The Studio Tour Begins

 Hey Everybody,

Tomorrow schools will be closed once again due to the very cold temperatures. We should have -0 with the wind chill tomorrow.  Not sure if kids will be in school at all this week. It's supposed to be this cold or colder all week.

I think kids are going to be adding time at the end of the year due to all of this time off. That is, unless they do remote learning, which counts as learning time although it's doubtful in my mind how much learning goes on when a kid is left at a computer screen at home. LOL

I've been making cards and I have also been taking pictures of my studio.

The first picture is an overview of my studio. The large area on the left is where I do classes. It worked very well earlier this month. The ladies loved it!

This is the side of that area where students sit. There are four drawers there that pull out so I can easily access the things inside while I work.

This next photo shows those same drawers pushed back so people can sit at the table. Three people can sit on this side and three sit on the other side and one at the end if needed.  I like that there is an overhead light and three LED lights with arms that swivel and they can be bent down for better light.  There are multiple settings on each light which is very nice.

The top drawer on the left holds my seasonal designer papers and cut outs that were extra from card making and  6" x 6" retired designer series paper on the right. I also have a turn-around stamp there because it doesn't fit in the fridge bins I store my stamps in.

This is the bottom drawer on the end. It has my scrapbooking supplies and different colored embellishments that are retired Stampin' Up or not Stampin' Up.

This is my first drawer of stamps. These are retired Stampin' Up and other company stamps. These are stored in categories and filed alphabetically. It begins with Animals which are labeled as well. So if I'm looking for chickens, I look behind CATS.   So this drawer files my stamps Animals through Love which includes Anniversary, wedding and Valentine's Day.

This bottom drawer in the left bin I have stored Christmas, Penguins and Snowman and Snowflakes stamps. The middle section is the rest of my Love, stamps and goes through Trees and Background Stamps.

There is room to grow in the last bin. The last row is my Card Ministry Stamps. They are common stamps in different sizes such as birthday, get well, sympathy, hugs, praying for you, etc.

I have reorganization to do in these drawers but that's a slow process. I know I need to look at my scrapbook papers and supplies to see what might be a better way to store them. The same with my embellishments. Originally I put them in Stampin' Up stamp cases, but now it might be better to put them in something else so I have the room in the drawer.  We'll see what I come up with.

Well, thanks for visiting today. I'll see you again soon.

Tomorrow Miss Mia will be with me. We're going to be baking. YUM!  Her dad asked if I  could take her since they've all be stuck at home together. With a new baby it's hard for sure. Any time I get with my sweet girl is sweet and full of laughs and memories.

Blessings,

Sue

Organization and Crocheting

 Hey Everybody,

Back again with more to chat about. 

Well, we got snow today, about 6 inches. The weather made it sound like we were going to get a blizzard of snow. All of the schools and city, county and state offices are closed tomorrow. Even the trash pick up is cancelled.  I look out my window and see the plow go by every now and then so it doesn't look bad to me out there.  However, I've stayed put inside so I don't know what it's really like out there on the roads.  Our governor has declared a level 2 emergency. We're not supposed to go our unless we absolutely have to.

I'm happy to sit inside and make cards, crochet, read a book or watch a football game. How about you?

Speaking of card making, I donate cards to three places. One is Southwest General Hospital, one is Broadview Multi-Care Facility and one is Hillcrest Hospital Cancer Floor.

These are my Card Ministries.  All of the ministries were begun by friends and I help to supply them with cards for their ministries. I truly enjoy doing this. Many of the cards I make for the Splitcoaststampers challenges end up in one of these ministries.

Each ministry has certain requests and requirements. For instance, Southwest Hospital asked if we could make fewer Get Well cards because not everyone will get well that is in the hospital. A thinking of you card, or Sending a big hug card works well for those patients. So I've collected some different kinds of sentiments and some fun images for these ministries.

Many times you're in pain so a cute card might at least bring a smile. 

