BEST. GUY. EVER.

Hi Stampers,

BEST. GUY. EVER.  What a bold sentiment.  Perfect for the special man in my life.  In sickness and in health, he takes such good care of me!

Here I am with my BEST. GUY. EVER.  No, we weren't in Hawaii, but we were at a luau!

And here's another card I designed using the Lift Me Up Bundle and Suite Sentiments.

The colors are Crumb Cake, Basic Black and Whisper White.  The striped designer paper is from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack.  Did you know that each of the Stampin' Up color families has it's own Designer Series Paper Stack that includes every color in that family?  Sweet!  The Whisper White square was die-cut with my Stitched Shapes Framelits.

A gold Metallic Enamel Shape adds just the tiniest bit of bling.

I love that Stampin' Up sells Crumb Cake envelopes for perfect color coordination.

Happy Stamping,

Pat

Thank You So Very Much

Hi Stampers,

Today's share is a simple one-layer card I created for my customers who placed orders with me this month.

This card uses So Very Much (Item #143343), a free Sale-a-Bration stamp set.  I CASE'd (Copy And Share Everything) this card from Succeed Weekly, the newsletter for Stampin' Up Demonstrators.  I love the elegant, free-flowing font.  The size of this stamp makes it the star of the show - a few well-placed flowers and two small strips of designer paper are all that's needed to complete this design.

I used Basic Black Archival Ink to stamp the image.  It's a bold, intense black that makes all my projects look perfect.

The flowers and leaves are from Endless Thanks, stamped in Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Emerald Envy.  The designer paper is from the Pop of Pink Specialty Designer Series Paper.  I added Metallic Enamel Shapes to the centers of the flowers and tied a bow from Basic Black & Melon Mambo Baker's Twine (retired - Melon Mambo Thick Baker's Twine or Basic Black Baker's Twine would make a great substitute!)

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  There are only a few days left to place your Sale-a-Bration order - this once-a-year event ends on March 31!  If you would like to own So Very Much, visit my website today - it's yours free with any $50 Stampin' Up order!

Happy stamping,
Pat

Make It Masculine

Hi Stampers,

"I need a card for a guy," she said.  Huh?  You want me to make a card without glitter or flowers?  Impossible!  You need to understand, I struggle with cards for the guys.  I'm much more comfortable working with soft colors and flowers than with "manly" colors and images.  So when a customer asked me to create a card for her grandson, I got a little nervous.  Quite honestly, I never really paid much attention to "Best Guy Ever" in the Suite Sentiments set, but that's what she asked for.

After a little Pinterest "research", ideas started forming and once I got started, I couldn't stop!

This is the first card I designed, and I couldn't be more pleased with it.  Incidentally, this is the one my customer chose from the three that I showed her.

The combination of Smoky Slate, Night of Navy and Whisper White is stunning.  Throw in a dash of Peekaboo Peach and Watermelon Wonder, and you have winner!  The designer paper is a Sale-a-Bration freebie called Carried Away (#143608).

Stamps and die-cuts are from the Lift Me Up Bundle.  All the balloons are stamped in Night of Navy ink.  I cut the circle from the DSP using a my Stitched Shapes Framelits.

Three Metallic Enamel Shapes frame BEST. GUY. EVER.

Only a few more days until Sale-a-Bration is over until next year...March 31 is your last chance to get any of the great free items including the Carried Away Designer Series Paper.  Don't wait - once they're gone, they're gone forever!

Happy stamping,
Pat

Grateful for Friends, Both New & Old

Hi Stampers,

I held my last class for the season in Bonita Springs last week and I'm just sitting here thinking about all the new friends I've made and what a wonderful time we've enjoyed together.  I love showing people how easy it is to create a beautiful project that they can be proud of.  Sometimes I even teach a thing or two to experienced stampers (or they teach me)!  Either way, it puts a smile on everyone's face.  I love my job!

If you've taken one of my winter classes and you're reading this today, know that I appreciate you and I'm so glad to call you my friend!  I hope we can get together again in the future.  If you've taken my summer classes in the past, I can't wait to see you again.  We're gonna have a good time!

Moving on to the reason you're visiting my blog today...

The stamp set is Beautiful You, with the addition of the flowers which are from Love and Affection.  I wanted Sweet Sugarplum as my main color so I could use my Sweet Sugarplum Glimmer Paper (a Sale-a-Bration freebie!).  I was trying to decide what to use as a secondary color and when I laid down a sheet of Pool Party cardstock next to Sweet Sugarplum, it just "popped".  Pool Party is one of my all-time favorite go-to colors...I will be very said if Stampin' Up ever discontinues it.  Are you listening, Sara?  Please don't take my Pool Party away!

This would be a good card for so many congratulations-worthy occasions.  I'm thinking about graduations, engagements, maybe a promotion at work, or the purchase of a new home. I'll be you can come up with a lot more ideas.

 The dancing girl is stamped in Basic Black Archival ink and colored with Sweet Sugarplum and Pool Party Stampin' Write Markers.  Stampin' Up's Archival ink is what you want to use with water-based markers or Watercolor Pencils - the ink will not smear when mixed with water.  The Stampin' Write markers are available as sets from each of the basic four color families - Brights, Regals, Subtles, or Neutrals, plus the two current In-Color collections.  Or you can splurge and purchase the whole set!  Pool Party is part of the Subtles family, and Sweet Sugarplum is included in the 2016-2018 In-Color markers.  The designer paper is 1-1/2" x 3-3/4" and is from the 2016-2018 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack.  

I use this paper a lot in my cardmaking because of all the lovely words on it.  I can see using it as a great background paper for scrapbooking, too, as the sheets are 12" x 12".

"Congrats" is cut using the Sunshine Wishes Thinlits.  The set also includes the words "Hope", "Love" and "Sunshine", plus a heart, flower, and a butterfly.  The Sunshine Sayings stamp set was designed to coordinate with these Thinlits.  I recently bought both and have a lot of ideas percolating in my brain using them...stay tuned!

Remember, we are nearing the end of 2017 Sale-a-Bration (March 31).  If there are any Sale-a-Bration items that you are still wanting, don't hesitate!  When they're gone, they're gone for good.  If you need a Sale-a-Bration flyer or any current catalog, send me an email, I will get one to you asap! Click here or on the Shop Now button on this page to visit my website today.

Happy stamping,

Pat

Tasty Trucks

Hi Stampers,

Have you seen the charming new stamp set "Tasty Trucks"?  It's adorable!  And even better, it's FREE with any $50 Stampin Up' purchase during 2017 Sale-a-Bration.

How cute is that?!  This stamp set is customizable for a lot of different occasions with the included sentiments.  And instead of cupcakes, your truck can carry ice cream, tacos, hot dogs or pancakes. Sweet!  I stamped my truck with Archival Black, which is perfect to use with Watercolor Pencils.  Did you notice that the stripe on the truck matches my background designer paper?  If you've never done any paper piecing, it's a simple technique with a big WOW factor.  Just stamp the truck on the designer paper, cut out the section you want with paper snips & attach to your colored image with Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

I used Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry to stamp "Happy Birthday".  The Melon Mambo is stamped full-strength, then stamped a second time without re-inking.  

Here's another version of this card using Mint Macaron and Crushed Curry.

The Stitched Shapes Framelits make a perfect background for this cute little truck.  

The design of this card was inspired by my friend Vicki - here is the card she sent me:

If you love Tasty Trucks, visit my website to get yours today-it's item #143300.  FREE with any $50 purchase. They're only available until March 31, or while supplies last - don't miss out!  

Happy stamping,

Pat

Happy Birthday, Gorgeous

Hi Stampers,

Happy First Day of Spring!  This card is for a beautiful lady with a spring birthday.  It's done totally with Sweet Sugarplum - cardstock, designer paper, glimmer paper and enamel shapes.  Do you like the monochromatic look?

The 1/2" strip of Sweet Sugarplum Glimmer Paper is from the free Glimmer Paper pack available with any $50 purchase during Sale-a-Bration (thru March 31 or while supplies last)!  The print is Blooms & Bliss Designer Series Paper, cut 5-1/2" x 1-1/2".  The image is part of the Beautiful You stamp set, as is the sentiment.

The dress uses the paper-piecing technique.  If you're not familiar with it, simply stamp a second image onto your designer paper, cut with paper snips & adhere to your original stamped image.  Voila!

The panel with the stamped image is 2" x 3-3/4".  That lovely little bit of lace is half of a Lace Doily, and the heart comes from the 2016-2018 In Color Enamel Shapes.

This simple but elegant card is easy enough for any beginning stamper.  If I can help you get started on your stamping journey, please feel free to contact me!

Happy stamping,

Pat

All That Glitter!

Hi Stampers,

Have you ordered your free Sale-a-Bration 6 x 6 Glimmer Paper?  What are you waiting for?! Sale-a-Bration ends on March 31, but supplies of this beautiful paper may not last that long.  The pack includes three different colors, Bermuda Bay, Mint Macaron & Sweet Sugarplum.  They are gorgeous!  Here's a card I created with the Bermuda Bay & Mint Macaron:

My photo doesn't do this card justice, but hopefully you get the idea.  The glimmer paper behind the die-cut flower is so shimmery and eye-catching!  The die-cuts are the largest flower in the Special Reason Bundle.  The leaves are die-cut from the same bundle.

The sentiment is from Suite Sentiments - love the beautiful font on this one.  Such a heart-warming sentiment for a special friend!

The sentiment is stamped on Sahara Sand cardstock with Soft Suede ink.  The banner is flagged on both ends using the Triple Banner Punch.  I attached a strip of 5/8" Burlap Ribbon to the card front first, then adhered the banner on top of it using Dimensionals.

The card base is made of Thick Whisper White.  The mat is Bermuda Bay, and the card front is regular weight Whisper White.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!  Remember, this Glimmer Paper pack is free with any $50 Stampin' Up' purchase made through my website, but only until March 31 or while supplies last.  Click any link in this post or click the "Shop Now" link on the left side of the page to arrive at my website.

Happy stamping,

Pat

Another Special Reason

Hi Stampers,

I am loving the versatility of the Special Reason Bundle.  There are so many ways to use this set and I've been busy exploring them all!

What a lovely card for a special Springtime birthday!

The colors are Flirty Flamingo, Peekaboo Peach, Sweet Sugarplum and Pear Pizzazz.  The card base is Thick Whisper White and the card front is regular weight Whisper White.  To create this card, the first step is to die-cut the largest flower from the Special Reason Bundle into the card front.  Then lay it on top of the card base and using a sharp pencil, make tiny dots at the ends of 5-6 petals around the card to indicate where it will be when the card is assembled.  Set the card front aside.

Using Flirty Flamingo and a Sponge Dauber, sponge ink onto the card base behind the die-cut, darker at the bottom and fading as you work toward the top of the flower.  Lay the die-cut over the top of the sponging as you work to see how it will look when you're finished.  When you are satisfied with the sponging, spatter the sponged area with Clear Wink of Stella.

Stella!!  How you sparkle!

The Peekaboo Peach and Sweet Sugarplum flowers are stamped and die-cut then adhered to the card front with Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  I took one extra step on both of these flowers, I used the matching Stampin' Write Marker to darken some of the petals for extra dimension.  Here's a photo that shows the difference - the flower on the left is stamped only, the one on the right has been highlighted with the marker.

 The flowers in this set are not a totally solid stamp, and that look is intentional.  For this card, I wanted more of a light & dark effect, that's why I added the marker to the insides of the petals.

The inside is simple and elegant.

"Happy Birthday" is included in the Special Reason Bundle.  It's stamped in black and die-cut with the Bunch of Banners Framelits and tied onto the card front with a length of  Basic Black Baker's Twine.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Happy stamping,

Pat

Special Reason for a Special Season

Hi Stampers,

Spring is coming!  In spite of the big snowstorm predicted for the beginning of this week, Easter is only five weeks away.  Can you believe it?  If you need further proof that Spring is just around the corner, Daylight Savings Time is back!  I love having that extra hour of daylight in the evening to take a walk or ride my bike after dinner.  Doing my Happy Dance today!

The coming of Spring was my inspiration for these cards using the Special Reason Bundle.

Sweet Sugarplum, Blushing Bride and So Saffron are the soft, beautiful colors of Easter.  The speckled Sweet Sugarplum background was created using the largest image from Gorgeous Grunge. The flowers are die-cut into the card front using the Stylish Stems Framelits Dies.  The Sweet Sugarplum card base shows through the largest flower and the smaller flowers have So Saffron and Blushing Bride cardstock adhered behind the card front using Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

 The beautiful greeting comes from Suite Sentiments, stamped with Archival Black and die-cut with the Stitched Shapes Framelits.  Sweet Sugarplum was sponged lightly over the greeting before it was removed from the die.

Pearl Basic Jewels are the finishing touch for both versions of this card.

On my second version of this card, the white flower petals were die-cut then adhered on top of a second, solid die-cut piece.  

The leaf was die-cut from Pear Pizzazz cardstock.

I love the mixture of fonts on this sentiment - so elegant!

A trio of flowers from the Special Reason stamp set decorate the envelope - no naked envelopes here!

I hope you are inspired to create your own cards to celebrate Spring.  If I can help you in any way, please contact me!

Happy stamping,

Pat