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Stampin’ Up! Thanksgiving for Happy Inkin’ Krew Blog Hop

Blog hop headerHappy Thanksgiving, Everyone!! I hope this day you can find many things for which to be thankful. Among the many blessings I have, are the friends with whom I do this hop each Thursday. We have a good time and love to share our creativity with all of you!

Today we have a sketch for inspiration.

And here is my take on the sketch. I wanted to do another Thanksgiving card, as I love the fall colors and leaves. Also, Thanksgiving is only second to Christmas for favorite holidays, mainly because it is a day to be thankful and, so far, isn’t too commercialized. Also, it is the only time during the holiday season that I am able to be together with my siblings and their families, as well as my own.

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The first thing I did after cutting my Pumpkin Pie card base was to use the Pinewood Planks Dynamic Textured Embossing Folder to dry emboss the front of the card base. The second task was to dry emboss a Copper Foil Sheets panel with the Layered Leaves DTIEF. This was adhered to an Early Espresso mat, which was then adhered to the card base. Instead of a ribbon, I used some leaves cut from Pumpkin Pie and Mossy Meadow, using dies from the Foliage Frame Framelits.

I also deviated from the rectangle behind the sentiment panel, as shown in the sketch, by cutting two maple leaf shapes from Cajun Craze using the thinlits from Seasonal Layers. The detailed leaf stamp from the coordinating Colorful Seasons stamp set was used to stamp the leaves with Versamark and heat emboss with copper.  Before applying the stamp to the card stock, I rubbed the leaves with the Embossing Buddy to remove any static that might make the embossing powder cling where I didn’t want it.

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These leaves were then placed behind the sentiment, in place of the rectangle in the sketch, and the small leaves dry arranged behind them. When I was satisfied with the arrangement, I used Liquid Glue to attach them to the embossed copper panel.

The Sentiment is from Pleasant Pheasants, stamped with Versamark and embossed with Copper. The small leaf stamp is from the Feathers and Frost set, also copper embossed. To set the sentiment panel off, I dipped the edges into the Versamark pad and copper embossed the edges as well. This was then Liquid Glued to an Early Espresso mat. Three enamel shapes finish the sentiment panel, which I then adhered to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

The inside sentiment and leaf design are all from the Pleasant Pheasants stamp set,  stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with Copper Stampin’ Emboss Powder, again using the Embossing Buddy before stamping. I really like this sentiment, and the leaves carry the leafy theme to the inside of the card. This liner is Pumpkin Pie and is adhered to an Early Espresso mat with Liquid Glue.

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For the envelope, (can you believe it?) MORE copper! A row of the same leaves as on the inside are on the front, and just one imprint on the flap. In case you hadn’t noticed, I LOVE the look of copper!

I hope you like my card, but if you don’t, that’s OK. I do, and I think the recipient will, too. Please leave comments below. Now, please click on the ‘next’ image to move on and see what the super creative Amy has for you. Unless, of course, you prefer to just ‘hop’ around by clicking on an individual name. Don’t get lost! Card cuts and product information below the names.

Amy Koenders

Shelagh Freemantle

Mary Deatherage

Kristi Gray

Jaimie Babarczy

Sue Prather

Julie Johnston – You are here

CARD CUTS: Pumpkin Pie: card base 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″, front sentiment 2″ x 2-1/2″, leaves 1-1/2″ x 2″, inside liner 3-3/4″ x 5″; Early Espresso: mat for copper 3-3/4″ x 4-1/4″, sentiment mat 2-1/8″ x 2-5/8″, inside mat 4″ x 5-1/4″; Copper Foil Sheets: 3-1/2″ x 4″; Mossy Meadow: leaves 2″ x 2″, Cajun Craze: leaves 2″ x 4″

The Host Code for November is WV7QS9PE.

Please click here for details on when to use the host code. Or, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me. If you do not have a demonstrator, and would like to purchase the products used for this card, please just click on the ‘shop online’ button at right on this page. It is near the top of the page. This will take you directly to my online shop.


online xtravaganza

Beginning tomorrow, November 23, through November 28, Stampin’ Up! is having a SALE! This amounts to just about everything in the annual catalog being 10% off, with different items offered over the sale period.

DETAILS:

Online Extravaganza will run for six days. During this time, we’ll be throwing three, 48-hour sales featuring a selection of products from the 2018–2019 annual catalog—all at 10% off! Each 48-hour sale will feature two product categories (e.g., paper, stamps, ink, etc.). When one sale ends, the next sale begins; this cycle will continue until Online Extravaganza is over. By the end, nearly every item from the annual catalog will have been on sale!

November 23–24

PAPER & EMBELLISHMENTS

  • Bags
  • Brads and Buttons
  • Cards and Envelopes
  • Cardstock
  • Designer Series Paper
  • Embossing material
  • Glitter
  • Ribbons
  • Twine
  • Specialty Paper
  • Tags
  • Washi Tape

November 25–26

STAMPS & KITS

  • Stamp sets (clear-mount, wood-mount, and photopolymer)
  • Project kits
  • Card kits
  • Kit refills
  • Memories & More
  • Punch box kits

November 27–28

TOOLS & INK

  • Adhesives
  • Applicators
  • Cleaners
  • Cutting tools
  • Embossing folders
  • Framelits and thinlits
  • Ink Pads
  • Ink refills
  • Markers
  • Punches
  • Scoring Tools
  • Stamp blocks and cases

Ordering Deadlines: 11:50 P.M. at the end of each 2 day period, November 24, 26 and 28

If you  would like to see the full selection of discounted items during each 48-hour sale, please visit my online store. Each sale will be given its own category, which will contain all available discounted items for that particular 48-hour sale. After that, the only thing left to do is shop! Woo-Hoo! We all love a sale. So get your wish lists ready.


snowflake showcase

The Snowflake Showcase will only be around for another week, so if you want any of the products in this suite, add them to your Extravaganza order.The Velvet Paper is sold out.

 

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Snow is Glistening

And it isn’t a stamp or a card!

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Yep! It is the real deal. And it is SO beautiful! You may note that I did not make it to church. After digging a path to the car I came back in for a warm-up with my morning coffee. When I went back out to finish the rest of the job, where I had cleared the snow and the sun had hit it, there was a film of…..BLACK ICE! Whoa! SLICK!

I though perhaps some of the roads I have to use to get to church would be the same, so I opted to just stay home and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in my backyard. You, my friends, are the beneficiaries of that decision.

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This bird bath is mute evidence of the depth of the snow. I had to sweep off the bird feeders and, oh, my, did my feathered friends appreciate that. The bird bath they actually use is a heated one, so, no snow on it. Of course, I had to either wade through the soft, white snow, or scoop a path to get to the feeders. I will have to brave the roads tomorrow because I just used the last of the bird seed this morning.

A handy item to have…

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“This is the day which the Lord hath made. We will REJOICE and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24 KJV

Truly, there is always something for which to be glad. Maybe it is only the fact that you can see when you open your eyes in the morning. Or that you are able to get out of bed on your own. For my part, I am thankful that I am able to get out and enjoy this day.

Perhaps it is simply the knowledge that someone loves you…and God certainly does. This is what MY eyes saw upon opening this morning. Better than icing on a cake!

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It is really glistening today. Yesterday was gloomy and it snowed ALL DAY and half the night. It was just a gentle, lightly falling snow, and there was very little wind, which is unusual for where I live. It is flat here for miles and there is nothing to stop the wind. Folks who live in our county seat town are amazed when they drive out into the country at how strong is the wind. A day with NO wind is not very common. Today, as you can see from the limp flags, is one of those rare days.

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The snow has a tendency to give my surroundings a peaceful feeling. It is not just the beauty, it is the quiet. Snow mutes the sound, or at least softens it. So, when my neighbor started his little tractor, it was a pleasant, muffled sound instead of harsh and annoying. He had hooked up the sled  and was pulling his two little boys behind, very slowly and very carefully. They have a large yard and he was just going around it. It was a joy to watch them enjoying themselves.

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When I was a child, we had a large bush in the back yard that was covered in summer with fluffy, white flowers. We called it a snowball bush. This is my current snowball bush! It really is a hydrangea, as was the one we called a snowball bush. I now see how it got that nickname. The flowers did resemble the snowballs, and these real snowballs resemble the flowers that were there only a few weeks ago.

No matter how troubling this old world is at times, nor how much personal pain we have at any moment, God is there, loving and caring for us all. And, he gives us such beauty it makes my heart swell with pleasure and gratitude. I admit, though, that sometimes we have to look for that beauty.

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And, if you don’t like snow, you may only see that you have to get out the shovel, or that the roads may be slick, or, or….something. Instead, try seeing the beauty of it. It will make your day go better.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you can appreciate my love of the winter season. And, if you live where you do not get snow, well, you can enjoy it here. Oh, yes, the temperature was 12 degrees Fahrenheit when I got up.  But, with no wind, it doesn’t seem cold at all.

I would enjoy any comments you care to leave. God Bless.

 

 

 

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Stampin’ up Buffalo Check Nature Sings revisited

Good morning, All. Today my card is the second of the two that I began for the hop yesterday. After deciding to follow both the sketch and the color inspirations, the decision was made to save this card for another blog post.

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This was my original idea, but, to be able to use both the color and sketch I changed it for the blog hop. For this one, I did the plaid the same way, then tore the long sides, leaving it long enough to fit the card base. I then stamped the Gray Granite panel with images and sentiment from Nature Sings. The elk are Gray Granite, the trees Mossy Meadow and the sentiment is Cherry Cobbler.

