Projects and Pals

A couple of years ago my family got together (cousins, aunts and all) to put together a family recipe album. This Christmas one of my aunts asked me to put one together for a friend of hers who wanted a copy. I have to say this was a record for me. There were approximately 40 pages in the book and I didn't have my 1" punch yet so I had to cut out each pages tabs with an exacto knife. However, I completed the entire book in about 7 hours. I was fairly proud. Just thought you might want to see what a few of the pages looked like. (Please forgive the poor quality pictures, all I had with me was my cell phone)

What wonderful online/blog buddies I have! I have definately been amazed at the online comminity's love for one another (most cases complete strangers) in the craft community! One of the first people I met when I began blogging and craft surfing was CiCi. I honestly remember some of her first cards and have been truly blessed to watch as she blossomed into a "well-known" guest stamper and designer for multiple craft companies. If you haven't checked out her blog, PLEASE do!!! She is a true inspiration for me.

And then . . . She honored me today with this award. . .

I'm truly flattered. Here's what I'm suppose to do:

1. Post the award logo on your blog.

2. Add the link to the person who nominated you.

3. Nominate 10 other blogs and add post their links as well.

4. Let those people know that they received the award.

10 blogs. . . wow, since I have been MIA lately I'm going to postpone my nominations until I have a few days off for Christmas. I'll get back you on this one :)

As always, Thanks for looking!

Sarah

Finally Time for Christmas Cards

Here's my first official Christmas Card for 2009. I actually did it about a month ago and have been working on cards and books for friends and family gifts, but I just loved this card and have been wanting to share it on here for a while.

Thanks to my stamp club buddies and Lee (see here blog HERE) for the encouragement to use the glitter and "bling". I usually don't do alot of bling but I'm trying. The snowflakes on this card are done with the two way glue pen and dazzling diamonds.

And, as if I have to tell you in the next couple of weeks we'll be looking at the retiring list again. . . as if Santa doesn't have enough suprises! :)

Comments

Well, so sorry but looks like I was having issues with my "comments" section on this blog and my family blog. I believe they have been corrected now.

I finally made it through my statistics class and have hit more energy now that I'm in my second trimester. hope to have time VERY soon to make some cards and post them. Sorry for my absence . . .

Be back Soon!!!!

Pregnancy Brain has Hit!

Remember these awesome little books? http://sarahsstampin.blogspot.com/2008/02/another-february-mini-book.html

Well I made a really pretty black and white version to take with some other stuff to a "crafter's basement sale" this weekend. Do you think I remembered to take a picture to share on here. . . . ???? Well, of course not. I'll be working with Kelly Friday morning if the book is still there I'll try to remember to snap some shots.

On another note. . . they sent off my blood for the Quad Test on monday (please pray for favorable results, I've heard some aweful stuff about these tests), We've scheduled my "bring your DVD" ultrasound for Oct 22, and the c-section is scheduled for March 2nd. I can remember all this stuff. . . oh well. . .

Online Ordering Now Available!!!

Stampin' Up! has brought out so many great new items and programs this Fall, my head is still reeling. The one that I think is going to be the most exciting for most of you is the online ordering! That's right! NO matter where you live you can now order from me online and have your order shipped directly to you! If you get an order together with friends you'll even earn hostess gifts!!!!

Go to my SU! website HERE and click the top right corner where it says "shop now".

If you need assistance don't hesitate to call or drop me an e-mail (sarah@sarahsstampin.com).

I think this tool will be of great use to many of my customers. As always thanks for looking!

A month behind. . .

I know, I'm officially almost a month behind. Too much to catch you up on. . . . so I'll just show you new stuff! I'm absolutely in love with the new "In Colors (c)"!

The colors are Baja Breeze and Chocolate chip. The stamp set is called "Like it a Latte" and sorry but it's retired. I really wanted to use it though, I've got a friend who just opened a coffee shop and I've been trying to find time to put together some cards for her. The tag at the bottom right is a mixture of the small oval punch (with sentiment), the "True Friend" stamp from the new hostess set "Punches Three" and a chocolate chip piece punched with my new curly label punch.

I know its a rather simple card but I think I like it. . . what do you think?

As always, thanks for looking!

New Stuff !

Well the new Catalogs are here. If you haven't see one yet check it out HERE . . . it's amazing!



Here is a card I did for a swap using my new DSP.







Also, if you are interested I have some newly retired sets for sale. You may view them HERE. More to come later about the new things from SU!



As always, thanks for looking!

Update and Annoucement

let's see if one picture can just about sum it all up for me. . . . .

Sorry I've been MIA but we've gotten some news that includes morning sickness and a really tired mommy. But with the new catalogs here I promise to be back more frequently. I've got some great bargains and promotions to tell you all about and some great suprises. . . .

Thanks for your patience with me and as always, thanks for looking!

25% select retiring accessories, OH MY!

For the first time ever Stampin' Up! is offering 25% off of a select group of retiring accessories. You may view the list below or download the list by clicking on the picture. I'll be ordering as soon as get an order large enough and ordering frequently over the next couple of weeks, as products are sure to sell out quickly. Please let me know ASAP if you see something you are interested in!




























Keep an eye out tomorrow for the entire retiring accessories list.



As always, thanks for looking!

Fun in The Sun! NEWS

Wow, Summer is in full swing and Stampin' Up! is offering more new and exciting things! Check out the newest news. . .

Hodgepodge Discount from July 1-August 10 (or while supplies last). You may purchage the Aged Copper, Antique Brass or Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware Packs (item #'s 105532, 105531, 1055150 for 25% off the regular price. Please contact me today if you are interested in purchasing one of these $27.95 sets for only $20.96!

Great Die Cut NEWS!
SU! has announced that all new stamp sets in the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog (including new hostess sets) will be die cut for your convenience! How exciting is that?!?!?! Only the new stamps will be die cut; sets carried over from the last catalog and those on the dormant list will still require trimming. But, each new set will feature a die cut icon so you and your customers will have no problems identifying die-cut sets.

Also, one other thing. . . have you seen the new product line from Stampin' Up!? The Decor Elements are a wonderful line. Click DECOR ELEMENTS to learn more about this exciting new line of products.

With all these new products coming out and with the new catalog just around the corner, what better time than now to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Contact me now if you are interested, I'd love to share more with you.

As always, thanks for looking!

Embrace Life

I've really enjoyed this hostess set, and since it will soon be gone I used it to make my swaps for this month's stamp club. I really loved the way these pocket cards turned out.

As always, thanks for looking!

I haven't forgotten

Just wanted to let you know that I haven't gotten lost. . . well, maybe mentally, but not physically. It's just been a crazy week. I have company in town, my Grandmother is in the hospital (but doing better), work is a little crazy right now. . . plus at some point I have to find time to get my stuff ready for my Escape event that is in 3 days!

You can always check out my SU! Demonstrator Web Site to see new projects and ideas.

I'll be "back" soon. . . . I promise!

Time to Say "Goodbye"

Once again it's time to say goodbye!

Click on the link above to view the new retiring list. I hope to have some time to make some "Farewell" cards with the stamps that I have that are retiring. . . keep a look out!

If you have any questions please let me know. You may order from this list any time, schedule your own party or view my events calendar http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sarahsstampin/events.

as always thanks for looking!

One More "M"

This was one of my favorites of the monogrammed set that I did last week and I wanted to share with you all. . . . I'm really starting to like the monogrammed look . . . hum, might make some nice Christmas gifts. . . .

as always thanks for looking!

Monogrammed "M's"

I made this card with a set of monogrammed cards for my hubby's grandmother. . . . I hope she liked them. I love the blue and cream together, but what do you guys think?

As always, thanks for looking!

Graduation Time

I made this card last week for my hubby's cousin who was graduating high school. It sort of looks like a halloween card, but the school colors are black and orange.

as always thanks for looking!

Lovely CASE

When in doubt. . . go surfing on SCS. . . .

