Ask Me To Stamp

November 11 - I'm thankful for...

2009-11-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

...my computer!

Seriously, I don't know what I would do without mine.

Oh wait....I know...I might actually get stuff done around here! I do waste so much time "surfing", but I am addicted....I cannot help it. I used to be a member of so many online demonstrator groups and stamping groups that it was unreal. I have cleaned out several, so now only have about 4-5 that I keep up with.

I have been an internet junkie for many, many years. I can remember "finding" the internet back in the late '80s when we had to use MSDOS commands on the bulletin boards. I thought it was the bomb!

Now the internet is so advanced that I cannot imagine life before it became so mainstream. I know there is alot of not so good stuff out there, but it is so outweighed by all the good stuff....as long as you use common sense.

I shop and do lots of research on things, topics of concern, I read the news, and look at pictures I wouldn't get to see otherwise. I check the weather and I look for stamping inspiration on blogs and websites, and..yes...I admit...I play games.

I have told my DS and DDIL that when it is time for me to go to "The Home", I will go willingly, as long as I have a working computer AND high speed internet!

Designed using My Digital Studio © Stampin' Up!

November 10 - I'm thankful for...

2009-11-10T05:00:00.002-05:00

...my job!

I really have two part-time jobs at this company....one doing payroll and benefits, and one serving as assistant coordinator for the First Steps council.

The coordinator position is the one where I make invitations and speaker gifts for various events. :-) Actually, I do the minutes of all the various committee meetings, and send out email reminders, etc. The payroll portion involves maintaining the personnel records and benefit enrollments for the 97 employees we have. Most of them work with families of infants and toddlers to age 3 who might have development delays, coordinating therapy services. A small number of employees work for a grant that provides the training and credentialing for the various providers who work with the kids.

It is an ideal position for me. I love doing payroll and number crunching, so I get my fix doing that part of the time, then the rest of my week is spent in Council work. If I had to pick one area of my work routine that is my least favorite, it would have to be typing the minutes. I usually have 4-5 meetings per month to transcribe, and I really don't like doing them. Can you say "procrastinate"? Although currently I am pleased to say I only have last Friday's meeting to type.

However, I choose to look at it that if I didn't have that one thing that I'm not fond of, then I wouldn't really appreciate all the fun stuff and great work I get to do with the rest of my schedule!

Designed using My Digital Studio © Stampin' Up!

November 9 - I'm thankful for...

2009-11-09T05:00:00.001-05:00

...this beautiful weather!

What a difference sunshine makes!

I am so thankful that we have a reprieve from the snow and ice that is sure to come, so I will enjoy these days while I can.

November 8 - I'm thankful for...

2009-11-08T06:21:00.000-05:00

...having my own car! Even though it is not the newest model, I still love it! A 2003 Saturn Vue...orange/bronze...distinctive.

"Vera" which is what I call her gets me places that I need to be...like work, grocery, shopping, Stampin' Up! workshops, and such. When both partners work outside the home, it is really difficult to share one vehicle. I know there are people to do that, for various reasons, but I don't see how they manage. I have been spoiled over the years to always have one of my own, and have gotten so accustomed to going when and where I want.

She is so dependable. (I probably shouldn't be saying this out loud, since I will jinx myself.)

AND...she is paid for!

Designed using My Digital Studio © Stampin' Up!

November 7 - I'm thankful for...

2009-11-07T05:00:00.001-05:00

...my alarm clock!

A friend had mentioned this on her Facebook page recently and it got me to thinking that yes, the alarm clock is something to be thankful for. Really!

It makes sure I get up on time to get to work when I'm supposed to, and it makes sure I don't miss out on travel arrangements by oversleeping. I would miss chatting with my friend in Australia too if I didn't set my alarm on Saturday mornings. With a 14.5 hour time difference, we chat early Saturday morning for me, late Saturday evening for her.

Yes, it is a love/hate relationship for sure, but if I didn't pay attention to it, I would miss out on alot of fun stuff...and I only hit the "snooze" button a couple of times every morning.

November 6 - I'm thankful for...

2009-11-06T05:00:00.002-05:00

...coffee!

I am such a coffee-aholic. I drink it all day. I take it with a bit of creamer...Coffeemate Original, please...no flavored creamers for me. The only flavor I like is available now at Starbucks...the Pumpkin Spice Latte! Yummmm! Venti please, with three Splendas.

I don't actually remember when I started drinking coffee, but it must have been in my teen years at home. My Dad would drink it plain at home and add cream if we ate out. Weird, I know. I did that for several years too, but now drink my coffee with cream all the time, when possible.

I am usually sitting in my craft room with my coffee whenever I am creating or preparing for a class or workshop. My DH gets so annoyed when, after drinking coffee all evening, I come to bed and fall right to sleep!

I tell him it is my clear conscience!

Designed using My Digital Studio © Stampin' Up!

November 5 - I'm thankful for...

2009-11-05T05:00:00.001-05:00

...the freedom this country offers. Even with all our current problems with the economy and unemployment, we still live in the best country in the world!

We can choose our religion and place of worship, our job and where we work, our home and where we live. We have freedom of speech and can disagree with our government officials, without fear. All of these freedoms are precious, especially when we see what is happening in other parts of the world.

Take a minute and consider all the freedoms you exercise every day. Be grateful for the choices you get to make every day, and spend some time counting the positive things in your life.

Designed in My Digital Studio © Stampin' Up!

November 4 - I'm thankful for...

2009-11-04T05:00:00.028-05:00

...my sisters.

Since our parents are gone, my three sisters and I make it a point to get together every month or so for lunch or coffee, just to touch base and catch up on the happenings in everyone's family.

We make a point to have family gatherings at the holidays, whether it is a picnic in the local park, or a pitch-in on Christmas Eve at my youngest sister's house.

When the family center is gone, it is so easy to become absorbed in your own busy life and overlook what is happening with everyone else.

My sisters are my link to my past...they know all my secrets and I know a few of theirs too!

Card designed using My Digital Studio © Stampin' Up!

November 3 - I'm thankful for...

2009-11-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

...the opportunity to share my creativity with each of you. I love stamping and sharing, and my life has been greatly enriched since I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I consider each of you a friend, not just a customer, and you make me proud when you go off on your own creative path.

I so appreciate your friendship and the continued confidence you place in me to help get your creative mojo working.

You make me laugh so much...oh, and your snacks are awesome!

(Card designed in My Digital Studio, © Stampin' Up!)

November 2 - I'm thankful for...

2009-11-02T17:30:00.000-05:00

...having a roof over my head, food on my table, and being gainfully employed. With so many families having to make difficult decisions about how to spend what little money they have, I am truly blessed.

Designed with My Digital Studio

Last Halloween post - I promise!

2009-11-01T08:55:00.000-05:00

Yes, I promise this is the last Halloween post....very strange I have been talking about Halloween so much lately, especially since it is not one of my favorite holidays!

DH and I went to the local hockey game last evening, our team is a minor league team called the Indiana Ice. It was such fun to see our players come out with special Halloween jerseys....complete with pumpkins, spooky trees and the mascot even had a Jason hockey mask on! They announced the jerseys would be auctioned off after the game, and we considered bidding on one. That is until we found out the minimum bid was $175~! *gulp* We passed....

So now it is November. I think this signifies the official start of the holiday season. The rush begins to get all the presents bought (or made) and wrapped. The menu for both Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings are being thought about, what special dishes will you make, how can you juggle all this and work or child care too? Everyone is so rushed as the last two months of the year descend upon us.

As we enter this Thanksgiving season, I think we all need to stop for a minute each day and think of something for which we are thankful. I hope to post each day...yes, I said *EACH DAY*...a short post on something I am grateful for, and a card to share, most will be very simple. I invite you to comment each day on something you are thankful for as well.

