So Sorry to See You Go

This stamp set, So Happy, I am so sorry to see go. It too will be retiring August 10. I have said this before about stamp sets that I dearly love, but this is one of those stamp sets that is so versatile. It has great focal images that stand alone-like this paisley. It also has a nice-sized round daisy and it has images to use to two-step stamp inside the flower or to make your own background designs including polka dots and stripes. To see the whole stamp set, check out page 114 of the Spring/Summer 2008 catalog. If you don't have one handy, go here to view it on line.

We will be soon seeing the last of this this bright Wild Wasabi green as well. The 2007/2008 In Colors will retire with our beloved stamp sets August 10 when Stampin' Up! will roll out an entire set of six new colors. If you need to stock up on any of the 2007/2008 In Color papers, inks or ribbons, do so soon. The last date to order these items will be August 10. If you have the Classic Ink pads be sure to pick up an Ink Refill for just $2.75 +ship/tax to make your ink pad last forever.

For this card, stamp the Paisley Background stamp with Wild Wasabi Classic Ink on Wild Wasabi card stock for a bright complimentary mat. The texture created by the background stamp also gives the card interest and dimension to look at. Stamp a single Paisley image using the stamp from the So Happy stamp set on Whisper White card stock and punch it out using the Small Tag punch. Easily create a layer look for your tag by punching a mat from Lovely Lilac card stock using the Tag punch. Isn't it great how Stampin' Up punches all fit together? Next, punch a hole with the Handheld 1/16 inch circle punch and insert a Silver Brad. Pop the tag up on the card with a Stampin' Dimensional and embellish with a length of Wild Wasabi Double-Stitched Ribbon.

Recipe:

Stamp Sets: So Happy, Paisley Background Stamp
Card Stock: Lovely Lilac, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Classic Inks: Lovely Lilac, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black
Other: Tag Punch, Small Tag Punch, 1/16 Handheld Punch, Brads, Wild Wasabi Double-Stitched Ribbon

Thank you for visiting and Happy Stampin'! EdieB

Poppin' Pastels with Fresh Cuts

Hi Everyone! Hope your weekend is treating you nicely. We are having some rainy weather here in Erie, Pennsylvania, so it is a great weekend for stamping and enjoying quiet time at home.

I have been playing with my new Fresh Cuts stamp set which will be featured in the Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter 2008 catalog released August 11. If you would like a catalog please email me at edie.bunting@yahoo.com. You pay only the postage for the catalog and, to cover your postage, you will receive a $5 gift certificate to use toward your first catalog purchase of $50 or more.

For these two note cards I used the Poppin' Pastel technique to add a touch of monochromatic color to just the areas that I wanted on these black & white Fresh Cut stamp set images. For this technique you need a Versamark pen, Stampin' Pastels (both on page 183 of the current catalog) and Sponge Daubers (p. 185).

First, stamp the focal image in Basic Black Classic Ink on Whisper White cardstock. Then, with the Versamark pen, add Versamark to just the areas that you want to add color. Quickly, before the Versamark dries, apply the Stampin' Pastel chalks to the Versamark. The best method to add chalk is to use a Sponge Dauber which you place on the tip of your finger. Bounce the sponge in the pastel color of your choice and then bounce it on the area of your image that you added Versamark. Watch the color POP! It is so fun to see the color emerge! To shadow, you can add a touch more Versamark on top of the color you already applied and then pop more pastel over that.

One more note: To hold the ribbon in place, punch half a notch using the Horizontal Slot punch. It keeps the ribbon from sliding around and looks neater.

Now give Poppin' Pastels a try yourself. Here is the recipe:

Stamp Sets: Fresh Cuts
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue
Inks: Basic Black, Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue (all Classic Inks) and Versamark Pen
Other: Stampin' Pastels, Sponge Daubers, Black 1/4 Grosgrain Ribbon, Horizontal Slot Punch, Ticket Corner Punch.

Thank you for visiting & Happy Stampin'! EdieB

To see a Stampin' Up! catalog and catch up on the current promotions, visit my Demonstrator web site here.

It's A Big Pieces Birthday

Well, actually, it is a Big Pieces and Little Pieces birthday with all kinds of fun ribbons too.

I have to say, I was a bit surprised that these two stamp sets are retiring this year. These are two stamp sets that you grab for card making and scrapbooking projects because they make such great background patterns and focal images. I absolutely love the main flower image from Big Pieces; not to mention how fun it is that the different pieces can be punched out and layered using the different-sized Stampin' Up! circle punches.

This is a 5" x 5" card that I made for a swap sometime ago and wanted to feature today since the sets are retiring as of August 10. Go here to see the complete retirement list and other Stampin' Up! specials.

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Big Pieces, Little Pieces
Card stock: Bashful Blue, Pretty In Pink, Chocolate Chip
Classic Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Pretty In Pink Designer Series Paper from the Hostess Prints Pack, Sherbet Ribbon Originals, Beachfront Ribbon Originals, Stampin' Dimensionals

For the sake of saving some time, I scanned this image in and looking at it see that the color are not as vibrant as in real life or in a nice photograph. But, anyway, just a couple of notes and then I'm off to eat dinner with my DH: the corner embellishment is actually two pieces of Pretty In Pink DSP mitred and popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals since I wanted a larger photo corner than the one from the SU! Photo Corner punch. The rick rack from the Beachfront Ribbon Originals was white so I slid it across my Bashful Blue Classic Ink pad to give it that Bashful Blue tint. Handy when you need just the right color to match your layout.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and Happy Stampin'! EdieB

Retiring Favorites

Saying good-bye to retiring stamp sets is bitter sweet. I know that I have well-loved this set in particular, Be Happy. I found myself grabbing it to make Birthday Cards for my co-workers since it has funky collage like images that are fun to layer over other textures and make pretty designs to keep your eye moving. The sentiment is from It's Your Birthday which is also retiring. That I am sad about since it is such a practical set and the variety of fonts to choose from is amazing. But, well, you know Stampin' Up! is going to release exciting new products that will make me never look back.

Check out all the retiring stamp sets and other SU! specials here on my Demonstrator web site. I am currently offering 20% off your order of all retiring sets. You can email me the order at edie.bunting@yahoo.com and I will have that shipped directly to your home.

Recipe for Be Happy Birthday Card:

Stamp Sets: Be Happy, It's Your Birthday, Paisley Background Stamp

Cardstock: River Rock, Blue Bayou, More Mustard, Naturals Ivory

Classic Ink: Blue Bayou, Purely Pomegranate, More Mustard, Basic Black

Other: Fresh Favorites I Buttons, Natural Hemp Twine, More Mustard & Bravo Burgundy 1/4 Grosgrain Ribbon, Spiral Punch & Brayer

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stampin! EdieB

Celebrate You!

Happy Independence Day! With all the bang & boom of the July 4th celebrations, I decided to make a fun July birthday card using our country's bold colors of red, white & blue~well that is Real Red, Whisper White & Brilliant Blue ;-)

This card also shows off two very popular stamp sets that will be retiring August 10, Big Pieces and Little Pieces. You can find a complete listing of retiring stamp sets on my Stampin' Up! web site here. As a year-end demonstrator special now through August 10, I am offering a 20% discount on all retiring stamp sets. I will have your order shipped directly to your house. Email me your order at edie.bunting@yahoo.com to get your favorite sets before they're gone, gone, gone.

Recipe:

Stamp Sets: Big Pieces, Little Pieces, Celebrate Everything
Paper: Brilliant Blue, Whisper White, Real Red
Inks: Brilliant Blue and Real Red
Other: Ticket Corner Punch, Whisper White 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon, Glue Dots

Thank you for stopping by and please have a safe holiday weekend! EdieB

For the Grad

This is a graduation card for our dear friend Kristin who will be celebrating her high school graduation Sunday. Kristin is the daughter of Lex, who is one of Jim's best fishin' buds and Kristin is also a well-accomplished fisherman (fisher-woman?). In fact, she asked if they could serve Lake Erie Perch for her graduation party meal, so the guys have been out trying to catch enough to feed the partiers. The weather hasn't been super cooperative lately, but I have faith that it will all come together in time for Sunday.

This pocket card features the In The Stars stamp set which was available in the Spring Occasions mini catalog. I am hoping we see it in the new 2008 Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog since it is such a fun versatile set.

I wanted a 5 x 5 card shape so the finished pocket actually measures 5 x 5 which is just a 5 x 7-3/4 piece of card stock folded up about 2/3 of the way. I stamped a random pattern of stars on the flap in River Rock to add some interest to the front of the pocket. Sticky Strip works best to adhere the sides of pocket cards and really beats the heat & humidity. The decorative Purely Pomegranate latches are punched from the Small Oval Punch and accented with Gold Brads. I slid the Horizontal Slot punch in about half way to make small notches at the sides of the pocket to hold the Purely Pomegranate Double-Stitched Ribbon in place.

The finished card itself measures 4-1/4 x 4-3/4, which is a 4-1/4 x 9-1/2 piece of card stock scored and folded to open from bottom to top. Here is the recipe:

Stamp Sets: In The Stars
Card stock: River Rock, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Purely Pomegrante and Whisper White
Inks: River Rock, Blue Bayou and Purely Pomegranate Classic Inks
Other: Small Oval Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Star & Large Star Punches, Photo Corners Punch, 1/16 Handheld Punch, Gold Brads & Gold Eyelets, Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon.

Hope you like this fun little grad card. Thank you for stopping by and Happy Stampin'! EdieB