We Create Blog Hop--Step it Up November

How was your Halloween?  I had to work last night but it we made it fun!  It's really amazing that most of the Christmas items are on the floor already at my store and pretty much all of it is somewhere in the stockroom!  I know that shortly, the Christmas music "loop" will be playing and I will get to listen to the same Christmas songs...every. single. day.  Oh well, that's life in retail!!

This month, I made a card that really can be used all year long, but I gave it a fall look.  I love the Wonderous Wreath stamp set for that reason.  Even though it is technically a Christmas set, just changing the colors can take it through the whole year.  Now that's versatility.

The first card is a simple one-layer card with a bit of added dimension with the Linen Thread bow and a bit of Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details.  This was pretty much a 5 minute card (other than the drying time of the DD).

The stepped up version has some of the same details, but I used the wreath Framelit to cut out the wreath and embossed the  Very Vanilla card stock with the Woodgrain embossing folder.  I used the sentiment from our new October Paper Pumpkin set (you really should sign up for Paper Pumpkin!!) I embossed the "Thinking of You" in gold embossing powder and 'fussy cut' around the words.  I tied it all together with a little bit of Cherry Cobbler seam binding (which I figured out later that we no longer carry--sorry!) You can use any trim to tie the card.

I have really enjoyed stepping up my projects the last few months! I really makes me think about the project from start to finish (I'm really a create-as-I-go type of girl!) I love the process!!

Enjoy the rest of the bloggers!

I'm sure November is going to fly by! We've had a pretty mild October, but I think our wonderful weather is over! Welcome winter!

Julie

We Create Blog Hop--March Madness!

Sorry for the delay!  This has been a super busy time, it's really hard to believe that it's already been a month since my last post :( I keep telling myself that things will start to slow down and get a bit easier but that is not the case.  Creating is such a part of who I am that when I don't have the opportunity to make something, I don't feel like myself.  Well, this is what I created for March Madness, because I am sure that March will be completely mad, but with the mild winter we have had here in Utah, I expect that soon we will be seeing beautiful flowers all over (I have seen them already sprouting up!!)

Yesterday was my birthday (Yay!) and my cute friend brought flowers to me at work (Yes, I had to work on my birthday!!) It was such a surprise to me and it made me so happy that she would think about me enough to come to my work and bring flowers! It really did make my day!  This card will be going to her! I used a small circle of Best Year DSP from the fabulous Sale-a-bration catalog and the stamp is also from Best Day Ever set from SAB.  They are only available until the end of March, so don't delay!  I love the soft palette with the browns.  I used the Early Espresso embossing powder to add dimension and shine to the sentiment.  I love the Clear faceted buttons, they add some bling but are neutral so can be used in any color palette.

I really want to spend more time creating, I really just need to pick a day to spend in my craft room--it just makes me so happy that I need to carve out time in my busy week to create.  How do you find time in your busy lives to do what you love to do?  I'd love some suggestions!

Julie

We Create Blog Hop--All Wrapped Up!

I have to apologize for taking such a long break,  I started my new job at Crate & Barrel and working several evenings a week have put a damper on my blogging time.  Luckily, I had a open house last week and had prepared some packages for my displays.  Stampin' Up! has so many packaging options, the hardest part is selecting which is your favorite! (Or...you can just buy it all!!)

Our wonderful Gift Box punch board is a fabulous tool for making boxes up to 4" x 4" (using 12" x 12" cardstock or Designer Series Paper). Our Take Out box, Window box and Tag a Bag box are great pre-made boxes that just need a bit of stamping or embellishments.  Cello bags come in 4 different sizes, but my favorite is the 1" x 8" you can add pencils, pens, candy, and more.  We also carry Big Shot dies in box shapes, just like my fry box.  To top it all off, we have our new Festive Designer Kraft paper rolls and a plethora of beautiful ribbons and trims to tie everything up. You can order anytime, there is still plenty of time to receive your products before Christmas, but don't delay!

I can't wait to see what everyone else came up with this month!  It's always fun to see different ideas that I can CASE! (Copy and Share Everything...as long as you give credit to the designer!!)

Have a spectacularly creative holiday season!!!

Julie

We Create Blog Hop--Such a Big Shot!

It's August already, which means summer is winding down, school starts soon and the Davidse's are finally feeling settled in Utah.  Now is when the fun begins!  Picking classes, getting an apartment, buying books and supplies... you know, the basics.  Time is just flying by!

