Its a Ribbon sale! Time to Embellish - Try a Fork Bow

What's your favorite embellishment.  If you like ribbons you're going to love this news.

Stampin'UP!'s deal of the week includes 5 different ribbons on sale.- check it out.

How do you attach your ribbons?  

These cute Dress Favors have a ribbon belt with a bow.

The ribbon is glued to the project 

and the bow is attached with a Glue Dot.  

check out the how-to photos in this post.

There are lots of different ways to add ribbons

Here's a post where you'll see ribbon used 4 different ways: 

• a package bow
• a faux bow
• faux banner flag tails
• and ruching

I hope you've been inspired to dig into your stash of embellishments 

and start playing with ribbons.

To take advantage of this week's ribbon sale CLICK HERE to order on-line.
Please use this Hostess Code when ordering.  A4M4CXN4
And if your order is over $25 you'll earn Customer Rewards Points.  Check out the details here.
disclaimer: you must "allow demonstrator contact" to earn the points.  If you decline then I won't even see your name as a customer.

I appreciate your business and I'm here to help

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

 

• Need any stamping supplies? You can shop 24/7 in my OnLine Store
• Be sure to check the Clearance Rack for super deals on retired product.
• Don't miss the Weekly Deals - new product each Tuesday

Dress Framelit Favors

The Senior Center in Monona is having a Fashion Show in May. I was honored to be asked to help design the Table Favors. Of course the first thing I thought of was our cute Dress Framelits Dies.

The Dress Framelit set has 3 basic shapes. The dress on the right worked best for having a fold at the shoulders.   To cut the dress with the fold in the shoulder I folded the Designer Paper in half and made sure the fold line was inside the cut line of the framelit.

The decorations to the dress were simple:

• A belt - made of ribbon with a bow
• A shoulder "corsage" - made with a small punched scallop circle with a rhinestone in the center.

BTW: the small scallop punch is On Sale through Monday Its part of the Itty Bitty Punch pack, normally $16.95, on sale this week for only $12.71 You can see all the Weekly Deals here.

 

 

And here's a ribbon tip:  I measured and cut the short strips for the belt itself and attached them with glue dots. But for the bow I found I needed about a 4" piece to comfortably tie the bow (at least with my fingers), but then the tails were too long and I was wasting a lot of ribbon cutting them down to size.  To avoid the waste I tied the knot while the ribbon was still on the spool and cut the knot off the spool.

The candies were easy to attach.  Just put a little strip of double sticky tape on the inside bottom "hem" of each dress and use the dress like a "tweezers" to pick up the candy. The dress is now directly attached to the sides of the candy and the candy is what lets it stand up. Voila!  

 

I'm happy to help YOU design something special for YOUR event too 
Do you have any special occasions coming up?
Wedding? - - Shower? - - Graduation Party? - - other?
 

Stampin'UP! has lots of product for making all sorts of cute favors, table decorations and invitations. Email or call 608-220-3450 to discuss how I can help you.

• Need any stamping supplies? You can shop 24/7 in my OnLine Store
• Be sure to check the Clearance Rack for super deals on retired product.
• Don't miss the Weekly Deals - new product each Tuesday (Like the little Scallop Circle Punch in the the Itty Bitty Punch pack.)

If you are placing an On-Line order this month please use the April Hostess Code: NWWTDMJ7

And remember - you earn Customer Rewards Points for orders over $25.
My way of saying "Thanks for your Business"

Too Kind 2-Step Stamping with Ruched Ribbon

You're almost assured to get a WOW when you use a 2-step stamp set.  Too Kind is an example.  This set has 2 flowers which are intended to be double stamped, or stamped in 2-steps. Stamp the larger flower head in a light color and the smaller flower head in a darker color.  

These flowers were stamped in So Saffron and Crushed Curry.  The combination of browns and yellows is a beautiful fall color group. 

And that little strip of Champagne Glimmer paper adds a real wow.  

There are some additional details on this card that make it really special:  the Antique Brad and the "ruched" ribbon. Actually, its Crumb Cake Seam Binding.

