Diana, the Celtic Stamper

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Let's Get Hopping - Gratitude

Welcome to July's edition of Let's Get Hopping! You probably just hopped over from the sweet and crafty Teresa Brown. The word cute comes to mind whenever I see her projects! I absolutely LOVE this month's theme... gratitude. There is so much for which to give thanks - every day - and I'm certainly grateful to be a part of this group of talented crafters!

If you're in the US, it's July 4th... and I'm sure you're with me in celebrating Independence Day - the day we consider our Nation's birthday! I'm focusing on today because I am grateful for those who have been brave enough to fight for our independence. One of my favorite sayings is, "Because of the brave, we are free," so my gratitude extends to those who are serving or have served in the United States Armed Forces, protecting our inalienable rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

I've had (the now retired) For Your Country stamp set for a number of years and - surprise! - I've never used it. That doesn't happen to you, does it? I didn't think so. Well, I decided it's time to get it out and create something... and what better occasion is celebrating America's 242nd birthday?

This card is really easy to create, but it's not so quick. To create the border, you need to fashion a mask using post-it notes or low-tack painter's tape (be careful though... painter's tape can sometimes rip your cardstock - ask me how I know. LOL!). Once your mask is in place, use Stampin' Sponges to add color to your card. I used Pacific Point and Real Red for the background and Stazon for the silhouette. Thank you was embossed on the star die-cut using Versamark and white embossing powder.

Another thing I'm grateful for - as simple as it sounds - is being able to wake up and get out of bed every day. No joke. When you lose your dad at 15 and your mom at 27 - and a few friends shortly thereafter - you learn to look at each moment as a gift and say thanks for another day of life. Everything else good that happens after I get out of bed is simply a cherry on the top of the sundae. Sappy, I know... but that's just me.

I fell in love with the sentiment in the Enjoy Life stamp set... it sums up just how grateful I am to be alive.

I used the same technique for this card as I did for the For Your Country card... sponging. This time, I decided to mat the Whisper White elements on Lemon Lime Twist and Coastal Cabana cardstock. It looks like there are two layers of white cardstock, doesn't it?

I have to admit... I had just re-inked my Stazon and it was a little juicy, which makes the sentiment a tad difficult to read. So you can appreciate just how special it is, I've included it here...

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive: to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."

Amazing message, isn't it?

Okay, enough mush! LOL! Thanks for joining me today and letting me share. Now hop off to my dear friend Jennifer Olea! You're going to love what she's created (and maybe even be inspired).

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75	Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144245] $8.50	Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131297] $8.50	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [144086] $6.50	Pineapple Punch Classic Stampin' Pad [147141] $7.50
Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [147096] $7.50	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [147097] $7.50	Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad [101406] $9.00	Stamping Sponges [141337] $3.50	Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00
Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00

Sunday, July 1, 2018

I Wish I Could Join All Over Again!

Is your Stampin' Up! shopping list so long that you wish you could get a discount? Do you want to earn a little extra money to cover your car payment or perhaps for holiday gifts for your loved ones? Or, do you want to do what I do... gather people together and create fun projects? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, then you may want to consider joining the Stampin' Up! family.

The above is pretty much how my journey started... I had so much flagged in my catalog that I decided to sign up to get the discount. I was my best customer! Okay... I was my only customer. Then I asked my friend Cindy - who actually introduced me to Stampin' Up! - if she would consider having a party. She did... and the rest, as they say, is history (I love a good cliché, don't you?).

What do you get when you take advantage of this amazing deal?

Customizable Starter Kit which includes $125 in product (you choose anything in the annual catalog!)
Choice of Classic Stampin' Pad assortment (see options below)
Free shipping on your starter kit
20% Discount on future orders
Opportunity to increase your discount up to 33%
Option to build a business with sales and team building
Sneak peeks and exclusive pre-orders (you get to know, order, and receive product before customers!)
Extensive online resources
Exclusive Facebook groups for Stampin' Up! demonstrators and members of the Getting Fancy with Ink and Paper team
Virtual get-togethers with other members of the Getting Fancy team
One-on-one phone or in-person support from me... your team leader

Which color family would you choose?

If you're interested in joining Stampin' Up! or have questions about what it's like to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator before you take the plunge, please contact me. If you're ready to join me in this amazing Stampin' Up! community, please click here or Join My Group up top.

Signing up 13 years ago was one of the best decisions I've made... but with a deal like free stamp pads, I wish I could sign up all over again! LOL!!

Saturday, June 30, 2018

Vlogging Like a Boss!

