Designer Series Paper Challenge

My demonstrators group decided this week's challenge should be use any of Stampin' Up!'s yummy designer series paper. I chose Razzleberry Lemonade, which features three of our current In Colors (rich razzleberry, crushed curry, and melon mambo). Here is the card I made...it would be so easy for you to adapt to your own patterned papers and even better...in the spirit of Earth Day this week, it would easy to use up your scraps with this layout and get a different look everytime! Happy Stamping!

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!! Supplies used on this card:

Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade (#115675)

Cardstock:
Melon Mambo textured cardstock {available in combo packs of 8.5"x11" (#115719) or 12"x12" (#115538)}
Rich Razzleberry cardstock (#115316 for 8.5"x11")

Stamps: Kind and Caring Thoughts - this is a hostess set, yours free for hosting a party of $300 or more...it's easy, ask me how! But hurry, this set is only available till the end of June.

Ink: Rich Razzleberry classic (#115658)

Other: 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon (#109025)

Exciting New About Color Renovation

Did you hear the news? Stampin' Up! has decided to do some renovations to their color families. Based on demonstrator and customer feedback, as well as research into the latest trends, we will be unveiling a new color collection in the new catalog, to be released to customers on July 1st. If you're like me, you're excited to try new things...here's a sneak peek at what the new families will be:

download: Color Renovation: New Color Collections flyer

You might be wondering, well, what does that mean to me? First, you will have some fresh, on trend colors to start playing with this summer. You may have noticed that some of the colors are familiar...that is because we are carrying over many of the favorites from our old color families. In addition, we are bringing back 10 of our past In Colors. To round out these color families and freshen them up, Stampin' Up has developed 5 new colors as well. As a demonstrator, one of the perks is that I got to see the new colors first hand and you are going to LOVE them! They are so rich and will be very versatile. Definitely a good addition to the Stampin' Up color lineup.

It also means that we are going to have to say a fond farewell to some of the other colors that have found their way into our stamping palettes over the past years. Undoubtedly, some of these have become favorites for you, so now is the time to stock up on any cardstock, designer series paper, ink pads, ink refills, markers, etc. Any orders placed in April and May will definitely be filled; orders placed in June will be filled only if the product is still available, so if any of your favorites are on this list, stock up now! I know I will be replenishing my stock of Ruby Red and Tempting Turquoise.

And, as if that weren't enough...we will be getting five new In Colors this summer, and they will last for two years, instead of one like in the past. And then next summer, we'll get five more In Colors, which will last for two years, so we will have 10 In Colors at one time, starting next summer. This is going to be such a fun way to keep our collections fresh and on trend. Watch for a sneak peek of the first five In Colors in June.

You might be asking how do I get my hands on these new colors? They will be available for purchase starting July 1st. You will have the option, just like in the past to purchase individual ink pads, markers, ink pad refills, cardstock, etc. in any color we offer. Additionally, for those of you who "just gotta have it all"...we will be offering "new color" kits for Stampin' Write Markers, Stampin' Pastels and Watercolor Wonder Crayons. This way you can add-to your already existing collection by only adding the new colors or get a great start on a collection with the latest colors.

Another thing to be on the lookout for: an awesome NEW Color Coach tool that you won't want to be without! This is designed to not only show you all of our awesome colors, but also to help you plan your cards, scrapbook pages, and altered items.

Stampin' Up! has thought of everything! So keep your eyes peeled for more information as we get closer to the date!

Vintage Vogue Congratulations Card

I created this card for my boss's anniversary with the company, but it could easily be adapted to fit other occasions (feminine birthdays, Mother's Day, thank you, thinking of you....) with a different greeting. It's actually a lot easier than it looks! So start, I stamped the foliage/filigree stamp from the Vintage Vogue set in Old Olive on two opposite corners of whisper white cardstock. Next, I punched out ten Chocolate Chip tags using the Medium Jewelry Punch. I adhered the first row of tags so that the bottom of the tag lined up with the bottom of the white panel. Then I lined up the second row of tags on top of the first, covering up the round top part of the bottom tags. Next I cut a strip of cardstock the same width as the tags, and laid that across as my horizontal part of the fence. Now for the fun of embellishing! I stamped the small flowers from the Vintage Vogue set onto Whisper White cardstock with Dusty Durango and So Saffron ink and then cut them out using our small snips. I adhered those to the stamped white panel, making sure to adhere a few with Stampin' Dimensionals to give them a little lift. I embellished them with pearls from my stash. I also used the Embosslits Beautiful Wings die to cut out a butterfly to adhere to the fence. I finished it up with a piece of Old Olive grosgrain ribbon and stamped greeting (I used the Well Scripted set).

Cardstock:

Whisper White (#100730 for 8.5"x11"' or #106529 for 12"x12")
So Saffron (#105118 for 8.5"x11" or #107088 for 12"x12")
Old Olive (#100702 for 8.5"x11"or #106544 for 12"x12")
Dusty Durango (#115321 for 8.5"x11")

Chocolate Chip (#102128 for 8.5"x11" or #107102 for 12"x12")

Adhesives:
Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430
Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331)

Sticky Strip (for adhering ribbon) - #104294

Tools:Paper Snips - #103579
Beautiful Wings Embosslits - #118138
Big Shot Machine - #113439
Medium Jewelry Punch - #117190

Ink:
Old Olive Classic - #102277
Dusty Durango Classic - #115654
So Saffron Classic - #105213

Stamp Sets:Vintage Vogue (hurry! this set is only available till April 30th) - #117690 for wood mounted; #118598 for cling mounted

Well Scripted (hurry! this set is only available till April 30th) - #117072 for wood mounted; #118601 for cling mounted

Other:

1/4" grosgrain ribbon in Old Olive - #109031
adhesive pearls from my stash

Inspiration Challenge

My upline challenged our group of blogging demonstrators to use this photograph as inspiration for our stamping this past week. I was drawn immediately to the color scheme - so springlike and fresh! I also liked the texture of the quilt, the femininity of the flower wall-hanging and polka-dot pattern on the bedspread. The card above is what I came up with.

To get texture on this card, I ran a small piece of whisper white cardstock through the Big Shot in our exclusive polka dot textured impressions embossing folder. Then I left the paper in the folder, opened the folder up, and brayered So Saffron ink onto the back side of the embossed paper. By leaving it in the folder, it prevents the brayer from pushing the dots back in. Then I stamped the flower in Rose Red craft ink, sprinkled it with the embossing powder and heat set it. Next I put the strip of Pumpkin Pie cardstock down and stamped by sentiment on it. Then I wrapped my ribbon around it all and mounted it on the Tempting Turquoise base.

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!! Supplies used on this card:

Cardstock:

Whisper White (#100730 for 8.5"x11"' or #106529 for 12"x12")

Pumpkin Pie (#105117 for 8.5"x11" or #107100 for 12"x12")

Tempting Turquoise (#102067 for 8.5"x11" or #107103 for 12"x12")

Stamps:

Of the Earth Hostess set - #115336 (that's right, you can earn this set free by hostessing a workshop totalling $150 or more!)

Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set - #115370

Tools:

Brayer - #102395

Big Shot - #113439

Embossing Folder

Heat Tool - #100005

Powder Pals - #102197

Stamp-a-ma-jig - #101049

Inks:

So Saffron classic (polka dotted paper) - #105213

Rose Red craft (flower) - #101545

Old Olive classic (sentiment) - #102277

Other:

5/8" Old Olive satin ribbon - #117292

Clear Embossing Powder - #109130

Adhesives:

Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331)

Sticky Strip (I find this works really well on ribbon) - #104294

Stampin' Up Clearance Sale! Check it out...you won't want to miss this...

You better hurry before they're gone! There are some fabulous Clearance Item Deals going on in my STAMPIN' UP! ONLINE STORE! Get up to 60% off on amazing Stampin' Up! products - only while supplies last! (and only available online!) SHOP NOW

I have to say, some of my favorite things are the Designer Series Papers. So many great color options that would be great for spring- or summer-themed cards, scrapbook pages, invitations, and altered projects. Pictured below are "Georgia Peach" and "Haiku"...both are oh-so-yummy! Thank you for supporting my Stampin' Up! business! - Michelle Hamilton

About Stampin' Up!'s New Cling Mount Stamps

Over the past few years, there has been enormous demand from our customers for a line of repositionable clear-mount rubber stamps.

Well, you asked for it, and now you have it! Starting with stamps in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and the 2010 Sale-A-Bration Brochure, Stampin' Up! now offers our exclusive stamp art in both traditional wood-mount, and the new clear-mount option.

Our new clear-mount rubber stamps are the result of extensive research with the intent to maintain the very best image quality in the stamping industry, while at the same time offering the ease-of-use and storability inherent in repositionable clear-mount rubber stamps.

Clear-Mount Rubber Stamp Features:

• Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.


• Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.


• Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist.


• Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.


• Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.


• Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
  Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.

Our blocks are available in the following sizes:
118487 Block A (1-3/16" x 1-1/4") $3.95
117147 Block B (1-5/8" x 1-15/16") $5.95
118486 Block C (2" x 2-1/4") $6.95
118485 Block D (2-7/8" x 2-11/16") $8.50
118484 Block E (3-7/16" x 4-7/16") $11.95
118483 Block F (4-7/8" x 6") $16.95
118489 Block G (3/4" x 2-1/2") $4.50
118490 Block H (1-5/8" x 4-7/16") $8.50
118488 Block I (2-1/4" x 5-7/8") $11.95
118491 Block Bundle (Blocks A-I) $69.95

Eager for Easter - Chocolate Bunny

One of the things that I love about being a demonstrator is being involved in swaps with the other demonstrators in my upline’s group. These swaps are a great way to learn new techniques, see more products firsthand, and it always gets my creative juices flowing again. Of course, it usually serves to enable me…more than once, I’ve ordered a product simply because what they had done with it was so cute.

One swap card I received recently was from my fellow demonstrator, Gayle Klingelhoets, did just that. She sent me this scrumptious chocolate bunny card. I had previously overlooked that simple stamp but fell in love when I saw her yummy green and chocolate brown version. And, at $7.95, the price is just right!

So I promptly ordered that stamp and came up with the card you see at the top of this post. By stamping it in chocolate chip ink on close to cocoa cardstock, I really accentuated the texture on the bunny – just like a real chocolate bunny. Then I carefully cut it out using paper snips and then adhered it with Stampin’ Dimensional to add some depth to the card.

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!! Supplies used on this card:
Paper:
Shades for Spring Designer Series Paper - #117160
Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper - #117161

Cardstock:
Whisper White (#100730 for 8.5"x11"' or #106529 for 12"x12")
So Saffron (#105118 for 8.5"x11" or #107088 for 12"x12")
Close to Cocoa (#101341 for 8.5"x11" or #107101 for 12"x12")

Stamps:Chocolate Bunny stamp - #11690
Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set - #115370

Tools: Paper Snips (for cutting out the bunny) - #103579
Inks: Chocolate Chip Classic - #100908

Other: 5/8" Pretty in Pink satin ribbon - #117289
Adhesives: Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430
Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331)
Sticky Strip I find this works really well on ribbon - #104294