Weekly Deals & More

Stampin' Up! released new weekly deals this morning! You can purchase these items at a discount through Monday, January 20th at stampinup.com. Be sure to choose Darcy Johnson as your demonstrator.

Framed Tulips Embossing Folder 7.95 5.96

Calypso Coral Ink Pad 5.95 4.46

Digital Download-Storytime Ensemble 19.95 11.97

Neutrals Core'dinations Cardstock 23.95 17.96

Chalk Talk Framelits 24.95 18.71

Basic Black 3/4" Chevron Ribbon 8.95 6.71

Alphabet Press Embossing Folder 7.95 5.96

Note Card Envelopes 5.50 4.13

 

My personal recommendation is the Neutrals Core'dination cardstock, along with the Alphabet Press Embossing Folder. Unlike our other cardstock, the Core'dinations is not dyed all the way through. Therefore when you use it with an embossing folder, and then distress it with a sanding block; it gives a really great texture to your project. You can check out a sample here.

Another exciting promotion announced recently is that through February 10th, any new Paper Pumpkin subscriber will receive a FREE set of 2012-2014 In Color Markers. Click on either picture below for more information and to get signed up!

Sketch Challenge

It's time for the January Card Sketch Challenge at SSINK! I hope that you will be inspired by the sketch and play along with us. Make sure to stop over at the SSINK blog to see what the other designers have created and to link up your own take on the challenge.

Here is the sketch:

This is what I was inspired to make from the sketch:

I used the Big Shot and Square Collection Framelits to create the banner for my bird. Here's hoping this sweet little blue bird will make spring come faster; or at least brighten someone's day!

Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Sahara Sand
  DSP: Afternoon Picnic
  Stamp sets: Express Yourself, Simply Sketched
  Ink: Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist
  Punch: Modern Label
  Framelits: Square Collection
  Embellishments: Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Subtles Candy Dots, Blender Pen
  Tools: Big Shot, Simply Scored, Paper Trimmer
  Adhesive: SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Favorite DSP & a Challenge

At Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration our Design Team projects for today were to feature our favorite Designer Series Paper Pack. I realized as I was looking through my stash of DSP that I own almost every current pack; and that I really love all of them!
Today however, I was most drawn to the Modern Medley assortment. The entire package is black and vanilla, which is just as timeless as black and white.

Modern Medley #126926

My layout was inspired by Jen's sketch challenge #DS133 at deconstructing*jen.

Here's my first Valentine's card of the season for you!

Stampin' Up! Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
  DSP: Modern Medley
  Stamp set: A Round Array
  Ink: Real Red
  Punches: 7/8" Scallop Circle, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle, Artisan Label
  Framelits: Hearts Collection
  Embellishments: Large Basic Rhinestones
  Tools: Paper Trimmer, Simply Scored, Big Shot
  Adhesive: SNAIL

Stylin' Stampin' Blog Hop

Thank you so much for joining us for our January Stylin' Stampin' Squad Blog Hop!  Love is in the air and our talented group of design team members have a Whole Lotta Love Goin' On as we are excited to be sharing some NEW Occasions Catalog goodies and some Valentine's Day projects with you this month!

As you hop along, please be sure to comment and show some love on every blog!  We are always excited to hear from our followers!

You should have just left stop number 10 on the Stylin’ Stampin’ Squad  blog hop – Kim of Stamping with Kim. If so, you are in the right spot. If a link doesn’t work or you get off track, you will find  the full blog hop lineup below.

My card today features my favorite Designer Series Paper from the Occasions Catalog. It's called Kaleidoscope. I spent hours playing with my kaleidoscope as a child, and some of the patterns in this pack remind me of that.

Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Basic Black
  DSP: Kaleidoscope
  Stamp set: Sweet Essentials
  Ink: Strawberry Slush
  Embellishments: Neutrals Candy Dots (Whisper White), Large Scallop Edgelits
  Tools: Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Simply Scored
  Adhesive: SNAIL

Thanks for joining us on our blog hop today. Use the Next button to head over to Bree's blog now. Stop back in tomorrow when the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration designers will be showcasing our favorite DSP stacks!

Blog Hop Participants:
1. Anastasia R. of Stampin' Blondie
2. Cynthia R. of Ink-a-Doodle Creations
3. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
4. Kathy P of Katrina P's Creative Corner
5. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
6. Diana E. of Stampin' Fun with Diana
7. Darla R. & Nancy K. of Stampin With Darla and Sisters
8. Jamie H. of Unique Ink
9. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
10. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
11. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
12. Bree R. of Craft-Somnia
13. Kristina M. of Mama's Sanity
14. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
15. Jennifer B. of NW Stamper
16. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
17. Heidi B. of Stuck on Stampin'

Time To Celebrate!

Today marks my 10th year as a Stampin' Up! Creative Coach. WOW! I have enjoyed every minute of it. Let's see, there was my first, very nervous workshop; the workshop a year or so later when I dumped my entire pastels case on my floor in the middle of a workshop; making everything for my own wedding, as well as making or help make items for several other weddings. Through the countless events, workshops, and classes I have held I have met so many wonderful people, several of whom have become close friends.

Today I wanted to make a special thank you card. I share this with everyone today as I think about each individual who has made my business possible through orders, referrals, and reading my blog.

I love shaped cards, and I love easel cards, so I thought, "Why not combine the two?"

Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Tempting Turquoise, Very Vanilla
  Stamp sets: Simply Sketched, Express Yourself
  Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Smoky Slate
  Framelits: Labels Collection, Bitty Banners
  Embellishments: Large Basic Pearls
  Tools: Sponge Daubers, Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Simply Scored
  Adhesive: SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals

I'm celebrating today over at my Facebook page by giving away $100 in Stampin' Up! goodies! Click on the picture below, then share and comment the giveaway post for your chance to win! I'm planning to celebrate all year long on my Facebook page; I'd bet you don't want to miss out!

Washi Tape Background

Happy Tuesday! I hope you are having a great week so far.

Today I created my own background paper out of Washi Tape for my card. This is a great technique to do if you don't have "just the right" patterned paper that you want to use on your project. I love the colors and patterns in the Retro Fresh Washi Tape now available in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I still had the Bermuda Bay on my craft table from yesterday's card, and it pairs so well with the Tangerine Tango.

I also wanted to give my flower a little pop, so I used a Blender Pen with the Tangerine Tango ink pad to color the folds in the petals.

Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla
  Stamp sets: Secret Garden, Another Thank You
  Ink: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Bermuda Bay
  Accessories: Retro Fresh This & That Designer Washi Tape, Blender Pen
  Tools: Paper Trimmer, Simply Scored, Bone Folder
  Adhesive: SNAIL

Thanks for stopping in today. Make sure to come back tomorrow. There's something big happening that you won't want to miss!

Fun Color Challenge

Let's say goodbye to these crazy cold temps and all this snow; and say hello to a bright color challenge today!

I love the detail that cutting into each scallop can have on the scallop circle punches. Grab your paper snips and see what a difference it makes!

Supplies used:
  Cardstock: So Saffron, Primrose Petals, Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla
  DSP: 2012-2014 In Color Paper Stack, Kaleidoscope
  Stamp set: Itty Bitty Banners
  Ink: Bermuda Bay
  Punches: 1-3/4" Scallop Circle, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle, 7-8" Scallop Circle
  Tools: Paper Snips, Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, Paper Trimmer, Simply Scored
  Adhesive: SNAIL

We'd love to have you play along with us! Stop over at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration and check out the other designers' creations and then link up your color challenge creation this week.