The Stamp Workshop

Sweet Always

Ten minute Tuesday is being brought to you today from Anaheim, CA.  I'm here for CHA and having a wonderful time!  We just got back from the eclectic Paperie party where the food was yummy and the drinks were flowing!  I have my camera, but can you believe I didn't take any pictures!  I was a tad bit embarrassed to ask if I could take pictures.  I couldn't believe the craft talent in the room.  Lots of SCS dirty dozen, design team members from various companies, even - okay hold on to your hats - Tim Holtz was there.  It was a fun evening.  Daisy and Joy of eP were wonderful hosts!

So, back to the card.  Here we have a card featuring an image from one of the upcoming Sale-a-bration sets.  This flower is from Polka Dot Punches.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps:Polka Dot Punches
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose
Designer Series Paper: Sweet Always
Punches: Circle, Scallop Circle, Oval

Ribbon: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain

I know tomorrow is Wednesday and you are just dying to see what I do to WOW up this card a bit.  But, I will still be in Anaheim and this internet connection is costing me an arm and a leg!  So, I will post the WOW'd card on Thursday.  Maybe by then, I'd have taken some pictures to post for you.  I haven't been doing much walking around this year, as I am actually work this year instead of just walking around the show. I'll report more later in the week about my experience working at CHA.

Until then, if you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com.   Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. And don't forget to come back on Thursday for WOW-It Wednesday.

Go Stamp!

Love You Much Joy Fold

It's just about three weeks until Valentine's day, so I thought I'd post a Valentine's card.  I made this card for a swap.

This card is a Joy Fold card.  To open it, you lift up the flap with the birds on it.  If you look carefully at the picture, you'll see that the bottom edge of the flap is tucked under the ribbon.  This is what keeps the card closed.  The bottom flap then comes down to reveal your message.  You can find directions to the Joy Fold Card in the resource section of Splitcoaststampers.  Click here for a direct link.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Love You Much
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink.Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink
Designer Series Paper: Candy Lane
Ribbon: 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain
Tools: Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Distresser Tool

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com.

Much Love!

More Buzzed

So ya think this is WOW'd?  Maybe even more buzzed?  I can tell I'm only crackin' myself up here.  *wink*

Anyway, here is our Wednesday card. A few changes were made to the card, and it changed it quite a bit.

Here's what I did:

• Added a Summer Sun layer
• Distressed the edges of the Whisper White layer
• Added a Rose Red layer under the flower image and distressed the edges
• Added a scalloped circle layer with each scallop piereced
• Edged the bee's circle with Basic Black ink
• Added black gingham ribbon

I love using black on my cards in subtle layers.  It really help to draw out and highlight different colors on your card.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Just Buzzin' By
Cardstock: Basic Black. Summer Sun, Whisper White, Rose Red
Ink: Basic Black, Summer Sun (marker)
Designer Series Paper: Raspberry Tart
Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, Scallop Circle
Tools: Paper Piercer, Distresser Tool

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com. What do you think? Let me know! Hope you like it!

Just Keep Buzzin''!

10 Minute Buzz

It's Ten Minute Tuesday!  Yeah, I know.  I just couldn't resist putting that in the title.  I was {this} close to stamping "just buzzin' " as the sentiment on the card.  But, well, that's just inappropriate, right?  lol

Check out this cute little bee!  This card was made with the new set, Just Buzzin' By (Item 113228).  It is just too cute.  There are three little bees that look similar to this one.

This card, as you know, took me ten minutes. Although not difficult at all, the time consuming part of this card was coloring the bee and the flower.  I just took a bit of time so that I didn't color over the lines.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Just Buzzin' By
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Summer Sun
Ink: Basic Black, Summer Sun (marker)
Designer Series Paper: Raspberry Tart
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. And don't forget to come back on Wednesday for WOW-It Wednesday.

Enjoy!

Tarted Raspberry

So what's after Ten Minute Tuesday?  Wow It Wednesday!  Although I love the simplicity of Ten Minute cards, I also enjoy the "WOW" cards.  On Wednesday, I take Tuesday's card and modify it just a bit.

A few changes were made to the card, and it changed it quite a bit.

Here's what I did:

• Added a Kiwi Kiss layer
• Distressed the edges of the Cameo Coral layer
• Added a Whisper White layer
• Made the raspberry piece of Designer Series Paper smaller
• Added a kiwi piece of Designer Series Paper
• Edged the circle with Cameo Coral
• Added the brad/punched paper to the bottom left corner

The white layer really helps to add texture to the overall card.  I used card sketch 131 from SCS for the layout of this card.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: A Little Somethin'
Cardstock: Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Cameo Coral
Designer Series Paper: Raspberry Tart
Accessories: Vintage Brads
Punches: 1 3/4" Circle, Word Window
Tools: Paper Piercer

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com. What do you think? Let me know! Hope you like it!

Happy Stampin'!

Holiday Place Settings by Shelli Gardner, CEO Stampin' Up!

Shelli Gardner, Stampin' Up!'s CEO, appears on Studio 5 and shows us how to make some wonderful Holiday Place Settings.  Take a look at this video to learn how!

Here are the supplies needed to complete this project:

Stamp Sets:Cute & Curly Punch Label bundle , Everyday Flexible Phrases , Holiday Blitz , Simple Serif Mini Alphabet & Numbers, Wild West Alphabet

Stampin' Pads: Baja Breeze Classic, Chocolate Chip Classic, Old Olive Classic, Real Red Classic

Card Stock/Paper : Ski Slope Designer Series paper, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Naturals White, Old Olive, Real Red

Accessories

• Dies: Big Shot die cutting machine , Pillow Box die, Scallop Circle #2 die, Top Note Bigz die
• Accents: Pretties Kit , Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware
• Adhesives: Anywhere Glue Stick , Stampin' Dimensionals, Two-Way Glue Pen
• Punches: 1/16" Circle punch , 3/4" Circle punch , Horizontal Slot punch
• Ribbon/Cord/Thread: Alpine Ribbon Originals, Baja Breeze 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, Linen thread, Silver elastic cord
• Miscellaneous: Acetate (from office supply store; thick), Bone folder, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter

Instructions

Napkin ring
Make card stock note using Top Note Bigz die. Adhere Designer Series paper on card stock, stamp (on New Year's napkin ring), fold, and smooth folds using bone folder. Stamp label image, punch out and/or cut, and adhere to napkin ring. Punch out slots and tie together with ribbon (Note: New Year's napkin ring is tied together with Silver elastic cord). Accent as seen on video.

Name plate
Make card stock note using Top Note Bigz die; stamp (on New Year's name plate), fold in half, and smooth fold with bone folder. Adhere Designer Series paper on card stock (Note: layer paper on Old Olive card stock first for Christmas name plate). Accent as seen on video.

Favor
Make favor box using Pillow Box die, and fill with treats. Create belly band out of Designer Series paper (Note: layer paper for New Year's favor), and adhere to favor. Stamp label image, and punch out. Accent as seen on video.

Confetti
Make several large and small scallop circles out of Designer Series paper. Stamp and cut out/punch smaller images (acorns for Thanksgiving, trees for Christmas, and snowflakes for New Year's) as seen on video. Glue glitter on snowflakes.

Video and written instructions courtesy of Studio 5.

If you have any questions about this project or would like to order the products needed to make the Holiday Place Settings, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com.

Enjoy!

Here's the Other...

In yesterday's post, I said I post another card using Love Owl-lways.  Here it is!

I used Stampin' Up!'s paper piercing template from the Mat Pack to make the dots in the corners.  I again used the designer series paper from the Holiday Happenings Bundle.  The heart is colored using Pink Pirouette ink and an aqua painter.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Love Owl-lways
Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Jet Black StazOn
Designer Series Paper: Holiday Happenings
Accessories: Silver Brads
Tools: Paper Piercer, Paper Piercing Template, Oval Punches (Small, Large, Wide)

Enjoy!

Owl-lways for You

I know it isn't even Halloween yet, but here is a Valentine's card for you!  This Owl is from a set in the new Holiday Mini called Love Owl-lways.  There are six stamps in this set.

I watercolored this Owl using an aquapainter (which by the way are on sale for $7.95).  With your stamp pad closed, smoosh the top in a few times.  This will transfer some ink onto the inside cover.  Open your stamp pad.  Use your aquapainter to lift some ink and then apply it to your paper.  Then, paint away!  Be sure to use a permanent ink like StazOn for your stamp.  This will keep the image from running.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Love Owl-lways
Cardstock: CLose to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black, StazOn Jet Black
Designer Series Paper: Holiday Happenings
Ribbon: Caramel Gingham Ribbon

I have another card using a stamp in this same set that I will post tomorrow, so be sure to come back to visit.  *smile*

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Enjoy!

Thank You Card

I've finally gotten back into the groove of making cards.  I thought with the kids back in school, that I'd have more time to create.  Boy, was I totally wrong!  I am busier than ever.  I hate to admit it, but I may have volunteered for one too many programs at the school, scouts and all the other things we have going on.

Anyway, here's a card a made for a swap (of course).  It was supposed to be a multi-layered WOW swap.  I hope this is WOW enough for the swap.  What I might think is WOW, might be ho hum to others.

I used the paper from the Level 3 hostess bundle, Holiday Happenings.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Say it with Scallops
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Glossy White, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Designer Series Paper: Holiday Happenings
Ribbon: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Gorsgrain
Accessories: White Gel Pen, Silver Brads
Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercer, Scallop Square Punch

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for Ten Minute Tuesday.

Enjoy!

Okay, So I Do Have Something to Post

Well, I joined a mini album swap.  I decided to do something that I called a pocket tag album, but I have seen it called a flip flop album and a table top album.  Anyway, here it is.  It measures 4" X 4".

I used the new Bella Rose paper.  In case you were wondering, the coordinating colors for the Bella Rose Designer Series Paper are Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss.  The paper is just gorgeous!

It doesn't look like much from just the front cover, but when you open it up, you are in for a treat!

Each page has a space where you can add a picture or add another layer and add journaling.  There is a pocket to hold a little 3" X 3" insert.  This insert can be used for a picture or journaling also.  It makes a great little brag book.

I think it would also make a great gift for a teacher, neighbor, friend.  When the album is in the open position, you can tie the ribbon to hold it open.  The "floor" of the album folds flat and then it can be used on a table to display pictures.

Would you like directions on how to make this album?  Well, you're in luck!  I just so happen to have typed them out! 

Within the directions, you can see a top view picture and you can see the detail of each page. I also included a cutting guide and listed the materials I used.

Here's a thought!  Take a look at the directions.  Make one of these cute albums and then leave me a comment with a link to your picture.  It can be uploaded to your blog or in your gallery on SCS.  From all the entries, I will randomly pick one.  The winner will receive the upcoming Fall Winter 08 Catalog and a little something (a keychain, charm or something) that I'll pick up from the Memento Mall at Convention.  If you load to the SCS gallery, used the keyword SWFFA (Stamp Workshop Flip Flop Album).

I will pick a winner the Wednesday get back from Convention (August 6th).  That gives you a week and a half to create your album.

Here are the directions for this album: Flip Flop Album (283.2K PDF File)

Feel free to tweak and embellish this album however you want - size, shape, whatever. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Go create!

More Retiring Accessories at 25% Off!

So the much anticipated retiring accessories list does not come out until July 21st, but Stampin' Up! has released a list of select accessories available at a discounted price.  Please note that not ALL retiring accessories will be discounted, but the following items will be discounted 25%:

Item #	Pg. #	Description	Regular Price	25% Off Price
109117	167	Pocket Notes assortment	$9.95	$7.46
110479	168	Jersey Shore Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
110699	168	East Coast Prep Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109159	169	Flowers For You  Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
110273	169	Spring Fling Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
110748	170	Notebook Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109153	170	Porcelain Prints Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
110751	171	Azure Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109164	171	River Rock Prints Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109175	171	Almost Amethyst Prints Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109168	171	Groovy Guava Prints Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
109169	171	Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper	$9.95	$7.46
110284	182	Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons	$10.95	$8.21
110285	182	Urban West Rub-Ons	$10.95	$8.21
110281	182	Cherished Memories Rub-Ons	$10.95	$8.21
109185	190	Jersey Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$9.71
109187	190	District Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$9.71
109189	190	Beachfront Ribbon Originals	$12.95	$9.71
110716	191	Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon	$7.95	$5.96
109062	191	River Rock double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$8.95	$6.71

This promotion is in addition to the one already in progress with the Hodgepodge Hardware promotion:

Item #	Page #	Item Description	Regular Price	Limited Time 25% off Discount
105532	188	Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96
105531	188	Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96
105515	188	Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96

The complete retired accessory list will be released on Monday, July 21st. Be sure to check back then and place your orders ASAP!   Once it's gone, it's gone!  You don't want to miss out!

As always, if you have any questions or want to place an order, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Sad to see so many neat things retire!

Celebrate Pocket Card

Here is a pocket card I made.  I like the bright colors on this one.  The hint of pumpkin is just right to break down the monotone blue.

To make a pocket card, start off with a standard A2 size card ( 4 1/4" X 5 1/2").  Score about 1 1/2" down along the open, long side.  Fold over.  Then cut about 1" off of the flap.  Use brads to secure the folded piece to the back piece.  This step forms your pocket.  Cut a piece of cardstock to the desired size to use at the insert.  Decorate as needed.  Done!

These quick cards are great for party invitations and birthday cards.  Maybe even attach a gift card to the insert - a gift card holder!

Here's the recipe for this card:

Stamps: Party Hearty
Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla
Ink: Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Designer Series Paper: Azure
Ribbon: Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain, Very Vanilla Grosgrain
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Brads, Dimensionals
Tools: Paper Piercer, Corner Rounder Punch, Scalloped Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch,  Distresser Tool, Pumpkin Pie Marker

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

If you need help with the directions on how to make a pocket card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Enjoy!

Turquoise in Ten

Here's my quick card for Ten Minute Tuesday.  I just love this bird from the Always set.  The flourishes and flowers on the bottom of this little guy are such a neat touch.  I like that this stamp works with so many different sentiments.  Depending on the color you use for the bird, it can be a bright springy card, or if you go with a darker color, it would make a great fall card.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow.  At that time, I'll simply WOW up the card a bit to give you a whole new card.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Always
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Ink: Tempting Turquoise
Designer Series Paper: Old Olive Prints
Ribbon: Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain
Tools: Distresser Tool

Here's how to make this card:

• Cut your card base from Tempting Turquoise
• Measure out a 3.25" X 2.25" piece of Whisper White cardstock
• Stamp the bird image and the sentiment directly below it in Tempting Turquoise
• Distress the edges of the Whisper White Piece
• Cut a 1.75" X 5.5" strip of Old Olive Print DSP
• Tie some Tempting Turquoise Ribbon around the Old Olive strip.
• Adhere the Old Olive strip to the center of the card.
• Adhere the Whisper White Piece directly onto the Old Olive strip, place it to the right of center

If you have a suggestion for a 10 minute card, or if you want to design one for me to "WOW" on Wednesday, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com. I'd love to see what you can come up with!

See you tomorrow!

French Flower

Here is one of the last cards I did for SoCal Stamp Mania.  To give this card a little dimension, I stamped the flower and then cut it out.  Then I stamped the flower again.  I curled the petals of the flower upward and then adhered the cut out flower with a pop dot.  The center part of the flower was made with the Build-A-Brad brads.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: One of  a Kind, En Francais, Carte Postale
Cardstock: Rose Red, Basic Black, Shimmery White
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Versamark
Accessories: Pewter Build-A-Brad
Tools: Paper Snips

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Bonjour!

Springy Celebration

Here is card number 4 out of the 6 swaps I did for SoCal Stamp Mania.  I don't usually use "Spring" colors, but I thought this paper was just so pretty!

I like to recycle layouts.  Why no reuse what you like??  If you take a peek at a couple days back, this layout is the same as my Happy Silhouettes card.  It is just flipped 180 degrees.

I consider myself to be pretty uncreative so I get my ideas from SplitCoastStampers and Stampin' Up!.  I took this layout from one of the sketch challenges on SCS.  I don't know that I've ever really come out with a layout that was all my own.  The closest I've done to making my own layout is mixing up certain elements of several card sketches.  Good thing I have SplitCoast and Stampin' Up!  SU makes it easy to coordinate my colors and SCS helps me to layout my cards.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Celebrate Everything
Cardstock: So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery
Ink: Pretty in Pink
Designer Series Paper: Spring Fling
Ribbon: Certainly Celery Grosgrain
Accessories: Gold Brads
Tools: Paper Piercer, Distresser Tool

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Have a Springy Day!

Preppy Birthday

If you are one of my regular viewers, you know how much I love using Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper.  No matter which DSP you use, it always makes for an easy card that doesn't necessarily look easy.

This was another swap card I made for SoCal Stamp Mania.  The East Coast Prep DSP makes for some very festive birthday cards and scrapbook pages.  How could I not pair up this paper with the upcoming set Party Hearty?

