Good morning, everyone! Have you missed me? I've been gone for a few days, visiting out-of-state with family. We had a great visit even if my little one brought back a case of the stomach flu that her cousin shared with her! They are very close and Bethany was so looking forward to visiting her cousin, Jesscera. They even got to go to a Halloween party together, dressed as a Veterinarian Surgeon and a Black Cat "patient". I'm glad they get along so well together but really wish they didn't feel a need to share "everything", if you get my point!
The Late Night Stampers Convention group has a sketch challenge going this week using this sketch designed by Diane Shiozaki and Tana Conley, two of the Design Team Members. If you're a regular on my blog, you know how much I LOVE to work from sketches so thanks, Diane and Tana, for today's inspiration! As I so often do, I made three cards today using this one sketch. Why three? I don't know -- I just seem to think in three's and it gives me a chance to really show the versatility of the sketch!
The first card today gives me an opportunity to show you a Sneak-Peek at the Country Living Holiday Collection Stamping Kit which will be available for you to purchase beginning this Saturday, November 1st! I'll be sharing more about this promotion with you when it becomes live on Saturday but for now all I can say is "WOW"! You will definitely want to purchase this kit which is packed with Stamps, paper, Chipboard, inks, glue, glitter and so much more! I've got some very special projects planned using this kit so make sure and stop back often to see the updates! This card shows you a few of the stamps included in the kit -- a large and small snowflake and a holiday greeting. The card base is Riding Hood Red with a layer of Pretty in Pink on top. The ribbon is 3/8" Riding Hood Red Taffeta (with white edges). The large snowflake is actually a chipboard ornament that can be removed from the card and put on the Christmas Tree (a little gift for whoever receives this card). I coated the Chipboard Snowflake with Versamark Ink and embossed with Irridiscent Ice Embossing Powder for wonderful shimmer and shine! I've also used one of the small Felt Flurries from the Holiday mini catalog and a red Rhinestone Brad!
The second card that I made using today's sketch uses one of my favorite colors -- purple! Specifically it uses Perfect Plumb and Elegant Eggplant. The card base is Perfect Plumb with a layer of Whisper White Cardstock. The pattern paper is the Perfect Plumb Patterns Designer Series Paper (DSP) and the large flower from Bella Blossoms is stamped with Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive inks. The inside of the flower is covered with Dazzling Diamonds glitter using a 2-way glue pen. 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon and tied-on bow add a lot to the card as does the sentiment from Best Yet, punched out and mounted on the Curly Label Punch shape! This was a fun card to make!
This third card today also comes with a reminder that this and many of the Stampin' Up! Birthday stamp sets are on sale through October 31st for 20% off! Check out this special here! This card uses the delightful Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set. I began with a card base of Pumpkin Pie cardstock and a layer of Pretty in Pink. I added just a strip of DSP from the Petal Party Simply Scrappin' Kit. The images are both stamped with Black Stazon Ink and colored in with markers. The cupcake stand is layered on Pixie Pink and Old Olive and the ribbon was tied across the card. The balloon is filled in with Pixie Pink and highlighted with a White Signo Gel Pen. The balloon circle is punched with the 1 3/4" Circle punch and the Old Olive mat is cut using the Coluzzle Cutting System. The sentiment is stamped with Pixie Pink ink on Whisper White cardstock and punched out with the Large Oval Punch, mounted on 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circles and the Designer Label punch.
So there you go, 1 sketch and 3 cards for today's inspiration. Try the sketch and see what you can come up with! I can't wait to see your ideas. E-mail me your photo and you may just find it posted on my blog!
If you're a Stampin' Up! demonstrator or plan to soon become a demonstrator and would like to join the Late Night Stampers Convention group, you can find more information and apply for membership here.
Don't forget that you can order any of the items you see on my blog using our Online catalog. You can also e-mail or call me to place the order for you. Either way, you can pay for your order using any major Credit Card.
I am again offering the Designer Series Paper and Ribbon Sampler Kits, including DSP from the Holiday Mini Catalog. This is a great way to get a little bit of everything without having to buy complete packages of paper or spools of ribbon. This is a limited time offer. Deadline for ordering the Sampler Kits is Thursday, October 30th at 11:59 p.m. (central time). I will place the order with Stampin' Up! on October 31st and you will receive your kits in the mail about 10 days after that. Click on the links above for more information.
I still need a couple more people for the new Marker Club that is forming. Marker Club is a 4-month commitment (no meetings). Each month you pay $37.50 and receive one Color Family of Stampin' Write Markers. During one of the months, you will also receive the Carry and Storage Case for the markers so at the end of the 4-month commitment, you've received the entire set of 48 Markers in the Storage Case. You also receive tips and ideas each month of how to use and care for your new Markers, along with a project sheet. If you live out of my area, there will also be an additional $2 charge each month for me to send your markers to you. This is a great deal and a wonderful way to spread out the purchase of the entire set over time. E-mail me if you are interested and put "Marker Club" in the subject line of your e-mail.
Gotta go for now! I hope you're having a great day. Don't forget to share some inspiration with someone you care for today and I hope to see you back soon!
Blessings, Gretchen
