Come see me today at Viva Vienna Memorial Day Festival. I'm on Mill Street near the Mobile McDonald that is giving out free frappés

Swap Cards - Part 1

Hi there My Stamping Friends,

Remember last month I mentioned that I was in a swap and that I would show you the cards I received? Well here are a few of them (not in any particular order since I admit that I haven't completely mastered how to post photos in a particular order on my blog). I'll post more tomorrow.

This All A Flutter butterfly card didn't have a label on the back so I don't know who made it. If it was yours feel free to let me know and I'll add your name here. I love this card and might have to case it and I'd like to give you credit when I do.
This Watercolor Trio card was made by Maria Ann Pane. I don't know if you can tell but there is glitter on the flower petals. And she used the Polka Dot Embossing Folder with her Big Shot. Just beautiful !

Nancy Amato made this one Watercolor Trio . I love how she dressed it up by using her Big Shot Texturz Plates. I think I might be a Big Shot Addict.

Jennifer Dimmer did an awesome job on this one. She used the new Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder in her Big Shot and the First Day stamp set from our summer mini catalog. I love how she popped the book up for some more dimension.

This one is by Carol Slack and I don't know if you can tell but the butterflies and the center of the flowers have glitter. She also cut out the center flower and used dimensionals for added effect. Great job.

Lisa Chatterjee embossed the coconut from the Tropical Party stamp set, used the Island Oasis Designer Paper and colored the drink umbrella to match. I love this tropical look that we have going on here.

This creation is by Kathy Hamrick and she used the new July Fourth set. She embossed the 'fireworks' on glossy paper and used our Large Star Punch to pop up the stars on dimensionals.

Jennifer Snyder did a great job on this card. The Sweet Scoops set is so diverse and you can have any ice cream flavor you can imagine, without any of the calories. She used the gel pen to put a little accent on the ice cream swirls. She also used the Eyelet Border punch and the Heart to Heart punch but what I love (cause I'm a Big Shot Addict) is that she used the fantastic polka dot textures folder for the Big Shot. Love it, Love it, Love it!!

Stephanie Fitch did an amazing coloring job on this bicycle. I can tell she spent lots of time on it. I think the 1/2 inch striped grosgrain ribbon pulls the card together, but if you haven't guessed by now, probably my favorite part is that she used the Big Shot Texturz Plates.

Finally, I have a masculine card from April Prachniak. She did a great job adding some color to the motorcycle. I don't have this stamp but this might have sold me on it. Plus, she used the Square Lattice Embossing Folder in her Big Shot? Can't go wrong there!! Great job.

Hope you enjoyed the cards and ideas. I'll show you the rest in another post.

Have a great day!

Rose-Ellen

2010 Summer Mini Spotlight

Color Renovation - Items going FAST

Hi there My Stamping Friends,

When Stampin' Up! announced their Color Renovation and listed what colors will be retiring at the end of June, they told us that they would honor the orders for retiring colors (ink pads, refills, cardstock, etc) until the end of May. Once the retiring list of stamps and accessories is announced on June 1st, the items will be listed 'as available'.

Just the other day they announced that while the ink pads and refills will still be available until the end of May (they maybe on back order though and will be shipped a little later than expected), the cardstock is in a much higher demand and is SELLING OUT FAST! In order to make sure that we have all the new colors available on July 1st with the new Catalog and Idea Book, they can not guarantee anymore orders for cardstock. If there is a specific color of cardstock that you are hoping for, please, please, please don't wait to place your order. If there is an order placed for a cardstock that Stampin' Up! has run out of, they will substitute the smooth card stock with textured card stock at no additional cost. We will not be notified if the substitution has been made before the order is shipped. When the order arrives there should be a sticker on the pack of textured card stock letting us know that it is a substitute for smooth card stock.

Basically, I want to let you know that in order to make sure you have the best chance of getting the smooth card stock in the color that you want, you should place your orders immediately.



Enjoy your day!!


Rose-Ellen

Carryover Items still available

Hi there My Stamping Friends,

Stampin' Up! has given us some advance notice of the items that will be carryovers from the current Occasions Mini Catalogs. These items will still be available for purchase after April 30th. In addition, many of these products will be available in the next Idea Book & Catalog or in the upcoming Definitely Decorative brochure. So, if you have a wish list like mine, make sure you quickly get the items that will be gone for good. Don't let this opportunity pass you by!

Carryover Items from Occasions Mini 2010
Item # Description Price
116519 Charming STMP $19.95
117690 Vintage Vogue WM $23.95
118598 Vintage Vogue CM $17.95
118882 Vague vinatge WM $23.95
119109 Vague vinatge CM $17.95
118091 Tiny Tags WM $22.95
118592 Tiny Tags CM $16.95
117535 DÉCOR ELEMENTS F IS FOR FOX CHOCOLATE $4.95
117536 DÉCOR ELEMENTS G IS FOR GIRAFFE CHOCOLATE $4.95
117529 DÉCOR ELEMENTS IS FOR BLACK $4.95
117541 DÉCOR ELEMENTS L IS FOR LION CHOCOLATE $4.95
117542 DÉCOR ELEMENTS M IS FOR MONKEY CHOCOLATE $4.95
117544 DÉCOR ELEMENTS O IS FOR OWL CHOCOLATE $4.95
117528 DÉCOR ELEMENTS SCALLOP FRAME BLACK $6.95
117549 DÉCOR ELEMENTS T IS FOR TURTLE CHOCOLATE $4.95
117552 DÉCOR ELEMENTS W IS FOR WHALE CHOCOLATE $4.95
118139 DS FOLK FLOWERS -SHELLI SIGNATURE COLLECTION $12.95
117597 DS PAISLEY PATTERNS 2-STEP $14.95
118072 PNCH CRNR PINKING HEARTS $9.95
118870 PNCH CRNR SCALLOP TRIM $9.95
117191 PNCH LG 2 STEP BIRD $15.95
118073 PNCH LG FANCY FLOWER $15.95
117649 PNCH MD BRDR PINKING HEARTS $15.95
117190 PNCH MD JEWELRY TAG $10.95
117193 PNCH SM SMALL HEART $5.95
117310 SZX BIGZ L MINI MILK CARTON $32.95
118138 SZX EMBSLTS BEAUTIFUL WINGS $11.95
117332 SZX EMBSLTS SCALLOPED HEART OF HEARTS $11.95
117335 SZX TI PERFECT POLKA DOTS $7.95
116772 RECIPES BY DESIGN $24.95
120435 HEART TREAT CUPS $2.95

The following products will NOT be featured in upcoming catalogs.
116772 RECIPES BY DESIGN $24.95
118139 DS FOLK FLOWERS -SHELLI SIGNATURE COLLECTION $12.95
117597 DS PAISLEY PATTERNS 2-STEP $14.95


Holiday Mini Carryover Products
Item # Description Price
116794 Ornament punch $15.95
116806 Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint $5.95
116854 Frost White Shimmer Paint $5.95
116807 Platinum Shimmer Paint $5.95
116829 Décor Elements Blocks $9.95
116824 Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty $7.95
116821 Stampin' Up! Holiday Windows Magnetic Movers & Shapers $29.95
116819 Stampin' Up! Table Setting Bigz XL die $42.95
116820 Stampin' Up! Embosslits Merry die $11.95
116823 Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Merry Details die $5.50
116822 Stampin' Up! O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Bigz XL die $42.95
118140 Stampin' Up! Tree Decorations Sizzlits die $5.50
118108 My Digital Studio $79.95
116519 Charming stamp set $19.95

Have a great day!

Rose-Ellen

Awash With Flowers

Here is a card I made this Sunday for my oldest daughter's birthday. I used the brand new Awash With Flowers Two Step Stampin' set. It is available from April 1-30 only, you can purchase the set now, or get it FREE when you host a $350 workshop. After that you won't be able to get it until the next Idea Book & Catalog comes out on July 1st.

Plus, get 20% off a selection of perfectly springy Two-Step Stampin’ sets from our current catalog:
ITEM # PAGE # DESCRIPTION REG PRICE SALE PRICE
113824 94 Greenhouse Garden $25.95 $20.76
113734 98 Fifth Avenue Floral $24.95 $19.96
111578 101 Flower Fancy $36.95 $29.56
113258 112 Trendy Trees $17.95 $14.36

On my card I used gable green card stock for the base. I punched out two Top Notes using my Big Shot (one in only orange and one in whisper white). On the whisper white top note I stamped two flowers using the only orange and gable green ink pads. I sponged some only orange around the edges and finished it with two orange buttons from the Sherbet designer buttons. I layered the top note pieces and stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment with my Well Scripted Clear Mount set. It came together so quickly and looked bright and cheery for such a beautiful day.

Here is the Awash With Flowers flyer with some samples in case you missed it.

Have a great Stamping Day,

Rose-Ellen

Happy New Baby

Good Morning My Stamping Friends,

I wanted to share a card that I made a week or two ago. I made it for my friend Jen because after being a mom to two wonderful boys for a while, she's expecting a girl very soon. I'm so so so excited for her to join the 'girl world' with me (because I was blessed with daughters). She is in for such a treat!

Anyway, I made this card for her shower and I really liked how it turned out. I liked it so much that I also made a set of cards for her to mail out when the little one arrives.

I used Pretty In Pink cardstock with Pretty In Pink ink on the Medallion stamp for the background. Then I ran the base through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder. For the focal point I used the stroller from Fun & Fast Notes and colored it with the aqua painter. I finished up with some Pretty In Pink grosgrain ribbon and pink rhinestone brads on the wheels of the stroller. A quick stamp on the envelope and I was all set to give the card away. I was there when she opened up her gifts and it was such a treat for me that she passed this card around to all the ladies at the shower.

Congrats Jen, I can't wait to meet you're precious bundle of joy.

Rose-Ellen

Have you heard????

Hi there My Stamping Friends,

I'm soooo excited!! Stampin' Up! made a huge announcement. They have made a COLOR RENOVATION and have revamped the current color families, introduced 5 brand new colors, re-introduced some of the previous in-colors that we love, removed some colors that weren't on trend anymore (some colors changed from one family to another) and they are introducing a new line of In-Colors that will last for 2 years rather than one year. WOWZER!! Its so great to work for a company that is one of the leaders in the color world, and wants to stay on track with current color trends.

Check out the new color families ....

Check out the Colors that are retiring.....

Stampin' Up! will fill all orders placed in April and May, but once the retiring list is posted in June the retiring supplies will be available 'as supplies last' as we usually do. So, if you'd like to make sure you get the cardstock, inkpads, ink refills, markers, etc that are on your wish list, consider getting them soon. Another hint is that if there is a DSP that you love, that contains a retiring color, well....you should include that in your order as well.

Have a great weekend!
Rose-Ellen

Happy Retirement

Good Morning My Stamping Friends,

I want to start by saying a BIG thank you to everyone that was able to make it to the Relay for Life Crop this weekend. This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart and it was so nice to get together with all the scrapbookers and card makers for a such a wonderful event. Everyone seemed to have a great time (I know I did) and lots of people were asking when the next one will be held. I'm looking at putting together another crop in month or two. I'll keep you posted once a date is finalized.

While everyone was busy working on thier scrapbooks and cards I worked on a card for a swap that I'm participating in. For this swap I made 24 cardfronts using products from our upcoming mini catalog (ordering from that will start on May 1st). I'll get back 24 different cardfront and can show you lots of samples of how to use products from the new catalog. This is my submission.

And here is a close up of my card.

The card base is old olive. For the larger petals on the flower I used pumpkin pie, rose red and so saffron card stock and my Big Shot with the new Bigz die called Island Floral. The tempting turquoise flower was made with the Extra Large Flower Punch. I used my 5 petal punch for the smallest pumpkin pie flower. I think the rhinestone brad in the center of the flower pulls it all together. Plus I used our new Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spray on the flower for an added shine. The designer series paper is called Island Oasis (and is full of fantastic colors and patterns). The Stamp set I used for the background is called Tropical Party and will be available in clear mount and wood mount. The sentiment is from my current favorite go-to sentiment set Teeny Tiny Wishes. I used 'Happy Retirement' because it would be a dream to retire somewhere as beautiful as Hawaii.

I'm expectng my package of cards to arrive in about 10 days so stay tuned to check out the different I'll be posting.

Until then,

Happy Stamping

RELAY FOR LIFE CROPPING EVENT THIS WEEKEND

We still have spots left so it's not to late to sign up.

The Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department located at 2148 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA 22027 is hosting a crop to Benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life (go team Hootin' Owls) this weekend.

Join us for two days of scrapbooking and papercrafting fun! Bring your supplies, set up on Friday then crop the night away! Come back and do it all again on Saturday! There will be vendors on site so you may purchase supplies and/or get advice from the experts.

Friday • April 16th • 6:00pm – Midnight for only $25
Saturday • April 17th • 8:30am – 2:30pm for only $25
OR stay the whole time and use the 2 Day Special Price of $45

Your registration fee includes croppin’ space for the entire time, dinner on Friday, lunch on Saturday, snacks, coffee, a goody bag, and admission to breakout classes.

I'll be there the whole time working on cards, scrapbook pages and 3d projects for my booth at the upcoming Viva Vienna event on May 30th and 31st. I'll have all my tools with me so you can use my Big Shot and all my dies, my punches, my embossing tools and more. PLUS I'll have some sneak peeks of items from the new mini catalog that you can order from starting on May 1st.

For more information on the Relay for Life crop this weekend contact me at StampingWithRose-Ellen@cox.net or 703-200-2340 or contact the event coordinator Mary Kubisch at kubisch3@verizon.net or 703-560-2804.

Hope to see you there.

I can almost feel the sand between my toes....

...although there really isn't any beach sand close to my house. This project is so inspiring that I had to share it. I got it straight from the demonstrator side of the Stampin’ Up website. If you want to join Stampin’ Up! and enjoy all the benefits of being a demonstrator (including access to a certain part of the website, a monthly magazine with articles and samples galore, access to an online web forum with instant responses to questions and more) let me know and I can answer any questions you might have.

Here are the details for the Big Shot Project shown above, courtesy of BJ Peters and Sandy Poehnelt, fellow Stampin’ Up! creative coaches.


June Beach Scene
Paper
• Bashful Blue card stock
• Chocolate Chip card stock
• Creamy Carmel card stock
• Green Galore card stock
• Only Orange card stock
• Real Red card stock
• Summer Sun card stock
• Whisper White card stock
Big Shot Supplies
• Box #2 Bigz XL die
• Clear Circle Bigz Clear die
• Scallop Circle Bigz die
• Top Note Bigz die
Ink
• Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Creamy Carmel Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Green Galore Stampin’ Write marker
• Rose Red Stampin’ Write marker
• Summer Sun Stampin’ Write marker
Accessories
• Sticky Strip
• Boho Blossoms punch
• Stamping sponge

Directions
1. Cut Box #2 from Bashful Blue card stock. Assemble box by scoring all folds well. Cut off box top.
2. Cut 2 Top Notes from Bashful Blue card stock and one from Creamy Carmel card stock. Attach Bashful Blue Top Notes to front and back of box. Create “sand” by tearing Creamy Caramel Top Note. I used 2 layers of “sand” to add dimension and sponged the edges. You will want to place a 1/4" x 4" strip of Chocolate Chip card stock between the first and second layers of sand to secure umbrella.
3. Cut a scallop circle from Summer Sun, Real Red, Only Orange, and Green Galore card stock. Using the Summer Sun circle as a base, create your umbrella by using parts of the Only Orange, Real Red, and Green Galore scallop circles. Don’t worry what the top of the scallop looks like as now you will come in with your Clear Circle die and since you can see through this awesome die, you can create the top of your umbrella very easily! Attach umbrella to umbrella stem you have previously stuck in your sand.
4. Decorate your beach scene by adding a “margarita” from the Cheers to You set colored with
Stampin’ Write markers. No beach scene is complete without a little sun added by punching
Summer Sun card stock using the Boho Blossoms punch!

April Showers....

It’s pouring rain outside right now so I thought I would share something that reminds me what arrives after these glorious April showers (I REALLY do love the rain!). I got this project from the demonstrator side of the Stampin’ Up website. If you want to join Stampin’ Up! and enjoy all the benefits of being a demonstrator (including access to a certain area of the website, a monthly magazine with articles and samples galore, access to an online web forum with instant responses to questions and more) let me know and I can answer any questions you might have.



Here are the details for the Big Shot Project shown above, courtesy of BJ Peters and Sandy Poehnelt, fellow Stampin’ Up! creative coaches.

May Flower Pot
Big Shot Supplies:
• Box #2 Bigz XL die
• Top Note Bigz die
• Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die
• Birds & Blooms Sizzlits die set
• Spring Flowers Sizzlits die set
Paper
• Glorious Green card stock
• Really Rust card stock
• So Saffron Patterns
Designer Series paper
• Scraps for flowers
Ink
• Really Rust Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker
• White Gel Pen
Accessories
• Rhinestone brad: Yellow
• Mini Glue Dots
• Sticky Strip
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Crimper
• Small Oval punch
• 3/16" Corner Rounder punch
• Paper‐piercing tool and pad
• Stamping sponge

Directions
1. Cut Box # 2 from Really Rust card stock. Assemble box by scoring all folds well. Cut off box top.
2. Cut 3 stems of flowers from double layered Glorious Green card stock (you need the sturdiness of 2 pieces of card stock together). Each should be 5" long. Apply to front of box by aligning at the bottom of the box (this adds to sturdiness as well). Don’t worry about the length as you can cut the tops off later.
3. Cut Top Note from Really Rust card stock and cut in half. Sponge edges in Really Rust card stock. Apply to box front and back using Sticky Strip.
4. Cut two 1" x 4‐3/4" strips of Really Rust card stock, sponge edges and round corners using 3/16" Corner Rounder punch. Adhere with Stampin’ Dimensionals to top of Top Note to create flower pot rim.
5. Cut 3 flowers using various flower Sizzlits dies and scraps of card stock. (That’s one of the best things about the Big Shot—your scraps make such cute things!) Don’t’ forget about the flower centers—using a gel pen or Stampin’ Write marker – add some faux texture. You’ll need fronts and backs as you will sandwich the flower stems as you apply them. I suggest having the flower stems go as far to the top of the flower as possible for stability.
6. Crimp a strip of Glorious Green card stock and send through crimper. Cut your leaves from this strip using your Small Oval punch. Fold in half and score the long way down the center. Apply to stems using Mini Glue Dots.
7. Using So Saffron Patterns Designer Series paper cut 2 of the same butterflies using the Beautiful Butterflies die. I used the smallest full butterfly on the die. With both butterflies together, using a paper‐piercing tool, poke a hole where the body of the butterfly would be and push through a Rhinestone brad. Shape the brad back in a “V” so that it appears the wings are flying. Secure bottom layer of butterfly to flower pot by placing Stampin’ Dimensionals on outside edges of wings.
8. Fill your pot with paper grass and you are set for a great springtime.

Green and Neutral Challenge

Good Morning My Stamping Friends, I hope you are enjoying a bright sunny Friday like I am. The sun is shining and while it is pretty cold outside, I'm sitting in a stream of sunshine pretending its Spring.

Anyway, I heard from my friend Robin this morning about a Bloggers Challenge. The challenge this week was to create a project using greens and neutrals. I don't normally participate in these kinds of challenges but since I'm a blogger now, and yesterday I serendipitiously made a card that fit the challenge, I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring. I made this card for my brother's first wedding anniversary that is coming up in a few days. They got married in a gorgeous setting and the color they choose for the dresses, decorations, cake, etc.was a glorious shade of green (yes we are Irish). I can tell you about the card because I'm pretty sure he doesn't read my blog yet so I think I'm safe.

Here is my card and part of the envelope (you can't have a handmade card in a plain envelope!). Kevin, if you're reading this, stop now - until the card arrives in the mail!).

I used glorious green as my base and for the front layer I used some Bride DSP. I ran it through my Big Shot using the Movers and Shapers die with the heart shaper from the Punch Window Set. I ran it through the Big Shot twice, moving the magnetic heart shaper a little bit on the second run through. I sponged and attached the two Bride heart cut-outs back into place (which really stuck them onto the inside of the card). I also used the Modern Label Punch and the coordinating Modern Label die to cut out and frame the sentiment. Teeny Tiny Wishes is my go-to stamp set for all my sentiments lately and that is where I got 'Happy Anniversary'. I just love that the stamp set covers so many holidays. I used some white taffeta ribbon behind the sentiment which I popped up with domentionals.

For the envelope I used a retired so swirly wheel and I used the Lovely Letters Alphabet for the first initial of thier last name. Of course I coordinated the colors to the card, and used my glorious green Stampin' Write Marker to finish addressing the card.

If you'd like to get any of the supplies to make this card at home, just contact me or log into my Stampin' Up! website to place the order yourself 24/7.

Hope you like my card and feel free to leave a comment. It would make my day.

Enjoy your weekend.

Rose-Ellen

P.S. Check out Robin's challenge card here.

My Rag Bag Purse

Hi there My Stamping Friends!!! I'm soooo excited about my Rag Bag Purse (also known as the purse made using the Big Shot and the Scallop Square Die). I just couldn't wait to share it with you. I finished it about 5 minutes ago and I'm downloading the photos right now. Wahooo!!
I'm going to start out by saying I do NOT sew very often. In a pinch I might be able to repair the hem on a dark colored pair of pants, if you wore them at night....and tucked them into a pair of boots (tee hee hee). Seriously I can fix a Halloween costume and sorta sew a straight line but that is about the extent of it. That is probably why I'm so proud of myself for making this purse. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Big Shot and when I heard about these scallop square bags I was intrigued. I was so excited recently to get invited to my friend Robin Merriman's house for her downline meeting, where Nancy was showing us how to make these purses. Thanks again Robin and Nancy!!
So, The bag is pretty easy (if I can do it, you can do it) so I'll give you some basic instructions but the photos should tell the story. Basically I used my Big Shot and Scallop Square die to cut out 19 squares for the outside and 19 squares for the inside of the purse. I used batting in between the squares to give it some structure.

I stitched an x on each square and lined up my squares in a pattern and stitched them all together.

My hint for the newbie trying this for the first time would be to avoid a fabric that has a directional pattern (such as animal faces that need to be straight and facing in the right direction~ a perfect example of 'Do as I say, not as I do'). After I stitched the scallops together in the shape of the bag I stitched a straight line (LOL) across the top and inserted straps into the top of the bag as I was sewing.

Doing this made the bag reversible so it has a 'scallop' side and a 'straight' side.

What's that you say? You can't live without one of these bags? You can't live without the Big Shot (#113439) and the Scallop Square die (#115950)? Just contact me and I can help you place an order so you can get exactly what you need. Don't forget that we are currently running the Sale-A-Bration promotion where you get a FREE stamp set (from a list of 70+ sets) for every $50 you spend. If you order a Big Shot, the Scallop Square Die, one more die and a few other smaller items such as snail refills, you could get three SAB sets and you would qualify for a FREE hostess set and $15 in FREE merchandise. WOW!!!

So, What do you think of my first purse? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Have a great day!!
Rose-Ellen