Clocksworks

Believe it or not this cute little box was made using 2 tags from the Two Tags Bigz Die.  I made it as one of the Make 'N Takes at the Providence Regional.  I love the flower.  First I stamped the Clockworks stamp on Calypso Coral card stock using the same color ink.  I punched two flowers using the Fancy Flower Punch.  The flower center was punched from the First Edition Specialty DSP, then scrunched.  I attached it using glue dots and then glued a Dahlia to the flower center.

Tips, Tips, and More Tips

The tips I learned at the Providence Regional were great.  There were several demonstrators from the east coast who made presentations.  They were wonderful.  I did not know you could stamp on cello bags.  The long thin bags look great stamped with black Stazon ink.  If you add a topper and some candy it would make a great Halloween treat.

I also did not know you can take ink directly from one of Stampin' Up!'s markers using a blender pen.  It gives a nice watercolor effect.  You should layer it on then use the marker directly on top of it.  Go back with the blender pen one last time and blend the color.

Deb Valder was one of the presenters.  I remember her name because she was fabulous.  She talked a mile a minute because she had so much to share and so little time.  Her first tip was to use dental floss between the layers of "Snailed" card stock if you placed them on crooked.  Place the dental floss between the layers and gently pull down.  Wow is that easy.  I usually take out my heat tool and heat up the back to loosen the adhesive.  Her way is easier!  Her other tips were to gently sand off stray ink with the sanding block.  I haven't tried that yet but you know I will.  And last but not least, use a parmesan cheese container to store your linen thread.  Place it in the jar and carefully find the beginning of the thread from the center and put it through one of the holes.  You know what I am buying on my next trip to WalMart?  Oh, her very last tip was if you are stamping away and it is lunchtime, you can use your heat tool to melt the cheese on your sandwich.  Instant panni sandwich!!

I am not going to try that!

Providence Regional

Yesterday, my friend Joni and I attended Stampin' Up!'s Regional in Providence.  We drove down the night before without a hitch.  Joni treated me to a lovely dinner at a steak house.  We spent the night at the Westin.  It was pricey but very nice.  The beds were very comfy and the staff very pleasant.  We got up and had a quick bite to eat then used the walkway to the Convention Center.

There were about 450 attendees- 300 demonstrators and 100 guests.  We were treated to a day of great demonstrations, make and takes, and of course "free stuff".  At first I was disappointed because a stamp set was not listed as part of the registration fee.  I should not have doubted Stampin' Up! We received the Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' kit and at the very end everyone also got the stamp set Seasonal Sayings.
I liked this way better.   The make and takes' stamp set- Clocksworks, is not one I would purchase for myself. 

We sat with two ladies, Patti from Vermont and Roselyn from Las Vegas.  They were so sweet and added to the fun of the day.  Patti was kind enough to send this picture since my camera malfunctioned as we went to shoot a picture.

Googly Ghouls and more

Stampin' Up!'s Regional for the northeast is this weekend in Providence.  Of course I have to go.  I decided to make a Halloween swap.  I CASED the background paper and made it using My Digital Studio.  I shrank it down in size...OK so my son did that part.  I was able to print it using my new HP printer.  I was pleasantly surprised it would take card stock.  I layered it on Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, and Elegant Eggplant.  I stamped 2 bats and Frankenstein and mounted them on with dimensionals.

Christmas Lodge

I still love this stamp set that was first introduced last year.  I experimented with a card sketch from Splitcoast Stampers.  For the textured background I used the Square Lattice Textured Expressions Embossing Folder.  This card was simple and fast.  It came out all right but is not one of my favorites.  For DSP I used the plaid from the Festival of Prints DSP Stack- a real bargain for 48 sheets of 4-1/2" X 6-1/2".

