It Must Have Been The Heat At The Festival

All went well at the Bucksport Bay Festival.  One of the things I forgot to do, however, was take photos!!  It must have been the heat....Ok, I just plain forgot.  It was a crazy day.  When we first went down to set things up, it was raining out.  Later in the day it was so hot! I don't know how people were walking around in the sun.  I heard the tours on the ship were extremely hot too.  I am not sure I would stand in line for 30 minutes in the heat to walk on an even hotter ship.

I got to see lots of kids at my booth.  One little girl was extremely creative.  She wanted her bear to be a hobo bear.  She tore the pants and shirt.  Then the used the torn part of the shirt to make patches on the pants.  She did not put any shoes on him "because homeless bears don't have shoes". Hahaha she was priceless. Her mother was a wonderful lady who scrapbooks.  The mom  has scrapbooks of all three girls and is only a few months behind of their lives. (I know I can't believe it either-I only have a few pages of each kid done)  The mom told me how her mother had died when she was very little, so she has scrapped every part of her own daughters' lives to show them how much they are loved in case anything ever happened to her.  I almost started crying when she was telling me the story.

Besides the heat, everything was wonderful.  I got to meet some new people and catch up with others that I had not seen for while.

Until next time,

My "My Digital Studio" Class with Ellen Kemper/Bay Festival

Once again I have taken an online class with VC Rocks.  I have taken two classes using My Digital Studio with Ellen Kemper.  Her basic class had covered items I didn't know about....(big surprise there).

Then she had a second class and this time I wrote things down!!! Immediately I went to play since half the time, when I read my notes later, I don't remember what the heck they mean.  So here is what I played with.

Nothing overly fancy, but I used the alignment keys, punch options and filling them with photos. etc.  In the middle of practicing my daughter came along and wanted to know why I wasn't using a photo of her.  So of course I changed the photo I was using, then the paper I was using, blah, blah, blah.  Anything to keep her from talking when I am trying to concentrate.  (Too bad DHS frowns upon duct tape--just kidding-but I swear the only time she is quiet is when she is sleeping!)

If you come to the Bucksport Bay Festival today, I's sure she'll talk your ear off.  I will be just to the side of the Fort Knox Park Inn-the right hand side if you are standing on Main St. facing the hotel.

Until next time,

Visitor

I didn't get to post about this little guy earlier this month when he actually came to visit us.  I was sitting in the garage with the doors open, trying to do my homework.  My daughter was riding her bike in our yard. 

Something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention.  When I looked over at my lilac tree something under it was looking back at me LOL.  I followed him around the house until I could get a picture of him.  What doesn't show in the photo was how hard he was breathing.  I really think this was one of those times "it was more scared of me, than I was of it!" 

I'm not really sure where he came from or where he went after his photo shoot.  A block away there is a stream, so once in awhile we do get a wild animal in our yard.  Most times though I don't have my camera with me.  We have had a doe one time and a baby deer young enough it still had it's spots.  Too bad I didn't have my camera outside on those days.  Oh well....

Until next time,

Only A Few Days Left -$99 Special With Free Gift

Here is Shelli showing some wonderful items you receive when becoming a Stampin Up demonstrator.  Doesn't that keepsake box look adorable??  You can be a hobby demo and work a little, or make Stampin Up a full time business.  It's all up to you.  Wouldn't you love to join me and the Stampin Up family today?  Contact me and I can help you get started.

Until next time,

 

Here is the last of the sympathy cards for awhile.  I absolutely love the stamp Sail Away.  This card is a clean and simple card-but it took me the longest to make.  I think I had 5 or 6 attempts to get it right.  Being so clean and simple, the smallest mistake would show.  I made 4 cards in the time it took me to make this one card.  Oh well.  I know the family receiving this card will cherish it for a long time.

I used the oval from the Oval Scallop Frame & Big Shot for a reverse masking technique. I sponged the background on, colored in the boat with a black marker and stamped the sail on a scrap piece of Whisper White card stock and raised it with dimensionals.  Stamped a verse on it and there you have it.

Until next time,

Eggplant Sympathy Card

Here is the second sympathy card I have.  I used the retired set.  I stamped the flower with white craft ink and embossed it with white embossing powder.  Then stamped twice with the craft ink to give a more dimensional look.

A few pearls in the corner,  1/4" white grosgrain ribbon, and the sentiment was stamped and punched with the decorative label punch and popped up on dimensionals.

