Kathy's Stamping Niche

Mini Convention - Day 2

FUN!  FUN!  FUN!  I'm having a blast!  I'm pretty sure the other participants are having fun too.  Right guys?

I opened the door at 8:45AM and at 8:55AM had to tell everyone that they could come in.  GEEZ!  Guess they weren't sure because we wouldn't let them in yesterday until 8:45AM.  LOL.

Here I am showing everyone the first make-n-take of the day.  We broke off into different groups this morning and finished the color charts.  Yes, I will post the inside in a few days.  Haven't totally finished mine and forgot to take a picture of someone else.

Then everyone, including Kathy Tapp, started working on their scrap book page.

This is a close up of the 12x12 scrap book page that was made today.  We had a group picture taken on Wednesday and had them printed for everyone to use.  At Convention last year, SU had a 12x12 page and had photographers available so you could have a picture taken to use on the page.  I LOVE the one that we have from convention last year and wanted one for our group.  The title is made using the Write Me a Memory Journaling Fonts, Volume II.  Stamp sets used are Sock Monkey and Schoolbook Serif Alphabet.  The Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon was run through the Creamy Caramel Classic Ink Pad and a safety pin added for balance. Very Vanilla and Riding Hood Red buttons with linen thread and a couple of patches of Designer Series Paper are great embellishments.  We punched the scallop rectangle using the Scallop Border punch.  I promise, next week, I will write the tutorial.  It is easy to make any size scallop rectangle using my method.  The Sock Monkey was made using the paper piecing technique.  We stamped him on Close To Cocoa, Very Vanilla, and Real Red Card Stock and pieced him together.  We also used the retired Rough Edge Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel on the Close To Cocoa Card Stock to give him texture.  Put everything in place and voila, super cute page!

We did a double pocket folded card that I learned from the Technique Junkies.

Our Double Pocket Folded card uses the Bella Rose Designer Series Paper and the Always Stamp Set.  We used one Scallop Circle punched from Bella Rose DSP, cut it in half to make the photo corners.  Stamped the bird in Chocolate Chip Ink, leaves in Pink Pirouette and one of the circle flowers above the bird in Riding Hood Red Ink and placed an Acrylic Bubble from the Build A Brad Kit on the circle flower.  Then we finished it off with Chocolate Chip Poly Twill Ribbon.

When you open the card, this is what you see.  The image is stamped on Pink Pirouette Card Stock in Chocolate Chip Ink and then punched out using the 1 1/4" Circle punch.  Layer a Chocolate Chip Card Stock 1 3/8" circle under it and then lay them both on top of the Riding Hood Red Scallop Circle.

The tags are easily done with Pink Pirouette Card Stock and Riding Hood Red and/or Chocolate Chip Card Stock.  I left the one blank so I could write a personal message on it.  Again, cut a DSP Scallop Circle in half and use them on the right top corners.

Lunch today was Roast Beef sandwiches from a local grocery store and my DH made Potato Salad.  Plenty of fruit, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Frosted Brownies, and cold bottle water on hand for everyone.

Just to tell you how tired I am, I went to pick up the sandwiches this morning.  I came home and shoved the shopping bags into the refrigerator.  At 11:25 AM, I'm pulling everything out, setting up the counter and hey! I'm one sandwich short!  Where the heck did it go?  I look through the refrigerator...nothing.  Check the the receipt, yep, I was charged for 9 sandwiches.  Oh no!  Only one place the wayward sandwich can be.....you guessed it, it fell out of the bag and got left in the car!  Poor sandwich never had a chance.  Bummer!

Robin also did a WOW demonstration today.  Way cute bottle collar.  I plan on posting all of her demonstrations on another day, so don't worry, you'll get to see them.

I still don't have my WOW demonstration put together so I need to finish that off.  Check back tomorrow night to see the final day of our Mini Convention.  This has got to one of my best ideas ever!  I know, don't break my arm patting myself on the back!

