Virtual Inking

I Love the Bunny, Oh I Love the Bunny...

If you've heard of Veggie Tales, then you've probably heard that song.  It's running through my head right now.  It's from Rack, Shack and Benny.

This is a fun card I found at Jo's house.  I thought I share it with you.  She used Bella Blue designer paper, the very fun Chocolate Bunny stamp, Teeny Tiny Wishes and the free Scallop Trim Border punch.  The color combo is Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa and Very Vanilla.  It's a very simple card, but totally cute.

Have a beautiful Sunday!  Don't forget about my sale! Scroll down to at the yesterday's post for details.

Happy Stampin'!

Linda:)

 

Quickie Sale!

February is almost over and I'm going to have a little sale!  It will all be done on email. Here's the deal.  I'm offering several sales depending on the order in which people order.  Please keep in mind that I am using the pronoun "her" to make it easier for me to type.

The FIRST person to order will get a FREE stamp set from my stash...any price.

The second will get a FREE stamp set from my stash...$15 and under.

The third person will get 10% off her entire order.

The fourth through tenth person will get a grab bag of goodies from me.

The tenth person and on will get a set of cards from me.

SOMEONE (I'll put names in the hat) will get a Level 2 Hostess Set!

Hee hee!  Let the ordering begin!  You MUST email me.  Do not order online if you want to get in on these deals.  Now, this sale goes through tomorrow so don't think you won't get a little something if you order Sunday.  You never know which number you will be!

Email me to order today!

Happy Stampin'!

Linda)

What Do Jackie Gleason, Johnny Cash and William Frawley Have in Common?

They were all born on February 26th!  If you don't know who William Frawley is, check out I Love Lucy.  He's the penny pinching landlord, Fred Mertz.  He was born in 1887.  Jackie Gleason, whom you know from the Honeymooners was born in 1916 and the Man in Black, Johnny Cash was born in 1932.  

The first two filmed in black and white and Johnny Cash was the Man in Black, so I'm making a card with black and white color combo in their honor for their birthdays.  Yes, it's a bit of a stretch, but a fun stretch, you must admit.  Or not, whichever you prefer.  Hopefully, you'll at least like what I've made.  If you do, will you pretty please with sugar on top, write a little comment on my blog.  Just a small one.  The word "nice" would work.  Maybe even "pretty"  or, I would be okay with "fabulous", "fantastic", "phenomenal".  You could copy and paste one of these words into the comment section.  I would be okay with that.

All images copyright Stampin' Up!

Well, okay, the picture is not great, but in real life people have oohed and aahed.  Really.  In the Stampin' Success magazine, one of the fun techniques shown was how to make lots of fun flowers.  You can't see how cool this flower is in this picture, I'll have to see if I can update this and take a better picture. 

I used the fun Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Birds and Flowers Sizzlet, Top Note Bigz Die.  I even made my own button!  I punched out 6 circles using the 1/2" circle punch and glued them together with Crystal Effects.  Don't forget to leave me comment!

Happy Stampin'

Linda:)

 

Quilting with the Big Shot

Looky, looky.  Isn't this cool!  This was made by the Stampin' Up! team using the BIG SHOT!  Yup!  If you are a fabric artist, quilter, seamstress, this is totally for you!  You will so enjoy the time savings, the designs and the shapes that you can cut out using this fabulous tool.  Stampin' Up! has exclusive dies that you will want as you pursue this wonderful habit and I'm here to help!  I can totally show you and your sewing friends samples of projects made with this delightful machine in your home or mine, if you live in the Colorado Springs area.  Contact me today to find out more info.  

