Double Sponged Sunflowers

We made this sunflower card in a recent class.  I love the Sunflower stamp.  It's so big and cheery.  I call the sponging around the outside "Double Sponging" - basically, we sponged in two colors.  We sponged More Mustard ink around the edges and towards the center and then filled in around the edges by sponging Chocolate Chip ink.  We left the Chocolate Chip ink out of the center to keep it brighter.  I think Double Sponging adds a lot of depth and visual interest.

 This is a variation of the Double Sponging card.  I layered scallops and the sentiment in the center of the sunflower.  On the above card I used a sponge dauber to add Daffodil Delight ink to the petals.  On the card below I did not do that.

 

On this last card I colored the Sunflower stamp with Stampin' Write Markers.  After coloring the petals on the stamp with More Mustard, I went along one side of each petal with the Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker.  It took a little more time, but I really like the effect.  I also like the First Edition Designer Series Paper under the stamped image and how it shows through.

Friendship Preserves Shaped Card and Envelope

We made both of these items in a recent class.  We used the Window Frames framelits and the Friendship Preserves stamp set to make this little shaped card.  It's perfect for a quick note.  

The above card can fit in a 3 x 3 envelope, which you can get from Stampin' Up - or you can make your own using Designer Series Paper and the Diagonal Score Plate, like we did.  The center is blank so that you can add the recipient's name.

Friendship Preserves Hello

We made this Hello card at a recent class.  It uses Friendship Preserves, Window Frame Framelits, the Tasteful Trim die, the Square Lattice embossing folder, and First Edition Designer Series Paper.

The colors are Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard and Very Vanilla.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving!

We made this card in one of my classes and it was a big hit.  The leaves were cut using the Big Shot and the Autumn Accents die.  Then they were folded in half and run through the Woodgrain Embossing Folder to give the impression of veins on the leaves.  I don't know who thought of this because I've seen it several places, but I think it's a great idea.  The button was cut using the Sweet Buttons Embosslit and then I made a little knot with Baker's Twine and used just a dot of Tombow Multi-purpose Glue to attach it on top of the button.

The Early Espresso Strip of Core'dinations card stock was also embossed with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder.  Then it was sanded to show the lighter core on the raised lines.  The Happy Thanksgiving stamp is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  It was punched out using the Word Window punch.  Then I punched a piece of Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock with the Modern Label punch to layer behind the sentiment.  I sanded around the edges to make it look distressed.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  I am thankful for so many things, not only on this Thanksgiving holiday, but on every day.  Among the things I'm thankful for are my wonderful blog readers and my fantastic customers.

Friendship Preserves Thanks

When I first saw this Thanks stamp in the Friendship Preserves set by Stampin' Up, the grapes on the stamp made me want to extend the grapes onto the card.

The grapes were made by punching several Elegant Eggplant circles and then layering them to look like a bunch of grapes.  I cut the leaves freehand.  The Thanks image was cut out using one of the dies from the Window Frames Collection Framelits.  All of this was arranged on a double layer of the Top Note die which was then added to the card.

Online Extravaganza Starts Today! plus MDS2 card

Don't miss out on these fantastic bargains.  Up to 50% off now through November 28th.

Go through my Online Store to see everything that's on sale during this spectacular savings event.  You'll be thrilled with the selection.  There are lots of great stamp sets (many at 50% off!), embellishments to stock up on, Big Shot items and so much more!

Get this, MDS2 is 50% off!  That's right!  Half off!  There's over $500 in digital content in MDS2+ (130646) for only $39.98.  Or get MDS2 for $19.98 or an upgrade from MDS for only $9.98

You can see a comparison of products and find out more information about MDS2 here.

In honor of MDS being on sale, I'm sharing a digital card with you today.  This is one of the many (and I mean MANY) pre-designed cards that comes with MDS2+.  I'm posting it just as it is given to you, but imagine how easy it would be to personalize it before printing.  Maybe add your Christmas letter on the left inside panel of the card.  Or add some family pictures.  Sure would make the Christmas cards get done quickly this year!

Here's the front of the card:

 And here's the inside right panel:

Did you know that you can now order digital products on group orders, such as workshops and club orders?  Contact me today for more information about MDS2, Online Extravaganza or Stampin' Up!

Triple Time Stamping with Wonderfall

Have you tried Triple Time Stamping?  It's one of those techniques that looks a lot harder than it is.  It's also addictive!  We did one of these in my October Club.  I was having so much fun with this technique that I just kept going, experimenting with different colors, embellishments and sentiments.  I'm sharing a few of them with you so you can see what little changes do the looks of basically the same card.

The first card uses this year's In Colors,  Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon, a Naturals Designer Button, and a little bit of Linen Thread.

This card uses similar colors, with the addition of Pumpkin Pie.  The ribbon is now just a little knot in the upper corner and in the bottom corner I've added a sentiment, using Teeny Tiny Wishes, the Word Window Punch, and the Modern Label Punch.

 

The colors are a little more traditionally Fall in these next two cards.  The first is a little brighter with Old Olive as its green and a More Mustard background.

 

This one uses Always Artichoke as its green color and I've added some Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon for a fun little accent.

 Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  Hope you've enjoyed seeing the many variations of this great style of card.

Two Exciting New Products

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine

Give the gift of texture. The Texture Boutique works with Textured Impressions Embossing Folders to transform ordinary cardstock, paper, metallic foil, or vellum into an embossed, textured masterpiece. This machine embosses only; it does not die cut. We have 4,000 available to be sold only while supplies last. If this product test goes well, we may offer the Texture Boutique again in the future.

'Tis the season of giving, and the Texture Boutique makes a wonderful gift for anyone who wants to create their own elegant embossed art.  To help you with your gift-giving needs, we're offering a special value bundle that saves you $5.90. If you prefer, you can also purchase the Texture Boutique alone.

Looking for stocking stuffers? Pick up some additional embossing folders.

Texture Boutique Bundle
Item 132700
$39.95 (a $45.85 value)
Includes:
     * Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 Pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim
     * Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin' Up! exclusive
     * Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin' Up! exclusive

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine
Item 132657
$29.95
Includes:
     * Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim

 

Talking Tags

Give the gift of sound.  Handcrafted projects show loved ones how much you care--let your voice tell them too!  With Talking Tag, you can send a gift that is uniquely you. Talking Tag is a message label you can attach to cards, invitations, gifts . . . anything! Personalize birthday cards, Christmas gifts, scrapbook pages or even wine bottles. Now your pictures really can say a thousand words!

With Talking Tag, you can record your own personal message that recipients can access by scanning the Talking Tag.  Buy 'em by the sheet! You get 10 tags for $7.95 (item 129723).

For how-tos and quick tips see the Talking Tag FAQ page.

 Both of these items can be ordered through my Online Store or contact me to be part of a group order.

More Lovely As A Tree

Today I have a couple more cards to share with you that use the same technique I shared last week.  I just love this tree from the stamp set Lovely As A Tree and I think it's especially nice done this way.   I like that the coloring on every tree is different, just like trees out in nature.

The sentiment on the first card is from Friendly Phrases.  I used 3/16" colored brads, which you can get in Brights (119740), Regals (119737), Neutrals (119736), or Subtles (119738).  The card stock colors are Early Espresso and Naturals White.

 The background images on the second card are from Wonderfall, stamped with Versa Mark ink.  I used Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding along the left side and card stock colors are Naturals Ivory, More Mustard, and Soft Suede.

Christmas Blessings

I'm switching gears from the fall cards to share the last card from our team shoebox swap.  This one was done by Pat Stockton.

The stamp set is Christmas Blessings.  The Cherry Cobbler card stock is Core'dinations card stock that we gently sanded to give a bit of a worn look to.  We stamped the image on the front of the vellum and then colored the back to give a stained glass appearance.  We did this in one of my classes over the summer, so if you come to my classes you may remember doing this technique.

 Here's the message from Christmas Blessings, which we used on the inside of the card.  Isn't it a great sentiment for a Christmas card?

Lovely As A Tree with Top Note Die

The tree on this card is from Lovely As A Tree, which is an absolutely gorgeous set.  The fall colored leaves were done by coloring the stamp directly with watercolor pencils, spritzing the stamp with water and then stamping the image.  Then I inked up the tree stamp with Soft Suede ink and used my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig to stamp again directly over the water colored leaves.  I taught this technique (with this stamp) at a recent class and everyone loved it as much as I do.

I also used the Woodgrain Embossing Folder, which is perfect for all sorts of projects -- anything with leaves or trees obviously, but also behind a wreath to look like a door or with tools to name a few.  The More Mustard layer was cut with the classic Top Note die.  The acorn was cut from Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock with the Autumn Accents die.  I peeled the layers apart, trimmed the cap and glued it back on the lighter layer.

Perfectly Preserved Nugget Jar

It's very hard to go wrong when chocolate is involved and that's the case with this great project, which was brought by Karel Standish to our team shoebox swap.  I love how she used the sheet of Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper with the pears on it to wrap the Hershey's Nuggets.  I have to admit, I'd prefer these kind of pears in my canning jar any day :)

The Perfectly Preserved stamp set and Cannery Framelits were used for the jar.  Thanks to Karel for sharing the instructions on her blog:   

http://stampininmyjammies.blogspot.com/2012/09/perfectly-preserved-nugget-holder.html

Perfectly Preserved Swing Card

Here's another card from our team meeting shoe box swap.  This swing card was from my upline, Frances Wagner.

She used the Perfectly Preserved stamp set, Tiny Tags stamp set, Sassy Salutations stamp set (on the flip side), Cannery framelits, Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper and Baker's Twine for this unique card.  Plus she used her Big Shot to cut the framelits, Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade card stock, and several colors of ink.

Here's the card closed:

 Here it is standing up so you can see how it swings:

 And here it is swung open so you can see the message on the back:

FREE, FREE, FREE!

I love FREE stuff, and I'll bet you do, too.  Stampin' Up has three ways for you to earn free items this month.

First, in honor of digital scrap booking day, Stampin' Up is giving away THREE FREE digital downloads from Oct. 29 - Nov. 5.  If enough people download them, they'll give away a Fourth FREE download.  You do not need MDS to use these.  They can be used in any program that supports .svg files.  So get yours today!  Also, many digital downloads are 50% off!  Check out all the details here:

http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/23418.asp

Second, get a FREE box of ink pads when you host a $450 party!  That's in addition to all of the other great hostess benefits!

Dates: November  1 - December 16, 2012
Promotion Details: Hostesses who hold a minimum $450 party during the promotion period will receive a FREE collection of Classic Stampin Pads--they can choose from Brights, Subtles, or Regals--a $49.95 value!  Plus, the free ink is in addition to the regular hostess benefits--INK-redible!

Customer, demonstrator, workshop, and online orders from my Online Store qualify for this promotion.
 To get free ink, the order total must be at least $450 before tax & shipping.
This special offer isn't incremental (only one free collection per order).

 Third, get a FREE box of ink pads when you join my team.

Dates: November  1 - December 16, 2012
Promotion Details: New demonstrators who join the Stampin' Up! family during the promotion period will received a FREE collection of Classic Stampin Pads--they can choose from Brights, Subtles, or Regals! It's INK-redible!

I love being a Stampin' Up demonstrator and would love to talk to you about the benefits and why I enjoy it so much.

Contact me today to talk about any of these great deals or follow the links to research on your own.