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

Sneak Peek: Meet the New Stampin' Up! In Colors

Introducing Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding and Coastal Cabana. . . the yummy new Stampin' Up! 2013-2015 In Colors.  They will be available in card stock and all kinds of coordinating goodies when the new Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog begins May 31.

Here is my initial take on how these colors compare to other colors in the Stampin Up! color collections.  Don't miss the Stampin' Up! Color Refresh for recent changes in our color line-up!

WHICH NEW IN COLOR IS YOUR FAVORITE?  Please leave me a comment below!

Strawberry Slush (top left):  Lighter and softer than Melon Mambo.  Brighter than Rose Red. 

Baked Brown Sugar (middle left):  Warmer than Crumb Cake.  More gold and lighter than Soft Suede.

Crisp Cantaloupe (bottom left):  Lighter and softer than Calypso Coral.  More peach than Blushing Bride (a returning color).

Pistachio Pudding (top right):  A modern and "minty" spin on Certainly Celery (retiring). 

Coastal Cabana (bottom right):  Lighter than Island Indigo.  Richer than Pool Party.  This is a color I have been really craving!

This simple little card was created using a 1" Square Punch (124094) and a 3/4" Circle Punch (119873).  I also used the 1" Square Punch to flag the end of the sentiment.  The "Gee, thanks" sentiment is from Really Good Greetings stamp set, also available May 31 in the new catalog.

STAMPIN' UP! RETIRING PRODUCTS! 

• Stampin' Up! Retiring Stamp Set List (all retiring stamps are available through June 3)
• Stampin' Up! Retiring Accessories List (only available while supplies last--don't miss the discounted products).

Birds of a Feather Thank You Card

As I'm preparing for my Stampin' Up! Fiji vacation this week (woot), I'm appreciating Quick & Pretty Cards more than ever for sharing and sending!  Today's card goes together in 10 minutes or less.  See more of my Quick & Pretty Cards.

STAMPIN' PRETTY TIPS:

• How do you incorporate big patterns from 12 x 12 Designer Series Paper on cards?  Frame your hands like a camera to isolate parts of the pattern that are more card-friendly.  My little birds and stripe pattern (from Stampin' Up! Birds of a Feather) were clipped from a much larger design.

• With all the stripes, I opted to turn down the embellishment "factor."  A couple Rhinestone Basic Jewels on the sentiment and a satiny Raspberry Ripple Ribbon keep the interest up but confusion down.

• You may recognize my sentiment.  I used it to demonstrate my 1 Minute to WOW! Video on Making Rectangles with the Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die.  I'm so glad I found a spot for this "thank you" from Oh, Hello stamp set.

THE STAMPIN' UP! RETIRED LISTS ARE COMING!!!  Our retired stamp and accessories lists will be released tomorrow (4/24).  I'll publish them on my blog as soon as possible.  Please be ready to order your favorites before they say "so long!"

EARN A FREE STAMP SET FROM ME!   My Stampin' Pretty Tulip Rewards Program is my way of personally saying "thank you" to my frequent shoppers.  Qualify to earn a FREE stamp set of your choice from ANY current Stampin' Up! catalog -- ANY PRICE!  Woo hoo!

STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES:

Stamp Set:  Oh, Hello (Wood-Mount 131102, Clear-Mount 131101)
Paper:  Birds of a Feather Designer Series Paper (126899), Crumb Cake (120953), Island Indigo (122923), Raspberry Ripple (126842)
Ink:  Raspberry Ripple (126859)
Cool Tools:  Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882), Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die (120903), Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies (127003), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439)
The Perfect Touch:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Raspberry Ripple 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (126845), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Quick & Pretty "Best of Birthdays" Card

Today's card assembles in just minutes earning it the badge of a Quick & Pretty Card.  The humorous sentiment from Best of Birthdays (part of the "Best of 25 Years" stamp collection) is just perfect for a gentle ribbing of my ("much" LOL) older sister on her special day!

STAMPIN' PRETTY TIPS:

• You love when I share measurements!  They certainly make a Quick & Pretty Card go together in a snap. 
• The Very Vanilla card base is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2 (standard A2). 
• The Raspberry Ripple piece is 4 1/8" x 3/4". 
• The Summer Starfruit layer measures 5" x 2 1/4"
• The colorful polka dot pattern from Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack measures 3 3/8" square.

• The Stampin' Up! Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies layer precisely.  Stampin' Dimensionals were placed at the top and bottom between the layers, so that I could slip the Primrose Petals Ribbon through and tie.

 

SHOP WITH ME AND GET A FREE 2013-2014 ANNUAL CATALOG!   Anyone who places an order through me will get a Stampin' Up! 2013-2014 Annual Catalog delivered to their door from me--absolutely FREE.  Free My Digital Studio downloads and 30 Day Trial are excluded from this offer.  Place your order by May 7 and your catalog should arrive no later than 5/31.  Please note this is a Stampin' Pretty exclusive offer.  Limit 1.

Already a Stampin' Pretty Preferred Customer?  Your 2013-2014 catalog has already been ordered for you and is expected to arrive no later than 5/31!  Learn how you can become a Stampin' Pretty Preferred Customer!

 

STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES

Stamp Set:  Best of Birthdays (Clear-Mount 132828)
Paper:  Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack (129312), Raspberry Ripple (126842), Summer Starfruit (126839), Primrose Petals  (126841), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Primrose Petals (126858)
Cool Tools:  3/16" Corner Punch (119871), Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies (129021), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439)
The Perfect Touch:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (126844), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Pals Guest Stamper: Kylie N.

Ready for a WOW! fold card?  Kylie Nicolosi, a member of my Stampin' Pretty Pals Community, is today's guest!  She's a  busy mom with a creative spirit!  Her clean and simple ideas translate into artful projects in just minutes--very practical in a toddler-charged environment!  The rich woodgrain embossed texture is the perfect perch for the sweet owl.

So do you want to know the "411" on how Kylie designed this card?   Please visit her blog, My Stampin' Closet, for full details along with loads of papercrafting ideas that reflect her clean and simple style.

ALL MDS FREE DOWNLOADS IN ONE PLACE!   I know you're diggin' the Stampin' Up! FREE My Digital Studio downloads.  Check out this Stampin' Pretty spot to conveniently find them all (including the 30 Day FREE MDS Trial).  There's a button on my left side bar if you want to check for updates in the future or save the free downloads page as a bookmark.

Friend to Friend Punched Trio

A quick and pretty card for you today. I used several playful colors (Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, Riding Hood Red) that are being discontinued as part of the Stampin' Up! Color Refresh.   Order discontinued colors now while supplies last! 

STAMPIN' PRETTY TIPS:

• Stampin' Up! Note Cards (5" x 3 1/2") & Envelopes are the perfect foundation for a Quick & Pretty card.
• The top Whisper White layer measures 3 1/4" x 1 1/2 and is propped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.  The Whisper White layer below is 3 1/2" x 1 3/4".

• I simply snipped the bottom of the ornament from the Merry Minis Punch Pack to create the tiny vases.
• The small Riding Hood Red circles in the flower centers were cropped as a trio from the Cupcake Builder Punch. 

AVAILABLE NOW!  Improved Stampin' Up! Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad plus helpful tips.  Find out more.

STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES:

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (Wood-Mount 115370, Clear-Mount 127802)
Paper:  Not Quite Navy (101722), More Mustard (100946), Riding Hood Red (111348), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Riding Hood Red (126968)
Cool Tools:  Merry Minis Punch Pack (126882), Cupcake Builder Punch (flower centers, 121807), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309)
The Perfect Touch:  Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Other:  Stampin' Up! Note Cards and Envelopes (107311)

 

Rain or Shine Umbrella Trio

I chose bright basics (Real Red, Pacific Point and Daffodil Delight) to whip up this note card trio using the Stampin' Up! Rain or Shine stamp set. 

STAMPIN' PRETTY TIPS:

• Layering a Whisper White Layer over a Whisper White card base (Stampin' Up! Note Cards & Envelopes) and adhering with Stampin' Dimensionals gives a luscious faux embossed look.

• A simple flower and brad is all that's needed to dress up the umbrella.

• The Stampin' Up! Note Cards & Envelopes set (20 of each) is one of my "go to's" for quick cards.

 

EARN FREE STAMPS WITH MY TULIP REWARDS PROGRAM.  Get the scoop.

COMING UP TOMORROW!  I'm hosting an Easter Parade of favorite paper crafting ideas from my Stampin' Pretty Pals.  Get ready to be WOW'd!

Stamp Set:  Rain or Shine (Wood-Mount 126775, Clear-Mount 126777)
Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes Set (107311), Real Red (102482), Daffodil Delight (119683), Pacific Point (111350)
Ink:  Real Red (126949), Daffodil Delight (126944), Pacific Point (126951)
Cool Tools:  Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309)
The Perfect Touch:  Metallic Brads (119741), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Lucky Day Ghirardelli Chocolate Holder

I love a quick project and sweet surprises.  This simple Ghirardelli Chocolate holder is the perfect size to tuck in a lunch box, suitcase or even under a pillow this St. Patty's Day! 

STAMPIN' PRETTY TIPS:

• Cut Gumball Green Polka Dot Designer Series Paper to 9 3/4" x 3 1/2".
• Score each side at 3 1/4" and fold.

• Cut triangle off one side (corner to corner) using the Stampin' Up! Trimmer for pocket.
• The bottom of the triangle pocket was adhered with Sticky Strip.
• I stamped the shamrock from the Lucky Day Stamp (Stampin' Up! Spring Catalog) a second time.  It was snipped and popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.

• The bold rhinestone centered on the shamrock is from the Spring Catalog (Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels).

SALE-A-BRATION ENDS MARCH 22.  Have you taken advantage of your freebies?  Check out my Tips on Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Buck During Sale-A-Bration.

 Click Here for a Larger Viewer-Friendly Sale-A-Bration Brochure.

STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES:

Stamp Set:  Lucky Day (Wood-Mount 129177)
Paper:  2012-2014 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack (126910), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Gumball Green (126861)
Cool Tools:   3/16" Corner Punch (119871), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Trimmer (126889), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439)
The Perfect Touch:  3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (126848), Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels (129324), Sticky Strip Adhesive (104294), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

NEW Quick & Pretty Video: Paper-Pierced Butterfly

How about a new Quick & Pretty "start to finish" video tutorial today? 

My Quick & Pretty cards are simple, fast and use minimal supplies--perfect for the busy stamper! 

QUICK & PRETTY VIDEO:  PAPER-PIERCED BUTTERFLY CARD:

 

The Stampin' Up! Occasions Paper-Piercing Pack was used to outline the punched butterfly with precision.  

This paper-piercing pack is one of My Top 10 Favorite Products from the Stampin' Up! Spring Catalog!

I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!  Please leave me a comment at the end of this post regarding today's pierced butterfly card or video! 

LOVE THE CONVENIENCE OF ON-LINE LEARNING?  Stampin' Up! has introduced the first of their on-line video classes.  I'm impressed with the 30+ simple and pretty projects as well as the helpful tips and training (videos, supplies lists and pdfs).  Click HERE for full details on the Stampin' Up! On-Line Basics Class ($14.95).

Stamp Set:  Petite Pairs (Wood-Mount 122495, Clear-Mount 122497)
Paper:  Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper (1269902), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise (126952), Rich Razzleberry (126950)
Cool Tools:  Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526), Bitty Butterfly Punch (129406), Occasions Paper-Piercing Pack (129387), Paper-Piercing Tool (126189), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199)
The Perfect Touch:  Brights Brads (119740), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Glue Dots (103683)

Other:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes (107311)

Stampin' Up! Spring Sampler Tag Quartet

Yesterday, I introduced the first of Stampin' Up!'s NEW On-Line Classes along with sharing a resounding THUMBS UP! from me on the quality of the paper crafting samples and ideas.  The $14.95 class offers over 30 projects presented step by step as pdf files, plus supply lists and videos.  Many of you have already ordered the class and are as excited as I am.  See below for more information on how to get started. 

