Thursday, August 31, 2017

Merry Patterns Sneak Peek! Artisan Design Team Blog Hop

Are you excited to see the new Holiday Catalog from Stamping' Up!?  Starting tomorrow, the new holiday catalog will be live for all to see (and enjoy)!

However, one set you might not see in the catalog is an exclusive hostess set called Merry Patterns. During September and October ONLY, you can earn this exclusive set with a $300 USD order.  This can be done by hosting a party, or by purchasing the qualifying amount on your own.  There are so many beautiful projects in the new holiday catalog, I'm sure it will be easy to earn this set!

The bonus?  This set is FREE - meaning you still earn your hostess rewards on top of this set!

Today the Artisan Design Team is bringing you all new ideas and inspiration with this set.  We hope that you enjoy the creations we've made.  If you haven't joined one of hops before, welcome!  We are a group of 20 global demonstrators that are privileged to represent Stampin' Up! and their amazing products!  Because we are a global team, be sure to use the translator if you're reading a blog that is not in your preferred language.

Let's take a closer look at what I've made with the Merry Patterns stamp set:


I chose two different packs of designer series paper (DSP) to coordinate with today's cards - Be Merry DSP from the Annual Catalog and Merry Music Specialty DSP from the Holiday Catalog.

This first card is rather a simple look with a few layers of DSP and cardstock.  The deer was stamped in Crumb Cake Ink and cut out with a large oval from the Layering Ovals Frameltis.


I love the music paper peeking from behind.


The next card I was very pleased with.  I started by stamping the "tis' the season" sentiment in Cherry Cobbler Ink.  I stamped it again on scrap paper to create a mask.  (Tip:  Use thinner paper, like computer or notebook paper, for best results.). With the mask, I was able to add the pine needles and candles.


I elongated the largest square framelit from the Stitched Shapes Framelits by running the framelit through twice (but not all the way through). 


My favorite card of the three showcases my favorite stamp - the deer!  My father is a big hunter and deer images always remind me of him.  I used the outlined deer to create a simple background.  I then stamped the same image onto Crumb Cake Cardstock and fussy cut the image with my Paper Snips.


I incorporated the same DSPs from the other two cards along with some embellishments.  The Boxwood Wreaths Embellishments have been very popular and the new Black Rhinestone Jewels I think will be well received too!


I hope this set gets you excited for the new catalog!  Be sure to take advantage of this exclusive promotion!  It's a great time to host a party and get a start to your holiday cards and creations!

Next up is the lovely Jennifer Sootkoos from New Jersey!  I am anxious to see what she's created too!  As always, below you can find the list of design team members and items used.  Please hop around, leave some love and pin your favorites!


Have a wonderful week and happy shopping the new catalog!

-Holly





Product List

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Two for Tuesday - Wonderful Life Sneak Peek

In just a few days Stampin' Up!'s holiday catalog will be available to all and I'm so excited about this year's catalog.  There are some of the best fall themed sets this year and a lot of cute Christmas and Halloween sets as well.

One set in particular that I really like covers Autumn and Christmas and even something for the newlyweds.  This set is called Wonderful Life.  I made two Christmas cards to share with you today. I paired it with another holiday catalog fave - the Merry Little Christmas DSP.  A simple pack of Black, White and Old Olive.


The Wonderful Life stamp set is a photopolymer set which makes it very easy to line the images up. I added the little pine tree in the window and the presents on top.  For this card, I used Blender Pens to color the images.


I also stamped the background of the Soft Sky card base with the presents stamp.  The banner was made with a piece of the DSP framed with Old Olive Cardstock.  I tied some new Jute Ribbon around the banner to add a little extra detail.


For this card, I used the sketch from the Fab Friday Challenge - with a little twist.  


I really love this tree piece of DSP and hated to cover it up.  I used my Aqua Painter on Shimmery White CS this time.  Either way works in my opinion.


The scalloped edge was made using the Decorative Ribbon Border Punch.  The striped DSP is the backside of the tree paper - win, win!


I hope you're excited to see the new catalog!

Now what will happen first - the catalog launch or our new baby's arrival...

:)

Blessings,
Holly





Sunday, August 27, 2017

Merry & Bright Christmas Card

Last week there was a sketch challenge that I was a little to late in joining.  I really liked the sketch so I decided to still make a card with the layout.

Here's a fun Christmas card that I made using a set from the annual catalog - Watts of Occasions and some new designer series paper (DSP) from the holiday catalog called Quilter Christmas DSP.


Have you seen or tried the new Mini Sequin Trim?? Love it!



Thanks for stopping by!  Tomorrow is the first day of school here!  Wish me luck! :)

Blessings,
Holly



Friday, August 25, 2017

Watercolor Mermaid Kisses for TGIFC122

Happy Friday!  I hope you had a wonderful week!

Today could certainly be the day - we are anxiously waiting for our baby girl to arrive and at my checkup yesterday it seems as if things are progressing and we could be welcoming our first daughter any day now!  We are excited! (and nervous, crazy, overwhelmed, etc!) :)

But since we're still waiting, I'm still stamping!

Come join the fun with us this week at TGIF Challenges - we love to see so many creations!


I just received this set on Tuesday and couldn't wait to ink it up.  This was a set I skipped over I don't know how many times, but more and more people were making gorgeous cards with this mermaid and I finally broke down! I made this card for my niece who will turn 10 next month.  I know she'll love the mermaid.


I decided to play along with the color challenge at Global Design Team too - Bermuda Bay, Night of Navy and Flirty Flamingo.  Really love the color combo and thought it would work perfectly with this set.


I embossed the main mermaid image in Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder on Shimmery White Cardstock.  I colored the image with Night of Navy, Bermuda Bay, Flirty Flamingo and Crushed Curry using my Aqua Painter.  Watercoloring with Shimmery White paper is so easy.  The paper absorbs so nicely but still gives you room to spread the ink around.  It's my favorite paper for watercoloring.


The fun colored seaweed and plantlife were made with two different diecuts.  I used both the Eclectic Layers Thinlits and the Patterned Pumpkins Thinlits Dies (from the Holiday Catalog).

I added some Wink of Stella to make the card shine!


For the inside of the card, I added the seaweed and sentiment from the Magical Mermaid stamp set but the little shell is from a cute little beachy set in the Holiday Catalog called Beachy Little Christmas.  I also embossed the shell in gold and colored it with Flirty Flamingo.



Thanks so much for stopping by on your Friday!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Be sure to play along with our challenge this week at TGIF Challenges!  We'd love to have you join the fun!

Blessings,
Holly






Monday, August 21, 2017

Cookies for the Neighbors with In the City!


I simply cannot get enough of this adorable Hostess Set - In The City.  It has come in handy a lot lately since we are in a new neighborhood.  Two new families moved in this past weekend and we made some cookies this time.  I used my all-time favorite recipe from Averie Cooks and you can find it here.

I used some (retired) Petite Cafe Bags from Stampin' Up! because they are food safe, but I know you can find alternatives with the many cellophane bags we sell through Stampin' Up! or even create your own bags with the Gift Bag Punch Board!

I added buildings on both sides with Crumb Cake Ink.


I wanted a colorful image for the tag.  I framed the image with Stitched Shapes Framelits and Layering Circles Framelits.  I added some 1/2" Night of Navy Gingham Ribbon and the bags were complete.


I really hope SU! does something new and carries over a hostess set for once!

Have a wonderful day!
-Holly

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Simple Window Shopping with the Stamp Review Crew


Welcome to another blog hop from the Stamp Review Crew! We hop 2x a month highlighting a specific stamp set.  This week we are showcasing the Window Shopping stamp set from Stampin' Up!


This set was in the Occasions Catalog this Spring and carried over to the new catalog.  I'll be honest and say I haven't used it much, but I love the coordinating diecut.  I hope you like my simple card.


I added a white layer behind the diecut layer and sponged Flirty Flamingo, Rich Razzleberry and Berry Burst with my Stampin' Sponges.  I added Stampin' Dimensionals to the top layer to really showcase the beautiful detailed cutout.


I also added some Flirty Flamingo dots from the 2016-2018 In Color Enamel Shapes.
**These are currently on the clearance rack and a steal at $3.60!


Thanks so much for stopping by!  Make sure to make your way around the hop and pin your favorites for this set! :)

You can go back to the lovely Betty or on next to my ADT teammate Martha!


Blessings,
Holly