Supplies:
Stamp- Christmas Lodge
Paper- WW, Cherry Cobbler, Festival of Prints DSP Stack
Ink- Cherry Cobbler
Accessories- retired ribbon in Cherry Cobbler

Rejoicing with You

I wanted to use this stamp set for an upcoming class.  I made a beautiful card for a Convention swap but did not save any for myself.  I cannot remember what I did.  As hard as I tried nothing was coming out right.  Time to CASE.  This card I found on the Stampin' Up!'s website Stampin' Connection, a resource only for demonstrators.  It was done by Wendie Waldman from NM.  This was fast and easy to make.  It is hard to tell but I sprayed SmoochSPRITZ over the image for a little shimmer.
Supplies:
Stamp Set- Rejoicing with You
Paper- WW, Midnight Muse, Bashful Blue
Inks- Bashful Blue, Midnight Muse

Ornament Keepsakes

This ornament is on the cover of the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog.  The moment I saw it I had to make it!  When I first copy something, I make it as close as I can to the source.  After I have made one, I begin to experiment more and make it my own.  There are 3 layers.  The bottom and middle layers each consist of 20 stamped and cut out ornaments- thank goodness for the Framelit Ornament Dies.  They are glued together using a hot glue gun.  I did not use the new Silicone Craft Sheet (I did not have it yet), but wished I did.  I am sure my fingers would not have gotten toasty a couple of times!  Next time I make one, I will make the bottom layer first, add the linen thread loop, then add the Tulle Ribbon before placing layer two on top.

Ornament Keepsakes

I needed a card for an upcoming class and I just could not come up with anything I liked.  It was time to CASE!!! (Copy and Share Everything).  I found this card on Splitcoast Stampers by kathynruss.  It truly is a beautiful card and easy to make.  I changed the textured background to the new Fancy Fan Folder and voila!  a beautiful card.  You can find the original on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2237752?&cat=23323 P.S. My customers loved it.

Toxic Frameable Digital Designer Template MSD

This was CASED directly from the Holiday Catalog (page 25).  I love Halloween and the minute I saw this I had to make it.  After many attempts (my computer was acting up) I finally was ready to print.  I have not used my fancy professional printer in so long, I could not get it to work.  My son tried (my computer hero) and he could not get it to work either.  Of course I could not find the manual.  Instead I tried my everyday printer which I thought would not take card stock and it worked!!!!  The frame is from Home Goods and sprayed painted black.  Even though Halloween is 2 months away it is being proudly displayed on my mantel.

Papillon Potpourri

Papillon Potpourri

This was one of the Make N' Takes that I participated in before Convention began.  It is not my usual style but I like it.  I like the layers and the tone on tone effect.

Supplies:
Stamps- Papillon Potpourri, Flowering Flourishes
Paper- Rich Razzleberry, WW, Black, Black DSP
Ink- Rich Razzleberry, Black Stazon
Accessories- Large Scallop Edgelits, Pearls, Black 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon

For the Birds

For the Birds

Here is another swap that I made.  It may be difficult to tell but the top layer is raised.  I love the colors and that it is so cheery.  Any stamp set that is a line drawing and I can color in is sure to be one of my favorites.

Supplies:
Stamp- For the Birds
Paper- WW, Real Red, Pacific Point, Pacific Point DSP
Accessories- Watercolor pencils, blender pen, dimensionals, Framelet Labels Collection

Snow Much Fun

Snow Much Fun

This was a Make 'N Take that I made at Convention.  It was fast and easy to make.  Notice the Argyle embossing used as a mat under the stamped image and under the DSP .

Supplies:

Stamp- Snow Much Fun

Paper- Marina Mist, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, scrap of DSP

Ink- Black Stazon, assorted marker colors

Accessories- Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon

Convention

Here I am in the middle with my two roommates Sherri and Amy.  We received the Convention bags when we checked in.  Each year we get different bags.  This is not one of my favorites.

Moving Forward

This was one of my Convention swaps.  I made 117 with the help of my friend Linda.  It was for a holiday swap. You ask which holiday?  Well of course it was for April 14th which is "Look up in the Sky Day".
The stamp set, Moving Forward, is the exclusive Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set.  Stampin" Up! donates $3 for every set purchased.  Stampin" Up! also gave this set to all Convention attendees.  Another perk of being a demonstrator.

Supplies:
Stamp- Moving Forward
Paper- Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, Bashful Blue
Ink- Midnight Muse, Stazon Black, Real Red, Tangerine Tango
Accessories- Square Lattice embossing folder, Cupcake Builder Punch

Isn't this awesome??

Isn't this awesome?  I want this kit so badly.  Anyone who signs up to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator with me this month gets one for free and so do I.  Anyone interested?  It is easy and the cost for a starter kit is now only $99 and you can customize the kit to your personal preferences.  Please let me know if you might be interested.