Stampin' Up! Demonstrator - Mary Fish, Stampin' Pretty Blog, Stampin' Up! Card Ideas & Tutorials

Trendy Trees

 

Isn't it amazing where you can find inspiration for a card?  I saw this charming book cover today while walking thru Border's and immediately began to think about how I could translate it into a card.

My sweet little tree stamp is from Trendy Trees ($17.95, all images shown below).  You can mix and match retro trees and trunks, using different colors.  Based on my personal experience with customer orders, this newly released set is the "it" set under $20 from Stampin' Up!'s Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog. 

Fifth Avenue Floral, Branch Out, Thoughts and Prayers, Friends 24/7 and Good Friend are hot ticket items, too.  Three Little Words (p. 136) is a sleeper, but versatile and a fabulous value at $13.95.  

What is your "it" stamp set from the new Stampin' Up! Catalog?  Please leave me a comment.  I would love to hear what makes your heart go pitter pat :)

I began my card today by heat embossing the tree with White Embossing Powder on Not Quite Navy card stock.  TIP:  A Stamp-a-ma-jig makes precise placement possible.  Click here for my tutorial on using a Stamp-a-ma-jig.  I paper pierced the corners and adhered the image to Whisper White card stock with Stampin' Dimensionals

This week's Splitcoast Sketch Challenge (SC214) provided the road map on where to continue my design along with the requirement to combine it with Designer Series Paper for my Stampin' Pretty Pals Demo Challenge.  Note that I flipped it--perfectly acceptable.  TIP:  The Urban Garden Designer Series Paper adds jazz but maintains the monochromatic look. 

The crisp, white sentiment is a new Rub-On from Fashion District.  The card base is 4.25 x 5.5 in Whisper White, topped with Not Quite Navy Textured card stock.  The final touch is a snippet of Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon.  TIP:  I play favorites when it comes to Stampin' Up!'s Taffeta Ribbon.  It's so pretty and easy to tie.  I used the Stay Put Bow Method to lock it into place.  Want to learn how, too?  Click the Stay Put Bow Video.

Stampin' Up!'s Sale-A-Bration Promotion is still going strong.  Earn free Sale-A-Bration products for every $50 you spend.  Plus, get a free Stampin' Up! Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog ($9.95 Value) with any On-Line Order.

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamp Set:  Trendy Trees (113258)
Paper:  Urban Garden (112042), Not Quite Navy Textured (108697, Earth Elements Assorted) and Smooth (101722), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  VersaMark (102283)
Cool Tools:  Paper Piercer and Template (104310, Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit), Heat Tool (100005)
The Perfect Touch:  Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070), White Embossing Powder (109132), Fashion District Rub-Ons (113884), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

A Sticky Situation

I should know better.  I hadn't used Stampin' Up!'s Sticky Cuts before and proceeded full steam ahead on my maiden voyage.  I ended up with a tree trunk doubled over and leaves sticking to my fingers or tweezers, refusing to extricate themselves from one or the other . . . . all in a sea of glitter.  I vowed to never use them again.  My whispered dialogue worthy of Tony Soprano. 

Then I discovered the directions . . .

Properly used, Sticky Cuts are quite simple.  They function much like Sticky Strip Tape.  Had I read the directions, I would have known to remove the desired die-cut and peel off the white backing.  Next, you adhere the adhesive image to the project.  After applying the image, you press down firmly and remove the orange-ish transparent plastic liner.  The image is ready for beads or glitter. 

Once I straightened out my sticky mess (which should never have happened) and added glitter, I fell immediately in love.  The glitter (added one color at a time), had fallen neatly into place and the sparkle was breathtaking.  This will be a delightful surprise for my 15 year old daughter, a budding little artist, who will use the On Board Art Journal for sketching.

TIP:  If you haven't used Stampin' Up!'s Spiral Punch before, here's a great tutorial by Colleen Laux. 

Note:  The Full of Life stamp used is on Stampin's Up!'s Dormant Stamp List and available to order.

Sale-A-Bration Is Here.  Have you earned your free products?  Click for full details!

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamp Set:  Full of Life (111500, Dormant Stamp List But Available)
Paper:  Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper (113966), Pacific Point Textured (111345, In Color Assorted), Kiwi Kiss Textured (111345, In Color Assorted), So Saffron (105118), Chocolate Chip (102128)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip (100908)
Cool Tools:  Spiral Punch (108341), Boho Blossoms Punch (110711)
The Perfect Touch:  Sticky Cuts Sweet (114301), Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter (114287, Olive and Chocolate), Pacific Point Corduroy Buttons (114341), Kiwi Kiss/Vanilla Satin Ribbon (111879), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Other:  On Board Art Journal (107065)

No Snipping Allowed

Tired of templates?  These adorable 3-D cuties are created in a snap using Bigz and Bigz XL Dies with my Big Shot Die-Cut Machine.  I get a perfectly cut and scored rectangular box, basket and pillow box.  Just adhere and decorate.  That qualifies each of them for my Stamping 911 category, defined as projects that can be replicated in 10 minutes or less.  Click here for more of my Stamping 911 samples.

Each sample was created using Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series Paper.  The four "specialty" papers offered on p. 158 of Stampin' Up!'s Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog are cover-weight card stock.  TIP: The heavier construction makes these papers even sturdier for boxes and 3-D objects. Cool.

 

Zip out this box using Stampin' Up!'s Box #2 Bigz XL Die.  Assembled, it's 3.5" W x 2" H x 1 1/4" D,  the perfect size to house small gifts, candies or party favors.  The cut and scored box (before assembly) is featured on the left.

Stamp Set:  A Little Somethin' (113415, Hostess Level 2)
Paper:  Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series (114037), Whisper White (100730), Baja Breeze (111352)
Ink:  Ruby Red (102259)
Cool Tools:  Scallop Square Punch (112081), 1 1/4" Square Punch (104400), Big Shot (113439), Bigz XL Die Box #2 (114518)
The Perfect Touch:  Baja Breeze 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (111848)

 

Stampin' Up!'s Baskets and Blooms Bigz XL die is responsible for this lovely shape (assembled 3.5" H x 4.5" W).  TIP:  I used a small rubber band to tighten the cello bag before tying the Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon.  It think it's easier and crisper.

Stamp Set:  A Little Somethin' (113415, Hostess Level 2)
Paper:  Sweet Slumber Speciality Designer Series (114037), Whisper White (100730), So Saffron (105118)
Ink:  Ruby Red (102259), Baja Breeze (111833)
Cool Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Bigz XL Baskets & Blooms (113484), Bigz Daisies #2 (114520), 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Crop-A-Dile (108362)
The Perfect Touch:  Designer Buttons Latte (114333), Metallic Eyelets (105319), Red Hemp Twine (102875), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Medium Flat Cello Bag (102757)

This Pillow Box (assembled 3 3/4" W x 2 1/8" H x 3/4" D) has the most adorable curves on the planet.  The silky red ribbon is from Dress Up Ribbon Originals.  TIP:  For extra pizzazz, I covered the flap with So Saffron card stock, dolled up with Stampin' Up!'s new Eyelet Border Punch.  Pretty.

Paper:  Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series (114037), Ruby Red (102030), So Saffron (105118)
Cool Tools:  Bigz Pillow Box Die (113466), Big Shot (113439), Eyelet Border Punch (113692)
The Perfect Touch:  Hidden Garden Rub-Ons (111414), Rich Regals Brads (106953), Dress Up Ribbon Originals (114317)

Oops . . . An update to my last post.   "A Happy Heart" stamp set (111758) IS current and available (p. 26 of Stampin' Up!'s Spring/Summer Catalog). 

DON'T MISS THESE CURRENT PROMOTIONS!  Sale-A-Bration and Free Catalog with On-Line Orders!

 

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

To Sir, With Love

It reminds me of a tuxedo.  That's why this tone on tone glossy black stripe from Stampin' Up!'s new Rockabilly Speciality Designer Series paper was perfect for my husband's valentine.  The addition of Real Red and Very Vanilla keep the image of "love" going, but not too frilly for a guy.  Click here for all my masculine card samples (otherwise under the category "You've Got Male" on the left side bar).

The heart stamp is from Always, heat embossed in black on Real Red card stock, snipped out and propped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.  It's layered over a sentiment from A Happy Heart, jazzed up with a red Circle Rhinestone Brad.

TIP:  The sentiment is "recycled" from a cute candy cello bag with a topper I received from my Stampin' Pretty Pal, Cindy.  Once I gobbled the M&M's inside, I couldn't part with the cute image.  It gets a second chance.  Why not?  Do you ever recycle a part of a card or embellishment? 

I'm especially passionate about the delectabale texture of the Real Red horizontal panel.  It was created in a flash using one of my new Texturz Plates (Texture Plates Kit #4, 114531) and a Big Shot Die-Cut Machine.  I initially looked at the "scratchy" looking plate next to the other cool patterns in the set and thought, "what would I use that one for?"  Well, now I know the handsome textured result and will use it plenty.

TIP:  Want a more defined pattern from your Texturz Plates?  Spritz the card stock with water (I keep a small spritzer handy with my stamping supplies).  Lay the wet side down, facing the texture and proceed with the normal sandwich for Texturz Plates and a Big Shot.  The moisture helps keep the card stock in place--an added bonus.  The damp card stock is "more agreeable" to sneak into every textured crevice as far as possible. 

Four black brads button things up on the side.  TIP:  I use a Paper Piercer and Template from Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit to line them up with precision.  The card base is 4.25 x 5.5 in Very Vanilla.

Sale-A-Bration is underway.  Place your on-line order and earn a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 product purchase.  Combine that with hostess benefits (starting with $150 orders) and you'll see why Sale-A-Bration is so exciting! 

Click to Download Sale-A-Bration Brochure!

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamp Sets:  A Happy Heart (111758), Always (113620)
Paper:  Rockabilly Speciality Designer Series Paper (114039), Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Real Red (103133), VersaMark (102283)
Cool Tools:  Texturz Plates (114531, Textures Plates Kit #4), Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (113439), Paper Piercer & Template (104310, Stampin' Up! Crafter's Tool Kit), Heat Tool (100005)
The Perfect Touch:  Vintage Brads (109109, Black), Circle Rhinestone Brads (109110, Fire), Black Embossing Powder (109133), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Birds of a Feather

It's been a fun and busy couple days with the launch of Sale-A-Bration, Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotion of the year.  Many customers are gobbling up the opportunity to earn free Sale-A-Bration stamps, ribbon and exclusive Designer Paper for every $50 spent.  Ooh la lah!
 
Today's card begins with inspiration from a Clean and Simple sketch (FTL27) and colors I discovered blended here, in this week's Splitcoast Inspiration Challenge (IC165).  I layered two pretty patterns from Flock Together Designer Series Paper over Garden Green and a 4.25 x 5.5 card base in Very Vanilla.

The vertical banner includes Tempting Turquoise Textured card stock layered over Certainly Celery.  I love the way the So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (exclusively available as a Sale-A-Bration product) really pops against the Turquoise.  TIP:  Need a little help tying 5/8" ribbon?  The trick is holding one side in place while pulling with the other.

"Thanks" (from Thank You Kindly, one of my favorite sentiment sets) was inked in Tempting Turquoise on Very Vanilla.  TIP:  I chose this font because it reminded me of the swirly tails on the birds.  The sentiment is layered with Stampin' Dimensionals over So Saffron and Certainly Celery.  So Saffron Brads accent the corner.

The Perfect Touch?  I love to layer punches.  This little flower was "just the thing" to finish off my sentiment.  It includes a 1/2" Circle of So Saffron Textured card stock adhered with a dimensional to Tempting Turquoise and Garden Green Boho Flowers.

TIP:  I quickly customized my Very Vanilla Medium Envelope (107300) with Beautiful Borders dipped in Tempting Turquoise.

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamp Set:  Thank You Kindly (111700), Beautiful Borders (111594, on Envelope)
Paper:  Flock Together Designer Series Paper (114018), Tempting Turquoise Textured (108698, Bold Brights Assorted), So Saffron Textured (108696, Rich Regals Assorted), Certainly Celery (105125), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise (100814)
Cool Tools:  Boho Blossoms Punch (110711), 1/2" Circle Punch (104390)
The Perfect Touch:  So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain (114618, Sale-A-Bration Ribbon Bundle), Soft Subtles Brads (106954), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Mojo Monday: Darling Dots

I was going for crisp and modern when coming up with stamps and colors for my design this week using Mojo Monday Sketch 72.  It' an unexpected combination of Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray and Whisper White . . . but I'm digging the snazzy result.

The card base is 4.25 x 5.5 in Whisper White and scored at the top.  The horizontal banner starts with Basic Gray Textured card stock, layered over Tangerine Tango and finished off with Tangerine Tango 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. 

Using stamps from Darling Dots, one of Stampin' Up!'s new Hostess Level 1 sets, I stamped both the little gift and "be happy" in Tangerine Tango.  I snipped out the gift and adhered it to Whisper White with a Stampin' Dimensional.  The sentiment was cropped out with a 1" Circle Punch, layered with a dimensional on a 1 1/4" Circle in Tangerine Tango.  The final mat is a 1 3/4" Circle in Basic Gray.

The background is a layer of Tangerine Tango followed by Basic Gray, which I shaped up with a Scallop Edge Punch.  The final detail is three prim and proper Silver Brads.

Sale-A-Bration is underway.  Place your on-line order and earn a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 product purchase.  Combine that with hostess benefits (starting with $150 orders) and you'll see why Sale-A-Bration is so exciting! 

Click to Download Sale-A-Bration Brochure!

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line (and earn free Sale-A-Bration products), CLICK HERE!

Stamp Set: Darling Dots (113708, Hostess Level 1)
Paper:  Tangerine Tango (111349), Basic Gray Smooth (108692) and Textured (108693, Neutrals Assorted), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Tangerine Tango (111834)
Cool Tools:  1"(109046), 1 1/4" (104403), 1 3/4" (112004) Circle Punches, Scallop Edge Punch (112091)
The Perfect Touch:  Tangerine Tango 5/8" Striped Grosgrain (111371), Silver Brads (104336)