For my Demonstrator event this past weekend our theme was Passport for Success.  All my demonstrators have a success story.  This book is meant to be motivational and inspirational when they just need that extra lift.  Don't we all need that?  I love quotes and have them all over my stamp room.  Some of the quotes are my own.  A famous one would be, "Get off your BUTT and WORK!" Or the other famous quote I like to use, "Put your big girl panties on and deal with it!"  I've said this to myself many times this year! 

Anyways, I want to share with you the inside of the book.  I hope you can copy and make your own Motivational Quote book or make a Travel book for your Summer Travels.  Even if you're having a Staycation, document it. We are always making MEMORIES!

We used all kinds of stamp sets and accessories on this book.  Here are a list of stamps that were used.  I will also include the accessories.  I would love to see your books!  Please share!

Stamp Sets:

Sentimental Journey (120075 Clear), (118513 Wood)

Chic Boutique (113744)

En Francis (109521)

Dream Gardens (114395)

Tropical Party (120081 Clear), (118515 Wood)

Sanded (109294)

Beware Pirates (THIS is one of MY FAV sets!) (115187)

July Fourth (120063 Clear), (118523 Wood)

Red, White & Blue Jumbo Wheel (118622)

Accessories:

Pumpkin Pie & Basic Black Wide Grosgrain ribbon, Frost Shimmer paint, Cutter Kit, Spritzer Tool, Staples, Large Star Punch, Antique, Silver & Gold Brads, Scallop Border Punch, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Gold EP, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch

I believe I got all the materials. 

Lastly, a quick card I made.  I am seriously using tons of paper that is ALREADY cut and ready to go and just adding a few stamp images to these cards.  Kinda fun!

Okay, off to do some more work.  Hope your day is FANTASTIC!!!!

Share and Enjoy

een almost a month since I posted.  It's been a crazy mess around here.  All crazy in a good way.  I'm alive, busy and happy!  I have LOTS to share with you and this could end up to be a novel.  Sit back and read or go straight to the photos.

In the last 4 weeks I was able to spend extreme quality time with Russ on a beautiful Cruise that will go down as the VERY best ever in my book.  Not just the actual cruise line, ports and excursions but the quality time that I was able to spend with him which has been greatly lacking since December.  The entire 9 days was AWESOME!  

I also had lots of family come and visit us during the cruise, and after.  It's been the Van Diepen Hotel and we enjoyed it.  We had my Mom who watched my kiddo's during the cruise and then we had Russ' family come for my son's 9th birthday which was actually Mother's Day.  Isn't that a sweet Mother's Day gift!  I was tickled to celebrate both together. 

My Mother in Law stayed a week longer so that I could prep for a large demonstrator event here in Colorado Springs called Passport for Success.  This was my last event with my demonstrators and we had such a good time.  It was all weekend long and lots of laughs, tears and stamping occured.  My great friend and Advisory Board member Tara Bazata came down from Denver and spoke about Workshops and she was FABULOUS!!!  We all learned so much from her.  I babbled my stuff and then we stamped for four hours.  We made a fun project using the new Suitcase Chipboard.  Here is a picture of it:

I love these little Briefcases.  You can find them in the Summer Mini Catalog (118766)  and they are just fun to play with and so inexpensive.  Just 4.95!  

We used the new Mostly Vintage stencil (118877) on top of the Briefcase Chipboard and made it into a compass using the Rough Type Alphabet  (120072) for the letters.  Oh my word.  I loved this.    The book was trips around the world going to Hawaii, Asia, Paris, The Caribbean and lastly Washington, D.C.  Each page has lots of stamping and success quotes to keep them inspired and motivated.  I will post pics of the inside later.  All in all the event was amazing.  I know it's never easy to get away from family on a weekend and I respect all those that were able to come.  It meant so much to me. 

I made my friend Tara a card to thank her for coming.  Seriously, she was GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!!!  This card doesn't do the Thank You's enough… but she get's it.  LOL!

Again, I used that awesome stencil.  On the bow you will notice a fun button from the Bitty Button collection (118761).  I used the new Punch Pack as well (118309). 

So, now that the demo event is over and all the family has left me I have been down in my stamp room contemplating how in the WORLD am I going to move all this stuff.  Yes, the Navy moves us.  However, as you know stampers… we collect A LOT of stuff.  I have started packing up a few things and then I have found some gems in my stamp room that I completely forgot about.  This prompted me to stamp away.  I have created 25 cards, 2 scrapbook pages and 2 projects in the last two days.  HOLY COW!  Guess What?  It's felt GREAT!  Yes, I will share all of them with you.  I think I could completely bore you to tears with all of them today, so here is a few sneak peeks of what I have worked on. 

Yes, I know the bird has a slight lift from the seat… but who cares.  He is chubby and cute.  The bike comes from Pedaling Past (120069) and the Birdie comes from Bouquet Bunch (120039).  The Sentiment is from the Rub On's Chit Chat.  You can find them in the Idea Book and Catalog.  Love, Love, Love these.  They are a must have!!!! The button is a Grandma button… It's an old vintage button that just screamed to be put on this card.

