Gift Card Holder

I was just visiting Lisa Freeman's blog, and she did this really cute gift card holder. This took me all of about 10 minutes (maybe) to make. I love the way she used the Top Note die for the inside of the holder. I used the designer papers that come with the Level 3 Hostess set, Lovely Flowers. Isn't this Rich Razzleberry just the yummiest? Added some ribbon to match and stamped the "Just for You" in the same color and mounted it on a scallop oval in Rich Razzleberry. The stamp set is, Oval All. This is in the Occasions Mini catalog and also in the new catalog, Yeah!

New Catalog goes live tomorrow at 12 noon MT, Yipeee!

Today is the last day to order from the 2009 Spring/Summer Idea & Catalog, also the Occasions mini. The new 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog goes live at 12 noon MT time. My Demo web site might be down in the morning as they are updating and adding new features. So do you have your new catalog yet? If not, contact me, I would be happy to send you one or you can pick one up at my home.

Now time for a little show and tell. I found this cute card on Flowerbug's Inkspot. I love the colors she used, Melon Mambo, Apricot Appeal & Pretty in Pink. It took me several tries before I could get the shading the way I liked it. I started with glossy card stock, (can't remember if I've ever used glossy card stock before) stamped the image from Uppsy Daisy in Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder. Then you do your shading with a sponge dauber. Turns out quite stunning. I wish I could of gotten the photos on the bottom of this post. The first one I did, you can't really see the greeting. So the next one I used black Stazon and sponged the whole greeting after I punched it out with the large Oval Punch Then I added the black Eyelet border and the Razzleberry lemonade Designer paper to the bottom. I was happy with that one, but I had one more to do, so I changed it up a bit. This one I added Apricot Appeal 1/4" grosgrain ribbon with a little piece of the Melon Mambo dotted ribbon. I like them both. What do you think? After going back and looking at my post, it posted the photos in the opposite order. Go figure. Don't forget you can click on each photo to see it better.

Pop Up Wedding Cake Card

Here is another card using the Sizzix Pop Up Cake Die. I made this for some friends (hi Lynne & George) for their 30th anniversary. The wedding color was pale yellow, so I used Barely Banana for the base and the cake and Vellum cardstock to go around the cake. I added flowers and half pearls from the Pretties Kit. The pearls and flowers look really pretty but it makes the card really bulky and you can't shut it all the way. Lynne loved it, and she didn't care if it shut all the way. The stamped image is from Fun and Fast Notes. I added the Sizzix large scallop to the outside and also on the inside in vellum card stock. You can click on the photos to see them better.

New Catalog Sneak Peek

Patty Bennett, my upline is having a contest for everyone to post 5 projects using our pre-order goodies and she will enter us into a contest for $50 in SU product. How cool is that? So here is my last 3 projects. First one is using  Animal Stories. I could not figure out what this little guy was until Kimberly Morris added a tail, wala a kitty. So I layered my kitty on Melon Mambo, which is also the card base and then used the circle scallop punch and added white dots with my gel pen. The ribbon is also new, 1/2" Melon Mambo dotted grosgrain. We have that in all of the new In Colors. So Yummy! At the bottom I have a small piece of the new Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Papers. Don't you love the names? And did you catch the new punch? Its called the Modern Punch. We are also getting a Movers & Shapers die that will layer with this punch. The Happy Birthday is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. Just realized that I didn't tell you what color the scallops and Kitties are: Soft Suede.

The next card base is Rich Razzleberry and cut using the Movers & Shapers die. The stamp set and rub-ons are a level 3 hostess set, Flower Lines. In this set you get, stamp set, rub-ons and Designer papers that are gorgeous!

Ok, so the last card base is Crushed Curry, as well as the ribbon. The stamp set is Autumn Days. This is going to be a great fall set. The peacock is stamped in Bermuda Bay and cut out, I also used a dimensional to pop him up. The wheat is also stamped in Crushed Curry. The Thank you is also from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.

Swim Lessons Acrylic Album

Here is another Acrylic Album, but this time I used the Pink Flamingo Designer Series Papers. This Saturday we will be making this album. These clear albums are so fun to make. I've been helping my granddaughters with swim lessons for the past week, so I thought these photos would go great with this dsp. I used the thick window sheets that are in the Occasions mini catalog and are also in the new catalog, Yeah! You just need 1 sheet for this album, and cut it into quarters. I did use my Zutter corner rounder, because the Stampin' Up one isn't quite strong enough to cut thru the thick acrylic. I also used the Butterfly and Simple Flower dies and used our large brads for the center of the flowers and the butterfly.  

Cupcake Pop Up Card

As promised, here is the Pop Up CupCake card. I cased this from Julie Dunn's Blog. I changed the colors since hers was pink, which won't due for my Son-in-law, Bobby. I used the So Safron Designer Series papers for the outside of the card and also the frosting. The bottom of the cupcake is from Bella Birds. Worked perfect for a "chocolate" cupcake bottom. 

You might look at my cake and say that I put it together "backwards". Well I did, sort of. I stared off using the middle tier and then the large tier on top of that. I didn't even use the the smaller tier. Wanted it to look like the frosting was going over the cupcake. Does that make sense? I also did something different when putting together the tiers. I read this on the gal who designed these pop up dies. Two things: When you put on your first tier, after you stick it down with sticky tape, put a brad next to the fold to make sure the "legs" don't come up. (on the inside). It is a little hard to do, but worth it. The second thing she told us to do is to cut out an additional center post, and after each tier reinforce the center post with the piece that goes with that tier. Clear as mud? Send me an email if you have any questions. I'm not the best at directions, and of course I don't remember where I put the designer's info.

I used four stamp sets for this card: Simple Birthday Thanks, Darling Dots, hostess set, Big Bold Birthday & Big Birthday Candle. The last three are all on the retirement list. the cherry I colored with Real Red and Chocolate, they used Crystal Effects to make it shinny. For the frosting I stamped in Chocolate just the top of the Simple Birthday Thanks and used my marker instead of a stamp pad. I cut them out and left about a quarter of an inch to fold so I could use that part to adhere the frosting to the top of the cupcake. Again if you have any questions, shoot me an email. Click on the photos to see them larger.  I almost forgot to mention that I used the scallop edge punch for the strips that go around the cupcake. I also Used the Large Scallop die for my cupcake to sit on.

Jen's Birthday Pop Up Cake

A week ago was my daughter's birthday. She turned 28 years old. Boy does that make me feel old. I decided that a Pop-up cake was in order. She told me that she loved this Bella Blue Designer papers, so thats what I used. The base is Very Vanilla. I also used the Butterfly & Simple Flower dies in Not Quite Navy and again with the DSP. I've found that a belly band works best with the Pop Up dies to keep the card closed. We are celebrating her birthday along with Father's Day tomorrow with a bbq at our house, I hope she likes it. Her husband, Bobby had a birthday this week too. I will post his Pop Up Cake card tomorrow.

Father's Day Wallet

I know you probably think that I fell off the face of the earth this week........It seems that the week just got away from me. Today after swim lessons with my granddaughters we had lunch with Carol (my adopted Mom) she brings us Panera's on Thursdays and then thought we would do a little stamping while the kids took a nap. Well that was easier said than done. Gianna just wouldn't give up. The girl's played (we have a mirrored closet door) sang to themselves, argued and I don't know what else for at least 3 hours. Anthony was a little better. Fed him, put him in the swing and he was good to go a while.

So Jen (my daughter) wanted to make Patty & Sharon's wallet, (see this post for info on how to make the wallet) for her husband from the kids for Father's Day. So instead of putting gift cards or money she thought it would be cute to put photos of the kids. Such a great idea! She used All in the Family stamp set to go where the drivers license goes. You can click on the photo to see the photos of the kids better. 

Top Note Box

Here is another project from Sandi MacIver. See this post. I used Bella Bleu Designer Series paper and I did my flower a little different. Instead of leaving it flat, I curled the ends and now it looks like a mum instead of a daisy. Kinda cool, isn't it? You can't tell in the photo, but sandwiched in between the two Top Notes is a box. Perfect to hold some small note cards or chocolate. So glad this Designer Series paper is in the new catalog. Tomorrow I will share the cute purse from Sandi.

Animal Stories Cards

Okay, so I couldn't wait until tomorrow to post these cute cards.  The stamp sets are from my pre-order, Animal Stories & Teeny Tiny Wishes. I'm so mad at myself for not ordering the Modern Label punch, which is 1 of 3 new punches in the new catalog.  I used Rich Razzleberry & Melon Mambo card stock with Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series paper on Whisper White card stock.  And don't forget the 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon in the same colors. 

I think its going to take me a while to remember these new "In Colors". I wonder who thinks up the names for all of the colors? Hmmmmmm.

Sneak Peak In Colors

Here is a sneak peak at the new "In Colors". Aren't they yummy? We have: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango & Soft Suede. The photos loaded backwards, so the names are in order of the card stock on the bottom photo. Click to see it better. Even the names are yummy.....Plus we now have (will have as of July 1st)markers in the "In Colors", how cool is that? The ribbon that goes with the "In Colors" is polka dotted. What was I thinking when I only ordered  2 of the 6 colors? Of course I need the other 4 now.  I can hardly wait to share the new Idea Book and Catalog. I will be sharing a couple of the new stamp sets that we were able to pre-order in a couple of days. I have to tear myself away from the new catalog. I think I have been through it at least a half a dozen times since last night. See something that I hadn't noticed before every time. So stay tuned, you won't want to miss out on the pre-view samples.

Tri Fold Cards

You've probably seen these tri-fold cards, but this was my first attempt to make one. They are pretty easy to do. The first one I did was with the Urban Garden Designer Series paper and the other one is the Rainbow Sherbet Designer Series paper. Both of these are on the retirement list. Darn it, the Urban Garden is one of my favorites. The first one I used several different stamp sets. Upsy Daisy, Pocket Silhouettes, & Great Friend. (click on the photos to see them better).

For the Rainbow Sherbet card I used Petal Pizzaz (love this set), Great Friend and Quick Thinking (which is retired).

I should also note, that you need extra postage when mailing these babies. Depending on my many embellishments you add.

I made one of these for a friend who just had surgery and the other one (actually made 2 other ones) are for friends of mine who I haven't seen in a while and just wanted them to know that I was thinking of them. Who doesn't like to get mail like that? And they are all worth the extra postage!

Bella Blue Card

This is such a cool card, a little different. This is one of the cards from Sandi MacIver's 5 Project Tutorial, which you can purchase here. I used Bella Blue Designer Series paper. The stamp set is Bloomin' Beautiful. I stamped it on water color paper and used my aqua painter and re-inker to color in the flower.  Its hard to tell from the photo, but the card closes with a Top Note which have the points cut off on the sides. I also ran the 5 petal punched flowers through my Big Shot using one of the texturez plates. Of course you can't tell in the photo, but really, I did. You will notice that the ribbon on the flower is blue. I colored it with my Not Quite Navy marker. I was surprised how easily the color went on the Taffeta ribbon. I will be sharing a couple more projects from Sandi this week. So stay tuned.

Manhattan Flower Textured card

Have you seen these cards done with the Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die? (What a mouth full!) Thanks to Lene'e for sharing the instructions with me.  You start with a piece of card stock at 5 1/2 x 12. I scored at 4" on each side. Then you put your c/s in the embossing folder and run it through the Big Shot. Flip you c/s around and run it through the other end. You will have the embossed side on the front and on the other side it will be the opposite. Click on the photos to see them better. I also rounded each corner of the center of the card after I cut away the top portion that didn't get embossed, and added Whisper White that was also rounded. Almost forgot, I did sponge the edge of the Whisper White with Ballet Blue which is the color of the main card, and added the Rose from the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set. The thank you is from Upsy Daisy stamp set. Finished off with some So Safron ribbon from the Sale-a-bration bundle. The ribbon just slides off so you can see the inside of the card.

Graduation Cherry Ball and Scallop Box/Bag

This week-end my husband's niece is graduating from High School, I thought wouldn't the ball die be cute to put her friends photos on for a great keepsake.  So I found this cute box to hold the ball on Melissa Stout's blog.  I put the year and name of her High School on the top of the box, and she can add the photos later. Then I didn't have anywhere to put a gift card, so I made this scallop box/bag. Its very similar to this box.  I just changed the color to Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss. I used the Rockabilly Specialty paper for the inside of the  box. I also stamped the cherries from Tart & Tangy on the tissue paper since the inside of the box has the cherries on it too.

Acrylic Album

I found the instructions for this Acrylic Album on Melissa Stouts blog. I just changed the Designer Series Paper to Rainbow Sherbet. Now when I was making this album this dsp was available. Because its on the retirement list, its already sold out. Bummer. I will be having a class on June 27th. I was so excited that I finally had a project using the heavy window sheets. They work perfect for this album. We will be using the Pink Flamingo dsp for our class album.

