IIOTR | Presenting & Nerves

Finally - the presentation post!  This is the final post I will be making about IIOTR.  I've linked to Becky's blog at the end of this post if you would like to see more about this fun stamp camp event.

The Saturday session for Inking Idaho on the Road, is a bit of a blur to me.  At least the morning half.

When Becky first asked me to be a presenter, as part of the session, I knew I had to try.  But I warned her that public speaking terrifies me, and I might need a barf bucket nearby.  The last time I had spoken in front of a larger crowd was in my early twenties, and, quite frankly, I was practically in tears while doing so.

The first project I shared was this adorable little gift card envelope.

But I agreed, and I busily set to work figuring out what to create that I could demo for a larger group.  I finally decided on gift cards - since I'm the gift card queen in my family!

I love making gift card envelopes, and figured that I could find a way to make several things using the envelope punch board.  So I started with my standard envelope, and designed 3 other types of holders from there.

The second project was this file folder gift card holder - that holds two gift cards.

I decorated up each gift card holder in Carried Away Papers (A Sale-A-Bration exclusive item), and Used the Lift me Up Stamps, and the Up & Away thinlets to decorate the completed projects.

I spent the weeks leading up to the demonstration watching videos about public speaking, and rehearsing for my cats (they are STILL sick of gift card stuff at this point!!).  I was super anxious, and didn't sleep at all the night before.

The third gift card holder has spots for 3 gift cards, and folds up like a card.   A belly band keeps everything together.

I was the third to demonstrate that morning.  I figured as long as I didn't totally blank out when I sat in front of everyone, I'd be fine.  I started speaking, and then...

The camera watching my hands decided to go into sleep mode.  Darn Technology!  It threw me off a bit, but, as it was taking so long to reboot, we decided to keep going, and I just held the projects up for the audience until the camera restarted.

I also had a bit of trouble with the headset.  I recently cut my hair, and it kept getting in my face.  As I'd push my hair back it would get caught up in the mic.  By the end, the microphone was hanging on by the ends of my bob.  Looking back now - it was actually hilarious!  I was busy doing my best to power through, and not forget a step.

The final gift card holder, had spaces for 4 gift cards.

Thankfully, I had all the measurements and directions written out for those who attended, so they were able to get photos of how to recreate each of the projects.

After my presentation, I was able to sit back and enjoy the rest of the event.  It was great to be able to leave the anxiety behind and enjoy some time with some crafty friends.

After the presentations, Becky called me up to the stage to give me a thank you gift.  As a bonus - since I had not needed it after all - she presented me with the barf bucket.  

The whole event this year was amazing.  I heard many comments about how fun and inspiring it was, and such a great deal for what you experience.  There were so many people involved in bringing this together, and so many other wonderful displays, demonstrations, and project.  I highly encourage you to take the time to go visit Becky's blog, and see all of the wonderful images and stories she has shared about this year's Inking Idaho on the Road.

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                         

                                              

PS.  TIME IS RUNNING OUT!  Sale-A-Bration is nearly over - just a few more days to shop and earn free products.  Every $50 you spend earns you a free Sale-A-Bration item, so get your order in before it's too late! Ends March 31st.

IIOTR 2017 | My Up & Away Display: A Closer Look

When I created the balloon that I made at Christmas time, I had not yet seen the Occasions catalog, and had no idea what was coming.  Once I saw the catalog though, I knew I was going to have to recreate that balloon using the stamps and papers from the catalog, and Sale-A-Bration.  Inking Idaho on the Road happened to be the perfect "excuse" to do so!

I even got smart this time around, and took a photo to show how tall the balloon ACTUALLY is! 

Once I had the largest piece created, it was a matter of creating additional pieces that suited the display.  Some were planned, while others happened due to a random strike of inspiration while walking through a store.  For instance, when I saw the bottle below, I knew it needed a balloon floating in it. 

These rosettes were something I had planned, however, they seemed to grow a bit between my mind and the actual item...

I had known I wanted to try this lip balm card, from the first moment I had my hands on the stamp set.  The largest balloon stamp was a great fit.

As my display last year was mostly edible , I knew I needed to add some yummy elements as well.  However, don't try to eat the cupcake.  It's foam and would be rather chewy.  

The gumballs are fine though!

I also knew I wanted a banner in front of my table.  I chose to use the Lots of Labels Framelits, as I thought the rounded edge suited the rounded balloons, and offered a bit more fun to the banner shape.

And of course you have to have a few cards in the display!

The final piece in the display was the chalkboard that I put together the night before we set up.  I have used this technique before, but I don't think I have shared it.  I colored the stamps (this works best with rubber) with a chalk marker, and then quickly stamped the image onto my chalkboard.  

We had fantastic displays this year - there was so much inspiration everywhere you looked.  I was right by the door on Saturday, when the doors were opened, and was able to hear a few people's first reaction when they saw all of the displays.  THAT is the best part of creating - knowing others enjoy, and are inspired by, what you have created.

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                         

                                              

PS.  TIME IS RUNNING OUT!  Sale-A-Bration is nearly over - just one more week to shop and earn free products.  Every $50 you spend earns you a free Sale-A-Bration item, so get your order in before it's too late! Ends March 31st.

IIOTR 2017 | My Up & Away Display: A Peek

For the last few months, I've had one counter of my craft room completely COVERED in this display. (I say one counter, but by the time we had the event, my whole craft room was covered in hot air balloon chaos!)  I set the display up as I went, so that I could see everything together - and to be certain I had no "holes" in the display, while still keeping it coherent.

I started with the crates and the large balloon, knowing I wanted to add some height, and then just kept adding things - right up until the night before we went to set up!  I made the chalkboard sign at 10 pm the Wednesday night before the event, and we set up on Thursday.  My brain was just stuck in "hot air balloon" mode!

I knew I wanted to add a lot of items that were 3D and fun, and I think I accomplished that.  I really adored how the display turned out.  On Friday, I'll be giving you a closer look at the individual pieces in the display - so be sure to come back for that!

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                         

                                              

PS.  TIME IS RUNNING OUT!  Sale-A-Bration is nearly over - just a little over one more week to shop and earn free products.  Every $50 you spend earns you a free Sale-A-Bration item, so get your order in before it's too late! Ends March 31st.  

IIOTR | Swap Cards

Last year was my first year attending Inking Idaho on the Road.  It was also my first time swapping cards in a group setting.  It was definitely an interesting experience as a first timer.  Not knowing what to expect, I'd only made a couple dozen cards - I was out of cards within the first 15 minutes of the doors being opened!

This year I was a little more prepared.  I doubled the number of cards I made.  Which actually turned out to be a few too many, but I think that was more because I was in and out of the main area, where the swaps were happening, a bit - preparing for my presentation that morning.  Towards afternoon, I wandered around and distributed a few of the extra cards I had to several different crafters.

You may recognize this first design as the same layout from the thank you card I gave my friends.  I had liked that layout so much, I chose to duplicate it in this design.

The second design I created, used a slightly more soft and sweet color pallet.  I adore the Falling In Love suite and So In Love stamp set, and the script on the stamp sets in divine.

I decided that copper would be a lovely accent to the soft colors, so I added a bit in the foil paper, and heat embossing.

The two cards are different, but thanks to the use of similar elements in both (banners and stitched shapes) I thought they coordinated well, and reflected my style.

I had fun swapping again this year, and will be excited to do so again next time.

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                         

                                              

PS.  Want to earn free products?  Sale-A-Bration is nearly over!  Until March 31st, you can earn a free product with every $50 you spend - so shop and earn today, before it's too late!  

Supplies: 

The hot air balloon paper used in the first card, is an exclusive Sale-A-Bration set of papers called Carried Away.  These papers are only available through March 31st, and you can get them for FREE with your $50, or more, order.

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies	Watermelon Wonder 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Sale-A-Bration 2017
Lift Me Up Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Up & Away Thinlits Dies	Teeny Tiny Wishes Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies
Sahara Sand 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Falling In Love Designer Series Paper	Copper Foil Sheets	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Delicate White Doilies	So In Love Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder	Versamark Pad	Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad	Falling Petals Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad	Stamping Sponges
Banner Triple Punch	Embossing Buddy	Pink Heat Embossing Gun | Hobby Lobby | 506345	Clear Block D	Bone Folder	Stampin' Trimmer
X-ACTO X2008 Designer Series Precision Scissors, 5-Inch	Big Shot Platform	Big Shot	Tombow Mono Multi Glue	Scotch CAT 085 Advanced Tape Glider,Cure Pink	JVCC ATG-7502 ATG Tape [Acid Neutral]
Stampin' Dimensionals	Stampin' Mist	Stampin' Scrub

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