Forever Young for a man card

Time is winding down to order any retiring stamps and accessories from the current catalog, which ends this month. This clock is from Forever Young, one of the many stamp sets retiring.

 

This was one of the designs I came up with for a 10-card class this morning. The card is Bashful Blue (retiring), with a 1" x 5-1/2" strip of Chocolate Chip I ran through the Tasteful Trim die for the Big Shot to get the big scallops. I added a 1" x 5-1/2" piece of Marina Mist card stock, then a 3/4" x 5" piece of First Edition dsp cut like a flag on top of that. The sentiment is from the Spring Catalog stamp set Essentials.

 

Keep an eye out for a Grand Retirement Party I'm hosting next month at my studio. For one flat price, you'll be able to stamp all of the cards you like! And when you order, you'll be able to pick something FREE from my retired stash.

 

To order supplies for this card or anything else, please visit my Online Store at http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net. Thanks!

Dapper Dad man card and fun Friday garage sale finds

 

Dapper Dad features three stamps that are great for man cards. I think the shoe is my favorite.

 

 

I started with a Whisper White card, added a 5-1/4" x 4" piece of Night of Navy card stock - embossed with the Argyle folder - and a 1-1/4" x 4" strip of Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack. I only used Night of Navy ink, with the shoe image and with the sentiment, which is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set. I CASE'd this card from fellow demo Jill Hilliard, changing up the colors. I chose Basic Gray and blue because they just seem so classic to me.

 

 

I managed to get to a couple of garage sales today. I found this fabulous wooden crate (with a lid!) for only five bucks.

 

 

I picked up this tin of magnetic letters and numbers for two bucks simply because I love the bright colors on the school-house shaped tin.

 

The temperature reached 80 degrees while I was out and about today. It was HOT! It was nice to relax by the pool chatting with my niece while her daughter romped in the water. I was so glad I had done some gardening when it was cooler this afternoon. I clipped loads of lilacs for two vases in the house. They smell AWESOME!

 

 

More new-to-me items I found today include this shelf unit. There's a space for a clock, which I'll add, and a drawer beneath that. I just need to add a knob. The paint job is good. The piece just needs cleaned up a bit. I met the nicest couple today AND they gave me crazy good deals. This unit was only three bucks.

 

 



For a couple more bucks, I got these two pieces. I like them just the way they are!

 

And when I got home, I found a box from my friend, Jules, in North Carolina. Look what she picked up for me for my birthday! She did a little shopping of her own. I've got a thing about flower frogs lately. I think they're so cool... the more, the merrier. The heart trivet was already used at dinner time, and the candle is going out to the studio and on display for my demo meeting tomorrow morning. Jules sent her gift early because she's moving... how thoughtful is she? She's thinking of me and she's moving her entire household! Thanks so much, my friend.

Guaranteed big fish on the line with By The Tide card

 

What guy wouldn't love to get a big one on his line? With this card, it's guaranteed.

 

 

The fish is from the By The Tide stamp set. I stamped it in Not Quite Navy and cut it out, adding some Calypso Coral baker's twine for a line on a toothpick. The fisherman's bag is a slightly modified Petite Purse diecut with a Regals Brad. My club members are making this card this month, for Father's Day. I CASE'd the card from Heidi Baks.

 



 

Look what I found today! A 1954 Monopoly game. It was in a "new" place I found. Of course, I'll be going back again soon. What deals!!!

 



The rules for this Monopoly game are short. I love that! And there's the Get Out of Jail Free Card. Gotta have that!

I hope you're enjoying our sunny weather. A bird or birds has been defiling my vehicle, so I'll need to wash it tomorrow while out and about doing errands.

Happy Stampin'!

Stamps: By The Tide;
Ink: Not Quite Navy;
Paper: Very Vanilla, Tangerine Tango, River Rock, Not Quite Navy card stocks;
Accessories: Houndstooth embossing folder, Square Lattice embossing folder, Petite Purse die, Big Shot, 2-1/2" Circle punch, Calypso Coral baker's twine, Regals Brad, Stampin' Dimensionals, toothpick.

Laughter is the shortest distance

 

I love clean and simple cards. I'm just drawn to them! This is a card using the Feel Goods stamp set in the Spring Catalog, along with a couple of stamps from Summer Silhouettes. I CASE'd it from fellow demo Jill Hilliard. She used a white, stamped layer on a white notecard. My card is 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" and I added the Certainly Celery layer. The ink colors are: Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry, and Certainly Celery. You may use a circle punch on the corners to get this look.

 

I was thinking the Spring Catalog ended this month, but you'll actually be able to order from it till the end of May! So that's good news. It gives me one more month to play with all of the good stuff in there. If you'd like to order any of it, please visit my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net. Thanks!

Collage Curios thank you card

 

This is what this week's thank-you notes look like. I used Collage Curios and Marina Mist ink, card stock and ribbon. The sentiment is from the Essentials stamp set. Both stamp sets can be found in the Spring Catalog, which ends May 31.

 

Did you know the retiring stamp list will be out April 24? Look here for it here next week! As always, you may place orders anytime day or night via my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net. Thanks!

Trust God card; Free shipping 'til 10:50 tonight (PST)

 

I love the sentiments in the Trust God stamp set. They're words to live by.

 

 

I CASE'd a card I saw on the blog Stress-Free Stamping with Shana, changing a couple of small things like the ribbon and popped up image. I wanted to use the Marina Mist 3/8" striped organdy ribbon. This card uses the Cloudy Day embossing folder (love that!), an oval framelit (another fave), and a kite from the Spring Sampler stamp set. All of these are Spring Catalog items, which are only available thru the end of April. If you're quick, you can place an order by 10:50 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) thru my Online Store (http://therubberroom.stampinup.net) and get FREE SHIPPING. Gotta love that!



Happy bee-day with a Perfectly Penned sentiment

Two bees or not two bees... that is the question. Okay, just havin' fun!  I spent a wonderful day with my family at the ocean. It was just a day trip, but we walked around Westport, picked up some great-tasting taffy and chocolates, had a lovely lunch, and went for a long walk on the beach. This is Spring Break week for my kids, and my hubby happened to get the day off from work! I CASE'd this card from fellow demo Jill Hilliard. It uses the bee stamp from Spring Sampler, along with the 1" circle punch and 1-1/4" scallop circle punch, some scallop dotted Basic Black ribbon, and a sentiment from Perfectly Penned. The 1-1/4" scallop circle punch is a carryover item from the Holiday Catalog. The item number is 127811 for $15.95, if you'd like to order it.

As always, if you'd like to order these products along with any Clearance Rack or promotional item, please visit my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net. Thanks!

Easter swaps highlight of American Ink gathering

 

This month's American Ink swaps were all about Easter. Mine, above, uses the single stamp Easter Blessings (Item 129183 for $8.95 in the Spring Catalog). I started with a Very Vanilla card and layered Wisteria Wonder and a Flower Garden Folder-embossed vanilla on that. I heat embossed the stamp in Whisper White ink and used the Oval Collections Framelits to diecut it. Final touches include the single flower from the flower trim, and ruffled Wisteria Wonder ribbon.

 



Frankie swap

Frankie's pink and brown card uses the Scallop Trim Border punch, Melon Mambo striped ribbon (Spring Catty), and Every Egg wheel.

Mary Ann swap

Mary Ann's Crumb Cake swap uses a pattern from the Print Poetry pad with a sentiment from Perfect Punches, and a flower from Secret Garden.



Ginette's swap

And Ginette's swap uses the Fancy Fan embossing folder, Oval framelits, Elegant Butterfly punch and basic rhinestones, and Spring Catalog items Secret Garden with coordinating framelits by the same name.

I decided to add Mary Ann's make and take too. I stamped the sentiment before adding the oval and realized I'd stamped it too high. Oops! It's really pretty, though. I love that she used Bright Blossoms stamps on this card. I haven't used that set since last summer, I think.

If you still have items on your Wish List, you may want to consider ordering by March 22 because that's when Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration ends! The countdown begins - you have 12 days left to get something FREE from the SAB brochure for every $50 you order. Best of all, you may order 24/7 thru my Online Store at http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net.

Feeling Sentimental CASE; band fund-raiser tonight

 

I love monochromatic cards like this Feeling Sentimental one. I'd love to take credit for it, but I CASE'd Alli Ohran. I love a good man card too. My club members made this card this month. It looks just as good with the old bike in the same stamp set. You can get Feeling Sentimental for FREE when you order $50 thru March 22. This card uses a couple of my favorite Spring Catalog embellishments - the silver designer buttons and the natural trim.

 

I'm excited about my band fund-raiser class tonight. I've already had donations come in. I'm donating all of my class fee, as well as 50% of my retired SU! sales.

 

To order anytime, please visit my Online Store at http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net.

 

Stamps: Feeling Sentimental, Essentials;

Ink: Early Espresso;

Paper: Very Vanilla, First Edition dsp;

Access: Silver Designer Buttons, 7/8" Natural Trim, Distressing Tool, sponge dauber, dimensionals.

Do a double-take of Dapper Dad

 

Why a double-take? Because these two cards use the same Fan Fair dsp, Dapper Dad stamp set, oval punch, sentiment, and Chocolate Chip ink. Crazy, huh? And it's my dad's birthday today!

 

 

Stampers at a recent 10-card class could make one of each of these cards using all of the same items - with the exception of the buttons/brads. I love it! I'll share more of the cards later this week.

 

If you'd like to purchase the Dapper Dad stamp set, and the other products used on these cards, please click on http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net and start shopping now! Thanks.

 

Trust God with a beautifully simple card

 

This close-up photo shows how simply beautiful a single flower from the flower trim in the Spring Catalog can be. This one is sponged with a bit of Calypso Coral.

 

 

This Very Vanilla card was embossed on the front with the Lacy Brocade folder, then I folded a paper doily in half and adhered it under a strip of Tea for Two dsp. The sentiment is from the Trust God stamp set, punched with the Decorative Label and sponged with Calypso Coral, and adhered with dimensionals.

 

If you'd like to order any or all of these products, please visit my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net. Thanks!

 

My team makes some of the nicest make and takes!

 

These are the make and takes from my last team gathering a couple of weeks ago. I used the Madison Avenue stamp set - free with a $50 order - for the first time here. I started with In Color Patterned Paper (Wisteria Wonder), adding a strip of Vine-embossed (another SAB freebie) Elegant Eggplant, and a Whisper White apothecary accent diecut.

 

 

Kim's make and take used the same sketch I used on my chalkboard technique card here. She used the Hearts a Flutter framelits to diecut the hearts from More Amore Specialty dsp, and popped them up on an embossed strip of Pool Party with a designer-label-punch sentiment from Delightful Dozen.

 

 

Mary Ann's make and take uses the Spring Sampler stamp set with Sunshine and Sprinkles dsp and a sentiment from Rain or Shine.

 

 

Barb A. followed a sketch challenge for her make and take. She used For the Birds stamp set and Sycamore Street dsp with the Cloudy Day embossing folder.

 

We have a fun group of demonstrators in my American Ink group. If you'd like to join us, let me know! You're welcome to attend a team meeting as my guest. There's never been a better time to buy a Starter Kit - you get $156.50 worth of high-quality Stampin' Up! product for only $99 plus tax (free shipping!). Contact me today if you'd like to take advantage of it at ericandterry@comcast.net or call/text (360) 509-8041.

 

And one more note, I'm hosting a 10-Card All-Occasion Class as a fund-raiser for the Poulsbo Middle School bands on Thursday, February 28, at 7 p.m. I'm donating 100% of the class fees, in addition to 50% of my retired items at the studio. I'd love your support! Donations are gladly accepted. Please let me know by Feb. 26 if you - and a friend - can attend. Thanks!

 

 

 

Unlimited card ideas? Here you go!

If you've ever sat down to make a card and have no idea where to start, this is for you! I regularly use sketch challenges to create the cards I need for my 10-card classes, clubs, swaps, and other events. I may not follow the sketch exactly, but who cares? It's all about getting you started. Where you go once you've started is up to you. :-)

To find these ideas, just Google "sketch challenge." I tend to like the simpler sketches, because I find it easier to add layers and embellishments, rather than starting with a more involved sketch.

Here are my Favorites I have bookmarked:
http://www.createwithconnieandmary.com
http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com
http://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com
http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com
http://www.freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com
http://handstampedsentiments.blogspot.com
http://www.palspaperarts.com
http://retrosketches.blogspot.com.au
http://cleanandsimplestamping.blogspot.com
http://sundaystamps.blogspot.com

Now about the card in the video - I want to note that you get 40 sheets of 8-1/2" x 11" Very Vanilla card stock, which makes 80 cards when each sheet is cut in half. I only counted one 40-pack of Very Vanilla envelopes in the $55 price, along with the More Amore Specialty dsp, and Hearts Collection Framelits. Now thru March 22, for every $50 you order from Stampin' Up! (http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net is my Online Store) you may select the three ribbons and pack of buttons FREE (you can click on the Free Products graphic in my right-hand column to see other choices).

Thanks for visiting!

Feel Goods pewter heat-embossed card for a friend

Join my friend and downline Barb as she heat embosses a sentiment from the Feel Goods stamp set for a beautiful - and quick - card. Most of the product used comes from the Spring Catalog - Tea for Two dsp, 7/8" Natural Trim, Silver Designer Buttons, and the stamp set.

To heat emboss:
1. Rub embossing buddy over card layer to be embossed to remove any static.
2. Stamp image or words in VersaMark ink on card stock.
3. Pour embossing powder (pewter, in this case) over stamped area and tap off excess.
4. Using a heat tool, heat powder until you see the image get shiny and raised.

To order any of the products used here, please visit my Online Store at http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net.

Doodling a little love on chalkboard valentine for sketch challenge

 

Here's a taste of the chalkboard technique with a valentine, with a doodle!

 

 

For the chalkboard technique, I started with Basic Black card stock, stamped hearts from Hearts a Flutter in the Whisper White craft pad, covered them with white embossing powder, and heated it with my heat tool to emboss. I then used a white watercolor pencil and ruler to make the lines around the hearts, doodling the arrow through one (who hasn't done that?). Finally, I used a sponge dauber in the white pad to add faux chalk dust to my "chalkboard." That makes it more real, doesn't it?

 

Like yesterday, I used a sketch - this time over at RetroSketches:

 

 

There's still 1-1/2 days to participate! You can see how literal I was with the sketch, using hearts where the sketch shows hearts. I used the Fancy Fan folder on my Pretty in Pink card front, and a sentiment from the Sale-a-Bration stamp set Vintage Verses, punching a 1-1/4" circle of Raspberry Ripple to highlight the word "only" behind the banner.

Spring Sampler ladybug in smooshed soda top for challenge

 

This Real Red ladybug from the Spring Sampler stamp set just makes me happy to look at! I punched him out with a 1" circle punch and adhered him into a soda pop top I ran through my Big Shot (the same sandwich you use for an embossing folder).

 

 

I used the Create with Connie and Mary sketch challenge. These sketches are a great jumping off point for one-of-a-kind creations! There's not much time if you want to participate in this sketch challenge, but go for it.

 

 

I've got a card club meeting tonight at my studio, and this is one of the projects. They haven't seen the paper doilies or soda pop tops in person yet, so it'll be fun to make a card using both.

 

 

I started with a Pool Party card, embossing it with the little hearts strip from the Adorning Accents Folders, then adding a couple of 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" pieces of More Amore Specialty dsp. The doily and a laser-cut Primrose Pink heart from a sheet in the More Amore pack are on top of that, and finished with the smooshed soda pop top and banner with a sentiment from Petite Pairs.





Vintage Verses and a sweet little valentine treat

 

I am so blessed to be able to spend stamping time outside of my monthly demonstrator gatherings with some of my downline. Barb created this beautiful card above. It uses Vintage Verses (a Sale-a-Bration stamp set you may pick for FREE when you order $50+), some Core'dinations card stock, and Parker's Patterns dsp. I love that she added pearls along the diagonal line.

 

 

Michelle brought an adorable heart-shaped sucker that's wrapped in plastic, then we put it in a bag and added a Honeycomb-embossed topper with some 2-toned ribbon and a soda pop top. The soda pop top has a circle of More Amore Specialty dsp in it, with an adorable elephant holding a tiny heart from A Fitting Occasion.

Dear Valentine, please join me for Tea for Two

 

Adding paper doilies to an order because I had a couple of hostess bucks left and couldn't think of anything else I needed inspired this valentine.

 

 

I started with a Very Vanilla card, layered with Pretty in Pink card stock and Tea for Two dsp. Then I added a paper doily, a Tea for Two dsp heart die-cut with a Heart framelit that has an antique brad thru it, and some stitched Pretty in Pink ribbon. To finish, I stamped "love" and a heart from the Lovely Little Labels set and punched them with a little labels punch, pierced holes and added them to a piece of baker's twine.

 

 

Here's what the same card looks like when you use the flip side of the same Tea for Two dsp pattern. I created this card for Heather's party Friday night. It was fun!

 

I have a Mystery Hostess Class coming up Wednesday. Monday is the last day to register, so be sure to contact me if you - and a friend - would like to attend. It's either $6 to make three cards or a minimum order of at least $25. Of course if you place a $50 order, you'll be able to pick a Sale-a-Bration freebie! I'll draw a name from all those who order to see who gets the hostess benefits. :-)

From More Amore to Sycamore Street - these papers rock!

 

Today I've got a few quick and easy cards to show that I'm using for a 10-card class and workshop. I've had a busy week of clubs, classes and a team meeting and have several more events coming up this month.

 

This Very Vanilla card uses More Amore Specialty dsp (there are two sheets of the laser-cut hearts you simply cut apart), Fancy Fold embossed Primrose Petals card stock punched on two sides with the Scallop Trim Border. The sentiment is from the Loving Hearts stamp set.

 



 

This Basic Gray card shows off another pattern of the More Amore Specialty dsp. I added a strip of Pool Party that has been punched with the Scallop Border, and a knot of 1/8" Very Vanilla taffeta. The sentiment is from the Sale-a-Bration stamp set Pretty Petites, which was then punched with the Petite Curly Label. (both SAB freebies).

 



 

This Rich Razzleberry card uses a couple of strips of Sycamore Street dsp, the Oval Collections Frame and Oh, Hello stamp set. I used Summer Starfruit and Island Indigo markers to ink up the flower, and that layer is adhered with dimensionals.

 

I'll have a couple more easy cards tomorrow, then my team's fabulous swaps, so come back soon!

Enjoying a Cloudy Day with Collage Curios

 

Can you imagine a hot-air balloon ride near the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Wow! These two stamps are from the Collage Curios stamp set in the Spring Catalog. Stampin' Up! sent this set and a few more items to me for FREE because of my title of Senior Manager. I love perks! The Eiffle Tower is stamped in Basic Gray, and I used Primrose Petals and Not Quite Navy markers for the balloon, stamping them on First Edition dsp. I used the 1-3/4" circle punch and sponged it with Not Quite Navy before using the distressing tool.

 



 

I brought this Pool Party card to my American Ink team gathering last weekend for a make and take. It uses the Cloudy Day embossing folder on the card front, with a strip of Primrose Petals that's been punched with the Scallop Trim Border punch, and a strip of More Amore Specialty dsp (my favorite right now!).

 

 

I used this sketch challenge at Clean & Simple Stamping. There's still 8 days to upload your card!

 



 

The Pretty Petites "Happy Day" stamp and Petite Curly Label punch are items you may choose for FREE with every $50 you order starting next Tuesday, January 22. You may order through my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net or email me at ericandterry@comcast.net because I have an order going in Tuesday!