To get the ribbon to look like this I laid down a strip of Sticky Red Line Tape and then started at one side with my seam binding. I adhered one end of the Seam Binding, then gathered up the ribbon  into a little loop and adhered again.  I just kept gathering and gluing until I got to the end of the tape.

If you like the look of the ribbon then check out this card with faux snow and this post that explains 4 ways to use ribbons.

The Too Kind Stamp set and all of these supplies are available from my on-line store.

Thanks for Stopping by

Retiring Stamps and Ribbon

May is the month of our catalog transition at Stampin'UP! The old catalog expires at the end of this month.  The new catalog will have lots of exciting new stamps and papers and ribbons and new punches and dies.  But of course that means some current product will be retiring. 

This card was made by Karen Clark who is part of my local demonstrator stamping group.  This card uses the retiring stamp set: Lean on Me.

I love how Karen used a theme of dots on this project. The dotted trail of the butterfly with pierced holes. The Dots on the Ribbon (which by the way is retiring) and the dots from the embossing folder.  

I also like how Karen attached the ribbon. The folds on top are held in place with Red Sticky Strip (not retiring) and a brad (which is retiring).

Be sure to check the lists of retiring product.  Stamps will be available through the end of May but accessories are only available while supplies last - and some are already sold out.

I've made easy read versions of both lists and you can download the pdf files here:

• Retiring STAMPS - (easy read version)
• Retiring ACCESSORIES - (easy read version)

If you see something on the list that you want - DON'T WAIT. Some accessories are already sold out.

Happy Stamping
--Katie

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• view the Annual Catalog   
  Flash Version  - or -  PDF
• See the Spring Mini Catalog
  Flash Version  - or -  PDF
• Contact me if you'd like paper copies of the catalogs
  mailed to your home (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
 

Fork Bow Video

Do you wonder what a FORK has to do with stamping or bows? Well in this case, the fork is the tool to help make this perfect little bow. 

What I mean by "perfect" is the fact that the 2 loops are the same size and symmetrical. And the reason is because of the fork.

Did you ever notice how many cards and other projects are decorated with ribbons that have a knot in them, but very few have a real bow with loops?  That's because many people - me included -  have trouble making a good looking bow. 

Problem Solved!  I learned this little trick and its made all the difference for me.  And to help you out I made this video.  Check it out to see how totally easy it is to make a good looking bow.

If you found this useful then please share the link with your friends so they can watch it too. Stampin'UP!'s "Statement of the Heart" is to share what we love and to make a difference in the lives of others. You can be part of the "Heart of Stamping" when you share useful information with other crafters.

Happy Stamping
--Katie

Convention Highlights

I Am . . .
*so EXCITED to share what I saw and learned at convention
*so GRATEFUL to be part of this company
*so PLEASED by the business training at convention this year
*so AMAZED by all the talented trade cards that were shared

The theme for this year's Stampin'UP! Convention was I AM...
and, in short, this year's Convention was - in my opinion - the best I've attended so far.

There are lots of different activities at convention:
*We get a chance to swap cards with other demos
*We get to meet new people - demonstrators come from all over the US and Canada
*We get a chance to play with new product
*We attend business seminars
*We get to stamp and make projects
   - and learn a few new tricks!
*and of course, we have lots of fun with friends.

Speaking of friends - I went out there with 6 other demonstrators from the Madison area. Here we are around the Make and Take table. I'm the gray-haired old lady 2nd from the left. We had that Make&Take table so well organized that the projects were finished in no time. We amazed ourselves.

We did learn a trick at this session:

Stampin'UP! sells these little craft boxes. They come folded flat and you open them to make the box. The idea is that you can decorate them - with all Stampin'UP! product.
*We stamped them with a simple circle using Versamark Ink
*wrapped them with ribbon
*and made the bow with designer paper decorated with a clear button

 

Now The Trick!  In the picture on the left it looks like the ribbon is wrapped around the box. Not so! The photo on the right shows the trick.  Attaching the ribbon this way means the bow is attached to the top of the box and does not have to be removed. The box stays looking pretty and can even be re-used over and over again!

Check back tomorrow for more from convention.

