Happiness is like Jam....

Happiness is like jam.  You can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself.  Anonymous
                                                                                                                

Hello stampers and welcome back to The Classic Card!  How was your weekend?  Did you manage to spread some happiness around?  If not, you can start right now, this very day!  Get out one of the fantastic cards you've made and send it off to someone who needs to know that you're thinking of them.... someone who needs your love and care.  We all know someone like that.  In fact, we all know many people who need a little lift!  So don't delay.  This old world needs kindness and happiness more than ever. 

When I make a mental list of what brings me happiness, of course my family is at the top of the list, especially my adorable grandchildren.  But running close behind is sunny, summery weather.  There's only one more day in July after today... then August will be here and soon Summer 2012 will be just a memory.  So get outside while you can.  Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner outside!  Walk around your neighborhood or go for a hike.  Take advantage of U-Pick berry farms, farmer's markets, outdoor concerts, movies in the park, etc.  Eat watermelon, peaches, and yummy produce!  Get outside and grill!  Don't forget to pack a picnic and go to the beach.  That's an essential part of summer.  While you're there, eat carmel corn, saltwater taffy, or an ice cream cone.  Do all the summer stuff you can, while you can!  OK... that's my plug for summer! 

Now back to another thing that brings me a lot of happiness.... that would be you, my fantastic customers.  Without you, I wouldn't get to have this amazing "job" that allows me to get up every day and create with stamps, ink, and paper.  After 11 years, I still love stamping and helping you create beautiful "works of heart." 

By now, you're probably wondering "Is she ever going to get to the card?"  Well, yes I am.  How about right now....

Isn't this just a fabulous card?  I wish I could take credit for its well-balanced composition, great mix of patterns, and just over-all cuteness, but I have to admit that this came straight off a display board at convention.  The shapes were cut with the Label Framelits and the DSP is from Be of Good Cheer (in the big annual catalog).  The candy canes and sentiment are from the "Chock Full of Cheer" set on page 10 of the annual catalog.  The colors are taken directly from the DSP... Cherry Cobbler and Gumball Green.  If you think I'm crazy for showing you a Christmas card in July, think again.  I'm just helping you get in the mood for starting your cards early this year.  You'll thank me, come November when you can sit back with a smug smile on your face, knowing that your cards are all completed and ready to mail out on December 1st. 

Well, stamping friends, I'm off to my monthly SOS (Stamp Out Stress) group, which meets the last Monday of the month at 1 pm at Symposium Coffee in Old Town Sherwood.  We sit and chat, drink coffee, and create some great cards.  It is a relaxing way to spend a summer afternoon (or a winter one, for that matter).  Thanks for stopping by today!   Now please go send a card and spread some happiness! 
Susan

Senility is Setting In!

Hellooooo Stampers!

Friday is upon us and another summer weekend is just ahead!  How great is that?  Summer+ sunshine+ weekend=  a happy place to be!  Now, about that senility I mentioned... I was reviewing past blogs and just realized that I committed the unpardonable sin of posting the same card twice.  YIKES!  I hope that this is the first (and last!) time that has happened.  So I guess you've really seen enough of that little owl.  Let's allow him to retire gracefully to his nest in a hollow tree somewhere and move on to different stamp sets, OK?

I've got a bright and happy card for you today, made by my talented downline member Janet Jones.
Janet and I share a love for clean and crisp cards and this one certainly fits that description.
Take a look and let me know what you think---

This card features one of my favorite sets from the new annual catalog--- "Blooming with Kindness."
In addition to the gorgeous chrysanthemum, this set also includes 5 beautiful sentiments in a scroll-y script that adds a touch of elegance.
Janet used Melon Mambo, Old Olive and Whisper White as her color scheme.  The flower was first stamped in VersaMark ink, then embossed with Melon Mambo embossing powder for an elegant raised blossom.  She layered DSP from the Brights Collection on top of a Whisper White panel that was embossed using the new Fancy Fan folder from the annual catalog. Some Lucky Limeaid Baker's Twine finishes the card off nicely.

I hope you'll all enjoy a relaxing weekend and that you'll make time to stamp something pretty today!
Thanks for stopping by!
Susan

Christmas in July???

Hello stamping friends!

Welcome back to The Classic Card!
I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.  Since I've been home from the Stampin'Up! convention, I've been running from one activity to the next.  Things will start to slow down in about a week and I'll be happy to take a deep breath.  But for now, I'm a crazy person.  I don't usually post on a Thursday, but since yesterday's post was so quick I decided to write you a note again today.

I'm having trouble with the fact that July is mostly over.  Where did it go?  I guess it slipped by while I was stamping and assembling my swaps for convention.  I have to admit, though, that I'm looking forward to August 1st  when we can start ordering from the new Holiday mini-catalog.  And it really isn't too early to plan those Christmas cards.  In fact, many demonstrators hold a "Christmas in July" event just to get their customers started on holiday projects.  If you like to wow your friends and relatives with a hand-made card each year, you might want to save this date--- Saturday, Sept. 8th, for my annual Jingle Bell Jump,  to get a jump-start on your holiday cards.  The kiddos will have gone back to school and summer activities will be winding down, so it will be a good time to begin to think about the up-coming holiday season.  For now, please write the date on your calendar and I will follow up with an e-vite in August.

So I guess you've figured out by now that I'll be showing you a Christmas card today.  This is one I made for a special Holiday Mini-catalog swap I'm participating in next Wednesday, August 1st.  We each had to pick a stamp set to use for our cards, so that we wouldn't all be using the same stamp set.
When I saw the Owl Occasions set, I knew I had to have that cute little guy.  Check out my card---

Let me tell you about the colors and supplies I used.  The DSP is called Be of Good Cheer and can be found on page 164 of the annual catalog.  The colors are Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, and Very Vanilla.  I stamped Mr. Owl in Soft Suede, the branch in Early Espresso, and used Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler markers to color directly on the holly stamp.  I ran the Gumball Green base through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder to echo the dots on the DSP. I used the Labels Collection framelits to cut the Very Vanilla focal panel and its matching Cherry Cobbler mat.  I love the new stitched satin ribbon and used a bit of it in Gumball Green to finish off the card.  The sentiment comes with the stamp set and I punched it out with the Modern Label punch.
Oh, and I used two tiny pearls for the owl's eyes, just to give him a bit more dimension.   So now you've seen how this cute owl can be used for Halloween and Christmas, but that's not all.  Check out the complete stamp set on page 13 of the Holiday Mini-catalog.  You can also use him for birthday cards and gift tags as there's a balloon, "to- from," some gifts, a party hat, and a "party" banner included. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Please come visit again tomorrow for my regular Friday post.  Let's try to wring out the maximum amount of summer from the remaining days of July.  I would recommend barbecues with friends, ice cream, watermelon, farmer's markets, berry picking, and reading in the shade of a leafy tree.  Stamping under a shady tree might be good too!
See you tomorrow!
Susan

Running out the door!

Good morning stamping friends!
Happy Wednesday!

So sorry I won't be writing much today... I'm babysitting my granddaughter Allie today and I've really missed her.  I haven't seen her in two weeks and I need to get my baby fix.

Please forgive me for the lapse in posts... I'll be back tomorrow (Thursday) to make up for today!

Get out there and enjoy the sunshine!

By the way, here's the card we're making at Kelsey's party this Sunday, July 29th at 2 pm at my house.  It is stamped with the Owl Occasions set in the new Holiday mini catalog. We'll also be using the new Woodgrain embossing folder... love it!   Why don't you come over and stamp with us?  You know you'll have fun!  Just give me a call  and I'll add your name to the list!
Happy stamping!
Susan

Friends, Fun, and Free Stamps!!!

Hello Stampers!

Happy Monday!  I'm so happy to see the sun today!  I was a little worried yesterday when I returned to overcast skies.

Well, convention is over, I'm back home, and now it's time to get back into my regular routine.  My plan is to post each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so look for me here on those days.  After six days of no cooking, no cleaning, and no laundry, plus non-stop stamping fun, it will be an adjustment to resume "normal" life, but I've hit the ground running! 

Some of the best things about convention, other than all the stamping demonstrations and classes, is reconnecting with old friends.  This is a photo of me with some friends I met about four years ago at the Monaco Hotel.  They are from Kansas City, Missouri and now we meet up again each year at our favorite hotel, the Monaco.  The lady in the black and white striped outfit is the famous (among stampers, anyway) Shannon West, who works for Stampin'Up! and is featured prominently at convention, where she makes the best stamping presentations and does the best classes.  We all love her and it is fun to talk with her in person.

Another thing that makes convention so much fun are the great surprises.  Shelli, the co-founder of Stampin'Up!. will be up on stage talking about a stamp set as part of her presentation and then she'll just casually say something like "don't you think it would be nice if you all had this set?"  Then pandemonium erupts as 3,500 crazy stampers go wild.  Stampin'Up! staff come running out with bags of stamps and start passing the stamp sets down the rows until everyone has their set.  This photo was taken after all of the craziness had calmed down, but it shows the TWO stamp sets we got during the  closing session on Saturday afternoon.  What a fun way to end the 2012 convention!

I hope you'll excuse me, as I've got to get busy now.  I've got laundry in the washer and a few floors that need scrubbing.  Thanks for stopping by today and please come back and visit on Wednesday, when I'll have a new card or two for you!
Susan

Exhausted in Salt Lake

Hi stampers!
Being exhausted in Salt Lake is not nearly as fun as being sleepless in Seattle, let me tell you!  I hopped out of bed yesterday morning at 6am, walked about 5 miles  (the convention center is HUGE!) and didn't get to be until about midnight, as the awards night is very long!  But of course it was an amazing day. 

We started off with a great "general session"  at 8:30 am.  I spent the time from 7am to 8am swapping cards like mad.  If you don't swap most of your cards on the first day, you risk not having anyone to swap with as the second day people will tell you "I'm all swapped out."  The rest of the day was filled with classes that were very informative and inspiring.  I've got lots of new ideas to share with you, not to mention some great cards!

Last night was awards night and I got to walk on the stage for earning the trip to Hilton Head Island, which will take place in September.  Thanks to all of you, my wonderful customers, for helping me earn this trip!

Here are more photos I took of the awesome displays... I hope you can find something here that inspires you to get out some stamps, ink, and paper and create something pretty today!  Today (Friday) will be filled with more classes and there should be some fun stamping demonstrations on the main stage as well.

Have a relaxing weekend, everyone!
Susan



Happy Stamping!
Susan

Update from Convention

Hello stamping friends!

I've got an update for you with a few pictures that I took on check-in day.  We picked up our bags and stamp sets, swapped cards with other demonstrators, and then I went to the display area to take some photos of the displays, which are always amazing. 

Here's a photo of our cute convention bags, which are Summer Starfruit and Whisper White, with Basic Gray trim.  Along with the bag are our convention stamp sets...You're Amazing and Daydream Medallions from the annual catalog and Affection Collection from the Holiday Mini catalog.  The wood-mount stamps you see in the photo are 4 new collections of seasonal incentive stamps, which I give away as door prizes at my parties and events.  Each collection is full of great stamps that I know you'll love.

Next I'm going to show you just one of the display walls, where there are thousands of cards posted.  I wandered along these walls on Wednesday, and took just a few photos.  There are so many cards that it is overwhelming.  I think there are 6 of these long display walls, where cards that demonstrators have sent in over the year are displayed. 

Next I'll show you a couple of the cards I liked... but just a couple, as there are thousands that I could show you...

The company also produces displays and this year, each product suite has its own chalkboard display.
I know you won't be able to see the displays in detail, but there is one board for each suite and the projects shown are wonderful--- lots of inspiration is on display!

The actual convention starts on Thursday morning at 8:30, and the doors open at 8 am.  People will start lining up about 6am so they can run to the front of the room and get a front-row seat.  I'm not sure why they do this, because with the Jumbotron screens, you can see just fine from anywhere in the entire place.  The group of ladies that I hang out with (they're from Kansas City, MO) plan to get in line at 6.  I'm not sure if I'm going to join them.

The additional photo you see here is one I took to show you how some clever person took our DSP and made bows out of it!  (DSP can stand for Designer Series Paper or Double Sided Paper... whichever you want)!
OK friends, that's it for convention today.  Check back again soon for more convention coverage.
Happy stamping!
Susan

Hello From Salt Lake City!

Good morning Stampers!

Here I am in beautiful (?? it's really pretty hot and dry) Salt Lake City.  Soon I'm going to walk over to the Salt Palace for what's known as "Check In Day."  There are no formal meetings, classes, or activities going on, but it's the day when we pick up our convention bags (they're always great... different every year), get our convention stamp sets, look at all of the product displays ( as well as WALLS of cards), and go to Memento Mall, where there's all sorts of Stampin'Up! merchandise for sale.  It is always fun to see what they have, as the merchandise changes every year.  Then the convention starts bright and early on Thursday morning, with the first general session. 

So I don't have any pictures for you yet, but hope to post some for you on Thursday, providing my camera works properly.

Thanks for stopping by today!
Happy Stamping!
Susan

Ho Ho Holiday Mini!

Hello Stampers!
It's the start of a new week, and for me it will be an exciting week indeed, as I'll be spending it in Salt Lake City at the huge Stampin'Up! convention with 4,000+ other demonstrators.  I've got everything ready to go... bags packed, swaps finished and tomorrow I get on the plane.  But meanwhile, what did you think of the Holiday Mini catalog that you recently received?  Isn't it just packed with the best stamps/accessories ever??  If you didn't receive your mini-catalog yet, please let me know.  Also, please send me a quick email with your top three favorites and I'll enter you in a drawing to win a package of the Snow Festival Designer Series paper.  You have until July 21st to contact me.  I'll be drawing the winner when I return on July 22nd. 

Before I go off to the convention, I wanted to show you a cute card I made for a swap I'm participating in when I return from convention.  I decided it would be a very good idea to get these finished up before leaving town, because I've got to hit the ground running when I get back.  The fun set "Owl Occasions" was my choice of stamps for this swap... just love that cute little guy.  Here's my card---

Doesn't he look jolly in his little Santa hat?  The colors I used were pulled directly from the Be of Good Cheer designer paper, which is found in the big catalog on page 164--- Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, and Very Vanilla.  I used the Labels Collection Framelits to cut out the focal panel and the Cherry Cobbler mat.  The saying is part of the Owl Occasions set and I punched it out with the Modern Label Punch.    For the holly, I colored directly on the stamp with a Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler marker.  A bit of stitched satin ribbon in Gumball Green finishes off the card.  Oh... I forgot... Mr. Owl has tiny pearls for eyes.

I hope all of you have a wonderful week!   Check back here later in the week, as I'm going to be posting a few new blog entries while I'm in SLC.  I'm not sure how much blogging I'll manage to get in, but I'm going to try.  Enjoy browsing through your new Holiday Mini-catalog! 

Stamp something pretty today!
Susan

Sunshine and Shadows

Hi stampers!
 Friday is here... yay!  It's the start of a summer weekend and it looks like we're going to have plenty of sunshine, so what are the shadows I'm talking about??  Well, it's shadow stamping, of course!
We explored shadow stamping the other night at my first technique class of the summer, but since not all of you attended, I'll share some of the info here.

Shadow stamping is done by stamping a shape (square, rectangle, triangle, circle, or stripes) in a lighter color as a background, then stamping an image over the shape in a darker color.  In the past, Stampin'Up! has had stamp sets that were just shapes, to be used for this very purpose.  We currently don't have a set like this in the catalog, but it is simple to make your own shape stamps with leftover rubber.  So don't throw those scraps away!  You can cut them up and make a great stamp!  If you plan to try this technique, it helps if you have some Craft and Rubber Scissors (page 180 of the annual catalog).  Using these scissors allows you to cut through rubber very easily.  It is more difficult with regular scissors, but it can be done.

Check out this card and then I'll explain how it was done...

To make this collage style card, I started first with the shadows stamped in So Saffron. To do this  I cut left-over rubber into different sized rectangles and then adhered them to one of my larger blocks, block E, thus creating a large background stamp.  After stamping the background, then I just started stamping butterflies in Midnight Muse and Tangerine Tango.  I really like how a background like this gives structure to a collage card.  It provides a framework for the rest of the images.  To give a bit of dimension to the card, I stamped two of the butterflies on vellum card stock, then cut them out with the new Elegant Butterfly punch and adhered them with just a tiny bit of Crystal Effects. 

The stamp sets I used for this card are the new Papillon Potpourri and Kindness Matters (for the smallest butterflies). The colors are So Saffron, Tangerine Tango and Midnight Muse-- my new favorite blue.  So there you have it... a clean and classic card.  Add the sentiment of your choice inside and it's ready to send.

Next time you get a new stamp set, save the rubber "frame" that you'd normally throw away and soon you'll be creating your own shadow-stamped cards. 

Happy weekend, everyone!  Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to come back on Monday for another classic card.

Susan



A Wednesday Wow

Hello Stamping Friends!   Happy Wednesday to all!

The days are flying by quickly, now that summer is finally here.  Why does time pass so quickly when the days are sunny and warm and drag so slowly when the days are gray and cold??  Well, we can contemplate that another time, because I'm too busy enjoying summer to give even a thought to those other days!

I spent the day in my stamp room yesterday,  busily creating cards for upcoming events.  I've got two great cards ready for the class on July 24th (by the way, it is now filled).  And now I'm working on some cards for a Holiday Mini-catalog swap that I'll be participating in right after I get back from convention.  Speaking of the Holiday Mini-catalog, you should be getting one in the mail in the next week or so.  They've been mailed, so it's just a matter of time before you find yours in your mailbox.  I know I say this every time, but I think you're going to love this one ( that's LOVE in capital letters and flashing neon!).  First of all, it's big (8 1/2 by 11, and 40 pages long).  Secondly, there are many stamps and accessories that are going to be calling your name.  The best way to get the goods is to get them free when you host a stamping party.  I make it totally easy for you to be a hostess and get the hostess freebies.  I clean my house, design the cards, cut the paper and ribbon, set everything up, and of course I do the clean-up as well. I'm the little red hen who does it all!  What a deal!  All you have to do is bring along some friends and some snacks.  I don't know how I could make it any easier, but if you have any ideas, please let me know. 

OK... let's get to the Wednesday Wow card.  I hesitate to use the word "wow" when talking about my own work.  So let's just say this is a "wow" card because it has lots of layers, hand-cut flowers, sparkly shimmer paint, and pearls.  I have to say, though, that I really love this card and I hope you do too.  (Note:  We'll be making this card at Jeri's party this Saturday, July 14th at 10:30 at my house, so give me a call or email me if you'd like to attend  503-925-1929 or sjrstamps@gmail.com).



You can't see it in the photo, but the flowers are iridescent (spritzed with Frost White Shimmer Paint mixed with rubbing alcohol). 
The colors are Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White.  The sentiment (from Blooming with Kindess)  is stamped in Early Espresso.  The rest of the stamps are in the fabulous Everything Eleanor set.  Uh oh!  I see the pearls are missing from the center of these flowers.  We will be using pearls on Saturday!

Thanks for stopping by today, stampers!  I hope you'll take a few minutes out of your busy day to stamp something pretty.  When we put our lives on pause long enough to be creative, then we feel less stressed,  more relaxed, and happier.  And I want you to be happy!
I'll see you back here on Friday!
Susan

Hurray for Summer!

Hello stampers and happy Monday!

Sorry I've been MIA for the last few days.  It has been crazy around here with visiting family, plus organizing the 15th annual Woodhaven 4th of July parade.  But all is well because summer arrived right on schedule (July 5th).  The 4th wasn't bad, but it definitely warmed up considerably on the 5th.  And Sunday was downright hot and quite humid.  It was a perfect day, I thought!  Perfect for lots of summery things, like a delicious chopped chicken salad (here's what I put in... you can add or subtract ingredients:   chopped chicken [left-over rotisserie chicken is perfect for this] chopped lettuce [I use a mixture of romaine and iceberg] black olives, garbanzo beans, chopped pepperoncini peppers, red onion, celery, fresh basil, tomatoes, freshly shredded parmesan, diced green pepper [red would be prettier], and then to finish it off, pour on some Romano Caesar dressing from Trader Joe's.  This is one of our favorite summertime dinners--- so yummy and so quick to make!  Try it!

