Wednesday, November 28, 2012


Online Extravaganza 2012
Hello Friends,
We are facing the final hours of our Online Extravaganza!  
These special discounts will end at midnight tonight!
FYI, some items are running low and may end up back-ordered. 
However, you will not see these reduced prices in the near future so if there is something you want, grab it now!
With Stamp Sets, Punches, Designer Paper, Gift Boxes, and even Ribbon to choose from, there is something for everyone!
If you have any questions at all, please give me a call!!!  
I'm here to help!
Happy Shopping!   
-Mary

Monday, November 19, 2012

Thanks A Bunch Catalog CASE


I made this card as a Thank You for a Workshop I have coming up.  
I wanted to highlight some of the fabulous products we have in our Holiday Catalog 
while thanking my Hostess for holding her workshop.  
I hope she likes it as much as I do!

This card is featured on page 30 of our Holiday Catalog.  
I hope I did the original artist's creation justice!  

The card base is Island Indigo.  In the original card, they used the Netting background stamp (AC pg 127 122655 $17.95) and stamped it in Island Indigo for a tone-on-tone look.  However, I am sorry to say that I do not own this stamp - Yet!  Grin! - so I had to use a retired background stamp - ouch!  The designer papers are from the Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper Pack (Holiday Catalog pg 28 126895 $10.95).  I cut the striped piece 1 1/2" by 4 1/2" and used a square punch to flag the end.  I then took a coordinating pattern from the same DP pack and cut a 4 1/2" strip with the 
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (AC pg 183 119275 $15.95).  
I cut that strip in half and attached half to each side of my striped piece with snail adhesive.  

The original card was a landscape card but, because my flagged piece ended up a little too short, 
it was at this point that I changed mine.  I thought it looked better this way.  

The image panel starts with a piece of Lucky Limeade cardstock cut with a die from the Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies (Holiday Catalog pg 30 129021 $26.95).  I then used a die the next size down to cut my inked image.   I chose the "Thanks a Bunch" image from Friendship Preserves (Holiday Catalog pg 30 W: 127910 $21.95 C: 127913 $16.95).  I colored the stamp with Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade and Island Indigo markers - exactly as the original artist did.  
I then ran a length of looped Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (AC pg 172 119959 $5.95/10yds) 
under the cut out stamped image and attached it with snail adhesive.  
I then "popped this up" onto my Lucky Limeade piece with Dimensionals.  
Then that stack was attached to the card front with more Dimensionals.  

I loved this card when I first saw it in the Holiday Catalog and it's just as pretty in person!
I hope you have enjoyed this card and are inspired to CASE it yourself!
Thanks for stopping by today,
Mary 

Gingerbread Cheer


Here's a little Gingerbread Man delivering some Christmas Cheer.  
This card is another contender for my upcoming Card Class.  
You can't help but smile looking at this little guy!

My card base is Real Red cardstock.  I added a layer of Whisper White embossed with the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder (AC pg 189 127751 $7.95).  I then created a panel using Real Red cardstock with a panel of Whisper White cut 1/4" smaller.  I stamped my Gingerbread Man from Scentsational Season (Holiday Catalog pg 16 W: 121026 $18.95 C: 121190 $14.95)  in Early Espresso and the Candy Cane (from the same set) with Real Red onto Whisper White.  I then cut them out with the coordinating Holiday Collection Framelits Dies (Holiday Catalog pg 16 127814 $24.95) with my 
Big Shot.   If you love them as much as I do, make sure to purchase the bundle for a 15% savings!!!!  This bundle is a must-have for the holidays!!!! 
(Holiday Catalog pg 16 W: 129945 $36.95 C: 129946 $32.95)

I glued the Candy Cane onto my panel with Snail Adhesive and the Gingerbread Man is on a Dimensional.  I tied a length of Real Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (AC pg 173 126875 $4.95/10yds) around the panel and tied a knot.  Below that, I stamped my greeting 
-from More Merry Messages (AC pg 15 W: 126400 $32.95 C: 126402 $24.95) - in Real Red 
using my Stampamajig (AC pg 7 101049 $11.95) for perfect alignment!  
The panel is adhered to the card front with Dimensionals.

