Shoebox Stampers

Got a burning need to shop?

Come by the Cherry Street fire house in Troy, MO Friday evening from 7-9 and get a head start on your holiday shopping!  You can check out a flyer for it here, which includes the various vendors and services.  Of course, I'm going to offer a make n take, and here's one of them (the other you can see here - while you are there, sign up to "become a fan" of my Facebook page!).

I wanted to play with my new set, Delightful decorations, since this was perfect for a holiday shopping extravaganza!  I was going for the Christmas tree look - I know, probably a little cliche, but fun!  I used the pine tree from Lovely as a tree for the branches in always artichoke.  If I can find some small tree hangers, I might add it to the card, but the white pen will have to do for now!  

If you need directions or additional information, contact me, but make sure to put it on your calendar!  I can't wait to stamp with you!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Ben's fundraiser is a HUGE success!!!

I wanted to share the cards we made for Ben, plus tell you how the fundraiser did.  I made sure to keep them simple because I was sure to be busy!

I called Ben's mom to verify his favorite colors and found that he likes yellow and black, so I created a couple cards that used them.  This little card uses Refuge and Strength in crushed curry and basic black - I thought, given the situation, that this could be a very suitable card.  What I didn't realize was how many of the kids would choose this one!

I looked through my stamps to find something 8th grade boy-ish, but had to settle on space ships and bugs!  This one uses Pun fun in yoyo yellow and night of navy with our new modern label punch.  I stamped the rockets several times so it looks like it is taking off!  Fun!

Like I said, I pulled out our Bugs & kisses and paired it with Inspired by Nature to have grass.  The sentiment actually says "Sending your worm wishes on your bug day," but didn't want the bottom half so I used a chocolate chip marker.  This was my most popular card - kids and adults alike chose this one.

This last one uses our new Autumn splendor stamp set found in our Holiday mini brochure in elegant eggplant, ruby red and more mustard.  Another simple card - I would have liked to use our scallop punch, but didn't think it was boy friendly!  Instead I used our small oval punch with a sentiment from Teeny tiny wishes.  

Later in the week I will share some of the cards (Julia in first grade made one of each!!!) and the container for them.  What I couldn't believe was that, when I spoke with Peggy this morning, the total raised was at $5,400, and she was still expecting more donations to come through!  So, if you participated, thank you so much!  Things like this renew my faith in the world!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Don't miss out tonight!

Tonight is my Open House and I am so excited about the projects!  You can see the first two samples here, and I have the last three below.  They use some great new stamp sets and accessories, as promised!

 

This one uses our Animal Stories stamp set, a new one that is part of this month's Just for Kids promotion.  I also used the Tall Tales designer series paper that coordinates - this would be a good child card, or for someone who likes elephants, or for someone who is forgetful (you know, elephants never forget!).  I applied ink to the bottom with plastic wrap - how easy is that?

This next one uses our Vintage Ornaments #1 Decor Stencil.  Notice how it's not a Christmas card, but wouldn't it be nice with holiday colors and an ornament?  I used our texturz dies on the not quite navy, and Stampin' Write markers for the sentiment from Thank you kindly.  

This last one features a hostess level 2 stamp set, Asian Artistry.  I punched a 1 3/4 inch circle from melon mambo, then removed a bit with our 1 inch circle punch.  The stamp is embossed in gold and then colored with inks and a blender pen.  It's an easy card with a bit of bling!

I have a couple spots still open, so if you are looking for some fun tonight, make sure to reserve your space below or email me right away!  Can't wait to stamp with you!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

New Catalog open house - you're invited!

Friday at 6:30 will be my annual Open House with projects featuring new stamp sets and accessories from the new catalog.  We will create five cards with envelopes for $10 using sets like Razzle Dazzle, accessories like Decor Stencils, and new colors like Rich razzleberry! I have a couple samples to share here, but you'll have to come to class to see what else is available for play!

 

This card uses our new crushed curry and Razzleberry lemonade designer series paper.  I love the grays and yellows together - what an interesting and rare combination!  And I paired our new Razzle dazzle stamp set with Short & sweet for a classic birthday card.

 

I know that Fifth avenue floral is not new, but I just received it, so it's new to me, plus it works great with our new sentiment set, Teeny tiny wishes.  This card is so simple, pairing rich razzleberry with orchid opulence for a rich look. 

You can reserve your space below, or you can send me an email to make other arrangements.  Make sure to reserve your space soon as space is limited!

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Help Wanted!

No, I'm not hiring, but I am part of a benefit vendor fair for a family at our church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Troy, MO.  The Wallis's are one of the best of the best - they volunteer in many different areas, help people out in times of need, and are just an all-around great family - the kind you wish yours could be.  Jim and Julie have four kids with  another one on the way.  Unfortunately, their oldest son, Ben, was diagnosed in June with a rare type of throat and nasal cancer.  He is undergoing treatment at St. John's Hospital in Creve Coeur, MO, which is an hour from home.  While their insurance is pretty good, there are a lot of expenses that are not covered, such as meals away from home and gas and car maintenance.  A family friend, Peggy Leicht, has coordinated this vendor fair to be held Saturday, August 22, from 2 pm to 7 pm at the Sacred Heart cafeteria.  We hope to raise money to help relieve the burden of this illness on this great family.  There will be 15+ vendors, including Pampered Chef, Usborne Books, and Lia Sophia, plus a lemonade stand, garage sale, and more!

I will have cards and stamp sets for sale, a portion of which will go to Ben's fund.  I will also be looking for hostesses, for which each booking will earn the fund $5.  If you are long distance, you can still help!  With a $5 donation (checks made payable to Benjamin Wallis Benefit Fund), I will send you a handmade card.  If you would like to do a catalog party, not only will I send everything you need to show the products we sell, I will also send you samples so you have something tangible to share. 

We would appreciate any help you can give - thank you very much!  If you would like more information, you can download the pdf file below, read the article published in our newspaper here, or contact me for directions.

Download Ben wallis flyer

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Wow Wednesday - sponged stencil, faux seersucker, marker misting

One of this month's Wow Wednesday techniques follows up on last month's with another stencil technique, sponged stencils.  While you will recognize the Kind Thoughts stencil used for the card, I finally have different one to share for the technique page, but you'll have to come to the class to play with it!  For the card,I just had to use our new Melon Mambo, and teamed it up with tempting turquoise and chocolate chip.  And this technique only requires a stencil and a sponge or sponge dauber.  Simple card, but I just love that stencil! 

The next technique, faux seersucker, is an easy on as well!  All you really need for that one is a crimper and some cardstock!  I pulled out one of my new favorite combinations, not quite navy and rich razzleberry, paired with certainly celery, for a regal card.  And I loved playing with Fifth Avenue Floral - what a great stamp set! 

 

Finally, we'll be marker misting for another simple technique!  The Upsy daisy stamp set was perfect for this - I love the variation in the color.  Can you tell where I got a little happy with the mister?  I paired pretty in pink with rose red for a greater variation between the pinks. 

This class will be in my home on Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30 pm.  For $15, you will create one of each card, plus a technique card for each technique so you can recreate them at home!  Make sure to reserve your space here or use the button below.  If you would like to send a check, please email me for payment information.

Or you can purchase a completed set for $20 if you can't attend by using the paypal link below. 

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

World Card Making week event

 Have you made a card this week?  To celebrate WCMW, come on over and create 10 cards with envelopes for just $15!  We'll make two of each of five designs, plus create two more to donate!  There will be refreshments (of course!) and more ideas to share from Kansas City. 

The first card uses  Flight of the butterfly with bashful blue, brocade blue, and chocolate chip.  A very simple and nice card.

 The second one uses Eastern blooms with pumpkin pie, elegant eggplant, old olive, and so saffron.  The vellum tones down the colors so it's a muted soft palette. 

The next one uses a simple, subtle color scheme with chocolate chip, riding hood red, not quite navy, and kraft (my new favorite netural).  The stamp set is One of a kind that coordinates with the boho blossoms punch.  I think you'll see this again at the holidays!  So easy to reproduce!

 
 This card uses Pun fun, a great child's card!  It uses old olive, bashful blue, and Junior varsity DS paper.  And we'll use the aqua painter to color in the bird with the same colors.

 The last card uses riding hood red, pumpkin pie, and Washington apple DS paper with a bit of bashful blue grosgrain ribbon. I added the bird from the Birds & blooms sizzlet just because I wanted to use it!  I aimed for this to be a man's card, though my husband helpfully said, "No way!"  Oh well, maybe not the tie on the ribbon, but a simple knot? 

This class will be held Tuesday morning at 9:30 or Wednesday evening at 6:30.  You can take care of reservations by using the following paypal button.  Can't wait to see you there! 

