Hip Hip

Hip Hip Hooray for the USA! I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day!

I finished up this card Monday for the  Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration July Color Challenge! I just did not get a chance to post it. The challenge is to use Red, White, and Blue. Of course with it being Independence Day I had to go for that, but I used a stamp that I had originally thought of as a birthday stamp. It’s great for so many types of cards though, anything that needs to be celebrated or cheered about.

The evolution of card design always fascinates me, at least the way it evolves for me. I started out with something completely different in mind and as I started working with it the changes occurred until I ended up with this design. I’m always amazed at how my idea changes as I work on it. A lot of trial and error before the finished product. That’s why I always say to start with a color, sketch, or even CASE something and watch it change right before your eyes!

When I stamped the words it just needed something, then it hit me, sparkle! I used the Journey Glaze to add some Sparkle Dust to the dots on the letters but it still didn’t feel complete. Sooo, I applied Journey Glaze to the solid parts of the letters and kabam! Sparkle and Shine! I know it’s hard to see the shiny in pictures, it just doesn’t do it justice. Hopefully you can get an idea of what I did from this shot.

Another thing you might notice is that the stars are white, not just plain wood. I had originally thought to make the stars red using one of our ink pads. As I got to looking at my colors and decided on my layout I realized I needed to make the stars white instead. So, I used my clear pigment ink pad on the stars and then embossed them with Journey White embossing powder. I love the little bit of shine that they got from it!

One of the best things about this card? No fussy cutting! The stamp has a matching die! How AWESOME is that? I was able to cut the shape of the words with a few cranks of the handle! I love the variety of stamp sets with matching dies!

Thanks for popping by, if you have any questions or would like to order any of the supplies I used you can go to my website and click shop, or you can shoot me an e-mail. Just remember that if your order is going to be $150.00 you need to e-mail it to me so you can get all of your amazing Hostess Benefits in addition to the Bloom Benefits you get just for a $50.00 order!

Happy Stamping!

 

 

Ingredients:

• Stamps: Hip Hip Bundle (BD-0143) or you can buy the stamp and die separately, but why would you want to when the Bundle saves you?
  • Hip Hip ATS (AT-0172)
  • Die: Hip Hip (DI-0122)
• Ink: Huckleberry Fusion (IP-0035) and Clear Pigment (IP-0102)
• Cardstock: Huckleberry Fusion (CS-0015), Cranberry Bliss (CS-0090), and Whip Cream (CS-0040)
• Accessories: Amazing Accents (AC-0201), Journey Sparkle Dust (AC-0013), Journey White Embossing Powder (IP-0098), and Journey Glaze (AD-0002)

Big Shot Blog Hop featuring For Your Country

Wow, it’s been a loooong time since I blogged hasn’t it? Well I’m finally back and blogging! I figured that this would be a great way to get back into it, a Blog Hop! The August Blog Hop for Di’s Country Inkers is focused on the Big Shot because there is an AWESOME special from August 1^st – 31^st on the Big Shot! When you purchase a Big Shot you can get one of five exclusive bundles FREE! If you already have a Big Shot you can get those same bundles at a 15% discount! More info on that at the bottom, but now on to my card!

My oldest son left for Army BCT (Basic Combat Training) on July 8^th. When I decided to play along with this hop I knew exactly what set to use, “For Your Country”! I wanted it to have a real military feel, and show what respect I have for my son and the other soldiers in training with him, along with all those serving our country!

I used the Banners Framelits for the soldier and Bitty Banners Framelits for the sentiment. To give a little more balance on the sentiment (Godspeed) I wanted it to be straight on one end like the other banner so I just snipped it off where I wanted it to make it straight. Whenever I use Framelits I always stamp the image first, it’s so much easier that way. The Framelits die is an outline so you can see through it, so you just line it up around the image and tada, perfectly centered where you want it! My favorite thing to go along with that is the Magnetic Platform. When you use this your Framelits don’t move, where you put it is where it cuts!

