Photopolymer Stamps Product Review

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Photopolymer Stamps – what are they and how do they perform?

 

Photopolymer stamps were introduced to Stampin’ Up! line of stamps during March of this year.  These stamps are not your normal acrylic stamps but they are clear, see through stamps.

I created a birthday card with the new stamp set and I will offer up my opinions on the stamps.  But first, here is my card that I created using these photopolymar stamps, a birthday card for my SIL

Photopolymar stamps Supplies:

Stamps: Designer Type Set Photopolymer (c – 132956 – online), Make a Cake (c – 126742 w- 126740 p44 2012/13 Annual Catalogue), Birthday Wishes (retired hostess set)

Paper: Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Naturals White, Print Poetry DSP, Patio Party DSP

Ink: Midnight Muse

Accessories: Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, Markers: Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Pool Party, Chocolate Chip,   Blender Pen, Gold Brad, Decorative Label Punch

Designer Typeset Photopolymer Stamp Set

Designer Type Set

These stamps are fairly new to Stampin Up so I can tell you what I know now about the Photopolymer stamps.

  • the stamps are very sticky and cling to the clear block instantly.
  • the stamps are bendable, ie, for the banner stamp was curved a bit on the block and then stamp
  • the stamped images are very clear
  • the price is reasonable
  • to clean the stamps, you can use soap and water, Stampin’ Scrub and Stampin’ Mist, and if you use Stazon ink, you can clean with Stazon cleaner (use sparingly)
  • the stamps come in a cello bag, between two sheets of acetate and can be stored in the clear cases – do not leave in sunlight
  • the stamps are made in the US, however, the photopolymar comes from the UK
  • multiple images can be stamped at the same time by positioning on the clear block

 

Some of the downsides are:

  • the stamps have a smell when you first open them, but that dissipates after they are left exposed for a while
  • some of the darker inks will stain the stamps however to prevent the staining clean immediately.
  • some of the stamps in this set are very small and can be easily lost – return them to their packaging when you have finished using them

  • Newest Photopolymar Stamps

    Show and Tell (133450); Show and Tell 2 (133481), Bombs Away Birthday (133411)

 

Would I purchase these stamps again.  Definitely yes, there are some fun images that will appeal to all sorts of age groups.

Happy Stamping

 

Sneak Peek On May Day

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It’s Sneak Peek Day and it’s also May Day

 

What could be better than a sneak peek to celebrate May Day.  Why do we call it May Day?  There are several reasons:

  • it’s seen as the day that starts summer off…oh, how I do hope.
  • it’s a celebration of the start of planting and the rejuvenation of nature.
  • it’s associated with International Labour Day around the world and the celebration of the labour movement.  Many countries declare this day a holiday.

 

As a youngster in school, I remember the Maypole dances with the ribbons and the intertwining of the ribbons.  As I recall it was all so graceful.  Ok, Really dating myself right now. 

Actually the oldest continuous celebration in the  British commonwealth goes to the City of New Westminster in British Columbia.  They have celebrated this day since 1890.

Ok, I have kept the suspense and now it time for the reveal.

So, here’s the sneak peek!  Drum roll please.

Mosaic Madness Sneak Peek

Mosaic Madness Sneak Peek

Stamps: Mosaic Madness (c – 130249, w- 130246, p123 2013/14 Annual Catalogue), Banner Greetings (c – 129714, w- 129711, p202 Hostess Reward 2012/13 Annual Catalogue

Paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, Quatrefancy Specialty DSP

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana

Accessories: Big Shot, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Daffodil Brad, Mosaic Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Rhinestone Jewels

Yes, I received my pre-order today and could hardly wait to get to my space.  I had to finish up a few other mundane things today so had to use my discipline. 

I used 2 of the new In Colors on this card – Coastal Cabana, a beautiful blue-green and Strawberry Slush, a yummy pink, as well as the new Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder and the new Mosaic Punch.  So much fun!

Check back often this month as I roll out more Sneak Peeks.

Happy Stamping

A Bouquet of Beautiful Flowers

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Flowers just say Spring

Flowers do say Spring and now you can make your very own bouquet of flowers.

Stampin’ Up! has introduced a kit that comes fully stocked with everything you need to make the bouquet.  You can start ordering this kit today, April 29, 2012.

Paper Flowers

Bloomin’ Bouquet Item #134542

Paper Flowers 2

Bonus Flower

So what do you get in your kit?

Well, there are enough supplies to make 12 very pretty flowers plus a bonus flower

What colors do you receive?

There is Pool Party, Gumball Green, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight and Rich Razzleberry

What embellishments are in the kit?

You receive 13 Vintage Faceted Buttons.

What about the stems?

Yes, you receive stems so that you can put them into a vase.

 Watch this video so that you can see how easy it is to put their kit together.


Here’s some ideas for your bouquet

Mother’s Day,  teacher appreciation, Just because,thank you with this no-maintenance bouquet. With the extra flower, gift it to some who has helped you out and make their day, maybe the person who packs your groceries, the bank teller, or the person who holds open the door for you.  The possibilities are endless.  The best thing about this bouquet, there’s no watering, no weeding-just enjoy.

All you need is some paper, ribbon or a vase to add the finishing touches to the bouquet, and your adhesive.  A glue gun is recommended in the video to put the bouquet together.

So, check out my Online Store HERE to get your bouquet because they are only available while quantities last.

You can make up this kit yourself, or you can gift it to a person who would like to try out paper crafting.

Happy Stamping

Babies Are For Cuddling

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Why do we just want to cuddle Babies?

 

Everyone has their own special reason as to why they want to cuddle babies, and for me it’s because it been over 6 years since I cuddled the last baby. 

Last Sunday I was invited to a Baby Shower to welcome Brody, a dear friend’s 4th grand-baby.  How special these little ones are.  You sit and hold them, and they snuggle in and all of your motherly and nurturing senses come to the fore front.

So trusting and so innocent and we all have the opportunity to shape their lives.  What a responsibility! 

So, I was able to ink up a baby stamp, which I discovered I didn’t have many of.  Like 1.  What happened there.

Most likely, because there are not many babies in my life anymore.

For the babies

 

Stamps: Easy Events (c – 132225, w- 116958, p34 2012/13 Annual Catalogue), Itty Bitty Banner (c – 126257, w- 126255, p134 2012/13 Annual Catalogue) Pretty Petites

Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Bashful Blue Subtles DSP Stack

Ink: Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Black Stazon

Accessories: Big Shot, Floral Frames Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Tasteful Trim,   Blender Pen, Whisper White 1/4” Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Elements Cute Clips

 I had so much fun making this card and included one of the clips from the Elements Cute Clips that are still available until May 31st in the Spring Catalogue.

 

Elements Cute Clips Great for Bablies

Elements Cute Clips Item # 129939

 

 

Stampin Up Retired List

Click on the image to go to my online store to check out the goodies

Stampin’ Up! also released their retiring stamp and embellishment lists today.  Some items are up to 60% off their original price. Click on the links below to view the PDFs.

Retired_List_stamps_en-CA  

2013 Retiring Embellishments

Some of these items will sell out fast, so if there is something that you just need to have, run, jump and skip to my ONLINE STORE

Happy Stamping

Sympathy Cards Are Difficult to Create

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Creating a sympathy card means that someone has passed away and no matter why or how it happened makes it very difficult to deal with.

The daughter of a family member, a partner, a mother was involved in a tragic accident and leaves to morn not only her family but her friends as well. To have a young life ended so suddenly makes it even more difficult for those left behind to deal with, especially for her very young son.

Why do these things happen?  Is it being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Is it fate? There are always so many questions left unanswered for those that are left behind.  It is only time that will heal the broken hearts and she will live forever in the hearts of the ones that loved her.

When I designed this sympathy card, I wanted it to be subtle, serene and peaceful.  By using muted colours and accessories that accentuate the serene, I think that I achieved what I set out to do.

I also used a technique that I had not used before, and while I had to redo the image a couple of times, I am satisfied with the effect that I was trying to achieve.  More about the technique later.

Sympathy Card

 

Stamps: Postage Due (c – 126397 w- 126395 p108 2012/13 Annual Catalogue), Petite Pairs (c – 122497, w- 122495, p134 2012/13 Annual Catalogue) 

Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Primrose Petals Core’dinations, Crumb Cake Neutrals DSP Stack

Ink: Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Artisan Embellishments Kit, White Embossing Powder, Stampin’ Sanding Block, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1-1/4” Square Punch, 1-3/8” Square Punch, Other: Plastic Container

The Postage Due stamp set is one that I have coveted since it made its appearance in the 2012/13 Annual Catalogue.  Just don’t know why it took me so long to get it.

Postage Due Sympathy

Clear Mount – #126397 Wood Mount – #126392

The technique I used is a form of water colouring and like I said previously, it can take a bit of time to get it right. 

  • Using a plastic sheet or case (one large enough to accommodate your stamp), add your colours of choice from reinkers.  I used Primrose Petals, Crumb Cake, Old Olive and Daffodil Delight. Position your inks where you want the various colours to show up on your image.
  • Spray water on your inks so that they begin to swirl and move together.  Don’t mix them too much or they will become muddy.
  • Once you have the inks where you want them, ink up your stamp.
  • Stamp on your card stock and hold a bit longer than usual so that the ink can soak into the card stock
  • Let dry.  You can use your heat gun to speed up the drying process
  • Ink your stamp with Versamark after cleaning it. Using your stamp-a-ma-jig, offset the stamp with the Versamark onto your image.
  • Heat emboss using White Embossing powder.
  • You now have your embossed water colour image.

Give it a try.

Happy Stamping.

Birthday Card for My Dad

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A Birthday Card for a Special Person

A birthday is something to celebrate especially when you reach the age of 89.  Can you just imagination the number of changes in the world in 89 years.

Some of these are the digital age, with computers, tablets, cell phones and the man on the moon.  The one thing that has always remained constant for my Dad is his family and his undying loyalty to the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team.  He has never wavered once in that loyalty even when they have not won a Stanley Cup since I don’t know when.  It was always Hockey Night in Canada in Saturdays at our house.

One of the things my Dad loved to do was go fishing.  So when I saw the “By The Tide” stamp set in the Spring 2013 catalogue, I envisioned his birthday card.

I had so much fun with this card, adapting the Petite Purse die so that I could use it as a fishing pack.  I’m not sure what type of fish this is but I heat embossed it with Silver Embossing Powder on Sahara Sand and then sponged it with Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake and Baja Breeze inks.  Of course, there was the fussy cutting to go along with it.

One of the techniques I just love is masking and sponging.  You can make such great scenes and I tried to create a river bank and the sky by using a cloud template and then using the Cloudy Day embossing folder and different colours of browns for the river bank.

Birthday Card Fishing

By the Tide Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Clear Mount #129120, Wood Mount #129117

Stamps: By the Tide (c – 129120, w- 129117, p129 2013 Spring Catalogue), Family Reunion (c – 122712, w- 122710, p138 2012/13 Annual Catalogue) Pretty Petites

Paper: Sahara Sand, Naturals White, Crumb Cake, Print Poetry DSP Stack

Ink: Island Indigo, Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit

Accessories: Big Shot, Petite Purse Die, Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Lattice Embossing Folder,  Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Versamark, Silver Embossing Powder, Linen Thread, Gold Metallic Brad, Markers: Early Espresso, Island Indigo, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Sponge Dabbers, Sponges

Before I close this post off, I have something to say about what happened at the finish line at the Boston Marathon.  My heart and thoughts go out to those who lost their lives and those who were tragically injured.  

Yesterday, we had another change in our lives caused by thoughtless people who planted bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  How tragic, as a number of people were killed and many injured and others scarred for life.  What possesses these types of people to cause havoc on others lives?  What are they trying to prove?  What type of vendetta could possibly be so strong as to comment an offense against innocents. 

Why can’t we just all get along?  Why do people consider themselves to be more right than others.  I don’t have the answers.  I just hope the authorities find the person or people responsible for the despicable act.

Pardon my rant but I am getting really tired of being help hostage by others.

 

 

Stamping Poppies on Canvas

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Stamping Poppies and Other Flowers Help To Make It Spring

Stamping poppies and flowers makes me feel like Spring even though the weather here is COLD!  I know that in other areas, people are experiencing more winter and the snow just doesn’t seem to want to go away.

Does anyone feel like this?

Spring Failed

 

Actually, I used a fun technique on this card and I am really happy as to how it turned out.  Instead of using card stock to stamp the image on, I used the Canvas Creations.  Hmm, maybe I always wanted to be Van Gogh, or Picasso, or???  – Not. But I did want to try out this new product from Stampin’ Up!’s Spring Catalogue.

Stamping Poppies

 

Stamps: Pleasant Poppies (c – 129499, w- 126480, p129 2012/13 Annual Catalogue), Family Reunion (c – 122712, w- 122710, p138 2012/13 Annual Catalogue

Paper: Calypso Coral, Tea for Two

Accessories: Big Shot, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Versamark, White Embossing Powder, Clear Embossing Powder, Canvas Creations, Markers: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Daffodils Delight, Silver Designer Buttons, Calypso Coral Baker Twine

As I was writing up the recipe, I noticed that I didn’t use any ink except for Versa Mark, and I’m not sure that this is considered really ink.

Anyway back to the technique:   I stamped the poppies using Versamark onto the canvas and then embossed them with White Embossing powder.  Then, I got out the markers and went to town colouring.  I really like the effect that the canvas gives and with the embossing the ink from the markers are resisted from the canvas.

Just a reminder that the Spring catalogue is around for another 6 weeks and when it goes, so does the Canvas Creations.

Canvas Creations Stamping

So, get out your flower stamps and stamp up a little bit of Spring .

PS, did you see or hear about the colour renovation that Stampin’ Up! has in store for us in 2013?

Stamping 2013 Colors

Enjoy and Happy Stamping

A Free Gift for The Simply Said Email List

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Who likes a free gift?

It’s likely that there would only be a few “no” answers.

On Friday, April 12th at 1:00 Pacific time, I am sending out a FREE gift to all subscribers on my email list.

You need to be signed up and confirmed to receive this gift.

Sign up now by going to

http://products.simplysaidwithkaren.com/subscribe/

You won’t be disappointed.

Happy Stamping

Technique for a Card – Using the Silicone Mat

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Trying out a technique that you have never used before can be fun!

A new technique can be fun and I wanted to try one for this card. 

The card was for a friend and customer that received her General Certified Accountant designation.  It is a very tough program and can take several upon several years to complete.  One of the very toughest requirements is that you have full time work in the field.  Working full time, taking courses and possibly even having children and a family to take care of doesn’t leave much time for yourself.

Lots of support for loved ones and friends is so important.  However, once you get that certificate in your hand, you are so proud of yourself and so are those that surround you because they have seen how hard you have worked.

So, as well as making this card to recognize my friend’s accomplishment,I wanted to try out a technique that uses markers and the Silicone Craft Sheet (so now we know that the craft sheet is just not for glue).

So, how did I do this?  Taking different colours of markers, I coloured on Silicone Craft Sheet in a diagonal pattern making strips of colour.  Then, a piece of Whisper White card stock was laid down across the strips and rubbed to take the various colours.  It was easy and fun.

 

Technique with Silicone Mat

 

Stamps: Word Play (c-1120651, w- 120308 p.135 2012/2013 Annual Catalogue), Blue Ribbon (c-125981, w- 125979 p.33 2012/2013 Annual Catalogue)

Paper: Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Daffodil Delight, International Bazaar DSP

Ink: Black Stazon

Accessories: Silicone Craft Sheet, Markers: Pacific Point, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White 1/4” Grosgrain Ribbon, Label Punch (retired).

Try this technique out, it’s fun and easy.

Silicone Craft Sheet

Item # 127853 Silicone Craft Sheet

Are You On My eMail List?

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Why Do you Want to sign up for my email list?

Email Lightening Bold

Breaking News

I interrupt this Blog Post to bring you an  important notice regarding this weekend.

FREE Shipping weekend – less than 24hrs.  Order through my online store www.simplysaidwithkaren.stampinup.net

or email me at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com

Use Hostess Code YW6HYYZG when you order through my online store.  I will make a random hostess drawing on Monday so some lucky person will reap the Hostess Benefits. 

Back to our regular blog

The Simply Said with Karen email list has a number of benefits: 

  • you will receive a monthly newsletter delivered to your inbox with exclusive content…that’s right, project ideas will not be seen on my blog, Facebook page and/or twitter.
  • first notice of all new products exclusive to Simply Said with Karen.
  • you receive a free gift for signing up
  • plus, you will receive the latest Simply Said with Karen Newsletter
  • and more…..

So, what do you have to do to be added to the Simply Said email list?

Put your fingers on your mouse and guide it quickly to the top right side of my blog. Add your name and email address to the form and click submit…easy?

You bet it it is.

And, your privacy is protected

Happy Stamping

Stampin’ Up! is offering Free Shipping

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Stampin’ Up! is offering FREE shipping on all types of orders and items on the website!

That’s right, you can believe your eyes.  This is the first time EVER that Stampin’ Up! has offered this to our customers.

It starts Saturday, April 6 through to Monday April 8.  Watch the video to see this exciting offer and how you can participate.

 

 

You can order through my  Online Store for all items

Or, you can send me an email at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com with your order and I can place it for you.

Take advantage of Stampin’ Up!’s offer, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.

Stampin’ Up! also announced their 2013/2014 colour refresh today as well.  This is very exciting as some of the 2011/2012 In Colors are becoming regular items and will be around for awhile.  How about Island Indigo, Pool Party and some of the previous colours such as Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz.

Stampin Up Color Refresh 2013-2014

So, if you see a favourite colour on the discontinued list, then combine it with the free shipping so you will have enough for your card, scrapbook and decor projects.

Run, jump or hop to my store

Happy Stamping

Thank You with a Cup of Thanks

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Thank yous are so important.

 

We all love to receive a thank you from someone that we have done something for.  It could be as small as saying thanks for passing the salt, or it could be that you have gone above and beyond for someone.  And of course between the little thanks and the huge “gone above and beyond thank you, there is always someone that has helped you out.

We tend to send Thank You cards for the large events in our lives but wouldn’t it be nice to send a Thank You to someone who was just there at a particular moment in time.  Maybe it was a retail clerk, or a server in a restaurant or maybe even the person who helped you with the groceries out to the car.

There are big elaborate thank you cards but why not keep a few little thank you cards in your purse to give to people on the spot.  It’s a great way to recognize people.

My card share today is a cup of thanks using the Tea Shoppe stamp set.  As soon I as I saw the Pop ‘n Cut die, I had this stamp set in mind to use to create a card.

Thank You

 

Stamps: Tea Shoppe (c – 125547, w- 125545, p57 2012/13 Annual Catalogue)

Paper: Indigo Island, So Saffron, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Teas for Two DSP

Ink: Early Espresso, Island Indigo

Accessories: Big Shot, Card Base Pop ‘n Cuts, Dress Form Pop ‘n Cuts,  Label Framelits, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch ,Markers:  Lucky Limeade, So Saffron, Early Espresso, Island Indigo, Versamark, White Embossing Powder, Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, Tea Time Trinkets, Tea Bag

Tea Shoppe - Clear-Mount Stamp

Clear Mount – 122547 Wood Mount – 122545
Click on image to view stamp set – 10 Stamps

Just a few things about how I put the inside of this card together.

A piece of Early Espresso was run through the portion of the die cut where the dress form cut out is located. This piece was then attached to the bottom of the dress for to appear as a table.

Two cup images where stamped, one in versamark and embossed with white embossing powder and the other stamped with So Saffron ink.  After fussy cutting the two images, they were attached together along the handles, sides and bottom.  Do not glue the tops together.

Attach the cup to the die cut portion and trim the dress form behind the cup.  Trim only as much as you need so that it cannot be seen. 

Insert a tea bag into the cup and send it off.

I know that this card is rather fussy with all that is going on, however a thank you card can be a clean and simple card.  Actually it’s the thought that counts and not necessarily the card, although it is tangible.

So thank someone today  – big or small

Happy Stamping!

 

 

A Stamp Set That Has Never Seen Ink?

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Stamp sets that have never been used.  Why do we buy them and never take them out of their packaging let alone ink them up and stamp with them.

Well, I purchased the Life Shared stamp last Fall and it has never has been close to an ink pad,  so I decided that it was time to take it out of the container and show it the light of day.

 

The Life Shared stamp set is really cute and can be used for a “thinking of you” card, or a “birthday card” or maybe a “just because” card.  This stamp is also an a-la-carte stamp (only one in the set) and would be great for someone who is just starting to make cards or doing scrapbook pages.

I wanted to make this card bright and cheery so I chose the Temping Turquoise and Rich Razzleberry colour pallets and what better to go along with this than the Summer Smooches DSP.

Friendship Sared Stamp

I did eliminate the sentiment from the stamp and then coloured it with a marker and stamped it in the inside of the card and then added another sentiment from the My Friend stamp set.

Stamps: Life Shared (w- 126820, p60 2012/13 Annual Catalogue), My Friend (c – 122587, w- 122585, p122 2012/13 Annual Catalogue), Itty Bitties (w – 128939, p25, 2013 Spring Catalogue)

Paper: Naturals White, Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Smooches DSP

Ink: Black Stazon, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red

Accessories: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Folder, Adorning Accents Edgelit, Markers: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Crumb Cake, Basic Grey, Wild Wasabi, Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip, Perfect Plum, Blush Blossom, Sahara Sand, Temping Turquoise Bright Brads.

Do you have a stamp set buried at the bottom of your stash?  I challenge you to find one…I know you have one, ink it up, email it to me and I will post on my blog.  Of course, you will get full credit!

 

Do you know what this is?  It’s Stampin’ Up!’s latest product, This and That, a fun way to scrap your everyday life.

This and That

Click on the Image to see what it’s all about

I am waiting for mine to come…Mr. Brown, where are you?

I will share the goodies when they come.  There are so many ways to use this book!

Until then, Happy Stamping and find that stamp set hiding in your stash.

Magic – How’d You Do It

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Magic is so illusive and can come in many forms. The main question when there is magic, is “HOW DID THEY DO THAT”!

 

I love to create magic for my customers and today, I am going to let you in on a few of my secrets.

One of the most important things in my business is providing  customers with good customer service.  How do I do that?  It’s about answering their questions, giving them timely and valuable information on products and promotions, and showing them how to make WOW projects.

And how do I do those things…sending out a jammed packed monthly newsletter, updating my blog with projects, providing videos that show them how to use different tools and of course there are those ever important techniques.

Are you on my email list so that you receive those jammed packed newsletters?  If not, then click HERE and fill out the form.  And for you time,  you will also receive a thank you gift.

Another way I like to add magic for my customers is showing them how to make their own magic through creating projects, whether it’s cards, scrapbooks, decor items and/or gift packaging.

So here is another secret, showing how to take a simple, pretty card and adding a few more elements and making it a WOW card.

The first card is a clean and simple card and at the same time pretty and would be suitable for any occasion.

Ciao Baby simple to magic

The next card is a stepped-up version which some additional elements and products used.

WOW card with magic

What do you think? You find the magic in this card?

Stamps: Collage Curios (c – 129102, w- 129099, p24 2013 Spring Catalogue), Loving Thoughts (c – 122712, w- 122710, p138 2012/13 Annual Catalogue), Loving Thoughts (c – 125845, w- 125843, p136 2012/13 Annual Catalogue)

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Grey, Rich Razzleberry, Summer Starfruit, Sycamore Street DSP.

Ink: Melon Mambo, Summer Starfruit, Basic Grey,

Accessories: Summer Starfruit Dahlia, Summer Starfruit 1/4” Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Punches: 1-3/4” Scallop Circle, 1-1/4” Scallop Circle, Scallop Edge Border, 7/8” Scallop Circle, 3/4” Circle.

So what’s different?

On the second card, the 3/4″ circle punch was swapped out for the 7/8″ Scallop Punch, the Basic Grey card stock, ribbon and flower were  added, and all the circles were sponged with Summer Starfruit ink.  The flower was punched from Rich Razzleberry card stock using the 7/8″ scallop punch, distressed and separated into two layers and the Dahlia added to the center.  Finally the sentiment was stamped on a Whisper White flag.

The 1-1/4″ circle punch is carried over from the Holiday Catalogue and is still available

1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch

Click on Image to view and purchase other items carried over from the Holiday Catalogue. I

Watch for more MAGIC!

Happy Stamping

Have You Used the Artisan Embellishment Kit?

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The Artisan Kit which has 26 embellishments that can be used to add charm and sophistication to your projects.

What’s in the Artisan Kit?

First, this kit coordinates with Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals, Pool Party and Very Vanilla colours and is a great try me kit.  Plus, there are

  1. 2 designer tags
  2. 4 designer ticket stubs, 18″ scalloped lace
  3. 18″ cotton lace
  4. 18″large oval lace
  5. 1 yard seam binding
  6. 6 paper flowers
  7. 1 resin heart
  8. 2 resin flowers
  9. 5 buttons
  10. 1 heart paper doily
  11. 1 round paper doily

 

What type of projects can be used with the Artisan Kit?  This kit can be used for a  birthday card, or a wedding card, anniversary card, and also gift packaging and even scrapbooking.

Here is an example of how I used the Artisan kit to make a Birthday card and matching packaging for the gift.

Artisan Kit Birthday Ensemble

Stamps: Collage Curios (c – 129102, w- 129099, p24 2013 Spring Catalogue), Papillon Potpourri (c – 123759, w- 123757, p115 2012/13 Annual Catalogue), Family Reunion (c – 122712, w- 122710, p138 2012/13 Annual Catalogue)

Paper: Naturals White, Primrose Petals Core’dinations , Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Crumb Cake DSP Neutrals Stack

Ink: Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals, Lucky Limeade

Accessories: Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, 1-1/4” Scallop Circle Punch, 1” Circle Punch, Soda Pop Tops, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Crystal Effects, Markers: Primrose Petals, Lucky Limeade, Artisan Embellishment Kit, Tea Lace Paper Doilies.

 Purse (gift packaging)

Paper: Primrose Petals, Crumb Cake, Crumb Cake DSP Neutrals

Accessories: Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Petite Purse Bigz Die, Artisan Kit, Primrose Dalia.

The focal point of the card features a flattened Soda Pop Top (yes, you can run them through the Big Shot).  The images from the Collage Curios stamp set were stamped, punched out and glued into the Soda Pop Top with Crystal Effects.  The whole image was covered with Crystal Effects to give it the resin effect.

The closure for the purse was made using one of the buttons from the Artisan Kit and a Dalia attached to the center.

Artisan Kit Click on Image for More Details

Click on Image for More Details

Have you ever tried the Core’dination Papers?  These papers give a different effect from the standard card stock.  The outside layers are standard Stampin’ Up! colours and the inside layer is a monochromatic colour.  When you distress or emboss this paper, the inside layer is revealed to give a different look.

Primrose Petals Core'dinations Card Stock

Primrose Petals Core’dinations card Stock Click on Image for more details

Give these two products a try.

Happy Stamping!