• Debbie bought luggage tags from Oriental Trading to alter for each of the team members going to convention. But she was having trouble deciding what to do with them, so she sent them my way and asked if I could come up with something. Here is my final product, I took them to the team meeting tonight and Debbie handed them out to each of the other team members who are going! This is great we can all mark our carry-ons or our convention bags with matching tags!

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    I was a little stumped at first for how to handle altering these luggage tags. They had one side that had an opening so you could slide your information (name, address, and such) under the plastic protector. The other side was completely sealed closed and very WHITE. I though this is quite boring! I spent a long time trying to decide how exactly I could alter the blank back side. I considered StazOn, but that was a little limiting color choice wise and still left a lot of white showing. I also considered attaching items to the outside, but then I lost the benefit of the plastic protector. Finally I had a brainstorm that worked out great.

    I slid my scissors under the plastic (There was a small opening in the center of the plastic where the plastic cord is). I cut a straight line out to each edge of the plastic.

    Then I was able to slide in my paper. (I used Always Artichoke, River Rock, and Blue Bayou on this project along with the Baroque Motifs stamp set). I used a pencil to mark the opening in the center of the Luggage tag onto the card stock. Then I pulled the card stock back out and punched with the slot punch.

    Next I slid the paper back into the Luggage Tag. I took a piece of Sticky Strip tape and placed it along the cuts I had made. I used an exact-o knife to trim the sticky strips away from the center hole. Then I removed the red backing and sprinkled some ultra-fine clear beads where along the sticky strips. I pressed them in real well and the back of the tags were finished!! The beads add a great vintage sparkle to the project. (By the way a BIG thanks to my Secret Big Sister, you may remember she sent me beads in my gift last month and they saved the day on this project!)

    Here’s a close up of one of the tags, you can see the beads a little better on this project.

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    Next I created the back. I typed up each person’s information – then printed it out, mounted it on some card stock, and slid it into the back of the tag. I also added a little stamping to the back. Here’s a look. (note: I smudged out some of the info on the picture)

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    That’s it for now. We didn’t do any swapping or make ‘n takes at the meeting this month since so many of us are busy getting ready for convention. But there will be lots of post coming soon. I have lots of swap projects to show off!  I’m just waiting for it to get a little closer to convention before I post! 🙂

    Happy Stampin’
    Julie

  • oYesterday was a fabulous mail day!! I had a VERY busy day – all kinds of running around to do! I also went with my cousin to get Ian’s 3 Month baby pictures taken (They turned out SO adorable – I can’t wait to scrapbook some). It was tons of fun 🙂 .. but taking pictures of a 3 month old is lots of work!!! So when I was headed home at 7pm in the evening I was ready for the day to be over!! I stopped to pick up mail and I found a package from my SU Secret Big Sister!! I was so excited I opened it right there in the car!!

    Image0052 She sent me some PURPLE StazOn

    -She’s already got my number!! Make it purple and I’ll love it :).

    She decorated a Band-Aid Size Tin and filled it with zip top baggies of fun "Bling" items for me to use on cards and scrapbook pages! It had some microbeads, some cord in various colors, a few purple/pink prima type flowers, and some Rhinestone Brads.

    I also got a card portfolio – It included 4 cards, matching envelopes, and stamps!! A GREAT gift idea, we may be making a version of this at an upcoming Stamp Camp! I love the project idea!!

    And of course, Big Sis also included a cute card with a sweet note inside!! 🙂

    Here’s a closer look at the Band-Aid Tin.

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    And a look inside the Card Portfolio

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    Thanks so much to my big sister!! It really made my day to get such great gifts!! You’re The best!!

    So I’m all excited about my package! I walk inside and find a BIG box from UPS!! The new CATALOGS CAME!!! That poor box was sitting there ALL day waiting for me to get home!! So I tear open the box and spend the rest of the evening drooling over the new catalog – My wish list is SO LONG!

    Image0051 There it is!! It’s so Pretty.

    -I used my usual method of going through a new idea book. I first flipped through the book, highlighting all the sets I already own! Sometimes the new ideas make a set look so great I get excited about ordering a new set, and forget I already own the set. So first things first make sure I know what I own! 🙂

    Then I flip through the book much more slowly looking at all the ideas and fun new stuff! Putting a tabby on any stamp set I want to add to my wish list or on any project that inspires me to create something of my own! I often wonder what the point of the tabbys is ..Do you see how many I have? 🙂 But it really does help!!

    You all are going to LOVE this book, I think it has some great projects and the layout is the best I’ve even seen! It is so easy to find accessories and coordinating products in this book!

