Spring Tulips with Owl Punch

Here is the last of the four cards from my Outstanding Owl Punch class earlier this week. I love how this punch can be used for so many things! On this card, we used the body of the owl, with the feet trimmed off, for the flowers. You may not catch it right away, but we also used the owl body (again, minus the feet), cut in half for the leaves!

Supplies: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Basic Black ink, Whisper White cardstock, Pear Pizzazz cardstock, Blushing Bride cardstock, So Saffron cardstock, In Color Patterns DSP, Top Note die for the Big Shot, Two-Step Owl Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

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Witch Hat Box Tutorial

There's still time to make these adorable witch hat boxes before Halloween because you probably have everything you need already in your stamping stash!

Check out my tutorial to learn how to make this easy triangle box witch hat!

Witch Hat Box Tutorial

I wish I could take credit for this project, but like many things I make, I CASEd this one too! Leslie Rhoades and Dawn Miller both demonstrated this project at recent demonstrator meetings. They CASEd the idea from Stampin' Connection, but I'm not sure who the original artist was.

I love Stampin' Connection -- it's a great online community exclusively for demonstrators to share ideas, tips, and chat about all things Stampin' Up!. Join my team as a demonstrator and you'll have access to this free site too! Click here to learn more about being a demonstrator.

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Birthday Cupcakes Card

I am an entire month behind on birthday cards again. How does this happen? I think I need to make up enough cards for November and December too so I can actually be ahead of the game! We're going on a mini-vacation this weekend and I'm hoping to bring some stamping supplies to work on cards while the little ones are napping.

Here's a card I whipped up the other day for my daughter's teacher. Her favorite color is pink, so I used Blushing Bride and Melon Mambo to decorate these bitty cupcakes.

It's hard to really see it in the photo, but I used some Smooch Top Coat for the frosting.

Supplies: Birthday Bakery, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Jet Black Staz-On Ink, Whisper White Notecards & Envelopes, Blushing Bride marker, Melon Mambo marker & cardstock, Certainly Celery marker, In Color Patterns DSP, Smooch Top Coat, Scallop Edge Punch

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Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar Class

I loved this idea shared by demonstrator Melissa Stout and decided to offer it as a class. It's a mini muffin pan turned into an advent calendar! The heavy duty magnets cover each muffin cup to conceal the trinkets or candy. Attend the class in Champaign on Thursday, November 11 at 7:00 pm, or schedule a private class with five or more friends.

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Halloween Bookmark Card

Here's another version of the Bookmark card that I posted last week. I used the Two Tags die to make the removable bookmark. Click here to see my original post with details about the bookmark.

Supplies: Sock Monkey Accessories (pumpkin), Teeny Tiny Wishes, Jet Black Staz-On ink, Pumpkin Pie marker & cardstock, Basic Black cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Old Olive marker, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Two Tags Die (Big Shot), retired Halloween DSP

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Owl Punch for Halloween

Tonight, I'm working on assembling project kits for my Owl Punch Class. This is one of the cards included in that kit.

The ghost is the owl punch upside down with the feet cut off. The bat was inspired by a card I saw by Monika Davis. She used the bat punch to add bat wings to the owl. So clever!

You can find the retired Bitty Bat Punch in the Clearance Rack, while supplies list. Click here to find it in my Online Store.


Supplies: Seasonal Sentiments, Pumpkin Pie cardstock, Basic Black ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Two-Step Owl Punch, Bitty Bat Punch, Spider Web Embossing Folder (Big Shot)

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Ice Cream Cone Card

I was looking for something to post tonight and realized that I never posted this ice cream cone card that we made in Stamp Club a couple months ago. I received it as a swap at a group meeting from Nancy Hawthorne, who CASEd the idea from Stampin' Connection (that's the demonstrator-only online community for sharing ideas, asking questions, and discussing all things stamping).

The cone is the Scallop Square die (#115950. $21.95), which we texturized (is that a word?) with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder (#119976, $7.95). Turn it to make a diamond and then fold the sides over five scallops down from the top on either side.

The ice cream is three scallop circles (the new punch, the "Mama Scallop", which is 2-3/8"). Adhere the first two down next to each other and then use Stampin' Dimensionals on the third on in the middle. The sides of the cone tucks under that middle scoop, keeping the card closed.

Inside, I stamped a greeting from Birthday Bliss.

Supplies: Birthday Bliss, Real Red ink & cardstock, Pretty in Pink cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Scallop Square die (Big Shot), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Stampin' Dimensionals

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French Foliage Bookmark Card

Here's another card that we've been doing in Stamp Club and at our demonstrator group meetings. (Can you tell I like to get the most mileage out of my projects!? I think at least 50 people have made this project with me in the last 6 weeks.)

The fun part is the Cajun Craze tag is actually a bookmark! Two little magnet pieces hold the bookmark closed. (Magnet Sheets, pkg of three 6" x 13", #119816, $9.95 -- big enough to cut with the big shot for larger projects. I used scraps from another project on the bookmark here.)

We cut the cardstock (8-1/2" x 2-3/4" , folded in half) using the Two Tags die with the Big Shot. Make sure to place the cardstock fold just below the cutting line on the die so that the fold doesn't get cut.

I love that this card has an afterlife! The bookmark continues to be used long after the card has been given.

Supplies: French Foliage, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Always Artichoke ink & cardstock, Cajun Craze ink & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Crumb Cake ink & cardstock, Early Espresso ink & cardstock, Two Tags Die (Big Shot), 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, 1/16" Hole Punch, Gold Brads

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Rock 'N Roll Snowflake Card

We made this card in Stamp Club this week (and a couple weeks ago at my Ju-bilant Stampers group meeting). I wanted to do a project with the new Letterpress plates. (We used the Northern Trim border.) For the main snowflake image, we did the Rock 'N Roll technique. My favorite part of this technique is that anyone can do it! You don't need any special tools or accessories to do it!

Start by inking your image in a lighter color (I used Baja Breeze). Then, "rock" and "roll" the edges of the stamp on a darker color ink (I used Not Quite Navy), and stamp!

Supplies: Northern Hearts, All Holidays (greeting), Baja Breeze ink & cardstock, Not Quite Navy ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Northern Trim Letterpress Plate (Big Shot), Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Stampin' Dimensionals

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Handmade Holiday Promotion: 20% Off Bundles

Create Amazing cards, Beautiful packaging, and Cherished gifts this holiday season!

From October 19-December 16, choose from several different holiday bundles containing gorgeous Stampin’ Up! products—perfect for creating cards, gift packaging, and gifts—and all at 20% off! Click here for details or view the bundles below.


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Stampin' Up! Owl Punch Penguin Card

[10-15-11, edited to add: It seems this card is getting a lot of views again, so I posted a free tutorial with instructions so you re-make this card at home. Click here to download the PDF tutorial. Thanks for visiting!]

What a crazy weekend! Scratch that, what a crazy month!! I feel like it's been one thing after another and another and I can hardly keep up with it! Here's a quick post for tonight. It's another sneak peek from my Outstanding Owl Punch Class (click here to see the first card).

There are three more cards, using the punch to make things other than owls! If you live in Champaign (or nearby), you can attend this class in person on October 26. Or, you can get the kit with instructions to complete at home.

This card was inspired by several cards that I saw on Stampin' Connection. I made it after viewing many samples, so I don't have just one person to credit. I love this online demonstrator community for sharing ideas and discussing all things Stampin' Up!

Supplies: Short & Sweet, Whisper White cardstock, Pumpkin Pie cardstock, Basic Black cardstock, Bashful Blue ink & cardstock, Northern Flurry Embossing Folder (Big Shot), Two-Step Owl Punch, 2-Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

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Top 5 of October 2009

It's time to rewind! I looked over my posts from last fall and choose my top 5 favorite projects to share with you again. Click on each photo for more details about the project. Click here to see all my October 2009 blog posts. (There's quite a few projects there that feature current Clearance Rack items. Click here to shop the Clearance Rack and save up to 80% off discontinued products. Sale ends October 18th.)


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Stampin' Up! Owl Punch Hello Card

I wasn't going to get the Owl Punch, but I knew that I would change my mind once I saw what everyone was making with it. Here's one of the cards we'll be making at the end of the month at my Outstanding Owl Punch Class.

There are three more cards, using the punch to make things other than owls! If you live in Champaign (or nearby), you can attend this class in person on October 26. Or, you can get the kit with instructions to complete at home. The class fee is $28 and includes the Owl Punch (may be substituted) and four cards.

Click here for more information. Sign-Up by October 15th so I can order the punches in time for the class.

Supplies: Fundamental Phrases, Concord Crush ink & cardstock, Poppy Parade cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, Basic Black cardstock, In Color Pattern DSP, 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Two-Step Owl Punch

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Clearance Rack CAS Card

I made up this quick little notecard using the Hugs notes that I bought from the Clearance Rack last month. These scallop notes are all sold out now, but there are new items in the Clearance Rack at huge discounts. There is still a lot left, so make sure to check it out in my Online Store (click on "Clearance Rack" and make sure to "Show All" to view all the products).

CAS stands for Clean and Simple, and that's just my style. Sometimes less is more.

Supplies: Aviary, Flight of the Butterfly (greeting), Whisper White Notecards & Envelopes, Hug Love Notes, Early Espresso ink, Cherry Cobbler ink, Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Stampin' Dimensionals

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French Foliage Collage Card

This is a super simple layout that lets the stamps and colors speak for themselves.

The leaves here are starting to turn beautiful shades. I love this time of year!

Supplies: French Foliage, Thank You Kindly, Cajun Craze ink & cardstock, Old Olive ink, Crumb Cake ink & cardstock, Early Espresso ink, Very Vanilla cardstock

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In Color Candy Wrapper

We made this project in my Stamp Club last month and at my downline meeting this month. I pre-cut the Candy Wrapper die in Whisper White cardstock and then let everyone choose designer paper and Glimmer brads in one of the five new In Colors. Here is my sample, done in Pear Pizzazz.

We pinched the sides of the box closed like a milk carton and secured them with the Glimmer Brads (In Colors #121003, $4.95). These come in different color assortments and are available in the Holiday Mini catalog.

