Last Chance for Designer Series Papers

Hello! There are only 10 more days before the new 2019-2020 annual catalog goes live so now is your last chance to purchase Designer Series Papers from the current 2019-2019 catalog because all papers are being retired. It is very rare when Stampin’ Up! carries over DSPs. Here are some cards I’ve made this past year using my favorite papers.

Garden Impressions

Petal Promenade

Share What You Love

Tropical Escape

Click here to shop my online store if you would like to purchase these papers or any other retiring products. Now is also your last chance to purchase the limited-time only Everything is Rosy Product Medley.

Place an online order between $50 and $149 with me and receive a free gift. This month’s gift is a package of clear rhinestones.

If you are a current customer and have placed an order with me in the last year I have either mailed you the new catalog or will be hand-delivering it to you. If you do not currently have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator I’d be happy to help you place orders and send you a catalog. To request a catalog, click on the Contact Me link at the top of this page to send me a message.

Thanks for stopping by today!

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Retiring Products List – 2018-2019 Annual Catalog & Occasions Catalog

Stampin’ Up! released the 2018-2019 Annual Catalog and 2019 Occasions Catalog retiring lists today.

Click here for the 2018-2019 Annual Catalog list.

Click here for the 2019 Occasions Catalog list.

Stampin’ Trimmer Retiring

Stampin’ Up! has decided to discontinue the Stampin’ Trimmer including all accessories—replacement cutting blades, scoring blades, and cutting mats. with the release of the new catalog. There will be a gap in time between when the current Stampin’ Trimmer retires and when a new product becomes available. If you currently own a trimmer NOW is the time to stock up on replacement cutting blades. There is a quantity limit of SIX packages (each package includes two blades), while supplies last.

Die-Cutting and Embossing Product Line Changes

Stampin’ Up! is making some big changes to our die-cutting and embossing product line that will give us a better opportunity to support the long-term vision we have for the line. Stampin’ Up! will be retiring the Big Shot and will be forming a relationship with a new manufacturer for new dies and embossing folders. However, we will offer new dies and embossing folders in the 2019–2020 annual catalog. Since we’re using a new supplier, the dies and folders will be manufactured differently; this means the way you use the new style of dies and folders will be a little different than how you used the old style. Both the new-style and old-style dies and embossing folders can work with any die-cutting & embossing machine (in some cases, adaptations like shims may be required because the gap between rollers on machines may vary slightly between manufacturers). You may have noticed we’re not referring to these products using names you’re familiar with. Another change required in this transition is to the terminology we use to refer to die-cutting and embossing products.

Here are some of the changes you’ll notice with our new-style dies and embossing folders:

  • Our new-style open dies (those that coordinate with stamps) use a high quality metal that’s thinner than before but still as strong and durable.
  • The new-style dies have an added lip to the inside of the blades.
  • On old-style dies, when you place an open die (dies that coordinate with stamps) over a stamped image, a small border of cardstock is visible around the stamped image. With new-style dies, the die hugs the edge of the stamped image. Instead of aligning the die to the space around the stamped image, you will align it to the edges of the stamped image. When the image is cut, there will still be a cardstock border around the image.
  • We’ve improved the adhesive that secures the dies to the insert sheet in the package so that it’s not too sticky. It’s easier to remove dies from the insert sheet, and the adhesive won’t cling to the dies.
  • We’ve standardized the size of the die inserts for easier storage based on our observation of how demonstrators store their dies. There are now only two insert sizes: 5″ x 7″ (12.7 x 17.8 cm), which coordinate in size with our stamp cases, and 6″ x 6″ (15.2 x 15.2 cm). The standard sizes will allow uniform storage in whatever system you use. The envelopes that the dies come in will be slightly larger.
  • With old-style Dynamic folders, we recommended you spritz cardstock before embossing to soften the fibers so you got a better impression. Now, that extra step will not be necessary because the new-style folders usually create a crisp impression without spritzing. The way the new folders are manufactured also gives us options for more detailed and intricate designs in the future.
  • 3D folders are thinner than our old-style Dynamic folders. Because they are thinner, you will need to use a shim, depending on the die-cutting & embossing machine you use.

While I know that change is not easy it does lead to product innovation and exciting new possibilities, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Stampin’ Up! has in store for us with a new and improved trimmer and die cutting machine in the future.

If you have any questions or concerns about these changes please do not hesitate to contact me.

Place an online order between $50-$149 with me to receive a free gift. This month’s gift is a package of Pearlized Doilies

Thanks for stopping by today!


Geared Up Garage

Hello! Today’s card is one that I made for my father, who turned 97 years old last week! He lives nearby in a wonderful personal care facility so I get to see him frequently. He is still able to get around quite well on his own, and as a lifelong reader, still has a voracious appetite for reading. You’d never know by looking at him that he is 97! Dad has always loved cars and as a retired industrial arts teacher, knew his way around fixing them too. I got a chance to work with the Geared Up Garage bundle during one of the make-and-take sessions at OnStage last year and knew immediately that I’d have to purchase it so I could make some cards for him in the coming year.

I partially CASE’d this idea from a card I saw on Pinterest. Here are the steps to make it.

  • Cut a piece of Real Red cardstock at 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ and fold in half.
  • Select a piece of paper from the Classic Garage Designer Series Paper and cut at 4″ x 5 1/4″ and adhere to card base.
  • Stamp the car image in Real Red ink and using the coordinating die from the Garage Gears Thinlits, run through the Big Shot.
  • Stamp “Best Dad” image in Memento black ink on piece of Crushed Curry cardstock and run through Big Shot with coordinating die.
  • Die cut a circle from Whisper White cardstock, using the third largest circle from the Stitched Shapes Framelits. Randomly stamp the nuts in Memento black ink and the oil blobs in Crushed Curry ink.
  • Adhere circle to card, adhere “Best Dad” image and adhere automobile with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

This card was fun to make and easy to put together. Dad absolutely loved it! I’m planning on using some of the designer papers to make a few Valentine’s Day cards for men and will post them sometime next week.

For those of you experiencing the great chill, especially in the Midwest, stay safe and warm! My brother lives in Wisconsin so I know what you are going through. Temps are due to drop to 2 below here in Pennsylvania overnight. I’m spending the rest of my stamping time this week making cards that will help me to “think spring!”

To order any of the products I used to make this card you can shop my online store by clicking here. Thanks for stopping by today!

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Fun Folds with Petal Promenade Suite

Today I’m posting the last two cards we made in my fun folds class last week.

This card uses a gatefold  done in a landscape layout.

I cut a piece of Fresh Fig cardstock at 4 1/4″ x 11″ and scored it at 2 3/4″ and 8 3/4″ and folded the ends into the center along the score marks.  Next I cut four pieces of designer paper at 2 1/2″ x 4″.  I attached two pieces with the floral designs to the front flaps and attached the two pieces with the marbleized design to the inner flaps. I stamped a sentiment from the Beautiful Promenade stamp set with Fresh Fig ink on Whisper White cardstock and cut it out with one of the circles from the Circles Layering Framelits set.  Next  I die cut a piece of Mellow Moss cardstock using the largest label from the Stitched Labels Framelits Dies.  I cut a piece of the 1/4″ Rich Razzleberry velvet ribbon, ran a strip of snail adhesive on the back of the ribbon and centered it on top of the label, centered the circle over the label and attached it.

To attach the label to the front of the card, I ran adhesive on one side of the label and attached it to the left flap, leaving the other side unattached so that the card will open!

I cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock at 4 ” x 5 1/4″, stamped leaves in Mellow Moss ink on the bottom corners and attached it to the center of the card.

The next and last card is a simple easel card.

I cut a piece of Blushing Bride cardstock at 4 1/4″ x 11″ and scored it at  2 3/4″ and 5 1/2″ and folded at both score marks.  I cut another piece of Blushing Bride cardstock at 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ and a piece of Smoky Slate cardstock at 4″ x 5 1/4″ and attached it to the Blushing Bride piece.  Next I cut out one of the rectangular frames from the Petal Promenade designer paper and stamped the live, laugh, love greeting from the Ribbon of Courage stamp set with Fresh Fig ink and attached this to the Smoky Slate. 

I then attached this piece to the front of the card, only adhering it to the bottom half, leaving the top free, which is what makes the tent fold when the card is opened.

 

I created the easel “stop” by die cutting a piece of Smoky Slate cardstock with one of the larger ovals from the Oval Layering Framelits Dies.  I stamped a flower in Blushing Bride ink and cut it out with the coordinating die from the Beautiful Layers Thinlits.  Next I cut two leaves in Mossy Meadow with one of the dies from the same set.  I arranged the leaves on the Smoky Slate oval, glued them down, attached the flower to the oval and then attached the oval to the inside of the card, making sure to position it so that the front of the card would stand up properly.

 

I really enjoyed trying out some of these fun folds, as did my customers!

Thanks for stopping by today.

 

It’s a Beautiful Day

Today I’m featuring the second of four cards we made in my class last week using   the Tropical Escape and Petal Promenade designer series papers.  This card uses one of the beautiful Petal Promenade papers.  I also used the floral die from the  Springtime Impressions Thinlits Dies, which is part of the Garden Impressions Suite.

I cut a piece of Grapefruit Grove cardstock at 4 1/4″ x 11″  for the card base.  Next I cut a piece of the designer paper at 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″.  I die cut the floral image using a piece of Petal Pink cardstock and attached it to the designer paper using the fine-tip glue pen.  I then attached this to the card base.  Next I stamped the beautiful day greeting from the Love What You Do stamp set with Grapefruit Grove ink onto Whisper White cardstock. I also stamped one of the small floral images from the Happy Birthday Gorgeous stamp set  next to the greeting.

I cut the greeting using one of the circles from the Layering Circles Framelits and then cut a larger circle from the Stitched Shapes Framelits with a piece of the Grapefruit Grove cardstock and attached them together and then attached it to the card.  I added a small Grapefruit Grove faceted dot to the small flower for a little touch of bling.  I cut a 1/2″ x 4″ strip of designer paper and attached it to the bottom of a 4″x 5 1/4″ piece of Whisper White cardstock for the inside of the card.

 

 

If you love decorating your home and celebrating Halloween just as I do, you might want to consider subscribing to Paper Pumpkin to get this specially created holiday kit.  Whether you are a new, current or past subscriber, all you need to do is sign up by September 10th. There are no tricks in this kit – just treat packaging!  Mango Melody, Gorgeous Grape, Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black are the featured colors.  Don’t want to make packaging?  The contents of the kit can be repurposed by adding some cardstock to create your own cards or other projects.  A specially designed box will arrive at your doorstep around the 20th of September.  For further information and to subscribe, visit the Paper Pumpkin website and be sure to select me as your demonstrator when completing your subscription order.

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

 

 

Tropical Chic Get Well Soon

I made several cards for a class I held last week that featured the Tropical Escape and Petal Promenade designer series papers.  Three of the four cards also featured fun folds.  The group I did the class for asked to use sentiments for get well, sympathy, inspirational so I had a variety of stamp sets from the current catalog that they were able to choose from.  I will be holding the class again this Saturday, August 25.  Full details are posted on my calendar of events.  This is the first of several posts to follow.

The first card uses a diagonal fold.  I’ve been seeing a number of cards lately that use this fold so wanted to give it a try.  I got the measurements and the belly band idea from Dawn Griffith in one of her recent blog posts.   I used the Tropical Chic designer paper and chose to only work with different shades of green with the thought that it is common to send plants as a get well gift, so this perfectly evoked the image of a plant.  The group also thought it also fit in the category of a masculine card and indeed one of the women in the group was going to send it to a male relative that is currently in the hospital. It uses the get well greeting from the Healing Hugs stamp set.

 

The card base is Shaded Spruce and the designer paper is attached to Granny Apple Green cardstock.  The belly band and greeting use Soft Sea Foam. The greeting was cut with one of the circles from the Layering Circles Framelits sets and is attached to a Shaded Spruce circle cut from the Stitched Shapes Framelits.

The inside sentiment was stamped in Soft Sea Foam and one of the leaf stamps from the Tropical Chic set was stamped in Granny Apple Green.

 

Cutting measurements:

  • 1 sheet of Shaded Spruce cardstock – vertical score at 4 1/4″ and horizontal score at 5 1/2″, cut on the diagonal – makes two cards
  • 2 pieces of Granny Apple Green cardstock cut at 4″ x 5 1/4″, cut on the diagonal – makes two cards
  • 2 pieces of designer series paper cut at 3 3/4″ x 5″, cut on the diagonal – be
    careful when working with directional patterned papers!
  • 1 piece of Soft Sea Foam cut at 1″ x 10″
  • 1 piece of Whisper White cardstock cut at 4″ x 5 1/4″ for inside of card

This was a fun and easy to put together card and is a great way to showcase many of Stampin’ Up!’s great designer papers!

The current Bonus Days promotion is running through August 31.  For every $50 you spend during the month you will get a $5 coupon sent to you by email that can be redeemed when you place orders from September 1-30th. There is no limit to the number of coupons you can earn per order or throughout the duration of the promotion.

Thanks for stopping by today!