Wacky Watercooler April 2016 Blog Hop - A Focus on the Retiring In-Colours

One of my greatest pleasures in the past year and a half has been playing along on several of the Wacky Watercooler Blog Hops.  Now that I'm home and settled back into a crafting routine once again I'm totally excited about participating in their latest hop which is focusses on the 2014-2016 Stampin' Up! In-Colours which will soon be retiring.  

Say good bye to the 2014-2016 In-Colours - Tangello Twist, Mossy Meadow, Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey and Blackberry Bliss

Okay let's get to it! The Wacky Watercool April Blog Hop is a "circular blog hop" running from 6:00pm Thursday April 21st through 6:00pm Saturday April 23, 2016.  The focus is on the 2014-2016 In-Colours which will soon be retiring.  No matter where you begin just keep going to the “next” blog on the list and eventually you'll wind up right where you started. What fun!

If you've been working your way forward through this hop you'll have arrived here after visiting the totally talented Libby Fens's blog.   What a great selection of cards she posted to start this blog hop off.  


CASEing Our Friends:
For my first project I've been given the privilege of CASing a card designed by the very talented Marie Green.  Marie has one of those great blogs where you want to spend time wandering so it was difficult narrowing down my choice of cards to CASE.  If you haven't visited Marie's "My Tanglewood Cottage" blog site before, make sure you do, because you'll come away with lots of ideas and tips. 

Telescoping Card Technique:
For my first CASE I fell in love with one of her more recent projects entitled the "Traveler".  This is simply an incredible and inspirational card which offered me an opportunity to play with a "new to me" technique called "telescoping". Here is Marie's stunning "Traveler" card.  

Here's My Card: 

For this card I've used three of my favourite retiring in-colours - Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow and Hello Honey for the base and layers of my card. I also used a gorgeous designer series paper featuring those colours from the "Going Places" DSP paper pack which also retires the end of May 2016.   

This incredible marbled sheet of designer series paper was the perfect match for my second layer.  I cut a 4 x 5 1/4" piece and sponged around the edges with Lost Lagoon ink, then randomly stamped the small dots image from Party Pants around the edges, with Versa Mark Ink.  Gold Glory Embossing Powder was heat set on the dots. Love it! 

Here's a closer look at the "telescoping" layers used to highlight the big blue Maine Lobster.   I only added three layers, while Marie used four in her sample. I have to say I'm totally fascinated by the 3-D dimension this easy technique achieves.  Tip:  Make sure that you increase the depth of the foam tape for each layer you add above the first layer and use good firm foam tape so the layers don't sink. 

I used the center 3 squares on the Square Framelit Dies (counting from the center of the framelits set), but using Circle or Oval framelits would also achieve this same effect.  Originally I was going to line up the squares in a block in the center of the card, but changed this to a diamond pattern as it better suited the stamping on my design and really helps to focus on the lobster which was my intent. 

Don't you love this "birthday banner"?  This super easy to cut and stamp banner is from the coordinating Large Number Framelit Dies and Number of Years Stamp Set.  I really liked the cool "happy birthday" sentiment in Boys Will Be Boys and it fit perfectly on this banner. Bonus!  Because I liked the antique look of the dark embossed gold dots on the DSP layer, I repeated this accent on the stamped collage layer. 

One of my favourite things to create are Collage images.  For this one I began by stamping the 3 x 4 piece of Very Vanilla card stock the printed verse stamp from By the Tide.  To achieve a lighter image that I could layer other images on I stamped off the Mossy Meadow ink before each application of the word stamp to this layer. I then randomly stamped the coral image at full strength in Hello Honey.  Next I stamped the Sea Horses and Anchors in Mossy Meadow.  The beautiful lobster which is the focal point of the card front was stamped in Lost Lagoon.  I sponged the edges in Lost Lagoon and Hello Honey.

The inside of the card features a 5 1/4" x 4" layer of Very Vanilla card stock stamped in Hello Honey and Mossy Meadow.  I thought the sentiment "Hope your day stacks up to be...." from the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set was a really fun and appropriate verse considering the stacked layers on the front of the card. 

 

Supply List: 
Stamp Sets: By the Tide, Party Pants, Number of Years, Boys Will Be Boys 
Sprinkles of Life 
Ink:  Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey, Mellow Moss, Versa Mark and Gold Glory EP
Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Mossy Meadow, Lost Lagoon
DSP:  Going Places (Spring Occasions 2016)#140581
Accessories:  Square Framelit Dies, Heat Gun,  Large Number Framelit Dies, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Foam Tape

Peek-A-Boo Technique Card:
For my second CASE I chose a Peek-A-Boo Technique card from Marie's blog, that actually was part of the Watercooler Blog Hop in April 2015. Again, this is a "new to me" technique and I just had to try it with my own spin for a boy's birthday card.   

Here's my card:  

For this fun masculine peek-a-boo card I started with a Very Vanilla card base covered with a Mossy Meadow/Very Vanilla designer series paper from the Going Places DSP pack.  I used the Boys Will Be Boys stamp set to stamp the Robot in Mossy Meadow ink.  I used a blender pen and Hello Honey ink to colour the Robot. The Lego image was stamped on scraps of Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey and Mossy Meadow and then fussy cut glued together to form one multi piece block. I stamped the YoYo image as a background on the sentiment piece in Hello Honey.  This is such a fun stamp set to have on hand for crafting kids cards. 

When you open up this card, the magic of the Peek-A-Boo technique begins.  
As you open the card front the picture in the oval changed from the Robot to the Parachute image.  What fun!  To add some dimension to the parachute I first stamped the parachute image on the 2 1/2" oval and then stamped it again on Hello Honey.  I cut out the parachute from the Hello Honey piece and mounted it on the original image with dimensionals.  I used the Large Numbers Framelit set to cut out the number five in Lost Lagoon card stock. The "Look Who's Turning" sentiment is from the Number of Years Stamp Set.  And the "Happy Birthday to you" sentiment is from Party Pants a 2016 Sale-A-Bration stamp set.

The next few pictures show the back panels of this card.  You don't have to do anything with these panels, but I decided to continue decorating and stamping on them and this is the result.   

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:  Boys Will Be Boys, Party Pants, Number of Years

Card Stock:  Mossy Meadow, Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey

DSP:  Going Places (Occasions Spring Catalogue)

Ink:  Mossy Meadow, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon

Accessories:  The Big Shot, Ovals Framelit Dies, Itty Bitty Accents punch (Star), Banner Punch, Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers, 11/4,1 3/4 and 1/38" circle punches, scissors  

Double Fold Card:
For my third  and final project I was inspired to CASE a card made by Lisa Curcio of Lisa's Stamp Studio.  She called it a Double Fold Card. 

Grateful Bunch Double Fold Card by Lisa Curcio of Lisa's Stamp Studio.

For measurements and a video on how to make this card click on this link.

Here's My Card:  
The sky's really the limit when creating with this fancy fold card.  It's just that super simple but it packs a big wow! I chose to use Blackberry Bliss as the main colour in this card and have added only small touches of Lost Lagoon and Mossy Meadow.  I think it turned out pretty posh?    

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Remembering Your Birthday, Party Pants 
Card Stock:  Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow
Ink:  Blackberry Bliss
Accessories:  The Big Shot, Botanical Gardens Thinlet Dies, Lost Lagoon Ribbon, Black Berry Bliss Ribbon, Rhinestones, dimensionals 

I hope you're having fun on the blog hop today and that my creations have been an inspiration for you.  Let me know if you have any questions about the projects I made, I'd be happy to respond.  

Now it's time to move on to the amazing Buffy Cooper's blog to see her wonderful creations.  Enjoy! 

Buffy Cooper

Libby Fens

Wacky Watercooler April Blog Hop

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stamping Spot  

The Retired Stamps and Accessories Lists Are Available

It's almost time for Stampin' Up! to release their new Annual Catalogue for 2016/17 and that means it's time to clear the decks and retire products from the Annual and Occasion's catalogues to make room for the new season of goodies coming June 1, 2016.  

How do you benefit from this house cleaning?  Well you could save up to 50% off on some retiring stamps and accessories that you've had on your wish list, but don't be disappointed by waiting too long.  Check out what's on sale today. This sale runs until May 31st or until supplies are gone.  Lists will be updated daily at 4:00pm (MT).

Retiring List Links: 
Here's the link to a printable PDF list:

Here's the link to a printable EXCEL file:

You can also look at the various stamp sets and accessories that are on sale by going to my ONLINE page.  Also don't forget the Clearance Rack and Weekly Deals (this is the last week). 

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot!  

#pennytokensstampinspot

WWC63 - Kath's Color Challenge

Hey stampers, I'm finally back.   Although I've been home for a month now I've been slower than usual getting back into the swing of things on the home front. What that means for me is that I've had very little stamping time with my stamping friends while I take care of business.  

Well, I'm about to change that........drum roll please because I'm challenging myself to get out of my funk, throw off my gloom, grab some ink and stamps and jump back into the stamping world with both feet. How about you, are you with me?  

If you asked me what brought about this change in purpose or enthusiasm, I would have to say it was seeing Kath's Colour Challenge WWC63 on the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge site this week.  Looking at this fabulous colour combo was just the push I needed to get going (along with some gentle prodding by Heidi Weaver). This colour combo makes me feel both calm and happy and that means I'm in a good space.  

How about you, how are you affected by colour?  I'd love to hear what combinations warm your heart or whatever emotion they bring to you.  

Here's the challenge:

Here's My Card:  

I actually loved making this card so much that I decided to make a set of them and a holder so I could give it away as a gift.  Here's the rest of the ensemble:

This is a folder I made to hold the 5 gift cards and envelopes made with 3 x 5 note cards.  The base is Blushing Bride followed by layers of Watermelon and Pear Pizzazz card stock.  

The So Saffron layer was embossed with the Lovely Lacey EF and I used another piece of So Saffron to frame the Whisper White layer which was adhered with dimensionals.  The ribbon is Pear Pizzazz.  

This is the inside of the card holder.  It holds five envelopes and 5 note cards with ease.

Although the stamped layer is exactly the same for each of the five note cards, I chose to mount the stamped layer on coloured card stock before adhering to the note card.  There are 2 each of Pear Pizzazz, Watermelon Wonder and So Saffron.  

The colouring was done with a blender pen and markers.  The blossom image was stamped in Momento Black Ink.  The small yellow flowers were stamped in So Saffron and some leaves were drawn onto them in Pear Pizzazz.  The dots image was also stamped in Pear Pizzazz.  Watermelon Wonder Sequins were glued to each of the small flowers. 

In this picture you can see the five cards and one of the matching envelopes. 

Supplies:
Card Stock:  Whisper White, Watermelon Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron and Blushing Bride
Ink:  So Saffron, Watermelon Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride and Momento Tuxedo Black
Markers:  So Saffron, Watermelon Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride 
Stamp Set:  Birthday Blooms 
Accessories:  Big Shot, Trimmer, Lovely and Lacey Embossing Folder, Sequins
Dimensionals, Pear Pizzazz Ribbon, Blender Pen, Tom Bow Glue , Note Cards and Envelopes

Birthday Blooms is only available in the Occasions Spring catalogue until May 31st, 2016.  

Thanks for coming to look at my cards and I hope you'll leave a comment to let me know how you like this gift set.  

Happy Stamping
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot

Addendum:  

Just a note to say that I was thrilled to hear that I "Rocked the Watercooler" and was the winner of this week's colour challenge.  Thanks to everyone who nominated me and a special congrats to Julie Gearinger and Heather Hopson who were honourable mentions with their stunning cards. 

Last Chance for Sale-A-Bration 2016

What is the saying "All Good Things Must Come To An End"?  Well that is certainly what will be happening in just 7 1/2 hours Pacific Time when Sale-A-Bration 2016 ends.   

If you still want to get any of the lovely stamps or products that are being offered free from the SAB 2016 catalogue this is definitely your last chance. Just order $60.00 in product from either the Annual Catalogue or the Occasions Spring Catalogue and you can get one FREE Sale-a-bration product.  

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stamping Spot 

New Items Feb 16 to Mar 31 ~ Sale-a-Bration

It's A New Way to Sale-a-brate!

It's the day after a long weekend and what better way to get off to a brand new start than to check out what's new with Stampin' Up!s 2016 Sale-a-bration!  While I'm super sorry to see the items from pages 16-19 retired so early from this year's Sale-a-bration, however I  can tell you I'm pretty sure you're going to love these new additions just as much.  

 

Metallic Glitter Tape Order #141020

 

With this FREE Sale-a-bration offer you get 3 rolls of metallic glitter tape in gold, silver and white 5 yards in each roll.  Here's some tips on how to use it.

Party Pants Stamp Set Comes in Wood or Clear Mount Styles:

Who doesn't like birthday stamps?  After all we all need them and you know you can never have enough balloon stamps or sayings.  With this FREE Sale-a-bration offer you have a choice of either a 12 piece rubber stamp set in Wood Mount (141324) or a Clear Mount set(141327).  This set is available in French and coordinates with the Balloon Bouquet punch seen on page 13 of the Occasions Catalogue

 

Pedal Pusher Stamp Set Order #141312 

You'll have loads of fun with this 11 piece two-step photopolymer stamp set. Here's a video with some great ideas for using it. 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Catalogue Case Inspiration

It's the first Sunday in January 2016 and I'm welcoming the New Year in with a major cold.  

Believe me it's not the ideal way to feel when you really want to be "getting at it" and starting on new projects.  In fact, I started the day feeling pretty crummy after a very sleepless night.  

My day began slowly with me taking it easy, savouring my morning cuppa and blog surfing for a while to check out what everyone's doing with the new products from the Occasions and Sale-A-Bration catalogues.   

While I was doing that I stumbled across a post that truly inspired me, got my creative juices flowing again and sent me on a "journey of inspiration".  In fact, after a half an hour or so of "oohing", "awing" and writing comments, I'd forgotten how really awful I felt at the start of the day.

Now, I'm feeling excited!  Truly excited, and inspired!  The excitement began with a snapshot from the last page of the Occasion's catalogue and led me to a blog hop and a challenge site that are new to me.  I want to share these with you so you can catch my excitement too!  Okay drum roll please................

I'm going to start with the blog hop:  It's called Caseing the Catty Sunday Night Blog Hop and features a group of amazingly talented stampers from Australia and New Zealand called the Creative Crew.  These gals are truly awesome and love to share their talents and tips!

So here's the information you need.  Every Sunday night at 7pm (AEST), the CTC Crew will share their great ideas and inspiration from the latest Stampin' Up! ® Catalogues by either directly CASEing (Copy and Share Everything) or using a sketch/layout, colour combo or embellishment as a springboard for their own creations.  Their first hop of the year CTC61 started today and features projects from the Handmade from the Heart - Occasions Spring and SAB catalogues and can be found here. 

Stampin' Up!s 2016 Handmade from the Heart Occasions Catalogue PDF Copy 

 

Stampin' Up!s Sale-A-Bration 2016 PDF Copy

This group also holds a monthly challenge that you can join in and the winners are announced monthly.  I'll be adding this button to my sidebar, to make it easier for you to find.  Why?  Because I know I'll be checking them out and I know you're going to be thoroughly impressed with this group too!  

CASEing the Catty Sunday Blog Hop

My second discovery today is a challenge site called The Colour Tree Challenge (TCTC) which is hosted by Bronwyn Eastley and her downline De Arn Foley. 

I've long been a fan of Bronwyn, and her sample for the CASEing the Catty Sunday blog hop led me back to her blog where I discovered she is launching this weekly challenge.  Knowing her talents, The Colour Tree Challenge promises to be a wonderful place to hang out too!  

Okay here are the details you need to know:  Every Sunday night at 7pm (AEDT), they'll be hosting a weekly colour challenge where you can ... Ink Up and Link Up for a chance to be one of the TCTC Top 3 Picks! And as if that's not enough, once a month the design team will pick a winner from the weekly Top 3 Picks, who will join them as a Guest Designer in an upcoming challenge.  Whoo Hoo!!! Game on!

I'll be adding this button to my sidebar for easy access too!

TCT Challenges

Here is the Colour Tree's first colour challenge of the year.  I know I'm going to be joining in......how about you?

TCTC #1 Challenge

Okay folks that's it for now as I'm off to look at my stamp sets and decide what I want to create for this challenge which closes on January 16th (AEDT).  

In the meantime if you visit these blogs I hope you'll come back and let me know what you think, what excited you, and what you're going to create! 

HAPPY STAMPING 2016
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot!

OCCASIONS AND SALE-A-BRATION START TODAY!!!

Wow, the most wonderful sales events of the season for Stampin' Up! start today. The Occasions - Made from the Heart Catalogue and the Sale-a-bration Catalogues are now available for you to view and order from.  

Although I've permanently updated my side bar with the PDF links for these catalogues.  I thought I would make it easy and add them here.  I know you're going to love all the new products.  My wish list is long and I know yours will be too!  

Occasions 2016 - Made from the Heart

Sales Period from January 5th through May 31st, 2016:

English Version PDF

French Version

 Sale-A-Bration - Earn Free Products!

January 5th through March 31st, 2016

English Version

French Version

Happy Stamping Everyone!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

4 FREE Sale-A-Bration 2016 Products - Instantly

Great News Stampers! 

Stampin' Up! is offering a 3-month prepaid subscription during Sale-A-Bration (January 5-March 31, 2016)! If you're new to stamping, looking for some quick and easy card making ideas and kits, or wanting to give an awesome gift to someone you love, then a prepaid 3-Month Paper Pumpkin subscription might be just the ticket for you! 

Place your order for a 3-Month Prepaid Subscription using order #137859 on my on-line store for just $69 Canadian.  This 3-month paid subscription will instantly qualify you for a FREE Sale-A-Bration item! 

Want to qualify for even more FREE stuff?  How about taking it to the next level by purchasing a 12-month prepaid subscription during the Sale-A-Bration time period (ends March 31) for just $275.40 CAD (use order #137861 ). 

Your purchase of a 12-month prepaid subscription, earns you an instant savings of $24 off the normal subscription price. And even better, you'll automatically be eligible for Stampin’ Rewards, and qualify for 4 FREE Sale-A-Bration items! It doesn't get any better than that. 

Shop!

Here's the Sale-A-Bration Deal: 
For every $60 you spend (before tax and shipping), you get a FREE Sale-A-Bration product. That means it's the perfect time to purchase those products you've had your eye on while earning more products for free.

The Fine Print:  

• Pages 4-15 of the Sale-A-Bration brochure show products available throughout the entire Sale-A-Bration sales period (January 5-March 31 2016); 
• Pages 16-19 show limited-time products available only until February 15.*  
• Watch for another batch of limited-time products coming February 16!* Based on inventory, availability may be temporarily extended.

Host!
Need another excuse to get together with friends? Just host a qualifying party with at least $330 in sales during Sale-A-Bration and you'll earn $35 more in Stampin' Rewards! You can even apply your Stampin' Rewards toward a Starter Kit and become a demonstrator yourself!  Ask me about virtual catalogue parties or "You Host Your Home" get-to-gethers.