"But I'm not a Christmas Set!"

All this blogging must really be subconscious procrastination of my endless list of projects, including: our own family Christmas Cards (to make, address, write in, take pictures for, and mail), gifts, thank you notes, club projects, etc. But, what the heck ... I want to post a few non-Christmas-sets. I just love when I learn how to use a stamp set in an "out-of-the-clamshell-case" kind of way. This is a case of a card by detour3 on scs. There is a gold embossed sentiment inside.
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STAMP SET: DOODLE THIS; INK: VERSAMARK; CARDSTOCK: HANDSOME HUNTER, REAL RED, BRUSHED GOLD; ACCESSORIES: CORNER NOTCH PUNCH, GOLD EP, BRADS.

Christmas Card*inal, Take 4

This was our Stamp Club project from last night ... and my last take on a Cardinal Christmas for a while. I've been truly inspired by this set, and have used it SO MUCH. It's one of those absolute classics for me - I hope it makes it into the new catalog! For this technique, stamp the holly image in VersaMark on a Pacific Point panel, dust with Winter White Embossing Powder, and use the heating tool to set the embossing powder. Then, appy VersaMark over the entire panel, and emboss with Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder. It's so beautiful & shimmery in real life!**************************************
STAMP SET: A CARDINAL CHRISTMAS; INK: VERSAMARK, BAJA BREEZE; CARDSTOCK: BAJA BREEZE, PACIFIC POINT, WHISPER & SHIMMERY WHITE; ACCESSORIES: TICKET CORNER PUNCH, VINTAGE BRADS, JOIN THE CHEER DECORATIVE STRIP DIE

Christmas Card*inal, Take 3

Here's a suprisingly lovely no-layer card. The reverse masking technique and tear of the right-hand edge give it dimension that belies the fact that there are no layers to this card. I threw a bunch of these together for a door prize.

For the reverse masking, make a mask by cutting an oval out of the center of a card-front sized piece of scrap cardstock. Place this mask on your cardfront, and hold in place while you sponge Old Olive onto the card. Keeping the mask in place, stamp an image - I used the holly stamp and kept the Old Olive color light by stamping off once onto scrap, then stamping inside the oval. Then, just remove the mask, and stamp a focal image in a darker color on top.
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STAMP SET: A CARDINAL CHRISTMAS
CARDSTOCK: NATURAL WHITE
INK: OLD OLIVE, BASIC BLACK
ACCESSORIES: OLD OLIVE POLYTWILL RIBBON

Christmas Card*inal, Take 2

I really LOVE this card. I can't put my finger on it, but it's lovely, classy, and simple!! It's a CASE of a KristaTracy card I saw on scs. I used Real Red, double stitched Chocolate Chip ribbon and a Botique button. The Top Note Die for my SU Big Shot cuts this lovely Kraft panel in no time!!!
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STAMP SET: A CARDINAL CHRISTMAS
CARDSTOCK: REAL RED, KRAFT
INK: REAL RED & CHOCOLATE CHIP CLASSIC
ACCESSORIES: TOP NOTE DIE, DOUBLE STITCHED CHOCOLATE CHIP RIBBON, BUTTON BOTIQUE

Christmas Card*inal, Take 1

Thanksgiving is over, and Christmastime is officially here!!! But I know I'd better get a move-on with my projects. My usual crafting time has been drastically cut back this year. My son's 8th birthday (& party) is coming up next week, we're having a SIL and her 3 kids stay in town for over a week, my Stamp Club to prepare for, family Christmas Pictures to take & develop, and 40 cards to stamp and send. Plus, there's the decorating, wrapping & mailing of gifts. Yikes.

But I'm still not set on a design. Here's Take 1 - a Free Standing Pop Up Card, and I've wanted to try one forever, but it looked too complicated. Guess what?! It's really VERY simple, thanks to this splitcoaststampers tutorial . I've used my favorite set from the Holiday Mini - A Cardinal Christmas - and a Faux Stained Glass Technique.
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STAMP SET: A CARDINAL CHRISTMAS
CARDSTOCK: OLD OLIVE, BASIC BLACK, WHISPER WHITE, VELLUM CARDSTOCK
INK: OLD OLIVE, CHOCOLATE CHIP, REAL RED, SO SAFFRON SW MARKERS
ACCESSORIES: OLD OLIVE WIDE GROSGRAIN RIBBON, BLACK HEMP TWINE, BLACK DETAIL EMBOSSING POWDER, HEAT TOOL, STICKY STRIP

Elf Packaging

There are genius stampers out there ... with artistic eyes that can look at the Bag on a Box pattern below ... and translate it into the most adorable Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Elf bags. I am not one of those genius ladies ... though I can do a pretty good CASE! I saw these by Patti Lee on splitcoaststampers.com & added real Hodgepodge buckles, Pretties pearls & Boquet buttons. TFS, PattiLee!***************CARDSTOCK: REAL RED, BASIC BLACK, OLD OLIVE, TEXTURED WHISPER WHITE; ACCESSORIES: SCALLOP EDGE, ROUND TAB & SCALLOP CIRCLE PUNCH, KIWI KISS RIBBON, BUTTON BOQUET, BUILD-A-BRAD, PRETTIES KIT

Bag on a Box

Hello, again! I'm back! Here's one of my Stamp Club projects from last week - it's an adorable Bag on a Box Gift Bag. The tutorial came from splitcoaststampers.com resource forum. This is just a simple, easy and FAST project ... and what a way to package your gifts this season.
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CARDSTOCK: REAL RED, BAJA BREEZE, CHOCOLATE CHIP DSDP; ACCESSORIES: BAJA BREEZE STRIPED RIBBON, ROUND TAB PUNCH, SCALLOP EDGE PUNCH, BUILD A BRAD, SNOW FLURRIES, GEL PEN, AND LOTS OF STICKY STRIP!

Mini-Man in Summer Sun

Well, this has to be one of my absolute favorite projects! This is my son, Ranger, dressed as a Lego mini-man.

I color matched the little plastic guy to our exclusive colors and Summer Sun is the perfect mini-figure shade!! The head is a recycled toy packaging, lined with Summer Sun 12" x 12" textured cardstock. I cut out the glasses with my SU Hobby Blade, and put a panel of Whisper White behind the glasses, with holes punched with my 1 3/8" Circle Punch. His hands were free cut, laminated, and then I used coordinating Summer Sun brads to secure elastic to the cardstock. This lazer is Basic Grey!

We all had such fun with this costume - I love my SU! and my adorable mini-man!

MEMORIES (of all sizes) BEGIN WITH THIS

YIPPEE! After long last, I've got an official Crop Night! I've found a small group of fun, friendly girls, and we got together at the neighborhood clubhouse to scrapbook.

I demonstrated a 6" x 6" scrapbook page, and let the other croppers make one of their own. The Bonus Layout on the Demo Website was perfect for these pictures of my happy Reesie-Pie and his favorite pool noodle.

I love putting on events like this, because it challenges me to create - to complete pages & preserve these beautiful memories piling up so fast.

I wanted to take the original page into larger sized layouts. Here, I added pictures of Rylee and Ranger, more rub-ons, chipboard dates and what I think is an awesome circle collage at the bottom - see the textured cardstock, covered chipboard, Build-a-Brad tops, and crystal effects dots.

Next, up to a 12" x 12" layout. Another picture - this time all 3 of my little darlings in the pool together, swimming with those famous noodles. I added Pacific Point stitched ribbon, another half circle, and a few more of my Crystal Effects droplets.

I can't tell which one is my favorite - but I can say I've gotten 3 pages done even BEFORE the crop starts, and I'm pretty happy about that!

STAMP CLUB - August

I'll admit, I hadn't stamped too much since coming home from Convention. We had family trips, appointments, and the back-to-school chaos. There's nothing like an upcoming Stamp Club meeting to get me motivated again.

Here are our stamp club projects - are they gorgeous? The bookmark was a convention project - I just changed up the colors and Designer Papers. The card is a case of the Embrace Life card on page 91 of the Fall/Winter 08 catty - down to the bleaching technique behind the main image. Bleaching our heavywieght cardstock brings a different look to different colors: Blush Blossoms turns white: Sage Shadow turns a perfect vanilla; and apparently Not Quite Navy turns grey! It's a fun technique to experiment with.
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STAMP SET: EASTERN BLOOMS, CARDSTOCK: NOT QUITE NAVY, BASIC GREY, KIWI KISS, WHISPER WHITE; INK: BASIC GREY, KIWI KISS, BAJA BREEZE; ACCESSORIES: BASIC GRAY TAFFETA RIBBON, BUTTON BOUQUET, CRYSTAL EFFECTS

New Catty Glee

Well, I know I've been quiet lately. Don't want to bore you all with my trips, travels, turmoils. Just now getting around to posting some of my convention pictures. Here's my mom and I, pouring over the beautiful, brand-new Catalog. See how happy it makes us?!

HAPPY DEMO DAY

This was NOT the card we weres supposed to make at today's Stamp-A-Stack. You see, I'd spent a whole week researching, designing, and preparing projects for this class. I even had a whole Faux Wood project (20 of 'em) cut and prepared to do today. The only thing I was missing was the For Father stamp set from the current Mini. Well, my mom said she had it, and mailed it Priority up from Texas. I should have known better than to count my chickens before they hatched (or, stamps before they were inked). Anyway, when Mom's mailer arrived, I found Dad's Day, instead of For Father. Oh, no!!! An absolutely different style: watercoloring classics vs. modern bold. I was in trouble. My prepped material wouldn't work with this set. I was going to have to come up with something new altogether. I went to bed super-worried, but woke up with the idea of reworking this template from swente with a color combo I liked from the last Stampin' Success. So, here it is - my last-minute save that turned into my fave of the day.
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STAMP SET: DAD'S DAY: CARDSTOCK: MORE MUSTARD, BASIC GRAY, BASIC BLACK; INK: MORE MUSTARD, BASIC GRAY; ACCESSORIES: SPIRAL & DESIGNER LABEL BUNCHES, JERSEY RIBBON ORIGINAL

BROCADE - revised

I asked for the critique, and I sure got some. I was going to give up on this card and never look back again, but I just couldn't. So, I took my stamp camp leftovers, and changed the Ugly Duckling a bit.
BECCA'S TIP: MOVE SENTIMENT TO THE RIGHT, SO THE WORDS FLOW TOGETHER BETTER; LYNDA'S TIP: TIGHTEN UP THE THREE POINTS OF INTEREST TO MAKE A "TRIANGLE OF INTEREST" THAT'S EASIER ON THE EYE ... AND TONE DOWN THE RIBBON; CAROL'S TIP: RECONSIDER THE COLORS (OR QUANTITY OF EACH). *THERE IS A GALLON/QUART/PINT RULE TO COLOR COMBOS. JENNIFER & MARA'S THOUGHTS: THE ORIGINAL WAS GOOD (OR SALVAGABLE?) So, just like the dancers from DWTS, I applied the critique. I do think this one is better. Do you?

UGLY DUCKLING?

Okay, I've got to know ... what do *you* think of this card?!

It was my Stamp Club design for the month. I was trying to accomplish three things here: 1) use a challenging, different color combination, 2) feature chipboard, as it's on sale this month, and 3) demonstrate a new technique called Grid Technique. It's different, granted - but I still think it's kind of cool.
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STAMP SET: BAROQUE MOTIFS, WONDERFUL FAVORITES; CARDSTOCK: PURELY POMEGRANITE, BRAVO BURGANDY, OLD OLIVE, PALE PLUM, VERY VANILLA, KRAFT; INK: PURELY POMEGRANITE, PALE PLUM & OLD OLIVE CLASSIC; BRAVO BURGANDY CRAFT; ACCESSORIES: ON BOARD ACCENTS, IRR. ICE EP, PEWTER HH & JUMBO EYELETS, GROSGRAIN RIBBON, & SU! PUNCHES

TUG, TUG DADDY!

Our stamp club challenge was to CASE the card on page 44 of the catty. Here's my take - a colorful, fun Father's Day card. Cute, huh?
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STAMP SET: BOATLOADS OF LOVE, WONDERFUL FAVORITES; CARDSTOCK: OLD OLIVE, BASHFUL BLUE (TEXTURED), PUMPKIN PIE, WHISPER WHITE, SUMMPER PICNIC DSDP; INK: BASIC BLACK & OLD OLIVE CLASSIC PAD; GOING GRAY, OLD OLIVE, REAL RED, PUMPKIN PIE, BASHFUL BLUE STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS; ACCESSORIES: VINTAGE BRADS, PEWTER HODGEPODGE HARDWARE, RED GROSGAIN RIBBON

GENUINE DAD

Here's another Father's Day submission, using the Stamp of Authenticity Stamp Set. I like it's simple & casual thrown-together look ... like I just went out to the garage for the rivets and labels and twine! The rectangle around the "D" is actually a window, so when you open the card, there's the library card panel, with plenty of room for sentiment.
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STAMP SETS: STAMP OF AUTHENTICITY, ROUGH EDGES ALPHA; CARDSTOCK: ALWAYS ARTICHOKE, MARIGOLD MORNING (RET), REALLY RUST KRAFT, VERY VANILLA; ACCESSORIES: BRADS, EYELETS, BLACK GROSGRAIN, HEMP TWINE, PAPER PIERCING TOOL & TEMPLATE

FATHER'S DAY FLAIR

I messed up Mother's Day. That's the truth - just completely blew it! That's usually one of my most stamp-a-riffic holidays. I love sending hand-stamped cards to my favorite moms - my actual moms, my sistas and SILs, my friends, my customers. But, this year, there was too much going on. I got a few out, but not nearly enough.

So, I'm determined to redeem myself on Father's Day (usually my least-stamped holiday). So, to get the creative juices flowing, I'm starting a Father's Day card series here on the blog. This is my first entry: Father's Day Flair.

I'm in love with this card, so don't dog it. The belt idea is from reneejul1 on splitcoaststampers. The oval shape on the belt end is from the Large Oval Punch. Pocket is a Large Tab Punch. And the "flair?" It's a 1 3/8" Circle Punch embossed three times over with Glassy Glaze EP, and bent in a little in the middle, in an attempt to mimic a campaign/brag button. Did it work?
***************************************************** STAMP SETS: CLASSIC BGS, CANVAS BG, SHORT ORDER #S, WONDERFUL FAVORITES; CARDSTOCK: SOFT SKY, BLUE BAYOU, CREAMY CARAMEL, CHOCOLATE CHIP; INK: SOFT SKY, BLUE BAYOU, CHOCOLATE CHIP; ACCESSORIES: ANTIQUE BRASS HODGEPODGE, 1 3/8" CIRCLE PUNCH, LARGE TAG PUNCH, LARGE OVAL PUNCH

KIND RESIST

I can't believe how long it's been since I stamped. Good think I've got my wonderful stampers club to keep me motivated! This was our card project for Stamp Club this month. We used the gorgeous Essence of Love stamp for this soft & subtle emboss resist technique.

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STAMP SET: ESSENCE OF LOVE

C/S: BASIC GREY, SOFT SKY, WHISPER WHITE, SPRING SILHOUETTES DSDP

INK: BASIC GREY, SOFT SKY, WILD WASABI

ACCESSORIES: WASABI DOUBLE-STITCHED RIBBON, BASIC GREY TAFFETA, PHOTO CORNER PUNCHES, CLEAR EMBOSSING POWDER & VERSAMARK

HEARTFELT BROCCOLI

This was my 6" x 6" recipe card for a swap this month. This curry broccoli salad is fantastic, by the way, but I'm really posting to brag about how I made this broccoli bunch from the Heartfelt Thanks stamp set! Who would have thunk it?! It's a darn good version of the real thing, wouldn't you agree?! I'm amazed by how truly versatile this set can be, and now you can add broccoli to the list of cool uses for it!

THE BIG 4.0

I don't think 40 is really "over the hill" anymore, do you? It's more like "almost on top of the world." I mean, by the time you're 40, you've got the kinks worked out of life, you've got a good job, you've found a mate, the kids are out of diapers, you've probably even scored a home and a 401K. Life's just gettin' good! (At least, that's what I'm counting on!) I made this for a wonderful friend's hubby. Hope he likes it ... just as soon as he recovers from the party & opens it!
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SS: LOADS OF LOVE, LOL ACCESSORIES, HEADLINE ALPHA #S, 'BIG' FROM RETIRED SET
CS: WILD WASABI, BASIC BLACK, BASIC GREY, WHISPER WHITE
INK: WILD WASABI, BASIC BLACK, BASIC GREY, VERSAMARK
ACCESSORIES: WHITE GEL PEN, CLEAR EMBOSSING POWDER, SW MARKERS, BLENDER PENS

HOKIE DREAM

It's been a super-busy week, what with the kids home from Spring Break, a family gathering, Easter, yardwork, tax returns, etc. But, I had good cause to stamp today ... my SIL's birthday. She and my brother are die-hard Virginia Tech Hokies ... so it's only fitting I create a special "Hokie Dream" card for her. Pumpkin Pie and Bravo Burgandy are the absolute perfect colors for my alma mater. Happy birthday, Cathy!!
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STAMP SETS: LIVE YOUR DREAM
INK: BRAVO BURGANDY, PUMPKIN PIE, & OLD OLIVE STAMPIN WRITE MARKERS
CARDSTOCK: BRAVO BURGANDY, PUMPKIN PIE, VERY VANILLA, KRAFT
ACCESSORIES: PUMPKIN GROSGRAIN RIBBON, RIBBON ORIGINALS (RETIRED), HODGEPODGE HARDWARE

BUNDLE OF JOY

What's a SU! demo to get for the mom-to-be who has everything? Well, hand-stamped announcements, of course! I made a set of these little beauties for a great friend. 136 punched corners, sponged sides, 136 eyelets & brads, 34 hoard-able flower slides, 408 dollops of glue & glitter ... you bet she's a great friend! Congrats, Terri!

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STAMP SET: BUNDLE OF JOY (RETIRED)

INK: WILD WASABI, BASIC BROWN, CLOSE TO COCOA & PRETTY IN PINK

CARDSTOCK: WILD WASABI TEXTURED, CLOSE TO COCOA & PRETTY IN PINK, WHISPER WHITE

ACCESSORIES: WASABI DOUBLE -STITCHED RIBBON, PINK TAFFETA RIBBON, FLOWER SLIDE (FROM THE *NEW* STYLED SILVER HODGEPODGE HARDWARE), SILVER EYELETS. PLUS A TIDGE OF DAZZLING DIAMONDS GLITTER

SWEET CLUB!

Club night again! We had a guest (thanks for coming Angie!) and a really "sweet" time! I had brand spankin' new stuff and just *had* to demo it. Clubbers made this cute criss-cross card and the pop-top gift can. I showed them how to make a scratc-n-sniff embellishment, using Glassy Glaze EP and sugar-free Jell-O!
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STAMP SETS: TART & TANGY, FULL OF LIFE
INK: REAL RED, OLD OLIVE, BASHFUL BLUE SW MARKERS, REAL RED CRAFT
CARDSTOCK: REAL RED, BASHFUL BLUE, WHISPER WHITE & SUMMER PICNIC DSDP
ACCESSORIES: ROUND TAB, SCALLOPED CIRCLE & CIRCLE PUNCHES, EYELETS, BRADS, WIDE GROSGRAIN RIBBON

WANT TO SWAP?

For our club swap this month, we CASEd the Embrace Life card on p. 84 of the catty. Nice pick, Michelle! Actually, this color scheme started from scraps! I had extra panels from the swap card below. I just flipped them over to reveal this cool Wasabi pattern, punched the corners, and mounted it on Chocolate Chip. The "faux scalloped" border is punched circles mounted on the back of the patterned paper. Let's see ... the large flower had been inked with White Craft Ink and embossed with Irridescent Ice EP.
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STAMP SET: LIVE YOUR DREAM, PAISLEY BG
CARDSTOCK: KRAFT, CHOCOLATE CHIP, SOFT SKY, AFTERNOON TEA DSDP
INK: CHOCOLATE CHIP, SOFT SKY
ACCESSORIES: CIRCLE PUNCH, CORNER PUNCH, PRETTIES KIT, BUILD-A-BRAD, PEWTER HODGEPODGE, CHOCOLATE CHIP TAFFETA

