Razzle Window Card

I'm baaack! Sorry for the long silence, I've been too busy taking care of *life* stuff, but I'm back now! So on to the fun stuff!

I love this new designer paper called Razzleberry Lemonade and the new Movers & Shapers dies!



This is a card I made for my friend and TAC demonstrator Betti! Hi Betti!!!

In the new catalog, Stampin Up has introduced 4 more magnetic shapes to use with the Movers & Shapers die in your Big Shot machine.



You simply run your cardstock through the Big Shot machine and choose which die window you want to use with your card. Since the dies are magnetic you can place the *window* anywhere you want!



In the photo above you can see how I used the NEW Modern Label punch to punch out and pop up this sentiment so that it can be seen on the front of card through the window.

The 4 different shapes each match with a corresponding hand punch so that the shape can *pop out* through the same shaped *window*.
The 4 shapes are:
1) oval scallop
2) NEW modern label
3) heart
4) star



You can see in this side view how it's done. Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Thank You Kindly - $13.95
Cardstock: Whisper White base cardstock, Rich Razzleberry cardstock, Melon Mambo cardstock, Crushed Curry cardstock
Papers: Razzleberry Lemonade designer paper
Ink: Rich Razzleberry dye ink pad
Ribbon: Melon Mambo Polka-dotted Grosgrain ribbon
Accessories: Big Shot machine, Movers & Shapers Curly Label Bigz Xl Die, Punch Windows Movers & Shapers Die (modern label), Modern Label hand punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Mini Glue Dots

It's Heeeerrrrreeee! The New Catalog is Here!

click on the catalog to download it

Isn't she a beaut? It's finally here! The new 2009 - 2010 Catalog! And it runs for an ENTIRE year. Yes - Stampin' Up switched back to having a yearly catalog, yippee!

This catalog is chock-full of the most beautiful rubber stamps, scrapbooking kits, cardmaking kits, cardstock, inks, markers, ribbons, embellishments, designer papers and tools you've ever seen. What else can I say? If you don't have a copy of it, you can click on it and it'll begin to download to your computer. If there's anything you'd like to purchase just click on my link to my Stampin' Up store and you can start shopping from my website!

Stay tuned for some cute cards and projects next week!

Inspiration for today:
*God loves you with an unearthly love.* - Max Lucado

P.S. the posting below was supposed to be dated June 30 (that was the day I posted it). I don't know why it says June 21.

Goodbye to Soft Summer Forever!

Oooh, I'm SO sad to see *Soft Summer* gone forever. Today I checked the dormant list for the catalog that begins tomorrow and it's NOT on there, boo hoo! This is one stamp set I won't be getting rid of - it'll become part of my permanent rubber stamp collection. Here's a few last looks at this beautiful set!


I sort of copied the card that's in the Spring *Occasions* mini catalog but changed it up a little. I used the button Sizzix sizzlet die to cut out the button, and threaded it with linen thread. The thread also runs through the card for a natural look. I just noticed that each of these cards are paired up with a stamp set that's NOT retiring - in this card *Great Friend*, from the Occasions mini will be seen in the new catalog!

Lately I've been making these *Glitter/Lace* cards, they're SO much fun, it's like magic when you get the final design! I love using black with yellow, I think it looks very modern and classy. For this card I also used the *Matchbox Messages* set, which thankfully, has also made it into the new catalog, yay!!!


Finally, I wanted to make something bright and pretty, so I went with pink and green, hee hee!

*Oval All* is the set in this card that will be carried over into the new catalog.

Thanks for visiting today!!!!

Inspiration for today:
*We serve a God so rapt with wonders that their viewing requires an eternity.* - Max Lucado

Exclusive In Color Chart & upcoming set *Animal Stories*

Here's another exclusive sneak peak at the new upcoming IN COLORS that will be available for purchase on July 1st.

click on image to enlarge it

This chart is from the July issue of *Stampin' Success* magazine, which is one of the perks of being a demonstrator - we get this free magazine every month and it's full of patterns, templates, samples, ideas, articles, news, lists of demonstrators winning different awards and milestones, and helpful guides and tips! It also showcases the monthly winning designs of the different contests going on: best scrapbook page, best 3-D item, best card, etc.. (the contests change from month to month).

*Animal Stories* & *Circle Circus* sneak peak!

click on image to enlarge it

I made this card at my upline Brenda Keenan's house last week, isn't it so pretty? It has an Asian feel to it. Brenda cased it from *stampinangie* (splitcoaststampers) with some changes to come up with the card you see here! These sets, inks and papers will be available for purchase on July 1st!

~SUPPLIES~
Stamps: Animal Stories, Circle Circus
Cardstock: Crushed Curry (textured), Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede (textured), Whisper White
Inks Pads: Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede
Accessories: scallop border punch, round scallop, round circles, white grosgrain ribbon


inspirational quote:
You need not win God's love. You already have it. -Max Lucado

Sneak Peak at the spicy new In Colors for 2009-2010

click on the photo to enlarge it

Here's a sneak peak at some of the new In Colors that will be available for purchase on July 1st! Aren't they so beautiful and rich? I thought the colors would make a perfect match with the *True Friend* set, since both this set and the new In Colors remind me a little of India. (I was fortunate to be able to visit there when I was 17!) One of the colors is called *Crushed Curry*. Doesn't it make your mouth water for Indian food?

Tomorrow I'll have another post showing all the new In Colors!

Techniques used: heat embossing, stamping with markers

SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps
• True Friend
• Thank You Kindly
Paper
• Whisper White card stock
• Rich Razzleberry (NEW!) card stock
• Melon Mambo (NEW!) card stock
• Crushed Curry (NEW!) card stock
• Dusty Durango(NEW!) card stock
• Bermuda Bay (NEW!) card stock
Stampin’ Up! Inks
• Crushed Curry (NEW!) Classic Ink Pad
• Rich Razzleberry (NEW!) Stampin' Write Marker
• Dusty Durango(NEW!) Stampin' Write Marker
Stampin’ Up! Accessories
• Rich Razzleberry (NEW!) Stampin' Write Marker
• Dusty Durango(NEW!) Stampin' Write Marker
• white gel pen
• versamark pad
• white embossing powder
• heat gun
• Photo Corners punch
• Eyelet Border Punch

click on the image to enlarge it:


here is an inspirational quote:
*God is not just alive, but life itself.* -Max Lucado

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

click on the photo to enlarge it

I'm so sad to see some of my most favorite stamp sets of all time retiring. *Heartfelt Thanks* is one of those sets. I'm having a hard time letting go of it and moving on to the new sets! There are so many things you can do with set, it's not even funny! This was one of those sets that you could use with the Watercolor Wonder Crayons, the Stampin' Markers, the Classic and Craft ink pads, the chalks... pretty much everything.

I'll be missing this set!!!!

I paired it up with the designer paper *Walk in the Park* and a silver basic *Jumbo Grommet*, both available in the *Occasions Mini Catalog*. The silver brads, white gel pen, grey taffeta ribbon and photo corners punch are all available in the main catalog.

For those of you who never had a chance to play with it, I highly encourage you to get it while you can. After June 30 it will be gone forever!

SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps
• Heartfelt Thanks (LAST CHANCE LIST)
Paper
• Whisper White card stock
• Basic Gray card stock
• Basic Black card stock
• Walk in the Park Designer Series double-sided cardstock (OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG)
Ink
• Baja Breeze Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Basic Black Classis Stampin' Pad
Stampin’ Up! Accessories
• White gel pen
• Basic Black Stampin' Write marker
• Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon
• Silver Brads
• Crafter's Tool Kit
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Basic Jumbo Grommets (Silver) (OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG)
• Photo Corners punch


click on the image to enlarge it

LAST CHANCE TO BUY RETIRING ACCESSORIES!

There are still lots of accessories left for purchase at discount prices! Check out the updated list. As of June 16, 2009. CLICK ON THE LIST BELOW TO ENLARGE IT!


If you'd like to purchase any of these, CLICK HERE - once you're at my website click on the SHOP NOW button in the upper right-hand corner!

Country Living Summer Cookout Kit! Available June 15 - August 31

Dates: June 15 - August 31, 2009

This summer, Stampin' Up! has partnered with Country Living magazine to create a unique craft kit, which they are featuring in their July 2009 issue. You will love how it can help create special memories with a fun and convenient, coordinated summer barbeque!

STAMP SET:

The exclusive Country Living Summer Cookout Kit includes the following products:

• 8 die-cut table tents (2 each of 4 colors)
• Die-cut components, bamboo skewers, and envelopes to create 8 shish kabob invitations
• 12 die-cut coasters (3 each of 4 colors)
• 16 die-cut tags (4 each of 4 colors)
• 24 12" x 12" printed food wrapper sheets (12 each of 2 colors)
• 4 printed recipe cards
• 5 yards linen thread
• Ruby Red Classic Stampin' Spot
• Night of Navy Classic Stampin' Spot
• Dig In stamp set (item number 116700)

See how Shelli Gardner, the founder of Stampin' Up! used the kit to throw a BBQ for her own family!

She even provided the directions to make this Origami Blitz Box that she used to hold the potato chips:

Using leftovers to create this cute little holiday decoration flag:

To purchase this kit, click here to go to my Stampin' Up website and then click on the SHOP NOW button!

Item #	Description	Price
118070	Country Living Summer Cookout Kit	$24.95

An inspirational verse for today:
Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from Your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Gratuitous Graffiti!

I had been wanting this stamp, *Gratuitous Graffiti* for a long, long time - so imagine my joy when I found out that I had earned a free stamp set from Stampin' Up!  During Sale-a-bration, you can earn free stamps according to how much your sales are. Woo-hoo!  I was so excited!

I just love the grungy, shabby-chic-ness of this stamp design, I think it's just awesome and there's so much you can do with it artistically.  I also love that it's all about thankfulness and gratitude, AND in different languages!  

So, to make this card I decided to heat emboss the stamp image on plain Whisper White cardstock using Versamark and Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder with my Stampin' Up Heat Tool.  After it cooled down I sponged on different colors, using each color of ink to highlight the different words.  I used cut up pieces of sponges and picked up ink straight from the ink pads, swiping the sponge over the ink pad repeatedly until it had a good amount of ink on it.  Then I dabbed the sponge onto the cardstock directly over the words.  Each word would emerge as I dabbed the ink on, it was really fun to watch.  Finally I made a shadow around each word with a permanent Sharpie marker, giving the words more definition.  Ain't it coooool?  I can't wait to make more!!!

To order any of these products, click on this link to go to my Stampin' Up storefront!

~SUPPLIES~

Stamps: Gratuitous Graffiti Background Stamp

Cardstock: Pink Passion, Basic Black, Whisper White

Inks Pads: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Always Artichoke, Real Red, Summer Sun, Pretty in Pink, Orchid Opulence, Pumkpin Pie, Pink Passion

Accessories: Heat Tool, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Sponges

Inspired by Nature!

This is one of my all-time favorite Stampin' Up! stamps, *Inspired by Nature*.  Isn't it a beaut?  (the stamp, I mean).  It's so cool, it's a double-mounted stamp - on one side of the wood block is this stamp image, and on the other side of the stamp is a matching long grassy stamp!  The two of them go perfectly together!

This stamp is also perfect for using with watercolor wonder crayons, or with the Stampin' Up! markers.

On this card I've used both sides of the rubber stamp.  Do you see how the long grassy image compliments the flowers?  I also used Stampin' Up!'s water-based markers and directly inked up the stamp using various shades of pink.  After I colored the entire stamp, I stamped it on whisper white cardstock. 

Here you can see the flower stamp used alone without the long grass.  

I basically did the same with this one.  I colored in the stamp with Stampin' Up!'s water-based markers *Tempting Turquoise* and *Summer Sun* and then stamped it on the specialty cardstock, *whisper white* which is an ultra smooth, silky and absorbent cardstock.  Do you see all the little black and grey dots in the background?  Those were done with the *Itty Bitty Backgrounds* set, which is a must-have for creating subtle shading and interest.  I also added touches of highlights with a white Stampin' Up! gel pen and Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker.

So, where is this stamp set, you ask?  Why don't you see it in the catalog?!

That's because Stampin' Up! has a *dormant* (sleeping) list!  It's basically all the stamp sets that are not seen in any catalog but still available for you to buy!  You can download, view and print it by clicking right here!

TO ORDER ANY OR ALL OF THESE PRODUCTS, CLICK HERE NOW!

~SUPPLIES~

1st card:

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Best Yet (retired)

Cardstock: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Inks/Markers: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery & Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers

Accessories: Scallop Square punch, Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

2nd card:

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Thank You Kindly

Cardstock: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White

Inks/Markers: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery & Green Galore Stampin' Write Markers

Accessories: Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, white Stampin' Up gel pen

~CATS~ at Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co!

Meeeooooowwwwww!  Halllloooo!  It's fun and funky kitty time over at Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co.!

Isn't this the fun-kiest cat face stamp you've ever seen?!  It's one of the new releases that Sue has in the *New for 2009* catalog supplement! 

This little kitty is bloomin' out of control!  Look at her grow!  lol!!!! Hee hee! 

When I was thinking of different ways to use this cat face I kept thinking that it should go along with a body so here is my first attempt at a cat body!  I brayered the body with Stampin' Up's! Basic Grey classic ink pad, and colored the tip of the tail with a white gel pen.  The face was colored with Stampin' Up's! Watercolor wonder crayons and markers. There are two sizes of this stamp available in large and small:  1577-little whiskers and 1821-big whiskers.

There are also two brand new stamp sentiments that go along with this kitty face: *13119-bless your whiskers* as shown on the card and *11025-what's meww* which reads "What's Meww With You?" in the same font. Check out all the new stamps here!

Supplies

Inks: Stampin' Up! Basic Grey classic ink pad; Petal Pink, Bashful Blue, Real Red,  Summer Sun, Gable Green Stampin' Up! markers.

Papers: Stampin' Up Basic Black and Baja Breeze, misc. designer paper

Accessories: Brayer, white gel pen, black brads, flower punch, Stampin' Up!'s pop-up dimensionals, ribbon, heat gun, white embossing powder, Stampin' Up!'s Aqua Painter, Stampin' Up!'s Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Stampin' Up Paper Snips.

New Releases at Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co.

Hey all, there are new releases over at Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co.!!!

Spring is in the air and so are new releases at Heart & Soul!

Sue has some fun new stamps - check out three jam-packed pages of fun, new and inspirational stamps, just in time to get your springtime creative juices flowing again!

Let me introduce you to *12064-affectionately*, isn't it the cutest little stamp?  I paired it with a neat little origami popsicle - can you believe it's just one piece of paper? How did I do it? It wasn't extremely difficult but it wasn't all that easy either!  I must have re-folded it over 15 times until I got it to look right. The pattern is courtesy of Gilad Aharoni.  I was searching the internet for neat and easy origami patterns and came across his website *Gilad Aharoni's Origami Page* and that's where I found the popsicle pattern.  He has folded some pretty awesome figures, you must check it out!

For the stick part I drew in those woodgrain marks with a Stampin' Up *Sahara Sand* marker.

Supplies

Inks: Stampin' Up! Glorious Green, Real Red, and Sahara Sand markers

Paper:  Stampin' Up! Glorious Green and Yoyo Yellow cardstock, designer paper, origami shimmering paper

Accesories: Stampin' Up! pop-up dimensionals

Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co - Hands #2, Masculine

Here is another card made with Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co's beautiful stamp --*hands* 1806-hands.  Both this card and my other one were created with Copic Sketch markers and Copic's mini airbrush nozzle/pen holder and air can. (ABS-2). At first it takes some getting used to, but after a few tries you begin to get a feel for where the ink will be spraying, and how dense/light the ink is coming out.  The results are pretty cool, huh?  The same effects can be created with a craft sponge and ink pad, or Tim Holtz's Blending Tool.

Sue Wiebold, the owner of Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co has a blog, PurpleStamper's Musings!  Be sure to pay a visit!

(This card is going to the American soldier I *adopted* who's fighting in Iraq.  It will go with a little care package of treats! I wanted to give him a little reminder that no matter what happens to him or where he is, God is in control - always.  And God loves Him.  That's why He gave up His only begotten Son!  Can you believe such love?)

Anyhoo, back to the card!  I usually never use pre-printed sentiments but I've had this sheet of EK Success True Faith stickers for a while and thought it might look good on this card.  

Since it's a vellum sticker, I decided to put 2 more layers of white vellum behind it to give it some support.  Here is a close-up of the details on 

the sticker.  I used a few medium sized flat glue dots to keep it in place.  I really liked how it turned out -- I think I may use more stickers from now on!

Now it's time for a little diversion!

I interrupt this program to bring you this exciting news... jk!  I want to point you over to a few more cards that have been created with this *hands* stamp!  Mami Dini pointed out a

 couple cards to me that Jacki Jones created that are so precious and beautiful.  In fact, I may have to CASE them!  Jacki made them for Christmas using the reverse mask technique and you just have to see what she did with them!  Click on the links to see them:

In the Birth of a Child...

Merry Christmas in His Hands

Amazing Love

Aren't they just the coolest cards?

Card hardware:

Here are close-ups of the brass bible charm and the blue metal tag.  The brass bible charm came in a package with other inspirational trinkets by Darice and the blue metal tag is by Making Memories.  I think I got both of them in clearance bins at either Michael's or JoAnn's. I try to get a lot of stuff on clearance -- because I can get more stuff that way, lol!!!

To add more dimension I colored the raised parts with a dark brown permanent Sharpie marker.

Thank you for visiting today!

God bless you!

