DogGone Delightful Stampin'

A Week of Sale-A-Bration - Everything's Coming Up Carrots

Hello Fellow Stampers ~

So sorry we got waylaid on the schedule this past week and a half.  It has been a little crazy around here.  Lots of distractions with some minor remodeling work we were having done in the house; and rather impromptu "emergency" with my husband's mother (my mother-in-law, Terry).  And I won't even talk about work!!  LOL

Everything culminated with us having to be in Colorado Springs last Friday to assist with the transition of my mother-in-law into Memory Care (and a new Assisted Living residence), which was a little traumatic for everyone involved.  And now we have a new family member -- the mother-in-law's cat, Oscar, is now living with us.  Thankfully, he has been in our home for short periods before, so although we are definitely in a transition phase this week trying to help Oscar settle in, visiting the vet, etc., etc., it's not as bad as it might have been if Oscar had never been here before.  And, for those who don't know, Sadie Ann and Oscar are great friends, and are settling into being "siblings" now - LOL

So, whew!!  I'm trying to catch my breath.  The Product Shares are assembled and out the door, and I can finally able to settle back into my Studio chair and do some creating.  Today we'll step back into some Sale-A-Bration fun -- and a card I started work on over a week ago; and has just been sitting calling since.

 

Today's card design was inspired by Stampin' Up! themselves through a special weekly email the Demonstrator's receive (one of the many perks of being a Demonstrator!!) 😉😉

Of course, I made some changes to suit my tastes - LOL

This adorable card showcases the Sale-A-Bration stamp set - Thanks A Bunch!!

Earn it FREE with a $50 purchase (total before shipping and tax) during Sale-A-Bration!  Offer ends Feb 28!

It is a 2-Step stamp set, and we'll look at that a little bit closer here in a moment.

 

The card base for this design is cut from Thick Basic White cardstock, 4-1/4" x 11", scored at 5-1/2".

I cut a background layer from Petal Pink cardstock measuring 3-3/4" x 5"; embossed it with the Timeworn Type 3D Emboss Folder; then used a Daffodil Delight Soft Pastel Chalk to add some soft color to the raised impressions.

The overlayer is a piece of Layering Designs Vellum  which I stamped with the scattered dots image from the stamp set using Versamark ink, and embossed with Gold Emboss powder.

The carrots in this set are fabulous fun, and easy to fussy cut!

I stamped three carrots, in Petal Pink, Calypso Coral, and Pumpkin Pie, on Shimmery White cardstock.  Then, using the "detailed" over layer (this the 2-step), I stamped in Versamark ink and embossed with Gold Embossing powder.  These are fabulously fun carrots -- that Jack in the Beanstalk would want (or the Giant) - LOL!!  

The leaves are stamped with Evening Evergreen ink, and stamped 3 times, using the "stamping off" technique for the 2nd and 3rd stamping for each set.

I added Clear Wink of Stella to each leaf, before fussy cutting, and working the cardstock to break the fibers, and allow a nice "fold" and destressed look.

Then I layered and attached the leaves using glue dots, and added "frayed" pieces of a retired Gold Twine (from several seasons ago), for some fun texture and effect.

The finished carrots are popped with dimensionals; the sentiment stamped in Calypso Coral, and die cut with the Beautiful Shapes Dies, and also popped with dimensionals; and the front finished off with Adhesive-Backed Milky Dots.

I used the smaller carrot image on the inside of the card, stamped in Petal Pink ink, and stamped off once to the right, and the second time to the left, along with the carrot top again in Evening Evergreen.

So much fun!!!

 

I'm lovin' this adorable stamp set, and look forward to using it for lots of "Spring" creativity!!

 

We'll be back soon with more Sale-A-Bration fun!!!

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

Hugs, . . .

 

 

 

A Little Late Easter Fun ~ And FREE SHIPPING TODAY ONLY!!!

Hello Fellow Stampers ~

Yikes!  Where did the past week go??  We're up to our armpits here at DDS Studios with the annual "switch out" of the retiring products from the Annual (and Christmas), and the incoming New with the new 2022-2023 Annual Catalog.  I feel like I'm in the midst of chaos right now; but that's pretty normal this time every year!!  LOL

So needless to say, I did not get to the creative sharing I wanted to do last week.  So I hope you won't mind if we have a little late Easter - I mean it has ONLY been 4 days, right??  LOL  And then we'll jump full into springtime fun here shortly!!

 

I had intended to share the funny Easter Friends card we made at the Easter/Spring class on April 9th; but then . . . well, you know!  It just turned into a wild week for some reason - I had to take my husband to the airport on Sunday; pick him back up on Friday; and in-between work and everything else felt like chaos!!

Soooo . . . here we are!  And I still want to share my little Easter Bunny Friend(s) with you -- so I hope you won't mind!!

This little cutie was designed for card class -- and showcases a few items that will be retiring with the closing of the Annual Catalog on May 2nd.

I try to keep the cards a little simpler for class and yet have enough detail to make them fun.

This little guy was stamped right on the die cut panel, in Saddle Brown Staz-On ink, and then gently colored with Light Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends marker, to add some nice shading without detracting from the stamped image itself.

Using the soon retiring Detailed Trio Punch in coordination with the Scalloped Contour Die cut panel, steps things up a little bit without too much difficulty.

 

Of course, I just HAD to play some more and step things up a bit for all of you!!  LOL  So we're calling this our CASE-Out Thursday design, as I "CASE'd" my original design, but definitely took it to the next level.  This card also incorporates the Flowering Tulips bundle for some added extra fun!

This card is a basic 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Thick Basic White card base, scored at 4-1/2".

Then I layered So Saffron, Highland Heather, and Basic White for the front panels.  You'll notice that the top Basic White panel has been popped with dimensionals, and that the Evening Evergreen Window Pane Ribbon wraps the two layers behind it.

I stamped the top panel with the "grass" image from the Easter Friends stamp set, using Garden Green ink; then I brushed Balmy Blue ink across the remainder of the panel for some "sky" background.  Next I stamped a couple of tulip images for a little "garden" for my bunny to be hiding in.  And I used the Fan - Tabu - lous Tulips Dies to create a single tulip stem for my fussy cut bunny to hold in his paw.

This bunny was stamped with Basic Gray ink, shaded with a Light Smoky Slate Stampin' Blend marker, and fussy cut.  Then I very carefully used a blade to slide a small slit at the top and bottom of the right-hand paw/arm, and slid my tulip stem through.  I think he's bringing this little flower to you 😉😉

He is also popped with dimensionals onto his little garden landscape.  I added a few Brushed Brass Butterflies, and some soon retiring In Color Gems to the tulip; AND just a touch of Clear Wink of Stella here and there for a little shimmer.  You don't to overdue that one on this card!!

 

I finished off with this perfect sentiment from the soon retiring Timeless Tulips, die cut with the perfect die from the soon retiring Window Flower Box Dies.

My little friend turned out pretty cute!!  Hope you think so too!!

Here is how we finished the inside of the card for class!

I layered the inside of the card above to match the front; and you could easily use this sweet sentiment from Easter Friends to finish it all off.

 

I hope you have enjoyed my little CASE-out today.  

Most Importantly!!!

IT'S FREE SHIPPING DAY AT STAMPIN' UP!!!

For Today ONLY - Thursday, April 21st - for a minimum $75 order or more!!!

It's Time to Shop!!!  Take advantage of this HUGE savings (shipping is 11% of your order total - so this is a BIG savings!!)

WHAT DOES IT SAVE ME? 

FREE SHIPPING = 11% OF PRODUCT TOTAL!

EXAMPLE: $150 * 11% = $16.50 SAVINGS!

 

Time for you to stock up and save on your favorite Stampin’ Up! products! 

**Qualifying total is before shipping and tax.  

FREE SHIPPING ENDS TONIGHT, APRIL 21 @ 11:59 PM MOUNTAIN. 

You can combine Free Shipping with the Last Chance Products, Clearance Rack Products, and still earn Stampin' Rewards (a minimum $150 order earns 10% Stampin' Rewards!!).

STOCK UP ON ESSENTIALS!  CARD STOCK, INK PADS, & MORE!

Due to increased costs to produce certain items, new prices will be in effect for some product categories when the new annual catalog goes live on May 3, 2022!   Now is a good time to stock up on those essentials before the price increases, and save the shipping too!!!

 

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

Hugs, . . .

 

A Week of Sale-a-Bration - Daffodil Afternoon Dutch Door Card

Hello Fellow Stampers ~

Sheesh!!  It just seems like life overtakes me no matter my good intentions.  One way or another, we are going to get this Sale-a-Bration thing off the ground, and start creating!!  LOL

I am getting "snowed in" today -- at least it feels that way, so it seems like the perfect time to get this blog post written.  The card I'm sharing with you today was actually created early on Sunday -- so what are my excuses anyway?!?  Oh well, I'm just having a hard time getting 2020 kicked off on the right foot I think.  I hope I'm not the only one!

 

We're making a Dutch Door Fun Fold card today -- just to show off the gorgeous Daffodil Afternoon designer series paper in the Sale-a-Bration brochure; and the pretty new Daffodil Daydream bundle in the new catalog along with it.  And you'll also see another new stamp set featured in today's design, that you can "earn" for FREE with a minimum $100 order!!  So come play with me . . . and let's have some early Spring fun on a snowy day!!

Dutch Door Fold cards can be made in several different ways; I chose a simple route today, to make it easy on everyone!  I actually like this version a lot!!  It is much like creating just a regular A2 card. The only difference is that you cut 1/2 of the front piece off.  Don’t worry though, that piece is not wasted.  It is used to decorate the front as you'll see here in a minute!

 

To make the Dutch Door Card ~

Begin with a 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ piece of cardstock (in this case we're using Mossy Meadow), scored at 4 1/4″ as normal.

With your card base open, align the 4 1/4″ score line on the cutting line of your Stampin' Trimmer, then carefully cut from the top down to the 2 3/4″ mark.

Rotate the card base 90 degrees to the left, line up the edge on the 2-3/4" mark, and carefully cut down to the 4-1/4" score line.  Save the cut out rectangle for later.  Fold the remaining "door" flap (bump to the inside), and gently burnish with your bone folder.

Now we're ready to play with paper -- and this absolutely stunning Daffodil Afternoon designer series paper is a "Must Have"!!  The bold patterns are meant to be showcased, as you'll see more here in a minute.

First, we decorate our "Dutch door" flap with a Pale Papaya mat piece measuring 4-1/8" x 2-5/8".  Then I chose one of the black background designs for this front flap measuring 4" x 2-1/2".

For the inside of the card, I showcased this fabulous "flock" of Daffodils - LOL  Don't you just love this paper??  I can see this sheet of designer paper used on a memory scrapbook page in a heartbeat!!

Again, it is matted with Pale Papaya cardstock (4-1/8" x 5-3/8"); and then the DSP cut 1/8" smaller to center on the back panel.

On this photo, you can see the backside of our next element.

This is where that cut out rectangle is coming into play.

I first cut a Pale Papaya mat piece measuring 4-1/8" x 2-5/8"; and adhered it to the Mossy Meadow rectangle.

Then I cut a piece of (in this case White - should have been Very Vanilla - oops!!) cardstock for the front panel measuring 2-3/8" x 3-7/8" (your coming down a full 1/4" on the front focal panel).  

Now I get to showcase this next INCREDIBLE Sale-a-Bration stamp set called Special Moments.   This is a full sentiment stamp set -- and it has some pretty wonderful sentiments in it, for just about anything!!!  I chose the "Thanks for Brightening up my day!" sentiment, stamped it in Mossy Meadow ink, near the top of my panel; then adhered it to the matted rectangle.

Next, you are going to put adhesive on only the bottom third of your panel and attach it, centered to your "Dutch Door", as you see above!

Now here comes that fabulous new bundle in the Mini Catalog - Daffodil Daydream!!  Don't you just love how Stampin' Up! coordinates everything?!?

I stamped my daffodil in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and pulled out my Watercolor Pencils for this one.  I don't use them nearly enough, and they have just the right softness for this coloring.  Here I used Daffodil Delight, a little bit of Pumpkin Pie for highlighting, and used the Old Olive pencil for the stems and leaves; then used my Blender Pen to move and work the color just the way I wanted.  I finished with a touch of Clear Wink of Stella for some added shimmer.

The Daffodil is popped with dimensionals and I snagged some retired Gold Glimmer dots because they just had the right coloring and feel for this design.

On the back side I added another 2-3/4" x 4-1/4" Mossy Meadow rectangle, and layered it out to give interest, added stability to the front panel of the card, and to make it look finished and professional.  You can see another great design from the Daffodil Afternoon Designer Series Paper here.

Finally, on the inside, I created a banner tag and stamped it with another wonderful sentiment from the Special Moments stamp set, layered it with some loops of Evening Evergreen Baker's Twine from the Fan Baker's Twine combo, and attached it with dimensionals. (don't look at my crooked sentiment - LOL)

 

And there you have it!!  A fabulous way to showcase your designer paper -- and all kinds of Sale-a-Bration, and other new goodies to drool over here!

 

I promise to not disappear for another week and a half again!!  I just have to get my plate organized here -- LOL

 

Place those orders and grab your fabulous FREE Sale-a-Bration products while you're at it. 

These limited time items are only available until the end of February!

 

Click the button above to view, download, save the new Sale-A-Bration Brochure!

 

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

Hugs, . . .

 

Mix-It Up Mondays ~~ Springtime Welcome, and Where Have We Been!?!

Hello Fellow Stampers ~

Oh My Goodness!!!  I cannot believe how many weeks have passed since I last posted and shared with all of you.  I've had so many good intentions over these past weeks, and plans rolling around in my head about what I wanted to share with you all.  It seems like I've been run over with so much other going on; work has gotten incredibly busy all of a sudden; and I'm finding that keeping up with a husband, a house, and everything else can be overwhelming at times!!  LOL  We've been in major catch-up mode around here the past 10 days; and lots and lots of purging and reorganizing going on in the Studio for the turnover of the new Annual Catalog.  We'll talk lots about that this week, and catch ourselves!!!  Ready??

 

I had planned on sharing lots of fun around the Easter holiday over a week ago already; and then life overtook me and none of what I had planned occurred!  Yikes!  So instead, I'm going to "catch up" today with some Springtime cards - and boy, I think we hit Springtime out of the park on these two cards!!

 

Springtime Joy (Item #154403) is just an adorable, sweet little stamp set.

I really like the cute sheep -- but haven't used her yet!!

Today's card designs use several of the images - and the "Welcome Spring" sentiment.

 

My first design features a number of products that are, sadly, retiring soon!!

We are losing our Layering Squares Dies, the pretty Flowers for Every Season DSP, and the Ornate Borders Dies ~ all have been "essentials" in my workroom.

 

Today's design features the sweet little bunny among the flowers, welcoming Spring with his butterfly friend.  All stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, colored with Stampin' Blends, and finished off with Clear Wink of Stella for lots of shimmer.

 

I really had fun creating an inside for this card that echoed the front.  How fun to open this card and find this, don't you agree??

By the Way, I often leave the inside of my cards blank until I decide who they are going to and for what occasion.  Then I either use this to write a nice note; or I add an additional sentiment to coordinate with the occasion.

 

The second card design features a piece of DSP from the soon retiring Playing With Patterns DSP collection.  This bright and lovely pattern made me think of Easter eggs -- LOL -- and went well with my little basket.  It's matted with my most very favorite cardstock coloring - Purple Posy - which I am so sad to see leave us.  The 2019-2021 In Color collection was definitely one of my favorites in recent years.

