Jul19

Morning session!

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Wow.  Being here is an experience!  Lots of excitement and enthusiasm. I learned I am not as prolific of a stamper as I thought.  I pale in comparison…. but it’s not about comparing…

Anyway… wanted to share some pictures… this is what it looked likeeper whend we entered the contention center… all these ladies… waiting for the auditorium doors to open.  All swapping.  Anyone overhearing these conversations unfamiliar with this concept would think we are crazy (weeeeeelllll….)  all you here is … “wanna swap” or “you swapping”  and no other words. It’s funny.

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And, I really likes this group. Teams (downlines) try to do something to make themselves recognizable to their other members… I liked this one in particular. I want a poster for my stamp room:

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I have the WOW swap I am part of is today. Anne told me to sign up for this one because it is organized and has rules…. so yo uh make cometh g good and you are guaranteed to get it back… I’m a little nervous because the organizer must approve the card before I can participate.  Anyway, I made 120 of this:

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And, it’s hard to see in the picture but that flower is a “closure” for the card. Nothing  fancy… the fronth is just cut shorter than the back and scalloped. Then the flower is glued down just on the exposed inside of the card thend the front tucks behind.  Hopefully this clarifies:

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It’s fast, easy, and a way just o make something different.  With the exception of the enjoy word from the fabulous phrases stamp set, there is no stamping. Big shot embossing, punching… its an excellent way to use up scrap pieces of paper….  I will try to post more this evening… of the exciting wow swaps I get!!

Jul18

I Am…. HERE!

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So. After 9 years and 4 time zones in the past 5 days… I finally made it to contention.  And I’m a bit nutty from all the lack of sleep so I apologize if I sound incoherent.

Anyway, we got in yesterday around noonish but since the hotel wasn’t ready, Anne and I decided to shop. And it was a blast.

Today was the first official start day of convention…. but kind of a “slow” start. Not slow in that we didn’t have stuff to do… but slow in that there wasn’t scheduled class sessions…. except we decided to schedule our make and takes all in one fell swoop….  then we had the I Am Inspired (this year’s theme is I Am….)

It’s unbelievable, the atmosphere in this place. And I thought I was a die-hard…  mot even close.  Anyway, general swapping can happen anywhere and everywhere so you gotta be prepared.  Here is what I brought for general swapping….

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And

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And

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I am too tired to list product right now so if you have a question just email me.  I want to show a picture of the I am inspired project too… it’s a super cute pinboard that has 3 different interchangeable displays. They gave US a perpetual… (okay… we gotta break…. I’m typing this post on my phone as Anne is giving me a running dialog of how she is trying to upload photos from her camera… it is hilarious…and when I start laughing she changes her voice to a whisper and it gradually gets louder until I start laughing again…)  okay what was I saying… oh… perpetual calendar. Though it would be great just as a picture board….  here it is….

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I will try to get better pictures of my make and takes but the lighting in our room is terrible. Or… come to my open house July 28 and you can see it in person!!

Check out Anne’s blog for more pictures. She’s better at all that than me. And she’s uploading from a computer and not a phone…. 

Okay… tomorrow is the WOW swap and awards night!!  I will keep you posted!!

Jul16

NOTES

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Okay… in T-minus 3 hours and 51 minutes Anne is picking me up to go to the airport so we will be on our way to Stampin Up! Convention!  I am so excited. This is my first convention. So, in honor if this occasion, I designed died to make us some notebooks.  These are fabric covered composition books.  I used the comfort cafe and floral district fabric sets. And I used an elastic ponytail holder to make the closure. The flowers are die cut from the fabric that I fused with a stiff interfacing so they would not be too floppy. And I used the neutrals buttons, linen thread, twine, to sew it all on…  these were lots of fun to make. And probably my first sewing project that I accomplished mostly on my own. I’m not gonna tell you how much seam-ripping I did…. but here is the comfort cafe:

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And here is the floral district:

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This one also has my school planner for next year.  Bronwyn and I had this great idea to have our students make and sell planners for the staff at our school. Proceeds will go to benefit the Teen Parent Support Club. I’m happy it worked out that I made my planner from the floral district paper…. so now I can also use my notebook at school and everything will match!  I will be updating from convention so check back.  The rumor is that they have a big announcement. So big that they are streaming it live on the internet for the demos who cannot make it….  I’m excited….

May23
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So…  school is almost out.  One more day.  Kids get out at noon.  That cannot come soon enough.

 

Anyway, I was recently asked to create 2 scrapbook albums (nearly identical) as gifts for a friend’s daughter-in-law and her mother.  The books covered the grandchild’s first birthday.  Little girl, so we got to do it up right.  Very different creating things for a girl than a boy… I gotta say… a little more fun.  There’s lots more ‘stuff’ to use and you can make it as foo-foo as you want.  And, yes.  It is a technical term.

 

The theme of the birthday party was cherry blossoms, so I tried to replicate that is best as possible.  I had my friend group the pictures by subject/people and name everyone in them so I could create the pages in some form of order.  The biggest difficulty I had was trying to write about all these people—people I have not met.  But, I think we figured something out that would work.  This is the result:

 

This is the cover page.  I used Circle Circus to create a custom background “DSP” on whisper white for every page.  And, every color of PINK ink Stampin’ UP has.  I used melon mambo to back the pages.  The pictures are matted, again, in every color pink we have….  Then, cut out TONS of flowers with the big shot and embossed, rhinestoned, dazzling detailed, buttoned and ribboned everything that I could….(gotta love girlie…)

Here are a couple of the inside sspreads:

 

 

This was a fun project… Everything came together very well.  I was very happy with the results.  And, so was my friend and her family.  They were gifts for mother’s day….

A Little Scrappin’

May13

Happy Mother’s Day!!

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Just wanted to take a moment to wish all the Mother’s, Aunties, Sisters, Neighbors, friends… Anyone who had a hand in raising another human being, a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.  I’m only a couple of years in, and have QUICKLY learned that it is a job that needs A LOT of help from others.  So… Thanks!!

A couple of weeks ago, Anne and I took a road trip to Cheryl’s house (WAAAAY out in Haiku…for Maui people, that’s far… for mainland people…it’s about the distance to your nearest starbucks…give or take).  She had put together a class making a vintage picture frame.  Neither Anne nor I could attend the class so she did a special session, just for us.  (Made us feel like QUEENS for the day, too…).  It was absolutely wonderful.  I am usually on the preparation side of classes, which I do enjoy, but it was nice just to go and create.  And she did all the work.  And, I gotta say, the result was nothing short of incredible.  (All thanks to her design, planning, and execution…I just put tombow on the back of the pieces and stuck them on).

I didn’t want to show this earlier as it was a Mother’s Day gift for my mother-in-law, but now that she’s seen it, I can let the cat out of the bag to the rest of the world.

Here it is:

So, it has a very vintagee, collagee, feel with a touch of pool party.  My blog photography skills have yet to be honed, but you get an idea.  The primary colors in this are soft suede, very vanilla, and crumb cake.  We did a lot of sponging edges.  The pictures are printed in sepia tones and just put in where they go!!  I had such a good time!  Thanks, Cheryl,  for a GREAT day and a GREAT gift….

May8

Unashamed plug for the MHS Teen Parent Program

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So, I teach at Maui High School and run the Teen Parent Program.  This year, we are making favors on each of the holidays to as a fundraiser.  So, for Mother’s Day, we are making and selling the purse favors.  (I absolutely LOVE this purse die).  They are $2 each and will have 3 chocolates inside.  Let me know ASAP if you would like to order.  Proceeds go to fund class activities, community service projects, and to buy toys for our childcare center.  We also have sets of cards (4 cards for $5…birthday, thank-you and 2 blank) that are available.  These would also make great Mother’s Day gifts.

