Sneak Peak!! Just for You

Each year, Stampin' Up! changes out 6 of their colors, In Colors, to keep our choices fresh and in style with current color trends. This year is no exception! Here's a card just for you with a few sneak peaks at some of the new products in the 2009-2010 catalog! What do you think of those colors?? I hope you like them, because I a few of theNEW 2009-2010 "In Colors" are featured on this card: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, and Crushed Curry!

Want to take a sneak peak at ALL of the NEW In Colors?? I thought so! Allow me to introduce you, in order, to Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, and Soft Suede!!

I think my favorite is Rich Razzleberry, yum! It looks delicious!

Ok, ok, back to my card. I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch for the layout (although, I admit, I didn't exactly stick strictly to it!). The sketch is shown here:

This is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill, card size! I guess every once in a while I need to get out of my 4.25x5.5" comfort zone and 'stretch' out my card a bit! The dimensions I used are: 7"x4". I love to mix and match stamp sets just to see what "plays nicely together". That is definitely the case here. I used Eastern Blooms, Bird on a Branch, Teeny Tiny Wishes (New!!), and Circle Circus (New!!) stamp sets. (Click on any images you would like a close-up of!) I can tell you already that the In Color Polka Dot Ribbon is going to be on a lot of my projects this year because it is so cute, not to mention versatile! The opposite side is plain grosgrain, so it can be used with polka dots or without. It's like the Day and Evening look for ribbon! The NEW Razzleberry Lemonade DSP adds a lot of sweet, and not much sour! Look all all the fantastic prints!

For that final touch, I got out my paper piercing tool and placed (3) 5/16" whisper white brads at the left base of the card. Adding a little something at the bottom corner of a card often gives it a finished looked because it balances what is going on at the top part of the card. With a longer card like this, a "little something" was definitely needed. You like what you see?? I am taking pre-orders, just email me with your wish list and I will send you an invoice and get your order ready to go in first thing July 1st! Don't forget!! Just under two more weeks to order your Last Chance items before they are gone forever! Click here to order online. What I used: Stamps: Eastern Blooms (111626), Circle Circus (115778, available July 1st), Bird on a Branch (113266), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370, available July 1st) Ink: Crushed Curry (115659, available July 1st), Soft Suede (115657, available July 1st) Paper: Whisper White (100730, available July 1st), Crushed Curry (115319, available July 1st), Dusty Durango (115321, available July 1st), Soft Suede (115318, available July 1st), Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (115675, available July 1st) Tools: Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826, available July 1st), Dimensionals (104430), SNAIL (104352), Paper Snips (103579), 1/2" Circle Punch (104390) Accessories: Soft Suede Polka Dot Grograin Ribbon (115612, available July 1st), 5/16" Jumbo Brads (112534)

Classy and Fabulous!

It's Monday! That means it's Mojo Monday time! And with my new "Classy and Fabulous" stamp set, I am feeling fabulous, too. I modified today's sketch just a bit by rotating the image (I didn't want her to fall out of her chair!):

I used my markers to add lots of color and detail to my images, and kept my backgrounds simple with plain cardstock and minimal embellishments. I couldn't help myself and had to get something with the Big Shot in there (it's just too much fun to play with!) and used the Top Note Bigz die for my cute chocolate chip background frame. Stamps: Classy and Fabulous (113226) Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908) Paper: Whisper White (100730), Regal Rose (105130), Tempting Turquoise (102067), Rose Red (102544) Tools: Markers (105541), Paper Piercing Tool and Foam Mat (available in the crafter's tool kit-104310), Big Shot (113439), Top Note Bigz Die (113463), Note: the Big Shot and Top Note Die are also available in the Big Shot Starter Kit (116314),Scallop Edge Punch (112091), 1" Circle Punch (109046), 1-1/4" Circle Punch (104403) Embellishments: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon (109051), Silver Brads (104336) To order online CLICK HERE.

Great Friend and great fun!

With all of the fantastic promotions for the occasions mini, I have been going to town with all my new Occasions Mini toys! :) Plus, I am a super huge fan of beautiful butterflies, so Great Friend is now one of my favorite stamp sets. My stampin' heart is all a-flutter! To give my greetings extra depth, I used both Baja Breeze and Basic Gray ink. To combine the two colors on the same stamped image, I first stamped the greetings in Baja Breeze ink, and then whipped out my handy-dandy basic gray marker and colored directly on my rubber stamp in the sections I wanted to add some extra "umph!" to. I stamped a the leaf image in the background using basic gray ink on the basic gray cardstock. This tone-on-tone stamping adds a little extra texture, without being overbearing. Almost everything I used on this card is available in the Occasions Mini catalog, and Stampin' Up! is offering a fantastic promotion for items in the Mini: SALE: Choose any item in the "Under $10" section (p. 208) of the Idea Book & Catalog with a $40 purchase from the Occasions Mini. You can also earn a FREE "Under $10" item when you hostess a workshop totaling $150 (or purchase $150 of products yourself!) in addition to regular hostess benefits. CLICK HERE to find out more about the occasions mini and this promotion. Other Promotions: Don't forget you can earn a FREE idea book and catalog with any online order through April 30th! CLICK HERE to order online 24/7. Stamps: Oval All, Great Friend Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Walk in the Park DSP Tools: Eyelet Border punch, Scallop Oval punch, Basic Gray marker Embellishments: Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon, baja breeze corduroy button

Some Mojo this Wednesday

Anyone else ready for a little spring?? I sure am! I am getting my Monday Mojo on a little late (it is Wednesday, after all!!) And, Spring is terribly late getting here this year, so hopefully this card will inspire Mother Nature to send a little sunshine our way! I started out with some sunshine in mind and the sketch from Mojo Monday: This sketch was a little tricky getting all the dimensions and angles just right, but it was definitely a fun one! My color inspiration came from Stampin's Up!'s new Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper, it is featured in the current Occasions Mini (115123), and oh! I love, love love it! Right now, when you order $40 from the Occasions mini, you can pick out an under $10 item (p 208 in the idea book and catalog) for FREE! Click here to find out more about this SALE!Another feature from the occasions mini: the darling Baja Breeze corduroy brads. They add some serious texture and pizzazz to any card! Helpful hint: use your paper piercing tool not only to pierce the paper where you want to place your brads, but also to help get those prongs open. Your fingernails will thank you! :)

Speaking of texture, I used my Big Shot to add depth to my regular Kiwi Kiss cardstock and also to cut out my greeting "Hello Spring". I used Texturz Plates kit #4 (114531) Helpful Hint: You'll also need the rubber silicon pad and the Texturz Impression Pad. I used the Billboard Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die (114510) for my letters. Helpful Hint: You'll also need the extended spacer platform, and extended cutting pads. To adhere the letters, I used my two-way glue pen, which lets you "write" glue right where you want it! With such thin letters, the two-way glue pen made this project a snap.

The "twig"-ish image in the Always stamp set reminded me of buds on trees, so I thought it was the perfect image for spring. To get two colors on my stamped image, I first stamped the image in Baja Breeze ink, and then used the Basic Gray marker to color the stems. You'll also notice some of my stamped images are lighter and darker. Instead of re-inking the image each time, I wanted the middle image to 'stand out' and the side images to fade away into the background. To do that, I just didn't re-ink my stamp between "stampings". FYI: this technique is called "stamping off".

For the perfect touch and professional finish, I added some Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain (111375) and a clear rhinestone brad (113144) in the center of my flower. FYI: Rhinestone brads are also available in the Pretties Kit! (109114).

What I used to make this card:

Stamps: Always (113620)

Paper: Baja Breeze cardstock (111352), Basic Gray cardstock (108692), Whisper White Cardstock (100730), Walk in the Park DSP (115123)

Ink: Baja Breeze(111833), Cameo Coral (103035)

Tools: Big Shot Die-Cut machine (113439), Texturz Plates (114531), Paper piercing tool and mat-in the crafter's tool kit (104310), ribbon scissors (108360)

Embellishments: Clear rhinestone brads (113144), Baja Breeze Corduroy Buttons (114344), Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (111375)

Other project must-haves!: SNAIL (104332), Two-way glue pen (100425), Basic Gray marker-in the Neutrals marker pack (109126), Silicone rubber pad (114615), Texturz Impressions Pad (114614)

CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE 24/7!.

Flight of the Butterfly

Isn't that a gorgeous flower!! I love how it turned out. To make it, I punched out 4 scallop circles, count out 6 scallops and folded, then turned it over and folded the two edges in toward the center. For a picture tutorial, CLICK HERE. The sharp little bows are a snap and look snappy, too! Just glue a piece of ribbon in a circle, and then glue a band to cinch it together. For a picture tutorial of the ribbon bow tie, CLICK HERE. Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Riding Hood Red Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, Pop-up Glue Dots, Bone Folder, 1/2" Circle Punch, Sponge daubers Embellishments: Half Pearl from the Pretties Kit, 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE 24/7!! Don't forget, Sale-a-Bration ends in just 2 weeks!!

Stationary Set

I have been receiving so many emails about my Cherish stationary box, I just decided to post it and the instructions here. Hope you enjoy making this great stationary set!

Click here for instructions.

There is a second set of instructions for a stationary kit that looks like a purse, you can just ignore those (or give it a try!)

I created this to teach at a workshop in November. Love that Urban Garden DSP!! Contact me if you'd like to have me do this project at a workshop for you--it would be tons of fun!

Click here to contact me to find out more about my workshops. Stamps: Baroque Motifs (113490), Say it with Scallops (111678) Paper: Sahara Sand (105328), Basic Gray (108692), Urban Garden DSP (my Fave!!) (112042), Kiwi Kiss (111353) Ink: Basic Gray(109120), Baja Breeze (111833) Tools: Powder Pal (102197), Heat Embossing Tool (100005), Scallop Square Punch (112081) , Large Needle from Crafter's Tool Kit (104310)

Embellishments: White embossing powder (109132), Versamark (102283), Pretties Kit (pearl) (109114), Chunky Essentials glitter (108797) , Crystal Effects (101055), Mini-Glue Dots (103683), Sticky Strip (104294), Dimensionals (104430), Whisper White Envelopes (107301), White 1-1/4" Grosgrain ribbon (not Stampin' Up!), Linen thread (104199)

Click Here to Order Online! (24/7)