FEBRUARY weSTAMP SWAP

Earlier this week we held our monthly weSTAMP demonstrator support group meeting. This group consists of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators from the creative teams/downline of Lorri Heiling (Confessions of A Stamping Addict) and myself.

NOW is the ideal time to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator because during Sale-A-Bration (now until March 17) you can purchase the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Starter Kit (a $330 value) for just $159. That's 20% off the regular price! PLUS, you'll receive ANY FREE STAMP SET of your choice from the new Spring-Summer Collection - up to a $47.95 value! One of the perks of becoming a SU Demo on my creative team is the opportunity to participate in our monthly weSTAMP swap, whether local or out of town. Please contact me via e-mail for more details .... nrileycm@cox.net.

This first card was our Make & Take provided by our hostess, Lorri Heiling. The original design of this card came from our ever-so-talented friend, Chat Wszelaki, Me, My Stamps, And I ... aka nitestamper on SCS. Click HERE for all the details on Chat's original design.

In case you're new to stamping and wondering what a swap is ... each month there is a theme ... this month's "theme" was to make a card using ANY new stamp set from the new Spring-Summer '08 Collection, the Sale-A-Bration, or Occasions Mini. Next month's theme is to create a card or 3-D item with Mother's Day as the theme. There is a deadline for the participation rsvp, then a final count is done. If there are ten people participating in the swap, you would design or case one card and make ten of them to bring (or mail) to the meeting. Then, at the meeting we exchange (and ooohhh and aaahhhh over) our cards. Each participant goes home with ten cards of ten different designs. A great way to have numerous cards to display at classes!

Here are our swap cards for this month ...

by Leah Sinatra ....
by Pam Wood, Creative Inking ...
by Lorri Heiling, Confessions of a Stamping Addict ...
by Ginny Schembri ...
by Adriana Gray ...
by Anne Fundner ...
by Jessica Blair ...
by Linda Bickley ...
by me, but cased from Taylor VanBruggen, Taylored Expressions. See Taylor's original card HERE.RECIPE
Stamps: So Many Scallops (SAB), Polka Dot Background Stamp, Garden Whimsy, and Sincere Salutations
Paper: Ginger Blossom DP, River Rock, Ruby Red, and Very Vanilla CS
Ink: Ruby Red, Groovy Guava, and River Rock Classic Ink Pads, Versamark
Accessories: Gold Brads
Tools: ½” Circle Punch, Scallop Punch
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals

JUST CHECKING IN

Hi everyone! I know ... I haven't posted since Monday, but I've been "Nurse Nancy" instead of "Stamping Nancy" this week. Both Allie and Drew have missed school this week with colds/fevers, etc., and both are finally back in school today.

My poor husband, on the other hand, is one sick guy! I took him to the doctor today, and he has bronchitis. I don't think I've ever seen/heard anyone so sick! His cough is like a bark. Another clue as to how sick he is .... he was actually willing to go to the doctor!!!

On top of all the sick family members in my house, my Dad is in town visiting from Iowa. He too got the flu bug a few days ago but is doing better now.

We're definitely in the "winter visitor season" here in Phoenix! My aunt & uncle were in town last week from Iowa, and we're looking forward to my cousin's visit in a couple of weeks from North Carolina. Our weather is absolutely gorgeous this week ... 80's. We reluctantly turned the air conditioning on this afternoon because it was so stuffy in the house. Air conditioning in February??? It just doesn't seem right!

I do have a few things to show you, and hope to find time to post them very very soon!

PAPER PRETTIES SNOWFLAKE KISSES and SCS SKETCH CHALLENGE SC164

Last night, I made this card for SCS Sketch Challenge 164 using the mittens image and sentiment from the Paper Pretties stamp set, Snowflake Kisses. I used an unusual color combination of Elegant Eggplant, Soft Sky, and Basic Black. Odd combo, but I like it! I used Frosted Lace Stickles on the cuffs and snowflakes of the mittens, and the mittens are "hung" by a Lilac Ice Square Rhinestone Brad. The Ticket Corner Punch was used on the large Elegant Eggplant piece, then I Paper Pierced three holes to surround the punched corners. The horizontal Soft Sky piece is Paper Pierced above and below the ribbon.

Paper Pretties has slashed prices in their sale section, and have added new Easter ribbon to the store! Click HERE to go to the Paper Pretties store. RECIPE
Stamps: Snowflake Kisses from Paper Pretties
Paper: Soft Sky Prints DP, Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant, Soft Sky, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On
Embellishments: Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brads, Lilac Ice Square Rhinestone Brad, Frosted Lace Stickles (non-SU)
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS55 MARY JO ALBRIGHT

Today's SCS Featured Stamper (FS55) is Mary Jo Albright! Mary Jo is one of my all-time favorite stampers! The woman's got amazing talent ... always creative and unique! HERE is Mary Jo's SCS gallery, and THIS is Mary Jo's card I chose to case. You can see more details about Mary Jo's original card on her blog, Beauty Lies Within.

