Stampin' Up! Unveils New Weekly Deals

It's time to save 25 percent on a new variety of items from Stampin' Up!  Click {HERE} to shop!

Basic Black Chevron Ribbon, #130010, originally $8.95, on sale for $6.71!

Boys Will Be Boys *WOOD* stamp set, #134135, originally $24.95, on sale for $18.71!

Early Espresso Bakers Twine, #123124, originally $2.95, on sale for $2.21!

Grateful Heart Thanksgiving Download, MDS, #127620, originally $14.95, on sale for $8.97!

Island Indigo Chevron Ribbon, #131151, originally $8.95, on sale for $6.71!

Large Triangle Punch, #133375, originally $15.95, on sale for $11.96!

Shaker Frames, #124155, originally $4.95, on sale for $3.71!

Silver Stampin' Glitter, #133756, originally $3.95, on sale for $2.96!

Interested in winning new Stampin' Up! products?  I've got contest details for you in tomorrow's post...

Runway Inspired and Sweet Sunday Sketch with a Little Chalk Talk and Modern Mosaic!

I love a good sketch!  Nothing gets my creative juices flowing like a sketch.  So many of my favorite projects began as Mojo Monday sketches or sketches from Karen Giron, a brilliant artist whose work I love.

Today's project is one such card.  Karen Giron's blog includes a bi-weekly sketch challenge, called the Sweet Sunday Sketch (her blog is The Sweetest Thing).  The link to this week's sketch is {HERE}. 

I combined this sketch challenge with another favorite challenge, the Runway Inspired Challenge.  This week, we were inspired by the Temberley London Pre-Fall 2014 image below:

{HERE} is the link for this week's challenge and {HERE} is the link to the Runway Inspired Challenge Blog.  Check it out; you WON'T be disappointed!  There are always cool colors and patterns that make those creative juices *FLOW*!

For today's project, I used Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black and Whisper White to mimic the model's dress.  I was inspired to use my Modern Mosaic TIEF (129984) and the Mosaic Punch (131267) to reflect the flooring (mounted on a circle cut using the Circles Collection framelits (130911).  I also used my Mosaic Punch to create the tag detail at the top.

Chalk Talk stamps and framelits give me the sentiment (*BUNDLE* to save! W132731 C132730).  I used the framelit with my Big Shot to cut the Whisper White piece (on which I'd stamped the sentiment in Rich Razzleberry) and used my Paper Snips (103579) to fussy cut around the edge so the Basic Black would show.  Simple and quick!  Whisper White Baker's Twine (124262) and a Gold Glimmer Brad (121003) finish it off.

I'd planned to enter this card in the Case Study Challenge #177 this week, but the cotton batting that fills my head due to this nasty cold has zapped me of all memory.  Read {HERE} about the other project I made and forgot to enter in two challenges this week!  ¡Ay, carumba!

Sale-a-Bration is upon us!  Do you have any supplies to reorder?  This is when I take stock of my card stock supply (pun totally intended) and make a big fat order that nets me all sorts of benefits.  Combine with friends, host a workshop or submit a Catalog Party and earn $50 extra in Hostess Benefits during Sale-a-Bration if your merchandise order totals $300 or more!  Downloads count!  Click {HERE} to shop or contact me to order!

Send tea, Kleenex (with lotion, please) and NyQuil!

Happy Halloween and a Final Thank You Thursday Deal

Happy Halloween, Studio Visitors!  Here's a *treat* to start off your Halloween.  Stampin' Up! has its final Thank You Thursday deals, good for today only.  

Click {HERE} to shop (if you dare--wink, wink):

Basic Black Chevron 3/4-inch Ribbon (130010):  Regularly $8.95, but a ghoulishly good deal -- $6.71!  

Calypso Coral Chevron 3/4-inch Ribbon (130018):  Regularly $8.95, but a frightfully good deal -- $6.71!  

Crushed Curry Chevron 3/4-inch Ribbon (130019):  Regularly $8.95, but a screaming good deal -- $6.71!

Island Indigo Chevron 3/4-inch Ribbon (130151):  Regularly $8.95, but a devilishly good deal -- $6.71!

Smoky Slate Chevron 3/4-inch Ribbon (130152):  Regularly $8.95, but bewitching at $6.71!

Here are some more pictures of a recent MOJO Monday contest entry, using the Halloween Bash (130580):

See my bejeweled spider?  That's the only way I can handle those...

Enjoy these final Thank You Thursday deals and be sure to include some of the savings from Tuesday's Weekly Deals (seen {HERE}).

"It's Close to Midnight..." Halloween Card for Mojo Monday Challenge

I've introduced my kiddos to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and Glee's "Thriller/Heads Will Roll" mash-up.  Both songs are total dance parties in our house (and car).  The kiddos are not old enough to watch the video to "Thriller," but the song is just exciting enough...

As I created this project, "Thriller" lines ran through my head (as did "Monster Mash").  Love the versatile punch-worthy images in this set (which I *WON* at Convention this year in Utah).  The various elements work wonders with the Mojo Monday MOJO314 challenge.

I love Old Olive card stock sponged with Basic Black (or teamed with it in terms of card stock in this case).  I also love pairing them both with Pumpkin Pie.  The colors of this card shout (or is it "SCREAM") Halloween to me.

The Basic Gray circle (created using my Magnetic Platform and Circles Collection Framelits) was crinkled and inked with Old Olive Classic Ink.  Looks like a spooky moon to me...

Spindly Linen Thread reminds me of a spider's web here and I've added Dazzling Details to the spider on the subway art stamp.

...and who so ever shall be found, without the soul for getting down..."

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Halloween Bash (W130577, C130580)

Papers:  Old Olive (100702), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Basic Black (121045) card stocks

Inks:  Basic Black (126980) and Old Olive (126953) Classics

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Magnetic Platform (130658), Circles Collection Framelits (130911), Decorative Label (120907) and Scallop Oval (119856) punches, Linen Thread (104199), Dazzling Details (124117), Stampin' Sponges (101610), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Halloween Card with Dynamic Duos, Sponge Grunge and MOJO

Boo!  :) How is it that I'm already making cards for Halloween and Christmas?  I guess it's because the challenges made me do it.  First, I blame the fab gals at Dynamic Duos, who encouraged us with their Black Tie combo this week to use Basic Black and Lucky Limeade.  

Next, I blame 365 Cards for the Sponge Grunge challenge, for which we were to add accents of color with our sponges...  You can see I added some to every shape on the card... 

...including the opening edge.

Of all my weekend's "toil," I'd say this project is one of my favorites (I hear MacBeth in my head now -- a witch's caldron project is sure to follow!).

Finally, I give blame credit to Mojo Monday (specifically MOJO258) for this great sketch...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Googly Ghouls (W128060, C128063)

Papers:  Lucky Limeade (2011-13 In Color -- 122926), Basic Black (121045) and Whisper White (100730)

Inks:  Lucky Limeade (2011-13 In Color -- 122984) and Basic Black (126980) Classics

Accessories:  Chevron Textured Impressions embossing folder (127749), Big Shot (113439), Finishing Touches Edgelits (127010), 2 1/2-inch Circle (120906), 1 3/4-inch Circle (119850) and 1-inch Circle (119868) Punches, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (for the eye -- 118309), 1 1/4-inch Square Punch (for the flagged ends -- 119865), Stamping Sponges (101610), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

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...

What's black and white and red all over?

This month's challenge at Stamps R Us, of course! For this month's challenge, we were charged with creating a card with only three colors: black, white and red. The rest was up to us... Here's one of my favorite cards:

One of the questions I receive a lot is "Where do you get your ideas for your designs?" Well, this card was "'lifted" from the pages of last year's (I think) Idea Book and Catalog. I simply inked the flourish image from Baroque Motifs (a fav of mine) in Basic Black Classic and stamped it Whisper White (pretty self-explanatory). To make the flowers, I inked those images (also from this set) in Real Red and then cut them out and used Stampin' Dimensionals to make them pop up.

**Studio Suggestion: To make the cutting go faster, I used the 3/4-inch Circle Punch first and then cut the petals.**

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Baroque Motifs

Inks: Basic Black and Real Red Classics

Papers: Basic Black, Real Red and Whisper White card stocks

Accessories: Real Red wide grosgrain, Stampin' Dimensionals, 3/4-inch Circle Punch, paper snips

Thank you so much for your visit! I've been busy organizing the Studio this week and having fun working in a tidier space. Now I've gotta get busy and post it all! :) Stay tuned for lots of new posts (and a video or two)! Thanks again!

Soccer Moms Unite!

Whew! Soccer is ov-ah! What a relief!

Don't get me wrong... Soccer has brought my husband and children much joy and good exercise. I will say, though, that it has been a challenge to have him coach the two older kids' teams and have a two-year-old in the mix. Plus we sure had some rainy days this season!

The kids were darling and all commented on how much fun they had this season. We hope to see everyone back next year!

To thank the fellow Soccer Parents who helped order trophies, set up our team party for the end of the season, bake treats for the party, etc, I came up with some simple "Thank You" notes. I love this design, as I can tweak it to use elsewhere...

I made this card in both Bravo Burgundy and Orchid Opulence (for the parents on Jordan's team; their team color was light purple).

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Short and Sweet, I Love Soccer (Retired)

Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Going Grey and Basic Black Classics

Accessories: Blender Pens, Basic Black wide grosgrain ribbon, Word Slot Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

A Negative Snowflake

It's been a while since I was able to participate in a card recipe challenge, so when this one arose and I had the time to participate, I was really excited!

The recipe was as follows: 4x4 card, red background, snowflakes (pattern, embellishments, any #, and any variety), one ribbon, and one stamped sentiment.

I had fun first embossing the Rose Red card stock using my Texturz Plates (Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1). Then I used the Jumbo Snowflake Punch on Brushed Silver card stock. I love the color and feel of this card stock, but I also love that the color is throughout, so that a punched design (in this case) is silver through and through. I thought it would be fun to use the negative image, rather than the punch. Simple, simple and twice the fun! Now I've stashed the snowflake to use in another project (or I could adhere it inside this card). Hmmm...

To finish it off, I attached a piece of Basic Black Wide Grosgrain and tied a simple knot. I want it to look like an ornament!

"Very merry" from the Short and Sweet set is the "one stamped sentiment" that I was allowed. The snowflakes I stamped on the envelope are from this set, as well.What a fun, quick and easy card! A pack of four of these would make the perfect gift for a hostess, teacher, hairdresser, mail carrier, etc!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Short and Sweet

Paper: Rose Red and Brushed Silver card stocks

Ink: Encore Silver

Accessories: Jumbo Snowflake and Horizontal Slot punches, Basic Black Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Sizzix Big Shot, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate, Mini Glue Dots


Thanks for the visit!

My Hat's off to You!

This sweet snowman is courtesy of a Hostess set I earned for an order I put together early last month. The name of the set is "Snow Buddies" and it can be found in the Holiday Mini Catalog. The challenge from the 365 Cards folks is to include a hat... Here's my take:

Studio Suggestion: I used the Round Tab Punch to punch the Basic Black card stock and snipped it in half to create the bowler hat for my snowman. The cute hat band is the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper.

Studio Suggestion #2: To make the snow effect on the ground, I tore a piece of Vellum and then dusted it with my Stampin' Pastels (blue).

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Buddies, Fun & Fast Notes

Papers: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Old Olive and Whisper White card stocks and Merry Moments Designer Series Paper

Inks: Basic Black Classic Ink and VersaMark

Accessories: Round Tab and Word Window Punches, Stampin' Pastels, Blender Pen, Paper Snips

Thanks so much for your visit!

Medallion as Sunflower

"Every friend is to the other a sun, and a sunflower also. He attracts and follows." Jean Paul Richter, Humorist and Novelist

One of the challenges this week at 365 Cards is to include a sunflower. I only have one stamp that includes a sunflower, but I thought I'd see what else I could come up with. One of my favorite new stamps from the 2009-10 Idea Book and Catalog (aka, "The New One") is Medallion. It's one of those stamps that, at first blush, seemed pretty limited in its potential. The more I play with it, though, the more I find I can do with it…

--First, ink the entire stamp surface with Summer Sun Classic Ink. Use a Stampin' Sponge to add Ruby Red Classic Ink to the "middle" and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink in the very center. The sponges allow the ink to be more gradual and less precise, much like the coloring of the sunflower's petals. Give the entire stamp surface a few good huffs (heavy-breathing on the stamp) and stamp on a piece of Very Vanilla card stock.

--To add the effect of sunflower seeds, I placed a layer of Sticky Strip on the center of the sunflower and pressed it into the container of Microbeads.

--I used the Distressing Tool from the Cutter Kit to rough up the edges of the Very Vanilla card stock. Adhere it to a piece of Basic Black card stock (which has been cut just wide enough to allow for the Natural Hemp Twine).

--Wrap enough Natural Hemp Twine to go around the Basic Black piece three times and knot. Adhere this to the half sheet of Elegant Eggplant card stock, which has been folded in half.

--The sentiment is made with the "for you" stamp from the Fresh Cuts set. Ink it first in Ruby Red Classic Ink and then in the Chocolate Chip Classic Ink to mirror the colors of the sunflower. Stamp on Very Vanilla card stock. Use the 1-inch Circle Punch to punch it out.
**Studio Suggestion: Stamp the image first and then punch it out. It's easier to flip the punch upside-down to view your card stock and punch out the precise image, rather than trying to line up and stamp the image on your punched piece.**

--Use the Stampin' Sponge and Summer Sun Classic Ink to add a bit of color around the circle. Punch a circle of Basic Black card stock using the 1 ¼-inch Circle Punch. Punch a piece of Ruby Red card stock using the Designer Label Punch and assemble the three pieces.

--To add interest to the inside of the card, I used the remaining bit of card stock with the stamped sunflower as the writing surface.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Medallion and Fresh Cuts

Inks: Summer Sun, Ruby Red, and Chocolate Chip Classic Inks

Papers: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Ruby Red and Elegant Eggplant card stocks

Accessories: Sticky Strip, Microbeads, Designer Label, 1-inch and 1 1/4-inch Punches, Stampin' Sponges, Natural Hemp Twine and Distressing Tool.

What a fun challenge! Thanks so much for your visit! Hope you're having a lovely summer!

Anna, Our Little Ladybug

Oh, it feels good to stamp again! Anna's birthday is in two weeks and I'd realized that I hadn't gotten invites in the mail yet (family knows when the party is; I just had to make it official).

Ladybugs are the symbol for children adopted from China. Apparently, there was a large population boom of ladybugs in China at a time when there was a lot of happy news that families would be proceeding with their adoptions (the waiting is very hard). In addition to the fact that red is a good luck color in China, this ladybug population boom was seen as a good omen and now ladybugs represent the beautiful children adopted from China. Even though Anna was adopted from Taiwan, we thought this would make a fun theme for her second birthday party.

Here's her birthday invitation, patterned after the paper plates, etc, that I found for her party. I cannot take credit for the darling ladybug; I got the idea from "kaitysmom" on Splitcoast. :)

**Please forgive the tightness of this text; I can't get Blogger to let me double-space it!**

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: NONE! :)

Papers: Pixie Pink, Gable Green, Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Basic Black Classic and Stampin' Write; Real Red Stampin' Write

Accessories: Scallop Circle and 1/2-inch Punches, 5/8-inch Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon and Basic Black Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots

Thanks for the visit!