Here you can see a refrigerator bin in a drawer where I store my stamps. This area is labeled Card Ministry. I have put the stamps on acetate so they are easy to pull out and use. Then they are placed into a clear envelope. I have a cardstock piece with a tab that tells the type of stamps that are behind the cardstock.

So, when I need sets for Hugs  or praying for you, I can go to the section and pull them out. These sections have lots of different sized sentiments so I can find the right fit for cards I make.  Many times when I make the cards I don't stamp them right away. I wait until they are needed, then stamp them with the sentiments that are needed.

Here is an example of what the envelope looks like. I have photopolymer and red rubber stamps together. They are on the acetate so I can easily read them.

On this image you can see the acetate which is on top of the stamps. I pull the acetate sheet and the cardstock backing both out of the envelope when I use these. You can see I have lots of different sizes for Happy Birthday.

You can also see in the picture above, that this is labeled, Happy Birthday Outside.  Most times when I make a birthday card I stamp Happy Birthday on the outside then a greeting on the inside. 

So, I have my stamps divided like that as well. It makes it a lot easier to find what I want especially if I make a bunch of cards with just the outside greeting.

When I watch TV I like to be busy so I crochet lap blankets for Broadview Multi-Care Facility. I make masculine and feminine blankets. A lot of times I get a skein of multicolored yarn and two others that go with it that are plain. For this blanket, I had three colors that went together well.

This blanket was done with the Moss Stitch and a crochet hook.

The next blanket has 3 of the 4 colors from above. It is done in a ripple stitch and a double crochet stitch. It's fun to see how different they are once they are made. They look so different just by using different stitches.

My grandmother taught me how to crochet.  I've done afghans, hats, scarves, mittens, baby blankets and lap blankets.  I wait until Hobby Lobby has their yarn 30% off and shop then.  It goes on sale every three weeks or so. I just check the weekly ads and wait to buy my yarn when it's on sale. 

Well, it's late and I'm tired. I got a lot done today.  It's a great feeling when you get things checked off your to-do list.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Sue

Sending Love And A Hug

 Hey Everybody,

We're in the early stages of a winter storm which should drop lots of snow here in Cleveland, Ohio. Many churches are already closed for tomorrow and doing services online like we did with Covid.

We don't plan to go anywhere until this mess is cleared. Many cities in our area don't have enough salt, so they are using it on the main roads only.

I've had a slower week than last week and have made a few cards. I made two cards recently for challenges on Splitcoaststampers. I am making Valentine's Day cards and using a new Unity Stamp called, Wee Little Courier.

Amy's challenge can be found here.  
The inspiration for my card is here.  

I stamped the image in Memento tuxedo black and colored with Copic Markers. I cut down the image and added a flirty flamingo layer behind it. I folded an envelope from designer paper and put the image on top of it. I added that to a heart background. Then I added the small white envelope and the small white heart which were in my Valentine items envelope. This will go to my twin sister.

Stamps: Unity-Wee Little Love Courier, retired SU Valentine

Paper: white, SU-Most Adored designer paper, SU-Made With Love Designer Series Paper, Flirty Flamingo

Ink: real red, Memento Tuxedo black

Accessories: SU retired dies, Copic Markers

Techniques: Coloring, die cutting

Linda's choice is Barbara today. You can find this challenge here.  This is my inspiration from Barbara's gallery.  I used designer paper to layer my hearts and add a background. My card is vertical instead of horizontal. I used reds and pinks instead of multi-colored hearts. I stamped this cute pie and colored him with Copic Markers. I added him to layered hearts then added the hearts to a striped background which was layered on a bubble bath card base. I stamped and punched the sentiment hearts out and add a spinner to them. So the sentiment spins! Not sure who will get this card, but I had fun spinning the sentiment. LOL

Stamps: Unity-Wee Little Love Courier, retired SU Valentine, SU-Hugs For Love

Paper: white, bubble bath, SU-Most Adored designer paper, SU-Made With Love designer series paper, SU-Iconic Celebrations designer series paper

Ink: real red, Memento Tuxedo black

Accessories: heart and scallop heart punches, SU retired heart dies, Copic Markers, spinner

Techniques: Coloring, punch use, die use

These two cards were fun to make. I used designer series paper from last year as well as this year. It never fails, I have left over paper and die cuts to use from the last year, so I used them on today's cards.

