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

Stampin' Pretty RAK's

Is there anything more special than being the recipient of a Random Act of Kindness (RAK)?  The card above was given to me by Ginger Toivonen of my Stampin' Pretty Pals.  I love how the Petal Pizzazz  and Flight of the Butterfly (sentiment) stamps are combined.  It is a CASE from Jamie Sears at stampingmommyof4.com. 

The card below was a thank your from my fellow Tucson, AZ Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Ginny Tabor.  She says that this card is not her original idea but isn't 100% where she first saw it (maybe Splitcoaststampers).  If anyone knows whom I should credit, leave me a comment below.  I will update this post with the info!  Thank you, Ginny, for your beautiful execution.

UPDATE:  Here are tips and instructions from Ginny.  Also, thanks to reader Jeanna . . . who shared this excellent tutorial from Barbara Jean Smith (we think she's the original designer):

As far as tips on making the card, I've made it with 12 x 12 cardstock as well as 8 1/2 x 11.  I prefer to use the 12 x 12, as that way the card totally overlaps on each side, but it will look okay using the regular size, too.
When using 12x12, I cut it down to 5 1/2 x 12 - that way you can get two cards from each sheet.  I then score at 3 7/8 and at 8 1/8 on the long side.  I place the embossing folder so that the widest part of the flower is lined up against the scoring line or fold of the card, then flip the embossing folder (not the cardstock) so that the other "flap" is also lined up with the widest part of the embossed flower on the fold.   That way, one side is "embossed" and the other flap is "debossed".  I use my paper snips to cut around the flower on each flap, cut "up" on the score lines to the top of the card, then round the corners at the top.  You may want to trim each side of the card just a bit, so that the card lays flat and doesn't have excess bulk when folded.  This is probably as clear as mud, so feel free to e-mail me with questions, and I'll try to answer.

I love the monochromatic color scheme and texture from the Stampin' Up! Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder (114517).  What a "wow" card!

FILL YOUR WISH LIST AND SAVE $$$.  Click for details on the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit Promotion.

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

Crisp Pheasant Duo

Crisp is the essence of a masculine card.  I originally created this masculine duo for the Splitcoaststampers Fan Club gallery last fall.  However, the images work year round when Bordering Blue card stock is tossed in.  Click for my Masculine Card Tips or to see more Masculine Card Samples.

THEY'RE BACK!!  Many Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog favorites are back for purchase.  Click to view Available Holiday Mini Catalog Products.

CARD 

Stamp Set:  Autumn Days (115452)
Paper:  Chocolate Chip Designer Series (112164), Bordering Blue (102630), Chocolate Chip (102128), Sahara Sand (105328), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip (100908)
Cool Tools:  1 1/4" Square Punch (104400), 1 3/8" Square Punch (103375), Paper Snips (103579)
The Perfect Touch:  Chit Chat Rub-Ons (111804), Latte Designer Series Button (114333), Linen Thread (104199), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

TREAT BAG:

Stamp Set: Tiny Tags (Occasions Mini Catalog:  Wood Mount 118091, Clear Mount 118592)
Paper:  Chocolate Chip Designer Series (112164), Bordering Blue (102630), Chocolate Chip (102128), Sahara Sand (105328), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip (100908)
Cool Tools:  Stampin' Up! Top Note Bigz Die (113463), Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (113439), 3/4" Circle Punch (107217), 1/16" Circle Hand Held Punch (101227)
The Perfect Touch:  Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109070), Linen Thread (104199), Small Flat Cellophane Bag (103104)

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

Envelope Envy Video Tutorial Part Two

Grab your popcorn.  It's time for my Envelope Envy Video Part Two!  Honestly, it's so quick and easy, you won't have time more than a handful of kernels.  Did you miss Envelope Envy Part One?  Click to learn how to line the interior of your envelopes.

STAMPIN' PRETTY TIPS:

• Build a card "quilt" using Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper (Occasions Mini Catalog) and Stampin' Up!'s 1 1/4" Square Punch.  All the color and pattern coordination is done for you!
• Delicious . . . Have you seen the Satin Ribbon in nine Stampin' Up! colors in the Occasions Mini Catalog (p. 27)?  I used silky Chocolate Chip.  Yummy!
• Click (and scroll down) to view my previous Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration samples.

EARN FREE STAMPS (including Vintage Labels used today) with every $50 you spend in Stampin' Up! Product.  Click here for full details on the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Promotion.

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

Stamp Set:  Vintage Labels (Sale-A-Bration:  Wood-Mount 118392, Clear-Mount 119122)
Paper:  Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack (117161, Occasions Mini), Pumpkin Pie (105117), So Saffron (105118), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip (100908), Taken With Teal (103257)
Cool Tools:  Small Oval (107304) and Wide Oval (112082) Punches, 1 1/4" Square Punch (104400)
The Perfect Touch:  Chocolate Chip 1/2" Satin Ribbon (117287, Occasions Mini), Stampin' Dimensionals

Whisper White Medium Envelope, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack (Occasions Mini), Paper Snips

Pals Paper Arts Bird Inspiration

The "bird is the word" for this week's Pals Paper Arts Inspiration Challenge (PPA31).  Our inspiration photo (below) offers a delightful array of birdie ideas from retro to vintage.  Discover the rest of the PPA Design Team's inspiration samples by CLICKING HERE.  Play along!

STAMPIN' PRETTY TIPS:

• Are these stamp images from Stampin' Up!?  Not yet but they will be.  This is an early sneak peek of "Elements of Style" from the Summer Mini Catalog (available May 1).
• The floral image really grooves when embossed in white.
• Like this style but can't wait for the set?  Try any of Stampin' Up!'s background stamps or any large stamp image as an alternative.
• To create the three panels, stamp first on card stock in a width that's easily divided by three.
• Length can be whatever you need.  For this card, each width is 1 1/8" wide.  My original image was stamped on 3 3/8" wide card stock, then divided.  Make sense?

FILL YOUR STAMPIN' UP! WISH LIST AND SAVE $$$.  Join Stampin' Up! and my Stampin' Pretty Pals during Sale-A-Bration and save instantly.  Click to Learn More!

COMING UP TOMORROW:    I'll kick off my Envelope Envy Video Tutorial Part Two.  If you missed part one on lining an envelope, click to view Envelope Envy Video Tutorial Part One.

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

Stamp Set:  Elements of Style (Summer Mini Catalog, available 5/1).
Paper:  Bordering Blue (102630), Ruby Red (102030), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  VersaMark (102283), Jet Black Stazon (101406)
Cool Tools:  Large Oval Punch (107305), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Up! Heat Tool (100005)
The Perfect Touch:  Clear Circle Rhinestone Brads (113144), Whisper White Organza Ribbon (114319), White Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

PPA31 Sneak Peek Wednesday

Here's a sneak peek of my Pals Paper Arts design for tomorrow's weekly challenge.  The PPA Design Team and Pals Featured Stamper will be ready to dazzle you with their inspiration samples.  Hmmm . . . what will this week's challenge be?  Are you ready to play at the PPA?

Every Wednesday, the Pals Paper Arts Design Team honors three standouts from the previous week's open challenge.  Pals Paper Arts Picks are up.  CLICK HERE to see which participants' projects wooed the judges to "WOW!"

COMING UP FRIDAY:  Part two of my "Envelope Envy" video tutorial series debuts.  Stay tuned.  If you missed part one on lining envelopes, click Envelope Envy Video Part One.

SWEET, SWEETER, SWEETEST:  You can earn Stampin' Up! Hostess Rewards when you place a qualifying on-line order.  Sweeten the deal with the current Sale-A-Bration promotion--your choice of over 80 free gifts with every $50 you spend.  The sweetest yet?  Fill your hobby stamper wish list with Stampin' Up!'s Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit Promotion.

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

Envelope Envy Video Part One

Ready for my quick and easy tips on giving your envelopes polish?  Today kicks off part one of three video tutorials on simple ways to jazz up your envelopes for a coordinated look with your hand crafted cards. 

UPDATE:  I suggest a strong adhesive to seal the envelope (since the original envelope flap adhesive gets covered).  Stampin' Up! 2-Way Glue should do the trick and is quick and easy to use--just swipe along the top of the flap.  When sealing the envelope, be sure to adhere immediately (while glue is blue) and hold for a few seconds--M

This masculine birthday card takes shape in minutes using my hobby blade and cutting mat.  Very retro and clean.  My inspiration comes from the bold orange and stainless kitchen below, part of a monochromatic color challenge at Kween Bee Kreations.

SALE-A-BRATION CONTINUES!  The stamp images I used are both from Wow Flowers, one of the 80+ free items available with every $50 you spend on Stampin' Up! products during Sale-A-Bration. View Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Details!

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

Stamp Set:  Wow Flowers (120255, Sale-A-Bration)
Paper:  Brushed Silver Card Stock (100712), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Jet Black Stazon (101406)
Cool Tools:  Hobby Blade (102449), Cutting Mat (101087), Circle Punches:  1" (109046), 1 1/4" (104403), 1 3/8" (104401), Modern Label Punch (116630)
The Perfect Touch:  Silver Jumbo Brad (112534, 5/16" Jumbo Brads Neutrals), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Envelope:  Whisper White Medium Envelope (107301), Pumpkin Pie Designer Series (112159), 2-Way Glue (100425), Paper Snips (103579)

Mojo Monday127: Easel

Isn't this easel fun?  For this week's Mojo Monday sketch challenge  (MOJO127), I created an easel card that will help celebrate my teenage nephew's 14th birthday.  I think it has enough birthday whimsy without being too young for him.  The bold colors bring out the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper (Occasions Mini Catalog) and masculine, geometric shapes.  Click and scroll for more of my masculine card ideas.

Round or Square?  Take your pick for this week's Mojo challenge.

STAMPIN' PRETTY TIPS:

• The easel portion of this 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" card (closed) is whipped up in minutes.  Click here for the Splitcoaststampers Easel Card Tutorial and video I relied on.
• A punched star, brad and Pumpkin Pie strip are the "kickstand" when the card is set up.
• Line up your brads with precision.  I used Stampin' Up!'s Paper-Piercing Tool and Piercing Mat (included in the Mat Pack) to help these Vintage Brads become a happy "chorus line."
• Mini Glue Dots adhere the large button with superhero strength.  For a polished touch, I "threaded" a skinny piece of Chocolate Chip card stock through the button holes.
• Stampin' Up!'s Stampin' Write Markers were used to color the sentiment with three different colors.  I love the results.
• Need inspiration?  See all my Sale-A-Bration and Occasions Mini Catalog projects in one place!  

THEY'RE BACK!!  Many Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog favorites are back for purchase.  Click to view Available Holiday Mini Catalog Products.

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

Stamp Set:  Whimsical Words (Sale-A-Bration: Wood-Mount 118386, Clear-Mount 119119)
Paper:  Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack (117161), Taken With Teal (101584), Pumpkin Pie (105117), So Saffron (105118), Chocolate Chip (102128), Sahara Sand (105328), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Stampin'  Write Markers:  Chocolate Chip (100071), Taken With Teal (100068), Pumpkin Pie (105115)
Cool Tools:  Large Star Punch (110710), Star Punch (109045), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Piercing Template (105826, Stampin' Up! Mat Pack)
The Perfect Touch:  Vintage Brads (109109), Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (109051), Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109030), Sherbet Designer Series Button (116312), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Pals Guest Stamper: Kalshelia

Today's Guest Stamper, Kalshelia Lloyd of my Stampin' Pretty Pals, shows off her pretty style and eye for detail with the sympathy card above.  Of course, I'm digging the coordinated envelope, too.  Thanks, Kalshelia, for sharing your artwork on my Stampin' Pretty blog!

To see more of Kalshelia's lovely designs, click to visit her Stampin' Fabulousity blog!  Be sure to check out this little chic lunchbox . . . one of my favorites!

TIP:  Kalshelia used the scallop circle punch to create the adorable blossom. 

Stamp: Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908)
Paper: So Saffron (105118), Chocolate Chip (102128), Certain Celery DSP (112154), (Shades of Spring (117160)
Kool Tools: 1/16" hole punch (101227), Scallop Circle Punch (109043) Curly Label Punch (112208), Scallop Trim edge punch (118402)
Fabulous Finish: Certain Celery 5/8" satin ribbon (117288), Circle Fire rhinestone brads (109110)

Would you like to join my Stampin' Pretty Pals?  Check out the current Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit Promotion.

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

Pawsitively Prints Petals

I'm mad for plaid.  Perhaps it's my Scottish roots.  The sweet patterns in the Stampin' Up! Pawsitively Prints Designer Series Paper aren't exclusive to Build-A-Bear projects.  Experiment and have fun with the coordinated colors and charming designs!

STAMPIN' PRETTY TIPS:

• Have a Circle Punch?  You are just 5 punches away from a simple flower.
• The Pretties Half Back Pearl tucks into the button opening like it was custom made for it.  A Mini Glue Dot (103683) anchors it in place.
• This simple sentiment from Thank You Kindly is one of the 80+ free stamp sets available with every $50 you spend during Sale-a-Bration.
• Stampin' Up!'s Taffeta Ribbon (shown in Pretty in Pink) is my absolute favorite for tying a pretty knot.  In my opinion, it's the easiest to get right the first time!
• Ribbon Knot challenged?  Click for my video tutorial:  Tying a Pretty Ribbon Knot.

BUILD-A-BEAR SPECIAL OFFER!  For every $20 spent on products from the Stampin' Up! Build-A-Bear Workshop Collection, receive a coupon (item 121105) for $5 off a $25 purchase at any Build-A-Bear Workshop store.  Ends April 30, 2010.

HOT NEWS!  Stampin' Up! has continued many Holiday Mini Items.  Check out which Holiday Mini Catalog products are available for purchase NOW!

COMING UP TOMORROW:  One of my Stampin' Pretty Pals is prepared to dazzle you with her talents as my Stampin' Pretty Pals Guest Stamper.

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

Stamp Set:  Thank You Kindly (Sale-A-Bration, 120248)
Paper:  Pawsitively Prints Designer Series (118060, Build-A-Bear Collection), Pretty in Pink (100459), Very Vanilla (101650), Old Olive Textured Card Stock (108697, Assorted Earth Elements)
Ink:  Old Olive (102277)
Cool Tools:  Eyelet Border Punch (113692), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), 1" Circle Punch (109046)
The Perfect Touch:  Pretty in Pink Brads (106954, Soft Subtles Brads), Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon (109067), Sherbet Designer Series Buttons (116312), Pretties Vanilla Half Back Pearl (109114, Pretties Kit), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Very Vanilla Medium Envelope (107300), Pawsitively Prints Designer Series (118060, Build-A-Bear Collection)

Sweet Treat Bag Cover

My treat bag cover today was quick and easy.  I love how the base design makes a sturdy stand.  No tipsy, baby!   Beate Johns of Splitcoaststampers always blows me away with her amazing ideas and simple tutorial directions.  Click for Beate's Treat Bag Cover Tutorial.

M & M's tuck neatly inside in a Stampin' Up! Small Flat Cello Bag!

TREAT BAG COVER:

Stamp Sets:  Fox & Friends (Occasions Mini: Wood-Mount 117020, Clear-Mount 118565), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370), Razzle Dazzle (116714)
Paper:  Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad (118401, Sale-A-Bration), Crushed Curry (115319), Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Crushed Curry (115659), Real Red (103133), Bermuda Bay (115655)
Cool Tools:  Pinking Hearts Border Punch (117649), Crop-A-Dile (108362), Small Oval Punch (107304), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), Scallop Circle Punch (109043)
The Perfect Touch:  Real  Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109034), Silver Elastic Cord (retired), Metallic Silver Eyelet (105319), Small Flat Cello Bag (103104), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

3 X 3 CARD

Stamp Set:  Picture This (Occasions Mini Hostess Level 1: Wood-Mount 116928, Clear-Mount 118538)
Paper:  Crushed Curry Designer Series Paper (115686), Bermuda Bay(115317),  Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Real Red (103133)
Cool Tools:  Small Oval Punch (107304), Large Oval Punch (107305), 5 Petal Flower Punch (109041), Trio Flower Punch (109183),1/4" Circle Punch (retired)
The Perfect Touch:  Real Red Corduroy Buttons (Occasions Mini, 117268), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Envelope:  Whisper White Mini Square Envelope (107309), Razzle Dazzle Stamp Set (116714)

Dazzled by SU's Shimmer Paints or in awe of the Ornament Punch? Many items from the Holiday Mini Catalog are available NOW and will be carried over to the Stampin' Up! 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog.  Click for the Holiday Mini Product List.

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