Well...it has been ALMOST a month since I last posted...but I have a good reason...MAYBE...but before I get into all of that...I will show you my class projects for this week...then I am gonna get REALLY long winded...



Okay here goes...get your reading glasses on...

I got really BUSY getting ready for Leadership...I did lots of swaps...and man did I have a FABULOUS trip down to San Antonio (Jan 17th - Jan 21st)...here is a recap of my adventures...

Tuesday…got bumped from the Grand Hyatt to the Hyatt Regency due to them over booking the Hotel…I know…How does that sound Fabulous…but…we ended up with that nights stay FREE and ½ off the rest of the nights that we were there, FREE Parking ($25.00 per day), FREE Internet and FREE access to the Grand Club which served, Breakfast, Snacks, Cocktails and Desserts throughout the day…so we were really spoiled by the time we left…OH and the Hyatt Regency was RIGHT ON the Riverwalk and ½ block from the Alamo so we got our sight-seeing out of the way!

Wednesday…moved from the Hyatt Regency back to the Grand Hyatt and checked into Leadership…got our CUTE, CUTE bags and then headed back to the hotel to drop off our stuff and went off to breakfast at Cracker Barrel…once we got back we went over to the Convention Center and got our stamps and our make n take packets. We had a cute surprise at our table…a matching little portfolio to our bag, it can hold a notebook and the current mini…We didn’t do much stamping, but when do I ever at an event…Once that was over we went up and had some snacks at the Grand Club and then got ready for Managers Reception. The entertainment was okay, a bit strange for Texas, but entertaining none the less and then once it was over…we all filed out and received a new stamp set that will be in the new catalog in June…it’s a really cute floral set called Bright Blossoms that matches the fabric on our bags…

Thursday…First thing we went up to the Grand Club for Breakfast and I had forgotten to put my jewelry on, and I feel naked without it, so I was heading back to the room after we ate and I was stopped by my friend Dee who I had met last year at Leadership in Nashville…she had met a lady named Meredith on the elevator who was in charge of an event for the Help a Hero Organization…she needed bodies to attend a VIP reception that night and so we were invited…They were going to be giving 10 houses away to Wounded Warriors…on the FINALE episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with Ty and his Design Team…so of course we ditched our last class and went to the Reception…we saw Ty , Design Team and got to hear Lee Greenwood sing Proud to be an American…there were only 200 people at this event and it was cool…then they took us over to the Riverwalk where they were doing the actual home giveaways…we were seated in the Reserved seating area in the third row…it was a long night of filming, but I got my 15 minutes of fame, and we didn’t get back to the hotel until after 11pm, but it was SO worth it…I had never done anything like that before and I know I will never again…so be watching for that final episode, it will air sometime in December…

Friday…I said when we got up…what Fabulous thing will happen to us today…as everyday had been good so far…got to Leadership as this was the ACTUAL last day of classes and Leadership…we had General Session in the morning and then Lunch, Suzie (my upline) won one of the Card Contests so she received a prize then we headed off to a class then back to General Session where I won Prize Patrol…I won the Apothecary Art stamp set and the matching Framelit dies…of course those were some things that I HAD to have so they are already in my collection, but they were FREEBIES none the less…Here we are with yet ANOTHER FREEBIE...this was an All Attendee Giveaway of the Everything Eleanor stamp set and the new Large Basic Pearls....

Saturday…was bittersweet as I had to say good-bye to Suzie and Brenda as they weren’t staying for the Regional, but of course I did since I was already there…they are hoping for one closer to them later in the Spring…as they only announced Regional’s through March…Back to the Convention Center…we started in General Session it was the largest Regional that SU! Has ever done there were 1400 people there…more than were at Leadership…then we broke up…some did Make-n-Takes and some stayed in Main Stage for a presentation…then we had lunch and swapped places…at the end of the day we all got back together in Main Stage and I won Prize Patrol again…I couldn’t believe it…ANOTHER fabulous perk…I won the Rue Des Fleurs stamp set out of the mini…

I ended up with SO MUCH FREE Stuff here is a complete list:

Bright Blossoms Stamp Set (will be in new catalog)

Loving Thoughts Stamp Set (for Leadership Make N Takes)

Mixed Bouquet (for Leadership Make N Takes)

Lucky Limeade Baker’s Twine (Make-N-Takes)

½ pack of Twitterpated DSP (Make-n-Takes)

Brights Designer Buttons (Make-N-Takes)

Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit with Pink Rhinestones (Make-N-Takes)

Large Pearl Basic Jewels (All Attendee Giveaway)

Everything Eleanor Stamp Set (All Attendee Giveaway – will be available in the new catalog)

Everyday Enchantment DSP (All Attendee Giveaway)

Fresh Vintage Stamp Set (All Attendee Giveaway)

One Big Sale-A-Bration CD (All Attendee Giveaway)

Basic Rhinestones (All Attendee Giveaway)

Basic Pearls (All Attendee Giveaway)

On Board 5X5 Art Journal (All Attendee Giveaway)

Pool Party Ruffles Ribbon (All Attendee Giveaway)

Apothecary Art and matching Label Framelit Dies (Leadership Prize Patrol)

Rue Des Fleurs Stamp Set (Regional Prize Patrol)

Okay…I think that was all we got…when I got home on Sunday…the first thing I did was unpack and put stuff away…I knew if I didn’t do it then it would been days or maybe even weeks before I got it done…so stuff is a bit scattered…as you can see we got A LOT of FREEBIES…makes me excited to go to Convention…and it’s 6 months away…

Then...Once I got home...I got SICK...yep I think sitting out on the RiverWalk, hootin' and hollerin' did me NO GOOD...I got a scratchy throat and then it turned into chest congestion and shortness of breath...FINALLY went to the Dr. on Friday and he sent me to the ER...so that is where I spent my Friday night...but I am on the mend now and starting to feel LOTS BETTER...which is a good thing since I had my FIRST REAL workshop since moving back to Texas on Saturday...I hope everyone had a good time...I know I did...met some new friends and even booked another workshop...YAY...

But I guess I better close this post for now...I have chatted your ears off and I know I have other things that need to be done this morning...

Happy Stampin'

Twila

Jan 2, 2012

Well...a second day in a row...cannot qualify as a "roll" yet...but I am on my way...let me tell you...today...I DID NOT want to get out of bed...

I woke up at 7:30 which is later than normal for me...as I have been sleeping in these last couple of weeks that the kids have been out of school...and let me tell you...they are going to have a RUDE awakening tomorrow when I have to PRY them out of bed O'Stupid Early...to get them out the door...and SO AM I...but then once they are gone...I can go back to bed...I probably won't...but the option to do it is what is nice...

BUT, this morning...I did get up and got straight into the Studio...I have been working on my cards for class this week and playing with all of my NEW GOODIES...out of the Occassions Mini...y'all can start ordering out of it tomorrow...and let me tell you...it has some FABULOUS stuff in it! Here is a card that I will be teaching this week...


Can't wait to show people how to use the new Framelits in different ways...and those new Hat Pins...LOVE THEM!

Hope everyone has a Happy Monday...Happy Stampin'
Twila

Hello...

Hello...Hello...Hello...

...Yep...it has been MONTHS since I posted here...but life has been busy...I haven't stopped stamping or teaching classes, but this blog has taken a back seat...but hey, it's a NEW YEAR and I want to start off this year differently...I have stamped lots for classes, but not TOO much for myself...and I NEVER send cards anymore...not to ANYONE...I didn't even send Christmas Cards AGAIN this year...that's TWO years in a row...and that HAS to change...I LOVE this hobby and I NEED to get back to WHY I LOVE IT...The SOCIAL ASPECT...

As some of you know...I WAS a Military Wife...my husband Kirk was in the Air Force and he retired just over a year ago...Now...I LOVED that life and I have found that I am having a bit of a hard struggle adapting to the "real world"...People...it's HARD to make new friends in the REAL WORLD...in the Military and around bases, people come and go, filter in and out and it was easy to meet new people and make new friends...friends that I still have years later...that I appreciate and LOVE...but of course...they are NOT here...not right down the street...do you know I don't know my neighbors...have no idea who they are...TOTALLY not use to that...they never come out of their house...SO...This year...I want to CONNECT...Connect to new friends and Reconnect with old ones...that is my Goal...a little at a time...Meet People...Make New FRIENDS and RECONNECT with my old ones...

You see...I have ALWAYS been a SOCIAL person...I LOVE to have people over, entertain, and especially have friends over to stamp and scrapbook...so that is a GOAL of mine this year...get back to the SOCIAL aspect of stamping and meeting people...back to doing Workshops so that I can make NEW friends...

WISH ME LUCK in 2012...
Twila

Convention Display Samples...

How about we move now...form my Artisan Award Entries...to my Convention Display Samples...

This is one that I made for Kaitlyn...I took this photo of her the day before she left for England...it wasn't actually on Display at Convention...I guess the colors didn't go with the other things submitted...but that's okay...I have a copy of it...NO BIG DEAL...


I used the Tasteful Trim Die and made some ruffles and accented them with the Basic Pearls...and I stamped directly onto the cardstock with a flower from the Raining Flowers stamp set and then stamped and punched the center out of another flower and mounted it onto the page for the flower centers...I used the Spritzer to add some distressing...and the Jayne's Type Alphabet for the letters


I stamped and layered up the accent flower and of course added more Basic Pearls to finish off the page...also added a bit of the Scalloped Chocolate Chip Ribbon as a transition between the ruffle and the Cardstock...really like how this page turned out...wish people had gotten to see it...OH WELL...now you will...RIGHT?!?

Happy Stampin'
Twila

Here it is...THE LAST...The last of my 2011 Artisan Award Entries...This one is of my Son Reilly...and I think that this one was my FAVORITE TO DO...Lots of things going on...


This is MINE...the 8.5 x 11...so it is a bit "busier" than the one that I sent to Stampin' Up!...but I still LOVE IT!...the No. 1 Banner...pulls out and there is hidden journaling back there...as you have probably noticed...I am all about the "hidden" journaling...


Here is the 12 x 12 page that was on Display at Convention...see not so SQUISHED...


Lots of collage stamping with the Elements of Style stamp set...


Added some banners over the photo as they are SO popular right now...



AND I LOVE how the button and scallop circles ended up on the page...I added the thread wound around the scallop circles again...with some button accents in the middle...the Pumpkin Pie DIS...it is cut ever 1/4" and rolled up...so there is an added dimension to his page...he has grown up so fast...but I guess I can say that with all the kids...school starts in a couple of weeks and he will be a SENIOR this year...and once he Graduates...he is planning on joining the Air Force...and leaving home too...what's a Momma to do...

Happy Stampin'
Twila

Kaitlyn's Scrapbook page...This was my second Artisan Award Scrapbook Page...I always do one for each kid...it was a bit harder this year as my oldest wasn't at my beck and call for photo ops...so I had to wait until her Basic Training Graduation to get some photos, but once I did I knew they were the ones I was going to use for her page...


This is the Page that I MADE FOR ME...I scrapbook in 8.5 x 11 and I ALWAYS have...it was the size that I started in 12 years ago...and I haven't ever changed over to 12 x 12 and I probably won't...so my page is a LITTLE different that the one I sent into Stampin' Up! as my entry as I know most people DO scrapbook in 12 x 12 so the one that I sent in was that size this year...


Here it is...on display at Convention...the 12 x 12 version that is...I kept it REALLY simple as I wanted the PHOTOS to stand out...



I used the Courage and Service & Sacrifice stamp sets...along with a couple of alphabets sets...I used the solider as the background image...and stamped and colored again as the Focal Point.

My pictures are Color and Black & White...and several different sizes...this is one of my favorite layouts...I am SO PROUD to go from an Air Force Member...to an Air Force Spouse...to an Air Force Mom...I just wish she were stationed WAY closer...but what mom doesn't...now to do it all again next year with my son...ANYWAY...that will be a WHOLE 'NOTHER scrapbook page...

Happy Stampin'
Twila

This one is CLEAN & SIMPLE...and VERY white...I kept it that way to show a totally different style that I normally do...


Simple muted background with a POP of bright colors...I intentionally left off the words as I couldn't find anyplace that looked balanced to place them...It was just very clean & simple the way it was...


I added the Basic Pearls for that touch of elegance...This is the LAST of the CARDS from my Artisan Award Entries...come back tomorrow...I will show you a scrapbook page...

Happy Stampin'
Twila

Well...Yesterday was a bit girly...how about today we go a bit more manly...I really did try to show a WIDE variety of styles this year for my Artisan Award Entries...This one was my more Masculine entry...

I used the Woodgrain Background stamp...I think that this is my FAVORITE background stamp...I actually use it all the time...for manly cards and for floral cards...'cause doesn't wood go with flowers...anyway...Then I added a bit of the First Edition DSP that I ran through the Big Shot with the Tasteful Trim Die...LOVE that Die to...if you don't have it...get it it's very useful...and of course. I distressed and sponged everything...


I used the Wood Sheets and stamped onto it with the Craft ink and then embossed the image with Clear embossing powder...layered it onto some DSP and ribbon, added the saying and the brads...DONE...clean...simple and manly...Kirk really like this one...as it had REAL wood on it...

Happy Stampin'
Twila

Okay...I REALLY liked this card too...maybe it was my favorite...ALTHOUGH...it did take the MOST time and the LEAST amount of stamping was actually involved...


You see...I got done with all the little details I had added to the heart...and proclaimed the card finished...and realized...there was not ONE BIT of actual stamping on the card...so I went back and added the word...SMILE...


Lots of detail on this card and lots of embellishments...but it turned out SO PRETTY...

Happy Stampin'
Twila

Fun...Happy Birthday...

A Fun Happy Birthday Card...This is another card that I made for one of my 2011 Artisan Award Entries...I thought that I would make a "shaped" card...and this was the end result. I used the now retired Pennant Die and made this cute Birthday Hat...OF COURSE...it is NOT your average card size...but who cares...IT'S CUTE...

I used the now retired Pennant Die and made this cute Birthday Hat...I had to set it aside several times before I declared it FINISHED...but when it was done I was really happy with it!

LOVE the way my little owl turned out...I have had the Owl punch since it came out in the catalog...but I hardly ever use it...Made a couple of banners for my Happy Birthday...and the Owl says...TO WHOOOOOO...on the inside...it says...TO YOU!


I LOVE the POM on the top of the hat...I used the Daisy Flowers die and some DSP to make it...added the Jumbo Brad and a Rhinestone to finish it off...

OVER a week...

YES...I know it has been OVER a week since I last posted...so PLEASE FORGIVE ME...but this is the Project that was next on this list to show you and I have been DREADING putting this post together...see...I took 46 photos of this ONE project. I am ONLY showing you 14 of the 46, so bear with me as I chat about the photos...there are so many little details...but I have decided to just show you the double page spreads...as getting photos into Blogger is sometimes a REAL PAIN...as you have to load them backwards, because if you don't then you have to move them all around...YEP a REAL PAIN...for me anyway...but that is probably because I don't know that much about it and I am not Blog savvy...BUT ANYWAY...here is what you come to see...

This was my SECOND 3-D project that I entered into the Artisan Award Contest this year...I designed a Mini Album...so go get something to drink and a snack 'cause this is gonna take a while...


Let me talk about the covers...the covers are just wooden photo frames...I used Stampin' Up!'s Wood Sheets and rand them through the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and adhered that to the front cover...I then painted and distressed the wood to make it look old. I also had my husband drill the holes for the binder rings, the Binder rings are covered with tied ribbons, and fabric strips...I then added the fabric flower and a dangle charm made from Hodgepodge Hardware and the Resin Roses that were in the Spring Mini...I even have a Crown charm hanging from the bottom of that...


The inside cover...couldn't just be plain so I added some Crystal Effects and covered it with Glass Glitter. The First Page of the album of course peeks through the cover and tells exactly what the album is all about...Family Photos...I tea dyed the Springtime Vintage fabric and hand-stitched the pocket onto the page...


Now this page has some really great photos of my husband...He is NOT one to get is picture taken...HE HATES IT...but I needed pictures and he complied...he even smiled in one...NOW THAT I was surprised about and I LOVE IT...it has a little tag in the upper left corner that pulls out and has journaling on it...