I also have been working on crocheting another lap blanket. When I finish I'll post a picture.

Today I also worked on organizing stamps I have for my Card Ministry. Originally I put them into a photo album by sentiment.  I had different categories such as, Birthday, Get Well, Encouragement, Sympathy, Christian, Hugs, Hello.

The photo album got pretty large with the rubber stamps in there. It was difficult to put into my cabinet. I loved the idea that all the stamps for my ministry were in one place, but it became cumbersome.

So, I put the stamps on acetate with a piece of cardstock behind it and put that into a clear envelope that I use for stamps.  The stamps are all now in a section in my files for my Card Ministry.  Thanks to my friend Jane, for that idea.

I will get some pictures so you can start to see how I have organized my new studio.

It's time for bed.

Stay warm and safe out there in the next two days.

Blessings,

Sue

A Card Sketch and More

 Hey Everybody,

Once again here in Cleveland, Ohio we have wicked weather. We've had snowstorms, low temperatures, whipping wind and nasty driving conditions because areas all around us are low on salt for the roads.  They are salting the main roads, but that's it. They are plowing the developments, but not salting. That makes for lots of fun driving.

My granddaughter has been to preschool 1 day since last Tuesday. There were snow days, Martin Luther King Day, and days where her school didn't have electricity. We're expecting low temperatures tomorrow and then a Winter storm with lots of snow over the weekend.

My son will visit with her tomorrow afternoon. He works in the schools and is off tomorrow as well. He said the little one will go crazy if she has to be at home another day. Who am I to refuse? I love time with my son and granddaughter!  My daughter-in-law will truly enjoy time alone at home with the new baby. When he sleeps, she can sleep.  

Our challenge today can be found here.  

This is a sketch challenge.

Here is my card.

Stamps: Waffle Flower-Postage Collage Snowy Stencil, Unity-Winter Blessings

Paper: white, SU-Traditions of Christmas designer series paper, real red

Paper Size: A2

Ink: distress inks-broken china, salty ocean, SU-real red

Accessories: SU-retired snowflakes, SU-Peaceful Greenery 3D embossing folder, Faceted Snowflakes, scissors, SU-Spotlight on Nature Die, Waffle Flower-Postage Collage Die

Techniques: dry embossing, stenciling

 I started by flipping the sketch to make a horizontal card. I cut the stenciled paper apart after I die cut it. I layered two snowflakes on the red circle then added my image. The red circle was placed on the designer series paper with dimensionals. The designer series paper was added to a white card base. I stamped the sentiment and cut it out. It was added with a dimensional. Lastly, I added the faceted snowflakes. This will go on a patient dinner tray at a local hospital.

Here is a picture of our two grandchildren. My sweet girl will turn 4 in March. Her brother was born the day after Christmas. This is such a sweet picture.  I am in the process of going through pictures we have to make my traditional coffee mug. I have pictures printed on a mug of the kids as babies or toddlers. I just love this tradition.

I have several mugs of my kids when they were little and they are some of my favorite mugs. They bring back such happy memories of when our kids were little. Now I'm doing it with the next generation.

I can't believe that my generation is now the older generation. Not the oldest since we have parents that are still alive, but we're slowly creeping up there in years.

Why is it the years seem to go faster, and I can see physical changes, but I don't FEEL any differently?

I still feel young and capable of doing so many things.

Well, I have a doctor appt. early tomorrow morning and I need to get some sleep.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

A New Product and A Great Starter Kit Special Is Coming

 Hey Everybody,

Stampin' Up has just released a new stamping positioning tool. Check this out. Right now this positioner is only available if you are currently a demonstrator.   Check out the offer below.

I'm so excited to share the new Stampin' Positioner tool! It’s our new stamping alignment tool that makes stamping easier and more accurate. It allows you to stamp precisely aligned images, create repeating patterns and Two-Step Stampin’ images easily, make multiple projects in minutes, and stamp wreaths and other circular layouts with ease.

