Convention Swap Card Share: Day One

As promised, today I'll begin featuring a selection of cards I received for participating in the 64+1 New Catalog Stamp Set Card Swap@ Convention,  as well as some cards I swapped along the way to various events.  

I hope you'll enjoy these selections as much as I am and will leave a comment. I've been smiling ever since I received this exciting selection of cards.   And, if you recognize your card please leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you.  

I'll provide links to the card creator and products used as much as possible, but unfortunately some of the cards did not have any information accompanying them. Again, if one of these "unnamed" cards is yours, I'd loe to hear from you and amend my post with your name and link.  Okay so here we go!

Card One:

Our first card was created by Beth Martin using the Wildflower Meadow Background Stamp (pg 83) and Wildflower Meadow Embossing Folder (pg 191).  The background stamp measures  5 5/8" x 4 1/8". In case you didn't know, the Wildflower Meadow Embossing Folder also coordinates with the Gingham Garden Suite. You can buy this fantastic background stamp and coordinating folder as a bundle and save 15% (wood mount bundle #132735 and clear mount bundle #132985).   Beth has done a fantastic job of stamping this card.  The card base is Baked Brown Sugar and the 1st layer is Strawberry Slush card stock.  She's stamped her images on Very Vanilla in Strawberry Slush Ink, and the polka dots are from inking up her Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.  The little "thankful for you" sentiment is from the hostess set Banner Greetings on page 202.  Ask me how you could earn this last stamp set for free.  Great card Beth!

Card Two:   Susan Gardner created this really enchanting welcome baby card using the Zoo Babies 10 piece stamp set on page 54 of the catalogue. Every character in this marvellous set is adorable.  Susan incorporated three characters from the stamp set with So Ho Subway Designer Series Paper in a real thrifty but cute way.  I also like how she added the smallest of the Basic Pearl Jewels for eyes on the elephant and rhino.  Super cute!  Any new mom would be thrilled to get this card.  Thanks Susan for sharing.

Card Three:  Kris Kok has created a super cute welcome baby card using the single stamp "Worth The Wait".   This wood mount only stamp offers terrific value at just $11.95 CDN.  It coordinates with the 1 3/4" circle punch and the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch to give a very sweet layered look.  Kris has paper pieced the little turtles shell by stamping the image onto some Subtles DSP and then fussy cutting it out.  The shell is mounted onto the stamped image with dimensionals.  Kris has also added a cute touch by incorporating a small piece of the Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon at the top of the card.  The Whisper White Layer of the card is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and the Soft Sky layer was cut out with the Apothecary Accents Framelit and then embossed with the Stripes Embossing Folder.  Great card Kris............. loved it!

Card Four was created by Lynn Zautner (www.lynnspirations.com - Pinterest site).  Laura has used my now favourite colour combination Crisp Cantaloupe, Soft Skye and Crumb Cake for this lovely friendship card. Lynn has also used a strip of the Natural Composition Specialty DSP, which features shiny raised patterns that appear brown and glossy, for her banner.  The increasingly popular stamp set "Perfect Blend" was used for the coffee cup image and sentiment.  This three piece, two-step stamp set is economically priced at $13.95.The next detail I found really appealing was the way Lynn punched out the top corner of the Very Vanilla layer with the Scallop Trim Border punch and then added a circle of the 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon in Crisp Cantaloupe.  Wow nice touch Lynn!

Card Five:  Barbara Dykhouse created a beautiful card using the 3-piece Background Builders stamps on pg 119 of the catalogue along with one of the doilies from the Delicate Doilies 4-piece stamp set on pg 122.  Great combination!  I also love how Barbara used the new InColours - Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar and Coastal Cabana for her card stock ink  and ribbon choices.  Love it.  Another cool thing that works for this card is the first layer which is embossed with the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder.  This element just seems to pull the whole card together. Thanks Barbara for this very appealing any occasion card.

