Carrie Stamps

Springy Pop up Card

I fell in love with this "Springy Pop Up Card" that I saw demonstrated at convention, I am sorry I can not remember the genious demonstrator who shared it with us, did not take that great of notes, I was sitting there in awe!  hehe!

Here is one version I made with SOCK MONKEY! 

I used the Holiday Happenings Designer Paper that is part of the Level 3 hostess bundle. 

I like the way her hands and feet came out, I drew lines on them instead of coloring them and it kinda looks like corduroy.

Here is the inside of the card, the Springy Pop up part.

It is easy to do, using your 1 3/4" circle punch, punch out 2 or 3 circles and cut them into spirals, then you attach just the very ends to your card so that when the card opens it pulls the spiral apart.  Then you can attach your pop up images! 

We will be making a spiral pop up at my clubs this month, using the Flight of the Butterfly set. 

I wish I had time to type up better instructions for you.  I am off to make breakfast and get going for the day, I would like get to the store today, we will see if that is going to happen!

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Inspired by Nature Swap

HI!  Well, I am finding it somewhat of a challenge to sit down at the computer as much as I use to.  I have some stamping creations to share with you, it's just finding the time to type!  Both girls are asleep this morning and Mommy is up!  So, here is my chance! 

Thursday, of last week, was my Stampin' families group meeting.  We always do a cardswap and I always have to participate because my group always has GREAT swaps!  So, I managed to get some cards done!

This is it!  I really wanted to use my BIG SHOT, because it is the coolest, newest, funnest thing!  I used the Top Note, I did two layers, Confetti White and Chocolate Chip.  The edge of the top note has a cute perforated border.  I cut this off the Confetti White piece for perfect layer of Chocolate Chip to show all the way around!

I inked my flowers with sponge daubers and then spritzed it with water before stamping it, giving it a water colored effect. 

The Chocolate Taffeta ribbon, is so cute.  It is a little technique that Shelli showed us at convention.  All you do is frey the end of the ribbon and then pull one of the center strings to make it gather.  Just don't pull the string all the way out. 

The green flower is also die cut, from the Birds and Blooms sizzlits. The Baja Breeze button from the Button Bouquet is the perfect accent to my card! The background is stamped with the Sanded background.  This card uses the In Colors, Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss as well as my favorite classic ink - CHOCOLATE CHIP!   

I hope you are inspired to stamp now and with this totally cool set!  Samantha is awake now and wants me to color with her, I better do that before the baby wakes and needs fed!  Happy Times!  and Happy Stampin' to you!

Carrie

Inspired by Convention

This card was my make and take card at my catalog kick off open house.  I saw a card very similar demonstrated at convention with the Upsy Daisy set.  I did not have the set, but will be getting it while it is on sale, so I decided to try the card out with the AWESOME set we got at convention, Inspired by Nature. 

The flowers on this card are one large stamp.  They were inked with Pink Pirouquette and then I added Ridding Hood Red to the bottom of the flowers with a sponge dauber and Tangerine Tango to the tops also with a sponge dauber. So pretty.  I can not wait to play more with this fun set! 

Notice the Ridding Hood Red button as well, from our new Button Bouquet. I like it that one side is shinny and one side is matte, you can choose which look goes with the project you are creating. 

I know some of you are reluctant to embrase the new In Colors right away, I love how these three look together and I have to say I have been seeing all 6 of the In Colors everywhere, they are in and I know you are going to like them! 

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Bella Rose Tulipe DSP!

I saw this awesome idea at convention.  Alter and create your own Designer Paper with the Big Shot.  This piece orginially came from the Bella Rose collection.  I used the negative piece after cutting out the Tulipe Bigz Die as a template and stippled the design right on the paper.  I used a stipple brush and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink. 

Isn't it GORGEOUS!  I can not decide what to do with it.  It is so pretty, I have to stare at it a while longer before cutting it up! 

My downline Georgie said it would make a great scrapbook page!  Then you do not have to cut it up. 

At convention they also showed us how to use this same idea to create a template to stipple the design on your walls.  They used a plastic window sheet in that case, something more sturdy and washable. 

If you do not have a stipple brush, or for a different effect try this with a sponge!  I like the stipple brush it gives it a kind of airbrush feel. 

Okay, off to put in a load of laundry and STAMP while both girls are napping, Mommy got in a little nap too!  For all of you out there worrying about me! 

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Sock Monkey Goes to Convention

I have been wanting to share with you the Sock Monkey cards that I made for my convention swaps.  I did not realize until I was at convention that some people have issues with sock monkeys, like the whole clown thing, they freak them out!  Some of you reading this may feel this way, so I wont say anything about how weird that is, cause it is totally understandable how someone could be afraid of a stuffed animal made out of socks! Just teasing you all!  I think he is cute and am having fun with him.  So here is the first card I made for my swaps, Sock Monkey Baby Boy Card:

Here is the Recipe:

Stamps: Sock Monkey, Spunky Spots Jumbo Wheel, Holidays and Wishes

Ink: Bashful Blue, Creamy Caramel, So Saffron, Basic Black

Paper: Same as above and Whipser White (no Basic Black CS)

Accessoires: Stipped Bashful Blue Grosgrain

For my actual Convention swaps I used the Polka Dot background, since I found out that the Spunky Spots Wheel was retired.  It was equally as cute. 

Now for my favorite convention swap, Sock Monky goes to the Ball Game!

I can not recall how this idea came to me, but I do sing the "Take me out the the ball game" song to my daughter.  (She likes me to sing to her at bed time.)  So, I printed the song out, as a background element, using my Write me a Memory CD.  Love how this card turned out.  So, is he growing on you yet?

Here is the Recipe:

Stamps: Sock Monkey

Ink: Ruby Red, Bordering Blue, Close to Cocoa and Basic Black

Paper: Same as above and Whisper White CS, no Basic Black CS

Accessories: Word Window and 1/2" circle punches, White Gel Pen, Write me a memory CD II, sponge and dimensional. 

Thanks for stopping by, I have a few more things to share with you in the coming days, now that things are settling down at home and I will be getting back into a routine.  But, I have to say, Little girls are a little piece of heaven...

Wouldn't you agree!

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Hannah is Here

No, I did not fall off the face of the earth, just gave birth!  Falling off the face of the earth might be more fun, but you would not get this in the end....

This is my little peanut!

Hannah Lilly Rhoades

Born on Saturday, 8-9-08

5lbs 12oz and 18 1/2 inches (now you know why she is our little peanut!)

Saturday evening around 6:30 I felt my first contraction.  At 7:15pm the intensity was picking up and they were 4 minutes apart.  It was time to go to the hospital.  We got our stuff together, Grandma arrived to take care of Samantha and we left. My hubby was a great driver, and we checked in at 8:08pm.  At 9:44pm, Hannah arrived.  I did get an epidural, it started taking effect after she arrived!  The doctor did not make it in time, they had to grab a Dr. from the HALLWAY!  This labor was the polar opposite from my first (27 hrs), it was like a frieght train hit my body and then 2 pushes and it was over and the pain was gone!  And I had my little Hannah in my arms! 

So, all is well, we are home and settling in well.  I am aching to stamp and crank out some cool things with my Big Shot!  I think I will start with Baby announcements!  So, watch out for future stamping posts from me! 

Carrie

BIG SHOT CARD!

Got my new SU Big Shot last night!  FUN!  I have been busy, getting ready for my Catalog Open house!  It is tonight, so I had to make a few samples with my Big Shot.  Here is a card I made with the Birds and Blooms Sizzlits!

The card base is Kiwi Kiss, fun new In Color!

The DSP, is Bella Rose, I love it so much I might name my daughter after it!  Hehe! 

The Die Cut images are all from the Birds and Blooms Sizzlits.  The colors I used are Kiwi Kiss and Blush Blossom. Don't they look good together.  When I was playing with it on the kitchen table (I was so anxious to use it, it did not even make it to the stamp room) I asked my 3 year old to got get Mamma a scrap of paper, she knows right where to go.  And she brought me Blush Blossom.  Later, I wanted more birds and flowers so I grabbed Kiwi Kiss not even thinking about putting the two together, but I love how they look.  All edges are sponged with chocolate chip, seriously my favorite color EVER!  And I used the new stamp set; Heard from the Heart.  I feel like this set should have a cute little cow in it!  So, there is my Love bird card.  I can not wait to make more things with my BIG SHOT!  It's my new friend.  I am still in a state of disbeilf that it is actually mine and brought to you by Stampin' Up!  They so totally rock. Well, I have lots to do for the fun event tonight.  Not sure when I will post again, I am pretty sure that I am going to have this baby SOON!  Say your prayers for me! 

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

My Favorite Things from Convention!

Good Morning!  I just got back from Convention LATE last night!  But had to share all my crazy fun with you.  First of all I guess that I should tell you that I did not give birth, baby is still cookin'!  Phew!  Even though I had to take it easier than usual I did have a blast and thought I could share a little bit of that with you through some pictures.

