Thank You Cards for Friends

As I've mentioned before I have limited Stampin' Up! supplies in my little home away from home. So when I got around to making a batch of "Thank You" cards post-Christmas, I had to make do with what was on hand.  What a challenge!

I miss all my Stampin' Up! supplies and tools so much, but it also gives me a bit of a reality check.  I have to remember that you do not need it all and your creativity is only as limited as you choose it to be.  There are always choices. 

So with that in mind, I decided to make small gift cards with matching envelopes and liners for my friends and family who were so kind through the Christmas season.  

Getting Started:
I checked out my stash and began by choosing designer paper and then trying to match it to card stock, ink and ribbon I had.  This approach worked well.  I had a non-SU patterned paper that blended well with some Close to Cocoa (retired),  Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla card stocks. And, as luck would have it, some matching inks and a few yards of Always Artichoke seam binding.  Okay that was all I needed to get started.  Yeah!!!

Here are the six cards and matching envelopes I made.  I was also able to squeeze in a small box for a birthday present.  More on that later and a different post.  

I didn't have a sketch to work with.   I just wanted something simple that would be quick to make and easily mailed.  I decided to make the cards in the following measurements:

• Card base in Close to Cocoa measures 4 1/2 x 4" with a side fold.
• Always Artichoke layer was 4 1/4 by 3 3/4"
• DSP layer was 4 by 3 1/2"

This layout worked well with the leaf patterns on the designer paper and allowed lots of room for the ribbon and sentiment.  Each card has a slightly different look, but if they were given as a set would look really nice. 

Don't you just love this sentiment?  This tiny set called Itty Bitty Banners (126257 cm/126255 w) is on page 134 of the Idea Book and Catalogue (IB&C).   I took advantage of Stampin' Ups! one day 15% off sale back in October and  bought it and it's served me well ever since.  There are 6 perfect sentiments in this set and it has the advantage of having a matching framelit die set called "BittyBanners" on pg. 191 of the IB&C.  The "Thank You" sentiment worked perfectly on my card.  It was stamped in Close to Cocoa on Very Vanilla card stock and then mounted with dimensionals.

Itty Bitty Banners Item # 126257 (cm) $14.95 or wm 126255 $19.95 

page 134 IB&C. 

Bitty Banners Framelits - 3 dies, largest  2 1/4" x 1/2".  Coordinates with Itty Bitty Stamp Set, and Blue Ribbon Stamp set on page 33 IB&C.
Item # 129267 $18.95.

I made the matching envelopes with my old Score Pal. Let me tell you I really needed my Simply Scored tool with all the accurate measurements, and the Simply Scored plate that makes envelope making so easy.  

I always stamp the back of my cards with a Stampin' Up! Trademark stamp and usually  my personalized name stamp.  Since I didn't have the latter, I added my  signature Palm Tree stamp.  

LINKS TO OTHER CURRENT PROMOTIONS

YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

 Happy Stamping.  Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Oh Whale...... Baby Shower Card

In this post I'd like to share the second card we made on Tuesday night at Cera's workshop.  

Now, while I absolutely loved the Hearts a Flutter Valentine's Day card that I posted yesterday, I fell head over heels in love with this baby shower card. 

Cheryl LeFore's card design was awesome as always, and her directions were so easy to follow.  

So cute!   I had a smile on my face the whole time I was making this card.  

Ingredients:
Stamp Sets:  Oh Whale (129132) and Rain or Shine (126777)
Card Stock:   Baha Breeze, Old Olive, Early Espresso and Whisper White
Ink:              Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight, Baha Breeze, Old Olive
Big Shot:       Cloudy Days Embossing Folder (127022)
Accessories:  Dimensionals, Lucky Limeade Butcher's Cord, Paper Piercing tool

Oh Whale Item #12932 Clear Mount  $20.95 or Wood Mount #12929 $27.95, page 29 of the Spring Catalogue.

Begin this card by stamping the "whale image" in Basic Gray on a 3 1/4" x 3 1/2" piece of Whisper White card stock. Make a mask by stamping the whale image on a Post-it-note and then cut out this image and adhere it over the original stamped whale. 

Tip:  Make sure when you stamp the image that some of the removable adhesive from the Post-it-note is on the mask so it will stay in place.

Next, ink up the "wave stamp image" with Baja Breeze and stamp right over top of the mask creating waves all around the whale.  Make an additional wave on a scrap of Whisper White and then cut out the image. Cut thin strips of dimensionals and place along the back of the wave before adhering  just beneath the whale to provide some dimension. 

Tip:  Don't throw away that mask.  When you're finished just keep it in your plastic container with your stamp set and it will be there when you need it the next time. 

To complete the scene, an umbrella from the Rain or Shine stamp set was stamped in Daffodil Delight and the handle was stamped in Early Espresso beneath it.  Next time I'll use my Stamp-a-ma-jig so I get the alignment a little better. 

The little star was stamped in Old Olive and fussy cut with my paper snips. Two holes were punched into it with a paper piercing tool and the the tiniest bow you've ever seen was tied with Lucky Limeade Butcher cord.  OMG was that hard to do!

The star was adhered to the umbrella with a dimensional. The final touch was to add 3 little spots of rain with the "rain drop" stamp from the Oh Whale set.  The finished Whisper White piece was adhered to a piece of Old Olive card stock that measured 3 3/8" x 3 5/8", and then this piece was glued to the card base.  

The three little clouds in the top section of the card base were cut from a piece of Whisper White card stock that was embossed with the Cloudy Days Embossing Folder.  

Prior to embossing the card stock, a brayer was used to add Baja Breeze ink to the embossing folder.  Once the card stock and embossing folder were run through the Big Shot the ink transferred and outlined the clouds. I chose the grouping of clouds I wanted and fussy cut three of them out.  Two of the images were glued right to the card base and the third was added on top of one of the others with dimensionals.  Baby Shower was then stamped in Basic Gray ink beneath the clouds to finish off the card front.  

       

Rain or Shine 10 piece stamp set Item # 126777 page 30

There are a number of ways to finish the inside of the card, but I chose to stamp the umbrella and rain images in the top right corner of the 3 3/4" x 5" piece of Whisper White card stock.  I couldn't resist adding the sentiment "Whalecome" in Basic Gray ink.  

This was a fun and easy card design to make, and I know it will be received with oohs and ahs at a Baby Shower.  This same card could be used to create invitations simply by adding invitation information to the inside instead of the "Whalecome" greeting.  

LINKS TO OTHER CURRENT PROMOTIONS

YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

Click  here to visit my on-line store:

Happy Stamping.  Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Hearts a Flutter Vintage Card

On Tuesday night I had the pleasure of attending a workshop hosted by Cera and demoed by Cheryl LeFore.  What a great time I had!  

The hostess and her mom were so accommodating and friendly, welcoming me into their home and introducing me to the other guests.

Cera's mom prepared and served a  delicious meal of homemade soup, salad and cornbread, which we ate before starting our evening's projects.  Talk about a wonderful way to begin a stamping evening with all the comforts; especially on a really cold evening!

Cheryl, having just returned from Leadership in Orlando Florida, had lots to share with us.  She began by showing us the flyers for the new Single Stamp sets and the 25th Anniversary Stamp Set Releases that are starting this month. We also got to ooh and aah over the Paper Pumpkin monthly kit that is being released this year.  Awesome kits!  I'll be signing up for these too!  I'll be touching on all the other promotions in a later post because for now I want to share the the first of two beautiful cards we made.

Hearts a Flutter Vintage Card:

This beautiful vintage look is achieved by combining several new products that are available in the Spring Mini catalogue.  Here are the ingredients for making this card:

Hearts a Flutter Clear Mount Stamp set 129252 ($22.95) or Wood Mount 129249 ($31.95) on page 11 Spring Mini Catalogue.

Hearts a Flutter Framelit Dies item #130159 ($30.95) make it easy to cut out the images from the Hearts a Flutter Stamp set. Cuts a single sheet of paper using the Big Shot.

Card Stock:  An 8.5 x 5.5 piece of Pool Party card stock was folded at center for the card base.   The dry embossed area was achieved with the Adorning Accents Heart Folder (125601).  Very Vanilla card stock was used for the inside liner of the card and for the two tickets that were stamped using the That's the Ticket stamp set. 

Stamps:  The largest heart image from the Hearts a Flutter stamp set and Framelit Bundle (131097) was used for the second heart which is nestled under the bow. You can barely tell in this picture, but in the closeup further down, you may be able to see some of the detail achieved by stamping the Raspberry Ripple card stock with Versa Mark Ink and then embossing it with the Pool Party Embossing Powder.  A really hot look!  

You can purchase this stamp set and framelits individually, but if you buy them in a bundle you'll save 15%.  That's what I did as I anticipate using this set a lot.

The tickets from the That's the Ticket stamp set (128075) on page 27 of the Spring mini, were stamped in Raspberry Ripple and Pool Party on Very Vanilla card stock.  They were punched out with the Ticket Builder Punch from the Idea Book and Catalogue.  They are really cute and sure added a lot of nostalgia to this card front.  

DSP:  A small strip of More Amore DSP (129309) was used for the heart banner and the large decorative Raspberry Ripple Heart was cut from the beautiful Laser cut sheet that is included in this package.  You can cut 16 hearts from this DSP.  That's a lot of cards!

More Amore DSP Spring Mini Catalogue Item # 129309 $15.95

Accessories:  One Vanilla Flower Trim (126869) piece was adhered with glue dots.  I fell in love with these little beauties.  These floral rosettes can be dyed or partially coloured to co-ordinate with your projects.   A true value at just $9.50 for 2 yards of these enchanting flowers.  

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Some Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (122975) was tied in a bow and adhered with glue dots on top of the large heart from Hearts a Flutter.  It really complimented the other elements on this card front.

The inside of the card  has a single heart from the Hearts A Flutter  stamp set stamped in Raspberry Ripple on this 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Very Vanilla Card stock

Well what do you think?  Leave me a comment if you  like this card.  Tomorrow I'll share the second card which was made with the Oh Whale and Rain or Shine stamp sets.  

LINKS TO OTHER CURRENT PROMOTIONS

YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

Click Here to Look at On-Line Store Items

Happy Stamping.  Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Birthday Wishes Update

Earlier this month Pals Paper Arts had a great colour combo PPA150 featuring Basic Black, Melon Mambo and Basic Gray and I decided to make a birthday card using this combo along with the MOJO Monday sketch MOJO274.  

Since it was my friend Wendy's birthday the next day and I needed a card the timing was perfect and I set to work.   I loved the colour challenge and will probably use this combo again. The same with the sketch which was quick and easy to pull together.  What fun!  

Unfortunately due to the browser problems I was experiencing with IE I wasn't  able to link my card to the PPA site or Mojo Monday, and missed their deadlines.  I also couldn't post to my own blog.  Teeth grinding here!!!  Oh well next time. In the meantime, I thought I would share this cheery little card with you.  Hope you like it.  Wendy did!

The DSP was perfect for this card.  Gave it a real cool girly look.  I absolutely love the Lacy and Lovely set which I received for free when I attended Stampin' Up!s Convention last summer.  It's on page 99 of the Idea Book and Catalogue.

Here's the inside of the card.  I liked re-layering the card stock and using the sentiment again.  

Stamp sets:   Lacy and Lovely and Itty Bitty Banners
Paper:           Houndstooth pattern from the Festival of Prints DSP series in   the Holiday Mini (retired).
Card Stock:  Melon Mambo, Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Basic Gray
Ink:               Basic Black
Framelits:      Itty Bitty Banners, 2 1/2  Inch Circle Punch, 
Accessories:  Large Basic Pearl, 3/8" Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon (retired) 

Well that's it for this post.  Leave me a comment if you liked this card.  It's always encouraging to hear from you.  Until next time.  Happy Stamping! 

LINKS TO OTHER CURRENT PROMOTIONS

YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

Click Here For On-Line Ordering:

Penny Tokens

Paper Pumpkin Monthly Kits Are Available on January 15th

Sweep away the mundane-your 

creativity carriage awaits!

Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone  can enjoy!  Once you join the program, Paper Pumpkin will come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). It will help you to escape your life with some paper fun.  

Everyone loves a surprise and this one comes in a sweet box.  You're going to love what you find on the inside! There'll be all the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories you need to create pinable projects, such as cards, journals, decor and more!  

How Do You Get Started?

It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program starting Monday, January 14 by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. You'll complete a simple registration process and then every month a new, surprise project kit will arrive at your doorstep. 

Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family-every month!

Here's The Nitty Gritty:
Each month Stampin' Up! will  send you a unique, surprise kit with  project-cards for journals, décor, and more! (everything will be colour-coordinated, measured, and pre-cut for you!)

• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape.
• There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.
• Starting in early March,Stampin' Up! is offering a Try-It kit if you'd like to try Paper Pumpkin for one month.
• Your Paper Pumpkin will be shipped on or around the 15th of the month.  
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on May 10th, Up! Stampin' will send your kit around May 15th. If you sign up on May 11th, they'll send your first kit around June 15th.)
• The Paper Pumpkin membership is just $24.95 per month which includes shipping. 

Get Started

It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program starting Monday, January 14 by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. 

Every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep. Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family-every month!

A Free Gift in Your Very First Kit

The Welcome Kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership. The Welcome Kit includes a free gift-a clear acrylic block!

