Well, Here I Go...

Last night was fun.  I enjoyed working with both Doris and Shelby.  What great gals and so interested in learning all they could in our 1st sitting.  As promised, we did 5 cards and 1 3-D item.

This morning, I took photos and (pause...... long pause while I consider if this is going to work..... why be concerned Mary the roof isn't going to fall in)... so here they are (I hope).

Understand that these items are definitely using some retired SU products as well as the Cuttlebug (no, I've not bitten the bullet for the Big Shot yet, although I have started my die collection).

Because I've got this huge picture collection of ideas that I've gotten from so many sources, I need to first say that although I've done some switching/altering here and there, the projects that follow are certainly not original to me.  If I can't see something with my eyes, my brain simply doesn't kick into any kind of creative gear.  Mostly, if I like it, "I'm a gonna CASE (copy and stamp exactly) it".  I'll continue to thank those many bloggers who've posted and who've made it so much easier for me to feel productive AND I've now started to record their URLs so that I can pass on appropriate credit....... of course what I'm adding today, is simply credited to the INSPIRATIONAL 'COLS' (creative on-line stampers)

The first photo happens to be the last thing that we did.  It's a tea bag holder.  I knew time would be short as this was their 1st time stamping with me so I had the packaging done already and all that was left for them to do to cap off their stamping time, was to choose their preferred tea to include.

.... of course, I got the idea from someone else, and sure I've made a pattern..... if I was better organized and prepared for this posting, I'd have a reference for you...... oh well, there'll be additional opportunities for me to get this blogging thing down better....

Here are the cards that were done...

This card uses

• paper - bashful blue, whisper white, brilliant blue
• stamp set - Big on Christmas
• ink - Basic Black (CRAFT)
• punches - snow blossom, 1 1/4" circle
• other - Cuttlebug with Snowflakes folder, stampin' dimensionals, crop-a-dile, light blue Circle Ice Rhinestone brad

This card uses:

• paper - mellow moss, always artichoke, retired Designer Series Paper (Dashing), whisper white (scrap)
• stamp set - Season of Joy
• punches - scallop circle, retired Spring Bouquet Flower
• other - VersaMark ink pad, silver embossing powder, rhinestone brad (oops not SU, but from my Dollarama stash), SU silver stretchy cord

I used a scrap of whisper white card stock and pressed VersaMark onto it before spreading the silver embossing powder over the surface.  After heat embossing, I was able to punch out the silver flower centre.

This card uses:

• paper - glorious green, whisper white
• stamp sets - Season of Joy, Polka Dot (note: during our time together Shelby chose this stamp set for her background.  I liked her artistic change to what I'd done so much that I took my card apart and redid that layer to match hers.  Thanks Shelby!  You've got a great eye.)
• ribbon - taffeta, white
• other - stampin' dimensionals, VersaMark in pad, gold embossing powder

This card uses:

• paper - whisper white, real red
• stamp set - Season of Joy
• ink - real red
• punches - 1 3/8", 1 1/4"
• ribbon - 1/2" striped, real red grosgrain
• other - stampin' dimensionals, 2-way glue pen, dazzling diamonds

This card uses:

• paper - chocolate chip, whisper white, retired Designer Series Paper (Holiday Harmony), brushed gold
• stamp sets - Deer Friends and Heard from the Heart
• ink - chocolate chip
• punches - scallop circle, 1 3/8", 1 1/4" 
• ribbon - chocolate chip
• other... VersaMark ink pad, gold embossing powder

Well, that's all for today's post.

Now to actually publish and see just how proud Michelle and Vivian are of me.

No - I'm not dead.

I've just not had anything new to add as although I'm closer to deciding on my photo editing software, I've yet to bite the bullet and purchase.

I've had a request for some quick Christmas cards and so I'm doing a SHORT Stamp-a-stack this Friday, Sept. 19.  There are 5 cards with a 3-D item tossed in.  Cost is $10.

Doris and her granddaughter are coming at 4pm but they simply want to be done before supper and then have the evening for themselves.  

If you're interested and want to 'play', call or email me and let me know what time slot you'd like.  You can come as early as 4:00 p.m. or at any time after (up to 9:00 p.m. as I feel an early bedtime coming). I'll have your stack of cards prepped and ready for you.

Now that I've actually figured out how to add photos to the slide show widget that Vivian Swain placed on my blog, perhaps I'll try taking photos of the cards for this Stamp-a-stack and adding them without the additional 'editing capabilities' of special software.