My New Blog

I am excited to announce that I am switching my blog to a new blog service.

I hope you will follow me over to http://www.atouchfromtheheart.typepad.com/.

With this new blog service I will be able to offer blog features my old service provider could not. Some of these features will be available to you very soon!!! Wanna hint? I will offer a gift registry so this year you will get exactly what you want for the holidays!!!!

If you are one of my Feedblitz subscribers (receiving emails when my blog is updated), I am trying to work with Feedblitz to transfer your subscription. I'm not sure if they will provide this service. I have a new Feedblitz subscription on the right sidebar of my new blog. I hope you will subscribe to my new blog.

If you have my blog listed on your Google Reader page, you can easily add the subscription to the new blog and then delete the old one by clicking on "manage subscriptions" in the bottom of the left sidebar.

Finally, if you have a link to my blog on your blog (and thank you for doing that, btw), all my news postings will be to the new blog. So, if you want to keep it up to date, you will need to switch it to the new blog.

Thanks so much for sticking with me during the transition. I truly appreciate it!!!

A Hauntingly Spooky Card

I am going to put it all on the line...right now....I am a Halloween freak!!! I love decorating my house (with cute things....not icky things), dressing up with my husband on Halloween night to greet the trick-or-treaters with strobe lights, fog machines and spooky music. Needless to say, we are the hit of the neighborhood with the trick-or-treaters. LOL!!!

So, when my new Ghostly Greetings designer series paper arrived, I whipped out my new Haunting jumbo wheel and started playing. Oh, what fun!!!

I burnished my background on Shimmery White cardstock. What! You never heard of burnishing? You're just going to need to sign up for my newsletter to see how to burnish. This technique is spotlighted in this week's newsletter!!!

The focal image is my new Haunting wheel using Elegant Eggplant ink. The sentiment comes from the coordinating stamp set: House of Haunts. I love how the sentiment fits perfectly in the KeyTag punch. Woo hoo!!

Card Ingredients:

stamp sets: House of Haunts (111574)

Haunting jumbo wheel (112480)

paper: Elegant Eggplant

Kiwi Kiss

Shimmery White

Ghostly Greetings designer series paper

ink: Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad

Summer Sun Classic Stampin' Pad

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

accessories: Key Tag punch (107272)

Photo Corner punch (109042)

sponges

dimensionals

sponge daubers

If you have fallen in love with this card and would like to order the ingredients to make it yourself, you may access my Online Ordering website by clicking the 24/7 Online Ordering icon on the top of my right sidebar or by clicking HERE.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me.....I'm here to help!!!

Online Ordering Now Available!!

I am SO excited to announce that Stampin' Up! now offers Online Ordering.

Here's how to do it

• go to my demonstrator website: http://www.pattichesky.stampinup.net/


• click on the Shop Now button (under my information on the top right of my website)


• the first time you place an order, you will need to set up an account with your own user name and password

The new online catalog is AMAZING. I am especially fond of the new search feature. For example, do you love the brand new Kiwi Kiss color? Try this: do a search on Kiwi Kiss. You will be shown everything that comes in Kiwi Kiss.....even designer series paper with Kiwi Kiss as part of its pattern. Cool, huh?

Now, I don't really want Online Ordering to replace my special relationship with all of my stamping friends. I still would love for you to place your orders via phone call or email. But, Online Ordering is perfect for those times when I am not around......you're stamping while burning the midnight oil and I am sleeping in bed.....you're at a friends house stamping and you have to have something she is using.....you're on vacation....I'm on vacation, etc......

I encourage you to visit my website to today to check out all the wonderful things Online Ordering has to offer.

As always, you may call or email me with any questions you may have!!

You Like Me...You Really Like Me

My good friend, Robin Merriman, awarded me the "I Love Your Blog" award last week. I can't believe I forgot to post it. Well, actually maybe I can. You see, it was the first week of school and DH was away on a business trip. So, a normally hectic week became even more hectic when I had to play both Mom and Dad. Thank goodness, Dennis is home this week.....so things can get back to normal!!!

As part of this award I am supposed to nominate seven people whose blog I admire. I read lots of blogs (thank goodness for Google Reader), but there are several that I look forward to every day.

The list of blogs that I love to visit are at the bottom of my blog (just hit the End key on your keyboard to get to the bottom). I hope you find them all as inspirational as I have.

It was a busy weekend.....we went to Apple Day in Excelsior, MN and then dinner with our good friends on Saturday night.....yesterday was a DS's double-header baseball game in Bloomington (they lost both games.....boo hoo).

Today looks like oodles of laundry, vacuuming and stamping!!!!

Until tomorrow (or later if my mojo is in action).....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

This Challenge was Grrreat!!!

As Robin would say to Batman: "Holy Color Combo, Batman"!! This one was tricky!!! Lisa, how dare you make me think this hard the first week back to school. My body is so not used to getting up this early again!!!

Here's this week's Blogger's Challenge: use Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red and Tangerine Tango in one card that doesn't look like my scrap pile threw up. The challenge was easy until that Pacific Point got thrown in there. Hmmmm...what to do, what to do?

I know.....hide as much of the Pacific Point as possible. LOL!!!

Once I figured out a starting point, this card came together pretty easily. I knew I wanted to make a boy card. So I debated between my Just Baseball set and Under the Stars. As you can see, Under the Stars won that battle. Of course it did, would you want to fight this big 'ol bear?

Did you know that Under the Stars in on sale for 15% off? Yup...Uh huh...until September 30th. If you've fallen in love with him as much as I have, you can email me to place your order (as long as you live in the US.....I can't take orders from my international buddies...sorry!!).

Did you also notice that I used my Big Shot for the scalloped circle the big 'ol bear is resting on? That machine is totally WICKED. I love it!!! No more pulling out my corner rounder punch, pulling off the guard, punching around my circle and oh no...the scallops don't match up. Now, I need to hide the mess up with something. NO MORE MESS UPS!!! This Scallop Circle #2 die makes working with scallop circles so easy!!!!

Here are some other details about the card

• dragged my Tangerine Tango ink pad down the strip of Tangerine Tango cardstock to tone down the brightness of the orange
• stamped the star (also from Under the Stars) in Riding Hood Red and then did a little direct-to-paper technique to make it more distressed-looking.....helps it blend with the Tangerine Tango piece.
• watercolored the bear.....not really as careful as usual because I wanted a real distressed look to this card
• used a combo of my Designer Label punch and small oval punch to make a cool embellishment for my sentiment. Do you like the Riding Hood Red striped ribbon tails? This ribbon is sweet!! I'm still offering my ribbon share if you want to try it out for yourself....check it out HERE.

You can check out all the other wonderful creations my bloggin' sisters have made this week. Just click on the Blogger's Challenge icon on the right sidebar of my blog. If you have the time, leave them some comments. They love to hear from you as much as I do!!!

Well, it's off to work!!!! Laundry, dishes and toilets (ewwwww) await!!!

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Tutorial Time: Moonlighting

Today I am going to teach you about a fun technique called Moonlighting. It's perfect for this time of year as we all start playing with our Halloween stamp sets again.


For this tutorial I am using my newly introduced House of Haunts stamp set. This tree image is absolutely perfect to showcase the Moonlighting technique.


I stamped my image with Versamark, sprinkled with Black embossing powder and heated til shiny.


Punch a circle from any scrap of cardstock using your 1" Circle punch. Use Dotto or a piece of tape that doesn't have a lot of tack and place where you want to make your moon.



Pounce your sponge in some More Mustard ink and swirl color to the top 2/3 of your image.














Pounce the same sponge in some Pumpkin Pie ink and swirl on the top 1/3 of the image.


Using a clean sponge, pounce in some Old Olive ink and swirl on the bottom 1/3 of the image.


