Hello!

Hi to everyone! What a different mix of colors for me on this card! Melon Mambo (which really is more of a pink color than a melon color), Soft Suede (one of my new faves!), and Dusty Durango. But, surprisingly - they work quite well together. And check it out - my new favortite ribbons! Polka Dot Grosgrain. I love it! I do, I do! I "borrowed" the layout from this card over on Becky Roberts' blog.

This is such a nice layout - so clean and simple. And it was a great opportunity to use some more new stuff - the sentiment is a rub-on from Autumn Days Rub-Ons, the leaves from the stamp set by the same name. Although summer is just starting, I could almost go for fall. Maybe it's because of the nasty heat we've been putting up with already. I sure don't think this is appropriate for JUNE! What - oh, yeah - you see something else new in this photo?

That's right! New MARKERS!!! I told you yesterday that they finally came out with markers in the In Colors - someone was really thinking....

That's all for now everybody! Enjoy...

Recipe:

Stamps: Autumn Days; Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Melon Mambo, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango
Accessories: Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon, Autumn Days Rub ons, Top Note Die, Big Shot

Just for YOU!

that's right - YOU - my fellow blog readers! I have an offer just for you! You see it's just one week until the 2009 - 2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog goes live. ONE WEEK! Rejoice people! I know you've all been anxiously awaiting this day - I know that it will be like a holiday (twofold for me - that I'll share with you on July 1st!)
So, in celebration of our own little holiday, I'm going to offer you a special deal - hold onto your hats....

The FIRST person to go to my Stampin' Up Website on July 1st and place an order ($25 or more before shipping and taxes) will receive a $30 gift certificate to use on their next order.
The FIFTH person to place an order ($25 minimum) on my website will receive a $20 gift certificate.
The TENTH person to place an order ($25 minimum) on my website will receive a $15 gift certificate.
All people who place online orders will have their names placed in "the hat" for a $40 gift certificate! This will be given away on July 31st!

When you place your order, be sure to leave your EMAIL address so that I can email your results.
This is only offered at my website. Orders will be fulfilled and shipped directly to your door from Stampin' Up!

On with today's card:
Isn't she a beauty? And look at me go outside of my color box with all of those bright colors! And what's that you see? Hmmm....do those markers look familiar to you? I would highly doubt it - because - they are IN COLOR MARKERS! For the first time ever - Stampin' Up! is offering markers in the 6 limited edition colors that they come out with annually. How wonderful is that? And that stamped image in the center - that's from a brand spanking new set - Circle Circus. I love this set. I'm drawn to it constantly these days!

Alright guys - I really need to get some shut eye - TTFN! Tune in tomorrow for something else new!

To thy father!

Quick post for you today! This new set - Autumn Days was an afterthought when I preordered my new goodies - but it came just in time for Fathers Day. Yesterday's post was with this same set - and on this card you get a glimpse of the pheasant image, the wheat and the leaves that are in the set. And some more new colors too - Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, and a bit of Soft Suede (for the pheasant). I used the moonlighting technique to give it an even more manly feel. Oh - and I about forgot - the sentiment is from Teeny Tiny wishes, and check out that new punch!!! Modern Label - isn't it awesome?

Sorry for the quick post - but I must run!

Later gators!

Christmas in June?

Yeah - that's right...I'm already thinking about Christmas! Wait until you see the great Christmas paper in the new catalog - ohhh, la, la! I've got thoughts of sugarplums dancing in my head already. It's not even July yet - and I'm thinking of Christmas! My co-worker Sandy would be so proud! (right Sandy?) She's probably listening to Christmas music right now! So, with the Christmas spirit already upon me, I created this:

This card was actually CASED from this card. I love the simple grace that it exudes! The image is from a brand spanking new set - Autumn Days. I didn't initially order the set, but then saw the card that I copied, and HAD to have it! And, imagine that - not a lick of DSP! I can't believe it! There is also a pheasant in the set, some wheat and some other autumny type things! I know one person that will really like it...her initials are NM....do you know who you are???

Recipe:

Stamps: Autumn Days

Ink: Old Olive (for sentiment)

Paper: Very Vanilla

Accessories: Old Olive Wide Ribbon, Soft Suede and Old Olive Markers, Sponge Dauber, White Gel Pen

What is better than new paper?

I received my supply of new goods and in between drooling over the new catalog, working and taking care of my kiddos, I've managed to actually come up with some new things using the NEW Razzleberry Lemonade paper. Now, this paper is NOT up my alley - not one little bit. But, demonstrators only had two options for Designer Series Paper to preorder from.... That being said, I can usually manage to find a couple of sheets of paper in each pack that I really like. Typically I hoard those sheets. And I hoard them, and hoard them. Then they retire. So, I'm trying something new this year - I'm gonna use my paper up, and I'm gonna like it! Here is my first creation:
And here is my second creation with that DSP:

I grouped them together (8 cards total), and they were auctioned off at a Relay for Life Benefit that we recently attended.

Recipe Card 1:

Stamps: Party Hearty

Ink: Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay

Paper: Kraft, Razzleberry Lemonade

Accessories: White Gel Pen, Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon

Recipe Card 2:

Stamps: Party Hearty

Ink: Bermuda Bay

Paper: Kraft, Razzleberry Lemonade, Bermuda Bay, Razzleberry

Accessories: Big Shot w/ Scallop Circle Die, Piercing Tool, 1 3/4 Circle Punch

TTFN!

Jen

Oh to be inspired!

I love when inspiration finds ME! To peek around the corner and go -"Oh - I know exactly what I can do with that!" That's just how I felt when I saw this bag: This cute little bag was filled with some really yummy smelling Mary Kay Pineapple Sugar Scrub, Lotion and Perfume! When I saw the bag tho, I knew instantly what I wanted to do! The image filled my little head, and I just had to wait until I could get home again from work and put the kiddos to bed. Then it was Quick! Grab the paper, the stamps, and the ink! And here is my creation:

I just love it! It's bold, and yet simple. I pulled in the Old Olive from the zipper portion, the Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon (NEW!) comes from the zipper pull. And that yellow - I could have found a better match than the new Crushed Curry! I stamped the image (Upsy Daisy) and embossed with White Embossing Powder. I could have used Whisper White Craft Ink, but I wanted a nice bold image that was a little thicker(?).

What do you think? Of course my Mary Kay lady (my mother) had the BRILLIANT idea of creating some sets to sell inside the bag....how clever. I'm now rummaging thru my selection of stamp sets to see what else I can create. Watch for more to come.

Until next time people......

Jen

Old rubbah meets new collah!

Must I translate for you? Oh, I sure hope not! I simply had the chance to play with my new colors! And, not only that, I've used every single new In Color already. I just love them all. I had a really hard time using Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango from the current In Colors. I know there are a lot of you who must think I'm crazy for not being able to use those colors. I just can't! So, to use every single new color - I'm in awwwww! And awfully proud of myself to boot! In fact this is one of my favorite new creations and I used 3 of the 6 new colors all in one card:

The only thing that's NOT new is the Old Olive leaves - some stamped off. Oh, and that stamp set - do you recognize it?? It's Season of Friendship from the Holiday Mini Catalog last fall. And, I'm gonna give you a spoiler - it's in the new catty! I love this set - and I love this card! The ribbon is new too - isn't it stinkin' cute?

Recipe:
Stamps: Season of Friendship Ink: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay Paper: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Melon Mambo Accessories: Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch

Emboss Resist!

As I said in my previous post, we worked on some emboss resist projects this month in my Stamp Club groups. This technique is quite simple:

Stamp you image in Versamark on light colored cardstock.
Sprinkle with Clear Embossing Powder.
Heat.
Using a sponge or brayer, go over the top of your embossed image with darker ink. Take a kleenex and wipe off the excess ink. Your clear embossed image will resist any ink that you've sponged or brayered over the top, leaving the color of the paper show thru.

Can you see on the above image? I embossed the florish, and when I brayered ink back over the top, the flourish remains the light color of the Pink Pirouhette paper. (I brayered several times over the top with the same Pink Pirouhette ink color.) Then I stamped the flowers in Rose Red, and there too, the ink is resisted, and flowers appear to be behind the flourish.

Another tip: typically when you emboss you need to use either Versamark, or Craft ink for the embossing powder to stick to. Well, if you don't have the correct color of ink, first ink up your image in versamark, then go directly to your classic ink pad and ink up your image some more, THEN stamp onto the paper and emboss. The Versamark will not damage your Classic Ink color, and it gives the embossing powder something to stick to. Here is an example of what it looks like:

When I stamped my Rose Red right on the paper, it didn't show up. But, then I tried the Versamark, Classic Ink technique and embossed it. It then showed up wonderful! (Little play on words there - did you pick that up???)

Thanks for stopping by today everybody!

Watch for sneak peaks the rest of this month - one for each day left!!!! (15 of them!)

Dad measures up!

Here is a card that my Stamp Club groups are doing this month. This month's technique is embossing resist. So, the tape measure image was actually originally stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock, and then we go over the top of the image with an inked up brayer. The embossed image resists the ink, therefore stays the same color as your original cardstock - nifty - eh?
I'm testing out taking pictures in a black background instead of white. Which do you like better? It seems to me that the kraft cardstock now appears to have a bit of a pink hue to it when photographed on black? What do you think?

Recipe:
Stamps: Totally Tool
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Manchester DSP
Accessories: Brayer, Clear Embossing Powder, Silver Brads

And yet another Shower Invite card!!

I have NOT been neglecting this blog, I have NOT been neglecting this blog....okay - maybe a little bit! But I have been crafting! Some things I just can't show you yet! Maybe in the near future tho....and I've also made 24 more Wedding Shower invites. I think this is the last round of invites that I should have to create. And this time it was a bit of a challenge. I was VERY, VERY limited on Elegant Eggplant paper. All I had were scraps. YIKES! So, then I was trying to figure out just what to do. This was not easy for me. I think I had 4 dummy invites made up before I decided to just do it. In the end, this is what I came up with:

I'm not jumping up and down over the whole look of it - it steers in the complete opposite direction of my typical clean and simple layout. I tried several things - I tried just one flourish, I tried 3 flourishes, and I tried 4. I tried a completely different background of small flowers. I tried a scallop edge on the edge of the card, then I tried it torn. In the end, I think it's alright. I DO love the dress image in this stamp set (Blooming with Happiness - SU Retired). And the flourishes are nice and elegant....it could all grow on me!

More to come this week - for real!

Jen

Recipe:

Stamps: Blooming with Happiness, Baroque Motifs

Ink: Eleganct Eggplant, Stazon White
Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: Nesties Dies, SU Lots of Tags Die, Fine Cosmo Glitter - what??? No ribbon????

Nothing like finding some MOJO!

I actually found some MOJO today while at work. My co-worker, Carol, who is an avid quilter, brought in some fabric that she had picked up. It was a Moda Jelly Roll, and I was instantly in love with it! I used to do quite a bit of sewing, and still have my fabric stash that I just won't part with! Much like my Designer Paper that I love to look at, but heaven forbid I actually cut that virgin piece! Anyway, here are some "snipets" of the fabric - much, much better in real life!

So, I took the colors from the fabric, hooked them up with this week's Mojo Monday Sketch:

...and I created this:

Cute, Huh! I can NOT believe that I'm beginning to gravitate towards bright cheery colors! And flowers too??? What is wrong with me lately? I've caved - I'm revolting against my typical Earth Elements colors! What do you think? What are your favorite color combinations?

Thanks for looking!

Jen

Recipe:

Stamps: Cheep Talk

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Brocade Blue

Paper: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Cameo Coral, Whisper White, Raspberry Tart DSP

Accessories: Felt Flower Fusion, So Saffron Ribbon (SAB set), So Saffron Brad

Ahhhhhh.......

to actually get to sit at my craft table and create something....ahhhhh!!! The last time I showed you something, I was home with Will who was sick. He about did me in. My mental state that is! He's three, and typically when he's sick, he's easy maintenance. Lays on the couch, watches movies, doesn't ask for much. Well, something went awry - he wanted to be HELD! As in, hold me while I sleep. 40 extra pounds on my lap of sweaty, feverish kid is not my ideal way to spend the day. And when I needed to use the restroom, he complained that I was gone too long. He even told his father that I'd been "naughty" because I kept getting up and walking around. The next day, I gave him plenty of Motrin, took him to the sitter, and then later to the doctor. Puss pockets on the throat. That must be what caused him to turn into a lap dog. I hope we don't have those go around again. Once we got some good antibiotics for him, we were then prepared to spend the weekend camping....and that was great. Very relaxing, wonderful weather, good friends. I can't wait to go again - and neither can the kids - they are already asking to go! We may just have a mini camping session in the camper this weekend! Then, to end the weekend on a REALLY spiffy note - we got the call that our order was ready, and we could go pick up this:

Isn't she adorable?? We named her Marley - as that's what she was already nicknamed by the previous owners. The boys are having a good time with her. And I think she must be pretty smart - Alex (who is 18 months) was standing in my flower garden tonight, and Marley started pulling on his jeans and tried pulling him out of there. I think she's gonna be my little sidekick! Protecting my flowers already??? What a good dog!

Okay - so on with my creation for the evening. I was thrilled to get to finally participate in Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch once again. I've printed out every sketch for the last few weeks with every intention of sitting down and getting it done - and - NOTHING! Summer brings lots of outdoor work. Last night I planted 50 strawberry plants....okay, I'm getting off subject again!!!! Here is my rendition of Karen's sketch:

For this one, I broke out some old paper and ink - Blue Bayou (from last years In Colors) and Porcelain Prints DSP. I think they work great with Baha Breeze! I'm really gonna miss Baha Breeze come July 1st! However - I've got my new In Colors ordered, and I think I have a fav already picked out! Curious? Hmmmm......wish I could tell you, but you are going to have to wait!!! It was really fun to break out some old paper and play. And nice to know that the colors can always work together! The stamp set is Thoughts and Prayers. Watch for an upcoming class with this set. Tenatively scheduled for August!

Okay - enough rambling for the night! I'll be back tomorrow with more!

Jen

YAY!!! June 1st!

I've been waiting for this day for some time now......Stampin' Up! Demonstrators get our sneak peak of what's to come with the new catalog, and the "Last Chance" list is also available today. While, I can't show you what we get to see for sneak peaks, I can share the "Last Chance" lists with you:

List of STAMPS that will no longer be available: click here

List of Decor Elements that will no longer be available: click here

List of Accessories that will no longer be available:


FYI - the things on my sneak peak list are substantial! I can't wait to share with you!

TTFN!
Jen