CLICK HERE TO ORDER 'THE BASICS" CLASS THRU ME $14.95

Quick note . . . the videos in session 6 have a timing issue and are being remedied!  If you have already purchased the class through me, I'll be sure you get the corrections when they are available.  UPDATE 2/27 4:00 p.m. -- This has been repaired.  If you had this issue, you can download the class again and the videos are corrected.

After watching the session five class (there are 6 total sessions), I created my own version of the tags project.  So many cool tips and an easy to follow video!  I adapted them to my Spring Sampler stamp set.  That's one of the benefits--these classes are versatile enough to work with the stamps and supplies you have on hand (although leave a little room for enabling).  Don't you love how the Ticket Duo Builder Punch (126883) was used!  Learned that in the class!

The little galoshes from the Spring Sampler Set (Wood-Mount 125510, Clear-Mount 125512) were stamped with Pacific Point ink, paper snipped and popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals! 

Singin' in the Rain!  I used Teeny Tiny Wishes (Wood-Mount 115370, Clear-Mount 127802) stamp set for the sentiments.

For fun, I added Stampin' Up! Pearl Basic Jewels (119247) to accentuate the spots!  Each of my tags measures 2" x 3 1/2".

Frankly, I didn't think ahead about matching the Baker's Twine to the ink.  I used Gumball Green ink along with Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine.  Keep the door open for experimenting with different colors and shades.  It's amazing how similar shades take on the colors of each other and expand your possibilities.  Yep, I didn't "match" the Island Indigo Baker's Twine and Pacific Point Ink on the galoshes either . . . If I don't post tomorrow, you'll know I have gone straight to "Stampin' Jail" for not doing the obvious.

Buzz!  The little bee was stamped on Daffodil Delight card stock, it's oval body snipped and popped up on a sliver of Stampin' Dimensionals.

SO TELL ME what you think of my tag quartet with a comment below.  Do you have a favorite?  I love the simplicity and hope it inspires you to give the new Stampin' Up! On-Line Class a try.

 

PERFECT FOR THE BUSY STAMPER!  Stampin' Up! on-line classes.  Clever tips, techniques and videos to create 30+ projects!  $14.95.

A "Whole Latte Love" Thank You Card

I wanted to create a special card as a thank you to my sister, Susan (a gift card is tucked inside).  When I recently traveled to Madison, I was still recovering from the flu.  Susan graciously nursed me back to health with lots of HGTV, herbal tea and "cheesy potatoes."  Wonderful medicine!

STAMPIN' PRETTY TIPS:

• I cropped about 3/4" of an inch off the front right of the card base to expose the Very Vanilla card stock behind.

• The Needlepoint Border Embossing Folder left a sweet cross stitch pattern on the exposed edge.
• A 3/16" Corner Punch adds a quick and simple detail.

• A punched heart and pearl are a charming way to bring the coffee "steam" to life.

EARN FREE STAMPS!  The Stampin' Pretty Tulip Rewards Program is my way of personally saying "thank you" to my returning customers.  Qualify to earn a FREE stamp set of your choice from ANY current Stampin' Up! catalog -- ANY PRICE!  Woo hoo!  Learn more about My Stampin' Pretty Tulip Rewards Program.

 
STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES:

Stamp Set:  Patterned Occasions* (Wood-Mount 129621, Clear-Mount 129624)
Paper:  Stampin' Up! 2011-2013 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack (122384), Melon Mambo (115320), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Lucky Limeade (126984)
Cool Tools:  3/16" Corner Punch (119871), Small Heart Punch (117193), 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874), Circles #2 Originals Die (114526), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439), Needlepoint Borders Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (129383)
The Perfect Touch:  Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119960), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247)

*Earn this product FREE during the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration Promotion.  Ends March 22.