A Touch From the Heart

Something Old, Something New

I spent some time re-organizing my stamp set cabinet.  I pulled out all my stamp sets that are retiring and placed them in a box so I can give them some extra attention this month before they retire forever.  I forgot my total retired count, but it's somewhere around 35 stamp sets.

Let's be honest.  Will I miss all of those stamp sets?  Heck no!  In fact, there's some that I will happily let go of.  But, there's a precious group that will be added to my dresser drawer full of my beloved favorites.

This year's honorees are:

Friends 24-7, Bella Toile (background stamp), All Holidays, Schoolbook Serif alphabets

In fact, I couldn't resist my Friends 24-7.  I paired it with the Delicate Doilies stamp set...which will be making it's grand debut on July 1st.  I think it creates the perfect frame, don't you?

Card Recipe

stamps:  Friends 24-7 (retiring), Delicate Doilies
paper:  Concord Crush, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Subtles Patterns dsp stack
ink:  Concord Crush, Black StazOn
accessories: Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Perfect Pennants Bigz L die, circle punches (2 1/2", 1 3/4"), Subtles designer buttons, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, white baker's twine

Check out the retiring items......stamp sets, accessories and Definitely Decorative products.  Click HERE to go to my online store, and click on Last Chance to view the retiring items.

Snow Much Fun

I inherited something from my mom.......a love of snowmen!  I know...I know.....it's June!  Why in the heck am I making a snowman card this time of year?  My answer is.....because he's cute....and because he's a sneak peek from the new catalog!  I couldn't resist!!

The month before a new catty comes out (the big catty or one of the mini catalogs), demonstrators can preorder products.  This gives us time to explore them, come up with samples and heck, just have fun playing with new stuff!!!!!  Doesn't this want to make you sign up to be a demonstrator?  I'd love to have you on my stamping team!

On this card, I've played with a few new products.  Can you spot them?

• Snow Much Fun stamp set
• Lace Border punch
• Scalloped Ribbon (polka dot on one side, plain on the other)
• Lucky Limeade cardstock
• In Color markers (Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral)

Remember, these fabulous products are available for purchase starting July 1st.  But, there's some fabulous products retiring this month.  I encourage you to check them out at my ONLINE STORE.

Card Recipe

stamps:  Snow Much Fun
paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, watercolor paper, Neutrals Patterns dsp stack
ink:  Black StazOn, Soft Suede
accessories:  Big Shot, Scallop Squares Duo Bigz die, Aquapainter, Stampin' Write Markers, 5/8" Neutrals Brad, Chocolate Chip Scalloped Ribbon, Color Spritzer Tool, Lace Border punch

New Products are in 'da House

Ohhhhh! Yesterday was a great day! Mr. UPS man (oh, he is near and dear to my heart) dropped off my box loaded with lots of new goodies from the new big catalog.

Would ya like to see a sample?

I knew you would!!!  I am over the moon with this year's In Colors.  They are Wisteria Wonder (used here), Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Island Indigo.  I will post a color sampler so you can see what they look like compared to colors in the past.  I can tell you, they are all AWESOME!!!  Look for that post over the weekend!

Can you spot some of the new products used on this card?

They are

• Delicate Doilies stamp set
• Flirtacious dsp pack
• Wisteria Wonder cardstock and ink
• Lace Ribbon Punch
• Perfect Pennants Bigz L die (used to make the fancy scalloped circle)

I love how the Wisteria Wonder pairs up beautifully with the Concord Crush base card.  It's a match made in heaven!!!  This purple lover is VERY happy!

Well, I have some more products to play with.....and it's another thing near and dear to my heart.  Snowmen!!!  Ooooooohhh......off to play!

I hope you liked my little sneak peek.  I'll be back later with my Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge post!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Delicate Doilies (coming July 1st), Bring on the Cake (returning July 1st)
paper:  Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Regal Rose, Whisper White
ink:  Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Regal Rose
accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Pennants Bigz L die, Lace Ribbon punch, sponges

Don't forget about all the wonderful retiring stamp sets and accessories?  Order them today from my ONLINE STORE before they are gone for good! 

Saturday Sketch Challenge

Unlike last week, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do upon looking at this week's Stamping 411 Saturday sketch.

The sketch is pretty simple.....which I love!!    The one large element allowed me to showcase this new gorgeous patterned paper.  I love everything about it......the colors, the pattern.  It's just yummy-licious!  

 

My base card is Early Espresso......it's such a wonderful neutral!!!

Layer #2 is Baja Breeze cardstock that has been inked up using the Direct-to-Paper technique.  It's easy to do.........just drag a Baja Breeze ink pad across your cardstock.  It gives wonderful texture without any bulk.  Try this technique on a "guy" card.....it adds some oomph without looking feminine!  Before adding this layer to my base card, I wrapped a length of Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding and added three brads from the Vintage Trinkets.  I adore these brads as they look like tiny metal buttons.

The patterned paper is flanked on both the top and bottom edges with a teeny tiny scallop border.  It's easy to do.....just take some Not Quite Navy cardstock and punch it using the Dotted Ribbon Scallop Border punch.  Place some adhesive behind the patterned paper and place the punched piece just so the scallops show.  

I stamped the sentiment (from Fabulous Phrases) using Early Espresso ink.  

All that's left is my poofy bow.  I like to make "faux bows".  I loop the ribbon a few times, pinch in the center and then tie it off with some Linen Thread.  Make sure to leave enough length of the thread to add a Neutral Button.  

That's it......a simple card......a beautiful card.  The wonderful patterns from the paper brings the drama.......I just added a few touches to balance out the card!

I am off to check out what the other Stamping 411 operators have made with this sketch.  I bet they are beautiful!!!!

Whoa Nellie!

Before I get started with my Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge project, I wanted to thank everyone who left me a comment sending their condolences about Chloe.  It truly means everything to me knowing that I have caring friends all over the world.  Your comments brought me comfort.  I did have a bit of a breakdown the other day when the vet called saying that Chloe's ashes were ready for pick-up.  But, we just take it day by day, right?

Okay....onto this week's sketch.  Here's where my blog post title comes in........WHOA NELLIE! (in my best cowgirl voice).    I am the queen of sponging and clean lines.  This sketch is asking me to put elements on angles?  I repeat......WHOA NELLIE! 

After the feeling of panic lessened, I started staring at my stamp sets.  I finally decided to focus on a brand new stamp set that will be available for purchase in April.  It's called Four Frames, and it coordinates with the Designer Label punch. 

Rather than stamping a lot on this card, I used my designer series paper to bring on the drama.  This is also a sneak peek....and you can purchase this dsp pack during the month of April too!  It's called Paisley Petals, and each double-sided design offers one bold design and on the flip side something more demure. 

I really tried to make it work with the bolder patterns, but due to the number of elements in the sketch, I chickened out.....and went totally subtle!  I can tell you that next week I did work with one of the bolder patterns, and I am in LOVE with that card!

I am going to be honest....I am not in love with this card.   I had a hard time with the sketch.....and this is the best I could come up with! 

My base card is Crumb Cake.  It's my new best friend!  I've been using it all the time.  In fact, I've been hearing some rumors that Chocolate Chip is feeling dissed.  I'll have to show Chocolate Chip some love over the weekend! 

Layer #2 is Night of Navy that has been embossed with my Square Lattice embossing folder.  I never get tired of this folder.....it makes me happy!!

Next comes my two layers of dsp.  I love the combination of blue and burgandy.  They look so regal and elegant.  Notice how the angled layer is all distressed while the vertical layer remains crisp and clean.  I did this rather than adding a mat like the sketch suggested. 

Next comes my loopy double bow.  I will have to shoot a video on how I make these because it's quite comical to watch me try to secure the bow with some Linen Thread.  Once it's secured, use the hanging thread to add a Night of Navy button.  I was never a button girl, but Kimberly VanDiepen is rubbing off on me!!!  Love her!

All that's left is my sentiment.  I first inked up the image from Four Frames with some Night of Navy ink, stamped it onto Very Vanilla cardstock and punched it with the Designer Label punch.  I stamped the greeting (from Fabulous Phrases) using Bravo Burgandy ink.  The sentiment is popped up on a dimensional.

The final element is this wonderful butterfly from another sneak peek stamp set.  It's called Strength and Hope, and it will be available for purchase starting May 1st.  For every Strength and Hope stamp set purchased, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  I love when I can get a beautiful stamp set and know that a portion of the sales is going towards a very important cause. 

My butterfly is inked with Night of Navy ink, stamped onto Very Vanilla and cut out.  I added some Basic Pearls to enhance the body. 

Well, if you've read this entire post, you sure deserve a medal.  I didn't mean to get so wordy, but you know me, right?

I am off to check out how my Stamping 411 sisters fared with this sketch.  I know when I look at them, I am going to give myself the "man, I should've thought of that" forehead slap!

Until next time......Happy Stamping everyone!

 

Crazy for Flip Flops

How do you know warm weather and Spring Break trips are around the corner?  Flip flops galore can be found in the stores.  Woo hoo!  I love my flip flops.  Although this year I went to my favorite store for flip flops, and they changed their entire flip flop line.  They only have them with heels?  WHAT?????  That's not going to work.  

Anyway, Dennis and I had a "date day" yesterday.  The kids had their own activities planned.....so we just spent the day together.  We haven't done that in a very long time.  

We stopped at Kohls since I had a 30% off coupon (another woo hoo) and purchased some new clothes for our Maui trip.  Can you guess what I also picked up?  Yup......flip flops......four new pairs to be exact.  One pair is purple and sparkly......LOVE IT!!!!!  

Anyway, I thought I would give you a sneaky peekie of a brand new stamp set called Sunny Fun that will be in the upcoming Summer Mini catalog (it starts May 1st).  How did I get this stamp set so early?  Well, I was given a challenge at the Minneapolis Regional Meeting.  If I had a new member join my Stampin' Up! team within two weeks of the meeting, both me and Amy (my newest downline member) would receive this stamp set for FREE.  

Isn't it cute?????  AND IT HAS FLIP FLOPS ON IT!!!!!!  The other images in the stamp set are equally as adorable.  There's ice cream/popsicles and little kids frolicking in the water.  There's also two adorable sentiments (one of them I used on this card).  

I had the best time coloring in my tropical colored flip flops.  I scribbled my Stampin' Write markers onto a stamp case, picked up the color with an Aquapainter and watercolored my image.  Make sure to use the Crumb Cake marker to create a subtle shadow under the image to make it "pop".  

The patterned paper (from Level 1 hostess dsp pack) reminded me of hawaiian shirts.  So, it just seemed like a no brainer to use it on this tropical card!!!!!

I'll leave you with the card recipe so you'll see everything that I used!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Sunny Fun (available may 1st)
paper:  Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Level 1 hostess dsp pack
ink:  Black StazOn, Daffodil Delight (sponging)
accessories:  1" circle punch, Poppy Parade Polytwill Ribbon, Aquapainter, Stampin Write Markers (Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Tempting Turquoise, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake) 

Be My Valentine

Happy New Year's Eve!  Whether you celebrate the coming of the new year quietly or you love to live it up at a crazy party, please know that I wish you the best!!!  May you find lots of health and happiness in the coming year.

As I reflect on the past year, I truly treasure the friendships I have made with the Stamping 411 operators.  I've been friends with Robin and Selene since we met at Convention in Denver.  Was that 2007?  Boy....time sure flies when you're having fun!

I spent some serious quality time with Tiffany at Leadership last year.  Oh, how that girl makes me laugh!!!  I can't wait to spend more time with her at this year's Leadership (we arrive on January 12th)!!!

I had lunch with Lee Conrey last year at Leadership.  Although I didn't get to spend enough time with her last year, I hope to rectify that this year!!!

Connie and I met briefly at Leadership.  I also hope to spend more time with her this year too!  

I haven't met Gretchen yet in person.  She's coming to Leadership this year.....so, I need to give her two years worth of hugs.  Can't wait to officially meet you, Gretchen!

I also haven't had the pleasure to meet Kerin in person yet either!  Kerin is my posting buddy.  We take turns posting on Thursdays to keep you stamping.  Kerin posts the Technique Challenges while I post the Color Challenges.  Kerin won't be at Leadership this year.....so I have to figure out a way to meet my new friend!  Hmmmmm.....maybe Dennis will let me fly out to Selene's......who sorta lives by Kerin......we could do some SERIOUS stamping!!!

As you can see, I {heart} all my friends at the Stamping 411.  

This week's Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge card is all about LOVE!  It's a valentine card....and it uses some items from the Occasions Mini Catalog which starts on January 4th.

Here's the sketch.......

 

My base card is Chocolate Chip.........reminds my of a yummy chocolate candy!

Layer #2 is Pretty in Pink.  It measures 4" x 5 1/4".  I didn't do anything extra to this layer because the rest of the card is so detailed.  Don't want the card to be too busy, know what I mean?

Layer #3 is made with the new Glimmer Paper.  It's pure glitter and no mess!  It doesn't rub off on your fingers and get all over your face like real glitter does.  It stays put!  Woo hoo!  This strip measures 1 1/4" x 5 1/4".  It's flanked with two borders.  The top one is created with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch.  The bottom one is just a strip of Whisper White cardstock.  Before adhering it onto my card, I tied on a length of Linen Thread.  At the end of each string, I glued on a Chocolate Chip heart punched using the Heart to Heart punch.  A beautiful little adhesive pearl sits in the center of each heart.

Layer #4 is my focal image.  It features the brand new Be My Valentine stamp.  It's an a la carte stamp.  I stamped this image onto Whisper White cardstock using Real Red ink.  I then cleaned my stamp, inked it up with Chocolate Chip ink and stamped it again onto Crumb Cake cardstock.  Using my paper snips, I cut out just the banner portion and glued it on the Whisper White image.  After sponging the edges with Chocolate Chip ink, I matted it on some Chocolate Chip cardstock.

All that's left on the sketch is the tab element.  Using my Word Window punch and some Crumb Cake cardstock, I created my tab.  I lightly sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink and added an adhesive pearl!  

Voila.......it's a work of heart!!!!!  

I am now off to check out what my dear stamping sisters made using this week's sketch.  They are always so beautiful!!!!

It's time to bid you farewell.......Happy New Year!!!!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Be My Valentine
paper:  Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Glimmer Paper
ink:  Real Red, Chocolate Chip
accessories:  Heart to Heart punch, Basic Pearls, Word Window punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Linen Thread, sponges 

Baby Blossoms

Hello stampers! It seems like forever since I've put together springy colors for the Stamping 411 color challenge. So, this week I am going to do just that!  This week's colors are Rose Red, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron.

Now that Christmas has passed, I've been having so much fun playing with my floral stamps again. They truly are my favorite!!!! This week's colors just scream floral to me!!!!

I also get to show you a sneak peek of a few products from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I love sneak peeks.....don't you?

This card all started with my Rose Red base card. I added a layer of Wild Wasabi striped patterned paper. It comes from the Brights Patterns dsp stack.

To cover the seam, I used my Scallop Edge border punch along the bottom edge of a strip of So Saffron cardstock.

Now onto my focal image...........it uses a brand new two step stamp set called Baby Blossoms.  I used only three colors of ink on this image: Rose Red, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron. To achieve the different layers of color, all you need to do is use the Stamping Off technique. For example, for the roses.......I inked the bolder rose image with Rose Red ink and stamped off once onto some scrap paper. Then stamp onto the Whisper White focal image. Then I added the more detailed part of the rose....this time stamped full strength with Rose Red ink. For some of the leaves, they are stamped off twice. This gives a real shadowy look!

Can you spot something else new? The two "buttons" in the lower right corner are made of paper. I cut them using the new Sweet Buttons embosslit and my Big Shot. Once they were cut, I sponged the edges with So Saffron ink and adhered them to my card. I then added some Crystal Effects to make them shiny.....just like real buttons! Love this.....the button look without the button bulk!! Woo hoo!

 Card Recipe

stamps: Baby Blossoms (available Jan 4th), Thank You Kindly

paper: Rose Red, So Saffron, Basic Black, Subtles Patterns dsp stack

ink: Rose Red, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black

accessories: Wide Oval punch, Scallop Edge border punch, Big Shot, Sweet Buttons embosslit (available Jan 4th), Crystal Effects

After Christmas Craziness!

Hello everyone!  Sorry for being quiet, but I've taken the past few days Christmas to simply catch my breath.   Christmas was wonderful.  The entire family was able to get together for the annual Christmas Eve pizza picnic.  On Christmas Day, it was just the four of us and my parents.  It was quiet but lovely!!!  On Christmas night, my throat was feeling a little tickle.....so I knew that a cold was on its way.  Ugh!  I'm just thankful that I was able to hold out until then.  Dennis had been hit with a nasty cold all week.  

Dennis gave me a wonderful Christmas present.....a new Mac Book Pro.  Over the past few days I have been trying to learn how a Mac works.  I've been a PC girl all my adult life.  Tonight, I finally stamped and photographed some cards.  Of course that also meant that I needed to learn how to Photoshop my photos with my Mac and create a new watermark.  I still need to perfect the watermark, but this will work for now!!!!

Now that Christmas is over, I've finally had the chance to play with some of my pre-order items from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Oh what fun I've had tonight!!!!!

