Around the World

Happy Labor Day weekend!  I know many people travel over the long holiday, so I thought I’d share some travel related greeting card ideas.  I love making “Bon Voyage” cards for friends when they go places and I love receiving them too!  These images also work well for retirement themes.  All of these projects feature the Around the World stamp set.  This is also an awesome set to use on your scrapbooking pages.  I use the Project Life system and it works well with those cards. 

 

Have a great holiday weekend whether you’re traveling or staying home and crafting!  If you’re in Oregon, be sure to come see me at the State Fair in Salem on Sunday, September 1st, where I’ll be doing a demonstration on paper crafting.  From 10AM-2PM, I’ll be making tags for cards and treats with the new Tags 4 You stamp set and the coordinating Label Bracket Punch.  Hope to see you there!

Save on Butterflies!

Who doesn’t love butterflies? No one, that’s who. Butterfly shapes are great on projects for any occasion. So make sure to get in on our current offer: bundle and save 15 percent on this butterfly stamp set and punch between August 29-September 30, 2013!

135311  Butterfly Bundle (Clear-Mount)

Includes:  Papillion Potpourri Clear-Mount Stamp Set & Bitty Butterfly Punch

Discounted price = $26.27  (Wood mount bundle 135312 is $29.67)

 

I have both of these items and I use them often, so this is a great deal!

**Note:  This promo starts tomorrow, August 29, 2013**

Happy Stampin’

Expressions Thinlits Dies

I love how pretty these words look on my projects.  They are delicate, but they have such nice fonts.  I have had the best success when I use some wax paper plus a shim.  Once cut, I find that my zig glue pen does a good job of getting adhesive on the back.  I’d love to see these in other words so that I could use them year round.  (Dear Stampin’ Up, Please make a “Thank You” die!)

Love these!

PS – Stampin’ Up has received some magnetic platforms and has started fulfilling backorders.  Woo Hoo!  If you ordered from me a month or two ago and are still waiting, I hope yours will be shipped soon. 

Fun with Thinlits Card Dies

I love this new product and I think they are a great value at $32.95 considering they have so many coordinating pieces.  Since getting these, I can’t seem to make any other type of card.  lol 

I thought I’d share some ideas so you’d be ready to make your own flip cards.  For each card, I’ve shown the exterior of the card, then followed it by the inside.   

Really, the possibilities are endless! 

These aren’t in a catalog, but they may be ordered online or by contacting me.  They come in 2 varieties:  133479 Label Card and 133480 Circle Card.  Each set costs $32.95.

 

Oh.. and the Label Card coordinates really well with the Labels Collection dies from the catalog.  They allow you to do multiple layers for matting images or text.  Also, I found that the 2 1/2” circle punch works perfectly with the Circle Card.

Happy Stampin!

Stampin’ Trimmer Rotary Attachments Available Now

<3 this trimmer

I have been pleased with the results I received from the Stampin’ Trimmer.  It’s so much better than my old Fiskars paper trimmer.  It cuts straight and has measurements that are easy to read (even when my eyes are tired!)  Now there is a new option for the same trimmer.  There is a rotary attachment and decorative blades that may be purchased for variety in cutting.  I don’t have the rotary blade yet, but I plan to get it.  I think the cuts might be smoother with the rotary blade, but I’m torn because I really love the easy of cutting and scoring on the same tool.  It looks pretty easy to change out the attachments, so maybe I’ll just do that when I’m crafting depending on my need at the time. 

Happy Stampin! 

Gorgeous Grunge?

Raise your hand if you like the grunge look.  No, I’m not talking about the ungroomed hair and slouchy clothing styles of the 90s.  I’m talking about the new stamp set called Gorgeous Grunge.  I have to admit when I heard the name of the stamp set, I was worried.  Grunge?  Why would anyone buy that???  Fortunately I didn’t have to buy it.  Stampin’ Up gave the set to convention attendees, so I got mine for free.  Don’t know what I’m talking about?  Look on page 109 of your catalog.

