July Diva Blog Hop--New Catalog Products!

Hey, Folks!!

Wow!!  I hope you've enjoyed all of the stops along the way!  If you're joining me from Amy's Blog, I'm the last stop for today.  If you just started here, feel free to head to Sue's Blog and start from there to hop thru all the sites! I have to tell you, I'm SOOOO excited about today's theme of 'New Catalog Products'.

One of the FIRST sets I try to purchase when the new catalog is released is whatever set is the year's Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) stamp set.  If I'm reading/remembering my Stampin' Up! history correctly, the company partnered with the charity starting in 2003, and each year they create a stamp set that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the set is donated to the RMHC.  And this year is no different!  For every stamp set sold in the U.S., $3 will go towards the program!  In the past 10+ years, just this small piece contributed by customers and demonstrators both has allowed Stampin' Up! to give over $1,000,000 to RMHC!!  This year's set is called 'Flamingo Lingo' and is SUPER cute, and it available in both Wood Mount & Clear Mount!!  Check it out:

So, this last weekend, I got an e-mail from one of the Convention swap groups I had signed up for.  Someone had dropped out of one of the other sections of her swap, and she wanted to know if I would be willing/able to step in and do another swap.  Of course I said 'yes'!  I knew right away that I wanted to use 'Flamingo Lingo' for the stamp set!  And here's the completed card (that you get an advanced look at!):

Yes, those are perfectly matched pink lilies serving as the background for my card.  I have them blooming in my garden and was excited to see how close in color to Melon Mambo they actually were!!

The stamp set isn't the only new product from the catalog that I used for this card.  The Designer Series Paper is from "Back to Black"; The flowers are punched out using the Petite Petals Punch (which was in the recent Occasions catalog), and the rhinestones on the two lighter flowers are colored using the Melon Mambo Blendablities.

The Basic Black Baker's Twine (another new item--the twine isn't new, but the color option is!) was wrapped around the card a couple times and tied in a bow to the side.

And last, but certainly not least, I used the new Textured Impressions Embossing Folder "Large Polka Dot" for the background of the card.

There are so many great new items in the Annual Catalog.  I hope you've had fun checking out all of the great idea the ladies here have shared today!!  And for quick reference, here are the sites that are hopping today:

• Sue
• Denise
• Sandy
• Autumn
• Amy
• Pam (You're here!!)

Happy Hopping!!

Pam

June Diva Blog Hop--Masculine

Happy Father's Day!!  I hope you've enjoyed all of the stops along the way!  If you're joining me from Amy's Blog, I'm the last stop for today.  If you just started here, feel free to head to Sue's Blog and start from there to hop thru all the sites!  Our 'theme' for today is 'masculine' and I have to tell you, I LOVE the fact that I can create some great masculine cards using My Digital Studio software!!  I think my hardest challenge was narrowing down which designs to share with you!

So, let me start with this great tie card. 

I LOVE the fact that I can color each tie individually and make it as personalized as I'd like!!  For this one, I stuck with the basic primary colors, but love how it turned out!!  And how about the cute rhinestone added as a 'tie tack'!?!

Sailboats are another image that just make me think 'masculine'

I created my own DSP for the bottom half of the card, and also used the freeform coloring tool to add a little blue to the sail and waves.

General images are a great way to create masculine cards if one doesn't have a lot to work with.  Such as this cool one from Daring Adventures.

Adding the antique brad and the button were fun touches on here, too!

Or, if you don't have many images, using 'office' inspired DSP and punches can help create a masculine look on a card:

Brads, neutral colors, spiral punch all help to create the masculine look of the card.

Clockworks is another fun set 'go to' set for me.  I made this card for my brother-in-law's birthday last year:

Now, I have to be honest, from 'real' cards to 'digital', my one set to recommend if you're looking for a stamp set to use on masculine cards, "Lovely As a Tree" will always find it's place at the top of my list!  There are a LOT of great sets out there, but the versatility of that set lends itself to so many great options, beyond just the masculine theme.  Here are two favorites of mine for today's theme, however:

I used the freeform again to create the shadowing on the base of the trees/hills.  And the coloring tool was fun to add some 'color' to the branches. 

I may have shown the above card already--I designed it for a masculine swap that we did at Diva Day a couple months back--and while that was the 'real life' version, I HAD to create a digital version of it as well!!

