Little Ink on the Prairie

Easel Card

2011-08-05T13:57:00.003-06:00

Using up some retired rub-ons and Designer Paper and made this Sew Suite Easel card.

Cupcake Builder Punch

2011-08-04T15:22:00.004-06:00

This was a contest entry a few months ago. I like to use the small oval punch to add a cake color to the cupcake builder punch shapes....looks like the yummy cupcakes on those fun tv shows like Cupcake Wars and D.C. Cupcake.

I ran the frosting shape through the Big Shot Machine with the Manhattan Flower Embossing folder...I like the swirly frosting effect it makes. You can find that embossing folder on page 218 of the current Idea Book & Catalog.

Occasions Alphabet: So Shelli Creative Challenge

2011-08-02T16:18:00.006-06:00

The So Shelli Creative Challenge this month is "Thinking of You": any sympathy or condolence cards, hang-in-there cards, you-can-do-it cards . . .whatever. Just a way of reaching out to someone who needs to know that they aren’t alone.

With that in mind I created this card for this challenge (and it was very similar to a card I made for swapping at Convention 2011 which was a few weeks ago in Salt Lake City, Utah). I absolutely love this new alphabet set called "Occasions Alphabet"! I can make up several of these cards to have on hand and then just stamp and punch the saying I need for that particular occasion from this set. I can easily make this card a birthday card by using the "H" is for Happy...hope that's what your birthday is, or a friendship card by using "J" is for JOY...that's what knowing you brings to my life or "F" is for FRIEND...you're one of the best, or "E" if for EVERYTHING...that's what you mean to me....ok, you get the picture, right? Plenty of possibilities from one fabulous stamp set. Check out this stamp set on page 171 of the new Idea Book & Catalog.

Cardstock used: Crumb Cake, Concord Crush, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Embossing folder: Flower Garden
Ribbon: Concord Crush 1/2" Stitched-Poly
Stamp set: Fabulous Florets, Occasions Alphabet, French Foliage
other: Basic Rhinestones, Decorative Label Punch, color spritzer tool, Concord Crush marker

Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Convention display: "GRAD" Page

2011-08-02T01:00:00.000-06:00

Well, I can't believe it is already the first part of August...where did the summer go? I won't be long before the kids are headed back to school and in our case both kids will be in college this year. Both will be attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln...GO HUSKERS!!!!!!!!!!!

This grad page was another Artisan Award entry that I found on display at convention.

Here's hoping that the empty nest allows for more stamping time! :-)

Convention displays: MY GIRL scrapbook page

2011-08-01T07:20:00.004-06:00

One of the highlights to my convention every year is seeing the beautiful displays of samples. I especially enjoy finding samples that I have sent in for various contests. This "My Girl" scrapbook page was an Artisan Award entry. I used the scallop oval die cut to create these cute little black shoes to go with this adorable pictures of my daughter (who is now in college but I needed a baby pic for this page LOL!) I was a finalist again this year for this contest.

Congrats to the 2011 Artisan Award winners:
Heather Summers
Heather Stevens
Laura Mellinger
Heather Klump
Cheryl LeFore
Heidi King
Summer Stone
Sandra Farrell
Jennifer Pickard
Connie Collins

FINALISTS Not in any particular order

Marisa Gunn
Staci Lunch
Martha Devries
Katie Kempton
Connie Collins
Laura Mellinger
Gaylyn Pantana
Laura Pinto-Nu-win
Elizabeth Germs
Rochelle Gould
Twila Mooneyham
Janel Hermann
Marlene Peters
Renee Van Stralen
Amy Bollman
Andrea Powers
Sharon Trauth
Jennifer Pickard
Diane Browning
Mercedes Weeber
Diane Kanode
Heather Stevens
Sandra Farrell
Jan Johnson
Summer Stone
Ellen Raymond
Carrie Gaskin
Heidi King
Cheryl LeFore
Betty-Jane Gent-ner
Debi Pippin
Laura Tollander
Jennifer Thomas
Tracy Roefs
Dee-lia Lively
Jackie Topa
Julie Leblain
Erica Cerwin
Mary Haugen
Heather Summers
Mindy Bywater
Heather Klump

Key to my Heart: Chocolate!

2011-07-24T15:02:00.003-06:00

I wanted to make a card using the trinket keys embellishments and thought it went well with the stamp that said the key to my heart was "chocolate". I used the cupcake punch to make the paper part of the fancy chocolate and then used the small oval punch with Early Espresso Cardstock to make the hand dipped chocolate looking shape. Topped 2 with a swirl of dazzling diamond glitter and the other 2 with a basic pearl embellishment.
I used the big shot embossing folders to add some textures to the background piece as well as some designer paper, zig-zag die from the Tasteful Trim die and some coordinating ribbon.

Canvas Wrap Butterfly Artwork

2011-07-21T01:23:00.001-06:00

This is a 3-d canvas covered with "First Edition Speciality" paper from Stampin' Up!. Once you decoupage the background... cut out butterfly shapes with your Big Shot while the decoupage is drying. Run these butterfly shapes through the Big Shot using texture folders. Embellish the butterflies with Basic Rhinestones. Arrange butterflies onto the canvas area and adhere in place. Add a bow on top of the canvas and trim (I used the pom poms from the occasions mini catalog)to the edge of your canvas. Now you are ready to hang this on your wall! :-) This would be so easy to do in any color scheme to match your room decor.

Easel Card:

2011-07-20T01:09:00.000-06:00

This easel card is made with the Sew Suite papers/rub-ons. A few simple folds make this card "stand up". These are fun and easy cards to create! I used the sewing machine to add some stitched lines and also added some pearl and buttons embellishments.

Favor Box Die Xmas in July: Sleigh Treat Favor

2011-07-19T01:02:00.001-06:00

Here's a fun little project using he favor box die for a Christmas in July project. The favor box die piece is trimmed down and yummy candy canes used to add the rudders for the sleigh. Fill cello bag with stamps, candy, jewelry etc. This would make a fun gift, centerpiece and could also possibly hold a gift card...just tuck it in under the fabric blanket.

The fabulous Holiday Mini Catalog will be available next month so we can see even more fabulous Christmas projects then.

Pull Card: OWL Card

2011-07-18T10:48:00.002-06:00

This card was an recent contest entry to Stampin' Up!. Pull the card up to not only expose the greeting but to see the adorable owl punched bird shape "fly" up the card front!

Adorable penguin card

2011-07-08T07:00:00.003-06:00

OK, I saw this idea online and now can't remember who to credit for this adorable penguin inspiration. You use a variety of punches to construct this cute little penguin from the Owl Builder punch from Stampin' Up!. The Glitter Brads are in the new 2011-12 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog and make a great sparkle top to the birthday hat.

Use various punches for the balloons and note that the bottom of the balloon is a punched image of the owl's foot....looks great for the bottom of the balloon.

I've included some basic instructions on how to create the body. Have fun creating a cute penguin greeting card,
Jennifer

Flower Garden Embossing Folder

2011-07-07T07:00:00.000-06:00

Here is another card using the Flower Garden. I used white craft ink to lightly sponge over the raised image of the flower design that was created by running it through the big shot machine.
Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Fabulous Flourets set and embossing folder

2011-07-06T07:00:00.000-06:00

This sample uses both the Fabulous Flourets set from Stampin' Up! and the matching embossing folder: Flower Garden. This is also an easy card to construct...choose any color combination and add any sentiment to customize it for a wedding, birthday, thank you or any other type of card you are needing.

Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Cupcake Builder Punch

2011-07-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

I like to use the small oval punch to add a flavor of cake to my cupcakes when using the cupcake builder punch from Stampin' Up!. I usually pick chocolate! :-) Yum!
Use any embossing folder to add texture to the frosting area of your cupcake.

Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Lattice Die cut

2011-07-04T08:36:00.002-06:00

Here's a quick and easy card. I used the Big Shot Lattice Die to cut the fun shape for the background.
Layer on scallop and circle punched shaped for your greeting.
Of course, you need a little ribbon to finish it off.

Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Greeley, Colorado stamp camp - June 25!

