Happy 40th, wait, you mean to me?

I was quite certain that I was never going to get this old, but the day has come. After a big surprise party, a few small surprise parties today, an awesome Vikings game (we were right in the end zone, Brett smiled at me and said Happy Birthday, and he blew me a kiss too!) a sweet win on the soccer field, and a few more surprises, I just got home and saw this card on the kitchen table. The house is quiet, and everyone is in bed. I've already cried my eyes out because of my age, 40 hurt more than expected, so there isn't much left, and then this card (and gift of cash)... priceless.

Thanks to the sistas that were part of my birthday festivities this past month. I appreciate all of your time (working with my husband mainly) and well wishes. I have the greatest friends! So as you read the card, it's familiar I'm sure, but check out what they wrote in the ( ), you got it baby! Sera

Create an Animal-Print Background

Hello! The rain is POURING down, the thunder is cracking, and I'm stamping and blogging. Great first night of fall! Here are two cards that use an animal-print background, which is not something you can find in the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog. You can make your own! Take the leftover rubber from a new clear-mount stamp set, trim it into scraps, and then adhere them to a clear-mount stamp in an animal-print or mosaic-type pattern. Ink it up, and stamp it down! I used clear block D, so I had to repeat the design several times to cover a card. The "S" card was for Sista Sera's birthday, and I used basic black classic ink on soft suede paper to get a leopard-type look. The layer is soft suede, then very vanilla torn with soft suede on the edges. The accent colors are peach parfait (the polystitch ribbon!) and wild wasabi. The giraffe card is the demo I gave at a recent workshop. It's more mustard classic ink on whisper white paper. I also used marina mist for a layer, and hemp twine for the accent. It's the Fox and Friends stamp set (a current fave!). Thanks for reading! Julie

Sista Thanks

I am supposed to be getting ready for a workshop and here I am, sharing cards and doing a little procrastinating I'm afraid. Thanks to the sistas though, they bailed me out with a bunch of great ideas for this upcoming event. This card opens and the the "thanks" stays inside so what you see here is a peak view. The scallop was made with the outside edge of the single stamp, Homemade. The thanks inside is also a single stamp, So Many Thanks, both can be found on page 18 of the current catalog! Sera

Halloween Texture

This great Halloween card was made by one of our awesome stamp sistas, Heidi. Don't you love it? There are so many great elements to this card that you just want to touch it on the screen. Here are some of those items, the stamp set, Wicked Cool, the bat punch, the new lace trim- raven, the extra large punch- decorative label, the spider web embossing folder and the new dotted scallop ribbon border punch! I'm sure that's not all... many of these accessories are in the new Holiday Mini Catalog. Click the link to the right. You'll be able to make festive Halloween cards just like this and more! Sera

Spider Decor Elements

I had a great time putting together some Halloween decor for a few friends. These glass jars were a find at the swedish box store in the cities. I bought some long ago and finally found the perfect gift use. As you look at the two angles, you see the spider which is in the new holiday mini catalog, check the link to your right. You can see the gems at the bottom, love those black designer jewels! They are very easy to work with! They are self-sticky (as a dear friend of mine calls it) and they really add a 3D feel to the gift, texture at least! The web on the tag is from the new Halloween stamp set, Wicked Cool, one of my current faves! Of course nothing makes a project like M&Ms, especially peanut! Sera

Dark and Dreary

This beautiful card was made by Sarah, a very talented stamper in our group. As our friend Heidi says, clearly after September 1st it's time to get out the Halloween decorations! This card is perfect for that! This stamp set is called Dark & Dreary and is located on page 7 of the new Holiday Mini Catalog. There is a matching decor element as well, check out page 8. I'm sure you've noticed the new embossing folder too, it's a great spider web, found on page 6. There all sorts of great ideas in this new mini catalog, for Halloween and for fall! Sera

Paisley Prints

We have such talented demonstrators in our group! We had our sista downline meeting today and here are two of the swaps... aren't they great!? Thanks to Belinda and Julie, I'm going to have to like this set! I haven't been too fond of it as of yet, but thanks to these talented stampers, I may have to try it! What great cards for fall. Sera

"Just Believe" stamp set has started me blogging. A favorite stamp set for my customers to make their first Make and Take project at my Open House. We used the new In Color inks- Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz, and cardstock. We layered with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder and added a little rhinestone jewel bling to the flower. Carmen

Aug Club 1

Here is a card that we made at my Aug Club, and I also shared it at our last demo meeting. This is very similar to a card I recieved as a swap at convention. The cool thing about this card is that the clear blocks (A and B) are used in the background to stamp the random geometric pattern. The Simple Friendship set is used for the focal image and background flowers while Word Play is used for the greeting. Card base is Baja Breeze and other colors used are Old Olive, Certainly Celery, and Rich Razzleberry. More Aug Club cards to come soon! ~Heidi