I’m still trying to stay in the use-it-before-it-retires frame of mind.  Most of the products today are from the Spring Catalog – which don’t forget, is also retiring at the end of this month.

One of my favorites from the Spring Catalog is the Oh, Whale! stamp set because there is tons of cuteness in this set – get it?   Not only is the stamp set cute but the coordinating paper is just so bright and cheery!

For the layout of this card, I pulled a sketch from a couple weeks back at Mojo Monday.  Whenever you’re stuck for a card layout, they have lots of inspiration. Not that the squares of colorful designer paper makes any sense above the whale in the ocean, but I think it turned out too stinkin’ cute!

So, what do you think?  I’d love to hear your comments!

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Oh, Whale! stamp set
• Paper:  Whisper White card stock, Melon Mambo card stock, Marina Mist card stock, Sunshine & Sprinkles designer paper
• Ink:  Marina Mist ink, Melon Mambo ink
• Other:  Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, Happy Whale Clearlits Die, Melon Mambo Striped Organdy Ribbon, Googly Eyes

Well – it’s hump day and I hope you’re having a good week so far.  Today I played with some more of that lovely Tea for Two designer paper that’s retiring soon.  That Calypso Coral polka dot paper is just gorgeous – I love the color.  I’m so glad that Stampin’ Up! decided to add it to our regular color lineup because if you remember, this is one of the 2011-2013 In Colors which was set to retire this year.  Anyway – I’m glad it’s sticking around.

I was inspired to create this card by a couple different cards I saw on Pinterest.  This has been a popular technique lately so there’s all sorts of cards out there that use the punch outs on the edges of cards.

Did you notice my sentiment?  That’s from the Curly Cute stamp set.  Sometimes, the sentiment you want to use is too long so you have to get creative on how to make it fit.  I used a tip from Brenda and put a piece of tape on the words “of you” before inking up the stamp and then pulled the tape off before stamping.  Then I cleaned my stamp and repeated the process – this time covering “thinking”.  Great technique when you need to squeeze a multi-word stamp into a small space.

What is that awesome printed brown paper bag paper, you ask?  Well that’s the Natural Composition Specialty designer paper and it comes with six different patterns.  Lucky for us – it’s not retiring!  Yeah!

I hope you enjoyed today’s card.

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Curly Cute stamp set
• Paper:  Naturals Ivory card stock, Tea for Two designer paper, Natural Composition Specialty designer paper
• Ink:  Early Espresso ink, Soft Suede ink
• Other:  Heart Framelits, Big Shot, Sycamore Street Buttons, Jute Twine, White Signo Gel Pen, Stamping Sponges, Glue Stick, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Anyone else like that?  I can’t possibly be alone.  Go ahead – raise your hand.  I promise I won’t judge .  Anyway, what ends up happening is we come to the end of a catalog and I realize that I still haven’t even touched that so-awesome-that-I-can’t-bear-to-use-it-up product.  So, now, I’ve got to get working on some cards that showcase and use up some of this product.

On top of the product that I haven’t used, after all these years, last month I finally purchased the Color Spritzer Tool – and now it’s retiring!  I used it to add some speckles to my card stock for some added interest.  This thing is so cool – you insert your marker through the barrel so that the marker tip lines up with the spritzer tip.  When you squeeze the bulb, it spatters a fine mist of ink onto your paper.  You control how much.  If you squeeze it fast and hard, you get heavier drops…how fun is this?

I do have to mention that this card was inspired by a card created by Kim Bell.  She represents other stamp companies so I can’t link to her, but you can google her if you’d like.  I’ve been trying to look at cards created using products from other companies and then recreating them with Stampin’ Up! products.

Anyway – most of the products used on this card are retiring in a couple of weeks, so you’ll want to get it while you can – especially that Color Spritzer Tool if that interests you at all – it’s really cool and I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get it.  You can see the spritzing a bit better in the picture below.  Also, you can click on the images to view them a bit bigger.

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Lacy & Lovely Stamp Set
• Paper:  Crumb Cake card stock, Naturals Ivory card stock, Calypso Coral card stock, Tea for Two designer paper, Sunshine & Sprinkles designer paper 
• Ink:  Early Espresso Ink, Whisper White craft ink
• Other:  Blossom Punch, Floral Frames Framelits, Stampin’ Write Markers, Color Spritzer Tool, Big Shot, Naturals Designer Buttons, Calypso Coral Baker’s Twine, Dimensionals, Glue Stick, Stamping Sponges 

You can click the link below to download a pdf with additional details about this week’s downloads if you’d like.

 05142013 MDS Downloads

Faces I Love Swatchbook Template

FREE packed For You Designer Template

You Are So Nice Kit

Because I’m the Dad Greeting Card Templates

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

If you have no other reason to buy the Perfectly Preserved Stamp Set, this is definitely a big reason.  You can make a gift tag for any occasion with this set and the coordinating Cannery Set Framelits.  I got the idea from Lynn over at Stamping with Lynn who was originally inspired by the fabulous Becky Roberts….and so on and so on.  That is how ideas go viral on the internet these days.

These are so easy to make, simply fold your Whisper White card stock in half and stamp so that the top of the jar is just slightly off the top folded edge of the card stock and cut out with the Cannery Framelits.   Cut out one of the jar toppers and attach to the front and decorate! One note of caution; Stampin’ Up! does recommend that you only cut through a single layer of paper, cardstock, etc. with your framelits.  However, on my Big Shot machine, it seemed to cut through two layers just fine.  I’m not sure I would try it with the colored card stock as it’s quite a bit thicker.  Just keep that in mind if/when you try it.

WARNING:  THE PERFECTLY PRESERVED STAMP SET AND CANNERY SET FRAMELITS ARE RETIRING AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE END OF THIS MONTH!

On the first one I used only the stamps from the Perfectly Preserved Stamp Set along with the Twitterpated Designer Paper which is also retiring soon.  Wouldn’t that be cute attached to a gift for someone housesitting for you?  Anyway, I used Marina Mist ink to stamp the jar images on all three tags.  I then sponged the edge of the jar topper with Baja Breeze ink to give it some added dimension.

On the middle one, I pulled out the Mixed Medley Stamp Set which is a retired hostess set for the sentiment and paired it with the Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Paper.  I’m envision this one attached to one of those mason jar gifts where you put all of the dry ingredients in the jar and print out the instructions and give away as a gift.  Oooh!  Wouldn’t it be cute if it was a short recipe to actually print it on the Whisper White card stock and then have it on the inside of the tag?  Awesome!

And of course, while we’re thinking of gift tags, we can’t forget Christmas tags.  So I pulled out some retired Christmas paper called Holly Berry Bouquet.  Just think of all of those handmade gifts that you’re going to give – don’t you need a cute handmade tag to go with it?

These are all just so stinkin’ cute – I know you’re going to love them as much as I do!

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved Stamp Set, Mixed Medley Stamp Set
• Paper:  Whisper White card stock, Lucky Limeade card stock, Riding Hood Red card stock, Twitterpated designer paper, Sunshine & Sprinkles designer paper, Holly Berry Bouquet designer paper, Polka Dot Parade designer paper
• Ink:  Riding Hood Red ink, Melon Mambo ink, Island Indigo ink, Baja Breeze ink, Marina Mist ink
• Other:  Cannery Set Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits,  Big Shot, 3/4” Circle Punch, 7/8” Scallop Circle Punch, Petite Curly Label Punch, Small Oval Punch, 1/8” Sheer Lucky Limeade Ribbon, Whisper White Baker’s Twine, 1/8” Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon

1. Insert the bottom corners of the Pacific Point card base into the 1” Circle Punch from the bottom and punch off the corners to round them  Do the same thing to the 4” x 5-1/4” Daffodil Delight card stock layer and the 3/-3/4” x 5” Whisper White layer.
2. Place the 3-1/2” x 4-1/2” Sunshine & Sprinkles designer paper into the Simply Scored Borders Scoring Plate and trace a cut line using a pencil.  Slide it in just a little further and score approximately 1/8” from the drawn cut line (yes – I know the embossed score line is hard to see in my photo).  Cut along the cut line with Paper Snips and glue to the Whisper White card stock.
3. Using Pacific Point ink, stamp the sentiment in the bottom right corner of the Whisper White card stock.  Glue to the Daffodil Delight layer and then to the card front.
4. Run a scrap of Melon Mambo card stock through the Big Shot using the smallest of the Hearts Collection Framelits.  Attach to the heart to the bottom right corner using a Dimensional.
5. Position scraps of Whisper White card stock into the Cloudy Day Embossing Folder to emboss a few selective clouds and run through the Big Shot.  Cut the clouds out with Paper Snips and glue to the card front.
6. Stamp the zeppelin using Melon Mambo ink onto Whisper White card stock and cut out.  Attach to the card front using Dimensionals.
7. Tie a small bow from Whisper White Baker’s Twine and attach to the center of the heart using a Glue Dot.  Attach one of the small Basic Rhinestones to the center of the bow.  Cut some of the small strips of Basic Rhinestones apart and attach to the front, tail end and top of the zeppelin as shown.

I wanted to include a picture of how I got my score and cut line on the card.  I promise the embossing is a bit more prominent on the finished card than it is in the photos.  Look at the opposite side of the cloudy designer paper that I used…isn’t it adorable???

Here’s another view of this cute card.

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Moving Forward Stamp Set, Happiest Birthday Wishes Stamp Set (retired)
• Paper:  Pacific Point card stock, Daffodil Delight card stock, Whisper White card stock, Melon Mambo card stock, Sunshine & Sprinkles designer paper
• Ink:  Pacific Point ink, Melon Mambo ink
• Other:  1” Circle Punch, Big Shot, Paper Snips, Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Hearts Collection Framelits, Whisper White Baker’s Twine, Basic Rhinestones, Simply Scored Borders Scoring Plate, Glue Stick, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

By joining the Stamp Club, you’re ensuring that you’ll receive new Stampin’ Up! merchandise each month while earning exclusive hostess benefits without ever having to host a party.  You gradually build your stamping supplies while staying on budget and receive free exclusive hostess benefits normally only available to you if you host a party!

   Each group will have six club members.
   Agree to purchase $25 of Stampin’ Up! merchandise for six consecutive months.
   Each month, one club member will be the hostess for the club and receive all of the exclusive hostess benefits.

   Free Stampin’ Up! products of your choice
   Free Stampin’ Up! Idea Book & Catalog (one copy per customer per year)
   Free Stampin’ Up! Mini Catalog(s)
   Free Monthly Project Kits

Contact Us for further details!

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

You can click the link below to download a pdf with additional details about this week’s downloads if you’d like.

 050713 MDS Downloads

Wonderland Party Ensemble

Legit Kit

Show & Tell 1

Show & Tell 2

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

Here I go again – another quick and easy graduation card! Of course, this card could be used for any occasion that you need to offer congratulations to a superstar. The inspiration for this card came from Dawn Griffith.

I have come to the conclusion that I really enjoy working with punches and dies. I believe it must be related to the fact that you quickly have a completed embellishment or focal point – instant gratification, I think!

I chose a color palette of Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White and Basic Black for this card. I love the stark contrast and how these colors work together.

Below you will find a quick and easy tutorial on how I made this card, along with a supply list.

Enjoy and please feel free to post your completed card too and share with us all.

1. Make your stars by stamping with Cherry Cobbler ink using the star from the July Fourth stamp set on Whisper White card stock. You will need 5 (five) stamped stars per card. Then cut them out with the large star punch.
2. Next, you will punch out of the smaller black stars, using the small Star punch. Assemble the stars as shown and set aside.
3. Take the strip of Basic Black card stock and rub over it with the Embossing Buddy. Then you will stamp and emboss the sentiment to the right side of the strip using Versamark and White embossing powder and emboss using a heat tool. NOTE: I used a piece of masking tape to block out the bottom portion of the sentiment, so that it would not ink up and removed the masking tape before stamping.
4. Layer the Whisper White card stock at the top of the card base, followed by the embossed sentiment.
5. Proceed to adhering your stars on the card using dimensionals. Refer to the card above for placement.
6. Being careful not to stamp on the completed stars, randomly stamp the smaller stars directly onto the top and bottom sections.

• Stamps:  July Fourth (retired), A Word for You (120528)
• Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Basic Black CS
• Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Versamark
• Other:  Embossing Buddy, White Embossing powder, Heat Tool, Large and Small Star punches, Snail adhesive, Dimensionals

Happy Stamping

Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator
Tarboro, NC

Believe it or not, I do not have many graduation specific stamp sets.  Hmmm….I need to do something about that! Don’t you agree?

I pulled out my Blue Ribbon stamp set and proceeded to select my colors. I know she loves vibrant bright colors, so this is what I came up with.

1. Emboss the front of the card base with the Stars embossing folder (non SU) and then cut a strip of DSP to break up the “white space.”
2. Next you will stamp all of the ribbon image on Whisper White card stock and attach with dimensionals.
3. Use the paper snips to cut out the ribbon tails and slide them up behind the image a bit. Another option is to use framelits.
4. Lastly you will stamp the sentiment in the same color as the card base.

This is a simple and quick card, which the colors can be changed up easily.  I am going to make up several different graduation cards. Maybe you can help me choose one. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Stay tuned. I will get the next one ready in a few days.

• Stamps:  Blue Ribbon (125981)
• Paper:  Raspberry Ripple CS, Whisper White CS, Summer Smooches DSP
• Ink:  Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green
• Other:  Big Shot, Stars Embossing Folder (non SU), 2-3/8” Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/8” Circle punch, Glue Stick, Dimensionals

Happy Stamping

Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator
Tarboro, NC