Dusting off the blog for a bit. Update and news!

Good morning and Happy New Year!

Wow… it has been a bit since I have been around here. Eek.

My plan when I had Jack was to take a bit of a maternity leave, and pop back when I could. Um… yeah, that didn’t go as I expected.

Jack is now 2 and a half! He is amazing. A handful at the moment, but still totally amazing. My husband and I are so lucky to have such a sweet, spirited, smart little man! Well, we can do without the “terrible twos” tantrums, but we deal lol

Christmas this year was fantastic with him. He has the grasp of Santa, all he asked Santa for was two cookies. Literally. So Santa brought him a whole tin of yummy Christmas cookies, along with a TON of other fun things. Jack might be a bit spoiled between mama and daddy and the rest of the family!

I went back to work in September of ’17 after 11 weeks of glorious maternity leave. It was tough. I worked about an hour away from home, so that was two extra hours a day I was away from Jack. My work environment had become toxic while I was gone and I was miserable there. I was sad, I was at the company almost 10 years, but it was time to move on.

January of ’18 I started a seriously wonderful job that is about 20 minutes from home. I love what I do, who I work for, and what the company stands for. It is such a world of difference from where I came from. A huge plus is that I have the ability to work from home when I wish. Love that so much!

In September of ’18, we lost our sweet Opie. He was only 4. It came out of the blue, a few issues but most devastating was the sudden liver failure for no apparent reason. We took him to the vet on a Monday and by Friday we had to make the horrible decision to let him go.

In October of ’18 we had a puppy fall into our laps. Bowie came into our lives at 14 weeks old. We love him to death, but people… word of advice! Do NOT get a puppy when you have a 1 year old! It was rough going for a few months. But Bowie has nuzzled his way into our family and fits perfectly. He is almost as nuts as Jack! Jack and Bowie are best friends, I love watching them together.

Bowie is a whole mess of a mutt. We actually did DNA testing on him because we couldn’t figure out what he looked like, other than a German Shepard. Turns out he is GSD, Boxer, Chow, Pitt, Lab, and 5 or 6 other things. Seriously. He is the best of good boys though!

We got back from Disney World 5 days before Christmas. We had SUCH a wonderful time! We were there 9 days, with my mom. It was so much fun seeing Disney magic through Jack’s eyes!

This is the face you get from Jack when you tell him to smile lol 

He got to meet all of his favorites- Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy… also Darth Vader (his favorite!!!!!), Chewbacca, BB-8, and Jack “Sandy Claws” Skellington and Sally! This kid loves The Nightmare Before Christmas!

We are already planning another trip there when he is 5 or 6. He was tall enough to go on a lot, but still missed out on a ton, especially while we were at Universal. So this way he will be tall enough to go on whatever rides he wants, plus we will have 4 years to save lol

As far as stamping… I have not had near as much time as I hoped! My poor beautiful craft room that my husband created for me is lonely. I do go down there with Jack on occasion. He has his own craft desk where he draws and plays while I try to work. It is tough though. The craft room is VERY difficult to childproof.

I try to stamp while Jack is in bed, but that is usually the last thing on my schedule after laundry, cleaning, etc. I have started crocheting since it is so easy to pick up and put down quickly and requires very little “stuff”. I so miss stamping and being creative though!

That leads me to my news. I am stepping down as a Stampin’ Up demonstrator. I do not have the time at all to grow, or even maintain, my business as I did before Jack was born. I let my downline know yesterday. It breaks my heart to make that decision. I truly love Stampin’ Up and all of the friends that I have made while being a demonstrator.

My husband is working 2nd shift, but will be switching to 1st shift sometime in the next few months. When that happens and our family gets settled with the new schedule, I am hoping that I will have more free time to be able to be creative. When that happens, I fully intend on returning to Stampin’ Up!

My plans for the blog? Not neglect it as I have for the past two years. When I am able to be creative I want to be able to share with you all! Share ideas, products, sales, etc. So be on the lookout for a fun, new blog! I can’t promise it will be this month, but it will be soon.

Have a wonderful day!!

 

 

He is here!

Good morning!
Just as quick post to share that our son has made his arrival!

