Cards

Sky is the Limit

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Sky is the Limit.0116.1It’s a stamp set perfect for guys!  Woo Hoo!  Stamp sets that you can use for guys are few and far between.  I was so excited to see this stamp set in the Sale-a-bration Brochure!  My father-in-law had an airplane for a number of years so this card will be perfect for him.  Unfortunately, his birthday was in December so hopefully I’ll remember I have this card on hand when the time comes!  Ha!

I’ve seen some pretty cute cards make with this stamp set but Sky is the Limit is one of the three items in the Sale-a-bration Brochure that is only available until February 15th!  Yikes!  You better get yours now!

How can you get yours?  It’s easy!  With a $50 order you can choose any of the items in the Sale-a-bration Brochure for FREE!  Yep, with each $50 you spend you can choose 1 item.  Spend $100, get 2 items.  Spend $150 get 3 SAB items AND Stampin’ Rewards and it keeps going!    Jump right in and place that order here!  Who doesn’t like FREE stuff?!  🙂

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Party Wishes Birthday

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Party Wishes.0116Does this card look a little familiar?  It should.  I based it on the sample we made at the On Stage Local event in Dallas last November and which I showed you in this post.

Pretty sneaky of me wasn’t it?  Actually I think it was rather clever.  Once again I am going to ask….”why re-invent the wheel”?  If you see a project that you like….copy it!  That’s why we share our ideas!

All of the products used on this card can be found in the “It’s My Party” suite on pages 4-7 of the Occasions Catalog.  Have you checked out the It’s My Party Designer Series Paper Stack yet?  The designs are all so fun and you get 4 sheets of each of the 12 double-sided designs.  That’s 48 sheets of designer paper!  Woo Hoo!

The new little Party Punch Pack is so fun with the little candle, balloon and cupcake punches.  I’m going to say it again…..I LOVE COORDINATION!  Stamps, punches, die-cuts, paper…..things that coordinate make me HAPPY!  🙂

What makes you happy as a stamper?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Take care and Happy Stamping!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Botanical Blooms Birthday

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Botanical Gardens.0116OK…..back to work!  We had a wonderful, relaxing time in Breckenridge but it’s time to get this blog rolling again!  I hate that I can’t stay consistent but please stick with me.

The last class I held was all about birthdays.  You can never have enough birthday cards on hand!

I fell in love with the Botanical Gardens suite of products from the Occasions Catalog back in November when I first saw it.  I love tropical flowers and the color combination on the designer paper is amazing!  LOVE IT!

I think I used almost every product from this suite except for the Botanical Gardens Jewels.  I can assure you that I’ll be using them on my next project featuring this suite!

The framelit set has 14 pieces in it and the stamp set has 17!  WOW!  That’s a lot of pieces!  Just think of all of the things you can do with both the framelits and the stamp set together!

The designer paper is GORGEOUS!  Usually in a pack of designer paper there are a few designs that don’t really do anything for me but this pack has fabulous designs!  Check them out!  This suite of products is found on pages 26 & 27 of the Occasions Catalog.  I hope you love them as much as I do!  🙂

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Friendly Bloomin’ Heart

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IMG_7457Hearts aren’t just for valentines.  Send one to someone just to show you care.  We all have that special friend who means a lot to us.  They’re always there for us even if we don’t see them or talk to them often.  This is the perfect card for that friend.

When I was trying to design a card using this fabulous Bloomin’ Heart Thinlit I was having a hard time.  I was trying to put it on a regular size card and I just wasn’t liking it.  So of course I went to my new favorite size card……4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″.  If you don’t believe it’s my favorite card size you should have been at one of my classes last week.  Three of the five cards that we made were this size!  🙂

The card itself is pretty simple.  Just a few layers, the heart, the banner and a few pearls.  The banner stamp is in the Bloomin’ Love stamp set but the framelit for isn’t with the Bloomin’ Heart Thinlit.  It’s actually in the Large Numbers Framelits set.

I actually used Rose Red on this card.  I can’t remember the last time I used Rose Red.  It’s not a color that jumps out and grabs me and it’s definitely not one of my go-to colors.  It works perfectly on this card.  What color have you used lately that you usually don’t use?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Archival Ink Pads

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140931_140928_140932_140929_archival_ink_black_grayIt’s another episode of  Tool Time Saturday!  I bet you didn’t think I could actually do it two weeks in a row!  Ha!

I have to admit that I was pretty baffled last spring when I first saw the new 2015-2016 Catalog.  There wasn’t any Basic Black or Basic Gray ink in it.  Hmmm….I knew that Stampin’ Up! was having troubles with the Basic Black ink but I hadn’t heard anything about Basic Gray.  I was curious but after time I kind of forgot about these missing inks.  I just used the Black StazOn or the Memento Black ink that were in the catalog.

Then the 2015 Holiday Catalog came out and everything became clear.  Stampin’ Up! came out with a Basic Black Archival Ink Pad and a Basic Gray Archival Ink Pad!  Have you tried them?  They’re WONDERFUL!  These ink pads are permanent and acid free.  They’re perfect for watercoloring.  I’m going to go out on a limb and say I like them better than StazOn.  (The two ink pads are basically the same.)  The reason I like the Stampin’ Up! pads is that when I’ve stamped with StazOn using the photopolymer stamps the stamps will stick to the card stock and actually tear the paper when you try to remove them.  It’s kind of weird but it’s happened.

These archival ink pads ink your stamps nicely and produce a crisp, clean image.  Who doesn’t want that when they’re stamping!  If you haven’t tried these new pads now is the time.  I know that you’ll like them as much as I do.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Going Global

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IMG_7463Who needs cards for guys?  I do!  I do!  Sometimes it’s really hard to come up with a card for a guy.  Not any more.  The new Going Places Suite in the Occasions Catalog (pg. 38) is perfect for guy cards!  I’ve used the Going Global stamp set and the World Traveler embossing folder here.

This card could be used for many occasions.  You could use it for birthday, valentine or just a thinking of you card.  The important thing to note though is that it is perfect for a guy.   You actually could send it to either a guy or a gal!  🙂

This was a popular card in classes this week.  Everyone really like the World Traveler embossing folder.  I guess I’ll have to come up with some more class projects using it.  What would you do with this embossing folder?  I’d love to see your projects.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

 

 

Need a Hug?

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IMG_7436 I am a hugger.  I love to give hugs.  When we go back to the MN Homeland all of the nieces and nephews know that crazy Aunt Cindy needs to give them a hug.  Sometimes they try to run but they can’t hide.  🙂

I am in LOVE with this bear from the Bear Hugs stamp set!  TSC!  Too Stinkin’ Cute!  I was lucky enough to win this stamp set at Stampin’ Up!’s On Stage Event in Dallas in November.   Lucky me!  There’s also a little baby bear in the set along with a bunch of accessories and sayings.  This would have been the first stamp set out of the Occasions Catalog that I purchased if I hadn’t have won it.

IMG_7438Do you know someone who need’s a hug?  This is the perfect card for them.   If the font is a little small on these pictures let me help you out.  The little banner on the front of the card says “See This Hug?”.  then the saying on the heart on the inside of the card says “It’s for You”.  You could brighten anyone’s day with this.

We’re making this card in class today.  I made sure to cut extras because I know I want to actually send this one out to people.  I know, you’re thinking “why would someone who makes card want to send them?”  Ha!  That’s the story of my life!  I make all sorts of cards but they rarely make it to the mailbox.  Sheesh!

I hope you’re better at sending cards than I am.  Send someone a hug!  You can see all the supplies needed for this card below.  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sale-a-bration 2016: What I Love

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What I Love.1215I think that the What I Love stamp set is my favorite Sale-a-bration item in this year’s Sale-a-bration Brochure.  These flowers are so cute!

We’re making this card in classes this week.  If the basic design looks a little familiar it should.  I got the idea for it right from page 7 of the Sale-a-bration Brochure.  You can also see my inspiration card on last Tuesday’s post.

These days I’m trying hard not to “reinvent the wheel”.  People share their ideas for a reason.  Why not use them!  🙂

I liked the card in the Sale-a-bration Brochure but wanted to try something a little different.  That led me to coming up with a different color combination which led to this card.  Much easier than starting from scratch!  I hope you use my samples as inspiration for your cards.

What’s your favorite Sale-a-bration item this year?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Bloomin’ Heart Valentine

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Bloomin' Heart.1215Hello on a chilly morning.  It may be chilly here but I sure am glad I’m not in the MN Homeland anymore.  It’s BELOW zero there.  BRRRR!   Stay warm my Homeland friends!  🙂

Here’s a little card I made that didn’t make the cut for this week’s Love & Friendship class.  Actually, looking at it now I’m not sure why it didn’t make the cut but it didn’t.  Hmmm….

The thought behind this cute little card was that I wanted to use the fabulous Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper.  LOVE IT!  <3

How can you go wrong using glimmer paper on your card?  I’m a little sad that the Black Glimmer Paper from the Holiday Catalog is no longer available.  I really liked that as you can see from my Christmas post.  I did buy a few extra packages before they were gone.  🙂

Apparently one of my favorite new tools is the Curvy Corny Trio Punch.  I notice that I’m using it a lot lately.  I used it on the glimmer paper on this card.  The corners were punched with the Project Life Corner Punch.  The flowers are die cut.  The flower dies come with the Bloomin’ Heart Die and of course they fit the flowers on the heart perfectly.   Gotta love that!

Have a warm an snuggly day!  I’m getting ready to watch my Vikings (yes, I like the Vikings AND the Broncos!) beat Seattle in a VERY cold outdoor football.  Since I’m back in Colorado I get to do it from the warmth of my own home.

Take care and Happy Stamping!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Bloomin’ Heart Thinlit Frame

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Bloomin' Love.1215Hello!  Once again I’m back from the MN Homeland.   We had nice visits with family and friends but are now ready to get 2016 rolling.

Today’s project is one I made for a  gift exchange at our team gathering in December.  It turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!  🙂

I used a couple brand new products as well as a product that was new to the Holiday Catalog.  Many of you know that PINK is my favorite color….especially Melon Mambo.  Soft pinks are nice but give me a bright bold one!  However….when I saw this Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper I did fall in love.  It’s so sparkly!

The Bloomin’ Heart Thinlit Die is very intricate but oh, so beautiful!  With an intricate die like this there are definitely two products that will make your life a lot easier.  The first is the Precision Base Plate and the brand new Big Shot Die Brush.  Yes, I know that I didn’t like the Precision Base Plate when I first used it but it works so well with the Big Shot Die Brush.  I’m not going to say a lot more about the Big Shot Die Brush because that’s going to be tomorrow’s post!  Tune in then to get the scoop on this FABULOUS new tool!  You’re definitely going to want one!

I love the way the white background piece makes my Bloomin’ Heart pop.  I don’t think it would have had quite the impact without using the Curvy Corner Trio Punch on the corners (or the Rhinestone Jewels!).

I was actually looking for a 6″ x 6″ frame for this project but ended up with an 8″ x 8″.  It worked out well because it gave me more room for the Glimmer Paper!  🙂

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Today’s the Day!

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Yep!  Today’s the Day!  It’s Sale-a-bration Time and the Occasions Catalog is Live!  Woo Hoo!  If you haven’t seen either of these publications yet you’re in for a treat.  You can view the Occasions Catalog here and the Sale-a-bration Brochure here!  They’re fabulous!

Love BlossomsSuite.0116The items in the picture here are from the Love Blossoms Suite from the Occasions Catalog.  We’ll be using some of these items in my very first classes of 2016 next week.  The theme of our classes is “Love & Friendship”.  I can’t wait to share these products!  If you’d like a closer view of this suite in the Occasions Catalog check out pages 16 & 17.  There are definitely some fun products.  One of my favorites is the intricate Occasions16_p16bBloomin’ Heart Thinlits Die which you can see on the large card in the background and in the friend card.  It’s gorgeous!

Don’t be scared off by this die.  Stay tuned in for a post about a fabulous new tool that you will definitely want to use with this die.  It makes using this die EASY!  🙂

20150130_161408_resizedOne of my favorite items from the Sale-a-bration Brochure is the “What I Love” stamp set.  It’s a three step stamp set meaning it takes three different stamps to make the full flower.  Isn’t this card pretty?  I used this card as a starting point for a card we’re making next week in class.  Be sure to check back next week to see what I came up with.

The great thing about this pretty little stamp set is that you can get it for FREE simply by making a $50 purchase.  You can reach this by purchasing the items used on the friend card above:

  • Bloomin’ Love Stamp Set + Bloomin’ Heart Thinlits Die Bundle  (#140818 $35.50)
  • Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper (#140550 $5)
  • Love Blossoms Cardstock Pack (#140549 $7)
  • Love Blossoms Designer Series Paper Stack (#140548 $8)
These four items come to $55.50 so you’d be able to  get the beautiful “What I Love” Sale-a-bration stamp set for FREE!!!  Woo Hoo!  See how easy it is to get FREE stuff!  🙂
Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Sale-a-bration 2016 Starts Tomorrow!

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SAB16Cover_Core_eng-USIt’s almost here!  Sale-a-bration 2016 starts TOMORROW!  Are you ready?!  Have you made those wish lists?

Shop.  Host.  Join.  These are the three different ways you can earn FREE products.  It’s a stamper’s happiest time of the year!

SHOP.  The benefit we all know and love about Sale-a-bration is that for every $50 we spend on Stampin’ Up! products during Sale-a-bration we get to choose one FREE item from the Sale-a-bration brochure.  The best part is that there’s no limit on Sale-a-bration items.  The more you spend, the more free items you can choose!  Woo Hoo!  FREE stuff!
HOST.  Have a stamping party with your friends!  Gather your friends and we’ll do some stamping.  You choose the type of projects you want to create and I’ll do the designing, bring all the supplies and help you and your friends create!  With party sales of at least $250 you will earn an extra $50 in Stampin’ Rewards!  Woo Hoo!  More FREE stuff!
JOIN.  Sale-a-bration is the perfect time to become a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator!  Whether you want to join just for the discount on those fabulous Stampin’ Up! products or possibly earn some extra cash for your family or that tropical vacation, Sale-a-bration is the time to join.  Starter Kits are $99.  Usually you get to choose $125 in merchandise for your $99 but during Sale-a-bration you get to choose and extra $30 in merchandise!  Yes!  $155 of Stampin’ Up! merchandise for only $99!  Woo Hoo!  You can choose your merchandise from both the regular catalog and the Occasions Catalog.  It’s a win-win!  I’d love to have you join my team!  Contact me today with any questions you may have!
Most of the items in the Sale-a-bration brochure are available January 5th – March 31st.  However, three of the items are only available until February 15th.  Then Stampin’ Up! will come out with a few new Sale-a-bration items that will be available from February 16th – March 31st.  How fun!  A Sale-a-bration surprise!  🙂
I hope you have a chance to take advantage of at least one of these Sale-a-bration opportunities.  Be sure to contact me with any questions you may have.
Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

 

Sneak Peek: Going Global

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IMG_7466Here’s another sneak peek from Stampin’ Up!’s On Stage event.  This fun new stamp set is called Going Global and it’s perfect for those masculine cards.

We used three brand new products on this card.  We used the Going Global stamp set, The World Traveler Embossing Folder and the Going Places Designer Series Paper Stack.

The globe on the card is an image that we stamped directly on designer series paper for that fun multi-color look.   We made the background using the embossing folder but we didn’t emboss it!  We inked up the raised design, put our card stock in the folder, closed the folder and then gently rubbed with a little pressure over the enter folder.  A pretty fun techinique.

I don’t know about you but I’m feeling a little stressed today.  Too much to do, too little time.  Christmas Eve is tomorrow and I’m NOT ready!  I went to the grocery store last night after choir rehearsal (so I didn’t have to face the crowds today) and they were completely out of a number of items that I wanted.  That means that today I’m going to have to run to a number of other grocery stores to see if they might have what I need.  BUMMER!  Oh, well.

So here’s a funny story for you…..yesterday I got up, got ready and headed out to my hair appointment.  Well, I was a few minutes early and when Vanessa finished with the gal she was working on she comes out, looks me in the eye and says “Can you check your calendar, I think your appointment is tomorrow”.  I didn’t doubt her for a minute…..it doesn’t surprise me at all when I do things like that.  The funny thing was that the night before I had checked my calendar to make sure my appointment was at 9:30 and not 9 but I didn’t bother looking at what day the appointment was penciled in on.  In my defense, I usually go on Thursdays so this different day just kind of threw me off a little.  Ha!  Probably the worst part of this happening is that I hadn’t really “done” my hair before heading out since Vanessa would be making me beautiful soon.  Well, I still had errands to run so I had to do them with “un-done” hair.  Needless to say I felt a little weird but hey….no one probably cared but me!  🙂

Have a wonderful, stress-free day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Fun and Simple Gift Wrap

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IMG_7427Christmas is almost upon us so I guess it’s time to start thinking about wrapping presents.  I suppose many of you are completely done with this little chore.  Hmmm…

If you’re not done wrapping those gifts here’s a fun and simple idea for you.  Last week I went to a team Christmas party.  I had this pom pom trim on hand that I wanted to try and use.  This is what I came up with for wrapping my gift.  I had first wrapped the trim around the box going in both directions and then tried to tie a bow.  That DID NOT work.  Have your actually tried tying this stuff?  I finally just wrapped it in one direction and tied a cute little knot.  The red trim and the white box worked.  My job was done….except it needed an adorable tag.

IMG_7426You can’t get much more adorable than the little critters in the Snow Place stamp set!  Love it!  I’ll definitely be hanging on to this stamp set and the COORDINATING framelits.  Did you know that these two items are not retiring at the end of the Holiday Catalog?  Nope!  They’re among the “returning favorites” from the Holiday Catalog.  Yippee!

My favorite critter from the Snow Place stamp set is actually the stinkin’ cute penguin.  I have a fun project I made with him that I think I might just share with you tomorrow!  🙂

Have a great day!  Don’t get too stressed during these days leading up to Christmas!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

 

World of Dreams

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IMG_7391This card is another from my last class of 2015.  It’s gorgeous if I do say so myself.  Of course I didn’t come up with the idea on my own.  I did change the card up quite a bit but the sponged “sunset” idea was copied.

Isn’t the “sunset” striking?  It’s made with ink and sponges.  Start with your lightest color.  Sponge it on your card stock until you get the desired depth of color.  Then move on to the next color.  Just remember to overlap the colors a little.  Easy-peasy!

On my card I added the required multiple layers and ribbon and it was complete!

This is another card that can really be used for any occasion but I think it would be perfect for a sympathy card.  You just never seem to have one of those on hand when you need one.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!