Ahhhhhhhh, Here We Are Fellow Stampers -
It's Saturday, and in a few hours, the Pals will have to say goodbye to each other and head to their respective homes across the country. It has really been a wonderful, if hectic, time. This really is something that I so look forward to and so enjoy. It is so much fun and such a joy to gather with people you only "see" virtually the rest of the year. It's wonderful to connect and share, and build relationships on a more personal level.
It's been a flurry of activity since we hit the road early Sunday morning (I won't mention that I got us lost leaving my own home state of Colorado!). The drive really was beautiful, and I was reminded of many family trips from my youth, some even across the same route in southern Wyoming. We hit the ground running when we got to Salt Lake City, as we were already late for our very first get-together with the Pals -- a training session with the wonderful Lisa Pretto, and a Sip & Swap with the Pals group.
Swapping is one of my favorite things next to seeing all the new product ;-)
Thursday we got to see the brand new Holiday Occasions Catalog for the first time, and even see the new products up close and all personal-like (is that a word?? LOL). I am swooning over what is coming and I'm just bursting at the seams to tell you all about it -- and I can't!!! Eeeeeek It is going to be a FABULOUS Fall everyone! Wait until you see what is coming!
We've sat together, eaten together, learned together, oooed and aaahhd together -- even won Prize Patrol's together. The Pals have really "cleaned up" on the Prize Patrol this year ;-) It really has been a wonderful time.
I'm sure none of you know who this strange guy is who insisted on sniffing the new archival ink -- ohp!! Did I just give something away?? LOL (hint hint)
And if you don't keep up with the Pals, then this is the infamous Brian King.
Last night many of us gathered at the Blue Iguana (wonderful mexican food) for a final dinner together. After Final Closing Session this morning, we will begin parting ways. Kathy and I will head east back to Colorado as soon as we can pack the car.
We leave with warm hearts, fond memories, and bursting with excitement and inspiration of all we are bringing home to all of you!! I will miss these ladies (and guy -whose name we won't mention -- LOL) I am excited to get home; grateful for the time spent here with wonderful friends; and look forward to the next time we can get together and Inspire! Create! Share!
Before I leave you today, I wanted to share my Swap Card with you for this year . . .
I have had a number of requests from my fellow demos as to how to make this card -- and so I promised them that it would be up on my blog today, for all of you as well! Some of you may remember my showcasing the Delft Tile technique a year and a half ago or so. You can learn more about the Delft Tile Technique HERE at SplitCoastStampers -- they have a wonderful gallery of tutorials on any technique or fancy fold.
So let me run you through a few steps for this card here real quickly --
- This card base is cut from Whisper White cardstock, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4". The front of the card base has been dry embossed with the new Fluttering TIEF. Just adore this embossing folder.
- A back mat of Lost Lagoon was cut 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" (so basically a 1/4" more than the inset).
- Whisper White cardstock was cut at 3" x 4" - then using the Simply Scored, I scored at 1 3/8" & 2 5/8" on the long side; and at 1" and 2" on the short side.
- Now the fun part - stamp your image of choice, trying not to press too hard and get ink into your "grout lines" on your tilework. (By the Way -- this is easier said than done, so don't make yourself crazy over it!)
- Now, I brushed the edges of "grout lines" with Soft Sky ink to accentuate them and "pop" them out when you look at them.
- The sentiment on this card is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes. Perfect Fit!
- The entire focal point piece is popped with dimensionals.
Although it may seem like there is a lot of work in this card -- it's actually not so bad. When you're making sixty -- maybe not so much!! LOL :-) But it is fun!
Have fun everyone -- and I'll chat with you next week!!
Until Next Time . . .
