Happy New Year!!!

Here's to twenty thirteen!! I'm enjoying family time and not near my stamp room... but wanted to share our Keith Family Christmas photo.
Each year my husband photoshops our Bichon, Chibi, into a family vacation photo for our Christmas card. This year's was the BEST ONE EVAH!!! Chibi on Space Mountain! Bwahahaaa!!!

Stampin' Up's new amazing Spring catalog begins tomorrow! If you haven't received your copy please email me so I can get one to you immediately forthwith! Also, you can view it from my website www.darthsunshine.stampinup.net

Merry Belated Christmas!

I'm giggling at my post title....never think of a belated Christmas....even though my last two Christmas cards have gone out after Christmas.
I've mentioned I put the PRO in procrastination, right? Haha
Here was this year's card....with a retired stamp set I will never part with-Christ is Born.
I stamped the poinsettias in SU Perfect Plum on Crumb Cake cardstock, and embossed the sentiment with gold embossing powder. I love this set!

So....Merry Belated Christmas!!

I don't "do" resolutions....but my 2013 with be full of crafting that I plan to share more of!
See you soon!

Happy Halloween!!!!

I used Stampin' Up's cute Ghoulish Googly Kit to make these! Love those googly eyes!! AND THAT BAT PUNCH!! (I can't believe SU discontinued that punch! *sad face*)

Tomorrow I'm making a Yoda jack-o-lantern and dressing as Wonder Woman....a zombie WW hahahaha!!
Have a safe & happy Halloween!!

FOUR Challenges in ONE card! Squeeee!!!

Here's another Dare To Get Dirty challenge card! Can you believe it??? THREE posts in ONE WEEK??! SQUEEEEE!!!! I combined FOUR challenges into this one card. You can see details about DTGD over on Splitcoaststampers.com


I have a sweet Bichon Frise named Chibi, and I talk about her in a post, HERE. I found these cute stamps at vivalasvegastamps.com so I had to make a cute bichon card! My mom calls Chibi her "grand puppy" so cute!!

Stamps: Bichon and sentiment from vivalasvegastamps.com, Distressed Dots background stamp from SU; Ink: Stazon Black, Peach Parfait & Pear Pizzazz (both retired), Pretty in Pink; Paper: Watercolor paper, Newsprint DSP, Peach Parfait & Pear Pizzazz (retired); Accessories: XL Pennants Die, Decorative Label Punch, 2 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge punch, Corner Rounder punch, Aquapainter

 I've had so much fun doing these challenges! Now I'm in Dallas for Quakecon for the weekend so won't get to stamp anymore before the upload deadline on Monday...but it was fun while it lasted!!

Don't forget to RSVP for my class next Saturday! Details are over on my Stampin' Up site www.darthsunshine.stampinup.net !
Thanks for stopping by!

One Layer Flowers...

I love card challenges that are clean and simple. Too often challenges involve many layers etc and I find myself trying to outdo ANY previous card I've seen....and then it looks all too busy in the end! HA!
This Dare To Get Dirty Challenge was to make a one layer card with flowers. I embossed the roses from Fifth Avenue Floral with black embossing powder, then used my aquapainter with SU Rose Red and Melon Mambo ink to watercolor. Sentiment is from retired Warm Words. I dislike that SU retired this amazing stamp set. That rose is so gorgeous AND matches one of our current embossing folders! GAH!

Stamps: SU Fifth Avenue Flower, Warm Words; Ink: SU Rose Red and Melon Mambo reinkers; Paper: SU Glossy White; Accessories: SU Black embossing powder, Heat Tool, Aquapainter

 I love the effect of watercoloring on glossy paper...but man, is it hard to take a decent picture! My little orange light on the camera causes a little bit of orange to appear at the top of the card, and of course you can see the flash. The orange was more pronounced without a flash...so I endeded up taking several pictures before I finally settled on the one above. But I do like that the embossing came out pretty well.

Thanks for stopping by!

I love a Challenge!

I love a challenge....and this week is Splitcoaststampers' (SCS) Dare To Get Dirty (DTGD) week of Challenges!! The "Dirty Girls" of SCS are the best of the best papercrafters....so it's fun to play along as a fan club member! My friend Lydia gave us a challenge to make an all white card...sentiment optional...I opted for no sentiment:

Paper: SU Whisper White cardstock; Accessories: Big Shot, SU Butterfly Punch, SU Dots and Fancy Fans embossing folders, SU Embosslit Beautiful Wings

I'm having a stamp class on August 11th (with option to attend Monday night 8/13!) Details for the class and for upcoming STAMP CLUB (squeeeeee!!!) is on my Stampin' Up site www.darthsunshine.stampinup.net so take a look and then RSVP!
Hope to see you soon! Thanks for stopping by here!

Convention Day One!!!

Soooo excited for Day One of Stampin' Up's Convention--today is bag pickup and Make & Takes!!
Here's my swap....I'm making 96 of these...watercoloring cupcakes and yes I'm still working on them here in SLC!

My friend Lydia has live coverage of Convention over on her blog www.understandblue.blogspot.com so go check it out!

Convention Swaps!!

I leave next week for Stampin' Up's convention and decided that this year I wouldn't wait until 24 hours prior to departure to work on my Convention Swaps. I spent my first full day in my studio (in a VERY LONG TIME) just playing around and it felt soooo good!!

I started watercoloring this lion from Zoo Review and while I LOVE how this card turned out....I don't think I'm up to making 100+ of these....I'll probably save this for another, smaller swap I'm participating in.

The lion, "puzzle" piece on left and edges of sentiment paper were watercolored with More Mustard & Old Olive and some Chocolate Chip with an Aquapainter on watercolor paper.

And I broke out my Hello Kitty sewing machine and stitched around the edge of that awesome Soft Suede zig zag embossed (new impressions folder) cardstock.

Hope you like....thanks for stopping by!!

Open House and Open Stamping!! SQUEEE

I'm getting ready for Stampin' Up's Convention next week and starting my swaps....and am opening up my home for Open Stamping if anyone wants to come by and stamp with me!

This is also an opportunity to pick up your FREE copy of Stampin' Up's annual catalog (if you haven't already received it in the mail) and to peruse what retired stamp sets I still have available for sale!!

Dates and times are on my Stampin' Up Calendar www.darthsunshine.stampinup.net

Hope you can come! :D

Happy 4th!!

This also happens to be my oldest daughter's 18th birthday!! Squeeee!!!

Huge Sale!! Retired Stamp Sets!!!

Well I decided to REALLY clean out my stamp studio....and here's a preview of the stamps going on sale this Saturday, May 25th at 8 am!!
Sorry these aren't in alphabetical order...they were grouped by size and now therefore price. These are retired sets from even a couple catalogs ago and also include some Hostess sets and Sale-A-Bration sets....if you need a picture you can look at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ and go to the gallery...ALL Stampin' Up stamps are available to see there.

Wood Stamp Sets $3 each:
2 U
Flower Lines

Wood Stamp Sets $4 each:
Like-O-Meter
Tree Trimmings
Solid Stripes
Dot Dot Dot
Homemade
Elizabeth
Elegant Thank You
Butterfly Accent
So Many Thanks
Young Vermillion
Simple Snowflake
Birthday Bliss
Dasher
Happy St. Patrick's
Hello Again
You & Moi
Forest Friends
For You Flower


Wood Stamp Sets $6 each:
Just Jawing
Friends 24-7
Season of Friendship
Plant Hope
Cheers to You
Heard from the Heart
Charming
Oval All
Have A Seat
Falling Leaves
Loads of Love
With All My Heart
Sweet Seasons
Pocket Silhouettes
Uncharted Territory
Serene Snowflakes
FYI
Fresh Cuts
Branch Out
Cute & Curly
Berry Christmas
Birthday Bakery
Eat, Drink & Be Scary
Eastern Blooms
Dreams du Jour
Take it to Heart
Fangtastic
Christmas Punch
Party Hearty
Winter Post
Vintage Vogue
Sweetheart
Crazy for Cupcakes
Baroque Motifs
Best Friends Forever
Great Friend
Greenhouse Garden
Central Park
Patterned Pines
Razzle Dazzle
Toujours

$7 Stamp Sets:
Extreme Elements (wood)
ALL CLEAR STAMP SETS below $7 unless otherwise noted:
It's the Thought
Picture This
Playful Pieces (set of 2 $9)
Good Neighbors
Picture This
Because I Care
Northern Hearts
Afterthoughts
Valentined Defined
Proud Peacock
Swirls & Curls Verses
Hodgepodge Happiness
Extra Postage
Vintage Labels
Sprinkled Expressions
Forest Festivities
Faith in Nature
Dark & Dreary
Awash with Flowers (set of 2 $9)
Rough Type
Punch Bunch
Love Bandit
Bliss
Afterthoughts
Festive & Fun
Bright Hopes
Totally A-Mazing
Send Me Soaring
Sweet Cake
Take it to Heart
Lighthearted
Stitched Stockings
Warmest of Wishes
Summer Splash
Sweet Scoops
Elementary Elegance
Fresh Vintage
Messages for Mom
Friends Never Fade
Fox & Friends
Scaredy Cat
Studio Sketches
Punch Potporri
Clearly for You
Touch of Kindness
Gift Givers
Out on a Limb
Piece of Poison
PS I Love You

Sale begins this Saturday at 8 am! :D

I'll miss this punch...

