Postage due

I have had my eye on this set for awhile and finally got it! I had seen a card done using a similar technique, not sure who to credit, can't find the card again. It was stamped first with multicolored background, then overstamped slightly off center with white embossing. I used last years in colors for this card. The card base looked a bit empty, so I stamped tone on tone with the main image. I cut the main image and added midnight muse ribbon to make it fit the card front better.

Lazy weekend in my stamp room

I chose to just play and make some cards. We have several missionary families coming to visit our church in the near future, so I'm beefing up my stash. I give each family a set of 10 assorted cards, so need lots over the course of a year.  

 This is returning color crushed curry. I had some textured card stock left from when it was an in color, so pulled it out. The seam binding is daffodil delight, but matches well. This is the first time I have played with my new 7/8" scallop circle punch and stamp set round array. My swallowtail needed some love, so I inked it up with versamark and used clear embossing powder. I sponged on crushed curry, cajun craze, and blushing bride.

 I had some card sized pieces of designer paper left, so made this card, but was at a loss for what to use. I finally settled on an always artichoke window framlit, with a white square, and baja breeze circle. I colored the center of the medallion from a retired set with markers then stamped and punched a circle. I added a Baja breeze flower from the bitty punch pack with an artichoke brad in the middle.

 This is the inside with a strip of dsp and an acorn from the same retired set(? name).

 I had these pieces stamped and punched from the hearts a flutter stamp set and matching framelits(more leftovers from my desk). They were already attached to the half doily. I added the 3 hearts and butterfly. My colors are perfect plum, marina mist, and rose red. I used dsp from the subtles paper stack in marina mist and a strip of rose red cardstock run through the fancy fan embossing folder. The hello is from a free SAB set and coordinating punch.

 I used the free dsp from sab to make a bunch of flags for this card. I embossed the top half of the card front with the chevron folder. The image is from a retired hostess birthday set that I colored with markers.

More retired dsp! I love rich razzleberry, but it hadn't had much love lately, so I pulled it out. The scallop is from perfect pennant bigz die. I inked up the central image from serene silhouettes. This set has sat in my stamp room and had not seen ink until now. The butterflies were also part of my stash. I used one on the inside as well. 

Clean and Simple circles

I saw a card made by Mary Fish using squares of cardstock that had shapes punched out. Then

I saw one similar to this made by one of her downline (not sure of her name) that was inspired

by Mary's card.

I have been using up bits and pieces on my desk, so pulled out all of my circles. I had to punch a few more, but had a good start. My colors are bermuda bay, so saffron, cherry cobbler, and calypso coral on a very vanilla base. I even had a so saffron brad to use. Give this a try with any shapes you have laying around. You could try mixing shapes as well.

Field Flowers

I have had this stamp set on my wish list since it first came out and finally got it! These next two pictures are the card we made for club last Sat. The colors are calypso coral and old olive. We have been making cards with different folds and this is a Z fold card. SO easy, but really a fun look. Just fold the front in half again back on itself then add your layers. We used the flower garden embossing folder on the half front layer. This picture does not do the card justice, we spritzed the flower layer with shimmer spray made with rubbing alcohol and champagne paint. The flowers are cut out and one is popped up with dimensionals.

 

 This is the inside of the card.

 I made this card also using a pear pizazz frame that was leftover and sitting on my desk. I sponged the inside area with so saffron and used riding hood red and cherry cobbler ink for the flowers. I stamped the envelope and smudged it, but just a reminder to stamp those envelopes!

Loving the NEW Wildflower Meadow stamp

This stamp is so versatile, I'm showing you 5 different looks today!

 

This is the first card I made with it. I used the coordinating embossing folder. I then stamped again with tangerine tango and cut out 2 flowers to highlight. This card uses the retired color of river rock for the card base and ink. I also used tiny tags and the jewelry tag punch which has also retired. :(

 

I saw a card similar to this on the Stampin'Up! demonstrator website by Diane J Ouelette and knew I had to make it! This was one of our club cards last Sat. The card stock base is pink pirouette. Wildflower meadow is stamped on vellum with white craft ink and heated to dry. Then we used markers to color on the back. My favorite part of this card is the butterfly, also stamped on vellum, heat embossed, sponged with wisteria wonder, then to give it definition, I used a stylus on a foam pad from the back. The finishing touch is wisteria wonder baker's twine. So soft and feminine!

 

 This was my first attempt, but I heat embossed the white ink with clear embossing powder and the color didn't show through the back so I colored around the images. I like it, but would not color so far outside the images another time. The card stock base is midnight muse and the frame is primrose petals.

 I had lots of miscellaneous items on my desk and challenged my club to take some pieces home to make a card. Well, I am playing along also! I used the pretty in pink frame that was leftover from cutting out top note pieces on a basic grey card. I colored the wildflower meadow stamp with markers, spritzed with water, then stamped. I spritzed it again and stamped the white layer inside before I stamped my sentiment, neat look.

 Another leftover frame in island indigo that I paired with Baja breeze. This time I just inked up the wildflower meadow stamp with island indigo. I added pearls in the center of the flowers. I'm frustrated with the sentiment on the bottom since I used the stamp-a-ma jig and I still messed up the one on the left side.

Mosaic Madness

New colors and new toys! I brushed strawberry slush on the embossing folder before embossing to get the color. There is a coordinating punch that makes this set so versatile. The other colors on this card are coastal cabana and baked brown sugar. You will see more of this to come.

 

 

 

 

New pressed clay

I am excited about the new clay and molds. It comes white and you can color it with drops of reinker before molding or use markers after. You can also heat emboss to add color or shimmer. I colored the smallest flower with marina mist marker and then brushed the midnight muse across the top ridges. There is a mold with the 3 sizes of flowers that you see here, and one with 3 different sizes of buttons. I love that you can make these in any color as you need them. The paper for this card is the print poetry pack from the spring catalog that is no longer available. Such an easy layout though.

Washi tape

Washi tape is not new to the stamping world, and has now made an entrance at Stampin'Up! These 3 designs are from the this and that set. I made a herringbone design with the tape, then cut an oval with the new oval framelits out of the center. I also cut a smaller oval out of the calypso coral base. The flower from Oh, Hello is on the inside of the card. I stamped with basic grey and embossed with clear powder before coloring the flower and leaves. I still have the ovals that I cut out to use on another card.

More birthday cards

 This is from Teena, what a fun way to use designer paper!

My sister Joyce sent this. Really fun chalkboard design. She also uses the new washi tape here and also some on the inside.

Bike Accident

My semi retired husband has been going bike riding on bike trails and took a fall against a chain link fence last Sat. He scraped up his face, shoulder and knee. This is several days later with 2 black eyes! God is so good, no broken bones or internal injuries.

He decided he needed a helmet. I found one at Aldi. They had sizes for ages 3+, 5+, 8+, and only one 14+. I brought it home and it fit perfectly, so he took it on a test ride today.  

The new catalog is here!

There's not much more exciting than having the brand spanking new catalog in your hands so you can drool over it! If you have spent $50 or more last catalog year, yours will be free from me. If you want a catalog and haven't spent $50, you can still get one free by booking a party at your home or mine or an online/catalog party. Stampin'Up! has a new online hostess program where people can enter a hostess code and order online. Their product ships directly to them. How cool is that !!!!!