Another card to send to Jacob

Well, here is my last and final design to send to Jacob. Mailing them tomorrow. Hope the guys like them and there are enough cards...variety of numbers of each card, but totalled up to 100 cards by the time I made them all.

This is using the "Holy Triptych" stamp set. I painted it in using the Shimmer Paint and reinkers.

Here is a closer shot of the angel, you can see a little of the shimmer. The dress is using "Lavendar Lace" ink. I wish I had added a little more to deepen the color, but it does show up more in person.

More Sr. Cards and cards to Jacob

Well, I went to the Sr. Center again on Fri. to make more cards. We had a blast. 4 ladies this time....counting Janice, the director...she tries to sqeeze in time between phone calls to make a card or two when I go. Anyway, here are the cards we made this time. I came home later and made more to send to Jacob for him to had out to the guys to send home. I had taken a picture at the center only to get home and find out my compact flash card was not in the camera, so of course they weren't saved -Ugh!

This one is using the Dasher stamp.

This card uses "Christmas Punch" and "Heard from the Heart" stamp sets

We also made the card using the "Big on Christmas" stamp set that I posted earlier.

List of Dormant Stamp Sets to be Discontinued

The following stamp sets will be discontinued on Jan. 4, 2010. If any of the sets listed below are on your wish list, make sure you purchase them before they are gone for good.

Back woods # 113407
Beautiful Baby #114492
Birthday Wish #114486
Branch Out #113200
Celebrations #114496
Central Park #113732
Classic Sketches #113206
Classy & Fabulous #113226
Flowers in Silhouette #114498
Font of You #113405
For the Bride #113216
Forever #114494
Friend by Definition #109425
Fun Flowers #114488
Garden Greetings #113716
Glad Friends 114490
Grand Soiree #11580
Hit the Road #113242
Lexicon of Leaves #113710
Man's Best Friend #113236
Ocean Commotion #114423
Playful Petals #113728
Polka Dot # 109276
Putt Putt #111544
Quilt Quips #113240
Really Retro #113754
Sip by Sip #113403
Sweet Stems 113726
That's Funny #113250
Wonderful Watercolors #113688
Para La Novia #114208
Acuarelas Maravillosas #114032

Cards to Soldiers

I have been busy the past few days making cards to send to my son, Jacob in Iraq for him to give out to the guys in his platoon to send home. Here are samples of what I am making. I have 3 more designs in mind. I am waiting on an order that comes in on Thurs. to make one of the designs. Had to have that Dasher stamp to make some. Plus, I am out of envelopes and clear envelopes to put each into to protect it and keep the card and envelope together and those are also in the coming order. I will be very busy Thursday night as I plan to mail them all on Friday.

This card I made in several colors. This one is Brilliant Blue, also made it in Real Red, Elegant Eggplant and Glorious Green. I also went one step further and sprayed each card with a mixture of alcohol and the new Shimmer Paint (love this stuff) to add a little shimmer to the card. You can kinda' see the embossing on the white done with the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder.

I love this set "Big on Christmas". Unfortunately, Stampin' Up! does not have a snowflake embossing folder, so I had to use one from another company. Hopefully they will get one. The center was kept "unembossed" using a new technique. It you are interested in learning how to do this, please contact me, I would love to show you how easy it is to do.

Here are all 3 designs I have made so far...3 more to go..guess what I will be doing tonight - LOL!

Christmas Cards by my Senior Ladies

Sorry for the delay in posting these. On Nov. 20th I went to the Sr. Center again to make cards. This time I did design 2 cards for them to make and let them choose which Merry Christmas they would use on the front... they all fell in love with the one from the Level 1 Hostess set "Holiday Best". I only had 2 ladies attending this time due to illness and dr. appts., but we had fun. This time I requested that they each make an additional card for me to send to my son in Iraq for him to give out to his platoon. I will be making a lot more to send and will include these from them. We did the ornament card in a variety of colors. I had pre-stamped and punched them out in Eggplant Envy (pictured), Brilliant Blue, Rose Red, Perfect Plum. The ornaments from "Definitely Decoratives" stamp set are on white that has been embossed with the Stampin Up! Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder (you can't really see it in the picture). The Snowman card is using the Level 2 Hostess set "Christmas Punch" and the words are from the "Heard from the Heart" stamp set.

Happy Halloween!

Well, once again I did not get around to making Halloween cards to send out. However, I did received one from my good friend, Margarethe. She always sends her cards anonymously (no signature), but I know it is from her. I just had to share it with you as it looks soooo great!

(Close-up of skull, done with bleaching technique)

Of course it isn't Halloween without pictures of costumes. Since my boys are grown and no longer home, I take pictures of my nieghbor's grandkids.

This scary little guy is Diane's grandson, Douglas.

This is Alice's grandson, Slade. He came over again after "Trick or Treating" so that I could get his picture, but was tired of wearing the mask and the gloves that had the blades on them. Not sure who he was suppose to be as not familiar with this comic book/cartoon character.

I didn't dress-up this year, but I did at least put on a little head piece I had picked up at the Dollar Tree. It was a drizzly night, but at least the temperature was pleasant and it didn't pour down until after the Treaker Treaters were done for the night.

Build-a-Bear Project

Earlier this month Joyce Spears, a fellow Late Night Stamper, decided she would like to make some Cards for Kids to be donated to a Ronald McDonald House by another one of our Late Night Stampers. So, she sent out a request to our group for donations of the new Build-a-Bear die cuts in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog. Since I had just received my dies, I decided to help and proceeded to cut out the bears in Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and Basic Black. Before, I knew it I had 50 cut out for her. Then I cut out some clothes in the Pawsitively Print DSP and Summer Picnic (retired) DSP and coordinating cardstock for her.

Well, Joyce has been "pawsitively" busy since she received them. She has been putting together the bears for her cards and has now dressed them all and has them ready to put on cards. Here is a picture of a few of the bears. You can see more on her blog.

I can hardly wait to see the completed cards. I will share as soon as I receive some pictures from her (or you can check back on her blog as I am sure she will be updating her progress there.)

Deals of the Week #4 and Final

#116214 Princess Party Kit, pg. 174

Original Price: $15.95

Sale Price: $9.99

#116213 Pirate Party Kit, pg. 175

Original Price: $15.95

Sale Price: $9.99

Color Challenge #42 - LNSStampers

I finally decided to do a challenge. LNS Stampers had a color challenge using Really Rust, Ruby Red and Old Olive and I have been loving all the beautiful cards I have been seeing with these colors all week and midnight tonight is the deadline to enter. I had this card envisioned in my head for several days now and decided I just had to get it done and enter it for fun. Ended up, it also qualifies for Carol'Anne and Sandi's 10-min. challenge as well. It is a simple card, but I like the way it came out.

The stamp sets used are Autumn Days and Kind and Caring Thoughts.

Seniors Stamp Again

Sorry, for the delay posting this. I did remember to take a few pictures of the cards made by my Sr. Ladies this month (on Oct. 16th). I think they did a wonderful job. I saw the ornamental punch used as a vase on the LNSStampers group and shared that with them and then they went to town. I had precut a bunch of different colors with the top note die and they picked their color combos from that and what ever else we had available.


I actually made this one for one of the ladies that can't make them by herself. I had to use what colors I had left, but I liked the combo once done. Looks better in person. It looks like Pink Passion in this picture, but it was actually Rose Red, so not quite a bright.

Deals of the Week #3

Deals of the Week

114348 Basic Jumbo grommets Special Price - $4.49
109857 Mini Library clips Special Price - $8.99
112571 Circle Designer brads Special Price - $3.99
112581 1/2" Library clips Special Price - $3.99

I'm a MIL and Grandma Now!

Well, as I mentioned before I just returned from Texas, visiting my folks. Now the rest of the story. A week before I left, my oldest son, George called to advise me he was engaged and they would be getting married soon. Her name is Amanda (Mandy) and she has a 4-yr. old daughter named Carmelina (Carmen). Well, they got married on Sept. 17th. So before I left I quickly made a wedding card to send them. I love the way it came out. Hope they liked it. Now I am patiently waiting for him to send me some pictures that his friends took. They had a simple ceremony at the Justice of the Peace. I can't wait to see what my new DIL and Granddaughter (step) look like. Anyway, here is the card I made for them.




I used the Manhattan Flower Embossing folder. I then mixed alcohol with a little bit of the new Shimmerz Paint in a spritzer and sprayed the paper to give it some shimmer. Using a glue pin, I went along the raised edges of the roses and sprinkled on some Dazzling Diamonds. It was very shimmery in person.

My Digital Studio Commercial

DEALS OF THE WEEK #2

The second Deals of the Week are from October 12, 10 AM (MT) through October 19, 9:50 AM (MT).

115961, pg. 200 Perfect Setting Bigz XL die, Orig. price - $42.95, Sale price - $25.99

114515, pg. 195, Flower Burst Embosslits die, Orig. price - $11.95, Sale price - $5.99

116760, pg. 201, Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die, Orig. price - $39.95, Sale price - $25.49

I'm Baaaack!