Paper:  K-ology *Addison*, Stampin' Up whisper white, taken with teal, Bazzil teal cardstock

Inks: Copic Sketch Markers & ABS-2 Air Brush System, Timber Brown StazOn, Sharpie marker

Accesories: MM metal tags, Darice charms, EK Success True Faith stickers, Offray ribbon 5/8" Sidesaddle

*the copic markers and blending tool can be found at Creative Play Stamps

Heart & Soul Rubber Stamps Co - Hands

I made this card back in December but it seems kind of fitting for Valentine's Day because of the red & pink colors and the heart shaped by the 2 hands.

I bought this stamp a long time ago and am finally getting to upload this first card!  I have another one almost finished with masculine colors.

This stamp company, Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co., is really awesome and I don't think enough people know about it!  It is owned and operated by Sue, and she has stamps for all kinds of occasions --there are tons of sentiments, bible verses, sayings, quotes, and holidays/celebrations.  The stamps come in 3 versions: wood-mounted, unmounted but with red cushion attached, and then just the rubber image untrimmed.  

Here I've used stamps: 1806-hands and 12039-he lives.  The *He Lives* part in this card is referring to Jesus Christ and those are His hands.  I believe they're shaped in a heart because He loves us perfectly.  The essence of Christ is love and this is shown by his willingness to die on the cross for our sins.  Jesus does indeed live today!

When I bought this stamp I was really inspired by the beautiful cards made by Dini Kowal (Mama Dini's blog) --she has 2 hands cards on her blog found here and here.

Thanks for taking a look!

Paper:  Basic Grey, Stampin' Up confetti white, burgundy

Inks: Copic Sketch Markers & ABS-2 Air Brush System, Black StazOn, SU burgundy

Accesories: Prima flowers, brads, pop-ups

**The copic markers and Air Brush system can be found at Creative Play Stamps.

New Spring ~ Summer Catalog stamp sets & accessories *Good Friend*

Isn't this the cutest ensemble of cards and stationary?  It was made by fellow SU demo Kim Wilson, PhD.  (Please check out her blog CraftDoc!)  

This sweet stamp set is called *Good Friend* and comes with 8 pieces of flower and bird elements!  There are also 2 matching wheels and another matching stamp set available that compliment this set.  The other set has small trees in it.  All of them are on pp. 90-91 of the new catalog.  

--And if you like rub-ons, SU has also added a new package of colored rub-ons called *Bright Delights* on p.172 which has some of the same designs as found in these stamp sets!  

--Don't forget the matching designer paper as well!  You can see a bit of it in the photo.  It's called *Good Morning Sunshine* and has little birdies, pears, tress and flowers on it!

Enjoy!!!

Kreativ Blogger Award - Time to Name Them Blogs!

Hey y'all!  Does anyone remember that I received this award from Juli Smith in November?  Well, I said I would soon choose whom to give it to and it's a little later than sooner -- but better late than never, right?

So here are the rules as I've received them from Juli!

1. The nominee may put the logo on their blog.

2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.

3. Nominate 5 blogs. (Juli wrote: *Heck with it - I'm changing this a bit - nominate a couple more if you like!*)

4. Put links to their blogs

5. Leave a message for your nominees.

Drumroll please ........ I nominate:

1) Brenda Keenan : Keenan Kreations

2) Tracy Bollinger : Tracy's Art & News

3) Charibel Wszelaki : Me, My Stamps, and I

4) Mel McCarthy : Mel Stampz

5) Trish Bee : Trish Bee's Art-Venture

6) Dina Kowal : Mama Dini's Stamperia

7) Cindy Haffner : Cindy Haffner's Corner

8) Suze Weinberg : SuzeBlogz

9) Claudine Hellmuth : Hip Art for Playful Hearts

10) Pat Huntoon : The Technique Trail

--I hope this wasn't too many!  But Juli did say to throw in a couple more!

So, check out their blogs everyone!  These are some of the best paperarts bloggers in the US!

OSA (Oriental Stamp Art) Yahoo Group RAK

Isn't this card beautiful?  I received this lovely RAK (random act of kindness) from Yvonne Jenks who is also in the Oriental Stamp Art Yahoo Group.  Thank you Yvonne for this gorgeous card!  I love the colors, the washi paper, and the stamp art.  Isn't the Japanese lady with the fish tail cute?  I think it's really clever and artistic!  And I love the ancient coin accent too.  I think I might just have to copy some of the elements in this card!  (I'm really glad I keep all my Asian papercrafting stuff in one case).

Anyone who likes Asian style cards and papercrafts is welcome to join the group.  The main site is called *Oriental Stamp Art* and can be found at:  http://www.orientalstampart.com/  and the Yahoo Group is at:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrientalStampArt/  -there's a fairly large gallery too, it's filled with tons of great Asian stamp art, check it out! (Click on the link on the left-hand side of the main page).