I'm continuing the share of the older jpeg images I'm finding of my older work as I'm purging / organizing my files from 2 different laptops and an external drive.   I was a pretty active SU Demo from 2000-2005.

Here's a few more of my older stamped cards I used to demo / swap when I was a beginner SU Demo in a series of #tbt #throwbackthursday posts. 

1) This lovely Under the Sea card was one of my VERY first demo projects for what would become large monthly crops that would welcome 40 regular attendees who became very good friends of mine.  I can't even begin to express my gratitude for their support in the numerous Hostess Clubs that formed around my SU business for a good many years.  I wanted to demonstrate the ease of adding different colors to a single stamp by coloring the different parts of a rubber stamp with SU markers and then breathing on it to re-moisten the colors right before you stamp onto paper.   Then, there was the demo on paper rolling in combination with beads. This was the gorgeous result that my primitive scanning skills didn't capture at the time.   

I remember, in addition to this card, I also demonstrated stamping onto canvas bags using craft paint with another set of stamps using these same colors in that first "Stamp Camp" of mine.  






2) Apparently squares was all the rage at the time.  I think I lifted this card from one of my upline's team members. My upline once removed, Kimberly, was incredibly talented.  This one was a simple one I probably made for one of my first few SU swaps using Citrus and Such. I ended up purchasing it because my upline Kimberly had created several gorgeous cards with it. Pretty elementary result unfortunately, but playing is definitely part of the growth in both skill, creativity and confidence.


3) Squares developed into the Serendipity Squares craze in the stamping world at the time.  This was a great way of creating texture, collage and not to mention a creative way of using up paper scraps.  I don't think the scraps were SU paper or any of the cardstock in fact.  But I did manage to gold emboss a celestial border stamp and collage stamp in the torn serendipity squares with metallic gold ink from the Sun, Moon & Stars set which I'm still mad about 15 years later.


Thanks for visiting.  Come back next Thursday for more of my throwback shares of my old SU Demo cards.




"Under the Sea" Multi Color Card
Paper: SU Smooth White CS; SU Taken with Teal CS; Bronze Metallic CS
Stamps: SU Bold & Bright  
Ink: SU Gable Green; SU Tempting Turquoise; SU Taken with Teal Markers
Embellishments: Fibres; Beads
Size: 4.25" x 5.25" rectangular 


"A Happy Hello" Citrus Grid Card
Paper: SU Glossy White CS; SU Only Orange; SU Yo Yo Yellow: SU Green Galore 
Stamps: SU Citrus and Such  
Ink: SU Glossy White CS; SU Only Orange; SU Yo Yo Yellow: SU Green Galore; SU Gable Green
Size: 4.25" x 5.25" rectangular 

"Celestial" Serendipity Square Card
Paper: Mulberry Paper; SU Barely Banana CS; SU Night of Navy CS
Stamps: SU Sun, Moon & Stars  
Ink: Gold Metallic Embossing Ink 
Embellishments: Fibres; Charm; Gold EP
Tools: Heat Tool 
Size: 4.25" x 5.25" rectangular 

I'm still purging, but now it's all my digital files.  I'm finally tackling the huge project of combining and organizing all my digital files from 2 laptops and an external drive.  As a result, I'm finding all sorts of older jpeg images that's jogging some really good memories of my early stamping days.

So I'm going to share some of my older stamped cards I used to demo / swap when I was a beginner SU Demo in a series of  #tbt #throwbackthursday posts.

1) Here's one of the first cards I remember making to demonstrate heat and versamark embossing.  At the time, I remember how long this took me to construct.  I agonized over it back in 2000. And I proudly displayed it on one of my 2 black tri-fold Project Boards at a local festival in my city.  In retrospect, I should have photographed my project boards before I dismantled them to salvage the SU card fronts for From Our Hearts.   Ah well.


2) Here's another early attempt at a card in which I scraplifted this removable bookmark card from another card I had either seen or received in a Demo Only Swap.  Not only could I share this rather "clever" gift card, but I also taught my friends how to align stamps for two step stamping effects, shadow stamping and how to measure slit corner punches.  For as simple as this card was, it was packed with many "how to's." Hmm, I remember selling this set off at one of my monthly crops. I regret that now as I'm a huge lover of hydrangeas.  Le Sigh!


3) This next one must have been for a very early first swap since it's a very simple collage featuring tons of torn mulberry paper that I'm sure isn't SU.   I probably didn't have very much SU supplies at this time which explains the use of mulberry paper.  That tag looks like I had cut it with a Sissix tag die which was one of my first die purchases back in the late 90's.


I was pretty technique crazy back then.  Join me next Thursday for more #tbt #throwbackthursday #stampinup cards.








