STARS Thursday Challenge - Sketch Pad DSC#142

In social media posts around the world people are celebrating Throwback Thursday.  So, I decided to do a little celebrating of my own by using some "throwback" (i.e. retired) supplies using today's DOStamper Stars challenge as my starting point (see sketch below).  After all, just because the company retired a product doesn't mean it's not still lurking in our hoard...er...supplies, right?  So dust off your Topsy Turvy Celebration stamps, and your Quatrafancy Designer Series Paper and play along!  The other elements are all current supplies, and as an added bonus, the Melon Mambo 3/8" Satin Stitched Ribbon is on sale this week, along with some other colors of the same style of ribbon. Doesn't get better than that, does it?

As I mentioned, most of the supplies I used are retired.  If you really love them, you may be able to find them on Etsy or Ebay.  Otherwise, I'm sure you can find some fun, current supplies that will meet your needs...can I suggest the boldly beautiful Bohemian Designer Series Paper and the candles from the Build a Birthday stamp set (which is bigger than Topsy Turvy, but just as fun in terms of versatility and playing with different combinations of the elements to create unique cakes and candles)?

My friends have also played with this sketch this week, and you can see their work by clicking on their names:
Connie Plaumann
Sharon Bennett
Ashley Simmons
Dawn Olchefske
Judy Wieczorek-Strickling
Miriam Bollinger


Here is the original sketch - hope it inspires you to do something fun!  Happy stamping!

If you'd like to buy this card from me, please follow THIS LINK to my Etsy store.



See below for a list of the current supplies...you can click on any item and it will take you to my store!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

RetroSketch Challenge Entry (RS#175)

One of the best ways I get inspiration is by surfing the web for challenges.  There are challenges of all kinds out there...some that only use certain colors, some that only use a certain brand of products or a specific sketch, some that even mandate a theme.  It's a great springboard if you're feeling crafty but not sure where to jump in.  Today, my inspiration came from the lovely artists over at RetroSketches.  

Below is the original sketch.  I took it pretty literally, as you can see.  I chose to keep it simple by eliminating the twine/ribbon, and using solid colors and minimal embellishments.  I used one of my favorite color combos (Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, So Saffron, and Pumpkin Pie). I also decided to use simple star punches as my accent, a whimsical sentiment, and a big, happy polka dotted embossing folder to create a little texture. 

You should go check out their website to see all the cool submissions and to check out past sketches as well!

Here is an alternate card I made.  Similar, but a bit simpler (no embossing, no orange layer behind the sentiment) but I did use my Itty Bitty Epoxy Accents Epoxy Stickers to add a little dimension and shine to the stars. Those were a gift from my friend, and upline, Dawn Olchefske.  Thank you, Dawn!

For a complete list of products to make the two cards above, see below:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Weekly Deals - starting 7/29/15

Tuesdays are always fun because the new Weekly Deals get announced!  Click here: Weekly Deals  for more details or to purchase from my store, or scroll below to see all the fun things we have in store for you this week.

	Hearts Border Punch Item # 133784 Regular Price: $16.00 US/$20.00 CAN Discounted Price: $11.20 US/$14.00 CAN
	Happy Patterns Decorative Masks Item # 138313 Regular Price: $6.00 US/$7.50 CAN Discounted Price: $4.20 US/$5.25 CAN
	Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine Item # 138411 Regular Price: $3.50 US/$4.50 CAN Discounted Price: $2.63 US/$3.38 CAN
	Melon Mambo 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon Item # 138431 Regular Price: $9.00 US/$11.25 CAN Discounted Price: $6.75 US/$8.44 CAN
	Sweet Li'L Things Designer Washi Tape Item # 138387 Regular Price: $5.00 US/$6.25 CAN Discounted Price: $3.75 US/$4.69 CAN
	Pacific Point 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon Item # 138427 Regular Price: $9.00 US/$11.25 CAN Discounted Price: $6.75 US/$8.44 CAN
	Lost Lagoon 5/8" Striped Cotton Ribbon Item # 138418 Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CAN Discounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.56 CAN
	Basic Black 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon Item # 138430 Regular Price: $9.00 US/$11.25 CAN Discounted Price: $6.75 US/$8.44 CAN
	Melon Mambo 1/4" Cotton Ribbon Item # 134566 Regular Price: $6.00 US/$7.50 CAN Discounted Price: $4.50 US/$5.63 CAN
	Metallic Foil Doilies Item # 138392 Regular Price: $4.00 US/$5.00 CAN Discounted Price: $2.80 US/$3.50 CAN

My Paper Pumpkin - July 2015 - Thanks a Latte

Yesterday, I shared with you the cards I made with July's My Paper Pumpkin kit, "Thanks a Latte".  In making them, I followed the directions pretty closely.  Today, I decided to use the set of stamps to create a card of my own.  That's another bonus to these kits - when the original contents are gone, you still have the stamps and ink to play with.

I decided to hunt through my paper to see if I could find delicate, feminine patterns that reminded me of delicate china teacups.  I didn't have to search too long, our new Pretty Petals DSP was the perfect fit.  The patterns here are only a small representation of the patterns in this stack of pretty paper - each of them is striking!

I went ahead and stamped the image six times, once on each piece of patterned paper, using the Early Espresso ink included in the My Paper Pumpkin kit. Maybe I'm too picky, but because these looked like delicate tea cups, I felt weird putting "Thanks a Latte" on them (lattes make me think of giant chunky mugs).  So I picked a small "thank you sentiment" from a stamp set in my stash.  But you could use any sentiment you have, including the ones from the kit.  Then I hand cut them using my paper snips.  I adhered them onto some Very Vanilla cardstock and then on some Old Olive Cardstock.  Next I assembled my card base using Calypso Coral, and then layered it with Old Olive and a piece of patterned paper from the Pretty Petals DSP stack.  I grabbed some retired Old Olive ribbon from my stash as well as a retired Early Espresso button, and then tied it all together with some (also retired) Early Espresso baker's twine.  Voila!  I pretty little card using the stamp set from this month's My Paper Pumpkin.

Happy stamping!

My Paper Pumpkin - July 2015 - Thanks a Latte

I have been subscribing to My Paper Pumpkin almost from the beginning, but it's only been in the past few months where I've started doing them almost immediately...I just can't resist them!  They have really stepped up their game and deliver some fun, quick projects for only about $20 a month.

This month's kit, Thanks a Latte, features the supplies to make 8 cards (everything you see on this card - the base cards, the patterned paper, the "notebook" paper, the accent stickers, the ribbon-tied paper clips and even the dimensional adhesive). The kit even includes the fun coordinating envelopes that remind me of the retro-style air post envelopes.  It also includes  mini ink pads (Early Espresso and one of our new colors, Cucumber Crush) and a versatile stamp set that features one tea cup, two plant outlines and two plant "fill-ins", a tea bag, and three greetings ("get well", "a cup of cheer", and "thanks a latte').

If you wish you had this one, keep your eyes peeled on my blog because I will share if they make these kits available to subscribers.  And if you've been on the fence about subscribing to My Paper Pumpkin, now is the time!  We are offering 50% off your first two months (new subscribers only).  Read more about the promotion HERE!  If you feel like now is the time to sign up, I'd be delighted if you chose me as your demonstrator.  You can do that by signing up for My Paper Pumpkin HERE!

A lot of times I do my kits while watching television with my husband.  I love doing that instead of cards from scratch because everything is one place and I don't have to keep getting up and down and ruining the shows for us.  I've also used them on vacations and road trips, and sometimes carry them in the tote bag I take everywhere so that if I'm stuck waiting somewhere, I can just pop it out and do a few things.  I have friends who are considering gathering a group over their lunch hour to assemble them.  They are perfect for all of these situations because they include almost everything you need.  You'll need to provide a stamp block, and some months, a pair of paper snips.  I usually just toss those in as soon as I open the kit.  I usually toss in my favorite adhesive as well, just in case!

Happy stamping!!!

PS - come back tomorrow to see another card I made using the stamp set from this kit!

