Seasons Greetings in June

Well, I haven't been able to take photos of my new cards showcasing the stamp sets in the current Summer Mini Catalog.  They're patiently waiting for me to bust out the camera and start taking photos of those beauties I've made.  I think you will all enjoy them.

In the mean time, I'm sharing with you a simple card I made for the holidays.  But its only June, you say?  Oh no no no.... I say but its ALREADY June!!  I made this card for the holidays that just passed.  (Seems like it was just last week, doesn't it?) This is the card I sent to everyone I wasn't going to be able to see during the holiday season.

Serene Snowflakes made its debut in the past Holiday Mini Catalog.  I absolutely LOVED this stamp set!!  It is simply gorgeous.  I don't see snow on a normal basis.  (I'm lucky if I see it at all when we go to the mountains  given that I live in Sunny Southern California.)  So seeing snowflakes as beautiful as these makes me think that snow is the most magical thing on earth!  Now if I lived in a different state, I may be singing a different tune.

In order to same some time with the many cards I wanted  to make, I chose a simple pattern for the card.   For the stamped white portion of the design, I also wanted to save some time.  I stamped a whole sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 Whisper White card stock with various snow stamps in three different colors.  I used two different shades of blue and Platinum Shimmer paint.  When I was satisfied with how much snowflakes I stamped on the sheet, I cut up the sheet in to strips of 2 1/2 x 5 1/2 (I may have those measurements wrong) to end up with about 6 strips per sheet.  I also wanted to have snowflakes on my card base and wanted a little more shine to the whole card.  I added a strip of a slightly taller piece of plain clear sheet, adhered it to the card base and stamped a few snowflakes on it with shimmer paint.  The sentiment is also stamped using shimmer paint.  To complete the whole ensemble, I couldn't send this lovely handmade card out with just a naked envelope so I stamped a couple snowflakes on the envelope and it was ready for mailing.

Hope you enjoyed this card.   I hope to get some pictures taken and uploaded sometime soon so I can have more cards to share with you all.

ETA (7/1/2010):  Serene Snowflakes made its debut in the Holiday Mini which is obviously past its period. However, this lovely stamp set made it in the new Idea Book & Catalog!!!  If you want to get inky with this stamp set for the holidays, it is available for you to purchase from the new catalog which debuts today, July 1!!!  Get your copy today! You won't want to miss it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp sets: Serene Snowflakes, Four the Holidays
Paper: Night of Navy card stock, Whisper White card stock
Ink: Platinum Shimmer Paint, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy
Accessories: Clear sheets, Sponge Daubers

Awash with Flowers

Here is a preview of a set that is coming out in the new catalog. Awash with Flowers.  At first, I didn't like this set.  I found it hard to visualize the images on paper and how they would all work together. I played with it for a WHILE before I settled with a design.  This card is pretty simple.  I was noticing a lot of panel-based designs in the blogging world and thought I'd join in and create one of my own. 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  


Happy Stampin'!

Stamp sets:  Awash With Flowers, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Inks: Summer Sum, Kiwi Kiss, Soft Suede

Paper: Soft Suede card stock, Kiwi Kiss card stock, Whisper White card stock, Summer Sun cardstock

Accessories: Linen Thread, Modern Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog

Ready to reserve your copy of the new Stampin' Up! catalog? I am taking pre-orders for catalogs.  Catalogs will be sent out on around July 1, 2010. Click on the link on the top of the page reserve your copy today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Elements of Style

When I first saw the new mini catalog, I knew this was a must have set.  The stamp itself is typically not my style, not usually the one I would gravitate to, much less purchase.  But I did. It was calling me right off the pages of the mini catalog and it was just begging me to ink it up. I chose to use this stamp set for the Color Q challenge in mid-May.  Here is the inspiration for this card:

Cute right??  At first, I found it hard to get all these colors together on one card but once I got my supplies together and started to put ink to paper, the juices just started flowing and in the end I was pretty pleased with what came of it.  Its good to step out of your comfort zone once in a while.  That is what's so great about these challenges. 

