It started with the Stripes TIEF, continued with the Perfect Pennants die, which led to the Big Top Birthday DSP and now Under the Big Top stamp set.  What can I say?  Here's a quick card using the Under the Big Top stamp set.

Here's what I did when I put this set together.

I cut the words away so I could use them seperately without having to use a marker.   I know I will be using the sentiments with other images and since there was room between the words and image I decided this would make it much easier. 

I have got to scoot.    I am having a downline meeting and I still have a few things I need to get done before they arrive.   Tomorrow is the very last day to sign up  with the $99 Demonstrator  Kit deal.   Being a demonstrator has enriched my life in so many ways.  Why not give it a try?  You can sign up on my website.  If you have any questions please give me a call.    Have a wonderful weekend!

I want to be  a more creative and  productive stamper.  I have been soliciting advice from other stampers and one piece of advice I have heard a few times is to do challenges.  There are all kinds of challenges from sketch to color, to stamp set and the list continues.   I found  a sketch challenge  by Technostamper.  

Next I had to decide on the stamp and chose the Strength and Hope stamp set.   I have not used this set as much as I had planned, so you will be seeing this a lot more on my blog  in the coming month. Why?  This is an important stamp set because when you purchase it Stampin'Up! will donate $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.   The set can be found on the last page (27)  of the  Summer Mini catalog.  You only have until the end of August to purchase this set so don't delay.

Stamps:  Strength and Hope, Delicate Doilies, Hello, Doily
Ink:  Early Espresso, Whisper White Craft pad
Paper:  Blushing Bride, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Cardstock Vellum
Punches:  Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1- 1/4" Circle
Extras: Basic Pearls

Are you wondering where I stamped the Delicate Doilies? 

I am definitely going to do more challenges.   It is so interesting to see what others create starting from the same sketch. 

Thank you for the input on listing stamp set names under the categories.  I will start doing that.  I will go back and categorize the older posts as time permits.  I appreciate your input!  Have a fantastic day and let me know what your favorite challenge site is. 

Yes, I am still playing with the Big Top Product Suite.  I love the happy, bright colors and we can always use some happy!  I can especially use some happy this morning since I am off to the dentist.   The dentist is definitely not a happy place for me so working with the Big Top Birthday DSP, Sweets for the Sweet stamp set and Red Glimmer paper helps put me in a better frame of mind. 

I also used some of the new mini silver brads for the centers of the pinwheel.  They are tiny and perfect detail for the pinwheels.

Well, I have put off leaving for the dentist as long as I can so I better get on the road.   I will post the supplies I used when I get back.   Have a great one and you know to go here if you want to place an order for some fun stamping supplies. 

 
**Supplies:
Stamps: Sweets for the Sweet
Ink: Black Stazon
Paper:  Brights Collection Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, Big Top Birthday, Red Glimmer paper, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise
Big Shot: Timeless Type Junior Alphabet
Ribbon: Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain
Extras: Mini Brads
(Bold and Italicized are new in the 2011-2012 SU Idea Book and Catalog)

Just popping in with a quick and easy card idea for you.    I am letting the Big Top Birthday DSP do all the work.

Stamps: Curly Cute, Sweets for the Sweet
Ink: Real Red, Daffodil Deligth, Tempting Turquoise
Paper: Big Top Birthday DSP, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Punches: Postage Stamp
Extras: Real Red Satin Ribbon, Silver Brads

I am thinking of adding individual stamp set names in the Categories to make it easier to find past posts.  My only concern is that it will start to look too cluttered.  What do you think?  Send me an email or leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  Thanks!

Need a pick me up?  Check out the Big Top Birthday DSP.  Happy, bright colors in simple but bold patterns, what is there not to love?   It is a great dilemma to have when you love both sides of the sheet, good thing you get 2 of each design in each pack.  If you haven't seen this DSP here is a little snippet.

See what I mean?  Did it make you smile? 

The little pinwheels were cut out from the paper!  You could also use the Sweets for the Sweet stamp set.  I just love that I have brads, ribbon, cardstock and ink that all coordinate together.  This is definitely a big reason I love the SU! product line.

Supplies:

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set)
Ink: Tempting Turquoise
Paper: Big Top Birthday DSP, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Big Shot: Perfect Pennants Bigz L die, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Circles # 2 Originals die
Extras: Real Red Satin Ribbon, Brights Brads
(Bold and Italicized items are new to the 2011-2012 SU Idea Book and Catalog)

Thanks for stopping by.  If you need some happy and bright paper  or any other paper crafting supplies, go here to shop online with me or email me.. 

Nothing borrowed but something blue!  I am not sure if today's card would be a wedding card or not but it was the best title I could come up with for this post.  I would be embarrassed to tell you how long it took me to make this card!  I know I am a slow stamper and  I am truly envious of stampers who seem to be able to create beautiful projects with ease and speed!  If you have any suggestions please share them with me!

I am sure you are wondering how this card could have taken me so long to make.  I wish I knew too!  Here's what I used to make the card.

Stamps:  5th Ave Floral, My Friend, Creative Elements
Ink: Black Stazon, Not Quite Navy,
Paper:  Watercolor paper, Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Pink Pirouette
Big Shot:  Top Note die, Elegant Lines TIEF
Punches:  Word Window , Modern Label, Lace Ribbon Border punch
Extras:  Watercolor crayons, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, basic Pearls
(Bold and Italicized are new products)

You have little over a week to get in on the fabulous $99 Starter Kit.  It really is a great kit and the added Christmas project bonus is the icing on the cake!  If you have any questions about being a demonstrator please contact me and I will be happy to answer all of your questions!

I am back in the stamp room.  A few days off turned into 5!  Sorry about that.  Here's a quick card I made using a few of the products in the Domestic Goddess Product Suite.

I love the feel of this Product Suite, very retro.  Here's what I used to make this card.

Stamps: Now You're Cookin'  and Friendly Phrases
Ink: Basic Gray, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Calypso Coral, Domestic Goddess DSP
Big Shot:  Perfect Pennants, Tasteful Trim, Stripes TIEF
Punches; 2 1/2" Circle punch and Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pak
Extras: Basic Rhinestones
All items in BOLD are new in the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog

I was happy to learn that the larger scallop on Perfect Pennants die makes a nice layer to the 2 1/2" circle punch.   Love it!

Well I gotta get cookin on my newsletter so I am off to work on that.  If you are not on my newsletter list than please sign up.  Thanks for checking in!

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!

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. 

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!