A kit for those Everyday Occasions

I am so excited to share with you Stampin' Up!'s newest item: The Everyday Occasions Kit. This kit has everything you need (except scissors and adhesive) to make 20 cards for almost any occasion. I'm excited because this is so similar to Stamp Camp - but you can make these cards in the comfort of your own home! This kit will also make a wonderful gift for your friends who love stamping or are just getting started! For even more information, click HERE for the flyer.

Heads up for Halloween

Halloween is still a month away, but we always plan ahead when making cards, don't we? Well, Stampin' Up! has come through just in time with a brand new Photopolymer stamp set with a Halloween theme. Check out the flyer HERE for some creepy stamping fun!

Terrific Tips Tuesday

Hello again! I think it's time I shared some more of my favorite tools. I shared my all-time favorites HERE, which are also good tools to look for when you are just starting. I have 4 more somewhat basic tools that I love. These are secondary to the previous list, but I still use them almost every single time I scrapbook or make cards. 

1. The Big Shot. Oh how I love this tool and all the accessories that go with it. From embossing folders to framelits to dies. You can check out what Stampin' Up! has to offer HERE. On top of being fun to use, Stampin' Up! adds their coordination to the deal. You can find framelits and dies and even embossing folders that match some of your favorite stamp sets. So fun!

2. Stampin' Up!'s Craft and Paper Scissors are another newer favorite of mine. It took me a while to come around the spending $29.95 on them. However, now that I have them, I can say they are worth every penny. Cutting ribbon with these scissors really is like a hot knife through butter. I really can't recommend them enough. If you are looking for an amazing pair of scissors, your search is over. 

3. My all-time favorite fun tools are the punches Stampin' Up! offers. Even my husband likes to try out my new ones. These easily punch up (ha ha) your card or project with little work involved. They add depth and dimension. They add easy detail. And they can be used as backgrounds, focal points and even journaling blocks. And, of course, many coordinate with Stampin' Up! stamps. *LOVE*

4. What is a project without paper. I have learned how much I love Stampin' Up!'s paper. First, the card stock is the highest quality I have ever worked with. Second, the Designer Series Paper (DSP or patterned paper). Third, we continue the pattern of coordination. Stampin' Up!'s color families continue from ink to ribbon and brads to, of course, paper. This is the "tool" that will bring your entire project together.

Terrific Tips Tuesday

Who doesn't love a good bargain? Today's tip will get you just that! Did you know Stampin' Up! has a Clearance Rack? Make it a regular stop on your web surfing adventures so you don't miss out on anything. And we just got word that the Stampin' Up! Powers That Be will be adding new items to the Clearance Rack more frequently. So, check back often! Click HERE to visit today!

Stamp Camp this Friday!

Just one more quick reminder that Stamp Camp is this Friday!

Terrific Tips Tuesday

Today's tip is simple and useful. You know I've shared before how much I love using punches. I especially love Stampin' Up!'s punches because they coordinate so well with the stamp sets. They make throwing together a card or scrapbook page easy while upping the "wow" factor. Who wouldn't love that?!

But sometimes punches can give you issues. What to do when your favorite punch starts leaving fuzzy edges on the paper? Thankfully, there's a simple solution and all you have to do is walk into your kitchen and pull out something you probably use almost every day: Foil.

Punch through the foil a few times (and for an extra smooth measure, you can finish by punching through wax paper) and - voila! - a newly sharpened punch! 

I have learned through trial and error, that a thicker foil definitely works better. I have bought store brands before, and while they will work, they also tend to tear as you remove the foil from the punch, making this process a little more frustrating. In fact, I often fold the foil in half to make it a little thicker.

Give it a try today! I'll bet you fall in love with your punches all over again! 

September Sneak Peak #4

Last, but most definately not least, is Sneak Peak #4, the Praying for You card. Again, a simple card, but with a new technique we've never tried before at my Stamp Camps: Stamping with a clear block. No stamps! It creates a beautiful background to then highlight a stamped image. I got this idea from Dawn Olchefske's blog. You can see her original version and watch her video on the technique here. 

This card also uses some of the new 2013-2015 In Colors: Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe and Baked Brown Sugar. What a beautiful combination!

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:

Thoughts and Prayers

Paper:

Pistachio Pudding

Crisp Cantaloupe

Whisper White

Ink:

Pistachio Pudding

Baked Brown Sugar

Accessories:

Jewels Basic Pearls

Elegant Butterfly Punch

3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim  in Pistachio Pudding

Dimensionals

Stampin' Pierce Mat

September Sneak Peak #3

I am so excited about this card! I just love the geometric lines. Something about it appeals to my sense of order. Looking at this card makes me happy. And I'm hoping it brings a smile to the face of "my friend" whenever she opens the envelope!

This is another card I'm waiting for some supplies to make the final touches. The new Rotary Cutting Blade arm and two blades are on their way to join forces with one of my all-time favorite tools, the Stampin' Trimmer. One of the blades will make tiny scallops, similar to the small Bermuda Bay scallops you see below on the card. These were done using the the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, leaving just the edge peaking out.

Supplies:

Stamp Set:

Six Sided Sampler

Paper:

Whisper White

Calypso Coral

Crumb Cake

Raspberry Ripple

Bermuda Bay

Ink:

Raspberry Ripple

Bermuda Bay

Calypso Coral

Accessories:

Hexagon Punch

Scallop Rotary Cutting Blade

Dimensionals

September Sneak Peak #2

Here's another simple card from Stamp Camp. I just love the Blooming With Kindness stamp set and this is the first time we've had a chance to use it at Stamp Camp. It has this beautiful flower image along with 5 sentiments to cover many occasions.

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:

Blooming With Kindness

WM: #131961 $22.95

CM: #126422 $16.95

Paper:

Wisteria Wonder

Elegant Eggplant

Whisper White

Ink:

Elegant Eggplant

Wisteria Wonder

Accessories:

Big Shot & Woodgrain Embossing Folder

Jewels Basic Rhinestones

Exciting offers!

Summer has just unofficially ended, but it feels a little like Christmas right about now. I am excited to share two new offers with you from Stampin' Up! The first is a special packaged bundle. Buy two of my absolutely favorite products right now (the Papillion Potpourri stamp set and the Bitty Butterfly Punch) and save 15%! Don't miss this special offer! 

 And, it's once again time for a new "Best of" set! How about some beautiful Autumn images to kick off the start of Fall?

Terrific Tips Tuesday

Today's tip is all about a new product in the Stampin' Up! family. I am so excited to share with you that Stampin' Up! now has an Envelope Punch Board! Now, you can create beautiful, custom envelopes for your amazing hand made cards. Read on to find out more:

• It creates totally customizable envelopes in up to 66 different sizes (not to mention a million different color and pattern options depending on the paper you want to use). Even tried and true envelope sizes will only take you moments to create!
• It's super easy to use; it will go over as a huge wow when you see it in action. It looks intimidating at first glance, but when you see that all you have to do is measure for the first punch and from there you just turn and score you'll go crazy (in a good way).
• It's small and lightweight; this makes it easy for you to take it with you or keep it handy. It's also easy to store. It's small and light enough that you could use it while watching a soccer match, at a park, or at a friend's for craft night-anywhere.
• It even has a slick scoring tool as well as a punch that lets you create rounded corners on your envelopes.
• It's easy to keep it all together; the stylus storage compartment and two punches are designed into the tool so you don't have a bunch of little pieces to keep track of (even the instructions are printed right on the tool so you won't lose them!).
• The price is terrific-especially for a tool that does so much! It's only $19.95! (Item #133774)
• It will be in next year's annual catalog, so it's here to stay. But don't wait! You'll love having this tool on hand - especially in time for the holidays and all those cards you'll be making and giving!

September Stamp Camp Sneak Peak #1

Happy September! I decided to jump right into Fall with this first Stamp Camp card. The theme for this month's Stamp Camp is "Simple but pretty". At least, I feel that's how the cards came out. I had a few ideas going into my brainstorming/card making session this time, but not a real clear picture of where I wanted things to go. However as soon as I got some stamps and paper out, the cards sort of just came together. I hope you like them! I think there's something here for everyone this month. And they are SIMPLE! Which means if you come to Stamp Camp you are in for a fun, easy evening with friends. I think you'll like these simple cards because they will also give you easy ideas to create more cards at home. And that just adds to the fun!

I am actually waiting on some supplies to come (any day now) for this card. We are going to use the new Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the Holiday Catalog for the patterned paper behind the leaf image. I used a similar pattern from retired DSP to be a "place holder" until my order comes in. We are once again using the French Foliage Stamp Set - one of my favorites! Shhhh! Don't tell anyone, but we actually used this stamp set at our last Stamp Camp, too, on this card. Isn't it great how versatile ONE stamp set can be?! This time we have an entirely different look!

And I'd like to plug My Paper Pumpkin again. "Hey there friend" is a stamp from the monthly subscription I talked about here. Each month the kit comes with the supplies needed to make either 4 cards or a 3-D project such as a mini album or birthday banners. Inside, along with the paper and die cut stickers or twine and buttons, you will always find 1-2 stamps and an ink spot. I have loved each stamp that has come in the kits - and they are exclusive - not available anywhere else! Don't you just love this sentiment?!

 Supplies:

Stamp Sets:

French Foliage

"Hey There" from My Paper Pumpkin

Paper:

Sweater Weather DSP

Crushed Curry

Sahara Sand

Ink:

Chocolate Chip

Crushed Curry

Tangerine Tango

Sahara Sand

Misc. Accessories:

Neutrals and Brights Candy Dots

Sponge