Geneva's Stamping Designs

Stamping 411 Challenge # 240

This is my card for Stamping 411's challenge this week.  I bought a new camera and thought it was taking great pictures until I took this one -- couldn't have been operator era could it?  I don't know why it's fuzzy.... I'm sorry, but think you get the idea.

Here is the challenge sketch:

And here's a closer look at mine:

I really liked this paper from the TImeless Portrait Designer Series Paper.   The larger image of the girl is cut out from another page in the group.  Surprisingly, I liked the black and white theme.  I think because it uses the River Rock and Very Vanilla instead of the stark Whisper White.  The little addition of the Cherry Cobbler seemed appropriate.  I added 3 medium size Rhinestone Brads for a small bit of dazzle--and because the sketch said to!.

The Wish Big comes from the Word Play stamp set while the crown comes from the Clearly for You stamp set. The silhouette of the girl seemed like she was thinking, and Disney at least tells us that little girl s dream and wish to wear a crown!  When it's all put together, I like it.  It has more layers than I normally use, but what a great way to use Designer Series Paper!

Make you own take on this sketch, or using this paper, and post a comment here.  I'd love to hear from you!

Happy Stamping!

 

Sunday thoughts

Today was spent with family.  I have two of my grandchildren for the week and the other 5 live close enough to spend the day.  It's amazing how quickly they grow and you're limited to "school schedules" time to visit.  With 2 in school and one more excited about going next year, as well as 3 of the locals planning to leave the state this summer, it's rapidly limiting the "all 7 together" times.  I took advantage of the beautiful day and worked in the yard as they road bikes and played and climbed and clean up sticks from the neighbor's yard.  THE CHILDREN were using them as swords, but I made them throw them away before we went inside, so I'm sure the neighbor's won't mind getting the fallen limbs out of the yard!

Today is also my 35th wedding anniversary, so family time was even more special!  This side of parenting, I do realize how fast it goes by!  All this to say, I didn't stamp at all today.  Here is the Stamping 411 challenge design for this week:

I have a plan, and will implement it tomorrow to show you.  Meanwhile, take the challenge and go see what you can create this week (Their challenge closes at 8am Thursday morning --EST! so hurry on over to www.stamping411.blogspot.com!)  Leave a comment and a link if you do so we can all see it.  Thanks

Happy Stamping!

Shark Tank thought for the day

Last night during the TV episode of "Shark Tank" I was driving grandchildren down a dark and dreary road to my house.  Watching TV didn't seem like the thing to do at the time!  However, this morning I had several tweets from a Twitter Shark Tank Party that a friend of mine held.  (He LOVES to review the entrepreneurs on that show and try to predict what the sharks will do and why!)

One of his Twitter posts said this: "Tough question these days.  Can a business manufacture product in U.S. if Americans won't pay higher price for U.S. manufacturing?"

I've thought about this today.  Much of the product Stampin' Up! sells is manufactured here in the United States and I'm proud of that fact.  I feel that the quality of our paper and inks and rubber stamps is outstanding.  They are one of the main reasons I sell this product.  By selling this in packages, Stampin' Up! has kept the prices competitive.  Most scrapbook  paper sold in stores is priced by the sheet.  When you break our packages down to price per sheet, they are competitive and still, in my opinion, much better quality to the touch.

In all fairness, I must say that not all of Stampin' Up!'s products are made in the U.S.  I'm sure they have accountable reasons for this, I've never asked.  These are often the products you can purchase elsewhere in at least similar form.  I'm sure competitive pricing plays an important role in this decision.

What about you?  How hard do you try to buy "Made in America" products?  Do you think that if more of us made more of an effort to buy that way that prices would go down (supply and demand and all that???)  Do you think it would affect our economy? put people to work? cause the end of the world??? (just kidding!)

Leave a comment and let me know what you think on this subject. 

Meanwhile, to relief the headache it's causing, remember that creating is a good relaxing activity and go stamp something cute - you'll know that it will be "made in America" - you made it! (assuming you live in America.....I assume most of my reader's do....if not, let me know! I'd love to know where you're from!)  Then leave a comment and let me know what you created!  Don't forget Sale-a-Bration is going on now!  If you need (or just want!) more product - just click on the shop now button to the left!

Happy Stamping!

Send me Soaring

This is the second card we made at Stampin' Up! Regionals last weekend.  It uses the same stamp set, Send Me Soaring, and the same mini-heart punch.  WIth the addition of a couple of more punches, change in colors and some different Designer Series Paper, this card gives this stamp set a completely different look and feel.  I LOVE that about stamping and paper crafting.  It's so fun to "think outside the box" and see new looks!

Have a great weekend and spend some time looking outside YOUR box and see new looks!  Of course, if you ALSO need new supplies, let me know or go straight to my 24/7 online shopping by clicking to the left.

Happy Stamping!

Come Soar with Me!

This is one of the cards we made at last weekend's Stampin' Up! Regional Event.  First, notice the mini hearts punched out from the bottom of the Old Olive card stock.  These appear on the envelope flap with brads to close the flap!

The stamp set is Send Me Soaring from the new Occasions Mini Catalog.  Notice the little round extension of the right.  Simply "twirl" this and you get this:

Twirl it again and get this:

With 6 different "kites" in the set, the choices are multiple!  Won't this be a cute card to send a friend or loved one?  And you don't have to wait for the windy month of March to make it!

In fact, if you purchase this set and the Getting Started Starter Pack of Card Stock plus the Getting Started Stampin' Spots, you qualify for a FREE item from the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  Great way to get started!  If I can help, let me know.

Happy Stamping!

New Demonstrator Sale-a-Bration Benefits

Yesterday I told you about the wonderful FREE things one can get with a $50.00 (US) purchase during Sale-a-Bration.  If you sign up to join the Stampin' Up! family you can get even more!  In addition to the special rate of only $125.00 to join (that's $50.00 Off the regular price which is already over 50% savings off retail prices!) you'll get your choice of either a Digital Download or Designer Series Paper EACH MONTH for  the rest of 2012!  Sign up in January and get 11, wait until March and you only get 9--- you do the math.  It's a great time to take the plunge - whether as an income or just to get the discount and save money on your supplies!

To join my team, just contact me:  geneva@genevachapin.com with "I want to join Stampin' UP!" in the subject line!  Hope to hear from you soon!

Happy Stamping!

It's HERE! Sale-a-Bration starts today!

Sale-a-Bration is Stampin' Up!'s annual chance to get some fantastic, limited time only items for FREE and it starts TODAY!

Leave me a comment below, email me or call me to get your SAB items as soon as you can.  It's a great time to hold a workshop of inhome party, invite some friends and I'll provide the entertainment and relaxation for the bunch!  Stamping IS cheaper than therapy!  lol!  I'll post the catalog on the sidebar as soon as I get the code!

Happy Stamping!

 

 

Stamping 411 Challenge # 239

This is my interpretation of Stamping 411's challenge this week.  The Tempting Turquoise card is accentuated with Daffodil Yellow, Peach Parfait, and Poppy Parade card stock and inks. I used the Cupcake Builder Punch along with the Create a Cupcake stamp set and the Crazy for Cupcake Stamp Set.

On the stamped cupcake platter, I used the Blender Pen and the Classic Stampin' Ink Pads to create the watercolor image.  The Blender Pen is one of those tools that I sometimes forget to use!  We used it on one of the projects we did at the Stampin' Up! Regional I went to last Saturday.  It reminded me of how much I enjoy using it.  This stamp seemed to call for it here, so there you are!

Here's the Stamping 411 challenge design: