Monday, September 2, 2013

Best of Brides & Babies-Happy Anniversary

Hello!  It's time to share another Best Of card with you.  This last Saturday was my "stampaversary" so I thought it was appropriate to share an anniversary card with you.  Can you believe it was 11 years ago that I became a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator...by far one of the best decisions I ever made (and I honestly made it in a snap!).


This card was one of the ones my girls made at my Best Of Brides & Babies class a while back.  I love those little birds holding the heart...so cute!  The birds were stamped on watercolor paper and then colored with Stampin' Write Markers.  I love coloring with markers on watercolor paper because you don't get those lines where the color overlaps like you do on regular cardstock.

Don't forget to check out my Events Page so you can see when the next Best of Class is happening.  Your fee includes the stamp set and supplies to make 3-4 projects with it!  I would love to have you and your friends join the fun!

Head on over to my online store with the shopping list so you can order everything you need to create this card at home.

Have an inspired day!






Shopping List
 
Stamps:  Best of Brides and Babies
Ink:  Stampin' Write Markers (Early Espresso, Real Red, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede)
Paper:  Old Olive, Real Red, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Watercolor Paper
Embellishments:  Real Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools:  Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, Decorative Label punch, Paper Piercer, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack
Other:  Stampin' Dimensionals, staple

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Peek-A-Boo Birthday

I think it's time for another video, what do you think?  It just so happens that I have a super fun project with a video to share with you today!

At Convention a few weeks ago, Shelli demoed projects that move and one really stuck out to me.  She did one that uses the Peek-A-Boo Frames die and used it in an unconventional way.  How many of you have the Peek-A-Boo Frames die collecting dust on your shelf?  I know mine was pretty dusty when I got home and went to make this card!!!!!

Check it out...


And, here it is open....


Isn't it fun!  I love interactive cards like this one.  Who wouldn't want to receive a fun birthday card like this one!!!  And, I really love this color combination...Smoky Slate, Island Indigo and Crushed Curry. 

Now, rather then me trying to type out how to do this card, it's much easier for you to watch.  So, enjoy the tutorial video and then go dust off your Peek-A-Boo Frames die and make a few cards like this!


So, what did you think?  Leave me a comment and let me know if you give this card a try!

Head on over to my online store with the shopping list to order everything you need to make this card in the comfort of your own home!  Don't forget to use the August hostess code 9S2F9VJ2 (on the shopping cart screen...bottom left) so you get entered in a draw for a free embossing folder of your choice!

 Have an inspired day!






Shopping List
 
Stamps:  Petite Pairs, Birthday Candles Jumbo Wheel
Ink:  Smoky Slate, Island Indigo & Crushed Curry markers
Cardstock:  Smoky Slate, Island Indigo, Crushed Curry, Whisper White
Embellishments:  Chevron Ribbon (Crushed Curry), Baker's Twine (Island Indigo), Epic Day Washi Tape
Tools:  Big Shot, Peek-a-Boo Frames die, Oval Punch
Other:  Stampin' Sponges

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Hi, Hello, Howdy....

Say what you want with Personalized Stamps!  Although they are shown mostly with addresses in the catalog, you can get our Personalized Stamps with anything you want on them!


This particular stamp is one I won during prize patrol at Convention!  It's one of my favorite personalized stamps this year...the Casual Monogram Personalized Name stamps.  You can get any letter of the alphabet on the top line and then whatever you want on the bottom 3 lines.  I love how this one is an H and the other lines have lots of ways to say hello!  So cute!

Anything that you want to avoid having to write over and over again is perfect for a personalized stamp.  Here are some ideas for you:
  • kids names (my kids have stamps with their names on them so they can stamp valentines, etc)
  • addresses
  • favorite quotes or sayings
  • favorite Bible verse
  • your web address
  • a "follow me" stamp...your website, your FB page, your Pinterest
  • "For Deposit Only"
  • a special stamp for the back of your projects (handmade by...)
When ordering personalized stamps, remember that there is character limits per line, so just make sure you don't go over those limits when planning your stamp.  I can give you more info or you can find in in our Annual Catalog!


