The Perfect Card for International Cat Day!

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Cat Birthday card created with the Spooky Cat Punch and Pick a Pennant bundleTomorrow, August 8 is International Cat Day! In honor of this day I created this cute card using the Cat punch and the Pick a Pennant bundle. Although I generally don’t do pennants, I love this Pick a Pennant bundle because of its versatility. The alphabet that comes with the stamp set is easy to use and the perfect size for the pennants. You are only limited as to what to say by the number of pennants you string on your card. Some other possibilities besides Happy Birthday are
For You
Love You
Miss You
Happy Spooks Day (using three banners)
…well you get the idea. I used the retired Spooky Cat stamp set for the cat’s face and hand drew the legs with a Basic Black marker. The background is one of the designs from the Animal Expedition Designer Series Papers. The card base is the new In Color Call Me Clover. To order the supplies I used on this card, click on the images below to be taken to their place in my online store.

Use That Designer Series Paper

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Christmas card created with Home for Christmas designer series paper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are like me, you hate to cut up those beautiful designer series papers. We tend to hoard them don’t we. Last year’s Holiday catalog had the Home for Christmas designer series paper. I positively love it and as you can see, I still have some left over. On this card, I used a strip of the red striped design down the center of the card. Another design has these adorable little Rudolph deer. While I could have used that design to cover the whole front of the card, I chose to cut out the deer and back it with a piece of cardstock punched with the Pretty Label punch (143715). The greeting is from a retired stamp set Bells and Boughs.

Christmas Card with poinsettia on front of card

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is another card using a different pattern from the Home for Christmas designer series paper. This pattern was an all-over pattern of poinsettias. I simply cut out one of the flowers and layered it over a piece of ribbon. The background was created with the new Tufted 3-D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (146335) and the greeting is from the Ready for Christmas stamp set (photopolymer – 144823),

Now that I have showed you a couple of ways to use your designer series papers, head on over to my online store and take advantage of the current special where you buy 3 packages of dsp and get a fourth one for free. This special ends July 31 so order now!

Free Stamp Pads

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Free Ink Pad Promotion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many benefits to owning your own business as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and being part of my team of demonstrators. This month, new demonstrators get their choice of a whole family of 10 colors of ink pads in addition to the other choices you make when ordering your starter kit for only $99. If you love Stampin’ Up! and have more items on your wish list than money, consider joining my team. You can determine how much money you make and how many hours you want to work and fit those hours around your family’s schedule. Contact me if you are interested but do it soon. This special ends July 31st.

 

 

What To Do When The Day Is A Scorcher

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picture of a fan, sweating sun

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When the temperatures get in the high 80’s and above everyone looks for ways to escape the heat. I have a great suggestion:  find a good fan if you don’t have air-conditioning and spend the day STAMPING! The best spot in my stamp room is right under the ceiling fan. To further take your mind off the heat’ stamp Christmas cards! If you start now, you will have all your cards made and ready to mail in early December.

The 2018 – 2019 Annual Catalog has a nice selection of Christmas stamps, designer series paper, and accessories on pgs. 92 – 103. Check them out. Some of my favorite stamps and dies from last year’s Holiday catalog are there and there is a beautiful dis-INK-tive stamp Stylish Christmas (wood – 146770, clear – 146773). Click on the numbers to go to my online store to order your stamp set.

photo of card created with Stylish Christmas stamp setindex of Stylish Christmas stamp set

 

 

 

 

 

Dis-INK-tive stamps are a new type of rubber stamp that gives dimensional shading in just one stamp. Areas of the rubber are cut deeply to hold more ink and other areas are shallowly cut to hold less ink. Sponging the ink on the stamp or using the sponge brayer yields excellent results.

My final words for you are…Be Cool…Stamp! 🙂

 

New 2018-2019 Stampin’ Up! Colors

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photo shows display of the new Stampin' Up! colorsThis past weekend I held a New Catalog Party and laid out all the new Stampin’ Up! colors on display. I get such pleasure looking at the beautiful rainbow they make although they aren’t in rainbow order in this display. It is hard to choose just one favorite color but I am really drawn to Soft Seafoam, Highland Heather, and Granny Apple Green. What is your favorite color? Leave a comment below.

