WSC47

The image from Punches Three (Level 1 Hostess set) was perfect for this layout. This card came together in about 15 minutes, which is pretty quick for me. I used Bella Rose DP (haven't made a card without it today!) and RHR Taffeta on Sage Shadow Cardstock. I used the wide oval punch to punch out the image. I added a filigree flower brad to the bottom right corner of the layers.

WSC53 and 51

I'm working my way through all of Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenges. It is so much easier (at least to me) when I already have the card layout, and just have to find things that will work in the layout. Coming up with it on my own usually takes so long, that I get to make more cards if I just use a sketched layout. The first card uses "Cheers to you" and the matching wheel inked up in Versamark and wheeled all across the top. The DP is from Bella Rose. I added some double sided satin ribbon to the bottom. The second card is "Eastern Influences" again with Bella Rose DP. I used Wild Wasabi to layer it on and for watercoloring. I added Chocolate Chip Polytwill to the top. To make the scalloped rectangle, I used a tip I saw on splitcoaststampers.com. Punch out 6 (or however many you need) scalloped squares and adhere them together. That is better for me that using the scallop edge punch because I can never get the corners to look right.

WSC54

Hardly any stamping was done on this card. I used the new in colors- Baja Breeze Cardstock with Urban Garden and Bella Rose DP. The main image was cut out from Urban Garden DP using the Coluzzle. I layered it on Kiwi Kiss. The sentiment is from Time Well Spent. I tied some new Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla satin ribbon to one end, and used some of the new Felt Fusion flowers on the other side. Then I added some Baja Breeze striped ribbon coming out from the side of the circle.

SC191 and WSC55....New Stuff!!

For SC191, I made a Halloween card using the new "Haunting" jumbo wheel. I also used the pumpkin and sentiment from "House of Haunts." (I can't wait to use that haunted house!) I stamped the sentiment in Only Orange Craft, but it didn't stamp off very well. I decided to go ahead and emboss it to see what it looked like, even though I figured I'd be covering it up. But it looks neat because the edges of the words are orange, and the inside looks shiny black (it doesn't show up very good in the photo). I ended up liking my mistake. For the "Upsy Daisy" card, I used WSC55. I used a new technique I've been seeing with these silhouette type stamps. I inked up first with Pink Pirouette, then used a sponge dauber to apply some Riding Hood Red to the edges of some flowers. I added some Urban Garden DP with a scallop edged bottom to the card. The thin strip of DP above that is the strip that comes from the bottom of the DP after you punch it with the scallop edge. I added a paper clip from the clip assortment with some RHR taffeta and a Kiwi Kiss button to finish it off. I'll probably make and post a few more after the WVU game....GO MOUNTAINEERS!

SC190

The Wild Rose card was made for SC190. The paper is Recollections from 2006. This is a square card (5 in. x 5 in). I got both the stamps and the paper in trades on SCS recently. The Stamp-a-ma-jig helped me line up the stamps. I used the coluzzle to cut out the circles, then used the designer label punch and silver HPH. I also used Cranberry Crisp ribbon. I still thought the middle of the rose was too vanilla looking, so I used a stipple brush and put some Barely Banana ink in the middle. The second card I made from scraps that I've had sitting around for months and months. I used Polka Dots and Paisley and ribbon from the Originals Fairy Tale collection. The paper is Linen Prints that is also retired.

Finished Frame

I found some black alphabet stickers at Target last night, so I finished the wedding frame today. I also made a card with "Long Time Friend." The layout started out as another SC189, but then I decided I wanted to add some Hodgepodge Hardware with ribbon to the corner, and so I moved the image over. I used the color wheel to pick the colors since I can never match up the Bold Brights on my own. I like the colors it chose for me. I knew I wanted to use Lovely Lilac, and when I looked on the wheel, it suggested Sage Shadow and Summer Sun, so I used those. When I stamped the congratulations, it was crooked, so I stamped it again on a scrap of Soft Sky and put that over top of my crooked Congratulations. I added some yellow primas to the bottom corner with a yellow rhinestone brad in the center.

