Stampin' Addicts Summer Mini Blog Hop!

Hello and welcome to stop #10 of the Stampin' Addicts Summer Mini Blog Hop!  The hop runs from April 30th through May 2nd.  You may have hopped on over from Dawnmarie's blog - didn't you just love all of the fabulous things she did with the new Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper?  If this is your first stop, don't worry!  The blogs are linked full-circle, so you can find your way through the entire hop.  You can find the complete list of the blogs in this post at SA.

I am featuring the stamp set Watercolor Trio... remember that you can order this and other Summer Mini products beginning May 1st from your demonstrator!  I'll just be including supply lists for these projects in this post.  If you like what you see, please remember to bookmark my blog and come back after the hop is over for more details!

Have you checked out Stampin' Up!'s awesome On Board Art Journals?  They come ready for your personalization, and are wonderfully durable!  Here is a 5" x 5" one that I have stamped.  I'm not sure what I'll use it for yet though!

Art Journal supplies:
Stamps:  Watercolor Trio, Calendar Alphabet & Numbers
Ink:  Old Olive, Regal Rose and Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pads, Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper:  Soft Suede and Regal Rose cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  On Board 5" x 5" Art Journal, Scallop Edge Border and Spiral Punches, Clear and White Stampin' Emboss Powders, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Mini Vintage Tags, Mellow Moss taffeta ribbon, Hemp Twine, Linen Thread, Color Catcher


Next, I have a 5" square card with a coordinating envelope, created using this week's Mojo Monday sketch and ColourQ Challenge #30:

From the Heart card supplies:

Stamps:  Watercolor Trio

Ink:  Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy and Cameo Coral Classic Stampin' Pads

Paper:  Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, and Sage Shadow cardstock

Accessories/Tools:  Whisper White satin ribbon, Always Artichoke and Bravo Burgundy Stampin' Write Markers, Vintage Brads, Lots of Tags Sizzlits dies, Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 1/2" Circle Punch, Linen Thread, Stampin' Sponges, Color Spritzer, Cutter Kit, Circle Scissors Plus, Big Shot, Whisper White Medium Square Envelope

On to our next project, a coaster.  I feel the images in this set go perfectly with this saying from Define Your Life!  You can find tumbled stone tiles at your local home improvement store.

Simple Joy Tile supplies:

Stamps:  Watercolor Trio, Define Your Life

Ink:  Old Olive and Regal Rose Craft Stampin' Pads, Jet Black StazOn ink

Accessories/Tools:  Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, tumbled tile

And finally, I have a 12" x 12" scrapbook page to show you!  These pictures were taken at Maymont Park, near where I lived in Virginia.  Love spending time there!

"Spring" 12" x 12" page supplies:

Stamps:  Watercolor Trio

Ink:  Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue Classic Stampin' Pads, Whisper White and Old Olive Craft Stampin' Pads

Paper:  Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Always Artichoke, and Whisper White cardstock, Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pad

Accessories/Tools:  Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers, On Board Timeless Type Chipboard, Mini Vintage Tags, Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon, Clear and White Stampin' Emboss Powders, Brayer, Stampin' Sponges, Word Window Punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlits dies, Big Shot

I hope that you have enjoyed my projects, and I thank you for stopping by!  Your next stop is Mary's blog.  She is showcasing our wonderful Simply Adorned charms - I can't wait for you to see what she has done with them!  Enjoy the rest of the hop!

BOLO - Stampin' Addicts Summer Mini Blog Hop!

Be on the lookout!  Beginning on Friday, April 30th, and running through Sunday, May 2nd, myself and 22 other talented stampers will be showcasing products from Stampin' Up!'s upcoming Summer Mini catalog!

To see the line-up, you can visit this post on Stampin' Addicts.  While you're there, join in the fun and register!  Feel free to give me a shout-out!   :)

Vintage Style!

Happy Sunday!

Here is a card I made while chatting with my mom on the phone yesterday.  I had fun creating the vintage look with the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Creamy Caramel sponging, and the distressing tool from the Cutter Kit!

The stamp set is Elements of Style, and will be available beginning May 1st from the new Summer Mini!  (Contact me if you'd like me to send you one in the mail!)  I first stamped the flourish on the Kraft card base with Bravo Burgundy Classic ink, then spritzed the card base with Log Cabin Smooch Spritz (it's like a shimmery bronze/copper color).  I colored in the main image with Rose Red, So Saffron and Old Olive stamp pads and a Blender Pen, then spritzed that as well.  The hummingbird just looks so pretty floating above the flowers.  :)

I just love the look the distressing tool gives the card!  You simply rub the tool along the edge of your cardstock, effortlessly lending to the vintage feel.  I left a sentiment off the card, making it more versatile.. it could really be used for almost anything!

