Stamping Fun 101

Advent Calendar in Candy Cane Christmas

The glittery Candy Cane Christmas Designer Series Paper makes an Advent Calendar even more fun!

If you like this paper, ORDER NOW! 

Stampin' Up! has announced that the inventory of this design will be depleted soon; this week, most likely.  Unfortunately, they are unable to order more from the manufacturer.

Don't miss the Candy Countdown Calendar Kit; available in the same Candy Cane design with fast-fold boxes for easy assembly. 

Here is a shot of the top; similar to the coordinating Little Cardinals Builder Wheel which is adorable!   

I didn't have a set of number stamps that would fit well on the tiny drawers so I used the digital scrapbooking software, My Digital Studio.

If you don't have My Digital Studio yet, don't miss this opportunity to get it for 50% off, until November 30!  Additionally,there are many extra digital downloads on sale right now including Christmas images for card making and scrapbooking kits.

If you are not familiar with digital software, these numbers are an actual Stampin' Up! stamp set and the digital images came with the software.  This time, the digital "stamping" was a better choice for my project because I needed to reduce the size of the numbers to 1/2".  I then changed the color to Garden Green and printed.

Punch the numbers with the 3/4" Circle Punch and layer on Real Red card stock 1" Circle Punches. 

Use the Crop-A-Dile to punch the handle holes and tie a 13" length of 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon. 

Contact me if you have any questions about My Digital Studio.  It's an incredible tool to have, especially for only $39.98!

Top 10 List for New Stampin' Up! Catalog

It's always fun making wish lists with the release of a new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog.  As I pare down my list, I enjoy creating a Top 10 List of favorites! 

10. Funky Four stamp set -item #113738, $14.95, page 93

    You might want to cut the four mushroom images apart and stamp with them separately; they're so stinkin' cute!  There is an entire line of coordinating products with these images: rub-ons, file folders, and...

9. Playdate Designer Series Paper -item #117168, $9.95, page 175

    This double-sided paper is a must-have for scrapbooking and crafting of anything!  Somehow it captures the essence of both modern and retro with Funky Four flower and leaf images, fun numbers in cool fonts, bold stripes, small hearts. 

8. Broadsheet Alphabet stamp set -item #118724, $43.93, page 159

    Gorgeous uppercase alpha with flourishes reminiscent of old-fashioned newspaper banner. 

    This will coordinate well with the new vintage line of products including Newsprint Designer Paper, Artistic Etchings stamp set, Music Notes wheel, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and...

7. Antique Brads -item #117273, $5.95, page 187

    The front cover of the catalog shows these beautiful brads in detail!

6. Hostess Sets -item # varies, pages 10-16

    The hostess sets in this catalog rock!  I soon realized that the stamp set Playful Pieces was more versatile than I was imaginative!  Luckily, there are lots of samples in the catalog! 

    Occasional Quotes has 6 sets of matching quotes; you can stamp a quote on the outside and a coordinating quote on the inside of your card.

    So many crafters love Inchies. The set Cute by the Inch not only has 9 versatile Inchie images but there is a fabulous new Petal Card Punch that will make adorable little Inchie envelopes!

5. Two-Step Owl Extra Large Punch -item #118074, $16.95, page 201

    This is the most economical punch Stampin' Up! has; you get the owl outline, three different circle sizes, a heart punch and the owl's belly which you can also use for a vest.  Or maybe to layer on the Round Tab Punch. Amazing! And the owl is too cute!

4. Morning Cup stamp set -item #116988, $21.95 and

wheel Take a Sip -item #120323, $6.50, page 60

A teapot, percolator, tea bag, coffee mug, tea cups, amusing sayings... what's not to like about this?

3. Teahouse background stamp -item #117132, $17.95, page 141

With the introduction of the Sizzix Texturz Plates, I don't use the 4.5" x 5.75" background stamps as much as I used to, which means I simply need to stamp more often! 

Don't miss the new beautiful backround stamps including my favorite, Teahouse; oh so elegant! 

2. Make a Monster stamp set -item #118742, $23.95, page 95

Monsters. Eyes, teeth, hair, horns, spots.  This is on everyone's list.  Just buy this now because you will see so many adorable projects with Monsters and you won't be able to wait until your set arrives! 

