Fall is my favorite Wisconsin season, but I do wish summer could stay a little while longer.  It has been a summer of floods, bugs, and humidity!  We've managed a few fun family events, but time raced by so quickly!

To savor the last day of summer, here is one of the cards my customers made at Technique Tuesday last week.  It features the Summer Mini Catalog stamp set Sweet Treats – one of my favorites:

This card format is called the Side Step.  A bit intricate, but so much fun!  Colors used include Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, and Crumb Cake ink.  To get the three colors of ice cream, the bottom was Tangerine Tango, the middle was Pumpkin Pie, and the top was a second-generation stamping of Pumpkin Pie.  Did you know you can use your inkpad for more than one color?  Once you ink your stamp, stamp it once, and then before reinking, stamp again (and sometimes again) for a lighter, less intense color.

Goodbye, summer….until next year!

One of my favorite new sets in the catalog is Greeting Card Kids.  I usually prefer 2-step bold-style stamping…because well…I'm a lazy stamper somedays.  I don't like coloring in very much.  When I do purchase line stamps, I try my best to use the stamps in different ways without coloring.

I love to check out the hardware store for paint chip and counter samples.  Now, it's not that I don't want to paint the rooms of my house or change out my countertop, but my color choices would be much more mundane than the samples I take home!  Oh, the treasures you find in these places!  Here is a Christmas Card I created using a crackle paint chip:

I think that crackle paint chip looks like Jack Frost made a visit!

That little snowflake accent is actually from the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder!  I JUST LOVE THAT NEW FOLDER! 

Supplies Needed:

• Greeting Card Kids/Word Play Stamp Sets
• Crumb Cake/Basic Black/Bravo Burgundy Card Stock
• Bravo Burgundy Ink/VersaMark Ink
• Black Embossing Powder/Heat Gun/Embossing Buddy
• Big Shot/Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder
• Circle Punches
• Silver Brads/Paper Piercing Tool and Mat Pack
• MonoAdhesive /Stampin' Dimensionals

What is VC Rocks…and why do I love it??  VC Rocks is an online community where members share their love of stamping before, during, and after the Stampin' Up! convention.  If you can't go (or even if you can) to convention, you can get your "stampin' mojo fix" with challenges, swaps, and discussions!  I have "met' many fabulous stamping demos and nondemos through this group.

I have created a 20-card kit with all the card-making materials including embellishments and envelopes and a 12-page tutorial with colored photos for $25.00 plus $5.00 shipping.  As a bonus, you will also receive two additional card formats which you can also use with the materials in your kit. 

Here's a sneak peek of one of the cards you can create out of the kit:

What is included in the kit?

• Whisper White CS for Card Bases
• Whisper White Envelopes
• PreCut Textured CS
• Precut CS for Layers/Punching
• PreCut DSP
• 1 Sheet Each of Three Different Self-Adhesive Die Cut Sheets
• Brads/Ribbon
• 1 Sheet of Stampin' Dimensionals

The 12-page tutorial will be emailed to both local and online customers.

There will be a few supplies you will need to create the cards:

• Trimmer (104152)
• Bone Folder (102300)
• Snail Adhesive (104332)
• Piercing Tool/Mat (116631/105826)
• Paper Snips (103579)
• Various Circle Punches
  • 2-3/8" Scallop Circle (118874)
  • 1-3/4" (119850)
  • 1-3/8"(119860)
  • 1-1/4" (119861)
  • 1" (119868)
• Various Heart Punches
  • Small Heart (117193)
  • Full Heart (119883)

I can only sell the complete kits to U.S. customers.  However, I can sell the tutorial to anyone! 

Demonstrators – this kit is perfect for a Stamp-A-Stack!!  I purposely created all-occasion cards that were easy enough for the beginner, but special enough to please your toughest customer!  I will be happy to sell the tutorial to interested demonstrators for only $7.00.

Love Birds Card Kit Options

20-Card Kit – Local Pickup $25.00 20-Card Kit – Shipped $30.00 Tutorial by Email $7.00

The 20 cards I created use most of the self-adhesive die cuts included in the kit – but there will be some cut card stock and Designer Series Paper left over to use on other projects.  You can even make the kit go further if you stamp or punch other items to accent the cards.

Today I am featured in the SUDSOL New Catalog Blog Tour!  SUDSOL (Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing Online) is a fabulous resource for demonstrators, and this group of stampers is so willing to share their business ideas, creative projects, and support.  SUDSOL is especially wonderful if you don't have a local or involved upline.  I have been a member of SUDSOL since 2002 – and it is the email group I turn to for 100% of my business questions.  You must be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator to join this group, and there is a fee to join, but this group will boost your confidence and business ability like no other on the web!  Plus, there are so many ways to earn FREE membership – why not take the 2-week trial and check it out for yourself!  Be sure to use me – Jane Hignite – as your referral!!! 

Join me on SUDSOL – Your 24/7 Upline!

