Wow!

I had to share this. I just purchased a full spectrum lamp to use for taking photos, and I am really impressed with the results. Check out the difference between these two photos.

The first one you have see before, and was just taken with regular room lighting. It's just fine, but if you had the actual card in front of you, you would be able to see that the colors are off.
Now look at the one I took of the same card, using my new full spectrum light. Comparing it to the actual card, the colors are almost spot on. And can you see how much whiter the white is? In the previous photo the white looks a little pinkish to me.
Anyway, I am very happy with my new light.

view master card

I am the official card maker at my office. One of my co-workers is going on maternity leave soon, and we are having a little get together for her on Monday. I got thinking about the whole currently being pregnant but soon to deliver thing, and decided to see if I could translate that into a card. What do you think? I've never done a view master card before, and let me tell you, I spent hours working out all the kinks!

I used the head from Expectafellabella and the bottom from Babyfellabella and attached them to the front of the card with mini glue dots. I stamped and colored each of the four mid-section pieces, cut them out, and glued them onto the pink view master insert after the card was assembled so that I could line them up properly.



Here's the first view, with the mid-section from Expectafellabella.

The mid-section for the second view is from Teddybella. Doesn't she look like she is going to pop any second now?

In the third view, with Babyfellabella mid-section, baby has arrived. Aren't they sweet?

And here in the last view, with the mid-section from Dogwalkabella, we see that my co-worker is trim and fit and ready to return to work.

Stamps: Expectafellabella, Babyfellabella, Teddybella, Dogwalkabella

Paper: SU Pink Pirouette & Soft Sky, Heidi Grace designs Garden Flower

Accessories: Aquapainter, SU inks in Soft Sky, Pink Pirouette, and Barely Banana, SU creamy caramel marker, prismacolor marker, stickles, Soft Sky ribbon, silver cord, assorted punches, Nestabilities

I've recieved a few questions on how I made the card, and will try to answer them. First off, read the view master card tutorial on SCS for the basic directions. Now on to specifics...

1. The brad is hidden under her skirt. (Get your mind out of the gutter! Really!) I used a mini glue dot to hold the skirt in place and it seems to be holding up well.

2. For the nice dark skin tone, I used a SU creamy caramel marker. I also highly recommend the SU creamy caramel or close to cocoa watercolor crayons.

3. I made 6 "washers" to put between the brad and the view master insert to give it room to spin. To make them, I punched a hole with my 1/16th" hole punch, and then lined my 1/4th" hole punch over that hole and punched again. Wah lah! Instant washer.

Love is in the air...

I just adore the new Rachelle Anne Miller stamps that Sweet 'n Sassy has started carrying! This one is Lily & Milo - First Love. Isn't it just adorable? This image takes me back to when Jesse and I were first dating. We used to go to Harris Hill and sit on the benches at the overlook to watch the sunset. You could see the entire valley from there, and it was just so peaceful.

Want a sneak peek at something in the new SU catalog in August? Well, I used the new SU in-colors, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, and Baja Breeze with my aquapainter to color the image. I have to tell you, I really like the new in-colors! I'll be making more projects with them in the days to come, so keep your eye out!

Do you like how the bench turned out? Can you believe I got that effect with a SU Creamy Caramel marker? Click on the close-up to get a better look.


This is a really easy technique. All I did was outline the edge and color a little up the side of each plank with the marker, and then quickly (before the ink dries) used my aquapainter to "pull" the color into the rest of the plank to get that nice worn look. You can add more ink with the marker and "pull" it where you want it with the aquapainter a couple of times to get it as dark as you'd like, just be careful not to over saturate the paper with water or it will start to tear on you. Make sure to only do one small section of the image at a time as the ink from the marker will dry fast, and then you are out of luck! I did this one on regular card stock. If you want more of a watercolor effect (and don't want to worry about your paper tearing from too much moisture) try doing this on watercolor paper instead.

Stamps: Lily & Milo - first love
Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey Infuse DP
Accessories: SU Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, and Baja Breeze ink pads, SU Creamy Caramel marker, aquapainter, Copics, Stickles, SU ticket corner punch, SU Old Olive pollytwill ribbon

Blog Candy Alert!!

Kristine is soooo generous with lovely goodies and a Hanglar stamp too!! wow!! you’ve got to see it here
Tina is celebrating 5000 hits! you’ve got to check her candy out here
Lorraine has got some yummie candy up for grabs to celebrate her birthday.. here
Kimmi got some amazing Magnolia goodies up for grabs here

25% off select retiring accessories!

Breaking News...for the 1st time EVER Stampin’ Up! is offering a number of the retiring accessories for 25% off! (while supplies last) Keep in mind that you won't want to wait. Many of these items WILL SELL OUT!!! Here’s the list...

