Friday, October 31, 2014

Happy Halloween!

Howdy!
Happy Halloween to all of you!  I hope you have a fun and safe day filled with lots of treats and very few tricks!

Here are the couple of quick and cute Halloween bags that I made up for my displays!  I'm so glad that we offer so many cute options for gift packaging!!  It's really fun to grab a couple of stamps, a few punches and just see what happens!  Oh and some crafting tulle since I had that handy too!

Again the cute striped bag from the Celebrations Kit

Same bag, same Black White DSP and now add a Fun Fall Framelit Ghost and Greeting!
This one features the Polka Dot Bags, Motley Monsters DSP and same Oh My Goodies greeting set!

Happy Halloween!
hugs,
Rhonda

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Now, it's on to the Bags

Hi!
Hope you are enjoying all of the displays and the close ups of what I put together in my vignettes.  The next few posts will wrap up the Bags & Boxes collection and then I will move along to share a different vignette with you!

I had so much fun just creating for these and this one was one of my absolute FAVORITE ones!  It's just so darn cheery and it fit my color scheme and theme so wonderfully!  LOVE IT when that happens, and it is a Rhonda Original!  Happy to provide and feel free to CASE away if you like it!

These cool kraft & white striped gift sacks come in the Celebration Kit

My Lil Owl creation made with several punches

And tied off with some ribbon & twine and fun tags too!

Well there's one for today, check back tomorrow for a couple of Halloween Treat Bags - seems fitting an all!

Thanks for stopping in!
Rhonda

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Back to the Boxes!

Hi!
Today I will share the close ups of the boxes from my Bags & Boxes Vignette from INKstravaganza if you're still following along!  These were all made with the awesome new GIFT BOX PUNCH BOARD tool and the UNDER THE TREE Specialty DSP paper, and a variety of trims and ribbons for embellishments along with the GOLD SHIMMER PAPER!  Yum, yum, so much prettier in person (yes, I really do think so!).

These are addicting and should be attempted by everyone because they will make you feel good!  And then you have a reason to go shopping for special little somethings to stick inside!  Which will make others feel good, so there ya have it!  It feels good and you're spreading happiness all around!


I think this idea or inspiration came from Michelle L in the UK

one of my favorites, love the color combination and size


a larger version of the shape of the red For You box
close up of my tag
trying different sizes and tags

I think this was the largest but I cannot recall which measurements
Close up of this my tag for this one, new Note Tag punch and LOTS of trims!

Well there ya have the boxes, please enjoy!!
Rhonda

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Creative Blog Hop

Hi!
I was tagged by one of my sweet downline members, Kathya to participate in a one time, one post Creative Blog Hop!  Well darn it all, I got busy and missed my due date - so sorry but I'm doing it anyway!  That tends to happen with too much going on, turning 50 and not writing things down where I can see them!  Check out her work by clicking on her name and it should take you to her blog where she is a design team member for Sunday Stamps and Nacho Average Challenges.

So let's get started with the Creative Blog Hop:

What am I working on now?
I'm working on several things of course!  I have a card class to prepare for featuring the Making Spirits Bright stamp set!  I'm working on a intro to Project Life December Daily class!  And I'm working on designing swaps for my November team meeting, which happens to be a shoe box swap!

How does my work differ from others on my genre?
I tend to like clean and classy.  I love all things vintage too and of course I love layers and texture and everything blingy or sparkley!  But I have found that clean and classy and going back to the basics is what everyone likes.  It's a bit simpler, quicker and easier to mail - everyone at my classes love the masterpiece cards once in awhile but focusing on ones they can duplicate and mail has been fitting in better with the busy schedules we all live these days.

Why do I create what I do?
Well about 20 years ago it was all about a 'release' for me from my corporate day and to have a hobby because my hubby loved to read, which is a silent one person activity.  Then once I had our children, it was still an evening therapy session as I used to say, to just calm me and let me feel creative.  As I shared it and developed my team, I found I love to teach and inspire others, so it's become more about the sharing.

How does my creative process go?
This one depends on my mood for sure.  If I'm in a great mood with lots of time, I just pick a stamp set, snag some designer series paper and coordinating ink pads and embellishments, toss them all into one of my vintage trays because then as I look at all of "it" sitting there, it kind of comes to life!  There's no greater feeling for me than to create an original.
But then again in our crazy busy world of today, time isn't always on our side so we find ourselves needing to be a little quicker in our creative process.  With inspiration at our fingertips, I will often turn to Pinterest or a few fellow bloggers to get me started, sometimes making their beautiful creation as is, and most other times starting out to make it but changing it up here or there along the way.  And I love sketches but don't often post back to the challenge itself, but I'm thankful for the layouts to start from.

Tag You're It!I was tagged by Kathya and I tag friend and fellow SU! demonstrator, Monika Davis to continue on the Creative Blog Hop.  Stop by her blog to check out her awesome artwork, both stamping and digital with MDS, and then stop back on Mon Nov 3rd for when she posts her answers and reveals her tag to keep the Creative Blog Hop going!

Thanks for stopping by!
Rhonda

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Combined Meeting!

Hi!
Yesterday I co-hosted an "AZ INKers" team event with my downline and Bestie Diana, it was so much fun I think we will do it again!  Stampin' Up! announced a bit ago that they would be sending staff members to various team meetings, so we applied but sadly we were not chosen for them to attend (they missed out! ha, jk!). But the girls and us wanted to meet anyway, heck I had already paid for the hotel conference room so might as well have some fun stamping, right?

So we invited our girls and charged just enough to cover the rent and then we provided the rest!  We started out with some games focusing on Team Building and getting to know one another.  First up, I made up a MUSIC game (Must Uncover Something in Common) with each person that was not stamping or related to Stampin' Up!.  Gave them 30 minutes to mingle and then we shared our findings, it was quite fun to learn a little bit about each other.
Sorry catching them mid-chat!  
 Then we played a couple more Challenge Games that involved Product Knowledge ... gosh the room got so quiet and both Di and I admit they were a little harder to complete than we thought - SORRY girls!  But they were champs and played along.  For those wondering, one was a color name game using synonyms and the other was a word scramble of stamp set names.  Had to award some prizes to make things fun again!!

We used the cute little Cafe Bags and the popular Chevron & Polka Dot Bags and added some Doily's along with the Tag Kit (banners, tags, & clothespins) to create some cute - reusable - gift packaging!  Congrats to those lucky gals, we hope you enjoy your prize!



Then it was time to do our Product Demonstrations and my lovely friend Debbie (a sideline, now adopted by me!) offered to demo a cute little bag!  Diana's downline Kathya was called into work to cover for an emergency so we missed out on what she had planned to share.


If I remember correctly it is a 5"x10" piece of DSP, score at 1.25" each side on the long vertical edge, then turn horizontally, score at 4" from each edge.  Fold vertical edges in and then fold on horizontal folds, only apply adhesive to the top portion of vertical skinny folds

The to finish off our morning, we had planned two make-n-takes for everyone!  The cute little "have-to-have-it" Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlit and a coordinating card featuring the Stars Framelits & Star Border Punch, both projects using the fantastic Under the Tree DSP specialty paper!

Then we broke for lunch and the girls could do what they wanted, together or on their own.  A bunch of us went to the PERFECT PEAR at their new location in Chandler and it was so delish again, as always!

We had a great day!
Rhonda


Friday, October 24, 2014

And there's more, BOXES galore!

Hi
Here's a little bit more from Door #1.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on the NEW Gift Box Punch Board Box (say that 5 times fast, I dare ya) and our NEW cardstock from the Holiday Mini that is designed to be the perfect weight to use with this great new tool!  I just want to warn you ahead of time, these are highly ADDICTIVE!  You make one and smile and shove it to the side to move on to the next one, and the next and the next ... then you start to feel bad about it, so you come back to each one to decorate and finish them off in style!

Here's a few that I chose to decorate holiday themed from my Boxes & Bags Vignette!  Enjoy!


I will take some individual pictures and add those in if you're interested in any close ups, let me know!

Have a great day!
Rhonda

Thursday, October 23, 2014

More from Door #1

Hi!

I had made a cute little folded chevron bag a long time ago, or a few months ago at least and my team loved it so when I was working on this display and trying to cover many occasions, and to show samples with all of the available styles of bags we offer, I just had to make one more!

Here's my Little Pocket Guy, all ready for Valentine's or any other LOVE giving day that pops up!


The THREE as separate pieces
The card I just made to fit inside the front little fold over pocket
I stamped the hearts and then hand trimmed around the edges and
adhered a piece of red cardstock to the inside front panel so card still stands
Here is the bag as a stand alone, all of the hearts are adhered to the front of the pocket and the
greeting is popped up, ribbon slipped around and up through one hole punch and then tie a bow,
hand sewn after the ribbon because I wanted it secured a bit, but you could sew the seams first
Close up and at an angle to show you the two pockets
close up of the sewing to create the font folded pocket
Loved this greeting and our new clothespin clips!
I used the new heart border punch on the front and back of the top edge
and just inserted a strip of red card stock to each edge for color and support!
Gotta have treats!  Easy cello bag and topper with a decorative shape framelit & embossing folder

And there ya have it!  Congratulations if you scrolled all the way down through all of the pictures!

Hope to see you back here tomorrow!
Rhonda

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

INKstravaganza Displays! Door #1

Hi!
Just kidding, it's not a door!  In my head I was thinking of do you want what's behind door #1 or door #2 ...?  think it was from an old game show or something...!  Anyhow, moving along!  One of the other things that I did for my team of gals that earned the day was to create a table full of NEW displays.  Things I made and shared with them first, remember that big gap of time where I wasn't blogging ... well I was stamping but wasn't posting pics because I wanted it to be NEW for them to see FIRST!

So when I went to Boise, ID earlier in the year, one of the (MANY) things I loved from Becky's event was the way she create vignettes for displays and even used suitcases which I happen to have already at home, so even back in April I think it was, I was already plotting my Oct event!  Thanks to my sweet friend for her awesome generosity and creativeness!

Here's a picture of my "Bags & Boxes" Vignette!

I wanted to showcase some of the new products we offer in both the catalog and holiday mini (let's be real, it's a maxi) and I just sat down and created!   CASE'ng here (curvy keepsake framelit boxes) and there (top right bag, my at home version of one they received at Founder's Circle) but a lot of just personal creative stamping time!  If you get in a rut, I highly recommend to just put on some music and stamp, stamp for fun, stamp for yourself, and feel the rush as you start to see your own creativity be released.  It brings back the WHY we LOVE doing this business!

Here is a close up of the Curvy Keepsake Boxes.  These were found on Pinterest and everywhere else, this Thinlit Die is making waves everywhere!!  Think a lot of these might have been from Lynn S but seriously there are so many photos out there I really cannot recall who the originator might have been, but it wasn't me for these!

Come back tomorrow as I will continue to post additional close ups of the other items as well as work my way around the table to all of the vignettes!

If you want more info or perhaps to buy your own Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlit die, you can order one HERE

Thanks!
Rhonda


Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Weekly Deals, thru 10-24

Hi!
It's Tuesday so that means we have NEW WEEKLY DEALS to enjoy for the next week!  There are some really great items, I can't wait to get this cute little stamp set!  It's been on my wish list and now it's on sale!  And if you don't have these embossing folders, ya better snag those now too!  Can't wait to get my goodies and start coloring with our Blendabilities markers!!



Here's a couple of cute samples from Pinterest to get the ideas going!
Toucan Cutie. I like the design of this—embossing on one side, the little edgelit peeking out, the rounded corner.     stampercamper.com - SUO100 - This little set is just the CUTEST!!!  It's the 100th SUO challenge this time and we were to use any of the previous challenges.  I chose #77 - Happy Birthday (so I could use this cute little dinosaur!).  All the details on my blog.  Set:  Little Buddy Birthday

You can check these out in my store by CLICKING HERE and thanks for shopping with me. If you'd like a personal hostess code (free, easy, good for 30 days - combine orders over time and receive hostess benefits when you reach $150 or more in orders)



And while you're there be sure to check out the brand new HOLIDAY SUPPLEMENT as there are a few great items to grab while supplies last!  New PROJECT LIFE December Daily Kit, Album & Accessory Pack!!  A few new stamp sets too!!  Simply Stars Kit - super cute!

Head on over to my store and check things out!!
Thank you,
Rhonda



Monday, October 20, 2014

Thank You for my Hug in the Mail

Hi!
Today has to be quick because well, there's too much going on and I took a couple of hours off yesterday to have a family afternoon together.  I am still editing photos of the many things I created for displays but they are coming!!

But I received HAPPY mail from one of my achievers, Kristen who earned my INKstravaganza Day but lives out of state, so she received her Goodie Box in the mail after the event.  So thoughtful to send a card Kristen!  And the HUG and lovely note!  I'm so happy that you enjoyed your Goodie Box.  Wish you lived closer to attend in person, any time you can make it to AZ know that you have a place to stay!


Thanks, it sure brightened my pile of mail to see an "envelope" that looked fun instead of the normal pile of junk and or bills!

Have a great day!
Rhonda


Sunday, October 19, 2014

Senior Year Homecoming!

Hi!
I know you were expecting me to start with pictures of my displays from my INKstravaganza Day event but I just have to share Miss Rachel's senior year homecoming pics!  She was asked by a sweet young man and has a very fun group of friends that are all going together.  We hosted the pre-party and dinner and set up a photo booth area, had help from a couple other moms to help with organizing the meal and playing photographer and another family hosted the after-party.

Here she is with her date Nick and then a couple of group shots!




not sure what someone said but the Seniors are all laughing - fun to catch it on film
and then the best we could capture of everyone just smiling and looking one way (or not!)
 


and one fun pic from the photo booth too

thanks, have a great Sunday everyone, we are headed to enjoy the Music In The Park this afternoon with some of our favorite friends!  a day of relaxation!

See ya tomorrow!
Rhonda

Saturday, October 18, 2014

INKstravaganza TREATs

Hi!
Here is a final look at ALL of the Take Home Treats!  I had so much fun making them and equally as much displaying them!  It was kind of my INKin' All Night! theme station!  This was where I pulled all of the color coordinated items together, from their invitation all the way to my swap card and to the take home treats, their goodie bag and and yep, even the make n takes coordinated!  It actually was quite fun doing it and I hope they liked it as much as I did!


All of the Take Home Treats had one thing in common that you can't see!  It was a sampling of MY FAVORITE TREATS so they got a little bit of me in their day without even knowing it!  So what are they again you say?  Caramel Corn, Reese's PB Cup, Caramel Ghiradelli Square, Salt Water Taffy and PayDay candy mix!

And here's how the girls were greeted with all of these treats!
The treat station starting with my MDS Labeled Water Bottles 
The tier on the left with the PayDay Jars & Caramel Corn Fry Boxes
The tier on the right with the Ghiradelli, Reese's and Salt Water Taffy

And at the end of the day they all got to go SHOPPING and pick up one of each to take home!  Had to stage all of these pictures as the girls were all too quick!  And into their coordinating Goodie SWAG Bag it all went!
Kim
Cindy
Diana
Lori 
Marjori
Jacque
Rute

Check out My Displays beginning with blog posts starting tomorrow!

Hope you come back again!
Rhonda