The "Perfect" Blue Combo!

At the catalog premiere, the colors Island Indigo, Lost Lagoon, and Pool Party were mentioned as a great combination of blues. I decided to try them out together using another new stamp set, Work of Art. This card is for my husband, who is having a particularly busy and stressful time at work right now. When I get the chance, I'll write a note of encouragement and stick it in his lunch box. :-)

Stamps: Work of Art
Ink: Island Indigo, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party
Paper: Island Indigo, Whisper White

Also, I wanted to let you know about a special that Stampin' Up! has going on now through June 30. You can join for only $50! The regular $99 starter kit is also available, but if you have been wanting to join and couldn't justify spending $99, now is your chance! Being a demonstrator has great benefits - a 20% discount, sneak peeks at new products, pre-orders for new catalogs, and so much more! I'd love to have you join my team! If you are interested, visit my website to sign up, or to contact me for more information.

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Weekly Deals ~ May 27-June 2

Here are this week's deals:

	Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack Item # 130132 Regular Price: $21.95 US/$26.95 CAN Discounted Price: $16.46 US/$20.21 CAN
	3-1/2 Inch Circle Originals Die Item # 121811 Regular Price: $17.95 US/$21.95 CAN Discounted Price: $13.46 US/$16.46 CAN
	Sweet Buttons Embosslit Die Item # 121813 Regular Price: $11.95 US/$14.95 CAN Discounted Price: $8.96 US/$11.21 CAN
	Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper Item # 126917 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$15.95 CAN Discounted Price: $9.71 US/$11.96 CAN
	Full Heart Punch Item # 119883 Regular Price: $16.95 US/$22.95 CAN Discounted Price: $12.71 US/$17.21 CAN
	Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die Item # 127553 Regular Price: $89.95 US/$110.95 CAN Discounted Price: $67.46 US/$89.21 CAN
	Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die Item # 123128 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
Happy Stamping! Rachel	Spring To Life Kit - Digital Download Item # 133026 Regular Price: $9.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.97 US/$6.57 CAN

A Red, White, and Blue Thank You

I thought it was only appropriate for Memorial Day to share a red, white, and blue card! This was one of the cards that we made at my Stamp Camp last weekend. Simple but cute. Then again, most stuff I do is simple!

Does this card have your eyes going a little crazy? The paper is from the Fresh Prints DSP Stack, and I mimicked the polka dots with the greeting, stamping first in Coastal Cabana and then in Real Red. The Thick Baker's Twine in Coastal Cabana was in the Sale-a-bration catalog, but it is being added in the 2013-2015 In Colors in the new catalog. It finishes the card off nicely, don't you think?

Have a wonderful holiday, and thank you to all veterans! You are a blessing to our country.

Stamps: Lots of Thanks

Ink: Coastal Cabana, Real Red

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Fresh Prints DSP Stack

Accessories & Tools: 2 3/8" Scallop Punch, 1 3/4 "Circle Punch, Coastal Cabana Thick Baker's Twine

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Sneak Peek Friday!

Friday is a great day for a sneak peek, don't you think? I don't know how much of a sneak peek it is... if you've done any looking around in the online stamping world, you have probably already seen the new In Colors. But if not, here they are!

I made a set of simple cards to show off the new colors. They are all such rich colors, and I definitely have a favorite! Can you guess which one? If you said Blackberry Bliss, you know me well! (Or you're a good guesser!) I love a good purple. The other colors are great too, and I can't wait to use them in more projects!

Stamps: Six-Sided Sampler
Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Tangelo Twist, Hello Honey
Paper: Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Tangelo Twist, Hello Honey, Whisper White

DON'T FORGET: The sale on retired items is going on right now, while supplies last. Place an order of at least $25 using hostess code YMJVCMFJ by Monday, May 26, and I will send you a FREE copy of the brand new catalog! *US only, please*

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Retired Products Blowout Sale

Starting today, while supplies last, some of the retired products will be available at a 25-50% discount! If there is something you like, make sure to act fast. You can see the list of retired products here. This sale will only apply to items that are not already sold out.

As an added bonus, if you place an order of $25 or more between now and Monday, May 26, I will send you a FREE copy* of the brand new catalog, which goes live June 2! Make sure you enter the hostess code YMJVCMFJ when you place your order to receive your free copy of the catalog. Your order does not have to include any of the retired products (although there are some great deals!).
*This deal only applies in the US, thank you.*

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Project Life Meets Petite Pairs

I am sad to admit how far behind I am in my scrapbooking. I am hoping that Project Life can help me catch up, but for now, I am enjoying using Stampin' Up!'s Project Life elements to make cards! This card was made using the Project Life Framelits. Very simple, and nice for any occasion when you want to wish someone well. And I love the layering of the Burlap and Chevron Ribbons! I don't remember where I saw that, but they fit together perfectly!

