Long overdue... My Convention Swaps!

I've been meaning to post these for quite some time now. They were hidden in my blog pix folder. These are the cards I made for a couple of the organized swaps I signed up for at Convention. The first one was for a 3x3 card swap:

Stamps: Bright Blessing Jumbo Wheel & Fundamental Phrases
Accessories: Leaves #2 Die, Modern Label Punch, Brad, Sponge, tissue paper


Here's how I got the texture on the leaves: First, I used a glue stick to attach crumpled white tissue paper onto a piece of So Saffron cardstock. Then I ran it through the Big Shot with the Leaves #2 die. After that, I sponged More Mustard classic ink all over the leaves... and there you have it! Faux Silk Leaves!


Here's the card I made for the Splitcoaststampers Dinner Swap:

Stamps: Circle Circus & Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate, Modern Label Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Sanding Block, Embossing Powder (Silver & Iridescent Ice), Brad, Perfect Plum Craft Ink


The WOW factor on this card (although it's hard to see online), is the sparkly circle. It's simple, really. I stamped the circle in Perfect Plum CRAFT ink on white cardstock and then heat embossed it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder. I LOVE THAT STUFF! To add even more dimension, I added a brad in the center of one of the flowers. It's punched out using a circle punch and attached to the black cardstock.


The background is another neat, but super simple technique. First you run the cardstock through the Big Shot with the Background 1 Texturz Plate (elegant swirls) and then you use a sanding block to lightly sand the raised areas to make the swirls POP! How cool is that?!


Well, I hope you're getting your creative groove on over this long holiday weekend. I just received my demo pre-ordered copy of the My Digital Studio software (in the Holiday Mini) and have been playing around with it. I can't wait to share some of the projects I create using it. In case you were wondering, the software will be available for customers to order beginning on October 1! If you'd like to purchase the software for 1/2 price, consider hosting a workshop! If the sales are $400 or more, you'll get your very own My Digital Studio for just that! Contact me today to find out more information or to schedule your workshop!


Happy Stampin!
Brenda

Regional Seminar & SCS Dinner Fun!

I went to my first Stampin' Up! event yesterday--the San Antonio Regional Seminar--and had a blast! It started off with general swapping while we waited to check in and receive our make-n-take supplies and stamp set. Here is the swap card I made with the Love Owl-Ways stamp set and Frosty Day DSP from the Holiday Mini:

I only made 15 cards--but I am extremely happy with the 15 cards I swapped for... many neat ideas and great samples from stamp sets that I don't already have that I can display at my stampin' events.

Over the next 7 hours, my friend, Jennifer and new friend, Kathleen and I made 6 awesome make-n-take projects, listened to inspirational demonstrators and received all sorts of creative project ideas and business tips. At the very end I even met Sherri Gardner, the Co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!. She is such a sweet lady... so down to earth and real.

(Jennifer, Shelli & Me)

A few hours later, I went to dinner with a bunch of my SCS (splitcoaststampers.com) demo friends. It was so much fun! Meeting everyone in person was such a neat experience.

Here's my long awaited SCS dinner swap card made with the Happiness is a Journey stamp set & Urban Garden DSP (along with many other supplies):

The dry erase board I made for a door prize was a huge hit! The winner, Elizabeth, even did a happy dance. :) I used the Bella Rose DSP, Serif Essential dies with the Big Shot, Flower Fusion Too & rhinestone brads.

If you ever have a chance to attend a Stampin' Up! Regional Seminar (either as a demo or a guest), I would highly suggest it! I can't wait to implement all the wonderful ideas I received in my own creative projects and in my business. Keep an on my schedule of events for upcoming classes.

Happy Stampin!