Happy Birthday Wishes

Ah technology.  Sometimes a struggle for me.  I've wanted to add a watermark to my pics for a while and today I finally sat down and figured it out.  Apparently it's not rocket science - go figure!

My card today is quick and simple. I stepped out from my white on white comfort zone by using Blushing Bride cardstock for the base.  For the layer, I used Very Vanilla.  I wanted this card to have a soft look to it, which I think I achieved by using an embossing folder called Elegant Dots.

After adhering the layer to the base of the card, I stamped a few flowers from the Special Reason set, and added the sentiment from Avant Garden, die cut the ovals, and added the little bee.  Ta da, done. Super cute, eh!

As always, the supplies I used for this card are from Stampin' Up!  The link to the annual, Occasions & Sale-a-Bration catalogues are at the top left of my blog.  Please remember, Sale-a-Bration items are only available until March 31.  You earn one free Sale-a-Bration item with every $60 purchase from the Occasions and/or Annual catalogues.  Time is running out!  Contact me soon!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend and that you'll stop by again!

Happy Crafting!

Sand

Celebrate

Dad described a car as four wheels and an engine.  I don't disagree....but.... add in a few bells and whistles and that would be the car I'm picking up today.  Yay!!

Here's a card I designed to celebrate.  The pink and grey - ah, love!  In this case, Smokey Slate and Melon Mambo. A clean and simple card.

 My Avant Garden stamp set (free from Sale-a-Bration) is getting a workout lately!  Amazing versatility!  Cards, scrapbooking, invitations, school projects, mixed media, plus oodles of Pinterest possibilities. The sentiment is from the Love Sparkles set, which is in the Occasions catalogue - available until May 31.  With a $60 order from the Occasions or Annual catalogues the Avant Garden stamp set is yours free! Please note - Sale-a-Bration ends on March 31. Be sure to click on the images on the left side of this page to view the 3 current catalogues.  To place your order, simply contact me.

Here's a catalogue recap:

• Occasions & Annual - available until May 31, 2017

• Sale-a-Bration - available until March 31, 2017 - one free item with every $60 purchase (before tax & shipping)

Inspired? Here are the Workshops I offer:

• Take a test drive of the products free.  Book a date & time, and invite 4-6 friends to your home.  We'll make 2 small cards using Stampin' Up! products. 

• Book a free workshop. Hostess invites guests to her home and provides simple refreshments.  I'll share what I love about Stampin' Up! products while we make a card or two. Browse the catalogues, orders are placed and the Hostess can earn Hostess Benefits - Hostess-only stamp sets and other goodies from the catalogues.  As an added bonus - when workshops are booked that day by your guests, they will get a free stamp pad and so will you!  And...if the orders that day are $400 or more (before taxes & shipping), you, the hostess will receive a stamp pad from me! Icing on the cake - book before March 31 and enjoy Sale-a-Bration freebies!  

Well, what a day!  I took a wee break from typing this post to pick up my car. Eeeeeek! This gal is happy! 

Have a wonderful weekend, and happy crafting!

Sand

A Sparkling Cheers to You!

Lately, I've been getting back to clearing out some of the excess 'stuff'' in my house.  Do you keep books you enjoyed because you might read them again and store things you might use in the future? I do, however I am attempting to turn over a new leaf.  Letting go is an effort, for me, but I'm forging ahead, donating and recycling as much as possible. Confession - I do have quite the stash of paper, ink and stamps, and although I only donated a few of those, so far. Good new though - I have organized my studio!

My card today uses Pool Party card stock for the base. Such a fresh and pretty colour!  To create the watermark effect, I used inked up a stamp from the Sale-a-Bration set called Avant Garden in the same colour ink as the card base.  Same for the layer.  I found a scrap of Whisper White to use for the sentiment Cheers, from Love Sparkles in the Occasions catty.  Using Foil Sheets, I die cut the balloons using the Balloon Pop-Up Thinlists Dies, also from the Occasions catty.  Aren't the balloons sweet!!

Using dimensionals I popped up one of the balloons and the layer. Then, to finish off the card with bit of bling and sparkle I used Silver Metallic thread looped around the layer, and Rhinestone Basic Jewels placed near the balloons.  Naturally, everything I used is from Stampin' Up!

So there you have it - a clean, crisp and simple card with some sparkle!

