Grab Your Greetings Promotion

Just in time for the release of the new 2013-2014 Annual Catalog, Stampin' Up! is offering a sale to help make sure you have plenty of greetings for all your stamping needs.  From now through June 30, you'll receive 25 percent off three of our greeting sets! 

 

There are no limits to how many sets you can order and no minimums to purchase to take advantage of this offer (love that!)

Make sure to add one, two, or all three of this stamp versitile stamp sets to your next order!

Bonus Post: Dapper Dad and Beyond Plaid Today's the Last Day to Get Them!

Good afternoon.  I'm back because I wanted to share a quick card idea that is perfect for Father's Day and uses two stamp sets, Dapper Dad, and Beyond Plaid that are in the Spring Catalog and today is the LAST day to order these stamp set so I want to make sure you have these great sets for your upcoming Father's Day (or birthday, retirement, etc) projects.  These cards came together really quickly I used the Big Shot and the Houndstooth Embossing folder and the greeting is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set.  I cut out the bow ties to and attached them with dimensionals so they pop and look like a men's dress shirt and tie.  The final touch was to add three Metallic brads down the center for buttons (I used my paper piercer and mat pack to get the holes lined up perfectly.

These cards and fresh and fun and have just the right touch of "guyness", love it.

I wanted to remind you that not only is today the last day to order from the Spring catalog but starting at 2:00 PM EST today you can start ordering from the new 2013-2014 Annual Catalog, which means that we have an overlap and for this afternoon only you can order from those catalogs as well as the 2012-2013 Annual Catalog.  You can order from the 2012-2013 Annual Catalog now through June 3 so this is the perfect time to not only stock up on all the fresh new products and colors but also grab all those retiring items that have been on your wish list.  Join me tomorrow from 1:30-3:30 as we say goodbye to the retiring products and hello to new items.  I'll have free gifts and a free Make and Take for all who attend, you can pick up your new catalog and take advantage of my BOGO sale so you can get twice the amount of product for your dollar, AWESOME!  This is also perfect to stock up on product to use for summer projects and craft kits for the kids while they're out of school.  Hope to see you there!

Thanks,

Diana

Paper Players Challenge: Mosaic Madness and Lots of Fun New Toys!

Happy Friday!  I've been so excited for this day to arrive.  Not only is it Friday, which means the weekend is just a few hours away, but today is a HUGE day with Stampin' Up!  Today is the release of the 2013-2014 Annual Catalog and there are so many awesome new products I can't wait to try out.  On top of that, this year there is an overlap in the catalogs so for today only, you can order from the 2012-2013 Annual Catalog, Spring Catalog, and 2013-2014 Annual Catalog so you can get all the retiring and new items you want at the same time (love it!!!!).  For today's Paper Players sketch challenge I decided to show off several of the new products that you can get today.  This card is actually really simple, the cardbase is Strawberry Slush (one of the five new In Colors) and I added a layer of Pool Party.  The designer series paper is also new and from the Quatrefancy Specialty DSP and the patterns and colors are so fresh and fun.

 

The upper right hand panel was made by embossing a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Big Shot and the NEW Modern Mosaic Textured Embossing Folder.  Next I used the new Mosaic Madness stamp set to set some of the quatrefoil images and then punched them out with the Mosaic Punch (you know how much I love stamp sets and matching punches and now we matching embossing folders (I'm in heaven!).  The greeting is also from a new stamp set, Really Good Greetings.  The final touch was to add the button and Island Indigo Baker's Twine bow.  Now you may be asking about where that button came from, it's another fun new product, it's Simply Pressed Clay and the Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds.  That's right, now you can make your own buttons and flowers anytime you want and in any color you want (for this button I made it with the standard white clay and then colored the formed button with a marker.  I've been having lots of fun playing with this new product and I love how it doesn't take a lot of clay to make so you can get lots of creations out of each package (very cost effective).

 

I hope this card has excited you for some of the awesome new products so go check out the new annual catalog so you can see what all the fun's about.

 

Enjoy your day and have a great weekend,

 

Diana

Create with Connie and Mary: Kidoodles

Good morning friends!  While a few days ago we were talking about how chilly it is here and now the heat and humidity has arrived, I'm really looking forward to not being cold.  We only have a few more days left in the Spring Catalog and Annual Catalog so I decided to use this weeks Create with Connie and Mary sketch challenge to highlight some of the items that will soon be going away.  I used the Sunshine and Sprinkles designer series paper as the color inspiration for this card and this paper will only be available through Friday so you need to make sure you have some of this in your crafting stash.  The cardbase is Marina Mist and then I added a piece of Going Gray and then the DSP.

 

For the flag accent I used another pattern in the same paper pack before adding a piece of Whisper White cardstock that I stamped with the Kidoodles stamp set (this is one of my all time favorites which is also retiring, this set will definitely not be leaving the studio).  I used Stampin' Write markers to color in the image and the colors are from the DSP.  The final touch was to add a piece of Melon Mambo 3/8" Striped Organdy Ribbon.

 

This card is so simple and cute, I love how there are so many patterns that your eye is drawn to the stamped image as it's set off on the solid white layer.  I've been having lots of fun using some of the retiring supplies and while I'm sad that some of them are leaving there are lots of fabulous new items coming that I can't wait to have fun with and show you.

 

Happy stamping,

 

Diana

Paper Craft Crew Sketch Challenge: Word Play Meets Blue Ribbon

Good evening friends!  I hope you had an enjoyable holiday weekend and were able to spend some quality time with friends and family.  We had a great time but it's definitely over too quickly.  I'm a little late but I wanted to share the card I made for this weeks Paper Craft Crew Sketch challenge since I really had a lot of fun with this one.  On top of providing the sketch below we were challenged to make our project a graduation theme, which is perfect this time of year.  The cardbase is Cherry Cobbler and I added a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock that I ran through the Big Shot with the Hexagon Embossing Folder.  Next I added a strip of First Edition Speciality DSP (can't believe this is retiring), some Cherry Cobbler Polka Dot Scallop Ribbon, and some World Spectacular DSP. 

The greeting is from the Word Play stamp set (also retiring, boo!) and I used Stampin' Write Markers to ink it up before stamping and then cutting them out with the Big Shot and the Oval Collection Framelits.  The edge was also sponged with Crumb Cake Ink.  For the circle accent I took a half of a paper doily and sponged it with Crumb Cake ink and cut slits so I could fan the doily.  The final accent was to create a cute ribbon to congratulate the graduate.  I stamped the center image from the Blue Ribbon stamp set and punched it out with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch.  I used the 1 3/8" Circle Punch and Scallop Circle punch to create the final layers for the ribbon.  The tails for the ribbon were stamped from the Blue Ribbon stamp set and I used Paper Snips to cut them out.  The final touch was to attach the ribbon with dimensionals so it really pops.

 

This card has lots of layers and dimension which is so much fun, a perfect way to mark that special day!

 

Enjoy,

 

Diana

Hoppy Animal Talk

Good morning and welcome to a Friday of a holiday weekend, whoo hoo!  I'm really looking forward to a few days to just relax with not that much planned, yeah!  Today I wanted to share a fun card that uses some retiring items and some things that are sticking around.  The cardbase is Tangerine Tango and I embossed with Whisper White piece with the Big Shot and Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder (I lined up the paper so I left the bottom quarter of the paper unembossed so I could stamp the greeting.  The stamp set I used for this card is Animal Talk (so happy this stamp set isn't retiring), it's so cute!

 

I stamped the main image with Lucky Limeade ink (this In Color is retiring, hopefully you have it in your stamping stash) and I then cut it out with the Big Shot and the Window Collection framelits.  I also used the same framelits to cut a matching frame out of Basic Black cardstock.  For the flags I used the Summer Smootches designer series paper and Basic Black 1/2" Scalloped Polka Dot Ribbon (both are retiring).  I used dimensionals to attach the stamped panel so it pops up.

 

This card is so fun and whimsical, love it!  There a just a few more days to purchase the stamp sets and accessories that are retiring so don't miss out.  Starting May 31 we can start ordering from the new 2013-2014 Annual Catalog and from May 31 to June 2 you can actually purchase from both the current and the new catalog, what a great opportunity.  I know you'll want to make sure to get your copy of the new catalog, I'll have them at the June 1 "Goodbye Don't Cry Retirement and It's All New Stampin' Up Party."  It'll be a fun party where you can play with some of the fabulous new products, score a great deal on retired and new products, and make a fun FREE project.  Make sure to RSVP so I know you're coming and reserve your catalog and spot, you won't want to miss out!

 

I hope you have an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend and are able to spend some relaxing time with your family (and  a little stamping!)

 

Diana

Fab Friday Color Challenge: Make a Wish

We're halfway to the start of the holiday weekend, oh yeah baby!!!  I'm so looking forward to the long weekend, especially since we don't have a lot planned, for once.  Today I'm sharing my card for this weeks Fab Friday Color Challenge.  I needed to make a card for my niece and I thought that this color combination would be perfect.  The cardbase is Primrose Petals and I added a piece of Poetry Prints DSP (this is such a great paper package, you have to make sure you have it in your stash, there are lots of blue and green prints, as well as fabulous pink and yellow combinations).  This DSP is matted with a piece of Soft Suede cardstock and I added a piece of Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon.

