Milestones & Moments

Happy Friday, everyone! I want to share a card I made for my youngest sister's birthday. I used a stamp set called Milestones & Moments by Sheena Douglass. As soon as I saw this set, I knew I had to have it. It was really easy to watercolor and did not even take long to finish. I want a charming cottage exactly like this in the same quaint town. It reminds me of Hallmark movies, don't you think? 

Thank you for stopping by. Have a nice weekend. 

Swap Cards Share

I am back from Stampin' Up! Convention and I am tired, but it was oh so wonderful. I hung-out with a friend I met six years ago every now and again, but for the most part, I flew solo. I have definitely grown. I would not have dared to go by myself a decade ago. Just the thought of not knowing anyone would have been terrifying to a much younger me. I purchased a selfie stick and used it every chance I got. My friend Priscilla and I laughed each time I would whip out that selfie stick from my purse. We were like teenagers and it was hilarious! It definitely helped to entertain us while waiting for sessions to start and even for our table at the Cheesecake Factory. We truly enjoyed taking selfies. 

My friend Priscilla and myself (selfie time). She is awesome and very creative.

I so loved my hotel room, especially when I was checking-in and I found out I was an elite member (I just love rewards/points) and got full access to the Concierge Lounge. I enjoyed the free breakfast in the morning, appetizers and desserts in the afternoon, unlimited drinks and free wifi. Every night, I would drink my wine while take a long bubble bath, then watch TV until I fell asleep. Every afternoon, I would sneak-out of convention, ran back to the hotel and take a nap. And as fate would have it, this amazing hotel is right next door to my favorite place, Nordstrom. It was their Anniversary Sale, so I bought a few things. I was actually surprised that I managed to control myself. Perhaps seeing the new Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog helped me hold back. Haha! 

I had a wonderful time swapping cards with other demonstrators and also learning/sharing ideas with so many of them. They are all so inspiring, creative and talented. I want to share a few of the cards I made for swaps. 

Lots of Joy stamp set and coordinating Tree punch 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

The legendary Lovely as a Tree and sentiment from Sheltering Tree - awesome for masculine or autumn/Thanksgiving cards

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

For Black & White swap, I used Kinda Eclectic, Elegant Butterfly and Bitty Butterfly punches

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Well, that's all for now. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful Wednesday. Friday is almost here! 

Retired BNF Friday #30

Happy Friday, everyone! It has been a very busy week and I just want to pop-in to share a card. I really enjoyed making this. The stamp set is very old from the early 2000 something I think. It's called Water Mill. As soon as I saw the brand new textured embossing folder Brick Wall (138286), I thought of this stamp set. I watercolored the image using classic stamp pads and Aqua Painters. So relaxing and therapeutic. 

That's all for now, have a good weekend, everyone! 

You've Got This

I have been very busy in all areas of my life and also have been so preoccupied creating cards and projects to swap in the upcoming Stampin' Up! Convention. I feel like I overcommitted myself once again by signing-up in (more than I should have) organized swaps. Oh well, any reason to make 110 cards and to receive 110 beautiful cards in return to inspire me and give me ideas with future cards class/events? Yes, please! One of the swaps I signed-up for is Wow Fancy Folds Cards, so I am going to go ahead and share with you what I worked so tirelessly on. It is an easel card made with a new stamp set called You've Got This. It's such a strong sentence and one that we should all bear in mind all the time. This will make such a wonderful gift to a friend or to you to place on your desk where you'd always be reminded that no matter how discouraging your current situation is good things are going to happen and that you've got this! With everything that is going on in my life right now, I really feel like I am being pulled in so many directions that my planner can't even keep-up with me. Haha. Note to Self: You've Got This! I am so excited for Convention. It will be so much fun, exhausting, but FUN! 

I only made eleven of this, so it wasn't too bad because it was really a lot of work, not to mention costly. I stamped the flower image twice on watercolor papers, colored both images using classic stampin' pads and Aqua Painters, then used Crystal Effects on the second colored image, sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds glitters and let it dry overnight, then fussy cut the image out and adhere with stampin' dimensionals to give off the 3D effect. The end result was really quite stunning and worth all the hard work. I hope they wow the recipients. 

Card Recipe:

Stamp Sets: You've Got This (Wood 139572, Clear 139575)
Paper: Cardstocks in Hello Honey, Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow, Watercolor paper 
Ink: StazOn Ink in Jet Black, classic stampin' pads in Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Textured Embossing Folder in Lovely Lace (133737), Punches in Decorative Label (120907) and Extra Large Oval (119859), Crystal Effects (101055), Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (133751), Aqua Painters (103954), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Metallic Baker's Twine in Gold (132975), Sequin Trim in Gold (132983), Paper Snips (103579)

Well, that is all for now. Have a wonderful week, everyone and thank you for stopping by.