The only thing that bothers me about the card is the paper from the DSP Stack. It uses Whisper White while the rest of the card is Very Vanilla. However, I don't think it's that noticeable (except that I just pointed it out to you). The card just needed something more, and that paper seemed to fit.

Stamps: Petite Pairs
Ink: Crumb Cake
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Fresh Prints DSP Stack
Accessories & Tools: Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits Dies, Big Shot, Project Life Corner Punch, 1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon, Natural 5/8" Chevron Ribbon

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Weekly Deals ~ May 20-26

Here are this week's deals:

We hope you enjoy this week's Weekly Deals!

	Blushing Bride 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Item # 131209 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.75 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$5.06 CAN
	Basic Gray 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Item # 126879 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.75 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$5.06 CAN
	Wild Wasabi 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Item # 126873 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.75 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$5.06 CAN
	Pear Pizzazz 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon Item # 131208 Regular Price: $6.95 US/$9.50 CAN Discounted Price: $5.21 US/$7.13 CAN
	Early Espresso 1/8 Inch Taffeta Ribbon Item # 119959 Regular Price: $5.95 US/$8.25 CAN Discounted Price: $4.46 US/$6.19 CAN
	Whisper White 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Item # 126877 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.75 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$5.06 CAN
	1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon Item # 132140 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Made From Scratch Recipes Designer Template - Digital Download Item # 129004 Regular Price: $17.95 US/$19.95 CAN Discounted Price: $10.77 US/$11.97 CAN
	International Bazaar Photobook Template - Digital Download Item # 130875 Regular Price: $14.95 US/$16.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.97 US/$9.90 CAN

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

A Two by Two Baby Shower

One of my favorite baby stamps offered by Stampin' Up! is called Two by Two. It is retired now, but still available in MDS. I used the MDS version to create invitations and little advice cards for a baby shower I hosted yesterday. My original plan was to create a large version of the stamp, print it off, and use it as a template on the cake, but I just ran out of time.

I actually did the advice card in Microsoft Word. I couldn't get the stamp image to copy and paste in MDS and I didn't have time to color it again, so my IT guru husband figured out how to get it into Word using something called Snippet. That's why the blue color isn't an exact match.

My experience with MDS is kind of limited because I've only used it a few times, but I really like it for invitations, when you have a lot of information to add along with your images. (Because who wants to write it all out?!) I hope to have more time in the future to explore MDS a little bit more. If you like sites like Shutterfly for making photo books, you might want to try MDS. You can do the same thing, but with exclusive Stampin' Up! colors and images! There is even a free trial of MDS, which is really nice if you are wanting to try it out.

Hope you enjoyed this little (really little!) taste of MDS, and happy Monday!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Busy, busy, busy

Just popping in to say that I'll have lots to share next week. I have been busy this week getting ready for my Stamp Camp tomorrow, a baby shower that I'm hosting on Sunday, and minivan-hunting (we found one!). Next week I'll be sharing some of the Stamp Camp cards, as well as how I used Stampin' Up! products for the baby shower. Stay tuned!

Hello Sweet Friend

A pretty card doesn't have to be complicated or require lots of 'stuff' to make it. This pretty card is very basic and takes only a few minutes to put together, but makes a really nice card to send to a friend. It also uses some new products! :-)

 

Stamps: Six-Sided Sampler

Ink: Lost Lagoon

Paper: Lost Lagoon, Moonlight DSP Stack

 

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Weekly Deals ~ May 13-19

Here are this week's deals:

	Etcetera Designer Series Paper Item # 130129 Regular Price: $10.95 US/$13.95 CAN Discounted Price: $8.21 US/$10.46 CAN
	Perfect Pennants Bigz Die Item # 123126 Regular Price: $32.95 US/$40.95 CAN Discounted Price: $24.71 US/$30.71 CAN
	This And That Epic Day Designer Series Paper Item # 130814 Regular Price: $10.95 US/$13.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.21 US/$10.13 CAN
	Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die Item # 123113 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Tasteful Trim Bigz Die Item # 120893 Regular Price: $42.95 US/$52.95 CAN Discounted Price: $32.21 US/$39.71 CAN
	3/16 Inch Corner Punch Item # 119871 Regular Price: $6.95 US/$8.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.21 US/$6.71 CAN
	Bbq Blitz Ensemble - Digital Download Item # 130863 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$13.95 CAN Discounted Price: $7.77 US/$8.37 CAN
	Retro Fresh Designer Journaling Tags Item # 133526 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$5.95 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$4.46 CAN

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Sea Street Sneak Peek

I have a special Friday treat for you - a sneak peek from the new catalog!

 

That cute little octopus is from a new stamp set called Sea Street, and the matching Maritime DSP makes the perfect background.

 

Stamps: Sea Street, Itty Bitty Banners

Ink: Night of Navy

Paper: Maritime DSP, Night of Navy, Real Red, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel



Happy Birthday, Hannah!

