Even More Convention Swaps

 Jenny Peterson

 Karen Trelfa

Jennifer Martin

More Convention Swaps

 Jodie Wetzell

 unknown

Patti Dolatowski

School Pride Video

I know this isn't a Stampin' Up! post, but I have to share the video that our school district made to show school pride and promote our district.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did when I saw it the first time.

Favorite General Swaps from Convention

 LaTesa Schrank

 Deb Valder

 Christina Gollero

I've been so busy setting up my classroom over the past week or so, I haven't had a chance to post.  Here is a very quick post to share a few of my favorite general swaps from Convention.  I can't believe I've been home over a month and am just now finding time to post these.  I'm so sorry for the delay.  I will try to post a few each day for the next few days.

MDS2 Is Finally Here!!!

Check out this fun video - all of the favors for the party were created with MDS2 and you can try it FREE for 30 days. 

Even better, you can get over $625 worth of digital content/product for $99 by seizing the Stampin' Up! opportunity and joining my team.  Ask me how!  You can call me at 269-720-9225 so I can answer any questions you may have.

Clearance Fabric only 99 Cents!!!

Since I just shared a couple of really cool items made with Stampin' Up! fabric, I thought I should share that there are some incredible retired Stampin' Up! fabrics on sale for only 99 cents on the Clearance Rack right now.

Hop on over to the Clearance Rack to take advantage of these and other great clearance sale deals today!

2012 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 10

Today, on the last day of our blog hop, I am sharing my favorite project.  I think this project was the one that got my entry noticed.  I created a knotty bag and coordinating yoyo change purse using the Summer Smootches Designer Fabric.

I'm sorry the photo isn't better, but I didn't get a great photo of my projects before I sent them to Stampin' Up! (I took photos, but the color wasn't really true and I didn't get great detail - so I've been recreating the projects to get good photos to share with you.  This bag took too long and too much fabric to recreate it.)

I started by cutting two 2" wide strips and one 1" wide strip for each knot on the bag.  I sewed them side-by-side along the bottom of the canvas, brought each strip up and made a knot at various heights around the bag, and sewed them at the top.  I then tacked down each side of the strip above and below each knot.  Then I added the bottom to complete the outside.  I made an inside lining with a zipper pocket and coordinating fabric pocket for cell phone, pens, etc.  I sewed the lining in the bag and added handles and closure.  The finishing touches on the bag were brights buttons on the inside and outside where the straps connect and one for the closure. 

For the yoyo change purse, I cut two fabric circles (I traced a bowl about 9" across), stitched around the outside and gathered them in the center.  I covered the gathered center with a coordinating button.  I stitched the two yoyos together on the inside leaving an opening big enough to fit the change purse hardware.  I used crystal effects to hold the fabric in place.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:  Summer Smootches Designer Fabric, Brights Designer Buttons, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Crystal Effects
Other Supplies:  Sewing Machine & Thread, Rotary Cutter & Mat, White Canvas Fabric, 7" Zipper, Change Purse Hardware, Bowl, Fabric Scissors

I am sixth on the list, but since we are making a circle, you may have arrived here from Sandie Conner's blog - wasn't her project beautiful!  Now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's terrific project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and I hope you've enjoyed the last ten days of projects.  Keep coming back to see even more projects - even though they aren't our Artisan Finalist projects.

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon

2012 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 9

Since we are making a circle, you may have arrived here from Sandie Conner's blog.  If you did, you saw her fabulous project.  If not, you will see it as you complete the circle.

Today, I'm sharing one of my 3D projects - a card folio (it could actually be used as a photo album after the cards have been used) with four coordinating cards.  The card folio was inspired by one similar in a class planner by Andrea Walford.   Because there are soooo many parts and details on this project, I'm sharing more pictures today - enjoy!!!

Front Cover - I embossed the rectangular designer frame and cut it out before stamping my image.  I finished the flowers by adding buttons with jewels in center of each.  I also created a flag with a stamped sentiment.  The binding for the card folio is detailed by using layers of the adorning accents edgelits and embossing the top edge for more depth. 

The inside has four clear envelopes that hold the cards below.  There is also pocket that holds envelopes that are stamped to coordinate with the cards.

Each card uses the same basic design:  a strip of designer paper, a knotted ribbon, and an image with a greeting either punched or die cut and placed over ribbon with dimensionals. 

This would make a great stamp camp!  The recipient could fill the envelopes with photos after they've used the cards to make a simple scrapbook.

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms, A Word For You
Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Lucky Limeade, Summer Smootches Designer Paper
Ink:  Markers:  Lucky Limeade, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry, Real Red, Basic Black
Other:  Big Shot with Apothecary Accents Framelits & Designer Frames Embossing Folder, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Island Indigo & Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Daffodil Delight & Whisper White 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain, Brights Designer Buttons, 3/16" Brights Brads, 3/8" Designer Printed Brads, Basic Jewels, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

That's my project for today, now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's wonderful project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and be sure to check back tomorrow for our last day of terrific projects!