The photos are of my grandson, Anthony. These colors work perfect for a "boy" album.

Last Chance, Retiring Accessories, Stamps, and June Specials!

Stampin' Up has released the accessories and stamp sets that are retiring, and some at a discount. SU will be updating this list everyday until June 30th.

Item #	Product Description	Price	Discount	Sale Price	Availability
112735	RUB ONS HIDDEN GARDEN	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
112970	LO MEJOR DE TODO	19.95	0.5	9.98	Available
105143	DAYS TO REMEMBER 6X6 FR	9.95	0.5	4.98	Available
113888	RUB ONS MANY OCCASIONS	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
109044	PUNCH SNOW BLOSSOM	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
111364	RIBBON POLY TWILL SO SAFFRON 7/8"	8.95	0.5	4.48	Available
106961	STAZON REFILL WHITE	4.95	0.5	2.48	Available
114341	COURDUROY BUTTONS PACIFIC POINT	9.95	0.5	4.98	Available
114316	RIBBON ORIGINALS PIG TAILS	13.95	0.5	6.98	Available
111414	RUB ONS HIDDEN GARDEN	10.95	0.5	5.48	Available
114351	DESIGNER HARDWARE HOORAY	4.95	0.5	2.48	Available
114338	COURDUROY BUTTONS KIWI KISS	9.95	0.5	4.98	Available
114019	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS FLEURETTES	9.95	0.5	4.98	Available
114317	RIBBON ORIGINALS DRESS UP	12.95	0.5	6.48	Available
102875	HEMP TWINE RED	2.95	0.5	1.48	Available
101259	HEMP TWINE BLACK	2.95	0.5	1.48	Available
113979	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS CANVAS CUTS	7.95	0.5	3.98	Available
114350	DESIGNER HARDWARE SOHO	4.95	0.5	2.48	Available
111363	RIBBON GROSGRAIN PINK PIROUETTE 1 1/4"	7.95	0.25	5.96	Available
111365	RIBBON TAFFETA RIDING HOOD RED	6.95	0.25	5.21	Available
111847	RIBBON DOUBLE STITICHED BAJA BREEZE 1"	8.95	0.25	6.71	Available
111371	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED TANGERINE TANGO 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111373	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED PINK PIROUETTE 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111372	RIBBON GROSGRIAN STRIPED KIWI KISS 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
113884	RUB ONS FASHION DISTRICT	10.95	0.25	8.21	Available
114318	RIBBON ORIGINALS VALET	12.95	0.25	9.71	Available
111374	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED RIDING HOOD RED 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111370	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED PACIFIC POINT 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111415	RUB ONS GREATEST MOMENTS	10.95	0.25	8.21	Available
113887	RUB ONS BRIGHT DELIGHTS	11.95	0.25	8.96	Available
111416	RUB ONS CHATEAU BELLA	10.95	0.25	8.21	Available
111338	NOTES TEXTURED LOVE ASSORTMENT II	12.95	0.25	9.71	Available
111879	RIBBON SATIN KIWI KISS VERY VANILLA	7.95	0.25	5.96	Available
111277	RUB ONS A PERFECT DAY	10.95	0.25	8.21	Available
110730	DIE CUTS POCKETS & PIECES	8.95	0.25	6.71	Available
107272	PUNCH KEY TAG	15.95	0.25	11.96	Available
113980	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER CANDY LANE	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
111375	RIBBON GROSGRAIN STRIPED BAJA BREEZE 5/8"	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
112010	DIE CUTS BLOOMS AGAIN	8.95	0.25	6.71	Available
113991	TASTE OF TEXTILES	9.95	0.25	7.46	Available
101399	STIPPLE BRUSHES	6.95	0.25	5.21	Available
112092	BUTTON BOUQUET	7.95	0.25	5.96	Available
112139	NOTES CAROUSEL II	11.95	0.25	8.96	Available
111336	NOTES SCALLOP II	11.95	0.25	8.96	Available
111840	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL PACIFIC POINT	2.95			Available
111841	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL TANGEIRNE TANGO	2.95			Available
111843	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL PINK PIROUETTE	2.95			Available
111839	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL RIDING HOOD RED	2.95			Available
111842	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL KIWI KISS	2.95			Available
112161	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS KIWI KISS	9.95			Available
112042	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER URBAN GARDEN	9.95			Available
112156	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS PINK PIROUETTE	9.95			Available
112150	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS PACIFIC POINT	9.95			Available
112153	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS TANGERINE TANGO	9.95			Available
111844	CLASSIC STAMPIN INK REFILL BAJA BREEZE	2.95			Available
111836	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD RIDINGHOOD RED	5.95			Available
111838	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD PINK PIROUETTE	5.95			Available
113966	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE	9.95			Available
109123	STAMPIN WRITE JOURNALER BASIC BROWN	3.25			Available
113981	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BELLA BIRDS	9.95			Available
112157	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS BAJA BREEZE	9.95			Out of Stock
113975	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER RASPBERRY TART	9.95			Available
114037	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SPECIALTY SWEET SLUMBER	11.95			Available
113978	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER URBAN OASIS	9.95			Available
112041	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BELLA ROSE	9.95			Available
112468	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SWEET ALWAYS	9.95			Available
111834	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD TANGERINE TANGO	5.95			Available
114039	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SPECIALTY ROCKABILLY	11.95			Available
108590	CARD STOCK NATURALS ASST 12X12	8.95			Available
111337	NOTES GIFT ASSORTMENT II	9.95			Available
112471	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER RAINBOW SHERBET	9.95			Out of Stock
112464	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MANCHESTER	9.95			Available
112006	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS FLOWER FUSION II	14.95			Available
111837	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD PACIFIC POINT	5.95			Available
112461	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WASHINGTON APPLE	9.95			Available
113993	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SPECIALTY PARISIAN BREEZE	11.95			Available
112155	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PATTERNS RIDING HOOD RED	9.95			Available
111353	CARD STOCK KIWI KISS 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Available
111348	CARD STOCK RIDING HOOD RED 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Available
112172	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN ROCK A BYE BOY	19.95			Out of stock
100900	GIFT SACKS WHITE	2.95			Available
114605	SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT MORE THOUGHTS	42.95			Out of stock
102264	COLUZZLE STARTER KIT	19.95			Available
111346	CARD STOCK IN COLOR 12 X 12	8.95			Available
111835	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD KIWI KISS	5.95			Available
111350	CARD STOCK PACIFIC POINT 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Available
105668	TATTOO KIT I	13.95			Out of stock
111349	CARD STOCK TANGERINE TANGO 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Available
109231	SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT SENDING HAPPY THOUGHTS	54.95			Available
111351	CARD STOCK PINK PIROUETTE 8-1/2 X 11	5.5			Available
112165	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN ROCK A BYE GIRL	19.95			Out of stock
113950	DIE CUTS BUILD-A-FAIRYTALE	8.95			Available
111345	CARD STOCK TEXTURED IN COLOR 12 X 12	11.95			Available
105669	TATTOO KIT II	13.95			Out of stock
111833	CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD BAJA BREEZE	5.95			Available
113936	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN HOPPY MEMORIES	19.95			Available
111347	CARD STOCK IN COLOR 8-1/2 X 11	7.95			Available
107288	ENVELOPE WHISPER WHITE EXTRA LARGE	5.5			Available
104310	CRAFTERS TOOL KIT	39.95			Available
111352	CARD STOCK BAJA BREEZE 8-12 X 11	5.5			Available
113943	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN 2 SWEET	19.95			Available
113925	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SWEET NOTHINGS	19.95			Available
112179	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN LOVE STORIES	19.95			Available
113911	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUNSHINE GARDEN	19.95			Out of stock
112054	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN BEST EVER	19.95			Available
111253	Blooms & Bulbs	6.5			Available
109684	Doodle	8.5			Available
111257	Happy, Happy Birthday	8.5			Available
109692	Love	6.5			Available
109568	My ABCs	6.5			Available
109682	Perfectly Pretty	6.5			Available
109687	See You Around	8.5			Available
109683	So Swirly	8.5			Available
111260	Something Fishy	8.5			Available
111262	Stems & Silhouettes	8.5			Available
105516	Watercolor Joy	6.5			Available

Order on line today CLICK HERE and then click SHOP NOW!

EXTRA FREE Hostess dollars to spend in June!

• Hostesses who hold a $250-$399.99 workshop will receive an additional $20 in hostess free merchandise dollars.
• Hostesses who hold a $400 or more workshop will receive an additional $40 in hostess free merchandise dollars.

email me with any questions!