The Stamp Review Crew: Colorful Seasons Edition

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It’s time for another round of inspiration from The Stamp Review Crew.  If this is your very first visit to one of our hops, we are a group of international Stampin’ Up! demonstrators whose mission is to do a blog hop on the first and third Mondays of each month. Our hops are unique because each of us features the same stamp set used in a variety of ways. This week we are featuring the fabulous Colorful Seasons stamp set. I am Stop #1 on the hop. You may have just left Stop #15, the amazing Natalie Lapakko! After visiting me, you will continue to Stop #2, the ever-so-talented Heidi Baks, who always blows me away with her talent.  Enjoy today’s hop and my trio of cards!

Colorful Seasons Fall in Faux Silk

Colorful Seasons FallFor my first card today, I decided to showcase the fall splendor of Colorful Seasons by using my favorite trio of autumnal colors: Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry.  These were accented with the warmth and elegance of Copper Foil.

Sometimes when I sit down to make a card, I forget about the arsenal of techniques we have at our disposal.  Does this ever happen to you? Luckily for me, I remembered a texture-rich technique I used to use several years ago when designing fall cards. It’s the “faux silk technique”, and it is as easy as 1-2-3.

Close up of Faux Silk

You will need a wet adhesive, such as Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, card stock, and a piece of ordinary tissue paper.

  1.  Spread a thin layer of glue onto Very Vanilla card stock. Smooth using a sponge brush. No sponge brush? That’s alright! You can use a piece of scrap card stock, or even your fingers!
  2. Crumple up your piece of tissue paper, then smooth it out.
  3. Place the “crumpled-up-smoothed out” tissue paper on top of the card stock adhere, and stamp away.

Close up of Copper Foil Leaf

Two Copper Foil leaves were created with the coordinating Seasonal Layers Thinlits. New 1/4″ Copper Trim (spread out), and a bit of Copper Thread add to the delicious texture!  Speckles were created with the Touches of Texture set and Crumb Cake ink.  Pearls provide the perfect accent.

Colorful Seasons Fall card

Colorful Seasons Faux Watercolored Winter

Seasonal Layers Winter Card

Pounce!  The background for this card was created using baby wipes and inks.  I simply scrunched up a baby wipe, inked it up on my ink pad, and pounced around on the surface of the paper. I used Soft Sky, Smoky Slate, and Blushing Bride inks. Next, I added VersaMark Snowflakes and heat embossed them with Silver Stampin’ Emboss Powder.

Silver Foil snowflakes, punched out with the Seasonal Layers Thinlits and popped up on dimensionals, add depth to the card.

Close up of Seasonal Colors snowflakes

Icy sparkle is added in a number of ways, including new Silver Mini Sequins and 3/8″ Metallic-Edge Ribbon in Silver and Whisper White.

Close up of ribbon trim

Although I tend to be a “fall, pearl, warm color” kind of gal, I do love the wintery mix of colors and bling on this winter card.

Colorful Seasons Berry Burst Spring

Seasonal Colors Spring card

The “Spring” card was created earlier, but I wanted to include it here in order to demonstrate the versatility of this set. More details can be found on the original post, HERE.

Close Up of Flowers

I hope you enjoyed today’s cards made with this versatile set.  Won’t you let me know in your  comment today?  Of course, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Now hop along to Stop #2, Heidi Baks!  I guarantee you will not be disappointed with what she has in store for you!  If you get lost along the way, you can find a list of all the hoppers at The Stamp Review Crew.  Until next time…

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Price: $110.00

2017-2018 Annual Catalog Is Live

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2017 - 2018 Annual Catalog Cover2017-2018 Annual Catalog – Click Here to view the new catalog

If you do not currently have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and would like your own paper copy of the 2017-2018 Annual Catalog, please email me at [email protected] OR [email protected] I will send you your very own copy!

Ready for More Rewards?

From now until June 30th, if you place an order of $350 or more, you will get $35 MORE in FREE STAMPIN’ REWARDS!   This Bonus applies to individual online orders, customer orders that I place for you, and workshop orders.

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Oh My Stars…A Treat for My June Customers

Close up of textured background

Customers who place a product order of $50 or more (before shipping and tax) in my on-line store using my HOST CODE  2UP9UAE2, will receive the NEW Oh My Stars Textured Impressions Embossing Folder FREE! This offer is only available for orders placed through my on-line store using the host code from June 1 through June 29th.   Your embossing folder will be mailed to you in mid-July.

PLEASE REMEMBER!  If your order is $150 or more (before shipping and tax), you should NOT enter the code.  I will automatically send you the Oh My Stars folder AND you will receive your own host rewards!

An easy way to reach $50 is with the Daisy Delight Bundle, with coordinating papers!  CLICK HERE to see my Daisy card with tutorial!

Stay tuned for my picks from the Annual Catalog.  I can’t wait to share those items which make my heart go pitter-pat!  And remember,  if you ever have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

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Quick Friendship Card for The Paper Players

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Hooray! Today I found time to play with my friends at The Paper Players! The talented Nance is challenging us to create a clean and simple project featuring butterflies! This time I truly kept it clean and simple while creating this quick friendship card. Enjoy!

Quick friendship card made with Lovely Friends

Badge for PP345

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips
When folded, this card measures 4-1/4″ wide x 5-1/2″ tall.

This quick friendship card is so easy!  I simply stamped the saying from Lovely Friends in Basic Black Archival Ink onto Whisper White cardstock.  This was layered onto Cajun Craze and Basic Black cardstock before adhering it to the card base

Quick friendship card - Lovely Friends

If anything on this quick friendship card wasn’t so quick, it was snipping out the butterflies.  But even then, it really didn’t take that long.  These critters are from the In This World stamp set. They were colored using  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Basic Gray Watercolor Pencils.  After coloring with the pencils, I used Blender Pens to activate the colors.  If you look very closely, you can see the shimmer from the Clear Wink of Stella which was applied on the edges of the wings.

Quick friendship card close-up of butterfly

The smaller butterfly is actually the same image as the larger one.  I simply snipped off the outer margin of the wings.  It was colored in exactly the same way. Although it does not show up in this picture, Clear Wink of Stella imparts a subtle shimmer to the body.  The butterflies are the perfect finishing touch.

Quick friendship card close-up of smaller butterfly

Clean and simple cards are always a challenge to me.  I usually don’t know when to stop adding things.  With the Lovely Friends stamp set and it’s bold graphic sentiments, there really isn’t a lot of space left to “pile on”.  This makes it the perfect set for me when I need a card in a jiffy!

I hope you enjoyed this quick friendship card as much as I enjoyed as making it.  As always, if you ever have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

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Retiring Stamp Sets Spotlight

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I am such a softie.  Sad movies can start the waterworks flowing.  Even commercials can make me weepy. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I have been known to shed a tear over retiring stamp sets.  During  these final days of May, I want to revisit some of my favorite retiring stamp sets from the 2016 – 2017 Annual Catalog, while there is still time for you to purchase them. Today, the spotlight is on Traveler (134510 W, 134513 C).  These cards allow you to see the versatility of this set. Now keep in mind, many of these cards date back to 2014, and feature products which have since retired.  But let your creativity soar…and envision them updated with fresh products!

Traveler Train Card retiring stamp sets This card was created for my husband to celebrate his retirement from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail Road.  He still has it, tucked away safely in the top drawer of his dresser.  You may recognize the trees, which are from one of my all-time favorite sets, Lovely As a Tree (128655 W, 127793 C).  Lovely As a Tree was one of the sets in my Starter Kit when I became a demonstrator.  I’ve often jokingly said, when Lovely As a Tree retires, so will I.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (128748 W, 127802 C). It is still available, too.

traveler train retiring stamp setsMy poor husband probably grew tired of train cards. He received one for his birthday.

traveler banded card retiring stamp setsInside of Banded CardAnd my son, Brady, probably grew tired of me inspiring him to “Live the Life You Imagined”, which was my favorite sentiment from the now retired set, Really Good Greetings.  They were indeed really good greetings, and oh how I wish I had never sold that set. Yep, I have “seller’s remorse”.

Traveler card 4 retiring stamp sets

Brady was the recipient of this card, too.  He and his father learned long ago to put up with my obsession for pearls, even on masculine cards.

These last three cards were part of the June 2014 Lesson of the Month Club.  Many of you who still follow me today were part of my lessons of the month.  CLICK HERE if you would like to see what my “students” experienced as a part of their lessons.

Today was not a great day for Brody.  This evening, he started drooling excessively.  Of course, you know me.  Off to the Internet I raced.  Of course, I found information which noted excessive drooling as an indicator of horrible things, like kidney failure.  This was not what I wanted to read.  I was just innocently hoping that maybe he had found a toad in the yard.  I also checked his mouth to see if he had been injured.  I looked for signs of a sting or bite, and thought I noticed a slight swelling on his lip.   Hedging my bets that he had been engaging in a rousing game of “Bite the Bee” (I found two dead bumblebees on the back porch),  I gave him Benedryl.  The drooling has stopped, and he is sleeping soundly while I type away!

He did have a great time on the grooming table this afternoon, however. He played “Kiss Mom”:

Brody kissing Mom

Brody kissing Mom 2

I played “Kiss Brody”:

And we both enjoyed a hug!

Brody hugI hope you enjoyed today’s spotlight on Traveler.  It’s a wonderful masculine set….but it is only available through this month.  As always, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Until next time…

Note: For information about my annual catalog product shares, CLICK HERE.  Space is limited this year, and only a few spots remain.
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Cute Friendship Card – Crafting Forever

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Sometimes you need a cute friendship card for that one special friend.  You know…a card which can be used to celebrate the relationship that exists between the two of you.  Today’s card is all that with just enough detail to make it special.  Enjoy!

Cute friendship card

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips
This finished card measures 5-1/2″ wide x 4-1/4″ tall.

Color those “cutters” with Blender Pens and ink! After stamping the scissors image using Archival Basic Black ink, I colored the handles Real Red, the blades Smoky Slate, and outlined the entire image with Soft Sky…all using a Blender Pen. A few speckles were added using a stamp from the Touches of Texture set.  For a touch of glitz, I used Clear Wink of Stella and a single rhinestone.

cute friendship card scissors close-up

Be selective…when it comes to inking your sentiments.  I used Basic Black and Real Red Stampin’ Write Markers to ink this one.  A Stitched Shape Oval was used to punch it out.  A simple Real Red Enamel Heart was used to emphasize how special this friendship truly is.

In keeping with the special touches, a Night of Navy banner was embossed with the Oh My Stars Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. It coordinates perfectly with the adorable printed paper from the Delightful Daisy Designer Series Paper collection.

This card was designed for my good friend, Gena.  The scissors are very appropriate since Gena cuts and sews Jackie the Boxer’s “cool coats”. Cool coats are made from Spandex and lined with a chamois material.  They are called cool coats because they are soaked in cold water, wrung out, and then placed on the dogs to keep them cool.  Because Boxers are sensitive to heat, they are the perfect candidates for wearing them.  Here is Jackie modeling one of Gena’s creations at the American Boxer Club National Specialty dog show.

Jackie in Cool Coat
I hope you enjoyed today’s cute friendship card.  If you would like to measurements and step-by-step directions, please CLICK HERE for a link to the tutorial.  To find the links to my latest three free card tutorials, CLICK HERE.

Cute friendship card close up

Of course, if you ever have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Until next time…

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Price: $110.00

Easy Thank You Card with Daisy Delight

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Comments: 10

When you give a handmade card, you give a little piece of yourself.  So what better way to say thank you than by giving someone a handmade card…especially when it is an easy thank you card made with the new Daisy Delight stamp set, available June 1st.

Easy Thank You Card

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips
This finished card measures 5-1/2″ wide x 4-1/4″ high when folded.

The new Daisy Punch makes it so easy to create a flower in no time! The Daisy image was inked in Crushed Curry and stamped onto Whisper White cardstock twice. The images were then punched out and layered on top of each other. The center was stamped in Basic Black and Crushed Curry inks, and punched out with 1/2″ Circle Punch. How easy is that!

Close up of Daisy on easy thank you cardThe Leaf image was stamped in Old Olive which had been stamped off once, in order to lighten the hue.  The detail stamp was used “full strength”.  Now to be perfectly honest, I did fussy cut the leaves, but they are easy to snip out.

Close Up of leaves on easy thank you card

Clean and simple backgrounds are easy to create using textured impressions embossing folders.  This folder is Oh My Stars, which is available in the new catalog. Don’t you love it!

Close up of textured background on easy thank you cardI love the script “Thank You” sentiment which comes in the Daisy Delight set.  It’s a beautiful font, which adds a touch of elegance.

sentiment on easy thank you cardI hope you enjoyed today’s card.  If you would like the complete step-by-step instructions on how to complete your own easy Thank You card, please CLICK HERE for the free tutorial.