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon

2012 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 8

Since we are making a circle, you may have arrived here from Sandie Conner's blog.  If you did, you saw her amazing project.  If not, you will see it as you complete the circle.

Today, I'm sharing another one of my scrapbook pages - it is 8 1/2" x 11".  If I had designed the page sooner, I would have been able to do most of it in My Digital Studio and had it professionally printed.  However, being the last minute person that I am, I was finishing this page the night before I sent it to Stampin' Up!.   I do love the way that I was able to use MDS for journaling on all of my scrapbook pages.

That's my project for today, now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's patriotic project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and be sure to check back for the next two days for more great projects!

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon

2012 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 7

Since we are making a circle, you may have arrived here from Sandie Conner's blog.  If you did, you saw her great project.  If not, you will see it as you complete the circle.

Today I'm sharing my last card - another simple one.  This was my favorite card from my entry (and the first thing I created for my entry) - I love the strips of designer paper.  Each strip of designer paper is 5/8" by 5".  I  plan to make this one of my go-to layouts because this card could be made with any designer paper and small stamp set and look just as nice as this one does!

I added a simple red flower button to the stamped image to pull the red from the designer paper.  I love the simplicity of this card so much!!!

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms
Paper:    Island Indigo, Whisper White, Summer Smootches Designer Paper
Ink:        Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo
Other:    Big Shot with Apothecary Accents Framelits, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, Brights Designer Buttons, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

That's my project for today, now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's cute project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and be sure to check back for the next five days for more fun projects!

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon

2012 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 6

Since we are making a circle, you may have arrived here from Sandie Conner's blog.  If you did, you saw her amazing project.  If not, you will see it as you complete the circle.

Today, I'm sharing another one of my scrapbook pages.  I used my favorite picture of Lily as my focal point - it's 8" x 10" showing that you can use a large photo on a page.  I love how it makes her head look huge and her body look tiny because she was charging the camera.  I think it would make a great card front too.  I may have to make one and post it after the blog hop is complete.

I found a great quote online to use as my journaling for this page.  It is amazing how much you can find online by just typing what you are looking for into google search!

Paper:  12"x12":  Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Summer Smootches Designer Paper
Other:  1 1/4", 1 3/8", & 1 3/4" Circle Punches, Big Shot with Apothecary Accents Framelits, Computer with My Digital Studio & Printer, Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, 3/16" Brights Brads, Dimensionals

That's my project for today, now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's cool project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and be sure to check back for the next four days for more terrific projects!

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon

2012 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 5

I can't believe we're already half way through our projects. I am feeling so inspired by the work of the other talented ladies in this group. I can't wait to see the rest of their projects!

Since we are making a circle, you may have arrived here from Sandie Conner's blog. If you did, you saw her incredible project. If not, you will see it as you complete the circle.

Today's project is a simple, but wonderful, card.

I used strips of designer paper on this card - you will notice that I tend to used small amounts of designer paper to add interest and detail to many of my cards and projects.  You don't have to use a lot of designer paper to make a big statement - in fact, I used way less than one pack of designer paper to make all of the projects in my submission.  The strips on this card are 5/8" x 5 1/2". 

In the close-up, you can see that I added brads to make the flowers on this card pop.

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms
Paper:    Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Summer Smootches Designer Paper
Ink:        Markers:  Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Real Red
Other:    Big Shot with Apothecary Accents Framelits, Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, 1/8" Mini Brads, 3/8" Designer Printed Brads, Dimensionals

That's my project for today, now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's cute project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and be sure to check back for the next five days for more fun projects!

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon

2012 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 4

Welcome back to our blog hop!  Since we are making a circle, you may have arrived here from Sandie Conner's blog - wasn't her project beautiful!!!

Today I'm sharing one of my scrapbook pages.  We were required to create three pages and they couldn't include image of us.  I chose to use some of my favorite pictures of Lily - our wonderfully photogenic puppy.

This is a simple 8" x 8" scrapbook page.

I found a great quote about dogs wagging their tails with their hearts which was perfect with the photo of Lily's bottom.  I used MDS to type and print the words, then stamped my flower image over the words.

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms
Paper:    Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Summer Smootches Designer Paper
Ink:        Tangerine Tango, Lucky Limeade
Other:     Computer with My Digital Studio and Printer, Big Shot with Apothecary Accents Framelits, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stiched Grosgrain

That's my project for today, now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's great project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and be sure to check back for the next six days for more terrific projects!

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon

2012 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 3

I can't believe the amount of talent in the group of Artisan Finalists!!!  If you came from Sandie's blog, I'm sure you were as impressed by her project as I was.  If not, you will see it as you make your way through the loop.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I used one suite for all of my projects - Summer Smootches.   My goal in using one suite was to show that you can make a beautiful variety of projects using a small amount of supplies.  I also tried to make every project (except my knotty bag which you will see later) very reproducible.  I want to have my customers be able to go home and make all of the projects on their own.

