Stampin' Up!'s Birthday Bakery stamp set...

I CASE'd this card from someone but I am not sure who it was but to whoever it was - thank you!  All of these cakes look yummy and make me think of the TV shows Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes.  I really liked Ace of Cakes but it got cancelled - boo hoo!  Place a $150 order TODAY and you can choose this stamp set before it retires tonight!

Stampin' Up!'s Friends Never Fade stamp set....

Here's a quick and easy card to make using the Greenhouse Gala designer series paper which will be retiring tomorrow!  That's right, tomorrow is the last day to order from the current catalog so visit my website to place those last minute orders!
Now to the card, I colored the flower from the Friends Never Fade stamp set using So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie markers and stamped onto Whisper White cardstock.  I then layered it over the Pear Pizzazz cardstock which was punched with the scallop circle punch.  "Birthday Wishes" was stamped in Pumpkin Pie ink and punched out using the oval punch and layered on a Pumpkin Pie piece of cardstock punched with the Scallop Oval punch.  The Pumpkin Pie vertical border is done with the scallop trim punch.  I didn't realize I used so many punches on this card but they sure make it fast and easy!

Technique Tuesday - Joseph's Coat Inside Out....

Today's technique is Joseph's Coat Inside Out which I promised you on my post with the Medallion card a couple of weeks ago.  I know you have all been waiting, so here it is!

 You will need:
           Heat gun
           White cardstock
           Embossing buddy & clear embossing powder
           VersaMark ink (not pictured but you need it!)
           A bunch of coordinating ink colors - I used Sahara Sand, Marina Mist, Pacific Point,
                     Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Elegant Eggplant, Basic Gray
                     Night of Navy & Basic Black
           Sponges
           Stamp set with bold image - I used Beware Pirates (before it retires)

 Take your lightest colors that you want to show where your image is.

 Sponge them over the cardstock covering the entire cardstock.

 Use your embossing buddy on your cardstock before stamping your image since the ink will be damp from all the sponging.

 Stamp and emboss your image on the cardstock.  You may be able to see the skull & crossbones up the center of my card.

 Next, begin using your darker inks to color the entire cardstock again.  Apply the highlight colors of Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray and Elegant Eggplant in different locations.  Apply Night of Navy over the entire card and Basic Black lightly to deepen the color.  Take a paper towel and wipe the excess ink off of the embossed portion of the cardstock and you are done!

Here's the card that I made.  On the smaller piece, I repeated the sponging portion of the technique without any clear embossing.  I then stamped the pirate and embossed with black embossing powder.  Arrgh, matey!  How do ya like my card???

Stampin' Up!'s Four Frames stamp set...

This card was made using the items available last April in the "sneak peek" promotion Stampin' Up! offered.  The Four Frames set was used for the frame and the Paisley Petals designer series paper were used.  Do you notice something you haven't seen before?  There is a new punch called the Lace Ribbon Border punch.  The pattern is really pretty and there are several things you can do with it.  Look for some more ideas using this punch in the new few weeks.  I am sure it will be on your wish list soon!

Stampin' Up!'s Tart & Tangy and Thank You Kindly stamp sets....

I love this color combination for non-Christmas cards.  It is so bright and fresh with the Real Red and Old Olive cardstock and ink.  On the large scallop circle, I attached the Whisper White and Real Red strips to Old Olive cardstock and then ran it through the Big Shot using the Scallop Circle die.  I then ran it through the Big Shot a second time inside the Elegant Lines embossing folder.  I like how the pattern then continued on all three layers of the cardstock.

Stampin' Up!'s Thank You Kindly stamp set & Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Today's card is all about texture.  From the prints on the From The Garden designer series paper to the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder to the Beautiful Wings embosslit, there is texture everywhere on this card.  Using the white-on-white of the butterflies adds another texture layer to the card.

Stampin' Up!'s Eastern Blooms stamp set....

Now that the list of retiring stamp sets is out, I thought I would use a few of the retiring sets while you can still order them.  Remember, June 30 is the last day to order any retiring stamp sets.  I saw the layout for this card in a magazine and reworked it a bit.  I love the way it turned out.

Technique Tuesday - Abstract Embossing....

Today's technique is the Abstract Embossing technique which works really well with the Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi and Tangerine Tango embossing powders which are offered in Stampin' Up!'s summer mini catalog.

 Here is what you will need:    Heat gun, cardstock (preferably dark), VersaMark ink, a solid image stamp, 2-3 coordinating colors of embossing powder and clear embossing powder.

 First, stamp your image in VersaMark ink.

 Sprinkle small amounts of each of the colors of embossing powders on the cardstock leaving some areas clear.

 Cover the entire cardstock with clear embossing powder and shake off excess.

 Heat emboss and your background will look like this.

