My Paper Crafting Passion

I was not fortunate enough last night, at the Stampin' Up! New Catalog Premier, to win a prize patrol, but I found this comparison of the new In-Colors to our existing colors here .   I saw them in person and they are very pretty.  I especially loved the blue and the green.    It was wonderful to sit in the theater and watch the presentation.  I think this was a unique and fun way for Stampin' Up! to get the catalog out to us.  Our group (about 50) all got together at a Panera afterward to eat and look at the catalog and squeal and chat!  It was so fun to see some ladies that I hadn't seen in a long time.   The catalog is beautiful.  Everyone will have their own opinion of it.  I liked it, for the most part.  I'm still a bit disappointed in the DSP selection.  All too "geometric" and contemporary for me.   There is, however, enough in the catalog that I like for my bank account to suffer severely!   Anxious for the May 1st pre-order.  Then

Wow, I had not realized just how long it has been since I updated this blog!  I apologize to those of you who have subscribed!  My post today will be of Fall and Thanksgiving cards.  Hopefully very soon I will get my Christmas Cards posted.  This card uses the Stampin' Up! Sweater Weather DSP.  I love that paper.  The ribbon is the seam binding dyed with Espresso reinker.  The leaves were stamped with the Wonderfall set in VersaMark...then embossed with clear embossing powder.  The DSP was dry embossed then sponged with Early Espresso.  The saying and Acorn are from a Papertrey Set.  The inside, shown below was cut with a deckled Nestability set and stamped with Early Espresso.  The card base is SU's Sahara Sand. The next card was made for our South Stamp-a-Stack in September   This card also uses Sahara Sand for the Base.  The other colors are Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight and Always Artichoke.  The leave are all

Yesterday was a difficult day for me.  As those who know me well are aware, my "baby" girl and her baby boy and hubby are moving away.  Jay got a great promotion and the family is moving to Chicago.  This breaks my heart but I have to admit it is a good thing for them.  The rest of us, however, will all miss them terribly. They had a going-away shindig yesterday at one of their favorite places, The Platte Bar and Grill.  SO many turned out to wish them well and reminisce.  I enjoyed, SO MUCH, seeing all their friends come to see them off.  Many of their friends feel like my kids too...they have been around for so many years! I just want to share this wonderful photo of my kids, taken by one of their friends yesterday. Travis, his lovely wife Courtney. Megan and her wonderful husband, Jay. Lucas and his darling girlfriend, Jessica! This group of people are the most important people in my and Lee's life!  Just missing the Grands!!!

Tami and I had smaller classes this month than usual, but we still had SO much fun.  The group of ladies that come are so special.  Love them all. Tami's cards this month were incredible.  This first one was inspired by an on-stage presentation by Pam Morgan at the convention last month.  So simple....yet so stunning! Gold embossing on DSP.     Inside Tami used her favorite new stamp set (and one of mine too) called Gorgeous Grunge!  Love this set. Tami's next card was very vintage.  Inspired, I believe, by a card by Jackie Pedro. Tami used some of her birthday gifts from friends on this card.  Stamps, embossing folder and clock die are not SU. The flowers were made with the pansy punch and the Boho Blossom punch. My first card is a fun-fold card.  Paper used was the Modern Medley (My absolute favorite) and basic black.  Stamp set was Petite Pairs.  The Happy Birthday Die was not SU. View from the top. The second card is also a fun fold.  Stam

Convention is over. So sad. I really did have a great time. It was so fun to spend time with all three of my downline ladies. Mickie, Tami and Jacque. Stamp in' Up! Was....as usual, very generous. More prize patrol and all attendee giveaways than ever before!!! I have TONS of swaps to share with you over the next week or so. They were of such great quality this year for the most part. Off to have pizza and look at Luther's swaps!!! See you back in Denver. Bye bye, Skm

Here is a photo of my downline gals and me. Both Jacque and Mickie are joining for their first time!!!