My project today is a beautiful card that features a couple of really cool techniques. First, I stamped a strip of background blocks using an unlikely "stamp".  I used our clear block B with Daffodil Delight.  I found that it was too dark if I stamped it full strength so I stamped it off on scrap paper before stamping it on the paper strip.  I then stamped the vase/stems and added brads and buttons for the flowers.  I did add one of our basic pearls for added detail.

Stamps: Bright Blossoms, A Word For You
Paper:   Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry
Ink:       Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Marker:  Basic Black
Other:   Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Clear Block B, Brights Designer Buttons, 3/16" Brights Brads, Basic Pearls

That's my project for today, now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's cool project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and be sure to check back for the next seven days for more terrific projects!

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon

2012 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 2

I hope you enjoyed yesterdays projects as much as I did!  The competition in the Artisan Design Team Contest was definitely stiff!  If you came from Sandie's blog, you saw her great project.  If not, you will see it as you make the loop.

Today I am sharing another sweet card.  This easy, reproducible card features Summer Smootches designer paper and a Designer Frames embossing folder.  I also added a jewel in the middle of the button for a pop of sparkle.

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms
Paper:    Island Indigo, Whisper White, Summer Smootches Designer Series Paper
Ink:        Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade
Other:    Big Shot with Ovals Die (now retired) & Designer Frames Embossing Folders, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, Brights Designer Buttons, Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

That's my project for today, now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's beautiful project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and be sure to check back for the next eight days for more amazing  projects!

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon

2012 Artisan Finalists Blog Hop - Day 1

Welcome to the 2012 Artisan Finalists Blog Hop!  We are so excited to share our projects with you!  It still takes my breath away to know that I was chosen as one of this year's Artisan Design Team Finalists. I feel so blessed to have my projects picked along with so many talented ladies.

Every day for the next ten days each of us will be posting a new project.  I hope you have fun checking out our projects. I had the opportunity to see the projects in real life at convention, but now I get to find out how they were made and maybe hear some interesting stories along the way.

Our blog hop of nine Artisan Finalists makes a complete circle. It doesn't matter where you start, just be sure that each day you visit all nine blogs to be inspired by these incredibly talented ladies. I am sixth on the list, but since we are making a circle, you may have arrived here from Sandie Conner's blog - wasn't her project great - I can't believe all of the wonderful embossing and techniques she used!!!

For my first project I would like to share a fun card.

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms, A Word For You
Paper:    Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Vellum Cardstock
Ink:        Lucky Limeade, Tempting Turquoise, Marker:  Basic Black
Other:    1 3/4" Circle Punch, 3/16" Brights Brads, 3/16" Metallic Brads, Brights Designer Buttons, Basic Jewels, Stapler & Staples, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Each of the cardstock strips is 7/8" wide attached at the top with a staple and torn at the bottom for a rough edge.  I attached the strip of vellum with two silver brads.  I stamped the stem and flower, punched it with my circle punch, and then added a button, brad, and jewel for added interest.

That's my project for today, now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's amazing teacup 3D project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and be sure to check back for the next nine days for more terrific projects!

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon

It's Finally Here!!!

One of the best things about being a finalist in the Artisan Design Team Contest is that each of us receive $250 (US) in merchandise of our choice from Stampin' Up! Well, guess what arrived today! 

I chose all of the new style stamp pads (except the in colors and brights - which I had already purchased at a huge discount between my demo discount and the specials Stampin' Up! offered on them), spritzers for all of the Stampin' Up! colors, the Illuminate Pad and Refill, the My Digital Studio 2 upgrade, and more.  Oh my goodness...I don't even know what to use first! I am sooooo excited!

Artisan Finalist Swaps

Here is a photo of the Artisan Finalists who were at our lunch/swap.  Not pictured are Tara Bourgoin (who wasn't able to attend Convention) and Marisa Gunn (who arrived right after the picture was taken).

So, I'm finally posting the photos of the cards I received in the Artisan Finalist Swap.  I just keep looking through these swaps and thinking I wish I stamped that well.  I can't wait to reproduce them with my customers.

I was simply amazed at the amount of talent in this group of stampers and honored to be counted as one of them!!!  I've indicated the Artisans present (and past if their swap or blog indicated they were an Artisan in the past). 

Heidi King - Artisan 2011 & 2012

Erica Cerwin - Artisan 2012

Amy Bollman - Artisan 2012

Mercedes Weber

Marisa Gunn - Artisan 2012

Amy Rogers

Jeanna Bohanon - Artisan 2012

Sandra Conner

Sarah  Sagert - Artisan 2010 & 2012

Melissa Stout

Mindy Bingamon

Mary Haugen

Jane Lee - Artisan 2012

Cindy Beach - Artisan 2012

Wendy Weixler - Artisan 2012

Connie Collins - Artisan 2011

Heather Summers - Artisan 2011 & 2012

Holly VanDyne

Amy O'Neill

Tara Bourgoin