This is a 5 ½” square card with a Crumb Cake base, layers of Mossy Meadow, Early Espresso and Whisper White. I stamped the “patterned paper” at the bottom using the helmet, combat boots, and dog tags from the set to make a camouflage pattern. I sponged randomly in the pattern and around the edges with Crumb Cake to help pull it all together. I love how that turned out, I really wanted to incorporate those elements and that small strip just makes it perfect! Not too busy but still shows up!

Super Stampin’ Tips!

* For the mat on the banner with the soldier I did not want it quite as big as the next Banners Framelits size, so I cut a rectangle ¼” larger than the die cut piece and simply trimmed a banner on the bottom. I did the same for the sentiment because the Bitty Banners Framelits do not have a larger piece to layer it with. Quick and easy solution!

* To give a grungy look I sponged the edges of the Mossy Meadow lightly with Early Espresso. I didn’t want it to be super dark though, and EE is a dark color so as I inked my sponge I would tap it off on my scrap paper before sponging the Cardstock. I can add more color but if it gets too dark you can’t take it away.

* Finally, once it was all together it still needed something for balance. I used three candy dots up in the right corner. Easy peasy, gives it just the right balance and that little sumthin’ sumthin’ it needed!

I can’t wait to get this card mailed to my son!

Back to the Big Shot! There are five bundles to choose from and yes, they are FREE when you buy your Big Shot so if you’ve been on the fence this is the BEST time to buy! If you already have your Big Shot but still want to snatch one of these bundles you can save 15%! These are the fabulous bundles to choose from!

Bundle	Item Number	Stamp Set	Framelits	Discounted Price
Sumthin’ with Bubbly Words Bundle WM	138923	Sumthin’ Sumthin’	Word Bubbles	$33.75
Sumthin’ with Bubbly Words Bundle CM	138920	Sumthin’ Sumthin’	Word Bubbles	$31.25
Decorative Goodies Bundle WM	138924	Oh My Goodies	Deco Labels Collection	$42.25
Decorative Goodies Bundle CM	138921	Oh My Goodies	Deco Labels Collection	$35.95
Celebrating Chalk Talk Bundle WM	138925	Day of Celebration	Chalk Talk	$43.25
Celebrating Chalk Talk Bundle CM	138922	Day of Celebration	Chalk Talk	$37.25
Flowery Daydream Bundle WM	138911	Daydream Medallions	Floral Collection	$54.25
Flowery Daydream Bundle CM	138910	Daydream Medallions	Floral Collection	$45.75
Bright & Beautiful Stars Bundle WM	138644	Bright & Beautiful	Star	$50.75
Bright & Beautiful Stars Bundle CM	138200	Bright & Beautiful	Star	$43.95

I know that a lot of you have talked to me about getting a Big Shot but have been on the fence, or waiting for the right time! Well, I think this could be that right time for you, have a peek at the flyer showing the bundles here! Shoot me an e-mail and let’s talk about getting your Big Shot, or getting one of these bundles in your hands!

Happy Stamping!

Trish

 

Now Hop on over to the next person on our tour, Diana Gibbs!

If you get lost you can just click on any of the links below and you’ll get right back where you need to be!

Diana

Barb

Kathya

Leslie

Crystal

Tricia <— You are Here!

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Card Ingredients:

Stamps:  For Your Country (134219 – Wood) or (134222 – Clear)

Ink: Mossy Meadow (133645), Early Espresso (126974), Crumb Cake (126975)

Paper: Mossy Meadow (133676), Early Espresso (119686), Crumb Cake (120953), Whisper White (100730)

Accessories: Banners Framelits (132173),Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Early Espresso Seam Binding Ribbon (134582), Neutrals Candy Dots (130934), Big Shot (113439), Magnetic Platform (130658), Stamping Sponges (101610)

Miscellaneous: Snail, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue Dots

 

The Final Frontier

I had to share this really quick! So cute and fun! I know what my next project is going to be!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpneMW6LVm8&sns=em

I also wanted to tell you about Sale-a-Bration! It started yesterday and its the most exciting time of the year for Stampin’ Up!  For every $50 in merchandise you purchase you can choose a free item from the special Sale-a-Bration brochure! There are no limits so you can get as many free items as you want! There are stamp sets, Designer Series Paper, a special punch, a card kit, and more… you can even choose certain items from the main catalog! As if that isn’t enough when you host a workshop that reaches $150 you’ll receive a free pack of Silver Glimmer Paper in addition to the regular $25 in Hostess Dollars.  If your workshop reaches $400 you get the glimmer paper plus a special Sale-a-Bration product bundle that includes a stamo set, Designer Series Paper, and a button and ribbon pack. That’s in addition to the regular $65 in Hostess Dollars and half price item!  Of course there’s a special Sale-a-Bration bonus for joining the Stampin’ Up! family at this time as well. If you join during the Sale-a-Bration period you can get an additional 25% in product of your choice in your Starter Kit! What’s better than that? Check out the promotions page on my website for more details and to see the products you can get!

As always, shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions, would like to place an order,  book a workshop, or just to say hi!  Until next time..,

Happy Stamping,
Tricia

Jar of Hearts

Yesterday I had a workshop with some lovely ladies!  So much fun, I love workshops!  I love classes too, I just love teaching people to stamp, helping them discover that they are creative and the joy of stamping!  I had one lady tell me how much she enjoyed stamping, and that she had never expected to enjoy it so much!  That is what makes me love what I do!

I wanted to show you one of the cards we made.  The hostess asked if we could do Valentine cards and I said of course, those are always so much fun to do!  Here’s what I came up with…

I will admit that I cased this card, I’ve seen several different cards with the hearts in the jar and I LOVE the idea!  I took that idea which I saw all over, then combined that with the Whisper White Card Stock embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Folder and Real Red Card Stock with the Vintage Wallpaper Folder and used the Fashionable Hearts Embosslits in Real Red and Pink Pirouette Card Stock for my hearts.  The “Love You” sentiment is from the Bitty Banners Stamp Set and die cut using the Bitty Banners Framelits!  The jar itself is stamped in Jet Black StazOn and the coordinating lid in Real Red, they’re both from the Perfectly Preserved set and cut with the Cannery Set Framelits which carried over from the Holiday Catalog.  I tied up the lid with some White Baker’s Twine and of course the perfect touch, which makes the card in my opinion, is one of the Paper Doilies from the Spring Catalog!  Here’s a closer look…

In case you didn’t know it, Sale-a-Bration starts on Tuesday, it’s Stampin’ Up!’s biggest sale of the year, and I’m excited to tell you that one of the items you can get for free during Sale-a-Bration this year is the Bitty Banners Stamp Set!  It’s a great versatile sentiment set, and the joy of it is if you have a Big Shot it has the matching Bitty Banners framelits so you don’t have to cut them out by hand!  I’ll have more info on Sale-a-Bration tomorrow, and a sneak peek at a couple of the Sale-a-Bration items you can get for free!  In the meantime if you have any questions, want to know about upcoming classes, or to order any of the items for this card you can e-mail me or go to my website!

Have a great, relaxing Sunday afternoon!

Ingredients:

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved (126690, Wood or 126692, Clear)

Ink:  Real Red (126949), Jet Black StazOn (101406)

Paper:  Real Red (102482), Pink Pirouette (111351), Whisper White (100730)

Accessories:  Tea Lace Paper Doilies (129399), Whisper White Baker’s Twine (124262), Fashionable Hearts Embosslits (125596), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Vintage Wallpaper Folder (120175), Cannery Set Framelits (127822), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Big Shot (113439)

Miscellaneous:  Snail, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

25 Years of Stamping and a Pumpkin to Boot!

Wow!  Stampin’ Up! is 25 years old this year, isn’t that awesome!  The year’s getting off to a bang too with some awesome stuff!  First, to celebrate the Silver Anniversary Stampin’ Up! will be releasing a “Best Of” set each month!  The sets will include 3 – 5 favorite images from stamp sets from the past, AND one new image created just for that set!  Each “new” set will be $14.95 and although only one will be released a month they will all be available for purchase through March 31, 2014!  Additionally, each set will come with a special 25-year Proof of Purchase sticker that you will want to keep with the collector’s card that will be included starting in February!  When you collect six sets you can send it in for a FREE set of your choice valued up to $14.95!!!!!  You have to redeem your free set by April 30 2014.  Here’s January’s set…

Best of Birthdays! (132929)  It’s a clear mount set, all the “Best of” sets are clear mount.  Do you know what sets the stamps are from?  I can tell you that the oval, Happy Birthday to You, is the new stamp and it coordinates with the Extra Large Oval punch (119859).  Don’t forget that the clear mount sets don’t come with blocks, so you’ll want to make sure you have blocks for your new/old stamps!

I also want to tell you about something fabulously fun that was announced at Leadership over the weekend… are you ready?

Paper Pumpkin!  It’s like your “paper fairy godmother, without the white hair,” lol!  It’s a great way to get your creativity on simply, like a magical paper escape…  Each month you receive your Paper Pumpkin package (hah, say that three times fast) all ready to go.  Whatever the projects are that month it’s all prepped… cards, journals, great 3-D projects, everything is cut, measured, etc.  You just create it, pin it (if you’re a pinterest junky like me) and it’s ready to be given to that special person, or given that place of honor in your home if you can’t bear to part with it!

How does it work?  Well, Paper Pumpkin is a monthly kit subscription program, each month you will receive a unique, surprise kit with a project – perhaps it will be cards, journals, décor, who knows, it’s a surprise!  The thing is that it’s all cut, measured, color coordinated and ready!  It will included the stamps, ink, paper and accessories, all you supply is the adhesive and yourself!  Your kit will ship on or around the 15^th of the month, provided that you have signed up by the 10^th.  The Paper Pumpkin memberships are $19.95 per month and that includes shipping!  It is an auto-renew membership but you can cancel at any time or even skip a month if you want.  Starting in early March there will be a Try-It kit if you want to just check it out for one month!  Here’s a peek at the Try-It kit that will be available in March…

Cute right?  Those little journals are too cute!   Now, when you go sign up make sure that you choose me as your demonstrator, “Tricia Sachs” in Queen Creek, AZ.  At this point we aren’t getting notifications when customers sign up, I’d love to know if you do… maybe when our first kits come in we can have a Paper Pumpkin Party!  Wouldn’t that be fun?

Still not sure?  Have more questions?  You can look at the faq or get more info on the Paper Pumpkin site.  Or you can always e-mail me!

A couple more things… Stampin’ Up! released ten new Single Stamps, yay!  Here’s just one…

Cute right?  I LOVE this little heart, the swirly flowers just make me smile!  This guy and nine others are new and available only through March 31st so grab them quick!  You can look at the Single Stamps page or the Assortment 3 and Assortment 4 flyers to see all ten designs.

One last thing and then I’ll stop… I wanted to give you an update and a bit more info on the “Dude, You’re Welcome” kit…

The kit is $24.95 and includes four wood-mount stamps (they’re double-mounted) and have sentiments that cover pretty much every occasion, twelve 4”x6” postcards in four different “manly” colors, twelve gray envelopes, a Basic Gray Classic Stampin’ Pad, and an instructional guide.  The kit basically includes anything a “dude” could need to create a perfect manly card that the women in his life would love, and it comes in a very manly box!

One last thing… I know, I know!  I just wanted to remind you that new downloads are available for MDS2 every Tuesday!  There are some adorable ones this week!  Check this cutie out…

I think I’ll be reorganizing my pantry… it definitely needs it!  There are some other cutie-patootie downloads out there too!  Have a peek and if you have any questions about MDS or any of the other stuff I’ve posted (and I know, it was a LOT) then shoot me an e-mail or contact me on my Stampin’ Up! website!  As always don’t forget to check out my events page to see what’s coming up… if you can’t make a class in person then most likely you can do the class by mail!  Talk to you soon!