A little Spring Catalog test with a sketch challenge

 

Can you spot five Spring Catalog items on this card? They'll all in in this photo.

 



 

This is one of my card club projects this month. I started with a Calypso Coral card embossed with the Honeycomb folder (1), added a 1" x 5" strip of Tea for Two dsp (2) for a banner, stamped and punched out the little bird from Itty Bitties (3) and placed it on the designer builder brad (4). The sentiment is from Wishes Your Way (5), punched out with the Word Window. The main image is from For the Birds. I only added a little color to the heart, beaks and grass with markers, then die-cut it using a label framelit, layered on the next size larger framelit in Bashful Blue.

 

 

Never make the same card twice! Use a sketch challenge like I did with my card. I used the Friday Mashup Challenge 91. There's still a day left to play along!





Fun new digital downloads for V-day and Spring

It's freezing outside, so how about we daydream about love and spring? (And if it's not freezing where you are, then consider yourself lucky!) Check out this week's new downloads, full of Valentine's Day stuff and spring things. (PDF) Don't miss our Officially Awesome Valentines Designer Template with its tiny, trendy valentines that fit in tiny, trendy envelopes.

 

And while you're at it, check out the digital content from the Spring Catalog.

The Stylin' Stampin' Squad is at it again! We'll be doing a blog hop featuring Spring Catalog and Sale-a-Bration products Thursday morning, so be sure to come on by. We've added blogs for even more inspiration!

 

 

Designer paper and builder brad for HSS color challenge

 

How do you like the new designer builder brad and More Amore Specialty dsp in the Spring Catalog? I love them! I used the heart from the Itty Bitties stamp set for the middle of the brad, and covered it with a clear "bubble."

  

 

I made this card for the Hand Stamped Sentiments Color Challenge #150, choosing to highlight this paper that has the sentiment on it. I added some black sponging around the edge of the paper, then added a Pool Party banner that was embossed with an Adorning Accent folder (more little hearts) and roughed up with the new distressing tool.

 

 

NEW Guidelines To Play Along, each challenge will last for 2 weeks!!

• You may use ANY BRAND of products to create your project.
• Use keyword HSSCC150 when uploading to public galleries.
• We would appreciate a link back to our HSS site.
• Incorrect links are not eligible and will be deleted.
• INLINKZ will close at noon (CST) Monday, January 14th 2013
• Artist Picks will be announced on Tuesday, January 15th 2013
• Join us for a new challenge every other Tuesday. 
• PLEASE be kind and TURN OFF your word verification, THANK YOU!

 
I received a box on my porch the other day, and when I opened it there was this rustic candy scale. I was so excited! My sister, CB, found it on Craigslist and bought it for me. Is she awesome or what? I love it and plan to use it to display odds and ends in my rubber stamp shows this year. Cool!

 

 



Oh, Hello flower for Freshly Made, PPA challenges

 

I'm diggin' the Pretty Petites stamp set (a Sale-a-Bration freebie with a $50 order starting January 22). And I love the Petite Curly Label punch that fits perfectly with those stamps. I heat-embossed the stamp in White Craft ink and white embossing powder.

 



 

I created this Basic Gray card using sketch #67 at Freshly Made, and the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge. The patterned paper is from the Twitterpated dsp pack. I used the Tasteful Trim die for the big black scallop, and an antique brad.

 

The flower stamp from Oh, Hello was stamped in Basic Gray and then diecut using the new Ovals Collection framelits. Both items are in the Spring Catalog.

  

 

I think it looks pretty classy! What do you think? I hope you're enjoying your day.

 

Happy Stampin'!

Start scrapping in 2013 with MDS Monday challenges

I recently upgraded from My Digital Studio (MDS) to MDS 2+, so this year I want to use it more, print out more photo books I create, and participate in things like MDS Monday, a fairly new sketch challenge where you use MDS to create projects and share them with others.

  

 

There are seven more days to enter this challenge, so go for it! Visit MDS Monday to see what the designers came up with and upload your project.

Here's what I used to create my page:   

Background- Designer Series Paper\Sweet Details;
Embellishments- Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - zig zag stitching black small;
Stamps- Designer Kits\Day in the Life\Day in the Life

Score 20 different borders and patterns on cards, scrapbook pages

There's a new item in the 2013 Spring Catalog that makes it easy it is to make 20 different borders and patterns on your cards and scrapbook pages! The Borders Scoring Plate fits on top of your Simply Scored, then you place your card stock on top of that and the overlay over that (so you can simply fit the stylus in the openings to make your design). The Borders Scoring Plate is 12-1/2" x 12-1/2" so it easily fits up to 12" x 12" pages.

To order this scoring plate for $14.95, use item #126192 and order thru my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net. Don't forgot that you can add digital downloads, along with Clearance Rack items and anything else in the Spring or annual catalogs to your order.

Spring Catty starts, Valentines promotions, and a Top Pick!

Today's the first day to order out of the 2013 Spring Catalog! There's some terrific stuff in there, as I've been sharing with you this past week. You can order anytime you want thru my Online Store - http://therubberroom.stampinup.net.

There are two promotions that kicked off today - Valentine Treat Bundle

From January 3 through January 21, you have the opportunity to purchase the exclusive Valentine Treat Bundle. This bundle, created specifically for this special offer, contains the brand-new Happy Valentine Heart Single Stamp (English only) and a package of 1" x 8" cellophane bags.

Bundle Item	Description	Retail Value	Special Bundle Price
132771	Valentine Treat Bundle Includes the Happy Valentine Heart Single Stamp (clear-mount) and 1" x 8" cellophane bags	$7.45	$5.95

 

(Note: The Full Heart Punch works perfectly with this single stamp, but is not included in the kit.)

 

 and My Little Valentine Promotion

During the My Little Valentine promotion, your customers will get the Sealed with Love Simply Sent Kit FREE-a $7.95 value-when they purchase the brand-new My Little Valentine Set. This four-piece set was created exclusively for this promotion and will not be available again after January 21!

The My Little Valentine Stamp Set is only available in clear-mount.

Buy one of the following:

Item	Description	Price
132242	My Little Valentine (English; clear-mount)	$9.95
132245	Enamorados (Spanish; clear-mount)	$9.95
132248	Mon petit amour (French; clear-mount)	$9.95

Get this FREE:

Page	Publication	Item	Description	Retail Value
35	holiday catalog	126923	Sealed with Love Simply Sent	$7.95

 

Remember the cute baby card I made on December 29 for the color challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary? Well, my card was one of the Top 3 Picks! Whoo hoo!!!

 

 

I hope your day is going well. I've been working on a special project I'll be sharing shortly. I've got just one more thing to add to it! Ta ta

A New Year and more time? I hope you make the most of it!

 

When I first saw the Tea Time Trinkets in the 2013 Spring Catalog I was wowed! I think they're adorable... and plan to use the little tea cup and saucer for a charm bracelet. But there are two clock faces among the trinkets - one of which I wanted to use for today's card since today is all about time.

 

 

This card uses the retro-looking Tea for Two dsp layered on Early Espresso card stock (scallop border punched and embossed with a Needlepoint Border skinny folder - also in the Spring Catalog), on a So Saffron card with touches of Island Indigo. I used those same colors to ink up stamps from the Clockworks set, along with a sentiment from Elements of Style.

 

 

I used this sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #99.



 



It's going to be a great year! I can just feel it. January marks my 11th year as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, this is my 1,800th blog post, there will be new opportunities to be creative and to volunteer and make the world a better place, and focusing on the message above. I wish you all the best in 2013.

Blowing kisses your way in the New Year

 

 

I just noticed I'm almost to 1,800 blog posts! I started my blog in June 2007, so that's an average of 27 posts a month. I would've hit 1,800 posts earlier, but I did some housekeeping on my blog and deleted some insignificant posts. No regrets! It is how it's meant to be. I've got more people visiting my blog every day than ever before - so Welcome! And thanks for visiting me. I'm happy you're here!

I love the colors in the More Amore Specialty dsp pack - a 2013 Spring Catalog item. When I saw those hearts on the paper and read "blowing kisses your way" on a new stamp label it made me think of a pinwheel, so I made one! The sentiment is from another Spring Catalog item - Wishes Your Way stamp set. And the ribbon? It's part of a ribbon/button package you can get for free during Sale-a-Bration 2013, which starts January 22.

A New Year feels like a fresh start. I believe in learning from the past, living in the present, and looking forward to the future! My 2012 highlights include getting back in touch with a college roommate, meeting many new friends, and - most important of all - finding out that my nephew had a clear check-up after having a tennis-ball-sized malignant brain tumor last spring. I was overjoyed to hear that news! I hope you learn something new in 2013, love deeply and enjoy great health.

This Stampin' Royalty challenge is For the Birds, as well as a Sneak Peek for YOU!

 

Something about going into the New Year makes me think of little birdies. I paper-pieced these two from the For the Birds stamp set with new designer paper.

 

 

I made this card for Stampin' Royalty Challenge #156 and my father-in-law's birthday. It starts with a Bashful Blue card base, with layers of Tea for Two dsp (Spring Catalog) and Early Espresso card stock.

 





Did you notice the Petite Curly Label punch out of the Tea for Two paper to the left side of the birds? It's just one of the many freebies you may select with every $50 you order during our Sale-a-Bration Event starting January 22.

 

I used a piece of natural trim under the top two layers, as well as the new Honeycomb embossing folder on a piece of Bashful Blue card stock. Both the trim and folder are new items that will be available in the Spring Catalog as of January 3!

 

 

The last thing I'll share on this post is a mason jar soap dispenser I made for our bathroom. The idea came off of Pinterest. We go through a lot of hand soap and I was constantly refilling those smaller containers. I used a pump from a lotion bottle (because it was longer than the regular hand soap pump), drilled a hole in the lid, and glued it down. Hopefully it'll be a very long time before I need to refill this jar! lol

 

Happy Stampin'!



It's almost time to say Ciao, Baby! to another year

 

Today I'm saying Ciao, Baby! because that's the name of a cute new stamp set in the Spring Catalog that features images that fit perfectly into new, smaller scallop circle and curly label punches.

