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It can be yours FREE! (A $39.95 value)

September 1 - October 18

When you join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator it WILL be YOURS!

It is patterned after our Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper and large enough to carry 12"x 12" card stock and a Paper Cutter, as well as punches, ink pads, and accessories.

The starter kit is at a brand-new lower price. There has never been a better time to join the Stampin' Up! family and my

Pieces of Heart Stampers group!

Contact me today and get started with this

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August Stamp Camp

We had a great afternoon at my August Stamp Camp. We were literally wall-to-wall stamping! And the FOOD! Oh my gosh! Everybody knows you can't stamp without food, and the campers brought some great nosh-ings! Thanks, ladies!

Here are the projects we worked on this month:

I love the vintage, romantic look of this card. The front of the Crumb Cake card stock is cut 1/4" shorter so the luscious, gathered, Victoria Lace can peek through. We used the Vintage Vogue stamp set using Versa Mark, Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke and Soft Suede ink pads. The Modern Label Punch was used to pop up the sentiment. An Antique Brad in the center of the flower pulls it all together. And you know how I love that yummy Satin Ribbon!

This is a special card for a special person!

From romantic to whimsical!

This card is made using the new Owl punch. All his little parts come with one punch. Insert different colors and you can change his personality. He is such a versatile little guy. I have seen him flipped over, punched in white, and voila', he's a ghost! I'm gonna have to try that one myself!

What a great way to use up designer paper scraps. I had a sampler ring of papers from the last catalog and thought, what a great card to use them on. We cut each piece 1" x 1 3/4", lined them up on Whisper White card stock, punched a sentiment and popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals. It's even cuter if the strips don't match!

Easy-peasy!

We were really busy with this card. It uses the 1" Circle, Eyelet Border, and the Fancy Flower punches. We ran it through the Big Shot using the Textured Impressions Square Lattice and Perfect Polka Dots embossing folders. Turned out great, don't you think?

This is a note card size sample for a baby. All the card stock pieces used are of the textured version and it just looks so pretty. Once again, with the Big Shot, we used the Clearlits Scallop Rectangle die. The Small Heart Punch and Large Star punch were placed on top of it with the Dimensionals. Imagine it in done with Bashful Blue.

So sweet.

Can you believe that this heart pocket, tiny envelope and little box were all made with the same punch? Depending on how you fold it, you can get all kinds of different looks. It's called a Petal Card Punch and not only does it cut your paper, it scores it too! The little square notes were stamped using the Cute by the Inch stamp set. That little box is just big enough for a chocolate kiss. And of course, a little bling doesn't hurt!

If you missed this camp, make plans to come to the September one! We will be making spooky cards and projects with a Halloween theme!

Don't miss it! Reserve your spot today!

Soft Sympathy

Crumb Cake/Kraft is not the first color that comes to my mind when thinking of a sympathy card. However, after making this one, I will in the future. Watercolor Trio is the stamp set used with Pink Pirouette, Old Olive and Tempting Turquoise ink after being stamped off once or twice. I also used the Color Spritzer Tool with the Soft Suede marker. That color is sponged on the edges of the blocks and around the card. Hemp twine is wrapped around twice and tied together on the left.

Pink Pirouette Stationery Kit

Isn't this pretty?

It's a stationery kit, that holds five cards and five envelopes in two separate little compartments. I was so excited to recreate it after seeing it on the Stampin' Connection for Demonstrators.

(Which, by the way, is an AWESOME resource for Stampin' Up! demonstrators to showcase and share ideas. Whenever I am stumped, I just cruise through the samples there, and I am rejuvenated! I never worry that I won't have something to demonstrate to my stamping friends. Kinda makes you want to be a demonstrator, huh?

Let's talk!)

I kept the palette simple. Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Vellum and Whisper White ink and card stock. Very dramatic and soft at the same time. The paper is from the Subtles Collection Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack. It has 40 sheets!

I used three Big Shot Embossing Folders, Elegant Bouquet, Perfect Polka Dots, and Square Lattice. Also, the 1 1/4"and 1 3/8" Circle Punch and Scallop Circle Punch. The Black Satin Ribbon adds such a richness to it.

I used Dotto Removable Adhesive underneath the monogramed 'P', (Lovely Letters Alphabet), in case I want change it and give it as gift. If I can bear to part with it, that is!

Book Report

This blog is basically for my love of stamping. But when I am not stamping, (don't be shocked, it happens occasionally!), I am reading. I love books, and if I don't have two at all times, I get a bit panicked. I have to have one to follow the one I am currently reading. Below are two VERY good reads that I wholeheartedly recommend.

THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL

by Philippa Gregory

I have not seen the movie, and was a bit intimidated by the size of this book. But I've heard good things about it, so I dove in. OMG! I was immediately swept away to the court of King Henry XII. I could not put it down. It is all conjecture based on actual facts, so to think some of what I was reading could have happened made it so fun. Do not be put off by the number of pages. You will not regret looking into the lives of courtiers, Kings and Queens.

LITTLE ALTERS EVERYWHERE

By Rebecca Wells

I am currently reading, and laughing out loud at, this little gem. It is the first book of the author of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. It takes me back to the days I spent growing up in Texas, right down to the bologna sandwiches, with Frito's and Cokes. It's like she is in my head! Remember Bonne Bell's White-White, Yardley's Slicker Lip Gloss, Prell shampoo and RC Cola? I am having so much fun with this one, that I don't want it to end. There are some dark and uncomfortable moments the little heroine has, but overall, I love it.

I have another book sitting there waiting for me when I finish it. I hope it will take be worthy of giving it my stamping time! You just never know until you start.

