DogGone Delightful Stampin'

Mix-It Up Mondays! ~~ A Belated Happy New Year ~~ And Getting Back in the Rhythm . . .

Hello Fellow Stampers ~

I always wonder how the days and weeks can slip by me so quickly!!  Sigh.  2024 is going to be just like 2023 I think ~~  LOL.  Here we are, the 30th of January, and all the "best laid plans" I had have fallen behind already!!  So what have we been doing since the holidays slipped away???  Let's see . . .  got the Christmas decor put away; put out the Valentine's decor, and decided we need more -- LOL; prepped and put out the New Catalog Product Share; got the 1st Quarter Coffee & a Card series kicked off (and we're already in our 3rd week of class); and we're busily planning the Annual Valentine's class this coming Saturday!!

Soooooooooooooooooooo . . .  I guess we've been pretty busy after all!!  That being said, I had all these plans for the Blog, and just haven't been able to sit down and get to it.  So I hope you'll forgive me . . . but we're going to go "back in time" today and start with a Belated Happy New Year and a card I actually designed New Year's weekend.

 

This pretty little card showcases the now retired Cheers to the Season stamp set.  It's one I think was a "sleeper" in the 2023 Holiday Occasions Mini; and one I think is a lovely and versatile set.  It is one of Stampin' Up!'s sets that has "variegation" to the stamping and gives a lovely "realistic" look when stamped out.

I used the "Online Exclusives" Tartan Foil Specialty Designer Series Paper in Pebbled Path with Basic Black card base and mat for an elegant backdrop.

I also used the Nested Essentials Dies for a popped focal point to hold the "champagne glass" in the center of the card front.

I stamped the champagne glass image using Gray Granite ink as this is a "brown-based" gray and I thought would give the coloring of champagne to the glass itself.  I used my Light Petal Pink Stampin' Blend to add dimension along the contoured lines.  I then was VERY liberal with my Clear Wink of Stella to give everything a lot of shimmer and glimmer.  The glass is "fussy cut" - and this is an extremely simple and easy stamp set for fussy cutting.

 

The glass is "popped" with dimensionals and off-set on the popped nested dies.

Then everything is finished off with the sparkle of Rhinestones -- to look like bubbles!!

 

 

If you were lucky enough to snag this set from the Holiday Mini before it was gone, pull it out and play!!  It's a marvelous set; this card is perfect for an Anniversary, Wedding, New Year's or anything else you want to celebrate!!  Mix up the background colors, and have a creative blast!!

I'll be back --  I promise -- a little later to catch up all the "news" and what's coming soon!!

 

I Love to hear from you.  Leave your questions or comments below!!

Hugs, . . .

 

 

Winter Meadow Designer Paper Showcase

Hello Fellow Stampers ~

 

It's Thursday already!!  The week is flying by, and Thanksgiving is literally around the corner -- one week away!!  Whew!  Lots to do between now and then!!!  We are VERY busily preparing for the Annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack on Saturday.  There will be food, fun, and LOTS of cards being made!  (130 total to be exact!!  LOL).  Looking forward to the time with my crafters!!

 

In the meantime, we're also having fun with the weekly Virtual Class called Coffee & a Card.  This cycle series we're playing with the Winter Meadow Suite -- and oh my, is this a beautiful set of products or what!!!  I like to kick off the first class of a series with a "meet the suite" or a "meet the DSP" type class, depending on what we're doing.  And I try to bring something a little new to the table each time.  My crafters had not yet seen the DSP focal card that I last featured on the Blog in 2020 -- you can see that Post HERE.  I've always enjoyed this particular set of cards and how it showcases our designer paper so beautifully.  The card design(s) really are ALL about the paper.

 

These 3 cards build on the previous card to go from a full "expanded" card style, to a pocket-style card.  All of the card designs use the designer paper as their focal point, and everything is designed around that.

 

This is the card we made at the opening class for this Coffee & a Card series. 

The DSP carries the card -- measuring 5-1/4" x 11-3/4", scored along the 11-3/4" side at 1-3/4", 4-3/4", and 7-3/4".

The DSP is attached to a cardstock base that measures 4-1/4" x 5-1/2". 

And because of how I've cut it, you can include a mat piece behind that in a coordinating or pop color that measures 4-1/8" x 5-3/8".  So literally, this means the DSP is the main part of the card.  This means the DSP carries the day; both front and back!!

The embellishment and sentiment go right on the front flap and accentuate the designer paper.

 

The next card in this series builds on the last.  In this case I actually "narrowed" the width of the designer paper to allow me a little more latitude with the background cardstock base and matting size options.  So I dropped the width of the DSP from 5-1/4" to 5".  All other measurements and score lines remain the same.

The subtle change in the second version is that the front flap is adhered to the piece behind it.  That makes the front "flap" of this card 3" with a little more area to attach a fun sentiment and embellishment.

 

The third version of this fun card, attaches the front flap to the panel behind it; and then adheres that panel to the back panel - BUT only with adhesive on the top and bottom edges so that you create a "pocket" for the little "card" to slide in and out that you would write your message on (or you could even slide a gift card in here).

The fun with this is I can do all kinds of things as I attach that first flap down, like I did here with the Elegant Borders Dies (an Online Exclusive product), cutting and attaching that border before I adhered the flap down.  I also added ribbon at that flap level as I adhered everything in place.

If you're wondering where on earth I got Pretty Peacock ribbon from ? ? ?  Little secret!!  White 1/2" Iridescent Ribbon colored with a Dark Pretty Peacock Stampin' Blend marker!!  Think outside the box, and find creative ways to use your ribbons!!

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed this look "behind the scenes" at some of our Coffee & a Card class fun!!  If you want to be a part of the Virtual Classes, be sure to check out the Class Schedule page, and join us on the next round!!

We'll be back next week, after we get through 130 cards on Saturday!!  LOL  😂🤣😂

 

I Love to hear from you.  Leave your questions or comments below!!

Hugs, . . .

 

Terrific Tuesdays ~~ Christmas Tidings and a Seasonal Sale!

Hello Fellow Stampers ~~

 

Good Morning All!!  It's Tuesday, which normally means a "round up" of all the goings on and promotions at Stampin' Up!  But before we get to the sales promotions and fun, let's play with ink, paper and stamps first!!

 

I've said before, I'll say it again . . . Sometimes things come to you in the middle of the night, while you're lying there, with your eyes closed, pretending to sleep!!  LOL

This is one of them.  And when I went to put my "vision" into practice, it just literally came together like magic!!  I'm loving this card - the colors, the simplicity, and the cute impact of the design all rolled into one!!

 

This card's focal point is all about the embossing folder, which you'll find tucked on page 33 of the Holiday Mini Occasions Catalog.  It's called Christmas Tidings, and I think it's adorable!!  Wish I had used it sooner, but then I've been all about Fall up until now!!  LOL

This card is cut from a Thick Basic White cardstock, 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored @ 4-1/4" (the fold to the top, making it a horizontal card).

Then I used the bright wide striped design of Poppy Parade/Melon Mambo in the Merry Bold & Bright designer series paper pack, for the background mat (5-3/8" x 4-1/8"), allowing some fun color to peek out from behind the embossed Pool Party focal point panel (5-1/4" x 4").

Then I proceeded to make the card front look like a "package" - the "ribbon" strips are 1/4" x the width or length of the front panel depending upon the direction they are going, with the ends snipped to create "tails."

I stamped this cute little sentiment from the Cottage Wreaths stamp set in Sweet Sorbet ink on Basic White cardstock, and die cut it out with the Tailor Made Tags Dies (some of my favorite dies!!).  I strung a silver piece of trim through the hole from the Simply Elegant Trim pack and attached it to the front of the card right where the "ribbons" intersect.

Then I pulled out the Magical Meadow Dies and created a holly and berries spray at the same spot to finish it all off.

Since this is a "package" I didn't add any other embellishment as I feel the embossed panel carries the day on this card design!!

I layered the inside and added a "ribbon" strip and holly and berries on the inside to emulate the front of the card and carry the design to the inside.

You could add an additional sentiment here if you wanted; or leave the open space to write a nice note to your recipient.

 

Today kicks off Stampin' Up!'s version of their "Black Friday" sales -- with the Annual Seasonal Sale!!

November 14th - 16th ONLY!!

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!!

SAVE . . . On Ink, Ribbons & Trims, and Paper!!!

10% off ribbons and trims.

15% off inks, including pads, refills, markers, and Blends. Bundles are not included.

20% off papers, including cardstock, specialty paper, and Designer Series Paper

 

NOW is a Great Time to stock up on cardstock, designer papers, and any of those inks (ink pads, markers, ink refills, and even Stampin' Blends) that you may be missing from your collection!!

 

There's more fun and sales come from Stampin' Up! VERY shortly as we get ready to retire the current Holiday Mini Catalog (can you believe THAT!?!).  So stay tuned.

And in the meantime, we're busily having fun here at the Studio and will be back soon!!

 

I Love to hear from you.  Leave your questions or comments below!!

Hugs, . . .

 

Mix-It Up Mondays! ~~ A Winter Meadow Memory Page, and What's Happening In the Studio!

 

Hello Fellow Stampers ~

Well, still struggling around here to do everything that I want to do!!  So far I'm discovering that juggling sewing/quilting, card designing, the real job, and maintaining my home and taking care of hubby is about more than I can do in a day's time!!  LOL

Last week was ALL about finishing some looooong overdue UFOs (unfinished objects in the quilting world).  And this week it's back to the Studio design table as I have the BIG Annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack this Saturday, and my crafters are expecting BIG things!!  LOL

 

Here are a few of the finished projects from last week for just a little fun peek ~~

 

 

You can't see the embroidery in the Ivory fabric squares on this one -- but it's really pretty; different garden tools and scenes done in a green thread that matches the borders.  Lots of fun!!

The BIG quilt for Mike for Christmas is still waiting in the wings!  Yikes!!  Wish me luck!

 

We kicked off the Coffee & a Card class series two weeks ago -- with the new Winter Meadow Suite.  Oh my, what a beautiful set of products!!  We're having a lot of fun!

This past weekend was Stampin' Up! OnStage at Home (our virtual "convention" if you will), and I was greatly inspired by one of our Demonstrators who showcased some fun ideas with a new product suite coming in the Spring Occasions catalog.  But I took her idea, and headed straight for the Winter Meadow Designer Series Paper to try it out.

What a lot of folks may not realize is that I love to scrapbook; and my scrapbooking products of choice are, of course, Creative Memories.  Marrying Creative Memories with Stampin' Up! products then is like pure Heaven for me!!

 

This layout showcases the gorgeous Winter Meadow DSP - one of the sheets lends itself to this design perfectly.  I simply "fussy cut" the one corner of that design, and laid it on a Starry Sky 12" x 12" cardstock background (slightly trimmed to fit the Creative Memories album page), and created matted cardstock areas for the future pictures; and then played with the Magical Meadow stamp set and dies to create fun embellishing.

 

Isn't this fun?  Our designer paper makes memory making and scrapbooking so easy!!!  Especially some of that paper that you hate to cut up!  Use it in your memory book instead!!

 

 

Some of you may not realize there is a new "resident" at DDS Studios.  Sadie calls him an "illegal alien" who "crossed the border" -- but that's a story for another time!!!  🤣😂

Oscar got his "Permanent Resident Green Card" in July, much to Sadie's chagrin, so now DDS Studios has a cat along with the Dog!!  WOW!!

Lately, Oscar has been making himself known around the Studio . . .  and it's becoming harder and harder to get any work done!!  LOL

 

Things are definitely getting interesting around here . . .

More antics later!!

 

 

 I hope you have enjoyed today's little check in.  We'll be back to share more fun with Winter Meadow a little later.

I Love to hear from you.  Leave your questions or comments below!!

Hugs, . . .

Wednesday Spotlight - Fruitful Harvest Blessing to Kickoff November

Hello Fellow Stampers ~

We're more than halfway thru my week (I don't work on Fridays - yeah!), and boy am I ready.  It's been a week for sure!  Thankfully we're warming up a little and all the snow from this past weekend is just about melted off.  The Halloween decor has been stashed away until next year, and Thanksgiving is making an appearance.  It's time to celebrate Fall in all its glory and count our blessings!!

 

I am going to kick off the month of November with a beautiful card that's been "in progress" for the past week or so on my work table.  I originally started this design as I was preparing for the Annual Halloween class, and quickly decided it wasn't going to work for that theme; and started actually envisioning something totally different in my mind.  It's taken a  little bit, but I think things came to fruition very nicely.

This card showcases the beautiful Fruitful Blessings stamp set and dies bundle.  And I get to showcase the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder as the "canvas" for my design.  I adore this new embossing folder!!

My color picks for this card are a little unusual.  The card base is from Pumpkin Pie cardstock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" -- top fold card).

I have a peek-a-boo mat of Lemon Lime Twist; and the main background overlay is Wild Wheat.  

Then the images are all stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black, and colored with Stampin' Blends in Wild Wheat, Old Olive, and Pecan Pie.

 

The White & Black Checked Ribbon was colored with a Dark Wild Wheat Stampin' Blend (yes, you can color your ribbon with Stampin' Blends!), and then wrapped the two layers before they were put on the card base front.

As I pulled the ribbon around the layers to be tied in front, I added the frayed pieces of a section I cut and frayed from the Copper & Natural Ribbon Combo Pack.  I love how this ribbon frays so nicely, and I literally tied the "bundle" of frayed linen pieces into the ribbon's "faux" bow knot.  The effect is wonderful!

The sentiment is fussy cut, of course - LOL.  And the stamped, colored, and die cut pieces are layered using glue dots and dimensionals on a Deckled Circle die cut of Basics Vellum, and then it's all adhered to the front of the card.  I finished off the stamped pieces with Wink of Stella, and added Speckled Dots for finishing.

It's all really pretty and elegant.

The inside of the card emulates the layered colors from the front of the card, another piece of the colored ribbon, and finished off with a stamped/colored/die cut acorn, and some die cut leaves.

 

I love how this card turned out.  I hope you have snagged this beautiful bundle; there will be more fun with this set of products over the next several weeks.

I Love to hear from you.  Leave your questions or comments below!!

Hugs, . . .