This was then dry embossed with the Subtle 3D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and adhered to the plaid with Liquid Glue. My Linen Thread was dragged through the Mossy Meadow ink pad and left to dry while I did the inside of the card.

For the inside, I took one of the torn off pieces of plaid and Liquid Glued it to the top of the Gray Granite liner. The elk were again stamped in Gray Granite and a couple of pine boughs in Mossy Meadow. The sentiment is in Cherry Cobbler. Again, all images and the sentiment are from Nature Sings. Beautiful stamp set!

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This liner was adhered to a Mossy Meadow mat with Liquid Glue and into the card base, also with Liquid Glue. I should have stock in Tombow!

After the Linen Thread had dried I wrapped a length around the plaid sentiment panel and taped it on the back. I made an identical bow to the one for yesterday’s card and would have used a Glue Dot to stick it to the front, but it wouldn’t stick. Perhaps it wasn’t totally dry? Anyway, I wound up using a dab of Liquid Glue to adhere it to the card front.

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Something was missing though. I kept looking at it and decided that the sentiment panel should have been affixed to a mat. Too late. It was firmly stuck! Nothing to do but leave it alone, or…..cut a couple of strips to edge the sentiment panel. In the end, that was my solution and I don’t think it looks too bad. This (finally!) finished panel was adhered to the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Actually, I like this card better than the one I did yesterday. Even so, I might try it with Very Vanilla instead of the gray, or maybe even Whisper White? What do you think??

The envelope is the same as yesterday’s also. I considered adding the elk, but was too lazy to clean another stamp, so just did the trees.

Feel free to leave comments below.

If you do not have a demonstrator and would like to place an order in my online store, just click on the bird photo at right that says Order Online. If you place an order up to $50 please use the Host Code WV7QS9PE. Click here for details on when to use the host code. Or, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.


We had another update from Stampin’ Up! yesterday afternoon. Well, at any rate it was afternoon when I got the email as I was away all morning and too busy to check my email. Seems there was an issue with their inventory management system and now they are discovering that many items in the Holiday catalog are running low. Below is the gist of the email:


HOLIDAY CATALOG INVENTORY PROBLEM

There is always a risk of products selling out without enough time to reorder and restock inventory before a catalog life cycle is over. When this does happen, it is usually caused by a higher-than-forecast demand. However, as we upgraded our inventory management system, there were system communication issues with the current holiday catalog and we have just determined that several products are at high risk of early depletion.

These products are running low and additional shipments will not be received before the end of the catalog:

  • SNOWFLAKES & STARS WIRE ELEMENTS (item 147819)
  • SANTA’S SIGNPOST FRAMELITS DIES (item 147911)
  • CHICKEN WIRE ELEMENTS (item 147807)
  • ALPINE SPORTS THINLITS DIES (item 147916)
  • SINCERELY SANTA PROJECT KIT (item 148029)
  • FESTIVE FARMHOUSE COTTON TWINE (item 147888)
  • 5/8″ STRIPED BURLAP TRIM (item 147889)
  • DETAILED LEAVES THINLITS DIES (item 147921)
  • IN THE WOODS FRAMELITS DIES (item 147919)*
  • DETAILED DEER THINLITS DIES (item 147915)*
  • GALVANIZED BUTTONS (item 147891)
  • GALVANIZED CLIPS (item 147806)
  • TAKEOUT THINLITS DIES (item 147927)
  • SWIRLS & CURLS TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER (item 147923)*
  • TRANQUIL TIDE 1/4″ VELVET RIBBON (item 147802)
  • REAL RED 3/8″ MIXED SATIN RIBBON (item 147894)
  • MERRY CHRISTMAS THINLITS DIES (item 147912)*
  • FARMHOUSE FRAMELITS DIES (item 147922)

We don’t know when these products will go out of stock, but it’s possible some may run out as early as next week.

We have also indicated with an asterisk (*) which of these products will carry over into a future catalog.  So those items can be ordered at a later date.

We are working to fix the system communication errors to avoid similar problems in the future. Thank you for your patience.


SO! Be advised that if you want any of these, you will need to order right away unless it is an item that will be carried over and you can wait for it. I am sure Stampin’ Up! was as dismayed by this as many of you, but things do happen-sometimes especially with computers! How we would get along without them though…..

ALSO: Direct from Stampin’ Up!:


Sales for the following products have exceeded our forecast and are continuing strong, resulting in a large number of backorders. Because backorders are so costly, we have made the decision to shut these items off effective immediately. Since these products cannot be sent from the manufacturer in time for the holidays, these item numbers will not be reactivated.