Demonstrators may preorder it right now. Then Feb 3 - Mar 2 this tool will be a free gift in all Starter Kit orders!*

Do you love Stampin' Up!® products? Would you benefit from a discount of 20%, 25%, or more? Purchasing the Starter Kit is always the best way to get lots of products for a great price (choose up to $125 worth of product for $99 +tax) AND it's your ticket into "the demonstrator side of things" for discount shopping, early access new products, the chance to attend incredible trainings and crafting events, the opportunity to earn income (if you'd like), and so much more!

But Feb 3 - Mar 2, those that purchase the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit will get this new Stampin' Positioner tool as a free gift in their kit!

As always, you pick the products you want in your kit. The kit also includes FREE business supplies. Plus it ships to you for FREE!



*If you are not a demonstrator yet and cant wait, you can get the starter kit now and order it either within your kit or after you join. But you might as well get it for free with the Feb 3 - Mar 2 Join Offer. (Eventually this product will be available to all, but no date for that has been shared yet.)

So, if you are currently a demonstrator, you can order this Stampin' Positioner now. OR you can wait and join from Feb. 3-March 2 and get this tool FREE.

You can hold classes, sell to family and friends, or be your own best customer. You get to decide how you want to run your Stampin' Up business. No pressure at all, you do what's right for you.  

If you have any questions about being a Stampin' Up demonstrator, let me know. If you are interested in joining my team, you'd be welcomed with open arms!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Blessings,

Sue

Three Challenges-Three Cards

 Hey Everybody,

Today I have several cards I made for challenges on Splitcoaststampers. 

Faith's challenge is all about New Year's Resolutions. You can find it here.

My resolution is to walk on the treadmill. I saw this sentiment and thought a sloth would go great with it. I stamped multiple sloths on my card base and added the sentiment and a digital image. This will stay in my studio at my desk as a reminder.

Do you make resolutions? I usually don't but this is a good one to have. Like the sentiment says, slow progress is better than no progress.

Keywords: WT1088 Sloth treadmill exercise

Stamps: digital image, sloth stamp/die given to me

Paper: white, basic beige

Paper Size: A2

Ink: sahara sand

Techniques: stamping, digital image

Jeanette's challenge today is Education. Here is her challenge. 
I knew which stamp I wanted to use right away. I stamped the image with versafine ink. Then I went in search of designer series paper. I found what I needed in my Delightfully Eclectic envelope of paper. I stamped the sentiment in pretty peacock and added the papers to a black card base.

What would you use for this challenge? I bet you have something in your stash you could use like black paper that you could write on with white pen like a chalkboard. How about pencils or crayons? Maybe you have food for the cafeteria or books for the library. It sure is interesting what people choose.

Keywords: CAS882 school reading cat

Stamps: Gerda Steiner-Cup of Love, Stampendous-Cattus Librum

Paper: basic black, white, Stampin' Up Delightfully Eclectic Designer paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: Pretty Peacock, Versafine black

Techniques: Stamping

Anita's challenge is to use bubble wrap on your card. 

You can find her challenge here. 

I wondered what it would look like if I used three colors of ink and used a stencil. I added the stencil to the white cardstock. I used the bubble wrap and pounced into the different colors of ink, then onto the cardstock. I removed the stencil and placed the hearts on my background with dimensionals. This will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.

What would you do with the bubble wrap? What colors would you use? What would you add on top of your bubble background? 

Well, thanks for stopping by today. Little by little my new studio is coming together. I'm slowly getting things organized and not just shoved into a cupboard or drawer.

Tonight I sorted through dies and put some in my die storage notebooks. Some that I don't use as often went into a cupboard near the Stamp, Cut and Emboss machine.

Stay warm, we had all schools closed today with below zero temps across the Northeast of the state.

Blessings,

Sue

January Class Follow-Up and Class Schedule

 Hey Everybody,

Thank you for all of your sweet comments about my new studio. I am thrilled to be able to work in such an amazing space. I am truly blessed and thank Tim every chance I get.