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for your patience while I have been away visiting my parents. My dad was moved to a phys. rehab./nursing home facility on approx. Sept. 18th and had a feeding tube put in as he was not eating and when he swallowed it went into his lungs. He is in constant pain and not doing any better. He has Dysphasia, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Leucocytosis, along with many other problems. I arrived there on the 19th and just returned home today. My mother also has some health issues (heart, and in her legs - arthritis, bursitis and fibromyalgia). She can barely get around due to her leg/knee problems. My sister and I spent the past few weeks rearranging my dad's bedroom - removed the huge CA King-size bed and put the full-size bed with the elec. controls for head and feet in his room and cleared out some of the papers and things he has collected/stashed away over time. We also took some excess furniture out of my mothers room as she has fallen several times and it is very hard to get her up as she can't help you much once she is down. We ordered a portable lift for her and now have room to use it in her room, when she goes down in the hallway or bathroom, we will have to figure that out when it happens as no room for the lift. We also got rid of some un-needed things in the living room and entryway to make things easier for her to get around. I am not in great shape, so my sister did most of the phys. labor, but I was there to back her up with my parents to say - this IS happening. With mom we met less resistance, it was usually dad that resisted us. We got a lot done, still a lot to do, but she can now get it accomplished overtime as we have the ball rolling on it now. Dad is not doing any better than he was when I got there, but not much worse, but based on the meeting we finally got with the director of nurses yesterday, before I left today and my sister met with the doctor today and got the same story, it is not looking good as he (my dad) is not cooperating with phys. therapy, because of the extreme pain he is in, so the therapy will stop and they are going to concentrate on pain control and then reevaluate him again in about 10days and keep doing that for awhile to see if they get any improvement. We did get to celebrate my dad's 77th birthday and all the local family were able to come to the nursing home at the same time and sing Happy Birthday, I even made a cake (which he unfortunately he couldn't eat). We each had some for him and gave the rest to the staff.

On the bright side, while I was home I was able to attend my HS reunion. It was for all of the 70's classes. DH came just a few days before hand to join me as we graduated together at the same school - Yep - HS sweeties. We had a great time and gave me a chance to relax. It was wonderful to see all my old friends and acquaintances from HS. We had a approx. 210 people attend and had a good turnout for each year (although I don't remember seeing anyone for 1970). We had a "Blast from the Past". I will have pics posted later on my personal blog, http://dragonsndragonflies.blogspot.com/

Well, enough talking (although it is good therapy for me - thanks for reading). After I have had some time to rest and get some things done here I will be posting some cards for you - I promise.

Get Well Card

Well, as you know my dad has been in the hospital for awhile now and I decided it was time to make him a card, so I just had to CASE a card made my Samantha Parisi with a few minor changes. You can see hers on her blog. The inside of the card reads "keep it closed!" "Get Well Soon! I wasn't sure exactly how she did hers, so I had to guess and my man came out a little larger that her man I think, but close enough.

My Punch Character Class

Sorry, for the delay in sharing these with you. I had my class last weekend on Sept. 5th. It was a small class, but we had a blast making these instructional cards on how to make each character as a future reference...one attendee just made 2 characters instead to use on cards and just keep one as a reference. These are 6x6 and will fit into the 6x6 page protectors, so that you can make a booklet of punch ideas. We were to do 10, but ran out of time (even ran over time), so I will adjust my next class. The name in parenthesis next to each is who I CASED it from if known.

Lion (my personal favorite)

Ballerina (Sarah Stetler)

Ballerina or Fairy (add vellum wings)

Jumping Frog (this one moves) (Julie ?)

Bunny (Sue Duffy)

Ladybug (Angie Kennedy Juda)

Sheep (hard to see, but the body is the scallop circle) (Roxy ?)

Hippo Face (Roxy ?) (I changed this one up afterwards. It originally used the lg. and sm. oval for the ears, but I found them to look too large and make him look more like a donkey vs a hippo, so I switched them to using the 1/2" circle punch and overlayed them with the gray showing on one side and then trimmed the excess black off from the back. Now he looks more like a hippo.

We also did a Japense Doll, but I can't find my card for her...think I sent it to my cousin with some extras I had made for her.

We had such a good time with this and several others that wanted to attend were not able to, so I am planning on having another one with different characters soon, so keep checking my DBWS for dates. We will do 5 characters next time. Hope to see you there once I set a date. I think I will do a Halloween character one....already have a few in mind to make. I have a lot of things going on in Oct., so at this time it looks like Oct. 24th may be the only date I have open.

Big Shot Hero

Before convention this year, Stampin' Up! asked the demonstrators to enter a commercial contest. This was the winning entry. I love it - Enjoy!



Now that you have viewed it - I hope you are as excited about the Big Shot as I am. It is a great tool and can be used for cardmaking, scrapbooking, gifts, 3-D items and more.

I will be having a Big Shot Top Note class on Oct. 3, 1-3 pm, at my house in Fredericksburg, VA. Please RSVP to me at stampindragon@verizon.net or call me, 540-372-2048 by Oct. 1st. Cost of class is $5. We will be making several different projects using the Top Note Die. You will also see demonstrations on using all the various other items Stampin' Up! offers to use with the Big Shot. You will get a chance to play with it as well, to see how easy it is to use. Hope to see you then.

Spotlight Technique Swap

I rarely ever join in on swaps,, except one-on-one swaps, but I have decided I will try to do more swaps. So, when Linda Z. on FB wanted to do a Spotlight Technique swap and it was only 5+1, I decided this was the one to start with. I borrowed the "Music Expressions" stamp set from my best friend and customer, Margarethe and made these. The one with the rose spotlighted is the one I sent in, I had extras and liked the bird, so I decided to do a few for myself with it.

Cole's Baby Memory Pail

Well, it has only taken me 9 months to finally get the Baby Memory Pail made for Risa's new little boy, Cole (Dec. 2008 post). She was doing the same theme her twin sister, Roxie had done for her little boy, Jake and I made him one (my first - April 2008 post) using the "Wild About You" and "Monkey Business"stamp sets. I was going to use that set again, but do something different and before I got started, Stampin' Up! came out with this new wonderful Designer Series Paper called "Tall Tales" and then Denise Jorgensen shared this bag she made with it on one of the LNS groups. I now had a completely new vision in my head and had to change everything and get the new paper. I finally got it and finally got a chance to sit down and get serious and make it.

First, here is the bag by Denise that inspired me:

And now, the pail I made for Cole...

I love the way it came out and can't wait to send it to her, but first I need to finish one I am working on for her first son, Patrick. He is 3 y.o. now. I wasn't making these when he came along, so I am going to make him a small one with his favorite theme - trains. I am using the Choo Choo stamp set. I also wrote a new little poem (with the help of some stamping friends) since he is older, I decided he needed a different poem on his. I will post a picture of it when I finish it, which should be within the week - I hope!

New Marvy Uchida Metallic Pearls Ink Pad Giveaway

Check out http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Metallic-Pearl-Inkpads-Giveaway for a chance to win 3 NEW Metallic Pearls Ink Pads by Marvy Uchida. I haven't tried these yet, but hope to win some. I have other types of Marvy Uchida ink pads and like them, so I am sure these will be just as nice for something a little different. Good Luck!

MORE SUMMER FUN!

From Aug. 1st - 31st, spend $35 on stamp sets from the Growing Up section of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog (pages 74-90) and receive a FREE package of Designer buttons--a $7.95 value! Eligible buttons are: Playground Designer buttons (#116313), Sherbet Designer buttons (#116312) and Button Latte Designer buttons (#114333)

Purchase the brand-new Décor Elements Growth Chart(#117519, $24.95), only available August 1-September 30, and as an added bonus, receive a free applicator tool with your purchase (a $1.95 value).

40% OFF Summer Cook Out Kit

Stampin' Up! is excited to announce that beginning August 1, the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit (#118070) is being offered at a 40% discount--making it just $14.95! And with plenty of summer left to celebrate, it's a great time to take advantage of this huge discount. The Summer Cookout Refill (#119193) is also still available at its regular price of $9.95.

This special offer only goes through August 31, or while supplies last, so contact me a.s.a.p.--and make your summer an occasion to celebrate!

Dream Garden and Razzle Dazzle

On Saturday, I finally held my Open House. So, I thought I would share the make-n-take we did with you. I couldn't find my Ticket Corner punch, so my sample was not punched, but I asked one of friends/customers that was coming to bring hers and we were able to punch the corners for it. It definitely made a difference in the look. The punched corners give it a little more of an oriental flare, I think. The background for the stamped images is done with the "Polished Stone" technique, using Real Red, Rose Red, and Gold reinkers. I dabbed the paper twice to deepen the color as the alcohol does cause the colors to lighten. The stamp set used is "Dream Garden". This is my new favorite set.

For those that RSVP'd by a certain date, I promised a gift. So for that I made each person a pocket-size notebook decorated with the "Razzleberry Lemondade" DSP and the "Razzle Dazzle "stamp set. I also used the new "In Colors" that were in the DSP for the bound edge and the scalloped circle. This one is using "Rich Razzleberry". Love that color. They also received a small pen with their notebook.

FINAL DEAL OF THE WEEK

Heart to Heart Punch

Original Price - $15.95; Sale Price - $10.99

(This offer is good until July 31st, 11:50 pm MT)

Who says February and Valentine’s Day are the only times to share love? Show your love ALL YEAR LONG for family and friends with this fabulous Deal of the Week. Paper punches are perfect for much more than paper crafting!

· How about using the hearts as bullet points in your journaling or list making for layouts?
· Create confetti or just sprinkle a trail down the hall to your child's bedroom.
· You could also place some punched hearts in the car seat of the driver or passenger. Add a note saying, "You've just been given a HEART ATTACK."
· Why not scatter punched hearts on the floor of the shower with the words, "You are showered with love."
· Add confetti hearts inside a lunch box for a fun, loving surprise to the recipient.
· Place a clear plastic bag of hearts inside the office mailbox of a coworker or on her desk to show your appreciation for their friendship or latest achievement.
· Use the heart pieces inside a shaker box for a card cover or layout.
· Make a "bag of hearts" to place in your own mailbox for your mail carrier.
· Deliver a heart treat to your favorite teacher when school starts! What a great way to thank a teacher from the past or to begin the school year on a positive note with a new teacher.
· Scatter hearts on your sweetheart's pillow to discover at bedtime!

There are ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES for these heart punches! Order yours before the deadline on July 31!

If you are interested in purchasing one of these punches, contact me asap, so that I can prepare an order to put in on the 31st.

DEAL OF THE WEEK #4

112454 Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware:

Orig. Price - $29.95; Sale Price - $18.99

(This offer is good until July 27, 9:50 am MT)

DEAL OF THE WEEK #3

I am not at my computer, so no logos and such this time.

Deal of the Week Special # 3 is ...

109112 Square Fire Rhinestones

Original Price - $10.95; Sale Price - $6.99

Deal of the Week #2

Drum roll, please ...

July 6, 10 AM (MT) through July 13, 9:50 AM (MT)
113474 pg.194 Sizzix Big Shot Doctor's Bag
Original Price - $69.95

Sale Price - $49.99

This bag is sized to hold your Big Shot die-cut machine, cutting pads and dies for convenient storage and transportation. Call me now to order yours.

New Site Name and Purpose

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that I am going to be turning this site into my Stampin' Up! Business Blog. I have created a new blog for personal stuff for family and friends to keep up with the goings-on in our household. Please visit it when you can http://dragonsndragonflies.blogspot.com - I should have more on it after this weekend.

Happy 4th to all!

Stampingly,
Cynthia Ferenz

STAMPIN' UP!'s SUMMER FUN SPECIALS

Stampin' Up! has several GREAT specials going on this Summer.

First - Deal of the Week - from July 1st thru 31st they will offer an item for a special price - new one each Monday.

The first item offered from July 1st - 5th is the Scalloped Edge Punch (112091), original price -$15.95. Save 30% now and get it for $10.99.

Second - Sign-up to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator from July 15th - Aug. 31st, with the limited-time $85 Mini Starter Kit. Contact me for details.

The Mini Starter Kit includes:

For All You do Stamp Set ($28.95)

All 6 new In Color Classic Stamp pads ($5.95 ea.)

Whisper White Card Stock ($7.50)

In Color Assorted Card Staock ($7.95)

All business supplies needed to get started (i.e. 8-new catalogs, 1-Definitely Decorative brochure, 8-Holiday minis (eff. 8/1), customer order forms and much more)

You can sign-up today thru my Demonstrator Business Website - Contact me for my password from my DBWS on sidebar.

or you can mail your Recruit Packet to them (must be in office by Aug. 31st). Contact me for a packet.

Third - Country Living Summer Cookout Kit

Order #118070 Country Living Summer Cookout Kit $24.95

This kit includes:
- 8 die-cut table tents (2 each of 4 colors)
- Die-cut components, bamboo skewers, and envelopes to create 8 shish kabob invitations
- 12 die-cut coasters (3 each of 4 colors)
- 16 die-cut tags (4 each of 4 colors)
- 24 12" x 12" printed food wrapper sheets (12 each of 2 colors)
- 4 printed recipe cards
- 5 yards linen thread
- Ruby Red Classic Stampin' Spot
- Night of Navy Classic Stampin' Spot
- Dig In stamp set (item number 116700)