Stamp with Elissa

Kreative Blogger Award

I was honored this week to receive the Kreative Blogger Award from my fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, Simmy Ogg.  I've never met Simmy in person, but we both belong to the same online discussion group for Demonstrators, and we've definitely exchanged some good business & creative ideas over the last few years.  As far as I understand it, the idea of the Kreative Blogger Award is to recognize great bloggers in any creative area, such as stamping, quilting, pottery, photography, etc. 

Here are the official rules for the award:

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 6 other blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs.
5. Send a message to your nominees to let them know they've been nominated.

Let me tell you that it wasn't all that hard for me to come up with six nominees!  My first nominee, Tara Travis, is part of my upline's group in New England, and she's been fabulously fun to work with for all the time I lived out that way. My second nominee, Cory Brodzinski, is a good friend from college who also happens to be a fantastic photographer.

My third nominee is such a big name that I honestly can't believe that someone else hadn't nominated her already.  But since I don't see the logo on her blog, I will go ahead and nominate the fabulous Shelli Gardner, Co-Founder & CEO of Stampin' Up!

My other three nominees are creative, successful Stampin' Up! Demonstrators in Candada & Australia.  While their catalogs are slightly different than ours in the US, I've found that their projects are still great for inspiration.  So without further ado, I hereby nominate Andrea Walford, Claire Daly, and Yvonne Campbell. 

Thanks again to Simmy for nominating me, and I hope you all find inspiration from the blogs that I've nominated.  Have a fun and "Kreativ" day!

Featured Artist: Angie Throm

Today's sample card comes from Angie Throm, who is a super-smart PhD candidate as well as an enthusiastic stamper and one of my best customers.  Angie is getting married soon, and she's planning ahead by making her own thank-you cards.  What I love most about this card is that it is both simple and elegant--a perfect reflection of what a wedding should be!

Supply List:
Stamps: Pretty Peony, With Gratitude
Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Soft Sky
Paper:  Soft Sky, Naturals White
Accessories:  Non-SU! Ribbon

Has Angie's card inspired you to do some stamping? Our entire "In Color" line and many of our accessories are retiring, and they are selling out fast.  Click here for more info, then call or email me to order your favorites.  Don't miss out!

Featured Artist: Lynn Monk-Treadway

My downline Lynn came to my workshop last Saturday and gifted me with some lovely samples for my collection.  So, I thought I'd share them with you for your inspiration!  If you have any questions beyond the information I've included here, please feel free to email her at msmonk471@yahoo.com

Lynn's first card uses the Pick A Petal stamp set to create a really cute exclamation point.  The color scheme is a simple combo of Whisper White & Groovy Guava, with Double-Stitched Ribbon as a finishing touch.  She chose to make this a "thank you" card, but it would work equally well for "happy birthday" or "congrats".  She tells me that she CASE'd the design from a talented stamper named Angie Kennedy Juda, so I'm officially giving credit where credit is due  :-)

Lynn's second card uses the Tart & Tangy stamp set and Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper from the just-expired Occasions Mini Catalog.  Even though these items are no longer available, you could certainly recreate the look with other stamp sets and DSP.   This card also makes use of the Time Well Spent hostess stamp set, the Scallop Circle Punch, and the 1-1/4" Circle Punch.  And what card would be complete without embellishments?  Lynn used Wild Wasabi Double-Stitched Ribbon, Red Gingham Ribbon, Chunky Essentials Glitter, and the White Gel Pen for her finishing touches.

Last but not least, Lynn gave me this beautiful 4x4 inch notecard using the Fresh Cuts  stamp set and the beautiful laser-cut Fresh Cut Notes.  These items are a preview of what's to come in the Stampin' Up! 2008 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog.  Although the preview special ended on June 30th, you'll be able to purchase these and other fabulous new products when the new catalog makes its debut on August 11th.

Hopefully these cards have inspired you to pull out your supplies and get stamping!  If you need any further advice or encouragement with your creative projects, please feel free to call or email me anytime.