Welcome to the New Catalog Mega Hop!

Greetings - I'm so glad you could join us today! This is Day 1 of the Stampin' Addicts New Catalog Blog Hop. It will last all weekend, and each stop along the way will feature an item from the newly released Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog. For the complete list of blogs, click HERE. If you've been following the links in order, you just arrived from Jennifer's blog, Stampin' on the Fly. Weren't those balloons just adorable?! At the bottom of this post are the buttons leading you on to the next stop.

I am featuring the stamp set called Pennant Parade, and the matching Petite Pennants Builder Punch. You might think you'd be limited as to what you could do with this set, but you'd be wrong! We were allowed to do up to four projects for the hop, to keep things moving smoothly, but I could have done twice that easily!

First up is a card to welcome a sweet baby girl. This card is an A6 size (4½" x 6¼") to accommodate the 5th pennant. The background is lightly embossed, and there are multiple layers of ribbon. See that pink scallop ribbon? That's the new ½" Scallop Dots Ribbon, folded in half with the dots inside!

(As always, you can click on the images to see more detail, along with all the mistakes, lol.)

Stamps: Pennant Parade, Short & Sweet
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Just Add Cake and Pretty in Pink Designer Series Paper
Classic Ink: Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Pitite Pennants Builder Punch, ½" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Circle Punch, White Baker's Twine, Silver Mini Brads, Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon, Pretty in Pink ½" Scallop Dots Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Up next is a fun card for the golf enthusiast....and there are several in my family! It's hard to tell from the photo, but the hole is really a hole punched in the "green". The sky was sponged on over the masked clouds. Looks like this golfer better finish the next nine holes before the rain comes!

Stamps: Pennant Parade, On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Shimmery White, Whisper White, Marina Mist, Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Island Indigo, Basic Black, Early Espresso, Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper
Classic Ink: So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Garden Green, Soft Suede, Island Indigo
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka_dots Embossing Folder, Large Oval Punch, 1¼" Circle Punch, Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Stampin' Sponge, bamboo skewer, Stampin' Dimensionals

Next on the agenda is a card perfect for a friend or family member that loves to quilt. The stamped pennants were punched out and fastened to a cardstock base with the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (that stuff is so cool)!  Then they were embossed to give the look of a washed quilt. Little knots of Baker's Twine were added for the tied-quilt look. So, how did I choose the coordinating colors?  I used the Color Coach and looked up Pool Party.

Stamps: Pennant Parade, On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Pool Party, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Ink: Pool Party, So Saffron, and Wild Wasabi Classic, Basic Black Craft
Accessories: Big Shot, Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, White Baker's Twine, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, ¼" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

And finally, even though it's the middle of a sweltering summer, I just had to make a contemporary style Christmas card. This card looks soooo much better in real life! The Mocha Morning Designer Series Paper was my inspiration for the non-traditional colors. And guess what I discovered? You can (carefully) heat emboss the Satin Ribbon! The starburst stamp was inked with VersaMark and stamped down the ribbon (use the Embossing Buddy first!), then the gold embossing powder was added.

Stamps: Pennant Parade, Heard From the Heart
Cardstock: Basic Black, Brushed Gold, Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper
Ink: Basic Black Craft, VersaMark
Accessories: Iridescent Ice, Black, and Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Well, I hope you enjoyed your visit here, and leave with lots of inspiration! Your next stop is Sarah Wills' blog, Sarah's Ink Spot. She's featuring Jack of All Trades!

 

When you've completed all the stops on the hop, I hope you'll hop over to Stampin' Addicts and join in the fun there. It's free, it's fun, and it's open to all Stampin' Up! enthusiasts, whether they be seasoned demonstrators, or newbies just starting stamping. The folks there are the nicest people, ready to help answer any questions. Be sure to check out the gallery for inspiration!

Three Days Left!

