Stampin' Pretty - Mary Fish - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

2 Days to Sale-A-Bration. . . . Yeah, Baby!

Just two more days until one of Stampin' Up!'s best promotions of the year--Sale-A-Bration.  For every $50 you spend on Stampin' Up!'s merchandise, you earn exclusive Sale-A-Bration stamp sets FREE.  Plus, I'm still personally offering FREE SHIPPING (a 10% savings)!  You'll love the stamp choices (even rub-on's which are hot, hot, hot this year).  The sale begins Feb. 1 and ends March 17.  I'll have it on my Stampin' Pretty blog below the Stampin' Up! Spring Summer catalog as soon as it's available on-line on Feb. 1!  Be sure to check back and stock up. 

Today's "Yeah, Baby" project highlights Sale-A-Bration's "So Many Scallops."  My daughter's former pre-school teacher just gave birth to boy number three so it gave me a great excuse to use my So Many Scallops "sweet one" stamp.  The set of 4 super cool stamps work perfectly with Stampin' Up!'s Scalloped Circle Punch for instant pizzazz.    I stamped it three times--Basic Gray then Yo Yo Yellow on Whisper White card stock and finally Basic Gray on Going Gray Cardstock.  I cut out the moon and sentiment and added them to the original image. 

The background is a Whisper White card base with layers of Yo Yo Yellow and Basic Gray, which I ran through my beloved Cuttlebug.  My "bug" adds so much texture to the simplest of cards.  I then stamped Little Pieces on Yo Yo Yellow card stock and popped them out with a 1/2" Circle Punch and elevatedthem up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  They blend in easily with the dotted texture from the embossing folder.

The banner begins with Going Gray and Yo Yo layered on top.  Itty Bitty Backgrounds were added to Basic Gray card stock and formed the word "baby" after a 4 runs with my Cuttlebug Red Tag Sale die cut alphabet.   The star punched Yo Yo star combined with one of the "Little Pieces" makes the "y" say "yeah, baby" and balances the sentiment on the opposite side.  I added a snipped of white grosgrain at the top for softness (it's a baby card, afterall).

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary   

Stamp Sets:  So Many Scallops (Sale-A-Bration, 111409), Itty Bitty Backgrounds (101893), Little Pieces (105063)
Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Yo Yo Yellow (102824), Basic Gray (108692), Going Gray (108588)
Ink:  Basic Gray (109120), Yo Yo Yellow (102717)
Cool Tools:  Cuttlebug, Scallop Circle Punch (109043), 1/2" Circle Punch (104390), Star Punch (109045)
Perfect Touches:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Spots & Dots, Cuttlebug Red Tag Sale Alphabet, Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Non SU White Grosgrain

Inspiration:  Splitcoast Color Challenge CC151, Sketch Challenge SK161

Cool Card for a Cool Cat

It was Mozart's birthday last Sunday . . . yes, the composer but more importantly our big boy, lovable cat named Mozart.  He joined our family on Father's Day 7 years ago when he left the Humane Society destined for a life of napping, petting and napping again.  His age (and, of course, his birthday) were a mystery so my daughter (a pianist) named him Mozart and the matching birthday seemed appropriate.  We celebrated what we guess was his 13th birthday.  Oh my, two teenagers in the house.

The card base is Brilliant Blue with jazzy layers of the new Stampin' Up! Jersey Shore Designer Paper.  The new orange striped grosgrain ribbon is a perfect touch with this paper.  The Brilliant Blue banner gets some fancy piercing (simple, actually . . . courtesy of my Stampin' Up! template).   The main image is a Pun Fun stamp inked in Jet Black Stazon and stamped on watercolor paper.  "Purrrfect" is representative of how my husband envisions our cat, his best little pal for watching football games.  My EK Success Curvy Cutter allowed me to cut just the right size circle around my cool cat.

I watercolored my lovely kitty using  a Pumpkin Pie marker and an Aqua Painter to remove some color.  If you have debated on whether to get Copic markers vs. Stampin' Up! markers, check out this wonderful tutorial on watercoloring with Stampin' Up! markers and an Aqua Painter.  You'll be amazed.  It stopped me in my tracks from coughing up for the more expensive Copics.  My Stampin' Up! markers match my paper, accessories and inks, perfectly.  No guesswork. I use them on most of my projects, especially to isolate and add multiple colors directly to a stamp.  I'm now determined to learn all I can about using them in watercoloring projects.  Very fun!

Oh, yes, back to Mozart's card . . . . "his" image is matted on a Pumpkin Pie Scalloped Circle (Marvy Mega Punch) and I added some piercing to each scallop.  It's matted on dimensionals so Mr. Mozart can "rise" to the occasion.  The sentiment is also on watercolor paper, again stamped in Stazon and colored with markers (Brilliant Blue and Pumpkin Pie).  My Key Tag Punch made shaping it up a snap and it's mounted on some dimensionals.

Hugs and Pretties for All The Kitties . . . . M

Stamp Set:  Pun Fun (111028), For a Friend (Hostess Level 1, 111083)
Paper:  Jersey Shore Designer (110479), Brilliant Blue (110721), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Watercolor (105019)
Ink:  Jet Black Stazon (101406), Pumpkin Pie Marker (105115), Brilliant Blue Marker (100057)
Cool Tools:  Aqua Painter (103954), Paper Piercer and Template (Crafter's Tool Kit, 104310), Key Tag Punch (107272), Marvy Scalloped Mega Circle Punch, EK Success Curvy Cutter Circle
Perfect Touches:  Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (Pumpkin Pie, 111075), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Stamping Notes of Love

Here's a fun and unique layout that really shows off Stampin' Up!'s  "Always" heart image.  I stamped the card base with the "Always" stem in Real Red and Blue Bayou.  The Polka Dot Background was inked in Blue Bayou, stamped on Soft Sky card stock and cut per the layout.  I created a scalloped Blue Bayou border using my Corner Rounder Punch.

