The saying says it all

     Sometimes if you have a great saying, you do not need any more on your card.  I felt this way when I found the Congratulations saying in the Layered Labels stamp set.  And best of all I was able to cut out the saying using the Apothecary Accents Framelits and the new Magnetic Platform.  There is something striking about a card that uses only one color and this one meets that criteria.

Island Indigo card stock, and ink

Quatrefancy designer paper

  Send this simple card to any special male or female in your life.

Crushed Curry Congratulations card

     Why did I choose this card, designed by Bekka, for my Congratulation card class?  I liked the simplicity, the use of the Occasions Alphabet set, and the focus on one color.  What supplies did I use?

1. New color Crushed Curry

2. Occasions ABC, plus the chevron stamp from the June Paper Pumpkin

3. New Pansy Punch

4. Crumb Cake seam binding, Crochet trim, and Linen thread

What colors would you use to duplicate this card?

New In-Color Congratulations

    
     I LOVE this simple design that show off all the new in-colors.  When I looked to see who the designer was I was not surprised to find out it was Mary Fish.  All her cards have a clean and simple look to them. I chose this card for the Fill Your Card Box class because it could be used for a male or female.  Which is your favorite new in-color?

Colors starting top left to bottom right

Strawberry Slush- I could use one in this 90 degree weather
Baked Brown Sugar- makes me drool just thinking out it
Crisp Cantaloupe- My favorite melon
Pistachio Pudding-Hmm I have some in the closet, will have to make it up
Coastal Cabana- on the beach ready to swim, sounds great for today

    Did you love the old colors that retired, well, I have goodie bags with all the retired colors for sale at my 50% odd garage sale this weekend.  Come check it out.

Fill Your Card box with Congratulations cards

     After having company for the past 3 weeks, I am holding all my monthly classes in the same  week. Busy me!! I had such fun looking on the Internet for samples for Congratulations cards. I think I enjoy looking for samples I like in the same way I loved doing the research in school of a topic.   Of course, I had to look cards that featured Washi tape, one of my favorite embellishments. I found a card very similar to this one designed by Melissa Davies.  I loved the brightness of the card and couldn't resist copying Melissa's design, then adding a touch or two of my own. What are the new supplies I used to make this cheerful card?

1. Artisan label punch and matching stamp set called Label Love

2. Gingham Garden Washi tape

3.  A Fitting Occasion stamp set

4.  Boho Blossoms punch

5. Strawberry Blush, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White card stock

    Who would you send this card to and for what special occasion?

Chalk Talk Tag

    The final project stampers made at my Open House on Sunday was a gift tag using the Chalk Talk and Secret Garden framelits.  I love using the framelits to cut out a stamped image.  Now that we have the magnetic platform the process is even easier than it was before. Here are the items we used to make this gift tag.

1. Chalk Talk framelit

2. Secret Garden stamp set and matching framelit

3. Magnetic platform for the Big Shot

4. New colors, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizazz, and Smoky Slate

  I had a great time at the Open House sharing new items with my stamping friends. Now, on to new classes thanks to ideas shared with the survey attendees filled out.

Wahsi Tape 2 for One

     Do you love Washi Tape as much as I do?  It is so easy and has a quick great looking result.  These are two more projects we made at my Open House on Sunday. 

1. First, lay strips of Washi tape on your card base.

2.  Next punch out an image in the center of the Washi tape.  I used the new Pansy punch.

3. Finally, take the punched out image and make a second card.

     Two cards for one in less than 10 minutes.  I was thinking any shape would work with the technique.  A heart, ornament, scalloped oval, even the Mosaic punch.  I think I am going to have to try several different versions, how about you?

Mosaic Madness In- Colors

    Isn't it easy to make a card when everything you use coordinates?  Yesterday at my New Catalog Open House this was one of the cards that everyone was able to make.  These are the coordinating items that were used to make the card.

1. Modern Mosaic embossing folder

2. Mosaic Madness stamp set

3. Mosaic punch

    Each one of the images was made using the new in-colors, and the greetings was made using the Banner Greeting hostess set.  I loved the finished look, how about you?

Simple Chalk Talk Thank You

     Simple image plus fancy background equals great looking card.  This is the last image from the Chalk Talk stamp set.  I once again cut the image out using the Chalk Talk Framelits.  There are 3 little pieces in the framelits that can be used with any of the images to make a hole for ribbons.  I used one on this card and attached 3 coordination colors of 1/8 inch ribbon to bring out the colors of the background paper.  I tied the ribbons together with some of the matching Baker's twine.  I have someone I plan to send this card out to today, and can easily make several more with this simple card format.
I hope you have enjoyed the tour of the Chalk Talk stamp set and how it can be used to make some simple cards.

Chalk Talk the Simple Way

   
    Banners are the big thing right now so I decided to make some banners as the background for this simple design from the Chalk Talk stamp set.  This image coordinates with the Extra Large Oval punch so how easy is that, no Big Shot involved to cut out this image.  I used the This and That Epic Day designer paper to make the banners.  My friend Julie told me an easy way to get the notch on the bottom of the banner.

1.  First make a cut about 1/2 inch in the center of the bottom of the paper.

2. Next go the the left-hand corner and cut up into the cut you made.  you have now made 1/2 of the notch.

3. Finally, do the same thing only this time from the right-hand corner.  Perfect notch every time and no more guessing.

Simple Does It

   
     Do you ever need a card really fast and have none on hand?  This card was so easy to make that it would solve that problem for you. The central stamped image is two of the images from the Chalk Talk stamp set placed on top of each other.  Once again I was able to use the Magnetic Platform and Chalk talk framelits to quickly and easily cut out the stamped images.  I wanted to add something that helped the card pop so I found the Dahlia in color flowers did the trick. Another simple card ready to go and ready to duplicate.

Supplies used

Quatrefancy Specialty designer paper

Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Soft Sky,  card stock

Primrose Petals Dahlia buttons

Chalk Talk stamp set, and Framelit

Chalk Talk Simple Card

     Since this stamped image was so big, I wanted a great background.  I looked through the designer paper called Soho Subway and discovered this piece that had some grey and other striking colors in it.  This is another card from the Chalk Talk stamp set which I cut out using the matching Chalk Talk framelit and the MAGNETIC PLATFORM.  I cannot state enough how awesome the platform is.  I placed my card stock down, put the framelit over it and it stayed in place!  I used some of the Regal Candy Dots as a color accent on the stamped piece, and finished off the card with some Pacific Point striped ribbon. Another simple but striking card.

Simple cards are nice

     Last week at the downline meeting we stamped and punched all the designs from the Chalk Talk stamp set.  I love the sayings and decided to create some simple cards to show off each one of the sayings.  For this card I took the sheet of the This and That Epic Day designer paper that had hexagons on it and punched them out with the new hexagon punch.  What better background for this card than the Honeycomb embossing folder. This was quick and easy to make but really shows off the saying.  Mission accomplished.

What to do with leftover punched out shapes?

     Whenever I have any leftover punched pieces I place them in this box. Well, the box came in handy on Tuesday when I had my downline meeting.  Since Abby was visiting, I invited the daughters of two of my downline to come so she would have someone to stamp with.
     First, I placed this box of scraps on the table and gave each girl 5 pieces of Very Vanilla card stock ready to make into a card. 
     Next, I challenged them to make whatever design they wanted from the items in the box.  These are the cards Abby came up with.

     As soon as she turns 18, I am presenting her with a demonstrator application.  She is a pretty creative girl!

Cards for Senior Citizens

  Yesterday was my day to stamp at a local Assisted Living Facility.  I love going there and this time my granddaughter, Abby, came with me. She was a natural and as you can imagine the ladies loved her.  This is one of the cards I had ready for the ladies to make.  I use up retired supplies when I go.  I thought this card could be used for several different occasions, Father's Day, 4th of July or birthdays.  One lady said she thought it could be used for someone that was in the military.

     This was the second card the ladies made.  I prepunched the butterflies, but had them stamp the saying and then punched that out for them also.  The paper I used was from a retired Designer paper stack.  I loved the ease with which they could be used.  I always feel so good when I leave Knollwood.  Working with the ladies is very rewarding and they are so appreciative of whatever I bring for them to make.

Super Snail In-Color Challenge of the Month

     When my down line met last month, I handed each one a quarter of a sheet of the new in-colors.  The challenge was to use each color somehow in a project. I love, what everyone came up with.

Cindy use tiny pieces of her paper to make quilling flowers. 

Abby, my granddaughter used the build an owl punch to show off her colors.



Nan used a dark background which caused the pastel colors to really pop.


 

I used tiny strips of the card stock, embossed some, and punched some others.

     Have you ever had an idea pop up in your head and tried to put in down on paper?  That is what happened with my design.  I was so surprised to see that my vision actually turned out the way I wanted it to.

Supplies needed

Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar, and Whisper White card stock (Makes me hungry just writing these down)

 

Basic Black ink

 

Best of Butterflies stamp set

 

Best of Greetings stamp set

    How would you use these great new colors in a card?

What can you do with leftovers?

     What do I do with leftover supplies?  Well, one thing I do is make thank you cards that I place in customer orders.  Here is what I have used in recently made cards......

1. Washi tape- this was so fast and easy

2. Punched and stamped images- I love the new stamp, Mosaic Madness,  and matching Mosaic punch

3. Scentsational Season stamp set and matching Holiday Framelits

4. Leftovers from a Valentine and Halloween kit

     What else could you use these leftovers for....

1. Gift cards

2. Your own thank you cards

3. Mini card set

    Have fun creating your own mini cards with your leftovers.

Origami Father's Day card

     This week I am teaching an Origami class at the Lincoln Land College for kids.  Of course I had to include a card with an origami feature.  This shirt was made from a fake $5 bill.  It is relatively simple and will be one of the projects the kids will make today.  I can see this being a great Father's Day card.

An Original card from Abby

     While I was assembling the flower accents for the napkin holders, Abby told me about an inspiration she had for making a dress card.  We assembled the supplies and other than giving her a few hints on adhesive or how to stamp the background stamp, she was on her own.  I was very impressed with her end product.  I think I'll have a sign up form ready for her in 8 years.  What do you think?

Products used

Magnetic Platform (Abby can use this without any supervision)

Dress Up Framelit

En Francais background stamp

Black ink

1/8 inch Basic Black ribbon

Basic Black, Real Red Very Vanilla cardstock

Pearls

Fabric Flower ( retired from the Spring Catalog)

Everyday Enchantment (Retired designer paper still available  on the Clearance Rack)

Preparing for the Hostess Brunch

     I have been out of my stamping mode for several days now because I was enjoying a visit from 3 of my grandchildren ages, 3, 5, and 10.  Abby, the 10 year old, has stayed behind by herself and was as ready to craft as I was.  She will be helping at my Hostess Brunch and thought up the idea of making napkin rings for the brunch table.  This is what we came up with.  I used a lot of new product for this project.

1. Secret Garden Stamp Set

2. Secret Garden Framelits

3. THE MAGNETIC PLATFORM FOR THE BIG SHOT

     I have been eagerly waiting for the platform and it is everything I was hoping it would be.  The rest of the flowers and leaves we will be cutting out will be so easy.  Abby is even able to position the framelits over the images with instant success and no help from me.

     We have a few more to make up so I am off to stamp with my granddaughter. (a little bit of heaven)

What to do with leftover Designer Papers?

     It is the end of the catalog year and I found I have quite a few leftover designer papers.  I wanted to figure out some what to use them instead of giving them away or putting them in my garage sale.  So, I decided I would use our Diagonal Scoring plate for our Simply Scored and make some simple envelopes.  Boy was it easy.  I now have a stack of papers ready to make matching envelopes for the cards I send to people.  An added touch of an envelope makes a simple envelope look attractive.  In addition it is a great advertisement for StampinUp products.

Gingham Garden Baby Card

     Looking through the Sunday paper, I noticed that a stamping friend had recently had a baby.  Of course I wanted to send her a baby card, but did not have any on hand for a baby girl.  I looked at one of the Best of Stamp Sets (I have them all and boy am I glad) and found the Cute stamp.  After coloring it in with pink colors, I mounted it on some of the Gingham Garden designer paper, and added a bow.  I think it turned out cute. 

Hostes Brunch Make n Take

    

     A fun part of the Hostess Brunch each year is finding a make n take that will be easy and fun to make.  I never do this project at any other time of the year so I want it to be something the hostesses will enjoy having. I found the pattern for this notebook online. Don't you just love the new designer paper called Gingham Garden.  It is so bright and cheery and just makes me happy looking at it.

     There are two pockets on the left side.  I can see stamps in one pocket and receipts in the other.  Under the middle section is a notebook with matching pen.  The size is perfect for carrying in your purse. Don't you think the hostesses will enjoy making this cute project?

Sushi's Top 10 Stampers

     Another way I like to honor the people who stamp and shop with me is by presenting them with a Top 10 Stamper Award.  Here is how I find out my top ten stampers.

1.  I narrow the search to the last catalog year, so this year it was from June 2012 to May 2013.

2. I then make a list of every who spent a certain dollar range.

3. Finally, I see who has been in the top ten for this year.

  I created a card using My Digital Studio that I mail to each one of the top ten with a gift certificate they can use with the new catalog.  Notice the small blue snail at the bottom of the card.  I added that because my stamping group is called The Super Snails.

Hostess Brunch invite and VIP garage sale pass

     It is almost the end of another StampinUp year and what a year it has been.  I like to thank anyone that has had a party or has ordered the equivalent of a party with a hostess brunch. And I have been doing so for 6 years.  It is a really fun afternoon with a lot of activities planned. This year the brunch will be on Saturday, June 15th from 11-3.

1, Of course a brunch.  Every year I plan a different menu, and some years the food I prepare is a brand new recipe for me also.  So far, no problems.

2. An auction complete with bidding paddles, and SU money.  I auction off all the 3-D items I have created for classes over the past year.  It is great fun for me to see which items are the most popular.

3. A hostess only unique make n take that I never use in a class.  The mold is broken with this event.

4. Included in the invitation is a VIP pass to my annual retired items garage sale.  Hostesses get to come the night before the garage sale is open to the public and shop till they drop.

   Last year my granddaughter was staying with me at the time of the brunch and entertained the guests with stories of her younger brother and sister. She is now 11 so who knows what stories she will decide to share with the guests.

   I had great fun creating the invite, and the VIP pass using My Digital studio.