Punch Art Halloween Cat

Happy Halloween! To celebrate I'm showing you one of my convention trades (from way last July). I really had fun making this one.

The background is made with the Spider Web embossing folder. I brayered ink on the folder before embossing to get the colors you see.

The cat was pieced together from various punched pieces. 

• The body is a heart punch with the bottom point cut off. 
• The neck is the Word Window Punch. 
• The face is the Large Oval Punch.  
• The ears are from the Blossom Builder punch and the red glimmer mask was made using the Curly Label punch with a circle cut off of one side.
• The whiskers and nose were drawn by hand with the White Gel Pen.

The sentiment is from a stamp set called Teeny Tiny Wishes, punched with the Word Window Punch and  layered on the Modern Label Punch.

Don't you love those self-adhesive Googlie Eyes?  They totally make the card. Here is another Halloween Punch Art with those same Googlie Eyes.

I hope you have a safe and fun holiday. Don't get tangled in any spider webs and if you are superstitious then I hope no black cats run across your path - certainly none wearing a glimmery red mask. And if you need any punches or other supplies you can get them HERE.

Happy Stamping
--Katie

Traditional or Digital? - How do you Scrap?

What kind of Scrapper Are You?   Traditional scrappers love the feel of paper and stamps in their hands and playing with the pieces, arranging and re-arranging. In today's new technological world, many are finding they like to design on the computer where you can alter sizes, colors and shapes without using up paper and other supplies. There are advantages to each process but in the end its about the product and process you enjoy.

Here is a sample of a traditional page. With traditional scrapping you can add lots of depth and texture to the project.  I used the Pennant Punch to create the layers for the trees. The top layer of the trees was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. The stars were punched from Champagne Glimmer Paper using the Merry Mini Punch Pack.

The photo was framed using the Top Note Die and the corner was embellished with 2 images from the Snow Flurry Die.

The sentiment is from a set called Word Play, which is available in wood mount, clear mount, digital download, and this sentiment is available as a single stamp.  

The sentiment, "Remember when . . . " was just perfect for this photo. These are my three adult brothers holding the stockings they had as little boys. "Remember When" seemed to be the phrase starting most of our conversations that day. Of course as grown men, "Bobby" is now Bob, "Danny" is now Dan and "Gary" is now Garet. The boys have grown into men but the stockings hold the memories of when we were children. And thats what scrapbooking is all about, preserving memories! 

Which method do I prefer? Well, I started as a traditional scrapper and I do love playing with paper and punches and markers.  However I also appreciate the advantages that digital scrapping has to offer.

• I like the ease of cropping and re-sizing within the program. 
• I like the ability to draw colors from the colors in my photographs. 
• I like being able to try different "stamps" on the page without wasting paper.
• And I REALLY like the ability to make the project once and then print additional copies for everyone in the family. That is a huge time saver!

What do you prefer?

•  stamps with ink, paper and embellishments
• virtual projects with digital imagery
• do you like working from pre-designed kits  where the design work is already done for you

Whatever your preferred method of scrapping, Stampin' Up! has it all and makes it easy. 

Stampin'UP! is encouraging you to try digital Scrapping now.

• Three free downloads available all week long (check them out here)
• 50 percent off on all our amazing digital kits! (see the whole list here). The 50% off price will appear after you click on "ADD TO BAG"
• Lots of user support on MyDigitalStudio.net 

Try it, I think you'll be impressed with the flexibility of digital scrapping. The software is called My digital Studio or MDS2 for short. If you don't already have the software you can get a FREE 30-day Trial Copy HERE

Happy Stamping and Scrapping
--Katie

15% off ALL Stamps today and Free Digital Downloads

Today is National Digital Scrapbooking Day 
And to celebrate Stampin'UP! is marking the occasion with some amazing promotions:

FIRST PROMOTION: Today is Stampin'UP!'s first ever 1-DAY STAMP SALE

Almost every stamp we sell in both the Main Catalog and the Holiday Catalog will be 15% off (from 12am (MT) to 11:50PM (MT) This includes personalized stamps and cookie stamps but not hostess sets or bundled products. 

