I'm Going to Salt Lake City

Each year, Stampin' Up! demonstrators from across the US and Canada gather for three days of education, celebration, and motivation.  This year's SU Convention "I Am" is being held from July 18th to 21st at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Stampin' up! Conventions always includes time to swap cards, attend business classes, see new-product demonstrations, participate in Make & Takes, and opportunities to mix and mingle and enjoy time with the best stampers in the world!

Registration for Stampin' Up! Convention 2012 starts on April 17th, and I'm so excited because I'm finally going to be one of these happy gals! 

I'm looking forward to joining in and experiencing good times with stamping friends, getting creative new ideas for workshops and projects and finding out what's new for Stampin' Up in 2012-2013! 

If you're interested in becoming a Stampin' Up! Demo now's a great time to join and you too could be going to Salt Lake City.  I'd love to have you join me, so if you want more information just drop me an email or call me.    Don't wait too long....... registration sells out quickly. 

Simply Scored Diagnonal Plate Envelope Tutorial

I've just purchased the new Simply Scored Diagonal Plate accessory which coordinates with the Simply Scored scoring tool I bought earlier this year.  These two craft tools are going to make my life so much simpler, and I couldn't be more pleased with them. 

The Simply Scored Diagonal Plate is perfect for quickly creating handcrafted envelopes, boxes, and more! To use just sit the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate on top of the Simply Scored base.  It's held securely in place by rubber pads on the back of the plate and has etched grooves every 1/8" so it takes the guess work out of sizing your projects. 

You can score any size card stock up to 12" x 12" and you get instructions for creating common envelope sizes that are very easy to follow. 

Simply Scored Diagonal Scoring Tool, Item #125586 for only $15.95

So now for the Envelope Tutorial:

Since purchasing my new "cool" tool, I've seen a number of videos demonstrating how to use it to make envelopes, but none seemed to address the issue of making unconventional sized envelopes, until I saw one produced by Mike Funke an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator from Southern California.  Here's the link.  Enjoy!

I'll also be demonstrating how to use this fantastic new accessory in my April Envelopes and More Class, so stay tuned for dates and times. 

Monkey Challenge #100: Celebrate! + Sketch.

Congratulations are in order!  100 Challenges...............wow!

That's cause for celebration and the Design Team (Terry Blais and Shirley Sumption) at A La Card Monkey are doing just that. 

This week they're offering up another great sketch and some fabulous BLOG CANDY. 

You can get in on the fun simply by following their blog challenges, leaving a comment on this week's post or uploading your own rendition of their cute little sketch. 

So, what are you waiting for, you could win this adorable handmade (by Shirley Su's own little hands) Owl, 2 stamp sets, Daffodil Delight Pom Pom Trim, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Pearls, a handmade and decorated dispensing container of Whisper White Baker's Twine (made by Terry's own big man hands), chunky glitter, Sweet Stitches buttons, a Thank-You Note kit with stampin' spot and stamp, flower keychain, and an album to alter!

And here's this week's simple sketch and my rendition of the Monkey Challenge #100:  Celebrate & Sketch. 

I was asked to be a Guest Designer this week and what a thrill that was..........I love being in on special occasions and helping my friends celebrate! 

So here's to you Shirley and Terry and all you Monkey fans.   



Sorry for this poorly lit dark picture, but it was all I could produce at the moment and  will replace when I see the light of day!

Stamps:

Sprinkled Expressions Stamp Set - Sale-A-Bration 2012

Outlined Occasions Stamp Set - Sale-A-Bration 2012

Take It To Heart - Occasions Mini Catalogue 2012

 

Ink:

Pool Party

Calypso Coral

 

Cardstock:

Very Vanilla, Pool Party and Calypso Coral

 

Designer Series Paper:

Attic Boutique #125407 - Occasions Mini Catalogue

 

Accessories: 

Basic Rhinestones, Edgelits Adorning Accents Die Cuts #125595 (Occasions Mini), 1 3/8" and 1 3/4" Circle Punches, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

 

Happy Stamping!

Penny

Sale- A- Bration Joy Fold Card

Just a reminder that the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration clock is ticking down for 2012.  If you're interested in hosting a virtual party or placing an online order with me, you'll be eligible for free products, but you must do so before March 31st, 2012.

For every $60.00 spent on Stampin' Up! products from either the Idea Book and Catalogue or the Occasions Mini Catalogue you can choose an item from the Sale-A-Bration line-up. Click here to see the catalogues and learn more about this fabulous opportunity.

Join My Team and earn even more free product.  Contact me now to see how you can be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  There's never been a better time to join:

• Join during Sale-A-Bration for only $150.00
• Get a free paper pack or digital downloads every month for the rest of the year, just by joining now. 
• Joining anytime is great but during Sale-A-Bration the rewards are fabulous!

Square Joy Fold Card:

I  made this Joy Fold Card  with Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and an element from the Fresh Vintage Stamp set both featured in the Sale-A-Bration catalogue.   What a pairing! 

I've matched this fabulous two-sided designer paper with Soft Suede, Pool Party and Calypso Coral cardstocks to create this fun card.  It would also work with Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade or Very Vanilla cardstocks.  You can't get much more versatile than that.

The measurements for this card are:

• Cut card base from Soft Suede cardstock.  Measurement is 41/4" x 6 1/4"
• Cut layer of Pool Party 4" x 4" and adhere to Soft Suede card base
• Cut layer of Designer Series Paper 3 3/4" x 3 34" and adhere to Pool Party layer

For bottom front flap:

• Cut 1 3/4" x 4" piece of Pool Party and adhere to Soft Suede base
• Cut 1 1/2" x 3 3/4" piece of Designer Series Paper and adhere to Pool Party piece
• Punch out a 4" strip of Calypso Coral cardstock with the Lace Border Punch and weave a 1/8" piece of Lucky Limeade Organdy Ribbon (see Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brade Pack in Sale-A-Bration catalogue), through the Lace Border Punch and tie a bow at the end.
• Punch out a Soft Suede 1 3/8" circle and layer it with a 1 1/4" Pool Party circle.  Stamp a sentiment on a 1" circle and layer onto the Pool Party circle.  Mount with double dimensionals to the front of the card.  This piece will hold the Joy Fold card to the base. 

Joy Fold Card:

•  Cut a 3 x 3 piece of Soft Suede cardstock and score in the center. 
• Layer with a 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" piece of Pool Party cardstock
• Layer with a 2 1/2 x 2 1/2" piece of DSP
• Punch out a Scallop Circle in Soft Suede, a 1/38" Pool Party circle
• Stamp the image from the Fresh Vintage Stamp set in Lucky Limade onto Very Vanilla cardstock and punch out with 1 1/4" circle punch.  Add Basic Pearls to the center of the design.
• Layer onto Pool Party circle and then mount with dimensionals onto scalloped circle.

Inside of the Joy Fold Card:

• Cut a 2 3/4 x 23/4 piece of Very Vanilla cardstock.  Stamp birthday sentiment in Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral ink.  Sponge edges of cardstock with Calypso Coral.  Adhere to Joy Fold card base. 

A La Card Monkey Challenge #99 - Revision to My Card

Yesterday I posted my version of the challenge sketch for A La Card Monkey.  I indicated that in hindsight I should have added a Whisper White strip of cardstock under the Edgelits Scallop.  Well let me tell you that bugged me all night.  So, I've corrected that and here are some new photos showing off the revision.  You tell me which you prefer:

#1  The Original Version:



 #2 The Revised Version showing off the Scallop:

Here's a full picture of the revised card.  My personal choice is the Revised Version #2. 

A La Card Monkey Challenge #99: Flowers + Sketch

Today the clocks sprung forward an hour; a sure sign that Spring is on it's way!   Unfortunately, we forgot to change ours last night and you guessed it, woke up to the old time and had to hustle like crazy to get going when we realized we were an hour behind.  LOL what a start to an otherwise perfect day!

Another sure sign that Spring is on it's way are the daffodil buds that are starting to break through.  It won't be long until their sunny little heads are poking through.  I think daffodils by far are one of my favourite spring flowers.

So with those two spring time thoughts in mind, it was easy to meet the Monkey #99 sketch challenge at A La Card Monkey  which calls for a card showcasing your favourite flowers.   Here's their great sketch and it should be noted that you can use any other embellisment in place of the buttons, if you're so inclined. 

Here's my take on this fun challenge.