The $99 Starter Kit special ends on July 31st...trust me, you don't want to let this slip by! In addition to all the many, many benefits you get from Stampin' Up, you also get lots of perks from me, as well.  My downlines can attend any class, free of charge. If you live out of the area, I'll send the lesson plan, including step-by-step illustrated instructions, plus a sample of the finished project. You'll receive the complete color chart, with punched samples of all the current colors:

You'll also receive labels for all the Designer Series paper (DSP name, item #, page #, list of complementary colors), and labels for your ink pads. I'm available to answer questions pretty much 24/7.

And, from now until this deal ends, you can choose ANY stamp set in the current catalog as a bonus from me!

Join my stampin' family!  You'll be glad you did!!!

Get Well for Handy Dad

After my father retired from the military, he became a contractor, doing both construction and fine carpentry/cabinet making.  I remember Dad would always be out in the garage, making stuff, with the smell of sawdust in the air (I love that smell!).  He had a pegboard wall above his workbench, with the outlines of every tool hanging there, carefully penciled on.  I can still see the baby food jars, lids screwed to the bottom of the upper cabinet, filled with various nails, screws, nuts, and bolts.  He was a neat freak!  Too bad it seems to have skipped a generation, lol.

Well, Dad is back in the hospital, still losing weight, and they can't seem to find what is wrong. This get well card should brighten his day a little bit, I hope.  It so reminds me of him! 

The embossed frame was cut out, and a piece of acetate sheet was placed over the greeting to make it look like glass.  How did I stick it on you ask?  Well, first I tried just a little bead of Crystal Effects on the edge....that didn't work so well. Then it struck me - Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets! The adhesive is clear, so I just laid the acetate on, rubbed it down thoroughly (using the backer sheet for protection, peeled off the other backing and voila!

Stamp: Tool Shed (greeting printed on computer)
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Soft Suede Classic, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Designer Frames Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet, Window (acetate) Sheet, Silver Mini Brads, White Baker's Twine (colored with Black Stampin' Write Marker), Stampin' Dimensionals, Mat Pack and Paper Piercing Tool

I see my dinosaur kid's card was chosen as one of the top three at SUO Challenges this week!  Woohootie!!!  Thanks, ladies!  I'm wearing displaying the badge of honor proudly!  Since today's card falls neatly into this week's challenge, I think I'll submit it, too.  Who knows, maybe lightning can strike twice! Nah....my luck it would turn out like this:

Shaving Cream

There are only five more days to take advantage of the $99 Starter Kit special, and become a member of my team!  Just one of (the many) perks of joining, is getting to try two new techniques at our monthly team meetings. This month we had a grand ol' time getting messy with the Shaving Cream technique and Marbles technique!  Here's the sample we made using the Shaving Cream.

Stamps: Fox & Friends, On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Always Artichoke, Whisper, White, Glossy White
Ink: Lucky Limeade Classic pad, Daffodil Delight and Pear Pizzazz ink refills
Accessories: Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder, Big Shot, shaving cream

I'd LOVE to have you join my Stampin' Up family! Contact me today to get all the details - you won't regret it!

For My Friend

Her dog died suddenly, with no apparent warning that anything was wrong. I know what a hole in the heart those little furry critters leave when they pass. And it keeps hurting for a long time, too....every time you come home and they aren't waiting by the door, tail-waggingly ecstatic to see you.

For some reason, I never can get my husband to greet me that way.

Stamps: D is for Dog, I {Heart} Hearts

Cardstock: Basic Black, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Mocha Morning Specialty DSP

Ink: Basic Black Classic, Basic Black Craft, Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker (to color white edges of ribbon)

Accessories: Houndstooth (get it?) Embossing Folder, Big Shot,  Metallic Brads, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Heat tool, bone-shaped paper clip (non-SU)

Sympathy

I had to make a couple of these, one for a friend whose dog died suddenly (I'll show it tomorrow), and one for someone whose nephew just died in a motorcycle accident. I can't imagine anything more tragic than losing a child, no matter how old they are.

Anyhoo, both cards use the absolutely yummy Mocha Morning Specialty DSP.  I love that stuff!  Besides the flocked pages (2 different designs), the others are printed in a subtle metallic ink that is simply luscious.

