Upsy Daisy!

Last Friday I posted two items HERE made with Inspired by Nature, a stamp set in the Silhouette Style Watch in the new catalog. Today's featured set is Upsy Daisy, a simply wonderful set that is currently on sale! (that's even better!) I'm really enjoying this new Style Watch and having fun playing with these stamps!

The card on the left features two of the new 2008-2009 In Color®: Baja Breeze and Pacific Point. What a soothing color combo! The base is Pacific Point (the darker and richer of the two) layered with Baja Breeze that has been stamped in the same color with the Polka Dot background. The daisies are stamped in Pacific Point onto white cardstock. I used my sponge daubers (so handy!) for adding Baja Breeze around the edges and a touch of Barely Banana in the center to brighten up the composition.

The sentiment was stamped in the upper right corner using Pacific Point ink also. I think the softness of the color scheme conveys the same message as the words also.

This is layered onto more Pacific Point cardstock which has been treated on one side with the new Scalloped Edge Punch! How quick and easy it is to make a perfect scalloped edge now!

I just love the new In Color ribbon also! It is 5/8" wide grosgrain with two narrow white woven stripes down the center and comes in all six new In Colors! Pacific Point is used on this card; a new Flower Brad is opened then clasped around the ribbon and inserted through the cardstock. The flower is colored in with a coordinating Sharpie pen! What a fun touch to carry out the color scheme.

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This Upsy Daisy card presents the New In Colors of Pink Pirouette and Kiwi Kiss (and just a touch of Tangerine Tango!). The daisy stamp was inked in pink (um, that rhymes, lol!) then I tapped a sponge dauber inked with Tangerine Tango to the stamp before stamping on the pink cardstock to achieve some depth and shading. Another sponge dauber was used to bring in some Kiwi Kiss around the image after stamping. The image was cut down so I still have another piece for a future project. I layered the larger piece on Tangerine Tango; this was applied to the card over a piece of the new Kiwi Kiss grosgrain ribbon.

The base card is Kiwi Kiss layered with Pink Pirouette and stamped with the Sanded background stamp in Tangerine Tango. The sentiment is stamped in Tangerine on Pink then punched out with the NEW! Wide Oval Punch. Sponged on the edged with Kiwi then layered over a Scallop Circle punch cut apart, the sentiment is accented with a sparkly pink Rhinestone brad (just love these!)

Thanks for dropping by! Have a great weekend!

Margaret

Pretty Amazing!

Isn't this just Pretty Amazing?! That's actually the name of the stamp set used, but I think it perfectly describes the card itself too! This card was made by Judy DiScipio; she gave it to me at an online group meeting in Salt Lake City at the Stampin' Up! Convention a few weeks ago. I haven't stopped ooooohhhing and ahhhhhhh-ing over it since! Her coloring on the hummingbird and cutting/layering on the flower are just impeccable. The touch of glitter on the belly of the little bird is a perfect highligh for this stunning card!

This type of card is called a Spring Card; it stands up by itself! Judy had posted a different spring card to our online group a few weeks before the tutorial showed up on Splitcoast. Here is the link to the directions for making this card fold: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/spring_card/.

Judy obviously is a very talented stamper! She doesn't have a blog but if you want to leave her a comment, you may do so here. She gave me her permission to post her card and I'll let her know about any messages left here for her.

Thanks again, Judy, for such a beautiful card! I just love it!

Have a stamping good day!
Margaret

Edited To Add: This stamp set, Pretty Amazing, is not in the current catalog but is on the Dormant List, which means that it can still be ordered until January 18. (#111006, $20.95)

Inspired by Nature

One of the three new Style Watches in the new Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog is the Silhouette Collection. It is described in the catalog this way: "Botanical patterns and Two-Step silhouettes define the elegant designs..." Inspired by Nature is one of the sets in the timeless style of that group, as is the Fresh Cuts with which many of you are familiar. These images are just that, silhouettes, some bold, some delicate, all both classic and contemporary.

