Some Convention Pics and Swaps

Here are a couple of the Stampin' Addicts organized swap cards I took to the Stampin' Up! convention, along a few of the display boards. Oh, momma, there was some uh-MAZing creativity displayed there, worth the price of admission even without all the freebies we received (more on that later).

The Champagne Glimmer ornament was cut with the Holiday Ornaments Framelits die, and the E.E. heat embossed ornament was fussy-cut, leaving the lovely glimmer paper border showing.

Christmas Card
Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Soft Suede DSP
Ink: VersaMark, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Heat Tool, Early Espresso Stampin' Emboss Powder, Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty Biity Shapes Punch Pack, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Butterfly Card
Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Papillon Potpourri, Pursuit of Happiness
Cardstock: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Modern Label Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch (mask), Early Espresso Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Dazzling Details, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

I'll be posting more of the swaps and display boards in the days ahead. And pictures of some of the lovely people I met, as well. (Justin Wilson, You Crew member, you made my day!!!)

SUOC 50 - Buttons and Brads

Sorry I've been M.I.A. so much lately. What with visiting my ill father in Montana, going to my first SU convention, a brutal drive home from Salt Lake City, and spending time with my grandkids (whom I haven't seen in TOO long), I haven't had a chance to update my blog as much as I would have liked. But that all changes today!

This week it's a Buttons and/or Brads challenge at SUO Challenges! Too often I reach for ribbon or adhesive rhinestones and pearls to add embellishments to my cards, so digging into my stash of brads was fun for a change. The rosette was a spare one from playing around with the Champagne Glimmer paper a few weeks ago. I set it aside, knowing I'd be using it soon!

I have lots of pictures from convention to share over the next week or so, so be sure to check back. And I'm approaching a milestone soon, as well, and there may or may not be blog candy involved. You'll find out when it happens. Just sayin'....

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Fabulous Phrases
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Champagne Glimmer, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede
Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Big Shot, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Antique Brads, Neutrals Brads, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

I Am.....Having Fun!

So very MUCH fun! Too much to process, really. My room mates Jennifer Timko and Heidi Baks brought lovely roomie gifts. Heidi used My Digital Studio to make these convention journals for us, which have come in incredibly handy for taking notes in the seminars.

Jen made adorable little buckets with our favorite snacks and included a Starbucks card (she knows me too well, lol).

This is the Convention bag we received, with free stamps inside!

That's it for now - another session starting soon.....

Christmas in July and a SNEAKY PEEK!

Mr. Brown delivered a box full of fabulous, amazing, wonderful, awesome, and neat-o goodies from the upcoming Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog yesterday. So today, taking a break from making swap cards, I made this card so you could get a preview of coming distractions (tee hee)!  Oh, baby, when I say SU outdid themselves, I'm not kidding. Shown here are four items from the Holiday catty.

First thing you may notice is the Champagne Glimmer Paper. The photo just does NOT do it justice. It is much brighter and sparkly than my rotten camera can depict.

Next is the Holiday Ornament Framelits. There are eight Framelits, which match the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set (nine stamps). They are uh-MAZING!

Now take a closer look at that ornament.  If you can see past the sparkly stuff, you may notice the ornament was heat embossed with Early Espresso embossing powder! It's hard to tell with the glare of the light reflection, but you can see it better near the bottom of the ornament. In the new catalog there is also Gumball Green EP, as well as a couple of new scented ones!

And lastly, you may have noticed the embossing folder. There are three new folders!  This one is called Lacy Brocade and it is soooo elegant.

Okay, enough previews.....I gotta get back to work on my swaps!


Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes (avail. 8/1), More Merry Messages
Cardstock: Champagne Glimmer Paper (avail. 8/1), Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Soft Suede DSP
Ink: VersaMark, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments Framelits (avail. 8/1), Gold and Early Espresso embossing powder (E.E. avail. 8/1), Heat Tool, Lacy Brocade embossing folder (8/1), Large Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals