So Lovely

I'm in love with the lovely Sweet Sorbet designer series paper that's one of the items you can get for FREE during Sale-a-Bration!! I wish it weren't a Sale-a-Bration DSP 'cause I could use this paper from here until, well, until the new catalog comes out in July.  I love the patterns in the paper and I love the pastel colors--with a pop of Basic Black.

This card uses a sheet of Crisp Cantaloupe paper--you'll have to wait for some new projects next week to see other patterns in this DSP set. They're really yummy! This card also uses the "You're Lovely" Sale-a-Bration set. I usually don't go for sets like this--you know, ones that need to be colored, 'cause I really don't like to color and I'm never quite satisfied with the results. But I think I pulled it off on this one, particularly since there's no much coloring. I like how the two main images in this set coordinate with the Deco Labels Framelit Dies. The Deco Labels Framelits are my faves! I used the SAB Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, which I also wish would stick around 'cause I really, really love it. Sometimes wishes come true...a girl can dream!

(Stamp Set: You're Lovely; Inks: Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding; Card Stock: Pistachio Pudding, Basic Black, Whisper White; DSP: Sweet Sorbet; Accessories: Blender Pen, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Deco Label Framelits Die, Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon)

You Are My Sunshine!

I've been wanting to try the sunburst technique, but it looked like "too much tension."  Lyssa Zwolanek shared an easy-peasy, no measuring tutorial on her blog (ALL Lyssa's tutorials are FREE).  I followed her directions and came up with this design.

(Stamp Set: See Ya Later: Ink: Island Indigo; Card Stock: Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White; DSP: Quatrefancy Specialty Paper; Accessories: Large Oval Punch)

My card uses the Quatrefancy Specialty Series Paper and a stamp the so sweet Sale-a-Bration stamp set, "See Ya Later!" By following Lyssa's instructions, you can make four sunburst cards in one fell swoop. So quick. So easy. So cute--if I do say so myself! 

You can earn this set FREE with a $50 purchase during Sale-a-Bration. I can't show you a picture of the actual product yet, but I can let you know the other sayings in the set: 

• See Ya Later, Alligator--Already Miss You!
• Once in a Lifetime You Meet Someone Who Changes Everything
• I Don't Believe That It's Your Birthday--You Don't Look a Day Older Than Last Year

Chalkboard Pennants

I love having a snow day to spend in the stamping room. I actually had TWO days in a row to sleep in AND stamp--federal holiday and a snow day. I sure got a lot done! 

Today I tried the chalkboard technique--not such a hard technique--simply stamp in Whisper White onto Basic Black card and there you are. I also used the new banner punch from the upcoming (soon!) Sale-a-Bration catalog. You can earn this sweet punch with a $50 order during Sale-a-Bration! The Cherry Cobbler piece is embossed with the Arrows Embossing Folder from the Occasions catalog. The banners are hung from gold baker's twine, also from the Occasions mini. I tied an extra piece of gold baker's twine around the whisper white ribbon and untwisted the gold from the twine so that the spiral sticks out. I love playing with new stuff!!!

(Stamp Set: Perfect Pennants: Ink: Whisper White; Card Stock: Crushed Curry, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black; DSP: Kaleidoscope; Accessories: Arrows Embossing Folder, Banner Punch, Chalk Talk Framelits, Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Gold Baker's Twine)

Trying My Hand at Clean & Simple (CAS #30)

The Addicted to CAS challenge is hosted this week by one of my fave stampers, Shana Gaff. Each week the challenge uses a keyword. This week the keyword is NEW. I decided that I would play along using a NEW stuff from the NEW Occasions mini catalog.  I used the "You & Me" and heart stamps from the NEW Perfect Pennants set. These are stamped on a piece of Very Vanilla cut with the NEW Angled Tag Topper Punch which is tied with a piece of the NEW gold baker's twine.  I used a few strips of the NEW Gold Watercolor Wonder Washi Tape to finish off the card. I started off just using Baked Brown Sugar ink on the tag--one heart is stamped off first--but the card was just a little too monochromatic for me so I added a pop of real red. Yep, that was just the POP this card needed, IMHO!!

(Stamp Set: Perfect Pennants; Inks: Baked Brown Sugar, Real Red; Card Stock: Baked Brown Sugar; Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Washi Tape, Gold Baker's Twine, Angled Tag Topper Punch)

Color Challenge! CCMC286

I'm always looking for inspiration. I subscribe to a couple of online stamping groups and I follow several stampers and design teams. One of the design teams I follow is Create with Connie and Mary.  These gals--and their design team--do beautiful work. You should check out their website! 

Connie and Mary also host a weekly color challenge and this week's colors are to die for! I was already planning this card in my head with a different color scheme. But when I saw this color challenge, I changed it up because these colors are so yummy.  This week's color challenge is Perfect Plum, Island Indigo, and Smoky Slate. Wowza! There are some beautiful cards on the site using these colors! 

My entry features the Petite Petals stamp set and matching punch from the Occasions mini catalog. After punching the flowers, I used my bone folder to curl the edges to give them more shape and dimension. The flowers are attached using a dimensional and each has a medium rhinestone in the center. I stamped the Just For You stamp from the Label Love set once in Island Indigo and again in Perfect Plum. I cut out the middle of the Perfect Plum piece so I could do a two-tone sentiment. A piece of silver ribbon rounds out the card nicely, I think.

(Stamp Sets: Petite Petals, Label Love; Inks: Island Indigo, Perfect Plum, Smoky Slate; Card Stock: Perfect Plum, Smoky Slate, Whisper White; Accessories: Petite Petals Punch, Artisan Label Punch, Basic Rhinestones, 1/8-inch Silver Ribbon, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder)

Good As Gold

The Good As Gold Simply Sent kit that you can earn for FREE during Sale-a-Bration allows you to quickly create a set of cards that are as "good as gold." The multi-color polka dot card base is eye-catching--especially the gold foil dots! There are several greetings to choose from in English, German, and French! Gold foil arrows and stars and gold cord and Coastal Cabana bakers twine accessories are also included. The kit also contains gold foil envelope liners which are the perfect finishing touch. The only thing you need to create these cards is adhesive. You could make all 8 of the cards in 30 minutes! And did I mention that you can get the entire kit for FREE with a $50 purchase during Sale-a-Bration? Contact me to place an order--or place an order in my online store. Or contact me to attend any of my Sale-a-Bration events. Or contact me to host your own SAB workshop or event! I'd love to come stamp with you and your friends.

For my version, I had to add a button embellishment from my stash. I couldn't help myself. (Buttons are not included as part of the Simply Sent kit.)

Coffee Time!

I'm planning a stamp-a-stack for one of my dear customers who always hosts a stamp-a-stack during Sale-a-Bration. I feel like I'm "cheating" a little because I'm using cards I created this fall, so they're not "new." But they're new to Sara and her guests--unless they've been following my blog.

I decided to update one of the cards I made this fall. The previous card uses the Sweater Weather designer series paper from the Holiday mini catalog (which I still really LUV) and it uses "fall" colors. For the update, I used the same set and the same basic layout, but I used the Retro Fresh DSP from the new Occasions mini catalog, which uses "springier" colors. I still wanted to keep that coffee "flavor" (see what I did there?) so the card base is Baked Brown Sugar--reminds me of my daily caramel machiatto! I embossed the Calypso Coral strip with the Square Lattice embossing folder and added some Coastal Cabana Ruffle Stretch Trim as a "skirt." I also embossed the Coastal Cabana "shadow" piece behind the greeting. The coffee cozies are paper-pieced using the Retro Fresh DSP.  I think I like this updated version a little better than the original. Which do you prefer?
 

(Stamp Set: Perfect Blend: Ink: Baked Brown Sugar; Card Stock: Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla; DSP: Retro Fresh: Accessories: Artisan Label Punch, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Coastal Cabana Ruffle Stretch Trim, Natural Trim)

Kute Kard for Stamp Kamp

What's with all the K's? Well, my name is Kathy Kartak, or K2 as they call me at work. But really, if you check yesterday's post, you'll see that I used to be part of Lynn and Kathy's Kute Krafts. Now I'm part of Lynn andKathy's Annual Stamp Camp Kamp.

Yesterday, I shared my 3D project with you. Today I'm sharing the card you will be making at our annual Sale-a-Bration stamp camp using loads of product that you can get for FREE with a $50 order during Sale-a-Bration (one SAB item for each $50 you purchase). There are some sweet items in the SAB brochure--I think I have almost every one of them! Fortunately for me, as a demonstrator I can preorder items to prepare for stamping events AND I make back what I spend during SAB so these items really are FREE to me! Ask me how YOU can become a demonstrator and how you can earn extra money and free product!!

(Stamp Sets: Perfect Pennants & Banner Blast; Inks: Real Red, Crumb Cake; Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Pool Party, Very Vanilla; DSP: Fresh Prints DSP Stack, Champagne Glimmer Paper; Accessories: Banners Framelits Die, Banner Punch, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder; Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Boho Blossoms Punch)

The Sale-a-Bration products I earned for FREE and used for this card are: Banner Blast stamp set and matching banner punch, along with the so cool decorative dots embossing folder.

Wanna come to the stamp camp? You know you do! The details are here.

Lynn & Kathy's Kute Krafts

Way back in the time of the dinosaurs, my BFF Lynn and I had a little craft business on the side. I don't think we made a lot of money, but we had fun making all kinds of crafts.  I made fabric creations--stuffed animals, dolls, cross stitched decorative items. And Lynn's claim to craft fair fame was her ever-so-cute wooden bear shelf. Lynn used a jigsaw to cut out bear bodies and paws and the shelf rested in their laps. She stained the wood and painted faces and paws. Those shelves were adorbs!! Everyone who came by our booth squealed, "Oh look at the cute bear shelf!!" But then we met rubber stamping. . .

Lynn introduced me to rubber stamping--well, actually, our friend Jane had the first Stampin' Up party--but Lynn was stamping before that. I didn't "get" it. What? Take a stamp, put it in ink, put it on a paper, color it? Where's the art in that? But when I saw all the wonderful Stampin' Up products and how they all coordinated, well I finally "got" it!! I'm sure that was 20 years ago.

I slowly started buying stamps and paper and inks and tools. And then I realized it was becoming a real hobby. And then it became a real obsession. I was buying so much stuff, I thought that I ought to be a demonstrator so that I could at least get the discount. So I said to my husband, knowing what his reply would be, "Honey. I'm thinking about becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator." And he said, "I think that's a good idea." Wha-huh? And that's how it began. A few years later, Lynn had the same convo with her DH and he had the same reaction. And here we are. Lynn & Kathy's Kute Kards!

Anyway, Lynn has been hosting a blow-out stamp camp during Sale-a-Bration for as long as I can remember--well before I became a demonstrator 7 years ago. Instead of having someone else come up with the projects, Lynn and I are the creative geniuses behind our SAB stamp camp! The creating is half the fun--the other half is cutting paper spending time with our crafting friends. We have a blast! I hope YOU can join us. The details follow the pictures of one of the items YOU will be making at camp.

We'll be making the tag for the gift bag at camp using a LOT of new products from the Occasions mini catalog.  I've shown a couple extra flowers made from the Spiral Flower Original Die. They're so easy and so pretty!!  I must admit that I CASED the tag from page 17 in the Occasions catalog, but changed it up a bit. The tag itself uses the Perfect Pennants Set with the coordinating Banner Framelits.  Here's a close-up of the tag.

(Stamp Set: Perfect Pennants; Ink: Strawberry Slush; Card Stock: Gumball Green Core'dinations, Very Vanilla, Strawberry Slush; Accessories: Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Linen Thread, Burlap Ribbon, Spiral Flower Original Die, Banner Framelits Die, Arrows Embossing Folder, Sanding Block)

Lynn and Kathy’s Annual Stamp Camp

Lynn and Kathy have all new projects and techniques to share you, and you will be amazed at what YOU can do!  

You will love all 5+1 easy to make but beautiful cards and projects (yep, that's really 6, but two go together)!  

We will be featuring products from the new fresh and exciting Occasions Catalog as well as the wonderful products and kits that you can earn for FREE during this year’s awesome SALE-A-BRATION promotion, that starts 1/28/14. 

If you are new to our annual stamp camp or if you bring a friend who is new, you will be entered into two live drawings for free current product (including a set of framelits/a $25 value)!

When? Saturday February 1st @ 6:00 p.m. 

 

Where? Lynn’s House 4686 Shelley Lane

Ellicott City, MD  410-203-9117 

How Much? $20 for all 5+1 projects (BYO scissors and adhesive*) 

RSVP right away for a spot:  Lynn at lbirus@comcast.net cc Kathy at kkstamper@comcast.net 

Happy Birthday to Me!!

No, today is not my birthday. My birthday has passed. But since I shared the birthday stamp-a-stack cards, I thought I'd share one more birthday card with you. This card is by guest artist (and my BFF), Lynn Birus.  She's using it for a Sale-a-Bration swap card with our upline group, PROVERBial Stampers. Most of the products used on this card can be earned for free with a $50 purchase during Sale-a-Bration (January 28-March 31, 2014). You can earn the Sweet Sorbet designer series paper OR the "See Ya Later" stamp set OR the Decorative Dots embossing folder OR Crisp Cantaloupe baker's twine that's part of the Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack--one with each $50 purchase. OR if you're like me and you #wantitall--you could get all 4 items with a $200 order! 

