Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Stampin' Halloween

Just a quick post to wish you and your little ones lots of fun on Halloween....and be safe!

Here's a photo of something my hubby did for my Stamp Spooktacular afternoon get together:


Back tomorrow with some card samples!  Did I hear someone say, "Finally!"  I hear you! lol

Wait!  I'll share one last card design that I directly CASE'd from Vicky Burdick.  I used it for the same event:



See Vicki's blog for details!

Monday, October 29, 2012

The Best Customers in the World!

I am pretty sure I have them - the best customers in the world that is!  I let them know about Stampin' Up's amazing Sell-a-Stamp Spooktacular, the 15% off almost every stamp set for one day only, October 29.  I let them know what my goal was - a goal even I didn't believe was reachable, and they came through for me.

WE DID IT!
 
40 Stamp sets sold!
 

 
 
So I want to thank all you wonderful people for helping me (and old Jackie here) to reach our goal!
 
Everyone who bought stamps from me had one ticket placed in my draw for every stamp set they bought or for every single image stamp they bought.  I got my hubby to draw one name for a free stamp set up to a $25 value (which unfortunately, will have to be redeemed after the sale) :(
 
 
And the winner is: (Drumroll please!)..............................
 

Polly Dale!! 
 
Polly, get out your catalogue and let me know what stamp set you'd like up to a $25 value.
 
 
Here's my hubby drawing the name:
 
 
 
Thank you all so much!  It means that I will get several free items from the new Spring catalogue when it comes out, and be entered in a draw to win one of several $60 shopping sprees from Stampin' Up!  You really are the best customers in the world.

 


Sunday, October 28, 2012

Watch the Progress

I thought we could have a little fun with the Stamp Spooktacular Promotion that Stampin' Up is offering.  The one day sale happens this Monday, Oct. 29 and I've already receive several orders for stamps for that day.  Here's how we're going to chart the progress I'm making in my goal of reaching 40 Stamp Sets sold! 

We're going to carve a pumpkin.  For every 5 stamp sets sold, I'll add another element to this Jack-O'Lantern:

 


Now I am at 20 sets, 50% of the way to my goal!  Call me so we can add teeth!


Call me at 250-768-7379 or email me!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

On My Way!

I set a pretty lofty goal for myself yesterday.  I want to sell 40 stamp sets by Monday night at 9 pm and give all my customers a chance to save some money.  Stampin' Up has all its stamp sets on sale for 15% off, one day only - Mon., Oct. 29!  That includes all personalized stamps, all cookie press stamps, background stamps and single image stamps.  It does not include Hostess sets, bundled sets or digital brush stamps.

I've sent out the invites, emails, created a Facebook event and I'm planning to keep you posted with my results.  And so far I have 4 stamp sets ordered.  Help me reach my goal by Monday, and save yourself some money as well. 

And there's a bonus:  for every stamp set you order, your name will be entered into a draw to win a free stamp set of your choice up to a $25 value! 

We'll all be winners!  And we are, right?


And I wanted to share with you today a card made and sent to me by one of my fabulous downline, Jaimie MacGibbon, who just happens to also be my daughter!

Here's the card she sent me:

Isn't this fabulous?  Jaimie doesn't have a ton of supplies, but she has a definite sense of style, as you will discover if you visit her blog, At Home. (link given above)  I love her colour choices here and the fun texture she gives the bird nest.  She used Marina Mist as the base and some Summer Starfruit  DSP from Comfort Cafe for the back panel.  The stamp set is called Take Care and was stamped in Early Espresso, Old Olive and Marina Mist.  The sentiment is from Itty Bitty Banners.


Won't you leave a comment to encourage her?  I know she'd appreciate it!

And if you can help me reach my goal, leave a comment, send an email, or call me at 250-768-7379! 

Stamps:  Take Care (w126310; c126312); Itty Bitty Banners (w126255; c126257)
Paper: Marina Mist (119682) and Very Vanilla (101650) card stock; Comfort Cafe DSP (126898)
Ink: Classic Stampin' Pads in Early Espresso (126974), Old Olive (126953), and Marina Mist (126962)
Accessories: Linen thread (104099); Naturals Designer Buttons (127554) and paper from an old book or you could use First Edition Specialty DSP (121878)

Comfort Cafe
Take Care
Itty Bitty Banners
Linen Thread
Marina Mist


Friday, October 26, 2012

Stamp Spooktacular





Correction on the video: 11:50 Mountain time; 10:50 PDT
 
 
I am so excited! Stampin' Up! is doing a one-day sale on almost all of our stamp sets! All stamps are 15% off, on Monday, October 29 ONLY. Look through our catalog and let me know which sets you need for Holiday projects, or any sets that have been on your wish list. Now is the time to order them!
 