Item # Pg. # Description Regular Price 25% Off Price
109117 167 Pocket Notes assortment $9.95 $7.46
110479 168 Jersey Shore Double-Sided Designer Series Paper $9.95 $7.46
110699 168 East Coast Prep Double-Side Designer Series Paper $9.95 $7.46
109159 169 Flowers For You Double-Sided Designer Series Paper $9.95 $7.46
110273 169 Spring Fling Double-Sided Designer Series Paper $9.95 $7.46
110748 170 Notebook Double-Sided Designer Series Paper $9.95 $7.46
109153 170 Porcelain Prints Double-Sided Designer Series Paper $9.95 $7.46
110751 171 Azure Double-Sided Designer Series Paper $9.95 $7.46
109164 171 River Rock Prints DSP $9.95 $7.46
109175 171 Almost Amethyst Prints DSP $9.95 $7.46
109168 171 Groovy Guava Prints DSP $9.95 $7.46
109169 171 Close to Cocoa Prints DSP $9.95 $7.46
110284 182 Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
110285 182 Urban West Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
110281 182 Cherished Memories Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
109185 190 Jersey Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
109187 190 District Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
109189 190 Beachfront Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
110716 191 Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon $7.95 $5.96
109062 191 River Rock double-stitched grosgrain ribbon $8.95 $6.71

SU Retiring Accessories list

Last updated July 21 @ 10:00pm EST

109200 Accents & Elements Build A Flower
110718 Accents & Elements Lucky Star
110719 Accents & Elements Messenger
103158 Acrylic Graph & Grid
108638 Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
108642 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
108643 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
108637 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
108640 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
108639 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
108641 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi
108644 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate
103975 Card Stock Brushed Copper
108694 Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
107312 Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
107292 Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
109116 Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
109118 Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
109117 Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes
110729 Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
109119 Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
109018 Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou
109019 Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava
109017 Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate
109016 Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock
109015 Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky
109020 Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi SOLD OUT
109013 Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
109012 Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
109011 Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
109010 Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
109009 Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
109014 Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
110751 Designer Series Paper Azure
110749 Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
109154 Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
110699 Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep
109160 Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers
109159 Designer Series Paper Flowers For You
110697 Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
110479 Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore
109151 Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
110748 Designer Series Paper Notebook
110750 Designer Series Paper Olive Press
109153 Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints
109175 Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst
109177 Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
110696 Designer Series Paper Prints Bali Breeze
109173 Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou
109174 Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
109178 Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
109169 Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa
109168 Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava
109171 Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
109172 Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard
109176 Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
109170 Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie
109164 Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock
109167 Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
109166 Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
109165 Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky
109163 Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise
110698 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Break
110273 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Fling
110271 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Silhouettes
110272 Designer Series Paper Prints Western Sky
107299 Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
105320 Eyelets Basic
100375 Eyelets Bold Brights
100381 Eyelets Earth Elements
107233 Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
107234 Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
105316 Eyelets Rich Regals
100378 Eyelets Soft Subtles
105515 Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter SOLD OUT
105531 Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass
105532 Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper
101120 Metallic Art Pencils
107307 On Board Accents
109181 On Board Blossoms & Basic
109179 On Board Ginormous Pieces
107306 On Board Simon Lower
102678 Paper Mulberry White
109227 Punch Box Three For You
102686 Punch Handheld Rectangle
100271 Pure Color Pencils
109060 Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou SOLD OUT
109063 Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava
109061 Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate SOLD OUT
109062 Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock
109059 Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky
109058 Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi
109189 Ribbon Originals Beachfront
109187 Ribbon Originals District
109188 Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
109185 Ribbon Originals Jersey
109184 Ribbon Originals Sherbert
109186 Ribbon Originals Theater
110716 Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi
110281 Rub-Ons Cherished Memories
110284 Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance
110285 Rub-Ons Urban West*
110557 Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
109610 Simply Scrappin' Confetti
110572 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
110567 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
109597 Simply Scrappin' Home Again
110562 Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
109648 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
109627 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl
110587 Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
110577 Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
111184 Simply Sent Friendly Notes
109228 Simply Sent Simple Delights SOLD OUT
109229 Simply Sent Three Thoughts SOLD OUT
106662 Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
107561 Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
109681 Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
109678 Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
107482 Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad
109680 Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
109677 Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe
106610 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
107467 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
109571 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
109570 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
109569 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
108423 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte
107468 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
108980 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
107464 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture
111261 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
109554 Stampin' Color Index Labels
109553 Stampin' Color Index Labels (French)
106694 Stampin' Kids Markers
101399 Stipple Brushes
102673 Zig Painty

Keep in mind that the status of any product may change quickly based on demand. With most catalogs, some accessories are completely discontinued while others are redesigned or reconfigured for the new catalog. Sometimes popular items are "discontinued" in their current packaging or style to come back with improved packaging or added product features. This year, no accessories are being reconfigured.

Welcome, baby!

My new nephew is due to arrive in mid-September, so I've been having fun working on baby projects while waiting for him to get here.

When I saw this sketch:

for the Whiff of Joy guest designer call, I knew I had found the perfect layout for a card for the baby-to-be. I don't normally make square cards, so this was a challenge for me. I really like this layout though, so I think I will use it to make a matching page for the scrapbook I am working on for baby.

The adorable baby image is from Stamping Bella. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see the stickles I added to the blanket and the car on his shirt. I've always loved that sparkly yarn they make for baby blankets, so I tried to get that effect with the glitter. I should learn how to crochet one of these days so I can make a sparkly blanket for myself!

Which one do you prefer?

One of my friends wants to make their own "save the date" cards for their wedding, so I spent some time yesterday coming up with some samples for them. The bride-to-be loves lilacs, so I used the soon to be retired SU Blossoms Abound set for the samples. I don't own a "save the date" stamp, so I substituted a birthday sentiment from SU Hugs and Wishes. Each card has the images stamped in Bashful Blue, Pink Passion, and Ballet Blue on white cs, and then has a vellum overlay with the sentiment stamped on it.

Here's the first one. It is the simplest of the 3 samples, and has a bit of Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon to spice it up. I really like the soft look of this one.

Here's the second one. For this one, I added Dazzlin' Diamonds on the vellum layer to make the flowers sparkle, and changed the ribbon to a sheer white.

For the third sample, I sponged the white background with Barely Banana as the bride-to-be likes yellow. On this one, I stamped the vellum layer with versamark, and embossed it with Iridescent Ice for the added sparkle on the flowers. This isn't as sparkly as the Dazzlin' Diamonds on the previous card, but has the benefit that the glitter isn't going to come off. I also changed the ribbon on this one to white taffeta.

So what do you think? Please leave a comment with which card you like best, and I'll pass the results on to the happy couple.

Also, don't forget that you only have until August 10th to order any of the stamps on Stampin' Up's retiring list. You can contact me any time if you'd like to place an order. Make sure you don't miss out on your favorites!

Christmas in July

It has been really hot here lately, so I decided to get a jump start on some holiday cards to cool off. I recently got this adorable Elzybell image in a pif on SCS and knew I couldn't wait to play with it. I used Liquid Applique for the snow and trim on her coat, and added some glitter while it was still wet. It really sparkles in real life!

Stamps: Elzybells, Studio G
Paper: vellum, SU Soft Sky and Blue Bayou
Misc: Cuttlebug embossing folders, Nestabilities, SU Soft Sky double stitched ribbon, SU markers, aquapainter, liquid applique, SU dazzling diamonds, Bella's baubles, Martha Stewart punch

hello!

As promised, here is the last of my projects for the 3littleDReaMs design team.
I used SU Ruby Red and Close to Cocoa cs, and designer paper from heidi grace designs. Mwahbella was colored in with a combination of Copic and Prismacolor markers. The pretty scalloped edge was done with Fiskars Threading Water punch, and the holes in each scallop were covered with bella's baubles for a little extra bling. The flowers are primas with more bella's baubles for centers. I didn't have a red prima, so I used the Prismacolor marker I used on the shirt to color a prima to match. The ruffled ribbon is from the Basic Grey Urban Couture collection (which I found at Big Lots!!!).

little things...

This is the second card I made for my design team application. I am actually using this one for a swap I am in, so I had to make 6 of them all total!
The main image is Minivanabella, and the sentiment is a dollar bin find, most likely from Michael's. The bella was colored in with my trusty aquapainter and a combination of SU ink and watercolor crayons. (I use my aquapainter all the time - it's my all time favorite tool!) The image was then punched out and layered on SU Blue Bayou cs using my circle nestablities set. (My nesties are my second favorite tool. I just got the oval set, and plan on giving it a work-out in the weeks to come!) I added some icicle Stickles to the image and left it to dry while I worked on the rest of the card. The pretty scallop on the blue designer paper (heidi grace designs) was done using the new Fiskars Threading Water punch. Then this piece and some SU Soft Sky cs were layered onto a base made of SU Blue Bayou. I added some pink rick-rack (Joann's) and prima flowers with bella's baubles for centers as the finishing touch.

So I've told you what my 2 favorite tools are, what are yours? Inquiring minds want to know!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the last of my design team application projects...

Blog Candy Alert!

Do you like Magnolia stamps? Then check out Phoenix Crafts and Andrea's World for a chance to win!

