Flashback Friday

It's time for another flashback! I loved the elegant simplicity of this card. Most of the supplies are retired now, but I'm hoping you'll still find inspiration to make it your own or maybe even pull some supplies out you haven't used in a while.

Third time is a charm! Who wouldn't love to get a card as beautiful and simple as this? This card is a beautiful all-occasion card as is, but with a simple switch of the sentiment using all the options in the Teeny Tiny Wishes set, this could easily be a thank-you card or even a wedding card!

Stamp Sets:
A to Z
Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper:
Pear Pizzazz
Pink Porouette
Whisper White

Ink:
Pear Pizzazz
Cherry Cobbler

Accessories:
Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon
Basic Pearls
Modern Label Punch
Word Window Punch
Boho Blossoms Punch
Glue Dots
Lattice die and Big Shot

Terrific Tips Tuesday

Just a little tip today. Do you have a smart phone? If so, make sure you have a QR code reader app. You can easily find one by searching the app store on your phone. In the new catalog, coming out next Monday (bonus tip: Don't forget to check the Retiring Stamps List and the Retiring Accessories List), you will be able to scan the little QR code boxes found on various pages and a link will take you to a helpful Stampin' Up! video on YouTube.

Flashback Friday

Here's a fun card with a technique that is easily adaptable to many different cards, stamps, etc. If you try it, be sure to share it with me!

Time to peak at another fun card! I had heard about the "stained glass" technique and had been hoping to give it a try for a while. At first I was going to do it for a Club project, but once I tried it I realized it was pretty simple and we could try it at a Stamp Camp! 

Basically, you heat emboss with Black embossing  powder any lined image onto Vellum Card Stock. Then you flip it over and color in the images with Stampin' Write Markers. This technique gives a lot of bang for the buck - and your time! I used the butterflies from Kindness Matters for this card, but it would be absolutely beautiful with a bigger floral image. And, it's one of those projects that you just can't help but reach out and touch. 

Stamp Set:

Kindness Matters

Paper:

So Saffron

Tempting Turquoise

Whisper White

Vellum Paper 

(the Vellum Paper retired but you can still get Vellum Card Stock. 

It would be thicker and easier to work with than the paper anyhow)

Inks:

Tangerine Tango

Stampin' Write Markers:

Tangerine Tango

Tempting Turquoise

So Saffron

Accessories:

Corner Rounder Punch

Black Embossing Powder & Heat Tool

Big Shot

Framelits Labels Collection Dies

Terrific Tips Tuesday

I hope you'll find today's tip useful. I love using the Big Shot. It may be one of my favorite tools to use. Generally, it's best to only use one layer of card stock when you use the Big Shot. But, there are a few items that do work just as well with two pieces of card stock.

First, I have found that I prefer running the embossing folders through on Tab 2, not Tab 1 as the cutting platform recommends. I still get a nice embossed image, but didn't get the occasional paper tearing I saw with Tab 1. Since the "sandwich" is a little thinner, you have room to put 2 sheets of card stock in your embossing folder!

I have also found that the Bigz and Originals dies can also generally handle 2 sheets of card stock. 

This tip is so handy if you are making multiples for your project! Don't be afraid to play around. Just be careful and smart and you might find some new ways to use your Big Shot. Every Big Shot tends to be little a little unique, so get to know yours.

I do know that with other accessories, especially the Framelits, Embosslits and Sizzlets are not made to cut through more than one sheet of card stock. But they sure are just as fun to work with, so we'll forgive them! ;) I hope you have fun playing with your Big Shot today and maybe even trying new things!

Flashback Friday

I have another card to share with you today. I thought this one would be appropriate with all the graduation talk I've been hearing lately. It's that wonderful time of year that is filled with hope and expectation for what is to come. And I hope this card might inspire you to create that special card for the special graduate in your life. If that's not you this year. this card would be great for so many other things, too - a new job, a victory over a struggle, encouragement, etc. I apologize that many of the items on this card are retired - Word Play, the designer series paper, the ribbon. If you have any of these items, it is a great time to pull them back out! If not, CASE it and make it your own! 

June is a busy month for many people! This year I am excited about the month's importance for our grads since my oldest niece will be graduating! We are so proud of her. This card was inspired by the card I created for her. I have also used this stamp for someone who was moving on professionally. This sentiment is so simple and yet beautiful it really is all you  need to create a stunning card!

Stamp Set: 

Word Play

Paper:

Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper

Crumb Cake

Soft Suede

Garden Green

Very Vanilla

Ink:

Pumpkin Pie

Soft Suede

Accessories:

Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Ticket Corner Punch

Dimensionals

Endless possibilities with the new Endless Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set

Stampin' Up!'s newest photopolymer stamp set is now available and it's just what you need! With type-set and handwritten phrases, you can mix and match 'til your heart's content. And you won't be limited to birthday themes! Check it out!

Terrific Tips Tuesday

Today I wanted to share a quick tip with you. Actually, it's a Stampin' Up! product that I really think you should give a try. Did you know Stampin' Up has kits? You can see several different types HERE. The kit I really want to share with you today is the Everyday Occasions Kit. 

This kit contains everything you need (except scissors and adhesive) to create 20 cards for all sorts of occasions - graduations, thanks, birthdays, etc. You can even store your cards in the box the kit comes in until you are ready to give them. If you are a new stamper, you'll love this and all the inspiration it will bring you. If you've been stamping for a while then you know the benefit of having supplies on hand to make those cards you inevitably need in a hurry. Check it out today!

Stamp Camp Sneak Peak #4

Today it's time for the final Stamp Camp Sneak Peak this month. This adorable card will be perfect for all those sweet little ones that have birthdays coming up. And the colors lend themselves to both girls or boys, so this card will definitely suit your needs!

I couldn't decide whether I liked the wood look of the button or the look of the star better, so if you come to stamp camp you'll have the option to do both!  

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:

Oval All

Tape It

Paper:

Tempting Turquoise

Pistachio Pudding

Whisper White

Ink:

Tempting Turquoise

Accessories:

Star Punch

Naturals Buttons

Decorative Label Punch

Scallop Circle Punch

White Baker's Twine

Alphabet Press Embossing Folder

Dimensionals

Stamp Camp Sneak Peak #3

Here is the third card we'll be making at Stamp Camp next week. This card was my inspiration. I only changed it up a tiny bit because I loved the colors and layout. I created a Father's Day card, but this is a perfect sympathy card and would also make a great masculine birthday or thank you card.

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:

Lovely as a Tree

Delightful Dozen

Paper:

Soft Sky

Crumb Cake

Early Espresso

Very Vanilla

Ink:

Early Espresso

Accessories:

Sponge

Big Shot

Deco Labels Framelits

Linen Thread

Woodgrain Embossing Folder

Ticket Corner Punch

Hexagon Punch (to flag the end of the banner)

2 1/2" Circle Punch

Stamp Camp Sneak Peak #2

This card is so simple which, I think, gives it elegance. I have seen this color combination several places and just had to try my own version. What do you think?

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:

Feel Goods

Paper:

Pear Pizzazz

Whisper White

Sahara Sand

Pool Party

Ink:

Soft Suede

Accessories:

Brads

Big Shot

Labels Framelits

Stamp Camp Sneak Peak #1

Are you read for a sneak peak? I just love this card, and I know you will too. It's soft and sweet. In fact, I had it in mind as a Mother's Day card. But, I got my dates wrong. Stamp Camp this year falls the week after Mother's Day. But this card would still make a perfect birthday, thinking of you or thank you card. Doesn't it make you want to find a big, floppy hat and a comfortable chair and just sit outside in the sun? I think we are all ready for a bit of that after this looong winter. 

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:

Pocket Silhouettes

Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper:

Naturals White

Whisper White

Elegant Eggplant

Ink:

Elegant Eggplant

Gumball Green (retiring)

Soft Sky

Accessories:

Sponge Daubers

Terrific Tips Tuesday

One of my favorite stamps is the Medallion stamp. Sadly, it is now retired. Here is a card we used it on a few years back in Stamp Camp:

The background stamps are a great investment because you can do so much with them. Like their name states, they make great background images. You can go subtle, or bold like the card above. With a stamp this size, your card or scrapbook page or other project will come together quickly. 

But sometimes it's hard to stamp with such a giant block. It sounds like a tip is in order: Flip the stamp over on its back. Ink it by tapping the ink pad over the surface of the stamp until it's covered evenly. Then lay your paper or card stock over the stamp and rub the back of the paper for an evenly inked image. Life straight up. Simple! 

Project Life News!

I am still so excited about the news that Stampin' Up! is partnering with Becky Higgins, the creator of Project Life. Scrapbooking is my first paper-crafting love. When I first started using Stampin' Up! products it was to enhance my scrapbooks. As I've mentioned before, Stampin' Up!'s coordination makes putting together beautiful pages so easy. The inks, stamps, papers and embellishments all work together, and if you are using Pool Party ink, it will match Pool Party card stock and Pool Party accents in the Designer Series Paper. Dies and punches coordinate with stamp sets... You get the idea. I love it! And now there's more to love.

If you are familiar with Project Life, then you are already excited. If not, let me share a few things with you.

Project Life helps busy people (so basically all of us) document life using photos and journaling in a quick, simple, and fabulous way. Stampin' Up! has partnered with Becky Higgins, creator of Project Life, to offer a complete line of elite products. 

Becky explains, "It's called Project LIFE because it's about YOUR LIFE. Whatever your life is. Whatever your stage of life. Whatever your family circumstances. Whatever your lifestyle. Project Life is designed to help anyone and everyone get their pictures into a book."  

In a nutshell, it's all about spending more time making memories and less time scrapbooking them.

Why you'll love Project Life:

• Coordination, coordination, coordination. Stampin' Up!'s Project Life line will coordinate with the colors and accessories you already love and have!
• Stampin' Up! and Project Life's products center on things that matter most-weddings, babies, kids, and the everyday moments of getting together with your favorite people-all things that need to be remembered.
• Our card collections come without rounded corners so you can decide if you want to keep them that way (and match the corners of your photos as they come) or use our Project Life Corner Punch to round them out. 
• Our card collections come packaged in an exclusive storage system that holds all your Project Life supplies on your desk: cards, journaling pens, photos, accessory packs, stamp sets, and more.

Sneak Peak items are already available for you to purchase. Check them out HERE. A full line will be available in the new catalog coming out next month, so keep your eyes out!! Here are pictures of a few of the items already available:

Flashback Friday

As I was looking through old blog posts I came across the one I'm going to share with you today. I know it's a couple weeks late for an Easter card, but it was too pretty not to pass up... Here is the original post:

It's time for the 4th and final sneak peak of April's Stamp Camp. Do you think I saved the best for last? I'm having a hard time picking a favorite, but I think the silhouette of the girl in this stamp set is just darling! I am so ready for warmer weather I can almost feel the grass on my feet and smell the scent of beautiful spring flowers, just as this girl must be doing! There is so much to love about Spring! And I think this stamp set, Easter Blossoms, sums it all up nicely! The two sentiments, "Happy Easter" and "sending Springtime smiles" will put anyone in the mood for fragrant Spring breezes!

Card Supplies:
Stamp Sets:Easter Blossoms*

Paper:Springtime Vintage DSP (designer series paper)*
Very Vanilla CS
Rose Red CS
Always Artichoke CS
Crumb Cake CS

Inks:Rose Red
Chocolate Chip
Crumb Cake

Accessories:Dimensionals
Decorative Label Punch
Sponge, used with  Crumb Cake ink to add a softer edge to the Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake card stock
Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon

* The Easter Blossoms stamp set and Springtime Vintage DSP are in the Occasions Mini Catalog and will only be available through April 30, 2011. So, if you have fallen in love with them as I did, don't wait to place an order!

My New Craft Room

You have been patiently waiting updates on my craft room. I think I'm finally ready to share. There are still several things I want to do, but it's pretty close to what it will look like for a while. 

The first two pictures are what my craft room looked like for the first month or so that we lived here. The counter came in an inch short. Since I had to wait for a replacement it wasn't worth putting anything away just yet. Plus, I was busy putting things away in the rest of the house.

And below are the "done" pictures. I obviously still need things like curtains and some wall decor, but the most important things are there. My view is lovely and it will be even better when the porch is finished and the yard gets graded and put in. Please ignore the giant mud piles for now.

The pictures were taken as I moved from corner to corner counter-clockwise around the room. The first picture is from just inside the doorway. 

You have an eagle eye if you noticed the typewriter case below the window in the picture above. It was my grandma's. She had a stand for it, too, which I recently found. It needs some paint and TLC and then the typewriter will have a home. Hopefully I'll find some time soon for this project. 

This final view shows you my main work space. I rarely sit down when I'm working on a project, so the space under the counter was perfect for my 8.5" x 11" card stock storage.