Proud Peacock & Stampin' Addicts Summer Mini Blog Hop

Welcome to the Stampin' Addicts Summer Mini Blog Hop!

Whether you are just arriving from Cheryl's blog or starting out here - thanks for stopping by! You'll be happy to know that there are 23 Addicts in this hop and this is only stop #9. Cheryl will be presenting a new set Best Dad Ever but, if you are starting here, don't worry. We are all linked together so that you can easily make your way through all of the sites for sneak peeks, ideas and inspiration. Once you're done, join us at Stampin' Addicts to talk about what you've seen!

It's my pleasure to introduce an upcoming stamp set called Proud Peacock.  This adorable set is featured on page 14 and includes 6 different stamps including a peacock with open plumage. Priced at $15.95 or only $11.95 for clear-mount, it's a great way to use those hostess dollars! Let's get started with some ideas, shall we?

First, here is a bold and bright card to perk us up. The flower images are heat embossed with black embossing powder and colored in with Stampin' Write Markers:

Stamps: Proud Peacock, Tiny Tags

Ink: VersaMark, SWMarkers in Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Signo Gel pen

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Tools: Heat Tool, Black embossing powder, 1", 1 1/4" and 1 3/4" circle punches, Itty Bitty Punch Pack

Embellishments: Itty Bitty Buttons, 5/8" Satin ribbon in Old Olive

Yes - bright. Don't say I didn't warn you! lol
Next, I thought it would be fun to make something a little different. Working with fabric is once again a big thing and there are so many ways to use it. This bookmark was easy to create, even for those of us who are "beginners". (I'll share the how-to next week.) For a fun embellishment, stamp the peacock in Stazon onto shrink plastic and heat to create a personalized button.

Ink: StazOn Black

Fabric: Candy Cane Christmas, 1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon

Tools: Heat Tool, hole punch

Also used: Needle, Thread, Iron, Sewing-machine, Innerfuse

Last is a card I created for a Stampin' Addicts swap. (Another reason to join us at SA!) I don't know about you, but when I think about peacocks, I think about their beautiful coloring when they are showing off.  My job here would not be done if I didn't share a colorful bird with ya! So for this image, I inked the stamp in VersaMark then in Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink and rolled just the edges in Pacific Point Classic Ink. Once stamped, I poured on the Clear embossing powder and heat set to get a raised, shiny and colorful image. A little extra color with markers, et voila!

Stamps: Proud Peacock, A Word For You

Ink: VersaMark, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, SWMarkers in same, Concord Crush, Wild Wasabi

Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Concord Crush

Tools: 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" circle punches, Big Shot, Backgrounds Texturz plates, Heat Tool

Embellishments: Jewels Basic Rhinestone

Thanks BIG TIME for joining us on the hop today. I hope you enjoyed these projects and your introduction to Proud Peacock. Now it's time to head over and see Debra using On the Grow, which just happens to be #1 on my wish list! Enjoy!

Proud Peacock (set of 6); available May 1, 2011

CS20H - Sew Daisy

Thursday is play day at Creative-Sketches. This week, we have a sketch and holiday challenge for you!  I definitely recommend that you take a few minutes to stop by the Creative-Sketches blog today and see what the team has done. Not only will you see some great cards, but a few have preview items from our upcoming Summer Mini. There are some gorgeous cards - don't miss them!

Before you go, here's my card for this sketch. I did not get holiday specific; this is one of those cards that will work for any occasion. TIP: For the stitching, use your Paper Piercing Tool and Mat Pack to create the holes first. Then it's easy-peasy to run stitches through with a needle and thread!

Thanks for stopping by!


Stampin' Supplies:

Daisies Flower #2 Bigz Die	(#114520/$19.95)
This card uses the 2 smaller daisies.

Daisies Flower #2 Bigz Die

  (#114520/$19.95)

This card uses the 2 smaller daisies.

Stamps: Tiny Tags
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: More Mustard, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Chocolate chip
Tools: Big Shot, Daisy #2 die, Jewelry Tag punch, 1 3/4" circle punch
Embellishments: Metallic Brads, Itty Bitty Buttons, Linen Thread
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

May Desktop

Here's a desktop background for you! It uses the May calendar shared last week set into a larger background and uses the color combination shared there, too. Enjoy!

Note:
This picture file is saved as 1900w for wider screens. For a 1200w, click here.

Thanks for stopping by!


My Digital Studio, Fabulous Florets Stamp Brush Set (Available May 1st)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

Use It Tuesday - Buttons

Have bags and jars full of buttons? Here's a  fun way to use them!

This tutorial by Little Miss Momma even includes how to make your own checkerboard. What a great teacher gift or summer-time project with the kids! And just think - it's not a big deal if you lose a "checker". Just pull another one out of the jar!

And for even more ideas, read this article by Debbie Hodge. She shares storage ideas as well as some great layouts for scrapbooking.

Thanks for stopping by!



Need buttons? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

This Friday class was all about the Big Shot

Thanks to the ladies of all ages who made it for class last Friday. And to those of you who have ever wondered what kinds of cards we make at our Friday classes, here's the latest. This card was inspired (copied!) by this card from Heidi Baks.

If you live near Melbourne (Florida, that is!) and would like to join us, contact me for class location and details.

Thanks for stopping by!


Stampin' Supplies:
Paper: Whisper White, Springtime Vintage DSP, Pear Pizzazz, Tangerine Tango
Tools: Big Shot, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Top Note Die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Itty Bitty Punch Pack
Embellishments: Jewels Basic Pearl 
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

Clearly for You Mother's Day

Hi everyone! Happy weekend and welcome to Utah Divas sketch challenge #133. To play along, just use this sketch to boost your creativity then link to your project either in a comment here or on the UDI blog. As you see below, you can flip the sketch, change the shapes or even add additional details to create something all your own.

I love the variety of patterned papers we offer at Stampin' Up! One of my favorite current offerings is the Springtime Vintage selection in the Occasions Mini catalog. The blue design on this sheet made me think of my mom (she loves blue), so I chose images she would like and made this one for her.

They are a bit difficult to see in the photo, but Pearls embellish this card in each corner of the patterned layer and on the scrolled ends of the stamped image. All in all, this is a step up from the stuff I used to make her in grade school ;)

To see more ideas, visit the Utah Divas blog for a complete list of this weekend's players. Thanks for stopping by!


Stampin' Supplies:

Clearly For You - Available through April 30. 2011

Stamps: Clearly for You, Something to Celebrate
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Paper: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper
Tools: 2"x 1-3/8" and 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval punches, Scallop Border punch
Embellishments: Jewels Basic Pearls
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

It's ending, but not over!

Our Occasions Mini catalog period is coming to an end. In May, we'll be salivating over new images and tools in the Summer Mini catalog. It's a fun time definitely, but don't toss out the current mini when the new one arrives! After all, it's not just a catalog, but an IDEA BOOK, too. 

Do these look familiar? They are very close replicas of the sample on page 5 of the Occasions Mini.

 Need a copy? Contact me for a paper copy or download the pdf version here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Valentine Defined (w121941, c123057)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Valentine Defined, Something to Celebrate (hostess level 2, also from the mini)
Ink: Stampin' Write Markers in Real Red, Old Olive and Early Espresso
Paper: Real Red , Whisper White, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight
Embellishments: Brads Brights, 5/8" Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon
Tools: 1 3/8" circle punch,  Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, circle cutter
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

Use It Tuesday - Blue Jeans

My younger son can't seem to wear jeans without ripping a hole in one knee. I don't understand, seriously. But I DO remember my mom saying the same thing about my older brother. So maybe it's genetic?
So, what is a mom to do with holey-jeans? Cut them into shorts and use the remnants for something creative!

So maybe I won't give him a hard time when he does this again. This is kinda cute!

Thanks for stopping by!


Stampin' Supplies:

Autumn Days stamp set

Stamps: Autumn Days, You're a Gem
Ink: Early Espresso, Poppy Parade
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade
 Tools: Big Shot, Little Leaves sizzlit, Jewelry Tag punch
Embellishments: Vintage Lace ribbon, Poppy Parade stitched ribbon, Metallic Brads
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

Free Printable Calendar - May

Thought I'd get this to you a little early, in case you want to start putting your May events on it. Enjoy!

This calendar features images from our new stamp set, Fabulous Florets. Just one of the new offerings in our upcoming Summer Mini catalog, this set will be available in both rubber (wood-mount and clear-mount) and as a digital stamp brush set, too. And wait 'til you see the Designer Series Paper that goes with it - so bright and fun!

Something else to tell you:
Starting in May, My Digital Studio will be offered in two different formats. The current one, packaged in DVDs with full software and complete digital content and a new Express downloadable option. At half the price ($39.95), it still contains the entire software package of the original but with minimal content. The perfect option for someone who already has digital content resources and wants a great way to use them!

Thanks for stopping by!


Supplies info:
My Digital Studio Full (118108) $79.95


Available May 1, 2011:
My Digital Studio Express - Downloadable Version (124483) $39.95
Fabulous Florets Stamp Brush Set (6 pcs.) #124110 $3.95
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

DivaSC132 Teddy & Train

Welcome to this weekend's sketch challenge with the Utah Divas.  I hope you have your feet kicked up and a cup of coffee in hand so that you can sit back and enjoy the blog hop. :)

Remember that to see more ideas, you can follow the link (below) or visit the Utah Divas blog for a complete list of participants. Feel free to play along!

 The title for this blog post may be a little misleading. I used the Teddy & Train stamp set, but didn't use either the teddy or the train images for the card! Instead I used one of the sentiments and the cute little rattle image. I don't even know anyone having a baby any time soon, but these images are so cute that I just had to use them.

Those little rattles are so cute! My son had a blue one when he was tiny; I remember he spent a lot of time gumming it! I know, not the original purpose I guess... but he was happy ;)

Thanks for stopping by! To continue with the hop, click here for Barbara's blog.
 Enjoy!


Stampin' Supplies:

Teddy & Train (#115219) $17.95

Stamps: Teddy & Train (only available in wood mount option)
Ink: River Rock, Early Espresso, Baja Breeze
Paper: River Rock, Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Tools: 1 3/4" x 7/8" oval large punch, 1 3/4" x 5/8" oval large punch
Embellishments: Jewels Basic Pearls
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

Daffodils and Morning Coffee

While playing around with yesterday's color challenge, I made a couple of extra cards with similar colors. Here, I replaced the Bashful Blue with Real Red.

based on a sample created by Nance Leedy

Thanks for stopping by!


Stampin' Supplies:

Morning Cup

Stamps: Morning Cup, A Word for You
Ink: Black
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Brights & Regals Designer Series Paper stack
Tools: Scallop Edge punch
Embellishments: Jewels Basic Rhinestone, Real Red 5/8 grosgrain
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

CS28 - use this versatile color combo

At Creative Sketches, we have the neatest color challenge for you today. The task is to use:

• Daffodil Delight
• Elegant Eggplant
• Bashful Blue

I'll admit, it is ALWAYS a challenge for me to use any kind of purple. I was a little intimidated but I wasn't willing to wimp out. So I put on my big-girl panties and got to work. And, doncha know I came up with two. My mom would be so proud ;)
I was amazed at how changing the main color can really change things.  First, let me show you how it looks to let a bright color take center stage. Here, Daffodil Delight leads:

Aviary Stamp Set; card is based on one by Dawn Olfcheske

The card base is Elegant Eggplant and the bird in the aviary is Bashful Blue. Sorry that the Whisper White looks a little dull, but it's a nice, bright happy card IRL. This card is going to my sil Lora to use, she is a LSU fan :)
Now, look what happens when we use the same colors of card stock but let the Subtle Bashful Blue reign.

Awash with Flowers stamp set; card based on one by Arielle Gordon

Eek - I love this card! And isn't it neat that this card has a sweeter look to it just because of the change in color emphasis? Fun!

So are you ready to see more ideas? Visit the Creative-Sketches blog for more inspiration. If you would like to play along, you can link up to the challenge there. And in case you were wondering, it does not have to be a card. You can create whatever you want as long as it has these colors.

Thanks for stopping by!


Stampin' Supplies:

Awash With Flowers

Stamps: Aviary, Something to Celebrate, Awash with Flowers, A Word for You
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight, Black
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Tools: Scallop Square Punch
Embellishments: 1/8" Taffeta (Daffodil Delight), Jewels Basic Rhinestone
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

Nature Walk Clean and Simple

Looking for a clean and simple card? Try this one using neutral card stock, vellum and simple embellishments.

Thanks for stopping by!


Stampin' Supplies:

Nature Walk (w121925/$25.95, c 121997/$18.95)

Stamps: Nature Walk
Ink: Stampin' Write Markers in Soft Suede and Baja Breeze
Paper: Soft Suede, Vellum Paper, Very Vanilla
Tools:  Big Shot and Perfect Polka Dots embossing Folder
Embellishments: Linen Thread, Antique Brads, Jewels Basic Pearls
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

Use It Tuesday - Fabric

Today's Use It idea comes from The Pleated Poppy. Although there are so many ideas on the site, this one caught my eye right away. I would have never thought to make my own lamp shade out of strips of fabric. There may even be some ribbon mixed in there. Honestly, some people are so creative!

Thanks for stopping by!


Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online

Have you smooched?

I love using Smooch Spritz to add some sparkle to projects, but I warn you - it can be messy! Normally, you can use our Color Catcher to contain the spray, but what about when your project doesn't fit in the 10" x10" x10" box?

Here's my answer to spraying an 8-1/2" x 11" sheet of card stock. First, I stamped my images using the Color Coach for inspiration.

 Next, I used a piece of poster board and a sheet of the cardboard (from the back of our Grid Paper) to protect my floor. The spray nozzle is small, but it sprays a large area. (Trust me on this...)

And here is the finished card, a clean and simple card for Dad. The full sheet cuts down to 4 card fronts so I made extras ;)

Thanks for stopping by!


Stampin' Supplies:

 Color Catcher (121093/ $5.95)

Stamps:Nature Walk (w121925, c121997)
Ink: Crumb Cake (121020), Cajun Craze (119671), Always Artichoke (105219), More Mustard (103162), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Paper (main sample): Naturals Ivory (101849), More Mustard (100946), Cajun Craze (119684)
Embellishments: Log Cabin Smooch Spritz (119921), Antique Brads (117273)
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
Need supplies? Shop Stampin' Up! Online