Hope you have a great day!  Thanks for stopping by!

Vintage Style card:
Stamps:  Elements of Style (available May 1st)
Ink:  Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, So Saffron, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, and Bravo Burgundy Classic Stampin' Pads
Paper:  Whisper White, Chocolate Chip and Kraft cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Cutter Kit, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz (available May 1st), Old Olive satin ribbon, Stampin' Sponges, Blender Pen

Lovely Sunshine!

Happy Friday!


I was so excited to see that I was given the Sunshine blog award!  Thank you to my friend Lisa Young at Add Ink and Stamp, and Cindy from Nutmeg Creations!  Please check out their blogs - they are both so talented, and have such wonderful and inspiring creations to share!

Here are the rules of the the award...

1. Put the award on your blog

2. Pass the award to other bloggers who bring you sunshine.

3. List the Nominees in your post.

4. Let the Nominees know you nominated them by leaving a comment on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person who gave you the award!

I wish I could nominate all of my friends, but I'm just limiting it to a few.  I hope no one gets offended that I didn't list them - please know that you ALL bring me sunshine and that I love visiting your blogs!

So here are just a few of the bloggers that bring sunshine into my world, in no particular order.  Please stop on by their blogs if you get a chance, and leave them some sunshine!
-  Brandi at The Squareheaded Stamper
-  Susan at Susan's Little Scraps
-  Lora at The Squirrel Hole
-  Barb at Thought Connection
-  Lisa at Life in Flip-Flops

Circle journal - 4 things I've repurposed for scrapping

Good morning!

I'm slowly getting caught up on my circle journal layouts!  Here is my layout for Courtney, who wanted to know about 4 things we've re-purposed for scrapbooking.  (Is it "repurposed" or "re-purposed"?  I have no idea really, but Google Chrome says that "repurposed" is a misspelling. :) )

Most of the things I repurpose are for storage needs:
-  I had some foam-core poster board laying around for whatever reason, that I turned into an ink pad holder with the help of a hot-glue gun.  (Hope to get the SU!'s ink pad holder soon!)
-  I like to transfer my glitter and embossing powders into plastic containers normally used for food storage.  I keep a plastic spoon in the container, and I'm able to keep my powders neatly contained.  When I use them, I hold my item over the container, scoop some powder over it, then tap off the excess directly back into the container.
-  I found these cute little drawer organizers 3 for a $1 at a store.  I really want the Stampin' Up! Stack & Store revolving organizer for these embellie containers, but I have to wait on that.  For now, I'm using these!
-  The desk I have for crafting has a tray that I think is just for decorative purposes, not really for support.  I store all of my SU! punches on there.. not the best solution, but it works pretty nicely.  I'm out of room though.  :)

1st page:

2nd page:

Isn't that flourish cool?  I printed that directly on the Old Olive cardstock from My Digital Studio.  It is from the Baroque Motifs stamp brush set (another "real" stamp set I've been meaning to get!).  I just love how I can use stamp sets I don't actually have, with My Digital Studio.  And there I go with the border punch again.. lol.  Speaking of things I like to do, yes, I did stamp the title and cut out each letter.  Why I like to cut things out like that, I don't know.  I enjoy doing "tedious" work I guess... I find it relaxing!

Circle journal (8x8") layout supplies:
Stamps:  Baroque Motifs (digital brush), Taffy Alphabet
Ink:  Taken with Teal Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper:  Old Olive, Taken with Teal, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip and Mellow Moss cardstock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper stack
Accessories/Tools:  Chocolate Chip corduroy brad, Filigree Designer Brads, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon, Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon, Sending Love Hugs Note, Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, and Scallop Trim and Scallop Border Punches

Ok, and here's my sign-in tag.  We were to use a repurposed item, so I used a pretty clothing tag - inked it up a bit with Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip inks, and added a little spritzing with the Chocolate Chip marker.  I was so excited when the little rivet (?) on the tag matched my Antique Brass brads.. yes, didn't take much to get me excited late last night.  LOL

You could say that I repurposed my "hand-stamped by" personalized stamp by using it for the tag, omitting all the other parts of the stamp by just inking my name with a marker.  I snipped out my city and state from a piece of mail I received.

