What brown can do for you...

Over the past few days, I've gotten two UPS packages and a FedEx package. I love getting mail! The two UPS packages were from Stampin' Up, and you can see their contents in the picture here - sorry for the glare. I got 4 stamp sets, 6 packets of papers, a set of brads, 8 catalogs, a cool white gel pen, 3 markers, a roll of a black and white gingham ribbon, a coordinated scrapbook set, a paper piercing template, and the Aqua Painters. This order included my new catalog "preview" items. As a Stampin Up demonstrator, I get to order new products about a month before everyone else and I get a discount- woohoo! I'm having fun getting my new stamping business off the ground. The discount is great, and this was all a 'business expense'!

The FedEx package was tickets to a Phillies/Pirates game. We're going to a game in July with our friends Andy and Tracy. Our seats aren't bad. Should be a grand time!

Fall/Winter Collection 2007 is here!

My box of new Stampin' Up catalogs arrived today! Here's a picture of the cover. I'll try to post some of the pages soon. I can start accepting orders for the new catalog on July 1st.

Here's a quick look at some of the highlights:

• 208 pages


• the beginning of the catalog includes 3 "style watch" collections, where they showcase coordinating stamp sets, colors, papers, punches, etc. My favorite is called "tapestry". You can find it on pages 6&7 of the catalog. It has a baroque background stamp, designer papers, taffeta ribbon, and chipboard script letters that coordinate with it.


• there are 5 simply sent kits. These are kits that include a stamp set, mini stamp pads, ribbon, adhesives - everything you need to make at least 10 cards!


• the next section shows all the hostess benefits. These are the stamp sets and supplies that you can earn for free by hosting a Stampin' Up workshop.


• the page with all the ink, papers, markers, refills has pictures of the product at the top of each column - very helpful! See pages 166-167.


• going gray isn't gone, but there'a new gray, too - basic gray. it's a little darker.


• there are more chipboard simon things - capital alphabet and clipboards


• more accents and elements - make cardmaking fast!


• there's a new punch - a scalloped circle - this will be the first thing I order! It coordinates perfectly with a stamp from the In the Spotlight hostess set.


• they've organized the accessories better - adhesives, tools, applications, etc.


• there's beautiful new ribbon - taffeta, a big 5/8" grosgrain, double-stictched

I can't wait to hear what you think!

Open House invitations - 3 versions

So I'm having an Open House at our new house on June 30. We'll be celebrating the launch of my new stamping business by making cards, winning door prizes, and checking out the new catalog. If you'd more details, e-mail me using the Contact Me button at the right.

Which card do you like best? I always make a few versions to have my options open. It's interesting how a card design evolves after you work with it a while.

Supplies:

• Right at Home stamp set - (retiring June 30!)
• Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp set
• buckaroo blue cardstock
• so saffron cardstock
• barely banana cardstock
• chocolate chip cardstock
• whisper white cardstock
• basic black classic stamp pad
• real red classic stamp pad
• buckaroo blue classic stamp pad
• chocolate chip classic stamp pad
• so saffron classic stamp pad
• blender pens
• AquaPainter
• mellow moss marker
• hemp twine
  

happy together - anniversary card, 3 different versions

My parents (35 years together), grandparents (60+ years together!), and sister/brother-in-law (4 years together) all recently celebrated anniversaries, so I'm sending this belated card. What a legacy of long marriages! My husband and I recently celebrated 3 years of marriage. We are thankful for this family legacy.

Supplies:

• A Little Love stamp set - (retiring June 30!)


• It Stamp set - hostess set 2006-2007


• Barely banana cardstock


• brocade blue cardstock


• mellow moss cardstock


• chocolate chip cardstock


• very vanilla cardstock


• chocolate chip classic ink


• watercolor pencils


• blender pens


• 1 3/8" square punch - this makes everything go quickly!
  

Which is your favorite?

thank you

Would you like to learn how to make any of these cards? Use the contact me button on the right to set up a workshop in your home. You can earn free stamping supplies and exclusive stamp sets by hosting a workshop. This card features a new hostess set from the new catalog.




Supplies:

• In The Spotlight stamp set - a new hostess set from the Fall/Winter collection
• chocolate chip cardstock
• sage shadow cardstock
• chocolate chip classic ink pad
• brown grosgrain ribbon

This card uses a really simple technique called masking. Just use scrap paper to cover up part of the page, and then stamp wherever you would like on the paper. Then when you remove the scrap paper you can have a different image in that blank space!

I made this card for a swap at Claire's recent "downline" meeting. Claire's the gal who got me hooked on stamping. She's recruited a bunch of new demonstrators lately, and once a month we get together to share ideas. You can find links to some of their blogs in the Stamping Links list on the right. Claire's "downline" includes bloggers Kristin and Melissa, as well as super-stampers Jan, Latrell, and Melanie.

Loads of Love - for Father's Day

This was the other make-and-take from Amy's workshop. It uses a signature Katy slant.
I sent this card to my dad, my father-in-law, and my grandfather for Dad's Day. My dad loves cars, so I think he'll like this card. Trucks and blue means its instantly masculine, even though it doesn't say Father's Day.

Supplies:

• Loads of Love stamp set
• Itty Bitty backgrounds stamp set
• brocade blue cardstock and classic ink
• chocolate chip cardstock and classic ink
• watercolor pencils
• blender pen
• crimper - such fun!

secret to happiness - b-day card

This one works well as a gender-neutral/masculine birthday card. No embellishments or fussiness make it a simple card to make, too!

Supplies:

• Simple Shapes stamp set
• Edgy Eloquence stamp set (from the Winter Mini, so it might be in the new catalog!)
• buckaroo blue cardstock (retiring June 30!)
• chocolate chip cardstock
• very vanilla cardstock
• chocolate chip classic ink pad
• buckaroo blue classic ink pad (retiring June 30!)

Thanks

This is one of the Make and Take's I did for my first workshop (at Amy's). It has an artistic, forgiving style so you don't have to be perfectly precise.

The color scheme just shouts, "Spring!" to me.




Supplies:

• Heartfelt Thanks stamp set
• barely banana cardstock
• ruby red cardstock
• whisper white cardstock
• ruby red classic stamp pad
• mellow moss classic stamp pad
• so saffron classic stamp pad
• mellow moss 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Crystal Effects
  

This card uses a technique called Two-Step Stampin'. You have to use a set that has an outline stamp and a base stamp, like Heartfelt Thanks. Stamp the base image in a lighter color (or you can stamp on scrap paper once to get a lighter color). Then stamp the outline image in a darker color. In this card, I used Ruby Red for both the base stamp and the outline stamp. This is an easier effect for frugal stampers like me!

Crystal Effects is fun to work with. It's kind of like puffy paint in that it adds a shiny texture to everything. I used Crystal Effects on the center of each of these flowers.

nest - one card, two different backgrounds

My sister asked me to make some housewarming cards, and I was stumped. I had a really hard time coming up with ideas, since I didn't have a "house" stamp. Then I noticed this old retired stamp that I won as a door prize ages ago. I decided to do a robin's egg blue (Cool Caribbean) background, and make it spotted like robin's eggs. I tried it with two different background stamps to see which I liked best. Which is your favorite?

Supplies:

• Itty Bitty backgrounds stamp set - my new favorite set!
• cool caribbean cardstock - retiring June 30!
• chocolate chip classic inkpad
• nest stamp (retired)
• small letter stamps
• watercolor pencils
• blender pen
• brown grosgrain ribbon