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Rebecca

KC Regionals swaps

Oh, did I forget to tell you I was going to Regionals?  I love Regionals so much that I can't believe I forgot!  Here are my three swaps - I was only able to create 100 cards (I was packing still when I was supposed to be leaving so my mom and daughter spent the card ride adding the recipe and contact information!)

I wanted to use the bird from the Bird and blooms sizzlet, create a holiday card, and use my new Snow Swirled stamp set, so I came up with this.  It uses pink pirouette, kiwi kiss, riding hood red, and elegant eggplant inks on the faux silk technique block.  Then I used Heard from the heart for the sentiment in elegant eggplant. 

The second card uses the new Season of simple grace that will be in the upcoming Holiday mini catalog.  I also used the brayered sky technique for the background.  I have told you I love purple, so had to try it!  The sky is created with pretty in pink, pale plum, and perfect plum.  I used encore gold ink pad for the star and a piece of brushed gold cardstock for matting the focal image.  And I love ribbon, and what's better than ribbon in my favorite eggplant color? 

The last card is a simple one, using my new Upsy daisy set and the Washington apple DS paper.  I can't wait to use that set more, maybe even create a holiday card with it.  I used riding hood red and so saffron cardstock and my new favorite key tag punch.  Simple but nice, my favorite kind of card!

So which one is your favorite?  Let me know - I really thought the first card with the bird would not go over well, but it seems a great many demos really liked it!  And if you were thinking about getting Snow swirled or Upsy daisy, make sure to go to my Stampin' Up! website and order your set before Wednesday to get the discount! 

Wish shoe stampin' fun!

Rebecca

Stampin' Up! song - you've gotta hear this!

I don't usually post twice in one day (actually never since I started this blog) but I stumbled onto this and had to share it!

After Awards NIght at Convention, Stampin' Up! brought in Tonic Sol Fa, an a cappella group, to play for us.  Greg is the funny one who created a song about Stampin' Up! that is just hilarious!  I cannot emphasize this enough!  You just have to check it out!

The amazing part for me is that Greg reminds me so much of my brother-in-law Kevin.  Maybe I can get his band, Spooge, to play it for me (us)?  (BTW, he and his band do graduations, weddings - my sister's was awesome! - and other celebrations.  Just email him for information.)

Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City, UT

What a blast!  I had such a great time - from the swaps, new stamp sets, make n takes, business meetings, announcement of the new Big Shot die-cutting machine for SU, to the UPS truck in the convention center (with FREE stamps for EVERYONE!), the performance by Tonic Solfa after awards night, and the stamping, stamping everywhere! 

There were so many announcements, like the next phase of Decor Elements (I can't wait to make the candy jar and the picture frames in my classes), the collaboration with Sizzix to create a die-cutting machine for SU demonstrators, and the destination for the next cruise (leaving on my 35th birthday, no less!).  I am so excited to share all these with you, plus the upcoming specials as they apply!

For today, I thought I'd share a few of our eight make n' takes from convention.  We received three stamp sets - Flight of the Butterfly, Inspired by Nature, and Eastern Blooms (which is on special VERY soon).  The projects were challenging, but I teamed up with my upline, Cricket, and sideline, Lauren, and we finished ours with time to spare!  One of my favorites uses Inspired by Nature, kiwi kiss and chocolate chip papers and inks, the new wide oval punch, and a clip from the new clips assortment.  It is an easy card I just know we will recreate in my New catalog class later this month. 

The next one is a bookmark using a scallop chipboard square with a flower from Eastern Blooms and some new fancy brads.  We sponged the chipboard with Old olive craft ink, and attached some Pacific point striped grosgrain ribbon to the back.  Then we cut out the flower after stamping with Tangerine tango, one of our new In Colors.  We added a Filigree brad to the end of the bookmark and to the center of the flower with a 1/2 inch punched circle underneath.  I think I might be making some for my bookclub!

Finally for today, I really like this simple card.  It uses the flowers from Eastern Blooms in Tangerine tango and Chocolate chip.  The front and back are our mini very vanilla envelopes with Tangerine tango pages inside.  They are fastened together using Old olive 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon.  We also added beads from our Orange duo to the center of some of the flowers.  This could be a great card or itty bitty scrapbook to share! 

I would love for YOU to join me at convention next year!  Stampin' Up! is offering a FREE stamp set of choice when you sign up as a demonstrator from August 11 to October 11, so if you think you might want to build a business, pay for your addiction, or just get a discount, let me know.  This is a great time to join - there's going to be so much going on this year, our 20th anniversary!  Don't miss out!