This photo also shows how I store my scraps. The 8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock is stored in hanging folders, one folder for each color. I arrange them by colors, not family groups. I put the scraps in these 6″ x 8″ cellophane bags that Stampin’ Up! also sells (102210) and file them in the corresponding hanging folder. Pieces of cardstock that are larger than 6″ I cut down to 5 1/2″ for a card base.

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New Fancy Fold with Share What You Love DSP

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B.J Peters a fellow demonstrator recently shared a card with this type fun fold on the Alaska Achievers Monthly Blog Hop. I love fun folds and immediately wanted to make my own book fold card. I used her cutting and scoring directions which I share below.

The supplies for this card all come from the Share What You Love Early Release “Gotta Have It All Bundle (149526) except for the Whisper White cardstock and a retired glimmer paper. I used one of the patterns from the Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper which is currently part of the bundle but will be available June 1 to order individually. This dsp is cardstock weight and comes in a package of 24 sheets, 4 sheets of 6 double-sided designs. Four of these designs have a beautiful pearled surface to the images. I used a retired glimmer paper (probably from an Occasions catalog last year) for the Happy Birthday die-cut because the color goes so well with the Mint Macaron cardstock. I added two strips of Rich Razzleberry 1/4″ Velvet Ribbon on the spine of the card.

Inside view of the book fold cardOn the inside I stamped a greeting from the Perennial Birthday stamp set in Rich Razzleberry and one of the little flowers from that set in the corner. Here are the measurements:

cardstock for base 5 1/2″ x 7 1/4″ scored at 4 1/4″, 5″, 5 3/4″, 6 1/2″
dsp 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
inside stamping layer 3″ x 5 1/8″

photo shows how to fold the score linesFold on the score lines as shown. The piece of dsp goes in the mountain fold between the two valley folds. Adhere all the folds together with the dsp adhered in the folds as well. Contact me if you have questions. You can order the supplies I used by clicking on the links below.

 

Stampin’ Up! 2018 Color Revamp Rocks!

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photo of cards using some of the new 2018 Color Revamp colorsI am loving the new colors in the 2018 Color Revamp and the new 2018-2020 In Colors that I just couldn’t choose a favorite! I started a card by embossing the main image with the new Lovely Floral Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder which you can get this month as part of the Share What You Love Gotta Have It All Bundle (149526). Then I sponged Highland Heather ink on the raised image. It is the sixth card from the left. Then I wondered what the card would look like using other new colors. From the left the colors are: Blueberry Bushel, one of the new In Colors; Balmy Blue; Grapefruit Grove, another In Color; Lovely Lipstick, still another In Color; Gorgeous Grape; Highland Heather; and Granny Apple Green.

So…(aaack, there I go again starting a sentence with so! My husband pointed that habit out to me!) Which of these colors do you like best? Leave a comment.

12 Cards in 2 1/2Hours???

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handmade thank you cards created with a variety of dspDo you need a bunch of cards but little time to make them? Then you will want to read this post. Last night I needed to make 12 thank you cards for the MOPS group (Mothers of PreSchoolers) for today. Here’s how I did it.

  1. Since they needed to be big so lots of mothers could sign them, I used 12 full 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheets of Whisper White cardstock folded in half. I saved time this way because there was no cutting for the card base.
  2. Next I cut 12 of a variety of designer series papers to 5 1/4″ x 8 1/4″ for a layer. Stampin’ Up!’s designer series papers are so beautiful that they make the card.
  3. I did coordinate the colors of ink on the greeting to the designer series papers and stamped Thank You (a retired Watercolor Thank You stamp) 12 times. Then I cut them all out.
  4. Now was time to put the cards together. I stamped the inside greeting on all the cards first. The Stamparatus made this step a snap. I also stamped my name on the back of the cards at this time.
  5. I adhered the dsp to the card base with SNAIL adhesive and added a ribbon treatment. For most of the cards I put SNAIL adhesive on the back of the greetings and stuck the ribbon down to the SNAIL. Then added the greeting to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

And the cards were done! By doing an assembly line process for all the steps up to 5, I was able to finish all 12 cards in 2 1/2 hours.

I encourage you to stock up on these beautiful designer series papers before they retire on May 31. As you can see, they make a beautiful card with little effort. Click on the links below to order them. Unfortunately, the Delightful Daisy Designer Series papers and the Lots of Labels Framelits have already sold out. Be sure to check the retiring list frequently and get your orders in while quantities last.

 

New Colors for Stampin’ Up!

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banner for color revamp of Stampin' Up! colors

I am delighted that Stampin’ Up! renovates their colors periodically to stay current with color trends. The last change to the core colors was 2013.Check out these new colors and the In Colors.

screenshot of the new In Colors and New core colorsSome of the core colors have been moved to different color families to create greater opportunities for color combinations. The new core color families are below.

screenshot of revamped color familiesTo make room for these beautiful new colors, Stampin’ Up! had to retire some of the old ones. They also have brought back some of the favorite In Colors that are currently retired. Check them out!

screenshot of retiring Stampin' Up! colorsThe print on this screenshot is small and hard to read so click here to read the list in larger print. Then go stock up on the cardstock and reinkers of your favorite colors before they are no longer available.

Making Room for New Product

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Banner for the Retiring listThe Retirement List of Stampin’ Up! products was posted today. Check it out by clicking on the banner above. Every year, all the product that uses the retiring In Colors sell out quickly so you need to check out the list and order what you want to stock up, especially reinkers for your stamp pads soon. Here are some other things I want to point out:

  • If you have been thinking about getting the color caddy, order it now as it is retiring.
  • All the Classic ink pads are on the retiring list because Stampin’ Up! is introducing a redesigned ink pad. The lid still slides like the retiring style but all you have to do is lift the lid instead of pushing it first and then lifting it. It is so much easier! Also, an anti-foam ingredient has been added to the inks. This should reduce the amount of ink bubbles you get on your stamps.
  • Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper is retiring and being replaced with another glimmer paper. If you love the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper as much as I do, you will want to order several packages of it.
  • Most retiring items are on a ‘while inventory lasts’ basis so I recommend you check out the list now and order what you want. When an item is sold out, it will not appear in my online store. Therefore, order through my online store rather than sending me an order to avoid something selling out between the time you send me an order and I get it ordered.

Only 2 1/2 days of Sale-a-bration left!

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Birthday card created with Springtime Foils DspYou have only 2 1/2 days left to earn this free gift of Springtime Foils Specialty DSP! I absolutely love this and hope there will be more like it in the new 2018-2019 Annual Catalog. Place an order for $50 of product and you can choose a package of this DSP. The paper is heavy like the thick cardstock and all the pieces have foil on them. Place an order NOW before time runs out!

I used the striped design that has sliver foil for the background and brayered Pear Pizzazz ink to color the white spaces. The flower is from the floral design. I colored it with Stampin’ Blends and then fussy cut it out. the fussy cutting took the most time in making this card.

Here is another card I created using the dotted background and again brayering the cardstock, this time with Night of Navy ink. This card was for a Hispanic baby so I hand wrote “Hello Baby” in Spanish.

Baby card using Springtime Foils DSPTo order the supplies I used in these cards, just click on the images below to be taken to their location in my online store. If you use my March host code when you order, I’ll be sending you a small gift. Thanks!

 

Waterfront Yet Again!

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Thinking of You card using Waterfront Stamp Set I am so enthralled with the Waterfront stamp set that I can’t stop making cards with it. This time I stamped a scene and then cut it out with an oval Stitched Shapes framelit. Then I matted it with a scalloped edge Layering Ovals framelit. The greeting is from Heartfelt Blossoms, one of the free Sale-a-Bration stamp sets. How do you get a free stamp set? Order $50 or more in product during Sale-A-Bration. If you order $100, you can even choose from two more detailed items or get two $50 items Be sure to use the January Host Code when you order to get a small Thank You gift from me as well. You can download the Sale-A-Bration brochure herel

Tropical Waterfront Card

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photo of Calendar Easel Card created with Waterfront Stamp SetYesterday I shared a mountain sunset scene created with the Waterfront stamp set. Today I’m sharing one that has a tropical sunset created with the same Waterfront stamp set. Yep…it has both pine trees and palm trees in the set. I have been seeing so many, many different scenes created with this set. You really must get it for yourself. It makes you look like a wonderful artist which you are but with very little effort.

This card uses the same Soft Sky for the base but I changed up the colors of inks a bit. I used the same colors as yesterday for the sun and clouds but used Soft Sky and Pool Party for the water. I used Crumb Cake for the sandy beach and the palm trees are stamped with Wild Wasabi and Soft Suede. I added a bit of shimmer to the clouds, sun, sand and water with Clear Wink of Stella. It’s too bad that the camera didn’t pick it up.

BTW, I got the calendars from Vippies stamp company, www.vippies.com. They come in three different sizes and are self-adhesive. This is the large size and measures 3″ x 2 1/4″.

To order the supplies for this project, just click on the images below to go to my online store. Remember this is Sale-A-Bration time and for each $50 you spend in product, you get to choose one of the exclusive free Sale-a-Bration products. When you order, use the January Host Code and I’ll send you a small Thank You gift. And don’t forget for each $50 you order, you get to check off one line on my Customer Appreciation form to earn $45 in free product from me. Check this program out here.

Waterfront Sunset

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easel calendar card created with Waterfront stamp setThe secret artista in me has been released with this Waterfront stamp set! I love, love, love using the various stamps to create this water-colored look using the stamps in this set. No, I’m not really an artist, the stamps and the wonderful Stampin’ Up! inks make it look like I am an artist. Eh…maybe a stamper really is an artist, just not one who draws the images. Anyway, I’m thrilled with the results of my stamping tonight.

Since January is the beginning of a new year, I wanted to hold a class where we made an easel card with a mini calendar on it. To make an easel card, cut a piece of cardstock 4 1/4″ x 11″ and fold it in half. Then fold the front of the card in half again with a mountain fold. Glue a 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ piece of cardstock to just the section of the card front that is farthest from the center fold. Put a button, bow, or popped up label on the bottom of the inside of the card to hold the easel open. Decorate the front however you want.

For this card I used Soft Sky for the card base. Then I stamped a 3 3/4″ x 5″ piece of Whisper White cardstock with my scene using a variety of inks. I did mask the mountains when I stamped the setting sun. I used Tranquil Tide for the mountains and the pine trees. The grass was Garden Green. I used Marina Mist and Soft Sky to stamp the water and sponged Soft Sky on the sky. The sun was stamped with Tangerine Tango. The clouds were stamped with Sweet Sugarplum, Melon Mambo, and Peekaboo Peach. I also stamped some Peekaboo Peace on the water.

This layer was then adhered to a 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer of Tranquil Tide and then to the card base. I really urge you to purchase the Waterfront stamp set and release your inner artist. The stamp set also has images to make a tropical waterfront. You can purchase the supplies I used for this card by clicking on the images below to go to my online store. When you order, use the January host code and I’ll send you a small Thank You gift.

Another Stained Glass Technique Card

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handmade card created with Bird Banter stamp set and Stained Glass TechA few days ago I shared a card I made using the “Stained Glass” technique and Petal Palette stamp set. You can see it here if you missed that post. Today I am sharing a card I made with the same “Stained Glass” technique and Bird Banter stamp set.

The last time I used black embossing powder for the ‘leaded’ part of the stained glass. Then I realized that Stampin’ Up! retired that powder a couple of years ago. Oops! Not to worry though. Since it takes ink a while to dry on vellum paper, I stamped the images with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and immediately added clear embossing powder. This works pretty well.I used Fast Fuze Adhesive to adhere the birds to the card front since the Fast Fuze does not show through the vellum.

I purchased this set mainly because one of the sentiments goes like this: “A little birdie told me it was your birthday….obviously, it wasn’t an early bird!” I am a great procrastinator and my modus operandi is to get the birthday card in the mail on the day of the birthday…if I’m lucky. So that greeting will be used a lot. However, I am falling in love with the birds. Stay tuned for more of these birds on cards.

As always, you can click on the images below to be taken to their spot on the shelves of my online store if you want to create this card for yourself. Also, remember that this is Sale-A-Bration time and you get to choose a free item for each $50 of product you purchase. Be sure to use the January host code when you order and receive a thank you gift from me.