January 30, 2012


Hi everyone!  I wanted to make sure to post the sale-a-bration catalog for you.  This is Stampin' Up's! biggest sale of the year!  From now until March 31, 2012  you can earn FREE product with every $50 you purchase. If you are on my mailing list then you probably already saw this, but for those of you who didn't get a chance to see this year's sale-a-bration catalog and you would like to be added to my mailing list please send me an email at pebbles4@ptd.net   Below is the link to the new sale-a-bration catalog:



Also, there are some changes with Stampin' Up's! catalogs and I wanted to tell you about them.  Starting June 1, 2012, Stampin' Up! will release one annual catalog, comparable to (but smaller than) the current Idea Book & Catalog, and two seasonal catalogs, comparable to (but larger than) the current mini catalogs.  Here are the details:

Annual Catalog-
- The annual catalog will run from June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2013.
- The annual catalog will be reduced from over 240 pages in the current Idea Book & Catalog to 208 pages.
- The annual catalog will be printed on lighter-weight paper.
- Celebrando Creatividad will remain unchanged.

Seasonal Catalogs-
- The Occasions, Summer, and Holiday Mini Catalogs will be replaced by two seasonal catalogs called the Holiday Catalog and the Spring Catalog.
- The first Holiday Catalog will run from August 1, 2012 through the beginning of January, 2013
- The first Spring Catalog will run from the beginning of January, 2013 through May 31, 2013.
- The seasonal catalogs will be larger in both size (8 1/2" x 11") and page count (about 40 pages) than the current mini catalogs.



Contact me today if you would like to place an order or to be added onto my mailing list!
To place your Stampin' Up! order- http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx
My email address- pebbles4@ptd.net
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January 18, 2012

Hi everyone!  Last night I finally got some time to try out my new clear mount stamp sets and  I ended up making this birthday card.  I need to rebuild my stash of birthday cards.  It seems as though I send out a lot of birthday cards in the beginning of the year.

I haven't been doing much coloring lately on my cards and so I decided to pick an image to use that needed some coloring.  I love coloring with my SU markers and this is one of my very favorite color combinations.

I started making my card by first stamping and coloring my image.  Then I cut my image out along the dotted line (using my scissors) and this way I was able to layer it on the pretty in pink card stock that I cut out using the same size framelit.  I used the next size up framelit to cut out the bashful blue layer then I ran my bashful blue layer through my big shot using the perfect polka dots embossing folder.

Then I just needed to assemble my card.  My designer series papers are from the Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack - Subtles Collection.  I added some pretty in pink ribbon that I ruffled/scrunched by placing some sticky tape along my card and then folding the ribbon back and forth until I got the ruffled look I wanted.  This is a really neat way to use ribbon differently on any card.  I found that making ruffled ribbon workds best with a satin/silky ribbon. 

And the last few items I decided to add onto my card was a mini clothespin with a small piece of twine tied around it and then three basic pearls towards the bottom of my image panel.  I used one medium pearl and two smaller pearls on both sides of it.

On my photo below I wanted to show you a close up photo so that you could see my coloring a little better.  I hope you liked today's card!  Have a great rest of the day and I'll see you tomorrow!

Stamps: Apothecary Art
Card Stock:  White, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack - Subtles Collection
Ink: Black Stazon
Supplies: Ribbon, Labels Collection Framelits, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls, Twine, Mini Clothespin, SU Markers, Sticky Strip Tape, Scissors
Technique: Dry Embossing

Contact me today if you would like to place an order or to be added onto my mailing list!
To place your Stampin' Up! order- http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx
My email address- pebbles4@ptd.net
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January 15, 2012

Hi everyone!  Today I have a bit of a different sort of post for you.  I didn't have chance to create a project for you this weekend since 2 of my 3 kiddos were sick and hubby as well (they are all better now), but anyway I wanted to take a day to post some pictures of Stampin' Up's! clear block system.

As many of you know I only use wood mounted stamps (I swore I would only use wood mount stamps), but with my last Stampin' Up! order I decided to give clear mount stamps a try and so I purchased the clear mount block bundle (item # 118491 $69.95).  The bundle includes all of the clear block sizes.  *Note* you'll save $9.25 if you order the bundle rather than ordering them all separately.  I also ordered the clear block storage caddy item # 120279 $16.95 and I'm going to show you some photos of that as well.

This is a photo of the clear block bundle.  In this photo I've already removed the blocks from the packaging, but here I wanted to show you that they will arrive packaged separately.  These are blocks A-I.

