Mary Fish, My Fun & Chic Stampin' Up! Boutique!

Echoes of Kind Thanks

These colors really surprised me.  The current color challenge from Our Creative Corner is to use Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue and More Mustard.  I almost held off on the Bashful Blue until I layered a piece of the Bashful Blue grosgrain over the rest of the project and colors.  I realized immediately it was going to look pretty snappy together.  TIP:  Keep an open mind :)

The floral stem is from Echoes of Kindness, a Stampin' Up! Hostess Level 2 stamp set.  Team up with a friend or throw yourself a little papercrafts party.  Free hostess stamps and merchandise begin with a product order of $150 (and available with an on-line order).  Click here for full details.

I inked the stem in Not Quite Navy and used a More Mustard Stampin' Up! Marker to add color to the leaves.  TIP:  Create a simple watercolor effect by using the large end of the marker and leaving areas of the petals white.  Four Not Quite Navy brads accent the corners.  The image was adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals to More Mustard and Bashful Blue card stock.

Peeking from behind is a layer of Not Quite Navy, dolled up with paper piercing.  The sentiment from Thank You Kindly was inked and matted on Not Quite Navy.  The Whisper White on the base was zipped through the Big Shot accompanied by a pretty Texturz Plate for a dry embossed finish.  The card base is 4.25 x 5.5 (scored at the top). 

Look what's happening:

• Sale-A-Bration Ends 3/31
• Starter Kit Special Ends 3/31.  Join My Stampin' Pretty Pals!
• Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini will be available for download on my blog on April 1 (or email me for a free copy).  Click here for my sneak peek samples.
• I'm headed to Regionals in Minneapolis this weekend.  If you are a demo and would like to meet, please email me.  How fun!

Of course, I need to celebrate hitting 500,000 visits on Stampin' Pretty (occurred earlier today).   A Blog Candy Blowout is in the works and will be unveiled on April 1 (no fooling).  Watch for my "party" banner!



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

Stamp Set:  Echoes of Kindness (113230, Hostess Level 2), Thank You Kindly (111700)
Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Not Quite Navy (101722), More Mustard (100946)
Ink:  Not Quite Navy (103008), More Mustard Stampin' Up! Marker (100076)
Cool Tools:  Paper Piercer and Template (104310, Stampin' Up! Crafter's Tool Kit), Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (113439), Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates (114512)
The Perfect Touch:  Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109029), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Earth Elements Brads (106955)

Mojo Monday Sketch 80

Happy Mojo Monday!  Here's my weekly design for Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.  No stamps or ink today--the main components are Sweet Always Designer Series Paper and a variety of Chocolate Chip Rub-Ons.

The owl and "laugh" rub-ons are from the Stampin' Up! Bright Delights Collection.  In addition to Chocolate Chip, these rub-ons are offered in Rose Red, Tangerine Tango and Kiwi Kiss.  Crisp, cute and easy to apply in a snap.

I was so excited to find a comfy home for the Friends Forever "monster" eyelet from Hooray Designer Hardware.  It's layered on a 1 3/8" Circle of Regal Rose, followed by a Pink Pirouette Scallop Circle.  It's adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals to leap forward nicely.

 TIP:  Stampin' Up!'s Jumbo Brads are the perfect playground for customizing with a rub-on.  I topped my two 5/8" White Brads with sweet Loop to Loop Rub-Ons from the Hand Drawn Bundle (Hostess Level 3).  Jumbo Brads come in an assortment of Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Whisper White and Silver.

Are you ready for a Blog Candy Blowout?  I'm about to hit 500,000 visits and am ready to party!  Stay tuned.

Don't Forget!!!  March 31 is the deadline for the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Promotion and Starter Kit Special. Please  email me if you have any questions.



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

Paper:  Sweet Always Designer Series Paper (112468), Regal Rose (105130), Pink Pirouette (111351), Whisper White (100730)
Cool Tools:  Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Bright Delight Rub-Ons (113887), Loop to Loop Rub-Ons (Hostess Level 3), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070, Hooray Designer Hardware (114351)

New on the Scene

Today's post is inspired by this week's Splitcoast Stampers Limited Supplies Challenge (LSC213), to use exclusively black and white.  I began with a vase of pretty stems (and a sneak peek) from Scene in a Garden (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini, available April 1).  It's inked in Jet Black Stazon.  TIP:  I prefer the crisp look of Black Stazon over Basic Black, especially when stamped on Whisper White. 

I used a Basic Black Stampin' Up! Marker to dot a little border. The image was adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals to Basic Black and Whisper White card stock.  The background snaps to life with the Très Chic background stamp and is layered over Basic Black and a Whisper White 4.25 x 5.5 card base (scored on the side).

Since I adore Stampin' Up!'s textured card stock, I thought Basic Black would be the perfect treatment for the horizontal panel and scallop edge.  The "wonderful you" sentiment is from the Wonderful You stamp set, not shown in the Stampin' Up! Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog. However, you can still order this versatile set.  I have included the images for you below.  Click here to see all the Stampin' Up! dormant but available stamps!

I popped the sentiment out with a Small Oval Punch and adhered it with a Stampin' Dimensional. A Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Label Holder adds a jazzy polish.  The final touch was a clip and snippet of Black Gingham Ribbon.

Don't miss out on the final days of Sale-A-Bration!  CLICK HERE for full details.



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

Stamp Set:  Scene in a Garden (113246, Occasions Mini, available April 1), Très Chic Background (109258), Wonderful You (111181)
Paper:  Basic Black Textured Card Stock (108693), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Jet Black Stazon (101406), Basic Black Marker (100082)
Cool Tools:  Small Oval Punch (107304), Scallop Edge Punch (112091)
The Perfect Touch:  Hodgepodge Hardware Label Holder and Brads (111325, Styled Silver), Clips Assortment (112580), Black Gingham Ribbon (104832)Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Lori's "Coke" Roast

How about another round of Mary's Recipe Corner?  The contributions to the "Recipe Corner" have two criteria:  simple and delicious. 

If you have a recipe that meets these "standards" and would like to share on Stampin' Pretty, please post it in a comment below.  Who knows?  You may end up in the next "Recipe Corner."  Click here to see the recipe for Sandy's Easiest Ever Cookies from last month.

Thank you to all who shared their recipes last time.  I plan to continue testing additional recipes in my "lab."  However, I gave my husband (who has a personal cabinet stocked with candy and Doritos) the option to choose one of the recipes for me try. 

His junk food filled heart was immediately drawn to the thought of mixing his beloved Coca Cola with fond childhood memories of pot roast. Fortunately, this delicious dish was a huge success for the whole family.  Note:  My roast (about 1.5 lbs.) was not frozen per the recipe, but I still cooked it 8 hours to reach the ultimate falling apart mode.

Sharing a recipe is even more special when included in a hand made card.   I used colors from the Kwerner Color Inspiration #47 (Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron and Whisper White).  Begin with a 4" x 12" piece of Tangerine Tango Textured card stock.  Using a bone folder (or Scor-Pal), score at 4" and 10.5".  Pretty simple.

I added a Textured Chocolate Chip Scallop Border and a pretty piece of Delicate Dots Designer Series Paper (a Sale-A-Bration exclusive).  Two Textured Tangerine hearts, created with Stampin' Up!'s Heart to Heart Punch, accent the corner.

The band began with a 1.25" x 12" strip of Chocolate Chip Textured card stock.  I scored it at 5.5" and 11.25" adhering the small section in the back.  This beautiful satin polka dot ribbon is one of Stampin' Up!'s Valet Ribbon Originals.  TIP:  Don't be afraid to layer the same color ribbon over the same color card stock.  The monochromatic look can be interesting and polished.

Say Good Bye to Sale-A-Bration March 31!  The sentiment is from the stamp set aptly named "Yummy."  It's one of the fabulous Sale-A-Bration items (including the Delicate Dots paper I used) earned FREE with every $50 ordered in Stampin' Up! Products.  For example, spend $100 and get two free products.  Spend $150 in Stampin' Up! merchandise and receive 3 Sale-A-Bration products (one for every $50 spent) plus hostess benefits.  Orders may be placed on-line.  Click here for full details!

The recipe card incorporates "From the Kitchen" stamps.  The "meats and main dishes" circle and the hearts are bumped up on Stampin' Dimensionals. 



