Leadership samples!

 Hi...super quick post today!  Just wanna share with you some of my favorite samples from Leadership.  I'm always in awe of the creativity the powers that be have at SU!  This pillow was probably on the top of my list!  That adorable fabric flower is made from fabric that will be available June 1st.  I'm pretty darn sure this is the fabric I'm gonna use to finally decoate Aubrie's room.  Oh....and the flower was created using the dresden die - in Occasions Mini.

You are simply wonderful!

I know, I've been slightly scarce.  Sorry.  Things have been crazy.  I'm working on things for the Artisan Studio that is about to open mid-month over in Woodbine, YAY!  I've been working on designing tickets for our church's fundraiser - a Comedy Cabaret.  Somehow I got myself on the committee - and I'm really not sure how.  I recall volunteering to help decorate and design flyers.  The next thing I know, we're having meetings, etc.  Oh well.  It's for the church, and I'm all for it!  Plus I've got meetings coming up for our church's summer Parish Picnic.  (that committee I knew I was on!)  PLUS, I've had stamp clubs to prep for and Will's birthday party.  He's gonna be SIX! in case you are wondering.  Doesn't seem possible.  At. All.   He's been home sick for the past two days - he went today, but then I got a call from school that said he left church this morning complaining of a tummy ache and they said he was green.  Well, yesterday he stayed home b/c he had an icky cough and ran a fever with it in the middle of the night.  So, to here symptoms of a tummy ache, I was surprised.  He seems fine once home, and I'm thinking he's working on his drama skills with the teachers!

I hope that caught you up!

Onto today's card.  This one actually uses the sketch over at Clean and Simple Sketches.  And let me tell you - 5 minute card.  Okay, maybe 10 minutes.  But it was a quicky!

Aren't those little flowers darling?  They are from the Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit in the Occasions Mini.  And let me tell you a little something.  I was seriously not even considering buying this kit when I saw it.  It just didn't appeal to me.  Then they had a kit in our make and take bags at Leadership.  OMG!  Fell. In. Love.  I've purchased more.  Several more.  Watch out Stamp Clubbers - you'll be falling in love too.  One thing I love about them....they are patterned on one side and plain colored on the other.  They are made from a slightly textured cardstock so they have some guts to them.  Go on - get yourself some.  Check out the links on the bottom of this post to go directly to my website to get some for yourself.

Supplies used:

Lucky Limeade Cardstock	Baja Breeze CS	Very Vanilla CS	Friendly Phrases Set	Blossom Builders
Brights Button Collection	Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies	Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine	Distressing Essentials

InLinkz.com

Makeover Monday, Week 5

Good Morning Stampers!  So sorry for my recent absence...I was doing so darn good....and then the ol' Tax Man needed some of my undivided attention for a few days.  After I was done with my taxes, I cleaned my stamp room and rearranged some tables around too.  I had been using one of those white banquet tables - you know the ones that aren't as heavy as their older wooden counterparts.  Well, I was noticing that I wouldn't always get a nice clean stamped image because the table had too much "give" to it???  Not sure if that was why, but I opted to move one of the old wooden style tables over to work on.  MUCH BETTER!  I was using that table for my Big Shot, Silhouette, and Sewing area, so I really rearranged the whole room....it was a two day project, and I still have some work to do in there.  Like a never ending project.  Next is the closet in that room.  It's full of fabric and things from my sewing days and isn't real useful at this time....so I need to clean and purge! UGH!

Anyway....I hope that I'll have a lot more to show you this week.  Let's start with this week's Makeover Monday card!  This weeks card comes to you from Kristina Werner .  Her blog was probably one of the first that I started to follow when I was just starting to stamp.  I like her style, and the way she thinks outside of the box.  She used to be a designer at Stampin' Up! and I love some of the stamp sets she designed.  Here is her card:

And here is my take on her card:

This one was pretty easy to recreate - and you could do this yourself too!  I used the Varsity Alphabet for the large X's and O's, Empire Alpha for the smaller letters.  The rest of the images come from P.S. I Love You, found in the Occasions Mini.  I did opt for the larger sentiment just because I thought the {XO}llent image went perfectly with the theme of the card! 

Hope you like today's card....now...go stamp something!

Makeover Monday! Week 4

Howdy folks!  Welcome back to Makeover Monday.  While this is a fairly new series, I'd like to explain what this is all about.  Makeover Monday was developed because I have a fondness for many designers in the industry that DO NOT use Stampin' Up! products. (heaven forbid!)  I love what they come up with using things that are non-SU.  Sure, I could purchase what they are using, but that would not be good business practice.  So, I decided that I am going to conquer some of these designs using SU products that I have on hand.  Are you all following me here?   You will soon find out that I am quite partial to Dawn McVey's style, I redesign her cards often.  In fact, her card is once again my inspiration!  Here is her card:

And here is my creation:

While I loved the sunny colors that Dawn used, I opted for something more colorful.  I used doily from Wilton - you know those that you put on a plate under the cookies???  I love the look of these doilies on a card - but you could use SU's new die for that also.  I just haven't purchased that yet!  Then, the scalloped circle comes from the Perfect Pennants die.  Don't forget that some of those dies have other items tucked in there!  The patterned paper is from Domestic Goddess - I just love this floral design.  Sweet lil' touch of vintage!  The butterfly - Beautiful Butterflies then stamped with Delicate Doilies.  The ribbon - Poppy Parade.  Now, I did have to use some buttons from my "stash".  The flower one is SU - in Real Red - but the other buttons were too large and overpowering.  You guys don't mind that I used other buttons tho, do you???  I'm kinda partial to a mish mash of buttons anyway! 

So, there you have it!  It's made over, and I think it's sweet as can be.  FYI - this was a VERY fast card to put together.  Will be whipping up several more to send to my customers that place orders from my website this month!  Yep - that's right!  You can receive this card in the mail too!  Just place an order from my website - http://jenarkfeld.stampinup.net  Don't worry - I'll write you a note on a sticky note so that you can reuse the card! 

'til next time - keep on stampin' !

Scrappy Sunday....

Today is the day I meet with my Scrapbook Club.  While I can't show you yet what we will be working on today...I can share with you what we made last time we met (we meet every other month).  We typically complete 3 12x12 pages.  Here is one of the double page spreads that we made.  Forgive the photography!

left side

right side

These pages used the Tickets and Tags Simply Scrapping kit in the catalog.  I love this set - It's full of hip and trendy patterns and the die cut stickers are awesome!  I have quite a few left overs that I need to play with.

Alright - I must keep at the task at hand....til tomorrow folks!

Few of my Fav Swap Cards....

Howdy!  Just a quick one today!  Want to share some of my favorite cards that I received as swaps at leadership.  JUST SOME OF MY FAVES!  In no particular order...

Pretty sure she used glimmer paper for the center sentiment, but it might be Smooch Spritz.  Either way - really like it.  Love these colors together.

To DIE for!

Sparkly fun!  And I love the combination of colors. 

Yep - this shore is my new go-to paper....I'm just smitten with it!

I really like how she pinned on the knot!  And the Smooch Spritz!

You're a gem!

I know, I KNOW!  You thought I flew the coop again, right?  Nah, I just needed a couple of days to regroup and get caught up after being gone.  Like laundry and cleaning.  And reading to my kiddos.  And grocery shopping.  All of my fave things!  Ya - NO! 

I was able to get a set of cards stamped:

 All fo my downline members will be getting this card in the mail.  I need to let them know that I completely appreciate them and I do think they are all gems.  Without them, I would not have qualified to go to Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference last week.  After getting back, it renewed my energy for this business and for my downline.  So, I made them a card.  This one uses a big sneak peak for them and all of you! 

You see, at Leadership, SU! gave us an unreleased stamp set, Everything Eleanor - it won't be available until JUNE.  I used that set to create these cards.  I can guarantee you that the flourish in this set is going to see a LOT of ink!  It's the perfect flourish,  The label shape is also from this new set.

I love the look that I created by stamping the flowers in Peach Parfait on Peach Parfait and then overlaying the flourish in Whisper White.  I acheived the exact look I was going for.

What do you think?  You likey???

Click to view catalog

Howdy friends!  It starts today!!!  Sale-A-Bration is here!!!!!  I know I've been showing you many sneaks of my newly favorite DSP and Stamp Set - Everyday Enchantment and Fresh Vintage.  Guess what?  You can NOW get these for yourself.  For every $50 you spend you can pick a free item.  We all like free right? 

But do you know what is even better???  If you join my team, you will get a FREE pack of Designer Series Paper OR a FREE Digital Download every month for the rest of the year!!!  That is on top of the discounted Starter Kit!  Ya - you can get the starter kit for $125 plus free paper or digi items.  Do the math - that could be $120 in free paper - or even more on digi items (there is no price limit on the digital downloads!)  AND, you can alternate these.  So, if one month you want paper, the next month you can get a download.  It's completely up to you!  Stampin' Up! lets you do this YOUR WAY!  If you'd like to know more about joining my team - please contact me!  We'd love to have you be part of the Stamp Us Silly team!

Would you like to earn tons of freebies?  Hostess will get an amazing prize package during Sale-A-Bration.  With a $150 workshop, you'll go home with THE most adorable tote out there.  Host a $400 workshop and you'll go home with a product bundle to die for!  Click on the logo above to learn more.  If you'd like to hostess your own workshop, contact me.  My dates are almost filled up tho, so act fast!

All of this is a great reason to SALE-A-BRATE! 

Technical Tuesday

Good Morning to you!  I was kinda sad when I turned on my 'puter this morning and there weren't any new My Digital Studio downloads.  It's one thing that I really really look forward to on a Tuesday.  I mean; it's TUESDAY!   What else do we really have to look forward to?  Tacos.  Not usually.  Oh well.  Guess that means I'll be more excited next Tuesday when the downloads are released. 

Today tho, I'm sharing with you a project that was one of our Make and Takes at Leadership.  We all love Make and Takes right - even us demos.  It's great when everything is pre-planned and pre-cut and we can just assemble.  Even this number.  I didn't get thru all of my M&T's - I was too busy gabbing (surprise, surprise!).  I think I only got 3 of them done and there were like 12 or something like that.  Ya - they really, REALLY spoil us!  Anyway.....

I made this when I got back.  What does it have to do with Technical Tuesday or MDS????  Well, the phrase was designed in MDS and printed by the SU printers.  All of the MDS printing that I have done has been printed at home, but when I touched and felt what the SU printers do, I was highly impressed!  The quality is top-notch.  Duh!  It is Stampin' Up!  What don't they do that's top-notch???

So, this is a little hybrid project - a pleasant mix of digital and paper crafting.  Isn't it awesome?  We need to keep in mind that with MDS - you can create til your hearts content.  With this the possibilities are truly endless! 
I was fortunate - it so happened that I already had a white/vanilla frame to put this one in.  As soon as I saw it, I knew immediately that it was going to go in my daughter, Aubrie's room.  She has some SU vinyl on her wall that says "We are too great for small dreams" and I thought this was quite fitting!  I was thrilled and a bit surprised when I showed it to her and she was in awe - she did a little "awwww" and then I told her that we should put it in her room.  She grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs.  It was a sweet moment - and so gratifying to see that her little 20 month old mind was very appreciative of this! 

Aren't those flowers and gems cute?  They both come from the Occassions Mini - Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit (p. 18).  And what a steal - you get two 12x12 pages of printed, die cut flowers - and they are printed on BOTH sides - one side is patterened and the other is plain.  Plus you get these pink gems in two sizes - all for just 9.95.  For this flower, I encircled the big gem with the little ones.  Just one more way you can change things up!  You can get some for yourself by going to my online store - http://jenarkfeld.stampinup.net .  And don't forget - Sale-A-Bration starts today! An added bonus for your $50 orders!  Happy shopping!

Makeover Monday Week 3!

Howdy folks!  I'm running a little behind with today's post, but I've made it!!!  Phew!  Today is Makeover Monday.  This is where I take a card from some of my favorite (non-SU) designers and make their creation over using Stampin' Up! products.  While I'm only 3 weeks into this series, I've been hearing from many of you that you are loving this so far - that's wonderful to hear!  I'd like you to keep the comments coming - feedback is always good, whether constructive or supportive!

Today's card is brought to you from Dawn McVey's blog.  I know I've said it before, but I adore her style.  She is one of my favorite designers and constantly inspires me!  This is Dawn's card:

And I'd like you to meet my card:

This stamp set was waiting for me when I got back from Leadership Conference.  I was ready!  I don't know why I hadn't gotten this set before - it is a hostess set.  But I love the graphic style, the clean lines, and the "funk" - do you consider it a bit funky??? 

A couple of things that I did different - I did heat emboss the flowers.  I stamped them in Real Red Craft ink and then used clear ep.  I wanted that shine.  I've been using my heat tool extensively lately.  Someone at Leadership even asked if I heat embossed everything?  (my swaps had a lot of embossing)  I also added a textured background on the Melon Mambo piece using a texture plate.  Sometimes I forget about the texture plates - and they are great when an embossing folder is TOO much texture.  I also used textured Very Vanilla cardstock for the scalloped edges. 

I'd like to hear - what do you think???

That's it for today - I'll be back tomorrow with Technical Tuesday and a little something that we made at our Make and Takes at Leadership! 

Leadership....People you see!

Leadership's theme this year was My Way, meaning, all of us Stampin' Up! demonstrators are encouraged to run our business Our Way. 

Today, I'm going to highlight some of the people I had the opportunity to meet this week -  and first up - is the reason all of this was even possible - the co-founder of Stampin' Up! - Shelli Gardner!!!  She is so sweet in person and absolutely delightful.



Then there is Diana Gibbs - she's an absolute hoot.

This is a picture of my roomie - Liana and I at the make and take tables.  Obviously I was sitting too close to the flash!  Oops.  Liana was the best roommate I could as for.  We got along perfectly and had so much in common.  I am truly blessed to work with a company that nurtures relationships.  Without this opportunity, I would have probably not ever met Liana.

Gosh - next up is Patty Bennett - I wish I would have had more time to chat with her.  I was a bit droopy looking in this pic.  Liana and I walked to the convention center everyday, and this particular day is was a bit foggy, which completely wiped out my hair.  Not to mention the fact that I had to wear my glasses because I think I had some allergies to something in the air down there.  UGH! 

This picture is of me and Mary.  She is my Fiji partner.  We are working together to support, encourage, and motivate each other to earn the Fiji Incentive Trip.  It was so wonderful to meet her in person and she was even more delightful than I could have ever imagined!  Again - a great company that brings new friends together!

That's all I've got for you today - I'll be back tomorrow with Makeover Monday - but I may be a bit late.

Ta-ta!