Happy New Year and New Catalogs!

Click {HERE} to see it online!

Click {HERE} to see it online!

Click {HERE} to shop!

The new catalogs are here!  As I've written before, things have been out-of-whack around here, so I've had to set stamping aside.  I haven't been in my Studio in ages (think cobwebs) and to be honest, I haven't even placed my Demonstrator Sneak Peek order yet! I hope that can happen today and that I can get back to regular creating and posting *soon*! Happy New Year!

Butterflies Are Back!

Good news, Stampers! The Butterflies Thinlits and therefore, Butterflies Basics Bundles, are back!

And the news gets better!  

Purchase the Bundle and save 15% (already -- that happens with bundles), but do it before April 30 and receive one of the following Sale-a-Bration freebies, too (while supplies last):

• Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper (item 138633)
• Best Year Ever Accessory Pack (item 138634)
• Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 138635) 

(Click on each item to see it)

Just want the Butterflies Thinlits? They're 15% off -- $21.20!

Don't forget that the freebies and additional discount are only available through April 30 (or while supplies last)!

Have you checked the Retiring Items List today?

Spring Hummingbird Note Cards for a Colour Me, Stampin' Royalty and Mojo Challenge

Welcome, Spring! It's been a gorgeous spring in the PNW (Pacific Northwest) so far and I've seen a lot of our sweet resident hummingbirds.  We've got one sweet fellow (a year-round Anna's Hummingbird I've written about before {HERE}) who dips at feeders both here and at my neighbor's house and is always fun to watch.  He came RIGHT. UP. TO. ME. the other day when I was working on the deck and had (next to me) my water bottle with the bright pink lid.  He thought it was a flower! I don't know who was more surprised that it wasn't...

This card was created for the Colour Me Card Challenge (#64).  We were to use Coastal Cabana (my base), Cherry Cobbler (circular frame), Early Espresso, Real Red (strips on right) and Bermuda Bay (ink color of sentiment).

The layout was also entered in and inspired by the Mojo Monday MOJO390 sketch. So fun to make!

You're not seeing double; I had almost the same colors with which to work for the Stampin' Royalty Challenge (#272), so I created the same card, but with fewer colors than the Colour Me entry. We were to use Coastal Cabana, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and Crumb Cake.

Fun Fact:  This challenge is hosted by another Stampin' Up! demonstrator whom I met at my very first Stampin' Up! convention.  I went all by myself and she took me under her wing, introducing me to her friends and making me feel like we'd been old friends.  Super kind!

The only other notable difference between these two cards was the way in which I colored in the hummer.  In the first card, I used my Blender Pen with my ink pads (aforementioned colors) and in the second one, I used my Aqua Painter (which I prefer). Both images were first inked in Memento Ink to insure colorfastness.

Burlap Ribbon tied with Linen Thread finish out the layout. Burlap is on-trend and makes for an easy way to add real texture to your project!

This sweet hummer (available in the set, A Happy Thing,) is only available through tomorrow, as I received him for *FREE* with a $50 merchandise order during Sale-a-Bration.  Click {HERE} and {HERE} to read more.

Click {HERE} to shop!

So nice to see you here!

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! 

Sale-A-Bration Freebie for MOJO and Colour Me Card Challenges

I had so much fun making this project!  It's my first entry in the Colour Me Card Challenge and I also used Mojo Monday's MOJO337 sketch to guide my design.  

With the Colour Me Card Challenge, we were given three colours plus a neutral.  We were asked to use Pear Pizzazz, Soft Sky and Coastal Cabana plus a neutral of our choice (I used Whisper White, obviously).

I used my super-fun Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper (AC page 154, #130131) along with the Sale-A-Bration freebies, the Banner Blast stamp set (SAB page 13, W133551 C133554) and Banner Punch (SAB page 13, #133519).  

The sentiment comes from the fun sentiment set, Hello, Lovely (AC page 22, W130340, C130243).

Baker's Twine (AC Page 173, #124262) finishes the project...

Studio Suggestions:

• I used an odd number of flags (use items in groupings of 3 or 5 for max impact).

• I inked the star image in Coastal Cabana and then inked the outline in Pear Pizzazz.  It was easier to line up the outline around the star than vice versa.  Also, be sure to stamp first and then punch or run through your Big Shot second.  So much easier!

If You've Been Tossing around the Idea...

Have you ever considered joining in the fun and creativity as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator?  

I started as a new mom, home with my sweet baby, missing my fifth graders and wanting a little creative time for myself. Thirteen (!) years later, I have

• had two more children (one by birth and another by adoption), 

• moved to a new city, 

• helped my husband start his own business and 

• returned to the elementary classroom part time. 

And I still stamp. Happily. 

In that time, I've 

• had countless encounters with generous and like-minded creatives, 

• made some of the best friends I'll ever know, 

• traveled to regional and national conferences that informed and *inspired* me, 

• had some lovely "Me" time both as a crafter holed up in my Studio and as a "teacher" among other grown-ups, 

• added to an embarrassingly vast array of supplies 

• and actually made a little $$ along the way!

I bring this up today only because we recelntly found out that tomorrow is the registration date for a Seattle event (in a movie theatre!) in celebration of our new 2014-15 Annual Catalog's upcoming release. The only way to attend is to be a demonstrator.  

