Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Blog Hop You're My Type

Welcome to the hop, folks! This weekend, the Stampin' Addicts have 16 stops of ideas and inspiration for you. We are showcasing new offerings from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog including some of the stamp sets and tools you will find in this, our latest mini catalog. We are all linked together, so whether you are starting here or have arrived from Mickey's amazing blog, just click through the links provided and you will make your way around the hop.

The new stamp set I'm sharing with you today is called You're my Type. This set contains a retro typewriter image along with six sentiments in the perfect font. It really looks like what you would get when you typed with these machines. (Yes, I'm dating myself....) Onto the projects:

First, here's a simple Thank You card to show you how easily the sentiments fit inside our Four Frames stamp set. The Frames are easy to cut out with the coordinating Decorative Label punch, so making a batch of these will take hardly any time at all! (Note: the quilted ribbon shown here is from our Holiday Mini; I don't know if it will be offered again. Order from your demonstrator before Jan 3rd if you don't want to miss out on it!)

Next is a fun card sharing the typewriter, our new Framelits dies and lots of love! I used the negative of the die cut (what's left when you cut out your shape) as a frame for my image. If you look closely, you can see that the frame has a nice embossed line around it. (Click photo to enlarge.)

And last is a little somethin' I put together for my friend Jessica.  This little box is full of personalized notes created from printer paper. Her name was printed 4 to a sheet and then I cut them apart into 4" x 5 1/4" segments. The words "from the desk of" are from this stamp set and were stamped with Cherry Cobbler ink. You can see another sentiment, "a little note" on the paper coming out of the machine. Cute! I invite you to check back next week for a video tutorial showing how easily the box comes together.

I hope you have enjoyed this preview of our new set You're My Type. Next, we're on to Shelley's site and a new set called Mouthwatering featuring 4 summery treats. Can't wait to see what she has done with them! Click here to be directed to her post.

OR
If you are clicking backwards through the posts, click here to be directed to Mickey's post. You are going to love what she has done - and she even provides all of the details!

OR
For a complete list of participants in today's Hop or to join in the conversation, visit the Stampin' Addicts forum. Enjoy!

Supply Details:
Stamps: You're My Type, Four Frames
Ink: Soft Suede, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, assorted scraps for hearts and circles
Tools: Decorative Label punch, Big Shot, Framelits Labels, Heart to Heart punch, 3/4", 1 1/4" and 2 1/2" circle punches
 Embellishments: Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon, Jewels Basic Rhinestone
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
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DivaSC169 Floral Fusion

It's New Year's Eve and time to party! Party with paper, that is! It's time to pull out those "I-know-I-can-use-these" box of scraps or that favorite stamp and try this weekend's sketch. The challenge is simply to create a card using the same shape or image repeatedly. I can't wait to see what you come up with so - please - link to your project (in a comment) if you play along.

This design has been floating around in my brain for a while. In a way, it makes me think of the Sesame Street short, "One of these things is not like the other...". But I don't own that stamp (HA!)  so instead it will serve as a way to tell someone that I think they are special...in a good way...

Project Details:

• Flowers are die cuts, cut using the Floral Fusion Sizzlit die. The die cuts all 3 sizes of the flower at the same time, making quick work of building your flower. 
• Use a Bone Folder or the blunt edge of scissors to slightly curl the petals up. Add even more texture by crumpling the flower layers, sponging the edges with color or with an embossing folder. I was going for the clean-and-simple, easy-to-mail look so very little was done to the flowers.
• Use those scraps! The flowers shown here are some of our In-Colors: Poppy Parade (the special flower), Pool Party, Island Indigo and Concord Crush. 
• Jewels Basic Pearls complete each flower; shown are the largest of the 3 sizes you receive in each package of our pearls. Since they already have adhesive on the back, you literally just peel and stick these pearls in place. Love it! 
• For you digital designers out there, did you know that the Pearls and Rhinestones are also available as a digital download? Get both designs for only $1.95

For additional card inspiration, don't forget to stop by the Utah Divas Int'l blog site. There you will find photos and links for this sketch as well as other weekly challenges. Enjoy!



Supply Details: 
Stamps: Just Believe
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Concord Crush, Whisper White
Tools: Big Shot, Floral Fusion
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)
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Jewels Basic Pearls

Questions regarding using Framelits

Hello Readers,

Heidi Baks recently asked a couple of questions about the card shown here. I thought I'd answer in a post in case anyone else was wondering.

Heidi wanted to know (A) the final dimensions of the card and (B) if it was difficult to cut through two layers with the Framelit (to create the card base).

