Clean and Simple Challenge 101

Hi Everyone--

I'm back with a quick post. We're heading out later today for my belated birthday celebration at my parents' cabin. I am looking forward to seeing them and my sister today. They live about three hours away, so I'm always glad when we can get together and the bonus is the weather is going to be nice enough for a pontoon ride. YAY!

So, the real reason you are here...a card! Today I participated in the Clean and Simple 101 challenge. Here is the sketch:

Here is my take:

I'm planning on using this card for a birthday party my older son was invited to next week. He and his friends will all be turning 9 this year, and I think the bold colors and graphic prints will be perfect. I used Real Red, Old Olive, and Bashful Blue card stock. I used the new Celebrations Designer Series Paper, and then Pacific Point ink stamped on Whisper White for the sentiment. Birthday Wishes comes from the level 3 hostess set Occasional Quotes, and the star is punched using the small star punch.

If you'd like to play along with this clean and simple sketch, here is the site.
http://cleanandsimplestamping.blogspot.com/2010/07/101.html

Thanks for stopping by--hope you have a great Saturday!

Happy Stampin',

Amy

LOVE to CASE

Hi Everyone--
  I do have a card for you today.  I got the idea out of the new Idea Book and Catalog on page 124.  I used Artitic Etchings as the stamp set, the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, the 1 1/4" square punch, the butterfly punch, and paper from Newsprint and Love Letter.  OH...and I added one of the new rhinestone jewels right in the center of the butterfly.  I think this is a great workshop card-it's simple, yet a classic and elegant style, and you could change it up by the colors you use, you could add a border with the eyelet or scallop borders.  If you wanted more butterflies with some added texture you could use the butterfly embosslit die.
  I hope you like this one--I plan to do a bit more crafting over the weekend.  I'll have some birthday thank yous to write out.  Hope you all had a great day!!

Happy Stampin!

Amy

A few more Convention pictures

Hey Everyone!!
  I'm home today celebrating my birthday, my husband and I are headed out for lunch at one of my favorite places in a few minutes, but here are some inspiration pictures for you all from Convention.  Stampin' Up did a FABULOUS job of being inspiring for all of us who went, not only in their samples, but in their product demonstrations as well as their training sessions.  I plan to send a personal thank you note to Shelli soon.
  Hope you are all having a fabulous day.  Thanks for following me!!

Happy Stampin,
Amy

Shelli and Sarah share the new fabric line.  Their presentation was fun!

New product coming soon--ADORABLE houses to put together and decorate.  Fun for any season

Back from Convention.....

Hi Everyone!
  I'm home from Salt Lake City and it was amazing.  Anyone of you who has been on the fence about signing up to be a demonstrator, run don't walk, to your friend you know who is a demo and SIGN UP.  I have a bunch of pictures of displays and all the fun we had that I will be uploading in the next day or so, so I can share with all of you.   I also have cards galore to share from some of the fabulous swaps I was in.  I met some of my favorite bloggers--it was like meeting a celebrity! I made some friendships I think will be lasting ones and that's just another great perk of working for Stampin' Up.  They spared no details in going out of their way to make us all feel special and appreciated no matter what  number our sales were at.
  Also--anyone wanting to hostess a workshop, now through the end of August is a great time because qualifying workshops earn the hostess an extra $25 in hostess credit.  I have great ideas for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and Christmas is only 153 days away.

  I'll be back Tuesday with things to share with you, tomorrow's my birthday so I'm spending the day with my sweetheart.  :)  In the mean time, here is a picture of some of us from an event that I attended on Friday night while in SLC.  Great food, great people, fabulous make and takes......

