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

Heading for Stampin' Up! Retirement

With more sneak peeks on the horizon,  I wanted to post the latest on Stampin' Up!'s "soon to retire" stamps and accessories.  Once they're gone, they're gone.  Today's card, featuring Time Well Spent (Hostess Level III),  is a reminder that all the current Spring/Summer Collection hostess sets along with the following stamp sets will be retiring August 10:

Retiring Stamps Alphabetical

Retiring Stamps By Page Number

Any Stampin' Up! accessories (including card stock, ribbon, inks, etc.) which use the current In Colors (Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Purely Pomegranate, Groovy Guava, Blue Bayou and Soft Sky) will be retiring, too.  The official retirement date is August 10 for both stamps, the current In Colors and accessories.  However, supplies are limited.  Stampin' Up! announced today that Double Stitched Ribbon in Blue Bayou and Purely Pomegranate is already out of stock and unavailable for good.  

This Monday, July 21, Stampin' Up! will be releasing (and I will post promptly on this blog so stay tuned) the list of retiring accessories, including additional items that are not part of the In Color collection.  If there's something you really want, please order quickly, while merchandise is available.

Whew!  On to today's card.  Using the Time Well Spent stamp set, I inked the largest flower in Chocolate Chip and stamped it twice--first on Really Rust and second on Cameo Coral.  I next snipped out the full flower in rust and a smaller portion of the flower from the cameo.  I next stamped the tiny Cameo Coral flower and the small Really Rust flower (same stamp).  Both were snipped out to create a layered flower.  TIP:  To make the two small flowers really pop, I stuck a 1" Circle of Chocolate Chip below them. 

TIP:  I gently pried up the flower edges to create some added dimension.  My "fluttery" flower was then layered on a Whisper White and Chocolate Chip background.  I loved how the copper brads really complemented this warm and unique color combination.  The card base is jazzed with 2 x 2 squares of rust and cameo, stamped with another small flower (Chocolate Chip ink) from the same set.  They fit nicely on a 4 1/8" square of Whisper White.  The Chocolate Chip square foundation measures 4.5 x 4.5".

The final touch is the "birthday" sentiment, taken from the versatile Fundamental Phrases stamp set (I call it my "little black dress" of sentiments).  It's Chocolate Chip on Really Rust and easily snapped out with a Word Window Punch.  TIP:  To level the "playing field" with the flower (balance), I stacked the sentiment on a few Stampin' Dimensionals.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Set:  Time Well Spent (Hostess Level 3), Fundamental Phrases
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Really Rust  
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Cool Tools:  Word Window Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Copper Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

Window Chic, Stampin' Up! Style

How cool is this?  Today's sneak peek highlights Stampin' Up!'s Fall/Winter Hostess Level 3 set, "Window Dressing."  Wait until you see all the cute and seasonal stamps that fit perfectly into the window!  With all the excitement about the release of the Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter catalog on August 11, it's a perfect time to plan a Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter Catalog Party with family and friends and earn free hostess stamp sets (like this one) and hostess awards for free merchandise.  Just email me for details!

I combined Splitcoast Color Challenge CC175 (Wild Wasabi, So Saffron and Almost Amethyst) with today's Sketch Challenge SC185.  Note:  I flipped my version.  The window stamp was inked in Jet Black Stazon and stamped on Watercolor Paper.  TIP:  I like to use Jet Black Stazon as a waterproof base before using Blender Pens or an Aqua Painter.  Using Stampin' Up! Markers, I colored in the window with So Saffron and Almost Amethyst.  TIP:  For a little change in texture, I used a Blender Pen dipped in Almost Amethyst ink on the shutters.  It almost looks like a different color :)

The flowers, bird and "smile" sentiment were also inked with Jet Black Stazon and placed with the assistance of a Stamp-a-ma-jig.  The flowers and bird were colored with markers and a Blender Pen.  TIP:  A Blender Pen is not only splendid for soft effects, it acts as a marker for colors you may not own--in this case Wild Wasabi since Stampin' Up! doesn't make a Wasabi marker. 

THE PERFECT TOUCHES: The little things can make all the difference.  I added a scalloped "valance" in Almost Amethyst, stamped in Stazon Black using Background Basics.  I snapped one Boho Backgrounds flower (on Almost Amethyst) with a 1/4" Circle Punch and added it above the window.  Finally, I decided to doodle a border with a Stampin' Up! Basic Black marker, accentuating the casual feel of the stamp set and card.

Layered beneath the main image are layeres of So Saffron and Almost Amethyst card stock.  I distressed the edges using the multi-purpose Cutter Kit tool.  The vertical banner is a strip of Wild Wasabi over Basic Black.  The charming pattern is a Boho Backgrounds stamp (inked in Black Stazon).

Using another Boho Backgrounds stamp, I jazzed up the So Saffron layer with flowers, then matted it on Basic Black and a card base of Very Vanilla Textured card stock (4.25 x 5.5)   TIP: Don't be afraid to mix two small patterns as I elected to do with the Boho Backgrounds.

To see all my Fall/Winter Sneak Peeks, simply click here.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

COMING UP . . . . Spend some final moments with my favorite retiring stamps (and, of course, more Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter Sneak Peeks)!

Stamp Set:  Window Dressing (Fall/Winter Hostess Level 3), Boho Backgrounds, Background Basics
Paper:  Very Vanilla Textured, Watercolor Paper, Wild Wasabi, Almost Amethyst, So Saffron
Ink:  Jet Black Stazon, Wild Wasabi, Stampin Up! Markers in So Saffron, Basic Black and Almost Amethyst
Cool Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1/4" Circle Punch, Cutter Tool

Fall/Winter Sneak Peek: Kiwi Dreams

I know I said five days of sneak peeks but I decided to splurge on a sixth.  More stamps arrived today so I can comfortably say . . . you ain't seen nothing yet :)

Today's card is short and sweet at 4 x 4.  The card base is Very Vanilla with a layers of Holiday Happenings Designer Series Paper (Hostess Level III Bundle) and Kiwi Kiss (both from Stampin' Up!'s Fall/Winter Catalog, available Aug. 11) on top. 

The main image is from Dreams du Jour, inked in Kiwi Kiss with touches of Pink Pirouette added via a Blender Pen.  Bright idea:  I colored 1/4" White Grosgrain Ribbon with the Pink Pirouette Ink Pad and it's a perfect match to the card stock.  Woo Hoo!  Both the Vanilla Dreams image and the Kiwi Kiss Scalloped base were shaped with Nestabilities Rectangles and a Cuttlebug. 

TIP:  Allow dyed ribbon 24 to 48 hours to dry.  Otherwise if will bleed to the card stock below.  This was my third effort before comprehending how long it takes to dry.  I layered Pink Pirouette and Kiwi Kiss card stock below the ribbon as an accent (and, honestly, to cover the ink that bled into the Very Vanilla on the first attempts).  Fortunately, I ended up liking it better than the plain version.  TIP:  Sometimes the best ideas come by accident. 

Here's the Perfect Touch . . . Green Circle Rhinestone Brads (Ice Collection) fit wonderfully into the ribbon slides from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Kit.  I added three of these fun combinations.  I hope, hope, hope that Stampin' Up! continues this kit (which expired with the Occasions Mini last month) in the Fall/Winter catalog.  I feel it was the most versatile hardware kit to date.  Very usable pieces!

COMING UP:  Two new hostess sets:  Fall Flair and Window Dressing PLUS more Fall/Winter Sneak Peeks. 

Hugs and Pretties . . . M

Stamp Set: Dreams du Jour
Paper:  Holiday Happenings Designer Series (Hostess Level 3 Bundle)
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette
Cool Tools:  Blender Pen, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities Rectangles
The Perfect Touch:  Circle Rhinestone Brads (Ice Collection), 1/4" White Grosgrain, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware

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: Dreams du Jour 2

Day four of my Fall/Winter Sneak Peeks Mini Marathon highlights the "Dreams" stamp from Stampin' Up!'s Dreams du Jour set (available Aug. 11).  The new In Color, Riding Hood Red, and Woodrow Wilson's quote give today's card a vintage apple pie feel (or is it just my imagination)?

The "Dreams" stamp was inked in Riding Hood Red (in my opinion, the perfect red) and stamped on Very Vanilla card stock.  TIP:  I squeezed the Kiwi Kiss and Pink Pirouette Ink Pads to create a little pool of ink on the inside of the lid . . . just enough to lap up with my Blender Pen and add some color to the stamped image.  I cropped and embossed the image with Nestabilities Ovals (available on-line thru Cut@Home).  Ditto on the scalloped oval of Riding Hood Red.  They layer beautifully.  TIP:  For a dash of interest, the edges of the main image were sponged in Riding Hood Red and the scallops each received a jab with a paper piercer.

The horizontal banner kicks off with a chorus line of Riding Hood Red butterflies (also from "Dreams du Jour"), aligned using a Stamp-a-ma-jig (click here for a tutorial).  The edges are sponged in Riding Hood Red and the row of winged darlings is mounted on Riding Hood card stock. 

An additional banner of Riding Hood Red, pierced along the top and bottom (using a template, of course), creates some texture along with the accent of green Dew Drops.  The soon to retire Print Pattern Background Stamp (Riding Hood Red ink) quickly jazzes the Very Vanilla card base (4.25 x 5.5). 

Click here for a list of all Stampin' Up!'s Retiring Stamps.

Please drop me a comment on what you think so far of Stampin' Up!'s Fall/Winter stamps and colors!

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Dreams du Jour, Print Pattern Background
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red
Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette
Cool Tools: Paper Piercer and Template (Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit), Stamp-a-ma-jig, Blender Pen, Sponges, Nestabilities Ovals, Cuttlebug
The Perfect Touch:  Robin's Nest Dew Drops (Fresh Mowed Grass)

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

Fall/Winter Sneak Peek: Sock Monkey

Today's post introduces "Sock Monkey," another in my series of Five Sneak Peeks from Stampin' Up!'s Fall/Winter catalog (available Aug. 11).  I'm simply bananas over him in this 3-D version.  He's a big line stamp, perfect for paper piecing designer paper or different colored card stock.  The set comes with 2 sentiments and 7stamp options for him to hold/wear (banana, balloon, flag, heart, flower, and his party hat), use as a background stamp or simply a fun accent.

One main attraction of my monkey friend is that he is perfect for paper piecing (not "piercing," although that's another interesting idea). To kick things off, I inked my Canvas background stamp in Chocolate Chip and stamped on Very Vanilla card stock.  TIP:  This produced my very own "designer paper" to create his "fabric" body.   The monkey image was inked in Chocolate Chip and then stamped onto the Canvas background.  You with me so far?  TIP:  I used a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Up! marker to re-dot his eyes since they got a little lost on the canvas background.  He was then popped out with Paper Snips (scissors).

I stamped him again on Very Vanilla card stock and snipped out his vanilla outer mouth, tail, hands and feet and adhered them.  He was inked one last time (again Chocolate Chip ink) and stamped on Groovy Guava for his lips and patch on his little bottom, also snipped and attached (delicately, of course).  His hat was inked in Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla card stock and cut out.  Using a Blender Pen, I colored the hat stripes in Barely Banana and Groovy Guava.

One of my dearest friends is turning "50" this month (I get my turn this fall--eek), so I skibbled some mat board thru a Cuttlebug using the Red Tag Alphabet Die Cuts.  I had enough of the Canvas background left over from when I cut out the monkey and used the same piece to create the matching "50" to adhere to the top of the mat board.

My little pal is "floating" on Stampin' Dimensionals attached to layers of Groovy Guava Textured Card Stock, Barely Banana and Very Vanilla.  The card base (5.5 x 4.25 and scored at the top) is Very Vanilla textured card stock (good enough to eat, I tell you).  TIP:  I inked up the banana stamp in Barely Banana and stamped it on matching card stock for a nifty background.  A layer of Groovy Guava gets sandwiched below.

Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig (tutorial here), I was able to place "happy birthday" (All Holidays) with confidence.  Four Hodgepodge Hardware (Pewter) brads doll up the corners (click here to save 25% on Hodgepodge Hardware).  TIP:  I added the brads using a template and paper piercer . . . much easier to have a mark vs. eyeballing them.  TIP:  The brads were added before attaching the second to last layer (Groovy Guava) to the card base so that they were buried (and don't show through on the inside of the card).

Some Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon wraps this card up like a pretty little present.  If you haven't seen it before, click here for a video tutorial on how to create a Stay-Put Bow.  One of my bow-licious favorites. 

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the new stuff.  I enjoyed the comments I received on yesterday's Sneak Peek.  Thanks!

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Sock Monkey, Canvas Background, All Holidays
Paper:  Groovy Guava Textured, Barely Banana, Very Vanilla, Very Vanilla Textured, Matboard
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip Marker, Groovy Guava, Barely Banana
Cool Tools:  Blender Pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug Red Tag Sale Alphabet Die-Cuts
The Perfect Touch:  Hodgepodge Hardware Brads (Pewter), Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

COMING UP NEXT: SU's NEW SCALLOPED BORDER PUNCH & TUTORIAL

Fall/Winter Sneak Peek: Dreams du Jour

"The way to know life is to love many things."   The sentiment of this card describes perfectly my love for "many things" from Stampin' Up!'s Fall/Winter catalog.  Including today's post, you'll get 5 sneak peeks in a row over the next 5 days, introducing you to the new stamps, colors and even the new "must have" Scalloped Border Punch--all available for customer order August 11 with the catalog release.  So if you are the curious-type, stay tuned for my Sneak Peek Mini Marathon . . .

My "love" card showcases 4 of the 6 new In Colors:  Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango (the missing colors . . . . Pink Pirouette and Baja Breeze will get their turn in subsequent posts).  The Dream du Jour "love" stamp was inked in Basic Black, stamped and punched into 1 1/4" squares of these stunning new In Colors.  Each is matted on 1 3/8" Squares of Basic Black card stock.

The four mounted squares were placed on layers of Whisper White, Tangerine Tango and Riding Hood Red.  Next up was Kraft card stock which was a zowie backdrop for the powerful colors (and allowed me to slip this card into my "You've Got Male" category of masculine cards). 

TIP:  Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig, I was able to place the trés cool Van Gogh sentiment in just the right spot (even more precise than acrylics, in my opinion).  Some black gingham ribbon pulls things together before everything was adhered to the 4.25 x 5.5 Basic Black card base. 

Please drop me a comment and let me know what you think of the new releases!

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Set:  Dreams du Jour
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Kraft, Basic Black
Ink:  Basic Black
Cool Tools:  1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
The Perfect Touch:  Black and White Gingham Ribbon

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

Stampin' Pretty Butterflies

It's a blast to be back stamping after a few days of vacation.  There's so much I want to try (new techniques, layouts, color combos).  Plus, I plan to be posting sneak peeks of Stampin' Up!'s new Fall/Winter stamps sets as soon as my demonstrator order arrives.  Stay tuned!

Today's card combines some fun colors I saw working together in a home decor book.  I chose Soft Sky, YoYo Yellow and Going Gray ink for each of the butterflies from Stampin' Up!'s Kind Thoughts stamp set.  It looked a tad bare, so I added the two small flowers in Going Gray.  Alignment of these guys could never have been accomplished without a Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Click here for my Stamp-a-ma-jig tutorial.

I then clipped the corners with a Ticket Corner Punch and adhered it, using Stampin' Dimensionals, to some Textured Soft Sky card stock.  A yellow micro brad dots each corner.  The YoYo Yellow mat is pierced using a Paper Piercer and Template.

I whipped some Whisper White through my Cuttlebug using the Birds and Swirls Embossing Folder.  TIP:  White or Vanilla look very chic when embossed.  It's layered on YoYo Yellow and a Textured Going Gray card base (4.25" x 11"-- scored at the top, 5.5"). 

The sentiment was inked in Going Gray and stamped on Whisper White.  A couple more yellow micro brads pump things up along with a base of Soft Sky Textured card stock. TIP:  I adhered the sentiment taking care to expose the embossed bird in the bottom left corner for a little charm.

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Kind Thoughts
Paper:  Going Gray Textured, YoYo Yellow, Soft Sky Textured, Whisper White
Ink:  Going Gray, YoYo Yellow, Soft Sky
Cool Tools:  Ticket Corner Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Paper Piercer and Template (Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit), Cuttlebug
The Perfect Touch:  Stampin' Dimensionals, Cuttlebug Birds and Swirls Embossing Folder, Yellow Micro Brads

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!

Retro Quilt

Today's Splitcoast Inspiration Challenge (IC134) was a beautiful quilt . . . which lead me straight to my 1 3/8" Square Punch--seemed like it would be the perfect "quilting" tool.  I felt like experimenting with a more retro approach, so I ran Pumpkin Pie, River Rock, and Ruby Red card stock through my Cuttlebug with the Spots and Dots Embossing Folder.  Groovy.  I then punched 4 squares of each.

