SCS Sketch Challenge Card

I combined the SCS Sketch with the Ways To Use It Challenge, which was to use "negative shapes" in some way. I used my 5-Petal punch, punched out the flower on some scrap paper, then used my sponge daubers and several different shades over the negative flower image to create my background.

I stamped the sentiment from "Bloomin' Beautiful" in Basic Brown over top of the flowers. This is my first use of one of the new "In Color" papers from the upcoming SU! Fall/Winter Catalog, a pretty tangerine color. It's combined here with Apricot Appeal (cs & prints), Groovy Guava, and Close to Cocoa prints dp. My flowers are sponged in Almost Apricot, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, and Groovy Guava. The open flower from retired "Delight in Life" creates the background on my middle layer.

Here's the sketch if you want to give it a try:

Virginia Tax Holiday Coming Up!!!

Good news! An upcoming tax holiday in Virginia during August 1-3 will allow you to get a break on sales tax for up to $20.oo per item for items that qualify as school supplies. Here is a list of Stampin' Up! products that fall into this category that you can purchase on these dates TAX-FREE:

Various Stampin' Write Markers
Various Coloring Pencils
Watercolor Wonder Crayons
Scissors (small and large)
Stipple brushes
Blender pens
2-Way glue pen
SNAIL Adhesive and refill
Sticky Strip
Mini Glue Dots
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Kids Markers

What a great way to save money, courtesy of the state of Virginia. Get your order to me ASAP -- I'll be on vacation in Maine on these dates but can place your order online from there.

Sketch For You To Try

Made this card based on Jen del Muro's sketch and Sharon's Stamp Simply challenge of making a Christmas card. I wasn't pleased with how the craft ink stamped on my textured cardstock, so I took my Signo gel pen and dotted every stinkin' flake. So much for stamping simply, LOL!! The Snowflake Spot stamp set is set to retire in August, so if you've been holding off, don't wait...

Christmas in July

The OCC Sketch Challenge by Jennifer Meyer and the OCC Dry Embossing Challenge were combined for this card, as I so often do when I'm behind on my card making activities. I used my "Punch Pals" stamp set for the snowman, hand colored with markers and then glittered up with Dazzling Diamonds and my 2-Way Glue Pen. Some SU! dimensionals help him stand out a bit more. I layered some Wintergreen Designer Paper, adding Signo White Pen to the dots on the smallest rectangle, distressing the edges and running them along the side of my Always Artichoke ink pad.

The base layer of Sage Shadow cs is stamped in Always Artichoke with two different snowflake designs also available in the Punch Pals stamp set. I used my Photo Corner punch to create the accents, again using the darker pattern of Wintergreen DP and some Shimmery White that I ran through my Cuttlebug with Swiss Dots dry embossing to mimic snow -- I thought it added a nice touch.

Thanks for looking and happy stamping!

Empty Punch Box Tin for $3.95!!!

Stampin Up! has quite the deal. Their empty signature blue Punch Box tin is available for the first time for your use at only $3.95 each. Quantities are limited so contact me today to place your order.

Storage ideas:

• Card kits
• Card and recipe swaps
• Ribbon or ribbon scraps
• Paper scraps
• Ink refills
• Ink cartridges
• Punches
• SNAIL adhesive and refills
• Scissors, paper snips, and Craft & Rubber scissors
• Two heat tools
• Glitter
• Embossing powder
• Project holder: when you have everything cut out for a project, you have all the pieces in the box so that you can take it with you to assemble
• Beads
• Buttons
• Eyelets
• Marker case, such as for journal pens, blender pens, aqua pens, etc.

Nonstamping ideas/uses:

• Jewelry box
• Pencils, pens, and crayons
• Candy
• First aid box
• Lunch box: you can use our Crop-A-Dile to punch holes to attach a handle
• Small sewing items
• Recipes
• Hair clips, ponytail holders, etc.
• Box to hold nails and screws
• Small tool box
• Pedicure kit
• Small toys
• Sentimental keepsakes
• Gift box: line it with tissue paper and fill it with homemade cookies for a friend!

SCS Sketch Challenge 184

I'm behind on lots of challenges since I started my new job but I made a little headway this weekend. This is my version of the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge that was posted on Wednesday.

