Now Available - The Big Shot Magnetic Platform

If you've been waiting like I have for the re-release of the Big Shot Magnetic Platform then your wait is over! 

Stampin' Up has received it's newest shipment of the Magnetic Platforms and they are selling like hot cakes.  Order #130658 Price: $49.95.

If you use Framelits, Edgelits or the new Thinlit Dies then this new magnetic platform is an absolute must for you.  No more post it notes or shifting dies.  Order now and don't risk missing out on it again..................it'll be selling fast.  Here's a great little video from Mary Fish who demonstrates a fun card using the new magnetic platform.  Enjoy!

Note of Caution:
The Magnetic Platform is very powerful so if you have a pace maker you may want to be very careful or not use this product for your cutting as it could affect the operation of the pace maker.  Also do not put your credit cards or anything else that could be de-magnatized on top of the platform or you may regret it.  Just sayin!

Reminder - Only 4 More Days for August Promotions

Just a reminder the end of the month is fast approaching and the following promotions will be ending August 31st, 2013.

New Demonstrators Promotion - 

 
Pick a Free Project Kit 

If you're interested in becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator then this promotion is definitely for you.  

Every newly signed up demonstrator gets to pick one of four project kits for free in addition to their starter kit when they join Stampin' Up! between July 15th and August 31, 2013.  If you want to be a part of my team there's no time like today to join up. 

Click here to see the flyer and details: 

Kit Options:
1.  The Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND the Halloween Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit a $36.90 Value.

2.  The Build a Banner Simply Created Kit AND Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit a $36.90 Value.

3.  Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit valued at $24.95

4.  Tag a Bag Bundle AND Tag a Box Bundle a $28.45 value 


Note:  The first three project kits are from the holiday catalogue and the last option is from the annual catalogue.


Big Shot Promotion
If you've checked out my Late Night Stampers Fall Treasure Hunt Clue you'll know that I'm promoting my favourite all time stamping tool, the Big Shot. 

For the month of August I've been offering my own special promotion to anyone that purchases a Big Shot from my online shop before 10pm on August 31st.  

Basically if you buy a Big Shot from me during that time I will give you your choice of two Textured Embossing Folders for FREE.  

That's a $20.00+ value and it's for FREE.  But you have to hurry because time's running out.  Click here for more details.
Paper Pumpkin Promotion
This is your last chance to get two months of Paper Pumpkin at half price, and they're delivered right to your front door. That's right!.  
http://pennytokensstampinspot.blogspot.ca/p/paper-pumpkin.html
All you have to do is enter the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL when you're signing up for Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and you'll pay only $12.50 a month* for the first two months.

This is a great deal if you're not sure about stamping and just want to give it a shot without the expense of ordering lots of products.  

And did I mention it gets delivered right to your front door.  Click here for more details. 


Note:  *plus tax, where applicable. Shipping included!

Birthday Wishes for January

My friend Wendy celebrated her birthday on January 3rd, and I decided I'd make an easel birthday card for her.  I love the versatility of easel cards and they are one of my favourite "wow" card styles. 

In October I purchased some retired stamp sets from Holly Smith including the one I used for this card.   When Holley sent them to me she also included the cards she made to advertise the stamp sets on her blog.  Because Holly's card was so beautiful, I decided to case it and I'm so glad I did.  It tured out so pretty.  I'll be making a few more of these.  Think I'll add some bling to punch it up a bit, even though it doesn't really need it. 
Recipe:
Stamp Set:  Garden Collage (2005 Retired)
Card Stock:  Bravo Burgundy, Black,Vanilla
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Markers:  Pretty in Pink, Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
DSP:  Designer Series Paper Patterns Pack (In Color) - Blushing Bride
Ribbon: Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Punches and Dies: Big Shot Scallop Circle Die, Small and Large Oval Punches, Scallop Trim Border Punch

Here's the finished card:

Welcome Christmas Silhouette Card -Christmas Stamp a Stack Cards

One of my truly awesome stamping buddies Sheri, visited me last Sunday and we had a fun afternoon and evening of cardmaking and sharing.   We had such a great time and we made some awesome projects together, including this one.  Sheri had brought several stamp sets with her and when I saw the "Welcome Christmas" (118736 W/120597 A pg. 37 2010/2011 IB&C) set I just knew we had to make something with it.  I've seen so many fabulous cards featuring this 5 piece set, and hers hadn't even seen ink yet! 

