Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Shabby Chic Purse


So yesterday I showed you those adorable little purses and today I have a larger version.  I had a customer order these for gifts and they were so much fun to make.  This particular customer has a very hard time giving my goodies away so I had to promise to make her another one that she can keep!  I certainly didn't come up with the pattern myself, so thank you to the lovely blogger who did.  I'm so very sorry I can't remember where it was originally from.


The paper in this first one is retired Stampin' Up! paper, rubbed/sponged with Chocolate Chip Ink for an aged look and faux stitched.  I really love the new Lace Ribbon Border Punch.  It is really versatile and will be used for a variety of styles.  It fit this project as a dainty addition.  As for the flower...I really don't think there could be too many layers.  You can't go wrong with the Daisies #2 Bigz Die.  I added some pearls and crystal effects for  additional detail.

The second purse is a bit flashier but I still couldn't resist using the Daisy Die again.  I'm going to make a whole bouquet soon...

Thanks for stopping by today! Remember, Stampin' Up! is offering the Starter Kit for just $99 until the end of the month.  Whether you are looking to be a hobby demonstrator, enjoying the discount for your own use or make some extra money with workshops, classes and more, this offer is hard to resist.  Contact me today for more details!

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Monday, July 25, 2011

Santa Clause is coming to town!

It's Christmas in July and you're invited!  A+ Stamping Solutions Christmas Card Club is starting on Friday, August 12 and I can't wait to see you there!  The Christmas Card Club is a fun way to get a jump start on your holiday planning.  We will be doing 12 cards each month (2 designs, 6 cards each) and an exciting little bonus item.  (Candy boxes, stocking stuffers, gift card holders...fun surprises!)

Register today to join in on the fun!

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Luau Fun with Clearly Creative


 A few weeks ago, our Stampin' Up! group of demonstrators, Clearly Creative got together for our monthly meeting with an added twist.  Instead of talking shop, we did a shoebox swap with a luau theme.  What adorable things we made!  The glass jar above was my creation.  I think that filled with some tropical flavored candy it would make a great little thank you gift.  What do you think?  With the few scraps I had left over I made up these little bags and filled them with chocolates.  I've got a bit of a sweet tooth, can you tell?  But the more candy I give away, the less I eat! 
I've added some of the other goodies we made that night.  What fun we had...a fantastic cookout, lots of laughs and stamping fun!  Thank goodness there are others out there like me!
 This was some polymer clay, pressed flat with our clear blocks, stamped with a rather solid image and rubbed with some retired pearlex.  After they were cut with a cookie cutter and baked, a protective glaze was applied.  What a great addition to a card or introducing stamps into the world of jewelry making.
 Do you have a favorite juice or soda that comes in a can?  Well look what you can do with the Big Shot!  The tin was embossed and cut out with the butterfly and flower die.  A few beautiful glass beads were added with fishing line and you end up with a really cute decoration for your porch.
 I thought this one would be a great party favor for a young girl's birthday or a baby shower.  A simple box with the top left open, add a layer to each side, a quick little ribbon...very simple. 
 Punch Power!  The flower was double punched using the scalloped circle punch, the large oval makes the vase (with the bottom cut off a bit).  A smaller oval for the leaf, folded in half and sponged for texture adds lots of life to this adorable flower.  Did you know that you can color SU's rhinestones with sharpie markers to make them any color you want?  I loved that idea so much I went right out and bought a set of 24 sharpies!!! 
This is the bag I copied for my luau scraps.  It was just so simple and can be made into any size.  This little cutie was just big enough to hold a chap stick and gift card.  I've made a few more of this purse...stay tuned for tomorrows post for more examples!
Thanks to all of the Clearly Creative members for providing so much inspiration!  I look forward to our meeting each month!

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Sunday, July 24, 2011

When Life Hands You Lemons...

I'm sure you all know by now how I love to keep life interesting!  A couple of weeks ago, as I was leaving work,  I had a little car accident that landed me in the hospital for two days.  Lots of road rash, bruising and swelling but all of the major internal "stuff" is good to go.  I've got a fracture in my nose and and other facial fractures.  I'm so sad that I just had an SU order arrive (while I was in the hospital...at least something was going right:-) and I was so sore that I couldn't do much more than open the box.  I got lots of new goodies...punches, paper, Big Shot Dies...oh my! 

I have been recovering, went back to work finally and did get some time in my stamping space!  The best therapy of the week was a night of creating with my upline, Pam!  I have so many things to show you, I'm not even sure where to start! 


When Life Gives You Lemons was inspired by a card I saw on Stampin' Connection.  I just love the idea of making a glass using velum.  I'm sad that the Tart and Tangy set retired.  It was perfect for this card so...  For the sentiment inside, I used My Digital Studio.  I've been so busy with everything else that MDS kind of sat idle.  I promise to show something soon from MDS.  Stampin' Up! has posted lots of new downloads...I'm sure a bit of shopping is in order!

I also must pass along some fantastic news from Stampin' Up!  The $99 Starter Kit Promotion  is an exciting opportunity!  Can you imagine getting over $185 worth of Stampin' Up! product plus a free Christmas Keepsake project for just $99?  Contact me today for more details!

Lastly, I just wanted to thank everyone who has stuck with me during the last crazy few months.  With everything that has gone on in my world lately, it's nice to know I can connect with lots of creative people for a sanity check every now and then.  I hesitate to say that possibly my life will settle into a nice routine and my posts will be a bit more regular but that is that plan.  Again, thanks to all!

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Friday, July 1, 2011

Inkspirations Winner

Good Morning!  What an exciting day here at A+ Stamping Solutions...Miss Renee chose me as the winner of the Inkspirations Challenge!   That's very exciting...(I reposted the winning card.)  This week's challenge is a beautiful color combination of Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait and Whisper White.  I have a few ideas, how about you?  Here's the link to see some beautiful samples... Inkspirations Challenge.

Later this afternoon our Clearly Creative SU Demonstrators are coming over for a Christmas in July Shoe Box Swap.  How fun!  Well, I'm off to get the house picked up, my stamping space clean and get some chicken ready for the grill!

I'll be back tomorrow morning with the goodies from tonight.
Have a fantastic Friday!

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