 
This is a first for Stampin' Up.  Their goal is to sell more stamp sets than they ever have in a one day period!  MY personal goal is to sell 40 stamp sets on Monday!
 
 
Please help me reach my goal and take advantage of this rare deal by ordering those stamp sets that you have been eyeing, but just couldn't quite justify!  This is your reason! 
 
 
For every stamp set you order on Monday, I will enter your name into a draw to win a free stamp set up to a $25 value!  How can you refuse?  You can't, so just give me a call now before I call you!  All orders will be placed Monday evening at 8 pm, in case Stampin' Up is overloaded with last minute orders!  We don't want to miss out.
 
How can you contact me?  Phone - 250-768-7379
                                            Email - hcooper52@gmail.com
                                            Leave a comment on this post!
       Order for yourself at my on-line store (but be sure you do it only on Monday - My OnLine Store,
and let me know, so I can enter you into the draw!
 
In other great news, Stampin' Up is expanding their Single Stamp offerings, including some never-before-seen designs.  In a pilot program, Stampin' Up is offering for sale, some single stamps from sets like Word Play, Seasonal Sayings and Seasonal Sayings, until January 2, 2013.
 
Details
  • These stamps are available on any order type-customer, workshop, or online.
  • You can find the stamp item numbers on the flyers.
  • These won’t be sent to you in our typical cases or packaging; they’ll be packaged in cello bags. If you’d like a case for your stamp, you can buy our Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four (item 119105).
  • This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only.
  • The stamps won’t come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you’ll need to buy a block separately if you don’t already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyers.
  • There’s no limit on how many pieces you can buy.
  • This offer is not available in Quebec.
  • Remember that this is a pilot program, so take advantage of it while you can!

Below are the links to the flyers, including 2 new offerings:

Word Play

Seasonal Sayings

Perfectly Penned

New Assortment 1

New Assortment 2

And finally, I have very few days left in November to do workshops, but call me to book one, because the benenfits are FANTASTIC!  For qualifying workshops with sales over $575, Hosts will earn one FREE colour collection of Classic Stampin' Pads - an $80 value when shipping and tax are considered!  That's 10 free stamp pads! 

Are you overwhelmed?? I know I am, but SO excited.  I can hardly wait to hear from YOU!





Thursday, October 25, 2012

Framed!

Good morning, fair readers!  Today I have a card for you that I designed for the pastor of our church and his family.  Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month?  I don't know of a profession that needs appreciation more than pastoring!  Pastors work long hours, try to live up to a million different, and sometimes opposite, expectations, live on next to nothing, and try to maintain their own relationship with God, while ministering to all the most difficult times in the lives of their congregation.  And do they get the gratitude and support of their flocks?  Unfortunately, they are more likely to get criticism and disapproval.  For some reason, many people think that the pastor is their personal property, to use and abuse according to their particular expectations.  No wonder there is a high attrition rate among pastors.  Folks, they need our expressions of support!  Why not send a card of appreciation to your pastor today!  And if you don't have a pastor, find one and send a card anyway!

Here's my design:


It fills the requirements of this week's Paper Player's challenge to use a frame or frames in the design.  Hard to see here but the black matte around the image is actually a frame, popped up on dimensionals. 





The card base is Always Artichoke, then a panel of basic black and a panel of Crumb Cake, embossed using the Argyle embossing folder.  The image is from Serene Silhouettes stamped in Always Artichoke on Very Vanilla card stock and sponged with Soft Suede ink.  Both the image panel the matte and the frame were cut using the Labels Collection Framelits and the Big Shot.
I added a strip of Always Artichoke Seam Binding ribbon and some  Antique Brass metallic brads.  The sentiment is from the One in a Million set and is stamped using StazOn Jet Black ink.

I also wanted to remind you that November is a super month to host a Stampin' Up private class.  Qualifying hosts will earn a set of stamp pads FREE!  Do you know how amazing that offer is?  A colour collection of stamp pads is worth $65 and with free tax and shipping, that is an $80.00 value!  WOW!  Call me today for your chance at this great offer!  Ink-spirational!

