Mini Monday - Paisley Prints

In my Mini Monday posts, I feature a stamp set (or two) from the current Mini Catalogue.

Today, I'm featuring two stamp sets from the Holiday Mini that I think work perfectly together! In Paisley Prints (C-$15.95 - item #121121), there is an image for Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's Day. Seasonal Sentiments (C-$14.95 - item #121130) has a sentiment for each of those four holidays. So with those two stamp sets, you can make cards for four different holidays!

On this card, which we made this weekend at my Holiday Mini Kick-Off, we heat embossed one leaf (Early Expresso Craft ink and Clear Stampin' Emboss powder) and we used Poppin' Pastels to colour the leaves on the left side of the card. The new 2 1/2" Circle punch from the Holiday Mini works perfectly to punch out the sentiment which we mounted on a square of Old Olive cardstock.

In my September Newsletter, I gave the cutting and scoring instructions to make a Z-fold card like this one. If you'd like to sign up for my newsletter, there's a link in my sidebar.

Stamps: Seasonal Sentiments, Paisley Prints
inks: VersaMark, Early Expresso Craft, Sahara Sand, Old Olive
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Whisper White,
Other: 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Stampin' Pastels, Sponge Daubers, Clear Stampin' Emboss powder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Sketchy Sunday - #95

On Sketchy Sundays, I have a card or layout sketch to hopefully inspire you. I also have a project I've done inspired by the sketch.

I have a 12x12 scrapbook sketch and layout for you today! I've included sizes for the photos, but they are only a guideline. You can also add any embellishments wherever you think they look best. If you're inspired by this sketch, I'd love to see what you've created... link me up in the comments!

and here's my layout:

(click to view larger)

I created this layout in My Digital Studio using the Sweet Pea kit Download (item # 199978). One of the things I love about MDS is that I can still use some of my favourite products, even though they've retired in real products. This kit can also be used with other digital scrapbooking software (like Photoshop Elements), and it really helps a layout come together quickly. The title and journaling block is from another download, The Write Stuff II (item #120881). There is no shipping on these digital products, and you can download them immediately after the purchase is complete! If you want to see more of the digital products, you can go to my website, and click: Shop Now, and then Digital Crafting.

Step it Up Saturday - Just Believe

On Step it Up Saturdays, I show you two cards. One is a simple and quick and the second is 'stepped up' by adding a technique, embellishments or layers.

The Just Believe stamp is one of my favourites, and it's easy to make a great card with it. I stamped the Baja Breeze card base with the circle image in the stamp set. The main image was inked with Peach Parfait, and Rock 'n Rolled with Poppy Parade. I added a couple Basic Pearls and stamped the sentiment (from Curly Cute) with Poppy Parade ink on Peach Parfait cardstock. I tore the end, and popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

On the stepped up card, I sponged the Whisper White cardstock with inks (Pear Pizazz, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, and Poppy Parade) and stamped the image with Jet Black StazOn ink. I added tiny Basic Pearls to all of the flowers. I also wrapped some Pear Pizazz poly-twill ribbon around the focal image, hand-cut the sentiment frame and added a couple pearls.

Fun & Fast Friday - Butterfly Wishes

The Big Shot is the key to this fun & fast card... I embossed just the bottom part (a little more than halfway) with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder, and use my Butterfly Wings Embosslit (my favourite) to cut butterflies from the five new core colours (Cajun Craze, Marina Mist, Early Expresso, Daffodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler). Then I stamped the sentiment (I love how it goes all the way across the card - from Heard from the Heart) and tied some Whisper White Organza Ribbon around the card front.

I love the way this card turned out... proving once again that simple can be beautiful (if I do say so myself).

Stamps: Heard from the Heart
Inks: Old Olive
Cardstock: Naturals White, Cajun Craze, Marina Mist, Early Expresso, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler
Other: Butterfly Wings Embosslit, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder, Organza Ribbon

Try it Thursday - Decorative Label

On Thursdays, I try something new, and invite you to try it too!

Chris thinks I'm crazy to be stamping for Christmas already, but the Holiday Mini makes it so fun! I'm also getting ready for my Holiday Mini Kick-Off this weekend--this is one of the cards we'll be making! I still have a few spots, so if you're in the London, ON area and you'd like to make this card, please contact me to register. I did leave this card without a sentiment so it could be used as a non-Christmas card...

 I love this new Decorative Label punch from the Holiday Mini, but I also love when I can ground a punch by matting it on a slightly larger punch. Since the Decorative Label is quite large, there isn't a punch the right size to go behind it. Luckily, I saw a fabulous video tutorial by Angela McKay and learned how to make my own! It's easy, and I hope you'll try it too! You can watch her video to learn how by clicking here.

Stamps: Merry Crittermas
Inks: Whisper White Craft, StazOn Jet Black, Sahara Sand, Basic Grey, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Shimmery White, Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler
Other: Decorative Label Punch, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Blender Pen, Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Folder, Basic Rhinestone

Free Craft Tote!

This is one promotion I'm jealous of... anyone who joins Stampin' Up! by getting the Starter Kit (a great assortment of products to get you started - whether you want to get a discount on products or earn some extra spending money) gets a free Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote (until October 18th, 2010 or as supplies last):

This tote ($49.95 value - $62.10 after shipping & tax) would be perfect to take to a crop or a Stampin' Party at a friend's house. Here are some of the features:

• 100% twill nylon exterior; 100% nylon interior
• Dimensions: 15-3/4" x 7-5/8" x 8-7/8"
• Includes attachable shoulder strap for easy transport
• Center section fits 12" x 12" card stock, Craft Keepers, and Paper Cutter
• Outside pockets fit extra-large punches perfectly
• Outside flap pockets offer secure spot for accessories
• Back zipper pocket holds up to seven Stampin' Pads

This tote is available to all recruits (first time joins and re-joins) and will be shipped at the same time your Starter Kit is shipped (in a separate box). Anyone in Canada can join my team... I'll support you whether you are next door or across the country! I also have a free gift for the first three people who join my team by September 30th! For more info about joining my team and the Starter Kit, you can click here or e-mail me and ask any questions you have. If you're ready to join up, just click Join Now and enter my recruit authorization password: gold star

Whatever Wednesday - Glimmer Brads Challenge with Marie!

For today's Whatever Wednesday I am joining a fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, Marie Kirkwood, in a fun & friendly challenge.

We've challenged each other to make something using the new Glimmer Brads (in the Holiday Mini out today)!

I created this card (using lots of new goodies from the Holiday Mini):

Click HERE to go to Marie's blog and see what she created for this Glimmer Brad challenge. You're welcome to play along with us... we'd love to see more ideas using the Glimmer Brads. Add a link to the comments so we can come and visit you.

I created this card for my Shoebox Swap I did with my downline at our Team Meeting on Sunday. Can you tell I was trying to cram as much new product onto this card as I could? I used a new stamp called Christmas Collage, the new Candy Cane Christmas fabrics (they co-ordinate with Candy Cane Christmas DSP), the Glimmer Brad (this one is from the Basics pack - I used it to hold together my fabric accent), and the new Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (so soft and shiny).

Stamps: Christmas Collage, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Inks: Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Riding Hood Red, Garden Green, Baja Breeze
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze
Punches: Word Window, Modern Label
Other: Candy Cane Christmas fabric, Glimmer Brads (Basics), Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestone, Circles #2 Die to cut the fabric with the Big Shot