Fill Your Cardbox with Birthday cards

     February classes are being planned already.  This is one of my goals for 2014 planning ahead and it feels good to be accomplishing it. I found this card sample on Pinterest and loved it. It features several new products from the Occasions catalog.  Can you find them?

1. Hexagon Hive Thinlit-Do you see the flower images in the hexagons?

Hint: When using this thinlit it works best if you layer waxed paper between the thinlit and the cardstock you are using.  I also added a shim to the top of the cutting plate for good measure.

2. Watercolor Wonder designer paper-The background is made from one of the designs of this DSP

3. Petite Petals punch-I used another sheet of Watercolor Wonder DSP that featured flowers and punched out a smaller flower from each design.

This card will be featured in 3 of my February classes

Fill Your cardbox with Female birthday cards Feb. 17th
Stampin in the Stacks at the Jacksonville Public Library Feb. 24th
Stampin with the Seniors at the Jacksonville Senior Center Feb. 26th

What do you love best from the Occasion catalog?

Paper Pumpkin Organizer

     Do you love making lists of things?  I do and the Paper Pumpkin kit that came in December to my door has helped me be more organized.  I am always copying down titles of books, or authors, that I want to read on a slip of paper and then never knowing where they are when I am at the library.  So, when I saw what the December kit was I knew exactly what I wanted to use it for.

1. Book titles I want to read. 

2. Authors I love or that have been recommended to me by friends.

3. Movies I want to be sure and order on Netflix.

4. Websites that friends have told me they think I might enjoy.

  In the back of the little book is a bag that I can put my little slips of paper in if I am in a rush and not ready to write them down.  Best thing of all when I run out of the pages that are in the book now, I can just make a new page and add it.
  What would you use a book like this for?

UFO (Unfinished Object) Completed

The front cover with some of the cute stickers that came with the kit.

     Do you set goals for yourself at the start of each new year?  I really enjoy doing that.  I have decided that 2014 will be the year of finishing my UFO's (unfinished objects).  I have even purchase a This and That journal to record each finished project as I finish it.  With each picture I will tell the story about starting and finishing the object.  Here is my first completely finished UFO.

   1. This was the October My Paper Pumpkin kit.  At first I thought Oh No a mini scrapbook, a little out of my comfort zone.  Then I thought a perfect little book to record a small trip.

2. I decided that the 2013 Convention would be a great small trip to record in this little book, and if I got right on it, the trip was not too long ago and my memory would be fresh. (July 2013)

3. I found pictures from convention and had them developed at the local Walgreen store and finally yesterday sat down to do the book.  It was so easy and so much fun to do.  It brought back the memories of convention and the fun I had with my stamping friends.

A favorite layout of the eating area at the Riverton campus of Stampin'Up!

  And now I feel so good having one completed UFO for 2014.  I will get this picture developed and put in my This and That journal and get started on project number 2.

  Paper Pumpkin is a great way to get cards, or mini projects completed is a short amount of time.  And if you subscribe from now until February 10 you will receive a set free set of markers in your first kit.  If you dropped and want to try it again, you will not have to receive the first kit all over again, you will start back up with the current kit.  Wait till you see what I made with the December Paper Pumpkin Kit.

An Owl for Your Valentine

     Isn't this the cutest card?  I received a card very similar to this as a swap at Leadership and knew right away that I wanted to make it for a Valentine's Day card.  It was a featured card at my Fill Your cardbox with Love class.  And because I love it so much I will be using it as a card in my new classes this month.

1. Monday, January 27th Stampin in the Stacks and the public library here is Jacksonville.

2. Wednesday, January 29th Stampin with the Seniors at the Jacksonville Senior Center.

  I think I will make up any extra cards to send to the grandkids for Valentine's Day.  Who would you send this card to?

Designing my own Stamp

     Last summer StampinUp came up with a kit called Undefined, to help you design your own stamp.  The lines at convention where you could try the tools out were so long that I was not able to participate. But, at Leadership the lines were small and I made my own stamp.  It really was not hard, and I love the extra carving lines that make the image look primitive.

    Everyone that attended my Fill Your cardbox with Love class last week was able to stamp with my homemade stamp.  What image would you carve if you made your own stamp? I am planning a carving class in the future.  Let me know if you are interested in attending..

CASEing a card

     I loved this card and wanted to use it in my Fill Your Card Box with Love class.  But, I realized the Expressions Thinlit was no longer available for purchase and I wanted to use something current in its place.

I tried the True Love saying from the Follow My Heart stamp set and the style of the stamp did not seem to fit the rest of the card.

I tried one of the arrows from the Love You More stamp set, it was too plain.

 



Finally I decided the saying from Delightful Dozen was exactly what I was looking for.

 

     It did not take a lot of extra time, but trying out several sayings until I loved what I saw helped make this card look good to me. I was able to use several items from the Whole Lot of Love special that SU is making available through Monday, January 27th.  Interested in making some of these items your own.  Contact me to place an order, or order from me, Sue Scheets in my oneline store through the link that can be found at the top of this page.

Christmas Throughout the Year

     Wouldn't you love to be prepared for Christmas early enough that you can relax and enjoy yourself?  Well, I am starting a class called Christmas throughout the year.  It will take place once a month and be very simple for everyone involved. Check out my website for the details.  This is how the class will run.

1. I will create one Christmas card design a month.

2. People will sign up to attend and make 3 copies of the same card.

3. In one years time people attending will have 36 Christmas cards ready to go.

   I love how this first card turned out.  The wreath is made using the Daydream Medallion stamp set and matching Floral Frames Framelit. Where did I find red rhinestones?  I made them using a Sharpie marker. 

Hint of the Day:  Sharpie markers are the only marker that will not rub off of the rhinestone or pearl once they are dry.

Fill Your Cardbox with Love

     Are you ready to think about Valentine's Day?  It is just around the corner.  Tomorrow in my Fill Your Cardbox with Love class we will be creating cards that can be used for Valentine's Day.  This was one of the cards I received at Leadership as a swap.  I changed up a few things, but kept my favorite parts of the card.

1. Black and Red, I love that combination.

2. For the Birds stamp set.  Each image is so cute.  I think this might have to be the next stamp set I use for a set sampler.

3. Hearts framelits.

   Who would you send this card to? If you like this card, then please share it.

November Paper Pumpkin kit

     When I saw the cards for the November Paper Pumpkin I was happy.  I thought the design for the card was so cute and just in time for Christmas.  Well, I did not get them made up but this week during my catch up week, I decided to make them.

1. The first card I make each month looks just like the instructions.

2. Then I go to Pinterest and look for more Paper Pumpkin ideas.

3. I was able to take the supplies to make 4 cards and make 7 cards by adding a few items I had in my supplies.  Thanks for all the great ideas.

Cut off the tip of the banner, and punched the edge with the Scalloped Trim Border punch.

Used a scrap piece of the card base, wrapped 3 layers of star trim onto it and placed it on some Cherry Cobbler cardstock.

Punched a 2 1/2 inch circle out of scrap paper.  Wrapped the star trim around the outside edge of the circle and added a Real Red bow.

Cut the card base to there was just a half page strip.  Attached it to Very Vanilla cardstock.  Added the saying and some star trim.

Used scrap pieces to add the striped strips.  Added some star trim and extra stars for accent pieces.

Cut out the Noel, and placed some striped paper over the hole.  Added a few stars to the top of the card.

 

     I had so much fun looking at the changes people had made to the original card and choosing my favorite designs.  At Leadership we got to look at the next 3 kits and I have to say things are changing.

 

1. There are more accessories in each kit with plenty of leftovers to use in other ways.

 

2. The are more supplies to make more projects in each kit.

 

3. SU has listened to people's reactions to the kits and has greatly improved the quality of each kit.

 

Want to be surprised each month when you pretty red box gets delivered to your house?  Then sign up for the Paper Pumpkin, and list me Sue Scheets as your demonstrator if you do not currently have one.

 



Frame Art for December and January

     Can you picture where you would put this frame in your house?  I have the perfect spot in my studio.   This is the December framed art selection that people will be making on Friday night and Saturday at my house.  Can you find all the items I used to make this picture?

1. The swirl from Everything Eleanor was used to make the stylish branches.

2. The ornaments were made using the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and cut out using the Holiday Ornaments framelits.