The card base is Very Vanilla.  TIP:  For a near perfect little quilt with no vanilla edges, your card base should be 5.5" x 8 1/4, and scored down the middle at 4 1/8."  Assemble 4 squares wide and 3 squares high using plenty of adhesive to keep all the edges down.  If you have a teensy sliver of vanilla exposed after laying the squares (which I did), carefully use your paper cutter to remove it, avoiding cutting any of the squares.  This was very simple and fun background I can't wait to use again!

The sentiment is from Enjoy Every Moment and is inked in Ruby Red and stamped on Very Vanilla.  It's matted on Pumpkin Pie and Ruby Red card stock.  TIP:  The "o" in "enjoy" invites all sorts of options . . . a button, punched circles, flower stamps, Build a Brad . . . I chose a little Pumpkin Pie felt flower from Flower Fusion with a Ruby Red Brad (Earth Elements Brads) in the center.

A Die-Cut Bloom (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog--expires June 30) is topped with Ruby Red brads.  It's layered on a Ruby Red scalloped circle with some paper piercing in the scallops.  Stampin' Dimensionals give it a little height and offer a nice balance to the sentiment. 

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Set:  Enjoy Every Moment
Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, River Rock, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Ruby Red
Cool Tools:  1 3/8" Square Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Paper Piercer, Cuttlebug and Spots and Dots Embossing Folder
The Perfect Touch:  Die-Cut Blooms (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini), Earth Elements Brads (Ruby Red), Stampin' Dimensionals, Flower Fusion

Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Expires 6/30!

Last chance means you still have an opportunity through June 30 to order from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini catalog.  Love the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware on p. 7?  How about Essence of Love on p. 18?  Need to stock up on Afternoon Tea Designer Paper on p. 8?   Whatever you have been contemplating, don't let these last few days disappear along with some limited edition products (you never know what Stampin' Up! will or won't continue in the fall/winter catalog).

Today's post illustrates some of my favorite Occasions Mini products . . . the Time for You stamp set (p. 13, I can never decide which I enjoy more . . . the bicycle or the bench) and Summer Picnic Paper (p. 16).  My INKSPIRATION comes from Today's Splitcoast Limited Supplies Challenge (LSC174) . . . adding brads to the main image and no other embellishments.  The sketch  challenge comes from the creative mind of Taylor VanBruggen.

Things began with the bicycle image, inked in Basic Black and stamped on Whisper White.  Using Stampin' Up! Markers, I colored in various bicycle parts and the sweet flowers.  Bashful Blue brads were added to the wheels.  The frame was created using Summer Picnic Designer Series paper shaped up with Nestabilities Rectangles and a Cuttlebug. 

A stripe pattern from Summer Picnic Designer Series is layered on Old Olive card stock.  I inadvertently grabbed the retired Corner Rounder Punch which is a little wider but the current 3/16" version works, too.   Here's my tutorial on how to create a scalloped border with a Corner Rounder Punch.  Since I was limited to brads as embellishments in the Limited Supplies Challenge, I added a row of Pumpkin Pie brads for some jazz.  TIP:  I used a Paper Piercer and Template to help with spacing and alignment of the brads. 

The bottom banner is a subtle green stripe of Summer Picnic paper.  "Delightful" is from It's All Good and is stamped in Pumpkin Pie in Whisper White.  Here's my tutorial on how to season solid stamps like this one to get even ink coverage.  I then popped out the sentiment with a 1" Circle Punch and attached it with several Stampin' Dimensionals to a 1 1/4" Circle Punch of Old Olive card stock.

Hugs and Pretties and Have a "Delightful" Weekend . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Time for You (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog), It's All Good
Paper:  Summer Picnic Designer Series (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog), Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Stampin' Up! Markers:  Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Cool Tools:  1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Corner Rounder Punch (the wider version, retired), Paper Piercer and Template (Crafter's Tool Kit), Nestabilities Rectangles and Cuttlebug
The Perfect Touch:  Soft Subtles Brads (Bashful Blue), Earth Elements Brads (Pumpkin Pie), Stampin' Dimensionals

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

Ginger Blossom Thank You

Please don't forget that all Stampin' Up!'s current Hostess Sets (pp. 18-26 Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer Catalog) will be retiring Aug. 10, the day before the big release of the new Fall-Winter catalog (Aug. 11).  No need to do a workshop or make a single brownie.  Just throw yourself a little party (or team up with a friend or two) to hit the qualifying purchases, and reap the benefits of free stamp sets and hostess rewards--plus I personally offer free shipping with on-line product orders over $99.  Better yet, Stampin' Up! is offering a June hostess bonus.

