It's a Stampin' Up! Color Refresh! Colors Discontinued, Old Favorites Out of Retirement!

It's that time again...  Stampin' Up! has reintroduced old favorites, such as Soft Sky and Blushing Bride, while retiring colors like Pretty in Pink, Baja Breeze and More Mustard.  See the chart below for the new colors in the 2013 Color Refresh:

Just in the Color Renovation a few years ago, the Discontinue Colors (at the bottom of the above chart) will only be available as supplies last...  This applies to card stock, ribbon, reinkers, ink pads, etc.

Here's a {video} from the lovely Carrie Cudney telling us all about it...  Hooray!

{12 Weeks of Christmas} Week 8 -- Woven Ribbon Wreath Tutorial Video

Hooray!  I've finally mastered my first Apple video!  My iPhone captured the video (nice and crisp, if I do say so) and I've uploaded and edited it on my Mac.  Whew!  For a PC girl, this was quite a learning curve.  Still at it, but I'm thrilled with my first video (in *way* too long).

Pour yourself a cuppa, get comfy and enjoy the video (and please let me know what you think!)!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Beautiful Season (W122680, C122682)

Papers:  Basic Gray (121044), More Mustard (100946), Cherry Cobbler (119685), and Very Vanilla (124301) card stocks

Inks:  Basic Gray Classic Ink (126981)

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots TIEF (117335), Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die (123126), 1-1/4" Circle Punch (119861), Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon (122988), Linen Thread (104199), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579)

{12 Weeks of Christmas} Week 6 -- Easy Gift Bag

One quick way to make gift packaging for bulkier hostess gifts (that preclude you from using card stock or Designer Series Paper as the body of your project) is to adhere your artwork to the packaging.  I made this simple (card front!) panel and adhered it to a paper sack for a shabby chic presentation.

What's inside?  Mittens and a new whistle for our fabulous crossing guard at school.  She's an unsung hero and needs something toasty for her hands.

A length of the Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon (just like the one I tied around the More Mustard snowflake) ties the project together (both literally and figuratively; please forgive the pun).  I love that the Crumb Cake seam binding is just shimmery enough that it's golden!

The photo doesn't pick it up, but the Norther Flurry Embossing Folder leaves its impression on Shimmery White card stock.  Speaking of the Big Shot, I used the Snow Flurry Bigz Die for the fabulous snowflakes...

A Basic Jewel Rhinestone adds more sparkle.  

The Crumb Cake snowflake has been sponged with Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink to help it stand out against the Cajun Craze snowflake (and to also tie it together with the Elegant Eggplant snowflake on the left).

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Papers:  Shimmery White (101910), Cajun Craze (119684), Elegant Eggplant (105126), More Mustard (100946) and Crumb Cake (120953) card stocks

Inks:  Elegant Eggplant Classic (126969)

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Northern Flurry EF (120902), Snow Flurry Bigz Die (2012 Holiday Catalog:  127813), Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon (122332), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Hope you have a chance to enjoy this lovely season.

{12 Weeks of Christmas} Week 2 -- Diverting from the Traditional Color Palette

This card was created for a Color Scheme Challenge a while ago at 365 Cards: 

While I'm a big fan of the traditional color palette for Christmas, I like how fun and fresh this note is.  The colors we were to use were Old Olive, Bashful Blue, More Mustard and Crumb Cake (or something thereabout -- I assign Stampin' Up! colors to those challenges).

This is also a simple and versatile layout.  By crumpling the scraps of More Mustard and adding a dry embossed layer (and rhinestones!), texture abounds in this project...  The Labels Collection Framelits make the basis of the focal point easy to create.

In a second project, I was going for a bright and cheery look without the traditional colors.  Using Tags til Christmas and my ornament punch, I created the Melon Mambo ornament, tied off with a bit of white floss.

The texture in this card was created using the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder ("TIEF"), and turning the card base to show the opposite relief from the Elegant Eggplant layer.

This color scheme was brought to you by the Color Coach...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Snow Swirled (W111690, C127799), Tags til Christmas (W120847, C121169)

Papers:  Crumb Cake (120953), Whisper White (100730), More Mustard (100946), Bashful Blue (105120), Old Olive (100702), and Elegant Eggplant (105126)

Inks:  Bashful Blue (126961), More Mustard (126964), and Melon Mambo (126948) Classics

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Labels Colleciton Framelits (125598), Petals-A-Plenty TIEF (116824), Vintage Wallpaper TIEF (120175), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), 1/2-inch Circle Punch (119869), Ornament Punch (119847), Color Coach (120148), and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

It's Canning Season with Perfectly Preserved

This project was created for a couple of challenges:  365 Cards' Super Sketchy Sunday and the Friday Mashup Challenge  77 (fall-themed with Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Raspberry Ripple, Lucky Limeade and Early Espresso).