(Yes, Diane, that is the bookmark you made me. I can't read without it. That little sucker stays put whether I throw my book into my purse, car, or bag. One of these days, I am going to incorporate it into a camp. Love it.)

Convention Make-n-Takes

Every year at the Stampin' Up! Convention, part of the fun is the Make-n-Take class. We are handed packets full of supplies and directions needed to put together some really cool projects using the new stamp sets we have been given. (Yes, they GIVE us stamps! Isn't that reason enough to go next year?) I have to admit I am a bit of a slow stamper. I like to take my time. Although I enjoy the Make-n-Takes class, I feel a bit rushed. So Penny and I have started to use that time to take pictures of the thousands of card samples on display. The boards are easier to get to and I can really take a look at the ones that catch my eye and capture them with my camera. Then, when I get home, I can take my time putting together the projects in the make-n-take packet. Here are a few of them:

Thank You Watercolor Card

Using the stamp set called Just Believe, markers were used on the rubber of the stamp, spritzed with water, then stamped on watercolor paper to get this awesome look.

So pretty.

Just For You Pouch

This pouch holds six tiny cards in a cellophane bag, all ready to give as a gift. Once again using the Just Believe stamp set. The colors are Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz. Very citrus-y looking.

Some Things Have to Be Believed Card
This is such a quiet little 3 x 3 card. A smidgen of color was to added to the reverse circle image I used as a mask.

Thanks So Much Card Pocket
This little set is made with a folded envelope! Three cards slide into one side and the envelopes into the other. The single stamp used is called So Many Thanks.
It was fun to pull this packet out today. I was able to relive the Convention all over again. Can't wait for next year!

The Jury is Still Out

I'm trying really hard to like this card.

The idea came to me just as I was drifting off to sleep one night. Nightmare? Anyway, it just doesn't look like it did in my mind's eye. Maybe it's the colors? Maybe it's the 'busy'ness of it? I don't know, but I really like this Designer Series Paper, Deck The Halls, which will be available in the Holiday Mini Catalog, September 1. Vintage and romantic just go together.

Could be that is what I was shooting for, 'cuz

I'm a sucker for romance, and Steve is pretty much vintage,

(he just went to his 40th high school reunion, YIKES!),

so there ya go!

Watermelon Season

Is it possible to melt from CUTE?

I am so lucky to be a Demonstrator with Stampin' Up! We have a fantastic source of ideas called the Stampin' Connection. It is full of cards and projects made by such talented fellow Demonstrators. This card was originally made as a regular size card with three of those cute little watermelon slices across the front. I am such a fan of 3 x 3 cards and thought it would be fun to turn it into that size.

To make is as simple as punching circles and dividing into four slices.

YUM!

Sweet Pea Gift Card Holder

This is for a sweet lady who is about to have a little boy very soon. I originally saw the punch art on the demonstrator website and fell in love with it. So I made one and added it to a gift card.

I used the oval, circle, tag, and Itty Bitty punches on the front. For the little curly-Q stem, I used the Sizzlits Scribbles, Swirls die and trimmed it to fit. The new tiny pearls are perfect for the flowers. Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder was used on the Bashful Blue Textured Card Stock. The Whisper White Card Stock is textured too, as well as the Pear Pizzazz for the 'pea pod'. (And yes, that is Blush Blossom cs and ink for his little face. I hoarded some before the color change!)
The Word Window punch was used twice to make a slot for the gift card and the 3/4" circle punch just below that.

The stamp set Just Believe was used throughout the card. It is such a pretty set and worked so well to portray the feel I was looking for. I also used the Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack from the Subtles Collection.
I hope my friend likes it as much as the gift card I'll slip inside.
Welcome to the world little boy.

Ladybug, Ladybug!

There are so many clever ways to use the Treat Cups. While blog surfing, I noticed how Michele Reynolds used them. Ladybugs filled with eyelets! I couldn't wait to try it myself.

This is my version.

What do you think?

Such a cute way to package a little gift.

If you attend my next Stamp Camp, Saturday, August 28, you just might go home with one!

Call or email now to reserve your spot!

Thank You, Judy!

Wouldn't this make a great masculine birthday card? You know we stampers are always looking for cards for the guys!

I cased this one from my good friend, Judy Sumner, (who I am constantly stealing from!). She got it from her friend, Laurie. What I love about stampers is they are so willing to share.

I jumped on this stamp set, (Circle Circus, #115778), when it came out, but I was at a total loss as to how to use it. What I like about this card, is that it puts together the busy design of the circles, along with the texture of the embossed Square Lattice, (#119976). They were made for each other!

The colors used were:

Cherry Cobbler Ink Pad #119669 and Card Stock #119685

Basic Black Ink Pad # 101179 and Card Stock #121045

Basic Gray Ink Pad # 109120 and Card Stock #121044

Whisper White Card Stock #100730

Extra Large Oval Punch #119859

Sincere Salutations #115068

(Judy used the Birthday stamp from Perfect Punches #117022 - Looks Awesome!)

My Favorite Things #5

Stamping is such a satisfying and rewarding pastime, and even more so when you have the 'tools' to help you. One of my favorite 'tools' is a pad of Grid Paper (#102787). It protects your table while stamping, and has a very handy ruler for those anal people who just have to have everything centered. Of course, I don't know anyone like that......but if you do, get them a package of these and they will be hooked too, I mean, they will love the fact that it keeps the stamping area clean.

Fancy Flower Petal Pizzazz

This was one of my Convention swaps. I just like the simplicity of it. I used the new In Color, Pear Pizzazz ink and card stock along with Whisper White and Basic Black. I love the yummy satin ribbon. The stamp set is Petal Pizzazz, and the sentiment is from the Level Three Hostess set, Occasional Quotes. Having a lot of fun with the Fancy Flower punch, too.