We are also losing the Gold Hoop Embellishments at the end of the month.  I was surprised after these were introduced, how often I reached for them as an additional element to my designing.  I have really loved them and hate to see them go too!

The basket was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink (as above), and colored with Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends; the eggs in Seaside Spray Stampin' Blends.  I fussy cut it out; then punched a bunch of cute little flowers with the soon retiring Small Bloom Punch in coordinating colors to the background DSP.  Then I layered these around the Gold Hoop using glue dots; popped the basket overlapping these.

I used the soon retiring Classic Label Punch to punch out the sentiment (again, this has been a real staple in my tools); stamped, colored and fussy cut the butterfly, and popped him with a mini dimensional.

Finished it all off with Pearls.  So pretty!!

 

I hope you have enjoyed today's Springtime card designs.

We're getting back on a roll this week as we start talking more about what's retiring; and even better, sneak peeking the wonderful new stuff that is coming!!!

Click on the Catalog Image above to see the Retiring List (Last Change Products!!).  Remember, when it's sold out, it's gone!!

 

There's a New Annual Catalog coming!!

If you are not one of my regular customers, are looking for a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, and would like a new catalog, please contact me, and I'll get you a catalog shortly!!

 

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

Hugs, . . .

 

 

 

Wednesday Spotlight ~~ Meet the Suite: Parisian Blossoms

Hello Fellow Stampers ~

Time for the next installment of "Meet the Suite"!!  This is so much fun!!  - getting to focus on all the great products put together to coordinate for a specific theme.  I'm loving it!!  Stampin' Up! just keeps me enamored ALL the time!!  LOL

 

 

 

 

 

The Parisian Blossoms Suite Bundle, Item #153934, Includes the Following Products:

• Forever Blossoms cling stamp set
• Cherry Blossoms Dies
• Parisian Beauty cling stamp set
• Parisian Dies
• Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper
• Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder
  
• Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels
  
• Petal Pink 1/4" Metallic-Edge Ribbon
  

 

 

Much like the Peaceful Poppies Suite showcased last week, this suite includes both stamp/die bundles featured in the catalog; along with the rest of the supporting and coordinating products which all lend to the vintage "French" feel of this suite.

This pretty card is perfect for that upcoming wedding and uses a number of the products from the Suite.

The Pool Party/Petal Pink combination is the primary focal colors of this suite, and really do compliment each other.

Incorporating Vellum into the design creates a soft elegance to the overall design.

 

Pool Party card base:  5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4"; card base front embossed with the Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder.

Petal Pink mat background (center):  3-1/2" x 4-1/2"

Parisian Blossoms Specialty DSP (Pool Party scrollwork pattern):  3" x 4" (adhere w/SNAIL to the Petal Pink mat piece)

Vellum:  4-1/4" x 3-1/4"

Whisper White for sentiment (cut with the Stitched Nested Labels Dies)

 

The Apple Blossoms image from the Forever Blossoms stamp set is stamped "randomly" and twice on the Vellum using Versamark; and then heat embossed with White Stampin' Emboss Powder.  Tip:  Careful with your heat setting on Vellum!

Then I colored the flowers and leaves with Petal Pink & Old Olive Stampin' Blends.

Additional flower "buds" (3) were stamped on Whisper White cardstock with Gray Granite classic ink, colored, and die cut with the coordinating die; then popped with mini dimensionals to add some dimension.

The sentiment is stamped in Petal Pink classic ink (along with several more of the flower buds), die cut with the Stitched Nested Label Dies; then popped over a piece of the 1/4" Petal Pink Metallic-Edged Ribbon.

Finished off with the gorgeous Champagne Rhinestone Jewels!

Do you LOVE it ?!?

 

Click to download the January – June 2020 Catalog PDF

Click to download the 2020 Sale-A-Bration Promotion PDF

DETAILS!  You can view in-depth details on the new catalogs HERE.

 

Learn how you can get the best deal of all on new products HERE.

 

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

Hugs, . . .