Three Thank Yous

My 2-4-6-8 Christmas Cards class got off to a fun start last weekend! I had 3 ladies come over and make the Seasons of Friendship card (tree with snowflakes). I modified the design, though, so that it was a Basic Gray tree stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock with Not Quite Navy snowflakes and on Rich Razzleberry cardstock. It was so much prettier than the original! Two of the ladies who came for the class are coming to another one - so I think my "progressive" class idea worked! -- even if it was a little confusing to begin with. Anyway, I made some thank you cards for the ladies using the Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge #143 design. I like the sketch challenges at this blog because the head "Divas" are all Stampin' Up! demonstrators, so the samples they put out there are all Stampin' Up! cards. I really like when I see cards made with the products I love!!

Anyway, to the cards... (which are about a week late, as usual. Remember, I can never create or mail anything on time!) :)

Gray Razzleberry
Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Flight of the Butterfly
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Cottage Wall
Stamp Pads (Classic): Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, Old Olive
Accessories/Tools: 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch

Sahara Rose
Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Flight of the Butterfly
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Rose Red, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Thoroughly Modern
Stamp Pads (Classic): Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Soft Suede
Accessories/Tools: 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch

Passion Pumpkin
Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Flight of the Butterfly
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Pink Passion Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Kaleidoscope
Stamp Pads (Classic): Pink Passion, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories/Tools: 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch

My favorite is the last one, Passion Pumpkin. I love how the colors came together on it! Which one is your favorite?

Two Chic Boutique

When I got the new Stampin' Up! catalog back in June there was only 1 stamp set on my "MUST HAVE" list: Chic Boutique. I just love the fun line drawings, sweet sentiments, and cute birdcage! It's such a great versatile set to make some fun "anytime" cards. And I love watercoloring the images!!

Last week, I made two samples using Chic Boutique. Somehow, the layouts are similar, though not intentionally....

Chic Boutique Un
Stamp Sets: Chic Boutique, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Medallion
Cardstock: Sage Shadow, Ruby Red, Pretty in Pink, Watercolor
Designer Series Paper: none
Stamp Pads (Classic): Jet Black Stazon, Ruby Red, Sage Shadow, Pretty in Pink (for watercoloring)
Accessories/Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Paper Piercing Tool, Dimensionals

I love the colors of this card, and I wish I could remember if I came up with them on my own, or if I used my handy-dandy Color Coach.... (guess would be Color Coach!) I also think Medallion gives just the right touch to the background... don't you?

Chic Boutique Deux
Stamp Sets: Chic Boutique,
Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla, Watercolor
Designer Series Paper: Bella Bleu
Stamp Pads (Classic): Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow, Regal Rose, So Saffron (for watercoloring)
Accessories/Tools:Wide Oval Punch, Masterpiece Ribbon Originals

This is my favorite card I've made in a long time. I will probably never give it away, as I do tend to hoard my faves..... :) I just think the design is great - it's actually a sketch challenge called Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge. It's definitely one of those sketches to check out from time to time!

Orange-Razzleberry Birthday Mania

It seems that when I get on a kick of projects, I really get on a kick. For example, yesterday after work I decided to stamp and I sure went to town. I didn't really have anything to stamp "for", so I was just making cards for fun and being inspired by sketch challenges & my stamping mess. It surprised me that I made two birthday cards (no birthdays on my horizon) and both have the same color scheme! (I must have really felt the Pumpkin Pie-Rich Razzleberry connection yesterday. Here are my cards.

Pocket Silhouette
Stamp Sets: Pocket Silhouettes, On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade
Stamp Pads (Classic): Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories/Tools: 1/4" Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon

I love the simple design of this card! I can see myself using this layout again, and again. It comes from the Clean & Simple Stamping blog (a great place to find simple, striking layouts). I think the white space makes the loud colors seem more subdued and the card seem classy.

Party Hearty
Stamp Set: Party Hearty
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade
Stamp Pads (Classic): Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories/Tools: 1/4" Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon, Pumpkin Pie corduroy ribbon, paper piercer, dimensionals

This layout is from Stamping 411 blog, a great resource for new stampers to learn the ins and outs of stamping -- but also somewhere for seasoned stampers to get some fresh ideas and great layouts!

5K blog winner announced!

A great big THANK YOU goes out to everyone who visited my blog during my 5K Blog Candy extravaganza! I had 15 people leave comments (though, seemingly more people visited - nearly 700 hits have been added to the counter! Too bad for the people who didn't leave comments!)

I used Random.org to choose a winner. I numbered the comments from 1 - 15, and Random.org generated a totally RANDOM (see a pattern here??) number that corresponds to a comment which gives me the winner.

And now for the winner. Congratulations to........

# 11 Lauren
Lauren said:
"I have never posted a comment on ANY blog before, so I guess I am inspired! My favorite is the snowflake card for it's simplicity. It would be WONDERFUL for a demo or stamp-a-stack. It also reminds me to use negative space--every inch does not have to be filled with clutter!!! thanks for the inspiration!"

