Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Chalk-a-Holics Meeting

Last night we had a Chalk-a-Holics meeting at my house. The Chalk-a-Holics is the name of my Stampin' Up! group... and the name is sort of a play on words. Since I LOVE chocolate (who doesn't?), I wanted a name that referred to that, but I also wanted something that referred to stamping. Not too many years ago the Stampin' Pastels were simply called chalks, so hence the name.

Anyway, we usually have a few cards to make at the meetings, so I thought I would share those with you. Later on I'll share the cards that the ladies brought to swap.



Aren't these butterflies adorable? My friend Helen Owens showed these to us on Monday night. These were made with the SU! Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die and the Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. One is made with Daffodil Delight cardstock (a new color!) and the other is made with Melon Mambo cardstock. Helen had hers attached to a small Spree twist, but since I couldn't find those around right now, I just used Smarties. The butterfly is attached with Mini Glue Dots. Cute and simple!



This card was actually one that we made at my open house on Saturday. It uses a lot of new things from the new catalog! The flower is from the "Friends Never Fade" stamp set and was inked up with markers in Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, and Always Artichoke. That was stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock and layered on Cherry Cobbler CS and the corners were punched with the Small Ticket Corner punch. The congratulations is from another new stamp set - "Perfect Punches" I just LOVE the fact that Stampin' Up! makes so many sets that coordinate perfectly with our punches! Even though I love cutting things out by hand, I know that not everybody does, so this little extra touch makes it easy to make great cards quickly and easily! The punch used for the congratulations was the Modern Label Extra-Large punch. The background of the card is Sahara Sand CS run through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (another new item) and the whole thing is layered onto Very Vanilla CS for the actual card. This idea was actually copied from another card I saw somewhere - probably on the Late Night Stampers group that I'm a member of.




This card is basically the same as the one above, but I tried a few other ideas on it. On this one, I inked up the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder with Sahara Sand before running the cardstock through the Big Shot. You can see the extra depth that gives the card. I also cut out the flower with the Scallop Rectangle Clearlits (another new item) - you are going to LOVE this little die! It's clear so you can line up your stamped image, a portion of a picture, or whatever and see exactly where it's going to cut it out! I added some additional Always Artichoke cardstock layers to make it "pop" a little more. Two great cards from one idea!



The last card we made was a CASE from Gretchen Barron. (I love her blog - she has some of the best ideas!) It uses the new Builder Wheels "Posy Party", "Birthday", and "Bees & Blossoms" (in the current mini catalog but also in the new big Idea Book & Catalog). The triple cell cartridge is inked with Melon Mambo, Old Olive, and Pumpkin Pie inks. Also used on the card is "On Your Birthday", the Scallop Edge Border punch, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, and retiring Melon Mambo polka-dot ribbon. (I'm going to miss that polka-dot ribbon...) You can see Gretchen's original card HERE

Everyone also made a sampler with all the cardstock colors and we laminated them. I forgot to take a picture, but if you're interested, I can get the information to you. Then as an e-a-r-l-y birthday surprise, Dee brought me a cake! Now my birthday isn't until the end of July, but Dee thought that we might not have another meeting before then because of Convention, so she wanted to make sure that she brought me a cake! That was so sweet of her - so after we stamped, we had cake! Yum!



If you'd like to join my Chalk-a-holics group and make cards and have cake with us, we'd love to have you! Just contact me and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Until next time...

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Retiring Accessories on Sale!!

Hurry, hurry, hurry! You only have until TOMORROW June 30th to order any of the retiring stamps or accessories from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog! I just checked the accessories list and found that there were some items that have been discounted. I LOVE a good price and these are terrific prices!

So don't wait any longer - contact me no later than tomorrow to place your order. I will combine the orders if possible to save you money on S&H. You can also order yourself by going to my website at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/

There are still lots of other items available on the retiring accessories list, but these are the ones that are reduced in price. To see the entire retiring accessories list, click here then click on the "Last Chance" link.

The table reads across as this - Item Number, Page, Item Description, % reduced, Sale Price.
115672 160 Merry Moments Designer Series paper (12" x 12") 25% $ 7.46
115677 161 Cast‐A‐Spell Designer Series paper (12" x 12") 25% $ 7.46
115678 161 Tall Tales Designer Series paper (12" x 12")25% $ 7.46
115675 162 Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series paper (12" x 12") 25% $ 7.46
113992 162 Tea Party Designer Series paper (12" x 12") 25% $ 7.46
112571 178 Circle Designer brads 50% $ 2.98
112572 178 Star Designer brads 50% $ 2.98
112581 179 1/2" Library clips 50% $ 3.48
114348 179 Basic Jumbo grommets 50% $ 3.48
114349 179 Basic Small grommets 50% $ 3.48
114345 181 Basic Gray corduroy buttons 50% $ 4.98
114339 181 Chocolate Chip corduroy buttons 50% $ 4.98
116313 181 * Playground Designer buttons 50% $ 3.98
116312 181 * Sherbet Designer buttons 50% $ 3.98
109108 178 Antique Brass Build‐A‐Brad 25% $ 7.46
112583 179 * Flower Assortment Designer brads 25% $ 5.21
114301 180 Sweet Sticky Cuts 25% $ 6.71
114333 181 * Button Latte Designer buttons 25% $ 5.96
114340 181 Kraft corduroy buttons 25% $ 7.46
114342 181 Pumpkin Pie corduroy buttons 25% $ 7.46
114343 181 Summer Sun corduroy buttons 25% $ 7.46
115608 183 Real Red 3/4" polka‐dot grosgrain ribbon 50% $ 4.48
111848 182 Bashful Blue 1" double‐stitched grosgrain ribbon 25% $ 6.71
113883 182 Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon 25% $ 5.96
113882 182 Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon 25% $ 5.96
111846 182 Rose Red 1" double‐stitched grosgrain ribbon 25% $ 6.71
113699 182 So Saffron 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon 25% $ 5.96
115690 159 Treat boxes 25% $ 2.96
115122 169 Clearly Thanks printed window sheets 25% $ 4.46
115705 169 Flower Fantasy printed window sheets 25% $ 5.96
115706 169 Seasonal Pieces printed window sheets 25% $ 5.96

Monday, June 28, 2010

Open House Report

My new catalog open house was a blast! I'll have some pictures to post later on... I had a little "oops" the other night. I fell down some stone steps outside about 11:30 PM and hurt my right arm. We went to the ER yesterday to have it checked out because it HURTS! Nothing is broken, but the doctor said it could be an injured rotator cuff. Unfortunately the only way to tell is if it doesn't get better in a week or so. I hope this is just a strain because otherwise I may not get any cards made to swap at convention... Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net

Friday, June 25, 2010

Stand Up Card with Greenhouse Garden

Isn't this card GORGEOUS?!?! I can say that because I totally CASE-d it from another demonstrator. I saw this card last July and immediately fell in love with it. First of all, it uses the retiring Cottage Rose Designer Series Paper (love, love, love it!) and it uses the Greenhouse Garden stamp set (another love it item!). This is called a "stand up" card - for obvious reasons. :)

I made just a few minor changes to the original card, but basically it's the same as Vicki's. I didn't have small enough pearls for the little flowers (but that will change soon, hint, hint!), so I used some small "jewels" that I had in my stash. To keep with the "bling" theme, I used clear rhinestone brads for the center of the larger flowers. The card wasn't hard to do - the only "complicated" thing was cutting the angled layers so they all matched.

The colors are Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence (retiring), and Whisper White. All of the flowers were stamped with Perfect Plum and accented with Rich Razzleberry before being cut out. I love to cut things out by hand - I find it very therapeutic! The leaves are made with Old Olive cardstock folded in half and run through the crimper and then cut into a leaf shape. If you would like more detailed directions, see Vicki's post here.

Well, I need to get busy getting the finishing touches done for my open house tomorrow! Can't wait to see all of you who are coming! And don't forget the special offer this year - spend $35 from the new 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog during the open house hours tomorrow and get your new catalog for FREE! If you can't make it to the open house, but would like to take advantage of this offer, give me a call before 3:00 PM tomorrow and we'll work something out.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Are you coming to my new catalog open house?

For those of you on the fence about attending my open house this Saturday, June 26th (although I don't know why you would be!), this year I am offering a FREE catalog with every $35 in merchandise ordered from the new catalog!! This offer is good ONLY for orders placed at the open house on Saturday. If you can only be here for a few minutes, don't let that stop you - come on by! We'll be stamping and having lots of fun!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Origami Tie Card

I can finally track my catalogs with the UPS shipping and according to their info, my boxes of catalogs should arrive this Friday, JUST in time for my open house on Saturday! Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net Talk about cutting it close....

I know that Father's Day was last Sunday, but I'm sure there will be other times when you'll need a masculine card, right? I got the tutorial for the ties from Connie Babbert's website, her June 14, 2008, posting. (I told you that I bookmark things that I want to try later... well, sometimes that becomes MUCH later.) She has a wonderful step-by-step tutorial with pictures. You can see the tutorial HERE.

When my friends Pam and Judy were here a couple of weeks ago, we each made one of these cards. I love getting together and stamping with my friends. Too much fun!

For my card, I used the Autumn Traditions DSP (pg. 160 in the IB&C). The card base is Soft Suede cardstock (soon to be a core color!). The saying is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (pg. 145 IB&C) - definitely a versatile stamp set that will be in my collection for a long time! - stamped in Soft Suede on Naturals Ivory cardstock (pg. 159 IB&C) punched with the Word Window Punch, layered onto Ruby Red cardstock punched with the Modern Label punch, and then layered onto Elegant Eggplant cardstock that I free-hand cut around the outside. There is a strip of Soft Suede Polka-Dot Grosgrain ribbon behind the ties (I'm going to miss that polka-dot ribbon!) and we added a "tie tack" using a 5/16" Chocolate Chip Jumbo Brad (pg. 179 IB&C). I had first attached the ties with SNAIL adhesive, but found that I liked the look of the card better when the ties were popped up a bit... so after carefully peeling the ties off the card, I added Dimensionals to the back sides and re-attached them. MUCH better!

Now for my confession - I was originally going to give this to Jerry for a Father's Day card, but then I decided that he would like a card done with the Motorcycle stamp much better (one of the a la carte stamps on pg. 31 in the Summer Mini Catalog). So I put this card aside, and then promptly forgot about making another card for him for Father's Day! So he got nothing from me! However, Abby did get her dad a card with a motorcycle on the front, so he at least got one card. And no - it wasn't stamped, unfortunately Abby hasn't joined me in my stamping obsession so she goes to the store and BUYS her cards! It's just one of the disappointments in life that I have to bear... Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net

By the way, don't forget my New Catalog Open House is THIS Saturday, June 26th from 10:00 to 3:00. I'd love to see you if you can make it!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Only Ten Days Left for $99 Starter Kit Special!

I've been busy getting things re-organized in my stamp room - taking out the "old" colors and putting in the new. I LOVE the new color families! Just wait until you see them for yourself - they all coordinate so well and look so rich and luscious. Plus the new catalog has so many wonderful stamps and accessories - I don't know where to start! (I'm sort of like a kid in a candy store!)
Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net

Have you thought about joining in the fun of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? Well, there's no time like the present (and I mean that literally)! There are only 10 days left to sign up to be a demonstrator for only $99!! The kit has all of the business supplies that the regular kit has - there are just fewer sets and accessories, which is perfect for someone who is rejoining or someone who doesn't have the $199 for the regular starter kit - but this kit will has a lot of sets and accessories. Stampin' Up! also offers 30% off on your first order after you become a demonstrator; you can order anything you wish from the Sneak Peek items as well as the new colors now or you can wait until July 1st and order from the new catalog. You can place an order for yourself or gather outside orders and get even more benefits!

Plus as a demonstrator, you get lots of other benefits - a discount on everything you order from the catalogs, a wonderful monthly magazine called Stampin' Success that always has lots of ideas and inspiration, access to Stampin' Connection on the SU! website, exclusive on-line training, and so much more!

One of my favorite things about Stampin' Up! is that you can do as much or as little as you want! They do not require you to have six parties scheduled in the first two months - in fact, you don't ever have to hold a party/workshop if you don't want to! This is YOUR business to run as you see fit. You can do as much or as little as you want. Don't you wish your boss would let you do that where you work?

Mini Kit Contents:
Item Description Value
117050 Watercolor Trio stamp set (wood-mount) $22.95
118571 I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (clear-mount) $18.95
118486 Clear-Mount Block C $6.95
116978 Homemade single stamp* $8.95
100730 Whisper White card stock (8-1/2? x 11?) $8.50
119706 Brights Collection assorted card stock (8-1/2? x 11?)* $6.95
115656 Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Pad $5.95
119667 Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin’ Pad* $5.95
115658 Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin’ Pad $5.95
100814 Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin’Pad $5.95
119261 Basic Black 1/8? taffeta ribbon* $6.95
121620 Color Coach* $14.95
104332 SNAIL Adhesive $6.95

*=Sneak peek items!
This is a great time to give Stampin' Up! a try. If you have ever thought about it but were too nervous to invest a couple hundred dollars, then this is for you! For as little as $99 you can get started either saving money on your hobby or building a business doing what you love (stamping and scrapbooking)! When you join my team, you have access to many other resources to help build your business - and I am ALWAYS available by phone or e-mail if you have any questions!

I would love to have you join us on the Chalk-a-holics team! You can sign up yourself - just go to my website http://jaynestamps.stampinup.net and click Start Your Own Business and then click on Join Now. The password is Snickers. Call or e-mail me if you have any questions! Just don't wait - there's not much time left to take advantage of the $99 special!

 HAPPY STAMPING!
jayne@jaynestamps.com

Saturday, June 19, 2010

I'm still here - and fabric flowers!

I didn't fall off the face of the earth - but yesterday wasn't the best "computer day" around here. First off I was checking my e-mail yesterday afternoon when all of a sudden my monitor started "freaking out". (I don't know how else to describe it.) The screen went black, then sputtered random screen shots - it looked a lot like when our Dish TV starts losing the signal when it's really rainy or stormy. Yikes! Fortunately, I had another monitor here, so Jerry was able to hook that up for me while I went out to run errands. Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net

Then last evening when I was going to get back on the computer and get some work done, we had thunderstorms roll through. I shut my computer down about five minutes before the power went out. The power came back on, but then it went out again, and I think it did that one more time - before it stayed ON! (Yay!) But I didn't want to take any chances, so I left my computer off just to be safe.
Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net
So anyway, today the sun is out and I'm back at it. Although it's supposed to be hot, hot, hot! (Outside that is; inside I'm enjoying air-conditioned comfort - my favorite!)

But you didn't come here to read about my computer woes, did you? You came to be inspired by some great stamping, right? Well, how about this?
This beautiful card was made by my good friend Lou Ann. She is an amazing stamper and always makes gorgeous cards! I especially loved the flower, but I wasn't sure how she made it, so I asked her for directions. Here's what she shared with me:

I actually learned how to make these flowers at Jackie Bolhuis's gathering last month. Jill Olsen was there as Jackie's special guest. I don't know who deserves credit for the idea...I'm just glad they shared it with us. Let's see if I remember how it goes.
Fabric, silk, polyesther...pretty much anything flammable, scary isn't it? Using the Circles #2 die, cut fabric circles. Hold the fabric circle over a lit candle (not actually touching the flame, but close enough to catch the heat), turn the fabric so that the edge hits the heat and begins to melt. Go around each circle completely. Layer fabric pieces, holding each layer together with hot glue. Add button to center and pin back to back of fabric.
Okay Jayne, try one before you print ...to make sure I haven't missed something.

So I went to the fabric store this week (I couldn't wait) and bought about eight different kinds of fabrics. I was sooo excited to give this a try! Unfortunately, when I got home, would you believe that I don't have that Sizzix die yet? I have pretty much every other Sizzix die that Stampin' Up! has in the catalog, but I didn't get the Circles #2 die - YET! I'm placing an order later today so I'll be getting it soon. So I wasn't able to try this for myself, but this card was just too pretty not to share it with you! Here's a close-up of the flower. Beautiful, isn't it?

The rest of the card is made with the "Elements of Style" stamp set (in the current Summer Mini catalog pg. 12) stamped in Pumpkin Pie ink on Whisper White cardstock and then some of the flowers are highlighted with So Saffron ink. I love how Lou Ann did this because it shows that detailed stamps like this don't have to be totally colored in. Just a little yellow highlighting makes the flowers "pop"! She layered the white onto So Saffron CS and then Pumpkin Pie CS. The little "For You" is from the same stamp set, stamped with Pumpkin Pie ink and punched out with punches in layers - 3/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, and 1-1/4" circle punch. A strip of 5/8" satin ribbon (pg. 13 mini catty) under the flower completes the look!

Hmmm.... I wonder if Lou Ann will notice if I CASE this idea for a Convention card swap??? I suppose she might, so I guess I should come up with something on my own... I can do it, it's just so much easier when you have an already gorgeous card to copy! Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net

Thursday, June 17, 2010

New Catalog Open House!!

NEW CATALOG OPEN HOUSE!!!!
Saturday, June 26th from 10:00 to 3:00
at my house. Come see some of the new products available in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog including the new Core Colors and this year's In-Colors! Free make-n-take projects. PLEASE RSVP if you can come! (And keep your fingers crossed for me that my catalogs will BE here by then!)
Hope to see you there (or here as the case may be!) Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Black Magic Technique

I have been wanting to try this technique called "Black Magic" for quite some time. When I see something that I like on someone's blog, I will copy the link and e-mail it to myself to remind me about it. Then when I have some time, I can just go through my e-mails and see what inspires me. This has inspired me for awhile, but I finally got around to actually doing it.

The basic idea for the "Black Magic" technique is to stamp your image with Craft White ink onto a dark cardstock, heat set it to dry, and then color it in with watercolor pencils. Now, I don't know if there's a particular reason to use the watercolor pencils, but that's what I was told to use. Then you take a white gel pen and accent your images. It's really quite easy - and looks great! The picture doesn't quite do this card justice - it's even prettier in real life!

The instructions for this technique and this card layout came from Wendybell at Wickedly Wonderful Creations.
http://wickedlywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com/2010/05/beautiful-black-magic-technique.html
She has a wonderful video that shows exactly how to do this technique.

The cardstock colors used on this card are Elegant Eggplant, Ruby Red, Basic Black, and Whisper White. I also used the Eyelet Border Punch (pg. 187 IB&C) and Whisper White Organza Ribbon (pg. 183 IB&C). The stamp set is "Kind & Caring Thoughts" a Hostess Level 3 stamp set from the current Idea Book & Catalog (pg. 16 if you want to take a look).

Hope you're inspired to give this technique a try!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Last Chance Accessories

Many of the retiring accessories from Stampin' Up!'s 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog are already sold out! You may want to check the list out ASAP and see if there is anything on there that you want. If so, DON'T WAIT to order it! I was placing an order last week and between the time that I put the item number in and I went to finalize the order, that item was no longer available.

If you have ANY questions, feel free to give me a call! Go to this link to see the list as of this morning:

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryID=754

Monday, June 14, 2010

Watercolor Trio

This card uses my favorite stamp set from the 2010 Summer Mini Catalog. It's called Watercolor Trio and can be found on page 16. When you use a stamp set like this one, you can look like an artist and create beautiful cards. Believe me, when I started stamping, my cards did NOT look like this! Much of what I create now has been learned over the years - but that's the beauty of stamping! The "art" is already done for me - I just have to add ink!

The layout and idea for this card came from Deanne Oliver. She's a fellow RemARKable demonstrator who I met years ago on one of the Stampin' Up! cruises. That's one of the great things about being a demonstrator - all of the friends that you make. We may not see each other more than once a year at Convention, but that doesn't diminish our friendship at all! I love the people I've met and the friends I've made through Stampin' Up!

Anyway, onto the card. The main images were inked up using Regal Rose and Certainly Celery markers. Using markers is a great way to get more than one color on your stamp and make the image look more realistic. The leaf parts were stamped at least twice on the white cardstock - by "stamping off" like this, it gives your image more depth and interest. I layered the white cardstock onto a piece of Regal Rose that had been stamped with one image using Regal Rose ink. Some Basic Gray taffeta ribbon (pg. 183 IB&C) was added across the top and then the bow was tied (using the "bunny ears" method - remind me to show you that sometime) and glued on with a Mini Glue Dot. The saying is from the same stamp set - isn't this writing elegant? - stamped in Basic Gray on white and punched out with the Large Oval punch, then layered onto a piece of Basic Gray cardstock that had been punched with the Scallop Oval punch (pgs. 186-187 IB&C). The background Basic Gray cardstock was run through my Big Shot using the Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (Summer Mini Catalog pg. 24) and the whole thing was layered onto Whisper White cardstock.

The result is a beautiful card that you could use for any occasion. In fact, many times I leave the "saying" off of my cards until I know what I'll need a card for. That way it's pretty easy to stamp my saying and add it to my already finished card. (Shhh... don't tell my family! They think that I stamp my cards exclusively for them! Now the secret's out!) :)

I hope you have a stamping happy day!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Backpack with Sweet Always DSP


Isn't this backpack adorable? There were a lot of these being posted a year or so ago, which is when I made this one. One reason that I'm posting it now (besides the fact that I finally have a blog!) is that the Sweet Always Designer Series Paper used on it is currently on the Clearance Rack - for only $3.99 a package!!!! Of course, this is only while supplies last, but even if you don't have this paper, this backpack would look adorable with any of Stampin' Up!'s designer papers.

The base cardstock is Chocolate Chip. The accent flowers are from the Flower Fusion felt flowers (pg. 180 IB&C) with miscellaneous colored brads in the centers. The felt flowers are one of this year's "Last Chance" items and will be retiring at the end of June. The ribbon on the back for the handles is our 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon.

I got the pattern for this backpack from my friend Brandy who was gracious enough to share her instructions with me. If you would like the pattern, please contact me and I'll look it up and see if I still have it saved on my computer (and which computer it's on!). I know that I have a "hard copy" saved, so I can always re-type it if needed. If your kids are still in school (our local school still is), this would make a cute end of the year gift for their teacher. You could fill it with Hershey's Kisses or Tootsie Rolls (which is what I had in mine - before I ate them!). This would also be a great back-to-school gift for next fall. No, I'm not wishing summer away - but sometimes we need a little more time to plan our projects, right?

Friday, June 11, 2010

Pretties Kit Flowers

I had to show you one of the projects we made today. Patty Bennett had a tutorial on her blog using the Pretties Kit Flowers and showing how to cover a large brad. I didn't have any large brads, but we took her general instructions and made the flowers. This first picture is the card I made. The flower is made by taking The "Presto Patterns Specialty paper" from the Summer Mini Catalog (pg. 15) and cutting out the flower using the Stampin' Up! Birds & Blooms Sizzlet (pg. 197 in the current Idea Book & Catalog). I then took Rich Razzleberry ink and sponged it onto the flower. The Presto Patterns paper has a pattern that resists the ink, so while it starts out looking like plain white paper with a slightly shiny design, when you add ink to it, the pattern pops -- very cool! I then took my Rich Razzleberry marker and the Color Spritzer Tool (pg. 192 IB&C) and speckled two of the large white flowers from the Pretties Kit (pg. 178 IB&C). I layered all these together and attached them with a Summer Sun Corduroy Button (pg. 181 IB&C).

Then to make the card, I took Whisper White cardstock, Rich Razzleberry CS, Summer Sun CS, and Razzleberry Lemonade DSP. I ran the Rich Razzlebery CS through my Big Shot with the Finial Press Embossing Folder (pg. 195 IB&C) to give it some texture. The greeting comes from the "Watercolor Trio" stamp set (pg. 16 in the Summer mini) - I just love the greetings in this set - stamped on Whisper White cardstock in Rich Razzleberry ink. It's punched out with the large Oval Punch and then layered onto Summer Sun cardstock punch out with the Scallop Oval punch (punches on pg. 186-187 in the IB&C). The slight pattern of the DSP on the bottom gives a nice contrast to the embossed image on the top.


Here are the cards that Pam and Judy made using the same technique:

Very cool, huh? I never quite knew what to do with those large flowers in the Pretties Kit, so thanks Patty for the idea!

Finally - New Catalog and Pre-order have arrived!!!

Hurrah! What a great day! I had a couple of friends over to stamp today (Pam and Judy - hey girls!), and we had just gotten downstairs into my stamp room when Jerry brought in my boxes from the UPS man! He came early today - usually they don't get here until about 5:00 or after! So we had to take a few minutes and look through the new catalog, being sure to keep the drool off of the pages. Just wait until you see all the new.... oops... I can't tell you anything yet, can I? Now if you want to actually SEE the new catalog, you'll have to come on by and look at it with me. For one thing, it's not leaving the clutches of my hands for awhile, and the other is that Stampin' Up! has told us to not post any pictures of the new catalog or products before July 1st. Now, when I get those stamps and accessories ready and make some samples - THOSE I can show you! But not tonight. I had a long day of stamping with my friends and eating M&M's (hey, it's a rough life, but somebody's got to do it!). Plus Judy made this amazing chocolate/peanut butter/graham cracker crust/Cool Whip dessert that we had to eat. Yum! But now I have to pay my penance for playing all day and I have to get my medical transcription work done. I really want to sit down and just look through that new catalog again, but duty calls...

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Preorder is almost here!!!


According to the UPS website, my Stampin' Up! preorder items are supposed to be delivered tomorrow!!! I'm not sure I can contain myself until then... I'll be keeping an eye out for the UPS man!