Studio Suggestion:

--Stamp your images first when using the Cannery Framelits (available as a bundle with the Perfectly Preserved stamp set in the Holiday Mini Catalog).  Use a sticky note to hold the framelit in place over your stamped image and run it through the Big Shot.

--Save those scraps!  I used scraps of Cajun Craze over the polka dot embossed Early Espresso piece on the left.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved (W126690, C126692) *Purchased as part of the Perfectly Preserved Bundle, (W129943, C129944) with a 15% savings*

Papers:   Cajun Craze (119684), More Mustard (100946),  Lucky Limeade (122926), Whisper White (100730) and Early Espresso (119686)

Inks:   Cajun Craze (126965), Raspberry Ripple (126859), and Lucky Limeade (126984)

Accessories and Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Cannery Framelits Set (127822) *Purchased instead as a part of of the Perfectly Preserved Bundle (W129943, C129944), Perfect Polka Dots Folder (117335), Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882)

Starburst for Fall-Themed and Sketch Challenges

With the beginning of fall just a few days away, I found that a lot of the challenges in which I've been participating are inspired by this change of seasons.  This card is based in part upon a theme and sketch challenge offered by the fine folks at The Friday Mashup.  With Friday Mashup, we get to choose to follow one of the challenge ideas or mash them both up and create a project using both.  In this case, we were offered this sketch:    

We could "mash" it up by adding a fall theme to our project.  Speaking of fall, the lovely challenge blog, 365 Cards, of which I so often write, challenged us to use five of something and to make it fall-themed in the Five for Fall challenge.  I chose five colors:  So Saffron, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede and Early Espresso.

This card was thus inspired.  I *LOVE* the French script (it's very subtle in this picture), which I inked with So Saffron and stamped on So Saffron card stock.  

**STUDIO SUGGESTION**:  A dusting with my sponge and some Early Espresso makes the punched piece stand out a bit more.

I chose So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon to clean up my edges and I used my Paper Snips to carefully clip out the leaf that I'd inked in Cajun Craze.

**STUDIO SUGGESTION**:  Paper Snips have smaller blades that are super-sharp, so cutting with precision is a snip snap!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  French Foliage (W120845, C121166)

Papers:  So Saffron (105118), More Mustard (100946), Cajun Craze (119684), Soft Suede (115318) and Early Espresso (119686)

Inks:  So Saffron (126957), Cajun Craze (126965), and Early Espresso (126974) Classics

Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch (120907), So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon (122982), Stamping Sponges (101610), Paper Snips (103579), and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Feeling an Ode Coming On...

No, I'm not feeling snuffly; I really do feel an ode coming on!  This time, I'm pining away about the Stampin' Up! sets, Have a Seat and Sincere Salutations.  These beauties retire at the end of this month.

This project was created for a Color Scheme Challenge by the good folks at 365 Cards.  This was my color palette:

I chose to use Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Chocolate Chip and More Mustard to approximate the palette.

Here, you can see that I used the soon-to-retire Paper Crimper (remember that accessories/tools are only available while supplies last).

I think my favorite thing to do with Have a Seat has been to create pillows from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack.  I used Basic Gray card stock and added a knotted snippet of Linen Thread...

Interested in the new 2012-2013 Annual Catalog?  Click here to learn how to earn yours for *FREE*!




Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Have a Seat (W116696, C120447) and Sincere Salutations (W115068) **Both are retiring!**

Papers:  Crumb Cake (120953), Basic Gray (121044), More Mustard (100946) and Chocolate Chip (102128) card stocks

Inks:  Basic Gray (109120) and Chocolate Chip (100908) Classics

Accessories:  Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Crimper (101618 **Retiring**), Linen Thread (104199) and Natural Hemp Twine (100982)

{12 Weeks of Christmas}: Week 8 -- Resource Thursday: Inspired by the Catty

"Resource Thursday" means that I'll be creating a project and writing about its inspiration.  For this post, I used my favorite "Resource" as a demonstrator and that is the Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog.  When I first got my hands on this behemoth (over 10 years ago), I was totally overwhelmed.  Then I decided to focus my attention on one single aspect of a card.  I might look for particular features (like a punched accent) or color combinations.  For this card, I was focusing my search on layout...  Here's my take on the card:

I used the tree and sentiment from the Contempo Christmas set (#118734 W, 120594 C).  The large scalloped circle is from the Bigz Scallop Circle #2 die.  The More Mustard circle was punched using the 2-1/2-inch Circle Punch.  I punched holes in each of the scallops using my Paper Piercing Tool and Mat Pack.

The circle was mounted on a piece of Elegant Eggplant that I'd run through my Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  What isn't readily visible in my photos is that I've trimmed about 3/4-inch from the edge of the front of the card and allowed the scalloped circle to go to the edge of the card body...

