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

Fall/Winter Sneak Peek: Heard From The Heart

It's Day Five of my Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter Sneak Peek Mini Marathon.  I have added a "SU Fall/Winter" category on my left sidebar so you can easily look up sneak peeks and future ideas efficiently.  I have a lot more to share between now and the Aug. 11 release date (including a bonus sneak peek tomorrow).

On stage today is the new sentiment stamp set Heard from the Heart (4 stamps, available Aug. 11).  I combined Splitcoast Inspiration Challenge IC136 Cupcakes Wedding Cakes and Ways to Use WT174 Mini Madness (by using micro brads as my cupcake confetti).  All daily SCS challenges are listed on my right sidebar so have some fun and play along.

I simply love the way the new In Colors Tangerine Tango and Baja Breeze look together.  Serious zowie factor!  I stamped each cupcake (one of seven cool stamp  "accessories"  from the Sock Monkey set) in Close to Cocoa on Whisper White card stock.  Each cupcake is popped out using a 1 1/4" Circle Punch,  topped on a 1 3/8" Circle of Close to Cocoa and ultimately land on a Scalloped Circle of Baja Breeze. 

TIP:  The delicious "confetti" was added using micro brads.   They are miraculously close (if not exact) in color to Tangerine Tango and Pacific Point (the darker blue).  I ordered them on-line from Just Brads (the Tropical Collection).  $3 for 100 of these miniature cuties . . . lovely little bargain so I ordered in every color :)

The banner began with the "wishes" sentiment from Heard from the Heart, dipped in Close to Cocoa ink and stamped on Whisper White.  TIP:  I layered it on on Pacific Point card stock to make the blue cupcake "confetti" pop.  Using the new Scallop Edge Punch, the scalloped layer was simple and quick.  Here is a tutorial on the Scallop Edge Punch from a previous post.  I felt the sides were a tad "naked" so I slipped in a strip of Tangerine Tango card stock. TIP:  Strips of card stock, layered or otherwise, can replicate the look of ribbon (or make beautiful card making "music" in the case of the "Tango"-hah)!

The Tangerine Tango background danced through the Cuttlebug with the D'vine Swirls Embossing folder.  All parts were assembled and adhered to a Whisper White (4.25 x 5.5) card base as the final step.

I would love to hear what you think about the sneak peek products.  Please drop me a quick comment!

COMING UP THIS WEEK:  Two delightful Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter hostess stamp sets:  Fall Flair and Window Dressing

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Heard from the Heart, Sock Monkey
Paper:  Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Ink:  Close to Cocoa
Cool Tools:  Punch Bunch--1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Cuttlebug, D-Vine Swirl Embossing Folder
The Perfect Touch:  Micro Brads

Fall/Winter Sneak Peek: New Scallop Edge Punch

It's day three of my Sneak Peek Mini Marathon and I'm simply pumped to show you what I believe will be the "it" tool of the Stampin' Up!'s Fall/Winter Catalog (available Aug. 11).  The new Scallop Edge Punch ($15.95) is a precise and easy way to create scalloped edges and shapes in a snap.  No need to develop one scallop at a time with a Corner Rounder Punch (as I have done and posted about for months).

Here's a basic photo tutorial on creating the border for today's card.  However, take note.  This little powerhouse offers endless possibilites for scalloped squares, rectangles and more.

Insert card stock and line it up against the groove.

Punch and slide card stock either left or right, lining up your newly created scallops with the scallops on the punch.

Punch and line up until you're done . . . Got it?  Is that sooooo easy?

Are you smiling yet?

The card base is Pink Pirouette (4.25 x 5.5).  All designer series paper used is from the Fall/Winter Level 3 Holiday Happenings Hostess Level III Bundle (plus it includes four Seasonal Icons stamps and Seasonal
Sayings rub-ons in Chocolate Chip and White). 

The sentiment is from the new Fall/Winter release, Heard from the Heart, four long and beautiful stamps.  Great possibilities for using markers to isolate or create multi-colored images.  It's inked in Baja Breeze and stamped on Whisper White.  A Dew Drop (the Cowboy Collection) gives a little extra pizzazz.  Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss is layered below. 

The scalloped edge is in Baja Breeze card stock and I slipped in a layer of Chocolate Chip card stock between the flower paper and the Baja.  The last snippet is a matching piece of Holiday Happenings Designer Series paper, shaped with my Photo Corners Punch and topped with some Robin's nest Dew Drops.

Please leave me a comment on what you think of the new stuff.  I appreciate the feedback!

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Heard from the Heart
Paper:  Holiday Happenings Designer Series Paper, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip
Ink:  Baja Breeze
Cool Tools:  Scallop Edge Punch, Photo Corners Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Dew Drops (Cowboy)

COMING UP TOMORROW:  SNEAK PEEK #4

SU Retiring Stamps: I'll Miss This Bird

Have you ever debated on a purchase, decided you simply must have it . . . and then learned that the item is no longer available?  Stampin' Up!'s Retiring Stamps List is now available (download below or check my right side bar).  If there are any stamp sets listed you have debated on, now is the time to order.  They officially retire Aug. 10, the day before the Fall/Winter catalog release date on Aug. 11.  However, supplies are limited and I encourage you to order before any of your favorites run out.  To place a Stampin' Up! on-line order through me (by credit card), please click here.  I personally cover shipping costs with product orders of $99 or more.  Pretty simple.

Stampin' Up! Retired_List Alphabetical

Stampin' Up! Retired_List Numerical

My color inspiration is from Splitcoast Color Challenge CC173 and includes Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate and Certainly Celery.  My skepticism that it would be "too holiday" vanished when I discovered how scrumptious these colors looked combined.

This little "Partridge Family-esque" bird has starred in quite a few of my card making endeavors.  He's only available as a Hostess Level II stamp set (Spring Solitude Bundle) and is slated for retirement along with many other Stampin' Up! stamps on August. 10.  He's proud to be stamped in Wild Wasabi on Whisper White card stock.  I popped him out with a 1" Circle Punch and layered him on circle punches of Wild Wasabi (1 1/4") and Certainly Celery (1 3/8").  The retro flower stamp was inked in Purely Pomegranate and jazzed up Whisper White card stock.  It's matted on Wild Wasabi.

This delightful sketch is from Taylored Expressions.  I went a tidtad (my sister uses this word . . unlikely that it exists) out of the box by adding five flowers when the sketch calls for three.  However, that's exactly what sketches are . . . a starting point for inspiration.  To date, I have witnessed no arrests for straying.  TIP:  If you try a sketch challenge, don't be afraid to customize.  Using Nestabilities Rectangles, I created a scalloped Purely Pomegranate background layer and added some Certainly Celery Boho Flowers with 1/4" Wild Wasabi circle centers. 

The 4.25 x 5.5 Certainly Celery card base is topped with a soft little pattern from the Hostess Level I Prints Pack (exclusive 6 x 6" designer paper colors in Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Pretty in Pink, Real Red).  TIP:  When using a funkalicious pattern like the retro flower stamp, I like to balance things with a designer paper background of a smaller scale.  The ribbon banner consists of 5/8" Certainly Celery Grosgrain over Purely Pomegranate card stock.

The sentiment is a rub-on from Sale-A-Bration's Love and Happiness set.  They are no longer available but there are lots of Stampin' Up! Rub-On options on p. 182 of the Spring-Summer Catalog.  I plan to order many more rub-ons when the new catalog is released.  They are so crisp and easy to use. 

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Spring Solitude Bundle (Hostess Level II)
Paper:  Prints Pack Wild Wasabi Designer Series (Hostess Level I), Certainly Celery, Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate
Cool Tools:  Boho Blossoms Punch, Circle Punches:  1/4, 1, 1 1/4, 1 3/8", Nestabilities Rectangles, Cuttlebug
The Perfect Touch:  Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Love and Happiness Rub-Ons

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Stampin' Up!'s Retired Accessories List will be posted on Monday, July 21.  TIP:  Any accessories (designer paper, card stock, ribbon, ink pads) using the current In Colors (Purely Pomegranate, Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Wild Wasabi, River Rock) will definitely be retiring on Aug. 10.  So stock up on those items you love.

Always Stamping

Today's card features a unique and fresh layout from Poetic Artistry.  It begins with the branch from Stampin' Up!'s Always stamp set inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped on Whisper White card stock.  I then cropped and embossed it using Nestabilities Rectangles and my trusty Cuttlebug.  The Mellow Moss scalloped layer below was also created from the Nestabilities Rectangles.

The horizontal banner is a delicious piece of Taken with Teal textured card stock matted on Chocolate Chip.  A French Script background stamp inked in Chocolate Chip (again, on Whisper White) is layered on Taken With Teal.  TIP:  Stampin' Up!'s French Script is retired but En Français (109521) would be a perfect replacement--frankly, any background would be fine. 

The sentiment brings out the magic of punches.  The small flower in Taken with Teal was cropped with a 1/2" Circle Punch.  It's then layered on the Chocolate Chip "a."  The "a" is snipped with a 1" Circle Punch and matted on Chocolate Chip (1 1/4" Circle), Taken with Teal (1 3/8" Circle) and a Textured Mellow Moss Scalloped Circle.  TIP:  The sentiment is mounted on Stampin' Dimensionals for a little pop.

The Chocolate Chip card base is 5.5 x 8.5" and scored at the top (4.25).  I layered some Mellow Moss textured card stock on top (isn't it sumptuous in this color)?  The corners get some glamour with snippets of Chocolate Chip card stock, fashioned with a Photo Corners Punch, and some splashy deep teal stick-on rhinestones. 

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Always, French Script Background
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Textured, Mellow Moss Textured, Taken with Teal Textured, Whisper White
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Taken With Teal
Cool Tools:  Punches:  Photo Corners, Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punches:  1/2, 1, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8", Nestabilities Rectangles, Cuttlebug, Embossing Mat
The Perfect Touch:  Stampin' Dimensionals, Stick-On Rhinestones

Fresh Cuts Offer. Last Call!

Last call is June 30!  Here's project three of my count-down to the expiration of some really cool Stampin' Up! Promotions.  For all current Stampin' Up! sales, please check out my right side bar list under "What's On Sale?"   Now through 6:00 p.m. CST, Monday, June 30, I'm exclusively offering any item in the Occasions Mini Catalog at 10% off, plus FREE Shipping for products totals over $99.  US Only.  Simply click and securely order by credit card here.

It's the last day of the Fresh Cuts Promotion, too.  Purchase the Fresh Cuts stamp set for $21.95, in advance of its release in the Fall/Winter Catalog, and get the coordinating die-cut Fresh Cut note cards and envies for just $5.  Click here for full details on the Fresh Cuts Promotion.

Using one of the adorable Fresh Cuts note cards, I stamped the front using my Paisley Background  in Chocolate Chip.  TIP:  Please remove the die cut petals after you stamp, otherwise the pattern will stamp through to the inside of the card.  Seems obvious but I have to confess, I blew it.  I added some Soft Sky card stock as an insert to cover it up.   TIP:  To be extra safe, slip some scratch paper inside the card so that when you stamp the front, nothing can get through, even with the die cut petals in place. 

I snuck some striped Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog) behind the die cut opening and topped things off with a couple flowers in Soft Sky and Chocolate Chip Textured card stock (created with a Boho Blossoms Punch) and a 1/4" Soft Sky Textured circle for the center.

The sentiment from Fundamental Phrases (this text is great for wedding, anniversary) is inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped on Whisper White card stock.  A small Oval Punch snaps it out along with a large oval in Soft Sky Textured.  A little distressing  with a handy Cutter Kit tool roughs up the edges.  Two Hodgepodge Hardware Brads (Pewter) accent the sides.  Stampin' Dimensionals bump things up.  Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon adds a final touch to the card.

The envelope showcases some of the same Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog).  TIP:  To customize a envelope flap, adhere patterned paper on top (outside).  Flip the envelope over and trim the excess with good scissors.  I used my Paper Snips.  The last detail was a snap of a 5 Petal Punch with a Chocolate Chip Boho Blossom on top.

Hugs and Pretties . . . M

Stamp Set:  Fundamental Phrases, Paisley Background
Paper:  Fresh Cuts Note Cards and Envelopes (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog), Afternoon Tea Designer Series, Whisper White, Soft Sky Textured, Chocolate Chip Textured
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Cool Tools:  Small and Large Oval Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, 5 Petal Punch, Cutter Kit
The Perfect Touch:  Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware Brads (Pewter), Stampin' Dimensionals

COMING UP:  Stampin' Up! has promised some more sneak peeks and offers for the Fall/Winter Catalog July 1.  Stay tuned!

Attention Stampers . . . The Mini is About to Close.

Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini Collection and the Fresh Cuts Offer both expire, Monday, June 30.  While the clock winds down, I'm going to highlight products from these promotions with THREE new projects (beginning below) over the next 24 hours.  Still on the fence?  Now through 6:00 p.m. CST, Monday, June 30, I'm exclusively offering any item in the Occasions Mini Catalog at 10% off, plus FREE Shipping for products totals over $99.  US Only.  Simply click and securely order by credit card here.

If you love punches (yowse, I used six different ones), today's berry-licious card is a perfect match.  I colored the delicious strawberry stamp from Tart and Tangy (Occasions Mini, p.14) with Stampin' Up!'s Always Artichoke and Real Red Markers.  TIP:  With a couple of huffs of breath to moisten the ink, they were ready to jump to life on Whisper White card stock.  They pop out with ease using a Small Tag Punch and layer precisely over a Large Tag Punch of Always Artichoke.

The little handles for each tag were created using the Word Window Punch and Textured Basic Black card stock.  TIP:  Fold them in half first (vs. attaching one end to the tag and then folding) so that they will each be the same size.  I thought a little dazzle was in order so I pierced a hole at the base and added a Circle Rhinestone Brad.

The horizontal banner consists of a zigzag strip of Real Red Textured card stock matted on Basic Black Textured.  TIP:  For a descriptive tutorial on how to create the zigzag border using a 1/4" Square Punch, click here. 

The sentiment is from All Holidays (one of my favorite "go to" occasions and holiday sets).  It's inked in Basic Black and stamped on Whisper White.  It gets a "new figure" using the Small Oval Punch and is adhered with a few Stampin' Dimensionals to Real Red Textured card stock (shaped with the Designer Label Punch).  TIP:  It's easiest to align and attach the sentiment first and THEN add the label holder.

The real glam comes from a Styled Silver Label Holder (Hodgepodge Hardware, Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini, p.7) and a couple matching brads.   TIP:  Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware is currently only offered in the Occasions Mini Catalog and offers label holders to fit several of the punches.  Its far and away my favorite and, in my opinion, the most useful hardware collection Stampin' Up! makes.  I hope to see more like this in the Fall/Winter catalog in August.

For the card base, I stamped the Canvas Background (Basic Black) on Always Artichoke card stock.  It's matted on Basic Black Textured card stock (yum, I can't get enough of Stampin' Up!'s textured card stock and went nutso with it on this card) at 5.5 x 4.25" (scored at the top).

Hugs and Pretties . . . stay tuned for two more count-down posts in the next 24 hours . . . . M

Stamp Sets:  Tart and Tangy (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini), All Holidays, Canvas Background
Paper:  Basic Black Textured, Real Red Textured, Whisper White, Always Artichoke
Ink:  Basic Black, Stampin' Up! Markers:  Always Artichoke and Real Red
Cool Tools:  1/4" Square Punch, Large and Small Tag Punch, Small Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Paper Piercer
The Perfect Touch:  Circle Rhinestone Brads (Fire/Red), Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Brads and Label Holder (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini)

COMING UP LATER TODAY:  Die-Cut Blooms . . . Make a WOW Card in Less Than 10 Minutes!

Happy Bird-Day, Henry!

My little grand nephew turns two this week and I took the opportunity to "punch" out a card with Stampin' Up!'s Jersey Shore Designer Series paper and square punches. 

My inspiration was today's Ways to Use It Challenge:  Birds (SCS WT172). This Pun Fun bird took flight, was inked in Brilliant Blue and stamped on Whisper White.  I stamped him once more on polka dot Jersey Shore paper, snipped out his tummy and mounted it with a Stampin' Dimensional.  He's then layered on Brilliant Blue and and Wild Wasabi Textured card stock.  Using a Photo Corners Punch, I added a corner accent in Pumpkin Pie and topped it off with some Robin's Nest Dew Drops (Fresh Mowed Grass).

The background is based on Splitcoast's Sketch Challenge (SC182).  TIP:  Having the 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" squares handy made this background a snap.  It can be a bit tricky lining up the squares on the card base (Brilliant Blue Textured card stock).  TIP:  Rather than trying to measure things out perfectly for alignment,  I start in the top left corner and work right or down, each time eyeballing my distance to the edges of the card base and between squares. 

TIP:  As you finish with the 3rd square to the right, just trim the excess (on the right) of the card base to make the right border even with the rest.  I do the same as I work down, too.  Make sense?  If not, just drop me an email or hit my Live Help button to chat in real time (if I'm on-line).  The final card base was 4 9/16" X 4 9/16" square.

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Pun Fun
Paper:  Jersey Shore Designer Series, Brilliant Blue Textured, Wild Wasabi Textured, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink:  Brilliant Blue
Cool Tools:  1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Square Punches, Photo Corner Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Stampin Dimensional, Robin's Nest Dew Drops

NEW STAMPIN' PRETTY FEATURE:  Looking for other Pun Fun ideas on this blog?  I added a "blog bar" to my right side bar that allows you to type in "Pun Fun" and search past posts for all references.  Neat.  

Envelope for 4 x 4's in a Snap

Today's post offers a quick and easy way to create a square envelope from a standard (5 3/4" x 4 3/8") envelope, perfect for those cute 4 x 4 cards that are all the rage.  One of my virtual stamping pals, Colleen K. (an excellent resource for cool stamping ideas), directed me to Cindy Lawrence's wonderful tutorial (Cindy's one of my Great Swap Girls' pals) on an expedient way to create a dressed up 4 3/8" x 4 3/8" envie.

Using a 5 3/4" x 4 3/8" envelope, chop off one of the sides (per the photo) and adhere the flap.  The top now becomes the side.  TIP:  The seam will be on the backside of your envelope and doesn't go straight up the middle.  Both Cindy and I think it's fine "as is" but you could always cover it with Designer Paper if you prefer.

Next, cut a piece of designer paper or card stock to 3" x 4 3/8" and score at 1".  The one inch side will be on the front and the remainder will be the envelope flap.  Got it so far?  TIP:  Designer paper is a delightful option for the flap . . . however, be gentle when scoring designer paper, it can tear if you aren't careful. 

I'm playing along with the Splitcoast Color Challenge CC171 (Kraft, Soft Sky and Basic Black) so I didn't have a good color option for matching Designer Paper as a flap.  TIP:  You can always create your own DP combining the colors you want with stamps, punches, etc.  I chose Basic Black card stock, rounded the corners with a Corner Rounder Punch and bopped out some stamped images and circles using 1/2" and 3/4" Circle Punches.

The main image features Seeing Spots shapes and "thank you" round sentiment, both inked in Basic Black and stamped on Soft Sky.  I then punched the images out with a 1 1/4" Circle Punch and layered on a 1 3/8" Circle of Basic Black.  TIP:  Having both sizes of Circle Punches makes layering fast and precise (ditto on the oval and square punches). 

The "thank you" circle receives the added touch of a Basic Black flower created using the  Boho Blossom Punch and attached with one of the luscious over sized brads from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Kit (exclusively offered in Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini through June 30). 

The four circles were mounted on Kraft card stock and Basic Black.  Inspiration for this layout was from Paperlicious, one of the most humorous stamping reads around (and, yes, pretty cards, too).  Styled Silver Brads (Occasions Mini Catalog) accent the four corners and some rick rack influenced ribbon is the finishing detail (necessary to sneak in on the action for Splitcoast Stampers Ways to Use It Challenge WT171:  Rick Rack Revisited).

Hugs and Pretties . . . .Mary

Stamp Set:  Seeing Spots
Paper:  Soft Sky, Kraft, Basic Black, Kraft Envelope
Ink:  Basic Black
Cool Tools:  Corner Rounder Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Boho Blossom Punch,
The Perfect Touch:  Hodgepodge Hardware Styled Silver Brads (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini), Non SU Rick Rack Black Ribbon

Fresh Cuts Chocolate Dip

I'm thrilled Stampin' Up! is providing sneak peeks of the Fall-Winter Catalog (to be released August 11).  Stay tuned for another "peek" in July.  If Fresh Cuts is a sign of things to come, I'm destined to go bananas on the new catty.  Please don't miss this Fresh Cuts Special Offer, only available now through June 30.

The Fresh Cuts block stamp was inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped on Very Vanilla card stock.  The flowers and leaves were dolled up with color using Pale Plum and Certainly Celery Stampin' Up! Markers. I then clipped the corners with a Ticket Corner Punch and layered on Chocolate Chip (also clipped on the corners and used Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere).  Pale Plum card stock provides the base mat along with some Certainly Celery brads as a lively accent. 

The Fresh Cuts stem image is Chocolate Chip on Certainly Celery card stock and layered horizontally on Pale Plum Card Stock.  TIP:  A Paper Piercer and Template make dressing up the corners a snap.  The card base is 4.25 x 5.5 in Chocolate Chip.  I randomly stamped the flower for a jazzy background.

The Chocolate Chip sentiment "Thank you" was aligned on Very Vanilla card stock using a Stamp-a-ma-jig (tutorial here) for perfect placement.  TIP:  Create your own designer label--I snapped out the corners with a Ticket Corner Punch to mirror the main image.  The Paper Piercer and Template also came out to play.  The final touch was a crunch of the Boho Blossom Punch on Pale Plum card stock.  I added a 1/4" circle of Certainly Celery for the center and gave it a lift on a Stampin' Dimensionals for a 3D effect.

The layout for this project was inspired by Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge 52.

Stamp Sets:  Fresh Cuts
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Pale Plum, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Pale Plum Stampin' Up! Marker, Certainly Celery Stampin' Up! Marker
Cool Tools:  Paper Piercer and Template (Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit), Ticket Corner Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
The Perfect Touch:  Soft Subtles Brads (Certainly Celery), Stampin' Dimensionals

Just Announced:  Stampin' Up!'s Retired Stamp Lists are posted on my right navigation bar.  Quantities are limited so don't wait :)

Stampin' Pretty Patterns

Black and White.  Crisp and dramatic.  It makes such a simple statement and takes the guesswork out of color choices.  It always works.  This card is for my niece, her husband and their 2 year old son, Henry David (hence the quote and namesake author in the sentiment), who just purchased their first home.  She's very chic so I thought this would be a good fit.

This card begins with the medallion stamp from Boho Backgrounds.  It's inked in Versamark, stamped and heat embossed with black embossing powder for a glorious shine.  Each image is snapped out with a 1 3/8" Circle Punch and layered on a 1 3/8" Square (using a matching punch) of Basic Black Textured card stock and a 1 1/2" Square (using a paper cutter and just measuring each side). 

A tearing strip was used to create the distressed edge of the Basic Black and really stands out against the Whisper White layer below.  I inked the sentiment from Art of Life (retired) and again heat embossed with Black Embossing Powder.  To add some razzmatazz, the corners received a few bites with a Ticket Corner Punch and some 3-D arrived with the addition of Stampin' Dimensionals.

Note:  Stampin' Up!'s retired stamp date has been moved up to June 15.

Stamp Set:  Boho Backgrounds, Art of Life
Paper:  Basic Black Textured, Whisper White
Ink:  Versamark
Cool Tools:  Tearing Strip, Heat Tool, 1 3/8" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Black Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stars and Stripes

Here's a simple masculine card for a graduate from the Air Force Academy.  Spring Break Designer Series paper is the headliner along with the crisp look of big, beautiful letters from the Schoolbook Serif Alphabet.  A user-friendly group of punches join in on the action, too.

The card base is Blue Bayou Textured card stock (5 x 5).  I then layered some Spring Break Designer paper on top.  TIP:  This paper series has many small prints that work famously for "boy" cards.  I like the "clean shaven" look of this one along with the yummy olive and blue stripe.

Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig,  I stamped "grad" in Blue Bayou ink on Whisper White card stock.  TIP:  This is the first time I used these particular letters so the rubber was "squeaky new."  If you like uniform inking (like me), try using a sanding block on new stamps to lightly scuff the rubber of the stamps. Clean before using.  It can be a powerful before and after for better ink coverage.  The large sentiment is layered on Blue Bayou Textured card stock. 

Fundamental Phrases "CONGRATS" was also inked in Bayou and stamped on white.  TIP:  Mixing upper and lower case words (like "grad" and "CONGRATS") or even playing with different fonts, can be much more appealing than everything matchy, matchy.  I snapped out the sentiment with a Key Tag Punch and slipped it underneath "grad."

I popped out four Small Stars, three with Bayou Textured card stock and one with a Spring Break Designer Series stripe.  The stripe was adhered with a Stampin' Dimensional to a Large Punch Star, in Bayou textured.  The three small stars were layered on a rectangle of the same stripe, matted on Bayou.  TIP:  The small stars, or any small punches for that matter, make great substitutes for brads and hardware.

Inkspirations for this card are Splitcoast Challenges:  Sketch Challenge SC177,  Ways to Use it (masculine card) WT167,  Limited Supplies (no hardware) LSC169 and Limited Supplies (alphabet) LSC168.  Note:  All Splitcoast challenges are listed for you on my right side bar if you scroll down.  Try playing along.  It's an enjoyable way to get the creative juices flowing.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, Fundamental Phrases
Paper:  Spring Break Designer Series, Blue Bayou Textured Card Stock, Whisper White
Ink:  Blue Bayou
Cool Tools:  Large and Small Star Punches, Key Tag Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
The Perfect Touch: Stampin' Dimensional

Stampin' Up!'s "eScape 2008" June 25

Stampin' Up! has designated June 25, 2008 as eScape day.  They are encouraging all of us to put away cell phones, laptops and computers on that day and reconnect with those we cherish through the art of a handwritten, handmade note.   I love the handmade card part.  However, does this mean I have to take a day off from blogging because I can't use my computer?  Will I go into withdrawal?

To celebrate eScape 2008, Stampin' Up! has put together the following bundle available in June at a 25% savings!

Love Notes Assortment (p. 167) 
Circle of Friendship Stamp Set (p. 143)
Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad (p. 165)
Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (p. 191). 
The total separately is $40.10 but bundled together it's $30 (click here for a on-line spring/summer catalog)

Today's card is based on Poetic Artistry's Mojo Monday Sketch.  I began with some Chocolate Chip Textured Card Stock (4.25 x 5.5) and layered some Groovy Guava that took a quick trip through my Cuttlebug with the Tiny Mosaic embossing folder.  I snapped out the corners with a Ticket Corner Punch.  TIP:  Sponging Chocolate Chip ink on the edges and on top really makes the texture pop.

The horizontal banner is 3 different paper patterns from the Afternoon Tea Designer Series.  I sponged the edges and adhered them to Wild Wasabi Card Stock.  A Five Petal Flower in Wild Wasabi was Faux Stitched with a White Signo Pen.  The flower center is from Kind Thoughts, inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped on a 1/2" Circle of Afternoon Tea Designer Paper (same pattern as on the far left).  I gave it a little 3-D with a Stampin' Dimensional.

The butterfly is also from Kind Thoughts and was inked in Chocolate Chip, stamped on Whisper White, and matted on Chocolate Chip.  For the "xoxoxo" sentiment (Fundamental Phrases) I used another piece of Chocolate Chip Textured Card Stock and popped out the center with a Large Oval Punch.  TIP:  For easy alignment of the sentiment, I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig. 

The Perfect Touches for this card include luscious Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon (attached using the always reliable Stay Put Bow Technique) and these cool micro brads from Just Brads and Eyelets from the Heritage and Antique color collections.  I originally spotted them on Silke Ledlow's My Life Blog and she was kind enough to share her source to the curious. TIP:   A template and paper piercer makes placement of the brads a breeze.

Thank goodness for all the punches or this card would have been a marathon :)

Hugs, and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Sets:  Kind Thoughts, Fundamental Phrases
Paper:  Afternoon Tea, Chocolate Chip Textured, Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava, Whisper White
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Cool Tools:  Large Oval Punch, Five Petal Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Paper Piercer and Template (Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit), Sponge, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cuttlebug and Tiny Mosaic Embossing Folder
The Perfect Touch:  Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon, Signo White Gel Pen, Stampin Dimensional

Ode to Stampin' Up!'s Oval Punches

One of my favorite ways to display sentiments is using  Stampin' Up!'s Small and Large Oval Punches.  They layer neatly and elegantly.  Trés cool with the three dimensional look of a Stampin' Dimensional or two sandwiched in between.  However, these little beauties can multi-task and made today's sunflower pretty and precise.

The card base is Chocolate Chip (4.25 x 5.5).  I inked the Print Pattern Background stamp in Chocolate Chip and stamped it on Barely Banana Card Stock.  The "happy birthday" sentiment is inked and stamped using the same colors.  I matted the sentiment on Chocolate Chip.

Six Large and five Small Oval Punches were snapped out of Barely Banana Card Stock.  TIP:  The edges were sponged in Chocolate Chip to add texture and so that they would stand out against the strong background.  A Chocolate Chip circle was cut with Nestabilities circle die-cuts and embossed using a Cuttlebug. 

TIP:  I assembled and adhered the "petals" to the Print Pattern Background image and then cut off the left hand surplus for a straight edge.  A few Barely Banana Brads seemed like the perfect highlight for the flower center.

Sunflower in a Snap :)

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Sets:  Print Pattern Background, All Holidays
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Cool Tools:  Stampin' Up!'s Large and Small Oval Punches, Sponges, Nestabilities Circle Die-Cuts, Cuttlebug
The Perfect Touch:  Soft Subtles Brads (Barely Banana)

How Tweet It Is

My little birdies (Hero Arts Stamps) were itching to fly out of the drawer.  The Splitcoast Ways to Use It (WT166) provided the perfect play date.  The challenge was to use "Inchies," 1 x 1 pieces (typically paper) to create a design.  However, I must confess.  My project uses 1 1/4 "Inchies" since that falls neatly into place with my 1 1/4" Square Punches.  HOT TIP:  I permanently have listed the daily Splitcoast Challenges on the bottom right of my blog so you can easily play along every day.

My feathered friends and sentiment were inked in Close to Cocoa Craft Ink and applied to Stampin' Up!'s Watercolor Paper.  TIP:  Craft Ink is stickier than dye ink and can be heat embossed.  I used clear embossing powder and a Heat Tool to create the textured line image. TIP:  An embossed edge provides a wonderful lip which makes watercoloring much easier.  I added some "technicolor" to the birds using an Aqua Painter in Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi and Groovy Guava Ink.  Technique Inkspiration:   Technique Lover's Challenge TLC168.

PUNCH BUNCH:  I popped out the images with a 1 1/4" Square Punch and layered on a punch of 1 3/8" Close to Cocoa Card Stock.  The matted squares were lined up and layered on a snippet of Groovy Guava Designer Paper and Close to Cocoa Card Stock.  A piece of Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon wraps things up (using a Crop-A-Dile and the Stay Put Bow Method, of course).

The card base (4.25 x 5.5) is Wild Wasabi Textured Card Stock with a yummy stripe from Afternoon Tea on top.   PUNCH BUNCH: A Boho Blossoms Punch creates divine flowers with scraps of Textured Close to Cocoa, Wild Wasabi and Groovy Guava.  A 1/4" Circle Punch makes flower centers out of Soft Sky Textured.  The flowers are given a little lift with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Sets:  Hero Arts Decorative Birds and Take Good Care Greetings
Paper:  Afternoon Tea Designer Series, Groovy Guava Designer Series, Wild Wasabi Textured, Close to Cocoa Textured and Smooth, Groovy Guava Textured, Soft Sky Textured, Watercolor Paper.
Ink:  Close to Cocoa Craft, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava
Cool Tools:  Boho Blossoms Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Square Punches, 1/4" Circle Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Heat Tool, Aqua Painter
The Perfect Touch:  Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Give the Gift of Stamping

You're just a click away from choosing a beautiful gift for stamping friends or family.  Customers love the convenience of my on-line ordering option . . . and Stampin' Up! gift certificates are available on-line from Stampin' Pretty, too.  Simply complete the on-line order form and use the comments area to let me know the amount of the certificate and where you would like it shipped.  I'll whip up a special gift card and mail it for FREE (U.S. only).  Major credit cards and PayPal are accepted. 

Today's criss cross card is a special birthday gift for Erin.  The monogram "e" is from Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, stamped using Close to Cocoa Craft Ink on Very Vanilla card stock.  TIP:  One of the advantages of Craft Ink over Classic (dye) ink is that it's embossable.  I added some clear embossing powder to give this "e" some glamour.   The monogram is punched out with a 1 1/4" Circle Punch, mounted on a 1 3/8" Close to Cocoa Circle and a layer of apricot, punched with a Scallop Circle Punch (and I couldn't resist a little paper piercing).  The band (which slides off) wraps around the entire card and uses Apricot Appeal Textured card stock with a scalloped rectangle of Cameo Coral (also textured) to anchor the monogram.

The card is a variation on a criss cross card . . . made a bit wider (and, frankly, I scored the reverse of the directions . . . oh, my).  If you are a Splitcoaststamper member (and if you aren't, it's free), please click here for a criss cross tutorial by Beate Johns.  I'm often available at my Live Help button if you have an "engineering" question along the way.

The designer paper is Stampin' Up!'s Linen Prints (now retired).  However, any 2 sided paper works perfectly.  I used Cameo Coral Textured card stock for the base (delicious stuff).  The insert is a computer generated gift certificate, matted on Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla and Apricot Appeal card stock (the last two had their top corners lopped off with a Corner Rounder Punch).  I added "for you" from Fundamental Phrases to an apricot scrap (inked in Close to Cocoa Craft and embossed like the "e"). It received new meaning when a Round Tab Punch was called in to play.  I had a little brown flower brad from eons ago, that seemed like it needed a home.   Ah, the final touch.

Hugs and Happy Birthday, Erin! . . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, Fundamental Phrases
Paper:  Cameo Coral Textured, Apricot Appeal Textured, Apricot Appeal, Very Vanilla, Linen Prints
Ink:  Close to Cocoa Craft
Cool Tools:  Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Round Tab Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Marvy Giga Rectangle Punch, Paper Piercer (Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit)
The Perfect Touch:  Clear Embossing Powder, Non SU Brown Flower Brad

Happy Ovals

Need a quick card?  This one gets my Stamping 911 approval for being easy to assemble in 10 minutes or less.  Stampin' Up!'s Small Oval Punch is the gutsy little "Iron Man" which anchors the background, brads and sentiment for this simple card. 

The card base is Aqua Mist card stock (Papertrey, but Stampin' Up!'s Soft Sky and Tempting Turquoise would be excellent alternatives).  On top is a layer of Spring Moss (Papertrey, Stampin' Up!'s River Rock would work well, too).  The bottom corners are cropped with a Corner Rounder Punch.

I punched 5 small ovals of both Aqua and Moss and adhered them to Very Vanilla which was cropped on all four corners with a Corner Rounder Punch.  A Love and Happiness Rub-On creates the sentiment along with 3 pewter brads.

A layer of acetate was dressed up with a Chocolate Chip Rub-On (Stampin' Up!'s rub-ons adhere amazingly well to most non-porous materials) and attached with a couple more pewter brads.  I added just a snippet of Very Vanilla Ribbon and a brad because I thought it needed just a little something.

Easy Schpeezy.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  None
Paper:  Very Vanilla (101650), Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink), Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink), Clear Acetate (non SU)
Ink:  None
Cool Tools:  Small Oval Punch (107304), Corner Rounder Punch (109047)
The Perfect Touch:  Chocolate Chip Love & Happiness Rub-On's (Sale-A-Bration, retired), Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter Brads (105515), Very Vanilla Ribbon (109026), Non SU Brown Flower Brad

Lucky Stars

Not a shamrock or leprechaun stamp in the house.  However, I really wanted to make a St. Patty's Day card for my mother.  So I decided to stare at all my stamps until they told me what do (a tad schizophrenic, but on occasion, inspirational).  Finally, I settled on the Trés Chic Background, simply because it had the word "lucky" in it.  That wasn't going to cut it solo.  I moved on to some pictures of shamrocks and it dawned on me they were merely 3 hearts stuck together.  Voilá!  Punch time!  I assume this has been discovered many times before.  However, for now, I want to consider it my epiphany.

Last week felt like a holiday when my latest Stampin' Up! order arrived.  As I opened my new Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware (oh, so lovely . . . new from the Stampin' Up! Occasions mini), I first discovered label holders, beautifully matched with Stampin' Up! punches.  Some possess exquisite beaded edges, others smooth and modern.  The flower ribbon slides are divine and the large cast brads have a serious WOW factor.  There are approximately 100 embellishments plus 100 3/16" brads.  If you have considered getting Hodgepodge Hardware, I think this is the "it" set to get!

I began with a textured card stock base in Stampin' Up!'s Wild Wasabi.  Gorgeous.  I next stamped Trés Chic in Wild Wasabi on Whisper White. SPOTLIGHT TIP:  I inked up just the "lucky" area of the same stamp in Tempting Turquoise and stamped it on white.  One snap of the Designer Label Punch leads to a custom fit with the coordinating Styled Silver label holder.  TIP:  Adding some dimensionals behind the punched label helps it fit snuggly under the label holder.  A couple 3/16" brads (same set) complete the sentiment.

I sponged the card stock edges (and later all the edges) in Wild Wasabi and attached it to Tempting Turquoise.  A couple fun star brads (also from the Styled collection--gee, I'm obsessed) were a nice touch.  My shamrock is simply 3 Wild Wasabi punches of a Marvy Scalloped Heart Punch (yellow size).  The stem is just a free hand snippet.   A  White Signo Pen adds a dotted accent and the final touch to the shamrock.

The lower panel begins with Tempting Turquoise (edges sponged in Wild Wasabi).  I then grabbed my small star punch and made some stellar magic with Wild Wasabi Designer Paper (exclusive to the Hostess Level I Prints Pack).   TIP:  A dimensional followed by large and small square punches make quick coordinated layers in 3-D.  Using the ticket corner punch, I chomped out the four corners of each square and replaced them with a lovely brad.  I felt lucky indeed to be done with St. Patrick's Day.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Trés Chic Background (109258)
Paper:  Wild Wasabi Textured (108694)and Smooth (108641), Tempting Turquoise (102067), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Wild Wasabi (109014), Tempting Turquoise (100814)
Cool Tools:  1 3/8" (103375) and 1 1/4" (104400) Square Punches, Small Star Punch (109045), Designer Label Punch (107590), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Sponges (101610), Marvy Extra Jumbo Scalloped Heart Punch (available at Create for Less)
The Perfect Touch:  Hodgepodge Hardware (Styled Silver Kit includes Brads, Flower Slides, Label Holders, 111325), White Signo Pen (105021), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

A Star Is Born

It's midnight.  I just sat down to post today's card and I received an email from a fellow SCS stamper that I'm this week's Splitcoast Featured Stamper.  I'm absolutely overwhelmed, flattered, shocked.  However, my next thought  was accordingly, "What if no one plays?"  OK, here's an appeal to my regular readers . . . please, do this challenge.  I would feel totally Charlie Brown-esque if after my week is up, there wasn't a single sample submitted.  Good Grief!  OK, I have to concentrate on this post and my mind is going 100 MPH.  You're simply going to have to let the typos slide . . . . I feel like I just drained a couple pots of Starbuck's coffee.  Good luck falling asleep tonight :)

I recently found out my nephew's wife is expecting a girl so thought I would get to work on a fun and feminine card.  Sale-A-Bration's "So Many Scallops" is incredibly easy to work with.  One stamp and pop it out with the Scallop Circle Punch.  Love it. 

Close to Cocoa starts things off on the base.  I layered 3 different patterns of Berry Bliss Designer Paper on Purely Pomegranate card stock and adhered it to the card base.  The horizontal banner is Purely Pomegranate Textured card stock with Close to Cocoa on top.  I added some dainty blooms from Boho Backgrounds with Close to Cocoa ink. 

THE PERFECT TOUCH:  Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon is topped with these rockin' stick-on pearls I found at Archiver's.  The come in a row or can be snipped apart for individual placement.  The "Sweet One" image is inked in Purely Pomegranate and stamped on Whisper White and Pretty in Pink (Note:  Pretty in Pink in color, but from the Berry Bliss Collection--not card stock).  I snipped out the center of the pink one and added it to the white.

The star is a combo of Purely Pomegranate Textured card stock and Pretty in Pink.  More stick on pearls got to hang around here, too.  A Photo Corners Punch is responsible for the corners, layered in the same colors and card stock as the star.  Yes, had to use a couple more of these "jazzola" pearls.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

P.S.  There's absolutely no chance whatsoever I will fall asleep for several more hours!   Time for the "I Love Lucy" reruns.

Stamp Set:  So Many Scallops (Sale-A-Bration, 111409), Boho Backgrounds (111072)
Paper:  Berry Bliss Designer Series Paper (110749), Close to Cocoa (101341), Purely Pomegranate Textured (108694) and Smooth (108644), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Purely Pomegranate (109011)
Cool Tools:  Scallop Circle Punch (109043), Large (110710) and Small (109045) Star Punches, Photo Corners Punch ((109043)
The Perfect Touch:  Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon (109067), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Non SU Crystal Stickers Pearls (Mark Richards)

Scallops for Sweet Caroline

My daughter, Caroline, is truly sweet, even at 14.  This week's Ways to Use It Challenge (WT155) was to design a project inspired by music.   I decided to make a special card and candy tin for my "Sweet Caroline."  I have a feeling that lying in bed tonight the song will continue to play in my head . . . it's doing it now.  I may have just passed it on to you :)  My apologies.

Let's start with a quick tutorial (by request from several regular readers) on using Stampin' Up!'s Corner Rounder Punch to create an easy scalloped border.  It's such a wonderful little multi-tasker.  Grab some scrap paper and be prepared to give this a couple tries before you have it down.  The key is learning where to place each consecutive punch.  TIP: Tutorial photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Remove the bottom "brace" of the punch.

I work from right to left.   TIP: I don't recommend trimming your paper to size until after you are done with the border.  This gives you the option to do a little clean up on either end, if needed.  I also suggest you line up just off the right edge for a more realistic starting point, as shown in this photo.



As you move left, line the punch up next to the previously punched scallop, leaving a tiny (needle size) open space that you can eyeball on the right side of the punch opening.  TIP:  If you are doing scalloped borders on both sides of the paper (as I did in this project), try to line up the first punch on the opposite side with the previous side.  They mirror each other that way.



The card begins with a Whisper White card base, followed by some of the delicious new Summer Picnic Designer Series paper from the Occasions Mini (to be released March 1--I promise to post the catalog as soon as it's available).  Using the Tart & Tangy stamp set (also Occasions Mini), I inked some strawberries in Real Red and stamped on Real Red card stock.

Using my Cuttlebug and the Red Tag Sale Alphabet Die Set, I ran the "sweet"  letters first through on mat board and then again with the Summer Picnic Polka Dot paper.  I then partnered them with glue and attached them to the scalloped piece created in the tutorial above. 

The orange stamp from Tart & Tangy was inked in Pumpkin Pie and stamped on Pumpkin Pie card stock.  Using a 1 1/4" Circle Punch, each orange was punched out and mounted on Stampin' Dimensionals.  A Sakura Clear Gel Pen adds a juicy finish.  I wrapped things up with some marvelous Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (comes in Bashful Blue, Real Red and Wild Wasabi, too).