{Retiring} Just Believe

Sigh...I can't believe this set is retiring.  It's one of my very favorites, and I use it a LOT.  This is definitely one that I'll be hanging onto, because I love it so much (don't I say that about every set?  I really mean it about this one, though!)

And yes, I'm still using that clear block technique.  It's just so fun, and I've decided I like the sparkly look with these.  But this will be the last one for a while.  Although I'm going to give you a tip about this technique.  Because water or alcohol is used, the card stock tends to pucker or warp a bit.  You can see evidence of that along the bottom of this card.  So you'll want to use a liberal amount of adhesive on cards like these.  I highly recommend using something like sticky strip or multipurpose glue, as snail doesn't quite do the trick for card stock that's been spritzed.  If you use the glue, it wouldn't hurt to lay something heavy on top of it for a couple minutes just to be sure it dries nice and smooth. 

Stamps:  Just Believe (116948)
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake (126975), and Early Espresso (126974)
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Naturals White (102316)
Accessories:  Early Espresso Ribbon, Dazzling Details (124117), Stampin' Spritzer (126185), Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806), Clear Block E (118484)

More Sunshine

It's the week of clear block technique...are you so sick of seeing it yet?  This one is a different take on the rainbow card.  I used the markers in shades of yellow, and then stamped the Sunshine stamp on Daffodil Delight.  I spritzed both layers with the Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint and alcohol mixture.  And once again, it doesn't show up well in the picture, but it really does look neat in person.  Want to see?  I'd be happy to teach you how to do this...just give me a call!

Stamps:  Sunshine (132671)
Ink:  Daffodil Delight (119677), So Saffron (119700), and More Mustard (119701) Stampin' Write Markers, More Mustard Classic Ink Pad (126964)
Paper:  Daffodil Delight (119683), and Naturals White (102316) card stock
Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Heat Tool (129053), Clear Block E (118484), Stampin' Spritzer (126185), and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806)

Thoughts & Prayers

I seem to have a lot of cards featuring that fun clear block technique.  I hope no one minds...at least you'll get to see lots of variety using this technique!  For this one, I stamped the top half of the block with Baja Breeze (sniff, sniff, goodbye...) and the bottom half with Crumb Cake.  I just stamped with the pad right onto the block.  Then I spritzed it with a mixture of Champagne Shimmer Paint (again, sniff, sniff, farewell...) and alcohol.  It has such a light sparkle to it.  Unfortunately, it doesn't show up in the picture very well.  Trust me, it's gorgeous!  Then I simply stamped the flowers from Thoughts & Prayers in Early Espresso, and put just a dab of Dazzling Details on each flower.  Yes, more sparkle.  It's so pretty.  Yet another very simple card with lots of wow.  Have you tried this technique yet?

Stamps:  Thoughts & Prayers (113252)
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake (126975), and Early Espresso (126974)
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Naturals White (102316), and Crumb Cake (120953)
Accessories:  Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119959), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Big Shot (113439), Stampin' Spritzer (126185), Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806)

Retiring Lists are Here!

Today's a big day in the Stampin' Up! world.   The lists of retiring stamps and accessories were released today.  Go ahead, take a moment of silence for your favorite stamp sets that we'll be saying goodbye to, but then hurry up and order anything you see on those lists!  While the stamps will be available until June 3, the accessories (including wheels) are only available while supplies last.  And some things are already gone!  That's the bad news...the good news is that some things are discounted.   The fastest (and easiest) way to order is to click here and order online through my store.  But if you'd rather call or email me, that's fine too.


Click here to view Retiring Accessories

Click here to view Retiring Stamps

Clear Block Stamping

How amazing is this card?  I hope that doesn't sound arrogant, because I really can't take credit for this fabulous technique.  It's one of many that I learned last weekend in Baltimore.  All I did was color with my markers directly on a clear block, then spritz it with alcohol (water works, too, but will take longer to dry).  Then I pressed the wet block onto Naturals White card stock, letting it sit for a couple of minutes to absorb all the color.  And this amazing watercolor rainbow is the result!

This totally wowed my kids.  When I asked them if they wanted to try it, their eyes just about popped out of their heads.  They then went on to make all kinds of color combinations and made cards for all their friends that they were going to see that day.  I wish I had taken a picture, because they did a great job. 

For another spin on this technique, I made a sparkly rainbow.  Instead of spritzing just alcohol, I used alcohol mixed with shimmer paint, and it looks fabulous.  You might be able to see some of the shimmer in the picture below, but it's hard to capture.  But trust me, it looks great in person!

Stamps:  Sunshine (132671)
Ink:  Real Red, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, and Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Markers (Brights Collection 119702)
Paper:  Regal Rose (105130), Pretty in Pink (100459), Basic Black (121045), and Naturals White (102316) card stock
Accessories:  Stampin' Spritzer (126185), Champagne Shimmer Paint (116806), Clear Block E (118484)

Stampin' Up! Regional Projects (Part 3)

Here's the last project from last Saturday's Regional event in Baltimore.  Have I mentioned how much fun I had?  Oh, right, I did.  This one is my favorite.  It's taken me a while, but I'm finally on the Calypso Coral bandwagon, which is good, since it will be a new core color come June 1.  It's so pretty...bright and soft all at the same time.  And the look of it changes drastically depending on what other colors it's paired with (here with Pool Party and Gumball Green...never would have thought of that on my own!)  Now that's the mark of a truly versatile color!

This adorable little box was made using the Two Tags Die.  This thrills me to no end, because I happen to own that die and can make as many of this little boxes as my heart desires.  There are five little note cards tucked into the box, and that flag...easy to make using a toothpick!  As with the other two projects, this one uses Clockworks, as you can see on the note card.  But look closely, because I also stamped it on the flower.  I love this little box.  I'm not sure who I should give it to, but I'm thinking that it would make a perfect hostess gift.  If you'd like to be the recipient, give me a call and we'll schedule a workshop where you and all your friends can learn to stamp together.  And they will all be super jealous because I will give you this adorable box full of cute little cards. (And if you hate the box, but still want to schedule a workshop, you should still call me!)

Stampin' Up! Regional Projects (Part 2)

This notebook is another project we made on Saturday.  I did mine slightly different than the directions, which said to stamp off before stamping any of the images.  I went for a bit of a brighter look and did a mix of regularly stamped images and stamped off images (compare the clock at the top to the one on the bottom and you'll see the difference.) 

This was a really fun project to make, and while it's a bit bulky, I'm excited to use it.  It's pretty and quirky, and yet again, I was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out using the Clockworks stamp set.  My favorite part, though, its that flower.  I veered slightly from the directions on that, as well, when I divided my three punched flowers into six layers.  I love how the petals curl up!

Stampin' Up! Regional Projects (Part 1)

 This past weekend I attended one of Stampin' Up!'s Regional events in Baltimore.  Aside from the very early morning, it was a great time.  I love these Regionals, because it's one day of learning from the pros.  We get to see demonstrations from Stampin' Up! employees, plus local demonstrators.  We also get to stamp, which of course, is the best part.  This is one of the projects we made on Saturday.  This card uses the Clockworks stamps set.  That's not a set I've ever been interested in, but I actually enjoyed using it on our projects.  Which is yet another reason why I enjoy these events so much...they get me to use things I might not otherwise ever touch.

This card shows off the simple technique of stenciling with an ink pad and a sponge dauber.  We punched out circles from a piece of card stock.  I did mine in a straight line, others did theirs in a random pattern.  They both looked great.  Since the piece of card stock was slightly smaller than the piece we were stenciling on, we were able to make a bit of a border with the Gumball Green ink.  Stenciling gives a great texture to the card, and it's such an easy technique. 

New Wood Mount Storage Cases

Oh my goodness...I am SO excited by this news!  I've been stamping for 17 years and a person can accumulate a LOT of stamps in almost two decades.  My shelves are full, and those old clam shell cases make organization tricky.  While you may not know it by looking at my stamp desk (or even the rest of my house at the moment), I like order.  And these cases are going to make my shelves look so pretty.  The best part is the price...four of the larger ones for $6.95, or four of the smaller ones for $4.95!  I can't wait for the new catalog!

Button Buddies Banners

So now that the news of the Color Refresh has had some time to sink in, are you feeling sad about losing any of them?  I'm mostly excited about the new colors, but I'll definitely miss More Mustard.  That was one of my all time top three favorite colors, so that's a hard one for me.  But I was able to order some card stock and ink refill, so I'm all set.  And I know that as soon as I see all the new colors arranged in their new homes, I'll forget all about the colors we're losing (OK, except for More Mustard!)

But since we do have to say goodbye to some colors, I thought it would be a good idea to use them!  I have lots of Bashful Blue, which I honestly haven't used much recently (and apparently, neither has anyone else!)  It's great for baby cards, but that's generally all I use it for.  I remembered a few years ago there was a great Designer Series Paper package that used Bashful Blue, Real Red, and Old Olive.  And one of the prints had cherries on it.  It was a favorite of mine, and if truth be told, I still have a pack and a half in my stash.  So that was the inspiration for this card.  See, it's good for things other than baby cards!

Stamps:  Button Buddies (122735), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Ink:  Old Olive (126953)
Paper:  Bashful Blue (105120), Old Olive (100702), Real Red (102482), and Whisper White (100730) card stock, Polka Dot Parade DSP (126902)
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder (117335), 3/16" Corner Punch (119871), Brights Designer Buttons (119747) 

International Bazaar

I can't even tell you how much I love the colors in this card.  Anyone who knows me well knows that blue is my very favorite color, but that I also like green and brown (especially in my house.)  And they are all here, in one bright, cheery place!  I've always been drawn to this particular print in the International Bazaar Designer Series paper, but could never quite make it work.  I LOVE it on this card!  And I love all the little touches on this as well:  the embossed frame for the sentiment, the little buttons, ruffled ribbon, and the orange baker's twine.  Wait...orange baker's twine?!?  No, you didn't miss a new product...I dyed it!  I pulled out one of the accent colors (Tangerine Tango) from the DSP to dye it.  It just gives that little pop to pull the orange tone out.  The Daffodil Delight button does the same thing.  I love that there is a ton of color on this card, but the number of colors isn't overwhelming because there are really only three main colors used. 

Oh, don't forget...FREE SHIPPING ends today.  So if you like that Lucky Limeade ribbon (or any of the other retiring colors), today is the perfect time to place an order to stock up!

Stamps:  Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit (click here to subscribe)
Ink:  Pacific Point (126951)
Paper:  Naturals Ivory (101849), Pacific Point (111350), Lucky Limeade (122926) card stock, International Bazaar DSP (126920)
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Designer Frames Embossing Folders (123130), Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859), Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (122977)

FREE SHIPPING!

Today through Monday, Stampin' Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING on anything and everything!  Stock up on those retiring colors, items that have been on your wishlist forever, or something from the clearance rack.  Click here to visit my online store, or give me a call to take advantage of this very rare offer!

Paper Pumpkin

Have you signed up for Paper Pumpkin yet?  If not, look what you're missing out on!  I put this card together in just minutes, and look how cute it is!  This card was made using the Welcome Kit, which comes with everything shown here:

I love the stamps that come with this...I know I'll be using the "hey there friend" one a lot.  And that's one of the best things about Paper Pumpkin kits.  Not only do they come with everything you need to whip up whatever that month's project is, but there's a little something in there for you to keep and use again on your own projects.  I love that the creativity has been covered for you, and all you need to do is stamp and assemble.  But I also love that when I am feeling creative, I can pull out those stamps and use them.  A perfect combination!

If you'd like to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin, just click here.  Be sure to include my name as your demonstrator.  If you're feeling intimidated by the sign up process, give me a call and I'll walk you through it...it will only take a couple of minutes.  If you'd like to receive your kit this month, be sure to sign up by April 10th.  Otherwise, you'll miss out on the fun until next month.

Refresh Your Colors

 

Big news!  Stampin' Up! announced a color change today.  But don't freak out...this is a good thing.  While I'm sad about some of the colors we'll have to say goodbye to, I'm very excited about the fact that Stampin' Up! strives to keep things current and fresh.  And it really is time to mix things up a bit.  What excites me most that of the ten new colors, nine of them are former In-Colors.  So there's a good chance you already have some of them and will be excited to see them return...or stick around.  If you were lamenting that Wisteria Wonder, Island Indigo, Pool Party, and Calypso Coral would be going away this year, you will be super happy!  Because ALL FOUR of them are staying!  Hooray!  

This is such exciting news, but it's always nice to stock up on the colors that are leaving.  Starting today, they will be available as supplies last.  So better to act fast rather than wait.  Retiring color items such as ink, paper, and accessories (ribbon, brads, etc.) tend to sell out quickly.  However, if you'd like to wait two more days, there is more exciting news...

Stampin' Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING!!!!  I'm not sure this has ever happened before.  From April 6-8, everything qualifies for free shipping.  There are no minimum purchases required. 

If you'd like to order any of the retiring colors or anything else, give me a call or email me with your order.  Or, visit my online store to place the order yourself.

Beautiful Butterflies

This card...I made it for two challenges, then took so long posting it that I was too late to link to the challenges.  Oh well, at least I can still share it with you.  I really like how much dimension this card has.  The way I achieved that is by sponging ink on the edges of all the card stock pieces, including the big butterfly.  The butterflies were created using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit, which both cuts AND embosses the butterfly.  (I have several Embosslits, but this one is absolutely my favorite.) Each butterfly was given a body made out of pearls.  Oh, and the ribbon...I love that ruffled ribbon and the texture it gives to a card.

Stamps:  Just Believe (116948)
Ink:  Sahara Sand (126976), Calypso Coral (126983), Lucky Limeade (126985), and Pink Pirouette (126956)
Paper:  Sahara Sand (121043), Calypso Coral (122976), Lucky Limeade (122977), and Pink Pirouette (111351) card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Beautiful Wings Embosslit (118138), Honeycomb Embossing Folder (129378), Pearl Basic Jewels (119246), and Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (122977)

Friendly Phrases

I think Friendly Phrases might be my new favorite set.  Sentiment stamp sets aren't always that exciting, but they are so necessary.  I have tons of them, and I use them, but sadly most of my favorites are retired, and I needed a newer, more updated set.  And let me tell you, this is the one.  It's fun, it's versatile, and it's perfect for so many cards!

I'm also loving that cute little pinwheel Sizzlet.  The pinwheels are fairly easy to put together, and they are adorable!  If you don't have it, you NEED to get it!  (and I can help you do that...just call or email me!)

Stamps:  Friendly Phrases (126149)
Ink:  Island Indigo (126983)
Paper:  Tangerine Tango (111349), Island Indigo (122923), and Naturals White (102316) card stock, Summer Smooches DSP (125409)
Accessories: Pinwheel Sizzlits S Die (129411), Big Shot (113439), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874), 1-3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (126187), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Paper-Piercing Tool (126189), Brights Designer Buttons (119747), 3/16" Neutrals Brads (119736), Whisper White Baker's Twine (124262), Tangerine Tango 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon (124144)