Convention swap

I know its been a while.  Life just continues to be busy.  Today is a special.  My daughter and Aaron settle on their home in North Carolina, just about 25 minutes from me.  They signed the papers in October to have their dream home be built.  It is so beautiful, and I couldn't be any happier for them.  In two weeks they will be close to me full time ... and I can get those awesome grammie hugs from my three little guys all the time!  That's a big WAHOOOOO!

Okay, now back to business.  I have been busy making swaps for convention.  Heres one using some of the new designer papers and stamp set.  The new catalog becomes live May 31st.  If you need your copy, just let me know.  If you're local they're free.  Long distant would just require postage.  Email me at bzstampin@live.com.  Or you can shop 27/7 by clicking here.

Chalkboard Pullout Card

Today I thought I'd share with you one of our Diva cards.  This uses the chalkboard technique (see prior blog for instructions). 

I started by cutting a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 piece of black card stock and scored at 2" and 6" horizontally.  Fold and tape shut.  This taped side will be your front.  Attach a 4 x 5 1/4 piece of pool party card stock (cut two, you will need another piece later) on the front.  Attach your chalkboard piece on top (cut 4 1/2 x 3 and use scallop border punch at bottom).  Using the 1 1/4" circle punch, punch a half circle on the top and punch a 1/16" hole just under this, going through both front and back pieces. 

Attach a white piece of card stock (3 3/4 x 5") on top of the other piece of pool party card stock.  Here's the magic...run a 30" piece of thin ribbon from front to back of the main card through the small holes.  Push the insert down until it's hidden the card.  Tie a bow.  Now pull up on the tied bow and the insert will come out.  Push down on the bow and the insert goes back down.  Magic!  Don't ask me how it works, but it does!

Enjoy your sneak peak from the new catalog .. Sketched Birthday stamp set.  You can order this and a ton of new products starting May 31st!

Quint Essential Stamp Retiring

Yes, this is one stamp I hate to see retire.  It works so well with all our punches.  Also in our spring catalog are the designer builder brads (pg 12).  Have you seen when they've been enameled? Simply cover the brad with versamark ink, dip into an embossing powder and heat set with your heat gun.  Here's a sample:

Not sure if these will be back or not!  Both may be gone as of May 31st, so if you want them now's the time to order.   quint essential single stamp #126790, $8.95 -- designer builder brads #129329, $6.95/16.

Happy Mothers' Day

For all you beautiful mothers out there.  HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.

Fiji was Awesome!!!

Well I've heard how awesome Stampin' Up's incentive trips are, but I never dreamed it would be so great!  Since we were going so far, we decided to add a week at Maui at the beginning of our trip so that when we got to Fiji we wouldn't be so exhausted.   That was a great idea.   Although being gone two weeks is tough to catch up with.   I'd like to share with you a few of my Fiji photos.   Enjoy.

Get Ready for your June Weddings

I was going through my stash of cards and came across this favorite ...

A Thank You Card Made with the Bird Punch

As I was looking for cards to post while I'm out of the country, I just came across this beautiful card that was sent to me by one of my fabulous Divas ..

A simple KISS Sympathy Card

KISS --- Keep it Simple and Stunning -- is a newer class I started a few months ago and is being very well received.   This is one from the last class that was a hit!