Use Your Chalk Marker For More Than Writing!

019Tip of the day Tuesday!  Is your Chalk Marker good for anything other than writing?  The answer is YES!  You can color with it too!  Check out the flowers on my card.  I colored them with my Chalk Marker.

The flowers are from the Peaceful Petals stamp set in the Occasions Catalog.  I colored the stems and the flower centers with markers.

I used the Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder on the background and then lightly rubbed Crumb Cake ink over it to highlight the design.  I like doing that to embossed backgrounds….it really brings out the design.

Have you placed your order yet of retiring products?  Some of the items are already sold out.  Don’t miss out on the items you want.  Place that order today!

Have a great day.  Take care and Happy Stamping!

 

Say Good-Bye With FREE Shipping!

MainAd_RetiredListFreeShipping_OLO_April2114_USI hope everyone had a wonderful Easter yesterday!  I tried not to eat too much but we all know how that goes!  Ha!

Today the retiring lists are out!  Yikes!  There’s ton’s of stuff on them but if there wasn’t, there wouldn’t be room in the catalog for all of the new stuff!  My shelves almost look bare after taking off all of the retiring stamp sets.  I’m excited to fill them back up with new product though!  🙂

Retiring Stamp Sets

Retiring Accessories

You can click on the links above to check out the lists or if you’re a visual person you can see all of the retiring products right in my on-line store.

Have fun shopping!  Don’t wait though…..all retiring products are only available while supplies last!  Best of all….there’s FREE SHIPPING this week only, April 21-25.

Just click on the on-line ordering button at the right and start your shopping now!  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

 

Adorable! More Whales from Hello, Sailor!

022I was absolutely tickled when I finished this card!  It’s TSC!  Too Stinkin’ Cute!  It’s easy enough to post for a Simple Saturday and it’s cute!  I know, I’ve already said that but this card just tickles my fancy!  🙂

I told you about my infatuation with whales the other day so when this card came together I just had to smile!

My adorable whale is from the Hello, Sailor stamp set.  I just stamped him a few times in Coastal Cabana, layered them on Bermuda Bay card stock and added the Bermuda Bay Taffeta Ribbon.  I think the “bubbles” made with Decorative Dots Embossing Folder on the Coastal Cabana card stock just finish the card perfectly don’t you?  TSC!!!!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Simple Stems Shaker Card

021It’s Spring!  It’s going to be a gorgeous day here in Colorado so we need a card that shouts SPRING!  I think this one will do.

This card was a prototype for my Flower Cards Class next week but didn’t make the cut.  I had designed too many cute cards!  Ha!

I knew I wanted to use the Simple Stems stamp set from the Occasions Catalog but wasn’t sure what to do with it.  Then I saw a shaker card like this online and had my idea!

This shaker card is pretty simple.  I first die cut the oval in the Wisteria Wonder card stock with the Oval Framelits and then I ran it through the Big Shot with the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder.  You have to do it in this order or you’ll squish your embossed dots!

To make the shaker part of the card I cut down a 4″ x 6″ cello bag and put some Silver Glass Stampin’ Glitter in it.  You don’t want too much but then I don’t think I put enough in mine.  I closed up my cello bag with tape and then adhered it directly to the back of the embossed Wisteria Wonder card stock.  That’s it!  Easy Shaker card!

Have a wonderful Spring day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Hello, Sailor and the Adorable Whale!

019I am in love with whales.  Not sure why.  I live in land-locked Colorado.  We don’t have many whales here.  I think it started the movie Star Trek IV:  The Voyage Home.  I am a Sci-Fi geek along with the rest of my family.  There are humpback whales in the movie and the combination of whales and Star Trek fueled my love affair for the critters.  Back in 2003 my family took a trip to Hawaii during Spring Break and I got to see whales every day as they migrated north.  I was in heaven!  I wouldn’t let my family go get breakfast until I saw a whale in the morning!

Anyway, once I saw this cute little whale in the Occasions Catalog I knew that I’d be eventually purchasing the Hello, Sailor stamp set.  Once I had the stamp set I was on a mission to make a card using the adorable whale.  I did CASE this card and added my own twist to it.  I loved the idea of using the Simply Scored Borders Plate to make the little waves on the bottom of the card.  Too fun!  I’m going to admit right now that I’ve had this accessory to the Simply Scored since it came out and this is the first time I’ve used it….Yikes!  I will be using it more often now though since it really adds to the card.

I made the little banner pieces with the fun Banner Punch that was in the Sale-a-bration Brochure and the High Tide Designer Series Paper.  Don’t worry if you didn’t get the Banner Punch during Sale-a-bration…..it will be in the new 2014-2015 Catalog!  I die cut the large “ahoy” banner with the Banners Framelits.

I just have to say it….this card is TSC!  Too Stinkin’ Cute!  It has to be….it has a whale on it!  🙂

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Staming!

 

Washi Tape Wednesday: Label Love Stamp Set

028It’s time for Washi Tape Wednesday!  This is a card I was working on for my Guy Card Class.  Those are always the toughest to design for.  I do have to admit that this one didn’t make the cut.  It’s a nice card….but I don’t love it.  You know how excited I can get over a card….this isn’t one of them.

I’m not sure what it is.  Maybe the Calypso Coral is to girly or something.  Anyway, it’s a nice card, but not a WOW!

The stamp is from the Label Love stamp set and is punched out with….yes, wait for it…..the COORDINATING Artisan Label Punch.  I then punched another label, cut it in half and layered it behind the stamped image.

I used the Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape.  I do love washi tape but it’s not working for me on this card.  The Arrows Embossing Folder I great though.  It’s  pretty fun and you can’t go wrong with the little stamped splatters from Gorgeous Grunge.

This is a first isn’t it?  Me sharing a card that isn’t fantastic?  Just because it doesn’t rock my world doesn’t mean it won’t rock your world or that maybe you might like it.  Let me know what you think…

Have a great day.  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Chalk Talk & Simply Stars Card

016Happy Tax Day!  (Can you actually use ‘happy’ and ‘tax’ in the same sentence?)  We finally got our taxes to the accountant on Friday.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute!

I know I’ve mentioned it before but Chalk Talk was one of the first stamp sets that caught my eye in the new 2013-2014 catalog.  Of course it helped that it had COORDINATING Framelits!  🙂

I used two of the 2012-2014 In-Colors on this card:  Midnight Muse and Gumball Green.  These are such fun colors.  If you like them, you better purchase them now.  The retired list comes out on Monday, April 21st and both of these colors in ink, card stock and accessories will be on the list along with Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple and Summer Starfruit.  Unlike stamp sets that will be available through June 1st, accessories are only available while supplies last.  Don’t miss out!  Order today!

The stars on the card are from the little stamp set Simply Stars and the splotches are from  the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.  A fun card perfect for birthdays!  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Burlap & Lace Heart Invitation

015Hello!  Yes, I’ve been AWOL again haven’t I?  You know if it’s not one thing, it’s another.  What can I say?  I hope you’ll stick with me.

A friend of mine has a son getting married this fall and she wants to send out invitations to the rehearsal dinner that she is in charge of.  She asked me to help her come up with some ideas.  The bride-to-be mentioned to my friend that part of the wedding theme was burlap and lace.  Interesting is what I thought when I first heard that.  Then I got on Pinterest to get some ideas.  You wouldn’t believe how many ideas there are for burlap and lace!  Wow!  Is it popular!

I had a hard time figuring out what to do.  I saw this idea and thought it was pretty cute.  I do like the look of the burlap and lace together, don’t you?  Luckily I happened to have a piece of burlap in my basement so I grabbed it and cut out the heart.  I tried die-cutting the burlap with a heart framelit but that didn’t quite work.  Instead I made a template from the framelit and then just traced it on the burlap.  I used Stampin’ Up!’s beautiful Victoria Crochet Ribbon.  The background is stamped with the new Hardwood stamp and the sentiment is from the Regarding Dahlias stamp set.

This isn’t the sample my friend chose but it sure is cute.  It would make a fun valentine, wedding or anniversary card too.  I’ll show you the sample my friend chose later this week.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Perfect Pennant Kaleidoscope Birthday Card

013Fun and bright!  That’s what this birthday card is!  This Perfect Pennants stamp set was one of the first ones to catch my eye when I took a peek at the Occasions Catalog back in December.  I liked all the sayings in the set and I LOVED the fact that the Banner Framelits coordinated with it.  COORDINATION!  There’s that word again!  🙂  Actually, in this instance, I liked the framelits first and then the stamp set.  I always have such a hard time when I try to make my own banners by snipping the bottom of the card stock.  I can never get it even.  Now I have these wonderful framelits though and I’m a happy camper!

The designs in the Kaleidoscope Designer Paper Pack are so bright and FUN!  They just make you smile!  Add a little banner with a greeting and you have the perfect, easy birthday card.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Who Caught it?

Didn’t anyone catch my big mistake today?  Sheesh!  This girl needs to look at a calendar!

I did a complete post for 3 x 3 Thursday and it’s only Wednesday!  Yikes!

3″ x 3″ Thursday: Label Love Card

010It’s 3″ x 3″ Thursday and I have another adorable card for you!  🙂

I just love the gingham paper from the Gingham Garden Designer Paper Pack (it IS Melon Mambo!)!!!

The background of the label is from the Label Love stamp set and punched out with the COORDINATING Artisan Label Punch.  The “thank you” is from the Label Something stamp set and punched out with the 7/8″ Scallop Circle Punch.  I just love how Stampin’ Up! creates all of these products that work so well together.  It sure makes my life easier!  🙂

These little 3″ x 3″ cards are perfect to enclose with gifts.  They’re just the right size.  Unfortunately, they’re a little hard to mail….

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

 

Two Step Stamping: Too Kind

010I do love my Melon Mambo….I was so glad that Stampin’ Up! had Melon Mambo ribbon in the catalog this year.   I told you….I plan my cards around what colors of ribbon I have!

It’s Stamp-a-Stack at classes this week.  We’ll be making 15 cards (3 each of 5 different designs).  It’s one of the more popular classes I offer because people can keep a card and still give two away…and the cards are EASY!

This card uses the Too Kind stamp set.  These flowers are so fun.  This is Two-Step Stamping at it’s easiest.  The flowers themselves are kind of messy so you don’t have to worry about lining things up perfectly.  You don’t even have to change ink colors!  The two different stamps do the highlighting for you.

Today is registration day for Stampin’ Up!’s convention this summer!  Woo Hoo!  Convention is always so much fun.  Did you know that if you sign up to become a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator now that Stampin’ Up! will pay your registration fee?  What a deal!  Contact me if you’d like more information on convention or on becoming a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.  I’d be happy to help!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Backyard Basics Beauty

002I LOVE THIS CARD!  It’s simple, yet gorgeous!

I “borrowed” the general layout from someone online (thank you to the original creator) and made it my own.  Remember how the other day I mentioned that the Backyard Basics stamp set didn’t do a whole lot for me?  Well, this is the card that changed my mind.  Once I made this card I fell in love.

I started with the Shimmery White card stock.  It just makes everything so elegant.  The design at the bottom of the card is from the Mosaic Madness stamp set and the sentiment is from the Trust God stamp set.  The purple I used on the card is Elegant Eggplant.  I like Elegant Eggplant but I do still miss Concord Crush!  Once I stamped the flowers with Black StazOn ink I colored them with my blender pen and ink pads and die cut them with the COORDINATING Backyard Basics Framelits.  Coordination!  My favorite word in the stamping world!  Ha!

Can I say it just one more time?  I LOVE this card!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

New Feature! 3 x 3 Thursday

001Are you ready for something new?  I’m starting 3 x 3 Thursday!  I always make a little 3 x 3 thank you note to put in my customer’s orders.  Some of them are pretty darn cute so I figure it’s time to start sharing all of this cuteness with you!

This is one of the most recent ones I made.  Adorable, yes?  🙂

I used the very cute Starburst Sayings stamp set and die cut the little starbursts with yes, wait for it….the COORDINATING Starburst Framelits!  You know how much I LOVE coordination!  🙂

I also use the fun Retro Fresh Designer Paper and the equally fun Brights Candy Dots on the card.  It’s scary how much fun is on one little 3 x 3 card!

Let me know if you have any great ideas for 3 x 3 cards.  I’m always looking for new ideas!  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Backyard Basics Easter Eggs!

006Yes, sometimes there are really stamp sets (and coordinating framelits!) that I don’t think I need.  I know you’re confused….I usually love everything and have to have everything but Backyard Basics just didn’t do it for me.  I saw no reason that I needed a bee stamp, another flower stamp, another butterfly stamp, a bird stamp or an egg stamp for heavens sake!  Who stamps an egg?!

Well, I didn’t stamp an egg but I sure do love the egg framelit!  Woo Hoo!  Once I saw this card online I knew I was going to end up purchasing the Backyard Framelits….and if you’re going to have the framelits you really need the stamp set!  🙂  Anyway, a girl has to have an Easter Egg!  Don’t worry….I’ll show you another card using this stamp set in a few days.  I am getting my money’s worth!  🙂

This was a quick and adorable card that we made in classes last week.  Stamp the sentiment (from Delightful Dozen) on the Whisper White card stock and then run it through the Big Shot with my new favorite Embossing Folder, Decorative Dots.  You have to do your stamping first or it’s really hard to get a clean image with all those dots in the way!  Ha!

Die cut two eggs with the (now) fabulous Backyard Framelits, cut some grass with your Stampin’ Up! Fringe Scissors and you have an adorable card for Easter!  Have you played with the Fringe Scissors?  They’re pretty neat.  One of these days I’ll have to show you how to make a really cool flower using them.

If you’re wondering about the pretty designer paper I used, don’t.  You missed it.  It was the Sweet Sorbet Designer Paper from Sale-a-bration which ended Monday.  I hope you got a package if you wanted one.  There were some beautiful designs in it.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!