A Triple Punch

Do you have the new Summer Mini catalog?  It’s full of gorgeous new stamps, and I think it has a nice focus on masculine and travel themed images.  We get a little carried away creating things for our feminine selves, don’t you think?

Stampin’ Up! didn’t forget about the Girly stuff though.  One of my favorite new products – and there are a few – are the two new Triple Layer Punches.  I snapped up the Blossom Boquet in my demonstrator pre-order last month, and now I’m struggling with whether or not I NEED the Doily.  Ha!  Silly Maui Stamper.  Who doesn’t need another punch?  Go ahead, raise your hand.

Blossom packages

I’m not going to go into detail on these – but they’re all done with the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch.  The stems are from the XL Two Step Bird – and no doubt about it, you NEED that one!!  I just did like the name said and layered everything together, then added some Crystal Effects in the little windows – you can see it best in the one on the far right.

One thing I do have to add – that Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon is in the Clearance Rack right now for $3.99.  Need I say more?

Here’s what I put inside – and don’t laugh, ok?

Open Blossom package

This is one of those sad, sad stories about projects that aren’t completed on a timely basis.  This is Avon hand cream – and luxurious cream it is – yes, I confess – in Christmas packaging.  Just didn’t get to it!  Very embarassing, I know.  Better late than never, and I certainly didn’t want to wait until Christmas 2011!

Giggles and mutters and shouts, oh my!

Getting a box full of new goodies to play with guarantees lots of giggles and talkin’ to myself.  I’ve always maintained that I talk to myself because I’m assured of an intelligent audience, but if you would have been a fly on the wall in my studio last night you would have wondered!  It was late and I indulged myself in lots of muttering, giggling, and even a shout or two:

Pretty Postage Blocks

  • Pretty Postage Stamp set
  • Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, So Saffron and Naturals White card stock
  • Paisley Petals Designer Series paper (available in the 2011-2012 IBC)
  • Marina Mist and Pear Pizazz Classic ink pads
  • Peach Parfait Stampin’ Write marker
  • Postage Stamp and 1 3/4 inch circle punches
  • Pear Pizazz Seam binding
  • Subtles Designer Buttons
  • Stampin’ Sponge

The colors in this card gave me fits – absolutely the cause of all the muttering.  For one thing, I couldn’t figure out what color card base to use and must have tried a dozen before I settled on Bashful Blue.  Then the mat between the Bashful Blue and Marina Mist drove me crazy until I decided to repeat the sponging on the edge.  But the thing that drove me craziest was the color matching, and I want you to pay attention here:    Either the Color Matching Department was having a Very Bad Day, or there are some new In Colors in this paper.  Do you think the Stampin’ Up! Color Matching Department has bad days?  Me neither.  I’m just sayin’.

Aside from colors (and when you are making a card, that’s a pretty big “aside from”) this card was a blast.  When I saw the new Postage Stamp punch I thought “Meh, we have a scallop square and the curly label and I don’t need this.”  Ha.  Since when does any self-respecting crafter NOT need another punch?  Incorporating the punched circle and the button with the block motif was another happy inspiration, and I by the time I was finished I’d forgotten about the muttering.

I hope you have a blast crafting today!

Stampin’ for SUCH a good cause!

We still have space to come stamp and raise money to put an end to breast cancer:

Stampin’ for the Girls
Saturday May 14
9am til noon
Maui Masonic Lodge
190 W Kamehameha, Kahului

Admission plus the Strength and Hope Stamp set – $29 for Clear, $33 for wood.

By popular request, we’ve added an option for the event only (no stamp set) at $15.  RSVP today!

Stampin' for the Girls card

  • Strength and Hope stamp set
  • Whisper White, Basic Black and Pretty in Pink card stock
  • River Rock and Basic Black Classic ink pads
  • Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon
  • Big Shot and Beautiful Wings Embosslit
  • Rhinestone jewels

This is Crystal’s design, and we’re making this card on the 14th.  I love the thoughts the Stampin’ Up! Rubber Designers chose for the “words” stamp.  Aren’t we all survivors, each of us in our own way?  These are such strong, empowering words, and the thing that strikes me about them is that each word is so powerful in the context of relationship.  We can be courageous alone, but it is when we join together that our courage becomes a tremendous force.  We can hope alone, but it is when our candle lights another that the darkness fades away.  Our individual beliefs are deep and personal, but when we share and act upon them in community we can do great things together.

Please join us in the fight against breast cancer, against all cancer.  Together, we can make a difference.