Shop from All *THREE* Stampin' Up! Catalogs TODAY ONLY

The new 2015-16 Annual Catalog has arrived and for today only, you may order from the 2014-15 Annual Catalog (its final day), the Occasions Catalog (its final day) and the *NEW* 2015-16 Annual Catalog! Fire up those Wish Lists, Stampers!

Click {HERE} to SHOP! Want to know what you get for shopping with Studio-Sara? Click to learn more about being a Studio-Sara {Select Customer}.

Click {HERE} to see the new catalog.  Need one in your hot little hands? Email me (click on the "Email Sara" button to the right) and I'll shoot one off to you...

Pot o' Gold and the Luck of the Irish

Feeling a bit of the luck o' the Irish with this card.  I was working on a few challenge entries and this fun note card just came together. 

First, I've been looking forward to playing with the "swipe" image from the Sheltering Tree set in the Occasions catalog.  For the Colour Me Card Challenge (CCMC62), we were to use Pear Pizzazz and Garden Green, so I thought I'd highlight those two colors with this simple stamp.  They form the background behind the Gold Satin Ribbon (which I just fell upon as I pawed through my ribbon stash -- my original plan was to go with Whisper White ribbon of some sort).  This card also fits the monochromatic scheme of the Friday Mashup celebratory 200th (choose your own) challenge, so I chose #6: FM200.

The layout was provided by the Mojo Monday MOJO388 challenge.

Next, I have the "lucky" sentiment punched and clipped from the And Many More set.  I masked off the "you" and inked the stamp with Versamark before embossing it with the Heat Tool and Gold Embossing Powder. I punched the tag with my trusty Modern Label punch and clipped off one end.  Whisper White Baker's Twine finishes the tag. Simple and sweet!

Finally, I used the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack to approximate my lucky clovers. Easy!

Hope you have a fun St. Patty's day and that you find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Oscars-Inspired Floral Note Card

I love the fashion-inspired challenges provided at the Runway Inspired Challenge and this (RIC79) must be my favorite.  We were given a selection of Oscars looks from which to choose as our inspiration and I chose this one (among others; stay tuned for future posts and I'll come back here and link them):

Photo: Oscar.go.com

When I look at this dress, it translates to the floral image from Butterfly Basics** (a set in the Occasions Catalog), Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke, Blush Blossom, florals, a bit of sparkle (see her ring?) and vellum.

To mimic the construction of Keira Knightley's dress, I mounted Sahara Sand on itself, but used Stampin' Dimensionals to give it a lift.  The lettering on the dress is recreated using the "Thanks" from the Hello You Thinlits (I bought the bundle).  

I wanted the floral to be subtle, much like it is in Knightley's dress, so I inked it in Sahara Sand, as well.

The Blush Blossom blooms are simply punched using the 7/8-inch Scallop Circle punch, scrunched and sueded.  The top layer is the soft sueded "inside" of a circle and it's mounted on the smooth "outside" of a circle.  Double your card stock that way!

A Rhinestone Basic Jewel in each center is inspired by Knightley's lovely ring.

**The Butterfly Basics and Butterflies bundle (and individual items) are currently unavailable, but will be back in stock to order soon.  The strike on the Pacific Coast docks will require weeks of work to sort out and these items will be on their way to SU! Headquarters soon. If you're interested in ordering them, please let me know and with no obligation to purchase, I'll notify you when they're available to order again.

Masculine Birthday for Mojo, Etc Challenges

This was a fun and easy card to make, suitable for the man in your life. I'm always on the hunt for those cards! The Seize the Birthday Challenge this time was for masculine birthday cards.

The Mojo Monday MOJO387 Sketch inspired my layout:

The leaves of the tree were stamped in Tangelo Twist, per the Monochromatic Challenge at Colour Me Card (CMCC61). Neutrals are allowed, so I used Early Espresso and Crumb Cake in addition to Whisper White.

To make the bicycle stand out more, I heat embossed it, using Versamark Ink and Early Espresso with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. Doing this meant I could include this card in the challenges at Stampin' Royalty (SRC269) and Virginia's View (VVC13).

The sentiment, from the And Many More set, was inked in Tangelo Twist, punched with the Word Window and snipped at one end for interest. It was mounted on Natural Chevron Ribbon (turned around), which was tied with Linen Thread.

Rather than list items by type, I've included hot links ('kraut, anyone?).  Which is your preference? Drop me a line or leave a comment below, please!

CAS Butterfly Note Card for Challenges

This Clean and Simple (CAS) note card was made following the Freshly Made Sketches challenge (FMS176).

The body of my note card was cut from Lost Lagoon card stock (3.75 by 5.5 inches). A Whisper White piece was torn by hand to give the edge.

