Pineapple Thanks with Heat Embossing

By | June 17, 2016
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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.

How To Stamp a Hello Card for a Friend

By | June 6, 2016
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Pineapple Hello

Pineapple Stamp is Perfect for One Layer Cards

Buongiorno! I’m still enjoying the Italian Riviera in Rapallo.

Just like home, vibrant fruity images abound as we stroll the alleys and shops. I’m reminded of SU!’s new huge pineapple background stamp.

The scrumptious fruit and American symbol of friendship and hospitality is the focus of today’s simple one-layer card. The huge pineapple stamp is a “wow” image that needs little else to make an impact and a statement.

Pineapple Hello Crop

Just Stamp Tips

  • To create the pine cone texture and details of a ripe fruit, I inked the bottom portion of the pineapple first in Daffodil Delight, then added shadows with Crushed Curry and Soft Suede. I applied these colors with a dauber.
  • The leaves were inked likewise. First in Wild Wasabi and then daubered with Garden Green.
  • After inking and before stamping onto Whisper White heavy cardstock, I sprayed with water by holding the spritzer about 8 to 10 inches from the stamp. The impression turned out beautifully.
  • The hello thinlit in Basic Black cardstock was adhered with fine tip glue.

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Pop of Paradise Class
Saturday, July 9
11 am – 2 pm
Studio 5425
Early Bird Price $35

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

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.

 

 

Flamingos are Everywhere!

By | June 3, 2016
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Pop of Paradise Mirrored

Pop Of Paradise Flamingo

The tall pink bird with the black tipped beak that’s been hanging about in my neighbor’s yard for years is EVERYWHERE right now. I love that it’s in the Pop of Paradise stamp set that I got my paws on during the SU! demo pre-order. Along with the pineapple, the flamingo is one of my favorite images from the fun set. Have a look.

Pop of Paradise

The Makings for a Friendly Thank You Card

Inspired by a trendy handbag from my fav Kate Spade, I stamped a thank you card with two flamingos. I chose to recreate the two friendly birds facing beak to beak among the flock.

Kate Spade Flamingos

Although the stamp set includes a flamingo facing left, I used the “mirror” technique to stamp a right facing bird for that beak-to-beak couple.

Just Stamp Tips

  • To mirror the flamingo, I inked the image in Calypso Coral, added Melon Mambo to the wings using a dauber, then added Basic Black to the beak with a Stampin’ Write Marker.
  • I then stamped the inked image onto a solid rubber stamp, gave it a huff of air and stamped down onto Whisper White cardstock. Since this is a second generation print, the colors are less vibrant than the first generation flamingo that’s facing left.
  • Both flamingos were hand snipped. For easy snipping, remember to turn the paper and not the snips. Much easier.
  • For the striped background, I cut Very Vanilla and Whisper White cardstock into 5/8″ x 4″ strips. I mounted the strips onto a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Whisper White piece. Once completely covered in stripes, I trimmed the piece  down to 3 3/4″ x 5″ and layered it on a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic Black cardstock.
  • More hand-snipping was required for the thank you banner. Again, turn the paper and fussy cutting becomes a “no-whining-needed” creative task.
  • To dress the envelope, I cut a 2 1/4″ x 5 3/4″ piece of the black and white polka dot print from the Pop of Pink Specialty Designer Series Paper. Once adhered to the envelope flap, I snipped to shape.

The Pop of Pink suite includes everything I fancy: the stamp set, designer series paper and washi tape. To view any of the products used, hop over to the Stampin’ Up! store.

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.

Join me on Saturday, July 9 to get crafty with the Pop of Pink suite. Class fee include the Pop of Paradise photopolymer stamp set, Pop of Pink Washi Tape and all materials to create four cards and a stationery box. Click here for more information and to reserve your spot today. Early Bird price ends June 20.

New Catalog is Here!

By | June 1, 2016
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Finally! After a month of studying the new annual catalog, the day to begin purchasing the items on my 3-page wish list has come. I have already received some of my favorites thanks to the “pre-order purchase” opportunity for SU! demonstrators, but today I’ll click submit on some of my other top favorites.

Here’s a look at a project using Pop of Paradise, one of the pre-order stamp sets.

Pop of Paradise Hello

This trendy photopolymer stamp set includes both a flamingo and a pineapple, two objects you can’t miss in this summer’s home decor fashions. They are everywhere!

Save the Date

Let’s get together and create with this trendy set. Join me for a fun afternoon stamping flamingos and pineapples. And take home the set to create more!

Pop of Paradise Stationery Set Class

  • When: Saturday, July 9
    11 am – 2 pm
  • What: Create a stationery set using the trendy new Pop of Paradise stamp set and Pop of Pink Designer Series Paper. We’ll stamp four cards and a display box. Class fee includes all materials and tools, plus the Pop of Paradise photopolymer stamp set and Pop of Pink Washi Tape. RSVP and pre-payment by June 30. Early Bird Registration thru June 20 ONLY $35. After June 20, fee is $45. 
  • Where: Studio 5425

Click here to reserve your spot during the Early Bird Registration offer.

 

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Today, husband David and I will arrive at the beautiful coast of the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre. The five picturesque villages will be our touring base for a week before we head to London.

Use the Hostess Code

While I’m away, shop on-line and take advantage of special perks. Now through June 20, receive Double Punches AND the new 2015-2017 In Color Doilies when you purchase between $75 and 149.99 using the hostess code.

Hostess Code
XNF6JFJ9

Click here to start shopping!

 

 

Introducing 2016-18 In Colors

By | May 28, 2016
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Five New Colors Debut

I love them all. Each year Stampin’ Up! introduces five trendy colors to add to the color collection. They’re called the In Colors to differentiate them from the 40 core colors that are available year-to-year.

In Colors are well researched by the Stampin’ Up! gurus. You’ll spot them whenever you shop fashions or home decor. Because they are trendy, In Colors are available for only two years.

Some years, I love some, like some. Some years, it takes a few months for me to warm up to any of them. This year: LOVE them. All of them. Take a look.

Dapper Denim

Intro Dapper Denim

 

Emerald Envy

Intro Emerald Envy

 

Sweet Sugarplum

Intro Sweet Sugarplum

 

Flirty Flamingo

Intro Flirty Flamingo

 

Peekaboo Peach

Intro Peekaboo Peach

These colors will be spotted in Stampin’ Up! projects for the next two years: ink, markers, paper, ribbon, embellishments and more. Of the many things I love about Stampin’ Up!, color coordination ranks in the top three. It makes designing easy for us all.

Starting June 1, you can get your inky paws on these beauties.

Want More Stamps AND a Discount?

Purchase the Starter Kit in June and you will receive two FREE stamp sets for only $99. With the launch of the new catalog, now’s the best time to join Stampin’ Up! Want more information? Click here.

Scottie Dog and Happy Birthday Wishes

By | May 24, 2016
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Hot Diggity Dog Birthday

 

Final Days to Collect Rare Dog Set

Alerting all dog peeps. The current canine set that includes not only a Scottie, but also a pug, dachshund and poodle is nearing its final days of availability. “Hot Diggity Dog!” is adorable.

Not a dog person.  “You Little Furball” is the comparable feline set.

#imbringingbirthdaysback

Man’s best friend is one of the best messengers to convey heartfelt greetings, especially birthday wishes. Today’s card is just right for men, women and children. Always a good card to have on hand.

Hot Diggity Dog

Just Stamp Tips

  • Paper piecing creates a warm Cherry Cobbler sweater for Scottie. Stamp the canine body twice; once on the thick Whisper White card base and once on the Cherry Cobbler DSP in the Merry Moments collection. Hand-snip just the sweater and adhere with a mini-glue dot.
  • Stamp, hand-snip and adhere the Scottie head using Dimensionals for a 3-D effect.
  • Watercolor paper creates a substantial “happy.”
  • Use Gold Wink of Stella three ways:
  1. Add sheen to the “happy” thinlit by painting
  2. Add allover splatter for more celebratory glitz.
  3. Give Scottie a gold collar and tag.

Don’t Delay! Retirement is Near!

Click on the links to see all retiring stamps and everything else. Order now; supplies are first-come, first-serve.

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Using DSP with Diagonal Template

By | May 21, 2016
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Going Places Owl

Simple Cut Frames Short and Sweet Sentiments

No more hoarding beautiful papers! Open the package of pretty papers; it will look even prettier on a card that will produce smiles.

This quick and easy template works perfectly with almost any patterned paper to create cards. The patterned paper I chose is the Going Places paper stack. It includes lots of awesome patterns like the subtle pattern I chose. It looks like a wood plank.

Today I also chose to give some love to a punch that hasn’t been (wo)man-handled in light years. So sad. The Owl Builder deserves more respect. Along with a sentiment from the Grateful Bunch stamp set, it helped produce a sweet thank you card.

Just Stamp How To Tips

  • Cut the DSP to measure 4 x 4 1/4″
  • Place the DSP on the paper trimmer at an angle. No need for precision. I started one side at about 1 1/4″ and angled up to about 2″.
  • Split the DSP to create a frame for the sentiment. To add depth, use Dimensionals to adhere to the card base.
  • Stamp the forest trees using Mossy Meadow card stock and ink.
  • Cut the trees using the Perfect Pines Framelits Dies.
  • Add Clear Wink of Stella for detail on trees and owl.
  • Dress the Crumb Cake envelope with Going Places Mossy Meadow grid pattern.

Going Places Owl2

Going, Going, Gone

Get these favorites before they’re gone.

  • Mossy Meadow is a beautiful foresty green. It is an In Color that will vanish on June 1.
  • Going Places Designer Series Paper Stack is loaded with awesome cartographic/topographic designs.
  • Envelope Liner Framelits help dress a naked envelope to complete the hand-made card ensemble.

Find everything that is retiring using the links below.

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