Stamps: Just Believe, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Shimmery White, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Basic Black, Mocha Morning DSP, Groom Specialty DSP (retired)
Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Calypso Coral, Marina Mist
Accessories: Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Sponges, Word Window Punch, Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, black brad

Next weekend is Stampin' Addicts New Catalog Blog Hop, featuring goodies from the new Idea Book & Catalog.  I'll be showing the Pennant Parade stamp set and coordinating punch.  Mark your calendar - you won't want to miss it!

Mom's Birthday

My sweet mother's birthday is Monday. I'm afraid she won't be having a very pleasant day, since she has to have her second round of chemotherapy today.  By Monday she'll be feeling awful.  It breaks my heart to know that she has to suffer so.

One of the things the doctor and staff has told her to do is to try to keep her daily activities as normal as possible. So I'm going to send this card, and keep it upbeat, just like things are normal when they really aren't.

Since I used the Window Sheet with such success on the Pterodactyl yesterday, I decided to try it with a spiral pop-up card for the second card in class yesterday. I really like the way the acetate is nearly invisible, so the butterflies simply float up, dancing, as the card opens. (If you click on the image to enlarge, and then click it again, you can just barely make out the glue dot on the back panel.) I think the butterflies will bring Mom a smile.

Helpful hint: If you use a punch to cut the circle for the spiral, place a sheet of paper behind it. There's less chance the punch will get stuck on the acetate.

Stamps: Just Believe, On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Calypso Coral, Shimmery White, Paisley Petals DSP
Ink: Early Espresso and Calypso Coral Classic, Calypso Coral and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Calypso Coral 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, Stampin' Dimensionals, Window Sheet

Pop-Up Stage, Inside

Here is what yesterday's dinosaur card looks like on the inside.  The Pterodactyl is "flying" on a thin strip of Window Sheet (acetate). When the card is opened, he just kind of bobs in the air....it's really too stinkin' cute! The acetate and clear mini glue dots are nearly invisible, so the effect is extra nice.  After today's Fancy Folds class, I added the pop-up grass patch (thanks, Diane, for the inspiration!).

My grandson is going to love this!

POP-UP STAGE TUTORIAL

Stamps: Dinoroar
Cardstock: Garden Green, Shimmery White, Woodland Walk DSP (retired), Sweet Pea DSP (retired)
Ink: Soft Suede, Lucky Limeade, Peach Parfait, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Basic Gray, Early Espresso
Accessories: Window Sheet, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Blender Pens

Dino-might Birthday Card

What a fun card to give a budding paleontologist for his or her birthday.  Any kid that is into dinosaurs is sure to love it. The inside is a pop-upstage card, following this tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers.  You'll have to come back tomorrow to see how cute the inside is!  This is the one of the cards we're making in the Fancy Folds class today.

Since I have no idea what color a Triceratops would have been (I'm old, but not that old!), I took liberties with the colors. :-)  The image was stamped on Shimmery White cardstock using Garden Green ink, then colored with a blender pen.  Lucky Limeade and Peach Parfait are the main colors, with a bit of Calypso Coral for the mouth.

Stamps: Dinoroar
Cardstock: Garden Green, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Shimmery White, Woodland Walk DSP (retired)
Ink: Garden Green, Lucky Limeade, Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral, Early Espresso, Soft Suede
Accessories: Neutrals Brads, Big Shot, Houndstooth embossing folder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Hello Baby!

Just a quick post today - I have lots to do for the next few days! This was a leftover image from the baby card I made a few days back. I usually stamp more than one image, in case I mess up one of them.  Yes, it happens all the time!

Stamps: Baby Bundle, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Marina Mist, Basic Gray, Soft Suede
Accessories: Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Mini Brads, Daffodil Delight 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Big Shot, Square Lattice and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folders, Stampin' Dimensionals

Tropical Vacation

I'm lovin' me some Calypso Coral! The funny thing is, when I first saw the new In Colors, that was my least favorite color, but now it's moved right up to share top billing with Island Indigo! I guess it's because it is so reminiscent of sunrise/sunset colors. This card is a minor variation on the one posted a week ago.  This time the palm tree stamp is in the current catalog (Plant Hope), and the card base coordinates with the tropical sea color.  Hemp twine tied with square knots adds a nice touch, but I think it needs another palm tree, with a hammock tied between, and an umbrella drink, don't you?