Be sure go to my main page (home) and click on the images of the Sale-a-Bration, Occasions, and Annual catalogues to view the items I used for this card, and so many more wonderful offerings from Stampin' Up!  Please contact me to place an order.

I hope you have a cheery day!  Thank you for stopping by and happy crafting!


Sand

Enjoy Your Special Day!

There are times when I see a card and think, 'I can make that'.  This is one of those times, but like many card makers, I changed it a wee bit - just the sentiment and the balloon.  The original card had a  different sentiment and they stamped a candle for the 'egg' to leap over.  Unfortunately, I don't know which Stampin' Up! demonstrator posted the original, so I can't give her a shout out.  By the way, we call this a CASE - copy and share everything.  I like that!

Here's the card.  I stamped onto the card base - yup, once again, no layers - just a pop up for the balloon.  The egg and sentiment are from the 'Hey Chick' stamp set in the Sale-a-Bration flyer.(psssst...Sale-a-Bration ends March 31/17)

The lines and dots the card are (clearly) hand drawn - I will get better at lines 😥 ...with practice. Speaking of practice.... I actually made another version of the card with loads of colour, but it didn't like it, so I went back to a clean and simple look.  I just realized I'm still using white, black and red (check out my previous posts) LOL.

You can get this stamp set - free! 

Here's what to do.  Place a $60 order through me and you can choose this stamp set.  Or....host a party...or join my team.  Be sure to contact me for details or if you have any questions. Click on the image below to view your options and be sure to view the entire flyer because there are lots of stamp sets, and more for you to choose from.  You don't want you to miss out on Sale-a-Bration!

I'm also including a link to the new Occasions catalogue - so many fabulous stamps, papers...and more goodies!  Those items will be available only until May 31/17.  To view, click on the image below.

.

That's all for today.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sand

Have a Happy Day!

I just can't get enough of this stamp set and how the images stamp so crisp and clean!  And lately, I'm loving' the colour combo of red, black and white.

By now you've likely noticed how much I like happy cards, and cards with a bit of whimsy.  The 'Hey Chick' stamp set fits the bill.  And the set was free!

Free? Yes!  I placed an order with Stampin' Up! for $60 and I got to choose a free item from the Sale-a-Bration flyer.  Awesome!!

Here's the low-down.  Sale-a-Bration can't last forever.  It ends March 31, 2017, and the goodies from the flyer will no longer be available.  😢  No worries....here's what to do....

...view the Occasions, Sale-a-Bration, and the Annual Catalogue by clicking on the images below.  You can place an order through me by leaving a comment and I'll get back to you asap.  Facebook friends, please pm me.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy crafting!

Sand

Happy Birthday to my Son

It's amazing how quickly 18 years passes.  A big happy birthday to my son Brandon - wow 18. Gosh, 18!!  I'm saying it - - - time flies! ! !  Brandon is super smart with many interests; electricity, stars, satellites, photography (yay).....I won't list all of them.  I do have Brandon's birthday card to share with you, but first...below are a few pics from many years ago.  I didn't get the big okay to post a current pic...oh well.

 

Newborn Brandon with big sister Erin.

Fun in the snow!

It took me a while to come up with a card that would suit my son's personality.  He's not keen on cluttered up cards, as I've discovered after having him provide feedback on pretty much every card I've made.  And here it is - not too flashy, or busy, but with a punch of colour and shine. Not mushy gushy either, although I managed to sneak in some hearts.

I briefly toyed with using Cherry Cobbler or  Basic Black for the base, however Whisper White won out for the base and layer. which I embossed using my Lucky Stars embossing folder.  I used my Happy Heart embossing folder on Cherry Cobbler card stock, then punched it out with my Balloon Bouquet punch. Yup, I snuck in more hearts 💖  This was my first time using my Layering Squares and Large Numbers Framelits, and the first time I used Silver Foil Sheets.  For those sweet little hearts, I used my Owl Builder punch.

Handy tip - when working with white card stock and inks - be sure to check your hands and fingers for ink and before you touch any paper.  I goofed up and managed to get a bit of ink on the layer.  But, a few strategically placed mini  hearts and crisis averted!  What I've found is, little oops often turn into happy accidents. 💗

In this pic, I want to show you how easy it is to add a bit of depth to your cards. I used Dimensionals to pop up the balloon and square.  Love 'em!

Another view.  .

I'm super excited about this card, and this birthday milestone! I tried to give Brandon his card and gift just after midnight (I'm am such a big kid), but he wanted to wait until 'later'.  

Oooookkkaaay, I can wait. 😍  

Gads, the suspense!!

This sentiment & little heart are from the Any Occasion stamp set in the Sale-a-Bration flyer.  I popped up the layer and the Silver Foil balloon using Dimensionals.   I used a retired die to create the layer.

Here's a behind the scenes look at how I photographed this card.  Check out the 'professional' set up...tee hee.  My Ott Light, and four pieces of Whisper White card stock on my work table.  Stay tuned....any day now I'll have another spot in my studio for taking pics.


A few reminders
Sale-a-Bration end March 31, 2017
During Sale-a-Bration, you get a free item of your choice from the flyer for every $60 you spend.
Click on the pic below to view the Sale-a-Bration flyer.
Be sure to contact me soon to order your goodies!

The Occasions catalogue ends May 31, 2017.

You can view this catty by clicking on the pic below.

You are creative!  We can make cards together - I will teach you!

Sand

Super Cute and Free!

I was having one of those 'what should I do today' days, when the obvious stuck me - I'm going to stamp!  And I did!

For this card I used a FREE stamp set (sorry for yelling, but FREE is good!).  You too can get this stamp set free!  Now before you say, I'm not creative, let me assure you - you are!  There are so many resources available at your fingertips, and when you book a workshop, I'll be there helping you bring out your inner creativity!

Super easy to make.  Cut, fold, emboss, stamp, punch, a wee bit of colouring, and adhere.  Ta da!

You can do it 😤  How do you get this stamp set FREE?  Read on....

a) Spend $60 and get a FREE Sale-a-bration item of your choice.
See the Sale-a-bration brochure in my previous post

Choose products from the brand new Occasions Catalogue!  Also in my previous post.

b) The BEST deal around is the starter kit!  You don't want to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? No problem,  You can still purchase the starter kit and never ever sell a thing.  Yup!  It’s only $135 and you get to choose $165 of whichever product you would like.  So... if your wish list is long, this is the way to go.  Or if you don’t have a Big Shot yet, and have been thinking about getting one, this is the way to go.  And there are awesome additional bonuses for you ** FREE shipping and NO TAX on the starter kit (wow!)  **Plus…2 FREE stamp sets…any two…any price!

or

c) Host an event during Sale-a-bration and earn an extra $35 in rewards when your event sales reach $330...that's ON TOP of the already awesome Stampin' Rewards!

To place an order or host an event!  Contact me here (leave a comment, it won't be posted to the blog), or, for my Facebook friends, private message me.

Here are a few more images from the Hey Chick stamp set:

Thank you for stopping by!

Sand

Dragonfly Dreams from Stampin' Up! and a New Camera!

Once again it's a blustery winter morning, and I'm bundled up under my favourite blanket, admiring the snow from my comfy couch.  I heard the snowplow go by earlier today, and my first thought regarding the end of the driveway was, shovel or drive over it.  Having peered out the window, drive over it wins...again.

Today I have for you a card I made for a card swap last weekend.  The pictures you'll see below are the first taken from my new camera.  These were taken at night, in my studio, using only my OttLight and ceiling light.  Eventually I'll get the lighting and camera figured out.

The card I designed features the Dragonfly Dreams Bundle from the new Occasions Catalogue.  I love this set.  Seriously, who doesn't love dragonflies - they are so cool.

I used a stamp from the Sheltering Tree set for the greenery.

My attempt at getting the background cards to be blurry in the background, while focusing on the card in front.  

Almost done!

Here's a handy tip.  When stamping the inside of the card, be sure you're not stamping in the wrong place.  Notice where I placed Happy Birthday - yup, that's where I stamped the inside sentiment.  No worries though, my little solution covered up the oops easily.

Dragonfly Dreams set from Stampin' Up!

Here are some ideas shown in the catalogue.

Not only is there a new Occasions Catalogue, it's also Sale-a-Bration!!

What is Sale-a-Bration?

Place an order and receive a free item of your choice from the Sale-a-bration Brochure with every $60 (before shipping and tax) you spend. That means you can get your hands on all the fabulous new products from the Occasions Catalogue AND get bonus freebies too!

You don't have a catalogue?  Leave comment and I'll send the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration cattys to you.   Canada only.

Thanks for stopping by!  Keep warm and happy crafting!

Sand