Friday, January 30, 2009

A CAS Winter Card

Hi there! I am so excited because I just made a card for the Friday limited supplies challenge over at scs and I love it!! The theme was CAS (clean and simple). I chose to use the winter stamp from A Tree For All Seasons. BUT the part that got me so excited is that after it turned out nice, I realized that with a little tweaking I could have quick cards for all seasons of the year. How awesome it that?!

Here what I used:
paper: whisper white cs
ink: staz on black, markers-creamy caramel and close to cocoa on tree, real red for mittens and scarf
accessories: pastels/chalks-light blue and lt. gray around tree, white and lt. gray for ground
-dazzling diamonds applied with glue pen to snowflakes and along ground line
-real red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

Well, that's it for now. I have to go walk around the block because I told my neighbor/friend/upline that I would do that at 4:30. I seem to need a set deadline!!

Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

Thursday, January 29, 2009

COTM Reminder

Hi there! Just a quick reminder that the local Cards of the Month Club is this Saturday if you signed up. I do have some spots left at 8pm so you have until Friday night to sign up for that. You can sign up on this page.
.
I can also take Need A Card Now! orders through Feb. 4.
.
That's it for now. Just doing a little "housekeeping" duties to keep things running smoothly. I promise the next post will have something to look at!
.
Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

PS If you notice I added a blogroll to the left. Somehow I lost my bookmarks yesterday so I am having to go find blogs that I like to look at--ugh!!!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Another Thank You

Hi there! I hope you're not tired of thank you cards. I need some more so that may be what my posts lean to for a few days. ;) Today I managed to include yesterday's color challenge and today's sketch challenge both over at scs.
I used an old set called And Everything Nice. I just love that set. The girls are so sweet. Here are the other details:
Paper: baja breeze, garden green, pacific point, whisper white, and rainbow sherbet dsp
Ink: staz on black, bliss blue (sponged), markers-apricot appeal, certainly celery, bashful blue, barely banana
No embellishments!!
.
I hope you are having a good day! The sun is shining here and we have reached 32-degrees. Woohoo! It's going to be a good day. (Plus I had coffee) :)
Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Workshop Peeky, Peeky

In March, I am doing two Sale-A-Bration stamping events in conjunction with Heather and Emily. The first one is card-making and the second is scrapbooking. Here are the rough drafts of some of my designs.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Each person will make 2 of each design, and can leave with a total of 48 cards by the end of the night! So they are designed to be fairly quick. I was assigned:
sympathy
friend
man's birthday
boy's birthday
graduation
Father's Day
thank you
There are two more designs that I will post tomorrow. As you can see there are mistakes and things to be worked on, but you get the idea of the cards. The graduation one will be adaptable to school colors. Pictured is gray and elegant eggplant which any upstanding person would choose to show their pride when their friends and relatives graduate from the best university available! ;)





I will offer this card with and without the golf bag colored. It looks pretty good just stamped in brown so that will work for those that are too intimidated by coloring or simply want to go faster!
.
That's it for me today I think! Thanks for stopping by!
.
Till next time, Tasha

Birthday Idea

This is my second post today so scroll down to see the thank you card post!

This is what I've been busy with when not making cards. My younger two kids have birthdays 10 days apart so this year I decided to have both parties on the same day in between. We rented a bounce house for 4 hours in the gym at our church. Each party was 1.5 hours long with a break for us to change the colors of plates, tablecloth, napkins etc. in between! The bounce house was HUGE and took up half the gym.
.
Here are the invitations:
Instead of cake at the parties we had build-your-own sundaes which I would highly recommend. They really seemed to like this and it is not much work. Just have plenty of spray whipped cream. We used 1 can at each party (6-8 kids).
For favors I made cupcakes in polka-dot papers that work for boy or girl and decorated the same way. The boxes I purchased from a party supply store for 50-cents each which was definitely worth it. I made the belly bands with leftover dsp strips. Guess I forgot to get a picture of the boy ones but they were in tangerine tango, pacific point, and rainbow sherbet dsp.
Here's a close-up of the medallion on top. Luckily, I remembered I had a tiny cupcake stamp that I had received as a booking incentive years ago!

Thanks for stopping by!

Till next time, Tasha

Bird Thanks

Funny how we're all naive (nicer word than oblivious) to situations until living through one. I think about my friends who have had surgery or their immediately family members have had surgery. And maybe I said a prayer or sent a card. Sometimes, if it was a kid, I would take an activity book or a movie coupon. Maybe if it was the parent I would take a meal. But now I will definitely do those things--all those things. And I will include a set of thank you cards as well.

After my son's surgery, I was amazed by what some of my friends thought of. And I noticed it was the ones who had been through family surgeries as well. Yes, they are super busy too but they knew what the ordeal would entail and brought stuff anyway even though I waived them off saying everything was under control! Now I certainly don't mean anything against those who simply said a prayer. That is wonderful and needed every bit as much. And, quite honestly, if many more had responded I would have been overwhelmed and not been able to handle the chaos.

This is a card I made for one of the families.

stamp: Fun and Fast Notes

paper: gable green, rainbow sherbet dsp, whisper white, apricot appeal

ink: staz on black, SU markers-apricot appeal, cameo coral, barely banana, summer sun, gable green, bordering blue

tools/accessories: Big Shot, nestabilities, embossing folder



Thanks for stopping by!


Till next time, Tasha





Friday, January 23, 2009

Different Eye Candy Today

Hi! Well we lived through my 12-yr-old's surgery today. I'm ready to crash but have to wait another hour to give the next pain pill. DH is taking the early morning one! This is what I was busy doing last night instead of making cards! My now-7-yr-old had these for birthday treats today. We dropped them off on the way to the surgery center.
Here is a little closer view:

Just like snowflakes, no 2 are exactly alike but oh well.
.
I hope that you have a good weekend. It is quite cold and ferociously windy here but as long as we don't get ice I won't complain. I probably won't get another card posted till Monday since I have a women's retreat at our church tomorrow (which I may have to skip out on part of to check on the patient). And Sunday after church we're doing birthday parties for the other two! Maybe you can stamp a little extra for me. ;)

Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha




Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Sketch Challenge Today

Good Morning! I don't always get to post this early but have a jam-packed day. This is the card I put together for the sketch challenge over on scs. I haven't been drinking coffee lately so treated myself today. Apparently my body isn't used to it anymore. Can you see the big pink "coffee spaz" on the image? I'll have to re-do it before using this card, but wanted to post it anyway. Also, I think I will take off the rhinestone and go with another dot on the blue flower. Just a different look and I don't like them together now that I've seen it.

Colors: apricot appeal, bashful blue, certainly celery, whisper white
Dsp: rainbow sherbet
Accessories: blue rhinestone brad from ice collection, 3-flower punch, large oval and wide oval punches, needle and mat for paper piercing

Let me know what you think!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!
Till next time, Tasha

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I Found Another Great Blog Candy

Enter quickly tomorrow is the last day. Mandy has a blog full of beautiful things she creates AND she has an awesome blog candy set to giveaway on Wed. the 21st. So hurry over and check it out!

Till next time, Tasha

Many Thanks!!

I got my blog all rearranged today!! Actually, it's probably still going to move around a little but I have 3 columns now thanks to Danni over at Danni's Dreams. Hop on over there to check out her gorgeous work and all the things she is up to.

As for me, the Dell guy didn't call today. Hmm...I am getting tired of having my computer torn apart but I know as soon as I put it all back, they will call and tell the technician is coming. Aren't computers fun! ;) But at least my blog is working!
So while I waited for that phone call, at least I got some stamping done. Here is the card I made for today's color challenge over at scs.
The colors are regal rose, bravo burgundy, and old olive. I used my old Bud Basics SU! set along with the sentiment from Full of Life.
This was a very quick card but turned out nice and cheery. Always glad when they are quick!
This is the inside of the card.
Well, I hope that you had time to stamp today or will later tonight. Thanks for stopping by!
Till next time, Tasha


Sunday, January 18, 2009

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!

Congratulations go to Chris who is the winner of my blog candy!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:62
Timestamp: 2009-01-19 03:54:39 UTC

Here was her comment:

Lovely to find your great blog, I love your work and well done on getting your COTM organised. Thanks for the change of winning your lovely candy. I've linked to your blog in my sidebar. Chris :)
January 17, 2009 4:42 PM


Thanks to everyone who played. I have made it to see many of your blogs and will continue to visit more as time allows. This has been a wonderful way to meet so many talented people. Thanks for all your kind comments and support!

Till next time, Tasha

Celebrating With Blog Candy!!

The winner has been selected. See the post above for details.
.
Today I am celebrating that I finally got the Card Of The Month Club put together which has been floating around in my head and my "studio" for 4 months.

I am also celebrating that my blog should have passed visitor #2009 but for those of you who have the same type counter, you realize it has been blank for a few days.



And lastly, I am celebrating that I am going to exercise and I even put a log in the sidebar just to keep me honest!


So here's what I've got for the lucky winner!


A Stampin' Spring Extravaganza! Everything you see in the picture PLUS a one-month membership to my Card Of The Month Club-Need A Card Now! level.

How do you play? Just leave a comment on this post before 9pm next Sunday, Jan. 18.

Thanks for stopping by today and Good Luck!!

Till next time, Tasha

PS To find out about Card Of The Month Club see post below or click on the link.

PPS I found another great Blog Candy giveaway at Victoria Case stamps--deadline is the 15th so hurry!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Rustic Rooster Card

I had yet to ink up this rooster, which I had to have since we like our chickens so much, so I started on Tuesday. And now I have finished it!
Colors are SU!s not quite navy and craft cs. Ink is versa-mark, close to cocoa, chocolate chip, mellow moss, always artichoke, really rust, not quite navy, and a couple of browns I don't remember! All stamps are from the new hostess set Rustic Rooster.
Thanks for stopping by!
Till next time, Tasha

Card Of The Month Club

(This post will remain second for this week due to blog candy. Scroll down for the new stuff!)
Taa Daa!!! This is it. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the best way to help stampers both beginning and advanced. Some of us are short on supplies, sometimes we're short on ideas, some are short on experience, and nearly all of us are short on time..


Well, the Card Of The Month Club (COTM) is designed to help at many levels.

You can use it for ideas to make more cards, plan a stamp camp, or simply for ways to use stamps you may already own. You can use it simply as a way to purchase cards. You can use it as a way to build your supply of stamps, knowing you will be using each set you purchase..


-Each month the club will consist of 5 cards based on 1 stamp set.

-You are guaranteed 1 birthday card and 1 thank you card and the rest will rotate.

-Ordering will begin on the 10th of each month and continue until the next month or till spots are filled and kits are out of stock.

-Shipping dates are as stated on the webpage.

-Sneak Peeks will be offered each month with the release on the 10th.

I look forward to meeting and working with many new friends along with my "old" friends. So be sure to check it out today since quantities are limited.




close up detail of the birds



this card had dazzling diamonds glitter on the outside and the inside




love card detail

Thanks for stopping by today! I am so excited to share this release with you!!

Till next time, Tasha


P.S. Questions? Feel free to email me at tasha_hickert-consulting@yahoo.com

P.P.S. Check back tomorrow for blog candy!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Color Challenge Card

I am having computer issues today so I can only visit certain websites. Hmm...maybe it is better for me if I can't get to scs? Luckily my neighbor/friend/upline was kind enough to tell me today's color challenge colors. They are SU!s not quite navy, baja breeze, and craft. So here is what I made:

I really like this color combo. and see it's use in my future!

The "thank you" is from SU Great Greetings II inked up in versa-mark then not quite navy. I embossed it using irridescent ice. The light background is a curlique from SU Friendship Blooms stamped in versa-mark. On the strip I used two of the shapes from Define Your Life and stamped in not quite navy. The flower is die cut birds and blooms with the Big Shot with a button die cut on top. The background of craft was run through the Big Shot with an embossing folder.
Well I hope you had a good Tuesday!! Thanks for stopping by!
Till next time, Tasha

Monday, January 12, 2009

Origami Box

Today's challenge on scs is to make a cute box. The folding goes quickly but the decorating can take as long as you like. Check out tlc203 for more details. Here's mine:
One neat thing is that you can use 1-sided dsp and because of the folding it all looks good.
In case you have trouble with the folding part, here is a video tutorial that shows folding the box part. Below is the inside of the lid.
In case you're wondering the outside ends up about 5-1/4" x 4-7/8" x 2-1-4" tall and the box portion is about 4-1/4" square.
That's it for me today. I have 1 kid home again today (it's like multiple choice) so I can't just do "my stuff"! Hope you have a great day!
Till next time, Tasha

Friday, January 9, 2009

Announcement Eve and A Sneak Peek

Glad you stopped in tonight. I do have that peeky-peeky I have been promising! Wondering what this is all about? Check in tomorrow for The Big Surprise. I'm so excited to share, this year is really going to be a blast!

Guess what?! I'm giving a hint, too. You'll find that at the bottom.


And here's the peek. What a cute way to say Happy Birthday to that friend whose birthday is right near Valentine's Day!



Oh, and my hint is: What's eslp, inexpensive, and will keep you up-to-date on cards? Hmm...guess you will find out tomorrow night.

Thanks for stopping! See you tomorrow!!! Tasha

Limited Supplies Challenge

Happy Friday to you! Well only 1 kid home sick today--I was afraid it might be 2! I did manage to get my part of the teacher's lunch to school on time this morning. And still had time to play at scs. That makes for a good day. :)

This is the card I made. Maybe I am in a good mood because I can give this to my dh and so I will not be making his card in the wee hours of Valentine Eve! Since I typically work the 2 weeks before the holiday arranging flowers it is a rush time for me.

About the card: The challenge limited accessories and dsp to hearts or red. Eek! Plus red needed to be used along with other colors.
stamps: Love You Much, Best Wishes and More, Best Yet (hostess) all SU!
ink: real red, always artichoke, staz-on black
cs: real red, always artichoke, and whisper white
accessories: red square brads from the SU! fire collection, red organza ribbon (retired SU!),

Hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by. And don't forgot the sneak peek tonight!

Till next time, Tasha

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Less Than 48 Hours Til...

Hi there! You might remember that after Christmas I mentioned I would have a couple surprises coming up. Well, you won't have to wait much longer. In less than 48 hours you will get to see what I have been working on.

My first big surprise of '09! But in case that's too long to wait, I will have a sneak peak tomorrow. So I hope you can stop in can check it out.
.
Thanks for stopping by today! Till next time, Tasha

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

A Saturday Sketch on Wednesday

Hi and welcome. I actually did the sketch on Saturday, but since I didn't have my camera back yet, I wasn't able to take a picture. This card is uses Lauren Meader's mytimess18 and is also a card I did for the inspiration challenge at scs this week. Even if you don't want to do the challenge, you ought to check it out because the inspiration link is to an unbelievable cake site.
I was inspired by the cake called For the Record which is on page one at Cake Nouveau. Colors are tempting turquoise, black and whisper white. Hats are from SU! Party Hearty and diamonds are from SU! Classis Backgrounds.
.
Today we spent 2 hours in the dr. office (mostly waiting of course). It seemed much longer since we were the last appt. and the place was pretty much closed down and it was dark out by the time we left. And I am exhausted due to stress because we had to make the decision to send our 12-yr.-old for surgery. For those who know me very well I tend to be very cautious and skeptical of the medical profession so this was not an easy choice. If you have been reading my blog for a while you know that he tore his labrum in football. He has been through 2 rounds of physical therapy (about 10 weeks of going 2/wk.) and most of his strength/motion has improved immensely; however, he cannot throw. That motion just can't be done without a lot of pain that lasts a few days. If we don't get it fixed that means no baseball (he's a pitcher), no swimming except for dogpaddle, no wrestling, no handstands or general fooling around, and a potential for serious injury in football. So it isn't exactly a decision, just tough to face it. On the upside, my dad and FIL both had this surgery done 2 years ago so we are fairly familiar with the process and recovery. :)
.
And then on my selfish side I am thinking about how I am going to work this all in with workshops coming up, Sale-a-Bration, a women's retreat at church that I am partially in charge of, the Pinewood Derby, and the other two kids' birthdays. Maybe it is bumming me out because I do have so much going on and usually I hibernate in January. That is my time to recuperate after working and running so much during the growing season--March-November.
.
If you're still reading, I hope I didn't bum you out too much. I promise that's it for complaining and I will be back to my cheerful and synical self tomorrow. ;)
Till next time, Tasha

Monday, January 5, 2009

Yet Another Sale!

SU! is having an inventory Blow-Out that is being announced right along with the retiring accessories. Soooo...some of those things you've been dying to have, and need to buy before they retire, may very well be up to 50% off! What's the catch? Limited supply. So if you're ready to check it out you can see it all by clicking "shop now" on my business website.
.
This is my second post today so scroll down if you came looking for cards and design work. :)
.
Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

Glitter challenge and Love You Much (Again)


I am so excited I got to make a card first thing this morning! This is my card for the technique challenge tlc202. The challenge was to use sticky strip and glitter to make background paper. Click here to play along!
The colors are certainly celery, bashful blue, and cosmo glitters blue, green and turquoise. The set is Big Bold Birthday.
.
This weekend I also made a color challenge card cc199
The colors are handsome hunter, so saffron, and bravo burgundy. I used the Love You Much large heart, verse from Friend to Friend and the Big Shot with an embossing folder. My personal challenge is to find ways to use the Love You Much set beyond valentines and love because how many of those can a person use? ;)