And there you have it!  Bright and Cheery and a grin on a Gingerbread Man 
that just makes you smile back :)

I hope he brought a smile to your face today!
Thanks for stopping by and, if you have any questions about my projects, please don't hesitate to ask!
Mary

BTW: Our Online Extravaganza kicked off today!!!!  If you like the greeting I used on todays card, the More Merry Messages stamp set I used just so happens to be 25% off during this sale!  
This is an incredible set for the Holidays and an incredible buy at 25% off!  
Visit my online store and get yours before this incredible offer ends on November 28th!  
And, don't forget, the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine is a Doorbuster Deal today only!!!! 
Purchase your Big Shot today and save 20% off the regular price!!! 
 I can't imagine my life without my Big Shot :)

Merry Christmas Class Card


This is a card I came up with preparing for an upcoming class.   
I need something simple, yet elegant, that won't take very long for a large group to complete.  
This card just might fit the bill!

I zipped a Cherry Cobbler card base through the BigShot with the Fancy Fan embossing folder 
(AC pg 189 127751 $7.95).  I then cut a strip of Gumball Green and a strip of Whisper White 
1/4" narrower and layered them on the front.  I then cut a strip of Be of Good Cheer Designer Paper (AC pg 164 126896 $10.95) into 1 1/4" squares and used my Corner Rounder ( AC pg 183 119871 $6.95) on opposite corners and mounted them on the strips.  I then stamped an image from my 
Easy Events stamp set (AC pg 34 W: 116958 $32.95 C: 123225 $$24.95) in black Stazon 
(AC pg 157 101406 $7.95) on Whisper White and colored it in with my Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive markers.  I then punched it out with my 1 3/8" Circle Punch (AC pg 184 119860 $15.95) and mounted it on a piece of Gumball Green cardstock punched with the Designer Label Punch 
(AC pg 182 120907 $16.95).  This was added to the card front with Dimensionals.   

Very simple but I really like the result!  I hope you do too!
Thanks for stopping by and, if you have any questions about my cards, don't hesitate to ask!
Mary




Get Well Wishes


LOVE,LOVE,LOVE this card!

I was "surfing the 'net" yesterday and stumbled across a version of this card and just had to make it!  It's a "leaves" thing with me - I could do "Fall" themes all year 'round!  I am so excited about this card and I hope this photo does it a little bit of justice!  If this is your card that I'm CASE'ing, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due!

I started with a base of Early Espresso, which I'm almost out of!!! Horrors!!!  then I added a layer of More Mustard, followed by a layer of our new Core'Dinations cardstock in Early Espresso (Holiday Catalog 127848 $6.95 12 sheets of 12x12).  That top layer was zipped through the Big Shot with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Holiday Catalog 127821 $7.95) and sanded with the 
Stampin' Sanding System (Holiday Catalog 129367 $3.95) to reveal the inside layer.  

My sentiment is from Perfectly Penned stamp set (Annual Catalog pg 132 W: 122890 $16.95 C: 122892 $12.95) stamped on Very Vanilla with Early Espresso Classic Ink.  The layers behind it are More Mustard and Old Olive cut with a shape from the Apothecary Accents Framelits (AC pg 191 127003 $24.95).  I cut one of each color, cut the More Mustard piece in half the long way and layered the pieces under the Old Olive piece.  An Antique Brass Brad (AC pg 174 Metallic Brads 119741 $6.95) balances out each side.  The whole sentiment panel is attached to the card with Dimensionals.

For my leaf cluster, I cut the leaf shapes with the Autumn Accents Bigz Die (Holiday Catalog pg 33 127812 $21.95) with Very Vanilla cardstock.  I then inked up my stamps from the coordinating  Wonderfall stamp set (Holiday Catalog pg 33 W: 128084 $24.95 C: 128087 $17.95) and stamped my designs onto my leaves.  The colors I used were: More Mustard, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Crumb Cake.   Some of my leaves are attached to the card with Snail Adhesive and others are on Dimensionals.  I then wrapped hemp twine (non-SU ) around the card panel and tied a bow.  I then added a brown button I had laying around to the top.   The whole panel was then added to card base.  For the inside of the card (not shown), I cut a panel of Very Vanilla and sponged the edges with Early Espresso.  I then stamped a row of leaves along the bottom.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoyed today's project!
If you have any questions about the techniques I used here today, please don't hesitate to ask!

I will also take this opportunity to say Happy Birthday to my dear Hubby!  
We are not together today but I'm with him in my heart.
I will see him on Wednesday :)

Have a great day!
Mary

BTW: Today is the first day of our Online Extravaganza!!!  
The Bigshot (used a lot on this card!) is a Today-Only Doorbuster Deal and is on sale for 20% off!!!!  
Regularly $99.95, you can buy it today only! for only $79.96!  
The super cute and incredible awesome Big Shot Doctor's Bag is also a Doorbuster today!!!  Regularly $69.95, you can purchase it today for only $55.96!  
The other Doorbuster Deal of the day is the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate for $9.56 
(also a 20% savings).  
For a complete list of all of the Online Extravaganza Savings, 
visit my website or send me an email.  Happy Shoppping!!!! -Mary



Friday, November 16, 2012

Online Extravaganza Announced!!!!


Stampin' Up has announced a very special Online Extravaganza 
taking place November 19th - 28th in my Online Store!!!!  
Woooo Hooo!  
I'm rubbing my hands together in glee and making my list of goodies to buy come November 19th!!!  
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me and I will be happy to assist you!!!!

Warm Up with a Smile


Here is a super fun card that is sure to warm the hearts of your family and friends this Holiday Season!

I just love this Gingerbread Man (or Woman depending on how you stamp them ) 
and his bright, smiling face!  Here he is with 2 steaming cups of hot cocoa 
ready to warm the hearts of the recipient of this card :)  

The steaming cups of cocoa and the gingerbread man were stamped using images from our new Scentsational Season Stamp Set from the Holiday Catalog (pg 16 W: 121026 $18.95 C: 121190 $14.95) then cut out with the coordinating Holiday Collection Framelit Dies ( 127814 $24.95).  Stampin' Up is even bundling these two items together and offering them to us at a 15% savings over buying them separately!  How sweet is that?!  Just make sure you enter the Bundle Item Numbers to receive your discount!  Wood Mount set with Framelit Dies: 129945 $36.95 or Clear Mount Set with Framelit Dies: 129946 $32.95.

The backdrop for my images was cut using my new Window Frames Collection Framelit Dies from the Holiday Catalog.  They can be found on page 30 (129021 $26.95).  They even have a special coordinating Festive Paper-Piercing Pack if I want to step up my panels a notch and pierce the edges (I will be posting a card, on which I used the piercing templates, soon).  You will see this fun pack on pg 30 of the Holiday Catalog  (127857 $7.95).  It also coordinates with the Holiday Ornaments Bundle (Holiday Catalog pg3) and the Labels Collection Framelits Dies (pg 191 of the Annual Catalog) as well  making it a must-have!!!  

I hope my smiling Gingerbread Man and his steaming cups of cocoa brought a smile to your face 
and warmed your heart!

Thanks for stopping by today,
Mary

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Merry & Bright Gift Card Holder


This super bright and sparkly gift card holder was a project at my most recent Cards and 3D class.  I just love it!  It is a super easy project to make but makes such a huge impact!

I started by selecting two coordinating cardstocks from the 2011-2013 In Color Collection:
 Lucky Limeade (122926 $6.95 24sheets) and Island Indigo (122923 $6.95 24sheets).  
Next was selecting my stamp sets : 
Snowflake Soiree (Holiday Catalog W: 127922 $29.95 C: 127925 $21.95) 
and Merry and Type ( W 122550 $25.95 C: 122552 $18.95).  

I inked up the two smallest Snowflake stamps and stamped them in the coordinating ink in a random pattern on my cardstock.  I then used my coordinating In Color Markers ( 123002 $14.95 set of 5 colors) to color on my Sentiment stamp before stamping on Whisper White Cardstock (100730 $8.50 40 sheets).  I punched out my sentiment with the Decorative Label Punch ( 120907 $16.95).  I tied a length of Whisper White Organza Ribbon ( 114319 $5.95 15yds) around the cover sleeve and popped up my sentiment over it with Dimensionals.  My Silver Glimmer Paper ( 124005 $4.95 sheets ea. 12x12) snowflakes  were cut with the Snow Flurry Bigz Die (Holiday Catalog 127813 $21.95) and layered together with a Silver Brad (119741 $6.95 120 ct assorted Metallics) and popped up on a Dimensional.  

I love this little Gift Card holder and I hope you do too!

Thanks for stopping by today,
Mary

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Canned Thank You


Here's a little Thank You card I whipped up with the new Perfectly Preserved stamp set (Holiday Catalog W: 126690 $28.95 C: 126692 $20.95) and coordinating Framelits Dies (127822 $24.95).

Stampin' Up has bundled these two together and gives us 15% off when we purchase them together!  I love that!!!  The Wood Mount Bundle (129943) is $44.95 and the Clear Mount (129944) is $38.95.  I find myself purchasing all of my stamp sets in Clear Mount these days.  I love being able to look through my clear block and be able see my stamp image exactly as it will stamp on the paper :)

The card base is my go-to color these days - Crumb Cake!  I embossed the top panel with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335 $7.95).  The Designer Paper piece is from the Orchard Harvest Designer Paper collection ( Holiday Catalog 126895 $10.95).  I layered it on a piece of Raspberry Ripple before adding it to my panel.  The ribbon is our Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon (can't tell you how much I love this ribbon - so supple!) (126845 $8.95).   The "Thank You" is stamped in Early Espresso (to coordinate with the panel under the cannery panel) from the Made for You stamp set.


I love,love,love this stamp set!

I hope you have enjoyed this card!

Thanks for stopping by today,
Mary


Friday, November 9, 2012

A "Mary" by Mary


This card was originally created by the super talented Mary Fish.  I fell in love with her card the second I saw it.  As is usually the case, I did not have some of the major elements she used on-hand (read that as I didn't have the Designer paper - grin) so I was forced to come up with my own version.  The design is hers but the color scheme and papers are all mine.

I used the Floral Frames Framelits ( 127012 $26.95) to create the body of my card in my new Favorite Color!  Raspberry Ripple.  Using the next size down frame, I cut out flowers in 2 coordinating Designer Papers from the Orchard Harvest collection.  I cut a small flower shape from the Floral Frames Framelits in Raspberry Ripple to mount my greeting on.  "Especially for You" is from the Made for You stamp set.  I love this set of 3 stamps (W: 126340 $11.95 C: 126342 $8.95).   The leaves were cut with the Blossom Petals Builder Punch ( 121808 $16.95).   The flagging is Whisper White with 3 of our Gold Brads (119741 $6.95 assorted metallics).

I hope you enjoy my version as much as I did Mary's.

Thanks for stopping by today!
Mary

Thursday, November 8, 2012

A little Sparkle to brighten up the Holidays


A little bit of bling goes a long way (grin)!  
This card was featured in our Demonstrator magazine, Stampin' Success.  
I wanted to make it the second I saw it!   
But, alas, I didn't have the Snow Flurry Bigz Die ( 127813 $21.95) to make it.  
What's a girl to do?  Order it of course!  
I got right to making it the day my die arrived!  I love it!  
I don't think this photo does it justice.  It's so pretty and sparkly in person.
  
I used Naturals White cardstock and ran it through big shot with the Northern Flurry Embossing Folder (120902 $7.95).  The Snowflakes were cut out in Silver Glimmer Paper (124005 $4.95 pkg of 2 sheets) and colored using re-inker and sponges daubers.  How pretty!  
I layered my snowflakes together with a silver brad, popped them up on the card with Dimensionals, added my Sentiment and a couple of strips of Glimmer Paper and I was done!  
I hope you can see a little of the beauty of this card.  

Thanks for Stopping by today,
Mary

Halloween Purses for the Girlies!


I made the cutest (if I may say so myself) purses for my girls for Halloween this year.  
They are simply adorable!!!  
I absolutely love this purse!  You can make them for just about any occasion and I know that I will be making a lot more of these in the future!  With three Granddaughters, they will have boatloads of them - after all, a girl can not have too many purses, can she?  Hee Hee :)
These particular purses were made with some retired Halloween designer paper from last year's Stampin Up collection.  I used Basic Black for the edges and tabs with Black Satin Ribbon for the handles which I attached with Silver Brads.  The stamped message is from a current Stampin Up Halloween stamp set: Wicked Cool. 
These purses are the perfect size for a gift card, a chapstick, a little bauble or, in this case, I little bit of candy.  My girls are getting a little package of M&Ms in theirs :)

Thanks for stopping by today.  Happy Stamping!
Mary