The sumptuous Lost Lagoon Stitched Satin Ribbon was simply tied into a knot.  This is such easy ribbon with which to work!

The pièce de résistance on this notecard was achieved most simply.  I ran my Lost Lagoon card stock with a piece of waxed paper through my Big Shot, using the new Butterflies Thinlit.  It's popped up on a smidge of a Stampin' Dimensional so that you can see its delicate structure.  So gorgeous.  I've just recently received this gem and I can't wait to play with it more! 

**Unfortunately, these Thinlits are temporarily unavailable.  The situation on the West Coast docks, while in resolution, will take weeks to sort out.  We are looking forward to these lovely Thinlits being available again soon. To be sure to be in the know, please contact me and I'll notify you as soon as they're available again.**

I'll be entering this card in the Cute Card Thursday #363 Challenge this week, in which we are to use punches or die cuts.  I'll also enter this card in the Friday Mashup (FM200) challenge, in which I can choose my challenge in celebration of the 200th challenge.  I chose FM1, which was one including butterflies!

Stay in touch if these gorgeous butterflies are on your Wish List (no pressure -- I just like to keep you in the loop)!

A Crabby End to 2014 Plus an Exciting Invitation I Received!

When I wrote "crabby," I meant it!

In our state, the crabbing season ends at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day. As such, our friends must pull their crab pots one final time.  Last year was our first year accompanying them and this is what we were treated to:

A whole pod.  No lie.  Spyhopping, flapping their tails, swimming under our boat, etc.  We were motoring home (we live just north of this guy, up beyond his dorsal fin there) and came upon the pod.  We cut the engine and bobbed for 30 minutes or more, pointing and shouting at what we were seeing.  An added bonus was that my little sister and her children were visiting from Wyoming and this was a once-in-a-lifetime treat for anyone, especially the landlocked.

This year, we got to repeat the adventure (sadly, no whales), but we did get plenty of yummy crab and got to see sea lions, seals, a porpoise and lots of cormorants!

I created this card for my first Creative Crew challenge (that's the exciting invitation I mentioned above).  I'll be creating projects for the fun challenges released monthly at Splitcoast Stampers.  Check it out {HERE}!

I also entered this card in the Mojo Monday MOJO378 and Colour Me Card #52 Challenges.

Our charge in the Creative Crew challenge for this month was to create masculine projects.  This will serve as a Thank You note for our esteemed skipper!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  By the Seashore

Papers:  Soft Sky, Baked Brown Sugar, and Whisper White card stocks and All Abloom DSP Stack

Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar Classic

Artist's Flair:  Woodgrain TIEF, Stampin' Sponges, 2-inch Circle Punch, Burlap Ribbon

Check out the {Creative Crew Gallery}!

Don't forget:

Click {HERE} to shop!

Bonus! The All Abloom DSP Stack is a Weekly Deal through Monday, January 12! Click {HERE} to see the deals!

They're *HERE!* Sale-a-Bration 2015 and the Occasions Catalog Begin *TODAY*!

{View the Occasions PDF}

The new catalogs have arrived! Stampers, start your Wish Lists!

{View the Sale-a-Bration *freebies* PDF}

Would you like to place an order with me and need the catalogs? Drop me a line and I'll get them on their way to you, STAT!

Click {HERE} to shop!

The Sale-a-Bration freebies are available (with no limit) for every $50 in product you purchase (before shipping and tax).  I can't get over the fun things in this year's offering.  I'm also swooning over all of the inspiration in this little catalog! *LOVE*!

Happy New Year! Once things calmed down from the holidays (and we got over the yuck that was going around), I got to have some fun in the Studio.  Stay tuned for peeks at that!

Product Focus: Gift Box Punch Board {12 Weeks of Christmas}

One of the undeniably most versatile pieces of equipment in my crafting arsenal is my Gift Box Punch Board, released by Stampin' Up! in this year's Holiday Catalog.  I love the variety of boxes I can make from card stock and DSP alike!

I wanted to capture these boxes surrounded by some rare Pacific Northwest snow.  Unfortunately, it wasn't until I uploaded them days later and that I saw that the afternoon light wasn't that great.  Please forgive the blueish tinge to the pictures!

Studio Suggestions:

• Dress up your box with a "belly band" and some ribbon.  Simple and sweet!

• Tie a bow with this scrumptious Cherry Cobbler 1-inch Sheer Linen Ribbon!

• These gorgeous tags are adorned with snowflakes made from Silver Glimmer Paper cut with the Snowflake Card Thinlits die! Not only can you make a super-cute card (see a post all about it {HERE}), but it comes with great pieces to use in all of your projects, including two sizes of snowflakes!

• Endless Christmas Wishes gives the tag below its sweet and whimsical sentiment.

