Ready for some SHOPPING?!

This weekend (Friday and Saturday) is my Crafty Indoor Yard Sale! Be sure to make time to swing by my house to do a little shopping. I have a lot of great items at EXCELLENT prices...I've slashed prices even more since my July yard sale, and added a few things, too.

Just look at all this wonderful stuff I'm selling. Stamp sets and card stock and markers...oh my!

It's sure to be another busy summer weekend, but if you plan to swing by my house on Friday or Saturday, you won't be disappointed! Dates and times: Friday from 3-5 and Saturday from 9-1. Hope to see you!

August Card Club

Here are photos of the card we'll be making at this month's Card Club.

This event will be held on Monday and Tuesday, August 16th and 17th, from 2:00-4:00 Open House (you can arrive anytime between 2:00 and 4:00).


General Card Club information:

Cost: $15 (see alternatives below) Time needed: 1 hour Seats: 8

Have fun making a supply of hand-stamped cards, for much less than you would spend at your local card store! There's no other purchase required - just come to my house and make your six cards.

* NO commitment, NOTHING to join, NO orders required
* All sessions open house; allow about 1 hour to make your cards
* When possible, a variety of sentiments made available

Payment options:
* $15 for 6 cards & envelopes any one month (= $2.50/card)
* Come to 5 club gatherings; get the 6th free (= $2.08/card)
* Pay ahead for 5 sessions; get $5 off the total amount (= $1.94/card)
* Bring a friend who's never been to Club; get $5 off that month (= $1.67/card)

Gift Class this week

We'll be making this cute card tote at Gift Class this week, along with 3x3 cards and envelopes to fill it up, and a unique candy holder. Be sure to let me know right away if you'd like to attend!

To get more information on this and all my events, click here to go to the events page on my site.

Friday Free-for-All

Friday Free-for-All is tomorrow! It's like an open crop - your chance to get moving on all those crafty projects you've been procrastinating, plus have access to my punches and other tools. Contact me if you'd like to join the productive fun!

If you haven't RSVP'd for Card Club yet but you are planning to attend, please get back to me ASAP so I can have your materials ready. We are making a fun card this month using some of the NEW colors from Stampin' Up!

This month's Club will be Wednesday and Thursday, July 21st and 22nd, from 9-11 AM. Card Club is always Open House, which means you can arrive anytime between 9 and 11, right up until 11:00. If you need to come even later than that, please let me know, as I can usually accommodate various schedules.

Hope to see you later this week!






Details:
RSVP with payment: 3 days prior
Cost: $15 (see alternatives below) Time needed: 1 hour Seats: 8
Have fun making a supply of hand-stamped cards, for much less than you would spend at your local card store! There's no other purchase required - just come to my house and make your six cards.

Other information:
* NO commitment, NOTHING to join, NO orders required
* All sessions open house, and you will need about 1 hour to make your cards
* When possible, a variety of sentiments made available

Payment options:
* $15 for 6 cards & envelopes any one month (= $2.50/card)
* Come to 5 club gatherings; get the 6th free (= $2.08/card)
* Pay ahead for 5 sessions; get $5 off the total amount (= $1.94/card)
* Bring a friend who's never been to Club; get $5 off that month (= $1.67/card)

Don't forget - open house TODAY!

Hope to see you at my open house today, celebrating the new Idea Book & Catalog from Stampin' Up! See yesterday's post for more details.

New Catalog Open House RESCHEDULED

Instead of Saturday, the New Catalog Open House will be tomorrow, Friday, July 16th, at the same time (2:00-5:00).

This event is FREE, and because it's an open house, you can stop by anytime between 2 and 5 - even if you can only come for a half hour. It will be hot outside tomorrow, but I have the AC cranking so we can stamp in cool comfort. :)

The photo above shows 2 of the 3 make-and-takes (a card and a unique candy holder). We'll be using new stamp sets, colors, and papers! Hope to see you tomorrow!

Details:
New Catalog Party: Friday, July 16th ~ 2-5 pm
I'll bet you can't wait to see the brand new Idea Book & Catalog from Stampin' Up! It's beautiful, and full of wonderful samples, ideas, and new products and colors. You are invited to celebrate its release with fun make-and-takes, food, and door prizes galore. I will even be giving away several copies of the new book for FREE ($10 value)!

Please RSVP as soon as possible if you'd like to join us.

Ooooh...pretty!

The new Stampin' Up! Color Collections are so beautiful. The other day i made this sampler sheet with all the colors on it. I got the sheet online somewhere, so all i had to do was punch a heart out of each color and stick them in the right boxes. It looks so pretty hanging on my wall! If you are a customer or friend of mine, and you would like a color copy of this sampler, please just let me know and i will be happy to share!

3-D Technique Class Tomorrow!

I have a few seats left for my class tomorrow. Here are the 3-D projects we'll be making; a cute candle and a Hershey kiss holder:



Details:
Tuesday, July 13th ~ 1-3 pm
Cost: $20
Time needed: 2 hours
Seats: 4
This is a "beyond the basics" class, but is still appropriate for beginners. You will go home with two finished projects, and will learn how to use rubber stamping to make unique 3-D items! In addition to their finished projects, all class attendees will receive a coupon good for 10% off the Stampin' Up! supplies we use in class (not including stamp sets), good for the next few months. Let me know ASAP if you'd like to join us!

Last Chance!

Don't forget - this Wednesday 6/30 from 2:00-5:00 (open house style) is my FREE "Last Chance" party. We will be making 3 cards (see below), plus there will be door prizes and munchies.

If there are any retiring items you'd like to buy, this is the time to do it, because I am offering a 10% discount ONLY to party attendees! However, as always, there is no obligation to purchase anything - feel free to come by for some free stamping fun!

If you can't make it but there are items you'd like to buy before they are gone, please get in touch with me ASAP, as I will be placing all orders Wednesday evening.

Click here for a list of retiring stamp sets.
Click here to see the list of retiring wheels and accessories, marked to show sold out items.

Hope to see you soon!

Summer Events!

My event calendar for this summer is posted! I have a lot of fun stamping events planned. Click here to see the calendar for June, and then click the arrow next to the word June to page forward through July and August. Hope to see you this summer!

It's not too late!

You can still plan to join us Tuesday for my Open House featuring products from the new Summer Mini Catalog! I have extra supplies cut up, so feel free to swing by between 4:00 and 7:00.

Here's a preview of the free make-and-takes.

Card Club Tomorrow and Friday

Here is a picture of the card we're making for this month's card club. Let me know if you'd like to join us!
Your date choices:
Thursday 5/20 or Friday 5/21
Both days open house from 4:00-7:00 (arrive anytime between those times)

Other details:
RSVP with payment: ASAP
Cost: $15 (see alternatives below
Time needed: 1 hour
Seats: 8

Have fun making a supply of hand-stamped cards, for much less than you would spend at your local card store!

NO commitment, NOTHING to join, NO orders required
All sessions open house; allow about 1 hour to make your cards
When possible, a variety of sentiments available

Payment options:
$15 for 6 cards & envelopes (=$2.50/card)
Come to 5 club gatherings; get the 6th free (=$2.08/card)
Pay ahead for 5 sessions; get $5 off total amount (=$1.94/card)
Bring a friend who's never been to Club; get $5 off that month (=$1.67/card)

Color Renovation

As you may already know, Stampin' Up! is doing a major renovation of their color families. This is the biggest color change they've made in a very long time (if ever). They are moving colors around, changing the names of the families (will now be called Collections), bringing in 5 new colors, bringing back 10 previously discontinued In Colors, and retiring 30 colors! Wow!

The new palette, which i think is gorgeous, can be seen below. Also below is the list of retiring colors. These colors are guaranteed to be available until the end of May. After that they will be available only as supplies last, until the end of June. So if there is a color you just can't craft without, be sure to contact me to order a pack or three of cardstock and a re-inker or two so you will be all set for life. :)

Card Club on Wednesday and Thursday

Above are pictures of this month's Card Club card. We're making a neat "peekaboo" card this time around. Let me know if you'd like to join us!
Your options:
Wednesday 4/21 or Thursday 4/22
Both days open house from 4:00-7:00 (arrive anytime between those times)
Other details:
RSVP with payment: 3 days prior
Cost: $15 (see alternatives below
Time needed: 1 hour
Seats: 8
Have fun making a supply of hand-stamped cards, for much less than you would spend at your local card store! There’s no other purchase required – just come to my house and make your six cards.
NO commitment, NOTHING to join, NO orders required
All sessions open house; allow about 1 hour to make your cards
When possible, a variety of sentiments available
Payment options:
$15 for 6 cards & envelopes (=$2.50/card)
Come to 5 club gatherings; get the 6th free (=$2.08/card)
Pay ahead for 5 sessions; get $5 off total amount (=$1.94/card)
Bring a friend who's never been to Club; get $5 off that month (=$1.67/card)

Technique class this week!

There are a few seats available at my technique class this week, so let me know if you'd like to join us! Here are photos of the projects we'll be making (2 cards and a bookmark). See below for details!

· Technique Class – Beautiful Backgrounds:
Thursday, April 15^th 4:30-6:30 PM

RSVP with payment: Tuesday, April 13^th
Cost: $15
Time needed: 2 hours
Seats: 4

This is the third class being offered in a series of “beyond the basics” technique classes. You will go home with three projects (including envelopes for the cards), but even better, you will leave with a new skill – making beautiful and unique backgrounds! In addition to their make-and-takes, all class attendees will receive a coupon good for 10% off any background-making supplies purchased over the next few months.

Card Club this week

Card Club is tomorrow and Wednesday (open house 4:00-7:00), and there is still room for you! Contact me right away if you'd like to join us.

Cost: $15
Time needed: 1 hour
Seats: 8

Have fun making a supply of hand-stamped cards, for much less than you would spend at your local card store! There’s no other purchase required – just come to my house and make your six cards. This is a great option for those who don’t have many supplies, or who don’t want to place any orders right now.

Feeling Springy!

The weather has been beautiful for the last few days, and i've really been enjoying getting outside more (without bundling up, that is). I really hope we have a nice long spring season this year. I don't enjoy the heat of summer, so i don't like it when we go right from winter to summer. Hopefully the springtime will stick around for at least a month or two this year!

So i finally got around to playing with my sticky cuts and glitter, which i've had for at least a few months and hadn't even opened the packages. What a fun and quick way to add glitter to a project! Here's what i came up with.


All supplies from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamp set: Enjoy Every Moment
Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Taken with Teal, Barely Banana, Whisper White
Ink: Taken with Teal, Cameo Coral marker
Tools: Bone folder, Modern Label punch, Craft & Paper Scissors
Adhesive: Snail, Dimensionals
Other: Sticky Cuts "Sweet", Stampin' Glitter (Fine Supernova & Fine Galaxy), Whisper White grosgrain ribbon

Springtime Stamp-a-Stack next Wednesday

Wednesday, March 10th 4:30-7:30 PM (open house)
RSVP with payment: Monday, March 8th
Cost: $20 Envelopes: +$4
Time needed: 2 hours
Seats: 8
We'll be making 10 cards; 5 each of 2 designs (birthday and thank you, or make them into general occasion cards). Would you like to stamp matching envelopes for your cards? Add them for only $4!

You had to be a Big Shot, did ya?

Oh my gosh, are you ready for this?? I am SO excited because today i learned an amazingly easy yet awe-inspiring technique to use with my already-much-loved Big Shot. I've seen some cards with this done, but had no idea how these people were doing it. Well, thanks to Splitcoast, i now know, and i think i'll be using this technique a LOT. Check it out:


This card was so easy it's almost funny. I ran a piece of Crushed Curry cardstock through my Big Shot with a Texturz plate. I already love these plates, but sometimes i want the embossed image to be more obvious. I thought there was some complicated way to achieve this...but all you do is flip the cardstock over (to the side with indents rather than bumps) and run your brayer over it with a darker ink! And out pops whatever image was embossed, showing up as whatever color cardstock you used! So you end up with this amazing looking card, when really it was one of the easiest things you'll ever make.

I added a layer underneath, chose Dusty Durango for the card base (apparently Ruby Red + Crushed Curry = Dusty Durango - who knew?!), added the ribbon, and turned it into a love or wedding card by adding one of the sentiments from the Baroque Motifs set. And there you go!


All supplies from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamp set: Baroque Motifs
Cardstock: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry
Ink: Dusty Durango, Ruby Red
Tools: Bone folder, Brayer, Big Shot, Eyelet Texturz plate, Large Oval punch
Adhesive: Snail, Dimensionals
Other: Dusty Durango grosgrain ribbon

Mustardless Medallion

For some reason, the day i made this card, i was in the mood for these kinds of colors. I found myself reaching for Earth Elements over and over. Maybe i was so busy in the fall this year that i just didn't get enough, or maybe it was because i have been working with Bold Brights a lot lately for some wedding invitations. Either way, these deep rich colors were just calling out to me.

So this is an example of another way to use the emboss resist technique. Would you believe that the piece of cardstock with the huge medallion (which i LOVE, by the way...it's my favorite stamp lately) stamped on it was originally More Mustard? By the time i was done with it, you can't see any true More Mustard anywhere.

I wheeled More Mustard and Really Rust onto the mustard piece with the Texture wheel. Then i stamped the Medallion image with Versamark and embossed with clear powder, then brayered & sponged Chocolate Chip ink all over it. Actually, in the end, to get it really dark, i just smashed my Chocolate Chip ink pad over it again and again. Then wiped the ink off the image with a towel, and voila!



All supplies from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamp sets: Medallion, Texture (wheel), Inspired by Nature
Cardstock: Dusty Durango, Summer Sun, More Mustard
Ink: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Really Rust, VersaMark
Tools: Bone folder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Brayer, Stampin' Sponges
Adhesive: Snail
Other: Clear Embossing Powder

Beautiful Butterfly

The card i'm sharing today is one i made for a bridal shower. Unfortunately, the scanner just doesn't do it justice...it's even more beautiful in real life. The butterfly looks like it's about to fly right off the card, and the sentiment has a faint shadow behind it.

I really love the new Sweet Pea DSP stack. There are SO many beautiful papers in that one pad! I cut the butterfly (top and bottom) and the flowered strip out of one piece of 12x12. I hate to admit it, but this is the first time i'm using something from the Pretties Kit (the halfback pearl)...i've been hoarding those beautiful embellishments for months!

All supplies from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamp set: Well Scripted
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Barely Banana
Designer Series Paper: Sweet Pea DSP stack
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink
Tools: Bone folder, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, Scallop Trim Border punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Adhesive: Snail, Dimensionals
Other:Pretties Kit

Batik Daisy

I was checking out various technique tutorials on Splitcoast today and was wowed by a variation on emboss resist. I started playing around with it and came up with this card.

What fun this was! The color peeking through the daisies was done with sponges. I tried doing it with various solid image stamps (which was what they used for the tutorial), but it just didn't work well for me. I had a lot more success with just sponging splashes of color all over, then clear embossing the daisies on top. Then i brayered Chocolate Chip ink over the whole thing and wiped off the daisies. Cool, huh?

All supplies from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamp sets: Inspired by Nature, Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Ruby Red, Summer Sun, Taken with Teal
Ink: VersaMark, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Summer Sun, Taken with Teal
Tools: Bone folder, Wide Oval punch, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Brayer
Adhesive: Snail, Dimensionals
Other: Clear Embossing Powder, Stampin' Sponges

Friday Free-for-All is tomorrow!

I have a few seats open for tomorrow's Friday Free-for-All. Please let me know ASAP if you'd like to come!

Friday, January 29th 5:00-7:00 PM (open house)
Cost: $5, +$5 for Big Shot & dies
Time needed: varies
Seats: 6

This monthly event is your chance to work on...whatever! That scrapbook you've been meaning to get to, those cards you'd like to make but never seem to have the time, those unmounted sets you'd like me to assemble with you, that special project you'd like a little help with. Bring your own stamp sets and consumables (cardstock, ink, adhesive, etc.), but my tools (paper cutter, punches, scissors, etc.) will be available for your use. I will be available to help you with ideas, designs, etc., and it's always more fun stamping with friends than stamping alone, right?!

Super-quick cards

Do you like to make cards and usually enjoy the (sometimes slow) creative process, but at times wish you could whip out a card in 10 minutes or less? You know, you're about to run errands and would like to mail a birthday card, but you're pressed for time and need it done FAST. Well, i've found that Designer Series Paper is the way to go in situations like these. It really takes the guesswork out of color choices, and if you fill most of the card front with DSP, you don't need to do much stamping.

Here are a few examples. You might notice that they are very similar in color scheme. That's because i used the SAME sheet of DSP; since it's double-sided, it was very easy to just flip it over to create a different look without coming up with a whole new layout. Any time i can cut out a few design desisions, it always saves time.




Both of these cards were made awhile ago, so they use several items which are now retired. But they can still give you the idea of how to make super-quick cards! They each took me about 5-10 minutes to make, start to finish.