 



I made this card for color challenge #232 at Create with Connie and Mary,

and sketch challenge #273 at Mojo Monday. It uses new products from the 2013 Spring Catalog - an oval framelit, the oval chevron stamp from a new set called Oh, Hello, the 7/8" scallop circle punch, and a silver basics designer button. You're also getting a peek at one of the three satin ribbons that comes in a free pack with coordinating buttons for our Sale-a-Bration Event, which starts January 22.

 

 

The Whisper White, Pool Party and Silver Glimmer Paper made me think of a baby boy, so that's where my idea came from. I hope you like it!

 

The card measures 4-1/4" x 8-1/2" (folding in half). You might also notice I used the Chevron Embossing Folder to coordinate with the stamp.

 

Happy Stampin'!



Print Poetry pack perks up Seasonal Sayings card

 

Are you ready to see more products coming soon in the Spring Catalog? This shows you a heart clip from the Elements Cute Clips package, as well as natural 7/16" trim ribbon that looks like burlap (I LOVE burlap!).

 

 

I started with a Crumb Cake card and added a Top Note diecut and flower layer - both from the Print Poetry dsp pack in the Spring Catalog. The sentiment is from Seasonal Sayings, which is carrying over from the Holiday Catalog. I used the new Distress Tool to rough up the edges of the banner.

 

  I stamped a heart from the Itty Bitties set in Crumb Cake ink, punched it out with an Itty Bitty punch and layered it on a 1/2-inch circle, which fits nicely in the smallest Soda Pop top.

 

 

I created this card for the retro sketches Challenge #43. I think I'll be giving this to my hubby for Valentine's Day!

 



 

Happy Stampin'!

 

Stamps: Seasonal Sayings, Itty Bitties;

Ink: Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake;

Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Print Poetry dsp pack;

Accessories: Natural 7/16" trim ribbon, Soda Pop top, distress tool, Elements Cute Clips (all 2013 Spring Catalog), mini glue dot.

 

 

Here's a Sneak Peek of Spring products: stamp, folder and button

 

Happy Thursday! I finally got a card made after boxing up all of my Holiday Catalog stuff to make room for the Spring Catalog and Sale-a-Bration stuff I was able to get for Christmas. Of course there was a game of Clue with the family in there too. That was lots of fun!

 

 



This card features a new single stamp called Just Thinking from the Spring Catalog, as well as a Designer Silver Basics button, and the Needlepoint Border embossing folder. You'll be able to get the Sycamore Street dsp and/or satin ribbon (this one is Tangerine Tango and it comes with two other colors) for FREE when our Sale-a-Bration event starts January 22. That's when you get to pick a FREE item from the SAB Catalog for every $50 you order. As a demonstrator, I get to take advantage of this deal almost two months early.

 

This designer silver basics button actually feels like a coin! This one is about the size of a quarter, and the other size in the package is like a dime.

 

 

I love Pool Party, Island Indigo and Tangerine Tango colors together. I cut out the circle with the words. It's much larger than our 2-1/2" circle punch, but I wanted two colors and didn't want to use markers. The middle is adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals. Happy Stampin'!





Merry Christmas to you!

Just stopping in to wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with much love, joy and peace. I'm happy to be spending today with my family. I feel so blessed by having the people I love the most around me today and every day! And, we are enjoying a White Christmas for the first time in years. It's beautiful!

The photo is of a milk box decoration my daughter and I made for a contest by the company that delivers fresh milk and eggs to us every week. My neighbor brought me huge pinecones she got from a forester who brought them from an old growth forest. I added Tombow liquid adhesive and mica flakes (both Stampin' Up! products) for snow, and I made a banner that says "Moo-ry Christmas to All!!!" because we made cows pulling Santa's sleigh (which my daughter made out of a couple of Top Note diecuts and candy canes). Santa is an older ornament we had, and we tied some tinsel ribbon (retired SU! product) around him and the cows' necks. More mica flakes were sprinkled into glue for the snowy ground cover.

Wish I had an Open Sleigh for a fun Christmas ride

 

This Open Sleigh card is so beautiful in person. I tried taking a quick shot of it on my range tonight. It's hard to register the sparkle of the silver glimmer scallop trim border, and the warmth of the colors chosen. My friend and downline, Julie, sent this to me and my family. Thanks so much, Julie. I love it!

 

 

Speaking of family, my twin sister (Tiffany) and her hubby (Bob), came for a nice, long visit today. They'd driven over from Idaho yesterday and were staying with Taylor. My nephew, Billy, and his sister, Taylor, are shown below. It was so good to see them. They're officially both adults now and making headway with their jobs, where they live, etc. I'm so proud of them both.

 



We had a full turkey meal today, then played Old Maid (while laughing hysterically), and Yahtzee, and ending with a 9-piece shell puzzle that took us awhile since everyone was moving the pieces around at the same time!

 

I hope you enjoy your family as much as I'm enjoying mine! We might actually get a white Christmas too! That would be a bonus. We haven't had snow for Christmas since 2008.