There were no signs of labor, not a thing was happening. I went to my regular OB appointment last Monday, the 19th. I was showing signs of gestational hypertension. In any pregnancy over 37 they then induce labor. I was 38 weeks.

So that’s what they did… Jackson Robert was born 6/20 at 3:59pm, 8lbs 1oz, 20 inches long, completely healthy, and we are so in love!!

It is an adjustment having a newborn home with us. I forgot about the lack of sleep!! My husband is an amazing help, he even changed the first poopy diaper at home (and I think the 2nd one…). I lucked out!

So forgive me if the blog is *really* quiet for the next few weeks. Hopefully you understand!

Have a wonderful day 😁

Just For You

Good morning!

A couple weeks ago I had some stampin’ friends over. Not for anything in particular, but just to get together to stamp, chat, and munch before the baby came. I knew that my play time would be limited when that happened!

I had so much fun that evening!!!!

I had just received the Lovely Friends bundle and wanted to play. These dies come with two beautiful “laurel” swags that when die cut, the can be used on the inside of your card. They pop open when you open the card. So much fun!

I created a card that isn’t my general style, but I love how it came out!

I used the laurel swags in a different way for this card though. I die cut two of them, then trimmed them down to use behind my sentiment. I inked the edges a bit for some visual interest and to make sure that they didn’t look flat.

The edges of everything was inked lightly with the new Powder Pink ink. The flowers were stamped with the Two Step Stamps in the bundle, using Powder Pink as the base, and Berry Burst for the details. These two colors are so pretty together!

A bit of gold twine looped behind the sentiment piece, and a piece of Berry Burst 1/2″ Finely Woven Ribbon completes the card. And of course, sequins… they have been my go-to finishing touch lately lol

This card makes me smile, which is what I hope it does for the recipient!

Have a wonderful day and an even better week!!

 

*This was a prescheduled post in anticipation of our little one arriving. Any day now!

Another Watercolor Background?

Yes please!

In my last post, I shared a birthday card I made for my son using a watercolor background. (View it HERE).

Today I am sharing yet another watercolor background card! Very similar to the other one, but still so different!

This was a card that I showed the ladies how to create in my last card class. I had so much fun with it, I hope that they all did too!

Everyone used the same three colors in their backgrounds, but it is amazing how different everyone’s looked at the end. That is part of the fun of these types of backgrounds.

For this card, using my aqua painter, I wet the watercolor paper in a rough rectangle shape. I wanted the ink to stay roughly in the shape that I “painted” with water. When you lay down water first, the ink will only flow onto the wet spots of the watercolor paper. Easy way to control your ink!

First a bit of Dapper Denim ink was painted onto the background. A bit of Tranquil Tide came next. Finally some Lemon Lime Twist. I love the way the three colors flowed together.

The vellum embellishment? That is from the Eastern Beauty Bundle. I am so very much in love with the dies in this bundle. They are just beautiful! A simple piece of Whisper White cardstock was die cut using the Stitched Shapes thinlits to hold the sentiment.

Notice the sentiment is stamped with both Tranquil Tide and Dapper Denim? Easy to do!! Ink up about 1/2 of the stamp with your lighter color. Then ink up the other half of the stamp with your darker color, making sure to overlap the colors a bit when you get to the darker color. That will help make the color merge seamless. Then just stamp as normal!

The sentiment and the vellum embellishment are adhered with dimensionals, over two pieces of ribbon. I used Tranquil Tide 1/2″ Finely Woven Ribbon here, along with Dapper Denim Ruched Ribbon.

A couple gold sequins finishes off the card front nicely! The card front was adhered to a top folding A2 card in Dapper Denim.

Easy, but I love the look of it! Again, these watercolor background make me smile!!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

 

 

**This post was prescheduled in anticipation of our little one arriving. Any day now! 

Psst… I’m still here!

Good morning!!

YES! I am still here! Once again, I am so very sorry for being so quiet. I know that I warned you all that the blog would be taking some time off, but I didn’t intend on it being THIS quiet!

37 weeks pregnant, and getting ready for the baby boy to make his appearance any time now. If I don’t have him on my own, I will be induced on July 2nd. It is so exciting to have an actual end point in site!

But it is getting harder and harder to make my way up and down stairs. This belly has gotten BIG. My craft room is in the basement, so in order to get down there, it takes some planning. No more quick trips just to try something while it is on my mind.