150095: Santa’s Workshop Cards You Can Make It Bundle
147905: Santa’s Workshop Memories & More Card Pack
147815: Santa’s Workshop Memories & More Cards & Envelopes

147816: Joyous Noel Specialty Designer Series Paper
147890: Festive Farmhouse Elements
147811: Santa’s Workshop Enamel Elements


CARD CUTS: Cherry Cobbler: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″; Gray Granite: plaid 4-1/2″ x 6″, front sentiment panel 2″ x 5-1/4″, inside sentiment panel 4″ x 5-1/4″; Mossy Meadow: inside mat 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″, strips to border front sentiment (2) 1/8″ x 5-1/4″

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Stampin’ Up! Buffalo Check Nature Sings Christmas for Combined Happy Inkin’ Thursday and Happy Stampers Blog Hop

Good Morning, Everyone! Time again for Amy’s Inkin’ Krew Blog Hop combined with our friends from north of the border, the Happy Stampers! I am so glad you could join us today. We have a very talented group hopping, so let’s see what everyone has done with the challenges we have. When we do a combined hop we have a sketch and a color to serve as inspiration, or a challenge. Sometimes both!

Here is our color challenge:

And here is the sketch:

As I had already started my card (in my head) before I saw the sketch, I had to either change my mind about how I wanted this card to look, or not do the sketch. In the end I did both cards, one with just the colors and the other with both colors and sketch, and will post the second one in another blog. So, here is the one with both sketch and colors

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I knew I wanted to use the Buffalo Check background stamp to make a plaid to use with the Nature Sings stamp set. The Stamparatus saved the day for me as I have trouble getting the Buffalo Check stamp to give me a good enough image when I just stamp it. In the end, I had to re-ink and stamp it 3 times using Cherry Cobbler ink on Gray Granite before I was satisfied.

After the stamping I used my Mossy Meadow Stampin’ Write Marker to make the plaid. The brush end made the wide lines and the bullet tip made the fine lines. I cut this plaid piece in 3 panels to fit the card. These were then matted to Mossy Meadow with Liquid Glue. Each of the panels was then adhered to the Cherry Cobbler card base with Liquid Glue.

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For the sentiment strip, which I made wider than the sketch to accommodate the Nature Sings images, I first stamped the elk in Gray Granite on Gray Granite, then added the trees in Mossy Meadow. The sentiment is stamped in Cherry Cobbler and is also from the Nature sings stamp set. This panel was then run through my Big Shot with the Subtle 3D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and adhered to a Mossy Meadow mat with Liquid Glue.

I rolled a length of Linen Thread across the Mossy Meadow ink pad to color it, then wrapped it around the sentiment strip and taped it to the back. I then made a double loop bow and used Liquid Glue to adhere it to the sentiment strip. Stampin’ Dimensionals adhere the panel to the front of the card. This completes the front.

For the inside I stamped the sentiment, from Night in Bethlehem, on Gray Granite in Cherry Cobbler. I stamped the elk in Gray Granite and a Mossy Meadow pine branch,  then ran this through the same embossing folder as used for the front. I matted this on Mossy Meadow and into the Cherry Cobbler base using Liquid Glue.

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The envelope is Very Vanilla and is stamped with the trees from Nature Sings in Mossy Meadow, both on the front and on the flap. I made a whole forest of trees, some full strength, some stamped and stamped and stamped again without re-inking.

I hope you enjoy today’s hop. Just click the ‘Next’ button to continue on to see what the talented Sandi has done.

Blog hop next button

Amy Koenders

Shelagh Freemantle

Mary Deatherage

Kristi Gray

Jaimie Babarczy

Sue Prather

Julie Johnston- You are here!

Sandi MacIver

Eva Dobilas

The host code for November is WV7QS9PE

Please click here for details on when to use the host code. Or, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me. If you do not have a demonstrator, I will be happy to help you.

Don’t forget the Snowflake Showcase as these are great stamps and dies. However, I just had notice yesterday that the Velvet Paper has sold out. The rest of the showcase is available either until the end of November or as long as supplies last. If you really want these products, I would suggest you wait no longer!

snowflake showcasesnowflake showcase 2

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave comments below.

CARD CUTS: Cherry Cobbler: card base 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″; Mossy Meadow: 3 mats for front panels 1-11/16″ x 4″, sentiment mat 1-1/2″ x 5-1/4″, inside mat 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″; Gray Granite: front sentiment 1-5/16″ x 4-15/16″, plaid 4-1/2″ x 6″, inside liner 4″ x 5-1/4″

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Stampin’ Up! Healing Hugs Get Well

Good Morning All! Today I have for you a get well card, something that I don’t like to have to make, or send, because it means someone is going through a bad patch. However, if a little card can add some sunshine to an otherwise dark day, I am more than happy to be able to send one to them. This card is easy with the Healing Hugs stamp set.

