School is in session!

Boy...am I tired these past two days! Having a real schedule is tough on a person. I figure that I've been going "back to school" for 30 years now!!! (I started first grade in 1977....hence, going back to school after my first summer "off".) You would think a person would be used to it!



Are there enough colors on this card for you? This was another entry for the embossing category. I had TONS of fun with this one! It uses Big Pieces, Little Pieces and Be Happy stamp sets.

Thanks for looking!

Lisa

Fall Frenzy!

The Stampin' Up special for Sept. 1 to Sept. 30 is AWESOME! For every $30 in regularly priced merchandise that you spend, you can choose one of six stamp sets at 30% off!

http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/8756.asp

I'm not too saavy at adding links to my blog but you should be able to click on the link above and see what 6 six sets are available for this special price of 30% off!!

If you would like to place an order, contact me and we'll take care of it right away!

Also, I'm trying to start a Stamper's Five club. When I have five interested stampers, I'll put together the first club. Each member is responsible for ordering $30 in merchandise (before shipping and handling) each month for five months. The fun part is that each member gets to be the hostess one time during the five months. During her hostess month (or any other time) she/he can collect outside orders or host an in-workshop to increase the total for the month and increase their hostess benefits for the month! Contact me if you would like to sign up or have other questions about this program!

Lisa!

Stamper's Showcase!

Well, on Friday there was a nice surprise when I went to the SU Stamper's Showcase! There was this card!

I tried to upload at my mom and dad's over the weekend but I couldn't get it to work on their computer!

To make this card, I embossed each petal with white embossing powder onto Certainly Celery cardstock. Then, cut each petal out...sounds like it would take a lot of time but doesn't really with this set. I put the petals onto the Blue Bayou cardstock and embossed the Birthday wishes, also in white.

The little picture of the card is right from SU...it comes out really small on the blog so I'm adding the scan that I made of the card before I sent it off!

Thanks for looking!

Lisa

Friday's Blogger's Challenge

Here it is! We were challenged to use the layout on the top of page 92 of the Fall/Winter Collection. We didn't have to make it a pocket card and I wasn't going to. As a matter of fact, I was going to wimp out on this week altogether. Then, the other night just started and here are the results. I ended actually liking it! And it ended up being a pocket card after all.

The Boho West theme is definitely an influence for me this fall! I used a set from the Holiday catalog (which you can place orders from starting tomorrow!!!) called True Friend. I also used a new DSP (Designer Series Paper from that same mini catalog called Apple Cider. I LOVE the colors on that paper! When I first started stamping years ago, I thought I hated Really Rust....have you seen how much I use it now? I LOVE IT! Just proves that you should always keep your ideas open to change!

I'm also going to pre-prep a post...I am on Stamper's Showcase today!!! But, I'll save that card and post it tomorrow...I hope...from my parent's house. I'm going for a turbo visit!

Thanks for looking!

Want to win knitted dishcloths?

Well, I did. I like to wash dishes with knitted dishcloths. To enter the contest, I needed to leave a comment on this blog: http://teatimeramblings.blogspot.com/2007/08/knitted-give-way-contest-ii.html and then post a link on my own blog! If you don't have a blog, she is allowing you to still enter.



So check it out if you like knitted dishcloths!



Lisa

Kind

Thought I would share a "kind" card today! This card uses the new In Colors, Wild Wasabi and River Rock. The base of the top layer is whisper white. I stamped some images with River Rock. I then embossed images with clear embossing powder and sponged (or brayered...I can't remember) over it with River Rock. It was fun to make and I hope you like seeing it!

Lisa

A Card to share!

I will continue to share the card that I entered for the July contest for SU.

I used the same color combo as I did for one of my previous posts. I did this one first as a thought for the workshop and boy...am I glad I changed it! I liked the other one much better! But, I'll still share this one with you!

Thanks for looking!

Lisa

Joe Mauer!

Last Saturday night on our vacation, we were blessed with FREE tickets to the Twins game. With the winning tickets, we also got to watch the Twins (and the Rangers...) take batting practice right from the field on the Metrodome floor! It was really cool. The only autograph that we got was from former Twin and now radio broadcaster Jack Morris. He was really nice about it, too!

Here's Joe Mauer. He seems like such a sweet kid (and I mean kid...I'm old compared to him!) He made sure to sign autographs for all of the kids there...guess I don't look as young as I feel!

Lisa

Blogger's Challenge #9

Good morning! The challenge for this week was to get PUNCHY! So I did...overdid! The card base is Soft Sky. The flower is just one of the three punches from the Spring Bouquet punch (I saved the others for something, someday!) I placed the flowers on a piece of Blue Bayou cardstock and lined that with Blue Bayou Double stitched ribbon. Finished with a little stamping in Blue Bayou ink. The happy is from Happy Everything and the Birthday is from Fundamental Phrases. Thanks for looking and be sure to see all of the other Blogger's Challenge participants. Just click on the links on the sidebar of my blog! Happy Friday!

Lisa

More stamping for school...

I did more stamping for school today. I made another sign for a different bulletin board using Big Deal ABC and the new Star-Studded Season from the Holiday Mini catalog (you can start ordering on Sept. 1!!!!! There are so many good things in that little catty and remember that all of the sets are die-cut...that was really helpful cause I hadn't mounted it yet but without having to cut, I mounted it in a flash and stamped away! I also made WANTED posters to hang in the hallway by my room and then distressed them like I did the sign in my last post...but...I didn't take time to scan either of these creations! I am such a tease!

So, I'll share a card that I made for the July contest for SU. I didn't win but I'm still hoping to see one of them on the Stamper's Showcase...

I actually did this as a make and take for a workshop in July (hope you see this M.A.A.) The contest submission was for embossing. I used the pink passion craft ink to ink up the big U. Then, using the little flower stamp, I stamped off the ink from the stamp and then stamped onto the cardstock. Since I was using the craft inks, I sprinkled clear embossing powder over and heated it. The round tab punch is folded and embellished with silver brads to make it look like a clipboard (not my original idea but I can't remember who to give credit to...) The colors on this card are Wild Wasabi, Pink Passion and Barely Banana. I really liked that combo!

Thanks for looking! Friends have mentioned reading the blog so that makes me very happy!

Have a great night....

Lisa

This is what I'm stamping....

Well, it's back to school for teachers! Kids in our town have until after Labor Day. The western/boho hot trend isn't just limited to stamping, by the way! I found a whole bunch of western style decoratives to do up my classroom! I couldn't find just the right title for my front little bulletin board so while I was home for lunch today, I stamped this little sign using my Letterpress alphabet and the Wanted stamp set. It's stamped with Chocolate chip onto Creamy caramel cardstock. I then distressed the edges with the cutter kit and went crazy with direct to paper ink to give it that old worn out look! I know my students will like it...of course, they think that I can draw well, too and I know the truth about that!

Lisa

Blogger's Challenge #8

I am typing this at least a week ahead of time...so far I should have been to Green Bay, specifically New Franken WI to see my in-laws! I love my in-laws! I should have over-hugged our three little nieces, Maggie, Leah and Elizabeth (once they remembered who we are...we only get to see them once a year.) and we've successfully been in our hotel in St. Paul and have relaxed there for a bit. I hope I've shopped at Shopko in Green Bay and the School House (an AWESOME teacher store in Green Bay.)

Oh...yeah...the challenge!

This week's challenge was to find an item to inspire us to create a card. Much to my husband's dismay, I'm going to share where I was inspired. The BATHROOM! It's not what you're thinking. This cup hold all of my brushes and tools for my make-up (do you think it's all natural that I look this good? tee hee!) So I spy these bright colors and ta-da! Here's the result...okay...two results!

The first card is done with the baby wipe technique. Now, my baby wipes are a little dry so the stripes fade just a bit. Once I finished the background, I couldn't get the image of Lifesaver's out of my mind, hence the stamping inspiration...Circle of Friendship!!!

So, if one card is good...why not two? The third card's stripes are done just using sponge daubers and the ink pads to ink the daubers. I like the solid look of this card. but also like the white space in the first card.

Thanks for looking! I'll be home soon...but be warned...teachers go back to school on the 21st so my posting may be hit and miss for a bit. I'm going to try to keep up but no promises!

Lisa

Blogger's Challenge #7

The challenge: Alter something. Guess what? I just had the night before Lisa posted the challenge so that's the one I'm going to share! It's an altoid shaped tin (although was never an original Altoid tin.) I made it in about 15 minutes. Sometimes, paper-crafting should be that simple! I covered the top and bottom with Blue Bayou DSP (Designer Series Paper). I used my Crop-A-Dile (did I tell you I LOVE that tool?) to punch two holes in the bottom. I tied Blue Bayou double-stitched ribbon in to make a handle. Then, using the Jumbo Outline Alphabet (my official favorite right now!) I stamped "treats" with BB ink on a piece of Whisper White cardstock. Then, I used a blender pen to "shadow" each letter with the ink in the top of the ink pad. The "old" corner rounder was used on the corners. (My new one just arrived!) I used only one of the three flowers in the Spring Flower Bouquet punch in both BB and WW and layered the two flowers. The 1/4 inch circle punch completed the center of the flowers. Now, I need to fill it up!

