Stamped Sophisticates

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

*Buy 3, Get 1 Free promotion ends Aug 31. Mix and Match the Designer Series Papers Packs you want.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Spooky Bingo Bits make great Cello Bag Toppers

Order Tangerine Tango Stampin' Embossing Powder for Halloween projects, now!
Frightful Sight Halloween Designer Paper special: buy 3, get one free*

The best Holiday Mini Catalog I've ever seen from Stampin' Up! will be released in just a few days -- Sept 1. I've been playing with more of the sets and products available early to Stampin' Up! demonstrators. Click to enlarge images.

These are the new 1" X 8" narrow cellophane bags available beginning Sept 1. Aren't they perfect for filling with rows of treats like gum balls, mints, chocolates, red hot cinnamon discs, Boston Baked Beans, Hot Tamales, Red Licorice Twists, Jujubes, colored pencils, marbles, or anything long and narrow. The toppers I made use the Spooky Bingo Bits Stamp set from the main catalog along with the new 1" punch offered Sept 1 in the Holiday Mini Catalog. Love these new holiday products!! While I'm now ordering most of my stamp sets in clear mount, for sets like this, I prefer wood mount. Yes, it takes up more room, but I think it saves time when you are stamping several pages of images at one time, like I did with this set (see photo below)

To order any of these Stampin' Up products on-line at my store, shipped direct to you address, click here.

Recipe:
Stamps: Spooky Bingo Bits (123944 w, 123946 c)
Paper: Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories: 1" square punch (124094- avail Sept 1), Narrow cellophane bags (124134 - avail. Sept 1), Scallop Square Punch (119884), 1-1/8 square punch (non-Stampin' Up!), Black Embossing Powder (109133), Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder (123106), Heat Tool (10005), Embossing Buddy (103083), Powder Pal tray(102197), Red Sticky Strip tape (104294)

I stamped and matted two images so that both the front and back side of these bag toppers were finished off. Here is a close up of some of the addition images I matted, ready to use as bag toppers or on cards. And there are many more images in the set that I can't wait to use on other projects.

I like stamping and embossing these smaller images. I believe they retain their sharpness better when embossed. Which makes it especially nice that Stampin' Up! offers Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder! I completely missed this new embossing color in my first new catalog order. Then I realized I already owned it since I had ordered it out of the Summer mini catalog! Yeah!! Click to enlarge photo, and take a look at the images on the left embossed with Tangerine Tango embossing powder.

Another new embossing color I'm anxious to break open is the new Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder. Paired with the Frightful Sight Designer Series Halloween Designer Series Paper, it will make sophisticated Halloween cards in non-traditional colors. But for now, I'm going to work on a card to go with these toppers. Check back soon!

Hope you have as much fun working with these new products as I did. Be sure to sign up for my to have my web site updates automatically sent to your email address, so that you'll receive the link to download the Stampin' Up! Holiday mini catalog as soon as it is released Sept 1. Look for the "Subscribe via email" link in the right hand column of my web site.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

*Buy 3, Get 1 Free promotion ends Aug 31. Mix and Match the Designer Series Papers Packs you want.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Berry Blossom Nugget Purse

Berry Blossoms nugget purse -- yes, another Berry Blossom project
Final 6 days to order from the Summer Mini Catalog, and

Final days to Buy 3, Get 1 Free Designer paper promotion

One package of 12 X 12 Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper package is all I've used for the many projects I've shown over the past few weeks. Each time I reach for this pack of Designer Series Paper, I get a little tickle of joy. Here's my latest project using Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper... the venerable nugget purse. We all know that this cute purse design has been around forever. However, when I saw Mary Fish's nugget purse samples I knew I would finally create my own samples using Berry Blossoms DSP. Here's what my nugget purses look like with one of the cards I created in an earlier post.

To see more projects with Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper:
- Fun Flowers and Berry Blossoms
- More Berry Blossoms cards projects
- Berry Blossom flowers

I used 5" of Ruffled Calypso Coral ribbon for the purse handles, attached with Red Sticky Strip tape. Most nugget purses are made using the 1/4" grosgrain for the handles. I changed the dimensions slightly to accommodate the 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon.

Cutting Dimensions: My measurements accommodate the 3/8" wide ribbon. If you use 1/4 ribbon, you may wish to change your dimensions.

Cardstock: 1-1/2 X 4-3/4"
Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper(DSP): 1-1/4 X 4-3/4" Adhere DSP to cardstock.
Score along the long side at 1-3/16", 2-3/16", 3-1/2, and 3-7/8"
Tip: Since The new Simply Scored Scoring Tool only scores at 1/8" increments, more your paper 1/16" in from the edge before scoring the first two scores and use the 1-1/4 and 2-1/4" score channels, then move your paper back to the edge of the scoring tool surface and created your 3-1/2 and 3-7/8 scores
Create sharp creases with your Bone Folder along the score lines.
Adhere Red Sticky Strip to the 3/8" wide area
Add the Ruffled Ribbon before closing the nuggey purse.
Hold the nugget purse closed using a small brad stuck through two small flowers. I used one of the flowers from the Boho Blossoms punch and one from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

To order Stampin' Up products on-line at my store, shipped direct to you address, click here.

Recipe
Stamps: - none
Paper: Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper, Coordinating In Colors card Stock (124329)
Ink - none
Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring Tool and Stylus (122334 - Avail Sept 1), Paper-Piercing Tool (116631) and Mat Pack (105826), Old Olive Brads (119740), Boho Blossoms Punch (119858), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Paper Cutter (104152)

These cute treats would make wonderful favors or quick nibbles when you don't have time to bake or cook.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Clean, Simple, Fast Cards

Fast cards with Stampin' Up! Big Top Birthday Quick Accents
More quick cards with Simply Sent Kits
Last few hours to take advantage of Texas Tax break

During the Stampin' Up! Convention last month, one of the main stage demos showed how to make a large stash of cards that were simple, clean, and fast. I wanted to see for myself how fast it really took to make 20 cards. While I was at it, I also broke out a couple different packs of the Simply Sent cards kits. Click for a closer look.

I made 24 cards in about 1-1/2 hours from the Big Top Birthday Quick Accents kit!! For the Big Top Birthday Quick accents I used only Whisper White backgrounds cards and envelopes, one stamp pad--Real Red, and the one sentiment sets; Perfectly Penned. Double click to enlarge the image.

I also made two different cards from the Simply Sent Everyday Elegance and two cards from the Simply Sent Sweet Moments sets...again, very simple and very easy.

Above is a look at the cards I made with the Quick Accents kit and the Simply Sent kit.

Of course with any of these cards you can dress them up with more layers and different embellishments, but that would defeat the purpose of quickly making a large stash of cards to have on hand or to give as a quick gift.

Visit my Stampin' Up! Store to purchase any of these itmes:

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Perfectly Penned
Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Big Top Birthday Quick Accents Kits (122368)

Big Top Birthday Quick Accents Kit - 122368

Quick Accents are heavy-weight, self adhesive die cuts and paper ribbon sheets that come 2 sheets to a package. 1 ea. of 2 designs in 12" X 12"size. At convention they showed these cards using as base cards the Stampin' Up! 5" X 3-1/2 note cards and envelopes (107311), which save you even more time since you don't need to cut the Whisper White cardstock. However, I wanted to make mine standard 5-1/2 X 4-1/4 size cards. Both on stage at Convention and my experience at home was that you have plenty of left-overs from one Big Top Birthday Quick Accents kit to make more projects than just the 24 cards. Below is what the two design sheets in the kit look like.

Next, I went to work on the two different Simply Sent kits. This year's catalog includes three of these kits. I'm showcasing two of the three. Both kits include everything you need, including the envelopes. Both kits include eight cards; 4 each of two different cards, labels for your stamped sentiments, and lovely die cut boarder edges. The Simply Sent Everyday Elegance set also includes embossing on the borders, and the Sweet Moments kit includes ribbons and adhesive-backed pearls for embellishing the cards. While you can also purchase matching sentiment stamps for both cards, I found I had sentiments from existing stamp sets that worked perfectly. Click for a closer look at each card.