OK, sorry I got side-tracked with a recipe, but I know you'll be a lot happier if you can have something delicious for dinner that doesn't take a long time to make and doesn't heat up the kitchen. 
Now I know you'll also be a lot happier if you have a pretty card to look at, so let me take care of that right now.  Here it is in all of its summery deliciousness...

Some of you have seen this card before, because we made it at my Designing with Color class.  But for the rest of you it is new.  The colors here are Rich Razzleberry,  Lucky Limeaid, and Daffodil Delight. The stamps are from the Betsy's Blossom set  and the designer paper is called Floral District.  The ribbon is the new stitched grosgrain.  The sentiment is from one of my favorite sets,  A Word for You.  I love the mixture of script and print... whimsical and fun!  The razzleberry reminds me that it is time to go berry-picking.  Rowell's U-pick in Scholls is a great place to get some delicious blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. 

Good news... I have finished my convention swaps and will be showing them to you in the next few days.  You've already seen a couple of them, but some will be new to you.  OK, I know you're going to think I'm weird (we artists are just that way), but I was listening to Christmas music as I was finishing up my last swap. I like to listen to Christmas music all year... see, I told you I'm weird. There I was, putting on the last little bows with glue dots and the Hallelujah Chorus came on Pandora. What a triumphant conclusion to weeks of making swap cards.  Hallelujah indeed!  I'm thrilled to be finished!  I leave for convention on July 17th. 

If your summertime schedule allows, wouldn't you like to join us in air-conditioned comfort this coming Saturday, July 14th at 10:30 for some stamping fun?  Jeri is the hostess and I know she'd love to have you attend.  Just send me a quick email message letting me know you'd like to attend and I'll add your name to the list.

Well, stampers, it is time for me to get busy preparing for my next Technique Tuesday, which is Tuesday, July 24th, just two days after I get home from the Stampin'Up! convention.  I'm thinking I'd better get all my ducks in a row before I leave town.  I have 6 spots left, so if you'd like to attend, please email me (sjrstamps@gmail.com) quickly and I'll save a spot for you.

Happy Monday!  Don't forget to come back on Wednesday for another classic card.
Susan

Pretty Primrose

Hello stampers!  Welcome to a new week at The Classic Card. 
Actually, I'm not sure how much I'll be blogging this week, as the Seattle troops are arriving on the 3rd.  I know you're probably busy as well with all sorts of July 4th activities, so maybe you won't even notice if I'm not here blogging.

Today I have a very pretty card for you that I CASEd from Lyssa Zwolanek.  (CASE stands for Copy And Steal Everything and it is something that stampers frequently do.  It is perfectly fine to do, but you MUST give credit to the original creator).   Of course I made a few changes, but not many, so I totally cannot take credit for this card.   Check out my version of Lyssa's beautiful card...



Lyssa's card had a vertical strip of the First Edition specialty paper (the one that looks like newsprint).  I changed that out and used Very Vanilla card stock, put through the Big Shot with the new Fancy Fan embossing folder.  The swirls on her card were stamped in ink... mine are stamped with Versamark ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Instead of cutting a V shape at the bottom of the strip, I used the Full Heart punch to create the scalloped edge. 
The paper I used is Primrose Petals and Very Vanilla card stock.  The Ink is Primrose Petals and Raspberry Ripple.  The stamp set is Everything Eleanor ( page 112 of the annual catalog... love this set!)  The sentiment is from my "go-to" sayings set, Teeny Tiny Wishes.

If you've got a minute, you might want to write yourself a note that says "Get Everything Eleanor set from the new catalog," just so you'll be reminded!  It is a very versatile set that you can use for so many occasions... birthdays, weddings, sympathy, thinking of you, thank you... the list goes on and on.  Note to Portland people... the set even has a bird in it, so you can instantly turn any card into art!

OK, stampers, that's it for today!  I hope you'll all have a very festive fourth and I'll hopefully see you back here later in the week.
Thanks for reading!
Susan