New Occasions Catalogue = Altered Clipboard

The new Occasions Mini Catalog comes out in January and I got to pre-order some goodies including a beautiful stamp set called "Vintage Vogue" (for my Friend image) and a large Bird punch that punches out a separate twig, bird, and wing to mix and match patterns -- very smart!

I made an altered clipboard for my dear friend Grayson -- I love altering 3-D objects, they are always original and tend to have a longer shelf life than a card (or at least, I always hope the recipient gives it a long shelf life, LOL!)

Thanks for looking, and wishing you all the best in the New Year!

Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog is here!

The Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini is out!! Let me know if I can help you select anything.

Of course you can now purchase all your stamping goodies online anytime you want -- just go to my StampMom ordering site (http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampmomsu/) to browse either the Holiday Mini or the 2009-10 catalog. I'm happy to offer advice (solicited or unsolicited, LOL!!).

Stay tuned for info on my upcoming Stampin' Up! Open House with my good friend Grayson (The Pampered Chef). It's never too early to start planning for the holiday season!

Thoughts & Prayers

Spent some time this afternoon stamping with my friend Grayson working on a sympathy card I need to send to a young friend who just lost his mother.

For my main image from the "Thoughts & Prayers" stamp set I colored the stamp with my Rich Regals Watercolor Wonders crayons, spritzed the stamp lightly with water, and stamped it on SU! Watercolor Paper for a softer image. My sentiment is from the retired All Year Cheer I set, stamped in Chocolate Chip.

For my layers I used retired Baroque DP and Chocolate Chip card stock -- distressed the edges with my handy dandy distressing tool from the Cutting Kit-- and popped them up with SU! Dimensionals so I could slide my satin ribbon underneath. Vintage Brads anchor the corner and a little doodling around the edges give some extra dimension.

Thanks for looking, hug the ones you love, and have a great week!

Made some time to stamp...

Just a simple card, haven't stamped in quite awhile but needed some therapeutic relaxation...

I used some retired Bali Breeze Stampin Up! designer paper and dotted the centers of the flowers with Gold Stickles glitter glue to give them some pop.

An SU! rub-on provides the simple sentiment, and my Corner Rounder softened the edges just a bit.

Thanks for looking -- hopefully it won't be as long between posts as it has been. Have a great weekend!!

May is National Scrapbooking Month!

Celebrate May
as
National Scrapbooking Month!

For many people, scrapbooking has played an important role in their lives. It may have started with something simple: the first time they placed a sticker on a piece of paper or picked up a camera. During the month of May, Stampin' Up is celebrating National Scrapbooking Month. Whether you are an avid scrapbooker or even brand-new to the hobby, Stampin' Up! can inspire your creativity. Throughout the month of May, you can buy three packs of Designer Series paper (including our Specialty Designer Series paper) or 12" x 12" textured card stock, and get one FREE! Mix and match -- buy 2 packs of Designer paper and 1 pack of textured card stock, get one free -- or vice versa. I reach for my Designer Paper time after time to provide colorful and easy backgrounds, frames, accents -- it's such an easy way to brighten up a scrapbook page or card, and now it's an even better value. Click on the 24/7 icon on the top left of my blog to place your order anytime that's convenient. Happy Stamping!

Love that Scallop Oval Punch!

This was for a recent card sketch on Splitcoast Stampers -- I altered the required rectangle to an oval so I could play with my new Scalloped Oval punch and Summer Love Rub-Ons that I got from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Ran the blue diamond through my Cuttlebug to emboss, then popped it on the card and used my Paper piercer and Mat Pack to outline. Two Rhinestone brads from the Pretties Kit anchor each corner. I love the shimmery silver cardstock against the blue. A little silver cording wraps it all up sweetly.

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

Just Playing Around...

Just playing with some of the latest and greatest products I've received from Stampin' Up! lately. The first card showcases the new Scalloped Oval punch available in the Occasions Mini Catalog. It fits perfectly on top of the Large Oval punch, and it's fun to add doodles, paper piercing, rub-ons, etc. For this card, I simply used my Cameo Coral marker to add dots along the edge, then cut out some flowers from the Raspberry Tart designer paper and popped them on with the SU! dimensionals.

My second card features the new "Scene in a Garden" stamp set, also in the mini catalog. I just love those little boots! All the boots, pots, potting bench, watering can and a vase with flowers are separate so easily added in any spot, using all or solo. I had fun doodling the edges of the card, the sentiment, and the bench with my Chocolate Chip marker.

Card #3 also uses the Scalloped Oval punch along with featuring cute designer paper that was free during Sale-a-Bration. It's hard to tell but I added Crystal Effects to the sentiment to give it a glossy 3-D effect. Thanks for looking, and have a great weekend!!

Weekend Sketch Challenge

Very cool sketch this weekend for the Weekend Sketch Challenge, Jenn Balcer made great use of the Big Note diecut. I used two stamp sets -- Eastern Influences and Bloomin' Beautiful --along with some Ski Slope designer paper and In Color Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red.

I stamped my rose with Stazon Timber Brown, outlined the petals and leaves with Watercolor Wonder crayons and used my Blender Pen to fill it all in. Then I decided the flower wasn't a deep enough shade so I picked up a little Ruby Red ink with my blender pen and added a bit more depth to the petals.

I love the Chocolate Chip felt flowers with vintage brads. Both my sentiments are stamped in Chocolate Chip so the colors all work together.

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

Spring is in the Air

Even though it doesn't feel too spring-like outside this weekend, I thought this pastel card would work great for the SCS Going Green challenge -- It's not totally green but I figure using green in 5 different spots on the card must count for something, LOL.

The stamp set is called "A Good Egg" -- perfect for Easter -- and the cute little chick was colored in Barely Banana before placing the paper-pieced egg shell on top. A few doodles around the edge give it a fun little feel. My buttons are from the Soft Subtles button collection. The pinky velvet ribbon was a steal from an old baby shower gift -- I tell you ladies, never throw anything away, you can always find a use for it on a card. :-)

The second card uses the same Wild Wasabi square base but takes its cue from Bali Breeze designer paper (retired) for a brighter, more vibrant card. I printed the sentiment off my computer onto Whisper White paper, cut it with the Large Oval punch, and added some doodles with my Taken with Teal marker.

My 5-Petal punch made fast work of layering the bright pink flowers behind the oval, and the pre-cut blooms form the base.

Thanks for looking, hope you have a great weekend!!

Double Challenge Embossed Card

Our Creative Corner had an "add a doodle" challenge this week which I combined with the Stamp Simply challenge of using heat embossing to create an elegant image.

My flower is from the Botanical Blooms set. I stamped the outlined image in Versamark, added Gold Embossing powder, and zapped it with my Heat Tool, then went back and colored it in with my Cameo Coral marker.

A gold pen doodled around both frames. The background Designer Paper is from the "Raspberry Tart" collection -- isn't it wonderfully springy?

Now all I have to do is staple a little pack of M&Ms on the inside and it's a neat little pick-me-up for one of my coworkers.

Thanks for looking and happy stamping!

Thoughts & Prayers Cards

I had the sad task of creating sympathy cards for my two cousins who lost their father recently at much too young an age. I used the new "Thoughts & Prayers" stamp set with some bits of retired designer papers to come up with these two cards.

Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand and Eggplant are just the right elegant color touches. To create the first card's sentiment, I layered three large oval punches and then added some vintage brads for depth. I went over the trunk and branches of the tree with my Chocolate Chip marker to make it pop out a bit. For my second card, my Mat Pack and paper piercer helped me frame the tree out a bit more.

I have some more goodies arriving in the mail any day -- taking advantage of Sale-a-Bration, going on until March 31st -- and look forward to sharing some more spring-like creations with you soon. Let me know if I can place an order for you.

Thanks for looking, and have a great week!

Sketch Challenge Card

I made this Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge card for my friends Art & Wanda, who just welcomed a wonderful baby girl into their family. My clean and simple "Congratulations" stamp is from one of the new Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, which can be yours free with a $50 purchase. The Designer paper is the fab "Raspberry Tart", perfect for such a girly card. I found the jeweled hearts at Michael on sale -- the center square I colored with a sparkly marker and then covered in Crystal Effects.

Thanks for looking!

Don't Miss SU!s SALE-A-BRATION!

Still going on until March 31, Stampin' Up!s Sale-A-Bration promotion gives reason for everyone to celebrate! Customers can receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 purchase. It's the perfect time not only to find your next favorite stamp sets and accessories in the new Spring/Summer catalog, but also to stock up on cardstock, adhesive, glue dots, etc. How about a spare pair of scissors? Or some fun new punches?