1. Color Renovation! 

All the new colors are a wonderful change!  We needed this update and these colors look so good together!  The new In Colors are trendy as always; my fave is Pear Pizzazz!

Bird Punch + Butterfly Die = Easy Decorating

Birds, butterflies, flowers, hunting bargains at yard sales... I'm loving the warm weather! 

This little bird house was a found treasure at a sale that I quickly and easily decorated with a few goodies from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

The Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch has three pieces in one punch; the bird's body, wing and the branch - love it!

(Cut your card stock in strips when you punch if you don't want to waste any, then you won't be left with blue branches when you punch the birds)

Stampin' Up! Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die cuts and embosses FIVE fabulous butterflies in about four seconds flat! 

Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper made this project even faster, the butterflies are a beautiful shade of Cameo Coral with a floral design, I simply adhered them with Stampin' Dimensionals.

If you enjoy decorating, check out even more ideas on my new Home Decor Projects page!

Order these products online:

• Extra Large Two-Step Bird, $15.95, Item #117191
• Stampin' Up! Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, $11.95, Item # 118138
• Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper, $9.95, Item #113976
• Simply Said stamp set, $28.95, Item #115066
• Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, $4.95, Item #109035
• Stampin' Dimensionals, $3.95, Item # 104430
• Pop Up Glue Dots, $3.95, Item #104183

Scrapbook Layout with Wood Sheet Frame

Only two more weeks left of Sale-A-Bration! :(

I love that we can choose stamp sets from the Idea Book & Catalog that are $15.95 and under this year; like the set D Is for Dog on this layout.  

I also used the Sale-A-Bration reward Designer Series Paper Pad Welcome Neighbor for the trees along the border.

Wood Sheets (page 158) were used to make this frame, I simply cut out the center with the Top Note Bigz Die and stamped on the wood with Classic Ink. 

The wood is thin enough that I was also able to round the edges with my Corner Rounder Punch! 

The Wood Sheets are sized to fit in the Big Shot without cutting, 5-3/4" x 13-3/4" and four sheets are only $9.95.

The title is cut with the Big Shot Bigz Stampin' Up! Alphabet Simple Letters, a useful sans serif alphabet for scrapbooking with a matching numbers die set available.

I rolled the Ballet Blue background with the Stampin' Around Wheel P Is for Paw with Versamark Ink (if you only buy one ink cartridge, make it that one!) and then I rolled again with Chocolate Chip ink on Kraft paper. 

I cut out four smaller paws with the 1/2-inch Circle Punch and adhered them in the Antique Brass Build-A-Brads.

101 TIP: Wheels are a great way to create backgrounds and make your own Designer Paper on scrapbook pages, cards and other projects.  Wheels are quick, simple to use and economical as well. 

There is an area for journaling under the bottom right photo on the second page.  The Kraft-colored piece with stamped bones is popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals and a 2.5" x 4.25" tag is slid in behind it. 

The journaling tag has a Round Tab Punch adhered on the right side so you can easily pull it out.

The colors on the layout are;

• Ballet Blue
• Pumpkin Pie
• Chocolate Chip
• Kraft

Isn't our new little Beagle a cutie?  We rescued her from a local shelter last month.  She's about 6 years old and other than stealing food left out within her reach, she's a little angel!

Stamping & Scrapbooking Projects for Kids

It's a blizzard here and the kid's are out of school today and tomorrow.  We've been snowed in all weekend with an incredible eight inches of snow!

Yes, you read that right, eight inches shut down our city!  Of course there are only a few snow plows, Southerners don't have to deal with ice and snow very often. 

This is a fun project for you and the kids to make when the cabin fever sets in this winter.   Kids enjoy talking about themselves; they can journal, draw or just color in this book depending on their age. 

Ask them questions to get them started; what is your favorite room, which window in our house gives the best view, where is the best place to read a book?

The Welcome Neighbor Designer Paper is perfect for this project.  Adhere a piece of the brightly colored Designer Paper to card stock with a glue stick. 

Cut pages with the Scalloped Square Clear Die.  A clear die is great for a project with Designer Paper; you can line up exactly where you want the die to cut, don't worry about slicing off an element near the edge!

