2012 CALENDAR FOR YOU

Well, I am finally home and hope to get back to a more regular schedule with regards to my blog!  I know I have been very sporadic lately, but hopefully that will change once I get unpacked and my life gets back to normal ... whatever normal is!!

It is time for the 2012 OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG!!  You can click on the catalog in the side bar to see all the great products.  I will be posting some samples real soon.  Contact me to place an order OR you can order from my website HERE. 

I have made this calendar for you using My Digital Studio.  Enjoy!!

Club Projects for February

My club meets today.  I always have a hard time deciding what to make - I just want to do it all!  I keep having to remind myself that they are pretty novice stampers so I need to keep it simple but also knock their socks off!  Hope this does it!

You can make a dogwood with the Blossom Petals Punch from the Occasions Mini catalog!!  I punched the petals out and then using a 3/4" circle punch, I punched the ends and used a brown marker to darken them.  The colors used on the card are Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizazz and white. The sentiment is from Oval All.

Close up of dogwood flowers

 This is another card using the Blossoms Punch.  I had several people that bought this punch so I wanted to make sure they knew how to use it!  I have found the easiest way to use this punch is cut a strip of paper about 1 1/2" and punch from it.  That way, you don't waste a lot of cardstock.

 This card and the next one are super easy!  Everyone will do a different one.  I cut my basic card (5 1/2" x 8 1/2"); DSP AND Vellum (5 1/2 x 4 1/4").  Emboss the vellum and adhere it to one side of the DSP that is adhered to the card.  The ribbon will cover up the tape.  Stamp a sentiment in an area that is not embossed.

This is a good way to use up some DSP and makes an elegant card.

This card is probably my favorite but again it is fairly simple.  I used the DSP, Springtime Vintage that is just gorgeous!!  It is on page 15 in the mini catalog.  The rose on the bottom of the flower is cut from the paper and glued down.  The stamp set I used is Baby Blossoms - a set I really wasn't going to order but I am loving it!  The colors of the card are River Rock and Not Quite Navy.  The "thinking of you" part is stamped three times - once in Not Quite Navy on NQN cardstock; once in Rose Red; and once in NQN on white and punched out with the large oval punch.  The seam binding ribbon in Baja Blue tops it off.

A Slice of Life

A Slice of Life is a Hostess gift stamp set featured in the Occasions Mini that I earned last month.  It is a cute set that can be used all through the year for birthday wishes, congratulations, welcome to a new baby, etc.  So, if you book a workshop, you too can earn this set for FREE!!  I made a card with all the stamps in the set except one which is a baby onesies' stamp.  I will use it later and share with you.

 This card is one I will be using soon for a birthday card to a special friend in Texas.  I cut the cake out separately, paper-pieced it and raised it up with dimensionals.
Cardstock:  Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink Bashful Blue, Whisper White, scraps of various SU DSP; Accessories:  2 1/2" Circle Punch; Black Marker; Sizzix Flower Fold Die; Big Shot; SU Markers; Sizzix Tasteful Trim Die.

 I haven't decided the sentiment to use with this card but I will stamp it in the right corner when I do.  I paper-pieced the vase.
Cardstock:  Pear Pizazz; Bashful Blue; Whisper White; SU DSP; Accessories:  Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon; SU Scallop Punch; SU Markers (Pr. in Pink & Concord Crush).

My upcoming trip to Ireland was the inspiration for this card!  I don't drink coffee but I may develop a fondness for Irish coffee soon!  I used a lot of punches on this one!
Cardstock:  Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Pear Pizazz, SU DSP, Chocolate Chip / Accessories:  Photo Corner Punch; Boho Blossoms Punch; green brads; Modern Label Punch, Large Oval Punch; Scallop Edge Punch; 1 3/4" Circle Punch; 2 3/8" Scallop Punch; Stamps:  A Slice of Life and Occasional Quotes.

Take A Spin

Before I went out of town, I received some new goodies from Stampin' Up.  I didn't have a lot of time to play with them and that's what I'm hoping to do today (before or after cleaning house????)  I did make one card and as is par for the course for me, I adhered it to the base card backwards.  I can't even count the number of times I do that!  Luckily, for this card, it really didn't matter!

Here is how it was supposed to look like but the fold is at the bottom of the card:

But this is how it actually is (with the fold at the top):

Pretty neat that you can just turn it around and it still works!

I think this set will be an easy one to work with for birthdays, congrats, etc.  The set is in the Occasions Mini and is called Take A Spin.  I punched the white circle piece out with the new 2 1/2" Circle Punch (pg 11).  I colored the white circle piece with my markers.  The DSP is from the Sale-A-Bration catalog as are the ribbon and buttons .... free is always good!  The spinners are ordered separately - for $4 you get 12 spinners.  Isn't this a cheerful card?

Finally!

Finally .... I used some of my new toys!   I made a card this morning before tackling  the Christmas decorations!  I used the Blossoms Punch and the stamp set, Build A Blossom from the Occasions Mini Catalog which will go into effect January 1.  So ... if there is anything that you have been wanting to get from the Holiday Mini Catalog, today and tomorrow are the last days that you can order from it.

I also decided to do a Color Challenge from Splitcoast.  If you have been a long time follower of my blog, you know that I love doing challenges.  But, it has probably been six months since I have had time to do a one.  I am going to start to challenge myself more!!  The color challenge was to use Old Olive, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight and neutrals.  Those are great colors for a man's card - which I also need to do for my brother's birthday - but I decided to do a flower instead.

 

 The punch makes it so easy to make the flower.  I stamped the petals onto Shimmery White card stock and punched away!  To adhere them to the card, I punched a circle of SU's adhesive paper (in the Holiday Mini - love it!) and put the tips of the petals on it in a circle.  I ran the Old Olive through the Big Shot using the Little Leaves Sizzix die.  The Daffodil scallop is a Martha punch. 

This is the center of my flower - how cool!  I got this neat tool for Christmas.  It is an I-Rock Bling heat setting tool.  You put the bling where you want it and heat set it with the tool.  The heat transfers through the bling and activates the glue.  Probably overkill on the bling, but I was having fun!

Well, I'm off to work on taking down the decorations while Sonny is here to help!  Hope you have a great day!

Happy St Patty's Day & 2 Monday Mailers

(This is posted late because I just realized it didn't get posted when it should have!!)


Happy Saint Paddy's Day to you all!  These are the cookies I made for my Mahjong group and this is what I have left!  I doubled the recipe because the single recipe said SIX Servings!  I think I would have been fine without doubling because these will be gone by Friday .... in mine & Sonny's stomach!  Although I'm having Stamp Club tomorrow so I'll tempt them with the cookies too!

Here's the recipe for the cookies .... they are really good and easy!

IRISH SHAMROCK COOKIES

1/2 C butter, softened (I used a Crisco Shortening Stick)

1 3-oz package instant pistachio pudding mix

1 1/3 C baking mix (Jiffy, Bisquick)

1 egg

1 T white sugar

• 
  
  Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly grease baking sheet. 
• 
  
  Cream together shortening (or butter) and pudding mix.  Blend in baking mix, egg, and sugar.  Mix well.
• 
  
  On lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 3/8" thickness & cut into cookies with cookie cutter.
• 
  
  Place cookies on prepared baking sheet & bake 9-10 minutes or until lightly browned on edges.  Let cookies cook on rack.  Frost with green icing.

Now for my Monday Mailer cards!  Here is the card I made and mailed to my partner.

I found the pattern for this egg in the March CardMaker magazine.  All supplies for the card are from Stampin' Up.  The DSP is from the Good Neighbor pack that is in the Saleabration Catalog.  I ran all the pieces plus the white square through my Big Shot with the SU Texture Plate.  The felt flower and leaf are in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The cardstock is Melon Mango and Bermuda Bay.  I love the White Satin Ribbon!!  "happy easter" is from the Abundant Hope set in the Occasions Catalog.

Here is the card I received today! 

Isn't it great?  She embossed the cardstock with the Texturz Plate and I think she inked her plate yellow when she ran it through the Big Shot.  The butterflies are from the Occasions Mini - Embosslets.  I have to get those butterflies - they are on backorder right now though. 

Good bye to the Olympics ....plus an Easter card

I'm sad that the Olympics are over.  I really enjoyed watching them.  I really got into Curling!  I think I could do that sport!!  Now, I have to wait 4 years to see it again!!  Today's hockey game between USA and Canada was a real nail biter.  There was no "Miracle on Ice" this time but it was a great game.  If we had to lose the game, at least it was Sidney Crosby ("Sid the Kid) of the Pittsburgh Penguins who did the dirty deed by scoring the winning point.  All over the US, people were coming together to watch the Gold Medal game.  In red states and blue states, tournament MVP Ryan Miller was on the tube and hockey was on the national consciousness.  I've always loved hockey and I think this gave the game a well-needed boost.  For the NHL, the 2010 Olympics generated excitement for a forgotten sport and provided an invaluable national spotlight on the game heading into the league's playoffs. 

While I was watching the game today, I was working on getting some organization to my stamps .... mainly my sentiments.  I have all my stamp sets stamped in a loose-leaf notebook in alpha order, but sometimes don't get much past "L" when looking for a stamp.  And I don't know all the sentiments in my sets.  So, I found a little 4" x 6" Photo Book that was empty and got busy.  I stamped all my stamps on 4" x 6" copy paper and organized them by categories (Love, Birthday, Friends, Thinking of You, Get Well, etc).  Unfortunately, I am going to need at least 2 Photo Books!!  Hopefully, this will make stamping a little easier to find the right sentiment.  I'll let you know!

Here's my first "easel card" that I made last week.  It's an Easter card.  The Easel tutorial can be found on Splitcoast.

I used my new stamp set, Abundant Joy (from Occasions Mini).  I watercolored the flowers and used some of the Champagne Mist Shimmery Ink around the edges and on the flowers.  The scallops around the oval frame are made by punching several 3/4" circles and gluing them around the frame.

Here is the card opened up.

Monday Mailer plus 411 Challenge Card - easy too!

Wow, what an easy card this was!  I made this card for my Monday Mailer and for the challenge at Stamping 411.  It was such an easy layout that I didn't even have to think!  The paper is from that wonderful stack of DSP in the  Occasions Mini Catalog!  If you are on the fence about this paper, jump off and order it.  It is really great!  I'd love to see this paper go into the main catalog next year but doubt that it will.  

So there's not much stamping involved in this card at all since all those flowers are on the DSP - only the saying which is from another great SU product - Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I can always find a saying I want in that set.  So I stamped "because nice matters" on Pumpkin Pie and punched it out with the Modern Label punch.  Then I glued some leaves and a little flower from the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt pack (in the Occasions mini too); tied some orange grosgrain and Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon (I know ... it looks grey) around the DSP; and glued it onto my Rich Razzleberry card.  Easy, peasy!!

Stampin' Up Specials Going On NOW

Country Living Stationery Kit (Customer Order Dates: January 5-April 30, 2010, or while supplies last)

This exclusive Stampin' Up! kit (item 119113) includes the following products:

Dinner Party stamp set (set of 3)
Ballet Blue Classic Stampin' Spot
Preprinted stationery (24 sheets: 4 each of 6 designs)

$19.95 for the complete kit

While designed as a stationery kit, there are a variety of ways the kit can be used; for example, it can be used for menu cards, greeting cards, dinner invitations, etc.

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Not in the Occasions Mini . . . NEW! Sweet Treat Heart Cups & Stamps
Just in time for Valentine's Day! Stampin' Up!'s new Heart Treat Cups coordinate perfectly with the Sweetheart stamp set (also new, below) and the Full Heart Punch (113693).

Download the flier HERE and put in your Occasions Mini Catalog!

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NOW available! Simply Adorned Jewelry and Charms. 

Simply Adorned charms are lockets--they open up so you can insert your custom stamped image. The Charming stamp set, along with Rub-Ons, glitter, ribbons, and other embellishments, can help you create your unique charm insert. And don't forget that you can embellish the chains with ribbon, felt flowers . . . the possibilities are endless! The frame surrounds tempered beveled glass on the front and flat glass on the back. Because there's glass on both sides of the charm, you can display an image on one side or both. You can create a custom heirloom piece that you'll never want to change, or you can swap artwork in and out, depending on your mood and your wardrobe.

Check out Simply Adorned Jewelry (above), featured on page 28 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.

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And don't forget -

Sale-A-Bration: Jan. 5 - March 31. For every $50 you spend on Stampin' Up! products, you will receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set (including clear mount options), the amazing new Scallop Trim Punch or darling designer series paper. Click here to view the Sale-A-Bration Catalog.

Occasions Mini Catalog: Jan. 5 - April 30. You'll discover 43 pages loaded with new stamp sets (including clear mount options), new designer paper, ribbon, epoxy brads and so much more. Click here to view the Occasions Mini Catalog.

New Stamps in the House

I took time today to PLAY!!  I put together my new stamp sets that I got from SU yesterday.  I'm loving the new "clear" stamps.  They're not really clear but are packaged so much better for storage now.  I've had a few questions about the stamps so I took a few pictures of how you put them together.  They come pre-cut so you just have to punch them out from the rubber sheet.  Sometimes, I still trim a little off the stamps. 

There is a sticker sheet with the pictures of the stamps on them. 

So you peel off the white protective cover from the stamp and put the sticker on the stamp.  The sticker will cling to the acrylic block and you will be able to see how to place the stamp on your project.

I played around today with the Love Bandid set from the Occasions Mini.  I fell in love with this set!!  It is really cute.  I just love the little guys!  Check it out (remember - you can click on the card to make it bigger):

I made a little scene card!

Card stock:  Melon Mambo, Green Galore, Garden Green, Crushed Curry (sun); Bashful Blue, White

The decorate punches on the corners are from the new Scallop Trim Corner Punch (Occasions Mini).  I tore the Green cardstock to simulate grass and snipped it a little bit.

How do you like it?

Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-Bration Catalog

There has been a delay mailing out the Sale-A-Bration brochures and Occasions Mini Catalogs from Stampin' Up. All of the Sale-A-Bration brochures have now mailed, and the rest of the Occasions Mini Catalogs should mail by the end of this week.   Because of this delay, you are able to view the catalogs NOW at the Stampin' Up Customer site HERE.

Start making your list and give me a call!