Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Bright Blossoms - Black And White With A Splash Of Red

Today I want to share a card I stamped with the Bright Blossoms Stamp Set. It's black and white with a splash of red which is one of my favorite color combos.  I used paper from the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack and paired it with black, white, and real red card stock.  


  • Stampin' Up! Designer Buttons work really well with the Bright Blossoms Stamp Set. And in this case the red makes this card pop with color and fun!
  • The Real Red 1/8 inch Taffeta Ribbon is tied in a knot on the button. Tip: To make it easy to thread the ribbon through the button holes snip the ribbon on an angle to make a point that can easily be threaded through the holes.
  • The sentiment is stamped with white craft ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. A great way to put a sentiment on black or other dark card stock. The Short and Sweet Stamp Set is retiring and is only available today and tomorrow.  It's one of my favorites.
If you missed adding the Bright Blossoms Stamp Set to your collection in April it will be available in the new 2012 - 1013 catalog on June 1.  (That's just two more days!)  I hope you are as excited as I am about the new catty.  My club members and customers are all receiving free catalogs.  Call or email me to see how you can also receive a free catalog.



Stamp Sets:  Bright Blossoms, (C125497) ( W125495), Short and Sweet (115060) - wood only)
Ink:  Basic Black (101179), White Craft Ink (101731)
Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Basic Black (121045), Real Red (102482), Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (117157)
Accessories:  Brights Designer Buttons (119747), Real Red 1/8 Taffeta Ribbon (119251), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)


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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Have You Heard The News About Stampin' Up!'s New Firm Foam Ink Pads?


With the introduction of the 2012 - 2013 catalog Stampin' Up! has made a big change in their ink pads.  They are introducing firm foam pads that will change your stamping experience for the better!  They will be available in all colors, including the In Colors on June 1.

As a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator I have been able to use the new ink pads for several weeks and I really like them.  I did have to experiment a little with them because if I inked my stamp the way I did with the old pads by thumping and turning I would end up with way too much ink.  What I found is that I needed to lighten up and use more of a gentle tap, tap. The coverage on solid stamps is amazing!

Click on the video below to hear Shannon West explain all the details about the new ink pads.


What I've learned is:
  1. The pads are much juicier and are designed to stay that way longer.
  2. You need to remember to lighten up and use a gentle tapping to ink your stamps.
  3. The pad is nice and flat and will not become wavy or have a dip in the middle.
  4. There are now labels to place on the edge of the cover.  (And a little tip - take one of the labels in another language and insert it inside the ink pad cover so you won't dip your stamp into the wrong color when you have multiple stamp pads open.)
  5. Five colors have been reformulated and it is important not to use your old re inkers on these five pads.  They are Basic Black, Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, and Tempting Turquoise.
If you have questions or feedback about the new ink pads please leave a comment.


Here's a peek at tomorrow's card - black and white with a splash of red.  Please stop by.

Only 3 days left to order from the 2011 - 2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog!  On May 31 we will say goodbye to many of the sets in this catalog.  Check the retiring lists found on the right sidebar to see if there is any items you would like to order before the deadline.  


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Monday, May 28, 2012

Scrapbooking Has Gone Digital

Maybe you don't feel you have the time for traditional scrapbooking.  Or maybe, cutting and pasting doesn't appeal to you.  Well now there's a new option...scrapbooking has gone digital including all the little embellishments that make it special.  And Stampin' Up! has a software program that makes digital scrapbooking fun, fast and easy.  It's called My Digital Studio.


Pages can be quickly created on your computer or laptop.  They can then be printed on your home printer or printed professionally as individual pages or in albums.  You can even view a scrapbook slide show on your TV. Doesn't that sound like fun?

The above "cousins" page is a quick and simple page that even a beginner can create.  And as you get to know your way around the program...the sky is the limit.  You will find that you can also create greeting cards, invitations, flyers, calendars, and much more.

I would like to invite you to test drive My Digital Studio with a 30 Day Free Trial.  Click Here, set up an online account and download the program free.  When I receive confirmation that you requested your free trial I will contact you by email to see if you have questions and to find out how I can help you get the most from your trial.

Glad you stopped by - have a wonderful day!


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Saturday, May 26, 2012

More Stampin' Up! Sneak Peak Swaps

As promised...here are the rest of the swaps from our May demonstrator meeting.  Swapping with other demos is a lot of fun.  If you are local and would like to find out more about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator I would love to take you with me to our next meeting.  I promise you will have lots of fun!

This first card was created by Monika Davis.  She used two new stamp sets - Make a Cake and Itty Bitty Banners.  After you build your cake there are different items you can top it with.  The butterflies may be my favorite...at least for today.  :)  The banners can be cut precisely with no effort using the new Bitty Banners Framelits.

