A Few Other Things Before Vacation

I'm going to leave you guys hanging for a bit while I enjoy some vacation time in Canada with my family. I will be back on July 9 (though I can't promise I will blog that day!). In the meantime, here are a few other things that have kept me busy...

This is the card I made for my Monthly 1 Swap with fellow demonstrators. These birds from Cheep Talk are super cute, and I am sad to see these In Colors go.

Can you say swap-o-holic? Ok, I have stopped signing up for so many swaps through the mail with Convention coming up, but I still have to finish up the ones I already signed up for... [sigh]. This ATC is for an "Ancient" swap, so I did Ancient Rome. Can you tell? I printed the Latin background off the internet. I quite like this stamp set, Classic Sketches. SU! has a really great travel notebook sample with this stamp set in the current catalog.

I was late to the Pearl Ex party, but I wanted to give it a try. This is a shimmery, metallic powder that sticks to Versamark ink (I used it on the background). You have to seal it with acrylic spray, because it will rub off. So, I love the stuff! I am really sad SU! doesn't sell it anymore. I was playing with a travel theme for a masculine birthday card. The stamps are from Rubbernecker, Stampland, and Impression Obsession.

And the really big news today, other than I am almost done designing my Convention swaps, is that my free stamp set came in the mail!! I participated in a coffee ATC swap, and the hostess was giving away this stamp set free to one participant randomly, and I WON!!! So, if your husband ever says stamping doesn't pay, don't believe him!! :) I can't wait to start using it - it is the perfect size for ATC's! And they also sent this cute spinner ATC card. Thank you Mel at Elemental Doodles!!

Few More Sneak Peeks

I have been playing around with my new stamps and, more importantly, the new In Colors. Here's a couple of cards I made.

This is a birthday card for the daughter of a stamping friend. It uses the Animal Stories stamp set, Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo colors, and the white cardstock is embossed with the Big Shot Texturz plate. This is the card I used the custom-dyed ribbon from a few posts back.

And this is a little 3 x 3" card to check out some coordinating colors (Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery) that go with Bermuda Bay. The image is also from the Animal Stories stamp set.

Looking at Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo just screams Key West, but there are no current shell/beach sets in the new catalog. :( So I pulled out a retired set (Beautiful Beach) and went to work. This card uses Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, and Soft Suede. Good use of In Colors, if I do say so!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sneak Peeks

I promised I would post some sneak peek samples this week. I'm still playing with the new In Colors and learning what coordinating colors to use. I grabbed a couple samples off the demo website to show you.

This scrapbook page uses the new set Circle Circus and Old Olive cardstock. This set is going to be very versatile with all our coordinating circle punches. It also uses images that have been part of our Designer Series Paper in the past, so you could make custom backgrounds!

This is the Razzle Dazzle stamp set, along with In Colors Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, and Old Olive. Exciting news in this new catalog - In Colors come in Stampin' Write markers! This stamp set also would make a great custom background (some ideas would be tone-on-tone, watermark with Versamark, or clear embossing)!

And, it has been raining, sometimes heavily, for more than a week. This hasn't made mountain biking easy. So, I created a card with new In Colors as an 'Ode to the Weather'.

It WILL stop before we all drown! This card uses a retiring stamp set called "God is Love" and a new sneak peek set "Animal Stories". It also uses colors Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, and Rose Red.

I hope you are getting excited about the new catalog; I can't wait! And you will get a chance to play with new items yourself at my Open House on July 14. Thanks for stopping by!

Tutorial: Mini Scrapbook Made with 12 x 12" Cardstock

A few posts ago I shared with you a mini scrapbook album I made for my sister's birthday. Here are some instructions.

1. Cut your 12 x 12" sheet to 9 x 12".

2. Fold in half to 4.5 x 12".

3. Open and fold in half the other way to 9 x 6".

4. Without rotating cardstock, open and fold each side in towards the center so the 12" side will have four 3" sections.

5. With paper trimmer, cut a center line running parallel to the 12" side between 3" and 9" (sections 2 and 3 of the 4 sections). See black line in picture.

6. Here's the trick: You are going to lay the paper flat. Put your hands on either side of the center line (parallel to the 12" side) with your thumbs pointing toward the center cut line. Pull sections 2 and 3 up so they meet, leaving end flaps flat.

7. Rotate your wrists out so that your paper forms an "X".

8. Fold into a book.

Here's the finished project for my sister, and more photos are in this post. Thanks for looking!

Dyeing Ribbon Tutorial

I was playing with my new In Colors, and I don't have all the In Color ribbon. So, I dyed some white grosgrain ribbon to match my cardstock and ink! It occurred to me to take pictures about half way through, but you'll get the idea.

I didn't dye too much ribbon to start. So I sprayed 8 times with a water spritzer and 6 drops of reinker into a bowl. This was more than enough dye mixture. I then moved the ribbon around until it was completely covered. At this point you may want to use gloves; my fingers are still pink. Be careful to protect your workspace so you don't dye your counter. And don't use your favorite bowl; my bowl still has a light pink ring in it.

Once completely covered, I dried off the ribbon on a paper towel.

I then heat-set the color with my heat gun, being careful not to heat too closely or too long in one spot, which can damage and warp the ribbon.

The final result was ribbon that matched my ink and cardstock perfectly!! It was easy-peasy to make custom ribbon!

6/18/09 update: Another example of ribbon dyeing -

Swaps for SCS Buffalo Shoebox Swap

I had a really busy weekend. On Friday I stopped by Williams Resort in Rosendale, NY to preride the mountain biking race course, then up to Michele's (SCS: Tillyhead) for Divas night, then spent the night at Gayla's (SCS: snowcountry311). Early Saturday morning, Gayla, Kari (SCS: Norway76) and I drove to Buffalo for the shoebox swap. We had a great time with our table shoebox projects, then 4 make & takes, swaps, door prizes, goodie bags, and lots of food! Our host Becky (SCS: Kewl Kat) works at a shoe factory, so we got to play with lots of leather samples, and we stamped and decorated a leather wallet. She also showed us how to do a decorative napkin transfer with beeswax. Then we hit Buffalo Stamps for some shopping and My Tomato Pie for a quick dinner before heading back to Gayla's. On Sunday, I was up early again to drive to the race in Rosendale. What a sloppy mess, but I finished intact and first!

So, here are my swap contributions from the day:

My SU demo quality swap. I brayered the background and used the Branch Out stamp set. Uh-oh, Halloween is already coming on in my head!

My ATC swap. This uses Bella Rose paper and colors, and I got to use the tea cup stamp I picked up at the stamp expo the previous weekend. Hubby Chris did the sewing on this one, since the thread kept breaking on me, and I was getting very frustrated. Note to self: don't try to sew through the glue line!

And this is my 3D swap. I took this guy from my Fifth Avenue Floral class, since it came out so cute! Really easy to make!

Finally my shoebox project. Everyone had to cut out the little butterfly so it would pop out 3D on the card.

Thanks for looking!

The New In Colors for 2009-2010, Last Chance for the Big Shot Starter Kit

Well, it will soon be time for the new catalog, which starts July 1. The new In Colors have been unveiled, and I should get my Sneak Peek order on Monday. I will be able to post some new cards next week, but in the meantime, here's a look at the new colors courtesy of Dawn Olchefske.

Also this month is your last chance to get the Big Shot Starter Kit at the starter kit price. In the new catalog, they are not offering the starter kit bundle, so the savings will be gone. If you are thinking about it, snatch it up now while you can!

The Big Shot Starter Kit includes:
- Big Shot die-cutting machine + standard cutting pads and multipurpose platform
- 2 SU exclusive Bigz dies – Scallop Envelope and Top Note
- 1 SU exclusive sizzlits 4-pack – Birds & Blooms
- 1 SU exclusive decorative strip die – Decorative Strip Billboard (this is an alphabet set!!) + decorative strip cutting pads and extended spacer platform

I am offering two more spots in my Big Shot club this month. You will receive the Big Shot Starter Kit, classes to familiarize yourself and practice with the Big Shot, and hostess rewards for $220. That is $13.06 savings over the starter kit price and $24.60 over the individually priced items. Let me know asap if you are interested!