Christmas Break begins for my Crazy3 today and we couldn't be more excited.  I've got to get a few last-minute things done for them before they're home, so I'm bustin' a move today.  Have you received your 2015 Occasions and Sale-a-Bration catalogs in the mail yet?  If not, please contact me and I'll shoot one your way! 

Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals and Getting Back into the Swing of Things

It's Tuesday, so here are the latest deals...  I've got a Thank You Note project I've been working on for my youngest daughter's birthday party (using My Digital Studio) and I'll be sharing that with you later this week.  Until then, enjoy this *TERRIFIC* assembly of deals, available through Monday, September 29.  

Click {HERE} to shop!

Eclectic Paper-Piercing Pack, #133778 -- Originally $7.95, available now for $5.96!

Faces I Love Digital Download, MDS, #134595 -- Originally $12.95, available now for $7.77!

Festive Paper-Piercing Pack, #127857 -- Originally $7.95, available now for $5.96!

Gold Glitz Dazzling Details, #133755 -- Originally $2.50, available now for $1.88!

Hamburger Box Bigz XL Die, #133724 -- Originally $42.95, available now for $32.21!

Occasions Paper-Piercing Pack, #129387 -- Originally $7.95, available now for $5.96!

Ovals Collection Framelits, #129381 -- Originally $26.95, available now for $20.21!

Party Pennants Bigz L Die, #133732 -- Originally $32.95, available now for $24.71!

I hope this long-overdue update finds you well and enjoying these first lovely days of fall! So glad you stopped by today...

It's about Time for New Banner and Buttons!

Wow!  I hadn't realized how long I'd had the same banner and buttons up until I went to name the new file (I name them by the month they're created in).  This card is one of my favorite recent projects and I thought it would be perfectly bright and spring-y to highlight.

The image is cut from a single stamp in the Occasions Catalog called Vivid Vases (page 20, W133818).  The sentiment comes from the Annual Catalog in the set titled A Dozen Thoughts (page 59, W131056, C131059).  I inked the image in Jet Black StazOn ink (AC, page 165, 101406) and used my Aqua Painter (AC, page 164, 103954) to watercolor the blooms, stems and vases.

Then I cut the image apart, matted some of it on Tangerine Tango card stock and matted the remaining pieces directly on the Wild Wasabi.  The color scheme was inspired by the Dynamic Duos #91 challenge, in which we were to use Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi and Melon Mambo.  I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches (Challenge #124).

I only made one of this card, but I plan to go back and reproduce several and switch up the sentiment (I also love the sentiment set, Sweet Essentials (AC, page 41, W132085, C126457).

I'm still fiddling with the banner and buttons.  I don't like how they appear grey in the background, but I'm having trouble fixing that.  Might just need to settle and move on.  I use My Digital Studio for my banners and buttons, so it's easy to go back in and tweak things.  I might also shop for new downloads to find just the image I'm looking for (I like the butterfly, but I'm not in love with the banner).  I *LOVED* my last banner.  

I've got a new watercolor project to share, so stay tuned!

Stampin' Up! 2014 Sale-A-Bration {Studio-Sara} Countdown: Banner Blast & Banner Punch

Welcome to another installment of my Sale-A-Bration Finale Countdown...  I *LOVE* the Banner Blast set (SAB page 13, 133551) and coordinating Banner punch (133519)!  Receive either for free with a $50 merchandise purchase or *BOTH* for a $100 merchandise purchase.

This card was created for the Runway Inspired Challenge #54 and Simon Says Stamp challenge.  Runway Inspired challenged us with a lovely Diane von Furstenberg dress.

I love a little peekaboo detail inside!

The little heart comes from the Owl Builder punch (AC page 183, 118074).  The fun flags are cut from Kaleidoscope DSP, found in the Occasions Catalog (page 27, 132995).

This project was made for challenges at The Shabby Tea Room and Seize the Sketch.

The DSP is from the In Colors 2012-14 Paper Stack (AC page 152, 130137).  The heart stamp and polka dot pattern (in the yellow flag) come from Banner Blast (SAB).

The Gumball Green card stock was run through my Big Shot (AC page 184, 113439) using the Arrows TIEF (OC page 26, 132187).  The Primrose Petals circle was run through my Big Shot twice; it was cut into a circle using the Circles Collection Framelits (AC page 186, 130911) and again to add texture with the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF (AC page 191, 117335).

My Simply Scored Tool (AC page 178, 122334) was used to make the flags' poles.

My Banner punch made perfect rays for my sun.  Read more about this project {HERE}.

I had so much fun making this card for the Mojo Monday MOJO337 and Colour Me Card Challenge #12.  Read {THIS POST} about it for more details.