Favorites from Regionals

I attended the Stampin' Up! regional convention in Minneapolis on February 12th.  I learned some cool techniques (punch frame, ribbon poker, ways to use clear stamps and blocks) and did some swapping.  I was nervous about swapping, but I loved it. 

I decided I would go through the swaps I received and pick my five favorites.  Unfortunately, not everyone put their name on theirs, so there are a couple I don't know who to give credit to.

Here are my five faves, in no particular order:


I love bright, happy colors and this one does the trick.  It makes be think spring/summer.


This one, done by Julie Frakie of New York Mills (MN), is an awesome guy card.  I tend to struggle a little bit with guy cards because I have a lot of flowers and butterflies.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to get this set and copy this card.  Nice job Julie!


This a beautiful sympathy card by Linda Flemming of Janesville (MN).  The lace and the pearl are just the right embellishments to finish it out.


This card by Peggy Weyrauch of Ray (ND) combines two of my favorite colors--Pacific Point and Early Espresso.  It is simple, yet elegant.  The embossed flowers give it wonderful dimension.  (Disclaimer--she's also my sister.  :-)


This card was simply stunning.  The background was stamped with French Filigree (my favorite background stamp) and then embossed with Elegant Lines.  The bow was created with the new petal punch.  A fabulous example of thinking outside the box. 


It was hard to pick favorites from so many wonderful swaps.  This event has given me some fabulous ideas to try, so check back soon.

Crimp my style

I love the crimper!  It is a fabulous tool for adding texture.  Sometimes when you stamp something on a blank piece of paper, you think "it needs something else, but I'm not sure what."  If you're not sure what, try running it through the crimper.  I did that with both pieces of vanilla on this card and it added just the right texture to take it to the next level of wow.