Grand Finale, pt 10

This is the last card from the Grand Finale class back in June. It is the same layout as this card that I showed quite a while ago. The Whisper White Organza ribbon was definitely a highlight! It is so pretty and shiny in person. Perfect for wedding invitations. Everyone liked how the Big Shot Movers & Shapers Die worked to get the piece cut out. I've explained it on the previous card, so I won't explain it again, but it is still really cool! :)

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It has been an unbelievably crazy week! Two of the boys have had birthdays, a Primary Quarterly Activity to plan and pull off, Marching Band started, plus three migraines! I'm hoping things calm down a little very soon.

Grand Finale, pt 9

Part nine of the Grand Finale was this card. It used the Parisian Breeze Specialty Paper, which has a little bit of texture to it. I really like the new papers that have this feature! There were a few different choices on the larger piece of patterned paper. The flowers in the background were stamped with the Versamark pad. The border was punched with the Eyelet Border Punch. One more class card to go!

Grand Finale, pt 8

On this card, I used the greeting that comes in the set we used, Fifth Avenue Floral (a favorite!). Everyone was able to choose a greeting that they liked, however. The colors I used were Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac. I felt like the colors blended together too much, even though they are very different. I ended up misting the vanilla card stock slightly with a spray bottle filled with water. It made a big difference and separated the colors and made them stand out from each other a lot more. After it had dried, I layered the pieces together. This ended up being one of my favorite cards from the class...probably because of the colors!

We used the Tearing Edge of the right side of the Lovely Lilac card stock. If anyone needs one of these great tools, I happen to have a new one for sale. I can't remember how I ended up with an extra, but I'd love to sell it to you!

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Also..... for those that use Blogger, have you been having problems with the Posting Options lately? Everytime I've gotten something ready to post ahead of time for the last couple of months (for a future date), it never posts. I haven't had that problem until lately.

Grand Finale, pt 7

This is the seventh card we made in my last class. We ended up making the pink one in class. I had planned the red one and then realized we were using the red ink pad on another card and had to switch. That always happens at the last minute! I think I have everything planned so precisely...oh well!

We used heavy duty tin foil and ran it through the Big Shot to get this look. We used one of the Texturz Plates. It is a neat and impressive look. Once in a while you get a hole through the tin foil (which is why the "heavy duty" is necessary), but you just use a little creative layering at that point. When you layer the foil to the black card stock, it is important to put your adhesive onto the black card stock, rather than the foil, because you will push out all of the impressions. Just place your adhesive about 1/8" in from the edge of the card stock and you'll be fine.

We watercolored the flowers. They come from the Echoes of Kindness set, which was a hostess set from the last catalog. The Rhinestone Brad added just the right touch to top it off.

Grand Finale, pt 6

This card was one of the easiest cards from the Grand Finale class, but definitely a favorite! Many ended up ordering the Branch Out set after seeing and using it. It includes a few other stamps than what you see here. It is a cute one, and pretty versatile for the different seasons of the year.

Grand Finale, pt 5

Card five from the Grand Finale class came from my sister's brilliant mind. I actually combined the inside and outside of two different cards of she had made to make one card. She did it in blue. I was trying to use a wide variety of colors and already had some blue planned, so I used the Tangerine Tango and Apricot Appeal.

The "spring" on the inside is the 1 3/4" circle punch cut in a spiral. It is attached with Glue Dots, and each of the flowers and the butterfly are also attached with a Glue Dot.

Thanks to Teri for taking pictures of my cards for me!

Grand Finale, pt 4

This card was one of the more simple ones we made at last week's class. The cupcake comes from the Darling Dots hostess set. The birthday greeting is a single stamp, found on the "Under $10" page at the back of the catalog. Everyone who attended the class received a free catalog if they wanted one, so you can all look it up easily! You can also see it in the online catalog.

Grand Finale, pt 3

My Grand Finale class was held on Friday. I ended up with 22 signed up. One forgot (she wasn't a happy camper!), and one couldn't make it, so I had 20 that attended. Things went quite smoothly for such a large group.

This is one of the cards we made. I'm calling it card #3 because I've shown you two previously, here and here. I'll show the other seven in the upcoming days.

I got this card idea from Mary Fish's blog. I loved it the minute I saw it. My favorite part is the vase, which is made from the wide oval punch. The bottom of the vase is just one side of the oval, cut off! Those cute little flowers are made from the Big Shot and the Daisies die cut. We used the Big Shot a lot! I can't praise that tool enough!!!

Another Grand Finale Card

This is the second and probably the last card I'll be showing for my Grand Finale Class. We'll be using the new Circle Scissor Plus (awesome!) on this one.

The class will be held on Friday, June 19 from 7-10 p.m. These cards are a little more ......um......detailed, than what we usually do. I don't want to use the word hard, because none of it is hard at all! They just might take a few more steps than usual. This class is a great deal and I'm sure you'll be glad you came.

On some cards, such as this one, you'll be able to choose your greeting or leave it blank. On the other card I've shown you (see here), there isn't a choice because the greeting matches the rest of the card so well.

The class is getting full, but so far we still only have around two people signed up per card, so that isn't a big deal at all. See complete class details on the right sidebar, and let me know if you have other questions.

Remember: You must sign up and be paid by June 8th in order to be included in the class preparations! Thanks to everyone who has already done so. I look forward to seeing you for my last stamp class as a demonstrator!

Polka Dot Punches - Hearts

I meant to post this card on Valentine's Day! I had been saving it for weeks, just for that day. I've been just a little bit busy the last while, trying to catch up on things I haven't had time for the last few years. Yes - I said years! (I won't get into why....) My blogs have fallen to the wayside. I'm making myself a little crazy, but once I get caught up, life will be good! ;)

For this card, I made a pocket out of the Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper, punched a couple of holes and tied it together with a ribbon. The new Full Heart Punch fits perfectly with the heart stamp in the FREE Polka Dot Punches stamp set, so the card comes together very quickly!

SALE-A-BRATION CLASS

Don't forget the class coming up on March 13! We'll be making 10 cards using the FREE items from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. Sign up by March 3. Details on the right sidebar.

Big Shot Boxes

At last Friday's class, we made some Valentine Boxes with the Big Shot. Everyone made two of each box and was able to choose whatever Designer Series Paper and ribbon they wanted to use.

These two are made with the Pillow Box Die (or the ear plug box as Richard calls it). They are quite small, as you can see, but sooo cute! Supposedly you can fit a "fun size" candy bar inside, but I couldn't find any. These three little candies you see fit just right, but it is a snug fit.

Stampers chose from the Rock Star stamp in one of the new Level 2 Hostess sets called A Little Somethin', or the Hugs & Kisses stamp from the Love You Much set. There were also a few other stamps to choose from, but these were the most popular.

This box is "Box #2" in the catalog. (FYI: it can work with 8 1/2 x 11 paper.) It is also small, but holds *12* of these Hershey's Nuggets. That is about half a bag. It isn't a treat you'd want to send for the whole class, that's for sure! Normally you can cut out at least two boxes at a time, but we found with this particular die, it was cutting where it should've been scoring. Since the class, another demonstrator told me that if you use the Premium Crease Pad when cutting, you won't have this problem. I have that pad, but had no idea what it was for! ;)

The stamp I used here is the Lovey Dovey stamp from A Little Somethin'.

Stampin' Class!

*CLASS TIME*

Date: Friday, January 30
Time: 7:oo-9:30 p.m.
Cost: $15
Bring: Camera (optional) & Adhesive (required)
RSVP: and pay no later than Sunday, January 18th

We'll be using some items from the new Spring/Summer Catalog, which begins on January 19th! We'll make 10 items......5 designs and two of each design. This class won't include envelopes, so be sure and order them by the RSVP date if you need them (adhesive too).

Stamp-A-Stack Results

Yeah! The Christmas Stamp-A-Stack for 2008 has come and gone. Everyone made 5 of each of the cards you see below. I couldn't find my camera for the Friday night class, so I want to thank Kyleen, Lisa, Jan, Ann, Sandy, Ambre, Anne, Amy, Kristen and Becky for attending that night. Debbie wasn't feeling well on Saturday, so Julie stamped for her and she'll put them together at home. See you soon Debbie!

Bonnie, Mindy and Donna got a little dusty over at the Snow Swirled snowflake card station.
(basic idea by Susan Adams)

Jan and Treena took a moment to glance at the camera, but Joann needed to keep busy working with Mr. Twigster.

Judy, Jill and Barbie were happily working on their Season of Joy cards.

Julie, Ellen, Karen and Ginny worked on the Snow Swirled tree cards, while Mary worked on the Punches Three cards.