Card Six:  Sometimes the simpliest of cards pack the biggest punch.  I felt that way when I received Michele Robins-Keifer's perfect little wedding card.  Just the sweetest.  Michele stamped the flowers and sentiment using the "A Round Array" stamp set.  What a great value this set is, with a mixture of 8 sentiment and flower shapes for just $22.95 in wood mount and $17.95 in clear mount.  This stamp set is available in Spanish, French and English and coordinates with the 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch on page 182.  The card base is Wisteria Wonder followed by a layer of Whisper White that's been embossed with the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder.   The sweet little banner sentiment is from the Banner Greetings Hostess Stamp Set, which you can earn for FREE with hostess dollars - ask me how.

Card Seven:  I was super excited to get this gorgeous swap card before the afternoon session on the final day of Convention.  It was created by Claire Ventre from Cincinnati, Ohio, who was sitting right behind us throughout the closing session.  Not only is this the first Christmas Card I've received this year, but it features this year's Ronald McDonald House stamp set "Tag It", which we received for FREE during Convention.  This beautiful stamp set coordinates with the Chalk Talk Framelit Dies (p. 187)and is available in English, Spanish, French and German.  Did you know that when you purchase the Tag It stamp set that Stampin' Up! donates $3.00 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities?  Such a great deal for everyone.  The Whisper White layer of this card is embossed with the Northern Flurry Textured Embossing Folder.  The last great feature I want to point out on this card is the super cute little bow. Did you notice it?   It's actually modeled after the bows on page 152 of the new catalogue, but this one is made with 1/4 inch Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon (retired).  Love, love, love it!  I can show you how these bows are made, just come to one of my classes............. so much fun!

Card Eight:  Snowflakes anyone?  My second Christmas card came in a hallway swap with Jennifer-Buchanan-Springer from Bremerton, Washington.  Jennifer is a very special gal who I've so enjoyed meeting on a couple of occasions. Her beautiful card features the Snowflake Soiree and More Merry Messages stamp sets which are both still available as carryover stamp sets from last years Holiday Mini. To find these sets you need to go to Stamps in the on-line catalogue and when you open that selection there will be another option called "online only stamps", click on this link to see all the carryover on-line only stamps.   The snowflakes have been stamped in Marina Mist and Wild Wasabi for a beautiful colour combination.  Awesome card Jennifer!

Card Nine:  Connie Bjork from Pennock, MN designed this very sweet little " Thanks so much" card.  Connie has featured the Simply Sketched Hostess Stamp set featured on page 205 for the bird and sentiments on this card.  What a beautiful job of water colouring the bird on a small piece of water colour paper.  She's used the InColours designer series paper for the Bermuda Bay strip of DSP across the bottom of the card.  Before layering and adhering this piece she added a small strip of the3/8" Ruffled Rib bon in the Baked Brown Sugar.  Wow!  What an awesome combination.  Connie also added one of the small Very Vintage Designer Buttons tied off with some Linen Thread.  

Card Ten:  Another simple card featuring the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder and the coordinating stamp set Mosaic Madness.  This stamp set coordinates with the Mosaic Punch on pg. 180, and in fact, you can save 15% in discount by bundling the stamp set and punch.  How's that for a great deal?  Check out the details on page 123 of the catalogue. Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon and some small Basic Rhinestones add some sophistication to this beautiful card which is stamped in Night of Navy.  Unfortunately I can't give the owner credit as there was no identifying information in the swap envelope.  Too bad this card is awesome! 

Card Eleven:  My final card today is simply awesome.  It was created by Julie Link of Inver Grove Heights, MN.  Julie's card features the stamp set "Wetlands", which is a 6-piece stamp set featuring three sentiments that look awfully similar to the retired Sincere Salutations greetings, and three image stamps.  Julie has stamped the reeds and small shore birds on her card.  So beautifully made.  This card features my favourite colour combination again - Soft Sky, Crisp Cantaloupe and Crumb Cake.  There's also some Early Espresso going on which really compliments everything. The Square Lattice Textured Embossing folder was used on the Soft Sky layer and it really pulls the card together.  Julie simply awesome, you know how to capture nature!

Be The Difference Convention Swaps - Tea Party Card

The "Be The Difference" Convention has come and gone, but  sharing my experience with you is just beginning.  Over the next few days I want to share some before, during and after experiences with you.  

To start, I'd like to share some pictures of my card prep for the awesome swap organized by Lori Souter and friends.  This was a 64+1 card swap and the theme was "New Catalogue Stamp Sets".  We were to receive one card for each new stamp set in the 2013-2014 catalogue. That's right 64 new stamp sets including hostess sets and wheels.

Unfortunately it didn't quite go as planned because of a mix-up in swapping times, due to a change in the Convention schedule.  It was unfortunate because I was really looking forward to being able to share all 64 cards with you.   

Regardless I'm blown away by the talent demonstrated in the cards I did receive.  And if over the coming weeks the ones I'm missing are posted, I'll provided some links so you can catch up on those ones too.  

So buckle your seat belts and come along for the ride, because I have some awesome swaps to share with over the coming week.  You're going to love them!

Here's My Tea Party Swap Card:

I made a total of 70 of these cards.  The numbers in the supply list below in brackets show the number of sheets of card stock it took to make these cards.

Supplies List:

• Card stock:    Very Vanilla (35), Crumb Cake(19)
• Ink:               Early Espresso and Crumb Cake
• Stamp Set:     Cup of Tea
• Accessories:
• Stripes, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folders and Beautiful Wings Sizzlet, Big Shot Machine
• Ovals Framelits
• Large Tag Punch
• Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon
• Basic Rhinestones 
• Adhesive, Sponge Dauber 
• Sharp scissors for fussy cutting (a lot of that!)

 Pulling it together:
  

I tied 70 of these teeny little Crumb Cake Taffeta bows using the "fork method".  There is virtually no waste when tying ribbon this way and you ensure all bows are uniform.

The little butterfly only needed a small scrap of card stock so I cut out some 1" x 8 1/2" strips of Crumb Cake and then cut these down into 1" strips.  As you'll see in the photo below, I adhered these butterflies to the tags using glue dots.  A small basic rhinestone was added for a little sparkle. 

I punched out 70 of the Large Tags from Crumb Cake card stock.  I stamped 70 of the Thank you  stamp images on Very Vanilla, then fussy cut them out and mounted them to the Crumb Cake with adhesive.  I re-stamped the Thank You image in Early Espresso Ink on Very Vanilla and then cut out just the "Thank You" banner and adhered these pieces to the tag.  Everything was then sponged with Crumb Cake ink. 

I stamped the Cup of Tea image in Crumb Cake ink onto the center of each of the Very Vanilla Layers using the Stamp-a-ma-jig to ensure the ovals were centered on the card, and then removed the ovals with the Oval Framelits Die.

Once the oval was removed this layer was embossed with the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder.  I did all the sponge daubing with Crumb Cake ink prior to embossing the layers. 

I loved the shabby chic look of this layer once it was embossed.

I stamped the oval image in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla card stock and then fussy cut all the top and bottom designs away.  I mounted these onto the Crumb Cake oval with adhesive.  Basic Rhinestones were added to three of the circle flourishes on this element.  I was carefully when cutting away these pieces and as a result will be able to use the Cup of Tea images on another project.

I broke all the tasks into 7 groups of 10 pieces, so I could check to make sure I had enough of each element when I began to assemble the cards.  This photo shows a grouping of 10 tags, ovals, butterflies, ribbons and embossed pieces  ready to be put on the cards.

This picture shows my seven piles of card pieces.   Each pile consists of 10 of every layer and element used on the card.

This picture shows the 10 piles of completed cards prior to being placed in their plastic sleeves. 

 

Here you can see a closeup of the detail in the finished card.

The finished card. Ta Da!

Let me know what you think.

Convention News

Have you missed me?  It's been a while since I posted, but I've been at Stampin' Ups! Be The Difference Conference in Salt Lake City since last Wednesday.  What a week of excitement! Almost 6,000 women representing Stampin' Up! in the United States, Canada, German, England and Australia were gathered.

