Nutz about Stamping

See this excellent card map challenge with fun elements

This week's Paper Craft Crew challenge offers so many possibilities for sets and accessories that I was at a bit of a loss for what to create. So many ideas jumped to mind that I wasn't quite sure where to begin:

 

The first decision I made was not to be so obvious with the swirly element. I also did not want a Whisper White or Very Vanilla card base. 

So I decided to use Crumb Cake as my card base color and the branch diecut from the Birds & Blooms thinlits dies. And the naturally I chose one of the bird stamps from the Best Birds set to sit on the branch. In only a matter of minutes I had the elements for the card ready but there was still an issue: I didn't like the plain Crumb Cake card base. 

At this point I looked through my embossing folders and chose the Basket Weave Dynamic folder. Do you know why it is called Dynamic? It is because it creates a deeper impression on your card stock and also uses a different 'sandwich' combo plate. I you need me to show you how to set up for using these folders, add a comment below and I will create a How To video over on my YouTube channel. 

So my elements were done, my card base was done and then there was the color for the oval. I chose Mango Melody because I wanted something bright to draw you eye to my card and the coordinated the flower using the same color. 

Here's my finished card - what do you think?

Best Birds greeting card

What would you choose for this week's card map challenge? Post a comment to tell us which sets and accessories you would try first! And if you want to see what the other crew members created for this challenge, click here. (on October 31st: I posted early as I am traveling overnight when this should post) You will get a lot of different additional ideas to try!

No toil and trouble will disturb your Halloween

Are you looking for one final Halloween card idea? I have such a fun and colorful idea to share with you today, using the Winter Woods stamp set. Bet you thought this set was just for Christmas, right? 

But if you combine it with the Toil and Trouble designer series paper you can create a fun and spooking looking Halloween card. 

The next time you craft, have a look at your paper and see if there are any elements you can cut out and use on a card, instead of using the paper as a layer in your design. The card below did just that: elements were cut out and used to create a cute Halloween card. 

Then follow the instructions below to make a card like this one:

Toil and Trouble Halloween card

 

Supplies 

• Stamp Set: Winter Woods Clear-Mount Stamp Set – 147661, Winter Woods Wood-Mount Stamp Set - 147658
• Cardstocks: Lemon Lime Twist– 144245, Basic Gray– 121044, Basic - 121045 Whisper White – 100730, Toil & Trouble 12" X 12" Designer Series Paper - 147531
• Stampin Pads: Smoky Slate– 147113, Crumb Cake– 147116, Pear Pizzazz - 147104
• Misc.: Spooky Bats Punch – 148014, Stamping Sponges – 141337, Stampin' Dimensionals – 104430, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals – 144108, Paper Snips – 103579, Mini Glue Dots - 103683

Measurement 

• Lemon Lime Twist 8½ x 4¼ score at 4¼
• Basic Gray 5¼ x 4 
• Whisper White 5 x 3¼

Instruction 

1. Onto the whisper white sponge smoky slate top portion and pear pizzazz bottom portion. 
2. Stamp the trees using smoky slate.  
3. From the Toil & Trouble designer series paper hand cut 5 pumpkin, one cat, one frog and one hat (the hat is from the girl) 
4. Adhere 2 pumpkins with adhesive of your choice, the 3 in the front using dimensionals. 
5. Adhere the cat and hat using dimensionals. 
6. Out of basic black cardstock punch out 3 bats and adhere onto the top of the card. 
7. Adhere all layers. 

Gift someone a beautiful autumn with this stunning sunflower

I love fall, don't you? The air is cooler, the trees drop their leaves, and I need to bundle up for my daily walk in the woods. I also find myself turning inward a bit more - thinking of all the people and the things I am grateful for. It is this feeling of abundance that I put into making thank you cards for everyone who orders from me at my online store - one of which I am sharing with you today. 

My go-to stamp set for fall card ideas in the past two years has been the Painted Harvest stamp set. It is a two-step stamping set which means you use different colors to layer the two flower images, one of top of the other. I typically use a lighter color for the larger image and then use a darker color for the smaller image. 

And I absolutely love all the color combinations that can be created with this set and thought you might like to try my favorite combos:

• Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip
• Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso
• Crushed Curry, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip
• Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede
• Crushed Curry, Pumpkin pie, Chocolate Chip
• Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso
• Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
• Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip
• Crushed Curry, Peekaboo Peach, Early Espresso
• Peekaboo Peach, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip
• Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede

Do you have other color combos that you love for the Painted Harvest set? If you do, please share them with us in the comments box below!

Here's my Painted Harvest thank you card - complete with the supplies I used and a video tutorial underneath. Can you see which of my favorite color combinations I used for my card?

Painted Harvest thank you

 

Stamp sets: Painted Harvest (144783), Thankful Thoughts (141522)

Ink: Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3 1/2" square
          Mossy Meadow: 2" x 1 1/4"
          Festive Farmhouse (147820): 5 1/4" x 4"
          Nature's Poem (146338): 1" x 4"
          Mossy Meadow Cotton Twine: 19"

Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Stitched Circles framelits (145372), Festive Farmhouse Cotton Twine (147888), SNAIL adhesive, Stapler

Here's my video - thanks for watching!

          

3 times the fun with under the mistletoe

There are times when we simply don't have time to design and craft cards and I get that! That's when I hope you will come over to my blog and spend some time going through my posts to (hopefully!) get some inspiration. Maybe you are looking for complex card ideas to springboard off of or maybe you are looking for simple ideas that are pretty but quite easy to make.

That's what I have for you today. The Half Full layout below is super easy to recreate and you can think of this layout for cards other than Christmas. All you have to do is choose your designer paper and let that choice guide your theme. The top layer can be for Christmas as you see below but for so many other occasions too - all you have to do is change the ink color (markers are super for inking words and small images) and phrase and voila! The perfect card for the perfect occasion. 

Here are some of the products used to make this cute holiday card - click on any of these product photos to link over to my online store:

Half Full Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$22.00

Under The Mistletoe Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Regals Stampin' Write Markers
$30.00

 

Half Full Christmas card

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Half Full (144999)
• Card Stock – Shaded Spruce (146981); Real Red (102482); Whisper White (100730)
• Stamp Pads – Shaded Spruce (147088)
• Misc. – Under the Mistletoe designer series paper  (146921); Old Olive & Real Red Stampin’ Write Markers (147155); Layering Ovals Framelits (141706); Red Rhinestone Jewels (146924); Shaded Spruce 1/8” Metallic Ribbon (146329); Dimensionals (104430); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755)

 

Measurements:  

• Shaded Spruce Card Stock: 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”
• Real Red Card Stock: 4” x 1-5/8” (cut 3) 3-1/2” x 2-1/2” scrap
• Whisper White Card Stock: 4” x 5-1/4” (inside) 3-7/8” x 1-1/2” (cut 3)    3” x 2-1/4” scrap
• Under the Mistletoe DSP:   3-3/4” x 1-3/8” (cut 3)

 

Instructions:

1. Using the 4^th largest Oval Framelits cut an oval out of the Whisper White scrap.  Use the 2^nd largest scalloped oval to cut an oval out of the Real Red scrap.  
2. Using the Half Full Stamp set, stamp Merry Christmas and two holly sprigs onto the Whisper White oval.  Color the ivy with the markers.  Set the ovals aside. 
3. Using the Multipurpose glue, adhere the DSP to the Whisper White rectangles and then to the Real Red rectangles (make 3).
4. Using a ruler or the markings on the scratch pads, line up the three layered DSP rectangles onto the Shaded Spruce card base.  Adhere with the multipurpose glue.
5. Adhere the Whisper White inside piece onto the inside of the card with multipurpose glue.  You can stamp a sentiment or some other stamped image onto it first if you’d like.
6. Using the Multipurpose glue, adhere the Whisper White oval to the Real Red oval. Adhere this to the front of the card using the Dimensionals.
7. Make a small bow with the Shaded Spruce ribbon and adhere it to the front with the glue dots.  Adhere two of the red rhinestones to the oval.

What to do when you need crafting help

Do you need crafting help?  I want to hear all about it!

I love paper crafting and love to help others with their paper passions too. Here are some of the ways I reach out to you:

1. A free weekly newsletter! Join my mailing list now to get my 12 weeks of Christmas campaign. The campaign has already started and you are missing out on some super project ideas! Look to the right side of this page and sign up now! 

2. YouTube! I post a video tutorial every Sunday showing you some cool new products, tips and tricks. Click here to head over to my channel - I have organized most videos with playlists so you might want to start there. 