 

Quilt Square

• Sizzix Big Shot 

• 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die 

• Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die 

• Background fabric (two 10" x 10" squares) 

• 10" x 10" square 100% cotton batting 

• Ric-rac (6") 

• Sewing machine and thread

1. Die cut four pieces of fabric using Big Shot and 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die. Round off star points.
2. Die cut two large scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die.
3. Die cut one small scallop circle using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die.
4. Insert cotton batting between two squares of background fabric and sew together using sewing machine and thread.
5. Sew four flower petals (from 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die) to square. Fold large scallop circle in half and adhere to bottom of flower petals.
6. Fold small scallop circle in half, then fold over part way to create one gather. Adhere to bottom of flower using sewing machine and thread.
7. Adhere ric-rac stem to square using sewing machine and thread. 
8. Create leaf by cutting large scallop circle in half, then folding inner
edge, and sewing each half on square. 
9. Wash and dry to give shabby-chic look.

Happy Stampin'! (or sewin', in this case!)

Linda:)

Do You Have Healthy Memory Card Habits?

You and I know that memory cards are wonderful.  You can store lots of info on them and give them a good beating and they still keep working.  However, there are some great tips that will help you from losing those precious photos.

1.  DON'T delete photos on your camera. (I'm so guilty of this)

2.  Format your  card regularly.  (I didn't even know we were supposed to do that!)

3.  Have a spare.  Who wants to be somewhere with picture worthy moments and NO ROOM on your CARD?

4.   Know your card's life expectancy (about 8-10 years).

Macworld wrote a great article on this and these are just the highlights.  If you want to read the whole thing, click here.

Sign up for my newsletter and get more fabulous tips.

Happy Stampin'!

Linda:)

Stampin' Success!

One of the wonderful things about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is the great training I get from the company.  I get both business and creative training.  We get a wonderful magazine every month where I find layout ideas, great color combinations and fun projects to share with you.  We have Online Extras every month where Stampin' Up! goes into more detail for certain projects.

This is one of those Online Extras from last month.  That cute Hugs Sending Love Notes is such a great way to add a little pizzaz to your card.  The I (Heart) Hearts Stamp set is so versatile and really fun to work with on any project.  Don't forget, from now until February 28th, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 to the Red Cross for every one of this set sold.  Hope you enjoy this, compliments of Stampin' Up!  

Want lots of creative inspiration for your business?  Join my team!  You'll get so much from the Stampin' Up! demo website and I have my own website for my downline.  Contact me today to start your very own business!

 

 

You Mean the World to Me Note

Stamps I {Heart} Hearts (set of 8; item 117010 (w) or 118571 (c)) Paper Real Red card stock: 1"x 1" Whisper White card stock: three at 3" x 3" Hugs Sending Love Notes Rectangle glassine envelopes Ink Bashful Blue Classic Stampin' Pad Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad Accessories & Tools Linen thread Playground Designer buttons Chat Room Rub-Ons Stampin' Dimensionals Heart to Heart punch Instructions Apply Chat Room Rub-On to Hugs Sending Love Note using wooden stick included in Rub-Ons assortment. Adhere Real Red card stock square to center of Hugs Note. Stamp triple heart image in Bashful Blue, Old Olive, and Real Red ink on Whisper White card stock pieces. Punch out image using Heart to Heart punch. Adhere gridline hearts to Hugs Note using Stampin' Dimensionals, and set remaining hearts aside for use on a different project. Tie linen thread through Real Red button, and adhere button to Hugs Note. Happy Stampin'! Linda:)

New Class in Colorado Springs!

I'm so excited to bring you a new class. It highlights a popular stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog; the Vintage Vogue stamp set and coordinating wheel. Oh, I can't WAIT to show you so many fun techniques! If you live in the Colorado Springs area, then you're sure to want to come! This is a great class for beginner and advanced stampers alike.

