Snow Much Fun Gift Tag Box Sneak Peek

Once in awhile when going through my e-mails, I come across a card or project that I just cannot resist making. Such was the case this week when I received my e-newsletter from Papercraft Planet :) I was looking over the articles and the featured video for the week was by Valita (whom I adore!) and she made the cutest card that doubles as a gift box for flat items, such as tags. Oh my gosh, it was just the cutest little thing and I HAD to make one of my own....lol!! No surprise there, right?

Anyway, I decided to follow her example and do some Christmas gift tags and thought this would be a terrific way to introduce you to another stamp set that will be available tomorrow (sooooo excited for the new catalog!!!!) - Snow Much Fun. I just adore the snowmen in this set! They have offered some comfort from losing Flaky Friends a couple of years ago.

So, I watched Valita's video and here is my version of her gift box card:

I used my pastels and a blender pen to color the snowmen. The designer series paper is called Pocketful of Posies and is also in the new catalog. Here is the card opened up:

It is the cutest little box! I made 6 gift tags to put inside. I hooked some of the Tinsel Trim that I had left from last year's Holiday Mini catalog through each one. I sure hope they give us something like that this year. I loved that trim. The scalloped layer is cut with the Big Shot (you must have one of these!!) using the new Perfect Pennants die. LOVE this die! I stamped an image from Tags Til Christmas which was also in the Holiday Mini (hope you held on to yours).....

To hold the ribbon securely on the back of the card, I attached it with a glue dot and then added the snowball from Snow Much Fun over top of it using sticky strip on the bottom and top edges.

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Snow Much Fun, Tags til Christmas

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Pennants die, Whisper White 3/8-inch Taffeta Ribbon, Blender Pen, Stampin' Pastels, Silver Tinsel Trim (retired), Sticky Strip, 1 1/4-inch Square Punch, 1 3/8-inch Square Punch, 1 3/4-inch Circle Punch

I really like the way this turned out. I think Baja Breeze and Rich Razzleberry may be a fun new color combo for Christmas :) Nothing wrong with "thinking outside of the box" sometimes - especially in stamping! I never really thought about this combo much until I got this paper and now it is fast becoming a favorite. I didn't even think I would actually like this paper but boy was I mistaken! Simply gorgeous! Just goes to show that pictures just don't do our products justice - they are sooo much prettier in real life.

Valita had a very good idea about sending these as early Christmas cards so the recipient can use the tags on the gifts they give. I know a few of my friends who will be receiving one this year :) I think it is a terrific idea and can be used for so many different kinds of tags - birthdays, all occasion, little thank yous.........the list goes on :) It will be fun creating more of these - they are super easy! Thanks, Valita - amazing, as usual!!! You can find the directions to make this gift box card by going here and searching the list on the right hand side for "Making a Simple Box Card." Valita does some absolutely wonderful videos for lots of fun projects and cards. I just love her work!! She is a fabulous paper crafter!! Be sure to check her out on youtube.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have enjoyed this little gift box card. I hope it has inspired you to create one of your own and feel free to share it with me if you do :) 'Til next time......................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

On the Grow Sneak Peak

I fell in love with the new In Colors the minute I saw them!!! Just another of the benefits of being a Stampin' Up demonstrator - we could preorder them this month :) It gives us a chance to play with them and be prepared to show all of you some great ways to use them when they become available on July 1st (only 2 days away!!!!)

One of the things I like best about the new colors is the fact that they work so well with each other as well as with many of our existing colors. Depending on what you pair them with, you can easily create a very subtle or very vibrant color scheme. What could be better than more versatility in color combos?Love it! I wanted a more subtle scheme so I paired a couple of them with Pink Pirouette to come up with this:





The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: On the Grow

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Flirtatious Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray, Wisteria Wonder

Accessories: Big Shot with Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Markers (Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Sahara Sand)

I think this is destined to become a favorite color combo this year :) These colors seem so delicate together and will be wonderful with all of the "doily" accessories and stamps!! And the new border punch I used on this is amazing!! You will love them! I can't wait to share them with you - they are all just toooo cute! And don't you just love this little scooter??? It's in the Summer Mini catalog and is available through August. It is going to be so much fun playing with some new "toys" this year. I am really looking forward to the new catalog release at the end of the week.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed a little sneak peek at the new In Colors and that awesome new punch!! 'Til next time...........................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Strength and Hope

One of the retiring Designer Series Papers that I just loved this year is Greenhouse Gala. I have used this a lot!! It coordinated with the Friends Never Fade stamp set which, thankfully, is sticking around awhile longer :) But, I needed to use some of the paper up so this time I used the Strength and Hope stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog for this card:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Strength and Hope

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

Ink: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso

Accessories: Baja Breeze 1/2-inch Seam Binding, Stampin' Dimensionals

I really like the way this card turned out. I love this butterfly! I know, I love everything...lol! But, I really do :) The color combinations this DSP offers are so pretty, too. I am really going to miss it. But, I have no doubt there will be a new one that I will love just as much! I have seen a couple of them so far and have not been disappointed in the least - can't wait to share those with you in July!!

Thanks for stopping by today and sharing with me :) I wish you all strength and hope as you go through the day. 'Til next time......................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Friends 24-7

At my card class this month I wanted to use some stamp sets that are retiring just to remind everyone to be sure to get them while they can :) Friends 24-7 has always been one of my favorites. I am so sad to see it go :( I just love the little bird perched on the tree branch.

This set is also fun to use with the vintage style. And since I haven't done that style lately, I decided this would be a good time to bring it back. So, I got out my sponges and came up with this:




The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Friends 24-7, Heard From the Heart

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Poppy Parade

Ink: Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, Soft Suede

Accessories: Blender Pen, Victoria 5/8-inch Crochet Trim, Early Espresso 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

I inked up the flourish image with Crumb Cake ink and then stamped off once before stamping it on the Very Vanilla layer. I sponged around the card base and the small vanilla layer with both Poppy Parade and Soft Suede. Then I sponged the other layers with just Soft Suede. I tilted the pieces when layering them to give it a more dimensional look and attached the layered unit with dimensionals. I colored the bird's chest using Poppy Parade and a blender pen. I think it makes him look like a red-breasted robin :) I always love it when you see the first one in the spring.

I am really going to miss the Hodgepodge Hardware, too. I love using it for accents - especially when I do a vintage card. S0 many of the shapes coordinate with our punches and these little ribbon pulls are perfect with our 1/4-inch Grosgrain Ribbon. Oh, and did I mention you can get it at 40% off right now??!! It is normally priced $29.99 so now is definitely the time to buy it for only $17.97!! Awesome deal and you can purchase it here. But, hurry because it is on a first come - first served basis and only through June 30.

This card was so fun and easy to make. And, it was perfect for my Stampin' Up team. Afterall, we are AT&T - Always Thumpin' and Thwackin'.....lol! In case you don't know, it means we thump our sponges on our ink pads and thwack them across the edges of our cardstock :) It's a great way to have fun with friends!!

I hope this card has inspired you today. Thanks so much for stopping by - I always appreciate your visits :) 'Til next time..................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

The Open Sea Hybrid Card

I have always been fascinated by clipper ships. When I was in high school (way back when), string art was "the" thing to do. So, I made a clipper ship. It took me a couple of months because you had to pound in a bunch of little nails and then wrap your string around them in a certain pattern to make the sails and the rigging. It was so cool when it was finished. I kept for a number of years and eventually it made it into the garage sale box with so many other "treasures."

Needless to say, I was thrilled with The Open Sea stamp set in the Summer Mini Catalog! I knew I would be using this one a lot!! And then to my utter delight, it was offered as a digital download for My Digital Studio :) Cha-ching!!!! So excited to have this around forever!!

So, for my card class, I knew I wanted to make a card with this. I had done one before but I wanted the ship to be the total focus of my card. I played around with it in My Digital Studio and was able to resize it so it would "fill" the card front just the way I wanted it to. I printed it 6 on a page on Naturals White cardstock and we made this hybrid card:





The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: The Open Sea

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Naturals White, Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper

Ink: Early Espresso

Accessories: My Digital Studio, Early Espresso/White Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals, Blender Pen, Watercolor Crayons - Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler

I love the way this turned out - however, I must caution you to make sure your compass is straight when you stamp it..lol!! My was definitely off kilter. Must have been in the Bermuda Triangle :) I think using the Naturals White as my card base really allowed the ship to stand out and it was easy to use the blend pens without lifting the paper. And the Baker's Twine was just the perfect embellishment.

I was down on Shelter Island (one of my favorite places) last weekend and saw a sailboat much like this one sailing around the harbor. Note to self - always carry a camera when you go for a drive because you never know where you will end up. I took a picture with my phone but don't have the cord to download it to my computer :( But, I e-mailed it to myself - thank goodness for data plans on cell phones :) This is what I saw:




Here is a little closer view. There was a bunch of people in my way so I had to tilt my phone just a bit to get the ship - plus it was a bit breezy :)

What a way to see San Diego Bay up close and personal :) I would LOVE to go sailing on a boat like this one. But even just watching it from shore was pretty cool! It was so awesome in person!!

Well, I hope you have enjoyed your visit today and that you are inspired to explore more possibilities with stamping :) Thanks so much for stopping by so I could share a little bit of my passion for clipper ships with you. 'Til next time........................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Hello Flowers

I tried to keep my cards for card class fairly simple this month (well, except for that step card). I just love the Level 1 Hostess set in the Summer Mini and the Hello Flowers from the mini seemed like a perfect match for the swirly words :) So, I put them together and came up with this:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Hello Flowers, Swirls & Curls Verses

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper

Ink: Pacific Point

Accessories: Pretty In Pink 5/8-inch Satin Ribbon, Markers - Pacific Point, Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi

I just these colors together. They make a card so bright and cheery. I used my markers to color the stamp and just didn't color the letters that are in the center of the flowers. And isn't that "thanks" just too cute?! I love the Swirls & Curls Verses!! There are 5 in all and I intend to use every one of them :) They would be perfect for an all-occasions boxed set of cards. Hmmmm.....I'll have to see what I can come up with for that.....

I hope you enjoyed the card today because it really goes out to all of you. Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting. 'Til next time.........................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Inspired by Nature

I had a great card class yesterday with 8 wonderful stampers (and friends). We had such a fun time together!! I always look forward to my card class and the good times.

This month I tried to focus on some retiring Designer Series Paper so I could get some of stock used up :) Need to make room for the new ones! I still had some of the Jolly Holiday paper and the more I looked at it, the more I could see it used for so much more than just Christmas. So, I brought out one my favorite sets to come up with this:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Inspired by Nature

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Ink: Jet Black Stazon

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Markers, Old Olive 5/8-inch Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

I colored the grassy image of the stamp set with the Old Olive marker and stamped it, then colored the stemmed flowers with the Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler markers and stamped it over the other image. Then I stamped the sentiment with Black Stazon. I honestly hate to see this Designer Series Paper leave. It was nice to have something so versatile for Christmas and year 'round..and I just LOVE these two colors together! When I first started with Stampin' Up six years ago I wasn't sure how I felt about Old Olive. But, over the course of time, I have grown to love it just as much as all of the others :)

The Jolly Holiday DSP and the Old Olive ribbon I used on this card will both be gone forever at the end of the month (if not sooner). You can still purchase them here.

Thanks so much for stopping by today - as always, I enjoy our visits. 'Til next time....................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Cottage Garden Step Card

For quite some time now, I have seen Step Cards posted on the yahoo groups that I belong to. They just always looked a bit complicated so I was just content to comment about how pretty they were.....until last week. Someone (sorry, I can't for the life of me remember who) posted one that was so different and I knew I HAD to try one :) I love being challenged by other crafters!

I wanted to showcase some of the designer series paper that is retiring so I chose Sunny Garden. The colors are so bright and cheery and there is a coordinating stamp set - woohoo!! So, I took it off the shelf and this is how it turned out:




I was soooo happy with it!! And it was so simple - I kick myself now for waiting so long to try this. It was way easier than I thought. This is how the card looks from the side:






The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Cottage Garden

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, Whisper White, Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade

Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Daffodil Delight 1/8-Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

This really was very easy to make. If I can remember where I got the directions, I will post it - or maybe we will get lucky and the person who did this will leave a comment for us :)

I stamped the small poppy parade flowers on the dsp pieces on the sides and created my own "dsp" for the center with stamps from the set. There is a sheet similar to it in the pack of paper but I love being able to create my own. It's fun to make it any color I choose. This Designer Series Paper is on the Last Chance so you will want to buy it soon!! You can purchase it here. I have this card cut for my card class on Saturday - I hope my gals don't panic when they see it :)

Thanks for stopping by today and letting my share with you - I always enjoy your visits :) 'Til next time.................................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Sneak Peek!!

This will be the only sneak peek I offer for the new Stampin' Up catalog that comes out July 1st. I am so excited about it and all of the new things it offers but I don't want to spoil everything for you :)

I held my June downline meeting last night and we always do a swap. So, I knew not all of them had gotten their preorders yet and I wanted to show them some fun stuff. I got out the new In Colors and the gorgeous designer series paper to make this:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Happy Greetings

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Flirtatious Specialty Paper

Accessories: Melon Mambo and Wisteria Wonder Markers, Basic Pearls, Pretty In Pink 5/8-inch Satin Ribbon, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

I just love the little doilies that can be cut from 2 of the sheets in the Flirtatious Specialty Paper. They are so cute to add to cards and scrapbook pages. They remind me of the doilies my grandmother always had on her tables. I put the ribbon over top of the piece punched with the Lace Border Punch, so you will see even more of that later.........you will LOVE it!!! It is sooooo pretty! Wisteria Wonder is one of the new In Colors for 2011-2013. It goes so well with Concord Crush and Elegant Eggplant - I love being able to layer my cards with different shades of the same color. I can see using this one a lot!! The stamp set is in the Summer Mini Catalog so you don't have to wait to purchase that :) It is available now through August.

Don't forget that this month is the last opportunity to get those items from the Last Chance Lists. You can click the links at the top of the left column to see what is leaving and go to my online store to purchase them before they are gone forever. Some of the accessories have already sold out so don't delay!!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you enjoyed my little sneak peek at some new items. 'Til next time..............................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Lots Going On!!!

Wow, life has been a whirlwind lately!! I finally finished my project and my card for Butterflies, Bugs, and Blossoms....there is still time to sign up for the event. There are some AMAZING projects waiting for you :) Just click the link in the left column to sign up.

I have also been working on a project in My Digital Studio. I love this program!! At first, I was apprehensive about even purchasing it because I have always been a "hands-on" scrapbooker. But, the more I work in it, the more I love it!! It is so easy to swap things out to get it just the way you want it. Even if I never print anything, I could use it to design my regular pages making it super simple to create an album. And it is a wonderful way to do all of your journaling.

Here is the cover of the album I have been working on:

I purchased the digital download of the fabulous Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper from the Summer Mini Catalog and the Baker's Twine download. With that, I was able to add this page:

This is just tooooo fun!!! I have a total of 5 pages completed with lots more to put together. I will most likely have this printed so my son and his girlfriend will have a hardcover book as a keepsake from their trip out here over Spring Break. I had such a great time with them when they were here and I want to give them something really nice to remember it by. This book will be less bulky than a big album and I can have it shipped directly to them from the printer :) I was actually hoping to finish it during the month of May as the printing was 30% off, but it just wasn't in the cards....lol!! Oh well, so much for great ideas!

And now, here it is the first of June!!! Many of you know that is the time for the Last Chance Lists from Stampin' Up :( You will find the links at the top of the left column to view the stamp sets, accessories, and decor elements that will be leaving us at the end of the month. Sooo many of my favorites will be gone forever :( But, it is a great time for you to get in on some good deals on accessories - quite a few are discounted at 25% and 40% off!! Be sure to click the link for my Online Store to get your order placed early. The accessories and decor elements are sold on a first come - first serve basis and the availability will change quickly!!

I hate to see so much leave but I am anxious to see all that is new!! This time of the year is like Christmas to SU demonstrators!! New catalogs and new products - life doesn't get any better for a devoted stamper :) 'Til next time................................,

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!