Both of these posts today are Make-n-Takes we did at the 2008 Stampin' Up! Convention just a couple of weeks ago. The tall card on the right is a combination of Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss cardstock with the sentiment from the set stamped on Naturals White. Look closely at the background of the card and you will see tall grasses; these are stamped with the large grass stamp in this set in VersaMark for a subtle background. The natural white open-end envelope was also stamped with the flower in Chocolate Chip. I think this card is so elegant.

Our second Make-n-Take with this set is a decorated gift bag. A piece of Tangerine Tango (new In Color) cardstock stamped with a background of the grasses in VersaMark then the flowers stamped in White Craft Ink forms the front. This is topped with a strip of Designer Paper in the same color. The new So Saffron 1" Polytwill Ribbon covers the "seam" and is enhanced with a flat bow. A gift tag is stamped with the sentiment and a single flower to complete the design, and it's ready to hold your gift for a special someone! This is a quick and easy way to bring a plain bag from drab to fab in no time!

Stamp set: Inspired by Nature

Inks: VersaMark; Craft White; Black, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip Classic

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip (card); Tangerine Tango, Designer Pattern (bag)

Accessories: Wide Oval Punch (new), Clip from "Clip Assortment", Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Open-end envelope (card). Gift bag, So Saffron Polytwill ribbon (bag).

Thanks for dropping by! Have a good day!

Margaret

Sock Monkey in the House!

Oh that Sock Monkey! He's everywhere! And he's so cute! This lil' fella brings back memories for lots of people. Are you one of them? I never had one myself, but now I think maybe I should have because he's so much fun! lol! Anyway, I used to always see him on Carol Duvall's show so I feel like I know him already! LOL!

Now we can all have our Sock Monkeys! This new stamp set is in the recently-arrived Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog and is such fun! The first card on the right I received from my friend Jann McCollom as a swap at Convention. Jann used the fabulous Bella Rose Designer Paper with new In Colors of Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette, with just a touch of the Kiwi Kiss and Close to Cocoa. The monkey's suit and the heart are both paper-pieced with the Bella Rose paper; the polka dot paper is also from this set. Isn't he cute?


Now the lil' fella on the left with all the bananas is a clever "head shot" layered on a scallop punch and the Five Petal Flower punch cut into leaves. Jill George used a combination of Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun and white with just a touch of green. I received this swap at Convention also. What a cool variation of the Sock Monkey cards!

I'll have more Sock Monkeys for you another day! Thanks for dropping by!

Happy Stampin'!

Margaret

Baroque in Vellum

I used one of my favorite sets, Baroque Motifs to make this card for for a special occasion for a friend. The new In Color of Pink Pirouette is paired with Elegant Eggplant for the color scheme. The bottom layer of pink is stamped with eggplant baroque swirls then layered with the vellum to soften the pattern beneath. Don't you like how the cardstock vellum allows the design to show through yet gives an airy elegance and softness?

The top layer of Pink Pirouette was again stamped in eggplant, tied with grosgrain ribbon, layered on eggplant and attached with Dimensionals to the vellum. A clear Rhinestone brad is the finishing touch. The corners were treated with the ticket corner punch to reflect the curves in the background.

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Hugs and Wishes
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Elegant Eggplant, Vellum
Accessories: Eggplant 1/4" grosgrain, Rhinestone brad, Ticket Corner Punch, Dimensionals

Happy Tuesday everyone! Stamp a little love today! ☺
Margaret

Eastern Blooms (new set!)

Hope you've had a great weekend!

One of the new catalog sets which we received at Convention is Eastern Blooms. It definitely has an oriental feel (which is timely as I'm often glued to the TV watching the Beijing Olympics lately!) The delicate look of branches with their blossoms (could be plum perhaps?) makes for a pretty stamp and graceful images on cards.

This is a Make 'n Take card for a workshop. I think the Cameo Coral gives a lively contrast to the beautiful Baja Breeze In Color. The background branches were stamped with VersaMark and the flowers on the Baja Breeze were stamped with the same color ink. Hooray that the beloved 1/4" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon made its way back to the catalog!! Glad I still had mine! : ) Can I just say that sometimes it might pay to hoard?!! LOL!

I love the new Scallop Edge Punch that is in this new SU Catalog!! It is so easy to use and makes a beautiful (and straight! lol!) scallop edge that you will be proud to put on your projects!

The flower was stamped, cut out and layered with Dimensionals. A few touches of the Two Way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds glitter dress up the center. On the smaller picture, three orange seed beads are attached to the flower center with Crystal Effects. I really like this new set of sentiments, Heard from the Heart. Coincidentally, both of these brand-new sets are on the current 15% off special! WooHoo! I love a sale!

The smaller picture to the right is my first version, but thought it needed more. So to kick it up a notch I started by layering both layers on Chocolate Chip, then finished by scalloping the edge of the coral cardstock. Doesn't it make a world of difference?!

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Heard from the Heart
Ink: VersaMark, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Cameo Coral
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch (new!), Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Tw Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Orange Bead Duos, Crystal Effects.

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Here is one of our Convention Make 'n Takes: a mini album made with two Love Notes and their Very Vanilla envelopes also stamped with the Eastern Blooms set. The envelopes form the from and back covers and the front is stamped then spritzed with the Spritzing Tool from the catalog. Everything was scored then holes punched for the ribbon tie to hold it all together. The back cover envelope holds a little journaling note. The front blooms are decorated with the orange beads as was the card above.

Too cute to carry in your purse or satchel to show off pictures of your kids, grandkids or pets, etc.!

Stamps: Eastern Blooms

Inks: Tangerine Tango (new In Color), Chocolate Chip pad and marker, Really Rust marker
Paper: Love Notes (two cards and envelopes)

Accessories: Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Orange Bead Duos

Have a great week! Thanks for dropping by!
Margaret

Tri-Fold Card

On check-in day at the Stampin' Up! Convention, we first shopped Memento Mall (Stampin' Up! logo items and such) then picked up our Convention bags that had our three new stamp sets and our brand new Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog! After quickly grabbing a glance at the catalog and lunch, several of us were off to an afternoon of stamping. We had signed up months ago for a Stamp Camp that was organized by two Stampin' Up! demonstrators at a near-by hotel. They had designed about eight projects for us to do. It was fun being the "student" instead of the teacher for a change! LOL!!! (although I love being the teacher too!) ☺

This tri-fold card was one of the projects. I really like the fold and the belly-band around it to keep it closed. Each panel was covered by one of the Designer Papers from the Prints Pack, a Level I Hostess reward from the Spring-Summer Catalog. The large star was punched with SU's Large Star punch then layered with the small star that was stamped then punched with the smaller Star punch.

The smaller picture shows the card open.

I really like this card style and look forward to making more of these! ....umm, I'm thinking of some of the new Designer Papers and stamp sets using this fold .....oh, yeah!!

Stamps: Starstruck, One of a Kind (sentiment), Fresh Cuts (belly-band sentiment)
Ink: Rose Red
Paper: Prints Pack; So Saffron and Wild Wasabi (retired) Cardstock
Accessories: Bone Folder, Star punch, Large Star punch, Glue Dots, Stampin' Sponge

Thanks so much for dropping by! I appreciate hearing from you too!

By all means, have fun stampin'!

Margaret

Note: Thanks for your sweet comments on my card. Several have requested the measuresments: The card is 6 x 11" and is folded at 1 1/2", 3", 5 1/2", 8". Happy Stampin'!

BoHo Backgrounds Swap Card

This card was for an online stampers group shoebox swap on Friday night of Convention in SLC. Since we didn't have any current Designer Paper to use (it had all been announced as retiring) I made my own by stamping the flower background in Pacific Point blue on Vanilla cardstock. The lighter blue is the beautiful new Baja Breeze In Color and it is stamped with the paisley stamp from the Wanted set. Love these new In Colors!

The Spiral punch on the edges of the red layer gives it interest and visual texture. The floral stamped layer is then added and a Medallion of Real Red on Vanilla layered on a Scallop Circle punched from Pacific Point and anchored with a silver brad grounds the middle of the design. The sentiment is embossed in clear ep over Real Red Craft Ink.

