Blossom Bouquet Punch Framed Art

Here's another Sneak Peek of the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch that will be available in the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog starting May 1st. This punch is serious fun and you're definitely going to want to put it at the top of your list!

The Summer Mini doesn't start until Sunday, but Stampin' Up! decided to start the National Scrapbooking Month promo early. Until the end of the day on Saturday, you can take advantage of the Spring is Blossoming Promo AND the National Scrapbooking Month Promo AND stock on Occasions Mini stuff before it ends. While you're at it, don't forget the Grab Bags and Clearance Rack! Happy Shopping!!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Bold Blossom, Poppy Parade ink & cardstock, Peach Parfait ink & cardstock, So Saffron cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Sunny Garden DSP, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, In Color Glimmer Brads, Poppy Parade Ribbon, frame

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

May Special: 30% Off Select Stampin' Up! Products

May is National Scrapbooking Month and to celebrate, Stampin' Up! is offer a variety of products for 30% off! Items included in this sale are stamps sets, digital downloads, and professional print products created with My Digital Studio. Click here to order and view more details.

While these products are great for scrapbooking, the are also perfect for card making and other projects.

And even better, this promotion starts NOW! You don't have to wait until May 1st to order! Click here to check out these amazing Stampin' Up! deals and shop now.

NOTE: The sale price does not show up until you add the item to your card. Click here to view a printable flyer showing all the sale prices.

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Alaska Cruise: The Countdown Begins!

It's a beautiful day here in Central Illinois. I just put my little ones down for a nap -- at the SAME time!! -- and was enjoying a quiet moment to myself when the "Man in Brown" dropped something at my door. I hurried to see what it could be since I wasn't expecting an order and much to my delight -- my travel wallet for the Alaska Cruise had arrived!

The wallet includes the name tags, luggage tags, tickets, and other information for our Stampin' Cruise. And the countdown begins! We leave in just 22 days!! I can't believe it's almost here! I am so excited!!!!

As always, Stampin' Up! tends to every little detail. Check out this custom rubber on the front of the wallet!

And aren't these luggage tags the cutest!?! Now I'm dreaming of pillow gifts and make and takes and sneak peeks....aaaah! What a beautiful day!

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Iron Craft 17: The Wedding Challenge

This week's Iron Craft Challenge was the kick in the butt I needed to start thinking about wedding invitations for my father-in-law's wedding. I used My Digital Studio to help them design Save the Date cards, but I want to be a little more hands-on with the invitation. Here's a first draft of an invitation and favor box. I have a lot of Basic Black cardstock that I bought in the Clearance Rack last summer, so I went with a classic ivory and black color scheme. If they decide they want more color, I may have to revamp this a little. I'm sure I'll be posting more drafts and samples as we go.

The favor is quick and easy using the Bitty Box & Envelope XL die and the Big Shot. I cut a 1-3/8" Circle from a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper folder (in the Big Shot) and added a pearl in the center.

This classic and simple invitation was inspired a sample and technique shared by Tami White at our Spring Into Stamping meeting earlier this month. I have seen people cut (GASP!) their embossing folders to do partial embossing like this. If you want to keep your folder intact and get the same effect, try Tami's tip. Cut a piece of chipboard the shape of the design that you want to show up on your project. I cut a piece of embossed cardstock as a guide. Then, tape the chipboard to the front of the embossing folder. Line up your printed invitation and send in through the Big Shot.

There is a change in the "sandwich" that you'll use to emboss it. Instead of two cutting pads, close all the tabs on the Multi Purpose Platform, place the embossing folder directly on the platform (no pad underneath) and then place one pad on top. The chipboard completes the needed thickness and embosses that side of the folder.

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Cute by the Inch Thank You

Here's a little sneak peek from the upcoming Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog. The new Postage Stamp Punch will be available starting May 1st. There's a coordinating stamp set in the mini catalog, but it also goes REALLY well with the level 2 hostess set Cute by the Inch from the Idea Book & Catalog. You can earn that stamp set for free when you host a qualifying party. Call me to schedule your next party and I'll show you and your friends more brand new products from the Summer Mini Catalog!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Cute by the Inch, Poppy Parade ink, Peach Parfait cardstock, Pear Pizzazz cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Sunny Garden DSP, Postage Stamp Punch, Polka Dot Embossing Folder (Big Shot), Stampin' Dimensionals

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Four Frames Sympathy Card

Here's a sympathy card I made using the new Four Frames stamp set and Paisley Petals designer paper that you can get in April as part of the Spring is Blossoming promotion. Only one week left...click here for details about getting these sneak peek products before they are officially released.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Four Frames, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Bravo Burgundy ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Paisley Petals DSP, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Top 5 of April 2010

It's time to rewind! I looked over my posts from last April 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 April 2010 blog posts.


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More Springtime Vintage Cards

When we made the Springtime Vintage card in Stamp Club, we used the Vintage Flower Adornments from the Occasions Mini catalog. Since they come in three colors (Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, and Rose Red), I offered different colors of cardstock and different patterns of the Springtime Vintage paper and everyone ended up with a unique and different card. Here are two more variations:

The scallop half circle is leftover from the Petal Cone die cut. And it's hard to tell in the photo, but I used the Smooch Spritz (silver on these two cards and gold on yesterday's cards) on the background. It's subtle, but a nice touch when you see it in person.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Sincere Salutations, Baja Breeze ink & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, Springtime Vintage DSP, Wide Oval Punch, Petal Cone Die for Big Shot (half scallop circle), Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Sticky Strip, Vintage Flower Adornments, Stampin' Dimensionals, Silver Smooch Spritz

Thanks to everyone who played along with my little game yesterday! I picked one random winner to receive a pack of 5 hand-stamped cards and the winner is...Nancy B.! Congratulations, Nancy!

On April 22, 2011 8:14 AM, Nancy B. said...

DSP is different. Embossing all around the edge on 2nd card. Placement of the greeting with ribbon and scalloped half circle moved from top to bottom, flower moved and greeting different.

The change I liked the most was embossing all the way around.

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Spot the Differences: Springtime Vintage Cards

I whipped up this project at the last minute for my Stamp Club this week. Not too bad for the last minute, don't you agree?

There's always room for improvement though! I changed a couple of things (some on purpose, some on accident) after the first draft. Can you spot the differences between these two cards? There are five of them! Post a comment with your answer. I'll pick one random winner Friday evening and that person will get a package of 5 hand-stamped cards and envelopes, including one of these! Come back tomorrow for two more variations on this Springtime Vintage project!

Card #1

Card #2

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Sincere Salutations, Rose Red ink & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, Springtime Vintage DSP, Wide Oval Punch, Petal Cone Die for Big Shot (half scallop circle), Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Sticky Strip, Springtime Vintage Adornments, Stampin' Dimensionals, Gold Smooch Spritz

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Iron Craft #16: Penny Spinner Card

It's time for another Iron Craft Challenge! This week's theme was money since it's tax time. [And as a side note, I'm happy to report that I filed ON TIME this year! Woot! No extensions (=procrastination) for me!]

When I saw the money themed challenge on Iron Craft, I knew exactly what I would make! A penny spinner card! I've been making this card for so long, I don't remember where I first saw it. This spinning card, like any with moving parts, is always a huge hit with kids. I made this one for a friend's daughter's birthday.

When you tilt the card, the monkey spins. The mechanics behind the spinner is where the money comes in! Two pennies to be exact. I always like to say that this is a card you can really put your two cents in! (wink!)

Spinner Card Tutorial

Click here for a free tutorial (.pdf) to learn how to make this card. The Word Window punch makes creating the track a breeze! Alternatively, you could use your craft knife and ruler to cut the track.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Fox & Friends, Soft Suede ink & cardstock, Blush Blossom marker, Blushing Bride marker, Whisper White cardstock, In Color Patterns DSP, Word Window Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimesionals

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Rosy Four Frames Friend Card

I am really enjoying this new Stampin' Up! Four Frames stamp set! Have you gotten yours yet? (Click here for all the details.) I have all my blog posts tagged, so you can find all of my "Spring is Blossoming" by clicking here. This one is my favorite so far:

I CASEd the layout of this card from a card made by Jen Sannes. Her clean and simple style always inspires me!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Elements of Style (flowers on pink cardstock), Four Frames, Fabulous Phrases, Blushing Bride marker/ink & cardstock, Pear Pizzazz marker, Regal Rose marker, Jet Black Staz-on Ink, Whisper White cardstock, Paisley Petals DSP, Decorative Label Punch, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Stampin' Dimensionals

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Summer Mini Sneak Peek: Triple Layer Punch

My favorite new product in the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog (which will be available May 1st!) is the new Triple Layer Punch. It has a lever in the front that you slide to select one of three variations on the image. It's really fun! Sorry, I can't show you a picture of the actual punch yet, but here is a little card that I made using some of the punched images. The actual size of the card is 3-1/2" x 4-1/4". I put it in a clear envelope and tied it with a ribbon on a package.

The stamp is one of the Four Frames from the Spring is Blossoming promotion. Click here to find out how you can get this stamp set in April.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Four Frames, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Poppy Parade ink & cardstock, Peach Parfait ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Sunny Garden DSP, Decorative Label Punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Neutral Jumbo Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Just Believe Crumpled Flower Card & Blog Candy Winner

Here's another card from my Just Believe Spring Project Kit. I love this one! It's so clean and simple and easy, but the texture of the flower makes it just perfect. Click here for details about this project kit.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Just Believe, Basic Gray ink, Very Vanilla cardstock, Baja Breeze marker & cardstock, Pear Pizzazz marker & cardstock, Fun Flowers Big Shot die, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for all the great comments you left on my 600K Blog Candy post. I enjoyed reading each one and I thank you again for following me -- whether it's been since the beginning or more recently. I used random.org to choose one person to win the Just Believe Spring Project Kit for free, and the winner is #2 : Sandy Kay!

On April 12, 2011 4:19 PM , Sandy Kay said...

Wow, that's a lot of hits - congrats!
I really don't know how I came across your blog - it may have been from Splitcoaststampers. I found you and then when I got a new computer I lost you for a while, but found you again - yeah! Thanks for the chance to win!

Sandy, please email me your mailing address and I'll get your kit in the mail next week!

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Four Frames Celebrate Card

The night before Spring into Stamping, I did a shoebox swap with my downline. I look forward to this stamping time every year and love visiting with my faraway downline who I don't get to see very often. The cards this year were top notch, as always. I tried to keep my card clean and simple. This layout works well for many different stamp sets and designer paper combinations, and would be a great project to do at a workshop for the make and take.

Get this new stamp set (Four Frames) and designer paper (Paisley Petals) for FREE when you host a $350 workshop in April. Or purchase the sneak peek with any $20 order. Click here for details.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Four Frames, Fabulous Phrases, River Rock ink & cardstock, Not Quite Navy ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Paisley Petals DSP

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Easter Table Treat with Peeps & Four Frames

My second week with the Iron Craft Challenges...I wasn't sure I'd pull it off again, but I managed! This week's challenge was to use Peeps! Yes, as in the marshmallow Easter treat. I debated whether to make a Peeps card, but ended up making the prototype for Easter dinner table treats. I made a few extra for the kids to sample and they LOVED them, so I think I will make more for Easter.

They are sooo easy! I just melted some chocolate chips in the microwave, stirred in some chow mein noodles and then scooped out a pile on an aluminum foil-lined cookie sheet. Add the peep and some jelly bean eggs and allow to set. (If you're impatient, pop them in the freezer!)

I printed the name in a handwriting font on Whisper White cardstock and then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the Four Frames stamp perfectly over the name. I inked in Regal Rose and then punched it out with the coordinating Decorative Label Punch. The "stick" is a lollipop stick I had in the cabinet. You could use toothpicks though. I will stamp the frames in different colors for each person when I make them again for Easter.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

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600K Blog Candy

I almost forgot, I promised you some blog candy! Last month, while I was on vacation, we surpassed 600,000 hits. It kind of boggles my mind to think about. I started blogging almost 3 years ago and when you figure the averages, it works out to be an average of 560 hits per day. WOW!!

If you've been following for awhile, you know I like to celebrate the blog milestones with a giveaway. For the 600K Blog Candy, I'll be giving away a free project kit. I know you will love this new kit that I just released over the weekend: Just Believe Spring Project Kit. (Click here for all the details.)

Please leave a comment on this post and tell me (if you know) how long you've been following my blog and how you found your way here. Were you already a customer of mine? Did a friend refer you? Did you find a link on SCS or another website?

I'll use random.org on Friday, April 15 to select one winner from all the comments.

However you found me -- thank you! I'm so glad you are here! Thanks for allowing me to share with you and be a part of your day!

For my record more than anything else, here are the latest blog stats, as of today, 4-12-11:
Days Blogging: 1,052
# of Posts: 952
# of Hits: 614,187
Stamping Top 500 Rank: 70

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Four Frames, Three Ways

I had an idea in my head for this card, but it didn't quite turn out the same way on paper. So I kept the same framed greeting and made it three different ways. Leave me a comment and let me know which of the three you like best!

These cards use the new Paisley Petals designer paper and Four Frames stamp set that you can purchase as the Spring is Blossoming sneak peek promotion this month when you order $20 or more from my Stampin' Up! Store. The frames in the stamp set coordinate with the Decorative Label punch (#120907, $16.95), so make sure to add that to your order too!

Card #1 is 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".

Card #2 is 4-1/4" x 4-1/4".

Card #3 is 5-1/2" x 3-1/2".

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Four Frames, Fabulous Phrases, Pear Pizzazz ink & cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, Chocolate Chip ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Paisley Petals DSP, Decorative Label Punch, Small Oval Punch, Rhinestone Jewel Accents

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Join My Team & Get a Vera Bradley Bag!

I'm doing a little cleaning up today and came across the gorgeous bag I received at Leadership Conference in January. It's really absolutely beautiful in a Very Vanilla and Early Espresso pattern that matches the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder. And yet, I haven't used it. I didn't even use it at the conference. Honestly, it's just not my style. And I hate that it's sitting here in my office when I know it deserves so much more love than I could give it.

If bags are your thing, you no doubt know Vera Bradley. I don't know for sure that this is a Vera Bradley bag, but it looks to me like an exact match to the Alice style bag on their website. (All the finishing touches, including the label on my bag are "Stampin' Up!".)

So here's the deal: I'm not allowed to sell the bag. (I wish I could because the Alice bags on the Vera Bradley site are $71!) Since I can't sell it, I'm giving it away for FREE! The next person to sign up as a demonstrator and join my team in April 2011 will get this bag for free! (Please Note: I only have one to give away, so only the first person to sign up will get it. This offer is only available from me, not from Stampin' Up!)

Click here to learn more about the demonstrator opportunity. In my eight years as a demonstrator, I have personally helped more than 60 women start their own business. My team includes women across the country. No matter where you live, I will do my best to train and support you to find the success that YOU want with Stampin' Up! -- whether that's just to get a discount on your favorite products or to pay your biggest household bill each month. Please contact for more information: 217-954-0232 or julie@the-davisons.com

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Peach Rosettes Thank You Card

I love the way this card turned out. It's so clean and crisp, yet the colored rosettes make it really pop! This card is part of my new Just Believe Spring Project Kit. Click here for all the details. You will absolutely love every one of the five projects in this kit!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Just Believe stamp set, Peach Parfait ink pad & marker, Basic Gray ink pad, Pear Pizzazz marker & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Rosettes

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New Project Kit: Just Believe

It's time for a new project kit! My project kits are a great alternative to attending a class in person. Everything comes pre-cut and ready to stamp in the convenience and comfort of your own home when your schedule allows.

This set of projects featuring the Just Believe stamp set and products from the Occasions Mini Catalog (including Ribbon Rosettes, Beveled Windowpanes, and Petal Cone Big Shot Die) was a hit at our recent Spring Into Stamping meeting for demonstrators. I know you'll love these clean, crisp designs that will feel like a breath of fresh spring air! Projects include three cards, one monogram pendant, and a take-out style box. (Project Instructions will be emailed as a PDF file when the kit is shipped.)

$17.95 + S/H

Click here for more details and to order your own kit.
http://juliedavison.com/ProjectKits/1104_JustBelieve/index.html

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Four Frames Sneak Peek

In April, when you spend $20, you can purchase a sneak peek stamp set and/or designer series paper that will be available in the new catalog this summer. Click here to see all the details about this promotion.

Here is a quick thank you notecard I made using the new stamps and paper.

Supplies: Four Frames, Fabulous Phrases, Not Quite Navy ink & cardstock, Old Olive ink, Whisper White cardstock, Paisley Petals DSP, Decorative Label Punch

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Crazy for Circles Facebook Fan Challenge

It's time for another Facebook Fan Challenge! This month's theme is Crazy for Circles! My most used punches are the circles and I love my Coluzzle and Circle Scissors Plus. So this month, I want you to incorporate one or more circles on your project! Any size. Any kind of project. Just make sure to use Stampin' Up! products. Post your creations on my Facebook Fan Page and I'll pick the finalists and open up voting at the end of the month. I'm still deciding what the prize will be and I'll post info on that next week.

Here's a clean and simple card and to you thinking in circles:

Supplies: Just Believe, Baja Breeze ink, Pear Pizzazz ink, Peach Parfait ink, Basic Gray ink, Crumb Cake cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, 1-3/8" Circle Punch

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Iron Craft Challenge #14: Postcard

I recently discovered the Iron Craft challenge blog and have been wanting to play along for over a month.Their tag line is "1 Year, 52 Challenges...Are you creative enough?" Every Thursday, they post a creative challenge with a specific theme.

Things finally slowed down enough and this week's challenge was right up my alley -- to create a postcard. As a paper crafter, creating a card is not that much of a challenge, so I decided to use My Digital Studio (digital design software by Stampin' Up!) to create a more traditional postcard. I still haven't created much with the design software yet, so this was the perfect opportunity to work with it!

Here's a Close-Up of the photo. The text on the photo says: "wish you were here".

The photo is from my the Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip to Hawaii in 2009. I'm counting the days till my next free trip (this year to Alaska) next month. Maybe I'll bring My Digital Studio with me to create digital postcards to send home to my family and friends!

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Just Believe CAS Card Dressed Up

I made this card to display at the Spring Into Stamping meeting on Saturday. I was trying to make additional samples using the Just Believe stamp set. This is similar to the the clean and simple notecard I made last fall (click here to see it), just dressed up a little.

Do you recognize the designer paper? It's Paisley Prints -- a sneak peek of the new Stampin' Up! catalog that comes out July 1st. You can purchase this designer paper and/or a coordinating stamp set when you order $20 or more during April. Click here for all the promotion details.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Just Believe, Peach Parfait marker & cardstock, Pear Pizzazz ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, Paisley Prints DSP, White Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Stamp-a-ma-jig

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Just Believe Kit Sneak Peek

Here's a little sneak peek at one of the cards in my next Project Kit. I'll be posting details for the kit later this week. The Just Believe projects are the same ones that I designed for our Spring Into Stamping demonstrator meeting on Saturday. The projects all use the Just Believe stamp set and the Beveled Windowpanes and Rosettes from the Occasions Mini Catalog. It's the perfect set of projects to get you in the mood for spring! Click here for more details about the Just Believe Spring Project Kit.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Just Believe, Baja Breeze marker & cardstock, Pear Pizzazz marker & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Basic Gray ink & cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, First Edition DSP, Petal Cone die (Big Shot), Beveled Windowpanes, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Linen Thread

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Free Stamp Set of the Month: Slice of Life

Thanks to everyone who placed an order with me in March! I drew one winner from all of the online and email orders and Kaitlin B. from Houston is the lucky stamper to win the Something to Celebrate stamp set! Congratulations, Kaitlin!

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 April 1-30 . I'll draw a winner on May 1st. This month's stamp set is Slice of Life, a level 1 hostess set from the 2011 Occasions 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!

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