This and That Blossom Birthday!

Stampin' Up! has released a new line of products that will debut in the 2013-2014 STAMPIN' UP! Catalog, and we have the chance to get them NOW!!   From now until April 30 only, we can save 15% on the price by purchasing the bundle of products!!  Mine just arrived yesterday evening and I couldn't wait to make something;  I love the new This and That Epic Day Designer Paper so pulled it out to make a card for Connie and Mary's Sketch Challenge!
 

    
The flower and lower part of the card are two prints from the new This and That Epic Day Designer Paper, and there are TEN other great prints in there too!  The colors in these two prints are Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Pool Party, Basic Gray and Crumb Cake.  I used Crumb Cake cardstock for the 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" card base and topped that with a layer of Pool Party.  The top portion of the Pool Party was embossed with the Polka Dot Embossing Folder and the Big Shot.

 A 2-1/4" x 4" strip of the designer paper covers the bottom of the Pool Party layer and is topped with a swath of the Natural Trim Ribbon (#129287).  The birthday greeting from the FROM MY HEART set was stamped with Basic Gray ink onto a strip of Daffodil Delight cardstock and tucked under the flower.

(Okay, I don't know what is going on that I can't get my photos in landscape mode recently, but thank you for bearing with me here!)  This closeup shows the designer paper flower which was punched with the fabulous Blossom Punch (#125603).  Notice the center?  It was stamped with the filagree stamp from the new A ROUND ARRAY stamp sets, which is also a Sneak Peek from the upcoming new Catalog!  (See more about it HERE)  The Large Rhinestone (#129324) in the flower center was lightly colored with a Sharpie marker for bling.  One more thing, a quick burst of hairspray and a light sprinkling of Dazzling Delights Glitter followed by another light spray to keep it in place gives more fun sparkle to this card!






Here is the sketch for Connie and Mary's Sketch Challenge #245:









I'll be back to tell you more about THIS AND THAT Bundle and ALL it's new fun contents, but in the meantime, here is the This and That Epic Day Designer Paper (#130814, $10.95) I used on my card:

And here is the wonderful Blossom Punch (#125603, $16.95) with which you can punch stamped images from the Mixed Bunch Set or punch an entire flower garden from card stock or Designer Series Paper, creating beautiful and unique flowers in no time!  Layer them for lovely effects and use punchouts, buttons, brads, Pearls or Rhinestones in the center too!

You may purchase these or any other Stampin' Up! products from my secure online Stampin' Up! store HERE using Mastercard, Discover or Visa, and they will be shipped directly to your door from Stampin' Up!   You may also order through me  OR order at your next Stampin' Up! party!  Please contact me through my Stampin' Up! website HERE if you have any questions about ordering and I would be happy to answer your questions. Have a wonderful Easter holiday weekend with family and friends as Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and new life through Him! Margaret

Swallowtail III

Yes, I do have other stamps, LOL!  This is the last of the samples I made with Swallowtail; however, I'm sure he'll show up again sometime soon.  : )  The layout of this card was inspired by the sample in the Spring Catalog where the Swallowtail stamp was first introduced.   The catalog is a great idea book too!

  
I used Pool Party cardstock and combined it with Wisteria Wonder for this card.  I used Pool Party Embossing Powder again to heat emboss the swallowtail after it was stamped with VersaMark.  Then I used a small flat paintbrush to apply Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint only to the swallowtail and let it dry.

You can see how shimmery it is as it catches the light!  I love that paint!  It gives a real WOW factor to any project!  I added a Rhinestone that I colored with a Sharpie marker to match the Pool Party.  This Wisteria layer was then added to the Pool Party card with Dimensionals.

The words "above & beyond" from the One in a Million set were stamped in Wisteria Wonder ink.  On the inside is the coordinating message "...that's where you always seem to go!   thanks so much"  I really like this sentiment with the swallowtail, and can't we often use a pretty Thank You card?  This one was simple and easy, yet is quite lovely in person.

Swallowtail stamp:  #129213 wood, $17.95;  #129216 clear mount, #13.95
     Page 12, Stampin' Up! Spring 2013 Catalog.

One in a Million set of 10:  #126380 wood,  $26.95;  #126382 clear mount, $18.95
     Page 135, Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 Annual Catalog.
     Also available in French and German
     This set has five "pairs" of sentiments; one could be used for the outside of the card then the corresponding stamp on the inside.  I like that!

Shimmer Paint:  $5.95  p. 158, 2012-2013 Catalog 
     Three colors:  
     Champagne Mist #1106806, Frost White #116854, Platinum #116807
  
FRIDAY IS THE LAST DAY OF SALE-A-BRATION! 

You may purchase these or any other Stampin' Up! products from my secure online Stampin' Up! store HERE using Mastercard, Discover or Visa, and they will be shipped directly to your door from Stampin' Up!   You may also order through me  OR order at your next Stampin' Up! party!  Please contact me through my Stampin' Up! website HERE if you have any questions about ordering and I would be happy to answer your questions.

Thanks for visiting today!  I appreciate your comments very much; they are always such an encouragement!

Happy Thursday!

Margaret  

Swallowtail Butterfly Resist

Well, no, you need not resist this Swallowtail stamp... it's just too fabulous!  Even some of my friends who didn't think they liked it because of it's size have fallen for it once they put stamp to ink to paper!  But we're talking technique here today, as in "embossing resist technique", not preferences.  : )

I love the monochromatic colors of this card!  Almost everything is Pool Party, one of our delicious 2011-2013 In Colors!  So light and refreshing it is!  The Swallowtail is stamped in VersaMark onto a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Pool Party cardstock then embossed with Pool Party Embossing Powder (#129398, $4.75, p. 12 Spring). To bring out the design more, I then sponged it with Pool Party ink; you can see the "shadow" behind the butterfly that results from the sponging and makes the image "pop"!  TIP:  Be sure to wipe the embossing with a tissue to remove any ink that may remain from the sponging process.

The luscious Pool Party 1/4" Satin Ribbon and button are from the free (with $50 purchase) Sale-a-Bration Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack.  The button was tied with Pool Party Baker's Twine before attaching to the ribbon.  

The "make a wish" sentiment is from the Sweet Essentials set of 8 (#126457).  I stamped it in Island Indigo on Pool Party cardstock then punched it out with the Modern Label Punch  then popped it up on Dimensionals.

 ~.~.~.~.~.~

TIP:  To add more depth and interest to a monochromatic card, layer the stamped cardstock onto a full card (8-1/2" x 5-1/2", folded in half) of the same color.  It adds so much.  Try it and see!

~.~.~.~.~.~

I hope you've enjoyed the card today.  Embossing Resist is an easy-peasy technique that adds so much to a project! 

Swallowtail stamp:  #129213 wood, $17.95;  #129216 clear mount, #13.95
     Page 12, Stampin' Up! Spring 2013 Catalog.

You may purchase these or any other Stampin' Up! products from my secure online Stampin' Up! store HERE using Mastercard, Discover or Visa, and they will be shipped directly to your door from Stampin' Up!   You may also order through me  OR order at your next Stampin' Up! party!  Please contact me through my Stampin' Up! website HERE if you have any questions about ordering and I would be happy to answer your questions.

Have a stampin' good day!

Margaret

Collage Curios, Sunshine and Sprinkles!

I love the bright colors in this Sunshine and Sprinkles Designer Series Paper print (Spring 2013 Catalog), and the Basic Grey (also in the print) makes a great contrasting background for them.

The grey layer was dry embossed with the Vine Embossing Folder (free during Sale-a-bration with a $50. purchase) to give great texture.  I then drug the Craft White Ink Pad over it in places to highlight that texture!

The round medallion in the center was stamped with three stamps from the Collage Curios set:  first the tiny script in Daffodil Delight, then the laurel wreath in Lucky Limeade, lastly the hot air balloon in Melon Mambo.  This was punched out with the 1" Circle Punch and adhered to a large Soda Pop Top that had been somewhat flattened in my Big Shot.

 I added a tiny Pearl to each side of round image, then layered it on the color polka dots from the Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP from the Spring Catalog.  A half Doily and strip of Melon Mambo 3/8" Striped Organdy Ribbon finishes off the cardfront.

Remember that SALE-A-BRATION ends this Friday, March 22 and this week is your last opportunity to get your free SALE-A-BRATION products free for each $50 purchase!  

You may purchase these or any other Stampin' Up! products from my secure online Stampin' Up! store HERE using Mastercard, Discover or Visa, and they will be shipped directly to your door from Stampin' Up!   You may also order through me  OR order at your next Stampin' Up! party!  Please contact me through my Stampin' Up! website HERE if you have any questions about ordering and I would be happy to answer your questions.

Our weather has been spring-like here for the last week or so, but we are forecast to have more winter-like weather return this weekend.  We'll say good-bye to spring for awhile, knowing it WILL return soon but in the meantime, I think I will stamp with bright colors!  : )

Hope you enjoyed the card!   Happy day and Happy Stamping!

Margaret

"Pre" Sneak Peek: A Round Array Stamp Set!

Spring is definitely in the air, and Stampin' Up! can't wait to show you all the new products in the 2013-2014 Annual Catalog. In the meantime, here's a pre-sneak peek look at the A Round Array stamp set!

Stampin' Up! has bundled it with the coordinating 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch (introduced in the 2013 Spring Catalog) just in time for Sale-A-Bration for 15% off!

Dates: Bundle available ONLY March 15 - May 30, 2013!

 

Sample card by Stampin' Up!   (c) Stampin' Up!  2013

Price	Description	Item #
$23.95	Spring Surprise Bundle* (English; clear)	133899
	Spring Surprise Bundle (Spanish; clear)	133897
	Spring Surprise Bundle (French; clear)	133898

What if you already have the punch? Don't fret! Just buy the set!

Price	Description	Item #
$14.95	A Round Array Stamp Set of 8* (English; clear)	129090
	Variedades Stamp Set of 8 (Spanish; clear)	131682
	Médallions séduction Stamp Set of 8 (French; clear)	131616

*Only offered in clear-mount. Wood-mount option will be available in the 2013-2014 annual catalog.

To order the stamp set or bundle (residents of the USA only), please visit my Online Store HERE.  Plus you may order other catalog products, digital downloads, Clearance Rack items, and other offers to qualify for Sale-A-Bration freebies for every $50 in mdse. you purchase! (Sale-A-Bration offer expires this Friday, March 22 @ 11:59 pm.).

Thanks for visiting and Happy Stamping!

Margaret

Swallowtail Butterfly

My what big wings you have, my dear!  lol!  Yes, this Swallowtail butterfly stamp is large, and just as beautiful as it is large!  This is my first card using this stamp new in the Spring  2013 Catalog.

The butterfly was stamped in Soft Suede (new foam pad) onto Sahara Sand cardstock then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.  I then gently stamped the " waterspots" stamp from the French Foliage set with Sahara Sand ink on the background.

I used Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils, ink pads, Blender Pens and an AquaPainter (sparingly as I wasn't using watercolor paper) to color the butterfly.  I then spritzed the cardfront with Champagne Mist in alcohol and followed with the Color Spritzer and my Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker.

Lastly I stamped the Happy Day from Ciao, Baby! set in Soft Suede and clear embossed it, colored it with Stampin' Write Markers then punched it with the Petite Curly Label Punch (#129405, available free during Sale-a-Bration with a $50. order).  A loop of Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon attached to the back of the punchout then to the cardfront with a Dimensional is the finishing touch!

I can see that I will really enjoy using this stamp and with any number of techniques also!

Thanks for visiting today, and remember Sale-A-Bration ends Friday, March 22.... but it's best to get your order in before the rush of the last day!

You may purchase these or any other Stampin' Up! products from my secure online Stampin' Up! store HERE using Mastercard, Discover or Visa, and they will be shipped directly to your door from Stampin' Up!   You may also order through me  OR order at a Stampin' Up! party! 

Sale-A-Bration is a great time to join Stampin' Up!  Because of Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary this year, you will receive 25% more in self-selected products in your "Starter Kit" for the same low cost to join:  only $99. for $156. worth of products!  Wowsers!  If you live in the United States, I would love for you to sign up with me!  Just contact me here or sign up on my Stampin' Up! website here.  Just click "Join the Fun" and follow the steps! 


Margaret

Madison Avenue - Two Versions

At the Dallas Regional, Shelli Gardner presented a very simple but attractive card made with the Madison Avenue set available during SALE-A-BRATION for FREE with a $50. order.  I really liked it because it could be used for a guy card, and aren't we always looking for good masculine designs?

This is basically Shelli's card using different colors.  It only uses two stamps, the design stamp from Madison Avenue, and a greeting stamp, this one is the "Happy Birthday" from From the Heart set.  After I had completed it, I thought about adding a little embellishment...

Brads?  No, I had already put it together with Dimensionals, so I took my Silver Stampin' Dazzle Marker (#128978, carryover from Holiday Catalog) and painted some Pearls; they looked like pewter when I finished so I added three of them to the mosaics.

I was pleased with the result.  (Card base is Sahara Sand, top layer is Crumb Cake.  Inks used are Island Indigo, Crumb Cake and Raspberry Ripple)  Then I thought about making a version in more feminine colors (this whole process was taking on a life of it's own, lol!)

"Celebrate" greeting is from the Feeling Sentimental SAB set. ..hmm, how could I embellish this one?  

