Tea Party

I want to just pop-in to share one of the cards we made in my recent Stamp-a-Stack (SAS) event. Sadly, this stamp set called Tea Party and Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch are both in the Retiring List and will no longer be available to purchase from Stampin' Up! after June 1st. 

I wish I used this stamp set a little bit more in my Stamping events, because it is such a lovely set. It has that vintage look and I feel it is kind of Downton Abbey-ish. I'd like to imagine Lady Mary would enjoy receiving a card like this. 

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Tea Party (Wood 129135, Clear 129138)
Paper: Card stocks in Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade, DSP (retired)
Ink: Classic Stampin' pad in Calypso Coral and Crumb Cake (for sponging the edges)
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Textured Embossing Folder in Tiny Triangles (133740), Ovals Collection Framelits (129381), Dotted Scallop Border punch (119275), Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Glue Dots (103683), Sponge Daubers (133773)

Well, that's all for now. Thank you for stopping by. 

Painted Petals

For the past few months or so, I have been contemplating on quitting as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. In as much as I truly enjoy getting together with my gals who have become such great friends, I get really discouraged when I don't get attendees to my card making events/classes. I also confess that I am and have been my best customer and in denial about how much of my own money goes into my hobby. Surprisingly, in the midst of all these gloomy reflection, a couple of really amazing ladies found me online, showed up for cards class and reminded me why I do this. Not for the money, but to share my creativity and to make friends with people who take the time to create beautiful cards to make others happy. So, to my creative friends, you know who you are...thank you. You are all amazingly AMAZING.

This is one of the cards we made in class yesterday. I just love this stamp set called Painted Petals. The coordinating Designer Series Paper (DSP) is so pretty and I feel the need to hoard them since it is limited edition and only in the current 2015 Occasions Catalog. Pacific Point and Wild Wasabi...what a delightful color combo. 

Card Supplies

Stamp Set: Painted Petals (Wood 138819, Clear 138822, Photopolymer 137146)
Paper: Card stocks in Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi and Whisper White, Painted Blooms DSP (137784)
Ink: Classic stampin' pads in Pacific Point and Wild Wasabi
Tools & Accessories: Decorative Label Punch (120907), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Island Indigo Bakers Twine (retired)

Well, that's all for now. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you all had a great weekend. 

Moon Lake

I want to share a card I made with one of my favorite stamp sets in the current Stampin' Up! 2015 Occasions Catalog called Moon Lake. As always, the stamped images are perfect to watercolor. I tend to gravitate towards the same style no matter how much I try not to. I am dull and I don't deny it. Haha. Anyway, this is one of the cards we will create in my Stamp-a-Stack event on Saturday. It will be perfect for Father's Day or masculine birthday.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Moon Lake (W 137149, C 138540)

Paper: Card stocks in Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay and Watercolor paper (122959)

Ink: Memento Ink pad in Tuxedo Black (132708), Classic Stampin' pads in Soft Suede, Pool Party, Early Espresso, Old Olive and Mossy Meadow

Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Embossing Folder (retired), Aqua Painters (103954), Stampin' Distress tool (127562), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Well, that's all for today, folks. Thank you for stopping by.

Easter Sunday 2015

I wish you all a wonderful and blessed Easter. I want to share cards using a new addition to my list of many favorite stamp sets, Indescribable Gift (Wood 137180 Clear 138575). Sadly it is a limited edition set. It is so versatile and awesome to color, my favorite technique. 

I got a little carried away and tried the same layout with different color combo. Although it is an Easter set, the image can be used on any occasion with a different sentiment. I used water color paper and Aqua Painters to color the images. I did not even need to elaborate or add many layers. The possibilities are endless. Just think feminine birthday cards, Sympathy or even Christmas, just use holiday color scheme. 

Card stocks and ink in Hello Honey and Mossy Meadow

Card stocks and ink in Calypso Coral and Old Olive

Card stocks in Strawberry Slush and Mossy Meadow

Card stocks and ink in Lost Lagoon and Mossy Meadow

If you have not gotten this stamp set, I suggest that you do. It's in the Occasions Catalog ending June 2nd, 2015. It's a must have addition to your Stampin' Up! collection.

That's all for now. Happy Easter, everyone.

Hello Life

In my profession, I have been around to see many people come and go. It's more fulfilling for me when I am helping new employees sign hiring documents compared to when I am there to present them with their final paychecks. No matter what the situation is, it makes me feel a little bit sad. The perfect adjective is actually bittersweet - when employees leave. I don't care what the statistics say or how high the unemployment rate is. It is very hard to find good employees. I am inclined to believe that perhaps, the really good ones are still employed. To me, in an odd sort of twisted way, it's like finding a soul mate. He/She does not have to be perfect, but it has to fit. Some compromise need to be made, but for the most part the set-up needs to work for both parties. The relationship does not have to be blissful, but it must be tolerable. 

When employees hand in that notice, they've more often than not have already left. I can try and change their minds (only if they are worth keeping), but only temporarily. No one searches for land if they're not ready to get-off the boat. I have real respect for people who know when to go and do it quietly. I appreciate it even more when they leave grateful and don't take anyone with them. I've had to say goodbye to co-workers who held very important roles and while awaiting for their departure, I worried how the positions would be filled. No one really is replaceable. It is very humbling to see how life continues to go on after people leave. It makes me remember that in the grand scheme of things, I am no more important than the next person. It helps me appreciate my job and my place in this world. We may limp or hit bumps from time to time after a person departs, but it's business as usual. The show must go on, so they say. So, I cannot really afford to be too proud about my significance, and definitely not too quick to conclude that I am a big deal. Only I know my value and what I bring to the table. Honestly, at the end of the day, that's all that matters. 

I still miss some people I used to work with. Most times, I think about how they always had the answers, and their contribution to my growth or how they made me smile. Sometimes, I wish I had the same courage. Then again, most often than not, I am glad I am still where I am at. After over a decade of working for the same employer, I have watched myself learn, mature and wise-up. I see myself now in a different stage in my life than when I started this journey and I have made my peace with that. I often feel I've been institutionalized (Shawshank, anyone?), and too set in my ways to go anywhere else. But deep down I am certain that I will continue as long as I am happy here... and when it's time to leave, I will be the first person to know it. When that time comes, I will be ready because things have run its course...and I will welcome change like I welcome the arrival of a new season.

My paper crafting hobby has been my refuge from the outside world. It has been my outlet and it definitely is the one thing that keeps me sane. That is why I want to share this card that says it all.

I used sponge daubers to create an Ombre effect on the paper

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Hello Life (137136)
Paper: Card stocks in Strawberry Slush and Whisper White
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Strawberry Slush, Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette and Crisp Cantaloupe, Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black
Tools & Accessories: Stacked with Love Designer Washi Tape (137789), Project Life Corner Punch (135346), Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (133787), Thick Baker's Twine in Crisp Cantaloupe (135636), Gold Sequin Trim (132983), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Sponge Daubers (133773)

Thank you for stopping by.

Too Kind on Good Friday

It's Good Friday and I am enjoying being home. I want to share a very simple Easter card that I made using the stamp set called Too Kind. I have had this set for months and this was the very first time I used it. I've always found Two-Step stampin' technique challenging, but not since I learned to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig. I discovered how much I like Two-Step stamp sets. It has also helped me stamp my images exactly where I want them to be, most especially sentiments. I get annoyed with myself when my sentiments are not stamped straight. That's why the Stamp-a-ma-jig has truly been a lifesaver for me.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Too Kind (W 130447 C 130450), Delightful Dozen (retired)
Paper: Card stocks in Blushing Bride, Elegant Eggplant and Very Vanilla
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive
Tools & Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch (119275), Pearls Basic Jewels (119247), Baker's Twine in Old Olive (134579), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

Well, that is all for today, folks. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!