Three Squared and a Cup of Joe

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

In mathematics, the number 3 is said to be the noblest of all digits, as it is the only number to equal the sum of all the terms below it, and the only number whose sum with those below equals the product of them and itself.

Luck (whether good luck or bad luck) is often said to come in 3’s.

“I’m going to count to 3” is a phrase everyone has either heard or said at least once in their lifetime.

To me, the visual use of the number 3 in card designs is very appealing.  Here are two swaps from Convention 2013 that approach the three square layout to perfection.  (Credit has been given to the designers, of course!)

DSC05302

Designed by Rachel Durtschi

(To achieve the look in Rachel’s card, stamp the image on a piece of card stock measuring 1″ x 3″ and then cut the stamped image in 1″ x 1″ squares. )

DSC05298

Designed by Joan Brenizer
Oklahoma City, OK

What many people don’t know about me is that I had my first cup of coffee at the age of 49.  Gary took me to Dunn’s Brothers at the end of our first date and treated me to a Vanilla Caramel Macchiato and I have been hooked ever since.  Granted, most people would not consider my preferred brew of a Vanilla Caramel Latte with whip to be “coffee,” but to me it’s heaven.

When I saw the “Perfect Blend” stamp set in the 2013-2014 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog I immediately flashed back to that first date.  I love the use of this stamp set in these two swaps from Convention 2013.

DSC05244

Designed by Cathe Valdez
Denver, CO

DSC05242

Designed by Helen Robinson
New Florence, PA

What about you?  Are there any stamp sets (either current or past) that bring back fond memories?

Thank you for stopping by.  Come back tomorrow to see what I have to share with you next!

Until next time, stamp on my friends,
Linda

Posted in Any Occassion, Cards, Convention 2013 | Leave a comment

Best of 25 Years ~ September

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Best of 25

One of the many downsides of having a head cold is that the medications the doctor gives you to take can cause INSOMNIA.  Bad for me, good for you – I now have no excuse to not share a post with you!

Continuing on with the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Stampin’ Up! the month of September features some of our favorite images for Autumn.

Get ready to celebrate the change of seasons with some of our favorite Autumn-themed stamp images from the past 25 years!  The five-piece Best of Autumn Stamp Set brings together some beautiful fall images, along with a never-before-seen “Give Thanks” stamp that makes this the perfect set for your Autumn projects!

Best of 25 September

Best of Autumn Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Item # 134390 / $14.95 (preferred price)

Are any of your favorite stamp from sets from the past included in this set?  My favorite returning stamp image is the bucket of apples! 🙂

And don’t forget — as a special incentive to collect the Best of stamps, Stampin’ Up! is including a collector’s card and 25-year proof of purchase sticker with every Best of set.  Collect six stickers, and send the collector’s card in to redeem a FREE set of your choice valued up to $14.95!  (Free sets must be redeemed no later than April 30, 2014.)

If you missed any of the prior Best of sets, you can find them all here:

Best of 25 Jan-Sept

Ah, as is typical, now that it’s about time for my alarm to go off I’m getting sleepy.  Time to sign off and get a few minutes of “rest” before starting my day.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I really appreciate each and every one of you.

Until next time, stamp on my friends,
Linda

Posted in Products | Leave a comment

Digital Download Tuesday

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

MDS Newest Downloads Pic

I’m battling a bad head cold or something viral in nature so today’s post is going to be short and sweet.  It’s Tuesday which means Stampin’ Up! released new digital downloads for My Digital Studio.

Click on the image below to be redirected to the details of this week’s releases:

MDS 090313

Thanks for stopping by.  Sorry I’m not more entertaining today … perhaps I’ll feel better tomorrow.

Until next time, stamp on my friends,
Linda

Posted in My Digital Studio | Leave a comment

Joyful Tidings with a Little Gorgeous Grunge

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

I got to spend a little time in my craft room today (yay!).  The card design that was running around in my head yesterday didn’t want to transfer onto paper last night but after giving my creative mind a long rest, I finally got the elements to come together as I had envisioned.

DSC05328

Here’s a list of the products I used in the design of this card:

Pool Party Card Stock
Basic Gray Card Stock
Whisper White Card Stock
Basic Gray Classic Stampin’ Pad
Versa Mark Pad
Christmas Messages Stamp Set (clear-mount) (wood-mount)
Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set (clear-mount) (wood-mount)
Winter Frost Designer Series Paper Stack
1/8″ Silver Ribbon
Frosted Finishes Embellishments
Season of Style Designer Washi Tape
Stampin’ Trimmer
Snail Adhesive
Stampin’ Dimensionals

{HINT:  I “stamped off” once before stamping the “Joyful Tidings” greeting on the Whisper White Card Stock to get a lighter shade of gray.}

If you ever struggle getting the design in your head to transfer to paper, just take a break and try again.  It took me three tries to get the grunge look I was going for (it’s a good thing that paper has TWO sides 🙂 ).