(A)
To create the card base,  I used the 3rd largest of the Framelit dies. This size cuts to approximately 3-3/8" x 4". To cut it, start with a card base of 4- 1/4" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4".  I folded the card at the score, then aligned the Framelit so that the score line was exposed; this way, when I cut my card much of the score line was exposed. You can see this flat/folded edge along the top of the card.

Note: For a slightly larger card, use the 2nd largest frame and you will end up with a card approximately 4" x 4-5/8". 

(B)
No, it was not difficult to cut through both layers. The Framelits cut through both layers cleanly and easily.

If you have any questions regarding other projects you have seen here, please contact me. As you see, I am happy to answer! :)



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My Digital Studio 12x12 page

My husband and son replaced the carpet in my craft room this past week. It is now sporting a lovely oak laminate flooring. I am so blessed to have them both. This was such a sweet thing to do for me.

This page was created in My Digital Studio using a sketch provided by Teresa Hafso for Sudsol. If you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and are looking for a group to share business and project ideas - Sudsol is a great group to join. The group offers a free trial membership (find the link in my blog's left hand panel) if you would like to try it out.

Starting next week, I will begin providing weekly scrapbook challenges to the group. I'll be mixing it up with sketches, title/theme and other challenges each week throughout the month. I will also be posting the challenges here for my non-demonstrator readers; I hope you will play along!



Supply Details: My Digital Studio, Basic Rhinestones and Pearls digital downloads (#124330/$1.95)

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Coming up next weekend:

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a day of Blessings and Joy!
Reflections of Christ Slideshow from Reflections of Christ on Vimeo.

DivaSC168 Nature Walk

Almost Christmas... just one more day. Don't freak! Play with paper instead!!

Today's sketch challenge has a little something extra thrown in. It needs to be completed on a card base that is not a square or rectangle. Really, it was just an excuse to play with some of the new dies coming out.... I knew you would want to see them and this was a great way to show you ;)

This small card was created using our new Framelits (Labels Collection). One of the great features of this product is that you receive it with multiple sizes of the same shape. You can see 3 here: card base, Designer Series Paper layer and stamped layer. And, since you can see where you are cutting, you can do your stamping first then cut out the area you need. Very user friendly!

Project Details:

• The butterfly, from our Nature Walk stamp set, was inked using Chocolate Chip and Peach Parfait markers. To get the speckles on the wings, ink the image with the main color (P. Parfait) then gently tap the marker end of the darker ink (C. Chip) in a few places. Huff moist air onto your image as if you were fogging up a mirror and stamp.
• The small flower adorning the sentiment was punched out using the flower in the Itty Bitty Punch Pack. Using Paper Snips, snip into the recessed area between petals to separate them a bit then use your fingers or a stylus to gently curl the petals up. A tiny Jewels Basic Pearl adds a special touch to the center.
• A small strip of Espresso Baker's Twine is tied onto the Old Olive Satin ribbon, holding the ends in place. The satin ribbon is wrapped around card front and is also secured by adhesive behind the layers on the front of the card.

Are you ready for more ideas? Then join me and visit the Utah Divas Int'l blog site where you can see the samples from other team members.  Their links are also provided so you can access the details for each project and leave them some comment love.

Thank you for visiting my blog today. Have a wonderful Christmas :)



Supply Details:
Stamps: Nature Walk, Perfectly Penned
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait
Paper: Naturals Vanilla, Very Vanilla, Pocket Full of Posies Designer Series Paper
Tools: Big Shot, Framelits (Labels)
Embellishments: Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Espresso Baker's Twine, Jewels Basic Pearls
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
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Nature Walk (Available in Wood and Clear Mount)

Clearance Rack Blitz

The Clearance Rack Blitz is still going on. Stampin' Up! has been adding new items to the rack - all discounted even further!

Today, here are a few items I found:



Fist how about something for the next series of projects, Valentines? Get this set of DSP for only $1.99! 12 sheets total, 3 each of each of the pages shown here.

Love Letters Designer Series Paper item #124156

If you enjoy using your Big Shot, you will be happy to know that there are also dies for 3D elements, baskets and embellishments, like this one:

Birds Blooms Sizzlits (4 pack) #113485  $8.79 sale price

Our previous design of punches are available in several shapes, including Circles ranging from 1/2" up to 1-3/8".

1-1/4' circle punch (#104403) $9.59 sale price

There are also some rub-ons available. This one would be adorable for scrapbooking this year's events or for next year's cards.

Candy Cane Rub-ons (#120990) $3.19 sale price

There are pages and pages of items for sale. To check them out, please visit my on-line store. Available 24/7 - even if you are in your jammies :)




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Stampin' Up! You're My Type

Edited to add: link to flower tutorial

I'm refinishing my bedroom furniture this week so stamp time has been rare. However, one of my favorite people (the UPS guy) delivered a package with some preview items in it so I just had to take a break and play with new stamps!

