I love love LOVE Stampin’ Up!’s Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers and coordinating Designer paper!!!  So you can bet your booties I was thrilled when they announced Sweet Pea digital downloads for My Digital Studio (MDS)!

This card was made with MDS and the Sweet Pea Designer Kit which includes stamps, embellishments and the beautiful Sweet Pea designer paper.  I also used textured paper for the background… isn’t it just delicious!!!  I’m going to have several copies printed using Stampin’ Up!’s professional printing service.  I can’t wait!!

If you have any questions or would like to order the Sweet Pea downloads, OR the traditional products, send me an email or visit my demonstrator business website.

Toodles!

Stampin’ Up!’s new Simply Adorned line beautifully combines the best of two worlds: stamping and jewelry! Simply Adorned charms are designed to hold a creation YOU design yourself, making your jewelry truly unique.

Simply Adorned charms are lockets–they open up so you can insert your custom stamped image. The Charming stamp set, along with Rub-Ons, glitter, ribbons, and other embellishments, can help you create your unique charm insert. And don’t forget that you can embellish the chains with ribbon, felt flowers . . . the possibilities are endless! The frame surrounds tempered beveled glass on the front and flat glass on the back. Because there’s glass on both sides of the charm, you can display an image on one side or both. You can create a custom heirloom piece that you’ll never want to change, or you can swap artwork in and out, depending on your mood and your wardrobe. How COOL is that !!!

Although Simply Adorned charms are designed to be jewelry, they also make delightful key chains or Christmas tree ornaments. Insert a stamped image or photo of your loved ones, tie a ribbon through the clasp, and you’re done!

FAQs

Q: What size are the charms?

A: The charms are available in three different sizes: 1″ x 1″, 1″ x 1-1/4″, and 1-1/2″ x 2″. The size listed refers to the charm insert; the metal frame around the insert is slightly larger. You can use the included insert as a template to create the perfect-sized piece of artwork for your frame. It is important that your insert matches the insert template exactly. The hinge on your charm can break if your insert is too large and overlaps onto the frame.

Q: Is the toggle clasp meant to be worn in the front or the back?

A: Our stainless steel chain features a toggle clasp and includes an exclusive Stampin’ Up! charm identifier. The beautiful leaf charm is designed to be worn on the front to enhance the overall design of the necklace, or worn on the back for a simpler look.

Q: What materials are used to make Simply Adorned jewelry?

A: The charms are nickel-plated zinc alloy with tempered beveled glass on the front, and tempered flat glass in the back. The chains are anodized stainless steel with a nickel-plated zinc alloy charm and toggle.

Q: How do I clean my charm?

A: Use clean water and a cotton applicator to clean the jewelry surface. Do not use alcohol or other chemicals to clean your jewelry as they will damage the finish.

Q: How many layers can I fit inside the charm?

A: The number of layers that fit inside each charm depends on the type of materials used. The space in the charm is 2 mm; as card stock, Designer Series paper, ribbon, and adhesives all differ in thickness, it is difficult to specify the number of layers that will fit inside. It is important to remember that you can break the hinge on your charm if your inserts are too thick. Never force the charm closed. If the charm does not close easily, remove a layer or two from your insert and try again.

Q: How is the jewelry packaged?

A: Each piece comes in a Chocolate Chip box (box for charms: 3-1/4″ x 2-1/2″ x 1″; box for chains: 9-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ x 1″).

Above is the versatile “Charming” stamp set that coordinates perfectly with the charms.  While the artwork is a perfect match for your charm inserts, the stamps in Charming can also be used for cards, scrapbook pages, and so much more !!

Valentine’s Day is just two weeks away! Have you made your Valentine’s cards yet? I used this week’s fun Splitcoast Stampers sketch to create this card:

Here’s the ‘recipe’:

1. Start with Certainly Celery for the base (8 1/2 X 5 1/2)
2. Layer Vellum paper on top of the base (4 1/4 X 5 1/4)
3. Cut three 4 1/4 X 1 inch strips from the Bella Bleu DSP collection and adhere to the vellum.
4. Cut one strip each of 5/8″ Certainly Celery and 1/4″ Very Vanilla ribbon and adhere over the DSP as shown.
5. Cut a piece of Crushed Curry cardstock 4 X 3 (Here, I used Textured cardstock).
6. Cut a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock 4 1/4 X 3 1/4.
7. Layer the Crushed Curry on top of the Chocolate Chip.
8. Using the Very Vintage Jumbo Stampin’ Wheel (from the Occasions mini catalog), roll the image onto Confetti Cream cardstock using Chocolate Chip ink.
9. Punch-out six strips using the Word Window Punch.
10. Adhere to the Crushed Curry cardstock as shown and add Silver Brads.
11. Punch-out the hearts using the Heart to Heart Punch and Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP.
12. Stamp the “love” sentiming using the Tiny Tags stamp set (Clear Mount set used here, from the Occasions mini) and Chocolate Chip ink.
13. Punch out the sentiment using the new Medium Jewelry Tag Punch (from the Occasions mini) and adhere it to the heart using a Red Rhinestone Brad.
14. Adhere hearts to card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

And that’s all folks! More “heartsy” projects to come. Speaking of hearts, from now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set will be donated American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Visit my demonstrator website to order yours today!

Are you or someone you know planning a wedding some time in the near future?  Here’s a great way to help stay within your budget AND create beautiful, quality invitations using Stampin’ Up!’s My Digital Studio paper crafting software.

With My Digital Studio, you have the versatility to custom design your invitations your way.  Choose the colors you want, the design you want–even the font.  Plus you can print as many as you need.  And don’t forget, if you print your invitations using Stampin’ Up!’s professional print service, the colors are vibrant and true-to-life.  Your cards will be delivered straight to your door and include envelopes.

If you would like me to design and print your wedding invitations for you, please email me for information on wedding packages.

This is my very first video!  I hope you enjoy it (please, try not to laugh LOL…oops, I just did HA!)  Please send me your feedback and let me know what you think.  If there is anything else you’d like to see demonstrated using My Digital Studio, let me know and I’d be happy to create a tutorial.

Lights, camera, ACTION!

My dad turned 79 this past weekend.  2009 was a tough year for him, and so I wanted to give him a bright, fun, cheery card to perk him up a bit.  And this was the perfect opportunity to play with some of the new products from the Occasions Mini catalog.  Shweet!

Here is the recipe for this pretty and easy-to-make card:

1. Start with Rose Red card stock for the base
2. Cut a piece of Old Olive card stock as wide as the base (4 1/2″) and as long as you’d like.
   
3. Add a border to the bottom of the Old Olive piece using the Eyelet Border punch.
4. Cut a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock (4 1/2″ x 1 1/2″)
5. Stamp the sentiment in StazOn Black ink using the new “Well Scripted” stamp set from the new Occasions Mini catalog.  I used the clear-mount stamps–and wowza, it’s so easy to line up the image where you want it to go!  Lovin’ the new clear-mount stamps (in case you couldn’t tell :O)
   
6. Next, emboss the top portion of the Old Olive piece with the new “Perfect Polka Dots” Textured Impressions Folder, also from the new Occasions Mini.  I left about 2 1/2″ from the bottom to make the next step easier.
7. Adhere the Very Vanilla piece to the Old Olive piece with SNAIL adhesive, but leave about 1″ on the left side of the VV piece so you can adhere the ribbon.
8. Adhere the ribbon to the Very Vanilla and Old Olive pieces, as shown in the picture.
9. Adhere the Old Olive piece to the base using SNAIL adhesive.
10. Adhere the cute “Sweet Pea” Stitched Felt pieces to the card.  Here I used 3 pieces.  I found the easiest thing to use for adhering felt is Mini Glue Dots.
    

And that’s it!  If you would like to receive a FREE copy of the new Occasions Mini or Sale-A-Bration catalogs, send me an email.

For my current customers–if you haven’t received your copy of the Occasions Mini in the mail yet, it should be on its way soon!  In the meantime you can download the on-line version if you click here.  To view the Sale-A-Bration catalog, click here.

I must say, the new Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder leaves behind a really nice, deep-embossed pattern.  It adds a really nice touch to your cards, hand-made embellishments and envelopes too.

The new Sweet Pea felt pieces are great for adding a little somethin’ – somethin’ to your project.  In fact, I used these perfectly coordinated pieces in a scrapbook I made for my dad.  If you use just enough of these embellies, you don’t have to worry about your project looking too “girly” if you know what I mean ; )

Well that’s it for today.  Tomorrow, I’ll show you how to make an elegant yet easy-to-make Wedding Invitation using My Digital Studio… stay tuned!

Let’s get ready to rrrrrrrring in the new year… Stampin’ Up! style–with the all new Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration!  Beginning tomorrow, January 5th, you can place an order with me from the new Occasions and Sale-A-Bration mini catalogs. 

There are lots of exciting new products including clear-mount stamps, new punches… you’ve gotta check it out–the new Occasions mini is the best yet!  to view the Occasions mini now, just click on the image below.

It’s time to “Sale-A-Brate”!  Now is the perfect time to book a workshop or sign-up as a demonstrator.   Here’s what’s in it for you:

Customers: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 purchase (before tax and shipping).

Hostesses: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $300 in workshop sales*, in addition to our regular hostess benefits.

*Note: This benefit only available on qualifying customer, demonstrator, and workshop orders. Online orders do not qualify.

Recruits: Choose any retail stamp set (valued up to $47.95) from the current catalogs when signing up during the promotion. Plus, get 15 percent off your Starter Kit (Standard or Digital+)!

The Stampin’ Memories Add-On can be added to these kits, but will not be discounted.

To view the Sale-A-Bration mini catalog now, click on the image below.

Book your workshop today to be the first to see the new clear-mount stamps, punch style and other new products!  Do you have questions about becoming a demonstrator?  Click on the links to the right under “Join My Team” or call or email me today for more info.

Over the past few years, there has been enormous demand from demonstrators and customers alike for a line of repositionable clear-mount rubber stamps. Well, you asked for it, and now you have it! Starting with stamps in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and the 2010 Sale-A-Bration Brochure, Stampin’ Up! now offers our exclusive stamp art in both traditional wood-mount, and the new clear-mount option.

Our new clear-mount rubber stamps are the result of extensive research with the intent to maintain the very best image quality in the stamping industry, while at the same time offering the ease-of-use and storability inherent in repositionable clear-mount rubber stamps.

Clear-Mount Rubber Stamp Features

• Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.
• Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.
• Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin’ Scrub and Stampin’ Mist.
• Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
• Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
• Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
• Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.

Want to be the first to see and try out the new clear-mount rubber stamps?  Contact me today to book a workshop!  Call (508) 479-7106 or email me at maryann.scott@charter.net

I’ll be posting new projects using the clear-mount stamps and other fabulous products from the upcoming Occasions Mini catalog… check back soon!

Tired of traditional red and green holiday cards?  Me too, so I decided to try something a little different this year.

This new background “Medallion” stamp is a very versatile addition to anyone’s collection.  And it’s the perfect stamp for what’s called the “thumping” technique.  Here’s how it’s done:

1. Ink up the stamp with a Classic Stampin’ Pad.  Here I used Ballet Blue.
   
2. Take a Stampin’ Write Marker and tap or “thump” the side of the marker randomely over the stamp.  For this step, you want to use a color that’s darker than the color used in step 1.  I used Old Olive.
3. Before you stamp the image on paper, give the stamp a little “huff” to remoisten the ink.
4. Stamp the image.  Here the image was stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock.

Next, I sent my Snowflakes Sizzlits die through the Big Shot Die Cut Machine with Ballet Blue cardstock.  Then I fastened it to the center of the image using a clear rhinestone brad.

The sentiment from the Sincere Salutations set is stamped in Old Olive.  The edges of the the VV cardstock are sponged in Ballet Blue.

Did you notice the shimmer on this card?  Take a closer look… it adds a nice little bling to this holiday masterpiece and so simple to do.  Here’s what you do:

1. Take some Shimmer Paint (I used Champagne Mist) and a sponge dauber.  Shake the Shimmer Paint and take the cover off.  Tap the sponge dauber on the inside of the cover to pick up just a small amount.
2. Lightly tap the dauber over the card, wherever you want a little extra somethin’-somethin’.
3. I daubed over the snowflake completely, but it’s still translucent enough to see the blue.

And that’s it!  If you want to make your own holiday cards and you don’t have a lot of time–this is the perfect card to make–it’s Easy Stampin’ !!

To order Stampin’ Up! products on-line — 24/7 — CLICK HERE

Stamps:  Medallion background (115223), Sincere Salutations (115068)

Ink:  Old Olive (102277), Ballet Blue (100907)

Paper: Ballet Blue (100613), Old Olive (100702), Very Vanilla (101650)

Accessories:   Snowflakes #2 Sizzlits die (113449), Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439), Shimmer Paint – Champagne Mist (116806 Holiday Mini) ,1/16″ Circle Punch (101227), Clear Rhinestone Brad (113144), Sponge (101610)

This is my first attempt at what’s called a “Wiper Card.”  What exactly is a wiper card you ask?  It’s a card that is folded in such a way that when you pull it open, a little “wiper” pops up–similar to a windshield wiper.  In my example, the little blue and white flower is the wiper.  When you close the card, the wiper folds into the card.  Nifty, eh?

A great tutorial can be found here.  For this creation, I used Kraft card stock for the base, and Bella Bleu DSP which coordinates nicely with Very Vanilla, Kraft, and Not Quite Navy.  I triple-matted the stamped image, which is an oldie but goodie from the 2005 Garden Collage set.  Thank goodness this set didn’t sell on e-bay… what was I thinking!!??

The flower on the wiper is made using a medium flower from the Pretties Kit, colored using a Not Quite Navy Stampin’ Write Marker, then layered with a Very Vanilla medium flower punched from the Boho Blossoms punch.  The center is a medium half-back pearl also from the Pretties Kit.

The image is colored-in using Stampin’ Pastels.  The sentiment is stamped in StazOn Black using the Thank You Kindly set.  For the finishing touches I added three gold brads, a Not Quite Navy button and Very Vanilla ribbon and a nice little border punched with the Eyelet Border Punch.

To order Stampin’ Up! products on-line — 24/7 — CLICK HERE

Stamps:  Garden Collage (retired), Thank You Kindly (111700)

Ink: Going Gray (103274), StazOn Black (101406)

Paper: Kraft (107070), Very Vanilla (101650), Not Quite Navy (101722), Bella Bleu DSP (113974)

Accessories:  Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Colored Buttons-Fresh Favorites I (107421), Gold Brads (104337), Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon (109071), Pretties Kit (109114), Boho Blossoms Punch (110711), Stampin’ Pastels (105542)