29 Jun 2012

Remember When... Photo folder

Hello Stampers

I saw this project a few years ago - in a smaller size and design - and I loved how versatile it was. It's easy to mail, easy to pack if you're travelling, and easy to make!


I used the Pretty in Pink from the Subtles stack, the stamp from Everything Eleanor and the sentiment from Word Play.

Inside are my lovely granddaughters, taken as they were dressed for the Calgary Stampede a couple of years ago.





This folder is made for 4x6 photos, but you could make them any size.

Happy Stamping!
Carol

27 Jun 2012

Doilies Everywhere

First off I want to say this card looks much more interesting, textural, and pretty in real life... I'm sure you believe me...

This was another SUDSOL challenge, this time a design challenge where all we had to do was use doilies on our card (stamps, sizzlits, etc.)

So here is mine:
The card size is 5 1/4" x 5 1/4". The yellow is Daffodil Delight, the green is Lucky Limeade, and the pink is Primrose Petals. The neutral is Whisper White. First I stamped the Lucky Limeade cardstock in Lucky Limeade ink using the Delicate Doilies Stamp Set (no it's not dirty in spots, that's the stamped doilies!), then I ran it through the Big Shot using the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder.

The yellow and white doilies are cut from the Delicate Doilies Sizzlits die, plus I used the 2 1/2" Circle punch, the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, and the Boho Blossoms punch. The pink doily is stamped in Primrose Petals ink. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes cut out using the Bitty Banners Framelits.

Now close your eyes and imagine how beautiful it really is...honest! 


Happy Stamping!
Carol



26 Jun 2012

Another Sketch Challenge - So Easy!

Hello Stampers!

Well I've met my challenge for two days in a row!! This time I used the SUDSOL sketch challenge (this is a demo only site that you will want to check out, see gadget on the right hand column!).

This card came together in minutes (I'm shocked, but I love it!!) In fact I hadn't been all that thrilled with the sketch at first, and I'd complained that I wasn't enamoured with our new DSP (ha! Hope those words taste good 'cause I have to start eating them!!!), and now I have one of the favourite cards that I've done for a while... Thanks SUDSOL!

And here's my card:

By the way, that GORGEOUS Designer Series Paper is called FAN FAIR. (The background is another sheet from Fan Fair.)

The cardstock is Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla. The ribbon is 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Riding Hood Red, and I sponged the edge of the Very Vanilla top panel with Riding Hood Red ink. The embossing folder is Stripes Folder (I thought it looked very appropriate for the striped DSP below. Actually if you turned it upside-down it would look like cream coloured wainscotting with wallpaper!!)
And the lace is die cut with one of the new Finishing Touches edgelits. (My new favourite toy!)

Hope you like it!
Happy Stamping
Carol

PS By the way - Fed won yesterday (yaaaaaay!) and Milos Raonic is playing today (Go Milos!) I can cheer for them both until they play each other...

25 Jun 2012

Mojo Monday and Wimbledon

Hello Stampers!

Today is a special day for me - I'm working on a personal challenge to post a card every day this week, AND today is the first day of Match Play at the Wimbledon Tennis Grand Slam!!

My husband and I had the pleasure of touring Wimbledon the last time we were in England - what a thrill!
It was founded in 1877 and is the classiest of the four annual Grand Slams. Here is the Draw and Leader Board from the grounds.




OK, I know everyone is not a tennis fanatic like me (not that I could play to save my life, but I'm an excellent observer and fan!), so I've made a card for your viewing pleasure!

I've used the Mojo Monday Challenge 247 for the sketch,



 and the Wimbledon colours (purple and green).


You may wonder what the #7 has to do with it all...Well... Roger Federer is my favourite player and he has the opportunity to win his 7th Wimbledon Championship (Federer has won a men's record 16 Grand Slam singles titles. He is one of seven male players to capture the career Grand Slam and one of three to do so on three different surfaces (clay, grass, and hard courts). He is the only male player in tennis history to have reached the title match of each Grand Slam tournament at least five times and also the final at each of the nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. Many sports analysts, tennis critics, and former and current players consider Federer to be the greatest tennis player of all time.)

I will always be a Federer fan as long as he's playing (he's almost 31, which is practically ancient in tennis years).  And then my alliance will be 100% with Milos Raonic - Canada's great tennis hope!


So that's it for today...
Happy Stamping!
Carol

24 Jun 2012

It's Coming! July 1st!

I have been working on this for a while and I'm excited that on July 1st it will all be unveiled.

What is it you ask???
 Carol's Card Kits to Go!

  • If you have a hard time attending classes, prefer to do your cardmaking in your PJ's, or just want to make one card at a time, these kits are for you.                                                                                  
  • If you want to get together with two or three friends during lunch time at the office, these kits are for you too. 
  • If you want to make a set of cards but don't have all the papers, die cuts, and ribbons these kits are for you. 
  • These kits are also for you if you want to give a gift to a crafting friend, daughter, sister, or granddaughter (or son, brother, or grandson)!

Here's how it works:
  • The kits are made up of predominantly cards, but may also include 3D items, and come complete with everything except the Stamp Set and Ink. The cardstock is cut, the die cuts are made, all the designer series paper and embellishments are included, and a pdf with instructions will be emailed to you explaining how to put it all together. All you need are the stamp set (which you can order, or you can use another stamp set you already own), and ink.
  • A new kit is presented on the first of each month, using different stamps, colours, and themes.
  • You can order each kit individually after it is announced by using paypal and I will mail it out to you the next day. OR if you live close by you can pick up and pay by dropping by.
  • OR you can order a 3 month subscription which will give you a discount.
  • You can order past kits if they are still available.
  • Stampin' Up! Demonstrators can purchase the pdf directions separately.

Check back on Sunday, July 1st for more details. Hint: the first kit uses the new Christmas stamp set Open Sleigh and the new Designer Series Paper Be of Good Cheer.

And here's a sneak peek of one of the cards...

Happy Stamping!
Carol

12 Jun 2012

Open House Make and Takes

I enjoyed seeing old and new friends at the Open House on Sunday! If you couldn't make it this year I hope we'll see you next year!

Here's a peek at the goodie bags...
And the retired stamp sets...

We used the "Blooming With Kindness" stamp set for this card
along with the new Raspberry Ripple Ink Pad. The cardstock colours are Very Vanilla, Basic Black, and Island Indigo. The punches used were 1 3/8" round and 1 1/4" round, and the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch for the right hand edge of the frame.

We also made a tag using the "No Peeking" stamp set. It was so fun!!
The colours used are all new In Colours - Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green, and Midnight Muise. The ribbon is the 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in Gumball Green tied with our Linen Thread. I know this stamp set is going to get lots of use!

Happy Stamping!
Carol

5 Jun 2012

You're going to LOVE our new Ink Pads!

I was impressed the first time I used them, and I still am! You don't have to work the stamp so hard to get good coverage, and the resulting image is beautiful. You must use a light touch though or you will over-ink your stamp with unpredictable results - especially with stamps that are line-drawings. Solid stamps come out beautifully.

It will take a bit of practice at first, but I don't think you'll mind once you see the results.

Here is a video from Stampin' Up! with a visual explanation.



3 Jun 2012

Masculine Card Set

Do we ever have enough masculine cards?! I never do. So with inspiration from some of the sheets from the Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper I came up with this set.


The colours are Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, and Summer Starfruit.

I wanted a variety of cards and sentiments and here is the first one.


I had fun using the Apothecary Accents Framelits to frame the sentiment from Perfectly Penned.

I also wanted to try a monochromatic card and I really like these two sheets of DSP together.

All of the embossing is done using the Square Lattice folder.

The bird image is from the Papaya Collage stamp set. The embossing on this card is made using the folder Elegant Lines.

Another monochromatic card, this time I've incorporated the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch along the edge of the DSP.

And I put them all together in a simple card container so I can give it as a gift or have it close at hand for my own use.

This week I am busy getting ready for my upcoming New Catalogue Open House on the 10th. If you would like to attend please RSVP from my Stampin' Up! site. Just click on the event listing and it will take you to the page where you can reply.

Happy Stamping!
Carol

1 Jun 2012

New Catalogue, extra hostess benefits, and cake!

Wow, I have so much news to share with you today!!

First of all we have the 
new 2012-2013 Catalogue!

To see the whole catalogue on-line you can click on the catalogue link to the right ----->

There are so many new things - stamps, embossing folders, die cuts, paper, and more! You will receive your very own copy when you attend my open house!

And if you've ever thought about having a fun Stampin' Up! Workshop in your home with a few of your friends, now is the time!! (A workshop includes a demo showing you samples of items she has made, demonstrating how to make items, and then helping you and your friends to make a card of your own to take home.)

We LOVE Hostesses
That's right! If you hold a $575 workshop in June or July, you will get an extra $60 worth of Hostess Dollars (that's in addition to the $90 you will have already earned!!)
For more details  click here.

Oh, and the CAKE! 
If you think you would like to be a demo yourself (either hobby or business) we have another reason for you to join (as if there weren't enough already!)
Click here for more information.

If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them for you - how can you make a decision without all the facts, right? I'm waiting for your emails!
Email Carol

Now enjoy checking out all the new promotions...

Happy Stamping!
Carol