This card uses a stamp set called Blessed Mother.  It has two flower images and two sentiments.  Although the stamp set name is Blessed Mother, only one of the sentiments has to do with "mother".  It really can be used as a gorgeous all occasion floral stamp set!!  Love this!

What do I love most about this stamp set?  The two floral images work perfectly with my markers.  I color the flowers with one color marker, the flower center with another and the leaves and stems with a third.  All that's left is to huff on it to remoisten the ink and stamp onto some Whisper White cardstock.   For my image I used Pretty in Pink, So Saffron and Pear Pizzazz markers.

Do you see some other new items on this card?  

Yup, there's a new embossing folder!  It's called Framed Tulips, and it's gorgeous!  I inserted a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of So Saffron cardstock into the embossing folder and ran it through my Big Shot.  I then rubbed my Whisper White Craft ink pad over the raised areas.  So easy.....but so gorgeous!

There's one more new thing!!!  That's right.....the button.  It's actually made of Whisper White paper.  I used the Sweet Buttons Embosslit.......it cuts and embosses the button shape all at the same time.  Thank you Mr. Big Shot!!!!  I sponged it with some Frost White Shimmer Paint to make it look like a real button!!!  Love it!!!!

So, what do you think of my sneak peek?  Do you like it?????  It sure feels good stamping with some fun colors.  I love Christmas time, but I really missed stamping with my beloved flower stamps!!!!  

Well, I am off to sit on the couch and watch the rest of the Vikings game!  A glass of orange juice might be just what the doctor ordered for this cold-riddled stamper!!!!  A good dose of vitamin C always does a body good!

Remember, these new items will be available starting on January 4th.  Do you have your Occasions Mini yet?  If you don't already have a demonstrator, I'd be happy to send you one!!!  Just let me know!!!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Blessed Mother
paper:  So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Basic Black
ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Whisper White Craft, Crumb Cake (sponging)
accessories:  Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder, Sweet Buttons embosslit, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Blushing Bride Polytwill ribbon, markers (Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake), Color Spritzer Tool 

Order your Stampin' Up! goodies from my ONLINE STORE

Gothic Halloween

 
Don't say I didn't warn you?  I told you that I would be showing you lots and lots of Halloween projects.

Halloween isn't all about haunted houses, ghoulies, vampires, werewolves, etc.....

Let's face it, it's the one day where it's perfectly acceptable for adults to be little wacky.  We dress up in costume, decorate the inside and outside of the house, strobe lights for lightning, noise machines for thunder, fog machines, snack on mini candy bars all day, etc.  The Cheskys go all out for Halloween! 

Over the past five years, Halloween is quickly becoming the biggest holiday that people decorate for.  I don't remember where I read that, but it's true!   I love the variety of decorations too!  There's everything from the plastic light up ghosts to elegant spider web doilees and candelabras.

Today's card is going to work better with the more elegant and gothic side of Halloween.  Can't you just picture this card on an antique entranceway table of a mysterious, dark mansion? 

My base card is Basic Black.

The next layer is Pumpkin Pie which has been aged up using the Direct-to-Paper technique and Pumpkin Pie ink.

I made a video showing how to do the Direct-to-Paper technique.  Click HERE to view it. 

The Old Olive layer has been texturized with my Big Shot and the Perfect Details Texturz Plate.  I rubbed my Old Olive ink pad over the texturizing to pick up the details.  I think this makes all the difference!

The focal image is Daffodil Delight cardstock stamped with my favorite flourish from Baroque Motifs (in Basic Black ink).  Now comes my favorite part!  I stamped the Midnight Raven stamp onto Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  I cut out just the raven portion and added him to the flourish.  Now, he needed some personality........so I gave him an eye using the Silver Fox Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink.

Now for the sentiment.  It's from Teeny Tiny Wishes, and it's stamped onto Daffodil Delight cardstock using Basic Black ink.  I punched it with the Modern Label punch, sponged the edges with Basic Black ink and dotted it with the Silver Fox Smooch ink.

I grabbed my Basic Black marker and Color Spritzer Tool to add some subtle spattering.

My final touch of gothic elegance came from the 1/2" Raven Lace Trim.  I tied it into a classic knot at the top of the card.

Click HERE to place an online order through my demonstrator website

Card Recipe

stamps:  Midnight Raven (coming Sept 1st), Teeny Tiny Wishes, Baroque Motifs
paper:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight
ink:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive
accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Silver Fox Smooch Accent Ink, 1/2" Raven Lace Trim, Modern Label Punch