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This one is geared more toward the feminine of the species with its pinks and pastels. Also, I am not sure guys would appreciate the pearls.

I began by stamping the rose on a piece of copy paper for a mask, and fussy cut it with my Paper Snips. I then inked my stamp with Blushing Bride and stamped the first rose on a panel of whisper White. When it was really dry, I covered it with the mask and stamped the rose again, this time in Powder Pink, overlapping the first one a bit.

Again using the mask, I covered this rose and stamped the leaves in Mint Macaron, replaced the mask over the first rose and stamped a couple more leaves.

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The sentiment is stamped in Smoky Slate and the panel is adhered to a Petal Pink mat with Liquid Glue. This card front is attached to the Smoky slate card base with Liquid Glue. Three little Basic Jewels Pearls add the finishing touch.

For the inside, a couple of Mint Macaron leaves and a Smoky Slate sentiment, all from Healing Hugs on Whisper White, is all this card needs. I Liquid Glued this to a Petal Pink mat and into the card base.

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The envelope flap has a couple of the roses and the front, another with a couple of leaves. I used the mask again to add the leaves. Finished, envelope and all, and it was so quick to do.

Just paper cutting, stamping and gluing for this one…no die cuts, no stampin’ dimensionals, no bow to tie, simple!

Please leave comments below.

And, if you don’t have a demonstrator and would like to place an order in my online store, don’t forget to use the Host Code to earn free goodies. For details on my Customer Loyalty program, just click here.

Host Code for November: WV7QS9PE

CARD CUTS: Smoky Slate: card base 5-1/2′ x 8-1/2″; Petal Pink: cut 2-one inside mat, one front mat 4″ x 5-1/4″; Whisper White: front 3-3/4″ X 5″, inside liner 3-3/8″ x 4-5/8″.

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Stampin’ Up! Pleasant Pheasant Repeat

Good Saturday to You All! Yesterday the snow that had been predicted actually happened, so it is a lovely winter wonderland out my window. We had maybe a couple of inches, and the roads were ok, so I could enjoy it without TOO much effort.

Today’s card, though, isn’t about snow as I am still in fall and Thanksgiving mode. I truly love this time of year, when God uses a broad paintbrush to color everything in such spectacular displays. Of course, following that, we all know what comes……at least a gazillion leaves on the ground, with which we have to DO something. Maybe after the snow melts I can get the mower out one final time and mulch them. Or windrow them. Or both. They are a great addition to the compost pile unless there are too many of them.

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You see how easy it is to get off track? This post is about a card, folks! If you liked my Pheasants for the blog hop on Thursday, please let me know what you think of this one. If you didn’t, well, I am sorry you have to see the same thing again. Same sketch, same stamps, same copper embossing, same inside of card. Sort of.  See it here.

For the front of this one, I took a Copper Foil Sheets and liberally rubbed my Embossing buddy over it. I then stamped the grass/weed/wildflower?, from Healing Hugs, randomly with Versamark, sprinkled it with Copper Stampin’ Emboss Powder and heat set it. I used Tear and Tape to attach it to an Old Olive mat.

The sentiment is from the Happiness Surrounds stamp set in the Snowflake Showcase, stamped in Versamark (Don’t forget to use Embossing Buddy!) on Cajun Craze and embossed with Copper. I treated this sentiment the same as the one on Thursday only this time I added a couple of strands of Copper Metallic Thread to the Linen Thread. To hold the bow in place, I rolled a Glue Dot and stuck it to the sentiment banner.

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The leaves behind the pheasants are cut from Copper Foil Sheets, Old Olive and Cajun Craze, using dies from Pretty Pines. The copper embossed Pheasants are on Very Vanilla and adhered to an Old Olive mat. I cut this mat with the largest of the scalloped Layering Ovals Framelits, rolled the edges in Versamark, then in the Copper emboss Powder and heat set it. I like this look.

The leaves are dry fit, then I used Liquid Glue to adhere them behind the Pleasant Pheasants, which are adhered with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I used plenty of Liquid Glue to adhere the card front to the card base.

The inside of the card is pretty much the same as Thursday’s, which you can see here, to get the directions. What is different is that I dragged the sentiment panel through the Versamark pad and heat embossed the edge in Copper Stampin’ Emboss Powder, then adhered it to an Old Olive mat.

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The envelope is similar to Thursday’s, but I made more of the Copper Foil Sheets embossed paper for the flap and stamped the grass on the opposite corner on the front.

Let me know which you like better in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by!

CARD CUTS: Cajun Craze: card base 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″, sentiment banner 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″, leaf 1″ x 2″; Old Olive: front mat and inside mat 4″ x 5-1/4″, leaf 1″ x 2″, oval 3″ x 4″, Copper Foil Sheets: front focal panel 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″, leaves 2″ x 3″, envelope flap 2-12″ x 5-3/4″; Very Vanilla: front oval 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″, inside liner 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″

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Stampin’ Up! Snowflake Showcase

Speaking of snow….the weatherperson says we are supposed to get an inch or so tonight. That will be our first of this 2018 season if it actually happens. It looks like it might snow and if it does it will cover up all those pretty leaves that are on the ground, which I haven’t yet mulched/raked!

As I had been traveling, I put off getting the Snowflake Showcase. Then, when it arrived, I had to be gone again. Thus, I finally got around to using this wonderful collection of goodies. I love it and I know you will as well. Don’t delay though, as it is only available until the end of the month, or, while supplies last, whichever comes first.

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I began my card with a piece of the Velvet paper. Oh, my! I love this stuff. This is a product I hope they carry over to next year’s annual catalog. I used it a couple of weeks ago to make a plaid that looks and feels like a flannel shirt! To see that card, just follow this link….plaid thank you. Today, this paper is a snowflake.

The dies in the Snowflake Showcase are wonderful. There is much more here than a big snowflake.  Take a look.  It isn’t just snowflakes..there are flowers and leaves for any time of year. Guaranteed, I will be using this set a lot. And the dies of course, coordinate with the stamps. The sentiments are nice, too.

snowflake showcase 2

OK, I digress! On with the card. Just so I don’t forget to do it, the first thing I do when using embossing powder is to rub my Embossing Buddy over all the pieces I plan to heat emboss. This keeps the powder from sticking where you don’t want it.

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The card base is Balmy Blue. Somehow I like blue and snow together. I cut the largest snowflake die from the White Velvet Paper, then cut a smaller one from Silver Foil Sheets. I also cut a mat of the Silver Foil Sheets and used Liquid Glue to adhere a panel of Balmy Blue over it. This is a top folding card.

As I wasn’t sure how to attach the silver snowflake to the velvet one and make sure it stayed adhered, I placed both snowflakes on my Stampin’ Pierce Mat and used the Paper Piercing Tool to poke a hole down through both. With them still in place on the mat, I inserted a brad from my collection of odd bits of STUFF. It really doesn’t show and ensures that the snowflakes stay together.

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The large one was then adhered to the Balmy Blue card front and the whole was adhered to the card base.  Liquid Glue does both duties here.

The sentiment is from Timeless Tidings and is stamped in Versamark on Whisper White card stock and heat set with Silver Stampin’ Emboss Powder. This was then Liquid Glued to a Silver Foil Sheets mat. Stampin’ Dimensionals hold it to the front of the card and add even more dimension.

For the inside, I simply stamped several smaller snowflakes randomly , leaving room for the sentiment, in Versamark and again used Silver Stampin’ Emboss Powder. This is so elegant.

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The sentiment is from the Angels on Earth stamp set and is also done in Versamark and Silver. Card done!

The envelope is also finished with Versamark and Silver Stampin’ Emboss Powder. This card is sure to make anyone feel very special when it arrives in the mail. On the flap I used 4 different snowflakes, stamped randomly. Actually, I put all of them on a block and stamped away, then filled in the blank spaces with one of the smaller snowflakes.

You will be seeing more of this collection of stamps and dies in the future.

If you don’t have a demonstrator, I would be more than happy to help you. If you are in Iowa and would like to have a class in papercrafting, or just want to learn how to make cards, please get in touch with me. We can have an in-person class for you to learn to make your own special cards for those you love.

Host Code for November: WV7QS9PE

Use this code when placing any order (before taxes and shipping) of $50-$149.99 to get a free gift from me. This gift is your choice of any item (or items) of up to $10 from any current catalog. For any order above $150, do not use the host code. You will still receive the gift from me, in addition to any rewards you earn from Stampin’ Up.

Thanks for stopping by. Don’t forget to leave your comments below.

CARD CUTS: Balmy Blue: card base 4-1/4″ x 11″ scored at 5-1/2″, front panel 3-1/2″ x 5-1/2″; Silver Foil Sheets: front mat 3-3/4″ x 5-1/2″, snowflake 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″, sentiment mat 3/4″ x 3-3/8″, inside mat 4″ x 5-1/4″; Whisper White: inside liner3-3/4″ x 5″

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Pleasant Pheasants Thanksgiving for Happy Inkin’ Thursday Blog Hop

Well, that is a mouthful! HA!

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I do enjoy these hops, though sometimes it stretches my creativity to make a card following a challenge.

Today’s challenge is a sketch:

sketch

OK. I had several ideas, but decided I couldn’t use ALL of them on one card, so I opted for some heat embossing to pull this one off. Take a look.