I found this beautiful card http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/621825

and had to try one. Hope you like it!

As always, Thanks for looking!

Can you do a white card?

One of the challenges I tried on Sunday was to do a card with mostly white. Since I never make cards with a white back ground I figured this was a good challenge for myself. This was the card I came up with.

As always, thanks for looking!

Sunday's Challenges

It's always nice to have someone/something that can help to inspire you. I don't think I've given enough credit, here on my blog, to Split Coast Stampers.com. any time I need inspiration or a challenge they've got it. So today, I took the opportunity (while not feeling well) to challenge myself. I combined a Color Challenge and Beate's Weekend Challenge to make this card . . . .


Truth be told, I did stray a little from the original color challenge. The colors were suppose to be pomegranate, old olive and pink. . . I used ruby red instead of pomegranate. Maybe the challenge police won't come after me :)

The cute little hippo is from "Pun Fun" and the DSP is from Bali Breeze. More cards from my stampin challenges later this week!

As always, Thanks for looking.

Monochromatic Thoughts

I'm here, I'm here! Don't give up on me. Sorry, I've been MIA.

I had time tonight to do some stamping for the first time in what seems like an eternity. So, I thought I'd share with you all.

I thought I would try a little monochromatic card, and really wanted to do it in purple (AKA: Lovely Lilac) but unfortunately I don't have that stamp pad (yet). So I used creamy caramel, and I don't think it turned out too badly. The background is "Sanded" stamped with versamark. the large stamp is from "Baroque Motifs" and the ribbon is grossgrain eggplant.

Hope you enjoy, and I truly hope to have more time soon to catch up on my stamping and post more pictures.

as always, thanks for looking!

FINALLY

Here is one of the designs that will be included in the May Project Pack. The Theme is May Flowers and the tutorial will show different ways to use these wonderful tools. As always, the price is $35, which includes tax and shipping & handling. This is a wonderful pack valued at over $40. Check out the flyer HERE.

109181 On Board Blossoms and Basics Page 178 in the Idea Book
111277 Rub Ons "A Perfect Day" Page 15 in the Mini Catalog
111376 Die-Cut Blooms Page 14 in the Mini Catalog
and over 12 ideas and tutorial for how to use these fun items!

Here is one other little preview. . . .

Mini catalog can be seen online here: http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampinup/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&fsid=1cfe1ba6-a6b7-4e43-85ce-32dda59bdb4d&storeid=1038724&circularid=12510

Thanks for your patience and as always, thanks for looking!

Technica Difficulties

I've got the May Project Pack ready, but I'm having technical difficulties. If I can't get it uploaded tonight, I hope to have it up by tomorrow. Thanks for your patience and as always, thanks for looking!

May Promotions

What a wonderful month to take advantage of all of Stampin' Up!'s wonderful promotions!


Cutting Combo Pack Special Offer
Promotion Dates: May 1-31, 2008
Promotion Details:
During the month of May, buy a Cutting Mat and get a Hobby Blade for FREE!


Get on Board with Chipboard
Promotion Dates: May 1-31, 2008
Promotion Details: Recieve 25% off of any Stampin' Up! chipboard products when you purchase $35 worth of product (click image below for more information)




New Demonstrator Promotion
Promotion Dates: May 1-31, 2008
Promotion Details: Recieve 20% off of the new demonstrator starter kit AND a free package of hardware when you sign up to be a demonstrator in the month of May.

I'm always amazed with the wonderful promotions that Stampin' Up! offers and this month is no different. Contact me now to take advantage of these wonderful promotions!

As always, thanks for looking!

Against the Grain

So. . . this is the first time, in a long time that I've done some thing that wasn't "my style" and truly loved the outcome. I also haven't done any ripping in a long time (actually I don't know that I've ever posted anything ripped on this blog. . . ).

The lamb (ewe) is from Pun Fun and the papers are from "Summer Picnic" (mini catalog) . . . which reminds me. I got news from SU! "headquarters" that the Occasions mini collection will not be ending on May 31st! The mini catalog will actually be available until June 30th. The sad news is we will have to wait until August to see our new catalogs! But, I'm sure it will be well worth the wait!

Also, don't forget a new project pack and new promotions are coming this Thursday! I can't wait to share all the new goodies with you all!

As always, thanks for looking!

Simple Kitty

Another cute card using Pun Fun. . . isn't it funny how when you first get something all your other "favorites" seem to take a back seat to the new item, until of course the new wears off and you get another "new". . . .

As always, thanks for looking!

TP Challenge Winner!

Congratulations to Beth, she's the only person who had time to participate in the TP challenge so Beth if you'll e-mail me your details I'll send your blog candy out. You can see Beth's Card HERE I'm so impressed with what she did, I may have to try it again.

As Always, thanks for looking!

Look ma' no ribbon!

I love this little rocket out of Pun Fun . . . I've been excited about making a card using this stamp. I think this card will be for my nephew's birthday. I wanted to try and keep it simple and actually finished a card without using any ribbon! I was so proud of myself.

As always, thanks for looking!

More time to Play!

My friend Christi and I had a virtual stamp night tonight and challenged eachother to CASE a card from the other's blog. HERE is her blog and HERE is the scrapbookingpage that I used as my inspiration for this card. I'm still not convinced the colors turned our right but I like it overall. . . .

The skunk is from Pun Fun, one of my new stamp sets. The background flowers are from Spring Solitude. The colors are rose red, whisper white, and basic black.

As always, thanks for looking!

New goodies and time to play!

I got new goodies and time to play . . . this is what I made. . . .

This little birdy is from a CTMH stamp set. . . just too cute! I made him for a friend of mine. . . shhhh can't say who.

I made this for a sympathy card. They are always difficult for me, but I think this one turned out well.

As always, thanks for looking!

Back to my style

well, a number of you have mentioned wanting to do the TP challenge but the timing is difficult. So, in the spirit of kindness I'm extending the deadline for the blog candy. You have another full week to make a TP card and link a picture to the previous post. Good luck, I can't wait to see the goodies!



Tonight I felt like I had been making so many cards "reaching out of my box" and I really just wanted to make something that felt like mine. I know that it isn't stampin up but I think this set is so cute!



This is a CTMH stamp set on SU! cardstock (soft sky, choc chip, and old olive). The ribbon is 5/8" Olive Grossgrain. The giraffe was stamped with saddle brown staz on onto SU! watercolor paper and then using SU! markers I blended the colors.

As always, thanks for looking!

Many Thanks

First of all, don't forget to show me your toilet paper card. I'll be choosing a winner from the comments on THIS thread tomorrow (Monday, 4/14/08)!

Long ago I labeled myself an admitted copy-cat. I take ideas from SCS, friends blogs, magazines, and the Stampin Up Catalog. From there I tweak colors, design, layout and images to suit my taste. So tonight, I thought I'd give you a little example of this. . . .hope it's useful.

Let's say this was the card I found in a catalog (it's really not, I made it. . . but let's pretend). Not my usual colors and not completely crazy about the stamp on the bottom right. So I usually mentally make note of the design but for your benefit I've actually drawn out the template.

Here you see each element in a slightly different color. I've changed the square with the sentiment to a circle, but as you'll see in the samples below it's not a hard and fast rule, just guidelines.

Here I simply took the template and two coordinating colors, and the Delight in Life stamp set. . . pretty simple.

I mixed it up a little more here, looking for extra notions and adding the ribbon (It was driving me crazy that the other card didn't have ribbon).

For the next card, I simply rotated the card and left the layout as-is (like I said before it's just a suggestion, don't stress about getting it perfect!).

This is probably my most favorite. . . . and if you look closely you can tell that it's the same layout just rotated.

When you get in a slump, or are looking for card ideas try to view the sample cards you look at with a good bit of imagination and very little perfectionism. Don't have the stamp set, no big deal! Use one you have. . . don't like the colors? Change them! The one thing that drew me to stamping (and keeps me coming back) is that your creativity has no end. There is no right way and no wrong way. You do what is comfortable and visually pleasing for you!


