Monday, May 23, 2016

2016 In Color Sneak Peek - The Elusive Blue Rose


According to news reports, in the past few years scientists have been able to splice a gene into a rose to make a "blue" rose. Well, call me cynical, but every picture I've seen of the so-called blue rose looks a whole lot like a lavender-colored rose. I saw no true BLUE roses in any of the photos. And anyway, genetically modified anything is a bad idea in my book.

So I set out to make my own true blue Dapper Denim rose.....no gene splicing needed! And *BONUS* I can guarantee that it will never wilt, draw pests, or mess with your own personal biology. After I spliced colored this rose, I colored up some more roses with the other In Colors. But not Emerald Envy, though. A green rose would look as odd as a truly blue one, wouldn't it?


Sorry, I'm too tired to do a detailed "how-to" for this card. I heat embossed the rose three times on watercolor paper with white embossing powder, colored them with an Aqua Painter, and fussy cut them. Popped layers on Dimensionals. Corrugated paper** is 4" x 5-1/4", cut with Oval** die (counting fifth from smallest). Sponged Mint Macaron on white card base, stamped with same (stamped off) using Timeless Textures. Punched detailed banner on Duet Banner* punch in Mint Macaron, plain banner in Whisper White. Stamped greeting in Dapper Denim* using Thoughtful Banners*.

** Retiring 5/31
* Available 6/1

Friday, May 20, 2016

Another Thank You


This is one of the In Color assortment I made to send to my stamping friends in appreciation for their continued support. Without them, I couldn't afford my addiction hobby! I'd probably have to go into a Two-Step stamping program, or something, so I am very, very grateful for them!

Speaking of Two-Step stamping, the cute little butterfly is part of the Garden in Bloom set, which has  two and three step stamping! Since it's completely clear photopolymer, it's easy to line up the steps.

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=139433&dbwsdemoid=2054459

Flirty Flamingo and Watermelon Wonder look great together, and really pop against the black background. I made 24 of these cards in about two hours. I'm thinking I should make about a dozen more to have on hand.
Smiley from Millan.Net
Here's the "How To"
Greeting panel: Very Vanilla 2" x 3-1/4"
Mat behind greeting: Flirty Flamingo 2-1/4" x 3-1/2"
DSP: Timeless Elegance 3-3/4" x 5"
Mat behind DSP: Flirty Flamingo 4" x 5-1/4"
Card Base: Very Vanilla 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" and folded
  1. Attach DSP to larger Flirty Flamingo mat and then to card base. 
  2. Stamp greeting and butterfly on Very Vanilla, the adhere to smaller Flirty Flamingo mat.
  3. Cut 2-1/2" Flirty Flamingo ribbon, fold and adhere behind greeting. Trim ends at an angle.
  4. Adhere to card base and add rhinestones.
See how quick and easy it is?

STAMPS: Garden in Bloom, Another Thank You**
CARDSTOCK: Very Vanilla, Flirty Flamingo*, Timeless Elegance DSP**
INK: Basic Black Archival, Watermelon Wonder, Flirty Flamingo*
ACCESSORIES: Flirty Flamingo 3/8" Ruched Ribbon*, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

* Available June 1st
** Retiring May 31st

Thursday, May 19, 2016

May Tour de Freaks, Things Old & New


Helloooo, and welcome back to the monthly Tour de Freaks! This month we are featuring things old and new. So while we may be saying goodbye to some old retiring favorites from the Stampin' Up! Occasions catalog and 2015 annual catalog, we are also welcoming new favorites from the 2016 annual catalog, which starts June 1st. If you started at the beginning of the hop, then you just landed here from Mary's Stamper Camper's Corner blog. I just love her stamping style! If you started here, just follow the links at the bottom of each post to see all nine stops on the hop.

I only have three cards to share this month, so I thought it would be fun for the first two to combine both old and new things! I used the Timeless Elegance DSP and Another Thank You stamp set, both of which are retiring at the end of this month. I paired them with NEW In Colors ink, ribbon, and cardstock. Dapper Denim with Marina Mist on the first one, and Sweet Sugarplum with Rich Razzleberry on the second. (Oh, and the butterfly is from Garden in Bloom, which is carrying over to the new catalog, yippee!!!)



For the last card, I just had to use some of the scrumptious new Pop of Pink Specialty DSP! Ohhh, I have so many ideas for this stuff! Keeping it simple let the DSP "shine!" (Get it? Teehee!) The new Duet Banner Punch and the returning Ballon Bouquet Punch made this a very quick and easy card!


That's all from me this time around. Check back tomorrow for another thank you card like the first two, with the "How To" included!

Now hop on over to Mindy's Bada-Bing! Paper-Crafting! blog and see what she's cooked up. Thanks for stopping by!

http://badabingcrafting.blogspot.com/2016/05/controlfreaksmay2016.html

Sunday, May 15, 2016

2016 In Color Sneak Peek


This is one of the cards we made yesterday in our stamp club. It was inspired by this card on Pinterest, posted by my stamping sister, Lyssa Zwolanek. I wanted to showcase the new Dapper Denim, so I changed it up a little bit. I'm very happy that the two stamp sets used on this card are carrying over to the annual catalog!

I've been playing around with the new In Colors, and I've found some really lovely coordinating colors! The first thing I noticed is how well Dapper Denim pairs with Marina Mist. Oh, it's a match made in heaven, for sure!

That got me to thinking about what else pairs with the new In Colors. I already knew Flirty Flamingo and Watermelon Wonder go together like peas and carrots, but what about the other colors? So I grabbed some cardstock and started comparing, and this is what I came up with:
  • Dapper Denim and Marina Mist
  • Flirty Flamingo and Watermelon Wonder
  • Peekaboo Peach and Pumpkin Pie
  • Sweet Suagrplum and Rich Razzleberry
  • Emerald Envy and Mint Macaron

I'm sure there will be others that are discovered as time goes on, but these ones are a sure hit in my craft room right now!

Here's the "How To"
Image panel: Whisper White 2-1/4" x 3-3/4"
Mat: Dapper Denim 2-1/2" x 4"
DSP: Marina Mist from Subtles DSP Stack
Card base: Dapper Denim 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" and folded
  1. Adhere DSP to card base.
  2. Cut Tea Lace Doily in half and adhere to left side of card base.
  3. Stamp leaves and flowers from Number of Years near top of Whisper White, and greeting from Suite Sayings near bottom.
  4. Cut 3-1/4" of Dapper Denim Ruched Ribbon and wrap around image panel, adhering to back with adhesive.
  5. Fasten image panel to Dapper Denim mat.
  6. Use Stampin' Dimensionals to affix matted image to card base over doily.
  7. Tie a small bow and attach with a Glue Dot.
STAMPS: Number of Years, Suite Sayings
CARDSTOCK: Dapper Denim*, Whisper White, Marina Mist DSP
INK: Dapper Denim*, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi
ACCESSORIES: Dapper Denim 3/8" Ruched Ribbon*, Tea Lace Paper Doilies (retiring 5/31), Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots
*Available June 1st 

Friday, May 13, 2016

Stampin' Up! In Colors for 2016-2018


I've been busy this week making the bookmark samplers that will be included with every catalog I send out. I have started shipping some of the catalogs, but there will be a slight delay with a few. Unfortunately, UPS had an oops (see what I did there?) with a box, and the catalogs arrived with crunched corners. Oh, the humanity! Stampin' Up! is awesome, though, and is sending out a replacement, which should arrive by next Friday.

Smiley from Millan.Net


So if you've ordered from me in the past year, check your mailbox in the next 1-2 weeks! If you haven't ordered from me, and would like a catalog and In Color book mark sampler, ask me how you can get one.

Every year, when Stampin' Up! announces their new In Colors, I'm both excited and apprehensive at the same time. Excited, because I know there will be at least two or three colors that I really like, but also apprehensive, because there have been some.....well, let's just say I never really took a fancy to them. (Baby poop Summer Starfruit, anyone?)

This year I hit the jackpot; I love all the new colors!!! The colors in the top photo really don't do them justice. They are much more vibrant. You have to see them in person!

My favorites of the bunch right now are Dapper Denim and Sweet Sugarplum. I didn't think I'd like Flirty Flamingo much, but when I saw it with my own two eyes, I was hooked! And I just know that when the Holiday catalog comes out in August, that Emerald Envy is going to play a prominent role in the Christmas DSP, and Peekaboo Peach in the Autumn DSP. Anyone want to take that bet?

And, I also know that as time progresses, my favorites will change. That always happens! This month it's Dapper Denim; next month it'll probably be Flirty Flamingo. If you pay attention, you'll be able to tell by the colors in my cards, lol.


Thursday, May 12, 2016

Catalog Sneak Peek Again!


Here's a peek at another stamp set from the new catalog, called Sitting Here. This is a great versatile set....I can see changing out the greeting and using it for birthdays, thank you, or like I did here for sympathy for losing a pet.

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=141589&dbwsdemoid=2054459
I had to laugh when I saw the pet bed/basket. Neither of my fur babies would use it. The cat might sit in it for a minute just to check it out, but then he'd hop up on me sitting in the chair. They think they're people, and belong right up there on the chair or couch with us. Spoiled much? Nah!