I leave you today with the view below my desk. Jackie is such a great helper, even if sometimes he is just keeping me company.  There is such comfort in the unconditional love of a dog…

Mom's Helper

As always, if you ever have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time…

Note:  There are still openings in my Annual Catalog Shares program.  CLICK HERE for details!
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An Easy WOW Card, Shares, and Boxer News

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Comments: 26

Who doesn’t like an easy WOW card? I know I do, and this one fills the bill perfectly.  Now keep in mind, easy does not mean it won’t take time.  But I think you’ll agree, the time it takes to create this card using new In Colors, the new Colorful Seasons stamp set, and the new Seasonal Layers thinlits is worth it!

Easy WOW card

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips
This finished card measures 5-1/2″ wide x 4-1/4″ tall when folded.

The Berry Burst Color Theory Designer Paper does all the work on this card.  Just add the sentiment and let the crackled background do all the work!

Close up of sentimentBoth stamped and die cut blossoms adorn this card.  The stamped ones were created by inking the image with Berry Burst ink, then stamping off once.  The Powder Pink cardstock die cuts were inked on the edges with Berry Burst ink using a Sponge Dauber. Of course, how could I resist adding pearls and rhinestones to this WOW card?

Close Up of Flowers

To add texture,  a simple bow crafted from 1/2″  Berry Burst Finely Woven ribbon was added.

Close up of bow

Here is one more look at the finished card! If you would like step-by-step details on how to make this WOW card, including cutting dimensions, just CLICK HERE for your FREE tutorial.

Close up of flowers

This card was created for a friend of mine who is going through some troubling times. In fact, it is heading out in the mail today.  But as I sat down and created it yesterday, I thought how this card applies to me, too.  I finally have some time to “Just Breathe”.

The American Boxer Club National Specialty has come and gone, and Jackie had a fabulous show.  At the Awards Banquet, Jackie won the award for the most Bred By Exhibitor Wins in the United States.  He then went on to defeat several Top Twenty boxers, including his sire, before eventually being eliminated.

Jackie's Select Dog JeffersonI have said my good-by to Kendall the puppy, who is now with her co-owner in Canada.  She leaves a happy, healthy, well socialized little girl. The plan is that she will rejoin me in a year to pursue her American title.  Until then, I will watch her grow up from afar.

Kendall's Good By Photo

And I am enjoying every day I have left with Brody, who was diagnosed this spring with bladder cancer. His eyes are still bright and shiny, he is still playful, and he is tolerating his medication well.  Other than wondering why the tears flow as I hold him close at night, he does not know there is anything wrong.  We continue to create memories…

Brody May 2017And so time goes on.  For now, I am breathing and finding time to create once again.  As always, if you have any questions about the cards I create, or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Until next time…

Note:  Only a few spots remain in my Annual Catalog Shares program.  CLICK HERE for details!
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The Stamp Review Crew: Cool Treats Edition

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Cool Treats Banner

It’s time for another round of inspiration from The Stamp Review Crew.  If this is your very first visit to one of our hops, we are a group of international Stampin’ Up! demonstrators whose mission is to do a blog hop on the first and third Mondays of each month. Our hops are unique because each of us features the same stamp set. This week we are featuring the adorable Cool Treats stamp set. I am Stop #4 on the hop. You may have just left Stop #3, the always amazing Martha Inchley! After visiting me, you will continue to Stop #5, the ever-so-talented Kelly Kent, who always blows me away with her talent.  Enjoy today’s hop!

Cool Treats Birthday Card

As you can probably tell from the design, this card is a double flap fold card.  I wanted to do something different, and I rarely do fancy folds.  I’m not certain why, because most fancy fold cards are not difficult to create. One can usually find excellent video tutorials, explaining the “how-to’s”.  In the case of a double flap fold card, it is essentially a card base with two flaps, as you can see in the following photos:

Flap one of double flap fold cool treats card

The larger flap was constructed from a piece of Crumb Cake card stock  3-7/8″ wide x 3-3/8″ tall. It was scored at 1/2″ to form a fold which was adhered to the back of the Ice Cream Cones Frosty Treats Specialty Designer Series Paper.  It was covered on both sides with Pool Party Checked Frosty Treats Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Flap two of double flap fold cool treats card

The second Crumb Cake flap,  3″ x 2-7/8″, was once again scored at 1/2″ to form a fold and adhered in the same manner as the first flap. It was covered on both sides with the Pear Pizzazz Polka Dot pattern from the Frosty Treats Specialty Designer Series Paper collection.

