Sunday, June 27, 2010

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge #157

There is nothing like a good sketch to get your creative juices flowing.  The Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge 157 provided me with just the sketch I needed.  I ordered the Blissful Bride clear mount stamp set from the Summer Mini and this sketch got me to ink it up for the very first time.  I used the brand new In Color Blushing Bride that will be available on July 1.  Starting with this Stampin' Up Catalog year, In Colors will be available for two years rather than one!  Isn't that awesome!  This was a quick and easy, yet elegant card.  I hope you enjoy it.

Supplies:
Blissful Bride clear mount stamp (120036)
Blushing Bride Cardstock (119796) - Available July 1
Blushing Bride marker (available in an In Color kit - 119801) - Available July 1
Basic Black classic ink (101179)
Textured Impressions Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (120175) - Available July 1
5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon (114319)

My UStamp Project Has Posted

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was asked back as a Guest Designer on UStamp with Dawn and Friends Early Summer 2010.  My project has already been posted (you can see a glimpse of my project below).  I'm so excited by the feedback from the lovely participants and UStamp and can't wait to see what everyone else has in store for us this round!  Click on over to www.ustampwithdawn.blogspot.com to sign up!  There are 40+ projects per session and we're only on No. 3! 

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Card Set Swap

I know I've mentioned splitcoaststampers about a hundred times here on my blog.  I have participated in yet another swap (they are so addicting)!  This was for a set of four cards -- they could be identical or coordinating.  I had so much fun making these.  I actually signed up for four spots. 

The first set was identical Christmas cards.  This is a case from either a mini catalog or an idea book and catalog from several years ago using the .  That was the year that I hand-stamped and mailed out 100 Christmas cards.  It is still one of my favorites.  And even though I still make my own cards to mail out, I don't do quite so many!  I used Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi (returning July 1!) and Whisper White cardstock as well as Real Red, Chocolate Chip and Wild Wasabi classic ink.  The stamp set was a Level 3 hostess set.

This next card was inspired by the this Stampin 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge and this card by trbauer over at splitcoaststampers.  It was also a set of four identical cards.  I used some retired Designer Series Paper, as well as Old Olive, Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette (both Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette are returning July 1) cardstock, Baja Breeze classic ink, Pink Pirouette double striped grosgrain ribbon (retired), wide oval punch, large oval punch, silver brads and the Birthday Bliss stamp set (115442). 
The third and fourth sets of cards were cased from Heather Summers' Simply Stamping online class.  She is amazingly talented and I want to be her when I grow up! 
Card set three was four coordinating cards using the Friends 24/7 stamp set.  I, however, don't own that stamp set, so I created hybrid cards using My Digital Studio to "stamp" my images and then I printed them on my home printer and cut them out to use as elements on my cards.  Unfortunately, I did not get photographs of all four cards before I sealed them up, so you only get to see two of them.  Supplies used:  My Digital Studio, Kraft, Very Vanilla and Brocade Blue cardstock, Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper, So Saffron, Brocade Blue and Basic Brown classic ink, Rich Regals brads, Finial Press embossing folder, Scallop Trim Border punch, Thank You Kindly stamp set.  I never even dreamed about making hybrid projects before I took this class from Heather, but I'm really pleased with how the cards turned out!


My final card set, also from Heather Summers' Simply Stamping online class, is a coordinating set.  Supplies used:  Bermuda Bay (retiring - so sad to see it go), Soft Suede, Rose Red and Whisper White cardstock as well as Bermuda Bay, Rose Red and Soft Suede classic ink, Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper, Soft Suede Polka Dotted Ribbon, Rose Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 1/4" square punch, Right This Way Arrow punch (retiring), Wide Oval punch, Large Oval punch and 1 3/8" square punch.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Teacher Gifts Completed

Well, I finished the three sets of teachers' gifts I was commissioned to do. All three sets are the same with the exception of the paper and include a covered clipboard, designer series RSVP pen, paperclip bookmark and a boxed set of 12 3x3 note cards w/envelopes.. I was only able to take a few quick shots as my friend stopped by earlier than expected to pick them up. Hope you like them as much we do!
I was able to use up quite a bit of my retired Designer Series Paper.  I actually cut into one of my all time favorites that I've been hoarding, Summer Picnic (the one with the apples on it).  I also got to use my brand new sneak peak 2 3/8" scallop circle punch.  I absolutely LOVE it!  Some of the colors used were Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point (returning July 1), Kiwi Kiss (retired), More Mustard, and Old Olive.  I also got to use up some of my retired ribbon.  It's nice to clear out some more of the old to make room for the new!  My resolution this catalog year is to USE, USE, USE and not hoard!  I have unopened paper packs from 2 and even 3 catalogs ago!  I am so bad!  It's just so hard to cut into all that gorgeous paper!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Teacher Gifts

I told y'all in an earlier post that a friend commissioned me to make teacher gifts for her son's preschool teacher.  I have been busily working on them as well as several other projects.  Here is a small sampling of the teacher gifts I am working on.  I am about halfway through and will post full pictures as soon as I am finished.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

The Last Chance Lists Are Here

It's that time of year again.  The new catalog will be going live July 1 and Stampin' Up is clearing out the "old" to make room for the "new".  All retiring stamp sets are available until June 30 and retiring accessories and decor elements are available while supplies last.  Please check HERE to see what you need before it's gone forever!