I used a bunch of scraps that I had lying around from Porcelain Prints and Ginger Blossom designer papers, on a base of Sage Shadow that had been stamped with my "Embrace Life" bamboo branches in Night of Navy. My Boho Blossoms punch came in handy in making the layered flowers over my smaller squares, anchored with Vintage Brads. My larger flower is also from "Embrace Life", stamped on watercolor paper in Sage Shadow Classic Ink and then watercolored with my Aquapainter in Sage Shadow & Night of Navy. I then dabbed my 2-Way Glue Pen on it and added a bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter to make it stand out. My small and large oval punches made short work of the sentiment, from my "Short & Sweet" set of phrases, always perfect for any occasion. And of course I used lots of SU! Dimensionals to pop things up 3-D. As a final touch, I used my Paper Piercer & Mat Pack to emphasize each corner, framing my main image.

Here's the sketch if you want to try your hand at it:

Lion Cuts -- so embarrassing, but so necessary...

Yep, it's that time of year that our cat Roo gets her Lion Cut. This photo pretty much says it all... :-)

Embracing My Inner Girl!

I love how sweet and girly this card turned out, perfect for an upcoming wedding. I made it recently for a challenge that just asked for a pretty, feminine card. I had this beautiful satin ribbon that my mother-in-law gave me, I think it was actually left over from my SIL's wedding years ago. So that was the starting point. My base is Blush Blossom and I simply smoothed some SU! Rub-Ons along the bottom. My flower image is from "Embrace Life", stamped with Black Staz-On ink and colored with my blender pen & Blush Blossom Wonder Watercolor Crayon. The corners are nicked out with my Tag Punch, the edges are sponged with Groovy Guava, and the tiny white half-pearls from my Pretties Kit fit charmingly in each corner. Groovy Guava cardstock forms the base of the panel.

Thanks for looking and hope you have a great day!

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th of July!

Spending quality time with the family today, probably a few hours at the pool and then cookout and fireworks tonight. Hope you're doing something equally as fun!

This card is for the Sketch Challenge at SCS this week. I started with a standard base card of Whisper White, stamped randomly with the large swirl stamp from the "Priceless" stamp set. For my larger background panel, I adhered the layers with Snail Adhesive and then ran the whole thing through my Cuttlebug for dry embossing with Swiss Dots pattern. For my smaller background panel, I tore the edges of my Whisper White paper, ran my Brilliant Blue marker around the edges, and stamped it with my Classic Backgrounds star stamp, colored with markers before stamping. I used Real Red, Brilliant Blue, and Shimmery White for my stars, cut out with my large Star Punch. "Phrases for a Friend" from the mini catalog provided the Celebrate sentiment, which I also individually colored with markers before I stamped. As a last touch, I wrapped Real Red Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, layered with Night of Navy ribbon on top, around the corner of the card.

Thanks for looking!! And enjoy a wonderful long weekend! Here's the sketch if you get some free time to stamp... :-)

Sneak Peek: Button Bouquet!!

Aren't these pretty? Just a quick peek at what's coming up in the Fall/Winter catalog... these are in some of the new "In Color" shades that Stampin' Up! will be offering. These buttons will add pop and dimension to cards, gift tags, picture frames -- just about anything you can think to create!!

Happy 4th of July!!

Sneak Peak and Hodgepodge Hardware Special

Isn't this card beautiful? It's a sample from Stampin' Up! showing one of the new Level 2 hostess sets called "Serene Spring".

The other two sets shown here are called "Happiness Always" and "Window Dressing" (with all sorts of cute seasonal stamps to show peeking out of your window, like pumpkins, snowmen and even an adorable little girl). As a demonstrator, I get to preorder these stamp sets (at a discount, woohoo!!) and as soon as they arrive, I'll get stampin' so I can show you lots of ways to use them.

HODGEPODGE HARDWARE DISCOUNT
If you haven't tried SU!'s Hodgepodge Hardware yet, now is a great time to check it out and play with some new "toys", all those neat metal brads and ribbon slides and word windows that make your card really special. SU! is offering a super Hodgepodge Hardware discount from July 1 to August 10 (or while supplies last -- and trust me, I expect these babies to fly off the shelf!)

The following Hodgepodge Hardware finishes are being offered at a special 25 percent discount:

		Item Description	Regular Price	25% off Discount
		Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96
		Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96
		Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96

If you'd like to place an order, just send me an e-mail and I'll take care of it for you!

And one more thing...

INTRODUCING... Décor Elements

Stampin’ Up! has just created a new product line called Décor Elements, self-adhesive vinyl art for walls, mirrors, windows, or other hard, smooth surfaces. This art is a great way to express your creativity--just on a larger canvas than a card or scrapbook page, and cheaper and easier than painting, framing art, or buying new furniture! Whether you want to spice up the walls of your home or frame a home décor piece for display, Décor Elements is easy to apply, easy to love, and easy to remove. To get a peek at the online catalog, click here.

Phew! That's enough excitement for one day... :-) Go have a great one!