Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Fresh Cuts


Images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!
A thank you card made with the stamp set "FRESH CUTS" (Pg. 98) and the FRESH-CUT NOTES (Pg. 167). Embellished with the 5-PETAL FLOWER PUNCH and a circle rhinestone brad.

Snow Swirled

Images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!

This is a practice card I made for the Stampin' Success contest for November. It features the stamp set "SNOW SWIRLED".

You'll have to wait to see the final version after the contest ends ...


Saturday, October 18, 2008

Tequila


I just returned from a business trip to Guadalajara with two quality circle members. I think this photo pretty much sums up how much I enjoyed myself.

Moderatto

These photos are of members of the band Moderatto. We ran into them at the Guadalajara airport. They had attended the 2008 MTV Latin America awards in Guadalajara on Oct. 16th.
They were signing autographs for the screaming girls and having pictures taken with anyone who asked. I took pictures of Jason & Danny with them.
I think they are a class-act. I love entertainers who appreciate their fans and recognize that this type of interaction helps them sell albums & concert tickets.

Their was another german band in the airport as well. They apparently didn't care to be recognized even though they did everything to stand out. I got a photo of them and was "spoken to" by their entourage (I thought the guy was going to grab my camera out of my handbag - he was in my face and I didn't understand what he was saying). I am not going to show that photo or mention their name because I figure if they want to be anonymous, I hope they get what they wish for. These guys were not class-acts.

The crew of Metallica was staying in the same hotel we stayed at but not the band.

Moderatto


Diaper Cake 2


Here is my second attempt at a diaper cake.
This time I used paper and ribbon around the layers and decorated with images created on my cricut.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Fall is here

Fall is here and doesn't this photo put you in the mood?

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Conditioning Stamps

After the rubber stamp manufacturing process, a thin layer of residue remains on the rubber that needs to be removed to ensure perfect images of your Solid image stamps (like the hat and cupcake images shown on the cards below).

StazOn Cleaner
My personal favourite method is using the StazOn cleaner. It is strong enough to remove the film on the stamp without worry of damaging them. Before the first use, I dab my stamp with the solvent, rub it several times on my stamp scrubber, then clean it again with my regular stamp cleaner before applying the first ink application.

Your images will be more crisp.
Give it a try.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Party Hearty 1


Images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!
Here are 2 cards made with the Party Hearty stamp set.
This is one of the sets available for Stampin' Up's 20th Birthday promotion mentioned below.
The cards feature the new In-Colours from the Fall & Winter Catalogue.
Also featured is the new scallop edge punch.

Party Hearty 2

Images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

In Colour Combo

In Colour Combination Charts

http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/CA_CHART_incolorCombos.pdf

The new In Colours are fabulous.
Curious about how to match them to create fabulous project?
Click on the link above for a chart to give you some great combinations of the In Colours with Stampin' Up!'s other 48 exclusive colours.

You can match your cardstock with your ink and other embellishments.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Stampin' Up!'s 20th Birthday Special

To celebrate Stampin' Up!'s 20th Birthday, you can order the following stamp sets at 20% off (Sale prices shown below) from October 1-31 when you place a $20 order:

#109439 -Pg.62 Big Bold Birthday $26.36

#111532 -Pg.63 Party Hearty $25.56

#110994 -Pg.64 Bitty Birthday $12.40

#111618 -Pg.64 Crazy for Cupcakes $23.16

#111546 -Pg.65 Simple Birthday Thanks $16.76

#111702 -Pg.65 Time to Party $15.96

#108559 -Pg.68 Crab & Company $26.36


I find that my birthday stamps are the ones I use the most.

You can't beat these savings!

The single large-tip Aqua Painter (#114617) is also available for $8.50, while supplies last!

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Holiday Mini Catalogue


Are you anxious to see the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalogue?

Just click on the address below. I find it views best at 80%.


http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/HolidayMini_08_CAN.pdf


What is your favourite item?

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

A Girl wth Shoes

Images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!

A fun card for a fun friend!

This card was made with the new Scallop Edge punch.

Stamp Set: Humor in High Heels


Monday, August 25, 2008

Diaper Cake


Baby Shower Gift
This Diaper Cake was made by rolling disposable diapers and arranging them in layers on a cake tray. First I secured a piece of dowel in the centre with hot glue to make the whole cake secure. Various gifts (sleeper, bibs, bottle, socks etc...) were added to the cake. I used streamers and ribbon to decorate. The 'Baby' letters were cut with my cricut. The final touch was the turtle on the top - he giggles when you tickle his feet.

Onesie Baby Card

Images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!

Here is my first try at a onesie card I made for a baby shower. It starts with a top fold regular card (5 1/2 x 4 1/4"). Circle and scallop punches are used to make the neck and leg openings.


Sunday, July 27, 2008

Longaberger Basket 1


I was in Ohio for Honda Homecoming. For the first time, I had some extra time to make the trip to the Longaberger Basket Factory in Frazeyburg which I have wanted to do for a few years.
Here I am in front of the World's Largest Apple Basket sporting my new hairstyle.
It turned out that this was the weekend that Longaberger demonstrators visit the Homestead for their annual convention. It was very busy but actually lucky for me because many of the women gave me great advice on accessories and tips for the basket that I made myself and I got some of the Longaberger family members to sign the bottom of my handmade treasure.
I soon found out that Longaberger is quite a huge phenomenon in the US. It is like a little village of stores, restaurants and activites all related to baskets, home decor and apparel. There is even a golf course for the husbands to enjoy themselves while the women are shopping.
I expect that I will be back again :)

Longaberger Basket 2


Here I am making my own basket (with help from Matt). Note how the basket slats are formed over a wooden fixture to make the shape of the basket. The slats are moistened with water to make them pliable. The factory is behind me - it is the size of 7 football fields.

Longaberger Basket 3

Here is a close-up of my basket during the last step.

The website is: www.longabergerhomestead.com

Some of you are probably wondering what is Honda Homecoming. It is an annual event where Honda motorcycle owners bring their motorcycles home to the Marysville Motorcycle plant. It is a huge event that includes plant tours, activities, demonstrations and a light parade.
This year, the parade had over 1,000 motorcycles in it and lasted 40 minutes. Some of the motorcycles are decked out with lights, cool horns or pulling unique trailers and some of the parade participants dress up (including Santa) all for the enjoyment of the parade watchers.

More info at:
http://www.ohio.honda.com/news/Homecoming/index.cfm

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Rub On Card


Images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!
Another Rub On project using Love & Happiness.
This card features the new scallop punch (a sneak peak from the new Fall & Winter catalogue) which coordinates with the All Scallops stamp set.
The butterfly image, the "friend" sentiment and "you make me happy" are all rub ons.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Monochromatic Rub On Card

Images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!

First the rub ons were applied onto white paper and punched with the small square punch then matted with the large square punch. Another rub on was added as the sentiment on the card and onto the ribbon.

The edges of the paper were sponged.

Rub Ons Featured: Love & Happiness


Rub on Card with Jumbo Brad


Images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!
This card was made by stamping the images on white paper randomly using rose red, regal rose and so saffron ink. The main snail image was done using the rock and roll technique with so saffron & more mustard and applied with stampin' dimensionals. Then I added a rub on to a jumo brad and as the sentiment on the card.
Stamp Set: Garden Whimsy

Rub Ons with a Washer

Images copyright 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!

Rub Ons can be applied to many surfaces: paper, glass, ribbon, buttons and brads etc ... I even saw an example where someone decorated their Guitar Hero guitar.

Here I applied the white butterfly image to a washer. Then I used only the centre section of the same image in old olive and applied it over the first image.

Washers can be found at Home Depot in a variety of sizes.

Now this can be used to make a necklace or as an embellishment on a card or scrapbook page.

Get creative with your rub ons.


Sunday, July 13, 2008

Dirty Dancing on Stage


I went to see the Dirty Dancing musical in Toronto last night with my sister. It was fabulous. It made me remember why I loved the movie so much. We really enjoyed ourselves. I must say that I missed looking at Patrick Swayze though :)
Melissa O'Neil (who won the 2005 season of Canadian Idol) was in it. I thought she was great.
Ben Mingay (Billy) closed the show with "I've had the time of my life". It gave me goosebumps on my arms. I bought the CD on my way out.
I would recommend this show to anyone.
The only downfall was the seats in the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Everyone was complaining of sore backs and numb butts during the intermission. Maybe they should spend some of the money they charge for the memorabilia on new seats. I'm sure people would pay big money to buy the old seats as souvenirs.

Dirty Dancing Movie Clip