Embellish

Star Wars in Concert MDS Pages

Isn't my little Darth Vader adorable? He and his dad went to Star Wars in Concert in July, and had a fabulous time. It was pricey, so Natalie and I didn't go (boo-hoo, right?), but so worth it--go if it comes to your area!

Dan was just in hog heaven over the costumes, props and concept-art backdrops before the concert. And then the full symphony orchestra, combined with a laser light show, narration by the guy that played C-3PO, and clips of the movies telling the story start to finish in order--it was almost just too much for his eight-year-old heart to handle!

And of course, lots of people came in homemade costumes. I loved the team-player mom in the small picture on the lower right corner of the second page, walking with her two costumed kids--you probably can't tell, but her hair is done up in two Princess Leia-style buns! Good for her!

I made this spread with My Digital Studio, and I like the simplicity of the black page with just a few weathering, industrial-looking elements in various shades of gray around the edges. I originally had it just stark black, and it was too plain. So I added a few stamps from the set Extreme Elements, which comes with the original version of MDS. I never thought I'd use it, but it sure came in handy! 

Can't wait for the pages to come back from the printer. Did you know Stampin' Up prints 12x12 pages, true to color and very high quality, for just $2.95 a sheet? I've been extremely pleased with everything I've ordered so far. Ask me today for all the printing details and a pricing list for everything from single cards to calendars, on up to full 12x12 albums!

1 stamp set+1 color ink+1 embellishment cards

I just got the oh-so-cute set For Everything, and here it had been a whole week and it didn't have ink on it yet. So I took half an hour the other night and whipped up some "limited supplies" cards using just one ink and cardstock color--Tangerine Tango, the one stamp set, and one embellishment--Whisper White narrow grosgrain. And yes, I'm aware I can't count and that there are two colors of cardstock shown in the picture--but Whisper White doesn't count!

I went with simple one layer cards first, then added a punched piece to another, then a layer on one, then some extra layers on another. And yes, I'm also aware that since monochromatic cards are my absolute favorite things to make, it was kind of cheating.

In no time I had five cute, easy cards, all of which just simply let the stamp set shine. Stampin' Up has wonderful, clear, crisp artwork and clever designs, which can often be overwhelmed with all the bling people layer on sometimes!

They'll make a cute little gift for someone down the road, in a Tangerine Tango stationery case. Instructions for a quick, one sheet carry case can be found here. My friend and fellow demo Jeri F. and I adapted one that used to take a 12x12 sheet and waste a bunch of paper, and modified the measurements so that you can do it with ZERO waste. Love that! 

If you like a challenge--pick a set you haven't played around with enough, choose one color that's waaaaaaaay out of your comfort zone, and a nice versatile embellishment like ribbon--and then start simple and work your way up. Not only will you probably decide you really do like that crazy color, but you can feel good about getting some ink on that unused rubber AND produce some cute, quick cards for a friend. Have fun!

New Inspiration & Motivation Blog for Demonstrators

Click here to visit my exciting new blog for demonstrators! I've been thinking about this for a long time and finally decided to go for it. I truly believe that when demos are successful, Stampin' Up will be successful. And I don't know about you, but I NEED this awesome company to stick around, purely for my sanity's sake! So let's get out there and build our businesses!

Last year I wrote some business articles for www.stampinaddicts.com (a wonderful, positive forum for demos and customers alike), and they were very well received. Since then I've also presented at demonstrator meetings, a My Digital Studio seminar, and a regional conference. So I've started with those, and added a lot of other hopefully helpful items and handouts, and I plan to continue to write articles as topics of interest come up.

I'd love it if you'd leave a comment letting me know if you find something inspirational on my new blog. I am keeping it bare bones as far as design, as it takes a lot of upkeep to run this regular stamping blog, and I don't want anything to take away from the inspiration people have been receiving here. I'd also welcome any suggestions you might have for future articles, handouts you've been wanting, and class topics that you'd like input on.

Mostly I just really hope I will be able to encourage you to DREAM BIG. I took that as my motto after Convention 2007. I have found that Stampin' Up makes dreams come true. I know it sounds corny, but it is absolutely the case. Every year I have to adjust my dreams higher. I have slightly changed my motto this year--now it reads: Dream BIGGER!

What would YOU attempt if you knew you could not fail?

Save the Date

My annual Christmas Card Stamp a Stack will be held on November 13th. Just go ahead and mark it off right now, and watch for details coming the first week of October!

Feeling Cranky?

PMS LADIES CLUB

IS THE ANSWER!

For those of you wondering WHAT in the WORLD could a PMS Ladies Club possibly be, it stands for “Pizza, Movies, and Stamping,” and it’s great fun!  Your “back to school blues” could be “Gone With The Wind” very shortly if you plan now to schedule that one night off for yourself each of these next three months!

The PMS Ladies will be meeting from six to ten p.m. on the following dates this fall:

Friday, September 17th

Friday, October 15th

Friday, November 19th

The cost will be $10 per person, with specialty pizzas and beverages included. I’ll provide one intermediate to advanced stamping project to get your juices flowing. The rest of the evening, you can use all my stamps, punches, inks, and tools to work on any project you have been wanting to get done, or just sit and make some cards. Bring your own adhesive and paper, and go to town!

Space is limited, so RSVP for yourself and your best bud NOW for any or all of the three fall sessions of PMS Ladies Club.

There now. Can’t you just feel that excess estrogen slipping away? I feel better already!

Ahhhhh--exciting!

You may have noticed a short halt in posting the past two days--ok, maybe I'm so wordy no one even noticed I was out. I have been working on something VERY exciting! So exciting I'm scared to death to post it! Seriously.

I's one of those "dream BIG" dreams--and you know where those usually lead! I've been thinking about it for a long time, and this week I decided to go for it.

It's almost ready to go live, and then I will share.... Stay tuned! 

Brayers and Big Shots

On Monday night at Big Shot Club, we learned five different ways to use the embossing folders. Everyone's favorite was the brand new Elegant Lines folder, with Vintage Wallpaper a close second. These are some of the projects we made, several of which combine the use of the brayer with the embossed folder.

You can brayer ink on either side of your embossed cardstock, either inking the raised pattern or the pattern's negative. You can also brayer the folder itself before you put the cardstock in and run it through the Big Shot. The folders look awesome just plain, of course, but my favorite technique is the card on the right, with the Elegant Lines folder brayered heavily with Rich Razzleberry ink.

We used the new stick-on pearls for all of these cards. I love how there are many different sizes of pearls, so I could fit them into the embossed circles on the Elegant Lines pieces. See them there? You may have to look closely.

We also played with the BEST new ribbon in the catalog--the Rich Razzleberry satin ribbon. It is just plain gorgeous, no other word for it! I realized that Rich Razzleberry really is my favorite Stampin' Up color right now. No wonder my fingers are usually Razzleberry-colored!

 

PS--we can take one more person in Big Shot Club! Join us on the first Monday night of the month for two hours of fun and educational projects. You do not have to own or purchase a Big Shot to join, although you certainly can buy one on the installment plan. Contact me!

10-10-10 event announced

  

I just confirmed the room reservation today, so I can announce the annual autumn event everyone's been waiting for!

The Fall 10-10-10 event will be held September 11th at 10:00 a.m. at my usual location at the college in Watertown. At this event you will make ten different cards, each taking about ten minutes, for just ten dollars total!

RSVP TODAY as this event usually fills up very quickly. Space is limited to 25 people! (920) 261-3962 or zwolaneks@att.net

While this particular card is not one of the 10-10-10 designs, we will definitely be using the adorable new Owl Punch on one of the projects. We'll also get to use the new Fancy Flower punch shown on the card below, plus rhinestones and pearls, Smooch Accent Ink, the new 2010 In Colors, and a whole host of brand new stamp sets from the new Idea Book & Catalog. Come and get your hands on ten different layouts and color schemes, and start your mojo flowin' for the fall!