I love spending time with you and learning from your experiences. You are such a creative bunch of friends.

I'm sorry we had to cancel Thursday's class due to the heavy snow. I'll see you ladies next month.

Blessings,

Sue

 Class Follow-Up

 

On=Online Exclusives found here

Stampin’ Up now has a blog full of great information and ideas. Here is the link.

 

Products Discussed In Some Classes:

 The lights are from Amazon. Some of you asked about them. Here is a link to them.

KableRika Desk Lamp  

 

We have opportunities to donate cards to three different facilities

Stamping Opportunities:

●     1. Southwest General Hospital -Cards are placed on meal trays. 

* NEW-Cut down on the number of Get Well cards. 

Instead try these: you're in my thoughts,   I've been thinking about you,     I'm sending you positive thoughts, Thinking of You, Hang in there.  They still can use Baby and Holiday cards.

 (No envelope is needed. Stamp something on the inside please.)

Get Well, Thinking of You, Hang in there, Baby, Holiday cards.

2. Broadview Multi-Care Facility- Cards for residents and staff to use.

(Envelopes needed and stamp something on the inside please.)

Birthday for adults and kids, Get Well, Sympathy, Thinking of you, Holiday

3.  Hillcrest Hospital Cancer Floor

Encouragement, Birthday and Sympathy.  NEW*(envelopes needed for Sympathy only)-(cards blank inside.)

Thanks so much for your continued support of these ministries.

             Thank you to those who made cards this month. They are so grateful to you for sharing your talents and love with them.

Card 1  Reverse Easel Calendar-Sue Craig Video

Stamps-  None

Paper –  Card base night of navy-4 1/4" x 11"  score at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2"

Night of navy-3" x 4 1/2"

Designer series paper-True Blue-Product of the Month 4" x 5 1/4" and 

2 1/2" x 4"

2 pieces of white-2 3/4" x 4 1/4" 

Ink-Night of Navy

Balmy Blue

Accessories- Calendar

Card 2- Interactive Pull-Out Card  Sue Craig-Video

Stamps-Hope Love & Joy

Paper-Cute as a Bug designer series paper3 7/8" x 5 3/8"

Cute as a Bug designer paper-3/4" x3 7/8" 

white-3/4" x 3"

white- 3 7/8" x 5 1/4"

white- 1 3/4" circle

card base-blackberry bliss 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" score at 4" and 8"

mossy meadow- 2" and 2 1/4" circles

Ink-Mossy Meadow

Blackberry Bliss

Accessories-hole punch

1 3/4" circle punch

2" circle punch

2 1/4" circle punch

6" mossy meadow twine 

 

Card 3  Pinched Paper Card-Sue Craig Video 

Stamps-Prayers & Promises

Paper-Mossy Meadow card base 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" score at 4 1/4"

white- 2 pieces 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"

white for sentiment circle

Designer series paper-Brushed With Beauty

3/4" x 6" -inside decorative strip

2 1/2" x 5 1/4" -center piece for card

2 pieces of designer paper 1 3/4" x 5 1/4" -2 side pieces that are folded back

Ink-Mossy Meadow

Accessories-2" circle punch

2 1/4" circle punch

Strawberry slush and Pretty in Pink gems

Card 4  Accordion Fold Heart Card-Sue Craig Video

Stamps: Hope Love & Joy Sweet Jar Paper- blackberry bliss card base 4 1/4" x 11" score at 5 1/2" white 2 1/4" x 4" (inside) white 1" x 4" (inside sentiment) white-small heart punch used for sentiment outside real red scrap for scallop heart Cute as a Bug designer series paper 4" x 12" Cut 2" off and use it for the front behind the heart. Ink-real red blackberry bliss Accessories- Hearts of Love 3D embossing folder Heart punch and scallop heart punch Adhesive backed hearts red ribbon-bow

February Classes

Monday Feb 9th at 10    2 spots

Tuesday Feb 10th at 1    4 spots

Thursday Feb 12th at 10  1 spot

Friday Feb 13th at 7  1 spot