I kept searching and searching to see what Designer Series Paper she used and I do believe it is actually the striped paper that comes in Patio Party. You are going to love all the new DSP this year.


This next card is a clean and simple card made by Leishman Williams.  It uses the Pennants Parade stamp set.  If you are new to Stampin' Up! I want to mention that this set can be used to make ice cream cones, Christmas trees and cute banners.  This is a very versatile set and I'm so glad it's part of the new catalog.


I'm afraid this card didn't have a name on it and I'm not absolutely sure who created it.  What I want to draw your attention to is the new shape.  It's one of the shapes in the new Apothecary Accents Framelits.  There are four completely different shapes that come in this set.  And wait until you see the stamps that go with them!  Oh...and there's my cute bird again from Betsy's Blossoms.


This last card...wow!  A 4" x 4" card made from a window sheet that LaRee embossed with the Stripes Embossing Folder.  She layered paper both inside and out.  There's another of the shapes form the Apothecary Accents Framelits and a peak at some more of the new Designer Paper.


I hope you are getting excited about placing your first order in the new Stampin' Up! catalog.  Remember the date is June 1.  If you don't have a demonstrator please allow me the privilege to work with you.  You can order from my online store 24/7 and you can email, text, or call me with any questions you may have.  I am committed to making your Stampin' Up! experience a pleasant one.

Check out the Retired Lists by clicking on the right sidebar images.  There are only 6 more days to order items that are on these lists.  Don't miss some great discounts!


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Friday, May 25, 2012

Swaps - A Reason To Become A Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

There are many reasons why I'm happy to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Things like...I've never had so much fun working.  The fact that my schedule is totally flexible.  I get to meet and become friends with so many wonderful gals that enjoy paper crafting.  Funny, some of them had no idea that they would enjoy it so much when they made their first card.  But one of my favorite reasons is the demo meetings where we get to swap cards with each other.

In my last post I showed you the card I swapped at our last PAWS meeting and promised I would show you some of the others.  So day I would like to share several of them with you.


This first card by Cindy is an adorable fancy fold card using the new Betsy's Blossoms Stamp Set that will be available for purchase on June 1 in the new Stampin' Up! Catalog.  The paper is the new Floral District Designer Series Paper.  Can you hardly wait until June 1?


Fran's card is gorgeous.  I love the Melon Mambo and black together.  She used the Apothecary Art Stamp Set that you may remember from the Occasions Mini.  The stamped image was heat embossed with black embossing powder before she did the water coloring. And the labels are cut easily with the Labels Collection Framelits.


I really like the way Lisa incorporated all the different flowers in the Bright Blossoms Stamp Set.  The Summer Smooches set is part of a "sweet" suite that we were able to purchase during the April sneak peek.  If you didn't get it then you don't have much longer to wait to add it to your repertoire - June 1!


It's fun to see how everyone comes up with different ideas for the same stamp set.  Here we have the new Betsy's Blossoms Stamp Set again but with a whole different look then the way Cindy used it.  The flower in this set is going to be great for a focal point or a background.  So versatile.  

I hope you are as excited as I am about the new Stampin' Up! Catalog. If you are one of my club members or current customers you will be receiving a free catalog from me very soon.  If you would like to become one of my customers please send me an email or give me a call and let's talk about how you can receive you're Free catalog. 

A reminder that you only have 7 days left to order from the retiring lists. The links can be found on the right sidebar.  Many of the items are at a great discount!  So check it out today and place your order right away.  Those items marked with an X are no longer available.

Stop back tomorrow to view more swaps using the products in the new catalog.  Until then have a great day!  And thanks for stopping by and allowing me to share with you.


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Monday, May 21, 2012

Such a Cute Bird in the New Betsy's Blossoms!

I mentioned in my last post that I would be getting together with other demos on Saturday for our PAWS (play a lot with stamps) meeting.  It's always such a great time of sharing.  We do make and takes, share business ideas and swap cards.  Oh...and have delicious snacks.

This month the swap theme was birthday or summer from the new catty.  I chose to do a sneak peek using two of the stamps in the new Betsy's Blossoms stamp set.  It has the cutest bird!

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  • The bird is stamped in one of the new In Colors - Midnight Muse.  And let me tell you about the new stamp pads - they are awesome!  They make such a difference with solid stamps as the coverage is amazing.  It's so crisp and clear.  
  • You'll now be able to stamp banners and easily cut them out with coordinating Framelits.  What a time saver.
  • The new catty brings with it two new gorgeous ribbons.  This is the new 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in another new in color - Gumball Green.  
Everyone will be able to order from the new 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! catalog on June 1.  Call or email me if you are interested in learning how to get a free catalog.  If you are one of my club members or have made a purchase in the last 4 months I will be getting your free catalog to you soon.

At the end of the post I will be sharing the recipe for the cake Cindy Schuster brought to the PAWS meeting Saturday...yum.  I wish I had taken a picture.  

Stamp Sets: Betsy's Blossoms (C126006) (W126004), Itty Bitty Banners (C126257) (W126255)
Ink: Midnight Muse (126860), 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (126856)
Card Stock:  Midnight Muse (126843), Whisper White (100730)
Tools: Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Stripes Folder (123128), Big Shot (113439)
Accessories (Gumball 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (126848), Pearls Basic Jewels (119247), Stampin' Dimensionsals (104430)

Cindy Schuster's Pineapple Pudding Cake
9 oz. Jiffy Yellow Cake Mix
5 oz. Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
8 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
20 oz. crushed pineapple in juice (not heavy syrup, drained
8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed
Chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Mix cake according to package directions and bake in 9 x12 pan for 15 minutes.  Make sure you mix the caked for 3 -4 minutes.
2. Make pudding according to package directions and let it sit for 5 minutes.
3  Whip cream cheese. 
4. Add whipped cream cheese to the pudding mixture and whip together for 5 minutes.
5. Spread the pudding and cream cheese mixture on the cooled cake.
6 .Put crushed pineapple on top.
7  Spread cool whip on top.
8. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts
9  Refrigerate

Best if kept cool until served.  ENJOY!

Remember!  You are now able to give My Digital Studio a test drive by downloading a 30 day free trial.  Click Here to download today.

Only 10 more days to shop from the retiring list.  They can be reached from my right sidebar.


Saturday, May 19, 2012

Sneak Peek of Papaya Collage

Papaya Collage is a beautiful new stamp set that will be available in the new 2012 - 2013 Stampin' Up! catalog.  When I first looked at the stamp set my first thought was vintage.  I like to make vintage cards here and there but those of you that know me best know me as a clean and simple stamper.  What's great about this stamp set is that you can use it either way.  So with the weather looking a lot more like summer I chose to do a CAS card that reminds me of summer.

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  • The images from the Papaya Collage are the greenery and butterflies.  I love that the new catalog has some pretty new butterflies.  I folded the one in half to make it look like it landed on the plant and drew antennas by hand with a chocolate chip marker.
  • The layered flowers were punched with the Boho  Blossoms Punch.  And the flowers are done in two of the new 2012 - 2013 In Colors - Summer Starfruit and Raspberry Ripple.
  • The sentiment is from the new stamp set Itty Bitty Banners.  The neat part - there are new framelits  to cut each of the banners. (Bitty Banners Framelits)

Stamp Sets:  Papaya Collage (C126612, W126610), Itty Bitty Banners (C126257, W126255) Both available 6/1/12
Ink:  Raspberry Ripple (126859), Gumball Green (126861) Both available 6/1/12
Markers: Chocolate Chip (100071) Purchase individually now or available only in a set on 6/1/12
Tools :  Boho Blossoms Punch (119858)  Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309) Bitty Banners Framelits Die (129267) Available 6/1/12, Big Shot (113439)
Accessories:  Basic Pearls (119247), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Glue Dots (103683), Snail Adhesive (104332) 

This card was originally going to be my swap for tonight's PAWS meeting but I decided on another card in the middle of the night. lol  Stop by tomorrow and the rest of the week to see everyone's swaps including mine.

Remember there are only 13 days to shop the retiring lists.  Products are going fast and when they are gone...they are gone!  Click the links on my right side bar to check out what's still available.  

Have a Great Stampin' Day!


Friday, May 18, 2012

Graduation, Stampin' Up! Style - Owl Punch

What a week!  Our poor Abby is not doing well.  I know those of you that come to my stamp room for club and classes all think she's a sweetheart and so do we.  I've spent a good portion of my week tending to her. They are treating her for an infection but have some suspicions that it could be an aggressive type of cancer.  I take her to the vet again today and they will decide if they feel she's improving or if they need to do a needle aspiration for a biopsy.  I will let you know how the visit goes.  It's funny how the animals in our lives become such a special part of the family. 
  
When Abby's best friend (my husband) is away she wants to be in my stamp room so she made it up the stairs and I did manage to make a graduation card this morning.  It's my version of the graduation owl.  I added a bow tie to mine in honor of a fun young man I know who loves to wear bow ties. 


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  • The Owl Builder Punch is great for making and dressing cute owls.  You can decide by the clothing and accessories whether you want a boy or girl owl.  Mine today is a true academic.
  • The cap is a 5/8" square topped with a tassel made from Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.  I cut and frayed the the ends.  
  • His glasses are the largest circles on the punch with small ear pieces cut by hand.  The bow tie was also cut by hand.
  • I used a small rectangle of copy paper for the diploma and tied it with White Baker's Twine.


Stamp Set:  Loving Thoughts (C-125845, W-125843)
Ink : Real Red (103133)
Card Stock: Night Quite Navy (100867), Basic Gray (121044), Basic Black (121045), Whisper White (100730)
Tools:  Builder Punch (118074)
Accessories: Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119261), Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon ( 119251), White Baker's Twine (124262), Tiny Piece of Copy Paper.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Stampin' Up! Bright Blossoms ThankYou

Today's card is a clean and simple card that goes together in a jiffy.  The striped designer series paper is from the Twitterpated Product Suite and it's available now and in the new catty come June 1.  I decided to use Real Red in the layers to bring out the small red stripe in the DSP.

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The stamp is the leaves from the Bright Blossoms stamp set.  If you missed purchasing it during the sneak peek last month it will be available again on June 1.  The button is from the Brights Designer Buttons and is tied with some white Baker's Twine.
The "thank you" is from the stamp set Short and Sweet.  I am so going to miss the sweet little cursive sentiments.  As I'm sure I have mentioned before it's my go to set for so many cards and occasions.  It will only be available until the end of the month...so order soon.

Have a wonderful Day!


Monday, May 14, 2012

Stampin' Up! Retiring Wish List - Treat Yourself!

Do you have a Stampin' Up! wish list?  Are many of the items on the 2012 retiring list?  Well now is the time to treat yourself!  That's right...the day after Mothers Day gift to yourself.  I love to treat myself to what I really wanted the day after a holiday.  Now remember...keep that to yourself.  I don't think my boys ever visit my blog. :)

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Today's card is my version of several cards I have seen on the web recently.  They all have used the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder which I really liked and kept.  I made my changes with the flowers using some of my favorite punches.  Some of which I am sad to say are retiring.   

The center of the middle flower uses the retiring 5-Petal Punch.  This one is going to be sadly missed by everyone.  Besides being used for flowers it is a "go to" punch for many of the punch art projects.  If you don't have it order by May 31.

The two end flowers were made using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch which is also retiring.  This is a fun punch that punches five different shapes plus what I like to call watermelon seeds. I use it often when I make different types of flowers.  It's listed at a 40% discount...Wow!

I'm happy to say that the colors used for the flowers are the In Colors that will be with us for another year.  They are Pool Party, Calypso Coral, and Lucky Limeade.  


Stamp Set: Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess Set - C122617, W122615)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908), Crumb Cake (121030)
Paper: Card Stock - Pool Party (122924), Calypso Coral (122925), Lucky Limeade (122926)
Accessories:  Designer Printed Brads (122940), Bright Brads (119740) 

Check out the Retiring Stamp List and the Retiring Accessories List and place your orders by May 31.  Remember that supplies are on a first come first serve basis and some items are already gone!  I did just check and the two punches featured in today's card are still available as of this morning.  Order now...don't wait!


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mothers Day - Stampers!

Today I would like to share the card and gift box I will be giving my mother on this very special day!

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The card is one I cased from pictures of swaps from last year's convention.  I made a box to match from the Box #2 Die that is retiring this year.  There's a pretty pair of earrings in the box, dark raspberry chocolate in the bottom package and I also have a devotional book not seen in the picture. 

I wish you all a Happy Mother's Day!  I hope yours will be a wonderful day full of happy memories!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Imagine the Possiblities - Stampin' Up!'s New In Colors

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I'm soooo excited that my Stampin' Up! shipment arrived!  It came on Tuesday but I had to be gone all day yesterday and didn't get to open the box until this morning.  The new in colors...you are going to fall in love with them.  They're hot and trendy and I couldn't wait to show them to you. Oh!, and you all know how I feel about cute birds.  Isn't he the cutest. This is from the new set Betsy's Blossoms.

The new in colors are:  Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petal, and Summer Starfruit.  Don't hey even sound like fun. :) You will be able to order these products beginning June 1, 2012.
I also want to tell you about the new foam stamp pads.  I love them!  They really do stamp clean and clearer.  The solid bird stamp looks awesome and no need to fill anything in with a blender pen.  I so much want to replace all my ink pads.  Not right away though - there are too many awesome new stamps sets on my wish list. lol 


Have you checked out the Retiring Accessories List!  Are your Stampin' Up! favorites still available?  There are great deals on select items but you need to place your order ASAP.  And that's because Accessories are Only Available While Supplies Last.  Items marked with an "X" are already gone.  

Stamps Sets on the Retiring Stamp Set List I'm sad to say Goodbye to are - Medallion, Vintage Vogue, Upsy Daisy, Inspired by Nature, Ornate Blossom, and Short and Sweet.  How about you...what are your favorites that will no longer be with us? 

Stop back tomorrow for more sneak peeks from the new 2012-2013 catalog that will be available June 1.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day!