I am here to say that I love the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.  I think it’s one of the best sets Stampin’ Up has ever made.  Right now you may be shocked thinking you hate grunge.  Let me ask you… Have you ever spritzed ink over a finished project?  Have you ever flicked an aqua painter with your finger?  Have you ever blown air over a marker to make marks on your paper?  Do you own Smooch Spritz?  If you said yes to any of these questions, then you, too, may love the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.  This set just adds a “little something” more to your project to add texture, interest, or simply break up blank space. 

Here are some examples of how you can use this stamp set to compliment other sets you already own. 

So you can do a little grunge or a lot depending on the desired look.  See!  Gorgeous Grunge IS awesome.  Hmm… all this talk of grunge has put me into the mood to listen to Pearl Jam.  Jeremy anyone?

Happy Stampin’!

Swallowtail

This month’s hostess club members received a tutorial on using this beautiful butterfly stamp.  I love versatility in the stamps I buy, so I thought I’d share some of the ideas I saw when I was at convention. 

I think all of these are just beautiful.  I can’t wait to try them myself! 

On another note, I have scheduled my Holiday Card Buffets.  If you’re local and want to come, I will have one buffet each month starting in October.  During the event, I’ll have several card varieties.  You’ll choose your favorites and make 6 for $12.  Pre-registration is required, so don’t delay.  Reserve your spot today by contacting me at svzhong@gmail.com

My 1st Christmas Card of the Year

I know the holiday catalog is out, but it took me a while to even begin thinking about Christmas.  I mean, it’s only August, right?  But the holiday season will be here in a blink of an eye and I don’t think it’s ever too early to start thinking about my holiday card designs.

I bought the Color Me Christmas set because I thought I needed more images that appeal to kids for my holiday craft fair.  I didn’t expect to like it so much myself.  That reindeer is stinkin’ cute!  I paired the image with a greeting from Tags 4 You, which I love because it has a matching punch.  What a quick and fun little card! 

Are you thinking about your Christmas card designs yet?  The holiday catalog is filled with great ideas and new products. 

Happy Stampin’!

Pretty Pop-Ups

Pop up cards are so much fun and now they are easy to make with the new Pop’n’Cuts dies.  You can find these on page 188 in the annual catalog. 

Here are some examples of ways you can use the dies to make your own pop-up cards.  The card front is the first card and the pop-up interior is 2nd.

I especially love the moose and the way the artist cut thin strips of paper to fill in the area behind the pop-up. 

Have a great weekend of crafting!

App Happy

All About Layar

Have you noticed the little red “interactive” squares in the new Holiday Catalog.  If you look on page 5, you’ll see what I’m talking about.  This year Stampin’ Up has embedded videos that will come to life when you scan the squares with your mobile devices.  Pretty cool, huh? 

While I don’t have a smart phone (QQ.. mine is still the old flip-style,) I do have a tablet and I did download the free app called Layar.  I didn’t know what to expect when I scanned the page of the catalog, but I was thrilled when an instructional video popped up.  OK.. I admit, it took me a couple of tries to properly scan the image, but then it did work and worked well.  My advise to you is to hold your device steady when you scan and to not to be too close to the page. 

Layar is available from both Apple’s App Store, as well as on Google Play.

There are so many of these videos spread throughout the holiday catalog.  I’ve only watched one, but I’m looking forward to seeing all of them.

Enjoy the augmented reality!

Fun with Spinner Cards

Spinner cards have been around for years and they continue to be popular.  Why?  Because they are so darn cute & fun to send.  These were spinner cards I saw at the Stampin’ Up National Convention.  I hope they inspire you to make your own. 

I love how they put the “eat cake” sentiment in the window where the piece will spin!

How cute is this for a “man” card?  This made me think of my friend, Karen, because her husband is into motorcycles. 

It’s gonna be hot today.  Better stay inside and do some stamping! 

This Just in: Introducing Thinlits Card Dies

I saw these at convention and thought they were just awesome.  They are such an easy way to make cards with that extra “wow” factor. 

Fun & Easy!

Two varieties are available:

Above is the Labels set  #133479

Above is the Circles set #133480

Each die set is $32.95 which is an awesome deal considering they not only include the card die, but also all the extra pieces. 

I ordered the Labels variety and I have the Circle one on my wishlist for next time.  Which is your favorite?