My Stamping Garage

Thoughtful Branches - Last Day!!

This is the LAST DAY to order the Thoughtful Branches Bundle!!  I will sure miss playing with this versatile set!!  I have found ways to use it for EVERY season!  

I happened to see this ingenious idea of using the "tree topper or hydrangea blossom"  as a pumpkin! I saw this on pinterest on a card made by Kim Jolley. I wish I could take credit for the idea! it is so creative!

I came up with this layout using the pumpkin. I was pretty happy with the results.

On the card, I used the Thoughtful Branches Bundle for stamping and die cutting. For the banner, I used Old Olive card stock with the Triple Banner Punch. The ribbon I used was the Burlap Ribbon. To get the colored strip over the ribbon, I used the Halloween Night Washi Tape (coming out tomorrow in the 2016 Holiday Catalog). I liked how it added just the right accent of color. I embossed the Creamy Caramel card stock using the Woodgrain Texture Folder. To add just a bit more accent, I added the gold Metallic Enamel Shapes. These have become my "go to" embellishments, and they will be on sale starting tomorrow!  Be sure to check back for details!

Just a quick reminder - I am offering 5 free cards made with the Thoughtful Branches Bundle if you purchase it through me. To see these cards, check out my post from August 2.

Here is a reminder of what the bundle includes:

Thoughtful Branches Bundle

 

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Christmas in August?!

I was getting ready to share a Christmas card that I made using the Detailed Santa Thinlits dies from Stampin' Up!'s 2016 Holiday Catalog, when I looked out my window and saw this.

This is the view from my desk as I write this post. This little guy comes to visit me all day long! It is quite difficult to get much done because I am always captivated by him! He has definitely claimed this feeder as his own, and guards it faithfully all day. Whenever another hummingbird comes in, he diligently chases it away.

 I have started the "Hummingbird Wars" in my yard. I put up 4 feeders as more and more hummingbirds started showing up. I spread them out hoping to avoid the fighting for territory. All I did was create more commotion! One bird tries to guard two different feeders. He is not overly successful with this approach, as thirsty birds sneak in for a sip while he is off chasing other intruders away. Don't ever believe it if someone tries to tell you that hummingbirds are not vocal. This is DEFINITELY not true!!   Each night at dinner out on the patio we are "serenaded" (and I use that word very sarcastically) by the sound of hummingbirds buzzing and chipping at each other. There are times I start to regret adding the feeders to the yard, because it has absolutely disturbed the peace. However, when I look out my window and see this sight, I am persuaded that it was a good decision after all.

I found it funny that I was posting a wintery Christmas card when the sun is shining brightly outside my window, and the trees are still loaded with pink flowers. The flowers are beginning to fall from the tree, so I have a pink snowfall whenever a breeze stirs. Since it is "snowing", I guess it is okay to share this card - even in August! 

I made this card using the Detailed Santa Thinlits bundle which includes the Detailed Santa Thinlits, and the Greetings from Santa Stamp set. These items will be available for purchase in just 2 more days! The Holiday catalog goes live for ordering starting this Thursday, September 1!

 

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Starlight Bundle - Emboss Resist Video Tutorial

I promised another card made using the Starlight Bundle from the 2016 Holiday Catalog. I included a video to show how I made the card (especially the star).

Here is the card:

The base of the card is Soft Sky. I used the Star of LIght Stamp set and the Starlight Thinlits to create the card.

I have included a video to show how I made the star for the card. I hope you enjoy it!

 

 

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2016 Holiday Catalog - Sneak Peek - Starlight Bundle

This past weekend was the last weekend before school started (today). It was busy with us trying to cram in all the things that we had been wanting to do all summer, but hadn't quite found the "right time" yet. I vow every year that this will not happen - but it always does (and probably always will - ha!)

Despite the busy schedule, I did find a bit of time to spend stamping! (I won't tell you how late I stayed up last night to "find the time", but ..... let's just say it was a bit difficult to get up this morning!)

I have been playing with the new Starlight Thinlits and Star of Light Stamp set coming in the 2016 Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog staring September 1. This bundle gives endless opportunities to try different colors and paper textures for the various layers that are possible. That being said, right now I seem to be drawn toward blue, silver and shimmer!

Here is a card I made using Bermuda Bay as my focal color. I have included two photos, because depending on how the light hits the silver foil, the card looks completely different!

 

I used Silver Foil Paper for the base of the star.  The larger lacy layer is done using Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper, and the top layer is Bermuda Bay. The saying and the accent stamps behind the image are all from the Star of Light Stamp Set. I used the Bunch of Banners framelits for the banner behind the saying. The words were punched out using the Classic Label Punch.

 

Later this week, I hope to post one more card that uses this set along with a technique and video tutorial. Be sure to check back!

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2016 Holiday Catalog - Sneak Peek and Tutorial - Star of Light Bundle

What a crazy week it has been!  This was the last week before the kids go back to school, so it was filled with standing in registration lines, school supply shopping lines and school clothes shopping lines! I hate to see the summer end, but it is probably time for this busy family to get back into a routine and a schedule!

One of my daughters flew back to college this morning. That is always a sad day for me.To soothe my sadness I decided I needed some stamp therapy, so I took a "time out" from the back to school activities to do a bit of stamping.

I was playing with more of my new toys tools today. I am intrigued by the Starlight Thinlits Dies that match the new Star of Light Stamp set in the Holiday Catalog.This set of thinlits has 7 dies. They all layer over each other to create beautiful, intricate, 3-D designs , or can be used alone or with the stamps from the Star of Light Stamp set. The stamp set has 21 photopolymer stamps and includes sayings and images. 

I will be sharing a couple of other projects using this bundle over the next few days.

I created this card, but as I was making it, I decided it needed a layer of color under the star. For this color layer, I created a new shape using theStarlight Thinlits. 

To create the new shape, I started with the thinlit that cuts the "base" shape.

Next, I took the shape that I cut, and turned the "base" thinlit sideways and cut again using the Big Shot.

This is the final shape that I ended up with. It was the perfect layer of color behind my star image!

Here is the card again. You can see this shape behind the starlight image.

I used Pool Party card stock and ink because I liked the soft, subtle color for this card. The base of the star was cut out the dazzling diamond glimmer paper. The "lacey" star layer was cut out of the Silver Foil paper. I added a pool party enamel shape to the center for just a slight pop of color. When I attached the star to the card, I added some silver metallic thread for some added interest. I embossed the white layer using the Softly Falling Texture folder. The saying was punched out using the Classic Label Punch, and then layered onto some new silver glitter ribbon (coming in the Holiday Catalog).  I used the Bunch of Banner Framelits to cut the silver foil and Pool Party banners to go behind the saying.

 

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Holiday Catalog 2016 - another sneak peek!

I just found out that one of my new neighbors lost her husband a year ago yesterday. I wanted to give her a card and a plant, so I decided to use one of my new sets from the upcoming Holiday Catalog.

The set is called Basket of Wishes and contains 11 stamps. The stamps include 4 sayings, 3 styles of baskets and succulents, strawberries, fall squash and sunflowers. It is a cute set, and one that will be great for all seasons and occasions!

Here is the card I made using this stamp set.

I stamped the image on watercolor paper and blended it with a blender pen, then re-stamped over the images to sharpen the lines. 

The banner with the diamond lattice is made using our Irresistibly Floral Designer paper. The diamond lattice resists ink. I sponged Early Espresso ink over the image.

I used some of our copper thread and one of the In Color doilies (in Cucumber Crush) under the image.

 

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Thoughtful Branches - Spritzed Background Video Tutorial

Since I first posted my Thoughtful Branches Fall Card, I have had several questions about how to make the background on the card. Because of that, I have decided to tackle my first online video!  

I hope you like it, and that it answers the questions you have!

Here is the card again:

 

 

 

To make this card, I used the Thoughtful Branches Bundle, Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set, Swirly Scribbles framelit, Stampin' Spritzers, gold metallic enamel shapes and gold metallic thread.The ink colors used were Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Old Olive and Soft Suede.

 

 

Here is the video tutorial:

 

 

If you order the bundle from me, I will send you 5 free cards (including the one that I demonstrated). See my post from August 2 to see the other 4 cards.

 

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2016 Holiday Catalog Sneak Peek # 2

Our family hasn't really celebrated Halloween, but I just couldn't resist this cute new stamp set with the matching framelits set in the new Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog. I could see using this tree and the fence in MANY other ways!! I am sure you will be seeing more posts from me featuring these two items in the future!

I am totally in love with the new Pumpkin Pie Glimmer Paper!  That sparkle adds just the right amount of bling to any project!!

While only demonstrators can order from the Holiday Catalog until September 1, don't forget about the Thoughtful Branches Bundle that is available to order just until the end of August!  (Be sure to go to my post from August 2 to see my offer of 5 free cards when you purchase the bundle through me!)

 

 

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2016 Holiday Catalog Sneak Peek!

I got my pre-ordered items from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog. I have been playing already!! There are so many amazing items in this catalog!  

The first thing I HAD to play with was the Presents and Pinecones  suite of products. This suite contains a ton of products that have to do with pine boughs. I simply LOVE pine boughs at Christmas (or any time of the year!)! 

I came up with a quick card using some of these items. I truly adore the new copper pine cone embellishments! That little pine cone is just the perfect addition for cards, tags, gift boxes and anything else you can think of!! The Christmas Pines  stamp set is a great way to stamp and make your own 3 step pine cones that look pretty realistic! The set also includes several great sayings (including the one I used on this card), and it also has a two-step pine bough stamp in the set. The Pretty Pines thinlits dies that coordinate with the stamp set were used to cut out the stamped, paper pine cones as well as the pine boughs on the card.If that wasn't enough of a pine theme, I used the new Pine Bough Textured Impressions Folder to emboss the pine boughs on the background of the card.

I hope you enjoy this early Holiday Crafting Appeteaser!

 

Unless you are a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you cannot begin ordering from the Holiday Catalog until Sept 1, but until that time, check out my latest few posts using the Thoughtful Branches Bundle.

Be sure to look at the post from August 2 where I announced my free card giveaway with a purchase of the Thoughtful Branches Bundle (only available until August 31, or until supplies are depleted!)

 

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Thoughtful Branches - Fall Card

I was creating make and takes for my ImPeckable Stampers Group Meeting next Friday, and I wanted to use the Thoughtful Branches Bundle.

Here is another sample suitable for fall (or anytime!) made using this amazing bundle.

Don't miss my post from August 2nd to see how you can get 5 free cards made with this great bundle!

This card was made using the Thoughtful Branches Bundle for the leaves. The background was created using the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp set (which is wonderful for just about ANY background!). The saying and the banner were made using the Banners for You Bundle.

 

Don't miss out on this bundle!  It is available only through August 31, 2016, and only while supplies last!!

 

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