Sweater Weather

The days definitely have a chill to them now as the sun sets!  Although I love summer, I think that fall is my favourite season!  It has a richness to it that the other seasons lack.  Warm colours, warm sweaters and warm occasions all combine to create a cozy, colourful time of year!

Our nectarine tree is loaded with hundreds of juicy ripe nectarines ready to pick and the prune plums won't be far behind.  There is something special about the soil here, because all of our fruit trees produce bumper crops on a regular basis.  Our only problem is how to use or get rid of them all!

I love the Sweater Weather Design Series Paper!  It has the fall colours, patterns and textures that I adore. There is even one with an actual knit texture in Tangerine Tango!  So when I was looking at the latest Pals Paper Arts Challenge this week, I decided to use that very DSP!

• It's my very first time using the Field Flowers stamp set.  It's a two-step stamp set, so you need to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the outline stamp in exactly the right place.  The flowers and centers are hand cut and layered with Dimensionals for a 3D effect. 
• The flowers make me think of those huge pots of chrysanthemums you can find everywhere at this time of year.  I used Crushed Curry and Tangerine Tango for the solid base image and Early Espresso for the outline overlay stamp.  
• I found that if you used a lighter colour or didn't get it in the right place it made the image look out of focus, so for sure get out the Stamp-a-ma-jig!  I made a video on how to use it a while back.

Here's a look at the Challenge Sketch:

• Here's a closer look at the field flower images, but did you also notice the stamped wood chevrons in the background.  That image is from Truly Grateful.  I stamped it in Crumb Cake ink but I added a little "tap dance" of Early Espresso by randomly tapping the brush end of an Early Espresso Stampin' Write marker on the inked up stamp before stamping it.  
• The acorn is from Truly Grateful as well, stamped in Early Espresso, as is the sentiment from Field Flowers.
• Don't you just drool over the texture in the burlap ribbon?  I've gone through a lot of it already!  

So, yeah, if you want some nectarines, let me know!  Happy Stamping!

Stamps:  Field Flowers (w128583; c122762); Truly Grateful (w131730; c131733)

Paper:  Sweater Weather Design Series Paper (132184); Early Espresso (119686) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Crushed Curry (131173), Tangerine Tango (126946), Crumb Cake (126975) and Early Espresso (126974); Stampin' Write Marker in Early Espresso (119680)

Accessories:  1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon (132140); Neutrals Collection Candy Dots (130934)

Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049); Paper Snips (103579)

1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon

Field Flowers Stamp Set

Neutrals Collection Candy Dots

Paper Snips

Sweater Weather DSP

Truly Grateful Stamp Set

More of the Circle Card Thinlets

I played some more with the Circle Card Thinlets die and was able to create a card for Dynamic Duos Challenge #67, already!  I'm so on top of things right now! Woo hoo!  Here's the challenge:

And here's the card:

• I created a swing card again, but this time I added a flap to the right side using a technique demonstrated by Dawn Olchefske on her blog yesterday.
• I used several stamp sets again including Flower Shop, punched out using the Pansy Punch, Lovely Romance and Chalk Talk.
• The Crisp Cantaloupe DSP is from Birthday Basics.
• The sentiment on the front was stamped in Crisp Cantaloupe ink on Very Vanilla and die cut using the Chalk Talk framelits.  But that particular framelit is almost twice as long.  To shorten it, I die cut it with the bracket shape at the bottom, then turned the framelit around and used the bracket edge to cut the shape shorter.

Here's the inside view:

•  The scallop circle and the "thx" sentiment are die cut with the thinlit shapes that come with the Circle Card Thinlits.
• You can see the added flap here, decorated with the DSP.

Here's another view of it:

• You can see the area for writing on inside the flap.  I've added Very Vanilla cardstock, decorated with the image from Lovely Romance in Crisp Cantaloupe.

So definitely a lot of fun.  The Circle Card and it's sister, the Label Card Thinlits should definitely be on your Wish List, which, if it's anything like mine is long enough to circle the earth at the equator by now!

Just a reminder that all this week, until Friday, August 30th at midnight PDT, is my Mystery Hostess Event.

Don't wait too long to get your order in!  Here are the details!  The last event like this I held, the winner got $110 in free products, plus a Big Shot at half price!  It may not be as big or it may be bigger this time, you never know!  You can't win unless you enter.  Contact me with your orders!

Stamps:  Flower Shop (w130939; c130942); Chalk Talk (w130631; c130634);  Lovely Romance (w130264; c130267)

Paper:  Birthday Basics Design Series Paper (130145); Calypso Coral (122925), Crisp Cantaloupe (131298) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Calypso Coral (126983) and Crisp Cantaloupe (131176)

Accessories:  Pearl Basic Jewels (119247)

Tools:  Circle Card Thinlits (133480); Chalk Talk Framelits (129983); Pansy Punch (130698); 2 1/2" Circle Punch (120906); Circles Collection Framelits (130911)

2 1/2" Circle Punch

Birthday Basics DSP

Chalk Talk Stamp Set and Framelits

Circle Card Thinlits

Circle Collection Framelits

Flower Shop Stamp Set and Pansy Punch

Lovely Romance Stamp Set

Stubborn Muse

Can one accuse one's muse of being stubborn?  Of not showing up when you need it?  I'm about to make that accusation, because I struggle with my ideas not happening until well into the evening.  That keeps me up late writing my blog and I'm sure it doesn't help that I need sleep when I'm writing it.  Those muses need to stop their eternal little round dances there and pay attention to my creative needs!

That was the case yesterday.  Mind you, I didn't get started until late afternoon anyway, and we took a break to go out to dinner, but still!!

I just got the new Circle Card Thinlits die and I really wanted to play with it.  I grabbed some Bermuda Bay cardstock and got started.

• I'm still in love with the colours in the Eastern Elegance Design Series Paper, which is what I used on today's project:  Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry with Whisper White.
• I used several stamp sets to make this card:  Papaya Collage for the butterfly and embellishment he's mounted on; A Dozen Thoughts, for the sentiment on this page...

• ...and Chalk Talk for the sentiment on the other side, as well as The Open Sea for the globe image.
• Those cute little chevron arrows come from one of the several thinlits that come with the basic card template.  The Scallop Circle is also one of the accompanying thinlits.

Here's how they work:

        

Aren't they cool?  I'm currently awaiting the Label version, which was back ordered but is now on it's way!

Okay, here's the card in 3D - sort of :

You've got to give these a try!  We've always made these "Swing Cards", but it always used to take at least ten minutes to get the basic card base cut properly and now it takes seconds!

Hope my muse was able to help you today if yours was MIA!

Stamps:  Papaya Collage (w132055; c126612); A Dozen Thoughts (w131056; c131059); The Open Sea (w128454; c123032) and Chalk Talk (w130631; c130634)
Paper:  Eastern Elegance DSP (130131); Bermuda Bay (131197), Crushed Curry (131199) and Whisper White (100730) cardstock
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Bermuda Bay (131171) and  Crushed Curry (131173)
Tools:  Circle Card Thinlits (133480), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859)

Chalk Talk Bundle

Circle Card Thinlits

Eastern Elegance DSP

Papaya Collage Stamp Set

The Open Sea Stamp Set

A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Set

1 3/4" Circle Punch

New Mystery Hostess Week

New Mystery Hostess Event

Yes, it's that time again!  Time for another Mystery Hostess Contest!  Starting today until Friday, Aug. 30, at midnight, any Stampin' Up orders placed with me will be eligible for an entry in the Mystery Hostess draw.

All orders will also be entered to win a Mystery Hostess contest, 1 entry per order and extra entries for every $50 spent.  If you order on-line make sure to enter the ALL IMPORTANT Hostess Code:  AWHCR4KJ   (See below for details.)

• Once you add your first item to your shopping bag, the hostess code must be entered in the box just below the Special Offers section at the bottom of the screen.  ( Clear at the bottom, right next to the "Apply" button?)                                                                                                                        
• After you enter the Hostess Code (AWHCR4KJ) in the box below Special Offers and click on "Apply", the name Heather Cooper will show as the hostess, for now.  That's me! But it could be YOU on August 31st.

IMPORTANT:  If your order is for at least $200 before taxes and shipping,  DO NOT enter into the Mystery Hostess Party.  You will already be receiving Hostess Benefits!  Woo hoo!

