Convention Swaps & Sneak Peek: Santa's List

It's Christmas in July!  The sad thing is I've had my preorder from the Holiday Catalog for several weeks and this is the first thing I am sharing on my blog:

Colors: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Santa's List.  Big Shot: Deco Labels Circle Collection Framelits.  Accessories: Season of Style Designer Series Paper and Neutrals Candy Dots.

This was the first set from the Holiday Catalog I knew I had to have.  And I think it might be my very first Santa stamp ever.  Usually I pick the snowflakes, trees, and snowmen, but there was just something about this Santa and his list that caught my eye.  Maybe it was just that it's a line art stamp that doesn't have to be colored to look cute.  And in case you can't tell, these new Deco Label Framelits are my new favorite shape.  They just layer so well with so many other shapes that we have.

I made this card for a Christmas Card swap at convention.  It's the only swap I joined multiple groups of this year and I was not disappointed in the least.  Fabulous swaps Stampin' Addicts!

The Holiday Catalog goes live tomorrow, so if you haven't received your copy of it yet, please let me know so I can get one to you now. 

Convention Display: You're the Best

Here's another card front I made for the display boards at convention this year:

Colors: Early Espresso, Baked Brown Sugar, Crumb Cake.  Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge and Hello Lovely.  Big Shot: Alphabet Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punch: Decorative Label.  Accessories: Naturals Designer Buttons, Natural 7/16" Trim, Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock.

Here I paired the Thank You, You're the Best from Hello Lovely with the diagonal stripe stamp from Gorgeous Grunge for a masculine look.  And I love this Alphabet Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

And any Textured Impressions Embossing Folder is even better when you pair it with the Core'dinations Card Stock. Did you notice that this fun card stock is now available in all the color families including the In Colors?  Click on the Shop Now button and get some of it for yourself!

Convention Swaps: Flower Shop

I have been saving this card for a long time and I can finally show it to you today.  We made this card at my customer appreciation event over a month ago, but since I was also making it for a convention swap, I didn't want to show it too soon.  Today is the day:

Colors: Primrose Petal, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Flower Shop and Really Good Greetings.  Big Shot: Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Deco Label Punch.  Punch: Pansy Punch. Accessories: Pearl Jewels

First of all, the Flower Shop stamp set and the Pansy Punch are available in a discounted bundle.  Woo hoo!!  If you already have it, then you know it can be a little tricky to line up those petals in the punch.  I would highly recommend stamping one first and figuring out which way it goes in the punch before you start stamping a whole bunch of them, only to realize that you actually have to cut them out before you can punch them.  Once you figure out which way the image goes in the punch, you will love how they coordinate perfectly.

Second, I haven't been using last year's In Colors very often.  I loved the ones that just retired (and we kept most of them) and I love the new ones so these have kind of been forgotten.  But Primrose Petal on Vanilla kind of reminded me of Cherry Blossoms with this stamp. To make everything pop on this card, I sponge inked everything.  I know a lot of people find that tedious, but I just love how it makes everything on the card just pop!

I have already mentioned how much I love this sentiment here on my blog.  I firmly believe that everything always turns out OK in the end.  Even if we don't know what that OK will be yet. And sometimes it's really hard when you are in the middle of whatever "it" is to see that.  But hold on, because it will be OK in the end.  I promise. 

Convention Display: Gorgeous Grunge Scrapbook Page

This year, I had the honor of being an Event Display Stamper and got to create samples that went on the actual display boards at the actual convention.  I was so excited to be asked and then so overwhelmed by the task.  But I would definitely do it again if given the opportunity.

Over the next few weeks (and maybe months) I will be sharing the projects I made.  Today, I'm sharing one of the three scrapbook pages I submitted:

Colors: Gumball Green, Crushed Curry, Pool Party, Basic Gray, Whisper White.  Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge and Hello Lovely.  Big Shot: Labels Collection Framelits, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL.  Accessories: Hung Up Cute Clips, Pool Party Seam Binding.

The Gorgeous Grunge stamp set should be on everyone's wish list.  It is perfect for adding some interest to the background of any card, scrapbook page or any other project.  And that "You Make Me Happy" from Hello Lovely is perfect for so many occasions.

