Strength & Hope Campaign

Stampin' Up! is releasing a new stamp set and digital kit--Strength & Hope--that will be available for purchase in the Summer Mini Catalogue from May 1 to August 31, 2011.  Stampin' Up! has proudly partnered with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the Strength & Hope Campaign.  


Campaign Dates:  May 1, 2011 to August 31, 2011
"Throughout the 2011 Summer Mini Catalogue sales period, Stampin' Up! will donate $2* from the sale of each Strength & Hope set and Strength & Hope digital kit to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).  BCRF is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org."


Cancer is a disease that has touched most of us in some way.  It knows no bounds and it doesn't discriminate against those it affects.  This card is in honour and sweet memory of my big sister, Gloria, who sadly lost her battle with this insidious disease just a few short months ago.  I miss you, sis!  

Your spirit is deep within us, and every precious butterfly we see is a sweet reminder of you...

Owl Punch Cuties

Another 'make and take' that we made yesterday at the 'We CAN Stamp' training meeting was this adorable card.  I don't know who should get the credit (I'm sorry I missed your name), but it is so adorable and it deserves to be showcased.  Great job!

Build a Blossom Card

Yesterday I attended a training event in Millet, Alberta for the 'We CAN Stamp' group.  These training events are offered to Stampin' Up! demonstrators and are held approximately five times every year.  It's an afternoon of fun, inspiration, relaxation, watching demos by other demonstrators, card swaps, and 'make-and-takes'.  There are also door prizes and draws galore!

One of the cards we made was created by Lorna Raczynski, who is a very talented lady in my upline's group.  The flower was made using the Build a Blossom stamp set and the Blossom Petals Punch.  Add a little ribbon, an antique brad, some designer series paper, and you have yourself a little beauty.

I still had some finishing touches to put on my card, so I took a quick photo of Lorna's card sample.  Unfortunately, I didn't check the photo until I got home, and that's when I noticed the camera had picked up some glare off the plastic cover Lorna had used to protect the sample.  So, my photo really doesn't do justice to Lorna's card, but it was so pretty.

Elements of Style

This is a card I made for a card swap several months ago, using the stamp set "Elements of Style".  I love the elegance and vintage-feel of this set.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Elements of Style (W 118611/C 120045), Sanded (109294), Rustic Rooster (Retired, but you could use En Francais (109521) in its place)
Paper:  Soft Suede (115318), Pretty in Pink (100459), Sahara Sand (121043), Vellum (101839)
Ink:  Soft Suede (115657), Pretty in Pink (101301), Sahara Sand (105208)
Accessories:  Heat Tool (100005), Clear Embossing Power (109130), Handheld Punch (101227), Metallic Brads (119741), Sponges (101610)


Thanks for visiting, and take care... 

Greenhouse Gala

My Mom is wonderful--that's all there is to it!  She is the matriarch of our immediate family, and our extended family as well, and she is truly the glue that holds us together.  She's always available for everyone, and she is a calming, comforting and loving presence in our lives.  She is a rare gem in this world, and I am blessed and grateful to call her my Mom.
I hope this card conveys in some small fashion my appreciation for all that she is and all that she does.

Supplies:
Stamps:  For All You Do (115360)
Paper:  Pumpkin Pie (105117), Daffodil Delight (119683), Whisper White (100730), Greenhouse Gala DSP (117167)
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie (105216)
Accessories:  Pumpkin Pie 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119253)


Thanks for visiting, and take care...

Things I Love

Last summer, my eldest sister asked me to make a card for her granddaughter, who had a birthday in August.  Keeping both of them in mind, I tried to come up with a card that would capture our Megan, and be a message of love from my sister, who was quite ill at the time.  I searched through my stash of stamp sets and came across the Things I Love set...it seemed perfect for this card.

 

The greeting on the inside of the card reads:

Supplies:
Stamps: Things I Love (115229)
Paper:  Marina Mist (119682), Crumb Cake (120953), Very Vanilla (101650)
Ink:  Marina Mist (119668), Early Espresso (119670), Melon Mambo (115656)
Accessories:  Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Linen Thread (104199), Button (retired), Scallop Square Extra Large Punch (119884), Small Oval Extra Large Punch (119856)


Thanks for visiting, and take care...

Greenhouse Gala

The Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper (DSP) is so pretty--I love the cheerfulness of the papers.  The next card was made for an Easter project, but it can be adapted for any occasion by simply changing the greeting.

One of the embellishments I used was the Rosettes (118774) that are shown on page 16 of the Occasions Mini Catalogue.  The package includes 18 vanilla rosettes; six each of three different sizes.  The rosettes are versatile and can be dyed with any of the Stampin' Write markers or ink.  I used a Baja Breeze marker to colour the flowers on this card.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Chocolate Chip (102128), Baja Breeze (111352), Greenhouse Gala DSP (117167)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip Classic Ink (100908), Baja Breeze Stampin' Write Marker (1209650,
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439 ), Circles #2 Die (114526),  Eyelet Border Punch (119853), 1-3/4" Circle Extra Large Punch (119850),  1-3/8" Circle Large Punch (119860), 5/8" Satin Ribbon-Chocolate Chip (Retired), 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon-Baja Breeze (122331), Rosettes (118774)


Thanks for visiting, and take care...

Color Coach

One of my favourite items that Stampin' Up! offers is the Color Coach (121620).  It is a very valuable tool, and I think it is truly one of those 'must have' products.  The Color Coach is a great little reference book of the cardstock that Stampin' Up! offers.  Each colour is showcased on a small colour swatch (2-3/4" x 4-1/2" / approx. 7 cm x 11.4 cm).  It is an easy-to-use resource, and such a great tool to access when you're looking for a little inspiration!


Let this coach help you put together custom color schemes to express your unique creativity. Whether you want a quick reference of all colors in a collection, a card for every color, or blank cards to record your own color combinations, this swatch book Is for you!

■ Includes 55 double-sided cards with removable metal post fastener
■ Includes color theory cards and individual color swatch cards
■ On individual color cards, one side shows color, the other side lists coordinating colors
■ Card size: 2-3/4" x 4-1/2"

There are two versions of the Color Coach:  the English version (121620), and the International version (122228), which includes English, Spanish, French and German.

If you're interested in ordering this product, or any others you've seen on these pages, please contact me to place an order, or you can order on-line 24/7 by clicking here.


Thank you, and take care...

Inspire

This was fashioned after a card I saw on Kimberly Van Diepen's blog--I simply changed it up a bit and used it as the foundation for my own card.  It's clean and simple, and very easy to make.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Define Your Life (114950), Sanded (109294)
Paper:  Crumb Cake(120953), Baja Breeze (111352), Riding Hood Red (111348)
Ink:  Riding Hood Red Classic Ink (111836), Crumb Cake Classic Ink (121030)
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Two Tags Bigz Die (115954), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882), 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon-Baja Breeze (122331), Big Designer Buttons-Springtime Vintage (122301), Linen Thread (104199)


Take care...

Springtime

Oh, Spring--where are you?  As I looked out my window this morning and saw the snow falling yet again, I found myself yearning for the first signs of Spring--a tuft of grass poking out from under the snow; longer days and shorter shadows, and maybe even a robin singing!  It was those thoughts that inspired my next card.

I experimented with Stampin' Up!'s new fabric and made a flower to accent the card.  It was fun and easy!  Little extras such as a Designer button and Basic Pearls add a finishing touch to the card.

Supplies:
Stamp Set:  With All My Heart (W #118134/C #118623)
Paper:  Very Vanilla (#101650), Rose Red (#102544), Springtime Vintage DSP (#121782)
Ink:  Rose Red (#101778)
Accessories:  Big Shot (#113439), Circles #2 Originals Dies (#114526), Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric (#121817), Big Designer Buttons (#122301), Linen Thread (#104199), Basic Pearls (#119247)


Take care...

Easter Goodies/Easter Baddies

The next project was made for an Easter swap I participated in with my Upline's group.  I wanted to make something cheery and bright that would help put a smile on someone's face!  Simply fill the basket with your favourite goodies (or 'baddies', as my children used to say) and you're good to go!

I can't take all the credit for the basket--I gathered my ideas from the blogs of several SU! demonstrators, and then blended them into my own creation.  I suppose necessity truly is the mother of invention--I improvised with the Punch Art bunny because I didn't have the punches that were typically used.


Supplies:
Stamps:  Inspired by Nature (#111656), All Holidays (#116921)
Paper:  Whisper White (#100730), Pear Pizzazz (#119795), Pretty in Pink (#100459), Wild Wasabi (#108641), Basic Black (#121045)
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz (#119784)
Accessories:  Big Shot (#113439), Big XL Fancy Favor Die (#115965), Ornament Extra Large Punch (#119847), Scalloped Oval Extra Large Punch (#119856), 1-3/4"x 7/8" Oval Large Punch (#119855), 1-3/8"x5/8" Oval Large (119863), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (#118309), Crop-a-Dile (#108362), Handheld Punch (#101227), 'Brights' Old Olive Brad (#119740), Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (#111368), Linen Thread (104199), Stampin' Write Journaler (#105394), uni-ball Signo Gel Pen (#105021)


Take care...

Easter Wishes

For me, March signals the anticipation of both Easter and Spring--both of which will arrive somewhat late this year.  The long, cold winter we've experienced leaves me yearning for both!  So it's no surprise, I suppose, that I've been creating cards and projects that celebrate both occasions.


The following card is simple but has just a touch of elegance.

Supplies:
Stamps:  All Holidays (#116921), Elements of Style (W#118611/C#120045)
Paper:  Whisper White (#100730), Pear Pizzazz (#119795)
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz (#119784)
Accessories:  Big Shot (#113439), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (#119976), Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon (#114319)


Easter Wishes to all!
Take care...