Birthday Bakery

I love pink,
but I haven't used our Blushing Bride ink
or card stock much lately.
After playing with it a bit, I've decided I really like it!
It has a 'dusty' quality to it that softens the pink part.
The stamp set is Birthday Bakery which is a Hostess Level One choice.
The sentiment is from the Curly Cute set,
something else I haven't had a chance to use until now.
The Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
and Eyelet Border Punch work very well together, don't you think?

You can earn that Hostess set for free, by the way,
with an order or party of $150!
If you would like to schedule a party with me
I will be happy to talk with you!
Contact me today!

Happy Birthday, Toni!

Friday is my friend, Toni's, birthday.
I whipped up something really quick and really cute for her.
The cards, shown above, are stamped using recent Sale-a-bration sets.
You could use the same idea with any occasion sentiment and stamps.
I love the look of a clean and simple card.
I made the little bag in the background too! Just the right size to package them in.
The colors of the paisley pattern in the paper,
(sorry, retired, I mean REALLY retired. Back before we had two-sided designer papers!)
was used with markers on the cards.
I also added some of that paper to the flap of the envelope.
Cute!
It was quick and fun to make and I think Toni will like it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TONI!
Inspired by Robin Merriman

Embossing Folder Magic!

This little girl is from the same stamp set I posted a couple of days ago,
called Easter Blossoms.
The finished card size is a 4 1/4" square.
How on earth did I get the rectangle sized Tulip Embossing Folder
to give me a square?
EASY!
Start by putting your card stock into the folder,
lining it up at the top as you would before.
Run it through the Big Shot.
You will see that you have an embossed border on three sides.
Now bring that piece down to the bottom of the folder,
fitting it into the design until you feel it lock into the pattern.
Place it into the Big Shot once again and run it about half way,
then back it out again.
(If you go all the way through, you will flatten the other side of your design.)
Open the folder and you will find that you have a bottom embossed edge!
You could do this technique with other dimensions,
you are not limited to just one size!
Try it!
CASED from Julie Edmunds.

My Talented Friend - Deana

I am in a monthly 'Buddy Swap'.
How exciting to open this month's envelope and see that the swap I'm receiving is from my friend,
Deana Schultz.
We attended the Branson Regional together recently, and had such a good time.
She is a special person and I just love being around her.

She attended my Demonstrator Stamp Camp last week. Once everyone had left, and I was tidying up, I found this little gem along with a sweet note from her in my stamping room.
It's a birthday cake made with paper covered chocolate nuggets attached to a Styrofoam form. It is just the cutest thing and what a great idea for a birthday gift or baby shower.
It has all kinds of possibilities.
I'm going to be CASING this, Deana!
Thank you!
And thank you for your friendship!

Nature Walk With a Clear-Mount Block Background

Did you know you can use our Clear-Mount Blocks as a background stamp?
Clever, huh?
The 'D' size block was used for the image above.
I loaded the block with Crumb Cake Classic Ink, then stamped off once.
I lightly darkened the edges with Early Espresso Classic Ink and then stamped!
I love the look.
With all the different sizes we carry,
you can have a different look whenever you need one!
Inspired by Kelly Acheson.

GRAB BAGS OF DISCONTINUED STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCTS!

Beginning April 1, and continuing while supplies last, you will be able to purchase special "grab bags" in my Online Store. These grab bags will come in three sizes: the $5, the $10, and the $15 grab bag. Each bag will contain a variety of discontinued products that could include a combination of any of the following: ribbons, Accents & Elements, chipboard, Designer Series Papers, and Simply Sent kit components. Grab bags will not contain stamp sets or tools.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Grab bag orders can only be placed in my Online Store: http://www.pamdurso.stampinup.net
  
• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the grab bag special offer.
• There is no limit to the number of grab bags you may purchase; however, grab bag items are only available while supplies last.
• All grab bag sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.
• Not all grab bags will be unique.
• You should use the following item numbers when ordering grab bags:

Item	Description
125873	$5 Grab Bag (containing at least $20 worth of products!)
125874	$10 Grab Bag (containing at least $40 worth of products!)
125875	$15 Grab Bag (containing at least $60 worth of products!)

