Announcing.......

Decor Elements!!
SU has just released a fabulous new product.....great for those who stamp and even for those among us who do not! Decor Elements are a fun (relatively new) concept....wall art that matches some of our stamp sets! Quick and easy, they are a bit like rub ons and come in basic colors to match most color schemes....definitely a hot new trend in decorating today. Available for purchase beginning today! Check them out here. Now you can easily enhance your wall decor quickly, easily, AND inexpensively!! Contact me today for your very own Decor Elements brochure.

(Check out the photo on the right.....one demo has placed her sample on her glass door. Fabulous, don't you think? DE are not just for walls!)

New stamp sets will be die cut!!
When the new catalog is released in August, all NEW stamp sets will be die cut! How great is that?!! That means when you purchase one of the brand-new offerings, you can mount and use your new sets in just minutes!! Don't you just LOVE that idea?!!!!!!

Hodgepodge Hardware is on SALE!
On sale now.......
Dates: July 1-August 10 (or while supplies last)
Promotion Details:
Our hodgepodge hardware is now priced at only $20.96. All sets can be found on Page 188 of the current catalog:
Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware; Item #105532
Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware; Item #105531
Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware; Item #105515
There is no minimum purchase requirement to receive the 25 percent discount.
This promotion is good only while supplies last.....so contact me today to order your set.....don't miss out, because when they are gone, they're GONE!

And don't forget to order your favorite retiring sets. Check out the list here. These sets will be available only until the release of the brand new catalog on August 10.

Ok....now back to our regularly scheduled stamping!

Challenge #53 -- Any Resist Technique

This was fun....the most difficult part of this challenge was to decide which resist technique to use!! But since I've been planning a class for an upcoming Club meeting and the theme is Embossing, I thought that this technique might be fun to include. Similar to basic embossing, this always seems to pack a "WOW!"

Since solid image type stamps always seem to work really well for this and it gave me one more chance to use Essence of Love one last time before it retires along with the Occasions Mini (retires 6/30). So, here's my Challenge for this week....fairly simple, this set NEEDS simplicity, don't you think?

Just a little note.....White Taffeta Ribbon was sponged with the Mellow Moss Ink. Although I have the matching grosgrain ribbon in my collection, it has a shine to it and for this card, I wanted something a bit more sublte and the velvety look of the sponged taffeta did the trick! Oh!, and the sponging over the image seems to look far more splotchy on screen than it does in person.

Stamps: Essence of Love, Weathered, Twill

Inks: Mellow Moss (sponging and Weathered Bkgrd), Chocolate Chip (greeting), Barely Banana, Versamark

CS: Whisper White, Mellow Moss, Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa

Misc: Hodgepodge Hardware (Aged Copper), White Taffeta Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers

Essence of Love will retire after 6/30/08; Weathered and the Aged Copper Hodgepodge will retire with the release of the new catalog in August.

Hope you'll take a bit of time to check out some of the other Bloggers' entries. Just click on the Bloggers' Challenge logo in the right column to see the list!

Cute Little Cupcakes.....Warning! Non-SU!

Awhile back a stamping gal pal of mine, Elizabeth, sent me the cutest little card with some stamped images included inside. I've seen this cupcake image by Lockhart Stamps many times, and just love it......now that I've actually USED the image, I think I may NEED to have it in my collection! It was a perfect image to use when practicing/playing with my new Copic markers. Since I'm new at using the Copics (which are so much FUN!!!), I'm a little limited in my collection....so, the image was colored in first and then matched up with the background paper/CS.

Stamps: Cupcakes (Lockhart Stamp Co.), All Holidays

Inks: Basic Black Ink*

CS: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Pixie Pink, Basic Black, Bkgrd Paper from Junkitz

Misc: 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (for "coloring" in the icing), Green Galore Mini Brads,Word Window Punch, Copic Sketch Markers

NOTE: The yellows match in real life....I promise!