There are 3 ways to place your order 1. Good:   Email me your order and payment information 2. Better: Call me with your order and payment information     608-220-3450 3. Best:    Submit your order online here     and have it sent directly to your house. I plan to take advantage of this 1-day sale myself! I got these 2 cute cards from 2 of my downline. I love doing demo trades because I get samples using sets I don't own (yet). But I plan to take advantage of this 15% off sale to get a few sets that are on my Wish List!  The card above was made by Sue Adams and it uses the stamp set Merry Mini's.  Did you wonder at how perfectly the images are cut out. No Fussy cutting here! This stamp set has a matching punch set - yay! The card below was made by Mary Ploeser and it uses the stamp set: Happy Hour.  What a lovely, simple (read easy - yay!) way to send someone some warm holiday wishes.

SECOND PROMOTION: FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOADS and 50% off DIGITAL KITS

• Three FREE Digital Downloads
• 50% off ALL digital kits
• tons of ideas from galleries and forums at www.mydigitalstudio.net
• October 29th - November 5th, 2012

My Digital Studio Download Catalog (PDF)

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Get your FREE trial version of the My Digital Studio software HERE

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You have a full week to take advantage of the Digital Promotion,
but the stamp sale is 1-day only . . . so act today!

*and remember: all on-line orders qualify for Customer Rewards Points

Happy Stamping
--Katie

1 Day Sale Oct 29th - 15% Off on Stampin'Up! Stamps

 TGIM!  I can't wait for Monday! Seriously! October 29th will be an amazing day. For the first time ever, Stampin' Up! is having a 1 day stamp sale.  Almost every stamp set Stampin' Up! sells will be 15% off on Monday, October 29, from 12:00 a.m. (MT) until 11:50 p.m. (MT).

Stamps reduced to 15% off include: Almost ALL stamps in the current holiday and annual catalogs.  Click on the images below to view the catalogs online or contact me to get your paper copy Personalized name stamps Cookie press stamps Single Stamp Promotion (check out the new single stamp choices just added, including 3 never before seen stamps)!

The Main Catalog                The Holiday Catalog                 Spanish Language Catalog

Stamps NOT included in the sale: Hostess sets Bundled stamp sets Digital stamp brush sets

There is no minimum purchase and no limit to the number of stamps you can order.

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ALSO HAPPENING 10/29!

• OCT. 29 - NOV. 5.  FREE MY DIGITAL STUDIO DOWNLOADS AND 50% OFF all MDS digital kits to celebrate Digital Scrapbooking Day. 
• NEW PROJECT KIT:   Stampin' Up! will be launching a new project kit on Oct. 29.

Start making your Wish List now so you're ready for Monday.  Now is the perfect time to get those sets you've been wanting.  Or maybe let "Santa" know how to get 15% more of exactly what you want.

DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY . . . 1 -DAY ONLY  . . .  MONDAY OCT 29th!

Happy Stamping
--Katie

Coming Soon - FREE Digital Downloads

What do you get when you combine Digital Scrapbooking Day and Stampin'UP!'s My Digital Studio Software? A week of FREE downloads and 50 % off ALL digital kits! 

Mark your calendar for October 29 to November 5 for our week long Digital Scrapbooking Day celebration where you'll get: 

• FREE digital downloads 
• 50% off ALL digital kits 
•  Creative project ideas 
• Digital project challenges

This is an exciting announcement.  I have the software and am so excited at the LO-O-O-ONG list of free downloads.  Can't wait for October 29th!  Ooo, that's Halloween eve. Dare I say this is a "freakishly" cool event?  Sorry, bad pun.

To find out more about the software: My Digital Studio, check out the support site.  www.mydigitalstudio.net  Its full of project samples uploaded by users and has an active forum of users helping each other.  Kind of like a SplitCoastStampers for digital users.

Happy Stamping - both traditional and digital
--Katie

Single Stamps Available

Select Single Sentiments now available. Stampin' Up! is launching a test program with 3 of our popular sentiment sets.  These stamps will be offered in clear mount only and will come packaged in individual plastic bags. The acrylic blocks are not included with the stamp.

From now through January 2nd of 2013 you'll be able to order individual sentiments from these three sets:  Word Play,  Perfectly Penned and Seasonal Sayings.

  

Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever looked at a sentiment set and just LOVED one (that is 1) of the sentiments but didn't want to spend money for the whole set.  Well this is your chance! Jump on it now, because this is a test program.  If it goes well (i.e. you take advantage of it during the test program) then it may continue. If people are slow to respond, then it may get written off as something  the customer doesn't want.

And don't you LOVE
the convenience of shopping on-line!  

It gives you more time for stamping - yay!

You can get these single sentiment stamps and all your Stampin'UP supplies on-line here. 

I do appreciate your business!

Happy Stamping
--Katie

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QUICK LINKS:

Shop for Stampin'UP! product HERE Are you earning Customer Loyalty Points? Be sure to check the Clearance Rack you'll find some amazing deals View the Main Catalog On-Line View the Holiday Mini-Catalog On-Line Call me to get a paper version of the catalogs - 608-220-3450

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4 Ideas for How to Use Ribbons

Do you like using ribbons on your paper projects?  Have you ever wondered what else you can do with a ribbon - besides just tying a knot or a bow?  Well here are a few ideas.

I shared these ideas with my Starter Kit group. I meet regularly with the local people who have bought the Starter Kit from me and ribbons were the topic of our last meeting.  People who are not local get the same information, just by email instead.

The first card shows the Satin Stitched ribbon used as a decorative strip to the left of the green paper with the stamped image.  We then made a "package bow" for an added embellishment.

On the second card we made a "faux bow".  Watch for a video coming soon that explains how to make some of these bows.

You will also notice that all the cards use stamps from the same stamp set: Lovely as a Tree.  I did this on purpose because I knew they all had this set. 

                 

In fact this is one of our most popular sets, its been around a long time. I think almost every  Stampin'UP! fan already has this set.

 The third and fourth cards use ribbons in a less traditional way.
*On the 3rd card the ribbon is used as a "flag" off the side of the main element.
*On the last card the ribbon is "ruched" as a way to underscore the main element.  Ruching ribbon is pretty easy.  It looks like gathered fabric but you use adhesive (actually you need Sticky Strip - also known as "red line tape" -because it has to be really strong adhesive). Here is another post showing ruched ribbon.

Would you like to be part of my Starter Kit Group? Its a great way to get support on your Stamping Journey. This group supports both beginning stampers and beginning business builders.

• You'll get regular support:
  Regular Meetings: I meet with the local folks monthly and if you are not local you'll get support by email or snail mail.
  Exclusive Website: Plus you get access to my private website with additional ideas.
• Your Investment is $99. For an investment of $99 you get to choose $125 worth of product.  And there is NO SHIPPING! 
• Choose any product you want. Stampin'UP! has changed the Starter Kit and it is now completely customizable.  Email me if you want some suggestions.
• You get 3-6 months of Demo Perks! This is the cool part.  Even if you don't want to actually be a demonstrator. You'll get 3-6 months of demo perks: magazine, web access to projects files, 20% discount on additional purchases.  All with no obligation.  This is a deal you really can't pass up.

Contact me for more information (phone: 608-220-3450) or click JOIN NOW

Happy Stamping
--Katie
 

Watercolor Winter Christmas Card

Do you send handmade Christmas Cards?  This was my trade card for a recent demo trade.  Its is also one of the cards we'll be doing at the Christmas Stamp Camp.  Its made with one of my favorite stamp sets in the new Holiday Mini catalog -  Watercolor Winter.

I love how this card turned out.  The holly leaves were heat embossed in black and then the whole corner of the card was sponged lightly in green.  Then I went back and darkened in the leaves with a green marker.  The berries were filled in with sparkly red glitter glue - Stampin'UP!'s Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details.  The flower was stamped on red paper and heat embossed in black and then cut out with a scissors and raised up on Dimensionals.

I made 30 of these as trade cards and they were fairly easy to mass produced.  I cut the flowers while watching TV.  

The greeting is from a stamp set called: More Merry Messages. I really like how the style of the writing seems to match the style of the drawing.  Everything Stampin'UP! does matches so well.

If you are local (Madison Wisconsin area) why not join us for the Christmas Stamp Camp.  There are 4 sessions available, Wednesday EVENING, Thursday MORNING, Thursday EVENING and Sunday AFTERNOON.  Check the events calendar for a time that fits your schedule. Each session will be limited to 10 participants so register now to hold your spot.  Bring your own adhesive and bring a camera if you'd like to take photos of the displays.  And feel free to invite a friend to come with you. Part of the fun of stamping is when we share our creativity with others.

Happy Stamping

--Katie (the new grandma!)

QUICK LINKS:

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Shop for Stampin'UP! product HERE Are you earning Customer Loyalty Points? Be sure to check the Clearance Rack you'll find some amazing deals View the Main Catalog On-Line View the Holiday Mini-Catalog On-Line Call me to get a paper version of the catalogs - 608-220-3450

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My new Granddaughter

Sorry for the lack of recent posts . . . I've been a bit pre-occupied by the early arrival of my new granddaughter!  

Meet    Elizabeth

This is our first grandchild and we are so excited. It was a long labor, but mother and child are doing well.  Everyone is home from the hospital and settling in to a routine . . . so back to regular posting.

:)    Katie

Christmas Lodge Snowy Roof

Are you "dreaming of a white Christmas"? If you celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, then it is special no matter where you live. But I live in Wisconsin, and for me Christmas just wouldn't be quite the same without snow. The Lodge image from a Set called Christmas Lodge is just perfect for creating the feeling of a White Christmas.

The lodge image was stamped in Staz-On ink, so the black wouldn't smear when the white was added.  The white is Stampin'UP!'s White Craft Ink added with a blender pen. I used the same ink sponged on the dry embossed snowflakes.

The paper used on the bottom half of the card adds a rustic look to the project. Core'dination paper is colored on the surfaces but has a light core that shows through when it is distressed.  It was distressed by putting it through the Big Shot Machine in the Wood Grain Embossing Folder.

 

The Snowflakes were dry embossed with the Northern Flurries embossing folder.  And there is a trick to how it was used on this card. Check the image to the right.  I needed to leave enough flat space to stamp the image, so the card was inserted only part-way into the embossing folder.

The whole card is rich with texture. And not just from the dry embossing, the ribbon and brad and raised sentiment add to the feel.

The sentiment - from a set called Teeny Tiny Wishes was punched out using the Word Window Punch and layered on a coordinating piece punched with the Modern Label Punch and raised up off the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Isn't this the perfect ribbon? The stitches actually look like snowflakes - they were just perfect for this scene!  The 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (in Gumball Green) is used as a divider between the top and bottom of the card. And talk about rich texture - I love the gorgeous antique brad on the bow. These brads are one of my favorite embellishments.

Shop HERE to get the supplies to make this project and all your Stampin'UP! product.

View the catalogs on-Line HERE

The Main Catalog                     The Holiday Catalog             The Spanish Language Catalog

Happy Stamping

--Katie

Christmas String Art

One way to keep paper crafting new and exciting is to use other materials with our paper.  For this project I wrapped some of our Baker's Twine around a scallop image.  Doesn't it kind of look like a garland around a Christmas Tree?

Punches sure do make life easier! The Petite Pennant Punch has 2 shapes, one with smooth edges and one with a scallop edge.  The scallop edge shape is just perfect for working with string. And punching it out of the Champagne Glimmer paper really gives a special sparkle to the whole card.

Do you send handmade Christmas greetings?  If so this card is pretty easy to make.  The trees are punched from Lucky Limeade Designer Paper, except for the glimmer tree.  The background was pressure embossed with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder using the Big Shot machine. I used a piece of River Rock for the framing layer.  I did try the brighter green for the border, but it seemed to detract from the trees as the main element - I like this more subtle border better. The sentiment is from a stamp set called More Merry Messages.  

This design would be easy to mass produce.  If you've never done a project on a large scale - making lots of the same card - then be sure to check out the "Rules for Mass Production" for a little guidance on making the project go smoothly.

This design could easily be changed to fit what you already have.  I think the key is the Pennant Punch and the Glimmer Paper.   

• Get the Glimmer Paper and Punch and any other supplies you need HERE.  
• Online Ordering is Convenient: Order online 24/7 and have your order shipped directly to your house. 
• And be sure to check my Customer Rewards Program - getting the supplies to make your holiday cards will certainly earn you points.

Thanks for looking - I appreciate your business.

Happy Stamping

--Katie

Fall Scrapbook Pages and Halloween Treat Tote

 Here is a cute Fall Scrapbook layout done by my downline Sue Adams at one of her stamping events.  I really like these page, they are so rich with texture.

 

Just look at all the details: the designer paper is perfect for a fall lay-out. She die cut the leaves using the Autumn Accents Die, to give some depth and even added veins to them.  Because this was a teaching event she wanted her participants to know different ways of adding veins. So on the left hand page she embossed them with the spiderweb folder. On the right hand page she embossed with the woodgrain embossing folder. 

Which veins do you like best?  BTW: here is the trick to the spider web veins.

To add a little character she made a punch art pumpkin using the Large Oval Punch and added an owl in fall colors using the Owl builder punch.

Another project from Sue's event was this cute little Halloween treat purse. The pumpkin here was made the same as on the Scrapbook page above.  She layered 5 ovals and to give some dimension she sponged ink around each one. The leaves are from the Bird Builder Punch and the Ghosts are the same Oval Punch  and were punched from white paper.

To make the tote she cut 2 pieces with the Top Note Die and embossed with the Spider Web Embossing folder.  You can't see it in this photo but the 2 sides are glued to a bag in the middle for holding your treats.  

How cute is that for leaving a little treat on a co-worker's desk?  Or to surprise a child in their lunch box.  And its so easy to make too.  Who would you give this to?

Get all your supplies to make these projects HERE.

Happy Stamping

--Katie

QUICK LINKS:

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Shop for Stampin'UP! product HERE Are you earning Customer Loyalty Points? Be sure to check the Clearance Rack you'll find some amazing deals View the Main Catalog On-Line View the Holiday Mini-Catalog On-Line Call me to get a paper version of the catalogs - 608-220-3450

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Super Easy Lovely as a Tree

Here is a super simple card - using the ever popular set: Lovely as a Tree.  This classic stamp set has been a customer favorite for many years. Most Stampin'UP! customers already own it.  

 

"Lovely as a Tree" is so versatile.  Its great for nature scenes in general and especially for fall cards.  You can stamp the trees bare or add color. Color it green and you have a summer card; give it oranges, reds and browns and it becomes a fall card.  Stamp it in black and its a winter card or maybe even a sympathy card. The evergreen tree image even works for a Christmas card or branches of a Christmas tree.  The possibilities are endless - and there truly is nothing as "Lovely as a Tree".

Here are some other posts with Lovely as a Tree that you might enjoy.  Clicking on the picture should take you to the blog post that explains the card.  Let me know if the link doesn't work.

Do you own "Lovely as a Tree" yet?  With each new catalog we hold our breath hoping this popular set doesn't retire. It would be hard to find something with as natural a looking group of different trees.  This set is available in either wood mount or clear mount and its also available as a digital download.
To order yours click HERE.

Happy Stamping
--Katie

QUICK LINKS:

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Shop for Stampin'UP! product HERE Are you earning Customer Loyalty Points? Be sure to check the Clearance Rack you'll find some amazing deals View the Main Catalog On-Line View the Holiday Mini-Catalog On-Line Call me to get a paper version of the catalogs - 608-220-3450

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