Since it's National Scrapbooking month I had to scrapbook.  I used the Just Write Designer Series Paper (115674).  Oh my WORD! This paper pack is the bomb.  Not only paper, but Die Cuts too.  So fun!  Of course a few buttons were added and I used Go Go Boots Sizzlits (113450) at the top of the layout for the title. The XOXOXOX was also the Chit Chat Rub On's. 

I have more to share tonight.  Yes, this may be a double post Wednesday.  I guess I do need to make up for my absence. 

I hope you have had a GREAT few weeks.  Thank you for always stopping by. 

Share and Enjoy

First I want to share some techniques that we did last week in my stamp room.  There are so many techniques out there and you have probably seen all of these!  My customers really enjoyed them and a few of them  even made them do the famous, "Wow, Wee!"  I love hearing that.  <giggle!>

Brayer & Stencils:

We "tried" to use the brayer over the stencil, but honestly I thought the sponge and dauber worked better and looked better.  We ditched the brayer for this technique but we did come back to it for another one.  I love using the stencils.  They are so beautiful and I love to take the stencil and then stamp within the stencil.  The stencil acts as a mask.  I used my favorite stamp set Define Your Life. 

Emerging Color

This technique is so fun!  It really gives the WOWSER effect!

I used Glossy Cardstock from Stampin' Up!  Don't use photo paper!  It does not work.  Stamp the Medallion onto the Glossy Cardstock twice with two different colors.  Heat set with your Heat Tool.  Clean the Medallion stamp set and ink it up with VersaMark.  Stamp over the two previously stamped Medaillion images.  Pour Clear Embossing Powder over the image and heat.  Using a Brayer, brayer over the entire cardfront in a dark ink.  I used Not Quite Navy.  Wipe off excess ink from Embossed Image.  It's a beautiful, fun technique.  Embellish the card as you want.

I have two more techniques that I will share tomorrow.  Make sure to come back. 

Here are a few fun pics of our weekend.  Thanks for letting me share my family with you. 

Russ is back to his daily grind and we start our's tomorrow.  I miss him already but at the end of the week we will meet up again on a BIG BAD BOAT! We are leaving Friday for our Southern Caribbean Cruise!  YIPPIE! Russ has signed me up for a Zip line.  If you hear screaming from a far away island… it's ME!  I am SO not adventurous.  I like a pool, iPod and a chair.  That's it! Well, enough gabbing.  It's time for bed and another big day tomorrow. 

I hope you had a GREAT weekend. 

Share and Enjoy

Here are the colors to ponder!

While many of our favorite colors may be leaving, take a moment to really look at the new color collections.  One of my favorite things (and YOU know there are many!) is that this company keeps current with the ever so changing craft industry.  The new colors and renovation really do reflect that.  My advice for those who are sad to see some of your favorites leave… stock up on INK refills and cardstock.  Your ink pads will last you forever.  Grab the colors you cannot live without.  I will showcase some of my favorites that are leaving.  Bordering Blue has been one of my favorites for a long time.  We will be okay!  Baja Breeze is C'mon back!  Woot!

I do have a trickle of inspiration for you tonight.  Of course it uses Bordering Blue!  <sigh> Ha, can you imagine using the Crumb Cake Craft pad on this card too…. ohh la la!

Guess what?  One of my new favorite things to use is my Fine Galaxy Glitter (114286).  This comes in Black, Silver, Red, Gold and Champagne.  I use it with my 2-Way Glue pen and it's super easy!  On this card I roughed up the edge with my Cutter Kit and then slid my 2-Way Glue pen across the roughed edge.  Take your Fine Glitter and sprinkle a little winkle (bare with me… I'm in that kind of mood!) on the card.  DoNe!  I used the Elegant Trio stencil on this card.  The background stamp you see is from the set called Elements of Style that you can order on May 1st.  It's a beautiful set.  Speaking of beautiful stamp sets…. I have one that sits on my desk lately.  It's one of my old fav's and I have really been putting good use to it again.  Remember Define Your Life?

SUPER set!  I encourage you to pull it out and put it to use.  This style is very popular right now.  I love it. 

I hope your week is fabulous.  We had a snow day today.  I know!  Can you actually believe that? 

Big Smooches!

Share and Enjoy

You know how much I love these stencils and I just needed a QUICK card tonight.  I pulled out my new favorite stencil and got started with the beautiful Tempting Turquoise and a sponge.  I used Kraft cardstock and stenciled my image.  Love how the Tempting Turquoise looks on the Kraft.  I used the Charming stamp set over the stencil.  I added a quick button and my favorite Linen Thread and there ya have it… a quick card.  Pull out those stencil's ladies.  They are quick, easy and gorgeous.  

Hope your week is going fantabulous.  

