I WON!!!!!!!

Remember my post a couple of days ago entitled, "Hope for a Cure" and the project that I created for the contest? I won!!!! While it was fun just to create the project, it's never a bad thing to actually win, particularly if it seems that you never win anything! So . . . now you can uncross your fingers and stop holding your breath. What's that? You weren't doing those things?

SMASHIN' BOTTLE CAPS ON HALLOWEEN

Today is so dreary, and it has looked like the same time (o'clock) ALL DAY LONG! I feel sorry for the little goblins who have to trek through wet grass, roads, and sidewalks to get their treats this evening, which is sure to be a foggy one. I suppose the fog will add ambiance, though. I've been smashin' bottle caps today with the Big Shot--something I had not tried yet with this particular machine. A few years ago, I used another manual die cutter to do that, but I think the Big Shot did just as well! To tell you the truth, new, unused bottle caps work best! Choosing a blue card stock to compliment Stampin' Up!'s Brushed Silver and, at the same time, coordinate with the blue glitter was more difficult than I expected. I ended up using Bordering Blue card stock, and I used the coordinating marker to color the white stripe in the ribbon. I can't believe how velvety it looks! Even though the blues (glitter and Bordering Blue) don't match, the glittered bottle cap takes center stage, which is exactly what I wanted. I used two Stampin' Up! stamp sets on this card . . . "Warm Words" and "Sweet Centers." Just look at that gorgeous glitter in the close-up photo!

ORNAMENTAL ORNAMENTS

Can I say that I just love this card? A couple of weeks ago, I used Stampin' Up!'s "Ornament" punch with "Holiday Lounge" designer paper with the intention of layering the punches similar to how they are on this card. I kept pushing the little ornaments out of the way, though, until last night when I was cleaning off my desk and found them. This wasn't exactly the placement that I had in mind for them, but I think it turned out really nice. This is a very simple card to make, but it has pizzazz. The sentiment is from "Holiday Best," a Level 1 hostess set in the current catalog.

BRAIN CELL MUTINY

Have you ever done something wrong and, after you discovered the error of your ways, you wondered HOW you didn't realize it sooner? This tile is my example of brain cell mutiny! I absolutely KNOW that Craft ink should be used on tiles, so why did I use Stampin' Up!'s Classic ink . . . again and again? I suppose I was just having too much fun and anxious to finish the tile. The only problem is that the tile would have remained in an unfinished state if I hadn't covered the wet ink with Stampin' Up!'s Glassy Glaze and popped it in the oven for a while. I had another tile that I'd also stamped with Classic ink, and I finally cleaned it with alcohol, so at least the tile can be stamped again. I could have taken a picture that didn't show so much of the gloss, but I wanted you to see how pretty the Champagne Mist shimmer paint looks on the flower centers and edges of the petals. I love that stuff!!!! Even though a hot pot might melt the Glassy Glaze embossing, I don't think this tile is a total waste . . . it looks very nice propped on a frame stand (or whatever you call those things). This 6x6 tile would make a really nice Christmas gift. I could just tie some ribbon around it, make a tag, and call it done!

"FRIENDS 24-7" . . . MY DIGITAL STUDIO STYLE

Check out the designer paper, re-sized Curly Label punches, stitching, brads, jumbo eyelet, and ribbon on this card! It was all created using Stampin' Up!'s brand new "My Digital Studio" software! I am having a lot of fun designing with this program . . . it's addictive!

HOPE FOR A CURE

Feast your eyes upon this project that I created for a contest. For a while now, I've had a note stuck between the keys of my keyboard to remind me of the contest, but today was THE day to get it done. The problem was having no idea of what to make. It had to be something pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, and this meant that I had to inventory all of my schtuff to decide what I wanted to use. Stampin' Up! products used to create this project include Very Vanilla, Blush Blossom, and Chocolate Chip card stock, "Medallion" background stamp, "Wonderful Words II" (retired) stamp set, Champagne Mist shimmer paint, Scallop Circle punch, hemp twine, Big Shot, slit punch, Heart to Heart punch, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, and Very Vanilla jumbo brad. ETA: There's been a little confusion about this project, so I've added a new picture with a view of the side so you can see that it's a box with a handle. ;-) The colored line around the edge of pictures sometimes can be misleading. Sorry about that.

