Vintage Dress Form

When you have beautiful products to work with; simple is wonderful! All Dressed Up is one of my favorite in the new Spring Catalog and this time I chose to use just the Framelit along with Natural Composition Specialty  paper.

A beautiful vintage button is the only adornment I felt it needed along with the glossy, raised pattern on the paper.

I stamped flowers from Secret Garden as a backdrop which adds to the feminine feel. It just makes me happy! Did you create something that made you happy today too?

Oh, and Secret Garden is going to be the featured Online Only stamp set for March... it's going to be beautiful!
Click here for more info!

Artisnan Embellishment Kit
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All Dressed Up

Secret Garden Bundle
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Feeling Sentimental

Feeling Sentimental....

It's just lowly packing paper, but it sure dresses up nicely! Embossed with the Honeycomb Embossing Folder. it creates a unique background for this Penny Farthing bicycle - from Feeling Sentimental, which you can receive free during Sale-a-bration! 

Do you save some of your Stampin' Up! packing paper for stamping or decor projects. There are so many fun things you can do with it, that it's hard not to keep it. Actually I think it would be great to do a tutorial - all done with packing paper. Would you be interested? I'll get right on that when life tosses a few free moments my way!

And how does this relate to real life? Well, if you have those kind of days where you just feel like packing paper, you know, kind of crumpled up, squashed down, just there to absorb the bumps, busy protecting and caring for everybody else - remember.... you really are main stage, you're an important part of the bigger picture, and an integral part of the team! And along with that I'm going to share this video which says it better than I can. Enjoy!

Free Products! Click here to learn more!

Ten Minute Tuesday!

Oh, Hello! It's Ten-Minute Tuesday!

It's time to create two cards in ten minutes for
under a dollar - are you ready? 

Click here to get started!

Each Tuesday I am going to show you how to make two cards in ten minutes for less than a dollar.
Sounds like fast fun!

Why two cards? Well, here's the dealio - it doesn't take but a minute or so more to make two of the same card as it does just one. So, while you have your supplies out, I figure why not?

Here is the same card frou-frou'd using Tea for Two DSP and a vintage dimensional flower. Still under a dollar!

Each $50 order that is placed through March 22, 2103 rewards you with a free product of your choice from the Sale-a-bration flyer. Download your flyer here!

Wait - there's more! A few days after you place your order you'll receive an additional surprise in the mail! I love mailing out thank you's!

Three birds and a smile

Please bear with me a bit today....
but I think this card is just cute. 

I'm not going to go into the entire journey of how it evolved - 

let's just say I was: 

 attempting to CASE a card, 

got the cut-out a bit tall for what I had in mind
(Did you recognize it from Hearts a Flutter?) 

had to find an image to fit it

used the birdcage (because it fit)

then didn't know what to do ...

so stamped a bird

then another

 then one looking back

Showed it to my daughter, "I don't get it"

Me: "Well, I think they all just left the cage"
 

Her: "No, they couldn't have, it doesn't even have a door"

okay, added the door

 propped it open..... done!

Oops! Guess that was the entire story.... but wait, now we need some sayings to go with it. Such as:

Really, just leave it behind.
It's time to fly the coop

No sense looking back
We're moving!

I actually cut the door from the other cage that's in the set. I glued the left side down and propped it open a bit with two Glue Dots that I rolled up.

Cut six strips 1/4" x 5-3/8" (two each of three colors)
Adhere using Multi-purpose Adhesive

Die cut opening using die from Hearts a Flutter

Move the die down and die cut a second time. I check the back to make sure it's lined up well. Using your Paper Snips or Paper Cutter works also.

Aviary

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Hearts a Flutter bundle

Click here to place an order!

That's the Ticket!

You're the Ticket!
Introducing a new stamp set, "That's the Ticket", that's shown in the Spring Catalog. Eight different tickets you can use for birthdays, Valentine's, Halloween, Christmas and baby! How to get a lot of bang for your buck! Paired with Vintage Flowers (new also!) and a burlap leaf. Did you know you can die cut burlap?

 A little embossing, a little ribbon all tied up with Vintage Flowers (also new!) and a burlap leaf. Love cutting burlap with the Big Shot! These vintage dimensional flowers come on strips of tulle - perfect for any crafting idea.

Here's the Ticket
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5/8" Flower Trim
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Needlepoint Border Embossing Folder
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Simply a Heart

Simply a Heart

When only simple and striking will do - this is the card I would choose to make that statement. Along with the beauty of simple cards, is the bonus that they only take minutes to make.

Are you using your stamps and dies from Hearts a Flutter?

I hope so! 

If not, I've just created a tutorial that includes ten projects all using this set. It's part of my Online Only class and

even if you've already purchased this set you can still enjoy my class this month! 

Here's how it works - simply choose any product(s) of $36.95 or more to replace the Hearts a Flutter Bundle!

Click here to learn more!

Hearts a Flutter Bundle

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Vintage Verses - it's free!

Look at this great little saying! It's one of the stamps from Vintage Verses that you can receive free during 

Sale-a-bration with a $50 purchase.

I paired "Just Because" with the wonderful elements found in Lacy & Lovely .... I could use this set all day long! It just happens to coordinate with two of our punches also, so that makes it fun!

Click here to see what you can receive for free!

Here's another great deal! Join my team during 

Sale-a-bration and receive $156 of Stampin' Up! 

product for $99!!! 

That's 25% more and you choose the product!
Click here for more info on that and check out "Why Join My Team" at the top of this page.

Lacy & Lovely
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All Dressed Up!

       

Have you ordered this stamp set yet?
I'm having so much fun with it and have so many projects to show you! 

I'm starting with some simpler cards I created, but check back often, because we're dressing this dress up and she gets cuter as the time (and my brain!) goes on. That didn't sound quite right, did it? I mean, I hope my brain is always on.... but sometimes ideas just need time to percolate a bit - just like the coffee, smile.

          

Check out this wonderful video by Carrie Cudney that shows you step by step how to use the Dress Form Pop'n'Cuts.

                 Did you notice these great little coat hangers?
                            They fit the dress perfectly!  
        Cute Clips - a brand new product in the Spring catalog.

All Dressed Up Bundle
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Card Base Pop'n'Cuts
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Dress Form Pop'n'Cuts
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                                                                Cute Clips - Hung Up
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Sale-a-bration!

It's here - it's finally here! Sale-a-bration!

It's the best time of year to go shopping with me at Stampin' Up! 

With each $50 order you can choose a free product from a wonderful group of brand new stamps, paper and embellishments.

Click here to view the Sale-a-bration flyer! I need to warn you tho' - it's designed for the Gen-Y'ers so it could be kind of fun to read.

For this card I used the new Madison Avenue and Bloomin' Marvelous stamp sets that are two of the free products you can choose from .... as are the buttons and ribbon shown. Fun, fun stuff!

A close up of the tag embellished with a 3-D butterfly. Isn' it pretty?

And finally a 3" x 3" Love Note using the same two stamp sets as above - this time trimmed in a bit of Sycamore Street DSP - also free with a $50 order.

And from my stamping room to you .... an extra free gift with each $50 order. Start shopping here!

Hearts and Banners

How fun is this card? I love the creative ways we can use the negative images that are left after cutting out a die. I've had such a good time using Hearts a Flutter in a myriad of new ways - from funky to romantic, hearts to very masculine and from frilly to clean and simple.

How many ways do you use one stamp set?

Do you only see Valentine's cards when you look at these stamps?

 I'd love to help you create at least ten projects using this one stamp set. 

Online Only is a brand new class that will supply you with a kit to create five projects! The kit includes:

Hearts a Flutter stamp set
Hearts a Flutter Framelit set

Pre-cut card stock, embellishments and 

envelopes for five cards
A PDF tutorial with step-by-step directions for a total of ten  projects - sometimes more!
An opportunity to earn a free stamp set of your choice!

Click here to see more!

Just Sayin', Becky ....

Feeling Sentimental....

What are your go-to colors? Again and again, I find myself 
reaching for Very Vanilla and Basic Black... I love the simplicity of that combo! If I could choose only two colors for my wardrobe it would be black and cream/white. It's always in style and a touch of any other color dresses it up just fine. Life can't get much simpler than that.

These cards come from a great set called "Feeling Sentimental" - aptly named, I'd say. The images stamp beautifully, have such a great vintage feel and are a set of four (the sentiment is included) that are free during 
Sale-a-bration - which just happens to begin January 22nd!

The above card is dedicated to my generous, sweet upline, Becky Roberts ... can't tell you why, but I think she needs to find it in her mailbox this week, smile.

New to Sale-a-bration?

In a nutshell, it's the greatest time of year to purchase Stampin' Up! products or hostess a Stampin' Up! party! Each $50 order receives a free product - like "Feeling Sentimental" and, additionally, as hostess you can earn free product along with special incentives to celebrate Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary!

Contact me to book your stampin' party now - stampsnsmiles@gmail.com

Artisan Embellishment Kit

Artisan Embellishment Kit

Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Primrose Petals and Very Vanilla - what delightful Valentine colors.

Stampin' Up! has a beautiful new Artisan kit that is "brimming with random charming stuff for random creative impulses" ... their words, not mine. Well said, tho', and absolutely gorgeous.

So, in my simple style I took a few of the embellishments and placed them strategically on this card, as it's also an entry in the PalsPaperArts PPA151 challenge, which I enjoy playing along with from time to time.

The buttons are exquisite and I added them here to a fun die called, Delicate Doilies. From my first Valentine's Day that I can recall I loved that doilies were associated with the holiday. And, just look at all the fun pieces you receive in this kit! Lots more projects coming, because my goal is to use every single piece.

Shop for your kit here.

Artisan Embellishment Kit

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Needlepoint Border Embossing Folder
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For the Birds

I guess I was reminiscing yesterday, as I pulled out this sweet little stamp. 

My very first introduction to Stampin' Up! was a long time ago, but I can remember feeling a little overwhelmed about what to purchase - I was starting from scratch. So... I chose a stamp set very much like "For the Birds" because it had a variety of different images I knew I could use for different occasions. That was the smart part. The not-so-smart part was that I went home without ordering ink or a stamp pad or paper! Anyone else relate to this?

But the journey into the stamping world began and I am so glad it did. It's said that you know you've found the right spot for yourself when you can forget about lunch time, quitting time, etc, and work feels more like play! If that's true, I've found it! Still a little guilty that I get to call this "work" but I'll get over that I'm sure! (That was three exclamation marks in this last paragraph - is that a sign, also?)

Here's a little tip for saving on adhesive. I usually use just four Stampin' Dimensionals to pop up my card front. If I'm using ribbon, I secure them with the Stampin' Dimensionals also.

 I go through Stampin' Dimensionals like crazy .... but I figured out how to get them for free! Yes, there's a not very talked about benefit called Great Rewards that demos can earn. Love this business! 

I just had to share this photo - this was yesterday looking out our backyard towards Boise. It was such a sparkly, beautiful day. Everything just glittered!

Even my "garden" bike.

For the Birds
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Adorning Accents Edgelits
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Adorning Accents Embossing Folder
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