Happy Birthday, Sweet Anna!

Happy Saturday!  Don't ask me how, but I have done the wrong sketches for two weeks in a row!  I'm sure that being away at convention and missing a week did not help the situation.  I am scrambling to get my posts done before I go to Michigan for a visit with children and grandchildren, so I don't have time to redo them.  Oh well, I'm just gonna go with the flow!

Here is the Utah Diva's sketch for July 13, UDISC249. It was created by the fabulous Ruthie Burkey.  (Hi, Ruthie!)  You can find all of the cards and designers here.

Here's my card.  My sweet granddaughter, Anna, will soon celebrate her seventh birthday!  I wanted to have a card all ready to go for this special occasion.

Details ~

• Paper ~ Very Vanilla, Bermuda Bay, Birthday Basics DSP
• Ink ~ Black Staz-On, Crisp Cantaloupe and Summer Starfruit markers
• Stamps ~ Sketched Birthday
• Accessories ~ Decorative Label Punch

When I was at convention, I got a couple of swaps using this adorable paper.  Knowing Anna's birthday was coming, I knew it was the perfect thing to use for this sketch challenge.  The Gumball Green banner is the reverse side of the balloon design, and I used my hexagon punch to make the perfect flag end!  I've said it before, and it is worth repeating ~ one of the best things about Stampin' Up! is our beautiful coordination across the entire product line.  Don't forget, you can shop on line 24/7 in my store and have your goodies delivered right to your door!

Take some time to do something creative this weekend!  You'll be happy you did.

Blessings,
Barbara

A Mind of its Own

Happy Saturday!   I can hardly believe that I leave for the Stampin' Up! convention on Tuesday.  I am in the home stretch with my swap cards, but I know I will work on the five hour flight as well as some nights in my hotel room in Salt Lake City.  It happens every year, but I know that is part of the excitement of convention.

Here is the Utah Diva's sketch for today, UDISC248. You can find all of the cards and designers here.

 I am also using a color challenge this week from Create with Connie and Mary.  Isn't this yummy?

Here's what I came up with.  I have to admit, this card strays a bit from the sketch, it seemed to have a mind of its own.

Details ~

• Paper ~ Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe
• Ink ~ Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Pistachio Pudding, Soft Suede
• Stamps ~ Too Kind (love this set!)
• Accessories ~ Pistachio Pudding 3/8"ruffle stretch trim,  Modern Mosaic embossing folder

I just love the new In-Colors, especially the ruffle stretch trim.  When I was first introduced to Stampin' Up!, I only bought stamps.  I figured I could buy ink, paper and ribbon anywhere.  This is true, but I also learned that nothing ever matched!  I know I have a good eye for color, and if something is just a shade off, it really bothers me.  Now I tell my customers that one of the best things about Stampin' Up! is our beautiful coordination across the entire product line.  Don't forget, you can shop on line 24/7 in my store and have your goodies delivered right to your door!

Take some time to do something creative this weekend!  You'll be happy you did.

Blessings,
Barbara

Tape It Meets Gorgeous Grunge

Happy Saturday!   I can hardly believe that we are into the month of July.  You know what that means? The Stampin' Up! Convention is just around the corner!  Today I received my name tag and my manager ribbon.  I am making great progress on my swap cards and am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Here is the Utah Diva's sketch for today, UDISC248. You can find all of the cards and designers here.

Details ~

• Paper ~ Whisper White, Bermuda Bay
• Ink ~ Black Staz-on, Bermuda Bay, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Smoky Slate
• Stamps ~ Tape It, Gorgeous Grunge, greeting from Paper Pumpkin kit

If you love Washi Tape, you will love this new stamp set, Tape It (page 127, #130712 (w) $26.95 or #130715 (c), $18.95).  There is no Washi Tape on the card!  It was created with stamps.  Just think of all the combinations with 8 different tape designs and Stampin' Up's beautiful color palette of fifty colors... My head is spinning just thinking of the possibilities!  Washi Tape colors for any occasion!

I used my Color Coach to help pick my colors.  I wanted something bright, and this combination, based on the Bermuda Bay card, seemed perfect!  For me, the Color Coach ($14.95, #130118) is a must have tool.  Remember, you can shop on line 24/7 in my store and have your goodies delivered right to your door!

Take some time to do something creative this weekend!  You'll be happy you did.

Blessings,
Barbara

Grandmother's Flower Garden

Happy Saturday! I can hardly believe that June is almost over. You know what that means? The Stampin' Up! Convention is just around the corner! I have been busy slaving away working on swap cards, but I don't want to post them until convention time. (If I am not scrambling at the last minute, I will plan to share them with you while I am at Convention.)

Here is the Utah Diva's sketch for today, UDISC247. You can find all of the cards and designers here.

I tried to stay true to the sketch, but my Hexagon punch and matching stamp set were calling my name!