Share and Enjoy

So here is the card we made:

I started the card by using Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  SO yummy!  On the Kraft cardstock I used the Folk Flowers stencil in the Spring Occasions Mini and used Rich Razzleberry ink and a sponge to create the pretty half flower from the stencil.  I made the stenciled area pretty dark.  Then I inked up the En Francis background stamp and stamped directly over the stencil.  Now the tip here:  Don't press the background stamp too hard.  I wanted that "oh my I didn't get a good impression" look.  <smile>  I attached this to the card base.  I added a little Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and stamped on it using the Razzle Dazzle Stamp set.  Oh I love this stamp set.  It's so pretty.  Love that it matches the stencil.  So now to the technique part——————>

Take a piece of any cardstock scrap.  For this card I trimmed it to 2 1/2 x 2 1/2.  Take a VersaMark pad and ink the entire piece of cardstock.  Pour Gold embossing powder over the entire cardstock piece and emboss.  Let cool a second.  VersaMark the entire piece again directly over the previous.  Do this up to three times.  On the third time, ink up your Razzle Dazzle stamp with Versamark.  Heat the Gold embossing powder on the cardstock so it's hot and then with your VERSAMARKED stamp, stamp directly into the hot embossing powder.  BAM! You have Faux Metal.  The more embossing powder layers you have the deeper the impression will be.  It's so fun and really a nice element to add to a card. 

I also added an embossed image of the Razzle Dazzle flower on the bottom left of the card too.  I added some Kraft Taffeta ribbon and of course used my Air Art Tool aka "blower" on the card using Rich Razzleberry marker.  I love my In Color markers.

Here a closer look of the card:

I'm off to bed.  It's a late night for me after a pretty adventures weekend.  The garage door broke, I didn't have the house keys and locked myself out of my house.  After calling the locksmith, $75 bill … I'm back in the house.  <smile>  Ahhh…. the stories and memories I am making for my kids. 

Have an amazing week!

Share and Enjoy

My Alexis LOVES to play with Stampin' Up! boxes.  Believe me, there are plenty that make it through my door.  She loves to decorate them, and color them. She had a friend over on Sunday and her and the friend were playing with the boxes.  They were using their imagination and making a cool club house.  I thought it was awesome.  Just a few minutes later I heard screaming.  It was Alexis!  The friend was poking a hole through the box using CHILD SAFE scissors and Alexis was on the other end of the hole.  The scissors poked her eye.  OUCH!  The nurse in me FROZE!  (yes, I was a nurse prior to Stampin' Up!)  I could see blood in her eye and that scared me.  We dropped everything and went to the ER.  I am so thankful I had a girlfriend  working in the ER that night.  Not only did she make my little girl calm she made me calm.  I needed that. {I love you Lisa!}  Long story short, Alexis is going to be fine.  She did lacerate the sclera of the eye (white part of your eye).  It's still looks awful.  Her vision is fine.  Thank God!  All this craziness happened on Sunday!  Monday was a day of going to see an eye Dr. What a MESS!  Again, I am just thankful she is okay.  Poor Russ.  Nothing is worse than hearing the frenzy over a phone. I kept him in the know at all times but I know it still hurt not being here.  For me, his calming voice was like a GIANT prozac pill.  Of course, that is typically what he does for me.  <sigh>

That's a mouthfull of information tonight, wasn't it.  Guess what Alexis taught at school yesterday?  Scissor SAFTEY!  <smile>

So tonight I am sitting quietly in my stamp room listening to music being a little thankful for many of the stamping friends in my life.  One talked to me for hours during the day and the other in the wee hours of the morning.  Ahhhh…. Took my mind to other fun places.  

  Let me show you a few things I have created! 

Remember I am on a mission to send Russ lots of Valentine cards.  I am so proud of myself.  This card uses a few stamps and a Stencil!  I used the Love U stencils.  Did you know there are 7 stencils in this set?  WOW.  All for 14.95!  I love that. 

Look at all these stencils you get in the pack:

I just laid the stencil down on my Kraft cardstock and then used a Real Red Craft pad and a sponge dauber and colored inside the stencil.  Since I used Craft ink I let it dry for a little bit and then I started embellishing.  I stamped over the stencil with the Bella Toile background stamp set with Creamy Caramel ink to give the area a little something somthin'.  I likey!  I added other little embellishments like a button (big surprise!) and then a few of those fun chocolate brads.  yummo!  Don't forget to give it a little spritz with shimmer mist.  Love those Shimmer Paints!!!

Remember a few days ago I mentioned I was having my big Diva night?  I've been asked what this is all about.  It's a special night of stamping for demonstrators on my team that have worked really hard in the last quarter.  I make dinner for them (they survived, yeah) and then we stamp all night.  Those crazy ladies kept me up until 2:30am.  I made them each a little goodie bag with this tag attached.  I love my entire team.  They are VERY special! The designer paper on this tag came from the Simply Scrappin' Kit called Love Sparkles.  Fun Scrappin' kit!  I love the little gems that come from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit.  If you get bored you can put one on your cheek bone and pretend to be Lady Gaga for a moment.  Ahhhh… I digress. 

Well that's my news for this Tuesday night.  I've got a lot of stamping to get done since none was done the last two days.  It's time to get busy!

Have a great week.  If you have kids, teach them SCISSOR SAFTEY!!!! 

Share and Enjoy