2011-05-24T17:04:00.001-06:00

9th Annual Stamp Camp
Greeley, Colorado
This event is hosted by Jennifer Thomas and Joanne Randolph.
When: June 25th, 2011
This year our event will be held at Joanne’s house and held in two sessions, pick one:
Morning 10:00 a.m.-12:00 Afternoon 1:00 p.m.- 3:00
(Doors open at 9:45 a.m. for session one and 12:45 for session two)
Place: Joanne Randolph’s house Address: 2690 58th Avenue, Greeley, CO

Cost: $30 if paid before June 1st & $35 after June 1st!

Each project will have a station and you will move from project to project at your own pace.
Many projects will use product from the Summer Mini Catalog. Patterns included for many projects.

Includes 7 projects:
Penguin Birthday card: made with punches and so cute!
Fun new easel style card: with paper kite design great for summer cards*
Fabulous Florets/Flower Garden Embossing card
Cupcake card*
Masculine card
3-d butterfly favor complete with chocolate
12x12 double-page scrapbook layout: adorable summer theme of a puppy (made from punches) in a little red wagon*
*Are projects from Jennifer’s Artisan Award entry 2011, she was a 2009 & 2010 Artisan Award Finalist! 
Many projects include the Big Shot machine dies and embossing folders.

Space is limited to 25 participants each session, first come first served basis. Registrations are complete once payment is received.

TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT:
• Email thomas@daltontel.net with intent to attend & to make sure there is a spot available!
• Send payment to: Jennifer Thomas, Box 100, Potter, NE 69156
• You will receive email confirmation when payment is received.
• Deadline to register is when all spots have been filled.
• Sorry no refunds once payment is received…if for some reason you can’t attend after signing up you can find someone to take your place or find someone to pick up your packet of supplies for the day.

Contact info:

Jennifer Thomas, Potter, Nebraska
for registration info & questions.
thomas@daltontel.net
Home phone: 308-879-4396
Cell: 308 250 8675

Mailing address:
Jennifer Thomas
Box 100
Potter, NE 69156

Contact Joanne Randolph, Greeley, Colorado
for directions & questions.
If you have troubles contacting Jennifer by email please contact Joanne: randolphfamily@msn.com
970-330-8544
2690 58th Avenue, Greeley, CO

Supply list

Please bring these items with you:

*Adhesive of choice: snail or glue sticks

*Notepad & Pencil - optional
*Camera - optional

Love the embossing folders!

2011-05-24T16:56:00.005-06:00

I really like the way the embossing folders add a little something to any card design. Here is a simple wedding card done in Saraha Sand, Rich Razzleberry & Blushing Bride. Of course this would be very easy to change to a friendship, thankyou or birthday card just by changing the little saying from the set "Tiny Tags".

Stylish Blog Award

2011-03-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

I received this blog award this week from Chanda, a fellow Nebraskan.
Guess I'm suppose to share 8 things about myself.
1. I already mentioned I live in Nebraska. :-)
2. Next year I will have an empty nest with both kids attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Go Huskers!
3. I have been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for the past 15 years.
4. Have attended every Stampin' Up! convention in those 15 years, and planning on attending this summer too.
5. I have my K-12 Art endorsement and currently teaching part-time grades 7-12.
6. My favorite color is PURPLE!
7. I love all types of crafts, especially scrapbooking and photography.
8. Planning to go to Salt Lake City the end of March for a scrapbook expo. I think SLC is one of my favorite cities and it is so pretty in the spring with the snow on the mountain tops and tulips blooming early. Can't wait to go, well not thrilled about the long drive through Wyoming but oh well!

Big Shot Die Storage

2011-02-28T08:39:00.007-07:00

For those of you that know me know I love my Big Shot machine and use it all the time in monthly classes, workshops and at school for projects with the students. This is a storage system I dreamed up to help organize the dies (they seem to multiply so quickly LOL!)I used some scrap wood and completed this in one afternoon. I have a 6 foot counter in my stamp room so made this storage rack to fit that space. The columns allow me to stack different sizes of dies in rows going up and by original or bigz sizes....2 rows fit in each area. I found some old drawers out in the garage so incorporated those in this to hold embosslits and sizzlits. The far right side holds the extra long sizzlits, adapters etc. I have a shelf in the paper rack above that hold all my XL Bigz dies. This has really helps me keep my dies more organized....but I'll be honest the rest of my stamp room needs my attention! Here's a picture with it full of dies.

Audrey's Valentines Box

2011-02-14T18:08:00.002-07:00

Last year my niece Audrey asked for help making a Valentine Box for her school party. So we made a stand up mailbox complete with an opening door to let the valentines fall to the bottom of the mail box just like the mail boxes outside the post offices. This year she wanted help again and we decided to do a grand piano as she started taking piano lessons this year and loves it. We started out with a Stampin' Up! box and ended up with a cool looking piano. The lid is hindged so that you can put it down flat on the piano or place it up with the small wooden stick. The valentines go in the opening in the body of the piano so you just slip them in under the piano lid when it is propped up. I hope Audrey had a great time at her school Valentine's party today!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Jennifer

Patchwork pieces of DSP

2011-02-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Squares of designer papers help you easily create a quilt inspired layout. Once again fabulous ribbon from the Clearance Rack at Stampin' Up! (see that on my website). You will need 3 different pieces of Stampin' Up! designer paper, which is double sided, so you can cut 2 pieces from each paper and then flip and flop those until you get 6 different coordinating designs.

Makes for a cozy little greeting card,
Jennifer

Heart Embosslit

2011-02-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Embosslits cut and emboss the design at the same time, so you run it through your Big Shot once and get this fun little heart cut out complete with a fun scalloped edge and dotted swiss raised dots.
I used a 2 x 3" piece of designer paper on this design and you can easily change this card to a masculine card just by changing the designer paper and the color scheme! Some Glassy Glitter adds that extra special flair to your card (use the Sticky Strip to adhere this with ease!) Ribbon was a fabulous bargain from the Clearance Rack at Stampin' Up!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Jennifer

Simple Textured Hearts Card

2011-02-07T06:00:00.001-07:00

I love the look of the background on this card and for those of you that know me know that I love my "BIG SHOT". I used the Square Lattice Textured Embossing folder on this project. Just punch the hearts out and adhere to the white cardstock. Run this piece through the Big Shot machine and it will texture the hearts and the white paper....reminds me of the fun textured on a high end paper towel! :) I also like the way the hearts look distressed due to the embossing pattern. Of course you can use any of the wonderful Stampin' Up! embossing folders for cards like this. Have fun trying some designs of your own!
Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Two at a time Snowman Cards

2011-02-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

I love snowmen and winter for that fact....I'm always praying for a snow day at school, tee hee! These snowmen cards are super easy to make and I like the fact that you can just as easily make 2 of them as you are running dies through your Big Shot machine. Use the TOP NOTE die and layer both the designer paper and a piece of white paper on the die at the same time. Run those through the Big Shot and then cut both in half the long way. Now you have a white piece for the snowman's face and a patterned piece for the top of the hat. Stampin' Up!'s designer paper is 2 sided so you can flip & flop those pieces so you have a different design for each card.
This card is also a fun way to use up those odds and ends of designer papers & old buttons because nothing has to really match for a snowman...they will be loveable with any color combination and any expression.
Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Back to Stamping! Finally :-)

2011-02-05T08:47:00.004-07:00

After recovering from surgery back in November I am finally back in my stamping room and back to teaching. Here is a fun greeting my students had hanging in my Art room when I returned from 2 month of sick leave. So that was really nice...I have the nicest students in the world...and a great sub too! I'm happy to say I have prepped and completed 2 stamping events in the last week so finally feel like I might be getting back to normal in that aspect.

Here is a cute and easy snowman card from class this month. What a great way to use our circle punches! I used dimensionals in 2 places in the layers between the snowman circles.
Another fun snowman project will be in tomorrow's post. Yes, it's really cold here in Nebraska and we have had snow on the ground off and on this past month.
Happy Stamping,
Jennifer

October 1st!

2010-10-01T01:00:00.000-06:00

Wow, it is October 1st already. Due to the uncommonly warm weather we have been having lately it really doesn't seem like fall but since tomorrow is Oktoberfest in Sidney I know it is that time of year.
Here is a cute little vampire card make with several items in the Holiday Mini Catalog. The web background is the Spider Web embossing folder #120889, $7.95. Just run your black paper through the Big Shot machine, then sponge over the raised up areas with white craft ink and a sponge. The cute little vampire boy is from the set "Fang-tastic" #120853 $24.95 for woodmount (also available in clear mount). Cardstock colors include Concord Crush and Pumpkin Pie and Rhinestone embellishments add a little "bling" to the oval punched shape message. I used Stampin' Dimensionals to pop up the oval image.
Enjoy fall,
Jennifer

Gorgeous GLASS GLITTER!

2010-09-30T13:45:00.005-06:00

Here is a make and take we did at a class last weekend in Sterling, Colorado. I just love this glass glitter, really adds some "wow" to any card project.

Use the "sticky strip" to apply the glass glitter and it is super easy! This Glass Glitter can be found on pg. 21 of the Holiday Mini Catalog.
#120997 Champagne
#120995 Silver
only $3.95 (1 oz. bottle)
Please remember that you can order online anytime through my website. You can access online ordering by clicking on the shopping logo on the right of this page.

Let me know if you need a holiday mini catalog!

Pink & Black Vintage Wallpaper

2010-08-28T01:01:00.001-06:00

This pink and black card uses the new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder as well as other new product like Antique Brads, Basic Pearls, Blushing Bride cardstock and an adorable new set called Birthday Bakery (Hostess Level 1 set). I really like the pink and black color combination and this Birthday Bakery set is so cute. One image reads: If you are what you eat, eat something cute!
Fun stuff!
Have a great weekend,
Jennifer

Punch Potpourri & matching punch

2010-08-27T00:01:00.000-06:00

Have you noticed in the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog the any image that has a coordinating punch will have a thin outline around the image? Have your noticed that? I think that is a great resource. I used the Level 1 Hostess set Punch Potpourri for this card. The butterfly image was stamped on Whisper White cardstock in So Saffron, Bashful Blue and Riding Hood Red, then punched out with the matching punch. I also used Basic Rhinestones, Tasteful Trim XL die for the white small paper ric-rac trim (Love that DIE!) Stampin' Dimensionals pop up some of the butterfly wings and the main large piece on the front.

Happy Friday!
TGIF! Yeah Coyote Football Season starts tonight! Go Kaleb! Go Coyotes!

Jennifer

On the road again....

2010-08-26T13:02:00.006-06:00

Here are 2 of the card projects for the monthly stamp workshop I do for a group of gals in Mitchell, Nebraska (75 mile drive and where I am headed tonight). Both card use new sets, new cardstock, new big shot dies and much more. The birthday card is Crumb Cake cardstock with Play Date dsp. The red card is Poppy Parade cardstock and ribbon, The Best Things stamp set and the new die in the fabulous Holiday Mini catalog: Tasteful Trims.....it is a 12" long die of 4 different fun shapes of small and large ric-rac, the scallop on this card and another bubble like trim embellishment. I can't wait to use that die on scrapbook pages.
Contact me to get on the email list for upcoming classes in this and any area.
Have a great day, hope you find time to stamp something!
Jennifer

Anniversary Card

2010-08-24T18:04:00.008-06:00

Here is a card I made for some friends for a 50th Wedding anniversary. Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder was used on the background piece. Cardstock colors are Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler. The punched piece that says "Happy Anniversary" is a new punch found the in the holiday mini catalog...I'll be passing those out at classes this week if you haven't already received one in the mail. This mini catalog is the best one yet, my wish list is very long. This mini includes Fabric!, new dies with a long jumbo ric rac as my absolute favorite, awesome holiday sets, gorgeous fall designer paper and so much more...you just need to get your hands on a copy. Let me know if you need a holiday mini catalog or want to place an order after Sept. 1 for any of these items.
Oh, back to the card. The rhinestone embellishments are in the new Idea Book & Catalog on pg. 188 and they come in pearls too. They are self adhesive and really add some "bling" to your cards.

My inspiration for this card was a card done by Rochelle Gould. Just click her name to go to her blog. I just realized that Rochelle is also an Artisan Award Finalist for this year. Here's the complete list of the runners up to the Artisan Award for this year. Stampin' Up! picks the top 10 winners and announces that back in June...then at convention they announce the finalists so we are happy if we see our names on that list. So we are the ones that came really close to winning...but didn't :-(. I'm sure it was a 21 way tie for 11th place! LOL
Deborah Paise
Cindy Beach
Heidi King
Melissa Riker
Sandra Farrell
Lynsay Mahon
Beth Prout
Ellen Raymond
Amy O'Neill
Jennifer Thomas
Ilina Crouse
Ashley Van Camp
Ann M. Fitton
Jan Tinklenberg
Deborah Pippin
Rochelle Gould
Staci Lynch
Amy Bollman
Mary Bieber
Lynn Pratt
Jennifer Picard
Jennifer Diercks

Wow, three Jennifer's on the list! :-)
Congrats to all my fellow demo finalists. This is my second year of being a finalist and I know Jan Tinklenberg is also a repeat finalist. Might just have to try again next year but will have to wait and see if I have the time, $ and inspiration. My contest entries were blog post back in June, Juen 6-16.
Have a great day, Jennifer

Cute Cards

2010-08-19T01:01:00.000-06:00

I saw these cute cards at convention and just had to photograph them. I wish I knew the creator's name so I could give them the credit. If you come to my monthly stamp classes and like these cards let me know and I can figure out how to make them and use them as a class project.
Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Have you ever stamped in a parking lot?

2010-08-18T01:01:00.001-06:00

It's high noon in western Nebraska on a hot summer day. I met my friend Jennifer at the local Walmart parking lot which is 20 miles from each of our houses. She wants to borrow some Big Shot dies for her daughters upcoming wedding so we meet here to make the switch. Besides just giving her the dies and letting her go on her merry way I wanted to show her the cool new embossing folders in the new Stampin' Up!Idea Book & Catalog. The aroma of the nearby feedyard fills the air in Sidney, Nebraska, it's a hot summer day and we pop open the back of my Sante Fe so we have room to use the Big Shot. Jennifer tries out the new embossing folders and makes all the parts to put this card together at home. We giggled of course, worked up a sweat and got a few odd stares from the cart boys but other than that no one thought we were too crazy...it was really too hot to stop and pay too close attention! :-) So now I can say I had my customers stamp in a busy parking lot. Have stamps will travel!!!!

Convention thoughts......part 1:

2010-08-17T01:02:00.000-06:00

Going to Stampin' Up! annual convention is one of the highlights of my summer. This was convention #14 for me. I always enjoy seeing stamping friends I have met over the years and rooming with friends in my upline and downline, we always seem to have so much fun.

Me, upline Kim, downline Joanne.

Highlights of convention for me this year was going early on check in day and having the entire sample display area almost to myself (everyone else was in line for Momento Mall). It was fun to take samples of everything that caught my eye and not have to wait for masses of people to get out of my road so I could take pictures. I was in this area for about 30 minutes and took tons of pictures.
>
Our annual lunch time swap with Sue Hyer and Deb Valder's group proved once again to be an awesome swap with very talented stampers.

Another thing I like to do at convention each year is find a new restaurant to try. This year I went to Dear Lizzie's with Deb Valder and Kathy and Amy in her downline. We enjoyed shopping in this adorable little shop and then sat down in the bistro for a little lunch. Amy purchased a gorgeous necklace to wear at awards night...Congrats Amy for placing high in the Rising Star Award! Here's a picture of my table while I was waiting for my sandwich to arrive. The place was decorated very fun with antiques, lace,& alot of shabby chic style deco. Lunch was delicious and I enjoyed a chocolate cupcake for dessert! YUM! Next time I go I would like to go for afternoon tea.

Decor' Elements Cheer & Dance Fundraiser

2010-08-16T01:01:00.000-06:00

I recently did a fundraiser for our Cheer & Dance squads. We met at one of their houses and I showed off the vinyl wall art items. I put a few samples on some glass jars and gave those away as doorprizes. I also gave away vinyl images as doorprizes. Then the host mom got a special treat my having me apply the image of her choice (that she picked out a few weeks in advance so I had time to order it) to the wall of her choice. Lori picked this "Many Welcomes" and we applied it above some cupboards that sit above a bar counter in her kitchen. The wall was extremely rough but with a little extra rubbing I managed to get there on there. I like the way this image looks, espeically the white on the dark green walls.
These would make great Christmas presents so if you are in the mood to think about your Christmas gift giving keep these Decor' Elements in mind.

Open House

2010-08-15T15:43:00.005-06:00

My Open House was fun. Thanks to everyone who came to see me that day, many of you drove from Colorado & Wyoming! Here's a pictures of my sample table showing the scrapbook layouts and also the candy dish with some of the fun salt water taffy I bought at convention. Info about fall classes will be coming soon. School starts for teachers tomorrow here at Potter-Dix H.S......I'm not sure where my summer went :-).

Open House Make and Take

2010-07-30T14:01:00.004-06:00

My stamp open house is this coming Thursday August 5, at the Potter Fire Hall on Front Street. Time: 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
I will be showing off my swaps from convention, make and takes from convention, new color chart samples and this cute owl card is the free make and take project. You can create your card from the variety of cardstock and designer papers provided. Yes, this is a discontinued color but I really need to get the retired colors out of my stamp room and make more room for the new colors (which are fabulous!).

Also available:

*Garage sale items - two tubs full of goodies with most sets being $5 or $10.

*Scrapbook page kits and card class kits for $5. Sit and enjoy scrapbooking or cardmaking for a few hours (air conditioned room!)

*Big Shot machine and tons of dies will be available for your use. Bring your favorite paper to cut out shapes of your choice from the dies I have there that day.

*You may also come work on projects for the day. Bring your scrapbooking or card making projects and come craft the day away!
RSVP for this so I save a table for you.

Artistic Etching convention swaps

2010-07-29T08:33:00.006-06:00

Aren't these gorgeous cards made with the new "Artistic Etching" set from Stampin' Up!? This set is still on my wish list and the more I see such fun designs with it of course the more I want it! This set goes so well with the new Newsprint DSP and look great in any color scheme. These are more swaps I received at convention last week. Valerie Mayer from CA made this black/yellow card.

Jolene Harms from MN made this black/blue/red card. Great work gals. Thanks for swapping with me!
Stay tuned for more samples coming soon,
Jennifer

Convention Swaps

2010-07-28T16:19:00.004-06:00

Glancing through the pile of convention swaps I just added to my sample basket I see a couple really jump out at me. I love the 3-d pink flower on this tag (Two Terrific Tags). Appears to be 6 pink and 1 green "Fancy Flower X-Large Punch". I believe I got this from one of my Canadian stamping friends. (on the last day so I was kind of exhausted & forgetful! LOL!)
This gorgeous card is from Connie Babbert. I love the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder for the Big Shot and the new Ribbon Border punch. I think this Ribbon Border punch is going to be so much easier to use than the other border punches. Those of you in my classes that complain about the other border punches will probably want to try this one for sure! It made the shape to the white vertical piece.:-)

The new "Basic Rhinestones" add the bling to this gorgeous Christmas card from Terri Brantz. The cardstock is the new Cherry Cobbler and Wild Wasabi....which you just want to use as it is fun to pronounce! :-)

More samples to post at a later day. Have a great day,
Jennifer

Wheat Harvest & a Masculine Card

2010-07-19T06:36:00.000-06:00

Here's a quick and easy idea for a masculine card. I love the Square Lattice embossing folder for the Big Shot machine. And, I'm kind of laying low hanging out in the house today to avoid the heat and all the farm trucks out on the roads.

Yep, it is that time of year here in western Nebraska....time for wheat harvest. I live near the grain elevator as you can see from the photo of the my back yard with the tall white grain elevator peeking out over the treetops. I can hear the rumble of the trucks coming and going all day/night until the farmers get all the wheat out of the field. Of course there is always an urgency to do this once the wheat is ready and before any hail storms come. So you can't miss that window of opportunity. Here's a few picture of my son cutting wheat last year for my uncle.

And yes, next week I'll have to dust the entire house...see all the dust from the combine and we have lovely dirt streets in town too! I'll be going to convention tomorrow so it will just have to wait (as usual) ha!
Have a great summer day,
Jennifer

Time for Swim Trunks!

2010-07-18T10:26:00.005-06:00

When I saw this adorable card on Shannon Eberhardt's blog I just had to try them.

I used them for a workshop this last week and now decided to make up more to swap at convention. For those of you that will attend the next monthly stamp class they will probably be a class project. I love the yellow trunks made from the Greenhouse Gala designer paper. What a great way to use up scraps of designer papers...the crazier the design the better!

Have a great summer day & try and stay cool. It was 104 here yesterday so it truly is "Hotter in Potter"!!! :-)

Jennifer

I might be addicted to fabric & the Big Shot! LOL!

2010-07-14T01:01:00.002-06:00

Instead of cleaning up the fabric mess in my tiny stamp room I just keep finding more fun projects for it. This is a set of 4 coasters. Aren't they cute stacked up and tied with a fun ribbon?

I can't wait until the Stampin' Up! Holiday mini catalog comes out because there is designer fabric in there! Can't wait to get my hands on some of that. Luckily demonstrators get to pre-order items from the upcoming mini catalog a month before it is available to customers.
Hmmm, wonder what I can make next with these 3 dies (Big Flower, Scallop Square, Scallop Circles #2)

Jennifer

Yet more Big Shot Big Flower projects!

2010-07-13T13:01:00.001-06:00

I had this simple tote/purse pattern and thought it would be fun to try it with yet more of those fabric Big Shot Big Flower shapes. I just appliqued some flower shapes onto the purse pieces before I started sewing anything together.

More Fabric & the Big Shot

2010-07-12T17:54:00.003-06:00

From some past posts you have seen some quilt blocks made with the Big Flower die. I found some time to try some other sewing projects while I had that mess out. These are fun little coasters made from quilted fabric. I appliqued the Big Flower shape onto the quilted fabric and then cut w shapes out with the Scallop Square die....then sewed those two layers together. I think these will make fun "roomie" gifts for my roommates at convention this next week!....and if you are one of those roomies viewing this post try and act surprised! :-)

Convention Swap....something different!

2010-07-11T23:08:00.003-06:00

I decided to do something a little bit different for one of the organized swaps I am in for this year's convention. Instead of a card or a 3-d item I decided to make an 8x8" stitched quilt block. I used my Big Shot machine and the Big Flower and Scallop #2 Dies. I can cut up to 8 flower shapes at one time so the Big Shot really makes this easy.
I went with a yellow flower that kind of reminds me of a sunflower,....sunflowers remind me of summer in the country.

I started with the yellow flower shape and stitched it into place on the 8x8 piece of ivory.

Then I added the brown scallop shape and stitched around the inside of the scallop circle shape and then continued on to make a spiral type of random stitch line to complete the look for the inside of the flower. As I sewed I just continued in smaller and smaller until I ran out of area to stitch. No two blocks look alike! :-)

I like the way these turned out. Now I have some more ideas in mind for more quilt blocks, just need to find the time to work on them.
Have a great week,
Jennifer

My new Crush! :-)

2010-07-10T13:11:00.003-06:00

I'm in love with this new inline color: "Concord Crush"...it is just gorgeous! I've even painted my front door a deep purple recently and found out it is a perfect match to this fabulous new color. (You can see that in this post.)
This card is copied directly from page 214 of the new 2010-11 Stampin' Up! Catalog I just changed the colors of cardstock and the ribbon and this card was super easy and .....if I don't say so myself...it's awful pretty! :-) The "Elegant Lines" textured embossing folder really adds the extra special touch to this card. You can find that on page 214.
This card design could easily be any greeting card you need....just change the sentiment! I used the set: Word Play from page 147....which I earned free from Stampin' Up!. You too can earn free stampin product from Stampin' Up! as either a customer hosting a book party, home workshop or individual order; or as a new recruit. Let me know if you would like more info on that. I'm in my 14th year with this company and I just love it. It is a great creative outlet for me and I love the extra perks, extra income and all the great stamping friends I have met along the way.
Have a great summer day! It looks like a beautiful day here in western Nebraska,
Jennifer

Builder Wheels! I might be a fan!

2010-07-08T10:40:00.002-06:00

Ok, I have to confess that I have never been much of a fan of the stampin' wheels. They have just never been my thing. I guess I always felt like once I used them that then, I was kind of... well,... bored! Yes you can change the color of the ink cartridge and yes you can roll the images on tissue paper, lunch sacks, scrapbook pages or anything that stands still long enough! :-) But honestly they were not that much of a thrill to me. However,.....the new builder wheels seem kind of exciting. I love the fact that I can create my own 3 color ink cartridge with colors of my choice and the best part is that each and every time I use my wheel I have the choice to "MIX IT UP" a bit. I can rearrange the wheel designs in any order and also can add spacers and use 1-2-3 images at a time. So thanks to this great new product from Stampin' Up! I'm becoming a fan of wheels...finally! :-)
This is a super easy card design that you can use over and over and just by changing the images I can create several different cards for a variety of occasions.
It is also a great way to use up spare pieces of cardstock and ribbon left over from previous class projects & events.
Check out all the great new Builder Wheel designs on page 219 of the new 2010-11 Stampin' Catalog

I also used a Big Shot textured folder for the strip of cardstock below the ric rac bow.
Once again this a basic layout that can be used for any theme/occasion.

New Set: "Apple Blossoms"

2010-07-08T10:23:00.003-06:00

From the new 2010-11 Stampin' Up! catalog this new set is called "Apple Blossoms". Big Shot items used were: Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder #115963 and the Oval Scallop Die #114521.

With these card designs you could make the same layout from any set in the catalog (or in your stamp room...but you know you want a fabulous new set from the new catalog! :-)

I'm using up retired ribbon & retired Designer Paper. You can find great deals on those on the Clearance Rack...go to the "Order Online 24/7" on the right side of this blog to get to the shop now button on my Stampin' Up! website.
Enjoy your summer day...hope you find time to stamp today,
Jennifer

More Deco Elements Samples

2010-07-05T20:24:00.004-06:00

I'm getting ready to do a Decor' Elements Fundraiser with a group from school and what to show off some samples here on my blog. This is my neighbor's house. The "Happiness" pg. 28 and chocolate flowers are on one wall in her kitchen.

The "Many Welcome Signs" pg. 29 is on the dark chocolate accent wall in her kitchen...as you walk up the steps from the porch this is the first thing you see.

The phrase "Life Milestones" pg. 31 is hanging in her living room and goes great with her son's graduation picture (which I took of him & really like! :-)

All the Decor' Elements go up on the walls very easily. The dark brown kitchen was heavily textured but the "Many Welcome Signs" sticks well. For the fundraiser I will be putting the vinyl wall up on the walls at the host mom's house to show the guests just how easy this is to apply. She chose the "Many Welcome Signs" in white to go up on her green wall in her kitchen. So this should be a fun fundraiser. I'l share more later,
Jennifer

Front Door Decor Elements

2010-07-02T20:27:00.005-06:00

I finally got around to doing some Deco Element projects. I had my front door as a Rich Razzleberry color but really wanted it more of an Elegant Eggplant...as I love purple. So I repainted the door, let the paint dry and then applied the vinyl "Welcome" to the door.

Once the paint was dried I used a level to get the image on straight.

Then rubbed the image with the applicator and pulled it off.

I think it looks great! I have some other vinyl wall art ideas in mind for the rest of the house so I'll post those as I get them completed.
Have a Happy 4th of July weekend. Have fun and be safe!
Jennifer

QUILT BLOCK SWAP - Part 2

2010-06-28T00:01:00.001-06:00

I set up the sewing machine and sewed around the edges of the flowers to stitch the flower shapes on to the ivory background piece for each quilt block.

I completed blocks in a similar fabric in: brown, blue and ivory. I tried to pick colors that would possibly coordinate with alot of other colors that I might be getting back in the swap.

The swap will be held at the Stampin' Up! Convention July 21-24 in beautiful Salt Lake City, UT. Stay tuned for future posts about the fun things I get back in this swap.....and then what I make with all the blocks I end up with! :-)
Jennifer

QUILT BLOCK SWAP - Part 1

2010-06-27T13:58:00.004-06:00

Here are the steps in prepping for the quilt block swap I am doing at convention. I started with 1/2 yard of 3 different patterned fabrics. Folded each piece over so it was 8 thickness and the size to fit the my Big Flower Die. Trimmed it to make it fit the shape of the die (about 5 x 5.5).

Next, ran it through the Big Shot machine. Remember to sandwich the die & fabric between the acrylic plates.

The Big Shot cut 8 layers easily!

I cut the ivory background fabric to 8x8" squares.

A fabric glue stick was used to adhere the fabric flower to the quilt block. I'm making 10-11 blocks each of 3 different designs.

Next step it to go to the sewing machine.

You can see Angie Kennedy Juda's finished quilt at http://www.chicknscratch.com She is the one hosting this fun idea for a swap at convention. I'll end up with 30 some blocks so I can make more if I want a full quilt like Angie's 80 block quilt or I can use smaller numbers of quilt blocks for a throw, table runner etc. I'll decide that later.

Look for part 2,
Jennifer

Love that Brown Truck

2010-06-27T00:01:00.001-06:00

I've been trying to figure out what to put in this cute little pouch since Friday. Once the UPS gal drove up and delivered these boxes I can't seem to get alot done! :-) I'm going to resort to chocolate...chocolate is always the answer, right? I'm thinking a Ghirardelli ind. wrapped chocolate will fit nicely in to this little freind pouch. Might have to taste test a few chocolates to get the right flavor for this project! LOL!

I will be delivering catalogs when I head to a class in your area, or feel free to stop by and pick up your catalog you earned or pre-ordered.
I'd better get back to unpacking catalogs. This is one of the best times of the year to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Ready to Swap!

2010-06-26T12:09:00.005-06:00

Here are some swap bags I made for convention. For the past several years my group of convention roomies & friends from Nebraska, Colorado & Wyoming have formed a swap with 2 other demo groups from New York & Virginia. We meet at convention, sort out one each of our projects into each of the bags I have provided. Once you open the bags up and stand them up you will see the name of each swapper listed on a bag....then you know to put one item in every one's bag except your own. When everyone has had a chance to swap out their items each gal has a fabulous bag full of goodies to take home and drool over! :-) This really is a great swap...so we call it the "WOW" swap. I created these simple bags for this year's swap. Tag is the Two Tags die cut from Daffodil Delight cardstock, flower from Cherry Cobbler cardstock & Island Floral die, leaf also from that die and made from Pear Pizazz cardstock. Rhinestone brad and some disc. ribbon (cleaning out the old stamp room). After convention (July 21-24 in beautiful Salt Lake City, UT) I'll share some of the swaps I received. Now I have to make my "WOW" item for this swap.
Have a great weekend,
Jennifer

Another take on Jar Lid Ornament

2010-06-21T00:01:00.001-06:00

I love these seasonal ornaments. I hang them on an antique coat rack in my kitchen. They are so easy to make and a great way to decorate for the seasons.
Thanks to my customer Deb S. for the inspiration for this project, she made an adorable snowman ornament for our stamp class Christmas swap last December.

I've updated the project from June 16 to use at our stamp camp this month. Instead of using the soon to retire hostess set as seen in that post I used the new set: "Apple Blossoms". This is a super easy project and would be fun to make for all seasons of the year. Use a canning jar lid for the circle frame and all your fun stamped artwork gets framed inside. Also an expensive project for stamp camps, teacher gifts, tree decorating etc. :-)

Of course adding a little "BLING" to the project always helps make it look great. I used some items I had left over from the Spring Mini Catalog (Eggscellent Eggs Kit) but as soon as we can order from the FABULOUS new 2010-11 Stampin' Up! catalog we can use some new rhinestone embellishments (both diamond like and pearl). Let me know if you would like to pre-order a new catalog!

We all SCREAM for Ice Cream...

2010-06-20T00:01:00.000-06:00

Here is another easel card (June 8th post also has an easel card). This one uses the "Sweet Scoops" set (pg. 10 Summer mini catalog) and new Designer Paper: "Greenhouse Gala" coming in the new 2010-11 SU! catalog.

Masculine cards

2010-06-19T00:01:00.000-06:00

These masculine card were designed by my downline Joanne Randolph for our 8th annual stamp camp last weekend (in Greeley, Colorado). You had your choice of making the card as a Birthday greeting or a Father's Day card. See the Summer Mini Catalog, page 22-23, for supplies for this card.

Happy Father's Day weekend,

Jennifer

Sympathy Card

2010-06-18T12:15:00.002-06:00

We did this card at stamp class last night. I think I'll do more Sympathy cards at future classes as it is something we always seem to need so we are always looking for new card design ideas.

The "Square Lattice" embossing folder was used for the long green piece. I think that texture is my latest favorite. You'll find it in the Summer Mini Catalog, pg. 24, #119976 $7.95. Mini Catalog runs through August 31, 2010.

Brown felt ribbon was on the Clearance Rack (on www.stampinup.com) a few months ago. You have to check that out, most items are while supplies last so they don't last long ...check frequently. Flower image was a stamp from a retired set, any stamp that fits in the large oval punch will work. The green label shape behind that oval is a die cut image from the Matchbox die. Butterflies are made from Daffodil Delight cardstock (new color in upcoming catalog!) from the butterfly embosslit.
TGIF,
Jennifer

Sneak Peek of New Colors and DSP!

2010-06-17T08:34:00.003-06:00

This is the Big Shot favor box made out of new Designer Paper: "Newsprint" and new cardstock colors for the flower embellishment: Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz & Daffodil Delight. This is a project from stamp camp last week and stamp class tonight in Mitchell.

Stampin' Up!has a new color line, they renovated the color families with the new catalog coming out July 1. If some of your favorite colors are retiring NOW is the time to order ink refills and extra packs of paper.
Here is the upcoming chart for the new color families. There will be new inline colors in the new catalog too.

Have a great day...can't believe June is 1/2 way over!
Jennifer

Seasonal ornament

2010-06-16T01:01:00.000-06:00

This project is similar to one we did Saturday at the 8th Annual stamp camp in Greeley, Colorado. This uses the "Wings of Friendship" hostess set for the current catalog. Later I'll post the project from the stamp camp that uses a new set from the 2010-11 Stampin' Up! Catalog!
The metal circle shape is the top of a wide mouth canning jar.

Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Pop-Up Birthday Presents

2010-06-15T00:01:00.004-06:00

I saved this card to share today as today is my birthday...bring on the cake LOL!
This card doesn't have any candles let alone as many candles as I need on my cake this year (sigh!) but it is a fun birthday card complete with stacks of presents that pop up when you open the card. The "bling" is from the past spring mini catalog (Eggscellent Egg Kit) and there are some similar rhinestones in the new 2010-11 Stampin' Up! catalog with both single and strips of rhinestones. After July 1 we will be able to order those...Yeah!

I'm off to find some cake (tee hee!)
Have a great day, Jennifer

Butterfly Card

2010-06-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

I love the Big Shot embosslits...they cut and emboss at the same time...just one pass through the Big Shot machine and viola!
Have a great day,
Jennifer

Bath Time & the Big Shot!

2010-06-13T07:00:00.001-06:00

I've been seeing alot of fun things with fabric and the Big Shot and decided to try a project myself. I created this bath time towel (great for toddlers)using the scallop circle punch for the spots on the lady bug and then some of the circle die shapes layered together for the eyes. The antennas are the table setting die (all dies from Stampin' Up!)...I used the napkin ring piece and inserted a pipecleaner...top of antenna is the smaller circle scallop die.

This project is very easy. Start with a hand towel and a bath towel and set them together to create a "hood". Then the fun part starts by decorating the towels! I have more ideas for butterflies, frogs etc......just need to find some free time to try those.

I don't have any toddlers at my house so hope you can see how cute this is from these photos of it hanging on a cupboard door or draped on the back of my couch.

Enjoy, Jennifer

I know it is June but here's a cute Fall page!

2010-06-12T01:00:00.001-06:00

Yes, the calendar does say June but I wanted to share this cute Fall scrapbook layout. This was for a recent contest entry and I can share that with you now. I used my sewing machine to sew the bark lines on the tree and I really like the way that it turned out. Just used brown thread on the Chocolate Chip cardstock and sewed randomly up and down the trunk and into each branch. Once again I used my Big Shot for the scallop circle shapes for the clumps of leaves and the alphabet titles too.

The nice thing about scrapbooking is that you can work on any page for any season any time of the year....especially when you have as much cardstock and DSP on hand like I do! LOL!

Kaleidoscope DSP: Butterfly

2010-06-11T01:00:00.002-06:00

The Kaleidoscope DSP paper (from Stampin' Up!) has this adorable butterfly on 2 of the sheets of paper. I turned it into a 3-d embellishment by cutting and layering it and applying a layer of crystal effects. The bright colors in the DSP makes for a fun "girly" page!

'Tis the Season....for Wedding Cards!

2010-06-10T01:00:00.001-06:00

I used my lattice die and the 2-step bird punch & heart punch to make this wedding card. It's kind of sparkly & shimmery with some of the Bridesmaid Speciality paper from Stampin' Up! (where else! LOL!). The rhinestones are from the spring mini catalog, came in the Eggscellent Kit, and due to a snow storm this spring I wasn't able to have the class that I bought those for so if you want any of those kits let me know as I have several kits to spare. Those of you coming to the stamp camp on Saturday in Greeley will use some of those rhinestones for our 3-d seasonal ornament project (I'll post that in the next few days).

I have several weddings to go to this month so will be making several more of these pretty cards. This is a super easy card...and if you know the bride's wedding colors you could personalize it with those special colors.

Wedding page

2010-06-08T01:00:00.000-06:00

I made this fun wedding page with a photo I took at my nephew's wedding last year. I love to dabble in photography and was excited to have my nephew and his new wife ask me to do their wedding photos a year ago (Happy Anniversary Dan & Sam). This was definitely one of my favorite shots and I love b/w photos so did a little simple editing on this photo.
I used the Big Shot (of course) to make several of the embellishments on this page. I tried to keep the color scheme really simple to let the photograph stand out. The
Bridesmaid paper used on this layout is one of the retiring products from SU! so if you like the look of that vanilla colored shiny & patterned papers you can click the "shop now" button on this blog to go to my SU! website to order some for your own scrapbooking projects.

Easel Card w/ Tulips

2010-06-07T01:00:00.004-06:00

This is an Easel Card similar to the card we will be making this weekend at our annual Stamp Camp with my downline Joanne in Greeley, Colorado. The Big Shot machine makes this project very easy. The Two-step bird punch was used (the wing shape) to make the tulips. I used lots of stampin' dimensionals and a little sponging to make those tulips petals pop up off the card front.
Enjoy,
Jennifer

Vintage style card

2010-06-06T11:26:00.003-06:00

Here is my take on a vintage style card. I used the Vintage Vogue SU! set from the past mini catalog. Got it free as a demo attending a regional event. I love FREE stamps! :-) I also like cards like this that can double as a decoration, just stand this up on a desk, shelf, table etc. and have a friendly greeting from a dear friend.
Happy stamping,
Jennifer

29 Gifts

2010-05-17T07:33:00.006-06:00

Here's a fun and simple gift idea. I used the 2step Bird punch from Stampin' Up! to make a coordinating bookmark/gift-giving list. I used the cover of the book for inspiration for the colors & design.

The bookmark doubles as a gift-giving list. When you read the book you learn about the authors struggles with MS and how she took advice from a spiritual advisor to stop thinking about yourself and give a gift away each day for 29 days. Gifts can be as simple as giving someone a kleenex or spare change. So this bookmark is a great way to keep track of your gift giving. When you read the book you will want to start your own 29 days of gift giving, so the bookmark comes in handy and if you are giving the book away as a gift it is a great addition to this gift.

I was especially excited to read this book as the author mentions stories about growing up in western Nebraska (20 miles from where I live and grew up). She also mentions that when she wants to give thank you cards to people who help her out she goes to the box of handmade cards that her mom makes for her. She has a stash of cards on hand and I know her mom attends stamping classes of mine so I know alot of those cards are the projects and products we use in our classes! :-) So that is how I found out about this book. I've read it myself and have given several books away as gifts.
You can learn more about this book & author, Cami Walker, at:

http://www.29gifts.org

You can watch Cami's interview on the Today show and learn alot more about this gift giving movement.

More Spring cards.

2010-05-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

Here's a Mother's Day card (round scallop shape) and another spring card I made recently. I have a few of these Sweet Pea Felt flowers left from class last month so thought I would use them up quick for a few simple cards. Both were quick and easy....which is the best kind of card! :-)

Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Seriously?....where is spring? :-)

2010-05-12T22:42:00.004-06:00

I've been busy stamping spring & graduation cards and when I woke up today I found over 4 inches of snow on the ground, ugh! Will it ever be spring? :-) Here is a card design I used at class this past month...thought it was pretty springy with the fun butterfly cutout (Sizzlit from Stampin' Up!).

Here's a few shots of my backyard....seems like I live in Alaska not Nebraska LOL!!!

The kids gave me some adorable garden decorations for Mother's Day. This one is awful cute...even in the snow!

I think this tulip would make a gorgeous digital card with "My Digital Studio". Hmmm, how many more days until school is out? 6 Days, wahoo!!!!! Can't wait to have more stamping time.
Enjoy your spring day,
Jennifer

Smootch Spritz

2010-05-05T14:03:00.002-06:00

The new Summer Mini Catalog has a fun new product: Smootch Spritz This is "Vanilla Shimmer" on Soft Suede cardstock....you can really see it on the background area of the card. I also used the new Speciality DSP: Presto Patterns...I rubbed the Soft Suede ink pad on it to make the white "pop" out and turn the rest brown. Also from the mini catalog are the Bitty Buttons, stamps and punch to match (see page 11 of Summer Mini Catalog)

You can pick up a mini catalog at this month's classes. Or let me know if you can't make class and I'll get you a mini catalog,

Jennifer

Why I don't blog more often.....sigh! :-(

2010-05-05T13:23:00.003-06:00

I have my heart in the right place as I do want to update my blog more often but I honestly struggle to find the time to do so. So, I thought it would be fun to show you what I do when I am not stamping. I spend alot of time taking photographs for my family and for others.
This week I took my photography class on a field trip to Cabela's in Sidney. Cabela's is a huge store for sportsmen...kind of like Stampin' Up! is for us, but with many stores around the country and it's headquarters 20 miles from Potter. We toured the photography and graphic departments and learned alot.

Niece Taylor at last track meet, it's fun to take action shots.

Can't play favorites, took photo of niece Audrey (on left) and her championship Destination Imagination team which will go to Tennessee for Global finals the end of May.

We drove to Denver for the day during Spring Break to see Body Worlds. Nice to have Alexis home from college. (GO HUSKERS!)

I wanted to also visit the Botantical Gardens while in Denver to see the Henry Moore Sculpture exhibit....my family humored me and posed for several pictures...this is them in the inside of the sculpture with one bystander too.

O.k., I promise the next post will be soon and something stamped!
Have a great day! (11 days until summer vacation!)
Jennifer

Felt Fabric in my Big Shot!

2010-02-19T07:00:00.001-07:00

Here are some fun felt projects I made for an upcoming swap. I made these with the idea to use them for a gift card holder or a party favor. Many fun items will fit in here as you can see from some of these photos, everything from candy to stamps! I used the Top Note die for the white part and also used the XL Table Setting die for the flower/leaf (that die was in the fall 2009 mini catalog
It will be fun to get this swap back and see all the other fun fabric projects created from the Big Shot machine!

Enjoy, Jennifer)

Stampin' Up! Regional

2010-02-17T22:57:00.003-07:00

One fun part of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is getting to attend Stampin' Up! events with demo friends. Here is a picture of Joanne, myself and Sue attending a SU! regional training meeting in February in Fort Collins, CO. We had a blast and I got awesome cards from swapping with other demos and regional attendees.

I made each of them a fabric flower pin with my Big Shot machine as a little gift for attending this event.
Won't be long and we will be attending convention in SLC (in July!)

Happy stamping,

Jennifer

Ready, Set.....SWAP!

2010-02-01T10:31:00.003-07:00

I'll be attending a Stampin' Up! Regional meeting this weekend and have my kitchen table full of swaps. I'm usually stamping at the last minute for swaps like this but my Big Shot die cutting machine really made this project super easy so I got all these done in one day!
I'll share the items I swap these for next week, so check back for more fun ideas.
Happy stamping,
Jennifer

Tootsie pop Valentine Flower Favor

2010-01-31T20:16:00.003-07:00

These Tootsie Pop Valentine Flowers are a cute little favor which are great for Febr. 14th. Of course, using the Big Shot make these a super easy project! I've made up several dozen of these flowers to swap at the Ft. Collins 1/2 day regional this coming Friday.
Enjoy,
Jennifer

Heart Treat Cup on a Stick!

2010-01-29T11:39:00.002-07:00

Here's a cute Valentine's Day idea. I revamped the project from this month's stamping classes to include a brown/pink color scheme.

January Class projects

2010-01-29T11:29:00.003-07:00

These are the projects from this months stamping class. The Two-Step bird punch is in the Occassions mini catalog. The box is made from the Matchbox die for the Big Shot machine. The heart treat cups can be ordered is a box of 12 for $2.95....plan ahead for Valentine's Day projects!
If you missed class this month and would like the projects just contact me,
Jennifer

BRRR.....

2010-01-28T17:15:00.005-07:00

The snowflake punch is perfect for cards and scrapbook pages this time of the year. Here is a quick 6x6 layout with my favorite little Reese all bundled up in her winter coat and stocking hat.
Stay warm,
Jennifer

Two-Step Bird Punch

2010-01-28T17:09:00.003-07:00

I just love the new 2-step bird punch. It is in the latest Occassions Mini Catalog. I used my Big Shot machine for texturizing the flowers in the background....I really like the look of the sahara sand cardstock with the layer of the embossed piece on the regular cardstock. Using the Big Shot and the dry embossing folders are a really quick way to dress up your cards!

You can view the Occassions Mini catalog through my website....of let me know if you would like a copy in the mail!
Enjoy,
Jennifer

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T12:54:00.004-07:00

Here is a project I made up last spring for the annual Stampin' Up! Artisan Award contest. I earned a place as a finalist for this award so I was thrilled. I love Christmas and thought these Santa pants would be a fun party favor or little gift bag. I used the Stampin' Up! "Baskets & Blooms" XL Bigz die for the main part of this project.

I also wanted to remind you that many of the stamp sets currently on our dormant list have been available for a year and now it is time to be discontinued. The following stamp sets will be discontinued on January 4, 2010. If they are on your wish list you will want to order before Jan. 4.
Item Number Stamp Set
113407 Back Woods
114492 Beautiful Baby
114486 Birthday Wish
113200 Branch Out
114496 Celebrations
113732 Central Park
113206 Classic Sketches
113226 Classy & Fabulous
114498 Flowers in Silhouette
113405 Font of You
113216 For the Bride
114494 Forever
109425 Friend by Definition
114488 Fun Flowers
113716 Garden Greetings
114490 Glad Friends
111580 Grand Soiree
113242 Hit the Road
113710 Lexicon of Leaves
113236 Man's Best Friend
114423 Ocean Commotion
113728 Playful Petals
109276 Polka Dot
111544 Putt Putt
113240 Quilt Quips
113754 Really Retro
113403 Sip by Sip
113726 Sweet Stems
113250 That's Funny
113688 Wonderful Watercolors
114028 Para la novia
114032 Acuarelas Maravillosas

Hope you all are enjoying the snow, cold and getting ready for Christmas!
Jennifer

Potter Stamp Class - November 10th

2009-11-07T11:39:00.003-07:00

Here's the samples of the projects we will be making at the card making class in Potter on November 10.
Class will be at 6:30 p.m., back meeting room at Bags' Bar, material fee $10.
All patterns will be supplied for these fun folded cards.
Please contact me for more information or if you would like to sign up for this class.

Build-a-Bear Girls Workshop

2009-09-17T10:35:00.003-06:00

Here are some photos from a recent Build-a-Bear workshop for a bunch of little girls. My niece Audrey was the hostess for this event. We had a great time and these girls, ages 4+, enjoyed creating the 4 bear projects: favor box complete with a candy necklace, a stamped bear card, a bear cut die card and and a decorative lunch bag to carry all our goodies & extra bear parts and clothes home.