3. Pinterest! I have many boards dedicated to paper crafting. Want to check them out? Click here! 

Still have questions? I still want to hear from you! Under this blog post is a comment box. Click on it and in the box tell me:

• What kind of crafting projects would you like to see each week.
  Cards?
  Scrapbook/memory keeping pages?
  3D items?
  A mix of the above?
  
  
• What crafting needs do YOU have? Organization, learning new techniques, masculine card ideas, color matching, how to use new tools - something else?
  
  
• What else would you like me to know? 

If you want to receive my FREE weekly newsletter each week, use the sign-up box on the right side of my blog. Enter your details, watch your email inbox for my confirmation link and you are good to go!

I am here to serve YOUR needs so please be vocal and let me know what they are! I look forward to hearing from you this week.  

How to create a beautiful fall inspired card

I love this week's Paper Craft Crew challenge - a fall inspired challenge which is perfect for this time of year! 

I immediately thought of my Colorful Seasons stamp set so that was my starting point. And because I needed to create a 'get well soon' card my next choice was the Healing Hugs stamp set. 

I also decided to keep my layout very simple and to make it monochromatic (see Sunday's post about the monochromatic technique) - using Crumb Cake as my main color choice. I always think of browns, rusts, yellows, oranges and purples when I think of fall but wanted a subtle more masculine tone for my card design. 

Next: I thought I would add some paper to the front of my card so decided to use a left over strip of Wood Texture's designer series paper. If I just laid the strip across though, it might look pretty stark so I thought some stamping was in order. I selected two background stamps from the Colorful Seasons set, and stamped them onto the Whisper White layer after figuring out where my paper strip would be attached.

The final touch was the two leaves - one die-cut and the other stamped (two-step technique). I attached both to the front of my card after stamping the phrase at the bottom and adhering the Wood Textures paper strip across the front. 

Here's my card: 

Now it's your turn: what fall inspired card will you create for our challenge? Add a comment below and tell us what sets and colors you chose and you are also welcome to provide a link to your photo too.

If you want too see what the other Paper Craft Crew design team members created for this challenge, click here! 

Spoiler alert: announcing a 24-hour sales event!

Our anniversary celebration continues with an exciting sale! Stampin' Up! is celebrating their birthday with a 15% off Flash sale- 24 hours ONLY! 

  

 

Date: October 23, 2018

12am Mountain time - 11:50 Mountain Time

Click here to see all the sets on sale! 

BUT wait... a party isn't a party without a present and party favors, right? 

How about giving a Present to yourself - because today demonstrators get to shop at 20-25% less than the sale price. What a perk!

Join my team today and you can really stretch $99 - customize your starter kit with $125 in product of your choice:

• You can add any of the sale stamp sets to your starter kit
• You can add the limited while supplies Last Snowflake Showcase stamps, framelits, paper and embellishments to your starter kit (contact  me for images/details) 
• You will be on board to hear news from On Stage (our annual convention) before the public 
• You will get a sneak peek of the Spring Catalog 
• You can shop the spring catalog at 20% discount in December 
• Your first 'sales' quarter is January-March and all personal purchases & sales from the day you join through December 31 count for that quarter

What are you waiting for? It's a great time to be a demonstrator. I would love to have you join my team - join today HERE!

Party Favors Fun!

Love party favors? Then let's add to your ordering fun! The following customers will receive a party favor from me!

 1. For the first to order

 2. For the last to order 

 3. For the most sale sets ordered

 4. For the largest order

 5. By referring two friends who order for the first time with me

Come on - join the fun and save $$ too! 

 

Get your One-Stop Box for holiday papercrafting fun

The Paper Pumpkin team at Stampin' Up! has designed November’s kit to give YOU the perfect solution for your holiday crafting needs!

Subscribe by November 10th to get cozy this Christmas season with Paper Pumpkin, your One-Stop Box™ for holiday papercrafting fun. We’ll send you our specially-designed box filled with everything you need for a holly-jolly, handmade holiday.

Making the Most of the Holiday Season

We all know that the holidays are a big time for crafting, and you can be sure that you have me for Christmas paper crafting advice and/or supplies. 

The November kit makes the perfect gift for your crafty friends this holiday season. You can gift it in a number of ways:

• Increase your kit quantity in November as part of your normal November subscriptions. Give away the extras as gifts.
• Know someone who would love a crafting subscription? Sign them up here by November 10 so they can get our special Christmas box!
• Purchase a prepaid code(s) and give them to your friends/family members as gifts. Tell them to redeem their prepaid codes here by November 10 to get the special holiday edition kit!

Paper Pumpkin - the perfect gift for you too:

 

Imagine this: 

• every month a box of amazing craft supplies arrives at your door
• each box contains a crafting kit with ALL the supplies and instructions needed to make super cute project
• each month is unique and won't appear in Stampin' Up!s catalog for at least a year (and quite possibly never!)

Have questions? Please email me at: [email protected] - I am always here to help. 

 

Want to see a past kit? See below for our October 2018 kit: Birds of a Feather

Do you know the awesome generational stamping technique?

The generational stamping technique is one of the first techniques I learned but after 15 years as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I still use it often! I realized recently that I haven't shared it with you, so today is the day. 

The best part of this technique is that all you need is: a stamp, one ink pad color, and some card stock. That's it! 

The gorgeous Colorful Seasons fall card below was created using the Seasonal Layers thinlits and very popular Tin Tile embossing folder, the perfect way to create a delicate tin-tile look! My original card idea (the one in my head) was not going to use the Tin Tile folder, or any folder. But after I looked at the layers I had cut, I decided the card base would be too plain - almost stark and so I decided to create the embossed layer to add interest and to soften the look.

In the accompanying video, I teach you the generational technique so watch closely and give it a try the next time you stamp. I chose Rich Razzleberry for my card's main color because it is the perfect color for fall cards and for my leaves. After the video taping ended I decided to add one final detail to my card - see a second photo under the video below. Which card do you like best? Add a comment to let us know. 

Funny, but I also just realized that my card is also monochromatic - a second technique. What does monochromatic mean? Using one color only, but often variations of that color, perhaps lighter or darker or both. 

Colorful Seasons friendship card

Stamp sets: Colorful Seasons (143726); Itty Bitty Greetings (146667

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Very Vanilla: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 2 1/2" x 5 1/2"
          Country Lane (147804): 2 pieces - 1/2" x 5 1/2"
          Rich Razzleberry Velvet Ribbon (147016) - 8" strip
          Rich Razzleberry: 2 1/4" square

Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Seasonal Layers thinlits (143751), Tear & Tape adhesive (138995), Multipurpose Adhesive sheets (144106), SNAIL adhesive, Tin Tile embossing folder (147906)

Here's my video - thanks for watching! 

 

If you have a special technique that you are not sure how to do, add a comment under this blog post and I will be happy to make a video showing you how! That's what I do and I love it too. 

Here's a second card idea with one more detail added. Can you spot the difference? 

 

How to celebrate nature and everything beautiful in it

When was the last time you sent a lovely thank you to someone special if your life? If it has been a while, then I will give you a tip: it feels so good to say thanks!

Two years ago I made a promise to myself: I would hand stamp a thank you card and mail it to every single person who placed an order at my online store. It is the least I can do to show my gratitude to a fellow crafter who is willing to support my home based business. I also tuck some special little product bits inside the envelope as well and then imagine how good it would feel to open a card (instead of a bill, ugh) and see a little extra inside. 

I challenge you to make a mail 5 thank you cards to send to friends and family - just to let them know how grateful you are to know them. To help you with this challenge I have a beautiful and easy Rooted in Nature card idea to share with you today.

Read on after the photo for a complete list of supplies and instructions for making the card. And if you want to place an order for any of these products, click here to link over to my online store. 

Rooted in Nature Thank You card

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets and Dies – Rooted in Nature (146482); A Big Thank You (147377); Nature’s Roots Framelit Dies (146361)
• Card Stock – Whisper White (100730); Whisper White Thick (140272); Soft Suede (115318)
• Stamp Pads – Soft Suede (147115); Versamark (102283)
• Misc. – Nature’s Poem Designer Series Paper (DSP)  (146338); White Embossing Powder (109132); Embossing Buddy (103083); 5/8” Whisper White Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon (146912); Stamping Sponges (141337); Dimensionals (104430); Banner Triple Punch (138292) ; Heat Tool (129053); Big Shot (143263)

 

Measurements:  

• Whisper White Thick:  8 1/2” x 5 1/2”
• Whisper White:  5 1/2” x 1”  (banner—can use scraps)
• Whisper White scraps for leaves
• Soft Suede: 5 1/4” x 4”   Scraps for leaves
• DSP:  3 3/4" x 5”

 

Instructions:

1. Score your large piece of Whisper White thick at 4 1/4” for the card base.
2. Using Soft Suede ink, stamp leaves using the triple leaf stamp on whisper white.  Use your embossing buddy on the soft suede scraps (for leaves) and then stamp leaves using Versamark on Soft Suede cardstock.  Cover the versamark leaves with white embossing powder; shake off any stray bits of embossing powder (can use a small paintbrush to remove any stray bits) and heat emboss
3. Die cut the leaves using your Big Shot.
4. Sponge Soft Suede ink on both sides of ribbon (about 8 inches).
5. Banner cut the banner piece of Whisper White.
6. Stamp the sentiment on the banner piece of Whisper White using Soft Suede ink  near the “v” of the banner.  Trim the banner to 3 1/8”.
7. Attach the white leaves to the ends of the banner underneath with snail or glue dots.  Attach the soft suede embossed leaves to the top of the banner.
8. Tie the sponged ribbon into a bow and attach to the banner over the leaf stem.
9. Using dimensionals, attach the banner to the card front.

What to do when you have a long wish list

Do you have a wish list as long as your arm? Me too!

Here's what I do:

1. Prioritize.
   Am I running low on my favorite colors?
   Are there occasions coming soon that I need to craft for: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc?
   
   
2. Select.
   Thinking ahead I reorganize my wish list according to my priorities and then select what I will order first. 
   
   
3. Check with my friends. 
   Sometimes combining orders can earn me extra free goodies - with hostess awards we can share free packs of card stock, accessories and so on. 
   
   
4. Another consideration.
   Join my team and choose those products at the top of you list for your Starter Kit - only $99! Learn more here. 

If you have not placed an order with me yet, here's how you do it: 

1.  Order online directly through Stampin Up choosing me, Terri Walker, as your demonstrator. My online store is open 24 hours / 7 days a week so you can shop when it is convenient for you! 

2. How to place an order:

• Click the page photo above to access my online store. Or click here! 
• Once there, either create an account OR sign in.
• Enter your choices by order number or searching by product name. As it comes up, click add to shopping bag. You can also add more than one of each item by changing that option. 
• Finalize payment online using a credit card (Visa, MC or Discover). Note: check your mailing address to ensure it is correct!
• After completing the order online, check your email. Stampin' Up! sends you an order confirmation by email!
• During the ordering process, if you select “No Contact”, I will still get credit  for your order, but I won't know who the order was from. This means I have no way of thanking you for the order.

3. The Result:

• Within 24 to 48 hours Stampin Up will send you email shipment confirmation that contains a tracking # for your order.
• All orders are shipped via UPS
• Your order will be shipped directly to your home.
• If you are not at home at time of delivery, UPS will leave the package at your door.

4. Thank You!

• I also get a notice by email that you have placed an order so will send you a thank you email
• Stampin' Up! notifies me when your order has shipped. I will check the arrival date and advise you by email. 
• Watch your mailbox a few weeks after you placed your order as I always send a thank you card with a little product goodie inside!

5. Super Service

• Not comfortable with the ordering system? I am happy to help you out by placing your order for you. I will need your list of products, payment information, mailing address and contact phone number to complete your order. Email me these details at: [email protected] I will call you for your credit card number. 
• I am always here to give advice and tips for ordering, such as color selection, coordinating product choices and product quality advice

6. Final Thoughts

• If you want a permanent discount on all your stamping products, join my team and all the fun! Learn more here.  
• Combine your order with a friend's order and earn additional hostess dollars which means more products to share and craft with!

How to add beautiful baubles to your holiday cards

Christmas cards don't have to be difficult to be stunning! Today I will show you how to add beautiful baubles to your holiday cards. 

First, choose the perfect embossing folder to add interest to your top card layer. If you want a holiday theme try:

• Corrugated Dynamic (148026)
• Swirls and Curls (147923)
• Cable Knit (143537)
• Quilt Top (144687)
• Tufted Dynamic (146335)

On the card below, the top layer uses the Tufted Dynamic folder. 

Next choose your Christmas card colors. The most popular colors for holiday cards are: 

• Night of Navy and Whisper White
• Old Olive and Real Red
• Garden Green and Poppy Parade
• Shaded Spruce and Real Red
• Cherry Cobbler and Mossy Meadow
• Merry Merlot and Mossy Meadow

This card features Garden Green and Poppy Parade.

Third, choose your stamp set. There are so many to list and I am sure you can pick your faves to order at my online store. This card features the Beautiful Baubles bundle:

Beautiful Baubles Photopolymer Bundle
$43.00

 

Finally, consider embellishments to add sparkle and detail to your cards:

• Glitter
• Pearls and Rhinestones
• Sequins
• Jewels
• Dots 

This card features the Santa’s Workshop Enamel Shapes (147811). 

Here's the card - a full list of instructions is under the card photo.

Beautiful Baubles Christmas card

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Beautiful Baubles (147765); Beautiful Baubles Bundle (149920)
• Card Stock – Very Vanilla (101650), Garden Green (102584), Poppy Parade (119793), Gold Foil Sheets (132622), Gold Glimmer Paper (146958)
• Stamp Pads – Poppy Parade (147050)
• Misc. – Big Shot (143263), Detailed Baubles Thinlits Dies (147924), Merry Christmas Thinlits Dies (147912), Layering Circles Framelits Dies (141705), Tufted Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (146335) SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Santa’s Workshop Enamel Shapes (147811), Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (144106)

 

Measurements:  

• Very Vanilla: 5.5” x 8.5”, scrap
• Poppy Parade: 5.25” x 4”
• Garden Green: 5” x 3.75”
• Gold Foil and Gold Glimmer: each - 3” square

 

Instructions:

1. Fold Very Vanilla cardstock in half to create cardbase
2. On scrap of Very Vanilla – stamp sentiment in Poppy Parade, then die cut with larger label framelit from the Merry Christmas Thinlits dies (alternatively – cut to 2.5” x 7/8” and notch corners 
3. Run the Garden Green cardstock through the Big Shot in the Tufted Folder with the regular platform – only the top plastic cutting plate is needed with the thicker Dynamic Folders
4. Adhere the Garden Green cardstock to the Poppy Parade cardstock and then to the cardfront.
5. Adhere the 3” square of Gold Glimmer Paper to a Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet, leaving the liners intact. Place the Detailed Bauble framelit onto the Glimmer Paper and run through the Big Shot.
6. Die cut the straight edge circle that measures 2.25” from the Gold Foil Sheet
7. Peel the adhesive liner off and adhere the Gold Glimmer detailed bauble onto the Gold Foil Circle.
8. Adhere red and green enamel circles as desired onto the detailed bauble, then adhere the bauble onto the cardfront 
9. Adhere two discarded Gold Glimmer circles onto either end of the sentiment label – or use two more of the enamel circles. Adhere the sentiment to the cardfront with Stampin’ Dimensionals

The best ever products for holiday crafts

I love asking my customers which products they love the most when a new catalog comes out! Stampin' Up! takes great care to provide not only the latest and greatest in art, colors and embellishments but also stamp styles and fonts that will appeal to everyone! 

The Holiday Catalog (see below) launched in September and here are the top 5 catalog items ordered so far from my online store: 

1. Tin Tile embossing folder (page 43)
2. Winter Woods (page 27)
3. Signs of Santa (page 19)
4. Galvanized Metallic Paper (page 43)
5. Santa's Workshop specialty designer paper (page 19)

Here's what was on my first order:

• Merry Christmas to All bundle (page 5)
• ALL the new Stampin' Blends (throughout)
• Festive Farmhouse paper (page 13)
• Country Lane paper (page 43)
• Galvanized Metallic Paper (page 43)
• Tin Tile Dynamic embossing folder (page 43)

What will be on YOUR first order? So hard to choose, isn't it: 

Ready to download your FREE copy? Click on the cover below for a downloadable PDF! And then click below to link over to my online store!

2018 HOLIDAY CATALOG

Don't just take my word about how awesome this new catalog is - here's a fun video created by Stampin' Up!:

What would you create with this color challenge?

This color challenge stopped me cold. I love the bright colors - these three are some of my faves out of all the new colors Stampin' Up! introduced in this year's Annual Catalog. 

But. 

I didn't have any designer paper that uses these colors so that stumped me for a while. So I did what you like do when you are wondering what to create - I searched on Pinterest and found a card idea that I decided to copy for the stamp set and then change it up to make a card that matched this week's Paper Craft Crew challenge:

 

I diecut a phrase to put on the front of my Healing Hugs card and then changed my mind. My card front was already really full and the phrase that I wanted to use just wouldn't fit. So it will go inside. And I don't have to decide right now whether this will be a birthday, a friendship, a get well or some other kind of card - bonus!

Here are some of the products I chose for my card - click on any of them to link over to my online store:

Basket Weave Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
$9.00

Layering Ovals Framelits Dies
$35.00

Healing Hugs Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$21.00

Flourish Thinlits Dies
$29.00

 

 I think what makes the card so great is the embossing folder background and the diecut leaves. These add texture and interest to the card, don't they? And the color layers pull the card together to look like it was planned! Well, it was but you get what I mean - I normally wouldn't use these three together but I sure might now:

Now it's your turn: what would you create using Gorgeous Grape, Mango Melody, and Granny Apple Green? What theme would you choose? Let us know by adding a comment under this blog post - I'd love to hear what you would use. 

If you want to see what the other design team members created using this week's color challenge, click here to head over the Paper Craft Crew website.

Do you know the clear block stamping technique?

I love teaching you fun stamping techniques and today's card features the clear block stamping technique. Have you tried this technique before? If you have, add a comment under the card to tell me: Yes! And if you love this technique too, add a second YES! to your comment. 

This technique is an oldie but a goodie as it adds a subtle and interesting background feature on a card. The key is to use a light ink color - like the subtles collection or lighter tones in the neutrals collection. 

Another thing you need to be aware of, is that you shouldn't worry about precise inking and stamping - this technique is supposed to look imprecise so roll with the look!

The card below uses the Country Home stamp set: a set inspired by a beautiful fall in the countryside. Dried flowers, rustic jugs—just the setting to sit still for a moment and be grateful. I love the phrases and images in this set; there are so many possible uses which makes it a great value for your dollar. 

Notice the simplicity of this card - only one section colored, coordinating designer paper, the subtle Crumb Cake layer, and the perfect embellishment as a final touch - one that adds sophistication without drawing your eyes away from the main image. 

Don't miss a full set of instructions and supplies list under the card. Instruction #4 will show you how to do the clear block stamping technique. My advice is to try this a few times on scrap paper until you are happy with how it looks.

Leave a comment under this post to tell me if you are going to give this card a try. If you don't have the supplies to make it and want to add them to your collection, click here to link over to my online store!

Country Home thank you card

 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Country Home (147678)
• Card Stock – Crushed Curry (131199); Crumb Cake (120953); Whisper White (100730)
• Stamp Pads – Tuxedo Black Memento (132708); Crumb Cake (147116)
• Misc. – Country Lane Designer Paper (147804); Clear Block D (118485); Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker (100082); 3/16” Braided Linen Thread (147808); Galvanized Buttons (147891); Dark Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends (144585); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Glue Dots (103683)

 

Measurements:  

• Crushed Curry (base): 5 ½” x 8 ½”, scored at 4 ¼”
• Crumb Cake: 4” x 5 ¼”
• Whisper White: 3 7/8” x 5 1/8”
• Whisper White: 4” x 4”
• Designer Paper: 2” x 3 7/8”
• Braided Linen Thread: 4 ½” and 7” 

 

Instructions:

1. Ink the word “thankful” as part of the greeting stamp using the Basic Black marker. Stamp the word in the lower right corner of the designer paper. 
2. Adhere the designer paper to the lower portion of the Whisper White 3 7/8” x 5 1/8” cardstock. Adhere this layer to the Crumb Cake layer.
3. Place a Glue Dot on each end of the 4 ½” piece of Braided Linen Thread. Adhere the thread along the top edge of the designer paper, securing the raw ends to the backside.
4. Ink the Clear Block D using the Crumb Cake ink. Stamp off one layer of ink on scratch paper to reduce the shade. Stamp the block on the 4” x 4” piece of Whisper White cardstock. 
5. Stamp the cattail image using Memento ink in the center of the Crumb Cake block. Trim around the stamped image using your scissors. 
6. Color in the two cattails using the Stampin’ Blends. 
7. Adhere the stamped image to the upper portion of the Whisper White layer using Dimensionals. 
8. Adhere the Galvanized Button using Glue Dots to the right side of the horizontal Braided Linen Trim. Create a single loop bow using the 7” piece of Braided Linen Trim. Adhere it over the button holes using a Glue Dot.