I really feel like making a Party Hearty or Celebrate card because school started back today. I truly love my children but I need some "me time". I think the average was 15 seconds during break. 15 seconds of what? you may be wondering. That was the amount of time I had when I walked into my stamping area until someone needed me or the phone rang. Ugh!
.
Hope you are having a great day, too. Thanks for stopping by!
Till next time, Tasha



Sunday, January 4, 2009

Love You Much Card

I got my camera back this morning--woohoo! Unfortunately I am battling a cold and it is winning so I will only share one card today. This card is a CASE from hirobinson on scs . But I just love how the hearts come out of the envelope and had to try it.



I used the Big Shot and scalloped envelope die in pirouette pink. Other colors are close to cocoa and riding hood red. The hearts are punched with the new SU! punch and dsp is candy lane. The Love You Much Bundle is still 20% off through January 19 and can be purchased through my business website.
.
I hope you had a good weekend with at least a few hours to stamp. :)
Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Good Time To Become a Demo.

Good morning! Thought I would let you know that if you have toyed with the idea of joining SU! and becoming an official Independent Demonstrator (ie get paid to play) now is a good time. You will get a box of the current catalogs + a box of the new catalogs. And you can still pre-order 2 hostess sets up till Jan.18.
.
To learn more or to sign up, you can visit my business website then email me for the password.
.
I will get my camera back tomorrow so will have more cards to show then.
.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Till next time, Tasha

Friday, January 2, 2009

Love You Much Flower

Here's the first card I am showing with the Love You Much bundle. In case you missed it, the special is a few posts back. I wanted to make a card that could be sent in Feb. but didn't have to be a Valentine. I think this would work for a birthday or thinking of you.

It's hard to see but the large square is the light pink/white pattern from the candy lane dsp. The flower is just hearts punched and layered. I bent up some of the tips for dimension. The back 2 layers use 5 large hearts each and the pink layer is 3 hearts.

Colors: close to cocoa, pirouette pink, riding hood red

Small hearts have dazzling diamonds glitter on them. And I did a little paper piercing below the flower to give it a stem.
My neighbor/friend/upline was kind enough to take pictures for me and even did some close-ups. But somewhere in the emailing, they got stuck at mini-size so they didn't show much when I tried to add them!
.
Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

Thursday, January 1, 2009

New Decor Elements!

The Decor Elements line has really expanded!! In case you didn't know, this is a vinyl product that comes ready to stick to your wall or other smooth surface. The brochure below says it all. I especially like the children's items on pages 13-15. How fun are those??!!
.

Click here for a sneak peek

Of course, nothing can be ordered until Jan. 19. But let me know if there is something you're dying to have so I can get that order in at "first bell". These are so awesome that I am sure there will be some backorders and I want my customers in first!

Also, if you want to have workshop I am happy to demostrate how to use the Elements and allow you to earn free items as the hostess.

.
Thanks for stopping by! Till next time, Tasha

About Me

Hi Stampers! I created this blog as a way to share stamping ideas, and to assist my virtual stamping customers. I hope you enjoy the Stampin' Up! information as well as tidbits about my life as they affect my stamping business.
.
I was introduced to Stampin' Up! more than 10 years ago and became an instant fan. Never one to just stick with the obvious, I have stamped clothing, window shades, walls, furniture, floors, and probably other things that I don't even remember! The flexible use of this medium really fits my personality and I love sharing the ideas with others.
.
Besides being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I am a wife and mother of 3 kids. I also still dabble in landscaping which was my first business. Maybe that is why so much of my stamping uses the color green?!
.
I welcome you to visit my blog often and hope that you will gain some inspiration. Your visits and, especially comments, mean a lot to me because I am much better at conversation than lecturing (though my kids might not agree).
.
As always, if you have any questions, you can email me at tasha_hickert-consulting@yahoo.com and I will do my best to reply quickly.
.
Thanks for stopping by! Tasha

The Surprise is On Me!

Well, my first surprise of the year is that I left my camera at the New Year's Eve party we were at last night! So no bright and early photo today. :( But, hopefully, I can get out there and get it or maybe have my friend/neighbor/upline shoot today's card for me. In the meantime, you can check out what she's been doing...some beautifully colored cards!
.
Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year!!!
Till next time, Tasha