Saturday, September 27, 2014

Rethinking Scrapbooking

If you have read my blog long enough (Hi Mom and Dad), then you will remember when I posted scrapbook pages. For the past 5 years or so, I have been making more cards than layouts. One of my barriers to regular scrapbooking has been printing the photos as we used more and more digital photography. I have tried digital scrapbooking with Photoshop Elements and My Digital Studio, but that was sporadic. I have been interested in Project Life, but I have not developed a system to regularly create this type of album. I may have finally found my solution because now there is a Project Life App for iPhone. It is quick, easy, and not too expensive. Here are some of the pages I have created in just a week:


Of course my first in-app purchase was the kit designed by Stampin' Up! Next I will have my 12x12 pages printed and then slip them into our scrapbooks. I like this option since I can mix in other types of layouts. This was the last traditional layout that I made over the summer with the one of the Stampin' Up! Project Life kits.


Project Life by Stampin' Up! supplies used:

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Swap & Hop

The Fun 'n Crafty Stampers just completed our card swap for the Holiday catalog, and we are having a blog hop today to celebrate. I am impressed with all of the time and effort that is put into these cards. My friend and upline, Pam, does a wonderful job of coordinating our large card swaps.

I chose to use the Beauty of the Season stamp set and Blendabilities markers. I love the cardinal and this image is forgiving to color.


I hope that you will hop along to see the other cards and check out my supply list below. Your next stop is Stamp with Angela, and she makes beautiful cards!

Pamela Wu of Sticky Tofu
Sara Grafton of 1200 Some Miles
Angela McCormack of Stamp with Angela
Jennifer Blomquist of Northwest Stamper
Stacey Lane of A Work of Carte

Supplies Used:

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Bike MS: Waves to Wine

We are back from a weekend in Sonoma for the Bike MS: Waves to Wine Ride. It was John's first year participating in the event, and I hope to join him next year. I will have some training to do to get my milage up since the shortest ride option is almost 40 miles.

A big THANK YOU to our friends and family who donated!

The event had approximately 2400 riders with different route options. Many of the riders started in San Francisco and rode to Sonoma. John dealt with flat tires on the route but still made it back. Alex made friends, and we entertained ourselves while John was out riding. We decided to camp out, which was convenient to the ride location. We had sleeping bags and sleeping pads, but I really missed having a mattress. Is that a sign of my age?!





Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Card Design Formula

Sunday was my first card making class, and I really enjoyed designing these cards.


As I designed the cards, I realized that I have a "go-to" formula for my cards:
Card Base + Background Designer Series Paper &/or Embossed Card Stock + Stamped Greeting + Embellishment(s)

Of course there are so many design options, but this seems to be my starting point and the common elements for most of my cards. I even typed up my notes as I prepared for the class:

Hello card
1. Stamp set – Four You $14.94 (Wood Mount 130535)
2. Cardstock – Pistachio Pudding and Crisp Cantaloupe $6.95 for 20 sheets
3. Ink Pads – Calypso Coral & Gold $5.95 & 9.95 (126983 & 132141)
4. Wood element – from Project Life kit
5. Sequins $4.95 for 750 (133631)
6. Big Shot and Decorative Dots Embossing Folder – Optional
7. Gold Soiree Designer Series Paper $12.95 for 12 sheets of 12x12 paper
8. Paper Doilies $2.95 for 24 (129399)

Birthday Wishes card
1. Stamp set – Four You $14.94 (Wood Mount 130535)
2. Cardstock – Whisper White $8.40 for 40 sheets (100730) & Blackberry Bliss & Hello Honey $6.95 for 20 sheet variety pack (133681)
3. Ink – Blackberry Bliss $5.95 (133642)
4. Elegant Butterfly Punch $15.95 (127526)
5. Rhinestones $4.95 for 150 (119246)
6. Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack $6.95 for 48 sheets of 4 ½ x 6 ½” paper
This card was inspired by one on Pinterest

Thank you card
1. Stamp set – Watercolor Thank You $8.95 (1135377)
2. Notecards & envelopes $5.95 for 20 (131527)
3. Sequins $4.95 for 750 (133631)
4. Ink color of your choice ($5.95)
5. Water color brushes (purchased from Amazon)
This card was CASED from the Stampin' Up! catalog.

Next up, I am working on fall card ideas for an upcoming Stampin' Up! party and my October class.




Saturday, September 13, 2014

Stamping with a 5 Year Old

Last month was my mom's birthday, so I used two of my new stamp sets to make her card. Alex also wanted to make her a card, so we did a lot of stamping. Here is the card I made:


I think that Alex actually spent more time on his card because he wanted to stamp the front, inside, and back of the card.


Supplies Used:


Unite & Excite with Stampin' Up!

I had a blast at my first Stampin' Up! Demonstrator event, but it has taken me a while to blog about it. Last Sunday, I headed to Livermore with 2 friends for the event. We stopped off for brunch at the Black Bear Diner. My pancakes were delicious, but I could not finish them.

Stampin' Up! held events all over the U.S., but we lucked out to have the California event about an hour away and at a beautiful winery.

There were lots of samples to see and this wreath looks like a fun project.
(We received a sneak peek of the You're Wonderful stamp set from the talented Mercedes Weber.)

In addition to learning so much and meeting new people, we also received the Everyday Occasions Card kit.

Even though I have been a demonstrator for 10 months, it took me a while to make it to an event. I was a Stampin' Up! customer for five years before becoming a demonstrator. I realize that it takes me a while to decide to do some things, but it was worth the wait.