The little four-petal flower punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (#118309, Annual Catalog p. 183) is the very shape of this stamp image!  I punched out the same cardstock as the inks used, centered them with the tiniest Pearls from the package and adhered one to the center of each stamped image.  Really punches up the look (lol, pun not intended)...what do you think?

And these pearls are so small that there will be no problem mailing this card to a friend!
 
The color scheme is from CCMC Challenge #242:  use Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals and Summer Starfruit for your project.

Remember, SALE-A-BRATION ends on March 22!   That's only eleven days!!  Be sure and make your list and contact your Stampin' Up! demonstrator to place your order.  If you don't have a demonstrator, I would be so pleased for you to order through my secure online Stampin' Up! website HERE.  Thank you very much!

Thanks for joining me on my stamping journey today!  : )

Margaret

Print Poetry Birthday Wishes

Birthday cards...seems we're always in need of them so when I saw Technostamper's Sketch Challenge 253 this week, that's the direction I went.

The Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack is the source for these papers in Gumball Green, Primrose Petals, Very Vanilla and a touch of Summer Starfruit.  I really like the combination; it looks so fresh and spring-y!  

Here's the original sketch from Technostamper: 

It's simple and straightforward!

I used a tiny Gumball Green and Vanilla print for the background.  I ran it through the Big Shot with the Flower Garden Embossing Folder. Some of the white core of the paper showed, which was very cool, so I touched it lightly with a Sanding Block to expose just a tiny bit more!

The green was layered on a Primrose Petals cardstock and then on a Very Vanilla card.

The Birthday Wishes stamp is from the Bring on the Cake set (love that font)!  I gently sponged Summer Starfruit ink onto a Paper Daisy and added a Primrose Petal In Color Dahlia in the center.  (In real life the Dahlia matches the cardstock!  Don't know why it looks so different here...)

(c)Stampin' Up!    by Margaret Raburn

I decided to go with the Primrose leaves as they accented the design more than green (a little artistic license perhaps); they were cut with the indispensible Little Leaves Sizzlit in the Big Shot!  If you don't have it, you NEED it!  : )   The entire front was spritzed with the Vanilla Smooch Spritz for a little shimmer.

Stamps:  Bring on the Cake
Ink:  Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit
Paper:  Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack; Very Vanilla, Primrose Petals, Gumball Green cardstock
Accessories:  In Color Dahlias, Vanilla Smooch Spritz, Paper Daisies
Tools:  Paper Snips, Big Shot, Flower Garden Embossing Folder, Little Leaves Sizzlet

Print Poetry Paper Stack   48 4" x 6" double-sided sheets   #129312  

Little Leaves Sizzlit    #114511     $5.50

Flower Garden Embossing Folder     $7.95

Bring on the Cake    set of 13  #121899w  $38.95,    #121958c  $27.95

Thanks for coming and hope you will come back to visit soon!  Have a good weekend!

Margaret
 

My Paper Pumpkin - Sunday is Last Day to Sign Up for March Kit

Just a quick reminder that if you want to receive the very first My Paper Pumpkin Kit (March kit), you must register by Sunday, March 10th!   If you enroll on March 11 or after, you will be set up to receive the April kit.

For more information on this program, click on the "My Paper Pumpkin" tab up above, just below the header of this page.

To enroll now, click HERE:  My Paper Pumpkin

If  I am your demonstrator or you are in the U.S. and wish to select me as your demonstrator, please enter my name, Margaret Raburn, when asked for your demo during the sign-up.  Thank you!

Margaret

Happy Hello Simply Sent Treat Boxes!

One of the fun things about Stampin' Up! events is that demonstrators make gifts to give to friends, downline, and upline.  Just seeing the creativity is even better than the chocolate and candy treats most of these contain (seriously!!)  They also are great inspiration for making treat containers for other occasions too!

 

I want to share a couple today made with the Happy Hello Simply Sent Kit available during Sale-A-Bration free with a $50. order!  This is one I made for gifting at the Dallas Stampin' Up! Regional and filled with gum, chocolate kisses and mini candy bars.  So easy to package using the new 5" x 11-1/2" Gusseted Cellophane Bags from the Spring Catalog. 