Until next time,

Only One Week Left to Join My Team

$99 Starter Kit + Free Project Kit! During July, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $99! This limited time Starter Kit—valued at $185—comes with the following high-quality products: Easy Events Clear-Mount Set* Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set* Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper* Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon* Note Cards (20) Clear-Mount Block C Blender Pen (1) SNAIL Adhesive Business supplies *Brand new to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog! Plus, join in July and get a FREE Christmas Keepsake project kit—a $40 value! Imagine an afternoon spent chatting with friends while creating something beautiful—isn't that what Stampin' Up! is all about? But act now because this special kit is only available as part of this limited-time offer. Join Stampin' Up! in July and get brand-new products, including an exclusive project kit—all for just $99! Contact me to get started today. There is over $100 worth of  stamping supplies alone.  Also, you get a 20% discount on all your stamping supplies from this point forward.  So who is going to be first downline?  Is it going to be you? Until next time,

Bucksport Bay Festival-July 30th, 2011 Come See Me!

This weekend is the Bucksport Bay Festival.  It starts Friday night and ends on Sunday afternoon.  Saturday is the big day with the parade, pancake breakfast, pie eating contests, live music, etc.  I will have a tent featuring Stampin Up.

I will have Build A Bear puppets for the kids to make ($1 each), free make and takes for the parents. You can sign up to win Stampin Up Products (stamp set, designer series paper, die but boxes and tags, ribbons, buttons, brads etc. and a 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog) and a free workshop for you and your friends.  There will also be craft items for sale as well.

Come see me and my wonderful helpers Gail and Kellie.

Sail Away Sympathy Card

Here is another mirror image card.  I unfortunately needed a sympathy card. I made it to be a night time card with a white gel pen stars.  The verse on the inside reads:

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down on us to let us know they are happy.

close up of mirror image

I will be showing symapthy cards for the next few days since I knew the entire family.  Their loss will effect many people.  Their Dad was a wonderful man.  He was a positive roll model in the lives of many people.  I hope the family remembers that and celebrates a great man's life.

Until next time,

Mirror Images with Elizabeth Kratzer

Once again I am going to brag about my awesome group VC Rocks. Since it is a Virtual Convention, not only are there swaps, but also classes.  Elizabeth Kratzer taught Mirror Images the other day.  She did an awesome job and made it so simple to make beautiful cards.  I needed a masculine card so I went to my favorite retired stamp set Serengeti.

Elizabeth taught us to use the stamp-a-ma-jig to make a reflection of an animal.  So I stamped the lion on Whisper White and sponged all the colors on. Hopefully, the man it is going to will like it.

Until next time,

Stampin Up Convention 2012

Who wants to go?  I know I do. All the fun, friends, sneak peaks, make & takes.  It's like a massive playground for stampers.  Who wouldn't want to go???

If you want to have fun all week long and save on your hotel room click here.  This if offered thru LateNightStampers; an awesome group of Stampin Up stampers/demos. 

LNS pre-Convention event Bundle for 2012

includes

2 wow events (monday and saturday night)

monday stamp camp  8 great projects

3 shoe box swaps

midnight madness (for crazy people who like to stamp the night away!)

and the LNS 75+1 Card front  Swap with Pizza

Reunion Party included Only for the FIRST 35 members who sign up

(1 reunion party 2 projects, games and snacks will be included in your bundle!)

BUNDLE PRICE SAVINGS 

$185 if you register before July 2011 a savings of $50

$190 if you register before October 2011 a savings of $45

$200 if you register before January 2012  a savings of $35

$220 after Jan 1, 2012  a savings of $15

Bundles make our book keeping easier and that is why you save so much more! Thanks for making it more fun for us.

Single events will not be sold until after April 1, 2012

When you purchase this event you will be given the password to reserve your Radisson sleeping room early for 2012. 

One Discounted Room reservation per participant PLEASE.

The room rate is $121 per night  which will save you $140 if you stay with us for 5 nights.

you will also continue to receive a FREE box breakfast each morning

(muffin, fruit and yogurt.) ***info copied from link

Doesn't it sound like great fun?!?!?!  It does to me.

Until next time,

Build A Bear

I don't have too much to post.  I have been cutting out Build A Bears for the Bucksport Bay Festival.  Now I need to cut 210 outfits for them. Many shades of brown and multiple colors.  I really hope the children enjoy making their own Build A Bear.

Until next time,

Uncle Sam

Here is a simple scrapbook page.  I had made it for the Fourth of July.  I figured I would put photos from the fireworks.  Well, one place canceled the fireworks due to fog and we didn't make it to the other spot.  The joys of being some what coastal.  Oh well.

This was so simple it only used 3 punches and scrap paper.  The bird punch was used for almost everything. The bird body is the mustache. The wing made the eye brows and nose.  The eyes were punched from 1/4" punch and a small star was punched from Real Red glitter paper.  I love this paper from Stampin Up!  The glitter does not fall off.

I was inspired by this page I saw last year.  I have made this little man face into a Santa face as well.  My friend Gail had an idea of stamping clock pieces near him and changing the hat, it could be a Father Time.  Hmmm, that's something to think about.  Of course, I don't know what to do with this page exactly.  I guess I will keep it blank to see if my son decides to go into the service or not.


Later this week I will be getting ready for the Bay Festival.  I am hoping lots of  people will stop by on July 30th.

Until next time,

Join Stampin Up and Receive a Special Gift

$99 Starter Kit + Free Project Kit! During July, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $99! This limited time Starter Kit—valued at $185—comes with the following high-quality products: Easy Events Clear-Mount Set* Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set* Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper* Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon* Note Cards (20) Clear-Mount Block C Blender Pen (1) SNAIL Adhesive Business supplies *Brand new to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog! Plus, join in July and get a FREE Christmas Keepsake project kit—a $40 value! Imagine an afternoon spent chatting with friends while creating something beautiful—isn't that what Stampin' Up! is all about? But act now because this special kit is only available as part of this limited-time offer. Join Stampin' Up! in July and get brand-new products, including an exclusive project kit—all for just $99! Contact me to get started today. There is over $100 worth of  stamping supplies alone.  Also, you get a 20% discount on all your stamping supplies from this point forward.  So who is going to be first downline?  Is it going to be you? Until next time,

Sail Away Into The Summer Mini Catalog!

Can you believe the Summer Mini Catalog is HALF over??? Neither can I!  Here is a favorite stamp set of mine.  Living on the coast of Maine, this stamp set is perfect for anyone!  It is called Sail Away.  At times, I would love to sail away into the sunset.

On this card I used the Naturals Ivory for the main part of the card. I stamped the image on Crumb Cake and layered it on Real Red.  I also stamped the sail on Whisper White, the boat on Real Red (sorry my maritime friends I know it has a special name, but I can't remember it for the life of me) and cut them out and raised them with dimensionals. It is all tied nicely with Not Quite Navy 1 1/4" ribbon.  Three silver brads were added to the side.

On the inside of the card I stamped the verse from Word Play.  Also, I stamped the Earth a second time on scrap cardstock, colored it with a Bashful Blue marker, and used a small circle punch. Then raised it with dimensionals. 

I love this set so much, all the men in my family have received this card for either for Father's Day, birthdays, get well, etc.  I am thinking of switching up some colors for the female sailors in my life.

So get this cute stamp before August 31 or it will be too late!

Until next time,

VC Rocks Blog Hop 3, 2011 Antyhing But A Card

Here we go, hoppin' again!  I hope you hopped over here from Marisol's blog. Did she have such great ideas. Or if you hopped on my page first, you can get a complete list of all the participants here.

This month's blog hop is anything but a card.  One of my all time favorite categories ever!  I actually have two items for you today.  One is all about me!  Awhile back on the internet I found a few sites that people had made custom covers for their iPhone.  We for my phone (not an iPhone), I had gone thru a couple covers and breaking them when I had dropped my phone.  Don't worry my phone was fine, the covers-not so much....So I just gave up and stopped buying covers.  Until...so I had to search online for a clear cover, because the mall didn't have one.

I took out the cardboard insert that came with the cover and traced it on to Whisper White card stock.  Next, I got out my Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise and  Wild Wasabi stamp pads along with the set Flower Fest.  My name is a custom stamp I had made a long time ago before I knew about Stampin Up.  Maybe it is time for me to get a new one from Stampin Up.  Did you know they could make custom name stamps as well?

My second idea that is a SUPER SIMPLE idea that could be added to a spa gift  basket that you made yourself of course. (Hmm... maybe I need to make some bath salts in jars and decor elements)  I bought emery boards from the big department store.  Make sure they are brand that doesn't have the name stamped on them already.  I used the small solid flower from Just Believe.  I used the same inks as I did on my phone cover and randomly stamped the tan side of the emery boards. Be careful not to touch the ink right away.  It takes just a minute or two longer than it does on cardstock.  Don't you think they would make such a cute gift for someone, like the secretary, who keeps the school running smoothly?

