Busy week

I've had a busy week, so I haven't had time to stamp. Since I don't have a card to post, I'll post a few reminders that you may be interested in.

The Holiday Mini Catalog starts on Tuesday. If you haven't seen it yet and would like to, contact me. It is fabulous!!! September-November would be a great time to host a workshop as I could show you and your friends some of the great new products in the Holiday Mini.

September's class will feature cards from the Holiday Mini. Stay tuned for the actual date and details. The class will be sometime after September 22.

The Mini Starter Kit for $85 deal ends soon. If you'd like to sign up to be a demonstrator, contact me today!

Happy Stamping!

Variety Class Project #4

Here is another 3x3 gift card with matching envelope that we made at my class on Thursday. I used the circle circus stamp set to make this. The card is Gable Green and has Bermuda Bay polka-dot ribbon tied around it. The large circle is stamped in Bermuda Bay and is punched with the scalloped circle punch. The smaller circle is stamped in Gable Green and is punched with the 1" circle punch. The "happiness" stamp is from the Warm Words stamp set.

Variety Class Project #3

I love making these boxes! The box measures 4-1/2" tall x 3-1/2" wide x 1-1/2" deep. I scored it with my fiskars paper trimmer scoring blade.

I used Rich Razzleberry cardstock for the box, and then glued some of the Cottage Wall designer series paper to the front of it. The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and is punched with the word window and modern label punches. The butterfly is from the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set and is punched with the new butterfly punch--I just LOVE that the punches coordinate so well with the stamp sets. The handle is the Rich Razzleberry Polka-dot ribbon and it tied in knots inside the box. The holes that it comes out of are reinforced with the antique brass jumbo eyelets. If you have any questions about this, feel free to leave a comment.

Variety Class Project #2

In addition to the basket I posted yesterday, we made a couple of cards, gift cards, a mini album, and a fun box (pictures to come).

Here is one of the 3x3 gift cards that we made. Gift cards are great and you can cut 8 of them out of one piece of 12x12 card stock. I used the Garden Greetings stamp set (it IS still available, even though it isn't in the current catalog--it is on the dormant list). I stamped the flower in Melon Mambo and then punched it out with the 1-3/4" circle punch and then cut the wedges out of it (I found this to be much easier than cutting out the whole flower with scissors). I stuck the flower on with a Stampin' Dimensional. I put a 3/4" strip of the Melon Mambo patterns paper across the card and tied a bit of chocolate grosgrain around it before gluing it down. Above the strip of paper I stamped the line of dots from the same stamp set in Melon Mambo and then stamped the Get Well Soon in Chocolate Chip below the strip. I love Stampin' Up!'s 3x3 mini envelopes, so I had to stamp the flower on that too in order to make it a matching set.

Variety Class Project #1

Here is one of the projects that we made at my Variety Stamp Class tonight. We had a lot of fun and had a good turn out. If you missed this class, we hope you can join us in September for the Holiday Mini class.

I used the Box #2 die for my Big Shot (my new favorite toy). I cut 2 boxes out and glued them back to back to make this basket. Instead of folding down the lid, I kept it up and punched a hole with my oval punch to make the handle. I wrapped an 1"x12" piece of the Cottage Wall designer series paper around it--there was a little gap in the front, so that is where I put my flower. I used the 5-petal flower punch to make the flower out of white and Rich Razzleberry card stock. The center of the flower is stamped with one of the circles in the Circle Circus stamp set. The leaf is old olive punched with the small oval punch and stamped with the Thank You from the Short and Sweet stamp set. I tied old olive grosgrain ribbon around the handle to finish it off.

Brown & Blue Snowflake

When I decided to make this card, I wanted to use some of SU!'s 5/8" grosgrain ribbon. I really need to get some in white, but I had to settle for brown. I'm not usually very into brown on my cards, but my need for the ribbon forced me to add brown with the blue. This was to my benefit because I like how it turned out, and I wouldn't have put these two together unless I (had) to.

I used the new Serene Snowflake stamp set along with the greeting from Four the Holidays. I stamped the snowflakes in Ballet Blue ink and used Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue card stock. This is an easy but elegant card to make.

And More Ornaments

Every year I look forward to finding a new Christmas stamp set that I love. I think I've found that for this year--I just love the Delightful Decorations stamp set that is in the Holiday Mini. Perhaps I love it because of the great ornament punch that coordinates so well, perhaps it is the bold (no coloring) style, perhaps it is because I have actually made some cards with it. I don't know, but I sure think this is a great set.

I used my Big Shot texturz plates to created the dotted background on the bashful blue card stock. The strip of garden green cardstock has the coordinating jumbo wheel rolled on it and is punched with the scallop edge punch. I tied some silver elastic cord around the ornament (punched with the new ornament punch) and mounted the ornament with a stampin' dimensional. The Merry Christmas greeting is in this set and is punched with the 3/4" circle punch.

Top Note Pumpkins

Here's another pumpkin card to get you in the Halloween spirit. It actually feels like fall this morning, luckily we'll be back to summer weather later this week.

I made this card using my Big Shot. I used the top note die on the pattern paper and the white card stock, and the texturz plates on the orange card stock to make the diamond pattern. Colors used are pumpkin pie, chocolate chip, and old olive. The pattern paper is from the Cottage Wall designer series paper pack. I love my Big Shot, it makes cards so easy and fun!

It's Snowing Here

Okay, so it might be snowing here on my blog, but it is far from that outside. We did actually get a cool down today, so it is in the 70s which is perfect--much better than the 90s we've been having.

I'm one who always "needs" to have a current snowflake set, so the new Serene Snowflakes made it to my collection this year. This is another set in the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog. Although I do have a ton of snowflake stamps already, this set is unique and is sure to be one of my favorites! I used bashful blue, ballet blue, and brilliant blue on this card. The window is punched with the word window punch and the greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Pumpkin Tiles

I love these cute little pumpkins. I used the Pumpkin Patch set again to make this card. I punched the pumpkins out with the 1-3/8" square punch and then mounted them on Garden Green, White, Chocolate Chip, and Pumpkin Pie card stock. I used the slot punch to run the ribbon through the card.

Pumpkins Galore

So, it's still August and now I'm switching gears from Christmas to Halloween. I just can't wait for the correct season with all of these great stamp sets from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

This card is made with stamps from the new Pumpkin Patch set. Stay tuned for more ideas, they will follow this weekend! I used Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green, and Chocolate Chip on this card. I also used the oval punch, the scallop oval punch, and scallop edge punch.

Next Stamp Class

Next Thursday, August 20th is my next stamp class. This class will be a variety stamp class. We'll be making a clear envelope mini album, some cards, and some 3-D items (boxes and such). This will be a fun class not to be missed. If you'd like to attend, send me an email or reply to this post. Cost is $10 with $5 going towards a $30 order. Please bring your own adhesive, all other supplies will be provided. Feel free to invite friends or family to attend with you and you'll both receive a free gift. There are 2 class times to choose from--11am or 7pm. Hope to see you there!

Ornaments again

Here is the 6th and final card that I made last week with the Delightful Decorations set. I also used the Merry Moments designer series paper. The greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and is punched with the Word Window and Modern Label punch. Colors are garden green, real red, and chocolate chip. Hope you've enjoyed this taste of Christmas in August.

Ornament Trio

Here is another card with the Delightful Decorations stamp set. There is so much that you can do with this set. I sat down for an hour and came up with 6 different cards. I'd like to try to come up more. I used the same 3 colors on all 6 cards, so next time I sit down with that set I will try out different colors.

I punched the ornaments out with the new ornament punch and then layered them on black, real red, and garden green card stock. The greeting is from Four the Holidays (another Holiday Mini stamp set) and the stars to the sides of the "Seasons Greetings" are from the Delightful Decorations set. I also used Crushed Curry ink and polka dot ribbon.

Christmas in August

Yep, I'm making more Christmas cards in August. Actually, I made 6 yesterday and I'm spreading out when I'm posting them. I have found that if I don't do Christmas cards ahead of time, they don't get done at all. Here is another that was made with the Delightful Decorations set and coordinating Ornament punch. I added a little Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and some white ribbon. The greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and is punched with the Modern Label Punch and the Word Window Punch. Colors are Garden Green, Real Red, and Crushed Curry.

Ornaments Galore

This is one of my favorite cards made with the new Delightful Decorations stamp set. I used Real Red, Garden Green, and Crushed Curry (one of this year's In Colors). The greeting is from the new Four the Holidays stamp set.

More Delightful Decorations

Here is another card that I made with the Delightful Decorations stamp set. This is actually the first one that I made. I used the Merry Moments designer series paper that is in the 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog. I love that the catalogs tells you that Real Red, Garden Green, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip match the paper--it takes out the guesswork. I used the new Ornament punch which makes this card quick and easy. The greeting is stamped in a White craft pad and is from the new set Four the Holidays that is also in the Holiday Mini Catalog (avail Sept-Dec). The ribbon is Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain.

New Christmas Stamps!!!

I know it is only August, but I was excited to stamp with my new Christmas sets (which will be available on September 1st in the Holiday Mini Catalog).

The ornament stamps come from the new Delightful Decorations stamp set. Not only is it a fantastic new stamp set, but it also has a coordinating punch to punch out the ornaments!!! You'll have to keep checking my blog over the next couple of days to see samples that use the punch. This is a SUPER quick card to make, no layering, no coloring, just stamps, ink and paper (and ribbon). The greeting is from Heard from the Heart.

Stamping for Swaps

I haven't posted any samples yesterday or today because I'm busy stamping for swaps. Stampin' Up!'s annual convention begins tomorrow. I'm not attending this year, but I'm sending some swaps with one of my demonstrator friends. In a couple of days I'll have 48 new samples to show my customers for ideas. I can't wait. Come to my upcoming class on August 20th and you can see the swaps I received.

In case you were wondering what I swapped, check out the butterfly card I posted on July 31st. I mass produced it to swap. I just love that card, the Melon Mambo color, and the fact that it is easy to reproduce.

Art Inspired Floral

I made this card for another Clean and Simple challenge. The challenge was to go to art.com and find a print that inspired a card. I used that print to create the floral part of the card (it was turned vertical instead). It was fun to try and create a card based on a piece of artwork.

I used the Fifth Avenue Floral set for the flowers and Sincere Salutations for the greeting. I stamped the flowers on Melon Mambo and Basic Gray card stock and cut them out to mount them on the white.

Bright Butterfly Trio

I saw a card using these 3 colors together and just loved it! Melon Mambo, So Saffron, and Certainly Celery make a fun summer combo!

I used my texture plates for my big shot to create the dots on the saffron and the diamonds on the celery card stock. The small butterflies are from the Flight of the Butterfly set. The Melon Mambo polka dots are from the Melon Mambo patterns designer series paper. The "friend to friend" is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.