Today is also the beginning of our Big Shot promotion!  We love promotions!  This month, if you buy a Big Shot die cutting machine, you can choose a stamp and Framelit bundle for free or if you already have a Big Shot, you can purchase any of the bundles for and extra 15% off it's already discounted price!  I have had my Big Shot for more than 5 years now and I love to use it. From embossing folders and dies that work with several different materials, to so many stamp sets with matching Framelits, or bundles, there are a myriad of ways to use the Big Shot.  I will be having a Big Shot class in August, so if you are in the Salt Lake valley (or close enough to it), make sure you like my Stampinjul page on Facebook to find out more information.

For this card, I used my new fave, Endless Wishes stamp set as well as my old fave, Gorgeous Grunge.  I used my Oval Framelits and the Decorative Dots embossing folder.  I use the new In Colors Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, and Tangelo Twist and the very pretty Blackberry Bliss 3/8" stitched satin ribbon with a strip of our awesome Chevron ribbon in Crushed Curry (not the same as Hello Honey, but it coordinates well).  I used this beautiful card from Anne at Kreativersum as my inspiration!  She is so talented, make sure you check out all of her stuff--you won't be sorry!!  Now head on over to Michelle, she's the next one on the blog hop, she always has something fun to share!

I'm going to be fixing up my stamp room this weekend--YAY!!!  Fun times!!

Julie

We Create Blog Hop--Bundle and Save

With all my best intentions, my stamp room is still in boxes!  Although, before I moved, I packed critical two boxes, one labeled "Stampin' Essentials" and the other "Big Shot" (I had stopped labeling boxes weeks ago, instead using colored duct tape for each room!).  I was grateful that I had those two easily accessible boxes and that the stuff for this blog hop was available to use.  I'm just hoping that I will have my room together enough to make my swaps for convention which is just a few short weeks away.  Anyway, with many of my tools in boxes, I have had to be extra creative.  Our theme is Bundle and Save and with all the great stamp bundles currently in the catalog, we hope you can see some great options with using the bundles (besides, who doesn't like a discount!!)

I used the Chalk Talk bundle with Moonlight paper stack and Hello Honey cardstock.  I added some hand drawn borders with our new In Color markers and tied at bow with our new 3/8" stitched satin ribbon in Blackberry Bliss (this ribbon is lovely in person!!).  I found my package of Candy Dots, so I used one of those. I kind of felt like a new demonstrator with just a few supplies!

I can't wait to see what Michelle has created for our hop, she always has such cute projects!

I'm still getting settled, but at least I feel like I have most of the unpacking done.  Now for the organizing...darn, not something I'm very good at, oh well. Anyone good at organizing?

Julie

We Create Blog Hop--See Ya Later...

Well, it's that time again!  The retired list is out for the 2013-2014 Stampin' Up! catalog. Although I'm a little bit sad to see some of the items go (some more than others!!) I get excited to see what Stampin' Up! has come up with next!  They are known around the paper crafting world for their creativity and style and have won many awards for their designs.  So as we say "adios" to the stamps and accessories that will no longer grace the pages of the catalog, we can still enjoy and create with them for many years to come.

I used 4 of the 5 retiring In Colors for this card (sniff, sniff Summer Starfruit!), as well as the houndstooth embossing folder; the Summer Starfruit stitched ribbon; Crazy, Mixed-up Love; and the flower punch from the punch pack all which are on the retired list.  I added Crystal Effects on the lava lamp and a few spatters from Gorgeous Grunge. The Crystal Effects made the ink bleed a bit, but it goes well with the "lava" look.  Shout out to my lovely, talented friend, Cindy Schuster for her cute card idea.

Now, on to Michelle for her "final farewell" project!

I can't believe it's already May!  I have so much to do this month that I can barely even think!  We close on this house in 15 days--Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!  If anyone is interested in a brand-spankin' new 2014-2015 Stampin' Up! catalog, we will be able to pre order them in a few weeks, make sure I have your email or you are subscribed to my blog for more info.

Julie

I Miss You Already

Well, after a lot of prayer, we have decided to leave Las Vegas after almost 20 years!  We will be moving back to Utah after our youngest graduates this summer.  It will be a new adventure for the whole family, but I still think I have a little bit of anxiety.  It's hard to leave the friends we've known and loved for 19+ years and the home we've raised our family in, but it is time for a change and the Lord keeps opening doors for us to go back--how can we say "no"?  As the boxes slowly get packed up and the last few projects are finished, the reality of the whole thing is starting to hit me...hard!!  We have loved living here (I know that is hard for some to believe but it's true!)  Las Vegas is really two different cities!  The tourist "Vegas" and the community "Las Vegas valley".  It's completely different from where we grew up, but we love it and will miss it here.  We have made some lifelong friends along the way who really have become family since our family has been so far away.  We left Utah for better employment way back in August of 1994 with one toddler and dreams of a wonderful life and now we leave to go back with two grown children and more wonderful memories than we could've imagined!  We're not sure how to thank all those who have touched our lives, but we know we have been blessed more than we deserve.  It will be wonderful to keep in touch with today's modern technology and social media, but it's not nearly the same as one on one, face to face.
When I first saw this stamp, I really didn't get it, but now that I am really leaving, it's making more and more sense to me.  The pain of separation is getting stronger each day and memories are filling my mind to the brim, but I have to keep packing and cleaning (ugh!) and planning and home-searching (thanks, Zillow!) and try not to "think" too much, or it will overwhelm me!  I certainly plan to thank my friends personally, but this sentiment just made it all very real to me.  I miss you already!!

Products used were: Decorative Dots embossing folder (SAB), Watercolor Wonder DSP, Oval Framelits, Stitched In-color satin ribbon, In-color Dahlias, Smoky Slate embossing powder, and Really Good Greetings stamp set.  

Sale-a-bration is coming to an end in just a little more than a week, make sure you get your order in before the end of the day on March 31!

Better get back to packing (again...UGH!!)!

Julie

Flower Shop Blues

Back in September, I went to St. George, Utah to Jill's lovely stamp camp/gathering and we made a darling card!  I think Jill said she got the idea from one of the hundreds of swaps from convention, so I don't know who the original designer was (message me if you know, so I can give the proper credit!) Anyway, I LOVE this card and have made it on several occasions.  I had blank one left over from another project so I added a sweet sentiment for my friend who lost her mother and added a few In-color dahlias for a bit more dimension.   I used the Flower Shop bundle and the Honeycomb embossing folder.

Make something beautiful for someone today!

Julie

Undefined Card-Take 3

This idea came to me in the middle of the night!  Does that ever happen to you?  I almost got up to make it when I thought of if, but I was so tired, I just hoped that I still remembered it in the morning!  I started to put it together, but then I had a brain cramp--I sooooo hate that!  I just needed to walk away and come back later to get some new inspiration!

For this card is used the Big Shot Dress-Up Framelit; Chevron embossing folder;  Rhinestone basic jewels (recolored with black Sharpie!); Glimmer brad; Silver Glimmer paper; Coastal Cabana, Whisper White, Basic Black, and Brushed Silver card stock; Coastal Cabana Ruffle stretch trim; Smooch Spritz; Fabulous Phrases and Undefined carved stamps .  I am having such a fun time using this zebra stamp, the only thing I wish is that it was a bit bigger!  Maybe when I get my new kit, I can carve a larger zebra stamp!  Have you seen the ideas that other stampers are coming up with?  They are so talented!  It just amazes me at all the creative things that crafters come up with!

Getting ready for MDS Blog hop this week--check back on Thursday!

Julie

2013 Holiday Catalog

It's here!!  The 2013 Holiday Catalog!  You've got to see all of the beautiful creations inside!
It's overflowing with stamps, paper, bundles, kits, gifts and more!  Check out this fun bow die for the Big Shot die-cutting machine:

Won't your gifts look darling with those bows on top?  And how about this fun album and pocket cards:

All you need to add is the photos and journaling!!  But if you like something a bit more creative, you need the new Season of Style This and That planner kit!  You can customize it just the way you want!

And that's just a small taste of what we have for you in the Holiday Catalog!  If you would like a copy, please e-mail me your address and I will put one in the mail for you, or you can see it online!

I can't wait for  you to see all the festive projects and fun products inside!  For more information, please feel free to contact me by leaving a comment here or on my website, you can also order from my website anytime.  Now is the time to schedule your workshop, so check your calendar and let me know when you would like me to show you and your friends some of the great projects from the catalog in person!

Julie

Feeling Blue

Well, I'm not really feeling blue, but I am feeling in the mood for blue. Light blue, dark blue, blue-green, greenish-blue, any blue!  I saw a similar color combo on Pinterest and I just had to change it to Stampin' Up! colors!

 I'm not sure if it reminds me of the beach at dusk or a mountain lake in the morning, but it calms me.  Do you have colors that do that for you?  So, anyway, I decided to make a couple cards with this color scheme and I used some new techniques that add a little bit extra to a kind of plain card.  The first one uses a technique I saw on Stampin' Up!'s website.  You can see it here. Angie, a concept artist at Stampin' Up! used the new firm foam stamp pads and dragged them across the paper which gave it a sort of watercolor look to it.  Now, I have some of the new firm foam pads, but not all, and it definitely makes a difference!  Can you tell which ones were the old linen pads? Yep, Night of Navy and Soft Sky!  That's ok, it still came out pretty well.  The new pads have a smoother feel to them so they seem to smear better.

