The Value of Swaps

I'm part of a big team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators and most of them are on the Central Coast.  We have a team forum and it's a great place to trade ideas and share techniques and stuff.

From time to time we do a card swap and this month I hosted it.  The brief was to use retiring products so we would each have a stash of ideas to share with our customers.   This is also a great way for me to learn new techniques and provides inspiration for using my own materials in different ways.  

Normally we'd aim to get as many involved as possible and anyone in the group can take part but this swap was particularly time sensitive so we got a group of 4 willing attendees (me included).  Here's the results:

Starting top left and going clockwise:

Debra's card:   Uses Fresh Cuts stamp set in Marina Mist classic ink.  She's also used the Occasional Greetings set for the Happy Birthday.  Don't you love that perfect  bow? 

Nerida's card: Stamp sets here are Friends 24-7 & Sense of Time.    Nerida has combined these two really well using different ink colours - Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso & River Rock (I think).  She's added a touch of class by heat embossing the flourish (from Friends 24-7) in gold.   The Designer Label punch in Crumb Cake cardstock is also retiring.

Linda's card: Razzle Dazzle stamp set & Occasional Greetings are stamped in Pacific Point.  The DSP is Blueberry Crisp and the Designer Label punch is used in Pacific Point cardstock.

My card: I chose Great Friend for my stamp set and the DSP is Sunny Garden.  I've used the Designer Label & Photo Corners punch. The Striped grosgrain ribbon in Certainly Celery will also retire.

So there you have it.  A nice little grouping of swaps using retiring products.   Isn't it amazing that we all chose different stamp sets?   Now I have a couple of new ideas that I want to incorporate into my own cardmaking and lovely keepsakes of stamps & tools that I will really miss.

Happy Friday!
Karen

Mojo Monday 177

It's been a few weeks since I did a Mojo Monday sketch.   And like everything else, once you've been on holidays for a while, it takes a bit of 'oomph to get going again.   I'm really feeling it this year because I took the whole of January off.   And when you're your own boss, you have to be very disciplined to get back into the groove - basically, because there's no one breathing down your neck telling you to get your skates on!

So, here's my interpretation of this weeks sketch:



Mojo 177

Supplies used: Stamp Set:  Well Scripted
Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, Melon Mambo
DSP:  Blueberry Crisp
Ink:  Night of Navy, Melon Mambo
Chipboard Flowers (non SU)
Basic Pearls
Wide Oval Punch (used on Very Vanilla - I hand cut the Melon Mambo layer)
Big Shot (you need one of these!) with the Elegant Lines embossing folder & Sizzlits Little Leaves.
Ribbon - Navy Wide Grosgrain

If you've lost  your Mojo, have a go at this card layout and see if it helps re-invigorate your crafting experience.   And if you need more, pop along to a class to pick up some new crafting ideas and let the enthusiasm of other crafters rub off on you too!

Thanks for looking!
Karen

Mojo Monday 167

This week I've used the Aviary stamp set for the first time.  I'm not overly happy with the card, but I plan on playing some more when I've finished this post.  I love other peoples designs using this set so I know I can do better.  Most importantly, it got me finding my Mojo!!

Mojo 167

Supplies Used:
Stamps - Aviary & Well Scripted (Summer Mini)
Cardstock - Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Tangerine Tango
Paper - DSP Blueberry Crisp - I'm loving this!
Ink - Pacific Point, Not Quite Navy & Tangerine Tango
Ribbon is Bashful Blue double stitched wide grosgrain.
Wide Oval punch, 1 3/4" circle punch & 1 3/8" circle punch.   I then stuck the Very Vanila circles onto Tangerine Tango and cut them out by hand.
Sponge Dauber & Linen Thread

Thanks for looking.  I love reading your comments so feel free to leave one.

Karen