Some people may not like my style, and I'm sure I've seen cards out there that I won't be copying any time soon, but that's the beauty of any art. . .


as always, thanks for looking!

Happy Purple

Trying to reach outside my box. . . I like the purple and the green and I've had these flowers for a while. So. . . This is what I came up with. Here is an close-up of the flower, I just thought it was cute. :)


Hope you like it!

As always, thanks for looking!

DL on the TP & a CHALLENGE!!!!

Just a little translation "DL on the TP" is "Down Low (details) on the Toilet Paper (see one of the crafts from Monday night). So, yes. . . since there seems to be confusion I decided to give you all a little more information on the toilet paper project. (just cuz I luv you all :) )

Okay, you'll need a roll of your favorite toilet paper (I haven't found one yet that won't work). It might take more or less layers for different kinds of TP, just play with it! Then you'll also need a stamp (open patterns work best), stipple brush and small bowl of water.

Turn your stamp upside down and place one sheet of TP on top of your stamp.

then, dip your brush in the water and begin pressing (gently) onto the toilet paper. The first layer requires that you be a little more gentle. Don't stress if you have a rip in the first layer, the other layers will cover it up just fine.

Repeat this process with 4-8 layers (depending on the thickness of your toilet paper and how thick you want your final product).

When you are done, your paper should look about like this (while still on the stamp). I prefer to leave the paper on the stamp over night to allow for clearer embossing when completely dry, but depending on how many layers you've used sometimes you call pull it off and let it dry that way.

When you get done, you will have embossed or textured paper that you've made yourself. This wasn't the best stamp to use now that I'm looking at this, but you get the idea. Hopefully this will help clear up some of the confusion from before. . .

hum. . . want a challenge? Try the TP technique and show me your cards. Post the link in the comment section of this post and next monday I'll choose a random number to send some goodies too! Good luck! Can't wait to see what you all make!

As always, thanks for looking!

Late night Craft

I've had the "Flyin' High" stamp set from CTMH for a month or so now and finally had an idea. I new my son would love to play with these little cars and planes so I mounted them on heavy cardstock, colored them and then put magnets behind them so he could play with them on the fridge. . . .

What do you think?

It's hard to see in the picture but, the red car has jumbo eyelets for tires, the green plane has a brad between the propellers and the brown plan has small eyelets for tires. also, all bumpers were colored silver with my zigpainty pen.

As always, thanks for looking!

How much fun can you have on a Monday night?

Each month on the first Monday night I have a stamp club that meets. Last night was the last club meeting for this "round" of participants. So we all brought ideas and toys from home to play with and share. I just thought I would share some of our fun with you. . . .

Paula showed us all how to use toilet paper and a stamp to make our own embossed paper. All you need is toilet paper, water, a stipple brush and the stamp of your choice. So much fun!

Ann, Joyce and Diane brought Sizzix, Cricut and other things similar. We had so much fun playing! I definately think the Cricut will be on my list to Santa this year.

Then Marcie showed us how to make these adorable ornaments.

You simply start with a clear or frosted glass ornament. Then you take acrylic paint in white and blue and pour your white in first (be generous). You have to roll the ornament around and shake it (make sure you cover the hole with your finger VERY WELL) until it is more covered with white than you really think you want. then you pour the blue paint in and contiue the rolling and shaking. Once the outside gets close to what you want STOP. It is going to keep changing for a while so don't over-do the shaking. you will not get the swirl color pattern if you keep shaking. You can then decorate the outside however you wish. We chose to make a reindeer or snowman for each member of our family. I think I'll come back later and paint our names also.

As you can see we had tons of fun ( I didn't get home until after 10pm!). Just a side note, if you live in the Shoals area (Russellville, Sheffield, Florence, Killen, etc) and are interested in a group meeting like this please let me know. I now have a few customers in that area and I am looking for a way to host events for that area, but I need to know how many people are interested.

If you have any questions about any of these projects please let me know. As always, thanks for looking!