Happy New Year!!

Wishing you all a very wonderful 2011!!

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Jolly Bingo Bits

This set is full of cute little images.  This is a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" and look how many fit on it.  And this isn't even all of the images!

I've used this set tons this season.  I just haven't had time to post everything I've made.

One Layer Rejoicing in Christmas

Here's a one layer card using Rejoicing in Christmas.  I think this set lends itself to simple layouts, which lets the Holy family be the focus.  The image is watercolored.

I don't usually make one layer cards, but it's good to make one once in awhile just to show that it can be done.

Bells and Boughs and Waffle Paper

Here's another card using  Waffle Paper and Bells and Boughs.  This time I watercolored the image.

Next time, I think I'll actually add another layer instead of just inking around the edges.  But then again, maybe not...

Back to Bells and Boughs

I posted several cards awhile ago using the set Bells and Boughs.  Here's another one:

To see the others click on the label Bells and Boughs under this post (or from the list on the left).

Let it Snow!

This is a Big Shot card!  The snowflakes and the letters both were cut using my favorite tool.  The card was sprayed with a shimmer mist spray (shimmer mist paint and rubbing alcohol mixed in a spray bottle).  The shimmer mist really does shimmer in the light.  It was just hard for me to capture it with the camera.  It adds a nice bit of sparkle to a card.

Snowmen card

Love the Northern Flurry embossing folder and the Northern Frost decorative strip (for the Big Shot)!  They combine to give lots of texture to the card.

The snowmen are from Jolly Bingo Bits and the sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I was thinking this card would be great to use for my Christmas thank yous.  But you could use any of a number of sentiments on this card (Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Thinking of You, etc.).

Christmas Class

On Sat., Nov. 13, I will be offering a Christmas Class (see the classes page for details).  I am so excited about these projects!  I love the set Rejoicing in Christmas.  We will be make this card using that set:

Inside the card says:

Rejoicing in the joy of the Christ Child's birth and wishing you a Christmas filled with the love and peace of our Savior.

This card is simple, yet looks very nice.  The picture here does not give it justice (in my opinion).  This is one of my favorite Christmas cards that I've made this year.

We also will be making a gift card holder that is fast and easy to make, yet looks very impressive:

And we'll make an assortment of tags using Tags til Christmas:

The to and from is on the back of the ornament tag.

I hope you'll be able to join me Saturday!  Contact me to register.

Snowman card

 The Northern Flurry embossing folder is so cool!  Check out those giant, raised snowflakes.  The snowman in the bottom corner is from Jolliest Time of the Year.  I used shimmer paint on the snowflakes and the snowman to give them a little pizzazz (it's there, even though it's kind of hard to see in the picture).

CASE-ing myself

I CASED myself on this card.  I made a similar card last year and wanted to update it with current products.  This time, I made it monchromatic for a different look.

The colors are Rich Razzleberry and Very Vanilla.  The vase is the ornament punch with the bottom cut off.  I used the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack in Brights and the Autumn Days stamp set.

Note:  CASE stands for Copy and Share Everything (or sometimes Copy and Steal Everything).  Those of us who post our designs online or teach you how to make them in classes want you to use the ideas for inspiration.  When I CASE from someone else, I try to give credit to the person I originally got the idea from (though sometimes I don't do good documentation and I have to give a generic credit).

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

This box is made with the #2 box die for the Big Shot, Batty for you stamp set and a couple of punches.  Quick to make for giving out Halloween treats.

Hope you have a Happy Halloween!

Thanksgiving Card

This card uses the Bright Blessings Wheel.  To get the layered parts, I just inked up the part of the wheel I wanted and rolled it along a small piece of Very Vanilla cardstock.

Thanksgiving Box

This box is made with the #2 box die for the Big Shot.  I rolled the Pumpkin Pie box with the Bright Blessings Wheel, wrapped it with retired string (but hemp twine would work great here) and tied on a tag made with the Modern Label and Word Window punches.  The tag is stamped with a stamp from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Both punches used on this box are great with the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.  Every stamp in the set fits in the Word Window, so you can layer like I did or use the stamps with either punch alone.

Bells and Boughs 3 x 3 card

Here's just a little 3 x 3 card I made using the bells from the Bells and Boughs set.  This is a nice size image for 3 x 3 cards, which are great for quick notes.

