Happy Fourth of July!

Baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and stamping. What's more American than that?  Stamping is really a worldwide hobby, I know.  But I do plan to spend part of my holiday stamping this year. 

I promised on Monday to show you the stepped up version of this card.  Drum roll please:

Colors: Daffodil Delight, Basic Black and Whisper White.  Stamps: Reason to Smile and Itty Bitty Banners.  Big Shot: Bitty Banner Framelits, and Large Scallop Edgelit.  Punches: Oval.  Accessories: Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, Stampin' Pierce Pack.

I didn't make a lot of changes, but I wanted my club members to try out the new Large Scallop Edgelit, Stampin' Pierce Pack (I've already mentioned here a few times how much I love these things), and the Itty Bitty Banners and the matching Framelits. 

I hope you are all enjoying your Fourth of July holiday.  And I hope that where you are is safe from fires that are burning across the west.

Happy July!

Wasn't I just saying that I didn't know what happened to May?  And just like that it's July.  I guess 2012 is just going to just fly right on by.  But  new month means new promotions for Stampin' Up!  This month there is a customer and a hostess promotion for you to enjoy.

There are plenty of reasons to smile this month.  When you spend $50 or more, you can purchase the exclusive Reason to Smile stamp set for just $5.  This stamp set is only available during the month of July so don't miss out.  Click on the flyer below to get all the details

Last week, I hosted a new catalog swap and included a simple little bonus card front using this set:

Colors: Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Whisper White.  Stamps: Reason to Smile and Fabulous Phrases.  Punch: small oval.  Accessories: Daffodil Delight Seam Binding.

For my club members, I wanted to step this card up a bit and show off a few new products.  Come back on Wednesday to see that version of the card.

For hostesses, the We ♥ Hostess promotion continues through July.  When your workshop orders total over $450, you get an additional $50 in hostess dollars to spend on anything in the catalog.  It's a fabulous deal that I've already taken advantage of twice myself.  And since your customers get a reward for spending $50 or more, it will be easy to get to the $450 level.  So invite your friends over for a girls night out and let's have some creative fun!

Step it Up Cards: Best of Everything Take 2

On Wednesday, I showed you a card I made for a swap on Stampin' Addicts: Best of Everything Take 1   I promised to show you the "Stepped Up" version of the card today. Drum roll please:

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Pool party.  Stamps: Best of Everything.  Big Shot: Adorning Accents Edgelits and Embossing Folders, Labels Collection Framelits, Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  Punches: Itty Bitty Punch Pack.  Accessories: Mini Brads, Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon.

As you can see, a lot changed on this stepped up version of the card.  Instead of the striped Designer Series Paper, I opted to use regular card stock and spiff it up with the Edgelits and matching embossing folders.  I embossed the bottom Framelit layer.  I added another color to the mix with Pool Party flowers on the branch and ribbon running around the card.

This was a fun swap to do. And I hope to get to play in another one again soon. Next week, my company goes home and I'll have more time to use my new stuff.  Come back on Monday and hold me to it. :)

Step It Up Cards: Best of Everything Take 1

A few months ago, I participated in a Stampin' Addict's swap with a twist.  The idea for the swap was that you created a simple card that would work as a make and take for a workshop and then you took that card and "stepped it up" by adding embellishments or techniques to it to show how easy it is.  I did two groups and have already posted my first set of the simple card and the stepped up version.

I told you then, almost two months ago now, that I had a second set to show you as well.  Since I'm kind of in a lull waiting for my box of new stuff to get here tomorrow (come on Mr. Brown!) I thought I'd share with you the simple version of the second set of cards.

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo and Whisper White.  Stamps: Best of Everything. Big Shot: Label Collection Framelits.  Accessories: Brads, In Color Paper Pack

While I made this card over two months ago, everything on the card is still currently available.  Givent the large retirement list from the last catalog, I can't say that about many of my older cards.  Come back on Friday and I'll show you how I added some "wow" and stepped it up.

Creative Elements Step It Up Swap - Take 2

On Monday, I showed you a card I made for a swap on Stampin' Addicts: Creative Elements Step It Up Swap- Take 1.   I promised to show you the "Stepped Up" version of the card today. Drum roll please:

Colors: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Creative Elements and Delightful Dozen. Big Shot: Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punches: Decorative Label and Large Oval, Scallop Circle.  Accessories: Pearl Basic Jewels and Basic Gray Satin Ribbon.

I wanted to add some texture to the card so I ran it through the Big Shot using the Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and added a ruffly ribbon treatment.  For the ribbon, I applied a sticky adhesive tape to the ribbon and to the card where the ribbon would go.  Then I started applying it at the bottom and just kind of pinched and gathered it as I went and wrapped the other end around the layer of the card.

Isn't that a fun idea for a swap?  I have one more set of these cards to share with you next week.   In the mean time, happy stamping!

Creative Elements Step It Up Swap - Take 1

Last month, I signed up for a really fun swap on Stampin' Addicts called a Step It Up Swap.  The idea for this swap is to make a basic card that you might feature at a workshop.  Then you take the same card and "Step It Up" with a "wow" element or two.  Of course I've never met a swap I didn't love so I signed up for two groups.

Today, I'm sharing with you my demonstrate-able card from the first group:

Colors: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Creative Elements and Delightful Dozen.  Punches: Decorative Label and Large Oval.  Accessories: Pearl Basic Jewels.

Some of the inspiration for this card came from the cover of the April Stampin' Success.  They showed the Decorative Label punch layered over that same stamp from Creative Elements and that was my jumping off point for this card.  This is probably not the most traditional colors for a Mother's Day Card, but I love this color combo.

Come back on Wednesday to see the "Stepped Up" version of this card.  You won't want to miss it!