Color blocked Birthday Card

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I have seen a number of really cool cards that use color blocking for their backgrounds.  I’ve been wanted to try to create one myself for a while but it wasn’t until I got concentrated card making time that I got to try it out.  These layouts are great for using up scraps and are super versatile depending on the color combinations you use. 

Recipe:
Stamps: Christmas classics, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Baja Blue, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Whisper White CS, Pretty in Pink DSP (retired), Bashful blue DSP (retired), Wild Wasabi DSP (retired), Apricot Appeal DSP (retired)
Accessories: none

Images copyright 1990–2008 Stampin’ Up!

My Mother-in-law’s first card

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After arriving at my MIL’s house, one night we were talking about how I had become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.  She was curious about stamping and card making but didn’t know what to do, so I helped her design and put together her first card.  It is a simple card but looks nice in real life.

Recipe
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Kiwi Kiss CS, Vintage Violet CS (retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip ink, Perfect Plum Stampin’ Write marker
Accessories: Chocolate Chip ribbon, glue dots

Images copyright 1990–2008 Stampin’ Up!

I’m back!

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Sorry for the long lag in writing!  This whole cross-country move thing has been much more complicated than I thought!  🙂  My whole house has been packed up and in a truck for the last week, and my DH, myself, and our 3 cats have been staying at my MIL’s house until it was time for us to move to our new home in Portland.  I managed to set aside a small bag worth of stamping supplies thinking I was going to have lots of time to use them but boy was I wrong.  It wasn’t until last night that I was able to really start pulling them out.  It was an interesting challange to see what I could make with the limited supplies I had.  However, in the end I think I have a number of simple cards that I’m pretty happy with.  I’ll be posting them over the next week as I finish my transition to Portland and unbury my craft room.  Hope you like them!

My new goodies have arrived!

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My new order is in and boy am I excited.  Sadly, it showed up just before the packers and movers showed up at my house so I only really had time to mount my stamps and gawk at all the goodies before most of it went away.  However, I was smart and kept aside a bag full of stamping items so I will be able to play with some of my new supplies while waiting for the movers to deliver my craft room to Portland. 

Coming soon – projects with the new filigree brads, awesome rub-ons, some new stamps including Baroque Motifs (I’ve been eyeing it forever and can’t wait to try it out!), and the scallop square punch.  I’m sure there is more, but I know I won’t be able to keep away from those items.

An actual Get Well card

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After a very busy evening (yay!  sold our couch!) I forced myself to take some time for stamping.  I’ve wanted to every night and since I promised earlier, I figured I had to make it happen. 🙂  Tonight I tried to go for something that was a bit on the simpler side and at the same time thought I would try again for a get well card. This came together easily and used a minimal amount of supplies.

Recipe:
Stamps: Happiness Always
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Lavender Lace
Paper: Kiwi Kiss CS,  Lavender Lace CS, Very Vanilla CS
Accessories: Stampin Dimensionals

Images copyright 1990–2008 Stampin’ Up!

Sorry for the quiet

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Hi all,

Just wanted to post a quick note to say sorry for the delay in posts.  Sorting our house in anticipation of our move has taken longer than I thought and has taken up my last few nights.  However, check back this evening…I promise to post new card ideas!

Retired stamp sets for sale

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I haven’t been able to do much stamping this weekend as my hubby and I have been sorting most of our house in preparation for our move to Portland.  While going through my office, I realized just how many retired stamp sets I have and decided that I ought to clear out some of the old to make room for the new stamps that are on their way to my house now.  I have 11 sets for sale, some of which are brand new and unmounted!  Email me if you are interested in any of them.  I will happily mount the unmounted sets for you if you would prefer.

Sets for sale:

Stamp Set

Price

Cool Cat

$15

All Year Cheer II (great list of sayings)

$15

By Design

$5

Sleigh Full of Toys

$15

A Wish For You

$8

Very Punny              (unmounted)

$10

All-Around Argyle   (unmounted)

$12

Friendship Blooms  (unmounted)

$10

Best Blossoms        (unmounted)

$10

Too Terrific Tags    (unmounted)

$10

So Many Sayings     (unmounted)

$15

Click here for pictures

The get well card that wasn’t

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Last weekend my grandma had surgery on her foot and has been a lot less mobile and in a lot more pain than she expected.  I wanted to start sending her cards to try to cheer her up while she recovered and had a great idea for a card using the new Sock Monkey stamp set.  Unfortunately, as I started stamping and cutting paper, the card just wasn’t shaping up how I hoped.  But after two nights of tweaking the card, it is now a birthday card and I’m happy with the results.  Now for attempt two of a get well card.

Recipe:
Stamps: Sock Monkey, Wow Flowers
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Pink Pirouette
Paper: Very Vanilla CS, Pink Pirouette CS, Real Red CS, Brilliant Blue CS, Real Red DSP (retired)
Accessories: Aqua pen, Stampin Write markers, hemp twine, pop up glue dots, Stampin dimensionals

Images copyright 1990–2008 Stampin’ Up!

A new Idea Book and a sweet deal!

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The Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog is here!  It is full of some fantasic new products.  I filled out my wishlist earlier this week and was amazed at how long it was!  Of course there are some great new stamp sets but it was the accessories section that really caught my eye.  I’m loving the new designer paper (the prints in the color family designer series papers are so much better than in the last catalog!), plus there are tons of new ribbons in many sizes and colors up to 1 1/4″ thick! 

I have to say though, I think my favorite new items in the catalog are the TWO pages worth of rub-on designs and the filigree brads.  I had to get some of each and will post pictures once they get here. 

Oh and I almost forgot the best part!  At the beginning of each section in the Idea Book, there are instructions for a different stamping technique!  So with an Idea Book, you will not only have examples of cool projects but you will also have an instruction booklet to use when creating your own projects.

Now for the GOOD STUFF!  Have I got a deal for you!  From now until Aug 31st, you can order an Idea Book from me for 50% off the retail price of $9.95!  But wait there is more…. if you purchase an Idea Book during this time, I’ll include a $5 off coupon for use on your next order of $35 or more!  As always, my hostesses get their Idea Book and Catalog free.  Contact me for more info or to schedule your workshop.

A couple card ideas

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Last night I was super excited to receive my new Simply Sent elements package from the new catalog.  I was all ready to show you how much you get in these packages and how quick and easy the cards were when I realized that I had left my camera at work! 🙁  So, until I can get those cards posted, I thought I would put up a few cards I created at a workshop last month.   Hope you like them!  Both designs were by my Mom Kathy Thisted, another Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.

 This is a pretty straightforward card but lots of fun because you color in the stamp image (I used markers and the aqua pen with ink pads).  I had a friend who wanted to make two just for the coloring!  The main technique with this was masking off the bottom of the window and the lip of the pickup bed with a post-it note so I could stamp the person and furniture right to the edge without overlapping the truck image.

Recipe:
Stamps: Loads of Love, Loads of Love accessories 
Paper: Taken with Teal CS, Real Red CS, Whisper White CS, East Coast Prep designer paper (retired)
Ink: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, Stampin’ Write markers, Aqua Pen, Round Tab punch, Coluzzle

Again, another fairly simple card.  I’m still trying to figure out how to photograph cards so you can see the details, but I’ll just describe them for now. 🙂  This card uses lots of dimensionals, the flowers and the sentiment are both popped up and the flowers are not only two step stamped but also the flowers are only inked once and then stamped multiple times for different color effects (there are actually 4 flower images but I think you can only see 3).  Economical and artistic!

Recipe:
Stamps: Wonderful You
Paper:  Pretty in Pink CS, Chocolate Chip CS, Whisper White CS, Berry Bliss designer paper (retired)
Inks: Rose Red, Pixie Pink, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Ticket Corner punch, Stampin’ dimensionals

Images copyright 1990–2008 Stampin’ Up!

Here comes the Big Shot

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I think one of the biggest announcements at this years convention was the partnering of Stampin’ Up! with Sizzix for not only the offering of the Big Shot die-cut system but also exclusive Stampin’ Up! dies. 

Yes, everything here is made with the Big Shot!

If you haven’t used a die-cutting machine before, let me tell you how easy and how useful they are to use.  All it takes is putting the metal die with the image you want on the platform, place your paper over the die, turn the crank, and you now have a perfectly cut out flower/envelope/letter/etc.  They are perfect for scrapbooking, projects (like the templates for envelopes and paper baskets), gifts, and adding a little more flair to your cards. 

Check out all of the designs here

Fun fact: Not only can the Big Shot cut through paper, but it can also cut through fabric, light wood, and even thin metal!

Decorate with Decor Elements

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  And you thought Stampin’ Up! just did stamping.  Have you been introduced to Decor Elements yet? 

These are gorgeous self-adhesive vinyl images that take only a few minutes to put up and look great in any room of the house.  The best part is that they are removable so if you move or decide you want to put up something different, you can take them down without damaging the wall!

They come in a variety of styles including letters, phrases, florals, frames, and more.  Right now the offerings come in neutral colors but I’ve seen previews for the next wave of elements this fall and there will be lots of new colors coming soon!

Check out the full line up here