I was surprised to discover that Mary Jo's original card measured only 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" ... it looks much larger in her photo! Part of the challenge of case-ing the Featured Stamper's card is to change at least two things about the original. The things I changed include:

a) I used different colors and designer papers ... Jersey Shore DP along with Brilliant Blue (can't remember the last time I used that color!), Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, and Wild Wasabi.
b) I used three Bashful Blue brads on the right of the center Pumpkin Pie (Jersey Shore DP) horizontal strip instead of Mary Jo's paper piercing.
c) The three flowers along the top of the main image panel and the large flower in the center of the medallion are rub-ons from SAB Love & Happiness (white onto Wild Wasabi and Brilliant Blue CS).
d) The sentiment is from SAB Friendship Blooms.
e) The ribbon is Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.
f) Mary Jo did some great things with vellum on her card, and I chose not to use any.

Like the look of the Bashful Blue CS piece on the medallion? Mary Jo shows how to do that with the Scallop Punch HERE on her blog.
RECIPE
Stamps: Friendship Blooms (Sale-A-Bration) and Love & Happiness Rub-Ons (Sale-A-Bration)
Paper: Jersey Shore DP, Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink Pad
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Bashful Blue Brads, Pumpkin Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad
Tools: Corner Rounder, Scallop Punch, 1/2", 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT ...

I was instantly attracted to THIS clear envelope brag book by mzrobin on SCS, and HAD to case it into a card (then a second card). I love how Robin's design incorporated so many NEW Stampin' Up! items: the stamp set, Enjoy Every Moment, Bali Breeze DP, Striped Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets, and Antique Brass Build-A-Brad.

My cards measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", smaller than mzrobin's brag book. My first card is a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of Pumpkin Pie CS, scored at 5 1/2" then again at 6 1/2". The Rose Red CS piece on the scored end of the card measures 4 1/4" x 1". The Daisy Dash Jumbo Wheel was used on the Pumpkin Pie CS background with Versamark. The flower center of the Antique Brass Build-A-Brad is from the Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons.

RECIPE
Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment, Daisy Dash Jumbo Wheel
Paper: Bali Breeze DP, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Taken With Teal, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Rose Red and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Jumbo Brads, Antique Brass Build-A-Brad
Tools: Crop-A-Dile, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Supplies: Easter Elegance Rub-Ons, Stampin' Dimensionals

SCS COLOR CHALLENGE CC154 AND MOJO25 - FRIENDSHIP BLOOMS

Today, I combined the SCS Color Challenge #154 of Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, and Pumpkin Pie with this awesome sketch from Julee Tilman's Poetic Artistry Mojo #25 Sketch. This card uses the new Sale-A-Bration stamp set, Friendship Blooms. This is just one of the stamp sets you can receive FREE with any Stampin' Up! purchase of $50 or more, now through March 17. E-mail me for details! ... nrileycm@cox.net.

The flower is stamped in Pumpkin Pie on to Whisper White CS, then I used a sponge dauber with Orchid Opulence classic ink to color the flower in. The leaves were stamped in Versamark onto Certainly Celery, then cut out. The center of the flower was created by punching Certainly Celery with the Boho Blossoms Punch, adding a Pumpkin Pie Felt Flower Fusion, then a Lilac Ice Rhinestone Brad.
RECIPE
Stamps: Friendship Blooms (SAB)
Paper: Certainly Celery and Pumpkin Pie PRINTS DP, Certainly Celery, Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Orchid Opulence and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink Pads, Versamark
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Certainly Celery Brads, Lilac Ice Rhinestone Brad, Felt Flower Fusion
Tools: Boho Blossoms Punch, Paper Snips
Supplies: Sponge Dauber

PAPER PRETTIES SEALED WITH A KISS

This card uses another new Clear Art Stamp Set from Paper Pretties, called Sealed With A Kiss. There are many other stamps in this set ... more sentiments like "Happy Anniversary", "Happy Valentine's Day", "SWAK", and more. There are also items that can be placed in the couple's hands like a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, ballooons and more. Visit the Paper Pretties website to view the entire stamp set.

I combined this Paper Pretties image with the Stampin' Up! Designer Series Papers, Berry Bliss. The man's suit and tie and the woman's dress and headband are paper pieced with a variety of patterns from Berry Bliss.

Tonight, Paper Pretties is releasing another new stamp set called Look Who's Perky! RECIPE
Stamps: Sealed With A Kiss from Paper Pretties
Paper: Berry Bliss DP, Close To Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate, Pretty In Pink, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Pretty In Pink, Barely Banana, Close To Cocoa, and Blush Blossom Stampin' Write Markers
Embellishments: Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon, White Brads (non-SU)
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template, Paper Snips, Heart Punches (non-SU)
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
Techniques: Paper Piecing and Paper Piercing
Note: Card measures 5 1/4" x 10 1/2", scored at 5 1/4" .