I always host a Christmas in July stamp camp, which is a customer favorite.  This year, one of the popular cards at the event was my Punched Art Reindeer Card.  This card showed off the new Cherry Cobbler card stock, the Early Espresso card stock and ink, Jolly Holiday DSP, and even the new OWL punch.  I also used the brand-new stamp set WORD PLAY.  There are so many wonderful phrases in that stamp set!  This is the card we created!!  Isn't he cute?

Supplies Needed for Punched Art Reindeer Card:

• Naturals Ivory/Early Espresso/Cherry Cobbler CS
• Jolly Holiday DSP
• Wood Sheets
• Early Espresso Inkpad
• Large Oval/Snowflake/1/4" Circle/Owl Punch
• Paper Piercing Tool/Gold Brads/Hole Guide
• Word Play Stamp Set
• Tombow MultiPurpose Glue/Monoadhesive/Stampin' Dimensionals
• Toothpick/Empty Brad Container
• Scissors

Now, you could use this same idea of a punched art reindeer on other items so I created this adorable gift tag using the same punched art.  There is even room on the top right to handwrite the to and from.  I absolutely love using my BIG SHOT – and the TOP NOTE die is one that never seems to leave my table!  At first, I planned on diecutting my son's name (Joey), but it was more universal to use JOY instead.

Supplies Needed for Punched Art Reindeer Tag:

• Naturals Ivory/Early Espresso/Cherry Cobbler CS
• Jolly Holiday DSP
• Large Oval/Snowflake/1/4" Circle/Owl Punch NEW
• Paper Piercing Tool
• Big Shot/Top Note Die/Timeless Type Alphabet
• Crop-A-Dile/Jumbo Eyelets (Pewter)
• Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon
• Tombow MultiPurpose Glue/Monoadhesive/Stampin' Dimensionals
• Toothpick/Empty Brad Container
• Scissors

Finally, I wanted to create a little make and take for an upcoming workshop.  For this I also used the new 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch – oh, how I love that punch!!!!  Here is a darling little tote that has reindeer food on the inside:

Supplies Needed for Punched Art Reindeer Food Tote:

• Naturals Ivory/Early Espresso/Cherry Cobbler CS
• Jolly Holiday DSP
• Large Oval/Snowflake/1/4" Circle/Owl Punch
• Paper Piercing Tool
• Word Play Stamp Set
• Old Olive/More Mustard Markers
• Eyelet Border Punch/2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch NEW/1-3/4" Circle Punch
• Vanilla Wide Grosgrain Ribbon
• Small Flat Cellophane Bags
• Tombow MultiPurpose Glue/Monoadhesive/Stampin' Dimensionals
• Toothpick/Empty Brad Container
• Scissors/Stapler
• Scoring Tool
• Reindeer Food

Now, you know you want to make these adorable items!  I have created some extremely detailed and easy-to-follow tutorials for all three projects.  Purchase just one tutorial, two tutorials, or all three tutorials (saving you $1.00).  Once I receive payment via Paypal, I will email the tutorial out to you within 24 hours.

Punched Reindeer Tutorials

Punched Reindeer Card $2.00 Punched Reindeer Tag $2.00 Punched Reindeer Tote $2.00 All 3 Tutorials $5.00

Emailed within 24 hours

If you want to see more of my stamping creations, you can check out my Featured Stamper (12/09) Sudsol Gallery HERE or my regular SUDSOL gallery HERE

I certainly hope you enjoyed your visit on the SUDSOL New Catalog Blog Tour. 

This example uses the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder and the new Word Play stamp set.  Early Espresso ink and card stock and the new In Color Blushing Bride DSP from the In Color DSP Pack!  I LOVE the new options for DSP packs!  Want to see what else is in the Word Play stamp set?  (All images copyright Stampin' Up!)

I love these phrases…the Remember When is a great phrase to use with Campbell Soup (err, I mean Greeting Card) Kids stamp set!

I just love the gingerbread man and the pumpkin!  Here is one of the first cards I made with this set:

For this card, I used the new In-Color Peach Parfait card stock and the reintroduced Tangerine Tango card stock and ink as well as the Peach Parfait 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon – which is FABULOUS to work with.  Two other new items used on this card – the bat punch and the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch.    Do you want to get some of that ribbon?  Why not order some from my product share?

Color Choices are the 2010-2012 In Colors – Concord Crush, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz

Free Shipping is Only for Those Customers in the United States!

To welcome the kids back to school, I wanted to showcase this brand-new stamp set – GREETING CARD KIDS.  This set is also known as Campbell Soup Kids to my customers!!!!  All images copyright Stampin' Up! -

This adorable stamp set is in the main 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Catalog on page 36.  You have both the wood-mount option at $20.95 or the clear-mount option at $15.95.

I've also used the Tart and Tangy stamp set on the Real Red piece (stamped in VersaMark).   Isn't this card perfect to make for the first day of school?  Better yet, why not make a packet of them for your child's teacher!  What a great way to earn some brownie points! 

I created several different versions of the card to show the versatility of this card design. 

These cards use the same 2010 August Card Kit items, but just rearranged differently and using other stamp sets!  This card format is so versatile, and the colors used are perfect for holiday cards and even masculine cards!  I know my customers always need new ideas for masculine cards!    

I posted my August Card Kit page – you can find all the details on ordering this kit by clicking on the Card Kits tab and picking the August Card Kit.  Orders for the August Card Kit need to be in by August 20th.

At my Technique Tuesday class last week, I taught my customers the Scored Background Technique.  This is really a very easy way to give a card some texture and dimension.  The supplies should be in your stamping stash too!  All you really need is card stock and a scoring tool.

If you are going to stamp the background piece, you should stamp before scoring.  Then you need to decide if you want to scored background to  have "hill" or "valley" scores.  Score the stamped piece upside down for "hills"; score the stamped piece facing up for "valleys".

You need to score the piece both horizontally and vertically for "squares" – however, you can choose to do it just one way for a different look.

Find your middle of the card stock and start the score there.  I like to start in the middle because then it is balanced on both ends.  Start in the middle and make your score lines at the same intervals, then move back to the middle (or flip if you need to) and score the remaining section.  The size of your score intervals can be large or small, depending on the look desired.  I personally like the 1/2" score size and look. 

Turn your cardstock a half turn and then do the same to create "squares". 

This is also a great technique to create windows or even Hershey Bars!  My kids love to make Smores in the backyard firepit which inspired this card: 

Supplies Needed

• Under the Stars/Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Sets
• Cajun Craze/Early Espresso/Crumb Cake/More Mustard/Whisper White CS
• Cajun Craze/Early Espresso/Crumb Cake Ink
• Scallop Circle #2 Die/Big Shot/Polka Dot Embossing Folder
• Scoring Tool with Measuring Guide
• Sponge
• Distressing Tool
• Large Square/Word Window/Modern Label Punches

Directions

• Stamp smore in Early Espresso all over Cajun Craze piece. 

• Turn over and score 1/2" apart horizontally.

• Turn cardstock a quarter turn and score vertically.

• With piece of Early Espresso, score horizontally and vertically also.  Cut a square from this for your Hershey bar.  Be sure to cut just beyond the score line for the best effect.
• Punch out square in Whisper White for marshmallow and use distressing tool on edges.
• Sponge all over square to get marshmallow colored to your liking.
• Run a piece of Crumb Cake through the Polka Dot embossing folder.  Use square punch to cut out graham crackers.
• Run the Scallop Circle die through the Big Shot with More Mustard card stock.
• Stamp phrase in Early Espresso on Whisper White and punch with Word Window punch.  Punch Modern Label with Cajun Craze.
• Mount and adhere all pieces.

What is VC Rocks…and why do I love it??  VC Rocks is an online community where members share their love of stamping before, during, and after the Stampin’ Up! convention.  If you can’t go (or even if you can) to convention, you can get your "stampin’ mojo fix" with challenges, swaps, and discussions!  I have "met’ many fabulous stamping demos and nondemos through this group.

Thanks for stopping by, and now your next stop is -   www.theloveofstamping.com

One of the retiring stamp sets I will miss using with my customers is Owl Together Now.  At my Technique Tuesday class this month, I showcased one of the easiest ways to create a Faux Shaker card.

The biggest time saver is using a CD/Disk Envelope.  You can find these in almost any office supply or discount store.  I then cut one apart to use as a template when planning my stamped piece.  The white insert piece is 4.75" x 4.75". 

I punched out one Scallop Circle in Old Olive.  I trimmed off the edge on the left side.  I then trimmed the strip of textured Chocolate Chip card stock to look like a tree trunk.   The textured card stock does give the tree some dimension!  Do not use too much confetti – in fact, less is more!  I used small gold and red hearts.

Before attaching the tree parts to the Whisper White card stock, I stamped the branch in Old Olive and then stamped 3 owls in Chocolate Chip.  The hearts and the phrase were stamped in Real Red.  (Sorry for the fuzzy picture here)

I stamped the outside of the CD envelope with hearts and then sponged it with Chocolate Chip ink.  I inserted the Whisper White stamped piece into the CD envelope.  I put the confetti inside and sealed the envelope so the confetti doesn’t fall out!   I mounted the sealed envelope to a piece of Old Olive card stock and then to a folded piece of Whisper White.    Here is the finished card:

Supplies Needed:

• Textured Chocolate Chip/Old Olive/Whisper White Card Stock
• Chocolate Chip/Old Olive/Real Red Ink
• CD Envelope
• Confetti
• MonoAdhesive
• Sponge

What is VC Rocks…and why do I love it??  VC Rocks is an online community where members share their love of stamping before, during, and after the Stampin’ Up! convention.  If you can’t go (or even if you can) to convention, you can get your "stampin’ mojo fix" with challenges, swaps, and discussions!  I have "met’ many fabulous stamping demos and nondemos through this group.