My Paper Pumpkin - Glittered Greetings

Have you heard about My Paper Pumpkin?  It's a monthly kit, mailed automatically to subscribers around the middle of the month.  The kit includes at least one mini ink pad (sometimes more than one), and a project...all you need is a pair of scissors, an acrylic block and your favorite adhesive.

This kit (Glittered Greetings) is about to retire, so get it while you can.  It contains:

• 8 sturdy, pre-printed & pre-scored cards
• 2 clear stamps (the chevron designs you see stamped above)
• 8 gold foil envelope liners
• 8 white envelopes
• 8 wooden words (4 "congrats" and 4 "thank yous")
• 2 ink pads 
• 40 gold glittered, self-adhesive dots  

Besides this kit, you'll need your favorite adhesive and an acrylic block.

I sat down and made 8 cards - 4 congrats card & 4 thank you cards - in less than an hour. Not to mention that it's on trend with its coral, aqua and gold elements and chevron stamps.  It even came with shiny gold liners for the envelopes.

This particular kit and its refills are going away soon, so get them while you can!  Contact me for help with ordering...and happy stamping!  To see all the past kits and refills that are available, click here!

New Weekly Deals Posted TODAY!!!

Weekly Deals

We hope you enjoy this week's Weekly Deals!

	Stars Framelits Dies Item # 133723 Regular Price: $27.00 US/$33.00 CAN Discounted Price: $20.25 US/$24.75 CAN
	Schoolhouse 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock Assortment Pack Item # 139009 Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CAN Discounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.56 CAN
	Go Wild 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock Assortment Pack Item # 139000 Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CAN Discounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.56 CAN
	Hello Honey 5/8" Striped Cotton Ribbon Item # 138417 Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CAN Discounted Price: $4.90 US/$6.13 CAN
	Tangelo Twist 5/8" Striped Cotton Ribbon Item # 138420 Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CAN Discounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.56 CAN
	Blackberry Bliss 5/8" Striped Cotton Ribbon Item # 138421 Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CAN Discounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.56 CAN
	Little Numbers Thinlits Dies Item # 138278 Regular Price: $20.00 US/$25.00 CAN Discounted Price: $15.00 US/$18.75 CAN
	Updated Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack Item # 138371 Regular Price: $8.00 US/$10.00 CAN Discounted Price: $6.00 US/$7.50 CAN
	Smoky Slate 5/8" Chevron Ribbon Item # 138403 Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CAN Discounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.56 CAN
	Fast Fuse Adhesive Refill Item # 129027 Regular Price: $7.50 US/$9.25 CAN Discounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.48 CAN
	Fun Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Item # 133727 Regular Price: $8.50 US/$10.50 CAN Discounted Price: $5.95 US/$7.35 CAN

Sprinkles of Life Ice Cream Cone

I have been having a blast this month playing with my Sprinkles of Life stamp set and Cherry on Top designer paper stack.  I told myself that I was going to get serious about actually using the things I buy (you can relate, right?) so I sat down with my stamps, the coordinating Tree Builder Punch, the Cherry on Top stack, and a pile of cardstock and coordinating embellishments and went to town.  The punch and stamp set have proven to be extremely versatile.  You can create ice cream cones, and cupcakes, and tall or short baskets of flowers or leaves or apples.  You can create trees, and decorate any of the above with cherries or flowers or birds.  The sentiments lend themselves to a variety of occasions including birthday, friendship, encouragement, and love.  I just know I'll be coming back to this set again and again.  Stampin' Up! opted to make this set in a photopolymer, which is a great deal for you - the photopolymer allows them to give you more images for less money and they all fit in one slim DVD case, which takes up less room in your craft storage.  Not to mention, they donate $3 to Ronald McDonald House for every Sprinkles of Life set sold this catalog year!  Pretty sweet, right?  (Pun intended).  Thanks for stopping by today!  I look forward to seeing you here again soon.

Sprinkles of Life and Cherry on Top Ice Cream Cone CASE

I'm so excited!  Some friends approached me about teaching a class, and so this month I'm gathering four friends together to create four cards using the Sprinkles of Life stamp set, the coordinating Tree Builder punch, and Cherry on Top Designer Series paper.  Wish me luck!  :) This is one of the cards we'll be making together.  I was inspired by this card, but took some liberties of my own.  First, I wanted a little separation between my white circle and the patterned paper, so I put a Pool Party circle between them.  I used the Circles Collection Framelits Dies to cut these circles.  You'll also notice that she punched her circle so that it was more of a window.  It's a really cute effect, but I was afraid that might take too long in a class setting so I opted to just layer my circles on top of the patterned paper.  The angular pattern on this paper (from the Cherry on Top stack) is printed (deliberately) slight off-center.  I want to emphasize that, so when I trimmed the paper to fit the card, I made sure to cut it so that the angles became even more off center.  I completed the look with a narrow piece of Pool Party ribbon, a tag punched with the Word Window punch, and a little bit of Dazzling Details for a bit of sparkle, which was just the right amount of detail, I think.

Keep checking back in July for more projects featuring Cherry on Top and Sprinkles of Life.

Sprinkles of Life Cupcake CASE

Back when the Sprinkles of Life stamps first became available to demonstrators, I pinned this card. I just love how simple it was to make, yet how interesting the card looks.  I love lots of layers, lots of colors, and lots of textures...so this was right up my alley.  I love how the layout is balanced, but not symmetrical.  And I love how she used patterned paper to mimic the appearance of sprinkles on the cupcake (that paper is from the Cherry on Top stack).  As you can see, I made some adaptations of my own: I changed the color scheme a bit and elongated it from a square card to a rectangle one to fit in the envelopes that I keep on hand. Doing so allowed me room to add an extra banner. Speaking of banners, do you know how I made these?  Using the new Triple Banner Punch.  The product is advertised as making perfect 1", 1-1/2" and 2" wide banners, but really, as long as you are careful about centering you can make banners of any width up to 2".  For mine, I used scraps, so I didn't have those exact dimensions.  I had to be a little more careful in lining it up before punching, but it worked like a charm.  Thanks for stopping by today...be sure to come back throughout July to see more ideas using Sprinkles of Life and Cherry on Top.

STARS Thursday Challenge - Sketch Pad DSC#139

 As a demonstrator, I get to see the new catalog about a month before the rest of the world, and I knew immediately that it'd be on my very first order.  It's called Sprinkles of Life and has a ton of images and sentiments that can be mixed and matched to create lots of fun cards & accents for scrapbooks or other craft projects.  As if that weren't good enough, $3 from every purchase of this stamp gets donated by Stampin' Up! to the Ronald McDonald House.  So, really, adding this set to your collection is a no-brainer, right?  I decided to pair it with some of the patterns found in the stack of patterned paper called Cherry on Top.  Many of the papers are food- or birthday-oriented, but many more are generic enough to used for just about any occasion.  This paper features three of the new In Colors: Cucumber Crush, Tip Top Taupe, and Watermelon Wonder.  Working with them for this card made me fall in love with them.  Finally, my card was inspired by the sketch below. You can see that I swapped the stars out for flowers, and I added a bit of a border to the left side of my card, but otherwise it was pretty faithful to the sketch.

You should also check out the way my friends, and fellow STARS have interpreted this sketch:
Robyn Rasset - Butterfly Basics Get Well Card
Connie Plaumann - Cupcake Party Card
Ashley Martin Simmons - Celebrate Today Birthday Card
Judy Strickling - Pictogram Punches Shaker Card
Mackenzie Fuchs - Gift from the Garden and more!
Sharon Bennett - Scallop Tag Topper Punch card
Miriam Bollinger - Wild About Flowers Card
Dawn Olchefske - Metallic Doily Patriotic Card

Come back all this month to see projects featuring Sprinkles of Life and/or Cherry on Top.  You won't be disappointed.

Sprinkles of Life - my Stamp of the Month

This month, I'm teaching a class in my home featuring the Sprinkles of Life stamp set.  This set just came out in June with the new annual catalog.  As you can see, it's extremely versatile.  And it has a really cute coordinating punch, called the Tree Builder:


So be sure to check back often to see the ways I'm using these,  I will be using other products as well, but I will have a healthy share of these, too!  One of my goals to get more mileage out of the supplies I do own and hope this will inspire you to do the same.  Happy stamping!