Too Cool Stamping

Kathe's Secret Garden Emboss Resist Birthday Card

• Retired Accessories While Supplies Last!  Order Now!
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Hi Stamping Friends!

Today's birthday card project, courtesy of Kathe Madsen, is the last one from our Too Cool Demo Team shoebox swap featuring the new Color Refresh colors. 

I've shared birthday cards all week, so be sure to check out my other posts: Make A Wish Card, Vellum Swallowtail Birthday, Blue Ribbon Birthday, Gingham Garden Candy Cake, Cupcake Card & Votive, and Mosaic Madness Birthday!

 

Kathe's card uses the Emboss Resist technique and features a combination of several of the new Color Refresh colors: Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, Calypso Coral and the new Smoky Slate!

The card base is the Smoky Slate color, which is a pretty, light gray.  This is going to be a fantastic new neutral...can't wait to pair it with other colors! 

The background of the card is so spectacular!  I love the Emboss Resist technique, but Kathe had us take it one step further!  First we inked up the En Francais background stamp with VersaMark Ink and stamped that on our 3-3/4" x 5" Whisper White card stock.  Then, we stamped the bold flower stamp from Secret Garden randomly over the top, also in VersaMark Ink.  I had never tried stamping multiple image layers before embossing—cool!  We sprinkled it all with Clear Embossing Powder and embossed it with the Heat Tool.

Next, we sponged on Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder and Calypso Coral inks randomly over the entire piece to bring out the clear image.  I never get tired of watching the image appear as more ink is applied!

We stamped more Secret Garden flowers in Calypso Coral onto Whisper White and die-cut them with the coordinating Secret Garden Framelits. We topped them with Pearl Jewels.

Last Chance Reminder—Bundle It!  Order the Secret Garden Bundle of stamps and framelits and it's 15% off, but only in the Spring Catalog thru May 31!  Although the stamps and framelits will be in the new catalog, the discounted bundle is NOT...save when you order the Secret Garden Bundle now!

The sentiment is from Itty Bitty Banners, which we stamped in VersaMark onto Wisteria Wonder card stock and embossed with White Embossing Powder.  The Bitty Banners Framelits makes cutting that out easy, as well!

Thanks so much for the awesome card, Kathe!

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Secret Garden or Secret Garden Bundle, Itty Bitty Banners, En Francais
  
• Ink—VersaMark; Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, and Calypso Coral Classic Ink
• Paper—Smoky Slate (available May 31), Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Pearl Jewels
• Tools—Secret Garden Framelits or Secret Garden Bundle, Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot, Clear Embossing Powder, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Sponges, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

That does it for our birthday card swap projects!  I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of the new Color Refresh colors in action! 

Angie

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Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• "Last Thursdays" Monthly Class—May 30
• Demo Team Meeting—June 10 
• Wow Techniques Class—June 14

Promotions & New Arrivals Quick Links

• NEW Hostess & Starter Kit Promo—Earn $30 in FREE merchandise.
• Retired Accessories Are Going Fast!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List
• Special Offers—See ALL of the current promotions!
• New Arrivals—See the latest NEW products!
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store. Ends May 31.

Darla's Make A Wish Birthday Card

• Retired Accessories While Supplies Last!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List 
  
• 25% Off MDS Kits & Print Products—Shop Now!

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Hi Stamping Friends!

I still have a couple more awesome birthday cards from our Too Cool Demo Team shoebox swap to share featuring the new Color Refresh colors. 

I've shared birthday cards all week, so be sure to check out my other posts: Vellum Swallowtail Birthday, Blue Ribbon Birthday, Gingham Garden Candy Cake, Cupcake Card & Votive, and Mosaic Madness Birthday!

Today's card is courtesy of Darla Eigenschink.  Its simple, no-frills style and soft, Pool Party color make it perfect for a masculine card. 

Designed by Darla Eigenschink, Too Cool Demo Team.

Darla's card features one of the pretty patterns in the new Quatrefancy Specialty Designer Series Paper, which will be available for purchase when the new catalog is released on May 31, 2013.  Woohoo!  I can't wait!

The card base is Pool Party.  I really like the diagonal designer paper on the Whisper White layer—a fun design element!  But, I LOVE the cool way that Darla wrapped the White Baker's Twine around the card...

She used the new Petite Curly Label Punch to create a notch to keep the twine in place diagonally.  Too Cool! 

We finished off the card by tying on a little "happy day" accent, stamped in Island Indigo with the Ciao, Baby! stamp set and punched with the Petite Curly Label Punch. 

The larger sentiment is from the Make A Wish stamp set, also stamped in Island Indigo. 

FYI - Ciao, Baby! is retiring on May 31, but the Make A Wish set made it into the new catalog.

Speaking of new catalogs...

Do You Want A New Catalog?  I have copies of the New Catalog available for FREE for my current customers.  You are welcome to pick up a copy at my Too Cool Stamping Studio, simply let me know you are stopping by. If you're a non-local customer, you can receive a FREE catalog by simply paying $5.60 for Priority Mail shipping.  Contact me for details. All Club members will be receiving a copy with their next order.

Thanks so much for sharing your awesome birthday card, Darla! 

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Ciao, Baby!, Make A Wish
• Ink—Island Indigo Classic Ink
• Paper—Quattrefancy DSP #130141 (coming soon); Pool Party and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—White Baker's Twine
• Tools—Petite Curly Label Punch, Piercing Tool, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Angie

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Promotions & New Arrivals Quick Links

• NEW Hostess & Starter Kit Promo—Earn $30 in FREE merchandise.
• Retired Accessories Are Going Fast!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List
• Special Offers—See ALL of the current promotions!
• New Arrivals—See the latest NEW products!
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store. Ends May 31.

Carmen's Vellum Swallowtail Birthday Card

• Retired Accessories While Supplies Last!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List 
  
• 25% Off MDS Kits & Print Products—Shop Now!

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Hi Stamping Friends!

Carmen DeBruce is the featured stamper for today's Demo Team shoebox swap birthday card.  Her card highlights one of my favorite Color Refresh colors: Bermuda Bay! 

I've shared birthday cards all week, so be sure to check out my other posts:Blue Ribbon Birthday, Gingham Garden Candy Cake, Cupcake Card & Votive, and Mosaic Madness Birthday! 

Designed by Carmen DeBruce, CASEd from Dawn Griffith at Dawn's Stamping Thoughts.

Woohoo!  It's another cool way to use the gorgeous Swallowtail butterfly stamp!  I love it!  We started by stamping the image in Bermuda Bay Classic Ink onto Vellum card stock, then embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder.  The ink will stay wet enough to hold the powder since it's on the non-porous vellum surface. 

I love how the embossing looks on the vellum, but the best part is the white highlights we added next! 

Simply turn over the card stock and, using a stylus, color on the back where you want white to show through. We used a Piercing Mat underneath for a little "give" when we were coloring.

We layered the vellum onto a Whisper White card stock base that had two squares of Bermuda Bay underneath for a lovely contrast.  We added a Glue Dot to the center and the corners are secured with Mini Silver Brads.

The sentiment from Bring On The Cake was stamped in Black StazOn Ink, again because the Classic Ink doesn't dry well on the vellum. It's adhered to the card front with two Glue Dots.

Thanks so much for your fun and festive swap card, Jodi!

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Swallowtail, Bring On The Cake
• Ink—Black StazOn; Bermuda Bay (coming soon) Classic Ink
• Paper—Vellum card stock; Bermuda Bay (coming soon) and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Mini Silver Brads, Clear Embossing Powder
• Tools—Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Glue Dots, 1/16" Hole Punch, Stylus, Piercing Mat, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Angie

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Promotions & New Arrivals Quick Links

• NEW Hostess & Starter Kit Promo—Earn $30 in FREE merchandise.
• Retired Accessories Are Going Fast!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List
• Special Offers—See ALL of the current promotions!
• New Arrivals—See the latest NEW products!
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store. Ends May 30.

Jodi's Blue Ribbon Birthday Card

• Retired Accessories While Supplies Last!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List 
  
• 25% Off MDS Kits & Print Products—Shop Now!

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Hi Stamping Friends!

I've got another one of our Demo Team shoebox swap projects to share with you today, courtesy of Jodi Geers. I've shared birthday cards all week, so be sure to check out my older posts: Gingham Garden Candy Cake, Cupcake Card & Votive, and Mosaic Madness Birthday! 

Designed by Jodi Geers, Too Cool Demo Member.

Our theme was birthday cards in the Color Refresh Colors and this one features Island Indigo and Pear Pizzazz.  I love the double-texture background using the Argyle and Perfect Polka Dot Texture Impressions Folders. 

Before adhering the background layers to the card base, we wrapped some Island Indigo Baker's Twine around and tied a bow. 

The images are from the Blue Ribbon stamp set. She stamped the ribbon in Tangerine Tango and the center in Pear Pizzazz.  It's pretty obvious that the center was punched out with the 1-3/8" Circle Punch, but did you know that the ribbon can also be punched out?  Check this out...

Punching Tip:  If you cut out the easy part—the ribbon's tails—and trim up to that first full scallop on the circle, you can slip the rest of it into the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch to punch it out!  Just pull the tails up and through the punch so they don't get cut off and ta-da!  Too Cool! 

I've been thinking about getting this one for awhile, but now (once again) Jodi has "made" me "have" to get it!  It's just such a feel-good image for birthdays or congratulations or ANY special, blue-ribbon type of day!  It was that awesome punch trick that cinched it for me!  #gottahaveit

Thanks so much for your fun and festive swap card, Jodi!

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Blue Ribbon
• Ink—Tangerine Tango and Pear Pizzazz Classic Ink
• Paper—Pear Pizzazz (coming soon), Island Indigo, and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Island Indigo Baker's Twine
• Tools—Perfect Polka Dots Texture Impressions Folder, Argyle Texture Impressions Folder, Big Shot, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Angie

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Promotions & New Arrivals Quick Links

• NEW Hostess & Starter Kit Promo—Earn $30 in FREE merchandise.
• Retired Accessories Are Going Fast!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List
• Special Offers—See ALL of the current promotions!
• New Arrivals—See the latest NEW products!
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store. Ends May 30.

Rita's Gingham Garden Candy Cake Card

• Retired Accessories While Supplies Last!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List 
  
• 25% Off MDS Kits & Print Products—Shop Now!

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Hi Stamping Friends!

I have another fun card to show you from our Too Cool Demo Team shoebox swap on Monday featuring birthday cards in the new Color Refresh colors (plus a little catalog sneak peek!).  This project was created by Rita Berning.

Designed by Rita Berning, Too Cool Demo Team member.  Original design by Carrie Cudney at Convention 2011.

What can be better than a birthday card made with chocolate?!!!  The cake is made with 3 Hershey's Miniatures!  Yummy! 

Rita's birthday card highlights the Pear Pizzazz color for the card base and Island Indigo for the cake base, both returning as part of the new Stampin' Up! Color Collections!

Each of the Hershey's Miniatures is wrapped in paper from the new Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper from the 2013-2014 Annual Catalog coming out May 31, 2013 (request your copy now!).   

The chocolates are adhered to the card with Sticky Strip and decorated with Daffodil Delight Seam Binding that's been scrunched.  To scrunch the ribbon, simply pull a center thread.  See more on this technique on this post: Scrunchy Ribbon.  Use Sticky Strip to hold the ribbon on, too.

Before adding the chocolates, we added some Melon Mambo candles with hand-cut Daffodil Delight flames.  For the two-tone flame, we simply colored on the card stock with a Pumpkin Pie marker.

We also added a little Pear Pizzazz sponging along the Whisper White background to soften the edges.

The cake base is made of a combination of shapes.  The semi-circle is from the 1-3/8" Circle Punch, which is layered on a 1/2" wide strip for the pedastal.  The cake is resting on a die-cut strip from the Finishing Touches Edgelits. 

We stamped a sentiment for the inside from the new Label Love stamp set from the upcoming Annual Catalog.  And, there's a coordinating punch for this shape called Artisan Label, which we used to punch out the sentiment, as well as to create a layer of Island Indigo behind it.  I LOVE this new shape! 

This card is so super cute!  Wouldn't it be a perfect design for kids?!  Heck, who am I kidding—it's great for "kids" of any age!  But, if I received this card, how in the world would I be able to ruin the card to eat those chocolates?  #chocolatedilemma  I'm sure most recipients wouldn't have a problem.  Haha!

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Label Love #130622 (coming May 31, 2013)
• Ink—Pumpkin Pie Marker; Island Indigo and Pear Pizzazz Classic Ink
• Paper—Gingham Garden DSP # 129310 (coming soon); Pear Pizzazz (coming soon), Island Indigo, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Daffodil Delight Seam Binding
• Tools—Finishing Touches Edgelits, Big Shot, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Artisan Label Punch #130920 (coming soon), Multipurpose Adhesive, Sticky Strip, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Angie

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Promotions & New Arrivals Quick Links

• NEW Hostess & Starter Kit Promo—Earn $30 in FREE merchandise.
• Retired Accessories Are Going Fast!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List
• Special Offers—See ALL of the current promotions!
• New Arrivals—See the latest NEW products!
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store. Ends May 30.

Vicki's Cupcake Birthday Card & Votive

• Retired Accessories While Supplies Last!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List 
  
• 25% Off MDS Kits & Print Products—Shop Now!

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Hi Stamping Friends!

Last night, several of my Too Cool Demo Team members got together for our bi-monthly Shoebox Swap!  I absolutely adore seeing what my team members bring for us to create together.  It's my favorite kind of event (and not just because I don't have to do as much work - haha!  #bonus).

This month, our theme was to use the new Color Refresh Colors in a birthday card. 

Designed by Vicki Hinen, Too Cool Team Member.

Team member Vicki Hinen brought a fabulous and festive birthday card and votive set featuring Pool Party and Calypso Coral. 

The Pool Party card base was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dot Texture Impressions Folder.  We added a decorative, Calypso Coral Scallop Edge Border behind a strip of paper from the This & That Epic Day Designer Series Paper Pack. 

We stamped the Create A Cupcake cupcake bottom in Gumball Green onto Gumball Green card stock, then punched with the coordinating Cupcake Builder Punch.  The top of the cupcake is punched with the same Cupcake Builder Punch from Whisper White, then topped with Dazzling Diamonds glitter and a Calypso Coral flower from the retired Flower Trio Punch, but you could easily substitute the flower from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack. 

The sentiment is from the Create A Cupcake set, too, stamped in Gumball Green and punched out with the Word Window Punch.  It's layered on a Modern Label Punch in Calypso Coral. 

I love this!  So quick and cute!  

Then, Vicki surprised us by having us make this adorable battery-operated votive candle to match!  It looks like a mini birthday cake!  Awesome! 

First, we wrapped more of the This & That Epic Day Designer Paper around the votive.

For the icing, we cut three crossing slits in the center of a Whisper White Scallop Circle punch-out with an X-Acto knife.  Kind of like cutting an "X" only add another slit, making it look like a cut pizza (mmmm, pizza!).  The slits create an opening that you can slide right over the candle flame for a snug fit. 

After adding some Dazzling Diamonds to the top, we slid it over the flame, then adhered it to top with Multipurpose Adhesive.  We added more flowers with pearl accents to coordinate with the card.  Sweet!

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Create A Cupcake
• Ink—Gumball Green Classic Ink
• Paper—This and That Epic Day DSP; Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Gumball Green and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Pearl Jewels, Dazzling Diamonds, battery-operated votive candle
• Tools—Perfect Polka Dots Texture Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Cupcake Builder Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Craft Knife, Multipurpose Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Angie

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Promotions & New Arrivals Quick Links

• NEW Hostess & Starter Kit Promo—Earn $30 in FREE merchandise.
• Retired Accessories Are Going Fast!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List
• Special Offers—See ALL of the current promotions!
• New Arrivals—See the latest NEW products!
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store. Ends May 30.

Catalog Sneak Peek: Mosaic Madness & New Colors

• Retired Accessories While Supplies Last!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List 
  
• 25% Off MDS Kits & Print Products—Shop Now!

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Hi Stamping Friends!

Today I'm giving you a little sneak peek of some new items from the upcoming 2013-2014 Annual Catalog which will become "live" on May 31, 2013.  I can't wait for you to see it!  You are going to love, Love, LOVE all of the awesome new stuff! 

Want A New Catalog?  The wait is over!  I now have copies of the New Catalog available for FREE for my current customers.  You are welcome to pick up a copy at my Too Cool Stamping Studio, simply let me know you are stopping by. If you're a non-local customer, you can receive a FREE catalog by simply paying $5.60 for Priority Mail shipping.  Contact me for details. All Club members will be receiving a copy with their next order.

OK, on with the sneak peek projects!

I'm featuring a fun new set called Mosaic Madness, along with two coordinating items: the Mosaic Punch and Modern Mosaic Texture Impressions Folder.  These two cool projects are both designed in new colors (or out-of-retirement colors), too!

This is my project for my Too Cool Demo Team Shoebox Swap tonight.  Our theme is birthay cards in new colors.  Can't wait to see what everyone else brings! 

 

CASEd from Ilina Crouse at My Creations.

Both cards feature a card base in the new 2013 In Color called Baked Brown Sugar.  It's like a lighter, golden shade of Soft Suede and it's oh-so-YUMMY! 

The matted layer is Bermuda Bay, an old In Color that returns to the line-up—love it!

Here's an up-close look at the Mosaic Madness images.  The 11-stamp set has 6 different large mosaic shapes that combine with 3 smaller mosaic shapes and 2 matching borders. 

My projects shows 3 of the large shapes that are punched with the Mosaic Punch, making it easy peasy for designing!  The small 4-petal shapes in the center have been punched with the Itty Bitty Punch Pack punch.

I've used Bermuda Bay, Baked Brown Sugar, and the new Strawberry Slush In Color for these accents.  It's so much fun to work with a fresh new combination of colors and these look SO great together!

Mosaics are topped off with Rhinestone Jewels, of course!

Notice that the Modern Mosaic embossed background has the same shape which also makes it fun for creating!  I LOVE that Stampin' Up! coordinates everything perfectly!  Woot!  Woot!  This is the de-bossed side.

Even the greeting is new!  It's from a handy Hostess Set called Banner Greetings!  All 6 images are the same banner design with different greetings on top.  It's both trendy and versatile.

My second card also features Baked Brown Sugar, along with Strawberry Slush and the returning former In Color Crushed Curry. 

Those who know me know that I've never been a big fan of Crushed Curry, but I'm honestly learning to like this color.  I truly love how it enhances the warmth of this combination and brings out the golden undertones of the Baked Brown Sugar.  Will wonders never cease?!

I've used the other side of the embossing folder, for another subtle difference.

Sorry, no Supplies List today, since you can't purchase most of the products until May 31, 2013. 

Check back after that to find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Contact me today to get your FREE catalog and see what else is in store staring May 31!

Angie

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Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• Demo Team Shoebox Swap—May 13
• "Last Thursdays" Monthly Class—May 30

Promotions & New Arrivals Quick Links

• NEW Hostess & Starter Kit Promo—Earn $30 in FREE merchandise.
• Retired Accessories Are Going Fast!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List
• Special Offers—See ALL of the current promotions!
• New Arrivals—See the latest NEW products!
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store. Ends May 30.

Sunday Showcase: Retiring Stamp Sets Part 1

Hi Stamping Friends!

I hope you're having a wonderful Mother's Day! 

Today I'm highlighting a few of my favorite projects using stamps that will soon be retiring.  There are only a few more weeks left to order the ones on your wishlist before they are gone for good!   

Retired Stamp Lists—Stamps available through June 3, 2013.

• Retired Stamp List PDF—Alphabetized
• Retired Stamp List Excel File—Searchable and sortable by Catalog Page Number

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All of these projects have been featured previously, so click on the link below each photo for complete details and supply lists.

 

Framed Tulips Nature Walk

Nature Walk— This set really lends itself to creating fabulous collage-style cards.  I love the way this one turned out, especially with the flecks of color from the retiring Color Spritzer.

  

Circle Circus Thinking of You

Circle Circus—A delightful set of images that coordinate with our Circle and Scallop Circle punches.  Stamp, punch and layer for fun greetings for guys and girls of any age!  A very versatile set and great for kids!

Ellie's Patterned Party Birthday Card

Patterned Party—Another fun stamp set for birthdays of any age!  I love using markers for the colorful balloons and gifts, then adding Dazzling Diamonds to make them all sparkle!  Everyone needs a good birthday set like this one! 

  

Deck The Halls Never-Ending Card

Bells & Boughs—I love the old-fashioned look of this pretty Christmas set. And, if you've never tried this too cool Never-Ending Card project, be sure to check out the details from the original post.

 

Jodi's Raining Flowers Card

Raining Flowers—Jodi Geers created this card for me and, to this day, it is one of my favorite cards using this stamp set.  I love the buttons and microbeads in the flower centers!  Gorgeous!

 

Wicked Cool Lunch Sacks

Wicked Cool—This is one of my favorite Halloween sets ever!  I love the witch's hat and boots the most, but the "spooky" and spider web layer together so nicely.  My Halloween treats will never be the same without it!

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Thanks for stopping by today's Sunday Showcase!  There are lots more retiring stamp sets, so look for more flashbacks to my favorite "retired set" projects next week! 

Angie

Kissing With Secret Garden & Beyond Plaid

Hi Stamping Friends!

Way back in March, I created these two cool cards using a fun stamping technique called Kissing!  I hadn't done any kissing in years <insert inappropriate kissing joke here>, but when I saw the Beyond Plaid stamp set in the Spring Catalog, I knew I had to give it another try.  

Kissing is when you ink up two different stamps and "kiss" the rubber together to transfer the ink.  It works best when you use a bold stamp and a pattern stamp.  The bold, solid stamps from Secret Garden and the patterned stamps from Beyond Plaid make the perfect combination! 

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Kissing Technique Step-By-Step

Step 1—Ink a patterned stamp in a dark color and solid stamp in a lighter color.

Step 2—"Kiss" the two stamps together.

Step 3—Now you're ready to stamp the patterned stamped image!

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Little did I know when I designed these cards that so many of the colors would be retiring in the new Color Refresh.  The card base is my favorite retiring color, Baja Breeze, and it also features Certainly Celery and Not Quite Navy. 

For the background, I embossed a piece of 5-1/2" x 1-1/2" Certainly Celery with the Needlepoint Border Texture Impressions Folder, then layered it on a Whisper White decorative edge that was cut with the Finishing Touches Edgelits.  A 5-1/2" x 1/2" strip of Daffodil Delight card stock was stamped with the Beyond Plaid chevron image in Pumpkin Pie.

I love all the layers of patterns and textures captured in this photo! 

The focal point was created with a Whisper White Apothecary Accents die-cut.  I stamped a Blooming With Kindness sentiment in Not Quite Navy onto the die-cut first, so I could decorate around it. 

Kissed Leaves—I inked the Secret Garden leaves in Certainly Celery, then stamped-off onto scrap once. You don't always need to stamp off, but the two colors I was using were so close that it was difficult to distinguish the pattern otherwise.  The houndstooth Beyond Plaid image was inked in Old Olive, then "kissed" onto the leaf stamp before stamping onto the die-cut.

Kissed Flowers—I inked the Secret Garden daisy shape in Baja Breeze, and the Beyond Plaid plaid image in Not Quite Navy before "kissing" those together and stamping onto scrap Whisper White.  The yellow flower is Daffodil Delight with a Pumpkin Pie chevron image "kissed" to it.  Both images were then die-cut with the matching Secret Garden Framelits. 

Last Chance Reminder—Bundle It!  Order the Secret Garden Bundle of stamps and framelits and it's 15% off, but only in the Spring Catalog thru May 31!  Although the stamps and framelits will be in the new catalog, the discounted bundle is NOT...save when you order the Secret Garden Bundle now!

I even "kissed" the butterfly stamp from the retired Sale-A-Bration Bloomin' Marvelous set, and punched it out with the Bitty Butterfly Punch.  You could easily substitute the Papillon Potpourri stamp set for a similar Bitty Butterfly shape.  Gotta top it with a Rhinestone Jewel!

Another version in the vertical, but I definitely like it best as a horizontal. 

Perfect For Kissing!  Get It While You Can!  If you like the look of the Kissing Technique with Beyond Plaid, be sure to pick up that stamp set before it's gone with the end of the Spring Catalog on May 31, 2013.  Order Beyond Plaid now!

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Secret Garden or Secret Garden Bundle, Beyond Plaid, Blooming With Kindness, Bloomin' Marvelous (retired)
  
• Ink—Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Daffodil Delight, and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink
• Paper—Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Rhinestone Jewels
• Tools—Secret Garden Framelits or Secret Garden Bundle, Apothecary Accents Framlits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Needlepoint Border Texture Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Angie

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Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• Demo Team Shoebox Swap—May 13
• "Last Thursdays" Monthly Class—May 30

Promotions & New Arrivals Quick Links

• NEW Hostess & Starter Kit Promo—Earn $30 in FREE merchandise.
• Retired Accessories Are Going Fast!  Order Now!
• See The Complete Retired Stamps List
• Special Offers—See ALL of the current promotions!
• New Arrivals—See the latest NEW products!
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store. Ends May 30.

Party Planning Is Fast & Fun With MDS!

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Last Day To RSVP for Wow Techniques Class

Friday, May 10, 6:30pm. $15 or FREE with qualifying order.  RSVP by today at 5pm

Be A Fashion Designer!  You'll have the chance to design your own dress with the Dress Up Framelits for a cool card, a matching Petite Purse Nugget Holder, and a fun Soda Pop Top necklace, too!

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My Digital Studio Is A Party-Planner's Friend!

You probably already know that My Digital Studio (MDS) digital designing software is fantastic for creating printable photobooks, calendars and even cards. But, did you know that can also make party planning fun, fast and fabulous?! 

One of this week's brand new digital downloads is the perfect example! 

Colors: Blushing Bride, Going Gray, Island Indigo, Melon Mambo, Pool Party, and Whisper White.

Wonderland Party is a digital exclusive ensemble kit and it has all the resources you'll need to create a colorful, coordinated birthday party!

Download includes:

• Thank you greeting card template (5" x 3-1/2")
• Double-sided invitation postcard template (5" x 7")
• 5-page décor template (8’1/2" x 11") with a banner, food flags, framable print, and treat toppers
• 9-piece stamp brush set
• 12 Designer Series Digital Papers
• 9 digital embellishments
• 2 digital punches

Your party creations can be printed from your home computer, or you can have them professionally printed through Stampin' Up!  Now thru June 15, 2013, all individual printed pages are 25% off!  See more details below!

Party Ensemble Kits For All Occasions—Most At 25% Off!

Stampin' Up! has a great selection of digital kits to cover any special event!  Ensemble Kits released before May 1, 2013 are all on sale for 25% off thru June 15.  See details below.

Here are more fun party kits you can choose from:

A Royal Day—Everything you need for your princess's party: invitations, crown, wand toppers, treat boxes, banner, cupcake toppers, thank you notes.

Under Construction—Dig into this download that gives you everything you need for a construction-themed party that is sure to be loads of fun!

Embark Graduate—Templates for invitations, journal, swatchbook for friends and family to sign, treat toppers, a banner, and more!

Hello World—Fun, fresh chalkboard-inspired baby shower with pops of color.  Includes all the pieces you need to plan a shower start to finish: invites, framable, banner, food.

For The Bride—Shower the bride-to-be with good wishes using this lovely ensemble that includes templates for a banner, invites, games, menu, card, treat topper or table tents, and a book to keep a record of the gifts.

BBQ Blitz—Everything you need for your backyard BBQ: recipe cards, table tents/name cards, invitations, coasters, napkin rings, tags and a designer template page to document your party.

See the complete selection of 25% off Ensemble Kits at my Online Store.

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25% Off Select Digital Content & Print Products!

Now thru June 15, receive 25% off select digital content and print products! 

• View Discounted Kits—More than 7 dozen ensemble, calendar, photobook, and swatchbook kits are discounted.
• View Discounted Print Pricing—Includes ALL photobooks, swatchbooks, cards, tags, individual pages, and calendars.

Start With MDS Digital Designing Software—Only $19.95!

If you don't already have My Digital Studio software, purchase it today or try it out for FREE! 

• MDS Software—Includes lots of digital artwork to get you started!
• MDS 30-Day FREE Trial—Try complete software and a sample of content without obligation!

Learn More About MDS at MyDigitalStudio.net!  You'll find complete resources including training videos, discussion forums and a project gallery! 

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See the complete selection of 25% off Ensemble Kits at my Online Store.

Angie

Up, Up & Away Birthday, Plus "Best of 25 Years" Contest

Hi Stamping Friends!

Have you had a chance to check out the Retired Stamp List and Retired Accessories List?  Be sure to order anything you can't live without before they are gone for good.  Stamp sets will be available through June 3, 2013, but retired accessories are only While Supplies Last! 

See complete details on Retiring Items.

Order Retired Items Now At My Online Store.

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Retiring Stamps Contest Winner—Congratulations to Debbie G. of Fort Wayne who got all 10 of her guesses correct! 

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*  *  *  NEW CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT  *  *  *  

Win A May "Best of..." Card Kit!

What do you think May's "Best of 25 Years" stamp theme will be?  Any guesses? 

If you think you know, let me know by April 30 and you could win!  If you guess right, I'll enter you in a drawing to win my May "Best of..." Card Kit with all the supplies to create three cards with the featured stamp set. 

Two Ways To Enter:

• Leave A Comment On My Blog—Add your guess to the Comments section located at the bottom of this blog post.  If you're receiving this update by email, you'll need to go to my original Too Cool Stamping blog post.
• Post Your Guess On My Facebook Page—Visit my Too Cool Stamping Facebook Page and post your guess on the wall. 

One guess per person please.  US residents only please.  Contest ends April 30 at 11:50pm MT.  

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We'll be creating this card at tonight's "Last Thursdays" card class.  Little did I know when I created it that the Up, Up & Away stamp set would be part of the retired list, but how perfect!  I love that I'm able to use that set for a class one more time!  

CASEd from Emma at Devotion To The Dream. 

The beautiful color combination is what drew me to this card design the most—Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade.  So lovely! 

I stamped the colorful hot air balloons all over the 4" x 5-1/4" Whisper White front panel.  Up, Up & Away is a two-step stamp set, so the balloon tops and baskets were stamped separately.  Don't look too closely, because I didn't get them lined up very well.  (Hey, I said don't look!). 

I added some piercing detail around the entire border with the help of the Essentials Paper Piercing Pack template.

The element in the center is made of a 4" x 2" layer of Pool Party punched with the Scallop Edge Border Punch.  A strip of Wisteria Wonder, punched with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch lines the top. 

The 4" x 1-1/2" Whisper White layer is stamped with Pool Party clouds and a Wisteria Wonder sentiment.  An Old Olive Organdy Ribbon is wrapped around the entire panel, tied and trimmed.

Card #2 has a few changes on the sentiment panel and wider-spaced piercing details.

The biggest difference is that I cut out two of the balloons and popped them up with Dimensionals. 

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Up, Up & Away
  
• Ink—Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade and Pool Party Classic Ink
• Paper—Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Old Olive Striped Organdy Ribbon
• Tools—Scallop Edge Border Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (card #1), Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Piercing Tool, Piercing Mat, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Don't forget to guess your "Best of..." set for May at my Too Cool Stamping Facebook Page! 

Angie

"Last Thursdays"—Henry Says It's A Birthday!

*  *  *  *  RETIRING STAMPS FACEBOOK CONTEST! *  *  *  *

Guess The Retired Sets!  Last Day To Play! 

The Retired Stamp List from the 2012-2013 Annual Catalog will be announced tomorrow, April 24.  Which sets do you think will be retiring?  Let me know and you could be a winner of one of those retired sets!

To Enter: Head on over to my Too Cool Stamping Facebook Page and do the following before 11:50 pm on Tuesday, April 23, 2013:

1. If you haven't already, "Like" my Too Cool Stamping Facebook page.
2. Post on my page which 10 stamp sets you think will be leaving this year. 

If you guess the most retired sets correctly, you win one of my retired stamp sets!  It's that easy! 