I would love to do more of these workshops so please let me know if there are any Build-a-Bear creations we can make with you and your group of friends or children!
Jennifer

Swap basket contents

2009-09-14T18:22:00.008-06:00

Here's a closer look at the contents of the swap basket mentioned in the last post. Many of these favorites will be inspiration for cards to make at future stamp classes this fall. Hope to see you at a stamping class this fall,
Jennifer

Monthly card projects

2009-09-14T18:14:00.003-06:00

Here's a picture of my swap basket full of goodies ready to go to card classes and workshops this month. The samples inside the basket are swaps from Stampin' Up! convention this past August. Many of you haven't seen these so bring your cameras when you come to class this next month and feel free to photograph your favorites. The projects sitting outside the basket are the projects at stamp classes this month. I have to tell you that my adult stampers are having just as much fun with the Build a Bear items as my younger stampers are. I'll have more about a little girls bear workshop in a future post. So if you haven't joined a class yet this month there is still time. I'll travel to Chappell, NE on Sept. 22 and of course would set a workshop up for you and your friends, just let me know.
Happy stamping,
Jennifer Thomas

Holiday Mini Catalog.....starts today!

2009-09-01T10:32:00.002-06:00

The Stampin' Up! Holiday mini catalog sales period starts today! If you are attending a stamping class with me in the next 2 weeks you will get your mini catalog at class. If you want a mini mailed to you please let me know.

I have been with Stampin' Up! for almost 13 years now and this mini catalog is the best one yet! It is full of adorable stamps, Big Shot die cuts, jewelry, embellishments, treat cups & DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING SOFTWARE!!!!! You just have to see it. We will be using alot of the new items from this mini in our upcoming stamp and scrapbook classes this fall.

Let me know if you need a mini catalog,
Jennifer

Build-a Bear Workshop

2009-08-26T07:00:00.002-06:00

On Sept. 12 I'll be presenting my first Build-a-Bear Workshop. Instead of going to the Build-a-Bear store and making your own stuffed animal the attendees get to create several fun papercraft products. I'm still busy working on my projects but here is a sample I from convention which is a great inspiration. I will post my projects when I get them completed. There will be a $5 fee for each attendee and this first class is hosted by my 9 1/2 year old niece Audrey. We hope to have a room full of giggly little girls! Keep this in mind for birthday parties, scout meetings, daycare projects and whatever else you think will work with these fun new products.

College Kitchen

2009-08-25T14:35:00.004-06:00

Here's a picture of the canisters Alexis and I made for her college apartment kitchen. The vinyl art work is the hostess level one set in the Decor' Elements line from Stampin' Up!. These were super easy to make. Bought the containers at a local outlet store for around $10 for all three.
The vinyl images also included "coffee" & "tea"....which she didn't want so we just used the artwork without the words for the one canister and her and her roommate can use it for candy or hot cocoa etc. Thanks to my hostess free items these girls might have one of the most stylish kitchens at Univ.-Nebr.Lincoln! :-) Go HUSKERS! :-)
Jennifer Thomas

Adorable train project

2009-08-20T08:35:00.003-06:00

I think this is just about the most adorable train project I have seen with this train set. This is from the convention displays in Salt Lake City earlier this month so I don't even know who made it so I can't list any names. I think this is just adorable. What a fun idea for decorating a baby's room or for a baby gift. You could even personalize it to make it extra special.
Happy stamping,
Jennifer Thomas

My Convention Swaps

2009-08-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

I made 2 different cards to swap at convention this year. Here is a sample of those cards and also a variation of each card. I made each card simple and then a little more "involved" using either a jumbo grommet or adding designer papers, both which would make great upsell items.
I love all the new embossing items for our Big Shot Machine. I used the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder on the Bermuda Bay & Melon Mambo card. The Rich Razzleberry card used the "HI" Embosslit Die. Both are on page 195 of the Stampin' Up! catalog.

Artisan Award Finalist!

2009-08-16T07:06:00.000-06:00

One of the highlights for my convention was finding out I was one of the 30 finalists for the annual SU! Artisan Award. To enter that contest you have to create and send in 10 items (5 cards, 3 scrapbook pages & two 3-d items). When I was first considering entering this annual contest again this past year my first idea was this fun 3-D Santa's Pants favor. So once I dreamed up the pattern for this (the bottom of each leg uses the die cut piece from "Baskets & Blooms") I decided I needed to create the other 9 projects to enter this fun Christmas project for that contest. The pants are complete with suspenders, belt and a barn door on the back! :-)This project was also on the display boards at convention this year.

I think this pattern would also be fun as blue jean overalls: with a little boy theme and fill with gummy worms. Or complete as red overalls and fill with corn (pop corn, corn nuts etc.) for all those HERBY HUSKER NEBRASKA CORNHUSKER FANS!
GO BIG RED!,

Jennifer

2009-08-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite parts of Stampin' Up! Convention is the display boards. I could spend hours (and I did!) looking at all the samples on these displays. They are color coordinated or grouped by new set samples and it is kind of tricky to fight the crowds to get in close enough for a photo. Since I spend alot of time throughout the year creating ideas for monthly/yearly contest and stamping challenges it is always a THRILL to see your artwork up on display! I found 9 different projects of mine on the display boards so I was thrilled! :-)Here is 12x12 scrapbook page that I entered in the Artisan Award this past year. I'll tell you more about that in a future post. :-) These are my kids, photo taken back in February, and they look very similar but Kaleb just got his braces off so now I can scrapbook him without the "tin grin". LOL!
Jennifer

Build-a-Bear products!

2009-08-14T07:05:00.002-06:00

We have so many new products including the Build a Bear Workshop line and the company mascot came to Salt Lake City for our convention. We got to pose for a photo with the mascot. That new product line will be fun for kiddy workshops and scrapbooking layouts. Last year I was excited to see the Sizzix/Big Shot product line and I'll continue to be excited about the Big Shot with fun new dies like these. I'll be setting up some scrapbooking and card making classes with this theme so look for future details on that.

Jennifer

2009-08-13T22:54:00.002-06:00

Stampin' Up! Convention 2009 was awesome. The theme for convention was Inspire,Create, Share. We saw fun logos at the Gathering Place and at the Stampin' Up! Headquarters. Here are my roomies (we had a big fun suite!) left to right: Holly, Laurie, me, Lynne, Kyle, Kim, Joanne.
Look for samples in future posts of all the fun things I saw at convention,

Jennifer

Cupcake card

2009-07-31T07:00:00.000-06:00

This cupcake image is from a new hostess set in the 2009-10 Stampin' Up! Catalog & Idea Book called: "The More the Merrier". Stamp the row of cupcakes a few times to fill up your cardstock piece with lots of cupcakes, YUM! Of course you need a little Dazzling Diamond Glitter to finish it off!
This card shows the new inline colors for this catalog year, and these inline colors also come in the markers now too and they match the Razzleberry Lemonade designer paper used for the quilt block square type of design. The polka dotted ribbon is also a coordinating product in the Rich Razzleberry color.
Jennifer

"Girly" card and favor

2009-07-30T08:00:00.001-06:00

The big shot die: large Scallop circle is used to make this adorable dress cut out. Once you have the fun dress you can make a card or a party favor. I used the Box #2 die for the party favor by making the box but leaving the flap up.

Jennifer

SO Sweet scrapbook page

2009-07-29T08:35:00.000-06:00

Here is a fun sample using the Circle Circus (new Stampin' Up! stamp set)and the Big Flower Sizzix die for a scrapbook page layout. The word "so" is a "s" from the Serif Die in the Big Shot machine. The "o" is the large circle design from "Circle Circus" embossed with VersaMark and Clear embossing powder and punched out with the 1 3/4 circle punch from Stampin' Up!. The center of the flowers are also embossed images from the "Circle Circus" set and punched out with the 1 3/8 inch circle punch. This layout shows the new in-line colors for 2009-10 in the Stampin' Up! Catalog & Idea Book. Designer paper is: Razzleberry Lemonade.
Enjoy!
Jennifer
artwork copyright Stampin' Up!

Bag full of swap goodies!

2009-07-28T10:04:00.004-06:00

Swapping at convention is always fun and I seem to get the best swaps when swapping with friends and having a planned and organized swap. This year we will be meeting in our hotel room again with 25 swappers consisting of my roomies from Nebraska and Colorado and downline groups of stamp friends Deb Valder, New York and Sue Hyer of Virginia. Here is a sneak peak of their swapping bags. All bags are set up in a circle and one of each item is placed into each swappers bag, once everyone has had a chance to place their items in the bags then each gal has a wonderful bag full of goodies to take home with them.....well that is after we eat pizza! :-) This is a fun way to get great quality swaps and have fun meeting stampers from around the country. Once I get home I'll share my pics of the swaps I received.
Jennifer