Stamped Sophisticates

Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Drama in Black and White

Dazzle without color
Black and white Easter Eggs

I read a comment from a photographer once who said, "Color wants to dazzle your eye and mind so much that at time it tires." I'm constantly looking on-line for card ideas. Sometimes I see so many colors together in a card that I wrinkle my nose and turn away because the color choices and card design lack synergy. I'm drawn back to back and white. It's not just the simple absence of color; its the drama you can create with a simple black and white. Almost any creation in black and white can create drama. Take a look at the eggs in the basket I created as part of my Easter display this year.

The drama of black and white. Click for larger image

The Occasions Catalog includes the Simple Stems stamp set used on this card. Its a design I've used before, updated with stamps available now. I cut three layers of flowers and added dimensions between the layers. The sentiment is also raised on dimensionals. The butterfly is hand-cut, with wings folded up from the body to add more texture to the card.

Simple Stems Thank You Card. Click to see a close up image.

Recipe

Stamps: Simple Stems (133098-w; 133101-c); Flowering Flourishes (131998-w,126367-c), Papillon Potpourri (132058-w; 123759-c)

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black

Inks: Black Stazon

Accessories: Small Oval and Large Oval punches, Essentials (126187) Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercer, Dimensionals.

These eggs were so easy to make. There great conversation starters. Simply use your paper piercer to make small holes in each end of an egg. Blow through the top hole until the contents of the egg flows out the bottom hole. I made my husband a very large omelet Sunday morning with the contents from the blown eggs. After washing the eggs I dried them and once dry, I used a Black Sharpie Pen to create the designs.

Eggs designed with a Sharpie marker pen.

The eggs were designed with a Black Sharpe and look wonderful in a white milk glass basket I've had forever. What are you designing for Easter this year?

Quick Links

Download the Sale-A-Bration mini catalog now
Want to purchase at a discount? Sign up for $99
NEW - Weekly Deals -- every Tuesday, while supplies last - now available!
Order a 2013-2014 Annual catalog or Occasions catalog - now available
Newest weekly digital downloads for My Digital Studio
Clearance Rack - Products available while they last

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Spring Blossoms with Simple Stems

With the weather in Houston turning balmy this weekend, it made me reach for the fresh Spring colors in the Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper along with the Simple Stems Stamp sets.

Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper

The Occasions Catalog includes the Simple Stem Stamp Set, which was cut into three layers with Dimensions between the layers. I love cards with lots of layers and the die cut, ribbons and hand-cut flower layers make me think of colors I want to wear this spring. I doubled the 3/8" Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffled Stretch Trim. Candy dots worked perfectly in the upper corner. The little thank you sentiment is from Express Yourself stamp sets punched on Word Window and mounted on the Modern Label punched shaped. I hope you enjoy this fresh card.

Recipe

Stamps: Simple Stems (133101 - C), Express Yourself (130339-C)

Paper: Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper (133521), Pool Party, Whisper White

Inks: Calypso Coral, Gumball Green, Basic Black

Accessories: Modern Label Punch Word Window punch, Candy Dots, Deco Labels collection framelit (130102), Big Shot Die Cut Machine and cutting Pads, Big Shot Magnetic Platform (130658),

Quick Links

Download the Sale-A-Bration mini catalog now
Want to purchase at a discount? Sign up for $99
NEW - Weekly Deals -- every Tuesday, while supplies last - now available!
Order a 2013-2014 Annual catalog or Occasions catalog - now available
Newest weekly digital downloads for My Digital Studio
Clearance Rack - New products available while they last

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

St. Patricks day is just around the corner. You'll be ready with this MDS download

Sympathy card from Leadership 2014
St. Patrick's day party favors made easy with MDS download
Join Stampin' Up! for $99 and get $150 worth of products of your choice

One of my favorite cards I swapped for during Leadership in January was buried at the bottom of my bag until just today. I'm so thrilled I found this. I remember spotting this swap from across the lobby of the George R Brown Convention center. Kathi had a crowd around her -- and you can see why. This is a beautiful yet simple card. Unfortunately, I didn't get Kathi's last name to give her credit for this wonderful card, but I'll be happy to add a link back to your site, if you contact me.

Leadership Swap - Jan 2014

Recipe

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes (132073-w; 127324-c)Sentiment: Brighter Tomorrow (retired) Alternative: Love & Sympathy or Simply Sketched.

Paper: Modern Medley, Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Very Vanilla

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: White Candy Dots from the Neutrals collection

To place an order for any products above: Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

Luck 'O The Irish Ensemble - Digital Download - Item 137092

Where else will you find all the items you need for a party for $9.95. The Luck 'O The Irish Ensemble MDS Digital Download (added on 2/11/2014), includes all of these

Double-sided designer postcard template
7 page décor template (8-1/2 X 11) -- so you can print it at home. ,
16-piece SVG stamp brush set
14 embellishments
2 punches

Luck 'O The Irish Digital Download - 137092 - US$9.95 - Click for larger image

All of these fun items, including a tiny leprechaun's hat are included in this download. Use your favorite Greens - Certainly Celery, Gumball Green plus Crushed Curry, Whisper White and Basic Black.

Here is a close up of some of the cute items you can make with this download. Click for larger image.

All of these items are included in this one digital download - for only US$9.95 - 137092. Click for larger images.

All of these images come with your download. They can be colored any colors you want and re-sized to fit your project. Use them for a party or to dress up a black board or decorate a class room. Use the download with My Digital Studio, or import it into your favorite digital design software. (P.S. I used photo templates from My Digital Studio to add these MDS download images to my blog. You'll find yourself using this versatile design software for so many projects, once you decide to try it.)

Join Stampin' Up!

As a Stampin' Up Member, you get

$150 product for $99 for your start up package
20% discount on products
great ideas; even better friends

Take a look at three different suggested orders you could choose for your Sign Up package.

First package - if you've never stamped and are new to stamping and scrapbooking and you want a selection of supplies to get started preserving your memories.
Second package - If you're re-signing and want to order the Big shot package for enhancing your creative gifts
Third package - If you're into digital designing and want to own My Digital Studio design software and some of the popular downloads for creating memorable parties and photobook templates and swatchbook templates for great personalized gifts.
Or create your own sign-up package choosing just the products you want to own.

Sign up to save 20 percent on products purchased as a hobby demonstrator; sign up to earn a little extra cash for a vacation or a special purchase; or sign up to turn your hobby into a business -- without working retail hours or the expense of carrying inventory.

An extra bonus for signing up now -- that's never been offered before -- is a free conference pass to the yearly Stampin' Up Convention in Salt Lake City in July 2014-celebrating 26 years of business. I added that in light of all the recent closings of long time scrapbooking companies. With ~55,000 demonstrators world-wide, Stampin' Up! is one of the strongest companies you'll find to join -- very important in today's economy. So if life got in the way of your joy of stamping and scrapbooking, now is a great time to re-join because of the special offered for new Stampin' Up! demonstrators to attend this year's conference.

Join thousands of other Stampin' Up! demonstrators in classes taught by Stampin' Up! home office expert and some of the most successfully demonstrators in the industry, on Stampin' Up!'s newest products and techniques for traditional or digital scrapbooking and cardmaking. Take photos of thousands of new ideas for scrapbook pages, cards and paper crafts that will feed your creativity for months to come, special events and receptions, awards, free stamps and products from the Prize Patrol during General Sessions, tours of the Stampin' Up! campus and lots of fun with other stampers and crafters.

Creative outlet, creative cards, gift cards Enjoy creative accomplishments

Quick Links

Download the Sale-A-Bration mini catalog now
Want to purchase at a discount? Sign up for $99
NEW - Weekly Deals -- every Tuesday, while supplies last - now available!
Order a 2013-2014 Annual catalog or Occasions catalog - now available
Newest weekly digital downloads for My Digital Studio
Clearance Rack - Products available while they last

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Heartfelt thoughts as Valentine's Day nears

Heartfelt Valentine Card
My 3 favorite My Digital Studio downloads this week
Paper Pumpkin kits now include more plus FREE marker set!

Creativity is such a funny animal. I had a completely different card in my head when I started making today's card. ...Well, I DID picture a white card with a red glittery heart. My original plan called for a fancy double embossed card front mounted on a white base card ... until my Framelit cut a heart in the center of my card instead of embossing. But it really doesn't matter, because I like how this card turned out! We've been talking a lot at work about designing new products and how sometimes you get part way down the road and you need to pivot in a different direction. Well, that what I did. I started in one direction and pivot in another direction when my original direction didn't work out. It's all about remaining flexible and moving quickly.

Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

Robert Heinlein

It wasn't until I was holding the Banner Blast stamp set in my hand while searching for a different sentiment set that I realized how perfect this set, with its matching Banner punch, would work on my card.

There's something about hearts and love and caring for another person that makes Valentine's Day a really special holiday...Think about it. Aren't the best holiday's about love? Your Anniversary... The loving spirit of giving during Christmas.. .And then there's Valentine's Day. Love the quote below.

Steve Jobs

Recipe

Stamps: Banner Blast ((133551-w, 133554-c) Tip: I usually buy clear mount stamps to conserve storage, however, when a set has several small pieces, like this set; I find that buying wood instead of clear mount saves me time. First from mounting on clear blocks every time I use them, and, second, they are less easily lost on my messy scrap tables.
Ink: Real Red

Paper: Whisper White cardstock, Red Glimmer Paper (121790)

Accessories: Banner Punch (133519) (Can only be earned as a free gift with a $50 purchase during Sale-A-Bration, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, Occasions Paper-Piercing Pack (129387), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Small Heart Punch (117193), Large Heart Punch (119883), Hearts A Flutter Framelits, Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Magnet base, and cutting Pads, Beautifully Baroque (130917)Embossing Folder

To place an order for any products above: Visit my Stampin' Up! Store

My favorite My Digital Studio downloads for 4-Feb (this week)

1.Kaleidoscope Design Series Paper Digital Download (137068)

This download includes 3-piece SVG stamp brush set (overlays)
and 9 Designer Series Paper

This is a digital version of the Kaleidoscope Designer series Paper I used for projects showcased during last week post, featuring fresh new geometric designs featured in clothing and home decorating products this season.

So you can order these paper as both paper version (Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper (132995)) or as digital versions (137068) -- you choose! (Or like me, order them both!)

2. My second favorite download from the new weekly MDS downloads is the Perfect Pennants Stamp Brush Set (137042). This MDS down load includes a 9-piece SVG stamp brush set.

3. And my third favorite download comes from the Weekly deals page. The Sweetest Ever Valentine's Designer Template (129009) which if on sale for only $5.95. See all this week's Weekly Deals here .

This download was introduced 12/27/2011. It includes 2-page 8-1/2 X 11 décor designer template, 18 piece stamp brush set and 8 embellishments. It is designed specifically to gift treats like Lollipops, mini chocolates, Cello bag topper, candybar wrappers and additional labels and tags to add to any treat. Remember that you can customize colors on stamp brushes.

See what's trending in digital stamping and scrapbooking by visiting, My Digital Studio Site. Video tutorials, classes, Gallery and a community of users for tips and inspiration.

Last few days to order your Paper Pumpkin monthly kits and get Free in-Color Markers

Dates: January 11-February 10, 2014

Just a few more days to get the free markers when you sign up for Paper Pumpkin monthly kits. Cancel any time or putting your kits on hold is easy. And you're in for great surprise if you're already one of my Paper Pumpkin subscribers. The new monthly kits now include more product for the same price!

Details: NEW Paper Pumpkin subscribers who sign up at My Paper Pumpkin before February 10, 2014, will receive a FREE set of 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers -a $14.95 value. And the Feb and March kits are fabulous! We we're given a "behind the curtains" preview of the next two kits--Feb and March--, very impressive amount of product you'll get in these kits!

Watch this video that shows what the January 2014 Paper Pumpkin Kit looked like. You can see all of the products unwrapped as part of the kit. These kits are great for new stampers who want to try stamping and have finished projects within a short stamping session, but don't want to make a big investment in stamping supplier. Each monthly kit include what you need to make the cards plus instructions...or use your creativity to come up with your own designs. It is a great social activity for any age.

This special offer is only valid for new subscribers.

Customers must sign up at My Paper Pumpkin

The markers will be sent with your Welcome Kit. No coupon code is required. Anyone who signs up for a Paper Pumpkin membership during the promotion dates will receive a set of 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers.

Quick Links

Download the Sale-A-Bration flyer now
Browse the Occasions Catalog or download any of the catalogs for FREE
Prepare your Valentines early - Hurry, special valentine products available while they last!
NEW - Weekly Deals -- every Tuesday, while supplies last - now available!
Order a 2013-2014 Annual catalog or Occasions catalog - now available!!

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

13 Great free Sale-A-Bration gifts to choose from

Someone who changes everything . . .
13 Free Sale-A-Bration gifts to choose from
Introducing - Texture Boutique Embossing Machine
Create the perfect Valentine with three new Valentine My Digital Studio Digital Downloads

My dear husband is the person in my life who changes everything! Who is the person in your life that changes everything? I used the See Ya Later Stamp Set from the Sale-A-Bration flyer to make today's card. It made me stop and think about all the wonderful things my husband does for me... just because I mentioned it once. Yes, he actually listens! He's not big on the romantic gifts or fancy dinners out, but he knows how much I love nature. In the past 18 years that we've lived in our home, he's turned the dense forest behind our house into a beautiful private park -- just the way I envisioned when we selected this lot to build on 18 years ago! This card is for him.

Someone who changes everything from the See Ya Later set, 133533-w, 133536-clear

Recipe

Stamps: See Ya Later, (133536-c, 133533-w) FREE with $50 order

Paper: Silver Foil Sheets (132178), Whisper White, Smoky Slate

Inks: Versamark (Silver Embossed)

Accessories: 1/8" silver ribbon, Chalk Talk Framelits, fancy fan embossing folders
Big Shot Die Cut Machine and cutting Pads, Circles Collection Framelits, Decorative Label punch, Dimensionals

Today is the start of Sale-A-Bration, which is why I chose the See Ya Later stamp set. It is one of 13 free gifts you can choose with your $50 order (excluding Tax and Shipping) from now until 31-March, 2014. Download the flyer now and start your first order to get your free products. Order again before the end of March and earn more free gifts. If your order is close to $99, consider joining Stampin' Up! and you'll get to choose $150 worth of products for only $99, plus, get a 20% discount on products on your future orders.

http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/catalogs/NA/20131119_SAB_EN/20131119_SAB_en_US.pdf

Sale-A-Bration - Until 31-Mar-2014 - Free gift with $50 order* (less tax and shipping)

Introducing - Portable Texture Boutique Embossing Machine

We saw this great little tool during Leadership, but had to keep this new product under wraps until today. Introducing...the Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, Item 132657, US$29.95.

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, Item 132657 - New, limited stock

It's embossing made easy. Texture Boutique is the perfect, portable tool to create embossed cards, tags, embellishments and more. Use it with Stampin' Up! exclusive Textured Impression Embossing Folders. This is a great tool as a portable option to your Big Shot. Stampin' Up! purchased a limited supply for purchase now, and will not backorder this item. The next time it will be available again is in the upcoming annual catalog. So order yours today...or wait until July when the new catalog arrives.

See this new Embossing Machine in action:

Create the perfect Valentine with three new Valentine My Digital Studio Digital Downloads

My three favorite MDS Downloads this week include:

1. Countdown the Love Template

This kit includes an envelope a day for 14 days with fun messages and activities to share with someone you love. The download includes 9-page designer template (8-1/2 X 11), 56-piece SVG stamp brush set, 5 Designer Series Papers, and 6 embellishment.

Countdown the Love Template MDS Download, Item 136845

2. Love you to the Moon Stamp Brush Set Download.

This is a 7-piece SVG stamp brush set of the stamp from the Occasions catalog by the same name.

Love You To The Moon stamp Brush Set MDS Download, Item 136851

3. Language of Love Stamp Brush set Download

This is a 4-piece stamp brush set of one of my favorite stamp sets from the Occasions catalog.

Language of Love MDS Stamp Brush Set Download, Item 136852

See four more new downloads including a great Calendar download that includes 3 video tutorials showing 3 digital calendar projects. This download makes a desktop wallpaper, a 1 page yearly calendar, a 12 month calendar, and a 10" X 5" easel calendar template.

Quick Links

Browse the Occasions Catalog or download any of the catalogs for FREE
Prepare your Valentines early - Hurry, available while supplies last!
NEW - Weekly Deals -- every Tuesday, while supplies last - now available!
Order a 2013-2014 Annual catalog or Occasions catalog - now available!!
Download the Sale-A-Bration catalog - Free gifts with order until 31-Mar-14

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions