In Came the Lady with the Alligator Purse

Mama called the Doctor;

The Doctor called the Nurse.

The Nurse called ...

Did you jump rope to that rhyme when you were little? I loved to jump rope and jump Double Dutch and even Chinese Jump Rope. Back in the day when Phys Ed included square dancing and reels, jump rope teams were also a thing and it had choreographed movements, like synchronized swimming.  And believe it or not, I was on the elementary school jump rope team; we performed inbetween quarters at the Old Dominion College basketball games at the Norfolk Arena, seriously.  Anyone else out there remember?

But, back to the gators. I have never had an alligator accessory. However, as I was about to leave for my freshman year at school (college), my aunt took me shopping for a few things. School wardrobes included dresses and heels. Sunday dinner in the dining hall mandated dresses, as did Presidents Receptions and every collegiate ceremony.

So I went off with dark green sling back heels that matched the thin green belt on my deep green dress festooned with swirling autumn leaves. Those were no tiny print leaves but monstrous sized leaves that did seem to swirl as I walked. The ensemble came from Thalhimers. I loved that dress; I cannot remember any other dress from my four years away.  So, no alligator, but resplendent green.

Today, I tooled my own alligator purse:

and shoes.

In the past few years I have pulled down several purses and hats from the top closet shelf, resigned for the church bazaars and thrift sales. I used to enjoy having a variety of purses, not just for a season but for particular outfits and events. Shoes, hats, and even gloves were great fun to collect; vintage hankies, too. 

Today, switching out pocketbooks can be a disaster. Ooops! My checkbook must be in my other pocketbook. Ha! As if anyone uses checkbooks anymore. I used to have small purses for church and social events, just large enough to carry keys and a hanky and a check or a credit card. Then came cell phones, too big for my petite purses. Oh! The complications and frustrations of dressing to go out.

So, now when I think I want a new little purse, tote, clutch or wallet, I play with paper and scissors and and whip up fashionable little accessories with Stampin' Up!'s Dressed To Impress Stamps and Dies.  

Which lovely, playful or bold Designer Series Paper 'fabric' from the new Annual Catalog would you choose to create your Summertime bag? Look over all of the Designer Series Paper choices (pp. 130 -134).

Don't forget the Specialty Papers in the back of the catalog (p.135); choose from vellum and foil. Maybe the Pearlescent Paper, covered in opal rounds for an evening out. Or the Artistry Blooms Sequins covering an evening bag for festive beach celebration? 

I created my faux alligator bag and shoes with the new Designer Series Paper Assortments in InColors 2020- 2022, choosing Evening Evergreen.

I think we need a fashion show! 

Head to my catalog just to the right and Shop Now! The stamp set is titled Dressed to Impress, item number 158321 and the coordinating dies are All Dressed Up, item number 151665. Then just finger through all of the trims and embellishments (pp. 139 - 143) and let out that inner fashion designer. 

Most of all, have fun!

If you scrapbook or keep illustrated journals, these flat dies woud be terrific embellishments for documenting shopping trips (Harrods?!), cruise wardrobe, beach bags, weddings; let your imagination go! 

Let's stamp!

 Are Quilts Just For Winter?

Not when they are crafted from paper!

I have not been fortunate enough to inherit quilts from my grandmothers or aunts.  Now that I think about it,  I can't recall seeing any of the women in my family working in the needle arts except Mama and she did crewel embroidery and and crochet. 

I was fortunate enough, however, to spend several years in the Midwest. I
found a best friend who quilted. Between her influence,  the ritual of autumn craft shows, local antiquing and the Amish community of Grabill, I fell in love with quilts. I learned to recognize many pattern names and their history. 

Ohio Star

Log Cabin

And then I wanted to learn how to quilt. I wanted baby quilts for my little ones. 

Technically I did learn to quilt. It was kindly suggested and agreed upon that a nine patch pattern might be a good one for a beginner, like me. So off I went to fabric stores in pursuit of primary color calicoes for a nursery decorated in yellow gingham and bright balloon wallpaper.

I pieced by hand. I quilted by hand and I still have that sweet little crib quilt. 

I continued to study quilts and began purchasing old quilts that were made by others' grandmothers.

My subsequent quilting endeavors have not been terribly successful. But I do love looking at fabric and dreaming about my next quilt. 

In the meantime, I look at paper the way quilters must look at fabric. I buy paper, then more paper.

And then I try to put paper and quilt patterns together.

I recently joined other Stampin' Up! crafters in a swap featuring the new 2021-2023 InColors. There was no sketch offered, just a list of colors and embellishments required. From a blank canvas, so to speak, a patchwork quilt came to mind.

And about the same time I was mulling over this idea, trying to divide fractions,  I came across a SU Demonstrator that is an avid bird watcher and quilter who is creating paper quilt blocks inspired by her birding. Luckily for me, I was able to purchase kits with cutting instructions and assembly directions. 

Duck Tracks 

Julie Heitz,  The Chirpy Cardmaker of Quilts - and more (her Facebook page), designed Duck Tracks, above.  This is my first attempt with one of her designs. I don't know what I was thinking, but whoa! I was cutting 11/16 th inch squares on the diagonal to make teensy triangles. 

I have another of her designs to try: Return of the Swallows. And perhaps more.

But for tonight, I am going to pull the quilt to the end of the bed; it is too hot for that extra layer.

On my floral square above I used the new Pansy Patch Designer Series Paper, plus Soft Succulent Cardstock and a gem from the InColor Jewels. Of course, you can find those products in my online store, just click Shop Now ~ let me know how I can help. 

Let's stamp!

Making progress with paper addiction

I don't usually invite folks to check out my trash can, although honestly,  my stampers always get a kick out of our can that automatically opens when you get within inches of the top!

Still, I don't encourage it.  But today,  take a look:

Those are scraps, scraps of Designer Series Paper and cardstock. Recognize any patterns? And I deliberately, but lovingly, tossed them out.

This is a big moment for me. Now it's not that I don't have any scraps left, I have two boxes of them. But I am becoming a bit more discriminatory about how much I keep. And then just this evening I saw neat posts of how demonstrators were using the leftover bits of the new colors to create most interesting cards to show off at upcoming new catalog open houses.

Ha! When I began taking stamping classes with my upline, she kept two cabinet drawers filled with scraps - one filled with DSP scraps and one with white and vanilla. When I  first opened that drawer filled with DSP scraps,  I  thought I had died and gone to Stampin' Up! heaven. I think I spent half of the afternoon rifling through those scraps, turning them over to see the reverse designs, probably drooling. And when she suggested I take some if I wanted, well... and now I have a scrap box all my own!

Meanwhile, now that Stampin' Up! has just released the new 2017 - 18 Annual Catalog along with five new InColors, I need to make some room for all the new papers, which will yield new scraps. I have not completely finished clearing and sorting and organizing  (in reality I probably never will), but I am making progress, depending on how you define progress!

Let's stamp!

Do you need a catalog, a Demonstrator, stamp classes ~ I am here for you!

Color Me Happy

It's here ~ the NEW 2016 - 2017 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog

They're here ~ the NEW 2016 - 20018 In Colors !

Ready for the names that only SU could create?

  Flirty Flamingo    Dapper Denim   Emerald Envy  

Peekaboo Peach   Sweet Sugarplum

Which might you think is my favorite color?

It may be just a little too early to tell, but I can tell you that the colors are amazing. And what I have found very interesting is that I think I prefer, for the most part, a stamped-off version of each color.

The color combos are beautiful, too ~ Dapper Denim and Emerald Envy are gorgeous sea colors when stamped off. Peekaboo Peach and Flirty Flamingo go together like two scoops of chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Actually, the Peekaboo Peach reminds me of Creamsicles!!  These are just In Color with In Color, think how they will pair and combine with our standard color families.

The Color Coordination section in the new catalog begins on page 168. And if you have never noticed, SU 'bundles' together all of the stamp pads in each color collection to sell as one unit, saving you money. The In Color ink pads are $27.50 for the five colors.

Likewise, SU has also conveniently packaged, at a savings, the ink refills. Refills are handy to have when you find that you have been overly enthusiastic with a particular color and the pad is low on ink. It's easy to refill - squeeze the ink from the refill bottle directly onto the ink pad and smooth it over with the back of a plastic knife, as if you are icing a cake. I am borrowing that comparison as we all know the last time I iced a cake! There are also creative coloring and stamping techniques that call for liquid ink ~ I'll show you the shaving cream technique next week.

Are you on page 168 of the catalog yet?  See the Assortments insert at the bottom? (Quick! What color is used for the background?!) Cardstock is available in collection assortments, both 12 x 12 and 8 1/2 x 11. Get a little to start with and then larger packs of your favorite colors. Not that that would work for me, but ... Designer Series Paper Stacks are stuffed with 40 sheets of double sided paper. Plus, SU is also offering Envelope Paper in In Colors ~ turn over to page 176 to get a better look at the colors and designs.

The Stampin' Write Markers are also sold as one unit ~ so convenient! And markers can be used to color on your stamps; great for multi-color images. (My July 11 class will feature coloring and will include a pack of the new In Color markers!)

I hope these colors make you happy! I'll be playing with them at BINGO this weekend and also during the June 13 and July 11 classes; please pan to come!

Still need a catalog? Come to class on June 13, or contact me and I'll get you one!!

It's a New Year at Stampin' Up! Hap - hap - happy new year!

and just one last thing, to help with your Wish List

I want it all ~ REALLY!

Product  / #	Page	Price

What’s first on your list?

In Colors/All Colors  p. 2, 168- 171

Big Shot p. 190 – 195

Stamp Sets & Suites :

   Birthday p. 10

   Christmas p. 26

   Thanks p. 38

   Love & Sympathy p. 44

   Babies & Children p. 56

   Everyday p. 66

   Artistic Expressions p. 92

Designer Series Papers p. 172 – 174

Embellishments p. 177- 179

Project Life p. 162 – 167

 Don’t forget :

   Cutting tools p. 189

   Specialty papers p. 175 – 176

   Coloring tools p. 180 – 181

   Adhesives p. 182

   Stamping Accessories p. 183

 

And when you are ready to order:

Call me : 757-483-9361

Email me : writer714@juno.com

Online store :

   www.upallnightstampin.blogspot.com