Sorry that the picture is kind of blurry.  I didn't realize it until I was cropping and re-sizing the pic to put on my blog.  You can get the idea, though, and see how nicely it works for this size card.

Thanksgiving Card

This card was made using the Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel and Patterns DSP (Pumpkin Pie).  The cardstock is Very Vanilla and Cherry Cobbler.

This is one of the cards from the Fall/Thanksgiving class to be held on Wednesday, October 6.

Thanksgiving Card -- one layer

Here's a simple, one layer card using the Bright Blessings Jumbo wheel, the leaf from Autumn Days and (of course) Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Fall Birthday

This card uses the wheat image from the Autumn Days set.  You may know that set as the one with the peacock.  It also has a great little leaf stamp, which I use on lots of things.

While you could use this card for anyone, it would make a great card for a guy -- and sometimes it's hard to come up with those masculine cards.

Thanks for looking.  Feel free to leave a comment on this or any other post.  I'd love to hear what you think.

Sue Root, Stampin' Up Demonstrator

Bells and Boughs with Jolly Bingo Bits

Another card using Bells and Boughs.  This time I watercolored the image.  The little flowers on the side are from Jolly Bingo Bits, which has 24 different images in it for only $26.95 (clear mount).

No, I haven't skipped right over Fall and its holidays.  I just wanted to do a Christmas card class here in September to get people started since usually we do so many Christmas cards and they are all needed at the same time.  Check back tomorrow for a Fall card and check out the Classes page for details about my upcoming Thanksgiving/Fall class on October 9th.

Bells and Boughs again

I'm having so much fun with this set.  This one uses Patterns DSP and 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

There's still time to register for the class on Sunday which uses this set.  See Classes page for details.  Let me know by Friday afternoon if you'd like to attend.

Collage Card

Here's my attempt at a collage card.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  Sign up for the class on Sunday, Sept. 26 and you can make this card and three others.

The sun was a little bright, so the colors aren't quite as rich in the photo as in real life.  Plus, I didn't manage to get rid of the shadows behind the items that are raised.  But, you get the idea.  Come Sunday to see it in person.

Check out the Classes page to see details about the class.  Comments are appreciated :)

Thanks for looking,

Sue Root, Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator

Bells and Boughs

Don't forget about the class this Sunday, September 26.  We will make four Christmas cards.  Some of you have been working on your cards for awhile and this will just get you a little further along.  Those of you that haven't started yet, now is a great time.  We usually have lots of Christmas cards to make and time gets short as the holiday nears.  See Classes page (or contact me) for more details.

We will make this card (or one similar) at the class Sunday.  It uses the new waffle paper from the Holiday Mini catalog.  That stuff is so cool!

Check back tomorrow to see my attempt at a collage card.  We'll make that at the class, too.

Northern Flurry

This card uses the Northern Flurry embossing folder from the new Holiday Mini Catalog.  It is embossed on Tempting Turquoise from the Brights Patterns DSP pack and then sanded with a sanding block.

Christmas Bells, too

Here's another card using the bells from the Bells and Boughs set in the new mini catalog.  I also used the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack.  I love that the Patterns DSP now comes in a color family rather than individual colors.  It has four sheets of 10 different colors (8 each of the 5 in colors) for a total of 40 sheets for only $19.95.  I've already used several different colors, but only had to buy the one pack.  It's nice to have that variety available when I'm creating.

Check back tomorrow for a card using the new snowflake embossing folder.  Thanks for looking!

Sue Root, Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator

Christmas Bells

This card uses the new Bells and Boughs set from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  In keeping with the vintage look of the set, the colors are Old Olive and Regal Rose.  I also used the Basic Pearls which were introduced in the recent Idea Book and Catalog (also known at the "big catalog") and the square lattice embossing folder.

Batty for You

This card uses Batty for You.  I just love the puns in that set.  Guess I'm corny that way :)

Once you have a design in mind, you can make some simple substitutions and have a different card. Don't need a Halloween card? See below for a some other options.

You could substitute the stamps with some of the others and make a thank you card -- the vampire with "Fangs for the memories"; the ghost with "The ghostess with the mostess" (if it was a thanks to someone for having you over); and maybe the pumpkin with "You light up the place with that smile on your face." Or maybe just three of the vampire. Then substitute the happy halloween with the thank you stamp from Teeny Tiny Wishess.

Use three of the pumpkin for a card to cheer up someone. Substitute friend to friend at the bottom.  That might look cute with Pumpking Pie Patterns Paper instead of Old Olive.  And, both colors come in the same pack (Brights).

Have you seen the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack in the recent Idea Book and Catalog (p. 175)?  You get 40 sheets of Designer Series Paper for $19.95.  You can get a pack in any of the color families.

How about three of the bats ("I'm batty for you") for an October anniversery?  Yes, Teeny Tiny Wishes has a happy anniversary stamp you can substitute at the bottom of the card.  Or, use friend to friend, thinking of you or even happy birthday or venture away from Teeny Tiny Wishes and try a sentiment from another set (such as i love you from Three Little Words).

See how you can get lots of different cards from just a set or two of stamps and one good idea?  I'm planning to make the above card (and the Medallion one in my previous post) at my class on Thursday.  Let me know if you'd like to come.  Also, I'm looking at adding another date for this class, so if you're interested, let me know.

To give credit where credit is due:  this card is a CASE of a card by Wendy Aungst that I saw on splitcoaststampers.

Halloween Medallion Card

This cool Halloween card uses the Medallion stamp and Batty for You.  I also used the new rhinestone jewels for the eyes.  Gives kind of a creepy effect.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes

The inspiration for this card came from two cards I saw on splitcoaststampers -- one by Lynn Pratt and one by Charlene Monroe.

Get this CRAFT TOTE for FREE!

Join Stampin' Up now and receive this beautiful Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote for free!

Have you ever thought about becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator?  Now's the time!  Join in September and receive this awesome craft tote for FREE!  As you can see, this tote holds a LOT -- including 12 x 12 paper in the center pocket.

The free tote pictured above is filled with many of the items you get with your starter kit.  The kit is $175, with free shipping.  The items in the kit have a way higher value than the cost (I think SU says $310, not counting the $39.95 for the craft tote):  4 stamp sets; a standard sized wheel, handle and cartridge; Patterns DSP Stack; 2 pkgs card stock; 4 Classic Ink pads; a Versa Mark pad;  2 Stampin' Write markers; Classic Ink refill; Stampin' Scrub and Mist; Clear Block C; a roll of ribbon; SNAIL adhesive; Stampin' Dimensionals; a blender pen; a sponge; a Decor Element and application tool; plus business supplies to get you started.  You can customize the kit by substituting some choices (like stamp sets, ink colors, etc.) as long as you stay at or below the cost of what you are substituting for.

Being a Stampin' Up demo is lots of fun -- it challenges your creativity, lets you meet other stampers, allows you to share your talents and opens up resources that are unavailable to non-demos.  And, you earn money by doing the thing you love!

Want the tote, but not sure you're ready to have a business?  Be a HOBBY DEMO -- get the great savings available through the starter kit, then continue save with each order you place.

Contact me today for full details about becoming a demonstrator -- either as a business or to save on your personal supplies.  I'll be there to support you either way.

Disclaimer:  I tried to list the kit items accurately, but apoligize if a missed anything or otherwise made a mistake.  It is a lot of stuff to get listed!

Holiday Mini Catalog Now Available

Hi Stampers!

The new Holiday Mini Catalog is now available. Click the link below to see the PDF:

http://204.228.150.61/20102011catalogs/Holiday10_US.pdf

There are so many wonderful new products in here, you won't know where to start -- at least I didn't!  Hopefully within a few days I'll have some samples posted with items I've made using my new items.  In the meantime, browse through the catalog and let me know if there's anything you'd like to order.

If you are one of my customers (including new customers who might be placing their first order) and would like your own mini catalog, please let me know (e-mail is in the header or comment on this post).  For those of you who haven't received yours yet, Stampin' Up had to re-ship my order.  Should go out today or tomorrow.

Happy Stamping!

Sue Root, your Stampin' Up Demonstrator

Cheers to You and Circle Circus

Here's another card using Circle Circus and Cheers to You.  The colors are Concord Crush and Delightful Daffodil.  If you haven't seen these colors in person, you must.  They are much richer than shows in this picture -- especially the Concord Crush.

Tiny Bubbles

The card below, done in Night of Navy and Whisper White, uses the Medallion Stamp and the champagne glasses from Cheers to You.  The bubbles at the top and bottom were made using a stamp from Circle Circus and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.

This card would work great for a wedding or anniversary.  You could even add a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes, stamped and punched with the Word Window punch, at the bottom right.

I've made a similar card in black and gold that we will be doing at an upcoming class.

Upcoming Events

Hi Stamping Friends!

I had lots of fun at the open house yesterday, but once again forgot to take pictures.  I get busy making cards and talking stamps and totally forget things like pictures!  lol  Thanks to those of you who came.

I had a list of upcoming events at the open house.  I've posted it (with a few minor changes) in this post and on my Classes page.  I will update the Classes page as I firm up the details.  Please give me some input if these dates work for you and if you're planning to come. The more feedback I get, the better I can tailor the classes to you.

Thanks, Sue


Halloween and Fall , Thurs. 9/9, 10:00am and 7:00pm, $9 (rec. $5 credit w/$25 purchase). Note: I have already heard that this date won't work for some of my regulars, so I am looking at changing. If you want to come this date, let me know ASAP so I know whether to change.

Christmas Cards, Sun. 9/26 2:00pm, $12. It's never too early to get a start on your Christmas cards.

Theme TBA (probably Thanksgiving and Fall), Sat. 10/9, 10:00am, $9 (rec. $5 credit w/$25 purchase).

Occasions Cards, Sat. 11/6, 10:00am, $9 (rec. $5 credit w/$25 purchase).

Mark the date: 11/21, 12/4 – details to be announced.

Stamp Club: commit to $25 purchase per month for 6 months. Receive a free catalog and mini catalogs, hostess benefits one of the months (minimum $15 in free merchandise and a level 1 hostess set – often more), one free class per month (day to be determined based on what works for the majority of members). A new group will be forming soon. Let me know you’d like to participate or if you have any questions. Note: Credit at first class of the month is because stamp club is taking a break.

Pretty in Pink Cheers to You

Cheers to You in Black and Red

Don't forget about the Open House this Saturday, August 21.  Hope you can come!  E-mail me if you need directions or have any questions (address is in the page header).  Or, leave a comment on this post.

Here's another card to enjoy!

August Club Cards

Here are the two cards we made at our August club meeting. 

This card uses Elements of Style.  The sentiment is from Wellness Wishes.  The purpose was to show how quick and easy it is to watercolor with the watercolor crayons and an aqua painter.

This card uses the new Concord Crush ribbon.  I love that new In Color.  It's so rich.  We used the direct to rubber technique on the flowers from Inspired By Nature and used one of the sentiments from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  {For some reason I can't get this picture to turn the right direction.  It's correct on my computer, but it turns when it uploads.  I'll try to figure it out, but if I don't, just turn your head to look :) }

Cheers to You Wheel

Here are a couple of cards using Cheers To You and the Cheers wheel.  We will be making the top card in an upcoming class.

Open House and Ribbon Share

Just got back from my last trip of the summer -- up to Michigan to see family.  Had a great time and now the Roots are gearing up for the start of school and fall sports.  Planning to get in one last open house and one last group order before the Summer Mini expires at the end of the month.

Open House:  Saturday, August 21, 2010.  Drop in between 10:00am and noon.  Location:  my house.


Join me for make-and-takes, samples, refreshments, door prizes and fun!  I'll be using my new builder wheel for the make-and-take.

E-mail me at the address in my header or add a comment to this post for more information.

Ribbon Share:  available for the new in-color 1/2" stitched poly ribbon.  Get 3 yards of each of the 5 in-colors (total 15 yards) for $8.95 (plus shipping and tax).  We used the Concord Crush ribbon in the last stamp club meeting.  I'll have samples available to see on Saturday.

There are 5 ribbon shares available.  Let me know if you'd like one.  Also, if there is something else you'd like to see offered as a share, let me know.  I'll see if anyone is interested.  If you have any questions about product shares and how they work, just ask.

Thanks for reading.  Hope to see you soon!

Sue Root, your Stampin' Up Demonstrator

Hostess Bonanza and Punched Posies card

Calling all hostesses or those with a giant wish list. From now until 8/31 you can earn extra FREE hostess merchandise. If your party order earns $350 or more, you can earn an EXTRA $25 in free hostess goodies. So, a $350 party could earn you a Level 2 hostess set and $65 worth of FREE stuff.

I'd love to do a party for you.  Contact me for details.  It's easy.  It's fun.  You earn free Stampin' Up prodcuts.  What could be better?

 

Went with a simple card today.  It uses the Level 2 hostess Set Punched Posies from the summer mini catalog.  There are 8 stamps in this set, 5 of which match Stampin' Up punches.  The other 3 stamps are accents (stem, leaf, butterfly body). This set will no longer be available after 8/31.  Bonus: As explained above, if you have a party (or make your own purchase) of $350, you can earn this set and get $65 in FREE merchandise.

I used Melon Mambo ink to randomly stamp a background. Then I stamped the image once on a separate piece of Whisper White card stock and punched it out with the circle scallop. I punched the new XL circle scallop punch out of textured Melon Mambo card stock. Simple, but very cute.

Friends Never Fade in Marina Mist

Friends Never Fade

Here is yet another card using the new stamp set Friends Never Fade.  The colors are Whisper White, Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight.  The 1/8" taffeta ribbon is from the new catalog, too, and available in several colors.  For a change, I used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder the other way, so that it is debossed instead of embossed.

Friends Never Fade and Vintage Wallpaper

Here's another card using the new set Friends Never Fade.

The background is Whisper White card stock embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder.  The colored layer and the ink are both the new color Cherry Cobbler.

New XL Scallop Circle Punch

There is a new extra large scallop circle punch in the new catalog.  It's 2 3/8" and opens up a whole bunch of possibilities.  You can layer the large circle scallop punch or the 1 3/4" circle punch on it.  You can make different styles of flowers or about anything else you can do with the smaller (but still large) scallop circle punch.  It will just be bigger.  I used both scallop circle punches on the card below, so I ended up with two different size flowers.

We made this card in the July club meeting.  It also uses the oval scallop punch, two different size circle punches, the small polka dot texture plate and Certainly Celery designer series paper.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  The flowers are made with the new colors Delightful Daffodil and Poppy Parade, both of which are much prettier in person.

As usual, the card really does have straight edges and the designer series paper is centered and straight on the card.  I just can't seem to photograph it so it looks that way :)

Friends Never Fade

This is another card we made in the July club meeting.  It uses the new stamp set, Friends Never Fade and the new colors Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist.  The sentiment is from the set Because I Care.

Because I Care

Sorry it's been awhile since I posted.  I've been quite busy since my last post  -- most good, some not so much.  But, that's how life is, isn't it?

Now, on to some cards.  The two cards today were made using the Level 1 Hostess Set "Because I Care."  We made the first one in the July club meeting.  I love the new Concord Crush color.  It's such a rich purple color.  The green is Pear Pizzazz, another new color.  I used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder for the background.

This second card is just a variation of the first, using Daffodil Delight and Old Olive.

Thanks for looking.  I'll post more tomorrow.

Sue Root, Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator

Petal Card Die

I've posted pictures of these two projects before, but now I've decided to add a few more details.  This die retires June 30, so don't miss out if you decide you want it. 

The bookmark uses the set A Rose is a Rose and the petal card uses Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (save 25%) and Crushed Curry card stock (50% off).  All of these items retire June 30.

In addition to these projects, this die can be used to make large hearts -- either to put on cards or as a little pocket (great for favors, or add a ribbon and hang on the door at Valentine's Day -- don't forget to fill it!).  Or, fold up three sides to make an open mini envelope and then attach it to a card with a pull out tag.  I  also have seen 3 sides folded with the top left open and used as a tea bag holder (you can give to someone this way or attach to a card).  There are lots of ideas to use with that, including a set from the new catalog with tea cups and the saying "tea"rific.  Don't have pictures to post, but if you're interested, ask me for details.

Left:  Bookmark;  Right:  Petal Card

Petal card open: outside of card.

Petal card open: inside of card.

This is the backside of the petal card when it is folded.  Since it folds in on itself (kind of like closing up a box), no adhesive is necessary.

Backside of bookmark:  attach the bottom two flaps to the backside of the bookmark.  Attach the top two flaps to each other, but don't glue them down on the bookmark.  This leaves the opening to put the bookmark over the corner of your page.