Stampin' Up! has an early release of a suite that will be in the next annual catalog.  The Ornate Garden suite has both simple designs and intricate cuts.  I LOVE the designer series paper!  I actually am going to use it to decorate my craft room.  It is full of daisies, which are my favorite. 
I had fun playing with these 5 border dies from the Ornate Thanks bundle.  I'm not a huge fan of the photopolymer stamps, but I couldn't pass this stamp set up.

These are 3 of the cards I made.  The Thank You is cut using the Stitched So Sweetly dies.  The border with the mixed flowers is almost 6", so rather than cut something off, I decided to put it diagonally.  

I thought it looked best with the paper right up to the die.  So I used the die to cut out the ede of the paper.

 Then its like a puzzle - just slide the border into the grooves.  Make sure you pay attention to which side of the die you used, as they are not the same.

 I thought it needed a little pop of color, so I added the white flowers on top of saffron ones.  My sentiment is not quite at the right angle, but I may be the only one who notices.

I hope to be able to play with this bundle more soon.

You can order it starting April 1st, along with the rest of the suite.  I hope you will like it as much as I do.

Let me know if my instructions aren't clear.

What will you make today?

This is the email newsletter I just sent out, in case I don't have your email.  Please let me know your thoughts.

Hello Ladies,

I truly hope you are well and healthy, both physically and mentally.  While I am not completely confined, not being able to see everyone is driving me crazy.

So just a few notes about Stampin' Up!

     * Sale-A-Bration ends March 31st.  If you haven't seen the items added to the free list, you can view it on the website.  This is also the deadline to sign up as a demonstrator and get fabulous extra gifts. Let me know if you have any questions.

     *The Ornate Garden Suite is getting an Early Release on April 1st.  This beautiful ensemble is something to see!  I will posting some project photos within the next few days on my facebook page and my blog

As for card classes  - realizing that the forecast for being able to resume classes soon is bleak, I am looking into what other options we have.  I would like your input. 

1)  Idea kits, using your own stamps.  I would prepare samples and the materials.  You would use stamps and inks you have at home to complete the projects.  Basically I'm giving you the layout/framework.  Cost would be the same as class ($6).

2)  Product kit.  I would show you 3 projects all using the same stamp set, that you would purchase.  The kit would contain the stamp set and materials.  Cost would vary based on the stamp set, but would be less than $25. 

3)  I do acknowledge that for many of us, the biggest appeal is the social aspect.  I am looking into live events on facebook, but from my understanding,  we can't see each other (you could only see me).  So while I could demonstrate techniques or give instructions, it is still limited interaction.

To answer a few questions you may have:

How will I get the kits?   I would drop off those that are local, ship to those that are not.  

What if I don't have all the supplies?  I will list all the supplies needed before you order each kit.  You can purchase any items you don't have.  This may include ink, aquapainters, adhesive mostly.  None of the kits will require the purchase of dies or punches.

Would I have a choice in kits?  I would like to try to offer you some choices, especially with the Product Kits.  I have numerous projects in mind, in an attempt to appeal to everyone.

Is there a deadline for signing up?  Kind of.  Once I place the order for supplies (especially for the Product Kits), it may be a week or two before I place another.  As this gets rolling, I will announce any deadlines.

How will I know what is available?  They will be posted on my facebook page, blog and website.  I don't think email will allow me to send multiple photos.

Will there be instructions?  Yes.  Each kit will include photos and instructions for you to follow. 

I would like to offer things soon.  So your feedback is greatly appreciated.

And hopefully it won't be long before we see each other face to face!

Oh, I also encourage you to post photos of your projects on my facebook page.  Everyone benefits from more ideas and inspiration!

What will you make today?

Sale-A-Bration will be ending soon!  March 31st is the last day to place an order and get free items.  Today, SU released a list of catalog products that could be free with your $50 purchase.  Please go to my website to see the updated list of available rewards.

Here are projects using some of the items. 

These two projects use the Power of Hope bundle.  I didn't think I would have a use for the Japanese inspired stamps, but I like that its not like anything else I have.  The imagery is so pretty.  I used the stone embossing folder on this second card.  I think it looks like a patio, so I have combined it twice now with the Outdoor Barbecue stamp set.  I am going to use it often for masculine cards.

This card uses the Lily Pad dies.  I love that border design.  This is an elegant, but simple card.  It could be a wedding, sympathy, or birthday card.

I hope seeing more projects gives you inspiration.  Please share with me what you have created.  

What will you make today?