I'm in one of my "I never want to do another class EVER" frames of mind right now. That generally happens after each class.....especially the big ones. They're fun and I love having everyone over....don't get me wrong, but only demonstrators who prepare classes (and their families) can understand how much work they are. Classes aren't money makers, that is for sure. The time we spend to be ready and have everything as close to perfect as possible is unbelievable. We just do it to keep our customers stamping and to be able to show them things that take a little longer than we could at a normal workshop. I called my sister after it was over, knowing she had also had a class recently. We shared many of the same feelings. Luckily, this frame of mind wears off after a while, and I'll be ready to go again, but it is definitely time for a break. The last few months have been NUTS!

The kids kept busy in the stamp room on the computer. Brandon made himself comfy. Don't worry, because, YES - I finally made Zach let me cut his hair on Sunday night. He looks very handsome right now!

5 Cards & a Recipe

These are the five cards we made at the class on Tuesday night. Everyone got to make two of each card. I'll just post the pictures, saving the tips and tricks just for the class participants. Unfortunately, you can't see the cute dry embossing we did on the pink and purple baby card.

Together Forever, page 57

Upsy Daisy, page 101

Wonderful You, page 96

Punches Three, page 17


Party Hearty, page 63 (on sale this month!)

Thanks to all of those who attended. It was a great night!

Sign up and pay for the Christmas Stamp-A-Stack by October 23rd!
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I made this carmel popcorn for a snack at the class and boy, was it a hit. I haven't made it for years. I'm hoping my sister-in-law won't mind me sharing her recipe.

WENDY'S CARMEL POPCORN

1 cup butter

2 1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1 - 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Cook to soft ball stage (Kari cooks to 225 degrees only). Pour over about 8 quarts of popcorn. I like to put out some wax paper and drop pieces on it and let it cool this way before returning it to the bowl. This way, it is easy to get to in the bowl later. This recipe makes a BIG tupperware bowl full. It is best on the first day. The second day it goes a little sugary. It still tastes okay, but not quite as good.

Jealousy, part 5

I showed you this Waterfall Card before, but we weren't sure we would be making this exact design at the time. I wanted to show you some of the "flips" of the waterfall. We ended up making Waterfall cards for Brandon's birthday invitations. We used the crab set.....I can't think what it is called, but they turned out really cute.

Jealousy, part 4

The is our View Master Card. These are so much fun to play with. Each turn of the dial brings up a different center for the flower on this particular card.

Jealousy, part 3

I love these "Spring" Cards! They are fun to fold....once you get the hang of it. The Designer Paper makes them look just awesome. Plus, when you get them folded, you can choose which side you really want to use, and just flip all the folds the opposite way if you want the other side showing. For this card, most people chose to make it into a baby card or a birthday card with the cute "Just B" set. Again, the colors are both retiring (Blue Bayou and River Rock) but the set isn't.

Jealousy, part 2

This is another of our cards from the class. I'm not sure what to call it. We loved the colors! Soft Sky, combined with white, black and Blue Bayou looked great together. We used the new Scallop Edge Punch on the front border, as seen in the second picture. It is a little blurry in this particular picture. I'll be showing another use for it at the Open House. It is a product that will be available in the new catalog. These two stamp sets, Big Pieces and Little Pieces, plus the background wheel, Petals, are all on the Retiring List.......not the mention the pretty colors!

Time to start making you jealous!

I think I've almost recovered from Thursday's Cards in Motion Class. It always takes me a few days. I'm going to start showing you what you missed at this fabulous class! This is the Double Slider Card we made. We took colors from the Bali Breeze Designer Paper and oooohh was it neat looking! Not something I would've normally put together. We had a huge turnout and a great time. Thanks to my stampin' partner, Teri for her help on this class and for taking all of these pictures of the cards.

My next event will be the New Catalog Open House on Saturday, August 16th from 6-8 p.m. See the info on the right sidebar for some details and you can email me for the complete invitation. It is always a great evening, with free, simple make & takes. If you've never stamped before, this is a perfect evening for you!

I'm not sure when my next class will be. It is Marching Band season, beginning next Monday, so that takes up a ton of my time, since I'm a "band mom"!

Last Night's Class

Last night's Simply Scrappin' Card Class was simply FUN! We were all soooo tired, but still got 32 cards done in 2 1/2 hours. It sounds amazing, but it's true! Everyone did a great job and their cards were beautiful. Now we're are all hooked on the speed and ease of Simply Scrappin' Kits (see them on pages 172-175 of the Spring/Summer Catalog). Thanks to everyone who came. It is always fun to get together with other stampers. See the cards we made in past posts, here and here.

(I am aware that the catalog dissappeared from the right hand column yesterday. I'm waiting for a call from my "brain" aka Teri ..... then it will be back up. Sorry about that!)