100

Remember this card?

I made it as a swap for the Henderson, NV Regionals earlier this year.

I had a few extras and took them with me to a local craft bazaar.

A girlfriend took one to her supervisor.

The supervisor liked it.

And ordered 100!

I'm really happy! And have just started to wonder if I'm not just a little bit crazy!!

A Birthday Invitation

My daughter recently celebrated her birthday.  Unfortunately, due to the timing of her birthday and school starting, we have with her friends a little bit later. 

Here is a quick invitation I created for her to hand out to her friends (blurring used since I don't want everybody showing up at her party).

Paper:  Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White
Ink:  My Printer Ink!!
Accessories:  My Digital Studio (MDS), Cupcake Builder Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and Dazzling Details.

No Stamp Card!!

As much as I love stamping, sometimes I just want something else...something different. 

I've had the Flower Garden embossing folder for a little while now, but it's been sitting in the cellophane waiting for me to apply it to paper.  And honestly, I've been feeling a little guilty for not using it.  I've pulled it out many times, intent to use it and show off what it can do...but I've never been able to make my ideas come to paper and there it would sit. 

Until now.  I embossed a piece of Whisper White cardstock and took my Blender Pens to my ink pads and set to work on inking up the dry embossed image.

Paper: Pear Pizzaz, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Whisper White
Ink:  Pear Pizzaz, Poppy Parade and Peach Parfait
Accessories:  Flower Garden Embossing Folder and Scallop Trim Border Punch

Hope you enjoy!

A Thank You Nugget

I love these nugget boxes.  You can make them simple, or you can make them very elaborate. 

And of course, they hold a great surprise inside!!

Chocolate!!

This one here I made out of Melon Mambo and embossed the cover with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  I wrapped the chocolates in Daffodil Delight strips and covered that with a stamped mail label.  This stamp set is so versatile - good for many of the holidays, and even "just because". 

Hope you enjoy!!

Congrats

Just because I don't seem to have enough cards in my stash that say "congratulations", or much for a man...

I found a "new to me" blog for sketches...www.cardpatterns.blogspot.com.  I used their current sketch (sketch132) for inspiration.  Hope you enjoy!

Stamps:  Congrats (retired)
Ink:  Basic Black
Paper:  Pocketful of Posies DSP, Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Soft Suede, and Whisper White
Accessories: Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon

Get Well Soon!!

A co-worker's granddaughter fell off a swing and fractured her wrist the afternoon of her first day of kindergarten. 

How heart-breaking!! 

I remember my little girl on her first day of kindergarten - she wanted to wear a pony tail because everyone said she looked "so big" with a pony tail compared to her pig tails.  I remember how excited she was before school started - her "pack pack" with her brand new box of crayons, a notebook, and a zippered pouch with a few pencils and an eraser; her Unicorn lunch box with a note from me; her contagious excitement and giddy chatter about all of the new friends she was going to make and how she couldn't wait to show her teacher that she could write her whole name!  I can't imagine her excitement being cut short because of a broken bone or having her miss something she had been looking forward to for so long.

So I made my co-worker a card to send to her dear grandbaby, and threw in a Build-A-Bear Color-Me Card Kit.  I used a card sketch from clean@simple (FTL156) to help with the layout.

Hope she gets well soon!

Stamps:  Wellness Wishes
Ink:  Basic Black, Blush Blossom
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Peach Parfait, Old Olive, Whisper White and Big Top Birthday DSP
Accessories: Real Red Satin Ribbon, 3/16" Corner Punch

My Henderson Swaps

These are the swaps that I took with me to the Henderson, NV Regional.
I did learn one thing while I was there:  ALWAYS PUT YOUR INFORMATION ON THE BACK!!!  *sigh*

Next time...

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Basig Cray, Rose Red
Paper:  Rose Red, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Old Oliver
Accessories:  Island Floral Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon

Stamps: Wicked Cool, Bring on the Bats Wheel

Ink:  Basic Black, Old Olive, Whisper White

Paper:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive

Accessories:  2 1/2" Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Basic Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Spider Web Embossing Folder

It's The Birthday Month!!

My daughter's birthday is in September, my friend's birthday is in September, MY birthday is in September, and just for kicks, all of my favorite shows come back on in September!!!

So...in honor of Super Spectacular September, I am giving 10% off all Stampin' Up! orders over $50.00 (before any tax or shipping costs) placed through me (which means you need to contact me directly, give me your order and I will submit it for you with your discounted payment). I must receive your order by 7:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Friday, September 30th, 2011, in order for your 10% to be received!!

Also - The New Holiday Mini goes LIVE today!! There are so many wonderfully exciting new things in the mini that I am sooo excited to use! Contact me today to place your order at ambercerda at hotmail dot com to make the most out of this offer!

Card Details:
Stamps:  Bring on the Cake, Take a Spin
Ink:  Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Real Red, Peach Parfait and Tempting Turquoise
Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Old Olive and Whisper White and Big Top Birthday DSP
Accessories:  Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon, Stripes Embossing Folder, Game Spinner Hands and Mini Brads (I love those things!!)

End of August Already?!?! How Can That Be??

I cannot believe that a whole month has passed since I last posted!!

I can tell you that I have been SUPER busy!

In August we participated in two car shows.  At the Imperials Car Show in Hawaiian Gardens, we took home 3rd place in our division (1960 - 1969 Convertible, Mild).  At the second one, the Merced Custom Auto Show, we took home FIRST PLACE!!  (I knew those Zenith rims would put us over!!)

Having a car and entering it into car shows is quite a task!  Not only do we have to maintain it, but we are constantly having to keep up with the competition, but we still want to keep the car in "classic" condition.  Which basically means, no crazy bells and whistles, just "clean".  Yes, we have some upgrades, and not everything is original, but we try hard to keep the car easy on the eyes.  Plus, we love to hear the older generations walk by and tell us their stories of their experiences in cars like ours:  summer days riding "stacked" with friends (think dog pile!), dad teaching someone how to drive, uncle going off to war, kissing your future wife for the first time...we hear them and love them all!  It makes the long days of the show go by quickly and we always meet a ton of people, some familiar from previous shows, and some new ones we can't wait to meet again!

The kids also started back to school this month!  One is in elementary, and the other just started jr. high!  I can't believe how fast time flies!  (My jr. high kid has a birthday tomorrow, as a matter of fact!  *sniff* *sniff*)  Getting them ready by taking them shopping, filling out forms and doctor appointments really seemed to make the weeks hectic!

And last, but definitely not least...drum roll please!  I went to the Stampin' Up! Regional Event in Henderson, NV!!!

Talk about A-MAZ-ING! 

I went alone...very nervous and extremely anxious.  What would it be like?  Would anyone say anything negative about the swaps that I brought?  Who would I sit next to?  I walked into the hall feeling like the new girl coming into the middle of the cafeteria mid-semester...and I left feeling like a senior leaving all her friends behind!

I was incredibly inspired by everything that I saw:  all the swaps, all the demonstrations, the "classes", and the women that I met!  It didn't take long for me to meet Cynthia and Tonda (Hi Ladies!!) who kept me company all day.  And I got to put a face to an e-mail address (Hi Julie!) and many others that were so friendly and kind.  I felt like I was surrounded by sisters - and I was!  There was a trio that sat next to me: two sisters and a mother!  But really, I found that we all had more than just Stampin' Up! as a common bond.  Some of us shared our health concerns and hugged and prayed for and congratulated eachother on the current phases we are in.  Some of us shared the issues we have with our loved ones; whether it be a death, an illness, or just something that they did that made us smile.  Some shared their fears, their dreams, and some of us just shared a bone folder or our paper snips.  Regardless, we all had a line that connected us...and it was so nice to experience that.  Now, I cannot wait to go to Convention!!

Come back soon!!  I have a great deal for September!!

Happy Birthday!

Two friends recently celebrated their birthdays...the good thing is that they are actually Birthday Twins (just a couple years apart!!)...which makes things easy for me, sometimes...

I decided to pull out a new stamp set and punch for their cards, and then sat there...inspiration lost.  About two nights before the big day I finally was able to muster some imagination...and whipped this one out.

Stamps:  Bring on the Cake

Paper:  Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, and Just Add Cake DSP

Ink: Early Espresso, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzaz, Baja Breeze, and Blushing Bride

Accessories: Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Mini Brads

Reinkers!! (aka Stampin' Ink Refills)

Sometimes I have the best intentions.

Sometimes I am unprepared for my intentions (like tonight).

I am working on a project that I've had on my "to do" list for a few months.  It requires two different types of ribbon of the same color, and some patience.

So, I pulled out my notes, my scissors, liquid adhesive, satin ribbon, and discovered that (duhn duhn dun duuuhnnnnnnn - creapy music here) I don't have matching grosgrain ribbon!!

NOW WHAT?!?!?!?!

Well, we MacGyver it and make some out of Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon and a matching color reinker!!

THAT'S WHAT!!!!

Hee hee...and to think, I almost had to push this project back again until I ordered more ribbon!!

(I promise to post pictures of my project once the ink dries and I get it all put together!!)

Happy Crafting!

Mojo Monday 196

Finally!!!

I have my blog back - looking semi-normal, and I've changed the background and my header with Stampin'Up's! MDS.  Not bad,for a weekend.

I also got to play along with this week's Mojo Monday.  It's been a little while, but with the easy layout they had this week, I couldn't pass it up.

This first card is a quick masculine birthday card. 

Ink: Basic Black
Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Paper: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Pacific Point, Whisper White
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Brads, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I had so much fun with this card that I put together two more - baby cards.

Ink:  Basic Black, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink/Bashful Blue, Real Red

Stamps: Baby Bundle

Paper: Bashful Blue/Pretty in Pink CS and DSP, So Saffron, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Scissors Plus, Decorative Label, Build a Brad, So Saffron Ribbon 

Hope you enjoy!

Still Working On It!

Well, I got the sidebars back to the side, where they should have been in the FIRST place!!!  Took me about 2 hours last night, and about 2 more hours tonight!

Tomorrow, with the right planning.  I'm hoping to get my sidebar info back up.  And this weekend I will be working with my MDS updates to get my blog decorated.

Ugh...can't wait!

Oh, AND...I finally got a camera!!!!  Too excited!!  I've been wanting one for so long and cannot wait to begin to put it to use!!

See you soon!

Frustrating!!!

I am working on whatever is causing my blog to look so crazy!! If you have any thoughts on how to fix it, aside from smashing my computer - let me know!!

Celebrate Life - MOJO 190

Kathy's father has passed.

She has been caring for her parents for some time now and has handled the transition of cared for to caregiver with an unfathomable amount of grace and courage.

I can only hope that I can handle the same transition with half the grace she did. I made a card using Mojo Monday's sketch. I hope she finds some comfort.

Stamps: Word Play

Paper: Perfect Plum CS and DSP, Marina Mist, Whisper White

Ink: Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, Basic Black

Accessories: White Satin Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Shimmer Paint Frost White, Color Spritzer Tool

National Scrapbook Month Promo!!

Let it be known that I am NOT a very good scrapbooker. (*cringe!*)

I've tried and tried, but I have never been able to get, what I feel, a good final product. But this coming month, I'm going to give it a shot! May is, after all, National Scrapbooking Month!!


In order to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month, Stampin'Up! is having a great promotion! Click HERE to see their offers! My favorite offer is definitely the Word Play offer.
This stamp normally sells for $41.95 (wood)/$28.95 (clear-mount) and this month only is being offered for $29.37 (wood)/$20.27 (clear-mount).

And the best part??? They started the promo early! So you can go and grab your stamps today to be ready for next weekend!

Imagine, Create, and Make Someone Smile - even if it's yourself!

Stamping 411 - Color Challenge

When I first saw the colors for this challenge, I was not sure it was going to work. But once I started to put things together, it is quite beautiful.
Ink: Night of Navy and Basic Black Stamps: Medallion, Short & Sweet Paper: Night of Navy, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, and Whisper White Accessories: Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, and Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon

Mojo Monday 183 and Stampin Diva 02

This week's challenge really caught my attention. I had some cards to make on request and with a little searching, I found a color challenge on Stampin Diva that helped bring it all together.
Ink: Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Always Artichoke, and Basic Black Stamps: For All You Do Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, and Always Artichoke Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Basic Pearls, Designer Label Punch, 1" Circle Punch

For A Baby Shower

A quick card for a friend to take to a baby shower.
Ink: Basic Black and So Saffron, Pink Pirouette Watercolor Wonder Crayons Stamps: Baby Bundle and Something To Celebrate Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette and So Saffron Accessories: Pink Pirouette Striped Ribbon (retired)

Always...

I am planning to participate in a Valentine Bazaar - hence the flurry of Valentine-related cards. Plus, they make me happy. Lots of good colors and hearts, they all remind me of love, of hope, dreams of the future.

Lately, Always Elegant has been my "go to" set. I think it can stand up to almost anything, and it's so easy to make just about anything look great.



I know...not the best picture. After the Bazaar I will take some time out to make a light box, and one day I will invest in a camera rather than resorting to the one on my phone. One day.

Stamps: Always Elegant
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Pretty In Pink Satin Ribbon, 1 3/4 x 7/8 Oval Punch, and Scallop Oval Punch

Be My Valentine Owls

I'm still working with the new Two-Step Owl Punch. I've seen some really cute projects using it - so here is my attempt.



Stamps: Filled With Love
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Love Patterns DSP, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Two-Step Owl Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, 1 inch Circle Punch, Pink Pirouette Striped Ribbon (retired)

Love U

Here is a card that I created using the Filled with Love bundle that was recently offered by Stampin'Up!


Stamps: Filled With Love
Paper: Love Patterns DSP, Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray
Ink:
Accessories: Bitty Buttons

Glitter Hearts

There is something about glitter that makes me happy. Bright and shiny, little remnants left on everything near...okay, maybe cleaning up glitter isn't fun but it sure does look sparkly and nice!



Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Pink Pirouette
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: 2 Way Glue Pen, Stampendous Pink Ultra Fine Glitter, Stampendous Apple Red Ultra Fine Glitter, Scor-Pal

Simple Love

You know how sometimes the simplest things in life make all the difference in the world?

That's how I feel about this card.




Stamps: Wonderful Words
Ink: Versa Mark
Paper: Real Red
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Online Ordering Now Available!!

At least from me anyway!!

Yes, I am back!! You can now order your paper crafting supplies directly through me by clicking on the scalloped circle at the top right of this page!!

Very excited about this new opportunity and some upcoming adventures!!

Don't forget that the Occassions Mini Catalog is now out and ready for you to check it out (to the right!). There are some great things in this new catalog that I am super excited about, can't wait to get my hands on them. The Occassions Mini is good starting January 4th through April 30th, so get your hands on your favorite stuff NOW!!