WOW Flowers

I thought I was done yesterday with my swaps for convention, but I couldn't resist today playing with the new In Colors. I love these colors together. I made a dozen of these cards to add to my swaps.
Stamps: Wow Flowers (new in the Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog)
CS: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive, Rich Regal Brads, Punches: 1/16", 1", 1 3/8" & Scallop Circles, Scallop Edge, Boho Blossoms

Lovely as a Tree - Faux Tile Technique

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Wow Flowers (will be in the Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog)
CS: Barely Banana, Garden Green, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Barely Banana, Basic Black, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Rose Red, VersaMark
Accessories: Window Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Snail Adhesive, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Sponges, Bone Folder, ruler
I scored the Whisper White card stock every 1/2" diagonally in both directions to create the faux tile. I stamped the trees and then punched out a 1 1/4" circle from a piece of scrap paper to make the mask around the sun and sponged inside the circle with Barely Banana ink to create the sun . I then used the 1 1/4" circle and masked the sun so I could sponge the colors around the sun. When I was done sponging the card, I put VersaMark all over the image and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. Unfortunately, this scan does not show how the card shines. You just can't beat a hand-held card.

Lovely as a Tree

I used paint chips to stamp the trees using Craft Basic Black ink and clear embossing powder. When the cards were complete I thought it needed a little bling, so I used a 2-Way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Had I thought about this while stamping the trees, I would have substituted the clear embossing powder with Iridescent Ice embossing powder. It would have been easier and not quite as messy. The card on the left was made with Tempting Turquoise and Taken with Teal cardstock. The card on the right is Almost Amethyst and Elegant Eggplant. My photos don't do them justice. Maybe it's the photographer that doesn't know how to take pictures. I sure could use some photo tips or enroll in a photography class.

Other supplies used: Basic Black and Whisper White card stock,
Classic Basic Black ink, Crop-a-dile, Tempting Turquoise and Silver brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive. I will be trading these cards at convention next week.

Below is another card I've been playing with. I like the design, but not the colors. So back to the stamp room I go to play some more. If I'm pleased with the results, I'll be bringing some of these to trade also.
Technique: Faux Tile

I scanned the two photos at the top and they are below. Look what a difference in color and detail it makes. Now I'm really worried about my camera, as it's the only one I have and am taking it to convention. I certainly hope my photos come out better than the ones I take at home.

25% Discount on Selected Retiring Accessories

July 21st through August 10th or while supplies last, Stampin' UP! is offering a 25% discount on selected retiring accessories. Check here to view the list or see the link on the side bar. Contact me and I will help you with your order.

Stitched Exotics

I'm on a roll today. This is another one of my convention swaps. I used various patterns from the Old Olive Prints Designer Series Papers on the cards. I love these colors together. I chose this combination from the Color Coach as I did for my other swaps. What a great tool!
Stamps: Stitched Exotics, Heard from the Heart (will be in the Fall/Winter Catalog)
CS: Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Whisper White
Ink: Classic Basic Black, More Mustard, Old Olive, Craft Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Old Olive Designer Paper, Crystal Clear Embossing Powder, 1/4" Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Earth Elements Buttons, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Snips, Heat Tool, Ticket Corner Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Garden Whimsy Tri-Fold Card with a Twist

Yet another card swap for convention. The instructions for this card can be found at http://www.SplitCoastStampers in the resource section.

Stamps: Garden Whimsy

CS: Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red

Accessories: Rose Red Designer Paper, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Here are the inside photos.

Wild About You!

Here is another convention swap card I made yesterday.
Stamps: Wild About You!
Card Stock: Always Artichoke, Ballet Blue, Creamy Caramel, More Mustard, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Always Artichoke, Ballet Blue, Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, More Mustard, Real Red
Accessories: Circle, Punches 1/2", 3/4", 1", Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, sponge, 3M single line masking tape, deco scissors
Technique: Faux Postage

Garden Whimsy

The scan of this card does not do it justice. I used mini glue dots on the butterfly's wings and covered them with the purple cosmo glitter. The scan makes the glitter look so dark, but it's really lighter and it sparkles. Some cards you just need to see in person.

Stamps: Garden Whimsy, Whimsy Wheel

CS: Whisper White

Ink: Almost Amethyst, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Almost Amethyst Designer Paper, Snail Adhesive, Mini Glue Dots, Cosmo Glitter, Pewter HodgePodge Hardware, Large Oval Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon

Fun & Fast Notes

This is another swap for convention.

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, Garden Whimsy

CS: Barely Banana, Pixie Pink, Sage Shadow, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Brown

Markers: Barely Banana, Blush Blossom

Accessories: Close to Cocoa Designer Paper, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Punch, Snail Adhesive

I love this hedgehog. I'm hoping Stampin' UP! brings back some more hedgehogs in the new catalog. They always make me smile :>)

Party Hearty!

This is my convention SCS dinner swap.

Stamps: Party Hearty! (will be in the new Fall/Winter Catalog )

CS: Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Cameo Coral, Tempting Tuquoise

Markers: Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: 3/4" Circle & Scallop Punches, Scallop Edge Punch (new in the Fall/Winter Catalog), Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Snail Adhesive, Tempting Turquoise Designer Paper, Stampin' Dimensionals, magnet strips

The magnet is on the back of the scallop. The scallop can be removed and used as a refrigerator magnet. Under the scallop is another cupcake, and behind the cupcake is another magnet. The first two cards I made, I used the corner rounder to make the scallops. I just knew I'd never be able to make 46 cards with the corner rounder, or my hands would fall off, then I wouldn't be able to swap at convention. I love the new Scallop Edge punch. It's very easy to use, and it beats using the corner rounder to make all those scallops. I'm so glad I was able to preorder it. It's a must have accessory.

All New Stamp Sets Are Die Cut!

When it comes to quality stamp sets, Stampin' Up! has been an industry leader for several years. Our original, exclusive stamps have earned the prestigious Creating Keepsakes Readers' Choice Award for best rubber stamps eight years in a row, and every year we work to make them even better!
We're excited to announce that all new stamp sets in the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog (including new hostess sets) will be die cut for your convenience! We know you enjoy the flexibility of custom mounting your stamps, and with these die-cut sets, all you'll need to do is pop, peel, and place before you begin stamping.
Only our new stamps will be die cut; sets carried over from the last catalog and those on the dormant list will still require trimming. But, each new set will feature a die cut icon so you will have no problems identifying die-cut sets.