More Leadership Samples!-Painted Petals

Hello Everyone! I have some more samples from the leadership display boards to share. I was asked to create three projects using the Painted Petals stamp set, hope you enjoy!

Here is a list of the other North American Stampin' UP Artisan Design Team  blogs! Come see who made what!

Allison Okamitsu - http://nicepeoplestamp.blogspot.com/

Cindy Schuster - http://nutmegcreations.blogspot.com/

Kaitlyn Zumbach - http://createwithkaitlyn.blogspot.com/

Krista Frattin - http://www.stampindolce.com/

Mercedes Weber - http://mercedesweber.blogspot.com/

Sarah Sagert - http://www.sarahsagert.stampinup.net/blog

Stampin' Up! Artisan BLog Hop-Indescribable Gift

Welcome back for another Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! This year is an international team, so be sure to travel around the world with us as as we share our creativity and ideas with you!


This week I decided to feature the Indescribable Gift stamp set. Mostly because I have a couple of cards already made with this set since it was one of the sets Stampin' Up! asked me to create some display cards for Leadership. Lucky me, I get to multitask! But, I did make one card just especially for tonight's hop. . . I didn't want to be TOTALLY lame! Check it out:

I am super loving the blendabilities, and this set is so perfect for coloring! Here a couple more cards using this set that I created for the Leadership Display Boards:

 

Hope you enjoy all of the ideas with this set! It was in our Artisan box as well, so be sure to check the other Artisan's blogs through the month to see even more ideas with this amazing set!


Let's continue the hop and head over to Cindy's blog, shall we?!

You Make Me Happy!

Ever since junior was a baby, I have always sung to him.

What does that have to do with today's post?

 

This sentiment reminds me of one of my favorite songs I would sing to him as I held him all bundled up in my arms. . . just thinking about it makes me happy!

These are a couple of cards I made for the Leadership 2014 Displays using the See Ya Later stamp set (a set you can earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration). For the sun on the top card I used a circle punch to punch a circle, then cut some varied strips of cardstock, laid them on my Watercolor Cardstock, and used a Stampin' Spritzer filled with a mixture of Summer Starfruit Ink Refill and water. I held the spritzer closer to the "rays" around the "sun" to make it more saturated and give it an ombre look. For the bottom card, I cut a cloud out of a panel of Whisper White Cardstock, stamped on it with the circle stamp from the Geometrical set, then added a Window Sheet to the back of it. I then used Dimensionals lined tightly together on the backside bordering the cloud, filled it with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and some small Pool Party circles, then added some Sweet Sorbet DSP (also FREE during Sale-A-Bration.) and attached it to my card base to create a fun shaker card!


Supplies used card #1: See Ya Later* stamp set; Pool Party, Sahara Sand, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, and Watercolor cardstock; Sweet Sorbet DSP*; Coastal Cabana, Summer Starfruit, and Sahara Sand Stampin' Write Markers; Summer Starfruit Ink Refill; Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack*; Vintage Faceted Buttons, Stampin' Spritzer; Stampin' Pierce3 Mat; Paper-Piercing Tool.

Supplies used card #2: See Ya Later* and Geometrical stamp sets; Whisper White and Pool Party cardstock; Window Sheet; Sweet Sorbet DSP*; Stazon Jet Black and Pool Party ink pads; Dazzling Diamonds Glitter; Basic Jewels Rhinestones; Owl Builder Punch, Dimensionals.

*items are only available to earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration.

A Gift for Mom. . .

I am back with another Leaderhip display sample! (I am getting close to having ALL of my display samples posted!)

At first glance the You're Lovely set was not really "my style", but it reminded me so much of my wonderful mom. I had mom in mind as I was creating this. . .

As it turns out, this is one of my most favorite projects I created for the Leadership display boards! I can't help but think of my mom, and how much I love her. She is such an amazing woman, wife, and mother. . . she is truly an example of everything I hope someday to become. I owe my "craftiness and creativity" to her! She is one of the most talented, creative, and crafty people I know! Love you Mom!

Don't forget to check out the whole team's projects!