Now, check out my Product Shares which will count for the contest:

2013/14 Catalogue Shares

2013 Holiday Mini Product Share

Both have a deadline of August 30th.

There is another deadline approaching.  If you were thinking of joining my team and buying the Starter Kit, you should totally do it before August 31st.  Until then, Stampin' Up is offering a free project kit to every new demonstrator who signs up.  Here's the deets:
Offer: New recruits get to pick one of four project kits for free in addition to their starter kit when they join Stampin' Up!

Dates: July 15-August 31, 2013

Kit Options:
The first three project kits are from the holiday catalogue and the last option is from the annual catalogue.

Option                                  Kit Description                                             Item                     Total Value

1                        Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND                       133507
                          Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit          132698                  $36.90

2                        Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND                       133507
                          Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit           132697                   $36.90

3                        Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit                        133463                  $24.95

4                        Tag a Bag Bundle AND                                                 131371
                          Tag a Box Bundle                                                          131372                   $28.45

How do you get your Starter Kit?  Call me at 250-768-7379 or email me!  Or click on Join My Team on the top menu bar and follow the prompts!  I can help you get your business off to a great start!

Variations on a Theme: My August Paper Pumpkin

Guess what was delivered right to my door yesterday?

You're right!  It was my August Paper Pumpkin!  Usually, I have a hard time getting to play with them because of all the other designing and class preparation I have to do, but tonight, after a long afternoon and evening cutting my first Christmas Stamper's Dozen projects of the year, I still had a blog post to do and no project to show you.  I was just too tired after three days of VBS every morning, to start a new card and I was at a loss knowing what to do!  Then my eye caught sight of that bright orange package on my desk, and I thought, "Aha!  I'll do My Paper Pumpkin projects!  Everything is all cut, easy and ready to go!  Brilliant!"

So I'm going to show you the card that follows the directions given in the package, then I thought I would show you some alternative projects that step it up a bit!  Here's the intended card:

• Isn't that cute?  I'd be happy to give that to someone special to me!  In fact, my daughter Kristen loves biking, so it would be perfect for her.  
• I love the little honeycomb stick-on borders in Crushed Curry! 
• And this is a colour palette I'm going to use again:  Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Baked Brown Sugar and Raspberry Ripple!

Now here's another card, using most of the same components, but in a different way:

• I changed colour on the stamps, used the border stickers vertically, and added a couple of extra elements.
• I used the water stain stamp from the very first Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit on some Whisper White cardstock in Bermuda Bay, stamped off once or twice, then stamped the bicycle in Baked Brown Sugar.  I sponged the edge with Bermuda Bay ink.
• I punched it out using the 2 1/2" Circle Punch and die cut a matte from Raspberry Ripple cardstock using the Window Frames Collection Framelits.  I popped the whole thing up on Dimensionals.

Here's the next one:

• I think this one might be my favourite!  I got out the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set and stuck with just two colours, Crushed Curry and Baked Brown Sugar to give a more monochromatic look!  LOVE Gorgeous Grunge!

And here's the last one:

• I used my Honeycomb Embossing Folder to add a little texture to the bottom of the card.
• I added another image from Gorgeous Grunge behind the bike to give the impression of motion.
• I stamped the sentiment flag on a spare scrap of Whisper White, cut it out and popped it up on Dimensionals.
• Three Bermuda Bay Candy Dots complete the design!

I honestly enjoyed myself creating these four cards and it only took half an hour at the most!  And the cards are so cute!  My Paper Pumpkin is the greatest solution for those who want a little time each month to craft, but don't have time, space or money to do more!  It's also great for people like me, who enjoy a quick, little  project that I didn't have to totally make up by myself once in a while.

You should definitely give this a try.  It's a subscription service and each month, sometime after the 10th of each month, a package is delivered right to your door for $24.95 plus tax.  But hold on a moment....if you sign up for My Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, you can get your first two months at half price!!  That's $12.50 plus tax!

You go to the link above, and click Sign Up.  Make sure to click on Add Promotion Code and type in  PUMPKINDEAL to take part in the discount.  Also, after adding all your info, make sure you choose me as your demonstrator!  If I get a few more subscribers, I will start coming up with alternative projects like this every month for you!   Great deal and so fun!