Sign-in tag supplies:
Stamps:  Personalized "hand-stamped by" stamp
Ink:  Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pads
Paper:  Certainly Celery cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Antique Brass Brads from Vintage Brads pack, Linen Thread, Baja Breeze corduroy buttons (retired), Certainly Celery button from Sherbet Designer Brads pack, Chocolate Chip button from Button Latte pack, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Color Spritzer, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker

Well, see you later!  I'm off to cook some lunch, then out to the grocery store.  Hope you had a great weekend!

Circle journal - Emma's sign-in tag

Hi!

Here is my sign-in tag for Emma's circle journal.  She wanted us to do something related to movies, or use a star.  I hope this isn't too big, Emma.. but if it is, I'll re-do it!

I had fun making this one.  :)  I first covered a raw chipboard star from the On Board Essentials pack with Whisper White Craft ink, drying it with my heat tool.  Next, I inked up a retired background stamp (French Script) with Regal Rose Classic ink, stamping over the white star, then covered the entire thing with VersaMark and clear embossing powder.  I hit it with heat again to melt the powder.  The rest is pretty self-explanatory I think, so I won't bore you with the details!

Emma's sign-in tag supplies:
Stamps:  French Script (retired) and Vintage Vogue
Ink:  Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad, Regal Rose Classic Stampin' Pad, VersaMark
Paper:  Chocolate Chip and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker, Scallop Trim Border and Corner punches, Word Window punch, Linen Thread, Chocolate Chip button from Button Latte pack, On Board Essentials Chipboard, clear embossing powder, heat tool

Circle journal - 3 favorite actors

Hello!

Ok, so it seems like my creative funk isn't over!  Phew.  I've been trying to get caught up on these circle journal pages.. almost there!  Anyway, so Emma asked us who our 3 favorite actors are.  Mine are Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie and Rachel McAdams.  I love how versatile these three actors are in their roles!  I think they all do their job very well.  :)  The pictures of the celebs were found via Google image search.

1st page:

2nd page:

How do you like the star shapes?  They're raw chipboard sprayed with my new Log Cabin Smooch Spritz!  (Available May 1st in the Summer Mini).  Love this stuff!

I created my title in My Digital Studio.  I used the stamp brush from the Favorite Things set, and used the Just Perfect alphabet brush for "actors".  I really enjoy being able to make everything perfectly coordinate with My Digital Studio!  Across the bottom, I used the Baroque Border wheel, and sponged with Creamy Caramel around the whole layout.

Hope you like it Emma!  Still working on the sign-in tag, because what I originally planned might be too big.

Circle journal layout (8x8") supplies:
Stamps:  Favorite Things (MDS), Just Perfect alphabet (MDS), and Priceless
Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel Classic Stampin' Pads
Paper:  Dusty Durango, Basic Black, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  My Digital Studio, Baroque Border wheel, Chocolate Chip ink cartridge, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, On Board Essentials chipboard, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz (available May 1st), Bashful Blue button from Sherbet Designer Button pack, Linen Thread, Spiral punch

Simply Adorned Charm Swaps

Good evening!

I recently participated in a swap with fellow demonstrators on Stampin' Addicts, making inserts that fit inside the Stampin' Up!'s Simply Adorned Charms.  I created two inserts - one for the 1 x 1-1/4" rectangle charm, and one for the 5/8" square charm.  The 1 x 1-1/4" charm is designed to go with the Simply Adorned Chains, of which we have to sizes (24" and 36").  It would also be gorgeous as a Christmas tree ornament or dangling off your key chain.. just a couple of the possibilities!  The charm is locket-style, allowing you to quickly and easily change out the insert to fit your mood or outfit.  One side is beveled glass, and the other is flat glass (you can wear it however you'd like).  I must say that the Simply Adorned items are of very nice quality!  Each Simply Adorned item comes in a cute little Chocolate Chip gift box.

Well anyway, let me show you the swaps.  Here is the one I made, shown in the charm and attached to the chain necklace:

"Life" 1 x 1-1/4" Charm Insert:
Stamps:  Season of Friendship, Dreams du Jour
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Garden Green, and Tempting Turquoise Classic
Paper:  Whisper White cardstock

And here's the back of my insert:

"Love" 1 x 1-1/4" Charm Insert:
Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Dreams du Jour
Ink:  Regal Rose and Bravo Burgundy Classic
Paper:  Whisper White cardstock

What do you think?  I love how it turned out!

