In these times

This is the final card my card class created this week. I started with a sketch challenge from the Stampin' Addicts creative website. You can check out this challenge (and others including scrapbooking, 3-D items, color challenges, techniques, and accessories) at this link. You can find this challenge listed as SASC42 (Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge 42). Join in when you can!

My card class ladies really look for a variety of cards that can be readily used up within a month. Unfortunately, these types of cards are sometimes needed, though hopefully not so many that they'll need all of them in one month.

Supplies used for this card:
Bashful blue cardstock (#105120; $5.50)
Very vanilla cardstock (#101650, $7.50)
Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper (#117161, $24.95)
Close to cocoa stampin' pad (#103139, $5.95)
So saffron stampin' pad (#105213, $5.95)
Refuge and Strength stamp set (#115056, $23.95)
Chocolate chip corduroy button (#114339, $9.95)
Linen thread (#104199, $4.50)

If you'd like to order the supplies for this card, please email me or order from my Stampin' Up website. I'd love to hear your comments! Thanks for looking.

Good Neighbors For You

I saw this card on Melissa Huie's blog and fell in love with the colors and the sketch. Honestly, I intended to case it exactly, and started with that yummy pumpkin pie ribbon. I paired it with the Razzleberry Lemondade DSP and a whisper white scallop edge border. Then I made the mistake of cutting my squares (a whole stack of them for a card class!) before I realized that they were a little smaller than I might have liked. So I thought I'd create a scene rather than windowpane effect. I got the Good Neighbors set in the clear mount and thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to showcase how easy it is to piece together stamps and add in a lot of color. My classes usually hate to pull out the Stamp-a-Majig and they are going to love making this card with clear mount stamps! I finished off the card with a little sentiment from the Happy Everything stamp set.

Supplies:
So saffron cardstock (#105118; $5.50)
Whisper white cardstock (#100730; $7.50)
Razzleberry Lemonade cardstock (#115675; $9.95)
Pumpkin pie cardstock (#105117; $5.50)
Pumpkin pie grosgrain ribbon (#109030; $4.95)
Scallop edge border punch (#112091, $15.95)
Happy Everything stamp set (#115235, $18.95)
Close to cocoa stamp pad (#103139, $5.95)
Ruby red stamp pad (#102259, $5.95)
Old olive stamp pad (#102277, $5.95)
Not quite navy stamp pad (#103008, $5.95)
Good Neighbors (#119116 clear; #118378 wood; FREE with $50 purchase)

If you'd like to place an order, you can email me or order directly from my Stampin' Up demonstrator website. I'd love to help you create your next project!

Happy Birthday!

This card is one I created for my monthly card class held this week. I used a sketch challenge from Stampin' Addicts (SASC39) as my inspiration. You can check out this challenge (and lots of others!) here. It is a minimal-stamping card but is heavy on the Big Shot. I used the Well Scripted stamp set. I got it in the clear mount version. I am a changed mind - I was not very interested in the clear mounts and really didn't plan to buy any. I broke down and bought a set and absolutely fell in love. The clear mounts make gorgeous images - just like the awesome images we first fell in love with - but they are stored in DVD-type cases that use so much less space. This card also uses some of my favorite ingredients.

The ingredients I used for this card were:
Blush blossom cardstock
Rich razzleberry cardstock
Mambo melon cardstock
Razzle dazzle DSP
Eyelet punch
Dot to dot embossing folder
Well Scripted clear mount stamp set
Flower folds die
Designer brads
Big Shot die cutting system

You can order your supplies directly from my Stampin' Up website or you can email me to place your order.

Do you need inspiration?

I have a few customers who are so far away they cannot attend my stamp classes. I recently mailed an order to a customer who is new to stamping and Stampin' Up. Since I couldn't be there to help her and guide her, I did the next best thing - I sent her to Stampin' Addicts, my favorite online stamping community. It is all Stampin' Up, all the time. I think the nicest part about it is the mission of the site. The motto is Positively Creative! Positively Stampin' Up! You will not find a spot more helpful on the internet. Yes, there are other sites - and I visit those on occasion - but my main site is Stampin' Addicts. There are three things I love most, and they are all addressed in the motto.

1. The creativity is amazing. The best artists in the world are there. They provide resources and help to jumpstart your projects.
2. Everything is Stampin' Up! I love SU. I've dabbled in other companies' products - yes, I even own some - but I can't find anything that beats the quality of SU, especially the paper! Lately, people have been much more careful about how they spend their money. I know I have! What could be a better idea that immersing yourself in a site that celebrates what you already have and gives you ideas to use it more/better/creatively? I will be the first to tell you that you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars and buy every new gadget on the market. Buy at a level that is comfortable for you and then USE the supplies you buy. I can help you do that.
3. Finally, the site is POSITIVE! Everyone is helpful and friendly. No snarkiness in these posts!

So what are you waiting for? Head over to Stampin' Addicts and join the fun. It's FREE to join!

Visit the Stampin' Addicts Birthday Blog Hop

I love a blog hop! Unfortunately, I was so busy that I completely missed signing up for this one. I'm completely blown away (as usual) by the amazing talent of these ladies. The first stop on the blog hop is Yapha's blog who always does amazing work. Please visit all of the stops and be sure to leave comments as you go. It really does thrill the hostesses. I guarantee (from past experience) that every comment is read and treasured.

Holiday Occasions Mini Catalog

Did you know that you can still purchase some of the items from the Holiday Mini that retired on January 4? Don't miss out on these great items. The shimmer paints are to die for! The ornament punch is definitely NOT just for Christmas! I have made more items that are NOT Christmas with this punch than just holiday items. If you are interested in ordering, email me heathercarnes (at) sbcglobal (dot) net or use my Stampin' Up demonstrator website where you can order from me 24/7!

Item #	Description	Price
116794	Ornament punch	$15.95
116806	Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116854	Frost White Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116807	Platinum Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116829	Décor Elements Blocks	$9.95
116824	Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty	$7.95
116821	Stampin' Up! Holiday Windows Magnetic Movers & Shapers	$29.95
116819	Stampin' Up! Table Setting Bigz XL die	$42.95
116820	Stampin' Up! Embosslits Merry die	$11.95
116823	Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Merry Details die	$5.50
116822	Stampin' Up! O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Bigz XL die	$42.95
118140	Stampin' Up! Tree Decorations Sizzlits die	$5.50
118108	My Digital Studio	$79.95
116519	Charming stamp set	$19.95

Newsest, most exciting project ever!*

OK, did I get your attention? Good, because I love this and I'm so proud of it! Apology first: I had planned to post this last night when I got to the final hotel on my trip. However, I was so exhausted, I couldn't even go out for dinner. I went downstairs and paid the price for hotel cooking. I was eating so slowly that the waitress finally asked me if I wanted to carry it upstairs. She packed it all up in a box and sent me with that and my glass of tea. I'm not going to be insulted! :) Now on to more pressing matters.

*(My attorneys have asked me to clarify that the title of this post is merely an opinion and I cannot be held liable if you are so excited for me you jump through your roof.)

I've been looking at all the awesome things that people make using the Big Shot. I got it into my head that I could make these things too. After a tiny bit of trial and error, this is what I made.

This is the bag from the front. I created a rag quilt-shabby front and back panel. The side panels are finished. I thought that it added a little bit of visual interest to the whole thing. I created the straps from that yummy Stampin' Up double stitched grosgrain ribbon (in chocolate chip, no less!).

The back is technically the same. You can see from the front and back views that I used the Two Tags die to cut the strap I used as a fastener. I sewed a chocolate chip corduroy button on the front of the purse and sewed a button hole (Aren't sewing machines awesome? They take a completely non-crafty person and make a BUTTON HOLE! I love machines that make me look smart and competent!).

Want to make one? I used the following supplies:
Big Shot die cut machine
Scalloped square die
Two tags die
Chocolate chip double stitched grosgrain ribbon
Chocolate chip corduroy button
Scrap fabrics, quilt batting, and thread

On the road again

I'm back out on the road. This time south about 700 miles or so. I flew in this morning and my father met me at the airport. We had a wonderful lunch together. It was really nice. I gave his wife a pin (very similar to this one I made for my mother). I think she really liked it. She immediately put it on and thanked me for it several times. I've decided to cut my visit to this hotel to one night and head back tomorrow (about a three hour drive) and stay a night in Corpus Christi to make my Friday morning nicer with no drive. I'll even be able to sleep past 4 or 5! :)

In the mean time, I have a few pictures saved on my computer that I'm bursting to show you! I can hardly wait! I love, love, LOVE what I was able to make. I hope you will like it too. Until then (likely tomorrow morning).

Hair bow for Gracie

I made a little hair bow for Gracie using my Big Shot and the flower folds die. It's so fast and easy! I made it predominantly in shades of pinks and greens. She likes anything that's "pink and pupple" (say this with on hand on the hip and shaking the bottom in beat with each syllable).

I like the finished look of using the circles #2 die to make a felt piece on the backs of my pins and barrettes. It gives me something to sew the barrette or pin mechanisms to, it gives the piece a sturdy backing, and I think it looks better.

She really liked it and told me that several people at her school complimented it.

Purchasing the Big Shot, the flower folds die, and the circles #2 die will earn you THREE free Sale-a-Bration sets PLUS a free hostess set AND $15 in free merchandise. Interested? Place at order at my Stampin' Up! website (or click on the button in at the right) or email me at heathercarnes@sbcglobal.net - I can't wait to hear from you!

