Stampin’ Up! 2015 Holiday Catalog – Homemade for the Holidays

Yesterday was the release of the Stampin’ Up! 2015 Holiday Catalog. Already a hit in my book. I know, I know – fall holidays are the theme and the most important aspect of the catalog, but there are three very important product releases in the Holiday Catalog that are crafting gold to my crafting friends. Definitely must haves.

#1 – Stampin’ Up! Basic Black Archival Ink Pad, page 19 (Item #140931, $7). There are 51 pages of absolutely marvelous products, stamp bundles, and holiday project ideas. Tucked in the bottom left corner of page 19 – there it is. Stampin’ Up! has developed a permanent black ink. Perfect for watercoloring, which seems like a fad that is going to last for quite a while.

#2 – Precision Base Plate, page 14 (Item #139684, $25). With all the intricately detailed thinlits, this is a must have. This is a steel plate for use with your Big Shot™ that will improve the cuts of the more detailed dies. The “sandwich” recipe: Multipurpose Platform, Precision Base Plate, single sheet of cardstock, die, and Standard Cutting Pad. Not recommended for use with the “open” or border dies as the rigid plate may cause those dies to warp. Check out the video Stampin’ Up! released on YouTube for more detailed instructions, tips and tricks.

#3 – Fine-Tip Glue Pen, page 43 (Item #138309, $7). This is exactly what was needed for adhering small embellishments, like sequins or the images created with the intricate word die cuts, the butterflies, etc. The cap has a needle-like center that inserts into the tip of glue bottle that will prevent clogging.. Check out the video Stampin’ Up! release about using the Fine-Tip Glue Pen and properly capping the bottle.

Over the next several weeks, I will showcase here some of the stamp sets and oodles of bundles to help create any of your papercrafting holiday projects. Our first project will be the tags using the Oh, What Fun Stamp Set (Item #140386, $21) and Oh What Fun Tag Project Kit (Item #139602, $21) on page 5. See you at club this month! I cannot wait.

Stamp on!

Sandy

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All About Sugar Stamp Set and Fry Box Bundle Treat Bags

Today we will be making these cute treat bags. 

On page 61 of the new 2015-16 Annual Catalog, Stampin’ Up! offers the All About Sugar Stamp Set in photopolymer and the Fry Box Bigz L Die (p. 175) at a 15% discount if you bundle these fantastic 2 products. Incredible savings to make this super cute treat bag in the shape of a fry box – just like the ones your favorite fast food comes in.

There is absolutely not much work involved in putting together this project. Run a half sheet of card stock through your Big Shot™ using the Fry Box Bigz L Die. On my project, I used a piece of Tangerine Tango card stock for the fry box and stamped the images on Whisper White card stock – fussy cutting the images with a very, very slight border of the Whisper White. It would have been awesome to have a punch or die cut for these smaller images, but the fry box was the way to go.

I wish I could give credit to the demonstrator’s video I saw many weeks ago – I am sorry, I do not remember her name any more – where she folded the card stock in half instead of laying the half sheet across the whole die in order to allow identical dimensions for the front and back of the box. This change allows you to punch the “handle” using the Large Oval punch as you can see in the photo of my project. I also used the Extra Large Oval punch by accident on one of the fry boxes. I am not so sure I like it as well as the Large Oval punch. But that is the beauty of paper crafting – you get to make your own choices.

Most importantly, please be sure to use a strong adhesive, like the new Tear and Tape Adhesive (p. 156, $7.00) to secure the sides of the fry box. Then you will be assured that your treat bag will not fall apart on your recipient!

I challenge you to make one of these adorable Fry Box treat bags yourself. In fact, if you purchase:

1. One (1) All About Sugar Stamp Set and Fry Box BigzL Die Bundle (p. 61, Item #140221, $42.50);
2. One (1) Tangerine Tango Classic Stamp Pad (p. 138, Item #126946, $6.50); and 
3. One (1) bag of the Mini Clothespins (p. 160, Item #133764, $4.00)

from my online store at sandee904.stampinup.net only, I will send you via regular U.S. mail one (1) half sheet of Tangerine Tango Card Stock, one (1) half sheet of Whisper White Card Stock, and the 2 pieces of ribbon (both ribbon shown are retired now so this will be while supplies last or through expiration of this offer) which will be enough to make one of these cuties yourself.

