Stampin' Up!

Snow Swirled

December 5, 2009 By Connie | 6 Comments

I was surprised to see that I hadn't inked up Stampin' Up!'s Snow Swirled set at all this year! I used it a TON last year! So, when the sketch for Stamping 411 needed a large focal element, I pulled it out. I decided to use some unusual Christmas colors, though. I saw a card done by Ilina Crouse that used Orchid Opulence and Bashful Blue colors and thought they were beautiful! My Orchid Opulence rarely gets used!

I started with a base of Orchid Opulence. I ran the Bashful Blue layer thru the Big Shot with the Petals A Plenty Impressions Folder and added it to the base. I used a Sponge Dauber and changed the color of the White Striped Ribbon to Orchid Opulence with my classic ink pad.

The tree image I stamped in Bashful Blue, then used my Blender Pen to remove the Bashful Blue on the snowflake ornaments and my Orchid Opulence Stampin' Write Marker to color them back in. I added some Dazzling Diamonds to the snowflake ornaments and the star at the top (punched with the Small Star Punch).

I stamped the words Season's Greetings in Basic Black on Orchid Opulence and punched with my Oval Scallop Punch. I added some more dots of Crystal Effects in each of the scallops and added Dazzling Diamonds. Too bad you can't see how pretty this is in person!

I hope you check out the rest of the Stamping 411 Operators fun projects this week and play along with the sketch challenge! We love to see your creations!

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Bloggers Challenge – Ornaments or Decorations

December 4, 2009 By Connie | 15 Comments

Today's Bloggers Challenge was fun…make an ornament or home decoration for the holidays! I always love to make ornaments, but ran out of time before this challenge. However, I did make this Wall Art from the Level 2 Hostess Dasher Decor Elements! If you haven't used Stampin' Up!'s Decor Elements, you don't know what your are missing. We have some wonderful, fun holiday ones that make gift giving VERY easy! Snowflakes, Jingle All The Way, Calendar Countdown, Vintage Ornaments…or make your own with the Big Shot, favorite die and blank vinyl! They are quick and easy to put up. Well, I must admit, Dasher was a little more labor intensive because of his flourished antlers, but it only took about 1/2 hour to do.

If you've priced blank canvases, you know they can get expensive! I found a picture that was discounted a lot (probably because it was UGLY!), but I liked the edges of it…hard to see but the sides have a finished scroll type of pattern. I taped all the sides off, purchased some Matte finish spray paint in a Caramel color, then spray painted the front of the canvas, covering the picture that was on there.

When dry, I applied the Dasher Decor Elements. I love how the Chocolate Chip color POPS against the Caramel color. The lighter So Saffron background is my wall. He also comes in Black, White and Real Red which would be fun for the holidays, too! It's not too late to gather some orders and put together your own show to earn this Level 2 Hostess Gift…contact me today!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Bella’s Bloom

December 3, 2009 By Connie | Leave a Comment

This was my swap card for the last downline meeting we had in November (my upline and several sidelines all go in together and do one!) The theme was Spring. I realized that I had never mounted this set, Stampin' Up!'s Bella's Bloom, after I won it at Convention a year ago! (Yes, not last Convention…the one before!) It is a cute little set and I wanted to use a small flower.

I took the color combination right out of the catalog! Regal Rose, So Saffron and Very Vanilla. I used the YUMMY Bridesmaid Designer Paper stripe along the bottom…it is so shimmery…and added So Saffron grosgrain ribbon to hide the seam at the top. I also added a Scallop Edge punch border in So Saffron along the bottom. The base card is Regal Rose. Surrounding the Regal Rose flower is a border from Matchbox Messages, stamped in So Saffron. I used the greeting in Chocolate Chip on So Saffron and punched with the Modern Label punch! I like how it turned out and the softness of the card.

If I can just get through the week, I'm hoping my life gets back to normal pace! I've had 3 major stamping classes/events this week…tonight is my Last Minute Gift Ideas class. Tomorrow I'm out of town most of the day and then I need to catch up on everything else I've let slide over the weekend!

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Season of Joy

December 1, 2009 By Connie | Leave a Comment

OK…have you missed me? I have been SO crazy busy the past few days I haven't even had time to photograph and post! So…here is something I made a while ago, but it is still current, thank heavens!

The frames I found at Target several years ago, I think I'm down to 1-2 left. They have a shadowbox look to them.

I inked up Stampin' Up!'s Season of Joy stamp set with my Real Red and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers and stamped on Whisper White card stock. I layered it on Real Red card stock and distressed the edges with my Cutter Kit Tool. I added three More Mustard Mini Brads in the poinsettia flowers. I placed this element inside the glass of the frame.

On the outside of the frame, I punched two 5 Petal Flowers from my Real Red Faux Diamond Dust card stock (ink up card stock with Versamark, then pour on Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and emboss). I also punched one 5 Petal Flower from Old Olive Faux Diamond Dust and three 1/4 circles from Summer Sun Faux Diamond Dust. (FYI – I keep small 1/4-1/2 sheets of this paper made up so I can just quickly punch and go!) I adhered the two Real Red together with Stampin' Dimensionals and added two "leaves" cut from the Old Olive one. And adhered the three 1/4 circles in the center. This flower was placed outside on the glass with Stampin' Dimensionals!

I love it! Hope you do, too!

Off to the grindstone!

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

November 28, 2009 By Connie | 8 Comments

It's Saturday and time for a new Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge! I'm going to be brief…I'm trying to get my Christmas stuff up today and tomorrow…always so time consuming! My husband says we need a smaller house so we don't have to put up so many things! lol! I do love it when it is up and finished!

Sketch 127 was a fun sketch! I knew as soon as I saw Stampin' Up!'s stamp set, Season of Joy, in my stamping stash that it would be perfect for this sketch!

I started with a base card of Real Red, then layered on Old Olive card stock. I ran a strip of Real Red thru the Big Shot with the Petals A Plenty Impressions Folder and wrapped the Old Olive Organdy Ribbon from Mistletoe package around it and tied a knot.

I inked up the focal word stamp with my Stampin' Write markers in Real Red and Old Olive on Whisper White card stock. I added three gold mini brads to the stamped poinsettia images and then layered it on Old Olive. I placed this over the base card elements. As a added touch, I punched the Curly Label Punch out of Real Red card stock and placed it under the focal element. I had the Poinsettia flower already punched from another project, so I used some Stampin' Dimensionals and placed it in the upper left corner. To make the Poinsettia, I punched two Real Red and one Old Olive with the 5 petal flower punch. I used my Piercing Tool and punched a row of holes in each petal and leaf. I cut out two petals for one leaf and one petal for the other and adhered behind two Real Red flower punches that I put together with three gold mini brads in the center. I really like the added dimension the piercings give to the petals!

Make sure to check out what the rest of the Stamping 411 Operators have done this week!

INKspired Treasures Blog

Bloggers Challenge – Alter it!

November 27, 2009 By Connie | 11 Comments

Happy Black Friday, everyone! Hope you had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving with family and friends. We had a wonderful dinner at my mom and dads, and even came home with a few leftovers! Yum!

Today's Bloggers' Challenge is to alter an item. This is a project that I made back when I returned from Convention, but I know I haven't shown it on here, so I pulled it out for this challenge. It is a blank 4×4 coaster! (I know you all have tons of these sitting around, don't you?) I did this for a Make & Take at our Convention Roundup Downline Meeting.

I started by painting the coaster with magnetic paint. I used Stampin' Up!'s Things I Love stamp set we got free at Convention and stamped the words in Basic Black on Whisper White cardstock. I stamped the little red heart in the top right corner. I added a strip of Crushed Curry card stock, using my Scallop Edge Punch. I punched two holes in the top with my Crop A Dile (SO easy!), then tied the Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon as a hanger. On the left I added two Gold Mini Brads. The back was covered with the Crushed Curry print from Razzleberry Lemonade Designer paper.

For the magnets, I used a Playground Designer Button and added a small magnet on the back with Crystal Effects. The other I stamped the Shopping bag with Real Red on Whisper White, then punched it with the 1" circle punch, added another Gold Mini Brad, then adhered it to a 1 1/4 circle of Real Red. The small magnet was added on the back with Crystal Effects.

If you didn't want to hang the coaster, you could use another magnet on the back to hold to your refrigerator! It makes a really nice little place to put your shopping list, or things to remember list!

Well…today I'm going to start putting up my holiday decorations! It usually takes me a couple days. Have a great weekend! Tomorrow I'll have a Stamping 411 sketch challenge card for you!

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Wandering Words

November 25, 2009 By Connie | 2 Comments

Wandering Words is a fun set from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini and it spans several holidays…always a good thing! I have wanted a Santa and his flying reindeer stamp for a long time, so I was thrilled when I saw it! I love the curve on it, too…just perfect for flying in the air!

This is a card that has been on my mind for a while. I just showed my Stamp Clubs how to do the Easel Card last week (I'll show that card on Friday). This one was a little more labor intensive.

I started by punching a 1 1/4 circle from a post-it note and applying it over the White Glossy card stock. I brayered Bashful Blue Classic Ink all over the White Glossy paper, then removed the post it note. I stamped the Santa and reindeer with Basic Black on the colored background. It is layered on Whisper White. I had a piece of the Iridescent Ice glitter technique left over from another project, using the Petals A Plenty embossing folder. I punched a Real Red snowflake from the Jumbo Snowflake and placed a silver mini brad in the center.

I rolled the Neighborhood Jumbo Wheel on Whisper White, then used my AquaPainters and Stampin' Write markers to color in the houses. I used So Saffron in the windows, Sahara and, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Going Gray and Real Red. I cut out each house individually, then placed them on the snow covered "lawn". Two Silver Mini Brads on the top of the tallest house is what holds the base of the easel card in place. i added Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the snow line and the top of the houses. LOVE the sparkle!

These Easel cards are so much fun. They are easy to mail because they fold up and fit in a standard sized envelope!

I hope you and you family have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Guest Designer Call

Don't forget! Julie and I are getting ready for the next session of Create with Connie & Julie featuring the Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration brochures! We're very excited that the Holiday Edition has been so successful and want to expand! So, we are looking for 3 Guest Designers to help us with projects for 9 weeks starting in January! Click Here for details.

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Holiday Extravaganza Sale!

November 23, 2009 By Connie | Leave a Comment

It's a Holiday Extravaganza Sale!!!

Stampin' Up! is having a Holiday Extravaganza Sale beginning today, Monday, November 23, with savings up to 50% off on over 40 products! You can shop online or EMAIL me with your order. Online, make sure you have me listed as you demo to get the preferred pricing and any qualified hostess credits.

There are some AWESOME bundled packages on here for accessory lovers, punch lovers, ribbon lovers, stamp lovers, etc. Remember…tell your husband or significant other than these are on your Wish List! I'll be happy to help them with their Secret Santa gifts!

To sweeten the deal, any $40 order purchased thru me either online or email will be entered into a drawing for your choice of the cute Level 3 Hostess Set, The More the Merrier OR the beautiful Level 3 Hostess Set, Kind & Caring Thoughts. The only way to earn these sets normally is to hold a $500 workshop, so take advantage of the chance to get them with your order!

Stampin' Up!'s Extravaganza Sale and my special Level 3 hostess bonus offer ends Monday, November 30th at 10:00 PM. But, don't wait! Place your order today!

Here is a text version of what is on sale, but you can view the pictures of all the products online. Online order discounts will be shown in the shopping cart.