*Shop for all your Stampin'UP! product HERE

*Be sure to check my Customer Rewards Program

Happy Stamping

--Katie

Easy Knot but Not Easy to Say Good-bye to Retiring Product

I love the muted elegance of this card. The combination of the colors, the imagery, the texture, the satin ribbon and the gold embossing all really give it a rich, formal feel.

The neutral colors really let you focus on the imagery. Both the filigree image and the Congratulations are gold embossed on Vanilla paper. The base is Soft Suede which was spritzed with gold Smooch to add a little sparkle.

The texture on this card adds to its richness. There are lots of things contributing to the richness of the textures: the knotted ribbon, the gold embossing, the layers for the sentiment and the dry embossed stripes. The Soft Suede base was dry embossed using the Stripes embossing folder and the Big Shot. 

By the way, this is the easiest knot ever! I just cut the ribbon long enough to wrap the ends around the card and knotted it in the middle before adhering to the card. Voila!

One of the things I really appreciate about Stampin'UP! product is how things are designed to work together. The sentiment was punched with the Large Oval Punch (#119855) and layered on a piece punched with the Scallop Oval Punch (#119856). These 2 punches fit together perfectly AND they are a perfect fit for the center of this stamp!

The Stamp used on this card is called Elizabeth. This beautifully detailed stamp is sold individually. It looks gorgeous when gold embossed or just stamped. Wouldn't it make a beautiful place card for a dinner table?

Just as an FYI: this stamp is retiring. In fact there are only 3 days left to get any retiring product.

3 DAYS and COUNTING

The current catalog ends in 3 days. You have that much time to get any retiring stamps you still want. Retiring accessories are available only while supplies last and some are already sold out. Check out the retiring product here.

The new catalog goes live in 3 days. I've already contacted my customers about reserving their new catalogs for them. Do you need a catalog? If you don't already have a demonstrator I'd love to be yours. Just shoot me an email with your phone number and we'll figure out how to get you a copy of the catalog. And, of course, it will be available on-line too, but some of us just like to snuggle with the paper copy and yellow highlight and post-a-note all our favorites.

Happy Stamping
--Katie

Faux Snow - Grated Paper Fluff Again!

You have to love Wisconsin weather!  Last night we had the most beautiful light crystalline snowfall.  It was picture perfect illuminated by the barn light after dark. So my inspiration for this card is those lovely little sparkly flakes. Of course its not really winter yet so it didn't really stick on the ground, but this card is what it made me think of.

I'm so happy with the way this turned out - especially the "snow".  Its another example of the technique I showed in October, which I was calling "Grated Paper Fluff". This is just the coolest thing - so simple to do and so effective.  All you do is roll up some scrap paper and
grate it with a kitchen grater. The grater cleans up really easily. It is a little dusty, but not too bad.  If you look back at the October post you'll see that I was grating colored card stock to make fall foliage for a tree image. There are lots of great (pun intended) things about this technique:  first it uses up scrap paper!  Second, by using your own paper you can get a perfect color match for any paper you have. Third, you didn't $pend money to buy a fluffy product and you don't have another bottle of bling to find a place for on your stamping shelves. 

I wanted to make a card that felt cold and frosty.  I chose the trees from a stamp set called Scenic Season (which my daughter chose in her Starter Kit when she joined me as a demonstrator. I didn't ink the stamp too heavily because I didn't want the black ink to overpower the frosty snow.  The sparkles on the tree are very subtle, I made them with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  (I made several versions of this, the final card above does not have the sentiment on it that you're seeing here)

Notice the ribbon? I laid a strip of Sticky Strip across the base of the focal point. It is the same width as the 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. Then I just started sticking the ribbon to the sticky strip and bunching it up as I went along.  I wanted to have the ribbon continue the feel of snow on the bottom of the image. 

I stamped the image on a piece of Crumb Cake card stock and layered it on top a piece of black cardstock.  Then I randomly stamped snowflakes on the white card base.  I used snowflakes from a stamp set called Serene Snowflakes - but this card would look good with any snowflake set you have. 

All the supplies are from Stampin'UP! (except the kitchen grater!).  Let me know if there is any way I can help you with your stamping needs. 

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Thanks for choosing me as your source of stamping inspiration and education. I'm here to help you. Your choice to purchase your stamping supplies through me helps to support this website.

--Katie