In addition to swapping cards at the Stampin' Up! convention, I also made tissue holders with Stampin' Up! fabric.  SU! carries a nice array of different fabrics that are suitable for a number of projects.  Located on pages 170 and 171 in the catalog, the fabric coordinates with our various color families too.  Talk about a complete look!

There are a number of patterns available for these mini tissue packs, but this simple and quick pattern came from Better Homes and Gardens.  Here's the link: http://www.bhg.com/crafts/sewing/accessories/tissue-pack-cover/

To keep the tissue holder from looking too plain, I added a ribbon flower with a glitter brad in the middle then hot glued it to the top.  By simply adding a running stitch along the edge of the ribbon and pulling the ends together, this cute flower came together in no time.

I received a darling fabric bag full of goodies from my friend and fellow demonstrator, Kelley.  I will showcase her bag in the upcoming week.  In addition, my friend and upline Pennie gave me a drawstring bag.  Be sure to come back to see the endless projects that can be made with Stampin' Up! fabric and die cuts!

Thanks for stopping by!

I have a double post for you today (I know, that never happens with me!).  Stampin' Up! released their Convention Highlights video and I wanted to share it with you. It gives you a tiny glimpse into what happens at convention with thousands of stampers.

This year's theme is I AM...(fill in the blank).  You'll hear the catchy theme song in the background.   

Take a peek at the lip dub video too! The theme song was performed by SU employees at the home office.  Get ready to tap your toes!

I've enjoyed several weeks of back-to-back vacations, one of which included 5 days in Salt Lake City at the 2012 Stampin' Up! convention.  With my bags finally unpacked and laundry put away, I am finally getting back to my routine again.  I love vacations, but I love being home too.

I had a great time at convention and met up with old friends and new.  Swapping card fronts, classes and product demonstrations - it was a great time.  Here are a couple of my swaps that I exchanged for some really cute cards:

This card features the stamp set Happy Youwhich is a hostess set in the 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! catalog.  It has 8 really cute, whimsical images that are fun to color with any medium.

My next card uses the Stippled Blossoms stamp set - a two-step stamping set that, in my opinion, is so beautiful.  It also features the new Finishing Touches Edgelits for the Big Shot:

 I also swapped a 3-D item that I will post tomorrow with directions.  Be sure to come back so you can see how it easy it is to make easy items with Stampin' Up!'s fabric!

I am very excited to introduce the newest member of my Ink Happens team.  Pam C. has been a faithful Stampin' Up! customer for years - probably close to 10! Over the years I have approached Pam about joining Stampin' Up! and for one reason or another the timing was never right.  Pam has accumulated many SU products over time so she was particularly excited when SU finally announced the recent change in their starter kit - it's now completely customizable!  The time was finally right for Pam to jump on board and join my team.  What a GREAT day it was when she finally made that decision!  Pam, I am very, very happy to finally have you on board!

Pam's card was the perfect opportunity to try out the new product from the 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! catalog. The Floral Frames Framelits (#127012) with 5 layering dies, are the perfect accessory for making various sized flowers on cards and scrapbook pages. Other new products include: Bitty Banner Framelits (#129267) and corresponding stamp set Itty Bitty Banners (#126255W, 126257C).  And last but not least, a brand new embossing folder called Argyle Folder (#127750).  I love my Big Shot...makes me wonder how I ever got along without it!

The other element I love on this card is the color combination: Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade and Pacific Point.  Delish!

Congrats again, Pam!  I know you will love being a part of Stampin' Up!

I've been absent from my blog for awhile.  I guess the best explanation is to say that I have been tending to matters of the heart - me, my family and my beloved dog, Kayla. The good news is, everyone is doing well, especially the dog.  Kayla was diagnosed with Lymphoma a couple of months ago as I explained in this post.  Between modern medicine and alternative medicine, I am happy to say Kayla is officially in remission!  She has responded to all the treatment protocols, conventional and holistic and is enjoying a "normal" dog life.  She still has a few more chemo treatments left to go.  I'm not able to be with her during her chemo treatments, but I am with her during her acupuncture.  This is what holistically fighting canine cancer looks like:

Acupuncture often gets a bad rap, but as someone who partakes in acupuncture myself, I know first-hand the healing benefits it offers.  Kayla loves her acupuncture appointments.  She often drifts off to sleep for the 30 minute session.  She knows a good thing when she sees it!

In addition to acupuncture and chemo, she takes a plethora of meds and supplements - 19 pills a day to be exact.  She's such a trooper.

So, we are enjoying having a "healthy" dog again and are grateful for each day we have with her.  It's been such an emotional roller coaster ride, but I have learned so much.  We don't know how long this good fortune will last, but I have come to appreciate living in the moment.  My heart is full and I feel so blessed.

And because this is a stamping blog, I do have a card to show you.  It uses some non-Stampin' Up! items and retired items as well.  This dog stamp from Inky Antics looks so much like Kayla, I had to get it.  This is a card for Kayla's acupuncturist - she loved it and has it proudly displayed in her clinic.  Kayla even put a real paw print on the inside with ink!

Thank you for letting me share my update with you.  I have received such wonderful emails from some of you and I can't begin to tell you how much your support means.  Thank you!

Tomorrow I get to introduce you to a new member of my Ink Happens team!  C'mon back tomorrow to learn more about her!

Enjoy this day!