Welcome to the Occasions Mini Blog Hop....

.... brought to you by the good folks at Stampin' Addicts, where their motto is "Positively Creative. Positively Stampin' Up!" This time we are previewing some of the fabulous goodies in the new Stampin' Up! 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog, which starts January 4th.  Today I am showing some ideas for the Clearly for You stamp set.

I'm so glad you stopped by, and hope you have been wowed and inspired by the hop so far!  If you are following the hop in order, you just arrived from Holly's blog, Rubber Redneck, where the Nature Walk stamp set was featured.  At the bottom of this post, you can click to go back, or forward to the next blog on your journey!

First up is a clean and simple (CAS) card using the little background stamp and the bird (egret? flamingo?) stamp.  Quick, easy and elegant!

Stamps: Clearly for You
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist, Pacific Point
Accessories: Marina Mist 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Large Oval and Scallop Oval punches, Basic Rhinestones

I don't know about you, but I am burned out on Christmas colors, so I wanted to try something bright and cheery for the next card.  I'm thinking spring, summer, gardens, SUNSHINE!  So this next card combines the colors of summer with some of the things you might find in a garden.

Stamps: Clearly for You  (Sentiment: You're a Gem, available Jan. 4)
Cardstock: Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Very Vanilla, Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Daffodil Delight 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Brights Brads, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Big Shot

Up next, I went to the opposite extreme and tested my "vintage" mojo.  Lately my style has been trending toward the CAS look, but this was soooo much fun to make (how much "shtuff" can I cram on one card?), I want to do more!

Stamps: Clearly for You
Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Cardstock Vellum, Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz DSP from In Color Patterns Pack (Level 1 Hostess)
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Black StazOn
Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper and Perfect Polka-Dots Embossing Folders, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Big Shot, Rose Red and Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon (avail. Jan. 4), Large Oval and Scallop Oval punches, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Basic Pearls, Chantilly Crochet Trim, Linen Thread, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Vintage Trinkets, Frost White Shimmer Paint (spray), Smooch Illuminate Top Coat

And lastly, the whole reason I was sold on this stamp set as soon as I saw it........BERRIES!  We have a prolific boysenberry plant, so I make lots of jam and pancake syrup.  I absolutely fell in love with this little stamp!  You could make it raspberry or blackberry, depending on how you colored it.

Anyhoo, this is a little gift set I thunk up.  The jar topper uses Concord Crush DSP from the In Color Patterns Pack hostess gift.  I got a lot of use out of that pack of paper for these projects!  The little set of 4 cards with envelopes is tucked in a box made using the Scallop Envelope Die.

Stamps: Clearly for You  (Sentiment: You're a Gem, available Jan. 4)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Perfect Plum, Concord Crush DSP (In Color Patterns Pack Level 1 Hostess)
Inks: Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Linen Thread, Large Tag and Extra Large Tag Punches, Large Oval and Scallop Oval punches, Scallop Envelope Die, Big Shot,  5/8" and 3/4" circle punches, Basic Pearls< Scallop Trim Border Punch

Well, that's all for this stop!  Click on the link below to get to your next stop, which is Sunflower Stamper Jennifer, featuring Bold Blossom.

<< GO BACK                      GO FORWARD>>

Thanks for stopping by, and I wish all of you 

a safe, Happy New Year!

 

 

Sweet Summer in the Middle of Winter

What better time to think about sunshine and flowers than the dead of winter?  I know some of you have been dealing with this (and for that, you have my sincere sympathy):

So, don't let the winter blahs get you down - think about spring and summer!  The seed catalogs have started arriving at my house, and I can't wait to plan what to plant in next year's garden.

The embedded paper (a.k.a. 'inlaid embossing') technique was used on this card, and I really like it!  Just lightly glue punched or die cut shapes to your cardstock (the 2-Way Glue Pen works well for this), tuck it into an embossing folder, then run the whole shebang through your Big Shot.  Easy-peasy, and looks terrific!  I imagine this works better with embossing folders that have a tight design, like the Square Lattice EF that I used.

Stamps: Sweet Summer (FREE Sale-A-Bration set starts 1/25), You're a Gem (Occasions Mini, avail. 1/4)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Little Leaves die, Boho Blossoms punch, Basic Pearls, Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Poly Ribbon

*Huge Sigh*

Can you believe it, Christmas is over, and the year is winding to a close!  While it is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year, I'm also a little relieved when all the hustle and bustle and making and wrapping and cleaning and baking is officially finished.  This is the time I like to look ahead to the coming year and make plans, set goals and just in general relish starting anew.  (That's probably why I get a little irked by all the "year in review" that the media does at this time.)

The plans this week are to finish the projects for the upcoming Occasions Mini blog hop.  The card pictured is not one from the hop, but one of three sets of demo swaps I mailed today.  This is a sneak peek at a new set called SWEET SUMMER, which you can get free during Sale-A-Bration, which starts January 25th!

Stamps: Sweet Summer (SAB, avail. 1/25/11), You're a Gem (avail. in Occasions Mini 1/4/11)
Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Inks: Night of Navy, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon and Framed Tulips embossing folder (both avail. in Occasions Mini 1/4/11), Small Oval Punch

Blog Hop Coming!

Stampin' Addicts is having another blog hop!  This time the hop will be featuring items in the new 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog, due for release on January 4th.  Prepare to be amazed by the plethora of wonderful products and the awesome and inspiring talents of the hop participants!  You definitely don't want to miss this one....so many new goodies to share, and a fabulous way to start the new year in a crafty way!!!  I will be featuring the "Clearly for You" stamp set.

Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Blog Hop starts Friday morning, Dec. 31st, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific, and ends at midnight Sunday, January 2nd.

Filled with Love

New promotion!  Buy the Filled with Love Bundle and get the Bitty Buttons for FREE!  Note: the Filled with Love* stamp set is in the Holiday Mini Catalog, which ends January 3rd.  After that, you can only get it in the bundle, and only until January 24th!  This is a fabulous set for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, or even good friends ("THOUGHTS OF YOU WARM MY HEART" sentiment).  Click on the Filled with Love logo on the left for details!

* Filled with Love stamp set, pg. 43 Holiday Mini - Wood Mount #120839 or Clear Mount #121154

Dreaming of a White Christmas (Tree)

Yeah, I know I was going to start baking today, since I got all my Christmas cards finished and mailed, but the mojo is flowing and I HAD to let it out!  Why is sometimes I can sit in my craft room for hours with nary a creative burp in my brain, and then other times the ol' brain cells are having a party and the ideas flow like nacho cheese dip at a football game?!

This one was inspired by Heidi Baks' card posted on her blog for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge.  I so wish I could get the lighting right, so you could see how truly GOJUS this is in real life!  (I think this may be one I use for next year.) Be sure to click on the image to enlarge, then click again to see the details!

Stamps: NONE!
Inks: NONE!
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Presto Patterns Designer Series Paper, Bride Specialty DSP (retired *sniff*)
Accessories: Northern Flurry Textured Impressions embossing folder, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones and Basic Pearls

Last Card.....No, Really!

My inspiration for this card came from Yapha Mason's card posted a couple days ago.  As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be perfect for a friend of mine who is a breast cancer survivor.  She is into all things pink, and I know she's going to love this card!

This is pretty much a direct copy.  The only changes were the sentiment, and instead of Melon Mambo, I used Regal Rose.

Thanks for the inspiration, Yapha!

Stamps: Northern Hearts, Heard from the Heart
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive
Other: Old Olive 5/8″ Satin Ribbon

Christmas Medallion

Aaaack!  How did it get to be only 12 days until Christmas already?!  One more card, then I'm going to be MIA for a few days so I can get the holiday baking done.

See the Gold Smooch Accent Ink in the medallion?  Makes it looks more holiday-ish, don't you think?
Stamps: Medallion, Heard from the Heart
Cardstock: Whisper White, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Gold Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink, Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder, Big Shot

Paisley Christmas

Paisley was never really a favorite pattern of mine, but this set appeals to me for some reason.  Been busy this weekend trying to get my cards finished and use up some retired DSP in the process.  Why is it so hard for me to cut into my stash of precious papers?  (Note: "precious" should be pronounced with a hiss, as Gollum says it.  Then picture me crouched over my hoard of paper, stroking it and talking to it. I slip the ring on and....) 

Getting Closer to CAS

This one is a bit closer to the Clean And Simple look I wanted that would be easy to duplicate.....if only I had enough DSP to do it!  I only need to make 60 cards, that's all.  :-)  Hmmm, maybe use just a scrap of DSP instead of covering the card front?  Back to the drawing board! (pssst - didja notice there isn't any ribbon or rhinestones/pearls?)

Stamp: Perfect Punches
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP, gold foil CS (not SU)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic, VersaMark
Accessories: Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch,1-3/8" Circle Punch

Another "One of a Kind"

Seriously starting to feel the time crunch here since I wanted to mail my cards by Saturday, but what am I doing?  Making pretty "one off" cards when I really should be mass-producing some CAS ones!  *sigh*  When the mojo is flowing, it's so hard to stop!  Check out the gold glitter peeking through the crochet trim (click on image, then click again):

Stamp: Bells & Boughs
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler Craft, Blushing Bride Stampin' Write Marker, So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Victoria Crochet Trim, Very Vanilla 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Gold Fine Galaxy Glitter, Basics Glimmer Brads

Merry Christmas!

Gotta get serious about getting my cards finished and mailed this week! Too much going on, but I love this time of year!!! 

Stamp: Christmas Postcard (121428)
Cardstock: Crumb Cake (120953), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Deck the Halls DSP (120810)
Classic Ink: Cherry Cobbler (119669), Always Artichoke (105219), Crumb Cake (121030), River Rock (109010), VersaMark (102283)
Accessories: Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129), Heat Tool (100005), Champagne Glass Glitter (120997), Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon (120992)

DOIN' A HAPPY DANCE!

Just found out that Operation Write Home won the second place prize of $25,000!  WOOHOOOOO!  That will send a lot of cards to our heroes.  Thanks so much to everyone who voted for OWH!

Another Birthday and Sneak Peek!

This card is for my friend Jen from SCS.  We became online friends, and then got to meet a couple years ago when she was here visiting relatives.  Now she's back in town for a visit, and I get to meet her for lunch and see her adorable munchkins!

This card was way out of my comfort zone, but I tried to make something that would appeal to Jen's funky sense of style.  The sneak peek is that Sweet Summer stamp set that will be available during Sale-A-Bration for FREE, with a qualifying purchase!

Stamps: Sweet Summer (available Jan. 25th), sentiment Grunge Rock
Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Ink: Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Marker, Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Basic Black Classic
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Square Lattice embossing folder, Eyelet Border Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Today is the Last Day!

Voting ends at midnight tonight - PLEASE click the Craft for a Cause link on the right, and cast a vote for Operation Write Home.  If they win the $50,000 prize, that would ship a LOT of boxes of cards to our deployed service members!

Edited to add: Thank you to all who voted! As soon as I hear the results (keep your fingers crossed!), I will post them!

Birthday and a Sneak Peek

Today's masculine birthday card features my favorite theme....that classic truck in the Countryside stamp set.  This is for someone special whose birthday is today (I can't name names unless I get approval from a family member first). 

Anyhoo, all that mystery aside, if you look closely, you'll notice a new embossed frame you've never seen before!  It's called Framed Tulips, and is coming out in the new Occasion's Mini Catalog, which starts January 4th.

Wait until you see what else is coming in the new cattie next month!  If you are a customer of mine, you're already on the list to get a 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog as soon as it is released (around the middle of this month).  If you aren't a customer of mine, but would like to be one, please contact me so I can send it to you!

Stars & Stamps Midweek Throwdown Challenge!

The end of October I was surprised and delighted to receive an email from Jan over at the OWH Stars & Stamps blog, asking me if I'd like to make a sample card or two for their December 1st Midweek Throwdown Challenge.  Um, let me think about that for a nanosecond... heck, yeah!  Are you kidding?!  I'm honored to be asked to do this!!!

The theme for this week's challenge is animals, and as soon as Jan told me what it was, I got all kinds of ideas popping in my head.  First up is a sweet birthday card for a little girl.  Most little girls I know are crazy for ponies and horses, so that was the stamp of choice.  Can you imagine her getting this card from her daddy or mommy who is away from home for her birthday?

The greeting is three different Clear Mount Stamps from the Fabulous Phrases set, mounted on one Clear Block.  I like the flexibility of building a custom sentiment - too cool!

Stamps: Pony Party (W-115217, C-120015), Fabulous Phrases (W-117002, C-120501)
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette (111351), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Melon Mambo (115320)
Ink: Pink Pirouette Classic (111838), Rich Razzleberry Classic (115658), Melon Mambo Classic (115656), Rose Red Classic (101778), Basic Gray Classic (109120)
Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner Punch (118870), 1/2" Circle Punch (119869), 3/4" Circle Punch (119873), 1" Circle Punch (119868), 1-1/4" Circle Punch (119861),small circle punch from Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain ribbon (retired)

The next card is near and dear to my heart, because my hubby and I joke about "love monkey" all the time.  I figured we aren't the only ones with that little joke, so this is sure to bring a smile to a deployed hero's loved one.  

The greeting was printed using my computer and printer, since I didn't have a stamp with that sentiment.  The heart background was inked up with Sahara Sand, then the solid heart wiped off with a Blender Pen and Real Red ink applied with a Stampin' Write Marker.  Huffed to re-moisten, stamped off once to lighten the image, and then stamped over the greeting (gotta love those Clear Mount stamps - so easy to position!).

Lots of layers going on with those hearts!  The Full Heart Punch fits inside the Scalloped Heart of Hearts die, which fits inside the Movers and Shapers Heart die.  If you look very, very closely (click on the image twice), you can see the embossed "dots" are really tiny hearts! 

Stamps: Fox & Friends (W-117020, C-118565), Filled With Love (W-120839, C-121154)

Cardstock: Sahara Sand (121043), Real Red (102482), Early Espresso (119686), Whisper White (100730), Sahara Sand DSP from Patterns Pack (retired)

Ink: Sahara Sand Classic (105208), Early Espresso Classic (119670), Real Red Stampin' Write Marker (100052)

Accessories: Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119251), Full Heart Punch (119883), Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die (117332), Movers & Shapers Heart Die from the Punch Windows set (115953), Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (113439), heart border punch from Martha Stewart

Thanks for stopping by today, and don't forget to vote for Operation Write Home over at Joann's Craft for a Cause. 

Vote every day - you have until midnight Dec. 4th!