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!

Let's Get Hopping - My Happy Color

Welcome to another round of Let's Get Hopping! I can't believe we've been hopping for almost three years! You've likely hopped over from the talented Eimear Carvill, but if you didn't and you're starting here, then be sure you keep hopping until you've seen all the gorgeous colors! 

When I think of a happy color, I can't help but think of my two happy places. Yes, I have two... and I can't actually decide which makes me happier. It's odd because one reminds me of the other.

My first happy place is the beach. I don't care which beach... or which body of water, for that matter. There is something so soothing about being by the roar of the crashing waves, or the sloshing of swells against a buoy or anchored boat.

 

Since I have two happy places, I think it's appropriate to have three happy colors! The beach (including these pictures from some of my earlier vacations) reminds me of Stampin' Up!'s Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, and Pool Party. Could it be the names? LOL!

Although the colors look more green on some computers, they are such calm blue colors that remind me of the ocean.

My other happy place is Disneyland... or specifically the Disneyland Hotel. How does this remind me of the ocean? With its tropical and Polynesian theme, it immediately calms me and makes me feel like I’m home - just like the beach. 

It made sense to combine my three happy colors from Stampin' Up! with the Timeless Tropical stamp set and Tropical Oasis Designer Series Paper. Oh those Palm Trees!! The Designer Series Paper also reminds me of my hubby, who is very much into vintage cars... so the "woody" station wagons just complete my collection of happy things (Hubby being one of them). 

This was such a fun card to make and it just makes me scream HAPPY! What do you think? Does it bring a smile to your face?

Just a little bit of the details... I distressed the edges of the paper behind the greeting, as well as the greeting itself (I wanted it to feel very "beachy"), and did a curl on the opposite corners of the embossed Bermuda Bay cardstock and Soft Suede piece of Designer Series Paper - something I consider a  signature style that's used by Susan Wong - which I just LOVE!

Thank you for visiting! I hope you enjoyed my little piece of paradise! Now, hop on over to Teresa Brown's blog by clicking the "Next Blog" arrow below.

If you'd like to create my card, or it has inspired you to create your own, these are the supplies I used. Just click the individual picture and it will take you to my online store! 
 

Timeless Tropical Cling Stamp Set (English) [151497] $23.00	Tropical Oasis Designer Series Paper [151252] $11.50	Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [122924] $8.75	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131197] $8.75	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101650] $9.75
Brights Stampin' Write Markers [147157] $30.00	Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers [147158] $30.00	Coastal Weave 3D Embossing Folder [151503] $9.00	5/16" (8 Mm) Braided Burlap Trim [151254] $8.00	Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels [150457] $6.00
Snail Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Mini Glue Dots [103683] $5.25	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00

A First for Paper Pumpkin!

I travel at least once a month for my Scottish import business and having a kit that I can tuck into my laptop bag just in case I have time to craft is amazing!

I've been a Paper Pumpkin subscriber since the beginning - five years! - and although I do have a few kits that I still haven't completed, I so look forward to seeing what the next month will bring! Yes... it's hard for me not to know what's coming, so I appreciate when Stampin' Up! gives us little sneak peeks - especially THIS sneak peek!

OMGosh I am SO flippin' excited June's kit coordinates with a product suite from the upcoming 2018-2019 annual catalog! While I can't tell you which one (yes, I know it stinks... but if you were a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, you would know, too), I can tell you... if this Paper Pumpkin kit deserves an award, it would be a... ummm... nope, can't tell you - that would give it away! I'm so mean! Tee hee!

If you're not already a subscriber, be sure to sign up by June 10 to get this fun kit that will have you doing high kicks!

Starting the New Year off Right!

As I start the new year, I like to reflect on what I've accomplished in the previous year. In regards to my blog, I posted 24 times. That might not seem like much to you, but to me it's more than I've posted in previous years. It's an average of twice a month. Yes, that is an accomplishment!

It takes quite a bit of time to blog. Actually, let me clarify this... it takes me quite a bit of time to blog. I can write the content (although I tend to be a bit long-winded, if you haven't noticed, and need to spend time editing), but taking pictures, watermarking, linking, and uploading take so much time. I'm trying to streamline my process so I can blog more often. Wish me luck!

This project I've had finished for a few weeks... but I just haven't had the chance to get the pictures off my phone and upload them. Sigh. And I just realized I did not take a picture of the most important element... how I colored the vellum flower.

How to create the vellum flower - complete with adhesive:

• Use sponge brayer to color a piece of vellum (I used a scrap leftover from a class).

• Cut a piece of Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet slightly smaller than vellum, then remove backing.

• Place colored side of vellum on sticky side of multipurpose adhesive sheet and burnish. The nice thing is by putting the color against the adhesive, it doesn't have to be completely dry, but it keeps your fingers from getting inky!

• Use your choice of die or punch to create fun shapes that stick instantly! I used the Petals & More Thinlits coming out in the Occasions catalog January 3!

The card (on the left) was inspired by the card created at OnStage in November (on the right). As soon as I created the OnStage card, I knew I had to order the entire suite! It has to be my favorite from the Occasions catalog (only a few more days to see it!).

 

I call my card Trifecta - because it incorporates elements from three Stampin' Up! catalogs - the 2017-2018 Annual catalog, the 2017 Holiday catalog, and the 2018 Occasions catalog! Can you guess which items are from which catalog?

Thanks for stopping by today - and always. I hope you'll continue to follow my blog and see if I can post more than 24 times this year. And I hope you and your family have a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2018!

Product List

Petal Palette Clear-Mount Bundle [145974] $62.00	Petal Passion Designer Series Paper [145589] $11.00	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131197] $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101856] $8.00
Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [131171] $6.50	Sponge Brayers [141714] $8.00	Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets [144106] $10.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00	7/8" (2.2 Cm) Striped Ribbon [144624] $5.00
Pearl Basic Jewels [144219] $5.00	Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00	Fast Fuse Adhesive [129026] $10.00	Glue Dots [103683] $5.25

Keeping it Simple for Let's Get Hopping Blog Hop

Welcome to the Let's Get Hopping Round 3 Hop! You've just arrived  from Tanya Rees's Blog. Yep... another project I need to CASE!

The theme of this hop is Back to Basics, which means stamps, ink, and paper... no fancy tools. That's right! No Big Shot, no Framelits or embossing folders. Just the most basic cardmaking elements. Simple cards are difficult for me... perhaps it's because I always think cards need lots of elements to be beautiful. But that's just not true. I can do this!

This is another sneak peek from the upcoming Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog called Lovely Wishes. The adorable Billie Moan from Rambling Rose Studio presented this set at OnStage (our convention for demonstrators) earlier this month. Please check out her blog to see more creations with this set - she is so talented!

One of the things I like about this whimsical set is that it's photopolymer... which means I can line up stamps on one clear block easily (I used the large block F for two stamps), then line up the solid image stamps over the line images that were already stamped.

Using Markers lets you use multiple colors on one image. I used Garden Green and Lemon Lime Twist for the leaves. And the spots that weren't covered by the stamp? I used the marker to color that in, too. Easy-peasy!

 And how cool that the Stampin' Blends actually color our Basic Jewel Pearls??? I used the light and dark Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry Blends to emulate the colors of the flowers and petals on my card. Pretty close, huh?

I almost left the card as is - without the colored pearls, but felt that it needed a little something. Still simple, but the pearls just added another bit of texture. What did I say at the beginning of the is blog post? Yep... I guess I still struggle with less is more. LOL!

If you've read my previous blog posts, I do believe I said I need to put ribbon on just about every card. Still simple, but ribbon adds that finishing touch. What do you think? Which card do you prefer?

I appreciate you stopping by! If you started in the middle of the hop, then click the next button below to see what Verity Biddlecombe has created!

Wishing you... a very lovely day!

Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock	Painted Autumn Designer Series Paper	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad
2017-2019 In Color Stampin' Write Markers	Regals Stampin' Write Markers	Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad	Pearl Basic Jewels	Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
Fresh Fig 1/2" Finely Woven Ribbon	Clear Block F	Stampin' Trimmer	Paper Snips Scissors	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive	Stampin' Dimensionals