I’m sad to see the long weekend come to an end.  I hope to spend some time each evening this week in my craft room so I should have a few new projects to share with you.  If not, I still have some favorite swaps from Convention yet to share with you.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Until next time, stamp on my friends,
Linda

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Holiday Catalog | Leave a comment

An Envelope for Every Card and Occasion

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Envelope Punch Board

You may recall that shortly after returning from Convention 2013 I posted a photo HERE on my blog featuring envelopes in various colors and sizes.  Well now I can show you this incredible new product from Stampin’ Up!

Why go with boring, white, normal-sized envelopes when you can use colorful paper to create everything from itty bitty to long and skinny?  The Envelope Punch Board from Stampin’ Up! makes it easy to customize envelopes in up to 66 different sizes!

The Envelope Punch Board includes:

    • An easy-to-use chart to create up to 66 different envelope sizes (including standard sizes). The measurements are provided both in inches and centimeters.
    • A scoring tool in a convenient storage slot.
    • Two punches designed right into the tool itself: one to make the envelope and one to round its corners.

Envelope Punch Board
Item # 133774 / $19.95 (preferred price)

See it in action in this video from Stampin’ Up!:


I promised yesterday that I would share a project with you today.  Well here it is – at Convention one of the many Prize Patrols to the entire group of attendees included one of the card kits from the Holiday Catalog, the Merry Little Christmas Simply Created Card Kit.

DSC05323

 I altered the card just a tiny bit – I added Gumball Green card stock behind the designer series paper, added the scroll stamp image in Coastal Cabana and two Rhinestone Basic  Jewels.

With everything I needed to make these cards already pre-cut it was so quick and easy to make all eight cards.  I’m thinking I may get a few more of these kits to use for my Christmas cards this year.

I have an idea for another card that I hope to create tomorrow (if not later tonight).  Come back tomorrow to see what it is!

Until next time, stamp on my friends,
Linda

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Holiday Catalog, Kits | Leave a comment

Bundled Butterflies through September 30th!

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Butterfly Bundle Special Offer

Stampin’ Up! has a new bundle special!

Dates: August 29-September 30, 2013

Offer: Save 15% when you buy the Papillion Potpourri stamp set (available in both wood-mount and clear-mount) and the Bitty Butterfly Punch as a “bundle”!

Butterfly Bundle-001 Butterfly Clear-Mount Bundle
Item # 135311 / $30.90 (preferred price)

Butterfly Wood-Mount Bundle
Item # 135312 / $34.90 (preferred price)

I LOVE butterflies.  How about you?

Tomorrow I will have some projects to share with you.  I didn’t get a chance to create today.  After getting my hairs done and driving to Denton with Gary and his grandson Jayson (plus both dogs!) to visit my mom, the day was all but over.  I have just enough energy left to finish this blog post then it’s off to dreamland for me!

Thank you for stopping by.  How’s that Wish List looking? 🙂

Until next time, stamp on my friends,
Linda

P.S.  Here’s a video timeline of the first 25 Years of Making a Difference at Stampin’ Up!  Enjoy!

Posted in Bundles, Products | Leave a comment

A Flower Shop With A Punch

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Flower Shop BundlePansy Punch

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite things about Stampin’ Up!’s products are the coordinating stamp sets and punches offered as bundles.  They make adding dimension to your project a snap (AND you save 15% when you buy them as a bundle!).  One of the newest bundles introduced in the 2013-2014 Annual Catalog is the Flower Shop Bundle.

I received lots of swaps at Convention made with this bundle and here are a few of my favorites.  {If the designer of the card included their contact information, I have given them credit.}

DSC05288

Jean Nauta
Salt Point, NY

DSC05280

Cathy Seal
Bloomington, NY

DSC05285

Jill Hadley

I have this bundle on my Wish List (shocker!) and I hope to add it to my collection real soon.  If you have this bundle or are considering purchasing it in the future, please note that I have heard there is a top and a bottom of the stamps in relation to the punch.  Below is a YouTube video from my friend Connie Stewart who explains how to mark your stamps so that the stamped image matches up with the punch every time!

Flower Shop Bundle
Item # 132727 (wood-mount) / $33.95
Item # 132726 (clear-mount) / $28.75


Love that Connie – I hope to be just like her someday 🙂

Thank you for visiting my blog today.  I hope you enjoy your Labor Day weekend.  We are going to have record highs here in Texas so I have plans to spend lots of time in my craft room and I PROMISE to share my creations here with you.

Until next time, stamp on my friends,
Linda

Posted in Bundles, Convention 2013, Products | Leave a comment

I’m Wishy for “Washi Tape”

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Washi TapeOne of the new must have products from Stampin’ Up! is Washi Tape.  When I first heard the name of this product, I thought “what the heck is ‘washi tape’?”

In case you’re wondering the same thing:  Washi tape originates from Japan and feels like masking tape — only it’s much prettier.  It’s made of paper, but is not as delicate as you would expect.  Washi tape is typically made from natural fibers, such as bamboo or hemp, but most commonly from the bark of trees that are native to Japan.  Most washi tapes are strong and functional as well as pretty, making them wonderful for both everyday and decorative use.  Washi tape is semi transparent, has a nice feel and is super easy to use.  It is removable and repositionable.

Here are some of my favorite swaps from Convention 2013 that incorporate washi tape in their designs.  Again, if the designer included their name, I have given them their much deserved credit.

DSC05270

Amy O’Neill
McKinney, TX
{a member of my sideline!}

DSC05265

Beth Grace
Irving, TX
{my Convention roommate!}

DSC05260

Cindy Stokes
Milford, OH

DSC05256

Debby Kainu
Middletown, NY

DSC05254

Anne Granger
Dorchester, Ontario
{I am so CASEing this for my Christmas cards!}

Stampin’ Up! has several designs of washi tape to choose from.  So come on and get creative — I’m sure you’ll come up with creative ways to use washi tape!

Epic This and That Designer Washi Tape
Item # 131269 / $3.95 (preferred price)

Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape
Item # 129314 / $4.95 (preferred price)

Season of Style Designer Washi Tape
Item # 132155 / $4.95 (preferred price)

Witches Brew Designer Washi Tape
Item # 132156 / $4.95 (preferred price)

You can also create your own faux washi tape with the Tape It stamp set plus there are washi tape digital downloads for MDS!  So much washi tape, so little time!

Thanks for stopping by.  I apologize for not posting yesterday (and I was doing so well there fore a while).  I hope you come back again soon!

Until next time, stamp on my friends,
Linda

Posted in Products | Leave a comment

Hexagons on Parade!

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

It’s Tuesday once again and I know you are expecting to see a post showcasing today’s digital downloads for My Digital Studio.  While today’s newest downloads are just as amazing as prior weeks, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite swaps from Convention 2013.

I think I swapped about 150 or so cards/card fronts at this year’s Convention which means I have a whole lot of cards to sift through to get ideas for layouts (and of course I will see a stamp set that has been used that I don’t already have and so I add yet another item to my Wish List!).

I quickly sifted through my batch of “favorites” and selected the following to share with you — all of which feature the hexagon punch and/or Six-Sided Sampler stamp set.  If the designer of the card included their contact information, I have given them the credit they deserve.

So here you go, in no particular order:

DSC05216

Designed by Gabriella Bonino

DSC05219

Designed by Ornetta Gilliam
Wood River, IL

DSC05221

Designed by Ornetta Gilliam
Wood River, IL

DSC05222

Designed by Kristen Taggart
CBS, NL {? Canada maybe ?}

DSC05224

Designed by Susan Finn
Tulsa, OK

DSC05225

Designed by Joyce Coffey
Thornton, CO

DSC05223

Designed by Donna Smit
Grand Rapids, MI

If you have any questions about measurements or any of the products used in the design of the cards, drop me a comment and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

Oh, and in case you are deeply disappointed that I didn’t post today about the My Digital Studio digital downloads, you can see them HERE!

Thanks for dropping by today.  Be sure you come back to see what I post tomorrow!

Until next time, stamp on my friends,
Linda

Posted in Cards, Convention 2013 | Leave a comment

Big Shot + ExpressionsThinlits = Amazing!

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Linda Tolson Yarbrough

Big Shot

Are you a fan of the Big Shot?  Well then you better be sitting down while you are reading this post!  🙂

Continuing on with my Holiday Catalog series, I would like to introduce the newest thinlits die cuts from Stampin’ Up!:  “Expressions Thinlits“.

Expressions Thinlits

Expressions Thinlits Dies
Item # 132171 / $24.95 (preferred price)

Express your love, gratitude or holiday cheer in a fun, curlicue script.
(Largest image (Thankful) measures 5-1/8″ x 1-3/8″.)

Use with Big Shot and Standard Cutting Pads.  (Note:  Paper will stick to die after cutting.  Push Paper-Piercing Tool through holes in die to remove paper.)

For an extra pizzazz, substitute designer series paper or card stock with the foil sheets also available in the Holiday Catalog.

 

Foil Sheets

Silver Foil Sheets
Item # 132178 / $3.95 (preferred price)
Gold Foil Sheets
Item # 132622 / $3.95 (preferred price)

There are just so many fantastic products in this Holiday Catalog!  Every time I look through it my Wish List gets a little bit longer.

I just browsed through Stampin’ Connection – a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator only community – and found the PERFECT card that I am going to CASE for Christmas.

This gorgeous card was created by Jan McQueen – she used the Gold Foil Sheets with the Expressions Thinlits.  Can you say AMAZING!!!?

Jan McQueen Thinlits Card

Thanks again for visiting my blog today.  I hope you come back tomorrow to see what else I have to share with you.

I am chomping at the bit to get in my craft room and create something!  Gary, you are forewarned!

Until next time, stamp on my friends,
Linda

Posted in Big Shot, Holiday Catalog, Products | Leave a comment