Going Rogue

Well, today I was a rebel and totally went rogue, using some products from Memory Box that I got for Christmas, as well as some Tim Holtz Ideology and an unknown copper embossing powder. When we can't find products from Stampin' Up! that will do the same job, as demonstrators, we can use other companies' products providing we're not earning anything from the other companies. For a long time now, I've been wanting SU to come out with some Steampunk stamps and embellishments, but to no avail. I really like the genre, but its not as easy as it looks. It involves melding steam equipment: gears and drive shafts, etc. with Victorian era images. I find the blending a dozen unrelated things together to be the most difficult aside from just finding things to use. What got me started was this week's Mojo Monday Sketch:

Generally, a sketch like this doesn't do much for me. There's too much symmetry and I don't really like tiny images. I feel like they often get lost on a card. But then I thought, "Hey! Those circles could be gears! I could do a Steampunk card!" and I got all excited about it. Take a closer look:

• On the back panel, the Designer Series Paper I used, Going Places DSP Stack, with it's schematics was perfect for this theme. Over that, I applied a gear assembly, die cut from Sahara Sand cardstock using a Memory Box die.
• Using another Memory Box die, I cut several individual gears. The Precision Base Plate, for my Big Shot, was invaluable for both these intricate dies. I had some copper embossing powder, which I can't get through Stampin' Up!, and I applied it to each die, heat setting it. For steampunk, I would definitely use either copper or pewter embossing powders. I also added it to a key that I found in my 'Steampunk Stash'!
• The clock face is a Tim Holtz Ideology product and it is also adds some early techno glitz to the project. The tiny pocket watch is also a find in my Steampunk Stash but perfect for the era this represents.
• The banner is also from Going Places DSP Stack and I stamped a sentiment from Guy Greetings Stamp Set and added some sponging and texture with Timeless Textures Stamp Set. I certainly enjoyed myself and will have to do this again. Meanwhile, I have a great masculine all occasion card to give to one of the men in my family.

Click on the links below to take you to my On-Line Store, where you can read about, look at, and purchase if you wish, the products used to make this card today.

Product List

Guy Greetings Clear Stamp Set [138828]	Guy Greetings Wood Stamp Set [138825]	Timeless Textures Wood-Mount Stamp Set [140514]	Timeless Textures Clear-Mount Stamp Set [140517]	Going Places Designer Series Paper Stack [140581]
Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974]	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [126978]
Stamping Sponges [141337]	Heat Tool [129053]	Banner Triple Punch [138292]	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755]	Fast Fuse Adhesive [129026]
Glue Dots [103683]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]

* Memory Box Gear Assembly and Deluxe Gear Set Dies, Tim Holtz ideology embellishments.

Going Global for the Occasions Catalogue Launch

My Handmade from the Heart Occasions Catalogue Launch was a big success, even though it snowed heavily throughout the day. My hubby actually did a "bus" run for some of the people that didn't want to drive in it, PLUS he shoveled the driveway at least 3 times AND was the photographer for my photo booth! What would I do without him??

But the crowd arrived, they ate, they shopped at my Rubber Rummage Sale, they played games, did photo shoots, and last but not least, they completed 2 Make &Takes highlighting the new Occasions Catalogue and Sale-A-Bration products. One of the make and takes featured the Rose Wonder Bundle and you can see that one by clicking here.

The other used the Going Global stamp set, Going Places Designer Series Paper Stack and the Sky's the Limit Sale-A-Bration stamp set to make a masculine valentine card.

• I really love the Going Places Designer Series Paper Stack. It has gobs of masculine designs like maps, schematics, script, marble and textures. I used two of the designs on this card.
• I also like the way Bermuda Bay, Basic Black, Sahara Sand and Very Vanilla work together using a little pop of Real Red! I used the Timeless Textures stamp set to add the grunge texture to the sentiment from Going Global.
• The heart punch from Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack and the Hearts Border punch gave me the 2 sizes of hearts to add to the card as shown. One of the smaller ones covers the heart from the stamp.
• I'm trying to get as much use as I can from the Sky's the Limit stamp set while it's still available, only til Feb. 15. It's one of only 3 Sale-A-Bration rewards that will be gone on Feb. 15 to be replaced by another set of rewards that will be available until the end of March.

