Springtime Smiles

It is hardly Spring in Houston, with our weekend weather close to 90 degrees.  It feels much more like the middle of Summer.  Friends and family in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, however, all reported snow last week.  SNOW!...While we're running around in shorts, tee-shirts and barefoot, planting our spring flowers. 

With just one more week remaining to purchase from the Occasions Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up! I'm showcasing the Easter Blossoms stamp set again.  I've paired it with this month's Spring-is-Blossoming special.

Here's the creations I came up with.  As I often do, I like to make a couple versions of the cards I make to try different color combinations, background papers and sometimes different sentiments.

For  a closer look at each card:

Both cards used background papers from Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.  The card above uses two prints from Paisley Petals.  For this kind of card, I think my favorite is the smaller patterns on the designer papers.

I've always been partial to monochromatic cards, so the second version sent me looking for a patterned paper to match my Marina Mist card stock and image stamped in Marina Mist.  The card below uses an additional paper from the Patterns Designers Series Paper Stack.  I'm always surprised by how often when I can't find a coordinating paper among my Designer Papers, I reach for these wonderful Paper Stacks.  Each stack has so much to choose from.   

Here's what I used:

• Stamps:  Easter Blossoms, Four Frames
• Ink:  Marina Mist
• Paper:  Marina Mist, Whisper White, Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper, Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack - Subtles
• Accessories:  Stampin' dimensionals, Sponges,  3" Circle Sizzix Original Die, 3-1/2 Circle Original Die, Decorative Label Punch, Satin Ribbon, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Circle Scissors Plus

Don't miss your favorites from the Occasions Mini catalog.  While a few of the items may be picked up in the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog, you will not be able to order them until July...or not at all.  So look through your Occasions Mini Catalog and place your online catalog order today...this week... before April 30, 2011.  Hurry, some items are already out of stock and no longer available to order, such as the Vinilla Rosettes.

You can also take advantage of the April special.  With a $20 minimum purchase, you qualify to order two brand new products from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book a Catalog.  I've used both of these new products-- the Four Frames Stamp Set and the Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper --on the cards above.  This special Spring-is-Blossoming offer is good this month (April 2011) only.  After April 30, these two products won't be available again until July 1.

Read more about current Stampin' Up! specials, here.

Enjoy!

Order Anytime, 24 X 7

Believe

I was drawn to a card on Dawn Olchefske's site recently and had to create my own version of Dawn's lovely card.  This uses a section of the Big Shot Lattice Die, which is among my favorite Big Shot dies.  I added an extra layer of the Elegent Soiree Designer Series paper and kept my colors monochromatic.

Please tell me what you think, and let me know if you have questions.  Here's what I used:

• Stamps:  Just Believe
• Ink:  Soft Suede
• Paper:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Elegant Soiree Design  Series Paper
• Accessories:  Stamping dimensionals, Basic Pearls, Boho Blossoms, Bitty Shapers Punch Packs, 1-1/4" punch, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Lattice Die

Reminder 1:  Just two weeks remain to order from the Occasions Mini catalog.  Place a $20 minimum purchase and you qualify to order two brand new products from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.  Place your order and before you submit, you'll be asked if you want to order the Four Frames Stamp Set and the Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.  This special Spring-is-Blossoming offer is good this month (April 2011) only.  After April 30, these products won't be available again until July 1.

Reminder 2:  If you are a customer of mine, your Summer Mini Catalog is in the mail.  On May 1 I'll make the free mini catalog download available here, where you can always find all of the Stampin' Up! catalog downloads.  To purchase the large 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog, contact me anytime.

Enjoy,

Easter Blossoms

It's been a busy couple of weeks, but I finally had time to stamp!  I made these cards using the Easter Blossom set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  You can order from the Occasions mini through April 30, 2011. 

I like to make a couple versions of each card when I create.  Using different sentiments, I always have cards on hand when I need them. 

I like how they turned out... and these were simple to make. 

Stamps:  Easter Blossoms
Paper:  Basic Gray; Pretty in Pink
Ink:  Basic Gray
Accessories:  Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Oval Punches, Decrative Label punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Basic Half Pearls, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Big Shot Die Cut machine

Here is a closer look at the card using Oval punches and scallop oval punches and the Sending Springtime wishes from the Easter Blossoms Stamp Set.  I stamped the branch and sentiment in Basic Gray.  Then I took a white gel pen and colored the flowers lightly and carefully to allow the stamped image to show through the white gel pen.  I used the Framed Tulip Textured Impressions Embossing Folder on the basecard to create the raised boarder. Pretty in Pink satin ribbon added a touch of elegance.

Here is a closer look at the card using the Decorative Label Punch, and the scallop oval punch with the Happy Easter sentiment from the Easter Blossoms Stamp Set. 



http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryID=493

Thinking of placing an order?  Check out the restocked Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack items including great grab bags, while they last. 

• A $5 grab bag includes at least $20 worth of discontinued products
• A $10 grab bag includes $40 worth of discontinued products including ribbons, Accents & Elements, chipboard, Designer Series Paper,m or Simply Sent kits.  Grab bags do not contain stamp sets or tools.

Also, check out the Spring is Blossoming promotion giving you a sneak peek at two brand new prducts from the upcoming 2011-2012 idea Book & Catalog.  From April 1-30, Four Frames Stamp Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper can be ordered with a $20 minimum purchase or get them FREE when you host a $350 workshop.  These products wont be available again until July 1.

I'm so excited!  I just signed up for Stampin' Up! convention in July in Salt Lake City.  Early registration for demonstrators ends April 12 and saves your $30.  If you've been thinking of starting your own business and want to attend Convention in July, it's not too late to join stamping up as a demonstrato and register for Convention while seats are available.

Enjoy,

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