    I’m in the process of spiral binding all the pre-ordered books! I’ll have everyone’s copy at the next stamp camp on July 14th! Of Course if you can’t wait, feel free to give me a call and we’ll make plans to meet up so you can have your new book sooner! 🙂

    Happy Stampin’
    Julie Edmonds

  • Two post in one day from me!! 🙂 I got Happy Mail today and I wanted to share!! What is Happy Mail you ask?? Happy mail is when you open your mailbox and find a nice hand stamped suprise hiding amongst all your bills and junk mail!

    I just signed up to be part of a Demonstrators Secret Sisters group. We each have a Secret Big Sister who will spoil us with hand stamped cards, and other gifts – They try to keep their identity a secret for 4 months! Then we get to find out who our Big Sister is!! The best part though is we also get to be the Big Sister to someone else and spoil them!! 🙂 It’s a great way to grow relationships with other Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators!! I’ve been busy working on spoiling my sister, but I don’t want to give my identity away … so I won’t post the projects I’ve sent her 🙂 You’ll have to wait until after I reveal my identity to see what I’ve sent her … But I got my first card from my Big Sister Today – here it is..

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    She choose the perfect card to send me, it’s Purple afterall!! 🙂 I can’t wait to get more happy mail!! 🙂 I’ll share with you all whenever I do!!

  • No, I’m not talking weddings … but I do have a little something Blue for you. 🙂 I’m a little late this month on blogging about the team meeting but here goes. At the meeting this month we swapped cards using sets that will be retiring at the end of the month. It was fun to create one last card with some of our favorite sets. Check out the swaps in the June Team Swaps Photo Album. So There’s your something old .. and Here’s a little something New and Blue… I did a make ‘n take for this month’s meeting, and since my pre-order of stamps arrived just a few hours before the meeting I decided to design a quick card … so this is your first peek at some of the new colors, sets and accessories that will be in the new catalog!

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    Sorry the scan doesn’t really do this card justice .. it’s much prettier in person. It’s a clear card. I used the new stamp set Baroque Motifs, New Paper Colors and yes that is a Rhinestone brad on that flower!! 🙂 So much sparkle!!

  • As most of you know, I’m going to Stampin’ Up!’s annual convention this July!!  One of the highlights of Convention that I always look forward to is the swapping!! This year in addition to the general swapping I’ll do with anyone and everyone, I’ve also signed up for some specific swaps. Specific swaps are GREAT, because you know exactly how many swaps of what you’ll need to take. We all meet at a pre-arranged spot at convention and swap our items!! I’m SO excited!!

    If I’ve been a little quiet on my blog lately it’s not because I’m not stamping… It’s because I’ve been stamping too muchJ. I didn’t know there was such a thing … but apparently there is!! J I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to stop and post. But I promise you those pictures will be coming!! Just stay tuned

    I’m also hosting a swap that I’m VERY excited about – But I’ll be making over 100 CD’s w/Holders to swap for it!!! J

    I think I’m a little crazy this year, as I started looking over the list of swaps I’ve signed up for… I’m wondering just how many late nights it will take to get through all this?!?! J But it will be well worth it!! I am going to have all the swaps on display at the August Open House (More info coming soon) So wish me luck and leave me some encouraging messages on the blog as I work hard to finish my projects – And check back often so you can see my progress!!

    Here is a list of the swaps I will be making…


    -110 CD’s w/ CD Cases for my swap
    – 20 (Bag Tags) for WOW Project Swap – DONE
    J
    – 20 (Altered Name Badge) for WOW Project Swap – DONE
    J
    – 20 (File Folder Scrapbooks) for WOW Project Swap – DONE J
    – 20 (Coaster Frames) for WOW Project Swap – DONE J
    – 30 Christmas Cards for Group 1 Christmas Card Swap – DONE J
    – 30 Christmas Cards for Group 4 Christmas Card Swap –
    DONE J
    – 21 Joy Fold Cards for WOW Card Swap –
    DONE J
    – 21 Squash Cards for WOW Card Swap –
    DONE J
    – 21 Triangle Tri Fold Cards for WOW Card Swap – DONE J
    – 21 Pajama Top Gift Cards for WOW Card Swap –
    DONE J
    – 200 Assorted Cards for General Swapping

    Stay Tuned in for Pictures of some of the projects as I finish them!! J

  • The first ever Stamp ‘n Scrap University, Presented by Create, Ink is behind us now and we had SO MUCH FUN!! The University was last Saturday – everyone who came got to create a book full of technique ideas for their rubber stamping projects! We had a great time teaching all of you, and I think everyone who came had a wonderful time too!! We had lots of request to do it again next week!!! J We do have some BIG plans for future events, but I think we need a little more time then 1 week to get going again. J 

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    Here’s a picture of a few Students (Karen, Cindy, and Sue) starting their day at SSU.
    If you want to see more pictures from the day – check out
    www.inkrediblephotos.shutterfly.com.

    If you didn’t get to join us this time, we hope you’ll be able to make a future event! Here’s a little something to tide you over until then though. This is 2 samples of pages that were created at SSU. Every page had instructions – but you had the option to leave instructions off and put a picture on the page instead.

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    This is the Polished Stone technique page, designed by Carrie. – If students were signed up for both sessions they left with 20 technique pages similar to this, each featuring a different technique.

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    This technique was – Faux Photo Stamping, and on this example I choose to place a picture instead of the instructions page. I LOVE that the pages were designed so you could use them either way. Most of the students said they would keep the book as a technique book, to remind them of what they learned at SSU. A few people, however, were very excited to get home and put pictures in their book – a finished brag book in one day!

    Happy Stampin’

    Julie

  • Father’s Day will be here soon, so at my last team meeting we swapped masculine cards. This shirt card was shared by Lisa! I LOVE the Au Chocolate paper … such a Dad shirt!!

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    You can find pictures of all the great swap cards in this month’s swap photo album: Masculine Swap.

  • My team meeting was last night & I was presenting one of the Make ‘n Takes. I decided to show this super quick and simple party favor pouch. I used the new Palette ‘o Prints paper, so I didn’t even have to cut anything. It was all ready to go!

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    Follow Along With These Step by Step Directions & Create Your Own Pouch.

    Image00141. Start with Your 6×6 Square of Paper. Fold it in half to create a triangle. Whatever pattern is showing now is the pattern that will be on the outside of your pouch.

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    Image00152. Line the Folded end of the Triangle Up with the 2-1/2" line on your cutter. Score Lightly Across the triangle.

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    Image0019 3. Fold up 1 corner until it is just BELOW the score line. You want the tip ALMOST to the edge of the paper. Repeat this with the other corner.

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    Image0024 4.Fold the top flap down over the other two flaps, along the score line. Unfold the three flaps and refold them, using Snail Adhesive or small pieces of sticky strips to adhere all 3 flaps.

    If you followed all the directions your points should line up perfectly. If they are a little off, don’t worry, you’ll be covering that part up. You can easily hide the points if they don’t line up
    I stamped and cut out flowers from the Big Blooms stamp set to attach to the center of the pouch. I colored them with Markers to Match the paper. You can also use a Button with some ribbon tied through it. Let your imagination run wild when you decorate your pouches.

    My Pouches were made to be party favors. I filled a small cello bag with small lip gloss, tied it shut, and slipped it into the pouch. Perfect for a little girl’s birthday! You can fill the pouch with lots of fun things. They are the perfect size for Gharadeli Chocolate Squares. A tea bag with a honey stick also fits in Nicely.

    I’d love to see what you do with your pouches! Take a picture and e-mail me your project and I’ll add it to the Your Creations Folder!

  • For those of you who know Letty, her daughter Emma is about to turn 2! Can you Believe it?! It seems like just yesterday that we were all passing the baby around at Stamp Camps!! Letty decided the theme for Emma’s Birthday is going to be Tinker Bell. So she found a cute stamp and set me to designing a card for the party invite! (Shhhhhh!!! Don’t tell anyone I used a non-Stampin’ Up! stamp!!) 🙂 I love the way this card came out! we stamped the wings a second time on vellum paper, cut them out and glittered them. Then we stuck them down to the card letting the edges curl up. It gives the wings a real 3-d look! I think the card turned out great! Very pretty and glittery – It’s even better in person.

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  • Image0016Lisa was over the other day to play Stamping with me again! 🙂 She had an end of year Girl Scout Awards Ceremony coming up for the leaders and volunteers, and needed some gifts for it. We came up with some great ideas. We made the Jumbo Clip Bookmarks for everyone who was at the Banquet and attached them to a piece of card stock that we rolled a design onto and printed a message on. Here’s what they look like finished! We made 105 of these!!

    Image0017 She also needed some gifts for her Neighborhood Chairs – so we created a framed thank you. We used some frames Lisa had leftover from the Christmas Project I did a few years ago. We stamped the girls from the retired Girl Power stamp set and printed a nice poem about how special volunteers are. We added some confetti stars for fun movement in the frame (The poem said the volunteers were shinning stars) I think they came out great and everyone who gets one will treasure it for a long time!

    Lisa did a great job of wrapping the frames and gathering all the bookmarks in a basket. Here are some of the finished products sitting on her table waiting to go!!

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