Big Delay

Okay - so the new start was a bust. What was I thinking? I wasn't apparently because I did not go anywhere but posting and then set down the computer apparently. I wish I could say that was true - but like everything in my life, I am terrible at follow through. I have a thousand projects started and very few finished. There are no excuses or explanations - just a realization that I did not make blogging a priority.

So with all of that said, I will say that I am going to do better. It will not be a year and a half between posts. I promise!

Here is what has been going on in the Adams' family for the last 18 months or so. Life that is what has been happening. We now have two children in high school and one that will be driving soon - WOW where did the time go? Our business is doing well even in this terrible economy. We are so thankful that God is so faithful - even we are not. I am still teaching at high school - much to my children's pleasure not at the same one they attend. We have just had the first sign of real rain in our area since the beginning of the year. And I am getting ready for another Stampin' Up Convention - and I can't wait.

So here is one of the things that I will be swapping at Convention. (I know you are not suppose to show before the convention, but I am just too excited). It is very easy to make and uses the Big Shot and Sizzix die that are sold by SU!
1

To make this snowflake you will need the following items:

Aluminum Foil
Anywhere Glue Stick (104045)
Big Shot
Snowflake Die
Cherry Cobbler Paper
Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine
Bone folder or ruler
Small hole punch or awl

To create the snowflake:

1. Glue foil to the Cherry Cobbler paper - cover paper in anywhere glue and lay foil on top - use a bone folder or ruler to press out the foil.
2. Trim excess foil from edge of paper.
3. Cut paper to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 piece (you will get 4 out of an 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of paper.
4. Make your big shot sandwich using the die, paper and cutting plates.
5. Run the whole thing through your Big Shot. (I only did one at a time!)
6. Punch small hole in top of snowflake.
7. Attach baker's twine and tie a knot.
8. You have a great, inexpensive ornament to share!

I will be making several for a dear friend that just moved to Memphis. When she saw them she had to have some for her tree!

Well I hope you enjoyed this quick project. I better get into the craft room so you don't have to wait another 18 months for my next post.

danielle

A New Start

I can not remember the last time I even thought about posting to this blog. I can't believe blogspot hasn't dropped me for inactivity. Well, I am going to try to make a new start. The first thing I need to do is actually start creating - and not just words - but cards and other hand made items. I miss doing it and I miss sharing what I love to do. I would love to thank my friend Lisa for coming and organizing my craft room so that I can actually work. It is wonderful. I just need motivation.

I think I have found some. First, I am going to be creating items for an adoption agency for birth mothers. We are making scrapbooks for the birth mothers to use. It will be amazing. The next thing is that I ran across Operation Write Home - a place to send cards for troops so they can send them to their families. Isn't that awesome? I can't wait to share these ideas with my crafting friends.

WOO HOO!!! I can't wait to get started. That is for tomorrow.

Danielle

Regionals and the business of life!

Regionals in San Antonio was a whole lot of fun. I did not see anyone I know but I made a few new friends - which is the best part of being in Stampin' Up! - you are never a stranger. 

There were so many great ideas, I am going to post a couple of them here. I need to take some photos of the things that I have made getting ready for the holiday season. That, however, would require time and motivation, neither of which I seem to have a lot of. 

Anyway, here are the pictures of some of the fabulous things that I saw at Regionals. I hope you enjoy them. 

These are made from the Big Shot scallop and were demonstrated on stage. It is the cutest thing that I have ever seen. 

The following picture is of some truly darling goody bags that Carrie Cudney of Stampin' Up! demonstrated on stage. The are made with the Stampin' Up! exclusive Pennant Die. They are so much fun. I am trying to make them like a Santa's hat and a Reindeer to use for Christmas treats. Oh I love good ideas.

Danielle

Hurricane Ike

Well, we made it through. We have a little roof damage and were without power for a few hours. Nothing like our friends who have been without power for days and do not know when they will be getting it back. We are out of school for at least another couple of days so I am going to take the time to stamp. Hopefully I will have something to share in the next few hours. That would mean that I would remember to take the time and post it. 

The destruction is amazing. There are houses with trees down, roofs off, trees as part of the roof - etc. We are truly blessed to have the little damage that we did have. I have learned one lesson through all of this - blessings are meant to be shared. We have been blessed to share our home, food, freezer space with those that have been without power. We know that they would have done the same for us in a heartbeat. 

Danielle

Online Ordering

You can now order Stampin' Up! online. Simply login to my Demonstrator Website. Choose Shop Online and shop away.

Demonstrator website address is: http://daniestamps.stampinup.net!

The first 10 customers to place an order for $50 or more will receive a package of handmade cards from me!

Convention Swaps

I wanted to share some of my convention swaps that I did for Salt Lake. I had a great time making them and one of my dearest friends spent her time cutting circles for my dragon fly card. 

The first card is made with tempting turquoise and whisper white. It uses the Zoofari and Family Phrases stamp sets. It also uses the black gingham ribbon from SU!. I love this card it is simple, but fun. Hope you will like it as well.

The second card uses bravo burgundy, night of navy and very vanilla. It uses the Moose you Stamp set. (I love that Moose). It also uses a cute SU button with linen thread. It makes a great card for that hard to stamp for guy.

Lastly, is my favorite dragon fly of all time. It uses Pick a Petal. The wings are stamped in Riding Hood Red and cut out. The body is made stamping the solid circle from the set in Tango Tangerine and then cut out (thanks Jen!). It uses Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White papers. I faux stitched around the outer edge of the card, drew on antennae and used silver brads to finish it off. I really do love this card. Hope you do too.

Convention

Well, I am at convention in Salt Lake City, Utah and having a blast. My camera is not downloading to the computer so I have no pictures but there are no worries. 

There is big news. Stampin' Up! is partnering with Sizzix to offer an exclusive line of die cuts for Stampin' Up! customers. Woo hoo!  There is lots of other great news as well. Let you know all about it soon.

D