 Smiley from Millan.Net
Smiley from Millan.Net

Here's the "How To"
Image panel: Whisper White 3-15/16" x 5-3/16"
Mat: Basic Gray 4-1/8" x 5-3/8"
Card base: Smoky Slate 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" and folded
Scraps of Whisper White for pet and pillows
Scraps of Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, and Watermelon Wonder for punched flowers
  1. Stamp swing, bird, and greeting on Whisper White panel. Stamp pet and pillows on Whisper White scraps. Color as desired.
  2. Cut out pillows and pet and arrange on swing. Stick 'em in place with Multipurpose Glue.
  3. Stamp leaves and branches on upper right.
  4. Adhere image panel to Basic Gray mat, then fasten both to card base.
  5. Stamp flower centers on colored cardstock and punch out with flower punches.
  6. Arrange and glue flowers in place. Use Stampin' Dimensionals on one or two to add depth.
STAMPS: Sitting Here*, Love & Affection* (flower centers), Petite Pairs (greeting, retiring 5/31)
CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo*, Watermelon Wonder
INK: Basic Black Archival, Watermelon Wonder, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Pool Party, and Flirty Flamingo*, plus Dapper Denim*, Flirty Flamingo*, Sweet Sugarplum*, Peekaboo Peach*, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, and Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Markers
ACCESSORIES: Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Petite Petals Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (retiring 5/31)
*Available June 1st 

Friday, May 6, 2016

New Catalog Sneak Peek!


The pre-order goodies from the new annual catalog arrived yesterday, and I got to work playing with the new "toys!" Oh, I am so in love with the new In Colors!

This is one of the hostess stamp sets, called Gift of Love. It's a three-step photopolymer stamp set which makes it easy to line up the stamps as you go through the steps. I was in a hurry and could have done a better job, but I wanted to finish this card and get it in the mail.....and then play with more goodies!

This was also an opportunity for me to try the new Foam Adhesive Strips to make this a shaker card. It was so easy!!! I see a lot of shaker cards in my immediate future. Note to self: Need more "filler" for shaker cards! The foam strips are 1/8" wide by 9" long, and are 1/8" thick. That's about the thickness of two Stampin' Dimensionals stacked.

The new In Color 3/8" Ruched (pronounced roosht) Ribbons are to die for! They're soft and flexible and make the prettiest bows. But they also have enough visual interest from the ruching to be used just as-is!

Here's the "How To"
Embossed panel: Whisper White Thick 4" x 5-1/4"
Card base: Whisper White Thick 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" and folded
Window Sheet 3" x 4"
  1. Stamp image toward left side of card base. Stamp greeting just to the right of the image.
  2. Cut oval in 4" x 5-1/4" panel using Big Shot and Oval Framelit.
  3. Emboss oval die cut panel with Perfect Polka Dots folder.
  4. Adhere window sheet behind oval cut-out.
  5. Cut 5-1/2" of ribbon and wrap around panel at bottom of oval, fastening ends to the back with glue dots. Make a bow and fasten to front on top of ribbon with a glue dot.
  6. On back side, add Foam Adhesive Strip around oval, and around edges of panel. Note: cut tiny nips into foam strip to allow for curvature of oval.
  7. Place a small pile of sequins on top of image, remove backer paper from foam strips and carefully position panel over card base. Gently press down to make sure foam is well adhered to card base, being careful not to crush the embossing!

 STAMPS: Gift of Love (available June 1st), Petite Pairs (retiring May 31st)
CARDSTOCK: Whisper White Thick
INK: Basic Black Archival, Smoky Slate, Flirty Flamingo (available June 1st), Wild Wasabi
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Ovals Framelits Dies (retiring May 31st), Perfect Polka Dots folder (ret.), Window Sheets, Foam Adhesive Strips (available June 1st), Glue Dots, Flirty Flamingo 3/8" Ruched Ribbon (available June 1st)

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Mother's Day One Percent


I love Stampin' Up! products, and 99% of the time that's all I use. But sometimes I stray and commit what my friend JanTink calls "rubbadultery." This is one of those times. This is the one percent.

I was just dying to play with a Penny Black stamp I ordered last month, and with Mother's Day right round the corner I figured this was the perfect opportunity. Mom had just been here visiting a couple weeks ago, and we colored a bunch of dog and cat images for me to use on some cards that will be donated to our local animal shelter. The coloring got me going with my Copic markers again, and that is what I used to color the flowers for this card. Thanks, Mom!

Here's the "How To"
Image panel: Whisper White 3" x 4"
Mat behind image: Watermelon Wonder 3-1/4" x 4-1/4"
DSP: Everyday Chic 4" x 5-1/4" and 2-1/4" x 4"
Card base: Watermelon Wonder 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" and folded
  1. Stamp flowers on Whisper White and color with your choice of coloring media. (Copics used are noted below.) Use a mask over the larger blooms (cut from a sticky note) when stamping the smaller flowers.
  2. Adhere image to Watermelon Wonder mat.
  3. Adhere smaller DSP panel to bottom of larger DSP panel, then adhere both to card base.
  4. Use Tear & Tape adhesive to fasten lace behind bottom of image and trim edges even with mat.
  5. Adhere image to card base with Stampin' Dimensionals.
  6. Add Pearls Basic Jewels to centers of smaller flowers.
STAMPS: Blooming Garden (from Penny Black), Crazy About You (greeting)
CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Watermelon Wonder, Everyday Chic DSP
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics R08, R24, R46, Y19, Y35, YR09, YG17, YG67, YG99, E99, W3
ACCESSORIES: Watermelon Wonder Dotted Lace Trim, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Tear & Tape adhesive