I love the rustic Natural Trim ribbon and Linen Thread combined with a sophisticated Vintage Faceted Button.  It's kind of a mish mash look that works so nicely...especially with these colors.  Lovin' the Coastal Cabana and Soft Suede together!

You will want to contact me for information about ordering your own personalized stamp and for everything else head on over to my online store with the shopping list so you can order what you need to create this card!

Have an inspired day!






Shopping List
 
Stamps:  Casual Monogram Personalized Stamp, Flower Shop
Ink:  Soft Suede ink pad, Stampin' Write Markers (Soft Suede, Coastal Cabana)
Paper:  Soft Suede, Very Vanilla & Coastal Cabana cardstock
Embellishments:  Vintage Faceted Buttons, Linen Thread, Natural Trim Ribbon
Tools:  Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, Chalk Talk Framelits
Other: Stampin' Dimensionals

Friday, August 9, 2013

Coastal, Coastal Cabannnnnaaaaaa.....

You have to sing my title in your head to the tune of Copa Cabana!  It's what goes through my head whenever I reach for my Coastal Cabana ink pad...which is a lot because I'm finding I am LOVING this new In Color!  It's a beautiful color that is both soft and striking...yes, that is possible!!!!  It reminds me of the color of the Caribbean when you're looking down at it from an airplane.  And, really, who doesn't love a color that makes you sing when you use it!!!!


Waaaay back in June when I did my new catalog kick off party, this was one of my make & takes.  I wanted something simple and cute that showcased one of the new in colors, and I think this card did just that!  It's a super simple monochromatic card that would work for lots of different occasions just by changing out the sentiment.  You could even change the color if...gasp...you aren't feeling the Coastal Cabana love like I am!

Don't forget to head on over to my online store with the shopping list to get all the supplies you need to create this card at home!

Have an inspired day!





Shopping List
 
Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Coastal Cabana*
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Coastal Cabana*
Embellishments:  Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon
 
*You could order the 2013-2015 In Color Cardstock and Ink Pad bundle and make these cards in all the new In Colors!  It's a great way to get all the new In Colors...all 5 ink pads and some of each color cardstock.  Priced at $36.95, it's like getting the cardstock FREE!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Birthday Basics Candles

I can't believe that in less than a month my kiddos will be back in school!   Shhhh...don't tell anyone, but I'm a little excited!  The days when all 5 of my day home kids are here combined with my own 3 kids it gets a little crazy and exhausting around here!!!!  I also thrive on routine and although I love the first few weeks of lazy summer days when we just do whatever, I start longing for the routine of school days by August.

Anyhoo...I'm sure you stopped in today to see some stampin, so lets get on with it, right!  I'm sharing my second swap card from convention with you today.  I always do 2 different swap cards at SU events for a couple reasons.  First, I get bored doing lots of the same card and second, lots of times it's nice to be able to swap 2 for 2 with someone if they have 2 fabulous cards!


My card was super simple, but super fun!  And, I actually had 2 versions of it...but I totally forgot to take a picture of the other version.  It had the birthday hat paper on it and was done with Island Indigo rather than Raspberry Ripple.


You can see I did a layer of the DSP matted with cardstock and then embellished with some fun little banners.  The stamped banner is popped up with some Stampin' Dimensionals.  To get two colors on one image, I used my Stampin' Write Markers rather than an ink pad.

This card is super simple and doesn't require a whole lot of supplies.  Head on over to my online store with the shopping list to order the supplies you need to create this card today!  If you use the hostess code 9S2F9VJ2 and place your order before August 30, you will be entered in a draw for an embossing folder of your choice!

Have an inspired day!