 

Here are the purses.  I need to know before Thursday if you want any…

May1

Smoocho Flipbook-o

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So, a few people ordered ‘kits’ from our Smooch Extravaganza, and while the cards are pretty self-explanatory, the flipbook, though easy, is not.  I promised those people I would put some detailed pictures on here so they could see how to put it together…

First of all, here is a picture of the book:

You will notice that the green cover of the book doesn’t touch in the center.  That is why the red and turquoise panels are added… to make it actually close all the way.

The book itself is constructed of 3  12×5 3/4 pieces, scored, and glued end to end… Then, the center panel is adhered to the center of the green cover:

Here, you can see the three panels opened end to end… The two outside ends were made with DSP and the center is made with the RETIRING textured cardstock.  You can’t see the green so much there, but it is underneath all that…

This next picture is the first page, with the flap open, just so you could see what is on the side that is supposed to be folded back…

For those of you with kits, you won’t have all the same stamps (especially the words) but you can substitute whatever.  This is so you can personalize and make it work for what you need it to.  The yellow dots inside the red flowers…  yellow circle bits.  Extremely detailed, so you don’t have to if you get your fingers glued together (which I do…Anne made this one for me—I just gave up my secret).

This is the inside of the first of the 3 large pages:

I think Anne included two LONG tangerine panels in the kits.  You can cut it into 2 pieces to make the two panels on the right side.  She wanted you to have the options.  We are all about options.

This is the 2nd of the 3 long pages (center page):

The white panel folds out.  Decorate however you want (something small in the corner of each page, like on front) just make sure the fold is on the left and the open is on the right.

Here is the third of the 3 pages:

There is the LONG tangerine panel… again, can be split into 2 pieces if you want.  the middle is for a cd holder.  The oval half shape is free handed (we found something to trace).  Could use a punch or whatever.  I thought Anne was very clever in designing this with a CD holder… This way, you highlight the really special pictures and memories in the flip book, and put the 200 other pictures on a disk, and store it all together!!  Very ingenious!!

And, here is the BACK of the LAST of the page:

Easy PEASY!!

Anne did such a brilliant JOB of getting this all together!!  Sorry, though, there aren’t any more flip book kits left.  But, I do have 2 more kits for the cards we made in the first class (see previous posts).  If you want one, let me know (and fast) before they are gone!!

And, if you wanna get your hands on some of that retiring textured cardstock…hurry over to my online store!!  It’s only available while supplies last…

 

WHEW…. that was a lot… Hope you enjoyed these books.  They seem complicated, but they really aren’t.  And, they would BE A GREAT GIFT (with photos, of course) for Mother’s Day.  AND, they would be a great project to celebrate National Scrapbooking DAY!!

 

 

Apr29

Mucho Smoocho

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We just had our Summer Smooches class this past Saturday. I had a blast…and I hope everyone else did too. And to end this month of April, I thought I would leave you with Mucho Smooches….  these are samples I made with the Bright Blossom stamp set and the entire smooches line.  I hate to tell you though…. the fabric smooch brads are all sold out!!  However… you can order the rest of the suite until the end of SU! Business (tomorrow 7:50 pm hst). But, this line will be in the new catalog come June 1.  If this is a preview, then I am very excited!! I love this wonderful set!!

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You have seen some of these cards before but the rest are the other samples I have made. Do you remember which is which?  Anyway… I love these cheerful little flowers… they cheered me up after my post-tetirement list announcement mourning.    Speaking of retiring… if you haven’t seen the retiring accessories… you’d better check them out. They are only available while supplies last and several items are already gone!!

Apr25

The Big Clean

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Well, last night was our monthly Maui Stampers Teem Meeting.  The meeting began at 7:00– we chatted, stamped, but as soon as Anne’s clock DONGED 8…. we RACED to the computer, busted out the laptop so we could see what more items were going to be removed from the SU supply lines to join the others in the long, blissful rest of retirement.  Well.  Shocked doesn’t quite cover it….  It’s 12 pages long.  Holy Moley.

There are LOTS of 12×12 cardstocks, markers, and inkpads on the list.  Before you freak out that SU is changing their colors again (I had a small hiccup in my heart rhythm), they are changing the ink pad itself.  Not the color, but the actual design of the pad.  So, colors are the same.  But, they are doing away with the CRAFT ink (only will be offered in white or black).  So if you love craft ink, you should stock up.  The decor elements are gone…  Lots of bigshot dies retiring…    Well… why don’t you just look yourself:

Retiring Accessories

These items are ONLY available while supplies last.  So, the best way to get them is to order directly from my online store  There will be a link to the retiring products.

Also… in the middle of the retiring accessories list hoopla, we actually managed to make a card:

 

It’s beautiful.  Anne had it figured out for us to make.  And, FYI:  All the stuff on this card is retiring.  Sincere Salutations is one of my go-to stamp sets for a nice sentiment.  The ribbon is going too..  That Mocha Morning DSP.  It’s excellent…. I am quite sad that I waited until now to actually experience it.  The black swirls on this are actually flocked.  It gives a very elegant feel.  It’s wonderful.  And, all the other papers are beautiful.  I actually bought a pack just now…  This is one of those things that will go fast, so the faster you order, the better…

I’m actually going to copy some text from Anne, my friend, and downline…who can write things much more succinctly than I… just to summarize…  (Thank You, ANNE!)

  • Stampin’ Up! has announced that Classic Ink pads are being redesigned.  You will notice all colors of Classic ink are retiring but are not discounted.  The new design includes a different type of pad that promises a better image – exciting news!!
  • Craft Ink pads will only be available in Basic Black and Whisper White.  Stock up on your Craft Ink Refills!
  •  2010-2012 In Color products are all retiring.  The Stampin’ Write marker set, 12 x 12 smooth card stock and 12 x 12 textured card stock are discounted.  So are some of the Stitched-poly ribbons.  All other products from the 2010-2012 In Color line are discontinued (Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush and Blushing Bride).  If you have ink pads and don’t have refills, I recommend buying them.  If you waited to get the markers, wait no longer.  If you’re low on paper, buy now!
  •  12 x 12 TEXTURED card stock is retiring and will no longer be available.  12 x 12 SMOOTH card stock will only be available in select individual colors and in color family collections.
  •  Only select Stampin’ Write markers will be available for purchase individually.  Those markers not available individually will only be sold as part of a color family set.  Stock up on your favorites!!
  •  A lot of Big Shot items are being retired but most are not discounted.
  •  Are you a fan of MDS?  The MDS Collection DVDs found on page 7 of the Idea Book and Catalog are all discounted 60%.
Apr20

Ribbon Share… hurry, hurry…

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I was trying to figure out a way to post a really cute picture of ribbon, but the more I fussed around with it, the goofier it looked.  So, there is no picture… SORRY.

But, I was talking to my co-worker and fellow stamper, Bronwyn, and she told me that I needed to do a ribbon share with the Taffeta and Seam Binding ribbons.  Said it was the ribbon she could tie the best.  And, she, like many has no need for a million yards of a single color, but would rather a couple yards of many colors.  So, this one is for Bronwyn….and any one else in the same situation.  Both of these ribbons have a subtle sheen to them and are simply gorgeous.  They both are low profile…so they are easy to include on cards without them being too bumpy to go through the mail.

I have 2 ribbon shares:

3/8″ Taffeta Ribbon Share:  Receive 2 yards each of 10 colors for $20. (all colors on pg 195 of IBC)

1/2″ Seam Binding Ribbon Share:  Receive 2 yards each of 9 colors for $18. (colors on pg 195, plus pool party (in mini catalog) and daffodil delight (April special)

These are great shares…. the prices work out to $1/yard!

The only trouble with this is that we don’t have much time.  The retiring accessories list will be posted on April 25 (Wednesday).  So, this share has to go in by Tuesday.  Though I am not certain what ribbons will be retiring, if the retiring accessories follow the path the retiring stamps did, we will be out a lot of ribbons.  This may be your last chance to stock up on some of these ribbons before they are gone forever!!!

Please RSVP to me with which share you want to be part of by noon on Tuesday (April 24).  This will ensure I can get the order in in time!!