Stamp Camp

What a blast we had at stamp camp. It's always fun and I always look forward to it! Here's just a few highlights of the day.

Here's the projects that we did.

Notecard pouch, in Soft Suede and Crushed Curry. Normally I'm not a huge fan of Crushed Curry, but I love them together for this project!

In all the years we've done stamp camp, we've never really done a masculine card so this little robot card is our first masculine card!



This was our fancy fold card and I wish you could see it in person because pictures just don't do it justice. It's very cool and really pretty in person.





We always do a box or a bag and this project was so cool and everyone had a different DSP from the Thoroughly Modern pack and they all looked great. And it was big enough to hold all the projects at the end of the day.

This is the inside of our scrapbooking project. And here's the outside.

The cottage wall DSP is just so pretty, don't you think!?

Here are some more highlights from the day.

Our retired stamp set tables, and some few early bird shoppers.

Stamp camp is a success! Everyone is having a good time.

Here's one of my customers and her daughter getting help from Pam.

These are just a few of the door prizes Amber put together. How adorable are those!!!

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow for Tutorial Tuesday!

Chocolate For a New Recruit

Well today is the day-Stamp Camp has finally come! I can't wait. Stamp Camp is a whole lot of work but I look forward to it every year. This year we have about 50 people coming which is great! And we're doing a few new things this year that we've never done before so I'm especially excited about it. On Monday I'll have a special stamp camp post for you so make sure to check back!
I know I told you yesterday that I would have a non mini catalog post, sorry, I lied. This mini catalog is so awesome though, I'm sure you understand. In the meantime, my upline Amber and I are making gift packages for anyone that signs up to be a demonstrator today. She has packages with stamp sets and catalogs and I was in charge of making the chocolate boxes. So I'll give you one guess which chocolate I used........give up.....? Ghirardelli, what else?
The boxes are really simple they're just the Box #2 die for the bigshot in Textured So Saffron. I used the new Charming Stamp set out of the mini catalog to decorate it.

I love that little medallion stamp, it's like the big background one had a little baby medallion. It's just perfect.

AND, how much do you love that Ghirardelli coordinates their wrappers to match our colors exactly!?!

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Charming

Cardstock: Textured So Saffron, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, White

Ink: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Box #2 die, Big Shot, dimensionals, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 inch circle punch, Designer Label punch, Chocolate Chip Double Stitched ribbon, Designer Brads

Well I'm off to stamp camp. Have a great weekend!

Thanks for looking, see you Monday!

Ghouls and Goblins

Is it to early for Halloween? Probably not since it's not too early for Christmas, and I've been posting those projects for a while now. This is actually the first Halloween stamp set I've ever gotten, and it's not even a Halloween stamp set, it has 1 Halloween stamp in it but the rest are non-Halloween. It's yet another set from the new mini catalog. I'm telling you that this mini catalog is going to rock your world if you haven't already seen it. This stamp set is so cute and I almost didn't get it, but at the last minute I decided I needed to have it so I got it. It coordinates with that cute little treat cup that's holding the candy.
How cute would this be for co workers or school gift for Halloween?

Those little treat cups are so easy to use and you get 12 in a box, they're very affordable too. For only $2.95, you can get them. You just can't go wrong with it!

I'll have something non-mini catalog related tomorrow.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Sweet Centers

Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, White

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories: Sweet Treat Cups, 1 3/4 circle punch, Elegant Eggplant ribbon

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Petals a Plenty

I just can't stop using my new mini catalog stuff. I'm so impressed with the amazing products in the new mini catalog. I always am impressed by SU and their amazing products but this mini catalog is jam packed with amazing idea and products!
I made this card for my downline Angela, her birthday was earlier this week, so I mailed her this card. The flowers on the bottom are so pretty, that's a new embossing folder for the big shot. So easy to use and the detail is incredible!

I gotta keep this post short. This week I'm getting ready for stamp camp, and there's still so much to do. But it's going to be so much fun. We have great projects, which I'll show you next week, and we have some new things that we've never done at stamp camp, PLUS our 50% off retired stamp set sale, which is always popular!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: It's Your Birthday
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Petals a Plenty embossing folder, 3/4, 1 and 1 1/4 inch circle punches, silver brad, paper piercer, linen thread, Elegant Eggplant ribbon

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Christmas Treat Box

Can you believe we're already at the end of August! I sure can't! But that means that Christmas is just that much closer! Have you started your Christmas shopping yet. It's never too early you know. I have a really cute box to show you today. I copied this one from Dawn's blog. It's just so cute and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to make it. It's made from the petal card die for the big shot! And it's so easy too!

Isn't that DSP just so pretty, and it's hard to tell in the photo but it's flocked, yes that's right! It's so pretty and the texture is so amazing! This new DSP will be available September 1 in the mini catalog. Isn't this a great box to fill with Christmas treats or a small gift-jewelry would fit perfectly in here!

I just love that ribbon too. Polka dot on one side and solid on the other.

This is the top of the box, the bottom is exactly the same. How cute is that!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Real Red, Christmas Cocoa DSP

Accessories: 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 circle punches, dimensionals, Window sheet, Petal Card die, Big shot, Real Red Polka Dot ribbon, sticky strip

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Tutorial Tuesday-Giving Cards

Today is Tutorial Tuesday and I wasn't sure it was going to happen. Yesterday was jam packed with stuff to do. We had to leave the house by 7:25 to make it to Logan's 3 year well check up at the doctors office. Dan had yesterday off so we also spent the rest of the day running errands and catching up on some stuff. Then yesterday evening we cut for stamp camp that's coming up this Saturday. So somewhere between all of that I had to do the tutorial then get it up on the computer and I wasn't sure if that was going to happen or not, but it did-yeah so you do get a tutorial! I'm not sure what to call it, but it's such a fun easy way to give note cards for gifts. With school starting these would make excellent teacher gifts or think of your college students going away, send them with some cards to write home every now and then. The one I showed a couple weeks ago is a different size than this one. This one is made to fit 4.25x5.5 cards, the other one fit 3.5x5 cards. I got this idea from my 3 level upline who gave me one at Convention, she got the idea and original pattern from Terri Gaines. I'll give the dimensions for the other one at the bottom if you prefer to make that size. For this one I'm using some new DSP from the Holiday Mini, coming out in September!! And a new stamp set from that mini too.

So what you'll need is and 8.25 x 12 piece of DSP, and a piece of coordinating CS (I'm using white) that's 4 x 8.5. On the DSP score it on the 8.25 side at 2 inches on each side, on the 12 inch side score it down the middle at 6. On you white, score on the 8.5 side at 5.5 and 6. You'll also need ribbon and the horizontal slot punch.

Fold on all your score lines. The score lines at 2 inches will fold in and then fold the 6 inch score line over.

I used my scallop border punch and scalloped the edge of the white. On your DSP open the 2 inch score lines again. Line up your 5.5 inch score line with the top of the DSP and glue down. The picture better illustrates this.

Glue the DSP down now.

Use your horizontal slot punch on the side with the white cardstock. I went about an inch down from the DSP and pushed my punch up as far as it would go then I punched the slot. Do that on both sides.

Your ribbon is threaded through them from the inside.

I have 4 cards with envelopes to put inside, they're very simple, pretty cards.

Lay those in the center between the top of the DSP and the 6 inch score line. Fold the bottom DSP over the cards and the white CS flap over that, tie the ribbon around to hold it and your done!

To make the one that holds 3.5x5 cards, your CS for the flap needs to be 3.75 x 6, score on the 6 inch side at 2 and 2.75, and your DSP will need to be 7.5x12, the directions I have for this one didn't give measurements for score lines. To make it your fold it in half hot dog style to find the center, then unfold and fold your sides in to the center line. I prefer to score so that you don't have so many lines and it's just neater. So that's why I modified it a little, plus I don't make the 3.5x5 cards very much so this size is just better for me.

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Pirate

Last Friday was Logan's 3rd birthday, and yesterday was his birthday party. We did a really low key party with just family. But everyone still got an invitation and favors. We wanted to do a pirate theme. Mostly because SU has the new pirate party kit and they take care of everything for you. And also because I had some cute pirate favors that I got for his first birthday party two years ago but never used them so finally I'm using them! Here's the invitation. Very simple. I only added some Chocolate Chip CS to make it a little sturdier.



Here's the card from Dan and I, tell me the little pirate bear isn't the cutest thing ever!!! I just loved making this! Isn't his shirt cute, that's new Christmas DSP from the mini catalog. I just love his little eye patch and bandanna! So adorable!! I love making these bears!!



Then we have the treat boxes. These were so easy to put together and fortunately for me the favor fit perfectly in them!

I'm sure the adults attending will have little use for a pirate rubber ducky, pirate tattoos and a tiny telescope. But they're super cute!

Thanks for looking! See you tomorrow!

My Favorite Convention Swaps

I thought today I would take some time and show you 10 of my most favorite swaps from convention. These demos did excellent work! Most of them have names and locations so I'll put what info I have on them.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this background stamp. I'm getting it with my next order FOR SURE. This one didn't have a name so I have no idea who did this one. But it's beautiful. The medallion is embossed in black EP and looks great in person!

This one was done by Angela's roommate Ashanti Walther. She was so nice and we were so happy to have met here and spent convention with her. She's from North Carolina.

I loved this one. The time she must have spent on this card, oh my goodness. First of all the image is embossed and then colored. It's just stunning. This one was done by Terri Ransom.





This one was done by Jean Goodman from Mechanicsville, Virgina. I think I was drawn to this one because it's the Greenhouse Garden stamp set that I LOVE but I love how she paired it with the Kind and Caring thoughts hostess set too.

I saw this one and had to swap for it. It's such a great man card and it reminds me of Johnny Depp. I really like this stamp set, but I'm not sure I would use it often so I'm glad I have a great sample of it. Roland Patton did this card.

This card was one of the cards from our shoebox swap on the first night. Kim S brought this card for us. But I just think it's so pretty!

Love this reindeer! And how great is that embossing both dry embossing and silver EP. This one didn't have a name just an email address. I don't want to post her email address but it's a great card!

Love, love this card. So elegant and pretty! I think those colors are so pretty together, It's Rich Razzleberry and Always Artichoke I believe. This one was done by Lisa Petricka, from Minnesota.

Uncle Sam with punches--get out!!! Oh but isn't he adorable! I'll be copying this guy next 4th of July! This card was made by Betty Gillespie in Derby Kansas.

The last one is made by Lisa Hirsch from Greenfield Wisconsin. I love this card so much that when I got home this stamp set was added to my wish list. It's just such a great card!

So that's it, just a few of my favorite swaps!

Thanks for looking, see you Monday!

Dies to Die For

I've been waiting to show these cards to you, not sure why I've been waiting, short on time I suppose, but boy are they darn cute. These are the bears in the latest fashions. I made a bear at convention. They had tables with big shots and dies set up to play with but OH MY GOODNESS playing with them at home is soooooo much fun. I just love love love these bears. I know what you thinking "Come on Ruth, tell us how you really feel" But seriously they're just so stinkin cute, I don't think I ever need to buy anything else--ok that's just crazy talk!!! But when you see these guys you'll love them too. So I won't make you wait any more. Here they are.

Little boy bear....
This fall he is sporting jeans, tee shirt and hat all made with big shot dies. His shoe laces are linen thread. Super cute. I actually mailed this card to my nephew Andrew who broke his leg about a week ago. I'm sure he loved it!


Here's our little girl bear, who looks a lot like my SU build a bear Emma...

Ok, she's just way too cute. She's wearing black flats, with a black leather jacket. Her skirt and blouse are flying off shelfs after seeing her on the runway on don't forget her matching purse. She never leaves home without it!

In addition to these super cute dies, there are also holiday one (Halloween and Christmas) I don't have those YET! When I do, I'll make sure to show you. I can't wait to go play dress up with these bears some more.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Orchid Opulence, Old Olive, Black, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Rich Razzleberry, Cottage Wall DSP, So Saffron, Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Thoroughly Modern DSP

Accessories: Big Shot, 2 way glue, Brilliant Blue brads, Rhinestone brads, dimensionals, Stampin' Up! Bear die, Beary Essentials die, Beary Boy and Beary Girl dies

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow for Tutorial Tuesday!

Off to School

Tuesday was Logan's first day of pre-school, and tomorrow he'll be 3 years old! I just can't believe it! We've been talking about his school for weeks and kept hoping for a smooth transition from all his time with Mommy alone to sharing 2 teachers with 11 other kids. But he loves to play with other kids and I'm happy to say that the transition went well. He's only going twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, for half days, 9-12:30. I BEARly have time to stamp while he's gone---hee hee, sorry I couldn't resist the play on words there!
For his first day of school on Tuesday I made him this cute little 3x3 notecard. I put it in his lunchbox and he found it when they all sat down for lunch. I decided to go super simple on this card. It's a small card to begin with and there's not alot of room for accessories. Though I did use dimensionals-seriously can I make a card without them-I don't think so!
These little bears are so much fun to watercolor and I'm just loving them! I even decorated his envelope too!

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Beary Best Friends

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, White, Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa

Ink: Staz on, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Night of Navy, Basic Gray

Accessories: Blender pen, dimensionals

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Pop Up Gift Card Holder

Something mysterious has happened. I made this card, one of the first ones that I made after returning from convention, and now I can't find it. How strange? How does a card just wander off. I've looked everywhere and my only conclusion is that it must have wandered off with a small child who has hid it. Hmmmm. We'll find it someday under a couch or behind his bed or somewhere even more obscure. He's actually really good about not touching my stuff but every once and while he just can't resist! It's really not a big deal. I made this card just to play with it. It's such a cool card, I wish I had it. But I can just make another for now right?
Isn't it so pretty on the outside, but on the inside.....
It pops up and holds a gift card--or business card! But how awesome is that! I got the idea from Michelle's blog and she has a great video tutorial on it so I won't go into huge details about how I made it.

Now since I can't find the card I'll have to list the supplies from memory so if I forget anything, please forgive me!

Supplies:

Stamp Set: It's Your Birthday

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Cottage Wall DSP

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories: Big Shot, Butterfly Die, Filigree Brads, square punch, dimensionals, sticky strip

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!