Blowing Snow sends my Hearts A Flutter!

We're in the midst of a snowstorm here in west central Minnesota, so it's the perfect time for me to finally do some updating on my blog. My "real" job has kept me very busy the last few months, leaving me little time (or energy) to even think about stamping. Things are finally slowing down enough that I've actually had a few free weekends to re-organize my craft room, and even do some stamping! It took a while for me to find my mojo after such a long time away, but I found a lot of inspiration in the new Spring Catalog! It's also sale-a-bration (SAB) time, which means awesome products available for FREE (with a $50 order)!!

Here's a non-traditional CAS (Clean And Simple) Valentine's card, featuring products from both the Spring and SAB catalogs. I apologize for the poor picture; as you can imagine, there's not much natural light in the middle of a snowstorm, so the picture is not the best quality.

Recipe:

Stamps: Netting background, Friendly Phrases

Paper: Whisper White, Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (SAB)

Ink: Sahara Sand, Island Indigo

Accessories: Hearts a Flutter Framelit Dies & Big Shot, Occasions Paper-Piercing Pack (Spring), paper-piercing tool and mat, Large Oval punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

I just love the color combinations in the Sycamore Street DS paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry and Starfruit. I made a mask by punching an oval out of a Post-It Note, and adhered it to my white rectangle before stamping the Netting background in Sahara Sand. I then used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to help me line up the phrase exactly where I wanted to stamp it. I pierced around the oval using the Occasions Paper Piercing Pack, adhered the small pennant to the back side of the front rectangle, and then used Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere the rectangle to my card base. I then pierced around the small pennant, and applied the heart using a Dimensional. This was a quick card, and I know my sons will appreciate it because it's not red and mushy!

I've got lots more cards to share, so stop back and see me. Until then, sweet dreams!

Back from Vacation!

Yes, I'm back! Did you miss me? After being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for over 10 years, I felt I needed to take some time away from stamping this summer to get some long-overdue projects done in preparation for our youngest son's high school graduation next June. Although I'm still doing in-home workshops, my stamp club is on hiatus for a year while I concentrate on my home and family for a while.

I did manage to carve out some time for stamping, though, and am sharing a card made for a coworker's summer birthday. This card features the first stamp set that went on my wish list when I saw the new catalog...Serene Silhouettes.

Recipe
Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Whisper White
Ink: Midnight Muse, Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Paper Doily Sizzlits L, Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot, Stampin' Sponge wedges, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

Since my coworker has a camper near a lake in the summer, I knew she would appreciate this sponged sunset on the lake scene. I first masked off the top portion of the card to sponge the blue, then masked off the bottom portion to sponge in the sun and sky. Then I stamped the tree image along the sides, and along the bottom of the card stamped just the top portion of the trees to give the look of bushes. I think it turned out to be a very relaxing summer scene. What do you think?

Hope you're enjoying this beautiful Minnesota fall weather...I certainly am! Until next time, sweet dreams!

Soft Sympathy

When recently asked to create a sympathy card for a coworker whose baby girl was stillborn, I was a little unsure of what "type" of card to make. However, my stamp club had just met and we had made a wedding card (using all white) using this layout. By using pink instead and embellishing with small pearls, I hope I hit the right blend of soft sympathy that I was trying to achieve.

 

Recipe

Stamps: Bordering on Romance, Petite Pairs

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Pink Pirouette & Certainly Celery markers

Accessories: Big Shot; Elegant Bouquet & Designer Frames embossing folders; Labels Collection Framelit Dies; XL Oval punch; White taffeta ribbon; Basic Pearls; Stampin' Dimensionals; Mini Glue Dots

I found it is much better to die cut the Framelit label and then run it through the Big Shot in the Designer Frames embossing folder. I first tried it the opposite way, but the embossed dots on the Designer Frame were flattened when I ran it through to die cut the Framelit. The ribbon is just tied in a bow and attached with a glue dot.

Time to say Goodbye

Sadly, this is the time of year when we have to say "Goodbye" to the items retiring from the annual catalog, because the NEW CATALOG is coming out a month earlier this year - June 1!! It's always sad to say goodbye, but keep in mind that the retiring items are leaving in order to make room for even more new and exciting products!

So, you'll need to get the retiring items before they are gone! The retired accessories and Definitely Decorative (including Décor Elements) lists are now available and won't stay around for long--these items are only available while supplies last, and some are even discounted from 25% up to 70% off!  If you haven't completed your collection of the 2010-2012 In Color ink pads, card stock, markers, refills, or ribbon, you'll want to get them NOW.
 