The first night of convention we had a shoe box swap with my Stampadelicious Family, it was great fun.  There were 30 cards that we got to stamp.  It was great fun to hang out with the group!  We had prizes and recognition as well. Here is the card I created for the event.

This year's convention theme was "Celebrate".  This is the HUGE stage decore.  I was just so excited to be there, our General session each day is for sure one of my favorite things about convention.  Loud music, swapping, SHELLY, lots of surpises unvailed, demonstrations and so much more! 

 

Meeting new people is also a favorite of mine at convention.  This is one of my blog reader's husband!  Laura W this one is for you.  Laura, like me is due any day and was hoping and praying that baby would wait till after convention for her arrival.  Because her husband works for Stampin' Up! as a photographer.  Of course you can not miss him, as he is the most fun, entergetic and crazy cool guy!  We were able to meet and last I heard Laura made it through convention!  ALSO, as a side note, their first daughter is on the cover of the current Spring/Summer Catalog, so take a peek at that before you self it for your new one, she is super cute. 

 

Here is the SU! choir, singing the convention theme song.  I always love to hear the theme song each year!  The choir did a great job, especially my favorite, Jaron, in the white  shirt.  He has a great personality, funny, witty,cute, good singer and a great stamper!  It's always a highlight to watch his demonstration.

 

PRIZES!  Here my friend Britiney won a cool pirze.  New Background paper, a scallop punch and a new stamp set!  Several gals from my group won prizes and SO DID I!!!  FUN stuff!  Britiney was my partner in crime this week.  We drove down and back together and we stayed together at her Aunt's house.  She was a big help to me and definatley one of my favorite people! 

 

 
These are a few of the gals from out group getting recognized for an achievement, in this case, they are being recognized for their 5 year anniversary with Stampin' Up!  Yeah, Cheryl, Traci and Pat!

 

     Even I enjoyed the spotlight!  Here I am with Margo and Linda, marching across the stage in recognition of our annual sales.  I was unable to make the march for Hawaii acheivers, as I had to rest with my feet up this trip, so I was glad to march one time at least.

AND, I totally loved the main stage demonstrations!  This particular one was done by Jill Kocherhans on Phase II  of the Decore Elements.  They are so cool.  There will be new images and in SU! exclusive colors!  You can see the Big Flowers on the wall behind her.  How fun in different colors, you can layer them on top of each other for more depth and contrast!  I really loved her demonstration, as she showed us other ways to use the decore elements besides on walls to create your own home decore for the holidays!   Super job and one of my favorites! 

 

Seriously, I had to share this with you.  THE CUPCAKES!  The first day the served us these cupcakes at lunch.  MERCY, they were so yummy!  The best frosting and moist cupcake!  AND the 20 year logo piece is CHOCOLATE!  I know... how can you go wrong with Stamping and Chocolate, you just can't !

 

This picture did not turn out so great, but I had to post it, because one of my favorite things about convention is hangin' out with my girls!  Here is some of our group on the stairs to the Main Stage. It also makes me miss the ones that could not be there, so a shout out to you and a reminder to start saving now so we can go together next year!  Thanks to all who did go for contributing to the fun! 

 

There are several other things I loved that I do not have pictures of....

Ronald McDonald was there and received a check from SU! that was around $126,000.00. It was SU!'s donation for the year with last quarters's sales on the Ronald McDonald stamp set sales.  BTW - the new Ronald McDonald set is awesome and will do a lot of good this year for the Ronald McDonald house charity! 

The UPS man was there and brought a new stamp set for all of us, the Ronald McDonald house set!  We went crazy when he came out, they really have no idea how much we love our men and women in BROWN!  And even more so knowing that they purchased the Ronald McDonald house set for each demonstrator at convention. 

The annual SU! game show, super fun! 

Seeing some of my own cards on display for all to see.

The make and take projects! 

The Stampin' Up! merchandise, like the designer series project tote! 

The Heart of Stampin' Up! Award, major tear jerker! 

So much fun.  But my number one favorite thing......Shelly's Big Reveal......

Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix to bring us the Stampin' Up Big Shot, our very own DIE CUT Machine! 

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is exactly what we have all be waiting for!  I can not tell you all how cool this is!  I am DIEing to show you all the cool things it can make and do.  You will totally love it.  And you will be able to get your hands on it soon, September 2nd!  So, mark your calendar. In the mean time I will be showing you SU!'s exclusive dies and some of the fun things you can make!    I can not wait! 

I am sure I could go on and on, it was a GREAT time!  The best Stamping Event on the planet! 

Happy Stampin'

I am off to rest! 

Carrie