Saturday, June 29, 2013

Continuing the Manly Theme


And another Julie Gearinger CASE! With my own twist, of course. I didn't want to attempt the straw technique, because I just know I'd pass out - I'm dizzy enough as it is!
From Millan.Net
So rather than blow the ink blobs with a straw, I opted for the baby-wipe technique, and to stamp the coral once with black StazOn, and then again with Midnight Muse (after stamping off once). It looks a little bit like more coral further away in the murky water, right? Right??

Other than the Midnight Muse mat under the image, everything else is pretty much the same, except I could NOT get the Fancy Fan folder to emboss the top part of the cardstock without getting wrinkles in the bottom, un-embossed part. Julie, what's your secret? I even tried embossing without Tab 1 - no luck.  So, I got out the Perfect Polka-Dots folder and it worked fine. We'll just pretend all those dots are bubbles, okay?

STAMPS: By the Tide, Lots of Thanks
CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Glossy White (retired)
INK: Jet Black StazOn, VersaMark, plus Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, and Midnight Muse ink refills
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots folder, Heat Tool, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Embossing Buddy, White Gel Pen, baby wipes (non-SU)

Thursday, June 27, 2013

CASEing Julie


First of all, I have to say that I was so happy when Julie Gearinger was added as a SUO Challenges Design Team member! I've been an admirer of hers for a long time, so I knew she was going to fit in beautifully.

Okay, that disclaimer aside, I just had to CASE her Wetlands card, but change it up a little bit. In trying to simplify it for my Masculine Cards class, I opted to leave off the bow to make it more mailable (and easier on my bow-challenged stampers, lol). I probably should have left off the Antique Brad due to the thickness, and substituted a few Candy Dots, but I liked the little bit of classy bling that the brad added. Since we weren't using the Pool Party ribbon she used, I added some Coastal Cabana Core-dinations at the bottom, embossed and sanded for added dimension.

Since the scripty background is En Français, I guess that makes it a French Canadian Goose, 'eh?
From Millan.Net
Go check out the upcoming classes on my Events calendar. I just added a new card class for September 1st that covers all the bases!
 
STAMPS: Wetlands, En Français
CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Coastal Cabana Core'dinations, Watercolor Paper
INK: StazOn Jet Black, Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Smoky Slate, Whisper White Craft, Basic Gray Stampin' Write Marker (Neutrals collection)
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Antique Brads, Aqua Painter, Stampin' Sanding Block, Basic Black 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Stampin' Spritzer (retired)

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Grad Card

how to make graduation card

How do you make a graduation card? If you have the announcement, it's super easy to incorporate the components and the school colors into a beautiful, personalized congratulations card!

I am lucky enough to be the "personal card designer" for my dentist's office manager. It's positively awesome to get paid for playing my creations, and she's thrilled to get unique, one-of-a-kind cards that knock the socks off the recipients! It's a win-win situation!

I forgot to take a picture of the other grad card I made for her (kicking myself), but not this one.  That purty tassel was made by yours truly!  I didn't have any silk thread to make it, so I unraveled some Basic Black and Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon that's retired but I'm hoarding saving for a rainy day.  After unraveling, I made the tassel, remembering my rope-tying skills from Girl Scouts a million years ago. I can't even remember what that finish is called, but I remember how to do it!

Do you have any dormant skills you learned as a kid, that occasionally pop out and surprise you?

STAMP: Non-SU
CARDSTOCK: Sahara Sand, Real Red, Basic Black, gold foil (non-SU)
INK: Basic Black
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Beautifully Baroque folder, Basic Black and Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon (retired)




Monday, June 24, 2013

Masculine Make it Mailable

Helloooo, Stampers! I hope you all had a wonderfully creative weekend. Today I am introducing a new blog feature called Make it Mailable.  Every Monday I will try to post a card that will pass muster with the Post Office, by not requiring extra postage. Things that jack the price up are square envelopes, mail that weighs more than an ounce, and mail that is more than 1/4" thick.  Another thing that can cause problems (and cause your card to arrive in shreds, if at all) is embellishments. Even if they don't make the envelope more than 1/4" thick, they can get caught in the sorting machine and wreak havoc on your work of heart!


So, generally, what we want is a card without too many layers (to keep the weight down), not popped up on too many dimensionals, and with minimal hard or thick embellishments (to keep the thickness down).

Today's card meets all those requirements!  Although there are Candy Dots embellishments on it, the great thing about these self-adhesive little beauties is that they are only about 1/32" thick; 1/16" if you use the Candy Dots Brad Base. Cool, huh? Even with the Stampin' Dimensionals under the greeting, which are about 1/16" thick themselves, the card is well within the specs to be mailed First Class.