See the contents of the Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Kit - 122377

Then on to the Sweet Moments Simply Sent Kit. Again, the cards simply fold together, stamp the label and adhere the accent ribbons and attach the labels

Here's a closer look at what's in the Sweet Moments Simply Sent Kit - 122376

These kits are perfect for new stampers, with limited supplies; or for experienced stampers without a lot of spare time. These cards went together so fast that I'm going to do a class next week end. If you're from the Houston area, check here for class details and registration.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Friday, August 19, 2011

Berry Blossom Flowers

Berry Blossoms fan fold flowers
Texas Tax Holiday, Aug 19-21 - save on glue, tape, and markers

I just can't stop playing with Berry Blossom Designer Series Paper. Last week-end and throughout this week I cut up a storm using the Fun Flowers Bigz L Die and something new! ... The Simply Scored Scoring Tool and Stylus!! Yes, A new Scoring Tool...available Sept 1 in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini catalog. I've made a few of these fan fold flowers over the years, but using the new scoring tool made them a breeze to make!! I'm thrilled with this new tool, if you haven't already guessed by the number of photos below.

I simply selected three different designs from the 12 X 12" Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper, cut them into 1" - 1-1/2" and 2" strips, glued two 12" strips of the same design together, and fan-folded the paper every half inch on the score lines made with the new Simply Scored Scoring Tool.

Purchase any of these supplies from my shopping site, 24/7.

Recipe:
Stamps - Silhouette Sentiments (120127-retired); you could easily substitute a sentiment from Tiny Tags 118091 (w), or 118592 (c)
Paper - Berry Blossoms DSP, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Jewelry Tag Punch (117190) Linen Thread (104199), , Designer Printed Brads ( 122940), Brights Designer Buttons (119747), Subtles Designer Buttons (119745). Simply Scored Scoring Tool and Simply Scored Stylus (122334- available Sept 1 in the Holiday Mini catalog)
Hot Glue Gun (non-Stampin' Up!), Lollie Pop Sticks (non-Stampin' Up!), 1-3/8" Circle Punch (119860), Boho Blossoms punch 119858)

Here's a close up of these first three fan fold flowers. I added Designer buttons and punched circles with various sized circle punches, or shapes from the Boho Blossoms punch to finish off the center of each of the fan fold flowers. For a closer look, click the photo below.

I finished off the back of the flowers as well so that either side could be used. These papers coordinate so well together!

Here's two more flowers using Berry Blossoms prints and coordinating In-Color card stock. These flowers were cut using the Fun Flowers Bigz Die and the Big Shot Die Cut machine. The center of the flowers use the new Designer Printed Brads. I love displaying these flowers in my craft room! Click photo for larger image.

To see more of my cards and projects using Berry Blossoms Designer Series prints, view these earlier posts:

Texas Sales Tax Holiday: If you live in Texas, this week end is sales tax holiday for school supplies up to $100.00 per items from August 19-21. Great time to stock up on SNAIL Adhesive and refills, and other Stampin' Up! glues and tapes, and to purchase any individual Stampin 'Write Markers you may be missing or the entire collection of Stampin' Write Markers or Watercolor Wonder Crayons!

Because school supply items are included in this sales tax holiday, the list of items above will be state tax free during the holiday period. Please note that you must place your order with me during the tax holiday period in order to receive these items tax free. Also, keep in mind that this is a state tax holiday and may not apply to additional city, jurisdictions, or county taxes. This is a limited-time benefit.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
Current Promotions
Start You Own Business
Host a workshop
24/7 Shopping at my Stampin' Up! Website
Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Raining Flowers in Cherry Cobbler

Summer Mini Catalog orders placement ends August 31
Buy 3 Designer Series Papers, get 1 free promotion
Check out my classes: Berry Blossoms class 14 August

Surfing other blogs is one of my favorite ways to gain inspiration. So, when I saw this card by Chat Wszelaki, I ran to my stamp room and quickly made my own version of her wonderful card. I made two versions with different sentiments. It is rare that I make a card without designer series paper, but this just didn't need anything else!

