{Studio Sneak Peek} and Weekly Deals

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been working on lately.  I've also got the latest Weekly Deals below. Enjoy!

This pennant project features the Pennant Parade stamp set, which is retiring.  Check the list {HERE} for stamps and {HERE} for retiring accessories.  These items are only available as supplies last (this is the first year in which stamps haven't been available until the end of the Annual Catalog).

The sweet doily (shown below) is in the Delicate Doilies set, which has retired.  While both the clear and wood versions of a desired set might be retired, there are sometimes versions available digitally on My Digital Studio!

And now for the Weekly Deals:

Alhambra Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel (126940), originally $8.50, on sale this week for $6.38!

Card Base Pop'N Cuts (130099), originally $39.95, on sale this week for $29.96!

Hearts A Flutter Clear Stamp Set (129252), originally $18.95, on sale this week for $14.21!

Holiday Ornaments Framelits (127816), originally $24.95, on sale this week for $18.71!

I Am Me DSP (130138), originally $10.95, on sale this week for $8.21!

Pacific Point Striped 1-1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (132981), originally $8.95, on sale this week for $6.71!

Real Red Stitched Grosgrain (126875), originally $4.95, on sale this week for $3.71!

The Man, the Myth Download MDS (130104), originally $14.95, on sale this week for $8.97!

New {Video Tutorial}! and New {Weekly Deals}!

Welcome Studio Visitors!  I've got a lot to share with you today.

First, I've been working away on a new video tutorial and here it is:

I have had my eye on this technique for a while and decided to enter this card for a couple of challenges.

As you'll hear in the video, I wanted to make this card with and without the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF (AC page 191, #117335).

Using the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch (OC page 35, #133324) adds such a fun and unique detail to the card and it's such an easy thing to do!

In a fun coincidence, the very stamp set used above (Make a Cake) is on sale this week as one of the Weekly Deals!

Make a Cake *CLEAR* stamp set, C126742, originally $11.95, on sale this week for $8.96!

Gingham Standard Stampin' Around Wheel, #130110, originally $6.50, on sale this week for $4.88!

Island Indigo Baker's Twine, 125575, originally $2.95, on sale this week for $2.21!

Itty Bitty Punch Pack, #118309, originally $16.95, on sale this week for $12.71!

Recipes by Design Digital Download, MDS, #118869, originally $9.95, on sale this week for $5.97!

Secret Garden Framelits, #129372, originally $24.95, on sale this week for $18.71!

Summer Starfruit Striped 1.25" Grosgrain Ribbon, #132980, originally $8.95, on sale this week for $6.71!

Brights Glimmer Brads, #121006, originally $4.95, on sale this week for $3.71!

The Crazy3 are on Spring Break this week, but I'll be popping in periodically to upload some more projects.  I'm also looking forward to sharing some of the organization I've been working on in my Studio!

{12 Weeks of Christmas}: Week 7 -- Technique Tuesday: Z-fold

Hi, there, and welcome to another installment of {12 Weeks of Christmas}!  This week, I've got a fun technique that adds *WOW* to your project without adding any cost (we love those, don't we?!).  It's called a Z-Fold and there are all sorts of variations.  I thought we'd start simple; I'll show you a more complex one in the future...

Start with a half-sheet of Riding Hood Red card stock, cut vertically.  Next, score (using Stampin' Up!'s fabulous new Simply Scored tool) at 5-1/2 inches and 8-1/4 inches.

I fed the (end) 2 3/4-inch piece through my Big Shot, using my Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

The accents on that little flap include a piece of Baja Breeze (suggested by my Color Coach) that I edged using the Scallop Edge Border punch, a piece of 1/4-inch Whisper White grosgrain ribbon (which I tucked around the edges of the Baja Breeze so that the "Behind the Scenes" isn't visible on the card), and a Scallop Oval piece of So Saffron with the sentiment stamped in Baja Breeze and punched using the Large Oval punch.  Finally, I stamped the little bloom from Season of Joy on whisper White (using the Riding Hood Red Classic Ink) and cut it out, using my super-fine Stampin' Up! Paper Snips.  A "Faux Bow" of the same Whisper White grosgrain ribbon finishes off the front.

For the "inside" of the card, I inked the big blossom from Season of Joy in So Saffron and stamped it first (it's barely visible in the photo, hiding behind the sentiment), then followed it up with the square image/sentiment stamp that I colored using my Stampin' Write Markers (that's how I got parts to be Baja Breeze and the three blooms in the upper left to be Riding Hood Red).  The same big blossom is inked in Riding Hood Red on the envelope to tie the two together (remember, no naked envelopes!).

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Season of Joy (#110384, $26.95)

Paper:  Riding Hood Red (#111348), So Saffron (#105118), Baja Breeze (# 111352) and Whisper White (#100730) card stocks

Inks:  Riding Hood Red (#111836 pad, #120971 marker), So Saffron (#105213), and Baja Breeze (#111833 pad, #120965 marker) Classic Inks

Accessories:  Simply Scored Scoring Tool (in the Holiday and Occasions Mini Catalogs, #122334), Big Shot (#113439), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#116824), Scallop Edge Border (#119882), Scallop Oval (#119856), and Large Oval (#119855) Punches, Paper Snips (#103579), and Whisper White 1/4-inch grosgrain ribbon (#109025)

On the Grow!

Boy, this title says it all... It's been a summer "on the grow" for sure. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've been busy finishing my teaching coursework and now we're knee-deep in summer camps and travel. In the midst of all of this personal fun, the new Idea Book and Catalog came out and I've gotten to see the Holiday Mini Catalog, which goes into effect on September 1. So many fun things! I can't wait to show you what I've made!



I made this card for a paper piecing challenge. I *LOVE* hydrangea blooms and I'm lucky to have a garden full of them (lace leaf and PGs), which mean a lot of pruning. :)


This layout is a versatile one that can be easily changed up for various occasions and themes.

Studio Suggestions: I used my distressing tool to rough up the edges of my punched circle and my paper snips to get the super-close cuts for the hydrangea blooms.


Stampin' Up! Supplies:




Stamps: On the Grow (Summer Mini Catalog, available until August 31)



Papers: Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette and Early Espresso smooth card stocks



Inks: Early Espresso Classic



Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, paper snips, distressing tool, Modern Label Punch, Very Vanilla 1/4-inch grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals



Thanks for your visit! I look forward to sharing my next project with you! Please drop me a line or leave me a comment if you've got a question...

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Snow Swirled: Day 3

What drew me first to this set was the snowflakes... I love the detail!

This quick and simple card allowed me to haul out some punches, use my Big Shot and use up some scraps. First, let's talk punches. I see five punches that were used; the Scallop Edge Border, 1-3/4" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, Boho Blossoms, and Scallop Oval Punches.

For my color palette, I consulted my Color Coach and used Marina Mist, Old Olive, Real Red and Bashful Blue.

I also used the Top Note Bigz Die and the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder for the Bashful Blue piece at the top. Finally, a knot tied in Marina Mist grosgrain (adhered with a Mini Glue Dot) finishes it off!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Swirled !

Inks: Real Red and Old Olive Classics

Papers: Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Old Olive, and Whisper White card stocks

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Marina Mist grosgrain, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Border, 1-3/4" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, Boho Blossoms, and Scallop Oval Punches

Thanks for your visit! Hope your day's a great one!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Snow Swirled: Day 1

This is a simple gift box that was made from one sheet of card stock. It's called a 2-5-7-10 Box and it's super-easy to make! Here are the instructions. The first thing to do is stamp all over your card stock (I used the snowflakes from Snow Swirled in Old Olive for some tone-on-tone detail). Once you're done stamping, just follow the instructions for cutting and folding and you're set! If you're new to the 2-5-7-10 Box, may I suggest that you try it first with a piece of scratch paper, so that you don't wreck something precious...

Some details that I added to this box to give it extra interest include:

• Basic Rhinestones (119246, page 188, $4.95 for 150!)
• Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper (117159, page 174, $9.95 for 12 double-sided sheets)
• Distressed Edge (on the Cherry Cobbler piece), using the Cutter Kit, 106958, page 199, $16.95)
• Scallop Edge Border Punch along top (119882, page 200, $15.95)

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Swirled (111690), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Papers: Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla card stocks

Inks: Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Classics

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Cutter Kit, Basic Rhinestones, Paper Trimmer (with Scoring Blade), Modern Label Punch, Designer Label Punch, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals, Narrow Vanilla Grosgrain ribbon

Thanks for visiting!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 3

Love the swirls in this set and this card shows them off. With a little VersaMark, they add a lot of visual interest and they were a snap to make!

This card was created for a sketch challenge at 365 Cards:

I wanted it to look like we were seeing the Christmas tree through a window... The sentiment is also part of this set. I love the dots beneath the words; there's a lot you can do with rhinestones or paper piercing to add a little more oomph to the sentiment!

The tag is made using the Ticket Corner Punch (on River Rock). I've just tied two knots in the narrow grosgrain and glued them down with Mini Glue Dots.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Cajun Craze, So Saffron, River Rock and Whisper White

Inks: Always Artichoke Classic and VersaMark

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Whisper White Narrow Grosgrain, Mini Glue Dots

Thanks for the visit! Day Four of the Stamp Set Spotlight is coming soon!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 2

I'm sure that the botanically-minded readers will know that the bloom pictured here is a poinsettia. However, I'm willing to bet that I can use this stamp pretty freely all year long. I used it to make a winter-themed card.


I paired the Regal Rose with the Blushing Bride (which I'd run through the Big Shot, using the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions folder). It's adhered to a sueded piece of Early Espresso.

The poinsettia is stamped on a tag from the Two Tags Bigz die, which comes with a ready-made slot to keep the "mini card" closed. Narrow Pretty in Pink grosgrain makes for a sweet knot.

I'm going to make a few more of these quick and easy cards for December birthdays and winter "Thank You" notes...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Regal Rose, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Regal Rose Classic (I "stamped off" to give it tonal distinction)

Accessories: Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions folder, Two Tags Bigz die, Pretty in Pink Narrow and Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 1

As I plan my cards this year, I have been trying out a couple of different ideas using the set, Season of Joy. I love its versatility; the swirls can be used all year long, as can the "hand stamped" stamp with the star. I love the flower and I'll get use out of the snowflake all winter long. I love the possibilities that abound with the block of sentiments, too (more about that later this week)!

For this card, I'm using a new color combination for me, courtesy of the fabulous (and indispensable) Color Coach. I've used Basic Grey, Baja Breeze and Cajun Craze. Three colors I never would have thought to combine, but I like what I got here!

I love how the Perfect Details Texturz Plate coordinates with the swirls from this set. I fed the Baja Breeze piece that backs the Christmas tree through my Big Shot and voila -- instant texture!

I also added a touch of glitter...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Baja Breeze and Basic Grey Classics, VersaMark

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, White Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, Tag Punch, Oval Punch (#119855)

Thanks for the visit! I look forward to sharing more of my Stamp Set Spotlight this week...

And the Winner Is...

Exciting news! One of the challenge blogs with which I participate awarded me with a "Spotlight Designer" award last week! The blog is 365 Cards and the challenge for which I won was for a card that was inspired by the 365 Cards blog itself.

Pam, the lovely host at 365 Cards, just updated the blog's look and what struck me most about it was the beautiful colors and how it seemed like a stained glass window. I've been wanting to pop the pieces out of my Lattice Die Cut and make it look like a stained glass window, so this was just the challenge for me!

The 365 Cards blog is also full of these lovely fall colors, so I knew this would be my 2010 Thanksgiving card.

Here's a video with some hints which I hope will streamline your process. My software updated (without my permission) and I'm still learning the new tricks... :)

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stocks

Ink: Early Espresso Classic

Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Bigz die, Two-Way Glue, Modern Label and Word Window punches, Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon

Wake Up and SMELL the Coffee!

Good mornin'! This card was created for a challenge that was to be inspired by something we enjoyed smelling. As I type this, coffee's brewing...

I've used this stamp so much that the rubber is just about worn off! This cute cup comes from the Pun Fun set, which is a versatile set of images and sentiments. The sentiments are on the bottom of each image, but using the masked inking technique that I demonstrated in this video, you can choose whether to include them or not.

I thought I'd "turn up the volume a little" (to borrow a phrase from one of my faves, the Barefoot Contessa) and use some funky colors suggested by my new Color Coach. I'm having more fun with that tool! The Wild Wasabi paper (from the Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper) is beautifully offset by the Perfect Plum and So Saffron card stocks. I added polka dots using my Big Shot to coordinate with the dots on the DSP. Finally, I wanted to coordinate the ribbon with the project, but there's no Perfect Plum grosgrain. In a flash, I used my Classic Ink Pad to dye the Very Vanilla ribbon to match. Be on the look-out for a quickie video demonstrating this simple solution...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Pun Fun

Papers: Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper (DSP), Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum and So Saffron card stocks

Inks: Perfect Plum and Wild Wasabi Classics

Accessories: Very Vanilla narrow grosgrain ribbon, Blender pen, Scallop Edge Punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for your visit! Hope your day gets off to a great start!

{Catalog Countdown: Day Six}

Welcome to the Studio! It's been a nuthouse around here, lately, as I prep for the launch of the new catalog... I wanted to spend the next few days sharing some projects created with retiring stamp sets and colors.

Here are the details:

• Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper is retiring this year and I used one-inch squares ("inches") to jazz up this card. What a great way to eat up scraps!


• Holiday Blitz is one of my g0-to sets and I'm sad to see it go (though there's a cute new set with lots of pint-sized images which will fit the bill). The flip-flops stamp is going to have its rubber worn bare, I use it so much!


• Gable Green, Yoyo Yellow, Only Orange and Pixie Pink are also retiring as Stampin' Up! introduced its Color Renovation...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Holiday Blitz

Paper: Tempting Turquoise card stock and Kaleidoscope DSP

Inks: Whisper White Craft

Accessories: Tempting Turquoise 1/4-inch grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, paper trimmer, white embroidery floss,

Retirees: Holiday Blitz Stamp Set, Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper, Yoyo Yellow, Pixie Pink, Gable Green and Only Orange card stocks

Stay tuned all week for more Catalog Countdown posts. I'll be highlighting stamp sets, accessories and colors which are retiring as of June 30 (less than a week away!)...

Contact me now to preorder your copy of the 2010-11 Idea Book and Catalog! Cost is $9.95 (with free shipping -- Priority -- saving you $4.90). Get it for free by placing a merchandise order for $150 or for hosting a workshop (or catalog party)!

{Technique Video: Masked Inking}

Here's another video for your viewing pleasure! I hope you find it useful!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: With All My Heart

Papers: Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and So Saffron card stocks

Inks: Chocolate Chip Classic

Accessories: Large Oval, Scalloped Oval and Scallop Edge punches, Rose Red Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips

Thanks for your visit!