I got the inspiration from a similar card by Angie Leach - just changed up the colors and DSP. This was also one of the cards we made in Saturday's Masculine Cards class. You should have been there!

By the way, new items have been added to the Clearance Rack!

STAMPS: You're Amazing
CARDSTOCK: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Natural Composition Specialty DSP
INK: (Stampin' Write Markers) Night of Navy, Baked Brown Sugar (new In Colors set)
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits dies, Regals Candy Dots, Candy Dots Brad Bases, Stampin' Dimensionals

Friday, June 21, 2013

Birthdays are For the Birds


At least, at my age they are! I'd just as soon not have, er...um, celebrate any more birthdays. Hmmm, but I don't like the alternative too much. Okay, birthdays are okay, I guess.  But my next one is going to be a doozy, so I'd just as soon forget it. I'm not ready for this, yet:
From Millan.Net

This card uses the stamp set called For the Birds (in case you hadn't already figured that one out, haha).The Deco Label opening was left from when I cut the label for this card. I knew if I could center the label opening on a card base, then I could use it for something else. The Magnetic Platform made that task a piece o' (birthday) cake!  Oh my gosh, I can't believe how I limped along without that thing!!! It is a "must have" tool if you use any thin metal dies, such as Framelits or Nestabilities.

The back side of the Gingham Garden DSP used in the opening is a gorgeous Strawberry Slush gingham pattern, which looks just perfect on the inside of the card.

Well, I need to get off the 'puter and get busy prepping the projects for tomorrow's Masculine Cards class. And after that I need to start making Convention swaps (that's less than four weeks away)! What are your plans this weekend?

STAMPS: For the Birds 
INK: (Stampin' Write Markers) Basic Black, Marina Mist 

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

NEW Catalog Freaks Tour!


Welcome to the Tour de Freaks blog tour for June. This time I get to start the tour! If you hopped in from somewhere else, you may have just landed here from Patty Bennett's blog. You can follow the links at the bottom of each blog to complete the circle and end up here, again. There are only nine stops this month, so it will go quickly!

This month's theme is anything from the NEW catalog. Boy howdy, did I ever have a hard time narrowing that down to just a few items!  There is MUCH to love (and covet) in the new catalog!

STAMPS: Simply Stars, Chalk Talk  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Real Red, Night of Navy  INK: Real Red, Night of Navy  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Square Lattice folder, Merry Minis Punch Pack, Whisper White, Real Red, and Night of Navy 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

My first card uses the Simply Stars and Chalk Talk stamp sets. When I saw the stars, I immediately thought "patriotic" and "hero", and what better way to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day holiday than by thanking the men and women who are serving our country, keeping us free? This card will be sent to Operation Write Home to thank a military member for their service. Didja notice I borrowed Patty's fab idea for using the Hexagon Punch on the end of the pennant?!

My next card features my favorite new Designer Series Paper, Gingham Garden. I've loved gingham fabric since I was a little girl, so this paper was at the top of my "must have" list. Kind & Cozy has a stamp the reminds me of fancy canning jar lids, and the many jars of jam, green beans and tomatoes I've put up over the years! The new Circle Framelits were used here, and the Mosaic Punch made the fancy ends on the greeting. Candy Dots accent the banner - sweet!

STAMPS: Kind & Cozy  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight  INK: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Island Indigo  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Circles Framelits, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Mosaic Punch, Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Stampin' Sponges, Brights Candy Dots

My last card is actually going to be one of my convention swaps, so if you're a Stampin' Addict and signed up for the "Over the Top" swap, stop right here! This card features the new Deco Label Framelits, and the awesome Flower Shop stamp set with the matching Pansy Punch. The DSP used is my second fave in the catty, Modern Medley. Notice how the Circle Framelits fit perfectly behind the greeting? The possibilities for layering these two Framelits sets are nearly endless! Another item from the new catalog is the fun Simply Pressed Clay and Buttons & Blossoms mold. I made a bunch of the smallest flower, let them dry overnight and then colored them with a Stampin' Write Marker. Easy way to get an embellishment to match any color scheme!

STAMPS: Flower Shop, Lots of Thanks  CARDSTOCK: Strawberry Slush, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Modern Medley DSP, Silver Glimmer  INK: Melon Mambo, Strawberry Slush Marker  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Circles Framelits, Deco Label Framelits, Pansy Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons & Blossoms Mold, Strawberry Slush 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim

Well, that's all for me. Your next stop is the ever-amazing JanTink at Stamps, Paper, Scissors. I can't wait to see what her jeenyus has dreamed up!


