The content of this blog is my sole responsibility as an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator and the use of, and content of, the classes, services, or products offered on this blog is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!
This is another card layout that could be adapted to many Designer Series Papers and coordinating card stocks. Stampin' Up!'s 25th Convention is coming up in mid-July and this just might be one of the layouts I use for a card swap. Yesterday's card also.
Thanks for stopping by today and I look forward to being back here tomorrow.
Well today was a busy one, getting ready (like planning, cutting and assembling packets) for my monthly Stamping for Adults at the Mi Wuk Village, CA Little Library in the Woods. The third Thursday, 1-3 p.m., is our time to have some creative fun. Yesterday it was hot and sunny as my hubby and I sweated while we raked, loaded into the truck, and then dumped at a slash pile, pine needles from the little gully area on our property. Today = cold and eventually rain. What a perfect day for Stampin' at the Library!!!
Our first card might look a bit familiar:
I really like the simplicity and ease of this card layout---the same one I used for Mother's Day on my May 11th post.
On these cards you can see the difference (click on each one for a larger view) between butterflies with or without the Rhinestone Jewels near their antennae.
The gals at the library were really pleased with the cards---and with the fact that they didn't have to cut out those butterflies. There's a Stampin' Up! punch for each size:
AS SAD AS IT IS TO SEE FAVORITE STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCTS leave us it's also a good thing because it makes room in the catalog for NEW stuff.
Example >> Sneak (sort of) peek: Grid paper is on the retiring list. I think it's actually sold out. It is my total and complete standby when I'm working on anything stamping related. It's always on my work table. Well.....................sh-h-h-h-h.....................it'll be back in the new catalog, just slightly reconfigured. WOOHOO!
If you send me an email (blythe@stampinwithblythe.com) I can send you an Excel (or Numbers) file of these same items which would be 'sortable' by alphabet or page number or availability. I just don't know how to attach such a file to my blog post! Someday. :)
Remember, many items are no longer available since they've sold out. But, on the other hand, many items are still available. Hopefully what you're looking for is still there waiting for you. Check them out in my online stampin' store for availability. Perhaps you and a few stampin' friends might combine an order (of lots of items) to reach that $350 mark and then you'll also get to select that additional $30 worth of FREE hostess merchandise. You know, any item in the catalog, not just hostess sets quality as hostess marchandise. When I earn hostess benefits I most often go for more Snail Adhesive.
Now go check out your lists and catalog to be sure you have what you want before those items go away.
DID YOU CATCH THE POST from the Friday before Mother's Day about the Strawberries? Soaking them in Whipped Cream Flavored Vodka and then dipping them in melted dark chocolate?
Well, here's my feedback: they were a bit disappointing. The vodka alone, which I never even knew existed before, could be dangerous because it does taste like whipped cream---smooth and slippery over the tongue. Well--I had to take a wee taste before sacrificing the strawberries! But, delicious as the strawberries were they had no hint of the whipped cream flavor and that's really what I was looking forward to.
My husband, Russ, did the dipping while I was out shopping on Mother's Day with my daughter and her family's "foreign exchange student" (from San Diego), Alyssa, daughter of a grammar school friend of my daughter.)
My recommendation: soak the strawberries for 48 hours before dipping into the melted chocolate.
Recommendation #2, save the marinade and pour it back into the bottle for strawberry whipped cream flavored vodka to sip as an after dinner pleasure. NO, I haven't done this yet but when the time is right I definitely will.
(My morning snack as I was sharing this bit about the strawberries: fruit and dark chocolate which are both good for you.)
DID YOU REMEMBER (or even know) that if you hostess a $350 party between now and May 30th (yes, that's the day before the end of the month*) you will earn another $30 in free hostess merchandise? Any kind of workshop: customer (you and your friends---or just YOU), online order, workshop/party (take your catalog to work or meet some friends at Starbucks or the park) and gather orders. As long as your order is $350 it will qualify for that extra $30 in current catalog merchandise.
So, what are you waiting for?? Find some friends, select retiring product**, plan a quick workshop (I'm avaialbe some days to help you with that if you want), any way you can do it, and come up with an order.
Call (209-352-1059) or email me (blythe@stampinwithblythe.com) if you have questions.
*The new 2013-2014 Annual Catalog goes LIVE on May 31st! If you don't have a demonstrator with whom you normally work AND you'd like a new catalog, please let me know and I'll be glad to send you one. I just need your name, address, and contact phone # which you can send to me in an email.
**Blog post regarding the retiring items/list coming later today.
I have no one graduating this year but I do have some great graduation cards to share with you this morning. Most of them should be pretty easy to c.a.s.e. (copy and share everything) or adapt for your own usage. At least you'll get some great ideas. These came from a card front swap.
Below: inside--you can slip in a gift card or crisp bill or two. :)
I love the Owl Builder punch---and I love watching the owl change personalities depending upon the event. In these three samples he's pretty much a studious owl.
You can give him a heart, change out his vest for each season or event, make his eyes twinkle and more. Give him a chance. You can get your own versatile owl punch at my stampin' store here.
Thanks for stopping in. I'm working in my stampin' studio today, starting to prepare for the catalog turn over on May 31st. You're going to really enjoy the new layout, colors, ideas, stamp sets and accessories. Please let me know if you don't have a demonstrator with whom you regularly order and I'll send you one of the 2013-2014 Annual Catalogs the last month of May. Just send me an email with your name, address and contact information like phone and email. I'd like to call you several weeks after you receive your catalog to see what you think about it and if you'd like to order anything.
THIS SINGLE STAMP, Woohoo, is really fun and versatile. I love the way my sister Janet used it for my daughter's recent birthday card. It's pretty neat what can be conveyed with one single $6.95 image!
Click photo for a larger image.
Supplies:
STAMP SET: Woohoo
CARD STOCK: Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
If you have any questions about this card, please just ask. And if you'd like to add this $6.95 Woohoo birthday stamp to your collection, just click here.
Thanks for stopping by today and I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Have a great day!
As promised, I just had to make a full sized butterfly card this afternoon. There's no difference in supplies, just in measurements.
Can you guess where this card (and two others quite similiar that're already in the mail) will be going? Right, to my daughters and daughter-in-law.
Adapted measurements:
card base: 8-1/2" x 5-1/2, scored and folded
Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper piece: 1-1/4" x 4-1/4"
coordinating card stock: 1-1/2" x 4-1/4"
I can see this being another case of wanting and needing to change either stamp sets or punches or designer paper and have a 'new' card. If you're inspired to do the same, go for it, and then send me a photo and I'll post it here on my blog and then link it back to this post.
Again, have a lovely Mother's Day tomorrow. Milk it for all you can!
You really deserve a (hopeful) opportunity to sit by and let the rest of the world roll by without your participation--except as a by-stander.
YESTERDAY I really wanted to put together some thank you cards for my customers and for placing in catalogs I'll be sending to my longer distance customers in about 2 weeks. And I wanted to use something new.
Supplies:
STAMP SET/S: Best of Butterflies (April's Best of 25 Years stamp set), Papillion Potpourri, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Fabulous Phrases
CARD STOCK: Daffodil Delight or Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper(sneak peak)
INK: Daffodil Delight or Melon Mambo
ACCESSORIES/TOOLS: Punches: Bitty Butterfly, Elegant Butterfly; Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper (sneak peak!), Glue Dots, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Snail Adhesive
This is a very simple, yet really fresh, 3" x 3" card. The Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper piece is 1" x 3" and the card stock layer behind it is 1-1/4" x 3". The Whisper White card base is 3" x 6", scored at 3" and folded.
The Elegant Butterfly punch coordinates with the new butterfly image in the Best of Butterflies stamp set. Stamping and punching those butterflies make this card a snap!
This card could also be expanded into a full sized card. I'll be making one this afternoon and will share it then. What are your thoughts of this sweet card? Would you make one? Will you c.a.s.e. it? Which color combo do you prefer? Just curious. Let me know in the comment space below.
Thanks for stopping in. And for those for whom this fits:
I'm going to be trying this for Mother's Day this year. My niece brings jello shots to our family Christmas gathering. I'll see if this could be the start of a Mother's Day tradition. And who knows......they might be lousy but I'm willing to try it out just to be sure. Chocolate dipped strawberries just cannot be a bad thing.
Now, to make this recipe stamping related.......... Hmmm. Take a few strawberries over to your stampin space, enjoy, and stamp something fun!
STAMPIN' UP! very recently released their second "Submit a Project Kit", this time the Dolled-Up Birthday Kit. It was voted on by viewers of Stampin' Up!'s Facebook page. The kit was created by Chris Gilmore, a Stampin' Up! demonstrator from Coshocton, OH.
The Dolled-Up Birthday kit includes:
Dolled-Up Birthday Photopolymer Stamp (pretty cool--first time I've used one)
6 pieces of 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Crumb Cake Cardstock
6 pieces of 2" x 4-1/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock
6 Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (stamp envelopes with Elements of Style stamp set that's been colored in with Garden Green and Regal Rose markers)
6 Tea Lace Paper Doilies
6 Dress Up die-cuts *
Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Spot
6 Vanilla 5/8" Flower Trim
1 Sponge Dauber
***I added about 6 Dimensionals for placing the dress form on the Very Vanilla layer
***I also used another Sponge Dauber and the Regal Rose pad for lightly coloring the 5/8" Flower Trim
Get everything you need to make six cards for only $15.95 (item #133913)!
How can YOU participate? JUST SUBMIT A PROJECT!
Stampin' Up! wants YOUR ideas for upcoming kits. No, this isn't a typo. :) SU! started this new kits program just for YOU.
Submit a Project isn't limited to demonstrators and it's a great way to get the entire stamping community together. Start creating---send your kit idea to Stampin' Up! and then vote for your favorites.
The Not-So-Fine Print
This program is available to both customers and demonstrators.
While your projects should not include retired products, they may
include products not created by Stampin’ Up!, such as jars or frames.
Projects must fit into the specified category: Birthday.
Projects can be cards, scrapbook pages, home décor, holiday décor,
birthday decorations, etc. If you can make it with Stampin’ Up! product,
you can submit it!
Submit your projects by e-mail. Send an image (less than 2 MB), supply list, and instructions for creating the project to kitideas@stampinup.com. In the subject line, include the name of your project.
Please keep in mind that all submissions become the property of
Stampin’ Up! once received. We reserve the right to change project
elements, the name, or any feature to make the kit easy to reproduce.
What’s in it for you? Glad you asked! Those who submit the winning kit will:
See it – your photo, name and project will be posted online.
Flaunt it – you’ll receive “blog badge” for your personal blog or website.
Spend it – you wouldn’t be a winner without a $100 Stampin’ Up! shopping spree.
That’s not all! Those whose submissions are in the top 20 will also
receive product used in the winning kit or a $25 shopping spree of their
own.
Now, do you have a 'kit' hiding somewhere in your mind? Go for it! Create a kit and let Stampin' Up! know about it.
YOU HAVE just a few more hours today to experience the talent at Google by checking out their home page.
This is what you'll see at first........
But just hang in there and click the right 'go' arrow. This scene grabbed my attention. Do you know what movie it represents? It was quite difficult to catch the scene so view it though to see a tad more. Please put your guess in the comment section below.
"Here at Brow Beat, we appreciate a truly stunning movie title sequence—and as evidenced by the many well-crafted supercuts and video essays and histories on the subject, we’re not alone. Now, on his 93rd birthday,
Google has paid tribute to legendary title designer Saul Bass,
reminding us of his long-lasting contribution to film art.
(I live 'near' the Golden Gate Bridge---like 150 miles east of it!)
This video is better sized for this page than the one below. Please disregard the one below. Live and learn! :)
The video below is too big for the page but I coudln't delete it. Disregard it!
I just love artistic people who have a sense of humor plus their talent!
I found this tidbit about Saul Bass from this link.
Saul Bass
Graphic Designer
Saul
Bass was an American graphic designer and Oscar winning filmmaker, best
known for his design of motion picture title sequences, film posters,
and corporate logos. Wikipedia
I LOVE FRAMELITS!!!!! Until this past weekend I stored my Stampin' Up! Framelits, quite successfully, in a retired SU! Keeper Box. I do love the folders they come in but got tired of trying to release the Framelit from the adhesive storage sheet inside.
But I've wanted to have them stored in a way where I could more quickly and easily view them. I purchased an 8" x 8" Designer Printed Ring Album (Spring Occasions Catalog, p. 31, 129303, $14.95). It's a nice bright and cheery Daffodil Delight album.
Flower Fair Simply Scrappin' Kit, 129302, $15.95. Click on link above photo for details.
Rather than use the pretty Flower Fair Designer Series Papers from the kit, which wouldn't have been enough for my needs, I went to my Designer Series Paper stash (yes, I have plenty) and pulled out the 2010-2012 In Colors Patterns Stack and cut a bunch of pages to 8" x 8". I mounted these pieces on 8" x 8" cardboard (for support) pieces using Snail Adhesive along the page edges. Then I added 1/2" wide strips of Magnet Sheeting to the pages, laying them out depending upon the particular Framelit set. My husband bought 5 of these Magnet Sheeting packages for me for my birthday last January. They have one 8" x 5" magnet sheet in each and run about $5.00. They were from a local hardware store.
Using my Table Top Cutter (sadly retiring with the current catalog), I cut the piece of magnet sheeting into 1/2" x 8" strips. Then I can cut them shorter as needed.
Here are some of my pages---not all of them, just those of different shapes or types of Framelits.
Now I can just pop out my album when I go to a class or just to my stamping table and all of my Framelits will be with me.
If you decide to put your Framelits in some sort of an album, share it with me (and us) by just email me a photo: blythek@stampinwithblythe.com.
Finally, if you're interested in the Tabletop Cutter, be sure to order it by May 31st when the 2012-2013 Annual Catalog retires. A big hint is that you won't see it in the upcoming catalog.
IF YOU'VE EVER COME TO MY CLASSES, you'll know that I frequently tout the Two-Way Glue Pen
100425, $4.50
Why? Check out these features and benefits:
You can achieve a permanent or temporary bond
It dries quickly
It's great for adhering glitter
It's blue when wet and clear when dry
It has a chisel tip for precise placement of glue
It washes off the skin with soap and water
It's acid free
Quick Tips:
1- Do you need a temporary bond for a stencil or mask? Apply the glue lightly and wait for the adhesive to dry. It will turn clear. You can use this method when masking or positioning stencils.
2- Do you need a permanent bond for a card or scrapbook page? While the glue is still blue and wet, immediately attach your layers for a secure bond. Also use the (blue) wet bond for glitter.
To start the 2-Way Glue Pen, push the tip in a few times and allow the glue to saturate the tip. It will turn blue rather than remain the original white. Always replace the cap after use.
If you have never tried Stampin' Up!'s 2-Way Glue Pen, consider giving it a try!
I'm working on getting back into my groove and look forward to seeing you all again tomorrow! It's been a harder road back to 'normal' than I ever anticipated. Thanks for hanging in. :)
I'm going to do my best to nicely present to Retired List of Stamp Sets and the Retiring List of Accessories. Be sure to check them out.
I'm so glad to say that the old stand-by, Lovely as a Tree, in the catalog for y-e-a-r-s, will not be retiring. It is such a stand-by for so many reasons.
Both files are in Excel format. If you use a Mac (like I do), just view the documents in 'Numbers'.
I don't think I was ready for these retro accents so it took me a while to get mentally ready to use them. Soda Pop tops??? But, "slow to get on the bandwagon me" has been seeing too many cute things made with them to let them sit by:
card embellishments
necklaces
I'll be trying earrings I think!
You can smash them with your Big Shot!
You can punch custom centers from Designer Series Paper or stamped images using Stampin' Up!'s 1/2" and 1" Circle Punches. You can fill with Crystal Effects.
So let's get going...........
........Several days later......... I've succeeded in making one card that I really like so far. Time is sort of betraying me again and, to be honest, so is energy, so I haven't made any other cards using the caps yet. I've found a Christmas tree ornament I want to make but first I need some jump rings. And before I get some jump rings I need to go to the store. But we have no stores that stock jump rings in our area so I have to make at least a 45 miles trip, and more likely a longer trip. So, in about 2 weeks I'll be showing you the ornament.
In the meantime, here's the card:
SUPPLIES:
STAMP SET: Itty Bitty Banners, Tiny Tags
CARD STOCK: Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Tea for Two Designer Series Paper
TOOLS/ACCESSORIES: Punches: Small Oval, 1" Circle; Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits; Ribbon: 1/8" Taffeta: Old Olive, 3/8" Ruffled: Calypso Coral; Soda Pop Tops, Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Snail Adhesive, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Personal Paper Cutter, Versamark, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool
TIP: The Designer Series Paper layer is 5-1/8" x 3-7/8". I cut one piece to that measurement and then cut at 1-7/8" (along the 5-1/8" side) and flip the DSP over, exposing a complimentary pattern. Then cover the seam with the ribbon. Attach that little bow with a Glue Dot.
The flower stem from the Tiny Tags stamp set was colored in with markers, "huffed" with warm, moist breath, and then stamped on a scrap of Very Vanilla card stock. Then I patted the image with Versamark, coated it with Clear Embossing Powder, and heat set the powder. Finally I punched it out with the Small Oval Punch and attached it to the Lucky Limeade 1" circle (already secured to the inside of the Soda Pop Top, with Snail Adhesive. The Soda Pop Top was attached with a Dimensional as was the happy birthday banner -- after it was stamped, also on Very Vanilla card stock and then cut out with the Bitty Banners framelit.
If you need to order any of the items used for today's card, just send me an email or click here to go to my Stampin' Up! online store to place your order yourself.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by today. :)
I have loved Crystal Effects since it came into Stampin' Up!'s product line. It's a great way to add a touch of gloss to a flower or leaf or butterfly or heart, etc, to add a sprinkle of glitter to those same type images, and oh so much more.
And the newly re-packaged container makes it even easier to pick up and use.
OLD Container:
NEW Container:
What's so great about Crystal Effects?
Gives a high gloss finish to any image
Creates 3-D effects
Water based for easy clean up
Applicator tip provides great control
Dries completely within one hour, depending upon how thick a layer you apply
2 oz. container
Cool tips:
Add a drop or two of Stampin' Up!'s Classic Ink Refill to the Crystal Effects and you'll have a high gloss, colored finish.
It's makes a great adhesive to attach buttons and other heavier embellishments.
Add a three dimensionals effect to your project by applying a thick line of Crystal Effects to the outline of your stamped image. After the line has dried, add a thinner coat of Crytal Effect (CE) to the inside of what was outlined. You can apply this thinner coat with the tip of the container or with a paint brush.
CE can be used with any stamped image that has been colored with any medium*: Watercolor Crayons, Stampin' Write Markers, pastels, and Classic Stampin' Pads.
Do not shake. Shaking will cause bubbles will show up in your work.
Recep after use to prevent the tip from drying and clogging. (a real pain when that happens!)
For best results, use with one year of purchase.
* When coating a stamped image with Crystal Effects for use within a Soda Pop Top (tomorrow's post), first stamp, then cover with VersaMark ink, heat with Clear Embossing Powder and finally top with Crystal Effects.
My cousin Christy, visiting with us for the past two weeks, created this neat card for hubby's birthday the other day. She hadn't stamped for quite a long time and 'strolled' through my stamp sets and card stock for quite a while. Without any prompting she pulled out the Postage Due stamp set, chose her colors (Island Indigo and Cherry Cobbler) and got to work.
She stamped both the bicycle (Cherry Cobbler) and flower (Island Indigo) on scrap Very Vanilla card stock, cut them out with Paper Snips and then attached them with Dimensionals. The base and greeting images were stamped using Crumb Cake ink.
Little tutorial/tip (below): The greeting was shaped using a punch, but not in the usual way. My samples below use a different image but it's the same idea.
