Zebra! My General Swap

I loved my swap! This is the swap that I magically turned 50 into 100. It really makes sense since these were just fronts when I usually prep whole cards!

Here's the recipe:

Sets: Zoofari, Trimtastic Wheel: My ABCs Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black Ink: Versamark, Basic Black Tools: Heat tool, embossing buddy, Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Black Journaler

The next pictures are just a sample of the great ladies that I met! I thank the SSUS girls for letting me hang out with them! The first picture is just Lisa and Lisa (no cult jam...they're in the next pic, I guess!) Lisa Somerville is an awesome stamper but more importantly, an awesome person!

The next group of girls is who I mostly spent time with...I don't have everyone as I was a lame brain and didn't get my camera out at the pajama stamp a rama...Jeanette, where are you? B went home before these pics, too. I thank all of them for letting me be a joiner and being fantabulous people, too! From left to right: me, Rhonda Beadell, Lisa S., Stefnie Summerer, and Margie Shulsinger (who was also gracious enough to let ALL of us sleep at her house for the first night!)

Christmas swap...

I am home from convention! I am TIRED and THRILLED all at once. I met some AWESOME women, including my upline, Lisa Somerville, in person for the first time! She is so cool...some would even say "uber-cool!"

I participated in a Christmas swap with a group of women on SCS. Liz Schultz organized the swap. This is the card I made. It uses a new set from the catalog called Baby Jesus is Born. I used the lids of the ink pads and an aquapainter to watercolor the image. The image is stamped with Basic Brown (did you know you can watercolor with basic brown and basic black...you need to allow it to dry thoroughly before watercoloring...learned that tip from Shannon West at Stampin' Up.) It's layered on a piece of Purely Pomegranete with strips of Old Olive to make the frame. The base of the card is Kraft cardstock. The saying is stamped with basic brown onto Soft Sky and punched with the word window punch. The final touch was a folded piece of Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon. Thanks for looking! I'll be sharing more about convention when I'm not recovering.

One cool quick thing to share...all of the stamp sets in future mini catalogs will ALL be DIE-CUT!!! That's exciting!

Lisa

Blogger's Challenge #5

Okay, I know it's not Friday. But, I'm leaving forDenver at 4:40 pm which means leaving for the airport much earlier than that. And, I have tee ball this morning. So, let's pretend it's Friday!

Our challenge was to make a gift box or bag. This was really fun cause someone I know is getting this box later today...if my luggage makes it to Denver, that is! I had to pack it with my checked luggage. I ran out of room in my carry-on.

I used 5 chipboard coasters (like you would find in a bar...I bought mine online, silly!) I then covered them with adhesive (I used Perfect paper adhesive with a sponge brush...any liquid glue would give you the smooth coverage you would need.) and designer paper. I allowed them to dry and with my brand new Crop-o-dile (now available through Stampin' Up...contact me if you want one!) punched holes for the ribbons. Oooooh, does that Crop-o-dile punch smoothly. It's so slick...it's also VERY quiet setting eyelets...It's a fantastic tool!

This uses the Cerise Designer Series paper, grosgrain ribbon in real red and vanilla.

Well, that's it! I'll be at the Stampin' Up convention until Sunday..if I get a chance to post from convention, I may...if the lines aren't too long and I'm not completely overwhelmed.

Lisa

Shoebox Swap: Final version!

Here's the final version of what I'm bringing for my shoebox swap for convention. Speaking of convention, I won't be able to post after tomorrow. I have my blogger's challenge project ready to show so it may be REALLY early! I was going to share my general swap, but I'll save that until after I return home.

Card recipe:

Sets: Bud Basics, Basic Outline, Vases in Vogue

Ink: Groovy Guava, River Rock

Cardstock: Groovy Guava, TEXTURED! River Rock, Naturals Ivory

Other: Slot punch

SWAPS! or "A Tale of the Subconscious"

Have I shared that I'm working on my convention swaps, yet? Oh boy, am I! I had decided a long time ago that 50 would be enough. Then, as I was finally prepping and working on the the idea for my general swap last night, I kept thinking that I should come up with another design and do 50 more. As I was stamping and wheeling my background, I looked at the pile of cardstock I had prepped for my background and the all of the other components, it dawns on me...DUH! I had cut at least 100 of everything! DUH! When you divide 25 sheets of cardstock into four pieces, you will end up with 100 not 50! SUPER DUH? Do you see how blonde I am in that picture...well with a little help from Jackie who cuts my hair...but boy, did I prove it to myself tonight. I got straight A's in math all through school. I love to teach math. Obviously, it was my subconscious taking over and getting me to make the 100!

I will share pictures of that later. I'm still coloring the zebra and haven't actually put a finished product together. The card that I'm sharing today was another that I made while "on the journey" to figuring out my shoebox swap. I liked this card but couldn't figure out how to prep the pieces for someone else to put it together without me teaching it. So, tomorrow, my plan is to share the final product!

Card Recipe:

Sets: Bud Basics, Outline jumbo wheel, In My Thoughts

Ink: Groovy Guava, River Rock

Cardstock: River Rock Groovy Guava, Naturals Ivory

Other: Dimensionals, Perfect Layers tool, Ice Circle Rhinestone, Paper snips

Thanks for looking!

Lisa

Blogger's Challenge #4

This week's challenge was to use the layout on page 97, The Sassy Stems card on the bottom of the page. It was a challenge for me! At first, I didn't like my results. As the card sat here for a little bit, I grew to like it. I hope that you do, too!

Hopefully, you notice the improvement in my picture quality. I love my new camera but I wasn't getting good pictures of my projects. So, off to ebay and I bid on and won a photo studio in a box. I think I get truer colors.

Card Recipe:
Blue Bayou, Old Olive, River Rock Cardstock
Whisper white Craft, River Rock Classic ink
Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass, Key Tag Punch, Horizontal Slot punch, Large Oval punch, Paper Snips
Sets: Garden silhouettes, Vases in Vogue, Trimtastic, Double-Line Doodles

Thanks for looking!
Lisa

Finally! A card to share!

This one's for Leigh who so awesomely logged on to check out my blog and didn't find a new picture today! She showed me some gorgeous cards that she made with another SU demo last night! They were awesome!!!

This was the beginning of what could have been my shoe box swap...but it's not. I did stick with these colors, though.

Card recipe: Sets and Wheels: Outlines and Bud BasicsCardstock: Groovy Guava, River Rock, Naturals IvoryInk: Groovy and River Rock

**Used slot punch to create scallop.

Thanks for looking!

Stampin' Up News You Can Use!

Here's some news from SU:

1. The scallop punch is having some quality control issues and will be on backorder until further notice. I haven't had a problem with mine but....

2. The Holiday Mini Collection will be arriving in your mailboxes in August sometime. You can order from it starting on Sept. 1 and until November 30...The exciting news? Every stamp set in the mini is DIE CUT!!! Fast stamp mounting...whoohoo! BTW, every set is GORGEOUS!!! Did I mention new elastic cord? Or Satin ribbon? New winter On Board pieces? Designer wrapping paper? OOOOHH...it's good!

3. Good News/Bad News. First the Bad News: Sellabration won't be in January and February of 2008...Good News: It'll be from February 1 to March 17, 2008!!!! There will be an Occasions Mini brochure available at that time PLUS the Spring Summer Collection begins on January 1st!

Exciting times!

Lisa

Sweet little girls

Just testing to see how I can upload some photos from my new camera! Thanks for looking!

Lisa

Good Morning!

Well, watercoloring 30 manger scenes didn't sound like it would take much time but....

It would help if I could get a day and just sit and work but I'm busy and having fun, too! Yesterday, I worked a little bit and tried to recover from the wierd sleep that I had on Saturday. Then, last night, our VBS started with a night of swimming at the pool. It's probably the only night I can help and I love to swim so it was perfect.

Today, I should be able to accomplish something...at least finish watercoloring! Then, assembly should go much better. I think I'll set up a table in front of the TV and work...that is if Little Suzy can leave my stuff alone! She is a fun little pill!

This is a simple (sort of) card just using squares of DS designer paper. It uses the retired set of papers called Au Chocolat but you could do the same thing with any other patterned paper. It would also have looked cool if I had added the faux stitching lines.

Thanks for looking!

Lisa

Steve's in the air!

Well, it's been a long day and it's only 9:30 am! Steve and I were up at 2 am...yes, you read that correctly! He needed to be at the airport by 3:30 am so we needed to leave here by 2:45 am. He was all checked in and ready to board by 4:10 and I left the airport. Then, I was back home and in bed.

Steve called at about 6:50 am and said that they had maintenance problems on his flight from GF to Mpls. so after boarding, they had to switch to another plane and start over! When he got to Mpls (was supposed to reach Mpls around 6:06....I'm assuming he was late....) he raced to get to the gate for his next flight which was supposed to leave at 6:50 am. That plane also had maintenance issues!!!! He got there, I think that they boarded everyone and then had to go to another plane! Yikes! He's two for two...last plane for the day anyway. I just checked and the web shows that he's almost to Houston.

Here's another April contest submission. I markered the stamp and then after stamping, used my aquapainter to "smudge" the color a bit to make it look more watercolored. Simple tech to do!

The stamp set used is Summer by the Sea. It's not retired but not shown in the current catalog. SU came out with a dormant list. To see the entire dormant list and it's contents, click on this link: http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/8515.asp

Card Recipe:
Stamp sets: Summer by the Sea
Ink/Markers: Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Chocolate chip, Barely Banana, Glorious Green
Cardstock: Real Red, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
Other: Organdy Cream ribbon (retired), Tag Corner punch, slot punch (to cut "ribbon holder")

Thanks for looking!

Lisa

Blogger's Challenge #3

This week's challenge was to do a Christmas card using non-traditional colors. Remember to check out the sidebar of other members of the Blogger's Challenge group and see the creations they came up with...you won't be disappointed! Should inspire a little Christmas in July for all who see!

Card Recipe:

Stamp sets: Big Pieces, In the Spotlight, Frosty

Cardstocks/Paper: Soft Sky, Whisper White

Inks: Whisper White Craft

Other: White Stampin' Emboss Powder, heat tool, Embossing Buddy, SNAIL adhesive

Sparkle!

This was another April entry for the Stampin' Success contest. It didn't get published but I really liked it. Most of the items on it are retired! The fun thing I added was using my brayer over the Au Chocolat paper to add a touch of Cool Caribbean. Thanks for looking!

Card Recipe:

Stamp sets: Doodle That (retired), Warm Words

Cardstock/Paper: Very Vanilla, Au Chocolat (retired)

Other: Chocolate 3/8" ribbon (retired)

Titles are back!

Thank goodness...I think that Blogspot fixed something cause I didn't do a thing to fix it...

I mailed off my July contest entries with high hopes but realistic dreams...I won't win the big prize but hope to just make Stamper's showcase once or twice. I sent about 10 cards, I think, all for the Dynamic Dimension contest which emphasizes techniques using embossing powder. My card for my workshop tonight was one of my entries.

Til I can share my blogger's challenge (also an entry for July...) I'll share some of my cards from the April entries.

Card recipe:

Stamp sets: On the Spot background, Doodle This

Ink: Only Orange

Ribbon: Orange grosgrain (now only available as Pumpkin Pie..so close in color you won't tell the difference! I know, I now have both....)

Cardstock: Only Orange, Whisper White

I've Been Tagged....

I've been tagged! I've been tagged by my friend, Lisa. So here you go:

7 Things About Me:
1. I almost stopped rubber stamping...then I met my friend Jolyn who readdicted me.
2. I bought my first stamp to use in my classroom and never used it in my classroom!
3. I love MN Twins baseball and had a HUGE crush on Kent Hrbek (#14) when I was in jr. high. (He signed an autograph for me and I never used the pen again....) Now, I just cheer for them all!
4. I have read all the Janet Evanovich "Stephanie Plum" series and am on the waiting list at the library to read #13!!!
5. I can crochet dishcloths but have only made 2 blankets successfully. My husband is still waiting for me to make him a scarf. Most things I crochet are not even.
6. I have to have the blankets a certain way so I can sleep.
7. My name is Lisa Marie but I wasn't named for the famous one. My parents wanted a name that was short and easy to spell.

I'm going to point you to the left side of my blog...that's where the links to all of the Blogger's Challenge members are...that is, all but one. I've added Mommy's Stampin' Creations to the list of links but it's not showing up...hopefully it will but until then the blog addy is:

http://www.mommystampincreations.blogspot.com/

Hope that link works!

Although not everyone could participate this week, there are some really GREAT artists to check out!!

My SU order finally shipped this afternoon and if all goes well, should arrive in my home on Tuesday afternoon! I've got a workshop on Wednesday and then it's SWAP prep time!!!

Blessings on your weekend!

Lisa

Bloggers Challenge!

My good friend, Lisa Somerville, invited me to join in on her Blogger's Challenge group. I accepted...gratefully and humbly because there are some pretty spiffy stampers in the group! I hope that I can keep up my end and some close to the classy art that they are capable of!

Here's my first contribution. The normal date is Friday but I was so excited, I'm a little early!

The challenge was to use the layout on page 108 of the new Fall Winter Collection from Stampin' Up. I was first inspired by the colors of the color challenge on SCS and then when I went to my stampin station, changed as it came to life. I ended up with So Saffron, Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink.

I'm working on learning how to take good pics with my new camera. I think I need to set up a little card studio...until then, I'll scan with my scanner and get a little better color!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Bundle of Joy, Holidays and Wishes

Inks: So Saffron, Whisper White Craft, Chocolate chip

Cardstocks: So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Tools: Aqua painter, ribbon, stapler, SNAIL, Stampin' Sponge, Chocolate Chip marker

Thanks for looking!

Lisa

Finally! The Fall Winter Collection...

is viewable online today! Go check it out...

www.stampinup.com

If you have high speed internet, you will find this really easy to navigate.

Let me know what you think!

Lisa