Thursday, February 28, 2013

Happy Whale Swimming on a Ribbon Sea

Card made with Stampin'UP!'s Happy Whale Die
Here's a happy little whale swimming on an ocean of ribbon.  Can't you just see him flicking his tale in the water?

Stampin'UP!'s Dotted Scallop Ribbon is perfect for the water in this card.  The scallops along the ribbon edge look just like waves on the ocean and the dots look like white caps. The new cloud embossing folder is a nice addition to the sky.

Stampin'UP!'s Happy Whale Die and Oh Whale Stamp Set.The whale is cut with a new die available in the Spring Mini catalog called Happy Whale and it cuts several shapes besides just the whale.  It also cuts a heart, an anchor, a star, a little fish and some water drops.  And of course, since he's a die you can face him either way - or both ways.

What makes me really happy is that this die matches a stamp set called Oh Whale.  The die is clear where it cuts the whale so you can line it up perfectly with the stamped image of the whale.

The sentiment on this card says "Get Whale Soon".  The other sentiments in the set are:
**Whalecome!
**Thanks a ton!
**Whale you be mine?
And look at your options for his blow spout!  He can blow hearts and letters.

I've had so much fun playing with this set. You're sure to see more samples with this Happy Whale. You can get your own Oh Whale Stamp Set and Happy Whale Die, Cloud embossing folder and Marina Mist Dotted Scallop Ribbon  here  in my Stampin'UP! store.

If you don't already have a Stampin'UP! demonstrator I'd love to be yours. 

Thanks for Stopping by and Happy Stamping
--Katie


Monday, February 25, 2013

Stamping Off is Booomin' Marvelous!

Card made with stamp set: Bloomin Marvelous and using the Stamping Off Technique
Here is a marvelous technique: Stamping Off.  This sample is made with a stamp set called Bloomin Marvelous.  The reason this technique is so marvelous is because Stamping Off is such an easy way to simulate motion or to add depth to a project.

Stamping Off is a technique where you stamp multiple times without re-inking.  This humming bird was stamped first near the bloom so the ink is darkest there.  Then without reinking, it was stamped in the middle and then again on the left.  Each image is then lighter than the previous one.

Card made with stamp set: Bloomin Marvelous and using the Stamping Off TechniqueFor the bird it gives the illusion of motion. In the next few examples the butterfly was "Stamped off", again giving the illusion of motion. 

The flowers on the bottom 2 cards were also stamped off. The effect with the flowers is to give multiple shades from just 1 stamp pad. The stamped flowers and leaves almost look like a Designer Paper!

Card made with stamp set: Bloomin Marvelous and using the Stamping Off TechniqueAll of these images come from a Stamp set called Bloomin Marvelous.  This set is just perfect for showing off this technique.  And I love the font for the sentiments in this set - its so elegant.

Bloomin Marvelous is one of the 2013 Sale-a-bration stamp sets.  If you love birds and butterflies you're going to want this one for sure.  It has such gorgeous writing, the sentiments are versatile and the butterfly and humming bird are beautiful . . .  AND the butterfly goes with the new Bitty Butterfly punch
Stampin Up! stamp set: Bloomin Marvelous
 









Bloomin Marvelous is EXCLUSIVE to sale-a-bration.  That means that you can't buy the set - but you can get it for FREE!  During Sale-a-bration each $50 purchase earns you a free item from the Sale-a-bration brochure.

See the Sale-a-bration brochure choices here

View the catalogs online HERE

Purchase your Stampin'UP! products here.

Happy Stamping
--Katie

Friday, February 22, 2013

Secret Garden Stamps and Framelits

I remember reading a book called: The Secret Garden, when I was a kid. The heroine found a forgotten garden and it became her own private refuge.  In this garden she found many treasures.

One of the "treasures" about Stampin'UP! is the fact that so many stamp sets are designed to go with punches and dies. On this card both the leaf and the flower are die cut.

The leaf was just cut from green cardstock.  The flower was stamped first and then die cut. I'll "fussy cut" when I have to, but personally, I really appreciate the matching dies.

The flower is from a new stamp set called Secret Garden - just in time for spring and all the wonderful flowers that will soon be here.

And look at how many different flower shapes we get!  I can see I'll be making some tough choices because they're all so pretty.

And speaking of choices, it was hard to decide exactly how to place them on the card.  But that's OK - because it was so easy to die cut the flowers and leaves instead of fussy cutting with a scissors. So just I made a couple of different cards. 

What do you think?  Any preference on the placement of that bottom leaf?  Leave a comment below to say which one you like best.

Buy them as a BUNDLE and SAVE
Get  the stamps and framelits 
individually, or buy them as a bundle 
and save 15%


Happy  Stamping

--Katie

Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Best Things in Life Aren't a Secret!

Scrapbook Page made with Stampin'UP! Stamp Set:  Feel Goods and Secret Garden
What are the Best Things in Your life? For me its my family.  This 8x8 scrapbook page shows my granddaughter, who is certainly one of the best things in our lives.  

The colors here are Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink and Old Olive. I love Stampin'UP!'s color pallettes  AND even more amazing that the baby's jacket is also a match. 

There are lots of "best things" about Stampin'UP! . . . and one of the things I like best is how well things match up, how the product is coordinated.
    Stampin'UP! Stamp Set:  Feel Goods
  1. The COLOR matching is great . . . the fact that inks, ribbons, brads, paper . . . all match
  2. And we have stamps that match a punch or a die - the flowers on this page were stamped and then die cut with the Secret Garden Framelit Dies
  3. Its so great that our dies and punches are sized for nesting SHAPES - like the layers for this sentiment
This sentiment from a Stamp set called Feel Goods just about sums it up.  Family and how we love and care for each other.  And the love and care that Stampin'UP! puts into making a quality product.

If you've never seen our catalog then take some time to browse our product.  We have several catalogs and you can browse online through the links below.  Or contact me (608-220-3450) and I'll send you a catalog.  These truly are some of the "best things" in stamping and it isn't a secret.

Happy Stamping
--Katie



Do you need a catalog? 
Call me to get your paper copy of the catalogs. (608-220-3450)
You can also see them on-line
          The Main Catalog and Idea Book
view the Flash Version   - or -   down load the PDF
                 The Spring Mini Catalog
view the Flash Version   - or -    download the PDF
The Sale-a-bration Brochure
see the PDF of the products
see the PDF of the opportunities
see the PDF of the digital products

 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Punch Art Dog Paw

Punch Art Dog Paw Print made with Stampin'UP! punches.
This sample is "paws"itively easy!!! You probably don't even need an explanation because its so simple.

A Punch art Dog Paw Print. Isn't this sentiment just perfect for someone who just got a new puppy? Our daughter was visiting this weekend with her 8 month old Golden Retriever.  It was so fun to be with a puppy again. My husband and I have always had Springer Spaniels. They are calm loving dogs - great with kids. Our dogs have always been such great companions, they really are "miracles" in our lives.

Use these products to make this card:
*The paw was punched using the Small Oval Punch (#120908 = $16.95)
     and the Full Heart Punch (#119883 = $16.95). 
*The colors are: Basic Black (#121045 = $6.95) and Sahara Sand (#121043 = $6.95). 
*The 1/2" wide Black Dotted Scallop Ribbon is item (#124145 = $7.95 for 10 yards)
*The Butterflies and the sentiment stamps from the Sale-a-bration set Bloomin Marvelous
*and the butterflies were punched with the new Bitty Butterfly punch (#129406 = $15.95).

Stampin'UP! 2013 Sale-a-bration set: Bloomin MarvelousAre you wondering why there is no item number or price listed for the Bloomin Marvelous stamp set?  That's because:
it is a Sale-a-bration exclusive
Which means that its not for sale.  
You get it FREE with a $50 purchase  

But Sale-a-bration ends March 22nd, so if you like this set  then "dog gone it!", don't delay too long. 


            






Happy Stamping
--Katie
 


Do you need a catalog? 
Call me to get your paper copy of the catalogs. (608-220-3450)
You can also see them on-line
          The Main Catalog and Idea Book
view the Flash Version   - or -   down load the PDF
                 The Spring Mini Catalog
view the Flash Version   - or -    download the PDF
The Sale-a-bration Brochure
see the PDF of the products
see the PDF of the opportunities
see the PDF of the digital products

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A Hershey's Kiss for Valentines Day

A Valentine that looks like a Hershey's Kiss made with Stampin'UP!'s Blossom Builder Punch.
Here is a special kiss for you. Well . . . OK, not a romantic one, but hey, for me, chocolate is the next best thing. So, here is a Hershey's Kiss card.


Instead of chocolate, these kisses are made from Silver Glimmer Paper.  To get the shape they are punched with the Blossom Builder punch.  Use the largest petal - just trim off the scallops as shown below. The shape is just perfect for the chocolate kiss.

 


And there's even the little paper sticking out the top.  I guess its there on the candy to help you open it. Anyway, mine has the words Sweet Treats stamped on it and a little banner tail cut with a square punch. The words are from a stamp set called Teeny Tiny Wishes. That set is so versatile! It has 24 different sentiments and covers just about any holiday or occasion.   And the words are all small enough to fit in the Word Window Punch or  the Modern Label Punch, or on a little banner like this one.


Stampin'UP!'s Adorning Accents Embossing Folders and Edgelit Dies
The embossed hearts were created with one of the  Adorning Accents Embossing Folders.  They come as a set of 3 decorative strips for only $8.95. 

