A Few of My Favorite Things

I'm excited about all of the great new stamps & dies available in the new catalog, but a little sad that some of my old favorites won't be available anymore.  Today I'm sharing a few of my faves from the years that I've been writing this blog.

Large Letters Framelits

These are indispensable for personalizing cards and home decor projects.  A little pricey, but there's nothing else like them to add a special touch.  I love them for samplers and scrapbook albums.  Add them to your collection before they're gone - you won't regret it!

Large Letters Framelits Dies

[141712]

$99.00

Lift Me Up Stamp Set & Up and Away Thinlits

I've given these a lot of love since they were introduced!  I love that big, multicolored balloon.  Plus, they are one of my go-to stamp sets for guy cards.

Lift Me Up Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[142896]

$21.00

Up & Away Thinlits Dies

[142748]

$30.00

Oh So Eclectic Stamp Set & Eclectic Layers Thinlits

This is another set that I reach for over & over.  The watercolor images are just gorgeous in any color, and perfect for so many occasions.  This set would be a  great addition for your collection!

Oh So Eclectic Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[143940]

$23.00

Eclectic Layers Thinlits Dies

[143774]

$30.00

And  finally, Lovely as a Tree...

This is the stamp set that started it all (for me, anyway).  Part of the Stampin' Up offering longer than any other stamp set, it's finally retiring.  This was my very first Stampin' Up purchase that happily led to many more.  The simple, classic images make wonderful backgrounds, or they can be the star of the show - it's up to you & your vision!

Lovely As A Tree Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[127793]

$20.00

Lovely As A Tree Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[128655]

$28.00

These are just a few of my favorite retiring items.  You can find the complete list of all retiring items by going to my online store - just click the button below.  As always, thanks for stopping by!

Pretty Pines Sparkle & Shine

Hi Stampers,

Even though temps are still in the 80's here, I was thinking about how beautiful an evergreen tree looks after a heavy snowfall - that's what this card reminds me of.

I used a mixture of old and new products in this design.  The pines are from Lovely as a Tree (and incidentally, the first Stampin' Up set I ever purchased!) and the sentiment is from Wondrous Wreath. The die-cuts are the fun Pretty Pines Thinlits (#141851) in the new holiday catalog, as is the Presents & Pinecones Designer Series Paper (#141986).  I love the way the sentiment is framed in the Layering Ovals Framelits (#141706).  

I'm all about glitter and the dryer sheet technique on this card is right up my alley.  You've seen the t-shirt that says "I craft so hard I sweat glitter"?  That's me.  There are a lot of You Tube videos available on the dryer sheet technique if you don't know how it's done.  It's really pretty simple-start by stamping your image.  I used Early Espresso to stamp the pine from Lovely as a Tree.  The darkest images are stamped full strength then I stamped off once more before re-inking.

Next you'll need a well-used dryer sheet, preferably one that has gone through 2-3 loads of laundry. What most of the videos don't show you, and this is Very Important, is iron the wrinkles out of the dryer sheet using the low setting on your clothes iron.  It only takes a few seconds and it's so much easier than trying to work the wrinkles out after you place it on the card!  With your nice, flat, used dryer sheet ready, spray the stamped image thoroughly with spray adhesive - I like one made by 3M.  Place the dryer sheet on the card and smooth it with your hand or a brayer.

Trim the excess dryer sheet from the edges of the card.  If you're only going to use the tops of the trees like I did, trim the card front to the size you want it.  I did this so I could incorporate some beautiful Designer Paper into my card.  You may want to use the entire piece for even more sparkle!

Finally, and this is so much fun, give the card one more very light coat of spray adhesive.  Sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds glitter over the entire piece and prepare to "ooh" and "ahh"!  

Can you see all that glittery goodness?  Ooh!  Aah!  I almost forgot to mention that I embossed the sentiment with Emerald Envy Glitter Stampin' Emboss Powder (of course).  

Another pine finishes off the inside.  This sentiment is part of the Wondrous Wreath set, too.

I made so much fun with the dryer sheet technique that I made more...many more!

I hope you're inspired by my ideas!  If you would like to purchase any of the products mentioned here, please visit my online store here.  

Happy stamping,

Pat

Lovely as a Tree

I had no clue that ONE tiny rubber stamp purchase would lead to this...

For me, that rubber stamp purchase was Stampin' Up's "Lovely as a Tree".  I saw a card on Pinterest that I absolutely loved and I had to have that stamp.  There was nothing else like it in any of the craft stores that I frequented, so I found the Stampin' Up website & used the Demonstrator Locator feature to find someone who could get that stamp for me.  That someone was Cindy Brown, who is now my upline.  One year later here I am, proud and excited to be an Independent Demonstrator for Stampin' Up.  I have the best customers in the world and we share and learn from each other.

Today I want to show you a card that one of my customers created.  She made this with me in mind and I adore it!  She used "Lovely as a Tree" and the stamping-off technique to make the background for this card.

Laura knows me well...

This stamp set is on my list of must-haves.  It's one that you will use over and over in many different ways!  If you would like to add it to your craft stash, please visit my website.  

Have a wonderful week,

Pat
"the Ramblin' Stamper"

Sunset Balloon Ride

Good Monday Morning!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.  Mine was very relaxing - a little bike riding, a little crafting, just enjoying the beautiful weather we're having (finally!)

A couple of weeks ago I got the Celebrate Today stamp set and I've been anxious to play with it.  I'm pretty pleased with my first project, I hope you like it!  A hot air balloon ride at sunset is on my bucket list and this is how I imagine it will be...

My card base is Whisper White, the mat is Night of Navy and the scene was created on Whisper White.  I started by stamping the stars in the sky using Versamark & embossing them with clear embossing powder. Then I created a mask using the Circles Collection Framelits and sponged it with Calypso Coral. Next I removed the mask and started sponging the sky, working upward, in this order: Daffodil Delight, Soft Sky, Marina Mist, Elegant Eggplant and Night of Navy. The clouds are from Work of Art, using Elegant Eggplant stamped off once. The trees are from Lovely as a Tree, stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.  The basket on the balloon is also Tuxedo Black. The sentiment and stars on the balloon are stamped in Versamark and embossed in gold on Night of Navy cs.  I then cut out the balloon using the Balloon Framelits Dies and adhered it to the card front.  I finished the card with a sprinkle of sequins from the Brights Sequin Assortment, just because I like the effect.  This card was a lot of fun to make and I'm sure I'll be using this stamp set often!

Happy Stamping,
Pat