I know I am late but it is still Friday.  I have a small flashback for you.   Maybe it is just me but it seems like the Postal Service has gotten a lot pickier and stricter about bumpy, lumpy envelopes.  You know I love ribbon and other lumpy embellishments and am not going to give them up.  I am not going to stop sending cards but I do  need to get a little smarter and figure out a way to use ribbon and still keep my cards flat enough to use only 1 stamp.  Hmmm, then it hit me the flat "bow"!  I remember when i first started making cards we used to do the flat bow all the time.  Well it is time to bring it back.

Now do you remember the flat bow?  It is really simple .  Here's how you make one.

Can you see the 2 pencil marks near the top of the paper.  I lightly marked where I would punch out the 2 holes for my flat bow.

Punch the holes and run one end of the ribbon through each hole.

Now working from the back side of the stamped image twist the ribbon and run the ribbon through the other hole.

Run the other ribbon end through the other hole.

You are done!

Trim the ends of the ribbon and you have a flat bow. 

Supplies:  Love and Care (level 2 hostess set from the Summer min catalog)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry , Old Olivve and Black Stazon
Paper:  Basic Black, First Edition DSP, Very Vanilla, Brights DSP stack
Punches:  Scallop Edge punch
Ribbon:  about 5" of Rich Razzlebery satin ribbon

Hope you will incorporate the flat bow into your stamping projects.  There's just one day left to order from the Occasion s mini catalog.  Don't miss out on all the fabulous goodies that are in the Occasions mini!  Also please check out the May special (see the blog sidebar).  There are some great stamp sets, Digital Downloads, and deals on My Digital Studio  printing.  SU announced that you can take advantage of the May Special NOW!  You can shop my store or contact me and we can get your order placed!

Every month SU demonstrators receive a publication called Stampin'Success.   It is full of both business and stamping ideas.  Today's card is a CASE (copy and slightly edit) from May's Stampin" Success.  I loved the original card and it was stamped in soft colors: Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, and Peach Parfait.  I changed the colors up and added a little more bling but otherwise it is the same card.

 

Stamps: Strength and Hope
Ink: Pear Pizzaz, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, Basic Black
Paper:  Sahara Sand Peach Parfait, and Whisper White
Extras: Peach Parfait 1/2 Stitched poly ribbon and rhinestones

The card base is Sahara Sand but in this photo it looks like Crumb Cake.  I like the card because it is very simple and you can really see the how intricate the design is on the butterfly.  Have a great one!

Here's a sneak peek at  an important stamp set called Strength and Hope.  This set is  in the new Summer mini catalog from Stampin'Up!.  The Summer mini will be available to purchase from on May 1.  Why is this an important stamp set?   Stampin'Up is donating $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for every Strength and Hope set sold.  How cool is that?  I see it as a total win-win. You get a beautiful set to stamp with and SU will make a donation to Breast Cancer Reseach.  I sincerely hope we will be able to raise a lot of money. 

 

Stamps:  Strength and Hope
Ink :White Craft ink
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, Cardstock Vellum
Big Shot:  Scallop circle die, Clear Circle die, Beautiful Wings embosslit
Extras: White embossing powder, Basic Rhinestones

In the stamp set there is one butterfly image, the largest one on the card.The other butterflies were cut from the original stamped image.   In fact I used all the images from the set on this card; butterfly, flourish, H is for Hope, and words.  I will have more samples to share using this set so check back soon  and  together we can make a difference.

When I first started stamping I loved cards that moved, you know something pops up or shakes etc.  I like a card with a gimmick.     Today's flashback is to one of those cards.  I am not sure what the correct name for this card is but I have heard it called a free standing card.   I think it is a fun one and I hope you will make one.

Stamps:  Sew Suite and Something to Celebrate
Ink :Black Stazon
Paper:  Black, Regal Rose, Whisper White and Sweet Stitches DSP
Punches:  Itty Bitty Shapes pack
Extras:  Crimper, Basic Rhinestones, Fabric Designer Brads, Daffodil Delight satin ribbon
The items that are in bold are in the  SU! Occasions mini catalog and April 30 is the last time you can order from that mini.

Are you ready to make one?  Here we go!