I have felt very uninspired the last few days.  That is unusual for me.  I am trying to force myself out of it.  I was hoping to finally redecorate my craft room but that is on hold again.  But that would have perked me up.  So I decided to tackle some of the unfinished projects on my table.

I had posted some of these projects on facebook awhile ago.  I don't usually buy the "cutesy" stamp sets for religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter.  But the three animals in Welcome Easter are stinkin' ADORABLE!!  And with the sentiments that are in it, it can go for Easter or baby.  Add sentiments from other sets and you've got birthday cards for younger kids.

So, to show you how versatile the set is, I am sharing several different projects.

Super simple baby card.  Get the splatter affect by getting ink on your aquapainter and then tapping it off.  I stamped the bunny on the inside.

 This one I call a peak-a-boo card.  When its flat, all three circles look the same.  I prefer simple coloring to highlight the animals.

 This fun fold was going to be one of my classes.  This is the pop and twist, with the animals stamped on stitched squares.

This last project is actually a do-over.  My peak-a-boo sample for class got ruined and I was trying to save the card.  Yep, I'm that cheap.  I ended up sllicing the card up so it is not the best as far as construction.  So the final product is a tri-fold.

 I used the Subtle embossing folder on the two flaps so it wasn't so plain.  I didn't want to take away from my cute animals by stamping everywhere.

So for trying to salvage a project, I really like how it turned out.

I will admit, I get lots of practice in covering up mistakes!

I hope you can see several ways that you might use this stamp set.

If you order it soon , you will have plenty of time to get your own Easter cards done.

what will you make today?

I named everything (my facebook page, email, crop at church, website) Stampin ' & Scrappin' because I love to stamp and scrapbook.  I actually started with only scrapbooking.  And I am NOT a sticker girl! 

I love stamps because they are so versatile.  Have I said that before?  Yep, probably.  What I disliked about stickers and papers was I might finally find something (a saying, picture, etc) that went with what I was working on, but it was in the wrong colors.  For instance, all the softball papers and embellishments are pink.  PINK!  My daughter hates pink and none of her teams were pink.  So when I started stamping and found the sports stamps, it was HEAVEN!  I now can match every team color, because all I need to do is change the ink.  I even make my own paper (the print on the paper, not the actual paper!).  Just take cardstock and stamp multiple images.  

This is a retired SU set.  But you can see how it looks like printed paper and just adds to the page.   And since this team was navy, the other page was white, so I stamped the images with white craft ink on the navy paper.  So the two pages were mirrors of each other.

You can also use the stamps as embellishments.  This is the For The Win set.  

I used the football as both an embellishment and for the background, in versamark.

Trying to embellish boys pages is hard, so I love that the stamps add just enough flare to dress up the page without looking ridiculous.  Try making your own paper or background when you can't find the right paper.

Hope you find this helpful.  Come scrap with me at my monthly crop.

What will you make today?

So I lost this blog!!  Lordy, lordy, please help me with this technology.  But I will keep trying.
I wanted to (try to) share some projects with you, all made with the Breathtaking Bouquet stamp.  It is a background stamp, so it is large enough to cover the entire card front.  My next class is One Layer cards, so using a background stamp is perfect.  I've been seeing some really creative uses for this stamp, so I wanted to give them a try.
A tip for using background stamps (or even larger stamps) - leave the stamp on the table stamp side up, ink it by applying the ink to the stamp, then place your paper on top of the stamp; use either your bone folder or a popsicle stick to press the paper into the stamp.  To avoid a mess, you can cover your paper with a scrap paper before pressing with the stick.

 For this first card, I stamped with versamark, then used white embossing powder.  I then used just a little of Bermuda Bay on a dauber to add the slight bit of shading.

 This is also white embossing powder on thick white cardstock.  I then used a brayer to add color to the background.  It shows up better in person.

 This colorful version is on shimmery white.  I used Archival black (or use staz-on) and then applied color with the aqua-painter.  I had to let it dry and then forgot to mount it on a card base!

 I have some of the older colored embossing powders.  For this one, I used the Calypso Coral powder.  I then used the daubers to add the subtle color.  It really popped when it was mounted on the Calypso base.

The last one, I used gold embossing powder.  It doesn't show well in the picture- sorry.  The gold embossing changes in the light as you move the card.  I did not add any additional color to this one and everyone remarks that it makes it a very elegant card.  So I think I will leave it alone.

I hope you can see how versatile this stamp can be.  You can get many different looks from it with very little other supplies and effort.  And of course, they can be stepped up.  But I wanted to show you how even with just one layer, you can make amazing projects.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
What will you create today?
Anna