Item	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
120280	Framed with Love Bundle Framed with Love stamp set Full Heart punch	$43.90	$21.95
120281	Thank You Kindly Bundle Thank You Kindly stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120976	Thank You Kindly Bundle (French) Tous mes remerciements stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120282	Animal Crackers Bundle Animal Crackers stamp set Star Designer brads	$25.90	$12.95
120283	Corduroy Button Bundle Kraft Corduroy buttons Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons Summer Sun Corduroy buttons Basic Gray Corduroy buttons Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$49.75	$24.88
120284	Game Night Bundle Card Games stamp set Game Night stamp set	$40.90	$20.45
120285	Four Square Bundle Four Square stamp set Scallop Square punch	$30.90	$15.45
120286	Heart to Heart Bundle Love You Much stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120310	Heart to Heart Bundle (Spanish) Te Quiero Mucho stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120311	Heart to Heart Bundle (French) J't'aime beaucoup stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120287	Chipboard Letter Bundle On Board Timeless Type On Board Loads of Letters	$25.90	$12.95
120288	Double-Stitched Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$17.90	$10.74
120289	Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle* Best Wishes & More stamp set Eight Great Greetings stamp set On a Pedestal stamp set Earth Elements Stampin' Spots Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Flower Designer brads	$127.70	$76.62
120290	Build-A-Brad Bundle Calendar Alphabet stamp set Pewter Build-A-Brad Antique Brass Build-A-Brad	$40.85	$24.51
120291	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle Enjoy Every Moment stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120312	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle (French) Profiter de chaque instant stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120292	Cheep Talk Bundle Cheep Talk stamp set Note cards Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons	$42.85	$25.71
120293	Sock Monkey Bundle Sock Monkey stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120313	Sock Monkey Bundle (French) Sing-chaussette stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120294	Alphabet Bundle Jayne's Type Alphabet stamp set Lovely Letters stamp set	$87.90	$52.74
120295	Simply Said Bundle Simply Said stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120314	Simply Said Bundle (French) Amitié stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120296	On Board Bundle On Board So Tweet On Board Batch of Blooms On Board Essentials	$42.85	$25.71
120927	Christmas Décor Bundle #1 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Kraft, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120298	Christmas Décor Bundle #2 Holly Beary Wreath Décor Elements (Chocolate, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120299	Christmas Décor Bundle #3 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Old Olive, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120300	For All You Do Bundle For All You Do stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120315	For All You Do Bundle (French) Merci pour tout stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120316	For All You Do Bundle (Spanish) Por todo lo que haces stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120301	Striped Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pumpkin Pie 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon So Saffron 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Real Red 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$47.73	$33.41
120302	Bling Bundle Sticky Pages Sticky Cuts Sweet Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter	$43.80	$30.66
120303	Fresh-Cut Bundle Fresh Cuts stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120317	Fresh-Cut Bundle (French) Fraicheur exuise stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120304	Pendant Note Bundle Pendant Park stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120318	Pendant Note Bundle (French) Adorable parc stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120319	Pendant Note Bundle (Spanish) Un dia en el parque stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120305	Sporting Bundle #1 Large Night of Navy Sporting Décor Elements Night of Navy Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120306	Sporting Bundle #2 Large Chocolate Sporting Décor Elements Chocolate Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120307	Sporting Bundle #3 Large Black Sporting Décor Elements Black Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
114864	Ginormous Flowers I Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114863	Ginormous Flowers II Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
112534	5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$7.95	$5.57
112533	5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$6.95	$4.87
112081	Scallop Square punch	$15.95	$11.17
113693	Full Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
113694	Heart to Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
112091	Scallop Edge punch	$15.95	$11.17
112571	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112579	Flower Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112572	Star Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
114785	Small Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114786	Medium Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$69.95	$48.97
114791	Small Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114792	Medium Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$64.95	$45.47

*This bundle is only available while supplies last.

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