MOJO Fo' Yo'!

Hi, everyone!  I'm back from our Regional Convention in Tacoma on the weekend.  We had a great time despite the fact that some were a little under the weather and we got home SO late on Saturday night!  See, we were so intent on our conversation that we totally missed the turn-off for Bellingham.  We suddenly saw signs saying the border was just a couple of miles away and we thought, "How could we be at the border?  We haven't even been through Bellingham yet?"  Then the awful truth hit that we had missed the turn-off and were at the Peace Arch border crossing in White Rock! That meant at least an hour more in our trip home!  And we were dead tired after a full day of awesomeness! 

We also had many delays trying to get out of Tacoma.  I won't say that whoever designed the parking procedure in the Tacoma Convention Center was out of touch with reality, but we stood in line for 20 minutes to pay for our parking at an automated booth, then the barrier arm wasn't rising, so many people were stuck in the parkade until an attendant came to fix it.  Then there was a huge, slow, automobile line up trying to get out (and you only had 15 minutes after paying for your ticket until you exited the parkade or it would no longer be valid!). 

After finally getting out of the parkade,  we had to buy gas and find I5, neither of which was easy.  (I think the guy who designed the signage for the I5 was the same one who designed the parkade system.)  As we tried to exit Tacoma, there was a big traffic slow down caused by a police search on the side of the freeway, using police dogs and everything! 

When we started to move again, we were startled to see a huge bird flying directly at our windshield!!  We screamed in unison as it seemed unavoidable for it to hit, when it veered upward at the last second!  I think it was some kind of owl, probably a Great Horned owl.  A "fly-by owling," as Rebecca called it!  Anyway, we finally made it home by 1:30 am, and we were not a pretty sight by the time we did!

With the adventures of the weekend behind me, I was happy for a little quiet stamping time today, and, as always, I worked on the MOJO Monday challenge for this week.  Here's my card:

 

For some reason, I decided to go Halloween again, using the Toxic Treats stamp set (my only Halloween set).  It just seemed to fit the challenge.  Here's the sketch:

 

 

 



I also used more of the Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP, which I think is the main reason I'm making any Halloween projects.  It is just so cool!  The main image is the witch on the broom from the Toxic Treat stamp, inking up just the witch part using a Basic Black Stampin' Write marker.  I did the same sort of thing with the sentiment, which fit perfectly on the black stripes of the DSP.  I inked up the "Trick or" in Basic Black using the marker, then cleaned the stamp carefully before inking up the "Treats" in Tangerine Tango.  I used the new Striped Satin ribbon from the Holiday Catalogue and tied a bow with some 1/8" Taffeta ribbon in Basic Black and Tangerine Tango.  Quick and simple for the most part!

 

I also wanted to let you in on the new promotions for the month of October:

 

 

Learn more about it here.   Also, Stampin' Up is running a trial purchase period where some stamps from full sets are also being offered individually!  This is in effect until January 2, 2013 and involves only 3 stamp sets (see below).  These individual stamps are clear mount only and are packaged in cello bags.

View fliers for Word Play stamp set here; for Perfectly Penned here; and for Seasonal Sayings here. 

 

There are also permanent price reductions for some printed projects in MDS 2, but I will highlight that on Thursday in my blog.  Love Stampin' Up promos!

 

Stamps:  Toxic Treats (w127898; c127901)

Paper: Basic Black (121045) and Very Vanilla (101650) card stock; Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP (126906)

Ink:  Stampin' Write Markers in Basic Black (100082) and Tangerine Tango (Brights Collection - 119702)

Accessories:  1/2" Striped Satin ribbon (127837), 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Basic Black (119261) and Pumpkin Pie (119253)

Tools:  Scallop Circle Bigz Die (113468);  1 3/4" Circle Punch; 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874)

 

 

 







Ready, Set, Go!!!

I've been spending my time over the last week, preparing to go to our Regional meeting in Tacoma this weekend.  I've been really looking forward to it, but there was a lot of prep work I needed to do. 

I needed swap cards, which took up a lot of time, but I'm happy with the number I have.  I may still make a few more if there is time tomorrow.  I needed roomie gifts, a nice little tradition Stampin' Up demonstrators have and I got those completed.  Teaser photo below:

I will get back late Saturday night, and I am teaching Sunday School  at 9 am Sunday morning, so had to be all prepared for that.  After church, there is a special appreciation tea for the most wonderful woman who has been a spiritual mentor for so many women over the years!  I've been privileged to know her for 20 years, so I wanted to be prepared for that.  The guests are making scrapbook pages of their memories and their families as a gift for her.  I am donating paper and embellishments, so I needed to gather all that together so it would be ready. 

Then, I have two technique classes coming up next week, so I wanted to have all the cards designed.  And I wanted my blog posts ready to go.  So I have been busy, and probably will be until I leave at noon tomorrow!  My craft room looks like a bomb exploded in there!

I wanted to share a card I designed for my technique class next week.  I got the idea at the technique night of my upline, Tamara.  My theme for the night is "Let's Do Fall with Flair", so I wanted something a little out of the ordinary.  Here's what I came up with:

At Tamara's we embossed a Christmas design in silver and water-coloured it in.  I thought gold embossing powder would work better with these warm fall colours, and the design was so intricate, that I opted for sponging some So Saffron, Cajun Craze and Old Olive strategically around the wreath.  Water-colouring would have taken way too long.  I like the look of the sponging with the raised gold lines of the image, which, by the way is from the Full of Blessings stamp set.  I used the garland from that set on the So Saffron panel, stamping it in So Saffron ink and heat embossing it with Clear embossing powder.  I layered it with More Mustard and Cajun Craze panels on top of the Soft Suede card base and added a bow in Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, using this technique that I featured a few posts ago.



I hope you enjoyed this sample.  I'd love to have you come to my classes if you live in my area.  Just click on the Classes button to take you to my class schedule page.  If you don't see the type of class you want, won't you let me know?  I'm always looking for new ways to improve my service to my customers.  Just leave me a comment below.  I really enjoy reading your comments and getting to know you better!  Thanks for dropping by today!

Stamps: Full of Blessings (w128078; c128081)
Paper: Soft Suede (115318), Cajun Craze (119684), More Mustard (100946). So Saffron (105118) and Very Vanilla (101650) card stock
Ink: Versamark (102283); Classic Ink Pads in So Saffron (126957), Cajun Craze (126965), Old Olive (126953) and Soft Suede (126978)
Accessories:  3/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Crumb Cake (122966), Stampin' Emboss Powder in Gold (109129)
Tools:  Heat tool (129053); Embossing Buddy (103083); Sponge daubers (102892)

Full of Blessings

Sponge Daubers