Supplies: Fabulous Phrases, Whisper White cardstock, Pear Pizazz marker & cardstock, In Color Patterns Designer Series Paper, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, In Color Glimmer Brads, Paper Piercing Tool, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

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Autumn Spice Hot Air Balloon

I had a quiet house to myself or an hour this evening before our group meeting, so I managed to make up a few swaps to take with me. I used Stacey's Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 50 to get me started. The colors in the Autumn Spice Designer Paper were perfect and I'd been wanting to make a hot air balloon with my Sweet Centers stamp set. It's designed to be used with the Sweet Treat Cups, but I just punched a piece of the DSP instead.

Supplies: Sweet Centers, Heard from the Heart, Cajun Craze ink & cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Autumn Spice DSP, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1/16" Hole Punch, Regals Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

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Sunny Garden 6x6 or Card Make and Take

I designed these projects for my friend's workshop in August, but ended up going with a different design. This was going to be the make and take. Each project uses the same material. You can either make the 6x6 page or fold the 6x6 in half and make a 3x6 card.

I like showing projects like this at my workshops so the guests can see how versatile Stampin' Up! products are for both scrapbooking and card-making...and gift-giving and home decor...

For this project, I re-used an old layout. You can see other version here and here.

Supplies: Watercolor Trio, Fabulous Phrases, Crumb Cake cardstock, Pear Pizazz ink & cardstock, Poppy Parade ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Sunny Garden DSP, Dotted Ribbon Border Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

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Halloween Ghost Card with Owl Punch

I'm still floored by all the new stuff in the Clearance Rack today...over 200 items! Stampin' Up! is calling it a Clearance Rack Blitz from Oct. 5-18. I don't know if that means more items will be added or if the items there will be gone after the 18th...either way, make sure you check it out because it's first come, first get great bargains!

It's October and Halloween is fast approaching! Here's a little card I made using the Owl Punch to make a ghost. Can you figure out how I did it?

Just turn the owl upside down and trim off the feet. So easy! You'll love all the ways you can use the Owl Punch. Don't miss my Owl Punch class or sign up for a kit to do at home and you'll make four different cards using that punch in different ways.

Supplies: Seasonal Sentiments, Pumpkin Pie cardstock, Basic Black ink & cardstock, Daffodil Delight cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, Spider Web Embossing Folder, Two-Step Owl Punch, Bat Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

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Clearance Rack Blitz: 80% Off!

OMG! Over 200 items at ridiculous prices (up to 80% off) were just added to the Clearance Rack section of my Online Store! Make sure to go check it out NOW and place you order. It's only while supplies last, so don't wait or you'll miss out! These items are ONLY available online, so click over and start shopping!

Make sure to select "Show All" to see everything that is available because you don't want to miss anything!

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Sweet Center Treat Card

I made several of these 4" x 4" cards to give away as door prizes at Tricia's party a couple weeks ago. It's a card with a treat built right in! The Sweet Treat Cups (#116802, $2.95) make this card a cinch and you can mail them in our card size padded envelopes (#116911, $2.95/3) so they stay safe during transit.

Don't miss the new Snow Globe stamp (#120868, $8.95) in the Holiday Mini catalog. It is also designed to coordinate with the 1-3/4" Circle Punch (#119850, $16.95) and Sweet Treat Cups (#116802, $2.95). LOVE it!!

Supplies: Sweet Centers stamp set, Early Espresso ink & cardstock, Poppy Parade cardstock, More Mustard cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Autumn Spice DSP, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Sweet Treat Cups, 1/4" Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon

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Free Stamp Set of the Month: Northern Hearts

Thanks to everyone who placed an order with me in September! I drew one winner from all of the online and email orders and Bobbie from Mahomet is the lucky stamper to win the Scary Skeleton stamp set! Congratulations, Bobbie!

It's a new month, and time for a new free stamp set giveaway! Each month, I will give away a free stamp set. To be eligible for the drawing, all you have to do it place an online order (email orders count too!) that is not part of a club or workshop. You'll get one entry for each order that you place with me between October 1-31. I'll draw a winner on November 1st. This month's stamp set is Northern Hearts, the level 1 hostess set from the Holiday Mini Catalog. You can also get this stamp set for FREE when you host a qualifying workshop! Call or email me to schedule your next party!

Ready to place an order now? Click here to go right to my online store and shop from the convenience and comfort of your home.

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My Digital Studio Online Community

Does something look different? I finally re-designed my blog header with Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio! If you're reading this update via email, make sure to click over and check out my blog to check it out.

If you love creating with My Digital Studio, make sure to check out MyDigitalStudio.net, a brand new website that Stampin' Up! launched for MDS users to a place to share your success stories, find useful solutions to problems, get creative ideas, and offer suggestions.

Click here to check out the new My Digital Studio site and join for free.

Stampin' Up! is kicking things off with their first ever My Digital Studio contest! This contest is open to everyone, so make sure to click over and read all the details to find out how you could win My Digital Studio downloads valued at $400!

Don't have My Digital Studio yet? Click here to order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!