I used the new Chalk Talk stamp set in Basic Gray and colored the Whisper White taffeta ribbon with a Pool Party marker--easy way if you don't have all the ribbon colors you want!!!  I really like the graphic look to this card, what a great technique.
The second card used the same stamp set, along with the Chalk Talk framelits set that comes in the Chalk Talk bundle (you save 15% if you buy them together).  It's a smaller card (3 1/2 x 5) so the small tag takes up most of the front, then I just added little pennants at the end (got that idea from this card by Shannon Jaramillo).  On the tag, I used a technique I learned at Salt Lake Regional convention in April and was demonstrated by Jane Lee (very talented Stampin' Up! Artisan team member/new stampin' friend).  Jane used the stamp pad and wiped it across the embossed cardstock so that the raised part got inked and the debossed part didn't (makes perfect sense, right??) I ran my die cut Pool Party tag through the Big Shot with the chevron embossing folder and then inked it with Night of Navy.  Again, I think it would've turned out better had I used the new ink pad, but it did the job.  I finished it off with some Whisper White taffeta ribbon and the white heat embossed stamp (from Chalk Talk) on the top and inked the edges of the card with Night of Navy.

If you follow me on Instagram (you do follow me, right?) you saw the photo of my car thermometer--now, you know that the official temp (109º) is taken in the shade at the airport, so the car was reading the ambient temperature with me standing in the sun on the blacktop,  and it was scorching hot!!!

I had to sit and wait for my steering wheel to cool down before I could actually drive!  I hope it's not nearly this hot where you are, but if so, please stay cool and hydrated!  School's out, summer is here and I'm going to start counting down the days until Convention!!  Yay!

Julie

It's a Wrap...

...dress that is! I am really loving the Dress Up Framelits dies!  There are so many cute fashions you can make!  I've seen such cute creations on Pinterest, and I'm inspired by fun new trends all the time!  I love the look of the trim and I frayed the ends for the "fringe".

I used wire snips to cut the hanger paper clip, I reverse sponged the Deco Labels die on crumpled cardstock and I couldn't resist using the Ciao, Baby stamp set one more time.

I hope you have had a chance to see the new Stampin' Up! catalog!  It is so much fun to look at and I see new things each time I look through it!  If you're interested in having your own copy, please send me your address and I will send you one, (you just need to pay for shipping).  If you are local in Las Vegas, we can meet up and you can have it in your hot little hand right away!

Sunny and hot is the forecast for today (and the rest of the week)!  I think I'll stay in and stamp!

Julie

Tango and Mambo to the Bridal Shower!

Ok, there wasn't much dancing going on at the shower, but Tangerine Tango and Melon Mambo were the bride's colors, so I went all out! My friend Mary and I went in on the gift together, so she handed over all the stuff and gave me full reign!  I used the extra rubber pieces left over from the clear-mount Daydream Medallions stamp set (don't throw those pieces away!!) and stamped both the drink carrier (yes, it's a Sonic drink carrier) and the background of the card.  I used Brights collection DSP for the Melon Mambo polka dot and then embossed die cut circles in chevron and houndstooth (I sponged those with coordinating ink) finally I added the "love & happiness" from Fabulous Phrases stamp set and topped it off with a small rhinestone, for a little bit of sparkle (Janey LOVES sparkle!!).

The bride loved the gift and the card!  She especially loved that they were her colors!  I'm just happy that she has found a wonderful man she can share love and happiness with!!

Julie

Creative Inspiration

Well, I first have to apologize to my readers for my little break the last week or so, I've been a bit pre-occupied and have not been able to post much, I'll try to do better!  Now, I've just returned from a Stampin' Up! regional convention at the Home Office in Riverton, Utah.  I must say that it was a smashing success!!!  There were about 375 demonstrators plus several other guests from the Home Office and it was just a blast from beginning to end! I'm still recovering from the whirlwind weekend and I will post more about the regional on Wednesday--it's top secret until then!!
So...I was feeling inspired from this fun, exciting weekend and when I came home, I had some great ideas floating around my head.  I'll share one inspiration today.  I have to give credit to my new friend Jane Lee for this particular creative inspiration!  She had the cutest yellow polkadot dress on with a little shrug sweater, so darling!  I decided to christen my new Dress Up framelits with the Big Shot and make a cute little yellow polkadot dress with a shrug!