I have seen a few antique typewriter images on the market and am thrilled we will be offering You're My Type in the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog. It comes with various sentiments to add to the image; my favorite being "hello" since you can use it for anything.

And, do you see the brad in the center of the ruffled paper flower? Well, my friends, you will be able to get a set of those in various colors for FREE during Sale-A-Bration. January can't get here quick enough, can it?




Supply Details:
Stamps: You're My Type
Ink: Basic Gray
Paper: Basic Gray, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla, Newspring Designer Series Paper
Tools: Paper-Piercing Tool (to help set the brad)
Embellishments: Everyday Enchantment Brads
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
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Stampin' Up! Stocking Builder punch

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share an announcement with you. Our Stocking Builder punch, presented in our Holiday Mini catalog, is only available while supplies last. Often, our punches will carry over from one catalog period to the next, but this one is an exception. If it is on your wishlist, be certain to order one while you still can!

Stocking Builder Punch (click to order it now!)

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My Digital Studio - printing multiple per page

Have you ever "discovered" something that was right under your nose the whole time? Well, that happened to me this weekend and even though it was a "boy, I'm a dork" kind of moment, I am willing to share it with you because it saves THAT much time and frustration!

Sometimes I use My Digital Studio to create card sketches that we use in class. I provide these sketches on a postcard and punch a hole in one corner so that my ladies can keep them on a ring. It's a very handy tool that provides a kick-start to creativity when you are stumped! Now to make the best use of my cardstock, I print the cards four per page. Keep in mind that this is essentially the size of a card front, so this same info applies to creating card fronts! (Thank you Sue E. for pointing that out!)

In order to do this I had to either create a 2nd project where I could cut and paste 4 of the cards or export it to another program and work some more to get everything just right.

The answer was right under my nose.

Note: I use a MAC, but if you are on a PC, don't fret. One of my stampin' friends from Sudsol assures me the same can be done on a PC. Just check your settings to make sure you are not permanently changing your settings.

Here's how:

1. First export your project to a jpeg. I saved to my desktop so I could find it easily.

2. Double-click on the project to open it up in Preview. Click File, then Print. You will see something like this:

3. On the bottom right of this screen, there are options to print a different number of images per page. Right now, only one is selected.

4. Here's where it gets fun. Choose 4, and look what happens.

Why this rocks: Our one image has moved to the upper left-hand corner. This is a wonderful option for when you want to print just one postcard/card front and don't want to waste the rest of your card stock! (If I just adjusted the size, it would print the correct size, but in the middle of the page...)

5. But we want 4, so click the box next to "Print 4 copies per page". And viola!

Lookie there! Evenly dispersed on the page! No muss - no fuss!

Aside from printing out these sketch cards, I also used this same process to type out project notes for an upcoming swap. The project information would not fit on a standard label anyway, so I typed up the supply notes, used command-shift-4 to capture just that area of text (which saves it on my desktop as a jpg image). I was able to print 9 per page without having to go into Word, set up labels, blah, blah, blah. This will also be handy when I want to print images from My Digital Studio; create once, save and print as many as will fit - without having to copy and paste to fill the page.

As my little guy would say - EPIC!   I hope you think so, too :)



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DivaSC167 PS I Love You sneak peek

Happy Weekend! Today marks one week until Christmas (eek!) and it also marks another day to play with a new sketch challenge with the Utah Divas. Are you ready?

Although I should be making the last of my Christmas cards, I couldn't resist inking up a new stamp set, PS I Love You. This set will be released in January as part of our Occasions Mini Catalog offering. The set includes 15 images and sentiments; 3 are shown in my sample.

Isn't the cupid image adorable? My image looks a bit marbled simply because I had just re-inked my Basic Gray ink pad and I was a little... um, overly generous. It doesn't really take much to re-ink a pad (unless you have really let it dry out).  I could have re-stamped the image, but I thought it looked interesting with the marbling through the wings. (To see the image larger, simply click the photo and it will enlarge.)

One last thing - before you go - click here to visit the Utah Divas Blog. You will now find photos of the cards submitted by the Utah Divas sketch team along with their links.  Enjoy!



Supply Details: 
Stamps: PS I Love You
Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze
Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Neutrals Designer Series Paper stack
Tools: 1" and 1 3/8" circle punch,
Embellishments: Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Jewels Basic Rhinestone
Always within reach: Color Coach (121046), Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
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Discover great color combos in the Color Coach

Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack

From December 15, 2011, through January 5, 2012, nearly 200 products are being added to the Clearance Rack in the Online Store--with some discounted up to 80 percent!

VISIT THE ONLINE STORE

Please note: Within the Online Store, in the Clearance Rack Blitz category, there will be some identical punches that have two different item numbers; this is because we are using inventory from both our American and our European warehouses. We will indicate which punches this affects in the product description.



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Stampin' Up! Forest Festivities plus a new product preview

Today, let me share a last-minute set of Christmas cards with you. Not excited? Well, take a look - there's a new product on there...

Do you see the Cherry Cobbler frame behind the stamped image? This lovely shape was cut out using a new Sizzix product we will be bringing to you in January! Similar in style to the Spellbinders dies, these thin rule dies look like thin metal frames. They are open in the center so that you can easily see where you are cutting. Each set contains multiple sizes of the same shape for easy framing and layering.

For today's card, I used the third largest of the dies to cut my frame. This card is actually based on a sample shown in the Holiday Mini Catalog. (See page 16.) The sample in the catalog uses our ever-popular Top Note Die; I replaced it with this shape so I'd have an excuse to tell you about it ;)

The image was colored in using an Aqua Painter and Classic Ink pads. In case you missed it, some tips for watercoloring with this tool were posted yesterday. Click here to see that post.




Supply Details: 
Stamps: Forest Festivities
Ink: StazOn Black, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Night of Navy
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Watercolor paper, Regals Designer Series Paper stack
Tools: Big Shot, Framelits Labels Collection
Embellishments: Denim ribbon, button (retired), White Baker's Twine
Always within reach: Tabletop Paper Cutter (106959), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Stampin' Mist Stamp Cleaner (102394), Stampin' Scrub (102642)
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Forest Festivities (Available through December)

Three Tips - using an Aqua Painter

Aqua Painter (set of 2)

I have received a few questions about water-coloring lately. One of the easiest ways to do this technique is to use an Aqua Painter. What is it,  you ask? As you can see in the photo here, it looks a bit like a paintbrush with a barrel in the middle for holding liquid. This barrel and the device holding the bristles keep the tool wet enough to color but not so wet that it drips.

You can use the Aqua Painter along with Watercolor Crayons and Watercolor Pencils, but my favorite way to use them is to just pick up ink from the lid of Classic Ink pads. You can even use the drops that accumulate along the edges of the pad and case! See... I'm not being messy - it's a technique!

Tip: If your ink pad is pristine, simply press the case together (while closed); when you open it up you will find ink smushed onto your lid.

(SMUSHED... it's a technical term...)

Tip2: Don't want to get it dirty? Put a drop of rei-nker on the lid instead or rub the bristles of the Aqua Painter directly onto your ink pad.

If coloring in stamped images, I recommend using StazOn ink to stamp your main image. Dye ink (like what you are using to color) will simply bleed.  Not really the look we're going for here... In the sample below, I stamped onto Watercolor Paper and have begun coloring by adding More Mustard to the star, Always Artichoke to three gifts and Cherry Cobbler to a few others.

Tip3: To clean the Aqua Painter bristles between colors, just squeeze the barrel chamber until water starts dripping down the bristles. Once it flushes out the color, dab any extra water onto a towel. You want it to be damp, not sopping wet.

And for the record, I have tried out the pens that look a lot like these but are sold in a local craft store. They look similar and even have what looks to be the same device in the barrel. But they are not as they say "created equal". The water pooled out or the brush would go dry. Not fun.

Any questions about what you have seen here? Drop me a line and I will be sure to answer your questions. To see the stamped image above on a completed card, be sure to stop by tomorrow. Thanks!



Supply Details: Stamps: Forest Festivities Ink: StazOn Black Paper: Watercolor Paper Tools: Aqua Painter
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DivaSC166 Monogram Sweet

Happy weekend, everyone! Are you ready for a new sketch challenge today? This sketch is based on a card I made for my aunt who is celebrating her birthday this weekend. (It is the one below.)  For additional inspiration, be sure to visit the UDI site for links to the Design Team blogs.

One of the easiest ways to personalize a card is to put the recipients name or monogram on it. What could be more beautiful than the letters in the Monogram Sweet stamp set? They are sooo pretty! In keeping with the style of this image, the thin strip running across the bottom is stamped with an image from the Bright Hopes stamp set. (Yes, a Christmas set! Don't you love it when a set is multi-purpose?)

To finish off the card, just a little touch of elegance with our easy-to-use Pearls. Just peel a line off the sheet is lay them in place - so easy, but so pretty!



Supply Details: 
Stamps: Monogram Sweet, Bright Hopes
Ink: Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Tools: 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" circle punches
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)
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Monogram Sweet (click to access)