I used Whisper White card stock for the base of this card and then added a 4 x 5 14" layer of Basic Black.  My next layer is a combination of Daffodil Delight and Basic Black.  The Daffodil Delight layer was embossed with the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder and the edge was punched with the Scallop Trim Border punch.  I then ran a piece of 1" by 5 piece of basic black through the Big Shot Machine and created another scalloped edge, this time using the new Adorning Accents Edgelit Die.  In retrospect I should have made this piece in Whisper White so it stood out more........... oh well hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies #125595 $11.95 pg. 7 Occasions Mini Catalogue

Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder #114517 pg 218 of the Idea Book and Catalogue $9.95 



Scallop Trim Border Punch #118402 pg. 211 Idea Book and Catalogue

Button Buddies Item #122735w/122737cm pg 71 Idea Book and Catalogue.  This is just the cutest little stamp set and great value for 8 stamps.  Wood mount version is $36.95 and the Clear Mount is only $26.95.   

 

In this closeup you can see the flowers and vase from the Button Buddies stamp set which was stamped in Basic Black ink on Whisper White Card stock.  I stamped the vase twice and cut out the second image and mounted it with dimensionals to give some depth to the image. 

The flowers are fancy buttons from the brights collection of buttons.  I used the Labels Collection Framelits Die (#125598 pg. 6 Occasions Mini)  to cut both the Basic Black frame and the Whisper White image.  Basic Rhinestones were added to the centers of the buttons for some glimmer and again on the flower images to the right. 

Get these Designer Buttons FREE with a $60 purchase during Sale-A-Bration, January 24-March 31, 2012!
■ 72 buttons per container; 4 each of 3 designs in 6 colors

■ Designs include large marbled button, double circle button, and small flower button

 

Hope you'll play along with the A La Card Monkey Challenge this week! 

Stamp Club Make and Takes

On Tuesday I attended a Stamp Club run by Cheryl LeFore of La Quinta, California.  Cheryl as you may recall from my earlier posts, won Stampin' Ups! 2011 Artisan Award.

Cheryl attended SU Leadership in San Antonio  Texas earlier this year and showed us all the free stamps and products she acquired while there.  There were so many gorgeous goodies on display!  She also showed us several of the swap cards she received.

A gorgeous card made by scoring the beautiful hearts from the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit Die cut.  This fun die cut simultaneously cuts and embosses fun hearts as accents for any project! Use with Standard Cutting Pads and Multipurpose Platform. Die measures 2-1/4" x 2-1/2". Coordinates with the Sweet Shop product suite and is only available until March 31st in the Occasions Mini Catalogue, item #125596 for $14.95.

I absolutely loved all the floral cards she had on display and will be CASING some of them for my spring card classes. 

Another highlight of the evening were the two make and take Easter projects Cheryl demonstrated.  The first project is a cheerful little Easter Bunny perched on a carrot candy box.  He's made from punched ovals, circles and the ornament punch.

This simple project is made with a variety of Stampin' Up! punches.  The little 5 sided box that looks like a carrot, will hold Hershey's kisses.  What a sweet treat!

Here's a closeup so you can see some of the detail on the punches.  Ovals, small heart, circles and the ornament punch make up the body of this cute little bunny.  Whiskers and paw details are added with a black marker. 

This view lets you see the details in the box.  The box bottom and top are made with the Fancy Flower punch and the box itself is a piece of cardstock that's been embossed with the Swiss Dot embossing folder and scored.  Pretty easy.

The carrot top is made by punching scallops with the Scallop border punch on a 4 x 4 piece of cardstock.  A line is scored down between the scallops across the cardstock and then lines are cut from the scallop to within an 1/2" of the bottom.  Once all the cutting is done the "leaves" were rolled around a dowel and then fitted through a small circle in the center of the flower punch that was made using the cropodile punch. Easy peasy!

The second project was an Easter card made with the new Elegant Bird Bigz Die Cut and the Easter Dove stamp. 

This gorgeous card was made with Blushing Bride cardstock which was embossed with the Tulips Embossing folder.  The bird was cut out of Whisper White Cardstock with the Elegant Bird Bigz Die Cut and then embossed with the Elegant Lines embossing folder.  By embossing the Eyelet Border Punch with the Snow Burst Embossing Folder, a very lacey effect was achieved. 

The Easter Dove - Wood-Mount Stamp, item # 125455 was used on the inside of the card. 

This $8.95 stamp which features the universal symbol of peace--a dove with an olive branch. Perfect for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Rosh Hashanah projects, too can be purchased from the Occasions Mini Catalogue until March 31st, 2012.

Elegant Bird Bigz Die Item # 125593 Cost $26.95

Easter Dove Stamp Item # 125455 Cost $8.95