Debossed Manhatten Flower

The card: I made this card for an upline trade a few months ago. I also used this with a couple of stamping groups so some people reading this have actually made this card.  It is a technique called "Deboss Resist".  What I did was run a piece of cardstock through the Big Shot (catalog pp.204-217) with the Manhatten Flower embossing folder.  The side with the raised image is embossed and the opposide side is de-bossed. Then I laid the card so that the embossed side was  facing down and the de-bossed side was facing up and I sponged over with Pumpkin Pie ink.  The debossed lines "resisted" picking up the ink because the sponge did not go down into the line. You can click on the picture to see it larger.

The green leaves are from a stamp set called Petal Pizzazz (catalog p.102). I cut out the sponged flowers and laid them on the white card face to see where to stamp the petals (they are in Old Olive). A variation could be to stamp the leaves on scrap paper and cut them out and sandwich them between the flowers and the card face.  The sentiment is from a set called Teeny Tiny Wishes (catalog p.157).  This set is AMAZING, it has so many words and they fit so many different occasions! 

The inspiration for this card was a dress - the one I wore to the meeting.  You can see a part of the fabric to the right of the card.  What I wanted to duplicate was the flower shape and the shading and coloring in the flowers. 

Helpful Hint: Cut your sponge into quarters and staple a piece of scrap paper to the sponge - paper that matches the color of the ink. Save it in a plastic box for the next time you want to sponge in that color. 

Supplies	Colors	Stamp Sets
Big Shot (113439) Manhatten Flower Embossing Folder (114517) Sponges (101610)	Pumpkin Pie Old Olive Whisper White	Petal Pizzazz (113417) Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

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Please contact me with any questions or suggestions.
Your comments are appreciated.
--Happy Stamping
Katie
you can order 24/7 online here.

$25.00 Extra Hostess Benefits

Stampin'Up! has just announced a new special, good through August 31st.  If you host a workshop that totals $350 or more during the month of August you can earn an extra $25 of FREE merchandise from the catalog.You can download a flyer explaining the details.  This offer is only good on in-home workshops, not for on-line orders. Call me: 608-220-3450 or email if you would like to set-up a workshop. This is a pretty amazing deal!   BTW:  Check out the gorgeous card below made with one of the new Hostess sets.

Punch Potpourri Card

Today I am sharing a card made by my upline, Suzanne Askey.  She created this card as a Make n' Take at an event last night.  Isn't it gorgeous?  Suzanne is so creative, I just had to share her card.  I love all the extra details on this card: the pearl, the real lace, the punched "lace", the background stamping.  It all comes together in one gorgeous card. And so much of it is NEW PRODUCT, see the explanations below.

The Half-Pearls are SELF ADHESIVE! which is a very nice feature.  They come on a sheet, 50 each in 3 different sizes for $4.95 (catalog p.188). [BTW: we now carry self-adhesive rhinestones too!] Did you notice the tiny, tiny, pearl eye on the bird? Self-adhesive is a must for bitsy bling like this1

The real lace is a pattern called Victoria Lace (catalog p.190).  And so pretty on the Crumb Cake card face. The strip of brown "faux lace" was made with the new Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (catalog p.201)

The card base is Chocolate Chip with a "face" of Crumb Cake" (formerly known as Kraft).  The background for the bird is Riding Hood Red on Choclate Chip.  We stamped a background on both the Riding Hood Red piece and the Crumb Cake with a new background stamp called Wonderfully Worn (catalog p. 141). The sentiment is from a set called Word Play (catalog p.147). The bird and the branch it is sitting on were punched using the 2-Step Bird Punch (catalog p.202). But here is the cool thing: Did you notice the design on the bird? There is a new hostess set called Punch Potpourri (catalog p.10) that fits the bird punch!  We used another stamp from that same set for the heart - this stamp was designed to fit the Full Heart Punch (catalog p.202).  The flowers are also from this stamp set and were designed to fit the BoHo Blossoms Punch (catalog p.200).

One of the major selling points for Stampin'Up! is the way they make sure things match.  The color pallettes coordinate, the embellishments are color coordinated to the papers, sentiments are sized to be interchangeable, and punches coordinate with stamp sets.  I just love how the Punch Potpourri set coordinates with so many punches.  Of course you can always cut the images yourself, but the punches are such a perfect fit! Check out the BoHo Blossoms punch below with the image in the Stamp Set.

Punch Potpourri is a really cute stamp set. Because this set is a hostess set it is not available for sale - it is a Hostess Benefit Set. There are 2 ways you can get this set.  (1)You could place an order for $150 or (2)Host a Workshop that generates at least $150 in sales. Email me if you are interested in placing an order or hosting a workshop.  You can also place your order online anytime 24/7. You can find out more information about Hostess Benefits here. I have a standard workshop that I do or you can have me tailor it to focus on any special interest you have.  