If we have a tie, then I'll randomly select a winner.  You must enter on my facebook page by 11:50pm on April 23, 2013. I will give the winner a selection of retired sets to choose one set from as the prize.  No purchase necessary to enter.  Demonstrators may enter.  US Residents only.

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"Last Thursdays" Class—Thursday, April 25

My monthly "Last Thursdays" card class is coming up this Thursday, April 25, at 6:30pm at my Too Cool Stamping Studio in Fort Wayne, IN.  Make 4 cards for $10 or the class is FREE with an order* placed at the event.  See complete details on the class. 

 Want to join us?  RSVP by Tuesday, April 24, at 5pm. 

Class-To-Go "Last Thursdays" Class Kit

Can't make it to my class?  Class-To-Go Card Kits are available for a limited time!  See complete details.

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Today, we're checking out another one of my "Last Thursdays" class cards featuring the adorable elephant in the Henry Says stamp set!

This set is terrific for all sorts of occasions—fun, fun, fun!

CASEd from Amy Storrie from StampedWithJoy.com.

You've probably noticed that I don't create a lot of whimsical cards, but how could I resist Henry?!  He's too cute!  This is a fun birthday card design that is delightful for any age!

I layered a 2" x 4" piece of the rainbow striped Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper onto a 5-1/4" x 4" piece of Lucky Limeade card stock.  After tying some Marina Mist Striped Organdy Ribbon around the layers, I adhered it to the Whisper White card base.

 

Henry The Elephant is all decked out in plaid...Beyond Plaid, that is! 

I stamped the plaid image several times on Whisper White card stock, then stamped Henry in Basic Gray over the top and cut it out.

After stamping the elephant again on a 4" x 3-1/4" Whisper White piece, I added the colorful pennants image, colored with Pacific Point, Lucky Limeade and Melon Mambo markers directly on the rubber.  Then, I adhered the plaid cut-out over the top with Dimensionals. Notice the tip of the tail is represented by the image underneath.

Don't forget (because an elephant never does) to add the birthday hat in Pacific Point.

The card is finished off with the 2" x 1" plaid banner stamped with the birthday sentiment, layered on another 2-1/4" x 1/2" Melon Mambo banner.  

The second version features the trio of cute birdies instead of the pennants.

Awww!  Sweet tweets!

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Henry Says, Beyond Plaid 
• Ink—Pacific Point, Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo and Marina Mist Markers; Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight and Pacific Point Classic Ink
• Paper—Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP; Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Marina Mist Striped Organdy Ribbon
• Tools—Paper Snips, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Don't forget to guess your retired sets before the end of today at my Too Cool Stamping Facebook Page! 

Angie

"Last Thursdays" So Many Candles & A Contest!

*  *  *  *  RETIRING STAMPS FACEBOOK CONTEST! *  *  *  *

Guess The Retired Sets!  Two Days Only! 

The Retired Stamp List from the 2012-2013 Annual Catalog will be announced on Wednesday, April 24.  Which sets do you think will be retiring?  Let me know and you could be a winner of one of those retired sets!

To Enter: Head on over to my Too Cool Stamping Facebook Page and do the following before 11:50 pm on Tuesday, April 23, 2013:

1. If you haven't already, "Like" my Too Cool Stamping Facebook page.
2. Post on my page which 10 stamp sets you think will be leaving this year. 

If you guess the most retired sets correctly, you win one of my retired stamp sets!  It's that easy! 

If we have a tie, then I'll randomly select a winner.  You must enter on my facebook page by 11:50pm on April 23, 2013. I will give the winner a selection of retired sets to choose one set from as the prize.  No purchase necessary to enter.  Demonstrators may enter.  US Residents only.

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"Last Thursdays" Class—Thursday, April 25

My monthly "Last Thursdays" card class is coming up this Thursday, April 25, at 6:30pm at my Too Cool Stamping Studio in Fort Wayne, IN.  Make 4 cards for $10 or the class is FREE with an order* placed at the event.  

Birthday Cards!  This month we're doing a birthday theme, but most cards can be used for other occasions when you change the sentiment!

• Henry Says It's Your Birthday—This whimsical elephant is perfect for any age! Featuring Beyond Plaid stamps and paper piecing.
• Up, Up & Away Birthday—A cool summertime birthday card featuring two-step stamping and border punches.
• Dressed Up Birthday—Shabby chic and feminine for a birthday or Mother's Day.  Features Dress Up Framelits, Elements of Style stamps and pretty embellishments.
• So Many Candles Birthday—Use some International Bazaar Paper and the Blossom Petals Builder Punch to poke some fun on this birthday card. 

Want to join us?  Please RSVP by Tuesday, April 24, at 5pm.
 

*Minimum order is $20 for the FREE class.  Workshop, private class, Stamp Clubs and other class orders do not qualify.

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Class-To-Go "Last Thursdays" Class Kit

Can't make it to my class?  Class-To-Go Card Kits are available for a limited time!  I include all the pre-cut, pre-punched, and pre-die-cut card supplies, plus embellishments, for all four cards. The Kits do not include adhesives, piercing or pre-stamping (per Stampin' Up! policy).

 Class-To-Go Card Kit Price:

• FREE with a $50 order placed at my Online Store from now thru Friday, April 26, 2013.  Please use the following Hostess Code: YAZM47WT 
  
• $10 plus $5.60 for shipping (or pick it up at my Too Cool Stamping Studio in Fort Wayne, IN).  Contact me for payment details.

Order Online today to qualify for your FREE "Last Thursdays" Class Kit!   

Please use Hostess Code: YAZM47WT

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My April "Last Thursdays" birthday series kicks off with a fun card that pokes a little fun at those "older" birthdays! 

CASEd from Natasha Hein at Diary of Two Crafty Girls.

One of the reasons that makes this card so awesome is that it is a fantastic way to use up leftover scraps of coordinating Designer Series Paper.  Here, I used some of my International Bazaar DSP.  Trying to use it up before it retires next month. 

The base of the card is Rich Razzleberry.  For the background, I embossed a piece of 3-3/4" x 5" Pacific Point with the Chevron Texture Folder, then layered it on a Tangerine Tango mat that is 3-7/8" x 5-1/8" so it's just peeking out. 

The candles are 5/8" wide, and I hated using that measurement, but 1/2" was too skinny and 3/4" was too wide.  I cut each of the candles at different lengths: 3", 3-1/2" and 4". 

Did you figure out how I did the flames yet?  They are punched from Brights Designer Paper with the Blossom Petals Builder Punch.  Too Cool!

The sentiment is from Bring On The Cake, inked in Rich Razzleberry on Whisper White card stock, then punched with the Decorative Label Punch. 

I adhered a bow made with the retired Sale-A-Bration Tangerine Tango satin ribbon as an accent.

My horizontal version uses the Honeycomb Texture Folder and this time I trimmed off the candles flush with the background...before adhering it to the mat.

And, I added a second layer of "petals" onto my flames.  I love that detail!

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Bring On The Cake  
• Ink—Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink
• Paper—Daffodil Delight Brights Designer Series Paper Stack; International Bazaar DSP; Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Sycamore Street Tangerine Tango Satin Ribbon (retired)
• Tools—Chevron Texture Impressions Folder (card #1), Honeycomb Texture Impressions Folder (card #2), Big Shot, Blossom Petals Builder Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Can't wait to see what you all guess for the retiring sets!  Enter at my Too Cool Stamping Facebook Page now! 

Angie

 

Best of Butterflies—Pink "Hope" Butterfly

• Reminder: Last Thursdays Class On April 25 - RSVP!
• Coming Soon: Retiring Lists To Be Announced April 24  
• $30 in FREE Stuff: NEW Hostess & Starter Kit Promo!

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Another Best of Butterflies club card today, this time featuring the lovely butterfly that was from the retired Strength & Hope set.  I loved that set!  The original stamp set was designed to be in support of breast cancer survivors, so I thought I'd keep the hope alive by designing a pink card. 

It also gave me the perfect opportunity to feature the soon-to-retire Pretty In Pink and Regal Rose colors. 

I started by die-cutting a Large Scallop Edgelit border on the Pretty In Pink card base. 

Then, I embossed the edge with the coordinating Delicate Designs Texture Impressions Folder.  TIP: Always cut first, then emboss.  Otherwise, your texture will get flattened with the second pass through the Big Shot.

I added a 5-1/2" x 3/4" strip of Chocolate Chip card stock on the inside for contrast. 

The card front was also layered with some Regal Rose striped Designer Series Paper and Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon.

I stamped a Bring On The Cake sentiment in Chocolate Chip on 2-1/2" x 3" Whisper White card stock.  It's layered on a 2-5/8" x 3-1/8" piece of Chocolate Chip card stock. 

I stamped the butterfly on the main panel in Regal Rose, then again on scrap paper, which I cut out and popped up with Dimensionals.

On this vertical version, I flipped the Delicate Designs Texture Folder, so it was de-bossing.  Which is the "right" way to use that one, anyway?  Usually, the "top" of the embossing is on the side of the folder that has "Sizzix" printed on it.  I think this is the "wrong" side, but they are both so pretty! 

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Best of Butterflies, Bring On The Cake
• Ink—Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
• Paper—Regal Rose Brights Designer Series Paper Stack; Pretty In Pink, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon
• Tools—Large Scallop Edgelit, Delicate Designs Texture Impressiosn Folder, Big Shot, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

I'm excited about hosting our Sale-A-Bration Celebration Stamp Camp event today!  We're gonna have lots of fun!  Be sure to tune in for tomorow's Sunday Showcase to see our projects! 

Angie

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Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• "Last Thursdays" Monthly Class—April 25
• Wow Technique Class—May 10

Promotions & New Product Quick Links

• NEW Hostess & Starter Kit Promo—Earn $30 in FREE merchandise.
• Special Offers—See ALL of the current promotions!
• New Arrivals—See the latest NEW products!
• This & That Products—Sneak peak discounted bundle thru April 30.
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store. Ends May 30.

Gettin' Dressed Up & Dolled Up!

Hi Stamping Friends! 

Have you tried the Dress Up Framelits yet?  Much like the Swallowtail stamp, I had vowed not to get "sucked in" to the fashion-plate fun of this Framelit and accessories.  Well, if you're a loyal Too Cool Stamping blog reader, then you already know where this story is going...

I recently broke down (I'm weak, I tell you!) and purchased the Dress Up Framelit:

You get two lovely dress shapes and a dress form die-cut.  Simply get out all your scraps of card stock, Designer Papers, and embellishments, and invite your "little girl" self to come and out and PLAY! 

I spend several hours designing, mixing & matching, and adorning a whole Too Cool fashion line!  I'll be showing those creations to you very soon! 

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Today, I wanted to show you a special, fancy fold, dress form card I made last week.  It was the perfect time to show it off because Stampin' Up! has just released a fun Dolled-Up Birthday Card Kit that uses the same dress form shape!  More information on that at the bottom of this post.

CASEd from Karen Burniston at I Am Not Left-Handed.

Floating Framelit Card—I tried a new Floating Framelit technique and created an awesome WOW card that was a CASE from Karen Burniston!  The card not only flips both sides, but it kind of rotates them so they appear to be floating!  There is no way to fully show you how it's done without a video, and thankfully, Karen has a fantastic one for you.  Check it out!  Floating Framelit Card Video.

Here is the card standing up and slightly open.  You can see how the Labels Collection Framelit shapes are starting to twist.

Open the card up and that Label shape is attached to another one, and both twist toward the inside of the card.  What an amazing card!  I have to say, creating the mechanics of the card requires the use of a craft knife, which some may not be comfortable with, but it's really not that difficult.  The video has step-by-step instructions to make it easy to follow. 

You'll need any set of nesting framelits for the floating piece.  I used Labels Collection to create the floating shape, as well as the coordinating layers on top.  One layer is from Tea For Two Designer Series Paper. The other is from the Apothercary Art stamp set, stamped in Soft Suede and colored with Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade Markers.

There's that vintage-looking dress form, die-cut from First Edition Designer Paper, sponged lightly with Soft Suede, and tied with Calypso Coral Baker's Twine.  I added a Jewelry Tag stamped with the Tiny Tag stamp.  So pretty!

I added another dress form to the inside of the card to cover up the back of this one.

I colored two Flower Trim rosettes with Calypso Coral markers, then spritzed them with water to cause the ink to bleed for soft, subtle color.  Adhere with Tombow Multipurpose Glue.

I took a photo of the back of the card when it's closed.  The second floating framelit, featuring a Loving Thoughts sentiment, shows through the back. 

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Apothecary Art, Loving Thoughts, Tiny Tags
• Ink—Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade Markers; Soft Suede Classic Ink
  
• Paper—First Edition DSP; Tea For Two DSP; Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Flower Trim, Delicate Details Lace Tape (for hinge)
• Tools—Labels Collection Framelits, Dress Up Framelits, Big Shot, Craft Knife, Cutting Mat, Scoring Tool, Jewelry Tag Punch, Stampin' Spritzer, 2-Way Glue Pen, Multipurpose Glue,  Dimensionals, SNAIL

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Dolled-Up Birthday Card Kit

If you're not quite ready for the Dressed Up Framelits, here is the next best thing!  Check out this brand new, shabby-chic card kit featuring the dress form shape—Dolled-Up Birthday Card Kit!  It's just released today and the perfect way to try this beautiful die-cut! 

This gorgeous kit is the second "Submit-a-Project" kit voted on by stampers via the Stampin' Up! Facebook page. It was created by Chris Gilmore, a demo from Coshocton, Ohio.

The Dolled-Up Birthday Kit includes:

• Dolled-Up Birthday Clear-Mount Stamp (1)
• 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Crumb Cake Cardstock (6 pieces)
• 2" x 4-1/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock (6 pieces)
• Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (6)
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies (6)
• Dress Up die-cuts (6)
• Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Spot (1)
• Vanilla 5/8" Flower Trim (6 pieces)
• Sponge Dauber (1)

Get everything you need to make six cards for only $15.95 (item 133913), just add adhesive!  How cool is that?!  

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Angie

Sunday Showcase—Single Stamps Availability Extended!

Hi Stamping Friends! 

The end of the month brings the end to several exciting promotions—don't miss out!

Final Fabric Frenzy!  Today we're finishing up the Fabric Frenzy promotion giving you 50% off the complete selection of Designer Series Fabrics. 

25% More Starter Kit!  It's your last chance to get $156 worth of supplies with the awesome Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit Promotion, so be sure to take advantage while you can!  See more details: Starter Kit Promotion Extended. 

Guess The "Best of..." Theme!  Today is your final day to enter to win my Best of 25 Years Contest by guessing which theme Stampin' Up! will be releasing tomorrow.  See details: April's "Best of..." contest.

Single Stamps Availability Extended! 

One thing that is continuing on is Single Stamps!  Even though they were supposed to be retiring today, Stampin' Up! just announced that the Single Stamps will continue to be available through July 31, 2013. 

With this new news, I thought it would be very fitting to have Single Stamps the theme of today's Sunday Showcase.  I don't currently own any single stamps, but there are lots of fun projects featuring those stamps all over the internet.  I'm highlighting one of my favorite card ideas from each Single Stamp below...

 

Created by Amy Koenders at Stamp With Amy K.

Towels For Two—What a fun image to use for newlyweds!  Amy used markers to color the different towels on the stamp before stamping.  Also features: Ovals Collection Framelits, Adorning Accents Folders, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Word Window Punch, Patio Party DSP, Antique Brads, Organza Ribbon, Teeny Tiny Wishes stamps.

 

Created by Sharon Burkert at As The Ink Dries.

Woohoo!—Sharon used the chalkboard technique to create a fancy Multi-Panel Card with this fun birthday stamp.  Also features: Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP, Bird Punch (candle flame), and Dazzling Diamonds.

 

Created by Heidi Weaver at Stampin Along With Heidi.

You Are My Sunshine—Heidi stamped this cheerful sentiment in black, then masked it before stamping the beautiful Delightful Daffodil, More Mustard and Tangerine Tango blossoms from Secret Garden over the background.  Also features: Rhinestone Jewels.

 

Created by Betty Saccocia at Booptique's Blog.

Spec-Tacular—Betty colored the different frames in neutral colors, highlighting only one in Melon Mambo to go along with the "There's Only One You" sentiment from Vintage Verses (retired).  Also features: 3/8" Basic Black Taffeta and Soda Pop Tops.