(search Leadership Display on their blogs)

Becky Cowley- you are here!
Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroos
Jane Lee - Jane Lee's Cards
Jeanna Bohanon - Stamp Time Somewhere
Cindy Schuster - Nutmeg Creations
Jennifer Timko - Stampin' on the Fly
Alanna Wharf - Sleepless Stamper
Mercedes Weber - Paper Creations by Mercedes

 

Supplies used: Teeny Tiny Wishes and *You're Lovely stamp sets; Sahara Sand, Summer Starfruit, and Watercolor cardstock; Stazon Jet Black, Summer Starfruit, and Pistachio Pudding ink pads; Tea Lace Doileis; Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim; Vanilla Seam Binding; Linen Thread; Vintage Trinkets; Blender Pen; Deco Labels Framelit dies; Square Lattice Embossing Folder; Envelope Punch Board.

*items are only available to earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration.

You're Lovely

With Sale-A-Bration well underway, I hope you are taking advantage of all the freebies you can earn! Plus, don't forget to stop by the ADT team blogs and check out their leadership samples as they are sure to inspire you!

I admittedly struggled a bit creating cards with the You're Lovely set, but after seeing these totally awesome cards and this card and banner by Jane Lee as well as this simply elegant card by Janneke de Jong, I think this is a set I will be re-visiting! Here are the cards I created for the Leadership 2014 display boards:

Don't forget to check back, as I will be posting ALL of my Leadership display projects!

Don't forget to check out the whole team's projects!

(search Leadership Display on their blogs)

Becky Cowley- you are here!
Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroos
Jane Lee - Jane Lee's Cards
Jeanna Bohanon - Stamp Time Somewhere
Cindy Schuster - Nutmeg Creations
Jennifer Timko - Stampin' on the Fly
Alanna Wharf - Sleepless Stamper
Mercedes Weber - Paper Creations by Mercedes

 

Supplies used card #1: *You're Lovely stamp set; Basic Black, Whisper White, Pool Party, and Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock; *Sweet Sorbet DSP; Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party, Pistachio Pudding, and Basic Black ink pads; Tea Lace Paper Doilies; Petite Curly Label Punch; Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat; Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack.

Supplies used card #2: *You're Lovely stamp set; Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Calypso Coral, and Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock; *Sweet Sorbet DSP; Coastal Cabana ink pad; Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker; Small Hear Punch; *Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack; Crystal Effects.

*items are only available to earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration. 

So Happy Together!

One of the first product suites that caught my eye from the Occasions Catalog (and maybe it was because it was on the first page?) was the Retro Fresh Suite featuring the Peachy Keen stamp set. I loved all of the possibilities with this suite, and I especially love all of the coordinating products, especially the Retro Fresh Journaling Tags! These tags offer so many options to create cards, use for quick project life pages, and more! Plus, with coordinating Retro Fresh products like DSP, stickers, ans washi tape, you're sure to create a perfectly coordinated project!

Check out this project scrapbook page I created with the suite:

 photos taken by Mindy Bywater Bywater Photography

Yes Retro Fresh Suite, you + me are happy together! . . . me and my hubby are happy together too! :)

Don't forget to check out the whole team's projects!

(search Leadership Display on their blogs)

Becky Cowley- you are here!
Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroos
Jane Lee - Jane Lee's Cards
Jeanna Bohanon - Stamp Time Somewhere
Cindy Schuster - Nutmeg Creations
Jennifer Timko - Stampin' on the Fly
Alanna Wharf - Sleepless Stamper
Mercedes Weber - Paper Creations by Mercedes

 

Supplies used: Peachy Keen Stamp Set; Retro Fresh DSP; Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Tangerine Tango, and Coastal Cabana cardstock;  Crisp Cantaloupe, Tangerine Tango, and Coastal Cabana ink pads; Crips Cantaloupe ink refill; Retro Fresh Journaling Tags; *Sweet Sorbet Accessory Kit; Retro Fresh Washi Tape; Very Vintage Buttons; Houndstooth embossing folder; Small Heart, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, and Scallop Edge Border punches.

*items are only available to earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration.

Petal Parade

I originally intended to get all of my leadership displays posted before Sale-A-Bration started, but yeah. . . that didn't happen! We have been busy! Between work, Fost/Adopt training, finishing my basement scrapbook room, being a mom (and all that entails), and just life in general. . . we have been super BUSY! But, I am going to try and get back on track with posting these so you can see some samples made with all the FREEBIES! YAY!! And, don't forget to check out the other Artisan's leadership displays (blog roll below) to see their ideas too!