It was a must do project from the start.  Once we decided we were going to do a split window pane using the children playing stamp it didn't take us long to come up with the rest of the design and colours.  Sheri's a master when it comes to color selection so when she suggested we sponge the sky in Crumb Cake, stamp the trees from Lovely as a Tree (115026 pg 114), in Chocolate Chip and the children in Early Espresso, I was game.  And, look how lovely this grading of colour turned out. 

I used Close to Cocoa for the card base and added a layer of Cherry Cobbler that had been run through the Big Shot machine in the Finial Press Textured Embossing Folder (115963).   The images were stamped on a 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 piece of Whisper White Card Stock, cut into 4 squares and then glued in window pane fashion onto a square piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock. This was mounted using dimensionals to the Cherry Cobbler layer.  The Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon is mounted on a strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock that has been punched with the Eyelet Border punch. 

All in all this was a pretty easy card that packs a really powerful punch.  Thanks Sheri for playing along with me on this one!  What do you think?  Isn't it beautiful! 

Delightful Decorations Movers and Shapers Card - Christmas Stamp-A-Stack

This summer I've really used my Big Shot a lot and one of my favourite Big Shot die cuts has been the  Magnetic Movers and Shapers Curly Label  (114506 pg. 208 IB&C).  It's very easy to use and adds a beautiful window design to a card front.   There are also two accompanying sets that can be used with this set.  The one I ordered is called Holiday Windows (116821 pg. 208) and it has an ornament, a dove, a circle and a curly label die shape.  This set is absolutely perfect for the holiday season and I think will add some real versatility to my cards.

Initially I was planning on using it to make a card with a window in the front corner, but let me tell you all that changed in a flash when I happened across a video tutorial on  Glenda Caulkins blog site .  She demonstrates some unique and interesting ways to use the Movers and Shapers magnetic die cuts not only for this card project, but for others.  She's awesome! 

I was intrigued by her floating ornament card and as soon as I saw it I shamelessly wanted to CASE it.  My intention was to use the Candy Cane Christmas Specialty DSP from the Holiday Mini catalogue (SOLD OUT) along with the Merry Crittermas Stamp set I had on order.  Imagine my disappointment when the stamp set arrived but not the DSP. I was fortunate to get my order in just before it sold out but  the last I checked, it's still in transit. Oh well, my fingers are crossed it'll arrive this week and then I'll make this card again and post it for you.

Okay, so not to be defeated and because I was dying to make this card, I rummaged through my scrap DSP and found some retired SU paper that looked like it would work, and I teamed it up with Creamy Caramel and Real Red Cardstock.  I loved the simplicity of this card, the few supplies required and how quick it was to make.  It kind of reminds me of Hansel and Gretel and/or gingerbread houses....what do you think?  Here's a view of the full card from a couple of different angles. 

The trick to making this card is to ensure that the fold is centered on the die cut and the Big Shot plate only covers to the fold line when you run it through the machine.  If you watch the video tutorial it is self explanatory. 

.

The sentiment which is from the retired Christmas Punch stamp set is stamped in Early Espresso on the inside of the card.  I initially stamped the sentiment on a post it note and used that to make sure of the placement before stamping to ensure the sentiment didn't show when the card front was closed.  That worked perfectly.

Snowflake Card - Christmas Stamp a Stack Card 2

Here is the second card in my series of Christmas Stamp a Stack cards.  I chose a simple layout to showcase the Snowflake die cut.

This card begins with a Whisper White card base that has been layered with  Real Red.  If you look closely you'll see that the Real Red layer has been texture embossed, to provide some detail.