If you've been giving this idea some thought, I thought I'd mention the catalog reveal so that you'd be further informed (you know how I *despise* pressure).  It is also a good time to consider this, as Sale-A-Bration gives you an additional $25 in merchandise for your Starter Kit (SAB ends March 31).  Finally, if you become a demonstrator now, Stampin' Up! will pay the nearly $300 registration fee for Convention. You just cover your own hotel, meals and travel. 

Some people become demonstrators simply to purchase the Starter Kit and its discounted merchandise for a great deal ($99!). Others join to add to their hobby supplies. Still others become demonstrators with the plan to build a long-term business. There's a place for everyone in Stampin' Up!

Please feel free to contact me through email if you have questions. If I don't know an answer, I'll call our kind, lovely and informative Demonstrator Support and get back to you (I've asked some doozies of them, I'm sure).  We are well-supported with all kinds of creative inspiration as well as basic business nuts and bolts. 

Thanks for reading and I hope your Sunday is as lovely and sunny as the one we're having today!  Hooray for Spring!

New {Weekly Deals} from Stampin' Up!

Hello, Studio Visitors!  It's Tuesday and Stampin' Up! has given us new Weekly Deals!  Check them out below and click {HERE} to shop!

Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffle Stretch Trim, (130021), originally $8.95, but on sale this week for $6.71!

Grad Party Digital Download, My Digital Studio, (129877), originally $9.95, but on sale this week for $5.97!

In Color Boutique Details, (130938), originally $8.95, but on sale this week for $6.71!

**Click {HERE} for a Paper Pumpkin post using these sweet details (includes a video tutorial)**

 

Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder ("EP"), (124114), originally $4.75, but on sale this week for $3.56!

Scallop Trim Border Punch, (118402), originally $15.95, but on sale this week for $11.96!

Silver Glass Glitter,  (120995), originally $3.95, but on sale this week for $2.96!

Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Emboss  Powder, (122950), originally $4.75, but on sale this week for $3.56!

Vintage Trinkets Accents & Elements, (118764), originally $5.95, but on sale this week for $4.46!

I've been super busy in the Studio and I'm catching up on blogging to share it all with you.  Stay tuned this week for more project posts!  We are within two weeks of the end of Sale-a-Bration (March 31)!  Here's a link to the {BROCHURE}!  Combine orders with friends to max out your Sale-a-Bration freebies and Hostess Benefits.  Got a question?  Please drop me a line!

Hexagons and Sweet Sorbet DSP for Challenge Entries

Welcome, Studio Visitors!  This project was created for a couple of challenges:  Freshly Made Sketches #126, The Shabby Tea Room #208 and Cute Card Thursday 311.

We were to use polka dots for the Shabby Tea Room challenge and a gem for Cute Card Thursday.

The Hexagon Hive Thinlit Die from the Occasions Catalog, page 26 (132965), takes center stage, offset with the Sweet Sorbet DSP from the Sale-a-Bration freebies behind it (133521), page 11.  {Here's} a recent post with a video providing some tips and hacks. 

I *SO* love this sketch -- I'll be using it in future projects for sure!

A Large Rhinestone Basic Jewel (129324), from page 171 in the AC (Annual Catalog), makes up the center of my flower {WEEKLY DEAL this week!}.  Click {HERE} to purchase.

I created it from my Blossom (125603) and Pansy (130698) punches, both on page 183 AC), with the Itty Bitty Shape (118309 from page 180 AC).  I distressed and sueded the card stocks for different texture (the distressed blossoms are underneath the sueded ones).  Click {HERE} for an oldie (but a goodie) post about distressing.

{Studio} Suggestions:

• My color palette was guided by the DSP (one of my favorite shortcuts to use), so I included Pool Party, Summer Starfruit, Basic Black and Sahara Sand with my clean Whisper White. 

• Alternate distressed pieces between smooth side and sueded side for added texture.

Weekly Deals and a {Sneak Peek} at My Latest Projects

This long weekend afforded me some extra time in the Studio and here is a little of what I came up with (and I even have a new video to share later this week!):

And now for the week's Weekly Deals (good through Monday)!  Click {HERE} to shop.

3/16-inch Corner Punch, (#119871) -- Originally $6.95, now on sale for $5.21!

2012-2014 In Color Dahlias, (#127556) -- Originally $7.95, now on sale for $5.96!

A Royal Day Ensemble Digital Download, My Digital Studio (MDS), (#130079) -- Originally $14.95, now on sale for $8.97!

Etcetera Designer Series Paper (DSP), (#130129) -- Originally $10.95, now on sale for $8.21!

Gold and Silver Stampin' Glitter, (#132205) -- Originally $7.95, now on sale for $5.96!

Label Insert Pop' n Cuts Die, (#130160) -- Originally $21.95, now on sale for $16.46!

Petals-A-Plenty (TIEF) Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, (#116824) -- Originally $7.95, now on sale for $5.96!

Encore! Metallic Silver Pad, (#132142) -- Originally $9.95, now on sale for $7.46!

Can't wait to fill you in on all that I've been working on!

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!