Today I am sharing two cards I made with the Petal Parade set, not my most favorite set, but after seeing some of the other demonstrator's projects created with it. . . it is growing on me! Like, check out this card by Jeanna Bohanon, or this simple (yet stunning) single layer card by Sarah Sagert. . . yes, I will totally be going back to the drawing board with this set after seeing their inspirational creations!

Anyway, here is what I came up with the first go around:

Don't forget to check out the whole team's projects!

(search Leadership Display on their blogs)

Becky Cowley- you are here!
Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroos
Jane Lee - Jane Lee's Cards
Jeanna Bohanon - Stamp Time Somewhere
Cindy Schuster - Nutmeg Creations
Jennifer Timko - Stampin' on the Fly
Alanna Wharf - Sleepless Stamper
Mercedes Weber - Paper Creations by Mercedes

Supplies used card #1: *Petal Parade and Lots of Thanks stamp sets; Pool Party, Whisper White, Basic Black, and Vellum cardstock; *Sweet Sorbet DSP; Whisper White and Pool Party ink pads; *Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack; Whisper White embossing powder; heat tool.

Supplies used card #2: *Petal Parade and Peachy Keen stamp sets; Whisper White and Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock; *Sweet Sorbet DSP; Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Pool Pary, Summer Starfruit, and Stazon Jet Black ink pads.

*items are only available to earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration.

You Can Never Have Too Much Happy!

It's true, you really never can have too much happy! In a world so full of turmoil, "happy" is about the only thing that keeps me sane! There have been so many amazing life lessons that I have learned from my little boy, including the importance of just being happy. . . taking in every moment with all your heart, and finding joy in every moment and in everything, no matter how menial it may seem. My little guy is FULL of character and emotion, and each one is magnified by 100! When he is happy, it encases my entire soul and I feel as if I am shining from the inside out, I LOVE experiencing his happy with him. . .

I have scrapbooked these pics of junior's first day of preschool before, in a digital form, but the page I created was more about my feelings of sending him off on his own for the first time and how it affected me. . . this time I wanted to capture how Gage was feeling, because as I was crying and feeling some separation anxiety, he was being silly, giggling, laughing, and eagerly anticipating his first day of school.

For this page I used the Petal Parade set which is now available to earn for FREE with a $50 purchase! YES, Sale-A-Bration started yesterday, so don't miss out on the chance to earn free product!

Now, back to the page. . . you may be wondering where I go the black rhinestones and Vintage Faceted Buttons from? My secret is that I just colored them with a black Sharpie! *Be sure to use a permanent ink when coloring the rhinestones and buttons, otherwise it will just rub off!

Don't forget to check out the whole team's projects!

(search Leadership Display on their blogs)

Becky Cowley- you are here!
Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroos
Jane Lee - Jane Lee's Cards
Jeanna Bohanon - Stamp Time Somewhere
Cindy Schuster - Nutmeg Creations
Jennifer Timko - Stampin' on the Fly
Alanna Wharf - Sleepless Stamper
Mercedes Weber - Paper Creations by Mercedes

Supplies used: *Petal Parade and Yippee-Skippee stamp sets; Natural Composition DSP; Basic Black, Whisper White, Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, and Bermuda Bay cardstock; Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Basic Black, and Bermuda Bay ink pads; Coastal Cabana and Basic Black Stampin' Write Markers; *Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack;  Basic Jewels Rhinestones; Vintage Faceted Buttons, Epic Day This & That Washi Tape; *Decorative Dots embossing folder; Chevron Border Punch; 1 1/4" Circle Punch; other: needle, thread, and Black Sharpie.

*items are only available to earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration.

Someone Who Changes You

This page was the very first project I created in my mind for the Leadership Display boards. As soon as I saw this sentiment from the See Ya Later stamp set (which can be earned FREE during Sale-A-Bration), I instantly knew I would be creating a page regarding the moment I met my son, and how far we have come on our journey together.

My son was first place into my arms when he was just 2 days old. My life was forever changed. I fell in love at that very moment, but at the same time I was so very scared about the unknown. . .

After many years of fertility issues, and finally accepting the reality that I would not be able to bear children on my own, my husband and I knew that we would grow our family through adoption. After prayerful thought and consideration, we decided that we would adopt through the Fost-Adopt program. We had helped a few children out, providing them a safe environment in which their needs were met while the work was being done to reunite them with their biological parents. But with my son, it was different. From the moment we met, I knew deep down that he was mine, yet I couldn't know for sure what would happen. . . if we would get to keep him. . . or if he would, in the end, return home to his biological parents. With very conflicting feelings, it was hard for me. I knew that I would love this precious little boy with all my heart, mind, and soul, yet part of me was hesitant to let myself believe that he would be mine forever. I needed to protect myself from the heartache and loss for when this boy who was mine would be going home to his biological parents. It is hard to describe all of the feelings attached to this little guy, but my life WAS forever changed from the moment I laid eyes on him and the RFC placed him in my arms. An instantaneous flood of emotions came over me. . . love. . . excitement. . . nervousness. . . anxiety. . . fear. . . desire to make sure that no matter what was to happen, this precious spirit would know that he is loved.

It was a long, emotionally hard road (not just for our little family, but for the case workers, GAs, extended family, and biological family involved as well). Finally, after 11 months of loving this little guy and working with the bio parents to try and reunite, the Judge ultimately decided it just wasn't possible or in the best interest for this little guy to return to his bio parents. By 18 months, the adoption was finalized with no more possibility of appeals, and he was officially a Cowley! Who knew that one little soul could change the lives of so many people, and have such a profound impact on our sense of love!

Our boy is now six years old, and we have had quite the journey! At just 6 months old, the doctors came to the conclusion that the trauma this little baby endured while in utero (as well as some very traumatic things that occurred during visits with the bio father) had had a huge impact on his development, and that he would need extra help. Weekly Physical and Occupational Therapy, as well as a scheduled regimen of sensory play have helped him out tremendously! Though he was diagnosed as being on the Autism Scale and having Sensory Processing Disorder, his progress has been truly amazing, and without a trained eye you would now never know his hardships! I cannot even begin to imagine what life would be like for this little guy had he not had so many people in his life advocating for him.

Though it is a very tough process, this Fost-Adopt thing. . . crazy us! We have decided to go through the Fost-Adopt program again! Scarey, but also very excited about the possibilities too!

Don't forget to check out the whole team's projects!

(search Leadership Display on their blogs)

Becky Cowley- you are here!
Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroos
Jane Lee - Jane Lee's Cards
Jeanna Bohanon - Stamp Time Somewhere
Cindy Schuster - Nutmeg Creations
Jennifer Timko - Stampin' on the Fly
Alanna Wharf - Sleepless Stamper
Mercedes Weber - Paper Creations by Mercedes

Supplies used: See Ya Later and Banner Blast stamp sets; Sweet Sorbet DSP; Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe, Summer Starfruit, Calypso Coral, and Whisper White cardstock;  Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe, Summer Starfruit, Calypso Coral, and Whisper White ink pads; Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Basic Black Stampin' Write Markers; Tea Lace Paper Doilies; Pool Party 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim; Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack; Vintage Faceted Buttons; Hung Up Cute Clips; Chalk Marker; Hearts Collection Framelites Dies; Banner Punch; Decorative Dots Embossing Folder; Expression Thinlits Dies; Feathered Woodcuts MDS download; other: Silhouette.

Banner Blast

With Sale-A-Bration just ONE WEEK away, I am stepping it into high gear to get all of my Leadership samples posted! This card uses the Banner Blast stamp set and coordinating Banner punch (both of which can be earned FREE during Sale-A-Bration) along with a sentiment from Geometrical.

There are so many ways to incorporate these cute banners as embellishments in your projects. Be sure to visit all of the ADT blogs to see the great ideas with this set! Check out this super awesome card by Melody Hyde, isn't it fun?!

Don't forget to check out the whole team's projects!

(search Leadership Display on their blogs)

Becky Cowley- you are here!
Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroos
Jane Lee - Jane Lee's Cards
Jeanna Bohanon - Stamp Time Somewhere
Cindy Schuster - Nutmeg Creations
Jennifer Timko - Stampin' on the Fly
Alanna Wharf - Sleepless Stamper
Mercedes Weber - Paper Creations by Mercedes

Supplies used: Banner Blast and Geometrical stamp sets; Whisper White, Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Calypso Coral cardstock; Pool Party, Sahara Sand, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Calypso Coral Stampin' Write Markers; Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Calypso Coral ink pads; Banner Punch; thread.

More Geometrical!

Today I am sharing another Leadership Sample. Although I am not too happy with the page itself, I had to share it because I LOVE the photo of my little boy! It captures all of his quirkiness and the everyday silly things that we enjoy!