Purchase any of these items here.

The recipe for this card:

Stamps: Raining Flowers (122767-C), Best Friend Forever (leaves) (122807-C), Delightful Dozen (sentiment) (122652-C), Something to Celebrate -retired (sentiment) (121897-W)
Paper: Whisper White(121044), Lucky Limeade (122926), Cherry Cobbler (119685)
Ink: Lucky Limeade (122935), Cherry Cobbler (119669)
Assessories: Cherry Cobbler Brads (119737), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826)

Here is a closer look at the Congratulations card.

Here's a closer look at the Happy Birthday card. I added a small amount of paper piercing in the corner of the Cherry Cobbler.

Check out my upcoming classes, here.

View more information about the Buy 3, Get 1 Free Designer Series Paper Special.

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Monday, August 08, 2011

Holiday mini preview - Christmas Lodge

Continuing the preview of new products from the Stampin' Up! Holiday mini catalog--available for ordering Sept 1--here is a sample of the Christmas Lodge stamp set. I'm again using the Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper. For the candy I'm using the It's a Wrap Holidays.

Card recipe:

Stamp: Christmas Lodge
Paper: Frostwood Lodge, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
Accessories: Top Note Die, Big Shot, Early Espresso Satin Ribbon (retired -- sooo glad I stocked up at the end of last season. You can substitute Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon)

Below is a photo of the gift box and It's a Wrap Holidays candies, samples I previewed in yesterday's post. Together the card and gift box of candies would make a great little holiday gift for a friend or co-worker.

See yesterday's post for details about the gift box and candy.

Reminder 1: Stock up on Designer Series Papers this month. Buy 3, Get one Free. See list of which papers qualify for this promotion, here. Then visit my demonstrator site to place your order.

Reminder 2: Last few weeks to order your favorites from the Stampin' Up!Summer Mini Catalog. Down load your free copy here. Don't miss the fun back-to-school sets called Recess and Elementary Alphabets. Perfect to get a head start on back to school layouts or cards.

Reminder 3: Last week to sign up for my Fruits and Flowers Workshop on 14 Sept. See photos of samples we'll be making, here.

Be sure to register to automatically receive my blog so that you don't miss any of the upcoming Holiday mini catalog sneak peeks. Look for the sign-up link in the right side of my blog page.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Sunday, August 07, 2011

Holiday mini catalog - First Samples

I was able to play a bit this week end with my preview items from the Stampin' Up! holiday mini catalog, which will be available to order from beginning Sept 1. This first sample used three new products.

It's a Wrap Holidays stamp set. This set includes candy wrappers for Halloween, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Valentine's Day and Christmas, plus one general sentiment. It is a great addition to the It's a Wrap Occasions stamp set in the Big Catalog. I stamped with Cherry Cobbler ink on Avery labels and then attached the labels to the candy...fast and simple
Kraft Gift Box. Each year for the past several years Stampin' Up! has included a wonderful gift wrap item in it's Holiday Mini. This year's Kraft Gift box is ideal for gift cards or small items, like individually wrapped candies. It's make from food-safe material and it is the perfect size for cookies or small home-made baked goods like home-made fudge (hint, hint -- are you listening, Mom?).
Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper. I keep looking at this paper and just want to snuggle with it. It reminds me of a well-worn, soft, pair of flannel pajamas. The entire Frostwood Lodge product suite reminds me of all my fondest, old-fashion holiday memories. I can't wait to play with these items more! The bow is just strips of Designer Series Paper twisted and then held in place with an antique Brad. Click the photo for a larger view.

Watch for more upcoming samples from the Holiday mini catalog, soon!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/