New Items in Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack

Be sure to check out Stampin' Up!'s clearance rack of great products! You can save up to 60% on exclusive Stampin' Up! items!!
I just took a peek at some of the great deals and you won't believe what's available!
Crafter's Tool Kit for only $15.99 (this was originally priced at $39.95!)
Designer Series Papers (lots of designs - some of my favorites!) for only $3.99
Rub-ons (many different styles) for $4.39 - $4.79
Chipboard elements $4.99 and up
Originals ribbons for $4.99
Corduroy buttons for $3.99


Also, remember that you only have until June 30th to order any of the retiring stamp sets and accessories. So if you've had your eye on a particular stamp set, be sure to get it now while it's still available! The "Last Chance" accessories are only while supplies last - so don't wait to order those either. You can place an order by going to my website or you can contact me and I'll be happy to place the order for you.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Desktop organization

These two items are on my stamp desk, helping to keep me organized. I love being organized and sometimes I re-organize what's already organized just for the fun of it! (I know, it's a little strange...) :)

On the left is a jumbo wooden clothespin that is covered with Sweet Pea DSP* and then accented with Sweet Pea Stitched Felt flowers*, Chocolate Chip 1/4" Epoxy Brads*, and four colors of grosgrain ribbon. The bird is made using the Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch with some thin cardboard covered with DSP and then punched out. His little belly was sponged with some Pumpkin Pie ink and the rest of the bird was sponged on the outside edges with So Saffron ink to give a little depth. You will soon learn that I LOVE sponging and the effect that it gives to your projects. The item on the right is a pencil cup that I ordered on-line. It's very cool because it's designed so that you can just slip any kind of paper inside to create your own custom holder! I love these two things - they just make me smile when I look at them.

(*Sorry - these items are no longer available.)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Awash with Flowers


Are you getting excited for the new Stampin' Up! catalog?? I know I am - and my copy should be on its way to me even now! I have an order that's been shipped but the UPS tracking number doesn't give me a date on when to expect the box. That's torture to those of us waiting for our new catties!

Well, in the meantime, here's a sneak peek at a card and coordinating envelope made with one of the new stamp sets that will be available in the new catalog - Awash With Flowers, which is a 2-step stamp set.

The background cardstock is Melon Mambo - one of this year's "In Colors" that will be returning as a regular color! The images are stamped in Basic Black on Whisper White cardstock and then filled in with Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, and Tempting Turquoise. Notice the layer of black cardstock behind the main image? It's slightly longer than the white to allow enough room to tie some Melon Mambo polka-dot grosgrain ribbon and then punch the edge with the Scallop Edge punch -- both of those just add a little extra interest to the card. It's finished off with the "Happy Birthday" from the Well Scripted stamp set that was in last quarter's mini catalog. (Can you tell I really like those words? I'm still hoping that it will be in the new catalog, but if not, that stamp set will still have a permanent place in my stamp room!)

If you'd like to reserve your copy of the new 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! catalog, be sure to let me know! I'll be holding my annual new catalog open house in July (date to be determined soon) and if you let me know ahead of time that you'll be coming, you can get your catalog at a discount - or FREE if you book a party! More details on that to come...

In the meantime, happy stamping!

Monday, June 7, 2010

It's my first!

Hello and welcome to my new blog! I'm so excited to be able to share stamping and scrapbooking creations with you. I'll be posting cards, 3-D items, and whatever else happens to be in my stamp room. I'm sure at some time I'll even post pictures of my stamp room!! I hope that you'll be inspired to create some things for yourself. Feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions that I can help you with or if you want more information on something that I've posted here. So welcome - and let the posting begin!

Graduation Card


Here is the graduation card that I made for my nephew's graduation from high school.

The colors are Night of Navy and Gold (as close to his school colors as I could get). The paper on the bottom is Stampin' Up!'s new "Presto Patterns Specialty paper" (pg. 15 in the Summer Mini Catalog). The paper looks only white when you get it, but this was brayered with Night of Navy ink to get the pattern to "pop". It is SO cool to do! Like magic! The graduation images are from a retired stamp set "Tassel Time". This is one of those stamp sets that I have kept in my stash for when I need it - like now. All of the images are stamped with VersaMark ink on Night of Navy card stock, embossed with gold embossing powder, and then cut out. The graduation cap is popped up with Dimensionals but the other images are simply adhered using SNAIL adhesive. The "congratulations" is from "Well Scripted" which was a stamp set available in the last mini catalog and I hope is in the new Stampin' Up! catalog. All in all, I was pretty pleased with how it turned out - and it was actually fairly quick to make!