Here's yet another card using the "So Happy For You" stamp set. If you don't have it yet...why not!?! You can get it free when you order $50 or more from my Online Store by March 31. And when you order from me, you'll get a free idea sheet using this stamp set. Click here for details.

When I sat down to create, I was using the FTL130 sketch from Clean & Simple Stamping. I didn't really like how my card turned out (below), so I played around with the same pieces I had out and came up with the card above. I think the stripes are a little less overwhelming with a smaller piece of the designer paper (which by the way is a retired Sale-a-bration 2009 gift). Leave me a comment and let me know which one you like best!

Stampin' Up! Supplies: So Happy for You (SAB), Bashful Blue ink & cardstock, So Saffron ink & cardstock, Certainly Celery cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Delicate Dots DSP, Sweet Buttons Sizzlit, Top Note die (Big Shot), Small Star Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

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

Botanical Blooms Make & Take

[Edited 4-4-09: This card uses the same colors as Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #48! I love this combination of Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, and Chocolate Chip. I'll have to try and make another card with this color combo this weekend.]

Last weekend, Rosemary had a "catalog party" that was quite a party! Because I was in Hawaii and couldn't be there in person, I prepared a project ahead of time for Rosemary and her guests and they partied without me. I hear Rosemary had quite a spread of yummy food and got out her other stampin' supplies for guests to use and create with. She ended up with several orders and among other hostess benefits, got a free Sale-a-bration stamp set for hosting a party with over $300 in orders. Here is the card I sent for Rosemary and her guests to make:

Interested in holding your own catalog party? You can collect orders any time and receive hostess benefits when those orders total $150 or more. If you'd like to do a casual stamping get-together like Rosemary, I would be happy to provide a project for you and your friends to make while you peruse the catalog and write up your orders. Send me an email for details!

And if you host a catalog party with $150 or more in orders during the month of April, you'll get a free stamp from the "Under $10" page of the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog!


Supplies: Botanical Blooms, Chocolate Chip ink & cardstock, Baja Breeze ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Kiwi Kiss ink & cardstock, Corner Rounder, Button Bouquet, Mini Glue Dots

Congratulations Baby Card

When I saw the colors for Stacey's Jewelry Color Inspiration #29, I immediately thought of making a baby card. I love the way the Real Red pops with the softer Bashful Blue and Barely Banana. I used the Nursery Necessities stamp set and some Sale-a-bration products (the Delicate Dots DSP and Congrats stamp set) with this classic layout. The finished card is 3" x 6".

Last chance to Sale-a-brate! The sale ends today! Click here for all the details.

Supplies: Nursery Necessities, Congrats, Whisper White cardstock, Real Red ink/marker & cardstock, Barely Banana marker & cardstock, Bashful Blue ink, White grosgrain ribbon, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Large Star Punch, Delicate Dots DSP, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Oops, She Did It Again!

I'm back from Hawaii!! Oh my, we had an incredible trip to paradise. I'll share some photos later when I get them all uploaded and sorted. It was beautiful. The sun was perfect. Elise cooperated. I swam with turtles!! I went to bed early every night. It was a dream vacation. Truly!! So thank you Stampin' Up! and thank you downline and customers for helping me earn it!

When we landed back in Chicago from Hawaii, the pilot said "Welcome back to reality, folks!" Yes, we're back to reality and I've got loads on my plate this month. But I made some time for stamping last night after the kids were in bed and the suitcases were unpacked. It felt good to be home!

I tackled some color challenges. Here's the first card, for Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #47. Hopefully my mom's not reading this yet because I'm sending her this card. I used the Sale-a-bration stamp set "Congrats" for the greeting: "you've outdone yourself again". I really like this little set. It has lots of possibilities! And better yet, it's FREE with any $50 purchase -- but you have to "Shop Now" because the sale ends tomorrow (Tuesday, March 31)! Click here for all the details.

I keep getting distracted. Ok, so "Oops, She Did It Again!" -- my mother. She's ROCKIN' this year and even with watching my children while I was in Hawaii, she still managed to break her monthly personal sales record yet again with March sales of over $4,500! Dang! You've truly outdone yourself, Mom! I'm so proud of you!!

Supplies: Congrats, So Saffron cardstock, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP & ink, Whisper White cardstock, Tangerine Tango cardstock, Pretties Kit, Curly Label Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Crafters' Tool Kit (paper piercing around circle), Tangerine Tango Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots

Delicate Dots Quilt Card

Here's the last of our Stamp Club projects from last week. I have seen these quilt cards all over the web and couldn't resist making one of my own. I used the Sale-a-bration Delicate Dots DSP and Ribbon Bundle. (There are just a few more days left of Sale-a-bration! Click here to find out how to get these for free!)

Thanks again to Laurie for letting me borrow the Quilt Quips stamp set for the greeting under the quilt. It's perfect!

The base of the card is 5-1/2" x 6", folded in half so that the card is 5-1/2" x 3". The quilt is adhered to then card that that the finished height is 4-1/4" and the card will fit in the standard Medium envelope.

We applied glue stick all over a piece of Whisper White cardstock and positioned the DSP squares. Then we ran it through the Big Shot with a Texturz plate and again with the Top Note die.

Easter Egg Box

I can't remember where I saw an egg box recently...on someone's blog or SCS. It kind of just got stuck in my head and I made up my own using my favorite Sale-a-bration product trio: Polka Dot Punches, Delicate Dots DSP, and Ribbon Bundle. (You can get these for FREE until March 31. Click here for details.)

I used the Coluzzle (which is being discontinued, but is STILL available to order; #102264, $19.95) to cut the oval shaped eggs from the Delicate Dots paper. I cut off the bottom so the box would stand up straight. The box measurements are actually the same as the Bunny Box I posted yesterday.

Springfield Stamp Club and those who attended my downline meeting that night made these boxes using a couple different patterns from the Delicate Dots DSP. I wish I had gotten a picture of everyone's eggs. There were all different. I loved it! Anyway, if you were there that night, I attempted to reduce the size of the box, so the measurements for the box you created are: 3-3/4" x 8-1/2" Whisper White cardstock. Score at 1", 3-3/4", 4-3/4", and 7-1/2", then turn it and score at 1". Cut on the score line up to the 1" score line and fold in for the base of the box.

Here's a side view so you can see how I did the ribbon. I folded it under and attached it to the box with a brad.

Supplies: Polka Dot Punches (embossed in white on Saffron cardstock and punched with 5-Petal Flower Punch), Versamark ink, So Saffron cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Delicate Dots DSP, Eyelet Border Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Pewter Build-a-Brad, Silver Brads, 1/16" Hole Punch, SAB Ribbon Bundle, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Winter White embossing powder

Dry Embossed Vellum Card

I'm short on time this week so I was multi-tasking when I designed this card for Stamp Club using the colors from Stacey's Jewelry Inspiration Challenge #28.

These colors are so fun and springy and perfect for a flower card! I chose the Morning Soft stamp set and tried a new technique -- freehand dry embossing on vellum. I stamped the image with Staz-On ink on vellum cardstock. Then I turned it over on to the foam mat from the Crafters' Tool Kit and used a stylus to trace around the flowers and leaves. The result is a raised edge with a soft white line on the front. I colored the image with markers on the back side for a "stained glass" look. I used Lavender Lace with a little bit of So Saffron in the middle. The leaves are Certainly Celery with Old Olive accents.

I used the 2-way glue pen to adhere the vellum cardstock to a piece of Whisper White cardstock. This adhesive won't show through the vellum.

Supplies: Morning Soft, Lavender Lace marker & cardstock, Certainly Celery marker, Old Olive marker, So Saffron marker, Whisper White cardstock, Vellum cardstock, Jet Black Staz-On ink, Crafters' Tool Kit, Stylus, 2-Way Glue, Sale-a-bration Ribbon Bundle

Sketch Series #5

I've been wanting to try this layout again ever since I made this Starring You Trio back in October. (It's the third card on that post.) I finally got around to it with Stacey's Jewelry Color Inspiration Challenge #27.

As soon as I saw the necklace for this week's color inspiration, I knew I had to break out my Pretties Kit! I used the Stampin' Write markers (brush tip) to color directly on to the flowers (which come white). As I am uploading the picture, I'm thinking I should have done another purple flower to peek out from behind the pink one...

Supplies: Fundamental Phrases, Pretties Kit (flowers & rhinestone brad), Lovely Lilac marker & cardstock, Pink Passion marker/ink, Yo Yo Yellow marker, Whisper White cardstock, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates for the Big Shot

And while making birthday cards last week, I discovered that this layout also works just as well upside down!

Supplies: Flowers for All Seasons, Many Mower (greeting), Delicate Dots DSP, Certainly Celery marker & cardstock, Bashful Blue marker & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Basic Black ink, So Saffron marker, Going Gray marker, Blender Pen, SAB Ribbon Bundle

SIP Cards

If you're ready to start stamping, take a SIP. All you need is Stamps, Ink, and Paper.

I'm not sure who came up with it originally, but I love this analogy. I used it on a little flyer for new stampers at Jenn's workshop last month. We made these simple cards at her party and I offered a new stamper bundle to Jenn's guests which included all the items to make more these cards at home.


Pun Fun New Stamper Kit:

• Pun Fun, #115054, $32.95
• Staz-On Jet Black Ink Pad, #101046, $7.95
• Markers ($3.25 x 3) = $9.75
  Certainly Celery #105106, Bashful Blue #105111, So Saffron #105114
• White Notecards & Envelopes (20), #107311, $5.95
  Subtotal: $56.60**
  
  ** Qualifies for FREE Sale-a-bration Gift ($20 value; see brochure)
  ** Order this kit and I’ll send you extra pre-cut cardstock (10 pieces each of Whisper White and So Saffron and Delicate Dots DSP) to make these cards!

Order Online Any Time! Go to my website: http://juliedavison.stampinup.net/ and click "Shop Now".

To Polka Dot Punch or Not?

Here's a card from my last class in Springfield. We used the Sale-a-bration stamp set Polka Dot Punches, but ironically, we didn't punch anything! The best part of this set is that it coordinates with some many of our great punches, but I made everyone cut the flower by hand! (For the record -- that stamp coordinates with the circle punch. We don't have a punch that cuts the outline of the flower.)

There's only three weeks left to take advantage of Sale-a-bration and get free gifts for your qualifying order. Click here to check out all the details.

Supplies: Polka Dot Punches, Thank You Kindly, Bashful Blue ink & cardstock, So Saffron ink & cardstock, Certainly Celery ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Delicate Dots DSP, Bashful Blue grosgrain ribbon, Soft Subtles brads

Happy Thoughts Box (#2)

We used the Box #2 XL Big Shot die for this stamp club project last month. It's embellished with two strips of the Delicate Dots DSP from the Sale-a-bration catalog. The bottom piece was punched with the new Eyelet Border Punch (which I SWORE up and down I wasn't going to get. I thought it was too much like the Scallop Border Punch that I didn't need it, but it's so much prettier, so I already caved and bought one!)

I couldn't decide which picture to post, so here's one with the box open. (smile)

Supplies: Polka Dot Punches, Think Happy Thoughts, Kraft cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Bashful Blue ink & cardstock, Sahara Sand ink, So Saffron ink, Delicate Dots DSP, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, 1/4" Bashful Blue grosgrain ribbon

Sketch Series #4

Well, according to my informal Sale-a-bration poll (over there on the left side of my blog), Botanical Blooms is not a very popular choice this year. This was actually the only SAB set that I pre-ordered. I love the versatility of the two-stepping (outline image + solid center). I used a very simple layout for this demonstrator group swap card. You may recognize it from as the same layout I used for my Stinky Sweet card and my Love You a Latte card.

Supplies: Botanical Blooms, Pink Pirouette ink & cardstock, Close to Cocoa ink & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Candy Lane DSP, VeryVanilla Taffeta Ribbon, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

Click here to learn how you can get this stamp set for FREE.

Top Note Tote

I have seen these little totes all over cyber stamping land lately. (I think Angie Juda is the original artist and you can check out her video tutorial here.) It was super quick and easy and the guests and Jenn's Mommy & Me workshop really enjoyed making them. Well, perhaps it was the M&M's we put inside that they loved....

We used the Sale-a-bration Delicate Dots DSP and coordinating Polka Dot Punches stamp set. Here's another version with different paper and stamp from the same sets:

Basically, it's two Top Notes (cut with the Big Shot), adhered (with sticky strip and SNAIL) to either side of a small white paper sack. I bought the sacks at Michael's a couple years ago and was going to make mini paper bag books, but I never got around to it. They are 3-1/4" x 2-1/4" x 6-1/2". I cut the top off the bag so it would be hidden behind the top notes. With the bag closed, I punched a handle with the large oval punch.

Supplies: Polka Dot Punches, Lovely Letters Alphabet, So Saffron ink & cardstock, Sahara Sand ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Delicate Dots DSP, Scallop Circle Punch, Large Oval Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, SAB Ribbon Bundle, Organza Ribbon, Button Latte, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Click here to learn how you can get the Delicate Dots DSP, Polka Dot Punches stamp set, and/or Ribbon Bundle for FREE!

More Polka Dot Punches

I love how you can use the same products and create cards that look completely different. This card uses the same stamp set, the same DSP, and same base color cardstock, the same punches, and even the same package of buttons as the Polka Dot Flower card I posted yesterday. This one is a little brighter than yesterday's card. Which one do you like best?

Supplies: Polka Dot Punches, All Holidays, So Saffron cardstock, Sahara Sand ink & cardstock, Certainly Celery cardstock, Bashful Blue cardstock, Delicate Dots DSP, Organza Ribbon, Button Latte, Scallop Edge Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Corner Rounder, Mini Glue Dots

Polka Dot Flower Card & Blog Candy Winner

I absolutely love products that coordinate -- like stamp sets that having matching punches (the Sale-a-bration Polka Dot Punches, for instance) and stamp sets that having coordinating paper (like that Polka Dot Punches set!) and ribbon that coordinate with paper (like the Sale-a-bration Ribbon Bundle). Are you catching a theme here?! The Sale-a-bration catalog is filled with coordinating products and it should be no surprise that I love them all! (If you haven't taken advantage of these free gifts during Sale-a-bration, click here for details.)

This 3" x 6" is one of my monthly stamp club projects and incorporates three of the Sale-a-bration gifts: The Polka Dot Punches stamp set, the Delicate Dots DSP, and the Ribbon Bundle. I love this simple layout. I CASEd it from a card I saw at a recent demonstrator meeting. (I think it was Lia... or maybe Donna?)

Which Sale-a-bration gift is your favorite? Click to vote for your favorite in my Sale-a-bration poll (over there on the left side of my blog).

In addition to the Sale-a-bration products, we also used the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz plates for the Big Shot. Here's a close-up so you can see the Polka Dot texture on the Chocolate Chip square:

Supplies: Polka Dot Punches, Garden Greetings, So Saffron cardstock, Chocolate Chip ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Delicate Dots DSP, SAB Ribbon Bundle, Button Latte, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz plates for the Big Shot, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Corner Rounder, Mini Glue Dots

Oh! I just realized I didn't "draw" a winner for my 75K Blog Candy. So I hopped over to random.org to generate a random number...and the winner is #15:

• Michelle Ryan said...
  I like the Love You Much (even though I didn't manage to get it put together before Valentine's Day...).

Congratulations, Michelle! I'll send you an email later tonight!

Peek-a-boo Valentine Treat

I think I've heard of this treat called a peek-a-boo treat box before...and it sounds cute, so I'm going with it! It reminds me of those fake books. It looks like a book on the outside, but the inside has a cut out and holds something else entirely. Here's the outside:

And "Peek-a-boo!" Here's the treat revealed on the inside:

As you can tell from the second photo, the heart is stuck to a "belly band" -- a thin piece of cardstock that wraps around the box. I recommend using sticky strip to adhere the ends of the band together. SNAIL isn't strong enough, and you may find it will fall apart.

I love this heart from the Polka Dot Punches stamp set. It coordinates with the new Full Heart punch. And best of all, this stamp set is available as one of the free Sale-a-bration gifts when you place a $50 order or host a workshop. Click here for details.

The dimensions for the treat are 2-1/2" x 8-5/8". Score at 2-1/2", 2-7/8", 5-3/8", 5-3/4",8-1/4", 8-5/8". Punch the Full Heart in the last square and apply Sticky Strip to the very last 3/8" strip. (The photo here shows the strip flipped so that the end with sticky strip is at the right instead of the left. Also, I had to alter this image because I realized as I was getting ready to post that I punched the heart upside down. It appears correctly in the photo now, but I had to cut and paste it, so the shadows aren't natural.)

If you are holding the cardstock as pictured, you will fold the treat box back & under(away from you) so that strip A adheres to the other side of strip C. I hope this all makes sense. It's really not as complicated as I'm making it seem!

Supplies: Polka Dot Punches, Happy Heart Day, Candy Lane DSP, Pink Pirouette cardstock, Riding Hood Red cardstock, Chocolate Chip ink & cardstock, Full Heart Punch, Sticky Strip, Paper Cutter with Scoring Blade

Botanical Blooms Rose Card

Demonstrators can pre-order certain stamp sets, including Sale-a-bration stamp sets to work on samples before the promotion begins. (I love getting first crack at new sets! Just another perk of being a demonstrator...) I sat down a couple weeks ago and made some samples using the new Botanical Blooms stamp set. You can get this set for free during February and March by placing an order or hosting a party. Click here for all the details.

[The finished card measures 3" x 6".]

Supplies: Botanical Blooms, Rose Red ink, Whisper White cardstock, Old Olive ink & cardstock, Basic Black ink, Kraft cardstock, Wide Oval Punch, Vintage Brads, Black Gingham Ribbon, Raspberry Tart DSP, Mini Glue Dots