Playing with extras from the Paper Pumpkin patch!

Hi Stampers!
How many of you have heard of Paper Pumpkin? How many of you are fans? How many of you have a stack of Paper Pumpkin boxes that you haven't quite gotten to yet? How many of you think there must be something else I can do with all the extra pieces and parts in these Paper Pumpkin kits?

If you answered yes to all of the above, you could be me! Seriously! I love Paper Pumpkin but I have an unfortunate habit of letting them accumulate and then all of a sudden, in a burst of stamping energy, I finish 2-3 all the same day!  That's what happened yesterday and I had a lot of fun.

I could not believe all the extra pieces and parts came in the June kit called "Sending Sunshine". I made the kit cards and then kept going with bits and pieces from my stamp room stash. It's so fun to grab old retired colors, stamps and especially Designer Series Paper and go to town. I thought you'd like to see what my efforts ended in!

The original kit was designed to make 8 cards but I think I had at least 20 by the time I was done. I loved the cheery fruity theme and it feels so good to not follow the rules for a change and grab whatever was handy!

If you're unfamiliar with Paper Pumpkin, it's a monthly subscription kit that comes to your door around the 15th of the month. Each month, you have the option to cancel that month by the 10th or automatically receive the kit otherwise. The cost is $22 and it includes everything you need to make the project (usually cards) except scissors. The kits are timely, trendy and usually seasonally-themed so they are very fun to do in the moment. AND, as I've clearly shown, there are always extra pieces and parts you can use for other ideas. Meanwhile, as the months go by, you'll be starting a small collection of stamps and ink spots to use for other projects. It's the perfect way to get started with stamping. Each month's kit usually only takes about 30 minutes to complete and you will think "today was a good day" when you're all done because you finished something!


Interested in learning more or signing up for August? There's still time and the theme for August is celebrating our heroes - a timely theme with Covid all around us!  Here's a link:

PAPER PUMPKIN LINK

I hope you'll give it a try!  You can sign up for one month or even purchase some prepaid 3, 6 or 12 month subscriptions. This is also the perfect idea to share with a friend or family member and have a special crafting time get together each month.  Let me know if you have any questions! I'm a big fan and love to help others decompress by stamping!

Have a great weekend!
Sarah

Playing with Patterns bundle of fun!

Hi Stampin' Friends!
I'm back today with a special feature on the alphabet!  When it comes to versatile and handy, almost nothing meets that description better than the alphabet. Think of it, you can use it for anything. It can identify someone, celebrate an occasion or call out a greeting. It helps us be totally unique and customizable when we are creating something special.

It's been a few years since we've had some alphabet dies but the new and improved ones are darling!  They are a nice size, about 1" x 1" or so and so easy to use!  Another unique feature of this set is that they include alphabet characters used in other languages, specifically French and German. They are part of the "Playing with Patterns" bundle and suite collection and I spent some time playing with them yesterday. The toughest part is figuring out what to say!  What's especially sweet is that you can use the letters you cut out and you can also use the negative image of what is left. Have a look....

A huge focal point of my cards with this set is the "Playing with Patterns" Designer Series Paper. It has a fresh and unique color scheme including Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Night of Navy and Purple Posy. It's such a fun mix of dark and light tones and I even added some extra colors here and there. This card also shows off the ribbon and resin dots that are part of the suite. I used the "Many Mates" stamp set for my "Celebrate" sentiment and did some additional accent stamping with the "Playing with Patterns" stamp set using the series of dots.

My next card features the negative image of the "YOU" that I had die cut for the previous card. I then cut out the word "Love". And, speaking of love, I love all the furry, fuzzy animals in the "Special Someone" bundle, especially the raccoon! I hear they are super mean and annoying in person but they sure are cute!

For my next card, I wanted to focus on layers and draw out some color from the Designer Series Paper. I grabbed the "Many Mates" sentiment stamp set for my card and added some embossed vellum, stamped and torn Whisper White and an old scrap of ribbon from a Paper Pumpkin kit (save everything - you never know....)

This is actually the first card I made, cutting the "YAY" out of the DSP and then adhering the whole piece to a Night of Navy Background. The three pack of ribbon that comes in the suite is so fun - luminous colors and textures!

I sure had fun with this set and am so glad to have alphabet dies in my arsenal of creativity. One of my favorite things to do is make a baby card with the name of the new little one on the card. Parents are so touched to see that name over and over again! Alphabets work great too for personalizing school team names and more. Honestly, if you can spell it, you can probably figure out a way to do it!

You can get all the info in the online store about this amazing suite. I've added pictures of the products below and clicking on them will direct you to the store. Contact me if you have any questions at all as I would love to help you make your next amazing creation!

It's not too late to take part in the Bonus Days promotion!  For every $50 you spend, you'll receive a $5 coupon code via email good for purchases in August. It's a way to spend now and save later, which seems like a good idea, right?!  As you place an online order, you will be notified when you reach the $50 threshold and have a chance to verify your email.

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out the "Playing with Patterns" bundle. It's a winner!
Happy Summer and keep on stampin'!
Sarah

Nothing's Better Than bundle of Yumminess

Hi Stampers!
Boy do I have a fun bundle to share with you today!  If you are being completely honest, what is your favorite "go to"  indulgence?  Is it Coffee, Chocolate, Cookies or Cocktails maybe?  Guess what! With this fun bundle, you don't have to choose! All of them are fully represented and supported with some cute sentiments and great stamps to help you spread cheer all around!  I recently had so much fun playing with this set and can't wait to show you the results~!

My first card focuses on all you coffee lovers! I have several in my family, though sadly, it's not my favorite vice! Those of you who are big fans of the "Forever Greenery" suite will spot a couple of different pieces of the Designer Series Paper. I used Stampin'Blends alcohol markers to color the coffee cups, using Just Jade, Mint Macaron, Soft Seafoam and Old Olive.  I know the sentiment is perfect for all coffee addicts!

Are you a chocolate lover? Do you pass on vanilla every chance you get and opt for chocolate, perhaps the darker the better. Then you like just like my husband! He has to have at least a tad every day! I had recently gotten the "Artistry Blooms" Designer Series Paper in an order and so I grabbed a sheet of that for my chocolate card. I love how cheery and bright it is! The predominant colors are Melon Mambo and Mango Melody.

Guess what?! For this card, I used the reverse side of the "Artistry Blooms" DSP and the same basic color scheme with a little bit more of Early Espresso added in. It's super fun to stamp directly on the DSP which is what I did here. Here's an extra tip - mount all the stamps on the same block, i.e. Coffee, Cookies, Chocolate, OR use the Stamparatus to mount them all and quickly stamp them. Using the Stamparatus gives you the "do over" option if you need it.

My personal favorite "go to" is probably cookies... all kinds!  I inherited a really powerful sweet tooth from my mom and grandma and cookies were definitely their favorites.  If I were to tell someone I loved them more than cookies, that would be a whole bunch of love. I toned down the color scheme here using Pretty Peacock, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso. The plaid DSP is a sneak peek of an "all plaids" DSP pack coming in the Aug-Dec Mini Catalog!  That goes live on August 4th, one week from today!  Watch for more info in the coming days!

Finally, I had to try something for you cocktail lovers. I'm kinda a Diet Pepsi sort of gal and rarely drink anything stronger but I have to admit those umbrella drinks look pretty good!  I used the Paper Pumpkin Add-On cards for my card base and then added in some elements of the "Timeless Tropical" bundle. This is a good example of searching through all your stash and combining products from different sets, catalogs and products!

I'm so excited about this class, I'm going to have a card class featuring this bundle! It may include some of these cards or something else I come up with in the meantime. The class is coming up on August 12th and I'll have an afternoon and evening session. Check my calendar (link on the right) for all the details! I would love to see you and make some fun cards with you!

You can check out my supplies in the online store link below. Click on any picture and you'll be directed there for easy shopping. We are in the last few days of the Bonus Days promotion where you can earn a $5 coupon code good for purchases in August with every $50 increment on an order now, until the end of July. Don't delay!

Thanks for stopping by! It's always a pleasure to share what I'm up to!

Happy Stampin'!
Sarah

Another Sneak Peak - Snowflakes Galore!

Hi Friends,
I am spending my spare time getting ready for a Holiday Showcase and Mini Card Buffet Extravaganza that will be held next Tuesday, July 28th, at my home, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.!  I have been trying to get the word out and I know that you love to see samples of what can be done with new product as well as get your hands on the new Aug-Dec Mini Catalog!  I hope you can come. Please contact me if you need more information!

Meanwhile, from my stamp room....

It's hard to think of snowflakes when it's July and super hot, but it is also fun to create with new snow-themed inspired paper, dies, stamps and embellishments! I love all the shades of blue and hints of purple in this Snowflake Splendor suite... Stay tuned for all the details starting August 4th when the mini catalog goes live!

Until later!
Sarah

Sneak Peek 2020 Aug-Dec Mini Catalog - Cherish the Season bundle

Hi Friends!
I'm back with another Holiday sneak peek, this time focusing on the new "Cherish the Season" bundle. It's a fun bundle focused on sleigh bells that you can stamp or die cut or both!  It's easy to color them silver or any color once they are stamped, with our Stampin' Blends alcohol markers. You can also use some of the fabulous foil papers including some of the new Brushed Metallic foils. These are featured in the third card below. My cards include the use of the "Stacked Stone" background stamp which is found in the Annual catalog, as well as some fun with the "Tasteful Textile" embossing folder which is new this year.  Ready for some inspiration?  Here we go!

You'll also spot new Designer Series Paper in these cards and new ribbon. I can't wait to tell you all the details and will do so in another blog post after August 1st, when all these fabulous products are available in the online store.

Thanks for stopping by!  I have another preorder coming today, as soon as Mr. Brown (UPS) shows up. I look forward to more design and stamping fun with the holidays in mind. 

Until later, happy stampin'!
Sarah

Never too early for Christmas in July, right??!!

Hi Stampin' Friends!
I have a fun surprise today, Christmas in July!  I've heard it so many times that it must be a thing so I figured I would jump in! I recently got my preorder from the Aug-Dec Mini Catalog (formerly referred to as the Holiday Catalog) and so whether I want to or not, the designs in my head are all about the fall including Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!  I'm excited to start sharing some of my ideas with you, knowing that down the road, after August 1st when the catalog goes live, I'll share some more specific details. For now, it's sneak peek time!

One fun thing I did was combine some old favorite stamp sets from last year that were so popular they were carried into this year's Annual Catalog. Two sets in particular featured coordinating punches that you will love!

For my first round of inspiration, I combined the moose and tree punches and stamp sets from last year (but still in this year's catalog as well) with some new paper featuring stripes, plaids and other designs. Here's your sneak peek!

Aren't those sweet!  There's a new embossing folder, some red velvet paper, some new iridescent gems and awesome Designer Series Paper included in these projects. The colors are traditional red and green (Mossy Meadow and Real Red) with some Pear Pizazz thrown in for contrast.

I'll post a future blog with all the details after August 1st so be on the lookout for that! Meanwhile, check back often for more of my sneak peeks featuring new products coming your way August 1st!

Happy Stampin'!
Sarah

August Paper Pumpkin kit - Celebrating Heroes!

Hey Friends!
The newest round of Paper Pumpkin kits starts today with a wonderful and timely idea of making cards for the heroes in our lives, especially given the past few months we've been living in. Heroes can be bigger than life or ordinary. They are the people that help us, cheer us on and are there for us when we need a helping hand. Who are the heroes in your life?  Wouldn't it be fun to make a special card and jot down your thoughts and make their day?  Paper Pumpkin will help you out!


The kit comes with all the supplies you need to make 8 quality cards, including envelopes, for only $22 which includes postage. That's just a tad over $2 per card, which is a steal compared to buying a card at a store that is not nearly as special.

Here's where you need to go for all the information and to sign up:

Paper Pumpkin subscribe link

I hope you'll celebrate your heroes - their job never ends!

When a card kit isn't just a card kit, it's Gorgeous Posies!

Hi Stampers!
It's been fun to get back to blogging after being a little inconsistent. During the quarantine months, I used my "time" to rejuvenate some other hobbies I've always enjoyed like knitting and quilting and really let the papercrafting slide a bit. It was fun to do other things but with the release of the new Annual Catalog, I feel my "mojo" coming back and my passion for all things Stampin'Up! is back. As a demonstrator, we have already seen the upcoming Aug-Dec Mini Catalog which is all things HOLIDAYS. I received my first preorder last night so now I have Christmas trees, sleigh bells and snowflakes dancing in my head!  It's overwhelming how many new products there are and I want to use this blog to showcase them and share my ideas. Thanks for joining me!

Have any of the Stampin'Up! card kits ever caught your attention?  If you are a newbie to papercrafting, these are a first stop on your journey. These kits are amazing because they come with everything you need (other than scissors) in a box including directions and pictures which show you what to do. You will feel successful within 5 minutes and who doesn't need a boost of confidence when you are starting a new hobby.  If you have been around forever with Stampin'Up!, you will still enjoy the refreshing color palettes, cute ideas and launching pad the kit provides to going rogue and doing whatever you want with all the supplies. Either way, kits are awesome!

The kit I want to share today is called "Gorgeous Posies". It has a surprisingly fresh color palate of various shades of green, purple and pink/coral. I think the color palate is what caught my eye first because I know most of you can't resist anything purple!  The kit comes in a cute decorative box that you can use to store cards in (or anything else), as well as use for a gift box of cards for someone else. Here are two gift ideas - 1) purchase the kit as is and give it to a crafty friend, or 2) purchase the kit, assemble all the cards and gift the box full of cards to a friend, family member. It's a win/win because either way, you are making your day and someone else's day. People love to personalize their gift giving and handmade cards are the perfect touch.

Let's get to the details!  The kit contains all the paper and embellishment supplies you need to make 16 cards, four each of 4 different designs.  The suggested ink pad colors to go with this kit are Blackberry Bliss and Blushing Bride as "must haves" and Shaded Spruce and Calypso Coral as "nice to have".  In addition, you will need to buy the "Gorgeous Posies" stamp set in order to make the cards as intended. You could substitute stamps you already have as well. You'll also need some scissors and adhesives. I like to use Stampin'Up! dimensionals to elevate some elements of my cards and also the new tape adhesive, Stampin'Seal, a handy double sided tape runner.

Here are the four cards you can make with this kit:

Aren't they pretty?!  I made the cards following the instructions explicitly but it's easy to tweak and vary them. Maybe you need lots of sympathy cards or lots of get well cards and so that's what you can focus on, etc.  Here's a look at the stamp set and kit components:





As with any stamp set, once you have it, you can have lots of fun using it!  Last night, in preparation for this blog post, I made a couple more cards with paper and ink from my stash.

The card above was inspired by our whole state's love of huckleberries! There are somewhat exclusive to Montana, only grow at certain altitudes and places and are so fun to pick and eat. We have a few secret "patches" we 4-wheel to every August and are never disappointed. If you look at the stamp set, you'll see the stem and berry stamps that I used.

This card uses the same color palate as the kit but it looks completely different with more emphasis on Shaded Spruce and none on Gorgeous Grape.

What do you think? Tempted to get one of these kits for yourself?  I've listed the supplies below and a click on them will direct you to the online store. As a special thank you, if you purchase the Gorgeous Posies kit and stamp set, I will send you what you need to make the two additional cards for FREE! As a bonus, you'll receive a Bonus Days coupon code for an order over $50 which is redeemable in August on any order. Simply place an online order (or contact me to order for you) and I'll get the free supplies to you via US mail. I would love you to try this kit and am always eager to share my designs!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. It's always a good time to stamp, no matter the season and even if it's summer and you have visions of sugarplums in your head, like me!

Happy Stampin'!
Sarah

For all you lovers of Blue - Boho Indigo product medley!

Hi Stampin' Friends,
Are you a lover of blue and white?  Does the blue and white color scheme always catch your eye when you're walking through a department store in the clothes, home goods, dishes and more? If so, I am right there with you. I even joined a Facebook group years ago, from the UK, devoted to all things blue and white!  I have blue and white dishes, a blue and white bedroom in my home and where a ton of blue. It's no wonder Stampin'Up! landed on those colors for their latest product medley and you will love it!

This is a product medley that comes complete with stamps, coordinating dies, Designer Series paper, ribbon, die cut embellishments and labels and some pretty gauze flowers in two sizes. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this and start creating! That day finally came yesterday and here's what happened!

A product medley is unique in that it is not a traditional "kit" with pre-planned cards that you simply stamp and assemble. A medley just includes all the supplies and you are on your own for inspiration. That's not really true, because with Pinterest, Stampin'Up!, friends and demonstrators, we are never really on our own for inspiration ideas! Those of you who know me well will not be surprised that my favorite component of the medley is the paper. Instead of white, Stampin'Up! paired Night of Navy and varying shades of that with Very Vanilla. It is gorgeous! There are 48 sheets of 6" x 6" paper, eight each of 6 double sided designs. There seems to be an equal number of predominantly white or predominantly blue pieces.  The stamp set and dies are centered around fun vases of different sizes with various blooms  to go in them. I really had fun with this set. Don't overlook the sentiments and especially the interesting fonts! Some of the paper is even embossed! It was so easy to play with this medley and incorporate other colors and products from my stash.  As a bonus, for the first time ever, you can order a refill kit for this set, which includes all the paper products. I will be doing that for sure! I also really like the ribbons which are complimentary and unique to this set. This whole set would be a fun class to host which I plan to do in the upcoming weeks.

Here's a closer look at the entire product medley:



It's even more spectacular when you see it all laid out like this! That is so much value for $70 when you consider many stamp and die bundles are between $40-$55 dollars.  If you just have to have your own Boho Indigo products, click below and you'll be directed to the online store for easy purchase and delivery right to your home. You'll also earn a Bonus Days coupon good for $5 savings in August on any order. Don't forget to add some Night of Navy cardstock, Very Vanilla notecards and envelopes and Night of Navy ink to your order!

I can't wait to make some more with this set!  How about you?

I hope you are having a great week, enjoying all summer has to offer and finding ways to put your special touch on each day!

Happy Stampin'!
Sarah

Where I am versus where I would have been - darn Covid-19!!

Hi Friends,
All week, I've been thinking about how I should be in Maui. I normally don't think that but it's true this week!  Last year, I earned a Stampin'Up! Incentive trip to Maui that would be occurring this week, had it not been canceled and then rescheduled for next May, due to Covid-19.  I was relieved it was canceled because I certainly didn't want to experience the trip of a lifetime with a mask on or all the fun things shut down. That would  have been such a disappointment!  As it is, we get to go in May of 2021 and I'm hopeful all will be mostly right with the world by then.

I sat down to play with a new stamp set today and only after making two different cards did I realize it perfectly captured "where I am" versus "where I would have been".  See what you think:

MONTANA:

And MAUI:

Amazing to get two very different looks with the same stamp set!  It's called "Sending Sunshine" and is a fun set to simply stamp with. I had to play around a little with the water stamps and the sun stamps. In the Montana one, I used So Saffron cardstock and stamped with Misty Moonlight ink for the water and Pumpkin Pie for the sun. In the Maui card, I used Very Vanilla card stock and stamped with Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay for the water and Bumblebee for the sun. I think the "cloud" stamps I used could be clouds or water or even some ground/grass. That's what's fun about these scene-building stamps. They put your creativity to work to see what you can do.  I let the trees clearly distinguish the locations with pine trees from the Waterfront set for the Montana card and palm trees die cut from the "In the Tropics" dies.  My Montana card borrowed a sentiment from the "Many Mates" stamp set while the Maui card used the featured "Sending Sunshine" stamp set.

What do you think? Both look very peaceful and idyllic but are completely different locations.  The Montana card reminds me of many drives past Flathead Lake this past year. I can't tell you what the Maui card reminds me of, ask me next year, haha! I guess both are vacation destinations so I should be too disappointed that I am where I am and not where I would be ;)

You can get this fun stamp set as well as many of our other scene building stamp sets in the online store. I've listed them below in my supplies and a click on any one of the products will direct you to the store! Please contact me if you have questions, I love to help! Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek. I would love it if you "subscribed" to my blog so I know you are there. It would be really amazing if you shared my blog with a friend or fellow stamper!  I would love that!.

I hope that wherever you are, you are having a sunshine-filled day!
Happy Stampin',
Sarah

Forever Fern Two from One Cards!

Hi Stampin' Friends!
It's good to be back to my blog after a couple of weeks of company, camping and celebrating the 4th of July!  I hope you are having a great summer so far. There's something about July that thrills me, as in, summer is FINALLY here, but there's also something scary like, oh no, summer is HALF over!  Do you feel the same way?  Yikes!

While I haven't been blogging everyday, I've been thinking about what to do with all the new and wonderful products in the Annual Catalog that was released in early June. I'm just getting my hands inky with some of the suites and bundles and love to share what I'm learning and creating with you. The cards I have today were part of an "In Color" class I recently did, featuring the 2020-2022 In Colors in all their luscious glory. I hope you've had a chance to see them and even try some.  This is a fun technique that allows you to get two cards from one half sheet of Whisper White (or Very Vanilla) card stock. Here's one of the cards first:

I chose to use the "Forever Fern" stamp set for this idea.  First you take a half sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" Whisper White card stock, which is 5-1/2" x 8-1/4" and trim it down to 5-1/4" x 8".  Then, using several of the stamps from the Forever Fern set and the new In Colors, I stamped over the entire half sheet, leaving some space at the top for an eventual sentiment.

You'll see all the new In Colors including Misty Moonlight, Cinnamon Cider, Bumblebee, Just Jade and Magenta Madness.

Next, I cut the sheet into two halves, two pieces each measuring 5-1/4" x 4". This gives me two card fronts that are similar but still unique. You may have already surmised that if you took two half sheets of Whisper White card stock and did all the above, you would actually have 4 card tops, ready to go!

And, here are the cards that I finished off with some new brass foil leaves (using the Forever Fern Dies) and ribbon as well as a sentiments from the stamp set.  I think it would be fun to play with this technique and choose different stamps, different colors, different themes, etc. Once you get a stamp all inked up, it's awesome to stamp with it more than once before you clean it and put it away!

There is much to love in the new annual catalog!  I've listed my supplies below and a click on any of them will direct you to the online store for your shopping convenience. It's also the Bonus Days promotion time in July!  For every $50 you spend, you will get a $5 coupon code redeemable in August on an order. There is no limit to the amount of coupon codes you can acquire so start shopping now and save in August!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on my ideas, my blog, future creations etc.!  Do you have any special requests you'd like me to consider regarding techniques or products?  I'm happy to listen and would welcome any comments ;)

Back to the stamp room to dream up some more ideas!
Happy Stampin',
Sarah