3. The decorative outlining strips were made using Season of Style designer paper.

4.  The Woodgrain embossing folder was used on Early Espresso coredination card stock.

5. Finally, the merry was created using the Expression Thinlit.

         Are you tired of snow?  Well, this picture will give you the look of snow without the mess. I used the following to create the January framed art picture.

1. Festive Flurry stamp set and framelits

2. Snowflake from the Festive Flurry Ornament Kit

3. Winter Frost designer paper

4. Words created using My Digital Studio and printed out on my computer.

   I love how great these pictures look in the frames I found at WalMart.  I can hardly wait to design the art for February.

   Please share this post if you love these framed art pictures. Let me know if you are interested in joining the Wreath and Frames catch up class. I have some spots left.  Check out the events page on my website for more details and to RSVP.

Valentine's Day is coming soon

     Valentine's Day is just about one month away.  Wow! how fast the time is flying by.  This is the last card that I made using the Just Sayin stamp set and matching Word Bubbles framelits.  Through making all these cards I have found how much I enjoy using this set.  Tomorrow I will feature a new set.
   I CASEd the card on page 33 of the big catalog and made the following changes.

1. Of course I changed the color scheme, by using the Fresh Prints Designer Series paper stack.

2. I switched the circle into one of the heart framelits.

3. I used an arrow hardware clip instead of the arrow hung up cute clip.

   This is a really cute card that I plan to feature in my Fill Your Card box with Love class to be held on the 20th of January.

Banners everywhere

     This saying from Just Sayin has some thought bubbles that you can make come down from the saying.  I tried it and did not like the look.  So, since the card already featured some banners, I thought about adding another saying from the Itty Bitty Banners set.  That just supported all that I love about the Stampin'Up! products.

1. Items within a set coordinate so well together.

2. Items from one set to another can coordinate well together.

3. Without too much effort trying to find the right match you can make great looking cards.
    

Create an accent

   Page 16 in the big catalog was the inspiration for this card. This time my dilemma was what do use for an accent piece.  The butterfly pictured in the original card did not seem to match the design in the paper- too delicate looking. Here's how I brainstormed what to make for the accent.

1. I noticed the dots and thought how about some circles.

2. After punching out several different sized circles, I thought about making a flower.  I thought the Triple Flower punch was a little too frilly for the look I was wanting.

3. Finally, I decided to fringe the outside circle to resemble petals. Then I chose to place a circle of a  contrasting color inside this circle and make it a little off set.  The polka dots are not evenly shaped circles.  Then for the middle I decided a black circle with look just great.

4.  Oops, what about some leaves?  I used the small oval punch cut in half and fringed.  I just arbitrarily stuck them on each side of the flower. I was very pleased with the result.  Just the accent I wanted and very easy to make.
 

Simple says it all

     I was looking for just the right card to use this wonderful design.  It is so bold I knew it would not need much.  Then I looked at the stamp I not used yet and decided to create the card above.  As I made the card I was thinking how much fun it would to give to one of my grandchildren for a great report card, or doing something they had been working hard to accomplish.  Then, I thought this card could go to anyone that worked hard.  And think how easy it would be to duplicate.  I did not have to think too hard to come up with this cute and simple card.  What would you use this card for?

Ways to improve or change your design

   
   For this card I went to the big catalog on page 15.  I had several failed attempts before I found this design that I like.  What do you do if you are not sure about your first design?

1. I looked at the image in the catalog to see if I could find something else to add or change.

2. I tried a different color and design of DSP in the paper pack.

3. I talked to my husband to get his impressions.  He is usually a really big help in this area.

4. I walked away from the project for a while and then came back.  That really helps if you have been working on something for awhile.
 
What helps you when you are stuck with a card design.

DSP can help with card designing

    
  For this card I knew I wanted to use the flowery design from the Sweet Sorbet Sale a Bration designer paper. That decision helped me make several other decisions to create the card.

1.  I did not have to worry about colors, they were in the DSP.

2. I knew the design needed to be simple since the paper was so busy.

3. I wanted somehow to echo the cute little flowers that were in the paper.

   I had fun deciding how to add some of the color with ribbon, punches, and tiny rhinestones.  What do you use Designer paper for?

How to decide what card to make?

