Wednesday, October 25, 2017

No Mo Mojo


I don't know what happened, but my creative mojo has completely vanished. One minute I was humming along, ideas popping all over the place, and then WHAM! - I hit a brick wall. I don't know if it's because this is post number 203 for this year, and last year I had 176 posts for the entire year. Maybe I used up all my ideas for the year? Do we get a set amount on New Year's Day? If so, I need to up my quota for next year!


Sometimes it helps knock things loose if I break the routine and play with some "contraband", also know as SOB (Some Other Brand). And that's what I did here. Gina K. Designs just released a new stamp and die set called Merry & Bright. Well, you can tell by the name that it's holiday-themed, and it is awesome! If I counted correctly, it's a 35 piece stamp set with a coordinating 23 piece die set.


Anyway, this was the first thing I came up with, and I actually have ideas for more! See? Sometimes you just need something new to shake up those neurons in the old brain!

Monday, October 23, 2017

Popular Paper Pumpkin


This month's Paper Pumpkin kit was so popular that Stampin' Up! is not going to have refills available. BUT......you CAN get the whole kit starting today (while supplies last) if you are a subscriber, or become one!  They will be available starting at 2:00 PM Mountain time today.

UPDATE: The kits sold out in 30 minutes!

The great thing is, not only will you get this adorable kit that makes ten full-size cards, but as a subscriber, you will also get the coordinating kit in November! It's the first time Stampin' Up! has ever done that!


Shaker cards are hot right now, and this kit makes it so easy to make a bunch in a jiffy. The white shaker fronts even have embossed texture for added interest!


If you want this kit, you must become a subscriber first (there are options), and then order this month's kit. Because it is after the cut off date for automatic shipment, it won't be sent like subsequent months will be.

I hope you will consider joining. It's a lot of fun getting the monthly "surprise" in the mail, and you can suspend or cancel at any time.


Here's a short video from Stampin' Up! about this month's kit:


Sunday, October 15, 2017

Stamp Review Crew - Spooky Cat


Welcome to the Stamp Review Crew blog hop! The Stamp Review Crew is an international group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators who get together on the first and third Mondays of the month to inspire you with a featured stamp set, and this time we are featuring Spooky Cat!

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=144749&dbwsdemoid=2054459

You probably just landed here from Mike's blog, Stampin'-Style. Weren't his projects awesome?! To continue the hop (forward or backward) just click the links at the bottom of each post.

One of the (very few) things I miss since moving to our farm, is the little ones coming to our door Trick or Treating, because now I don't have an excuse to buy too much candy, haha. So, I can make up for it by giving my friends a little treat instead! Some candy corn is always nice, but I think the pillow box could hold a few Hershey's Nuggets, too. I just didn't have any. *sad face*


The box was made with the Trim Your Stocking Thinlits die and some Window Sheet. The tag uses greetings from the stamp set, along with Spooky Night Designer Series Paper and some embellishments.


While the main focus of this set is Halloween, I wanted to show a way that it could be also used for other occasions, so up next is a Valentine! I thought the owl looked so sweet, not spooky at all, so he's hanging out on a branch to serenade you.


The greeting was stamped using the Labeler Alphabet set, which is soooo handy for custom greetings!


That's all the fun stuff I have to share today. Up next is Betty, over at Kitty Stamp. Gee, I wonder which stamp she's going to focus on? LOL!

http://stampin-style.typepad.com/stampin-style/2017/10/stamp-review-crew-spooky-cat.html https://kittystamp.blogspot.com/2017/10/stamp-review-crew-spooky-cat-edition.html

Friday, October 13, 2017

Inky Friends Inking Up the Season


Welcome to another fun blog hop from the Inky Friends! Our theme this time is Inking Up the Season, and each participant chose a set from the Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog. My choice was the Christmas Quilt Suite, which has so many fun elements!

You may be starting here on my blog, or maybe you have landed here from Sharleen's blog, Stamp With Shar. Either way, just click the links at the bottom to move forward or backward on the tour.

For my first card, I chose the traditional red and green Christmas colors and a simple star quilt block.  I love the patterns in the Quilted Christmas DSP pack - it's so easy to "build" a quilt with it! If you look closely, you can see the stitching in the diamond shapes created by one of the dies in the Quilt Builder Framelits.



My next card is a cute CAS winter scene which uses the DSP again, as well as the fun Stitched Felt Embellishments. All I had to do was cut out some of the trees from the DSP and add some snow. The Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper makes great snow (and stars)!



Well, that's all from me today. Up next is Shelley, showcasing Wise Men From Afar!

https://missmadstamper.blogspot.com/2017/10/inky-friends-inking-up-season-wise-men.html

https://stampwithshar.com/?p=1270



Saturday, October 7, 2017

Happy World Card Making Day!

Merry Mistletoe, Stampin' Up!, Christmas Card, Hand Stamped

The first Saturday in October has been designated World Card Making Day, and Stampin' Up! has some specials going through October 10th to celebrate. One of them is is this stamp set, called Merry Mistletoe, for 15% off. There are others, as well, so be sure to click the WCMD graphic to see them all!


Merry Mistletoe (available in wood- or clear-mount options) coordinates with the Be Merry Designer Series Paper that happens to be part of the Buy Three Get One Free DSP sale.

http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/Promotions/NA/2017/World%20Card%20Making%20Day/WCMD_DEMO-Flyer_US.pdf

The little tree image was so cute that I decided to make my own background by stamping it in VersaMark ink on the Tranquil Tide card base.

Merry Mistletoe, Stampin' Up!, Christmas Card, Hand Stamped

A few strips of Year of Cheer Specialty Washi Tape added enough shine to go with the copper embossed greeting. All in all, a quick, cute, CAS card!

Merry Mistletoe, Stampin' Up!, Christmas Card, Hand Stamped

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Thursday, October 5, 2017

Merry Patterns CAS

Merry Patterns, Stampin' Up!, Christmas card, CAS

Posting on a day that starts with T, to make up for not posting on the day that started with M. *grin*

I was itching to get my hands on the special promo host stamp set called Merry Patterns, but I had to wait until this month. It was killing me!!!  Merry Patterns is a lovely two-step photopolymer set with a deer (and sweater, LOL!), a grouping of candles, a pine bough, and several greetings.  It's perfect for quick Christmas cards.


Instead of the multiple step stamping of the candles, I chose to color the candles with the Stampin' Blends because, well....coloring! After stamping the candles in Smoky Slate, I used the light and dark shades of Pool Party and Bermuda Bay, with some Daffodil Delight for the flames. I don't think it shows well in the picture, but some So Saffron was lightly sponged around the flames to give them a glow. The pine branches were stamped in Garden Green.

Merry Patterns, Stampin' Up!, Christmas card, CAS

Doesn't that Tranquil Tide Bitty Bow coordinate perfectly?! I wanted to add some bling, but the gold/silver metallic ribbons didn't look right with the felt bow, and scattering sequins didn't really
look right, either. Dazzling Diamond Glimmer Paper to the rescue!

Merry Patterns, Stampin' Up!, Christmas card, CAS

If you want the Merry Patterns stamp set, just place a qualifying order, or host a party (it can be a catalog party, even!) before the promotion ends on October 31st. Contact me if you'd like more details!

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