Stamp the house and trees with the coordinating Good Neighbors stamp set.  This stamp set and the Designer Paper are both free Rewards available in the Sale-A-Bration Brochure.

Punch holes through all layers with the Crop-A-Dile and tie Bermuda Bay Ribbon through to bind your book.

• Big Shot Die Cut Machine, #113439
• Alphabet Simple Letters, #115960
• Scalloped Square Clear Die, #115950
• Crop-A-Dile, #108362
• Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, #115610
• Bermuda Bay card stock, #115317
• Crushed Curry card stock, #115319
• Wide Oval Punch, #112082

If you would like to order any of these or other Stampin' Up! products and earn free Sale-A-Bration Rewards, you can order online at anytime. 

Open House Project Sneak Peek #1

Happy Saturday!  Today I'm getting ready for my Sale-A-Bration Open House next Friday and Saturday, January 29th & 30th. 

Come stamp with me if you live in Hampton Roads, Virginia!  Stop by between 10:00 and 1:00 to try the new products, make this card and other projects.

This will be the first big event at my new house, I just moved from Virginia Beach to Norfolk.  I don't think I will ever learn to pronounce 'Norfolk' like the natives say it, this Hoosier gets tongue-tied!

I love this stamp set we received at the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference in Phoenix a few weeks ago, With All My Heart.  It is so easy to create fun backgrounds, it coordinates with the new glittery Sending Love Designer Series Paper and one of the images fits in the Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch!

Earn a FREE Sale-A-Bration product when you order the new items shown on this card:

• With All My Heart Stamp Set, # 118134, $17.95
• Sending Love Designer Series Paper, # 117153, $11.95
• Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, # 118073, $15.95
• Satin Ribbon 5/8" Pretty in Pink, # 117289, $8.95

There are six new Sale-A-Bration items to choose from as well as more than 70 stamp sets listed on page 11 of the Sale-A-Bration Brochure, a new option this year! 

Leadership 2010 in Phoenix

Check in today at Leadership was a great beginning! 

We made two cards, a scrapbook page, a tag, and a milk carton during our Make & Take session. 

It's always fun making new friends and we've met lots of people; beginning with standing in line at Memento Mall!  Pictured here is a reusable bag, the design is from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The Pink Flamingo beach towel was adorable as well!

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.  Another day in paradise... love the sunny weather here!

Free Shipping Today Only!

Place an order today, November 30 by contacting me via email or phone* to receive FREE SHIPPING on your entire Stampin' Up! order!  

*Free shipping does not apply to online orders.  Phone (757) 663-1301.

No need for Stampin Up! Free Shipping Coupons or Free Shipping Codes, simply contact me before 10:00 pm ET!

Combine free shipping with the other current Stampin' Up! Promotions:

1. Holiday Mini Hostess Promotion (ends November 30)
2. Holiday Extravaganza (ends November 30)
3. Holiday Gift Giving Guide (ends January 4)

This quick and easy Christmas card uses the following products from the Holiday Gift-Giving Guide, earning two free Decor Elements!**

• Dasher Single Stamp - #116816 - $8.95
• Note Cards - #107311 - $5.95
• Top Note Bigz Die - #113463 - $21.95
• Earth Elements Card Stock - #105566 - $7.95
• Whisper White Card Stock - #106529 - $7.50
• Real Red Polka-Dot Ribbon - #115608 - $8.95
• Circle Scissor Plus - #112530 - $29.95
• Glass Mat - #112531 - $19.95

**Earn one Decor Elements (up to $16.95) for every $50 spent on products in the Holiday Gift Giving Guide.

The Whisper White Note Cards are a must if you haven't started your card-making yet!  

For only $5.95, you receive 20 cards and envelopes measuring 5" x 3.5" -large enough to send through the mail!

Other products on this card include:

• Merry Moments Designer Series Paper (#115672)
• Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set (#115370)
• Word Window Punch (#105090)
• Modern Label Punch (#116630)
• Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023)

Deals of the Week #4

Our final week has arrived and the Deals of the Week are the Princess and Pirate Party Kits! 

Both of these kits have coordinating stamp sets; Pirate Time (116718) and Princess Time (116720).

You can even order personalized name stamps that read "Captain James Fraser" or "Princess Brianna," fill in your own child's name, of course!

See pages 74 and 75 of the Idea Book and Catalog to view these fun sets!

Order online by Saturday, October 31:

Week 4 Deals of the Week

Item	Description	Special Price
116214	Princess Party Kit	$9.99
116213	Pirate Party Kit	$9.99

The Spooky card is a quick and easy one using the Cast-A-Spell Designer Series Paper (#115677) and the Stampin' Up! Alphabet Simple Letters Bigz Die (#115960). 

To create the scalloped edge along the bottom, punch with the top edge only of the Curly Label Punch (#112208).

5-Petal Flower Punch Poinsettias

I love the versatility of our punches!  Order the discounted 5-Petal Flower Punch and create quick poinsettias for your Christmas cards. 

Stampin' Up! Week 1 Deals are ending tomorrow at noon ET; order your punches here and check back tomorrow for the Week 2 Deals!

Week 1 Deals of the Week

Item	Description	Special Price
109183	Trio Flower punch	$10.99
109041	5-Petal Flower punch	$10.99
110709	My Way punch	$11.99

Did you know that poinsettias are not poisonous, to people or pets? It's true!

Punch and layer your flowers, curling the points of the top layer.

Dot the centers with Encore Gold Metallic ink using a Blender Pen.

• Stamps: My favorite hostess stamp set, Holiday Best (#115364)
• Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper (#116770): both the metallic background paper and the flocked red and white damask strip on this card are from this Specialty Paper found in the Holiday Mini Catalog
• Card stock: Soft Suede, Real Red, Whisper White, Garden Green
• Ink: Real Red, Garden Green, Gold
• Blender Pens
• 5-Petal Flower Punch

Subscribe to my newsletters for weekly Christmas cards, gift ideas, bags & tags!  It's the 12 Weeks of Christmas emailed directly to you!

Love the Lattice Bigz Die

It's that time of year again; birthday season!

You will need an abundance of birthday cards over the next few months.  Count back nine months and I'm sure you will figure out the reason why so many people are born this time of year ;) 

 The Stampin' Up! Lattice Bigz Die (Item #115958) makes a wonderful focal point on this card although it also serves well for creating backgrounds and numerous other uses!

• Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper
• The sentiment is a Rub-On from the Chit Chat pack
• Circle Circus stamp set
• Bermuda Bay card stock
• Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Top Ten List of Favorites: 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog

  Open House Make & Take sample card using new In Colors Rich Razzleberry & Crushed Curry, Razzle Dazzle stamp set, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper and Modern Label Punch

It was fun visiting with everyone at the Stampin Up! new Catalog Open Houses last week!  I know many people were on vacation with the holiday weekend; therefore I will offer one additional Open House next Saturday, July 11 from 12:00 - 4:00.  Stop by to pick up your new catalog, stamp a card and shop my retired products sale.

Open House Promotions
- Extended through July 11 -

I love listening to everyone as they excitedly tear into the new Catalog and share their favorites with friends!

10.  Foiled Specialty Paper (page 158) is available in White, Black & Vanilla in pin stripe and damask patterns.  Gorgeous 12" x 12" card stock for weddings and elegant events.

9. Updated Personalized Stamps (page 136) with current images to match our stamp sets.  NEW: Pirate, Princess and Wedding Personalized stamps!

8. A Flutter of butterflies in motion, the vinyl Decor Elements (page 193) are available in six different colors including Rose Red, So Saffron and Tempting Turquoise! 
Stampin' Up! released a new Definitely Decorative book with many new vinyl images and fun stencils.  Request a copy or view it here.

7. Storybook Specialty Designer Series Paper (page 163) is TOO fun; another product I'm going to be hiding from my five year old! 
Actually, this doodle-themed card stock would be perfect for you and your child to make a project together.

6. Party Kits (pages 74 & 174) include everything your little Princess or Pirate needs for a fabulous themed birthday!  Invitations, eye patches or crowns, pennants, treasure chest or purse boxes and many other decorations at a reasonable price.  Of course, there is a matching stamp set and don't miss the personalized name stamp (see #9)!

