Pre Order Holiday Mini Swaps

You didn't believe when I said I had a lot of swaps! For this week and next I'll be sharing the swaps I hosted for the Holiday Mini Catalog that started on the 5th of this month! I had a total of two groups of 12, so not to make these posts too long, I'm only going to do 6 at a time.

Since the Holiday Mini is now live, you can find all these products in my STORE. I'll post this link again at the end of this post as well as other information, so make sure you go to the very end!

Donna Foster
Stamps: Farmhouse Christmas
Ink: Black Memento, Real Red, Soft Suede, Garden Green
Markers: Mossy Meadow, Cherry Cobbler, Blueberry Bushel, Pineapple Punch
Blends: Crumb Cake
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Pool Party, Real Red, Mossy Meadow, Festive Farmhouse Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Farmhouse Framelits, dimensionals, glue dots, Big Shot

This card is definitely over the top! I could easily see this for fall as well, just change out the colors!

Debbie Modrowsky
Stamps: Still Night
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Very Vanilla, Mango Melody,, Early Espresso, Gray Granite, Copper Foil
Accessories: Night Owl Framelits, Woodland Embossing Folder, 2 1/4" circle punch, dimensionals, fine tip glue pen

Pat Militello
Stamps: Country Home
Ink: Black Memento, Blends
Paper: Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Country Lane Designer Series Paper, Galvanized Metallic
Accessories: Chicken Wire Elements, Braided Linen Trim, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Subtle 3D  Embossing Folder, Tin Tile Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Big Shot

Thanks for stopping by! You can find all these products in my STORE. Make sure to use this months VIP Host Code ZRZ726CY when shopping to earn FREE product just from me and card kits! Also make sure to use your Bonus Coupons this month! There is also a Hostess Promotion going on! Host a qualifying party and get this Host Only gorgeous Designer Series Paper! I so appreciate ALL of your business! It's what keeps me going! 

August Swaps!

I hope you enjoyed Monday's post with all the swaps from July. Today I have my swaps from August! I'm hoping that I'll have my swaps from this month in early October and will get them posted as soon as I can.

So the theme for August was vellum. To use it however you wanted, as much or little as you wanted. You'll be able to find all the products used on these cards in my STORE and I'll put another link at the end.

Carol Barbati
Stamps: Bright Wishes
Ink: Lemon Lime Twist, Many Marvelous Markers, several
Card Stock: Lemon Lime Twist, Whisper White thick, Basic Black, Vellum
Accessories: Sponge, Aqua Painter, Scoring Tool, 1 3/8" Scallop Circle & Leaf punches

I'm not sure how Carol did her coloring of this well, but if it was me, I'd scribble some of the marker on an acrylic block, my stamp case or some else that won't absorb the ink and pick up the ink with the aqua painter. The photo doesn't show the detail really well on this card, but the leaves show lines in them. She did that with her scoring tool. You could use your bone folder, but a stylus would be preferable.

Debbie Modrowsky

Stamps: Stitched All Around

Ink: Blushing Bride, Black Memento

Card Stock: Whisper White, Vellum, Tropical Escape Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Stitched Labels & Tropical Thinlits, Rose Metallic Thread, Big Shot

Another hard to see but Debbie used one of the dies from the Stitched Labels to create some texture on the Whisper White card stock. Another that you really need to see in person!

Pat Militello
Stamps: Better Together, Playful Backgrounds
Ink: VersaMark, Lemon Lime Twist
Card Stock: Whisper White, Lemon Lime Twist, Vellum
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Twinkle Adhesive Backed Sequins, Linen Thread, 1/2" Gingham Navy Ribbon, Leaf Punch, Layering Oval Framelits, Layered Leaves 3D Embossing Folder, Night of Navy dark Stampin' Blend, Foam Adhesive Strips, Glue Dots, Big Shot

Lilly Ruiz

Stamps: Beautiful Day

Ink: Gray Granite

Card Stock: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Gray Granite, Vellum, Sparkle Glimmer

Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, 1/2" Circle Punch, Petal Pair Embossing Folder, Big Shot

Vicki Wu

Stamps: Petal Palette

Ink: Black Memento, Blends- Old Olive Combo, Petal Pink Combo, Daffodil Delight light, Calypso Coral light

