Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit

Here's another sneak peek from the soon to be released Holiday Catalog.  Halloween will be here before you know it and for those of you with small children who love the Treat's that go along with Halloween, here is the perfect kit for you!

The Ghoulish Googlies Designer Printed Kit comes complete with double-sided tags, glassine bags with die cut edges, adhesive googlie eyes and Pumpkin Pie bakers twine.  All you have to do is stamp, attach and fill with goodies. 

Better still, it comes in a Bundle with Googly Ghouls stamp set for a discounted price.  Gotta love a discount!

Aren't they adorable!!! 

ONE more day and you can start your Holiday Catalog order! 

Have a wonderful day!

~ Donna

Betsy's Blossoms

Here's a nice simple to do card using the leaves from Betsy's Blossoms in the 2012-13 Annual Catalog.  Using the new firm ink pads gives the stamps a nice crisp look.  I'm really enjoying the new design on those pads, so much so, that I've replaced my Brights and my Regals so far.  Love them!

Papers:  Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red and Very Vanilla.

Ink:  Riding Hood Red

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms (w-126004 / c-126006), Bring on the Cake (w-121899 / c-121958)

Thanks for looking in on todays Clean and Simple card.  Have a great day!

~ Donna

Frightening Feline

The countdown is on to all the fall holidays and beginning August 1st, you'll be able to start ordering from the 2012 Holiday Catalog so you can begin making all the cards that we enjoy this time of year.

Something wonderful I've discovered with my latest Holiday Pre-Order comes on the back of the DSP Paper packs.  How many times have you had to look in the catalog to see what colors go with the DSP you're using?  Or do you write them on the back so you can see them each time you pull out your pretty papers, like I do?  Well, write and wonder no more... take a look at the back of this pack.  It's from the Holiday Catalog - Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP (isn't that a fun name for Halloween paper?).  It lists the Stampin' UP! colors that go with the DSP.  I hope this will be the trend with all the papers, both Holiday, Occasions and Annual.  Wouldn't that be awesome??

And now... my first Halloween Card.  I got the basic idea from Mary Fish she has such great ideas!  I changed this up a bit from what she had and used a different shape behind the kitty and a spider to make it scarier! 

Stamp Set:   Frightening Feline (Wood Only - 128125), Googly Ghouls (w-128060 / c-128063)Paper:  Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper* (126906), Basic Black (121045), Tangerine Tango (111349), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  VersaMark Ink Pad (102283)
Cool Tools:  1 1/2" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch (119860), Labels Collection Framelits (125598) Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439), Heat Tool (129053)
Extras:  Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder (123106), Black Embossing Powder (109133), 1/2" Striped Satin Ribbon* (127837), Designer Ribbon Slides* (127834)

*Available August 1st in the Stampin' Up! Holiday

Papillon Potpourri

Don't you just love bright springtime colors?  Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry.  Such a simple card to make but full of cheer for any recipient.

Recipe:
Cardstock - Whisper White - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"; Daffodil Delight 5 1/4" x 4"
Cardstock for butterflies - Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry and Daffodil Delight.
Ink - Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry and Daffodil Delight
Stamps - Papillon Potpourri (w-123757 / c-123759); Bring on the Cake (w-121899 / c-121958)
Punch - Elegant Butterfly (127526)

Have a great weekend and happy crafting!

~ Donna
Ribbon - 1/2" Daffodil Delight Seam Binding

Christmas Mittens

It must be Christmas in July here at my house.  Lots of Christmas Card creating.  I just love these adorable mittens.  So many variations that can be done with them.  These will be available August 1st in the new Holiday Mini.

I stamped the mittens twice in Gumball Green and twice in Cherry Cobbler.  They are punched (yes, I said punched!) with a brand new punch you will also find in the Holiday Mini.  It punches out the mitten and a scalloped top of a mitten (it matches an adorable stamp)  Then I cut the mitten up and piece it together on the opposite color.

If you are one of my regular customers, you should have received your Holiday Mini in the mail last week.  If you would like to have one, just let me know and I'll get one to you right away.

Happy Crafting!

~ Donna

Crystal Effects

Do you ever have a product that you have a love / hate relationship with?  I do... or, I did... No longer though. 

I love Stampin' Up!'s Crystal Effects.  There are so many great things to do with it to make beautiful creations.  It also makes a very nice, fairly quick drying adhesive.  What I had a problem with was the OLD bottle.  It had a long tip on it that always had to be cleaned out after each use or you wouldn't be using it the next time without soaking it in hot water or poking it with a long hat pin.

The new and improved bottle has a clear, short tip and an amazing clear cap that keeps the leftovers in the tip from drying out.  It actually drains back into the bottle very quickly so you can see that it is nice and clear.  I've had mine open several times today and haven't had to unclog it even one time.  It was also used last Saturday at a workshop and I didn't think to look at it afterwards to see if it needed rinsing, but when I picked it up this morning to use - no problem, it worked perfectly!

The picture above is my bottle, the picture in the new Annual Catalog has a picture of the old bottle, but I've checked with some other folks and they've all been receiving the new style. 

So, if you haven't given it a try, I highly recommend that you do.  I think you will love it too!

Have a Crafty Day!

~ Donna

Framelits Tips and Tricks

I just LOVE the new Framelits Dies that Stampin' UP! is coming out with and beginning August 1st you'll be able to purchase them too!  Here's a couple of great tips to make them even more fun to use.

When stamping mulitple design shapes, instead of cutting one at a time, stamp several together and then you can cut them all at once. 

When using this method, grab a small post it note and use the sticky part to hold down the Framelit so it won't move.  You'll have a perfect cut every time.  Be sure you press the post it down on both sides of the frame, inside and out where it cuts so it has a good hold.

See - perfect!

This is what happens when you don't hold them down.  The first one in line was fine (the large gumball green one), it was first through the press, the others moved as the cutting plates pull away just before the pressing starts.

Here is my creating using the soon to be released Ornament Keepsakes stamps and the Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies.  They can be purchased separately or in a bundle which will save you about 15% - who can pass up that great deal?  Not me!

Inside Stamp:  Greetings of the Season - also from the upcoming Holiday Mini.

Hope you're having a great day!  I'm enjoying some stamping time and catching up on some posting.

Happy Wednesday!

~ Donna

Patriotic Support

A co-worker's Grandson was badly injured in Afghanistan in early June and is currently at Walter Reed Hospital healing and preparing for more surgeries and recouperation.  She asked for cards to cheer him up and of course I had to make something!  I found thise great easy card on Dawn Olchefske's blog so this is what I made.  The white star even spins, cool huh?

Cardstock:  Real Red, Night of Navy and Whisper White

Punches - Retired Star Punches from SU

Square Lattice Embossing Folder and Top Note Bigz Die

The stamp isn't SU, but one that I've had for years celebrating the Red, White and Blue!

If you'd like to read more about this young man, you should be able to see it here:  AZ Central - Laurie Roberts' Blog.  I spoke with Mason's Grandmother yesterday about what he might like and we discussed "Thank You" cards.  She said he would like being able to send thank you's to family and friends back home that are supporting him.  If you'd like to send him something, the address is in the article.  Tell him his Grandma sent you.  LOL  I'm going to make some Thank You Cards this weekend to send off.  I think that will be a fun thing to do.

Remember to say a prayer for all our soldiers serving our Great Country and remember their families as well.  They need our prayers and support.

Thank you for checking in!  Have a great Weekend!

~ Donna

Using Negative Space

I saw this on Beth's Paper Cuts and really loved the idea.  I plan to play with it some more using other punches and dies, but for now, here is my favorite and the one we'll be doing at Berta's Workshop this weekend.

Stamp Set:  Curly Cute (w-117014 / c-120510)

Cardstock - Daffodil Delight (11" x 4 1/4" and scored at 5 1/2"), Whisper White (4 3/4" x 3 1/2")
DSP - Polka Dot Parade (126902) Daffodil Delight used here (5" x 3 3/4")

Strip Measurements:  4 3/4" x 7/8" (DSP) and 4 3/4" x 5/8" (Whisper White)

Extras:  1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Daffodil Delight (119254), Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons (127555),  Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334), Glue Dots and Dimensionals.

Thank you for looking in and have a great day!

~ Donna

Frosty Friends

Aren't these little guys just adorable?  I love them and they are so easy to color and bring to life.

Just a little bit of ink from the lid of your stamp pad and one of our Blender Pens to give the snowmen a little color and background.  I also used our Stampin' Write Markers to add color to their hats, scarves, and accessories.

Stamp Set:  Frosty Friends (available August 1st from the Holiday Mini)

DSP:  Be of Good Cheer (126896)

Cardstock:  Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler

Ribbon:  Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding

I think I'll go color some more of these little guys.  I just love bringing them to life!

Happy Stamping!

~ Donna

Holiday Mini - Sneak Peek

Last week my Pre-Order arrived from my Holiday Mini!  Woo hooo!!!  I've been playing with my goodies and having a great time!  Just one of the perks of being a Demo... first peek at catalogs and early ordering of "toys"!

I just love the elements I was able to play with here. 

The Mittens were stamped with Make a Mitten in Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler and easily cut out with.... wait for it... the NEW Mitten Builder Punch.  I'm so excited!  I just love the great new punch and you will too.  You will be able to purchase these items from the Holiday Mini beginning in August.  There are so many wonderful new stamps and tools.  I can't wait for you to see it!

The DSP and the ribbon are both from the Annual Catalog.  Be of Good Cheer DSP (126896) and 1/2" Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon.

Check back tomorrow to see another cute card made for the holidays. 

Christmas in July... at least it makes this unbearable heat more bearable.  Coloring snowmen is something cool to think about!

~Donna

Stamp a Stack Twist

I just had to share a couple of pictures from Friday's Stamp-a-Stack.  I just love it when the creativity comes out in the girls.  Look at how JoAnn changed up the basic card a bit and I really love how it turned out.

JoAnn's

The Plan:

We also had a guest "helper".  Suzi was very precariously sitting on the Simply Scored which was sitting on top of the supply box.  That cat has good balance!  She loves to be in the middle of everything.

Hope you had a great weekend.  We had rain, wonderful rain, here on Saturday!  I was hoping for more today, but it doesn't look very promising outside.

Happy Stamping!

~ Donna

Stamp a Stack - July

Well, I'm all ready for Friday night's Stamp-a-Stack with the girls.  I love SAS night, it's relaxed and fun and I even find time to create some things at the same time!  Woo Hoo!

Here's what we'll be doing tomorrow.

The original card I saw actually used a pretty red button instead of the ribbon, but when making 50 plus sets for Stamp a Stack, buttons weren't a very good option since there are limited number of reds in the button containers.  Perfect for personal projects, but tough to do with a large number of the same thing.

Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red and Summer Smooches DSP.

Tools:  Postage Stamp Punch, 1" Square Punch, Small Heart Punch and Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Stamp used here from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Ink:  StazOn Jet Black

For those of you joining us tomorrow night after work, we'll see you then (if not sooner at work!  haha).

Happy Friday!

~ Donna

Fun Fold Card

Today's card was inspired by Julie Davison.  She has some of the greatest ideas and is so sweet to share them with the rest of us.  Thank you Julie!

This first one uses retired DSP and Ribbon, but everything else is current. 

 Stamp Set:  Field Flowers (w-122760 / c-122762) and Teeny Tiny Wishes (w-115370 / c-127802).
Cardstock:  Pool Party, Calypso Coral and Whisper White
Ink:  Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Perfect Plum.

Stamps for Outside Sentiment:  Field Flowers (w-122760 / c-122762) and Teeny Tiny Wishes (w-115370 / c-127802) and Reason to Smile (available this month for $5.00 with a $50 purchase!)
Cardstock:  Cajun Craze, Soft Suede and Whisper White
DSP - Comfort Cafe
Ink:  Soft Suede
Ribbon:  Soft Suede

See Julie's video for precise cutting and scoring instructions.

Hope you have a great day!

~ Donna

Betsy's Blossoms

I really like these colors together.  The DSP, Floral District, is so bright and cheerful.  This design was altered a bit from Katherine Narog, who was inspired by Diana Gibbs. 

The set is Betsy's Blossoms (w-126004 / c-126006).  The sentiment is from Petite Pairs (w-122495 / c-122497). Cardstock:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White.  Ink:  Rich Razzleberry and Lucky Limeade.  Ribbon:  Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding.

Thanks for peeking in today. 

Fancy Flower Punch - Treat Wrapper

Here's a fast and easy little party favor you can make for your next party.  It can be made in just minutes and with the right paper, can be appropriate for any event (baby shower, wedding shower, kids party).  I apologize that I don't recall who I saw do this first, I just remember seeing it and wanting to do it.  I had to figure out the measurements by trial and error. 

Start with a strip of paper measuring 5 1/4" x 1 5/8".  Using your Simply Scored, score at 3/4" and 2 1/8", flip it around and score the other end also at 3/4" and 2 1/8".

Fold the outside score marks to make it easier to insert into the Fancy Flower Punch (118073) using the pictures below.

Using your paper snips, cut halfway in under the punch.  This is what will hold the wrapper together.

Fold on the remaining score lines.  Place your candy of choice in the center using adhesive or a glue dot.

Fold the sides up and slide the cut slits together to form your wrapper.  Decorate and you are done!

Happy Monday!

Petite Purse Square Box

The Petite Purse Die is fast becoming one of my favorites!  I found this great little box with a tutorial on LeeAnn Greff's blog.  It takes a little practice to get it squared up, but that's probably just me!  haha!

You'll need to cut four (4) purses from using the Petite Purse Die (125606).  You could make it with all DSP, but using half in card stock gives it a much stronger body and will hold up so much better.  Here I used Floral District DSP (126919) and Lucky Limeade for the cardstock.  The ribbon is retired, but I thought it made a perfect addition to the button.

Thanks for peeking in! 

~ Donna

Ditto Day

Last year I started, or attempted to start, doing a "Ditto Day" where I would copy something out of the Catalog.  I thought maybe I'd try again since I didn't get very far last year... hehe.

This card was actually picked out by Brittney.  We had planned to do it at her workshop in June, but ended up working a lot of overtime hours and I just didn't have a chance to work it up.  So I did it this past week while I had some quiet time when hubby was out of town.

Page 138 in the Current Annual Catalog.

Stamp Set:  From My Heart (w-126555 / c-126557)

Cardstock:  Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla,

DSP:  Fan Fair (126918)

Ink:  Stampin' Write Markers:  Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, Primrose Petals

Tools:  Labels Collection Framelits Die (125598) and Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (124187), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Framed Tulips Embossing Folder (121809).

Contact me for all you need to make this beautiful card and many others in our newest Annual Catalog.  I look forward to hearing from you!

~ Donna

Reason to Smile Card Made

The great part of being a Demonstrator is being able to pre-purchase the fun new stuff before anyone else.  Wouldn't YOU love to be able to do that too?  Ask me how and I'll be happy to show you!

Since I received my set early, here is a cute card I made up with it this afternoon.  So much fun to work with.  I think my next one will have a little darker color on the flower, but in real life, it looks so much better.

Stamp Set:  Reason to Smile (w-131274 / c-131275 $5.00 codes) and Petite Pairs (w-122495 / c-122497)

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Tangerine Tango

Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight and Gumball Green Stampin' Write Marker

Tools:  1/2" Daffodil Delight Seam Binding (125583), Large Oval Punch (119855), Scallop Oval Punch (119856)

Thanks for peeking in... don't forget to make your wish list and be sure it's $50.00 so you can get this great $5.00 set!

Happy Stamping and Stamp Well With ME!

Donna

A Reason to Smile

Living in Arizona in the summer, we're always looking for a reason to smile, especially in JULY!  How about a $5.00 stamp set valued at up to $20.95.  Then stay inside where it's nice and cool and stamp away the summer!

Spend $50 on any current Stampin' Up! products to get the exclusive Reason to Smile Set for just $5.

Orders may be placed on any order.

There is a limit of one (1) set per customer.

You will not be automatically prompted to enter the $5 Item Number for a qualifying purchase. You will need to use these codes once your order reaches $50 or more. 

• Wood Mount 131274
• Clear Mount 131275 

The Reason to Smile Set is exclusive to this promotion and will not be available after July 31, 2012.