.  Once dry, I looped the ribbon and tied on a Vintage Faceted Button using thread and added a Basic Pearl to the top of the button.  I trimmed the extra ribbon and used the rest for the top of the tag, tying on an additional button.

I had a lot of fun making a bit of a mess with this one.  Gesso is something you just kind of have to play with and there are lots of tutorials on the web to show you different uses.  Just allow that everything you make will be unique and that imperfection is part of the look.

I’ll be back tomorrow with the latest from Freshly Made Sketches and then later in the week with more Leadership Display projects.

Okay, off to go visit the awesome Mercedes Weber.  I can’t wait for you to see what she has created!  Make sure you hop around the whole loop to take a look at beautiful creations by the whole team…you’ll be happy you did!

02-Feb-Blog-Hop-NEXT-Button

Click HERE to purchase any of these wonderful Stampin’ Up products.

Stamps:  Petal Parade (SAB), Quite the Pair; Paper:  Watercolor, Smoky Slate; Accessories:  Angled Tag Topper Punch, Big Shot, Hexagon Hive Thinlit, Vintage Faceted Button, Rose Red Seam Binding, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals

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Petal Parade – Trio of Flowers

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Happy Monday!  I hope your weekend was great!  Now that Sale-a-bration is in full swing, I am so happy to be sharing these projects from the Leadership Display Boards.  I have another project made with Petal Parade to show you today.

Petal Parade - Trio of Flowers

I chose this pattern from the SAB paper Sweet Sorbet and the color and print lends itself to so many cards.  I thought I’d use one of my favorite color pairings on this.  Sahara Sand, Daffodil Delight and Basic Gray are so cool together.  All I did was stamp the flowers a bit off center on each panel.  It keeps the stamping simple.  The sentiment is from Regarding Dahlias and the little metal button from the Occasions Catalog is wonderful tied with Linen Thread.  While there are lots of layers here, the card itself is pretty quick to come together.  Another one that would be great in a variety of colors/DSPs.

I’ll be back tomorrow with my first card with the February Artisan box.  It is a great one and the team is excited to get going with this one.

The rest of the team is showing their Leadership Display Board projects as well so make sure you take a look!

Here is the rest of the Artisan Design Team:

 

Click HERE to purchase wonderful Stampin’ Up products.

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Banner Blast – Awesome

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Almost the weekend and I wanted to show you another of my favorites from my Leadership Display projects.  This is one of those cards that isn’t hard to make but something about it makes me really happy.

Banner Blast - Awesome

I think maybe that it is because, as usual, I found that the products from Stampin’ Up coordinated perfectly.  This fun print from the Kaleidescope DSP and the triangle in the banners of Banner Blast seem meant to go together!  I cut the little strip of DSP and then stamped the banners in coordinating colors (Crushed Curry and Strawberry Slush).  The sentiment is from Yippee-Skippee and these fonts are so fun.  The DSP and the banners are popped up on Dimensionals and I added in a few Basic Rhinestones to finish.

I hope your week has been going well and that you are enjoying the display projects.  I’m actually getting some stamping time today and working on my Artisan projects for next month.  Another fun box!!  I’ll be back on Monday with another Leadership project.

Like many of you, things have been a little crazy around here.  My kids keep having random days off from school due to weather which adds a special form of chaos.  *smile*  At least they had enough snow last week to get in some sledding!  Fortunately I was still able to hold some stamp classes in between that and flying.  I love when I get to stamp with my friends!  Wishing you a wonderful weekend.  Thanks so much for stopping by!!

The rest of the team is showing their Leadership Display Board projects as well so make sure you take a look!

Here is the rest of the Artisan Design Team:

 

Click HERE to purchase wonderful Stampin’ Up products.

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