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Fundraising is hard work! They didn't tell me this when I signed up for the 26-mile Avon Breast Cancer Walk in Washington, D.C., on May 3rd & 4th. I figured all the walking would be the challenge, but it's really getting out of my comfort zone and asking my friends & family to donate towards the $1,800 *minimum* required to participate! Well, what's a SU! demo to do?! Stamp about it! Here's the first of a little pink series I'm working on. I'm going to include one of these cards with each donation coupon I send. Hope the little bra doesn't offend the the older crowd! LOL.
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STAMP SET: FASHION STATEMENTS (RETIRED HOSTESS)
CARDSTOCK: PURELY POMEGRANITE, PRETTY IN PINK, CHOCOLATE CHIP, WHISPER WHITE, BERRY BLISS DSDP
INK: PURELY POMEGRANITE, PRETTY IN PINK, CHOCOLATE CHIP
ACCESSORIES: POMEGRANITE SATIN RIBBON, SCALLOP CIRCLE, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" PUNCH, SOFT SUBTLES EYELETS, WHITE GEL PEN

OCCASSIONAL COLORS

Sooooooo, we've got a new Mini Catalog - you all knew that, right?! If you haven't seen it yet, check out the link to the left. Stampin' Up! has given us another gorgeous selection of stamps, paper & accessories. Here are the new Double-Sided Designer Papers, and their coordinating colors. The card below has a panel of Afternoon Tea - pretty, don't you think?!

AFTERNOON TEA: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi
SUMMER PICNIC: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

STAMP YOUR DREAM

Here's my submission for GWTWJunkie's 4th Convention Quality Swap. I love these swaps - I am so challenged to put out real artist-quality cards with lots of techniques and embellishments. I adore the color pallette of Afternoon Tea DSDP, but I haven't decided whether or not I like the half-pearls from the Pretties Kit on this card.
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STAMP SET: LIVE YOUR DREAM, PAISLEY BG
CARDSTOCK: CHOCOLATE CHIP, SOFT SKY, AFTERNOON TEA DSDP, GLOSSY WHITE
INK: WHITE CRAFT, CHOCOLATE CHIP & GROOVY GUAVA CLASSIC
ACCESSORIES: SANDING BLOCKS & SPONGES (FOR LINEN TECHNIQUE), WHITE EMBOSSING POWDER & HEAT TOOL (FOR EMBOSSED BACKGROUND), PRETTIES KIT, VINTAGE BRADS, CHOCOLATE CHIP TAFFETA RIBBON & FLOWER SLIDE HARDWARE FROM NEW OCCASSIONS MINI - WHEW!

MORE TO PRETTIES THAN MEETS THE EYE

I just came across these pictures of my daughter, all dressed up for her pre-K Thanksgiving Feast. The teacher sent home a paper bag with which I was supposed to make a nice, traditional, crayon-decorated Native American fringed vest.
Well, with me being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and my daughter being quite the girly-girl, we couldn't help but go a little over the top. She was quite the Indian Princess, don't you think?! And, she was so happy in her costume!
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CARDSTOCK: TEMPTING TURQUOISE, REGAL ROSE, REGAL ROSE DESIGNER PRINTS
ACCESSORIES: FLOWER PUNCH (RET.), ICE RHINESTONE BRADS, PRETTIES KIT, NON-SU FEATHERS, NON-SU PAPER BAG, ONE ADORABLE LITTLE GIRL

EMBRACE the "CASE"

Here's a closer look at my Club Swap card. The challenge was a CASE from the "smile" card on p. 48 of the current catty. The flower was stamped in Basic Black, colored in with Groovy Guava & Ruby Red, cut out & then covered with 2 layers of Glassy Glaze EP.
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STAMP SET: EMBRACE LIFE
INK: RIVER ROCK, BASIC BLACK, GROOVY GUAVA, RUBY RED
CARDSTOCK: RIVER ROCK, WHISPER WHITE, GINGER BLOSSOMS DSDP
ACCESSORIES: GROOVY GUAVA DOUBLE-STITCHED RIBBON, PAPER PIERCING TEMPLATE, HEAT TOOL, GLASSY GLAZE EP

YIPPEE - STAMP CLUB!

I'm happy! Stamp Club met for the first time last night & it was so much fun. I wanted to share our projects. Clubbers made the "h" card, the 5-in-1 gift box, and the gift card purse. They also recieved the pen, paperclip and "embrace life" card as gifties! Good job, ladies!
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STAMP SETS: EMBRACE LIFE, HAPPY EVERYTHING
INK: RIVER ROCK, BASIC BLACK
CARDSTOCK: RIVER ROCK, BASIC BLACK, RUBY RED, WHISPER WHITE, GINGER BLOSSOMS DSDP.
ACCESSORIES: GUAVA DOUBLE STITCHED RIBBON, STICKY LETTERS, SILVER SHINE GLITTER, HEMP TWINE, BUTTONS, PRETTIES, PUNCHES & RUB-ONS

SCRAPPIN' THE WALLS

Here's what kept me busy today. I wanted to make something unjque and meaningful for a super-special friend of mine. She has the most adorable baby, who celebrated her 1st birthday a couple weeks back. I got my hands on a couple of the pictures, and made a 12x12 scrapbook page. It's in a shadow box for the wall. It got rave reviews, and I was really thrilled. Happy Birthday, JM! Love ya, girl.
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INK: CERTAINLY CELERY, CHOCOLATE CHIP, BASHFUL BLUE, REGAL ROSE, & BLUSH BLOSSOM
PAPER: SAME & PETAL PATCH DSDP (RET. UNFORTUNATELY)
ACCESSORIES: YOU NAME IT! HODGEPODGE, BRADS, EYELETS, RIBBON, BUTTONS, CHIPBOARD, SANDING BLOCKS, ETC.

STAMPIN' THROUGH SUPPLIES

Here's one of the cards we made for my last Stamp-A-Stack. It's a CASE of the Unfrogettable card in the Catty. My stampers thought it was cute! I had some supplies left over, and decided to get them stamped up. So, I switched to Always (can you tell that set is my favorite these days?!) and ... voila!

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STAMP SETS: UNFROGETTABLE OR ALWAYS
CARDSTOCK: ALWAYS ARTICHOKE, SO SAFFRON, REGAL ROSE, VERY VANILLA
INK: BASIC BLACK, AND ALWAYS ARTICHOKE, SO SAFFRON, REGAL ROSE SW MARKERS
ON THE ALWAYS CARD, I GAVE THE HEART A LAYER OF VERSAMARK & IRRIDESCEN ICE EP.

WHAT? NO STAMPING?!

Here's this morning's card - inspired by the Dalia fold, a SCS sketch challenge, and my need to try the rub-ons! I like it ... even though there's no stamping at all.
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STAMP SET: NONE!
CARDSTOCK: ROSE RED, PUMPKIN PIE, TEMPTING TURQUOISE, BALI BREEZE DSDP
ACCESSORIES: 1 3/8" CIRCLE PUNCH, SCALLOP CIRCLE PUNCH, PAPER PIERCING TEMPLATE & TOOL, FELT FLOWERS, PRETTIES KIT, URBAN WEST RUB-ONS

IN-COLOR COMBOS

Ya'll know I'm lovin' the new Designer Papers just released in the S-S '08 Catalog! I think the color combos are brilliant and beautiful. Well, you can create the same wonderful looks, using the In-Color Combination Chart provided by Stampin' Up!.

The combination on the top left looks like the inspiration for Bali Breeze DSDP. See if you can find the combo for Ginger Blossoms using the link, above.

HAPPY DAY

I had a happy stampin' day today. One of my dear friends came over and we spent the afternoon covering a chipboard album together. She was so thrilled and pleased with the final product ... well, it just made me happy. It was a day just like this Pick-A-Petal card, so I thought I'd post it!
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STAMP SET: PICK A PETAL, HAPPY EVERYTHING
CARDSTOCK: WILD WASABI, CLOSE TO COCOA, PUMPKIN PIE, SUMMER SUN, PURELY POMEGRANITE, WHISPER WHITE
INK: WILD WASABI, SOFT SKY, PUMPKIN PIE
ACCESSORIES: SCALLOP & CIRCLE PUNCHES, SPRING BOQUET PUNCH (RET)
COMMENTS: TREES ARE THE SOLID PETAL, MIDDLE OF THE SUN IS STAMPED IN PUMPKIN PIE CRAFT AND EMBOSSED WITH IRRIDESCENT ICE; EDGES ARE SPONGED.

