Demonstrator Card Swap

I have recently been in a card swap with the other Stampin' UP! demonstrators in our group. We had a Christmas get-together and exchanged our cards. It is always exciting to receive so many wonderful cards from other demonstrators. Everybody has their own individual style, so each of the cards are great to add to my collection!

Here is my swap card. I actually designed this card this past summer for one of my stamping customers for her son's wedding. For the swap, I just changed the salutation. The salutation is from the Sincere Salutation stamp set(page 172). The main image and leaves are from the Petal Prints stamp set(page 118). The flowers were inked carefully with elegant eggplant and always artichoke and stamped four times without re-inking. I just alternated the position of the stamp. It gives the look of a bouquet. I stamped around the flowers with an image from the Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp set(page 167) and also sponged the edge of the card stock to give it a softened look. The Whisper White cardstock that the leaves are stamped on was also lightly sponged all over in always artichoke ink. As with many of my cards, I like to add a touch of ribbon. On this card I used Spring Moss Grosgrain Ribbon(page 234).

I will post other cards from the other demonstrators over the next few days. Please check back!

The page numbers indicate pages in the 2006-2007 Stampin'UP! Idea Book & Catalogue.

(All images copyright 1990-2006 Stampin' Up!)

Happy Stampin'!

Stacey

Pinecone Ornament

Christmas Day is getting closer! I have been stamping up a storm but I have also been playing. Here is a picture of one of the ornaments I made today. These pinecone ornaments are very easy to make but a bit time consuming as there is a lot of folding. This ornament features the 12x12 Designer Series scrapbook paper called Recollections. You can find this paper on page 208 in the 2006-2007 Stampin' UP! Idea Book & Catalogue. The narrow organdy wine coloured ribbon on this ornament finishes it off with an added touch of elegance.

My husband helped me make quite a few of these ornaments in the past two days for Christmas gifts. He is a great help, although he doesn't like to admit that he helps with the crafting! Thanks for your help Keith!

Check back for more holiday craft and stamping ideas over the next few days!

Happy Holiday Stamping, Scraping, and Paper Crafting!

Stacey

Scrapbooking Retreat!

SCRAPPING AWAY!

I am excited to let you know about a weekend scrapbooker's retreat coming to Vancouver Island at the Tigh-Na-Mara Resort and Spa. The retreat is organized by Michelle Dixon of Scrapping Away! I will be at the retreat as the Stampin'UP! representative for Vancouver Island! I will be on-hand for the scrapbookers and will bring along make & take projects and great ideas!

Check out ScrappingAway's website www.scrappingaway.com to find out more and how you can register for a weekend-long scrapbooking retreat!

Escape for an all-inclusive weekend of scrapbooking. Leave behind your daily distractions to focus on your passion for scrapbooking. Learn new techniques while you get inspired by the scrapbookers around you. Relax, enjoy and scrap away your weekend.

Check back for specials I will personally offer for the scrapbookers in attendance! The offer will only be available through me.

DON'T DELAY! As of today(December 18th), it was noted that there are only 10 spaces left. That would mean that 50 people have already registered!!!

See you in March when we will be Scrapping Away!

Stacey

'Twas the Week Before Christmas'

Here's a cute Stamper's version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'. Since we have just reached the week before Christmas, I thought this was fitting for all to read!

I have also included a picture of the card I made for the group of demonstrators I get together with every month. The stamp set featured on the card is from the Hostess Set 'The World Over'. The little snowmen were coloured using blender pens to pick up the ink from the lids of the ink pads. The burgundy grosgrain and narrow organdy ribbons finished off this simple layout and are adhered using a staple.


Twas the week before Christmas,
and the house was a hush
Save the stamping of rubber
in a last-minute rush.

The card stock was cut
with precision and care
In hopes that a greeting
would soon be stamped there.

The children were tucked
in their beds around eight,
But now it's ten-thiry....
How'd it get so late?

And I in my PJs
with bleary red eyes
Had finally arranged
all the stamping supplies.

It started out simple...
it does every year
Just make a few cards
for friends who are dear.

I pressed ink to paper,
it looked crisp and clean
A sprinkle of powder,
heat to a sheen.

When what on my green
Christmas card should appear?
Why, a tiny gold Santa
with sleigh and reindeer.

On pigment! On powder!
On heat from a gun!
Now ribbon and glitter!
Can I make eighty-one?

"I can do it!" I said
with all of my might
And looked at the clock -
'twas well past midnight.

I went straight to stamping
out card after card.
"This might take all night,
but at least it's not hard".

But after I finished,
they looked a bit lame.
I didn't want fancy,
but these were too plain.

And then in a twinkling,
a thought came to mind.
"I'll just dress them up,
and then they'll be fine".

So I went to my craft room
and looked all around,
Then back to the table
with all that I'd found.

My Fiskars I brandished,
I wasn't a quitter,
And soon I was covered
in emboss powder and glitter.

The cap of my marker
I held in my teeth.
I'd lay in some colour
or maybe gold leaf.

My broad little face
was all beaded with sweat.
But I wouldn't give up -
well, at not least yet.

There was glue on the table
and ink on the floor.
I laughed at the site,
though my fingers were sore.

I did not complain,
just kept up my work.
When more things went wrong,
I did not go berserk.

When finally finished,
one card about six,
It looked pretty good
after all of my tricks.

"I'm keeping this one,
my work on it shows
"So clutching my card,
up the stairs I arose.

I crawled into bed
at the crack of dawn,
Creativity all spent,
motivation gone.

But make no mistake,
I promise one thing:
You'll all get your cards,
but not till next spring!

--Author Unknown

Happy Christmas Stampin'

Stacey