We all have challenges, especially in this economy, with all the unemployed...but each of us has many blessings to be thankful for, and we need to remind ourselves of them.

November 1 - I think this card was posted previously, but it is so fitting to start off this exercise. I am so thankful for my husband and son and daughter-in-law. They support me totally in whatever I choose to do, and are always there when I need them. It is wonderful to feel their unconditional love!

Really....Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T10:04:00.002-04:00

made with My Digital Studio software

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-29T21:50:00.001-04:00

Here it is...the end of October and Halloween is this weekend. Oh, and by the way, Thanksgiving is four weeks from today!

We had a contractor over tonight to give us an estimate on our...I mean "my" bathroom. I have decided it is time for a total overhaul, and since DH is back to work, we will contract the work so it can get done quickly. The contractor had alot of good ideas and will have an itemized materials list and a labor number by Monday. Sure hope it comes in under my budgeted amount! :-)

I was able to finish my treats for everyone at work last night...even though I was up 'til 1am finishing them up...and I think they turned out pretty cute!

Everyone thought they were super cute. I did, however, find errant M&Ms around the office...evidence that someone pulled the tab before they opened the card...causing the M&Ms to fall out!

I was able to put in a slide "door" so they didn't have to tear up the card to get to the treats inside! I guess I should have marked the tab as do not open yet! I used the Sweet Treats stamp set from the Holiday mini catalog as well as the treat cups. I really hope these treat cups remain available after December. I'm going to be sad if they go away.

So tonight Christy and Jody came over to rummage in my retired stamps and papers....Christy ordered me to post the treats so she could see them, so being scared, that is what I have done.

Happy now Christy? :-) Great to see you gals!

Can you believe October is almost over?

2009-10-25T20:10:00.000-04:00

Where has the month gone? Oh yeah, another tidbit of information....Christmas is TWO MONTHS AWAY! So for all you procrastinators out there, like me, it doesn't matter! I will still be shopping the week before!

Anyway.....remember when I posted this picture of the burning bushes...about a week or so ago?

How about an updated picture? This was taken just last Friday as I left the office.

Is it possible to be redder? These are absolutely gorgeous!

I have been stamping though...getting projects and supplies ready for October stamp clubs. Two down and one to go, then I can share those projects. I have also started working on the Halloween favor for the girls and guy at work. Yes, we now have one male in the office along with the 96 females. :-) I am making a treat cup card for them, and am about l/3 of the way done. No rush....I still have 4 working days! Right? I'll post a picture when I get them done.

I do have a card to share though. I had a group of demonstrators here in the Indy area come over last Saturday for our Indy Inkerz shoebox swap. This is where everyone designs a card, cuts and brings enough supplies for everyone to make your card. Then at the gathering we each make everyone's card. Easy peasy! Very fun afternoon, with lots of good snacks and lots of laughs! This INKounter had an open theme, where the only restriction was to use all current SU! products. Here is my shoebox project.

I used Bermuda Bay, Close to Cocoa and Very Vanilla cardstock and inks. The design used the flourish stencil that SU sells and it is in the back of the Decor Elements catalog. Stencils are awesome! I have seen many beautiful cards done with the Vintage Ornament stencil sets (ahem...both sets are on their way to my Ink Pad)....and thought this flourish would be fun to use also. These are very simple, just use a sponge dauber and daub ink over the openings in the stencil, making sure not to move your cardstock underneath. I also found that less ink is best. If you try to concentrate the ink it tends to bleed and feather. It doesn't show up very well in the picture, but I used the 2 way glue pen and added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the tips of the flourish. Very easy and quick to make. I can't wait for the Vintage Ornaments to get here!!! :-)

Christmas Stamp a Stack is coming!

