Ready for Christmas … Stockings & More

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

I had designers block while working on the card I am sharing with you today.  It took me two days to get it just right.  I used the same stamp set as my previous post – Ready for Christmas – but this time I went beyond just the Christmas tree … way beyond one could say.

There were so many things to be considered when designing this card.  Should I put the table on the left side or on the right side?  If I put it on the right side would it look silly and be in the way of the stairs?  Did I want the Dachshund to be peering up at the plate of cookies for Santa or did I want her to be looking upstairs for her favorite human to come down and play with her?  I stamped the pine garland and cut it out with the thinlit, but I didn’t like the flat look, so I added the pine stems as well.  The options go one and on …  All in all I think I made some good decisions.

Below are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping card by clicking on the thumbnails below.  (NOTE:  those items with an * cannot be purchased until September 1.)

Price: $110.00

I also used my Stampin’ Write markers in the following colors to color the framed art, cookies for Santa and the Dachsund (markers are no longer sold separately – sold in color families):  Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake.

If you have any other questions regarding any design elements of this card, do not hesitate to ask.

PAPER PUMPKIN – LIMITED TIME PROMOTION:

Visit paperpumpkin.com to subscribe before September 10 to save 50% off your first month’s kit.  You can also click here to read my initial blog post which includes everything you need to know about this offer.

HOLIDAY CATALOG SNEAK PEEK:  Today’s Holiday Catalog sneak peek video showcases one of my favorite product bundles – Hearts Come Home.  Since I needed to try and keep my order within a reasonable budget, I unfortunately was not able to include this as part of my pre-order.  However, I have high hopes that I will be able to order this one very soon.

So many project ideas are running around inside my head!

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next time, stamp on my friends!

Linda

Posted in Bundles, Cards, Christmas, Holiday Catalog, Products | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Ready for Christmas … Tree

Posted on August 13, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

With as hot as it has been here in Texas, it is a little hard to get motivated to even think about Christmas or making Christmas cards.  If not for the delightful new products I received in my pre-order from the Holiday Catalog, I likely would be sitting on the sofa directly under the ceiling fan enjoying a cold bottle of water or Diet Coke.

Today I decided to try to make a card with the bundle that caught my eye on first glance through the catalog when it was published online for all demonstrators to see – Ready for Christmas.  This bundle includes a photopolymer stamp set and a coordinating set of thinlits that will allow you to create homey scenes including a staircase, a very luscious Christmas tree, wall art, a pedestal table, cookies for Santa, stockings, gifts, ornaments and a stinking cute Dachshund wearing a Christmas sweater.  I decided to focus on the staircase and the tree for the design of my card.

I wanted to do more with this card but I got a little carried away with the branches on the tree (there are two layers of the branches on there!) so I figured that I would just have to make another card featuring some of the other elements of the stamp set and coordinating thinlits.

For the staircase I cut the thinlit out on both Very Vanilla and one of the Wood Textures Design Series Papers.  I then cut the railing off the Very Vanilla piece and attached it to the other with snail adhesive.  (NOTE:  The bottom portion of this thinlit embosses your paper to give you panels instead of cutting out sections like it does on the banister.)

I also made “wood flooring” panels by cutting 1/4″ strips of the same Wood Textures DSP that I used for the banister.  I then cut the 1/4″ strips to 2″ pieces and pieced them at the bottom of the top card mat and staggered them on the second row to resemble actual wood flooring.  Doesn’t really show in the picture, but you can see it in real life.

Below are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below.  (NOTE:  those items with an * cannot be purchased until September 1.)

Price: $110.00

EDIT:  I used Wild Wasabi card stock for the Christmas tree, Item #108641, $8.00.

If you have any questions about any other design elements of this card, please do not hesitate to contact me.

PAPER PUMPKIN – LIMITED TIME PROMOTION:

Visit paperpumpkin.com to subscribe before September 10 to save 50% off your first month’s kit.  You can also click here to read my initial blog post which includes everything you need to know about this offer.

HOLIDAY CATALOG SNEAK PEEK:  I am getting close to the end of the list of sneak peek videos (oh no!).  Today’s video will introduce you to the Year of Cheer Suite.  Think metalics, shimmer and glimmer.

I have some of these items already and hope to be able add more to my stash soon.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper. Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

Posted in Bundles, Cards, Christmas, Holiday Catalog | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A “Spooky Cat” for Halloween

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

If you love to decorate and/or make 3-D items to put your Halloween candy in for gifting to your favorite neighbors, then this year’s Spooky Night Suite and you are MFEO (made for each other).  Sadly there is not a special video for this particular suite that I can share with you, but I used five products from this suite in the design of today’s card.

Yes my cat loving friends – we have a cat punch!  It coordinates with the stamp set (they are offered as a bundle at a 10% savings) as well as with one of the sheets of the designer series paper that has rows and rows of black and orange cats.

Below are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below.  (NOTE:  those items with an * cannot be purchased until September 1.)

My supply list builder resource did not have the black Vintage Crochet Trim as an option.  That item number is 144611 *, $6.00, 1/4″ wide, 5 yards.

If you have any questions regarding any measurements or other design elements of this card, do not hesitate to ask.

PAPER PUMPKIN – LIMITED TIME PROMOTION:

Visit paperpumpkin.com to subscribe before September 10 to save 50% off your first month’s kit.  You can also click here to read my initial blog post which includes everything you need to know about this offer.

HOLIDAY CATALOG SNEAK PEEK:  While I do not have a video for the Spooky Night Suite, I do have one to share with you that is Halloween-themed and includes items from the suite.  Say hello to the Graveyard Gate Bundle (now that’s “spooky”)!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

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Carols of Christmas with Foil Snowflakes

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Are you ready to see some Christmas in August?  If you are not yet ready for Christmas, how about cooler weather and shimmering snowflakes?  Well, I have the snowflakes covered for you today – the cooler weather is just beyond my control.

I am sharing with you today a card that I made using one of the stamps sets from the Merry Little Christmas Suite (the product suite that was featured in the YouTube video in yesterday’s blog post).  The stamp set is called Carols of Christmas and is actually available for purchase NOW as an early release (you do not have to wait until September 1 to get this stamp set – yahoo!).  This stamp set is also offered as part of a bundle that includes coordinating card front builder dies thinlits.

Just what is that silvery thing on each end of the card, you may ask?  Well, that is a foil snowflake that I cut in half.  These snowflakes are beautiful and come in both silver and gold (12 of each).

Below are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below (those marked with an * are not available for purchase until September 1):

Price: $110.00

If you have any questions about any of the design elements of this card, do not hesitate to contact me for more information.

PAPER PUMPKIN – LIMITED TIME OFFER:

Starting August 11 – September 10, new subscribers save 50% first month’s kit.  Subscribe at paperpumpkin.com.  Click here to see my post from yesterday for more information.

HOLIDAY CATALOG SNEAK PEEK:  Today’s video will introduce you to the Watercolor Christmas Project Kit.

This did not make my pre-order list but I expect it will make its way to my house sooner rather than later.  These would make great cards for me to send out to my friends and family this Christmas, don’t you agree?

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Let’s all #MakeACardSendACard this week – who is going to join me?

Until next time, stamp on my friends,

Linda

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Painted Harvest – CASE the Catalog

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Greetings my friends and fellow stampers.  My apologies for not sharing a new project with you yesterday.  I spent most of my day tending to those unpleasant matters one must deal with when they are no longer employed (COBRA insurance, unemployment, etc.).  But I am happy to say that I have taken care of all of that business and I can now give my pre-order products the attention they deserve.

My first project I will share with you using my pre-order goodies will help prepare you for the upcoming Fall season (although here in Texas we do not really have such a thing – we pretty much go from hot Summer to freezing Winter seemingly overnight in early November).  The stamp set I used is called Painted Harvest and makes some beautiful sunflowers as you will see below.

I did not have to put any real thought into the design of this card – I simply CASEd (copy and share everything) the card from page 48 of the Holiday Catalog (it’s not just a catalog, it is also filled with project samples to help motivate your creativity).  It is listed as a “quick & easy” project and it truly was quick & easy.

The Painted Harvest stamp set is offered in the Holiday Catalog as a “bundle” with a 3-leaf punch that coordinates with two of the leaf images in the stamp set.  When purchased as a bundle, you will save 10% off the cost of both items if you purchased them separately.

Below are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of my card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails:

* Painted Harvest Stamp Set and Bundle will be available for purchase on September 1, 2017.

PAPER PUMPKIN PROMOTION – LIMITED TIME OFFER:

Have you thought about subscribing to Paper Pumpkin but never clicked the Subscribe button?  Are you not ready to turn stamping into a full-time hobby, but would love a simple, fun creative experience?

If you answered yes to either of the above questions, then now is a great time to  to join Paper Pumpkin at an amazing introductory rate during our Fall into Savings promotion.

If you subscribe from August 11–September 10, you will receive September’s (gorgeous!) Paper Pumpkin kit straight to your door, complete with everything you need to make adorable, shareable projects—all for 50% off!  Just sign up using promo code HALFOFF0917 at paperpumpkin.com by September 10.

So don’t wait!  Subscribe anytime from August 11–September 10 to get September’s kit at an outstanding introductory rate.  And shhhh . . . you won’t want to miss out on October and November’s kits, either!  Think: super cute and VERY festive!

The Fine Print:

  • Only new month-to-month subscribers qualify for the 50% discount.
  • To participate in this promotion, subscribers must join by Monday, September 10, 2017 at 11:50 PM (MT).
  • The 50% discount only applies to the new subscriber’s first kit.  After that, the price for each month’s kit will return to the regular price of $19.95 USD until membership is cancelled.
  • New subscribers must visit paperpumpkin.com to join.
  • Enter the promo code HALFOFF0917 at paperpumpkin.com to subscribe.

Plus, when you become a Paper Pumpkin subscriber you will gain access to blogs and Facebook groups dedicated to projects using the monthly kits.

HOLIDAY CATALOG SNEAK PEEK:  Today’s sneak peek video features the Merry Little Christmas Suite (a “mega” suite).  Why is it a mega suite?  Well after watching the video you will see it is not just any ordinary product suite.

Some of these products did make it into my pre-order so look for projects featuring them coming soon.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

Posted in Bundles, Cards, Paper Pumpkin, Products, Promotions, Thanksgiving | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Jar of Love in Color Theory

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

My pre-order for the Holiday Catalog arrived today.  I have shown great restraint – I have yet to open it.  Instead I finished a project that I had started yesterday that was a special request from a friend for her mom.  This is the project that I will be sharing with you today.

I purchased the Jar of Love bundle from the 2017 Occasions Catalog and again did not have much opportunity to play with it.  Once again Stampin’ Up! rescued me by carrying these two products – the stamp set and the coordinating framelits – over to the 2017-2018 Annual Catalog!

Below are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below:

Price: $110.00

Tips & Tricks:

Jar:  You will need to be careful and use a steady hand when stamping the jar image onto the window sheet, otherwise your stamp will slide and the image will smear.  You will also want to allow the stamped image to dry (preferably overnight) to avoid smudging or transfer of the ink.

Water:  I stamped the water on a piece of vellum two times (for a deeper pool of water) and then stamped with a dry stamp several times to blend in the line between the two stamped water images.  I then fussy cut the vellum piece and attached in the inside of the jar with mini glue dots in all 4 corners (liquid glue will not work).

Flower Stems:  I stamped and cut out with framelits both the stems with leaves and without leaves.  Since I chose the tallest of the jars, the stems need to be made longer; cut and piece to desired length.  I then used glue dots to arrange them in a way that they would “fit” inside the jar once it was placed on top.  I attached the bundle of stems to the card front with a glue dot in the center of the stem bundle.  I then attached the jar to the top of the stems with glue dots at all four corners and one on each side in the middle, all on the very outer edge of the jar so they are not visible.

Ribbon & Bow:  I stamped the “burlap” stamp in Real Red and fussy cut it out, and then cut the width in half to make it closer in appearance to the width of the bow.  Again, attached with glue dots.

Shelf & Doily:  The Wood Textures DSP strip is intended to represent a shelf or table top.  I cut a doily in half and folded a small portion of it behind the DSP to keep it firmly in place.

Flowers:  You will notice that the stamp for the little flowers has a tab – the framelit has a matching tab.  As long as you match those two tabs up when cutting out the stamped flowers, you will get a perfect cut every time.  I have learned it’s easier to just ink up that tab and stamp it too since you are going to be cutting out the flower anyway – it erases all doubt of where that little tab was.

If you have any other questions regarding any of the design elements of this card, just ask me.

Now you know as soon as I press the “publish” button on this post I am going to tear open the box of my new toys, but before I do so I wanted to share another product video with you from the Holiday Catalog.

HOLIDAY CATALOG SNEAK PEEK:  Today’s product bundle is Smitten Mittens.

Smitten Mittens … kittens … oh my.  I have a surprise for you coming soon.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

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Santa’s Sleigh with Decorative Mask Clouds

Posted on August 5, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Moving on to some Christmas themed cards, I pulled out two of my products that I just had to have from last year’s Holiday Catalog that I never got the opportunity to play with – thankfully they were carried over to the Annual Catalog!

First, this is a non-standard sized card.  It measures 8.5″ x 4.5″ when closed so I will need to make an envelope for it if I wish to send it out.  But I am thinking I may turn this design into wall art … just need to find some frames that will work.

What I loved most about this bundle when I saw it was the sleigh.  You can stamp the sleigh image and then cut it out with the coordinating framelit.  There is also a filigree piece (shown in the gold foil paper on my card) to add extra pizzazz to the sleigh.  So many possibilities.

For my sleigh I stamped the image in Memento Black ink on a piece of the Wood Textures Designer Series Paper and then cut it out with the framelit.  I could still see some of the brown from the designer series paper on the sleigh runners so I got out my Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker and colored in the runners which gave it an even richer look.  I then cut out the filigree piece in Gold Foil.

I made the mounds of snow from cutting pieces of Whisper White card stock free-hand.  It is not easy to pick up in the photos but I coated the mounds with Clear Wink of Stella so they shimmer when the card moves.

In the upper portion of the card I used the clouds mask from the Pattern Party Decorative Masks (intended to be used with the embossing paste) with Clear Wink of Stella to create a random pattern of clouds that shimmer as well.

The sleigh and reindeer are attached using dimensionals.  I used mini glue dots for the items in the sleigh.

Below are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below:

Price: $110.00

If you have any questions about any other design elements of this card, please do not hesitate to contact me.

HOLIDAY CATALOG SNEAK PEEK:  Here is today’s sneak peek video of a new product bundle – Snowflake Sentiments:

This bundle also did not make it onto my pre-order; however, after seeing the projects in this video I am having buyers remorse and wish I had included it as well!

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  After all, it’s never too early to start working on your Christmas cards!  Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

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A Daisy (Punch) in the Negative

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Do you see art in things that others would consider to be trash?  I absolutely do.  I have always held on to my tiny scraps of card stock and designer series paper, including the “negative” pieces from punches and die cuts – you just never know when the need for that perfect size or shape will come around.

If you have been following my posts for the last few days, then you know I have been using the Daisy Delight bundle.  When I was punching my daisies for yesterday’s project combo, I fished out scraps of card stock from my Very Vanilla stash and most of the pieces were squares perfectly sized to fit nicely into the punch.  I set the negative pieces aside and they caught my attention when I was mentally creating my next card design.

I cut a piece of Delightful Daisy designer series paper slightly smaller than the Very Vanilla negative piece and attached them together with dimensionals.  I created the border of designer series paper by weaving 1/2″ strips of the same designer series paper (flipped to the opposite side for contrast).  The daisy block is attached to the front of the card with more dimensionals.  The most time consuming part of this card was the weaving; otherwise, this was a quick and simple card.

Below are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below:

If you have any questions regarding any other design elements of this card, simply leave a comment or email me.

HOLIDAY CATALOG SNEAK PEEK:  Here is another product video from the Stampin’ Up! corporate office introducing you to another product from the upcoming Holiday Catalog – Quilted Christmas.  This is a product “suite” so be prepared to be amazed!

This one did not make it onto my pre-order, but I highly anticipate that it will end up in my collection sooner rather than later.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

P.S.  Coming tomorrow – Christmas cards and 3-D projects!

Posted in Any Occassion, Cards | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Daisy Delight and Wood Words in a Crate

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Welcome friends to day two of my Daisy Delight showcase.  I created two projects to share with you today – a card and a collection of notecards that you could keep for yourself or give to someone as a gift.

As I mentioned I would in yesterday’s post, today I used the coordinating stamp set with the daisy punch which gives the daisy an entirely different look altogether.  I sponged the lower portions of the petals.  I also curled my petals slightly different on these two projects – instead of curling both layers forward, I curled the bottom layer downwards.  There are so many different things that you can do with this bundle that give you seeming endless options.

For the notecards in the wood crate, they are 3×3 and there are 6 notecards in total (2 each of 3 designs).  I made envelopes for them with my envelope punch board.

Below are the Stampin’ Up! supplies that I used in the design of the CARD, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below:

And below are the Stampin’ Up! supplies that I used in the design of the CRATE, again all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below:

Price: $110.00

If you have any questions about any design elements of these projects, do not hesitate to contact me.  If you would like to gather some friends together and make these projects, let’s talk about arranging a time and place and whether you would like to host a work shop or if you want to have a product-based class.

HOLIDAY CATALOG SNEAK PEEK:  Here is another product showcase video introducing one of my favorite product bundles (it’s in my pre-order!) Ready for Christmas:

My pre-order shipped today – I can’t wait to get my hands on this bundle!  You will be able to purchase one for yourself starting September 1 (unless you decide you must have it now and sign up to be a demonstrator like me – just ask me how!).

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

P.S.  Don’t forget to #MakeACardSendACard

Posted in 3-D Projects, Bundles, Cards, Products, Thank You | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Daisy Delight and Special Celebrations

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

I started writing a new chapter of my “life” last Thursday when I said goodbye to my friends and co-workers at Rosewood Hotels and Resorts.  While I try to decide in which direction I want to go from here (do I really want to return to a law firm environment, maybe work contract for a while or get really serious about what I truly love doing and that is being a creativity coach), I am looking forward to sharing this exciting adventure with you all, by simply sharing just one post or project at a time.

Good news I can share is that the Daisy Punch is back in stock (it is breaking all kinds of sales records as far as punches go at Stampin’ Up!) and I used this bundle in the design of my card today.

I elected to make my daisy using the punch on its own.  But never fear, I will make more projects using the coordinating stamp set this week so you can see the texture you get when using these two products together.  This project was “quick and simple” and does not require a Big Shot!

Below are the Stampin’ Up! products that I used in the design of this card, all of which can quickly be added to your shopping cart by clicking on the thumbnails below:

HOLIDAY PRE-ORDER:  A perk of being an independent Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is the “pre-order” period before each new catalog goes live.  The pre-order period for the upcoming Holiday Catalog started on August 1.  I just placed my pre-order and cannot wait to share projects with you soon.  It’s another great catalog full of amazing products.

NEED A HOLIDAY CATALOG?:  If you have placed an order through me within the last year, you will automatically receive a copy from me by mail.  If not and you would like to receive a copy, I will be able to distribute copies towards the end of August.

Until then, here is a sneak peek of one of the product videos from the Stampin’ Up! home office:

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you leave here inspired to put stamps to ink to paper.  Until next time, stamp on my friends.

Linda

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