Details ~

• Paper ~ Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Coastal Cabana DSP 
• Ink ~ Pear Pizazz, Wisteria Wonder
• Stamps ~ Six Sided Sampler
• Accessories ~ Fancy Fan Embossing folder, Big Shot, Hexagon Punch, Whisper White Taffeta ribbon 

Before I fell in love with stamping, my passion was fabric and quilting.  Grandmother's Flower Garden is such an old, classic pattern, and I really wanted to try it with this stamp set.  So if you consider my flower the large circle, I did stay pretty close to the sketch.  It was completely serendipity that the Coastal Cabana DSP pattern mimics the embossing.  I had the "quilt" all done and then started searching for a color to brighten things up a bit.  It was the first time I opened the 2013-2015 In Color DSP and what a surprise it was to find this pattern!  I love it when things just come together, don't you?

What do you think of my quilt block?  It sure went together much faster than the fabric version would have! That is one of the true joys of paper crafting.  You can create little works of art in under 30 minutes.

Take some time to do something creative this weekend!

Blessings,
Barbara

P.S.  I just noticed that my counter is over 50, 000 views!  Yippee Skippie!

Venetian Romance

Have you missed me?  I have been doing some traveling and it has prevented me from blogging.  Boy, I am happy to be back!  Here it is, Saturday again, and time for the weekly sketch challenge at Utah Divas International!  You can find links to all of the cards and designers here, and below is the sketch for the week, UDISC246.  June's sketches are by Tammy Fite.

As soon as I saw this sketch, I knew what I wanted to do.  Thanks, Tammy, for a perfect way to show off some new Designer Series Paper, Venetian Romance.  I am in love!  (sigh)

Details ~

• Paper ~ Venetian Romance DSP,  Very Vanilla,  Soft Suede
• Ink ~ Soft Suede
• Stamps ~ Blessings From Heaven
• Accessories ~ Crisp Cantaloupe 3/8"ruffled stretch trim, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

You will be seeing a lot of this paper as well as the color combination in future posts!  I love the whole collection.  Venetian Romance really "talks" to me, if you know what I mean.  Isn't it interesting that different things appeal to different people?  One of my stampers told me that she is in love with Gingham Garden, and that collection does not appeal to me at all!  I'd love to hear what your favorite collection is this year.

Right now I am busy working on swaps for convention.  As usual, I signed up for too many organized swaps, but I love the quality of the cards I get when in an organized group.  And there is something about standing on the floor of the Main Stage room swapping before the presentations begin, or just general swapping, that is irresistible!  I have learned to spread out my swapping.  At my first convention, I was all swapped out in the first hour!  Now I know to keep some for every day...

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy your weekend!

Blessings,
Barbara

The New Stampin' Up! Catalog is Here!

Hooray!

 

 

 

Annual catalog PDF

Holiday Carryovers

(You may notice that there are not any holiday stamps in the catalog.

Those will be featured in the Holiday Catalog which comes out later this year. 

I have attached the Holiday Carryovers list from last year.)

One of my favorite NEW item is the Magnetic Platform for the Big Shot!

The Framelits just snap right on and I can't wait to use it!! 

 

  

 

You can view the Stampin' Up! video on You Tube here!

 

 

A New Month a New Special! 

Grab Your Greetings

 

Can't get enough greeting stamps?  

Solution: Grab three Stampin' Up! greeting sets for 25% off!

 

 

Sale: 25% off three of our greeting sets!
No limits and get them on any order type (workshop, customer email or call-in, or online).
Dates: May 31-June 30, 2013

• $21.71 $28.95 Petite Pairs Wood-128706 (page 73)
• $15.71 $20.95 Petite Pairs Clear-122497

• $17.96 $23.95 Sassy Salutations Wood-132070 (page 39
• $13.46 $17.95 Sassy Salutations Clear-126707

• $14.96 $19.95 Sweet Essentials Wood-132085 (page 41)
• $11.21 $14.95 Sweet Essentials Clear-126457 

Remember, you can shop 24/7 in my online store by clicking here.
Have a wonderful weekend!
 
Blessings,
Barbara

"I Am..."

Here it is, Saturday again, and time for the weekly sketch challenge at Utah Divas International!  You can find links to all of the cards and designers here, and below is the sketch for the week, UDISC242. May's sketches are by Tammy Fite.

 

 Details ~

• Paper ~ Quatrefancy Specialty DSP*,  Whisper White, Island Indigo
• Markers ~ Island Indigo, Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Strawberry Slush* ink pad and blender pen
• Stamps ~ "I Am..."  (This stamp set was given to all those who attended the 2012 convention.)
• Accessories ~ Big Shot, Labels Collection framelits, Modern Mosaic* embossing folder, stampin' dimensionals

*Sneak peek items from the new 2013-2014 Idea Book and Catalog

If you need a copy of the new catalog, just email me and I will be happy to send you a copy.  We can start ordering from it on June 1, 2013.  I already have a long wish list!  I will also include a handout with some special offers available only through me!

Thanks in advance for your comments; they really make my day.  Enjoy your weekend, and have a great Memorial Day!

Blessings,
Barbara