h{art} Strings

#PLxSU

I've been working with my new Project Life products and LOVE how quickly I can organize my photos!   I put together a demonstration for my upline's group meeting last weekend.  Here's a hint for you:  mark your boxes with the coordinating SU colors, and the washi tape from the coordinating accessories.  That way you can see at a glance what box of cards might work best with the pictures you're working with!   If you have lots of photos in boxes, on your computer, or still in your camera, Project Life by Stampin' Up! is a great solution for you!  Everything slips easily into pocket page protectors.  No glue or scissors required!  Of course, there are plenty of coordinating products, stamps, and other accessories if you want to spend a little more time at it! 

I especially love the digital downloads for Project Life - that way I can change the colors and add digital stamp images to my pages - like the camping page spreads above.

(Thanks, Jill Loveland, for taking the photos at last weekend's demo training!)

 

Gorgeous Grunge aka "Crime Scene"

Another swing card today.  This one features the Magnificent Maple stamp along with the Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper from the holiday catalog.  But I think my favorite part of this card is the splatter stamp from Gorgeous Grunge.

I laughed at convention when someone from Stampin’ Up! (Pam Morgan, I believe) referred to Gorgeous Grunge as “Crime Scene.”  It has skid marks, police tape, and lots of splatters – it really does look like a mess from a crime scene!  These images add terrific texture and interest to the background, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite "go to" stamp sets.  On this card, I used gold embossing powder on the designer paper, and also over the top of the focal image.

When stamping the leaf, I used the “rock and roll” technique – starting with Pumpkin Pie ink and then rolling in Chocolate Chip ink.  I wasn’t quite satisfied with the results at first, so I sponged a little more Chocolate Chip ink on the center of the stamp.  So much better!  Here’s the same card using a different pattern from Sweater Weather:

Stamps:  Magnificent Maple (wood only #131868, $9.95); Gorgeous Grunge (aka Crime Scene!) (wood #130514, $24.95; clear #130517, $17.95); Trust God (wood #132094, $19.95; clear #126702, $14.95)

Inks:  Chocolate Chip (#126979); Pumpkin Pie (#126945); Versamark (#102283)

Paper:  Chocolate Chip (#102128); Very Vanilla (#101650 ); Brushed Gold (#102935, $7.95); Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper (#132184 , $10.95)

Other Fun Stuff:  Stampin’ Sponges (#101610, $3.50); Gold Embossing Powder (#109129, $4.75); 2-1/2” Circle Punch (#120906, $16.95); Circle Card Die Thinlits (#133480, $32.95)

Gorgeous Grunge (wood #130514, $24.95; clear #130517, $17.95)

 

Another Swing Card

I love how easy it is to create these swing cards!  For this card I used Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper for the card base in order to take advantage of the double-sided print.  I think it adds interest to the card, plus adds contrast to the circle.  A simple centerpiece on the front of the card features the Flower Shop bundle.  If you order the bundle (stamps and coordinating punch together), you can save 15%.  Gotta love that! 

On the inside of the card, I used the "yay" negative image from one of the words included with the Thinlits.  Be sure you save the cutout in the center of the "a" and add it to your negative image. 

Stamps:  Flower Shop (wood #130939, $23.95; clear #130942, $17.95)

Ink:  Daffodil Deslight (#126944)

Paper:  Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper (#129310, $10.95); Midnight Muse (#126843); Whisper White (#100730); Melon Mambo (#115320)

Other Fun Stuff:  Pansy Punch (#130698, $15.95); Boho Blossoms Punch (#119858, $16.95); Rhinestone Basic Jewels (#119246, $4.95); 2-1/2" Circle Punch (#120906, $16.95)

New Swing Card Thinlits

I've always loved cards that move and shake, even though they take more time to create.  But with Stampin' Up!'s new Thinlits for the Big Shot, making swing cards is now easy-peasy!  I was lucky to win the new Circle Card Thinlits at convention and I can't wait to get my hand on the Label Card Thinlits as well (I think I will have to put them on my next order!).  

 

Each set of Thinlits comes with coordinating shapes and images to make it simple to layer and embellish your card.  This Halloween card incorporates several products from the new Holiday catalog.  Notice the shimmer of the little skull?  I used the new Black Stampin' Glitter to quickly dress up the card.  A bit of stamping and layering on the back side of the swinging circle, and you have a fabulous card that only takes a few minutes to make!  I have more samples to share over the next few days. 

Circle Card Thinlits Die - #133480, $32.95

Label Card Thinlits Die - #133479, $32.95

Stamps:  Halloween Hello (wood #131718, $18.95; clear #131721, $14.95)

Inks:  Basic Black (#126980); Versamark (#102283, $7.50)

Paper:  Basic Black (#121045); Whisper White (#100730); Silver Glimmer Paper (#124005, $4.95); Witches' Brew Designer Series Paper (#132185, $10.95)

Other Fun Stuff:  Circle Card Thinlits (#133480, $32.95); Black & Orange Stampin' Glitter (#132206, $7.95); Heat and Stick Powder (#100625, $4.50); Summer Starfuit Stitched Satin Ribbon (#126846, $8.95); 2-1/2" Circle Punch (#120906, $16.95); 1-1/4" Circle Punch (#119861, $15.95); 1-3/8" Circle Punch (#119860, $15.95)

For Alisha . . .

Bon Jour!  I'm home from Stampin' Up!'s convention - refreshed, renewed, and re-energized!  While I was there, fellow demo and absolute sweetheart, Alisha Linn, commented that she watched my blog but I never post.  Yep, I've been terrible about that.  So, Alisha, this one is for you and I'm counting on you to help me stay on track!

This card is my contribution to an organized swap using the new Simply Pressed Clay and molds.  I love this stuff!  Not only can you make the buttons and flowers using the molds, but you can roll it out and press it with stamps or even embossing folders.  The samples I received were stunning, and I'll share a few of them with you in the next couple of weeks.

My card used two new colors, Coastal Cabana and Smoky Slate, along with Crushed Curry which is a returning favorite.  I love this color combination, which is used in the Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper.

A few tips for using the clay.  It helps to brush the mold with your Embossing Buddy or - like I did on my sample - with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  Let the clay harden a bit before trying to take it out of the mold.  You can speed this process along by putting it in your freezer for about 10 minutes and then releasing it.  If you are making multiples, it's a little faster with subsequent flowers or buttons, because the mold gets really cold.  I haven't used the button mold much, but I understand that it's very important that you don't use too much clay in those or the images are wonky.  (Be sure the button hole thingies - a technical term - are clearly poking through the clay in the mold.)  To adhere the clay to your project, either Crystal Effects or Tombow Multi Glue are the best choices.

You can make hundreds of flowers and buttons from one package of clay - it will go a long way!

Stamps:  Happy Day (#130294, $21.95 wood; #103297, $16.95 clear); My Friend (#128670, $27.95 wood; #122587, $19.95 clear) (both sets are also available in French, which is what I used for "Bon Jour")

Inks:  Coastal Cabana (#131175); Smoky Slate (#131179); Crushed Curry (#131173)

Paper:  Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper (#130131, $10.95); Whisper White (#100730); Coastal Cabana (#131297); Smoky Slate (#131202)

Other Fun Stuff:  Coastal Cabana Ruffle Stretch Trim (#130024, $8.95); Simply Pressed Clay (#130685, $6.95); Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds (#131272, $7.95); Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023, $4.50)

FREE SHIPPING!!! and Retiring Colors!!!

WOW!!!  Stampin' Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING on EVERYTHING from April 6 through 8!  That’s right – no minimums, limits, etc.  The free shipping is on EVERYTHING.  It’s a great time to look into two new products:  This and That, and Stampin’ Up!’s new photopolymer stamps.  Make your list and place your order on my website beginning on April 6th (click on Order Online at the top right of this website).  

But WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!  Tonight SU has also announced a Color Refresh for the upcoming 2013-14 catalog!  Only one completely brand new color is being introduced into the main color families:  Smoky Slate (a nice soft gray).  However they are bringing back some of the “in colors” and putting them into the color families, and retiring a few others.  Here’s the important part – the following colors are being retired:  Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Regal Rose, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Bravo Burgundy, River Rock.  Starting now, these color items are on a “while supplies last” basis and possibly may not remain available through the “retired list” period, so order your extra card stock and ink refills today!  And don’t forget, SU is offering FREE SHIPPING FROM APRIL 6 THROUGH 8!!  Order directly from my website by clicking on the "Order Online" button.

What returning “in colors” will be hanging out in the new catalog?  Three current “in colors” won’t be retiring after all!  They are Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, and Calypso Coral.   They will be joined by Soft Sky (yippee!!!), Blushing Bride, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz, Bermuda Bay, and Island Indigo.    And don’t forget, there will be five more brand new “in colors” that will be revealed later!   

Hoppy Easter!

A couple of quick Easter greetings for you!

Don't you just love those wabbits?  They are part of Stampin' Up!'s single stamp offerings that expire on March 31st, so be sure to order them today if you want to add them to your collection. 

EDITED:  SU just announced these stamps will be available through July 31st!  Woo hoo!!!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Ears to You (#132659, $6.95 clear mount only); Itty Bitties

Ink:  Old Olive, Regal Rose, Primrose Petals (markers were used to ink up the bunnies)

Paper:  Old Olive; Pink Pirhouette; Regal Rose; Whisper White

Other cool stuff:  Honeycomb Embossing Folder; Labels Collection Framelits; Designer Builder Brads; 1" Circle Punch; Itty Bitty Punch Pack

Here's another Easter card using Spring Sampler from the Spring catalog:

Supplies:

Stamps:  Spring Sampler; Delightful Dozen

Ink:  Daffodil Delight; Marina Mist; Old Olive

Paper:  Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper; Marina Mist; Whisper White

Other cool stuff:  Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder; 1" Circle Punch; Scalloped Oval Punch

This is such a great stamp set - so many adorable images!

Spring Sampler - wood #125510 $38.95; clear #125512 $27.95

I hope you have a wonderful, blessed, and Happy Easter!

More gift card holders

Here are a few more gift card holders from the stINKers' shoebox swap last weekend.

Purse by Bobbie Meyer.  This is crafted from a single piece of 6" x 6" designer paper.  It can also hold a couple of small candies in the bottom.  So cute!

Pop-up gift card holder by Kathy Moorehead.  The strip around the front of the card fastens in back with the Baker's Twine.  When opened, it contains a pop-up surprise!

By Debbie Flattum.  Debbie called this a Twisted Gift Card Holder.  A clever fold that is mailable!

Such a creative and talented group - I can't wait to see what they come up with next time! 

So stINKin' cute!

It's time I get back to posting again!

Yesterday was our monthly stINKers meeting (my downline group).  I {heart} those ladies!  This time around we held a shoebox swap featuring ideas for holding gift cards.  Gift cards are so popular these days (and convenient!), but it seems appropriate to at least dress them up a bit.  This first project was by Rhonda Smith.  The gift card holder is attached to the lid so that it comes out when you open the box.  How clever is that!

 

Next is my contribution.  Mom, if you're looking at this post, please avert your eyes!  It's styled after a business card holder that I received from another demonstrator at Leadership a couple of years ago. 

The holder is made from the Two Tags Die, and the sleeve is a 4" x 5-1/2" piece of cardstock scored at 2-1/2" and 5".  Easy peasy.  I added the ribbon and charm to my own sample.  Love, love, love those Tea Time Trinkets! 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Tea Shoppe; Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Bashful Blue; Soft Suede

Paper:  Tea for Two Designer Series Paper; Bashful Blue; Soft Suede; So Saffron; Very Vanilla

Other cool stuff:  Tea Time Trinkets; Linen Thread; Very Vanilla 1/2" Seam Binding; Two Tags Die; Modern Label Punch; Word Window Punch; 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch; 1-3/8" Circle Punch; 1-1/4" Circle Punch

 Hmmm.  Time to go make a cup of tea.  I have more gift card holders to share later this week.

 

Happy Thanksgiving Deals!

Stampin’ Up! is having a great sale this week!  Some items are on a 24-hour sale (like the Big Shot today!), plus there are many items on sale all week for 20% to 50% off!  Be sure to click the link below to find more details, or click here, and then place your order for some great savings!

 

And to inspire you, here are a couple of Christmas cards from my recent classes:

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!