Some June Birthdays

I made some June birthday projects I thought I would share.

This one is for an old swimming buddy (not that she is old, just I know her from way back!). She used to come ride my horse when we were kids, and now she has one of her own. This is a CASE of a Michelle Zindorf tutorial here. She does great background techniques! This card uses "direct to paper" technique, meaning you put the ink pad directly on your paper. I like how it came out!

And this little scrapbook, made out of a 12x12" sheet of cardstock, is for my sister. I have the instructions for this one, so if you are interested, contact me!

I decorated the pages too!

And I heard a friend's son really likes tractors. I don't have any tractor stamps, and I was surprised there were no punch art tractors on Splitcoast. So I made one. Pretty cool! The background is just all my Happy Birthday stamps stamped over and over (thank you, Stamp-a-ma-jig!). Hope you enjoyed! All details in my SCS gallery.

A Few Club Projects...

So we had June club this past week. I didn't have enough supplies for everyone, so I made several extra projects and members picked out which ones they wanted to make. Here's a few of them -

This bear has moving arms. He is very cute. They demo'd this at last year's convention, and I have been wanting to make this guy. My mom struck a deal with me (or me with her??) and traded this set for a retired camping set I had on hand. So here he is!! I thought the movement part would be a challenge, but 3 brads later, he works! This was our Father's Day card, but I also used it for a birthday card.

I thought this duck from Wagon Full of Fun was perfect for a baby card. The waves are made with the 3/4" circle punch.

And I have shown the brayered sunset a couple times already on this blog - and the club members finally got a chance to try it for themselves. This is a brad/gift card designed by Kewlkat Becky at the Binghamton shoebox swap. As always, all details for cards are posted on my SCS gallery.

Been Stamping Today

I got to stay home today, in my PJs, and do some stamping. Love it! I've been cleaning up some loose ends before I can start my swaps for the Buffalo (Clarence) shoebox swap next weekend.

I got the cute little hostess set "Comfort Food", and I haven't had a chance to use it until today. This set is perfect for little 3x3" notecards!

And I am finishing up the last of my coffee ATC swaps. I really have to stop signing up for swaps, because I need to get busy on swaps for Convention in early August. I had great plans for a pretty, lacy coffee ATC, but it just didn't come out like I had envisioned. I fussed with it for a week, and I now need to finish up and move on. The Kraft striped paper in the Taste of Textiles pack does make nice cardstock for coffee cards. I clear embossed the coffee beans and put Crystal Effects on the coffee cup.

And this one was obviously Starbucks-inspired!

And here is one submitted for a sunset ATC swap. We did this technique at club this month - brayered sunset on glossy white cardstock. All the details for these guys are in my SCS gallery. Thanks for stopping by!

Last Chance Lists Are Out!

The retirement lists are out! You can link to the stamp list on the right margin. The accessories list is below, up to 50% off! These are going fast, so don't delay! I will update this list daily, so check back. And most of the Decor Elements are retiring as well; see list here.