"Tranquility, Harmony" Card
Paper: SU Black CS, SU Mellow Moss CS
Stamps: SU Kanji, SU Bamboo Background 
Ink: Versamark 
Embellishments: Metallic Gold EP 
Tools: Heat Gun, Paper Crimper 
Size: 4.25" x 5.5" rectangular 

"Happy Birthday" Bookmark Card
Paper: SU Mellow Moss CS, SU Cameo Coral CS; SU Naturals CS
Stamps: SU Definitely Decorative Hydrangea Two Step Stamp Set, SU Leafy Glade Background; SU Little Shapes; SU greeting??
Ink: SU Mellow Moss, SU Old Olive, SU Cameo Coral, SU Real Red
Embellishments: Fibres and Ribbon
Tools: Decorative Slot Corner Punch; Corner Rounder Punch
Size: 4.25" x 5.5" rectangular


"To Someone Special" Collage Card
Paper: SU Naturals; SU More Mustard; SU Old Olive; SU Creamy Caramel; Mulberry Paper
Stamps: SU Botanicals 
Ink: SU More Mustard; SU Old Olive; SU Creamy Caramel; SU Black 
Embellishments: Fibres 
Tools: Sizzix Tag Die
Size: 5.5" x 4.25" rectangular 

My little niece is 5 years old and in Kindergarten.  My how time flies!

I have some downtime right now and somehow felt compelled to make some Valentines for her to pass out to her classmates.   Like everyone else, I've been pinterest-ing, usually when I can't sleep, and I came across the most adorable little candy treat boxes.

My niece's Valentines were the perfect opportunity to try my hand at making my own version which prompted a visit to a Hobby Lobby in my area because I was desperately searching for this cutting template.  I never even KNEW we had them here locally since I was under the impression they were in other states.  The last and first time I ever set foot in a Hobby Lobby was in Arizona when I attended Heidi Swapp's Creative Escape Convention back in Sept '07. While I'm not in agreement with HL's stance on marriage equality, I was also quite curious as to what HL's appeal was since my last and only visit was well over 7 years ago.  Interesting field trip I must say. Lots of cool home decor that has that mass produced look.  Meh...I can't patronize this corporation.

I also ended up at one of the very first LSS' I found back in the late 90's in my neck of the woods.  Lo and behold, in this day and age of the demise of the scrapping industry and the lss', it's still there but under new ownership.   Incredibly, I was still recognized by the new owner from my active days of scrapping and teaching classes. WOW!

The LSS I specifically went to has a HUGE library of Accucut dies that they allow their customers to use with purchase of product or for a $5 rental fee.  I was more than prepared with a few Artbins full of patterned paper and cardstock I wanted and NEEDED to use up.  None were to my liking since I just couldn't resist this Candy Box Punch Board from We R Memory Keepers.  I ended up buying a new tool with a 40% off coupon even though I have very little desire to buy any more stuff.  I'm loving our current times.  I was able to quickly download the big retail box's app onto my iphone while standing in line to access their 40% off coupon by the time it was my turn at the register. Scrappers have it too easy these days!





Inside the candy treat box are these cute little panda shaped cookies with chocolate soft filling that my sister in law purchased at Costco! I have to admit that I ate a few of the remaining packets while assembling the treat boxes!





I haven't mass assembled in over a decade since my swapping days.  It was a bit overwhelming at first, but it was just like getting back on a bike.  After I cut out and stamped all my pieces, it was super easy to get into worker bee mode assembling just 22 of these.   I was actually a little sad her class size was only 22 for crafting purposes, as I could have gone on for quite some time.  For educational purposes, class size of 22 is awesome!



I also dashed into Michael's to find a themed ribbon that would provide contrast to my patterned paper.  While I was deciding in front of the bargain ribbon bins, I noticed that Tori Spelling and her two oldest were in the aisle right next to me.  How cool that Tori shops at Michael's! Loved that these ribbon spools were already on sale, so I guesstimated 4 spools which was, thankfully, just enough for this project. I have 9 full artbins of beautifully organized, by color, ribbon that apparently just wasn't right for this project. Something is wrong with me! Oh well, at least I used up about 24 sheets of patterned paper and cardstock.  Then my sister in law gifted me a pad of 12 x 12 paper. Sigh! I can never get ahead! lol, at least I made another small dent. The pad of paper will be used because I love the black/silver/gold motiff!

I'm qualifying this one for the SCS CAS210 "Love is in the Air" Challenge for the week of 2/2/15!!




"Love .... To You From Me Valentine's Treat Boxes"
Paper: Fiskars Cloud 9 Sweetheart Collection PP; Trader Joes circular for the heart shaped book page; Bazzil CS scraps
Stamps: SU Best Yet (to You From Me)
Ink: Michael's SU Red Rose dye ink
Tools: WeR Memory Keepers Candy box Punch Board (scoring/cutting template); QK Nesting Cookie Cutter Heart & Basic Phrases Dies; Family Treasures Scalloped Heart Punch; Gluedots
Embellishments: Michael's $1 bin Valentines themed ribbon