Forgotten favorites

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How quickly one set of images is forgotten on the shelf!  When Eastern Blooms appeared in the Fall 2008 catalog, it sat on top of my craft table and saw regular use.  It was a bold companion for Embrace Life – one with bold images, one with line images – and it suited our Asian influenced culture here in Hawaii.  Seems like ages since it’s seen a bit of ink, and when a customer asked me to re-design a card using a floral image instead of cupcakes, I reached for these two old friends.

  • Eastern Blooms, Embrace Life, and Dotted (retired) stamp sets
  • Close to Cocoa, Cameo Coral, Bashful Blue, and Very Vanilla cardstock
  • Close to Cocoa, Cameo Coral and Bashful Blue Classic ink pad
  • Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Aquapainter

It’s fitting to reflect on how much we have this week of Thanksgiving, to be grateful for our abundance.  As a good friend said to me recently, “I’m thankful that my needs are met, and a few of my wants as well.”   I wish the same for you.

Happy Thanksgiving

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Every day is Thanksgiving Day…sometimes we just forget to say thanks.  I’m grateful for so many things, large and small, significant and insignificant.  I hope your day will be filled with things that make you feel thankful.

  • Autumn Days, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Inspired by Nature and Woodgrain stamp sets
  • Dusty Durango, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron and More Mustard Classic ink pad; Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write marker
  • So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango, Pumpkin Pie and Very Vanilla card stock
  • Chocolate Chip corduroy button; latte button assortment
  • Dusty Durango grosgrain ribbon; Linen thread; Stamp-a-ma-jig

Happy Thanksgiving.

Who’s that in my Pear Tree??

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Yesterday I had a big ol’ lightbulb go on.  I was playing with Cheep Talk and thinking about some submissions I’d seen in response to this week’s Color Challenge at SplitCoastStampers.  One card in particular kept coming to mind – I liked the geometry and the color balance.  Suddenly, it got really, really bright inside my head:

  • Cheep Talk and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Old Olive, Pretty in Pink and Bermuda Bay Classic ink pads; Encore Gold ink pad; Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint
  • Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive and Bermuda Bay card stock
  • Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon, Clear Embossing powder and heat tool, and the Stamp-a-ma-jig

I gotta tell you, there is no way I could have done this without the SAMJ.  I ruined my first attempt because I stamped a pear the wrong color and that was enough for me.  It makes me cranky to make a mistake like that at the end of the process, which of course is the logical time for that to happen.  It’s just paper though – I say that often.  Stamping is so forgiving that way.  Make a mistake and start over.  No big deal.

 

 

You’ve Got a Friend – MOJO114

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Many years ago, my husband and I went to a James Taylor concert…kind of a blast from the past for us, as we were part of  his fan club back in the early days.  I remember walking through the amphitheater during a break and overhearing a couple of “kids” talking.  One asked the other “Isn’t it weird how all these OLD people know all the lyrics to his songs?”  I can only imagine what the reaction would be now.  I must be approaching the Ancient category.

This week’s Mojo sketch called for a small image, but I found a way to use the entire card as my canvas.  The colors from the Thoroughly Modern paper seemed to have just the right intensity and pattern for an awning, and I even had the ribbon I needed to finish the look.

  • Cheep Talk stamp set
  • Rose Red and Bermuda Bay Classic ink pads; Whisper White Craft ink pad
  • Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Write marker; Unibal Signo Gel pen
  • Bermuda Bay, Rose Red and Whisper White card stock; Thoroughly Modern Designer Series paper
  • Scallop Edge punch; White embossing powder and heat tool; Stamp-a-ma-jig
  • Rose Red 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon; Piercing tool and template

This week you can purchase the Cheep Talk stamp set, a package of note cards, and the gorgeous Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons for $25.71 – that’s a 40% discount!  Head on over to my Online Store and check out all the great Holiday Extravaganza deals.  See you around, Friend.

Stampin’ Up! Holiday Extravaganza

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Do you love a good sale?  Oh man, I sure do!  And you’d better believe that I’ve already made my order for the Holiday Extravaganza sale!  The bargains just go on and on…just in time for holiday gift giving.  (Or, as my beloved sister-in-law shops, “a present for you, a present for me, a present for you, a present for me…”)

Head on over to my Online Store and place your order.  You’ll find stamps and ribbons, punches and buttons, and an incredible Ultimate Stamper’s’ Starter bundle at 50% off!  Last year’s most popular bundles sold out before the Extravaganza was over, so don’t be disappointed – order today.  The sale ends November 30.

 

Item Description Regular Price Discounted Price
120280 Framed with Love Bundle

  • Framed with Love stamp set
  • Full Heart punch
 $43.90 $21.95
120281 Thank You Kindly Bundle

  • Thank You Kindly stamp set
  • Scallop Edge punch
 $29.90 $14.95
120976 Thank You Kindly Bundle (French)

  • Tous mes remerciements stamp set
  • Scallop Edge punch
 $29.90 $14.95
120282 Animal Crackers Bundle

  • Animal Crackers stamp set
  • Star Designer brads
 $25.90 $12.95
120283 Corduroy Button Bundle

  • Kraft Corduroy buttons
  • Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons
  • Summer Sun Corduroy buttons
  • Basic Gray Corduroy buttons
  • Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons
 $49.75 $24.88
120284 Game Night Bundle

  • Card Games stamp set
  • Game Night stamp set
 $40.90 $20.45
120285 Four Square Bundle

  • Four Square stamp set
  • Scallop Square punch
 $30.90 $15.45
120286 Heart to Heart Bundle

  • Love You Much stamp set
  • Heart to Heart punch
  • Pretty in Pink 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
 $49.85 $24.93
120310 Heart to Heart Bundle (Spanish)

  • Te Quiero Mucho stamp set
  • Heart to Heart punch
  • Pretty in Pink 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
 $49.85 $24.93
120311 Heart to Heart Bundle (French)

  • J’t’aime beaucoup stamp set
  • Heart to Heart punch
  • Pretty in Pink 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
 $49.85 $24.93
120287 Chipboard Letter Bundle

  • On Board Timeless Type
  • On Board Loads of Letters
 $25.90 $12.95
120288 Double-Stitched Ribbon Bundle

  • Bashful Blue 1″ double-stitched grosgrain ribbon
  • Rose Red 1″ double-stitched grosgrain ribbon
 $17.90 $10.74
120289 Ultimate Stampers’ Starter Bundle*

  • Best Wishes & More stamp set
  • Eight Great Greetings stamp set
  • On a Pedestal stamp set
  • Earth Elements Stampin’ Spots
  • Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)
  • Whisper White card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)
  • Old Olive 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
  • Flower Designer brads
 $127.70 $76.62
120290 Build-A-Brad Bundle

  • Calendar Alphabet stamp set
  • Pewter Build-A-Brad
  • Antique Brass Build-A-Brad
 $40.85 $24.51
120291 Enjoy Every Moment Bundle

  • Enjoy Every Moment stamp set
  • Circle Designer brads
  • Flower Designer brads
 $43.85 $26.31
120312 Enjoy Every Moment Bundle (French)

  • Profiter de chaque instant stamp set
  • Circle Designer brads
  • Flower Designer brads
 $43.85 $26.31
120292 Cheep Talk Bundle

  • Cheep Talk stamp set
  • Note cards
  • Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons
 $42.85 $25.71
120293 Sock Monkey Bundle

  • Sock Monkey stamp set
  • Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set
  • Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons
 $58.85 $35.31
120313 Sock Monkey Bundle (French)

  • Sing-chaussette stamp set
  • Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set
  • Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons
 $58.85 $35.31
120294 Alphabet Bundle

  • Jayne’s Type Alphabet stamp set
  • Lovely Letters stamp set
 $87.90 $52.74
120295 Simply Said Bundle

  • Simply Said stamp set
  • Old Olive 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
  • Full Heart punch
 $52.85 $31.71
120314 Simply Said Bundle (French)

  • Amitié stamp set
  • Old Olive 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
  • Full Heart punch
 $52.85 $31.71
120296 On Board Bundle

  • On Board So Tweet
  • On Board Batch of Blooms
  • On Board Essentials
 $42.85 $25.71
120927 Christmas Décor Bundle #1

  • Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Kraft, Real Red)
  • Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
  • Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
 $74.85 $44.91
120298 Christmas Décor Bundle #2

  • Holly Beary Wreath Décor Elements (Chocolate, Real Red)
  • Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
  • Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
 $74.85 $44.91
120299 Christmas Décor Bundle #3

  • Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Old Olive, Real Red)
  • Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
  • Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
 $74.85 $44.91
120300 For All You Do Bundle

  • For All You Do stamp set
  • 5/16″ Neutrals Jumbo brads
 $36.90 $25.83
120315 For All You Do Bundle (French)

  • Merci pour tout stamp set
  • 5/16″ Neutrals Jumbo brads
 $36.90 $25.83
120316 For All You Do Bundle (Spanish)

  • Por todo lo que haces stamp set
  • 5/16″ Neutrals Jumbo brads
 $36.90 $25.83
120301 Striped Ribbon Bundle

  • Bashful Blue 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
  • Pumpkin Pie 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
  • Old Olive 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
  • Pretty in Pink 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
  • So Saffron 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
  • Real Red 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon
 $47.73 $33.41
120302 Bling Bundle

  • Sticky Pages
  • Sticky Cuts Sweet
  • Fine Supernova Stampin’ Glitter
  • Fine Galaxy Stampin’ Glitter
 $43.80 $30.66
120303 Fresh-Cut Bundle

  • Fresh Cuts stamp set
  • Fresh-Cut Notes
  • 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads
 $37.85 $26.50
120317 Fresh-Cut Bundle (French)

  • Fraicheur exuise stamp set
  • Fresh-Cut Notes
  • 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads
 $37.85 $26.50
120304 Pendant Note Bundle

  • Pendant Park stamp set
  • Pendant notes
  • 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads
 $39.85 $27.90
120318 Pendant Note Bundle (French)

  • Adorable parc stamp set
  • Pendant notes
  • 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads
 $39.85 $27.90
120319 Pendant Note Bundle (Spanish)

  • Un dia en el parque stamp set
  • Pendant notes
  • 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads
 $39.85 $27.90
120305 Sporting Bundle #1

  • Large Night of Navy Sporting Décor Elements
  • Night of Navy Just Sports Décor Elements
 $67.90 $47.54
120306 Sporting Bundle #2

  • Large Chocolate Sporting Décor Elements
  • Chocolate Just Sports Décor Elements
 $67.90 $47.54
120307 Sporting Bundle #3

  • Large Black Sporting Décor Elements
  • Black Just Sports Décor Elements
 $67.90 $47.54
114864 Ginormous Flowers I Décor Elements $39.95 $27.97
114863 Ginormous Flowers II Décor Elements $39.95 $27.97
112534 5/16″ Neutrals Jumbo brads $7.95 $5.57
112533 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads $6.95 $4.87
112081 Scallop Square punch $15.95 $11.17
113693 Full Heart punch $15.95 $11.17
113694 Heart to Heart punch $15.95 $11.17
112091 Scallop Edge punch $15.95 $11.17
112571 Circle Designer brads $5.95 $4.17
112579 Flower Designer brads $5.95 $4.17
112572 Star Designer brads $5.95 $4.17
114785 Small Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements $39.95 $27.97
114786 Medium Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements $69.95 $48.97
114791 Small Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements $39.95 $27.97
114792 Medium Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements $64.95 $45.47

*This bundle is only available while supplies last.

 

Happy Shopping!!

Ah, Medallion!

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If I had to choose only a few stamps to work with, Medallion would be very near the top of the list.  It’s elegant, it’s symmetrical, it’s layerable, and it looks great even if you cut part of the image off.  There are so many ways to embellish it, and it looks wonderful all by itself with no embellishment.

I felt the need to step away from Christmas.  This is the week to give thanks, to remember, to be grateful.  I looked for a color combination that I hadn’t worked with lately, and pulled out a sheet of Bravo Burgundy.  What a wonderful, rich color…a perfect Autumn color…but I wasn’t necessarily looking for an Autumn card.  It wasn’t until I had this card put together with Brocade Blue that I realized these were the colors from my oldest daughter’s high school.  I really like the medium blue with the burgundy.

  • Medallion and Thank You Kindly stamp sets
  • Brocade Blue, Bravo Burgundy and Very Vanilla cardstock
  • Brocade Blue and Bravo Burgundy Classic ink pads; Versamark ink pad
  • Clear embossing powder, heat tool, 1/8″ circle hole punch (retired), Stamp-a-ma-jig, Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon, Wine Organza ribbon (retired)

Those little burgundy dots are just holes punched from cardstock and attached with the indispensable Tombo All purpose adhesive.  I apologize for using a retired ribbon, too….it used to be a regular product in the catalog, and I happen to have a stash of it because I’d used it for a custom invitation a few years ago.  Seems like organza has fallen out of favor, but I enjoy using it as a layer.

I found a great use for the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Sometimes I can’t decide what image, especially sentiment, I want to use to finish a card.  I was goofing off one day and realized I could put the options on different corners of the SAMJ and layer them over my project to see how each would look – like this:

“Thanks” on the Stamp-a-ma-jig

“A Note of Thanks” on the Stamp-a-ma-jig

I think it looks good with either choice, but I liked the more ornate font on the “Thanks” stamp to dress up the simple layout of this card.

The added bonus of this trick is that your SAMJ is all ready to go when it’s time to add your sentiment, so you’re less tempted to wing it – and end up with a crooked sentiment.  Not that I ever have crooked sentiments.

 

 

 

An elegant package

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Here’s a gift bag worthy of royalty, in my humble opinion.  I am really pleased with the elegant simplicity of this stencil – and I am really pleased that Stampin’ Up!’s Decor Elements line has introduced stencils as a design option.  They’re easy, they’re fun, and they can be so much larger than stamps!

  • Vintage Ornaments I Decor Elements Stencil
  • Always Artichoke and Ruby Red Craft ink pads, Encore Gold ink pad
  • Stampin’ Sponges
  • Very Vanilla and Always Artichoke cardstock
  • Purchased kraft bag, gold wire ribbon, and tissue

I used a sticky note to mask off the top of the ornament in order to make it a proper gold hanger.  This image is equally beautiful using Classic ink, with a softer, more vintage look.

I’m looking forward to stenciling some canvas bags with this image.

 

Sometimes simple is best

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I’m a huge fan of the Clean and Simple (CAS) look…I just can’t seem to pull it off myself.  I come from the “More is More” school of card design, finding it hard to hold back from adding just one more ribbon, brad, or texture.

Today’s card is more of a CAS style than anything I usually do, although it still has more layers than a purist would use.  It’s a pretty card, and an easy one to make in quantity.  (Did I mention I haven’t made my cards yet?  Are we wondering where all this recent discussion about “production” has originated?  No mystery there.)

Clean and Simple Petals a Plenty Tree

  • All Holidays stamp set
  • Shimmer White, Brushed Gold, Real Red and Always Artichoke card stock; Vellum
  • Real Red Classic Ink pad; Champagne Mist shimmer paint
  • Big Shot and Petals a Plenty embossing folder
  • Small star punch; 1/16″ hand held circle punch; gold brads; sponge dauber

You can stamp on vellum with Classic ink – just be sure to give it plenty of time so it doesn’t smear.  The Plenty Petals on the tree are brushed with my favorite Champagne Mist Shimmer paint and a sponge dauber.

To create the tree, cut your triangle piece first, then run it through the embossing folder.  You’ll get a cleaner edge than if you try to cut that heavily embossing paper with your paper trimmer.

And that Petals a Plenty folder is GOING AWAY, girls and boys!!!  That’s a mini-catalog item and if you want one, you’d better get yourself to my Online Store and click that Shop Now! button and order one!  Pronto!

Another dashing reindeer

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If you’re like me, you’re suddenly looking at the calendar and saying “DANG!  I need to get my Christmas cards made!”   (I am the Queen of the Last Minute.  But that’s a story for another time.)  Just flip open the back of your catalog and check out Mr. Dasher on page 208.  Well, it could be Ms. Dasher, but frankly, with those antlers, I’m thinking we’re looking at the male of the species.

There are so many ways to use this great image.  Today’s card is one that could easily be made in quantity, with steps that are easily broken down for assembly line production.  Just the thing for someone who needs a heap of cards in a hurry.Easy Dasher in artichoke

  • Dasher and All Holidays stamp sets
  • Always Artichoke, Real Red, Brushed Gold and Whisper White card stock
  • Soft Suede Classic Ink pad; Whisper White Craft ink pad
  • Texture Jumbo Wheel; Always Artichoke jumbo ink cartridge
  • White embossing powder; Heat tool; Real Red stitched grosgrain ribbon

I’m a big fan of diverse greeting sets.  All Holidays and Teeny Tiny Wishes are always close at hand when I’m designing cards.  They’re higher priced sets, but the cost-per-use is very low and I consider them a great investment.  I’m also a big fan of white craft ink and white embossing powder – you can emboss pretty quickly when you’re in production mode, and the results are always eye-catching.

What would be on your “Marooned on a desert island” list of supplies?

 

 

 

A Christmas Topiary

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This is not an original design, and I am thrilled to be able to remember that THIS card is the source of my inspiration.  I’m embarrassed by the number of times I’ve used someone else’s work as a starting point, but can’t remember the crafter, website, or anything else that would allow me to give credit where credit is due.  It’s a very clever use for these images, and I really enjoy finding ways to expand the use of a stamp set.

Berry Christmas Topiary Crop

  • Berry Christmas and Holiday Best (Hostess Level I) stamp sets
  • Big Shot and Stampin’ Up! Perfect Details Texturz plate
  • Old Olive, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, Really Rust and Brushed Gold card stock
  • Old Olive and  Ruby Red Classic Ink pads
  • Scallop Square punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Iridescent Ice Stampin’ Emboss Powder and Heat Tool

The sentiment is trimmed from the Holiday Best Christmas image.  This is a pretty simple card – no ribbons, no brads, nothin’ – and it relies on the texture from the Big Shot and the bit of sparkle from the embossing powder to set it apart.  We sure do love our embellishments, but if you don’t have much, you can still make an appealing card.

To get all of this lined up, you really need to get out the SAMJ or you’ll waste a lot of paper.   Trust me on this.