Lotus Blossom

Happy Monday everyone!  My card today uses the Lotus Blossom set, one of the sets that is free with a $50. purchase from Stampin' Up! during Sale-A-Bration!  It is a three-step stamp; because it is photopolymer, it is so easy to line up the layers which give nice depth to the finished flower!  The sentiment (also from the set) is punched out and has an additional pieces of Garden Green punched out and adhered to the back for a layered look.  The ribbon is the new White Jute Ribbon from the Occasions Catalog;  I love that its a bit "see-through"!  It is tied with Strawberry Slush Baker's Twine.

The inside sentiment says "thank you".  This is a pretty simple card and could be easily replicated.  Hope you enjoy!

Stamps:  Lotus Blossom
Inks:  Strawberry Slush, Melon Mambo, Garden Green
Paper:  Whisper White, Garden Green cardstocks; Painted Blooms DSP (leaf background)
Accessories:  Artisan Label Punc, White Jute Ribbon (new), Strawberry Slush Baker's Twine

Remember Sale-A-Bration is in full swing which it's the only time to take advantage of the super cute bonus products that are available during this time!  

Today is also the day for the continuation of the Creative Blog Hop in which I participated last Monday.  You'll definitely want to go to Deb Currier's blog to see her adorable Valentine card and Sue Erickson's blog to see her pretty MDS card and hand-stamped card as they carry on the "hop"!  You'll also want to see who they nominate to post on Monday, January 19th! Woohoo!

Thanks for visiting!  Please stay safe in all this cold weather in North America!

Margaret

BIG DAY Birthday!

Yippee!  I got to use my new Sale-A-Bration set Big Day for my Create with Connie and Mary Challenge today!  We always like new toys and I especially like this set but even better, it was FREE!!  This super sketch today is just perfect for this set!

The image is colored with Blendabilities and the "flags" are cut from other prints in the same designer paper pack as the background.  I topped them with a punched circle of Gold Glimmer Paper then a gold button tied with Baker's Twine. 

Stamps:  Big Day
Inks:  Tuxedo Black Memento Ink; Daffodil Delight and Calypso Coral Blendabilities
Paper:  Best Year Ever DSP (SAB - Free); Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Basic Black, Gold Glimmer Paper
Accessories:  Paper Trimmer, Gold Basic Metal Button, Circles TIEF, Big Shot, Coastal Cabana Baker's Twine, Circle Punch.

Here's fun sketch from Create with Connie and Mary for this week:

I hope you will join in the fun this week at Create with Connie and Mary!  Just make a card using this sketch then upload it to the CWCM blog... all the guidelines are on their blog!  I love challenges and especially sketches because they give such a good starting point for creating!

While you are at the CWCM blog, look at the other wonderful creations of the other Challenge Team members!  You'll always find creative and inspiring work from these talented ladies!

Thanks for visiting!  Have a warm and safe day!

Margaret

Weekly Deals thru January 12!

 There is a lot going on at Stampin' Up! beginning today!  

  I.  The NEW 2015 Occasions Catalog is live TODAY! 

 II.  The time we look forward to all year to get free SU products,  

        SALE-A-BRATION, begins today!!

III.  NEW Weekly Deals from Stampin' Up!  

        Good now through Monday, January 12th!

	Envelope Punch Board Item # 133774 Regular Price: $19.95 US/$24.95 CAN Discounted Price: $14.96 US/$18.71 CAN
	Gold Soiree Specialty Designer Series Paper Item # 133697 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$15.95 CAN Discounted Price: $9.71 US/$11.96 CAN
	Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper Item # 133704 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$15.95 CAN Discounted Price: $9.71 US/$11.96 CAN
	Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack Item # 133701 Regular Price: $6.95 US/$8.50 CAN Discounted Price: $5.21 US/$6.38 CAN
	All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack Item # 133703 Regular Price: $6.95 US/$8.50 CAN Discounted Price: $5.21 US/$6.38 CAN
	Border Chevron Punch Item # 132154 Regular Price: $21.95 US/$29.95 CAN Discounted Price: $16.46 US/$22.46 CAN
	Note Tag Punch Item # 135860 Regular Price: $16.95 US/$22.95 CAN Discounted Price: $12.71 US/$17.21 CAN
	Book Of Birthdays Swatchbook Template - Digital Download Item # 129923 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$13.95 CAN Discounted Price: $7.77 US/$8.37 CAN

Hope you are staying warm in some of this cold cold weather the U.S.and our neighbors are experiencing lately!  Take care out there!

Margaret

LIVE TODAY, JANUARY 6!

...both the 2015 OCCASIONS CATALOG and SALE-A-BRATION!!
 

Our biggest sales event of the year isn’t just about sales—it’s about rewards, too! Earn free products when you shop, join as a demonstrator, or host a Stampin’ Up! party!

• Shop (US)
  • It’s simple—one free product for every $50 you spend (before tax and shipping). Get those products you’ve been wanting, and earn more for free at the same time!
• Join (US)
  
  • It’s a great time to join Stampin’ Up! as a new demonstrator! Choose one of the following limited-time Sale-A-Bration offers when you join between January 6 and March 31, 2015:
    • Option #1: Receive a FREE Simply Created Project Kit from the occasions catalog with your Starter Kit
    • Option #2: Receive 2 FREE Sale-A-Bration items of your choice with your Starter Kit
• Host (US)
  
  • Earn $25 more to spend on any Stampin’ Up! products with a qualifying party!
    

If you don't have a Sale-A-Bration brochure, you may download it here: 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Make something for someone special! The new occasions catalog  is full of products worthy of becoming your new favorites. From stamps to paper, from ribbons to buttons, there’s a lot to see. Check out the catalog now (US/CAN) and discover the creative possibilities waiting for you!

&  Check out all these gorgeous cards and things using new stamps & products fom the Occasions catalog and the Sale-A-Bration brochure!

 Click on the pictures to see more!

Online ordering through my Stampin' Up! website is sooo easy and your new goodies come directly to your door via UPS!! 

Contact me through my SU website if you have questions.  Thank you very much.

Cold weather is the perfect time to stay inside and stamp; hope you can work some "stamp therapy" into your busy schedule!  That's my plan for sure!  : )

Warmly,

Margaret

p.s.  I'll be back Thursday with my Create with Connie and Mary Sketch Challenge card using a new Sale-A-Bration set and Designer Paper!  See you then!

Creative Blog Hop!

Welcome to my blog!  Today I'm participating in a Creative Blog Hop where I share my projects and my "creative process" then nominate two more stampers who will then next week share their projects and process with you!  I was nominated by Connie Babbert,  of Create with Connie and Mary fame; Connie and I have been stamping friends for, um, a long time, meeting in a small online group of stampers; we are still members to this day!  We have met at Stampin' Up! conventions a number of times, sharing dinner and swaps too!   Here's Connie's wonderful blog and the post she did last week for this Creative Blog Hop!

We traveled for Christmas so I couldn't get my pre-order of new Occasions Catalog products early; they arrived right after Christmas so I couldn't wait to begin creating with them!  Of course with Valentine being right on the horizon I wanted to jump in making cards for family who live away from me which I will need to mail early!

I had been wishing for an embossing folder of hearts and there is was in the new catalog!  YAY!  So sweet!  I paired it with a small black and white heart print from the Stacked with Love DSP, Strawberry Slush Baker's Twine, a Hearts Border Punch strip and 1/8" Black Taffeta Ribbon.

Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper hearts add some sparkle and pizazz!

My second card also uses the same color scheme... I love this Strawberry Slush color and am already dreading it's retirement this May!  sniff, sniff!  Isn't this butterfly fabulous??!  It's diecut with the new Butterflies Thinlits Die...there are three in the set!  The sentiment is from the new You + Me set and it has some really cute stamps in it... besides coordinating with the DSP stack!

I cut two of the largest Heart framelit, scored one horizontally just above the "dip" in the top of the heart then glued the portion above the score line to the front so the card will open easily.  The DSP was diecut with the second from largest Heart framelit.  I added some Strawberry Slush Sequins from the In Color Sequin Assortment to embellish!

OK, now to answer the questions...

1.  What are you working on now?
     I am working on card samples of sets I pre-ordered out of the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration Catalog!  I really like so many of the stamps and products and I'm eager to use them.  I'm also working on my challenge cards for Create with Conie and Mary Thursday Challenge Team as well as an upcoming Control Freaks Blog Hop.

2.  How does your work differ from others in your genre?
     I find that each stamper has her/his own style and I enjoy seeing what and how others create.  My style has also evolved over time and is influenced by trends in the industry such as colors, new products and techniques.  However, I tend to be pretty critical of my own work so if I don't think it's just right I will take it apart and re-do it or just start over!  I like vintage and shabby chic but find that more and more my style is more clean and crisp.

3.  Why do you create what you do?  
     Usually I create things because of a need:  to send a card for an occasion or just to lift someone's spirits.  I also create samples for workshops and other activities.  Sometimes it's to fulfill a request.  It is rare in my life to just get to sit down and create just for the fun of it but if I have some idea or inspiration rolling around in my brain itching to get out on paper, I'll somehow make time for it!  Mainly, I love to create and have been doing that most all of my life through various skills or crafts so I'll sneak it in somewhere! : )

4.  How does your creative process work?
     One thing is sure:  It varies!  I often will look through my stamps to find one that fits the occasion or theme then I might look for a layout or sketch to use with it.  For this I usually go to my Pinterest boards where I've saved some (ok, tons!) of sketches and get some ideas; usually I'll modify one to fit the stamps I've selected.  Next I'll select papers and color schemes.  When I start out and already have a color scheme, I usually first look through my designer papers and see if there is one that fits the color scheme; if not, I may stamp my own or use solid blocks of color, ribbons or washi tape.  However sometimes inspiration comes first which gives the impetus to create; for example one day I noticed the unusual colors in a lady's blouse then came home and used them to make a card!  I've also received inspiration from paintings, upholstery patterns and even the cover of a PB catalog!  : )  Right now I have a shopping bag from a store hanging in my stamp room because I love their logo design and plan to use it as the basis for a project, modified of course..  Inspiration is everywhere if you look!

To continue the fun and creativity of this blog hop going, I have nominated Deb Currier and Sue Erickson!  Deb is on the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge and Design Teams and has a wonderful clean papercrafting style!  I have known Sue for years and we have met both at Stampin' Up! conventions and also conventions which our husbands attended as part of their profession!   Sue has a lovely style and also uses My Digital Studio for many projects!  Deb and Sue will post next Monday, January 12 but you can see their blogs now by clicking on their full names above. 

Thanks for reading all this as I shared some about how my creative process works!  I'd love to hear about yours too!

Happy New Year  a few days late!

Margaret

Banner Blessings CCMC336

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!!

Hope it will be a great one for you!

What a fun way to start out a new year, with a creative challenge!  Today our Create with Connie and Mary Challenge 336 is a bold Color Challenge to use Real Red, Calypso Coral and Basic Black for our project!  When I made my demonstrator pre-order for the new Occasions Catalog, I also ordered one of the new photopolymer sets I've had my eye on:  Banner Blessings!!  I've combined it with some of the new hot-off-the-press products from the Occasions Catalog!  You're going to love this catalog!!

Silly me, I wasn't sure about the new Bow Builder Punch in the catalog; I thought it might be really small but... it's not!  It is a perfect size and another good thing is that it is a very "mail-able" embellishment for our cards!  It's so easy to use and make these adorable bows!  I"m thinking it is a must have for Valentines, spring, Easter, Mother's Day... yeah, year round!!

Don't you just love these new Designer Papers?  They are from the new Stacked with Love Paper Stack; the patterns are all new and en pointe with current colors and trends!  

I like these stamps with Scriptures and this Banner Blessings set features four different stamps with a banner across the word... so cute!  I colored this one using my Real Red Stampin' Write Marker and the Calypso Coral Blendability Marker then die cut it with one of the Chalk Talk Framelits.

Stamps:  Banner Blessings (photopolymer)
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Real Red Marker, Calypso Coral Blendability Marker
Paper:  Stacked with Love DSP Stack; Whisper White, Real Red, Calypso Coral
Accessories:  Bow Builder Punch, Chalk Talk Framelits, Big Shot, Personal Paper Trimmer

Here again are the colors for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge this week:

Be sure to check out the Create with Connie and Mary website for creations of the other very talented Challenge Team members; they are so creative... plus many of their projects will be featuring new stamps and things from the new Occasion catalog!

We would love for you to join us by using this color combo for one of your creations then uploading it to the CCMC website; the guidelines are there on the home page.

For several generations it has been a family tradition to eat black eye peas on New Year's Day .  Legend has it that this is supposed to brings good luck in the new year, lol!  I don't put any stock in that but we do enjoy them with ham and cornbread so it's a fun tradition!!  Enjoy your New Year's Day!  Perhaps you don't have to work today and can grab some time to stamp!

Blessings to you in 2015!

Margaret