You can't really tell in this picture, but the present in the center of the "b" is raised to give the card some dimension.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Party Hearty (from the upcoming Fall Winter 08 Collection)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi
Designer Series Paper: East Coast Prep
Ribbon: Real Red Striped Grosgrain
Accessories: Pop Dots
Tools: Distresser Tool

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Have a Preppy Day!

Happy Birthday to Me!

In my last post, I had said that I was going to be posting my swaps for SoCal Stamp Mania.  Well, I had good intentions of posting all week, but we got a touch of the stomach flu here and it put me out for most of last week.  I did manage to get better and finish all my swaps - the day before Stamp Mania!  Anyway, here is the first of my swap cards.

I saw a card with woven ribbon on Kristina's blog.  I thought it was SO neat!  Of course I had to try weaving and put it on one of my swap cards!  Kristina has a great video tutorial on how do weave the ribbon.  When you have a chance take a peek at Kristina's blog.  Great stuff!

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: StazOn Jet Black
Designer Series Paper: Spring Silhouettes
Ribbon: 5/8" Certainly Celery Grosgrain
Accessories: Pretties Kit, Ice Round Rhinestone Brad
Tools: Distresser Tool, Paper Piercing Tool

As always, contact me if you have any questions on how to make this card.

As you can see, it is Marketplace Monday!  Here's a recap of the two great promos Stampin' Up! is having through April 30.

• Earn a free Jumbo wheel!
• Earn $25 in free hostess benefits!

Click here for all the details.

Nah nah nah nah.  You say it's your birthday!  Well, it's my birthday too!  (That was supposed to be me singing)  Yup!  It's my birthday!  I'm 38 today!  Yeah, I just said my age.  No big deal.  *wink*

So, in honor of my birthday, I am spreading the love!  Place any order today through the end of the week (Friday, April 25) and get 20% off your merchandise total.   (Here's the small print... the 20% is off the merchandise total only.  Sales tax and S&H are not included in the discount.  This offer is good in the US only.)

Use the form on the right hand side to place your order or email me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Have a GREAT day!

While I'm Away...

So blogs have this handy feature in which you can "postdate" your posts.  Well, since I didn't want to go for days and weeks without posting anything, I decided to dig up some older cards and prep them to post automatically.  I have about 8 cards that I've picked out to post keep you all from forgetting all about me while I take care of the kids' birthday parties.

Since SAB just ended, I thought I'd post this card I made for SAB 2007.  This is one of my favorite cards.  I loved the DSP on this and was sad when it retired.  I got the layout form one of the sketch challenges on SCS.  If you can believe it, I made this for a swap.  If I am recalling right, I made 20 of these.  Yeah, call me crazy!  Check out the layering on this card for each rectangle.  There are 13 pieces.  Two of the pieces have distressing.  Then I had to lay all these pieces out with perfect alignment.  Not to mention the ribbon I tied on there!  Yeah, I know, poor me!  *wink*

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: So Very
Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Certainly Celery, Naturals White
Ink: Brocade Blue
Designer Series Paper: Rebecca
Ribbon: Certainly Celery Grosgrain
Accessories: Pop Dot
Tools: Distresser Tool, Circle Punches, Crop-A-Dile

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Enjoy!

Been Really Busy!

So it seems like my availability these days comes in fits and spurts.  Some times I feel like I have a lot of time to devote to stamping and other times there just isn't enough time!  Well, I'm feeling like there just isn't enough time right now.

March/April is a busy time for my family.  Three of my four kids have birthdays within a week of each other.  Michaela's birthday is March 26th and Kevin and McKenna have birthdays on April 1 (Not twins - they were born 5 years apart).  No fooling! *wink*  Kyle's birthday is in October.  We have Easter just before.  I have been busy getting the house ready for their birthday parties.  Planning, shopping.  We have scouts, dance and school on top of all that.  Just busy, busy these days.  Then with spring break coming up, we are going camping at the beach.  Then I have to get ready with my swaps for SoCal Stamp Mania.  So, you might not hear from me much until around mid-April.

Anyway, here is an older card, but one of my favorites.  I covered chipboard from the On Board Blossoms and Basics and ran some grosgrain through it.  I made this card for a challenge on SCS when I used to host the demo challenges.  I also used the Rock-n-Roll technique, which I think came out fairly decent!