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

Stamp Set:  From the Kitchen (114694), Yummy (113782, Sale-A-Bration)
Paper:  Delicate Dots Designer Series (114674, Sale-A-Bration), Tangerine Tango Textured (113345), Tangerine Tango (111349), Chocolate Chip Textured (108697), Chocolate Chip (102128), So Saffron (105118)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip Ink Pad (100908) and Stampin' Up! Marker (100071)
Cool Tools:  Scallop Border Punch (112091), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Heart to Heart Punch (113694)
The Perfect Touch:  Valet Ribbon Originals (114318), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430

Scallop Bag Tea Party

One of the things I enjoy most about making cards and papercrafts is the "quality time" spent with loved ones.  My sisters and I got together yesterday to create 25 scallop bags filled with Speckled M & M  Eggs (TIP:  They're an uncanny match to the paper).  The pastel color scheme and sweet patterns of Stampin' Up!'s Tea Party Designer Series Paper are perfect for Easter and Spring.

 

Each little "bag" was produced using a Big Shot Die Cut Machine and the Bigz XL Bag with Scallops Die.  The sides cut independently of the main panel.  We flipped the sides so that the coordinating opposite side of the paper could offer a pretty contrast.

 

TIP:  For serious hold, use Sticky Tape to adhere the sides.  Using a Wide Oval Punch, the opening was popped out and the acetate "window" was attached with Mini Glue Dots from the inside. Stampin' Up! will offer clear and printed Window Sheets, in the Occasion Mini starting April 1.

The bags were next filled with M & M's (while a few "runaways" kept us sustained).  A Mini Glue Dot holds the scallop flap in place and another dot discreetly holds the ribbon from the back.  We used a variety of ribbons, including So Saffron and Certainly Celery from Sale-A-Bration's Ribbon Bundle.  Click here for details on how to earn this ribbon free.

The sentiment is from Yummy (also from Sale-A-Bration).  It was inked in Almost Amethyst and stamped on Whisper White.  A Small Oval Punch gives it a cute "figure" layered over a Large Oval Punch from scraps of the Tea Party Designer Series Paper.  The scalloped oval layer was created using the new Stampin' Up! Scallop Oval Punch, available in the Occasions Mini on April 1.  A bit of twine and an eyelet (the pink is retired) marry it to the ribbon.

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

Stamps:  Yummy (113782, Sale-A-Bration)
Paper:  Tea Party Designer Series (113992), Whisper White (100730), Almost Amethyst (102158), Pretty in Pink (100459), So Saffron (105118)
Ink:  Almost Amethyst (101723)
Cool Tools:  Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (113439), Bigz XL Bag with Scallops Die (114519), Small Oval Punch (107304), Large Oval Punch (107305), Wide Oval Punch (112082), Scallop Oval Punch (114889, available April 1)
The Perfect Touch:  White Taffeta Ribbon (109070), Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109031), Sale-A-Bration Ribbon Bundle (114618), Window Sheets (114323, available April 1), Sticky Tape (104294), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Hemp Twine (100982, Natural), Eyelets (105319)

Pink Petal Pizzazz

 

Last night I was up late stamping and this weeks Splitcoast Sketch Challenge (SC221) popped up in my inbox.  Confident I wasn't going to fall asleep any time soon, I put together this card in the wee hours using the SCS sketch and Stampin' Up!'s Petal Pizzazz stamp set.

I stamped and snipped out the top and bottom flowers, Regal Rose on Very Vanilla card stock. TIP: The touch of yellow in the Very Vanilla card stock turned my color closer to Cameo Coral.  The center flower is Pink Pirouette stamped on Pink Pirouette card stock.  TIP: Stampin' Up!'s Scallop Circle Punch lines up beautifully with this middle stamp. Très cool!  The flowers were layered with Stampin' Dimensionals.

The leaves were inked in Kiwi Kiss (over Very Vanilla), snipped and layered over Close to Cocoa and Pink Pirouette.  TIP:  For the subtle dot pattern, I used Stampin' Up!'s Exclusive Backgrounds I Texturz Plates and a Big Shot.  Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper over Pink Pirouette make up the patterned "diamond."

My Very Vanilla card base is 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 and scored at the top.  I layered Close to Cocoa Textured card stock on top and jazzed up the corners with 1/4" Circles in Cameo Coral (an easy way to "fake" a brad).  Stampin' Up!'s 1/4" Circle Punch is retired.  TIP:  As an alternative, you can use the large hole punch of a Crop-A-Dile (108362).  It's such a multi-tasker.  Or, simply substitute brads or 1/2" Circles (104390, 1/2" Circle Punch).

The sentiment is from Sweet Little Sentiments (Hostess Level 1).  TIP:  I isolated the two lines of text by inking the entire stamp in Close to Cocoa and carefully rubbing the ink off the words I wanted removed before stamping.  I had an extra snipped out petal (I'm never sure how many to use) and tucked it behind the sentiment.  Nifty.

Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Ends March 31.  CLICK HERE for details on how you can earn exclusive Sale-A-Bration products.  Here are some favorite projects from My Gallery using my FREE Sale-A-Bration products:

• Baby Giraffe Card
• Chipboard Chick
• Purse-O-Nality

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

Stamp Sets:  Petal Pizzazz (113417), Sweet Little Sentiments (113690, Hostess Level 1)
Paper:  Raspberry Tart Designer Series (113975), Very Vanilla (101650), Pink Pirouette (111351), Cameo Coral (100475), Close to Cocoa (101341), Close to Cocoa Textured (108697)
Ink:  Regal Rose (105211), Pink Pirouette (111838), Close to Cocoa (103139)
Cool Tools:  Scallop Circle Punch (109043), 1/4" Circle Punch (retired), Big Shot (113439), Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates (114512)
The Perfect Touch:  Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Happiness Is Faux Tile

I have had this faux tile design by Beate Johns in my pile of "really amazing cards" for some time.  When I saw that she was the Splitcoast Featured Stamper (FS111) this week, I knew this was a perfect opportunity to CASE her card (with a contemporary twist of my own).

The trendy stem from Organic Outlines was dipped in Tangerine Tango and stamped on Whisper White.  Next, the panel was cut, paper pierced and adhered to Chocolate Chip card stock.  TIP:  I used the template from my Crafter's Tool Kit (also available in Stampin' Up!'s Mat Pack, 105826) for assist in lining up the piercing around the edges.

The main panel is followed by Tangerine Tango, Sage Shadow and a 4.25 x 5.5 card base of Whisper White card stock.  To accent the corner, I grabbed my Photo Corners Punch.  Tangerine Tango and Sage Shadow  were layered and anchored using Silver Brads.

The sentiment is from Stampin' Up!'s Heard from the Heart stamp set.  TIP:  I used a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Up! Marker to color and stamp only the "happiness" portion of the stamp.  A Trio Flower Punch popped out the Tangerine Tango flower and a Silver Brad lands in the middle. 

Indulge in the Art of Stamping.  Join Stampin' Up! and my Stampin' Pretty Pals virtual downline by March 31 and benefit from:

• 15% OFF the Customizable Starter Kit
• Receive any stamp set in the catalog (up to $47.50 value) FREE! 
• My nationwide, virtual downline has a private blog, challenges, swaps and receives daily updates, coaching and inspiration.
• Earn income or simply enjoy the demo discounts and perks.
  
• New 3 Payment Option

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS.

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

Stamp Set:  Organic Outlines (111670), Heard from the Heart (111644)
Paper:  Sage Shadow (101563), Tangerine Tango Textured (111345), Chocolate Chip (102128), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Tangerine Tango (111834), Chocolate Chip (100908), Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip Marker (100071)
Cool Tools:  Paper Piercer (104310, Stampin' Up! Crafter's Tool Kit), Photo Corners Punch (109042), Trio Flower Punch (109183)
The Perfect Touch:  Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Silver Brads (104336)

Mojo Cuppa Joe

Welcome to Mojo Monday Sketch 79.  I'm so lucky to be on the Mojo-Maker Design Team and see Julee Tilman's top notch sketches in advance.  Sharing them with you first thing on Monday morning is a delight. 

I stamped my "cuppa joe" from the "Font of You" stamp set twice, first on Very Vanilla and second on Real Red. card stock  The Real Red version was snipped out and propped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.  TIP:  I used a Hobby Blade to carve out the interior of the handle.

The corners were shaped with a Corner Rounder Punch and layered on Chocolate Chip.  I used Real Red Textured card stock for a rich look.  The Chocolate Chip layer was defined with the Scallop Edge Punch. 

Three sweet Stampin' Up! Latte Designer Buttons adorn the corner. TIP:  Mini Glue Dots work perfectly for locking the buttons into place.

The retro Baja Breeze patterned paper is from Stampin' Up!'s Hostess Level 3 Hand Drawn Bundle.  Click here for how you can earn this bundle free!  I wrapped a piece of 5/8" So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon (an exclusive Sale-A-Bration gift) around the whole works and added it to a 4.25 x 5.5 So Saffron card base (scored on the side).

The final touch was the "latte" sentiment.  TIP:  Using Small and Large Oval Punches to crop the shapes, I offset the layers to match the retro feel of the rest of the card.

Sale-A-Bration, one of Stampin' Up! biggest promotions of the year, ends March 31.   Click here to see all the wonderful products (including the ribbon from today's project) you earn FREE beginning with a $50 product order!

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

Stamp Set:  Font of You (113405)
Paper:  Hand Drawn Designer Series (115535, Hostess Level 3), So Saffron (105118), Real Red Textured (108698), Real Red (102482), Chocolate Chip (102128), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip (100908)
Cool Tools:  Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Small (107304) and Large Oval (107305) Punches, Corner Rounder Punch (109047), Hobby Blade (102449)
The Perfect Touch:  So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (114618, Sale-A-Bration Ribbon Bundle), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Latte Designer Buttons (114333), Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Guest Stamper: Carrie

I WISH I had created this card.  My mouth dropped open in awe when I first saw it.  However, the credit goes to Carrie Fitch, one of my talented Stampin' Pretty Pals, and today's Guest Stamper.  Click Creative Cards By Carrie to see more of her gorgeous artwork.

Carried used Stampin' Up!'s New Manhattan Flower Impressions Die (similar to a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder) with Whisper White card stock.  Beautiful texture!  TIP:  What really took this card from pretty to breathtaking is how she used a Blender Pen with Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss Ink to color the recessed areas of the flowers.   

Indulge in the Art of Stamping.  CLICK HERE to learn how to join Stampin' Up! and My Stampin' Pretty Pals.

 

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

Stamp Set: A Beautiful Thing (113618)
Paper: Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper (113978), Whisper White (100730), Baja Breeze (111352), Kiwi Kiss (111353)
Ink: Baja Breeze (111833), Kiwi Kiss (111835)
Accessories: Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads (109111), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Textured Impressions Die Manhattan Flower (114517), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Blender Pens (102845)

Très Chick

I finally have a chance to show off this sweet chick from An Egg-cellent Easter, one of the stamp sets available now as a pre-order from Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini Catalog.  Click here to see the additional spring and Easter pre-order choices from the Mini. 

NOTE:  The complete Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog will be available for customer order and download on my blog on April 1.  Click to see all my Occasions Mini sneak peeks and samples.

I stamped the chick in Basic Gray on Stampin' Up!'s quality Watercolor Paper.  TIP:  Basic Gray is waterproof and the perfect "canvas" for watercoloring.  Using a Blender Pen, I added More Mustard to the deeper shaded areas of the chick and softened the color with So Saffron.  I used a Blender Pen to add Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery and So Saffron to the tower of eggs.

TIP:  Using a very light hand, I shaded the outline of the chick and eggs using a Blender Pen and Going Gray.  Keep in mind that the left side should be deeper in color if your imaginary light source is coming from the right.

This delightful sketch is from I{heart}2stamp.  The swirling texture on the horizontal panel was created with Stampin' Up!'s Backgrounds I Texturz Plates.  TIP:  I prefer to mist the card stock with water to deepen the impression when it zips through the Big Shot.  Keep it flat for a few minutes while it dries (otherwise the card stock can curl).

DON'T MISS OUT!  Sale-A-Bration ends March 31 and the charming Delicate Dots Designer Series Paper in today's card will end with it.  To discover all the FREE Sale-A-Brations rewards starting with a $50 product order, CLICK HERE.

 

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

Stamp Set:  An Egg-Cellent Easter (113196)
Paper:  Delicate Dots (114674, Sale-A-Bration), Watercolor Paper (105019), Bashful Blue (105120), Certainly Celery (105125), So Saffron (105118), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Basic Gray (109120), More Mustard (103162), So Saffron (105213), Bashful Blue (105209), Certainly Celery (105217)
Cool Tools:  Boho Blossoms Punch (110711), Corner Rounder Punch (109047), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Big Shot (113439), Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates (114512), Blender Pens (102845)
The Perfect Touch:  Rich Regals Brads (106953), Hodgepodge Hardware (112454, Styled Vanilla), Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109031)