Northern Flurry Card

This really cute, simple Christmas card uses two of the products that are available for sale during Stampin'Up's Online Extravaganza Sale which ends on November 28th. The Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder is available for 25% off and the Rhinestone Basic Jewels are 30% off! If you would prefer to place your order with me directly rather than online, just drop me an email. To see all of the products on sale, just click here.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Evergreen
Ink: Real Red
Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, Silver Glimmer Paper
Misc: Northern Flurry Embossing Folder, Rhinestone Basic Jewel, Merry Minis Punch Pack

Online Extravaganza Coming Soon

Coming Soon!

The biggest online sale of the year: Online Extravaganza begins Monday Nov. 19th and ends on Wed Nov 28th! There will be a fantasitc selection of stamp sets, accessories & tools that will be discounted up to 50 percent. Plus, you won't want to miss the first 24-hours of the sale when the Big Shot Machine, Big Shot Doctor's Bag & Simply Scored Diagonal Plate will be 20% off retail price!

Be sure to login to my online store first thing Monday morning to take advantage of the great sales!

Kidoodles Christmas Card

Here is a Christmas card I made using the Kidoodles stamp set which is found on page 50 of the Catalogue. This is a really cute set which I hadn't used in a while so it was time. I used the Diagonal Plate for the scoring on the top white layer which made it really easy to do, and I dyed the White Baker's Twine with Real Red Ink. I think this little Elf is really sweet!

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Kidoodles, Tiny Tags
Ink: Real Red, Black StazOn
Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red
Misc: Diagonal Scoring Plate, Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, Mini Brads, White Baker's Twine,
          Stampin Markers for Coloring, Silver Dazzle Marker, Dazzling Details, Labels Collection
          Framelits, BigShot, Jewelry Tag Punch, Dimensionals

ONE DAY STAMP SALE!

OCTOBER 29th ONLY!

I am so excited! For the first time ever, Stampin' Up! is doing a one-day sale on almost all of our stamp sets. Stamp sets will be reduced by 15% off, on Monday ONLY. Look through our catalogs and let me know asap which sets you need for Holiday projects, or any sets that have been on your wish list. Now is the time to order them!

Don't wait until the last minute! Send me your list now!

I will be submitting the order @ 10pm on Oct. 29th

  

This sale includes current catalog stamp sets

Background stamps

Personalized name stamps

Cookie press stamps

Single-image stamps

This DOES NOT include  

• Hostess sets
• Bundled stamp sets
• Digital stamp brush sets

 

There is no minimum purchase, and no limit to the number of stamps you can order. Now is the time to get some Christmas shopping done!

Contact me via email or phone (613-228-1930) to place your order!

SINGLE STAMPS AVAILABLE

From now until January 2nd,  purchase single stamps from some of our favorite stamp sets!

Acetate Card

One of the cards that my Technique Club Members made this week involved making colored StazOn ink and an Acetate fronted card. This is not the card they made but here is another card that I made with the same techniques.  It was really difficult to photograph this card to get the acetate to show around the card as it is larger than the card inside. I really do like this style of card and coloring StazOn is a really handy technique!

If you would like to know more about my technique clubs, just send me an email at lpalisek@rogers.com

United Way Crop

I had a great time last night! I did something I haven't done in a long time and attended a crop from 4:00 p.m. until Midnight in support of United Way. It has been a long time since I have done any paper scrapbooking and will share some of my pages soon.

However, during the evening my friend and fellow demo Tracie gave a class which I attended. It was really fun to be the student again and the two projects we made were fabulous! Here is the card we made which I really love! So simple but absolutely stunning, IMHO!

Supplies List:

Stamp Sets: Joyous Celebrations

Ink: Gumball Green

Cardstock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler

Misc: 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, BigZ Die Snow Flurry,  Choc Full of Cheer Designer Paper; BigShot, Dimensionals,Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

October Basic & Beautiful Class

Do you like this card? This is one of the cards I will be featuring at my Basic & Beautiful Class coming up on October 29th. To see the details and to register, click here.

REVISITING A FAVORITE TECHNIQUE!

I made this card using a very simple background technique that I haven't used in a very long time. I am sure the technique has a name but I don't know it.

All I did was rub some ink (I used Bashful Blue, Marina Mist and Not Quite Navy) onto a piece of wax paper and then misted some water onto the ink. I laid a piece of Whisper White cardstock over the wax paper and pressed down. I then lifted it to check the ink coverage, and laid it down a couple more times in different areas on the wax paper until I was satisfied with the ink coverage and then simply dried it with the Heat Tool.  I then cut two pieces from my inked cardstock, one for stamping and one to leave as is. I backed both pieces with Basic Gray Cardstock and stamped the Penguins from Zoo Review in Basic Gray on one piece. I attached the unstamped strip down the left side of a white card and then placed the stamped piece horizontally using Dimensionals. Cut a little birthday hat from real red cardstock for the Penguin in the center and attached a pompom to the top. The greeting is from Friendly Phrases and is stamped in Basic Gray.

It didn't take me long to make this card but I am happy with the results. I think the Penquins really suit the background!

Christmas Gift in October!

Dates: October 1-31, 2012


Promotion Details: It's only October, but Stampin' Claus is coming to town! Get a FREE Festive Paper-Piercing Pack when you purchase the Ornament Keepsakes Set and Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Choose from the following options:



Halloween Characters!

It's been a while since I played with my Owl Punch but after seeing these characters while surfing our Demo Web site, it was time to play! I used the Scallop Border Punch on the fence and Watercolor Pencils to create the individual boards. The moon is sponged in Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie Ink. The owls were made with a variety of our punches.

Holiday Frame Christmas Card

Once again the idea for this card came from our Stampin'Up! Demonstrator Gallery. I spend way too much time browsing!!

I had so much fun  sanding the cardstock to make the embossed design using the new Core'dinations Cardstock in Gumball Green and the  Holiday Frame Embossing Folder. The cute stamped images are from the new Joyous Celebrations stamp set from the Holiday Catalogue. The cardfront is then attached to a Cherry Cobbler card. I love this simple card. I think it is stunning!

I think the folks at Stampin'Up! might actually be losing it!? Check out this really cute video spoof to see what you can embellish!

Ornament Christmas Card

Isn't this card wonderfully elegant? My picture really doesn't do it justice. In real life it shimmers and sparkles,  thanks in part to the ornament that has been cut from Silver Shimmer paper using one of the Holiday Ornaments Framelits and is mounted behind the Cherry Cobbler ornament. The Cherry Cobbler ornament has been accented with Dazzling Details and Jewels, and really sparkles! Adding to the sparkle also is one  of the new Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons on top of the Organza Bow. The beautiful embossing on the white layer is done using the  Holiday Frame Embossing Folder and it all is mounted on a Cherry Cobbler card. The complete look is just stunning!

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Thanksgiving Card

Here is another card that I received in our small Demo Swap for the Holiday Catalogue. There is no name on the back so I can't give the designer credit, but I love this card. What a great way to use the new single stamp called Tweet Leaves. She has used markers to ink the stamp and then cut it with Autumn Accents BigZ Die. The background leaves have all been put through the BigShot with different embossing folders and then cut with the same Die. I also love the way she has used the Background Woodgrain stamp together with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder.

It's Spool Time!

September 1-30, 2012

While the kids are heading back to school, Stampin' Up! is going back to 'spool'! For the month of September, get a FREE package of 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon-an $12.25 value-for every $50 you spend!

Choose from the following ribbons:

126848 Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon

126847 Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon

126844 Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon

126845 Raspberry Ripple 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon

126846 Summer Starfruit 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon

Perfectly Preserved Card!

I recently participated in a small demo swap for the Holiday Catalogue and this is one of my favorite cards that I received. It was made by friend and fellow demo Cynthia Clarke-McKellar. This card is really pretty in real life as the "fruit" is on Glossy Paper and the Espresso band across the front is the Core-dinations Cardstock which she has lightly sanded and wrapped with Linen Thread. The designer paper is from the Havest DP pack and the stampset is Perfectly Preserved.

Kindness Matters

I just realized it has been forever since I have posted to this blog. What with life events, vacation, etc I have really gotten behind! Today's  quick share is a card that my friend and fellow demo Linda Willman made for me. It uses the stamp set Kindess Matters, as well as the new Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon and cardstock.

Smudge

2009 - 2012

Today our beloved young "Smudge" lost his battle with Epilepsy. He was such a special little guy that loved everyone (and wasn't shy about showing it) from the first day he joined our family last summer. He has left a huge hole in our lives and will always be remembered for the loving, and sometimes goofy, buddy that he was to all.

Basic & Beautiful Class

Do you like this card? This is just one of the six cards we will be making on Thursday, June 28th at my Basic & Beautiful Class. It uses the new set Serene Silhouettes and the new in color Midnight Muse. The remaining five cards will be on display at my New Catalogue Kickoff and BOGO Event this coming Thursday and Friday, June 21st and 22nd. Click here to see the details on this class.

If you haven't registered for New Catalogue Kickoff and BOGO Event and would like to come, click here to reserve your ticket.

Summer Afternoon Hostess Set

I know I have been missing in action for a bit, but once again we have been dealing with issues with our one remaining dog!

I just wanted to share a card with you that I made a bit ago. As demonstrators, we are given the opportunity to prepurchase some of the Hostess sets and I just had to treat myself and buy this one for me! It is called Summer Afternoon and contains three images and a saying and I love them all. The Designer Paper is also new and is called Comfort Cafe and I think will also be one of my favorites.

The New Catalogue Is Here!

The new catalogue has arrived and it is full of new fun products!
You can click here to view a copy online.

You won't want to miss my New Catalogue and BOGO (Buy One Get One) Event on June 21st.  You'll get a catalogue, see lots of new products, samples, make two projects, AND get the opportunity to BOGO my Retired Products! Click here to see all the details.

Pocket Silhouettes Card

My card today is made with one of my favorite stampsets which is retiring in about a week called Pocket Silhouettes. I saw this card on our demo website and had to make my own. For each of the images on the rectangular strips of white cardstock, I stamped off on scrap paper first before stamping on the white strips. Then I inked the stamp again with the same color of ink and stamped just slightly offset from the first image. The ink colors I used for the images were Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, and Melon Mambo, with the greeting stamped in Concord Crush. Each of the rectangles are attached to the white card using dimensionals.

Last Chance Class

With so many of my favorite stamps and products leaving us soon, I wanted to make some cards before they're gone! This is only one of the 5 cards we will be making on May 29th at my Last Chance Class! To see all the details, click here

On a personal note, I have been a bit quiet lately as it has once again been sad in our lives. Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to our dog Sammy and the entire household, including his buddy Smudge, are all very sad. He was such a good, loving dog that everyone that met him loved him! He is sorely missed and our home just isn't the same without him.

Swap Card

I belong to a very small group of demonstrators that get together periodically to share ideas, stamp, swap, and socialize! What a wonderful group of Ladies!

We got together over the weekend and this is the card I made to swap with them. It is a one layer card on whisper white and uses the masking technique.

Stamps:
En Francaise, Field Flowers, Delightful Dozen (Retiring)

Inks:
Crumb Cake, Soft Suede

Cardstock:
Whisper White

Misc: Stamping Sponge, Dotto Temporary Adhesive, Scrap Paper for masking, Stamp-a-ma-Jig

Doily Triple Layer Punch

This card is made with a couple of our great punches, including one which is retiring called the Doily Triple Layer Punch (#122465) and is on sale for 40% off while supplies last! The other punch used is the wide oval punch. The tree tops are punched using 2 different settings on the Doily Punch and the trunks are created with the wide oval punch. To make the trunks, simply cut 3 rectangles of Early Espresso cardstock and punch a half of the wide oval out of each side of each piece of cardstock and voila, you have tree trunks! They are then mounted on pieces of white cardstock which have been run through the BigShot using the Square Lattice embossing folder and then have been attached to a piece of Marina Mist cardstock. The tree tops are popped up with Dimensionals and I have added a gem to the center of each. The greeting is from the set called Bring On The Cake and is stamped in Lucky Limeade.

Retiring Accessories List

There are so many changes happening as can be seen on the retired accessories list!

When you look at the retired accessories list, you'll note that all of our Stampin' Pads are listed. This is for two reasons: (1) Craft Stampin' Pads will now only be available in black and white; and (2) we are introducing a new Firm Foam pad in our Classic Stampin' Pads with the 2012-2013 annual catalog.
The Firm Foam pads offer better ink coverage and, in turn, better stamped images. They will be available for customer order on June 1.


In addition, please note the following changes in the new catalog, which explain some of the products appearing on the retired list:


Only select Stampin' Write Markers will be available individually (Stampin' Write Markers in color collections will continue to be offered)


12" x 12" Textured Card Stock will no longer be offered.


12" x 12" Smooth Card Stock will only be available in select individual colors and color collections.


Any item with an asterisk next to it is being reconfigured. An example of this could be repackaging, as in the example above of the markers.


Craft Ink Pads (other than black or white per above) and Craft Refills will no longer be offered.


Classic Ink Refills (other than the retiring 2010-2012 In Colors) will still be available.


Stampin' Spots are being discontinued. Stampin' Up! may possibly reconfigure & sell some of the Classic Ink Spots.


Other than the retiring 2010-2012 In Colors, the Stampin' Up! colors are NOT retiring.

Retiring Accessories List

Stampin'Up! has published their list of accessories that are retiring and some of them are discounted up to 70%! Retiring accessories are only available while supplies last or until May 31st, but often sell out quickly so place your orders today for anything you just have to have! You can order online from my store by clicking here or email me at lpalisek@rogers.com

RETIRING ACCESSORIES pdf


PLEASE NOTE: You will see all of the ink pads on the list.. we will no longer be carrying the craft ink pads (other than in black and white) and the classic pads will be replaced with a new "firm foam pad" for a better stamping experience. More news to come on these exciting new pads!

FUNKY FOUR CARD

For the next little while I am going to be sharing cards with you that use some of my favorite stamp sets that are retiring as of May 31st. Here is a quick fun card that uses one of the really fun sets that is retiring called Funky Four.

Stamp Sets: Funky Four, Just Believe
Ink: Basic Black, VersaMark
Cardstock: Textured Melon Mambo, Basic Black
Misc: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Melon Mambo Embossing Powder, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder, Glimmer Brad

My stamping sponges have been on my table since class Friday night and I just keep using them over and over. The grass and hill effect was created using a sponge with just garden green ink and some torn copy paper to mask for the "hills". I used Funky Four for the tree, the owl is from Fox & Friends and the greeting is from On Your Birthday. All three of these sets are retiring as of May 31st and will be missed!

Retiring Stamps List

It is hard to believe that it is time already but with the new StampinUp Catalogue due to be released on June 1st this year, it is time to say goodbye to some favorite stamp sets to make room for all the new exciting ones! To see the list of sets leaving us as of May 31st, click on the picture above.

Stamping With Sponges

While preparing for my Fun With Sponges! Class I was reminded of so many different ways to use our stamping sponges. To achieve this soft effect with the colors in the medallion stamp on this card, I simply added the ink to the stamp by tapping lightly with inked sponges. The colors I used were Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist, and Melon Mambo. I then cut my image into 3 even pieces, mounted it on Pear Pizzazz and then onto a white card. Stuck a jewel in the center for a bit of bling and added a greeting and I was happy with the card.

Another MDS Share

Here are two more pages I made recently with My Digital Studio. If you have never seen a creature like this before, it is called a Skinny Pig and is a mostly hairless Guinea Pig.

Today's share is a scrapbook page I recently created using the My Digital Studio package. I am trying to bring some of my scrapbooks up to date and, of course, a lot of my pages include my dogs! On this page I also used a picture taken in my backyard as my background paper and just changed the Opacity setting to soften it. I love the flexibilty of My Digital Studio!

Can't you see this adorable little basket sitting at each place setting at your dinner table this Easter? They are so easy and quick to make and can hold little Easter treats. I deliberately kept mine really simple so that when dinner is only a couple of hours away I can still whip up a few of them!

Instructions:
Using the BigShot and the Clear BigZ Scallop Square Die cut one square from Designer Paper (I used the Calypso Coral from the In Color Designer Pack). Score in 1 1/2" on all four sides and then score again from where the lines intersect to the outer corners on all four corners (the diagonal plate for the Scoring Tool makes this really simple to do!). Punch a hole in each of the four corner and then push corners into the center by folding along score lines. Thread ribbon through each hole and tie a bow or two and you are done! How easy is that??

SUMMER SMOOCHES ARE HERE!

TODAY is the first day of a brand new Sneak Peak promotion running throughout April called Summer Smooches!

Summer Smooches features a new suite of products that will be in the new 2012-2013 Catalogue coming June 1st (yes, I said June 1st this year!) and during the month of April YOU get to purchase them early!!!
They are never before seen products including a FABULOUS brand new Purse die that you can use to make the most beautiful favors & treats. This card uses the beautiful new stamp set as well as the coordinating Designer Paper.
Click HERE to download the 2 page flyer showing all of the beautiful Summer Smooches products!

Masculine Birthday CardWith the family that I have, most of the Birthday Cards I need are for males and I never seem to have any on hand when I need them! That is the reason why I decided to do a masculine Birthday card at the March Basic & Beautiful Class. I can't be the only one that has to send a card to a male! This card is made using the Plant Hope Set(Page 120 of the Catalogue), Whisper White and Chocolate Chip cardstock, Glimmer Brad, Always Artichoke, Garden Green and Chocolate Chip Markers, and Always Artichoke Designer Paper (retired). We colored the top part of the tree with the Always Artichoke marker, and then "thumped" the Garden Green marker to give it a bit of dimension. I was really happy with the way this card turned out.

Monday night was the monthly Basic & Beautiful Class and the card on the left is one of the six that we made. It uses a really fun stamp set called Every Little Bit (Pg 28 of the Idea Book & Catalogue) and was a lot of fun as everyone chose the images they wanted to use from the 28 images contained in this stamp set. When I went downstairs to my studio today to clean up I saw the set sitting on the table and, needless to say, I didn't do much cleaning but did have fun making the card shown on the right.

I just LOVE the Designer Cuts Cards & Envelopes Set found on page 9 of the Occasions Mini Catalogue! It is so easy to make something absolutely stunning with these cards with very little effort. On this card I just added some Pretty in Pink cardstock inside the border and for punched flowers, Vanilla Seam Binding, small pearls and a greeting, and VOILA! A card that I think is stunning!

It's a Sweet Pea!

Today I went to a baby shower for one of my customers Kelly H-M. I think it was the best shower I have been to in a long, long time! The food, the guests, the surroundings, and everything else was great fun! This is the card I made for her. It uses our punches and the Baroque Motifs stamp set. I chose to use Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade and Whisper White as my colors as she has chosen to not know the baby's gender before birth. Congratulations Kelly!

Happy St. Patrick's Day From the Leprechaun!

Isn't this guy adorable? He is really easy to make using our punches. The punches I used are:

Bird Punch (ears)
1/2" Circle (Glimmer eyes, nose, hat topper)
Owl Punch (green eyes)
Scallop Circle (red)
Pennant (Hat)
Ornament (Face)

CIRCLE CIRCUS CARD

This is a stamp set that I haven't used in quite a while. The card is 5 1/4" square in Whisper White with the circles randomly stamped on the right side in Basic Black ink. The greeting is from Bring on The Cake and is also stamped in Black. I then just used different punches to punch circles and flowers in Pretty in Pink and Lucky Limeade and attached to stamped designs. The largest circle is from the Sale-a-bration Everyday Enchantment DP with a Rhinestone brad in the center and popped up with dimensionals.

This is one of the Birthday Cards we made at last night's Birthday Card Club. It is a very simple card but I think really soft and pretty!

The next Birthday Card Club is on Friday, April 20th and I have some great cards designed! There are only a few spots available for "Class Goers" so if you would like to attend make sure to register early. You can find all the details here.

Today's card is one that I saw on our demonstrator website and is made with the Sale-a-bration set Sprinkled Expressions. It also uses the Pleated Satin Ribbon in Blushing Bride which is available from the Occasions Mini Catalogue. I think this card would be a great wedding or Mother's Day card. If you haven't already placed your orders to receive your free Sale-a-bration products don't forget that you only have until the end of March to do so!

Before I post my project for today, I just want to share some really good news. My big dog Sammy had to have emergency surgery yesterday to implant a pacemaker and he came through the operation, even though it was a bit iffy for a bit. I brought him home today and he is doing great! Keep up the good work Sammy!!

Now on to stamping business. Today's card share is one of the cards that we made on Monday night at the Basic & Beautiful class and uses the Sale-a-bration set called Fresh Vintage. These classes are held on the last Monday of each month and, if you haven't tried one yet, you might want to give it a shot. We make 6 cards that are suitable for many different occasions and yet don't take forever to make.

Today's card is made with the Sale-a-bration set called Sprinkled Expressions and uses one of the brads from the Everyday Enchantment Brad and Ribbon Sale-a-bration pack. The cardstock colors I used are Tempting Turquoise, Calypso Coral, Whisper White and I added the Calypso Coral Bakers Twine. I never would have thought to put these colors together but I got my inspiration from the Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper which is available for FREE during Sale-a-bration with a $60 order.