My niece turns one next week, and Zoo Babies was the perfect set for her birthday card. I used some of the retired Sweet Sorbet DSP (my favorite Sale-a-bration item!) to pull the card together.

I don't have the coordinating framelits for Itty Bitty Banners, but the Happy Birthday wasn't too hard to cut out. I love how this card turned out, and I hope Hannah likes it too!

Stamps: Zoo Babies, Itty Bitty Banners
Ink: Sahara Sand
Paper: Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired), Crisp Cantaloupe, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Accessories & Tools: Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Basic Rhinestone Jewels

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

A Mother's Day Card Using New Blendabilities!

I got my box of sneak peek items from the new catalog on Monday, and I have had the chance to try out a few of them. My new favorite thing is Stampin' Up!'s Blendabilities markers! They are alcohol-based markers that are great for blending (and they totally make you feel like an artist!). I've heard them compared to Copic markers, but I have never used those and I don't know anything about them, so I can't make that comparison. Blendabilities come in 3-packs for $11.95, with three shades of the same color - dark, medium, and light. I ordered Rich Razzleberry, because that is one of my absolute favorite Stampin' Up! colors. When I was telling my husband about the markers (before ordering), I told him they were kind of expensive and I would probably just order one set to try out. Now, after trying them, I want them all! They will be available in select colors in the new catalog, as well as a 6-piece skin tone set. I decided to try them out with another new product, the Blended Bloom stamp, which was created specifically for use with these markers. And since Sunday is Mother's Day, it was the perfect occasion for a card with flowers!

 

This was my first try at using the Blendabilities, so I'm sure it's not perfect, but that's the beauty of these markers (and this stamp). It doesn't have to be perfect to look good! Here is a close-up of one of the flowers.

Watch for a future post with more tips on using Blendabilities. I'm excited to share more!

Stamps: Blended Bloom
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad, Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities, Crushed Curry and So Saffron Stampin' Write Markers
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Accessories & Tools: Typeset Alphabet Bigz Dies, Big Shot

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Weekly Deals ~ May 6-12

Here are this week's deals:

	Hearts A Flutter Clear-Mount Stamp Set Item # 129252 Regular Price: $18.95 US/$22.95 CAN Discounted Price: $14.21 US/$17.21 CAN
	Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies Item # 127816 Regular Price: $24.95 US/$30.95 CAN Discounted Price: $18.71 US/$23.21 CAN
	I Am Me Designer Series Paper Item # 130138 Regular Price: $10.95 US/$13.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.21 US/$10.13 CAN
	Real Red 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Item # 126875 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.75 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$5.06 CAN
	Pacific Point 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Item # 132981 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.50 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.38 CAN
	Alhambra Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel Item # 126940 Regular Price: $8.50 US/$10.50 CAN Discounted Price: $6.38 US/$7.88 CAN
	Card Base Pop' N Cuts Item # 130099 Regular Price: $39.95 US/$48.95 CAN Discounted Price: $29.96 US/$36.71 CAN
	The Man, The Myth Board Book Designer Template - Digital Download Item # 130104 Regular Price: $14.95 US/$16.50 CAN Discounted Price: $8.97 US/$9.90 CAN Happy Stamping! Rachel

A Beautiful Wedding/Anniversary Card

I don't know about you, but there are a lot of weddings and anniversaries in our family during the next few months. When I received this card in a swap a few months ago, I knew it was perfect for both occasions, and I will be cranking out quite a few of these!

If you are curious about where the cross comes from, it can be cut out of the Lattice Die shape. So pretty! Unfortunately, this die is retiring, so you have to get it quick. The last time I checked, it was still available, but that might have changed. Things are selling out quickly this year!

I'm not sure which member of my team made this card for the swap, so if it was you, thank you! This card probably ranks up there in my top ten favorite cards.

And now I must leave you, because both of my kids are actually napping, AND my box of sneak peek items just arrived from Stampin' Up! How's that for a good Monday?!?

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

I'm in Love!

I got a chance to look at the new catalog today, and I love so many things! It was hard to limit myself when I pre-ordered some products this morning. I don't think I did a very good job! But I didn't buy everything, so that's something, right? In case you missed it, Stampin' Up! posted a preview picture of the catalog cover on their Facebook page the other day. You can only see a small part of it, but there is a new product in the picture!



I am excited to get my new products to play around with. Don't worry, I will be sharing samples and sneak peeks as soon as I can!

The other exciting news of today is that a selection of the Project Life products offered in the new catalog are available for purchase now! You can see them and purchase them here.

In all the excitement of the new catalog, don't forget those items that are retiring. Some things are already sold out! Many items in the Occasions Catalog will also be retired, so if there's something you like, buy it now!

I hope to share another card with you tomorrow, but we'll see if that happens. No one wants to nap today! Otherwise, check back next week for some more inspiration, and hopefully a sneak peek of some new products!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel