Sale-a-bration is Here

It only comes but once a year, and it's well worth the wait.  Sale-a-bration is Stampin' Up!'s Free stamp giveaway promotion.   The free stamp sets are not available for purchase so you can only get them FREE!

How does it work?   Between 25 January - 31 March 2011......

There are 3 ways to qualify:

Spend $100* and earn one Free Sale-A-Bration set of your choice;

Host a workshop of at least $600* and you'll earn one Free Sale-A-Bration set in addition to the generous hostess benefits;

Join Stampin' Up! during Sale-A-Bration and choose a free stamp set** from the Idea Book & Catalogue (valued up to $79.95)

Call or email today and get your choice of free set.
*Net sales before shipping & handling
** Excluding hostess sets

Elegant Lines

I am loving my Big Shot at the moment!    Well that's nothing new, but I have been using it a lot lately.   I can't imagine being without it in fact.

Today's creation is inspired by a card on page 150 of the current IB&C.   Everytime I see that card it pleases me.  It could be colour combination or the balance in the elements, but what I like a whole lot is the texture.   And that is all Big Shot!

Anyway, without CASEING the IB&C AGAIN.......here's my version

Supplies used:
Stamps:  Perfect Punches (I'm getting my money's worth out of this set too)
Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, Marina Mist & Night of Navy
Ink:  Night of Navy
Big Shot, Elegant Lines embossing folder & Floral Fusion Sizzlits Die
Scallop Oval Punch
5/8" grosgrain ribbon in Night of Navy
Basic Jewels - pearls

The ribbon is a formal bow - very easy to do.   Simply take your desired length of ribbon and fold each of the ends back and glue together to form a loop.  Take another small length of ribbon (I used the same colour) and wrap it around the centre (perpendicular to the loop) to flatten the loop, adhere with snail.   I then stuck the bow on top of a piece of ribbon that I'd already stuck to the cardstock.

Enjoy stamping today.
Karen

Tart & Tangy

Every time I've seen this set used, I've loved it.  Finally, just before Christmas I decided to get my own!  I had a very quick go at using it today.   It's very versatile, and particularly nice if you like to bake homemade goodies as gifts.   

On this card, I've used the sentiment "Sweet" from a long retired set.  I thought it perfect given the yummy sweet fruits on the stamps.  So I guess it could be a thank you card, or just one for a very sweet person.

I inked each of the stamps with markers except for the orange which uses the rock n roll technique (it'll be in a class soon, book now!)

Supplies used:

Stamps:  Tart & Tangy
Cardstock:  Concord Crush, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade
Ink/markers:  Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Chocolate Chip,  So Saffron
Punches - 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Square, 1" & 1 1/4" circle
Crop-a-dile
Certainly Celery 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and linen thread, certainly celery button (US demo days)
Polka Dots embossing folder and Big Shot

I've rubbed the Pear Pizzazz ink pad over the embossed polka dots on the whisper white card.

Stamp something nice today!
Karen

Pizza Top Note Box

Here's a box I made from an original idea I saw on Splitcoaststampers.    It's a basic pizza box inside - we'll be doing this in a class soon.  The outside is made using the Top Note with the Big Shot (you need one of these!).

I'm not sure I like my choice of decorations or colours, but you get the idea for the style.   

Supplies used:

Stamps: Short & Sweet, Perfect Punches, Birthday Bakery (Hostess)
Cardstock:  Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Perfect Plum, So Saffron
Ink: Melon Mambo, Perfect Plum, So Saffron
Punches: Scallop Circle, Wide Oval
Top Note die, Big Shot, Double Stitched wide grosgrain ribbon (retired)

The pizza box inside is really easy to make.   Come to a class to find out how!
Happy Stamping
Karen

Mojo Monday 173

It's been a while since I did a Mojo Monday sketch.   I loved this one.  It's not overly fussy and as soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to use this gorgeous paper and stamp set.

Mojo 173 using Notably Ornate

Supplies used:
Stamp Set:  Notably Ornate
Card Stock:   Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red
Paper:  DSP Love Letter
Ink:  Basic Black, Riding Hood Red
Ribbon:  Riding Hood Red taffeta
Vintage Trinkets
Rub ons (on the small circles) from Eastern Elegance now retired
Wide Oval, Scallop Circle & 1/4" Circle punches

Leave a comment if you like what you see.

Happy Stamping
Karen

What have I been doing?

Well, it's holiday time and I decided to take January off this year, hence the lack of posts.   I will be adding some projects over the next week, although technically I'm still on holiday.

Today we decided to go see Mirazozo, an inflatable structure on the forecourt of the Opera House.    It was really good.   I've never been in anything like it and once I got over my initial claustrophobic response, it was a very enjoyable half hour.  It's kind of futuristic and a bit Doctor Who-like.   I so wish David Tennant had popped out of one of the modules to say hi!    Alas, I can dream.    But here's a few pics.  And even though it's not crafty, I think you could take some inspiration from the shapes and colours, and the way the light plays on the vinyl structure.

 

Thanks for looking.  Happy summer.

Karen

Sweetheart......

Our current Stampin' Up! promotion revolves around love.  But don't just think of Valentine's Day.  What about the wedding later in the year?   The anniversary of special friends?    Or just a thank you that comes from the heart?    Not to mention the arrival of a new baby.

Until the 24th January when you buy the Sweetheart Stamp Set (wood mount or clear mount), or the Full Heart Punch, you will receive a FREE set of 12 heart treat cups.

Call or email to place an order.

Sweetheart Stamp Set - page 38
Full Heart Punch - page 147