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Showing posts from May, 2012

Time for Some New Product!

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THe design of this card is based on a sketch challenge from Split Coast Stampers and uses a stamp set and designer series paper from the new core catalog that goes into effect tomorrow! I'm sitting on pins and needles waiting to place my first order from this catalog. Of course, that means today is the last day to order from the retiring Idea Book and Catalog... The stamp set in this catalog is my favorite hostess set, Summer Afternoon. It includes a glider style swing and a flower cart. They can be colored or used as an outline drawing, as I did for this card. I don't often stamp on dsp, but I decided it would add something to this card if I did so. Products Used: Summer Afternoon stamp set (4), W 126425, $14 Hostess; C 126427, $10 Hostess Floral District 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (12), 126919, $10.95 Daffodil Delight 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 119683, $6.95 Rich Razzleberry 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 115316, $6.95 Pool Party 8½" x 11&q

More Mocha Morning

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One of my customers gave me a few sheets of her Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper and so I am on a quest to use it for some designs. I love the way this one turned out. In fact, I love it so much, I plan to make a stack of essentially the same card, varying the greeting. This dsp lends itself to very elegant designs. Once again I embossed with black embossing powder to make the design and wording stand out, as well as to match the elegance of the black flocking on the dsp. Products Used: Elements of Style stamp set (5), W 118611, $27.95; C 120045, $19.95 Crumb Cake 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 120953, $6.95 Basic Black 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 121045, $6.95 Mocha Morning Specialty 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (12), 122366, $12.95 (retiring) VersaMark Ink Pad, 102283, $7.50 Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, 109133, $4.75

A Touch of Elegance

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I decided I should make a full-sized card that would be appropriate for a man, should the occasion arise in our Adult Bible Fellowship. This is what I came up with. Between the simplicity, the embossing and the style of bow, I think this card has a touch of elegance. The ¼" black grosgrain ribbon and the Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper are not in the new catalog, which goes into effect June 1—Friday. That's just three days from now, which means you only have two more days (three if we count the rest of today) to order from the current Idea Book and Catalog. Products Used: Thoughts & Prayers stamp set (8), W 113252, $25.95' C 127805, $18.95 Crumb Cake 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 120953, $6.95 Basic Black 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 121045, $6.95 Mocha Morning 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper (12), 122366, $12.95 (retiring) VersaMark Ink Pad, 102283, $7.50 Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, 109133 (½ ounce), 109133, $4.75

One More For Now

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Just had to share this last large card made with that beautiful Springtime Vintage designer series paper from 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog. But this time I used a stamp set, Papaya Collage, from the new core catalog going into effect June 1st. Products Used: Thoughts & Prayers stamp set (8), W 113252, $25.95; C 127805, $18.95 Papaya Collage stamp set (7), W 126610, $31.95; C 126612, $23.95 Pear Pizzazz 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 119795, $6.95 (retiring 5/31) Rose Red 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 102544, $6.95 Rose Red ¼" grosgrain ribbon (15 yards), 124322, $4.95 (retiring 5/31) Springtime Vintage dsp & adornments from discontinued 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad, 119784, $5.95 (retiring 5/31) Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad, 101778, $5.95 Rose Red Stampin' Write Marker, 100063, $3.50 2010-2012 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (5), 119801, $14.95 Large Oval Punch, 119855, $15.95

More Springtime Vintage

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Why, oh why didn't I use that beautiful paper while it was still current? Here is another large card made with last year's Springtime Vintage designer series paper. So sorry you can't still order it! Once again I colored my stamp before applying it to my Very Vanilla card stock. And I love the looks of the elegant bow below—it just finishes off this card. Products Used: Thoughts & Prayers stamp set (8), W 113252, $25.95; C 127805, $18.95 Elements of Style stamp set (5), W 118611, $27.95; C 120045, $19.95 Springtime Vintage 12" x 12" designer series paper, expired 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog Very Vanilla 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 101650, $8.50 Marina Mist 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 124279, $6.95 Marina Mist 5/8" satin ribbon, no longer available Marina Mist Stampin' Write Marker, 119679, $3.50 2010-12 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (5), 119801, $14.95 (retiring May 31) Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad 115657, $5.95

Using up the Old

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I'm on a mission to use my stored dsp! I loved the Springtime Vintage designer series paper in last year's Occasions Mini Catalog (2011) and still have most of it left. I also had a lot of strips left from a technique I taught over a year ago at one of my classes and decided to use them in this card. And because I have so much of that paper left, I decided to make an envelope using the measurements that come with the diagonal plate for our Simply Scored Scoring Tool. Yes, it includes measurements for those large cards (8½" x 5½")! I've been designing large cards to restock our supply at church. We often pass them around our ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship, aka adult Sunday school) so everyone can write a brief note to whoever is in need of prayer and encouragement. This is one of them. Products Used: Thoughts & Prayers stamp set (8), W 113252, $25.95; C 127805, $18.95 Springtime Vintage designer series paper (2011 Occasions Mini Catalog) Pear Pizzazz 8½" x 1

Same Elements, Three Ways

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Although I have always loved this sheet of Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper, I just haven't used it. In fact, it is probably the reason I bought this pack of paper to begin with. However, at my class for retiring products, one of my customers made the comment that this is the sheet she doesn't like. So I just had to take up the challenge and design a card with it, a card that led to three designs. I just love the results and hope she does, too. [Sorry my scanner doesn't always get the top and left edges of the cards, but I'm sure you get the idea.] The above card is vertical, uses Soft Suede for the frame around the flower and includes one of those untied bows made by scrunching together the two loops with a brad. The card below, however, uses a Pink Pirouette frame and the retiring Chantilly Crochet Trim. The image, however, is from the Fresh Vintage stamp set in our recent Sale-a-Bration catalog and is no longer available. I colored it with Soft Suede and Pink Pirou

Butterfly's Flight Away

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Just two colors: Very Vanilla and Marina Mist. One stamp set: the retiring Flight of the Butterfly. And one pack of retiring designer series paper: Beau Chateau, also retiring. This card is so warm and inviting! The butterflies are attached with glue dots between their wings and the wings are curled up ever so slightly, although it's hard to tell in this scanned image. Products Used: Flight of the Butterfly (10), W 111564, $31.95 (retiring) Very Vanilla 8-1/2" x 11" card stock (40), 101650, $8.50 Marina Mist 8-1/2" x 11" card stock (24), 119682, $6.95 Beau Chateau 12" x 12: designer series paper (12), 122357 (retiring) Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad, 119668, $5.95 Butterfly punch, 119848, $16.95 (retiring)

Bear Hugs!

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This cute little bear is part of the Build a Bear line that is being dropped by Stampin' Up! I've used this stamp set for a baby card and for baby thank you notes as part of a shower gift, but this one is just a sweet card for sending a note to someone special or maybe someone in need of a hug. I embossed the bear in black and then colored him and his rattle in with markers. The Peach Parfait is one of the retiring in colors and is perfect for the bear's body! When I orderd the "Just Add Cake" designer series paper, I had no idea how much I would come to love it. If you scroll through my blog, you'll find I've used it quite a bit. Such fun colors! Hard to believe, but this is one of the few cards I've designed without using the Big Shot! Products Used: Bear Hugs stamp set (4), 116966, $13.95 (retiring) Peach Parfait 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 119794, $6.95 (retiring) Whisper White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $8.50 Just Add Ca

Elegance of Elizabeth

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The Elizabeth stamp lends itself to elegance and would even work well on a vintage style card. However, I chose to keep this card very simple yet elegant. No vintage extras this time. And almost everything on this card is on the discontinued list. I have to tell you, though, that the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set will be available in clear-mount as well as wood-mount beginning June 1st. Products Used: Elizabeth stamp (1), 117120, $9.95 (retiring) Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (24), 115370, $36.95 Marina Mist 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 119682, $6.95 Bravo Burgundy 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 105123, $6.95 Whisper White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $8.50 Paisley Petals 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (12), 122367, $10.95 (retiring) Bravo Burgundy Classic Stampin' Pad, 105214, $5.95 Lace Ribbon Border punch, 122362, $19.95 (retiring)

Almost Gone

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This card is loaded with items that will no longer be available after the 31st! The textured embossing folder, the stamps, the brad, the ribbons and all the colors are going, going, gone! Note: The flower has been stamped three times in three different colors and then punched with three different punches and layered with dimensionals. I simply took my scissors to cut along the curves of the curvy verse and then let it "stream" from the flower. Products Used: Triple Treat Flower (1), W 122909, $8.95 (retiring) Curvy Verses, W 114948, $23.95 (retiring) Naturals White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 102316, $7.50 Concord Crush 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 119792, $6.95 (retiring) Concord Crush Classic Stampin' Pad, 119785, $5.95 (retiring) Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad, 119782, $5.95 (retiring) Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad, 119786 (retiring) Concord Crush ½" Stitched-Poly Ribbon (15 yds), 119266, $8.95 (retiring) Poppy Parade ½" Stit

Old and New

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Happiness Shared is another gorgeous stamp set that will no longer be available after the 31st of May. I chose to design these cards using in colors that are also leaving our catalog for good (Pear Pizzazz and Peach Parfait). The card above also uses the retiring Distressing Essentials kit. Included in the kit are: one flat stamp; 4 distressing ink spots in Tea Stain (used here), Charcoal, Mahogany, and Navy; 1 sanding block; 1 emery board; and 3 precision files. This card includes a sneak peek. The shape containing the wording is from the Apothecary Accents Framelits collection. They are a must-have from the new catalog. Such fun shapes. Although the framelits come in very nice, heavy-duty plastic envelopes, I find them much easier to store in our clear mount stamp cases lined with part of a self-adhesive magnetic sheet cut to fit. The cases are just $5.95 for four (119105). The magnetic sheets are another item being discontinued, so you may want to order them now. A package contains

Notable Farewell

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Notably Ornate stamp set and Paisley Petals designer series paper are on the list of items leaving the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog, as is the Chantilly Crochet Trim. All these items are used on this card. I fear, however, that I used the wrong ink on this card, Calypso Coral instead of Tangerine Tango. But my class attendees will use the correct color. This is another bow that is not tied: just two loops held together with a brad. S I love the soft look of this card. I hope you do, too. Products Used: Notably Ornate stamp set, W 117098, $23.95; C 120561, $17.95 (retiring) Naturals Ivory 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 101849, $7.50 Paisley Petals 12" x 12" designer series paper (12) $10.95 (retiring) Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad, 121030, $5.95 Tangerine Tango (should be) Classic Stampin' Pad, 111834, $5.95 Chantilly ½" Crochet Trim (5 yards), 118480, $6.95 (retiring) Antique Brads (20), 117273, $5.95

Free Gift on Me

Wouldn't you just love to receive a set of markers in the 5 new in colors—for free? Or an ink pad with a pack of matching card stock in the luscious Concord Crush? The Concord Crush, I fear is leaving our catalog June 1. The new in colors have such fun names as Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Summer Starfruit, and Midnight Muse. And the Concord Crush is the rich purple of—what else?—Concord Grape Juice. I love the Concord Crush and it coordinates nicely with our Wisteria Wonder, last year's in color that will still be available for another year. What's the catch? Host a workshop for me in the month of June. The first two to do so will receive one of those two items, the first one being able to choose. By the way, the markers would cost you $14.95 to order them yourself, plus shipping and tax, of course. The ink pad and card stock would cost $12.90. And June is a great month in which to host a workshop because it is the first month with the new core catalog

Crazy for Cupcakes

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I am sad to see the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set discontinued, especially because I had never thought to stamp it on dsp and cut it out in sections before. This card is actually Aly Schilling's design with some slight modifications. We will be making it at my May class featuring retiring items. Actually, this card employs three retiring items: Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set, On Your Birthday stamp set and Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series paper. The birthday set included verses for the inside of our cards and I didn't spot a replacement for that in our new catalog when I viewed it on-line. I have to admit, however, that I am tired of using those same greetings that I've had for the last two years. Products Used: On Your Birthday stamp set, 111664, $33.95 (retiring) Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set, 111618, $23.95 (retiring) Melon Mambo 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 115320, $6.95 Pretty in Pink 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 100459, $6.95 Pumpkin Pie 8½" x 11

Cover-ups

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As my blog name indicates, I love my tea! I've begun ordering wonderful bulk loose tea from culinaryteas.com. It comes in all kinds of unique flavors. At Valentine's Day, I stocked upon Chocolate Caramel Turtle, Chocolate Dipped Strawberry, Orange Chocolate, and Chocolate Raspberry Truffle teas. My latest order included flavors like Gingerbread Cream, Cardamom and a number of fruit teas. They arrive in sturdy zippered bags, but I like putting them in tins. So I took two of my empty tins (tea from Bar Harbor) and covered them with some of our designer series paper. Apple Spice tea is wrapped in Berry Blossoms dsp and Peach Bliss tea is wrapped in Peach Parfait from the 2010-2012 In Color Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack. Our all purpose glue, along with sticky strip on top edge, work perfectly for adhering the paper to the cans. As I write this post, I am sipping Wild Blackberry tea. I'm just waiting for another empty tin to cover. By the way, the 2-3/8" Scallop Ci

Stuffed Owl Pillows

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My daughter has decorated her 3½-month-old's bedroom with a forest friends theme and asked me if I would make something for the room. I had made a quilt (much earlier post) for Kyah, now 2½ years old, but this is more what Meredith had in mind for Karis. I was originally planning to make just one owl, but I had enough of the Spice Cake Designer Fabric to make another one, just switching the main fabrics. That fabric was in the Holiday Mini Catalog but was carried over and will continue to be available in the new core catalog for the coming year. The Spice Cake Designer Buttons used for the owls' eyes, however, are not carried over or available for future purchase. The orange fabric used for the beaks was from the local fabric store. When I made the pattern for these little guys, I essentially copied the Owl Builder punch, although a picture of an owl made by another demonstrator, Anne Eicher, and published in our December 2011 Stampin' Success magazine (available to demon

Under the Stars Birthday Card

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Yesterday, my grandson, Christian, turned 14. I still find it hard to believe my grandsons are getting so old! And they both tower over me, even though I'm not petite! Do you know how hard it is to come up with cards that are fun for a teenage boy, yet not childish? I think I succeeded with this card, however. The bear and the grrrreat! stamps are from the retiring Under the Stars stamp set, so you must hurry to purchase it before June 1st. The star was cut using the Stars #2 die, which is also being discontinued. Since that is an "accessory", you can only order that while supplies last. So hop on my demonstrator website to see if it's still available and place your order ASAP! Oh, the Pear Pizzazz card stock (the card is Pear Pizzazz, although the scanner doesn't show the upper and left edges), ribbon and glimmer brad are also available only while supplies last since they are 2010-2012 in color items. The bear is embossed with black embossing powder to make it ea

Forever Young

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I love the Forever Young stamp set and haven't used it anywhere near as much as I'd like to. I'm thankful it is not one of the sets being discontinued in the new catalog. However, the Peach Parfait card stock and dsp that I used for this card will no longer be available after May 31st, if the supplies last that long. I had actually been trying to figure out how to hold in place the edgelit die in place along the edge of this piece of cardstock, but ended up with it too far in for the design I was working on. [The dies are being carried over from the Occasions Mini Catalog.] I did learn the secret, however: removable Scotch tape. But I like the way this turned out with the addition of some designer paper from the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, a pad of 40 double-sided sheets, 12" x 12", in all the 2010-2012 In Colors. Products Used: Forever Young stamp set (5), W 122570, $25.95; C 122572, $18.95 Peach Parfait 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 119794, $6.9

Cherish Friendship

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The Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Series Paper had so many fun prints! I can't believe I took so long to come up with ideas to use it. I'm just sad it will no longer be available because the Occasions Mini Catalog has expired. However, I'm trusting there will be more dsp with cherries on it in the new core catalog coming out June 1st. The Cherish Friendship stamp set will continue to be available during the coming year. Along with the bowl of cherries is a chair with a basket of flowers and a goose. The verse says, "Friends are kind to each other's hopes and cherish each other's dreams." I just might send this to a friend I don't see much anymore because of her job. We had lunch together last week and I really enjoyed that brief visit. Products Used: Cherish Friendship stamp set (4), W 122880, $17.95; C 122882, $13.95 Calypso Coral 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 122925, $6.95 Lucky Limeade 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 122926, $6.95 Whispe