Follow Your Heart

I really struggled to make a Valentine's Day card for Roy this year. I have a hard time making masculine cards anyway (I'm definitely a ribbon and glitter person!). Believe it or not, this card was inspired by a Mojo Monday sketch as well - MM120. I'm posting it as inspiration, but I did make a lot of changes!

Again, you'll have to rest your right ear on your right shoulder to enjoy. Sorry. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Life has been super busy (whose hasn't?) and I've neglected several things I love - scrapbooking, stamping, and my blog. I did carve out a lot of time today to clean my playroom (YIPPEE!!!) and make a few things that I'll be showing throughout the week to come. It is so much fun even if I did have to get past a mojo block. To remedy that, I used the Mojo Monday 121 sketch to jumpstart out my imagination.

Before I go on, I have to rant a brief moment. Is it ridiculous that I consider myself semi-techie and I can't figure out how to rotate pictures in blogger? It's infuriating! Please enjoy the picture below while touching your right ear to your right shoulder.

This is a non-stamping card. I was going to put something in that glittery vanilla piece, but I hated to cover it up and wanted to use that pattern. On the other hand, this is a really fast and easy card to complete!

Supplies:
Pretty in pink cardstock (#100459, $5.50)
Sending Love Designer Series Paper (#117153, $11.95)
Chocolate chip double stitched grosgrain ribbon (#111849, $8.95)
Sweet Pea stitched felts (#117266, $7.95)
Corner rounder punch (#109047, $6.95)
Scallop trim border punch (#188402, FREE with the supplies to buy this card)
Tombow Multi Adhesive (#110755, $3.95)
SNAIL Adhesive (#10432, $6.95)

Stamping and Tortilla Soup

On Tuesday night, I attended my upline's monthly demonstrator meeting. She gives away really awesome stuff and there are also some incentives for monthly sales. There have been several months that I placed in the top 3 or so - shock! We always make three projects - a card, a 3-D object, and a technique card. This month, we made a little box from the milk box die using the Big Shot machine. I changed mine up a little - I used multiple butterflies rather than a single one and I did not use the going gray taffeta ribbon (gorgeous!).

One of the aides at our school sent an email to the entire middle school offering to make tortilla soup for everyone for lunch today. She is an excellent cook and no one turned the offer down! She even made homemade tortilla chips for everyone. A few people made cornbread, sides, or desserts. I made a cherry cream cheese pie. I wanted to give her something, but I didn't have time to make a new creation. So I gave her the box and she loved it. I filled it with Valentine M&Ms and she thought it was the cutest thing ever! I'm so glad Stampin' Up! makes gifts so easy!

Supplies:
Big Shot
Milk carton die
Basic Black cardstock
Going Gray cardstock
Going Gray stampin' pad
Vintage Labels (FREE Sale-a-Bration set with a $50 order)
Butterfly Sizzlet (cuts and embosses all at once!)
Glue dots
SNAIL adhesive
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Up! Library Clips

Stampin' Lovers Meet and Stamp

A few weekends ago, I had the opportunity to a stamping event in Allen, Texas. I signed up as a demonstrator and took two of my favorite customers - my mother and her sister. :) We had a great time making four make-and-take projects, swapping 40 cards, seeing tons of samples using beautiful SU supplies, and learning new techniques.

As fun as all that was, do you know my favorite part? My upline gave me a gift for taking customers to the event. It was a reusable shopping bag that was only sold at the Leadership conference in early January. I can't go to Leadership because I don't have a downline, and I always drool over all the neat things that are available only to those who get the opportunity to attend. I was jumping up and down excited over the cutest bag ever! See?

Jumping on the Fabric Wagon

I knew that I love my Big Shot. Isn't it great? Look at how much you can do with it. But honestly, you know what? I've only cut a fraction of the items that you can cut. It's almost embarrassing how little I've stepped outside the Big Shot box.

However, with all the abundant cuteness out there, I had to make a trip to the fabric store and get some super cute fabrics. Ok, I admit it. I went a little overboard. Let's just say that there was a loooonnng line behind me at the cutting table (um, I think I counted over a dozen) as I handed them a few bolts of material (well, I came home with sixteen different fabrics).

So, I rushed home and I was so excited about rolling out (It's a pun - get it?!) a quick flower pin. I was aghast to discover that I didn't own the flower folds die. AAGGGHHHH! I had to remedy that right away and had the order expedited. Finally, I had the fabric, the die, and a few minutes (I got up at 4:15 before work one day) and this is what I created...

It looks much better now. The fabric has worn a little and looks soft and loved. It's slightly frayed on the edges and matches so many things! I thought that it wouldn't go with many outfits, but it actually matches most of what is in my closet (and my mother's closet too!).

Supplies:
Variety of fabrics
Big Shot
Flower folds die
Hot glue gun
Stampin' Up designer button
Hot glue gun & glue sticks
Pin mechanism (bought at the fabric store and sewn on a piece of coordinating felt used as the backing for the flower)