There's no limit to the number of free sets you can earn, but remember these products are only available for a limited time.

We all love stamping -- it's a fabulous way to connect with those you love without spending a lot of money. What better way than through creating a handmade creation (especially with free stamps, paper and ribbon)!

Welcome spring!

Hi stampers,
This was a quick card for a friend, letting my lovely "Raspberry Tart" designer paper do most of the work. A sweet wrap of Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon and the sentiment from my "Serene Spring" stamp set finish it up nicely. I used the large oval punch to form the background.

Thanks for looking, and enjoy your day!

Sketch & Color Challenge Combo

Whew, I can't believe how long it's been since I've stamped... too much time spent on the job and the kids and not enough "me" time these days. But this morning, some nice quality stamping time for the SCS Sketch Challenge #215 and Color Challenge #205 (Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, and Kiwi Kiss).

DH has been amazing lately -- well, he's always been amazing but especially since I've gone back to work in a stressful job, he's been SUPER AMAZING. So this one's for him.

I flipped the sketch sideways for fun. My sentiment is a simple SU! Rub-On. I love the new multi-heart punch that SU! just came out with -- makes it super easy to add lots of fluttery hearts. Add a little Crystal Effects and wow! Thanks for looking and Happy Stamping.

Close As a Memory Sympathy Card

This card has no sketch, color challenge, or any other challenge attached to it, it was simply stamped from the heart for a friend of mine whose father passed away last week after a long battle. I know a card can't really bring much comfort but hopefully she'll know that I'm thinking of her. The Stampin' Up! set I used is called "Close As a Memory". The inside sentiment reads

"Your loved one will always be

as close as a memory,
and the God of all comfort
as close as a prayer."

I stamped the front sentiment in Always Artichoke, and hand colored the flowers with Bashful Blue and Always Artichoke SU! markers before stamping them. I went over the blue flowers with my opaque Sakura Glaze pen to add some subtle shimmer. The dark green designer paper is from last year's Wintergreen. A hatpin with pearls and a crystal from my Pretties Kit is run through a small bow of Sahara Sand ribbon (one of last year's In Colors that I wish would become permanent...)

Thanks for looking!!

Dream a Little Color Challenge Card

Sorry friends, just the briefest of posts tonight, enough to tempt you with goodies from the new catalog, like this cute stamp set called "Dream a Little" -- don't you love this little hummer? I stamped him in Versamark, hit him with a dash of embossing powder, zapped him with my Heat Tool, and cut him out.

This card was for last week's SCS Color Challenge, combining Bravo Burgundy, Regal Rose, and Kiwi Kiss, and is based on Amy's sketch on her Prairie, Paper & Ink blog.

Big Note Thanks

Just a quick post. Having fun with my Big Note die and some ribbon scraps. Loving the Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware. I was inspired by a rug from the PBTeen catalog, part of this weeks SCS Inspiration Challenge.

Thanks for looking! Leave a comment, I'd love to know who my readers are.

New Spring-Summer Catalog!!

Today launched the new Spring Summer Idea Book & Catalog and trust me, you'll want to check it out. Lots of new stamps, luscious designer papers, newly minted buttons, hardware, and ribbons galore. My poor catalog is already looking dog-eared with all the goodies I want to get. I have to pace myself, LOL.

You can shop 24/7 on my website -- just click in the upper lefthand corner, snuggle up in your pjs and a cup of coffee, and let your fingers do the wandering...

Remember that the exclusive Valentine's Day Love You Much Bundle (item 115405) is still going on until the end of the month and includes the following:

• Love You Much stamp set
• Candy Lane Designer Series Paper
• Heart to Heart Punch

Happy stamping!

Two Challenges and Some New DP!

Some new goodies from SU! arrived this past week -- one of the benefits of being a demonstrator, you get a nice percentage off *and* get to order some things early. In this case it was some beautiful new Designer Paper called Raspberry Tart, which I matched with my Cameo Coral cardstock to make this beauty for the SCS Sketch Challenge.
For my images, I stamped the verse from "Bloomin' Beautiful" first on Watercolor Paper. Then over top of that I stamped the flower image, outlined it with my Watercolor Pencils, and used my Blender Pen to shade it. Some Crystal Effects add a nice touch of shine and dimension.

Some Soft Subtles buttons along with two from my personal stash hug each corner.

I also made a second card for another Splitcoast Stampers color challenge -- Not Quite Navy, Creamy Caramel, and Baja Breeze. Perfect for the large flowered silhouette in my Urban Garden designer paper.

I went over each bloom with my Versamark Pen, then sprinkled Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and hit it with my Heat Tool to make it stick. The flowers really pop out from the card.

For my ribbon, I simply used my Creamy Caramel marker to color my SU! white taffeta ribbon -- the easiest way to get a true color match when you don't have every single type of ribbon that Stampin' Up! sells, LOL.

Thanks for looking, and have a great week!!

I've Got the Blues...

Two blues and a neutral was the color challenge for this card. A few dabs of my sparkly blue pen livened up the bloom and background, and my Pacific Point panel on the bottom was jazzed up through my Cuttlebug.

Soft Subtle Brads anchor my sentiment, a double flanking Word Window Punch. Creamy Very Vanilla ribbon wraps the whole thing in a pretty bow.

Thanks for looking -- hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Happy Monday -- Color Throwdown Card

Apparently Julee's Mojo Monday sketch became so popular she had to create a new blog for it. You can find it here. This card used her sketch from last Monday and the color combo of Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla, and Baja Breeze (Color Throwdown 24).

My Afternoon Tea DP hasn't seen much light lately so I pulled it out for this. I added some Crystal Effects to the flower and the sentiment. My background greenery stamp is from SU!s Embrace Life, stamped and then colored with my Blender Pen.

In case you missed it, SU! now has Hodgepodge Hardware in Very Vanilla which I think adds a very different look to the card than the silver finish.

Thanks for looking & happy stamping -- have a great week!!

Another Sketch card

From Jen's Sketch For You To Try, plus the Stamp Something challenge which was to NOT USE STAMPS (gulp!) I turned to my trusty Stampin' Up! rub-ons, these ones are called Secret Garden. I also used star brads in my flowers for the Way To Use It challenge on Splitcoast Stampers.

It's a little busy but I'm having fun with my Designer Paper.

Happy Sunday Stamping!

Pretty Felt Flowers Card

I managed to finish a card this morning -- it's only taken 5 days, LOL. But since the boys had a sleepover here last night and are being entertained by two other friends, I can sneak in some stamping.

I'm having fun embossing with my Heat Tool these days! This card is based on Lauren's sketch from last week and also includes some pretty snowflake DP for Sharon's winter challenge. I distressed the edges of my larger Pink Pirouette circle with my distressing tool. The rhinestone brads are from my Pretties Kit.

Thanks for looking -- happy Stamping!

OCC Sketch Card

Another thank you card, based on this week's sketch from Our Creative Corner, plus the Way to Use It challenge which was to include silver somewhere in my card. My Hodgepodge Hardware fit the bill perfectly. Isn't this Haiku designer paper yummy? Wish I could wallpaper my bedroom in it, LOL. :-) My sentiment is from the set Say It With Scallops.

Thanks for looking and happy stamping!

Jen's Sketch For You To Try

The kids are entranced with GeoTrax and Lego's -- who am I to stand in their way? :-)

So here's another thank you card I made based on Jen del Muro's sketch from two weeks ago. I love the sweet little Pocket Silhouettes stamps.

The thank you note marathon continues... :-)

Triple New Year Challenge

I'm up to my elbows in a giant "to do" list before work starts up again on Monday, and at the top of the list is making and sending thank you notes for all the fabulous Christmas gifts we received. Good think that fits the bill of the No Time to Stamp challenge. The Stamp Something challenge for this week was to use something new, so I broke open my new black embossing powder to make this card.

To emboss, you simply stamp your image in Versamark (look for an open image if you want to go back and color it), liberally pour your embossing powder over it, tap the excess off onto a spare piece of paper (so you can funnel it back into the container), and then zap your image with the SU! Heat Tool for a minute or two until the powder melts and turns shiny. That's it, super easy with outstanding results.

I did my image on watercolor paper so I could go back and use my markers to outline the inside of the berry (Rose Red and Pretty in Pink) and leaves (Old Olive), and then used my Aqua Painter to blend it in. Cutting the image out was the trickiest part...

The color inspiration of Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, and Whisper White came from Kristina Werner's challenge. Thanks for looking, and Happy New Year!!