Hello Lovely Clean & Simple

The Clean and Simple style--sometimes known as CAS--means a card with a lot of "white" space, clean lines, and very few embellishments.  Sounds easy enough, but it's hard to do.  Sometimes my attempts at clean and simple are really lame, but I think I may have mastered this style with this card.  Believe me it was a challenge NOT to put on a few more embellishments.  What do you think?  Did I nail it?

(Stamp Set:  Hello Lovely; Ink:  Island Indigo;  Card Stock:  Pistachio Pudding, Island Indigo, Whisper White; Accessories:  Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Whisper White 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon)

Another Card Thinlits Card Die

During Stampin' Up's Convention, CEO and Co-Founder Shelli Gardner demonstrated the new Thinlits Card Dies.  Shelli showed several ways to make cards with cool moves using each of the Thinlits Card Dies.  As I mentioned in an earlier post,  I won the Label Card Thinlits Die (133479--$32.95) during one of the prize patrols.  Woot!  I've been playing with it ever since. 











Here's my take on an extended card that Shelli showed during her demonstration.  Here's the outside.  The right flap tucks in under the hexagon element and the ribbon slides off to open the card.

(Stamp Set:  Hello Lovely; Ink:  Island Indigo; Card Stock:  Island Indigo, Smoky Slate, Soft Sky; DSP:  Epic Day This and That;  Accessories:  Calypso Coral 3/4" Chevron Ribbon, Antique Brads, Hexagon and Boho Blossoms Punches)

And here's the inside:

(Stamp Sets:  Yippee-Skippee! and Gorgeous Grunge; Inks:  Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Pool Party;  Card Stock:  Soft Sky, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Island Indigo; DSP:  Epic Day This and That; Accessories:  Thinlits Label Card Die, Epic Day This and That Washi Tape; Hexagon and Boho Blossom Punches)

Coffee for Two!

I have another confession to make:  I'm always a little overwhelmed when the new Stampin' Up catalog is out.  I know you'll find it hard to believe, but I turn the pages and think, "Meh. Seen it. Don't get it. There's nothing in here that I have to have."  And then the creative Stampin' Up community starts using the new product and making lovely cards and it's only then that I realize that I like and need just about everything in the catalog!

The "Perfect Blend" stamp set was one of those sets.  I liked it OK when I saw it in the catalog, but I started LOVING it when I saw all the great cards that were being swapped at Convention.  I received three cards made with this set and loved each one of them.  When I looked in the catalog, I saw what a great bargain this stamp set is!  The wood set (130745)--you know I loves me my wood stamps--is only $13.95 for a set of three.  And the clear set (131392) is a steal at $10.95!

Here's what I made with this set. I used the Sweater Weather DSP from the Holiday Mini to piece the cup cozy.  This card was a quick and easy to make...hmm, seems like a good make and take for a Stampin' Up workshop.  Who's in? Contact me now to schedule your workshop!!

(Stamp Set:  Perfect Blend; Ink:  Early Espresso; Card Stock: Early Espresso, Crushed Curry, Naturals Ivory; DSP: Sweater Weather; Accessories:  Brights Candy Dots, Cotton and Flax 7/16" Natural Trim; Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Hexagon Punch)

Lyssa's "In Love with Color" Weekly Challenge

I recently saw that one of my fave stampers, Lyssa Zwolanek, hosts a weekly color combination inspiration challenge on her blog Song of My Heart Stampers.  Lyssa posts three color combos on Sunday mornings.  This week (8/4/2013) the combos are:

1. Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Calypso Coral and Pear Pizzaz
2. Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Pool Party and Rich Razzleberry
3. Soft Sky, Island Indigo, Garden Green and Crisp Cantaloupe

 

Since I'm on vacation, I don't have all my stampin' supplies with me, so I had to make do with what I brought with me. I'm playing along with color combo number three--AND using the new Thinlits Label Card Die!!  Here's what I came up with:

If I knew what I was doing with picture-taking and editing, you'd see that I've used Soft Sky from the Sweater Weather DSP in the Holiday Mini Catalog, Crisp Cantaloupe and Island Indigo Ink and Card Stock.  To get the 4th color for the challenge, I used the Season of Style Washi Tape from the Holiday Mini (which may or may not be Garden Green, but let's just pretend, shall we?).  I adhered the washi to Whisper White Card Stock and then cut the arrows using the elements in the Thinlits Label Card Die set.  Other "ingredients" for this card are Yippee-Skippee!, Gorgeous Grunge,  and Hello Lovely Stamp Sets, Basic Rhinestones, and the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

Welcome to In Love With Color! Weekly color combining inspiration can be easily found at your fingertips here at Song of My Heart Stampers. Updated with the latest Stampin' Up colors, and keeping an eye on trends in fashion, home decor and papercrafting, Song of My Heart Stampers shares three different color combos every Sunday morning for your inspiration.Want to play along? Send a link to a project inspired by one of my combos to me at zwolaneks@att.net, and once a month I will pick a favorite to feature on the first Sunday of the month. Enjoy!

Yippee-Skippee! I'm Playing Along with the Fab Friday Sketch Challenge!

The Fab Friday Challenge Blog is hosted by a group of Stampin' Up demonstrators who run a stamping challenge every other Friday.  I was THRILLED to meet some of these men and women during the 2013 Stampin' Up convention this year--and I even got to swap with several of them!!!  Some of my fave stampers belong to this FAB group.  I think you'll enjoy viewing their creations--be sure to visit their individual blogs for stampin' inspiration--and you'll also enjoy playing along with the Fab Friday challenge.

I have a confession to make:  I started my own blog for the express purpose of playing along with the Fab Friday challenges! 

The current challenge is a sketch challenge.  Here's the sketch:

Fab Friday Sketch Challenge #23

And here's the card I created, using one of the stamp sets we got as an all-attendee giveaway during Stampin' Up's 2013 Convention:  Yippee-Skippee!

(Stamp Sets:  Yippee-Skippee!, Lacy and Lovely; Ink:  Island Indigo; Card Stock:  Island Indigo; Daffodil Delight, Whisper White; Accessories:  Argyle Embossing Folder, 2-1/2" Circle Punch; Circles #2 Originals Die; Very Vintage Designer Button; Crushed Curry 3/4" Chevron Ribbon; Linen Thread)

Why I Love Going to the Stampin' Up Annual Convention

When I first became a Stampin' Up demonstrator, I told myself it was "only for the discount." But then I attended a Regional event and had so much fun learning new techniques, seeing products used in new ways, meeting new friends--and getting to meet the Stampin' Up team members. I was hooked! I attended two regionals before I worked up the courage to ask my family if it would be OK if I left them for a few days to go to Utah for the annual Stampin' Up Convention.

My first Stampin' Up Convention was in 2011. I went by myself and was overwhelmed by the experience. The Stampin' Up home office closes for the day so all the employees--from the warehouse workers, to demonstrator support, to compliance, to the CEO and CFO--can come to the Salt Palace and line the way in and clap for the demonstrators. I felt like rock star! There's no way to describe that awesome experience--you have to feel it for yourself. This is a company that cares about its employees, its demonstrators, and its customers. I met some new friends at the Convention and I promised myself that I wouldn't miss another Convention, if I could help it!

This past Convention was Stampin' Up's 25th Anniversary Convention. It was OFF THE CHAIN!! There were more Prize Patrols than ever. We got so much loot! Lookie at what they gave us for free!!

Every year, Stampin' Up gives demonstrators a Convention bag--this year's bag is that gorgeous white and silver backpack you see in the center of the picture. In addition to that, we got three stamps sets for our make and takes that we assemble during Convention. But wait! There are SIX sets in the picture, you say. That's right. Stampin' Up had more all-attendee giveaways at their 25th Anniversary Convention than ever before. We got three additional sets, the Real Red Goodie Gear Simply Created Kit from the Holiday Mini, 4 rolls of Washi Tape, and a Paper Pumpkin kit.  We also got an Undefined stamp--a make-it-yourself stamp, which I'll tell you about in an upcoming blog entry.  You may also spy the Thinlit Card Die that I won during Prize Patrol.  They told us to pack an extra carry on to bring home all our loot!

This year Convention was extra special because my BFF (and Stampin' Up downline member) Lynn Birus got to come with me. It was a wonderful time spent together--we haven't had a girls' weekend like that since, oh, I think before we got married (to our individual husbands, duh) and Lynn and I spent a rainy weekend in Ocean City, Maryland.  Having Lynn at Convention made it an extra special experience.

I just got home a couple of weeks ago--and I'm already looking forward to Convention 2014! If you think it sounds like fun, YOU CAN GO, TOO! All you need to do is sign up to be part of my team as a Stampin' Up demonstrator. Click the "Join My Team" button underneath the blog banner--or contact me. I'd love to have you as part of my team, and I'd love YOU to experience a Stampin' Up Convention, too!

New Thinlits Card Dies--AWESOME!

During #Convention 2013 Stampin' Up introduced two new Thinlits Card Dies that make snappy flip flop cards. These amazing new Thinlits Card Dies cut and score to create a card that flips in just one step! Each set comes with extra die pieces that have versatile designs that you can use with other projects. Take a look at the Thinlit Card Die in action!

Check out the video on You Tube! IKR?! They're AWESOME! And best of all: as part of #Convention 2013 PRIZE PATROL, my BFF and stampin' buddy, Lynn Birus, and I EACH WON one of the Thinlits Card Dies!!! So Lynn and I can demonstrate this great new tool at YOUR workshop. Contact me today to book a workshop.

Proverbial Stampers Make & Takes (#Convention 2013)

I'm part of a Stampin' Up team called Proverbial Stampers run by my up-up-upline Connie Heisey. Right before the Stampin' Up Convention started, our team had a drop-in make-and-take at one of the hotels in downtown Salt Lake City. The cards were designed by members of the Proverbial Stampers team--but I don't know the names of the designers. It's a pity because these cards are AWESOME. Lookie here!

(Stamp Set: Six-Sided Sampler; Cardstock: Whisper White, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding; Ink: Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Smoky Slate; Accessories: Whisper White 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Honey Comb Embossing Folder, Hexagon Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Small Oval Punch, Basic Rhinestones)

(Stamps: Gifts of Kindness; Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black; Inks: Black Staz-On, Strawberry Slush; DSP: Modern Medley; Accessories:  Basic Pearls, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Strawberry Slush 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Ribbon)

(Stamp Set: Chalk Talk; Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe; Ink: Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe; DSP: Soho Subway; Accessories: Chalk Talk Framelits, Alphabet Press Embossing Folder, Early Espresso 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon)

Paper Pumpkin--What A Deal!

Don’t have a lot of time for crafting? Don’t have space to store more crafty supplies? Spend more time on Pinterest looking instead of creating? Then Stampin’ Up’s monthly Paper Pumpkin kit is just right for YOU!

And right now Stampin’ Up is running a sweet deal for Paper Pumpkin:  Join Paper Pumpkin now and pay only $10 a month (plus tax, where applicable)—including shipping—for the first two months! Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After the first two months, each month’s kit will be offered at the regular price of $19.95. Here’s how to join and take advantage of this offer.

Visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join. Click on the “subscribe” button, put 1 in the quantity  box, and use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL. Don’t forget to enter me (Kathy Kartak) as your demonstrator. Join before August 31, 2013 to take advantage of this deal!

Read the FAQs on the mypaperpumpkin.com website for more information on skipping a month or unsubscribing.