Rhonda's November workshop project # 3

Doesn't the white embossing really make the tree pop against the sponged ink? Just gorgeous!

Rhonda's November workshop project # 2

Rhonda's other projects both use Scandinavian Season, one of my favorite sets. I love how the mittens are hanging from the metallic cord!
Happy stamping!

Rhonda's November project # 1 and some SU news!

This week, I'll be featuring the projects from Rhonda's workshop this month. First up is this adorable Christmas ornament. It's made with the scallop circle punch and designer paper. The paper Rhonda used is from 2 years ago, I think. I remember how perfect Cranberry Crisp and True Thyme were for Christmas!
And the SU news? A big sale coming up on Wednesday! We don't know all of the details, but what we do know is that Stampin' Up is offering some bundles at 20-50% off. They won't announce what the bundles are until Wednesday. They will be for sale while supplies last until December 1. So be sure to check back here Wednesday for the details; I'll get up early to post!
Happy stamping!

Workshop Wow color challenge

I decided on a color challenge for this week's Workshop Wow challenge: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze and Pacific Point. I used my brayer to make the sky after masking off the moon/sun then sponged in the color for it. Then I stamped the silhouette images with black. I matted each layer in black to make them pop and used Kiwi Kiss for my card base. I'm pretty sure this sketch was one of Beate's sketch challenges.
Supplies (all SU): Stamps: Inspired by Nature; Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Glossy White, Muirfield DSP; Ink: Black StazOn, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, So Saffron; Accessories: circle punch, brayer

Still more swap cards to show!

This beautiful card was made by Tracy M for the swap I was in. The background is clear embossed, and the dress is covered with microbeads! I wish you could see it in person!

Thanks, Michelle!

Yesterday I got to stamp!!! I made a thank-you card for my cousin Michelle. When Alyssa and I visited her shop, we wanted to buy some of her gorgeous merchandise, and she refused to let us pay.
I started with a Fresh Cut Note card (remember those?). I stamped the front with Floral background in Bravo Burgundy then I tore off the edge, removed the laser cut petals and sponged all around with Burgundy. I embossed a clear button with Irridescent Ice EP and put a pink rhinestone brad through it. I put a felt flower behind the open flower and used the button and brad to hold it in place. I backed it with a piece of Parisian Summer DSP and used dimensionals to adhere it to the inside of the card. The finishing touch is some pink taffeta ribbon.

Here is the inside of the card. Now you can see why I rarely stamp a sentiment in a card; I stamped it crooked AND didn't get the whole thing inked properly. At least that proves that it's handmade!

Supplies (all SU): Stamps: Floral, In My Thoughts (retired); Paper: Fresh Cut Notes, Parisian Summer DSP; Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, VersaMark; Accessories: Fire Circles brads, Flower Fusion, clear buttons, Irridescent Ice EP, Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon

Our last night in Florida

For our last night in Florida, Alyssa and I decided to go back to our favorite restaurant, City Fish. It was only a block from our hotel, and they had the best seafood I've ever had!
We decided to be adventurous and have sushi for the first time. Our kind server, Nathan, showed us how to use chopsticks.

We got bananas Foster for dessert, and Nathan prepared it tableside. Isn't that amazing?

Here is the finished product: warm bananas and caramel poured over crepes filled with ice cream. It was delicious!

I am heading back to Florida for one more week to finish training my class down there while poor Alyssa is staying here in freezing Minnesota to start a class.

I was able to stamp something today, so look for that post tomorrow!

Happy birthday, Mama!

Saturday is my mom's birthday. I made her this card, but I forgot to bring it with me to Florida to mail it. (Duh!) So I got a card for her at my cousin's shop, and guess what? I forgot to mail that one too! So I sent her an e-card, and I will mail both of the other cards to her.
I didn't clean up the photo before I left home, so it's a little dark. Sorry about that! The medallion starts off with 2 round tab punches adhered together to form a circle. The next 2 layers are felt flowers. Everything is held together with a rhinestone brad put through a Riding Hood Red button. Hope you like the card Mama!
Supplies (all SU): Stamps: Heard from the Heart; Paper: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Muirfield DSP; Ink: Chocolate Chip; Accessories: Button Bouquet, Flower Fusion Too, round tab punch, Pretties kit, So Saffron poly twill ribbon, scallop edge punch, linen thread
Happy stamping!

Upsy Daisy swap card

I got so many beautiful swap cards using Upsy Daisy. I think my favorite thing about this card is the color combo; it's so unusual but just gorgeous. This card was made by beccabatgirl; that's her SCS name. She didn't put her real name on the card!
On Friday, I'll post a card that I made before I left for Florida.
Happy stamping!

Meet my cousin Michelle

This is my cousin Michelle. Our mothers are sisters. When I was coming to Oldsmar, Florida for work, I was amazed to discover that Michelle lives in Oldsmar! We think it's been about 15 or 16 years since we've seen each other.

This is Michelle's adorable shop, Paper Players. It's located in Dunedin right on the way to Clearwater Beach.
Here is the inside of the shop. She has so many amazing cards on display, many of them 3D. She specializes in custom wedding invitations. If you're in the area, be sure to stop in and tell her I sent you!

Fun in the sun

On Sunday, we went to Clearwater Beach. Here I am in the Jolly Roger coffee and ice cream shop with a friend.

Alyssa and Tasha are pretending to be happy instead of scared to death before parasailing.

They are taking off!
They were 800 feet up in the air! They stayed up for about 15-20 minutes. When they came down, the captain dunked them in the water for just a couple of seconds. Alyssa said, "In Minnesota, we call that trolling!"

Patty's swap card

Here is the swap card I got from Patty, my demo challenge co-host. I love the layout and the Victorian colors on the card. Patty, you ROCK!

Greetings from Florida!

I am happy to be in sunny Florida instead of snowy Minnesota right now! Everyone here shivers while Alyssa (my co-worker) and I sweat. We are heading to Clearwater Beach today so Alyssa can parasail. We are also going on a dolphin cruise. Hopefully, we will be able to drive up the coast to see the manatees, and Alyssa's goal is to see an alligator before we go home.
My laptop battery is dead, and I left the power cord at work. So I won't be able to post any photos until tomorrow night.
I really want to stamp, and I can't! So stamp something for me, and post a link!

Christmas card in progress

This card may look slightly familiar. I made one that is similar a few weeks ago. It still isn't exactly what I've been picturing, but I think I'm getting closer. What do you think I need to add or change?
I used the scallop border punch on the bottom of the card to show the wheeled image on the inside. I added the rub-on sentiment in the lower right corner.
For the card front, I started by stamping the tree from Scandinavian Season in Always Artichoke craft ink. I poured on the Irridescent Ice EP and masked off the tree with an oval (cut with the Coluzzle) to stamp the snowflakes in Whisper White craft ink. Then I heat set the whole thing. Why did I do it that way? I find that the white craft ink doesn't really dry on its own, so I wanted to heat set it and heat the EP at the same time. I added some sponging in white to define the oval. The ribbon is the finishing touch.
Supplies (all SU): Stamps: Scandinavian Season, Scandinavian wheel; Paper: Kraft; Ink: Real Red, Whisper White craft, Always Artichoke craft; Accessories: coluzzle, scallop border punch, Chit Chat rub-ons, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon
Happy stamping!

Camping swap card

I think this card by Sue Jensen is just adorable! Did you notice thtat the bushes are scallop circles?
Happy stamping!

Some WICKED scrapbooking

Don't faint, but I actually made a scrapbook page. This is a 6X6 page using the layout from this month's WICKED challenge. I thought it was perfect for a photo of Daniel's graduation. There's no stamping on this page. I used Daniel's name card from his invitation and a computer font to print out Class of 2008. I used the scallop square punch for all of the squares. The big mat is made from layered scallop squares. (Thanks, Pauline, for lending me your punch!) The base of the page is Riding Hood Red textured cardstock, and some Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon adds the final touch,
Happy stamping!

Holiday Tutorial Blitz

Splitcoaststampers is having a Holiday Tutorial Blitz today through November 9. If you're looking for great ideas for the holidays, SCS is the place to go! Never visited SCS? Here is their home page!
Happy stamping!