Begin with a piece of card stock, about 1" x 3-1/2", stamped:
You'll need the Decorative Label punch.
Insert the stamped piece as shown above. "A picture is worth 1,000 words!" Punch. Turn abound and do the same with the other end.
If desired, sponge the edges to set it off a bit from the card itself. Attach with Dimensionals.
Christy used about a 5" piece of 3/8" Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, tied in a loose knot, attached with 3 Glue Dots on the left side of the card front.
The card layers were placed on an 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" folded piece of Sahara Sand card stock.
Tomorrow, another masculine birthday card. I hope you'll join me again. :)
I needed a 'masculine' card for my husband's birthday yesterday and I wasn't sure what way to go----make a fresh card or pull an appropriate one from my stash. It honestly didn't take me long to decide upon a card I made in February at our Mi Wuk Village Library class---using Sale-a-Bration supplies. You can see the class cards here. I used a variation (color) of the last card)
Fortunately, one of the Sale-a-Bration items is available and will be available in the upcoming 2013-2014 Annual Catalog: the Petite Curly Punch. It is just so darned cute.
Here's the card I chose for Russ. The middle image was not yet in place, waiting until I knew the event I'd be using the card for. I selected birthday of course, from the Pretty Petites stamp set from the Sale-a-Bration brochure. Be sure to click on the photo for a closer view.
I know that most of what you see on the card is retired Stampin' Up! product but, ONE, you might have these very items on hand and TWO, you can substitute any of them with current product. Again, the Petite Curly Label Punch is now current and available.
I then added some 'tickets' (That's the Ticket, p. 27, Spring 2013 Occasions Catalog) since we (cousin who is in town and me) were kidnapping Russ and taking him to the local repertory theater.
I stacked them and then punched a hole through all three tickets with the 1/16" Circle Handheld punch and secured them with a 1/8" Mini Brad (122941, $5.50 for 200 tiny, silver, shiny brads),
In looking at the photo above you can really see how the Island Indigo card stock and the Island Indigo Classic Ink used for the Happy Birthday tag match. The tags were attached to the card with a Dimensional.
By the way, we saw the Buddy Holly Story at Sierra Repertory Theater in Sonora CA. It was great!
That's the Ticket stamp set:
128072 - w - $22.95 or 128075 - c - $16.95. Set of 8 stamps
Have you used the Here's the Ticket stamp set? I should ask, do you have the Here's the Ticket stamp set? It's fun for those little moments that need just a little bit of words or sentiment!Thanks for stopping by. Now, do you know where to get the Here's the Ticket stamp set? Order it online here(128072 - W or 128075 - C) or send me an email and I'll be glad to help you with your order.
I'll be back tomorrow with another masculine birthday card.
ADDENDUM, SUNDAY APRIL 14, 2013: I have no idea what happened to the video I posted (yeah, I finally post a video and what happens?????) but what is there for you to view is not what I posted which was a video showing you the new boxes for wood mount stamp sets that will be released May 31st. I'll check with Stampin' Up! on Monday and see what happened. When I look at my pre-post copy, it's correct. No explanation.
Original post:
LOOKS LIKE THERE'S SOMETHING NEAT AND TIDY COMING FOR CUSTOMERS (that means me too) of Stampin' Up!
New boxes for our wood mounted stamps. Uniform sizes. I'm looking forward to having these in my stamp storage area for sure.
Check out the video and then sit back and wait for May 31st when we can order them. I'll keep you updated for sure.
Since you can't see these on the video, here's a photo:
These new
cases are similar to Stampin' Up!'s clear-mount boxes and fit perfectly on the
shelf right next to them. They also have the images and stamp set name
on the spine to make your search for the right set even easier.
Starting May 31 all wood-mount sets will come in this new packaging. And
empty cases will be available with the launch of the new catalog. That
means you can transfer all your old sets to these new boxes! There will
even be a template for you to create your own label for your old stamp
sets (available May 31). A pack of four half-size cases (3-3/4" x
5-1/2") will sell for $4.95 and a pack of four full-size cases (7-1/2" x
5-1/2") will be $6.95.