2009-10-15T06:47:00.000-04:00

Before I talk about the upcoming Christmas Stamp-a-Stack, let's give Autumn its due first! This is a row of burning bushes right outside my office parking lot. I have been able to watch it turn from green to this beautiful red. I love Fall! This Saturday is my birthday, (no need to mention the number!) and it is tradition for DS and DDIL to go with us to "see the color". I hope to have some great photos to share next week!

Okay, now that Autumn has been discussed, we can move on to the next season....Winter! That brings Christmas and card making and gift giving to mind. Right?

Here are samples of my upcoming Christmas Stamp-a-Stack, held the first week in November. I will be finishing up the flyer this week, but wanted to give you a preview of the cards we will be making. These designs all came from fellow demos, either through swaps, or blog posts, so I certainly give them all the credit for the talent. There will be 5 designs, you will make 4 of each, for a total of 20 cards for a $25 fee. Envelopes will be $5 extra.

If you are not on my newsletter email list, be sure to sign up now, so you will get the flyer with dates and all the details about the event, or send me an email letting me know you are interested. Hope you can come and stamp!

WCMD Challenge Winner (s) !

2009-10-06T17:35:00.000-04:00

Since I only received two comments telling their stories about sending a card....BOTH will receive a stamp set from the new Idea Book and Catalog! Christy, who was so "coy" about who she sent her card to...ahem...I have it posted here...will receive the Leaf Lines set, and Adrienne, a stamp club member will receive From the Crypt! Thanks to you both for making someone feel special by sending them a card.

Christy, thank you so much for your kind note inside of your card and I love how your card turned out! You should be a demo! *wink, wink*

Again, thanks ladies for taking the time to send a card. I'll get your stamps in the mail tomorrow!

In the meantime, consider what I might try to do with this. Yes, it is an embossing folder, Finial Press, that has been whacked! I have cut off both edges to get a specific pattern and will use them to emboss cards and embellishments. Sandy MacIver, I think, is the first to do this. I just got my extra folder and so have cut it down, using my Craft and Rubber scissors. I hope to play one evening this week, so will post what wonderful creations I make.

Sorry, but I gotta run. I am taking the My Digital Studio webinar on creating interactive projects in a half hour...which should be interesting. I did get my Sampler Book designed and sent to the printer on Sunday. I already got the notice that it has shipped, so hopefully within a week or so I will have it in hand! I can't wait to see it! I am almost finished with my My Digital Studio Certification program. Just this webinar, then I need to listen to the photo album one and take that quiz, then I think I am done! If not totally done, really, really close! :-)

Anyway, congrats to my Challenge winners....and be sure to check back in a day or two to see what I did with the strips of embossing folder!

World Card Making Day and a challenge

2009-10-03T11:00:00.000-04:00

Today is World Card Making Day, and as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I would be terribly remiss if I failed to post something stamping related! Right?

I thought I would share my two Christmas swaps that I recently participated in for a demo online group. Both rounds were filled with great ideas made by very talented stampers. My set for the first round was a hostess set from the Holiday Mini called Patterned Pines.

I used our Bashful Blue cardstock for the base, and Brushed Silver for the layer. You cannot see it, but I used the Shimmer Paint on the trees so it has a bit of shine to it. Very pretty.

The second round swap I was to use Dasher....one of the individual stamps available on the last page of the big Idea Book and Catalog. I love this stamp, and apparently so do alot of others, since it is one of the most ordered stamps this year!

As you can see, I used white embossing power on Dasher, and used the oval scalloped die for the Big Shot for the scalloped frame. This went together really quickly, and I think it is quite striking in the red and white.

Now for the fun part...I challenge you to make at least one card this weekend for someone you have been thinking of but haven't talked to in a while, mail it to them on Monday, then come back to this post and tell me how you answered my challenge. You don't need to use names, just tell me why you chose them.

You will have until midnight Monday, October 5th. to post your response for the chance to win this set from the Idea Book and Catalog called "Leaf Lines". It will be a random draw, using the popular random.org website to be fair. Look forward to reading your posts! Good luck!