Card Stock: Mossy Meadow, Petal Pink, Petal Promenade Designer Series Paper, Vellum

Accessories: Delicate Lace Edgelits, Petals & More Thinlits, 3/8" Gold Metallic Edge Ribbon

Mena Green
Stamps: Beautiful Day, Picture Perfect Birthday
Ink: Versamark, Night of Navy, Blends-Night of Navy & Bermuda Bay Combos
Card Stock: Vellum, Whisper White, Gold Foil, Night of Navy
Accessories: Classic Label Punch, Gold Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Gold Faceted Gem, Sequence Embossing Folder, Big Shot

Cyndy Ponczek

Stamps: Beautiful Blizzard

Ink: Balmy Blue

Card Stock: Whisper White regular & thick, Balmy Blue, Vellum, Sparkle Glimmer

Accessories: Blizzard Thinlits, Big Shot, Big Shot Embossing Mats (Blue), Fine Tip Glue Pen, Dimensionals

You can find all these products in my STORE. Make sure to use this months VIP Host Code ZRZ726CY when shopping to earn FREE product just from me and card kits! Also make sure to use your Bonus Coupons this month! There is also a Hostess Promotion going on! Host a qualifying party and get this Host Only gorgeous Designer Series Paper! I so appreciate ALL of your business! It's what keeps me going! 

The Swaps Are In!!!

My monthly swap group is a little behind, but we're all caught up now! They did come in while I was away and I'm just having time to post these! I have swaps going back to July to share with you! I do want to warn you this post is a little long!

So July's Theme was Monochromatic, white on white. Since so many did that in June, Mena the host, said just Monochromatic of any color if they wanted. Most did stick with the white on white, which by the way, isn't that easy to photograph so I'm apologizing now for the pictures. You'll be able to find all the products used on these cards in my STORE and I'll put another link at the end.

Carol Barbati
Card Stock: Whisper White regular and thick
Accessories: Lovely Floral & Basket Weave Embossing Folder, Multi Purpose Adhesive Sheets, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, dimensionals, foam adhesive strips
Just in case you're wondering, that glittery strip was made with the Multi Purpose Adhesive sheet and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter! Love how it sparkles!

Cyndy Ponczek
Stamps: Varied Vases
Ink: Sahara Sand
Card Stock: Very Vanilla
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Subtle Dynamic E.F., Vases Builder Punch, Stampin' Sponges, Pearls, Very Vanilla 1/2" Lace Trim, dimensionals, Big Shot, Stamparatus
I die cut the oval and then using the new Stamparatus, I stamped the flower and thanks. Made it so much easier!

Debbie Modrowsky
Stamps: Serene Garden, Itty Bitty Greetings
Ink:Gray Granite, VersaMark
Card Stock: Whisper White regular and thick
Accessories: Garden Scene Framelits, White Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Gray Granite Textured 1/2" Weave Ribbon, dimensionals, Big Shot
I don't think you can see it in the photo, but she stamped images in the upper right and lower left corners and embossed them with the white embossing powder. The card is really stunning in person!

Laura Davis
Stamps: Healing Hugs, Perennial Birthday
Ink: Tranquil Tide, Black Memento
Card Stock: Tranquil Tide, Whisper White
Accessories: 2" circle & Starburst punches, Ruffled E.F., Rhinestones, dimensionals
She also has a slight shimmer to the card. I'm not sure exactly how she did it, because nothing is mentioned, but my guess is the Clear Wink of Stella

Lilly Ruiz
Stamps: Detailed with Love
Ink: Basic Grey
Card Stock: Whisper White regular & Thick
Accessories: Softly Falling E.F., 2" Circle Punch, Flourish Thinlits, dimensionals, Big Shot

Mena Green
Stamps: Petal Palette
Ink: Basic Gray
Card Stock: Whisper White
Accessories: Lovely Floral E.F., Layering Ovals, 3/8 Silver Metallic Edge Ribbon, Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Big Shot 

Pat Militello
Stamps; Little Elephant
Ink: Versamark, Rich Razzleberry
Card Stock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Share What You Love Speciality Designer Series
Accessories: Elephant Builder punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Dimensionals, Polka Dot Basics Embossing Folder, Stitched Shapes & Bunch of Banners Framelits, Big Shot

Vicki Wu
Stamps: Star of Light
Ink: VersaMark
Card Stock: Whisper White
Accessories: Starlight & Beautiful Layers Thinlits, Clear Faceted Gems, Rhinestones, Scattered Sequins Embossing Folder, Silver Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Big Shot

Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate your patience with my posts. I know that haven't been steady. I won't promise I'm back on schedule, but hopefully I'll be able to catch up a bit with having all these swaps to post. It should hopefully give me some time to stamp. I am also working on some other crafting projects as well! So maybe I'll get them posted as well! 

