A New (to me) Technique

 Hello from the extremely warm Arkansas! Warm is actually kind. Stifling. Muggy. Humid. Just plain hot! That's where I'm at! "Perfect" weather to stay indoors, attempt to stay cool and try out some new techniques!

I watched a video here on using my white craft ink and watercolor pencils and thoroughly enjoyed learning it. With the exception of the ribbon, it is a 100% CASE from Stamping Before Anything Else. (Okay, maybe 99% CASED. But you get the idea!)

So what did I use:

One of the new in-colors, Shy Shamrock paper, along with Basic White, and Basic Black paper. For the sentiment, I used the Shy Shamrock ink and the stamp set Spotlight on Nature, has both the sentiment and the leaves. The ribbon is also available from Stampin Up! Make sure to check out all of my links!

Need a demo? Need some Stampin supplies? Feel free to reach out to me and I can help!

Graduation time

Hello again!  Being a teacher, I always look forward to Graduation time each year.  For one, it means that it's almost time for summer.  Plus it means a group of kids that I've taught and loved (mostly loved) are finishing one journey and preparing for another.  This year's class was a very special group for me.  They are intelligent, athletic, hard-working, and (for the most part) fun.  There are some that I won't miss.  For the most part, it will be sad not to see their faces in the halls everyday.

This year, I have two family members graduating high school.  One is my cousin Adam, who lives in Virginia.  He is Grandchild #5 of 6.  He's a smart young man and is planning to attend college not too far from home.  His school colors are red and black.  Now, anyone who knows me will realize that those are colors I don't typically use together.  Why?  Well, my school colors are black and silver (GO MINERS GO!) And our big rivals are red and black.  Tough, but I did it.  My mom also needed a card to send to my cousin, so here are the two cards I came up with.

I'm sorry, but I had to use retired paper again.  But, there are some current Stampin' Up elements to both cards.  First, the paper for both are Real Red, Basic Black, and Whisper White.  The stars on both cards are the Stars Framelits (currently available from SU).  The ink for both are Real Red and Basic Black.  On both cards, I used the red glitter paper which is retired.  The card on the left used the red polka dot paper from the DSP called Polka Dot Parade.  I was very sad to see this one go, because it has been so easy to use.  The tags are also framelits, but those are current. That set is called Banners.  The sentiments from both cards are unfortunately retired. The one on the right is from the 2013-14 catalog, called Pure Gumption.  It only lasted one year, but I love the phrases in it, along with the cap.  The one on the left is from the set called Word Play.  It was a very popular set and I've used it so very often.  The cap is also from the Pure Gumption set.

I mentioned two graduates in my family.  The second is the son of my BFF.  They live in Tennessee and he, too, will be going off to college.  Again, I used colors that were difficult for me to combine.  Why?  Because my high school was maroon and gold (GO WOLVES GO!) and this is maroon and grey.  Ugh!  For this card, I found my inspiration from another SU Demo and here is a link to his card.  Justin does an amazing job and I love to see his ideas.

So here is my take:

I used the retired color Bravo Burgundy.  It is a perfect match for maroon that you see in school colors around here.  I also used Bravo Burgundy ink, silver glitter paper and whisper white paper.  The stars are from the Framelits Stars (those are current!) The sentiment and the star "streak" are from a new and very popular set called Work of Art.  I am having so much fun with that set and many others are, too.  If you look at Pinterest, you'll see it being used in so many ways.

Hope you enjoy these cards, using so many retired elements.  I apologize for that, but it could at least give you inspiration for yours.

Until next time,
Micki

Birthday card for dad

My dear wonderful husband and I married in June, 2003 on a beautiful Hawaiian beach. We have loved Hawaii and everything Hawaii-related ever since. My parents went to our wedding.....and have returned to Hawaii every year.

This week is my dad's 67th birthday, so I made a card for him.  And here it is.

Yes, I've used some newly retired elements to this card.  First I used the Dress Up Framelits dies in Crumb Cake and Gumball Green. I used the floral punch from the Punch Pack in Daffodil Delight.  The coconuts are actually from the Owl punch in Early Espresso.  The DSP is from an old package of paper from Stampin Up.  The sentiment is also retired (unfortunately).  It's from the set Perfectly Penned. The card base is Gumball Green and I've also used whisper white and Early Espresso for the rest of the paper.

Hope you like the card.  Dad did!

Until next time!
Micki

My first blog

Well, I'm finally going to take the plunge. The blogging plunge that is. I've thought about for some time and my dear friend, Arlene Bridges, has suggested it, too. I feel like I should, to honor her. Plus, I can show off all of the things I make with Stampin' Up.

Bear with me. This is all new. I guess I should tell a little about myself.  My name is Micki Sewell and I am a Spanish teacher at Bauxite High School. I wear many hats. Spanish teacher, sometimes a history class, National Honor Society, basketball scorekeeper, concession stand cook for baseball/softball (it's the fundraiser for NHS). I am married to the best man in the world, Brian. Together, we have one inside cat and sometimes two outside cats. Maui is inside, Little Bit and Shadow are outside.

Four years ago, I became an independent demonstrator for Stampin' Up. I am truly a hobby demo and I am my own best customer. (If you're looking to buy, I am happy to be your demo!). Most weekends, you can find me making cards for a variety of occasions in my craft room. I do enjoy going to classes and participating in swaps.

Why my blog name? Well, I stamp to make cards. I score the cards. I also am the scorekeeper for our basketball teams. So, She Stamps, She Scores!

So, that's me. You never know what you'll see here. Tune in later for more.