Oh, I forgot, someone asked for the Asian Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.  I'll get it from my DH and post it next week.  Thanks for asking!

Mini Convention - Day 1

WOW!  I'm tired.  It was soooooo much fun today.  Rob and I kicked off the convention, opening the door at 8:45 AM.  Our people came in, were given their convention bag and name tags.  Actually, a few were early and they started swapping their cards outside!

Now these guys are SERIOUS swappers!  That's Cindy, Jan, Peggy and Bernice.  Hi gals!

We got settled inside, after swapping of course.  I did my welcome number and a few explainations and then came Rob's WOW demonstration.

Rob demonstrated how to make the popsicle card.  Her's are very, very cute!

We then broke off in groups.  Group 1 went to one area and Group 2 went into the Stamp Room.

Here's the projects we did today.

 

The convention bag has 5 clear pockets, so one of the projects was to make ALL the inserts.  We used the Flower Power Simply Sent Card Elements Kit and I think they turned out great!  Rob is just so darn creative!  The stamped elements were made with the Just B stamp set.

The next project done today was the luggage tag that goes on the convention bag.

Now how COOL is this fabulous tag?  Everything is attached to a 4" long chip board tag and it matches the covention bag!  Yes, it has retiring ribbon on it, but what's a girl to do when you can't get the new IN COLOR ribbons?  The fusion flowers add such a wonderful touch!  The stamp set used is Just Be.  It will be going on the Dormant List when the new catalog comes out.

I think the best thing about the tag is that it has a colorful back!  Love the touch with the More Mustard Mini Brads.  The fuzzed out area is someone's name and address and when you place the tag on the bag, the bands of color line up to the top right insert!  Rob thought of everything!

The last project we started today was the Color Chart. 

I love the new IN COLORS.  The front is done in Pink Piourette and Kiwi Kiss and a silver Hodge Podge Hardware for accent.  The stamp set used is Brocade Basics.  I will post a page when one is done with one of the color families tomorrow, late, late afternoon or evening.

Today's lunch was Asian Pasta Chicken Salad and fresh fruit and brownies and/or chocolate chip cookies and bottled water.  My DH, Les, made the salad and it was a total HIT!  Yummy, light and refreshing. 

I need to put together my WOW demonstration for tomorrow so I hope you come back to see what else we will be doing on Thursday and Friday. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Mini Convention Prep

Not being able to attend the annual Stampin' Up! Convention really put me in a funk.  I mean I was not good company for at least a week!  Then it dawned on me.....have your OWN Mini-Convention!  So while thousands are partying in Salt Lake City, some demo friends and I will be partying at my house!

After hours and hours of work, here's what everyone will find in their convention bag!  I can't wait to see their faces!  See that More Mustard piece of card stock on the left hand side?  That's their bracelet for door prizes!  See that bag thing on the right hand side?  That's their convention bag!

This is me, on the left side and my friend and fellow demo Robin Rouch.  We are filling the convention bags.  I have a new found respect for those people putting the convention bag together in Salt Lake City!

Our Mini-Convention starts at 9:00 AM and we will answer the door at 8:45 AM!  We will be getting together Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  So I gotta run!  Much to do before everyone starts arriving!  I'll share today's projects with you later today.

Thanks for stopping by!

2nd Monday at Silvercrest - July

The 2nd Monday has come and gone and I'm a week late.  Been very busy planning and making goodies for my Mini Convention.  I'll be sharing them with you starting Wednesday, July 31.  Robin Rouch (good friend and fellow demonstrator) and I have been working hard putting everything together to give our fellow demonstrators that were unable to attend the Stampin' Up! Convention an experience like no other.

Here's the first card my Seniors made last Monday.

This card is made with Rose Red, Old Olive, Brilliant Blue and Whisper White Card Stocks.  Inks used were So Saffron, Rose Red, Brilliant Blue, Old Olive and Craft Whisper White.  So Saffron Designer Series Paper, Brilliant Blue Brads and the Ribbon from Sherbet Ribbon Originals were used.  I actually stamped the solid candles for them and they stamped the outlines and cut them out.

