BLOGGING FROM THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS.

Dear Bloggers, I am sorry I never got as chance to post any pictures or write any posts this past week like I said I would.  It has been very difficult getting internet access in the mountains which is one of the reasons for no posting, and also this past week has been very bitter sweet in many ways which I will post about at a later date.  I am leaving North Carolina early tomorrow morning and driving back to Orlando....14 hour drive...arrggh.  I will back posting soon. Have a great reast of the week.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers!!

Anyone who knows me knows my love for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and every time this band  tours I try and go to at least two or three of their shows each tour.  Last night I went to the show in Tampa, FL and I will add that Tom rocked Tampa Bay. Today I am leaving for Raliegh, North Carolina to see the Sat. show and then on to Charlotte, NC to see the Sunday show.  Call me NUTS....you won't be the first, nor the last.  I have loved this band since the 1980's and I know I will never get tired of their music.  They just keep getting better and better.  After the Sunday night show I will be driving to Blowing Rock, NC to have a few relaxing days before returning back to Orlando.  I hope to be posting from the road with lots of pictures, so please check back.

HOLIDAY HAPPINESS!!

Holiday Happiness is another new stamp set from the new Stampin' Up! catalog.  It is a set of six stamps and so fun to use. I also used on this card the new Textured Impressions Embossing Folder to create the snowflakes on the Very Vanilla card stock.  The decorative strip of Old Olive card stock was created using the new Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border.  I hope you enjoy today's card.

ANOTHER ARTISITC ETCHINGS

As promised, another card made with the new ARTISTIC ETCHINGS stamp set.  The fanned circle was made using the 1 3/4 Scallop Circle punch on page 200 of the new catalog.  One of the new Antique Brads on page 187 of the catalog was used in the middle.  If you would like to know how the fanned circle was made please leave me a comment and I will post a quick tutorial for you.

ARTISTIC ETCHINGS

Here is one of the many beautiful cards I made this past weekend at Stampcation.  I wish I knew the name of the demonstrator who orginally designed this card and put all the kits together so I could give her credit.  To make this card I used the Artistic Etchings stamp set.  I have seen this stamp set many times on page 125 of the new catalog, but never put much thought into purchasing it.  Now I want to buy this set after seeing so many beautiful samples made from this stamp set this weekend.  Tomorrow I will post another sample using this set.

STAMPCATION- MORE PICTURES!!

STAMPCATION WAS FABULOUS!!!

This past weekend I attended "STAMPCATION" in Orlando hosted by Linda Heller.  About 100 Stampin' Up! demonstrators attended.  Friday evening with picked up our make & take supplies and goody packet.  We then participated in a showbox swap for the rest of the evening.  For three hours we moved from table to table making 25 beautiful cards that each shoebox swapper had prepared in advance for each participent. I have some beautiful cards I will be displaying here on my blog all week for you to see. We also ate cupcakes and lots of fun candy.

Saturday morning started with Make & Take demonstrations and stamping time.  After lunch we had more fabulous demonstrations from other demonstrators and lots of time to stamp and use many new products.  Saturday evening was a "chick flick" and more stamping with popcorn, lemonaid and ice tea provided.  Below are a few pictures I took of the event.

JUST ONE OF MANY REASONS WHY....

YOU SHOULD MAKE YOUR OWN GREETING CARDS!!!  I read this on the front page of MSN today, and maybe many of you out there in blog land did too, but if not I am quoting it here for you to read.  The article was titled "6 outrageously overpriced products"  Number 1 was overpriced movie popcorn. Number 2 was Greeting cards.  Here is what the article said about greeting cards.

"Since when does a folded-up piece of paper cost $2.99? Since someone slaps a precious kitty picture and a cleverly written message on it and then stamps the back of it with a logo. That's right -- we're talking about those pricey greeting cards.

Many consumers spend hours poring over the neatly arranged stacks in the greeting card aisle, searching for the perfect message for a sister's birthday, their parents' anniversary or "just because."

The average greeting card costs between $2 and $4, and consumers don't seem to think twice about paying that precipitous price. The markup is between 100% and 200%, which is not quite as shocking as movie theater popcorn, but it adds up. When you consider how many of those paper jewels you buy each year, it's enough to send you running for the construction paper and markers. After all, it costs only a few cents to create a homemade card."




I often here the excuse, "well you have to spend so much money on supplies just to make a few greeting cards".  My answer to that is "yes and no".  You can go over board and buy every product available for card making, or you can keep it simple and just buy what you need.  Rubber stamps can be used over and over again, and ink pads don't need to be re-inked but once every 100+ cards.  You can make your cards as simple or elaborate as you want, but I can assure you your hand-made cards will not cost $2 and $4to make like you would pay if you bought your cards at the store.  A hand-made card is so much more personal, and you know the recipient appreciates it so much more.  National card making day is Oct. 2.  Plan to make your holiday cards this year, and if I can help you with any ideas please contact me.

WICKED COOL!!!

If you haven't seen this stamp set yet, you need to right now.  Turn to page 23 in the new Stampin' Up! 2010-2011 catalog.  It has seven stamps in the set, five which I have used here.  I used Rich Razzleberry ink to compliment the Wicked Fun designer series paper on page 172 of the catalog. I have more ideas for this stamp set so stay tuned.

MY ACRYLIC BEACH BOOK

I love making books out of acrylic sheets.  I made this book using four sheets of acrylic and I punched three holes in the ends using my Crop-A-Dial.  I used binder rings in the holes to keep the book together.  Each page is decorated with scrapbook papers, stickers, fabric flowers and more.  I used photo's from a trip my family and I took to the west coast of Florida last summer.  I loved the way this acrylic book turned out and I plan to make more.  They are so easy to do.

OWL PUNCH POST-IT-NOTES

I got this very cute idea from Becky Roberts.  These were made using the darling new owl punch from the new catalog, the small 1.5 x 2" post-it-notes, the oval punch and any designer paper and card stock you choose to use.  Each pack of post-it-notes were divided into thirds, and I use sticky strip to attach the post-it's to the back of the card stock. These will make really fun gifts to give to my customers.

IT'S HERE AND IT'S NOW!!! THE HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG!!!

I am so EXCITED about the new holiday mini catalog, and I'm pretty sure you will be too.  There are  so many wonderful holiday stamp sets, designer paper, punches, ribbon, buttons, Glimmer Brads and lots more. You can click HERE to view the holiday mini, and click HERE to place your order.  I hope you enjoy the new holiday mini, and if you have any questions please contact me.