Blogger's Challenge - Week 50 - Black and White

If you remember from reading my Blogger's Challenge LAST week - I went thru the whole week thinking it was Black and White week. This card idea has been bouncing around in my head so long that when I finally completed it on Wednesday afternoon, my brain breathed a sign of relief!

Black and white can be quite intimidating to work with, I even told my friend Lissa on Tuesday that I was just "itching" to put some color on this card. BUT - the challenge was for Black and White, period.

Actually, I am delighted with the final result here. Once I stamped the Floral Background stamp in Whisper White Craft ink and embossed it in Winter White embossing powder, I knew it needed the "Fabulous" statement from Fabulous Flowers to show it off properly. The embossing really picks up the light in real life - no need for glitter this time! Yes, that's really me saying that!

The hat pin embellishment that I built from the Pretties Kit just 'felt' right and this particular background has so much going on that I wanted to keep the extras to a minimum. I simply used a small clear rhinestone brad from the Pretties Kit next to the greeting and decorated the corners with the Ticket Punch. A little Whisper White Taffeta ribbon combined with some Basic Black Narrow Grosgrain was all it needed.

Personally, I think this would make a great Graduation card for the special lady graduate in your life or a perfect Congratulations or Encouragement card.

You know, we don't have to be rich, thin or famous to be "Fabulous". Look around you, I'll bet you have a LOT of fabulousness in your life - enjoy it!

In the meantime, be sure to check out all the other great projects from the Blogger's Challenge participants. Click on the logo in my sidebar to find their blogs.

Happy Friday everyone!

Stamp Camp Leftovers and Card Giveaway!

Hey there! It's Tuesday morning and it's time to announce the winner of this card! Remember, if you left a comment before last evening at 8 pm, your name would go in a drawing to win! My dh has picked a name out of a hat and the WINNER is........... Stacy Stec!
Congratulations Stacy! I'll be delivering the card to you in person! (Since you live just around the corner! LOL!)
Be sure to watch for more contests like this - you could win next time!

No, I'm not talking about FOOD, silly - leftover supplies! Whenever my camps are over for the month, I try and make time to use up the leftover cut supplies on cards for MY card box - which, I confess, sometimes runs bare.

If you were here last week, you will recognize the stamped focal image as the one I used to demonstrate 2-step Stampin' with the Wild Rose stamp set. You guys were sweet and didn't use it for your own card (heehee) so I got to create something new with it. (Did you know that Stampin' Up! created the use of 2 Step Stampin'?)

This card was so simple to make (well, cuz the stamping was already done, but I digress...) I simply took Chocolate Chip cardstock and folded it in half for my base. Then I adhered a cut piece of the Groovy Guava Designer Series Paper (*see note at bottom of this post) to the front.

The ribbon is the Chocolate Chip Satin from the Theatre Ribbon Originals - I just tied it around the front of the card and knotted it on the right side. The stamped roses are layered onto Wild Wasabi cardstock and all are sponged with Chocolate Chip ink.

Using both the Large and Small Oval Punches (love me some punches!) I created the greeting with the Short and Sweet stamp set. The rose layer is popped up on dimensionals, as are the greeting ovals.

Do you like it? Leave me a comment before Monday evening, June 9th at 8 pm est. and tell me what you like about this card. I will draw a random name from the comments submitted and send you the card!

*Just a note about Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi and the other 4 In-Colors for 2007-08: Remember, that these wonderful colors are ONLY around until the END of this current Idea Book and Catalog. Sometime towards the END OF JULY, SU! will release the list of RETIRING ACCESSORIES AND COLOR PRODUCTS. Based on last year's experience with the In-Colors, those items with the In-Colors in them will probably be the first to disappear from the list. The Retiring Accessories list is 1st come, 1st served and DOES SELL OUT - unlike the stamp set list. If you are loving these colors, please make sure you have sufficient supplies ie.cardstock, ink pads, ink refills and Designer Series Paper BEFORE the list is released in July. That is the only way I can guarantee that you will get the products you need.

Remember, too that ANY orders of $50 or more in June qualify for my Hawaii 5-0 product drawing at the end of the month!

Happy Thursday everyone!

June Class Schedule! Read and RSVP!

Hey, do you like this card? I do - but we are NOT doing it at Card Camp this month! But why, you ask? Well, because we did it at camp LAST month! See what you missed?

Sorry, I just had to do it! We always have such a great time at stamp camp - I hate for anyone to miss out! So take a look at my June dates and times and RSVP right now before they fill up. My last two camps were at capacity so don't wait!

Just Cards Saturday, June 21st 10 am
Just Cards Tuesday, June 24th 7 pm
Going, Going, Gone Retiring Stamps Card Party Saturday, June 28th 10 am
All camps $15 inclusive, $5 deposit with RSVP. 12 participants per class only.
e-mail stampwithrobin@yahoo.com to hold your spot

Now, if you really like this card and want to own one, I am repeating this at my Hostesses Workshops this month. All you have to do is Book and hold a June show to get your hands on one of these babies! Plus a whole lot of other Great, FREE Stampin' Up! supplies of your choice! I love to give things away - so contact me today to find a date on my calendar. Did you know that you can hold your workshop at my Stampin' Studio for FREE? Ask me for details!

By the way, before I forget, this stinkin' cute card was designed by a fellow demonstrator (Kelly Acheson) and it was displayed for all of us on the Bermuda Cruise. I loved her idea so much, I had to share it with you. Thanks Kelly - you rock!

eScape with Stampin' Up! in June!

eScape with Stampin’ Up!

On June 25, 2008, Stampin’ Up! is taking the day to unplug, unwind and reconnect on a personal level with friends and loved ones through handmade cards.

We invite you to eScape with us throughout the month of June!
Attend one of my Stamp Camps (see my website for dates/times available) or host a workshop of your own!

Take advantage of the 25 percent discount on products in the eScape bundle to help you create that special message from the heart.

eScape Bundle Price - $30 for the complete set! (Retail Value - $40!)
Item Number #113700

Special Bundle Package includes:
Love Notes assortment
Circle of Friendship stamp set
Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon
Rose Red Classic Stampin’ Pad®

To take advantage of one or both of these special offers, contact me today! stampwithrobin@yahoo.com or call 703-365-9197

Wonderful Friends

Oh, yes, I am blessed with some wonderful friends! Two of them, Lissa and Nancy, helped me tremendously last weekend with my parent's 50th wedding anniversary party. So, I made them each a card and slipped in a little gift card treat for them.

I really like how this one turned out. I used Certainly Celery for my card base and sponged all the edges with matching ink. Then I stamped the long stemmed flower from Bloomin' Beautiful out of the Occasions Mini in Celery along the left side.

The Designer paper layer is from Spring Silhouetttes and is also sponged with Celery ink. I used Wide and Narrow Celery Grosgrain ribbon for the band and layered the focal point piece on Blue Bayou cardstock that was distressed with the Distressing tool from the Cutter Kit.

My focal point is the flower arrangement stamp also from Bloomin' Beautiful stamped off once then stamped onto Naturals White cardstock in Celery ink. I overstamped the greeting from Wonderful Favorites in Blue Bayou ink. The pearl accents are from the Pretties Kit and I also distressed the edges and then inked them with Celery ink by dragging the edges across the ink pad. It's popped up on Dimensionals for depth and adhered to the card.

Thanks for stopping by today! Happy Monday!

Emma takes Gold!

I just had to share a personal moment with you today - my daughter skated her final singles competition of the season yesterday and she earned her FIRST Singles GOLD medal ever! After a horrible practice session on Saturday, we weren't sure what would happen yesterday, but according to her coach, she skated her best skate ever (of course, WE thought so!) and earned her spot at the top of the podium!

We are so proud of our super skater and I wanted to tell the world! Thanks for indulging my moment of parental pride!

Birthday Cards!

Well, it looks like I have a FEW stampers out there who wanted to receive a Stampin' Up! prize!

The first card I chose came from my good friend and hostess Paula! She came to stamp camp last week bearing this beauty. I just love the colors and it's simplicity. She used the "Always" stamp set along with a greeting from a cute retired set that's name escapes me at the moment. What really caught my eye is how she cut the Le Jardin Designer paper so that 'Mon Amie' runs across the bottom panel.

Paula will be receiving a roll of Stampin' Up! Narrow Organdy ribbon in Olive (retired) to use on her next creations. Congratulations and thank you Paula!