Dazzling Diamonds Snowflakes

Let it Snow!

True confession: I do not like the black and white snowflake design in the This Christmas DSP. But at a recent card class I saw a card using the paper along with Basic Gray and Basic Black. I liked the color combination, but something was missing.

The suggestion was made to heat emboss the sentiment on the front. OK, I liked that better. 

But still ...

Then I remembered a technique I had not used in a while and decided to experiment:

If you click on this picture to enlarge it, can you see the difference in the two pieces of DSP?

The top piece is a 12 x 12 sheet right out of the package.

The bottom piece was trimmed 4 x 5 1/4. just 1/4 inch smaller than a regular card base. Before adhering it onto the card front, I stamped the entire surface with Versamark Pad and then sprinkled Heat and Stick fine embossing powder covering the sheet. After shaking off excess powder, I heated it with the heat tool.

The piece became sticky, perfect for holding the Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. I covered the piece with the sparkly glitter, tapped off the excess and again heated it with the heat tool.

What a difference!

I realize that it is difficult to see, but I think you can detect the sparkle. The sentiment was stamped in Real Red and then matted on both Real Red and Basic Black cardstock labels.

This one is headed out to Randall Pierce ~ great choice for a guy, I think!

And I think I'll make more, as I have leftover paper. 

Merry Christmouse!

Merry Merry! 

I accepted a creative challenge this week to take a card from the holiday catalog and make a change or two to make it mine. The challenge also specified the stamp set be a retiring 

one.

I was late purchasing the Merry Mice stamp set and had yet to use it, so that's what I inked up.

On page 23 of the holiday catalog there are three merry mice cards and I chose little Mortimer with the pine sprig to CASE ~ Copy And Share Everything. Mortimer was the main character in a children's Christmas book that I read to my grandchildren, Mortimer's Christmas Manger, it is a lovely story! 

On the original card showcased in the catalog, Mortimer has been colored in with a blender pen and markers. He is matted onto a solid piece of red card stock and then onto a merry piece of Warmth and Cheer DSP.

Considering how c-c-cold it was here today, I decided that he needed an even heavier sweater and so used the Cable Knit Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, plus a swatch of Warmth and Cheer DSP for the mats and a crumb cake card base.

I colored the little scene with aqua pens and classic stamp pads and I brightened up the ornament cap using Gold Wink of Stella and added a gold star from the Metallic Enamel Shapes embellishments to his tail.

The 'Merry Christmouse' sentiment is from the stamp set, along with 'Wishing You a Festive Season' and  'It's Time to Deck the Halls.'

Merry Mice is retiring and is on sale right now for only $13.60, a 20% savings. I know what you are thinking, 'it's too late for Christmas cards.'  But it's not too late for Valentine's. Mortimer could just as easily hang a heart from his pine sprig. He could be also be holding a heart and singing a love song or happy birthday ~ he can celebrate any winter occasion with you!

Let your catalogs work for you. Look at the sample cards and then copy them, or change them up a bit (or a lot, if you're feeling creative!).  If you get stuck for ideas, call me; that's part of what I do as an Independent Demonstrator!

Merry Christmouse from Mortimer!

Here's what I used to create this card:

Merry Mice Stamp Set

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=142145&demoid2121276

Cable Knit Dynamic Textured Embossing Folder

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=143537&demoid2121276

Real Red Cardstock

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=102482&demoid2121276

Warmth and Cheer DSP

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=141991&demoid2121276

Crumb Cake Cardstock

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=120953&demoid2121276

Aqua Painters

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=103954&demoid2121276

 Wink of Stella  Gold

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=141898&demoid2121276

Enamel Metallic Shapes

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=141678&demoid2121276

classic stampin' colors of your choice ...

Every now and then at Christmastime Mama would spray paint the boughs of holly cut from the bushes beside our front porch, or from the holly tree in the back garden. Not every year, some years the dark green leaves and brilliant berries remained their natural color for the fireplace decorations and the cemetery decorations.

But spraying the holly was a task. The round dining room table was covered with newspaper. The leaves had to be washed and almost polished before they could be gilded. And the holly leaves were prickly and the berries rolled off the table unto the floor, and don't step on them.

It was a sign that Christmas was indeed drawing near, in just a few days, because we didn't decorate the day after Thanksgiving, not even on December 1 or December 15. Somehow Christmas came together in no time, it seemed. I liked it that way and Mama surely must have as she worked full time and had raised her children with the fact that Santa decorated the tree, she only (only) had to do the mantle and door, lamppost and banisters, vases and cemetery arrangements.

So, when Stampin' Up! produced the Holly Textured Impressions Embossing Folder in the annual catalog, way back in June, it was at the top of my list. I have embossed Garden Green card stock and it is lovely.

But gold holly ...

I love it! And I added a green sprig, too.

In fact, this one card uses many of my holiday favorites: holly embossing folder, Warmth and Cheer DSP (in my fav 6 X 6 paks) , Warmth and Cheer Washi Tape, Holly Berry Builder Punch, Tin of Tags Stamp Set and Stitched Shapes Framelits!!!

The base of the card is Whisper White ~ a landscape orientation that opens upward ~ 4 1/4 X 11, scored at 5 1/2.

A second piece of Whisper White is cut at 5 1/4 X 4 and will be covered with strips of design elements before being adhered to the base: 

  5 1/4 X 2 1/4 gold foil, embossed

  5 1/4 X 3/8 washi tape design

  5 1/4 X 1 1/2 plaid DSP

Adhere the embossed piece at the bottom of the base and build upward.

Run washi tape up against the gold - if you use a different width than shown, you will need to trim the plaid DSP.

Adhere the plaid DSP above the washi and trim if necessary.

Stamp the sentiment in Real Red on a scrap of  3 x 3 Whisper White.

Cut out with the next to largest Stitched Shapes circle framelit ~ color edge of circle with Real red.

Punch one small and one large holly leaf out of Garden Green card stock using the holly punch.

Punch one berry out of Red Glimmer Paper using the holly punch.

Adhere holly pieces with glue dots at the top of the circle.

Adhere sentiment in the middle of the designer strips - a little jauntily askew. 

Here's what I used:

Whisper White Card Stock:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=100730&demoid2121276

Gold Foil Paper:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=132622&demoid2121276

Warmth and Cheer DSP:   (ON SALE)

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=141991&demoid2121276

Warmth and Cheer Washi Tape:  (ON SALE)

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=141994&demoid2121276

Tin of Tags Stamp Set:  (ON SALE)

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=142180&demoid2121276

Holly Berry Builder Punch:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/Product.Detailaspx?productID=141843&demoid2121276

Stitched Shapes Framelits:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=145372&demoid2121276

Red Glimmer Paper:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=121790&demoid2121276

Garden Green Card Stock:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=102584&demoid2121276

Real Red Classic Ink Pad:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=126949&demoid2121276

Mini Glue Dots:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=103683&demoid2121276

Joy to the World

Sometimes I do things a little differently, or just plain backwards. I wanted to work with the Tin of Tags Project Kit this month so I ordered it last month to have it  on time for classes and workshops.

I did not order the coordinating Tin of Tags Stamp Set, at least not at the same time.

I thought that perhaps I had plenty of holiday sentiments in stamp sets that I already have in my collection, and I do, and I still enjoy using them. 

But then I changed my mind. As I was looking through the sentiments contained in the Tin of Tags Stamp Set, I realized that several would be very fitting for use throughout the year, not just with Christmas giving but for any giving. AND they were offered as a special when the Stitched Shapes Framelits were released the first of November!

Now, as it happens, I first used the stamps on Christmas cards last week. Then just today I used them on Christmas tags,but not with the tags in the Tin of Tags Project Kit. 

This was fairly simple and very enjoyable. Above you see the final creation. Below, are the simple steps:

I used Smoky Slate to stamp the snowflake on a scrap of Whisper White Card Stock- the lovely large snowflake is included in the set. I use gray when I am looking for a silver coloring. I usually stamp first before cutting.

The sentiment was stamped in Real Red which is dark enough to show up over the snowflake. Clear photopolymer stamps make stamping over and lining up easy.

Stitched Shapes Framelits gave it a such an appealing finish.

Then, Layering Circles Framelits provided the perfect size for a base cut from Silver Foil.

I love them ~ I will be making more!

Tin of Tags:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=142180&demoid2121276

Layering Circles Framelits:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=141705&demoid2121276

Stitched Shapes Framelits:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=145372&demoid2121276

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=126949&demoid2121276

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=131179&demoid2121276

Silver Foil:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=132178&demoid2121276

Whisper White Card Stock:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=100730&demoid2121276

Big Shot:

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=143263&demoid2121276

Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

As many of you may know, my mother was a first grade school teacher. She loved poetry and opera and art. At this time of the year I am reminded of a poem/song she taught me, Over The River and Through The Woods . And so I was delighted to hear my first grade grandson sing it in his school program yesterday.

The entire program was quite special, a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary music celebrating family. After just two years of invitations to the annual Grandparents Day at Norfolk Collegiate School, it has become one of my favorite days of the year.