Carefully remove the circle punch and your moon is revealed!!!!


That's all there is to it........you now know how to Moonlight!!!!


If you make a card using the technique, please send me an email or leave me a comment with a link to your card. I would love to see it!!!

My Shot with the Big Shot

I am going to make a confession......I {heart} gadgets. So, when Stampin' Up! announced its partnership with Sizzix, I think I nearly pee'd my pants. Okay, I exaggerate, but I was REALLY jumping up and down!!!


I've owned Sizzix products for years. They lived a secret life in a drawer only to be used on my personal stash of cards. Now, I say "NO MORE". I can now share my excitement about the Big Shot die cutting machine with everyone!!!!! Yeah!!!


Starting today, you are able to purchase the Big Shot from me...your favorite Stampin' Up! demonstrator (wink wink). Why purchase from Stampin' Up!?


- we offer exclusive dies only available from Stampin' Up!
- earn exclusive hostess stamp sets and catalog merchandise for FREE when you have a qualifying order of $150 or more
- you have me as your Creative Coach to help you use your machine and show you beautiful projects ideas.....try getting that kind of service from a craft store!!!! LOL!!!



Enough chit chat!!! You can always email me if you have questions about the Big Shot or if you would like to place an order!!!


Let's talk about today's projects!!!!


The little Halloween party favor is from my favorite Big Shot die. It's called Basket and Blooms, and it is a Stampin' Up! exclusive die.


Now, you will have to forgive me for using retired Halloween DSP, but my order of the new DSP won't be here until tomorrow. I'm forgiven, right? It's too cute not to be forgiven!!!! LOL!!!


I assembled the bag, adhered on the bands (which are part of the die) and stamped the owl/tree image from my awesome new House of Haunts stamp set. I punched out the owl with my 1" circle punch and adhered onto two circles (1 1/4" of Kiwi Kiss and 1 3/8" of Pumpkin Pie). I filled the basket with some straggly spider-webby looking ribbon, and my spookly little party favor is done!!!!


The card is pretty easy to figure out. I will mention two techniques I used on this card. See how the owl looks like it's sitting in front of the moon. I used a technique called Moonlighting to achieve this look. I will do a tutorial on this tomorrow to show you exactly how it's done!!! It's so easy!!! The second technique is direct to paper on the Kiwi Kiss blocks. All I did was drag my Kiwi Kiss pad down each of the Kiwi Kiss cardstock pieces.


recipe
stamp sets: House of Haunts
paper: Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss, retired Halloween DSP
ink: Versamark, Basic Black
accessories: Photo Corner punch, Scallop Edge punch, Black Embossing Powder, heat tool, sponges, 1" circle punch


Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

Happy Labor Day!

It's Friday....you know what that means? Another Blogger's Challenge. This week's challenge was to make a labor day card....either a patriotic card or a baby card.

As I don't own many patriotic sets, I thought I would make a card for a baby girl. The adorable giraffe comes from the Wild About You stamp set. The sentiment comes from the brand new Level 1 Hostess set called Best Yet.

The focal image is stamped with So Saffron ink. I added definition to the image by using my Close to Cocoa marker on the eye, mouth, horns and tail. I also doodled some dots around the edges for more visual interest. After sponging the edges lightly with Close to Cocoa ink, I matted the image on Close to Cocoa cardstock.

The striped paper comes from the brand new Pink Pirouette Prints Pack designer series paper. The new patterns are gorgeous!!! I used my beloved Scallop Edge punch on the top edge (seriously, if you do not own this punch, what are YOU waiting for????? It's awesome!!!!).

The sentiment is punch using the 1 1/4" square punch which is set atop a piece of Certainly Celery punched with the brand new Scallop Square punch.

The final touches include some Certainly Celery photo corners and wide grosgrain ribbon.

Now I just need to know someone who has a little girl to give this card to!!!

Do you wanna see what my blog sisters have been up to this week? Click on the Blogger's Challenge icon to see all their wonderful creations!!!!

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!!!! It's the last hoorah before school starts!!!!

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

Quick and Easy Holiday Card

I know there are several other bloggers out there who are really smart about their holiday cards. They make ten cards a month so that when the holidays roll around, they aren't rushing around in a panic making holiday cards. They can happily nibble on their Christmas cookies knowing that one big holiday hurdle is done.

I just want to make the point that I am most definitely one of the panic-filled people!!!! I am nibbling on Christmas cookies because I am completely stressed out that I need to make 65 holiday cards. LOL!!!

As I was meandering through the catalog, I really fell in love with this color combination. It's Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy and Old Olive. Isn't it pretty????

I also am in total love with this brand new stamp set called Snow Swirled. I especially love it because it is on sale for 15% off until September 30th. Nothing's better than a beautiful stamp set for a really good price!!

On Shimmery White cardstock, I stamped the large snowflake image in Not Quite Navy craft ink and the medium snowflakes in Old Olive craft ink. I then sprinkled with Irridescent Ice embossing powder and heated til shiny. The littlest snowflakes are stamped with Baja Breeze classic ink.

The base card is Baja Breeze. The bottom two corners are rounded with my Corner Rounder punch. I sponged the edges with Baja Breeze ink and added some dot work with my white gel pen. I stamped the sentiment (which comes with the Snow Swirled stamp set) and the little snowflake in Not Quite Navy ink.

The focal image is adhered to the base card with a small torn piece of Not Quite Navy cardstock. A length of Old Olive narrow grosgrain is tied into a classic knot where the focal image meets the torn cardstock.

One holiday card made.....only 64 more to go..........time to eat a cookie!!!!

Until tomorrow......Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

It's Ribbon Share Time

I am excited to announce that I will be hosting another ribbon share.


This time the ribbons will be the 5/8" Striped Grosgrain ribbon (offered in the 6 In Colors) and the luscious Taffeta ribbon. This ribbon share is only available to people living in the United States.


Here are the details about each share:


In Color 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
- 6 colors (Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango)
- 2 yards per person
- $13.00 plus $5.45 shipping (USPS Priority Shipping with delivery confirmation)




Taffeta Ribbon
- 9 colors
- 2 yards per person
- $17.50 plus $5.45 shipping (USPS priority Shipping with delivery confirmation)


You may choose to join either or both ribbon shares.


I accept personal checks and PayPal.


I will be accepting spots for the ribbon share until it is full or September 5th (whichever comes first).


Simply email me to join the ribbon share

A Rose is a Rose

It's time to showcase another new stamp set. This one is called "A Rose is a Rose". This stamp set is truly gorgeous. If you've been with me a long time, you know that I was really upset when Stampin' Up! retired my beloved Roses in Winter. There have been new rose sets introduced by Stampin' Up! but nothing that I loved. Until now!!!

A Rose is a Rose is a two step stamp set. If you are unfamiliar with the term "two step stamp set", it simply refers to building the layers of the image by using two separate stamps.

For the large rose, I stamp the more solid stamp with Pirouette Pink ink. Using my Stamp-a-ma-jig I overstamp this image with the more defined stamp using Pretty in Pink ink. The smaller flowers are stamped first with Pretty in Pink and then overstamped with Riding Hood Red. The leaves are stamped in Kiwi Kiss. The first step is done with stamped off Kiwi Kiss. The second step is done with full strength Kiwi Kiss. I did add some Dazzling Diamonds to the large rose for some added sparkle.

The sentiment is stamped with Close to Cocoa ink. The entire focal image is sponged with Creamy Caramel ink.

A strip of distressed patterned paper from the Bella Rose DSP collection is sponged with Close to Cocoa ink. I wrapped a length of Chocolate Chip narrow grosgrain and tied it into a classic knot. The focal image is matted on Chocolate Chip, then Riding Hood Red and finally on Pirouette Pink.

I love the classic look of this brand new rose set. Although Roses in Winter will always have a special place in my heart, I look forward to playing with this brand new set....A LOT!!!!!

Oh well....time to start the day......until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Christmas in August

Can you believe it....Christmas is four months from today? Unbelievable!!!!


I thought a couple of cute little Christmas projects would be perfect for today. You will have to forgive me for using some retired DSP. I haven't received this year's holiday themed designer series paper yet, but it's on its way!!!


For the little gift bag, I ran a 6" x 12" piece of Dashing (retired) designer series paper through my Big Shot using my Baskets & Blooms die. Did you know that you can only purchase this die through Stampin' Up?


After assembling the bag, I tied a length of Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon around the bag and tied into a classic knot.


I stamped the deer image from Deer Friends (a level 2 Hostess set) using Chocolate Chip ink on a scrap of Whisper White cardstock. I colored over the antlers with a Creamy Caramel marker. I punched the deer out with my 1 1/4" circle punch. I took a half plastic bead and colored the back of it with a red Sharpie marker. I attached it to the deer's face using Tombow Liquid glue. I matted this onto a 1 3/8" Chocolate Chip circle which is then matted on a Creamy Caramel Scallop Circle punch.


Isn't it adorable?????


I also made a matching little 2 1/2" x 5" card. It's pretty much made the same way as above.


It's another beautiful day in MN. I am off to throw a load of laundry in and go enjoy the rest of the day.


Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

Finally.....Online!!!

Sorry about my lack of blogging, but it's been a whirlwind the past few days. Yesterday, we spent the day at the Minnesota State Fair. Our state fair is known for all different kinds of food on a stick. Here are some examples: Eggroll on a stick, Pizza on a stick, Pickles on a stick (one of my faves), Alligator on a stick (hubby tried that one a few years back), deep fried Snickers on a stick and SO much more!!!!

Last night I attended my first ever Country music concert. I have to admit that Brad Paisley is truly an amazing artist. Chuck Wicks and Jewel were the opening acts. It was a fun time had by all.

So, today as I am dragging my tush a little (got home after midnight), I realized that I missed my Blogger's Challenge. Oops!!! Sorry girls!!! I ran downstairs to make a card for a party we are attending later tonight. Our friend next door is turning 50, and his family is throwing him a surprise party.

This week's challenge is a color challenge. The colors are Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, More Mustard and Ruby Red. The stamp set was an easy choice. I grabbed my new "Cheers to You". What guy wouldn't be happy with a mug of beer on a hot summer day?

This card is pretty self-explanatory so I won't get into any major details. I do want to point out that adding Crystal Effects on the beer mug just makes it so more extra special.

Here's the recipe:

stamp sets: Cheers to You, Canvas

paper: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Old Olive, Ruby Red, Confetti White

ink: Black StazOn, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard

accessories: Choc Chip wide grosgrain, Old Olive narrow grosgrain, Crystal Effects, aquapainter, circle punches (1 1/4" and 1 3/8"), sponges, dimensionals, markers, Crafter's Tool Kit

I'm going to go soak my blistered feet in a nice warm tub.....I encourage you to take a look at all the other Blogger's Challenge projects this week. Simply click on the Blogger's Challenge icon on the right side of my blog. Until tomorrow...Happy Stamping everyone!!!

A Spooktacular Day

I was working downstairs in the Stamping Studio when DH came down the stairs with my box of new stamping goodies. I think I quoted Hannah Montana when I said "Sweet Niblets" as he put the box on my table.

I had a hard time choosing which stamp set to assemble first. In the end, I chose to play with my brand new Halloween goodies first.

This stamp set is called "House of Haunts", and I used a technique from the new catalog. I colored the focal image with three colors of markers: More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie and Elegant Eggplant. I then misted the stamp set with a fine mist water bottle and stamped the image on Confetti White cardstock. I then misted lightly on the cardstock and swooshed (yup, that's a technical term) my aquapainter over the image to blend a little. Once the cardstock dried, I sponged the edges with Elegant Eggplant ink and distressed the edges. The focal image is matted on More Mustard.