This card uses a retired color (Kiwi Kiss) and a couple retiring colors (Bermuda Bay and Summer Sun).  I'm really excited that these colors are going away, actually. (Not the normal sob story you usually hear, isnt it?) Personally, I never really used most of the colors that are retiring.  They just sat there and smiled at me but they aren't my go-to colors.  I think that is part of the reason why this color challenge was particularly challenging for me.  

Anyway, for this card I colored in the flowers with a Summer Sun marker and the leaves are colored in with an Old Olive marker.  Kiwi kiss didn't come in a marker so I took the closest green there was.  The humming bird is stamped in Bermuda Bay ink and cut out with paper snips.  I adhered it with dimensionals. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Happy Stampin'!

Stamp sets: Elements of Style

Ink: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Summer Sun, Old Olive

Paper: Soft Suede card stock, Summer Sun card stock, Kiwi Kiss card stock, Whisper White card stock

Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Paper Snips, Many Marvelous Markers

Bouquet Bunch Pots

Here is today's card to share.  I'm still playing with the Mini Catalog stamps as I 'patiently' wait for the sneak peek stuff from the new catty. 

I'm still learning how to use the Smooch Spritz spray.  This is the first time I actually used the spray on a project.   When you get your smooch spritz, you will notice that the glitter tends to settle on the bottom when it sits for a while.  So you will have to shake the glass vial vigorously to get the glitter all mixed up in the smooch again.  Pretty simple and common sense, right? I'm not sure if it was a late night when I was stamping and I just wasn't paying attention or if I was just having a 'moment'....  but as I shook the vial, I felt a mist on my face and arm. First thing I thought was, "Is it raining?" Well... of course not! I'm only inside my stamp room on a warm California evening. The rain was no where near me. The windows were closed so why would there be a mist?  I wiped off the mist from my face and  I continue shaking the vial and it FINALLY occurs to me that its the spritz.  At this point, I have the spritz all over my hand, sprayed on my face and arm and some had found its way on my pants.  The spray nozzle had been unscrewed from the top of the vial and I hadn't bothered to check it before I started shaking.  It was silly of me. I was pretty upset with myself that night but now I just laugh at myself because I each time I remember this incident, I remember seeing myself in the mirror right before going to bed looking like a tiger-lady. Lesson learned:  Spritz comes off your skin pretty easily but not off your clothes. 


Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stampin'!

Stamp Sets: Bouquet Bunch, Wood Grain

Inks: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Always Artichoke, Apricot Appeal

Paper: Soft Suede cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Old Olive cardstock

Accessories: Scallop Punch, Marvelous Markers, Twill Tape, Smooch Spritz Log Cabin

Going... going... almost GONE!

In anticipation of the upcoming catalog release, Stampin' Up! has released the Last Chance Lists for the 2009-2010 catalog.  Below are the lists for all the items that are retiring.  There are HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS of items retiring this time around because of the color renovation.  If you've had your eye on a few stamp sets, PLEASE check the retiring stamp sets lists and see if they are going away soon.  Items on these lists are available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST ONLY.  

Retiring Stamps List

Retiring Decor Elements List

Retiring Accessories List

Make sure you check the prices....  some of them are discounted! 

Questions?  Feel free to email me. 

Recruiting Promotion - June 2010

From June 1-30, 2010, you can start your own Stampin’ Up! business for just $99 with the special Mini Starter Kit!  The Mini Starter Kit—valued at over $180—contains the items listed below; while all items are recommended, you can substitute a like item of equal or lesser value.

• Watercolor Trio stamp set (wood-mount)
• I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (clear-mount)
• Clear-Mount Block C
• Homemade single stamp*
• Whisper White card stock (8-1/2” x 11”)
• Brights Collection assorted card stock (8-1/2” x 11”)*
• Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin’ Pad*
• Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Basic Black 1/8” taffeta ribbon*
• Color Coach*
• SNAIL Adhesive

*Sneak peek items!

The Mini Starter Kit also includes the same business supplies that are in the standard Starter Kit. Plus, new demonstrators who join Stampin’ Up! in June, you will receive a free box of 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogs during the first part of July!

Click here and contact me today for details on how to sign up!