Item #	Product Description	Price	Discount	Sale Price	Availability
112735	RUB ONS HIDDEN GARDEN BLOSSOMS	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
112970	LO MEJOR DE TODO	19.95	0.5	9.98	Available
105143	DAYS TO REMEMBER 6X6 FR	9.95	0.5	4.98	Out of stock
113888	RUB ONS MANY OCCASIONS	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
109044	PUNCH SNOW BLOSSOM	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
111364	RIBBON POLY TWILL SO SAFFRON 7/8"	8.95	0.5	4.48	Available
106961	STAZON REFILL WHITE	4.95	0.5	2.48	Out of stock
114341	COURDUROY BUTTONS PACIFIC POINT	9.95	0.5	4.98	Available
114316	RIBBON ORIGINALS PIG TAILS	13.95	0.5	6.98	Available
111414	RUB ONS HIDDEN GARDEN	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
114351	DESIGNER HARDWARE HOORAY	4.95	0.5	2.48	Available
114338	COURDUROY BUTTONS KIWI KISS	9.95	0.5	4.98	Available
114019	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS FLEURETTES	9.95	0.5	4.98	Available
114317	RIBBON ORIGINALS DRESS UP	12.95	0.5	6.48	Available
102875	HEMP TWINE RED	2.95	0.5	1.48	Available
101259	HEMP TWINE BLACK	2.95	0.5	1.48	Available
113979	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS CANVAS CUTS	7.95	0.5	3.98	Available
114350	DESIGNER HARDWARE SOHO	4.95	0.5	2.48	Available
111363	RIBBON GROSGRAIN PINK PIROUETTE 1 1/4"	7.95	0.25	5.96	Available
111365	RIBBON TAFFETA RIDING HOOD RED	6.95	0.25	5.21	Available
111847	RIBBON DOUBLE STITICHED BAJA BREEZE 1"	8.95	0.25	6.71	Available
111371	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED TANGERINE TANGO 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111373	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED PINK PIROUETTE 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111372	RIBBON GROSGRIAN STRIPED KIWI KISS 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
113884	RUB ONS FASHION DISTRICT	10.95	0.25	8.21	Out of stock
114318	RIBBON ORIGINALS VALET	12.95	0.25	9.71	Available
111374	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED RIDING HOOD RED 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111370	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED PACIFIC POINT 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111415	RUB ONS GREATEST MOMENTS	10.95	0.25	8.21	Available
113887	RUB ONS BRIGHT DELIGHTS	11.95	0.25	8.96	Available
111416	RUB ONS CHATEAU BELLA	10.95	0.25	8.21	Available
111338	NOTES TEXTURED LOVE ASSORTMENT II	12.95	0.25	9.71	Available
111879	RIBBON SATIN KIWI KISS VERY VANILLA	7.95	0.25	5.96	Out of stock
111277	RUB ONS A PERFECT DAY	10.95	0.25	8.21	Available
110730	DIE CUTS POCKETS & PIECES	8.95	0.25	6.71	Available
107272	PUNCH KEY TAG	15.95	0.25	11.96	Out of stock
113980	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER CANDY LANE	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111375	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED BAJA BREEZE 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Out of stock
112010	DIE CUTS BLOOMS AGAIN	8.95	0.25	6.71	Out of stock
113991	TASTE OF TEXTILES	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
101399	STIPPLE BRUSHES	6.95	0.25	5.21	Out of stock
112092	BUTTON BOUQUET	7.95	0.25	5.96	Out of stock
112139	NOTES CAROUSEL II	11.95	0.25	8.96	Out of stock
111336	NOTES SCALLOP II	11.95	0.25	8.96	Out of stock
111840	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL PACIFIC POINT	2.95			Available
111841	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL TANGEIRNE TANGO	2.95			Available
111843	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL PINK PIROUETTE	2.95			Available
111839	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL RIDING HOOD RED	2.95			Out of stock
111842	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL KIWI KISS	2.95			Out of stock
112161	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS KIWI KISS	9.95			Out of stock
112042	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER URBAN GARDEN	9.95			Available
112156	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS PINK PIROUETTE	9.95			Out of stock
112150	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS PACIFIC POINT	9.95			Out of stock
112153	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS TANGERINE TANGO	9.95			Out of stock
111844	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL BAJA BREEZE	2.95			Out of stock
111836	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD RIDINGHOOD RED	5.95			Out of stock
111838	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD PINK PIROUETTE	5.95			Available
113966	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE	9.95			Available
109123	STAMPIN WRITE JOURNALER BASIC BROWN	3.25			Out of stock