For those of you who are new to my blog and haven't yet gotten to know me and my family, my son was diagnosed a while back with Sensory Processing Disorder and is on the Autism Spectrum scale. We are CONSTANTLY working with trying to do lots of tactile activities with him and one of his more favorites is playdoh. Just a few years ago he wouldn't even touch the stuff, and now he loves to play with it! On this particular day we were making hamburgers and fries with his little playdoh food factory. Next thing I know he is smashing the "hamburger patty" on his head and laughing! I got a kick out of it! (I was actually quite surprised that he allowed the playdoh to touch his face. . . not very characteristic of him.) I love moments like these when my little boy is so open to experience the world around him without having a meltdown, YAY!

This page is actually an 8" X 8", and I used the Geometrical stamp set from the 2014 Occasions Catalog. At the time I created this page I did not have the Triangle Punch, but boy would it have been handy! Did you know that quite a few stamp sets in the Occasions Catalog can be bundle together with coordinating punches and dies to make your crafting much easier, plus you get a 15% discount?! Be sure to check out the Geomatrical bundle which includes the triangle punch and save yourself from hand cutting them out. . .

 

Be sure to check back for more display projects!

Don't forget to check out the whole team's projects!

(search Leadership Display on their blogs)

Becky Cowley- you are here!
Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroos
Jane Lee - Jane Lee's Cards
Jeanna Bohanon - Stamp Time Somewhere
Cindy Schuster - Nutmeg Creations
Jennifer Timko - Stampin' on the Fly
Alanna Wharf - Sleepless Stamper
Mercedes Weber - Paper Creations by Mercedes

Supplies used: Geometrical stamp set; Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Gumball Green, and Smoky Slate cardstock; Basic Black, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Gumball Green, and Smoky Slate ink pads; Whisper White Baker's Twine; Chevron Embossing Folder; *Triangle punch (not used, but would have been much easier!); *Angled Tag Topper Punch; stapler.

Leadership Displays

For those of you who were not able to be at Leadership, be sure to stop by the blogs of everyone on the Artisan Design Team (check out the blog roll below), as we will be sharing some of the samples that we created for the 2014 Leadership display boards over the next few weeks!

Today I am going to share a couple of cards using the Geometrical stamp set. For those of you who don't know, I am a math geek through and through. . . it was one of my favorite subjects in school next to science and music. It's no wonder that when this set showed up in my display box I fell in love instantly! With this set, the possibilities are endless! There are so many ways to incorporate these shapes into your projects. . . stick with one shape as a focal point, or mix and match!

This card was so much fun! I am not the best at water-coloring, but after watching a quick and easy tutorial by Melody Hyde, I decided to give it a try! It was seriously so easy to create the multicolor background with my Aqua Painter and some ink refils. Thanks Melody!

After I water-colored my background on some Watercolor Paper I cut a strip off of the multicolor side and used the medium and large circles from the Owl Builder punch to punch out a couple of water colored circles to add as embellishments to my card. For the edge of the card I stamped the triangle repeatedly, alternating directions each time, on a strip of Bermuda Bay cardstock. I am quite happy with how this card turned out!

This card was a bit trickier, I had to try and keep the pattern straight and somewhat evenly spaced! Don't stare at it too long, or you may start seeing how crooked it actually is! I stamped this panel about 3 or 4 times before I ended up with one that wasn't too uneven!

Again, I used the punches to get some circle embellishments, but this time I covered them with some Crystal Effects to give them some dimension and shine. Yes, it would have been much easier to use Candy Dots. . . just another item to add to my wish list!

Be sure to check back for more display projects!

Don't forget to check out the whole team's projects!

(search Leadership Display on their blogs)

Becky Cowley- you are here!
Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroos
Jane Lee - Jane Lee's Cards
Jeanna Bohanon - Stamp Time Somewhere
Cindy Schuster - Nutmeg Creations
Jennifer Timko - Stampin' on the Fly
Alanna Wharf - Sleepless Stamper
Mercedes Weber - Paper Creations by Mercedes

Supplies used for Cheer Up card: Geometrical stamp set; Watercolor paper; Bermuda Bay cardstock; Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, and Strawberry Slush ink refills; Bermuda Bay and Staz On Jet Black ink pads; Owl Builder Punch.

Supplies used for Hooray for Today card: Geometrical stamp set; Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, and Summer Starfruit cardstock; Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Basic Black and Summer Starfruit ink pads; Owl Builder Punch; Crystal Effects.