  

Supplies

Colors

Stamp Sets

Victoria Crocheted Lace (118481)
Basic Pearls (119247)
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275)
2-step Bird Punch (117191)
Full Heart Punch (119883)
BoHo Blossoms Punch (119858)

Riding Hood Red
Crumb Cake
Chocalate Chip
Very Vanilla

Word Play

**(120308 Wood Mount)

**(120651 clear mount)
Punch Potpourri
**118394 (wood mount)
**120124 (clear mount)
Wonderfully Worn (118533)

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Please contact me with any questions or suggestions. 
Your comments are appreciated.
--Happy Stamping
Katie

you can order 24/7 online here.
TIP:  if you are ordering clear mount stamps to be sure you have the right size acrylic block!

Smooched Flower

The Inspiration: As many of you know we live on a farm(ette). This week we just got a new batch of baby chicks. They are so cute when they are just a day old. We raise 50 birds at a time as roasters. But we also maintain a small flock of layers. We have one old biddy (yes that is the correct term) who always adopts the new babies when they arrive. It is so funny to watch her try to round up 50 babies under her wings. The maternal instinct is so strong in her. So how is this an inspiration for a card?  I guess I was just thinking about yellow birds.

The card: We did this card at the July Stamp-a-Stack. The flowers are from the Daisies Die in the Big Shot. The bird is from the 2-Step Bird Punch. We were using smooch as a background on a different card and I decided to try it on the flower. I really liked the results. The flower is so sparkly and the wettness on the card gave a little lift to the petals (since they are only adhered together in the center).  I also added a little smooch to the bird wing.  You can see the difference: smooch and smoochless, in the top and bottom photos.  What do you think?  I think it adds a really nice touch. 

Supplies	Colors	Stamp Sets
Big Shot Daisies #2 Die 2-Step Bird Punch	Daffodil Delight Basic Black Whisper White	Well Scripted (retired)

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Happy Stamping
Please contact me with any questions or suggestions
Your comments are appreciated

--Katie

Punched Flower Regional Trade

This is the card I made for the 2010 Milwaukee Regional. When you are making 100 cards you need something EASY and this card wasn't too bad.

The leaves were done using the 2-Step Bird Punch and the flowers were punched with the Boho Blossoms Punch. The flowers are held together with a silver brad and raised up on Dimensionals. Stampin'Up! has so many great coordinating colors that it gave me lots of choices for colors to use. In fact my trades were not even all the same colors. It was a GREAT WAY to use up scraps! For addeed interest I pierced a row of holes using the Mat Pack. I would never have tried this free-hand but the template in the Mat Pack makes it so easy to pierce lines and shapes and to get the spacing perfect when setting a row of brads. The Mat Pack is one of my "must have" tools.

Click on the an individual image below to see a description of that product from the on-line catalog.

The sentiment is from Sincere Salutations.  I love that set, I'm so glad it is still in the catalog.  The thing I like best about this stamp set is that the sentiments are all the same SIZE.  I can design one card and make it work for any occasion because the sentiments are all the same size. 

Happy Stamping

Please contact me with any questions or comments

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--Katie

remember you can shop 24-7 at my online store

Totally Tool Thank-You

The Inspiration:  I made this card for my daughter's fiancé, Dane. He has a degree in Forestry and the man travels with his chain saw! He helped take down a very large tree that had fallen just before I left for Missouri. The tree blocked off an area of the yard and needed to be removed but I didn't have time before I left. While I was gone my daughters found some muscle guys and got it all taken care of. Thank you so much Sara, Dana, Dane and "Franklin". It was so wonderful to come home and find this BIG task all taken care of!

The Card: I knew exactly which stamp set to use to make this thank-you, Totally Tool - the sentiment was just perfect. This is the first time I've used this lay-out and I really like it. Its more interesting than just adding a layer the same size as the focal point and without being too frilly. I stamped the saw blade on Silver Metallic Paper, cut it out and adhered to the white focal piece. Then I stamped the image on Whisper White and colored and cut out the handle. The handle is raised up on Dimensionals. The Going Gray(retired color) and Basic Gray background pieces are embossed with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

Supplies	Colors	Stamp Sets
Square Lattice Embossing Folder Dimensionals	Whiper White Basic Black Basic Gray Going Gray(retired)	Totally Tool

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Happy Stamping
Please contact me with any questions or suggestions
Your comments are appreciated

--Katie

Butterflies and other Transformations

This post is about transformations because my mom and I have been busy sorting through a basement full of a life time of stuff.  It has brought back many memories for both of us and added a few new family stories for the archives.  The process of letting go is very hard when things bring back a strong memory. But the momentum has been created - both for Mom to continue after I leave and for me to start when I get home.  (Hope my husband does not read this blog, he might actually hold me to my plan to attack our basement!) Given the major transformation in my mom's house a butterfly card seemed appropriate.

While I am enjoying my time with my parents, I sure do miss having access to my stamping room. I did bring a few supplies with me so I could stamp with my sister and her friends. It was hard to choose which supplies to bring but I knew my mom would appreciate a card with butterflies.  This is one of the cards we did. We did the green one tonight, the pink card was just a sample. 

The card uses the Butterfly Punch. There are 2 layers to the butterflies...one is the solid color cardstock and the top layer is Vellum Paper.  Isn't it pretty with the image on the vellum? I created the pattern by stamping White Pigment Ink with the Bella Toile background stamp.  warning:  it takes forever to dry. I did this yesterday so it would be dry for today's event.
All Supplies are Stampin'UP!

Supply List: Butterfly punch Vellum Paper White Pigment Ink Pink Ribbon 3/8" taffeta Green Ribbon 5/8" satin

Colors: Certainly Celery Pretty in Pink

Stamp Sets: Sincere Salutations (pink card) Teeny Tiny Wishes (green card)

Please contact me with any questions or suggestions. 
Happy Stamping

--Katie

Information about the July 10-4-$10

The July Stamp-a-Stack is scheduled for mid-July, the 18th or 19th, your choice of dates.

Sunday afternoon -  July 18th beginning at 1:00

or Monday night   - July 19th beginning at 6:30

If you plan to come just email or call (608-220-3450) so I have enough pieces cut for everyone. And feel free to bring a friend - and a camera there will be lots of sample cards to see.

By the way: I am writing this from Missouri where I'm visiting family. Among other things I've had a chance to see my sister's new "babies" (2 baby Alpaca). Oh my goodness: cute - soft - obstinate! - adorable - soft (I know I already said that). And they make funny noises.

My sister has made some amazing projects. I have really been learning a lot about the craft of Fiber Arts, from shearing and cleaning and carding to spinning and weaving.    The farm where my sister keeps her "babies" raises the alpaca and sheep and Icelandic goats for their fur and also has a Fiber Studio.  If you are interested in fibers you can find out more at: BlackWaterTreasures.com.  


If I was going to pick another craft to play around with this would be it! But stamping certainly satisfies my creative needs.  I'm psyched to find a cute sheep stamp and make some cards for my sister and her friend.  Sadly I'm a 9 hour drive away from most of my supplies.  I'm eager to get back to my stamping room to play.  And I'm looking forward to seeing you at the July Stamp-a-Stack.

Happy Stamping
--Katie

The New Catalog is Now Available!

2010-2011 Catalog	Definitely Decorative Brochure	2010-2011 Spanish Catalog

The long awaited moment is here - the New Catalog is now available.  The digital age is wonderful - you can download PDF files of all the new catalogs.

PDF of the 2010-2011 Catalog   (31 MB)
PDF of the supplies for all the projects shown in the catalog. 
PDF of the2010-2011 Definitely Decorative Brochure (9 MB)
PDF of the Definitely Decorative supplies used for the projects in this little catalog.
PDF of the new 2010-2011 Spanish Catalog: "Celebrando Creatividad" (10 MB)

While I do think computers are Wonderful! - I personally prefer to browse the catalog while curled up in my super comfy arm chair with my favorite seasonal beverage and a yellow highlighter. If you too prefer a printed copy you can get one from me for only $5.  If you want me to mail it to you then include an additional $4.95 for postage.  Along with your Ideas Book and Catalog you'll get a $5.00 coupon for your first $50 purchase from the catalog. Just email me to reserve your copy.

I LOVE the new catalog.  I always enjoy the new stamp sets.  I'm a sucker for the animal sets and I love the buffalo and the eagle in the new In Wilderness set (p117).  And we have another good rooster stamp in the Countryside set on page 115.  Of course the stamp sets are not all that is new.  I really like this year's new In Colors - Pear Pizzaz is my favorite. The colors are displayed in a really user friendly way on pages 165-169.  You'll have to check it out yourself to see what I mean. Since the concept of color matching is really at the core of what Stampin'UP! is all about you may find the color coach a useful tool.  [Item #121620, page 165]

There are also some New Punches, check them out on pages 200-203.  There is a cute little Bat punch just in time for the fall.  And my first order will have the Owl punch.  I can imagine so many ways to make the owls!

Here is an additional really GREAT New Feature of this new catalog:  it has USER CHARTS for many of the tools.  On page 199 there is a Cutting Tool chart to tell you what materials each type of tool can be used on.  Page 197 has an Adhesive Guide so you know what the best adhesive is for each type of material. 

Check out the catalog for yourself and then email me to tell me your favorite new stamp set.

Happy Stamping
--katie