Love these cards and the different creations I've seen with them (did an internet search).  This little box is easy to make using the ingredients from the kit, the Simply Scored Board for scoring, of course, and the Paper Trimmer.  A little Sticky Strip and they're done!  I added the Riding Hood Red leaf stem diecut with the Leaves Sizzlet and the Big Shot.  The Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon is retired Stampin' Up! but was so right for the gifts that I just had to use it!

made by Connie Stewart

Connie made these treat boxes for the Regional.  She made a similar box, decorated it and filled it with Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake!  Then she went a step further and used the envelope, cut off the color printed flap, adhered it to the bagalope she made from the remainder of the envelop and decorated it with the Oh Hello set from the Spring Catalog.  These have had Ghirardelli Squares (more chocolate, umm!) in them!  

Happy Hello Simply Sent Card Kit    #130149   Free w/ $50. order during Sale-A-Bration 2013

Here are the contents of the Happy Hello Kit:  8 printed, die-cut cards (4 printed with "Hello" greeting; 4 blank); 8 printed custom die-cut envelopes (Daffodil Delight pattern on flap); 24 Daffodil Delight Card Stock sticker flowers; 8 Basic Gray Card Stock sticker strips; 8 pieces precut Basic Gray Baker's Twine--exclusive to this kit! (ea. 18"); 8 adhesive-backed rhinestones.

And here is the way the card looks made up according to the kit directions (which are, of course, great for notes and greetings):  

Happy Hello Simply Sent Card Kit (c) Stampin' Up

Remember that there are only thirteen days left of Sale-A-Bration.  It ends on March 22, so make your list, check it twice and then be sure to select your free Sale-A-Bration products (one for every $50. in products ordered, no limit!) from the brochure HERE!   You may order through your demonstrator, or if you don't have a demonstrator, I would be happy for you to order through my online Stampin' Up! Store

Thanks for visiting today.  I'll have more treat boxes from Regional and other projects for you soon!

Margaret

Pretty Swaps

Today's cards are two swap cards I received at the Dallas Stampin' Up! Regional meeting, February 16th.  I think you will enjoy them as I have:

Designed by Melody Smith

I love the way the Paper Doily is folded and tucked up under the center image.  I'm thinking now that the  center image may be retired but fortunately Stampin' Up! has many others available, such as those in the Collage Curios set which would be a perfect fit (Spring Catalog 2013). 

Printed paper from the Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack.  Polka Dot Embossing Folder used on the So Saffron background.

Designed by Rhonda Glaze

This lovely card in Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, and Lucky Limeade makes beautiful use of the new Oval Framelits as well as the Secret Garden and Feel Goods sets.

Did you notice the beautiful dry embossed lines on this card?  She used the Adorning Accents Embossing Folders and the Big Shot!

I have more lovely swaps I'll share in the future!  Thanks for visiting today!!

Happy Friday!

Margaret

Fabulous You!

Don't most girls love fabulous shoes?  Well, have you seen the one in the 2012-13 Stampin' Up! Catalog on page 39?.  This high heel shoe is a melange of flowers and butterflies so pretty, even Cinderella would be jealous!  Maybe the set should be called "Fabulous Shoe"?  lol!

I stamped the shoe in Basic Black ink on Whisper White cardstock which had already been dry embossed with the Big Shot and the Tulip Frame Embossing Folder.  Then I stamped the shoe again on a piece of scrap cardstock and cut it out, saving the outside "frame" to use as a mask.  I put some temporary adhesive on the back of the mask so it would hold it steady to the cardfront and keep the ink off the background.  I then used Sponge Daubers to apply inks in various colors to the shoe.  After coloring, the shoe layer was adhered to the Wisteria Wonder card base.

 

I adhered one of the flowers from the very popular Vanilla 5/8" Flower Trim with Glue Dots then added some Dazzling Details to some of the flower centers and tips of the flower.  A small Daffodil Delight butterfly die cut with the Beautiful Wings Sizzlet reflects the Daffodil color used in the shoe and embellishes the sentiment.

I made about forty-six of these for an organized swap at the Dallas Stampin' Up! Regional in February, and received some lovely swaps in return! -- one of the great things about attending a Stampin' Up! event!

Fabulous You    #126520w  $14.95     #126522c   $11.95

Beautiful Wings Embosslit     #118138   $11.95

Modern Label Punch   #119849    $16.95

Sponge Daubers    #102892    Pkg. of 12      $10.95

You may purchase these or any other Stampin' Up! products from my secure online Stampin' Up! store HERE using Mastercard, Discover or Visa, and they will be shipped directly to your door from Stampin' Up!   You may also order through me  OR order at your next Stampin' Up! party!  Please contact me through my Stampin' Up! website HERE if you have any questions about ordering and I would be happy to answer your questions.

Hope you enjoyed the shoe!   Thanks for dropping by; come back to visit soon!

Margaret