Happy Stampin!
Amy

Off for Convention

Hi Everyone!!
   Tonight will be a short post as I am going to be packing for Convention tonight.  I leave bright and early tomorrow morning and I can't wait.  I am going to be rooming with some fantastic Canadian ladies (Hi Dina and Julie!!)  and I am signed up for some great  swaps and events.  I can't wait to share with you all when I get back.
  In the mean time--here is a card that I made for all the Dads in my life this Father's Day.  (My husband, my Dad, my Father in Law, and my Grandpa) I used Newsprint and Greenhouse Gala designer series papers along with Pear Pizzazz and Early Espresso layered on Crumb Cake.  The tree is from a set I have in my stash.  I am going to try and schedule some posts of my swaps while I'm gone if I get everything done tonight.  Have a great week, thanks for checking in!

Happy Stampin!
Amy

Still In Swap Mode

Hi Everyone--
  Just checking in.  Still working on my swaps for Convention--oh, and I leave in FOUR days.  :)  I am working on a 6x6 recipe card swap right now.  (Pictures will post while I'm gone)  I am SO excited for this swap because who doesn't love new recipes?  I think this will also be a great workshop idea for someone who may not be a card maker or traditional scrapbooker.  What a fun party to have--a bunch of girlfriends getting together all with recipes to make a book.  Or, how interesting would it be to ask your family to put together one or two of their favorite recipes along with a memory that goes with it, or the season, and put a family cookbook together.  I know I would love that!
  I don't have a card for you today, but I do have an adorable (in my bias Mom opinion) picture of my boys.  My family took some time out today to go pick some wild raspberries with my husband's parents.  The kids also took some time out to get in a tree.
  Hope you all had a great Saturday!

Happy Stampin!

Amy

Swap Crazy

Hi Everyone!
  Any of you out there as crazy as me trying to get all your swaps done before the big day in ONE WEEK?????  I can't wait to go to Convention.  I have my stuff in a folder, I have my swaps mostly done, but a few not quite ready to go.  I hope there are some of you with me.  For those of you that don't know, Stampin' Up is having their Convention next week in Salt Lake City.  One of the perks of being a demonstrator is being able to attend Convention and see what's coming up as well as take some great classes to build your business and the best part--meet other demonstrators who love this hobby as much as you do!  If any of you are interested in the opportunity--I'd be glad to have you join my team.
  Meanwhile....here is one of the general swaps I made for Convention.  I think I might make a few more because I love how it turned out!!  What do you think? I'd love to hear from you.  Well--back to work for me so I am sure to get all of these things done before the big day.

Happy Stampin!
Amy

PS.  I love the table my card front is on.  It's an old antique table that was my husband's grandmas.  It now has a shabby chic look to it and the painting in it has a cranberry that matches the wood floors on our front porch.  :)

Birthdays for Guys....

Hello Everyone!
  I'm back and feeling better.  Turns out, it was a tick bite.  They aren't sure if it is Lyme disease, or another tick borne illness, but after a few days on antibiotics, I'm back at it!
  Does anyone else sometimes draw a blank when it comes to creating cards for the guys in your life and family?  Newsprint designer series paper is the cure!!  Here is a picture of the birthday card being sent this month to my husband's cousin.  I used a simple color scheme of Basic Black, Very Vanilla, and Real Red. Then I added the curly label punch, the modern label punch, (I love how the curly label adds a nice other layer of color to the modern label punch), and some black satin ribbon just tied in a knot.  The "Birthday Wishes" sentiment comes from Occasional Quotes, a level 3 hostess set.
  I'm working on all the swaps I signed up for for convention-- I am going to set those to post while I'm gone AT convention in about a week and a half.  I AM SO EXCITED!  Thanks for being patient as I got myself up and feeling better.  Hope you are enjoying a great weekend.

Happy Stampin!
Amy

Happy 4th!

Hi Everyone,

  I've been a  bit under the weather, so I haven't done any creating in the past couple of days.  I do, however, have some cute pictures of my boys enjoying a beautiful summer day.  Hope you and your families have a great 4th of July weekend.  I'll be back with a creation, soon.

Happy Stampin!
Amy