Stampin' Up! obviously planned the new In Colors to compliment their 2013 Grand Vacation - to Fiji! Talk about a tropical paradise!  I'd love to be able to earn this incentive trip. You could earn it, too. If you join my team, we could both be
from Paradise in 2013! Can't you just see the sunsets now?


Stamps: Plant Hope, Three Little Words (though I only inked two, lol)
Cardstock: Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Early Espresso, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, and Soft Suede Classic Ink, plus Always Artichoke, Early Espresso, and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Color Spritzer Tool, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Hemp Twine, Aqua Painter, Stampin' Dimensionals

Baby Boy

The whole first-cousin, second-cousin, removing cousins thing has me confusticated, so I looked it up on Wikipedia which, as we all know, is the be-all, end-all, ultimate source for accurate information. ;-)  If I read the chart correctly, then this card is for my first-cousin, once removed, who happens to be my cousin's daughter. She's expecting a baby (her first!) in about six weeks. I can't make it to the shower this weekend, so this little card, and a gift, will have to take my place.

Check out those tiny silver brads on the wheel hubs. Aren't they the bee's knees?!

Today is my Stampin' Up! anniversary! I've been a demonstrator for two whole years now.  (I put the demon in demonstrator!)  (Humming the anniversary song to myself.) 

Stamps: Baby Bundle
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz, Not Quite Navy, Watercolor Paper, Springtime Vintage DSP (retired)
Ink (Classic Stampin' Pads): Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, plus a Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Perfect Polka-Dots Embossing Folder, Subtles Brads, Mini Silver Brads, Linen Thread, Blender Pens, Bitty Button, Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Christmas in August

Okay, it's not August yet, but I got my cards finished early, so here they are.  Since I've been glued to the computer today waiting for Convention updates (and dying a thousand deaths with each new bit of news), I haven't been card making.

These were done yesterday, and they are a total CASE of LeeAnn Greff's CARD from 2009.  I changed the cardstock colors and added Basic Rhinestones instead of the square brad.  Oh, and the image is stamped on our Shimmery White CS.  It really is lovely IRL!  Here's the lot of them:

Stamp: Scenic Season
Cardstock: Concord Crush, Bashful Blue, Shimmery White
Ink: Concord Crush, Calypso Coral, So Saffron, and Bashful Blue Classic
Accessories: Stampin' Sponges, Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Quickie Glue Pen (non-SU)

Fun in the Sun

The Sunny Fun stamp set is absolutley perfect for all things Summer.  The flip-flops are adorable (the littlest ones were used on this card), the kids playing on their floaties in the water are a kick, and the frozen treats......well, who doesn't love ice cream?  There is such a variety, there's something for everyone!

Click image to enlarge

So anyway, this was a fast, easy card to make. Choosing the colors for the flip-flops was fun, and after I was finished, I realized they coordinated with the Ice Cream Parlor DSP (retired) from Sale-A-Bration earlier this year. Now I'm thinking I need to do a card with the ice cream image next!

Stamps: Sunny Fun (Summer Mini)

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Ice Cream Parlor DSP (retired)

Stampin' Write Markers: Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Melon Mambo 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon, Jewelry Tag Punch, 1/16" Circle Handheld Punch, Big Shot, embossing folder (non-SU), tiny rhinestones (non-SU), Stampin' Dimensionals

Chair-ish Friendship

Okay, so I spelled it wrong.....it's supposed to be Cherish, but with the chair being the dominant stamp in this set, I had to go for the pun. Sorry, couldn't help myself! This is another swap card.  I love swapping and seeing what everyone else is doing!

The sketch may look familiar.  I really liked the way this card looked with the tall, narrow image and thought the layout would lend itself well for this card, too.

