Birthday Card(ed) in Vegas

Hey all! So, I'm trying to stick with the Wheel of Fortune "Before and After" theme. We'll see how long it goes/how clever I am. Today, I've got a birthday card to show you, and then a few pictures from Vegas...where yes, I was carded. But it was at the airport. For my boarding pass.

For the card-making part of the presentation, here's a summery greeting using some brand-new items in the 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog.

The stamp sets are Pennant Parade, from the Idea Book & Catalog, and Swirls & Curls Verses, the hostess set from the 2011 Summer Mini catalog (see the link on the right--only available through August 31!).

The colors are Calypso Coral and Wisteria Wonder--new 2011-2012 "In Colors"--and Certainly Celery and So Saffron from the core colors in the big book. Some designer series patterned paper, baker's twine and basic jewels-pearls round out the look. I made this at a recent workshop, and it was a hit! If you'd like to make something like this in your home with your friends, let me know!

And now...here's some of what my DH and I (okay, and my BFF and her hubs) call "The Vegas." I tagged along on a work trip for DH...all the fun of The Vegas and no work! What's not to love? Except the slot machines, most of which didn't love me, even though I kept going back for more!



Love the water show at Bellagio! I was playing with the "guide" mode on my Nikon D3100, which set itself to take "moving water" pictures. I think it did an awesome job!

Here is DH, looking all official on the phone. If you remember the post about winter activities, yes, this is the same man who smokes meat when it's below zero in Minnesota in the winter!

And a final, parting shot. Oh, The Vegas, I love you...even though you take all my money in slot machines and shopping!

Thanks for stopping,
Julie

PS: I was not compensated for mentioning the D3100...I just really love it!

Circles and Cupcakes

I know it's been a month since I've checked in here...with snow, melting, more snow, more melting, a 75 degree day in April (in Minnesota!)...I guess I just got confused by the weather? Well, it's as good of an excuse as any, which mostly means I have none.

Here are two of the other cards we made at Intro to Stamping card class back in March. Circle Circus stamp set is used in the one of the left with some fun spring colors. The Create a Cupcake stamp set and the Build a Cupcake punch are used in the one on the right. I like this one because it's not all pink and cupcakey...just something a little different.


The cupcake set and punch are available in the Occasions Mini Catalog, which is available through the end of this month. See the link to the right to check out the whole catalog.

Thanks for reading!
Julie

Upcoming "Intro to Stamping" class

The snow is flying here...again. This is headed to be the longest winter ever, I'm pretty sure. And it's at the point where snowmobiling season is over because the trails are rough, icy and melty, so the snow can really just go now. I'm ready for spring!

Here are two of the five cards we'll be making at my upcoming "Intro to Stamping" class on Saturday, March 19, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at my home. They have a nice, spring-y look to them, don't you think?

This one is a simple outline stamp, colored in with Stampin' Up! markers and adorned with a single, shiny rhinestone. Clean and simple--you don't need a roomful of supplies to get started with card making!


This one is a CASE (copy and share everything!) from my upline Heidi. I love a cherry motif! We'll color right on the stamp with markers to get the green stem and the red cherry, all in one step. A great technique for getting more out of your markers!

Details of the class: $10 for 5 cards, each featuring a different "getting started" technique. If you're an experienced stamper, please join us! It's always great to get a refresher or pick up a new design idea. To sign up for the class, just e-mail me! Can't wait to see you here.

I'm headed off to a workshop this afternoon--love them! I have some cute projects to show from that, too...maybe tomorrow. Stay tuned. And with daylight savings tonight, we've got to be about ready to turn the corner into better weather, right? At least we'll get more daylight!

Thanks for reading,
Julie