Embellish

Ready to Make It? You Are Loved (a lot)

Instructions for “You are Loved (a lot)” Card designed by Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek for Song of My Heart Stampers. All supplies Stampin’ Up! "Ready to Make It?" cards are designed to be created in fifteen minutes or less, with limited supplies. Try one today!

Stamps: Grateful Bunch (or any set with an elongated vine and several small flowers)

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Island Indigo

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Island Indigo, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Blossom Bunch Punch, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals

Instructions:

1. Card base is 8.5x5.5 and folded in half to form card. Mat is 2.5 x 5.5 inches. Strip is 2 x 5.5 inches

2. Fold card in half to form card.

3. Stamp the saying along the bottom edge of the Very Vanilla strip in Island Indigo ink.

4. Stamp the lace above the saying, in Rich Razzleberry ink.

5. Stamp the vine in Rich Razzleberry ink.

6. On scrap vanilla paper, stamp the triple daisy image in Island Indigo ink and punch out using the Blossom Bunch Punch.

7. Adhere the flowers to the vine as shown, using dimensionals.

8. Adhere the floral piece to the Island Indigo mat, and the matted piece to the cardfront as shown.

 

Need the supplies? Order them right from my online stamp store! 

Click any link to go shop.

Grateful Bunch Photopolymer Stamp Set [140691]	Grateful Bunch Photopolymer Bundle [140801]	Blossom Bunch Punch [140612]
Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115316]	Rich Razzlebberry Classic Stampin' Pad [126950]	Medium Very Vanilla Envelopes [107300]
Island Indigo 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122923]	Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad [126986]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650]
Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments [119247]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]	Stampin' Trimmer [126889]

 

Classic Cross sympathy card design

"This is a Brenda card," said my friend Brenda when I pulled it out at her workshop this weekend. That wasn't a coincidence! One of my favorite parts of spoiling hostesses is picking projects that I know will appeal to their personality or fit needs they have for upcoming occasions. I'm so glad Brenda liked the projects at her show, and I hope you like this one, too! It's a very versatile layout and easily comes together with the focal point highlighted by a beautiful doily. We made Easter cards at the workshop, and when I got home I made up the leftovers with sentiments appropriate for sympathy cards. Both worked well, and put the focus where it belongs--on the Cross.

The only measurement you need for this card is 2x5.5 inches--that's the strip across the middle. I hand-cut the cross, not too bad since it's all straight lines. The thing that really makes it, though, is the little flowers with tiny pearl centers. Those pearls are SO small, they don't have much impact unless you group them together. I like how they add to the delicacy of the design.

 Want to recreate this design at home? Here's what you'll need:

Click any photo to go shop at my online stamp store if you need supplies!

Blessed By God Wood-Mount Set	Blessed By God Cling-Mount Set	Rose Wonder Photopolymer Set
Wisteria Wonder 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock	Elegant Eggplant 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
Stampin' Dimensionals	Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments	Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad
Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack	Tea Lace Paper Doilies

 

Save

Best value: Grateful Bunch Bundle

This little beauty of a bundle has been a bit of a "sleeper" in the Spring 2016 catalog, because there were just so MANY amazing products available when it came out. But it was on my FIRST order, and now people's attention has turned. I'm glad so many are seeing the versatility in this lovely stamp set and bundle. Want to make this exact card at home? It's easy! Here's what you'll need:

These colors of cardstock, plus...

Soft Sky 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Stamp

• Grateful Bunch Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Grateful Bunch Photopolymer Bundle

Ink

• Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad
• Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad

Punch

• Blossom Bunch Punch

Accessory

• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments

Featured Sale-A-Bration Set of the Week: Flowering Fields

Welcome to Song of My Heart's first post about this week's featured Sale A Bration reward, the Flowering Fields stamp set! Each week during the 13 weeks of Sale A Bration 2016, Stampin' Up's BIGGEST sale of the year, I'm featuring a different reward freebie stamp set or papers. You'll be able to see multiple ideas for sets you were wondering if you'd find easy and quick to use... wonder no longer!  Read about Sale A Bration here, and you'll see why we're so excited for it! Every $50 spent gets you your choice of a whole brochure full of exclusive, limited-edition sets and papers. There's something for EVERYONE!

We've featured Sky's the Limit (week one), Botanicals for You (week two), Hello (week three), Perfect Pairings (week four), and What I Love (week five)! Now let's meet Flowering Fields (wood mount, cling mount). Here are the 7 images in the stamp set. I have to say, these images are the PERFECT size. Not too big, not to small--just right!

I made some cool backgrounds for these cards using the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set (wood mount, cling mount) and overlapping the spatters and static in the different colors I wanted. It made a nice textural feel for the crispness of the white circle punches. I liked it even better when I added a layer of Brick Wall embossed and sponged cardstock. The sentiments on all four of these cards came from a highly-recommended set called A Dozen Thoughts (wood mount, cling mount). It's my favorite sayings set.

 

I hope you've been enjoying this Sale A Bration series! It's my tenth SAB with Stampin' Up, and it never gets old. Who doesn't love getting something amazing FREE with an order of stuff they needed or really wanted anyway? I hope you'll take advantage of the sale, and I hope you'll let me know if you have any questions, because that is what I am here for!

Suggested Color Combination: 

Lost Lagoon

Tip Top Taupe

Whisper White

Delightful Dijon

Mint Macaroon

Photo Tutorial: Double-Punched Technique

I set out to create projects for the third and final post showcasing our featured Sale A Bration set of the week, What I Love, and ended up doing a whole photo tutorial instead! But it was so quick and easy I just had to share it with you all.

Look at the lavender shape around my stamped focal point on this notecard--doesn't look like any punch shape you've seen, eh? That's because it's double-punched! Enjoy this easy tutorial on the double-punching technique, and then turn off the computer and go get in the craft room and see what other punches can be doubled!

I know, I know, mine's not copy paper. I just grabbed some note paper that was handy. But you should feel free to keep calm and have a cupcake, anyway.

Then when you punch it, you'll get a cool sunburst-type piece instead of scallops. This is awesome for guy cards and anything you need layers for but would rather not make so girly.

Just peel the double-punched piece off the copy paper backing and use on any project you want. And, it works with ANY size scallop circle punch! That's awesome.

Play around with the position of the second punch, and you can get all kinds of cool looks. I love how this next one turned out.

There we have it... a super quick and simple way to get even MORE good out of that old craft room workhorse, the punch. I can't wait to see YOUR cards with it! Thanks for stopping in today, and if you need any supplies or haveta-have this stamp set, click on any color below to go to my online stampin' store and do yourself a little retail therapy!

Suggested Color Combination:

Elegant Eggplant

Wisteria Wonder

Smoky Slate

Whisper White

Pear Pizzazz

Beautiful new Isaiah 41:10 scripture Bible verse stamp set

One more pink and white card and then I will move on to more colorful combinations, I promise. I don't know why I was in such a pink and white mood lately! And once the papers and ink pads are out on my table, of course I lazily grab them when I'm playing around rather than get up and go get new colors to experiment with.

I have been wanting to share this gorgeous new stamp set with you! Rose Wonder is a real winner for weddings, sympathy, severe illness, thank you, encouragement, and even birthdays! With 14 different stamps, 10 of them sayings, this is one of the most versatile sets you could ever add to your collection (see all the images below). The best part for me? A GORGEOUS, HUGE Scripture verse stamp with one of my very favorite passages on it. I claimed this verse as a personal promise during my freshman year of university when I was overwhelmed with all the changes and the busy schedule and stress. I'm not that freaked-out seventeen-year-old anymore, but the verse is just as real to me now as it was then. 

FINALLY I got a picture where the Clear Wink of Stella pens show up! That beautiful, soft glimmer is our new pens from the Spring 2016 Catalog. Isn't it pretty? It's so easy to paint on with the brush tip of the pen, and you can apply it with pinpoint precision anywhere you want, even right over the top of stamped ink. And it dries almost instantly, too.

I hope this verse was an encouragement to your heart today, even more than I hope the card was inspiring to your crafty side! Take the time to send someone a card today and share the love and joy in your heart with others. So often we find ourselves the "bless-ee" when we meant to be the "bless-er."

If you'd like to order Rose Wonder or any of the other Stampin' Up products I used to make this card, here's a handy-dandy supply list! Thanks for visiting Song of My Heart today.

Supply List

• Rose Wonder Photopolymer Stamp Set [140697]
• Rose Wonder Photopolymer Bundle [140804]
• Rose Garden Thinlits Dies [140619]
• Big Shot [113439]
• Big Shot Magnetic Platform [130658]
• Big Shot Die Brush [140603]
• Ovals Collection Framelits Die [129381]
• Stamping Sponges [141337]
• Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]
• Fine-Tip Glue Pen [138309]
• Paper-Piercing Tool [126189]
• Stampin' Pierce Mat [126199]
• Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]
• Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments [119247]
• Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [131172]
• Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131198]
• Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]

Save

NEW! Folded Paper Heart Technique video tutorial by Song of My Heart

I came up with the coolest paper fold last night, and had to share it with you right away! This folded-paper heart is reminiscent of both origami and quilting, but never fear, it's super easy. Watch this quick four-minute video to see how simple it is, and how cute it looks!

Thanks so much for supporting my new YouTube channel. I'd love it if you'd leave a comment!

Here's another sample I made with this technique. Isn't it neat? I especially like it with the Love Blossoms paper stack, but you can use any double-sided papers for this project. I'd love to see YOUR cards and projects made with this paper fold. Share them on the Song of My Heart Facebook Fan Page so we can all ooh and ahh!

Stepping up three sympathy cards

 

I had the sad occasion to make some sympathy cards this past month, and as I often do, I made several extra to have on hand. This particular design shows a couple of ways to step-up sympathy cards without adding a bunch of unnecessary bling, which can strike a false note on these types of card.

The basic design was a one-layer monochromatic card with a Crumb Cake (kraft) base, Basic Black ink, and Crumb Cake ink. I used the new spring catalog Birthday Blooms and Timeless Textures stamp sets, plus the sympathy sentiment from a Paper Pumpkin kit from the summer. That's where the wide grosgrain ribbon came from, too, come to think of it. But a pretty basic card, overall.

 

For the first stepped-up version I made the same card, but added two elements. I colored in the shrub roses with a Crumb Cake marker, for a tone-on-tone look, and I added the details in the flower center with the White Signo Gel Pen. It made the roses pop out of the background a little more. Still, super easy.

In for a penny, in for a pound... I used the White gel pen on the entire flower for the next card.

This one took considerably more time than the other two versions, but it's a real WOW. I love how the White gel pen makes the flower leap out from the background. You could easily add a few seed pearls in the flower center as well and they would not look amiss on this card.
I hope you won't need to make any sympathy cards in the near future, but I hope you enjoyed a peek at a couple of ways to perk up a basic sympathy card design and still keep it subdued and tasteful. If you need any of the products I used, click any of these links to go to my online store and have a little shop!

Supplies List:

• Birthday Blooms Wood-Mount Stamp Set (rose image)
• Birthday Blooms Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Timeless Textures Clear-Mount Stamp Set (background stamping)
• Timeless Textures Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Chalk It Up To Love Paper Pumpkin Kit--available to subscribers only
• Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
• Matching Medium Crumb Cake Envelopes
• Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad
• Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad
• White Signo Uni-Ball Gel Pen--best on the market!
• Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers (Crumb Cake)

Long overdue Lighthearted Leaves and Wild About Flowers

Ok, so I am loooong overdue posting pictures from my trip to Saint George in September for my fifth retreat as a Top 100 Demonstrator of the Year. But I just got a lot of photos downloaded from my phone and HAD to share a couple of very special ones with you all! Thank you again for making that special title and status happen. I could not do it without you.

Loved these two samples of this stunning new stamp set from the 2015 Holiday Catalog, Lighthearted Leaves. Two very different color schemes showcase how versatile this pattern can be.

Two other samples from Founder's Circle 2015 that really caught my eye were these gorgeous designs using one of my recent favorite sets, Wild About Flowers.

Amazing what variety can come out of just one or two stamp sets! You'd think that using the same general base of materials and images, there would be hundreds of near-twins out there--but instead there are thousands of cards, each one different and each bearing their creator's own original touch.

Do you ever find yourself copying a sample EXACTLY? Or do you find yourself feeling compelled to "tweak" a design? BOTH types of people make fantastic demonstrators! If you LIKE to design your own, there are endless opportunities to do so. But if you prefer copying, there are hundreds of thousands of designs to pick from. And on my team, you'll get free access to every single Cheat Sheet ever created, for free. Just another awesome perk of signing up! Let's chat today about the Starter Kit, the support you'll receive, and the awesome new products you'll be adding to your collection. [email protected]

Ready to make it? The Best Life Holds card

Instructions for “The Best Life Holds” Card designed by Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek for Song of My Heart Stampers. All supplies Stampin’ Up! Enjoy these quick, fifteen-minutes -or-less "Ready To Make It?" cards using limited supplies.

Stamps: Wild About Flowers

Ink: Mint Macaron, Delightful Dijon, Garden Green

Cardstock: Mint Macaron, Delightful Dijon, Very Vanilla

Designer Paper: 2015-17 In Color Envelope Paper

Accessories: Big Shot home die-cutting system, Magnetic Platform, Ovals Collection Framelits, dimensionals.

Embellishments: Delightful Dijon lace trim, glue dots.

Instructions:

1. Card base is 8.5x5.5 and folded in half to form card. Patterned paper is 2 x 5.5 inches. Strip is .5 x 5.5 inches. Large oval is 3.5 inches tall.

2. Adhere patterned paper to bottom edge of card front, with strip above it.

3. Stamp desired sentiment above that line, keeping to the left hand side of the card. Use Garden Green ink.

4. Stamp inside sentiment using Garden Green ink.

5. Stamp the flower stems and flowers on the smaller oval, using Mint Macaron and Delightful Djion inks.

6. Mat the flower piece on the larger oval. Attach oval to cardfront on the right hand side of card.

7. Add lace trim knot with mini glue dots.

Ready to make it? Elegant Friend Card

Instructions for “Elegant Friend” Card designed by Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek for Song of My Heart Stampers. All supplies Stampin’ Up! Enjoy these quick, fifteen-minutes -or-less "Ready To Make It?" cards using limited supplies.

Stamps: Awesomely Artistic (wood-mount) or (cling-mount)

Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Pool Party

Cardstock: Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry.

Accessories: Petite Petals punch, dimensionals, paper snips, mini glue dots.

Embellishments: Iced Rhinestones, White Jute Trim.

Instructions:

1. Card base is 8.5x5.5 inches. Focal point is 2.25x 3.75. First mat is 2.75 x 4.35. Second mat is 4.5 x 3 inches.

2.  Fold base in half to form card.

3. Stamp large floral spray in Lost Lagoon ink on Very Vanilla rectangle. Stamp textile patterns in Blackberry Bliss ink across bottom. Stamp ferns using Mossy Meadow ink.  Spatter stamp is in Pool Party ink.

4. Attach to mats and attach mats to card front where indicated. Cut jute trim into banner ends and adhere on lower left side coming out from under the matting.

5. Stamp frame in Mossy Meadow with a sentiment in Blackberry Bliss, and hand cut. Adhere to card.

6. Punch out two flowers from Rich Razzleberry and adhere with mini glue dots and an Iced Rhinestone in the center.

Wild About Flowers: five sweet variations on a wildflower theme

Can't get enough of these flowers! I posted about them last week and here I am back with more. They were just so easy to do in any color combination I tried... so easy to line up because they are clear photopolymer... and so easy to pull together into simple, elegant layouts where the stamp is the star.

My color scheme this time was Blackberry Bliss, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla, with accents of Perfect Plum and the newsprint-patterned Typeset Specialty Designer Series Papers. I made five variations on this card by the time my crafting session was over. Which one is your favorite?

I know you'll want to try these at home, so I've included a complete supply list of everything I used to make them. Leave me a comment and let me know you appreciate the supply lists, would you? It's an extra step that many bloggers leave out, but I've always felt it was pretty important! If it's helpful to you, too, I encourage you to tell your favorite bloggers that it really is a bonus and you love it.

Ready to craft? Make these cute cards at home with the following products: 

Wild About Flowers Photopolymer Stamp Set	Gorgeous Grunge Clear Stamp Set	Gorgeous Grunge Wood Stamp Set	Clear Block Bundle
Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Always Artichoke 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock	Perfect Plum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
Very Vintage Designer Buttons	Linen Thread	Banner Punch	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad	Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad	Glue Dots	Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper

3 quick ways to add interest to your cards with banners!

 

I loooove banners and use them often on my cards. The other night I made three quick versions with the new Wild About Flowers stamp set, using Mossy Meadow and Delightful Dijon inks and cardstock. I made all the banners using the BOMB-DIGGITY new punch, the Banner Triple Punch.

The first version has a long, narrow one-inch banner coming down from the top on the left hand side. The second, pictured below, is also coming down from the left hand side, but because this card is horizontally-oriented instead of vertically, it's a short banner. If it were longer, it would visually drag the card down and make it bottom-heavy. For the record, bottom-heavy is bad : )

Aren't the flowers pretty? I really like this stamp set. It's the first chance I've had to get Wild About Flowers inky and I can already tell it's going to be a favorite. Can't wait to try it in some other color schemes, too.

The third way I've used a banner on my card was to start this 1 1/2 inch banner from the left hand side of the card and run it horizontally across the bottom. It breaks up the stem-heavy bottom of my field of flowers, which doesn't really need to be seen anyway.

Ok, one more version--this one does not have a banner, per se, but it's the same idea--just with the pointy end torn off to add texture. In this case, the 1.75-inch banner was wide enough to stamp my sentiment on it. On this card, the band of color serves as a stopping point as your eyes travel down the long flower stems. The Very Vintage Designer Buttons tied with Linen Thread also serve that purpose.

I love this design principle kind of stuff, can you tell? It makes a real difference between a "homemade" card and a "handmade" one. Have fun adding some banners to amp up the visual OOMPH of your cards!

Make your own Wild About Flowers cards at home! Here's what you'll need:

Wild About Flowers Photopolymer Stamp Set	Gorgeous Grunge Clear Stamp Set	Clear Block Bundle	Banner Triple Punch
Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Always Artichoke 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock	Delightful Dijon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock
Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad	Delightful Dijon Classic Stampin' Pad	Very Vintage Designer Buttons	Linen Thread

NEW! Custom-Color Your Patterned Papers video tutorial by SOMHS!

NEW video released today from Song of My Heart! I am doing a series of four based on my presentation at the 2015 Stampin' Up national convention. Enjoy these three WOW cards and tips on how to do it yourself by adding custom color to Designer Series papers.

Here are the three cards closeup so you can see the details better. I learned a new trick when I was editing this video today, and I was able to figure out how to install still pics into the video so that my voice is still continuing the description, but there's a nice bright closeup of the finished project. I think that's going to be a big improvement for future videos. You'll have to let me know what you think!

This was the card that started it all...I was asked to speak at convention (in front of thousands of people, eep!) and I had JUST made this rose card, so I decided to theme my entire presentation around the papers and colors used on it. It made for a really nice, continuous series.

This one is really over-the-top, but I love it anyway. Sometimes your heart is full and you just have to go all-out with it. I'll be sharing how to make the flower and the scalloped circle doily in the next video--stay tuned!

 Supplies used in this Episode:

• Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper [138444]
• Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper [133704]
• Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad [138326]
• Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [131172]
• Sponge Daubers [133773]
• Butterfly Basics Photopolymer Stamp Set [137154]
• Butterfly Basics Wood Stamp Set [138813]
• Butterfly Basics Clear Stamp Set [138816]
• Me = Grateful Clear-Mount Stamps [139319]
• Me = Grateful Wood-Mount Stamps [138786]
• Gorgeous Grunge Clear Stamp Set [130517]
• Gorgeous Grunge Wood Stamp Set [130514]
• Subtles Stampin' Write Markers [131263]
• 2015-2017 In Color Stampin' Write Markers [138333]
• Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337]
• Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131198]
• Mint Macaron 1" Dotted Lace Trim [138424]
• Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045]
• Metallic Foil Doilies [138392]
• Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650]
• Silver Metallic Thread [138402]
• Vintage Faceted Buttons [127555]
• Classy Designer Buttons [138393]
• Blushing Bride Sequin Trim [138400]
• Metal Rimmed Pearls [138394]
• Pansy Punch [130698]

silhouette of sympathy

 Had a sad occasion to make a sympathy card with the recent passing of my friend Wendy. She was a really good Stampin' Up demonstrator and it was a privilege to take my time over it and make her a special, "one-of" card and remember back on all our fun adventures on the incentive trips over the years. The card is for those left behind. Wendy has way better things to occupy her time now!--but it's fun to think of her legacy of stamping, that joy of creativity, the gathering of friends, carrying on here on earth. It felt too brief...but it's not over yet.

Ascending Panels Layout a snap thanks to Cheat Sheets Collection #8!

The July 2015 Cheat Sheets are out and they are already making lives easier all around the globe! Not familiar with these handy new cardmaking helpers from SOMH? Click here for details!

I used one of the Cheat Sheets from Collection #8 to make these Ascending Panels cards with the Butterfly Basics stamp set. It was a SNAP thanks to all the measuring done in advance! I can't decide which I like more--the original layout, or the alternate version. Measurements and directions for both are included, so I'll be able to recreate these designs for years to come with no trouble at all.

 Want to recreate this at home? In addition to Cheat Sheets Collection #8, you'll need the following tools, available anytime from me at www.Lyssa.stampinup.net. Click any link below to go order supplies!

• Butterfly Basics Clear Stamp Set [138816]
• Classy Designer Buttons [138393]
• Linen Thread [104199]
• Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]
• Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133675]
• Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad [133642]
• Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad [126985]
• Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115316]
• Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650]
• Medium Very Vanilla Envelopes [107300]
• Clear Block Starter Bundle [129851]

Rainbow of Hope Card and some very fun news!

Love the new Over the Rainbow stamp set from Stampin' Up! This is the first thing I made with it. I can't wait to have a little more time to play with this set because I absolutely adore rainbow colors. BUT.... guess why I don't have any time right now???

I am going to be a demo presenter at Convention 2015!!!

I am so excited (and nervous--eeep!!) It is such an honor to be chosen as one of three from the entire population of North American demonstrators, to present on the Main Stage. I've presented several times before, but never on the BIG one!!

My session is kind of a combo business-and-stamping sort of thing, so right now I'm concentrating on creating the projects and then I'll be working on my script. So if I go a little quiet over the next two weeks, you'll know why! I promise to share everything I make with you ASAP after convention, but until then it is top secret!

The one Designer Series paper pack that you HAVE to get

Timeless Elegance papers. That's all you need to know.

If you order ONE thing from the new Stampin' Up Idea Book & Catalog, these papers need to be it!

Patterned in black and vanilla in roses and other 1920's style Art Deco-era prints, you can use them as they are, or sponge, stamp, or spritz color on like I did here with Mint Macaron and Blushing Bride. The effect is stunning. Click here to view the Timeless Elegance papers, sponge daubers, metallic doilies, and Butterfly Basics stamp set I used for the greeting and to add the ferns.

Introducing Mint Macaron

Just got my demonstrator early-bird preorder box ripped open and petted all my new ink pads! Mint Macaron (like the adorable French sandwich cookie, not like the coconut macaroon) was the first color I dove into, using the brand new sneak peek stamp set You Got This. It was a must-have1 Here's a quick sample of what's in store for us with this tremendously hot new color.

Yes, there's LACE to match! Lace trim comes in all five of the new 2015-17 In Colors. Hooray!! And that's not all... look at the cool little flower doo-jobbie in the next photo! The In Color Blossom Accents will come in a package of 20, four each of the five new In Colors.

There you go! I can't wait to play some more with Mint Macaron, but I'm off to play with the NEXT In Color... which will it be? Watermelon Wonder? Tip Top Taupe? Cucumber Crush? or Delightful Dijon?

Bright and Restful Days

I just love the sentiments from the Thoughts & Prayers stamp set. It has several really good ones suitable for get well, serious illness, and sympathy, and the two main images (tree shown here) are both beautiful and useful for all kinds of occasions. I made these for my craft fair tomorrow.

When they were all done, I went back and added the sun. Do you like it? I think it took the card from merely pretty to something special. T

o get the two tones, I punched a hole with my 3/4 inch circle punch in a piece of scrap cardstock and used it as a mask to sponge Hello Honey ink and a little dab of Tangelo Twist. Then I punched a bigger hole with my 1.25 inch circle punch and sponged Hello Honey just very lightly in a bigger circle around the smaller one. I decided not to keep going with larger circles at that point because it seemed it might detract from the tree image.

I do think I like it better as a sunrise than up in the sky, though.

There you go--something simple--just punches and a sponge--but it's a pretty cool effect! Cardmaking doesn't have to be fancy. Spectacular cards are fun to make and receive once in a while, but a simple one can create exactly the same feeling of warmth and cause a smile to spring to life just as well. Who needs a card from YOU today?

Save