Thursday, May 31, 2012

*Final day for the Stampin' Up! 2011-12 Idea Book and Catalog!*

Today is the final day to order from the retiring 2011-12 Idea Book and Catalog.  Some things from the Accessories List are already unavailable, but there are still great finds and bargains to be discovered!  Any stamp on the Retiring Stamps List is available until the end of today.

The following projects were made with one of my favorite sets, Herb Expressions:
The Decorative Label punch is an easy tool to use to add visual interest to both the image and the sentiment.  I punched the image and sentiment after I stamped them on the card stock.
My Blender Pen makes coloring the rosemary leaves and blossoms a breeze; I used the Lucky Limeade and Wisteria Wonder Classic ink.

Taffeta ribbon gives the card a soft finish...

I wanted a touch of texture without overwhelming the design of the card, so the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder was just the thing.
This card's color palette includes Pear Pizzazz, which retires with the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog.  It's made on a Cajun Craze base and includes Riding Hood Red.  The color combo is courtesy of my Color Coach! 
The cute edging along my Pear Pizzazz piece is from the soon-to-be-seen (again) Adorning Accents Edgelits (you might remember them from the last Occasions Mini Catalog).  The other piece of Pear Pizzazz is "sueded."  Click *here* for a video tutorial on distressing...

See the faint texture in the Riding Hood Red piece?  That's created using the Backgrounds I Texturz Plates with my Big Shot (the Backgrounds 1 plates retire with the 2011-12 Idea Book and Catalog!).
Once again, I turned to my Blender Pen to color in the image of the basil.  Whisper White Organza Ribbon finishes off the project.

Stampin' Supplies:


Stamps:  Herb Expressions (W113224) *retiring!*

Paper:  Project 1:  Elegant Eggplant (105126), Wisteria Wonder (122922), Pink Pirouette (111351), Lucky Limeade (122926); Project #2:  Cajun Craze (119684), Riding Hood Red (111348) and Pear Pizzazz (119795 -- *retiring!*)

Ink:  Project 1:  Basic Black (101179), Elegant Eggplant (105210), Wisteria Wonder (122936), and Lucky Limeade (122935) Classics; Project #2:  Basic Black (101179) and Pear Pizzazz (119784 -- *retiring!*) Classics

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Blender Pen (102845)  Project 1:  Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (121809), 3/8-inch Taffeta, Decorative Label Punch (120907), Project #2: Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates (114512 -- *retiring!*), Adorning Accents Edgelits (TBA in 2012-2013 Annual Catalog), Whisper White Organza Ribbon (114319)

Today is also your last day to receive your Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 Annual Catalog for free with a $50 order!  You can also purchase it for a mere $5 (which includes shipping)!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

{Sneak Peek}: Retiring Countdown: Final Week

With less than a week remaining before Stampin' Up!'s 2012-2013 Annual Catalog goes live and the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog retires, I thought I'd share some projects I made this weekend using retiring stamps and/or accessories.  Stay tuned this week for detailed posts about each...  Enjoy!  

I'll be sad to see the Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die and the 5-Petal Flower Punch retire this week; I really enjoy using those!
As a gardener, I love the Herb Expressions set.  This project highlights the rosemary stamp...
And this one features the basil...
Baroque Motifs is the stamp set used in the following "Keep It Simple" challenge entry...

I used the Nursery Nest Designer Series Paper, which includes Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz, two retiring 2010-2012 In Colors.

I simply love the Vintage Vogue set.  I paired it with the bird from the Notably Ornate set, both of which retire this week.  The card body, though, is of Summer Starfruit, which is a new 2012-2014 In Color.

This card is one of my favorites from this weekend.  I used the Doily Triple Layer Punch, which is among the retirĂ©es.

I'm making my list for when the new catalog goes live (Friday, noon).  If you're interested in anything that is retiring, please check these links here to verify their availability:  {stamps} and {accessories}.

Got the new 2012-2013 Annual Catalog in your hands yet?  Get it for free (click *HERE* for more details) or order it delivered for $5.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

{Resource Thursday}: Color Coach from Stampin' Up!

I'd like to start a new feature, which I will reserve for Thursdays.  I'll call it {Resource Thursday} and my intent is to offer projects which share a variety of resources available to inspire and/or assist.

Today's project was aided by the Color Coach.
As you can see by this picture, each of Stampin' Up!'s colors (including In Colors) is given its own card.  The card shows a "Dynamic Duo," which is typically a lighter or darker version of that color.  Those two colors alone make a lovely combination.  The best part, though, is the combinations offered in two sets of three colors. 
Using my Color Coach, I combined Cajun Craze, Tangerine Tango, Perfect Plum and Always Artichoke.   
While my use of the taffeta bow on the Modern Label Punch lends a feminine feel to the project, this color scheme would be great for masculine cards.  Perhaps I'll recreate this card with natural hemp twine or linen thread in the taffeta's place for the men in my life...
We have more retirees in today's project:  Crazy for Cupcakes and the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die for the Big Shot.  The stamps are available until May 31.  The Bigz die is considered an accessory and available while supplies last or until May 31 (whichever happens first).

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Crazy for Cupcakes (W111618)

Paper:  Always Artichoke (102584), Cajun Craze (119684), Perfect Plum (101889), Tangerine Tango (111349), and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Ink:  Basic Black (101179), Always Artichoke (105219), Cajun Craze (119671), Perfect Plum (101437), and Tangerine Tango (111834) Classics

Accessories:  Color Coach (120148), Color Coach 2010-12 In Color cards (121048), Color Coach 2011-13 In Color cards (124886), Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (117335), Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die (113468), Modern Label Punch (119849), 2-1/2" Circle Punch (120906), Whisper White 3/8-inch Taffeta (109070), Blender Pens (102845) and Paper Snips (103579)

Got the new 2012-2013 Annual Stampin' Up! Catalog yet?!  Earn it for *FREE* or purchase it for only  $5, including Priority Shipping...

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

"Hello!" and a Birthday with a Bit of Bling and Sparkle

How 'bout a little bling on this fine Wednesday?  I created two of these cards this weekend...  One was a birthday card for my dear sister-in-law and then I made another with the "hello" sentiment from Tiny Teacup because I knew I could use another card of this design in the future.  The birthday card used the sweet sentiment from the Hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes that says "happy birthday dear you!"  I love that...
Anyhoo, I was enjoying my Color Coach this weekend and it helped me select the palette for these bright cards.  Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, and Pacific Point.  Bright and fun!
The background on the Real Red piece was achieved with the Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and my Big Shot (as was the polka-dotted piece in the lower left corner).  I punched out the Pacific Point piece using my Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (soon to be retired, by the by) and then ran it through my Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  The Pumpkin Pie piece layered over it is also from the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch.  I'll be sad to see that one go...
The sentiment, "hello" is inked in Pumpkin Pie and then punched with the Modern Label Punch.  I used a Stamping Sponge and my Pacific Point Classic ink to make it stand out a bit more.  White Organza Ribbon adds a touch more class.  Finally, for the bling, I added the Basic Rhinestones.

*HERE* is another look at Tiny Teacup and THIS ONE, as well.  Oh, and THIS POST, too!

Do you still need the {2012-2013 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog}?  Here's how to earn one for FREE...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Tiny Teacup (W118086)
Paper:  Pacific Point (111350), Real Red (102482), Pumpkin Pie (105117) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks
Ink:  Pacific Point (111837), Real Red (103133), and Pumpkin Pie (105216) Classics
Accessories:  Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119277), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (117335), Modern Label Punch (119849), Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (122464), White Organza Ribbon (114319), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Stamping Sponges (101610)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Bright Spring Sunshine with Cottage Garden

We need a little spring sunshine in the Pacific Northwest, as we're getting treated to the liquid variety this week...  I love the stamp set, Cottage Garden and I'm sad to report that it'll be retiring in a little over a week's time (May 31, to be exact).
The 5-Petal Flower Punch likewise retires at the end of May, so I thought I'd pay homage to them both in this project.  The colors I used were Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White.  

The tone-on-tone flowers in the Melon Mambo piece are courtesy of VersaMark ink...

If you're lovin' Cottage Garden and you'd like to see another project, click *here*, *here*, but page down a bit, *here*, and the sentiment is used *here*.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Cottage Garden (W117068, C120003)

Paper:  Melon Mambo (115320), Tempting Turquoise (102067), Daffodil Delight (119683), Pretty in Pink (100459) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Ink:  Melon Mambo (115656), Tempting Turquoise (100814), Daffodil Delight (119667), and Pretty in Pink (101301) Classics and VersaMark (102283)

Accessories:  Large Tag Punch (119876), 5-Petal Flower Punch (119880), White Baker's Twine (124262)

Monday, May 21, 2012

A {Peek} at My Weekend's Projects...

Our weekend was a busy one, but here's what I was able to create during the wee early morning hours (insomnia has its bennies!):
A flower for a fabric-inspired project, using the soon-to-be retired 5-Petal Flower.  I paired Very Vanilla (I love the cleanliness of muslin slipcovers, etc) with Baja Breeze.
Charming, another set that retires on May 31, includes a lovely stamp of script, including the words "inspire," "create," and "share."  I'll be sad to retire that set...
This sentiment, stamped on Tangerine Tango card stock, is from Crazy for Cupcakes, which retires on May 31. 
Of all the projects I completed this weekend, this is among my favorites.  It's a versatile design, which you'll see later this week.  It was for a Color Scheme challenge, for which I used Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Regal Rose and Crumb Cake.
Our niece celebrates her first birthday on Saturday, so I used the set, Look Who's Turning, to create a first birthday card for her.  This set and the Big Shot Texturz Plates Backgrounds 1, (which gave me the embossing on the card body) retire this month, too!
The "hello" from Tiny Teacup (another retiree) was used for the sentiment of this card...

This card was created for a challenge in which I was to use multiple sentiments...  The large one in the background is from the retiring set (one of my go-to sets), Sincere Salutations.  One can never have too many notes to say "Thank you!"

My Color Coach was my constant companion this weekend, as I tried out new color combinations.  Admittedly, some are different and some are ones I'll only use once.  I did find a few new favorites, though, and I am grateful to have it to lean on.

I appreciate your visit and I invite you back this week as I write about each of these in turn...

Thursday, May 17, 2012

A Spot of Tea for a Friend's Birthday

Hello, Studio Sara Visitor!  Welcome back...  For today's project, I started with a card for a good friend for her birthday (she is my BFF I made through stamping).   

Once the 365 Cards challenges were published last week, I realized that with a little tweaking, I could enter my friend's birthday card.  The challenge was "The 3 Cs" and we were asked to make it colorful, classy and add coffee.  

My friend once told me how much she liked how (on my Christmas card) I had threaded the Cherry Cobbler seam binding through the circle (cut with my Perfect Pennants Bigz L die).  I wanted to replicate that for her here.  
The teacup is from the A la Carte stamp, Tiny Teacup, which retires at the end of May.  It includes "hello" underneath, but I just inked the teacup.  

Since I was going to use my Cherry Cobbler again, I needed to find colors that would coordinate, but still *POP*.  I used my Color Coach and came up with the palette of Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede and Chocolate Chip.  Colorful without being glaring...


Finally, I used the Scallop Edge Border punch and a sliver of card stock to make the border along the opening of the card.  Simple, but I think it finishes the card while drawing your eye back to the main elements.  

That sweet sentiment?  From the retiring hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes.  Place a merchandise order of $150 and you can choose this set with your shopping spree $$!  It'll also earn you the new Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 Annual Catalog!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Happiest Birthday Wishes (W122615, C122617), Tiny Teacup (W118086)

Papers:  Baja Breeze (111352), Chocolate Chip (102128), Soft Suede (115318) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Inks:  Baja Breeze (111833) and Cherry Cobbler (119669) Classics

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (117335), Perfect Pennants Bigz L die (123126), Scallop Edge Border (119882), 1-3/8" Circle (119860) and Modern Label (119849) punches, and Cherry Cobbler 1/2-inch Seam Binding Ribbon (120992)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Stampin' Up!'s Grunge Rock in Blue

Today's project was a card I created for the 365 Cards challenge last week called "The 3 Bs."  We were to include three things in our card:  blue, black and a button.  I chose a card base of Marina Mist.  The stamp set, Grunge Rock, retires at the end of May, so I thought I'd highlight it.  

I've said it before and I'll say it again; I love using this set for more than just the tweens/teens in my life.  I've used this set for men's cards and I've really enjoyed the way they've turned out (sans crown, though).  
The center tag was made with the Decorative Label punch, inked with the edges of my Marina Mist Classic ink pad.  The button was adhered after I'd threaded a sliver of Basic Black Card stock through two of its holes.  It's hard to see in the photo, but the holes in the button line up with circles decorating the middle of the crown; I loved being able to utilize those!

The "Happy Birthday!" sentiment was stamped on a rectangular piece of Whisper White and I used the corner of one of my square punches to make the pennant flag.  I then ran it along the edge of my Basic Black Classic ink pad.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Grunge Rock (W117080, C120555)

Papers:  Marina Mist (119682), Basic Black (121045) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Inks:  Marina Mist (119668) and Basic Black (101179) Classics

Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch (120907), 2-1/2" Circle Punch (120906), Paper Piercing Tool (116631) and Mat Pack (105826), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) 

Don't forget!  If you're interested in receiving the Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 Annual Catalog for free, you have until May 31 to do so.  Click here for more details...

Monday, May 14, 2012

{Sneak Peek} This Weekend's Projects

I hope you had a great weekend.  In our neck of the woods, it was uncharacteristically warm and sunny, so between baseball/softball and Mother's Day, it was a terrific weekend!

As we're counting down the final weeks before some favorite stamps and accessories retire, I thought I'd focus most of my efforts on retiring items.  Here are a few things I was working on this weekend:

Here's Cottage Garden, a favorite which will be retiring at the end of May.  Love that tag stamp!
Tiny Teacup is a single stamp ("a la carte") which will retire on May 31.  It's got a sentiment "Hello" attached, but I inked just the cup for this project.

Bling, bling!  A rhinestone brad adds a bit of shimmer and twinkle to Pendant Park, which *SADLY* retires at the end of May.
Grunge Rock (another retiree) is the stamp set I used for this final project.  What is marketed as a set for the tween/teen set,  I've had a lot of success using it for grown men, too!  I love the distressed look of its images and the useful diamond pattern stamp (you can see it in the lower left corner).
Thankfully, this sweet stamp set, Easy Events, is not retiring (the tree and cupcake below are from this terrific set).  I love both the line images and the sweet sentiments!
You can see a sliver of the Lattice Bigz die in this picture; I love how versatile it is (nothing on this card is retiring -- phew!)!
Looking forward to telling you more!  Check this post for how you can earn a free Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 Annual Catalog from Studio Sara...