Stamping with Noel

Time Is Ticking On These Items!

My calendar is looking like a patchwork quilt right now - and not just because it is the end of a school year for my three children. Stampin' Up! currently has so many offers, catalog changeovers, etc. that many of you have questions.  

Here are some dates to keep in mind so that you don't miss anything!

Spring Catalog Product Sales:

While some of the product in this mini catalog will carryover to future catalogs, other items will leave us with the close of the catalog sales on May 31, 2013 

2012-2013 Idea Book & Catalog Product Sales:

Originally sales for this catalog were through May 31st, but Stampin' Up! has extended the dates... purchase retiring products through June 3rd, 2013 

However, while retiring stamp sets available through the end of catalog, retiring accessories available only while supplies last!

Hostess/Recruit Offer:

Host a qualifying workshop ($350 or more in product orders) through May 30th and receive an additional $30 in hostess benefits! 

Have a large wish list of your own?  

Personal orders also qualify for this benefit - but maybe, if your wish list is that large, you should contact me about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator ... you'll receive an additional $30 in your $99 starter kit, and continue to earn product from your wish list over time!

25% Off Digital Offer:

Get 25% off select digital content and print product through June 15, 2013. 

2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog:

The newest idea book and catalog goes live a day early on May 31st!   

Have you RSVP'd for my New Catalog Open House?  Join me June 15th from 2-4pm. I'll have finished projects using new product on display and the make 'n take will get new product into your hands!  

Can't make the Open House?  Please contact me to make arrangements to get your copy of the new catalog!

5 Minute Mondays: Tea Shoppe Get Well Card

I've been fighting a horrible flu/cold for weeks, and struggling to keep up with everything on my plate - so today I sat down and made myself a get well card with the retiring Tea Shoppe stamp set:

 

The inspiration for this card?

I've been drowning myself in thyme tea from my garden (thank you Jennifer, Natural Herbalist, for the suggestion!).  It is straight from my garden, free, and replaces all of the store bought teas - which, by the way, I had already exhausted!  And, best yet, I found I like the taste.

Technique:

I guess the only 'technical' detail on this card is the tea bag tag itself. To create this simple element:  

• I simply folded a piece of cardstock in half, stamped the front of it with a portion of the tea cup stamp, then cut to a square to make the tag.  
  (It would be a rectangle if unfolded!)
• To make it appear that it came out of the cup, I pierced a tiny hole through the top of my cup, as well as the center of my tag, through which I inserted my baker's twine.
• Lastly, I used a Stampin' Dimensional under both layers of my tag to give it more dimension.

The multiple stampings of my Teeny Tiny Wishes get well sentiment are not aligned, but this is 5 Minute Mondays afterall - if it bothers you, take a few minutes longer and get out your Stamp-a-ma-jig!

Oh, and I'm feeling better already ... well, I'm smiling as I always am when I finish a project. 

Shop the retiring stamps and accessories - CLICK HERE!

Happy Monday!

Featuring Nature's Pace Grapes & the Big Shot

As I continue to highlight my favorite sets from the retiring stamp list, I realized that I had never used the grapes from the Nature's Pace stamp set!  In all honesty, I purchased the set for the bee stamp.  And I knew that I could use the thistle stamp for scrapbooking my Edinburg Scotland trip, but the lovely grapes have just sat there unnoticed ... until now!

Technique Tips:

Stamps like this one scream to be colored with the Stampin' Write markers!  I don't think the image would be near as successful if stamped in a single color - and you try lining your green and purple ink pads up just where you want them (although it can be done if you are careful and use the corner of the pad). Also, the marker technique allows you to add a little shading, as I've done in the leaves using two separate green markers. 

Just remember to huff on your stamp after coloring and before stamping.  The hot moist air will revive any ink that has started to dry on your stamps.

To shop the retiring stamp collection - click here!

5 Minute Mondays: Digital and Hybrid Graduation Cards

A friend stopped by the other day and wanted to create a quick graduation card for her niece - very quick, as she was just picking something up and needed to run to an appointment.  I had to admit that I don't own any graduation stamps - but I do have digital graduation images in MDS! 

So we sat down and in just a few minutes we had this quick and easy card:

It is simply a sheet of paper from Love Letters Designer Series Paper Digital Download, matted in Basic Black on Going Gray card stock, with a greeting stamp from the You Go Grad Stamp Brush Set Digital Download. 

While she was satisfied with the card, I thought it would be fun to print it out and take it Up a Notch as a hybrid card:

It is now mounted on a Basic Black card stock card base and I've added just a few Basic Rhinestone Jewel Accents to brighten it up! Are there any young ladies in my life graduating this year?  For some reason I don't think this feminine card will work for my son graduating 8th grade. 

When looking for quick and easy projects, don't forget My Digital Studio!  Your finished product can be printed out or even used as an e-card for those informal occasions. 

Take the MDS FREE TRIAL today!

And, to make it even more fun, some of our select digital content is currently on sale for 25% off - shop the digital sale here!

Happy Mother's Day!

This weekend my craft room is feeling abandoned.  I am off playing in the yard with my children, going on a beach walk with the family, puttering in the veggie garden with my girls, a little soccer with the four year old and the dog, some volleyball with the 11 year old.  The weather is glorious and I'm enjoying the company my favorite people.

I hope all of the moms out there are enjoying your special day as well.  

Happy Mother's Day!

Font Stamp Sets, Don't Miss Out on a Craft Room Staple!

There is something about the release of the retiring stamp sets each catalog year that makes me dig deeper into my retired stamp collection!  Throughout the catalog year, I try to share with you samples with current product - it hardly seems fair to share a project and then tell you that I'm sorry, but the stamp set just isn't available. Yet, during this time of year, I feel a loosening of the rules ... I guess the 'fairness' factor seems to go away as I urge you to take heed and recognize those sets that you just can't live without.

To shop the retiring stamp collection - click here!

And, planning ahead for June, here is a Father's Day card done with a long retired stencil alphabet set and Father's Day greeting stamp:

And, if you are a fan of font sets as I am, I recommend that you don't miss out on the Lovely Letters Alphabet stamp set - after May 31st, it will be long gone too!

Lovely Letters Alphabet Set in store!

Sweet Treat Tags With Retiring Stamp Set

The Every Little Bit stamp set is another retiring stamp set that I will be holding onto long after the end of the 2012-2013 Idea Book & Catalog on May 31st.  This set includes 28 small images that can be combined with the Teeny Tiny Wishes greeting stamp set for a card or tag for ALL occasions.  

I've used it for:
(click on the links to see individual samples) 

• Match Games for Kids
• Masculine Thank You Cards
• New Baby Cards
• Simple Christmas Cards

Just to name a few!  And now I've created these little sweet treat goodie tags (die cut with the Ovals Collection Framelits Dies and my Big Shot) for end of the year treats for my kiddos (the treats themselves are still to be baked!).

Take a peek at all of the images you receive with this set:

Do you want to miss out on such a versatile set?

Order yours today!

5 Minute Mondays: Washi Tape Sneak Peek!

Using washi tape on cards is one of the easiest ways to add color quickly!  Since it is self adhesive, you simply tear and adhere.  A few strips, a stamped greeting - which can be punched and mounted as shown above - and your card is ready to go.

But, don't forget the little extra detail inside:

The three washi tapes I've used on this card are a sneak peek of things to come (Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape collection). They will be sold as a set in the upcoming 2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog.  But, if you are looking for some Washi Tape to try out now, Stampin' Up! is currently selling another set of three as part of our This and That Collection.  

See it here:  Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape

Happy Quick and Easy Crafting!

Noel

Romantic Anniversary Card Using Artistic Etchings

If you are a romantic at heart, or if you simply love Paris, then the Artistic Etchings stamp set used for this anniversary card has to be on your shelf! 

Paris was part of my first European vacation. Later my hubby and I honeymooned in France, starting in Paris.   And, more recently (ok, 7 years ago already!), we vacationed in France with our children.  I have to admit, whenever we begin vacation planning, my first thought is always of France.  Life, budget, family interests ... so many things can get in the way, but France (and, of course, Paris) is always in my heart. 

Today is my 15th wedding anniversary, and the collage stamped card above is handmade for my hubby.  Now that Stampin' Up! releases many of their stamp sets in French, I can add French greetings to my cards - for instance by using Voeux Mignons, the French version of Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Unfortunately, while this set includes "Bon anniversaire" (Happy Birthday), it does not include "Bon Anniversaire de Mariage" (Happy Wedding Anniversary). However, for those of you looking, this set also includes "Vive les maries" for the happy newlyweds!  

Tip: 

If you can't find the perfect greeting for inside your handmade cards, you can readily add any greeting of your choice with your computer and printer.  Even printers that don't take thick card stock will often take our Whisper White card stock.  

When creating a greeting for inside my cards, I use a 4 x 5 1/4 inch layer to fit inside a standard half sheet card.  Just be certain to add a bit of stamping (to coordinate with your card front) to tie the card together!

Actually, it is always nice to coordinate the inside of your card with the card front - here I've used an extra section of my original collage stamping to add detail:

 

Purchase your copy of the Artistic Etchings stamp set by June 3rd - once it retires, it will never be made again!

Oh, and if you're reading this, Happy 15th (Wedding) Anniversary Tom!

Personalize Your Electronic Chargers With Stamps!

Chargers, chargers, and more chargers ... I'm beginning to think that electronic chargers actually breed in my household!  And, when multiple family members have the same charger, how do you tell whose is whose?

Personalize your electronic chargers with stamps!

Recently, it became clear that if I ever wanted to use my own ipad charger that I needed to differentiate it from others in my household. As part of my "organize the household mission" I was tempted to paint a design with nail polish, but sitting in my craft room the obvious idea came to me - stamp on it with Jet Black StazOn ink!  And, while I'm at it, use my favorite stamp from the retiring Nature Walk Stamp Set to coordinate with other objects I've made for myself (such as my tea light holder that sits at the side of my tub seen here).

Now it is time to round up all of the family charges and personalize them with rubber stamps (wouldn't it be great to do this in advance when gifting a new device?) ... and while I'm at it, I need my hubby to build a charger docking station for me. I better get designing!

Jet Black Staz On Ink is a staple in my craft room!  You can stamp on glass, plastic, wood, paper ... you name it.  And I love the the clear crisp black image. For more information on this ink, check out my "Top 10 Tips for Using Jet Black StazOn Ink". 

5 Minute Mondays: Highlighting Retiring Nature Stamps with Stippled Watercolor Splotches

Perhaps this week's 5 Minute Monday project should go under the Artistic Endeavors category ... but, no, my fingers didn't officially get dirty - and you won't believe how quick and easy this technique is! 

"Stippled Watercolor Splotches" Technique:

• Choose a variety of lined stamps (bold images don't work as well with this technique).
• Heat Emboss your chosen images on Whisper White card stock with Basic Black Stampin' Emboss Powder.
  (Remember, this is 5 Minute Mondays, and with clear mount stamps you can mount all of your stamps on a single block and stamp/emboss once per card!) 
• Open three classic ink pads of your choosing giving access to your inside lid - I've used Pool Party, Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade.
• Put one drop of ink refill into each lid and spritz with water (just one pump should be enough).
• Using a separate stipple brush from your craft store, pounce color onto your stipple brush from the lid and pounce onto your project.

Technique Tips:

DO NOT OVER THINK THIS!  When pouncing on your color work quickly and don't over think the placement of color - this is a quick and easy technique, not detailed coloring. GO OUTSIDE THE LINES ... GET A LITTLE MESSY ... HAVE FUN!

I always recommend that my customers purchase their ink refills at the same time as the stamp pads ... not only does this prevent you from working with a dried out ink pad, but it opens up new techniques!  

Purchase your Classic Ink Pads and Refills here.

And don't miss out on these Retiring Stamp Sets (used on my cards above) - only available through June 3rd:

Nature's Pace Stamp Set

Kindness Matters Stamp Set

Nature Walk Stamp Set

Time Out for a Paper Crafter: Upcycled Chapstick Holder Key Fob

What do you think of these upcycled chapstick holder key fobs?  They are handmade gifts for my daughters made from old baby clothes, binder rings and scrap ribbon and buttons from my stash. I think they will look cute hooked onto their backpacks ... but think I need to make one for myself to hang inside my purse so that I can always find my chapstick!