   
    Do you ever have a hard time trying to decide what to stamp?  I know that I do.  Since it had been so long since I had sat down to create a card I had more trouble than usual.  So, I went through my list that I use to help.

1. First decide what stamp set you want to use.  That part was easy because I knew I wanted to use Just Sayin.

2. Next go online to look at ideas.  I tried several places and did not get inspired by what I saw.

3. If that does not work, go to the catalog.  I knew that I had not used the ideas in the catalog very much since it came out so I decided I would use it for my inspiration.

4.  Earmark somehow the pages of designs you really like even if they do not feature the stamp set you want to use.  For this card I found a design on page 3 of the Occasions catalog that used Washi tape and looked fairly easy to replicate.

5. Make some changes to make the card your own.  I decided I wanted a full sized card since I might want to use this as one of my swaps for Leadership. I liked the changes I made but something did not seem right. After lunch I looked at the card again, and the sample in the catalog and made a color change.

     Isn't it amazing how a simple change can make such a difference in the look of a card.  The Washi tape was lost when I used the Basic Grey cardstock, but really pops when I changed the background color to white.
Let me know how you decide what card to make.

UfO's- one completed for 2014

The ribbon is from the pillow gifts I got each night. It is tied around the cover of the book.  Inside the front cover I placed a map of the island.

     Do you know what a UFO is in the crafting sewing world?  An Unfinished Object.  Well, I am focusing in 2014 on finishing up unfinished things.  I want to change my reputation. My daughter Debbie got me a t-shirt several years ago that says Queen on Unfinished Projects on the front.  Need I say more.
   Last Friday night I was a part of a scrapbooking group and actually finished an album  YEAH ME!  The scrapbook was of the incentive trip I earned and took in 2014.  Better late than never I say.  Since I have brought the book home and placed it out in the open, my husband who went with me to Hilton Head has already looked the book over once.

 

The bikes we had available to us and a fountain on the grounds of the Westin Hotel where we stayed.

 





We had out picture taken in front of the hotel we stayed in before boarding the bus to head home.

     It felt great to finally have the scrapbook completed.  I wonder how many projects I will be able to finish in 2014?  Do you have any UFO's you plan to finish this year?

10,000 Views and a Valentine card

     When I checked the stats on this blog today, I noticed that in the year that I have been blogging I have now had over 10,000 views.  That is big news for me. I have had a wonderful year learning and exploring blogging.  When I don't blog, I now really miss it. So, thanks for checking Sushi Stamps out this past year.
     This card is one of the new items that StampinUp is offering.  It is not in the new catalog but is an offer that is good from December 1 till January 27.  The offer is called A Whole Lot of Love and includes the following.........

1. 2 stamp sets that feature Valentine sentiments.  The stamp on this card is a single stamp called Flowerfull Heart.

2. Sweetheart treat bags

3. Monster Hug  kid Valentine cards

4. Sweet Sayings cards and envelopes.  This card uses one of the preprinted cards and a matching envelope. I like the cards because they are a great base to add simple sayings to and therefore easy to create quite a few for friends and family.

   If these looks like something you would like to make for Valentine's Day, I will be featuring them in my class on January 20, Fill Your Card Box with Love.  Just go to my website to register. www.sushi.stampinup.net

Just Sayin stamp set

     When I got back from Ohio helping out my daughter I had 3 boxes full of Stampin'Up! goodies waiting for me.  I finally have had the time to start playing.  I decided to focus on one stamp set at a time and explore the different ways I could use it.  So, my first set is called Just Sayin and has a matching set of framelits called Word Bubbles.  This was the first set that jumped out at me when I looked through the Occasions catalog. I also decided to focus on one set of designer papers for these cards.  I chose the paper called Sweet Sorbet, that is free from Sale a Bration with any $50 order.  This wonderful event starts January 28th, but as a demonstrator I was able to preorder items to create some samples.  Finally since I was not sure what to start making I decided to try another Freshly Made Sketch. Can you see how I changed the sketch a bit?

1. I layered the banners instead of stacking them. I used the banner set from the Occasions catalog to create the banners.  Easy Peasy.

2. I used the Just Sayin stamp set for my saying. It was so easy to cut out because of the matching framelits.

3. I applied texture to each one of the colored banners to add some interest to the card.

4. Finally I added little hearts from the owl punch and little black dots to echo the black dots in the DSP.  I used the dots from the cupcake punch.  They were just the size I wanted.

   This challenge got my creative juices flowing.  I made several cards using similar materials and will show them in the next few days.

Watercolor Wonder Suite

    
   The new Occasions catalog is divided into suites and one of my favorite suites is the Watercolor Wonder suite. I have always loved the look of watercolor and think the items offered bring out my favorite things I like about watercolor.

1. The Happy Watercolor stamp set used in this card sample.  Love the splotches with the watercolor look, the poppy and the sayings.

2. The gold washi tape.  Usually not to crazy about gold and silver, but love this because it is a dull gold look, not bright and flashy.

3. The subtle look of the baker's twine with a bit of gold or silver twisted around the basic color.

4. The string of sequence.  I have seen card samples where people even pull out individual sequence as accent pieces.

  We made this card at the Jubilant Butterflies meeting and I realized after making the card how much I loved all parts of this suite.  Which suite is your favorite?  There are several ways you can purchase your favorite items from this catalog.

1. Order online through my website

2. Come to one of my classes and place an order which will make the class free.

3, Have your own private class and earn some items for free.

Contact me for more information or leave me a message on my blog and I will get back to you.

Occasion Catalog is live

     The ordering period for the Occasions Catalog started yesterday.  I don't know if you were excited when you saw the catalog, but I sure was.  We made this card at the last Jubilant Butterflies meeting.  I love how well everything coordinates, the stamp set, the punch the sayings and the designer paper.  What is your favorite part of this card?  I think mine is the colors.  Bright, cheery, and yet simple.
  The SU Leadership conference is coming quite soon and this set called Geometric, is one of the stamp sets we will receive when we register.  Yes, I am excited about 
that.

   Please contact me if you have not received your copy of the Occasions catalog or if you are new to stamping, let me know I will have one sent to you.

A Frame for the Winter

      One of the last things I did before I left for Ohio to help out my daughter was attend the December meeting of the Jubilant Butterflies. We always have a gift exchange for our December meeting.  Rae Ellen made this wonderful frame using the Festive Flurry stamp set and matching framelits.  I just love it and think it is a great thing to display all winter long. I am going to make something similar for my January Frame art class later on this month. 

All Occasion Cards for 2014

   If you read my post from yesterday, you know that I am working hard on having my house totally organized ready for the New Year.  This box is full of cards that are ready to go to my friends and family.  Looks like a lot of cards doesn't it!  You might think that it would be hard to keep track of all those cards.  Well, I have a workable system I have used for years that helps me out.

1. I group the cards in several categories.  These are the same categories I use in my Fill Your Card Box classes.

2. When I need a Sympathy card, I just go to the Sympathy tab and find the card I think fits the person I am sending it to.

3. I have a separate box for birthday cards where the tabs indicate what kind of birthday card is behind.  Example, Children, Female, Generic, you get the idea.

This may seem overly simple but I can always put my fingers on a card when I need one.

  These cards are now organized for the coming year.  When I see a category is low then I make up some of my extra supplies for a class.

Who do you send cards to and why?

I'm Back and ready for the New Year

     A new year, a new start!  I spent the month of December helping my oldest daughter who lives in Ohio get herself settled after dealing with some major changes she will be dealing with in 2014.  It felt good to be able to leave my home and help her with her 3 wonderful but active kids.
   How do I start out the new year?  I have an almost uncontrollable need to have everything in my house organized.  Drawers, shelves, cabinets, cupboards.  It is fun doing the organizing and even more fun having everything in order.
  
1. First I looked at my January and February perpetual calendar pages and made cards for each person on the list.

2. After choosing the card, I addressed each envelope and instead of putting a stamp on the envelope, I wrote the date that I need to mail the card.  This will then be covered up by the stamp.

3. I try to always work one month ahead, so at the end of January I will get the March cards ready to go. I love sending out homemade cards and do so for family, my quilt guild members and for all my customers and downline.

   I had a great time looking over the cards I had made this past year and choosing the ones I thought matched the person on the list.  I feel ready to start the new year now that this has been completed.

What do you do to get ready for the new year?