"For a Friend" has been by far the most popular Hostess set among my customers.  The six stamps are fresh, simple and versatile (thank you, baby, birthday, friend).  I began today's card by stamping the "thank you" flower in Ruby Red on Very Vanilla card stock.  It was die cut and embossed using Nestabilities Rectangles. Ruby Red card stock and a scalloped rectangle of Groovy Guava follow (both cut with Nestabilities Rectangles).  TIP:  I added the Circle Rhinestone Brad after adding the layers, to bury the little legs of the brad.

Today's sketch follows the rules of Splitcoast Sketch Challenge SC180.  See sketch below.  Beneath my main image, I layered a square of Ruby Red over River Rock card stock.  Ruby Red receives delicious texture using a Cuttlebug and the D'vine Swirls embossing folder.

The card front is Ruby Red, 4.25 x 5.5 and scored at the top.  Stampin' Up!'s Ginger Blossoms Designer Series Paper offers this adorable floral pattern and a layer of River Rock gets sandwiched in between.  The Perfect Touches are three Circle Rhinestone Brads, lined up using a Paper Piercer and Template, and a snippet of Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon.  TIP:  For those of you who are ribbon "challenged" (like me), be sure to check out this Stay Put Bow video.  It makes using ribbon a pleasure.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  For a Friend (Hostess Level I)
Paper:  Ginger Blossoms Designer Series, Ruby Red, River Rock, Groovy Guava, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Ruby Red
Cool Tools:  Paper Piercer and Template (Stampin' Up! Crafter's Tool Kit), Nestabilities Rectangles, Cuttlebug
The Perfect Touch:  Circle Rhinestone Brads (Fire Collection), Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon, Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls Embossing Folder

TIP:  For a complete list of Stampin' Up!'s Retiring Stamps, please see my right side bar.

Kind Embrace

This is a doozie of a bow . . . however, just what the doctor ordered to play along with Limited Supplies Splitcoast Challenge "Get Knotty" (LSC172).  I also tapped into the Splitcoast Color Challenge (CC170), using So Saffron, Real Red and Regal Rose.  TIP:  All Splitcoast Daily Challenges are listed on my right side bar.  Using minimal layers and embellishments, this card looks pretty swanky.

The card base (4.25 x 5.5) is Real Red and all four corners (front and back) are cropped with a Corner Rounder Punch.  I then layered a Real Red Designer Series stripe (exclusively available as a Hostess Level I Prints Pack) on top, again clipping the corners.

The main image from Kind Thoughts is stamped with Real Red ink on Whisper White card stock (also punched on the corners).  Using Regal Rose and So Saffron Stampin' Up! Markers, I colored the line image, giving it an entirely different, fresh look.  TIP:  Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig (tutorial here) for perfect placement, I added the "embrace life" sentiment in Basic Black directly on the same layer.

Rich Regals Brads (Regal Rose) jazz up the top right corner.  TIP:  A Paper Piercer and Template make quick work out of lining brads up neatly.   The PERFECT TOUCH is obviously this monster So Saffron bow, an ambitious accent but fun contrast to the simplicity.  The ribbon is from Stampin' Up!'s Ribbon Originals Sherbet Collection.

COMING UP THIS WEEK:  Blog Candy Giveaway (and candy box tutorial) and "What do you want to see in the new Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter Catalog?"

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Kind Thoughts, Embrace Life
Paper:  Real Red, Real Red Designer Series Paper (exclusively available as Hostess Level I Prints Pack), Whisper White
Ink:  Real Red, Basic Black, Regal Rose Stampin' Up! Marker, So Saffron Stampin' Up! Marker
Cool Tools:  Paper Piercer and Template (Crafter's Tool Kit), Corner Rounder Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
The Perfect Touch:  Ribbon Originals Sherbet, Rich Regals Brads

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