2nd Convention Swap I made

Here is my second convention swap that I made. It uses the Define your Life stamp set paired up with my Take Three. The Take Three, I stamped first with my Really Rust stamp pad and then with my Stampin' Write Markers, I colored in the first and third butterfly so now the butterflies were three different colors. The next thing I did was roll the Rough Texture wheel onto the Really Rust card stock. I apologize in advance to anyone getting my swap, never thought they would retire this wheel. It is such a small strip if anyone wants to redo they can also take the Canvas background stamp and redo the small strip. Then I attached the images to a piece of Confetti Cream. The finishing touch was the natural buttons attached with mini glue dots.

Off to Convention

Well I am off to convention. I should be in Salt Lake City in just a few short hours. This year they are releasing the catalog at convention. I can't wait to see it! Hopefully, I'll be able to get to a computer to let you know some sneak peaks, but in the meantime I am going to post some of my swaps that I made for convention in the next couple of days. I will be back on Sunday, so check back then for the latest update.

So the first swap I made was a luggage tag holder so that way people could put them on their convention bags and all they need to do is slip their business card into the bag people would know whose bag is whose. I picked up the badge holders in Office Depot and the little tiny mirrors in Michaels. The little mirrors are handy to have so you can check put on lip stick. So it was two five petal flower punched and layered one on top of each other than a little mirror was adhered to the middle. Next, I stamped the word happy with my Just Be stamp set. The colors are Barely Banana and Old Olive, the finishing touch was a Old Olive wide grosgrain tied to the top. To attach it to the bag, the top I put a large rubber band.

Pretty in Pink

This week's color challenge is Pretty in Pink and Pink Passion. I had to make a few thank you cards, so I figured I would take care of two things at once. So here is my card, I stamped the images from the Priceless stamp set. I used my Trio Flower from the Three for You punch box and put a pretty in pink brad in the center and adhered the flower to the card with my Stampin' Dimensionals. The greeting comes from our new Heard from the Heart stamp set and it was stamped in Pink Passion ink. The finishing touch was adding some Dazzling Diamonds with my 2 way glue pen.

Just a reminder: The Three For You punch box is retiring, so the punch box has been on your wish list, make sure you get your order in.

2 baby cards

Here are two baby cards I had to make recently. They were both made with Just B sets and the Prints Designer Series Paper. I am going to be so sad when the line of papers goes away. These paper were fabulous. So here it the first one made with So Saffron Prints as the base. I cut the circle out with my coluzzle. I stamped the greeting then I stamped stars with the Nursery Necessities stamp set and punched them out with the large and small star punch. The next came the Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon with some hodgepodge hardware along with three pewter brads at the bottom of the card.

The next card, I did some color blocking and some faux stitching with my All in Row stamp set. I can't believe this is retiring. If you ever wanted to have some stitching on your cards and weren't comfortable in using a sewing machine this is the way to go. So simple so easy. Just stamp the image and you are done. I stamped and cut out the greeting. I colored in the sailboat with my Stampin' Write Markers. I attached the greetings with my dimensionals. The finishing touch was small stars punched out with a brad in the center also attached with dimensionals.

More Bella Rose Designer Series Paper

Here is more Bella Rose designer series paper. Here I made into a patchwork quilt by using my 1 3/8" square punch lining up the squares to make it look like a quilt. Then on the other side of the card, I used the 3/4" square and trimmed off the excess. Then came a strip of scallop edge made with are new punch in Riding Hood Red. I adhered pink gingham ribbon to the top, tied a bow and attached with a glue dot. Next came the pretties colored with ink refill and my aqua painter. Again, I attached them my pop up glue dots. On the top I put one of our new buttons. The greeting comes from a retired stamp set, Brighter Tomorrow.

The reason for this card is a good friend and co-worker passed away. She was only 52 and she died suddenly. She worked in our Accounts Payable department for 17 years and knew everyone. She was always there with a Hey Girlfriend with a smile on her face. I made it for all my co-workers in the building to sign. What I did was fold more white card stock in half to make additional pages to put inside the card. Of course the extra pages were decorated inside. The extra pages will give everyone extra space to write messages to her love ones.

The inside I used the 3/4" square punch and lined up across the bottom of the card stock. The alternating page, I punched out a rose with my 1 3/8" circle punch and then layered it on top of a scallop circle punched out in our Kiwi Kiss card stock. I paper pierced the center of each scallop. Then I added a strip of Kiwi Kiss card stock.
I then made holes with my crop-a-dile and used my hemp to tie the pages together, the bow being tied on the inside.

Bella Rose Designer Series Paper

I think the Bella Rose Designer Paper is just beautiful. I just knew I wanted to make a scrapbook page with this paper. I started with stamping the title with the Lovely Letters alphabet. Next came the scallop edge made with the scallop edge punch. The last missing piece was coloring the Pretties flowers with the Pink Pirouette ink refill and my aqua painter. Then I attached the flowers and the half back pearls with my pop up glue dots.

Christmas in July Scrapbook Page

This week's color challenge is Old Olive, Certianly Celery and Real Red. So I decided to play with my new hostess exclusive stamp set, Deer Friends and make a Christmas scrapbook page. First I punched squares with my 3/4" square punch in the three colors and lined them up across the page. The next thing I did was stamp the images from the set and punch them out with my 1" circle punch and attached them to the page with Stampin' Dimensionals. Next, I stamped another tree image with my Stampin' Write markers and punched out circles and the scallop circle punches and layered the images along with a little paper piercing. Next, I stamped the greeting from our Heard from the Heart stamp set that will be available August 10th. The finishing touches was the hodgepodge hardware and the wide certainly celery grosgrain ribbon. Make sure to check out the following links for more ideas using the color combos of the week: Colleen, Debbie, Lorraine, Kelly, Chris, Traci, Dana and Tracy.

List of Retiring Accessories

Items on this discontinued accessories list will be available while supplies last or through August 10, whichever comes first. The items with an asterik are on sale for 25% off, check out this entry to see your savings.

109200 Accents & Elements Build A Flower
110718 Accents & Elements Lucky Star
110719 Accents & Elements Messenger
103158 Acrylic Graph & Grid
108638 Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
108642 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
108643 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
108637 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
108640 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
108639 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
108641 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi
108644 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate
103975 Card Stock Brushed Copper
108694 Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
107312 Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
107292 Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
109116 Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
109118 Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
109117 Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes*
110729 Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
109119 Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
109018 Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou
109019 Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava
109017 Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate
109016 Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock
109015 Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky
109020 Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi
109013 Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
109012 Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
109011 Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
109010 Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
109009 Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
109014 Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
110751 Designer Series Paper Azure*
110749 Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
109154 Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
110699 Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep*
109160 Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers
109159 Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*
110697 Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
110479 Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*
109151 Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
110748 Designer Series Paper Notebook*
110750 Designer Series Paper Olive Press
109153 Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints*
109175 Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst*
109177 Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
110696 Designer Series Paper Prints Bali Breeze
109173 Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou
109174 Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
109178 Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
109169 Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa*
109168 Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava*
109171 Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
109172 Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard
109176 Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
109170 Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie
109164 Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*
109167 Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
109166 Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
109165 Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky
109163 Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise
110698 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Break
110273 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Fling*
110271 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Silhouettes
110272 Designer Series Paper Prints Western Sky
107299 Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
105320 Eyelets Basic
100375 Eyelets Bold Brights
100381 Eyelets Earth Elements
107233 Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
107234 Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
105316 Eyelets Rich Regals
100378 Eyelets Soft Subtles
105515 Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter
105531 Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass
105532 Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper
101120 Metallic Art Pencils
107307 On Board Accents
109181 On Board Blossoms & Basic
109179 On Board Ginormous Pieces
107306 On Board Simon Lower
102678 Paper Mulberry White
109227 Punch Box Three For You
102686 Punch Handheld Rectangle
100271 Pure Color Pencils
109060 Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou
109063 Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava
109061 Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate
109062 Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*
109059 Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky
109058 Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi
109189 Ribbon Originals Beachfront*
109187 Ribbon Originals District*
109188 Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
109185 Ribbon Originals Jersey*
109184 Ribbon Originals Sherbert
109186 Ribbon Originals Theater
110716 Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*
110281 Rub-Ons Cherished Memories*
110284 Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*
110285 Rub-Ons Urban West*
110557 Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
109610 Simply Scrappin' Confetti
110572 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
110567 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
109597 Simply Scrappin' Home Again
110562 Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
109648 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
109627 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl
110587 Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
110577 Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
111184 Simply Sent Friendly Notes
109228 Simply Sent Simple Delights
109229 Simply Sent Three Thoughts
106662 Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
107561 Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
109681 Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
109678 Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
107482 Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad
109680 Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
109677 Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe
106610 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
107467 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
109571 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
109570 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
109569 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
108423 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte
107468 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
108980 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
107464 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture
111261 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
109554 Stampin' Color Index Labels
109553 Stampin' Color Index Labels (French)
106694 Stampin' Kids Markers
101399 Stipple Brushes
102673 Zig Painty

Homemade Wedding Card

Here is a card I made for a wedding my mom is going to. Yes, we have my nephew's Christening in the afternoon and then she gets to go to a wedding. I don't envy her. Here the card uses a little of the old and a little of the new. I started with the cake from Year after Year stamp set that is retiring. I colored it in with my ink refills and blender pens. The paper comes from our new Bella Rose Designer Series Paper which is paired up with Pink Pirouette card stock. I stamped the greeting with our new stamp set Heard from the Heart in Riding Hood Red. The finishing touch is a strip of Riding Hood Red card stock and our new buttons. I love the designs in our new Riding Hood Red buttons. This button has a matte finish and a shining finish. I choose to use the shiny one for this card.

Discounted Retiring Accessories Promotion

Save 25% off the following selected retiring accessories. The complete list will be out on Monday, so check back then for the list. This promotion is available from today August 10th or until supplies last.

Item # Pg. # Description

109117 167 Pocket Notes assortment
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

110479 168 Jersey Shore Designer Series paper
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

110699 168 East Coast Prep Designer Series paper
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

109159 169 Flowers For You Designer Series paper
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

110273 169 Spring Fling Designer Series paper
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

110748 170 Notebook Designer Series paper
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

109153 170 Porcelain Prints Designer Series paper
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

110751 171 Azure Designer Series paper
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

109164 171 River Rock Prints Designer Series paper
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

109175 171 Almost Amethyst Prints Designer Seriesr
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

109168 171 Groovy Guava Prints Designer Series paper
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

109169 171 Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper
Regular Price $9.95
25% Off Price $7.46

110284 182 Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons
Regular Price $10.95
25% Off Price $8.21

110285 182 Urban West Rub-Ons
Regular Price $10.95
25% Off Price $8.21

110281 182 Cherished Memories Rub-Ons
Regular Price $10.95
25% Off Price $8.21

109185 190 Jersey Ribbon Originals
Regular Price $12.95
25% Off Price $9.71

109187 190 District Ribbon Originals
Regular Price $12.95
25% Off Price $9.71

109189 190 Beachfront Ribbon Originals
Regular Price $12.95
25% Off Price $9.71

110716 191 Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon
Regular Price $7.95
25% Off Price $5.96

109062 191 River Rock double-stitched grosgrain ribbon
Regular Price $8.95
25% Off Price $6.71

Angels Everywhere

I started day with a wonderful surprise that just made my day. I came into work with a box on my chair. I opened it up to find these two beautiful items that were crocheted by my friend's mother. I had recently done something for the two of them and this was there way of thanking me, well I have to say I was in tears this morning. This weekend is my nephew's christening and I am the godmother. Usually I am so good about getting a special something for the event, but this time with everything going on my life, it slipped my mind. I, of course made two cards for the event, but I completely forgot about getting something special keepsake, so when I saw the homemade cross and and a bib, I was really touched. It was like an angel was watching out for me and giving me what I needed. Her work is just beautiful.

Here are the two cards I made for my nephew. I have to say it is a challenge making homemade christening cards with no actual religious sets from Stampin' Up! That is my ultimate wish list is to have one or two sets that we can use for occasions like these. So the first one started with a cross punch that I think I picked up at AC Moore made by EK Success. I put a halfback pearl in the center and layered on top of two square punches. Next came the border that I made with my new scallop edge punch. Have I said how much I love this punch lately. Next, I lined up the All Scallops stamp set stamping in our new InColor, Baja Breeze. Then a strip of the Baja Breeze card stock came next. The finishing touch was the greeting stamped from our retired Buggies & Booties stamp set.

The next card, I decided to use the photo that was on the Christening invitation. I cut the photo and then used my corner rounder to round out the corners. Next I stamped the greeting from the retired Welcome Little One stamp set masking off part of the greeting. I adhered them to a piece of textured Soft Sky paper and then a strip of the Prints Soft Sky Designer Series Paper followed. Lastly, some white tafetta ribbon and half back pearls finish the card off.

New Fall Winter Idea Book Items!!

Well I had a chance to play with some of my new things that came that will be in the upcoming Fall Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog. As demonstrators we are able to pre-order and I got quite a few things. I'm usually not a big spender, but this time the items were just too great not to pass up. My most favorite item of all is the Scallop Edge Punch, no more using the slit punch or the corner rounder to make my scallop edges, this punch just made life so much easier. I am sure it is will be on your list to purchase come August 10th. P.S. Thank you Debbie for the picture, your picture of your punch came out 10 times better than mine. One thing I will note, just like with all our punches when using the punch make sure you turn it upside so you can see what you punching and you can line up the scallops. I don't know what I was thinking, but I did the other way and it didn't work and I couldn't figure out why. I turned it upside down and then everything worked beautifully!

Here is a Christmas tag made with so many of the new products that are coming out. First was the Scallop Edge punch that I made the border with on the top and the bottom. Next came the gingerbread man that is from our Hostess Exclusive stamp set in the new Fall Winter Idea Book called Deer Friends. You are sure to want to earn this cute set to make your Christmas projects. I have a feeling my Christmas card is going to be with this set this year. Next came the circles punched out and the scallop circle punch. Then a strip of our new beautiful Bella Rose Designer Series Paper. Gorgeous prints. I added two close to cocoa buttons onto our new In Color paper, Riding Hood Red. Lastly, I made a slit to thread the wide Chocolate Chip Ribbon with our horizontal slit punch. It's never too early to think about start making your Christmas cards, so hopefully today's project gets you in the spirit to start thinking about yours.

New In Colors

Here's a sneak peak to the new In Colors for the the 08-09 catalog year. The colors are:
Tangerine Tango, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze and Pacific Point.

I was introduced to a great site that a fellow demonstrator did a comparison with the new colors with our existing colors. This should help you to see what wonderful additions these colors are to our line. Thank You Dawn for making the sample comparisons below.

So Much Fall Flowers

Well here are two samples made with one of my favorite retiring stamp sets, So Much. The first one, I took the idea from our card we made at a Stampin' Up! regionals and made it my own. In Both cards, I first stamped the flower from the So Much stamp set onto Soft Sky card stock and cut it out and put a Ice Rhinestone brad in the center. The first card, I stamped the dotted circle image and the cut it out with the Coluzzle. Next, I made tag holder by folding a small piece of Old Olive card stock, put a silver eyelet through the middle and tied a piece of natural hemp. Then some Old Olive card stock, Fall Flowers designer series paper and paper piercing finish this card off. The second card uses similar paper and techniques. The only additions were the spiral notebook edge made with our spiral punch, the small flower punch and the greeting from the Short & Sweet stamp set.

Two Cards on Stamper's Showcase This Morning!

Wow! I am in shock. I am besides myself. I can't believe I have two cards on Stamper's Showcase this morning! Here they are both featuring the Garden Whimsy stamp set. I think this makes it 4 cards that I have made with Garden Whimsy that have been a hit and have shown up on Stamper's Showcase or been published. This must be my lucky set! Thank you for sharing in my excitement.

Stamps:
GARDEN WHIMSY STAMP SET
SINCERE SALUTATIONS STAMP SET
POLKA DOT STAMP SET

Paper:
CARD STOCK WHISPER WHITE 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK PRETTY IN PINK 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK WILD WASABI 8 1/2 X 11

Inks:
STAMPIN WRITE MARKER PRETTY IN PINK
CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD PRETTY IN PINK
CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD WILD WASABI
STAMPIN WRITE MARKER REGAL ROSE
CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD REGAL ROSE

Stamps:
GARDEN WHIMSY STAMP SET
THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS STAMP SET

Paper:
DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRINTS CERTAINLY CELERY 12 X 12 DBL SI
CARD STOCK CERTAINLY CELERY 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK BARELY BANANA 8 1/2X11
CARD STOCK WHISPER WHITE 8 1/2X11

Inks:
STAMPIN WRITE MARKER CERTAINLY CELERY
CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD CERTAINLY CELERY
STAMPIN WRITE MARKER BARELY BANANA
CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD BARELY BANANA

Accessories:
BRADS SILVER
STAMPIN DIMENSIONALS
PUNCH 1 3/8 INCH CIRCLE
PUNCH 1 1/4 INCH CIRCLE
PUNCH SCALLOP CIRCLE
PUNCH TRIO FLOWER
SNAIL ADHESIVE PERMANENT

This Week's Color Combo

This week's color combo is Real Red, Old Olive and Very Vanilla. The first thought was to do something for a Christmas in July theme, but I really wanted to break out of that thinking and do something a little different. Mr. UPS just delivered my With Gratitude stamp set and I really wanted to break in the stamp set and make something with it. So I came up with a scrapbook page and with the left over pieces I made a coordinating card for this challenge. I used my Stampin' Write Markers and colored in the leaves and then with my water bottle I spritz a little water to give the leaves a more realistic look. I stamped a few on the Confetti Cream paper and then I also cut a few out and attached them to the page with Stampin' Dimensionals. Next, I stamped the title with my Best Friends Lower Alphabet. The finishing touches were the Hodgepodge Hardware and the Twill Tape. Don't you just love the face on my nephew. I can't believe he is only a few months old. He looks so much like my brother when he was a baby. He is in the picture with my cousin's girlfriend.

The card uses the same techiques, the only difference was the vintage brads and the Old Olive card stock was distressed. Make sure to check out the following links for more ideas using the color combos of the week: Colleen, Debbie, Lorraine, Kelly, Chris, Traci and Tracy.

Color Challenge for Last Week

I'm a little behind in posting last week's color challenge. The colors were Tempting Turquoise, Real Red and So Saffron. I decided to make a fun birthday card with these colors. I started with the star from the On Board Accents. I used the dot from the Three For You Punch Box and stamped Polka Dots onto a piece of white paper in the 3 colors. Next, I adhered the stamped paper onto the chipboard with a glue stick. To finish the star, I added a knot tied with wide real red grosgrain ribbon. Next I stamped the B from the Just B stamp set and cut it out. Next with my Stampin' Write Markers I colored in the title. Next came the Polka Dot background stamp onto the Tempting Turquoise. The last touches were two So Saffron buttons and the photo corner punched. Make sure to check out the following links for more ideas using the color combos of the week: Colleen, Debbie, Lorraine, Kelly, Chris, Traci and Tracy.

Older & Wiser Children's Birthday Card

I have to say I am going to be sorry to see this hostess set, Older & Wiser, go away. I just love the little guys in this set especially Mr. Turtle. It is just great for quick birthday cards. Here I colored him with my Stampin' Write Markers. I cut him out in a circle with my Coluzzle cutting system. Then with my 1 inch circle, I punched out 1" inch circles of certainly celery card stock and made the scallop circle. I added some Spring Fling designer series paper with a strip of wide Certainly Celery ribbon in between the designer paper and the card stock. The finishing touch were two celery brads.

One of a Kind House Warming Card

I really didn't have any sets that would work for a house warming and then I started to think of how you can make a wreath with our flower punches. That inspiration made me think I could make a card that looked like someone's front door. So I took out my One of a Kind stamp set, stamped the flowers in Blush Blossom, Apricot Appeal and Pretty in Pink and then with my Boho Blossom punch I punched the flowers out. The background I stamped the Weathered background stamp on a piece of Sahara Sand. With my Punches Plus classy brass template, I dry embossed the squares onto the card stock to make it look like ones on a door. Then I arranged my flower punches to make it look like a wreath. I tied a pretty in pink grosgrain ribbon into a bow and attached to the card. The finishing touch was two vintage brads to make look like door knobs.

Christmas in July

I was going through my samples to look for retired stamp set samples and realized I never posted this card when I made it. So here it is a little of Christmas in July. It's never too soon to start thinking of Christmas cards. Just doing a little bit every week and before you know it they will be done by time the holiday season rolls around.

So here is a card I made with my favorite snowflake, Snowflake Spot. It started with a piece of Bordering Blue card stock folded in half in which I cut out an oval Coluzzle on the front piece. I made a scallop edge with my slit punch and attached it the back piece of the card. Next, I adhered a piece of whisper white card stock to the back of the bordering blue piece covering the scallop edge. Then proceeded to stamp a snowflake and the word Joy from the set on a piece of Whisper White card stock. I added some Dazzling Diamonds with my 2 way glue pen and put a halfback pearl in the center of the snowflake. The finishing touch was the white taffeta ribbon tied in a bow.

Fun Summer Card

Here is a fun summer card I made for my friend Diane and Sal. It started with stamping the flip flops from the Holiday Blitz stamp which I punched out with my 1" circle punch. Next came the punching out the Trio Flower from the Three For You punch box. In the center of the flowers, I put a Green Galore brad through the center. I attached the flowers to the card with a Stampin' Dimensional. Next, I stamped the title with my Short Order Alphabet. The finishing touch was the scallop border made with the slit punch.

I love the colors, Tempting Turquoise and Green Galore on this card. I have to say you may see this as a scrapbook page in the near future.

Quick & Easy Homemade Birthday Card

Here is a quick and easy homemade birthday card using two sets that are retiring. I really can't believe Little Pieces and Greetings Galore are retiring. Here I stamped the little flower from the Little Pieces stamp set on the Pretty in Pink background. Next, I stamped the cake from the Greetings Galore set and colored it in with my Stampin' Write Markers. The finishing touch was the Basic Black Gingham Ribbon.

Different Twists

Just to show one idea can spin off to another card idea. I decided to post two of my cards that I created that just that.

The first one is based on my card that was on Stamper's Showcase. Click here to see the other card. The only thing that I did differently was attaching pieces of ribbon to the side of the card, wide chocolate chip grosgrain and blue bayou double stiched ribbon.

The second card was one I made for my mom's birthday. Click here to see that card. The only difference between this card and the one I made was a less flowers and embellishments and thinner ribbons. Happy 4th of July!

Birthday Card for the Men in Your Life

Well I have to say, it's always a challenge, when I have to make a birthday card for any men. In this case, I decided to use our Wild Wasabi Prints Designer Series Paper to help me out. Here I took two of the papers and did some color blocking with them. I stamped the greeting from the Celebrate Everything stamp set onto Sahara Sand card stock. The second word saying comes from the Full of Life stamp set that was just in the last Occasions mini. I punched out the stars with my large and small star punches and put vintage brads through the center. The finishing touch was the double stiched Wild Wasaibi ribbon attached in the center of the card.

Extra Cardstock

I had some extra card stock cut up from June's Open Workshop. Since I needed a 40th masculine birthday card I decided to change it up a little bit and make a card for the party I was going to this past weekend. First, I started with stamping the Canvas background followed by the Calendar stamp set. Next came stamping the word June from the Full Calendar stamp set. Next came stamping the cupcake from the Holiday Blitz stamp set which I cut out and adhered to the card with a dimensional. Next, I stamped the word Happy Birthday from the Amazing and Zany stamp set. Next, I punched out a 1 3/8" square with chocolate chip card stock. Next, I took the 1 3/8" inch circle and punched it out. On the circle I stamped the word celebrate from the Everyday Flexible Phrases set and stamped the number 30 from the Short Order Alphabet. I attached the circle onto the card with a Stampin' Dimensional. Next came a piece of hodgepodge hardware that I tied some poly twill chocolate chip ribbon and attached it to the square. Next, I adhered a strip of the poly twill ribbon to the chocolate chip strip and two natural buttons finish the card.

Introducing Décor Elements™.

Stampin' Up! line is now expanding. We are getting into Home Decor. Introducing Décor Elements™. . . Stampin' Up!®'s new addition to our Definitely Decorative® product line! Our Décor Elements designs coordinate with many of our exciting products, so you can combine them to make beautiful, handcrafted home décor pieces. Personalize your surroundings with a variety of exclusive images designed to create a customized, unique space. With our self-adhesive vinyl elements (which are easy to apply and remove), you'll discover how easy and cost effective it can be to do your own decorating! Click here to check out the new line!

It is an extension of our Definitely Decorative home décor line, which is another way to express your creativity--just on a larger canvas than a card or scrapbook page! Décor Elements takes that same idea and uses a different medium to accomplish the same mission, making your home a beautiful representation of your style. And it’s inexpensive compared to painting, framing art, or buying new furniture! Whether you want to spice up the walls of your home or frame a home décor piece for display, Décor Elements is easy to apply, easy to love, and easy to remove.

Limited Time 25% off Discount on Hodgepodge Hardware

Stampin' Up! is retiring the Hodgepodge Hardware come August 10th. As a special for a limited time offer, they will be offering 25% off on all Hodgepodge Hardware until supplies last.

So stock up and save on great hardware for your scrapbooking and cardmaking. Not sure you need hardware in your life. Click here to check out all the blog entries that feature hodgepodge.
The following Hodgepodge Hardware finishes are being offered at a special 25 percent discount

Regular Price $27.95
Limited Time 25% off Discount $20.96

Item # Item Description

105532 Aged Copper

105531 Antique Brass

105515 Pewter

All Stamp Sets are Die Cut Going Forward!

I am excited to announce that all new stamp sets in the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog (including new hostess sets) will be die cut for your convenience! We know you enjoy the flexibility of custom mounting your stamps, and with these die-cut sets, all you'll need to do is pop, peel, and place before you begin stamping.

Only our new stamps will be die cut; sets carried over from the last catalog and those on the dormant list will still require trimming. But, each new set will feature a die cut icon so you will have no problems identifying die-cut sets.

This Week's Color Challenge in a Magnetic Bookmarker

Lately, everytime I put a bookmarker in my book to hold my place when I am reading, the marker would just fall out when I put in my bag and I would lose my place. So for the last couple of books I was using a post it to mark my place. Then I realized that is silly, I should make a magnetic bookmarker that way it won't fall out. So with this week's color challenge, I came up with the following bookmarker for myself.

The colors for this week are Brocade Blue, Rose Red and Night of Navy. I stamped the scalloped image from the Wanted stamp set twice, once in Rose Red and then the second in Night of Navy. The Rose Red image I punched out with my scallop circle. The Night of Navy image I punched out with my circle punch. I then layered them one on top of the other. In the center I placed a Rose Red Flower fushion with a silver Brad through the center.

I then used my Stampin' Write Markers and colored in the words from the Sweet Serendipity. Then I made a scallop edge and attached it to the image. Then with the Brocade Blue card stock, I stamped the Weathered background.

The finishing touch was attaching magnetic strips to the center of the marker. I have to say the scallop reminds me a little of a fireworks which I think was the intent of the colors for this color combo when Colleen put them together. Brocade Blue, Rose Red and Night of Navy to celebrate Independence Day. I wish I had more time because I have some great pictures from Memorial Day that I initially thought of putting into a 12x12 spread for this challenge. Maybe when I have some more time, I'll still do it. In the meantime, check out more fabulous color challenge creations by my fellow Inkredible sisters at the following links: So make sure to check out the following links for more ideas using the color combos of the week: Colleen, Debbie, Lorraine, Kelly, Chris, Traci and Tracy.