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I began by water coloring a panel of Watercolor paper with my Aqua Painter and Cajun Craze, Mossy Meadow, Crushed Curry and Pumpkin Pie inks, then dry embossing it with the Layered Leaves 3D Dynamic Textured Impressions Folder. I wanted to give the impression of falling autumn colored leaves as a background for the pheasants.

I don’t usually go for a lot of bling, or glitz and glamour, but Stampin’ Up! came out with these very lovely Shimmer Paints, so I opted to make a panel of paper using mixed colors to use for many projects. A bit of this became my sentiment piece, and the mat for my pheasants. I also cut a couple of shapes using the Pretty Pines Thinlits from this paper. Shimmer Paints used were Bright Copper, Vegas Gold and Champagne Mist On Whisper White card stock.

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After the watercolor paper and the Shimmer paper had dried, I cut the watercolor paper to size for the card front. For the sentiment, I cut a piece of my ‘made’ foil paper 1-1/2″ square, then with the Banner Triple Punch I cut the banner end. TIP: When using a small piece in the punch, use a strip of Post it tape or Washi tape to stick it to a larger strip of card stock. This gives you something to hold  while you line it up to punch it.

Be sure to use the Embossing Buddy over all pieces of paper BEFORE STAMPING that you will heat emboss. This prevents bits of embossing powder sticking where you don’t want them.

Using Versamark and  Copper Stampin’ Emboss Powder I stamped the sentiment from the Snow is Glistening stamp set in the Snowflake Showcase and heat set it. I used a tiny paper punch to make two holes in this, through which I laced the Linen Thread. The thread is wrapped around the panel and taped to the back. The ends are tied in a bow. A couple of Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals at the top hold the sentiment panel in place and will allow me to place my focal piece under the edge of it.

This water colored, embossed panel is then adhered to the card base using Liquid Glue.

The only ink I used beyond the watercoloring was Versamark. I inked the Pleasant Pheasants image with Versamark, then stamped it on a panel of Very Vanilla and sprinkled Stampin’ Emboss Copper Powder over it. After heat setting, I used the largest Stitched Shapes Framelits oval to cut it out. This was Liquid Glued to an oval (the largest scalloped one) from the Layering ovals Framelits that I cut from the paper I made using the Shimmer Paints.

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Using the Foliage Frame Thinlits leaf die, I cut one each from Cajun Craze and Old Olive. From Crushed Curry I cut one of the bare trees in the Winter Woods Bundle. I dry fit these along with the Pretty Pines pieces behind my scalloped oval, then used Liquid Glue to adhere them to the card front. Some Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the scalloped oval added some dimension and adhered it to the card.

The inside is all Versamark and Stampin’ Copper Emboss Powder. The sentiment is from Pleasant Pheasants and the grass? in the corners is from Healing Hugs. I thought it coordinated well with the Pheasants. I put the sentiment on Very Vanilla, then used Liquid Glue to adhere it to a Cajun Craze mat and into the card base.

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Card done!

For the envelope, the Layered Leaves 3D Dynamic Textured Embossing Folder embossed the flap and a couple more of the same stamp as on the inside of the card graces the front.

Now that you have seen what I chose to do with the sketch challenge, just click the NEXT button to see what our talented leader Amy has done.

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Amy Koenders

Shelagh Freemantle

Mary Deatherage

Jaimie Babarczy

Sue Prather

Julie Johnston-You Are Here

Non Stampin’ Up products used: a paintbrush

CARD CUTS: Very Vanilla: card base 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″, focal piece 3″ x 3-1/2″, inside 3-3/4″ x 5″; Watercolor Paper: at least 5″ x 6″, or do a whole sheet and save for later; Whisper White: for painting with shimmer paints 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″, from this I cut a 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ piece for the sentiment, a 3-1/2″ x 4″ piece for the oval and I cut the 2 pieces of Pretty Pines from the middle of my oval; Cajun Craze: leaf 1-1/2″ x 2-1/2″, inside mat 4″ x 5-1/4″; Old Olive: leaf 1-1/2″ x 2-1/2″, Crushed Curry: tree 2″ x 3″

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Now it’s November!

Good morning Everyone! It is a beautiful day here in Iowa, but we could use a little rain to settle the dust. And though it is already November, today I am sharing some images from October in Utah. Here at home, most of the trees have lost their leaves.

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This scene was fairly common from the side of Burr Trail.

I have been traveling, in fact, just arrived home yesterday from a trip to beautiful Utah. I took the Amtrak train to Salt Lake City, met a photographer friend there and we rented a car to drive 4-1/2 hours to Boulder, which is in the Escalante Staircase/Dixie National Forest area. The scenery is wonderful. We also went to Bryce Canyon. None of my Bryce Canyon images are downloaded, so you won’t see those today.

The yellow of the cottonwoods (most of the Aspens had already lost their leaves) really stands out against the red canyon walls.