Now what family album would be complete with out pictures of the families pet...I would like to introduce you to...Dixie Lou Dawg...she is the BESTEST dog ever...of course my opinion may be a little bias since she lives with me, follows me from room-to-room and is one of my bestest pals...but I wouldn't let that stop you from thinking the exact same thing...OKAY...back to the page...On the left, I did a custom template that I designed extending the Top Note die and just traced it onto chipboard and copied it onto the back of the photo...on the Right...I used an Envelope and decorated it...folded the flap towards the back...YEP...it's a pocket and added more photos of Dixie Lou with journaling on the backside.


So...This is the backside of that envelope...the flap that was folded backwards...YEP...I added photos...This is Kaitlyn...my oldest...The flap flips open and there are more photos and journaling...but alas...some photos had to left out...SORRY...I used the Tasteful Trim Die to do the edge on the right and just punched the holes with my Crop-a-Dile...I even added another Crown charm that can bee seen from both sides...


This spread was one of my favorites...it is of my youngest daughter...Colleen...The layout is pretty simple, but my favorite part...you may have to look really close...is the Clear Window Sheet in the middle of the spread that I used the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder on...and since it is clear you can see through it to the photos on either side when it is turned...I also added some flowers and pearls to BOTH sides of it...but of course those close-up shots are some that I cut out...


Now this layout is one of my son...Reilly...I know the actual photo quality is NOT that great, but I LOVE the action shots...Track is something that he LOVES...he ALWAYS has...while we lived in California...he went to a VERY small school and the track program consisted of Cross-Country only...not what he liked...so moving back to Texas where he can be in the Track program ALL year...he is in heaven...he has track during regular school hours and then practice after school for a couple of hours...needless to say...the boy is ALWAYS HUNGARY!...So this page means a lot...there were some people I didn't know in the background...so i just covered them up with some appropriately placed stars. The page on the right is another envelope, with some photos added...


Here that Envelope on the other side and another spread of my husband...this time doing something that HE LOVES TO DO...go to "The Range"...The Shooting Range...and this time he wanted me to go shooting with him...I don't mind going normally, but it isn't my favorite place to be...I would rather stay in my favorite place...MY STUDIO...and play with my stamps and paper...but I went with him...but the only thing I shot that day were photos...and I got some good ones...There are more photos on the pull out in the envelope along with some journaling.


Here is another layout of Colleen...I took these photos about a year or so ago and they are some of my favorites...the scalloped piece on the left side is another pull out with journaling...and there is another crown charm that I added on the right...


Now this one combines photos of Kirk and Kaitlyn...you see Kirk retired from the Air Force a year ago...and just after Kirk retired...Kaitlyn joined...she had to wait a while for the job she wanted, but it was worth the wait...She went to Basic Training in Jan, Graduated from that in March and then was off to Tech school in Pensacola, FL...she Graduated from Tech School in June and came home for about three weeks before she left for her first duty assignment...She is now stationed at RAF Lakenheath, UK...YEP she is half a world away...in England...but is having fun...she has been there just over a month now and has already been sightseeing in London...and I know there will be more trips in the future...OKAY...back to the album...lots of photos on the left and a larger one of Kirk on the right...I had to strategically place the banner, as we are not suppose to have photos of ourselves in our entries, as to not give away who the entrants are...HOW ABOUT A NAME...YEP...there it was in black and white...blazoned across my man's chest...MOONEYHAM...US AIRFORCE...so I had to cover it up...I added the scallop circle on the right and that is actually covered in fabric and I cut out the little tiny stars and adhered them with Dimensionals...WOW...LOTS about that page...



Another spread with Reilly...this is how he is is most pictures...REALLY SERIOUS...I added a few scallop circles and decorated them with some crochet thread...then added the jumbo brads...the page on the right is a Window Sheet...layered up with the Top Note Die and photos...


This spread...has all the kids...and some silly out-takes...I actually used the photo on the left in my Christmas cards one year...added a few of the Resin roses...on the right...I made a quilt-like pattern with some extra papers and added the Resin rose...


This is the last page in the album...the wrap up...I added the envelope that hold my journaling and decorated the inside back cover just like the front...added a bit of fabric ribbon...tied into a big fluffy bow that peeks out...


YEP...peeks out the back cover...that got the same paint and distressing as the front cover...but no extra wood sheets...this I kept plain...

WELL...if you made it through the ENTIRE POST...KUDOS...I know it is EXTRA long...but there was a lot to see and talk about...if you have any questions, so want to see better photos of anything...let me know...I probably have it...

Now that this massive Post is over...I will be back tomorrow with more...so check back...

Happy Stampin'
Twila

Another Artisan Award Entry...

Here is another Artisan Award Entry...this time one of the five cards that we had to submit...I think that this one was my FAVORITE card...it is very simplistic...but does have a lot of detail...

I used the Printed Petals stamp set...and embossed the Cherry Cobbler flower with Clear Embossing Powder...I then added a Marina Mist circle with some added texture from the Northern Flurries Embossing Folder that was then highlighted with a bit of Not Quite Navy Ink. On top of that I added a POP of Daffodil Delight and a bit of bling with some Basic Rhinestones and a Night of Navy Button. OH THE LEAVES...I can't forget the leaves...I punched them out with the Blossom Petals Builder Punch and then ran them through the Big Shot in the Spider Web Embossing Folder to add the veins. I layered ALL of that on top of SEVERAL rows of the First Edition DSP cut out with the large scallop from the Tasteful Trim Die and my Big Shot...I also used some of the Springtime Vintage Fabric as ribbon to tie a cute and fluffy bow...and OF COURSE...I had to add EVEN MORE BLING...to some of the scallops...


Here is a closer look at the details...and all of that left no room for words...it's an ALL OCCASION CARD...


AGAIN...I think that this one was my FAVORITE card entry...glad that I made TWO...so that I could keep and admire it always...of course in a couple of years as trends and styles shift...I will look back at it and say...WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Happy Stampin'
Twila

Here is the Artisan Award Scrapbook Page I designed that showcases my youngest daughter Colleen...This page is 12x12...and the photos below are ones that I took at Convention, while it hung on the display boards...


In this photo, I wanted to show you how I took the Top Note Die and made a little pocket to add a couple of wallet sized photos, I also used a little clip and embellished it with some Designer fabric...

In this photo, I wanted to show you a little of the flower, but more of the background...You see I took the Lattice Die, cut it out SEVERAL times from River Rock Cardstock and layered it over some River Rock cardstock that I had wheeled with the Textured Jumbo Wheel in River Rock...so there is a very subtle tone-on-tone effect. The Poppy Parade DSP is some that I made from the line we had last year that was already embossed and you just added the color...LOVED that paper...it ALWAYS turned out SO PRETTY!

A closer look at the flowers...and in case you are wondering...the veins on the leaves were made with the Spider Web Embossing Folder...and the Scallop Trim with the little flowers added...LOTS of little details...which is what I LOVE...


and this one is for ME...I ALWAYS send one to SU! and keep one for myself...and I thought that I would show you the one that I kept for myself, as I am not a 12x12 scrapbooker, but that was the size that I sent to SU! for my AA entry, as that seems to be the norm, and I wanted to up my chances of winning this year...I scrapbook in 8 1/2 x 11 and ALWAYS have...I LOVE the more compact size...so that is what I did here...I downsized it a bit and left off the wallet sized photos...it still works and it is still beautiful...


Now to hang it as part of my window curtain in my studio...it is time to change out my pages...My AA and Display Stamper Pages from last year have been up for a long while now...time to put those away and put up new ones...I know I will enjoy seeing this one for a long time...

Happy Stampin'
Twila

Quick one...

Just a quick post tonight so I can show you the other two projects for my Wednesday class this week...

This was the VERY first thing that I wanted to make when I came home from Convention...and it only took me about 24 hours to get it done...TOO CUTE...and I have made another one too...for a baby gift...I will show that one to you in a few days...so keep checking back for it...


I LOVE the Doily stamps in this years catalog...and was really happy that we could pre-order them...which OF COURSE...I did...I had to wait until I placed my first catalog order last week...I always wait until after convention...as they show us such neat stuff...anyway...I had to wait to order the Hello, Doily background stamp...which I did order and now have in my possession...now to just get all the stamps that I earned at Convention and the few that I have purchased...MOUNTED...

Back to the card...this card uses the Delicate Doily stamp set, but with a modern twist...super simple, but very pretty...


Check back tomorrow...as I will be posting one of my Artisan Award Scrapbook page entries...

Happy Stampin'
Twila