113981	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BELLA BIRDS	9.95			Available
112157	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS BAJA BREEZE	9.95			Out of Stock
113975	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER RASPBERRY TART	9.95			Available
114037	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SPECIALTY SWEET SLUMBER	11.95			Out of stock
113978	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER URBAN OASIS	9.95			Available
112041	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BELLA ROSE	9.95			Out of stock
112468	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SWEET ALWAYS	9.95			Out of stock
111834	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD TANGERINE TANGO	5.95			Available
114039	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SPECIALTY ROCKABILLY	11.95			Available
108590	CARD STOCK NATURALS ASST 12X12	8.95			Out of stock
111337	NOTES GIFT ASSORTMENT II	9.95			Available
112471	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER RAINBOW SHERBET	9.95			Out of stock
112464	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MANCHESTER	9.95			Out of stock
112006	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS FLOWER FUSION II	14.95			Available
111837	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD PACIFIC POINT	5.95			Available
112461	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WASHINGTON APPLE	9.95			Out of stock
113993	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SPECIALTY PARISIAN BREEZE	11.95			Out of stock
112155	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS RIDING HOOD RED	9.95			Out of stock
111353	CARD STOCK KIWI KISS 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Out of stock
111348	CARD STOCK RIDING HOOD RED 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Out of stock
112172	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN ROCK A BYE BOY	19.95			Out of stock
100900	GIFT SACKS WHITE	2.95			Out of stock
114605	SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT MORE THOUGHTS	42.95			Out of stock
102264	COLUZZLE STARTER KIT	19.95			Out of stock
111346	CARD STOCK IN COLOR 12 X 12	8.95			Out of stock
111835	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD KIWI KISS	5.95			Available
111350	CARD STOCK PACIFIC POINT 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Out of stock
105668	TATTOO KIT I	13.95			Out of stock
111349	CARD STOCK TANGERINE TANGO 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Out of stock
109231	SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT SENDING HAPPY THOUGHTS	54.95			Available
111351	CARD STOCK PINK PIROUETTE 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Out of stock
112165	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN ROCK A BYE GIRL	19.95			Out of stock
113950	DIE CUTS BUILD-A-FAIRYTALE	8.95			Out of stock
111345	CARD STOCK TEXTURED IN COLOR 12 X 12	11.95			Out of stock
105669	TATTOO KIT II	13.95			Out of stock
111833	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD BAJA BREEZE	5.95			Out of stock
113936	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN HOPPY MEMORIES	19.95			Out of stock
111347	CARD STOCK IN COLOR 8-1/2 X 11	7.95			Out of stock
107288	ENVELOPE WHISPER WHITE EXTRA LARGE	5.5			Out of stock
104310	CRAFTERS TOOL KIT	39.95			Available
111352	CARD STOCK BAJA BREEZE 8-12 X 11	5.5			Out of stock
113943	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN 2 SWEET	19.95			Available
113925	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SWEET NOTHINGS	19.95			Out of stock
112179	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN LOVE STORIES	19.95			Available
113911	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUNSHINE GARDEN	19.95			Out of stock
112054	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN BEST EVER	19.95			Out of stock
111253	Blooms & Bulbs Wheel	6.5			Out of stock
109684	Doodle Wheel	8.5			Out of stock
111257	Happy, Happy Birthday Wheel	8.5			Available
109692	Love Wheel	6.5			Available
109568	My ABCs Wheel	6.5			Out of stock
109682	Perfectly Pretty Wheel	6.5			Out of stock
109687	See You Around Wheel	8.5			Available
109683	So Swirly Wheel	8.5			Available
111260	Something Fishy Wheel	8.5			Available
111262	Stems & Silhouettes Wheel	8.5			Available
105516	Watercolor Joy Wheel	6.5			Out of stock
114528	Embosslit Flower	11.95			Available
116209	Note of Thanks	9.95			Available
116210	Birthdays Count	9.95			Available
112966	Curly Label Bundle*	33.95			Available
112457	Designer Series Paper Juntos	9.95			Available
112475	Illuminated Wheel	6.5			Available
113034	Stampin' Color Index Labels	3.95			Out of stock

Table updated 6/27/09 8am