I am fortunate to have so much for which to be thankful, especially my family and friends. And recently, most of my newly found friends have come by way of Stampin' Up! Some of these new friends I know only through cyberspace. I have been lucky to meet some cyber friends- Stampin' Up! demonstrators at SU events. And they are lovely, generous and funny gals.

Closer to home I have met ladies at the Y and at church, in women's groups and in the library, many showing interest in my stamping and crafting business. I  love teaching classes and sharing my Stampin' Up! world.

But I also enjoy learning and am thankful for the genuine and sincere sharing of ideas and knowledge among my colleagues. 

For all of my family and friends and colleagues,  I  am

and now for a piece of pumpkin pie.

All Wrapped Up!

OK, I think it is safe to put away the summer clothes and replace them with sweaters! Yay!

I was so excited to get the Cable Knit Dynamic Texture Embossing Folder and am so excited to use it. It is sooo cool, no pun intended. I have created many fall and winter cards with it, even baby cards.

So, can you imagine how excited I was to see the Stitched Shapes Framelits that SU has issued just this month?! It's an early release from next season's annual catalog.

There is a series of graduated circles, oval and squares (not shown) and when cut they produce a stitched border completely around the shape. And so you know what I first thought of when seeing these? Quilts! And my boxes of scraps, paper scraps. (It is a good thing I don't sew ...)

Can you see the detail in the stitching? (Better than my quilt stitches I can assure you!) This just makes me really happy! And this is just the first card I have played with ~ the possibilities seem endless, and for more than just paper quilts.

I chose the Nine Patch because that was the first quilt I ever made; I used all primary color in calicoes for my first born, born in a blizzard in Indiana! 

I dug into the scrap box for holiday and winter colors and designs. 

And then needed a sentiment and a cute way to add it on. I have a thing for buttons and these arrived in an order just this week! Do you know where I found the sentiment? I went right to Wrapped In Warmth stamped set, but this stamp is not in that set. Check out the Tin of Tags stamp set.

I ordered the Tin of Tags, but not the stamp set - I had others I wanted to use.  But when SU issued the Stitched Shapes Framelits this month, they also pulled several stamp kits that will pair nicely with the framelits AND discounted them for November. That selection includes Tin of Tags Photopolymer Stamp Set! 

From the Tin of Tags, All Wrapped Up is intended for Christmas gifts, but in this case, wrap yourself up with this cozy quilt.

So, there's my card that you can easily duplicate with the new framelits and scraps of paper. I will be making some for the rest of my fall cards, too.

Two additional points about the stamp set: this set is being offered at the special 25% discount just through November, afterward, the price resumes to its original retail. Please go to my store and check out all of the specially priced kits. 

Also, although offered for the holidays, Tin of Tags Stamp Set has sentiments that are great for the entire year and many occasions: WITH LOVE; Surprise!; Go ahead, tear it open; Special Delivery ...

Wishing you a cozy holiday season,

Let's stamp!

Stitched Shapes Framelits

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=145372&demoid2121276

Cable Knit Dymanic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder 

https://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=143537&demoid2121276

Someone Is In Need of A Card This Holiday

As I was stamping with a group of lovely gals yesterday I reminded them to please mail out their cards ~  to friends, associates, neighbors ...

And then in today's email I received an update from a stamper/crafter about an annual collection of holiday cards for nursing/rehab center residents. I want to pass the info along in case you should have extra cards OR in case you would like to create a few just for this cause.

Please visit www.lingshappyplace.blogspot.com and click on the 2016 Caring Hearts Card Drive. The details are all there. Cards will be accepted through November 25 ~ that should be plenty of time to make a card or two.

Do you need ideas for cards? Ideas abound in so many places; such as my card classes. Perhaps you are not close enough to attend, and if that's the case, I am happy to share with you any and all of my cards. Most ideas are not entirely original ~ I search Pinterest for many and I visit the blogs and sites of other stampers.

If you do not necessarily need a template to follow, but just need a jumping off place, check out
www.merrymondaychristmaschallenge.blogspot.com. Each week there is a prompt for a holiday card; this week's prompt is to create a card (holiday) that includes a bird. The site's artists will show you their cards for inspiration. You may join the challenge yourself and link your card to their site. Try it! You don't have to link it if you don't want, but try the challenge. Can you create a Christmas card featuring a bird? Sure you can.

Another great place to gather card design ideas? Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! Although this month's design is inspired by autumn's leaves, next month's could easily be Christmas. Whatever the design, the kit usually makes six or more cards, often with pieces of leftover materials. If you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin, you may purchase kit refills, if available ~ more cards!! There's more Paper Pumpkin info on my site - I even have a button for it - see it?

Create those cards - share those cards.

Let's stamp!

Mail out those cards!

So, please tell me that you have stamps, postage stamps.  Good.

When I would make thank you cards in my class and club with my upline I would laugh and comment that I didn't have any friends so I  never needed thank you notes. It got a laugh and then we all agreed that I had lots of friends.

And I do have many, many friends, for which I am so thankful.  And I feel sure that you do, too.

Fortunately, Stampin'Up! has provided me with  wonderful friends ~ another perk of being involved with such a terrific company and creative business.

I consider my stampers my friends, my church circle ladies, my former work volunteers, my neighbors, my cool family members.  And they are in addition to those fabulous gals and guys that I  share all of my life with ~ you know who you are!

Perhaps you are not in the habit of sending out notes to your friends unless there is a specific reason. You may be in the habit of making a special trip out to find special event greeting cards.

I  admit that when it comes to special occasions, I  like to create a card just for that occasion and that person.  But it is so nice to have some lovely notes on hand for whenever needed.

If you have notes on hand, if you have a pile of finished stamped cards  ~ use them! Mail them!

If by chance you mail out to every  friend you can name and still have cards ~ think of the so many folks out there who would love to receive happy mail: deployed military, senior living residents,  inmates, hospitalized children and patients, veterans...

At a recent Stampin' Up! BINGO we took time out between games and make & takes to address cards to cancer patients - our hostess had created a list of patients and a few details. The cards were samples and swaps that otherwise would have piled up and collected dust. This is a great idea for any gathering.

Who wouldn't want to receive a card in their mailbox , especially one created by you?

Got stamps? Postage stamps, I mean

So, why don't you want to try stamping?

I  am not creative 

I don't want to buy supplies

I don't want to store supplies

I don't have time

I  don't have anyone to send cards to

Everyone emails

And the best: Stamps cost 50 cents!

Seriously? Fifty cents would keep you from sending someone a card? Speaking just for myself,  I  am definitely worth fifty cents! 

I  will admit that there were times when I  did not have stamps in my wallet and it was a pain to go to the post office for just one stamp, and why buy a book of stamps when you only need one or two?

Seldom am I without stamps now; I  run out, but not for long.

A funny story  - I  recently went to the post office to mail a package and buy stamps. When I  asked for a book I  was simply handed a book, not asked what design  I wanted or was even shown the available designs. When I  peeled off the first stamp, the stamps were pets ~ puppy, kitty,  iguana, armadillo! I tried hard to skip over the worst pets, so sorry if you were less than thrilled with the stamp on your last card from me. I  even tried  to return them - I  was told, 'sorry, we can't exchange them; use them on your bills.'

So,  what's in your wallet? Stamps?

If you need a stamp, email me and I will send you one, a pretty one, too  - unless you want a guinea pig.

Anyway - please don't let stamps be the reason you do not make and mail cards.

And if you think you don't  have anyone to send cards to - check back here tomorrow. 

Down, down: yellow and brown ...

I think I really do love everything about autumn ~ wait, now that I say that, I do not love hurricanes and this is when we usually get hit. I will never forget Isabel!

But enough of that. Let's think pumpkin and spice and pecans and sweaters and football and boots and scarves and apple cider and leaves!!!

I am a real sucker for anything that has leaves on it, or is in the shape of a leaf: china, cookies, jewelry, linens, decor ... and when you add pumpkins to that, and birds, well ....

But back to leaves. Stampin' Up! has gorgeous fall stamps, including Vintage Leaves (with framelits) which is what I used on this card. I have used lots of technique with this set - heat embossing, paper embossing, die cutting, sponging - and they are all fun and produce lovely effects.

I designed this particular card today for a challenge. Instructions were to use at least two of the colors allowed ( Tangerine Tango, Real Red, Pear Pizazz, Watermelon Wonder, Early Espresso and a  neutral), two layers, something from the new holiday catalog and a design that was easy to duplicate. Can you distinguish the colors and materials used?

The interesting element in working with this design was the use of ink and paper. I stamped the leaves in Real Red on Real Red cardstock, and liked it. Then I stamped the sentiment in Real Red on the Tangerine Tango, and liked it. Of course by the time I felt finished, I had leaves stamped and cut in every combo I could imagine. I liked that, too.

I used Very Vanilla for the neutral - card base and mat for leaves. For the smaller mat, I roughed up the edges with a plastic knife. So, if you think that piece is crooked or sloppy, it is intentional. On my next card I am going to tear the bottom of that vanilla mat. 

To make it easy to duplicate, I left it fairly simple in design and execution. And it will be in my upcoming classes line-up.

So, what's your favorite - or least favorite - thing about the fall?

One thing I did forget about the fall, all of my criminal shows are back on TV!

Let's stamp!

I Spy

Although summer is not quite over,  September is here and already soooo busy. We are already talking and stampin' fall and Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Have you seen the new holiday catalog?
I have been busy preparing for classes and workshops and my holiday open house on September 25 (2 PM my house ~ pick up catalogs,  see new products, make & takes, sweets and BINGO!)!
So, check out this picture from my work today:

Do you know which stamp set I was using - actually I was using more than one set. But if you can name at least one set, I  will have something extra for you at the open house! Comment here! First correct answer wins an extra card for the jackpot Bingo!
Go!

Hello September

OK, I  know I'm not the only one excited for September and the fall, right?

Who else wants to go buy new pencils and a planner? Have you been down the school supply aisle yet ~ composition books in something other than the uniform black and white marble design,  no more blue cloth covered binders, and oh, index cards on a ring. Crayons and markers, pens of every color, Sharpies, glue ...

See, it's not just Designer Series Paper that I love and hoard. Paper, stationery, office supplies... and I  am probably the least organized person in the world. Not only do I not organize and put things away, I  need to be able to see my things - to know what I have and to remember to use them.

But I am looking forward to sweater weather,  pumpkin scones - anything pumpkin, really - fires, new TV shows, chili, even football. Oh, and apple cider: walking down the streets of Colonial Williamsburg sipping hot apple cider, apple cider. And while in Williamsburg, gingerbread from the Raleigh Tavern and onto Seasons for their fall displays ...

And of course the threat of fall ~ late hurricanes. Today is gray and drizzly and weather is imminent.
Something's in the air, and I'm not sure that it is Mary Poppins.

Stay in and stay dry ~ stamp!

Alaska is Amazing

Hello stampin' friends:
I have to say it, Alaska is amazing! I am ready to go back. All trip I was making a
'next trip' list.

And once home there was mail (SU orders!), newspapers,  messages,  laundry - there still is laundry. But priorities! Tonight I worked on a project I have been putting off  - the One Sheet Wonder.

There are many versions out there, but the objective is to create a dozen or so cards using only one sheet of Designer Series Paper,  along with regular Whisper White or colored card stock. It is intriguing.

While catching up on mail I saw where my ever-so-talented upline Susan Elise stamped her own DSP to use for her one sheet wonder. That was far more appealing than using my stash, after all I must save that DSP for ...

So tonight I stamped only an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of Whisper White with Bunch of Blossoms in the new In-Colors ~ a relaxing project. Then I only had to choose a mat and a greeting.

I trimmed and matted and created 9 cards. I could have squeezed out a few more if I had been a little more economical with the stamped DSP. Oh,and I got to break out my new Layering Circle Dies!

I will give and send these to customers with their orders this month/today! I  have left them flat for mailing- no dimensionals or embellishments.  I also designed them to be fairly simple so that they can be easily duplicated and so that the recipients can add their own touches if they'd like. Hopefully the ladies will indeed use them, as in mail them! It's OK to hoard paper, but not cards!

So, it was nice to get my hands inky again, and in a relaxing way. And once September arrives with the new holiday catalog, things may not be exactly relaxing, but they'll be exciting. Not sure when Flirty Flamingo is going to see the light of day again!

Hope Your Day Goes Swimmingly!

My day went swimmingly, indeed.
It was a good day to swim ~ I heard on the news last night that most of the country is under a 'heat dome.'  And actually, I don't swim. But I was in the pool with my noodle and some of my favorite people, including my buddy, my three year old grandson.
He swims better than I do ~ he'll dive right in, fall in, jump in and sometimes even walk down the steps. He is brave, in my opinion, but he also sports green 'floaties' while he is still mastering his strokes.
And my noodle is really his noodle.
After such an energizing morning in the pool I was motivated to dive into the new Seaside Shore stamp set.

Kathleen Wingerson (kathleenstamps.com) inspired me with this design.
Thankfully she not only had info on her blog, but also a video. This was a smidge tricky, but now that I have completed one, I think I can handle a few more.
The 'aquarium' feel to this card was the real draw. It is created with a slice of window sheet on the front of the card between two panels of embossed pool party waves and stamped images behind it (on the inside of the card). The fish are also on the front of the card, in case you cannot tell from my photo.
There are no framelits for this stamp set, so be prepared to fussy cut; but the SU Paper Snips makes it easy going.
One day, perhaps, I will get to the point where I do not have more ink on my hands than on my card. And maybe also learn how to use the tombow liquid glue without gluing my fingers together. And how not to smudge window sheets, at least where it shows.
But, this was a fun design and I like my finished card. I will create more; thanks Kathleen.

I played with the set for more fun:

I came across Brandy Cox (brandyscards.com) designing this card, creating her own DSP by stamping the images in the new Dapper Denim ink on Dapper Denim card stock. The fish are swimming in two directions and bubbles fill in the gaps between the fish. The By The Shore DSP is fabulous, but this is more creative to make with the stamps, And, honestly, it takes me forever to decide which of the collection's designs I want to use! So, for today, this worked. I am anxious, however, to cut and layer the DSP. Stay tuned.

You're a grand old flag

It is still July, right?
Look at what my sweet  long distance downline mailed, all the way from Washington state! She is so much more that a downline; and I  feel so lucky and loved and blessed when she signs off  'love you and miss you.' She is proudly serving in the United States Navy and all of her friends in Tidewater  are hoping she will return to us.

We started using this die cut at Valentine's and it seems to have become  one of her favorites. I  think this is a clever design! 

And I  immediately  broke out into song - no one was close enough to  hear.  But it also reminded me of all the great George M. Cohan songs, songs that we don't seem to sing often enough anymore. 

So, thanks Jess for the card and for reminding me of some of the old songs. 

Wouldn't  it be wonderful  if we would all proudly wave our flag for our country and for we Americans? 

Just sitting here...

I  have new seating on our screened - in porch, but not a swing. Perhaps that's one reason I was drawn to the swing image in the new Sitting Here stamp set. See page 100 in the annual catalog.

The possibilities with this set are endless! I have seen many cards designed by demonstrators; mine are CASEd from Carolina Evans www.studioevans.blogspot.com.au.  I thought this design was a more simplistic one for my first attempt,  plus I am also a blue person. My two cards are almost identical,  but the card beneath the top has a torn or ragged top - I am really liking this look.

So, I am anxious to keep playing with this set ~ kind of like color forms!

You need this stamp set!  And,

as one of my stampers said, 

'this is so relaxing.'

(the flowers are from Awesomely Artistic, as is the splatter ~ the shades of Dapper Denim have been created with a blender pen, an aqua painter and sponge)

Christmas is Coming, Again

Often my reaction to the Christmas holidays is "Bah, humbug." And when I begin seeing 'Christmas' displayed in stores in October, I am completely put off.

Even with stamping, I don't usually get to Christmas till Christmas. But, some of the new Stampin' Up! holiday product is now available, along with some favorite stamps set from last season.

Contemplating the schedule of classes, I ordered the new This Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper. In my haste, I thought the paper was one of the great and convenient 6 X 6 paper stacks. It isn't, but it has served me well all the same. (see pages 26 & 27 in your catalog)

Included in the variety of designs is sheet music ~ can you see it, cut into an oval as a mat for the gold and the stamped holy family? There are no words printed with the musical notes, so, this paper can be used for more than just Christmas carols and holiday strains.

Musical designs beg to be used in romantic settings: Valentines, anniversary, love, birds ...







The musical score was not my favorite design in this pack. My favorites were the dark green and red patterns, which are not particularly Christmasy at all. I do have cards designed with these papers, but I think, again, these patterns will outlive the holidays.
As will the Fabulous Foil Designer Acetate!
I have plans for that! (see page 31)

My bah humbug-ness will not last forever; I enjoyed stamping with the holy family and it provided an evening of peace, that which we all pray for during the holiday season, and every season.

Oh Happy Day ~ You Are Invited

It really is a happy day because I think I have embedded this video correctly into the blog! You see, 'embed' is a new term for me, seriously.

And I really wanted you to watch this video because this is the card kit that I am just getting ready to open and create. It is featured on page 6 of your new annual catalog ~ Oh Happy Day Card Kit. The kit is all inclusive (like an extra large Paper Pumpkin!) ; it includes everything needed to create 20, 20 cards. There are enough chipboard pieces, die-cuts, foil embellishments, doilies, baker's twine plus a stamp spot, an acrylic block, card bases and envelopes. There are Stampin' Dimensionals included, but have your favorite adhesive on hand, too.

AND the stamp set is included ~ 13 photopolymer stamps (the ones you can see through for perfect positioning on your cards).

Look how bold and bright the colors are: Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight (my personal favorite) plus Bermuda Bay  ~  spells summer to me!





This kit is the first in the new catalog that I have purchased, in fact it was on my first order.
The quality of the card stock is superior. The ease is incredible. The value - well, 20 cards for $35?

What a great way to spend some of your summer days, or nights. And at the end of it, you have 20 all occasion cards - congratulations, birthday, hello, thanks ... plus you have a stamp set to keep.

Of course all instructions are included. So, the kit, unassembled, would also make a great gift.

You know I love to stamp, but I really love to stamp with friends. So here's your invitation:

         Come stamp with me and craft this card kit ~ Sunday, July 31  2 PM. 

For your class fee of $45 I will order your kit for you, have everything ready to go 

and have some treats to nibble on as we work. 

I will need reservations before I order the kits: please contact me so I can order by July 8.

And oh, what a happy day we'll have!

Stamp, Baby, Stamp

Maybe it's just a Grandmama thing, but I  love children's clothes and books and toys.  My newest  granddaughter  arrived just a month ago,  and the next one is due in October. I melt over the soft blues and pale yellows and christening whites.

I  have a few favorite Grandmama  hangouts.  I  would like to invite you to one of them on Monday, June 27 ~ The Velveteen Rabbit,  in Harbour View.  Not only is there a sale happening, but I  am also going to be offering a Stampin'Up! class.

We'll create cards for the youngsters in your life. You do not have to be a Grandmother  ~ aunts and cousins and family friends are also very special folks!

Think new baby, thank you, happy birthday,  congratulations, way to go... there are so many reasons to celebrate and to share your love.

I'll have everything you need, but as usual,   bring along your essential adhesive and snips and bone folder if you have them. (You'd better have them!)

The class is only $10 and includes a light lunch ~ and summer clothes are on sale. Please make reservations before all spaces are taken: 757- 483 - 0570.

Follow  The Velveteen Rabbit on Facebook!

I hope to see you there!

My Eyes Are Getting ...

I  love to read,  but it often makes me drowsy.  Books slip right out my hands as my head falls forward.

But tonight for a few minutes I am going to start in on the latest issue of Stampin' Up!'s leadership publication  'Stampin' Success.'

This quarterly magazine is one perk - of many- of being a SU Demonstrator.  

Somehow I don't' think I'll be Up All Night tonight...

Everyone Is An Artist

I have never been terribly artistic, at least with paint and brush or pen and  ink, but I always enjoyed my coloring books and my school art classes. Even as we only went to art class one day a week in elementary school, we always had various art projects in our classrooms.

Oddly, I distinctly remember drawing assignments in Miss Phipp's fourth grade Virginia History class. I am old enough to have been in school when ONLY Virginia History was taught in fourth grade history class. On an oversized piece of manila construction paper I meticulously drew the Capitol Building in Williamsburg, brick by brick. I was pretty talented at shading those bricks ~  smell the Crayolas.

One reason I enjoy Stampin' Up! so is because I can't draw or paint, but I feel like I can when I use stamps to create a pleasing picture or design.

Artist's Palette is one of the first stamp sets I bought from the new catalog -  it was available during the pre-order season for demonstrators (another great reason for joining SU!). The Playful Palette Suite is on pages 118 - 119 in the new catalog. Aside from loving the washi tape and the cool sentiment 'your idea to have a birthday was simply a stroke of genius!' the catalog's props

remind me of The Color Kittens! Please tell me you remember The Color Kittens!!

I played with several card designs and then searched Pinterest. I discovered many pinned and posted designs in which the easel held a framed picture, not just the clever sentiments provided in the set. Somewhere along the way I met Stephanie Fischer (www.thecraftythinker.com.au) and a design that I wanted to try. Not identical, but ...

I have not yet received my set of the new Layering Square Framelits, so I had to experiment a bit to come up with my measurements, and it worked. I did not use as  many layers as I easily could have with the new framelits, but this is good - I like it.

In her instructions, Stephanie even provided a bit of artistic advice for shadowing - a little Soft Suede marker shadowing on the easel stamped in Soft Suede and the use of a white gel pen on the green leaves. All of which I conveyed to my art students in our class yesterday!

It is difficult to detect from my photo (never really had photography lessons), but the small 2 x 2 canvas of flowers ( Number of Years stamp set) is matted on 2 1/8 x 2 1/8 Watermelon Wonder, and that is layered onto the easel with a slightly smaller piece of fun foam for dimension. It is a great finished look.

Watermelon Wonder is one of the predominant colors in the new Affectionately Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper. I chose the same pattern Stephanie featured in her design, yet, the reverse side of that paper also complements the painting. In class, the students chose their favorite look.

Look through the catalog for small images, or larger ones which can be cropped,  for the subject of your next masterpiece. Think how you can personalize this idea for all of your friends and loved ones: a sailor in your life, a bird lover, a fairy princess ...

Let's stamp!

 

More, more, more please!

It has been called the Ultimate Bundle

The vast majority of Stampin' Up! demonstrators joined the SU family to support

their habit hobby, me included. Sometimes they are referred to as

Hobby Demonstrators. At one point in their stamping adventures they realized,

yeah, I can buy my own great Stampin' Up! product at a demonstrator's price! 

That's exactly how and why I joined Stampin' Up! I WANTED that Big Shot!

I had no intention of offering classes, in fact I still wanted to go to my upline's classes

AND join one of her clubs! And I did, still do ~ she's the best!

To get started, you purchase a Starter Kit for $99, only you get to choose $125

of product to make up that kit. Everyone's kit is different; SU does not dictate what must

be included in that kit. Should you need advice, I am happy to help. And then every once in a while

SU sweetens the pot and offers other incentives to join.

Like now! The Ultimate Bundle ~ You get to choose two additional stamp sets of your choice

(regardless of price) to put in your starter kit. And one more item: SU is adding a

Paper Pumpkin kit to all starter kits. That's a huge bundle made up from your greatest

SU desires and you will have saved more money that I can calculate.

That huge starter kit ships free! I guarantee you will be camped out on the porch

all day until your UPS man arrives.

There are many more perks to joining the SU family, but one that I am pleased to point out is

that you will join my team of SU Demonstrators, Nite Owls. You will be in the great company

of three other hobby demonstrators, plus me!

One reason that I am telling you this is because I have decided, after about a year and a half,

to make a business of my hobby. I am now wanting to have a team to stamp

with and to plan with; I love sharing this joy of creativity in classes

and workshops. I want more, too!

Do talk to me about my experiences with Stampin' Up!

and let's stamp!

BINGO!

I can't believe it! I did not take one single picture at BINGO yesterday!

I was so excited to offer my first Stampin' Up! BINGO! I chose a busy weekend, unknowingly; but I had a full table of six anxious-for-prizes guests as I called out the first number.  Oh, but wait, I am far, far ahead of myself.

After I begging and bribing and refusing to think that I may have to cancel the event, I left much of the preparation till the last minute. In my mind, I was well prepared. I had seen a video by Ronda Wade covering the ins and outs of hosting BINGO parties. I had chatted several times with my upline and colleagues about their BINGO parties (thanks Susan Elise, Monica and Kathy!) and sat in on a party just a couple of days before mine (thanks Kathy!). And at the same time, SU had a huge facebook event centered on planning for parties ~ lots of valuable info.

I designed the day to include four games plus a jackpot game and stamping time to create three make and take cards. As you know, staying up all night is what I do, so I did stay up well, well into the AM cutting paper and preparing for the stamping. I took inspiration from Julie Davison and Tami White as I found their super cards on Pinterest.

I left just a bit to have to finish up Sunday before the gaming stampers arrived.

As I was beginning to feel the heat while bustling around my husband looked at the thermostat and said, 'the temperature is going up instead of down,' and looked at me with a face of dread that I just cannot even describe. I was feeling the heat all right!

Oh, I just did not want to cancel ~ my guests had made their plans, I had prizes from the new catalog and chocolate!

I recognized the caller ID name on the phone. 'Is the Midtown Tunnel closed?' she asked. I swear I read the highway advisory sign to say the tunnel was closed 8 PM - 5 AM Fri - Sun.  I interpreted that to mean it was closed each night, not all weekend! So I gave her alternate directions.

The next name on caller ID was also familiar. She was detouring because of the tunnel.

My cell phone dinged with an IM: accident on interstate - but on the way.

When the next caller ID name appeared I knew what route she was taking so I knew she would be a bit behind, too.

And the temperature slowly rose.

With a couple pitchers of mint iced tea we made the most of it. They came for the prizes! And actually, for the good company they knew they would find.  They just didn't know they would find a house with no air, which did make for some good 'remember when' stories.

Except for the heat, we had a lovely afternoon full of stories and laughter and sweat and stamping and melted chocolate. We played with the new In Color markers and papers and the Painter's Palette stamp set and washi tape. There really is something extra special about stampers ...

As the afternoon was headed into an evening threatened with storms, and the stampers were spent from their excitement, they elected not to create the third card I had planned. So this afternoon I made their cards and will mail them to those stamping guests, who really were and are 'the nicest.' Julie Davison included directions on her site that I will pass along to the stampers so they can re-create this themselves, too.

AND I crafted them in a once again cool house, thanks to my Oh, What A Guy husband! He was at the supply store when they opened this morning and had the AC running in no time!