Base:  4 1/4" x 11  (scored from each end 1", 2  3/4", 3  3/4")  Your piece will look like this:

 
The red line is where you will cut your slit.  The slit is at 5 1/2" you can lightly fold the cardstock in half  or put your paper in the cutter at 5 1/2".   The easiest way to determine where to start cutting the slit is to  place your cutting blade so that the back edge  of the cutting blade lines up with the edge of the paper.  Remember you are cutting a slit and so you need to make sure you do not cut to the edge of the paper. 

Remember to stop cutting when the edge of the blade piece lines up with the edge of the paper.  I move this piece a micro smidge and run the blade again.  This allows the pop up piece to slide easier.

The measurement for the piece that pops up is 3 1/4" x 5 1/4".   Insert the pop up piece into the slit.  

It is all coming together now!  Apply some strong adhesive like Tombow glue or Sticky Strip along the edges.  Sandwich the pop up piece between the two ends.

  
Almost done!

This is how it will look when you are done.

Things to keep in mind.    The pop up piece needs to be pretty flat and smooth so that it can pass through the slit.  There is a small strip at the top that you can embellish but otherwise to make it slide easily it needs to be flat.   I make a light pencil mark on the pop up piece at 4 1/4".  This reminds me to not decorate below that line because you will not be able to see it. 

Here is the closed view of my finished card.

Like I promised another sneak peek at the Fabulous Florets set from the upcoming Summer mini. 

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets and Occasional Quotes
Ink: Old Olive and Black Craft ink
Paper: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, and Old Olive
Extra:  Black embossing powder and the Embossing Buddy

Have a fantastic weekend and remember to get your order placed for products in the Occasions mini!

Have you noticed that one of the stamps in the Four Frames set coordinates with the Elements of Style set?   Both stamps have the same flowers and leave.  Love it when that happens.  

Stamps:  Elements of Style, You're a Gem and Four Frames
Ink: Black Stazon, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight
Paper: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, and Whisper White
Punches: Decorative Label punch
Ribbon: Cherry Cobbler Seam binding ribbon

There's just a little over a week left to make your purchases from the Occasions mini catalog and the Four Frames set sneak peek special  The Four Frames set and Paisley Petals DSP will be in the main catalog due out in July but if you don't want to wait until July  place a $20 order and then you can order both the stamp set and DSP now!  You can do this on my online store or you can also contact me.

Tomorrow I will feature a project from the current  Occasions mini catalog and the Summer mini catalog so come back and check out Flashback Friday!

I have had this cute little set Hello Again (pg 110) for a while now and other  than the "hello" stamp have not inked it up.   I am a believer in  no stamp left behind so I had to play with it today.  After last weeks crazy cutting spree I also wanted to keep things a bit simpler. 

Just a little bit of stamping on the inside.
Supplies
Stamps: Hello Again
Ink: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive< Rich Razzleberry,& Tempting Turquoise Stampin'Write markers
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Big Shot:  Perfect Polka Dot TIEF
Punches: Scallop Edge punch, 1/2" circle punch, 2 1/2" circle punch
Extras: Rich Razzleberry grosgrain ribbon, Basic Rhinestones.

This card is a quick and easy one  and it will be great to have on hand since it can be used for lots of different occasions.   Have a fabulous day and pull out those stamps and get them inky!

I told a Fabuous Florets fib.  I said I was going to move on and work with  sets in the Occasions mini catalog but I could not resist  I had some leftover vellum flowers from my cards on this post and this post and  couldn't let them go to waste.  Here is a quick and easy card especially when the flowers are already embossed and cut out.

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets
Ink: Old Olive, Basic Black, White Craft ink, Daffodil Delight & Poppy Parade reinkers
Paper:  Poppy Parad, Basic Black, Whisper White , Cardstock vellum
Big shot:  Framed Tulip TIEF
Extras: White embossing powder , Gold Glow Smooch Spritz

Have a great day and hope you can hear the earth laughing today!

Looking back over my posts this week I sure was fussy cutting maniac!   I actually don't mind cutting and find it relaxing so it is all good.  Today we are going Plane and Simple.  No, it is not a spelling error but the  the name of the set I used and it also describes the  technique we are going to use.

Have you guessed the technique?  It is the rolling marble.  This is so much fun to do and really simple.