The base card is Elegant Eggplant. I dragged my Whisper White Craft pad across the cardstock and put it aside to dry thoroughly. In the mean time, I worked on my Kiwi Kiss band. I used my Scallop Edge punch on the bottom edge only and used the direct-to-paper technique on all the edges. I stamped "Happy Halloween" also in Kiwi Kiss ink.

The finishing touches include a classic knot using Pumpkin Pie narrow grosgrain and some buttons tied with Linen Thread. The More Mustard buttons are sitting on two 1/2" Pumpkin Pie circles.

I grunged the card up using my Color Spritzer Tool and Elegant Eggplant marker.

So, what do you think of my spooktacular Halloween card? Leave a comment....I'd love to hear from you!!!

Recipe:

stamp sets: House of Haunts

paper: Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss

ink: Whisper White craft, Elegant Eggplant, Kiwi Kiss

accessories: Stampin' Write markers (More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant), 1/2" circle punch, Earth Element buttons, Linen Thread, Scallop Edge Punch, Pumpkin Pie narrow grosgrain ribbon, aquapainter, fine mist water bottle

Life is a Highway

This week, life is a highway with a major traffic jam!!! LOL!!!


My big box of brand new Stampin' Up! goodies is scheduled to arrive today. I can't wait to play with my new Sizzix exclusive dies. I've been seeing them on my fellow demo's blogs, and I've been a little bit jealous!! I also purchased some awesome new stamp sets, patterned papers, ribbons and embellishments. I am truly excited that I can play so much faster now that the stamp sets are all die cut. No more hot spots on my fingers from cutting all that rubber. Now THAT'S exciting!!!


I have been working on some items for a "top secret" mission that I can't really talk about yet. I promise, you all will be the first to know!!!


Anyway, it's been a crazy week. Between school orientations, school pictures, dance open house, Taekwondo and prepping for Stamp Club, my white roots are starting to show (ah....don't fall for that....they were showing anyway)!!! Plus, the Minnesota State Fair starts tomorrow!!! Yeah!!! How many kinds of food on a stick can you think of? Minnesota State Fair is known for its food on a stick. My personal fave is "Pickle on a Stick". Yum-O!!!!


I will post a pic of my new play toys as soon as they arrive!!!! I look forward to showering you with brand new ideas and projects!!!!


Until later....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Blogger Challenge #60

It's Friday again, and you know what that means. That's right....it's time for another Blogger's Challenge.

This week's challenge was to make a birthday card. That's it!! No other rules!!! Any sketch...any colors.....yeah!!!

Once again I reached for my brand new "Flight of the Butterfly" stamp set. I used a brand new color combination on this creation: Baja Breeze, Sage Shadow and Close to Cocoa. I hardly ever use Sage Shadow...so that's quite an accomplishment for me!!!

The focal image is SUPER-DEE-DUPER sparkly!!! After stamping it, I ran it through my Xyron machine and dipped it into my Dazzling Diamonds. The photo doesn't even do the sparkliness justice....in fact this photo is really bad!!! I couldn't get it to photograph right!!!

The focal image is double-matted.....first on Sage Shadow and then on Close to Cocoa.

The base card is Baja Breeze. The only thing I did to it was sponge the edges with Baja Breeze ink. I added a strip of Whisper White cardstock that was lightly stamped with my Canvas background stamp and Close to Cocoa ink. For this really spotty look, just dance your fingers over the cardstock. I sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa ink too.

The final touch was adding some Chocolate Chip narrow grosgrain ribbon.

Would you like to see the other Blogger Challenge projects? Simply click on the Bloggers Challenge icon in the right sidebar of my blog.

recipe:

stamp sets: Flight of the Butterfly, Canvas

paper: Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow, Whisper White

ink: Baja Breeze, Sage Shadow, Close to Cocoa

accessories: Chocolate Chip narrow grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, Xyron machine

KISS

Do you know what the hardest thing for me is? Keeping my cards simple.

I know it sounds ridiculous, but it is SO true!!!

So, today I challenged myself!! I made a simple card. I followed the KISS rule.....Keep It Simple Stamper!!! You see, it's been a crazy week here. The Yankees are in town playing the Twins. So, as we're originally from New York and now live in Minnesota, we had to go to two of the games. Needless to say, my week has been a little hectic!!! The KISS rule made my stamping so much easier!!!

I will admit I had the withdrawal shakes......I didn't sponge on this card!!!! Can you believe it? A "Patti" card without sponging!!!! Unimaginable!!!

Anyway, onto the card. This card took me 5 minutes!!! No kidding!!!!

The base card is Riding Hood Red (an amazing new In Color). I stamped the silhouette daisy stamp from Upsy Daisy all across the bottom of the card using Riding Hood Red ink. I then overstamped the entire card with my Canvas background stamp also using Riding Hood Red ink.

I took a 5 1/2" x 1 1/2" strip of So Saffron and punched the bottom edge with the brand new Scallop Edge punch (which happens to be my favorite new tool from the new catty). I stamped the sentiment (also in the Upsy Daisy set) using Riding Hood Red ink.

A bow made from a length of Whisper White narrow grosgrain ribbon was all I needed to finish off this simple yet beautiful card!!!

That's it!!!! So now it's your turn!!! Go to your stamping area and stamp a simple card. You'll be glad you did!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Inspiration

I am often ask how I get inspired. Inspiration comes from many places. I love to look at color combinations from catalogs, home decor magazines and from nature itself.


As I've matured, my tastes and color preferences have changed. Ten years ago I would've turned my head at all the warm colors I find myself being pulled towards nowadays.


Today's card celebrates the stamper I've become. Over the years I've learned to incorporate some items that may instill fear at first. For example, I now love to use patterned paper on projects way beyond the scope of scrapbooking. It's rare to find a card of mine without some ribbon or embellishment on it. They've become part of my signature style.


Today's project focuses on some of my favorites (old and new):

• Silhouette Stamps
• Patterned Paper
• Earth Elements cardstock and inks
• sponging effects
• brads and ribbon

I love this new "Inspired by Nature" stamp set by Stampin' Up!. I can achieve so many looks with just one stamp set by altering the technique that I use. Today I used Poppin' Pastels to achieve the soft and muted look to these cone flowers. I just love the effect!!

Here's the recipe in case you want to recreate this GOJUS (as Jan Tink would say) card!!!!

stamp sets: Inspired by Nature, Canvas

ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip

paper: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Bella Rose DSP, Very Vanilla

accessories: Vintage Brads, Chocolate Chip narrow grosgrain ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch, sponge daubers, Chalk Pastels, sponges

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Never Been Seen Promotion

I've already told you that the new Fall & Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog is being unveiled today.

Now, I need to tell you that TEN of the brand new DIE-CUT stamp sets from this catalog are on sale for 15% off!!!! I own two of these stamp sets already, and they are gorgeous!!!

CLICK HERE to view the promotion flyer!!!

Orders from the Fall & Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog can be placed starting 1:00pm CST today!!!

If you would like to place an order, you can either call me at (952) 843-3743 or send me an EMAIL.

I look forward to serving your stamping, scrappin' and papercrafting needs!!!!

Fall & Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog Unveiled Today!!!

I can't believe today is THE day!!! The Fall & Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog is here!!!

This catalog is the best one in years!!! I am not kidding. The variety of stamp set styles is incredible. There is truly something for everyone!!!

Once Stampin' Up! posts the link to the online catalog, I will update this post with the link.

If you would like your own copy of this awesome new catalog, I am selling them for $5 plus shipping (if applicable). Just CLICK HERE to send me an email to save one for you!!!