When you look at the retired accessories list, you'll note that all of the Stampin' Pads are listed -  but don't let it scare you! They are listed for two reasons: (1) Craft Stampin' Pads will now only be available in black and white; and (2) Stampin' Up! is introducing a new Firm Foam pad in our Classic Stampin' Pads with the 2012-2013 annual catalog. The Firm Foam pads offer better ink coverage and, in turn, better stamped images.

Five ink colors have undergone formula changes to improve functionality and color stability with the new firm foam pads. These colors are:

• Basic Black
• Basic Gray
• Marina Mist
• Perfect Plum
• Tempting Turquoise

All five colors of the reformulated inks have been fully tested and approved. While using the new ink formula in the old Stampin’ Pads is fine, Stampin' Up! does not recommend using the old ink formula in the new firm foam pads. Any refills purchased after April 30, 2012, will contain the new formulated ink.

Some other things to note:

• Stampin' Write Markers will only be available in select individual colors, although they will still be offered in color collection assortment packs.
• 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock will no longer be offered.
• 12" x 12" Smooth Card Stock will only be available in select individual colors and color collections assortment packs.

I am SO EXCITED to see what Stampin' Up! has in store for us in the new catalog, and will have a hard time waiting until June 1st. However, I HAVE gotten a sneak peak at some of the new products, and will be sharing them with you soon!

Blossom Butterfly

Wow...I blinked, and it's already the end of April. Just a reminder that items in the Occasions Mini Catalog are only available through the end of this month, so place your orders now! Speaking of the mini catalog, here's a card that Stamp Club did last month which features the fantastic Blossom Punch and the beautiful Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper.

Recipe
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party & Soft Suede smooth CS; Whisper White textured CS; Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper (mini catalog)
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Blossom Punch (mini catalog), Scallop Trim border punch, Large Oval & Scallop Oval punches, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Antique Brad, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

Fresh Vintage Doily

I think I jinxed myself when I stated in my last post that things would slow down. Between work, the flu bug, work, the busy Lenten church season, work, and - oh yeah - stamp workshops, it's pretty obvious that I've been unable to post in the last few weeks. It's already the last week in March and Sale-A-Bration will be ending in a few short days! Yikes!

So here's a card we've been making at my workshops, which incorporates my favorite SAB set, Fresh Vintage, with my favorite Occasions Mini Catalog item, the Paper Doily die.

Recipe

Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB), Petite Pairs

Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, and Naturals Ivory card stock

Ink: Crumb Cake pad (card 1); Melon Mambo, Old Olive & Elegant Eggplant markers (card 2)

Accessories: Big Shot & Paper Doily die, Basic Pearls

You will have to experiment when using your Paper Doily die, as it may require the use of extra "shims" or layers when making your Big Shot sandwich. I found that I needed to use an extra piece of colored cardstock as a shim layer or the smaller pieces would not punch out cleanly from the doily. This could vary depending on individual Big Shots, so don't give up if your first Doily does not punch cleanly. Be patient and persevere - it's definitely worth the extra trial and error!

That's all the time I have for now, but I'll try very hard to carve out more time later this week to share some more Sale-A-Bration inspiraton! Sweet dreams!

Tea Shoppe Wishes

Just a quick post to let you know that I am still here, just very busy lately! I was asked to create some gift-type cards for a "Tea Party" at a local church, so I've been playing around with the wonderful Tea Shoppe set in the Occasions Mini Catalog. This set wasn't originally on my Wish List, but I'm glad I was asked to create something with it, as I think it is a set I will be using quite often! This is a card I made for one of Jayson's teachers, who happens to love coffee. I CASEd the layout from fellow blogger Debra Currier.

Recipe
Stamps: Tea Shoppe, Bring on the Cake

Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede & Baja Breeze CS; Attic Boutique DS paper (mini catalog)

Ink: Soft Suede

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Pennants die & Square Lattice embossing folder; Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack; 1-3/4" Circle punch; Basic Rhinestones; Stampin' Dimensionals

The three small cup images come on one piece of rubber, but I cut them apart so I could use them separately more easily; that's one of the things I love about the clear-mount stamps - you don't need to try to find extra wood to mount your stamps on if you wish to mount them differently.

That's all the time I have for right now; things should be slowing down in the next few days so I hope to be posting more regularly again. Sweet dreams!