As You See It Spring Time for a Change

 It's getting colder every day.  Fall is definitely turning into winter, and I'm not looking forward to snow, winter coats, gloves, boots and cleaning the windshield.  The good thing is that the older I get, the faster time flies, so I know winter won't last forever!  Before we know it spring will be banishing winter's discomforts and the days will be getting longer and warmer.  I think I needed to remind myself that winter won't last forever this past weekend.  I was designing a card for As You See It Challenges 009:

 And this is what came out:

• Definitely spring-like, with both colour and subject matter!  Of course, the prescribed elements of the challenge generally led me in that direction with the flowers and the Daffodil Delight, but I was more than happy to comply!
• The back panel, which has the same square dimensions as the card base, 5" x 5", is made from Pool Party Core'dinations card stock, which I embossed with the Pretty Print Embossing Folder and then sanded using the Stampin' Sanding Block to bring out the lighter colour in the core.  I really love that look!
• The Daffodil Delight comes from a sheet of Designer Series Paper in the Epic Day collection.

• I used a new die that I just purchased, the Bigz L Fun Flowers die and using Old Olive, Daffodil Delight and Pool Party, I was able to create two different flowers.  Both use Subtles Designer Buttons as their centers.  I did use the Pansy Punch for one set of petals as well, and Boho Blossoms punch for the center layers.
• The Gorgeous Grunge water stains were done with Old Olive ink stamped off once or twice for a softer effect.  The DSP already has some distressing on it as well.  The sentiment is from Chalk Talk, inked up in StazOn Jet Black.

So enjoy what's left of the fall, endure winter or glory in it - whatever type of winter person you are - and look forward to spring again.

Stamps:  Chalk Talk (w130631; c130634); Gorgeous Grunge (w130514; c130517)
Paper: Pool Party Core'dinations cardstock as part of the Subtles collection (129954); Epic Day This and That DSP (130814); Old Olive (100702), Pool Party (122924) and Daffodil Delight (119683) card stock

Ink:  StazOn Jet Black (101406); Classic Stampin' Pad in Old Olive (126953) 

Accessories:  Subtles Designer Buttons (130030); Whisper White Baker's Twine (124262)
Tools:  Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - Pretty Print (132175) and Perfect Polka Dots (117335); Stampin' Sanding Block (129367); Bigz L Fun Flowers Die (121812); Pansy Punch (130698); Boho Blossoms Punch (119858)

Bigz L Fun Flowers Die

Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper

Pansy Punch

Pretty Print Embossing Folder

Chalk Talk Stamp Set

Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set

"I Use Antlers in All My Decorating"

My poor hubby was the doting father of three girls and the only male in the house!  Even the pets were mostly all female except for possibly a guinea pig and a lizard!  You can imagine that he had to watch more than his share of chic flicks over the years - especially Disney princesses!  He found some entertainment, finally, in the person of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast!  And his favourite line in the song, Gaston, was "I use antlers in all of my decorating!" which he was fond of blurting out in the middle of any serious debate on home decor!


Imagine our amusement, then, when our oldest daughter and son-in-law actually did begin to use antlers in all their decorating!  It is the latest thing, they said, and could we ask our hunting friends if they had any to spare?

So I wasn't as surprised as some when Stampin' Up had a stamp like a mounted deer head in their Holiday Mini catalogue.  And I ordered it, too, because I know on whose Christmas card I'm going to use it.  So here's a trial run:

• I wanted to get some plaid in the design somewhere, because it gives that "Hunting Lodge" kind of look.  Here, I used the Crushed Curry plaid from Sweater Weather DSP.
• I used some Soft Suede Core'dinations cardstock and embossed it with the Woodgrain Embossing folder. Then I lightly and gently sanded it to bring out the wood grain - another element of the "Hunting Lodge".  (Did you know that you can now get Core'dinations cardstock in EVERY colour of our collections?!!)
• There's that Burlap Ribbon again!  Do I have to tell you again how much I like it?  No? Good, cause it's getting really boring to hear me go on and on about it!

• The stamp of the deer head and the sentiment are both from the set Remembering Christmas.
• The colours I'm using are Baked Brown Sugar for the base, Soft Suede for the wood and the deer as well as matting the Crushed Curry Plaid, and a little bit of Pool Party from another piece of Sweater Weather DSP.  I tried several different colours and designs before settling on this one.  It really seemed to complement all the other colours and designs.
• There's an Antique Brad in there!!  Haven't used one in forever!

• I also used the only antique-looking metal brads that we have left - Vintage Trinkets.  The fact that they look like little buttons will have to be ignored in this masculine design because it's my only choice in this case!
• Cutting out the antlers by hand was truly a pain, but it looks so much better than not!

