Stampin' Up!'s Managers' Reception 2014 at the Houston Aquarium

Stampin' Up!'s Managers' Reception 2014 was at the Houston Aquarium. Having been to many different Managers' Receptions, I would have to say that this one was one of the best ever.

This is the view from the top of the ferris wheel.

Stampin' Up! reserved the entire aquarium so there were no lines for any of the rides.

We could walk through the aquarium area to see the fish, snakes and other reptiles.

This train went through a tunnel-type of aquarium where you could see sharks swimming all around you.

Off to Leadership Day 3 adventures!  I'll post more pictures on my Pinterest board and blog more later.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Stampin' Up! Leadership 2014 Day 1

I'm posting a few quick updates from Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference in Houston, TX between classes.

The big announcement was that Stampin' Up! will be launching their new Blendability alcohol-based markers in the first quarter of 2014.  Here are the colors they will come in.  Each color with have a set of 3 markers:  light, medium and dark.

One of the Stampin' Up! staff members demonstrated how to use the new markers.  I have to admit that I'm a little jealous.  I would love to play with them too!

Here is a sneak peek of the new customizable stamp that will be in Stampin' Up!'s new catalog.  It's a photopolymer clear stamp!

Okay, I have to get to class.  Will update as time allows.  Looking forward to a HUGE stamp class tonight with just shy of 1000 Stampin' Up! demonstrators where we'll get to play with new products!

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Valentine's Day Favors and Cards

Valentine's Day Favors and cards, Stampin' Up! style, are a great way to let your family and friends know how much you appreciate them.  At our demonstrator meetings, we swap cards and projects.  And we have show and tell.  I wanted to share with you some of the ideas our group has for Valentine's Day.  This Envelope Favor is a quick way to share a treat and note for your special someone.  Check out my free tutorial for making this envelope favor using a piece of 5 x 5 designer series paper.

The mini espresso cups are another quick way to give someone a treat.  I get my cups from webstaurant.com.  Please email me if you would like a free template.

Melody Smith made this treat bag with a card that also fits in the bag using Stampin' Up!'s exclusive Valentine products which are only available through January 27th. 

Janet Holmes made these projects using Stampin' Up!'s Monster Girl and Monster Boy kits.  The monsters are designed to hold a little treat.  Sorry about the bad photography which makes it look like the boy monster has a cataract. LOL.

Marilyn Young made this card using the Language of Love stamp set which is available in the Occasions catalog.  

Cindy Peterson made this card using the starburst technique.

I hope you enjoyed these Valentine ideas.  Follow my Valentine Pinterest board  for more ideas.

Visit my online store to get your supplies for this project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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You Make Me Happy Gift Bag

Stampin' Up!'s You Make Me Happy image from the Perfect Pennants stamp set was just right for this mini muslin gift bag.  This was the make and take project for a recent get-together with my fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  I wanted to make something featuring items from the new Occasions catalog and unfortunately had a bad case of creative block.  My mind was not cooperating at all.  I was getting a big bunch of nada.  LOL!!!

So the morning of our get-together (around 3am) it finally comes to me.  And like most things artistic, when my right brain got going, this project came together quickly.  Thank goodness.

For the trim at the bottom of this bag, I used Stampin' Up!'s Delicate Details Lace Tape as a stencil.  The ink and ribbon is Primrose Petals. 

For other 3D, Party Favor ideas, please visit my Pinterest board.

Stampin' Supplies

Item	Description	Price
133230	Perfect Pennants Stamp Set	$21.95
134822	Petite Petals Bundle w/punch	$21.25
130966	Delicate Details Lace Tape	$9.95
133324	Scalloped Tag Topper Punch	$22.95
132180	Mini Muslin Bags	$9.95
118764	Vintage Trinkets	$5.95
133554	Banner Blast	SAB
133519	Banner Punch	SAB

Visit my online store to get your supplies for this project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Top 13 Cards from 2013

Operation Write Home is hosting a Top 13 of 2013 Bloghop. This is a wonderful way to see great cards made by many different people as you join the bloghop. Thank you for stopping by my blog.

My Live in Sunshine card was by far the most popular card on my blog  in 2013 with over 4000 views. I got the starburst technique from OWH.

This Poppy card was also inspired by Operation Write Home.  I used OWH sketch #68 and included a free tutorial for this faux verdigris technique.

This Summer Silhouettes card was one of my personal favorites from 2013 and the first time I used Washi tape! 

This card using Stampin' Up!'s Dress Up Framelit was inspired by a card that I received in a demonstrator swap.

I designed this Quick and Easy card with the Glitter Bitty Butterfly to swap at Stampin' Up!'s convention.  This card uses multiple techniques to make it easy to make a lot of them quickly.

 This Best of Flowers Hydrangea card is a great example of an ugly duckling turning into a swan card.

I loved figuring out how to adapt the stamp to make this Ears to You Easter card.  While it may not be the most visually stunning card, it was lots of fun to make.

I remember putting these Banner Christmas cards together on the flight to Salt Lake City for Stampin' Up!'s Convention!

We made hundreds of these Sealed with a Kiss card kits for the Scrapbook Expo in Grapevine and for a service project for the Girl Scouts.

This Beautifully Baroque card was inspired by one that Shelli Gardner made.  While it's not my usual color combination, I loved how it looked when it was done.

 

This Modern Mosaic card was easy to make with Stampin' Up!'s coordinating designer series paper and mosaic punch.
 

I used the white craft ink technique to make this Pleasant Poppies card.

This For the Birds card was one of my personal favorites to make.  I like how outlining the birds seem to give them more depths.

And those are my Top 13 of 2013.  Thank you for visiting my blog and enjoy the rest of the Operation Write Home Bloghop.

Visit my online store to get your supplies for this project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.
 
Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Envelope Favor with Free Tutorial

This Envelope Favor is a stocking stuffer that is quick and perfect for sharing a piece of chocolate!  Stampin' Up!'s envelope punch board is one of the tools that makes this project go quickly.  The envelope is made with a piece of 5" x 5" Designer Series Paper.  Punch and score at 2 1/2" on all four sides.  Remember to round off the corner on the top flap of your envelope.

I prefer envelopes that can be opened and closed.  The modern label punch is how the envelope flap stays closed.  Be sure to only put adhesive on the sides so you can open and close the envelope.  The bow is made using the large oval punch.

 

Here is the free tutorial.  I'm looking forward to changing this project to fit other occasions.  Wouldn't it be a great for a wedding reception or Valentine's Day.  Now, I am off to make a lot more of these for last minute gifts!

Added 4/5/2014:  Video Tutorial to make your Envelope Favor.

To see more 3D Favors, follow my Pinterest Board.

Stampin' Supplies

Item	Description	Price
133774	Envelope Punch Board	$19.95
119849	Modern Label Punch	$16.95
119855	Large Oval Punch	$15.95
129404	7/8" Scallop Circle Punch	$12.95
132150	Frosted Finishes Embellishments (12)	$6.95

Visit my online store to get your supplies for this project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Christmas Gifts and 3D Stocking Stuffer Favors

Here are some Stampin' Up! Christmas gifts and 3D stocking stuffer party favors if you are looking for some holiday inspiration.  We had our Stampin' Up! demonstrator Christmas party last Friday.  Our tradition is to trade stocking stuffer type gifts and then do a Sneaky Santa gift exchange.  This year everyone was so nice that no one stole any of the Sneaky Santa gifts.  I apologize in advance for the quality of the photos.  Most of them were taken at the restaurant which thankfully had red tables!  LOL.

Cindy Peterson made the wonderful Santa burlap wreath.  Notice all of the rosettes?  Cindy used the same punch art Santa to decorate this lollipop.  Rosettes are easy to make using Stampin' Up!'s Designer Rosette Bigz XL Die (125594 $42.95).  This die is currently a Weekly Deal on sale through Monday for $32.21.  

Here is a Ho, Ho, Ho Frame using the same punch art Santa.  If you would like other ideas for how to use rosettes, check out my Pinterest board.

Enjoy the other Sneaky Santa gifts.  If you've been following my blog, you know that I am part of a very talented group of creative women.

Here are some of the Stocking Stuffers that we also swapped at our Christmas party.

I made this stocking stuffer using the envelope punch board.  The bow is made using the large oval punch.  I'll post a tutorial for this project next week.

Visit my online store to get your supplies for this project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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