Spa Day ~ Simple Friendship Card Class

Be prepared to be pampered! This class starts at 11 am.. We will do a little bit of prep to make assembling our gorgeous project easier. When we are done with the preparation, we'll take a break and have a spa style lunch. After lunch we will take turns getting hand massages ~ i'll make your cards while it's your turn.. How fun is this! Take some "me" time out for yourself and join us for spa day..

RSVP by September 15th, class is limited to 8 people.

Isn't this Gorgeous?? The neutral colors of the Bella Bleu DP combined with the Simple Friendship stamp set give this card set a vintage feel that brings us back to the days when sending hand-written notes to our friends and loved ones was common. In this class you’ll create a card portfolio and 4 standard-sized cards.

Date: Saturday, September 26th
Time: 11 AM
Cost: $30
Location: Selene's Stampin' Pad

Please email me to sign up for this class @ e.selene@verizon.net by September 26th.

If you are a demonstrator looking to offer this class to your customers, please just email me for more details.

Saturday Sketch Challenge 114

Happy Saturday! Here's a cool new sketch from your operators!

I decided to go fall with my sketch, using a non traditional fall set... It's funny how changing colors can make a creation look totally different! I used colors from one of my convention swaps, and married that up with this week's sketch to make my creation.

I used an embossing folder and the big shot, to do the dry embossing on the second and third layer (after it was stuck together). Did you know you can emboss more than one layer at a time with the bigshot? I decided to go without the polkadots for this one, because they are bright white, so I just flipped the ribbon and used the reverse side. I used two 5" pieces. I used snail adhesive to stick one (on two ends) to the back of layers 2 & 3 and then just tied the other piece on!

Super quick and easy, I also did this card with my stamp club and I'm pretty sure they loved it. Folks were talking about converting it to Christmas colors, making this a very versatile stamp set for the money! I hope you're having a wonderful Saturday and making memories with those you love, and I hope you have a little time to stamp something fun today!

Meet the Kemptons ~ Bloggers Challenge Card

Today's Blogger's Challenge is a sketch by our list mom Lisa Somerville.

My Darling Husband has been watching the movie "meet the fockers" all week, and I couldn't help think that this card should say "meet the Kemptons" with my faux snow globe card.

I am addicted to playing with these sweet treat cups that are coming out with the stampin up mini catalog. So much so, that I went out and purchased candy. I am pretty sure I have a carb intolerance, (story for another day) so the idea of running out to buy "tempting treats" for these cups was not on the top of my to do list.... but I honestly can't put them down!

I thought last night that it would be fun to make a snow globe. My daughter is INTO snow globes, she has a fascination for them, and can you blame her? So today's sweet treat share, doesn't have a treat inside.. well it kind of does, meet my snowman family the Kempton's. I was thinking if I used this for my christmas card, I could put a wallet sized photo on the inside of the three of us, but alas, this might be a little too much work for the 150+ Christmas cards I make.. Well, One down...

I found my white shimmer paint worked with adding demension after using an embossing folder with my big shot on the blue layer. Just shake the bottle, take the cover off, and use a sponge or sponge dauber to pick up the paint from the cover. You only need a TINY amount!

To answer some questions I added this part. I cut the "kid" snowman out (leaving a tab at the bottom). I scratched out a circular score mark with my snips to get him to stand up, and used sticky strip to stick him to the side of my cup. Then added stampin up chunky glitter for the snow.

I also cut out just the three snowmen, and 2 way glued it to another white piece of paper, making it easier to line up.. There's 3 pieces of paper there to make that cup straight without killing myself. :)

I took close ups of my paper banner, because I think these are too cool, and the globe itself. They are both at the bottom. I'm not sure if you can see all the dimension from the photos, but this card is so cute, I actually thought about making 150.. Naaaa....

Please check out my girlfriends work for the bloggers challenge this week. They are all so talented, you'll be glad you did!

Time for another Friday night class offering

Join me for a wonderful class this month.

The soft, elegant colors of the Cottage Wall DP paired with simple, striking card designs and a unique card purse will make this a project you’ll want to turn to over and over again!

This class will be held on Friday, September 26th at 6:30 pm. Please email me to sign up, class is limited to 8 people but one you are not going to want to miss!

Mojo Passion

It's been a REALLY long time since I've been able to play along with the mojo makers at the mojo monday blog. I miss playing along with the sketches. It's been a really busy summer.

The minute I saw this sketch, I knew I wanted to make a card using the sweet centers stamp set and the coordinating cups that go along with it. In order to make my card work, I flipped the sketch 180 degrees.

I used an embossing folder with my sizzix big shot to do the dry embossing, then sponged some eggplant ink right on top and all the way around the sides. I cut my focal point to 2 1/4 x 3 1/4" punched a hole for the cup.

These new cups that will be available from your Stampin' Up! demonstrator on September 1st. They coordinate with the 1 3/4" circle punch from stampin up and the movers and shapers die, which I have already played with here. Movers and shapers have many shapes the are slightly larger than the punches for easy layering! So much fun!

Saturday Sketch Challenge 113 and A New Operator

First and foremost, Congratulations to Tiffany Bauer! This week we made her an operator! Tiffany played along every week for quite some time and we kept choosing her card for the showcase! We're so excited to have you on board!

This weeks Saturday Sketch challenge from the operators at 411 is a quick and simple sketch. I made 12 of these in a short amount of time for a swap last Monday. I stamped the leaf in elegant eggplant on all 12 cards, then i went back and inked the stamp up with the new shimmer paint that's coming out in the new mini catalog. This one is "champagne" and boy is it pretty against the soft suede brown! I got excited and even added some to the ribbon..

This shimmer paint goes a long way.. To apply some to your project, shake the bottle, take the cap off and set it down. Use a sponge dauber or a stamping sponge that's cut into wedges to pick up the paint from the cover. Note: if you take it from the bottle it will probably be too much. Then, add it to your project. it dries in minutes, but adds so much to a project!

I stamped the leaves for the background in versamark ink, and the happy birthday in soft suede. Please check out what the other operators are up to over on the 411 blog, and play along if you like!

Bloggers challenge

For this week's bloggers challenge I want to show two cards. One is a suspension card, and although i'm not crazy at the final result, but I decided to show both creations anyway. Sometimes you need to make something that didnt work, so you can truly appreciate what does.

Yes, the suspension part works, but i'm not sure i'm loving the design.. Oh well.. In my opinion the second card is MUCH better. :)

I love the dimension that the embossing folder adds to this card. The cup will be available from your demonstrator September 1st! I made this second card for my hostess Cathie for her workshop the other night. She was so excited to get it and that just makes me happy. :) Thanks for popping by, and please check out what my girlfriends of the bloggers challenge group are up to today!

How about some fun with Captain Silver!

My husband mentioned that he bought his good friend Simon a bottle of Captain Silver for his 50th birthday. Simon loves that drink, and it's not available where he lives, so we picked some up at the New Hampshire State Liquor store.

He asked me to make a card that would be appropriate.. Instead, I giggled inside my head and came up with this tag...

I know this set is retired, but there are about 8-10 sets, I will never part with. I imagined myself making pirate and princess invites with this one.. not a tag for a bottle of captain morgan rum for someone turning 50, but how fun is that??

The bottom layer (in silver ~ get it??) is 4x3 and I used a punch to make it into a tag. I stamped and water colored the image, then used some of the new platinum shimmer paint that will be available in the upcoming mini, to paint the silver parts! The new paint is so much fun to work with!

I used some leather strapping used for making necklaces to attach it to the bottle.. After all, I wanted it to be a little manly.

Featured Artist ~ Regina M.

I'm so sorry that I have been MIA since convention, with regards to my blog. Truth is, I don't travel well, and it takes me a few weeks to recover. I still am not feeling inspired by my craft room, so I'm spending today, cleaning it, with hopes that my space will help me to start to feel inspired again.

I have a few projects that I'm working on with the build a bear things that are coming, but they are not ready. However, I attended a meeting last night at my upline Katherine's home and I saw a project there that I just had to share.

Before I get started, I feel the need to share... I feel totally blessed to have such an amazing group of women to work with. My team of demonstrators may not all be "business builders" they may not all be "just hobby demo's who want the discount", they're are all variations in between. No matter where we all stand with business, it doesn't matter. They are first and foremost my friends. We are all bound together by the love of scrapbooking and stamping, but it is my privilage to know them as teachers, mentors and confidants. Each have their own strenghts and together, it is a beautiful thing to watch. Without them and my awesome customers, I would not be afforded the opportunity, to have a small business from my home, while I raise my daughter at home.

I know that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, at the right time, and with the right company. Thank God for them and for you.

With that said Regina Maginnis is one of those talented women. Always a kind word for everyone, she is patient and awesome, and I'm proud to know her. She works full time, and her husband stays home with the children. She has 3 boys and still has time to stamp! She pulled this beauty out of her bag last night and EVERYONE oohed and aahhhed.. She did say that she was inspired by something she saw on line but didn't know where it was she saw it.

At convention Gina won this set via the prize patrol. (and i'm so happy she did, because now i need it). Isn't this stunning??

Gina, thanks for sharing your talent, and for being such a great person and friend.

More fun with build a bear ~ sketch challenge 112

It's saturday, and that means it sketchy challenge day with the operators. Please check out their awesome creations here. I had more fun with this stamp set using the build a bear images.

I love using sketches as a jumping off point for making a quick card or project. I had fun with watercoloring this image! This sketch actually came from an old idea book and catalog. it's really fun to work with. I almost had to change images, because my focal point is a bit big for the sketch, but i think it works here.. How about you?

have a wonderful weekend.

I am way tired and headed for bed! Enjoy playing along with this weeks sketch.. just by playing, you could win something!

