Cards from the magazine article

The magazine feature I was asked to do came out online in the October issue of Stampin' Success yesterday, so at long last I can unzip my lips! As you know, the magazine is for demonstrators only, so unless you are one of those approximately 45,000 Stampin' Up ladies, you will have to bum a look-see off your demo!

I'll be bringing the magazine to my clubs and shows this month, of course. I can't share photos of the article itself here on my blog, or post the wording, but I am allowed to show my own photos of the projects, so here you go! They did also draw several quotes for the article from this post where I talk about everything I would have missed if I had quit five years ago. I talk alot : ) so the interviewer had plenty to choose from!

This experience was delightfully fun from start to finish! The set I was given to work with was the gorgeously detailed Day of Gratitude out of the new Holiday Mini Catalog (click here to view the set in clear and wood mount and the coordinating 8×8 album and Designer Series Paper). The set arrived while I was on vacation, so by the time I got back, I had exactly four days to make and mail everything! So I pretty much went with the first four projects I made. 

I wanted to make really practical, useful projects. Sometimes the things held up for examples are so "over the top" that most people won't even attempt them! The simple "workshop-able" card on the left was the first thing I finished. I love the colors together (hard to beat gorgeous fall tones!). The colors I used on all four projects are More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede. Together they make a very compelling color combination.

When you see the magazine, you won't actually see this card pictured. It is an Online Extra on the demonstrator website.

Then I turned to the more advanced card on the right. I created my own DSP for this one (they didn't send anything but the stamp set, so I didn't have the crazy cute Autumn Spice papers to work with). Then I made a Faux Suede ruching for it–the textures are gorgeous–one of those things that when you see it, you just HAVE to run your fingers over it. I also used the teeny tiny button brads from Vintage Trinkets. I kept it fairly plain as far as embellishments, because the pattern was so busy.

Stay tuned for the two other projects from the article, a photo tutorial on Faux Suede ruching, plus lots more from the Day of Gratitude stamp set. I really like it, and it's perfect for fall. The maples in our yard are starting to change, and it's time to get the pumpkins on the porch and the autumn wreaths out. Fall is sooooo my favorite season! Thank you, Stampin' Up, for the chance to showcase a gorgeous autumn set, and contribute in some small way to my favorite company.