SC189 and unfinished frame

I finally got my catalog today! And I got to see the holiday mini online. After going through both of those this morning, I spent the afternoon stamping. I used SC189 for the cards. The flower is from Oriental Garden. I used Very Vanilla craft ink (heat set) with the flourish from Priceless for the background. The second card's picture is from Changing Seasons. I watercolored it with watercolor crayons. The picture frame is from Michael's. I covered it with Rose Red DP. Then added chipboard, primas with rhinestone brads, and a hat pin with pearls and beads from the Pretties kit. I colored the chipboard pieces by pushing them onto the basic black pad. I added some Martha Stewart Self-adhesive pearls to the photo corners. I had to put a border around the photo because I tore the top edge of the paper when I was cutting it out with the craft knife. I'm going to add some words (together forever, happy for you...something like that) but I need to go buy some black letter stickers first. I need to make some scrapbook pages too, but that is for another day.

Still no new catty!

I still don't have my new catty! :( But I was able to place an order from looking at it online, so maybe I'll have some new product samples soon. Don't forget to check out the Spanish Supplement also. There is a cute set called "Flores Suaves" that I need to add to my next order. The Spanish catalog (Celebrando Creatividad) can be seen at my DBWS under products. The card I am posting today was made for my parent's anniversary. I didn't post it when I made it because I knew my mom would see it. The set is Long Time Friend. The inside says "It takes a long time to grow an old friend." Hopefully I'll have some time to stamp this weekend. School is wearing me out right now!

New Catty and Promo Start tomorrow :)

The new catalog and "Never Before Seen" promotion start tomorrow. I *hope* my catalog comes tomorrow so that I can place an order because picking and shipping are going to take forever! I know some things that I definitely want, but I want to place one big order so that I can maximize hostess benefits. Anyway, the card I made today is SC12. The stamp is from "Simple Pleasures" circa 1995. The sentiment (which you can barely see in this pic in Taken with Teal) says "Simple pleasures are life's greatest treasures." I used the Scallop Edge Punch along the bottom of the Close to Cocoa DSP, and added some HPH and ribbon to the corner. I colored the image with watercolor wonder crayons. I can't believe tomorrow is the first day of school :( I will be waiting to get home and look at the catalog online (or IRL if mine comes in the mail) all day long!

SC188

Wow...it's been a long time since I stamped. I've been working almost nonstop trying to get my classroom ready for Monday with the little bit of materials that we have. Hopefully, as the weeks go by, we can catch up a bit and I won't have to work on stuff at home. I used Carte Postale for this card, along with Porcelain Prints, which is so pretty. I still haven't gotten my new catalog, but hopefully it will arrive Monday. If not, I'll end up looking at it on the internet so that I can order before everything gets back-ordered. Online ordering should be working on Monday too.

Shelli's Blog

Shelli Gardner, Co-Founder of SU! started a blog today. She'll be posting monthly challenges on there also. Click here to check it out.

My Demo Site

On Aug. 11, with the beginning of the new catalog, Stampin' Up! will introduce online ordering. To place an order from me, you will be able to either send me an e-mail, or place an order yourself on my demo website. The prices, shipping, and benefits will be the same as in the catalog. If you order through stampinup.com but do not choose a demonstrator, and still want to order online, be aware that there will be higher prices and shipping charges, and no hostess benefits if you're placing a larger order. It's really to the customer's benefit to order straight from the demo's website. You'll also be able to order Decor Elements (new colors and designs coming) and Sizzix Big Shot items. Plus, you can check out the promotions that are going on. I just learned that 10 new stamp sets will be 15% off from Aug. 11- Sept. 30. (I already know I *need* 3 of them!) I just set it up, so I'm still learning how to add things to it. Hopefully I'll have it a bit more personalized when the new catalog starts in a week. The card I've posted today was a quick one that I had to make for a friend of my boyfriend's who had a family member pass away this week. I used Lovely as a Tree for the image, and some Soft Sky to add a bit of color.

SU! announces Big Shot die cutting machine

At the SU! convention, they announced today that they will be getting the Big Shot die cutting machine. It is available for demo's to pre-order now, and will be available for customers Sept 2. See more information here.