For my daughters recent Confirmation, or Affirmation of Baptism, I wanted to mark the important dates as her relationship with God grows. This would include things like her baptism, mission trip (there are a few) and related events that defined her and her bond deeper.  What is the easiest way to do this?? My Digital Studio, of course.  Apparently I did not have any cross stamps or embellishment. Not sure how that happened but I hopped on to Stampin' Up! and bought Cross of Hope.  I wanted the cross in gold, the closest ink we have is Crushed Curry. Printed it works as a close proximity to gold.  My daughters tastes are classic and filigree type stuff.  The background is more of a doily look and was in Wisteria Wonder, but change the opacity of it and the look changes. Also because of her style preference she likes the very scripty calligraphic fonts. I also put asterisks as place holders for real rhinestones to add after printing. Yes I wanted to real deal for dimention and textur

Tuesday November 5  Caribou Coffee Cambridge 12-1:30 or 2 Caribou Coffee Coon Rapids 6-7:30/8 Taking a survey on what you want for class. Here are some choices: Christmas cards Stamp a Stack of x themed cards General cards JOY holiday banner Take three class - card, scrap page and gift 3D item It is your class. I want you to be happy. Since Hank and I are recovering and I will probably only be able to hold 2 classes rest of this year I want you to get the most out of it.  Also: classes can be mailed. Let me know if you are interested but cannot make it to the class. Small fee added on for postage.  Please let me know your interests. I will do my best to fill them.  Happy stamping, Sandy

Yesterday was my daughters Confirmation at church. Or in modern times Affirmation of her Baptism.  I came up with a card using some of her favorite Stampin' Up! Colors and textures for the occasion. Here goes the supply list: Card base is very vanilla but in a non traditional size. It's 10x7 so it folds to 5x7 so it can be framed later.  Next layer is Cool Carribean as a substitute for Baja Breeze. I used the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set and Early Espresso ink in it to give it texture and bring it off the vanilla where it looked like it faded against it initially.  Next layer is gold cardstock run thru the Big Shot using the houndstooth embossing folder. One of her favorite patterns/textures is houndstooth. I popped that off the blue layer with Dimensionals.  Cool Carribean Sean binding biw is next.  Early Espresso layer sized 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 to make the focal point pop. Again Dimensionals behind it.  Focal point is a finished 2x3 on very vanilla stamped in now retired gold Encire i

My son needed a quick costume for a Halloween party at school.  We ended up with a Halloween gangsta kind of look. But he needed a bling necklace. In 10 minutes I whipped together this paper hack. It says #1! YO' I cut the letters using the Big Shot out of gold cardstock. I realized after I cut the letters that I could have just used the Gold Champaigne colored glitter paper we carry and eliminated sticky fingers. Oh Well. He wanted it to be really blingy. I smeared the letters with crystal effects and sprinkled glass glitter on them. Then glued them to black cardstock since his vest was black. The neck cord is retired gold cording. Added the giant rhinestones for extra bling. He was happy with the effect. If it gets lost or broken who cares.  Below is the final costume. Being unplanned I think it turned out well. To keep the hat stiff we blew a balloon up inside the hat rather than stuff it with paper, which gets heavy.   

I Saw this craft on At Home with Lisa Quinn on the Live Well Network. Waaaay to much recovery time with Hank watching TV. Anyway... Using watercolor paper 122959 $4.95 pack, I used an old cup of coffee and a paper cup to make rings. We have a coffee issue in our house and a coffee theme in kitchen I am going to do two more sheets because I am not sure what to do with them. I would love input. Here are my thoughts: Just frame 1-3 sheets Frame one and spell out coffee or java with die cuts Cut 4x4 squares and frame each with a coffee die cut letter in each. Hang vertical.  Cut in half and frame two and hang vertical along side my eventual coffee filter wreath Any other suggestions  Please comment. I am just not sure where to go from here!

As it should be!

From now until October 28 25 select sets are on sale 25%. http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryID=1644 or visit www.sohott.stampinup.net and click on promotions.  Great time to stock up or get Chrustmas gifts for your crafty friends.  -Sandy

Through October 22 join my Stampin family. I love my family. My manager holds optional monthly meetings where we break bread and swap cards and stories. There is a quarterly meeting which is awesome. There is a monthly Technique Tuesday. Many chances to share and learn. Zero reason not to join.  If you would like to talk call me at 612-280-5590 or read more at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sohott/jointhefun I would love to see new faces at our next meeting.  As Yoda says "do or do not, there is no try." -Sandy

Needs A Ribbon in October 2013 My ladies it has been a loooong time since I have sent a sent a newsletter, wish that is has not been so long. Life has been interesting. Read below for an update of what has been going on or skip to the good stuff. UPDATE: I did go to the Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake this July. I had mentioned that previously. But I had not mentioned that my knee gave out and I did a face plant on the sidewalk outside my hotel. Uncool. The stampin' ladies took excellent care of me while I was there. I have two bad knees which is mostly why the accident happened.  Then less than two weeks later my family took a 17 day family vacation. It was an amazing experience. We were all over the SW area. Managed to see many sights in between rains and floods and fires. I think a day after we left Manitou Springs there were deadly floods. Feeling blessed that we are OK, and heartbreaking that others were not as lucky.   Came home from Vacation and 2 weeks later had my

Yes for the price of a few coffees you can join Stampin' Up! Offer ends end of October 21. I have never ever seen such a value to getting started. Join for a while. Find you don't like it, how you couldn't I don't know, and then drop.  As part of my team you will get a discount on products, advanced purchase on new hot products, a fantastic team where we share ideas, support each other, a group of friends. And so much more.  If you are interested contact me at 612-280-5590 or click to learn more.  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sohott/jointhefun

It's difficult to do but so important to do so.  Stay positive friends! -Sandy

I went outside for quite a while today. Endless blue skies and gentle breezes are rare in MN. Fresh air and sunshine are a real morale booster. I even did several "laps" in the driveway and some of my PT. Stairs are still not my friend but I am growing more confident. Hank (my knee) is perfectly capable of stairs. It's a mind over matter issue with me.  Knee coming along. Biggest hurdles are stairs and then driving. Driving needs a doctor OK. Stairs I just need confidence. Each time it gets better but they are still tiring.  Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping, Sandy

Our September Diva Stampers Downline Meeting we swapped masculine cards. I love this kind of swap. Its easy to do flowers and kids but sometimes honoring the male in your life can be challenging. In the current Stampin' Up! catalog there are some great products and stamps for the men in your life. Plus, lets not forget about the Dude You're Welcome! kit 132807. But that is more geared toward men making cards for the special people in their lives.  Here are some suggested stamp sets for men: Bring on the Cake pg 14 IBC, You're Amazing page 15 IBC, Blue Ribbon stamp set, World Map, Happy Hour, Words of Courage, The Great Outdoors, Rev up the Fun, You're My Hero, Two-Step, Wetlands, Horse Frontier, Walk in the Wild, Harvest Blessings, Lovely as a Tree, The Open Sea, Gorgeous Grunge, Amazing Family, Tape It.  What are your "go to" male stamp sets? Comment me your choices. My swap Autumn W Cyndi C No name No name

My daughter Gretchen is on a roll with the iPhone Simply Sent app from Stampin Up! Today. It's easy and quick and can get that crafty craving out when you are stuck without supplies. 

My daughter Gretchen, guest blogger today.  Made using the Simoly Sent app for the iPhone. It only took me a few minutes and it's really fun and quick. Everything is right there. I made this for my mom today who needed cheering up. Her knee PT made her hurt and she didn't sleep well last night.  Thanks.  Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping, Sandy

Released today a new ipad app to help My Digital Studio users. It allows you see a library of available downloads, a way to keep track of your purchased downloads, but does not access your computers software.  It is only available for iPads and ipad minis. They are in development fir android and iPhone.  This looks like a great tool for me. As I have hundreds of downloads and have an Excel spreadsheet which I keep track of purchased items. It's clumsy and definitely not cloud based nor easy to update.  Let me know what you think about this new app. And oh - it's FREE!!

I thought while I am still recovering and not able to do a whole lot, except physical therapy, after my knee replacement, which I still need to share the story on that, I would share with you some of the get well cards I received. Above is a card I received from my upline Sue Lehrer. I love the chapel fold and that the tag forms the closure for the card. Plus I just love the chalk talk framelits. Don't you just love the new Chevron ribbons Stampin' Up! offers. I believe they come in 8 fun colors. And the thing on receiving this card from Sue, she knows about knee replacement and recovery as her husband had one earlier this year. It is a process and requires patience. This next card comes from one of our groups new downlines, Vic. She is a very enthusastic person and a nice addition to our group.  I love the layered scallop strip. Not sure how she did it, maybe hand cutting, but it is cute. Thanks Vic! This next card is from Carrie McHale. She helped me out a bit my last day of