Circle Circus

Are you getting excited? Tomorrow is the day we have all been waiting for...the release of the New 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog! Here is another sneak peek of just one of the new sets you'll find. Circle Circus. This is also one of the New In Colors, Rich Razzleberry, in both Classic Ink and the 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon.


This card was a bit of a challenge. I made it after I had ordered only the Stampin' Write Marker Set, and the ribbon. I had no cardstock, or inkpads, but wanted to make some samples showcasing the new stamp sets and colors. I used Basic Black as the base of my card, then used my markers to color directly on my stamps, and stamped on Very Vanilla. The sentiment is from Trendy Trees, punched out with the Large Oval Punch, and then layered on a black scallop punched with the Scallop Oval Punch.

Of course, now I have all of the cardstock and inkpads! I just can't help myself. You know how much I love colors!

I promise that this is the last reminder: Today is the last day to order from the current catalog. Check your wish list to make sure you get what you need if it's on the Last Chance List, because after tomorrow those items will be gone for good. Now, it's time to start a new wish list...

Enjoy your day!

dd

Razzle Dazzle

This is Razzle Dazzle, another one of the stamp sets that we could pre order from the new catalog. I was being so good, and not ordering everything, until I got to make this card that Michelle shared with us. I just love the color combination.

These are the new In-Colors. They always have such fun names: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, and Soft Suede. This year, SU has added Stampin' Write Markers to the Collection of In-Colors. So, not only can you get ink pads and cardstock in both 8-1/2 x 11 and 12 x 12, you can get the coordinating markers to make it easy to create cards like this one!

Just use your markers to color directly on your stamp, "huff" and stamp. It's that easy. SU has also made it easy, to create gorgeous cards by adding coordinating Designer Series Paper. See how nice this one looks with this stamp? This is the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, and it adds just the right touch to this card. It's really pretty simple, yet looks very elegant. The Thank You is from another sneak peek set, Teeny Tiny Wishes. This is a fabulous set! It is a set of 24 stamps for just about any occasion, and works wonderfully with the Word Window Punch, then layered on the new Modern Label Punch.

Can you tell I'm super excited about all of the new products coming soon? Only 4 more days! Just make sure you don't miss out on anything that may be on your wish list in the current catalog that is on the Last Chance List. Come midnight June 30, those items will be gone for good.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

dd

Too Many Irons in the Fire

I'm sure you have all been there...too many things going on in your life at one time. Well, that's definitely me right now. I want to do everything, therefore I get nothing done. I did have to work today, and I managed to get there on time in spite of trying to do several things this morning before I had to leave.

I just have a couple of reminders for you today. There are only 5 more days to order from the Last Chance List, the Occasions Mini Catalog, and the current Idea Book & Catalog. It's hard to believe, but July is almost here. I got my first box of new catalogs today, so if you pre-ordered the 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog, you will be receiving your copy very soon!

I am planning a Stamping Event, along with my friends and fellow SU Demonstrators, Lynn and Pam, to celebrate the release of the new catalog. We will be holding this event on two different days. Each day will have a morning session, and an evening session. The first event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8. Please contact me for more information if you are interested in attending.

I'm hoping to be a bit more productive tomorrow. Thanks for checking in today!

dd

Double Goodie Box

I'm running just a bit late in posting this morning, but I wanted to make this little box that I saw, to share with you. Isn't this just adorable! This was made using the Big Shot and the Box #2 Bigz XL Die. You just cut 2 boxes, assemble them and adhere them together with Sticky Strip. Instead of making the lid, I glued the flaps together, and used the Wide Oval Punch to create the handle. Tie a bow with coordinating ribbon, I used the 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain in Chocolate Chip, add your favorite candy, and your done! It's that easy.

I used the soon to be retired Specialty Paper Parisian Breeze. This is a heavier weight paper and works great for making these boxes. I checked the SU website this morning, just to make sure, and as of then, it was still available. The sentiment is from the stamp set Oval All featured in the Occasions Mini Catalog along with the Scallop Oval Punch. This is a great set, that coordinates with the Large and Small Oval Punches for lots of layering.

These would make great favor boxes if you're entertaining this summer. Just coordinate your paper with what ever your occasion may be. Birthday, Bridal Shower, Baby Shower, Anniversary, or just a back yard Bar-B-Que. Your guests are sure to love them!

Hmmm, maybe I'll have a party!

Have a Great Day!

dd

Little Leaves Vase

I hope you all enjoyed your Father's Day weekend. I am still stuffed from both gatherings that we attended on Sunday!

Today's card is another one shared at our meeting. It was CASE'd from a website developed especially for SU Demonstrators, and was created by Bev Victory. CASE is the acronym used quite often by demonstrators for Copy And Share Everything.

That's the glory of Stampin' Up! we love to share everything!

The base of this card is Kraft Cardstock, then a layer of Chocolate Chip with one edge scalloped with the Eyelet Border Punch. The leaves were cut from Kiwi Kiss (soon to be retired) and Old Olive Cardstock using the Big Shot and the Little Leaves Sizzlits Die. When adding the leaves, I alternated the two colors of green, and didn't glue all of the leaves down, to create some dimension. The flowers were punched from So Saffron Cardstock with the Trio Flower Punch. I added a Silver Brad to each of the centers before adhering them to the card. The vase for the flowers is the Wide Oval Punch with the bottom trimmed off, the top trimmed at an angle, and the edges sponged with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink. The sentiment is from the stamp set On Your Birthday. It's stamped with Chocolate Chip on Old Olive Cardstock and punched out with the Word Window Punch.

Be sure to check out the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit for some really cute summer entertaining decorating ideas. Also, there are only a few more days to order any of the items on the Last Chance Lists. If there are stamps sets or accessories on your wish list that are on those lists, be sure to order them now, before they are gone for good!

Thanks for stopping by, have a fabulous week!

dd

Makaylaisms

Good Morning--
I haven't shared any stories about Makayla lately, and since I babysat 3 days this week, I thought this would be a good time to do so. I should have carried a notebook with me to write down all the things she said that I wanted to remember. If you didn't know her, you would never guess that she was only 5 after having a conversation with her.

She loves to eat ice, and today after playing outside, she asked if she could fix a cup of ice, and also asked me if I remembered the time when her ice stuck to her tongue. "That was a bad situation." she said. Her vocabulary is not that of the usual 5 year old.

Today we decided to go to Michael's and see what fun crafts they had for kids. She knows no strangers and was telling everyone that her Nana was a "big crafter" and we were getting new crafts to do. When we walked in she said, "Holy Moly Nana, this is the best craft store ever!"

We had to go to the grocery store too, and she was telling the man bagging our groceries (and every other person we saw) about her crafts. He tried to make a joke about Kraft cheese, and she looked at him and said, "I have no idea what you are talking about." He admitted it was a bad joke.

We were talking about Father's Day and the fact that we are going to my sisters and that they have a pool so she will get to swim. I told her it was finally supposed to be nice and sunny, no rain, and she started singing "Rain, rain go away, don't come back on Father's Day", and then went on from there to sing an entire song about wanting to go swimming at Uncle Jeffes (that's two syllables) and Aunt Lois'.

On the way home from the store we were being silly in the car, and I said, "Come on people, we have ice cream!" Makayla added, "More important than that, I have to go potty!"

With Kindergarten starting in a couple of months, we have been practicing her ABC recognition with flash cards. She does very well, but there are about 4 letters that she still has a little trouble with. We go through the flash cards, and I put the ones to the side that she doesn't get right away and then we do those again. She was eating cookies for a snack and I told her no more until she got those last 4. Her response..."I doomed!" One of the troublesome letters is Q. I told her I really didn't know what to tell her to help her remember that one. She said, "I wouldn't know what to tell you either, if I was teaching you."

She is such a joy to have around, a very happy child indeed. I know I have mentioned this before, but she is always humming. All day long while she is playing, humming or singing, songs that she makes up about what ever it is she is playing.

Here is one of her little songs I heard her singing. It went something like this: Don't waste your money by throwing it in a wishing well because then you'll just wish you had your money back. I don't know if this is from a real song or not, but I thought it was pretty insightful for a 5 year old.