Products Used:

Stamps
•	Vintage Vogue stamp set **NEW**
•	Very Vintage Jumbo Stampin’ Around Wheel **NEW**

Paper
•	Perfect Plum card stock
•	Mellow Moss card stock
•	So Saffron card stock 
•	Chocolate Chip card stock
•	Very Vanilla card stock


Ink
•	Classic Ink Pad – Chocolate Chip
•	Classic Ink Pad – Mello Moss
•	Classic Ink Pad – Elegant Eggplant
•	Classic Ink Pad – So Saffron
•	Stampin’ Write Marker – Chocolate Chip

Accessories
•	Taffeta Ribbon – Kraft
•	Taffeta Ribbon – Chocolate Chip
•	Cutter Kit
•	Rhinestone Brads - Clear
•	Medium Envelopes – Very Vanilla
•	Color Spritzer tool
•	Velcro™ Dot w/ sticky backing
•	Crop-a-Dile or Paper-Piercing Tool
•	Stamping Sponges
•	Sticky Strip
•	Mini Glue Dots
•	Stampin’ Dimensionals
•	Paper Snips
•	SNAIL
•	Paper Trimmer w/ scoring blade
•	Bone Folder (optional)

Click here to reserve your seat or see the details of this upcoming class.

March 9, 7-9 pm

Cost $22.50 

Limited seating available.

Or, pay here now.  

Email me if you'd like the TO GO version.  Your kit will contain ALL consumables except adhesive and can be sent to your home or picked up here in the Briargate area of Colorado Springs.

Hope to see you there!

Linda:)

People & Portrait Photography Quick Tips

People & Portrait Photography Quick Tips

from NationalGeographic.com

•               If you use objects other than your main subject in the foreground, be careful of placement. You don't want to obscure or detract from your subject.

•               Every time you hold your camera to your eye, look for leading lines, foreground elements, frames—anything you can use to lend dynamism to your image. Photographs are two dimensional but it helps if they look and feel three dimensional.

•               Don't just stand there—sit, squat, lie down. The angle from which you make a photograph can make a dramatic difference.

•               When using an electronic flash indoors, move your subject away from walls to prevent harsh shadows.

•               A piece of very light orange gel over the face of your electronic flash can warm up the light and give it a more pleasing cast.

•               When you first arrive at a new location, make note of any features that strike you. Try to find ways to incorporate them into your composition.

•               Be careful if you are using a wide-angle lens to photograph a group. The people at the edges may get distorted.

•               If kids want to look through the camera, let them. They will be more relaxed and cooperative. Just watch out for dirty fingers on the lens.

Anticipate kids' behavior. If they are playing tag, set up near the base, compose your image, and wait for them to come running in.

It's always more fun to scrap a good picture.  Hopefully, this article from National Geographic helps you!  Want to get good tips like this?  Sign up for my newsletter!

Happy Stampin'!

Linda:)

Spring is NOT in the Air

But that's okay because I actually do like snow.  My family is retreating this weekend with our Sunday School class and we want snow.  There's sledding and snowball fights and snow angels to look forward to now!  Yay!  Still, it's fun to have bright colors every now and then to brighten up your day.

 Stampin' Up! started this great place for demos called Stampin' Connection and BOY is it loaded with GREAT ideas for me to use.  I found a card similar to this there, but changed the colors and stamp set.  I liked how it turned out so bright and cheery.

Want to learn how to make fun cards like this?  Sign up for my newsletter and get all sorts of ideas!

Happy Stampin'!

Linda:)

 

Baby Bumper Buggies

Do you remember trying to say that 3 times fast when you were little?  No, well, you have a short memory or you were deprived as a child. 

I have a friend who is having another baby.  Her husband was CONVINCED that it would be a girl and therefore convinced everyone else.  Well, lo and behold, their having a boy!  hee hee.  I did have to laugh just a little.  Soooo, I made this card.  Isn't it cute?  LOVE the Whimsical Words from the Sale-a-bration brochure.  I thought they fit beautifully.

I used the 1 3/4" circle punch to make the buggy and the 1/2" circle punch to make the wheels. I brayered Mellow Moss onto the Patterns Pack 3 paper and used Night of Navy ink for the sentiment.  The card measures 4X4.  This is one of those layouts that you can use over and over again.  

The Patterns Pack 3 is only available to hostesses with a qualifying workshop.  Want yours?  Call me today to set up a very fun girls' night out and start getting your FREE stuff!

Happy Stampin'!

Linda:)