I hope you've enjoyed the blog hop stops!  For quick reference, here is a quick list of our blog hoppers for today:

• Sue
• Kat
• Denise
• Sandy
• Autumn
• Amy
• Pam (You're here!!)

Happy Hopping!!

Pam

June 2014 Card Workshop

Yesterday was SUCH a gorgeous day here for my New Catalog Open House.  And in case you missed it, just thought I'd take a quick moment and share the card that folks got to make--using the new Blendabilities!

The Blendabilities are a lot of fun to play with, and I don't have the technique down 'quite' perfect yet, but I know I'm going to have fun using them on projects going forward!!

O.K., so June Card Workshop cards.  I sent the e-mail out to folks last week, but had 'teased' that I wouldn't be able to show the cards until after my Open House yesterday, but wanted to fulfill my promise and show the cards for this month!!

Christmas cards in June & July cards are usually a challenge for me to come up with ideas--the New Catalog just came out (and it's AWESOME!), and we don't get to see the Holiday Catalog until NEXT month, so I like to get creative with punches and the like.  Here's my take on a Santa Suit for the June Christmas Card:

 

We had a Diva Day Team meeting this past Sunday, and I have to say, it is a GREAT group of ladies that I get to spend time with (usually) once a month!!  This fun tri-fold card is one that one of them had brought to make in our Shoebox Swap, and I simply fell in love with it!!

And this was the card that I brought for the other Diva's to get to make.  I love adding humor into my cards, and also being able to use set for something OTHER than what it was intended for--the stamp set with the rubber ducky is geared towards babies, but using the colors of Hello Honey and Tangelo Twist (along with our new rotary stamp), it's the perfect 'pick-me-up' for someone's 'Monday Blues'!

 
Remember each month will be a different holiday card design with matching envelopes.  I'll do all of the prep work, and all you'll have to do is come and stamp and complete your cards!!  The cost of the each workshop will be $15 and you must RSVP by the 15th of each month (to give me time to order and prep everything).

Now, Christmas Cards 'might' not interest everyone--perhaps you want to get a 'stash' of occasion cards made.  Well, you have that option, too!!  When you sign up for the workshop, you can choose the Occasion Cards instead of the Christmas cards (same price--$15, you'll make five cards of two different designs for 10 total cards, and matching envelopes)!!

If BOTH the Christmas and Occasion cards interest you, then you can register for both for only $25!  I just need the RSVP's in order to have the projects prepped and ready to go in time!  1146 Highland Ave, Nfld, MN.  June's Workshop is Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.

I'd love for you to join me at the Card Workshop!!  RSVP by the 15th of June and I will have a packet ready to go for you when you come on the 25th!!

Happy Stamping!

Pam

New Catalog Open House

Eeek!!!!  It's not supposed to be the end of the first week of June already!!  Somehow this month has completely sneaked up on me (not exactly sure how that happened, considering June always follows May in the calendar!), and this first week has just flown by.  Which is not good, as I realized that I hadn't yet mentioned my New Catalog Open House I'm having NEXT week!!

So, please consider this your invitation to stop by if you're in the area!!  I'll be home and look forward to folks stopping by anytime between Noon and 8:00 p.m.

In the meantime, Happy Stamping!!

Pam

Can You Tell Me How to Get . . .

. . . get to Sesame Street?!

AND now that everyone has THAT song running thru your heads, you're welcome!!

I'm a little behind on getting this post of my 'Big Bird' card up for you, but I'm working in Dispatch at work tonight, so I have a little down time between calls to be able to share this card I created for Diva Day earlier in the month.  Our theme for Diva Day was 'Kid/Child Cards', and each Diva had some FUN cards they brought.  

I don't know about you, but coming up with cards to fit this theme can sometimes be a tad challenging for me.  But, it was fun to come up with this card.  And for those of you wondering about my Penguin Toe Rating (PTR) on this card, I'd probably give it a 7.  (Wondering what I'm talking about?!  Refer back to this blog post!!).  The card really isn't super difficult, but there are a few tips/tricks that could be mildly challenging (but certainly NOT impossible) until you get the hang of them!!

Now, the one thing I knew for the card swap was that there was NO way I could expect them to assemble Big Bird AND the card itself (Number One Rule for Shoebox Swap: Cards must be able to be completed in 5 minutes or less), which meant I needed to prep a few of the pieces for it!!  Though having 16 Big Bird faces staring up at me IS a tad disconcerting!!!

O.K., so a few features about creating the Big Bird Punch Art image.  First of all, I used the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch for his head (I believe I used Daffodil Delight Cardstock for him).  Oh!!  And the tuft of 'hair'?!  Why, the Fringe Scissors, of course!!  And I used two different sizes of the eyes in the Owl Builder Punch (used the large 'eye' punched in Whisper White, Melon Mambo & Night of Navy--trimming part of the Melon Mambo and Night of Navy circles to create the eyelids; used the medium 'eye' punch for the pupils in Basic Black).

As for Big Birds' beak?!  I have to say, that was probably my favorite part of this!!  I started with one of my circle punches (I think the 1 1/4", but the 1 3/8" could work, too!!) and punched out a circle in the Daffodil Delight.

Then, I took the punched circle and re-inserted it in the punch until I eyeballed what looked like a good 'beak' size to me.  I gently pressed down the punch, but before punching thru completely, used a Sharpie marker to mark the top/bottom of the beak so that I could set up the rest of my punches the same way!

Oh!!  And another bonus?!  You can get TWO beaks out of each circle!!

And for the inside of the mouth, you follow the SAME process (but I used Crisp Cantelope cardstock), but folded the image in half and cut it down a little more to just 'fit' inside of the folded over beak (getting FOUR of those out of a single circle!!)!!

So, just a lot of tape/putz work to assemble Big Bird.  Perfect activity to complete while sitting in front of the TV!!

I also pulled out the Circle Thinlits dies (which ARE in the new catalog, but can even be ordered now!), Cycle Celebrations stamp set, Label Love stamp set, and the Decorative Dots embossing folder (was available during Sale-A-Bration, but if you missed out then, will be in the new catalog as well!!) for this card, and here are a few photos of the completed card:

Card Front, Closed

Card Front, Slightly Opened

Inside Card, Opened

And for good measure, here's one more close-up of Big Bird (attached with three dimensionals) on the front of the card!!

I hope you've enjoyed checking out this cute Big Bird 'kids' card!!  You can find all of the supplies to make this card in my online store, and don't forget--only about a week left to order items that are on the retiring list (and not yet sold out!)!!

Happy Stamping!

Pam

May Diva Blog Hop--Flowers!

It's hard to believe it's blog hop time ALREADY this month!!  I hope you've enjoyed all of the stops along the way!  If you're joining me from Amy's Blog, I'm the last stop for today.  If you just started here, feel free to head to Sue's Blog and start from there to hop thru all the sites!!  Today's theme is flowers, and I have to say, I own SOOOOOO many favorite flower sets from Stampin' Up!

I'm going to show you 'mostly' digital stuff today, but did want to start off showing a card I did for a recent swap:

The Flower Shop stamp set and matching punch is probably one of my favorites in the current (and new!) catalog!  The Fancy Fan embossing folder is such an elegant way to add texture (used the Pistachio Pudding cardstock).  I also used the new Scallop Tag Topper with a technique called 'Jump the Track' to create the tabs where I tied the ribbon (Garden Green cardstock).

I stamped the flower three times using Daffodil Delight.  Then with the two-way glue pen, added a touch of glitter to the center of each flower.  Once that was dry, I punched out the flowers with the coordinating punch and also punched out the leaves using part of the image from the Bird Builder punch.   (You'll see on the Whisper White cardstock on the inside of the card, I also stamped the flower in the upper right corner with a little glitter there as well!).  I attached the flower/leaves grouping using some SNAIL adhesive, then attached the entire piece to the front of the card using Dimensionals.  This was SUCH a fun card to put together!!

Now, many of you may know that I work at a college full-time in their Public Safety/security department.   I went to school with, and know some amazing men and women who are police officers.  This week is National Police Week, and the typical logo for the event is a badge with a red rose across it.  Now, being copyrighted, I don't want to use 'their' image, but with using My Digital Studio (MDS) , I was able to create 'my' version of the image and created a Facebook cover photo to post for the week (and since today's hop theme is 'flowers', it fits for sharing in this post, too!):

O.K.  Another great flower set that I love is Mixed Bunch.  Here's a digital version of 'triple time' stamping (and yes, you could create this card in 'real' life!) using that flower set:

Using flowers in my MDS is always fun, and the Paper Daisies are SOOOOOO cool!!  In this first page, I decided to create/add the flower on the page because it was the only photo I was able to get of the wedding party, but my nephew-in-law happened to get his arm across the lower right side of the photo, and there really wasn't a 'good' way to crop the photo and not loose part of the wedding party!  So, the daisy came in handy to 'cover' him up and not detract from the over all photo!!

I love the fact that I can camouflage things on the page using flowers.  I LOVE the Blooms (there are a few different versions) and the rest of the samples I'm showing use them!!

Another page done of the wedding.  We got a photo of all of my niece's aunts who were at her wedding.  I was NOT loving how I was looking in a lot of the photos, so the Blooms worked great to cover up a few 'strategic' areas that I was not caring for!!  And still be in the photo!

Another fun/simple use of the Blooms.  And recoloring them in MDS is SOOOOO easy!

For the page above, I decided the colors to use on the page based off of the outfit colors of the person in the photos.  I think it turned out pretty cute!



And LAST year (2013), I made up this cute calendar for my Parking Office Coordinator.  Each of the months was done a little different, but I absolutely LOVE how August came together using the various shades of purple, gray & white:

There is also a SUPER cute die (to use with the Big Shot) in the current Occasion Catalog that does these STUNNING 3-dimensional flowers.  I didn't have the time to play with that for this post, but maybe somewhere down the line I can show some cute ideas with that!!


And for quick reference, here's a list of our blogs for today:

Sue

Denise

Sandy

Amy

Pam (you're here!)

Happy Hopping!!

Pam

May 2014 Card Workshop

Wow!!!  I can't believe it's May already!!  And for those Star Wars fans of you out there:  May the Fourth be with you today!!  (Dare I admit that I've never seen any of those movies?!).  I just got back from a SUPER fun Diva Day, stamping with some other demonstrator friends (and sending well-wishes to our fearless leader who's been feeling under the weather as of late!), and today's theme was 'child/kid' cards.  I'll show the card I did later this week--I explored my inner-Sesame Street for that one!!  But today's post is all about this month's Card Workshop cards!!  I had two of the three cards for today designed a couple of days ago, but wanted to wait to see what other great ideas the ladies came up with for today, and wouldn't you know, the adorable caterpillar card came out of our get-together! 

I do try to no always use traditional red/green/white when it comes to Christmas cards, and I think I've done pretty well so far this year in regards to that--we DO have some of those colors, but not EVERY card EVERY month looks like that.  And while there IS red/green in this card, I added in Early Espresso & Very Vanilla to give it a little more 'vintage' look.  LOVE the Snowflake Soiree stamp set, which is one that is on our carryover list (meaning it was in an older catalog, and while that catalog is no longer current, the stamp set IS still available), and I was so excited to put it to use on this card!

May 2014 Christmas Card

I knew I wanted to use the Starburst Sayings and matching framelits on one of the cards for this month, and I love the use of the Silver on here.  I also was reminded this last month that I haven't had folks doing much/any heat embossing, so there's a little bit on this card as well!!

May 2014 Occasion Card #1

And then Mr. Tangerine Tango Caterpillar!!   I just thought he was adorable and SOOOOO much fun to do!  Love the Retro Fresh Designer Series Papers on here!!

May 2014 Occasion Card #2

Remember each month will be a different holiday card design with matching envelopes.  I'll do all of the prep work, and all you'll have to do is come and stamp and complete your cards!!  The cost of the each workshop will be $15 and you must RSVP by the 15th of each month (to give me time to order and prep everything). 

Now, Christmas Cards 'might' not interest everyone--perhaps you want to get a 'stash' of occasion cards made.  Well, you have that option, too!!  When you sign up for the workshop, you can choose the Occasion Cards instead of the Christmas cards (same price--$15, you'll make five cards of two different designs for 10 total cards, and matching envelopes)!!

If BOTH the Christmas and Occasion cards interest you, then you can register for both for only $25!  I just need the RSVP's in order to have the projects prepped and ready to go in time!  1146 Highland Ave, Nfld, MN.  May's Workshop (due to my other 'job') is going to shift one day to THURSDAY (rather than Wednesday), May 29, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.

I'd love for you to join me at the Card Workshop!!  RSVP by the 15th of May and I will have a packet ready to go for you when you come on the 29th!!

Happy Stamping!

Pam