Fancy Folds Card Class

Time flies when you're having fun ! There's never a dull moment in my life.....so much is happening these days - we traveled to San Antonio, Tx for a mini family get together. My nephew graduated from Air Force Basic Training and both my boys (who just returned from deployments) met us in Texas. First time in over 4 years that we've all been together - me and my family and Bo's family. We had a wonderful trip and a GREAT time was had by all ! The next excitement was the process of negotiating the purchase of our new home. To make a long story short - after going thru the process of designing our own home, we decided to purchase any existing home instead. The best part is my Stampin Studio ! I'll share photos once we're moved in and settled. We'll sign the contract tomorrow -- all this with me in Georgia and Steve in Maryland -- a VERY stressful experience !

OK - now for my Fancy Folds Card Class: participants made 2 each of the 3 cards below.

It was a morning of stamping fun !

This card was made using the Party Hardy stamp set and retired SU cardstock and inks. I sure do miss Cameo Coral and Lovely Lilac !

This is a Swing card - I had a picture saved in a file, so unfortunately, I don't know who to give credit to for the original design. This card looks more complicated to make than it really is. Vintage Vogue is one of my favorite stamp sets and I love Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink together.

I made this adorable stair step card when visiting my fellow demonstrator (Hey Barb !) in Las Vegas. Just too cute ! I think this was definitely a big hit with my stampin' friends.

Mark your calendars for May 7th - National Scrapbooking Day ! We're planning an all day crop. I'll share the details once finalized. Also - Armed Forces Day is May 21st. I'm planning my 3rd Annual Cards for the Troops so plan to show your support by helping stamp and assemble cards to be sent to forward deployed units. Once details are finalized, I'll send out emails, post on Facebook, and share here. Hope you'll plan to join us !!

Now - it's time to work on my quilt that I'm making using the Big Shot !!!

Happy Stampin !

Another Christmas Card Class

Hello Stampers !! Welcome back to my ramblings.....

Before sharing my Technique Club samples, I wanted to share the cards we made at another Christmas Card Class. This past Christmas, I hosted 3 different Christmas cardmaking events. The first class was in October and focused on the Snow Swirled stamp set. The second event was in November and included the Delightful Decorations stamp set and 2 cards each of 5 designs. Lots of really nice things to do with this stamp set. Hope you like these cards as much as my stampers did the day of the event. I received several of these cards as swaps at various SU events or CASED from different websites. I'm so thankful there are creative people in this world because I don't have a creative bone in my body but I sure can copy !! Once again, notice how everything coordinates - ink, cardstock, ribbon, decorative paper, brads, etc. - all the hard work is done for you.......

I hosted one other Christmas Card Class in December, using a variety of stamp sets. Once again, we made 2 cards each of 5 designs. Over a 3 month period, the participants had completed 30 beautiful Christmas cards, with coordinating envelopes. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the cards we made at the last class....sorry !! You'll just have to join us next year to make your own cards.....ok ?

Well - that's it for today ! My mojo is stuck on my son, Steven -- he returns to the states TODAY, after a 4 month deployment - can I hear "Thank you, Lord !"

WOW - It's Been AWHILE........

OMG - I can't believe it's been almost a year since I updated my blog....how time flies when you're having fun...NOT ! It's been a LONG year - lots of changes in my life. I've been busy learning how to live alone after many, many years of married life. No, no...not a divorce or anything like that. After 25+ years living in Maryland, Steve and I decided to pack up and relocate to Georgia, setting ourselves up for retirement. Having made that decision, we never imagined that it would take sooooo long for Steve's transfer to come through. That's right - after selling our home, putting all our belongings in storage and 14 long months, Steve is still in Maryland and I'm in Georgia with 2 Rottweilers and my precious Shih Tzu, Ko-Ko. I could write a book on the Rotties terrorizing the neighborhood - if left alone for 30 minutes, they dig out of the 8 foot fence and enjoy chasing the ducks, swimming in the neighbors pond, scaring helpless little old ladies and causing sheer panic on my part. Oh and did I mention I've been working mids (10 pm - 6 am) ? My body and mind are too old for that !! Needless to say, it has not been an easy year !! BUT - I 'm finally adjusting and starting to feel somewhat in control again. That being said - I think I'm ready to start enjoying my two favorite things again - STAMPING and SCRAPBOOKING ! Here's a peak at some of the limited stamping and scrapbooking I have enjoyed this past year. I did post several pictures for 2 other events I hosted - The Cards for Lydia Project and Cards for the Troops events. Through those events, I made several new stamping friends - which is always fun !

