Betsy's Blossoms for MOJO Monday and Dynamic Duos

I was looking for a stamp set to use to create a card to use for MOJO Monday Challenge #340   and Dynamic Duos Challenge #97:

I needed something that would have or fit in circles.  Since the colours for Dynamic Duos are so bright and primary, I needed something with a stylized look to it.  I decided on Betsy's Blossoms.  I haven't had that stamp set for long. When the Annual Catalogue first came out, every demo and her dog were posting cards made with Betsy's Blossoms, tags made with Betsy's Blossoms, mobiles made with Betsy's Blossoms, scrapbook pages made with .... yes, you've got it....Betsy's Blossoms!  I felt like if I saw another Betsy's Blossoms post, that I would be sick!  So I didn't order it.  Until almost a whole year went by and the Betsy's Blossoms fervor subsided.  It's really not a bad stamp set.  I really like the starburst effect of the big stamp, and the bird is really eye-pleasing, now that I don't have to look at it all the time.  So finally, the time has come and I am posting a Betsy's Blossoms card:

• The starburst and the flower images are perfect for the circular shapes needed in the MOJO Monday sketch this week, another brilliant one by Julee Tilman.  The little bird fits on a circular background as well, and these stylized designs work well with the bright colours of Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo from the Dynamic Duos challenge this week.
• I did some paper piecing of the bird's wings and the flower center. I stamped each image in both Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo and cropped the wings and the flower center by hand from the Melon Mambo images.  I then adhered them to the Tempting Turquoise images, by matching them exactly to the original part of the picture.

• I used a variety of Circle Punches and Circle Framelits to punch out and matte all the parts.  It's so nice that you can find the right sized circles among them to cut and matte almost any size circle! The flag containing the sentiment, from Gifts of Kindness, was cut using the Banners Framelits.
• The background DSP is from the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack and uses the Fancy Fan design.  With a crisp little bow that I made with a technique using a "C" clear mount block, I finished that back panel using the 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Whisper White.  

And that's a wrap, except for the Weekly Deals, and some excitement, because tomorrow, bright and early, I'm going to register for Convention, which takes place in July in Salt Lake City!

I really enjoy the experience, the motivation, the friendships and the fun!  And here's a reminder that YOU could be going with me this year!  "How?" you ask!  Easy, peasy!  Just join my team, the Papercraft Cats, by ordering the starter kit for $125!  And this year, if you have signed up since July 2013, Stampin' Up! is paying your registration!  How cool is that???  I'd love it if you came along with me!  But you should act soon, so registration doesn't fill up before you can get in on it!  We have a blast and we share hotel costs to keep it reasonable.   Just send me an email that you're interested, or simply click on "Join My Team" on the top menu bar and you are on your way!  For $125, you get $155 of any current Stampin' Up! products plus a business pack of all that you'll need to get started earning money doing what you love!

BRIGHTS GLIMMER BRADS Price: $6.50 $4.88	GINGHAM STANDARD STAMPIN' AROUND WHEEL Price: $7.95 $5.96	ISLAND INDIGO BAKER'S TWINE Price: $3.95 $2.96	MAKE A CAKE CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET Price: $14.95 $11.21
PUNCH PACK Price: $22.95 $17.21	RECIPES BY DESIGN DIGITAL KIT - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $10.95 $6.57	SECRET GARDEN FRAMELITS DIES Price: $30.95 $23.21	SUMMER STARFRUIT 1-1/4" STRIPED GROSGRAIN RIBBON Price: $12.50 $9.38

Click on the links below to take you to my On-Line Store, where you can read about, look at, and purchase if you wish, the products used to make this card today!

Product List

131955	126006	130441	130444	130134	102067
100730	115320	126952	126948	130911	120906
119868	119861	109070	119247

February Paper Pumpkin

Yesterday, I promised you a look at what you get with the February Paper Pumpkin kit and I know you're really going to like what you see.  I was very impressed by the quality of everything in the kit.  Here's a photo of the innards:

• The kit includes 5 kraft heavy duty gift bags.  They are well-made and would stand up to a lot of wear.
• There are die cut letters (with lots of every vowel - Yay!!), die cut Bermuda Bay circles and die cut Whisper White starburst circles that you can stamp on.  There are also 10 heavy-duty white ribbon handles for the bags - also impressive quality.  You get a stamp set, ink, dimensionals, mini-clothespins and bakers twine.

Here's what I made with mine:

•  I've decided to use mine as gifts for some of my Hostesses in my Stamp Club, when it is their month to get the benefits.  I will fill them with Stampin' Up! goodies.  The letters were already printed as I mentioned before and they are mounted with dimensionals on those white starburst shapes, stamped with each of the 2 design stamps that were included along with a little stamping spot of Pistachio Pudding.
• I added the panel of DSP from the Brights Collection Designer Series Paper Stacks, front and back.
• I used the mini clothespin to clamp the first and last circles to the bag, then slipped a pre-cut piece of Baker's Twine (included) under the circles and up and into the clothespins.  Then I clipped the middle two circles to the twine.

• In this shot you can see the heavy duty grosgrain ribbon that you add for the handles.  You feed the ends through the grommets and tie in a knot on the inside of the bag.  Those babies are NOT coming out, ever!

• Here's a side view that lets you see how well constructed the bag is!  Would you like one of those filled with Stampin' Up! products?  Then why not host a workshop during Sale-A-Bration?  You could even have it at my house to save you the cleaning and baking!  Just invite your friends for a fun Girls Night Out (or Guys) and you could earn yourself extra free Hostess Rewards that Stampin' Up! is offering only during Sale-A-Bration until March 31.  Give me a call or email.  Times are booking up quickly.

Stampin' Up! has pledged to improve the quality of the Paper Pumpkin Projects and so far, I'm impressed. You can subscribe yourself for a mini-Creative break every month, with everything you need to complete the project except for adhesive!  Here's where you go to subscribe:  https://mypaperpumpkin.com/en-ca/

I would be very appreciative and happy, if you would choose me as your demonstrator during the sign up process.  Thanks in advance!  Until March 31, if you subscribe, you'll get a free pack of In Colour Stampin' Write Markers!

Product List
Card Stock : Brights Designer Series Paper Stack [130134]
February Paper Pumpkin Kit