Stamps: Sincere Salutations, Nature's Path (thistle stamped behind sentiment); Ink: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze; Paper: Baja Breeze, River Rock, Whisper White, Paisley Petals DSP; Access: Big Shot, Framelits, embossing folder, taffeta ribbon, Ribbon Border Punch (retiring May 31st).

I got a peek at Stampin' Up's new catalog launching June 1st and am happy to say I LOVE IT!! I love every stamp set....and for the first time in almost 10 years I am not mourning retired stamp sets...there is something better/cuter in the new catalog!

This awesome Ribbon Border Punch is saying good-bye May 31st...so if you have to own one before they go away....you can shop at my site: www.darthsunshine.stampinup.net

:D
Thanks for stopping by!

A different kind of stamping....

One of my favorite crafty peeps introduced me to nail stamping last year (Kristina Werner...and her blog of nail stuff is at www.dailysomething.com)....so my girls and I will play and sometimes stamp our nails with the Konad kit we bought from Amazon.
Here's my latest attempt....subtle zebra stripes. Both colors are from China Glaze :)

Retired List of Stamps is here!!!

The. new annual catalog is right around the corner (June 1st release) and as always, Stampin' Up has given us the list of retired stamp sets from current catalogs.

Click HERE to see the list of over 300 stamp sets that will be retiring.

These stamp sets will be available for purchase THROUGH May 31, 2012!

The retired accessories list comes out April 25th.

If you plan to order any retiring stamp sets, be sure to check the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack for great deals on punches, designer series paper and more. Up to 60% off! 50+ new products added to clearance this past week! Clearance rack items can ONLY be placed through an on-line order and are available while supplies last!

Mixed Bunch Buttons

I love bright colors, it is hard for me to pull out my subtle colors to make a card. It fits my personality...very loud and bright HAHA.
I made this card for SCS VSN to use Sunny Colors. Makes me think of my friend Stephanie who loves yellow everything. :D

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Delightful Dozen; Paper: Whisper White; Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie; Accessories: Corner Chomper, Buttons-SU Brights Collection)

 Thanks for stopping by!

Where's St. Andrew's Day?

St. Patrick's Day is coming up...where all things Irish will abound during this month. But I want to know where our Scottish homage holiday is? HUH?!?

I stamped this card for Splitcoaststampers VSN (Virtual Stamp Night) Challenge to use a heart or the word "love" on my card...but when I finished I thought HEY! I'm not even IRISH! If I could have it my way I'd want a Scottish Holiday...we could call it St. Andrew's Day! Or Ewan McGregor Day! Or Gerard Butler Day! Or....my personal favorite Scotsman right now JAMES McAVOY!!! Ha! (Of course my first favorite Scotsman EVAH was Sean Connery...he's the quintessential Scotsman!)
Wow. I digress. The Challenge! So I used hearts to make my shamrock. This heart is from the PS I Love You set from the Occasions Mini Catalog. The sentiment is is an a la Carte stamp from the same catalog-Happy St. Patrick's.

Stamps: PS I Love You, Happy St. Patrick's; Ink: SU Garden Green; Acces: Full Heart Punch, Decorative Label Punch, stripes Embossing Folder; Paper: Garden Green, Whisper White

VSN is fun because it forces me to make a card in 45 minutes or less. This is torture because I will play around with the same card idea for hours sometimes. I'm not always happy with my cards...but the challenges always force me out of my comfort zone. This isn't one of my favorites...but...oh well. On day I'll show you my trashcan after a craftventure...or craftastrophe. HAHA
Thanks for stopping by!

How I save money stamping!!

BWHAAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! I'm sorry....did you think I'd have real tips for you crafters out there on how to save money on your most favoritest hobby EVAH?!?! While I can say I'm not in debt over this fun pastime of mine...I must share my blog post title did make me giggle!!

When I first began stamping I justified to myself that I was saving SO MUCH MONEY because I would make my own cards instead of paying $120 for a beautiful card elsewhere. My fellow stampers will laugh out LOUD at that because honestly, the hobby part of my obsession with paper crafting means that I'm lucky if I save any money. When Stampin' Up comes out with a new catalog it is VERY hard to restrain myself because I LOVE IT ALL!! My stampy friends and I tweet and email each other "WHAT DID YOU GET?!" and then try not to tackle the UPS Man when he pulls in front of our home.

While I may not save a lot of money....I thoroughly enjoy making custom cards for my friends. Many times I'll make an extra set of cards from my class or club to have ready....but my amazing friend Stephanie loves the color yellow and I wanted to make a special card for her birthday. I don't stamp many yellow cards, but she is the person I think of when I see yellow.  So, here is a pic of her birthday card I sent her:

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts; Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Silver Glimmer Paper (DSP); Ink: Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, Summer Sun (retired); Accessories: Simply Scored score board, Small Heart Punch, Full Heart Punch, Fashionable Hearts embosslit

I should have taken a picture of the inside--I used a stamp I found at a stamp show last year:

"If you were a cow, you'd be a belt by now." 

Since we're in our 40's now we can send cards like that to each other and laugh. Out loud.

Have any irreverent stamps? I only have a handful....I need more.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Did I mention I'm a procrastinator?

This is procrastination at its finest....I have 2...yes, TWO...Valentine's Day posts I saved here in blogger and W T Heck...I totally forgot about them. Pffffffth. So...let me share my cute Valentine Cards with you...AFTER VALENTINE'S DAY when no one cares! Oy!

My Big Shot was used significantly for this card...Dots Embossing Folder, Fashionable Hearts Embosslit...stinkin cute! Stamp is from the PS I love You from the Occasions Mini Catalog. Paper is Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White...and of course some of that awesome Silver Glimmer Paper punched with the small heart punch!
Thanks for looking at my late post!
XOXO

Clean and Simple Valentine.....

I love clean and simple cards...I don't know why I don't make more of them. I guess I'm always trying to outdo myself when I start a card and add another layer...another embellishment...and then it starts to look too busy and then I scrap it and start over! So I was thinking of another card for my Stamp Club ladies to make and thought of this gorgeousness I saw at Stampin' Up Leadership Conference:

And thought the In Colors would look so good....so changed up the direction, colors and card base to this:

Stamp set: PS I love you; Ink: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party; Paper: Whisper White; Accessories: Simply Scored, Full Heart Punch, Stampin' ma jig (good grief is that how you spell that? LOL)

and of course I used the amazing Simply Scored board to score the lines top and bottom.

Ok so Sale-A-Bration is going on until the end of March...for every $50 you order you receive a free item from the awesome Sale-A-Bration catalog! SQUEEEEE!!! Also, for new recruits that sign during this time, you receive $50 off the starter kit price (SQUEE!!!) and your choice of a Designer Series Paper or digital download for the rest of this year!! That is another $100+ in free product!! SQUEEEEEE!!!!! Go to my Stampin' Up website to shop or sign up! I'd love to have you on my team! www.darthsunshine.stampinup.net

Thanks for looking!

Valentines Peek! SQUEEE!!!

Spring Stamp Club begins tomorrow and the ladies are making Valentine cards...this is a snippet of an iPhone picture so forgive me...I'll post better pictures later but couldn't wait to share!
I got the idea for these cards from some I saw at Stampin' Up Leadership Conference last week....and changed up colors and techniques!

Sale-A-Bration is HERE!!!

Click HERE for catalog

Sale-A-Bration is here! Stampin' Up's best promotion of the year will run from January 24 until March 31! For every $50 you spend you get to chose any item from the Sale-A-Bration catalog for free!  Hostesses with workshops of $150 or more receive additional free Hostess products....AND the Starter Kit is reduced to $125 (from $175) during this period! SQUEEEE!

The standard starter kit comes with everything you need to start your own Stampin' Up business...OR just stock up on some awesome stamping supplies then benefit from the discount!! You get to choose the color of ink pads and paper AND your stamp sets! It's such a good deal! Over $400 worth of products for $125!!

Another benefit during this time is new recruits will get to choose a free pack of Designer Series Paper (DSP) or a My Digital Studio download pack each month for the year of 2012!! An additional $120 in free products!)

Click HERE to access my website and sign up online!

Stampin' Up Leadership Conference...AND Spring Stamp Club is coming!!!

I've had a wonderful week here in San Antonio at Stampin' Up's Leadership Conference and Regional event!  I got some wonderful ideas for projects and cards for us to make!  It was great to hang out with Lydia and Kim, and to meet my Twitterverse friends Sue and Linda who live in Canada!!!

Sue and I at Rosarita's Cantina...of course I had to take my Canadian friends for real Tex-Mex food!

Lydia, me and Melanie...so glad Mel came down to Texas!

Spring Stamp Club is beginning Saturday, February 4th at 10 am! Club will run for 5 months, through June....
What is Stamp Club? I provide all supplies for the projects and cards we make each month...and club members promise to order $30 each month for the next 5 months (a great way to build your stamping supplies). Hostess Benefits rotate each month so everyone will get ALL the Hostess Benefits for one month! On the month you're hostess you could take a catalog and get outside orders to build the monthly total for MORE free Stampin' Up! Product! SQUEEE! If the order is over $400 you get ANY ITEM in the catalog for HALF PRICE!!!! (like...the Big Shot!???!!)

Please RSVP before Jan. 29th to reserve your spot...space is limited!

Yay! Occasions Mini Catalog is here!!!!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE!

This is the best catalog yet! LOVE everything inside!!!

Shop online at www.darthsunshine.stampinup.net

SQUEEEEE!!!!!!