Friday, April 29, 2011

I'm sad today...

Sorry for my absence for a few days. On Friday we lost our 15-year-old miniature Schnauzer, Jasmine. I usually talked more about my cats than our dog, but that's probably because she was so good. No antics to report. I didn't have the privilege of having pets when I was growing up, so when we got married 32 years ago was when I first had furry friends living with me.

When we got Jasmine as a puppy 15 years ago, I just assumed that all dogs were as good-natured and well-behaved as she was. My hubby told me that wasn't the case at all. She was a special companion to our then 7-year-old daughter but she became "my dog". When I was gone for any length of time, Jerry said that Jasmine would mope around the house until I got home. I had always thought of myself as more of a "cat person" than a "dog person" but she wormed her way into my heart.
She had a wonderful, long life. We will all miss her, but that's the price we pay for opening up our hearts to love a pet.
RIP Jasmine
April 24, 1996 - April 29, 2011

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Learning My Digital Studio

Last Friday a few of my stamping friends and I decided to get together and "play" with Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio program. I'm embarrassed to tell you that I have had this for about six months and haven't tried to do anything with it yet. Smiley from millan.net

So we decided that the best way to give it a go was to get together and learn from one another. And you know what I learned? That it's really quite easy to use! Here you can see how we are concentrating.
(L-R Jayne, Judy H., and Diane K.)

You can tell we're concentrating because we didn't even stop to give a smile to the camera! (Thanks for taking the pictures, honey!) I still have a lot to learn, but I can't wait to get back at it and give it another try!

Until next time...

HAPPY STAMPING!
Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Fun Flowers Bigz L Die

Remember this card from my class last week? I have a couple more card samples that use the same Fun Flowers die to share with you today. They are made by a couple of stampers in my Upscale Swap Group.


This first card was made by Laura Kurtyak. In addition to the Fun Flowers die, Laura used the First Edition DSP from the Occasions Mini Catalog (pg. 25) and the Thanks for Caring stamp set (pg. 13).
Kristen Knapper made this next card. She used the same Designer Series Paper as Laura, but she paired it with some solid color cardstock - what a difference! This Fun Flowers die is so versatile!
Do you have the Fun Flowers die yet? If so, I'd love to see what you've created with it! And if not, hurry and get yours ordered because the Occasions Mini Catalog is only good through April 30, 2011.

Until next time...

Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com

Monday, April 25, 2011

Nature Walk Stamp Set

Today I'm featuring a couple of cards made with the Nature Walk stamp set. This set is available for purchase for ONE MORE WEEK ONLY! It's in the Occasions Mini Catalog, so don't wait to get yours ordered. The images in this set are so realistic-looking and I've seen some wonderful cards made with it.

This first card was made by Diane Kipp. In addition to the Nature Walk stamp set, Diane also used the coordinating Botanical Gazette DSP (pgs. 26-27 OMC). This card would be appropriate for just about any occasion you can think of - thinking of you, sympathy, or whatever.

This beautiful card was made by Judy DiScipio. She's one of the ladies that I swap with monthly through the mail. She put a lot of work and detail into this card. Doesn't it look like the bird is going to fly right off the card?

So one stamp set, two very different cards - and that's just a small sample of the versatility of this set! Remember, you only have until April 30th to order both the stamp set and the DSP, so don't wait. You can shop right now by going to my demonstrator website at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/ and clicking on the "Shop Now" button. Or if you'd prefer, give me a call and I'll be happy to order them for you!

Until next time...

Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Wow! Cards Class samples

Here are the cards that the ladies made at my Wow! Cards Class this past Tuesday. A couple of them have been posted on my blog before. If you have any specific questions on how the cards were made, let me know - I'll be happy to help!

Features the Fun Flowers Bigz L Die (Occasions Mini Catalog pg. 39) and Fabric Designer Brads (OMC pg. 36). Everyone LOVED this card. Fairly fast to make, but the flower and the embossing folders make it pop.


CASE-d from Andrea Walford (I believe). Features the Beveled Windowpanes (OMC pg. 12 - and still available!), Vanilla Rosettes (OMC pg. 16), Springtime Vintage DSP (OMC pg. 15), and Tasteful Trim Bigx XL Die (featured in the 2010-2011 Holiday Mini Catalog but still available! Ask me for details!).


Butterfly card made with Elements of Style stamp set (IB&C pg. 133), my favorite Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (OMC pg. 12), plus In Colors Pear Pizzazz and Peach Parfait.


Buckle card featuring sneak peek products Four Frames stamp set and Paisley Petals DSP. This card was also CASE-d, but I can't find the creator's information off-hand. If it's you, please let me know so I can give you credit for your great idea! Both items will be in the next Idea Book & Catalog, but you can order them NOW (before April 30, 2011) with qualifying purchase. Contact me for more details.


Twisted Easel Card:
Features the Build a Blossom stamp set and Blossom Petals Punch (OMC pg. 12)
If you're interested in purchasing any of the items from the Occasions Mini Catalog, you only have until April 30, 2011 to place your order. After that, most of the items will be retired, so don't wait to place your order! Remember, you can order on line by going to my demonstrator website at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/ and you can shop at any time at your leisure and have your order sent directly to you!

Until next time...

Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Vera Bradley outlet sale

Sorry I've been MIA for a few days. Last Saturday I went with a couple of friends to the Vera Bradley outlet sale in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. It was so much fun! I'm not going to show you everything I got (a girl's got to have some secrets, right?), but I thought I would show you what happened when I got home and put the duffel bag on the floor. Chief inspector Webster had to check things out.

Here is Snickers waiting his turn to get in the bag. He might be waiting awhile.
Webster is so laid back that I could pick up the bag and put it over my shoulder and he just sat there. Goofy cat...
I also was busy getting ready for my Wow! cards class held last night. I will be back soon to post pictures of the cards everyone made. Until next time...

Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com

Friday, April 15, 2011

More Simply Adorned Inserts

Here are a few more inserts that I made recently for my Simply Adorned charm. My friend Donna came over and we had a "play date". It's so much fun to get together and stamp with a buddy! Smiley from millan.net

Here are the inserts that I made (these are for the 1" by 1-1/4" charm). The butterflies are made by running some of the colored metal through the Big Shot with the Beautiful Wings embosslit and then lightly sanding the embossed butterfly to expose the silver under the color. Pretty, don't you think?

And here are Donna's...I'm getting ready to head out to the Vera Bradley outlet sale tomorrow with a couple of friends. I've never been, so this should be an adventure! Hope we find some good deals!

Until next time...

Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Bring On the Cake

Isn't this just the cutest birthday card? It's made with the Bring On the Cake stamp set in the current Occasions mini catalog (pg. 20-21). It is totally CASEd from Wickedly Wonderful Creations' blog February 19th post. It's called a color block card. Very simple to do - just choose four colors that go together (the Color Coach [pg. 165 IB&C] is great for this type of thing), cut them into quarters to fit on the front of your card, add some embellishments and you've got a creative, colorful card! It's also a great way to use up some of those cardstock scraps you may have around...

Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist, So Saffron, Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist, So Saffron, Cherry Cobbler markers
Accessories: Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Bitty Buttons, Bitty Punch, Dimensionals

Until next time...

Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com