For the Newlyweds

It is SO hot and humid here in west central Minnesota that I've been stuck inside most of the weekend. With the heat index up in the 100's, nobody should be outside unless they absolutely have to. Even though I have a lot of yard work to do, I haven't minded being inside as it's given me a chance to play with some of my new stuff!

I mentioned in my last post that I had been the pianist at my nephew Dan's wedding last weekend to his beautiful Sami. The newlyweds have been on their honeymoon this last week in northern Minnesota, and once they get their stuff packed up Sami will be moving out to Montana, where Dan has been living and working as an electrician for the last year. I wanted to send them something in the mail to their place in Montana as a kind of "welcome home," especially for Sami, who will be moving far from where she grew up for the first time in her life.

The colors they chose for their wedding were gray and bright yellow. When I first heard that, I thought "What kind of a color combo is that?" I have to admit it looked very nice, with the girls in their dark gray dresses carrying yellow flowers, and the guys in their gray tuxes with yellow ties. I used those colors in my newlywed card which features a new stamp set, Occasions Alphabet, that I earned for free as part of Sale-A-Bration! I can see myself getting a lot of use out of this set, as the 26 letters of the alphabet are paired with such great little sayings. I also used the oval frame from the new Designer Frames embossing folder set - love those two new mini folders!! I tried to keep it clean and simple, as that is Sami’s style.

Recipe

Stamps: Occasions Alphabet

Paper: Basic Gray textured, Daffodil Delight & Whisper White cardstock

Ink: Basic Gray

Accessories: Big Shot, Designer Frames & Elegant Bouquet embossing folders, 2"x1-3/8" XL oval punch, Basic Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

I hope this gives Sami a little lift in case she's feeling a little lonely in her new home. Gosh, I have to find out when her birthday is so I can make sure to get her on my list. Come to think of it, I don't think I even have their mailing address yet! Better go and give my sister a call so I can get this in the mail tomorrow. Good night, sleep tight, and sweet dreams!

Watered Melon!

Gosh, it's been a long time since I've been here! The last few weeks have been busy, what with the Independence Day holiday and then my nephew's wedding the following weekend. I was honored to be the pianist at the wedding, so of course that meant a lot of practice time last week. It was a beautiful wedding, and although the temperature was in the 90's and the reception hall wasn't air conditioned, the beverages were cold and the memories priceless!

A lot of experiementation was involved in the making of this card, and it seemed like it took FOREVER to finish. I dyed the Stampin' Up! Organza ribbon by dipping it in a mix of water and Melon Mambo ink refill; that was a lot of trial and error before I was finally satisfied with the result. Then I experimented with using a long length of cardstock punched out with a border punch and clipping it in order to "bend" it around the outer edge of the oval centerpiece. It's not perfect, but I'm rather pleased with how it turned out. I also made myself open up and finally use the Vintage Trinkets that I've been hoarding for a while now!

Recipe

Stamps: Simply Soft (hostess), Petite Pairs

Paper: Basic Gray textured and Whisper White CS, Neutrals Patterns Designer Series paper stack
Ink: VersaMark, Melon Mambo ink refill, Old Olive & Daffodil Delight markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Originals Ovals die, Scallop Trim border punch, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" circle punches, 1/16" circle handheld punch, Vintage Trinkets, Organza ribbon, Black embossing powder, Neutrals Watercolor Wonder crayons, Aquapainter

I stamped the flower image in VersaMark, sprinkled the embossing powder on and heat set it. I colored the flower petals with the Aquapainter using the dye that I used on the ribbon. I ended up coloring outside the lines, which is why I added the gray "shadows" around the flowers hoping to camoflauge my mistake! (Unfortunately, you can see it if you look close.) The stems and leaves were colored with marker, and there IS Daffodil Delight in the flower stamens (is that what they're called??) Anyway, hope you like my Watered Melon experiment!

It's HERE!!

The new Idea Book & Catalog 2011-2012 is now available! Click on the link on the right to view this beautiful catalog in all its' glory...I'm sure you'll soon be drooling over all the exciting new products and accessories!

 

JOIN THE FUN!!

Stampin' Up's Starter Kit is offered starting today at just $99!! (Valued at $180) If you have ever considered becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, now is the time to begin and start saving! On your very first order of $150 or more (placed within 45 days of sign-up) you will receive a 30% discount. After that, your discount is always 20% and you get to order during premiere periods ahead of customer availability.

