Dare to Get Dirty Challenges

I got a change to play last week... I love to play along with challenges to make cards, just because.  When they don't have a specific purpose, you can go in any direction, and you never know what might come out of it.

I'll share a couple cards I made... I can't really tell you what the challange was.  It's a secret (unless of course you are a member of the Splitcoaststampers Fan Club).

This one uses a retired die-cut called Tulipe.  I actually broke it out of the packaging for the challenge.  'Bout time, eh?

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper: Whisper White; Ink: Basic Black marker; Accessories: White baker's twine, Pearl jewels, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, Finial Press EF, Tulipe die, Big Shot, Dimensionals. 

My daughter had a birthday party to attend, so in this case I combined a challenge and a to-do task.

Stamps: Sincere Salutations; Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Polka Dot Parade DSP; Ink: Pacific Point; Accessories: White gel pen, Small Circle punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch, Perfect Pennant die, Circles #2 die, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

And the last sample I'll share for now... I saw one sample in the gallery which got me thinking about making some poppies.  I came up with this crazy card.

I did a bit of sewing on the ribbon, and used the reinker spreader technique on the poppies.  In this picture you can see the Shimmery White card stock.

It is eclectic, but I really like all the details.  Super fun sketch (oops, did I just say that?  :) )

Stamps: Fabulous Florets; Paper: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Lucky Limeade, Shimmery White, Pocketful of Posies, First Edition DSP; Ink: Lucky Limeade, Black Stazon, Poppy Parade reinker, Tangerine Tango reinker; Accessories: Poppy Parade ribbon, Night of Navy ribbon, Corner Rounder punch, Aquapainter, Coluzzle, Ovals #2 die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

 Hope you enjoyed seeing some of my challenge cards.  Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC51 Color Blocking with DSP

Today on Stampin' Up Only Challenges, we are making projects with all the wonderful designer series papers options Stampin' Up offers.  And how can you not love them, when they coordinate so beautifully with the card stock and embellishments?

There are a few ways to really showcase a pack of DSP, and one is to use little scraps to make some color blocking patterns.  All these pieces come from the same pack, and don't they work beautifully together?

I thought the dahlia would work as a cute little blossom in the branch.

Stamps: Betsy's Blossoms; Paper: Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla, Floral District DSP; Ink: Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry; Accessories: In Color Dahlias, Brights buttons, White baker's twine, Square Lattice EF, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sponging Silhouettes

Time to play with a new stamp set, Serene Silhouettes, that is staring at me for our downline meeting.  I couldn't get away from the idea of doing a sky-type background for this image, but I wanted to use something simpler than brayering.  So for the background, I sponged sunset colors by rubbing the sponge over Whisper White card stock, rather than dabbing, in three distinct areas.  I then went over the borders of the layers by blending (sponging) them with the lighter color.

I tried to use some new items on this card, such as the Apothecary Accents framelits and new paper piercing pack.

I kept it clean and simple so the eye is drawn to the focal point.  I need a sentiment that says, "Take a moment..." or something like that.

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Fabulous Phrases; Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink: More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Basic Black craft; Accessories: Clear EP, Piercing tool, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Simply Scored, Sponges, Square Lattice EF, Apothecary Accents framelits, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

FM70 Stick a Pin in It

Ooooh, Erica's got a fun challenge for us today at the Friday Mashup, a vintage card (ok, that's not new to me), but with a stick pin.  I love them, but I haven't used them.  Just the kick in the pants, er, incentive to get me going.

Photo Courtesy of Connie Mercer 

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with a "Stick Pin on it."
2. Or Make a "Vintage" project.
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Vintage project with a Stick Pin on it."

I was thinking I might need a field trip to the local crap, I mean, craft store to buy some jewels, but something else in the recesses of my mind came to light.  You remember that Pretties Kit from Stampin' Up way back when?  You might have been like me and bought it, and then never used all the doo-dads.  Didn't even know what to do with the doo-dads.  Well break those babies out... time to jump in with both feet.

When the new In Color Primrose Petals came out, the first thing I thought of was a vintage dusty rose color... finally!  I used my Color Coach to pair up Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit (it looks like a dirty, vintage yellow, doesn't it?), and Basic Gray.  I gave Retro Sketches #20 another go as well.

I just dirtied up the background with some sponging, after some sewing.  Rolled flowers and hat pin is the perfect compliment to a vintage card.  The hexagons?  I did a little more math to make my own chipboard template, this time with a 3/4" side.  I've been playing along with the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges on Splitcoaststampers this week, so I'll submit this little lovely for a couple of the challenges.

Paper: Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Twitterpated DSP, Patio Party DSP, Newprint DSP; Ink: Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Basic Gray; Accessories: Linen thread, Pretties kit, Scallop Circle punch, Corner Rounder punch, Sponges, Fancy Fan EF, Little Leaves die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pop-Up Birthday Card

A little bit of catch-up on this month's club projects...  I thought it would be fun to combine the Make a Cake stamp set with a pop-up present card.  I used the Patio Party suite.  I highly recommend you utilize the suites Stampin' Up offers; it makes putting a project together sooooo easy!

I had a little help pulling this one together.  I used a layout from Becky Roberts for the front.

And I followed LeeAnn Greff's directions for the pop-up inside.

Stamps: Make a Cake, Something to Celebrate (retired); Paper: Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Patio Party DSP; Ink: Midnight Muse; Accessories: Raspberry Ripple satin ribbon, Primrose Petals satin ribbon, Whisper White stitched grosgrain ribbon, Silver mini brads, 1-3/4" Circle punch, 2-3/8 Scallop Circle punch, Adorning Accents EF, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

31 Days of 31% off Digital... and MDS 2 is Here!!!

Are you a fan of My Digital Studio?  Then you will love MDS 2!  There are 75 new software features, and here is a list of just a few.

• Design in spreads
• Create with custom canvas sizes
• Add more than one color to a single stamp image
• New photo layouts
• Recolor embellishments
• Recolor DSP
• Crop stamp images and embellishments

There are several options available, so take a look to see which one is right for you.  

• Already have My Digital Studio?  You can upgrade for $19.95 (#130650)
• Haven't yet purchased MDS but ready to take the plunge?  MDS 2 software is $39.95 (#130644) or MDS 2+, with $500 of digital content, is $79.95 (#130646).  Even if you have MDS, check out the digital content for each option... you may find that this is the best value for you!
• Still not sure and would like the free 30-day trial version?  You can do that too (#130910)!

The review of the software options, and digital content for each option, is listed here. 

But wait.... there's more!  During the month of August, Stampin’ Up is running a digital promotion called 31% Off Digital for 31 Days!  All cards, photobooks, individual pages, and tags are 31% off print processing!  And there is a list of 30 downloads and 1 digital disc (from the main catalog) that are also 31% off.  This is a perfect time to have your photobooks printed (I’m working on mine diligently now) and even think about your Christmas cards.  Below is a list of the downloads and disc on sale.

Item	Digital Content	Retail Price	31% Off Price
127217	Floral District Collection Disc	$  23.95	$ 16.53
118115	Night and Day Designer Series Paper	$    4.95	$   3.42
129929	Candid Frames	$    2.95	$   2.04
129921	Check This Out Page Templates	$    4.95	$   3.42
129609	Blossom Builders Embellishments	$    5.95	$   4.11
128999	It's All Me Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127441	Whimsical Note Journal Template	$    1.95	$   1.35
128342	Pinwheel Daily Calendar Template	$    9.95	$   6.87
127599	Party Animal Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127600	Autumn Traditions Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127620	Grateful Heart Thanksgiving Ensemble	$  14.95	$ 10.32
126027	Playful Polka Dots Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
130066	World Traveler Photobook Template	$  17.95	$ 12.39
131221	Storybook Specialty Designer Series Paper	$    4.95	$   3.42
130850	Joyful Times Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
124463	One Great Year Digital Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
127175	Limited Edition Embellishments	$    2.95	$   2.04
129607	Walk in the Park II Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
129934	#HASHTHIS Stamp Brush Set	$    7.95	$   5.49
129923	Book of Birthdays Swatchbook Template	$  12.95	$   8.94
121071	Travel Journal Kit	$    9.95	$   6.87
129924	Get it Done Kit	$    5.95	$   4.11
129005	Sweetly Nested Framable	$    4.95	$   3.42
127758	Delight in the Day Photobook Template	$  19.95	$ 13.77
130862	Blast Off Ensemble	$  19.95	$ 13.77
129890	Little Milestone Birthdays Greeting Card	$    7.95	$   5.49
128892	Designer Gift Cards	$    4.95	$   3.42
127580	And a Happy New Year Photocard Template	$    1.95	$   1.35
127435	Thanks Tons Greeting Card Template Set	$    2.95	$   2.04
127587	Sending Glad Tidings Designer Tags Kit	$    7.95	$   5.49
127762	Gratitude Framable Designer Template	$    1.95	$   1.35

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Howl-o-days!

Today is the day for the Holiday Seasonal Catalog!

Time to start perusing all the lovely creations and start dreaming of your holiday cards and gift giving!!  Click on the picture above to download the catalog to your computer.  It is a perfect time to schedule your holiday card-making private classes with your friends.  You provide the space and friends, and I'll provide the projects.  Contact me today to schedule!

How cute is this Howl-o-ween Printer's Tray Project Kit?  I want one!

If you join my team in August, we will both get one!  We could make it together!

Why join Stampin' Up?

• The customizable Starter Kit, valued at over $190, is only $99!  And it comes with free shipping!
• 20% discount on all your stampin' supplies, plus opportunities to earn more free product
• Access to Stampin' Up's online community, Stampin' Connection, along with the resources on the demonstrator website, their monthly publication Stampin' Success, and early access to upcoming catalogs, seasonal catalogs, and promotions.

Why join my team?

• We gather at least quarterly to get together and discuss business, goals, share samples, and stamp shoebox projects together
• We hold events together and support each other
• We attend local Stampin' Up events together, as well as Convention and Leadership conferences
• We feed off each other's excitement... it is just plain fun!

Contact me or click here to find out more!

Thanks for stopping by!