Just for fun...

I was looking back through some pictures on the laptop and came across some from May of last year.  That was a month before I signed up as a demonstrator and I was making cards like the one at the top.   Almost a year later, I made the card at the bottom.   Can I just say WOW!?!   I'm so proud of myself for the improvements I've made.   I know so much of it has to do with being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.   The products are just superior to others and the way they all coordinate makes it easy to make amazing cards.   I can't wait to look back again next year.  

Creative Crew Teaser

Confused? :o) This card is one for an upcoming May challenge from the Creative Crew. I can't reveal the entire card until May 1st, but I wanted so share a little peek. The designer paper and stamp set is from the Summer Mini and I think you'll love it!

Stamps: The Open Sea
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Confetti White, Nautical Expedition DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso
Accessories: Baker's Twine
Tools: Paper Snips (great for distressing!), bone folder, sponges

Warning...sneak peek ahead!

How about a sneak peek from the upcoming Summer Mini catalog? I love this striking Fabulous Florets set already. The image on the main panel is gorgeous, but look at that background paper I made using the other stamps from the set. I love making my own unique designer paper and this set is perfect for it!

This card is for the color challenge presented on today's Pals Paper Arts blog. You can find it here: http://www.palspaperarts.com/2011/04/ppa-87-celebrity-color-challenge.html

Stamps: Fabulous Florets (Summer Mini)
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz
Paper: Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz
Tools: blender pen (I don't have the Pear Pizzazz marker, so I improvised with the ink pad and blender pen), Itty Bitty punch pack
Accessories: Pear Pizzazz ribbon, Basic Pearls

(The layout is actually an old sketch challenge from Splitcoast.)

Wednesday Sketch Challenge

I have been trying to work on my distressing skills and this paper and color combination lends itself perfectly to that look.   This is for the Wednesday sketch challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers.   It is a fun sketch that I'll definitely be using again!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Lovely as a Tree
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Garden Green
Paper: Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Woodland Walk designer paper
Accessories: Regals brads
Tools: Sponges

Wow!

I am excited to announce that I was chosen for a special design team over on my favorite website, Splitcoast Stampers!    The team is called the Creative Crew and designs awesome Stampin' Up! only projects to show you all the amazing projects you can make with our products.    I feel honored to have been chosen and I can't wait to get started!   I'll be a designer from May until August, so be on the lookout for some new challenges!

There are some fun challenges from the Crew this month, so consider playing along and uploading your creations to the Splitcoast Gallery using the keywords you'll find underlined at the beginning of each challenge description.   The first indicates the specific challenge, the second that it is for the Creative Crew, and the third  shows that you are using Stampin' Up! Only or Stampin' Up! Mostly (pick which one describes your card/creation).

April's Creative Crew Challenges:
CCREW0411CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Catalog Focus: * Punches * 
We all know that SU! punches rock, so this month punch us up some flowers, butterflies, birds, and bugs! You don't have to make actual punch art (unless of course you want to Jackie!), but show us what your punches can do!

CCREW0411DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - DSP/Color Focus: 
When you see Bluebirds you know spring is here! So use this very blue color combo: Pacific Point, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand. Which also happens to be the colors of the Blueberry Crisp DSP! 

CCREW0411HF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Holiday/Seasonal Focus: * Mother Ocean *
The rain fills our Oceans with the lovely water that balances life here on earth. So in honor of Mother Ocean let's do some watercoloring! Break out your aquapainter and your inks, crayons, pencils, and blender pens! Show us watercoloring at it's best.

CCREW0411SF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - SB Inspiration Focus: * NO DSP! * 
Yep you have to use stamps and make your own background for your pages this month. Other than that, it's a free for all!

Challenge: Recycle!

This challenge was most definitely a CHALLENGE for me! The Paper Players challenge was to use something recycled on our card. I love the idea, so I looked around for items I could use and tried to go from there. Here is a link to the challenge: http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-41-recycling.html

Here are the recycled elements:
1. butterfly: a scrap of designer paper was glued to a cereal box and then cut out with the Big Shot. The dimensionals behind the butterfly are the edges of the sheet that I cut up and used.
2. The image behind the butterfly is one I had previously stamped and ended up not using after all.
3. The ribbon was something that a customer at work was going to throw away. My co-workers were kind enough to save it to me because they knew I could use it on a card.
4. Finally, the layout is recycled from last year's Summer Mini catalog (page 16).

Stamps: Watercolor Trio (retired), All Holidays
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, In Color Hostess stack, Whisper White
Accessories: recycled ribbon, Basic Pearls
Tools: Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die

No Cards Today

Today I worked on a few custom orders that I've been neglecting.    I was talked into making bag tags by the consignment shop and finally got a few orders.   I think they are cute and I just might have to make one for myself.   :o)  

Pearls, Pearls, Pearls

(This card is dedicated to my favorite blogger, Ann Schach.   She truly inspires me to try new ideas and use my supplies in new ways.)

I guess I must have been stamping in my dreams because the idea for this card was in my head when I woke up from my nap. I'm not sure it's exactly what I pictured, but I think it turned out okay. I love that it is elegant, yet simple. That combination is perfect for wedding cards! 

I will probably cry tomorrow after using so many of my precious pearls, but oh well. :o) You only live once.   

This is for the Pals Paper Arts challenge PPA87, Use Punches.  

Stamps: Four Frames (promotion!), All Holidays
Paper: Basic Black textured card stock, Shimmery White card stock
Ink: Basic Black
Tools: Scallop Edge Border punch, Decorative Label Punch
Accessories: Basic Black satin ribbon, Basic Pearls