Who’s the Rock Star?

…usually I’d say ME! but yesterday, the rock star was our friend Lubos – it was his birthday soiree and I knew I had to come up with something awesome for his card.

I was inspired by the Mojo Monday sketch and I knew I wanted to use the Extreme Guitar image.

The base of the card is Basic Gray and I layered it with some Basic Black cardstock and then a piece of Kalediscope designer paper.

The two centre pieces are done with varying shades of orange (I love to play with two shades of the same colour). The guitar player is stamped on Pumpkin Pie cardstock with Black Craft ink and embossed with Irridescent ice embossing powder. I also stamped some of the images from Extreme Elements in Pumpkin Pie and Dusty Durango ink and then sponged the edges with Basic Black ink. The word portion of this centre is Dusty Durango cardstock which was punched with the Spiral edge punch and sponged with black ink. I used a Chat Room rub on that matches exactly what I wanted to say and added a mini library clip.

Along the bottom, I added a strip of Dusty Durango cardstock which was punched with the Pinking Hearts border punch. I let just the “jagged” edge show and added some Basic Black cardstock and Pumpkin Pie ribbon.

And for the centre piece I used the cr0wn from Extreme Elements. I stamped it with Craft Black on a piece of coordinating designer paper. I punched it out with the 1 1/4″ circle and layered it with a 1 3/8″ Dusty Durango circle. It is the adhered to a tag cut using the Lots of Tags Sizzlets and I dotted my white gel pen around the outside edges to define it a bit more.

Products used on this project – CLICK HERE to buy them NOW!

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Dusty Durango, Basic Black, Basic Gray.

Ink: Basic Black Craft and Classic, Dusty Durango, Pumpkin Pie.

Stamps: Extreme Guitar, Extreme Elements.

Accessories: Chat Room rub ons, Spiral edge punch, 1 1/4″ circle punch, 1 3/8″ circle punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlets, Sizzix Big Shot, II embossing powder, heat tool, mini library clips, Pinking Hearts border punch, pumpkin pie grosgrain, white gel pen, Kalidescope designer paper.

Workshop Olympics Event #1

I’ve had many inquiries on participating in my Workshop Olympics – I think I may get my 10 participants!

Here is one of the “events” that workshop attendees can participate in at a workshop during this special time. It incorporates a ton of products I love – and I hope you do too!

The base of this card is Soft Suede and we’re using some Old Olive Designer Paper and the Good Neighbour and Whimsical Words exclusive Sale-A-Bration stamp sets. Now I don’t want to give too much away but here is a close up….

Want to participate by hosting your own workshop? Click on this link to learn more about my Workshop Olympics!

Presenting…Workshop Olympics!

It is 2010 and the Olympics are coming to us very soon! With that in mind, I have decided to host the Workshop Olympics. All you have to do is book a workshop before March 31^st and you will qualify as an Olympic Crafter. My aim for my 2010 Workshop Olympics is 10 workshops before March 31^st. Are you ready to go for the gold?

There will be gold, silver and bronze medals awarded in the following categories and you can decide to participate in a singles event (host your own workshop) or doubles event (host with a friend).

• Workshop Sales
• Workshop Attendance
• Workshop Bookings (bookings made at your workshop)

Starter Kit Bonus! Anyone who joins my team wins the ultimate prize! A 30% discount on your first order as a demonstrator (over $200), a great continued 20% discount with SU, monthly meetings full of excitement and information and MORE!

Gold Medal Prizes: Double your earned hostess dollars!

Silver Medal Prizes: An extra FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set!

Bronze Medal Prizes: Classic Ink Pad (your choice of colour) and coordinating card stock!

You’ve been training for this and now is the time to participate! Contact me to book your event today!  Oh, and catalogue parties count too – just have 3 or more guests in on the order!

Over the next two months I’ll post updates on the categories so you can all join in the competitive spirit!

Workshop Fun and a Math Lesson

I’ve got so many awesome workshop projects ready for hostesses – are you ready for them? Here is one of the simple stamping cards using some awesome embellishments.

The base measures 3″ x 6″ and is in Chocolate Chip. I took a small strip of the Sending Love Specialty Designer paper and under it a piece of Old Olive which I punched with the Sale-A-Bration scallop trim punch.

For the main part, I used a Hug Note from the Occasions mini. These are awesome! I added two pieces from the Stitched Sweet Pea flowers and stamped a saying from the Sale-A-Bration set, Whimsical Words. For the saying I stamped it in Chocolate Chip.

A card like this is not only awesome looking but a reasonable endeavour if needing to make lots of the same card. Here is a breakdown (in Canadian) to make 40 of these:

One package of 12×12 Chocolate Chip cardstock (107102) :  $9.95

Two packages of Hugs Notes (118778): $6.95 each x 2 = $13.90

One package of Sending Love Specialty Designer Paper:  $15.95

One package of Old Olive Cardstock (106544) : $9.95

One package of Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers (117266): $11.95

Two packages of open ended envelopes (for 3″ x 6″ cards, 107286): $9.95 each x 2 = $19.90

Whimsical Words Sale-A-Bration stamp set: FREE!

TOTAL COST of 40 cards is: $100.53 or $2.51 per card with lots of extra paper for future projects!

So, when looking at the cost of products, lump them together and do the math, especially during Sale-A-Bration, it could be totally worth your while!

Light it Up!

I met a great group of ladies just before the holidays when I presented a tile class. They were so excited that Stampin’ Up! products could be used for more that just card making and scrapbooking. One of the ladies asked what else they could do and we decided on an embossed candle workshop. Here is a sample of what they are going to make.

I really love the Medallion stamp but I’m also going to have Baroque Motifs on hand for the ladies to use. The base is wrapped in Old Olive cardstock and I added a piece of Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware. The box is make using Chocolate Chip cardstock and is tied with some 5/8″ Old Olive grosgrain.

I don’t want to give too much away now before the workshop but I’ll certainly revisit this project after the workshop as I’ll be directing my guests here for written instructions.

Have a great day!

Fun with Cats and Dogs (and horses)

Since adopting our dear puppy Ben, I’ve realized that I actually have occasions to send animal cards so I thought I’d do a class on them!

These are the three samples of the cards I’ll be doing at the Furry Friends Stamp-A-Stack on Wednesday, February 17th at 7pm. Each participant will make 5 of each of these designs for a total of 15 cards!

I’ve got a few extra little embellishment ideas up my sleeve but didn’t want to show them now, I need to keep something secret until the class!

If you live in the Lower Mainland of BC and wish to take this class, please contact me to reserve your spot!

Why not use the Box?

So as you all know I’ve been playing with the Simply Adorned jewelry line and loving it and I thought to myself – why not use the box? And, this is perfect to post today to be included in the Pals Paper Arts challenge this week!

I took one of the boxes and stamped it with the Medallion stamp in Chocolate Chip craft ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. It is stunning all by itself! I then made a belly band using Real Red cardstock and a small strip of Sending Love Specialty Designer paper and in the centre added a scallop circle pre stamped with an image from Vintage Labels (SAB). I punched out the centre and backed it with another of the same stamped image on Pretty In Pink and then added a 3/4″ circle of Real Red which I’d stamped with “4U” from Tiny Tags.

I loved the outside so I had to do something for the inside. This is how a new charm should be presented, I think…..

I did a fold out card using Real Red cardstock and Sending Love designer paper. The chipboard letters are covered in Cameo Coral craft ink (the Pretty In Pink just didn’t show up enough). And on the other side:

I used the same cardstock, designer paper and letters to complete the “love you” but added the charm to the centre of a punched out scallop circle. I thought this was a perfect way to present the charm. Here is a photo up close:

I just used a 1/2″ circle of the specialty designer paper and a small heart that is part of the waste when using the Pinking Hearts border punch. It fits perfectly!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Products used on this project – CLICK HERE to buy them NOW!

Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink.

Ink: Cameo Coral Craft ink, Chocolate Chip Craft ink, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink.

Stamps: Vintage Labels (SAB), Tiny Tags.

Accessories: Sending Love Specialty Designer paper, Chipboard Letters, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4″ circle punch, 3/4″ circle punch, 1/2″ circle punch, clear Embossing Powder.

Incredible Inserts

I don’t know why I always need a “kitchy” title on all my posts…..odd (but that’s me a little)….

Anyways, when I was preparing for my Simply Adorned demo last week, I thought I’d better prepare a Valentine’s insert for the largest of the charms (1″ x 1 1/4″). So I did.

This particular insert is done on Very Vanilla cardstock. I stamped the small brocade piece from Tiny Tags in Pretty In Pink first and then added a half sheet diagonal of Sending Love Specialty designer paper that I’d crinkled, sponged and roughed up.

Next, I used my Chocolate Chip craft ink and stamped the small heart from Tiny Tags on Real Red cardstock and embossed with Irridescent Ice embossing powder and cut it out. I added a punched out small tag with the word “love” again from Tiny Tags in Chocolate Chip. Now to force the laws of “allowance” (how much you can really squeeze into the charm itself) I added a knot of Chocolate Chip taffeta.

Once I finished that last step, it needed a little something else so I added “ohh la la” from You & Moi (which I got FREE for Sale-A-Bration!) and then splattered it with my aquapainter and Chocolate Chip ink. And on the back:

I used the Vintage Labels Sale-A-Bration set to get the swirls on the top and bottom and used the Medium Jewelry Tag punch to punch out yet another Tiny Tags image, added a loop of Linen thread and voila!

Products used on this project – CLICK HERE to buy them NOW!

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pretty In Pink, Real Red.

Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft, Chocolate Chip classic, Pretty Ink Pink.

Stamps: Vintage Labels (SAB), Tiny Tags (118592 clear mount), You & Moi.

Accessories: Irridescent ice EP, Chocolate Chip Taffeta ribbon, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch (117190), Sending Love Specialty DSP (117153), Linen Thread, aquapainter.

How Charming

Continuing on with my Simply Adorned goodies, here is another use.

Let’s say you are getting married and want to give your bridesmaids or special friends an extra special gift – Simply Adorn them!

I used the new Milk Carton die with my Sizzix Big Shot to make a Certainly  Celery milk carton (so cute!). I then cut out a border of some Sweet Pea designer paper and adhered it along the bottom for a flower garden effect.

If I was giving this as a gift, I’d either put a necklace or bracelet chain inside to match the super cute charm on the outside.

For this charm, it is the 5/8″ square charm from the Simply Adorned line. I added a square of Sweet Pea designer paper on the inside. I stamped it with the swirl from Tiny Tags in Chocolate Chip and added a strip of Barely Banana cardstock on which I’d stamped “friend” again from Tiny Tags. If you see that tiny little heart atop the swirl, it is from the remnant little hearts you get when you use the Pinking Hearts Border Punch!

I ran some designer paper through my Sizzix with the Lots of Tags sizzlet and folded it over the top of the carton, punched a couple of holes with my Crop-A-Dile and threaded ribbon through. The charm is tied on with linen thread.

Two more great Simply Adorned projects to come!

Products used to make this project: CLICK HERE to buy them now!

Simply Adorned: 34″ chain (116853), 5/8″ square charm (118476)

Cardstock: Barely Banana, Certainly Celery

Stamps: Tiny Tags (118592 clear, 118091 wood)

Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic

Accessories: Milk Carton Sizzix Die (117310), Sweet Pea designer series paper (117161), Crop-A-Dile, Lots of Tags Sizzlets (114508), Linen Thread (104199), Very Vanilla Grosgrain (109026), Pinking Hearts Border punch (117649)

Simply Stunning

Well, I have broken down and started to covet the Simply Adorned jewelry from Stampin’ Up!. I am not girly. Never really was and don’t pretend to be, however, these are too stunning to pass by.

This past week I was asked to demo these products at our local group meeting and over the next few days, I’ll share the projects I showed.

Here is the first one I made, a charm insert for the largest size (1 1/2 x 2) that represents me.

I used the new Sweet Pea designer paper from the Occasions Mini Catalogue and sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink. I tried to decide what word to put with my first initial and I wanted something that meant something so I decided to go with “courage”. This particular word is from the Hope Happens stamp set. I used my marker to get only this word and stamped it on the designer paper. Next, I stamped the large “C” from Define Your Life Alphabet using my Old Olive craft pad and embossed it with clear embossing powder.

Lastly, I wanted a little something in the centre so I stamped the crown from Tiny Tags in Chocolate Chip craft ink on some Very Vanilla cardstock, cut it out and sponged the edges and adhered with a dimensional. It is amazing how long one little piece of 1 3/4″ x 1 1/4″ can take to design. Once I had that done, I realized that I had another one!

For this side, I really was inspired by the other side of the Sweet Pea paper I’d used – it had an awesome bird on it.  I stamped the A to Z stamp in Chocolate Chip ink on the designer paper and again sponged the edges. I added a small strip of designer paper and a bit of linen thread. I stamped a small image from Tiny Tags in Old Olive on the designer paper as well and then I used the Two-Step bird punch to get the branch and leaves and cut the bird out of the designer paper. The reason for using this? The bird is cute and I tend to be a bit flighty at times….:-)

Products used for this project – CLICK HERE to purchase them NOW!

Simply Adorned: 34″ chain (#116853), 5/8″ circle charm (117349), 5/8″ square charm (118476), 1 1/2″ x 2″ rectangle charm (116799).

Cardstock: Very Vanilla.

Ink: Earth Elements Craft Stampin’ Spots, Chocolate Chip ink.

Stamps: Define Your Life Alphabet, A to Z (115711), Tiny Tags (118592).

Accessories: heat tool, clear embossing powder, Sweet Pea designer paper (117161), Two-Step Bird punch (117191).