THE GIRL'S BEEN WORKIN'!

In case you were wondering why I haven't posted anything in the last day or so, I've been B-U-S-Y! Stampin' Up! has offered a "My Digital Studio" certification program to demonstrators for a month, I suppose, but I forgot all about it . . . until I was reminded that the completion deadline is 10/31. So began the challenge to prove to myself that OH, YES I CAN meet that deadline, and said challenge got underway around late-thirty Sunday night. You can say that I met the deadline with days to spare, although I still have to get some of my projects printed by Stampin' Up!'s professional printing service. I still have two more projects to complete (have to start them first), but the main requirements have been met. What is "My Digital Studio?" It's a digital paper-crafting solution. This description (mantra) has been drilled into my head as the trainer repeated it at the beginning of each webinar! MDS is a software program that has many Stampin' Up! products (stamp sets, designer paper, punches, embellishments, etc.) pre-loaded for your use in designing cards, scrapbook pages, CALENDARS, etc. and it even has a multimedia component which, at the moment, is a bit over my head. I still have a lot to learn about using the program, but I have learned enough to know that it's pretty dang awesome! Especially when you include BOTH of the CDs during the installation process. I found bows and knots for my ribbon after installing disk 2! The card that I've posted today is one of my digital creations, and I LOVE it! Just wait until you see the inside--I spruced it up, too! One of the best things about the program is being able to design with products that I don't own, plus the fact that I didn't make a mess in my stamp room during the creation of this card. No, the mess was already here! Please take the time to let me know what you think about this card. I'm very excited about MDS and look forward to sharing more about it. I'll end by saying that it does far more than I know . . . literally!

CHECK OUT THE MINI LIBRARY CLIP!

Just wanted to share this card and envelope that I made this afternoon. There are a few fun Stampin' Up! products used on this card (Chocolate Chip and Naturals Ivory card stock, "Define Your Life" stamp set, Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, and mini library clip). Although the card and envelope were created with an electronic cutter, I wanted to share this project since it shows a cute idea for the mini library clips, which are on sale with Stampin' Up! through this weekend. These clips are so small, making them a perfect embellishment to cards and other stamped projects, and they are designed to have a nice tight grip to keep them securely in place! BE SURE TO ORDER YOURS WHILE THE PRICE IS LOW! Details about the sale of these clips is in the top right corner of my blog, and you can also find more information and place an order HERE. The clips are available in two sizes and are packaged with assorted colors.

CIRCLES OF THANKS

I needed a "thank you" card this evening and discovered that I seldom use thankful sentiments unless I'm making a card that I need to send. In looking through my stash of cards, I found one that Kathryn, a fellow demo, had sent to me as a swap and decided to use her design with a couple of ever-so-slight modifications. Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Pacific Point (retired) ink, ribbon, and card stock, Whisper White card stock, and "Circle Circus" stamps. Just look at the texture in that card stock! I don't have any textured card stock in the current In Colors (I don't think), but I must order some!

HAPHAZARDLY "MOVING CIRCLE"

So I've seen pictures and read instructions. I've even re-read instructions, and (not to toot my own horn) I'm quite skilled at creating projects from instructions, many without pictures! For some reason, I am having the same issue with my moving circle cards--the brad isn't securely holding the two circles in place. I wonder if it's because I keep doing the same wrong thing. Ha! This is actually my second attempt at a finished card, and it is NOT perfect--close, but not perfect. This is probably my last attempt at creating a moving circle card, and that's why

I wanted to go ahead and share it. It's a fun idea for an interactive card, and I really like my idea of using snowflakes on the top circle and a snowman on the bottom circle. Deciding how to decorate the two circles is kind of challenging! If you try one of these cards, show me your success so I can celebrate with you! ;-) ETA: Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Brocade Blue and Whisper White card stock, "Flowers" brads, Round Tab punch, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter, Blender Pen, markers, Scallop Circles die & Big Shot, "Snow Buddies" and "Snow Swirled" stamp sets, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy ink, and a Stampin' Sponge.