Double Flap Fold card showing flaps closed

A Crumb Cake waffle cone, filled with Sweet Sugarplum, Peekaboo Peach, Pear Pizzazz and Pool Party scoops of sherbet, sits atop a Stitched Oval framelit which had been covered with Crumb Cake Waffle Cone Frosty Treats paper.

Close up of glitter and sprinkles

Sprinkles Embellishments adorn the Chocolate Chip colored topping, while Dazzling Diamonds Stampin’ Glitter adds a frosty sparkle to each scoop.

Inside sentiment of Cool Treats card

A simple Happiest Birthday sentiment graces the inside, framed with Pear Pizzazz colored Tasty Treats Designer Washi Tape.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card made with this adorable set.  Won’t you let me know in your  comment today?  Of course, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Now hop along to Stop #5, Kelly Kent!  I guarantee you will not be disappointed with what she has in store for you!  If you get lost along the way, you can find a list of all the hoppers at The Stamp Review Crew.  Until next time…

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Price: $110.00

Retiring Products List – Hurry While Supplies Last

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Header for Retiring Products ListIt’s that time of the year when Stampin’ Up! releases its Retiring Products List from both the 2016-2017 Annual and 2017 Occasions catalogs .  CLICK HERE to see to what we are bidding a fond farewell, and to see what items have been discounted!

The Fine Print

  • All retiring items will be discontinued after May 31.
  • All retiring accessories and tools are available while supplies last.
  • Due to high demand for retiring stamp sets, Stampin’ Up! will keep producing retiring stamp sets until May 22.  After May 22, all retiring stamp sets will be available while supplies last.
  • Order TODAY to avoid disappointment.
  • For orders between $50 and $149.99 before tax and shipping, use my April Host Code (Q6VYQYX4) and receive a FREE gift from me.  If your order is $150 before tax and shipping, please do not use this code.  You will be receiving your own Host Benefits!

Speaking of catalogs, if you would like to receive a copy of the NEW 2017-2018 Annual Catalog when it becomes available, please email me at [email protected] I will make certain to add you to my list.  My current customers will automatically receive one!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me. Until next time…
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Stamp Review Crew: Weather Together Edition

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Comments: 18

Weather Together Banner

It’s time for another round of inspiration from The Stamp Review Crew.  If this is your very first visit to one of our hops, we are a group of international Stampin’ Up! demonstrators whose mission is to do a blog hop on the first and third Mondays of each month. Our hops are unique because each of us features the same stamp set. This week we are featuring the adorable Weather Together stamp set. I am Stop #5 on the hop. You may have just left Stop #4, the always amazing Linda Callahan! After visiting me, you will continue to Stop #6, the ever-so-talented Heidi Baks. Enjoy today’s hop!

Weather Together encouragement card

Today’s offering is a quick and easy card of encouragement.  I’m sure we all know someone who is going through a rough time in their life … someone who could use a little “day brightener”. This clean and simple card fills the bill!

The Umbrella was stamped onto a delightful Pool Party Polka Dot print, while the Handle was stamped onto Pool Party card stock. Umbrella Weather Framelit Dies make it a snap to cut these pieces out.  Clear Wink of Stella and Rhinestones add sparkle, while an Oval Stitched Framelit provides the backdrop for this focal point.

Close up of Weather Together umbrellaI love the sentiments which come with this set.  Since I had a specific recipient in mind for this card, I selected “sometimes we all need shelter from the storm”.  It was inked in Archival Basic Black, and stamped into the corner before embossing the panel with the Softly Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Weather Together cardI hope you enjoyed today’s card made with this adorable set.  Won’t you let me know in your  comment today?  Of course, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Now hop along to Stop #6, Heidi Baks!  I guarantee you will not be disappointed with what she has in store for you!  If you get lost along the way, you can find a list of all the hoppers at The Stamp Review Crew.  Until next time…

P.S.  Here is a picture of the newest member of our family, Kendall. Kendall will be sharing time between our home in Iowa and her co-owner’s home in Canada.  Don’t let this picture fool you.  She is a little spitfire for sure!

Kendall
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