Monday, June 17, 2013

A Big Batch of Thanks


I needed to make a bunch of thank you cards, so naturally I looked to Pinterest for inspiration. These are a CASE of Angie Juda's thank you cards, that just really jumped out at me, because they use the lovely new In Colors. I just LOOOOVE the new colors! After struggling with a certain In Color from last year that shall remain nameless - Summer Starfruit *cough* - it was like a breath of fresh air when I saw the new colors this year. I nearly swooned!
From Millan.Net

Anyhooo, I wanted to fancy the cards up a bit, so I looked for contrasting colors to give them a little pop. And the awesome new patterns in the Designer Series Paper Stacks added some extra visual interest, too!

Here are the In Colors, with their contrasting color:
  •    Pistachio Pudding, Wild Wasabi
  •    Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay
  •    Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral
  •    Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Suede
  •    Strawberry Slush, Melon Mambo
And, because I really liked the black, white and Bermuda Bay combo from the other day, I made another!


Stamps: Chalk Talk, Lots of Thanks
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pistachio Pudding, Wild Wasabi, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Suede, Strawberry Slush, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, plus coordinating DSP stacks
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Soft Suede, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Big Shot, Chalk Talk Framelits, Beautifully Baroque folder, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Saving a "Bundle"!

Did you know that there are ten product bundles in the new catalog, where you can save 15% off the price of the separate items? Yes, indeedy, there are!  You might have missed them when you were flipping through your catalog, or maybe you don't have a catalog. *gasp!* (If that's the case, let me know and I'll fix that right away! We just can't have you be catalog-less, now, can we? That's akin to being nekkid!)
From Millan.Net

Almost all the bundles combine a stamp set with either Framelits, an embossing folder, or a coordinating punch. But there are two bundles that are for gift giving, and don't come with stamps.

FLOWER SHOP BUNDLE

Here's a list of the bundles, the page numbers, and a brief description. Item numbers will depend on whether you want wood-mount (W) or clear-mount (C) stamps.

Chalk Talk, p. 12 - Chalk Talk stamp set with Chalk Talk Framelits - 132731(W), 132730(C)
Label Love, p. 32 - Label Love stamp set with Artisan Label Punch - 132723(W), 132722(C)
Backyard Basics, p. 79 - Backyard Basics stamp set with Backyard Basics Framelits - 132729(W), 132728(C)
Wildflower Meadow, p. 83 - Wildflower Meadow background stamp with Wildflower meadow embossing folder - 132735(W), 132985(C)
Flower Shop, p. 95 - Flower Shop stamp set with Pansy Punch - 132727(W), 132726(C)
Beautifully Baroque, p. 113 - Beautifully Baroque stamp with Beautifully Baroque embossing folder - 132732(W) wood-mount only
Mosaic Madness, p. 123 - Mosaic Madness stamp set with Mosaic Punch - 132734(W), 132733(C)
Six-Sided Sampler, p. 125 - Six-Sided Sampler stamp set with Hexagon Punch - 132725(W), 132724(C)
Tag a Bag, p. 159 - Tag a Bag Gift Bags with Tag a Bag Accessory kit - 131371
Tag a Box, p. 159 - Tag a Bag Gift Boxes with Tag a Bag Accessory kit - 131372

TAG A BAG GIFT BOX BUNDLE

To take advantage of these savings, order from my website by clicking on the item numbers above, or contact me and get your free catalog with your order!

Monday, June 10, 2013

We LOVE the New Colors!


Welcome to the Stampin' Addicts New Colors Blog Hop! We are all just so gaga over the new colors in the Stampin' Up! color refresh that we had to showcase them in a hop that focuses on colors, rather than stamp sets or accessories.  Yes, there was much wailing and lamentation when the retiring colors were announced, I'll admit it. (I'll always love you, Baja Breeze! *sniff*) But now that the new colors are here, there is rejoicing in the craft room once again!

You may have just arrived from Yapha's blog, where she used the yummy Strawberry Slush, or you might have just started here. Either way, just click the links at the bottom of each blog to take the whole tour.

I chose Bermuda Bay, which isn't exactly a new color, but a returning color. It coordinates with so many others (like the truly new Coastal Cabana).

First up is a birthday card that works for either a man or a woman. Black and white make a fab contrast, don't you think?

STAMPS: Six-Sided Sampler, Petite Pairs  CARDSTOCK: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Basic Black  INK: Bermuda Bay, Basic Black  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Honeycomb folder, Hexagon Punch

Next up is a sweet Thank You card. I used our new Color Coach to look for an unusual color combo, and Crushed Curry appeared in a couple of mixtures with Bermuda Bay. Paired with Coastal Cabana (Rhonda's color), it cools the heat from the curry.

STAMPS: Simply Sketched (hostess set)  CARDSTOCK: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, 2013-2015 In Colors DSP Stack  INK: (Stampin' Write Markers) Bermuda Bay, Basic Black, Old Olive  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Circles Framelits, Deco Labels Framelits, Bermuda Bay 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon
Last, is a little treat box made with the Chalk Talk Framelits. So quick and easy to throw together, and just the right size to sneak into a lunch box or leave on a desk.

STAMP: Label Love  CARDSTOCK: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White  INK: Bermuda Bay  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Chalk Talk Framelits, Beautifully Baroque folder, Artisan Label Punch, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Bermuda Bay 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, White Baker's Twine

So, there you have it. Bermuda Bay is officially my new fave. It's right there at the top, along with about 20 others.

Next on the tour is Paula blog, where she is showcasing Smoky Slate. (Pssst, that's one of the 20 I just mentioned!) Just click on the pretty button below.
Now, if you prefer hopping backward (burns more calories that way), you can go back to Yapha by clicking the button below.

When you're finished hopping, be sure to stop by the Stampin' Addicts and see what's happening there. And don't miss the gallery - it's a veritable fountain of stamping inspiration!


Friday, June 7, 2013

New Catalog Open House & BOGO

Tomorrow is the day! It's my yearly Open House to showcase products from the new Stampin' Up! catalog. I've been having lots of fun designing the projects, and preparing samples for my stamping friends to take home!  The new In Colors are so yummy.... appropriately so, since they are named food names. (Well, except for Coastal Cabana, of course.)

Please excuse the picture quality - it was taken with my iPhone. :-)

The ladies will get a packet with 4" x 6" samples of each color/pattern in the new In Colors Designer Series Paper stack, as well as 4" x 6" samples of the In Color Core'dinations, plus a 6" piece of the Ruffle Stretch Trim.  That's 15 pieces of papery goodness - enough to make 15 cards, at least!

We're going to play with the new Magnetic Platform and new Framelits, make some fun projects, eat some tasty food, and then they can "shop" the retired products. For every dollar they spend on products from the new catalog, they can choose an equal amount of retired for FREE. Pretty sweet deal, right?

If you don't have a catalog, and would like one, please contact me through my Stampin' Up! website.

Have a fabulous weekend!




Thursday, June 6, 2013

Grab Your Greetings!


Did you know Stampin' Up is having a 25% off sale on selected greetings? This sale will run through June 30th!  It's the perfect add-on to your order, and the greetings are just too cool.

SASSY SALUTATIONS


PETITE PAIRS


SWEET ESSENTIALS

Here is the pricing. Contact me to place your order, and if you need a copy of the bright, shiny, new catalog, let me know and I'll include that, too!




Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Birthday Class


This is another of the cards we made in last Friday's birthday card class. And, I must say, it looks rather "classy", don't you agree?  I was inspired by a card on Pinterest (I think), and now I can't find it for the life of me, so if you see a similar card, please let me know who made it so I can give proper credit.
ETA: Found it on Splitcoast HERE

We used a retired stamp on the card, because it matched the Best of Flowers current stamp that was used inside:


It's kind of hard to see in the photo (click to enlarge), because it was stamped with Illuminate Glimmer Watermark ink, which gives the most subtle, shimmery effect. Just gorgeous in real life!

Stamps: Upsy Daisy (retired), Blooming With Kindness (greeting), Best of Flowers
Cardstock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Modern Medley DSP, Champagne Glimmer
Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black, So Saffron, Cajun Craze, Illuminate Glimmer
Accessories: Big Shot, Circle Nestabilities (because my Circle Framelits don't arrive until tomorrow), Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, 1" Circle Punch, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

Monday, June 3, 2013

Last Chance!


Just a friendly reminder - today is the last day to order from the retiring stamps and accessories lists! You don't want to miss out on it....trust me, I know from personal experience that kicking one's self in the as...um, rear end isn't fun.
From Millan.Net

You have until 11:50 PM Mountain time to order, so be sure to click HERE to get your "must haves"!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Simply Sweet Birthday


Last night we had a birthday card class and this is one of the cards we made. My mom and sister came, and since both are new stampers, I wanted to have at least one super simple card for them to get "warmed up" on. It's so sad that this stamp set will be gone forever in just two more days. It's Easy Events, and there's something for just about any occasion in there. When I first got the set, I separated the images from the greetings so they could be used in more combinations.

So, here are the stamps you'll get IF you order in the next couple of days! Or, if you wait, you can always pay more than original retail on "Flea-Bay". Just sayin'.


Stamp: Easy Events
Cardstock: Baked Brown Sugar, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Shimmery White
Ink: Early Espresso, Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar
Accessories: Big Shot, Houndstooth TIEF, 7/16" Natural Trim, Blender Pens