If you have questions about this promo please feel free to contact me.  Happy Stamping! 

LINKS TO OTHER CURRENT PROMOTIONS 

YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

 Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Dude, You're Welcome! Kit

You asked, and Stampin’ Up! listened! Stampin’ Up! is excited to introduce their new, very manly stamping kit: called  Dude, You're Welcome! kit.


Guys stamp too so how about a kit just for them!  Here's a kit for guys that's designed by guys.  What fun!

Guys don't always have the easiest time expressing themselves, but with the Dude, You're Welcome! kit, they'll have:


Four wood-mount stamps (double-mounted) with the perfect sentiment for every occasion

• Twelve 4" x 6" postcards in four different (manly) colors
• Twelve gray envelopes
• A Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad
• An instructional guide (for the most novice stamper!)

Basically, the kit includes everything a dude needs to create the perfect manly card that any woman would adore, all packaged in an appropriately masculine box.

You can order this set using item #132807  Price $30.95.

Visit my on-line store to learn more about this exciting new kit. Check out this video and see what's new in this fun kit! 

LINKS TO CURRENT PROMOTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

Happy Stamping.  Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens

Project Kits - Contest

In October Stampin’ Up! ran a "Pick a Kit" survey on the SU Facebook page asking for input from customers and demos.  Well, the results are in and an amazing kit has been constructed!  With all the hubbub of Halloween and Christmas, you may have missed seeing the information on the winning kit and so I’d like to share it with you today.  Here is a picture of the first viewer’s choice kit (drum roll, please) . . . Fancy Friends!

Fancy Friends Kit Order # 132319 $17..95 add additional Note Cards kit item # 107311

You’ll get everything you need to make six cards for only $17.95 (item 132319)!  And if six cards aren’t enough, you can add additional Note Cards to your order (item 107311). They've also included extra rhinestones in the Friends Kit -- just in case.   

To assemble these cards:

1. Stamp the doily image in Daffodil Delight or Old Olive ink three times on the card and once on the envelope, re-inking between uses.
2. Stamp "Friends" in Daffodil Delight or Old Olive ink on the front of the card.
3. Adhere the flowers to the card. Adhere Rhinestone Basic Jewels to the center of the flowers. 

Now for some additional fun and prizes. You Can Submit a Project Too:

Stampin’ Up!® wants your kit ideas for upcoming kits. No, this is not a typo. Stampin’ Up! is starting up a new kit program especially for you. YOU will be the inspiration for the kits and YOU will vote to decide which project will be sold.

That’s right! Submit a Project is not limited to demonstrators!  Anyone can submit a project and/or vote on upcoming kits.  Isn’t that just too exciting!!!! 

This is a great way to get the entire stamping community together, don't you think?   Okay so what are you waiting for start creating today! I know I'm going to be working on my project kit!  Send your kit ideas to Stampin’ Up and get ready to vote for your favourites.

How Do You Play Along - The Not-So-Fine Print!
*This program is available to both customers and demonstrators.

*While your projects should not include retired products, they may include products not created by Stampin' Up! such as jars or frames.

* The category for this promotion is Birthday, do not submit any other theme.

*Projects can be cards, scrapbook pages, home décor, holiday décor, birthday decorations, etc. If you can make it with Stampin' Up! product, you can submit it! 

*Submit your projects by e-mail. Send an image (less than 2 MB), supply list, and instructions for creating the project to: mailto:kitideas@stampinup.com?subject=Project%20name%3A. 

*Include the name of your project in the subject line of your email

* Must be received by Stampin' Up by midnight MTN time January 30, 2013.

*Please keep in mind that all submissions become the property of Stampin' Up! once received, and they reserve the right to change project elements, the project name or any feature to make the kit easy to reproduce.

So, what's in it for you?

Glad you asked! Those who submit the winning kit will:

• See it - your photo, name and project will be posted online.
• Flaunt it - you'll receive a "blog badge" for your personal blog or website.
• Spend it - you wouldn't be a winner without a $125 Stampin' Up! shopping spree.

And that’s not all!  Those whose submissions are in the top 20 will also receive product used in the winning kit or a $35 shopping spree of their own. 

Okay so that's it for today, but I've got another great kit promotion announcement coming your way tomorrow, so be sure to come back!

Click here:

LINKS TO CURRENT PROMOTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT:

1. Fancy Friends Kit 
2. Valentines Day Promotions
3. Talking Tags
4. Stampin Trimmer
5. Clearance Rack

Happy Stamping.  Please leave a comment if you liked this post and found it helpful!

Penny Tokens