Stamp Club projects and Shelli's Flower Brooch

2009-09-30T22:50:00.003-04:00

As promised, although not "tomorrow" as I said, here are a couple of September's club projects. They both are Autumnish (is that a word?) and I love the colors. I used Summer Sun for the card base, then marker to rubber using the In Color markers Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry. The stamp is from the Wandering Words set which is in the Holiday Mini catalog.

This second card uses the Chalkboard technique where you stamp on dark cardstock with Whisper White Craft ink, then pounce the Stampin' Up Pastels on the Craft ink, which will make it stick. We cut out the leaves, (yes, all the club members were estatic!) and arranged them on the front. Everyone's card turned out a touch different. It was fun to see how a tiny change in the placement of the leaves changed the look of the whole card.

This Chalkboard technique on dark cardstock would be called "Poppin' Pastels" if used on light cardstock.

Then tonight I played around with the Flower Fold Big Shot die and attempted to make a flower brooch like Shelli Gardner made. I had some fabric scraps and I must say how easy that is cut using the Big Shot! I followed her directions and this is what I came out with. Not too bad, but hand sewing was involved and I am definitely not a seamstress! I hope to give this to my boss this week for her birthday, but first I need to get opinions from some of my coworkers. I tend to be a tad self critical on some things, and this appears to be one of those things! :-) I can't decide if it is worthy or not.

What do you think? Maybe it will grow on me...we'll see in the morning...

The 2nd Annual STAMPede was a success!

2009-09-28T06:49:00.000-04:00

Whew! What a great weekend! I held my 2nd Annual Summer STAMPede event and had 13 people come visit. I had to set up everything in the house, since the forecast was for rain, but it turned out great! Here is a picture of the tables with retired stamp sets (now remember, I have been a demo for almost 7 years, and this is only the 2nd sale I have ever had), and a picture of the ladies feverishly looking throught the mounds of designer papers I was letting go of for a dime a sheet!

It was a great morning and afternoon, and I want to thank everyone for coming to take this "stuff" off my hands!

Sunday was my DS and DDIL's 6th wedding anniversary, yikes, can it really be that long ago? We went over to their house for a scrumptious breakfast cooked by the guys...eggs, bacon, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, oj...the works!

Here is their card which contained a gift card for dinner out.

I used Very Vanilla cardstock, run it through the Big Shot using the Finial Press embossing folder, added the sentiment and ribbion, and I was done! This makes such an elegant card...and it is so easy and quick!

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing the Make and Take project, as well as a couple of the September club projects. Check back in to see...thanks for stopping by!

Voila! Invitations

2009-09-20T21:46:00.000-04:00

You may remember that I work for the early intervention program called First Steps as a part-time assistant coordinator, which means I type the minutes, handle meeting notices, all that clerical "stuff". One of the perks of this job is that I frequently get to create invitations or thank you cards for the various committee members and/or events.

We will be having an upcoming New Committee Member luncheon next month, so I needed to make some invitations so we could get them in the mail early this week. I sat down this morning and not quite 3 hours later had 16 of these made. I would have made more, but ran out of Real Red cardstock! Hope this is enough for the luncheon.

Don't you just love red and black together? I made this invitation sized to fit in a business envelope, and will type up the pertinent details for adhering inside.

As you can see, I used Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White cardstock. I did paper piece the uniform on the chef, and they turned out really good.

I think the kicker is the First Steps logo on the platter! Am I good or what?

My 2nd Annual Summer STAMPede!

2009-09-15T21:57:00.000-04:00

I have been busy getting my retired stamp sets and designer papers organized and ready for my upcoming Summer STAMPede. If you are local and in the area of south Indianapolisk, drop by and say hi! I will have a make and take project, you can review the retired product, and see My Digital Studio software in action!

As a matter of fact, the flyer below is made using My Digital Studio! I started with a totally blank page...so I am pretty proud how it turned out!

Anyone looking for a specific retired stamp set, let me know and I'll see if I have it.

Hope to see you on September 26th!

My Digital Studio page

2009-09-07T16:08:00.006-04:00

Okay, as promised, here is a layout done with the My Digital Studio software.

So far I have only used the templates that come with the program, but I am feeling pretty brave now and just might attempt doing a page from scratch!

I haven't even looked at the online manual, so who knows what I might be able to do once I read through that!

And I just noticed, guess I need to read the manual quick...the rainbow picture is duplicated. What? On my original is a picture of myself and DH!

Regardless of the learning curve, this program is great fun and quite addictive. I'm off to do more pages from our Florida trip... oh yeah...and to read the manual!!

Cards to Share!

2009-09-06T07:27:00.003-04:00

Yes, I have been remiss on my promise to post more frequently. What can I say? You aren't interested in excuses, so I won't tell you any, but I will say that I have lots to share this weekend.

Here are some of the projects my stamp clubs worked on in August. This first one uses SU!'s Bright Blessings jumbo wheel on glossy cardstock, which is then sponged with color. The cardstock edges were distressed with the cutting tool distresser. This would make a great Thanksgiving card also. The hardest part is sponging the color!

This second card uses the masking technique and the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set.

And the last card is for the upcoming holiday....Halloween! Who doesn't love pirates? Simple card, stamp in Basic Black, tear the edges, sponge with black, adhere to Rich Razzleberry base, then add to Basic Black card base. (Don't look....I forgot to sponge the " Beware Pirates")

If you live local and get my newsletter, you better have Saturday, September 26th marked to come to my 2nd Annual Summer STAMPede. (Flyers with all the details will be sent out soon) I will have retired stamps and accessories out for clearance, and you can do a fun make & take project, as well as preview the soon to be released "My Digital Studio" scrapbooking software. I just got my pre-ordered copy (yes, we demos get to order some stuff early!) on Friday, so I have been able to play a little bit, and all I will say is "WOW!" Customers will be able to order this software on October 1st, which is not that far away. Also, hostesses who have a workshop with at least $400 in sales will be able to order it for half price. Awesome! Get on my calendar now for YOUR workshop.

I'll be back soon with my first Digital page for your enjoyment! Stay tuned!

It's not just about paper!

2009-08-20T07:08:00.002-04:00

Wow! I got home from Convention and immediately came down with some sort of virus that really knocked me for a loop! High fever above 100 for four days straight! No appetite and no energy. Took me until this past Sunday to start to feel partially normal! Now I feel much better so I can start sorting out all the great information shared at Convention.

One of the things that I noticed in all the presentations and classes is that SU! isn't about paper anymore! Our inks and stamps can be used for much much more than mere cards and scrapbook pages.

Shelli displayed her new line of charms, which will be available in the new mini that is coming September 1st. These are so adorable and will lend themselves to all sorts of creativity. Don't you agree?

The other medium that you will see used alot is fabric....especially using the BigShot and dies. Shelli again shared some ideas about making brooches and pins, using scraps of fabric and the BigShot. There was also an afghan using pieces cut with the BigShot as appliques. All you have
to do is think outside the box a bit, and the world is your oyster.

I can't wait to have time to play with some of these ideas, but this week I need to get ready for my club meetings which start on Sunday. I haven't even picked out a technique! Leave a comment and let me know what you want to see....

Thanks for stopping by...

Home at last

2009-08-09T21:30:00.002-04:00

Yes, home at last. Long tiring day waiting in airports, but got home about an hour ago. Not unpacked yet, debating on taking a bubble bath and relaxing a bit. I go back to work tomorrow, so back to the routine.

I have so much information swirling around in my head! Many ideas for new classes, new projects, and such that I need to get myself in gear and get things laid out. I'll be sending out invitations to my Summer STAMPede Open House soon....lots of retired sets for sale, fun Make-N-Takes, and door prizes!

Will be off to bed soon....I'll share some projects this coming week, so check back!