April Tutorial Bundle

Have you ever sat down at your craft desk only to find you've lost your crafty mojo? Well, it's happened to me quite often. Yes, even demonstrators feel creatively stuck and it's hard to get back into the groove. That's one reason I decided to listen to my crafty friend (and fellow demonstrator) Tracy, who suggested I join in the Crafty Collaborators Tutorial Bundle. This month, 52 of us Stampin' Up! demonstrators created projects and compiled them into one file! That's one card a week for an entire year! Honestly... this blows my mind - and has me excited about getting back to the Craft Shack (my she-shed in the backyard).

There are three ways to get this massive tutorial bundle:

• Pay $20 for the tutorial using this link.

• Place a $50 order (before tax and shipping) using host code HYVAH34C in my online store.

• Join my team and receive monthly tutorial bundles FREE every month!

Upon notification of payment, order, or joining, you will be emailed a link to access the tutorial, as the file is too large to email.

Not only does it feel good to be stamping again, but it also feels good to be a part of such a supportive stampin' community! Stay tuned for even more fun things coming up in the near future!

As always, I appreciate you supporting my little Stampin' Up! business and being a part of my crafty journey!

Just in Time for a Colorful Hop!

Welcome! It's so nice to see you again!! It has been a long time since I've been able to hop along with the Let's Get Hopping ladies and oh how I've missed them! I haven't been doing much stamping lately, which is why I haven't blogged. It's a long story - one for another blog post. Just know I'll be back more often than I have been over the past eight months.

You've likely just arrived from the ever-talented Eva Potts. Don't you love what she did with this month's theme Favorite Coloring Technique? She is so inspiring!! If you're just starting the hop here, then follow the link at the end of my post and make your way around. You won't want to miss one blog!

Recently, hubby and I had a date night and spent some time walking around the Disneyland Resort, including the Disneyland Hotel. There I found the most beautiful Hibiscus and it reminded me of my favorite bundle from the Occasions catalog - Humming Along! My stamping supplies have been in storage (remember, I'm saving that story for another blog post) but I had to get some of them out after seeing this flower... and I had to start creating!

What I love most about this stamp set is that its images are large and line art. Stampin' Blends are the perfect coloring tool for this type of image since the ink flows seamlessly over the paper... no lines when overlapping what I've already colored. Alternating between light and dark Blends allows more depth of color.

If you don't recognize the striped background paper on this card, it's because it's actually a sneak peek of a new Designer Series Paper from the upcoming 2019-2020 Annual Catalog. Fun, isn't it?

I hope you like my card and it inspires you to try the Stampin' Blends - if you haven't already. And I hope you find inspiration while you're out and about, then go home and create something beautiful!

Now hop on over to the amazing Mikaela Titheridge to see which coloring technique is her favorite.

Want to re-create my card? Here's what you'll need:

Humming Along Cling Bundle [150621] $42.25	Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122925] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.50	Pick A Pattern Washi Tape [144166] $8.00	Old Olive Linen Thread [148811] $5.00
Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144585] $4.50	Daffodil Delight Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144586] $4.50	Calypso Coral Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144042] $4.50	Calypso Coral Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144044] $4.50	Old Olive Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144573] $4.50	Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144574] $4.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [147101] $7.50	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Glue Dots [103683] $5.25	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00

Let's Get Hopping - Favorite Technique

You have just hopped over from the sweet and talented Nina McMillan. I always love her projects!!

In case you're starting here, the theme for this month's hop is My Favorite Technique. I have to say... my favorite technique has always been - and will always be heat embossing - it's the reason I fell in love with cardmaking. But... it's hard to show just how amazing it is to have a raised image on a piece of paper when looking at a picture on a computer (or phone), so I decided to go with my second favorite: watercoloring. Why is watercoloring my favorite? Because it is SO relaxing! You know me... I love quick and easy cards, but when I actually have time to sit down and do something "not so quick," I turn to watercoloring. In fact, I decided to take the time to make two cards using two different watercoloring techniques - just watercoloring and (new-to-me) no-line watercoloring.

What's the difference? Just look!

The above card is watercolored. I stamped the outline with Soft Suede and used ink and an aqua painter on shimmery white cardstock - which is nice and heavy and can withstand water saturation. The Designer Series Paper is from Garden Impressions. I think it adds such a nice touch behind the watercolored truck. Who knew such a beautiful paper could be used on a handsome card? (wink)

This card uses the same tools, colors, and technique... except you may notice the colors look a bit more muddled or muted. This is because the line disappears when it's watercolored - hence the name no-line watercoloring. To achieve this effect, just stamp off your outline image twice before stamping on your shimmery white cardstock.

Pretty cool, right? I love that they are SO different! And of course, I had to change each slightly and chose different ribbons for each card. I also decided to not have a greeting... it's not often I design a masculine card, so I wanted to be able to add a sentiment for a specific occasion - when it happens.

Which version do you like best? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Thanks for stopping by! Now hop on over to my creative friend Tracy Bish and see what she's created with her favorite technique.

Country Livin' Clear-Mount Stamp Set [141925] $15.00	Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119684] $8.50	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686] $8.50	Garden Impressions 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146289] $11.00	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00
Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [147115] $7.50	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [147085] $7.50	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad [147111] $7.50	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105] $7.50	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [147087] $7.50
Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad [147118] $7.50	Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad [149165] $7.50	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [147116] $7.50	Copper Metallic Thread [141696] $3.50	1/4" Copper Trim [144179] $6.00
Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00

Making My Way to a Major Milestone

Do you set goals for yourself? I usually don't, but 2018 started out to be a year of wonder for me, so I decided it was time to jot down some plans for my Stampin' Up! business... and here's what goals I set for myself:

I've been a demonstrator for 13 years and I've done things this year I've only thought about in the past, but never had the guts to do. There is, however, one thing I actually never dreamed was possible when I signed up to be a demonstrator in 2005 (remember, I joined for the discount) but it now seems to be within reach: achieving $100,000 in career sales. It's certainly not as glamorous as being a Million Dollar Achiever, but to me, it's just as huge! My goal for 2018 isn't to make this happen... because I know it will. My goal is to make this happen by October so I can celebrate at OnStage in November (convention for Stampin' Up! demonstrators) during our 30th Anniversary celebration!

To help me achieve this goal, I'm reaching out to you. Stampin' Up! has an amazing promotion going right now - if you buy 3 packages of select Designer Series Paper, you receive 1 of your choice FREE! These papers are AMAZING!

Our Designer Series Papers aren't represented well in the catalog (in my opinion), so be sure to check out the video below to see just how pretty they are (they should be seen in person to really appreciate their beauty)!

To sweeten the deal, if you participate in this promotion and purchase 6 packages, I will gift you a bonus package of Designer Series Paper! So basically... you purchase 6 packages and receive 3 FREE! Make sure you're shopping from the list above (bonus from me will be shipped after August 1. Also, if ordering online, please use host code 3MJ3EPQV.


Can you tell I really want to hit that milestone soon? There's only one week left in this promotion, so be sure you place your order by July 31. And be sure you don't click the "no contact" box... if you do, I won't know you ordered, and I won't know where to send your free package of Designer Series Paper!

As of today, I am only $3,829.33 away from my milestone! If you're not interested in participating in the Designer Series Paper promotion, but you still want to help me reach my goal, I appreciate orders of any size and if you place an order with me, I may just send you a small token of my appreciation!

Gratefully,