Thanks for the kind words, Lauren! Please contact me ASAP so I can send your goody packet off in the mail. :)

Thank you again to everyone for reading and for your support!!! Keep checking back for ideas and more blog candy (come 10K hits, that is). :)

Mojo 101

Today was my first day of work! That's right folks, I have found a job for the 2009-2010 school year. I will be working as a Kindergarten Teacher Assistant in Roseville, MN. It's the same school I worked for last year, and the same school I did my student teaching at 3 years ago . Today I had some orientation things to do. It was sad for me to lose my free time during the day, but it felt good to be back in the working world!

When I got home this afternoon I had a hankerin' for stamping. BUT, I was totally at a loss of what to stamp. So I turned to my old friend, Mojo Monday. Each Monday, the folks over at Mojo Monday blog post a sketch for stampers to use to inspire the creative juices. I often turn to sketches when I can't think of a design. Today's was especially fun, because I got to use a new stamp, and make a square card, which I LOVE!

Mojo 101

Stamp Sets: Gobble Gobble, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: More Mustard, Ruby Red, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Designer Series Paper: Thoroughly Modern
Stamp Pads (Classic): Soft Suede, plus Soft Suede, Ruby Red, More Mustard, & Dusty Durango Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories/Tools: 1-3/4" punch, Circle Scissors Plus, Paper Piercer

I think this little Turkey guy is SO cute! And guess what? He's less than $10! He's just one of 4 Under $10 stamps in the Holiday Mini Catalog, available on Sept. 1. Contact me if you need a copy of the catalog!

Thanks to everyone who has posted a comment or visited in regards to the 5K blog candy! You still have ONE MORE DAY to post your comments and win the fabulous prizes. Please know, regardless if you leave a comment or not, I appreciate all your visits! Come again soon. :)

5K hits BLOG CANDY!

Thanks to my loyal readers (and probably myself 1/2 the time checking to see if everything looks right....) I've got 5,000 (or in running terms, 5K) hits! For a little ol' blogger like me, I'm ecstatic at this milestone! That means people are reading my blog, and probably coming back time and time again. If you are one of those people, THANK YOU. Seriously.

In celebration of my 5K hits, I'm giving away some blog candy. To win this blog candy, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post. The message should answer at least one of these questions:

1. What is your favorite card(s) I've posted on this blog? (feel free to browse again!)
2. What classes posted here are most appealing to you?
3. Why do you visit & come back?
4. What would you like to see on this blog?
   

What will you win, you wonder? Well... here goes:

Blog Candy

Stampin' Tracy's Stampin' Up! Mini Card Kit, Includes:
- about 40 6x6 Designer series paper sheets, assorted designs
- 4 each of 6 retired 2008-2009 In-Colors pieces of cardstock (cut to 4-1/4" by 5-1/2")
- 5 Kiwi Kiss gift card holders + envelopes
- 1 unopened, unused roll of Kiwi Kiss striped ribbon
- 1 opened, only slightly used (less than 1/4 gone) roll of Baja Breeze striped ribbon
- 1 new, unmounted Birthday Wish stamp set

Remember, just answer at least one of these questions in a comment on this post. On Aug. 25, I will randomly draw a winner from this group of comments and let you know if you won!

Thanks for reading! And good luck. :)

2-4-6-8 Christmas Cards

I'm planning my Christmas Class already! I'm calling it 2-4-6-8 Progressive Christmas cards. Participants get TWO stamp sets, will make FOUR different designs, will make a total of SIX-ty cards, and get EIGHT great hours of stamping! (Prices range from $30 to $75, depending on how many of the 4 sessions you sign up to come).

Here's the cards we'll make.

Delightful Decorations
Stamp Sets: Delightful Designs, Four Christmas
Cardstock: Old Olive, Ruby Red, Crushed Curry, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Cottage Wall
Stamp Pads (Classic): Ruby Red, Crushed Curry, Old Olive
Accessories/Tools: Scallop Edge punch, Ornament Punch, Crushed Curry Ribbon, Linen Thread, dimensionals


Dasher
Stamp Sets: Dasher, Grateful Greetings
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White
Stamp Pads (Classic): Chocolate Chip
Accessories/Tools: Paper Piercer, Linen Thread, Sleigh Bells Ribbon, dimensionals

SnowflakeStamp Sets: Simple Snowflake, Christmas Greetings
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Kraft, Real Red, Whisper White
Stamp Pads (Classic): Real Red
Accessories/Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Snowflake Punch, Real Red Striped ribbon, Playground Button

Season of Friendship

Stamp Sets: Season of Friendship, Grateful Greetings
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive
Designer Series Paper: Cottage Wall
Stamp Pads (Classic): Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive
Accessories/Tools: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Mistletoe Ribbon Originals, Horizontal Slot Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Two-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds

I love making Christmas cards -- it's how I first got into stamping to begin with -- and the Christmas cards in the Holiday Mini this year are just TOO CUTE. I think this class will be a hit - can't wait to find out the response!