Here are the inserts made by the other swappers.  I included mine at the top so that you can see what it looks like outside of the charm...

Front view:

Back view:

I will post pictures of the 5/8" square charm inserts later this week.  Hope you enjoyed looking at these as much as I do!  Thanks SA ladies for your beautiful work!  I love them all.

Watercolored Thanks

Hello and happy Saturday!

It is a gorgeous day and I am about to head out in a few minutes, but before I do - I have a card to show you!  I created it using this week's sketch over at Stampin' Addicts.  This week's Pals Paper Arts challenge was to make a flower-themed card, which was perfect for how I am feeling today!  For the colors, I was inspired by those on the front of Stampin' Up!'s beautiful 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog.

Don't recognize that set, eh?  You are getting a sneak peek at the Summer Mini catalog that will be released on May 1st!  The set is called Watercolor Trio and is just gorgeous!  I stamped one of the images several times with Crushed Curry and Soft Suede, and the butterfly with Bermuda Bay.  I drew in a little body for the butterfly with the Soft Suede marker.

I just LOVE having the option to buy 8-1/2 x 11" textured cardstock!  It's only available in the In Color assorted pack right now, but I am crossing my fingers that it is available in other colors later!  I love being able to create a standard sized textured card base without having to cut down a big 12 x 12" sheet.

I am so excited, because I finally ordered my Fancy Flower XL punch!  (Don't forget to order yours from your demonstrator if you haven't already.. it's in the Occasions Mini, which will end April 30th!)  I curled the edges a little using my bone folder.  As you can see, I added a little "texture" to my focal piece and sentiment using the Soft Suede marker and the Color Spritzer.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a fabulous day!

Watercolored Thanks card supplies:
Stamps:  Watercolor Trio (available May 1st)
Ink:  Crushed Curry and Soft Suede Classic ink
Paper:  Bermuda Bay textured cardstock, and Soft Suede, Crushed Curry and Very Vanilla cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Color Spritzer, Soft Suede Stampin' Write marker, 1-3/8" Circle punch, Fancy Flower XL punch, Very Vanilla 5/8" satin ribbon

Live, Laugh & Love!

Hello again!

I have a card to show you!  I have been mojo-less for a little while, and hopefully that has ended.  I will be working on organizing my craft room finally, as well as circle journal layouts!  I intend to be caught up with that by the end of the week.

Anyway, for the card I used Stamping 411's Saturday Sketch #145, and Arielle's colourQ challenge #27...

Tangerine Tango!  I haven't used that color since it had retired, and I was so excited to break it out for this card.  If you haven't heard or didn't read my earlier post today, Tangerine Tango will be joining the core color group... woohoo!  I'm not sure though if the ribbon will be available again, but I can't wait to see what SU! has in store for us with the new Idea Book & Catalog in July!  I am also VERY excited that Soft Suede will be joining the Neutrals Color Collection, as it's one of my favorites!

The card's pretty simple.. I stamped flowers from the Petal Pizzazz stamp set in Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, and Night of Navy, and cut them out.  I also stamped the sentiment using my Tangerine Tango ink pad and the Night of Navy Stampin' Write marker.  The Trio Flower Punch makes quick and easy accents to place along the bottom.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Live, Laugh & Love birthday card supplies:
Stamps:  On Your Birthday, Petal Pizzazz
Ink:  Tangerine Tango (available July 1st), Night of Navy and Tempting Turquoise Classic
Paper:  Soft Suede, Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise cardstock, The Write Stuff Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Trio Flower Punch, Silver Vintage Brads, Tangerine Tango striped grosgrain ribbon (retired), Night of Navy Stampin' Write marker

Exciting news!

Hello!  I am so ecstatic about news that was released from Stampin' Up! yesterday!  I can't wait to work with the new colors and create some fun projects!

After a lot of research spanning a couple of years, Stampin' Up! is implementing a Color Renovation!  This means a fresh and exciting overhaul on our core color families, and will occur with the new Idea Book & Catalog that will be released on July 1, 2010.  

• There will be four Color Collections:  Brights, Neutrals, Regals, and Subtles.
• Each Color Collection consists of 10 colors.
• The Color Renovation will mean that there will be 30 colors retiring from our previous color palette to make room for the new!  However, don't be sad!  I am confident that you will grow to love the new palette.  :)

Please note the following:  Stampin' Up! will continue to offer Brushed Gold, Brushed Silver, Confetti Cream, Confetti White, Glossy White, Naturals Ivory, Naturals White, Shimmery White, and White vellum cardstock, as well as White vellum paper.

The new color palette:  25 colors will be "staying", and there will be 10 In Colors joining them, along with 5 brand-new colors.  This gives us a total of 40 core colors.

• In Colors that will be joining the core group - Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, River Rock, Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, and Wild Wasabi.
• Note that Kraft has joined the core colors!  It has been renamed to "Crumb Cake" to fit the beautiful names SU! has given the colors.  An exciting point of this is that there will now be ink available to match!
• The brand-new colors are:  Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, and Marina Mist.  Wait until you see these.. they are gorgeous!

Click here to see the new Color Collections!

Stampin' Up! will be releasing Stampin' Write Markers, Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Stampin' Pastels for the old In Colors and new colors!  These will also be available as Color Kits to enable an easy and inexpensive addition to your collection.  In addition, the new colors will be available as a free download to My Digital Studio on July 1st!  Digital accessories with these new colors will be available later.

I don't know about you, but I have always looked forward to the release of new In Colors that are for limited-time purchase.  So, will there be In Colors released still?  Yes!  There will be 5 new In Colors released each year in the Idea Book & Catalog, and each set of 5 will be available for 2 years.  So in the July 1st, 2010 Idea Book & Catalog there will be a total of 45 colors (40 core colors + 5 new In Colors).  In the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog, there will be a total of 50 colors (40 core + 5 In Colors from the previous year + 5 new In Colors).

Click here to see a PDF showing the retiring colors.  Please remember that these will not be available for purchase after June 30th, 2010!  Do not miss getting the ink pads, refills, markers, cardstock, and coordinating accessories!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me or your demonstrator!

Two-Step into Spring!

Hello!  Can you believe it's April already?  I feel like the year is just flying by!

So that means that Sale-a-bration is over!  I hope you were able to earn lots of free stuff!  :)  If not, don't be sad, because Stampin' Up! is having a fantastic sale for April!  AND they are giving us a sneak peek of the new Idea Book & Catalog that will be out on July 1st!

Flyer (PDF)

From now through April 30th, you can purchase the sneak peek set "Awash with Flowers", a new two-step stamping set!  I adore two-step stamping sets.. I feel they give you a fabulous look and "dimension" to your images, with minimal effort!  This set is available in either wood-mount or cling-mount, and is just gorgeous!  I can't wait to get it!

Item	Description	Price
117062	Awash with Flowers (wood-mount)	$39.95
120549	Awash with Flowers (clear-mount)	$27.95

Here are some samples from the Stampin' Up! site showing this stamp set:

For You card supplies:

Stamps:  Awash with Flowers, Great Friend

Paper:  Certainly Celery card stock, So Saffron textured card stock, Watercolor paper

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn pad, So Saffron Stampin' Write marker, Watercolor Wonder Crayons

Accessories:  Very Vanilla 5/8" satin ribbon, Clips assortment, Stampin' Dimensionals, Color Spritzer Tool, Sizzix Big Shot, Top Note Bigz die, Sewing machine and thread

Thanks card supplies:

Stamps:  Awash with Flowers, Thank You Kindly

Paper:  Certainly Celery card stock, So Saffron textured card stock, Whisper White card stock

Ink:  Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Orchid Opulence, Pretty in Pink, and So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pads, Certainly Celery Stampin' Write marker

Accessories:  Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, Clips assortment, Color Spritzer Tool

What's the sale, you ask??  Well, in celebration of spring and two-step stamping, Stampin' Up! is offering spring-themed two-step stamp sets at 20% off!  This sale will last through April 30th.  The sets that are included are:

Item	Page	Description	Discount Price
113824	94	Greenhouse Garden	$20.76
113734	98	Fifth Avenue Floral	$19.96
111578	101	Flower Fancy	$29.56
113258	112	Trendy Trees	$14.36

If you host a workshop in April and your workshop total reaches $350, you can get the Awash with Flowers stamp set absolutely free!  So if you are in the Knoxville area and would like to host a workshop with me, contact me today! 

On another note, check out the Clearance Rack in my online store!  Select items are up to 60% off, and they just added a bunch of new items!  If you loved the Canvas Accents & Elements I used in my scrapbook page here, you can grab those from the Clearance Rack for only $2.99!  Fabulous, eh?

Have an awesome day!