And I love that there's a set of matching  Matching Dies. For only $9.95.  Of course the dies are supposed to do elegant edges on a card. But you can also do some really creative projects with them.  Check out this vase card made
with the Adorning Accents Edgelit Dies.

Here are a few other things you can do with the Blossom Builder Punch
Punch Art Dog Card Made with Stampin'UP!'s Blossom Builder PunchPunch Art Easter Bunny and Cabbage Card Made with Stampin'UP!'s Blossom Builder PunchPunch Art Candle Flame Card Made with Stampin'UP!'s Blossom Builder PunchPunch Art Cards Made with Stampin'UP!'s Blossom Builder Punch

Are you a big Fan of Punch Art?  If so now the perfect time for you to invest in a few punches.

Why?  Because its Sale-a-bration! at Stampin'UP!  Each $50 purchase gets you a FREE item from the Sale-a-bration brochure.  Why not invest in your 3 favorite punches? $16.95 x 3 is  $50.85 YAY! you get to choose a FREE item. Place your order HERE

Happy Stamping
I appreciate your business and I'll say thanks with a BIG KISS!
--Katie

Monday, February 11, 2013

Elegant Wedding Card

Elegant Wedding Card, tone on tone with butterfly embellishments.
Are you looking for ideas for Wedding Cards. If you want something elegant then try gold embossing. I also think that sticking with neutrals gives it a more formal, elegant look.
 
Can you see the faint, subtle images of the butterflies on the white cardstock.  These were stamped in Versamark. The image you see is basically a "watermark" on the white cardstock.

Butterflies seemed very appropriate for a wedding card, they are a good symbol for people who are  "beginning a new life". These gold butterflies were punched with the new Bitty Butterfly Punch.

By the way, on a project like this you can save paper by punching your embellishments from the piece of colored cardstock that you'll be using for the background layer.  No one will ever know the holes are there.  In our hobby we generate enough wasted paper as it is and any little paper saving trick is a good thing.

stamping tip for saving paper  Stampin'UP! stamp set: Feel Goods
The Sentiment is from a Stamp Set called Feel Goods, in the new Spring Mini Catalog. As I'm typing this I'm re-reading these sayings and getting all kinds of ideas for how to use them.

Leave a comment below on which words from this set you like and how you'd use them.

And be sure to let me know if there's any special way I can help with your stamping

--Katie



Saturday, February 9, 2013

Feeling Sentimental? Sale-a-brate! aka Celebrate

Card made with Stampin'UP!'s Sale-a-bration 2013 stamp set: Feeling SentimentalTime to celebrate - or rather to Sale-a-brate! Jan 22-March 22 is Stampin'UP!'s annual $50 sale.  Each $50 purchase you make during Sale-a-bration earns you a FREE item from the Sale-a-bration brochure. And that certainly is a reason to celebrate!

Many of the Sale-a-bration choices are exclusive to this promotion. One of my favorite stamp sets from the Sale-a-bration brochure this year is called Feeling Sentimental. I love images as well as the old time look of the drawings.

Does this card look familiar?  It should.  Its basically the same as one posted earlier: just with different colors, different ribbon. Isn't it great when one card design can make such different cards just by changing the colors.

The product used to make this card includes:
102892 - Sponge Daubers for $10.95
126954 - Rose Red Ink for $5.95
Stampin'UP!'s Sale-a-bration 2013 stamp set: Feeling Sentimental121884 - Rose Red Seam Binding for $6.95
127811 - the 1-1/4" Scallop Punch for $15.95
126869 - Flower Trim for $6.95
103683 - Glue Dots for $4.95

The total (before shipping and tax) is $51.70
WOW - perfect.  The order is just over $50
and you'd get this stamp set for FREE!

Another reason to "sale-a-brate": these supplies will make A LOT of cards.  So here are just a few ideas for other cards you can make with the same supplies.

These were just some really simple designs where I restricted myself to the supplies in the list above. Just think
what you could do with other colors and other embellishments.

card made with Stampin'UP!'s Sale-a-bration 2013 stamp set: Feeling Sentimental

card made with Stampin'UP!'s Sale-a-bration 2013 stamp set: Feeling Sentimental

card made with Stampin'UP!'s Sale-a-bration 2013 stamp set: Feeling Sentimental

✔So - inventory your supplies - or check your Wish List.  
✔Choose your Sale-a-bration free item 


Happy Stamping
--Katie

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Heat Embossing

Here is your 2nd installment on embossing.  Yesterday's post (scroll down to see it) talked about pressure embossing.  Today's post is an example of heat embossing.  

The concept is simple: You melt some powder onto the paper, it adheres because its slightly melted into the fibers of the paper, but its also raised up - hence the word "emboss".

The trick is to get the embossing powder to stick where you want it and to not stick where you don't want it.  Typically we use a sticky, gooey, slow-drying ink.  And Stampin'UP!'s new foam ink pads are perfect for embossing.

This gorgeous butterfly is our new Swallowtail Background Stamp.  It just begs to be colored.  However . . .

The problem is the inks. The inks in our ink pads and our markers are both water soluble.  Therefore you really can't stamp the outline and then color it because the marker will smear the stamped outline image.  One solution is to heat emboss the outline.

Can you see the difference here? This butterfly was stamped in black ink and sprinkled with Clear Embossing Powder. In this photo the left side has finished embossing but the right side still needs more heat.  You have a great visual clue when the process is finished. Plus, its fun to watch.

And the answer to your question is NO.  You can't use a hair dryer.  #1 it doesn't get hot enough (what, you want to set your hair on fire?) and #2 the fan on a hair dryer is too strong, it would blow all your embossing powder away. You need a heat gun

Do you like the sparkle on this project? This is another embossing powder.  To get the card to sparkle I covered the WHOLE surface with Versamark ink (a clear gooey ink) and then sprinkled with Iridescent Ice embossing powder and heat set it.  It certainly adds a WOW factor to the project.

By the way, we'll be making this card at the February Stamp-a-Stack this weekendThere's room for you and a friend. Sign-up HERE on my events calendar.

Are you about to click away without signing up?  You know you'll forget it if you don't sign-up now, so just do it before you click away.  You know you want to make this card.  Which day works for you?  Sunday afternoon or Monday evening?

See you this weekend
--Katie

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Pressure Embossing, a.k.a. Dry Embossing

Card made with Stampin'UP!'s 2013 Sale-a-bration set: Patterned Occasions and Vine Street embossing folder
What do you think of when you hear the word "EMBOSS"?  The word emboss refers to a raised design.  In our world of paper crafting there are 2 ways to achieve a raised image: 
  1. pressure embossed
  2. heat embossed
See samples made with heat embossing here.

This card has 2 examples of pressure embossing.  Can you find both examples?  One is obvious and the other a little harder to see.

[1] The bottom gray part of the card has a leaf pattern impressed into the paper. This was created with the Big Shot and the new Vine Street embossing folder available in the Sale-a-bration brochure

Close up of the embossed pattern for Stampin'UP!'s 2013 Sale-a-bration Vine Street embossing folder.
[2] The other raised part of this card is a square outline framing the elephant.  Typically a single line like this will be referred to as "scored" rather than "embossed".  

And of course Stampin'UP! has a tool for scoring too.  For single lines like this you can use the scoring blade on your Paper Trimmer. But for more elaborate scoring projects you'll definitely be wanting the Simply Scored tool.

And how about those rhinestones?  The elephant is a "jumbo" animal so Jumbo Rhinestones seemed like the right embellishment to use here . . .  along with the gorgeous Melon Mambo striped organdy ribbon. This ribbon has a bit of an iridescent sparkle to it which really dresses up a project. And the diagonal stripes seemed to fit well with the embossed image from the Vine Street folder.

When was the last time you played with your embossing folders?  Why not add some embossing to your next project,  it will be sure to "impress" the people who see it. ;)

And if YOU want to be impressed then be sure to check out Stampin'UP!'s Idea Book & Catalog and the Spring Mini Catalog

Then, after you've made your WishList, you can order all your stamping supplies here

And right now, during Sale-a-bration, every $50 worth of product you get lets you choose a FREE item from the Sale-a-bration brochureNow that is impressive!

Happy Stamping
--Katie




Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Digital Love Yours For Just $1


What was the last thing you bought for just a dollar? If you spent only $1 it was probably something pretty small.  


Well here is something HUGE
and for only $1.  


OK, not big in size, 
but really big in value!



You can get a DVD packed full of digital stamps, papers, punches, and templates for just $1. From now until February 12 (while supplies last), we’re sharing a little digital love with content discs for $1! So what are you waiting for?

Five (5) different DVD's available (as of this writing)
Samples shown are made with images from the the Avant-garde Collection DVD.

  

Have you tried MDS2 yet?  This amazing software can make cards, scrapbook pages, banners, calendars, postcards and more.  And the best part is you can try My Digital Studio 2 for FREE for 30-days.  Don't you love being able to "test run" software before investing?  And after 30-days if you decide not to get MDS2 you can still keep all the projects you've made. Now that's what I call being "user friendly".  

Are you wondering how this might effect the way you do your crafting?  People use the MyDigitalStudio software to make totally digital products. They also use it to make "hybrid projects".  A "hybrid" project is created digitally but also has some traditional components, for example you add real ribbon or rhinestones. Or real colored cardstock.  

The possibilities are endless.  You can see lots of samples here:

Happy Stamping
--Katie