Stampin' Your 1 Million Out-Rachel Tessman, You Had Me at Hi!

 

Hello all, today I'm participating in a Blog Hop to celebrate the amazing accomplishment of Rachel Tessman reaching $1 Million in sales for Stampin Up!  This is a huge milestone to celebrate!  Woo-hoo! As a downline member of her team, I'm sharing with you one of the many projects she's inspired me to create ever since I first "met" her. 

Rachel had me at "Hi Everyone"!   I first watched the video of her showing how to think outside the box, or "Hack" the Sale-a-bration Kerchief Kit!  If you've ever seen Rachel in action, you just know that she's going to challenge the status quo and come up with multiple ways to make cards beyond the standard directions.  This is one of the many characteristics I love about her as a devoted Stampin' Up Demonstrator and all around paper crafting genius of 21 years.

And now, moving on to my project!  I am inspired to share because of Rachel's talent, a project that would showcase her love of Designer Series Paper (of course).  I haven't known her all that long, but I do know how much she loves the beautiful papers designed by Stampin' Up.  

She ALWAYS inspires:

• finding the most amazing ways to showcase the stunning color combinations 
• bringing out the best features of the paper
• enticing crafters to add the stunning paper to a shopping list

Ever since the new Stampin Up annual catalog launched, Rachel expressed to us all, how in love she's been with the Expressions in Ink, so I took a piece from that DSP and started creating with it inspired by this post, "5 Different Cards from One Fold".  I have made several cards using this technique she shared and will share those on Saturday.

For the card, size up a favorite  5.25 X 12 piece of Designer Series Paper and score it at 2 inches, 5 inches and 8 inches.  Fold it back and forth (like an acordion).  Be sure to determine the best space and direction for your card prior to cutting the paper.  Pick other coordinating cardstock that matches with the DSP.

So to celebrate Rachel's Milestone of 1 Million, here is the card I designed:

I first started by choosing the paper and then sentiment.  To stamp just the right words, I masked off several parts of each sentiment banner and stamped "Hooray" "One" "Million" "For You"  I had to add corner accents using floral embellishment.

I then added an embossed layer of gold to the front of the card to bring out the gold flecks and layering in the DSP.

Next, I added butterflies from the Butterfly Brilliance collection of dies cut out of the same DSP.  I wanted to make them subtle yet noticeable-their own piece of art, in honor of how much Rachel loves butterflies.

I then added the congrats banner with congrats sentiment from the Hydrangea Hill stamp set and the scalloped edge die from color and contour to cut the DSP to give the scalloped edge look before decorating and attaching card stock pieces.  I finished off by adding the "Genial Gems".  I hope you like the card and enjoy learning a bit more about how Rachel inspires me almost daily to "Stamp my Art Out".  I'm so proud to celebrate with our team of demos!  Special thanks to Vy Tran for organizing our hop and Kayla Cory for designing the graphics!  You ladies are truly amazing.

I love singing your praises Rachel.  CONGRATULATIONS!  My heart is so grateful for you.  You had me at "Hi, I'm Rachel Tessman"!  

Our Blog Hop Stops:

Vy Tran

Mackenzie Grimme

Nancy and Kayla

Susan Campfield

JoAnn Pollock

Nicole Mahler

Kristie Strum

Amy Rudd (you are here)