Paper Pumpkin - 50% off for *new* subscribers!!

Ever thought about trying out Paper Pumpkin?  Well now is a great time to do just that because if you are a new subscriber you can get 50% off your first 2 months!!  You can continue at regular price or cancel after that.  SU has made great improvements to Paper Pumpkin this spring and I am loving my kits which are chalk full of goodies these days.  Contact me if you'd like to learn more!!  OR go to MyPaperPumpkin.com to sigh up...make sure to use the code below!!

Offer Dates: July 16, 2014--September 10, 2014
Offer Details: Use the code HALFOFF2 to join Paper Pumpkin before September 10, 2014, and get 50% off the first two months! After that, keep the creativity coming for only $24.95 + tax per month (shipping included).

The Fine Print: For new subscribers only. Available for month-to-month subscriptions, not prepaid subscriptions. Discount applied to one kit per month for the first two months of a new subscription. After the first two months, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $24.95. You need to visit MyPaperPumpkin.com to join. Enter the Promo Code, "HALFOFF2" when you sign up.  New subscribers must join by Wednesday, September 10, 2014; 11:50 PM (MT).

Project Life...by Stampin Up!

 So here it is...my first ever page using Project Life...our recent trip to Niagara, and it was so simple to do...but I'm addicted!;)  Truly, I *loved* doing it, loved the idea of making memory keeping so simple...and I am just learning.  I know you can't see the journaling etc well in this picture, but I think that's one of the genius parts of PL, the opportunity to journal and to write more:)

Becky Higgins, creator of Project Life, recently teamed up with SU to create Project Life by Stampin Up.  You can find the results on pages 24-27 and 188 & 189 of the new catalog:)  I'm currently playing away with the 'Everyday Adventure Collection' (pictured below:)

I have an order going in on Saturday, so if you want to add anything or order Project Life for yourself to try, here is the HOSTESS CODE:  3EQ4Q7B3

More Blendabilities & Current HOSTESS CODE

Here's another blendabilities video today...this time showing how to achieve the ombre look that is so popular!



Also, I have an order going in on Saturday, so if there is anything you want to add to the order, you can use the following HOSTESS CODE  3EQ4Q7B3  or contact me:)

Blendabilities Available to the Public NOW!!

Yeah!!!  The following colour are now available for everyone to order from SU!!  (with the remaining colours to follow next month!:)

Available Products to customers starting July 1:

• Cherry Cobbler   (Item #130995 - $15.95)
• Coastal Cabana  (Item #131000 - $15.95)
• Daffodil Delight   (Item #130998 - $15.95)
• Old Olive   (Item #130999 - $15.95)
• Pumpkin Pie  (Item #130997 - $15.95)
• Rich Razzleberry  (Item #131003 - $15.95)
• Skin Tone Assortment (Item #129370 - $31.95)
• Memento Ink Pad (Item 132708 - $7.95 )
• Memento Ink Refill (Item 133456 - $6.95 )
• Colour Lifter  (Item 129369 - $6.95 )

I'm loving playing with my blendabilities.  Here is one of my favourite colouring technique videos:



What Sets SU Blendabilities Apart from other alcohol markers (including copics):

• The Stampin' Up! rectangular barrel keeps your markers from rolling away!
• Flat storage helps to maintain the life of each marker.
• Each marker comes with a tip on each end: brush and fine. 
• Marker tips are made of nylon, which is superior to polyester which can fray.
• Colour coded caps.
• Stampin' Up! markers coordinate wonderfully with our cardstock, and can be used with transparent sheets.

Still Becoming

 

That's me!  ...still becoming!  I had this little frame from a Michael's bin that I thought was perfect for the sentiment I saw long ago at Brave Girl's Club...it resonated with me, and so it's stuck.

I've been under-the-weather today, so spent the day 'in' and most of it organizing & cleaning my craft space, so took a few moments just now to create a tiny little something.

SU products used on this project:
- hello honey ink is sponged in the background, though the camera didn't pick it up, really has a warm glow
- rotary alphabet stamp
- papillon potpourri stampset
- blendabilities!  ***available to the public July 1!!:)

File Tabs Edgelits - Tabbing My Catalog

I was inspired by Connie Steward to make tabs with the new File Tabs Edgelits for my new catalog this week.  I downloaded her sheet with all the tab names already typed out; however, I found the cutting instructions on her download did not work for me, so I had to rerun them a second time.  In addition to cutting a half inch off the top of the 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of printed card stock, I found I had to cut an additional 1/4" off the top and both the right and left sides, and then I could follow her cutting guide.  Each tag is cut at 1" and then run through the big shot with the centre edgelit.  I adhered the tabs to the appropriate pages of my catalog using the new fast fuse adhesive which is super stick and durable, so I thought it would be perfect for this purpose.

Here's a link to Connie's download etc. on this project.

Flower Patch Bundle - My Take on Pages 154-155 of the New Catalog

I would dare to say that one of the biggest surprises to me about the new catalog was the Flower Patch Bundle (and, yes, bundle, means there are matching framelits!!)  Confession...I haven't been a fan of photopolymer stamps, and while I still do prefer rubber the most, the Flower Patch stampset on page 156 of the new catalog got me interested in trying them again and seeing if there weren't some tricks to using them that would make me like them.

First of all, let me tell you that SU's photopolymer stamps are not the same as others you see in the market (that are often acrylic actually)...they are  much higher quality.  Still, they do not work exactly like a rubber stamp and need a little extra care at first to ink and stamp clean images...you just have to get used the them....Also, I learned a valuable trip as I sat down last week to create my own takes on the project ideas on pages 154 & 155 of the new catty...**use the Stampin' Pierce Mat** under your paper when you stamp with photopolymer stamps (and any small words/greeting stamps, even if they are rubber)!!  I knew about the small greeting trick, but I had never tried this with large photopolymer stamps and it makes ALL the difference!  You'll find the Stampin' Pierce Mat on page 218 of th enew catalog for only $5.50, but it is worth every cent! ...and if you read the description under the product, after it talks about piercing it says, "Also get even pressure and ink coverage with detailed or background stamps."  So I thought, I should try it, and it WORKS!!  The mat is also a generous size at 6 1/2" x 9 1/2".

Below is a close up of my take on each of the projects on pages 154-155.  If you want to get together to learn to make these projects...from single layer to stepped up to WOW, please let me know as I'm thinking of doing a 'try it' technique class on these 3 projects for a small fee coming up (or free with order for those in Saskatoon who are close enough to attend:)

 The colour palette I used is different than used in the catalog... I used strawberry slush, hello honey & pear pizzaz...and the greetings are in Bermuda bay.

 In the above journal (the base of the journal comes 2 in a pack for 5.95 on page 200 of the new catty), rather than Bermuda bay, I actually used coastal cabana & island indigo (same with the greeting!)

Blessed by God

Today's card was made with my *favourite* new stamp set from the new catalog, Blessed by God.  I was inspired to create this tone on tone effect on the card by fellow demonstrator from the US, Kimberley Van Diepen.  I emboxxed the backgrounding using the lacey brocade folder, which has retired over a year ago, but is still one of my favourites.  The current baroque embossing folder would also be beautiful with this.  I also used some of the *new venetian lace trim to accent this project.  The card stock colour used was pool party.

Another 'Fabulous Work of Art' ;)

Today I have another card I made with the *new Work of Art stampset thanks to a little inspiration from fellow demonstrator, Becky Roberts.  Becky had made some treat bags using this stampset that got me looking at that zig zag image differently (the treat bags come pre-stamped with stripes from SU).  Anyway, this is what I came up with.  The new colour I used was that fabulous blue, Lost Lagoon.  Here I paired it with Pistachio Pudding and Strawberry Slush.

June Paper Pumpkin - Centrepiece & banner for Canada Day

I was thrilled when I received this month's paper pumpkin!  The seem to be getting better and better every month, with more and more goodies to craft with.  This month's kit has wonderful supplies to plan for a summer bbq or party or a patriotic vignette!  Yes, there was also a navy blue in the supplies in the box, but I chose to make this centrepiece and banner using mainly the red and white supplies s Canada Day is July 1st! 

I used less than 1/3rd of the kits' supplies to make my banner & centrepiece too so I have plenty left over to make other projects...or, to add to it...I'm planning on adding some creations in the blue to this display after Canada Day as Bastille Day is July 14th and France's colours are blue, white & red!:)

Below is  close up of the little banner I made for my back door.  The banner was not one of the project ideas that came in the kit, but I was inspired by a similar idea by the SU demonstrator site!:)

If you'd like to learn more about subscribing to paper pumpkin, you can leave me a comment or email me and I'll get you all the information you need!  Here's a link to the Paper Pumpkin site. 

Happy Father's Day!

This is the Father's Day card I made for my husband this year.  It was made with 2 new in colors:  mossy meadow & lost lagoon.  The stamp set I used is called 'Traveller' and is also new....and the greeting is made from one of my *favourite* things in the new catalog...the alphabet rotary stamp, don't miss it on page 191 on of the new catalog!

Perfect Pennants Card

I was so happy to see the Perfect Pennants stampset and coordinating banner framelits carried forward from the Occasions catalog to the new annual catalog.  This is a simple card I made using them.  I also used a piece of Moonlight dsp from the new paper stack.  The butterfly  from the Papillon Potpouri stampset was stamped in momento black ink and coloured using the new blendabilities which will be available to the public next month.

Another Work of Art Card

I was playing around with the new Work of Art stampset.  I thought that some of the paint blotch images looked like flowers, and that is how I came up with this tulips card.  I was also playing around with the new mossy meadow in color (you've seen me use the blackberry bliss which I did for the blooms before)...and I am loving this new green, it has a nice richness!

New Catty Workshop - Treat Pouch

This was the 2nd make & take from my new catty workshop this week.  I actually got the inspiration for this project from the new catalog premiere that SU did for demonstrators at the end of April.  I used a piece of cardstock from the new moonlight designer series paper stack which was scored as follows:
- landscape: 1, 1 1/2, 2, 4, 4 1/2 and 5
- portrait:  1/2 (and then trim down to trim off all panels except for the 2" panel between the scores at 2 & 4; consider mitering a bit for ease in completing the project)

The tags were made by stamping the globe image from the new Traveller stampset in hello honey on a piece of hello honey cardstock that had been cutout with the banner framelit.  Then we stamped the ticket with the 'that's the ticket' stampset and the 'for you' greet with the Itty Bitty Banners stampset and punched the whole thing out with the ticket punch.  The assembled tag was embellished with the new Lost Lagoon stitched satin ribbon and adhered to the project using a mini clothespin.

New Catty Workshop - Work of Art Card

I held my new catalog workshop last night and this was the card we made as a make & take.  It highlights one of the new in colors, blackberry bliss, which I'm loving.  And it couldn't be easier to make...the card base is a piece of 8 x 4 blackberry bliss cardstock folded in a half, then images were stamped on a piece of 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 whisper white cardstock.  All images come from the new Work of Art stampset which has a watercolor/artist feel.  The swooshes were all stamped with the same image, stamped only once in blackberry bliss and then stamped 3 times consecutively on the white cardstock. 

I certainly had fun playing with new products and crafting with the ladies.  I think this year's new catalog is one of my very favourite!!

2014-2015 Annual Catalog is LIVE today!!

...and here's a link.  New catalog day is always SO exciting!!:)

And here is where you can place an online order.  Just click 'shop now' in the upper right corner.

Time for some new colours! - Introducing Hello Honey!

Today's project is a little treat pouch made out of some a new dsp pack that will be in the new catalog that starts on June 2nd called Moonlight....and it feature one of the new in colors that starts with that catalog, Hello Honey...I love it!  It's warm & rich...I've actually been looking for a cardigan in that colour for some time now...maybe since it's an 'in colour' I'll see it in stores more!;)

The project is embellished with the fun clips that are retiring from the new ctalog, but everything else is sticking around...like the scalloped tag topper punch that I used on the topper, the petite petals bundle that I used to embellish the topper and the stampsets That's the Ticket & Itty Bitty Banners that I used for the tag that I punched out with the tag duo punch on the bottom.

Retiring DSP Feature - Afternoon Picnic

I made this little lidded box out of some basic grey cardstock and decorated with the lovely afternoon picnic dsp that is retiring.  As you know I'm addicted to making roses with the Spiral Flower die (see recent posts!), and so I made 3 in coordinating colors that worked with this dsp for this project (wisteria wonder, coastal cabana & basic grey),  I also made a little tag with the Occasions Alphabet stampset that is retiring and punched it out with the ticket punch and adorned it with a bitty flower from the itty bitty punch pack that is retiring.

Retiring DSP Feature - Lidded Milk Carton

The other day as I told you I was inspired by Sam Donald as I was playing with using up some of my dsp, well, then I saw this adorable project and I knew I had to make my own.  This time I followed her formula to a 't' and got the darling boxes I'm posting today:)  I will admit this one is a bit trickly particularly the lid, but the result is cute and I like how easy it is to get into the box:)

The above one was made with the Afternoon Picnic dsp that is retiring  & I embellished with the Petite Petals bundle (stamps and punch), the 'for you' greeting from 'Itty Bitty Banners' & some flowers from the itty bitty punch pack which is retiring.  The wisteria wonder ribbon I used on the bottom is already retired, but I have seen some on the clearance rack not too long ago if you're looking for it.

The version of the box above is made the same way as the one at the top of the post except I used the Soho Subway retiring dsp and some summer starfruit card stock (a color that is also retiring).  The flowers come from the Petite Petals bundle and are embellished with the retiring dalias accents. 

Retiring DSP Feature - More Modern Medley's

This adorable milk carton box is about 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" in the cubed area and would be cute for a chocolate or for a pot of lip balm etc.  I got the idea from Pootles when I was looking up dimensions for yesterday's project...It's almost done the same as this project of hers, so go to that link if you want to make one too!:)

I used the Petite Petals stampset & coordinating punch to decorate & more of that retiring baked brown sugar stretch trim.  Also the little bitty flower come from the punch pack that is also retiring...I don't plan to retire mine however, they're too sweet!