I just love how the Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo colors (retired ribbon and SAB buttons) matched so well with one set of fabrics, while Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango and Denim Jean Ribbon tied in so well with the other.  

The creative inspiration for this project came from an unusual opportunity - I was home completely alone, with no one underfoot.  That doesn't mean that I had nothing I should have been doing, but my need to take a time out out weighed my sense of responsibility.  So I dropped all of the must do activities (even going so far as to skip my morning workout - shhh!  Don't tell!) and chose to do something just for me!  Ok, I know the final project was for my daughters, but the me time activity was getting to know my 'new' Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine.  Yes, I hesitate to say new because I purchased this machine back in November and this is the first time I've sewn on it. How pathetic is that? Especially when you see how happy I was when I made my purchase:

Thank you to Roxanne's A Wish and a Dream in Carpinteria California.  This is a lovely shop that can feed anyone's creativity regardless what medium you work in!

So to all of you hobbiests out there who are mired down in what you should be doing, why not change things up a bit today and try something new.  If you normally scrapbook, make a card.  If you are a card maker, sew something.  A seamstress? Try your hand at a little stamping.  I think you'll find something in your stash of supplies to carry you through that new project - and finish the day with a bit more spring in your step!

Paper Pumpkin Kit: Who is it for? & How do I get it?

Paper Pumpkin is the fun new monthly paper crafting kit from Stampin' Up! While experienced crafters may have fun working on projects that have been predesigned for you, these kits truly make great gifts for:

• Non-stampers:  Friends or Family interested in paper crafting, but with little experience OR supplies can get started without major investment in supplies.
• Teenagers and college students:  While their creativity level can be high, small budgets and small living spaces don't allow for the accumulation of supplies many experienced stampers don't think they can live without.
• Crafters with limited time:  People who like the idea of crafting, but just don't have the time to sit and enjoy the process for hours, will love this kit ... in 15 minutes they can fulfill their desires to craft and be back to business!

Sign up for Paper Pumpkin today - for yourself or a friend! Using this quick link, you will automatically be enrolled with me as your demonstrator. Please allow me to assist you with any questions or concerns that arise.  And, if you are not ready to commit to the monthly kit, start with the Try It Kit pictured at the top of this post.  

Join Now!

Retiring Stamps and Accessories Lists!

The 2012-2013 Idea Book and Catalog is coming to an end and the retiring stamps and accessories lists have been released today! This is an exciting time with Stampin' Up! because it means new product is on its way for the 2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog. But, it is also a time to say goodbye to some product to make room - and some of that product may be on your personal wish list!

Retiring Stamps List

Retiring Stamps will be available through June 3.  Stampin' Up! will continue to produce the stamps to meet the demand through that time.

Click here to download the retiring stamps list.

Retiring Accessories List

Retiring Accessories are only available while supplies last - however, you can SAVE UP TO 60% on select items!  Order early so you don't miss out.

Click here to download the retiring accessories list.

Click Here to Shop the Retiring Lists!

5 Minute Mondays: Peacock Fever!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful 11 year old daughter!

While today is my daughter's actual birthday, we celebrated yesterday so that school didn't disrupt her day of fun.  With all of the running about prior to this event, I had limited time to create birthday cards - but knew I had to create some peacock fun in her honor.  Here are two of the quick and easy cards I created:

 

Despite the additional work involved in coloring the stamps with Stampin' Write markers (Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Garden Green and Daffodil Delight) each of these cards came together in less than 5 minutes.  

Technique Tip:

The key here? Let your perfectionism go to the wayside when you are coloring! Once you mist your stamp with water before stamping, the colors will run a bit - virtually erasing any perceived coloring 'errors'.

Also, for the feathered card, ink the stamp with your lightest Classic Pad color (Daffodil Delight in this case) and add color highlights with the Stampin' Write Markers.  This minimizes the amount of coloring you have to do! 

Looking to create your own Peacock art?  

Check out these products:

Fine Feathers Stamp Set

World Treasures Stamp Set

International Bazaar Photobook Template Digital Download