148 days, actually.

That’s lots of time! So I tell myself. And yet every year I don’t get all of my Christmas cards sent. 

Does that sound familiar?  Well, this year I am going to start early. Really!

And the Contempo Christmas stamp set is going to help. I love this set of 4.  It has a great Merry Christmas greeting for the front of the card and a second greeting for inside my cards. And two more images – an ornament that coordinates with the ornament punch and a Christmas tree. Pair it with the Jolly Holiday designer series paper and think of all the cards you can create.

To make this card, I inked up the Christmas tree with Old Olive ink and then coloured directly onto the stamp with the Cherry Cobbler marker. After huffing to remoisten the stamp, I stamped onto a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock 2" x 2-3/4". Next, I layered the Very Vanilla onto a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock 2-1/4" x 3". To complete this piece, I layered again onto Old Olive cardstock 2-1/2" x 3-1/4" with dimensionals. I added an Old Olive button complete with a Cherry Cobbler cardstock "thread" with a mini glue dot to dress is up a bit. If these buttons are not on your wish list, add them now! It’s amazing what a single button can do for a card.

I stamped "Merry Christmas" onto a 5-1/4" x 4" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and adhered it to a Cherry Cobbler card.

The Jolly Holiday paper was cut to 5-1/4" x 2" and layered onto a 5-1/4" x 2-1/4" piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock.

To finish the card, I added a knot of 5/8" Old Olive grosgrain ribbon. This card would be great to make "assembly line" style if you need alot of Christmas cards. Try using different combinations of Jolly Holiday papers and Cherry Cobbler/Old Olive cardstock to mix it up a bit.

Ready to start your Christmas cards? Don’t miss my Christmas in August class! We will be making 8 cards – 2 each of 4 designs for $25. These cards will be a step above simple cards (this card will not be included in the class). Pre-payment is required. Click here for more details and to register.

Can’t attend – purchase the class instructions by e-mail for $10. Click here to purchase.
 

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Christmas Contempo

Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler Marker

Paper: Jolly Holiday DSP, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Other: Brights Designer Buttons, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots 

  Contempo Christmas Stamp Set, Set of 4

Clear – $14.95, #120594

Wood – $19.95, #118734

Don’t think it, ink it!

There are just not enough stamping hours in a day to make all the cards and projects I want to. Housework can only be ignored so long, children left unfed and laundry piled up before it’s time to step away for a bit.

So when I do have time to use my new products, I find myself reaching for my new favourites. Which are, of course, the first products I ordered from the new catalogue!

This card uses two new faves – Elegant Soiree designer series paper and the Curly Cute stamp set.

I really wanted to use lots of layers of the Elegant Soiree designer series paper for this card. The designs in the package are all fabulous and work together well. In fact. it probably took longer to turn over all of the papers, look at both sides and make tentative layers that it did to complete this card once I started

The greeting is from the Curly Cute stamp set which is new to this catalogue. These greetings are simple but the curly ends dress them up a bit. This set is also available in French and Spanish.

Once I cut and adhered the layers and added the stamped greeting this card was pretty much done. But it still needed a little something. Paper Daisies to the rescue. I took two of the smallest flowers in the package and applied them directly to the ink pad to add colour. The top flower is Baja Breeze and the bottom is Soft Suede.

This card was quick to make. I hope the recipient likes it!

Ever wondered how to use a specific product, make a certain project or how a technique works? I am working on filming videos this week and next week so leave a comment below if there is a topic you would like to see on my blog.   Thanks!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Curly Cute (Clear -$17.95, #120510, Wood – $24.95, #117014, page 149 of the catalogue)

Inks: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze

Paper: Elegant Soiree DSP, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Other: Paper Daisies, Neutrals Brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals 

Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper

12 sheets – 2 each of 6 double-sided designs

$12.50, # 117163, Page 175 of the Idea Book & Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!

I am home from Convention – finally!

The plan was to be home by Sunday night but United Airlines had other plans for me and I arrived home Monday afternoon.  And the very first thing I did? I’m embarrassed to say I took a long nap.

Convention was a blast as always. Lots of creative projects, great classes, chatting with other demonstrators, fantastic restaurant meals and really late nights. 