Here's a few pics from the Photo Booth at my Catalogue Launch over the weekend:

And I don't want you to forget that I'm giving away some BLOG CANDY to celebrate 300,000 page views. To enter, click here to find out what to do. You have until tonight, January 18 at 7 pm PST to enter.

Click on the links below to take you to my On-Line Store, where you can read about, look at, and purchase if you wish, the products used to make this card today.

Product List

Going Global Wood-Mount Stamp Set [140745]	Going Global Clear-Mount Stamp Set [140748]	Sky Is The Limit Wood-Mount Stamp Set [141282]	Sky Is The Limit Clear-Mount Stamp Set [141349]	Timeless Textures Wood-Mount Stamp Set [140514]
Timeless Textures Clear-Mount Stamp Set [140517]	Going Places Designer Series Paper Stack [140581]	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131197]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650]
Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [131171]	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad [140931]	Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad [126976]	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack [133787]	Hearts Border Punch [133784]
Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755]	Fast Fuse Adhesive [129026]	Glue Dots [103683]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]

Going Global - A Sneak Peek

Time for another Sneak Peek from the 2016 Occasions Catalogue! (I can't believe I'm typing 2016!) I was thrilled to find another great masculine suite of products in it. Last year's Occasions catty had Guy Greetings which I used extensively, and I can tell that this set, Going Global*, is going to get the same kind of work out!

If you know me, you know that I love making masculine cards. I love the neutrals, the metallics, the blues and greys, the textures and the rustic look! This card came together easily using the products from the Going Global Suite*.

• The Stamp Set, Going Global* is the main feature of the set. The great thing is, I can see it working well with other masculine stamps like Traveler and Guy Greetings and The Open Sea. The compass, globe and stars will be a great addition. The sentiments are great for guys as well.
• The background Designer Series Paper is from the Going Places Designer Series Paper Stack*, a great deal for 48 six by six double sided sheets. It has maps, schematics, patterns and some marbleized designs. You see a sheet of it in the background.
• Then there is the World Traveler Textured Impressions Embossing Folder*. You can get the embossed design of a world map in a Mercator projection. For this card, I embossed a sheet of Lost Lagoon cardstock, sponged it with Soft Suede and used the splatter stamp from Gorgeous Grunge to add some Soft Suede Splatter.

• You can see the details of the compass stamp a little better in this photo, as I stamped it in Versamark ink and embossed it with my homemade concoction of equal parts Gold and Silver Stampin' Emboss Powders to get a kind of pewter look.

*These products are found in the 2016 Occasions Catalogue and will be available to order on Jan. 5, 2016.

Weren't you just saying that Stampin' Up! needed another sale because they just haven't had enough lately? I know, right? They must have heard that conversation, because they just restocked the Clearance Rack with products from the current Holiday Catalogue! This one took me completely by surprise! There are savings of up to 60% off. Of course, if it's on the Clearance Rack, it's only while supplies last, so you have to act fast! You can place an order on your own with this link. Or send me an email with your order!

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I am done classes now for December and will be working on my class schedule for the New Year! I am looking for some input from customers and hope you can leave a comment with suggestions! Would you like some Quick and Cute Classes again? How about a Design 101 class, or a Beginner's Class. Is there anyone who would like to form a Big Shot Club to earn a Big Shot with 6 easy payments? Please leave a comment to let me know.

Click on the links below to take you to my On-Line Store, where you can read about, look at, and purchase if you wish, the products used to make this card today!

Product List

Gorgeous Grunge Wood Stamp Set [130514]	Gorgeous Grunge Clear Stamp Set [130517]	Sahara Sand 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121043]	Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133679]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045]
Versamark Pad [102283]	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad [140931]	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [126978]	Linen Thread [104199]	Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments [119247]
Stamping Sponges [141337]	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder [109129]	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder [109131]	Embossing Buddy [103083]	Heat Tool [129053]
Circles Collection Framelits Die [130911]	2" Circle Punch [133782]	Big Shot [113439]	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755]	Fast Fuse Adhesive [129026]
Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]

Going Global Stamp Set*, Going Places Designer Series Paper Stack*, World Traveler Textured Impressions Embossing Folder*

*These products are found in the 2016 Occasions Catalogue and will be available to order on Jan. 5, 2016.