Todays Challenge: SBVC57

Here is todays challenge information. I decided to choose a scrapbook page instead of a card this week. This challenge is a little different and that's why I am posting exactly what SCS said.

**********

SBVC57...Party Time...12.31.08


Good morning scrappers and Happy New Years! While growing up, we didn't celebrate New Years, we had birthday parties. My paternal Grandfather's birthday was December 31st and maternal Grandmother's birthday was January 1st.


One last "Using our stash" challenge - We are going to revisit the recipe challenge I did 2 years ago for Halloween, except you are going to choose a cake instead of a full menu. After you've chosen your dessert, I'll PM you with your recipe. You must use the items listed (they aren't manufacture related, nor are they hard, so don't be scared away) You can add any "spices" (aka other items) to your layout. Feel free to do this challenge more than once as each recipe will be very different.


Dessert menu:

Angel Food Cake (ingredients: white cardstock, ribbon, a circle, handwritten journaling, flowers, and bling)

Carrot Cake (ingredients: orange, vanilla, sanding, stars, harware and buttons)

Cheesecake (ingredients: white and brown, felt, stampin, cut work, buttons and bling)

Chocolate Cake (ingredients: brown cardstock, swirls/flourishes, doodling, brads, chipboard and a quote)

Fruit Cake (ingredients: black background, stamping, hardware, buttons, chipboard, and the use of a punch)

Rainbow Chip Cake (ingredients: printed paper with rainbow colors, flowers, stitching, rub-ons, and ribbon)

Sponge Cake (ingredients: yellow, inking, flowers, stamping, ribbon, paper piercing)

Strawberry Shortcake (recipe below)

*********

So, I picked Strawberry Shortcake (mainly because I love strawberries and I thought I would like the colors). My ingredients are:

Pink

Red

Hardware

Inking

Bling

Ribbon

I am now off to create. And, as always, please feel free to join in. If you do, please send me a link to your project.

Here is a link to see other cards made for this challenge.

New Years Greetings,

Ana

Sizzix vs. Others

I just received a posting from a fellow SU! demonstrator on the differences between the Sizzix/Big Shot, Cricut, Xyron and the Cuttlebug machines. I thought that this might be helpful to more people than myself so I am posting it to this blog.... Thanks June!:

The original Sizzix is similiar to the Big Shot in that it is a plain die cut machine. It's bulky and can only use dies made for the Sizzix. Our machine (Big Shot) is a roller machine. The original Sizzix is a crank thru.

 

The Cricut is a fancy typewriter. It's a bit like a word processor. You get a cartridge and a rubber mat that fits on the keyboard area. You type in the word, words or image that you want and select the size. Then you set the machine to cut. It cuts the letters you want in any size from 1/4 inch to 5 inches. Some cartridges have larger and smaller sizes. Cartridges cost about $100 each.

 

The Xyron is a sticker making machine. You can make any die cut, stamped image, picture, ribbon, or basically anything flat into a sticker. I have a small size that can use images about 1 inch wide and a medium sized machine that goes up to 3 1/2 inches wide. It's great when making large batches of card candy. Refills are available in temporary or permanent adhesive.

 

The Cuttlebug is a roller die cut and embossing machine. It's claim to fame is that you can use any die cut made for any of the other machines out there. You could also emboss paper with it and die cut the same paper in the same machine.

 

The Big Shot is similiar to the Cuttlebug but it is wider and can use the wider dies designed to make baskets and pennants. You can use any of the dies from other machines in it as well. Besides being wider, the other cool feature is that the adjustable cutting mat also has the sandwich lists on it. Basically, you don't have to go running to look for a sheet of paper anytime you want to cut something with another brand of die. Everything is right at your hand.

 

Cuttlebug and Big Shot are approx the same cost

CC199: A Light Unto My Path

 This is my creation for todays SCS challenge. I really like how this card turned out. I was really nervous about the colors but I really like the rich look of the finished project.

Card Recipe:

A Light Unto My Path

Whisper White Cardstock

Bravo Burgundy Cardstock

Handsome Hunter Cardstock

So Saffron Cardstock

Not Quite Navy Watercolor Crayon

Bravo Burgundy Watercolor Crayon

Handsome Hunter Watercolor Crayon

So Saffron Watercolor Crayon

Rich Regal Colored Buttons

Linen Thread

(Retired) Wine Ribbon

Ticket Corner Punch

SNAIL Adhesive

Mini Glue Dots

Blender Pens

Now, this card took a little more time to do then some of my other recent projects. I'm not going to fib to you about this, but I still think this is a card that a beginner can do. Of course, that beginner will need a few items in his/her stamp room.... Hey, but shopping for new, fun items to play with is half the fun.

Now its your turn. Show me your challenge projects!

Tuesdays Challenge: CC199 Saffron Burgunday Hunter

Todays SCS challenge is to use the colors So Saffron, Bravo Burgandy, and Handsome Hunter in a design for a card (or scrapbook page). So, I am off to be inspired... Truthfully, I don't think these are colors I would use for myself but that's why these are called challenges.

If you need to be inspired also, you can visit the CC199 gallery on SCS by visiting this site: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&si=cc199&what=allfields&name=&when=&whenterm=&condition=and

As always, if you are taking on this challenge too then please send me your finished pictures or a link to your project and I will add your link to the posting.

Have a great (and safe) New Year,
Ana

P.S. If you would like to see other projects made using this color combination please click here.

Smile 6x6 Page (SBSC170)

I finished the challenge page for today. I altered the design a bit, but I still think the page came out very cute.

I am not going to post a recipe for this page because a lot of the items used are now discontinued, and (shame on me) the big brads are not SU!. I hope you like the page just the same though.

I will be back on Tuesday, January 30th with another SCS challenge. I hope you will join me then.

Ana

Todays Challenge: SBSC170

Todays SCS challenge is to use the sketch below to make a scrap book page. Now the challenge does not state what size this needs to be. I am sure that most who take on this challenge will use the standard 12x12 size.... but I hardly use that size myself. So, I am going to try to scale this down to fit a 6x6 page.

I will try to finish this challenge tonight. Today is my only day off work, and I have to wash my work clothes.... oh, and did I mention, I still have the flu?

If you decided to take on this challenge, please send me your link.... or even a picture of your masterpiece! And, if you need a little more inspiration please click here to see what others have made.

Thanks, Ana

Challenge SC208: Birthday Whimsy

Again today I decided to use a retired Sell-A-Bration set from last year. This set is called Birthday whimsy. I also added to the SCS challenge by telling my self that I could only use scraps of paper that I had left over from other cards that I have made. This is what I came up with:

Recipe:

Birthday Whimsy Stamp Set

Whisper White Cardstock

Certainly Celery Cardstock

Regal Rose Cardstock

Tempting Turquoise Cardstock

Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink

Basic Black Classic Ink

Certainly Celery Stampin Write Marker

Tempting Turquoise Stampin Write Marker

Regal Rose Stampin Write Marker

So Saffron Stampin Write Marker

Earth Elements Eyelets

Stampin Dimensionals

Crop-A-Dile

SNAIL Adhesive

I will not be posting tomorrow. It is Christmas, and I have to work in the afternoon. On Friday I will join in on the SCS challenge, and post Christmas pictures. 

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Todays Challenge: 12-24-08

Todays challenge is again from SCS (seriously, if you haven't visited their site.... you need too!). The challenge is to use the following sketch to create a card:


This is going to be an interesting challenge, but shouldn't be to hard. Now, I just have to start working on it.

As always, if you decided to join in the challenge then please comment to this post with a link to your picture. If need more inspiration to make you vision to come true please click here to see what others have made.

Merry Christmas Eve,

Friendship Blooms: SCS Challenge

This is my creation for todays SCS challenge.

Recipe:

Friendship Blooms Stamp Set

Cameo Coral

Orchid Opulence

So Saffron

Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads

Cameo Coral Classic Ink

Basic Black Classic Ink

Orchid Opulence Stampin Write Marker

So Saffron Stampin Write Marker

Pop-up Dots

SNAIL Adhesive

Todays Challenge: 12-23-08

Todays challenge comes straight from SCS. The challenge is titled So Coral Opulence (CC198) and the rules are pretty simple. You have to design something that uses So Saffron, Cameo Coral, and Orchid Opulence.

Well this is going to be fun. I am off to find the stamp set that I want to use, grab the paper, and start designing. I will post the card, scrap book page, or 3 D when its done.....

Oh and by the way, if you decide to take on this challenge too then please comment to this posting with the link to your picture.

If you would like to see what others have made, please click here!

Inky Hugs, Ana

I'm BACK!!!!

After a little pause in my blogging life and my stamping life, I'm back. Please don't ask me why I ever left. Mainly because I really don't have any answers.

Right after Convention I kind of lost momentum. I know that is not what Convention is suppost to do for us stampers but for some reason.... the "umph!" was just gone.

Then I started working at a new job. Not just any job but a new job working the 11pm to 7am shift at a local nursing home. So, now when I was home I was either sleeping or wishing I was sleeping. After 3 months of working that trying shift I am now on a more normal shift of 3pm to 11pm.

To top everything off, we finally found out why my youngest son was always getting sick. He was in kidney failure. Thankfully though, Chris had surgery on November 17th (9 days after he turned 5) and he is doing great.

So, maybe all of these things that happened shortly after Convention had a snow ball effect on my stamping life and over all happiness. But, no matter what, I am back.

I am starting slowly this time though. I am not jumping in with selling, and classes to start with. Right now I am starting with stamping on my days off.... This means that I will be taking place in SCS challenges and possibly challenges on Shelli's Blog.

My first day with this "new" phase in my life will begin tomorrow. TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS (after all, I didn't even send out Christmas cards this year!). Please join me tomorrow to see what challenge I am planning on taking on and what I make to meet the challenge.

Oh, and.... another challenge I have to face is my stamping room. It has become a junk room where everything gets put instead of being put away. I will post pictures of this black hole over the next few days and start working on the great transformation. And, if any of you have any idea's on how to help transform my mess into success please feel free to post.

New Up Coming Classes

Things have finally settled down here on the home front and I am now able to schedual two classes. If you are interested in joining any of the following please let me know. Each class will be full at a total of 8 people.

Altered Scrap Book Class

This month we will be making two books... to make up for not having a class last month. The first book will be made out of drink coasters and the second one will be an accordian book.

Class Date: October 18, 2008 @ 11:00am till 3:00pm
Class Cost: $10.00
Pictures will be posted from the class within 1 week from the class date.

Christmas Tag Class

This will be the first of 3 days set aside to work on our Christmas Tags. We will be using a group of current and retired stamp sets to make our tags. Each person will be able to make up to 30 tags for the class cost. If you need more tags let me know and I will give you a special price for the extra you need.

Class Date: October 19, 2008 @ 10:00am till 2:00pm
Class Cost: $10.00
Pictures from the class will be posted within 1 week from the class date.

P.S. Chris is doing better. We are waiting for his surgery date which should be within the next month. Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes.

A Personal Note

I just want to take a minute or two and let you all know what I have been dealing with the last week. On Wednesday, August 27, 2008 I recieved a phone call from my 4 year olds school nurse. She informed me that Chris was not feeling well and she needed me to come in to the school to take him home. As most of you know, Chris has been sick for about 2 years now. He has been having episodes of nausea and vomiting and stomach pain since right after his 2nd birthday. So, I wasn't too worried about this new episode but found it more of a good sign. See, the doctors and I have been trying to figure out why he has been getting sick and Chris was set for a CT scan on Friday of that week. I was hoping that the scan could be moved up to that day, and set off for the hospital. Up till this point we thought Chris had intussusception but where unable to diagnose it. The doctors thought that this was in part of not having any tests down during an episode.

12 hours later we found out that Chris was being transfered from St. Mary's Hospital to Loma Linda Acute Peds unit via an ambulance. He was in kidney failure!

Before Chris was born I was told that he had hydronephrosis. After I delivered Chris I seen two separate doctors and both told me that if Chris did have hydronephrosis we would see signs and then they would run the tests needed to diagnose it. But, until those signs were present it wasn't wise to subject Chris to the large amounts of radiation that the scans produced. By the time Chris was two and started having his episodes we had kind of forgotten about the hydronephrosis. Matter of fact, we never told his current doctor about this pre-birth diagnosis. So, during each episode Chris had we all were looking for something different.

Well, it turns out that the kidney failure was caused by the hydronephrosis.

After two days at Loma Linda we got good news. My baby was sick, but the kidney failure was not as serious as first thought. Both kidneys were functioning at a total of 90%. The right kidney is filtering the blood but not draining. It is 13.5 cm in size when it should be 7 cm. The left kidney has multiple cysts (tumors). But, the kidneys are working. The doctors were actually surprised due to the fact that these attacks, or episodes, have been occuring for the last 2 years and usually that length of time means that one of both kidneys can be severely damaged. Plus, Chris has a 2mm kidney stone.

Chris was discharged from Loma Linda on Friday. He has a long road ahead of him. Over the next week we have to see his primary care doctor for a follow up, and he also has to see a specialist in Loma Linda for a pre-surgery consult. The following week, Chris needs to have surgery to place a shunt between the right kidney and the bladder. If this procedure decreases the size of his kidney another surgery will be performed to put the shunt in for good. If the kidney does not decrease in size we will have to figure out what to do next. After the right kidney is decreased we will move on to the cysts in the left kidney.

For all of you who know Chris personally, please know that he is doing well right now. He is almost back to his old self. He does have a lot of pain still and is on medication. He is hoping to go back to school on Tuesday.

I would like to thank all of you for the prayers. I truely believe that God had a hand in Chris's good news this past week.

August's Altered Scrapbook Class

I have had a problem posting lately due to a few firsts in my life. I will tell you all about these firsts in a minute but I wanted to take a minute to share the new altered scrapbook that we made this past weekend.

I got this idea from Convention this year. I didn't finish my scrapbook yet, eventhough I usually do before each class, but I can tell you that everyone in the class had wonderful looking books when they were finished.

Each scrapbook was made with a total of 7 pages and one pull out. I suggested to each class mate that they use the pull out for journaling. But, like everything else I do, I also made the comment that they could do what every they wanted. A couple of the girls used the insert as a place to hold tickets for the event they placed in the album. All very cute ideas!

This album was made with two envelopes bound together with a ribbon. If you would like step by step instructions for this project, or if you would like information about joining next months class, please let me know. Just send an e-mail to me at ana4stampin@aol.com or give me a call at 760-713-3708.

Now for my firsts! This month was the start of some great firsts for me. My kids went to their first day of school (after 4 years of being homeschooled). And, I started my first job as an LVN (after not working away from home in over 5 years).

The boys were very excited about their first. They are now into their 3 week of school and both of them seem to be thriving.

My new job is kind-of exciting. I am trying to get the hang of it.... and trying to remember all the things I am suppost to do through out the day. I am working at a local nursing home on the night shift. Yes, that means that while you are all at home suggled into your beds, I am up working. These new hours are taking a bit to get use to but I am sure that I will be ok.

The only bad things about my new job is the fact that I am going to have to juggle some of my SU! classes around. So keep posted and I will let each of you know about up coming classes as they are known to me.

Hope you all enjoyed this new project. And, like always, if this inspired you to make your own send me a picture of what you have made.

Ana

New Links

I have just added a couple new links to this page. Now you can view our new Fall~Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog just by clicking on the picture on the right side of the page. This link will open up a .pdf file that you can use to view the new catalog, and make a wish list that is all yours. You can even save the file on your computer to view at a later time.

The other link I just added is for a stamp sale. Stampin' UP! is offering some of the new stamp sets just released at a great price. Click on the link to view the sets being offered and then view them through the online catalog. If you see something you just cant live without, let me know and I will order them for you.

Celebrate Coffee Cup

This years SU! convention logo has really touched me. Not only is it SU! 20th year and their reason to celebrate; but, it is also the year that I finished school and became a nurse, which is my reason to celebrate.

I actually had one printed logo left from making my convention swaps so after I came home from convention I decided to use it for my coffee mug. Ok! If you really know me you know that I am not a big coffee drinker so I am planning on using this mug for my water, or soda.

Legacy Room

I am actually about a day behind on my posts here, but I promise I will get everything posted. I have tons of pictures to show all of you that I hope will help you all become even more excited about stamping.

But, before any sneak peaks (ok... there will be one sneak peak in the pictures below) I want to show you some great new ideas straight from SU! These ideas came from there Legacy Room at the main office.

Day 2 - Check In Day

Today was check in day and all I have to say is LINES, LINES, LINES.....

Part of the line behind us while we were waiting for the Momento Mall to open.

Linda Nelson-Barr and I got to the Salt Palace at 7:15am. When we arrived there was already a line for the Momento Mall. Luckly, we were only about the 100th person in line when the doors opened. By the time the Mall was ready to open the end of the line was told they would have to wait about 2 1/2 hours to start shopping.

Swapping.... It's what we do!

After we left the Mall, Linda and I went into the Gathering Place. Linda had an award to pick up (she hit the 20K mark in sales!), and I had to get my name tag.

Momento Mall sneak peak.

By the time noon rolled around Linda and I had already gotten our bags, and had taken pictures of the display boards located at the back of the Momento Mall. Now, we were heading to Riverton to see, once again, the Riverton Campus. I was very excited to ride in the bus for the 20 minutes it took to get to the campus because, by this time, my feet were KILLING me.

Inside the Momento Mall, these were two of my favorite items.

Once at the Riverton Campus I was very happy to see the new Legacy Room. The pictures, and home decorating ideas were just great. But, unfortunately this year, we were unable to see Shelli's office or help with the picking lines.

After the 20 minute return ride back to the Salt Palace, Linda and I walked to Subway for a quick bite to eat. It is really amazing how quickly you forget to eat when you are busy having fun.

I cannot wait until tomorrow's general conference, and classes.

I will try to update again tomorrow evening. Look at the Legacy Room post to see pictures of some great new ideas straight from SU!

Banner Happy

One of the things I think I like most this year about Convention is all the banners. I love the colors, the arrangements, and the amount.

Not only is the convention center full of banners, but the streets, and the Riverton Campus.

So, the one thing I really want from convention this year.... a banner! (Like that will happen!!!!)

I hope you enjoy them too!

Convention Day 1

Taken on the main corner of the convention center.

Outside the main doors where the windchimes sound.

We got into SLC on 7-30-08 around 5:30pm. After resting for a few minutes Linda and I decided to walk around the town.

Over view area of the bus arrival/departure area for the Riverton Tour.

I was able to get a lot of nice pictures of the Salt Palace. I think the night time pictures of the Convention Center are very pretty.

Across the street from the main entrance.

More updates to come!

Again, another photo taken across the street from the main entrance.