Now hurry, because you must place your order at my online stone before the end of the day on August 31, 2015 when this offer will expire. Please be sure to check the box that I am allowed to contact you, otherwise, I will not have your address to mail your goodies out to you.

And, if you already have the All About Sugar stamp set or the Fry Box Bigz L die cut, I will still honor my offer as long as you place an order through my online store at sandee904.stampinup.net for any product totaling $50 or more (excluding shipping, handling, taxes).

Difficulty Level: Easy  (I finished both fry boxes last night in about 45 minutes. I have no doubt that you can do the same.)

Stamp on!

Sandy

sandee904@yahoo.com

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Sheltering Tree Stamp Set by Guest Designer

Yesterday was Andrea’s stamping party. It was really a card buffet, but I think I have some new stamping addicts! It was a fun time with a great group of people. I was amazed at the talent of the three (3) young stampers – Andrea’s niece and her third (we think) cousins. I had several cards designed for the adults and youngsters and a couple of cards designed specifically for the youngsters for father’s day. They did a marvelous job with the cards and made them their own.

On this day, Andrea was on a mission! She was on a mission to create a card using the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set by Stampin’ Up! Her vision was to cover the tree with embossed flowers (using the leaves image) on a sheet of vellum. It turned out beautiful. Tell her how much you LUV it below.

Of course, I couldn’t have a stamping party at Andrea’s without bring her favorite retired Stampin’ Up! stamp set, Because I Care. I didn’t have a card designed though – I left it to Andrea to come up with something herself. I had no doubt that she could handle it. Here’s her card.

I hope you enjoy Andrea’s cards as much as I did. I will post June’s club card next week.

Stamp on!

Sandy

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Sheltering Tree Stamp Set for FMS182

In my last post, I mentioned that we would be using the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set from the Stampin’ Up! 2015 Occasions Catalog and the Scallop Tag Topper Punch for this month’s club card. Well, it has been a busy month for me and by Friday night I still hadn’t gotten my act together for club on Saturday. I needed some inspiration! Once I saw the sketch challenge from Freshly Made Sketches – “EUREKA!” I knew that was it. Try as I might, I was unable to incorporate the Scallop Tag Topper Punch into the sketch. (Never fear, it will return because you know I love cards with tags!!) Now, back to business.

Rita, a member of the design team at Freshly Made Sketches, has come up with a beautiful “clean-lined” design. Here it is…

Now here’s my card...

The Sheltered Tree stamp set I am using is a photopolymer set which allowed for some “reverse image” stamping. What is “reverse image” stamping you say? Well, just that – reverse the image! Adhere the detailed image side of the stamp to the clear block and ink the flat side, or the reverse side of the stamp, which created this wonderfully full-blooming tree effect (affectionately nicknamed the blob effect at club). I used 2013-15 In Color Pistachio Pudding (really going to hate to see this color retire in June!) for the full bloom effect. Clean the stamp and adhere the flat side of the image to a clear block and ink the intended leaf image in Old Olive. Line it up with the “blob” and stamp. Turned out nicely. The color for the tree trunk is 2013-15 In Color Baked Brown Sugar (pause for sadness to fade again). The tree swing and bicycle is stamped in Early Espresso. The bicycle frame is stamped in Night of Navy.

I decided to use the stamp set’s signature sentiment, “Friendship is a sheltering tree.” I love the sentiment, and really love the font! To keep to the design of the sketch challenge, I masked the sentiment and inked in Baked Brown Sugar the word “friendship.” Although it is hard to see, the word is cut out using the smallest banner die cut, some quick sponging of Baked Brown Sugar around the edges, and affixed to the right side of the card just below the swing. The bow is created with 3 loops using the Crisp Cantaloupe Thick Baker’s Twine. In this picture it hides the “flag” portion of the banner. Reversing the banner so that the flag pointed left instead of right would be a better choice.

To finish the card, I layered on slightly larger Pistachio Pudding card stock, layered again on Whisper White card stock (trimmed with a row of circles from the Painted Petals stamp set — my favorite Stampin’ Up! stamp set), and adhered to a Pistachio Pudding card stock base of 51/2 x 4 1/4.

If you would like specific dimensions and instructions to create your own card, please e-mail me and I will be happy to share them with you. And if you don’t already have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, it would be my honor if you selected me to help you in your future creations!

Stamp on!

Sandy

sandee904@yahoo.com

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Saturday Punch Art Projects

Today was a busy day. Lots to do, but still not too busy to squeeze in some stamping and crafting with Andrea and Stephen.  No set plan is the best kind of stamping.  I made a couple of birthday cards.  Andrea has been surfing Pinterest and found a couple of a cards that she wanted to try to replicate.  With great results I might add.

The first card was a little tricky. Quick thinking, Andrea used her own flip flop to create a pattern and then cut the pattern down to size to fit a standard 5 1/2  x 4 1/4 card front. Using some scrap DSP, she cut out two flip flops (one in reverse learned the hard way), laced up some ribbon and set it on a stage of pretend sand. Let’s head to the beach!  (And check out the quality of that photo staging!)

The second card was a real treat! Three circles using the scallop circle punch for the ice cream scoops, a half oval for the dish and a half circle for the bottom of the dish. Looks good enough to eat, right?

Check back soon and I will post pictures for this months’ stamp club. The initial plan is to use the new Sheltering Tree Stamp Set introduced in the Occasions Catalog and a project using the Scallop Tag Topper Punch.

Stamp on!

Sandy

You Plus Me Stamp Set for Valentine’s Day Reboot 2.0

It’s Saturday morning. So far so good with my second promise to blog more regularly; and my promise last weekend to share a second card for Valentine’s day using Stampin’ Up! You Plus Me stamp set.

This one is really simple to make. (Although last week’s card was simple, it may have been a little more complicated than it looked because the string of teeny tiny hearts can be rascals to glue back to back!) Besides purchasing the You Plus Me stamp set, you will need: Whisper White card stock (CS) base (5 ½ by 8 ½, scored at 4 ¼), Whisper White CS for the sentiment (approx. 2x3 and die cut from Chalk Talk Framelit), Real Red Classic Ink, a 2” strip of the XO paper from the Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper Stack, 5” Real Red ¼” Cotton Ribbon, and Red Glimmer Paper punched using the new Sweetheart Punch.

Quick Tip #1 – It’s all in the details! When cutting the 2” strip of the XO paper, don’t worry about it being exactly 2”, but it must be at least 11 rows of XO or the “white” of this card will take over.  I love my Stampin’ Trimmer because it makes cutting paper precisely so easy. If you don’t have a Stampin’ Trimmer, KNOW your paper cutter. Instead of 11 rows, I wanted the cut to run through the center of the XO row. Just remember whichever way you decide to cut, this strip of paper needs to be at least 2” or else the white on white will take over the card.

Quick Tip #2 – I find it is easier to ink and stamp the You’re Sweet sentiment first and run through the Big Shot second, but if you prefer to line up the sentiment after it is cut that’s okay. The next part is really the trickiest part, cutting the slit on both ends to string the ribbon (ribbon runs behind the sentiment). The sentiment barely fits this shape but this is the shape I wanted, and the look I wanted.  If you want to eliminate the slits from the sentiment layer, I would add Real Red candy dots to both ends of the sentiment, and adhere the sentiment on top of the ribbon with Stampin’ Dimensionals. This will help with the “white” taking over the card.

I hope this inspires you to get out your supplies and start stamping your Valentine a card this weekend!  Remember Valentine’s Day is next weekend!

Stamp on!  Sandy

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You Plus Me Stamp Set for Valentine’s Day

Here it is the first day of February and this is my first post of 2015. Already second guessing that new year’s resolution to be more committed to keeping everyone updated with my blog! Leave me a comment and let me know your paper crafting interests.

January club was held on Saturday the 17th. It was so good to see everyone and hear about their holidays.  We have a new club member, a recent transplant to the area who found us through Stampin’ Up. She is tried and true Stampin’ Up! She is a great addition to our group.

In addition to birthday cards, our focus was on Valentine’s day cards since February club falls on the Saturday after Valentine’s day. Here’s a picture of one of the two Valentine’s day cards we made.

The card is really simple to make. You will notice that we cut off the right side of the front of the card to showcase the white hearts on black designer paper from Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper Stack. The three (3) hearts strategically aligned along this “shortened” front are created from a truly handmade DSP using the Stripes Mask and punched with the Sweetheart Punch. In creating the DSP, I used the aqua painter and Crisp Cantaloupe Reinker on Whisper White cardstock, carefully turning the Stripes Mask to create the gingham look. (Everyone should write Stampin’ Up! to tell them to never retire the Stripes Mask. I LOVE IT! And you will too.)

The “Be Mine” sentiment is from the You Plus Me Stamp Set, I broke up the sentiment on two hearts punched from the smallest heart die in the Hearts Collection, and the tail of hearts are from the “scraps” of the handmade gingham DSP punched with the small heart in the Itty Bitty Punch Pak linked using Linen Thread, with small pieces of Linen Thread tied in a simple knot between each. I don’t think you can tell from the photo, but the Linen Thread is run between two hearts back-to-back using simply Snail Adhesive (I didn’t want to deal with excess glue on the small hearts).

Just a couple of strips of coordinating Stacked with Love Designer Washi Tape for the finishing touch.

I will share another Valentine’s day card soon so that you have a couple of options.

Stamp on!  Sandy

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Festival of Trees and Endless Wishes Stamp Sets Make this Festive Holiday Card

I hope your holiday has been great so far. The new year is just another day away. Better brush up on your new year’s resolutions!

My new year’s resolution this year is to be more active in blogging about my love for stamping. I am starting today! As you know, I am a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. I have grown my base group of fellow stampers from one monthly workshop to a second group that meets every other month. They are a great group of people and have a special place in my heart.

Today, I want to share with my virtual followers the holiday card I created this year using Stampin’ Up! Festival of Trees Stamp Set from the Holiday Catalog (HC p. 24; note the bundle includes the Tree Punch). I decided to use a non-traditional green for the holiday trees on my card. The design needed to be simple in order to make multiple cards and, although it was fairly simple to put together, they turned out beautiful.

The color scheme is Pear Pizzazz from the Subtles Collection and Lost Lagoon from the 2014-16 In Color Collection. Feel free to save this color scheme for future inspiration.

These colors coordinate perfectly with the All is Calm Specialty Designer Series Paper from the 2014 Holiday Catalog (HC p. 22).

Stampin’ Up! identifies the colors that coordinate with the DSP in both the catalog and on the packaging. This is a great idea for planning purposes – and for your future projects – taking the guesswork out of color coordination. 

I prefer to use Whisper White for the base of my cards when I have a “heavy” card front so that I don’t have to add another layer to the inside of the card for the sentiment. Another layer might have tipped the scale on the postage meter which is not a good thing when the mailing list is long.

If you are not able to tell from the photo, the center tree is stamped and snipped separately from the others. I used the Tree Punch from the Holiday Catalog (HC p. 24) to speed up the process due to the number of cards I was making, but you can stamp and snip one just as well. The individual tree is lifted up from the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. No punch necessary for the tree stand - a couple of straight snips will do if the images are stamped side by side alternating right-side up and right-side down on a 1/2” strip of Whisper White card stock. The photopolymer stamps make lining images up so easy.

Front of Card Sentiment:  I tried to change up the sentiments for variety. Sometimes I stamped the sentiment directly on the main image (see the square “very merry” card), or sometimes I stamped on the strip of DSP (see the circle “celebrate the season” card). Small changes that personalized each card! So simple.

Finishing touches:  I alternated between a Lost Lagoon 3/8” Silky Taffeta Ribbon (HC p. 22) bow or the Frosted Sequins (HC p. 22) with a 4 mm rhinestone from the Rhinestone Basic Jewels (AC p. 209) adhered to the 1/2" strip of Lost Lagoon behind the main image. The star that tops the lead tree is punched from Silver Glimmer Paper (AC p. 193) using the Star Punch from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (AC p. 222).

If you need the dimensions for the cuts, I would be happy to furnish detailed instructions. Just send me your request via email.

Please remember that there is only a short time left for ordering from the Holiday Catalog, or the Clearance Rack with up to 80% discounts on retired or about to retire product – January 5 is the last day! I noticed this morning that there are only a couple of items on the backorder report so put your order in today. Do not delay another minute. As always, I would be honored if you selected me as your demonstrator on your online order. You can find the online store through my Stampin’ Up! website (URL below).

Happy Holidays!  And see you next year.

Stamp on!  Sandy

PS: Check back on January 6th for news and updates regarding Sale-A-Bration and the release of the Occasions Catalog (formerly known as the Spring Catalog).

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Time to Start Thinking About Those Holiday Cards

The holidays are right around the corner, but I am not nearly ready to get started. I will tell you who is ready – my friend and neighbor – and our guest stamper today. I won’t reveal her name, but she will know that this post is all about her!

This Saturday was our regular stamp club, and we made birthday cards, thank you cards, and cards welcoming fall, but my friend wanted to dive right into holiday card making. She has been regularly searching and posting her finds on Pinterest and this Saturday was her opportunity to get down to business--some card making business.

Her first card is this adorable snowman card crafted from three circle punches on the right edge and topped with a whimsical hat. Check out that scarf too!

Now, her second card is a real work of art! The card uses designer series paper with holiday designs on both sides and the inside of the card opens with a reverse-fold insert and a window to the stamped holiday sentiment. Isn’t this cool!

I hope these cards helped put you on track to designing your holiday cards.  Thanks for visiting.

Stamp on!  Sandy

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Let Your Hair Down Stamp Set - Clean and Simple Birthday Card

I recently needed a birthday card that was ready to go in a jiffy.  I went straight for the Let Your Hair Down Hostess Stamp Set.  And, have you noticed that I am incorporating a lot of tags for the card fronts?  They really simplify the card-making process.  The new tag toppers – Scalloped Tag Topper Punch and Angled Tag Topper Punch – make it even easier, however, for this card, I created my own topper with an angle cut to both top edges of the rectangle piece of Bermuda Bay Card Stock to eliminate the ribbon slot.

I inked the namesake sentiment using Bermuda Bay Classic Ink, and cleared off the ink from the words “birthday” and “hair” with the corner of a baby wipe, re-inking those words using my Strawberry Slush Stampin’ Write Marker.  It is stamped on the Whisper White card stock, purposely lined up close to the right edge in order to punch the left side with the Spiral Border Edge Punch to give the appearance that the sentiment was ripped from a spiral notebook.

The Chevron ribbon piece is simply stapled to the top of the tag and the staple is hidden with a stack of butterflies, solid Bermuda Bay card stock punched with the Elegant Butterfly Punch, and the image from the Papillon Potpourri Stamp Set and punched with the Bitty Butterfly Punch.  A single Rhinestone in the center of the butterfly body was the finishing touch, but I took the picture before that happened.  Oopsy!.

The background is a 5” x 3 3/4” piece from the Confetti Celebration DSP – I love this fun DSP – and layered on a 5 1/4” x 4” piece of Bermuda Bay card stock.

If you are in need of exact measurements, please sign up to follow my blog and I’ll send the card recipe to you for free.  Or send your request to my email address.

Stamp On!  Sandy

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