The heart was dipped in Versamark, stamped on Blue Bayou card stock and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Yummy shine!  I then snipped it out and adhered it with Stampin' Dimensionals onto Soft Sky card stock (stamped with the Canvas Background in Blue Bayou).  I clipped the corners with a ticker corner punch, attached it to a Real Red mat and added some dark blue snaps with my Crop-A-Dile. 

For the sentiment, the text "Note of Love" was isolated by covering the additional text on the stamp( that wouldn't fit in my intended rectangle) with a sticky note and inking in Blue Bayou.  I removed the sticky and stamped on Whisper White card stock.  I added Papertrey's Borders and Corners Rectangle stamp and punched it all out with a Marvy Scalloped Rectangle Punch.  The final touch is a Real Red flower popped out of the Boho Blossoms punch.  Dimensionals were used to give the sentiment some zowie power. 

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Sets:  Always (111141), Canvas Background (104421), Polka Dot Background (109276), Lots of Thoughts (Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration, 111405), Papertrey Borders and Corners Rectangles.
Paper:  Whisper White (1007300, Real Red (102482), Soft Sky (108639), Blue Bayou (108642)
Ink:  Real Red (103133), Blue Bayou (109013), Versamark (102283)
Cool Tools:  Crop-A-Dile (108362), Boho Blossoms Punch (110711), Heat Tool (100005), Corner Rounder Punch (109047), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Marvy Scalloped Rectangle Super Jumbo Punch
Perfect Touches:  Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Non SU Blue Snaps

Inspiration:  Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge CC150, and Sketch Challenge SC124

Warm Hearts and Cool Beans

Here are a couple quick ideas for jazzing up your Valentine's treats.  I used Jelly Beans inside both but also have some Valentine M & M's on hand, which will work equally as well (as long as I stop eating them up).

I started with a Papertrey Ink Clear Top Tin.  I then measured and cut the first piece of Stampin' Up!'s Cerise Designer Series paper.  I attached the paper to the tin with an ATG adhesive dispenser since it really grabs the tin and keeps the paper wrapped tight.  I did the same on the tin top using a different design (but also from the Cerise Series).  Only about 2 minutes invested at this point :) 

The sentiment was created using my large and small tag punch and a stamp from the Tagger's Dozen stamp set.  My markers allowed me to incorporate two different colors applied directly to the stamp, black dots mixed with a red heart and the word "love."  I wrapped Real Red Ribbon around the box followed by Very Vanilla Ribbon.  The vanilla is "threaded" through an acrylic flower from Papertrey Sheer Blossoms and a Real Red flower created by using Stampin' Up!'s 5 petal Punch, a Jumbo Eyelet and a Crop-a-Dile (to set the eyelet).    The entire project (other than a few breaks to eat Jelly Beans) took under 10 minutes.

The little snack bag is a Stampin' Up! cellophane bag with a topper created with a 3rd design from the Cerise Designer Series Paper pack.  The Cerise series is retired but any of the Stampin' Up! Designer Series papers will offer a range of coordinated papers to pull this off in a snap.  The sentiment is a combination of the All Holidays set ("Hugs and Kisses") and the soon to be released So Many Scallops set (Sale-A-Bration, available Feb. 1).  The scalloped flower is stamped with Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder.  The Scalloped Circle Punch snapped out the image and works beautifully with this stamp set.  "Hugs" is stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla card stock and punched with a 1" Circle Punch. 

The Horizontal Slot Punch produces an easy slide on the topper for Real Red Ribbon (sandwiched between the sentiment and the flower) and snazzled up with a couple deep pink adhesive rhinestones.  Zap!  Under 10 minutes again :)   It would go even faster if you had to make a number of them and had things ready "assembly line" style.

H & P . . . Mary

Tin: 
Stamp Set:  Tagger's Dozen (108303)
Paper:  Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650), Cerise Designer Series Paper (retired but Berry Bliss (110749) would be even prettier)
Ink:  Basic Black (100082) and Real Red (100052) Markers
Cool Tools:  Crop-A-Dile (108362), 5 Petal Punch (109041), Tag Punch (105934), Small Tag Punch (108264), 3M's ATG Adhesive Gun
Perfect Touches:  Real Red (109034) and Very Vanilla (109026) 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Jumbo Eyelet (Pewter, 108432), Papertrey Sheer Blossom, Papertrey Tin

Treat Bag:
Stamp Sets:  All Holidays (109397), So Many Scallops (Sale-A-Bration, 111409)
Paper:  Cerise Designer Series Paper (retired but try Ginger Blossoms, 110697 with Ruby Red), Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Versamark (102283), Real Red (103133)
Cool Tools:  Heat Tool (100005), Horizontal Slot Punch (105089), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Scalloped Circle Punch (109043)
Perfect Touches:  Stampin' Up! Small Cellophane Bag (103104), Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109034), Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Non-SU Deep Pink Rhinestones

"Always" Stamping

I'm back in the swing of taking on a couple Splitcoast Challenges, Color Challenge 150 and Sketch Challenge 160 combined.   Having some color choices and a layout to work from makes it easy to get started (and eliminates the dreaded threat of "Stamper's Block").  I try to do one or two challenges a week to keep the stamp mania juices flowing.

The "Always" "branch" was inked in Blue Bayou and stamped on a Blue Bayou card base.  I then stamped and layered 3 panels of soft sky on 3 panels of Blue Bayou.  All 3 were adhered to Soft Sky Textured card stock that I had "scalloped" using a corner rounder punch.  A strip of Blue Bayou stitched ribbon wraps it all up neatly. 

The bird (the epitome of groovy) took a dip in Versamark and is stamped on Real Red.  I used white embossing powder with a heat tool, which really makes my birdie friend pop against the red.  The image is matted on white and one corner is sculpted using a ticket corner punch.  I stamped the "One of a Kind" triple flower in various colors and with a quick squeeze of the wrist, punched a shower of charming little flowers.  The flowers were assembled on two corners (the Soft Sky with a dimensional for some texture) and two red stick-on rhinestones were added for bling.

The sentiment was a snap using the Scalloped (Blue Bayou), 1 3/8 (Real Red), 1 1/4 (Real Red ink on Whisper White) and 1/2" (Whisper White) Circle Punches.  The smallest circle is stamped in Blue Bayou and gets a lift from a dimensional smack dab in the center of the "a."  I then attached the entire sentiment to the card with dimensionals.

Hugs and Pretties,    M

Stamp Sets:  Always (111141), One of a Kind (111101)
Paper:  Blue Bayou (108642), Soft Sky Textured (108694)and Smooth (108639), Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Blue Bayou (109013), Soft Sky (109009), Real Red (103133), Versamark (102283)
Cool Tools:  Heat Tool (100005), Stampin' Up! Punches:  Boho Flowers (110711), Scalloped Circle (1009043), 1 3/8" (104401), 1 1/4" (104403) and 1/2" (104390) Circles, Corner Rounder (109047)
Perfect Touches:  Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon (109060), White Embossing Powder (109132), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Non-SU Stick-On Red Rhinestones

Inspiration:  Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge 150 and Sketch Challenge 160

The Solitude of Stamping

Here's a funky little card with a retro feel.  I ran some Chocolate Chip card stock through my Cuttlebug for some swanky embossing and attached it to a Very Vanilla base.  The horizontal banner is River Rock (very cool color, soft greeny beige . . . partners with everything) textured card stock and I popped in a couple jumbo eyelets with my Crop-A-Dile. 

Spring Solitude's triple flower grouping is stamped using Sage Shadow ink on Sage Shadow card stock.  My little birdie is inked in Sage Shadow and his branch in Chocolate Chip.  Both were stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock (punched with the Marvy Mega Circle Punch) and layered over a Chocolate Chip scalloped circle (courtesy of Marvy punches again, in the giga scallop size).

The sentiment (Hero Arts) is stamped on Very Vanilla and punched with the 1 3/8" circle punch.  I then punched River Rock with the Stampin' Up! Scalloped Circle punch and made a "peek-a-boo" window for the sentiment with the 1 1/4" circle punch.  It gets a little extra lift from some dimensionals. 

Hugs and Pretties,  M

Stamp Sets:  Spring Solitude Bundle (Hostess, 111127), Take Good Care Greetings Hero Arts (sentiment)
Paper:  Very Vanilla (101650), Sage Shadow (101563), River Rock Textured (108694), Chocolate Chip (102128)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip (100908), Sage Shadow (102532)
Cool Tools:  Crop-A-Dile (108362), Scalloped Circle Punch (109043), 1 3/8" (104401)and 1 1/4" Circle Punches (104403), Marvy Mega Circle and Giga Scalloped Circle Punches, Cuttlebug
Perfect Touches:  Jumbo Eyelets (Pewter, 108432), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Stylized Flowers

Stamping Hellos

I received a pretty card (see below) from a dear friend that inspired me in choosing the colors and style of today's project. The card base is Chocolate Chip which I stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with Stampin' Up!'s heat tool (a very cool tool, indeed) and clear embossing powder.  As a matter of fact, this entire card is decorated quite simply with Versamark, embossing powders and my handy heat tool.  No "real" ink at all. 

The band is a combination of So Saffron ribbon layered over Very Vanilla.  I stamped Tempting Turquoise, Very Vanilla and So Saffron card stock in various "Time Well Spent" stamps dabbed in Versamark and embossed in gold.  I then snipped everything out and played (and played) around with placement.  

The sentiment is from "Lots of Thoughts," soon to be found in the upcoming Sale-A-Bration brochure (Feb. 1 thru March 17).   It, too, got the heat embossing "treatment" using gold embossing powder.  However, I opted for the Versamark marker so that I could isolate just the words "Happy Hellos" from the stamp.   Nifty.  I then used my large and small square punches and thought the butterfly should land nearby.

The small saffron flowers are layered with Stampin' Dimensionals over the large turquoise flowers.  An SU rhinestone brad is added to each for some sparkle power.

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Time Well Spent (Hostess, 111054), Lots of Thoughts (Sale-A-Bration 2008, 111405)
Paper:  Chocolate Chip (102128), Tempting Turquoise (102067), So Saffron (105118), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Versamark Pad (102283) and Marker (100901)
Cool Tools:  Heat Tool (100005), 1 3/8" (103375)and 1 1/4" (104400) Square Punches
Perfect Touches:  Gold (109129) and Clear Embossing Powders (109130), Rhinestone Brads (Ice, 109111), Ribbons Originals Sherbet (109184), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

My Inspiration: 

Mary's Retired Stamps Clearinghouse

I spent the last few days organizing my crafting room (AKA, the guest bedroom) to accommodate my new Stampin' Up! stamp sets.  However, I realized I need to find loving homes for the retired stamps.  All my Stampin' Up! retired sets have been gently used (they have never been through the rigors of a workshop) and are being sold at drastically reduced prices.  All are mounted, in good condition with very little to no ink on the wood.  There may be slight staining on rubber where black or dark ink was used but they will stamp perfectly.  Photos and prices for the stamps can be found HERE. 

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

P.S. Back to creating projects and playing with the new stamps tomorrow.

Stamping A Latte

Ever since my blog last week using the Simply Said stamp set and discussing all the possibilities for the long stemmed flowers, I have been thinking about using it to make "steam" come out of a coffee cup.  When my Pun Fun set (new 2008 release) arrived I knew I needed to get stamping. 

I layered Berry Bliss Designer Series Paper on Pretty in Pink and a Whisper White card stock base.  I then used my corner rounder punch to create a scalloped border on both sides of the horizontal layer (also Berry Bliss).  I then layered the seriously sexy and silky Cocoa Ribbon from the Ribbon Originals Theater on top. 

The coffee mug is created using Close to Cocoa and Regal Rose markers directly on the stamp.  I was able to use two colors on one stamp and eliminate the existing "steam" and the sentiment.  I then inked up only the "Love you a Latte!" part of the stamp with Close to Cocoa and stamped it on Pretty in Pink.  It's simply fab to be able to isolate and/or use multiple colors with these versatile Stampin' Up! markers.   

My Stamp-a-ma-jig became my new best friend forever (BFF) when I needed to add the Simply Said flowers to the coffee cup (as my "replacement" steam).  It allows for perfect placement by creating a stamped overlay of the flowers on a transparent sheet first, then placing the overlay on top of the image (in this case the coffee mug), lining up the stamped flowers, removing the overlay and then stamping the aligned image.  I welcome your email questions or a click of my on-line chat button any time if you want a more detailed explanation.  Sounds far more complicated that it is . . . it's incredibly easy.

Bead Duos in an array of pink and white beads, were the perfect touch to pump up the volume of the individual flowers.  Here's a little trick that worked for me when adhering them. I put a dot of glue on each flower center and then used my paper piercer to "jab" the center of the bead.  I then moved the bead to the center of the flower and carefully worked off the bead onto the glue, holding it for just a second to let it grab.  Just as carefully, I eased the paper piercer out of the bead, with a little pressure still on the bead.  Let's just say this did not go well before I started using the paper piercer and my craft room floor is littered with little bead "escapees."

To wrap up, I punched out the "latte" sentiment with the Word Window Punch and mounted it with Stampin' Dimensionals for a snippet of 3-D.   The flower accent on the ribbon is a combination of Pretty in Pink, punched with  my new Boho Flowers punch (very cool), a little brown felt flower that I have no idea of it's origin and a Rhinestone Brad (Fire). 

OK, that almost wrapped things up.  I was quite happy with my little project until I went to take photos.  I then discovered that the large Cocoa layer of the Berry Bliss paper had the eensy weensy "stampin' up!" trademark on it.  This isn't the first time I have done this and I get so unnerved by it.  When am I going to learn?  I hope there are a few readers who are laughing right now because they have done it, too?   I tried to play with some photo corners to cover it up and eventually the entire project went in the "bin."  The photos you are seeing are the "instant replay." 

Hugs & Pretties
(and may you never create an entire card and not realize the trademark is showing, Hah!). . . M

Stamp Set:  Pun Fun (111028), Simply Said (106598)
Paper:  Berry Bliss Designer (110749), Pretty in Pink (100459), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Close to Cocoa (marker 100072, ink pad 103139), Regal Rose (marker 105108)
Cool Tools:  Word Window (105090), Corner Rounder (109047)and Boho Flowers (110711) Punches, Paper Piercer (to set beads, Crafter's Tool Kit 104310)
Perfect Touches:  Bead Duos (pink 110752), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Ribbon Originals Theater Collection (109186), Rhinestone Brad (fire 109110)

Stellar Stamping

This little Sputnik is the perfect way to showcase a few of the new Stampin' Up Accessories that are just "outta this world," Jersey Shore Designer Series Paper, Bead Duos and Striped  Grosgrain Ribbon.  The newly released Pun Fun set is simply splendid and will bring a smile to both kids (today's project) and adults (tomorrow's project).

Striped Jersey Shore is layered on Wild Wasabi Textured card stock.  The horizontal layer is Brilliant Blue, stamped with the retired Crosshatch background.  I dotted each "cross" with a clear glaze gelly pen for some stellar amusement.  The rocket is first stamped in Jet Black Stazon on watercolor paper and then colored using both markers, blender pen, Aqua Painter and ink pads.  I punched out the center with my Crop-A-Dile and added a Pumpkin Pie eyelet on a 1/4" circle of Wasabi. 

The new Stampin' Up! beads were the perfect touch to dress up the cosmos.  I layered it on Wasabi and Pumpkin and finished off with some seriously groovy striped ribbon and a Brilliant Blue button (I added a touch of orange thread . . . it looked a tad naked).  Such a blast!

H & P,  Mary

Stamp Set:  Pun Fun (111028), Crosshatch Background (retired)
Paper:  Wild Wasabi Textured (108694), Jersey Shore Designer Series (110479), Brilliant Blue (100721), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Watercolor (105019)
Ink:  Stazon Jet Black (101406), Pumpkin Pie (Marker, 105115), Bashful Blue (105209), Brilliant Blue (100691)
Cool Tools:  Crop-A-Dile (108362), Blender Pen (102845), Aqua Painter (103954), 1/4" Circle Punch (104942)
Perfect Touches:  Bead Duo (Orange (110732), Green (110754), Blue (110753), Earth Elements Pumpkin Pie Eyelet (100381), Bold Brights Brilliant Blue Button (103977), Orange Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (110715), orange thread

Sale-A-Bration Sneak Peek

Get your wish list ready for Stampin' Up!'s best promotion of the year . . . Sale-A-Bration, beginning Feb. 1 and continuing through March 17.  For every $50 in merchandise you spend, you'll earn a FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set and there's no limit.  These stamps are not only adorable, they're offered exclusively during Sale-A-Bration.  After that, they are gone for good.  There's even an exclusive rub-on collection which features black, white, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip rub-ons.  How cool is that!

Just to get the creative juices rolling (and mainly because I simply couldn't wait), I pre-ordered some of the sets and here's the first (and I obviously couldn't resist some of the new designer papers either :).  The Sale-A-Bration set I used for this fun and feminine birthday card is called So Many Scallops.  And guess what it works beautifully with?  . . . the Scallop Circle Punch.  Talk about quick card magic! 

The Ginger Blossom Designer Series Paper is absolutely divine to mix and match.   I used the corner rounder punch to create the scalloped border.  The candles are "lit" with a Sakura Sparkle Pen.  The sentiment was stamped once in Ruby Red with the center punched out.  I then used the same stamp again, with the sentiment inked in Ruby Red Marker and the Candles in Cameo Coral Marker.  The 2nd stamp was punched with the 1 3/8" circle and layered below the first (the balance of the scallop).   Isolating two elements on the same stamp using markers adds so much jazz and is so easy.  I used my paper piercer to add some interest to the punched flowers . . . they seemed rather desperate for attention. 

But read on . . . there's another sneak peek below.

Stamp Set:  So Many Scallops (111409)
Paper:  Ginger Blossoms Designer Series Paper (110697), River Rock Textured (108694), Cameo Coral (100475), Ruby Red (102030), Groovy Guava (108643)
Ink:  Ruby Red (Inkpad 102259, Marker 100075)), Cameo Coral (Marker)
Cool Tools:  Three for You Punch (109227), Corner Rounder Punch (109047), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), 1 3/8 (104401) and 1 1/4" (104403) Circle Punches, Paper Piercer and Template (Crafter's Tool Kit, 104310)
Perfect Touches:  Groovy Guava Stitched Ribbon (109063), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Sakura Sparkle Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)


In short order, I produced a quick baby card using my favorite stamp from the So Many Scallops set . . . "Sweet One" (and, again, how about that rockin' designer paper . . . this one is Jersey Shore, delicious).

I began with Wild Wasabi Textured Card stock (muy elegante) and layered some Jersey Shores Designer paper (that's one piece--brilliant) over Whisper White.  Papertrey offers a teensy, weensy star in the Textboxed set, which I used to set off the white border. 

Card construction was a total "punch extravaganza" using 5 different punches.  I'm a huge fan of layering punches or adding buttons to kick them up a bit.  I even used my Cuttlebug on the large orange star to give it it's own identity (you know how big stars can act up).  I also want to mention that the buttons are adhered with Mini Glue dots, my favorite choice for buttons that don't plop off when you least want them to.

I chose craft ink in Brilliant Blue for the sentiment.  This card was screaming for some shine and one of the many benefits of craft ink is that, unlike classic ink,  you can heat emboss (I used clear embossing powder).

Hugs and Pretties,  M

Stamp Set:  So Many Scallops (111409), Papertrey Textboxed (tiny star)
Paper: Jersey Shore Designer Series Paper (110479), Brilliant Blue (100721), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Wild Wasabi Textured (108694)
Ink:  Brilliant Blue Craft (101843)
Cool Tools:  Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Dots Embossing Folder, Heat Tool (100005), Paper Piercer and Template (Crafter's Tool Kit, 104310), SU Punches:  Large (110710) and Small (109045)Stars, Scallop Circle (109043), Corner Rounder (109047).  Marvy Punch:  Mega Oval Punch
Perfect Touches:  Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Buttons (Earth Elements 103978, Bold Brights (103977), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Clear Embossing Powder (109130)

Stampin' Pretty Peonies

Yesterday was like Christmas for me.  My Stampin' Up! order arrived with my new stamps and supplies and I simply couldn't wait to start playing (didn't call it quits until 1:30 a.m., hoot, hoot). 

I have been eyeballing the Pretty Peony set since the new Spring- Summer 2008 Collection catalog arrived.  Peonies are a combination of art, beauty and  grace and this set celebrates them in a marvelous way. 

Pretty Peony is a two step stamp set.  You layer a more linear stamp over a solid stamp to create a multi-colored image.  Color combinations are endless, from very subtle differences between the two stamps/colors (more of a watercolor look) to something more "expressive," as I have chosen (and the colors I needed to use to allow me in the "ring" of the latest Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge CC149).

The set contains 12 stamps including several sizes of peonies and leaves.  I chose the largest bloom and stamped the more solid image first, in Apricot Appeal (on vanilla card stock).  I then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the second large peony layer, the more linear image, in Rose Red.  For anyone unfamiliar with the Stamp-a-ma-jig, it's a handy little character you use as a guide to line up and stamp images, first on a transparency.  You then line up the stamped transparency over the first first image, in this case the Apricot peony is the "first" image.  Remove the transparency without moving the guide and  place the second image perfectly (the Rose Red peony) over the first.  I highlighted some of the Rose Red areas with a touch of  shine, offered in a snap by a Sakura Clear Gel Pen.  I then cut out the flower.

Next came some pretty leaves that I stamped using Sage Shadow ink on Sage Shadow paper and, again, snipped them out.  The card base is Very Vanilla with Sage Shadow and Rose Red card stock layered on top.  The Rose Red layer was stamped with the Polka Dot Background in Versamark and heat embossed in clear.  I then added a piece of Sage Shadow which I gave a scalloped haircut to using a Corner Rounder Punch.  A couple strips of Apricot Appeal give some stripey pizzazz to a slightly "naked" zone.  My trusty Cuttlebug and the "Swirl" embossing folder are responsible for the lovely texture of the next Apricot layer.

The  sentiment is from All Holidays and is stamped on Very Vanilla layered on Apricot Appeal.  Both are punched with the small and large ovals, respectively.  I stuck a dimensional in between for a little pop.  The bottom Rose Red Scalloped Rectangle is created courtesy of my Marvy Scalloped Rectangle Super Jumbo Punch.  The final step was attaching the peony with dimensionals and tucking the leaves in underneath. 

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Set:  Pretty Peony (111119), All Holidays (109397), Polka Dot Background (109276)
Paper:  Very Vanilla (101650), Sage Shadow (101563), Rose Red ((102544), Apricot Appeal (105124)
Ink:  Sage Shadow (102532), Rose Red (101778), Apricot Appeal (105218), Versamark (102283)
Cool Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Heat Tool (100005), Small (107304) and Large (107305) Oval Punches, 3/16 Corner Rounder Punch (109047) Marvy Super Jumbo Scalloped Rectangle Punch, Cuttlebug
Perfect Touches:  Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Sakura Clear Gel Pen, Cuttlebug Swirl Embossing Folder

P.S. This adorable poem is from a happy customer (Poet Extraordinaire, Melissa Young) and made my day recently.  So cool.  Thanks, Melissa.

    Thanks so much!
    I can't wait to punch!
    You make the stampin' fun,
    Image by image, one by one.
    I think of you and your extra mile
    And what you have done makes me smile!

Simply CASE-ing

Has anyone noticed that the new Stampin' Up! 2008 Spring/Summer Catalog exhibits the most delightful projects ever?  I simply can't resist "re-enacting" some of my favorites.  For those who are not running full-time with the growing number of "stamper stalkers," you may need a quick lesson on what a CASE is:  Copy And Share with Everyone.  I have seen another, edgier version, replacing the word "Copy" with "Cheat."  If you copy a project identically (same colors, embellishments, layout), it is appropriately dubbed a "Shameless CASE."  No worries.  All this is done in fun, encouraged and a great way to learn!  As long as you properly credit the original artist or publication (in the event you post them), I say CASE away.

So the middle card on page 149 of the "catty" (the truly hip way to say catalog) leaps out at me as an unsuspecting CASE "victim."  I merely changed the colors, sentiment and added a few touches of my own.  I adore the Simply Said stamp set (I hope they never retire it) and am drawn to the way the flowers on the sample are cascading down, instead of up.  This got me entirely out of the box on this set.  I'm now thinking about using it as backgrounds, flourishes, even adorable steam rising from a cup of coffee.

Basic Gray card stock (very rich, it's slowly replacing my black in both paper and ink) is the card base, topped off with layers of Soft Sky and Marigold Morning (Marigold is a retired color . . . I actually wanted More Mustard but I didn't realize I was completely out of it--lesson learned: stock up)!  I used Basic Gray ink for all stamped images.  The "upside down" flower stems came to life on the Marigold layer.  I stamped the small flower as a background on the Basic Gray horizontal strip. 

Paper piercing was added to the corners of a Soft Sky Square (yes, of course, I used a template to make them pretty).  I stamped the dotted and solid flowers on Naturals Ivory and the five petal flower on Marigold Morning.  The tiny flower got one last chance to shine on Soft Sky card stock.  All flowers were snipped and layered for dimension. 

The sentiment is stamped on Naturals Ivory and punched with the large oval.  It got some "legs" with Stampin' Dimensionals.  My creative touch was adding some sparkle by adhering silver beads to the centers of the cascading flowers and the small Soft Sky flower.  Check out page 192 of the catty (catalog, now you're getting it) to see the new Stampin' Up! Bead Duo sets.  Great colors.  Mine will arrive today.  Divine possibilities (my mother's favorite adjective but obviously now a family legacy).

Stamp Sets: Simply Said (106598)
Paper:  Basic Gray (108692), Soft Sky (108639), Naturals Ivory (101849), Marigold Morning (retired, More Mustard (100946), Summer Sun (103124) or So Saffron (105118) would work equally well)
Ink:  Basic Gray (109120)
Cool Tools:  Paper Piercer and Piercing Template (Crafter's Tool Kit, 104310), Large Oval Punch (107305)
Perfect Touches:  Silver Beads (non-SU but SU now offers silver beads, 110733)

Need a Catalog?   I have the new catalogs on hand and can get one to you in 2 to 3 business days.  The cost is $9.95 each (shipped, no tax, U.S. only) or I currently offer them FREE with any merchandise order over $100.  You can order your copy here.

Colors Inspired By Splitcoast Stampers Challenge IC110
CASE:  Stampin' Up! Spring Summer Collection 2008, p. 149

Friend or Faux?

The look of stitched cards is hot, hot, hot.  However, for those of us who are rather cold, cold, cold in the sewing department, faux stitching is a lusciously easy way to pull off a very similar hand sewn look. 

Grab a Uni-Ball Signo White Gel Pen and a paper piercer and you have an instant "sewing machine."  The red layer of this card is pierced using the Stampin' Up! Crafter's Tool Kit template (Note: I use the nifty tools in this kit practically every day).  Easy schpeezy.  Then simply take your gel pen and connect the dots.  You managed this as a kid . . . you can do it again.  Feeling pretty confident?

This card began life as a piece of River Rock textured card stock.  It received a lovely layer of Bohemia designer paper from My Mind's Eye (in keeping with the SCS Inspiration Challenge to be inspired by Amy Butler Fabrics--link is at the end of this post).  I next adhered a horizontal strip of River Rock (textured, of course, . . . this stuff is gorgeous). 

My True Friend flower was dabbed in River Rock and stamped on White Card stock and then stamped again in Ruby Red (using my marker).  I cut out the red flower, popped in a blue rhinestone brad (Ice Collection) and gave it some 3-D jazz with a few dimensionals applied atop the original River Rock flower.  The flower was then layered on River Rock card stock and my artfully "stitched" Ruby Red mat.  I then used the Ruby Red marker again, the Round Tab Punch and another smaller blue rhinestone brad (same Ice collection comes in different sizes, how perfect) to give it the final splickety splick before plopping it on top of the rest of the card.

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  True Friend (110378), Party Punch (retired, but anything punched with the Round Tab looks fab)
Paper:  River Rock Textured (24 sheets, 6 colors, 108694), Ruby Red (102030), Whisper White (100730), My Mind's Eye Bohemia
Ink:  Ruby Red Marker (100075), River Rock (109010)
Cool Tools:  Paper Piercer (Crafter's Tool Kit, 104310), Round Tab Punch (108340)
Perfect Touches:  Signo White Gel Pen (105021), Rhinestone Brads (Ice, 109111), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Inspiration:  Splitcoast Stampers Inspiration Challenge IC110

Valentine Embrace

I have decided to start grabbing my reds and pinks and leap into the amour of making  Valentines.  I sincerely hope it doesn't turn into the late night stamping fest I created for myself the two weeks leading up to Christmas.  Next year, I swear (and oh, how I did making 4 dozen cards those two weeks--pardon me), I will start before Thanksgiving :)

To begin, I snipped and sponged the edges (Chocolate Chip) of 3 rectangles of 3 different patterns of Cerise Designer Series paper and adhered them to Very Vanilla, layered over a Chocolate Chip card base.  I then added a 4th pattern from the Cerise series on Chocolate Chip to create the horizontal "ribbon." The chocolate scallop border is created in short order using the corner rounder punch.

The Embrace Life rose was inked in Basic Brown (more waterproof than Chocolate Chip and better for watercoloring) and stamped on watercolor paper.  Watercoloring was accomplished in a flash with a Real Red marker and an Aqua Painter, which swishes the red around for a more realistic look. My Sanded Background stamp (one of my favorites) was stamped off once (meaning on another piece of paper first) and then stamped over the watercolored rose.  I punched out the rose image with a Marvy Mega Circle Punch and layered it on a Chocolate Chip Scalloped Circle (Giga).  The sentiment (Vases in Vogue, retired) is stamped on  watercolor paper (for the sole purpose of having the same texture as the main image) and punched with the small oval punch (also sponged on the edges).  I layered it on a Chocolate Chip large oval (these oval punch guys are simply indispensable).

This card is categorized under "The Perfect Touch" because I wanted to demonstrate how it's the little details that can jazz up a card that seems a tad too "naked."  In this case, I attached (using a Mini Glue Dot) a stylized pair of "leaves" using some swirly hardware from Hodge Podge Hardware.  I also added some Real Red Ribbon with a bow for the "empty spot" in the top left corner.  Please note that the bow is a complete and utter cheat.  I merely tie a bow separately and adhere it with a Mini Glue Dot.  So easy, balanced, perfect.  Finally, I set the sentiment oval slightly off center on the chocolate oval (it's, OK, you can do it . . . asymmetry can be your friend) and added a stick-on rhinestone for some bling, bling, bling on the side.  Delicious.

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Embrace Life (111011), Vases in Vogue (Retired Hostess), Sanded Background (109294)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip (100908), Basic Brown (104315), Real Red (Marker, 100052)
Paper:  Cerise Designer Series Paper (retired), Watercolor (105019), Very Vanilla (101650), Chocolate Chip (102128)
Cool Tools:  Aqua Painter (103954), Large (107305) and Small (107304) Oval Punches, Corner Rounder Punch (109047), Sponge Daubers (for sponging edges, 102892), Marvy Giga Scalloped and Mega Circle Punches
Perfect Touches:  Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109034), Hodge Podge Hardware (Pewter, 101515), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Non-SU Stick-On Rhinestone

Groovy Embrace

I absolutely fell in love with the amazing background Nichole Heady of Papertrey Ink created on her blog this week. It's so simple and is the perfect backdrop to the Eastern Asian trend.  I thought it would go beautifully with the new Embrace Life set.

I cut a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of Vanilla card stock in different sized rectangles and lightly sponged the edges in Close to Cocoa using a sponge dauber. The pieces were reassembled and adhered to an Old Olive card base.  The "Embrace" branch was stamped in Old Olive and I added some Groovy Guava dots, using the dotted antennae and double dot "trail" stamps in Papertrey's Little Lady set.  I then stamped the flower on Groovy Guava Designer Series polka dot paper and snipped them out.  For some zowie, I sponged the edges in Close to Cocoa, added Rhinestone brads (ice) to the centers and used a glaze pen on the stamens to create sparkle and texture.  The flowers were adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals, a bit unevenly (purposely) to add more of a "wave" of petals.  The sentiment is from Simply Said and shaped in short order with the Key Tag punch.  To wrap up, the edges were sponged in Close to Cocoa and pumped up on dimensionals.

Stamp Sets:  Embrace Life (111011), Simply Said (106598), Papertrey Little Lady
Paper:  Old Olive (100702), Very Vanilla (101650), Groovy Guava Card Stock (108643) and Designer Series Paper (109168)
Ink:  Close to Cocoa (103139), Old Olive (102277), Groovy Guava (109012)
Cool Tools: Key Tag Punch (107272)
Perfect Touches: Rhinestone Brads (Ice), Sakura Glaze Gel Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Put Some Zig in your Zag

Ever tried the 1/4" square punch?  Sure it's great for punching out small letters and building words.  However, this charming little punch has another hidden talent . . . . a quick and easy zigzag border.  Just angle it sideways so that it makes a perfect triangle, lining up the bottom of your card stock edge with the left and right corners of the triangle.  This ensures that subsequent punches will all be masterfully aligned.  Work left punching and lining up the new "triangle" with the left of edge of the previous triangle.  ZigZaggety Cool!

This basic design pops together quickly.  I discovered that black embossing over textured River Rock card stock created both sheen and a handsome distressed look. I tucked my Sanded Background (my favorite for distressing) back in the drawer realizing it wasn't going to get any playtime today.  The only other slightly sneaky thing I did was to adhere a scrap of Very Vanilla cardstock behind the eyelets for just a plink of interest.   Hugs and Pretties . . . M

Stamp Sets:  Baroque Background (109264), Sincere Salutations (105156), Brocade Basics (109411)
Ink:  River Rock (109101), Versamark (102283)
Paper:  River Rock Textured (108694), Very Vanilla (101650), Basic Black (102851)
Cool Tools:  Crop-A-Dile (108362), Heat Tool (100005), 1/4" Square (104943), Key Tag (107272) and Corner Rounder (109047) Punches
Perfect Touches:  Black Embossing Powder (109133), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Non SU Large and Small Black Eyelets

Birthday Wishes and Kisses

My husband's grandmother turns 99 next week.  She's offers quite a spunky personality and definitely has her wits about her.  Other than the fact that she seems to shrink half an inch each time we see her, I am confident she will make 100 (although she will be quite small by then).  I'm hoping this card will give her an early touch of spring and special birthday wish.

This project took much longer on the "drafting table" than it did to execute.  I finally resolved to round the corners of some Barely Banana and Blue Bayou and attached it to a Whisper White base.  I next stamped the circle swirl design like mad on yellow card stock matted on green (I love this little guy).  The Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon was the perfect touch to kick off a "stitched" theme.

"Birthday Wishes" is curved (a lovely advantage of acrylic stamps), stamped and grouped with a few more butterfly chums.  To finish off, I added an oval boarder and chomped it with an oval punch.  My punches got busy and turned card stock into flowers, which were dolled up with white gel pen "stitching" and some punched centers and stick-on rhinestones.   The butterfly is stamped in Blue Bayou with Wild Wasabi spots, added courtesy of my blender pen.  The body is a quick punch with the horizontal slot in Wasabi and attached with a dimensional (cut long and skinny).  The wings float freely and actually flap in the breeze (OK, maybe that last part is a teensy exaggeration).

Stamp Sets: (All Papertrey Ink) Butterfly Kisses, Borders and Corners Ovals, Little Lady (antenna stamp)
Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Blue Bayou (108642), Wild Wasabi (108641), Barely Banana (102701)
Ink:  Wild Wasabi (109014), Blue Bayou (109013)
Cool Tools:  (All Punches) 5 Petal (109041), Three for You Punch Box (109227), 1/2" (104390) and 1/4" (104942) Circles, Horizontal Slot (105089), Corner Rounder (I used a retired one but 109047 will be fab), Marvy Uchida Scalloped Oval
Perfect Touches:  Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon (109058), Blender Pen (102845), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Uniball Signo Gel Pen (105021), Non SU Brad and Stick-On Rhinestones.

Color Inspiration:  Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge 148

Valentine's Day Bundle. FREE Regal Rose Ribbon!

Love is in the air which is perfect timing for this great little special.  Stampin' Up! is offering a Valentine's Day Bundle featuring the Happy Heart stamp set through January 31.  Create the most divine little notes, candy bags and cards.  These projects are all created by Lisa Pretto (my up-line, thank you, thank you) and are a delightful way to show off this "sweet" promotion.

Here's the deal:

111089       Happy Heart Day stamp set                         $20.95
109052       Real Red 5/8" wide grosgrain ribbon            $7.95
102757       Medium cellophane bags                              $4.50
109056       Regal Rose 5/8" wide grosgrain ribbon          FREE

111903       Valentine's Day Bundle                   TOTAL   $33.40

That's a $7.95 savings.

AND . . . I'm feeling the love, too . . . I'm exclusively offering FREE SHIPPING ON THE VALENTINE'S BUNDLE (through January) plus free shipping on any additional Stampin' Up! merchandise you order (another 10% savings).  

YOU CAN ORDER ON-LINE HERE (or look a teensy bit to the right and you will see my order button on the right side bar where you can order Stampin' Up! on-line or by fax every day :).

Still need an enabling nudge?  Check out all these amazing Happy Heart Day ideas from the Splitcoast Stampers' Gallery.

Hugs . . . . . M

On Your Mark, Get Set, Stamp

My 14 year old daughter just had a delightful birthday and received some fabulous gifts.  However, following every birthday, I assume the responsibility (and the bearer of bad news) to advise her that she needs to do thank you notes for her gifts as soon as possible.  Worse yet, she has to make them (this household is a "No Hallmark" zone).  I can assure you from past mother/daughter stamping projects that she has clearly not caught the card making bug (yet) like her mum.

OK, I'm not all that bad.  She primarily dislikes the part about having to come up with an idea from scratch (second only to her belief that I am too particular about her work, "what, me?").  I felt if I could help her come up with something fresh, quick and easy, it might actually be fun together.

After I came up with a simple layout and concept, we decided to add a little interest by timing the   construction of 7 "mass" produced cards.  It took 20 minutes flat.  Less than 3 minutes a card (using two of us, of course).  I did subtract for a short break when we enjoyed some cookies we made simultaneous to the card production (ah, we women are the consummate multi-taskers).  Here's how it broke down:

Cutting, scoring and punching:  10 minutes
Piercing (I confess, I did this part):  3 minutes
Stamping: 3 minutes
Attaching flowers with super cool brad: 2 minutes
Adhering everything else: 2 minutes
Admiring final results with daughter:  Priceless (and timeless!)

Stamp Set:  Time Well Spent (Hostess, 111054)
Paper:  Elegant Eggplant (105126), Green Galore (101768), Orchid Opulence (100969), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant (105210)
Cool Tools:  Perfect Layers (retired), Paper Piercer (Crafter's Tool Kit, 104310), Marvy Giga Scallop Circle and Mega Circle Punches
Perfect Touches:  Pink Rhinestone Stick-Ons, Polka Dot Brad, Layered Flowers (All Non-Stampin' Up!)

Inspiration:  Splitcoast Stampers Ways to Use It Challenge WR147