VSN Winter Olympics Weekend - Part 1

Hello everyone, guess what? I have been stamping all weekend!!! It was Virtual Stamp Night weekend over at SCS, and thanks to Jimmi Mayo for an invitation to participate, I couldn't resist.

The theme was Winter Olympics, therefore all 16 challenges were around the Winter Olympic games. I completed all 5 challenges on Friday night and all 11 challenges on Saturday. The challenges are posted every hour and you have 45 minutes to complete the challenge and clean up to get ready for the next one. You then upload your cards to your SCS Gallery for everyone to see and leave comments.

If you want to see all 16 you can view my album HERE. I will show them in more details over the next few days right here on my blog, so be sure to check back.

Friday Night VSN Challenges

"What is an Inushuk?" Sketch Challenge
The symbol you have seen everywhere for these Olympics is called an INUKSHUK, which is a stone landmark or cairn built by humans. Use this for inspiration to create a card.








My Inukshuk Sketch Card.....

















Stamps: Dreams du Jour
Paper: Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Bella Bleu DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Not Quite Navy; Markers: Not Quite Navy, So Saffron, Old Olive
Access: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Kraft Corduroy Button, Dimensionals

"Hudson's Bay Sweater" Inspiration Challenge
Each Winter Olympics has its own official sweater. This year, the Hudson's Bay Company has produced a contemporary twist on a traditional Cowichan sweater. Use the colors from the sweater in your creation. For a bigger challenge, use maple leaves, elk, or other patterning.









My Hudson's Bay Sweater Inspired Card.....

















Stamps: Heard from the Heart, Falling Leaves
Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand DSP Prints (hostess) Ink: Ruby Red, Basic Gray
Access: Ruby Red Brads, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat Set

"Olympic Curling Team" Challenge
Curling is a team game played on a rectangular sheet of carefully prepared ice. Teams take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones down the ice towards to target (called the house). In honor of this Olympic event, the challenge was to create a card using the rolling marble technique.
My card for the Curling Team Challenge...

















Stamps: With All My Heart
Paper: Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry; Re-inkers: Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Pretty in Pink Access: Marbles, Plastic Clamshell Box, Fancy Flower Punch, 1" & 1-1/4" Circle Punches, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Dimensionals, Chocolate Chip Eopxy Brads, 1/16" Hole Punch
Rolling Marble Technique: How to create a marbled background with reinkers and marbles. Place several drops of classic re-inkers in a plastic clamshell box. Add several marbles to the box and close lid. Shake box sideways until marbles are well inked and ink drops are replaced by ink tracks in the box. Place cardstock inside box and close lid. Let marbles roll over the cardstock to create a pattern. Continue to roll the marbles over the cardstock until desired background is achieved.

"Snow Blind" Challenge
Create a card that mimics the outdoor feel of Vancouver, and the rest of the Olympic sites, using ALL WHITE!!! That's right, we're going snow blind! The majority of your cardstock and/or DSP must be white, ALL embellishments must be white or a neutral color, you can color your image, or use colored inks as needed.
My card for the "Snow Blind" Challenge....













Stamps: Messages for Mom
Paper: Whisper White, Kraft
Ink: Basic Black; Markers: Perfect Plum Pale Plum, Certainly Celery
Access: White Satin Ribbon, Big Shot, Finial Press Impressions Folder, Modern Label Punch

"Snow & Sky" Challenge
Super blue sky, lots of snow and the Inukshuk...... create a project inspired by this picture...











Use blue and white - small traces of other colors are allowed, since we play for medals - bonus points for using something Gold, Silver or Bronze on your creation.
Here is my "Snow & Sky" Challenge Card...

















Stamps: With All My Heart
Paper: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Whisper White, So Saffron, Certainly Celery
Ink: Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Brocade Blue
Access: Big Shot, Lattice Die, 5/8" Wide Brocade Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Fancy Flower Punch, 1/2" Circle, 1" Circle, 5-Petal Flower Punches, Silver Brads, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat Set, Glue Dots, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed seeing the first 5 cards I made for the VSN Challenge......check back tomorrow for part 2.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

weSTAMP February Meetup

weSTAMP Group

This month at weSTAMP we changed things up a little.....and it was a wonderful evening. First we did 4 shoebox swaps instead of one make & take....great idea and the projects were awesome. Next, we moved on to the Ice Cream Social......Lorri made homemade Ice Cream and several of the gals brought toppings, the only word for this is YUMMO! After filling up on Ice Cream Sundaes we had the door prize drawing, since I won last month, I brought the door prize for this month....Congrats to Melissa for winning! Then the finale of our evening...SWAPPING! The theme for this month was Anything Goes for Spring/Easter. I left with 12 awesome swaps that I can now showcase to my customers! Needless to say, I came home after this wonderful evening and couldn't sleep......

Thanks everyone for a fun evening!
Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Shoebox Swaps using Regional Promo Set

Here are the four awesome projects we created at the weSTAMP meetup this month. We each used the Sweet Scoops Set, (not yet released, but was available as a Regional Promotion to demos) and will be available in the upcoming Summer Mini Catalog on May 1, 2010. So you get a sneak peek at a new set.

My card - 2 Scoops of Mint Chocolate Chip

















Stamps: Sweet Scoops
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Gable Green, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Gable Green, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa; Markers: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip (for Cherry)
Access: Big Shot, Harlequin Texture Plate, Chocolate Chip 1" Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Pretty in Pink Brad, Sponge Dauber, Paper Snips

Nancy's Easel Card














Melissa's Treat Pouch



















Lorri's Sweet Scoops Gift Set



















Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek!
Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

weSTAMP February Swap card

Here is the card I swapped for weSTAMP this month. I also created this card for the Color Challenge on Stampin' Connection that I am hosting this week.

Happiness Always














Stamps: Good Neighbors, Whimsical Words
Paper: Kraft, So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Close to Cocoa, Cameo Coral, Always Artichoke
Access: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dot Impressions Folder, Large Oval and Scallop Oval Punches, Dimensionals, So Saffron Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, Paper Snips

I am so ready for Spring.....how about You?
Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

weSTAMP Door Prize - February

Here is the Door Prize I made for the weSTAMP meeting. I won the Door Prize last month so it was my duty to bring the gift for this month. I decided to go with a Spring Theme and used the colors from the Shades of Spring DSP as my inspiration.

I created a Spring Banner and Mini Milk Cartons (filled with Easter Candies) with Holder.














Spring Banner













Stamps: Eggcoutrements, Whimsical Words, Warm Words
Paper: Shades of Spring DSP, Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
I used the Big Shot and Serif Essentials Alphabet to create the letters and then used the Perfect Polka Dot Impressions Folder to create the texture on each letter.

Mini Milk Cartons with Holder

















I ordered the tutorial to create the holder from Becky Roberts at Inking Idaho. She has amazing instructions for this. The Mini Milk Cartons are cut from the Stampin' Up! Big Shot Die. I used the Shades of Sping DSP and the Eyelet Border Punch to decorate each milk carton. Eggcoutrements stamp set, from the Occasions Mini Catalog, was used to embellish the milk cartons and holder.















Thanks for stopping by today.
Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Stampin' Addicts Birthday Blog Hop

Welcome to the Stampin' Addicts Birthday Blog Hop!

It all begins at Noon on Saturday, February 20 and ends on Sunday, February 21 at midnight.

The Birthday Blog Hop has 24 stops and each features a different birthday theme. You are sure to be inspired by all the creative ideas.

You are now at stop No. 23 on the tour where I am featuring birthday ideas for a "Ladies Night Out" themed birthday. This coordinating set is designed to be given to that special birthday lady and includes a Gift Card Holder with a matching Card Box Purse, a Birthday Card and a Party Favor.

Totally Tess Ladies Night Out Birthday














The party favor is made using the Big Shot and the Scallop Circle and Clear Circle Dies.
Stamps: Tiny Tags
Paper: Rose Red, Sweat Pea DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Access: Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/16" Hole Punch, Medium Jewelry Punch, Linen Thread, 2 nail files

This full size card is also a gift card holder that I placed inside the box.














Stamps: Tote-ally Tess, Crazy for Cupcakes
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red
Access: Large Oval, Scallop Oval, Scallop Trim Border Punches, Paper Snips, Markers: So Saffron, Rose Red, Taken with Teal, Soft Suede; Aqua Painter, Clear Rhinestone Brad, Dimensionals.
The flower embellishment is made from Sweet Pea DSP and the Scallop Circle Punch. I punched 4 to acheive this size. I added a Clear Rhinestone Brad to the center.

Here is the gift card holder open.















Birthday card


















Stamps: Tote-ally Tess, Well Scripted, Bitty Birthday
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Basic Black
Access: Big Shot, Lots of Tags Die, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Paper Snips, Markers: So Saffron, Rose Red, Taken with Teal, Soft Suede, Basic Black; Aqua Painter, Rhinestones (from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit), Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Don't forget to leave a comment, I love to hear from you!

StampinAddicts.com is a free website dedicated to supporting Stampin' Up! stampers and demonstrators alike. Our motto is "Positively Creative! Positively Stampin' Up!" If you have not been to Stampin' Addicts, you should check them out as soon as you finish the Birthday Blog Hop! And be sure to give cre8tivestamper a shout out - I'd love to see you there!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you enjoy the birthday blog hop!
Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Be on the Look Out....

Mark your calendars.....
to celebrate the 1st Birthday of Stampin' Addicts! They are celebrating with a Birthday Blog Hop featuring birthday cards and projects with Stampin' Up! stamp sets by several talented stamping bloggers. And me! I'll be joining 23 other creative stampers in showcasing birthday-themed projects February 20th and 21st. Don't miss it!

You can start with my blog and go through all 24 stops! the fun starts at Noon (EST) on Saturday!

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Stampin' Up! announces........

a carryover of several products from the Holiday Mini Catalog...so the following items are still available to order:

116794	Ornament punch	$15.95
116806	Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116854	Frost White Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116807	Platinum Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116829	Décor Elements Blocks	$9.95
116824	Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty	$7.95
116821	Stampin' Up! Holiday Windows Magnetic Movers & Shapers	$29.95
116819	Stampin' Up! Table Setting Bigz XL die	$42.95
116820	Stampin' Up! Embosslits Merry die	$11.95
116823	Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Merry Details die	$5.50
116822	Stampin' Up! O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Bigz XL die	$42.95
118140	Stampin' Up! Tree Decorations Sizzlits die	$5.50
118108	My Digital Studio	$79.95
116519	Charming stamp set	$19.95

These items were featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog, so if you still have your mini you can view them there or contact me for more details.

Have a great day everyone, thanks for stopping by.
Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Dazzling Divas February Meeting

Last Thursday we had our downline meeting for the Dazzling Divas Group. We did a shoebox swap instead of our regular swap and make & takes. We each made a full card using anything from the Occasions Mini or Sale-A-Bration catalogs, then cut and prepared enough supplies for each other to make the cards. We had 5 cards in all. We enjoyed stamping, delicious food and of course some business and girl talk.

Pam's Thank You Card



















Vicki's Birthday Card



















Anita's Sweet Treats Card



















Grace's Birthday Card















My Birthday Card


















Stamps: Well Scripted, Sweetheart
Paper: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Bashful Blue DSP Prints
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Bashful Blue
Access: Scallop Edge Punch, Big Shot, Lots of Tags Sizzlets, Wide Oval Punch, Button, Linen Thread, Old Olive Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Crimper, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Sticky Strip

To make the flower: I used the scallop edge punch on a 1" x 12" strip of DSP and then ran it through the Crimper several times. I sponged the strip with Not Quite Navy ink. I punched a 1-3/4" circle, covered it with sticky strip, then placed the strip in a circular fashion on the circle creating 2 rows. I added a button tied with linen thread to the center with a pop-up glue dot. I learned this at the Phoenix Regional SU! event.

If you want to attend our meetings and make awesome projects like this, contact me today to get started with your own Stampin' Up! business.

Thanks for stopping by today. I love to read your comments.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!!!
I wanted to share a home decor project that I made for Valentine's Day decorating. I saw this idea in the February Stampin' Success, this is the monthly publication from Stampin' Up! that is sent to all demonstrators, and knew I wanted to make one for my home.

I used On Board chipboard Heart shapes and covered them with DSP, also used the Full Heart Punch, and Big Shot Sizzlets Hearts from DSP in colors of Pretty in Pink, and Rose Red and glitter of course to had some bling! To hang the wreath I used our Rose Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon.















Close up of the top portion of the wreath.















I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day....hugs the one's you LOVE!

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Valentine Stamp Class

Today I am finally getting around to sharing with you the projects that everyone made at my Valentine themed stamp class last week. There were a total of 5 projects; 3 cards and 2 gift items. All products are from Stampin' Up!.

Card #1


















Stamps: Sweetheart, I {Heart} Hearts
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Cottage Wall DSP, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
Access: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Full Heart Punch, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Card #2


















Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Well Scripted
Paper: Blush Blossom, Soft Suede, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Sending Love Specialty DSP
Ink: Real Red, Blush Blossom
Access: Heart to Heart Punch, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, 1/4" Hole Punch, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

Project #1


















Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red
Access: Big Shot, Embosslit Scallop Heart of Hearts, Dimensionals, 3 x 3 envelopes, purchased heart shaped mini note pads

Card #3 and Project #2












Stamps: Jumbo Wheel - I {Love} Love
Paper: Sending Love Specialty DSP, Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Real Red, Pretty in Pink
Access: Jumbo Handle, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Brad, 1/2" Chocolate Chip Library Clip, Big Shot, Milk Carton Die, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip

Thanks for stopping by and check back soon for more creative ideas.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Scissor Pouch

Here is a fabric project that I created...at least I haven't seen it on any blogs yet. I have been working on this for a couple of days now trying to work the kinks out.
I needed a pouch to carry my scissors so they are not loose in my stamp bag. I came up with this idea for a pouch....I used the Pennant Die, and sewed them together with batting in the middle.

The ribbon closure threads thru the scissor handles holding them in place. I decorated the closure with a flower using the scallop circle that is on the pennant die and also two circles from the Circles 2 Die. I used Velcro to hold it closed.















Here it is without the scissors in the pouch.



















I am doing these for a swap and will post a tutorial once the swap is closed. For more details or to purchase one for yourself, please email me.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Big Shot, Felt and Circles Die

Felt Flower
Look at how gorgeous this is.....I made this from felt, using needle and thread and a simple pearl button. I cut the felt with the Circle Die and my Big Shot machine.....if you don't have this, you need to get yourself one!!! I saw this idea on Trina's SU! page and wanted to give it a try.....so super easy!















Ove this, want to buy one or some.....I am in the process of making several different colors and will have them for sale. Please contact me if you are interested and want a specific color.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

weSTAMP Swap

Last week I attended our weSTAMP meeting, it was so much fun. Lorri is a gracious hostess and we had a wonderful time stamping, swapping, and talking a little business. You can see all the swaps on Lorri's blog HERE.

Here is the card I created for the swap:



















Stamps: Totally Tess
Paper: Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Welcome Neighbor DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Melon Mambo; Various SU! Markers
Tools: Large Oval and Scallop Oval Punches, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Big Shot
Access: Perfect Polka Dot Impressions Folder, Dimensionals, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Paper Snips

Thanks for stopping by today and have a creative day!
Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

Simply Adorned

Now available....a new line of products from Stampin' Up!....Simply Adorned......charms and chains to create your own individual style. You can add your personal touch to the 5/8" Circle and 5/8" Square charms to create a bracelet; the 1" square and the 1" x 1-1/4" rectangle are perfect to add on to the 24" and 34" chains.

The chains and charms come packaged like this and inside the cardboard jacket is a little brown box with foam on the inside an a card announcing Simply Adorned.....how sweet is this!!















I received my order last week and decided to sit down today and make some inserts for the charms to make a bracelet and necklace. Each charm has two sides so you can show your personal touch. They are high quality stainless steel and glass, absolutely beautiful.
Here is what I created:

Side one of my necklace



















Side two of my necklace














I used the 24" chain and 5/8" Circle and 1" x 1-1/4" Rectangle charms
Tiny Tags and Charming Stamp Sets


One side of my bracelet














The other side of my bracelet














I used the Bracelet, 5/8" Circle, 5/8" Square Charms
Tiny Tags and Charming Stamp Sets

I hope you liked seeing the new Simply Adorned line of products from Stampin' Up! If you would like to place an order for your set of Simply Adorned products, please contact me today.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Can't say they didn't warn you................

I love when the UPS truck pulls up to my house and has a delivery for me. So yesterday when I received my order from Stampin' Up! this was printed on the box.....













Can't say they didn't warn you.....SSQQQUUUEEEAAALLLLL!!!!!!!!!















Then on the side of the box so you don't forget it's that time of the year again...

If you haven't received your Sale-A-Bration brochure in the mail, contact me today and I will send you one so you can place your order immediately. Remember with each $50. product order you can choose one Sale-A-Bration product for FREE...this year stamps sets in Clear mount or Wood mount, DSP paper pack, and a Border Punch are among the items you can choose from.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara

Dazzling Divas January Meeting

We had our first Dazzling Divas downline meeting of the new year last Thursday evening. We gathered at the home of Pam Hegarty for some delicious food, an awesome make & take and our swap. We had a wonderful evening.

Pam provided the make and take project; this adorable glass jar with a fabric flower on top and rub-ons on the sides. Of course filled with candy!! We made the fabric flower using the Big Shot and Flower Folds Die.



















This month's swap theme was Anything Goes Valentine's Day or Occasions Mini. Everyone did an awesome job as always.....I am so lucky to have such talented ladies in my group.

Pam's swap - this adorable desktop calendar



















Anita's swap - altered mini composition book



















Grace's swap used the Love Bots Girl kit
















Grace's swap open, cute heart notepad inside



















Vicki's swap card - she CASE'd it from durango509 on SCS.















My Valentine's swap - Bitty Box w/ Belly-band and filled with Ghiradelli chocolates















Stamps: I {heart} Hearts
Paper: Real Red, Sending Love DSP, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla
Ink: Real Red
Access: Big Shot, Bitty Box/Envelope Die, Scallop Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Full Heart Punch

If you think this is something you would be interested in doing, you can join my team and be a part of our meetings, local or long distance...contact me today for the special starter kit offer now going on with Stampin' Up!

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~~Barbara