Final Hours of {FREE SHIPPING} and a Sketch Challenge Entry

We are a few hours away from the end of the Stampin' Up! promotion offering free shipping on any purchase (NO MINIMUM!).  Been meaning to pick up a couple of items?  Want to place a big order and save $$? Now's the time!

This card was made for the Retrosketches #111 challenge.  Tag It will be a set I'll miss using.  I love to pair it with the Chalk Talk Framelits and my Big Shot.

Going away are also the 2012-2014 In Colors, which are featured here (Midnight Muse and Summer Starfruit).

 Click {HERE} for the updated Retiring Stamps List and {HERE} for the retiring Accessories List.

Click {HERE to SHOP}!

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!

Starburst and a Sale-A-Bration Sunshine for a Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

I made this card for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #211.  I love those sketches and sometimes my schedule is just right to allow me to participate and enter.  

I've been looking forward to making a sun shape with my Starburst Sayings (OC, page 34, W133182, C133185) and Framelits (#132967) and my Banner Punch (SAB, page 13, #133519). The Banner Punch is a 2014 Sale-A-Bration freebie that I earned with a $50 merchandise purchase.  

Studio Suggestions:

• I used my Color Coach (AC, page 139, #130118, with 2012-14 In Color Cards #130120) for guidance in my color scheme;  Real Red, Summer Starfruit and Marina Mist are crisp and clean together. 

• I love the Candy Dots (AC, page 143, #130931), too, which I placed on the right. Glue Dots (AC, page 174, #103683) are hidden beneath, adhering the Vellum card stock down (AC, page 156, #101856).  I used a Stampin' Dimensional (AC, page 175, #104430) on the left, hidden beneath the smaller Marina Mist starburst.

Sale-a-Bration runs through March 31.  Click {HERE} to check out the fun freebies!

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}!

I'm off to volunteer in my kids' school library, but I thought I'd fire off a quick message with the latest Weekly Deals!  Enjoy!

Backyard Basics Framelits Dies (#129380 ), Originally $24.95, but on sale for $18.71!

Basics Glimmer Brads (#121003), Originally $4.95, but on sale for $3.71!

Gold Metallic Encore Ink Pad (#132141 ), Originally $9.95, but on sale for $7.46!

Paper Doily Sizzlits Die (#125592 ), Originally $21.95, but on sale for $16.46!

Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon (#126844 ), Originally $8.95, but on sale for $6.71!

Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon (#126846), Originally $8.95, but on sale for $6.71!

Season by Season Digital Download Kit, MDS (#130060), Originally $9.95, but on sale for $5.97!

{Studio Sara} Project Peeks

I've been busy in the Studio, but I haven't been as forthcoming with the posts here...  While I finish up some series work and video tutorials, how about a peek at what I've been making...

This collection contains a few items which are now retired, but I thought I'd share them for inspiration's sake anyway...  It's easy to sub in something else that is available now!

{Studio Spotlight}: Sale-a-Bration's Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper, Project #6

A couple of weeks ago, I got to sponsor one of my favorite challenge blogs out there, 365 Cards.  I've been playing for years and really feel that the team there has stretched me and made me a better stamper.  Super sketches, awesome color schemes and lots of creative challenges have provided immeasurable inspiration.  I have a gift certificate for the winner of the sketch challenge for the week I was sponsoring and here's what it comes in...

The fabulous Sycamore Street DSP (Sale-a-Bration *FREEBIE*) comes in handy with my Scallop Envelope Bigz die.  It also makes a fun backdrop for the "4 you" tag.  That Summer Starfruit contrasts beautifully with the Rich Razzleberry and Pool Party.

Another fun Sale-a-Bration freebie is the Patterned Occasions stamp set (I used the blue jeans and sentiment here).  So fun and versatile!

{Here} is another Sale-a-Bration freebie post, all about the stamp set Bloomin' Marvelous.  If you're interested in Sycamore Street and the fun DSP and ribbons and buttons, click for {Project #5}, {Project #4}, {Project #3}, {Project #2}, and {Project #1}.

Sale-a-Bration ends at 11:59 PM  on March 22, so get your order in by then if you're wishing for one of these freebies!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Patterned Occasions SALE-A-BRATION (129621), Tiny Tags (W118091, C118592)

Papers:  Sycamore Street DSP SALE-A-BRATION (127540), Sahara Sand (121043), Summer Starfruit (126839), Rich Razzleberry (115316), and Whisper White (100730) Card Stocks

Inks:  Pool Party (126982), Tangerine Tango (126946) and Rich Razzleberry (126950) Classics

Accessories:  Decorative Label (120907), Jewelry Tag (117190), XL Oval (119859), and 7/8-inch Scallop Circle (129404) Punches, Scallop Envelope Bigz die (113462), Big Shot (113439), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) and Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)  

{Studio Spotlight}: Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper, Project #5

Today's Studio Spotlight is on a card I made for my dear friend's birthday next week.  I've been anxious to use the chalkboard technique and it worked well with this stamp from the Sale-a-Bration freebies, Vintage Verses.  In case you're new to the Studio, Sale-a-Bration only lasts until March 22, so the time to order is upon us.  With every $50 in merchandise, you can choose from a lovely array of products.

Two more freebies are featured here: the Designer Series Paper is another lovely pattern from the Sycamore Street DSP pack and the lovely Island Indigo ribbon comes from the Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack.  Each of these can be yours for free!

(please forgive this fuzzy photo!)

The chalkboard effect is created by heat embossing the image (I used Whisper White Craft Ink and Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder) and then sponging the card stock (*very* sparingly) with Whisper White Card Stock to give the chalkboard that "just erased" look.

The sweet scallops were punched using the 1-1/4-inch Scallop Punch, found in the Spring Catalog (need a copy?  Give me a shout!).  I used a piece of "sueded" Island Indigo for texture.  Here's a {link} to an oldie (but goodie) from my video archives about distressing techniques.

Rhinestone Basic Jewels finish off the look...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Vintage Verses (W129633, C129636)

Papers:  Sycamore Street DSP (127540), Island Indigo (122923), Summer Starfruit (126839), Basic Black (121045) and Whisper White (100730) Card Stocks

Inks:  Whisper White Craft (101731)

Accessories:  Lacy Brocade TIEF (127819), Big Shot (113439), 1-1/4-inch Scallop Circle (127811) and Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882), Stamping Sponges (101610), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

{Studio Spotlight}: Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper, Project #3

We're in the final week of Sale-a-Bration (the last day to place an order to receive those freebies is a week from TODAY)!  Here's another of my projects made with the yummy Sycamore Street DSP...

This project was made for the Runway Inspired Challenge, Erdem Pre-Fall:

If you haven't visited this challenge blog yet, I *highly* recommend it!

Here are some close-ups:

I used the Vine Street TIEF (Textured Impressions Embossing Folder) with my Big Shot and then cut it apart to mimic the dress on the right.  

I thought the rainbow of colors offered in the DSP represented the dress on the left beautifully!

And since we're talking about fashion here, I thought a little bling was in order with the Basic Rhinestones.  

This project was made with two fabulous freebies:  Sycamore Street DSP (127540) and the Vine Street TIEF (130942).  They're only available during Sale-a-Bration (they won't show up in a later catalog, sadly), so don't delay!  You can click on the "Shop" button in the upper left corner, 24/7...