 
Created by Anne-Marie Hile at Stampin' Anne.

Oh, Baby!—A fun image for expectant mothers!  Anne-Marie this pretty card with paper flowers from the Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit, both textured with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.  Also features: Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Finishing Touches Edgelits, and Rhinestone Jewels (in that pony tail, too!)

 

Created by Erica Cerwin at Pink Buckeroo Designs.

Hello, Hello—Such pretty layers!  Erica colored the stamp with Raspberry Ripple and Summer Starfruit markers, then cut out Ovals Collection Framelits layers.  Also features: Flower Trim, Print Poetry DSP Stack, and Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon.

   

Created by Janet Baker and Jessica Wilstead at Snippets & Pretties.

Hello, Foxy!—I love the creative ways that Janet and Jessica used this whimsical stamp.  Also features: Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Punch Pack and Rhinestone Jewels.

Created by Bonnie Klass at Stamping with Klass.

Ears To You—What a cute card...look at those cute bunny tails!  Bonnie stamped the bunnies and cut them out to play amongst the free-handed grass.  Also features: Vine Street Embossing Folder (available again with the new catalog in June), and Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon. 

 

Created by Deb Crowley at ExpressivelyDeb.com.

Boutique Blossom—Deb used the bold 2012 In Colors and matching Patio Party DSP for this card.  Also features: Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon, Extra Large Oval and Friendly Phrases.

 

Created by Meg Holland at Megumi's Stampin' Retreat.

Basic Label—This versatile frame coordinates perfectly with the Apothecary Accents Framelits shape.  Meg used it with the perfectly sized You're Amazing birthday sentiment.  Also features: That's The Ticket stamps, Ticket Builder Punch, World Spectacular DSP and In Color Designer Printed Brads. 

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I hope you enjoyed a little tour through the Single Stamps!  The best part about these individual images is the price—ranging from only $5.95 to $7.95! 

Order Single Stamps now at my Online Store! 

Thanks so much for joining me for today's Sunday Showcase!  I hope you were creatively inspired!  And, for those who celebrate...have a very Happy Easter!

Angie

Rescheduled "Last Thursdays" & Another Thumping Card

PLEASE NOTE: "Last Thursdays" Class Rescheduled For Wednesday, April 3

My awesome "Last Thursdays" class "regulars" are being kind enough to allow me to watch my Indiana Hoosiers play in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night instead of having class that night.

I'd like to give an extra BIG thank you to everyone who has so graciously been inconvenienced in order to allow me to enjoy a fun (hopefully) night of basketball!  This crazy IU fan truly appreciates it!  As a thank you, everyone who attends next Wednesday's class (whether you're a "regular" or not) will get an extra project to create at no charge!  Go Indiana Hoosiers!

Contact me to RSVP for the "Last Thursdays" Class on Wednesday, April 3, 6:30pm.

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Jodi Geers' Swallowtail Thumping project from yesterday inspired me to create a similar card project for a recent private class.  You know I had to have some butterflies, since that's my theme for this month. 

Well, my hostess (*waves to Angie*) said she liked purple, and I thought this would be a perfect card to customize to a purple color combination.  Plus, you probably already know that I love me some purples, too! 

I started by inking the Swallowtail stamp with the lighter Wisteria Wonder ink.  Then I used the Thumping Technique by tapping Island Indigo and Elegant Eggplant markers on the rubber before stamping onto the 5" x 3-3/4" Whisper White card stock.  Wow!  I love the color variations! Yesterday's post tells more details about Thumping.

I layered this onto a 5-1/8" x 3-7/8" piece of Elegant Eggplant, so just a thin frame would be showing.

I was gonna stop there, but I just couldn't do it!  I had to add some bling!  So, I got out my 2-Way Glue Pen and some Dazzling Diamonds to glitter it up!  I used the glue sparingly, keeping it somewhat symmetrical on both sides.  Awesomeness!

For my second card, I also added some thumping with the Rich Razzleberry marker, which I love even more! 

The Blooming With Kindness sentiment is inked in Island Indigo and really complements that butterfly so nicely.

You can see in this photo that I popped up the entire stamped and matted layers with a gazillion Dimensionals, too.

Are You feeling The Swallowtail Love? I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I never thought of this huge butterfly as being versatile, but I've come to absolutely love it.  It's mostly because the image is so gorgeous on it's own that you don't have to do much to have an amazingly beautiful card. 

Seriously, if you don't have this one yet—Get It! I promise that you won't be disappointed!

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Swallowtail, Blooming With Kindness
• Ink—Island Indigo, Elegant Eggplant and Rich Razzleberry (card #2) Markers; Wisteria Wonder and Island Indigo Classic Ink Pads
• Paper—Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Dazzling Diamonds
• Tools—2-Way Glue Pen, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Angie

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Too Cool Promotion Quick Links! 

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Sent With Love Promotion—Now Thru April 30.
• MyPaperPumpkin.com—Monthly Kit Subscription.  Sign up by April 10.
• Best of 25 Years Stamps—New stamp set each month!
• A Round Array Bundle—New catalog sneak peek thru May 30.
  
• NEW Price on MDS—Now only $19.95 for full software & content! 
• The Basics Online Class—34 project lessons, only $14.95
• Photopolymer All-Clear Stamps—New Designer Typeset set!
• Fabric Frenzy—50% off all fabrics thru March 31.

Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• "Last Thursdays" Monthly Cards Class—Rescheduled to April 3
• Too Cool Demo Team Meeting—April 8
• Wow Techniques Class—April 12
• Sale-A-Bration Celebration FREE Stamp Camp—April 20, 1-3pm

Win Mystery Hostess Benefits, Plus A Patterned Occasions Card

How Would You Like To Be My Mystery Hostess?

Sale-A-Bration Ends Friday, March 22!  This is your last chance to get FREE Sale-A-Bration items for every $50 you spend! 

As part of my Sale-A-Bration Celebration, I've decided to end this promotion with a bang...by giving YOU a chance to win Hostess Benefits on my last Sale-A-Bration order! 

Here's How It Works!

With the new Hostess Codes, we now have the ability to combine online orders together to earn Hostess Benefits.  Best of all, those online orders ship out immediately and right to your door-step!  I'm combining all the orders I receive and the winner of my Mystery Hostess Drawing will get all of the accrued Hostess Benefits!  Woohoo!

• Place An Online Order—At my Online Store before noon EDT on March 22, 2013.
• Use The Hostess Code—Enter the Hostess Code SUQVAF7D during the checkout process.  You should see my name listed as hostess.
• Two Cool FREE Cards—I'll send two cool, completed cards to anyone who orders! 
• Bonus For Every $25—You'll receive an extra entry for every $25 you spend!

Have Your Wishlist Ready!

If you're drawn as the winner of the Mystery Hostess Benefits, I'll need to get your selections before 8pm on March 22, so I can get the order in before the end of the promotion.  I'll notify the winner by email and/or phone before 12:30 pm on March 22.  If you don't think you'll be available to contact during this time, please email a list of your hostess selections up to $65 in value to me in advance.

Earn An Invitation To A FREE Sale-A-Bration Celebration Stamp Camp!

Don't forget that you can earn a FREE Sale-A-Bration Celebration Stamp Camp when you place at least $150 in orders during Sale-A-Bration!  Click the above link for details on this April 20 event! 

Ready...Set...GO! 

Start placing your orders NOW at my Online Store! 

Remember, the deadline is Friday, March 22, at noon EDT.  You must enter the Hostess Code SUQVAF7D during the checkout process for your order to qualify.

If this Online Virtual Workshop is successful, I'll be offering more!   

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CASEd from a swap I received at Leadership 2013.

I'm doing a private class tonight (*waves to Angie*) and one of the projects we'll be creating features some of our awesome Sale-A-Bration exclusive items!  

I embossed the Pool Party card front with the Honeycomb Texture Impressions Folder.  

The banners are created with a 1-1/2" x 5" piece of Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper from Sale-A-Bration, that's fish-tailed at the bottom.  A strip of 3/4" x 4-1/2" piece of Island Indigo card stock, also fish-tailed at the bottom, is layered on top. 

A 3-1/2" piece of Tangerine Tango card stock that's been die-cut with Adorning Accents Edgelits is peeking out from under the banners.  Rhinestone Jewels add some bling.

The focal point is created with the Patterned Occasions Sale-A-Bration stamp set, colored with coordinating markers, then punched out with the 2-1/2" Circle Punch.  Super easy!

Here's a second version using the cute jeans image!  Love it! 

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Patterned Occasions (SAB 129624 c, 129621 w)
• Ink—Island Indigo, Pool Party, Tangerine Tango Markers
• Paper—Sycamore Street DSP (SAB 127540); Pool Party, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, and Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Rhinestone Jewels
• Tools—Honeycomb Texture Impressions Folder, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Big Shot, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Angie

Swallowtail With Designer Paper & Markers

I had lots of fun playing with the Swallowtail image last week!  Here are two cool experiments:

I tried embossing the Swallowtail image on some of the Sale-A-Bration Sycamore Street Designer Series Papers and then coloring it with Markers.

Version #1 uses the Summer Starfruit pattern from the Sycamore Street DSP.  I stamped in VersaMark and embossed in Basic Black Embossing Powder.  I should have taken a photo of that, because it looked pretty awesome without the coloring.

The Lacy & Lovely sentiment is also embossed.

I colored in the sections with Summer Starfruit, Melon Mambo and Tangerine Tango Markers.  The paper's pattern slightly shows through for a nice effect. 

I used a Sponge Dauber to add some Champagne Shimmer Mist Paint over the top for shine!  Gorgeous!

Version #2 uses the Razzleberry dotted pattern from the Sycamore Street DSP.  I tried Pool Party Embossing Powder on the Swallowtail and Blooming With Kindness sentiment for a bold contrast.  Not sure if I like it very much...what do you think? 

This time, I used Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point and Elegant Eggplant Markers to color the wings.   

Complete Supply List: 

• Stamps—Swallowtail, Lacy & Lovely (card #1), Blooming With Kindness (card #2)
• Ink—VersaMark Ink; Summer Starfruit, Melon Mambo and Tangerine Tango Markers (card #1), Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point and Elegant Eggplant Markers (card #2)
• Paper—Sycamore Street DSP (SAB #127540); Summer Starfruit and Whisper White (card #1), Rich Razzleberry and Pool Party (card #2) card stock 
• Accessories—Black Embossing Powder, Pool Party Embossing Powder, Champagne Shimmer Mist Paint
• Tools—Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Sponge Daubers, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Check out all of the Sale-A-Bration items you can earn...choose one FREE item for every $50 you spend! 

And, don't forget that you can earn a FREE Sale-A-Bration Celebration Stamp Camp when you place at least $150 in orders during Sale-A-Bration!  Click the above link for details!

Angie

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Too Cool Promotion Quick Links!

Wow!  This list just keeps growing and growing!  There are so many exciting things happening with Stampin' Up! right now! 

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Sent With Love Promotion—Now Thru April 30.
• MyPaperPumpkin.com—Monthly Kit Subscription.  Sign up by March 10.
• Best of 25 Years Stamps—New stamp set each month!
• Best of 25 Years Stamp Club by Mail—One more opening available.
• NEW The Basics Online Class—34 project lessons, only $14.95
• NEW Photopolymer All-Clear Stamps—New Designer Typeset set!
• Hostess Codes—Learn how you can earn more Hostess Benefits!

Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• "Last Thursdays" Monthly Cards Class—March 28
• Sale-A-Bration Promotion—Ends March 22...Don't Miss It!
• Sale-A-Bration Celebration FREE Stamp Camp—April 20, 1-3pm.

Sunday Showcase: 9 Fantastic Stamping Ideas

Welcome to this week's Sunday Showcase!  Today I have several cards from my Too Cool Demo Team and a few more that I received as swaps from Leadership.  Let's get right to it!  

 

Created by team member Michelle Hoover at Hoover's Dam Stamping.  

What a fabulous all-occasions card for men or women!  Michelle used the Just Thinking individual stamp in Midnight Muse and die-cut it with the Window Frame Framelits.  I love the gate-fold, which is held closed with Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon.  Also features: Comfort Café Designer Series Paper.

Created by team member Rita Berning.

Rita highlighted lots of fun Sale-A-Bration Catalog items on her card!  The beautiful Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (#127540) and satin ribbon from the matching Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (#130812) create a pretty banner embellishment.  The Bloomin' Marvelous (#129654 c, #129651 w) flower was colored with Rich Razzleberry and Summer Starfruit Markers and stamped three times without re-inking.  Also features: Labels Collection Framelits and Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon.

Leadership 2013 swap.  Is it yours?  Let me know.

The images from the Feeling Sentimental (#129630 c, #129627 w) set from the Sale-A-Bration Catalog are so fun!  You could dress it up vintage-style or combine them with more modern colors and patterns like the ones from Parker's Patterns Designer Series Paper.  Also features: Metallic Brads and Natural 7/8" Cotton Ribbon.

Created by Stamp Club member Vicki Luebke.

It you're looking for a cute set that covers all the bases, the Patterned Occasions (#129624 c, #129621 w) set from the Sale-A-Bration Catalog is a great choice!  The images are adorable and the sentiments are sweet.  This one is colored with markers and layered on a Squares Duo die-cut that has been cut twice to create a rectangle shape. I love the coordinating Chevron embossed background. 

 

Created by team member Rita Berning.

Here's cute window card idea for the Oh, Whale! stamp set created with the Oval Collections Framelits.  The coordinating Happy Whale Clearlits Die makes it easy to cut out the shape and pop it up through the opening. Plus, it also cuts out the cute anchor and fish shapes, too!  Also features: Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper, Word Window Punch and Needlepoint Borders Impressions Folders.

 

Created by Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek at Song of My Heart Stampers.

Quick and cute!  Lyssa used the Patio Party Designer Series Paper for a cute background for the Pretty Petites stamp (#129642 c, #129639 w) from the Sale-A-Bration Catalog.  It's punched with the Petite Curly Label Punch (#129405), also from Sale-A-Bration.  I love how she used the larger Curly Label Punch to make a tab along the side to mimic the shape.  Also features: Bitty Buttons (can you see them on the argyle pattern?!), and Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon.

Created by Julie Babcock at CraftasticPassion.com.

You may remember the Elf Shoes that I shared at Christmas-time...well, Julie used the same idea for some Leprechaun Shoes for St. Patrick's Day!  Great idea!  They are made with the Top Note Die (see my Elf Shoes post for more details).  I also ove the Itty Bitties Punch shamrock shape she added to the Word Play sentiment.  Also features: Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine and Framed Tulips Texture Impressions Folder.

Created by J. Dawn Derrick at www.perrywinklepress.wordpress.com.

I really need to create one of these fun coffee gift card holders soon!  I simply adore the coffee image from Patterned Occasions on the front.  Dawn used the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (#127540) and Ribbon & Button Pack (#130812) for cute accents on her cup!  Also features: Circles Originals Die, 1-3/4" Circle Punch and retired Crimper.    

Created by team member Michelle Hoover at Hoover's Dam Stamping. 

Michelle tried CASEing the same Collage Curios card from Mary Fish that I did for my Wow Class.  She used different patterns from the Sale-a-Bration Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (#127540) than I did, and got a whole different look in Island Indigo. Also features: Fancy Fan Texture Impressions Folder, Chevron Texture Impressions Folder, Argyle Texture Impressions Folder, Soda Pop Tops, Sale-A-Bration Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (#130812), and Rhinestone Jewels.

Created by Stamp Club member Leesa Kern.

Speaking of my Wow Techniques Class, one of my Stamp Club members created a variation on our Collage Curios project using no stamping at all, only Sycamore Street paper (#127540)!  I love how it turned out, especially how she used the designer paper even inside the Soda Pop Top!  Way to create outside the box, Leesa!

___________________________________________________________________

I hope you enjoyed today's creations!  See you next Sunday with more stamping inspiration from my stamping friends!

Angie

Best of 25 Years Stamp Club—January Project 3

Here is the third card that my Best of 25 Years Stamp Club members are getting as a class-to-go with their Best of Birthdays purchase this month! 

Find out more about joining my Best of 25 Years Stamp Club (I only have two more openings!).  See January Project 1 and January Project 2—you'll receive all three projects when you join! 

I love the little present from the Best of Birthdays set! Use it for birthdays, or anniversaries or event Christmas.  It's so versatile!

I actually had that image in one of the first sets I ever purchased from Stampin' Up!, about a decade ago (eep!), called Favorite Teddy Bear.

The base of my card is Pacific Point and it's layered with Real Red, Whisper White and Bashful Blue.

I stamped the presents along the side in Pacific Point, then added a 2" x 3-3/4" piece of Bashful Blue that was embossed with the Chevron Texture Impressions Folder.  The piece was wrapped and tied with the Pacific Point Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon. 

The "celebrate" was stamped in Real Red on Whisper White and die-cut with the Apothecary Accents Framelits.  I added a little Dazzling Diamonds to the word with 2-Way Glue, and some Rhinestone Jewels for added bling!

I decided to do a gradation of blues for the presents on the second of my two cool cards. 

I used Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Night of Navy, and Midnight Muse for the images.  I really liked how it turned out, especially with more Dazzling Diamonds glitter added! 

Complete Supplies List:

• Stamps—Best of Birthdays
• Ink—Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Night of Navy, Midnight Muse, and Real Red Classic Ink
• Paper—Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories—Pacific Point Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewels, Dazzling Diamonds
• Tools—Chevron Texture Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Big Shot, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Check out all of the Sale-A-Bration items you can earn...choose one FREE item for every $50 you spend!

Angie

___________________________________________________________________

Too Cool Promotion Quick Links!

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Sent With Love Promotion—Now Thru April 30.
• Sale-A-Bration Promotion—See what you can earn for FREE!
• MyPaperPumpkin.com—Monthly Kit Subscription
• Best of 25 Years Stamps—New stamp set each month!
• Best of 25 Years Stamp Club by Mail—Openings still available.

Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• "Last Thursdays" Card Class—February 28, 6:30pm
• Best of 25 Years Club Orders Due—March 5
• Wow Techniques Class—March 8, 6:30pm.

Best of 25 Years Stamp Club—January Project 2

Check out another one of my cards that my Best of 25 Years Stamp Club members are getting as a class-to-go with their Best of Birthdays purchase this month! 

Find out more about joining my Best of 25 Years Stamp Club (I only have two more openings!).

 

This card design focuses on the beautiful oval "happy birthday to you" image, which is the only brand-new design in the Best of Birthdays set.

   

(click to enlarge)

All of the remaining designs in the set are a collection of the most popular "birthday" images from the past 25 years!

 

I started by embossing a piece of 5-1/4" x 4" Summer Starfruit card stock with the Vine Street Texture Impressions Folder.  After adhering a 2-1/4" x 4" piece of Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper to the top, I wrapped the seam with an Island Indigo Satin Ribbon from the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack.

Don't forget—you can earn any of those three exclusive Sale-A-Bration items for FREE with your $50 order through March 22, 2013!

 

My favorite part is the stamped and glittery focal point with a pretty decorative frame! 

Start by die-cutting a piece of Pool Party card stock with the Labels Collection Framelits, then use the oval Designer Frames Texture Impressions Folder to emboss the oval in the center. 

I stamped the birthday image in both Rich Razzleberry and Island Indigo onto Whisper White scrap paper.  One was punched out with the Extra-Large Oval Punch, and the other was hand-cut around the banner, which was popped up with Dimensionals.  I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter over the word with a 2-Way Glue Pen.  Finish it with a few Rhinestone Jewels.

I kept the second card very similar only changing up the stamp colors and adding a bow instead.

Complete Supply List:

• Stamps—Best of Birthdays
• Ink—Island Indigo and Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink
• Paper—Sycamore Street DSP (SAB #127540); Summer Starfruit, Pool Party, Whisper White card stock 
• Accessories— Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (SAB #130812), Rhinestone Jewels, Dazzling Diamonds
• Tools—Vine Street Texture Impressions Folder (SAB #130492), Designer Frames Texture Impressions Folder, Labels Collection Framelits, Big Shot, Extra-Large Oval Punch, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Check out all of the Sale-A-Bration items you can earn...choose one FREE item for every $50 you spend!

Angie

___________________________________________________________________

Too Cool Promotion Quick Links!

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Sent With Love Promotion—Now Thru April 30.
• Sale-A-Bration Promotion—See what you can earn for FREE!
• MyPaperPumpkin.com—Monthly Kit Subscription
• Best of 25 Years Stamps—New stamp set each month!
• Best of 25 Years Stamp Club by Mail—Openings still available.

Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• "Last Thursdays" Card Class—February 28, 6:30pm
• Best of 25 Years Club Orders Due—March 5
• Wow Techniques Class—March 8, 6:30pm.

Best of 25 Years Stamp Club—January Card #1

I'm so excited!  Orders for the first month of the Best of 25 Years Stamp Club are coming in tomorrow, and I've got my bonus card supplies all ready to go!  I hope everyone loves the cards they'll be making in their Best of Birthdays class-to-go!

 

Each member receives all the supplies to make three different cards with their new Best of Birthdays stamp set just released in January. Today, I'm showing one of the cards in detail below, but here's sneak peek of the other two!

    

The January Best of Birthdays set is available through March 31, 2014, so you can still order it at my Online Store!

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Best of 25 Years Club—It's Not Too Late To Join!

I still have two openings for this 12-month stamp club...want to join us?  For only $24 a month (that's including shipping & tax on the order) you'll receive:

• One new "Best of..." stamp set each month ($14.95 value).
• One Firm Foam Ink Pad of their choice (or equivalent, $5.95 value).
• Supplies to create 3 cards with that stamp set ($10 value).
• $40 in Hostess Rewards to use on any merchandise during one month.
• Plus, 2 FREE $14.95 stamp sets of your choice with the Collectors Club!

This club is open to anyone in the USA. I'll add $5.60 for shipping the supplies to you if you are not in the Fort Wayne, IN, area.

See complete details on my Best of 25 Years Stamp Club.  Contact me today to sign up!

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CASEd from Natasha Zandbergen from InkingOutofTheBox.com.

I'm starting out with my favorite one of the three because I'm in love with this Scallop Circle punched window!  Isn't it fun?! 

The Tangerine Tango card base is folded vertically, so I started with a 4-1/4" x 11" piece.  I used the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle to punch the window. 

The Sale-a-Bration Sycamore Street Designer Series is perfectly festive for a birthday card, so I layered a piece of 4-1/4" x 2" on a piece of 4-1/4" x 2-1/4" Island Indigo card stock.  I added a Whisper White Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border before adhering.

I finished off the card with Pool Party Satin Ribbon from the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack from the Sale-A-Bration Catalog.  Sweet!

 

I stamped the image with StazOn Black Ink right through the window opening, then colored it in with a Blender Pen and Ink Pads. 

Have you watercolored that way before?  Simply squeeze your Ink Pad before opening to get some ink on the lid.  The Blender Pen is used like a paint brush and you pick up ink off of the lid palette.  It blends so much easier than using straight markers!  Try it!

I couldn't stop without adding some bling!  I colored over the cake and candles with a 2-Way Glue Pen, then added Dazzling Diamonds glitter!  Perfect!

I attached the Pool Party Ribbon as a bow on the second card.  Cute!

And, I used the cake slice image on this one.  Yummy, glittery goodness!

Complete Supply List:

• Stamps—Best of Birthdays
• Ink—StazOn Black Ink; Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit Classic Ink Pads
  
• Paper—Sycamore Street DSP (SAB #127540); Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, and Whisper White card stock  
• Accessories—Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (SAB #130812), Dazzling Diamonds
• Tools—Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 2-Way Glue Pen, Blender Pen, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Don't forget to check out all of the Sale-A-Bration items you can earn...choose one FREE item for every $50 you spend!

Angie

___________________________________________________________________

Too Cool Promotion Quick Links!

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Sent With Love Promotion—Now Thru April 30.
• Sale-A-Bration Promotion—See what you can earn for FREE!
• MyPaperPumpkin.com—Monthly Kit Subscription
• Best of 25 Years Stamps—New stamp set each month!
• Best of 25 Years Stamp Club by Mail—Openings still available.

Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• Too Cool Demo Team Meeting—Feb. 11, 6pm
• "Last Thursdays" Card Class—February 28, 6:30pm
• Best of 25 Years Club Orders Due—March 5
• Wow Techniques Class—March 8, 6:30pm.

 

Wow! Project—Folded Frame Patterned Occasions

I had a fantastic time at my Wow Techniques Class last night!  What a great group of ladies!  Leesa brought her friend Beth, and I found them sneaking around my photography area and laughing. I wondered what they were up to.  Turns out they left me a surprise on my camera to commemorate the night...

 

Awww!  I can tell you two ladies are trouble when you get together!  LOL!  Thanks for adding to the fun!

Today's project is one of the cards we did last night and it features a fun and easy-to-make focal point. 

We used the Patterned Occasions Sale-A-Bration stamp set—oh, it's so cute and you can earn it for FREE with a $50 order during Sale-A-Bration.  Then, we created a fun folded frame with Parker's Patterns Designer Series Paper to highlight that image. 

The Marina Mist card base is layered with a piece of 4" x 5-1/4" Not Quite Navy card stock that has been embossed with the Argyle Texture Impressions Folder.  I wrapped some Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding around that layer before adhering it to the base. 

The Patterned Occasions elephant is colored directly on the stamp with Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, and Wild Wasabi Markers before stamping onto a 2-3/4" square piece of Whisper White.  After folding the designer paper, the whole frame is mounted on a 3-1/4" square of Cherry Cobbler card stock.

UPDATE: My original photo had 4-1/2", but it is really 4-1/4" square as listed below.  Sorry for the confusion!

Creating The Folded Frame

• Start with a 4-1/4" square piece of double-sided paper.
• Using the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate, score each side at 2-1/8" and 2-7/8"
• Fold the inside score lines in one direction and the outer lines in the other direction depending on which side of the paper you want showing.

Option: If you don't have the Diagonal Plate, you can use the regular Simply Scored Tool to score it.  Position the square like a diamond with the top and bottom points at the 3" mark, then score at the 1" and 1-1/2" marks. Repeat on all sides.

• Add Dimensionals between the two score lines, one near each edge, but don't stick them down yet.
• Add Dimensionals on the flip side underneath the pointed flaps.  Wait on these, too.
• Add your stamped image, then adhere the Dimensionals.

I like using the folded frame as the diamond shape, but I found that you couldn't use the Cherry Cobbler layer beneath it because it made the frame hang over the edges of the card. Oh well, still cute!

I used the Chevrons Texture Impressions Folder on this one to match the chevron pattern on the paper.

Complete Supply List:

• Stamps—Patterned Occasions (SAB #129624 c, #129621 w)
• Ink—Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, and Wild Wasabi Markers
  
• Paper—Parker's Patterns DSP; Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, and Whisper White card stock  
• Accessories—Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Rhinestone Jewels
• Tools—Argyle Texture Impressions Folder (card #1), Chevrons Texture Impressions Folder (card #2), Big Shot, Simply Scored, Simply Scored Diagonal Plate, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Don't forget to check out all of the Sale-A-Bration items you can earn...choose one FREE item for every $50 you spend!

___________________________________________________________________

Receive A FREE Wow! Techniques Class—Every Month!

Did you know that you can make Too Cool projects just like this one for FREE every month when you join my Stamp Club?  Learn more.

Angie

___________________________________________________________________

Too Cool Promotion Quick Links!

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Sent With Love Promotion—Now Thru April 30.
• Sale-A-Bration Promotion—See what you can earn for FREE!
• MyPaperPumpkin.com—Monthly Kit Subscription
• Best of 25 Years Stamps—New stamp set each month!
• Best of 25 Years Stamp Club by Mail—Openings still available.

Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• Too Cool Demo Team Meeting—Feb. 11, 6pm
• "Last Thursdays" Card Class—February 28, 6:30pm
• Wow Techniques Class—March 8, 6:30pm.

Sunday Showcase: Leadership Swaps Part 1

Part of the fun of going to Stampin' Up! events is swapping card ideas with fellow demonstrators!  Today's Sunday Showcase features some of the fabulous swaps I received that feature items from the Spring Catalog and Sale-a-Bration Catalog.  Let's take a look!

Created by Cheryl Lentz at Stamping Journey.

Cheryl's card features the whimsical Henry Says stamp set lightly shaded with Basic Gray and Pink Pirouette ink.  It's layered on the Sale-A-Bration Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper and Vine Street embossed Island Indigo card stock.  Also features: 3-1/2" Circle Die, 1-3/4" Circle Scallop Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch and Linen Thread.

Leadership swap, creator unknown...is it you?

The All Dressed Up Die allows you to play fashion designer!  How fun!  This pretty Sycamore Street floral sundress is tied at the waist with a Sycamore Street Tangerine Satin Ribbon and accented with a dyed Flower Trim rosette.  Also features: Honeycomb Texture Impressions Folder, Square Lattice Texture Impressions Folder, Decorative Label Punch, All Dressed Up stamp set, and Rhinestone Jewels.

Leadership swap, creator unknown...is it you?

This card combines the bold iamges from the Oh, Hello stamp for a lovely, colorful focal point.  Look closely and you can see the Needlepoint Border Texture embossed across the Ovals Collection Framelits die-cuts.  The black & white striped banners are from the Hearts A Flutter stamps and framelits bundle.  Also features: First Edition Designer Series Paper.

Created by Debra Verbosh.

What a terrific combination: the Feeling Sentimental ferris wheel stamp from the Sale-a-Bration Catalog and the Take A Ticket Stampin' Around Wheel!  Add some World Spectacular Designer Series Paper and you've got a fun and festive card that's perfect for birthdays!  

 

Created by Julie Davison at Julie's Stamping Spot.

I love the elegant color combination on this 3" x 5-1/2" card.  Julie used the Summer Starfruit pattern from the Sale-a-Bration Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper.  The sentiment and the flourish it's layered on are both from the Sale-A-Bration Vintage Verses set.  So pretty!  I used the project photo from her blog because her original had a beautiful Vintage Faceted Button accent, which is another Sale-A-Bration selection that you can choose for FREE!  Also features: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, White Baker's Twine. 

Leadership swap, creator unknown...is it you?

This card just makes me smile!  I love the little umbrellas from the the Rain or Shine stamp set and they work perfectly with the Cloudy Day Texture Impressions Folder and cheerful Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper.  So cute!  Also features: Ovals Collections Framelits, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, and Rhinestone Jewels.

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These swaps were some of my favorites...I hope you liked them, too!  You can find the supplies to create all of these projects in the Spring Catalog and Sale-a-Bration Catalog and order them at my Online Store. 

Thanks for stopping by for this week's Sunday Showcase!  

Angie

Last Call For "Best of..." Club & Madison Avenue Blooms

Final Call To Register!—Best of 25 Years Stamp Club

Want to collect all 12 "Best of..." stamp sets that Stampin' Up! is releasing in honor of their 25th Anniversary?  Then my Best of 25 Years Stamp Club By Mail is perfect for you! 

Two Spots Left!  Last Day To Register, or as soon as we get 12 people. 

Contact me today to register.

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Hi Stamping Friends! 

Are you liking the new Sale-A-Bration products as much as I am!  I absolutely love the colors in the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper and all of the coordinating "street-themed" items that go with it.  I knew I wanted to highlight those items on at least one of my cards for tonight's "Last Thursdays" monthly card class. 

CASEd from Amy O'Neill at amyoneillblog.com.

These two cool cards feature all of the "Fab Four" products that I featured on my last Sunday Showcase post.  Stampin' Up! sure makes it easy to put together a fantastic card.  When everything coordinates, the decision-making is easy and the cards practically make themselves!

Best of all, nearly every product on this card is a Sale-A-Bration selection that you can earn for FREE!

The Pool Party card base is layered with 5-1/2" x 2-1/2" Sycamore Street DSP on the top. 

The bottom has a piece of 5-1/2" x 1-3/4" Pool Party that I embossed with the Vine Street Texture Impressions Folder.  Tangerine Tango 1/4" Satin Ribbon, from the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack, is tied around the card front in a double-knot and trimmed.

The 3-1/2" x 3" focal point features the Madison Avenue Sale-A-Bration stamp set.  The leaves, which mimic the Vine embossing texture, are stamped in Summer Starfruit.  The blooms are inked in Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango and Rich Razzleberry with Pool Party centers...picking up all of the pretty colors from the Sycamore Street paper. 

I used the Corner Rounder Punch to soften the corners.

Did you know that even the Itty Bitty Banners stamp set, which includes this "birthday" sentiment, is a Sale-A-Bration selection this year?!  Cool!  I cut it out with the matching Bitty Banners Framelits—so easy!

I turned my my Vine Street Embossing Folder on this vertical version, so the leaves were still growing the right way.  LOL! 

This time I popped up the flower centers by stamping first, then punching with the Itty Bitty Punch Pack circle.  It's a cute effect, but if you look closely, you'll see that I really did it because my centers weren't stamped in the center!  It's a cover-up!  (If you only knew how many cover-ups I have on a regular basis!)

TIP: For a "perfect" look, you may want to dust off your Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to align the leaves and blooms effortlessly. 

At this point, I have to ask myself...where in the heck are the Rhinestone Jewels?  I mean those flower centers are screaming out for bling!  We'll have to add those during class tonight, because that is just not right! 

Complete Supply List:

• Stamps—Madison Avenue (SAB #129660 c, #129657 w), Itty Bitty Banners (also as a free SAB item #132195 c, #132194 w)
• Ink—Summer Starfruit, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango and Pool Party Classic Ink 
• Paper—Sycamore Street DSP (SAB #127540); Pool Party and Whisper White card stock  
• Accessories—Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (SAB #130812)
• Tools—Vine Street Texture Impressions Folder (SAB #130492), Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot, Corner Rounder Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store! 

Don't forget to check out all of the Sale-A-Bration items you can earn...choose one FREE item for every $50 you spend!

Angie

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Too Cool Promotion Quick Links!

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Sale-A-Bration Promotion—See what you can earn for FREE!
• MyPaperPumpkin.com—Monthly Kit Subscription
• Best of 25 Years Stamps—New stamp each month!
• Best of 25 Years Stamp Club by Mail—Deadline Jan. 31

Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• "Last Thursdays" Card Class—Jan. 31, 6:30pm
• Wow Techniques Class—Feb. 8, 6:30pm.

Bitty Butterflies Birthday Card

2 Days Left!—Best of 25 Years Stamp Club

Want to collect all 12 "Best of..." stamp sets that Stampin' Up! is releasing in honor of their 25th Anniversary?  Then my Best of 25 Years Stamp Club By Mail is perfect for you! 

Hurry!  Deadline for signup is January 31st, or as soon as we get 12 people. 

Contact me today to register.

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Hi Stamping Friends! 

I had a great time last night doing a Private Card Class for one of my Club members and her friends!  *waves to Debbie G.*  We had so much fun!

I love being able to bring a customized class right into my customer's homes!  And, right now is the best time of the year to have a Private Class—it's Sale-A-Bration time!  You and your friends have the opportunity to earn extra Sale-A-Bration freebies now through March 22. 

Want to schedule your own personalized, Private Class for you and your friends?  Contact me today for details! 

Today's card is a perfect example of a card we could do at your class because it's fun and quick and features lots of cool products!  It was designed by my team member Lisa Blanchard for us to create at our recent Demo Team Shoebox Swap. 

  

Click photos to see a larger image.

The little Island Indigo banner at the top is 2-1/2" x 1/2" and fish-tailed with a 1" Square Punch.

We stamped Fabulous Phrases words in Basic Black on each of the three 3" x 1/2" panels.  I chose to make mine a birthday card, but there are so many words to choose from that you could make it for numerous occasions.  They are layered on a 3-1/2" x 2" Island Indigo mat. 

Next, we stamped the Papillon Potpouri butterfly in Pool Party onto Pool Party card stock and punched it out with the coordinating Bitty Butterfly Punch.  I love that the new, smaller butterfly punch coordinates with a set we already have in the Annual Catalog.  Cool! 

We added more Bitty Butterflies in both Tangerine Tango and Lucky Limeade and all three were popped up with Dimensionals and decorated with a Rhinestone Jewel.

Check out the fun background!  We added some of the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper from Sale-A-Bration onto a Whisper White card base, then ran the whole front through the Big Shot with the Honeycomb Texture Impressions Folder.  What a fun look!  The decorative paper strips are 1/2" x 5-1/2" and 1" x 5-1/2".

Complete Supply List:

• Stamps—Fabulous Phrases, Papillon Potpouri
• Ink—Pool Party and Basic Black Classic Ink
  
• Paper—Sycamore Street DSP (SAB #127540); Island Indigo, Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Lucky Limeade, and Whisper White card stock  
• Accessories—Rhinestone Jewels
• Tools—Honeycomb Texture Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Bitty Butterfly Punch, 1" Square Punch, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create this project & more at my Online Store!

Angie

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Too Cool Promotion Quick Links!

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Sale-A-Bration Promotion—See what you can earn for FREE!
• MyPaperPumpkin.com—Monthly Kit Subscription
• Best of 25 Years Stamps—New stamp each month!
• Best of 25 Years Stamp Club by Mail—Deadline Jan. 31

Events—Mark Your Calendars!

• "Last Thursdays" Card Class—Jan. 31, 6:30pm
• Wow Techniques Class—Feb. 8, 6:30pm.

Darla's Make A Wish Triple Window Card

Best of 25 Years Stamp Club By Mail

Want to collect all 12 "Best of..." stamp sets that Stampin' Up! is releasing in honor of their 25th Anniversary?  Then my Best of 25 Years Stamp Club By Mail is perfect for you! 

 Hurry!  Deadline for signup is January 31st, or as soon as we get 12 people.  I still have a few spots left.  Contact me today to register. ____________________________________________________________________

Hi Stamping Friends!

Today I'm featuring another fun card that we made at our Too Cool Demo Team Shoebox Swap last week.

  

This card project was courtesy of Darla Eigenschink and it highlights lots of new products!  My favorite is the pretty, sketched sentiment from the Make A Wish stamp set in the Spring Catalog.  The Island Indigo card base is 4-1/4" x 11" for a vertical fold.

 

We used the Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, and Summer Starfruit Markers to color directly on the stamp before stamping on the Whisper white card stock.  It's layered onto Tangerine Tango, then wrapped with the beautiful Pool Party 1/4" Satin Ribbon that comes in the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack from the Sale-A-Bration Flyer. 

Can you believe you get all three colors of ribbon AND buttons in that selection...and it's FREE with your $50 order!

At the bottom of the card, we used the Petite Curly Label Punch, also a Sale-A-Bration selection, to punch a trio of windows.  TIP: For perfect alignment, we first punched the shape from the sticky end of a Post-It note, then positioned that sticky shape where we wanted to punch for a visual guide when punching. 

On the inside of the card, we added a strip of Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper...yes...another Sale-A-Bration item!  I love how the paper shows through when the card is closed!

Next, we used the markers to color in an images from the coordinating Pretty Petites stamp set...another Sale-A-Bration selection!  We stamped it onto Whisper White, then punched it out and adhered it through one of the windows.

Here's what it looks like when you open the card with the bottom edge all decorated.  Great design, Darla!

Complete Supply List:

• Stamps—Make A Wish, Pretty Petites (SAB clear #129642, wood #129639)
• Ink—Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, and Summer Starfruit Markers 
• Paper—Sycamore Street DSP (SAB #127540); Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, and Whisper White card stock  
• Accessories—Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (SAB #130812), Rhinestone Jewels
• Tools—Petite Curly Label Punch (SAB #129405), SNAIL

See the Complete Selection of Sale-A-Bration Items you can earn for FREE with your $50 order!

Find all the supplies to create this project & more at my Online Store!

Angie

Announcing "Best of 25 Years" Stamp Club By Mail!

Hi Stamping Friends!

I'm very excited about the new Best of 25 Years Stamp campaign that Stampin' Up! announced this week and I thought it would be fun to offer an exclusive Stamp Club for those of you who anticipate purchasing the new "Best of..." stamp set each month. And, even better...it's available by mail to my online customers!

What is The Best of 25 Years Stamp Promotion?

In honor of their 25th Anniversary, Stampin' Up! announced that they will be releasing a "Best of..." stamp set each month that features some of the most popular stamp images over the past 25 years.  Each set will also include one brand new image that will be exclusive to that set.  Sets are $14.95 and are available in clear mount only.

The January set is called Best of Birthdays and it's available for purchase right now at my Online Store!

Collectors Card Bonus—FREE Stamp Set!

When you purchase 6 of these "Best of..." themed sets, you'll be able to mail in your proofs of purchase to redeem a FREE stamp set of your choice valued at $14.95.  Download the Collectors Card, then save the "25" stickers from the label on your set.

How Does The Best of 25 Years Stamp Club Work?

You know that you want every "Best of..." set that is released, right?  There's no reason we can't arrange for you to earn some Hostess Benefits, too!  And, wouldn't it be a bonus if you could have three new card samples to go along with each new set every month! 

Here is how it will work...

Best of 25 Years Club Members Receive:

• One new "Best of..." stamp set each month ($14.95 value).
• One Firm Foam Ink Pad of their choice (or equivalent, $5.95 value).
• Supplies to create 3 cards with that stamp set ($10 value).
• $40 in Hostess Rewards to use on any merchandise during one month.
• Plus, 2 FREE $14.95 stamp sets of your choice with the Collectors Club!

Hostess Benefits will be assigned in the order you sign up, so the first three hostesses will be able to take advantage of Sale-A-Bration—bonus!  Plus, you can always add to your order with outside catalog sales to increase your Hostess Rewards!

UPDATE: I've had several people that are hesitant to sign up because they may not like the sets or they may have too many duplicate images in the "Best of..." sets.  You can always substitute out another set of the same cost, or at a higher cost and pay the difference. 

Cost Per Month:  Your cost per month is just $24.00, plus a Priority Mail fee each month if you need the kit shipped (see below).  You'll also pay the tax on your Hostess Merchandise during your Hostess Month.  You'll receive $190 worth of stamping materials for FREE over the course of the year just for signing up now! The entire Stamp Club is more than a $485 value—Too Cool!

Stamp Club By Mail Shipping: This Stamp Club is open to any customer or demonstrator located in the US!  If you're outside the Fort Wayne, IN, area, or not able to pick up your order from my local studio, I'll add a $5.60 Priority Shipping fee (updated because of USPS increase) onto your total each month.  You can always add more items onto your order each month, and I will charge you actual shipping on that additional merchandise.

Fine Print: Offered exclusively by Angie Leach at Too Cool Stamping.  Club members commit to participate for 12 months to receive all "Best of..." sets.  Club orders do not qualify for additional discounts or to receive free classes, and are not valid with other Too Cool Stamping promotions.  Participants will be responsible for collecting proofs of purchase and mailing them in to redeem your two free Collectors Card sets.  Card supplies include pre-cut, pre-embossed card stock, paper, and embellishments.  You add your own stamping (per Stampin' Up! policy), ink, glitter, some die-cutting and adhesive. 

Join The Best of 25 Years Stamp Club Today!

We'll begin the club as soon as we have 12 people, so gather up your friends and sign up today!  I'll take the first 12 people who contact me, first come, first served. 

Contact me today to sign up!

Angie

Holy WOW—Four New Promotions Just Announced!

Holy cow!  I knew that Stampin' Up! was going to be celebrating their 25th Anniversary in a BIG way, but this is AMAZING!  At our Leadership Conference last week, we learned about FOUR fantastic new promotions and they are all available for you RIGHT NOW!

Here's a summary of each promotion, including links to more information... 

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NEW Paper Pumpkin Monthly Stamping Kits

Beginning in March, Stampin' Up! will be offering a subscription-based stamping kit program!  It's a fantastic new option for beginning stampers or stamp enthusiasts who want a quick and fun project coming to their doorstep every month!  For $19.95 per month, subscribers will receive all the stamps, ink and supplies to make several projects for that month.  The only thing you'll need to add is adhesive and scissors.

 

Welcome Kit contents include stamps, ink and supplies to make four of these cards. 

Things To Know About Paper Pumpkin Kits:

• Shipping is included in the $19.95 price, plus tax.
• You sign up at any time and it's auto-renew until you cancel at any time. 
• The first month you sign up will be a Welcome Kit (shown above) with a "D" clear mount block included. You'll use that block for all the stamps in future kits.
• If you cancel and re-sign up, you'll get the Welcome Kit again.
• The contents of the kits are always a surprise...it's part of the fun!
• Subscriptions must be ordered through MyPaperPumpkin.com, and do not count toward workshop orders or hostess benefits.
• The program begins in March, but you can sign up right now!  Want to start later?  Just sign up by the 10th of any month to start that month.  Project kits will be shipped out on the 15th of the month.
• Important!  Please make sure that you select me, Angie Leach, as your demonstrator when you check out—Thank you!

Try-It Kit contents & journal project.

Try-It Kit: Interested, but not ready for a commitment?  Then, the Try-It Kit is perfect for you!  It's a sample Paper Pumpkin project, with everything you need to create it, but without the subscription!  It's $16.95, plus shipping and tax.  See if you like it, then you can decide if the subscription is right for you!

Paper Pumpkin Quick Links:

• Paper Pumpkin FAQs
• Learn more at MyPaperPumpkin.com
• Subscribe now!

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NEW Dude, You're Welcome! Manly Stamping Kit

We've been asking for more masculine stamps, so Stampin' Up! decided to put together a kit that was made just for men! 

 

Each Dude, You're Welcome Kit Includes:

• Four wood-mount stamps (double-mounted) with the perfect sentiment for every occasion. (Blocks are basic scrap wood with imperfections and no curves - manly)
• Twelve 4" x 6" postcards in four different colors (neutral colors - manly)
• Twelve gray envelopes (they don't match the cards exactly - manly)
• A Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad (no color selection - manly)
• An instructional guide (for the most novice stamper!  Includes some humor, but they won't read it anyway because they are manly)
• "Real Men Build Cards" official man-card sticker (silver metallic - manly)

 

Examples of cards HE (or she!) can make with the Dude, You're Welcome Kit.

See how a man will use the Dude, You're Welcome Kit in this cute video...

 

Order the Dude, You're Welcome Kit right now at my Online Store!

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NEW Single Stamp Assortments Now Available!

The first two Single Stamp assortments introduced late last year were a huge hit, so Stampin' Up! has introduced two new assortments of these individual stamps just for you!  These never-before-seen images come in clear-mount only and are packaged in a cello bag.  Take a look at each collection... 

Single Stamps Assortment 3 PDF

Single Stamps Assortment 4 PDF

Browse the new selection of Single Stamps at my Online Store!

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NEW Best of 25 Years Stamp Sets!

Are you ready for a blast from the past?!  Stampin' Up! is celebrating their 25 years with a special, year-long, monthly promotion that I'm very excited about!  Each month, they'll offer a "Best of..." themed stamp set featuring popular stamp images from over the past 25 years, plus one new, exclusive image! 

Things To Know About "Best of..." Stamp Sets:

• Sets will all be $14.95, plus shipping and tax.
• Sets will contain 3-5 images, including one brand new image.
• One set will be released each month, but all sets will be available thru March 31, 2014.

The first set will be Best of Birthdays!  Check it out:

Do you recognize any of your old favorites?!  The oval shape is the new image.  Too Cool!

Collectors Card Bonus: For every 6 sets you purchase you can send in your Collectors Card for a free stamp set of your choice up to $14.95.  So, keep the "25" proof-of-purchase sticker and put it on your downloadable Collectors Card to save up!

Order the Best of Birthdays set at my Online Store right now!

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Whew and Woohoo!  That's a lot of new promotions!  What do you think of all of these amazing offers?  I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! 

Angie

Secret Garden's Fifth Avenue Flashback

Leadership Special  •  Leadership Special  •  Leadership Special

This week only!  Place an order of at least $50 through my Online Store between now and January 12, 2013, and I'll send you a FREE Texture Impressions Folder of your choice!  See Leadership Special 2013 details.  

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One of my all-time favorite retired Stampin' Up! sets was Fifth Avenue Floral...do you remember that one?  When I saw the beautiful flower line images in the Secret Garden set, it reminded me of my ole Fun With Fifth Avenue card...

So I decided to recreate that fun layered outlines look with the new Secret Garden set from the Spring Catalog. 

Oh yeah!  That's the look I loved from the old set!  It's so pretty and easy to create! 

Starting with a piece of 5-1/2 x 2-1/2" Whisper White card stock, created the layered background in three steps:

• I used Pacific Point for the large flower first, stamping 3 times in a triangle shape. 
• Then I used Old Olive for the medium flower, again stamping 3 times.  

• Finally, I stamped the smallest, pointed flower in Bashful Blue to fill in all the white spaces. 

I layered that piece on a 5-1/2" x 2-3/4" Old Olive layer, and adhered it to the Pacific Point card front that I had already embossed with the Needlepoint Border Texture Impressions Folder. 

The sentiment is from Bring On The Cake, inked in Pacific Point on Whisper White, then punched out with the Decorative Label Punch.  A second Bashful Blue Decorative Label shape was cut in half and adhered to the back before being popped up with Dimensionals. 

The cute White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon is attached with a Mini Glue Dot. 

Complete Supply List:

• Stamps—Secret Garden or Secret Garden Bundle, Bring On The Cake
• Ink—Pacific Point, Old Olive, Bashful Blue Classic Ink
  
• Paper—Pacific Point, Old Olive, Bashful Blue and Whisper White card stock  
• Accessories—Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
• Tools—Secret Garden Framelits or Secret Garden Bundle, Needlepoint Border Texture Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Decorative Label Punch, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

Angie

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What Are Your Favorites From The Spring Catalog?  Leave a comment on my Top 10 Too Cool Spring Items post by Janaury 13, and I'll enter you to win one of my Spring Catalog Kick-Off Party 20-Card Kits!  That's a $40 value!  I'll announce a winner on January 14.

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Too Cool Quick Links!

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Leadership Special—Now Thru Jan. 12
  
• Wow Techniques Class—Jan. 18, 6:30pm.
• Limited-Time Valentine's Offers—Thru Jan. 21
• Sale-A-Bration Begins—Jan. 22

Secret Garden Stacked Flowers

While I'm down in sunny (hopefully) Florida getting ready for my Leadership Conference, I thought I'd share an equally bright and cheery couple of cards from my Spring Catalog Kick-Off Party. 

Don't forget to order this week to take advantage of my 2013 Leadership Special—FREE Texture Impressions Folder!  See Leadership Special 2013 details.   

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Inspired by Beth Adams at CraftsByBeth.blogspot.com.

The Secret Garden Bundle is another dynamic duo of Too Cool products from Stampin' Up!  The flower shapes in the Secret Garden stamp set are fabulous, but combine them with the matching Secret Garden Framelits and the possiblities are amazing!

The Daffodil Delight card base has an Old Olive layer that is 5-1/2" x 1-1/4".  The Top Note is die-cut from Whisper white, creating the perfect foundation for my layered flowers!

I love this stacking technique!  I simply stamped the flowers multiple times onto patterned paper in Basic Gray ink, cut out the layers, and popped them up with Dimensionals.  The orange flower is stamped on Tangerine Tango paper from the Brights Collection Designer Series Paper Stack and the center was punched with the Itty Bitty Punch Pack circle.  The yellow flower is stamped on paper from the new Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP. 

I added some Dazzling Diamonds with a 2-Way Glue Pen for sparkle.

The leaves are die-cut from Old Olive paper from the Brights Collection Designer Series Paper Stack. 

The sentiment is from You're Amazing, colored on the rubber stamp with Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango and Old Olive markers before stamping.  Had to add some Dazzling Diamonds sparkle to that, too!

Complete Supply List:

• Stamps—Secret Garden or Secret Garden Bundle, You're Amazing
• Ink—Daffodil Delight, Old Olive and Tangerine Tango Markers; Basic Grey Classic Ink
  
• Paper—Brights Collection Designer Series Paper Stack, Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP; Daffodil Delight, Old Olive and Whisper White card stock  
• Accessories—Dazzling Diamonds
• Tools—Top Note Die, Secret Garden Framelits or Secret Garden Bundle, Big Shot, Paper Snips, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects & more at my Online Store!

What are your favorites from the Spring Catalog?  Leave a comment on my Top 10 Too Cool Spring Items post by Janaury 13, and I'll enter you to win one of my Spring Catalog Kick-Off Party 20-Card Kits!  That's a $40 value!  I'll announce a winner on January 14. 

Angie

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Too Cool Quick Links!

• Browse Spring Catalog—Flash Player
• Shop Spring Catalog—Online Store
• Leadership Special—Now Thru Jan. 12
  
• Wow Techniques Class—Jan. 18, 6:30pm.
• Limited-Time Valentine's Offers—Thru Jan. 21
• Sale-A-Bration Begins—Jan. 22

Gently Falling Watercolor Spritz & Spotlight Trio

The Online Extravaganza is going on NOW!  There are dozens of items discounted from 20% - 50% off—now through Wednesday, November 28, 2012!

See the complete selection of sale items at my  Online Store! 

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"Last Thursdays" Monthly Card Class—Sign Up Now!

• "Last Thursdays" Monthly Card Class—Nov. 29. RSVP by Nov. 28.
• 12 Days of Christmas Calendar Kit - Order by Nov. 26.
• Merry Moments Scrapbook Class-To-Go - Order by Nov. 30.
• Wow Techniques Class - December 14. RSVP by December 12.

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Are you kidding me?!!! 

I had my yard entiredly cleaned up and leaf-free two days ago!  I thought I was caught up on raking leaves, at least for a little bit. Nope!  My three prickly pear trees finally decide it's Fall and dropped all their leaves practically overnight!  Back to raking and bagging for me...only now it's 25° and snowing instead of the 65° and awesome!  Dang!   

Oh well! If I have to deal with more leaves outside, I might as well have some fun with leaves inside, too! 

Today's projects feature two cool stamp sets and two cool techniques!  I used the Gently Falling and French Foliage stamp sets, as well as a combination of watercolor spritz and double-time spotlighting techniques.  It certainly is double the coolness!

  

My inspiration was a card created by Tami White at Stamp With Tami (shown at left), and a card displayed at the Lansing Regional (shown at right, contact me if this is yours!).  I love both of these designs so much!

I started with my 5" x 3-3/4" Very Vanilla layer by inking the French script image in River Rock and randomly stamping three times.  Then, I filled in the open spaces with the watermark image, inked in Baja Breeze and stamped off once before stamping. 

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Create Your Own Watercolor Spritz Double-Time Spotlighting

• Start by punching three 1-3/8" Square Punches in Very Vanilla and temporarily position them with a dab of SNAIL onto the card front.  TIP: It helps to stamp the sentiment first for better positioning. Leave enough room for your layer that will eventually go underneath the square.

  

• Ink your bold image with a light shade of ink first. 
• Use the Rock & Roll Technique to add a darker ink to the outer edges of the stamp only. (shown above left)  TIP: So you don't have to worry about cleaning the edges of the stamp, you can simply dab the ink pad on the outer edges of the stamp, instead of "rolling" it.  Or, you could even use a marker!
• Fill a Stampin' Spritzer with water and mist the inked stamp several times until the ink is slightly pooling. (shown above right)  You don't want it to be dripping off the stamp, but misted enough that the colors are blending together.

• Stamp the image onto the square punch-out.  Part of the image will be hanging off the edge.  TIP: Once I place the image onto the card stock, I like to hold it there a few seconds to let the ink soak into the paper nicely.
• Remove the stamped punch-out, add another square layer underneath, then re-attach to the card permanently.

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The River Rock layer underneath each square is hand-cut, but you could use a combination of "nesting" punches or framelits for the same effect. 

My leaf color combinations include: Baja Breeze/Not Quite Navy, More Mustard/Cajun Craze, and Certainly Celery/Old Olive. The Blooming With Kindness sentiment is inked in Not Quite Navy. 

The entire Very Vanilla stamped piece is mounted on 5-1/4" x 4" Not Quite Navy card stock, then attached to a River Rock card base. 

I had a little mis-stamp on this version, which caused one of my squares to be crooked, so I went with it and created a all-crooked, gently FALLING theme!  Serendipitous!  I love how it turned out! 

I added a little Champagne Shimmer Mist Paint spray (mixed with rubbing alcohol) for some sparkle and shine, too!  (click photo to enlarge it) Beautiful!

Complete Supply List:

• Stamps—Gently Falling, French Foliage, Blooming With Kindness
• Ink—Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Certainly Celery, and Old Olive Classic Ink
  
• Paper—River Rock, Not Quite Navy, and Very Vanilla card stock  
• Accessories—Champagne Shimmer Mist Paint, and rubbing alcohol
• Tools—1-3/8" Square Punch, Stampin' Spritzer, Dimensionals, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects and more at my Online Store!

Angie

___________________________________________________________________

Holiday Catalog Quick Links!

• See Holiday Catalog PDF
• Browse Holiday Catalog by Flash Player
• Shop Holiday Catalog Items Online
• Holiday Stampin' Supplies List - for samples in the catalog

November Promos Quick Links!

• Ink-redible FREE Ink Pads—For Hostesses & New Recruits!
  
• New Single Stamps now available for a limited time!
• Online Extravaganza—Now thru November 28!
  

 

Related articles

French Foliage Rainbow Masking

Sunday Showcase: 12 Online Extravaganza Projects

Colorful Wonderfall To Brighten The Day

The Online Extravaganza is going on NOW!  There are dozens of items discounted from 20% - 50% off—now through Wednesday, November 28, 2012!

See the complete selection of sale items at my Online Store! 

____________________________________________________________________

"Last Thursdays" Monthly Card Class Is Next Week!

• "Last Thursdays" Monthly Card Class—November 29.  RSVP by Nov. 28.
• Merry Moments 12x12" Scrapbook Class-To-Go - Order by Nov. 30.
• 12 Days of Christmas Countdown Calendar Kit - Order by Nov. 26.
• Wow Techniques Class - December 14. RSVP by December 12.

___________________________________________________________________

Somtimes, autumn looks a little like this...

This was the view from my back deck this morning...all foggy and eerie.  Which made today's projects all the more cheerful!

I don't know if you've noticed, but I seem to really like me some blue leaves.  Blue!  Have you ever even seen a blue leaf in real life?  Me neither.  Guess that's why stamping them is so much fun for me! 

I LOVE the Wonderfall set that I've featured here, and like usual, I never seem to use a set I love nearly enough before it's time to move on to the next season of stamps.  The good news is that the Wonderfall set will be carrying over after the Holiday Catalog is over!  That means it's got a fighting chance of making it into the Annual Catalog!  Yippee!

I started by texturizing a 5-1/4 x 4" piece of Very Vanilla with the Stripes Texture Impressions Folder.  Notice that I moved the folder up, so that the little strip at the bottom remained smooth.  Next, I added a 1" strip of my favorite Orchard Harvest checked pattern, and covered that with Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon before adding to my Old Olive card base. 

The Wonderfall leaves were die-cut from Very Vanilla card stock with the Autumn Accents Die first, then I stamped the Raspberry Ripple, Island Indigo and Old Olive images on them afterward.  See more on how this is done at my How To Stamp On Die-Cuts post.

The horizontal version is embossed with the Chevron Texture Impressions Folder.  I accented both cards with an Old Olive Bright Button, tied with some Island Indigo Baker's Twine.

I love, love, LOVE all the colors and patterns and textures on this card!  Between the Chevron embossing on the background, and the alphabet pattern on the leaf, and the dotted stitching of the ribbon...it's simply a delicious feast for the eyes! 

Last, but not least, I stamped a Sassy Salutation in Raspberry Ripple.  It's got a cheerful look, too!

Complete Supply List:

• Stamps—Wonderfall and Sassy Salutations
• Ink—Island Indigo, Old Olive, and Raspberry Ripple Classic Ink
  
• Paper—Orchard Harvest DSP; Old Olive and Very Vanilla card stock  
• Accessories—Brights Buttons, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon
• Tools—Stripes Impresions Folder (card #1), Chevron Impressions Folder (card #2), Autumn Accents Die, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, SNAIL

Find all the supplies to create these projects and more at my Online Store!

Angie

___________________________________________________________________

Holiday Catalog Quick Links!

• See Holiday Catalog PDF
• Browse Holiday Catalog by Flash Player
• Shop Holiday Catalog Items Online
• Holiday Stampin' Supplies List - for samples in the catalog

November Promos Quick Links!

• Ink-redible FREE Ink Pads—For Hostesses & New Recruits!
  
• New Single Stamps now available for a limited time!
• Online Extravaganza—Now thru November 28!
  

 

Related articles

Razzleberry Autumn Accents With A Leaf Texture Trick

French Foliage Rainbow Masking

Autumn Accents Thanksgiving Place Cards

Sunday Showcase: 12 Cool Cards From The "Big" Catalog

Last Day For FREE Satin Stitched Ribbon!

Get your FREE ribbon with every $40 purchase—Back To Spool promotion ends today!  Order now!

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Sunday Showcase

Once the Holiday Catalog gets released each year, I tend to forget about the wonderful collection of stamps in the Annual Catalog.  I get so wrapped up in projects for the upcoming seasonal festivities, the amazing selection in the big Catalog takes a back seat.

Today's collection showcases some fabulous card ideas from items in the Annual Catalog as a gentle reminder (maybe to you, but definitely to myself!) to dust off those all-occasion stamp sets and get back to the basics! 

 

Created by Vicki Luebke from my Too Cool Demo Team.

Up, Up & Away is a fun set for so many occasions, including masculine birthdays!  I love how she popped up the balloons, and used 2-1/2" Circle Punches of Always Artichoke card stock for the rolling hills. 

 

Displayed at Ronda's Creative Convention.  Let me know if you're the artist!

The pretty Field Flowers stamp set is so versatile!  It's perfect for birthdays, thank yous, sympathy, or just a simple "hi there" card.  It's all dressed up here with a pop of the Real Red flower, layered onto an En Francais background, and accented with a Black Taffeta Ribbon bow.  Very elegant!

 

Displayed at Ronda's Creative Convention.  Let me know if you're the artist!

Another card featuring Field Flowers in a more country style.  But, the surprise here is the use of the Tea Shoppe tea cup turned upside-down as the vase!  What a fun idea!  Also features: Pursuit of Happiness, Scallop Oval Punch, and Crumb Cake Seam Binding.

 

Created by Vicki Luebke from my Too Cool Demo Team.

Creative Elements is one of my favorite sets in the Annual Catalog!  All of the elements work so well together!  I love Peggy's use of the oval Designer Frames Impressions Folder for the center sentiment.  It looks great flanked by the Riding Hood Red accent images! 

 

Displayed card at Ronda's Creative Convention.  Let me know if you're the artist!

The Sunflower background stamp was used to create a lovely layered, and very sparkly, thank you card!  I love the dimension!  Looks like the sunflower was inked with Daffodil Delight and Early Espresso Markers, stamped and hand-cut several times, then covered with Dazzling Details.  Also featires First Edition Designer Series Paper and Perfectly Penned sentiment.

 
 

Created by Carolyn Diehl.

This one-layer card also features Creative Elements for the Midnight Muse butterflies and the Crumb Cake border.  But the flowers along the bottom, inked in Crumb Cake and possibly Rich Razzleberry, are from the Nature Walk set.  Also features Very Vanilla Seam Binding.  

  
 

Created by Cheryl Elenbass.

The peaceful images from Serene Silhouettes help to make a quick and easy sympathy card.  This silhouette is layered onto an image from French Foliage.  Also features a Beautiful Wings Embosslit butterfly and Petite Pairs sentiment. 

 
 

Created by Chris Wedell.

Although you can't see it well, this one features another pretty silhouette image from the Just Believe stamp set, along with the En Francais background stamp.  I love the trendy banners created with Comfort Café and First Edition Designer Series Papers.  Also features Apothecary Accents Framelits and Bring On The Cake sentiment.

 

Displayed at Ronda's Creative Convention.  Let me know if you're the artist!

Like the Creative Elements set, the Everything Eleanor set has lots of versatile images that are fantastic for layering.  Here's a great example!  Also features Lacy Brocade Impressions Folder and Victoria Crochet Trim.

 

Created by Tamie Ackerson at Stamping With Tamie.

The super cute images in the Easy Events set make fun and easy cards!  The sentiment are already on the images, so just stamp with Basic Black and color!  What could be easier!  I love the colors of this baby card: Baja Breeze and Daffodil Delight.  Also features: White Baker's Twine, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, Perfect Polka Dot Impressions Folder.

  

Created by Carol Hintz.

Here's another cute card using the Bug Me stamp set.  It's the perfect set for kids, or the kid in all of us!  The bright colors and happy insects bring a smile to my face! 

  

Created by Carmen DeBruce, Too Cool Demo Team member.

I broke down and bought this cute set, in part because I saw this card!  Happy Hour is perfect for a party invitation, or to toast any kind of celebration!  Pick your drink and mix and match your garnish...love it!  Carmen added some Crystal Effects to make the glasses shine and fruits glisten.  Also features the Betsy's Blooms Stampin' Around Wheel.

I also love how this gate-fold card has a fun, overlapping opening!  Too Cool!

Hope today's projects have inspired you to take another look at the big Annual Catalog to see what stamps you've been missing lately.  It's certainly been a terrific reminder for me! 

Until next time!

Angie

Sunday Showcase: 8 Polka Dot Parade Projects

Do you love creating matching projects as much as I do?  Last week, at Ronda Wade's Creative Convention, we made some cute & simple matching make & takes using the bright & cheery Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper.  Let's take a look at the projects we created...

It's a fabulous collection of projects that show just how versatile the paper can be for any occasion! Ronda designed four coordinating pairs of projects, each with a 3D gift holder and matching card. 

  

All of the projects use the Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper and the Brights Brads that come in all the same colors!

 

I started with the adorable Fancy Favor Die gift box, which features Marina Mist polka dot paper and the I Dig You stamp set.  Add some Marina Mist brads inside the bull dozer wheels.  What a fun party favor for a little boy's birthday! 

 

Here's the matching card.  I love how the back of the Polka Dot Parade paper is larger, toned down dots that have more of a masculine feel.  The designer paper is actually folded down at the top to show he back of the designer paper like a rolled sleeve cuff.  Coordinating color is Old Olive.

 

The next project was a 2-4-6-8 Box that was 9" tall.  We wrapped the box with Pumpkin Pie polka dot paper and a Scallop Edge border.  It's decorated with a polka dot flower made with the new 1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, the flower from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack, and Daffodil Delight brads.  The two-part sentiment is from Petite Pairs.  Also features: Decorative Label Punch, and Bitty Banners Framelits.

Make Your Own 2-4-6-8 Box: You can do them at any size height, but the card stock width needs to be 8-1/2" wide, and you score it along that side at 2", 4", 6", and 8" as the name implies.  The extra 1/2" becomes the tab that you use to adhere the box together.  You score the other side at 2" and cut slits at each score line making the tabs that fold in to make the bottom of the box.  Check out these 2-4-6-8 Box Instructions for a better visual.

 

Use the Extra-Large Oval Punch to create a simple punch-art pumpkin.  Sponge the edges of the ovals with Early Espresso ink to add some dimension, then add a hand-cut Old Olive stem and Old Olive brad.  Cute!  Also features: Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon and Friendly Phrases sentiment.

 

We used the Flower Folds XL Die to die-cut flower layers from the Rich Razzleberry polka dot paper and card stock.  Adhere the layers with Dimensionals and add a contrasting center for a beautiful and easy-to-make box topper!  It's a great alternative to a bow!  Adhere the flower to the 3/8" So Saffron Ribbon and tie it around so that you can slip it off easily to open the box.  Also features: Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, and Word Window Punch.

Make Your Own Box: The box is another easy one!  The lid is 6x6" designer paper, scored on each edge at 1".  The box bottom is 8x8" and scored on each side at 2".  Cut tab slits on the two score lines on one side, and then the other, add adhesive to the tabs and assemble. 

 

The matching flower card showcases the Daffodil Delight polka dots!  The flower is made with three Blossom Punch layers with the Rich Razzleberry polka dotted paper, a Circle Circus stamp punched with a 1" Circle Punch, and a Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon stem!  Also features: One In A Million stamp set and Modern Label Punch.

 

We created an easy mini Christmas Stocking with the Real Red polka dotted paper die-cut with the Holiday Stocking Die adhered around a die-cut Petite Pocket.  It could hold candy canes, pencils, thin candy or even a gift card inside.  Also features: White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon and Real Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon.

 

Our final project was a matching Christmas card using the Embellished Events stamp set and Real Red polka dots.  Also features Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon, the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, and the Scallop Squares Duo Die.

You can order all of the supplies to create these projects at my Online Store!

What a fun ensemble!  As you can see, you can use these delightul polka dot prints for LOTS of occasions, so it's a great paper to keep on hand! 

Thanks so much to Ronda Wade for sharing her fabulous collection of Polka Dot Parade projects! 

Angie

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Holiday Catalog Quick Links!

• See Holiday Catalog PDF
• Browse Holiday Catalog by Flash Player
• Shop Holiday Catalog Items Online
• Holiday Stampin' Supplies List - for samples in the catalog

September Promos Quick Links!

• FREE Stitched Satin Ribbon With Every $40 Order
• FREE Howl-a-Ween Printer's Tray - with Starter Kit purchase. LAST DAY!

Orchard Harvest Owl Window Cards

You may have noticed that I have a tendency to create elegant, vintage or flowery cards, but I enjoy a little whimsy now and then!  Like today's two cool cards design that we'll be creating at my "Last Thursdays" card class on August 30...

The new Core'dinations card stock and Woodgrain Impressions Folder create the perfect background for these adorable, punch-art owls!  Meet Oliver and Sebastian! 

I started with a strip of my favorite pattern from the Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper pack—love that color combination!  I used a Lucky Lime card base with a Cherry Cobbler Scallop Border accent (it's actually Raspberry Ripple in that plaid...oops, I just realized!).

I punched the 1-3/4" Circle from the Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock first, then ran it through the Big Shot in the Woodgrain Impressions Folder.  Using the new Stampin' Sanding System, I very lightly sanded the embossed pattern.  Careful!  The Core'dinations card stock will tear easily after being embossed.

Once all the background pieces were adhered to the card front, I punched the complete window from the card base, using the previously punched window as a guide. 

The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, inked in Island Indigo, and punched with the Modern Label Punch.

   

Oliver Owl was punched from Soft Suede card stock, then dressed in a matching Orchard Harvest vest.  I used Crumb Cake for the outer eyes (and should have tried some Googly Eyes for even more personality!).  He also has a More Mustard heart beak and Cherry Cobbler heart embellishment. 

When you open the card, Oliver is sitting on a branch from the Bird Punch!  Cute!

Sebastian is a little more laid back...and he's in love, as noted by the Tiny Tags sentiment in Island Indigo ink and punched with the Little Labels Punch.

I added some sleepy, half-circle eyelids to him, and he seems older and wiser.  You can really see how awesome the popped up eyes look here! 

See, he really is in love!  Awwwww!

Make This Card With Me!  Join us at my "Last Thursdays" card class on August 30 and make your own Orchard Harvest Owl Window Card!  RSVP by Wednesday, August 29, at 5pm by contacting me.

Complete Supplies List:

• Stamps—Teeny Tiny Wishes (card #1), Tiny Tags (card #2)
  
• Ink—Island Indigo Classic Ink
• Paper—Orchard Harvest DSP; Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock; Lucky Limeade, Cherry Cobber, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, More Mustard, Basic Black, and Whisper White card stock  
• Accessories—None. What?!
• Tools—Woodgrain Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Stampin' Sanding System, Core'dinations Dust Buddy, Owl Punch, Bird Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch (card #1), Little Labels Punch Pack (card #2), 2-Way Glue Pen, SNAIL, Dimensionals

Order supplies used on today's projects at my Online Store!

Angie

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FINAL DAYS For A FREE Howl-a-Ween Printer's Tray Kit!

If you're a stamping enthusiast, you'll love all of the tips, techniques, and project ideas that Stampin' Up! shares with demonstrators!  Don't miss out!  Order your fully customizable $99 Starter Kit today and join in on the fun! 

Plus, this month only, when you purchase a Starter Kit, you'll receive a FREE Howl-A-Ween Printer's Tray Project Kit, which features Toxic Treats stamps, valued at $60!  What a bonus! 

Learn more, contact me for more details, or order your Starter Kit now!

*********************************************************************************

Holiday Catalog Quick Links!

• See Holiday Catalog PDF
• Browse Holiday Catalog by Flash Player
• Shop Holiday Catalog Items Online
• Holiday Stampin' Supplies List - for samples in the catalog

"Last Thursdays" Class & Creative Elements Triple-Time

"Last Thursdays" Monthly Card Class

Just a reminder that my "Last Thursdays" card class is coming up this week, Thursday, August 30, at 6:30pm.  Make 4 cards for $10 or FREE with your $20 order placed at the event. 

If you're a new stamper, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn some basic stamping skills!  If you're a stamping enthusiast, it's a fun night of stamping and chatting with friends, and adding to your card stash!  Either way, it's a night you won't want to miss!

This month, we'll be trying out lots of products and techniques:

• Googly Ghouls Wicked Cool—With new Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP and Googly Eyes!
• Creative Elements Triple-Time (posted below)—Try the cool & easy Triple-Time Stamping technique!
• Orchard Owl Window Card—Useing the new Core'dinations card stock and Sanding System!
• Thoughts & Prayers Sympathy—Elegant paper piercing with Apothecary Accents Framelits!

Want to join us?  Please RSVP by Wednesday, August 29, at 5pm.

On-The-Go "Last Thursdays" Class Kit

Can't make it to my class?  Class Card Kits are available to purchase!  I include all the pre-cut, pre-punched, and pre-die-cut card supplies, plus embellishments, for all four cards. The Kits do not include pre-stamping, per Stampin' Up! policy.  Please note: You'll need to add your own stamped images, inks, and adhesives to complete the cards.  Kits available while supplies last.

On-The-Go Card Kit Price:

•  $10, plus $5.15 for shipping (or pick it up at my Too Cool Stamping Studio in Fort Wayne, IN). 
• FREE with a $50 order placed at my Online Store from now thru August 31. (Plus, earn a spot on my 50/50/50 Board!)
  

Contact me today to order!

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We had a request at the last "Last Thursdays" card class in July to do the Triple-Time Stamping technique!  I thought that was a fantastic idea, because it's so deceptively easy to do!  It's a perfect "wow" project for any level stamper!

My CASEd project is a combination of the stamp set that Dawn Olchefske used on the original Triple-Time Stamping Tutorial and the colors that Michelle Hoover used on her Triple-Time project shown yesterday (last project). 

First, I stamped the sentiment from Blooming With Kindness in Elegant Eggplant on the smallest layer. 

After temporarily adhering my three Whisper White pieces together, I stamped them with the flourish from Creative Elements in River Rock.  Then, I added some Elegant Eggplant blooms from the same set. 

After reassembling and adhering all the layers, I couldn't resist adding a Wisteria Wonder butterfly, also from the Creative Elements stamp set!

I used some of my old, retired River Rock ribbon to make the double-tied, faux bow.

Last, but not least, I spritzed the entire card with some Champagne Shimmer Mist Spray (Champagne Shimmer Paint with rubbing alcohol mixture in a Spritzer: Shimmer Mist recipe.).

If you like this technique as much as I do, don't miss my other Triple-Time projects!

Complete Project Supplies List:

• Stamps—Blooming With Kindness, Creative Elements
• Ink—River Rock, Wisteia Wonder, and Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink
• Paper—Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White card stock  
• Accessories—Retired River Rock ribbon, Champagne Shimmer Mist Paint
• Tools—Stampin' Spritzer, rubbing alcohol, SNAIL, Dimensionals

Order all of the supplies used on today's projects, at my Online Store!

Angie

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Holiday Catalog Quick Links!

• See Holiday Catalog PDF
• Browse Holiday Catalog by Flash Player
• Shop Holiday Catalog Items Online
• Holiday Stampin' Supplies List - for samples in the catalog

You're Amazing Balloons Birthday

CASEd from Chat Wszelaki from Me, My Stamps and I.

I must still be in a blue & gold mood from my reunion because I found myself drawn to Pacific Point and Summer Starfruit for today's quick & easy projects!

 

The fun hot air balloon and birthday images from these two cool cards come from the You're Amazing stamp set.  And, the Pacific Point designer paper from International Bazaar makes a fantastic, festive background for these birthday cards.

I used markers to color directly on the stamps to create the two-color images.

I stamped a second balloon and cut it out to pop up with Dimensionals.  Then, I dabbed the 2-Way Glue Pen over the top and sprinkled on some Dazzling Diamonds for some sparkle!

The sentiment was stamped on Whisper White card stock, then die-cut with the Apothecary Accents Framelits.  I used another Apothecary Accents Framelits shape cut in half to create the Pacific Point layer underneath.  Rhinestone Jewels gives it even more sparkle!

I stamped two balloons on the second card, and I really love how the popped up layer breaks out of the box! 

Complete Supplies List:

• Stamps—You're Amazing
  
• Ink—Pacific Point, Summer Starfruit Markers
• Paper—International Bazaar DSP; Pacific Point, Summer Starfruit and Whisper White card stock  
• Accessories—Dazzling Diamonds (card #1), Rhinestone Jewels
• Tools—Apothecary Accents Framelits, Big Shot, 2-Way Glue Pen (card #1), SNAIL, Dimensionals

Order supplies used on today's projects, at my Online Store!

*********************************************************************************

Final Days To Earn A FREE Howl-a-ween Printer's Tray Kit

Don't miss out!  This month only, when you purchase a fully customizable $99 Starter Kit, you'll receive a FREE Howl-A-Ween Printer's Tray Project Kit, which features Toxic Treats stamps, valued at $60!  What a bonus! 

Learn more, contact me for more details, or order your Starter Kit now!

Angie

*********************************************************************************

Holiday Catalog Quick Links!

• See Holiday Catalog PDF
• Browse Holiday Catalog by Flash Player
• Shop Holiday Catalog Items Online
• Holiday Stampin' Supplies List - for samples in the catalog

Masking With Autumn Accents Die-Cuts

When I was cutting supplies for my Autumn Accents Stamp Club project last week, I had a bunch of leftover pieces that had been die-cut and I thought, why not put those to good use...

So, I created Two Cool cards using the die-cut Autumn Accents windows as a mask.  I sponged with the same colors that I used in my previous Wonderfall card...love this combination!

 

Simply lay your die-cut windows on a piece of Very Vanilla card stock and sponge in a small circular motion.  TIP: Start your sponging on the mask and work toward the card stock to avoid an abrupt ink smudge on your card stock.

Continue adding more sponged leaves, overlapping some of the edges.

I added my sponged leaves to a layer of Cajun Craze card stock with a Finishing Touches Edgelit Border, then adhered it to my Midnight Muse card base.

I stamped Wonderfall leaf for the bottom of the card (learn tips on how to stamp on die-cuts), then added some Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon tails for some added color.  The Itty Bitty Banner sentiment is die-cut with the Bitty Banners Framelit, then attached with a Vintage Trinket brad.

For the second card, I tried stamping Wonderfall leaves over the top of the sponged leaves. 

Probably should have used a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for more accurate positioning, but I still like overall look!  Beautiful, rich colors!  Finished with more Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon and a Sassy Salutations sentiment.

Complete Supplies List:

• Stamps—Wonderfall, Itty Bitty Banners (card #1), Sassy Salutations (card #2)
  
• Ink—Midnight Muse, More Mustard, Cajun Craze Classic Ink
• Paper—Cajun Craze, Midnight Muse and Very Vanilla card stock  
• Accessories—Vintage Trinkets (card #1), Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon
• Tools—Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Bitty Banners Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Big Shot, Sponges, Glue Dots, SNAIL, Dimensionals

Order supplies used on today's projects, at my Online Store!

Angie

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The Holiday Catalog Quick Links!

• See Holiday Catalog PDF
• Browse Holiday Catalog by Flash Player
• Shop Holiday Catalog Items Online
• Holiday Stampin' Supplies List - for samples in the catalog