Here are 2 last swap cards from last week.  The first one features one of our A' la Cart stamps, Triple Treat Flower.  While it is a single stamp, it can be used with many techniques to give it different looks besides the one here, which we got by stamping 3 times and punching with 3 different punches to get the layered look.  I love the color scheme of this card.  It looks like a fresh Spring day!  Wouldn't it lift any one's day to get this card?  I know it would mine. A length of Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon is a great touch for this beautiful card.

The last card (technically it isn't the last card that was swapped, I just didn't get them all finished and this week hasn't been the kind where I was able to finish them) uses 2 Sale-a-bration products, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Fresh Vintage Stamp Set.   I love this card, there are so many little touches that make it special, the bit of lace trim, the tiny tag and brad as well as the spattered look on the image background created with the Color Spritzer Tool.  The Spritzer Tool is a fun way to get an aged or distressed on your stamping projects.  Since you use a marker with it you can get a spritz in any of our colors!

One last picture.  Last night I hit a deer.  There were 4 people in the car and nobody was hurt so that was great.  The car (and the deer) didn't do so well though.  Thankfully, I was able to keep the car on the road, it could have been much worse.  So - I spent a lot of time last night and today processing all that venison.  Hey, I gotta make up part of that $500 deductible!  I won't share those pictures since some people are squeamish about dead animal pictures but the deer was huge!  My brother who skinned it for me estimated that the deer weighed 200 pounds, I think the average is 78 pounds so this was a very large one.   I'm really surprised there wasn't more damage to the car. 

If you think someone who takes their road kill home to eat is a redneck then I reckon I might have to agree with that.  I've been accused of having redneck tendencies more than once.  Have a great week stampers!

More Shoe Box Swaps

Isn't this a beautiful little package?  I wish I could remember who brought it to the shoe box swap last week.  A Very Vanilla oval is stamped and embossed with gold embossing powder, the stamp is from Tagtastic, a specially priced hostess gift set.  This is attached to a Candy Wrapper die and the ends are tied with the sheer ribbon from the Sale-a-bration catalog.  There are a few kisses inside, I still haven't opened it up and swiped them!

I actually know who's card this is!  It is from Mary Robinson, she is such a talented stamper.  She used one of my favorite stamp sets from the Occasions Mini catalog, Bordering on Romance.  She added a bit of Dazzling Diamonds as well as a Basic Pearl and a cute little bow made from the Pool Party Baker's Twine.  The Soft Suede background is stamped and embossed for added dimension.

One last card, it looks kind of washed out and pink but it is the coral instead.  So much for my Photo Shop abilities.  Anyway, it uses the Mixed Bunch stamp set, my favorite flower from that set.  Kind of a simple card but very pretty.

I have 2  more cards left to show but they somehow missed the photo shoot so I'll have to get pictures of them tomorrow when the sun is out.  After a cloudy day today the weather man is promising a sunny day tomorrow.  Have a nice weekend everyone, and find some time to stamp!

WhoopDWhoop

Have you heard of WhoopDWhoop?  It is basically a place where creative people can swap their creations with other creative people.  I had heard of it a while back but just joined it today.  I need to get some things ready to add there so I can start earning the points I need to get some of the things I see available.  I can trade card sets and mini albums and things for things that are crocheted or other things I can't do.  I have tried to crochet but I keep the yarn pulled too tightly so it doesn't turn out the right size.  So I can still get beautifully crocheted things by swapping my stamped creations for them. 

I'm thinking that if I start now I can have some pretty dandy Christmas gifts by the time December rolls around too.  I thought you would like to enter their give-a-way they are holding right now.  Only if you don't win what I want to win though!  Here is the link to enter.

Here are a couple of the things that are available: 

Wendy is giving away a child's or adults apron

Emilee is giving away a button up headbands ($10 value).

You may choose red, light pink, rose heather, off-white or orange.

Also, Sonia has offered to give away this cute

Not so big Big Bag Blue ($49 value).

Robyn has offered to give away 1 large chalkboard vinyl (to be used on the wall, fridge, wherever...)aprox 7x10 scalloped edges.

And....Sky has offered to give away
a set of her matchbook notepads and a Little Cinch Backpack.

Go on over to her blog and let me know if you win anything! 

I bet you came expecting to see a card or scrapbook page, right.  Well, I can't let you down! 

Since I'm tired and have been suffering (and yes, I mean suffering!) with a sinus infection I'll just share a couple of  more of the cards from the shoebox swap I went to on Saturday.  First, a card using the Elegant Bird die.  I've been resisting this die but cards like this make the resistance wear thin!   This card was designed by Holle Wiktorek.  She recently moved back to TN and joined the team I am on so it is nice to have her talent at our meetings.  She cut the bird from the Sale-a-Bration (FREE) paper, Everyday Enchantment and then we wrinkled it up to give it lots of dimension.  Very cool.  I like the embossing and the Crochet Trim that add to the old fashioned feel of the card.

I don't remember who brought this card kit but I love the color combination on the card.  It uses the amazing stamp set called Rue Des Fleurs from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Doesn't it pair perfectly with the Well Worn DSP?  I love that paper!

Shoe Box Swap Cards

Before my workshop Saturday I went to a Shoebox Swap at my upline, Julie's house.  Each person made 8 cards and cut enough pieces to make 8 more.  Then we passed the kits around and made as many of the cards as we could before noon.  I managed to make more than 8 but was glad the ones I didn't get to were premade so I could get all the cards.  Here are a few of the cards I made, I wish I could remember who brought the kits. 

First is a beautiful card in Concord Crush.  It features the beautiful (and free) Elementary Elegance Stamp set.  It is a simple card, really but with the rich colors and the embossed background it looks amazing.  With the added ribbon and rhinestone on the crown it is a great card.

 Next is another purple card but I couldn't get the colors right when I took the picture.  It uses the super fun Sprinkled Expressions Stamp set.  I love that set!  I'm just sad I haven't had more time to play with it.  It has this flower image but also a star and heart that are great too.  I'm sure I'll be posting a few more cards made with this set.  Sprinkled Expressions is another Sale-a-bration set so it is also FREE!  There is just a little more time to get these free sets so contact me to place an order or host a workshop so you can get one (or more) of these free sets.

Last is the card I made, no purple this time though.  I said I made it, not that I designed it because it is a total CASE.  I used slightly different colors but everything else was found online somewhere.  I'm not sure where though so I'm not sure who to give credit to for this fun design.  It features a cute stack of presents made with the (FREE) Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  They are tied up with the (FREE) Everyday Enchantment Ribbon, I love, love, LOVE the sheer ribbon!  The Celebrate sentiment is stamped with one of the stamps from the Outlined Occasions stamp set - yes, it's FREE too!  Can you tell I really get into Sale-a-bration????

I had a great time making cards Saturday.  I'll be posting more soon.  In the mean time, why don't you browse through the Sale-a-bration catalog, see it on the sidebar?  For every $50 you order from the regular or Occasions Mini catalogs you can choose a stamp set, the Everyday Enchantment DSP or the ribbon and brad pack.

If you want to host a workshop you will get an adorable tote bag that coordinates with that beautiful paper.  It is easier to get good sales which equals more hostess gifts during Sale-a-bration because people love to get the free items.  Email me at wrightplace4@mindspring.com to book a workshop soon!

But then, if you want it ALL, why not join my team?  The Stampin' Up demonstrator starter kit is on special during Sale-a-bration too so this is a great time to take the stampin' plunge!  For only $125 you will get a kit worth more than $345 PLUS a pack of Designer Series Paper (or digital download) every month for a year!  That is an additional $120 or so worth of Stampin' Up product.  It just doesn't get any better than that.  Email me and I'll fill you in on all the details.

Yep, I reckon I do love Sale-a-bration!

Natural Talent

I had a workshop today and one of the ladies there had never made a card before.  After she had been working with the card I had designed, I showed her the embossing folders.  She took a card base and created this card all by herself, I was amazed!  It is a wonderful card for an experienced card maker but for the first card, I'd say she definitely has a natural talent for card making!  Thanks for the fun Suzie!

A Little More Sweetness

I wanted to share this card before Valentine's Day but I couldn't.  My friend's husband called me a couple of weeks before Valentine's Day (he knows how slow I can be!) and asked if I would make a special card for her.  He said it needed to have a big heart and something saying 32 years across the heart.  I fiddled around with several ideas before settling on this one, a heart-shaped easel card. 

I used the beautiful Blushing Bride Pleated Satin Ribbon,banner stamp from Take it To Heart, heart Adorning Accents Textured Impressions folder and the Hearts Collection framelits from the new Occasions Mini Catalog.  The letters are die cut and the Silver Glimmer paper is cut into frame hearts using the 2 smallest hearts from the framelits.  Some Basic Rhinestones add a bit more bling to finish off the card.