Easter Blossoms

This has to be one of the most beautiful cards I have seen in a long time.
The stamp is from the set called Easter Blossoms found in the Occasions Mini Catalog.
It was stamped in Basic Black on Bashful Blue card stock.
The blossoms were filled in with a Signo White Gel Pen,
and then Basic Pearls randomly placed.
The embossing folder, called Square Lattice,
makes that background piece of Whisper White set off the whole card.
What a dramatic effect.
Inspired by Lisa Young.

Spring Is Blossoming Promotion

Spring is Blossoming Promotion: April 1 - 30, 2011

The Stampin' Up! Spring is Blossoming Promotion offers you the opportunity to purchase two sneak peek products from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. You can get these brand-new products in one of two ways:

1) Online Order

• Spend $20* on any Stampin' Up! products and become eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.
• Both items can be purchased once the $20 minimum is met; there is a limit of five per product once the $20 minimum is met. Ordering another $20 of Stampin' Up! products resets the limit and allows you to purchase another five Designer Series Papers and/or stamp sets.

2) Host a Workshop

• Host a $350* workshop and get the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper for FREE! If you would like to place a combined order with friends or place a single order through me to earn these products free, let me know!
• There is a limit of one Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper per workshop.

*Net sales before tax and shipping

Click here to view/print the Four Frames stamp set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper

Border Punch Frame

By using a Border Punch to form a 'frame',
you can add a whole new look to your cards.
This frame is made by using the Scallop Border Punch
on a 3 x 3 piece of Whisper White Card Stock.
Those scallops work so well with the scallops on the top of the cupcake,
and the little Pompoms below.
I love Pretty In Pink and Melon Mambo together.

Oh No! Last Day of Sale-a-bration!

It comes only once a year,
Today is the last day
to take advantage of the
free stamp sets
available through our promotion,
Sale-a-bration.
BUT...
it's not too late!
Place your $50 order with me today
and you could have this lovely stamp set called
Bliss
absolutely
FREE!
Tomorrow,
it's

GONE!
:o(

Petal Cone Die Carrot

Don't tell Farmer McGregor, but Peter Rabbit is at it again!
However, he is going to have a hard time dragging that carrot home.
The inside is full of jelly beans!
It's made by using the Big Shot and the Petal Cone Die.
(The uses for this die are endless! Put it on your must-have list!)

The top is secured with Certainly Celery Wide Grosgrain Ribbon.
It will keep that mischievous Peter from getting a stomach ache
and eating too many jelly beans.

We make projects like this at my monthly Stamp Camps.
We have a blast and would love to have you join us.
Check my schedule here:
http://www.pamdurso.stampinup.net
and make plans to join us next time!

Punched Wedding Bells

Isn't this pretty?
Can't you just hear the wedding bells ringing?
Those bells are made using the Round Tab Punch and the Wide Oval Punch.
After punching the Round Tab, turn the Wide Oval Punch upside down so you can see the hole. Insert the Round Tab piece into that hole and and punch, rounding off the top.
Voila', you have a bell!

I also used the Big Shot die called Swirls & Scribbles to get the curly-Qs.
The sentiment from All Holidays, was stamped in VersaMark and heat set with Silver Embossing Powder. I then punched it out with the 3/4" x 15/16" Oval and placed on the
Decorative Label in Brushed Silver Card Stock that I punched twice to make it smaller.
My designer paper is retired, but I couldn't resist using it for this card.
I think the Pearls and Organza ribbon make it all so pretty.
Inspired by Jan Tink

Pompom Fun

One of the new trims in our Spring Catalog is called Pompom Trim.
I am positive my mom added something like this to the dresses she sewed for me
back in the day.
(Way back!)
It's a fun addition when added in the strip-form,
but I saw potential elsewhere!
By cutting each individual 'Pom', you can add it to all kinds of things.
Like party hats as I did in the card above!

Or bunny butts!
This little box is made by adhering four pieces of the Petal Card Punch.
His ears are from the 5-Petal Flower punch,
his head the 3/4" Circle Punch
and his body is the 3/4" x 15/16" Oval Punch.
The Pom is placed over the Small Heart Punch.
A chocolate egg is sitting inside!
Inspired by Mary Fish.

Vintage Easter

Easter is just around the corner.
Time to think about your Easter cards.
I used the Springtime Vintage Designer Paper as the background
after running it through my Big Shot
(I seriously do not know how I could do without my Big Shot!),
and the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.
Love that quilted look.
The stamp set is called Easter Blossoms.
That silhouette reminds me of a couple of little girls I know
who used to hunt for Easter eggs so many years ago!
(They still look for a treat every year!)
Inside her basket are three little Pearl eggs.
The bow is Victoria Crochet Trim.
Just perfect for the whole vintage look.

Aviary Card

This little bird looks so lonely.
Looks like all his friends have flown the coop.
Okay, I'm a stamper not very good at jokes.
This stamp set is called Aviary.
His birdcage has been cut out and popped up with Dimensionals.
Inside, the sentiment says,
"i miss you".
Poor little birdie.
CASEd from Sarah Wills.

Two For the Road (and a Designated Driver!)

I have never had a martini in my life,
so I don't know why this card appealed to me,
but I thought the embedded olives were just too cute.
They were made using circle punches and sponging the edges with ink.
I adhered them to the card stock and ran it through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. The martini glass is from the Cheers To You set.
I added just a dab of Crystal Effects on the little olive in the glass to give a shine.
Inspired by Christy Butzen.

Here is the same stamp set only using the margarita glasses.
Now I am a big fan of the margarita, so I know why this card appeals to me!
I originally found it on my sister, Penny Thomas' blog
www.penguinstamper.blogspot.com.
Makes me want to kick off my shoes and run my toes through sand,
while wearing a big brimmed hat.
Those little umbrellas are cut out and set up a bit using a Glue Dot!
They are made shiny with Crystal Effects.
I punched that cherry out with our Red Glimmer Paper
using the Build a Cupcake Punch, it's the perfect size!
On the fruit and rims of the glasses, Dazzling Diamonds were added.
Thanks for the CASE Penny!

Being Green Isn't So Hard After All!

Have I mentioned that I love to Blog Surf?
You find the most wonderfully talented stampers that way.
One being Dawn Olchefske.
She is one of the busiest demonstrators I have ever met. I love her style.
I noticed this card on her blog and since I have this stamp set,
Flower For All Seasons,
I jumped to 'lovingly' CASE it.
I changed a couple of things, but stayed with her awesome design.
Isn't it cute?
This stamp set is Free during Sale-a-bration with an order of $50!
But hurry, the promotion ends March 31!
Kermit wants to come home with you!

Hurry to get this stamp set FREE!

I am a BIG fan of Diana Gibbs.
I saw this card on her blog, and had more fun reproducing it.
So much so that I tried it in several different color combos using
the designer paper called Patterns Paper Stack.
The stamp sets used are called Sweet Summer and So Happy For You.
Each one is FREE when you place an order of $50.
But only until March 31 when the promotion, Sale-a-bration ends.
How can you resist that little bee?
Place your order with me now
and he could 'bee' yours, FREE!

Easy Easel Calendars

I had several little calendars left over from a past project.
Every time I would sit at my stamping table
they would stare at me as if to say,
"USE ME!"
So I finally did.
I fashioned an easel from card stock, so they could be easily seen on a desk.

I ran several colors of designer paper from the Patterns Paper Stack
through my Big Shot using the Top Note Die.
Topped it off with a pretty flower made from the Scallop Circle Punch.
Now I am ready to go whenever I need a little gift for someone special.
I think those calendars are finally happy!

Cupcake Boxes

You need a box to carry your cupcake, don't ya?
Here's a little box that is just perfect.

Using the Big Shot Bigz die called Perfect Setting #115961,
I made lots of paper cupcakes.
The box pattern I found on Wendy Hawkinson's blog,
www.gotrubberwillstamp.blogspot.com.
I went crazy with different color and pattern combinations from the
Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack-Subtles Collection #117152.
To keep my paper cupcake fresh,
I placed a piece of Window Sheet #114323 over the circle opening.

Cuteness all tied up with a bow!