My friend and fellow Paper Pretties Guest Designer, Dawn Easton, Treasure Oiler Designz, mailed this super cute RAK to me. Dawn's card uses the Paper Pretties stamp, Cuddle Me Sophia. I love the way Dawn layered the sentiment and added the bling ... so cool!

SCS WAYS TO USE IT CHALLENGE 153 ROUND TAB PUNCH PURSES

You're not going to believe this, but I actually put my Crew Kids Girl Simply Scrappin' Kit away in a cabinet last night. This morning, my wheels started turning for today's SCS challenge, and what do I do? ... I pull out my Crew Kids Girl SSK AGAIN! I am hooked on this color combo of Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi and Basic Gray! I have loved every single Simply Scrappin' Kit that I've purchased from Stampin' Up! Next card I post, I'll TRY to use something different ... I promise!

Today's Ways To Use It Challenge 153 on SCS was the use fashion as your inspiration. I have always thought that the purses others have made with the Round Tab Punch were so cute, and today's challenge was a perfect opportunity for me to try! My card was inspired by JenMarie's card HERE, and Londonblue's card HERE.

The body of the purse is created by punching with the Round Tab Punch and cutting in half, then the flap for the purse is punched using the 3/4" Square Punch, then cut in half. The "handles" for the purses are made with Silver Elastic Cord, and the pink rhinestone "snaps" on the purse flaps are self-adhesive rhinestones from Michael's craft store. (You could use a brad or eyelet too!)

The polka dot Basic Gray frame piece is a self-adhesive die cut from the simply scrappin' kit. Card measures 6 1/2" x 6 1/2", and scored at 3 1/4" ... fits Small Open-End Envelopes.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!!
RECIPE
Stamps: Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Pretty In Pink, and Regal Rose CS, Designer Papers from Crew Kids Girl Simply Scrappin' Kit
Ink: Basic Gray
Embellishments: Pink Self-Adhesive Rhinestones (non-SU), Silver Elastic Cord
Tools: Round Tab Punch, 3/4" Square Punch, Scissors
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

SCS SKETCH CHALLENGE 162, ENJOY EVERY MOMENT

This card was created for last week's SCS Sketch Challenge 162, and as you can see, I can't stay away from the Crew Kids Girl Simply Scrappin' Kit! The colors, designer papers, and self-adhesive die cuts are just awesome! Wish I could buy the designer paper in this kit by the ream! I felt the same way about the striped designer paper in the Winter Bright SSK from the last catalog!

The main image panel (layer #4 in the sketch), "enjoy every moment", is a case from Nancy Morgan's card HERE and HERE. Nancy is such an enabler ... her card is the reason I bought the stamp set, Enjoy Every Moment! I love how the "e" fit in the center of the large flower, and the dotted circle and small flower fit in the center of the "o" ... brilliant design! I couldn't have done this without my Stamp-a-ma-jig, using it five times for the main image! .... 1) large Wild Wasabi flower, 2) Going Gray "enjoy", 3) Pretty In Pink dotted circle inside the "o", 4) small Wild Wasabi flower inside the "o", and 5) "every moment". The dots around the large Wild Wasabi flower are paper pierced with the paper piercing tool/mat/template.

Layer #1 is Pretty In Pink CS layered on Wild Wasabi CS. The Daisy Dash Jumbo Wheel was inked in Versamark vertically on the Pretty In Pink CS.

The horizontal layer #2 is a self-adhesive die cut from the Crew Kids Girl SSK, mounted on dp from the same kit, then mounted again on Going Gray textured cardstock from the same kit.

RECIPE
Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment, Daisy Dash Jumbo Wheel
Paper: Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Going Gray, and Whisper White CS, Designer Paper from Crew Kids Girl Simply Scrappin'
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Going Gray, Pretty In Pink Classic Ink Pads, Versamark for Jumbo Wheel Background
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Pink Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad, White Brads (non-SU)
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Jumbo Wheel Handle, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

* SUGAR AND SPICE * AND EVERYTHING NICE *

I LOVE Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin' Kits! Not only are they great for scrapbooking, they're wonderful for cardmaking too! This card was made using Textured Cardstock, Designer Paper, and Self-Adhesive Die Cuts from the new Crew Kids Girl Simply Scrappin' Kit! I love the fresh color combination of Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Basic Gray, and Whisper White! The main image was created by layering Self-Adhesive Die Cuts from the kit. The only stamping on this card was the "congrats" sentiment from Fundamental Phrases. This layout was inspired by THIS RAK (the Merry & Bright card at the bottom of the post) I received from my friend, Karen Laub, nikesmom on SCS.
RECIPE
Stamps: Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Basic Gray, Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose, and Whisper White TEXTURED CS and DP from CREW KIDS GIRL Simply Scrappin' Kit
Ink: Basic Gray
Embellishments: Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pretty In Pink Buttons
Tools: Word Window Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots