Thursday, May 24, 2012

More 2011 convention swaps

Love this whimsical
use of the owl punch and embedded technique!

 All the rest of these samples are made using stamp sets that are retiring.



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Extreme elements graduation card AND new ink pads

I have had this set, but have rarely used it and now it is retiring. I needed 8 graduation cards in a hurry, so I used this set with the new 2012-14 In Colors: Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, and Raspberry Ripple. I used "go confidently in the direction of your dreams" from "Word Play" inside. For the girls, I added another swirl in Primrose Petals and used retired pomegranate cardstock for the base.

I got the new firm foam stamp pads in the new colors also the newly formulated black ink pad. They are juicy and don't bow in the middle for more even coverage. All ink will be the new pads as of June 1st.

Recent club cards

Here are the cards we have made in April and May. Click on any of them to enlarge for details.

 This is the double dutch fold technique. Directions/measurements for this card: Cut cs in half lengthwise 11x 4 1/8or 4 3/16 (slightly narrower than 4 1/4), fold in half at 5 1/2". Normally you could cut 2" off the bottom all the way across before cutting in half, but with the card we are making, I'm using the new edgelits dies to make a special edge. Add a 2x8 1/2 piece across the bottom, glueing from the back and fold edges around to the front to form "dutch doors". It will be clearer when you see/make the card. 
The stamp set Bordering on Romance and the framelits and edgelits from the Occasions mini are in the new catalog if you missed them. They also kept the twitterpated DSP even though it has a couple of retiring in colors. :)

 Everyone that came to club Sat got a pattern to make their own cup, but basic measurements are 3 1/2 x 10" folded to make 3 1/2 x 5", then cut sides and round bottom. I made the pattern by tracing an actual cup then fine tuning it. The top is 1 x 4" with 5/16" trimmed and layered. The lipstick is SWAK single stamp that is retiring soon. DSP is mocha morning (how apt is that name) that is also retiring. I changed the layers around and used garden green for the back "four frames" piece and cherry cobbler for the front "oval all" scallop. It popped a bit more that way. A layer of crimped crumb cake and espresso bakers twine was the finishing touch.
This was the inspriation for my starbucks card, made by my sister Joyce. But the DSP is from SAB and is retired, so I used Mocha Morning. Hers is smaller and fits in a notecard envelope.

This stamp set and wheel made it into the new catalog. It is such a fun wedding set that also includes a cake and sentiments. The wide striped ribbon and blushing bride cardstock is retiring as is the pinking hearts border punch :(
I love this new set that was in the Occasions mini and is also in the new catalog-Mixed Bunch. I was less than thrilled with it when it was in the mini, but saw many great ideas for it's use, so decided to get it. The coordinating punch is a perfect pair.


This is a card that my sister Joyce made at a workshop recently. She let us make one in Nashville. It is a joy fold and uses emboss resist technique for the flower on the card and rock and roll on the envelope.

Making up for lost time

I have been sooooooo busy helping my granddaughter achieve her goal to finance her Poeple to People Student Ambassador trip to Europe that I haven't had much time for things that I love. She made it by the way, the trip is paid for and she leaves Sun 6/10 for 19 fun filled days! But she still owes about $750 to her other grandparents, so she and I have one more weekend to work. Garage sale Sat morning, HyVee coupon book sales in the neighborhood Sat afternoon, and Papa Murphy's fundraiser cards Sat evening. Then she/they are on their own for the rest. She and I personally have raised $3643, over half of her amount needed.

Now on to stamping! I made quite a few cards when I was in Nashville last month on a family of origin trip. I spent a week with my 2 sisters and parents. We had a ball catching up with each other and spent a lot of time crafting. Many of these cards were "CASED" from my sister Joyce, but she "CASED" most of them first. Most use dsp in some way, trying to use some of my stash.
This cupcake was originally a stamp in a previous years catalog. My sister Joyce traced it and made a pattern to make this larger than life cupcake. The inside sentiment "happy birthday with a cherry on top!" from "A word for you" stampset gave me the idea to add the cherry. Before I gave this card to a friend, but after I photographed it, I made the cherry bigger.
Uses DSP and several punches that I presume most of you have for a quick easy card. Choose your clors from the DSP colors, no wondering what goes together.
I had this piece of cardstock that I had scored at 4 1/8 instead of 4 1/4, so I then scored the whole front instead of wasting it. Use your circle punches and any dsp, then add hearts, butterflies, and/or flowers for a fun easy card!
I love the blossom petals builder punch and any dsp to make a quick card that is stunning. Boho blossoms punch for the center adds the finishing touch.
Made with well worn DSP and uses "build a blossom" and the coordinating blossom petals punch for the flames. I added iridescent ice embossing powder as well.Wish big is from "word play".
Both of the cards, above and below, use the houndstooth embossing folder. It really makes a nice masculine card and works well to sponge after embossing. How easy is the circles card!! It uses circles #2 die and well worn DSP that is retiring soon.
This uses retired cottage wall DSP, one of my favorites, and boho blossoms punch with the butterfly embosslit.
"Vintage vogue" stampset was a choice from SAB, but you could use this idea with other stamps as well and any embossing folder. Love the monochromatic look.
These last two use the fancy flower punch. Above I also used the 5 petal punch which is retiring as is the triple treat flower stamp.
For this one, I embossed with the square lattice folder then crumpled the cardstock until I could separate the layers to make 2 flowers from one punch. I used 4 layers, 2 punched flowers, for this fun card and added leaves from the bird builder punch and the white flower is from boho blossoms.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

$99 Starter Kit ! WOW


Stampin' Up! is now offering a new, customizable Starter Kit at the low price of $99!
If you have ever considered joining , NOW is the perfect time to do so!

YOUR WAY: When you purchase the kit, you can choose up to $125 of ANY current Stampin' Up! products. You'll also receive a business supplies pack valued at $65.
The total value of the kit is $190 and it ships for FREE!

This is a fabulous deal, whether you are a hobby stamper or want to be a business demonstrator!
In addition to selecting the Starter Kit YOUR WAY with your favorite Stampin' Up! products,
you'll enjoy Stampin' Up! demonstrator discounts and benefits.
STAMPIN’ UP! DEMONSTRATOR BENEFITS:
  • Receive 30% off your first order of $150 or more (or keep it as “instant income” from sales). Redeem in the first 45 days.
  • Get 20% off Stampin’ Up! products or keep as “instant income.”
  • Earn additional income (called a volume rebate) on your monthly product sales of $400 or more. Together, your instant income and volume rebate can reach up to 40% of your personal sales.
  • Pre-order select Stampin’ Up! stamps, tools and embellishments a month (or more) before the customers sales period. One of my favorite perks!
  • Earn free stamps with Stampin’ Start, Sale-A-Bration and other promotions.
  • Qualify for cash bonuses, product bonuses, incentive trips and other awards.
  • Decide to recruit and receive downline override compensation based on your recruits’ sales.
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with no pressure to sell or hold workshops (but lots of advice and support if you do).
There's no penalty to drop!
Not sure what to select for YOUR KIT? Stampin' UP! has a few suggestions: Click HERE