I created the sentiment, on a piece of Whisper White card stock, using my Stampin' Write Markers.  I used Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard and Garden Green.  I sponged the edge of the Whisper White with More Mustard Classic Ink.  It's mounted over two scalloped circles from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, using Stampin' Dimensionals.  

For finishing touches, I've added Basic Rhinestones to the sentiment and the top of the tree (they come with self-adhesive).  I've also used a strip of (retired) Elegant Eggplant rick rack.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Contempo Christmas (#118734 W, #120594 C)


Papers:  Elegant Eggplant (#105126), Perfect Plum (#101889), More Mustard (#100946), and Whisper White (#100730) card stocks


Inks:  Elegant Eggplant (#105210) and Garden Green (#102272) Classic Inks, Elegant Eggplant (#105110), More Mustard (#100076) and Garden Green (#100080) Stampin' Write Markers


Accessories:  Big Shot (#113439), Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die (#113469), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#117335), 2-1/2-inch Circle Punch (#120906), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (#118309), Extra-Large Oval Punch (#119859), Paper Piercing Tool (#116631), Mat Pack (#105826), Basic Rhinestones (#119246), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)

Thank you for joining me for another {12 Weeks of Christmas} Post!  We're getting closer!  Hope you get a chance to catch your breath and enjoy the joys of the season...

Happy November!

STUDIO SARA has a new look for fall!  I used My Digital Studio to create the banner and buttons.  I chose Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze and More Mustard (partly because they're fall colors, but also because they're found in the card I've spotlighted).

Here's the card that I included in my banner, up-close and personal...

It's simple to make (an easy one if you're in the market for a good number of "Thank You" notes, for example).  The card body is a half-sheet of Night of Navy, cut lengthwise and folded in half.  The Naturals Ivory card stock makes up the piece with the stamped leaves.  I used my corner-rounded to soften it.

The stamp set I used is French Foliage, which gives us this fun "button" in the lower left corner.  I inked it in Night of Navy Classic Ink and stamped it on Cajun Craze card stock.  Then I used my 3/4-inch Circle Punch...  Remember to stamp first then punch to make sure you've lined it up right!

So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon finishes the bottom edge...

Finally, here's the sentiment... I inked only the "thank you" part of this stamp from the With All My Heart set, stamped it on So Saffron and punched it with the Modern Label.  It's mounted on an oval punched from More Mustard and "popped up" with a Stampin' Dimensional.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  French Foliage, With All My Heart

Papers:  Night of Navy, Naturals Ivory, So Saffron, More Mustard and Cajun Craze card stocks

Inks:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Night of Navy Classics

Accessories:  3/4-inch Circle, Modern Label, Large Oval, and 3/16-inch Corner Punches, So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips (makes cutting the ribbon so easy!)

Thanks for your visit!  I'm working on more {12 Week of Christmas} posts, so stay tuned!

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

Christmas Sketch

I've had a lot of fun tinkering with the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper. One of my favorite designs is the evergreen boughs. For the sketch this Sunday, I opted to use my Number One Go-To Set, "Lovely as a Tree" for the focal point. For fun, I chose non-traditional colors (using my Color Coach; you know how bad I am with color!). Finally, I stamped the flourish stamp (it's to signify wind blowing) from the "Snow Buddies" set on the backside of the More Mustard card stock and used that as my guide to pierce the design to the left of the pine tree. I am going to make several of this card, as it will be useful for "Thank You!" notes, cards for the men in my life, etc. Truthfully, it doesn't even have to be for Christmas giving!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree (How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...)

Papers: Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, and Bravo Burgundy card stocks and Merry Moments Designer Series Paper

Inks: Old Olive

Accessories: Paper Piercing Tool (a *steal* at $3.50!), Paper Snips, Natural Hemp Twine, Ticket Corner and 1/16-inch Punches

Cat and Mouse

Over the summer, I had the pleasure of teaching some basic technology classes for the district in which I started teaching (before DD#1 was born). I had some overdue "Thank You" notes to send and the technology challenge at 365 Cards came at just the right time. The challenge was to be inspired by technology in your card. My additional challenge was to create cards suitable for men and women, as I had both to thank...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Computer Quips, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Papers: Night of Navy, Baroque Burgundy, More Mustard, Bordering Blue and Very Vanilla card stocks

Inks: Night of Navy, Baroque Burgundy, and More Mustard Classics

Accessories: Blender Pens, Twill Tape, Linen Thread, 1/16-inch punch, Word Slot Punch, Paper Piercing Tool

Thanks for visiting! It feels good to be stamping again!

P.S. Oh, and what do you think of my header at the top of my blog? I'm trying to make one on my own that stands out and gives something interesting to look at... Thoughts? Suggestions? Tutorials to make it rock? :) Thanks!