As The Ink Dries

Simply Soft and Mocha Morning Specialty Paper

The set Simply Soft is currently one of my favorite stamp sets.  It is a Hostess set which means it can only be "purchased" with hostess dollars.  It is such a pretty image that takes just a minute to color.  Today I paired it with the black flocked paper from the Mocha Morning DSP, Cherry Cobbler and Vanilla.   I am pretty happy with how it turned out.  

The card size is 3 1/4" x 6 1/4" and fits in the Small Open-End Envelopes.   Generally I make my cards the standard shape and size 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" so I decided to change it up a little.   Nothing major just something a little different.

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Simply Soft
Ink: Black Stazon, Cherry Cobbler marker, Always Artichoke
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Mocha Morning DSP
Punches: Lace Ribbon Border
Ribbon: Vanilla Satin Ribbon
Extras: Basic Pearls,  Dazzling Details, Aqua Painter

I've been wondering if there something you have seen on my blog that you are curious about how it was made?  I am planning on making another video but thought I would ask if there was something you would like me to show you.  Leave me a comment or send me an email if you have some ideas.  Thanks and have a fabulous weekend!

 

Faith in Nature Thanks

How's your Sunday going?  It is a windy and gray day here and I am spending time today working/playing with Embossing folders.  I have had the Designer Frames TIEF(Textured Impressions Embossing Floders) but have not worked with them very much.   Here's what I am working on.

This is the first card that I completed.  Only after i started to assemble everything did I realize i embosed the frame backwards!  

I thought about turning it over but then the dots would be craters instead of dots.  So, I decided to just leave it and hopefully it will be a reminder to me next time.

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Faith in Nature, Hand-Penned Holidays
Ink: Black Stazon
Paper: Very Vanilla, More Mustard
Big Shot: Designer Frames and Perfect Polka Dote TIEF
Extras: Watercolor crayons, Aqua Painter, Clear Rhinestone brads, Chantilly Crochet Trim

Hope you are having a relaxing, creative day!  Hope to stamp with you soon!

 

Pears and Mocha

Today I opened up a package of the Mocha Morning Specialty DSP and now I know what all the fuss has been about.  This is one gorgeous pack of paper.   The picture in the catalog definitely does not do this paper pack justice. 

I think they should have named it Mocha Madness cause once you see it you will be mad for it. 

I am also working on  my coloring skills and this hostess set, Faith in Nature is a really good set to practice with. 

Supplies
Stamps:  Faith in Nature (hostess set)
Ink: Black Stazon, Watercolor Crayons
Paper:  Confetti White, Basic Black , Mocha Morning Specialty DSP
Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper TIEF
Extras:  Circle Cutter, Black Satin Ribbon

Today is the last day to order from the Summer Mini Catalog and the buy 3, get 1 free DSP promotion.  Don't miss out and be sure to call me or place your order online today!

 

In Colors 2011 and Perfect Words

Happy Friday!  Hope you have some fabulous plans for the weekend.   We will be having  company for a few days and am looking forward to some fun adventures with them.  I will post on Sunday the answer to the question from yesterday's post so there is still time to get your guess in. 

Today's card was dinspired by the SU! catalog.  This catalog really has a lot of beautiful samples.   Here's my take on the card on page 152.

I changed the size of the card so I could get all the butterflies on the card and still mail it.  The envelope that will work for this size is the Small Open-End envelopes ( 6 3/4" x 3 1/2").  

Here's what I used to make this card.
Stamps:  Perfect Words (hostess set)
Ink:  Black Stazon
Paper:  Basic Black, Pool Party, In Color 2011-2013 Patterns Designer Series paper pack, First Edition Specialty paper
Big Shot:  Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die
Extras: Basic Rhinestones and sewing machine

Have a great day and let me know what samples inspire you in the new Stampin'Up catalog!

Simply Soft in Wisteria Wonder

Yes, my infatuation with the hostess set Simply Soft continues!   When I first saw this stamp set  I knew I would be embossing on vellum.  There is something elegant about white embossing on vellum. 

I used SU Cardstock Vellum which is heavier than regular vellum making it easier to work with.    I colored the image with a mixture of reinker and Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz and my favorite pointed cotton swabs.  The Smooch spritz gives it some shine which unfortunately does not show up in the picture.

Can you name all the new products I used to make this card?  Hop on over to my Facebook page and leave me your guess.  I will tell you the answer in a few days.  Who knows there may be a prize involved!  You can find me on Facebook by clicking on the Facebook link on the left hand column of this blog or click here. 

Simply Soft, Simply Gorgeous

The big brown truck rolled up and brought me a box of stamping goodies.  I tore into it and all I can say is I am one happy stamper!   I had just a little bit of  time  so I picked 2 sets and started playing.   The 2 sets I picked are both hostess sets,  Simply Soft and Perfect Words.  These are probably my favorite hostess sets or maybe  they are  my favorites because they are the only ones I have played with.  The latter is probably more accurate since my favorite things are usually the things I am currently playing with.  

Here are  3 x 3 cards that showcase both the 2 hostess sets and the new In Colors.

Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade                  Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade

Pool Party and Lucky Limeade                           Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade

 I call these little cards RAH RAH (Random Acts of Happiness) cards.   Just little note cards to thank, appreciate, and recognize special people!

I LOVE the new Hostess sets and the new Hostess plan!  Now,  when you host a party or place a qualifying order online through my website you earn hostess dollars and can use those dollars to choose hostess sets or catalog merchandise or a combination of both!   Very flexible and when your workshop total reaches $400 you will also earn 50% off any 1 full-priced item.   Contact me if you would  like to host a stamping get together with your friends or even a catalog party and we will get you started on your way to earning hostess dollars!

Home Again

I am back in my stamp room after being gone for a week,  We spent the long weekend in Chicago helping our son get moved into his first apartment.  We spent a lot of time shopping, unpacking and running things up to his apartment.  Did I mention that  his apartment is  is on the 3rd floor and there is no elevator!  We certainly got some exercise. It was a great trip and we were  happy to be able to help him get settled in to his new place.

While I was gone a lot has been happening in the SU world .  In addition to a new catalog SU is offering a limited time offer of a   $99 Starter kit.  I will post more about this great opportunity but  if you have ever thought about becoming a demonstrator this might be the perfect time to do it.   I will be updating my blog with the information but if you have any questions about becoming a SU demonstrator please contact me and I would be happy to answer your questions. 

Since I have been gone I don't have much of my own to share with you.  Luckily I have some cards from the monthly swap group I belong to that I can share .

This gorgeous card is stamped by Mary Ammar.  Mary used the new hostess set Simply Soft.  Love it!   She combined Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzaz, Basic Black and Whisper White.  I love this color combination.  Do you see the cool new punch?  It is called the Lace Ribbon Border and you will be seeing a lot more of it cause it is a beauty.  Thanks for the wonderful card Mary.

 

Here's another beauty from Kimberly Allen.  I love the color combination here.  She used Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, and Pool Party.  Kimberly also used the Fancy Fan letterpress plate and the white lacy layer around the flower image is from the Flirtatious Specialty DSP.   The doily laser cut design is colored on one side and white on the other, very clever.  Thank you Kimberly!

Thank you for checking in and I will be back tomorrow with more stamping ideas!

 

 

Happy Stampin'Up! New Year!

Happy New Year!  Are you excited about the new catalog?  I am!  One of the things I really like is the NEW hostess plan!  Now you are given hostess dollars when your party total is $150 or more and you can choose to use those dollars any way you like.  There are FABULOUS hostess only stamp sets that you can choose from or if you had your heart set on something else you can use your hostess dollars on catalog merchandise. When your party reaches $400 in sales in addition to hostess dollars you will earn 1 item at 50% off, your choice.  The benefits just go up and up from there!  Check out page 9 of the catalog for all the details.  This card says it all about the hostess benefits!

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases and Sweets for the Sweet
Ink: Tempting Turquoise , Melon Mambo and Basic Black
Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Brights DSP Stack
Punches: Dotted Scallop Ribbon border
Ribbon: Daffodil Delight 1/8" ribbon

If you want to schedule a get together with your friends and make some fun projects, give me a call!  We will have a fun time crafting and you will reap some sweet rewards!

Love & Care and Thanks

I woke up this morning and there was this brightness in the sky that  was almost blinding.  It is vaguely familiar but wait a minute, can it really be?  YES, it is the sun!  It is sunny and bright out today.  I am not complaining since  there are places that have been really suffering through some horrible weather, just happy to see blue skies and sunshine.  Maybe, just maybe Spring has finally arrived!

Mother Nature here's to you!

 

Same elements different layout.

Stamps:  Thank You Kindly and Love & Care
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Old Olive
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Sweet and Sour DSP
Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper TIEF, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Scallop Circles #2
Extra;:Pumpkin Pie Satin Ribbon
(items in Bold are retiring order them now before they are gone!) 

Thank you for stopping by!  Don't forget to let me know if you need a copy of the hottest Summer read aka the 2011-2012  Stampin'Up! Idea Book and Catalog!

 

Thanks for Checking In!

Yes, I fell of the blogwagon but I am making my way back!  I did not plan to take a break  it just happened.  I had some out of town  company,  went on a quick trip and there just wasn't much time to do much else so i decided to just go with it and enjoy.   It has been a crazy month and a half but so many good things just not much stamping.   

Here's something I made yesterday and it pretty well sums up how I feel.

Stamps: Pretty Postage and FYI
Ink:  Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzaz
Paper:  In Color DSP pack (level 1 Hostess gift), Whisper White and Sahara Sand
Big Shot:  Floral Fusion Sizzlit
Punches: Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and Postage Stamp
Extras:  Basic Rhinestones
(BOLD indicates retiring product)

I am also late in sending out birthday cards for June.   I am getting them in the mail today!  If you don't get one please drop me an email and let me know so I can fix that right away.  Remember to use your birthday coupon! 

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you not giving up on me!