INKin' All Night! with Rhonda

The girls in Las Vegas

We spent the last week of June and July 4th up in Las Vegas as the girls dance studio was attending their summer National Dance Competition event.  We drove up on Sunday and they both danced several of their competition routines on Monday evening, and the event held masters classes during the day that they could attend as well.  So they were constantly busy managing all of the activities and finding the free time to just hang out and have fun, silly memories and some pool time, walking the strip and shopping too.  Dave joined us later in the week so that we could all spend the 4th of July together.  We met my cousin Cheryl and her husband Greg for dinner and drinks that evening too, it was great to see them.  It had been years since the last time we were together, heck the girls were toddlers probably .  Here's a picture of the girls, looking so grown up... ugh!  Stop it!  Stay little!!!

 
Rachel (12) is on the left and Nicole (15) is on the right.

Hope you are having a wonderful day so far!  I may post later today too with some stamping related updates... if may day goes well!

From yesterdays post about my "big shot in july" class, if you'd like to attend a repeat session please let me know asap and what day of the week & time would work best.  If there is enough interest and we can find a common time, I may offer it again for those that couldn't make it yesterday... otherwise you can purchase the completed projects as a long distance package.

hugs,
Rhonda

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CHECK OUT MY SU! WEBSITE to see what the "special deal of the week" is... and save!  links are in the sidebars.  Call 602-570-STMP (7867) or Email inkinallnight@cox.net for more info or to place an order.  Do you have the BRAND NEW idea book and catalog yet?  I have them in stock if you need one!
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Big Shot "Christmas in July" Class Projects

Hi!

Let me first say that I am sorry that I didn't make a post yesterday as I thought I would... but I spent the day attending a funeral & services for one of my direct downline (Sheri - love you) who lost her son last week to cancer.  I drove together with one of my downline gals (hey Di!) and met another downline there (hi Lynda) - and together we watched as we were surrounded by US military service men and women... it was one of those days where you spent a majority of your quiet personal thought time in the "wonder what if" land of your own brain.  I could only hope that I would have an ounce or two of the strength that Sheri displayed yesterday, so real with tears and genuine emotion but yet periods of such unbelievable strength and comfort and guidance to others... which is always a true characteristic of her to want to be by your side before worrying about herself.  So needless to say, the day was way more emotional and draining than I had expected and with my class on Tuesday and needing to complete my finishing touches, and a sick hubby who wasnt able to help with evening carpools for the girls, ... the time just went by and it didn't happen.  But today it is happening!  ;-)

I had 3 wonderful sessions of class today, it's still Tuesday here in AZ!  The girls had fun and enjoyed thinking ahead to much cooler times, which is kind of hard to think about when we are having nothing but really hot days in the 110+'s... but inside the house it's a nice 78-80 degrees which is very comfortable.  So that's how we survive our summer weather (notice, I didnt mention having to shovel any white stuff like y'all do on the wintry cold blustery days when you're stuck inside)... heheheeee

At each Big Shot Class I typically plan for 5 projects with a mix of three cards and two 3-D projects, this way they get a nice variety and I get to play with multiple dies and styles and can usually cover a wide array of styles and sizes of the Sizzix product line that we offer through our SU! catalog.  So finally on to what you all care about, right?  The pics and the projects!  All right already, I hear ya!

  

Several of the images are from the new L2 Christmas Punch & L3 The More the Merrier Hostess Sets and combined with two of the new holiday Designer Series Paper sets that are new this year.  Click on any of the images to enlarge the picture.  The little box & mini envelope and the fancy favor box are brand new Big Shot XL dies too, and the white projects are textured with the new SU exclusive Texturz plate but it's a bit hard to see in the picture.  Sorry I did use the retired striped Alpine ribbon because it was perfect, along with the retired "rope" ribbon or cord... that I was so hoping would have come back in the upcoming Mini Catalog (sneak peek for demos now but the rest of you will see it Sep 1st).

Well I better sign off for now or it won't be "today" anymore!  So hope you had a terrific Tuesday and here's wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!  Thanks for stopping by!

Enjoy,
Rhonda

Hoping that I'm baaaaaaack!

Hi everyone,

It has been an incredibly busy summer so far this year and I'm sorry that I have not been present here on my blog - sorry for my absence but thanks for sticking around.  We were gone on vacation, dance and more dance, classes, more vacation, birthday and getting a new computer too.