5. Wood Sheets (page 158) sized to fit through your Big Shot and they are the approved thickness; thank you Stampin' Up!  Stamp on the wood with bold images like the Season's Greetings card shown on page 158 for a simple yet elegant look. 

4. Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die for your Big Shot (page 199) will make fun frames and mini albums. Because it is a clear die, you can precisely cut out photos and patterns on Designer Paper with ease.  A Stampin' Up! exclusive die, you won't find this in stores.

3. Punches are the most popular tool and Stampin' Up! introduced three new punches in this Catalog; Modern Label, Jumbo Snowflake and Butterfly (page 186). In true SU! fashion, there are stamp sets that coordinate with all three of these punches to make creating easy!

2. Medallion background stamp (page 133) is my absolute favorite new stamp!   The greetings set Teeny Tiny Wishes (page 145) covers every occasion I can think of (and fits perfectly in the Modern Label punch). It was unanimous; the squirrels on the bench in Pendant Park (page 118) are adorable!

Everyone has their favorite In Colors; I find it interesting how tastes change as we play with different color combinations during the year!
Check out the new In Color products 8.5" x 11" Textured Card Stock (page 155) and the Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (page 182), however...

1. The absolute favorite; In Color Markers!

Order online through my Stampin' Up! website  or contact me to place an order, (757) 663-1301.

Designer Series Paper; how many uses?

 
Creating elegant Father's Day cards is simple when using the beautifully organic patterns of Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper. 

Both of the samples shown here illustrate how you can stamp on patterned paper for a more dramatic effect than using plain-colored card stock. 

The first card uses a piece of patterned Kraft-colored paper, cut with the Big Shot and the Matchbox Bigz XL die.  Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig, line up the outline from the set Great Friend and stamp the sentiment from the set Holiday Blitz. 

The second card also uses  a tag cut with the Big Shot and the Matchbox Bigz XL die.  The stamp is from Eastern Blooms and also has black brads on either end.  Kraft Taffeta ribbon ties it together.

Two stylish cards that incorporate stamping on Designer Series Paper.

But what else can you do with DSP? 

• Cover chipboard
• Make envelopes or line the inside of envelopes
• Cut it into small pieces and adhere it to make a paper quilt
• Emboss it
• Dry emboss it
• Sand it
• Die cut shapes and letters
• Scrapbook, of course!
• Place behind Vellum for a softer look
• Stamp an image, cut it out and paper piece
• Cover stamping mistakes with it!
• Punch a shape and place behind a clear button
• Place inside a cello bag or box with a treat
• Put behind the new Stampin' Up! Printed Window Sheets (Occasions Mini Catalog)
• Cut a long strip and make a 'belly band' to go around a card, box, gift

This is NOT a comprehensive list by any means!

Post a comment with a different idea of what to do with Designer Series Paper and you will be entered to win Blog Candy!

Receive one package of Designer Paper for free when you order three! 
Place your order today.

Sign Up Today for May 31 Class!

Mailed Kit or May 31 Class

Designer Paper Cards Kit Mailed Facebook Fan $10.00 Designer Paper Cards Class 5/31 Facebook Fan $10.00 Designer Paper Cards Kit Mailed $20.00 Designer Paper Cards Class 5/31 $20.00

I have extended the sign up date until Tuesday, May 19 for the Designer Paper Cards & Bag Class on May 31!  Pay for the class here and order any background stamp and package of Designer Series Paper with which you will make your project in the class.

The Kit by Mail can still be purchased after May 19 with an order of a Background Stamp and package of Designer Series Paper.

Facebook FAN CANDY contest on June 1!

All of you Facebook Fans are eligible to win the samples I have created for this class, Join Now

Here's another sample of the Designer Series Paper Bag and a card made with Urban Oasis Paper and the Bella Toile background stamp. 
The 'Friend' stamp on the front of the bag is Hostess Level II, A Little Somethin'.

Add two more packages of Designer Series Paper to your order and get the fourth package for FREE! 

This Stampin' Up! promotion through May 31 allows you to mix & match any DSP and Textured Card Stock, including the Printed Gloss Design and Textured Cover-Weight Card Stock priced at $11.95