Happy Friday!
Enjoy your Father's Day Weekend!

dd

Polished Stone

This is one of the very first techniques that wowed me when I was first introduced to Stampin' Up! It's really very easy, and gives a very elegant look to any card. This is also the very first stamp set that I purchased, Lovely as a Tree. I think all Demonstrators hold their breath when the list of retiring stamp sets comes out hoping that this one won't be on it. Well, I'm happy to say that it made it into the catalog another year. I love versatility, and this set is just that. I have used it for Christmas, Father's Day, Birthday, both feminine and masculine, Sympathy, Get Well, and Thinking of You cards.

The Polished Stone look is easily achieved by wetting a cotton ball with denatured alcohol. Add two drops each of two coordinating colors of reinkers, and one drop of Encore Gold Ink. Gently dab it on to White Glossy Cardstock until you achieve the look you want.

The colors used here are Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla. The tree is stamped with Always Artichoke. The sentiment is from the stamp set Thoughts & Prayers, stamped with Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla cardstock, and layered using the Large Oval and the Scallop Oval Punch. The Scallop Oval Punch can be found in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

This is another card designed by a fellow SU Demonstrator for our meeting. Now can you see why we have so much fun! So many great ideas shared, and we get to do the stamping and take home wonderful samples to share with you!

Are you entertaining this summer? Check out the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit for some cute decorating ideas. Just click on the picture on my sidebar for everything you'll need.

As always, thanks for stopping by today!

dd

Summer Sunflowers

I have another cute card for you today from our meeting last weekend. This one was created by my friend Pam. I just love what you can do with punches, and this card is a great sample. It was made using 6 different punches.

The Scallop Circle, and the 1-1/4" Circle Punches create adorable sunflowers. The centers were made by stamping the polka dot design from Itty Bitty Backgrounds on Chocolate Chip cardstock, and then punching out the circle. Use your Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere your centers. Lightly sponge the edges of the scallops to add a little more depth. I snipped each scallop to create the petals. The Large Oval Punch was used to make both the leaves and the stems. Trim the oval to make the leaf shape, fold it in half and then run it through your Crimper for a perfect leaf. Use the Tag Punch to create the vase, and remember, stamp the design first, before punching it out. Use the Scallop Edge Punch for the grass. Stamp your sentiment, this one is from the Hostess set in the current catalog, Sweet Little Sentiments, and punch it out with the Word Window Punch.

There you have it! A really cute card made entirely with punches. There are so many projects you can create using all of the great punches SU has to offer. Watch in the weeks to come for some more fun ideas.

I hope you enjoyed your visit today!

dd

Pick a Petal

This is one of my favorite stamp sets, Pick a Petal. Thank goodness it will be in the new catalog! It is such a versatile set. Isn't this card adorable? It is the card that my friend Lynn made for our swap at the SU meeting. I also love her color choices. Perfect Plum, More Mustard, and Old Olive. The petals for the flower were stamped and then hand cut. For the leaf, Lynn took a whole sheet of cardstock, laid it in the bath tub, and used a toothbrush to splatter it with bleach. Clever huh? This is one reason I love our meetings so much. We always learn some fun easy technique. We then simply stamped the petal and cut it out. I love the added dimension the bleaching technique gives the leaf. The stem is hand drawn, and the sentiment is from the stamp set Heard From the Heart.

Please don't be annoyed by my constant reminders, but don't forget to check the list of discontinued stamp sets and accessories. There are only a couple of more weeks, and these items will be gone for good! If any of these stamp sets or accessories are on your wish lists, you need to get them now. You can find the Last Chance List by clicking on the picture on my sidebar. Some of the accessories are discounted as much as 50% off so hurry and check them out today. Also remember, you can place your order online while you're there.

Another quick reminder. If you host a qualifying workshop, or place a qualifying order with me, or online, you can earn Bonus Hostess Rewards. Click on the picture on my sidebar, or contact me for more information.

Thanks for stopping by today!

dd

A Little Sneak Peek

Good Morning!
We had our Stampin' Up! meeting on Saturday. We did what is called a "Shoebox Swap". We each designed a card, and cut enough supplies for 12 people to make our card. After we finished with the business part of the meeting, we went around the room, and each gave a brief explanation of how we made our card. Then we each moved one chair to the left. We had about 10 minutes to make that card, and when time was up, we moved to the next chair to the left. It was really a fun, and relaxing way to get to make several cards, and still get to visit with our stampin' friends. As usual, all of the cards we made were beautiful. I thought I would share the one I made for the swap first, and then in the next few days, I will share the others.

I'm not really supposed to be showing things from the new catalog that is going to be released on July 1, but it seems as though several other people already have...so there is no BIG surprise! I tried to be so good when we got our Sneak Peek, and only order a couple of things...and I was...but after Saturday's meeting...I turned back to my old ways and placed another order for ALL of the new In Colors! I just couldn't help myself. If you know me well, you know I LOVE all colors, and I LOVE combining them in fun different ways...I can't wait to get that order.

Anyway, here is the card that I put together for the swap on Saturday. This is the new stamp set, available July 1, 2009, Autumn Days. It's the silliest thing, but I really like this pheasant, and I have a thing for leaves too. I chose this set for the swap because I thought not too many Demonstrators would probably buy this one, and this way, they would at least have a sample to show to their customers.

This set just felt like fall to me, so I used fall colors. Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Ruby Red, and Very Vanilla. The pheasant was stamped in Close to Cocoa, and the sentiment in More Mustard Classic Ink. The sentiment is from the current stamp set Trendy Trees, and was layered using the Wide Oval, Large Oval, and 1-1/4" Circle Punch. I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture, but the More Mustard layer was textured by running through the Big Shot using the Distressed Texturz Plate. The ribbon is the 1" Chocolate Chip Stitched Grosgrain, tied with Linen Thread.

Ah, it's good to be back! Thanks for visiting, I appreciate your dedication. Have a Great week!

dd

Home At Last

Finally...nearly three weeks later...I got the call yesterday that my computer was fixed, all cleaned up, and ready for me to pick up and bring home. So, as soon as I finished at work today, I rushed right over to pick it up. I'm happy to say that it seems to be working just fine, and that as far as I can tell so far, I didn't lose any information I had stored.

I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things and get some projects posted for you. I received my new Stampin' Up! catalog, and it is Fabulous! I don't know how they do it, but every year it just gets better & better!

Don't forget to check out the Last Chance List of Stamp Sets and Accessories. Both that and the Occassions Mini Catalog can be ordered from through June 30, 2009. The Accessories are while supplies last, so don't wait too long.

Thanks for hanging in there with me while waiting for my computer to be repaired, I appreciate you stopping by.

dd

Still Waiting...

Just a quick post to let you know that I am still without my computer. It has been 2 weeks, and it looks like it will be another 3-5 days until they get everything "cleaned up" as they put it, when I called for the second time to see what the delay was.

On a happy note, I will be attending our Stampin' Up! meeting this coming weekend, and hope to share some of the fun projects that we always do. I am also expecting my "sneak peek" order from the New 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog, and although I can't share yet, I can work on projects to share as soon as it is released on July 1.

Be sure to check out the Last Chance List of Stamp Sets and Accessories, and get those items on your wish list before they are gone. The items on the Accessory List are limited to the stock on hand, so don't wait too long.

Have a Great Week!

dd

UGH!

I really don't understand the satisfaction that comes from sending viruses to innocent peoples computers. That is what has happened to me, and why I have not been able to share any projects with you lately. I have been without my computer for a week now. In some ways, it's sort of nice, but in other ways it is really bothersome. To think that someone intentionally sent damaging information that virtually shut down my computer. I had virus protection, but this one some how got through. The technician stated that this was one he had not seen before...lucky me! Hopefully it will be repaired in the next couple of days, and I won't have lost any of the information and pictures that are stored in it. Unfortunately I don't have anything to share with you today, except my grief, as I have quickly borrowed my daughters computer while she is babysitting.

I do want to tell you that the Last Chance List of stamp sets and accessories has been posted on the Stampin' Up! website. Some of the accessories are on sale, and they seem to be selling quickly, so you will want to check that out soon. Once those items are gone, they are gone for good. Don't forget, you can place your order online while you're there!

Happy June!

dd