Merry Christmas To All

Back in August, my daughter and I started Seaside Crafts Bulk Buying group to help Stampin' Up demonstrators purchase items that compliment the Stampin Up line of products to help them build their businesses. In October we opened the group membership to include artist's who focus on fundraisers, craft shows, etc. The group has grown immeasurably ... we are well over 500 members now! It has been an exciting time and I certainly look forward to 2011 and finding more WOW type items.

Over the past couple of days I have struggled over what I could give the group as a whole for a Christmas gift. I have made some wonderful online friends as a result of this group. They have given me so much in enriching my heart. So I finally finished the gift earlier this evening and would like to share it here as it does pertain to all stampers ...

A CRAFTER'S CHRISTMAS EVE

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the group

Nothing was stirring, not even a drupe.

The crafters were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of new projects danced in their heads.

The stamps and supplies were put away with care

In hopes that new tools soon would be there.

One crafter awoke to such a loud clatter

She ran down the hall to see what was the matter.

What to her wondering eyes should appear?

A little old man full of jolly good cheer.

He was so lively and quick,

She new in a moment it must be St. Nick!

As she stood in her nightwear,

She watched ribbons and buttons fly through the air.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Filling all of the cupboards; then turning with a jerk

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

Giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

As she watched his sleigh fly across the yard,

On the counter she saw a new card.

Who knew Santa loved to craft?

Wishing all of you and your loved ones a safe and very merry heartfelt Christmas.

Christmas is in the Air

Everywhere you go there are twinkling lights, beautiful displays all shiny and bright. It's that time of the year when the world becomes magical. Christmas will soon be here.

Over the weekend I worked on a couple of designs. These items are great for gifts to friends and loved ones. They fit perfectly on desks, night stands, dressers, even as place cards for your dining table! This first one is definitely Christmas orientated -

 

My daughter and I have a Bulk Buy group where we recently purchased Craft Metal Sheets. They are so fun to work with! In this image, I embossed the Metallic Red and covered a mini canvas with it. It's so pretty that I didn't want to cover it! My stamp choice gave me plenty of opportunity to have snippets of the metal peek through.

Stamp Set - Christmas Postcard (#121428)
Ink - Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Champagne Mist and Frosty White Shimmer paint
Card Stock -Very Vanilla
Embellishments- Vintage Brads, Pearl Jewels, Early Espresso Satin Ribbon
Tools - Big Shot, Paper Snips, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Sticky Strip and Mini Glue Dots
Other - Metallic Red Craft Metal Sheet, Mini Canvas (2x3) and Mini Easel

The second item I made is for a friend who is a connoisseur of red wines.

I had intended to brayer Baja Breeze Classic ink on the canvas for background but my brayer has decided to play hide-n-seek with me. Guess who's winning right now? Never to be deterred, it dawned on me to just rub the canvas along my ink pad! Love how this turned out with the additional texture.

Stamp Sets - Studio Sketches (#122222) and Artistic Etchings (#120573)
Inks - Baja Breeze, Bravo Burgundy, Soft Suede and Basic Gray
Card Stock - Whisper White
Embellishments - Bravo Burgundy Button and Hemp
Tools - Paper Snips, Designer Label Punch, and Stamping Sponges
Other- 2x3 Mini Canvas and Mini Easel

If you'd like any particulars on the items used here, please leave a comment or email me directly at seasidecrafts@verizon.net.
 

Name the Royal Paths for the Royal Blog Tour - Clue #1 - #6

 

Stampin' Up News

Unfortunately I do not have any cards or other items to show you at this time. Stampin' Up is in the month of "Last Time" items that are retiring the end of this month (limited quantities). Starting July 1st, there will be a whole new catalog for us to feast upon. Trust me, from all that I have heard and seen ... this is another fantastic catalog! Next week my preorders will be in. I'll be able to introduce you to some of the new items. In the meantime, please click on Stampin' Up News for some great opportunities.

In July is the yearly convention for Stampin' Up demos too. Really fun time for all where new ideas, new techniques, etc are taught.

Welcome to Royal Path - Pretty in Pink

Yes that's the name of this Royal Path. Remember there are 6 paths with almost 80 demonstrators showcasing their beautiful artwork and Stampin' Up products.