The large snowflake has been punched out with the Stampin' Up! Snowflake die cut and then run through the Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Dazzling Diamonds were added using the 2-way glue pen, to make the snowflake come alive.  

A second snowflake has been punched and again texturized in Real Red, and then layered on with dimensionals.

To complete this card I've stamped the December 25th stamp in Real Red on Whisper White cardstock.  This stamp is again one that I love and can't stop using even though it's from the retired Spotlight on Christmas stamp set.  A small red rhinestone finishes it off.  Here is the full card.  Here's a view of the full card.  Hope you like it. 

Patterned Pines Christmas - Christmas Stamp A Stack

I absolutely love making Christmas cards - don't you?  If you're like me you probably surf through a lot of blog sites looking for that perfect card or ideas that you can incorporate into your own design.   Often I spend more time surfing than stamping.............easy to do!  Anyway, after looking at many, many, wonderful sites I decided on the cards I would make for my Stamp a Stack Class.  So, over the next four or five days, I'm going to share my ideas and cards.  Hope you enjoy!

My first card I want to share with you is made with a retired set called Patterned Pines. I wanted to simulate a crisp walk in the forest while it's snowing. I chose the Patterned Pines set even though I know it isn't current because my customers and I love it.  I also know that some of my customers who purchased it last year didn't get an opportunity to really ink it up.  Here was their chance.

I used Whisper White for the card base, layered with Chocolate Chip.  Because I love background texture I ran this layer through the Big Shot using the Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (115963 pg.214), before adhering to the card base. To me, that little bit of texture around the main image seems to make everything look more interesting and pulls it together.  And of course, being a texture person I just want to reach out and touch it.  What do you think?

For the next layer of the card, I stamped the trees from the Patterned Pines Stamp Set (retired) in Olive Green ink on a 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 piece of Whisper White cs.  I then cut around the pines with my scissors, leaving a little big of white mid way up the trees to simulate snow drifts and just a little edge around the trees to give depth.  To finish off this piece I took my two-way glue pen and ran it along the top drifts (between the trees) and then squiggled it through  and below the pines. And you know what's coming next, right?  Yes, Dazzling Diamonds...........I had to add a little bling!!! 

I wanted just a tiny little sentiment that wouldn't over-power the front of this card so I chose the "merry christmas!" sentiment from the Merry Crittermas  Stamp Set (121181(A)/120855(W) pg. 39 2010/11 Holiday Mini Catalogue), and stamped it in Early Expresso.I know I'll use this sentiment over and over again on my cards and tags, because it's just so teeny and perfect!  

To finish off this card I wanted a snowy background in a mid-blue, so I chose Baja Breeze (retired).  At first I was going to stamp snowflakes on the card stock, but then I went through my paper scraps and luckily found a small piece of Baja Breeze DSP that worked perfectly.  I punched out a larger snowflake (non SU) in Whisper White and sprinkled it with Dazzling Diamonds and then mounted it with dimensionals in the top corner. A red button was glued in the center.  The finishing touch, is a piece of 5/8" of real red grossgrain ribbon tied with a tuxedo bow. The ribbon was added to this card layer before it was mounted to the chocolate chip layer.  And here is the finished card.  What do you think? 

Please come back tomorrow to see the next card in my series of Christmas Stamp A Stack Cards.  See you then!

Sneak Peak - Christmas Stamp a Stack Class

Here`s a sneak peak at my Christmas Stamp a Stack cards...................they were so much fun to do.  Starting tomorrow, I`ll be posting pictures of each card along with the recipe for making them, so stay tuned and come back daily for a visit! 

Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I really enjoy adding texture and embossing to cards and it's so easy to do using Stampin' Ups! fabulous Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.   I remember the days when I used to drag out my light box, brass stencils and embossing tools and work for what seemed like hours to create something unique and beautiful. Well let me tell you all that is a thing of the past.   Now, I simply slip a piece of cardstock or DSP into one of SU's textured impression folders and crank it through the Big Shot.  That's it.  Nothing could be easier and believe me it's pure magic when you see the results.  I love it!

When I was blog surfing earlier this week I came across a fabulous Christmas card designed by Glenda Calkins, using what she called "Faux Embossing Paste". This gal really does great video tutorials, so you'll want to take a peak at this one and check out her technque. Glenda used the Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing folder for her card and I have to tell you for me it was love at first site! I liked the design and the color combo of the DSP and card stock she used and of course I loved the embossing.  I just knew I had to get busy and try it out myself.  I made a few minor changes in terms of the DSP and the sentiment but because I really loved the effect of the sanded embossed image on the DSP, I stayed with the same layout. Sanding the embossed image with a SU sanding block gives a distressed look fairly quickly and trust me it doesn't take away from the embossing. In fact, because the DSP double sided paper has a white core, it distresses really quickly and enhances the image.  Here is my card

Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die 120902      Price: $10.95
Create the wonderful tumult of snow storms on your winter projects with our Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. These impressions coordinate perfectly with the images in our Northern Hearts stamp set for an abundance of sensational snowflakes to blanket a card or scrapbook page.

■ Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
■ Folder measures 4-1/2" x 5-3/4"
■ Coordinates with Northern Hearts set
■ Use with standard Big Shot cutting pads and multipurpose platform

Thanks for dropping by today.  Let me know what you think............... did you like it?

Announcing Big Shot Event

Dawn Raspas has done it again. She's continuing to share her love of creating and her overwhelming passion for Stampin' Up! with demonstrators and non-demonstrators from ALL around the world. WooHoo!! And I'm thrilled to announce opening day for "UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! "Hey, Big Shot!! Worldwide That's How We Roll!!" will be May 7th and will run through June 4th. Every member will enjoy 29 days of creative fun with 24/7 access to the "Hey, Big Shot!! Worldwide that's how we roll!!" blogsite.

Dawn is planning on showcasing Stampin' Ups Big Shot in a BIG BIG way!! Her International Design Team are working with the Big Shot to create amazing and unique projects and for the past month they've been  rollin', rollin', rollin' that Big Shot like crazy!! In fact, their Mojo is cranked up so BIG BIG BIG!! that you're going to be amazed at what you'll see and learn at this event. The possibilities are endless when the Big Shot is at work, and this Design Team is out to prove it. The Hey Big Shot 2010! event will have you looking at cardstock and a whole host of other crafting and household materials in a BIG new way.

And, drum roll please............I'm super excited to announce that I've been invited to join the POWERHOUSE of many fantastic returning and new designers for this event! My tutorial has been completed and I think you're going to love it - but you have to sign up to see  it. I KNOW you're going to be impressed by all the BIG talent in this line up and the fantastic projects that have been created. 

UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! "Hey, Big Shot!! Worldwide...that's how we roll!!" offers everyone the same opportunity to do something REALLY FUN, even if only for a few minutes a day, to check out a project or peak into the chat room to say hello to some friends around the world. Come each day to the website and stay as long as YOU like!!  Here's what's in store for you:

• New projects shared everyday!!
• Several "Double Designer Days"!! 2 projects on 1 day...DOUBLE the fun!!
• All projects include a step by step tutorial, including LOTS of Photos!!
• EVERY Tutorial is available in English, Spanish, German and French
• All measurements are available in Inches and CM
• Prizes, Prizes and MORE Prizes!!
• Live Chats
• Every member gets a cool Big Shot Member Badge for their blog/website!!
• Friendships around the world...happens every event!!
• Way Cool SWAP!! (Optional... but really fun!!)

Don't we all deserve a few minutes of fun to help us re-charge and enjoy what we love??!! Of course we do!! One of the many great things about UStamp is that YOU create when YOU are ready. LOVE the projects, but don't have time to make them yourself right away?? No worries!! The website is available 24/7 and will remain open for many months after the last project is posted and is ready when you are to create, so you won't miss out.   Want more information or have questions about what's on site, then click here to check out the UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! is all about YOU!! blogsite and sign up for this next exciting round.  What a great value for only $24.95 US.