This next version is actually my favorite of the bunch. Have you ever made a card and when completed, just sat back and said, "WOW!?" This card did it for me.....and I really think it is just the color combo, because when you really look, it's actually the very same layout as the one above.....it's pretty simple! This time, I found a piece of scrap CS that had been put through my Cuttlebug and decided to put it to good use. Check out the "sprinkles" on the icing....just little dabs with the markers and then the entire image was outlined, and highlighted with my glitter pen. Oh, and the background of the stamp (in between the cupcakes) looked pretty plain and simple, so I just made little swirls with the glitter pen to dress it up. This whole card is so sweet and sparkly!

Stamps: Cupcakes (Lockhart Stamp Company), Birthday Wishes (Hero Arts)

Inks: Basic Black*, White Craft

CS: Whisper White, Basic Black, Orchid Opulence

Misc: Wide Certainly Celery Grosgrain, Copic Markers, Glitter Pen by Sakura

OK, for card #3, I wanted a different color pallet and layout. Lighter, softer pinks may have been better, but remember, I don't own a huge variety of the Copics (yet!). So, using what I had, this is what I came up with and found that it matched/coordinated pretty well with Pixie Pink and Close to Cocoa. Again, the icing was "colored in" with the 2-way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

Stamps: Cupcakes (Lockhart Stamp Company), Warmest Wishes , Polka Dot Background

Inks: Basic Black*, Close to Cocoa

CS: Whisper White, Pixie Pink, Close to Cocoa

Misc: Copics, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Slot Punch, Slit Punch, White Taffeta Ribbon

And then, finally, since we are approaching July 4th, I needed to make a patriotic card, don't you think?!! This time, the background was cut away, so that the Real Red CS shows through.....the cupcake icing is glittered once again, and various Copics were used to color in the image.

Stamps: Cupcakes (Lockhart Stamp Company), Sincere Salutations

Inks: Basic Black*, Real Red

CS: Whisper White, Real Red

Misc: 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Hobby Knife (for cutting away background), Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Copic Markers

Please note: Elizabeth stamped these images and sent them to me. The CS feels like Whisper White, and I'm guessing at the Basic Black Classic Ink.....but for the Copics, I've learned that it is not really the best and usually use Adirondack inks by Ranger. All materials are SU, unless otherwise noted.

This was a fun little stamp exercise to see how different each card could be....without going "over the top!" So, what do you think?

PS...I purchased this stamp last night....so watch out, I feel MORE cute cards coming!!

WooHoo!! Blog Challenge #52!!!

The Bloggers' Challenge group is 1 year old today!! Can you believe it's been a whole year?!! Well, I joined just a bit late...maybe at Week 4 or so.....but, it's been so much fun. Kudos to our Challenge "Mom," Lisa, for coming up with some awesome ideas and helping to keep us all on track. It's been fun poking about to see how we can all interpret an idea so differently....and I speak only for myself when I say, that some of the Challenges have been fun and easy, but other have stretched my creative abilities....and to be honest, some were incredibly difficult. But, then, it's a "Challenge," right? I am honored to be part of a group that has truly remarkable talent.

(To my readers....I hope that you take some time each week to click on the Bloggers' Challenge icon and visit my Blog Sisters!)

OK, so now for the card this week. The theme is Masculine Cards....now, that's always difficult! So, last night, I was looking for my Lovely as a Tree set....isn't it wonderful that it is NOT being retired?!! It IS definitely a long-time favorite......but came across my Wanted set first. This poor set has not seen ink in quite some time, so it was itching to be inked up. Now, if you've been visiting here regularly, you may remember me saying at one point that the horse in this set has never seen ink...so, today is the day! When I was formulating a plan for the card, I figured "why not?!" And although I'm not really too crazy about the horse, I do LOVE the medallion style stamp...and use it frequently, so that became the background, along with Sanded...you KNOW I love those double layered backgrounds!