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Just Like You, Short & Sweet
Cardstock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Blue Bayou
Ink: Blue Bayou, Certainly Celery
Designer Series Paper: Porcelain Prints
Ribbon: Certainly Celery Grosgrain
Accessories: On Board Blossoms & Basics
Tools: Ticket Punch, Sponge

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Enjoy!

More Pretty Paper!

Those of you who have been following my blog know how much I LOVE Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Papers.   I wanted to show off the newest designs - Afternoon Tea and Summer Picnic.  They are a great accessory to add to all your paper crafting projects.  Both first appeared in the Occasions Mini on March 1.  Along with the paper swatches are listed its coordinating colors.   You can use the coordinating colors along with the Designer Series Papers to make perfectly coordinated cards and scrapbook pages!

Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper (Item 111356, $9.95) - to the right: Coordinates with Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi
	Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper (Item 111355, $9.95) - to the left: Coordinates with Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

I hope you've found this information useful!

Happy Stampin'!

Fall Friend

This is the one of the last of the swaps that I did for the Occasions Mini.  This set uses Friendly Flowers.

The largest stamp in this set is a flower that runs about three inches across.  It dominates the entire front of the card if your card is standard size.

I was having a hard time deciding what to do, so it dawned on me to cut the flower down the center and use it more as an embellishment instead of a focal point.  So, this is what I came up with.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Friendly Flowers
Cardstock: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Old Olive
Ink: Soft Sky, Old Olive
Designer Series Paper: Fall Flowers
Ribbon: Soft Sky Double Stitched Grosgrain
Accessories: Silver Brad, Pop Dot
Tools: Distresser Tool, Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Enjoy!

Occasions Mini Accessories Share

Did you notice all the wonderful new accessories that are available in the new Occasions Mini?  There are several must-haves including the new Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware and the new Poly-Twill Ribbon.  Here is your chance to get a sampler share of most of the new accessories offered.  Buying each of these products separately will run you over $100.  You can get the sampler share for only $27!

Here's what it includes:

• Two (2) 6X6 sheets of each design of Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper
• Two (2) 6X6 sheets of each design of Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper
• Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware including two (2) of each style label holder, two (2) of each style of Cast brads and twenty (20) silver brads.
• Three and a half (3 1/2) yards of Chocolate Chip Poly-Twill Ribbon
• Three and a half (3 1/2) yards of Old Olive Poly-Twill Ribbon
• Thirty four (34) pieces of various sizes and colors (Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red)

All share participants will receive a bonus sheet of Rub-Ons found in the Sale-A-Bration brochure.

Please note that this share is a pre-order.  Sampler shares will ship within one week of the share slots being filled.  Payment can be made via PayPal or directly through me with a major credit card.

To order this accessory share for only $27, contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com or place your order directly through this blog by clicking the "Order Now" icon on your left hand side.

Best Friend

Here is one of the swaps I did for a Occasions Mini Swap.  I had to feature a stamp set from the mini.  I chose to do Full of Life (again).

Does this card look familiar?  It's eerily similar to yesterday's card.  I just changed a few things.  I really like this layout and well, I changed enough that it looks like a totally different card.  Hey, if you find a layout that works, why not?  *wink*

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Full of Life
Cardstock: Naturals White, Sahara Sand, Ruby Red, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky
Ink: Blue Bayou
Designer Series Paper: Western Sky
Ribbon: Blue Bayou Double Stitched Grosgrain
Tools: Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Distresser Tool

Don't forget to come back to this blog on March 1.  There will be a link to the Occasions mini posted.

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Celebrate Today

Here is one of the swaps I did for a Spring Summer 08 Collections Swap.  I had to feature a stamp set that debuted in the SS08 catalog.  Here I used Celebrate Everything.

I finally cracked into my stash of Flower Fusion Accents & Elements.  I have a tendency to collect, ummm I mean purchase, the latest and greatest Stampin' Up! products.  In case you haven't heard about these, they are felt flowers.  They retail for $14.95 and come in a cute tin.  There are over 130 flowers that come in various flower sizes and shapes.  The flower colors are Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red and Old Olive.  In case you want to look them up in your catalog, they are on page 177 (item #110720).

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Celebrate Everything
Cardstock: Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Rose Red
Designer Series Paper: Bali Breeze, Rose Red Prints
Ribbon: Pumpkin Pie Gorsgrain
Accessories: Flower Fusion Accents & Elements, Gold Brad
Tools: Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Distresser Tool

The layout for this card was inspired by this one that I saw on SCS.

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com