SIMPLE SCENIC SEASON!

This card looks familiar; right? Well, you saw a "slightly-altered version" of it posted yesterday. I needed on last card for my Holiday Stamp-A-Stack class this month, so this is the one I decided on. I always try to keep those cards very simple because my customers make 2 of each of 5 different designs. Yep, that's a total of 10 cards in just 2 hours. This card fit perfectly into what I wanted!

For this card I used the sentiment from the Scenic Season Stamp Set, as well as the tree image. For stamping specifics, just read my posted from yesterday.

TOP NOTE SCENIC SEASON!

I treated myself to the new Scenic Season stamp set, and I haven't had much time to play with it yet, so here is my first playtime card with this set! This stamp is so beautiful that you can keep your cards very simple and easy and still have a wonderful affect.

For this card I simply used my Big Shot Top Note Die to cut the Top Note shape from Sage Shadow Card Stock. Then I embossed my image from the Scenic Season stamp set with Handsome Hunter Craft Ink and Clear Embossing Powder, and I added the sentiment from Christmas Greetings (which I also embossed). I mounted it on some Handsome Hunter Card Stock for my card base.

This is one of the easiest cards ever to make! I am seriously considering making it in pink for my holiday cards this year.

CHRISTMAS CARDINAL!

I was so happy to see this set in the new catalog. I think it is perfect for a traditional holiday card. This is another one of the cards we'll be making at this month's Holiday Stamp-A-Stack.

For this card I used the stamp from A Cardinal Christmas and the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes. I stamped the cardinal with Black StazOn ink so that I could watercolor him. I used my watercolor crayons in Real Red and Glorious Green. then I used my More Mustard marker to color his feet and his beak and my Soft Suede marker to color the branch. I added a little Stickles glitter to the berries. I used my Big Shot Scallops Circle die to cut the scallop circle from Whisper White Card Stock. I punched a hole in the Glorious Green Card Stock with my Word Window punch and added my sentiment behind the punched hole. Then I simply accessorized with a little gross grain ribbon!

BRANCH OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

This is a sponging technique that I learned from the very talented Patty Bennett, and I love the effect. We will be making this card also at my Holiday Stamp-A-Stack on July 28th.

For this card I stamped the tree from Branch Out in Soft Suede ink and the sentiment from Many Merry Messages in Rich Razzleberry ink on Whisper White Card Stock. I tore a piece of plain copy paper and placed it on my Whisper White Card Stock about 1/3 of the way up the tree trunk. Then I inked my sponge with Pale Plum ink and sponged around my tree and the torn edge of the copy paper. Sponging around the torn edge of the copy paper gives it the "faux tearing" effect that I wanted for my "snowy ground". I sponged the color a little darker around the edges. Then I simply used my White Gel Pen to add some "snow" to my tree. I mounted my Whisper White Card Stock onto a piece of Rich Razzleberry Card Stock, and the base of my card is Pale Plum.

I like the different, non-traditional holiday colors.

NEW DEAL OF THE WEEK!

Throughout July Stampin' Up! has been offering a Deal of the Week and here is the last one. From July 27 through July 31, you can purchase the Stampin' Up! Heart to Heart Punch at more than 30% off the regular price of $15.95. I love this punch, and I know you will too. Order before July 31st and you pay only $10.99! Be sure to contact me before July 31st to place your order!

SIMPLE SNOWFLAKE!

Here is another card we'll be making at the Holiday Stamp-A-Stack this month. My customers like to get a jump on their hoilday card making, so from July through November I offer a Holiday Stamp-A-Stack to help them out. Each month we make 10 cards (2 each of 5 different designs). Be sure to check out my calendar HERE for dates and Stamp-A-Stack details. RSVP early, because these classes fill very, very quickly!

For this card I used my new Simple Snowflake stamp and my new Jumbo Snowflake Punch. I stamped my snowflake in Almost Amethyst Classic Ink, and then used Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to add some Bling to my snowflakes. I then punched the snowflakes out with the Jumbo Snowflake Punch~~how easy is that... The sentiment is from Many Merry Messages, and I stamped it with the Almost Amethyst Classic Ink also. Then I just added a little 5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon to finish it off.

I FINALLY GOT TO PLAY!

At long last I have managed to fit some stamping into my schedule!

This is a card we will be making at my Holiday Stamp-A-Stack on July 28th. I stamped the image from the Dasher with my Silver Encore pad and then embossed it with Silver Embossing Powder. Then I layered my image onto some Brushed Silver Card Stock. For the sentiment I markered the words from the Punch Pals stamp set and stamped them in Elegant Eggplant on Whisper White Card Stock and then used my new Modern Label Punch to punch the words out. I used my Movers and Shakers Big Shot Die to cut the shape of the Modern Label Punch a little larger than my punch and mounted my sentiment on that piece of Elegant Eggplant Card Stock.

I love the elegant look the Brushed Silver Card Stock and embossing gives this card!

"THAT MICHELLE'S" PUNCH ART

I love it when "That Michelle" shares with me~~I'm doin' my Happy Dance! Punch Art is one of my favorite things, and all four of the Asian ladies on these cards are made with punches! "That Michelle" also used the Thank You Kindly stamp set and Eastern Blooms stamp set to decorate these cards with. What a great gift idea!!

MY ORDER FROM THE NEW CATTY ARRIVED!

Look what my "Man in Brown" brought me tonight! I am so very, very excited! This is exactly the treat I needed, and I can't wait to start playing. I am going to get all my wood blocks sealed tonight so when I get my house cleaned and laundry done tomorrow I can play all evening.

Be on the lookout for new samples soon!

GONE A LITTLE WHILE LONGER!

Sadly, I will be away for just a few more days. My grandpa has passed away, and I will be busy with the funeral and helping to pack up his belongings.

I miss all of you and my stamping a whole lot, but I hope to be back at it very, very soon!

Thank you all, once again, for your kind thoughts and prayers!

VANILLA HODGE PODGE HARDWARE ON SALE!

This week Stampin' Up's! Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware kit is on sale. This Hardware kit adds class to any project, and for this week only you can get them for just $18.99 (over 30% off the regular price of $29.95)—only July 20-26!

Throughout July, be sure to check my web site every Monday at 10 AM (MT) for the week's new deal.

This is a great little box made with the Big Shot Box Die #2, Scallop Circle Big Shot Die AND the Daisies Big Shot Die! Bet she thinks she's a "Big Shot". The colors are so bright and pretty!

Thanks for sharing with us, Michelle!

ANOTHER CIRCLE CIRCUS!

Here is another Card that Yvonne shared with us at our last demo. get together. She used the new Circle Circus stamp set. I am really, really starting to like this stamp set. I have seen so many wonderful, creative things made with it! I like the way she's random-stamped three separate panels to add lots of texture to her card.

Thanks for sharing with us, Yvonne!

SCALLOP ENVELOPE STATIONERY BOX!

This is a great little box with four 3x3 cards inside! Nancy used two Scallop Envelope Big Shot Dies and put them together to make this little box that holds four 3x3 cards with envelopes. She used a little piece of the new Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper to decorate the front of the stationery box and then cut a little buttery from the Big Shot Butterfly Die to add even more dimension to the box. We made two of each of the little cards to go inside the box. We used the sentiments from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set for the cards with the large oval punch and the scallop oval punch; then we added a little DSP and some ribbon to each card. This is an easy little project and it would make a very nice little gift!

Thanks for sharing this with us, Nancy!

TIME FOR HAPPY NEWS!

It was quite a bit of work, but I have figured out how to add my watermark to my photos on my memory stick from my laptop. The next hurdle was a wireless internet hookup. Which I found at the hospital, however to my dismay it wouldn't let me post a picture (public sharing website rules, etc...) I am now at the retirement center and have turned the "old" computer backwards to find the spot to plug my memory card into....

THE HAPPY NEWS, I CAN POST SOME PHOTOS! Now that I've got it all figured out, I am going to "schedule" some posts for you to enjoy over the next few days!

Trying to figure it all out has taken my mind off the big family stuff happening. But I'm glad to have it figured out so I won't stress over not being able to post!

Anyhow, I have not been stamping lately, but I'm going to share the things from our last demonstrator get together with all of you, and I hope you'll find some inspiration!

CIRCLE CIRCUS!

This is a card that Keri shared with us at our last demo. get together. She used the images from the Circle Circus stamp set in black and white and then added some beautiful color with the daisies made from the Big Shot Die!

Thanks for sharing your talent with us, Keri!

BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR FOR ONLY $85!

Become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator now and save, save, save! For only $85 you can enjoy all the fantastic benefits of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Here is what you will receive with your $85 mini starter kit: Promotion Details:

Item Code Page # Description Retail Value**

115360 118 For All You Do stamp set $28.95
115658 155 Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad $5.95
115656 155 Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad $5.95
115659 155 Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad $5.95
115654 155 Dusty Durango Classic Stampin' Pad $5.95
115655 155 Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad $5.95
115657 155 Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad $5.95
100730 155 Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") $7.50
115315 155 In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")$7.95
PLUS THE BUSINESS BUILDING TOOLS CONTAINED IN THE REGULAR DEMONSTRATOR STARTER KIT!


*All page numbers refer to the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog
**Customize your starter kit by switching these for items of like value.

I would love to welcome you into my Stampin' Up! downline family, so if you have any questions at all about the benefits of being a demonstrator, please contact me! Click HERE if you want to see more details.

SADLY, MORE CANCELLATIONS!

Due to the continued uncertainty of my family situation at this point, I am going to have to cancel the Triple Play Club on Tuesday, July 21st and the Demo Night on Wednesday, July 22nd. Please know I will post rescheduled dates as soon as I am able to begin planning again. The cancelling drives me almost as crazy as the uncertainty!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR KIND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. IT IS A TREMENDOUS COMFORT TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY.

YOU GALS ROCK IT WITH SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT AND I SO APPRECIATE IT!!

NEW WEEK, NEW DEAL OF THE WEEK!

It's time to enjoy even more summer savings from Stampin' Up! From now through July 19th you can save more than 30% on Square Fire Rhinestone Brads. That's right, only $6.99 for the Square Fire Rhinestone Brads! Be sure to contact me before Friday to take advantage of these great savings!

OPEN HOUSE CANCELLED!

I have very sad news today. My grandpa is in the hospital and not doing well at all. I am trying to coordinate a schedule where someone can be with my mom at all times, and unfortunately at this point I am going to have to cancel my Open House on July 14th. I am out of town for 2-3 days, then home for a day or two to regroup and then back up there.... and when something happens, I will definitely need to be there. Rather than have to cancel at the last minute, I am just doing it now. I am very sad to have to cancel because stamping is always a stress reliever and so much fun for me, but this one can't be avoided. I do thank you for your understanding.

I will reschedule the Open House as soon as I possibly can and will let you know when I have a new date.

I am going to try to find a wireless connection up there so I will atleast be able to post some photos and feel a little more in touch that way. I will be in touch when I can!

THANK YOU!

PUN FUN MEETS WAXPAPER RESIST (AND "THAT MICHELLE")!

Well, obviously, "That Michelle" has struck again! Pun Fun is one of my favorite stamp sets, and I am in love with this card! She used the Waxpaper Resist to create the awesome background for this card. I, once again, tried to get a close-up view so you could appreciate how beautiful this background is. I need to work on the close ups, but I think you'll get the idea.

Michelle, I am so proud you are my downline, and I thank you so much for letting me share all of your creative talent on my blog!

FIFTH AVENUE FLOATING WATERCOLOR!

My Friday hostess club this week wanted to see some different techniques. I am going to share the floating watercolor technique with them and have them make this card. I only used one color re-inker so that it would be simple for them to try. For this card I embossed the rose from the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set on Shimmering White card stock with White Craft Ink and White Embossing Powder. After embossing my image, I sprayed it liberally with water. I then put a little Almost Amethyst re-inker into a dish and dipped my Aqua Painter into the ink and applied it to my embossed image. After that dried, I cut the image out and adhered it to my cardstock. I think this is a very cool technique, and I hope my hostess club gals really enjoy it!

BELLA BLEAU!

This card was shared by Linda at our demo get together. She used the Bella Bleau Designer Series Paper, with the Special Blessings Stamp Set and Kraft Taffeta Ribbon with a Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware piece. I am way impressed with the "ribbon slide" effect she created. I tried to get a close-up photo of it for you. I love the classic/traditional feel she has acheived!

Thanks, Linda, for sharing this with us!!

CIRCLE CIRCUS!

Tonight was your Wednesday Demo. get together, and I really needed this one. How cool is it when "work" is the relaxation with friends that you desparately need? I am so lucky to be able to call Stampin' Up! work!!

Yvonne joined our demo group tonight for the first time, and this is the card she shared with us as her shoe box. She used the new Circle Circus stamp set with Bold Bright colors (Brilliant Blue, Yo-Yo Yellow and Real Red). This was such an easy card to put together, but I totally love the results. I am certain to use this in an upcoming class/workshop.

Thank you so much, Yvonne, for your inspiration!

I AM OUT OF TOWN!

Due to a family emergency, I will be out of town from Thursday until Friday evening. I will not be taking my laptop, or my cell phone. If you need to contact me, please leave a message on my home phone and I will call you back when I return.

I have added some posts to entertain you while I'm gone, so you won't miss me too much!