Stamps: Cherish Friendship, Tiny Tags
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Calypso Coral DSP (In Colors Pack)
Inks: Early Espresso and Soft Suede Classic plus Lucky Limeade, Always Artichoke, Wild Wasabi, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, and Peach Parfait Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Blender Pen, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Calypso Coral 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Jewelry Tag Punch, Linen Thread, Basic Pearls

Friendship Flowers

Here's a quick and easy card using the (now retired) Fast & Fabulous stamp set. It's 2-Step stamping, but the Clear Mount stamps make it so easy to line up, my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig rarely gets any love these days.  Lots of items from the new IB&C used on this card!

Stamps: Fast & Fabulous (retired), Tiny Tags
Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Concord Crush, Flirtatious DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush
Accessories: Wisteria Wonder 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, 1/16" Handheld Circle Punch, Linen Thread, Basic Pearls

Tropical Sunset

Last month's theme for the stamp club card swap was anything beach-related with a watercolor background and an embellishment.  Since I was in Montana, I wasn't able to get it done, but this is what I came up with.

This card was inspired by a card I received from Cheryl Wilcox (Love to Stamp & Scrap).  Palm trees, sand, flip-flops, and a glorious sunset sure makes me think of the beach!  See the tiny flowers on the flip-flops? That's from the pieces leftover when you use the Lace Ribbon Border Punch!

Ya know, I wasn't too enamored of the Calypso Coral when I first saw it, but it sure is growing on me, and it is gorgeous with the other new In Colors!


Stamps: Tropical Party (retired), Sunny Fun (Summer Mini)
Cardstock: Old Olive Textured, Early Espresso, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Calypso Coral, Old Olive, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Island Indigo, and Crumb Cake Classic, plus Pool Party and Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Color Spritzer Tool, 1" Circle Punch, 1¼" Circle Punch, Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Aquapainter, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Eyelet (retired), Linen Thread, tiny rhinestones (non-SU)

Happy Independence Day!

Here's another page done with My Digital Studio, using one of the downloaded frames.  I'm loving playing with digital scrapbooking!  I really should be working on cards for swaps, but I'm having too much fun playing with MDS. ;-)

The sentiment, starbursts, and white stars layered on the "July" are all from the stamp set called July 4th, available in MDS.

Jammin' With My Digital Studio!

My sweet hubby downloaded some cute frames for me, and as soon as I saw the one with the apron, I knew exactly what my theme for this page would be!  Earlier this year, my daughter wanted to learn about canning and preserving. What better way to start than with strawberry jam? It couldn't get much easier, and is a fun (and delicious!) way to introduce the basics of canning.

I saved the downloaded frames in a file, and after opening a new page in MDS, I opened a photo frame and imported the appropriate frame from the file.  Then I opened another photo frame and inserted the picture of Shawn. It had to be resized slightly, and then the first "photo" of the wooden frame had to be brought forward, so the basket of berries wasn't covered by the corner of the her picture.

Hope you all have a wonderful Independence Day tomorrow! (And yes, I have Bob Marley stuck in my head, lol.)

Asian Dragonfly

Stampin' Up! has a new promo on the Starter Kit - it's only $99, plus you get a free Christmas Keepsake project ($40 value)! Contact me if you'd like more information on joining my team!!!

Asian Artistry is one of the stamp sets that just retired, and I'm sorry to see it go. This card is for my sweet cousin. Her mom passed about a year ago, and she loved dragonflies.

Stamps: Asian Artistry (retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Always Artichoke
Ink: Blushing Bride Marker, Always Artichoke Marker and Classic Pad
Accessories: Illuminate Top Coat, Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, green rhinestone (non-SU), Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder, Big Shot

Aaaand, Christmas in July

Got the cards finished early this time! These use the new stamp set called Pennant Parade. LOVE that set! As you can see, it's not just pennants (AND there's a punch to match, woohoo)!

Stay tuned for details on the launch of the new Idea Book & Catalog today!!! (Note: the catalog goes live at noon Mountain (11:00 AM Pacific), so you won't be able to order anything from my business web site before then.

ETA: Click on the new catalog (upper left) to see what all the excitement is about!

Stamps: Pennant Parade, Heard from the Heart
Cardstock: Old Olive textured, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Classic Inks: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron, Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Crystal Effects, tiny gold rhinestones (non-SU)