I used a small Stampin'Up! container (I think this one was for a single stamp).  You can use anything as long as it closes securely.  Drop a few drops of reinker into the container and drop some marbles in.  As you might have guessed I have lost my marbles(I know they are around here somewher but where?) and had to use some beads. You want to shake the container so the marbles pick up the ink. 

Put a piece of cardstock in a container and drop the marbles in the case and shake! 

Fun huh?  You get a totally random design and it makes a great background.  If you have more marbles you can add another color or 2.  Now you know the basics you can experiment and I know you will come up with some cool ideas.  Remember to share them with me!

Supplies
Stamps: Plane and Simple and Happy Greetings(Summer mini)
Ink:  Early Espresso ink and reinker
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Big Shot: Square Lattice TIEF
Punches: Decorative Label punch
Extras: Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon, Game Spinner Hands, marbles, empty stamp cases

Have a wonderful weekend!  Hope you get on a roll and get your fingers and paper inky!

I hope you have been enjoying the sneak peek of the Fabulous Florets set.  Today is my fifth and final sample, at least for now!  I want to  spend some stamping time  with all those wonderful sets from the Occasions mini before the mini ends on April 30th. 

This time I used the Gold Glow Smooch Spritz and a drop of the Daffodil Delight reinker to color the cardstock vellum.   I really like the way the flowers look with a hint of shimmer and color.  I originally used a Daffodil Delight ribbon.  I changed it to the black satin ribbon.  I think the black helps to unify all the different components. 

I want to mention the Happy Greetings set.  This is a set of 6 great sentiments and like a simple black dress another set that is destined to be a staple in your stamping closet.  There is a great mix of fonts used in the set so you will find the perfect one to fit your different stamping projects.   Look for it when you receive your Summer mini catalog.  I think you will agree it is a must.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Fabulous Florets and Happy Greetings
Ink:  Whisper White craft ink,, Black Stazon, Old Olive and Daffodil Delight reinkers
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Cardstock Vellum (pg 170) and Beyond the Garden DSP
Big Shot:  Flower Garden TIEF and Perfect Polka Dot TIEF
Extras: White embossing powder, Embossing buddy, Black Satin ribbon, Gold Glow Smooch Spritz
(Italicized items are from the Summer mini catalog)

Do you remember what was the thing that first caught your interest about rubber stamping?  I think for a lot of us it was heat embossing.  I remember watching the flat, powdery image begin to raise up and become shiny and thinking, that is magic!   Lately I have not been doing much heat embossing so today I pulled out the supplies and went to work and you know after all these years it is still pretty magical to watch. 

The Fabulous Florets set is very versatile because it has both solid,bold images and open, line  images.   Having both types of images allows you to use it for many different techniques.  Today I heat embossed on cardstock vellum using white Craft ink and white embossing powder.  I used cardstock vellum because it is stiffer and easier to handle and yet has close to the same look of regular vellum.  When you emboss on vellum it is REALLY helpful to have an Embossing Buddy (pg 196).  The Embossing Buddy really helps reduce the static and helps to eliminate stray particles of embossing powder from sticking everywhere. 

I wanted a little more color so I painted on a mixture of Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz and Poppy Parade reinker.    The flowers have a little  shimmer on the petals that the camera or at least this photographer is not able to pick up.    On the back of the vellum image I used a marker and colored in the black centers of the flowers.    I again used the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (try and say that 5 times fast!) mixed with Old Olive reinker and colored in the leaves. 

The dry embossed image on the right is the new Flower Garden TIEF.  Yes, it is a beauty and will be available in May when the Summer mini catalog starts.    I just realized that again I did not use anythings lumpy, bumpy,or blingy on this card.   Two days in a row!

Supplies
Stamps: Fabulous Florets
Ink: White Craft ink, Poppy Parade and Old Olive reinker, Black marker
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Basic Black,Whisper White, Beyond the Garden DSP, Cardstock Vellum
Big Shot:  Flower Garden TIEF
Extras:  Embossing Buddy, White embossing powder, Vanilla Shimmer  Smooch Spritz

Remember that the Fabulous Florets, Beyond the Garden DSP and the Flower Garden TIEF  will be available in May.  The Summer mini catalogs should be working their way to your mailboxes soon!