Since this seems to be the year of stepping out of my comfort zone, I thought I would start doing Facebook live videos! I received the book Vlog Like a Boss by Amy Schmittauer in my first month's subscription with Sparkle Hustle Grow (you can read about it in the PS below) and I knew the universe was telling me something. Schmittauer (through her book) is encouraging and tells her readers it's okay to make mistakes, to just be yourself, and really... JUST DO IT! So guess what? I did.

Whew! That was scary! But I survived!! Hey... if I can get up in front of 750 people and present new Stampin' Up! product, then this is cake - right? Ummm.... sure. Actually, it was easier! LOL!

This is the card I created in the video. It's a quick and easy card that features the bright and beautiful Garden Impressions Designer Series Paper... which happens to be a part of the Buy 3 Get 1 Designer Series Paper sale that begins tomorrow - July 1. Shameless plug, I know.

As promised in the video, here are the measurements for each card layer:

• Card base - Tranquil Tide - 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", folded in half at 4-1/4"
• 2nd Layer - Very Vanilla - 4" x 5-1/4"
• Designer Series Paper Layer - Garden Impressions - 3-3/4" x 5"
• 4th Layer - Copper Foil - 3-1/8" x 4-3/8"
• Top Layer (Sentiment) - Very Vanilla - 3" x 4-1/4"

I hope you enjoyed the video and make your own quick and easy cards using the Abstract Impressions stamp set and Garden Impressions Designer Series Paper. I have lots of paper left, so I'm definitely going to be creating more!

PS - If you're interested in learning about the Sparkle Hustle Grow monthly subscription box, please click here. And yes... I do receive compensation for every five people who sign up. BUT that's not why I mention this company! I truly enjoyed receiving my first subscription - the subject was very fitting for me this month. The bonus part? A community of female entrepreneurs in a Facebook group, who are there to encourage and support each other. That is what hooked me on Sparkle Hustle Grow. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Abstract Impressions Photopolymer Stamp Set [147513] $26.00	Tranquil Tide 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144246] $8.50	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $9.75	Garden Impressions 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146289] $11.00	Copper Foil Sheets [142020] $4.00
Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad [147146] $7.50	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [147095] $7.50	Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad [147098] $7.50	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad [147106] $7.50	Tea Room Ribbon Combo Pack [146893] $8.00
SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Glue Dots [103683] $5.25

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Kre8tors Blog Hop - New Annual Catalog!

It's been a while since I've had a chance to hop along with the Kre8tors crew... and I've missed it. But this month's theme seemed to be fitting... a new start to consistency for a new annual catalog! Yes... my goal is to be more consistent with participating in this blog hop group. I mean really... who wouldn't want to hop along with so many talented Stampin' Up! demonstrators?

Speaking of talented demonstrators, are you as inspired by Jan Musselman's project as I am? The word CASE comes to mind (don't know what CASE is? It's Copy And Share Everything. Fun, isn't it???).

There are so many amazing new stamp sets in the Stampin' Up! 2018-2019 annual catalog. Did you catch the top ten list of my favorite stamp sets that I posted June 1? If not, you definitely need to check it out! One of the sets from that list is Varied Vases, which was inspired by the uber talented Mary Fish (I know you've heard of her). I had to create a card for my retreat's swap this weekend (don't worry... I'll be posting about the retreat later) and thought the Varied Vases bundle would be perfect!

This has been my workspace for the retreat. Honestly, it's not always been this tidy, but it's been inspirational and functional. This space has made me happy (especially the flowers) so I wanted to create a card that matches.

Because I couldn't bring my entire stamp studio to the retreat (although I probably brought more than I should have), I didn't have Lemon Lime Twist ribbon so I created my own. I took some of the Whisper White 1/8" Sheer Ribbon and pulled it through the stamp pad, using the dauber to aid in coloring (and to save my finger from getting too inky).

And here's the finished card! It was a quick and easy card to create... which helps when you have to make multiples for a swap. I wish I had taken pictures or a video of the Stamparatus in action... I used both sides of both plates to stamp every part of this card - except the "water" in the vase... a clear block was used for that one (and stamped off once before putting ink to paper).

I hope you enjoyed my card, and are enjoying our blog hop this month! Now keep hopping over to Becky Browning and see what she's kre8ed. Tee hee! And if you get "lost" at any time, our roll call is below.

Happy hopping!

If you'd like to create this card, here's a list of the items you'll need.

Varied Vases Photopolymer Bundle [148381] $39.50	Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131297] $8.50	Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144245] $8.50	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115320] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75
Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad [144085] $6.50	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [144086] $6.50	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [147051] $7.50	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [147097] $7.50	Whisper White 1/8" Sheer Ribbon [144172] $6.00
2017-2019 In Color Stampin' Write Markers [144033] $15.00	Sponge Daubers [133773] $5.00	Stamparatus [146276] $49.00	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00