Wanted!

I love this Wanted set and this Outlaw Designer Paper! When the new catalog came out last July, I saw this set but I had to wait until the end of of the month to get it... because it was one of the sets we were given for attending the Stampin' Up! Convention in Denver! Wanted is in the new Spring-Summer Catalog 2008 also, but sadly the Outlaw Designer Paper has been retired. HOWEVER, Stampin' Up! has two new Designer Papers in the "BoHo West" Style in the new catalog that are lucious, so I'm happy! : ) Yeah, Stampin' Up!

I made this card last month for a Friendship/Valentine swap with an online group. I used Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel and Sage Shadow cardstock, Outlaw Designer Paper, Cocoa grosgrain ribbon, Distresser tool from the Cutter kit, the Corner and Scallop Punches, the Sanded background stamp, Crafters Tool Kit (hole punching tools), sponge, large Pewter eyelet, Chocolate Chip Craft Ink, and Clear Embossing Powder.

The "Priceless" stamp is from the Priceless stamp set and "friend" is from Everyday Flexible Phrases.

Thanks for stopping by!

Merry Christmas to All!

I read this thought-provoking quote and wanted to share it with my friends.

“For each of you may this be a merry Christmas. But more importantly, I wish for each of you a time, perhaps only an hour, spent in silent meditation and quiet reflection on the wonder and the majesty of this the Son of God. Our joy at this season is because He came into the world. The peace that comes from Him, His infinite love which each of us may feel, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for that which He freely gave us at so great a cost to Himself- these are of the true essence of Christmas.”- Gordon B. Hinckley

and one more....

"I like that Christmas that fulfills my needs ... to be forgiven from greed and selfishness, to fill my empty soul with peace and compassion, for hope and faith and charity, for myself renewed and hope restored in an erring world."- Robert D. Wigert

May the Spirit of Christmas remain in our hearts all year long,
Margaret

Two Punch Cards

Can you believe this flower is made with the Tag Punches?!! I couldn't! Nor could I figure it out when I was told that they were used to make it! It's one of those things you have to see to understand. : ) (at least for me!)

Leslie Bumgarner brought this project for our Stamp Therapy Day. I had seen a picture of one so I was tickled that she chose this for us to do as I could absolutely not see the Tag Punches in this. The petals are made with SU Cardstock Vellum and Whisper White cardstock; the new Snowflake punch is used for the flower center and the punchout is then covered with Liquid Glue and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. The cardstock is Bashful Blue wheeled in the same. Bashful Blue grosgrain ribbon accented with white completes the card. Isn't this flower stunning!



This card was sent to me by an online friend, Marjie Shulsinger from Denver, CO. In addition to stamping, Marjie enjoys quilting and it is reflected in this intriguing card creation! She punched the color pieces with the smaller of the two punches on the Corner Punch and adhered them on 1 1/2" squares of cardstock. She also used the new Star Punch, the 3/4" Circle punch and the Word Window Punch plus the Wanted stamp set. All products ©Stampin' Up!

I borrowed Marjie's inspiration and took this as my project for our Stamp Therapy Day; however we used different colors to make ours. Thanks, Marjie, for the inspiration!

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! May you and your loved ones be blessed as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!
~Margaret

Santa Popcorn Package!

Is this cute or what!?! We made this project for our Stamp Therapy day; what a great little thinking of you gift! A package of microwave popcorn is hidden beneath the Real Red and Whisper White cardstock.

Wrap a piece of Real Red cardstock around the popcorn package then in the center front add a piece of white cardstock torn on both edges. Add a second piece of white cardstock the same length as the red one, torn on only one edge, around the bottom of the red and secure in the back. The 3/4" wide belt uses Stampin' Up!'s largest square punch, 1 3/8", on the silver metallic cardstock and the 3/4" square to punch the center black cardstock piece. The gold buttons are stamped with a stamp from the Little Pieces set using Encore gold metallic ink on black cardstock, then punched out with the 1/2" circle punch and adhered with foam Dimensionals to pop them up.

What a great way to package a treat for someone! And they are QUICK and EASY, which is quite a plus this time of year. Thanks, Connie, for a great project for us to make!

If you wish to order any of the supplies for this project, please email me at funstampin @ cox.net (remove spaces) and I'll be glad to help you! You can also order online at my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website here: http://margaret.stampinup.net and click on the "SHOP NOW" button.

Stay warm! Hope we are all remembering the Reason for the Season as we go about our Christmas preparation activities! : )

"Dashing"-Covered Chocolate Bars/Gift Cards!

Aren't these just adorable?!! This project was brought for us by Gayle Enouen. The fat little snowman is from the Merry and Bright set which was in the Holiday mini catalog and the paper is "Dashing" designer paper which retires Dec. 31. What a great idea... an edible gift card presentation! Hmmm, eat the chocolate first or spend the gift card? eat? spend?....

Here's mine; Wish I had bought that little Merry and Bright set! It's just so cute AND useful!!

Gayle also brought us another cute little project to make; she was working on a bunch of these herself so she was generous to share them with us! Using the Scallop Punch and 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle punches and various stamps that coordinate with them, she was making little ornaments or treats using York Peppermint Patties©. The hanger is Stampin' Up!'s silver cord and it's all stuck to the pattie wrappers with Mini Glue Dots! (gotta' love those Glue Dots!)

Dashing Designer Paper Cones

This was the first project we demonstrators did at our "stamp therapy" day, and was shared with us by Jann McCollom. These pretty little cones will hold holiday greenery, treats or small gifts. You can decorate them any way you wish; we used large circle punchies cut in half to make the scallop trim. All of ours are shown in the top picture (with Jann's first sample of Charbon designer paper on the left). A close-up of mine is below. I LOVE this Designer Paper and sad to see it retire! : ( We decorated them with a stamp punched out with the Scallop punch and centered with a 3/4" circle punchie of Purely Pomegranate cardstock. Jann, what a great project! Thanks!

Hello Again!

It's been so long since I've posted! On Aug. 30, my husband had a near-fatal stroke so I have been totally immersed in his care. He is now in out-patient rehabilitation therapy and is making progress, Praise God! Many of you knew and prayed for him (and me) and I am forever grateful for God's mercy and grace and for your prayers. Let me say again, Thank You!

We had just moved to a different house in the same city but hadn't completed the move, so I have also been working on that, with lots of help from friends. Of course, I haven't stamped since August until last week when my sweet group of fellow Stampin' Up! demos had a "stamp therapy" day for us, including lunch! How could I refuse that offer?! It was such a blessing to be with the girls again and they brought wonderful projects to make... it was so good to chat, stamp, eat, stamp... Thanks, ladies!! : ) It was great therapy for me! : ) I'll be posting the projects we made that day; they were fab! What talented and generous ladies!

I'm almost finished at the other house and we are to close on it soon so that will be done. Thanks to my friends/customers who've given me orders, I've been able to remain an active demonstrator, and I look forward to getting back to stamping with you, having classes and workshops and having some fun stampin'! It really is good therapy! : )

Love Notes & Three For You Punch Box!

I took some pictures during the demonstrations at Convention earlier this month that I want to share with you today. These items all feature the Love Notes and Three For You Punch Box (except the last one) that comprise the current August Special from Stampin' Up! These notes were shown on the stage and on the overhead screens... I took pictures of the screens and they turned out very clear (except when I didn't hold the camera still) : )

These pictures are so up-close that you can see the elegant texture of the cardstock. It is enough texture to give depth and richness to the cardstock and yet receive the stamped image perfectly!

All images and products © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007.

This design utilizes both the "negative" and the "positive" punch outs, and the stamp "just for you" behind the punch outs. The dotted design is one of the stamps that comes in the punch box set.

Notice the use of the new large 5 Petal Flower Punch, 1" Circle Punch and new Corner Rounder punch (row of scallops) in addition to the Three For You flower punch! Stamp set is Sweet Thing on pg. 79 of the Fall/Winter Collection.

This stamp is from the Punch Pals set on pg. 43 of the Fall/Winter Collection. I love how Stampin' Up! designs multiple sets to fit in our punches!

This Love Note doesn't have the Three For You Punch Box flowers on it but I thought it was so attractive I wanted to share it with you anyway! You'll recognize the flowers punched using the new scallop circle punch and also the five point flower from the Spring Bouquet punch. The Rose Red flower was first stamped with the large flower from the Looks Like Spring set before punching out with the scallop punch.

Have a great day and stamp a little love for someone!

Margaret

In the Spotlight!!

This is one of the swaps I did for the "SURubberArtScans" (an online sharing group) Swap at the Stampin' Up! Convention in Denver the last of July-Aug.2. Because the fold is at the top, it's called a tent card. The card itself is square but it will be mailed in a standard quarter-sheet sized envelope. This leaves room for the focal image to extend beyond the top of the card for a different and unique look.


The new In the Spotlight Hostess set is used for this card and the really cool thing is that two of our wonderful new paper punches coordinate with this set: the Scallop Circle and the Five Petal Flower! How fun is that (not to mention easy!!) I also used the 3/4" circle punch for the smaller circles. A strip of the attractive new Designer Paper, Cutie Pie (very appropriate name!) pulls the whole color scheme together. (Actually I started with the paper for my color scheme). If you would like to earn this great set for free, book a workshop asap!

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Stampin' Up!'s special for the month of August is the Three For You Punch Box! I received a number of lovely swaps made with this set at the Stampin' Up! Convention two weeks ago and want to share them with you!

The first one above uses the Zoofari set for the main image and then little white punched flowers (which were first stamped with the triple flower from the 9 pc. stamp set included in the Punch Box then punched out). These cute little flowers were then mounted with pink brads to the Designer Striped Paper on the left. Isn't this just adorable?!! Made by Bobbie Ganley of San Antonio TX.

Tempting Turquoise and Black flowers form a grid on this card which is layered on the Turquoise dotted paper from Petals & Paisleys Designer Paper. A dab of white from the Signo Gel Pen in the center and black gingham ribbon are the finishing touches!

Isn't this ladybug just the cleverest thing?!! It is made with the larger circle punches, a little twine for antennas and Pick a Petal wings! The "grass" is Celery Designer Paper and the row of Purely Pomegranate flowers was stamped then punched with the Three for You Punch! Pretty E-Z and Oh-So Impressive!! Made by Claudia Perry of Georgia. (The open punch box is partially seen in the background.)

Close to Cocoa and So Saffron Designer Paper for the background for this whimsical little bouquet of posies in Real Red, stamped then punched out with the Three For You Punch! The words at the lower right are also in the punch box stamp set; they were punched out with the Word Window Punch for a quick and easy greeting! Real Red grosgrain ribbon ties it all together! By Barbara Dondero of N.J.

The next card is a similar design but is a tent card. Rhonda Beadell used the new In Color© Purely Pomegranate cardstock teamed with Certainly Celery for this perky little card with the words "just for you" at the bottom. Sweet!

The Three For You Punch Box contains these items: the lever Three-Flower Punch, the coordinating 9 piece stamp set, three Classic Ink Spots (1"x 1" ink pads) in Certainly Celery, Purely Pomegranate and Basic Black, all contained in a nifty metal storage box with a "window" in the top! When you order it before Aug. 31, you also receive a FREE set ($12.95 value) of thirty Love Notes, 3x3" pre-folded cards in Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron-- all such beautifully yummy colors! With 30 envelopes! Use these for quick cards, gift enclosures or other papercrafting projects! Click here for more information: http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/8600.asp and call your Stampin' Up! demonstrator to order.

Thanks for dropping by! Hope you enjoy these swaps and they inspire you to stamp!

Garden Whimsey

This is a beautiful card I received in one of my swap groups at the SU Convention this past week in Denver:
The card was made by Nancy Kuhfuss of Rochester NY. She used Garden Whimsey, Polka Dot and Hugs and Wishes (greeting) sets. I love the combination of our new Basic Gray cardstock and inks with Pretty in Pink! So Cool, and so retro (think 1950's pink and charcoal!) Nancy used Pretty in Pink grosgrain and Black Gingham Ribbon and Silver embossing on the greeting to embellish her card. It is so eyecatching! (although my scanner seems to have washed out the color a little). Thanks, Nancy for a great swap!

Pastels Challenge - mine

I just arrived back from the fabulous Stampin' Up! Covention in Denver this afternoon!! It was so much fun and very informative plus each demonstrator received THREE NEW GREAT STAMP SETS!! I had the opportunity to meet new and renew acquaintances with many demonstrator friends from all over the USA and Canada too! I'm eager to share what I learned with my friends and customers--there were LOTS of great ideas shared!!

A few weeks ago I posted a card I had received from a Pastels Challenge on an online group. This is the card I made to send to my swap partner, made with Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, White cardstocks and Rose Red Designer Paper. The white layer was stamped in Versamark with the large swirl stamp from Baroque Motifs then various colors of Stampin' Up! Pastel chalks were brushed on with a cotton ball. The Ticket Corner punch was used on the corners of the white to enhance the look.

The Baroque Motifs medallion was stamped on Pretty in Pink cs with Rose Red ink then cut out and layered on with Stamping Dimensionals. One of SU's new ICE Rhinestone Brads in the center of the medallion adds some fun bling! Completing the card is a tie of new 5/8" Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon; I'm really enjoying having a new width of ribbon in addition to the 1/4" width that I like and have used so much!

We demos did a good bit of swapping card samples at convention, and this set, Baroque Motifs, was the most popular set used on the swaps I received! I do love it! It is fun to stamp with and come out with a beautiful result! If you come to any of my events, you'll have the opportunity to see these swaps! (and probably use this set too!) : )

Have a happy weekend and thanks for visiting!

Baroque and BoHo

This is one of the swaps I posted in the "group" picture yesterday. Baroque Motifs is the gorgeous new stamp set (can you tell I love it?) combined with two new In Colors© Groovy Guava and Purely Pomegranate, as well as Taken with Teal. The new In Colors© are just beautiful! It's easy to make an elegant statement with a card made using the Baroque Motifs set which is a part of the Tapestry group in the new Style Watch section of the catalog.
WooHoo!! The Bronc Buster is making an appearance! This set is also part of the new Style Watch section of the Fall/Winter Collection 07 titled "BoHo West". It is basically western with some touches of bohemian added; it reminds me of the style elements of historic homes and clothing I've seen in the western part of the United States from the 1800's...western with a little Victorian vintage edge to it! I'm lovin' it! : ) On this card you'll see several new Stampin' Up!© products: new Photo Corner Punch; the Outlaw Designer papers (corner punch); new Star punch; Bronc Buster stamp set of course; and the NEW 5/8" grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip (under the horseshoe/star emblem punched out with the Key punch). There is a nice selection of new colors in this wider grosgrain! The small star is from the set Starstruck which was new last year, and just fits in the Star punch perfectly!

We are going to have so much fun using all these new goodies!! : )

Wishing you a good weekend!

Swaps, swaps...

Here is a picture of some of the swaps I've done for the Stampin' Up! convention. These are for an online group and I had to do two different cards, 27 each, plus some small "3-D" (not cards) swaps.

This is a close-up of the 3-D swap, which is actually a gift card holder that looks like a little purse. It is made using the 5-in-1 Card Cover template as a pattern. I know many of you have this template from a class we did last fall, so here is another great use for it!

I used that wonderful new Uptown Designer Paper and the stitched Wasabi grosgrain ribbon. It is SO pretty!

Inside view:

Click on the picture to see a larger picture and you can see the list of supplies I used for this project.

I'm not through moving yet but had to take some time to stamp for Convention which begins on Monday! : )

Hope you are doing well. I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Hello from mover-ville!

Hello!

We've moved into our new (to us) home and I'm still unpacking boxes. I'm so sorry to have been MIA for so long, but this moving thing has been quite overwhelming! I now have telephone, cable and internet access again too! Neither my phone nor email changed so you can still contact me the same as always.

The new Fall and Winter Collection (aka catalog) is out and it is a beauty! I can't wait for you to see it, and all the great new stamps and products for us to enjoy! So many great stamps, accessories and tools to play with and make cards, scrapbook pages and items for our family and friends and those with whom we wish to keep in contact! You'll love it too!

If you wish to get one, please let me know. You can also see the Collection online at http://www.stampinup.com/ but it's much more fun to have your own copy in your hot little hands! : )

I just received my first order from the new Collection yesterday! New ribbons and stamps and inks, OH MY!! : ) Now, for time to use them! : )

I hope to have some things to post for you soon, in the meantime, keep on stampin'!

Margaret

Square Steps Punch Embellishment Card

This was a card I made the day I stamped with several other Stampin' Up! demonstrator friends several weeks ago. The focal point is a "medallion" made by using the Square Steps and Daisy flower punches that are now discontinued : ( However, I know that a number of you have purchased it so I wanted to share a wonderful use for it! There is a tutorial with pictures (I'm very "visual" myself!) on this demonstrator's blog: click here. She has done lots of pretty cards with it! I'm so sorry to see this punch is being retired.

My card uses the So Saffron designer paper from the Palette O'Prints May special. (These designer papers in sixteen (!) different colors will be in the new Fall Winter Collection [what we know as the catalog]). Almost Amethyst, So Saffron and Whisper White cardstock were also used for the card, as well as the two largest Stampin' Up! circle punches on which the Daisy punchout was layered. The greeting was stamped in Craft Whisper White using the Happy Everything set. Notice the line of square steps punching across the bottom; this was done by very carefully removing the paper guide from the punch, then repeatedly punching right next to the previous punch all across the bottom of the card. It made a separate strip, which I then just lined up with the larger piece and adhesived down to the card.

Have a happy day, and try to stay dry!
Margaret

Forgotten Treasures Challenge again

Here is my Forgotten Treasure Challenge card from Kristin Markus, Ontario, Canada! It's a gorgeous card of rich colors. Kristin said this "Prep School" ribbon was something that she has forgotten to use so pulled it out for this challenge! She used Bravo Burgundy, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla cardstock and the same inks with the addition of Mellow Moss. The background on the lower front of the card was made by rolling the Bodacious Jumbo Wheel with Not Quite Navy ink over the same color cardstock. I love that... and it looks so rich and textured. Kristin used the Bodacious Bouquet stamp set which has these wonderful bold images that give dramatic impact to your projects. The strip of wide Prep School ribbon behind brings all the colors and the entire design together. I was so excited when I opened the envelope and saw this beauty! I just love it!

Pastels Challenge

Remember the Forgotten Treasures Challenge card I posted recently? Well, I participated in another challenge with the same group; this time the challenge is to use our Stampin' Pastels. Danelle Tucker made this card using Artichoke, Almost Amethyst, Basic Black, Barely Banana, Whisper White cardstockand the Polka Dots and Paisley set. She embossed black paisleys on the black cardstock then colored those in with the pastels for an unusual and great look! The tag with the "happy" greeting and eyelets really finish this card off well! It's always exciting to open the mail when I see that I have a wonderful handmade card in with the bills, etc.! : ) I love the color scheme Danelle used, also!

Thanks for dropping by!
Have a great week, and don't forget to brighten someone's day with handmade card art from the heart!

Birthday Cards!

I'm the happy recipient of several hand-stamped birthday cards from friends and am tickled to be able to share them with you today!

Connie Babbert sent me this cutie made with the Polka Dots and Petals from the Spring Mini catalog. What a clever use of the stamps and round punch to form a flower! The So Saffron center is covered with sparkley bling (Dazzling Diamonds glitter!) too! That Connie is really clever: just look how she used just the bottom of three Rounded Tab Punches underneath the So Saffron layer to make scallops out of Designer Paper! Too cool, Connie!

Sweet Shapes is the set Michelle Neuendorf used to create this spring-y card of Certainly Celery, So Saffron and Brocade Blue! She used the Signo white gel pen for the faux stitching and a bow of Apricot grosgrain to finish it off. What a sweet and cheery card!

Stampin' Fun For Everyone! is the set used by Jane Bosi to create this card! Both the striped and floral cardstock is from the Flowers and Friends Simply Scrappin' Kit which has been a Hostess set this catalog year. Jane used the oval punch to make a window for the verse, which is actually stamped on the inside of the card. Isn't this just so cute!! (This set will be retired on June 30th).

All products ©Stampin' Up! except the alphabet and the scalloped square punch on Jane's card.

Thanks, ladies! How fortunate am I to receive such great cards and get to share them with you!

Have a great week! Thanks for dropping by!

Forgotten Treasures Challenge

I'm a member of an online stamp group which issues weekly challenges to its members. This weeks challenge was "Forgotten Treasures", using neglected stamping supplies. Hmm, I haven't used my Hodgepodge Hardware in a while, nor have I used my Twill Tape so those were my selected supplies. Then when looking for a stamp set to use, I saw my really neglected Be Happy set which had been cut out but not even mounted yet!! That was perfect, I had to use it! I really like it but just got "involved" with other stamps and had neglected this happy little set. No more! I have my challenge done and ready to mail out to the recipient, so here it is to share with you before going to the mailbox!

I also made good use of a couple of scraps from making my coaster album a few days ago. Both the So Saffron and Rose Red prints are from the Palette O'Prints that was the May Stampin' Up! special. I'm sure you also recognize the flowers that are stamped with Looks Like Spring then punched out with the Spring Bouquet punch.

I added a partial second layer of twill to the first and frayed the end. I added a brad to the twill in the center of the buckle to finish the "belt".

All products ©Stampin' Up!

Hope you enjoy. Have a wonderful day!

Palette O'Prints Cards

I wanted to share with you two cards that my friend Leslie made using the Palette O'Prints... they are SO cute!! This one uses Certainly Celery cardstock stamped with Canvas background. She then layered three of the Pallette O'Prints in Rose Red, Almost Amethyst and So Saffron. Over that are images stamped with the Sweet Shapes set in the same colors. The butterflies are cut out and attached with Dimensions. This look so pretty, fresh and spring-y!

Here's our favorite frog again from the fun set Unfroggetable! The backgrounds are Palette prints in Certainly Celery and Almost Amethyst. There is such variety in the designs in the Prints papers; I just love that! I just can't wait to see the 16 colors + In Colors™ in which these will be available in the new Stampin' Up! Collection on July 1st!!

Leslie wanted to be sure to let us know that she received inspiration for these cards from Splitcoast Stampers. Thanks, Leslie, for sharing these cards with us! They are really fun and useful cards!

Thanks, friends, for dropping by today! Happy Saturday!

Palette O'Prints Coaster Book

I actually got to stamp yesterday with some demonstrator friends! It has been awhile; I've been so busy and preoccupied with other matters. This coaster book using the Palette O'Prints that was a special offer in May from Stampin' Up! was one of the projects we did. Thanks to Jann McCollom for bringing this project and leading it! We used four coasters and covered each with one of the color papers in the Palette: Rose Red, So Saffron, Almost Amethyst and Certainly Celery. A Sanding Block was then used on the coaster edges to give it the popular distressed look. On the back of each coaster "page" we added stamping and coloring with sponges, markers, AquaPainters, Blender Pens, etc., each of us in our own style and designs.
I used the Doodle This set from the Spring Mini Catalog on the front cover, colored with AquaPainter and markers, and then highlighted it with a good dose of Dazzling Diamonds in the center and accenting the edges. These papers are beautiful by themselves but I just couldn't resist adding some doodle-y swirls on the edges of the front and throughout the mini book. This set is so much fun to stamp with... I love the whimsical nature of the stamps and projects made with them! A few grosgrain ribbons give a finishing touch to the album!

These little booklets make great mini albums for a special occasion or remembrance. They are also a great size (4"x4") to carry in one's purse to show off pictures of loved ones (such as children, grandchildren or pets?!) : ) I don't have any pictures in mine yet, but hopefully soon!

In the upcoming Stampin' Up! Collection (new term for the catalog), these 12"x12" "Prints" Designer Papers will come in packages of 12 sheets, 2 each of 6 designs and each package will be an individual color. There will be 16 color choices available plus a selection of the new In Colors™! Wow! Lots of cool new Designer Papers!!

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Gayle is one of the demos I stamped with yesterday and she presented me with an early birthday card! I love this card! It is that same wonderful set, Doodle This, done in Tempting Turquoise and Green Galore. Gayle, who always makes the coolest things, used the Signo white gel pen to highlight the swirls on the turquoise side; I love that look, don't you?!! A touch of the green grosgrain ribbon and Dazzling Diamonds in the flower center set the card off just perfectly. Thanks again for the lovely card, Gayle!
I'm working on a big project right now so my postings may be a bit more infrequent. I'm not ignoring you nor forgetting to post; it's just that my time will be limited for awhile.
Thanks for dropping by!!

Sanding blocks...did you know?

Did you know that you can use your sanding blocks not only to smooth rough edges of card stock or chipboard, but also to give a distressed or sanded look to buttons or brads, cardstock or even photos?
They are found on page 222 of the Idea Book & Catalog.

Best of Cluck! - Retiring

What a fun chick! Perky, clever and whimsical... this set makes cards fun to send and to receive! Several expressions such as "Thanks a Bunch!", "Best of Cluck", "Now that's Egg-citing" and two others are included with the images of this set of 7 stamps. This card we did at a Stamp-A-Stack uses Mellow Moss, Real Red and Chocolate Chip cardstock, Basic Brown ink, Stampin' Write markers as well as the Weathered background stamp. Embellished with red and white gingham ribbon and a circular bronze clip, this chick is ready to convey your wishes to a lucky recipient.

Here's a fun card to celebrate someone's good news or achievements! The chicken "tracks" are made with a stamp also in this versatile set which you can use for many occasions! Real Red, Black, Whisper White and Confetti Cream cardstock are used and accented with black and white gingham ribbon. The Crosshatch background stamp is stamped in Real Red for the lower background.

I received this card in a swap at a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator event in Memphis; it was stamped by Pam Williams of WI. Pam used a little yellow feather to add some dimension to the card. Cute!! This is a great Thinking of You or Hello! card for friend or family.

Best of Cluck can be used for many types of cards and projects which will bring smiles to the faces of the recipients! They will definitely remember your cards with this cool chicken on them!!

Sadly, Best of Cluck retires in June. I'll miss her in the catalog, but I'm keeping my set! : ) What about you?

Margaret

Roses in Winter

Roses in Winter... how I've loved this set! It is so versatile and makes such gorgeous projects, and now it's retiring. : ( It is termed a "2 Step" stamp, but actually the rose has three layers of stamps/colors, giving it greater depth and opportunity for color layering.) This card uses Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Rose Red ink for the rose and Mellow Moss ink for the leaves. The card is Mellow Moss layered with Barely Banana stamped with the same ink.

Here are two more cards made with this wonderful set:

Roses in Winter is retiring June 29th. Don't miss it if you can use a set that is both beautiful and versatile for a wide spectrum of projects from cards, scrapbooks, "3-D" projects, gift wraps, etc., ad infinitum!

Thanks for coming by today! Happy Saturday!

Artifacts

Artifacts, one of my most favorite sets! Oh no, it's on Stampin' Up!'s Retiring Stamps list! I will keep mine, however, because it is so great for a variety of uses: vintage, antique-look, masculine-style cards and even patriotic! This card uses Artifacts and Simple Salutations sets and the Rough Texture wheel for the background. Cardstock is Really Rust, Chocolate Chip and Mellow Moss. I used the Word Window Punch to make the slots to hold the band of chocolate cardstock that has been embossed with the Rough Texture wheel, VersaMark and Copper embossing powder. The background has more stamps from this set lightly stamped (by inking and stamping off on scrap paper before stamping on the cardstock). The large star was stamped on Really Rust cardstock, embossed with Copper e.p., then cut out.

This would make a great card for Father's Day, birthdays or many other uses by changing the greeting on the front.

Thanks for dropping by today!

Office Accoutrement File Folder card

Another different type of card we did at the Stamp-A-Stack last Saturday! Since Stampin' Up! now has this unique new Round Tab Punch, I was excited to come up with this "file folder" card using Office Accoutrements stamp set, Notations Paper, the Round Tab punch, and the Corner Rounder punch all of which are perfect for this theme!! I love this "Memo" stamp from the set! What fun! The color scheme is keyed off the Notations Designer paper that is along the upper back portion of the card where the tab was added. That's one of the great things about designer paper, it gives your color scheme without you having to experiment as to what color goes with what. It's all right there for you! This particular paper has Taken With Teal, Cool Caribbean, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand and Vanilla and all those colors are used in this card. The "folder" is Sahara Sand cardstock, corners rounded with punch then stamped with Vanilla Craft Ink to reflect the vanilla flowers in the paper and provide a subtle background. The large flower is from the set and the smaller flowers were punched with the Spring Flowers punch and adhered with a silver brad. The round paper clip is a great embellishment for this style card.

The inside of the card uses a verse from the birthday set "It's Your Birthday" (p. 182), and there is plenty of room to write a message to the recipient. The designer paper has small numbers on it, so there is a subtle coordination that goes well with this message. : )

This would be a super card to send to anyone, and how much fun to send to someone who works in an office.

Thanks for dropping by! Happy Wednesday!

Big Blooms, That's Nice, Polka Dots & Petals

Stamp Sets used: Big Blooms, That's Nice, Polka Dots and Petals
Ink Colors: Elegant Eggplant, Cool Caribbean, Pixie Pink
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Cool Caribbean, Pixie Pink, Whisper White
Accessories used: Dimensionals, 1 1/4" sq. punch, 1/4" sq. punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Spiral punch, narrow white organdy ribbon.

This long card which will fit into a business envelope and use regular postage was one of the cards we made at Stamp-A-Stack last Saturday. It's fun to do different sizes of cards!

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Doodle That

This is one of the cards that everyone made Saturday at my Stamp-A-Stack. It uses the Doodle This stamp set, cardstocks of Vintage Violet, Sage Shadow and So Saffron and both the Vintage Violet and Sage Shadow inks. The white doodling is done freehand using the Signo White gel pen. The image on the front is colored with a number of Stampin' Write© Markers. The greeting is from the Simple Salutations set and Violet stitched ribbon is the finishing touch!

I'll be sharing more of the cards in the next few days! Thanks for dropping by!

2007 Retiring Stamps List Released!

The Retirement List of stamp sets and wheels is out! Stampin' Up! has posted it on their website here: https://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/default.asp Just double-click on the picture of stamp sets! These will only be available for a short time, just about eight weeks! Some of my favorites are going good-bye! (sniff, sniff)

On Board Bitty Book in Petals & Paisley

Girls just gotta' have fun! This On-Board Bitty Book from Stampin' Up! mini catalog is the project designed and taught by moi at the Demonstrators Retreat last weekend. Of course we just had to use fun new products out of the Spring Mini Catalog such as the beautiful Petals and Paisley double-sided Designer Papers, Little Reminders Accents and Elements, the Round Tab punch and Office Accoutrement stamp set! This is the slipcase for the mini album which holds 3"x3" pictures or images. The outside slipcase comes unassembled (flat) which makes it easy to decorate then assemble with a little Sticky Strip™ on the flaps. Easy-peasy! The stripe paper is the opposite side of the rose paper shown covering the album. A "stitched" (with the Signo gel pen and paper-piercing tools) layer of Certainly Celery on the front forms the foundation for embellishing with the pink bracket from Little Reminders (these are self-adhesive die cuts!), "original" stamp in Old Olive and the two flowers stamped, cut out and layered with Little Reminders, added to the center. The paler blue on the tab is also from L.R. as is the "sweet". A small knot of turquoise grosgrain ribbon adds the finishing touch to the composition.

The album which slips inside holds ten page protectors for 20 pictures or images. The front and back are covered with this gorgeous multicolored floral and paisley print and the inside is covered with the olive polka dot, which is the reverse side of the same paper. The front is accented with a narrow strip of the stripe (say that fast 3 times!) and a wider piece of the polka dot. On the olive dot are several self-adhesive die cuts (flowers and rectangle), again from the Little Reminders Accents and Elements (these come in the CUTEST tin, which just begs to be decorated! (hint, hint!)

Wouldn't this be the sweetest gift for Mother's Day or a special friend's birthday or special occasion? It is also a great size to hold school pictures too! There are many great uses for these little books!

Come back soon! I'll have some more projects to share with you! Have a good day!