Petal Parade in Bright Colors

Is anyone else ready for spring? The temperature in southern Wisconsin this morning was minus 5! Time for some cheery colors.


These three strong colors:
  *Pacific Point
  *Daffodil Yellow and
  *Real Red
are bright enough to bring a much needed smile. 

Do you like the font on this sentiment? The "hello" is from a stamp set called Four You. This set has 4 versatile sentiments in very stylish fonts.

This set is a nice addition to a sentiment collection 

- or -

 a great set if you're just starting out.

The flower images and the scallop underscoring the sentiment are both from a Sale-a-bration set called Petal Parade. The scallops are separated from the word by a thin strip of black paper.

Sale-a-bration starts tomorrow - WooHoo!

Read more about Sale-a-bration HERE

 

Here are a couple of STAMPING TIPS:  

First: Here's a tip for lining up images 
If you use clear mount stamps . . . Line them up on the block BEFORE you stamp on the paper.

Second: to get multiple colors on a single stamp
color directly on the stamp with your markers. 

Supplies:
Stamp Set:
   Four You (clear #130538) (wood #130535)
   Petal Parade (sale-a-bration set)
Punch: Postage Stamp

I hope you've been inspired

Thanks for stopping by,
 

QUICK LINKS:

• Reduced prices on Retired product  . . .  Check the Clearance Rack HERE
• Special Savings: Deal of the Week  . . . Click here to see The Deal of the Week 
  - New items post each Tuesday
• Sale-a-bration starts Jan 28th . . . Read the Details HERE
  
• View our Catalogs On-Line
  -The Annual Catalog (expires May 31) . . . also in Spanish
  -The Occasions Catalog (January - May)
  -The Sale-a-Bration Brochure (Jan 28-Mar 31)

Photoplymer Stamps

Did you know Stampin'UP! has clear stamps?  Not just clear mount, but actually clear stamps.  They are made from a photopolymer material. Stampin'UP! has quietly been releasing 1 photopolymer set a month for the last 5 months. They are not in the regular catalog but you can see them and buy them on-line here.

What makes them so great?

• They're entirely transparent for perfect placement every time! 
• They are durable. The photopolymer material is designed to last. 
• They're sticky, these stamps stick amazingly well to our clear blocks 

Stampin'UP!'s top-quality photopolymer has just enough give to create a perfectly stamped image every time. Photopolymer stamps are unique, fun designs that will inspire you and provide more versatile options that you may not see in our traditional wood- and clear-mount stamp options. Be sure to watch this video from the home office below to see what I mean.  I love how she changes the shape of the stamp.

As she says in the video: They are clearly a great choice.

check this out


I have the set she's using and have just had time to ink it up and try it.  I tried lining up the rows like she did on her first project and it really works - I'm impressed.  Now I need to finish a card with the piece to share. Sorry, that's not very professional of me, but you'll just have to wait to see my projects with this stamp set.

Happy Stamping
--Katie

Quick Links

• View the Catalog online:  PDF  or FLASH
• Buy 3 Get 1 Free Designer Print Paper Promotion
• The Clearance Rack has just been updated with new items. 
  View the Clearance Rack HERE
• For a limited time get individual markers in the new colors.
  Choose your Markers HERE

Clear Mount versus Clear Stamps

Well - here's something "clearly" new.  Stampin'UP! is offering a clear stamp.  This is not just a clear mount, it truly is a clear stamp. 

Check out these features of photopolymer stamps. Here's what makes them so great.

• They're entirely transparent for perfect placement every time! 
• They are durable. The photopolymer material is designed to last. 
• Can you say sticky? (Don't worry; in a good way.) These stamps stick amazingly well to our clear blocks.
• They're age tested. They won't yellow or cloud up over time. 
• They use FDA, food-safe material. How far can you stretch your stamping creativity? 
• We could go on, but we'll let you try them for yourself.

They are clearly a great choice.

This new stamp type is being introduced on a trial basis and currently there is 1 stamp set available in the photopolymer.  The set is called called  Designer Typeset and this set is photopolymer only, its not available in wood or clear mount.  I can see why (no pun intended on the word "clear"). This set has 57 tiny stamps. The clear option is perfect for tiny images like this to get perfect placement.

And speaking of perfect, the price of only $13.95 is definitely perfect for trying them out.  I just ordered mine today and can't wait to play with them.  You can get yours on my Stampin'UP! website.


Item # 132956 . . . Description:  Designer Typeset Photopolymer Stamp Set . . . Price $13.95
Recommended clear blocks:  A, B, G, F and I (Purchased separately)
Includes 57 pieces. (Don't faint! This is a good overwhelming feeling.)

If you are placing an order before March 22 be sure to check out the Sale-a-bration choices.  You may want to add some consumables (white paper, adhesive . . .) to your order so you can
get a FREE Sale-a-bration choice.  But remember: Sale-a-bration ends March 22!

Happy Stamping
--Katie

Wood Mount versus Clear Mount

Wood mount stamps or clear mount stamps: do you have a preference? Stamps are the basic tool of our craft so its important to understand the reasons for choosing one or the other.

Reasons to Choose Clear Mount

1. Storage:  they take up less space
2. Cost: they cost less
3. Ease of stamping: you can see through the clear block to position your image

Disadvantages of Clear Mounts

1. They don't always stay on the block
   
   
   TIP: I solve this by using a little re-positionable tape on my block to hold on the stamp. It does not damage the stamp and easily comes off the block
2. Make sure you have the right size block for the image. If its too small you'll miss inking something that hangs off the edge of the block. See the block chart to the right.

Here's another tip:  The images in the Stampin'UP! catalog are all printed life size.  So just hold your clear block over the picture of the stamp to see if it will work.

Reasons to Choose Wood Mount

1. Missing Blocks: You never have to worry about finding the right size block. Or traveling somewhere and realizing you forgot to bring any blocks! (yep, done that)
2. Total Accuracy: (when using a stamp positioner like the Stamp-a-ma-Jig).
   
   TIP: I always buy wood mount for my sentiments. Even with being able to see through the clear blocks, I find that I'm better able to get a level image by using a stamp-a-ma-jig. 
   
   Not sure how to use this amazing tool?  Check my how-to video explaining how to use the Stamp-a-ma-Jig

Are you thinking of switching over from wood to clear?  You can purchase the blocks individually as you need them, or you can save money by purchasing the entire group as a bundle.  And TODAY ONLY (Wed 11/28/2013) they are on sale for 20% OFF.  And the storage caddy is also on sale. I also have a video explaining why I like the storage caddy.

If you've been thinking about getting the Blocks you'll save money by getting them today.

• Click HERE to order your set of Clear Blocks
• Click HERE to see the sale flyer (lots of other things on sale too, but the sale ends today)
• Click HERE to see the Main Catalog (in English)  or in Spanish
• Click HERE to see the Holiday Mini Catalog

You earn Customer Rewards Points for all orders over $25

Making the move to clear mounts 

might be a smart idea for you

Saving money by getting them today is very smart.

But do it now, because 

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THIS SALE!

Happy Stamping

--Katie

Lovely Tree for Father's Day

Do you struggle to find good images for men's cards? With Father's Day coming up that is an issue for many of us.  My dad will turn 74 the day after Father's Day this year.

Of course this card doesn't have to be for Father's Day. There is plenty of room in the corner for almost any sentiment you have. The sentiment for this card comes from a stamp set called Best Dad Ever.

The tree stamp is from everyone's favorite stamp set. I'm so glad that Stampin'UP! did NOT retire Lovely as a Tree. This set is so well loved by so many people - and of course, perfect for men's cards like Father's Day.

This was a pretty simple card to make:

*The tree is heat embossed in black

*the green color was applied with
  sponges and the tree trunk was
  colored with marker

*the brads were spaced to underline
  the word DAD

STAMPING TIP: The ink will not dry on top the heat embossed part of the image so be careful of smudges. Use a tissue to gently blot up the extra ink that has not adhered to the paper.

Colors on this card (all Stampin'UP!) are:

Crumb Cake - Early Espresso - Always Artichoke and Soft Suede marker for the tree trunk

Lovely as a Tree is now available in Clear Mount. With this new catalog Stampin'UP! is making ALL stamps (except for the small ala carte ones) available in BOTH wood mount AND CLEAR mount. Even the older sets. Just be sure you also have the right size clear blocks. See this post on How to Choose the Right Size Clear Block

Get your Stampin'UP! supplies here: You can order Lovely as a Tree and all your Stampin'UP! supplies HERE.  If you don't already have a Stampin'UP! demonstrator I'd love to be yours. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to shoot me an email if you have any stamping questions.

Happy Stamping

--Katie