Awesomely Artistic!

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Awesomely Artistic.0616I love the name of this stamp set.  Awesomely Artistic.  It reminds me of all that I can do with stamps, ink and paper.  We can all be “Awesomely Artistic” in our craft.

This stamp set is another “oldie but goodie”.  It’s a carry-over from the last catalog.  Don’t you just love the dragonfly.  The flowers are pretty too.

This is a pretty simple design.  Many layers and a little Stella Glitter Brush on the dragonfly wings to make it complete.

This week I’m working on my New Catalog Launch Open House.  I have the projects designed that we’ll be making but now I have to figure out displays and such.   I also want to get started designing my July classes so I can stay ahead of the game.  Hmmm….we’ll see how that goes.  🙂

I did play with a few of my new products yesterday.  I think that’s what I’ll do today too.  It’s definitely more fun than housework and computer work!  🙂

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Oldies But Goodies: Lovely as a Tree

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Lovely as a Tree.0616I know.  I know!  Where have I been?  This has been one crazy week.  I had three events on Monday.  A class with 11 people attending on Tuesday morning, book club Tuesday night, a class Wednesday morning, another class on Wednesday evening and a going away party last night.  Filter into that trying to get my house clean for out of town guests arriving today.  Yikes!  I’ve finally realized that my house doesn’t have to be perfectly clean.  It is what it is.  Oh….I’m also trying to plan my New Catalog Launch Party that’s happening next Saturday!  Luckily I already have the projects designed for that.  Phew!

This past week I had classes but I didn’t want to use all new products only because I wanted to save most of them for my Launch Party.  I did use a new products on some of the projects.  I decided the name Oldies But Goodies was a good name for the class because I used stamp sets that have been in the old catalog but carried over to the new one.

The classic Oldie But Goodie stamp set is Lovely as a Tree.  I’m not sure Stampin’ Up! will ever retire that one!  It’s a classic!  The Woodland Embossing folder is back.  It retired after last fall’s Holiday Catalog but there was such an outcry from demonstrators that they brought it back in this new catalog.  As for brand new products I used the Layering Squares Framelits on this card.  All three of the squares (scalloped one included) can be found in this framelit set.  There are 19 different squares in the set!

Well, it’s time to get back to reality and finish getting ready for the company.  I have beds to make and a casserole to put together for dinner.  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

One Day Deal: Paper Pumpkin for Only $5!

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Wow!  Paper Pumpkin is having a One Day Deal! Starting on Thursday, June 9th at 5 pm MT you can sign up for Paper Pumpkin and get your first month for only $5!  Only $5!  Holy cow!  The deal ends Friday, June 10th at 11:50 pm MT.  This is the perfect time to give Paper Pumpkin a try!  This deal is only for new subscribers.

Paper Pumpkin is a fully designed project kit that arrives at your door each month with stamps, ink, and paper—everything cut and ready to go.  They’ll surprise you with fun projects like cards, gift packaging, home décor, and more for just $19.95 USD/$24.95 CAD a month (shipping included).  These kits are fun and easy.  I look forward to getting mine each month and I know you will too.

So how do you sign up?

  1.   Click here to go to the Paper Pumpkin website.  (www.paperpumpkin.com/?demoid=78166)
  2.   Click on “subscribe” at the top of the page.
  3.   Enter the promo code ONEDAYDEAL
  4.   Fill out your personal information and credit card information
  5.   You then might be asked who your demonstrator is although the above link should take you to a page linked to me.  If you are asked, please list me as your demonstrator.  Cindy Russell, Highlands Ranch, CO.  Thanks!

That should be it!  The process is pretty painless.  Somewhere during the process I think you will be asked to provide a password.  You will need this to put a hold on your subscription or cancel it.  Remember that your subscription will go up to the regular price of $19.95 per month starting with your second month.  Be sure to contact me if you have any questions.

I hope you will give Paper Pumpkin a try.  I think you’ll enjoy it!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Layering Love

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IMG_8457Well, today is “The Sale” and New Catalog Pick-Up.  I’m having an open house to sell all of my retired items and while people are here they can pick up a copy of Stampin’ Up!’s new catalog.

Do you have your copy of the new catalog?  You’re going to want to check it out!  If you’d like a copy be sure to let me know.

Now, you can’t have a Stampin’ Up! event without stamping so I designed an easy little card for people to make.  Can you spot the new items I’ve used on it?  Yep.  The designer paper, the heart framelit and the stamp set.  Pretty cute don’t you think?  🙂

The Affectionately Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper is bright and fun.  Ten of the sheets in the pack are regular double-sided designs and the other two sheets have copper embossing on them.  Very pretty.  Apparently copper is the new big thing this year.  There is copper embossed paper, copper embossing powder and copper metallic thread.  I’m anxious to try them all out!

If you recall, the squares, circles and oval framelits all retired but don’t fret!  There are new sets call “Layering” squares, circles and ovals.  It’s kind of fun because there are both plain shapes and scalloped shapes all in the same set sized perfectly for…..layering!  There is all a fun framelit set of different sized hearts called “Sweet & Sassy“.  The hearts won’t layer as nicely as the other shapes but you get 15 different sized and shaped hearts in the set.  These are the framelits I used on this card.  You may think this heart is huge but the card is actually made using the Crumb Cake Note Cards & Envelopes.

What better way to make use of these fun layering framelits than with a stamp set made just to fit them.  Layering Love is that set and the one I used on this card.  Live, Laugh, Love is kind of my motto in life.  If you can’t laugh, even at yourself, what more is there?

Have a great day!  Live, Laugh & Love!!!!

Guy Greetings: An All-Occasion Card

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IMG_8411Yep!  Another guy card.  You can’t go wrong using Guy Greetings to make a guy card can you?!  Ha!

This is the last of the 5 guy cards we made in May.  This one is quite versatile and can be used for pretty much any occasion.  I chose to use it for Father’s Day since I sent the adorable bear card to my dad for his birthday.

Nice and simple.  My kind of card….although when I made it I actually stamped the anchor on a piece of scrap paper and then cut it out and adhered it to the Very Vanilla circle.  Why?  I’m not sure.  I guess I didn’t want speckles on my anchor.  Sheesh!  The card would have been even simpler had I just stamped it on the punched circle.  Of course, to each his own.  It works either way.  That’s the beauty of card making….you really can’t do things wrong….you just do them differently!  🙂

Here’s a little trick on making this card.  Do you notice that the woodgrain is going up and down on this horizontal card?   Well, the woodgrain stamp doesn’t quite fit across…..all I did was line it up as best I could by eyeing it and stamped a second time.  It’s woodgrain….it shouldn’t be perfect.  Ha!

Take care and Happy Stamping!

Bear Hugs for Dad

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IMG_8415Yesterday was Dad’s birthday.  We made this fun card in our May class and I knew it would be perfect for him.  Mom and Dad have a cabin on a lake in Wisconsin so the sentiment is right on!  🙂

I am so glad that this stamp set carried over into the new catalog.  I LOVE it!  How can you not love this adorable bear and the cute little fishies?!  Best of all…..COORDINATING framelits!  Woo Hoo!

I completely CASEd this card from Pinterest.  I’m not ashamed to admit it.   Why not borrow someone else’s beautiful work?  I know you’re surprised that I didn’t change anything from the original….so am I.  I usually add another layer or some ribbon or something but I liked this one just the way it was!

Have you had a chance to check out the new catalog yet?  You’re going to want to check it out!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

The 2016-2017 Catalog is Here!!!!!

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2016_AC_Cover_En-USHave you seen it yet?  It’s FABULOUS!  I know, I know….I say that every year but this catalog really is fantastic.  There are so many wonderful new products!  You really need to check it out!

If you would like your very own hands-on copy be sure to contact me.  I’d love to make sure that you get one.

I thought I knew exactly what I was going to order this morning but I spent a good portion of the day refining my order so I could put it in as soon as I got up this morning.

You’re thinking that I shouldn’t be quite this excited about the new catalog since I’ve been flipping through the pages for over a month now but as of TODAY I can order anything in it that I want.

Luckily my very favorite item in the new catalog was available for me to pre-order so I’ve been able to play with it a little bit.  What is it you ask?  It’s the Pop of Paradise stamp set (pg. 85).  It has a flamingo in it!  For some reason I really like flamingos.  Once you’ve had a chance to look through the catalog you’ll have to let me know what your favorite item is.

Have fun browsing the new catalog.  I know you’ll love it as much as I do.  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Tips & Tricks Tuesday: Baby Bear

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IMG_8470Saturday I shared with you a post about a first birthday party that I went to.   It was Miss Bella’s birthday and I was trying to come up with the perfect card for her.  On my first attempts I used the brand new Baby Bear stamp set.  OK…it won’t be new for you until tomorrow but I figured you needed a sneak peek!

Isn’t this bear adorable?  Doesn’t it look just like a real teddy bear?  I won this stamp set at the On Stage event last month.  So fun!

I am going to be honest with you….I had a hard time stamping this cute little bear.  It’s three-step stamping which means it takes three different stamps to stamp IMG_8467the bear.  Stampin’ Up! has labeled the three different stamps (1, 2, 3) so you know which order to stamp in.

HOWEVER…and here’s my tip/trick for the day…..I found it much easier to stamp if I stamped 3, then 2, then 1.  I would definitely give this a try.  I just couldn’t get things lined up perfectly when I went 1, 2, 3.  It could just be me but try it yourself.

If you’re wondering what colors I used on the bear for the shading here it is….I used Crumb Cake for 1.  Chocolate Chip stamped off for 2 and Chocolate Chip full strength for 3.

Do you love the pink color on this card?  It’s the new Flirty Flamingo!  So pretty!  What about that ribbon?  I LOVE it!

Now here is a question I need answered….Which of these two cards do you like better?  The baby card or the birthday card?  Please leave me a comment and let me know.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

P.S.  Don’t forget that today is the last day to order out of the 2015-2016 Catalog!

 

Happy Memorial Day!

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4thJust like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day brings to mind Red, White & Blue as well as stars (and stripes).  I originally posted this card last July.  I wanted to share it with you again today because most of the items used on this card are retiring.  🙁

The fun backgrounds are from the Sweet Li’l One  stamp set, the stars are from the Be the Star stamp set and the sentiment is from the And Many More stamp set.  I’m sad to see them all go but I’m really bummed to see the And Many More stamp set go because it was my go-to stamp set for sentiments along with A Dozen Thoughts stamp set which is also retiring.  I don’t know what I’m going to do…..

If you like this card and want to recreate it, tomorrow is the last day to order these stamp sets.  After that they’re gone for good.  Don’t miss out!

This card design has seen a lot of mileage.  The Military Ministry group at church sends out birthday cards to current and former military personnel from our church and this was the design my card group used.  We did leave off the doily and the label punch to make it a bit simpler.  They ask for the same design whenever they run out.  I guess they liked it.  🙂

I hope you have a safe and blessed holiday today.  Thank you to any and all of you who are in or who have served in our country’s military.  And most of all, let’s remember all those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Take care and Happy Stamping!

Bella’s First Birthday

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IMG_8462Yesterday I got to attend a 1st birthday party for a special little lady.  Miss Bella is the daughter and the granddaughter of a couple of my dear friends from church.   Isn’t she adorable?

The party was short and sweet as the birthday girl needed her nap.  She loved grabbing the tissue paper out of the gift bags and seemed to enjoy the frosting on her cake.

I used the Number of Years stamp set for the Bellacard as well as the retiring It’s My Party Designer Series Paper.  I’m definitely going to miss this paper.  It’s so perfect for any birthday.  I did purchase an extra package of it to have on hand even after it retires.  Have you?  🙂

I haven’t played much with the Layered Letters Alphabet stamps but they were perfect for the envelope.  I’m really going to have to use them more.  (I know…I say that all of the time!)

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

May is for Masculine (cards)!

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IMG_8393Every May I hold a class where we make 5 guy cards.  With Father’s Day and my dad’s birthday in June it’s the perfect time for those hard to design cards.

I used the In the Meadow stamp set on this card.  It wasn’t one of the first stamp sets I chose from the Occasions Catalog but I knew I’d be getting it eventually. There are some beautiful images in the set.  I especially like the mountains.

This card would be great for any occasion.  I can using it for a sympathy card, can’t you?  Hmmm…I may have to whip up a few extras of these.

If you don’t have this stamp set yet don’t fret.  It’s going to be in the new 2016-2017 catalog.  🙂

You’ll be happy to know that I actually made a few cards today.  I’ll be sharing them with you soon.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Back Again….

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What are you going to do with me?!!!  I just can’t seem to stay on top of my blogging.  🙁

20160517_204214 (2)I’ve been in the Canadian wilderness for the past week or so at the family cabin.  It’s SO beautiful up there.  I just LOVE it!  The only draw back to the Canadian wilderness is that it’s…..a wilderness.  No internet!  Yikes!  Once in awhile we can get data and texts on our smart phones but only if we’re lucky.  Actually, it’s not too bad being without the internet but it does make it a bit difficult to stay on top of and run a business…..

DSC_0054 (2)Views like the ones you see here in my post are what make it all worthwhile though….even if it takes us two days by car to get there.

Now that I’m back home though I’m anxious to get back to work.  I haven’t really had a chance to play with my new toys (new stamps, ink pads, etc!).  It’s time to get down to business and create!  Hopefully I’ll get some fun samples done soon to share with you.  Stay tuned!

There’s only a few days left to order from the 2015-2016 Catalog and the 2016 Occasions Catalog.  Don’t miss it!  Place those orders today!  🙂

Have a great day and a safe Memorial Day weekend!

Amazing Birthday

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IMG_8384Happy Birthday to the queen of #imbringingbirthdaysback, Shannon West! You can read Shannon’s story here about how she started the #imbringingbirthdaysback movement.

This movement has caught on like wild fire in the stamping world and I’m happy to say that I’ve jumped on the bandwagon.  I’ve done a pretty good job of keeping up with birthdays.  🙂

Would you like a hand made birthday card from yours truly?  Just email me your name, address and birthdate!  I’d LOVE to send you a card for you birthday.  My birthday chart doesn’t have quite as many names on it as Shannon’s so I have room for more!  🙂

We made this card for our “guys class” this week.  During May I always have a class dedicated to guy cards.  Everyone looks forward to it since guy cards are so hard to come up with.  I found the basic idea for this card on my favorite site, Pinterest.  The sample I saw was a full size card but I thought it would be cute as a 4″ x 4″ card.  Ok….maybe I shouldn’t have used the word “cute” when describing a card for a guy…

Isn’t the Go Wild designer paper fun?  Get it before it’s gone…..

I think I’m going to try this card with the tons of designer paper I have on hand.  I wouldn’t say that I hoard designer paper, I just order way to much when I use it for a class.  Oh, well….what’s a girl to do?

Have a great day. Take care and Happy Stamping!

3 x 3 Thursday: Love You Sew

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IMG_7763Isn’t this adorable?  The Love You Sew stamp set is stinkin’ cute and I knew I had to have it.  However….you can’t buy it.  It’s a hostess set only.  Don’t fret.  You still have a couple of weeks to get it.  Put that final order together from the current catalog and stock up on things you use a lot of like card stock, envelopes and adhesive.  It adds up fast and you’ll be at that minimum for a hostess order ($150) really fast!  Or you can get some friend together and you can all place one big order.  Just don’t miss out!  🙂

I’m sad….I haven’t had time to play with all my new toys!  They’re just sitting on my stamp shelf looking pretty. 🙁

I’ve been seeing lots of great ideas though for those many stamp sets.  One of these days….one of these days….!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

The Open Sea

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IMG_8405Have you missed me?  Apparently consistency is NOT my forte in life.  Sheesh!  You’d think I was busy or something or maybe had a stupid Spring cold….whatever my excuse, I’m back….at least for a few days!  Ha!

Today’s card is the second card we made at my first ever Sip, snack and stamp event on Friday.  The event went really well.  It was fun to just sit and visit with people as they played.  Since they only had a couple of projects to make my guests were a little more relaxed.  I’ll definitely hold another one sometime.  #6monthstampingoals

All the credit for this card goes to my downline Janet.  She made this card for our little stamping night while we were in Salt Lake City last month.  Pretty much everything on this card is retiring.  The stamp set, the embossing folder, the ribbon and the Lost Lagoon card stock are all going.  🙁

I think the item I’m most sad to see go is the embossing folder.  Its a perfect one to use on those guy cards.  Do you have a favorite item that’s on the retired list?  I’ll have to think of the one item that I really hate to see go and let you know.

Don’t miss out on those retiring items.  Remember that stamp sets are guaranteed to be available through May 22nd and everything else is only available while supplies last!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!