The Holiday Catalog is *LIVE*!

I am such a sucker for Thanksgiving and Christmas that I almost look forward to the unveiling of the Holiday Catalog than I do the Annual Catalog (GASP!).  Truth...

What follows is my Must Have List from this catalog.  I didn't order a month ago when demonstrators could preorder, as I knew I would be busy with back-to-school and cramming in as much summer fun as I could, so I wouldn't be in the Studio much.  With the kids starting back to school tomorrow, the time is *NOW*!

You'll notice that my order is heavy on Christmas and the reason is I don't have a lot of time to make/send Halloween greetings.  We're usually in the thick of soccer, school and between having a Halloween birthday in the family and the fact that I make the kids' costumes (fewer now, sniff), I don't send out much, if anything, for Halloween.  What I like is that Stampin' Up! offers sets and dies for all of the months between now and the end of the year, so I can get something I can continue to use after October is over.  That's why Among the Branches and its Bundlemate, the Woodland TIEF are at the top of my list.  To be honest, that TIEF was going to top the list because it's gorgeous and I can use it for all of the men in my life.

Among the Branches & Woodland TIEF Bundle (140872)

Halloween, fall, Christmas and winter, all in one bundle!

While we're on the topic of bundles, I need to be honest and say I'd order the entire lot if I could. However, here are the ones I am purchasing now...

Festive Fireplace Bundle (140860)
Happy Scenes & Hearth & Home Bundle (140853)

Stampin' Up! released a video showcasing how these two bundles can be used together and it sold me.  So much fun (and the good news is that Happy Scenes includes sweet images in case I find time to use them for Halloween!)!

Here's the fab video:

More bundles...

Peaceful Pines Bundle (140850)

Holly Jolly Greetings Bundle (C140865, W140864)

Sparkly Seasons Bundle (140863)

Here's the rest of my list:

 

Archival Basic Black (140931) and Archival Basic Gray (140932)

 

Gold Cording Trim (139618) Silver Cording Trim (139620)

Red Foil Sheets (139607)

Joyful Season (139770)

Square Pillow Thinlits Die (139657)

Fine-Tip Glue Pen (138309)

Spider Web Doilies (139622)

Into the Woods DSP (139586)

Oh What Fun Tag Project Kit (139602) and Oh, What Fun stamp set (140386)

Whew!  Quite a list! Can't wait to play! To see the Holiday Catalog, click {HERE} or go to the picture of the catalog in the upper right corner of this page. Want your own copy? Drop me a line!

Captivating Snowflake is the Winner! {12 Weeks of Christmas}

 

I couldn't be more tickled that my entry in the Colour Me Card Challenge #45 won the "Captivator" prize this week!  

I've enjoyed this challenge for months and my creativity is always stretched by their cool color combinations.  As I said yesterday in {THIS POST}, I am often vexed by color, so this challenge helps me work out some new combinations.  I *LOVE* the cards the Design Team come up with -- their work is truly inspiring.  Check them out {HERE}!  You'll thank me!

This card was super-easy to make.  I used my new Snowflake Card Thinlits die (found in the Holiday Catalog on page 22 or {HERE} online).  

Stampin' Up! has a video for you -- there's a great trick for making a snowflake to contrast with the body of the card... My card has a belly band, too, only in mine, I used ribbon!

I ran it through my Big Shot once with a piece of Real Red card stock and again with a snippet of white to give me the contrasting bit behind the moving snowflake.

This Thinlit is worth it for the snowflakes and sentiments alone! I ran some Silver Glimmer Paper through my Big Shot (*twice, sometimes*) to make both the sparkly snowflake and "Brrr" sentiment.  I've used these same elements to dress up gift boxes and other cards.  Wait and see -- I've got more details about those in upcoming {12 Weeks of Christmas} posts!

Don't forget to check out the Colour Me Card Challenge for a new weekly challenge!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  None, on this project!

Papers:  Real Red (102482) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks, and Silver Glimmer (135314) paper

Inks:  None, on this project!

Artist's Flair:  Snowflake Card Thinlits die (135855), Big Shot (113439), White Organza Ribbon (114319), Scallop Circle Punch (127811), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Thanks again to the Colour Me Card design team for making my day!

Project Life by Stampin' Up! Giveaway and New Videos!

Interested in winning some Project Life products from Stampin' Up?

Every. Product. Currently. Available.

Sounds pretty great, doesn't it?  Click {HERE} to enter! Good luck!

Check them all out {HERE}.

Grab a cuppa and enjoy these two fun and inspiring videos from Stampin' Up!

Hope you're having a great week!

Outgoing Mail! New Video

Here's a new type of video which I'll post every once in a while to give you a quick glimpse of some projects which may not have been featured here or entered in any online challenges.

Below you'll find pictures of the projects as well as links to previous posts.

Click {HERE} to read a past post about this project.

Click {HERE} to read a past post about this project.

Click {HERE} to read a past post about this project.

Email me (button on the right) if you've got any questions.  Click the {SHOP} button in the top right to purchase from my Stampin' Up! online store.

Stampin' Up! Blendabilities Now Available, Buy 3, Get 1 Free DSP, and New Weekly Deals!

Whew!  It's a busy morning at Stampin' Up! headquarters, I'm sure! Grab a cuppa or glass of something cool and settle in...

Starting today, customers may order the following color sets of Blendabilities as of today:

• Cherry Cobbler   (Item #130995 - $11.95)
• Coastal Cabana  (Item #131000 - $11.95)
• Daffodil Delight   (Item #130998 - $11.95)
• Old Olive   (Item #130999 - $11.95)
• Pumpkin Pie  (Item #130997 - $11.95)
• Rich Razzleberry  (Item #131003 - $11.95)
• Skin Tone Assortment (Item #129370 - $22.95)

The following inks and Color Lifter are also available:

• Memento Ink Pad (Item 132708 - $5.95 )
• Memento Ink Refill (Item 133456 - $4.95 )
• Color Lifter  (Item 129369 - $4.95 )

Here's a helpful techniques video from the experts at Stampin' Up!:

There are other videos that Stampin' Up! has produced in which a project is completed and the "expert" walks you through his/her process.  

Here's what I learned from Angie:

• Go from the lightest to darkest marker in the color set.
• Use a light touch with the marker.

From Teri, I learned that she:

• Fully color one petal or area at a time.
• Start with the lightest marker and then add the darkest to what would be the shaded area. Use the medium marker to blend them.

Studio Suggestions:

• Don't forget to use the Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (132708) to avoid smearing your stamped image.
• You'll notice that the experts lined their work surfaces with Grid Paper (130148).

MORE NEWS!  Is there Designer Series Paper ("DSP") on your wish list?  It's on sale this month -- buy three packages of the $10.95 sets and receive an equal-value package for *FREE*!

Ready for more?  How about the new Weekly Deals...

7/8-inch Scallop Circle Punch, #129404, originally $12.95, but on sale this week for $9.71!

2013-15 In Color Stampin' Write Markers, #131260, originally $14.95, but on sale this week for 11.21!

Gold Sequin Trim, #132983, originally $4.95, but on sale this week for $3.71!

Label Bracket Punch, #132153, originally $15.95, but on sale this week for $11.96!

Neutrals Designer Buttons, #130031, originally $7.95, but on sale this week for $5.96!

Silver Baker's Twine, #132976, originally $3.50, but on sale this week for $2.63!

Silver Fancy Foil Vellum, #133364, originally $10.95, but on sale this week for $8.21!

Summer Home Digital Download, MDS, #118464, originally $14.95, but on sale this week for $8.97!

Whew!  What a post!  I hope July has gotten off to a good start for you!