 Here is my card that I made using this technique.  You end up with a bit of mixed embossing powder.  Below is a alternative way of doing the technique to get a little different look and also a way to use the mixed embossing powder.

 Instead of leaving the colored embossing powders in little piles, move it around using your finger lightly.  If you press too hard, you will put oil from your finger onto the cardstock and embossing powder will stick where you do not want it so be careful.

 When you put the clear embossing powder on, again you can move it around with your fingers.

As you can see, the swirls are less defined by color than on the prior sample.  Moving it around on the cardstock with your finger gives this effect.  After heat setting, I stamped the image again with the second stamp and used the mixed embossing powder to have a totally different look.

Stampin' Up!'s The Nicest Things Stamp Set....

I took the layout of a card I saw recently and made my own card out of it.  I used The Nicest Things and Thank You Kindly stamp sets and Pink Pirouette designer series paper along with Chocolate Chip cardstock and ink.  A little coloring using an Aquapainter and I was done.

Stampin' Up!'s Aviary Stamp Set....

Today's card was inspired by a card I saw recently in CardMaker magazine.  I find it interesting that some days I look through the magazine and do not see much that inspires me and then on another day, I see lots of things that inspire me.  The other day when I got caught up my magazine reading was definitely an inspired day.  I had several dog-earred pages.  The only thing similar to the original card is the location of the ribbon.  I started with that and ended up with something very different.  Look around you - who knows what will inspire your next creation!

Stampin' Up!'s The Open Sea Stamp Set....

Today's card is made using Stampin' Up!'s The Open Sea stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog.  I was inspired by a card made by Sandi MacIver but ended up changing it a bit. 

Here's what you need to make this card:

Soft Suede, Red Riding Hood, Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla cardstock

Soft Suede, Night of Navy & Crumb Cake classic ink

The Open Sea & Sincere Salutations stamp sets

Baker's Twine from summer mini

Gold brads

Crystal Effects

Heat Gun

Night of Navy ribbon

Cutter Kit & sponge for distressing

I thought that I would finish the inside of the card as well - keeping with the nautical theme.  I think it really sets off the card.  The globe on the front of the card was covered with Crystal Effects and then I took a heat gun to it.  After a bit, it began to bubble and that's when I stopped.  It really gave it an aged effect.

Lattice Fold Card using Stampin' Up!'s Fabulous Florets Stamp Set....

Today's card uses the Fabulous Florets stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog.  Shhh, I will tell you a secret - promise not to tell anyone?  It will be carried over into the new 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog!  Speaking of which, did you reserve your copy yet?

Here's what you will need to make this card:

Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Pear Pizzazz & Whisper White cardstock

VersaMark, Melon Mambo & Pear Pizzazz classic ink

Fabulous Florets & Swirls & Curls Verses stamp sets

Beyond the Garden DSP (also carrying over into IB&C)

Daffodil Delight 1/8" ribbon

Melon Mambo embossing powder

Lattice fold template

Since the card was a dark color, I included an insert inside the card using the stamp set as well.  If you would like the Lattice Fold Template, just email me or leave me a comment with where to send it. 

Technique Tuesday - Plaid Stamping....

Today's technique is an easy one called Plaid Stamping.  It is also very fast when you don't have much time, this technique is great.

 You will need three coordinating colors of ink pads, a solid image stamp and some cardstock.

 First, ink the entire stamp with the lightest color of ink.

 Holding the second ink pad at an angle, ink the stamp in 1/2 inch intervals so you get just a small line of the color down the entire stamp.

 It should look something like this.

 Turn the stamp 90 degrees and repeat with the third color so it comes out looking like this.

 Then stamp the image onto your cardstock.  You can play with different angles of the ink pads so you get thicker and thinner lines if you desire.

Here's the card that I quickly made with this technique.  Hope you enjoy!

Tunnel Card using Stampin' Up!'s Growing Green Stamp Set...

Today's card is from last weekend's workshop at Barbara's house. Thanks for hosting Barbara! She requested that we make a tunnel card which is pretty cool. The card uses the following:

Growing Green stamp set

Dreams du Jour stamp set (retiring on June 30)

Flight of the Butterfly stamp set

Beautiful Wings embosslit

Sweet Swirls wheel

Here's what the inside of the card looks like. I decorated the top flap of the card so it hides the seams of the tunnel card. If you are interested in the template for this card, just email me or leave a comment and I will get it to you.

A Bragging Post Today....

Today I wanted to share something really special with all of you.  On May 27, my daughter graduated from Christian Brothers High School and is planning on majoring in Architecture at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana.  Yes, I said Bozeman - no, I don't think she knows how cold it is going to be!  She is so excited though!  Here's a picture of Cassidy with her proud parents.

Such a milestone!  We are so proud of her - she is such an amazing young lady!

Technique Tuesday (oops, Thursday) - Embossing Folder Embossing....

Hi Everyone!  Sorry I haven't blogged this week - I've been playing nurse to my daughter who had oral surgery on Monday to remove her wisdom teeth!  There is nothing worse than seeing your baby in pain! 
In any event, I finally have found some time to sit down and create a technique for you.   This week's Technique Tuesday - on Thursday - is the Embossing Folder Embossing technique.  It's quite simple....

 Here's what you need - VersaMark ink pad, embossing folder (I used Finial Press), embossing powder (I used Tangerine Tango from the Summer Mini), the Big Shot, a heat gun and a piece of cardstock.

 You need to decide if you want the raised portion of your cardstock to be embossed or the background portion.  I wanted the background so I inked the side of the embossing folder that had the recessed design.  If you decide you want the raised portion embossed, press very lightly with your ink pad so you don't touch the depressed areas.

 Next, turn the embossing folder so the uninked side is laying on the table and place your cardstock down.  Close the embossing folder.  Doing it this way protects you from smearing the VersaMark ink should the cardstock move while you are placing it down.

 Run it through the Big Shot.

 You can't really see it in this picture but the background area is inked with the VersaMark ink.

 Sprinkle your embossing powder over the entire surface.  You can see that the bottom right of my piece did not get ink so the embossing powder didn't stick.  I had made my piece a big larger than what I needed for my card so I just trimmed off that area.

 Heat set the embossing powder and you are done!

Here's my card - a simple but fun technique!

Stampin' Up!'s Just Believe stamp set....

I CASE'd this card from one that was published in a recent Stampin' Up! Stampin' Success magazine.  Can you tell that the magazine provides me with lots of inspiration?  Another demonstrator, Lynn Pratt, made this card in conjunction with a wedding invitation and RSVP card.  What a great way of personalizing your wedding!

Stampin' Up!'s Fast & Fabulous stamp set...

I am going to miss this stamp set when it retired as the end of this month!  It is a Level 2 hostess set and has been a "go to" set for me.  If you would like this stamp set yourself, contact me soon so we can book a workshop before the end of the month.  If the workshop is over $300, you can choose this stamp set for your very own!  I stamped the image in Pacific Point ink using a post it note to mask the middle flower so the top flower will look like it is sitting behind the middle one.  The patterned paper is from the Beyond the Garden designer series paper in the Summer Mini Catalog.

Stampin' Up! Last Chance Lists Released Today!

The "Last Chance" lists were posted on Stampin' Up's website today and I have included links to them for you.  The stamp sets will be available until June 30 but the accessories will be on a "while supplies last" basis.  If you are interested in purchasing any of the accessories, you will want to do so as soon as possible so you can guarantee that what you want will still be available.
If you are interested in reserving your copy of the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog, please email me and I will count you in on my catalog order.  As in past years, if you have hosted a workshop for me in the past year, you will get one for free.  If you have not, host a workshop and you will get yours free too.  If you don't want to book a workshop right away, I sell the catalogs for $5 plus shipping.  Reserve yours today!!!

Retiring Lists Posted TODAY & Reserve Your Copy of New Catalog...

RETIRING STAMPS & ACCESSORIES lists released today!

Some items WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!

Treat yourself -- you deserve it!

Yes, if your order is $150+, you also earn FREE hostess benefits with online orders!

Get 'em while they're hot because once they're gone, they're gone!!!  Please read each section below carefully. There are 3 Last Chance lists below plus a reminder about Clearance Rack.

Retiring/Last Chance STAMP SETS

Will not run out - guaranteed to be available through June 30

Click here to see Retiring STAMP SET list

Place your order here by clicking Products then Shop Now:

http://cathywilliams.stampinup.net/

Retiring/Last Chance ACCESSORIES

Punches, ribbon, embellishments, papers, brads, dies, etc.....

While supplies last!!! May run out quickly!!!!!

Some items discounted!

Click here to see Retiring ACCESSORIES

Place your order here by clicking Products then Shop Now:

http://cathywilliams.stampinup.net/

Retiring/Last Chance DEFINITELY DECORATIVE (vinyl art)

While supplies last!!!!

Decor for any room in your house, laptops, any flat surface.... removable!

Click here to see Retiring DEFINITELY DECORATVE vinyl art

Place your order here by clicking Products then Shop Now:

http://cathywilliams.stampinup.net/

Don't forget the CLEARANCE RACK!

While supplies last!!!!

Link to it inside my Online Store:

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryID=493

PREORDER YOUR 2011-2012

IDEA BOOK & CATALOG NOW!!!

You don't want July 2 to come around and you don't have the

best cardmaking & crafting book in your hands, do you? 

Reserve your copy today.

Just click on my "Email Me" link at the top right and

let me know you want a copy of your own.

Catalogs will be mailed so they will be

in your hands on July 1.