Overall, I'd say it made a great masculine Christmas card for all the Gastons in your life, and also for all the trendy decorators!  Hope you enjoyed it!  Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Remembering Christmas (w131760; c131763)

Paper:  Sweater Weather DSP (132184); Soft Suede Core'dinations cardstock (as part of the Neutrals Collection) (129956); Baked Brown Sugar (131296), Soft Suede (115318) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pad in Soft Suede (126978);  StazOn Jet Black (101406)

Accessories:  1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon (132140); Antique Brads (117273); Vintage Trinkets (118764)

Tools:  Woodgrain Embossing Folder (127821); Ovals Collection Framelits (129381); Stampin' Sanding Block (129367)

                                                                                                                                           

Remembering Christmas

Ovals Collection Framelits

Neutrals Collection Core'dinations Cardstock

Stampin' Sanding Block

StazOn Jet Black

Sweater Weather DSP

Antique Brads

Vintage Trinkets

Christmas in July!

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but there are only 148 days until Christmas! 


 Now, you're either squealing with excitement, or looking for something to throw at me. Hey, don't kill the messenger.  I'm just stating the facts.


But don't worry!  With Stampin' Up's help, you're going to be more than ready for the BIG DAY!  In just 3 days our Holiday Mini Catalogue will go live and it's just jam-packed with great cards, decor items, packaging ideas, cookie decorating and more, including a great planner journal for you.  I know some of you have seen it already and can hardly wait to get that first order in.

I have some great Christmas Stamper's Dozen classes planned along with some great wreaths and banners for home decor for the holiday season.  And start making your wish lists now and pass them on to your loved ones so they can get you what you really want!

But while we're waiting, I thought I'd show you a couple of cards I made using the new products this week. The first one was created for this week's Dynamic Duos Challenge #63 :

Here's the Challenge logo:

• I used Pear Pizzazz Core'dinations cardstock for the card base and embossed it using the Beautifully Baroque embossing folder.
• The stamp set is from the new Holiday Mini and it's called Calm Christmas and I certainly hope yours is this year!  The sentiment is also from that set.
• I used Pear Pizzazz 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon to tie a festive little bow and added some sprigs of mistletoe, created with the Bird Builder punch.
• The Rhinestone Basic Jewels add the finishing touch to this simple card.

If you haven't received your Holiday Mini yet, let me know and I will get one to you as soon as I can.  I am just waiting to receive a shipment of catalogues.  August 1st, I will have a link to the catalogue on this site for you to peruse as well.

Keep your eyes open this week for my new fall schedule and new Product Shares from the mini as well.  I am really excited about all the great classes I have planned for this fall!

Stamps:  Calm Christmas (w132736; c132739)*

Paper:  Pear Pizzazz Core'dinations cardstock from the Subtles Collection (129954); Garden Green (102584), Pear Pizzazz (131201) and Whisper White (100730) cardstock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Garden Green (126973) and Pear Pizzazz (131180)

Accessories:  3/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Pear Pizzazz (131208), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)

Tools:  Beautifully Baroque Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (130917); Bird Builder Punch (117191)

Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder

Bird Builder Punch

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Subtles Collection Core'dinations Cardstock

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.

A Walk to Remember

Okay, I admit it!  I'm a sucker for sappy movies!  I'll cry at the drop of a hat.  Heck, I even cried during "Babe" - a pig for heaven's sake!  One of the sappiest I've watched was "A Walk to Remember" with Mandy Moore!  Maybe mostly for this song, "My Only Hope".

It used to bother my kids no end, and they took to turning to look at me whenever the plot got a bit syrupy!  But lately, they've been way more emotional themselves, probably due to having babies, and now the tables are turned!! Ha! Ha! Ha!





Today's card reminded me of this movie, A Walk to Remember, because the stamp set I used is called Nature Walk, and we're going to have to remember it because it is one of the retiring sets this year.

• The colours I picked for this card, Pool Party and Summer Starfruit are just gorgeous and work so much better together than I would have ever thought.  
• I threw a bit of Certainly Celery in there as well for the leaves and the butterfly.
• The DSP is from Birds of a Feather and will be retiring June 3 as well.
• I inked up the flower stalk stamp with Stampin' Write Markers to get the two colours in there.
• The sentiment is from Delightful Dozen, which will be around for another year at least, and thank goodness, because it is such a wonderful sentiment set.

• I used Pool Party Core'dinations card stock, embossed with the Honeycomb embossing folder and sanded to reveal the lighter core.  The great news is that we will be able to order Core'dinations card stock in every colour once the new catalogue is in effect!

If you want to get your hands on Nature Walk before it is gone, just like Jamie in "A Walk to Remember",  you need to order it from me before June 3, 2013.  If you email or phone me to order before Thursday night, May 30,  you will be entered in my Mystery Hostess Last Chance contest to win free product from the Hostess benefits that Stampin' Up offers. 

 Each order will be given an entry and if your order (before shipping and tax) is $40 or more you will get another entry for each $40 you spend.  If you prefer to shop on-line, just use this Hostess Code (6XRSSFD6) when you place your order and I will enter you in the draw as well.

Don't be THAT PERSON, who waited too long to order and was disappointed!

Stamps:  Nature Walk (w121925; c121997)*; Delightful Dozen (w122650; c122652)

Paper:  Birds of a Feather DSP (126899)*; Pool Party Core'dinations card stock (129321); Summer Starfruit (126839) and Very Vanilla (101650) card stock

Ink:  Stampin' Write Markers in Pool Party (123002 as part of the In Colour 2011 - 13 bundle), Summer Starfruit (126856 as part of the In Colour 2012 - 14 bundle ) and Certainly Celery (105106)*; Classic Stampin' Pad in Early Espresso (126974)

Accessories:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in Summer Starfruit (126846)

Tools:  Ovals Collection Framelits (129381); Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (129378); Stampin' Sanding Block (129367)
*Retiring June 3, 2013

Nature Walk Stamp Set

Basic Rhinestones

Delightful Dozen Stamp Set

You Can't Catch Me!

As a child, I had an extremely overactive imagination.  When I was about 10, my dad finished a beautiful bedroom for me downstairs, so I wouldn't have to share with my brother.  But... it was downstairs, and no one else slept down there, and every night I could hear footsteps walking right up to my bedroom door and stopping!  I was so freaked out, I had to give the bedroom to my brother and reclaim my old room.  I never stopped to think I might have hurt my dad's feelings, after he had worked so hard to build it for me, I just knew that one night, whatever it was that was making those footsteps, was going to open that door and come in!  And I didn't want to be there!!

So when I heard the story of the Gingerbread Man when I was little, it was one of those stories that got my imagination revved and I could feel every bite that fox took out of the poor little guy! I've always felt ambivalent toward gingerbread men ever since, as cute as they are.

Nevertheless, as I started to create my MOJO Monday #260 card, I realized that a gingerbread man was what was needed as the main image.  It's round/square week, and although I didn't quite make a circle, I'm getting closer, by making a round/square card:

I used the largest Window Frames framelit to create the outline shape of the card.  I folded my card stock in half and positioned the framelit just so the top edge was slightly over the edge where the fold was and cut out the two layers at once.  This is not recommended by Stampin' Up and might void the warranty on your framelits, but I have never had a problem with two layers before. 
Here's the Mojo sketch:

The base is Crumb Cake and then I cut out the next smaller framelit in Always Artichoke and adhered some Fan Fair DSP to it.  Then I cut out the strip of Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations card stock and embossed it with the Lacy Brocade embossing folder and sanded it lightly to reveal the lighter red underneath.  I stamped some of the 7/8" cotton ribbon with a design from the Border Banter stamp set in Always Artichoke and used it as an extra layer.  The little gingerbread man is from the Scentsational Season stamp set and I stamped him in Chocolate Chip in on a circle punched from Very Vanilla.  I sponged the edges with Crumb Cake and mounted it on a Crumb Cake square, which I pierced around the edges using the Stampin' Up Piercing Tool.  I used a slightly larger square of Cherry Cobbler to back this and fancied up the edges using the Finishing Touches Edgelit.

 

 

I popped this panel up on Dimensionals, after adding the Merry Christmas greeting from the Mixed Medley stamp set.  The piece de resistance is the Brushed Bronze Designer Button, threaded with some Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon, the first time I've used it!  I should have used it sooner, because you can do so many things with it!

 

Isn't he cute?  I can just hear him saying," Run, run as fast as you can!  You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!"  But then, I always did have an extra-active imagination!

 

Stamps: Scentsational Season (w121026; c121190); Mixed Medley (a hostess only set) (w128054;c128057); Border Banter (w128927; c128930)

Paper: Crumb Cake (120953), Always Artichoke (105119), Cherry Cobbler (119685) and Very Vanilla (101650) card stock; Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations card stock (127846)

Ink: Classic Stampin' Pads in Chocolate Chip (126979), Crumb Cake (126975) and Early Espresso (126974)

Accessories:  Burnished Bronze Designer Button (127833); 31/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler (127841)

Tools:  Window Frames Framelits (129021); Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder (127819); Stampin' Sanding Block (129367); Paper-Piercing Tool (126189); Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199); Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (126187)