I've met old and new friends, learned new skills, attended seminars, tried new products, watched amazing demonstrations from some of the international demos, won prizes, and of course had way too much fun.  I've got so much to tell you!

Over the next week I plan to share my pictures and memories of those fabulous Convention moments and also all the exciting news about new products and promotions. Right now I'm packing to go home, so stay tuned as I put together the story.  It's going to be exciting!  

Want to Join My Team ?

Doing  what I love, and sharing what I love with others are just a few of the benefits that made me decide to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. 

I love sharing my passion for stamping with family and friends, meeting new people, and being a hobby demo.  I also get my own schedule and that is a definite plus!  

If you have a passion for stamping and want to share your creative talents with others, expand your hobby or just save on your Stampin' Up! supply orders, now may be the time for you to consider being a Stampin' Up! demo too!  For more information and a video on reasons to become a Stampin' Up! Demo click here:

I've reached the Consultant Level in Stampin Up!  I'm ready to move up once my team expands.

Right now the Stampin' Up!s New Demonstrator Kit is completely customizable!  That means you can build your very own Starter Kit you own way.  For $125.00 you get:

• Your choice of up to $155 worth of any current Stampin' Up! products,
• and a  business supply pack valued at $70

That's a total of $225.00. 

But wait there's more free stuff coming!

During July 15th to August 31st, if you sign up and join my team you'll get to pick one of four project kits for free in addition to your great starter kit. How's that for a great incentive? 

Three of the above kits haven't been released yet to the public because they're part of the new Holiday Catalogue product line and they're packed full of great items. You won't want to miss out on this special offer.  

 Click here for the flyer and more details and let me know when you want to sign up. I'll be happy t o answer your questions and help you through the process.

Buy 3 Get One Free

During the month of July Stampin' Up! is offering a great promotion on their fabulous Designer Series Papers and you'll want to take advantage of this money saving offer.  

Between July 1st to 31st, you can purchase any three packages of Designer Series Paper* and choose a fourth package for free.

It's a great deal and a great time to stock up on Designer Series Paper, so you're ready to roll when your creative spark kicks you into high gear.  Click here to see the full promotion and details:

Note:  *This offer does not include Designer Series Stacks and Speciality Designer Series Papers.

New Photopolymer Stamp Set: Settin' Sail

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Have you tried Stampin' Ups! Photopolymer Stamps sets yet?  If not here's your chance to get a brand-new photopolymer stamp set called Settin' Sail (item 133453). 

      Lots of versatility in this stamp set which features 21 stamps.  This will be a great set for preserving those vacation memories, creating party decor and other summer fun.

·   To learn more about our photopolymer stamps and see the flyer for the Settin' Sail Stamp Set, click here.

  

          Why Will You Love Photopolymer Stamps?

Photopolymer stamps are unique, fun designs that will inspire you and provide more versatile options you may not see in Stampin' Ups! traditional wood- and clear-mount stamp options. What makes them so great?

• They're entirely transparent for perfect placement every time! 
• They are durable. The photopolymer material is designed to last. 
• Can you say sticky? (Don't worry; in a good way.) These stamps stick amazingly well to our clear blocks (blocks A,C and H recommended).
• They're age tested. They won't yellow or cloud up over time.  They are clearly a great choice.

If you're still not sure about using these new stamps, why not take the "Seeing the Possibilities" (item 134532) on-line class.  This downloadable class will provide all the basics you need to make the most of the newest photopolymer stamp offerings: Show & Tell 1 and 2 Stamp Sets. 

Take this class to discover how quickly and easily you can line up the stamped images for precision placement, achieve just the right ink coverage, combine images together exactly where you want them, and more. The possibilities are endless! 

This class is divided into six PDF documents, and includes written instructions, step-out photos, instructional videos, and supply lists for 15 projects. The following topics are covered in the class:

• Backgrounds
• Building
• Layering
• Versatility
• Gift Giving
• Memory Keeping