Bloggers challenge birthday ~ thank you's

Today's bloggers challenge is all about birthdays.

I got this cool set in the mail today and just had to bust it open. :)

I used stazon ink, and water colored the background. I used crystal effects for the balloon..

I'm gonna have fun with this set!

Please check out what my girlfriends from bloggers challenge are up to this week. You may find a cool birthday idea you can use!

Coffee Sweet

Getting back into the swing after convention. It's good to be home. I had scrapbooking club here last night and we scrapped the night away!

I made 25 of these cards for swapping at convention. They were easy peasy, and even though this set does not appear in the current idea book and catalog, it is still available through your stampin up demonstrator. It is on the dormant list.

Stamps: Font of you (item 113405)
Ink: Soft Suede Classic ink Pad
Paper: Soft Suede, Naturals Ivory, The write stuff Designer Series Paper
Embellishments: 1 3/4" circle punch, ornament die (to frame the circle punch), heart to heart punch, tombo multipurpose adhesive.

Where'd Selene go??

Please forgive me for not posting my stampin 411 card to my blog this week. I got the coolest award at convention, and was trying to figure out what to say so I could blog about it.

One of the best things about being a demonstrator is sharing.. but I was rendered speechless for once. Take note ~ this doesn't happen often!

First, let me tell you about this cute card... Simple, simple simple!!! i used the circle circus stamp set and punched out two circles to be the tops of my trees, used 1/8" in chocolate chip cardstock for my trunks, and cut a piece of ribbon down the middle and pulled the "guts" out to make the "faux mowed grass" a technique name that i'm already getting flack over, but that's what it looks like to me! I also used this card for my utah diva's full card swap. Simple and cute!

For those of you that do not read my customer newsletters, I sent one this morning and finally tried to put it into words.

Here's the clip from my customer newsletter:

I had a magical time at convention. I got to see my friends, make some new ones and I even accepted an award while there! I've had a few friends email me this morning asking about what happened. I'm kind of excited that my customers and friends are checking out what happens at convention on line. Anyway, I was very surprised by this award.

For those of you are on my facebook, and wonder what it is that I've won, it's called the statement of the heart award. Normally given to one person per year that looks to help others. This year, my friend Gretchen (who I finally met face to face on Tuesday, and only knew online till now) and I accepted the honor. In our minds, we accepted the award on behalf of many stampin' up demonstrators who have banded together to help one another after a disaster, like hurricanes, fires, or floods. Many of the people who sent a card front sample, or a pack of card stock, have never met the folks they have helped, and I consider myself more of a witness of something pretty beautiful. Together, Gretchen and I founded the group, and it stands today 288 members strong, ready to lift someone up on a dark day. It's not so much about the "stuff" the victims receive, but the feeling of solidarity among sister demonstrators. The biggest thing that our victims needed were samples... (those cannot be replaced by money). I received the most beautiful necklace and diamond heart pendant and I'm still pretty shocked. It's fun that I can share with you. I feel honored and humbled.

If you are a demonstrator and you would like to belong to the group, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SUDDEN_Response/ Please note, if you are not a demonstrator and you would like to still help, please just ask YOUR demonstrator to join and you can send something together. Right now, there are no needs, which is a good thing!

If you have trouble with joining you can always call me direct and I'll help you out!

Bloggers challenge & Awards Night

First, it's friday, so that means another bloggers challenge.. This week was a color challenge and here's my card. Nuff said??

:) Two of my stampin sisters and blogger's challenge friends, got HUGE awards tonight, first, Tiffany (on the right) was named demonstrator of the year #85!!

Then, Robin was named demo of the year #72 and got named to the advisory board, which is an AMAZING honor. Advisory board members are hand chosen by the co-founder and CEO of stampin up Shelli Gardner!

We were so excited, we went for ice cream after.. (please forgive my perm~asmile below... I'm just so happy). Oh what a night, i'm so proud of my friends! Please check out what the blogger's challenge group is doing for this weeks' post and let them know how much you love their work!

Greetings from Salt Lake City, Utah!

I'm really excited to be here in Utah, for the Stampin' Up! annual convention. I cried for some demo's this morning as I watched them pick up their founders circle bags. An amazing accomplishment!

Last night Gina and I arrived around midnight, and saw this cool sign waiting for all demo's at the airport! Too fun!

I just wanted to share one of my swaps and will share a few cards this week. I'm always nervous that people will like my swaps. I think this one is simple and pretty. What do you think? More updates will come further in the week! I hope you are all having a wonderful week.

Saturday Sketch Challenge ~ 110

Another Fun Sketch from the Stamping411 team!

For this card, I started with some designer series paper. I stamped my gisha girl in versamark, then embossed her with clear embossing powder.

Next, I used my brayer, to lay the basic grey color on top of the image, and used a paper towel to clear the image of excess ink.

For the medallion, I stamped it in versamark ink. This was a quick and simple challenge!

Please come check out the stamping 411 blog. One lucky winner will receive some gifts, just for playing along.