With Love & Caring

I know I had promised another Holiday Mini sneak peek but yesterday got away from me.  My day became consumed with last minute cutting for my Basic & Beautiful class yesterday evening. 

This card is one that I made a month or so ago but every time I look at it I fall a little more in love!  Everything about it turned out just the way I hoped.  This very rarely happens!  The sentiment is from the retired set With Sympathy...so sad that one didn't carry over.  :(

Tips & Techniques:

• After colouring on your stamp with your Stampin' Write markers, spritz a little water directly onto it before stamping to give it a slight watercolour effect.
• Curling the wings of the larger butterflies makes them look like they are about to take flight off the card!
• Scrunchy ribbon across the bottom of the card provides the perfect base for a vintage safety pin and a little linen thread which creates a softness.
• Does tearing freak you out?  Let it go!  The torn edge here adds so much texture.

Click here to shop Stampin' Up! product online 24/7!

Stamp Sets: Just Believe ( 120453), With Love & Caring (retired)

Inks: Old Olive marker (100079), Baja Breeze marker (120965), Crumb Cake (121030), Basic Black (101197)

Paper: Concord Crush (119792), Baja Breeze (111352), Crumb Cake (120953), Whisper White (100730), Neutrals Patterns DSP (117157)

Tools: Big Shot (113349), Beautiful Wings Embosslit (118138), Decorative Label punch (120907)

Embellishments: Baja Breeze Seam Binding (122331), Linen Thread (104199), Vintage Trinkets (118764), Bitty Buttons (118761), Basic Pearls (119247)

Beyond Busy & Blizzards!

It's been a harsh reality the past few days, seeing a blizzard outside everytime I look out the window.  It's amazing how quickly you get used to seeing palm trees and sunshine! *Sigh*

I've been locked into the stamp studio since we arrived home on Tuesday prepping for events, catching up on emails, getting thank you cards in the mail, etc.  Here's what I'm working on today:

I love tucking these sweet little 3x3 notes into customer orders as a little thank you that they can resuse!  They are also a really important addition to the markeing packets that I keep on me at all times to hand out.  Right now I'm stocking up so that I have them on hand to add into the orders for the workshops I have coming up.

Love them?  Book your own workshop!  Sale-A-Bration ends on March 31st but I still have spaces available. I'd love to show you and your friends some great techniques and help you earn even more FREE stamps!!

SU Promotions

Stay 'in the know' about all the amazing promotions Stampin' Up! offers with my complete list...now being featured every Saturday!

SALE-A-BRATION IS HERE! Earn a free stamp set of product with every $60 order, host a workshop for even more benefits, or become a demonstrator and receive a 15% discount off the Starter Kit plus an additional product bundle worth $60!  Check out all three ways to take advantage of Sale-A-Bration!

LOVE TO SCRAPBOOK BUT CAN'T FIND TIME? Maybe My Digital Studio is for you!  Check out the MDS Catalogue or find more information about the software here!  New updates listed all the time.

SAVE UP TO 60%!  Don't forget to check out the Clearance Rack for amazing deals on retired merchandise...new product is added often!

WHY SHOP WITH MZSTAMPALOT?  Fabulous customer service, one-stop shopping, exciting rewards and more!  Find out more!

Have a wonderful weekend and be ready to Mojo on Monday!

Perfection!

That is just the word that comes to mind when I look at this card!  And notice anything?  I stamped on it three times AND paper pieced.  Forgot how much I love the look of paper piecing.  For those wondering what on earth I'm talking about, notice how on the dress forms there is colour?  I stamped the image on my base of whisper white then stamped it again on some designer series paper.  Using paper snips, cut out the section you want to 'piece' and mount it onto the orginal image.  Soooo pretty! 

The soft colours of Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze (geez, I really need to use other colours too!), and Pretty in Pink make me feel like spring is really closer than it is. 

Click to shop Stampin' Up! products online 24/7!

Stamps: Chic Boutique (113744)

Ink: Black Staz-On (101406), Crumb Cake marker (120967), So Saffron marker ( 105114)

Paper: Perfect Plum (101889), Baja Breeze (111352), Pretty in Pink (100459), Whisper White (100730), Subtles Patterns DSP (117152) 

Tools: Big Shot (113439), Elegan Lines Embossing Folder (119277), Decorative Label Punch (120907)

Pretties: Whisper White Tafetta Ribbon (109070), Subtles Designer Buttons (119745)

Tone-on-Tone Texture

This card is all about texture...it's just exploding with it!  Here I've used a Baja Breeze base, then layered it with Baja Breeze DSP, then topped it off with Baja Breeze lattice work.  Remember what I said yesterday about loving tone-on-tone?  :) 

I attended a downline meeting on Monday night and realized something interesting about my cards.  I love to stamp, absolutely, unequivicolly LOVE to stamp.  But looking at my cards makes me laugh because on many, there is only one stamped image.  My upline Genevieve and I were laughing about this because she is a stamper who struggles to embellish and I am a stamper who struggles to stamp because I am addicted to embellishing! LOL!  So, my card for tomorrow will have at least two stamped images.  Hold me to it, okay? 

Here I go, off to actually stamp....I will burn some serious rubber today!

Click to shop Stampin' Up! products online 24/7! 

Stamps: Occasional Quotes (120142 - Hostess Level 3)

Ink: Pear Pizzazz (119784)

Paper: Baja Breeze (111352), Pear Pizzazz (119795), Very Vanilla (101650), Tangerine Tango (111349), Greenhouse Gala DSP (117167)

Tools: Big Shot (113439), Lattice Die (115958), Scallop Ribbon Punch (119275) Decorative Label Punch (120907)

Pretties: Antique Brads (117273)

Life

It really is just a matter of moments, isn't it?  A coworker of mine asked me to make this card for her mother  who is celebrating her 80th birthday.  Doesn't it feel reminiscent of an older woman's living room?  Hehe! I loove it!  Whenever I make a card, I try to think of who is receiving it and make it really reflect them.  Josh said I nailed it with this one.  :)

There is A LOT of product used on this card but if you've been following this blog for any time at all, you know I love me some embellishments!  I'm also in a tone-on-tone phase right now so you'll be seeing a lot of that. 

And now, the winner of the blog candy is Andrea!  Please email me your address so that I can send your goodies off to you.  I also apologize that it took me so long to get back to this.  AND I must also apologize to those of you who commented and do not see your comments listed.  Somehow 6 additional comments got deleted by Blogger.Maybe there is a time limit on publishing I don't know about?  :(  Boo! 
Happy hump day to you!

P.S. It feels good to be back in the blogosphere! :)

Click to shop Stampin' Up! products online 24/7!

 Stamps: Elements of Style (118611)
 Ink: Black Staz-On (101406)
 Paper: Rose Red (102544), Always Artichoke (105119), Very Vanilla(101650), Crumb Cake (120953), Springtime Vintage DSP (121782)
 Tools: Big Shot (113439) Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (120175), 1 3/8 Square Punch (119877), 1 1/4 Square Punch (119865), Extra Large Oval Punch (119859), 1 3/4 Large Oval ( 119855), Eyelet Border (119853), Corner Small (119871)
 Pretties: Victoria Crochet Trim (118481), Basic Pearls (119247), Vintage Flower Adornments (121879)



Happy Valentine's Day

Here's my card for today...finally, the very last Valentine's project.  I do love this day but must admit to being pretty sick of seeing red and pink and hearts!  I'm very excited to start stamping in the soft pastel shades of spring and Easter...strange for me, a die-hard Brights Collection girl!

Sorry about the bad colouring in this photo.  I had to turn off the flash because there was a lot of glare for some reason.  Anyways, this card uses the Love Letter DSP as the background.  I used markers to colour the heart from the Love You Much set, stamped it on Very Vanilla and cut it out using my paper snips.  The sentiment comes from Teeny Tiny Wishes (this set is such a must have!) and was embossed with gold embossing powder.  I used the biggest scallop circle punch and then the 1 1/4 circle punch to layer.  Notice the pattern on the piece of Riding Hood Red?  I inked up the Fine Flourish stamp in Versamark just to give it a little extra interest!  Everything except the DSP is popped up on dimensionals. 

For those with big plans tonight with your significant others, enjoy your evening!

Stampy Saturday

Ah, the peace and quiet of a Saturday where Thing 1 and Thing 2 are off for a visit to grandma's house.  That leaves me and Ashton here to do what we love most: stamping and not being sat on by Thing 2, respectively.  :)

I have so much to share with you today so let's get started with a card that was supposed to be posted on Monday!

Um, gorgeous!  I love this card for so many reasons but it definately didn't come together quickly.  It was started and restarted 2 or 3 times at least before the idea of stencilling on it popped into my head and after that it was finished pretty fast.  I used the Tulip Frame embossing folder on the base then cut a top note from old olive and from the Botanical Gazette DSP.  The small pieces of DSP were punched with the 1 1/4 square punch and then had the corners rounded on two sides.  I stamped the birdcage image from Nature Walk and then trimmed it out and put an Antique Brad through the centre.  The stencil is from the 3 pack in the Decor Elements catalogue, the name is escaping me just now.  I added the pearls for the always needed 'bling'!  Next came the Crochet Trim lace along the bottome and the final touch was to stamp the 'enjoy' from Fabulous Phrases and attach it with linen thread to the brad.  I stepped back to look at it and it still needed something....so I smooched it with a very liberal dousing of Smooch Spritz....love that stuff!  Definately my favourite product right now.

Now as promised, BLOG CANDY!  Leave me a comment on this post letting me know what your favourite product to play with is right now.  I'll draw a name and post the winner on Tuesday.  If that is you, you'll get the Eggcroutements stamp set, a stack of 6x6 DSP sheets, and a packet of embellishments from the Pretties Kit!

And now I have to share these adorable babies...only they're not really babies anymore!  My ever more mobile 9 month old Ashton and the "Things", Skyeler and Calum.  Skye likes to see himself on my blog...*sigh*, ahh, children of the technology age! :)

That's it for today!  Check back Monday for a final Valentine's project.

IT'S HERE! Sale-A-Bration is here and it is fabulous!  Earn your free products one of three ways: place a $60 order, host a $395 workshop, or use this as an opportunity to join my team and get the starter kit at a 15% discount PLUS an extra bundle of product worth $60! 

COMING SOON!  March 1-5 will be 'Anything But A Card Week!' and I'm so excited to bring you 5 different projects that are completely unrelated to cards...but are still using all Stampin' Up! products. 

MOJO MONDAY will feature the sketch of the week with a Valentine's theme....so if you procrastinated on a card for your special someone, check it out first thing for a great idea!

Paper Flower Tutorial

Here is a video tutorial on how to create paper flowers. In this video I'll show you how to create the flower you see on this card, which is the same as the one on my box project from yesterday.

I'll also show you how to make one in a totally different style. Enjoy!

So this video is a little interesting....lol! About halfway through Skyeler decided to join me in my stamp room while I was filming. He kept letting me know that he was "being quiet" but you'll see that his version of quiet is somewhat questionable! Just watch, you'll get what I mean. :)



Leave me a comment and make my day!

Click here to shop Stampin' Up! products online 24/7!

Check out the Clearance Rack here and find amazing deals! Updated often, this is the place to grab retired stuff for a discount!

Fancy Vintage Favor

I must confess something to you. When the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue came out I saw all the vintage stuff in there and kind of went, "Uh-oh". I'll be the first to admit that I don't do vintage very well which is why you don't see a lot of it on my blog. Bright colours and collections like the Playdate one are what really float my boat. But since papercrafting is totally on the Vintage boat and sailing away I thought I would make an attempt at going along.

What I have for you today I do like, it's not my favourite thing ever but I do think it's purty.

I also thought it would be fun to make a little 3x3 card to go with it. I have used A LOT of product on these two projects but it is okay...in fact, I'm happy about it. I've had a revelation and here it is: I am actually much happier and have more fun when I use all the gorgeous embellishments than I am when I look at them just sitting on my desk.

In fact, I've actually taken them all out of their containers and put them in cute little dishes (I heart you Dollarama!) right on my desk so that when I'm creating they're in front of my face screaming "Use me!"

I also wanted to point out the 'friend' stamped on the bag. This is from the new set Fabulous Phrases and it really is fabulous! It contains 29 words and one symbol that you can mix and match or use individually like I've done here. If you haven't noticed it take a minute now. You'll find it on page 149 of the catalogue.

Loving the flower on the Fancy Favor bag? Me too! I'm filming a video today to show you how to make one. They add so much dimension and pizzazz to any project.

Click here to shop Stampin' Up! products online 24/7!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases (120501), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370) Ink: Black Staz-On (101406) Paper: Love Letter DSP (117162), Newsprint DSP (117166), Riding Hood Red (111348) Cool Tools: Big Shot (113439) Fancy Favor Die (115965), Modern Label Punch (119849), Word Window punch (119857), 1 3/4 Scallop Circle (119854), 2 3/8 Scallop Circle (118874) Embellishments: Victoria Crochet Trim (118481), Basic Black 1 1/4 Striped ribbon (115615), Basic Pearls (119247), Vintage Trinkets (118764), Antique Brads (117273)

Mojo Monday 153

Good morning and a happy Monday to you! Put on your stamping caps and get ready to Mojo with me and this gorgeous card! The sketch this week was clean and I knew I wanted to make a Get Well card since I never seem to have one when I need it.

The colour combination was inspired by my Colour Coach which is just the best thing ever. It's Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze and Night of Navy.

I used 3 different punches plus the Beautiful Wings embosslit to cut out the butterflies. I love this die! It's so dainty and versatile and a great addition to your collection.

Have fun with it and make it your own!

UPDATE: So I was stamping away while the two little boys were napping and Skye came in and wanted to "help". He was playing nicely but kept coming around and taking paper out of my drawers to cut....good paper, not scraps! I was getting somewhat annoyed so turning around, I noticed a piece of Old Olive scrap laying on the floor and said, "Skye, stop taking out good paper! Just cut that scrap." About 30 seconds later I hear, "Uh, mummy, I think this is a card." Sure enough, I had told him to cut this card! It had been laying upside down on the floor somehow so I thought it was scrap paper. So much for having a get well card to add to my supply. *Sigh*

Click here to shop Stampin' Up! products online 24/7!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370) Ink: Night of Navy (102977) Paper: Old Olive (100702), Daffodil Delight (119683), Night of Navy (100867), Cajun Craze (119684), Greenhouse Gala DSP (117167) Cool Tools: Curly Label punch (119851), Modern Label punch (119849), Word Window punch (119857), Big Shot (113439), Beautiful Wings embosslit (118138) Embellishments: Old Olive Satin Ribbon (117292), Brights Designer Buttons (119747), Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144)