My chosen stamp set is "Teddy and Train." And or course I just had to use Pretty In Pink. LOL

I have been asked to design a Baby Shower ensemble consisting of Invitations, Party Favors, and a Diaper Cake. They want pink, chocolate and butterflies for the theme. Here is everything all coordinated with the "Teddy and Train" set.

This was hard to photograph. The blame lays more so on the abilities of the photographer! Love the little dolly. Oh notice the butterfly on her arm? That was made using the Butterfly Embosslit die.

The party favor. Hmmmm .... chocolate! This is another of my favorite dies, the Matchbox. There are so many ways to use this die.

 

The Teddy and Train set is perfect for the shower invitation. Too cute. The inspiration for this card came from Wanda at "My Creative Corner." I changed it up a bit but the design is definitely owed to her. Thank you Wanda for the inspiration.



In celebration of Babies, I am giving away Blog Candy. One lucky person will receive a "Teddy and Train" set! Be sure to leave a comment with your email address. I will pick a winner using Random.org and notify the winner via email. You will have two days to respond. If winner does not respond, another will be chosen.

Thank you for visiting my blog on the Royal Tour.

It's Been a Looooong Time

Hello Everyone!!!!

I haven't forgotten anyone. Just have not had the time to ink anything up. Between tax season (work)and a few programs I have been working on, there just has not been anytime.

But I am back and starting out big time! I have been invited to be an Honorary Queen for the Royal Blog Tour!!! How awesome is that? The tour begins April 30th so watch for opening day. Click on this link to start the tour - The Royal Blog Tour.

Along with the beautiful and creative items made by almost 80 Stampin' Up demonstrators, there is an opportunity to participate in a Royal Tour game. The prize is outstanding! One lucky person will have the selection of winning a Big Shot, My Digital Studio or a $100 shopping spree! All stampers can participate!

I am signing off to dust more cobwebs away from my blog.

Butterflies and Winner

As you all know, the Mid- Atlantic States were hit with a blizzard yesterday. I spoke with a couple of family members who live in the areas where record snowfalls were predicted. One brother, in VA, received around 30" and another, in PA, about 12". VA brother that was hit the hardest never gets snow with this accumulation - poor guy, I wouldn't want to be him digging out! Ironically the PA brother has a monster snow blower that would have chomped through the 30" easily. I was very fortunate. The storm blew out to sea right below us so we skirted this storm. Yeah ... I only have a shovel. LOL Seriously speaking now - for all of you in VA, MD, DC, PA and NJ who were hit with this blizzard, I hope and pray you all are safe and sound.

I believe everyone is ready for Spring to arrive sooner than later. I know I definitely am! Can't wait for my flowers to bloom again but also shed some of these heavy clothes! In honor of Springtime thoughts and the Late Night Stampers weekly challenge for butterflies, I made this card.

This card features the new Stampin' Up designer series paper "Shades of Spring" in the Occasions Mini Catalog. The bold design screamed butterfly to me so when the challenge came out, I knew what I was going to use.

Using my Big Shot, I cut the butterflies out. To create the body and antenna's, I used half-back pearls and the flower stamina's from the Pretties Kit. Using a sponge, I inked the tips of the antenna's and sponged around the edges of the butterfly.

Now these little beauties are attracted to flowers so of course I had to have one. The flower is from the "Blooming Beautiful" set. A section of the same sheet I cut my butterfly has an almost transparent image reflecting the bold one. That was perfect to stamp my flower on.


Here's a side view. The ribbon is the White Satin which I colored with my Orchid Opulence marker to match the paper.








Of course being one to never leave the inside undone, here's the inside. I carried over the colors and used a scrap which fits this card perfectly. Plenty of room to write a message as well.





Last Sunday I made this darling candle set and offered it up for blog candy. Random.org picked the number 10 -

Jonia said...How beautiful the flower is and I just love the candle and holder. Tremendous job. What inspires me when I have had a stressful day is to come home and make a cute card or flower. It calms me and makes me forget everything except what I am doing.

Jonia please send me your mailing address (kasully@verizon.net) and I will get this out right away. Thank you everyone for visiting my blog. It is greatly appreciated.