Preview Catalog

Well, I didn't think I would be viewing the preview stamps until I got up in the morning. All stamp sets in the new catalog will be die cut, even the hostess sets, Yeah! Way to go SU! Makes it so much easier when we get our new rubber, no cutting. The new "In Colors" are yummy.  Also a new scallop punch that does a line of scallops, way cool! Some of the stamp sets are really cute. Loving a couple of the hostess sets. Thats all until morning.

Feels good to stamp again

Here is my version of Lisa Somerville's Fresh Cuts card, that is on Stamper's Showcase today.  I changed the colors and didn't use Baroque Motifs on the main card. I can't tell you the last time I used glossy paper. The technique used on this card is, Re-inker Splash. Which I've never done  before.  You take a clear envelope and cut both sides to open up flat and add several drops of re-inker, not too close together or you muddy the colors. Close the envelope and reopen. Place your stamped image stamp side up, close envelope, open quickly and pour on clear embossing powder over image and heat. I used Cameo Coral and Certainly Celery. I saw a card made with these colors on someone's blog and thought that they went really well together. And since I hardly ever use Cameo Coral, this was a color combo I had to try. If felt good to stamp again. I think its been over a week since I picked up a stamp. Yikes! I forgot to add that the stamp set I used is, Fresh Cuts.

My Craft Room

This is my craft room. After our Son moved out we took his bedroom and our office and made it into my craft room, thanks to my husband who is the jack of all trades. We lined the room with cabinets from Home Depot and added the Slot Wall (same stuff that they use in retail stores). My husband thought it looked nicer that peg board. We had to go to one of the Sacramento Home Depot (about 50 miles) to get the slot wall as they don't sell it in our area. My stamps are in 2 large drawers next to where I set to stamp, (last photo). I find I use my punches so much more with them being right below the card stock instead of in a drawer. The card stock is in cabinets without the doors and we just added more shelfs to fit all my paper. Most everything is close by, with the exception of my Accu-Cut die cutting machine which is in the closet so I could make room for my new printer that will print 12 x 12 card stock.  I am going to learn how to scrapbook digitally this year. Really.........

Time to to down memory lane........

I've not posted in a while. Tracey (my sister) and family have been visiting for a week and not much computer time. We did go through a whole container full of cards and things that she has made for me and my family over the years. It was fun to see the same patterns that we are using today, just different stamp sets. I found this box that I had been saving and thought it would be fun to go through together when she got here. These are just a few of the cards she has sent us over the last 8 years or so.

The cards on the right are from my Nieces, Emily and Caitlin. These are thank you cards they made usually after Christmas or their birthdays. I think they were surprised that I had kept them so long.  I hated to get rid of them, but I did end up putting them in the recycle bid.......

Decor' Elements

Well you probably have heard all the fuss over Stampin' Up's new product line, drum roll please, Decor' Elements. These are self-adhesive vinyl elements that you can put on your walls, mirrors, glass and I'm sure more. They will be available to our customers on July 1st and we can pre-order now. I just can't decide which ones I need.  I'm leaning on the "Create" words and definition.  SU is offering 100 items now with more to come soon. Oh, and they come in 3 colors, white, brown and kraft. Wait till you see them, they are stunning. You will see, phrases, numbers, letters, flowers, flourishes and more. They are reasonable priced and we will have stamp sets to coordinate with some of the vinyl elements. I love when everything coordinates, takes the guess work out of what will work together and what won't. So stay tuned as we learn more about this new product line.

First Stamp Set I Purchased

This was the first Stampin' Up! stamp set I ever purchased. My Sister was just starting with SU and while she was visiting I had a party. I'm not sure how old this set is, but I'm thinking at least 8 years. Why do I bring this up you say? Well, I am selling my retired sets on E-Bay and I just sold this one today. So, while I haven't used, or thought about this set in a very long time, tomorrow it will be in the mail to it's new owner.

My Sister and  family will be here on Friday and I have a box of cards and 3-D items she made for me before I started with SU, and it will be fun to go through the box and see how far we have come. I saved everything she ever sent me. So I might post some of the things she made.  I haven't looked in that box in probably 3 or 4 years.

Bali Breeze Envelope Card

I made this cute Envelope (gift card) card holder today with my stampin' buddy Lynne. Actually she is doing a swap for convention where they can use any papers or accessories even if they are going to be retiring. Inside are 2 envelopes that are cut down to 4" (you seal then cut) so you can put in 2 gift cards or whatever you want. You can find a video on Dawn's Stamping Thoughts on how to make this card.

Retired list

Well here it is, the retired list we have all been waiting for. I have 18 sets, plus 4 Hostess sets that are going away. I didn't think I would have that many. I guess I will just have to buy new rubber when the new catalog comes out on August 11th. So how many stamps do you have that are going away? You can click on the list for a larger picture.

Jennifer's Birthday Card

This is a card that I made for my daughter, Jennifer's birthday. She will be 27 on Saturday the 14th (I think thats how old she will be). My SIL's birthday is Tuesday the 17th too so my husband and I will be watching our Granddaughter's Saturday overnight so they can go to dinner and not worry about the Girl's.

This is the new Fresh Cuts stamp set and Fresh Notes that is the preview to the new catalog coming out on August 11th.  I saw this on someone's blog and can't remember who.....(I hate when I do that). Anyway I loved the way she used the part of the flower that you punch out.  I used the clear micro beads and Crystal Effects on the petals and glued them back in (when they were dry, just a few minutes) offsetting them. I colored in the small petals with my Rose Red marker and added a Build a Brad with the micro beads in the middle. Before I added the petals back in I used a piece of DSP and glued it on the inside of the card. Clear as mud, right? Contact me if you need better instructions.

Thanks for looking.

Strawberries

Ok, so today, I'm on a roll. I've wanted to try these cute little strawberries ever since I saw them on Jane's Blog. Jane used the opposite side of the cherries on the Summer Picnic DSP. Of course I didn't have any of paper left, so I tried it 2 different ways. First I used my VersaMark stamp pad and Hot to Dot wheel on Real Red card stock. Then I used clear embossing powder to simulate the dots on strawberries. Then I tried the Polka Dot back ground stamp using white craft ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I think I like the white craft ink the best. What do you think? Its kind of hard to see. Click on the photo to enlarge. I wanted to put another photo on this post, but for whatever reason it won't take it. Anyone know why? Will I ever get all this computer stuff?

I forgot to add that you can put candy inside the strawberry before you tie up the red card stock. I added some Mike n Ike's, but chocolate kisses would be fun. You could probably add a couple to each strawberry. I wish I had some to see if they would work.

You can leave me a comment now!

You can now leave me a comment on my blog. I had changed it so you couldn't because someone left me a comment that was infected with some sort of virus. Kind of freaked me out since this whole blog thing is new to me, and I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing. So feel free to leave a comment now.

Mini Pocket Book

I made this Mini Pocket book for a friend's Birthday. It uses 1 sheet of 12 x 12 Designer Paper. I used Balli Breeze DSP.  Very easy to make. You can get directions on Kristina Werner's blog's. 

This is like the one my Friend Lynne made for me. You can see her Mini Book on my May 19th post.

Mini Pocket Book

This is the first page. 

Mini Pocket Book

Here is the last page of my Mini Pocket Book.

Forget About Austin

This is my Son, Michael, (the one in the middle)and his band mates. The name of their band is, "Forget About Austin". They mainly play in San Francisco. But they will be playing in Antioch (about 50 miles east of S.F.) on June 21st. So while my Sister and her family are here we will all be able to go see them play.

Fresh Notes Class

Come to my FREE Fresh Notes Class on July 13th, 1-3pm, when you purchase the Fresh Notes Stamp Set ($21.95) and the Fresh Notes Cards, ($5). You can see a couple of samples using this stamp set on my blog. We will make several cards using your new stamp set and note cards. Just bring your favorite adhesive. I will provide a light snack. Deadline to order is June 29th. 

This stamp set and notes are a preview of what's to come in the new catalog coming out August 11th. The regular cost of the Fresh Notes Cards is $8.95, but with this special, they are selling for $5. One per customer with this special. I almost forgot to mention, this stamp set is die cut, so you don't even have to cut your rubber before you mount them. Yipeee!!!!

This stamp set and note cards are really beautiful. Count on making some fabulous cards. We will also use the 5 petal punch that coordinates with this set and the Pretty's Kit.

Fresh Notes

These are the Fresh Notes that are on special this month.  The notes have the flower cut out. They are so beautiful.

The left sample I used Certainly Celery & Tempting Turquoise. I also used the 5 petal punch under the flower that is cut out. The rightsample I used Blue Bayou ink and the 5 petal punch and one of the flowers in the 3 flower punch. I added a half pearl from the Pretty's Kit.

Father's Day Class

I didn't realized that Father's Day is less than 2 weeks away. I just don't know where my days go sometimes.  I am having a Father's Day Class where we will be making the card that looks like a shirt and tie and also the wallet that has photos inside. Both of these I posted May 25th. So if you are looking for a cute and easy gift for the "Dad" in your life join me on Wednesday, June 11th at 7pm. All you need to bring is your favorite adhesive and photos for your wallet.

Fresh Notes Flyer

Thanks to Sue Ann Olsavicky I finally was able to put this SU flyer on my blog. I have been messing with this problem for days. My friend Lynne finally said, why don't you post a message on Sudsol. She works from a PC, I have a MAC. Well she was right. Sue Ann gave me instructions. It took me a while, but I did it! Yeah! Problem solved. Now lets hope I can do it again.

Anyway Stampin' Up! has this  sneak peak into the new catalog. (Comes out August 11, 2008). You can order this stamp set, which by the way is die cut (how cool is that) for $21.95 and get the coordinating Fresh-Cut Notes for only $5. These are beautiful and they coordinate with the 5 petal punch. I will be posting some samples tomorrow.