"Just Believe" Straw-Blowing Card

This is one of the cards we did in my most recent class. I think everyone really enjoyed the "straw-blowing" technique on this card. It makes a gorgeous background for silhouette images like this one from the "Just Believe" stamp set. Watch the video below to learn how to do this fun technique.

To make this card, you'll need:

• Stamps: #116948 Just Believe, #123025 Fabulous Florets, #125525 Apothecary Art
• Cardstock: #100730 Whisper White, #122924 Pool Party, #122922 Wisteria Wonder, #102599 Glossy White
• Ink: #126982 Pool Party, #101406 Black StazOn
• Accessories: Ink Refills (#122933 Pool Party, #122931 Wisteria Wonder, #122932 Island Indigo), #122973 Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, #104430 Dimensionals, drinking straw, dotto, paper towel

Extra Tips for the Stamped Candle project

Hopefully you've had a chance to watch the video about making stamped candles from my last post. Here are just a few extra tips to ensure success with your stamped candle projects:

• Tip #1: Make sure that your heat tool is HOT before you aim it toward your candle. Otherwise you'll melt the candle away while you wait for it to heat up. Once the heat tool is ready, it should only take a few seconds of heating for the tissue paper to disappear. 
• Tip #2: Don't overheat your candle! Move the heat tool to a new area as soon as the tissue paper becomes invisible. Once the candle is overheated, the wax begins to melt and drip. You will no longer have a smooth candle surface.
• Tip #3: Don't wave the heat tool quickly over the entire candle. You'll have more control and be able to see exactly what you're doing if you move it slowly. 
• Tip #4: It's better to under-heat than overheat! If you peel away the wax paper and notice that there is still some tissue paper showing, just wrap the wax paper around the candle again and heat the candle with the heat tool until the tissue paper disappears. 
• Tip #5: If you want to add several different images to the candle, or if you want the images to go all the way around, just do a section at a time. Don't try to do it all in one step.

Have fun experimenting with different designs for your stamped candles. Just think of all the different reasons to make candles...Christmas decorations, Fall decorations, Mother's Day gifts, Birthdays gifts, Teacher gifts, Housewarming gifts...the list could go on and on!

Stamped Candle

One of my favorite projects to make has always been "stamped" candles. They make quick, easy, inexpensive gifts! Check out the video below to learn how to make your own stamped candle.

To make this project, you'll need:

• Stamps: #122900 Kindness Matters

• Paper: #126910 2012-2014 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack

• Accessories: Markers (#126856 Primrose Petals, Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, #100082 Basic Black), #129053 Heat tool, #126844 2012-2014 Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon, #118402 Scallop Trim Border Punch

• Non-SU: Candle, wax paper, tissue paper, see-through gift bag

Word Play Graduation Card

My daughter will be graduating from high school in just one month! I want to have a really special card to give to her and extras for her to give to some of her friends who are graduating with her. While looking around for graduation card ideas, I came across a beautiful card by Melissa Davies. I changed the colors to match my daughter's school colors, and made a couple of other very minor tweaks. Here's the finished product!

To make this card you'll need:

• Stamps: #120308 Word Play
• Cardstock: #100730 Whisper White, #119685 Cherry Cobbler, #100867 Night of Navy, and #124005 Silver Glimmer Paper
• Ink: #102283 VersaMark
• Accessories: #122949 Cherry Cobbler Emboss Powder, #129053 Heat Tool, #126189 Paper-Piercing Tool, #126187 Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, #113439 Big Shot, #125601 Adorning Accents Folders, #125595 Adorning Accents Edgelits, #122125 3" Circle die, #120992 Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals, Stars #2 die (retired), and Swirls Scribbles Sizzlet die (retired)

Swallowtail Butterfly Biology Project

You know you've been stamping for awhile when your children choose their school project topics based on the stamps they know you have at home! My son had to choose any insect, make a model with labeled body parts, and create a poster full of information about that insect. He knew I had the beautiful Stampin' Up! Swallowtail Butterfly stamp, so that was the insect he chose. We embossed two butterflies with black emboss powder and colored them with ink refills. Then he cut them out, created legs using cut up paper clips, and then layered the two butterflies together (so the underside of the wings are the same as the top side). He cut out his little labels and attached them with mini silver brads. Check it out!

Products used:

• Stamps: #129213 Swallowtail
• Cardstock: #100730 White
• Ink: #102283 VersaMark Pad
• Accessories: #109133 Black Emboss Powder, #129053 Heat Tool, Ink Refills (#119672 Daffodil Delight, #101962 More Mustard, #126950 Rich Razzleberry, #111840 Pacific Point), #122941 Mini Silver Brads, #126189 Paper-Piercing Tool, paper clips, and a paintbrush

Secret Garden Bouquet Card

Last week I had the honor and privilege of attending a class by my downline Jan B. It was really fun to be a student again. Check out this gorgeous card we made! I can't wait to give it to my mom for Mother's Day! My husband asked me to make another one just like it for his mom.

To make this card, you'll need:

• Stamps: #129141 Secret Garden, and Messages for Mom (retired)
• Cardstock/Paper: #126841 Primrose Petals, #115318 Soft Suede, #101650 Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride (will be available 5/31/13), and #122384 2011-2013 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack
• Ink: #126858 Primrose Petals, #126978 Soft Suede, and #102283 VersaMark
• Accessories: #113439 Big Shot, #129372 Secret Garden Framelits, #121810 Petal Cone die, #109132 White Emboss Powder, #129053 Heat Tool, #101610 Stampin' Sponges, and #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals

Floral District Card

This is the card you will receive as a gift from me if you place a $25 order through me during the month of April. This card was created by Cindy M. I love the simplicity! The colors are absolutely gorgeous.

To make this card,.you'll need:

• Stamps: #122585 My Friend and #126004 Betsy's Blossoms
• Cardstock/Paper: #115316 Rich Razzleberry, #100730 Whisper White, and #126919 Floral District Designer Series Paper
• Ink: #101406 Jet Black StazOn and #126950 Rich Razzleberry
• Accessories: #119854 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, #119861 1-1/4" Circle Punch, #119868 1" Circle Punch, #118309 Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, #119246 Basic Rhinestone Jewels, and #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals

Free Shipping April 6-8, 2013!!

3 DAYS ONLY!!! April 6-8, Stampin' Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING on EVERYTHING!!

(excluding expedited orders)

This is a fantastic opportunity to stock up on all your favorites!

Don't miss out!!! Order Here!!

Stampin' Up! Color Refresh

Announcing our Color Refresh! We love color and we know that you do too. Color is fundamental to who we are and what we offer. It's important for us to stay up-to-date with color trends so we are thrilled to share our updated line of colors, and hope you will be as excited as we are by the new possibilities!

Brights

Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Bermuda Bay, Old Olive, 

Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Real Red, Melon Mambo

Subtles

Wisteria Wonder, Marina Mist, Soft Sky, Pool Party, Wild Wasabi,

Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Calypso Coral, Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette

Regals

Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy, Island Indigo, Garden Green,

Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Rose Red

In the Neutrals Collection, there will be a beautiful new light gray called Smoky Slate, and River Rock will be discontinued. But otherwise, the Neutrals will remain the same.

Beginning on April 4, 2013, all retiring/discontinued color products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) will be available only while supplies last. So be sure to stock up on your favorites! Stampin' Up! also announced they will be offering FREE SHIPPING on EVERYTHING April 6-8, 2013! Click here to order!

Blooming with Kindness card

Today I want to show you a quick, easy card. This card uses an emboss resist technique on glossy card stock. The result is just beautiful. To achieve this look, stamp the flowers onto glossy white card stock using VersaMark ink. Cover with Gold Emboss Powder, shake off excess, and heat to melt. Once the embossing is cooled, use sponges to rub colored ink onto the card stock. The ink will not stick to the embossed images. After the card stock is completely covered, wipe over the whole thing with a paper towel to remove any extra ink. I love how the flowers just POP! Try this technique with different embossing powders, ink colors, and images. It's amazing how striking such a simple layout can be!

To make this card, you'll need:

• Stamps: #126420 Blooming with Kindness
• Cardstock: #126841 Primrose Petals, #126843 Midnight Muse, #102599 Glossy White
• Ink: #102283 VersaMark, #126858 Primrose Petals, #126860 Midnight Muse
• Accessories: #109129 Gold Emboss Powder, #129053 Heat Tool, #101610 Stamping Sponges, #126844 Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon, #118402 Scallop Trim Border Punch