Be sure to check out the awesome, talented group of girls who are also Blogger's challenge members. The links to their pages are on the side of my blog!

We're leaving for WI to visit Steve's mom and dad in Green Bay (Go, Pack, GO!) so posting will probably cease. I'm going to type in a draft for next Friday's blogger's challenge but if I can't get to a computer, I'll have to post it when I return! See you later!

Lisa

Doodle fun and Get well wishes

I have been sharing some wonderful, happy stories from Convention. But, one really sad story is that a new friend, B, had to leave early as her daughter was/is extremely ill with Pneumonia was admitted into the hospital because she couldn't get enough air. Lisa got B a plane ticket while Marjie helped her pack. It's been about 2 weeks that Annika has been sick and she is still hospitalized.

Here's the card that will hopefully give her a smile for a just a bit.

I made the red circle with the Coluzzle and then used the slit punch to create the scallop. The dots around it are made with the Uniball Signo Gel Pen (it's the best money you'll spend with Stampin' Up...and don't get the cheapy ones at Target....I've tried those out and they are NOT as nice. I'm not saying this just because I sell SU...it's true!) The image is from the Double Line Doodles stamp set and is watercolored with the Aqua Painter.

The punched flowers are made with the Three for You punch box punch called Trio Flowers (The punch box is available for $45.95 and you get NINE stamps, three ink spots and the punch...PLUS this month, you get a set of notecards with the purchase of the punch box! See the SU homepage for more details http://www.stampinup.com/ )

Thanks for looking and add Annika to your prayer list!

Lisa

A Little Trick

One little trick that we learned at Convention was to trim stamped images of snowflakes using a Circle punch! How clever and quick. They demoed it with Snowflakes from the new Fall/Winter Collection. I don't own that set but I do have The Snowflake Spot. So, I tried it and it worked. Here's a picture of what images from that set work with which circle punches! Now, what other sets (other than Christmas) could I do this with? Oh, I love punching!

Lisa

Buca de Beppo Boo hoo...

So, I spent Sunday afternoon walking in Downtown Denver. My plane was supposed to leave at 6:45, so get to the airport by 4-4:30...what to do for the first part of the day? I asked for a late check out (thank you for that suggestion, Lisa!) and hung out there for a little while longer. Then, at about 1:00, I decided to venture out for a little lunch. I wanted a little-out of the way, unique experience. I studied the downtown Denver guide and picked out an Italian place off the main road. I thought I had found a treasure. I truly enjoyed every bit of my dinner and even took a picture of it...

I walked back to the hotel to get my bags out of storage and wait for the shuttle to the airport. I ran into some session 2 girls and shared with them this wonderful eating experience and that I highly suggest they try it out! One of the girls said, "Oh I've been to one of those." I asked if it was in Denver...oh no...they are EVERYWHERE! Humbled, I share my pictures with you! The worst part? After gastric bypass, I can only eat a really small amount...most of this was left on the plate!

Lisa

Another Coaster Box

I don't think I shared my other coaster box that I made before convention. The first box was for Lisa S., my awesome upline and friend (have I mentioned how awesome she is? I've gotten many emails from people telling me how lucky am I to have her for an upline...I agree!)

This box was for my first night in Denver hostess, Margie S. She graciously filled her house with us crazy demos. She and her husband have three great kids who gave up their rooms to let us old stampers sleep in their beds. The kids slept in the living and we didn't hear a peep out of 'em, even when we were gigglin' in the kitchen! I made the box as a hostess thank you gift for letting me, a complete stranger, stay in her home.

I filled the coaster boxes with a bag of Widman's chocolate, made locally. It's not the famous Whitman's chocolate...it's Widman's. I think their specialty is Chocolate-covered Potato Chips...does it get better than that? Chocolate and potato chips...yummo!

Blogger's Challenge #6

This card took on a life of its own. We saw a lot of "Boho West" themed projects at convention so this emerged from everything I saw, I guess! I started out with Really Rust and Blue Bayou as my color choices...where's the blue? Never happened! Once I made the smaller flower (the center of the really big flower...that's a jumbo eyelet with a matching brad in the center...it fits perfectly and adds a little something, I think.) I pulled out the Round Up Simply Scrappin' Kit (SSK). I used one piece of the DSP (Designer Series Paper) from the SSK and used both sides. I also used one strip of the die-cut adhesive strips to make the design on the bottom. Trimtastic stamp set made yet another appearance as I used Craft Really Rust and clear embossing powder to make the strip of boho "ribbon". I added brads and a piece of Kraft Taffeta ribbon. The rest, I think, is explanatory. Our challenge was to use the layout on page 165 of the Fall Winter Collection. Don't forget to click on the links on the sidebar of my blog to see some other awesome cards using this same layout! It's so awesome to see the variety of ideas on just one layout!

Lisa

Card Recipe:

Sets: Wanted, Trimtastic

Ink: Really Rust Classic, Really Rust and Very Vanilla Craft

Cardstock: Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla Textured

Other: Simply Scrappin' Kit Round Up, Pewter Jumbo eyelet, Pewter brads, Clear embossing powder, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Paper Piercer, lots of glue dots!, Scallop Circle Punch, On Board Blossoms and Basics

Minneapolis 35W Bridge

I need to begin my entry today with a request for prayers for those involved in the tragedy on the 35W bridge in Minneapolis yesterday. What a horrific thing! I was peacefully mounting stamp sets and listening to the Twins game on TV when they broke in with the news. They proceeded with the game which made total sense...25,000 plus people were at the game already...why release them and create a larger traffic mess? I'm sure that I've taken that bridge many times while I lived in St. Paul attending college. We have family in the area and we are assuming that all is well since we haven't heard otherwise.

I will also post another pic from convention. I've mentioned it (only a hundred times) that I was randomly selected to be a make and take helper at convention! It was an awesome experience that I would do again in a heartbeat. I was able to work directly with these two lovely young ladies, Angie Backman (on my left) and Stephanie Johnston (on my right). They are have dream jobs, as far as I'm concerned! They get to design for Stampin' Up! Here's a picture of me with the "Dream Team"! Their presentation to the general session was FANTABULOUS! Plus, they are genuinely nice girls!

My card on display at Convention

Here's a picture of me pointing to my card on the display boards at convention. It was the only one that I found. I had sent it in for the faux stitching challenge.

Dream Big was the theme of Convention 2007 and there was time for photo ops on Award Night. Here is Rhonda, Jeannette and I looking pretty darn good, I think!

Here's a picture that I took on Sunday while exploring downtown Denver. Everyone in my group had left already so I just walked up and down the 16th Street Mall. It's so cool...you can either walk or take a free shuttle up and down. There are a large variety of stores. I even found a couple of places to buy my dh some tobacco for his pipe smoking times.

Anyway, this isn't your typical statue. It's a real person, of course, dressed as a statue. The second picture shows what her sign says.

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

Hot and Sweaty...

My downline, Brandi, needed a bachelorette card and this is what she came up with using SU punches and Crystal Effects (for sweat....) Isn't it cute? We found the original online but I didn't write down whom to give credit...sorry!

Hopefully....

Early next week, I'll have a copy of the Fall/Winter Collection in my hot little hands! My retiring sets open house was a GRAND success and I thank everyone who was able to attend. Steve drew names for the prizes today! The winners will receive their prize with their orders!

Have a super weekend!!
Lisa

Happy Father's Day!

Brandi C....my downline, created this card and I cased it! We called it Variations on a theme because mine was a little different! It uses some new In Colors: Wild Wasabi, River Rock, and Blue Bayou. It also uses a new set from the Fall/Winter Collection (catalog) called Baroque Motifs.

Next Wednesday, I'm hosting a retiring stamps "party" at my house. I have to explain that the stamps are retiring and I'm NOT...I can see where that would be confusing! I'll have a make and take and a drawing for hostess sets!!!

A couple more of Suzy!

The two dogs together are Suzy and Daphne. The nice calm dog sitting on the arm of a chair is Daphne, our 4 1/2 year old beagle. The dog that is looking at the bone is Suzy...she's learning!

Thanks for looking!

Lisa

Introducing....

Suzy Lightning! Our new beagle puppy and dear family member! She joins Daphne Daffodil, our 4 1/2 year old beagle.