Also make sure to check out Maya's Hobbyblog for a chance to win some great Hanglar images not available for purchase in the states.

say cheese!

Here is the first of the cards I used for my design team application. I'm a bit of a shutterbug myself, so I just love Saycheesabella! She was colored in using a variety of Copic and Prismacolor markers* (I only have a few of each, so I use them interchangeably depending on the color I'm looking for). You can't really tell from the photo, but after I finished coloring in the camera, I went back over it with the clear Sakura Gelly Roll pen to give it a metallic sparkle. The edges of the designer papers (Making Memories) were ran over a SU Chocolate Chip ink pad to give them the feel of an old photo. The finishing touch, the pretty stitched chocolate ribbon, was a Dollar Tree find.

*These are a new purchase for me, and I am still learning how to use them properly. If this applies to you as well, check out i like markers, a very useful blog by Marianne Walker. Marianne is a product specialist for Copic Markers, and has wonderful tutorials on her blog with lots and lots of photos. But be warned! Once you see all of the amazing things Marianne does with her Copics, you are going to want to own them! I know I do!

Stay tuned for the remaining 2 projects from my application...

coaster desk calendar

Springtini from Stamping Bella was colored in using a aquapainter and a combination of SU markers and ink, and then the glass was covered with stickles to make it sparkle like a real martini glass would when the light hits it. LOVE my stickles! You can see all the sparkle better in the close-up.

The corners were then punched with my all time favorite punch - the ticket punch - and layered onto SU Pretty in Pink and Soft Sky cs. The yummy yellow and pink striped paper is from a bulk I found at my local Big Lots. I ran it through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder, punched the corners with the ticket punch, and then layered onto more SU Soft Sky cs. This was then glued onto a 4 inch coaster (I use 2-way glue for this, awesome stuff!). I printed off a calendar from a template I found on SCS, hooked it together with pink brads, and attached it to the second coaster with removable tape so I can reuse the base next year with a new calendar. I used the crop-a-dile to punch holes through each coaster, and tied them together with some pretty SU Soft Sky double stitched ribbon. For the finishing touch, I added Bellas Baubles in the punched corners in shades of pink and aqua.

happy dance time!!!

Woo! Doing the happy dance right now! I've been selected as a Design Team member for 3 little DReaMs! For the next 6 months, I get to play with 3 little DReaMs fun kits using Stamping Bella and Sweet n Sassy stamps! How cool is that?
I'll post pictures of the projects I submitted for my design team application later, so be sure to stop back (or subscribe to my feed to have new posts delivered right to your in-box).
Happy Friday, all!

Check out the blog candy at Pretty Pressings

Do you like Magnolia stamps? Then this is for you! Pretty Pressings is hosting an amazing blog candy give away in celebration of reaching almost 170,000 hits on her site! In addition to the candy, the cards on her site are wonderful, so check her out!

http://rosaswelt.blogspot.com/2008/06/de-licous-candy.html

NEW - Decor Elements

Introducing Decor Elements...Stampin' Up!'s new addition to our Definitely Decorative product line! Our Decor Elements designs coordinate with may of our exciting products, so you can combine them to make beautiful, handcrafted home decor pieces. Personalize your surroundings with a variety of exclusive images designed to create a customized, unique space. With our self-adhesive vinyl elements (which are easy to apply and remove), you'll discover how easy and cost effective it can be to do your own decorating.
Decor Elements will be available for purchase beginning on July 1. To learn more about this exciting new product line from Stampin' Up! click here.

Bellas and Boxes...

I've been having fun playing with my Stamping Bella stamps this week. I felt like making a 3D project over the weekend. Do you like my little box? It is the perfect size to put a small gift, 3x3 cards, chocolate or tea bags in. Want to make one yourself? Thought so!
Start with a 1o x 5.5 piece of cardstock (I used a pretty double sided paper from Making Memories). Score the long side 1" from each edge. Score the shorted side at 3.5", 4.5", 8", and 9". Trim out the 4 tiny squares and fold all of your scored lines inward. Fold the box and glue the long flaps together (I used Terrifically Tacky Tape). Now fold the top pieces together. If you want a ribbon handle (I used SU's pink taffeta), cut a piece to your desired length, and stick the ends between the top flaps when you glue them. You might want to use a piece of the Tacky Tape on each side of the ribbon to make sure the sides stick together.
Now decorate the front however you'd like, and wah lah, you have a lovely little gift box to brighten someones day.
Here's a second view with the lid up. I put pop dots on only the bottom half of the scallop, so the lid tucks neatly under it to keep the box closed. Neat, huh?

Don't forget to leave me a comment on the previous post to get your name in for the drawing!