Here is what the Starter Kit Contains: (You MAY substitute a similar item of equal or lesser value)

1. Easy Events Clear-Mount Set - *NEW* (123225)
2. Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set - *NEW* (122740)
3. Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad - (102277)
4. Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad - (105216)
5. Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad - (103133)
6. Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad - (101179)
7. Brights 8-1/2 x 11" Assorted Card Stock (119706)
8. Whisper White Note Cards (Qty. 20) - (107311)
9. Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper - *NEW* (124339)
10. Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon - *NEW* (124142)
11. Blender Pen (Qty. 1) - (122129)
12. Clear-Mount Block C - (118486)
13. Snail Adhesive - (104332)

You also receive business supplies including: Getting Started DVD & Guide, Guest Invitation Postcards, 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog (Qty. 8), Stampin' Up! vinyl logo, Decor Elements applicator and MORE!

 

Plus, join in July and get a FREE Christmas Keepsake project kit--a $40 value! Imagine an afternoon spent chatting with friends while creating something beautiful--isn't that what Stampin' Up! is all about? But act now because this special kit is only available as part of this limited-time offer. As an added bonus, first-time demonstrators can get two free months of Demonstrator Business Web Services (DBWS) when they sign up during their first 21 days as a demonstrator. Subscribing to DBWS means having your own online store, blog, hostess portal, and much more!

Join Stampin' Up! in July and get brand-new products, including an exclusive project kit--all for just $99! Download the starter paperwork now!  Click here to go to my Stampin' Up! website and get started by clicking the "Join The Fun" tab at the top of the page!

Wonder What's New?

The new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog 2011-2012 goes live tomorrow, and I am so excited! My Wish List is already WAY too long because there's so many stamp sets and accessories that I'm dying to get. I'm especially excited about the new ribbon choices and the many colors they're available in! Now comes the hard part, though...whittling my list down to the point where I won't have to get a second job to pay for everything!

This card features one of the new hostess sets, Simply Soft. Stampin' Up! has changed their hostess program up a bit; now you earn hostess dollars based on the total of your workshop, and there are specially-priced hostess sets that you can spend your dollars on. If you don't like any of the hostess sets, you can use your dollars on anything else in the catalog instead. For example, a workshop total of $400 will earn you $65 in hostess dollars, plus you can get a full-price item at 50% off! This new system offers more options for the hostess, and you won't be limited to choosing a Level 1, 2 or 3 set anymore.

I am also using one of the new In Colors, Wisteria Wonder. I love, love, love this new color! If you were a fan of the retired Almost Amethyst like I was, this new color is just a shade darker, and as you can see, it coordinates beautifully with Elegant Eggplant.

Recipe

Stamps: Simply Soft, Fabulous Phrases

Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, and Whisper White cardstock

Ink: Elegant Eggplant & Wisteria Wonder stamp pads, Lucky Limeade marker

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Scallop Circle & Clear Circle Bigz dies, Scallop Oval & Large Oval punches, wire clip, Organza ribbon, Basic Pearl, Stampin' Dimensionals

I experimented with a different ribbon treatment on this card, and I really like how it turned out. I first slid the clip on the left side of the scallop greeting, leaving it hanging off the side a bit. Then I tied a somewhat loose double knot in the ribbon, keeping it poufed out a bit, and then threaded the long end through the clip and attached it with adhesive on the back left side of the scallop circle. Then I adhered the scallop greeting to the card front with dimensionals, making sure the ribbon was stretched fairly tight from the left. What do you think?

Retired x 2

This is one of those projects that didn't turn out at all close to what it started out to be! Does that ever happen to you? My son hadn't gotten a Father's Day card for his dad, so I of course offered to make him one. The trouble is, my husband Butch has gotten so many homemade cards over the years that it's hard to come up with something that will still impress him! I used the Happy Father's Day greeting from the set All Holiday, which is retiring at the end of this month. "Perfect," I thought, "to use a retired stamp set for a card for a retired guy!" 

So I went through my trusty binder of card sketches, and thought that SC332 might work. Then I started going through my patterned papers, hoping that a color scheme might jump out at me. A half-hour later I was still waiting for inspiration to strike, and out of desperation just chose to use Basic Gray as a starting point since my husband has gray hair. Real technical, huh? I didn't like any of the color combos suggested by the Color Coach, so chose to use Night of Navy and Cherry Cobbler because I thought they both looked good with the gray. With the hard part done, I thought the card would come together like a breeze. Wrong! First the size of the stamp didn't work with the sketch, so I scrapped that and ended up with this! Once I got the papers cut and adhered, and the image stamped and layered and popped on, I found I had another problem: how to fill up the rest of the space! I happened to have some silver stars still lying around from my graduation cards, so I cut some more out of the navy and cobbler and scattered them around.

The funny thing is, this card must have been fated to turn out this way! On Sunday when my husband opened his present from Jayson, I had to laugh when I saw that it was a red, white & blue patriotic-themed fleece throw that Jayson had made in school. The card coordinated perfectly with the throw, and Dad loved them both!

Recipe

Stamps: All Holidays (retiring this month!)

Paper: Basic Gray, Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White & Brushed Silver cardstock; Night of Navy and Cherry Cobbler patterned paper (Regals Collection)

Ink: Night of Navy & Cherry Cobbler markers

Accessories: Stars #2 Original Die, Big Shot, silver brad, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Isn't the throw just gorgeous? Butch is actually planning to hang it on the wall where he can admire it all the time. Jayson did a fantastic job!

4 You...Purseonally!

Since I haven't had enough free time lately to create new stuff, and I'm waiting on pins and needles for my new catalog preorder to arrive, I thought I'd post some of my "old" favorites. This card is for you, LaRayne! She loves purses, and when she saw this she requested that we make it at Stamp Club. Unfortunately it just never fit into any of my themes, so I'll share it here.

Recipe

Stamps: Tiny Tags
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla cardstock; Sending Love Specialty Designer Series paper (retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder; Top Note bigz die; Big Shot; Jewelry Tag, 1-3/4" & 1-3/8" circle, and 1-3/4"x7/8" oval punches; Paper Piercing Tool; Gold brad; Stampin' Dimensionals; white thread

This is SO easy to make! First I ran a couple quarter sheets of Choc. Chip cardstock through the Big Shot in the embossing folder. Then I ran one of the embossed pieces through the Big Shot using the Top Note die, and then cut that in half to create the purse. I used the oval punch for the purse clasp, cutting about 1/4 off, and then punched a hole with the Paper Piercing Tool and inserted the brad to create the clasp closure. The clasp is popped up with Dimensionals. The purse handle was made with the circle punches, first punching the smaller circle out of the embossed cardstock, then centering that in the bigger circle and punching it out, and finally adhering it behind the purse. I then stamped the "4 You" on the vanilla cardstock, punched it out with the Jewelry Tag punch, pierced a hole and tied it to the handle with plain old sewing thread. Easy Peasy Purse!

Hope you enjoy the rest of the week; hopefully I will see you again in a few days! Sweet dreams!

Sparkling Strength

Sorry I missed posting last Friday, but real life has intruded into my stamping life! I've got a big landscaping project to finish, so I'll be working on that whenever weather permits, and we've finally been having a run of beautiful days in which to work outside. We also do a lot of camping on summer weekends, so unfortunately my stamping time looks to be very limited for a while. I'm going to try to fit in as much as I can, but this is fair warning to all of you that I may not be able to post every Tuesday and Friday. Sorry!

Anyway, here is another card featuring the wonderful Strength & Hope set in the Summer Mini Catalog. I made this for a classmate of mine who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She has started an experimental chemotherapy treatment which seems to be working, and has lost almost all her hair. She was prepared for it, but as a cosmetologist the loss has been extremely hard for her. She's always had a bright and sparkling personality, so I wanted the card to reflect that! She's also been through this battle before, as her mother died - but her sisters are all survivors - of breast cancer. Through that she has developed strength to face this, and I hope this card will remind her of that. I took mega pictures trying to capture the sparkle of this card, but even the best picture doesn't capture how much it sparkles in real life.

Recipe

Stamps: Strength & Hope

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Concord Crush and Very Vanilla cardstock; Lap of Luxury Designer Series paper

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Concord Crush

Accessories: Paper Snips, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Two-Way Glue Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig, tweezers

I stamped the cirlicue image in Pretty in Pink ink on the Pretty in Pink cardstock outer border; it may be hard to see in the picture. I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the word image multiple times on the vanilla piece. I trimmed the butterfly, applied glue to the spots I wanted to sparkle, and then sprinkled it with glitter. I keep tweezers next to my stamping space as they come in handy for so many things, like placing the rhinestones and picking up hard-to-handle things like the trimmed butterfly. Oh, and the layout is SC331 from the Wednesday Card Sketch Challenge on splitcoaststampers.com.

Well, that's it for tonight. Remember that June is the last chance to order the retiring products; you can click on the Last Chance link on my page to see what's still available. Many of the items are available at reduced prices of 25% to 40% off, so order now!