You can find all these products in my STORE. Make sure to use this months VIP Host Code ZRZ726CY when shopping to earn FREE product just from me and card kits! Also make sure to use your Bonus Coupons this month! There is also a Hostess Promotion going on! Host a qualifying party and get this Host Only gorgeous Designer Series Paper! I so appreciate ALL of your business! It's what keeps me going! 

TGIF!!!

Can you believe it's Friday, the end of August, AND Labor Day weekend! Oh no! That also means I'll be coming home soon! Waah!

Since today is the end of August Stampin' Up! also has some specials ending today. The first is the Blended Seasons Bundle and coordinating products. When you purchase the bundle, not only will you get this fabulous bundle, a Bonus Days coupon to use next month, but I'll send you 3 card kits using this great stamp set & dies. I did use the colored pencils that are available with this special along with the new Shaded Spruce ink, VersaMark, and White Embossing powder. So if you don't have those items you may want to add them to your order.

Which brings me to the next special ending is the Bonus Days. For every $50 you spend you get a $5 coupon (emailed to you) to use in September! How great is that! Pull out your wish list and get shopping!

My VIP Host Code CXWFSKJF for August is also ending. For this you need to spend $75 or more to receive the new Adhesive Backed Sequins. Check out my VIP Host Code page for all the details.

I wasn't intending for this post to be too long, but I wanted to share what I've been working on while I was on vacation.

These are microwave bowl holders. I learned how to make these last year at this fabulous quilt shop near me down here. I finally got a portable sewing machine to bring with me so I could sew at the house and bring to class as well. I had started these but didn't finish them til now. I know I had someone in mind to give these to, but can't remember right now.

I used Batik fabrics. I've been using them alot on different projects and can't seem to get enough of it! I made a set of four. I maybe adding these to my collection of things to sell if I can't remember who I made them for!

I also finished one sock and am working on it's mate. I got some new yarn and pattern. I've made several pairs of socks, but used the same pattern. I figured it's time to change things up. What a learning curve this has been! Thank goodness for YouTube!

These socks started from the toe. I usually do from the cuff down and knit with 4 double pointed needles. This pattern uses circular needles and does an afterthought heel.

I did finally finish this sock, here is shows where the heel will go. I'm hoping the next one will be easier! Wish me luck! Enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a wonderful Labor Day! Hopefully you will have off from work! These days, it seems everyone is open with sales galore!

More Life Happenings

Since I have some down time, I thought I'd get some more updates out. So my husband's idea of vacationing is digging holes! Well not totally, but that was one of the first things we did when we got to our house on the Eastern Shore. We wanted to make a breaker between our place and our neighbor. He got some cypress and another tree on clearance and thought these would work great. He also wanted something that would stay green all year, so these should do the trick! I must say he did all the digging. I helped take up the grass so we could mulch around this area as well. It took 2 days to plant all 11 trees! Again, I was exhausted and needed, this time a day to rest! Guess I'm getting in better shape!

 Fortunately we got to do all this in the shade! I had to spray myself with bug spray every so often because the mosquitoes are really BAD! Sorry the picture looks so dark but there are our little trees! They're suppose to be fast growing so we will see! I'm out watering them every morning now! 

In the above picture is a holly bush we tried to transplant. John was digging it up and came across a huge root so he tried to pull it out with the truck. We got some roots. Hopefully this is hardy enough it will make it! I'm also giving it a BIG drink everyday.

I can't believe August is almost gone! Don't forget to take advantage of Stampin' Up! August specials! You can find them in my STORE. Also make sure you use this month's VIP Host Code CXWFSKJF for extra specials!