One of the fun parts of being a display stamper is finding your name on the big "Thank You" board:

And then seeing your projects actually on the board is a bit of a thrill too:

I have plenty of swaps to be sharing with you over the next few weeks too so be sure to check back each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Paper Pumpkin for only $10!

I have mentioned Paper Pumpkin on my blog before, but I have not devoted an entire post to it.  And what better time to do it than now, when you can sign up for this fabulous monthly craft escape for only $10 month for the first two months!  This offer is good for new subscribers only and after the first two months, if you decide to continue, the regular rate of $19.95 applies. But there is no obligation to continue either.

The first month you join Paper Pumpkin, you receive the "Hey There Try It Kit".  The kit includes everything you need to make four quick and simple cards that you will love to send to your friends.  I finally broke out my kit today and put it together. 

Here's a look at the way the box looks when it arrives in your mailbox:

Isn't that box adorable?

Inside your box, this is what you'll find:

I love that little "Run away with me" on the box.  Really, this is a creative escape!  And when you unpack it, this is what you find inside:

It only took me about 5 minutes to turn those pieces into this:

Now I could have just made all four cards look like that same one, but I decided to change them up just a bit and this is what I came up with:

Just simple modifications of the first card.  These would make a great gift to package up all together as well. 

All the kits that have come out so far have been just fabulous!  July's kit was small banner kit that you can put on a cake or in a centerpiece for a party. I am hoping to turn it into a scrapbook page to show you soon.

So what are you waiting for?  Sign up today and take advantage of this great $10 offer.  If you sign up before August 10, you will receive this starter kit in the middle of next month.  If you wait until after August 10, then you will receive it in September. You can cancel or skip a month any time.  So head on over to My Paper Pumpkin and sign up today!

Timeless Talk Gramophone Card

One more Timeless Talk Blog Hop card to share with you today: the Gramophone.

Colors: Island Indigo, Basic Black and Very Vanilla. Stamps: Timeless Talk and Background Builders.  Big Shot: Deco Label and Circle Framelits.  Accessories: Modern Medley, and Pearl Jewels.

I just love how well this set goes with the Modern Medley Designer Paper.  This image is perfect for the music note paper.  And the Background Builders is also a great little set to enhance any vintage project.  It reminds me of a set we had a few years back that I didn't even notice until it retired.  It's just three long designs that can go all together to make a background for a card, or used individually to add a border.

As you read this, I am more than likely at convention enjoying the 25th Anniversary celebration.  I will be sharing information from the floor on my Facebook Page: Stampin' with Paula.  And next week, I'll have lots of new samples to share with you from swaps and the demo boards.  Enjoy!

Timeless Talk Bicycle Card

Today I'm sharing all the details on another card from the Stampin' Addicts New Catalog Blog Hop .  Remember, the blog hop posts are always deep linked together so it is never too late to go back and see all the fabulous creations.

Colors: Soft Sky, Basic Black and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Timeless Talk.  Big Shot: Chevron Textured  Impressions Embossing Folder, Windows Framelit Collection.  Punch: Ticket Duo.  Accessories: Subtles Candy Dots, Modern Medley Designer Series Paper, Festive Paper Piercing Template, Mini Brads.

 I think I fell in love with the high-wheel bicycle image during Sale-A-Bration this past year.  So when I saw a set in the new catalog with one in it, I knew I had to have it.  And I think this image is the perfect blend of vintage and cutesy so I love it even more.

I used the chevrons on the card to try to give it some movement.  It is a bicycle after all.  And I pointed out the brads on the axles before, but that might be my favorite part of the card.  I will be swapping a simplified version of this card at the Stampin' Addict Meet and Greet tomorrow. 

On Friday, I'll share the details of the last card from the blog hop.  I will be busy with convention the next few days, but will be posting any exciting news I can share on my Facebook page: Stampin' with Paula so be sure to like my page and follow along.

Timeless Talk Telephone Card

Wasn't this weekend's Stampin' Addicts New Catalog Blog Hop fantastic?  If you missed out, all the blogs should be deep linked by now so you can go back and enjoy a fabulous look at several new stamps from the catalog.

This seemed to be the most commented card from my blog hop post so I will share the details on it first.

Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla and Basic Black.  Stamps: Timeless Talk and Background Builders.  Accessories: Modern Medley Designer Series Paper and Regal Candy Dots.

This really is a pretty simple card, but I just love the idea of the telephone with the little "Hello there" conversation bubble.  The candy dot in the middle provides just a touch of color.  I do love these Candy Dots.  I just wish we got more of each color in them.  I've been through a couple of packages of these just because I've used up all my favorite colors already.

Don't forget that all Designer Series Paper is buy 3 get one free this month only.  The Modern Medley pack is one of my favorites.  The black and cream go with anything and the prints are perfect for those projects with a vintage feel.

All my cards from the hop are swaps for convention this week.  This one is for the Stampin' Addicts Shoe Box swap on Wednesday night.  If you'd like to follow the news from convention, I will be sharing updates on my Facebook Page so be sure to like my page so you can stay up to date on all the latest news from Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Addicts New Catalog Blog Hop: Timeless Talk

It's time to celebrate the 2013-2014 New Catalog Stampin' Addict style.  That means a blog hop!  Since this is stop #1, you may have landed here directly.  Or since everyone is linked in a big giant loop, you are more than likely visiting from Deb's Heartfelt Inkspriation.  I love what she did with that Beautiful Baroque Stamp and I'm very happy I already have it so it doesn't increase my wish list. If you lose your way, visit Stampin' Addicts for a complete list of the participating blogs or to chat it up.

If you are a regular here on my blog, (and if you aren't, why not?) then you already know how much I LOVE the new catalog.  There are so many fabulous new stamp sets and embellishments.  So it was hard to choose just one to share with you today.  But I did and it's Timeless Talk.  This set features three old fashioned images with cute little sayings to go with each, plus a little conversation bubble.  I'm featuring three cards today: one with each image and matching greeting.  Click on any image to get a closer look. 

My first card features a fun, old high-wheel bicycle.  I'm certainly thankful not to have to ride these anymore. But I do love the image with the flourishes in the wheels and the cute, "Thanks. . . BIG time!" greeting that goes with it. I added a bit of Modern Melody Designer Series Paper (which is just the perfect paper for this stamp set by the way) to the card too.  And notice the cute little brads on the wheels?  So fun!

I just love this old fashioned telephone.  I don't know if kids today would even know this is a telephone but it reminds me of my favorite period pieces on PBS.  I also love the little "Hello there!" greeting that goes with it.  I also added a strip of a different print from the Modern Melody Designer Series Paper and an image from the new set Background Builders on the side.  

The third image in this set is a gramophone.  I love that it has the "Happy Birthday to you!" surrounded in music notes like it's coming out of the giant speaker. I paired it with another bit of Modern Melody Designer Series Paper and the same image from Background Builders as before. 

I hope you have enjoyed this look at Timeless Talk.  I will be posting more details about each of these cards on my blog throughout the next week so be sure to check back.  Now it is off to Carmen's Stamping Addiction and her wonderful creations with the new Perfect Blend Stamp Set. Happy Hopping!

Buy 3, Get One Free on Designer Series Paper

Who doesn't love a promotion like this?  For the month of July, buy three packs of Designer Series Papers and get one FREE!!  And this year's Designer Series Papers are just fabulous and this is a wonderful time to stock up on all your favorites. And there is no limit to the number of free packs you can receive:  order six, get two free; order nine, get three free; order 12 get four free.  (You get the picture, right?)

The exceptions: Designer Series Paper Stacks, Specialty Designer Series Paper and Designer Series Paper purchased with Hostess Benefits do not qualify for this special offer. But that leaves a lot of paper still to get with this fabulous deal.

What are you waiting for?  Click the shop now button and start creating with this beautiful paper!

Quatrefancy Remix

Colors: Island Indigo, Strawberry Slush, Daffodil Delight and Pool Party.  Stamps: Label Love.  Big Shot: Modern Mosaic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punches: Artisan Label, Itty Bitty Punch Pack and Scallop Border.  Accessories: Rhinestone Jewels and Daffodil Delight stitched Ribbon.

Does this card look familiar?  If you are a regular on my blog, than you  just might recognize today's card as a retread of this card: MOSAIC MADNESS.  Yes, sometimes I even CASE myself.  This time, I tried to make it a bit simpler by using some little flower punches in place of the stamped and punched Mosaic Madness images.  This card was a runner up for my All-You-Can Stamp buffet but it didn't quite make the cut.  Maybe it will show up at an Express Card Class in the near future.