She said that when she opened it her first thought was, "That looks like Stampin' Up ribbon."  But then she started trying to figure out where he bought it.  Finally he told her that I had made it, she should have been able to figure that out, she has made so many cards at my classes and workshops!  I'm glad she liked it and I'm even more glad that she has a husband who, after 32 years, cares enough to send the very best  :~)

Valentine's Box

I saw a tutorial for this heart box and couldn't resist trying one.  It was quick and easy but it took me several days to decide on the decoration for the top.  I wish I had seen the tutorial earlier so I could have done a class, I know my stampin' ladies would have loved to learn how to make these!  http://gettincrafty.typepad.com/gettin_crafty/2012/02/gettin-crafty-challenge-2-candy-heart-boxes.html 

I also made Valentine's sugar cookies today.  I used the Holidays Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp to put the hearts on the cookies.  I chose to roll the cookie dough into balls and press the stamp into them rather than roll them out, and stamp them.  They would be a bit more uniform in roundness using a cookie cutter but this way you don't have to mess up the counter and rolling pin and cookie cutter, much less fuss.  Everyone was impressed!  I had bought some glitter gel frosting but they got eaten before I experimented with it!  I reckon I need to order the Occasions Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps before St. Patrick's day so I can be equally impressive then, and Easter is right after that so the bunny cookie stamp will soon be used in my kitchen.  I think I love the flower stamp most though.  Notice the link on my sidebar, you need some cookie stamps too!

Here is a picture of the pancakes I made for my husband today.  They were yummy!  I just made mine regular round, I was doing good to get 2 perfect heart ones!  I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day today and that you did a little something to make it special for someone else.

Valentine's Card Class

I had a Valentine's Card Class today, the ladies made 4 cards and 2 candy butterflies.  Actually, one of the ladies made 3 butterflies so each of her 3 children could get one carefully placed in their backpacks on Valentine's Day to let them know their mom was thinking about them.

These projects were actually CASEd, I found so many great Valentine's project ideas I couldn't resist!  Mary Brown had the butterfly on her blog.  It is just 2 of the Butterflies cut from the Butterfly die, tied together with Baker's Twine and a heart shaped candy adhered with Stiky Strip.  I knew I would need to use an adhesive that would hold the heavy candy on and the Sticky Strip does a great job!

The cards both use a piece of the Sale-a-Bration free paper.  I really like the pack of paper, I kind of hate not to use both sides!  Notice the pleated pink ribbon on the middle card?  It comes pleated so it is quick as well as beautiful.  The Crumb Cake ribbon on the other card had to be hand gathered around the back of the heart.  It wasn't difficult to do but took more time than adding a piece of the pleated ribbon would have taken. 

I'm working on some Valentine's treats to send the grandkids.  I reckon I'll get them posted before Valentine's Day so you can use the ideas if you want to, I'll just ask my daughters not to let the kids see the pictures before they open their treats!

Sweet Details Photobook

I had a little time to play with my free MDS Express program today.  Just think, in an hour you could download the FREE program and make a few pages too.  I love the paper included in this download, 12 designs and a beautiful daisy stamp set with 3 flowers and different size circles you will see in the layouts.  I just opened up the photobook template for these layouts.  I changed the template a bit on most of the pages because I wanted to use more pictures but it was so easy that I was able to do 4 pages in under an hour.  It is getting towards bedtime now so I'm going to finish the album tomorrow.  Just think, a whole album in a few hours!  I might have to get this one printed.  The grandkids will love it so much that I might have to get 3 printed so they can have one too!

 

So, what is stopping you?  The download is free and easy and creating with it is simple.  You could finish an album today too!  I reckon that this is a deal that is too good to pass up.  I'll be playing with the card templates on the free download soon!  I think I'll try to use the templates in the Sweet Details Photobook to make some real pages too.  I love to use MDS like Pagemaps!

Amazing!

Stampin' Up! is an amazing company!   They are offering a FREE 30-day My Digital Studio Express trial version beginning February 1, that you can take advantage of. The best part is this is an ongoing offer!

If you have been following my blog long, you know that I love paper scrapbooking but I also have had so much fun creating layouts, cards, newsletters, posters, flyers and so much more from My Digital Studio from Stampin' UP!  Now you can try it for free!  You will see why I enjoy it so much.

With the FREE trial, you'll get:
    Full access to the software at NO COST.
    Full design functionality.
    Exclusive artwork that comes with My Digital Studio Express.
    Opportunity to purchase additional downloads from designer templates to stamp brush set and                      everything in between.
    Access to our professional print services.

It's simple; add the free My Digital Studio Express trial (item 129600) to your order from my business website.
If you don't already have the My Digital Studio software, make sure to take advantage of the free trial.  Once you try it out and see the fun and ease of My Digital Studio, you will realize it isn't something to be intimidated by!

After you download the free trial you have a  month to test drive it.  Create lots and lots of layouts, cards and photo albums.  Get them printed if you want to.  Use it every chance you get so you can figure out the program and use it to the fullest.  Go to the MDS website to see lots of samples, watch video tutorials and learn lots of fun techniques.  Make the most of this opportunity to try digital! 
What do you do after you try it and love it?

Once the 30-day free trial period is over, you can purchase the downloadable or disc version of the software to continue using it. You'll simply open up the trial version you already have on your computer, and will be prompted to enter the product registration key you received after purchasing the software. (You'll receive this key via e-mail if you purchase the downloadable version, and you'll find it along with your shipped software if you purchase the disc version.)  Simple.  I like that  :~)