The smaller picture is an alternate design and this sentiment is from the One of A Kind set.

Stamps: BoHo Backgrounds, Wanted, Heard from the Heart (sentiment), new set in catalog

Inks: Pacific Point, Real Red Classic and Craft, Baja Breeze.

Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point

Accessories: Spiral Punch, silver brad, Spiral Punch.

Hope you've had a good weekend!

Margaret

2008 Stampin' Up! Convention!

From the time we landed at the airport and saw this welcome sign

until the last afternoon Main Stage gathering after the UPS "man in brown" made his appearance with....

FREE STAMPS FOR EVERYBODY!! (insert WooHoo!, jumping up and down and confetti canons here), the Twentieth Anniversary Celebrate '08 Stampin' Up! Convention was wonderful fun and a great success! Not only did we get to greet friends from all over the USA and Canada, but we got to swap, attend interesting classes, see great samples and do fun Make and Takes. But the biggest surprises were the Phase 2 Decor Elements (wonderful) and the greatest of all, Stampin' Up! is now carrying it's own exclusive Big Shot die cutting and embossing machine and exclusive Stampin' Up! dies and embosslits!! WOOHOO! You should see (and you will!) the wonderful samples that were shown...amazing! Everyone was so pumped when this was announced...imagine about 6,000 screaming demos! Yep, it was something! : )

And, oh, yes, THE CATALOG!!! We each received a copy of the new Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog on check-in morning! YOU WILL LOVE IT! Great new stamps, gorgeous new Designer Papers, yummy In Colors and multitudinous beautiful samples! : )

And a lovely scalloped edge on the front cover! So pretty! For my friends/customers that ordered them, they should arrive here in a few days! If you haven't ordered yours yet, contact me now to get yours while I still have some available in this shipment, or you'll have to wait for another order : (

The picture above is the spectacular stage design which changed colors with different lights.

The free stamp set that we all received is Say It With Scallops which coordinates with our new SQUARE SCALLOP PUNCH! WooHoo!! Fantastic! This is also our Ronald McDonald set for the year; $2.00 from the sale of each set is donated to the Ronald McDonald House Foundation, such a worthy cause. In fact, Ronald McDonald himself (he-he) was at convention and Shelli Gardner, the Co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!, presented him with a check for over $126,000 for the previous year. Stampin' Up! itself donates $100,000 annually then adds the funds from the sale of the stamp sets for the grand total.

There was so much more and perhaps I can share some of that with you in the following days. It was an energizing, refreshing and rewarding experience! If you sign up, you can go next year yourself!!

Happy Wednesday,
Margaret

Back from Stampin' Up! Convention!

I'm back from convention and had a great time! I'll post more pictures and information later, but I do have one of my swaps that I wanted to share with you today while I have a few minutes. We are looking to buy a car; great thing to do in 100 degree heat, right?

I was in a small group Wow card swap at convention and this is the card I made. It uses a cool diamond fold. I received the instructions for it from Laura Lipe and then found a video here on You Tube demonstrating it. I'm very "visual" so that helped a bunch! Now, after having folded about 30 of these babies I think I have it down pat! lol!

These other pictures show the card opened somewhat and then a top shot to view the fold better. I did stamp the two sentiments from the set, one on each side but you have to open it a little further to see those.

The flower from One of a Kind was stamped with craft ink then clear embossed on Pink Pirouette cardstock, then more color was added with the same ink and a Blender Pen. Riding Hood Red was added to the inner ring of the flower; the center was stamped with Kiwi Kiss then punched out and added to the flower with a Dimensional. It's cool the way this card will stand up!

Stamps: One of a Kind

Inks: Chocolate Chip Craft and Classic, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss (new In

Colors!)

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip cardstock; new Bella Rose Designer Paper

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, 1/2" circle punch, Paper Snips©

All products ©Stampin' Up!

Hope you enjoy! It was fun to go but it's always good to be back home. : )

More later,

Margaret