I Think I Like It!

I had an idea for a card last night so I started playing around with a few punches to see if it would work.  It was pretty close for my first go but I'll be making a few changes to get the look I'm really hoping for.  My idea was to make a Christmas tree branch with hanging ornaments and a touch of garland.

A little background information here.  I was taught years ago when creating your Christmas look, always begin with a good foundation.  I wasn't sure if it applied to a card but I was willing to give it a try.  I'll get more into the foundation thing as we approach the holiday season but with that in mind, I began to lay out my foundation.

The branches are not fully glued down allowing me to slip smaller pine branches between the layers.

Wire used to create hook and covered with designer paper to secure

I cut ornaments out of white cardstock using the Stampin Up ornament punch and then with scrap pieces of gold paper cut only the very top of the ornament out as shown.  This gave the ornament a cap.  I ran each of three ornaments through my Cuttlebug using different embossing folders and with fine gold wire created a little hook for the top.  I glued the hook between the ornament and gold paper as shown finishing off the top of the ornament.  I thought I would use my new bubbles and gold beads (Thanks again Marianne) so, one was added to each ornament for a little extra detail. 

I had some 1/8th of an inch ribbon trimmed in gold which I thought we be quite nice added to the top of each ornament.  I cut about a 6 1/2" piece of ribbon, created a bow and secured it with the same fine wire used to make the hook.  I cut the excess wire and tucked the twisted piece back underneath the bow and out of sight. 

A picture of the detail on the card

I punched several little pine branches out using a Martha Stewart punch and using three different shades of green to add contrast.  I placed the ornaments on the card where I wanted them and began to glue all the little pine branches on, tucking them between the layers of the foundation to give the branches depth.

Garland placed between the branches

I then took approximately 7" of small gold beaded rope and weaved it between the branches for the garland.  I finished off the ornaments by gluing a bow on the top of each.

Photograph did not do this card any justice

Here is a picture of my finished card.  I was pleased with my first attempt of getting my idea onto a card but having done it once, I would probably change a few things and the order in which I did them.  I would begin by stamping my card with VersaMark and then emboss with the gold embossing powder.  This would ensure proper placement of the sentiment and probably a better balanced card.  I may try more of the darker branches on top to add a bit more depth to the look, I'll have to figure that out as I go along.  It was a lot of fun creating it, I hope you like it!

Wherever you are in your day, I hope you're enjoying it!
Wishing you many wonderful creations

I Had To ....

...try it out!

Yup, I did it again!  Purchased a few new stamps (hmmm, who can I blame?). There was one stamp in particular (gasp) that I really wanted (heart started to race, palms began to sweat).  As soon as I saw the stamp (love at first sight), I knew it was coming home with me.  You know that feeling, don't you?!!  I hate love when that happens.

The stamp is from Northwoods Rubber Stamps Inc., isn't it gorgeous? 


I believe the scene is stunning all on its own however I wanted to try a couple of things.  So ....here is my card and I do have to say, I can't wait to use this stamp again.

      Thought it might be fun to pop up one of the trees for a bit of dimension.

To complete the scene, I chose a stamp of three children and a sleigh from Stampin Up's - Welcome Christmas set.

The winter scene was coloured with Copic markers and a Gelly Roll pen was used for the glitter.  To add a bit of dimension, Rangers Stickles was used for the snow on the trees.  The children were stamped using Memento Tuxedo black and to finish, the image was matted with light blue and black cardstock.

Wherever you are in your day, I hope you're enjoying it!

Wishing you many wonderful creations

Holy Matrimony ......

....after all! 

I'm so impressed with Stampin Up!  I sent an e-mail to their head office expressing my concern (read post below) and within 24 minutes to be exact, I had a response!  Now that is a company....that cares!  These companies need to know how people feel, good or bad, so they can improve.  If you don't let them know....you can't really get upset now, can you?   I watched a really good show not that long ago on Dateline (I think, or 20/20) and they said that companies are willing to help, but they can't help if they don't know.  Often when things go wrong, or not the way we would hope....we as humans tend to get angry.  It's important when you are trying to express you displeasure with something, you leave the emotion out of it.  Hard as it may, we have to look at the situation from all sides.  Things happen, that's just the way it is.  We can't improve as a world unless we are willing to listen.  When we listen....we learn.  They only way to improve ..... is to listen to people and in this case, people who use the product.  That's exactly what has happened here.  I was disappointed with Stampin Up but they didn't know that, so..... I told them what happened.  Stampin Up listened to me and now want to help fix the situation, awesome!!!!  I'm thrilled they want to help and maybe there are others out there who feel as I did.   This could be something for Stampin Up to address, who knows!  Maybe we all have learned something from this unfortunate situation.  For me, it may have been better that I contacted them from the beginning.  Regardless, we are all moving forward.  If we help each other.....we achieve much more in life. 

Will This Marriage Last....

between me and Stamping Up?


 I feel like I've been caught in the middle, let down.  Let me explain.  I've had a Stampin Up demonstrator for over two years.  We've built what I thought was a really nice relationship.  It appears there was a falling out last year or a conflict of interest between my demonstrator and Stampin Up (the company) and now my demonstrator is no longer a part of the Stampin Up family.   I realize everyone must look out for their best interests and I'm not here to judge on that.  Obviously there was an issue that needed to be dealt with.  I get that!  However, what upsets me the most is that I was advised of the aforementioned and I feel like I've been caught in the middle.  I no longer have a demonstrator and when queried "what should I do" ....there was no communication. What I find the most upsetting is that I continue to receive e-mails from my OLD demonstrator's new venture but that is not what I want!  I want a Stampin Up demonstrator to provide me with the free catalogue I've earned with orders and to be there for future orders as needed.  Is that to much to ask?  I feel as though I've been let down, caught in the middle so to speak.  Is that fair?  Do I have a right to be upset?  This is where I think maybe Stampin Up fell short.  They should have had some sort of back up plan, when a demonstrator has been released and is no longer working with the company , they should have followed up with a least an e-mail to support continued business.  This is a perfect example of a potential loss of business.  In this day and age this shouldn't happen!!! There should be a back up plan or a Plan B.  I feel like I've been let down in this situation and I'm left with a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, I'm really disappointed.  It shouldn't be my responsibility to find a new demonstrator....Stampin Up should be all over me to want to keep my business!  In fact, when my demonstrator was released, I read a comment on her blog from someone else to say that her demonstrator was released as well.  So that is now two Demonstrators with I don't know how many customers, left out in the lurch and I'm not sure anything was done about it.  Stampin Up should be running after this business.  You're only on top for so long and then someone newer and smarter comes along.  It's a cruel world out there and everybody wants a piece of the action.  You can't assume anything today!   I would love to hear from someone at Stampin Up on this and be able to blog about what a wonderful job they did on following up.  I'll give it two weeks!  By August 21st if I haven't heard anything, I will let the bloggy blog world know that we've been let down by what I always thought was a terrific company or....I may just be going on and on about how wonderful Stampin Up stepped up to the plate, I hope to be doing the latter of the two.  I'm interested what they have to say....if anything.  Maybe we are to fend for ourselves which I think would be very sad, but so far that seems to be the ways it's been.  We'll find out.  I would love to hear from head office rather than an Independent Stampin Up demonstrator although I guess I'm in the market for a new one at this point.

I'll keep everyone posted!