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Did you know there are 5 National Parks in Utah? Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, and Zion are the 5. But wait! There is more. Bears Ears, Cedar Breaks, Dinosaur, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Hovenweep, Natural Bridges, Rainbow Bridge, and Timpanogos Cave are all National Monuments. In addition to that, there are 2 National Recreation Areas-Glen Canyon and Flaming Gorge. These are all federal lands and well worth seeing. In 6 days time I did not have time to see many of these, so a trip back to Utah is on my ‘to do’ list.

That’s not all! There are 6 National Forests, 31 National Wilderness Areas, 583 miles of National Historic Trails, 1 National Historic Site, 2 National Conservation Areas, 3 National Wildlife Refuges, 18 National Recreation Trails, and 8 National Scenic Byways.

By contrast, Iowa has 1 National Monument, 1 National Historic Site and 2 National Historic Trails. While Iowa is beautiful any time of year, it is a totally different kind of beauty.

I would say Utah is a dry climate, but where there are rivers or streams that are not dried up, you will find trees, birds and gorgeous reflections on the water’s surface.

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Of course, as a photographer, I will go at specific times of the year to try for the best images. The ones on this post are all from the same day, though at different times of the day. I haven’t had time to download the rest of my images. I even got a few bird shots in, though none are especially good. Here is one of a White-crowned Sparrow. I did add 3 species to my life list.

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The rocks are not all red, but it is the predominate color. We found a slot canyon that was simply beautiful, no less so because it was easy to get to. Some slot canyons have to be accessed by a series of ladders, which I can’t/won’t negotiate. The entrance to this canyon is not readily noticeable.

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I would suggest that if you are looking for a lovely place to visit, a place where you can see a variety of landscapes, you might want to consider Utah. Prior to this visit I had only been to Salt Lake City and the 4 corners area, but no place in between. I still haven’t been to the Great Salt Lake, nor any of the National Wildlife Refuges. Those are on the agenda for my next visit.

Of course, in October the cottonwoods are a spectacular golden color, no matter the angle from which you view them.

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That is enough to dazzle you for one day, and if, by chance, you are trying to decide where to go on your next vacation, you might want to consider Utah.

Please leave any comments below. Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

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Stampin’ Up Peaceful Poinsettia for Happy Inkin’ Thursday Blog Hop

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Morning everyone! Here it is Thursday again and time for another Happy Inkin’ Thursday Blog Hop. Come on along to see what creations our team has for you today.

Today our challenge is color. Here is what we are using

and here is the card I made using those colors.

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I began with a Whisper White panel which I dry embossed with the large detailed poinsettia from Detailed Poinsettia Thinlits, (part of the Peaceful Poinsettia Bundle) using the Big Shot Embossing Mats. Having done that to know where to place my sentiment, I stamped the sentiment from Peaceful Poinsettia in Garden Green.

The thinlits and stamps can be purchased separately, but purchased together as a bundle will save you 10%.

The large poinsettia is stamped in Stazon Black on Whisper white and colored with my Poppy Parade and Garden Green Stampin’ Write Markers. The center of the poinsettia is colored with a Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write Marker. This was cut with the corresponding die from Detailed Poinsettia.

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The ends of a piece of Garden Green were punched with the Banner Triple Punch. I put some Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of this, then used Liquid Glue to adhered the poinsettia to this strip. The front was adhered to the Poppy Parade mat and onto the card base with Liquid Glue.

To dress up the front a bit, I used my Cherry Cobbler Blends Marker to color 3 Rhinestone Basic Jewels and adhered them to the front. Front finished!

The inside sentiment, also from Peaceful Poinsettia was also stamped in Garden Green. The corners were cut using the pine and holly corner thinlits, which allows the Poppy Parade mat to show through.4

Liquid Glue adhered the sentiment panel to the mat and into the Garden Green card base.

For the envelope, I again stamped the large poinsettia image with Stazon Black on the flap, then colored it the same as for the front of the card. The front has one of the corner holly designs on the two lower corners, also stamped in Stazon Black and colored with Garden Green and Poppy Parade. I neglected to get a photo of the front. My apologies.2

This completes my project for today. I really like this stamp and die bundle. It is so very festive and I like the sentiments. Now, on with the hop! Just click the next button to see what creativity awaits you on Amy’s blog. If you prefer, just click on any name to go to her blog.

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Amy Koenders

Shelagh Freemantle

Mary Deatherage

Kristi Gray

Jaimie Babarczy

Sue Prather

Karen Finkle

Julie Johnston – You are Here

CARD CUTS: Garden Green: card base 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″, front strip 1″ x 4-3/4″; Poppy Parade: cut 2 for mats 4″ x 5-1/4″; Whisper White: front 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″, inside 3-3/4″ x 5″

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