Stamps:  Serene Silhouettes (w127322: c127324); One in a Million (w126380; c126382)
Paper: Always Artichoke (105119), Basic Black (121045), Crumb Cake (120953) and Very Vanilla ( 101650) cardstock
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pad in Always Artichoke (126972) and Soft Suede (126978); StazOn Jet Black (101406)
Accessories:  1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon in Always Artichoke (121000), 3/16" Metallic Brads (119741)
Tools: Argyle Textured Impression embossing folder (127750); Big Shot (113439); Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Paper Piercing Tool (126189); Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199)

Argyle Embossing Folder
 
Serene Silhouettes

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Dynamojo Monday Duo

Craziness!  That's what the last three days have been like!  Hardly time to draw breath!  But everything always ramps up for me at this time of year.  I organize a community event at our church called "One Night in Bethlehem".  We replicate a Bethlehem market place for people to tour and find out what life would have been like in Bethlehem around the time of Jesus' birth.  There are live animals, Roman centurions, pottery demonstrations and many interactive crafts and activities in which to take part.  People are given a passport with several trivia questions to have answered at the various market stalls, which when completed, can be turned in for prizes.  After the market place,  we present a drama which is set in Bethlehem at Jesus' birth.  I usually write and direct the drama.  It's great fun, but a huge amount of work.  Luckily, I have an amazing team to help!  Come out and see it if you're in my area on Dec. 8.  Here's some pictures from last year.






 

 
 
But last year, I wasn't a Stampin' Up demonstrator, so this has added a whole new element to this busy time!  But I managed to get my MOJO Monday card completed, and I won't tell you how late it was when I finally finished my blog post and got to bed!!
 
Here it is: 
 




I used the colour scheme I did to qualify for a challenge at Dynamic Duos this week, where the challenge was to use Pumpkin Pie and Black.

The stamp set was one I haven't used too often.  It's a hostess set (available only to those who host a Stampin' Up workshop) called Four Seasons.  And I made good use of the Designer Series Paper Stacks for the panels behind the main image, and of the different edgelits for the trims.  As I look at it now, the 3 1/2" circle behind the main image should have been embossed for some texture, but overall, I'm pleased with the result considering the time of night I made the card.  Don't you love those little leaves adorning the ribbon?  By the way, the little bird is popped up on dimensionals.


Anyway, it is what it is, and I'm going to bed!  Have a great day!

Stamps: Four Seasons (Hostess Set only)(w126830; c126832)
Paper:  Pumpkin Pie (105117), Basic Black (121045) and Whisper White (100730) card stock; Brights (117155) and Neutrals (117157) Designer Series Paper Stacks
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pad in Pumpkin Pie (126945) and StazOn Jet Black (101406)
Accessories:  1/2" Striped Satin Ribbon (127837); Designer Buttons Brights (119747)
Tools:  Big Shot (113439); Chevron Embossing Folder (137749); Adorning Accents Edgelits (125595); Finishing Touches Edgelits (127010); 3 1/2" Circle Original Die (121811); 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch (118874); 1" Circle punch (119868)

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Workshops and Classes

One thing I love about Stampin' Up, is doing workshops and classes!  I love the look on people's faces when they see how creative they are enabled to be using Stampin' Up products.  I have watched many people, who started the class or the workshop insisting they didn't have a creative bone in their body, get so excited, their eyes lighting up with pleasure and satisfaction, when they see what they can create with a little direction. 

You see, exercising my creativity is like eating and sleeping for me.  I believe everyone is born to be creative in some way and denying that part of you is akin to denying yourself food, water or air!  You die a little without it.  Of course, there are many, many ways to be creative - not just  ones that first come to mind.  You can be a creative cook, decorator, architect, playwright, teacher, child care worker, vintage car restorer....just to name a few.  But being creative ignites our passion like nothing else can.

I have read that studies have shown that you need to schedule time for creativity in order to be healthy.

And here are some ways you can do that, if this is something that piques your interest:

I have some workshops taking place in October and November.  Here are some examples of one of the projects we will do:
 
 
So cute, but very simple to do! 
 
On Thursday, October 25  I have a very special class to create these adorable printer's tray designs:
 


You will choose either a Halloween, Fall or Christmas design to add to your printer's tray.  The great thing is that the inserts for the sections of the tray can be changed, and I will have more classes in 2013 to create other inserts for different holidays or seasons, such as Valentine's and Easter, or maybe something like this:


You only need the one tray and the possibilities are endless. But you need to sign up soon.  Deadline for registration is Monday, Oct. 22 and you will need to state which of the top three designs you want to do.  There are only five places available.