A-Wreath-A MOJO

Hey, y'all!  Ready for a little MOJO Monday today?  Every time I see a wreath, it makes me think of Aretha Franklin.  Did you know that Aretha Franklin won 18 Grammy Awards and is one of the best selling female artists of all time?  Her R&B single "Respect" is a classic!





I needed one more card for my Christmas Stamper's Dozen on Thursday, so I thought that I would use the MOJO Monday Challenge #307  sketch for this week to design it:

Julee Tilman created this great sketch!  I love the diagonal lines and the flags.  Here's my take on the sketch:

• I really like this colour combination of Smoky Slate, Pool Party and White, with just a pop of Real Red and the silver accents as well.
• I used the Winter Frost Specialty DSP for the background.  This particular design in Smoky Slate really caught my eye!
• The new Wonderful Wreath stamp set was the perfect one for this challenge, and it was easy to die cut and matte in the Silver Glimmer Paper using the Circles Collection Framelits.

• I couldn't resist using the Oh, What Fun! sentiment from Christmas Messages!  It makes me think of Christmases when my girls were all at home!
• Loving the three little flags on the upper left.  The red striped one came from the Season of Style Designer Series Paper Stack and the one farthest left is from the Winter Frost Design Series Paper Stack.  These Paper Stacks are really economical and just the right size for a card front!
• The diagonal pieces were perfect for using the Stylish Stripes embossing folder!  That texture is awesome!

I just wanted to remind you that you only have 10 days left to sign up for some awesome product shares from the Holiday Mini catalogue.  Here's what you get:

Option A  Designer Series Paper Shares - $18.00 each (includes tax and shipping) - 4 people required
Sweater Weather DSP - (pg. 18)  one  6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs
Witches' Brew DSP - (pg. 21)  one  6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs
Season of Style DSP - (pg. 23)  one  6" x 12" sheet of each of 6 two-sided designs
Winter Frost Specialty DSP - (pg. 29)  one  6" x 12" sheet of each of 5 two-sided designs
                                                            one  6" x 6" sheet of each of 2 specialty foil designs

Option B  Specialty Paper Shares - $13.00 each (includes tax and shipping) - 4 people required
Foil Sheets - (pg. 28)  one  6" x 12" sheet of each colour - silver and gold
Textured 12" x 12" Cardstock - 6 full sheets of each of 4 colours:
                                                 Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive - (pg. 22)
                                                 Island Indigo and Smoky Slate - (pg. 28)

Option C  Beautiful Embellishments - $20.00 each (includes tax and shipping) - 4 people required
Silver 1/8" Ribbon - (pg. 28)  2 1/2 yards 
Cherry Cobbler 1" Stitched Edge Grosgrain - (pg.22) - 2 1/2 yards 
1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon -  ( pg. 18) - 1 1/4 yards 
Frosted Finishes Embellishments - (pg. 28) - 3 embellishments 
Old Olive Simply Styled Embellishments - (pg. 22) - 3 clips 
Mini Muslin Bags - (pg. 36) - 2 bags
Pretty Presents Designer Tags - (pg. 36) - 2 each of 2 sizes in 2 designs (8 tags)

Option D  I Want It All  - $44.00 each (includes tax and shipping) - 4 people required
Includes all of Options A,B and C.

Call me or email me if you want in, and I can think why you wouldn't!

Stamps:  Wonderful Wreath (w132748); Christmas Messages (w131790; 131793)

Paper:  Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper (132341); Silver Glimmer Paper (124005); Winter Frost Designer Series Paper Stack (132183); Season of Style Designer Series Paper Stack (132181); Pool Party (126982), Smoky Slate (131202), and Whisper White (100730) cardstock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Pool Party (126982), and Smoky Slate (131179)

Accessories:  1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Real Red (119251)

Tools:  Stylish Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (132174); Circles Collection Framelits (130911); 1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850)

Christmas Messages Stamp Set

Season of Style Designer Series paper stacks

Winter Frost Designer Series paper stacks

Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper

Wonderful Wreathe Stamp Set

Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder