Friday, February 15, 2013

Stampin' Celebration 63--Mid-Monthspiration




Wow, this month is flying by!  I've been keeping busy stamping lots of Valentines--for my kids' school classes, cousins, and grandparents, etc.  So, I was ready to take a break from Valentines creations for a bit and create a card using the Stampin' Celebration *sketch* challenge.  Yep, a fun new surprise.  :-)  For the mid-monthspiration, there will now be a sketch.  So you can use just the inspiration piece, OR just the sketch, OR both for more fun!  



I have also been wanting to use my Oh, Hello stamp set which has been neglected since I pre-ordered it all the way back in December.  The color combination was inspired by the colors found in the Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP in the Spring Catalog.  



As I was making this card I liked all of the different elements, but I wasn't so sure once I got them all together if I like the overall card.  One of the elements I thought was fun was the safety pin at the top.  I pierced two holes with my paper-piercing tool and then added the safety pin (from the Vintage Trinkets collection).  The ribbon--Marina Mist and Melon Mambo 3/8" Striped Organdy Ribbon--is also new in the Spring Catalog.  


You still have time to play along with us at Stampin' Celebration.  Be sure to link up to the main Stampin' Celebration site here by February 25 to be in the running for the "Pick of the Party"!
Stampin' Celebration Blog Hop:
Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions (you are here)
Cori Kozak - Creative Chat
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs
Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style
Jenny Peterson - Lakeshore Stamping


Stamps:  Oh, Hello
Ink:  Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, and Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo, Marina Mist, and Daffodil Delight markers
Paper:  Naturals White, Basic Gray
Accessories:  Marina Mist and Melon Mambo 3/8" Striped Organdy Ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Ovals Collection Framelits, Big Shot, dimensionals

Friday, February 1, 2013

Soda Pop Love


It's the beginning of the month, which means it's time for another Stampin' Celebration challenge!  We have another great inspiration piece this month, and I took it pretty literally this time.  The wall in the top left photo reminded me of this Designer Paper from the More Amore DSP pack, so that's where I started. 


The large letters come from the Simple Letters Alphabet dies and the little letters come from the Billboard Alphabet die--(both discontinued).  I sponged some Real Red ink onto some of Natural Trim Ribbon (new in the Spring Catalog) and then used my Heat Tool to dry it.  I tied it off with some Linen Thread. 

 
I wanted to do something fun for the 'o' in love and decided on one of the new Soda Pop Tops.  I ran it through the Big Shot (platform with no tabs and a cutting plate on top and bottom of the pop top) to flatten it a little bit.  The image behind the Red Glimmer Paper heart comes from the Collage Curios stamp set in the Spring Catalog
 

We'd love to have you play along with us this month at Stampin' Celebration! You have until February 25th to link your creation (a card, 3D item, digital item, scrapbook layout, etc.) to the Stampin' Celebration blog and be in the running for the "Pick of the Party" at the end of the month. We can't wait to see what Stampin' Celebration inspires you to create!

To see what the other DT members have created:

Stampin' Celebration Blog Hop:
Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions (you are here)
Cori Kozak - Creative Chat
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs
Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style
Jenny Peterson - Lakeshore Stamping
 
Stamps: Collage Curios
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Real Red, Very Vanilla, More Amore DSP
Accessories:  Natural Trim Ribbon, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Soda Pop top, Linen Thread, Stampin' Distress Tool, 1" Circle Punch, Hearts Collection Framelits, Simple Letters Alphabet dies, Billboard Alphabet die, Big Shot, dimensionals

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Fancy Sycamore Favor


 
Today I actually have a non-Valentine's project to share.  :-)  This is a project that we made at my downline meeting this past month.  I got the idea for this project from Heather Klump--a very talented stamper! 
 
It uses several of the Sale-A-Bration items (ie FREE with a $50 purchase): the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack, the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper, and the Madison Avenue stamp set.  Note:  these are the 3 items you receive for free (in addition to all the other awesome hostess benefits) when you host a workshop or place a $400 order during Sale-A-Bration.  Yay! 
 

It's quite easy to make this fun little favor box.  I ran Island Indigo through the Big Shot with the Fancy Favor die to create the bottom of the box.  That part is assembled as usual. 

For the top of the box I used a 4" by 12" piece of the Designer Paper (so you can get 3 tops per 1 sheet of DSP) and ran it through the Big Shot again, but lined up so that you don't cut out the part that would become the tabs to make the bottom of the box.  Then adhere along the edges to make a tube, pinch the top together, punch holes, and tie it closed.  Here I used some of the Satiny Pool Party ribbon from the Sale-A-Bration pack. 


For the tag, I stamped with Summer Starfruit onto the same color card stock and then cut out using the smallest flower in the Floral Frames Framelits set.  I cut out a second flower in Pool Party to layer behind.  The sentiment was stamped with the Essentials set and then cut out using the Bitty Banners Framelits.  The Oval that creates the base of the tag was cut out using the Ovals Collection Framelits found in the Spring Catalog

I also wanted to remind you that this is a great time to join the Stampin Up family!  If  purchase the starter kit during Sale-A-Bration, you get an extra 25% in Starter Kit products for FREE.  So that means:

You choose $156 of any current Stampin Up products and pay only $99 (plus tax)!  Awesome!  You don't even have to pay shipping, which saves another 10%.  :-) 

By purchasing the starter kit, that means you join the Stampin' Up! family of demonstrators (and my team). From when you purchase the kit until June 30th, 2013 you get all the demonstrator benefits. But that doesn't mean you have any obligation to host parties, purchase anything further, or solicit orders from anyone. You literally can take advantage of this offer and walk away. There is no penalty to drop. However, if you do have $300 in sales or purchases between now and June 30th, then you renew your benefits for another 3 months. 

Intrigued? So what are the benefits of being a demonstrator? 
 
A few of my favorites are:
--an additional 10% off your first order of $150 or more during your first 45 days (on top of your 'normal' 20% discount)
--access to the Stampin' Connection website that has thousands of project ideas, forums, videos, etc.
--Stampin' Success (a bi-monthly magazine) full of ideas and tips
--the ability to attend demo-only events (convention, leadership, regionals) 
 
And of course you can attend my downline meeting (every other month) and make cute projects like this one.  :-)  Or if you live far away, I send you the projects. 
 
If you are curious and have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me! I have loved my journey with Stampin Up and look forward to sharing it with you. This really is such a great deal that there's really NOT a reason to miss out on it! :-)  Ready to go?  You can learn more and/or sign up HERE
 
Stamps:  Madison Avenue, Essentials
Ink:  Summer Starfruit, Island Indigo
Paper:  Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit, Pool Party, Whisper White, Sycamore Street DSP
Accessories:   Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button pack, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Fancy Favor die, Ovals Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Floral Frames Framelits, Big Shot

Monday, January 28, 2013

Pocket o' Hearts


 
Hi all!  Back with another Valentine's project today.  :-)  I created this using the Fab Friday color challenge, and we also made this at my Stampers Club this past weekend. 

This cute little pocket was made using the Petite Pocket die (and Big Shot).  The smallest hearts were punched out with the Small Heart punch, the medium heart (the one inside the banner) is the smallest heart from the Hearts Collection Framelits, and the banner and largest hearts were cut out using the Hearts a Flutter Framelits.  I used the Finishing Touches Edgelits to get the fun edge on the Very Vanilla Layer.  It did take lots of runs through the Big Shot, but I think it was worth it in the end.  :-) 


I crinkled the Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake hearts to give a little texture.  I also used one of the new Soda Pop Tops from the Spring Catalog.  I ran the pop top through the Big Shot (platform with no tabs and a cutting plate on top and bottom of the pop top) to flatten it a little bit.  I really like these Soda Pop Tops, but they are pretty tall (as is) to add to a project.  For me, being able to 'smash' them down a little bit makes them much more 'useable'. 


Here's a picture of the back of the pocket and the note that fits inside.  (Note: This does hold a gift card, although just barely.)  I used the button brads from the Vintage Trinkets collection and Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine for the enclosure.  

Have a great day!

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Crumb Cake
Paper:  Pool Party, Pink Pirouette, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, and More Amore Specialty DSP
Accessories:  Soda Pop Top, Vintage Trinkets, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, dimensionals, Small Heart Punch, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Hearts Collection Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Petite Pockets Die

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Sentimental Birthday


 
Stampin' Up's premiere promotion of the year has started!  Sale-A-Bration is here, and this card showcases one of the stamp sets--called Feeling Sentimental--that is available for free with a $50 purchase. 

I needed a birthday card for my grandpa, so I set to work with this stamp set.  I also wanted to participate in the SUO challenge--using your 'New Toys'


The image is inked with Early Espresso, and I also sponged (and distressed) all the edges with the same color.  I added some of the new Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon and one of the new Silver Basics Designer Buttons.  I really like both of these products.  The buttons are nice because they are thin, they don't add too much 'up' to your card. 

Thanks for coming by!  Remember that there are several ways to party during Sale-A-Bration:

Shop:  With each $50 purchase you can choose an item (for FREE!) from the Sale-A-Bration catalog

Host:  Have a party with your friends and earn Sale-A-Bration freebies!  With a $150 order you get (in addition to all the normal benefits) a package of Silver Glimmer Paper.  With a $400 order you get the Glimmer Paper PLUS a product bundle. 

Join:  When you join the Stampin Up family during Sale-A-Bration, you get 25% more product for free in your starter kit.  Whether you are looking for a discount on your product or a new career, Stampin Up has a place for you! 

If you have any question, don't hesitate to ask.  :-) 

Stamps:  Feeling Sentimental, Essentials
Ink:  Early Espresso
Paper:  Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty DSP
Accessories:  Natural Trim Ribbon, Silver Basics Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Stampin' Distress Tool, Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot, dimensionals

Friday, January 18, 2013

Hearts all in a Row



Well now that I've started creating some Valentine's cards, I'm on a roll!  Several of these hearts were actually 'left overs' from the card I created earlier this week.  I saw the sketch challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments, and knew what I could use the hearts for.  :-)  


And the colors were taken from the Stampin' Celebration Challenge for January:  


I stamped the hearts using the Hearts a Flutter stamp set (found in the new Spring Catalog) and then ran them through the Big Shot with the coordinating Hearts a Flutter Framelits to cut them out. I also used the new Honeycomb Embossing Folder for the fun texture on the Pool Party layer.  

The gray hearts are covered in Dazzling Diamonds glitter--I used Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to adhere the glitter.  The 'love' tag was stamped with the Lovely Little Labels stamp set and then punched out suing the Little Labels Punch pack.  I adhered the bow and the tags with glue dots--uncharacteristic to my 'usual', they aren't attached to each other.


Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Hearts a Flutter, Lovely Little Labels
Ink:  Going Gray, Pool Party, Primrose Petals
Paper:  Pool Party, Going Gray, Whisper White
Accessories:  Hearts a Flutter framelits, Hearts Collection Framelits (for the smaller heart), Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Little Labels Punch Pack, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, Dazzling Diamonds, White Baker's Twine, dimensionals