I used the Big Shot Dress Up Framelit for the dress and the dress form; 1 1/4" scallop circle punch for the shrug (I used the framelit with those also); Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder; Button, button stamp set; Fundamental Phrases stamp set; Daydream Medallions stamp set; Night of Navy and Whisper White card stock; Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper; Daffodil Delight ink pad and marker; Night of Navy marker;  Vintage Faceted Designer Button; Whisper White Baker's twine (colored with marker); Stampin' Dimensionals; Crystal Effects.
Here is a close up of the buttons:

I hope to have a few more creative inspirations this week, so check back!

Have a wonderfully warm day (it'll be 92º in Vegas!)

Julie

Birthday Card, take 4

We're counting down to the end of February...well at least I am, because that is my birthday!  And no, I was not close to being a leap year baby, the year I was born wasn't even a leap year.  I seem to get that question a lot!  So today I'm posting a fun card made with the darling Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper that you can get for FREE with a qualifying Sale-a-Bration order ($50).  I LOVE these colors together!  They are so YUMMY!  I used the new Best of Birthday 25th Anniversary set that will be available until March 2014, so there's plenty of time, but you might want to get each of the "Best Of" stamp sets that will be rolled out each month, so keep your eyes open for all the cuteness.  I used the Big Shot to emboss the Perfect Polka Dots and the Peekaboo Frames Bigz L die for the frame (I cut off the little "door" that is on the front of the frame).  To top it off, used my blender pen to add a bit of color to the stamp and tied a ribbon with Crumb Cake seam binding.  You can find all of these items on my website.

It's pretty windy here in Vegas today. But the high is going to be in the 60's! YAY!
Hope your day is happy!

Julie

One more day...

Ok, I think I'm ready!

 I do not do well with large dinners, so Thanksgiving is usually stressful for me!  If I have more than two dishes that need to be ready to eat at the same time, I get a bit crazy!  Over the last few years, we've been up to Salt Lake at my mom's and then last year we were invited by some friends here in Vegas, but before that we actually went to the buffet at the Red Rock Station casino and it was really good.  The best thing was that there were no dishes to clean up, the worst thing was there were no leftovers to have sandwiches with!  This year, the vote was taken and we are doing ham instead of turkey (phew!!). I love turkey, but a ham is much easier for me since it's already cooked and I just have to warm it!  Yay!  I've also delegated most of the dishes to my family!  My kids are old enough that they could really make the whole meal, but I'll go easy on them this year and just give them a dish or two to prepare.  My sweetie is doing the potatoes and stuffing, the boy is making his oma's mac and cheese dish and some corn, and the girl is making a Jello salad and a dessert!  I have the ham and rolls--I think we are set!  I am more relaxed this year and I know that tomorrow will be great!  Hopefully we will be able to Skype with the rest of the family after dinner.  Here is a little framed decor item I made with Autumn Accents Bigz die (and the Big Shot) and the houndstooth and chevron embossing folders, Orchard Harvest DSP and a small piece of Crumb Cake seam binding.  I was going to put some words in there, and maybe I will later, but I think I like it just plain.  What do you think?

I added just a bit of Glitter paper to tie in with my brushed silver furniture and I used glue dots to ruffle up the seam binding.
I hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving and remember, there's always something to be thankful for!

Julie

Online Extravaganza! Nov. 19--Nov. 28

Don't you just love to get something on sale?  I know I do!  Stampin' Up! is having their biggest online sale of the year and you're invited!  There will be savings of 20-50%!  On top of that, there will be two 24-hour sales on Monday, November 19th and Wednesday, November 28th!  Here's the products that will be on sale Monday 12am-11:50pm only:

Big Shot Sale price $79.96

Big Shot Doctor's Bag sale price $55.96

Simply Scored Diagonal Plate sale price $9.56

Check back often for more information!  Which one of these are you going to get?  Or are you going to get all of them????

Julie

Spider Cider Tag

This is a project I did at my last class!  It was very simple and used a few fun tools, especially the Big Shot!  It uses the Two Tags die and the Spider Web embossing folder.  We also used the Simply Scored to make our cute little rosette behind the stamped image (this one is a little smaller than the others) and the ladies got to use our new silicone craft sheet and a glue gun to glue our rosette down! (Crafters, you need one of these!) The stamp set is Monster Munchies and I added a couple Googlies to the eyes! The Spider Cider stamp was stamped in Tangerine Tango and then colored with a Basic Black marker. Last thing was to use the 1 3/8 inch circle punch to make the hole to go over the bottle!  We had a choice of IBC root beer or cream soda!  These would be fun at your Halloween party!

Julie