Thursday, December 15, 2016

Fancy Friday Blog Hop - Time of the Year

Welcome back to the Fancy Friday Blog Hop!
My fancy friends and I are back with some NEW fancy friends too! We loved working with each other so much that we decided to continue on with an all new blog hop to inspire you in fun new ways! These are a group of past and current Artisans that have become fast friends thru the Artisan journey. Glad to have you here! We have 14 of us this month and many new faces...my dream team of Artisans!
 Each month on the last Friday, we will bring to you new challenges of all kinds (color,sketch, stamp focus, etc)! This month we are going with a color theme: Neutrals Challenge. We were to use mostly white with one neutral color in the mix. Optional touch: Think Snow, Ice, Winter, New Years, Champagne, 2017.......basically January if you live in North America!

I was playing with a piece of Shimmery White Cardstock and trying some watercoloring techniques. I took Mint Macaron Ink with the Aqua Painter and painted just the edge multiply layers around the piece to create a frame. Then I added the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper cut with the Santa's Sleigh Thinlits Dies. A mixture of stamps created the greeting....the Annual Hostess Time of Year Photopolymer Stamp Set and Sunshine Sayings Stamp Set. My neutral color was my favorite Smoky Slate. I added it with the banner and the 1/8" Stitched Ribbon. The background is done with Softly Falling TIEF. I added the white round sequins from the Metallic Sequins for a little more bling.

Thanks for stopping by my post for the Fancy Friday blog hop!
Inspire. Create. Share. That's what I love to do.
Cindy
Now move on to my awesome friend Marisa's GORGEOUS project by clicking on the next button below! 

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Stampin' UP! Artisan Blog Hop - A December Finale

Welcome back to the FINAL 2015-2016 Stampin' UP Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! 
I was so blessed to work with these wonderful and talented ladies this year! We enjoyed creating and inspiring with amazing Stampin' UP products and sharing with you all here! Be sure to get Google Translate so that you can read in your language all about how they created their last projects too. Please keep hoppin' thru them all....you do not want to miss anyone of them!

This week we are showcasing our last Artisan projects for the Stampin' UP Facebook Page this month. For this project, the team could focus on a couple of things: Fancy Frosted Designer Series Paper, It's a Celebration Stamp Set or Hello December Project Life Collection. I am on a Project Life kick right now so I opted to continue with a trio of projects.

A card where I used a card of the collection to make my own washi tape on top of a 3x4 printed greeting card from the PL Collection. I add my favorite Knitted Cable TIEF in white on the back layer. 

A Project Life 6 x8 page where I share a fun holiday photo of me and kept it simple with just a few of the cards from the collection.

A mini snow "box" made with the Clear Treat boxes, some Perfect Pines Framelit Dies trees and the Mica flakes. I love snowglobes so this was fun to make! Make one yourself and try not to shake it too many times! I dare you! Here are some close ups for you:



  
Merry Christmas from me to you!  
Thank you for following the 2015-2016 Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! I am one proud team lead and mum of this Global Artisan Design Team from all over the world! I truly adore each one of these ladies! I will cherish this time forever!

My 3 year run on the Stampin' UP! Artisan Design Team has come to an end with this post. Not going to lie, I am going to miss it! REALLY MISS IT! (tissue please) 
I am forever grateful to have served Stampin' UP! on the past three Artisan Design Teams. I have grown as a cardmaker/concept artist/designer in so many ways! I have gained many sisterhood friendships with each of these incredibly talented and sweet women all thru my 3 years and I love each of them dearly!  (more tissues) I have found huge support and encouragement among my followers, my peers and my local peeps. Each comment left on posts, meant the world to me and more then I could ever express! I am truly blessed and humbled to have had this life changing experience! Thank you Stampin' UP for this incredible journey and believing in me thru it all! 

But don't fret, I am not going anywhere! Many things on the horizon for me...Fancy Friday Blog hop, Creation Station Blog hop, The Crafty Carrot Collective (see below), Stampin' Up! Contracted Concept Art Work (oh yeah!), and my own Stampin' UP! business to boot! Thanks for stopping by here over the past 3 years, getting to know me thru it all and I hope you will come back for more!

Inspire. Create. Share. That's what I love to do.
Cindy

Now on to one of my dearest friends.....Connie Collins! There is NO ONE like her!


And now introducing the 2016-2017 Artisan Design Team who begins their own Artisan journey in January 2017 so be sure to check them out:
Allison Okamitsu - Canada
AurĂ©lie Fabre - France
Cathy Caines - Canada
Dani Dziama - United States
Holly Stene - United States
Jennifer Sootkoos - United States
Jessica Winter - Austria
Katy Harrison - United Kingdom
Kimberly Van Diepen - United States
Louise Sharp - Australia
Maike Ulbrich - Germany
Martha Inchley - Canada
Mercedes Weber - United States
Mindy Bingamon-Backes - United States
Miriam van Eyden - Netherlands
Paula Dobson - New Zealand
Rochelle Blok - Australia
Shannon Lane - Canada
Sylwia Schreck - Germany
Tanya Boser - United States


Have you seen the news?
We're dangling the carrot! Exciting new initiative starting JANUARY 2017. Click HERE to get in on the action today!

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Stampin' UP! Artisan Blog Hop - Hello December

Welcome back to the 2015-2016 Stampin' UP Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! 
I am so blessed that I get to create and inspire with these amazing Stampin' UP products and share with you all here for just two more blog hops!!! Be sure to get Google Translate so that you can read in your language all about how they created their projects too. Please keep hoppin' thru them all....you do not want to miss anyone of these amazing ladies!

This week is an "open to create" week but to stay within the parameters of goodies from our Artisan box. I chose to use the now super hot Hello December 2016 Collection. I LOVE THIS COLLECTION! (Accessory Pack is sold out which is a totally bummer!) Here are some simple easy card ideas with a simple card layout for you to use with any Project Life ® by Stampin' UP! Collection! I focused on using the color palette of Emerald Envy, Basic Black, Kraft, Silver and Whisper White from the Hello December 2016 PL Collection.



Is this not the cutest? Add a ribbon bow to just the lid and one of the 2 x 2 card from the PL collection. I added my favorite Dove Dark Chocolates with the pop of red in the mix. You could also do Hershey's kisses in silver. (I had none of hand)
Thanks for stopping by here and if you leave a comment then thanks for truly making my day!
Inspire. Create. Share. That's what I love to do.
Cindy

Now on to one of my dearest friends.....Connie Collins! She is one of a kind!

Dangling the carrot!
Get ready for an exciting new Stampin' UP! customer rewards initiative starting in JANUARY 2017!
Get in on the action now! Click on the carrot and like our FB page!

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Introducing the Crafty Carrot Collective...

Welcome all to our special introduction of The Crafty Carrot Collective! A selection of current Stampin' UP! Artisans from all over the world got together to form this interactive rewards program where you can learn and participate with us each month! We are kicking off in January 2017! No better way to start the new year, right? So why wait? Start now by following us on the links below.

The Crafty Carrot Collective

Here is a little detail on how it works...
Here is my project for today....

Everyone needs some thank you cards for all those generous holiday gifts you will be receiving but do you get them out after the new year? I definitely do that so I came up with some simple thank you cards that you can mass produce very easily now! And in keeping with the new year theme, I used the It's a Celebration Stamp Set with its firework images.
One of my favorites things to do is mix and mingle stamp sets!
I used 5 stamp sets on my cards.
It's a Celebration Stamp Set
Places You'll Go Photopolymer Stamp Set
Scenic Sayings Stamp Set
Confetti Celebration Stamp Set
Labeler Alphabet Photopolymer Stamp Set


Are you curious yet about this carrot tastes? Come follow us on Facebook and during the month of January, we are giving a whole 30 days of free tutorials and live classes for FREE! Tell your crafty stampin' friends too!


Inspire. Create. Share. That's what I love to do.
Cindy

The uber talented and organized Queen of the Collective Jennifer Frost over in Australia is next! Hop on over there and say hello!
USA followers can join the fun and shop with me!
Use the host code below when you order online with me this December and WIN!


Saturday, November 26, 2016

Crazy Crafters Blog Hop - Casing ME!

I have a very special blog hop that I am participating in! My awesome friend from Australia, Kylie Bertucci messaged me this..."Hey Cindy! My team has requested you as a guest hopper with our team. We all case your projects. (Copy and Selectively Edit) Its lots of fun!" - Are you kidding me? Case ME? I must say that this is quite an honor for me! 

When in doubt or in the creative dumps, case yourself I always say! I recently did some display samples made for the local Atlanta Stampin' UP! Onstage event earlier this month and with this hop in mind, I was able to come up with these cute bag again. You can see my full post on the past project below HERE
And here is the new updated version using the new suite in the 2017 Occasions Catalog called Party Animal. It is the same size bag using the Gift Bag Punch Board and the same size banner flags. I just closed the bag with the Gold Clip and added the NEW 1/8" Emerald Envy Ribbon. I stamped the greetings in Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango and then die cut out with the Tags and Labels Framelits Dies.
And here are just a few more cards that I created with the Party Animal Suite for the Onstage Display samples. I loved the Party Animal Designer Series Paper! Great fun!

Thanks for stopping by here and if you leave a comment then thanks for truly making my day! Thank you to Kylie and her talented team! You all are so sweet and I am humbled and grateful to be apart of this blog hop!


Inspire. Create. Share. That's what I love to do.
Cindy

To move on to the next person, click on the link below.


Thursday, November 17, 2016

Fancy Friday Blog Hop - Christmas Inspiration

Welcome back to the Fancy Friday Blog Hop!
My fancy friends and I are back with some NEW fancy friends too! We loved working with each other so much that we decided to continue on with an all new blog hop to inspire you in fun new ways! These are a group of past and current Stampin' UP! Artisans that have become fast friends thru the Artisan journey. Glad to have you here!
 Each month on the last Friday, we will bring to you new challenges of all kinds (color, sketch, stamp focus, etc)! This month we are having fun with the upcoming holiday season! Are you ready? How about a little collection of Christmas decorating? I have decorating for the holiday on the brain so I came up this collection with some Pinterest pins I had on a board of mine.
I reached for a Hostess Stamp Set called Time of Year in the Stampin' UP! Annual Catalog. I paired it with the Warmth and Cheer Designer Series Paper Stack in that green plaid pattern, the Cable Knit Dynamic Textured Embossing Folder and the Cherry Cobbler 3/8" Silky Taffeta Ribbon Combo Pack. The Pretty Pines Thinlits Dies has to be my favorite item from the Holiday Catalog and I used them here in Garden Green and Pear Pizzazz to make my pine swag. The MERRY is done in the Labeler Alphabet Photopolymer Stamp Set with Archival Basic Black. I like hoe it plays on the book titles in the inspiration photo. The background holly stamp from the same Hostess stamp set is done with Versamark Ink on Crumb Cake base. Notice the size of the card? It is a little larger than a normal 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card. It is 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" and I love it! Gives me a little more writing room on the inside!
Thanks for stopping by my post for the Fancy Friday blog hop!
Inspire. Create. Share. That's what I love to do.
Cindy
Now move on to my awesome friend Jennifer's GORGEOUS card by clicking on the next button below! 

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Stampin' UP! Artisan Blog Hop - Tin of Tags

Welcome back to the 2015-2016 Stampin' UP Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! 
I am so blessed that I get to create and inspire with these amazing Stampin' UP products and share with you all here! Remember that every other Thursday, all 20 of us from all over the world will post on our blogs an inspiring project for you! Be sure to get Google Translate so that you can read in your language all about how they created their projects too. Please keep hoppin' thru them all....you do not want to miss anyone of these amazing ladies!

This week we are showcasing our Artisan projects for the Stampin' UP Facebook Page this month. For this project, the team was to focus on the Tin of Tags Project Kit or the Here's to Cheers Stamp Set. As soon as I saw the Tin of Tags Project Kit and the coordinating Stamp Set, I was very interested. Then I put it together and I fell in LOVE! You must get this Project Kit for your holiday gift packaging!

I mean look at these adorable tags! The only thing I did different was to use my new favorite color Emerald Envy in this color combo.
Then I made this card with one of the tags, the washi tape, sequins and the stamp image. So quick and easy! The evergreen stamp image is from the Christmas Pines Stamp Set.
I grabbed a strip of the Presents and Pinecones Designer Series Paper and wrapped it around the Real Red tin itself. I embossed in white the stamp image on the Emerald Envy circle. See the little star? I took the red dotted washi tape, covered a piece of Whisper White cardstock and then die cut it out with a star. Add to a few pieces from the kit and you have a perfect coordinating tag!  
Thanks for stopping by here and if you leave a comment then thanks for truly making my day!

Inspire. Create. Share. That's what I love to do.
Cindy

Now on to one of my dearest friends.....Connie Collins! She will blow your mind!

Stampin' UP Supplies List
Tin of Tags Photopolymer Stamp Set 
Christmas Pines Photopolymer Stamp Set
Tin of Tags Project Kit
Presents and Pinecones Designer Series Paper
Whisper White Cardstock
Emerald Envy Cardstock and Ink
Real Red Ink
Mint Macaron Ink
Candy Cane Lane Baker's Twine
Mini Jingle Bells
1/8" Handheld Punch
Layering Circle Framelits Dies
Perfect Pines Framelits Dies
Big Shot
Stampin' Dimensionals

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Stampin' UP! Artisan Blog Hop - Stitched Shapes Framelits

 
Welcome to the 2015-2016 Stampin' UP Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! 
We have an extra special blog hop for you today! We are introducing you some AMAZING samples with Stampin' Up's newest product called Stitched Shapes Framelits. Be sure to get Google Translate so that you can read in your language all about how they created their projects too. Please keep hoppin' thru them all....you do not want to miss any single one of these amazing samples! 
Have you been thinking about your holiday cards yet? I have! Our new Stitched Shapes Framelits and complementary stamp sets can help you create great cards that are handmade with love. Don’t wait because these stamps sets are 25% off only until November 30.The dies will be available for purchase after November 30, but the stamp set discount ends. Get them now! If you live in the US, just click on the photo above to go order from me! I would love to be your Stampin' UP! demonstrator!
 
I used the Christmas Pines Stamp Set on this card that is on sale now. I love how the Stitched Shapes Framelits add just a little something to the oval layer. Check out that watercoloring! I used Emerald Envy and my Aqua Painter on Shimmery White Paper. Then stamp off the flurry and snowflake stamp images with same ink color. This larger oval is plenty big for the large greeting stamp image and a few more from the same stamp set.
For this card, I used Baby Bear Stamp Set on sale. Such a cute fuzzy bear! He was stamped all with Crumb Cake Classic Ink. I love using the Layering Squares Framelits Dies with the Stitched Shapes Framelits for a framed layered look. This is using the 2 7/8" Square and the 2 5/8" Stitched Shape. The stitching on the dies also goes well with the stitching pattern in this Warmth and Cheer Designer Series Paper Stack.
The smallest stitched circle, oval and square in this set are perfect for little tags like this one on my box. Again, that stitching just adds so much! One of my favorite things to do is mix two stamp sets for one greeting. Here is the BEARY from Baby Bear Stamp Set and HOLIDAY from the Thoughtful Banners Stamp Set.
Let us make one more box with another pattern of the 6" x 6" Warmth and Cheer DSP Stack. Both boxes were made with the Gift Box Punch Board! Love that tool!
Completed trio for gift giving this holiday season!
This blog hop gave you 40+ total samples using the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies and all those wonderful stamp sets on sale now! 

We thank you for all the wonderful comments and support! All of us on the Artisan Design Team have loved being a part of this special launch! Let us know what stamp set you are planning to buy or have bought.


Thanks for stopping by here today! Remember that usually every other Thursday, all 20 of us from all over the world will post on our blogs an inspiring project for you! Our next blog hop is next Thursday!

Inspire. Create. Share. That's what I love to do.
Cindy

Now on to one of my dearest friends.....Connie Collins! She is one of a kind!

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Stampin' UP! Artisan Blog Hop - Here's to Cheers Gift Card Envelope

Welcome BACK to the 2015-2016 Stampin' UP Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! 
I am so blessed that I get to create and inspire with these amazing Stampin' UP products and share with you all here for another wonderful year! Remember that every other Thursday, all 20 of us from all over the world will post on our blogs an inspiring project for you! Be sure to get Google Translate so that you can read in your language all about how they created their projects too. Please keep hoppin' thru them all....you do not want to miss anyone of these amazing ladies!


This week is an "open to create" week but to stay within the parameters of goodies from our Artisan box. I choose to use the Here's To Cheer Bundle with Here's to Cheers Stamp Set and the Cheerful Tags Framelit Dies. Rather simple this week!
Use the Gift Card Envelope and Trims Thinlits Dies to create the gift card envelope base in Smoky Slate Cardstock. Add a belly band with the Petals and Paisleys Specialty Designer Series Paper to keep it closed. Take one of the tag pieces and cut off the circle/hole part. Stamp on it. Slide your 3/8" Ribbon Trio in Mint Macaroon thru the piece and around the gift card holder. Add a flowly piece of Gold Sequin Trim in between and tie a bow. Call it done!!!
I love this stamp image in particular because it is just not for Christmas but for a birthday or a celebration in any form. CELEBRATE!

Thanks for stopping by here and if you leave a comment then thanks for truly making my day!
Inspire. Create. Share. That's what I love to do.
Cindy

Now on to one of my dearest friends.....Connie Collins! She is one of a kind!