Timeless Love Fussy Cut

There's something timeless in the classic look of this card.  I'm not sure whether its the clean and simple look or the imagery or the contrast of colors.

One thing that helps with the contrast on this card is that I heat embossed both the flowers and the sentiment. The heat embossing adds a shine and really helps it "pop" off the page.

But the real trick on this card to get the intense color contrast between the white flowers and the Saffron background is the fussy cutting. I stamped the image on both the saffron card front and on a separate piece of white card stock. Then I fussy cut the white flowers and glued them onto the saffron piece. 

Click here if you want to see another similar fussy cut card this one has white calla lilies on a blue base. Fussy cutting takes a little time, but wow, sometimes is just so worth it. I especially liked the arch of the flower spray from the Timeless Love stamp set (see product list below) and are you like me and totally loving this font!  If you're inspired to try this here's the product list for this card.

Timeless Love Stamp Set Clear-Mount Set [139408]- $17.00 Wood-Mount Set [138772]- $23.00	Black Archival Stampin’ Pad [140931] - $7.00	Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder [109130]- $5.00	Heat Tool [129053]- $30.00
	So Saffron 8-1/2" X 11"  [105118]- $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11"  [100730]- $9.00	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11"  [121045]- $8.00

Just 2 days left for Stampin'UP!'s July Bonus Days

July Bonus Days - Qualifying purchases made in July earn you 10% back in August. For every $50 you spend in July you'll get a $5 coupon to use in August. Stampin'UP! offers us a nice way to let us spread out purchases.

Thanks for Stopping by: Take a minute and browse previous posts. If you see anything you like I'm happy to help you get the product or just to consult and explain further how the project was made . . . its all about having fun with our hobby.

Simple Lay-out in Black and White

Beginning stampers often ask for card ideas using only black ink. 

Here is an idea featuring a feather image.

The card features a simple lay-out:  a horizontal strip containing the sentiment,
and a focal point off-set to the left.

Ink Color: I know I said this was only black and white . . . perhaps I cheated a bit. I did fill in the open space on the feather image with a little bit of gray ink, but the card would look fine with out that addition.

Focal point shape:  on this card its an oval.  It would be the same basic lay-out no matter what shape you used. Try it with a circle or square or rectangle. You could even try a heart or a star. Or a tree diecut - any shape offset to the left.

For the shape of my focal point I used Stampin'UP!'s new Layering Ovals Framelits. I really like the fact that half the ovals have a smooth edge and half have this sweet little scallop edge that you see on the black oval on this card.  Wow, what a deal too. This die set is both economical and practical. You get 14 dies with this set . . . can you imagine the cost of buying that many punches?!? Plus the storage space of so many punches versus just one thin package of dies.

 

Feather Together Photopolymer Stamp Set [141597]-$17.00

Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [ 141706]-$35.00

Big Shot Die Cut & Texture Emboss Machine  [143263]-$110.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]- $9.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045]-$8.00

Die sets versus punches: Do you have a die-cutting machine? In terms of both financial investment and storage space the die sets are absolutely the way to go. 

Especially right now during Stampin'UP!'s July Bonus Days.  Each $50 you spend in July earns you 10% back to spend in August for free (merchandise only, not shipping and tax) 

 

Thanks for Stopping by: Take a minute and browse previous posts. If you see anything you like I'm happy to help you get the product or just to consult and explain further how the project was made . . . its all about having fun with our hobby.

Watercolor Thank-You

Who do you need to send a thank-you card to?  In my business I'm always needing to send thank-you's so I try to keep a big stack of Thank-you Cards handy on my desk. When that pile gets too small I need something cute that's also quick to make . . . like this card

I love this font, doesn't it almost look like I painted it myself with a brush? Actually the stamp is called "Watercolor Thank You"  and its sold as a single wood mount stamp. It fits perfectly in the 2nd smallest of the Deco Labels Framelits.

The single embellishment is a little flower from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack with a tiny pearl in the center of the flower.  Choose 2 complementary colors and you'll get this simple card with a strong focus on your message. And if you're wondering about the colors on this card, I used Wisteria Wonder and Elegant Eggplant.

Watercolor Thank You	Deco Labels Framelits
Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack	Self-stick Pearls

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you've been inspired to play today

---

* * * Find a deal  * * *

**Up to 80% Savings on Clearance Rack Items

**Don't miss the Weekly Deals  new product each Tuesday

---

* * * Make a Purchase * * *

	I'll be happy to help you place your order
	If you're ordering on-line then use this Hostess Code   to be registered for my Customer Rewards Program 3YQW6K92  (good thru - April 15)

---

* * * Browse the Catalogs * * *

**Annual Catalog  (PDF)

**Occasions Catalog  (PDF)

**See what's still available from the Fall Holiday Catalog

Snowflakes with Acrylic Block Print Background

Are you a wood mount stamper or a clear mount stamper?  If you have any clear blocks you can use them to make a really interesting background. Did you know you can ink the block just as if it were a stamp and transfer the ink from the pad to the paper with the block.  

TIP: Use your clear blocks like a stamp.

Can you see the light square of ink behind each snowflake on this card? That square was made with Stampin'UP!'s "C" block.  To see other cards I've uploaded using this technique click here: Acrylic Block Background technique.

I love Stampin'UP!'s Rhinestone Jewels. These self-stick rhinestones are such an easy way to add a little sparkle to a project. One for the center of each snowflake on this card, including the snowflake under the sentiment.

Given the massive amounts of snow we've had recently a card with snowflakes seemed the perfect post. This snowflake image and the sentiment are both part of the Best of Snow Collection. Other images in this collection include the cute Hedgehogs and a darling little Snowman.

Notice the punched layer with the sentiment? There's something special about that. It was made with the Bracket Label punch - which there's only 1 size of. Yikes I can hear my high school English teacher telling us not to end a sentence with the word "of". But anyway, the punched piece is in 2 layers! Cool trick, huh? Watch this little video showing how to get 2 different size layers from 1 punch.

Want more tips like this? be sure you're signed up for my email list. On Thursday I'm sending out a pdf with copies of 6 Technique cards that my downline made at our meeting this month. Consider this a Holiday Gift from me to my Newsletter subscribers.

Huge Clearance Rack Blitz Starts today. 

Some items are marked up to 80% off!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you've been inspired

Shop here for all your stamping supplies.

• The Deal of the Week 
  See all 8 items on sale this week - New each Tuesday
• The Clearance Rack
  Check here for even more savings

A Simple Snowflake Soiree

Yesterday we got our first real snowfall of the year. We've had a few "dustings" but this was inches and they look like they're here to stay.  It was so beautiful coming down, there was a light breeze and the snowflakes were just dancing their way down. 

This is a simple card with a very elegant look. The images on this card are from a stamp set called Snowflake Soiree. They're so pretty and lacy and they make a lovely card.

I got this card along with a gift from one of my downline, Elizabeth Jones. I'm not sure if she's planning to use this as her Christmas card this year, but she certainly could. Its a really easy card to make. And look how those Rhinestones dress up the card. That's what adds to the elegant look.

I looked up the word soiree in the dictionary and it says its an elegant evening gathering. That's just what it looked like last night when the snow flakes were lit up by the barn lights. It was a real snowflake soiree!

Here in Wisconsin we have several months of winter ahead of us. And while I do enjoy some outdoor activities in the snow, I also appreciate the toasty warmth of my crafting room.  Perhaps the images on Elizabeth's card or the images in  this stamp set will inspire you to do a little winter stamping of your own.

Snowflake Soiree is available in either wood mount or clear mount. You can get the rhinestones, the Snowflake Soiree Stamp set, and all your stamping supplies from my on-line store.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you've been inspired

Shop here for all your stamping supplies.

• The Deal of the Week 
  See all 8 items on sale this week - New each Tuesday
• The Clearance Rack
  Check here for even more savings

Easy Lay-out with Simply Sketched Hostess Set

Here is an easy lay-out, done with one of the new Hostess Sets.  This set is called Simply Sketched - and don't you think these simple sketches are simply gorgeous?   

This set has three beautiful images and 3 sentiments in a beautiful script font.  Its so pretty.

And notice how versatile this set is . . . birthday, sympathy and thanks.  Here is the same card made with each of the three sentiments.

There's one other small difference on these cards.  On the Sympathy card I used a marker to add black dots to the center of the flower. Its one of those easy to do things that makes a subtle but effective difference.

This set is a Hostess Set. Which means its not available for sale, it can only be purchased with "Hostess Dollars".  So, you ask: . . . how do you get these marvelous things called Hostess Dollars?

You have 2 ways to earn Hostess Dollars:

1. Have a Party that generates at least $150 worth of sale
   **This can be a gathering where people see demonstrations and play with product   
   **Or it can be a "Book Party" where you show the catalog to friends and collect orders
2. The other way to earn Hostess Dollars is to place an order yourself for $150 worth of product.  You'll still earn the Hostess Benefits just like it was a workshop/party.

Are you wondering what other Exclusive things are available only with Hostess Dollars?

• Check out the  exclusive Hostess Products in the Annual Catalog on pages 202-205
• And you'll see 2 more exclusive Hostess Sets in the Holiday Catalog on page 39

And be sure to check the Hostess Benefits chart on page 201 of the Annual Catalog.  If your event sales are over $400 you get to choose an item at half-price - ANY item, even the Big Shot!

Sound good? Liking the idea of FREE STUFF? 

Book a $250 party during October 

and get and extra $25 of product FREE - woohoo!

Check your calendar and contact me today (608)220-3450 to schedule your event. 

Or place your $150  free order on-line here. (order ships directly to your house)(or $250  in October and get the extra $25 of FREE hostess benefits)