can't resist a little summer fun ;)

Ok, dorky play on words for the title ;) I couldn't "resist!"
Now that I'm done cracking myself up, here's today's card-

This is a card we made at my Technique Tuesday class in July. The technique on this card is called "wax paper resist." You will need Glossy Card stock, wax paper, and an iron to do this technique. Crumple up a piece of wax paper (cut slightly larger than the Glossy Card Stock), and then gently flatten back out. "Sandwich" the wrinkled wax paper between two layers of Glossy Card Stock - glossy sides touching the wax paper. Quickly "iron" on one of the plain/ back sides of the card stock. The heat from the iron will "melt" some of the wax onto the glossy surfaces. Now you are ready to create!
I sponged Pool Party ink onto the Glossy Card Stock - use the back of the sponge section to rub any excess ink from the waxy spots. To create the look of seaweed, I stamped an image from Pocket Silhouettes using Lucky Limeade ink. A sentiment from Pocket Silhouettes is stamped in Lucky Limeade ink onto Lucky Limeade card stock, and punched out with the Curly Label Punch. The Glossy Card Stock is adhered to a piece of Island Indigo card stock, which I hand cut a wavy edge around.
The octopus image from the Summer Splash stamp set is stamped in Island Indigo ink onto Whisper White card stock, snipped out, and attached with Dimensionals. The Lucky Limeade striped DSP is from the 2011-2013 Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack. Some paper piercing into the Sahara Sand card stock adds a nice little detail, and the shells (colored with Sahara Sand, More Mustard, and Calypso Coral Markers) are the perfect finishing touch.
I have had a ton of fun using the Summer Splash stamp set from the Summer Mini. This set is only available through the end of August, so if you don't have it already, stop by my Online store and pick yours up today!
Happy stamping :)

Hello, friend

Today's card uses the new stamp set My Friend, which is in the "Elements" section of the new Idea Book & Catalog. This was the Make & Take at my Catalog Party in July.

I love this color combination: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, and Chocolate Chip. The little details on this card include a medium Rhinestone (119246 $4.95 for 150), 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon in Chocolate Chip (124142 $7.95 for 10 yards), and a Lucky Limeade butterfly cut and dry embossed using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit (118138 $11.95) and my Big Shot.
It's the perfect card to send to a friend I haven't seen in a while, just to let her know I'm thinking about her :)
I'll be you can you think of a few friends who would like to get a card from you. Happy stamping!

Workshop Card

I'm so excited for this afternoon's workshop - I get to stamp with some friends that I haven't stamped with in a long time :)
Here's 1 of the projects guests will make today. My 4-1/4" square card was inspired by the card on page 202 in the new Idea Book & Catalog. I LOVE that there are HUNDREDS of project samples right at my finger tips!

card stock: Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze textured, Early Espresso textured, Poppy Parade textured, Early Espresso, and Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Just Add Cake

Markers: Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, and Early Espresso

punch: 1-1/4" Circle

Hostess Stamp Club - August project

I had so much fun with my stamp club last night. They are the nicest ladies, and spending time with them always brings a smile to my heart. My club members get three hours of crop time, plus a project I provide for them. Last night we made this pretty little bookmark using the Clearly for You stamp set.

Ink colors: Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black

Card stock: Very Vanilla, Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler

Punches: 1-1/4" Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle, 3/16" Corner

The background image is inked with Island Indigo, and "stamped off" before stamping on the Very Vanilla card stock in order to make the background lighter.

The butterfly image is stamped first in Cherry Cobbler ink. Then, to give it a little extra sparkle, it is stamped a second time (right on top) with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint. To do this, gently shake up your bottle of Shimmer Paint. Then dip a sponge dauber into the lid. Use your "inked" sponge dauber to dab directly onto the stamp. Then, using a Stamp-a-ma-jig® for placement, stamp right over the image.
I love using Shimmer Paint to add special little details to my projects. It is available in three colors - Champagne Mist, Frost White, and Platinum - in my online store.

buy 3, get 1 FREE!

 Are you in love with our fabulous papers like me? I seriously can't get enough of them; they're just so pretty! The Stampin' Up! special for August is awesome - buy three packages of Designer Series Paper, get one package FREE! Yay!!! You can find more details and get a closer look at these papers in my online store. Happy shopping :)

Hostess Club

I have been stamping like crazy this past week! I'm almost done with my "Make & Take" projects from Convention. I never finish all of my projects during the Make & Take session, but this year... well, I didn't complete one single thing! I had an enjoyable chat, though ;)

Today I am working on the project for my stamp club that meets tomorrow night. As I started working, I realized I forgot to post the July project. We made a cute little magnet:

Using the Big Shot, we cut Magnet Sheets, Flirtatious Specialty DSP, Pretty in Pink card stock, orange tulle, Flirtatious Fabric, and Melon Mambo Textured card stock on the Fun Flowers Bigz L die. The layer of Pumpkin Pie card stock is punched with the Doily Triple Layer punch. The sentiment from Fabulous Phrases is stamped in Melon Mambo ink onto Pretty in Pink card stock.

Here's a view of the back:

A little tip- Trim your magnet sheet to a "square" slightly larger than the shape your are die-cutting. Then peel off the paper backing and adhere your DSP "square." This way you cut both at the same time, and don't have to try to line everything up.

Well, I'm off to finish up the August club project. You can purchase supplies for this project any time from my online store. Don't forget the online only Clearance Rack! :)

Free stuff!!

Raise your hand if you like getting something for free!! Ok, now put your hand down and head on over to my online store. Stampin' Up! is offering the Fruit & Flowers Designer Greeting Card Template absolutely free! Woohoo!!! :) While you are there, you can check out all the new downloads available for My Digital Studio.

Hostess Gift

So I got home very late Monday night, and ran around like a crazy woman all day Tuesday getting ready for Tuesday night's workshop. But it was a good crazy - I was so happy to be stamping right away after all of the Convention excitement.

Shelli's daughter, Shalae, did her first Convention stage presentation this year. Shelli and Shalae demonstrated a cute little gift box, that I thought would be a perfect hostess gift. So, here is my version of the gift box:

I really wanted to show off the pretty new 'In Color' Wisteria Wonder. So I turned to my Color Coach to guide me in choosing other colors to coordinate with my project. The Color Coach suggested adding Lucky Limeade and Elegant Eggplant. I like this combo, but I wanted to add some pink, so I chose Pretty in Pink to brighten up the project.
I used the Box #2 Bigz XL die to make the box, and then filled it with  little chocolates. The 11" long band of Wisteria Wonder card stock has been punched on each end with the Scallop Edge Border punch, and adhered to the bottom and sides of the box. I used the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack to make a hole, and then I tied on Pretty in Pink 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. I used the Fun Flowers Bigz L die to cut the Lucky Limeade and Elegant Eggplant flowers. The flower image from Raining Flowers (available in wood mount or clear mount) is stamped in Wisteria Wonder ink and cut out with Snips. A Wisteria Wonder Designer Printed Brad makes a great flower center. All of the flower layers are attached with Dimensionals.
Can't you just picture yourself making some of these for your coworkers? It would be a great, inexpensive gift, sure to bring a smile to everyone's face.
I have more ideas for hostess gifts... Contact me today so we can schedule your next stampin' play time :)

a very special gift

 I just have to share this little gift with you. Back in April, I participated in a promotion for demonstrators to earn VIP status at Convention. We received several perks including reserved seating, a VIP room, "meet and greet" time with Shelli and other members of the corporate team, and a VIP tour of the Stampin' Up! home office. We received a special gift from Shelli on our tour: a bag filled with her favorite caramels and a roll of 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon.

I just love the tag! What a great way to add a personal touch to a simple gift. I'll bet you're thinking of the tags you can make to "dress up" your next gift for someone special. You will love watching their reaction, knowing that you took the time to make something special for them.
The sentiment and one of the background stamps on the tag come from the Daring Adventure stamp set. The other stamped images are from Creative Elements (this set is sooooo on my next order!). The tag is tied to the cellophane bag with a strip of Timeless Portrait Fabric (122337) and a piece of Island Indigo 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (122974). But I'm pretty sure you'll agree with me that the best part about the tag, is that it's signed by Shelli.  **smile!**

Convention 2011 - Day 4

Another fabulous day... I'm sad to see it end, but excited to get home and share new project ideas. There are so many new things I want to make!

After a great day of classes and projects, we went out to a rooftop restaurant to celebrate. We had a wonderful meal, enjoyed great company and conversation, and soaked in the view of Salt Lake City.

If you have ever thought about joining us, now is the perfect time!

I freely admit that technology is not my best friend, so you're not crazy... there's no "promotions link" to click on ;) I challenge you to write down 3 questions you have about sharing stamping and paper-crafting with others. Then email them to me at stamp_pad@wi.rr.com
I would be happy to answer your questions. You can also read more information and watch a short video on my website.