And for those who would like to make some of their own Christmas Cards this year, I have my last Christmas Stamper's Dozen coming up on November 14.  You will make 12 Christmas cards, three each of four designs, that you will be proud to send to family and friends.  They will be delighted at the time you spent creating these just for them. 


For these and other classes, click the Classes link at the top of this page and it will take you to registration.  I hope I will see you at some of these and be able to help you unlock your creativity!

 

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Before the Snow Flies

Travelling can be fun, but there is so much preparation sometimes, that it can get tiring as well.  We want to head out soon on one more expedition to the north before the snow flies, to see our youngest grandbaby and our daughter and son-in-law.  They live about 11 hours north of us, and it won't be long until the temperature drops and the snow packs in for the winter, so it's now or never - or at least until late spring.

You'll get a taste of life in a small northern town by reading her blog:  Honey Nutbrown's.

I've been working hard to prepare for workshops and classes when I get back and I came up with one design to use for our November Technique Nights.  This month the theme is Fancy Fold cards, and I am planning to do an Easel Card, a Gate-Fold Card and this one:  A Swing Card.


I know, I know, it doesn't look much different, but see it in action:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anyway, it was lots of fun to make using the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and the Holiday Ornaments framelits.  I also used some of the Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper!  It's sooo pretty.  And, of course you know that, during October, if you purchase this stamp set along with the Candlelight Christmas paper, that you will receive a FREE Festive Paper Piercing Pack, with templates for all these framelits and much more.  You need to use a special order code for this bundle, so let me know if you are interested. 
 
And NOW would be a great time to book a party during November.  My November time is quickly filling up, but there are going to be some special reasons why you'll want to book in November.  Just sayin'!  Wink, wink!
 
And finally, you should seriously consider joining my Stampin' Up team for the Christmas season.  Imagine getting all the Stampin' Up products you love at a 20% discount!  How about getting a sneak peek at all the new catalogue products before everyone else and a chance to pre-order the same products?  How about being independent and owning your own business in the fast-growing hobby and craft sector and representing a savvy but caring company with a heart for its demonstrators?  You can have all this and more for just $125!  And what's great is that you can pick any products from the current catalogues to a value of $155 to make up your Starter Kit and Stampin' Up with throw in $70 of business supplies for free!  Whether you are looking to start a profitable and fun home business, or just hobby craft for a discount, look into this wonderful opportunity here.
 
Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes (w128048; c128051); Seasonal Sayings (w128006; c128009); Christmas Deer (w128144; c128146)
Paper:  Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP (126901); Early Espresso (119686), Real Red (102482) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Real Red (126949) and Early Espresso (126974)
Accessories: 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Real Red (119251); Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)
Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439); Scallop Circle Bigz die (113468); Holiday Ornaments Framelits (127816) or bundled with the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set (w129949; c129950)
 
Special October Christmas Gift order codes are found here.


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Roses and Blues

It's hard to beat a rose for perfection.  Whether a bud or a fully opened blossom, roses are beautifully formed and many are fragrant with exquisite colour and texture. 
 
I think roses would be my favourite flower, if they weren't so perishable!  But that is like so many beautiful things - part of their beauty is that they don't stay that way very long.  You have to appreciate them while they are in their glory, or you might miss them altogether.
 
As card makers and papercrafters, we try to capture those beautiful moments, and while we can't do justice to God's creations, we can enhance our own creative projects with roses, and other flowers.
 
Here is a card that I created in a sort of moderated shabby chic style.  I don't like going over the top, but I love the vintage flavour.
 
 
I created it for the Dynamic Duos #24 challenge this week:
 
The card base is soft suede as is the matte behind the sentiment, which is from the From My Heart stamp set.  The back panel is Pool Party cardstock, embossed with the Lacy Brocade embossing folder.  I used Victorian Crochet trim with Pool Party 3/8" Seam Binding ribbon to embellish the card, as well as paper daisies.  The focal point is the beautiful embossed paper rose in Pool Party, and I have filmed a video tutorial, to show how this can be easily made using the Fancy Flower Punch, which has been made available again by Stampin' Up.

Here's the video:

I hope you'll try and make one.  It is easier than you would think.

Stamps:  From My Heart (w126555; c126557)
Paper: Pool Party (122924), Soft Suede (115318) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pad in Soft Suede (126978)
Accessories:  Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim (118481), 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon in Pool Party (125582); Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Paper Daisies (119243),
Tools: Labels Collection framelits (125598); Elegant Lines embossing folder (119277), Fancy Flower Punch (118073); Stamping Sponges (101610)
Fancy Flower Punch
From My Heart Stamp Set
 
 
 

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Tag! You're IT!

Well, it's Saturday.  You've made it through another week!  What are you planning to do for R & R this weekend?  I remember weekends when I was a kid would go on forever.  We thought up so many cool games to play and it seemed like little lifetimes would pass as we used our imaginations to their maximum capacities.  Then there was still time to read, and read, and read...

What were your favourite books growing up?  I read reams of Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and other mystery series.  But my favourite all-time stories were the Chronicles of Narnia.  I yearned to find a secret magical land where I could reign as Queen and take part in battles and adventures, while really still a child!

But our favourite times were warm summer evenings, when we could play outside until it was good and dark.  A great favourite was "Kick the Can", and the best part was the chase that took place as you raced toward the can to kick it before the person who was IT would tag you!  Where ever you see children, you will likely see a game of Tag taking place.  It is probably the universal game!

And speaking of tag,  I decided to create a few for Christmas and for some up-coming workshops.  I used that versatile paper stack, Festival of Prints, which has Christmas prints on one side and every day, multi use prints on the reverse side.  This makes them great for Christmas, but also for the rest of the year, if you don't use them all up.  You get 48 sheets in a pad and they are 4 1/2" x 6 1/2".  Just right for a standard size card, or you can get two tags from each one.


Combine the Festival of Prints Paper stack with some cardstock, an ink pad and one of these stamp sets: Scentsational Season or Traditional Touches, and you've got a great beginner's stamp kit!  You should try it!

First I cut out some fancy label shapes with the Big Shot and the Labels Collection Framelits. I used Early Espresso cardstock for the bases and embossed them with the Square Lattice embossing folder and the Argyle embossing folder respectively.  I added the Festival of Prints DSP next and stamped the images on the Very Vanilla panels.  I added a little fork bow to the gingerbread man tag and some Rhinestone Basic bling to the ornaments, then some Real Red 1/8" Taffeta ribbon to finish off.   The sentiments are both from the More Merry Messages stamp set.  Aren't they cute?  They would look great on your Christmas parcels, wouldn't they?



I'd love it if you left a comment telling me what your favourite games and books were when you were a child.  Your comments really make my day!  So, "TAG, you're IT!"

Stamps:  Scentsational Season (w121026; c121190); Traditional Touches (w128018); More Merry Messages (w126400; c126402)
Paper: Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (126904); Early Espresso (119686) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Early Espresso (126974) and Cherry Cobbler (126966), Stampin' Write Markers in Early Espresso (119680), Cherry Cobbler (119681) and Lucky Limeade (123002 as part of the In Colour collection)
Accessories:  1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Real Red (119251); Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)
Tools:  Big Shot (113439); Labels Collection Framelits (125598); Square Lattice embossing folder (119976); Argyle Embossing folder (127750)

Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack
Scentsational Season Stamp Set
Traditional Touches Stamp Set
Argyle Embossing Folder


Friday, October 12, 2012

Tardiness Will Not Be Tolerated!!

I confess!  I'm a day late and a dollar short.  This post was supposed to be written yesterday, but life sometimes happens.  (What an odd statement!  Life always happens, but sometimes it interferes with our plans.)  I had a wonderful Christmas Stampers' Dozen on Wednesday night.  We made 12 - note well- a dozen Christmas cards!  Three each of four different designs.  I thought I had chosen simple enough cards for the occasion, but I have been struggling with that aspect of my classes.  The designs involved too many steps or maybe I should say, too many time consuming steps.  My ladies and I worked HARD for four hours, but we finished! And they look beautiful!  And I am heading back to the drawing board for my last Christmas Stampers' Dozen in November.  I am going to get this right!

Yesterday morning, I had a meeting with someone who wants wedding invites designed and then took my DH to the hospital for a procedure on his eye, did some errands and just like that, it was dinner time! 

I started making a card to post, but the design was not coming easily.  I finally got it designed, but I had to wait for a thick layer of Crystal Effects to dry on an acorn, so figured I'd write my post, then add the photographs later.

Here is the design:



It uses a stamp set I have been wanting for a long time and finally ordered, Wonderfall.  I just love the graphics and the designs on the leaves.  I used the Autumn Accents Bigz Die and the Big Shot to cut out the leaf shapes.  This is one time where you die cut first and then stamp, because otherwise the leaf shapes on the die are opposite to the stamp shapes.  Odd, but it works okay.

 I got the idea for the book-like spine from one of the wedding invites we were looking at, trying to come up with ideas.  I am also so drawn to the Orchard Harvest DSP from the Holiday Mini Catalogue.  I love the colours and the bold images.  The torn Early Espresso paper with the lighter center is from the Core'dinations collection and comes in Early Espresso, Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler.  I am organizing groups of 3 people right now who are interested in doing a Paper Share of the three colours of core'dinations.  Basically, you pay the price of one pack, but then you share the 3 colours.  You would get 4 pieces of each colour.  Let me know if you are interested in forming another group of three people.  The cost is $12.26 each which includes shipping and tax.

The sentiment is from Word Play, one of the three stamp sets that Stampin' Up is promoting, from which you can also purchase single stamps from the set by themselves, in a pilot project that runs through to Jan. 2, 2012.  See more here.


And I finally got to use one of the new Naturals Designer Buttons in wood grain.  It's perfect for this project!

Well, that's it for now.  Better late than never, I always say, but I'll take fifty lashes with a wet noodle for being tardy!

Stamps:  Wonderfall (w128084; c128087); Word Play (w120308; c120651)
Paper:  Orchard Harvest DSP (126895), Core'dinations Early Espresso cardstock (127848), Lucky Limeade (122926) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Island Indigo (126986), Lucky Limeade (126984), Raspberry Ripple (126859) and Cajun Craze (126965)
Accessories: Naturals Designer Buttons (127554);  Linen Thread (104199); Crystal Effects (101055)
Tools: 2 1/2" Circle Punch (120906); 3" Circle Originals Die (122125); Autumn Accents Bigz Die (127812)

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

It's Too Late to Think Up a Title

Well, it is! (Too late to think up a title.) It's past 11 pm.  I just got back today from my youngest daughter's home where we spent a lovely Thanksgiving weekend.  She, my son-in-law and my sweet grandson live about three and a half hours away from us, which is much better than the eleven hours where she used to live!  I loved our visit.  We just enjoyed the time together, baked some pies, played with my grandson, went for a hike in the gorgeous fall colours and....I got to sleep in a Murphy bed for the first time in my life!  It was very comfortable!  I just loved the little welcome basket my daughter made for us!  It made me feel so special.

Parker, my little grandson, is energy in motion.  He's almost 9 months old and crawling and cruising!  But so cute with lots of smiles and giggles.  I miss him already!

 

 


 
But on to the reason you stopped by in the first place, a card sample.  Today's card is a birthday card for my younger sister. And it will be a push to get it to her on time!
 

 
This bright and cheery card shares three challenges today:
 
1. MOJO Monday for the layout
2. The Paper Players for the tea cup theme        and
3. Dynamic Duos for the colour palette of Old Olive and Tangerine Tango. 
 
It's not often that I can get a card to work well for that many challenges, but today's card is one of them.  The stamp sets I used were Tea Shoppe for the cups and the tea shoppe sign, Scentsational Season for the steam rising, and From My Heart for the sentiment.  The three teacups in Tea Shoppe are actually one long stamp, but I have them in clear mount and decided to cut them apart and use them separately, since I've always had a problem with the length of that one stamp.  It made it easier to ink them up in different colours as well.
 
I used the Chevron embossing folder to add some texture to the horizontal bar at the top, and Perfect Polka Dots to do the same on the Whisper White back panel.  The ribbon is Scallop Dots ribbon in Old Olive.
 
Here are the challenge logos:
 

 

 
I hope your weekend was as pleasant as mine!
 
Stamps: Tea Shoppe (w125545; c125547), Scentsational Season (w121026; c121190), From My Heart (w126555; 126557)
Paper:  Old Olive (100702), Tangerine Tango (111349) and Whisper White ( 100730) card stock
Ink: Classic Stampin' Pads in Old Olive (126953) and Tangerine Tango (126946)
Accessories: 1/2" Scallop Dots ribbon in Old Olive (124139); Brights Designer Buttons (119747); Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)
Tools:  Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (117335); Chevron embossing folder ( 127749);  Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439); Scallop Oval punch (119856); Large Oval punch (119855)