Optical Illusions

I love optical illusions under most circumstances!  They really make you question your reality.  What's up and what's down?  How does that go again??

Are they under or over?

                           Do you see vases or faces?

And here's our very own Stampin' Up Optical Illusion - our new Chevron Ribbon:

Doesn't it look like the left hand side is narrower than the right?  Well, it isn't, of course, but the chevron design causes it to look wider on the right.  Here's the proof that they are the same:

Fun, though!  I first noticed this when I was making a card today for Dynamic Duos Challenge #57, which was Pear Pizzazz and Basic Black with a dessert theme of plants.  It is also a sample for my All Occasion Stamper's Dozen class this weekend:

• The optical illusion of the Basic Black Chevron Ribbon is partially obscured by the snippet of Pear Pizzazz Ribbon I used just below it.  I still love the look of the ribbon though.  I did notice the effect was lessened when you used it vertically or when you tied a knot or a bow in it.
• Love the new Designer Series Paper Stacks with their new patterns.  The DSP in the third layer is from the Subtles collection - Pear Pizzazz.
• I used one of the Adorning Accents Edgelits to die cut the edge in the scallops.  To get them even I temporarily adhered the Whisper White and Basic Black panels together and die cut them at the same time, then moved the white panel up a bit before adhering them permanently.
• I inked up the tree image using Stampin' Write markers.  Make sure you "huff" on the stamp with your warm breath to remoisten the ink before you stamp.

• I also inked up the sentiment from the same set with a Basic Black Stampin' Write marker because I only wanted the top part of the sentiment.
• How cute are the new Designer Buttons, here from the Neutrals collection?

This is the challenge logo:

Just goes to show you can't always believe your own eyes!  Have a good one and thanks for dropping by today!

Stamps:  Thoughts and Prayers (w128751; c127805)

Paper:  Designer Series Paper Stacks - Subtles (130135); Pear Pizzazz (131201), Basic Black (121045) and Whisper White (100730) card stock

Ink:  Stampin' Write Markers in Pear Pizzazz (131266) and Basic Black (100082)

Accessories:  3/4" Chevron Ribbon in Basic Black (130010), 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon in Pear Pizzazz (retired); Neutrals Designer Buttons (130031)

Tools:  Adorning Accents Edgelits (125595)

Adorning Accents Edgelits

Basic Black Chevron Ribbon

Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker

Neutrals Collection Designer Buttons

Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Marker

Subtles Collection Designer Series Paper Stacks

Audrey Hepburn - Clean and Simple with Bling!!

I've noticed a lot of pins on Pinterest lately featuring Audrey Hepburn.  I always thought she was the most beautiful and appealing woman!  Her look was classic - clean and simple, yet elegant, always with a bit of bling!  I will always connect her with the movie, "Breakfast at Tiffany's".



So when I saw this week's Paper Players Challenge #150, I was immediately reminded of Audrey Hepburn. Now, you know that Clean and Simple is difficult for me at the best of times, but....

So I gave it my best shot....

• I've been admiring the Hostess Stamp set called Simply Sketched for awhile now and thought it would be perfect with pastel colours for a clean and simple look, with it's sketched images and beautiful scripts for the sentiments.
• I love the elegance of the 5/8" Organza Ribbon.  I tried it in a full bow but it was just too much for this design so I did a simple knot.
• The colours I used are Soft Sky, Whisper White and a touch of Pear Pizzazz.
• I added good ole rhinestones for bling, although I'm sure Audrey would have preferred diamonds!

Here's the Challenge logo:

As you know, I like creating 3"x3" mini cards for my customers, thanking them for their orders, and a couple of days ago, I created these using the same stamp set:

• I used Pistachio Pudding, Pink Pirouette and Soft Sky for this lovely little trio, plus a little Wisteria Wonder for the sentiment on the left. 
• I took this opportunity of using Candy Dots as embellishments, where as before this new catalogue, I would have used brads.  I love the Candy Dots because they are so easy to use, and you don't have the same adherence problems as you do with the metal brad's "legs" lifting up your panel from underneath.

Anyway, I quite enjoyed this challenge and I hope I'm improving in the Clean and Simple design department.  

How do you remember Audrey Hepburn?

Stamps:  Simply Sketched (w129669; c129672)*

Paper: Soft Sky (131203), Whisper White (100730), Pink Pirouette (111351) and Pistachio Pudding (131294) card stock.

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Soft Sky (131181), Pink Pirouette (126956), Pear Pizzazz (131180) and Wisteria Wonder (126985)

Accessories:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246); 5/8" Organza Ribbon (114319); Subtles Collection Candy Dots (130933)

* Hostess Set only - for those who host private classes or parties 

Simply Sketched Hostess Stamp Set

Soft Sky cardstock

Subtles Collection Candy Dots

It's Friday!!

I enjoyed this week immensely!  I had some breathing room to get organized.  I got my craft room up-dated with all the new products that arrived!  I made some cards with the new stamp sets I ordered. I filmed some videos, one of which is posted here. (It's been awhile!)  I planned some projects for up-coming events, and I still hope to get started on my swaps for Convention coming up in mid-July!  I really needed a week to do all that!

The last part of June is kind of up-in-the-air, as we wait for news that our third grandbaby is making a grand entrance into the world.  The due date is June 20, but we all know how punctual first babies are!  So I have to have a lot of contingency plans ready for some of my classes and events!






But this means that we will miss the first birthday of my second grandson, Kesten!  His birthday is June 25 and he is such a little dear that I'm sad to miss his big day.  We have sent his present and card north, but I wanted to share with you the card I made for him.

• I used the stamp set You're Amazing to create this card including the beautiful script, which I used the Apothecary Accents Framelit to cut out, trimming off one end. 
• The balloon was inked up in Island Indigo and was stamped off once so that the image was light enough so you could see the number 1 on it.  
• I stamped the number using the new ABC-123 Sketch Alphabet & Numbers in Real Red.
• The cardstock colours I used are Sahara Sand, Island Indigo and Real Red.
• The DSP is from the new series called Gingham Garden.
• I used one of the new Candy Dots in Island Indigo on the sentiment.

Here's a quick peek at the inside:

• I was pleased with how easy it was to line up the letters, also from ABC-123 Sketch Alphabet & Numbers, to form Kesten's name.  
• The set only comes in Clear Mount, which I find is much easier to line up to make words than  wood mount would be.  
• I just lined up the first four letters on a clear mount block and stamped them.  
• I left the T where it was to help with adding  the E and N in the right position after the T, then I removed the T and stamped the last two letters and it looks pretty even.
• I had to cross out the last two words of the verse from Bring on the Cake, because he will only have one candle! lol

I hope he has a great day!

I also have a quick Crafty Clues by Heather video tutorial to share with you today.  This one shows you the steps to making a fork bow.  Here it is:

                   

Have a great weekend!  See you on Monday.  Don't forget to check out my Product Shares.

Stamps:  You're Amazing (w132103; c126722); ABC-123 Sketch Alphabet & Numbers (c130565); Bring on the Cake (w128490; c121958)
Paper:  Gingham Garden DSP (129310); Island Indigo (122923), Sahara Sand (121043) and Real Red (102482) cardstock
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Island Indigo (126986) and Real Red (126949)
Accessories:   Regals Collection Candy Dots (130932)
Tools:  Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003); 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874)

You're Amazing Stamp Set

Apothecary Accents Framelits

Bring on the Cake Stamp Set

ABC-123 Alphabet & Numbers Stamp Set

Gingham Garden DSP

Regals Collection Candy Dots

Edwardian Journal

I sometimes wonder what life would have been like for women living in the Edwardian era in England.  I don't know if you are a fan, but I love the TV series, Downton Abbey, which takes place during that period. It seems that women were either slaving drudges or pampered socialites, neither of which appeals to me much.  If forced to choose, I think that having work and mastering skills would be preferable to the boredom  of the socialite's life.  I've often run across one woman's solution to that boredom in the form of a Country Diary that she kept.

The author, Edith Holden, kept detailed notes about the plants and animals she encountered in the British countryside and filled the diary with illustrations and poetry.  The publication became popular after her death in 1920, but it is a charming and interesting book.


I had this book in mind with my card today:

The card was made using The Paper Players Colour Challenge #149 using the colours below:

• I think that the combination of those subtle colours with the neutral Early Espresso, plus the bird image on the challenge logo, made me run right off the bat to a new stamp set, Backyard Basics!  This set reminds me so much of Nature Walk, which just retired, but it is a little less realistic and needs some added colouring to work well.  
• The great thing is that it has a set of framelits to match so no more fussy cutting with this set!  You can buy the stamp set and the framelits together as a bundle and save 15%!
• I used the Stampin' Distress tool to easily distress all the edges, then sponged them with a little Soft Suede ink to age them.
• I stamped the butterfly, the egg and the bird onto Calypso Coral, Pool Party and So Saffron cardstock respectively, with Early Espresso ink, then used the same colour Stampin' Write marker to add some extra details.

• The background paper is Naturals White cardstock and the tulip was stamped right on the white and coloured in using markers and a Blender Pen.
• The sentiment is from the Bring On the Cake stamp set.
• I splattered the card with some Early Espresso ink to finish it off.

It's time for Product Shares!!

Have you been pouring over the new catalogue, wondering how on earth you're ever going to find enough ready cash to get everything you want??  I have a solution!  You sign up for a Product Share!  A product share is when five of my customers pool their resources to buy all of the new ribbons, buttons or paper and then it is divided up evenly between them, so they get a smaller quantity, but a greater variety of the new paper and embellishments.  I do all the ordering, cutting and sorting and you get the products all divided up for you.  I DO, however, need 5 people to sign up before I can order.  If you think you'd be interested, click on the product share button at the top of this page and read the instructions carefully, then use the sign up on that page or email me with your preferences!  This offer is also open to my out-of-town readers, as long as they live in Canada.

YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL!

Stamps:  Backyard Basics (w129255; c129258); Bring On the Cake (w128490; c121958)

Paper:  So Saffron (105118), Early Espresso (119686), Calypso Coral (122925), Pool Party (122924), and Naturals White (102316) cardstock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pad in Early Espresso (126974) and Soft Suede (126978); Stampin' Write Markers in Calypso Coral (131263), Pool Party (131263), So Saffron (131263), (all as part of the Subtles collection) and Early Espresso (119680)

Tools:  Stampin' Distress tool (127562); Squares Collection Framelits (130921); Backyard Basics Framelits (129380); Stamping Sponges (101610)

Backyard Basics Stamp Set

Bring on the Cake Stamp Set

Backyard Basics Bundle with Framelits

Squares Collection Framelits

Stampin' Distress tool

Product Shares are Live!

I've posted product shares for the new catalogue!  They can always be found by clicking on Product Shares in the upper menu bar.

                                                       2013/14 Idea Book and Catalogue

There are so many enticing new products in the new Catalogue that I'm sure your wish list is longer than your arm! Here's a way to get a taste of many of the papers, ribbons and embellishments for less money! Product shares! Here is what it available.

A. Chevron Ribbon Share - $38 each (includes tax and shipping) 5 people required (see pg. 173)

- 3/4" Chevron Ribbon - 2 yards in each of 12 colours








B.  Ruffle Stretch Trim Share -  $16 each (includes tax and shipping) 5 people required (see pg. 173)
 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim- 2 yards in each of 5 new In Colours

C. New Colours in Existing Styles of Ribbons Share - $11 each (includes tax and shipping) 5 people required (see pg. 173)
- 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon - 2 yards of Pear Pizzazz
- 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon - 2 yards each of Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo

- 1/2" Seam Binding - 2 yards of Soft Sky
- 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain - 2 yards of Blushing Bride



D. Embellishment Share - $44 each (includes tax and shipping)  4 people required

- Designer Buttons - 1 each of 3 designs in 24 colours (pg. 168)
- Very Vintage Buttons - 3 each of 3 designs (pg. 169)
- In Colour Boutique Details - 2 each of 5 new In Colours (pg. 169)
- Candy Dots - 5 each of 40 colours   (pg. 171)

E. Paper Share - $47 each (includes tax and shipping) 4 people required

- Quatrefancy Specialty - one  6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs   (pg.150)
- Soho Subway -one 6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs  (pg. 151)
- Afternoon Picnic - one 6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs   (pg. 151)
- I Am Me - one 6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs   (pg. 151)
- Gingham Garden - one 6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs   (pg. 153)
- Etcetera - one 6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs   (pg. 153)
- Birthday Basics - one 6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs   (pg. 153)
- Venetian Romance - one 6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs   (pg. 153)
- Eastern Elegance - one 6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs   (pg. 154)
- Modern Medley - one 6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs   (pg. 154)
- Epic Day This and That - one 6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs   (pg. 154)

F. "I Want It All" Share - Save 15%  -  $145.00 each

- Includes A,B, C, D and E


G. Core'dinations Card Stock Share - $23.50 each (includes tax and shipping) 4 people required

- one 6" x 12" sheet of each of all 50 colours

Check off what you would like and fill in your contact information. When a share is full, I will send you a PayPal invoice for your share in the total. I will then order from Stampin' Up and package and deliver your share(s) to you, once I have received payment.  *Sorry, but I can only ship to locations in Canada.*

Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of the response form below and complete all fields before submitting.

Dresses

You'll very rarely find me in one!  I don't know why really.  Perhaps, when I was growing up, because it meant wearing either tights or pantyhose, both of which are annoying hassles.  But before that, there was... dun,dun, DUN... nylon stockings with garter belts!  Talk about contraptions and discomfort!
 I think they really scarred me for life!!  When I was in elementary school, wearing a dress was not optional for girls, it was required, even when walking to school in -20 degree weather!  When it was really cold, they let us wear slacks under our dresses, but had to take the pants off once at school.  It wasn't until we protested loud and long in Grade 7 that they finally allowed us to wear pants to school!

But I decided on a dress theme for my sample today because I wanted a vintage image for the Dynamic Duo's challenge #56 this week - Soft Suede and Blushing Bride.

Here is my take on the challenge:

• Nothing says vintage like a dress form! This one is die cut using the Dress Up framelits.
• I used En Francais inked up in Blushing Bride as the background stamp.
• Images from the Lovely Romance stamp set worked perfectly for this card, especially the little daisy with its love message on the dress form.  I die cut the sentiment using the Chalk Talk framelits and the new magnetic platform for my Big Shot.  Amazing!
• Some sponging with Soft Suede, some pearls, and little vintage Victorian Crochet trim gathered into a small medallion, topped with a Very Vintage Designer Button, all add to the aged look of the card.

A little surprise on the inside - I tried out my new Pop 'n Cuts card base and Dress Form insert.  Not sure that the dress is the right era for this card, but I wanted to try it out so badly.  The dress is from the All Dressed Up stamp set, as is the sentiment, retired, unfortunately.  The embellishments are from Lovely Romance again.

Last night, I got a sneak peek at the new Holiday Mini Catalogue!  We demos will be able to pre-order from it in July and our customers will be able to order from it starting August 1st.  One of the perks of being a demonstrator that I like the best!!

Stamps: Lovely Romance (w130264; c130267); All Dressed Up* 

Paper:  Soft Suede (115318), Blushing Bride (131198) and Very Vanilla (101650) card stock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Blushing Bride (131172) and Soft Suede (126978)

Accessories:  Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim (118481); Pearl Basic Jewels (119247); Very Vintage Designer Buttons (129327)

Tools:  Dress Up Framelits (130101); Chalk Talk Framelits (129983); Card Base Pop 'n Cut Die (130099); Dress Form Pop 'n Cut Insert (130100)

*Retired

Lovely Romance Stamp Set

Card Base Pop 'n Cuts

Dress Form Insert Pop 'n Cuts

Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim

Very Vintage Designer Buttons