Stamping Bliss

Clearance Rack

I must admit, I am a shopper!  I love to shop, buy new things, window shop and I even love watching other people shop.  It is something I don't get to enjoy very often between the husband, whose idea of shopping is more of a cave man mentality (go in, grab it, leave) and my kids, whose idea of shopping is seeing who can push the most buttons down the toy aisle.  =)

There is one place in every store, whether it is online or in an actual building, that draws me the most.  That's right the Clearance Rack.  Let's face it, with three growing kids, the clearance rack is this mom's best friend.  LOL!  But even better than a clearance rack full of adorable half-priced clothes is a clearance rack of Stampin' Up! Products!!  Am I right?  Come on, you all know you love a great deal!  So here is a great one!

Stampin' Up! has just announced a brand new addition to our Online Store--THE CLEARANCE RACK!!  You can purchase Stampin' Up!'s retired products at up to 80% off the original price.  What a sweet deal!  These great prices are only available online when you place an online order.  Items will be in the Clearance Rack until they are gone.  Once they are gone, that is it!  So check out this new way to save some money at my online store!

World Card Making Day

I know I haven't posted updated pictures this week, I have been way to busy stamping new projects, homeschooling, chauffering, cleaning and everything else that is my life.  I am sure you can relate.  =)  Today I am getting together with my mom for a Stamp-a-Thon Saturday.  I love when we can get together and just be creative.  We haven't done this for a long time and I am really looking forward to it.  So I promise to have all kinds of new goodies to take pictures and share this week.

Next Saturday, October 3rd, is World Card Making Day!  Yes, there is a such a thing.  So I have a few surprises and specials up my sleeve.  But here is Challenge #1:  How many cards can you make between October 2 to October 4?  Or how many scrapbook pages can you make between October 2 to October 4th?  Let me know!  The winner will receive a special gift from me!!

I will let you know what my other surprise is later this week!!  I will post some pictures soon!!  Have a stampingly wonderful weekend (I know that is not a real word but I couldn't resist =)

Scrumptious Punches

I love our punches!  There is so much you can make with a handful of punches.  I love wowing my customers with all the fun creations you can get from a punch or two.  I am also loving my new Mover and Shapers Die for the Big Shot.  This die lets you move a shape around on the die to create a window anywhere you want on your card.  It is so much fun to use.

Here is the card.  The circle was cut out using the Mover and Shapers Die.  I adhered the textured Real Red card stock on top of my Brilliant Blue card base.  I ran both through the Big Shot using the Movers & Shapers Die.  This cut out both pieces of card stock perfectly.  It makes a fun peek-a-boo window.

Doesn't the chocolate sundae look yummy?  It was super easy to make this little dessert.  Check out the recipe to see what punches I used to make each piece.

RECIPE:  Stamps-Crazy for Cupcakes; Ink-Chocolate Chip & Whisper White; CS-Brilliant Blue; Real Red; So Saffron; & Very Vanilla; Big Shot-Texturz Plates #4 & Mover & Shapers Die; Punches-1-3/8" Circle (Bowl), Small Oval (banana), Scallop Edge (chocolate sauce) & 1" Circle (ice cream & chocolate).

Autumn Leaves

Here is another leaf card.  This time I used the scraps (left over from all of my fall projects) as a stencil.  The stenciled parts are under the vellum card stock.

RECIPE:  Stamp-Wandering Words; Ink-Dusty Durango, Old Olive, Soft Suede, More Mustard & VersaMark; CS-More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Dusty Durango & Vellum card stock; EP-Gold; Embellishments-Copper brads; Ribbon-Polka Dot Soft Suede Grosgrain; and Big Shot-Top Note Die & Leaves #2 Die.

Enjoy

This was another card we made at my recent Stamp-A-Stack.  It is a very simple layout and design.  I love this Animal Stories Designer Series Paper, especially this particular print.  

RECIPE:  Stamps-Enjoy Every Moment; Ink-Whisper White & Close to Cocoa; DSP-Animal Stories; CS-Brilliant Blue, Rose Red & Chocolate Chip; Ribbon-3/8" Old Olive Grosgrain.

Class Updates & Sneak Peek Pictures

I wanted to let you know about a helpful new change in the works on Stamping Bliss.  In an effort to make it even easier to sign up for classes before hand, I am adding a new feature to the Classes & Events page on my blog.  Not only will that page have a list of my classes and events, but it will also feature pictures of upcoming classes (when pictures are available) and a PayPal link where you can pre-pay and register for your classes.  I will still post about individual classes on the main part of my blog but this way you won't miss anything about a class.  

Also new on the Classes & Events page is an updated calendar through December.  Classes and events are subject to change or new classes added over time.  This way you can see what I offer and where I have openings to hold your workshop with your friends.

I am currently filling up my fall schedule with workshops.  You don't want to miss out on a great opportunity to have a fun night out with your friends and earn free Stampin' Up! product.  Right now Stampin' Up! is having a fabulous Fall Hostess Promotion.  If you hold a workshop between now and November 30th, that is over $250 in sales, you can choose an item out of the Holiday Mini Catalog for only $10 (excluding Hostess Sets and My Digital Studio).  Isn't that a great promotion?  How about we sweeten the deal?  Hold a workshop with over $400 in sales, after October 1st, and you can receive My Digital Studio ($79.95 value) for 50% off!  So select your date today.

Medallion Magic

Did you know that the Medallion background stamp is the number one selling new stamp at Stampin' Up!?  I must admit, I have fallen in love with this stamp too!  It is one of those great, versatile stamps that everyone should add to their collection.  It can make a card look vintage, modern or just add a simple background image.

Here is what I did with the Medallion stamp at my last Stamp-A-Stack.  I love the cool Bermuda Bay against the crisp white.

RECIPE:  Stamps-Medallion & Teeny Tiney Wishes; Ink-Bermuda Bay; CS-Bermuda Bay & Whisper White; Ribbon-Polka Dot Bermuda Bay Grosgrain; Embellishments-Half-back pearls (Pretties Kit); and Punches-Scallop Oval & Small Oval.

Fall Frame of Mind

The leaves in our neighborhood are starting to change colors and fall to the ground.  I love autumn leaves.  The colors of the different leaves can be so inspiring--deep reds, bright oranges, crisp yellows.  I get a lot of color inspiration from nature.  Here is a card that was inspired by the leaves falling all around us.

There was a lot of sponging in this card.  Now that I just got some new sponges I am a sponging maniac.  Anyway--I sponged the kraft paper with Soft Suede ink to bring out the texture.  I also sponged each of the leaves with the coordinating paper to give them some depth.  To add to the rustic feel of the card I sponged the center where the greeting is.

RECIPE:  Stamp-Season of Friendship; Ink-Old Olive, Soft Suede, More Mustard & Dusty Durango; CS-Kraft, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Soft Suede, More Mustard, & Dusty Durango; Big Shot-Texturz Plate & Leaf #2 Original Die; Ribbon-Polka Dot Grosgrain Dusty Durango.

Stamp Club

Hello!  Stamp Club starts tonight!!  Yippee!  I am just a little excited, can't you tell?  =)  I really enjoy Stamp Club.  I get to know my customers a little better and best of all we get to stamp together on a regular basis.  Plus I love the challenge of coming up with brand new techniques for you all to try.

This month's Stamping Technique is:  Shaving Cream.  I know, you are probably wondering what shaving cream has to do with stamping, right?  Well you will just have to come and see.

I will see you all tonight at 6:30PM at my house.  Or if that doesn't work with your schedule, than come this Thursday evening at 6:30PM.  

Want more information on my Stamp Club and how it works?  Than click HERE for more information.

Stamping Essentials -- Five Ink Pad Top Picks

As promised here is an answer to a question I received on my last Stamping Essentials post.  Meaghan asked, "If I could only pick five ink pads, which ones would they be and why?"  So here is my answer.  I know it is later than I promised but this is the second version since Typepad lost my first version.  I love technology but sometimes it is a pain.  =)

#1--Basic Black Classic Ink:  This is the color I recommend all brand new stampers get.  It is just a must have.  The Black stands out on any color of card stock.  It is great for lined images, so you can color in the image.

#2--Chocolate Chip Classic Ink:  This is another color I use all the time.  I just love this shade of brown.  It coordinates beautifully with so many colors.  This is a great color to have on hand as an alternative to black.  It is also a great neutral color to have in your ink collection.

#3--Old Olive Classic Ink:  This is one of the most versatile shades of green we have.  It coordinates beautifully with most of our standard colors.  It is also a great green that can be used for every season of the year.

#4--Ballet Blue Classic Ink:  This is one of those colors most people tend to overlook.  It is not one of our hugely popular colors but I love it.  It is a soft enough shade of blue to use it with pastels.  But it is bright enough to pop on any card or scrapbook page.

#5--Real Red Classic Ink:  Red is another great color to have on hand.  Red is great for many holidays and seasons of the year.  I love how true our red is.  It doesn't look pink or orange, it is a true red.

I hope this answers your question Meaghan.  I hope to hear from all of you and answer any of your stamping or scrapbooking questions!!