 
Cardstock:  Smoky Slate, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White
DSP:  Birthday Basics
Stamps:  Sketched Birthday
Ink:  Stampin' Write Markers (Raspberry Ripple, Smoky Slate)
Tools:  Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits
Other:  Stampin' Dimensionals


Monday, August 5, 2013

Best of Brides & Babies...Christmas Card?

When the Best of Brides and Babies set came out in May, I immediately thought the bells would be perfect on a Christmas card.  Here's what I came up with...


I went with untraditional Christmas colors for this one...Island Indigo and Smoky Slate.  All the stamping is done on Shimmery White cardstock.  Wow...it's been a REALLY long time since I pulled that cardstock out (so long that I had to check the catalog to make sure it hadn't retired!).  You can't really see it in the picture, but IRL it has a pretty and subtle shimmer to it. 

One set of bells is matted on Smoky Slate, embellished with some super fun mini silver brads and then popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

First Christmas card of the year and I love it!  What do you think?

Remember, the Best Of sets are released on the first of each month.  For every 6 that you collect, you can choose a stamp set valued at $17.95 for free!  The sets will be available until next March and you have until next April to redeem your free set(s).  You can find all the info on the Best Of sets in my online store or by clicking the Best Of tab at the top of this page.

Have an inspired day!





Thursday, August 1, 2013

Papillion Potpourri Prettiness!



A long time ago one of the girls in my downline, Cheryl, taught me a super awesome trick for coloring butterflies...specifically the two very detailed butterflies in the Papillion Potpourri set that have coordinating punches.  Ever since then, every time I need a butterfly I turn to one of those two and color them with this technique.  The technique is simple and involves sponge daubers and ink before you punch.  At the end of this post I have a video for you showing you how to do it!

Recently I made a really pretty butterfly card for my convention swaps...and got lots of compliments on the butterfly!


The card itself is a pretty simple one layer card.  I did a little tone on tone stamping on the background of the card for a subtle look.  The crumb cake layer was embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder...still one of my favorite embossing folders...and I rubbed ink over it for a kind of burlap look.  I added some luscious Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon and a few more cardstock elements before the butterfly was added.


See that chevron pattern stamped on the oval?  It's the large oval from the Oh, Hello set stamped and then punched smaller.  I love that chevron oval and find that I pull it out a LOT for easy small backgrounds.  And, that thank you.  Be still my heart...I LOVE that font!  This is quite possibly my favorite thank you stamp in the entire catalog...at least for now!!!!!  ;)

Let's get on with that video so you can see how to make beautifully blended butterflies for your projects!


Now, go forth and make butterflies people!!!!!

Remember, everything I used to make this card can be found in my online store.  Head on over there with the shopping list (at the bottom of this post) so you can order everything you need to create this card in your stamping space.

Have an inspired day!






Shopping List
 
Stamp Sets:  Papillion Potpourri, Oh Hello, Lots of Thanks
Ink:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry
Cardstock:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
Embellishments:  Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon
Big Shot:  Square Lattice embossing Folder
Punches:  Elegant Butterfly, Oval
Stampin' Dimensionals
Sponge Daubers
Stampin' Sponges

August news for Stampin' Up!

Hey Lisa....what's going on?!?!?!  August is a busy month in Stampin' Up! world!  There are new products, a new catalog, new classes and I have loads of fun ideas to share!


Today the new Holiday Happiness catalog is live!  You can order all your holiday products starting today...and, let me tell you there is some FUN stuff in this catalog.  Head over to my online store to get festive!


You're going to FLIP over this new product!  I'm so excited to introduce Thinlits to you!  These fantastic new dies cut and emboss to make flip cards easy!  There are two sets to choose from and each comes with an assortment of companion dies (including words and shapes).
 
Circle Thinlits  Item #133480  $40.95
 
Label Thinlits  Item #133479  $40.95
 
And, check out this quick video to see how they work!
 
 
Love it!  I can't wait for mine to come!
 
August 1 means there's a new Best Of stamp set!  This month it's Best of Halloween and it's so fun!  I can't wait for the class featuring this set in September!
 
 
 
And, finally, I've been adding classes!  Please check out the Events Tab or my Calendar to see what I have going on!  Contact me to register for any of my events....I can't wait to see you and your friends at some classes this fall!
 
I will be back tonight with some stamping for you.  Have an inspired day!
 
 



Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Downline Gifts

At Convention each year I like to have a little something to give to my downline, and this year was no different!  In fact, I think this year was my favorite downline gifts!


I found some really pretty fabric at one of my local fabric stores.  It had Costal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar and Early Espresso colors in it and I fell in love!!!!  So, I designed and stamped a note book around the fabric and also made everyone a lanyard for their name tags.


And, I had a cup made for each member of my downline attending convention.  It had an ink splatter with our team name and then their names on the back.  Everyone's ink splatter was in a different color.  It was so fun to give them out!



You can't tell in the picture, but the black that the names were done in had some sparkle to it!

And, I will leave you with some photos of convention this year.  It was almost 6000 demonstrators around the world under one roof celebrating Stampin' Up!'s 25th anniversary, making friends, catching up with old friends and learning about stamping.  It was a blast...and exhausting...but super fun!


Some of the highlights were:
  • being part of an official world record
  • participating in the service project...making birthday kits for sick kids who spend their birthday in the hospital
  • the thought bubbles in the recognition room (I could have played with those all day!)
  • talking with Shelli (and she commented on my cute shoes that day!)
  • sliding down the railing after my team's group picture...cause that's how we roll!
  • dropping off dozens of cards in the RMHC basket to donate to families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses in Canada and the US...and meeting Ronald!
  • seeing my stamping friends
  • my travel buddies (we had a blast on our road trip and laughed so hard I cried waaay too many times).
  • walking across the stage for being a demonstrator for 10 years
  • seeing not 1, but 2 of my cards on the display boards
It was an inspiring, rewarding and fun week.  Join my team and you can come with us to Convention next year!  I can't wait to go to Leadership conference in Houston in January!

That's all for today.  I will be back tomorrow with some stamping to share.  Have an inspired day!






Monday, July 29, 2013

Best of Greetings

Have you started your collection of Stampin' Up!'s Best Of stamp sets yet?  In celebration of their anniversary each month a new stamp set is released with some of the most popular images from the last 25 years.  The June set was Best of Greetings and included 8 sentiments.  My Best of Greetings class participants made 8 note cards...one for each of the stamps in the set!


I did 4 layouts and they did 2 cards for each layout.  Here's a closer look at them.





And, there you have it!  All 8 super simple cards!

The Best Of sets are released on the 1st of each month and will all be available until March of 2014.  For every 6 sets you purchase, Stampin' Up! will give you a set of your choice valued at $17.95 or less and you have until next April to redeem those sets!  Just remember to put the "25" sticker from the stamp label sheet in each set on the special card.  All the info on these sets can be found in my online store or on the Best Of page (see the tab at the top of my blog...just under the header). 

Have an inspired day!






Sunday, July 28, 2013

Strawberry Slush...one of our yummy new In Colors!


The new catalog is officially here...full of loads of new stamps and accessories and the highly anticipated new set of In Colors!  So, let me introduce you to one of the "new kids", Strawberry Slush...and, yes, it looks as yummy as it sounds!



I paired Strawberry Slush with Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White for this card for a really fresh and bright look.  The happy birthday stamp image is from the new Label Love set and I used the new Artisan Label punch too!

Have an inspired day!






Thursday, July 25, 2013

Birthday Basics Pop-Up Presents Card



Yesterday I shared my birthday frame with you and today I have a super fun matching card to share with you!  This card was inspired by fellow demonstrators Lisa Young and Rose Coleman!


The card itself it pretty simple and straight forward.  A little embossing, some simple stamping and a touch of DSP (the Birthday Basics DSP!).  The magic happens on the inside of this card!  Have a look!


Isn't it fantastic!  The stack of presents pops up and is a super fun surprise for the recipient of the card!


I just love it!  And, the pop-up part could really be anything...a birthday cake or wedding cake, a sand castle...the possibilities are endless!

It looks like it would be complicated, but it's actually really easy.  Here are some measurements and then there's a video for you to see how it comes together.  Remember that the solid lines indicate cutting lines and the dotted ones indicate scoring lines.  The measurements are for the pop-up insert for the card and it's made to fit on a standard quarter-fold card base (4 1/4 x 5 1/2).



And, now, the video!


Remember, until the end of the month DSP is buy 3 get one FREE!  You can find all the details on this special in my online store.  But, before you head to my online store, grab the shopping list so you can order everything you need to create this card at home!

Shopping List
Cardstock-Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla, In Color (2013-2015)
DSP-Birthday Basics
Ink-Bermuda Bay
Stamps-Sketched Birthday
Big Shot-Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Chalk Talk Framelits
Ribbon-Bermuda Bay Taffeta
Stampin' Trimmer (and scoring blade)
Adhesive-SNAIL, Tombow, Stampin' Dimensionals and Glue Dots

Have an inspired day!





Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Birthday Basics Frame

Wow!  Has it really been almost 2 months since I posted?  It's crazy how life flies by when you have a lot going on.  I was smart before Kevin had his surgery and set up quite a few posts, but then it was one thing after the other, my posts ran out and well, family came first so my blog (and a lot of other things) were neglected.  I am happy to say that after some scary moments (coming home to an ambulance in front of my house and quite a few hours in the ER), Kevin is doing well and recovering nicely.  Each day he is able to do more and more for himself which means I can get back to my beloved stamp room and creating!  It will still be a long time before things are back to "normal" at our house, but I see improvement everyday and I'm getting my stamping mojo back!

So, cheers to this being the start of consistent blogging and lets kick it off with a fun birthday project (because I just got back from the biggest birthday bash...Stampin' Up!'s convention celebrating their 25th anniversary!).

This is a project my clubs did last month.  I love, love, love the Birthday Basics designer paper in the catalog right now and I thought this was a great project to use it.


I found some inexpensive plain wood frames at my local big box craft store.  They are PERFECT for altering with fun Stampin' Up! product!  As you can see, I did mine with the balloon paper, but my club members got to choose their paper from the pack so they were all different!  I traced my frame onto the DSP and then cut it to fit.  The DSP is mod-podged to the frame.  To clean up the edges, I sanded it and then sponged it.

Everyone did a little banner embellishment for their frames with cardstock that matched their paper and the coordinating Hearts A Flutter stamp set and framelits.


Here's a little tip about making banners like this.  All the pieces are stuck on the frame (and to each other) with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Then, I tied two little bows...one for each end...and glued them on.  So, it looks like it's strung on a piece of Baker's Twine, but really it's not!

And, to finish off the frames, we added some ribbon around the outside edge.


The In Color Stitched Satin Ribbon fit perfectly around the edge of the frame and matched the colors in the DSP.  Perfect!

Until the end of July, when you order 3 packs of DSP you will get 1 FREE!  You can find all the details about this special on my website here.

And, as always, you can shop for all the stampin' supplies needed to create this project at home in my online store!  Head on over there with the shopping list and place your order today!

Make sure you stop back tomorrow to see the coordinating card (and a video) that goes with this fun frame.  Have an inspired day!






Shopping List
Birthday Basics Designer Series Paper
2012-2014 In Color Cardstock
Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon
2012-2014 In Color Ink Pads
Stampin' Sponges
Whisper White Baker's Twine
Hearts A Flutter stamp set
Hearts A Flutter Framelits
Basic Rhinestones
Fabulous Phrases stamp set
Stampin' Dimensionals
Bermuda Bay ink and cardstock