All Things Vintage and Blog Candy

Over at Late Night Stampers this week's challenge has been Vintage. This is right up my alley ... LOVE vintage items. Come in my home and you will see what I mean. LOL

Earlier in the week I made this card. Where did the inspiration come from? I had one of many long days this past week. To unwind and get a refreshing perspective I was reading one of my favorite authors - Epictetus. He was a Greek Philosopher from 60 a.d to 120 a.d. Great insights into why people are who they are and how to interact with them without losing yourself.

Well I had been mulling over several designs; some even ended in the recycle bin. Yes, they were that bad! But then it hit me, make a card with a book on it! They're out there, some gorgeous ones in fact! So in honor of Epictetus, I made a card.

"From my garden ... From my heart" is such an appropriate title for this. Don't we all plant seeds through life and watch them blossom into wonderful things/beings - family, friends, pets, etc. Hey what can I say, this author is exceptionally uplifting!

Onto a lighter note - I was traveling along reading blogs yesterday and saw a wonderful idea. Dare I say it? Yes I read lots of non-Stampin' Up blogs! The inspiration is astounding and I love converting the ideas using Stampin' Up products. Jane Johnson and Camilla, this one's for both of you!

I love making gift items along with packaging. The hat is from "Garden From the Heart" set. I colored the stamp with markers, stamped on tissue paper, and heat set it to the candle.

The packaging is clear transparency around the candle with a top and bottom made. Taking two strips of coordinating card stock, use the Eyelet Border punch. Layer them and sponge ink on top layer. I adhered the lower trim right to the transparency to stabilize the bottom.

Using the new Jumbo Flower punch, I created this gorgeous flower. There are five layers to it! I made the flower using Blush Blossom cardstock but I wanted a two-toned flower. To create the Rose Red accents, I made my own Glimmer Mist using Stampin' Up's Glimmer Mist Paint. Mixing it with alcohol and a drop of reinker, I made the perfect shade to match the flowers on the candle. Spritz the flower and while it is still damp, you can add more shape to your flower. I finished it off by using a flat back pearl from the Pretties Kit.

The gift card is made using the same items, Shimmer Mist and Garden From the Heart stamp.

Now for the Blog Candy, I am giving this candle set away! I'll be drawing the winner using Random.org on February 7th at noontime EST. Leave me a comment telling me what inspires you when you've had a particularly stressful day. Please make sure your email address is included so I may notify the winner immediately. Until then, have a wonderful week. Spring is getting closer!

Blog Candy and More

It's been a crazy busy time but hopefully (?) life will slow down a bit now. There is so much to tell; I don't know where to begin so I'll just dive in.

First, I have been hired by Sherrill Graff to make samples for her!!!! This is an honor and I am quite excited to participate. I received $150 in Stampin' Up products (including the hostess benefits!) in return for creating samples for her display board. The other talented ladies chosen are - Mary Brown, Elizabeth Hurst, Nancy Dawson, Lori Stigler and Debbie Flattum.Want to open yourself to this rewarding opportunity? Join The Late Night Stampers Group, create an album of your Stampin' Up only artwork. When Sherrill announces she is hiring, email her to let her know you want to participate. There are many who want to participate so make sure you show your best work. I have been busy making samples for her and will be showing them here so stay tuned.

Another activity I have been participating in was a "Punch Guide" swap. Stampin' Up has 43 punches now! The hostess, Kathleen Stubbs, had a wonderful idea to go with the swap - each punch is devoted to a member of our color families. I received my swap and was wondering how I could make this last for a while. Well I came up with this idea and expanded the Punch Guide to include all colored cardstock to combine into one nifty tool.Once this was put together, I realized it would be free standing.

Now I need to make a cover. Hmmm .... what to do? Stampin' Up has this new wonderful digital program coming out tomorrow called "My Design Studio." What a great way to move into this announcement! I designed the cover in MDS, printed it and cut to fit my project! How cool is that?

Blog candy time! I have an extra one of these and would love to give it away to one lucky person. Leave a comment on this post. On October 10th I will use Random Generator to select the winner. Please be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you.

Blog Tour Winners

Thank you everyone for visiting and leaving comments. I appreciate your kind thoughts and well wishes. I really enjoyed participating in the Blog Tour and look forward to doing another one soon. Using Random.org, two numbers were picked for the "sweet treats."

Candy Lane box with Ribbon Rose: 57 - Linda said...
Fabulous ideas! Amazing craftmanship! Love them both!

Chest of drawers with Tea Party Designer Paper: 73 - Stampndragon said...
I love the chest of drawers you made out of the matchboxes...and the rose on the treat box is great! Cindy Ferenz

Congratulations ladies. Please email me your mailing address so I can get these out to you. Many of you have asked how I made the rose. I will be making a tutorial in the next couple of days and will post to my blog.

Travel Along the Late Night Stampers Blogger Tour #2

4/27/09: Thank you everyone for making this a successful tour. I appreciate all of your comments. Comments are now closed for the "sweet treats," a.k.a. Blog Candy.

Welcome everyone! Hope you are comfy, relaxed and have a cuppa. Kick back and enjoy the tour. Remember your starting point - Tour #2, Stop # Lucky 13! If you have to leave before completing, please remember this tour is only available for the next 24 hours.

I am showcasing the Big Shot Matchbox XL Die #114890. I made a Chest of Drawers using my favorite Tea Party Designer Paper. Isn't it fabulous? I love the colors! The half pearls are from our Pretties Kit and the tiny daisies are from our Flower Fusion kit.

And a side view -

Next item is the perfect gift box using the same die. On this one I used our yummy Candy Lane Designer Paper. The rose is made using two of our fabulous ribbons - Riding Hood Striped Grosgrain and Whisper White Organza. I love the duo-tone colors coming from this rose. The Sizzlet Die - Little Leaves is perfect for the rose too.

It is always good to have some "sweet treats" when you are traveling. Not only being tasty, they give you energy to travel some more. For two lucky people who leave a comment before they move on, the two above items are being offered. Inside each one are some surprise items.

With Stampin' Up!'s current promotion - spend $40.00 on products from the Mini Occasions catalog and then select any one item from the "Under $10" page in the Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalogue for FREE! Can you think of a nicer way to "Getting Connected?" You're right, we feel the same way too!

Thank you to all of the members of the Late Night Stampers Group who put this tour together. If you want to join a group that is inspiring as well as uplifting, this is the one to join. Our Group Mom, Sherrill Graff, is fantastic. To join the group, click on the logo on my sidebar and it will take you right there.

Sadly this leg is completed but there is so much more to see! It is time to go to Stop #14 - Loni Spendlove who will be showcasing the Matchbox Messages stamp set. Wait till you see what she has designed ...