The stamped image is from the Make a Wish stamp set (so excited that this set is carrying over and will be in the next catalog as it has lots of great birthday images).  The stamp was colored with Stampin' Write Markers and then stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I used the Big Shot and Ovals Collection framelits to cut out the greeting and the Summer Starfuit mat (which was embossed with the Chevron Embossing Folder).  I used dimensionals to make the greeting pop.

 

I also decided to add a cute little cupcake and thanks to the Build-a-Cupcake punch it's a breeze.  The bottom is Soft Suede and I embossed it with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder.  The frosting is from the More Amore Speciality DSP and I used Red Glimmer Paper to make the cherry on top.

 

This card is so cute and fun, I'm sure the birthday girl will love it!  I love how these colors work together, I would not normally have mixed them together (that's the beauty of these challenges).  There are some other fabulous creations made by the Fab Friday design team, you should definitely check them out!

 

Enjoy and I hope you have a great day!

 

Diana

Paper Players Sketch Challenge: Dapper Dad

Good morning friends!  We got to spend the weekend in Chicago this past weekend and had a wonderful time exploring the city (Chris was there for a work show so Aidan and I tagged along), which means there was no stamping for me this weekend.  Thankfully the challenge offered by The Paper Players this week was a masculine card and I had made this clean and simple father's day card last month and I've been saving it to share with you (perfect!).  The cardbase is Cajun Craze and I added a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and I stamped the greeting (from the Delightful Dozen stamp set) in the bottom corner with Early Espresso ink.  Next I added three flag pieces made with the Parker's Patterns designer series paper.

 

The main stamped image is from the Dapper Dad stamp set (this is is in the spring catalog and didn't carry over so you only have a couple of weeks to get this fun stamp set).  The shoe is stamped in Not Quite Navy and is matted with Early Espresso cardstock.  The final touch was to add a Naturals Designer Button and I added a bow made with Whisper White Baker's Twine.

This card is so simple and fun, you could definitely change but the greeting for a guys birthday, retirement, etc. and you can definitely make these in not a lot of time.  Father's Day is less than a month away and you don't want to wait until the last minute so feel free to take this idea and make it your own for the special guy in your life.

Have a great week!

Diana

The Paper Players Color Challenge: Label Love Sneak Peak

Good evening friends!  We're about to head out on an exciting weekend adventure and are leaving early tomorrow so I wanted to drop in quickly to share the card I make for this weeks Paper Players color challenge.  This card is really simple but the cool thing is that I uses several sneak peek items from the upcoming catalog release.  I started with a cardbase of Crumb cake and embossed it with the Big Shot and the Elegant Fan Embossing Folder.  The designer series paper is from the Poetry Prints DSP stack (which is retiring at the end of the month) and is matted with Raspberry Ripple.  I also added a piece of Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon.

The stamped image is from the new Label Love stamp set.  You can get this stamp set starting May 31 and the great thing about it is that there's a matching punch which makes popping these out a snap (I'm a sucker for any stamp set that has a matching punch!)  I layered this on a piece of Midnight Muse that I cut out with the Apothecary Accents Framelits and embossed with the Lattice Embossing folder.  Do you notice the cute little button in the top right corner?  This is another sneak peek.  It's not a button but it's the new Simply Pressed Clay and Matching mold.  The clay comes in white and you can either press the buttons (also comes with a flower mold) in white and color the button once they've dried with Stampin' Write Markers or you can color the clay with reinkers and then press the clay so the clay is colored all the way through (I used the Raspberry Ripple marker to color the button) then I added a piece of Linen Thread in a bow.

 

This card is so easy and fun, I love all the different textures elements.  There are lots of options with this color sketch so enjoy!

 

Have a great weekend,

 

Diana

Create with Connie and Mary: Thoughts and Prayers

Welcome back friends and I hope all is well.  One thing about creating cards is that I make more cards than I can use, thankfully my mom and her friends are very supportive and frequently purchase cards for their occasions.  Unfortunately they've been needing a lot of sympathy cards and I'm having a hard time keeping up with what they need so I decided to make a sympathy card for this weeks Create with Connie and Mary sketch challenge.  The stamp set Thoughts and Prayers is perfect for this challenge.  The cardbase is Crumb Cake and I added a layer of Soft Suede that I embossed with the Fancy Fan embossing folder.  Next I added two strips of DSP from the Poetry Prints DSP stack and a piece of Gumball Green 3/8" stitched satin ribbon as well. 

The main stamped image is stamped on Very Vanilla Cardstock and is stamped with Soft Suede ink and then sponged around the edge with Crumb Cake ink.  This piece was then matted on a layer of Midnight Muse cardstock.  The greeting is from the same stamp set and was cut out with the Apothecary Accents framelits and then sponged with Gumball Green ink.  The greeting was attached to the card with dimensionals so it pops.

 

I love how soft and elegant this card turned out, perfect.  I love this sketch and can't wait to use it again.  There's still time to play along with this weeks challenge, so give it a try.

 

Happy stamping!

 

Diana

Paper Craft Crew Challenge: Mouthwatering

Good morning peeps!  After and especially crazy last week I feel like I'm back in the groove and looking forward to a great week.  Today I'm sharing the card I made for this weeks Paper Craft Crew Challenge.  I decided to use the Mouthwatering stamp set for this challenge since it'll be retiring at the end of the month, it's so fresh and fun, perfect for this time of year.  The cardbase is Old Olive and I added a layer of Crumb Cake that I embossed with the Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder and then sponged over it with Crumb Cake ink to make the dots pop.  Next I added a White Doily to the back of the stamped image.  The image was colored with Stampin' Write markers before punching it out with the 2 1/2" circle punch.  I created the mat with Real Red cardstock and the Window Collection Framelits.

 

To add some texture I added little flags and a bow of Real Red 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain and Old Olive 3/8" Scalloped Polka Dot Ribbon.  I also used an Old Olive brad from the Brights Brads package (also retiring) to break up all the red.  The final touch was to add a birthday greeting with the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and then punched it out with the Word Window Punch.

This card is fun and I like how the doily helps soften up all the ribbon and cheery cherry image, lots of fun!  There's still time to play in this weeks challenge or save this sketch to use on future projects, it would also be great for a scrapbook page.

 

Hope you have a great day,

 

Diana

Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge: Bombs Away Birthday

Good evening friends and I hope you had an enjoyable Mother's Day!  We got to enjoy a crazy busy Saturday and then relaxed and enjoyed spending time together today (along with going to see Iron Man 3, the boys really wanted to see it and it was lots of fun, and Robert Downey Jr. was looking mighty fine, just saying!!!)  One thing I definitely wanted to do was get into the studio and just have some fun playing since I haven't had much time to just create for fun lately.  Today's card is for the Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge and this was definitely a color combination that I wouldn't have picked but it was lots of fun.  I decided to use the new Bombs Away Birthday Photopolymer stamp set for this card since I love the fun, light-hearted greetings.  I started with a Baseful Blue cardbase and then added a layer of Summer Starfruit that I embossed with the Big Shot and the Hexagon embossing folder.  Next I added a piece of Real Red Polka Dot DSP from the Summer Smootches DSP pack (one of my all time favorites!) and I used Finishing Touches Edgelits to add a jagged border along the bottom.  A piece of Black Polka Dot Scallop Polka Dot Ribbon is the perfect accent along the middle.

 

Next I stamped the bomb image with Basic Black ink and cut it out with Paper Snips before using a dimensional to attach it to the card.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set and was stamped on Bashful Blue cardstock, before being cut out with the Apothecary Accents Framelits.

This is such a fun card and one that will definitely be great for a special friend.  If you don't have this new photopolymer stamp set, or haven't tried this new type of stamps you've definitely got to try them out, they stamp beautifully and the images in this particular stamp set and so fun and whimsical, perfect for my friends.

Enjoy,

Diana

End of the Year Teacher Gift Class - Awesome Projects that are Sure to Impress!

Good evening!  I wanted to share with you the projects that we'll be making that this weekends End of the Year Teacher Gift class.  This class started when I was talking to several friends about all we had to do to get our gifts ready for our kids teachers, assistance, etc. to thank them for all they do throughout the year.  Unfortunately spring is usually a really busy time for families so this is a great way to have six gifts all made and ready to give when the time comes! 

 

The class is this Saturday at 7:00 PM and the class fee is only $25 for all the supplies necessary to complete these projects.  Several of these items accommodate gift cards (a great gift for anyone) so all you'll need to provide is the gift cards.

 

 

These gifts are so fun that even if you don't have kids they'll be great to give to neighbors, friends, coworkers, etc.  Please make sure to register for class by Wednesday to save your spot.

 

Have a great week and I hope to see you Saturday!

 

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' Squad May Blog Hop: "Best of"

Good morning and welcome to this months Stylin' Stampin' Squad blog hop.  This month we're focusing on the Best of Stamp Sets that are being released all year in honor of Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary as well as all the fabulous products that are being retired next month.  If you've been following the hop you just came from Bree's blog, isn't her project wonderful?  Love it!!!  Retirement time is always a little stressful since that means you have to say goodbye to some of your favorite items but it's also exciting since that means there are new things on the way and I can't wait.

My first project

 is a card that uses the Patterned Party stamp set.  I just got this stamp set a few months ago when it was on sale even though it's been on my wish list for quite awhile.  The cardbase is Pacific Point and I added a layer of Tangerine Tango cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and the Fancy Fan embossing folder.  I also added a strip of Daffodil Delight DSP from the Polka Dot Parade DSP pack (I'm so excited this DSP isn't retiring).  For the main stamped image I used my Stampin' Write markers to color in the banner greeting (love to create a rainbow with greetings!) and then cut it out with the Big Shot and Apothocary Accents framelits.  I used my paper piercer and Essentials Paper-Piercer pack to outline the image.  I used the same markers to ink up the package stamp and punched it out with the Extra-Large Oval Punch and attached it with dimensionals.  The final touch was to add a bow made with the Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Stiched Grosgrain ribbon in the top right corner.

I have a second project for you this month that uses one of my favorite Big Shot Dies (Petite Pocket Bigz XL, boo hoo) as well as the new Best of Love stamp set and is awesome since it holds a full size Hershey candy bar (it was really touch to not eat the chocolate while I was working on this, haha.  So for this I cut two Petite Pockets out of Basic Gray cardstock, trimmed off part of the bottom tabs and then attached them together with Sticky Strip so it makes the pocket.  To decorate it I added a belly band with Basic Black cardstock and Summer Smootches DSP.  The ribbon is 5/8" Organza Ribbon, love how soft and flexible this ribbon is.  Next I used the Big Shot and the Scallop Rectangle Clearlit die and Red Glimmer Paper.   For the stamped image I just inked up the stamp with Stampin' Write Markers and then trimmed the paper after stamping so it fit on the scalloped rectangle piece. 

 

Here's a close up, love how the red glimmer paper sparkles!!

 

I love these treat holders (I made a similar one for Halloween) and I'll definitely be keeping this die in my stash for future projects, I've made so many fun gifts with it.

Thanks for joining me and I hope you enjoyed this months projects and were inspired.  If you just started on my blog you can click the link below and go to Pam S.'s website and continue along with the hop.

You can check out the full list of blog hop participates blogs below:

Blog Hop Participants:

1. Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun!
2. Nancy B. of Lady Stamps-A-Lot
3. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
4. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
5. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
6. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
7. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
8. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
9. Heidi B of Stuck on Stampin'
10. Bree R. of Craft-somnia
11. Diana E. of Stampin' Fun with Diana

Paper Player Sketch Challenge #143: Sassy Anniversary Greeting

Happy Wednesday, we've made it through the half way of the week.  I was so excited to receive this months My Paper Pumpkin subscription kit, especially the "cheeky" greetings.  While I haven't had an opportunity to make the cards in the kit I saw this great idea of mixing the greetings and knew it would be a perfect anniversary card for my hubby and decided to use the Paper Players sketch challenge for the card.  Instead of doing a serious card I thought I would have fun to let him know how much I love him.

The cardbase is Crumb Cake and then I added a piece of First Edition Speciality DSP (can't believe this is retiring) and I stamped it with the compass image from The Open Sea and sponged the edges with Crumb Cake ink.  Next I took a piece of Real Red Core'dinations cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot with the Hexagon embossing folder and sanded the image to highlight the texture.  The circle is made from the globe from The Open Sea stamp set that was stamped in Crumb Cake and then I added the "seriously" from the Seriously My Paper Pumpkin kit in Not Quite Navy before punching it out with the 2 1/2" circle punch and sponging around the edge with Crumb Cake ink.  I added strips of DSP in Not Quite Navy and Soft Suede for flags.  The greeting is from the same Seriously MPP kit and I just used a Stampin' Write marker to ink the words I wanted to use and used two different stamps to get the "love your booty" greeting.  The final touch was to add a Silver Basic Designer Button with a piece of 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta ribbon tied in the center.

 

This card is super fun and has some classic elements while still being "edgy," I can't wait to see what Chris thinks of it and this sketch is so fun and open to so many possibilities, I love the flexibility.

 

Happy Stamping,

 

Diana