That doesn’t mean that I haven’t been playing though! I certainty have and I have been loving the items from the new catalog. I am sure that you have seen it already, but in case you haven’t, check it out below.

Stampin’ Up 2017/2018 Annual Catalog

It is full of amazing new items as well as returning favorites.

Now, I didn’t go nuts with my preorder, knowing that I am going to have something else to focus my attention on shortly. But I ordered a box of fun that showed up on my doorstep this past Tuesday. I am hoping that I will be able to tear into it this weekend and play a bit. We have our annual family party on Saturday that I look forward to every year, but on Sunday… that day is MINE! Not to mention, tomorrow is my last day of work before I go on maternity leave! YAHOO!!!! My husband starts his paternity leave next Wednesday. It is going to be wonderful having that time together before the baby shows up! Well, fingers crossed he gives us a few days at least!

This past Saturday I spent some time stamping, working on cards that I know that I will need for events coming up. I didn’t want to be left without a handmade card in case I go into labor before an event. So I cranked out some birthday cards, as well as some Father’s Day cards. I am not going to share the Father’s Day cards since I like those to remain a surprise.

But this card below is for my son’s 23rd birthday at the end of the month. Yup, you read that right! My first baby boy is going to be 23!!!!! He is an amazing kid, coming into his own. He actually works for the same company I do, it is so much fun to see him every day. I think he visits my office so much since I keep a drawer full of pregnant lady snacks that he can snag when needed 😉

I think that this is my favorite of cards that I have created lately!

I dampened a piece of watercolor paper with water, then using an aqua painter I dabbed some Lemon Lime Twist ink onto the wet portions of the watercolor background. I then went back and added some Tranquil Tide (my favorite of the new InColors!), allowing the colors to bleed together a bit. A little splatter in both colors and the background was done! I dried it quickly using my heatgun, since I have zero patience to let things actually air dry lol

The beautiful ribbon you see is the Tranquil Tide 1/2″ Finely Woven Ribbon. SO pretty, and ties into bows beautifully. This ribbon is available in all of the new InColors!

I will admit to using a retired stamp set for the Happy Birthday, which I rarely do. But it is one of my favorite sets and I can’t see myself ever getting rid of it It was stamped onto a piece of Lemon Lime Twist cardstock, and adhered using Dimensionals.

The stars on the balloon were stamped with Versamark, and then heat embossed using clear embossing powder. I love the little bit of shine it brings to the card!

The vellum circle was die cut using the Stitched Shaped framelits. I so love these! They add just enough visual interest without overpowering your project.

A few silver sequins were added before adhering the card front onto a piece of Lemon Lime Twist cardstock, and the whole thing was adhered to an A2 side folding card in Tranquil Tide.

Again, I am loving the way this card came out. Watercolor backgrounds are so much fun to do, and SO simple. I encourage you to give it a try!

See you in a few days with a card from a class that I gave recently.

Have a great weekend!

 

Happy Friday!

Good morning everyone!

I hope you all are having an amazing day and have great plans for the weekend!

I just wanted to pop in real quick and share a card I created for the last class that I had.

This was a quick and easy one, using a bit of watercoloring…

Cute right? This image from Bella & Friends just makes me smile!!!

I have another class this coming Sunday at 1pm at my home studio. If anyone is interested, please let me know by 8am tomorrow morning! I have 2 spots available 🙂 I plan on spending my day tomorrow finishing getting ready for the class. Well, in between washing/folding/putting away the mountain of baby clothes we have!

I am so excited to get home from work tonight. Why? Well, I need a nap 😉 By the end of the work day it is all I can do to keep my eyes open lol But also??? My new Annual catalog pre-order will be waiting for me on my doorstep. SO EXCITED! I didn’t order a ton, since I kinda went nuts with ordering from OnStage lol But I ordered enough to keep me busy for a while.

On that note, is this anyone else when they are expecting a Stampin’ Up order? Just me??

A bit of business!

Don’t forget about the Eastern Palace Suite! It was released early, from May 1st to May 31st. It will be available in the Annual Catalog as well, but not in a bundle form like this!

There are 2 different bundles available, both include three of the new InColor stamp pads in Lemon Lime Twist, Tranquil Tide, and Fresh Fig.

• Starter Bundle: This is perfect for the beginner crafter!!! It includes all you need to stamp some amazing cards, with the exception of adhesives and blocks! You get FREE the Very Vanilla notecards and envelopes!
• Premier Bundle: This contains it ALL! The stamps, the dies (which are stunning!), the DSP, the coordinating cardstock, mini tassels, the heavy duty vinyl stickers, as well as FREE Thick Very Vanilla cardstock (new in the Annual Catalog!) and coordinating envelopes!

You can’t go wrong with either bundle!

As well, don’t forget about all of the product retiring!

CHECK IT ALL OUT HERE

Product is selling out quickly, so if you see something you want, grab it while you can 🙂

Catalogs!

I will have a box of the brand new 2017/2018 Annual Catalogs in my hot little hands next Wednesday! If you are a customer that has ordered from me in the past year and want (NEED) a catalog, please let me know and I will either deliver one to your front door or pop one in the mail for you. Just leave a comment here or email me at InkItAll@yahoo.com.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

OnStage Swaps

Good morning!!

So, what did you all think of the new catalog items I shared with you last week. Fun stuff right?

I just wanted to pop in real quick and share the two swaps that I made to bring with me to OnStage. I made 40 of each. Thankfully when I got each of the ideas down, it took no time to put them together.

The first one is a fun key chain or scissor keeper.

I used our Dragonfly Dreams stamp set to stamp the large dragonfly onto Shrinky-Dink’s, using Staz-On. Each was colored in using our watercolor pencils, then die cut using the coordinating die. I punched a hole into one of the wings of the dragonfly.

They went into the oven for 3 minutes and when they came out, they were these adorable little dragonfly charms! The color shines through on both sides, so pretty!

I did go over each with a bit of clear Wink of Stella for some sparkle and shine, then my wonderful hubby sprayed them down with a touch of matte sealant. I wanted to be sure that the watercolor pencils wouldn’t run in case they got wet.

I gave each a jump ring piercing, then threaded it onto these NEAT keychains I found on Amazon. I was dreading having to thread each onto a standard keyring, goodbye nails! But the keyrings I found were perfect, each end screws together, making life a lot easier.

I stapled each to one of my business cards, then tucked them away into a cello envelope. They were so much fun to make, and everyone seemed to love them!

The other swap that I created was a standard card, but still fun (to me at least).

Using Thick Whisper White, I created a standard A2 card, but then cut an inch and a half off of the front of it.

I die cut the flower from the Sunshine Sayings bundle using Basic Black cardstock. “Hope” was also die cut from a die in the same bundle, using Melon Mambo cardstock.

I stamped “Sending” (once again, Sunshine Sayings!) in Versamark, then heat embossed using our White Stampin’ Emboss Powder. I finally got a new heat gun, what a difference it makes! Love the Stampin’ Up one so very much! It heated up so quickly, and made short work of heat embossing 40 of these!

Anyway, the background was stamped with a splotch stamp from Gorgeous Grunge (retiring… sad face!) and Melon Mambo ink that I stamped off once for a more subtle color.

Inside the card is a 2 inch strip of Melon Mambo patterned DSP (from the Brights collection), mounted to a 2.5″ strip of Basic Black.

Adhere it all together, add a few rhinestones, and done!

I love both of these so much, and luckily I saved a few of each. If anyone wants to swap, I would be thrilled! Just shoot me an email at InkItAll@yahoo.com.

Just a reminder! The retired list is available for shopping!!!!!!

Check it out HERE! (Click link to be brought directly to the retired section of the Stampin’ Up website!)

Remember, the retired items are available only while supplies last! So if you see something you want, grab it! This is also a great time to get reinkers, cardstock, etc of the retiring InColors!!

Have a great rest of your day!

 

 

2017/18 Catalog Sneak Peek

Good morning everyone!

Well, I finally did it. I went through the amazing box of goodies I received from the new 2017/2018 Annual Catalog. I am in love with so much!

You will get your catalogs next month, and can order starting June 1st. But in the meantime, want to check out a few sneak peeks??

My basket of happiness! I typically keep new product in these great metal baskets (from a big box craft store) until I use the items, then they get put away. This is all stuff from the new catalog! I will be busy for a while!

Lets start with the Delightful Daisy Suite

I LOVE this bundle! The samples shown at OnStage were amazing. I can’t wait to start playing.

The cardstock pack (in Calypso Coral, Old Olive, & Pool Party) as well as the beautiful new DSP. This suite ranges from soft and delicate, to bold and in your face, something for everyone!

How fun is this? 1/4″ double stitched ribbon in Daffodil Delight.

LOVE! Faceted Gems in gold and silver. Trust me, in person these are beautiful!

Wood Textures Suite

The stamp set is fun and totally on trend. But what really gets me?? See that funny looking long die on the right hand side? That makes an adorable little box!!! Teamed up with the DSP, you can create some amazing little crates!! They are perfectly sized to hold 3×3 note cards.

Check out the DSP! Photorealistic, all sorts of amazing wood patterns! This is one of the items that got the most squeals at OnStage!

Lets talk about the trim for a minute. It is beautiful! 1/4″ copper trim that is so soft and smooth. But to change up the look, just stretch out the fibers a bit as I did in the photo on the right. Gives a more rustic feel doesn’t it? One of the girls I sat with at OnStage compared it to a fishing net. What a fun idea!

Color Theory Suite

Wow… all I have to say. This stamp set is wonderful, with SO many stamps that can be used throughout the year. Spring, Summer, Fall, & Winter are all represented her. And the coordinating thinlits? Jaw dropping. Check out that Adirondack chair!! The snowflakes are so incredibly detailed. And cherry blossoms? Yes please!!!!!!

The DSP is so much fun. So many different designs are included… paint chip style, ombre, peeling paint, and more! The coordinating cardstock pack includes Berry Burst, Dapper Denim, and Old Olive. I always make sure to purchase the cardstock packs when I purchase the DSP. It is the perfect way to make sure that I have exactly what I need when creating a project.

Mini Chevron Ribbon in Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, and Crushed Curry. I love that we have so many new ribbon and trim options in the new catalog, these included!!

Glitter Enamel Dots. I had to take a closeup for you all to see just how beautiful these are. Go ahead, click on the photo on the right to enlarge. I will wait! They are SO pretty! I love love love the ombre! These are going to be so much fun to use! Like the faceted gems, photos don’t do these justice.

Eastern Palace Suite

I needed to include two photos, so you can see all of the thinlits that come in this bundle! 14 beautiful, intricate, detailed thinlits. Coordinating with the stamp set, these are stunners!

The beautiful DSP was inspired by peacocks. How lovely! The coordinating cardstock pack includes Dapper Denim, Fresh Fig, and Tranquil Tide.

Fun new mini tassels! These are so pretty, and the perfect little something something to add to a project to finish it off. I know not everyone is a fan, but Lord knows that I am!

People!!! We now have Thick Very Vanilla Cardstock and coordinating envelopes! The powers that be at Stampin’ Up heard our requests! The best part??? You can get these FREE in May!! Check out the flyer below…

2017/2019 InColors

Here is a little sneak peek at Stampin’ Up’s new 2017/2019 InColors!

• Berry Burst
• Fresh Fig
• Lemon Lime Twist
• Powder Pink
• Tranquil Tide

What do you think? I love them! Well, Lemon Lime Twist is going to have to grow on me a bit. But I am loving the bright color! It has been too long since we had a good one.

So… that is the majority of what I have to share with you today. I have a few more stamp sets that I won at OnStage (See! Good to be a demonstrator!) that I will share with you next week. I will also share my swap items, as well as a few other things from OnStage.

In the meantime, have an amazing weekend and Easter!!!

Retiring List! InColors! Eastern Palace!

Good morning my friends!

Wow… I am truly sorry. I didn’t realize that it has been so long since I posted. I didn’t mean to neglect you all! So much happening around these parts lately that time got away from me.

There is so much happening that I want to share with you all, but head to the bottom if you don’t want the chatter and just want to see what is retiring!