As you can see, the card features a fairly simple layout (I'm really a simple layout kind of gal!), but like last week, it's "dressed" up a bit! The horse was stamped repeatedly to show movement....it's just the "second generation" technique. Add in some Hodgepodge Hardware, distressing, a punch, and there you have it! So, now that it's done, I have no idea who to send it to.....after all, I don't know of any "cowboys" or ranch hand wannabees here in the "burbs" of New York City.....but, it will be a good guy thank you card sometime in my future!

Stamps: Wanted, Priceless

Inks: Chocolate Chip Classic & Craft, Close to Cocoa*

CS: River Rock, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip

Misc: Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware, Spiral Punch, Cutter Kit (for distressing edges), Clear Embossing Powder (for greeting), Chocolate Chip Taffeta

*Close to Cocoa Classic Ink was used in the Direct -to-Paper method around the focal point. Because it is used directly, the intensity of color is stronger, and so, I went to the lighter shade of brown.

Challenge #51 -- Pink, Turquoise, Gable Green

This one was kind of fun, but I think if I had my "druthers," I'd have changed the turquoise to orange maybe. The pink and "blue" together always reminds me of nursery colors and as a result, I always try to avoid them together....in any shade!

However, I did manage....and now that it is done, it doesn't look too babyish. LOL I suddenly realized when it was finished that the same background stamp was used last week....for a completely different look, don't you think?!! The little "Thank You" stamp is a favorite and it will be missed when it leaves the catalog in August....it's from the Level 1 Hostess set, For a Friend. Isn't it fun with the felt flower from Flower Fusion over top?

Don't forget to check out the other Bloggers' submissions....just click on the Bloggers' Challenge icon in the right column. I'm anxious to see what beautiful things they've created this week.....aren't you?!! See you there!

Stamps: For a Friend, Pretty Petals

Inks: White Craft, Basic Black

CS: Whisper White, Gable Green, Positively Pink, Tempting Turquoise

Misc: 1/2" Round Punch, Flower Fusion, Tempting Turquoise Mini Brad, White Taffeta Ribbon, Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon, Gable Green Marker

I'm on a Roll!

Usually, I'm a one-post-a-week gal...but, every once in awhile, I find that there is lots to share! And that seems to be the case this week!!

Last Monday I had the day off from work. That meant I had a chance to go out and play!! My girlfriend, June, picked me up and we went to the Iris Garden. What a lovely day....lovely trip....and the gardens were breathtaking! I LOVE Iris'!! They come in so many different colors and so many color combos. Some are small.....some are tall....some are ruffled or two-toned. Truthfully, I don't ordinarily take photos of flowers, but these were just too beautiful not to!

Turns out the gardens are about 30 minutes from my home and I never even knew they existed! Because it was a Monday and the peak of the Iris season had actually just passed, it wasn't too crowded, so I was able to get some awesome photos. Now, mind you, I am NOT a photographer....but even I was able to come up with some beauties. Aren't the flowers spectacular?

The above photo shows the 2 pages together. Then the one below on the right is the 1st page (that's my friend June and her mom, Joanne in the photo....I was behind the camera!); the page on the left further down is the 2nd page. Most of the products used to create these pages are from SU, with only a few exceptions.

Stamps: Whimsy, Priceless

CS: Barely Banana, Wild Wasabi Textured, Lavender Lace, Whisper White

Inks: Lavendar Lace, Barely Banana

Punches: 1/8" Hand-held, Scallop, 1 3/8" Round, Scallop, Oval Scallop*, 1/2" Round, Slit

Misc: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon; Round Lilac Crystal Brads (Ice Collection); Oval Coluzzel; Lovely Lilac Marker (for journaling); Vellum Sayings from Diecuts with a View (Nature Collection)

*NOTE: The oval punch is from Marvy

Black & White -- Blog Challenge #50

Black and white was the Challenge today. Hmmm, black and white sounds like it should be formal, doesn't it? Recently, hubby and I attended a wedding where all the attendants wore black. It turned out to be a lovely, beautiful wedding (aren't they always?)...and although the bridesmaids all wore black dresses, their bouquets were colorful.....bright and cheerful, a wonderful compliment to the attire.

So, when it came time to using just B&W on a card/project, it should be easy, right? Well, it was really difficult not to add in another color. If I were to do this all over again, I would definitely make the butterfly a bright, cheerful color. However, I kept to the challenge colors and this is what I came up with. Now I can't wait to see what elegant goodies all the other challengers have created!

Stamps: Pretty Petals, Priceless

Inks: Basic Black

CS: Whisper White, Basic Black

Misc: 1 3/8" Round Punch, Scallop Punch, White Taffeta Ribbon, White Gel Pen

NOTE: The black stamped butterfly looks lighter, or "bluer" in this scan....IRL, it is more closely matched to the CS.

With Sympathy....Wonderful You

One of the Yahoo groups that I participate in sponsored a Sympathy/Get Well swap. Usually, when swapping, we only make card fronts, but this time, we all decided that perhaps we should make whole cards in the event that we may need to use them one day. And you know when an event such as this arises, even avid stampers have trouble becoming inspired.

So, this is the card I entered. Pretty simple, but the base of the flower was colored in with 2 different color markers. Then what you probably cannot see, is that the centers were highlighted with Dazzling Diamonds with that cute little Silver Mini Brad in the middle.

You know, after making a bunch of these, I've fallen in love with River Rock CS....and it's only going to be around for another 2 months!! (You may be seeing a lot of that CS in the remaining time!!) Inside the card was simply stamped with "Thinking of You," so it can be used for many occasions.

Stamps: Wonderful You, Greetings Galore (greeting on front), Stems & Silhouettes Jumbo Wheel

Inks: Basic Black, Regal Rose Jumbo Cartridge

CS: Whisper White, River Rock, Regal Rose, Basic Black

Misc: 2-Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Silver Mini Brad, Paper Piercer (Tool Kit), Regal Rose Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Regal Rose & Old Olive Markers

NOTE: ALL materials used to make this card sample are from SU

Added to note: Rhonda (one of my stamping idols) has listed this card on her blog! I am so honored....check it out here.

I'm Late!...I'm Late!...For a Very IMPORTANT Date!!

A good friend of mine had a birthday....over a month ago!! AND, I only just completed her gift!!!! This post is the very last piece of the gift, which is not really one BIG gift, but a series of small things. This little booklet was loads of fun to make....and is my very first project ever with my brand-new Bind-It All. (I can already see that it's going to be a GREAT tool to have...and will hopefully, get a lot of use!)

This fun little project uses just ONE piece of double-sided background paper and some embellishments...and of course, the Bind-It All for the binding. Unfortunately, the DSP in this case, has been discontinued. But, what fun this could be with ANY paper! The colors for the flower punch outs were chosen because of the reverse pattern.

Once I decided to make this little booklet, I then needed to figure out what to enclose inside.....so, I came up with making it into a Card Candy type of booklet. Inside each pocket of the booklet, is a focal piece/completely decorated stamped image for a card front. And, no, the cards didn't fit, so they aren't included!

Anyway, here it is, along with the enclosures and an overall photo of the inside and contents. The completed size is 3"x4"....isn't it the cutest?!!

(TO MY CUSTOMERS: I feel a class coming on!....please contact me to let me know if you would be interested in signing up.....or just leave a reply to this blog entry and I'll see it!)

Stamps: Pun Fun, Fun & Fast Notes, Full of Life (Occasions Mini*), Sweet Shapes (for "card candy); One of a Kind, Looks Like Spring (cover)CS: Sahara Sand, So Saffron

Inks: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron; various for enclosures

Misc: Spring Bouquet Punch, BoHo Blossoms Punch, Word Window Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Paper Piercer (Tool Kit), Silver Mini Brads, Mini Glue Dots (for applying the punched flowers on the front cover), Oval Coluzzel, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Apricot Appeal Grosgrain; various embellishments for "card candy." Mini Vellum envelope (for holding the "sayings" found at the Target Dollar Spot)