I can hardly believe that over a month has gone by since I last found (made) time to sit and type.  I have been stamping, so there are things to share with you.  I did have a 101020 card class in June and also another Big Shot class too - so I will share those projects soon as well as some swaps that I hosted too!

I have a class coming up on Tuesday, my Christmas in July Big Shot class.  I hope to load a couple of those pic's for you as a preview too!  I do have a spot or maybe two that are open...  10a-12n, or 2-4pm or 6:30-8:30 pm.  There will be 5 projects for $15.00, a variety of cards and 3D items.

I also have a Christmas in July 101020 card class coming up on Thurs July 23rd or Sat July 25th.  I have a mix of cards that are mostly holiday (winter, xmas) but I may opt to include a Fall or Halloween too... we'll see! 

Sorry there is no picture to post tonight (or should I say morning, holy heck it's 2am... omg!) but like I mentioned, I "just" got a new laptop and haven't loaded recent pic's from my camera to it yet.  And of course all of the other pics are on my old laptop for now.  But I will try to do it tomorrow.

Hugs,
Rhonda

Cards, cards and more cards!

Well today was fun! I had a GREAT time today with several ladies here stamping away!  It was a 101020 Card Class, which I host each month.  10 cards/envelopes, 10 different designs, $20.00 and about 3 hours of fun!  I have a houseful coming tomorrow too, with lots of new gals joining in!  I can't wait to meet them all!

I have not been very regular about posting each day to my blog and I apologize for those of you that like a daily dose.  I will try to be more frequent but May is always an overloaded month for us!  I do have some things to share with you though, so here are some card samples.  Some are original and some are CASE'd or slightly modified -- thanks to everyone that shares their artwork so generously, and feel free to copy something you see here that you like!  That's what its all about!

Oh, and before I forget I was given a blog award by my good friend Diana -- geesh, seems like a week ago or so. I'll have to go back to the post to find out how I upload it and pass it along.  So THANKS Di for that sweet award!  I'll have to do a separate post when I have more time!  ;-)

Cards, oh my, I mean oh May - since this is what they made this month!  Card recipes were provided at class, if you have a question, please email me or leave a comment.  All products are SU! only.

 

 

 

Well, I wasn't quick enough to upload all of them before Hubby said it's time to leave to get some dinner!  So I will have to come back and share the rest of the cards later!  And sorry for the not-so-great photos ... yes, obviously I was in a hurry to try and squeeze all of this in...

Until later!
Thanks for stopping by!
Rhonda

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Howdy, I'm back!  And now for the rest of the story... (said in my best Paul Harvey voice)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay - there you have it!  These are the cards that they are making this month (this weekend) at my 101020 Card Class!  Hope you enjoy them and are inspired to go off and create something yourself!

Hugs
Rhonda

Big Shot Class #3 Today & Tonight!

Hi

Well we survived the 3-day Dance Recital Photo weekend... and today its time for my 3rd Big Shot Class.  Each month I have a Big Shot class which features 5 projects that focus on the Big Shot and our fabulous selection of dies availalbe through the SU catalog.  So there's typically more BS than stamping so to speak!

Quick, here's the projects for today!  Some are borrowed and some are original.  With a busy month like May for me, it's like "hey, i love that" so here we go!  Why recreate when it's already great!  So thanks to Diana Gibbs (my good friend & downline - quilt card) and Andrea Walford (fellow Canadia demonstrator - sailboat card) as I have CASE'd one card from each of you! 

 

I have loved seeing all of quilted cards but its too time consuming to do during one of my monthly 101020 card classes but it was perfect for the Big Shot class - so thanks for sending me this lovely thank you after one of our wonderful visits!  When I'm "blurfing" (blog surfing) I specifically look for ways that the BS Dies are used out of the box and I love how Andrea used the reverse of the swirly long decorative die strip -- instead of using the swirly piece that falls out of the die, she used one of the leftover pieces to create the water effect!

The Gift Bag and Card are my own original creations that I demonstrated at our Spring Fling event back in March.  And the cute little box features the SU Big Bold Cupcake sizzlit set!  I'll try to get back on later to give you more info but for now... do enjoy! 

Hugs
Rhonda

Happy Birthday Baby!

Wow!!  Happy Birthday to my little darlin' ... my baby girl... Miss Rachel who is celebrating her 12th birthday today!  She has been counting down the days until it was finally her day!  See, big Sis Nicole had her 15th earlier in the month on the 4th... so they have to share the month!  So far today she has had a wonderful start to her birthday day...  woke up to find out that Daddy had made a special run this morning for bagels from her favorite bagel store and he stopped for fresh fruit at the grocery store too!  Daddy-O making 2 special stops for his lil' sweetie!  What is the craziest thing... we all love the same exact bagel but each of us prefers a different cream cheese flavor - he bought all 4 flavors! He spent more on cream cheese than anything else!

She got all ready, daddy even ironed her shorts for her (yeah what a guy!  i hate to iron!) and she straightened her hair, pulled out a tiara (inside joke at school she tells me) but she didnt want to wear it for her picture...

 

She has pictures today (and Sat and Sun) this weekend for their dance studio recital and competition routines... so we are hoping to squeeze in a dinner some where this weekend to celebrate!  She'll be celebrating with her school friends next week, day after school gets out with a pool party- luau gig!

And just in case I didn't blog Nicole on her birthday, here's a picture of her and her friends as we braved the task of taking out about 13 of her closest 15'sh year old friends!  She opted for a dinner out and then coming back to the house for some hang time, jacuzzi and ice cream sundaes.  The energy that a group of lovely ladies this age can generate!

Nicole is in pink, 3rd from the left!  Some of these girls have been friends since the 1st grade, some since middle school and a couple new friends from this freshman year of high school.  Sara (in black, kind of center) is one of our neighbors and we've known them since the girls were young-ens... before Kindergarten even.

 

Hopefully I can get back to a regular schedule of blogging but for right now I just have to do it when I can and hope that you'll keep popping by to say hi! 

Happy Friday!!
Rhonda

Smile!

Okay, so I am really slow at getting back to the computer but it's because I have been busy stamping, holding classes ... oh, and getting the crappy ol' crud last Tuesday which even got me to go to the doctor with some persistant nagging from my friends (thanks Eliz & Lynda) ... well I can finally say I am feeling a little bit better.

Here's sweet little Rachel from last Thursday I think it was when she got her braces off -- gotta love the self portrait pic's of a digital camera...  gee she will be 12 in about 2 weeks, holy cow...!

I'll be back in a little while to share with you the projects that they are making today and tonight in my Big Shot #2 Class! 

Cards Galore... there's more!

Hi

Hope you have all been keeping busy and enjoying life!  It's been busy here at our household.  I can't even remember if I told you that Rachel broke two toes... and that's been a week ago already!  Here she is sporting her boot cast, minimum of 3 weeks and then they'll re-xray to see how things are healing!  So no dancing, no volleyball, no jumping around... talked about slowing down a child!  HA!  I'll be back later this week with more pic's of Rachel - - - as she gets her braces off on Thursday!

And I promised that I would post some pic's of some of the cards that we'll be making at some of my upcoming classes.  These first ones are what you'll be making at this weekends 101020 Card Class - yep, 10 cards & envelopes, 10 designs for $20.00.  I have only THREE openings, class times are Sat or Sun from 2-5:00 pm (same class, just repeated).  Please email me at inkinallnight@cox.net if you are interested in attending, cash, check or credit card reserves your seat!  Long distance packages are available too, email for options.

Several of the card ideas are ones that I have been admiring of others artwork and just had to make to have myself... so they are CASEd (copy and share everything).  I've tried to keep the name of the person that I got the idea from to give them proper credit.  Thanks to the many talented and giving demonstrators that continue to inspire the creativity in all of us, thanks for sharing!

Click on any of the images to view them larger!  No recipes provided here, a recipe sheet is available at class.  Plus, I need to get this post done today!!  So the short version... and drum roll please.....!

designer: Rhonda

designer: Rhonda

a modified CASE of
designer: "Chat"

 

 

That's the first few... I will upload more but I am getting a weird message about "scripts" and slowing my computer down, etccc... so before all is lost I am going to save and publish this much at least!

Thanks for stopping by!
Rhonda

a modified CASE of
designer: Cindy Lawrence

a modified CASE of
designer: "Chat"

designer: Rhonda

a modified CASE of
designer: "Chat"

designer:  Rhonda

a modified CASE of
designer: Lisa Henke

designer:  Rhonda

Okay, well that's all for today folks!

April Classes:
Sat 25th or Sun 26th (2-5:00 pm) - 101020 Card Class, class fee $20.00  -- 3 seats available

Tues 28th (10a-12:30pm, or 2-4:30pm or 6-8:30pm) - Big Shot Class #2, class fee $15.00 for 5 projects

May Classes:
Tues May 5th (10a-12:30pm, or 2-4:30pm or 6-8:30pm) - BRANCH OUT Set Sampler, class fee $30.00 includes the "branch out" stamp set and 5 projects.  Projects only class fee is $20.00 and you bring your own stamp set to class (option if you already own the set, or you may select an alternate equal value set).  you must register by Apr 22nd in order to have the stamp sets arrive in time!

Sat 16th or Sun 17th (2-5:00 pm) - 101020 Card Class, class fee $20.00 

Tues 19th (10a-12:30pm, or 2-4:30pm or 6-8:30pm) - Big Shot Class #3, class fee $15.00 for 5 projects

Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to see you at a stamping class soon!  Stay tuned for more class projects to be shared soon!

Wow, talk about making up for a week all at once!
Rhonda

Mini purse & other sizzix items!

  Here is the little sizzix mini purse that I mentioned in my Easter sizzix class post the other day.  For the Spring Fling Event that I host for my team and fellow demonstrators we decided that we were going to bring back the "demonstrations" to our event.  The last couple events we didn't do demonstrations, and we missed it and there was so much new fun stuff to showcase!  So both Marlene (Hey Friend!!) and I each had to come up with some demos... one of my demos featured the Bag with Scallops XL die.  For this sample it uses the side panels of the die and then I made my own panel for the piece that becomes the front, bottom and back.  I also had the "clear" dies as part of my demonstration, so this combines the clear circle die with the larger scallop circle die to make the top flap portion of the purse.  In this one, the ribbon handle is mounted into the back under the scallop.  The front flap tucks under the double layered buttons on the front.

Here are some of the other demo items that I showed or had made for displays at Spring Fling. 

 

this is a white handled gift bag with a decorative panel.

It uses the textured cardstock - kiwi kiss

the top black panel was run through the texturz plate (sorry hard to see in this picutre)

the red flower was initally run through an inked texturz plate - gives great definition and also embosses the image for texture

and then it was die cut with the clear flower die

it also features the large kiwi kiss corduroy button double layered with the new 5/16" silver jumbo brad

and i was having so much fun that i made a little mini card to go with the bag...  it uses the 4pk of flowers sizzlit die - almost matches the shape exact (well close enough) and it uses the circle punches and a small silver brad to mimick the design of the bag

And these little guys are Easter treat boxes that use the Bag with Scallops die. 

The green one on the left was also run through the Curly Label XL die to create the perforated decorative window - and the scallop portion was left "up" and the yummy tag was mounted to it.  The little pink rectangular tag is from the Lots of Tags SU sizzlit 4pk.

The striped one on the right used the Curly Label XL for the window as well but I did not use the side panels, and I cut the scallop portion off.  but the tag is the punched out piece from the Curly Label XL die. 

Both use the smallest cello bag filled with speckled jelly bean eggs.

Hope you enjoy!  Go create something yourself today - even if it's a CASE, just stamp for fun!
Rhonda

Easter Sizzix Class Projects

Hi

Here are the projects that we made at my EASTER Sizzix Class a week or two ago... many of the ideas are CASE'd from Gretchen B - especially the top note chick and bunny -- way to adorable, just had to make those as soon as I saw them!  Other sizzix items used were the Distressed Texturz plate & Cherry Blossom Embosslit.  On the chick card the little egg is from the WAGON FULL OF FUN set available early from the Occ Mini catalog. An acetate pillow box treat container filled with jelly beans (pastel ones by LifeSavers) and the new litlte Easter Bunny from 8 GREAT GREETINGS (Occ Mini, but available in March for order) and the ever popular 4-mini scallop envelope box w/handle - just makes a way cute basket dont'cha think?  And I had made a different version of the little purse thing at our Spring Fling event for displays and I had seen the boxes with the top note die lids and just decided to do make the purse with the top note, clear circle die, and lg scallop circle die and the flower embosslit die.  Here's my version of the projects:

 

I used the Delicate Dots DSP from the SAB catalog, the So Saffron & Certainly Celery SAB Ribbon Bundle as well as lots of punches & lots of sizzix items!  Colors are So Saffron, Certainly Celery & Bashful Blue.

Enjoy!
Rhonda
Rhonda