And now I am home and almost caught up on my sleep. And I can’t wait to share all that I learned last week. And I am already pumped up about Convention next year. Sign up today as a demonstrator and you can attend Convention 2011 with me!

If you were previously a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in my downline or another, you can re-join right now for only $45. Contact me for all the details!

Stay tuned as I will be posting lots of samples and pictures in the next few days.

In speaking with lots of other demonstrators at Convention, I kept hearing that their favourite new In Color was Peach Parfait. I have to say that mine is Pear Pizzazz but I decided to give Peach Parfait a second chance today.

I paired it with my current favourite stamp set, Just Believe. This is one great set!

After creating the card from Peach Parfait cardstock, I made a 5-1/4" x 3" layering piece of Peach Parfait that I ran through the Big Shot using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. This layering is tone on tone but it adds a little elegance to the card.

I knotted a length of Whisper White satin ribbon around the piece before adhering to the card.

Next I stamped the large floral image from Just Believe in Peach Parfait ink on Whisper White cardstock. I layered this piece onto Peach Parfait and a second piece of Whisper White. After adding a couple of pearls from the Pearls Basic package – don’t these pearls do amazing things to a card? – I added the stamped  image to the card with dimensionals to complete the card.

The verdict – I like this card and I am a bigger fan of Peach Parfait now.  But Pear Pizzazz  is still my favourite new In Color. Maybe I need to try the two together?

Don’t miss the post below for a great new hostess promotion!

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Just Believe

Inks: Peach Parfait

Paper: Peach Parfait, Whisper White

Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder

Other: Basic Pearls, Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals 

Just Believe Stamp Set

Set of 9

Clear – $31.95, #120453

Wood – $41.95, #116948

Page 109 of the Idea Book & Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!

Extra! Extra! Hostess Dollars

Live in the Edmonton area?  Schedule a workshop with me by August 31 and earn an additional $35 in FREE Stampin’ Up! merchandise starting with a $450 workshop order! 

Long distance? Host a book party or virtual catalog workshop to earn hostess benefits!  E-mail me for more information.

For example, if you host a $450 workshop, you’ll receive:

• A free Level 1 or Level 2 stamp set of your choice. See pages 9-16 of the new catalogue.
• Receive $80 in FREE Stampin’ Up! product ($45 + $35)
• My free workshops include two make and takes, door prizes, a hostess gift and lots of paper crafting tips!

Reserve your in home workshop date or request your virtual workshop package today!

Nancy S

Please contact me with your mailing address and phone number by Friday so I can get your prize on it way to you. Congratulations!

You have won Marina Mist cardstock,

Classic ink pad and 1/8" Taffeta ribbon.

It’s Simple Saturday!

I find some of my simplest cards are those that are monochromatic. This one uses only Daffodil Delight with Whisper White.

So far, of all the new colours, Daffodil Delight is the one I have used most often. It works well with almost every other colour. A really pretty yellow it is not too soft or too loud – it’s "just right".

To make this card, I stamped "A Note of Thanks" in Daffodil Delight ink onto Whisper White cardstock. I then layered this piece onto a Daffodil Delight card. Next, I layered a piece of Greenhouse Gala designer series paper also in Daffodil Delight onto Daffodil Delight cardstock. This piece was cut down 1/2" on each side compared to the Whisper White cardstock to create a larger border of white.

I wrapped a length of Daffodil Delight 5/8" grosgrain ribbon around the Greenhouse Gala piece before adhering it to the card. Finally, I stamped the circle image from the Artistic Etchings stamp set in Daffodil Delight ink and punched it out with the 1-3/4" circle. After punching a 2-3/8" scallop circle in Daffodil Delight, I layered it under the first circle and attached it to the card with stampin’ dimensionals. So easy!

Have a great weekend!

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Stamps: Artistic Etchings,Thank You Kindly

Inks: Daffodil Delight

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper

Punches: 1-3/4" Circle, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle

Other: Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals 

Don’t think it, ink it!

Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso.

Not a color combination I would have reached for on my own. But it is a recommended Creative Combination on the new Stampin’ Up! Color Coach. And I think the colours work well together, don’t you?

This brand new tool is an awesome addition to my stamping. When my creativity is in a rut, I can reach for the Color Coach, select one of the colour combos highlighted and half the card designing work is done. Be sure to add a Color Coach to your next order.

I am loving my new catalogue products. This card uses the new Elegant Lines embossing folder for the Big Shot to add texture to the Cherry Cobbler cardstock. I didn’t want to cover up very much of the cardstock so I created an Early Espresso Scallop Rectangle with the Big Shot Clearlit.

After stamping the "thanks" greeting from Fabulous Phrases, I added a Daffodil Delight flower to the tag. To make the flower,  I punched six circles from Greenhouse Gala designer series paperBoho Blossoms punch.  I scrunched each flower up before layering the punched pieces and making a hole in the middle of the pile. I inserted an Antique Brad to the center and adhered the flower to the card with a stampin’ dimensional.  Right now, these brads are my favorite new catalogue product. So pretty!

I assembled the card and adhered it all together including a length of Daffodil Delight 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.

Hope you like it!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases ($32.95 Clear, $46.95 Wood, Set of 30, Page 149 of the Catalogue)

Inks: Early Espresso

Paper: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper

Big Shot:  Elegant Lines Embossing Folder (page 214), Scallop Rectangle Clearlits (page 211)

Punches: Boho Blossoms

Other: Antique Brads, Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon 

Color Coach

  $18.95, #121620 English, #122228 Multi Language

Page 165 of the Idea Book & Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!

This technique is a great way to to create the look of dominoes on your cards and projects. Actual dominoes are heavy to use and can be hard to find inexpensively but with the Faux Domino technique you can have the look without the effort.

See the step by step instructions below.

For this card, I paired Cherry Cobbler with Pink Pirouette. I like these two colours together. For more of a contrast, I added Basic Black brads and ribbon. After stamping the greeting, I punched it with the 1" circle punch and layered it onto a 1-1/4" punched circle of Basic Black cardstock.

To create a shiny finish, the dominoes can be emboss with clear embossing powder.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Elements of Style ($24.95 Clear, $33.95 Wood, Set of 5, Page 133 of the Catalogue)

Inks: Basic Black

Paper: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Punches:  3/16" Corner Small, 1" Circle Small, 1/4" Circle Medium

Other: Neutrals Brads, Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon 

 Stamp image onto 3-3/4" x 4" piece of cardstock.

Cut cardstock in half along the 4" side.

Cardstock will measure 3-3/4" x 2".

Next, cut cardstock into 3 pieces by cutting at 1-1/4" and 2-1/2".

Repeat with other piece of cardstock.

Each piece will measure 2" x 1-1/4".

With the 3/16" corner punch, round the corners on each piece. 

 3/16" Corner Punch Small

  $9.75, #119871

Page 201 (#20) of the Idea Book & Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!

This card uses the softest colours from the Greenhouse Gala designer series paper and pairs them with the Pocket Silhouette stamp set. The colours I used are:
Daffodil Delight, a new colour, Pear Pizzazz, a new In Color and Baja Breeze, a "new again’ color returning after an a two year absence.

To make a panel card like this one, everyone needs a stamp set like Pocket Silhouettes where there are multiple images the same size. And the couple of included greetings is a real bonus.

I decided to embellish this card very simply by adding touches of silver. I love how the shiny brads and clip seem to make the card stand out a bit more. To the silver clip from the Clips Assortment I added a tiny bow of 1/8" taffeta ribbon in Daffodil Delight attaching it with a mini glue dot. Along the bottom, I added three 5/16" jumbo brads also in silver.

I am really enjoying the new catalogue products and can’t wait to show you more in the coming weeks. Subscribe to my blog today by clicking link the below. You will have the choice of subscribing by e-mail or reader. Sign up now and don’t miss out!

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Stamps: Pocket Silhouette ($22.95, #111672, Set of 6, Page 111 of the Catalogue)

Inks: Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper

Other: Clips Assortment, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, 5/16" Jumbo Brads 

 Clips Assortment

  $8.95, #112580, 24 pieces

Page 187 of the Idea Book & Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!