The following cards are from a Christmas Card Class I held, using the Snow Swirled stamp set. Advanced registration included the stamp set, mounted and ready to use to make 10 Christmas cards. Here are samples of 3 of the 5 designs. These designs were all cased from other demonstrators. Aren't they lovely ?

Here are some of the 12x12 double page spreads from my monthly Scrapbook Club this past year. I provide the designs and all supplies needed to make the pages. Scrapbookers must place a minimum $25 order that day. There's always something for everyone - beginners and advanced scrapbookers. New scrapping and stamping friends are always welcome to join the fun, so let me know.

These spreads use lots of coordinating products. Notice how the cardstock, ink, ribbon, and buttons all match ? That's one of the many GREAT things about Stampin' Up ! products - everything coordinates !! We even have some stamp sets that coordinate with our designer series papers.

I host a 12x12 double page spread swap every year at Convention and Leadership. I received the above layout at one of those swaps - not sure which one or who originally designed it but this layout was perfect for my winter themed scrapbook class this year.

Well - that's it for today, I hope you've enjoyed all the samples I've shared. In my next post, I will share some of the exciting rubber stamping techniques that I've been teaching at my monthly Technique Club. Until then.....Happy Stampin' !!

Cards for the Troops - Armed Forces Day !

Today was the big day - Stamping for the Troops ! What a wonderful morning spent making all occasion cards to be sent to military men and women at forward deployed bases overseas. We were honored to have a Navy JROTC Class from North Augusta High School join us in making cards. These young men and women selflessly gave up their Saturday morning to show their support for our active duty military. Plus - I think they actually enjoyed the morning. I know I sure did ! Here are some pictures of our groups of stampers:

Here are samples of some of the cards we made. All of these cards are CASEed from somewhere. I regret that I can't give credit to the original designers - just know that myself, along with everyone helping today, "loved" the cards ! For me, I thank you for sharing your creativity - I'd be lost without it !

Until next time -- have a Stamp Happy weekend !

Biker's Week - Myrtle Beach

Steve and I went to the beach for Mother's Day weekend. It was a wonderful weekend but little did we know that we were driving right into the middle of Biker's Week.

We met my friend, Jan and her hubby down there; and then my niece (Laurin) joined us for dinner. We talked and laughed the night away.

The Beaver Bar and the SuckBangBlow are 2 popular biker bars in Murrells Inlet. Very interesting, indeed !

This is my brother, Bo, and his wife, Toma. They came down to the beach so we met them for lunch on Mother's Day.

All Day Crop in Augusta

Recently, I had the pleasure of spending the day with these wonderful ladies, doing what we all love to do -- stamping and scrapbooking !! It was an all day crop in recognition of National Scrapbooking Day, at the Augusta Historical Society.

This is the make-n-take I had available for everyone. I used my favorite new stamp set - Vintage Vogue; Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, and Very Vanilla cardstock; Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, and Always Artichoke Classic ink. It's hard to see but I added half pearls to the center of the flowers. I was pleased with the layout and the ladies all seemed to like it as well.

It was a GREAT day !

12x12 Double Page Swap

Every year I host a scrapbook page swap at Stampin' Up's! Convention and again at Leadership. Here are some examples of the adorable, creative pages made by other Stampin' Up! demonstrators. Many participants use these ideas for their Scrapbook Clubs and other classes throughout the year; therefore, I do not typically post them on my blog -- sorry ! I know - GREAT ideas that should be shared with everyone !

At Convention 2009, there were 50 ladies that participated in this swap - broken down into groups of 10. I received lots of wonderful ideas to use in my Scrapbook Club and Stamp Camps. If you are interested in scrapbooking; as a beginner or an advanced scrapbooker -- sign up today for one of my monthly Scrapbook Clubs that are now forming -- there's something for everyone.

The following pages were created by Sue Herron from Las Vegas. Look at the detail on these pages -- it still amazes me !! Absolutely adorable !!

These pages were created by the very talented Jill Hillard from Pennsylvania.
Very elegant !

These pages were created by Aniko Brewer from Georgia. Check out the Big Shot dies she used and the border punches. The layout and color combination are awesome !

There wasn't a name on these pages so I can't give credit.
Love the layout and color combination !

These pages were created by Ronda Winn. She used a Big Shot die and border punches, half pearls from the Pretties Kit, brads and ribbon. Love the color combination and design.

These pages were created by Sarah Wills for Sherrill Graff. Love the bright colors and creative punch characters.

If you are a demonstrator attending Convention 2010, looking for scrapbook ideas - look no further ! Join this swap now ! Just send me an email (almondy1261@aol.com with 12x12 swap in the subject line).

Have a Stamp Happy weekend -- I'm off to spend time with my son in Kansas !