The 2nd card is made using Wonderful You and the matching Jumbo Wheel Stems & Silhouettes.  Card Stocks used were Close To Coca, River Rock and Very Vanilla.  Classic Inks used were Close To Cocoa and River Rock.  The oval clip from the Antique Brass Hodge Podge Hardware with a bit of River Rock Double Stitched Ribbon was also used.

Both of these cards are directly out of the Current Spring Summer Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog.  I love it when I can just CASE a card!  LOL.

Thanks for being so patience.  I am WAY behind in my committments and am very glad that my friends understand and are still willing to wait for me.  See ya' soon!

Hawaii Package - Last One

It just blows my mind when I think of all the wonderful projects inside my Hawaii Package.  Pam Tsuzaki, you are just amazing and how giving you are.  Thank you just doesn't convey how much I truly appreciate you and the wonderful package.

The final item that was in Pam's box was a portfolio made from the Summer Days Simply Scrappin' Kit.

Here's the front.  Pam embellished the front with a Rhinestone Brad and the Only Orange Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.

When you open the front, the inside flap has a 3 fold accordion booklet.  When I made mine, I just decorated the flap.  Nothing moved or had additional area for anything!  This is why I think Pam's is better than mine.

When you fully open the portfolio, you have a pocket and tag on the left side and the center has many envelopes with pull out dividers.

Here's a close up of the center section.  Way cool and lots of space to put things in!

Honestly don't know what I did to deserve all of these wonderful gifts, but I truly appreciate them all and enjoyed sharing them all with you.

Again, many thanks to you, Pam.  Pam will be spending time in Salt Lake City, UT for the Stampin' Up! Convention, so if you see her, tell here HI for me.

Hawaii Package - Part 3

The Hawaii Package had soooo many wonderful items in it, that I had to split everything in 4 posts.  Here's the 3rd post of beautiful cards that Pam Tsuzaki sent.

Gotta' love the Real Red!  Stamp sets used were Big Flowers, Little Flowers and Sincere Salutations.  Card stocks:  Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White.  The body of the purse is made with the Round Tab Punch and the handle is made with both Small and Large Oval Punches and then accented with a gold mini brad.  Cute, Cute, Cute!

This is the cutest purse card.  Card stock:  Basic Black, Taken With Teal and Whisper White.  Stamp Sets used were Stitched Exotics and All holidays.  Both Oval Punches were used as well as the 1" and 3/4" circle punches.  Black Gingham Ribbon was used the handle.  The cool thing is that the small Basic Black circle is being used as the clasp.  The top flap is tucked under it.  Smart!

Here's what the purse looks like opened.  Great place to put your message or you could turn it into a message center.  Add a post-a-note and pen.  Very nice.

Tomorrow I will share the last item, a portfolio.  This is way cool and something I actually did last year as a class.  Of course I think Pam's is better.  I'll explain in tomorrow's post.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Hawaii Package - Part 2

Here's a few more items that was in my Hawaii Package sent by my friend, Pam Tsuzaki.

I'm sure they made this card for Father's Day using the Dad's Day and Print Pattern Stamp Sets.  Card Stock used:  Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black and Ballet Blue.  The shirt was made with Certainly Celery Designer Series Paper.  I just love making these shirts.

This card doesn't photograph as beautiful as it is IRL.  Pale Plum, Whisper White and Vellum Card Stock was used.  The So Swirly Jumbo Wheel was inked in White Staz On and then rolled on the Vellum.  The cake is embellished with the White Chunky Essential Glitter.

The last item I'm sharing today is this great box that came with Coffee Rio candies.  Yum!  I showed great restraint by not eating one of my favorite hard candies!  The stamp set used is something like Espresso something or Latte something.  I'm very sorry, but I just can't remember the stamp set name.

I have 2 more posts of goodies from this wonderful gift to share with you.  I'll see ya' later!

Mahalo Pam Tsuzaki!

Now how lucky can one girl get?  My friend, Pam Tsuzaki, sent me an email and asked it I would like some samples she was making for a class and of course I said yes!  I'm not turning down any samples!  I think she also told me that some of the cards are from her upline, but my memory isn't very good.  Imagine my surprise when this good size box arrives on my door step and look what came out of it!

7 cards, one box and a portfolio!  Not to mention a box of delicious and already eaten Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts AND the cutest Spam Musubi Pillow!

My DH was laughing at me!  Can you believe that!  This was better than Christmas.  I shared the Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts with him and he KNEW what to call the pillow and I am now on his phone, hugging my Spam Musubi Pillow.  Sorry, I am not sharing that one!  LOL.  But here's one of the pillow.

I will share a few of the cards now and will post everything else this week.

This card uses Lovely As A Tree and It's Your Birthday (this one is retiring in mid-August).  Pam used the spotlight technique on Garden Green and Basic Black Card Stock.

Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black and Whisper White Card Stock are used on this card.  Unforgettable is the stamp set and will be retiring in mid-August.  This card is also a pop-up!

Here's the card open.  It's very cute IRL!

Here's the last card I'll be sharing today.  Fresh Cuts stamp set was used and the following card stocks:  Rose Red, Regal Rose and Basic Black.

Mahalo Pam!  Pam, btw, lives in Hawaii.  Wait until you see the rest of the goodies!

Thanks for stopping by and stay cool!

The E Bike

I know this isn't stamping related, but right now, it's too hot to do anything.  Fresno is in a heat wave, 104+ that started on Sunday and will continue through next Sunday.  Actually suppose to be 111 today and the following 2 days.  Yuck!  AND we don't really cool off at night.  The low's will be in the high 70's.  AND I live in a house that does not have central air conditioning.  We have a swamp cooler that works wonderfully until you hit 105 or humidity.  However, I prefer the swamp cooler and the ceiling fans in our home.  The big heat wave usually last about 2 to 3 weeks a year and our utilities are never over $150 so I guess I need to be quiet!

Back to the E Bike.  A local tv station did a spot about these E Bikes about a month ago.  They are pretty cool.  They run on a battery, no gas or oil, and at the current price of electricity; it should only cost 15 cents for a full charge.  Oh, and not to mention, this E Bike gets about 33 miles to a charge.  The company is local so we went to check it out and came back with this one.

This is my DH proudly sitting on his E Bike.  We have had it for 2 weeks now and he's loving it.  He has driven it to and from work and on many errands.  Not sure how he will handle the heat this week, but in the time it takes to cool down the car, he is a block from work so I'm pretty sure he will still drive his E Bike.

And he's off to work!  We figure that it will take 5 to 6 months for the E Bike to pay for itself.  Pretty cool!  and NO, I will not be riding it.  When sitting on the bike, you are suppose to be able to touch the ground and my short stumpy legs don't.  If you are interested, contact Scooters N Bikes.  They ship anywhere in the US.  Our E Bike is model CS-350E.  We do not have a vested interest in this company.  Just very happy owners doing our part for the environment and our pocket books!

Live Every Moment Décor Elements

I am sooooo excited.  I have had the Décor Elements in my hot little hands for a week, but because of health issues have not been able to put them up.  Hurray for my friend, Denise Brackett.  She came over this morning and put up my Live Every Moment and Create definition.  The Create one isn't done because I need a few more pieces of the Décor Elements for embellishments and will order them soon. 

This one is over my wire grid shelving unit and bookcase.  I live in an older home and it has wood moldings on the top of the walls so I think the white words look great with them.

I was gonna' write more, but UPS just dropped off my Fall-Winter sneak preview items and I've got to go check it all out!

You all have a safe and wonderful 4th of July!