Bye-Bye Riding Hood Red

I hope you're enjoying the salute to the soon-to-be-retired (June 30th)! Here's another goody. It was a quick and simple card and used a few of my favorite tricks. (1) That large star in the corner? Not an expensive element bought from one of those stores, but a mere use of my star punch, a button, linen thread and chocolate chip sponge. After I punched the stars, I crinkled them a bit for a more-authentic vintage. (2) That banner at the bottom? Not an expensive element - but one that is guaranteed to match the colors on a card every time - with any stamp set. To get the curvy-ness; just roll it around a marvelous marker. The great notch was made using a square punch. (3) That very vanilla panel? Not designer paper. I used the negative piece from a small start punch and sponged randomly. All stars are made with chocolate chip, some stars just received more sponging for a varied color. After the stars were sponged, I cut the panel into 1/2" wide pieces. I originally planned to leave a gap inbetween the pieces, but grew out of room for the aforementioned banner. I didn't realize this until after I cut the panel (As Homer Simpson would say "DOH!"), so I decided to stagger the pieces instead of gapping them.

Here's how you can make your own designer elements. Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Sunday!

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Hugs & Wishes
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red
CS: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Button Latte, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Square Punch

It's Saturday Sketch Time, SSC101

I stumbled upon a new site offering Saturday challenges!

To the left is the sketch. I knew my NEW 1" wide double stitch ribbon would be perfect - and from there I continued. I slightly altered the sketch a bit. Wonderful You is from the dormant list - you may notice it from the current Decor Elements III brochure - you can get these great flowers and stems in vinyl! On Monday when the LAST CHANCE list is announced, it will also contain retiring decor element items.

Sorry for the dark pics, it's late here, I'm watching SNL. Hope you're enjoying the weekend.

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Wonderful You (from the dormant list!)
Ink: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue

DSP: Patterns Pack II (hostess option)
CS: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Accessories: 1" Double Stitch Bashful Blue Ribbon

Hurry, Offers Ends May 31st!

Happy weekend! Did you remember Sunday, May 31st is your final chance to buy a sneak peek stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog (catalog to be issued July 1st) --Jumble Alphabet (set of 52; double-mounted)--at a 20 percent DISCOUNT.

Regular Price$43.95 Sale Price $35.16.

Separately, buy three get one free DSP and textured card stock promotion also ends tomorrow!

Click here for more details and shopping!

Bye-Bye Pink Pirouette

Here are a couple things I know to be certain. (1) The color pink pirouette will retire June 30th (2) Candy Lane DSP (remember thru May 31st you can buy three, get one DSP or textured 12"x12" paper free) will retire June 30th and (3) the Occassions Mini will also end June 30th.

I used some heavy chocolate chip sponging to dirty up the pink. Similar to this card I made. To be honest, I have a slight phobia of bright colors or even semi-bright colors. Sponging is also the technique (if you can call it a technique - it's probably just cheating! ) that I used on the flowers - see photo above. I used a blender pen to color in the centers of the flowers with Close to Cocoa for a softer look.

A blender pen also allows you to turn your In-Color ink pad into a marker. That's how I achieved the pink flowers in the oval. And the other pink flower - that was just stamped on pirouette paper in chocolate chip and sponged. Another cheat!

Thanks for visiting!

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Only Ovals, Doodle This
DSP: Candy Lane
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette
CS: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Oval Scallop Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Blender pen, Sponge, Dimensionals.

Bye-Bye Pacific Point & Baja Breeze

As we calmly anticipate the LAST CHANCE STAMP list (to be announced here on the 1st!), here's a quick card using soon-to-be-retired colors. Pacific Point and Baja Breeze, along with their In-Color Cousins (Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango) will be no longer available (gasp!) after June 30th. Hurry and stock up - because once they're gone, they're GONE. Don't fret - a new set of trendy colors will take their place.

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Central Park
Ink: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise
CS: Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Accessories: Top Note die, Beautiful Butterflies die, Eyelet Border Punch, Vintage Brads, Horizontal Slot Punch, 1/4" Grosgrain Chocolate Chip Ribbon

DSP: Hot Sweets

This adorable birthday card shows off the Hostess Patterns Pack II DSP. We recently made this card at a Stamp-A-Stack. Did you know by being a hostess you can earn free stamps and paper??

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, Really Retro
Ink: StazOn, Regal Rose, Going Gray
DSP: Patterns Pack II
CS: Whisper White, Watercolor Paper, Real Red, Going Gray
Accessories: Markers, 1/8” Hole Punch, Red Hemp Twine, 3/8” Taffeta, Crystal Effects cherries), Word Window Punch

Sweet Sundae 101 – Ink Pads, Part IV

A quick post today friends! Versamark. Versamark is available in an ink pad and a marker. It creates a subtle tone-on-tone design. Use on colored card stock and achieve a color slightly darker giving depth. On light colored card stock the results are a watermark. This is a great technique for backgrounds. Versamark is also sticky. This becomes a great tool for embossing.


Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Join the SU! Family!

Did you know as a demonstrator I not only get a great discount but I get to preorder sneak-peek sets? Did you know that I'll get the new catty in my hands June 1st (you won't get yours until July 1st!) Are you jealous? Do you want to become a demonstrator? Thru May 31st, there's a limited time only scrapbooking starter kit for $75.

In addition to getting an alphabet stamp set*, white craft ink*, assorted textured 12"x12" cardstock* and a scrapbook kit* you also get all the business supplies contained in the in the standard Starter Kit: Getting Started DVD, Getting Started Guide, Guest Invitation Postcard (100), Idea Book & Catalog (8), Occasions Mini Catalog (8), To My Hostess Envelope (10), Recruit Folders (5), Recruit Brochures (20), Hostess Brochure (20), Hostess Benefits Form (10), Customer Order Form (50)Contact me for all the details. Offer ends May 31st!

*Please note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items.

Click here for more details!

I'm heading off for a relaxing extended, work-free long weekend! Have a good Friday and enjoy the weekend!

Happy Birthday to my Mom

Here's to hoping my mom doesn't read this blog! We had this little present delivered to her desk today! And of course we didn't sign it. Brilliant?

I won't state how old she turns today because that would just be tacky, but I will tell you that we only needed one (big) bag of Dum-Dums. And there were a couple left over (minus the one I needed to get me through the project.) I got this great idea from my friend Alice. This project was a breeze with my Big Shot! (Basket from the Target Dollar Spot, but it was $2.50 - still completely worth it!). The suckers are stuck into a half floral-sponge-dome (sorry, I don't know the technical name).

I used the Embosslits Simple Flower and the Embosslits Cherry Blossom. These folders emboss and cut all in one slick motion. A scrap of 2"x2" is all you need. I finished the flowers before my dum dum was gone.

Here are the two folders open.












Place the paper inbetween the folder and close. The top photo is already closed. See that side says PLACE THIS SIDE DOWN. That's important.





Here are the two folders, with paper, closed, down side down.



This is what you get after you crank 'er thru the Big Shot!













Pop 'em out (and check back for great ideas using the negative image of Big Shot Dies!)











Here's a closeup of the two embossed and cut flowers. They're great for cards, scrapbook pages, tags, picture frames, and the occassional birthday bouquet.


Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Ink: Basic Black
CS: Lovely Lilac, Pixie Pink, Summer Sun, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Embosslits Simple Flower, Embosslits Cherry Blossom

DSP: Hot Sweets

Thanks for stopping by. Today’s card showcases the Raspberry Tart DSP and textured cardstock (both on sale, buy 3 get one FREE). The pink panel is the textured cardstock, made even more delicate with paper piercing. This paper coincides with the Sweet Stems stamp set. How sweet is that??


Sweet Deets:
Stamps: Sweet Stems
Ink: StazOn, Kiwi Kiss
DSP: Raspberry Tart
CS: Pink Pirouette textured, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss,
Accessories: Markers, Dimensionals, Paper Piercer, 1 ⅜” Circle Punch, 1 ¼” Circle Punch, Blender Pens, Mat Pack

Sweet Sundae 101 – Ink Pads, Part III

StazOn. This is a permanent ink that can be applied to most nonporous surfaces. Need to stamp on a tile or a cellophane bag? Use StazOn. Because it is permanent and will not run, it is also great for watercoloring or coloring with markers. This ink dries very quickly. Always store upside down – and keep the little piece of plastic that comes with the pad. This is not packaging! Here's the plastic piece on the pad, look closely it says DO NOT DISCARD. My friend Jeannette, recommends applying a piece of adhesive to the plastic piece to keep it stuck to the lid – genius!
The permanent ink may stain the rubber – StazOn cleaner (if applied almost immediately) will keep your stamps looking clean and fresh. As with any of the pads, there are ink refills if your pads begin to dull.
Thanks for stopping by!

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge

It's been a productive Saturday and there's been another color challenge posted. This started as a difficult one for me. The easiest way for me to use baja and coral was to "dirty" them up a bit. It's difficult to see but I also crumpled up the coral card stock. I was inspired by that lucious ribbon in the photo and dug deep to find my satin baja ribbon. The picture is a bit dark but it's once again storming here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers

Ink: Baja Breeze, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip

CS: Baja Breeze, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Accessories: Top Note, Trio Flower Punch, Ribbon Originals, 1/8" Circle Punch