Isn't this card lovely? Lynn does such beautiful work. I especially like the black accents that really pop with all those pastels (and black is my fave color).

Contact me now to schedule YOUR Sale-a-Bration event so you AND YOUR GUESTS can earn free Stampin' Up SAB items with each $50 you spend on our fabulous merchandise!

(Stamp Set: See Ya Later; Ink: Basic Black Staz-On; Card Stock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pool Party; DSP: Sweet Sorbet: Accessories:  Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Crisp Cantaloupe Bakers Twine; Beautiful Wings Embosslit; Apothecary Accents Framelist; Tea Lace Paper Doilies; Mini Silver Brads)

The Creative Process

Those of you who know me, know that I don't like mess. I hate clutter. I really believe in the adage:  a place for everything and everything in its place. And all of you with children are laughing at me. Just because I believe it, doesn't mean I live it. But I do try to keep my stamping room tidy. In that room, I am, as Jerry Seinfeld said, master of my own domain. If everything is where it's supposed to be, I can find my tools and get down to work (and I don't order two of something I already own #askmehowiknow). Now I don't always clean up after myself. When I'm in the throes of creation, things just get pushed aside. And if I know I'm coming back in the stamping room to work the next day, there's no need to put everything away just yet. But if I've left my room a shambles, I have to clean before I can create. Somehow having everything spit-spot (as Mary Poppins would say) helps my creative juices flow.



How do you like to create? Do you have to have everything put away before you begin, or does chaos inspire your creativity?

I thought you'd enjoy seeing my desk after I'd put together 3 Paper Pumpkin projects (I had the kits, I just never put them together--IKR?) and after I'd created 4 projects for the birthday card stamp-a-stack. Can you believe this??!! Where do I work?

Another Great Year

It's the beginning of another great year and I'm back into the stamping swing of things.  This is my last birthday card in the week-long blog series.  It uses a great birthday set, "Another Great Year," along with Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper and washi tape--all from the NEW Occasions catalog! These colors are really sunny and bright and the card could be sent to either a man or a woman.

(Stamp Set: Another Great Year; Ink: Baked Brown Sugar; Card Stock: Baked Brown Sugar, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Whisper White; DSP: Retro Fresh; Acessories: Retro Fresh washi tape, Coastal Cabana, So Saffron & Tangerine Tango markers)

You can order the supplies to make this card from my Stampin' Up website--it's open 24/7! Or you can host a party and earn some hostess bucks toward the purchase of the supplies for this card. Or you can come to my birthday card making class (details below) and make a couple yourself.

Six-Sided Birthday

I fell in love with the Six-Sided Sampler stamp set when we demonstrators got a sneak preview of the 2013-14 annual catalog. I snapped it up right way during the pre-order period.  Then, at the Stampin' Up convention, I received so many awesome swaps using this set--and I fell in love with it all over again.  As I was deciding which cards I would CASE for my birthday card making class, I went through my boxes (yes, plural) of swap cards and found one that I thought would fill the bill.  It wasn't a birthday card, so I swapped out the "My Friend" sentiment that comes with the set and used the Petite Pairs set to add birthday wishes.  It wasn't until I'd already made up my card that I turned over the swap card to see that it was from the one and only Shana Gaff--again!  I told you she's one of my favorite stampers!

Here's my take on Shana's awesome swap card--and remember, we'll be making this at the birthday card making class (stamp-a-stack) on January 25th (details below).  I still have a couple of spots open.  Email me to reserve your spot!!

(Stamp Sets: Six-Sided Sampler & Petite Pairs; Inks: Smoky Slate, Pool Party; Card Stock: Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Pool Party; Accessories:  Honeycomb and Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folders, Hexagon Punch, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones)

 BIRTHDAY CARD MAKING CLASS:  JANUARY 25, 2014

Time:  1:00-5:00 at my house

Make:  2 cards of each of 5 designs, including one distinctly male design

Cost:   $20--or $10 with a $50 order. Plus, if you order $50 you can choose a FREE Sale-a-Bration item. (Sale-a-Bration starts on January 28^th, but I’ll hold the order until then so you can take advantage of SAB!)