PAPER PALETTES

The following is a list of Double-Sided Designer Papers from Stampin' Up!s Spring-Summer 2008 Collection, and the exclusive Stampin' Up! colors that coordinate with them. These beautiful papers are offered in the versatile 12"x12" size, with 2 pages each of 6 designs. Use your Designer Papers to: create quick cards, make beautiful scrapbook pages, cover journals, tins, coasters, and more!

AZURE: Brilliant Blue, Very Vanilla
BALI BREEZE: Taken with Teal, Purely Pomegranate, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, River Rock, Soft Sky, Regal Rose
BERRY BLISS: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
CUTIE PIE: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, So Saffron
EAST COAST PREP: Tempting Turquoise, More Mustard, Real Red, Wild Wasabi
FALL FLOWERS: Old Olive, Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky
FLOWERS FOR YOU: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise
GINGER BLOSSOM: Groovy Guava, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, River Rock
JERSEY SHORE: Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie
LE JARDIN: River Rock, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke
NOTEBOOK: Kraft, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla
OLIVE PRESS: Very Vanilla, Old Olive
PORCELAIN PRINTS: Blue Bayou, River Rock, Wild Wasabi
SPRING BREAK: Soft Sky, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Blue Bayou
SPRING FLING: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Sage Shadow, Certainly Celery
SPRING SILHOUETTES: Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla
WESTERN SKY: Rose Red, Soft Sky, River Rock, Ruby Red, Blue Bayou

OFFICE PARTY

I was on an Office Accoutrement kick a couple weeks ago, and here's a quickie I came up with for an "office party" look, using the new Bali Breeze Double-Sided Designer Paper. I like how the corner rounder punch worked out on the bottom flaps of this card.

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STAMP SETS: OFFICE ACCOUTREMENT, POLKA DOTS & PAISLEY

CARDSTOCK: CRAFT, TEMPTING TURQUOISE, BALI BREEZE DSDP

INK: PUMPKIN PIE, ROSE RED, BASIC BLACK

ACCESSORIES: SPIRAL PUNCH, CORNER ROUNDER, ROUND TAB, HODGEPODGE, TURQUOISE GROSGRAIN RIBBON

RIBBON ORIGINALS

On my latest "Always" card, I used a lovely snippet of Rose Red stitched ribbon from the Fairy Tale Ribbon Originals. As a helpful resource, I've listed the entire line of Ribbon Originals from the Spring-Summer '08 Collection below, along with the Stampin' Up exclusive coordinating colors.

BEACHFRONT: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Basic Gray
DISTRICT: Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Blue Bayou, Sage Shadow
FAIRY TALE (pictured): So Saffron, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Almost Amethyst
JERSEY: Basic Black, Real Red, More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, Brocade Blue
SHERBERT: So Saffron, Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate, Mellow Moss, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla
THEATRE: Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip

ALWAYS stampin'

I haven't put this set away since the day it arrived! I just love this heart - so beautiful with a bunch of techniques. I'm in a Convention-Quality Swap ... I'm a little intimidated by the other swappers, but this is my submission. What do you think? ********************************************************************************
STAMP SET: ALWAYS, CANVAS & FLORAL BGs
CARDSTOCK: WHISPER WHITE, ROSE RED, BASIC BLACKINK: ROSE RED CLASSIC & VERSAMARK (FOR THE EMBOSSING)
ACCESSORIES: SHERBERT RIBBON ORIGINALS, PRETTIES KIT, FELT FLOWERS, WHITE MULBERRY PAPER, EYELETS, PAPER PIERCING TOOL & TEMPLATE, WHITE GETL PEN, EMBOSSING POWDERS (WHITE, CLEAR IRRIDESCENT ICE)
COMMENTS: FOR THE HEART, I STAMPED THE IMAGE IN VERSAMARK AND EMBOSSED WITH WHITE EP. THEN, I COVERED THE WHOLE HEART IN VERSAMARK AGAIN AND EMBOSSED WITH IRRIDESCENT ICE EP, THEN CUT OUT. I USED A BLENDER PEN TO TRACE AROUND THE HEART ON MULBERRY PAPER. THE BLENDER PEN WETS THE APAPER AND ALLOWED ME TO TEAR IT OUT IN A SHAPE. THE BLACK PANEL IS CANVAS BG STAMPED IN VERSAMARK AND EMBOSSED WITH CLEAR EP.