You might have heard, Stampin’ Up’s demonstrator only event- OnStage- was held this past weekend. I was fortunate to be able to attend in Minneapolis, MN! So exciting for me! Why? Well, not only did I spend all day Saturday with other SU friends, getting the *NEW* annual catalog in my hot little hands, playing with some fun fun fun new items, swapping, laughing, and so much more… but I stayed with one of my very dearest friends while I was there. It was fate that this event was held about 20 minutes from her house! It was so good catching up with her!

I drove in on Thursday, went to Mall of America on Friday (my poor feet!), OnStage on Saturday, then headed back home on Sunday. I had a wonderful weekend from start to finish!

Now, I can’t share the catalog with you all quite yet. BUT, I have an order from the new catalog being delivered to me tomorrow. 2 day shipping thank you very much! So I will spend some time taking photos of the new goodies and will share them with you on Thursday.

I have a laundry list of things to share with you all. Even though the blog has been quiet, I certainty haven’t been slacking in my craft room! Look for those cards over the next couple of weeks.

Today marks the first day of the 3rd trimester for me! So unreal to me! This little boy I am carting around with me has made his presence known in so many ways. We can’t wait to meet him in mid to late June!!!!

Now because of that, things are going to be slowing down for me in every way starting in May. I will still be posting now and then, but it won’t be on any specific schedule. It just depends on how things are going. After our baby boy is born the blog is going to go on a very temporary hiatus. I am sure that you can all understand! But I promise! I WILL be back!!! Stamping, the blog, and Stampin’ Up are too important to me to neglect for too long!

I will be hosting just one more class, on May 7th. If you are interested in attending, please let me know! One of the sets we will be using is the new Eastern Palace Suite. Trust me when I say that you will want to play with this suite! It is set for early release from May 1st- May 31st with special bundle pricing (including freebies!!!!)! Starting June 1st it is going back to regular pricing. Yet another great thing about ordering this bundle in May? You get a sneak peek at 3 of the new InColors! Tranquil Tide, Lemon Lime Twist, and Fresh Fig! 

To give you a sneak peek, check out the flyer below…

Now, onto business!

I have the retiring list! And oh boy, there is a LOT that we will be saying goodbye to! But trust me when I tell you it is worth it. There are some amazing new products coming out in the new annual catalog that Stampin’ Up needs to make room for!

To check out the retiring products list, click on the link below.

Stampin’ Up 2017 Retiring Products List

Please keep in mind, these are while supplies last! So if you see something you want, grab it before it is gone! Many items are discounted up to 50%, so there are some great deals to be had here!

Also! The 2015-2017 InColors will be retiring as well, making way for the 2017-2019 InColors. I have seen them, and they are amazing! Though I will really miss Mint Macaron. Think that is the color that I have used most over the past 2 years!

If you want to take a peek at all of the retiring InColor items, check out this link below.

Stampin’ Up 2015/17 InColor Products

Again, they are while supplies last. So if you need reinkers, paper, etc, grab it asap!!

If you have questions about anything that I have shared with you today, please leave a comment or email me at InkItAll@yahoo.com.

Have a wonderful day!!!!

 

Lift Me Up!

Good morning!

I hope that everyone has had a great week!

Let me start by saying…. Pregnancy Brain? It is real people!

At least once a day I have a “moment”. Thankfully, I haven’t put the cereal in the fridge, or anything toooo odd. But I have come close!

Now, onto the reason you are here!

A few days ago I was playing with the Lift Me Up bundle. This is one of my very favorite bundles in our Occasions catalog and I will be *so* sad when it retires!

It is so much fun… from the hot air balloons to the adorable clouds. I love that there are 3 different dies to create the balloons, as well as the one on the lower left to make a great pattern behind the largest one.

I kept it relatively simple with this card, at least with the dies…

Just a couple of clouds and one of the balloon dies, the other is stamped directly onto the Whisper White cardstock.

The fun part about this card though is that it is a fun Swing card. What you see above is the front.

As you open it, the front panel swings around, to reveal the back of the panel, shown below.

How fun is this?

I love these colors together, Mint Macaron, Watermelon Wonder and Night of Navy. Mint Macaron will be retiring this year along with the rest of the InColor 2015-2017 Collection.

We will be getting 5 new colors this summer with the new Annual Catalog! Exciting! But Mint Macaron… oh I will miss that one! It is my favorite of the ’15-’17 collection.

Have a wonderful weekend all! See you next week!