Stampin’ Up! just announced the test release of the Texture Boutique Embossing Machine.  Although this little cutie embosses only and does not die cut, it is perfect for creating elegant embossed cards…and perfect for the crafter on the go!

There are two options available:

Texture Boutique Bundle
Item 132700
$39.95 (a $45.85 value)
Includes

• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 Pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim
• Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin’ Up! exclusive
• Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin’ Up! exclusive

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine
Item 132657
$29.95
Includes

• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim

If you would like to learn more, just watch the video below.  Remember, supplies are limited, so order quickly!  Until next time…

It’s Thursday, and time to play at Pals Paper Arts! This week we are featuring a fabulous sketch by the talented Margaret Moody.  I inked up Frosty Friends and Make a Mitten, two of my favorites from the Holiday Catalog, for today’s card.  Enjoy!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Watercoloring with Blender Pens
This finished card measure 5-1/4″ by 5-1/4′.

•  Dazzle ‘n Pearls!   Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Tangerine Tango, Marina Mist and Baja Breeze inks were paired with Blender Pens to quickly color this family of Frosty Friends.  Dazzling Details makes a glittery blanket of snow, while none other than Basic Pearls add dimension as snowballs!

• Mitties!  Cherry Cobbler mittens are suspended by White Baker’s Twine from a Cherry Cobbler button.  The Delicate Design Textured Impressions Embossing Folder “Snowflakes” make an appropriate backdrop, and complements the snowflake theme.

I am in love with this Cherry Cobbler – Baja Breeze color combination, as well as Cherry Cobbler and Pool Party.  I think they are both perfect winter card colors.  What about you…do you have a favorite non-traditional holiday color combination?  Won’t you let me know in today’s comment?

Naughty Dog

A certain Boxer, whose name I shall not speak, has been expressing her opinion of my cards lately.  First, I am assuming that she does not hold my watercoloring with Blender Pens in high regard, since she destroyed a Blender Pen.  Hmmm.

And although I thought my country-chic card created with the mug from Scentsational Season was adorable, “She Who Shall Remain Nameless” nabbed it from the table while I was taking Brody outside.  Unfortunately, I did not get it photographed before it was unceremoniously shredded.  But here is what is left of it:

Even with her look of innocence, I don’t buy her story that Muffy did it.  Arghh! Puppies!  Until next time…

 

Stamp Sets:  Make a Mitten, Frosty Friends; Inks:  Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango; Designer Series Paper:  Snow Festival; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Whisper White; Tools:  Big Shot, Delicate Design Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Blender Pens, Mitten Builder Punch; Glitz and Glam:  Regals Designer Buttons, White Baker’s Twine, Basic Pearls, Dazzling Details;

This cold and rainy day was tailor-made for staying inside and stamping.  So with three contented Boxers by my side, I decided to design a quick and easy card.  With its sprig of mistletoe,  I think today’s card would be perfect for a significant other.  I hope you enjoy “Christmas Love”!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Easy and Elegant
This finished card measures 4-1/4″ wide by 5-1/2″ long.

• Hot Shot! Heat embossing is easy with Stampin’ Up!’s new Heat Tool.  It is quiet enough that it allows sleeping Boxers to remain that way.  For today’s card, I inked up the Mistletoe image from Christmas Blessings with VersaMark, and heat embossed with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  The leaves were quickly tinted with Always Artichoke ink and a Blender Pen.  Of course, every sprig of mistletoe needs Basic Pearl berries!

• Designer Sentiment! I used a VersaMarker to selectively ink the words “Christmas” and “love” on the two sentiment stamps from the Christmas Blessings set.  These were heat embossed with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  The result…a custom sentiment perfect for a mistletoe card! No VersaMarker?  Don’t despair.  You can simply ink the words with Stampin’ Write Markers. If your heart is set on embossing, however,  you can “paint” the words using VersaMark ink from the re-inker.

• Oops! Pearls to the rescue!  When I discovered that my mat was a smidge too short for my card base, I did not panic! What else would I use to cover my blooper?  Why Pearls, of course! And do I have a Pearl Tree in my back yard?  I’ll never tell.  You will just have to come and visit me to see!

Twins Update

Muffy and Brody thank you for the well wishes.  Brody’s appetite has returned, and Muffy continues to grow stronger everyday.  It appears from some of the emails I have received, that others have had similar episodes with their furbabies…including being placed on IV’s.  Whatever the cause of it…let’s hope it does not come knocking at your door!  Little Lexi is still healthy.  It seems that she is a fashion maven who doesn’t approve of tassels on shoes.  At least, I assume that is why she chewed them off mine.  How can anything so cute be so naughty?

“I did not chew Mom’s shoes…Muffy did it!”

Would You Like a Free Spring Mini Catalog

If you would like to be added to my mailing list for a copy of the Spring Catalog, please email me.  I would be more than happy to see that you receive a copy when they become available later in December.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card.  I tried to design something that could be created in a relatively short time.  Although I used the retired Snowburst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, you could substitute a different folder…or even a coordinating pattern from one of your favorite Designer Series Paper collections.  So what do you think?  Won’t you let me know in today’s comment?  Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one! Until next time… 

Stamp Set:  Christmas Blessings; Inks:  VersaMark, Always Artichoke; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Brushed Gold; Tools:  Big Shot, Heat Tool, Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Blender Pen, Snowburst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (retired), VersaMarker (retired);  Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls