How To Make a Sweet Birthday Card

By | July 10, 2016

Sweet Cupcake2

Sweet Cupcake and Coordinating Framelits

In the confectionary world of cupcakes, size matters. That’s why the newest Stampin’ Up! cupcake set snagged me at first look. I confess, many cupcake sets have caught my fancy and I had to add them to my collection. Especially when they hooked up with a punch. But mostly they were small.

Sweet Cupcake is different. I LOVE the size, not to mention the wonderful framelits with the Wish and Sweet words. It’s the perfect set for a sweet and quick birthday card. I picked the In Color Sweet Sugarplum and paired it with Early Espresso for a chocolatey cupcake with berry icing. Fun!

Mojo Monday 455

There’s nothing like a sketch to jumpstart a card design.

Sweet Cupcake1

I pulled out Celebrate Today for the waving banners, added some texture and a new Delicate White Doily. Voila!

Are you visiting Just Stamp?

I’d love to read your comments. Click on Comment at the top of this post to leave your thoughts and suggestions. TFS!

Click on the SHOP button above to shop. Use the Hostess Code SVUDADSX to earn the FREE July Gift when you spend $75 or more on-line. Remember, you must use the Hostess Code.

 

 

 

Perfect Pair for a Foresty Thank You Card

By | July 10, 2016

Foxy Friends Racoon

Coordinating Foxy Friends Stamps and Punch

It might look complicated, but you can get adorable results in a jiffy with the too-cute Foxy Friends and Fox Builder Punch Bundle. With 29 pieces in the stamp set, you’ll have loads of options to create critter cards for every occasion. Fox, skunk, raccoon, deer, lion … the options are limitless. Plus, you can choose to stamp, punch, build or just punch and build.

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For today’s card, I chose to stamp, punch and build a raccoon to get lots of extra texture and details.

 

Foxy Friends Racoon1

Just Stamp Tips

  • Before punching, I stamped the face and tail. For overall texture, I stamped the Smokey Slate body pieces with one of the Timeless Textures stamps using second generation Basic Gray ink.
  • Coordinating Perfect Pines Framelits cut the evergreen tree in one pass through the Big Shot. Framelits also cut one Dazzling Diamonds star to anchor the tree and raccoon.
  • Fringe Scissors snipped a 1-inch strip of Mint Macaron cardstock to create a grassy patch, while the new 5/8″ Burlap Ribbon added an earthy element.
  • The Sparkle Embossing Folder,  my new fav, pulls the foresty scene together.

 

Foxy Friends Racoon2

 

Click on the photo below to watch the Stampin’ Up! Foxy Friends and Fox Builder Punch video.

 

 

Bonus Days

Bonus Days Are Happening Now!

Get $5 for every $50  you spend* between July 7 and July 31. You’ll get a $5 Bonus Days coupon that you can use between August 2–31, 2016. You’ll be able to redeem your coupon(s) between August 2 – 31, 2016.

  • An email address is required to participate in this promotion; Bonus Days coupon codes can only be delivered via email.
  • IMPORTANT!  Save both the email containing your Bonus Days coupon codes AND write down the coupon codes in a safe place. Codes cannot be re-sent if the email is lost, and lost codes cannot be recovered.
  • Bonus Days coupon codes can be redeemed for any product, excluding Starter Kits and Paper Pumpkin subscriptions. New prepaid Paper Pumpkin codes can be redeemed.
  • There is no limit to the number of coupons you can receive per order or throughout the duration of the promotion. There is no limit on the number of coupons you can use on an order during redemption.

In August, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a limited-time bundle, Thoughtful Branches.

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Are you visiting Just Stamp?

I’d love to read your comments. Click on Comment at the top of this post to leave your thoughts and suggestions. TFS!

Click on any image below to shop. Use the Hostess Code SVUDADSX to earn the FREE July Gift when you spend $75 or more on-line. Remember, you must use the Hostess Code.

 

 

 

Hello Cards with New Badges & Banners Bundle

By | July 7, 2016

Badges & Banners Project

Life is just better with bundles, right? Creating one-of-a-kind hand-made cards that most recipients will treasure is easy with a versatile stamp set and coordinating cutting tool.

Badges & Banners SetB

On its own, the new Badges & Banners 7-piece set on page 89 of the catalog  is a great stamp set. But when paired with the meh! Best Badge Punch, it’s D-Y-N-A-M-I-T-E!  They’re  tailor-made for each other. Stamp and punch. No fussy cutting. You’re done lickety-split.

Badges & Banners Birdie

More Coordination: Not only does Badges & Banners have its own punch, it also coordinates with the Duet Banner punch. The  convenience just keeps going. Stamp the Little Hello and punch with the Duet Banner banner punch. So easy.

 

Badges & Banners Best Friend

Terrific Banner Tails: The Duet Banner punches more than banners! After creating the best friend badge, I punched one Cucumber Crush banner, snipped it into two pieces and added it to the badge.

 

Badges & Banners Enjoy

Pretty Papers: The new Affectionately Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper has too many pretty patterns; I couldn’t decide which favorite to add to the background. Solution: I used several to paper-piece a layer for badge and ribbon. I like it!

 

Little Hello Butterfly

No Negativity Here: Sometimes the negative space is a great alternative. Instead of using the badge, I used the paper scrap. I’ll save the badge for later. The pretty butterfly was a save from a previous project. I added some new Copper Metallic Thread and three ribbons.

 

Badges & Banners Box

Box Them Up: The Gift Bag Punch Board helped create a pretty box for gifting this Little Hello set.

What could make the Badges & Banners Bundle better? Why, the special pricing you receive when you purchase the stamp set and punch together. You Save 10% when you bundle.

 

Bonus Days

Did You Hear?

For every $50  you spend* between July 7 and July 31, you’ll get a $5 Bonus Days coupon that you can use between August 2–31, 2016. You’ll be able to redeem your coupon(s) between August 2 – 31, 2016.

  • An email address is required to participate in this promotion; Bonus Days coupon codes can only be delivered via email.
  • IMPORTANT!  Save both the email containing your Bonus Days coupon codes AND write down the coupon codes in a safe place. Codes cannot be re-sent if the email is lost, and lost codes cannot be recovered.
  • Bonus Days coupon codes can be redeemed for any product, excluding Starter Kits and Paper Pumpkin subscriptions. New prepaid Paper Pumpkin codes can be redeemed.
  • There is no limit to the number of coupons you can receive per order or throughout the duration of the promotion. There is no limit on the number of coupons you can use on an order during redemption.

There’s More!

In August, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a limited-time bundle, Thoughtful Branches.

ThoughtfulBranches_Share-2_Jul0516_NA

Yes! You will be able to use you Bonus Days coupons.

Are you visiting Just Stamp?

I’d love to read your comments. Click on Comment at the top of this post to leave your thoughts and suggestions. TFS!

Click on any image below to view the supplies used on the Badges & Banners project.

 

How To Watercolor Easy, Adorable Card Sets

By | June 30, 2016

Bella & Friends Suite

Sweet Card Set and Gift Box with Bella & Friends

The adorable new canine set Bella & Friends returns rubberstamping to the basics: stamps, paper and ink. As beginners, that’s all we need to create cards. The images in this 11-piece set require the addition of just one tool to watercolor and voila! A cheerful project is ready for gifting in just a few minutes.

Bella & Friends Set

Just Stamp Tips

  • The six art images in this adorable set are just barking to be watercolored. All you need is a blender pen (as shown in the short video below) or an Aqua Painter and ink pads. If watercoloring looks easy, it is!

  •  For best results, watercolor with StazOn ink paired with Shimmery White cardstock. The two avoid color runs and soggy paper.

 

Bella Thank You

  • Start with Note Cards & Envelopes. No need to cut and score— it’s already been done.
  • Cut four pieces of  4″  x 2 1/2″ piece of Shimmery White.
  • For matting, cut four pieces of Basic Black cardstock measuring 4 1/8″ x 2 5/8″.
  • Add depth with Stampin’ Dimensionals to show of each playful image.

 

Bella Just For You

 

Bella Friend in Me

 

Bella Enjoy

 

Box Them Up

Create a quick storage or gift box using the Gift Bag Punch Board. Add a lid, ribbon and cute image. So easy.  So adorable!

Bella Gift Box, Watercolored

Are you visiting Just Stamp? I’d love to read your comments. Click on Comment at the top of this post to leave your thoughts and suggestions. TFS!

 

Shopping List

Click on any image below to shop.

 

Annual Open House and Stamp Sale

By | June 24, 2016

 

Open House & Sale Invitation

Don’t Miss It!

This Monday, June 27, is my annual Open House and Stamp Sale. Pop in to see some of my favorites from the new 2016-17 Stampin’ Up! catalog. Plus, you’ll have a chance to get your hands on new stamps and tools with a make-and-take. Gently loved retired stamps, tools and accessories will be for sale. Bring a friend!

Questions? Call, text or email.

More Pop of Paradise, Plus Painter’s Palette

By | June 19, 2016

Pop of Paradise Thank You

Watermark and Heat Emboss Techniques

Pop of Paradise has seen lots of action in my stamping room. Today’s project put the new favorite set to work together with the watermark and heat embossing techniques to create a sort of flamingo habit. The result is more complex than my usual designs, but a special thank you card is worth the extra steps.

Just Stamp Tips

  • To create the shallow water, I brought out the Painter’s Palette stamp set. Using the larger brush stroke image, I first stamped Bermuda Bay cardstock with Bermuda Bay classic ink.
  • With the same image, I stamped using VersaMark and added Whisper White embossing powder.
  • The foliage was created on Emerald Envy cardstock with a similar technique used to create the water. Exception: after stamping leaves with Emerald Envy classic ink, I stamped again using VersaMark and added Clear embossing powder.
  • The flamingo was stamped on Whisper White cardstock using Cameo Coral with Melon Mambo for detail in the wing area.
  • Crushed Curry helps the banner sentiment pop. For extra pop, I layered the heat embossed image on Basic Black.
  • Pop of Pink Specialty Designer Series Paper dresses the envelope flap.

 

Pop of Paradise Class

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Saturday, July 9

11 am – 2 pm

Studio 5425

Early Bird Price $35

Let’s give Pop of Paradise a go! Join me  to get together and stamp with a new favorite set. We’ll stamp four cards and a stationery box. All materials are included, plus you’ll take home your own Pop of Paradise photopolymer stamp set and Pop of Pink Washi Tape.

Deadline to receive Early Bird Pricing is June 20. Regular price is $45. To register and pay, click here or email me at palmerin@pacbell.net

Whilst I’m Away

Get Double Punches AND Free 2015-2017 In Color Doilies when you shop on-line and purchase $75-149.99 in product using the Hostess Code XNF6JFJ9. Click here to shop. Offer ends June 20, 2016.

Pineapple Thanks with Heat Embossing

By | June 17, 2016

Tri Color Pineapple

New Single Background Stamp

The pineapple and the flamingo have to be the two single most trendy images of the year. Everywhere I turn, there they are. On EVERYTHING!

Take today’s card. I created a thank you card by heat embossing the image on Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight and Dapper Denim. So simple. Each panel is layered on Basic Black cardstock and Voila! — a quick and simple thank you card is done.

To dress the envelope flap, I adhered and snipped a strip of Pop Of Pink DSP.

Visit to St. Paul’s on Queen’s 90th Birthday
St. Paul's On Queen's 90th

David and I were excited to arrive at St. Paul’s cathedral in London on the day Queen Elizabeth started her 3-day celebration of her “official” birthday. After being stuck in the underground for half an hour, we  arrived at the church just in time to see the guests in their swanky dresses and hats making their way out of the church. Still, it’s was quite exciting. Two days of sightseeing and theatre-going later, we headed out of London. We finally arrived in Canterbury, destination of the pilgrims made famous by Chaucer and his tales.

Whilst I’m Away

Get Double Punches AND Free 2015-2017 In Color Doilies when you shop on-line and purchase $75-149.99 in product using the Hostess Code XNF6JFJ9. Click here to shop.

Paper Pumpkin Flash Sale!

By | June 9, 2016

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One Day Only: Get a Kit for Just $5!

Have you ever said, “One day I’ll sign up for Paper Pumpkin.” Let that day be today!

Use promo code “ONEDAYDEAL” at PaperPumpkin.com and get your first kit for just $5 USD.

It’s a deal too good to pass up! But like many good things, if you snooze, you lose. If you’ve been curious about Paper Pumpkin, this is a great chance to check it out.

First time subscribers can receive their first kit for only $5. A new email address makes anyone a new subscriber.

This flash sale begins Thursday, June 9 at 5 pm and ends Friday, June 10 at 11:50 pm (mountain time).

Italian Riviera Holiday

Room With a View

Today was wash day in Rapallo. Here’s my view as I strolled over to the laundry room. Our resort is perched high in the hills overlooking the wharf. It’s a breathtaking view. For my rough chore day, I was rewarded with dinner at a cozy restaurant overlooking the village castle. On the menu today: minestrone, local fish, Nero wine, tiramisu and cappucino. It’s a sweet life.