Now, hop on over to Jane's blog, where she will have even more idea of what you can make with Stampin Up products besides a card.

Until next time,

No Hands... Oh My!

Do you know how hard it is for me to "talk" without my hands??  Anyone who has ever met me in person knows I cannot talk without my hands.  There have been times I have said complete sentences with only an Ummm (or  some other sound) here and there mixed in with so many hand gestures the person knew what I was asking for!

Tonight I have been trying to communicate via email with a wonderful lady trying to describe how I would like her to design my blog for me.  That is REALLY HARD when you can't point, draw pictures in the air or make grunty noises.  And then, I like to ramble....(yeah that's hard for you to guess I'm sure).

Anyway, hopefully it will all turn out ok in the end.

Make sure to come back this weekend.  There is going to be another VCRocks Blog Hop.  The theme is Anything But A Card (my favorite)

Until next time,

Gift Certificates

Here is a gift certificate I designed using My Digital Studio by Stampin' Up.  The cover this years Idea Book and Catalog has such beautiful colors on it, so tried to pick colors that matched it.

So if you know anyone who has a birthday or any type of special event coming up and you don't know what to get them; a Stampin Up Gift Certificate, in any amount, always fits! Contact me to get one (or two or a dozen LOL) today stampinstace@gmail.com or 207-659-0412.

Until next time,

Happy Fourth of July

Here is a card I made for the June stamp club using the stamp my dear friend/customer had ordered earlier from me.  Don't you just love friends that you have known since you were little, and at the last minute you can just say "Hey, I'm using your stamp for our club" even before they get to see it in person, let alone use it?  I know I do, thanks again Kellie, you're the best!
So I think I have to order Land of the Free from the Summer Mini Catalog before it ends August 31.  Or maybe I will just keep borrowing Kellie's.

We used Real Red and Night of Navy card stock and markers.  Night of Navy ribbon.  We punched Whisper White stars with the star punch that retired.  I will miss that punch, I don't own many 4th of July stamps (obviously) and I use it every year for celebrating Independence Day.  We also used the now retired star brads.  We also used the Big Shot and the Square Lattice embossing folder.  Everyone loves this technique.

I hope you have a fun and safe 4th of July!

Until next time,

Zero Calorie Birthday Cake!

Here is a card I made trying to use up some old card stock and the new hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes.  The birthday cake is actually a battery operated tealight.  Zero calories!! (My kind of cake-too bad it didn't have a thick layer of dark fudge chocolate frosting!)

I used Yoyo Yellow, Only Orange and Brilliant Blue card stock;  all the colors in some striped Designer Series Paper.  The frosting and cake plate are made with the small scallop circle punch.  Rhinestones were add to the top layer of the card and to the top of the cake.

I made this as a tent card.  The Only Orange layer on the inside of the card was punched with the scallop border punch.  It serves as an edge to brace the top layer on.  This cake would have to be hand delivered or maybe mailed in a cute little cake box from the bakery!

Until next time,

Happy New Year Stampin' Up!

July is the start of the Stampin Up New year.  Isn't the new catalog just wonderful?  If you need to see it online, click here.  Or you can click on the sidebar.

There are so many wonderful items in this catalog: stamps, new In Colors, dies for the Big Shot, beautiful designer series paper, ribbons, buttons and all sorts of things I can't even remember right now.  My catalog is all highlighted with what I have, and I have a wish list going.

Another great thing this year is the new Hostess Benefit Plan.  Once  a  workshop reaches $150.00 in sales (before tax & s/h) you earn $25 to spend on ANYTHING YOU WANT!

It can be spent on any items from the catalog you want or you can spend it on Special Hostess Items at a special low price.  Invite everyone you know to a workshop and if sales reach $400 or more you get any item at 50% off,  including the Big Shot.  I use mine for everything.

You can earn the Big Shot for half price!

Contact me today to schedule your workshop!  stampinstace@gmail.com

Until next time,

New Blog Look

Today is the beginning of the new Stampin Up year so I figured what the heck I would work on a new blog.  Let me know what you think.  This may be a temporary design.  I am trying to get a custom design made.  However this is a beautiful free blog design from Simply Fabulous Blogger Designs.  Let me know what you think.

Until next time,