Stampin' Up!

Blooming with Kindness

June 6, 2012 By Connie | 10 Comments

Well…as easy as my card looks, it certainly didn't come together quickly! I started off in a completely different direction and tore up several layers before I settled on this one. Still not what I wanted, but I needed to get something up here on my blog! And…over an hour on one card is WAY too much for me! lol!

I must be WAY overthinking this stamp set, because I didn't find it easy to use. I tried cutting it out…nope…fall colors…nope. I finally just grabbed a couple of the new In Colors, Raspberry Ripple and Midnight Muse along with Very Vanilla. Then put it together.

The base card is Raspberry Ripple and I used the new Fancy Fan Impressions Folder on the left side of the front. I added the strip of Midnight Muse Chevron pattern from Comfort Cafe Designer Paper for the front. I cut a Midnight Muse layer for the Very Vanilla, then decided to put it at an angle for a little variety. The Very Vanilla is popped up on the front. For a little bling, I used a couple Pearls up in the corner. Simple elegance? I don't know! lol! I hope the rest of my day is more productive than this morning's card because I have a LOT to do working on my Create projects! I finished my Preview Project last night…you'll see it next week. And, I must say it turned out CUTE!!!

This week we are introducing our Guest Designers for Create with Connie and Mary's New Catalog Edition 2012! The 5 week session will feature items from the NEW catalog…so the projects can be used ALL YEAR LONG! Right now we are having our Early Bird Special so you can sign up for $24.95…that is $5 off the regular subscription price of $29.95…30 step-by-step tutorials at less than $1 each! Don't miss out! Check out the Create with Connie and Mary site for more information, we have a BRAND NEW Guest Designer we've introduced today…we are excited to have her on board!

Everything Eleanor Marigolds

June 5, 2012 By Connie | 3 Comments

Hmmm, maybe I'll go thru all the flowers making them with Everyday Eleanor stamp set! Yesterday was Poppies, today is Marigolds using the new In Color Summer Starfruit! One of my customers last night (hi Cindy!), thought Summer Starfruit and Basic Gray would look good together. I have to agree! I've always wanted a bedroom done in these colors!

I said it yesterday and I'll say it again today…I can't believe it took me this long to play with this set! I've had it since January and Leadership!

The base card is Summer Starfruit and I layered on Basic Gray. On the Whisper White layer, I stamped the medallion in Summer Starfruit. I stamped the flowers twice each with Basic Gray on Summer Starfruit cardstock, then cut them out, crumpled them up and layered together with Stampin' Dimensionals for some depth. They were placed on the Postage Punch of Basic Gray with Stampin' Dimensionals, too. Finally, I added tiny pearls to the centers and pearls on the medallion. And I added a greeting from Petite Pairs in Basic Gray. This is two cards in a row without ribbon!!!

WOOHOO!!! My expedited order of NEW stuff just arrived, so I'm planning on playing with them ALL DAY LONG! I can't wait! I have several projects to work on for the next session of Create with Connie and Mary, including my PREVIEW tutorial coming soon! Here are more details!

This week we are introducing our Guest Designers for Create with Connie and Mary's New Catalog Edition 2012! The 5 week session will feature items from the NEW catalog…so the projects can be used ALL YEAR LONG! Right now we are having our Early Bird Special so you can sign up for $24.95…that is $5 off the regular subscription price of $29.95…30 step-by-step tutorials at less than $1 each! Don't miss out! Check out the Create with Connie and Mary site for more information and to see who is today's FABULOUS Guest Designer!

Everything Eleanor Double Dutch Door Card

June 1, 2012 By Connie | 2 Comments

WOOHOO!!! The new catalog is here!!! You can click on my left sidebar to be taken to the online catalog if you haven't seen it yet. LOVE it! I'm so excited for all the new stuff and have been WORKING on my first order already! Want to get it in today! lol! You'll need to wait until after 12:00 N Mountain Time if placing on online order!

I originally saw this type of card fold done called Double Dutch Door at Leadership and was reminded of it when I saw a fellow demo post about it (thanks, Cindee!). When working on my cards for Stamp Club, I thought they would really like it, too! Combining a new catalog stamp set, Everything Eleanor with new designer paper, Comfort Cafe…I love how this turned out! Sort of a contemporary vintage look, I think!

NOTE: I still have openings for my next round of Stamp Clubs! Long distance members are welcome…minimum $25 purchase per month for six months and you are hostess one of those months, plus add $5 for postage! We usually do 2 cards plus 1 small 3D item (and the occasional surprise bonus!) Kits will be mailed to you (sorry, no stamping per SU guildelines) with full color photos and directions. Email me at iluvstamping@gmail.com for more details!

The base is Soft Suede and I added the chevron pattern from Comfort Cafe (LOVE it!) for the door panels at the bottom. I used a coordinating pattern for the top floral flap. It is layered on Cajun Craze before putting it on the top flap.

Base card piece – 4 -3/16” x 9”, score with long edge at top at 5 ½”
Flap piece – 2 x 8 ½”, score with long edge at top at 2 1/8” and 6 3/8” to make doors, adhere to back of long piece along the bottom.
Top layer – 3 ¼ x 4”
DSP or stamped layer – 3 1/8 x 3 7/8”

I stamped the medallion in Summer Starfruit on Very Vanilla and cut it out (hmmm, why didn't we have a framelit that fits this one???) The flower was stamped with Cajun Craze on Cajun Craze cardstock and cut it out, then curled the edges slightly. The medallion is adhered only on the top panel with Stampin' Dimensionals. I added a greeting from Petite Phrases, punched with the Large Oval and layered on the Scallop Oval punch.

Inside the Soft Suede base, I layered on Summer Starfruit cardstock, stamped with the swirl from Everything Eleanor, then added a Cajun Craze flower. I stamped the inside greeting from Petite Pairs in Soft Suede.

Did I mention that I love how this turned out? We were laughing last night about the color of Summer Starfruit, but I must admit that it does look great with Soft Suede and Cajun Craze. Also love it with Pool Party and Midnight Muse!

Enjoy!

Mixed Bunch

May 30, 2012 By Connie | 2 Comments

Wow…two days in a row…aren't you impressed? I'm getting back in my groove! Mixed Bunch has certainly become my go-to stamp set when I need a quick card. This one was made for a one-on-one challenge I did. You mail off the card and get one back. Pretty nice!

I started with a base of Pool Party cardstock. I layered on the Tangerine Tango print from Summer Smooches Designer Paper. I used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch with Island Indigo to make the trim above and below…I love the look of the delicate scallops! I wrapped the Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon around and tied a knot on the front.

The flower was stamped with Island Indigo on Whisper White and punched with the Blossom Punch. I also punched a flower from Pool Party to layer behind it, and also punched one from Lucky Limeade, then cut off two of the petals for the leaves. They were put together with Stampin' Dimensionals for some added dimension on the front of the card. I added a Summer Smooches Fabric Brad that matched the Designer Paper in the center of the flower. I'm so sad that those sold out and they aren't offered in the new catalog! I loved the designs on them! Finally, I stamped Congratuations in Tangerine Tango on Whisper White and cut the tail for the pennant. It is popped up in the center with Stampin' Dimensionals, too.

Enjoy!

Straw Hat Container

May 29, 2012 By Connie | 3 Comments

One of the things I found and sorted all together when re-doing my studio, were these empty brad/button containers. I have TONS of them from doing shares and my own use. They are too nice to throw away, so I kept them and they were scattered all over my storage area. Now they are all in one box. I also used some of them up when I had my Studio Review Party (you can see the pictures of my new Studio HERE if you missed them).

I received a sample of this project at Convention (or Leadership) from Judy DiScipio a year (or so!) ago and kept it because I knew I'd do a project one day! Her colors were different…and I changed up the flowers, but it was inspired by hers. I know I've seen other ones around the web, too. They make a nice little table favor or small gift for a hostess. I can see them used at a Mother's Day Banquet or Tea Party…or Red Hat Society Meeting, especially!

I used the Scallop Die with So Saffron cardstock for the bottom. The top is the 2 1/2" Circle Punch. And I have a 1/4" strip going around the diameter of the lid. All were run thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder and then inked with More Mustard and the sponge dauber for a little extra texture. I wrapped Old Olive Satin Ribbon (retiring on 5/31!!!) and secured it to the empty brad container with Sticky Strip. Then I tied a seperate bow from the Old Olive Satin Ribbon and added it to the back with Mini Glue Dots.

I punched the flowers from the Boho Blossom Punch Real Red and Pumpkin Pie. I also used the flower from Itty Bitty Punches for the centers and a 1/4" circle from the Owl Punch. Those are layered together and secured with the Silver Mini Brads, then adhered with Mini Dots to the front of the straw hat".

Cute, huh? I hope it inspires you to use up some of those empty brad/button containers that YOU have!

Don't delay in getting the retiring products you want! They go away this Thursday…May 31st is the LAST DAY TO ORDER!

As an added incentive…anyone that places a $50 or more online order from me, I'll mail you all the supplies to make this fun Note Card Skinny Tin with belly band that holds 4 note cards and envelopes, along with directions! This was a popular project at my Reveal Party earlier this month!

Sorry, stamped images not included per Stampin' Up! guidelines. Offer only good while supplies last or May 31, 2012! One per person, please.

CLICK HERE to order your retired products NOW!!!

May 2012 Tour de Freaks

May 19, 2012 By Connie | 7 Comments

Woohoo! It's time! Time for the monthly Tour de Freaks…brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers! This month we are featuring the retiring products! Better grab them now before they are GOING, GOING, GONE!!! You've probably just come from Wendy Weixler's blog. Weren't her projects fun?

My projects don't have much stamping, but do have several accessories that will be retiring at the end of the month! Most obvious is the Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz In Colors! I'm REALLY going to miss them! Also obvious is the Designer Paper, Pocketful of Posies, that is retiring. I love the subtle red pattern in this package and thought it would be great for my watermelons and then the Pear Pizzazz stripe made a great looking rind!

Here is a closeup of the Watermelon Slice box:

Can you tell what I used to make the watermelon slice box? Yes! I used the Petal Cone Die and overlapped two of the panels to make it 3 sides instead of 4 (after I cut two sets out with the Pocketful of Posies Designer Paper). I cut off one of the overlapping flaps of the petal cone die and used it for the Watermelon on the card below! The black seeds are from the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch that is retiring. I used a White Gel Pen to outline stitches along the edges of the box. I punched holes with the Crop A Dile (what will I do without that tool???) and thread the Black Scallop Dot Ribbon thru to the inside and tied a knot to hold it secure for the handle. The bottom flaps overlap to keep the treat inside.

For the card, I used a base card of Poppy Parade cardstock. I layered on Basic Black that I punched with the retiring Eyelet Border Punch (sob!). I ran the Pear Pizzazz cardstock thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder. I wrapped the Basic Black Scallop Dot Ribbon around and tied a knot. To hide the "seam", I added a tiny sliver of the Pocketful of Posies Designer Paper.

The Watermelon was made by one of the flaps on the Petal Cone Die as I said above. Then I used my Circle Scissors Tool (retiring!) to cut a 2 3/4" Circle from the green "rind" Designer Paper. I used a White Gel Pen to add some stitching around the inside of the watermelon. I punched out the "bite" of watermelon with the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch and made more of the black seeds! It is popped up on the front with Stampin' Dimensionals. I stamped the Happy Birthday from Happiest Birthday Wishes, a hostess set that is retiring, with Basic Black in the bottom corner.

Hope you enjoy my post of retiring products! Now on to the next stop my great friend, Mary Brown at StamperCamper's Corner, who has wonderful projects, as usual! Enjoy the Tour!

Now You’re Cooking

May 14, 2012 By Connie | 5 Comments

I had purchased this Now You're Cooking stamp thinking I'd do a fun class with it, but ran out of time to offer it. I do think it is an adorable image…wish they would have left it in the new catalog…but it IS retiring.

I used Mary Jo's Lunchtime Sketch from last week, but didn't get it posted in time to submit it for her challenge. It was a fun one…surprisingly similar to the Freshly Made Sketches one I did on Saturday!

I took my colors from the Domestic Goddess Designer Paper for this card. The base is Pool Party and I layered on the Domestic Goddess plaid background. Then I used a strip of the Floral pattern. I cut a piece of Poppy Parade cardstock to layer along the side. I stamped the Now You're Cooking image with Stampin' Write Markers in Pool Party, Poppy Parade and So Saffron on Whisper White and punched with the 2 1/2" circle punch. I stamped You're Invited from Wedding Sweet in Basic Black on Pool Party and punched with the Modern Label punch.

I thought it needed just a little more, so I used the Boho Blossom punch to make a flower similar to the ones in the designer paper. The center flower is the Itty Bitty Trio flower and a tiny mini brad. It is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals on the front. Then I added a clear Itty Bitty Button tied with Pool Party Baker's Twine and placed it on the Oven Mitt.

I love the crisp clean look to this card! Hope you enjoy it, too!

FMS34 – Totally Tool

May 12, 2012 By Connie | 8 Comments

I've used Stampin' Up!'s Totally Tool stamp set quite a bit. Seems like all the men in our family are into "tools", so I get lots of opportunity! I liked the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches (FMS34), so decided to use it for the basis of my card!

So here is my card!

The base of my card is Early Espresso cardstock. I cut two different patterns from Well Worn Designer Paper. The stripe I layered onto Marina Mist cardstock to make it pop a little more. I placed those on the front and added River Rock cardstock across the bottom, stamping the words with Early Espresso Ink. I used the back side of the Marina Mist Scallop Dots Ribbon to hide the seam and adhered in the back.

I stamped the hammer with Black Stazon on Very Vanilla cardstock and watercolored with my AquaPainter and Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Basic Gray Stampin' Write Markers. I punched with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch and layered on a 2 3/4" Circle of Early Espresso cut with the Circle Scissors Tool. It is popped up on the front with Stampin' Dimensionals. Finally, I added three Antique Brass brads for the "nails" in the upper right corner.

I like it…hope you do, too! Make sure you order the Totally Tool stamp set and Well Worn Designer Paper before they retire at the end of the month!