I'm Inspired Today!!!

I've been so busy preparing for Convention (all top secret projects I can't post until after Convention), that I haven't posted much lately.  I haven't had time to stamp for the fun of it.  Today, I was inspired by cards I saw on a couple of blogs - Aly Shilling & Kim Score each posted really cool cards in the last few days.  I decided it was time to stamp for fun and share with my followers.

Here are photos of Kim's card.  I modified Kim's instructions slightly to fit in one of our Stampin' Up! envelopes.

I also loved Aly's beautifully simple card below.

So, here is what I came up with.  I love the simple flirty look with the fun fancy fold design of the card!

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Stamps:  Summer Silhouettes, Sassy Salutations

Paper:    Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple

Ink:        Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple

Other:    Big Shot with Cevron, Fancy Fan, & Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folders, Score Tool, Basic Rhinestones

Convention Preparation

I'm sorry I'm not posting pictures of what I'm doing right now.  Because I'm one of the Artisan Finalists, I have to keep much of my prep for convention "top secret" until the 20th.  I did have a great day yesterday celebrating my friend Michelle's birthday with her and her family.

They came out to the campgrounds and we hung out by the pool for a couple of hours - I'm working on my Artisan Finalist Swap in the first picture.

 

After our fun at the pool, we enjoyed a game of miniature golf.  (please - no pregnancy rumors - because of the elastic in the bottom of my shirt, Zoe asked me to carry the candy from her grab bag)

 

I look forward to posting photos of me with "my Artisan board" in my new dress (I made a dress that mimics one of my Artisan entry items to wear on Awards Night) along with close-ups of all of the projects I sent in.

And Many Mower!

I know this set is retired, but when I found this little lawn mower and wheel barrow, I had to buy them just so I could pull a favorite set out again.  Our nephew turned 3 this weekend and I thought it would make the perfect gift.  Of course I had to make the card coordinate perfectly with the gift - also notice the Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain bow on the wheel barrow handle.

Beautiful Butterfly Bookmark Card

I designed this card (after being inspired by a similar card front from someone's blog - don't remember whose) for a class I did Tuesday night.  I am trying to use up some of my stash of retired papers, so I let the ladies choose from Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz.  We also used Itty Bitty Banners, Bitty Banners Framelits, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Scallop Oval Punch, Organza Ribbon, and Basic Rhinestones.

This was everyone's favorite of the five cards we made. 

Feel free to contact me if you would like me to do a private class with you and your friends!

I'm an Artisan Design Team Finalist

I just got the message this morning from Stampin' Up! that I am one of the 20 finalists in the Artisan Design Team Contest! 

I will find out if I am one of the 10 winners and part of the Artisan Design Team in about 3 weeks at Convention.

I found this photo on Facebook of the room where they put all of the entries for judging - it looks like there was some stiff competition.  When I asked Gwen (the lovely employee who called me with the news) how many entries they received, she said she thought between 160 and 170.  Can you imagine having to choose 20 from all of these entries? 

Yummy Treats & Cute Cards!!!

We created two adorable cards using new products from the new catalog.  New products featured were Betsy's Blossoms, Floral District Designer Paper, Papillon Potpourri with coordinating Butterfly Punch, Delicate Doilies Sizzlit, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, and the yummy new in color Razzberry Ripple.

Here are the yummy treats I served at my New Catalog Open House yesterday. My friend Michelle sells Velata (a new company selling fondue warmers and chocolate) so I thought I would try it - the chocolate was fabulous and everyone loved the fresh treats!

New Catalog Starts Today :)

I'm so excited that the new catalog starts today!!!  I am leaving for my last official duty day of the school year in a few minutes and have to race to the campgrounds right after school.  I will come home tomorrow and try to update links so you can view the new catalog online.