This is a photo of the clear block storage caddy (closed).  The case opens flat for easy access and when you're finished it closes and locks to hold your blocks in place.

This is a photo of the clear block storage caddy opened.  You will notice that Stampin' Up! gives you an additional foam insert to sit between the blocks and protect them when the caddy is closed.

If you look closely at my photo you will see foam inserts that you will need to remove before you can place your blocks inside.  The foam blocks simply pop out.  I've already popped one out in this photo below to show you what I am talking about.

Before I move onto the next photo I wanted to take a minute to show you a close up of one of the Stampin' Up! clear mount blocks.  I was very surprised when I received my blocks because they are awesome.  I've had blocks from other companies and by far these are the best!  There are nicely curved grooves on all four sides and they are really, very sturdy!  Hmmm...I'm beginning to like the clear mount option already!
  

And below is a photo of the clear block caddy with all the foam inserts popped out and all my clear blocks in place.  You'll notice the additional foam insert at the top left side of my photo.

Here I've placed the foam insert inside the case and now it's ready to close up and put away.  You'll want to make sure to use this foam insert to protect your blocks when the case is closed.

Here's another photo of the clear block caddy closed and locked.  To lock the caddy all you need to do is to simply flip over the little clip.  As you can see there is a handle for easy carrying. 

There are 2 reasons I've decided to give the clear mount system a try.  One is that storage is starting to become an issue and as many of you know the clear mount stamps take up a lot less room, but the main reason I've decided to give the clear mount stamps a try is to save money!  If you were to purchase these stamp sets (in my photo below) with the wood mount option they would cost $116.80 and with the clear mount option they only cost $92.80 - that's a savings of $24 with just 4 stamp sets, can  you believe it?!!

These are the stamps that I recently purchased (they are all from the current occasions mini catalog- there is a link to the catty on the right hand side of my blog if you wanted to check it out).  And since I'm new to using clear mount stamps I've decided to go head and show you how to mount them. 

This is a photo of 1 stamp set, but it's a large set so it came in two separate cases.  This is the new Apothecary Art stamp set clear mount item #125527 $27.95 found in the new occasions mini catalog.  It's hard to see in this photo, but I wanted to point out that the rubber is die cut for you so that you do not need to cut/trim around the image.

Simply pop the image out of the rubber sheet and peel off the backing.  Now, some people are using these stamps just like this and some are placing the stickers over the foam.  Personally, I think I'll like being able to see the image so I'm going to go ahead and place the sticker over the foam.

Next, you will need to remove the sticker from the sticker index sheet.  Slowly peel the sticker from the sheet and then you will need to remove the sticker backing on the image- see my next photo below.

This is a photo of me removing the sticker backing.  You will see that the sticker backing is in two pieces- carefully remove each half.....(see next photo below)

...and then place the sticker on top of the foam/back side of the rubber stamp.  You'll want to first make sure that your sticker label and the stamp image will be applied in the correct direction.  In other words, your image label and stamp image should match.

Here is a photo of the stamp with the label in place. 

Here is a photo of the stamp on a clear mount block. I wanted to take a minute to explain that although I know it can be a bit confusing, but Stampin' Up! refers to their unmounted stamps as 'clear mount' and I just wanted to explain (for those of you who are not aware) that Stampin' Up's! clear mount stamps are not clear. The stamps are the same high quality red rubber as found in their wood mount stamps.

When  you are finished mounting your stamp set you can store your unmounted stamps in the DVD sized case that came with your set.  Or the way I've decided to store my stamps....(see my photo below)

...was too keep the rubber sheet that my stamps arrived in and then place my stamps back inside the die cut out opening.  The rubber sheet will help keep my stamps in place and I won't have to worry about losing any.

Well that's about it for today.  Once I get some stamping time I'll have to let you know how I like my new clear mount stamp sets.  There is a clear mount block template available on the Stampin' Up! website if you would like to download it.  The link for the template is here.  Once you are on that page look all the way towards the bottom and you will find where to download it from.

I hope you had a great weekend!  My kiddos are off from school tomorrow so it's going to be a busy one for me!  Thanks for stopping by!

Contact me today if you would like to place an order or to be added onto my mailing list!
To place your Stampin' Up! order- http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx
My email address- pebbles4@ptd.net
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January 9, 2012

Hi everyone!  Today I decided to check out the CAS (or clean & simple) challenge on splitcoast stampers.  The challenge was to find ways to use die cuts and since I just recently received my new framelits (labels collection) from Stampin' Up! I knew I wanted to give them a try.

Everything I used to make my card is current, or will be current I should say, with the exception of the designer series paper that I purchased from the Stampin' Up! clearance rack, so if you are purchasing anything from Stampin' Up! be sure to check out those clearance rack items.

I began by first stamping my image and then cutting it out using my framelits and my big shot.  I cut out a larger pretty in pink layer and then I ran that through my big shot using my finial press embossing folder.  Then I colored my image using my SU markers and layered it using dimensionals.  The stamp I used on my card is from the Outlined Occasions stamp set and it is a new Sale-a-bration set that won't be available until Jan. 24th (so you're getting a sneak peek).
My pink designer series paper layer was punched along the bottom using my label punch.  Simply place your dsp only about 1/4" into the punch and punch away.  Move your punch over along the edge of your paper and punch again while trying to keep them lined up- it's really very easy. 

My red designer series paper was scored every 1/4" using my simply score tool and then I folded the paper back and forth.  I used my paper piercing tool to place mini glue dots where the folds of my dsp meets my card base. 

To adhere my sentiment layer onto my accordion folded dsp I used mini glue dots and placed them where the folds of the paper meet my pretty in pink layer.  Using a paper piercing tool comes in real handy for this because once you touch the glue dots they aren't as sticky.

The top part of my pretty in pink layer was adhered using stacked dimensionals.  I'll see if I can get a photo of this so that you know what I am talking about.  Here's a photo of my stacked dimensionals-  
To complete my card I added a mini clothespin with a small piece of twine tied around it- what a cute way to embellish a card.  Twine seems to be the new 'in' embellishment now.
 
Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'm off to get my house straightened up and start supper.  Have a great day!

Stamps: Outlined Occasions
Card Stock: Real Red, Pretty in Pink, White, Retired- SU Designer Series Paper
Ink: Black Stazon
Supplies: Twine, Mini Clothespin, Curly Label Punch, Simply Score Tool, Labels Collection Framelits, Big Shot, Finial Press Embossing Folder, SU Markers- real red & pretty in pink, Dimensionals, Glue Dots
Technique: Paper Folding, Dry Embossing

Contact me today if you would like to place an order or to be added onto my mailing list!
To place your Stampin' Up! order- http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx
My email address- pebbles4@ptd.net
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January 8, 2011

Hi everyone!  I made this card for the monthly challenges in my blog group.  I wasn't able to post it earlier because I haven't been feeling well.  It seems that I always get that one bad sickness every winter.  Anyway, I used a new Stampin' Up! Sale-a-bration stamp set to make my card.  The set is called Fresh Vintage.

The challenge this month was 'newness' to create a card using something new, for a new occasion, and using a technique that is new to us.  I did a little more stamping on this card than I usually do and that is something fairly new to me, my stamp set is new and, I'm using this card towards my new year's resolution to send out more cards to my stamping friends.

I began by stamping my background using early espresso ink and the small flower stamp.  I stamped the rich razzleberry card stock using rich razzleberry ink- I like the tone on tone effect it gives.  Then I stamped my main image three times.  Once using early espresso ink, once using rich razzleberry ink and one more time using pretty in pink ink.  I did this because I wanted to cut out the pink and razzleberry flowers and place them over my main espresso image.

Next, I did a bit of faux stitching using my SU mat pack, paper piercing tool, and a white gel pen.  My flower image panel was placed on my card using dimensionals.  My ribbon is SU pretty in pink ribbon.
Be sure to stop by and check out the other cards from the members in our blog group.  I'll list their blogs below.  Again, my apologies for not posting my card sooner.  Have a great day, thanks for stopping by!



Stamps: Fresh Vintage
Card Stock:  White, Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink
Supplies: Ribbon, SU Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, White Gel Pen
Technique: Faux Stitching

Contact me today if you would like to place an order or to be added onto my mailing list!
To place your Stampin' Up! order- http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx
My email address- pebbles4@ptd.net
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January 4, 2012

Happy New Year to you all!  And what a great way to begin the new year than with Stampin' Up's! new Occasions Mini catalog!  I love the mini catalog this time around! 
Click on the link below to view the mini catalog online-
http://204.228.150.61/catalogs/2012Occasions/20120104_Occasions_en-US.pdf

One more thing to mention, remember the clearance rack blitz ends tomorrow so be sure to take advantage of the items found in the clearance rack. We were told that some of the items may remain and some will not.
Here is the link to the clearance rack:
http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryid=493

You can email me with any questions and I'll be happy to help you. 

Contact me today if you would like to place an order or to be added onto my mailing list!
My Stampin' Up! Website- http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lalatty/
To place your Stampin' Up! order- http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx
My email address- pebbles4@ptd.net
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