Awesome Opportunity!

Yes, you read that right - if you join Stampin' Up! during Sale-A-Bration, you get to choose $156.50 worth of products for only $99!  So you can join for the amazing deal on the starter kit, and stay with Stampin' Up! because you will realize how awesome it is to share this much fun!  Sale-A-Bration only lasts until March 22, so don't miss this opportunity.

Of course the benefits don't end once you get your starter kit - as a demonstrator you get 20% product discount, you have access to products before they are available to the public, you have the ability to earn income and some great incentive bonuses including trips. But most of all, you will be joining a company that believes in making a difference in peoples lives, and you will also be making a difference. 

If you would like to learn more about joining Stampin' Up, please email me at MightyOakStampers@yahoo.com  I would love to share my experience with you. 

Elegant Butterfly Paint Samples

Well, that is what it kind of looks like, right?  I have seen this style of card floating around the samples world. So, I decided I would try one too.  This would be a great card to have handy for an almost forgotten event. Admit it, we all have those moments where we realize we forgot to get a card made in time.  Have a stash of these and you are all set! Here it is stamped with a sentiment from the Bring on the Cake stamp set.  With my Whisper White card stock base, I added strips of Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red, Melon Mambo, and Regal Rose.  I used the Elegant Butterfly punch to add a little more dimension to the card.  Most of the cards I have seen in this format add the punched butterfly to the same color strip. I could not do that for some reason. We all have our own crafting quirks huh?  I did add some of the Pearl Basic Jewels to the butterflies to add a little more dimension as well.  I hope you enjoyed this one - I also hope that perhaps you are copying some of these card ideas and making them your own!

Keep Stampin'!

Swallowtail Embossed

Wow - that butterfly is HUGE!!! But I love how I can stamp with just part of it and still have an amazing effect.  Here I have actually embossed it with Pool Party Embossing Powder, onto Island Indigo card stock.  When you are embossing, don't forget to use your Embossing Buddy!  By rubbing it on the paper it keeps the powder from sticking in places you don't want to.  (Item 103083)

The embossed piece was layered on Pool Party card stock. I stamped the words from the Pursuit of Happiness Stamp set.  The Island Indigo satin ribbon is only available for another month (til March 22) as one of the free items of Sale-A-Bration!  Have you scooped up your free items yet??

Easter Blessings and Crosses of Hope

I love the Crosses of Hope stamp set. Each cross is so beautifully designed with such detail. I just adore them all.  So when Stampin' Up! offered the Easter Blessings stamp in the spring catalog, I instantly had an idea for Easter cards.  This is so simple, but sometimes that is the best way.  I used my Versamark pad and Gold Embossing powder on Elegant Eggplant card stock  The card base is Whisper White.   Below is the Crosses of Hope stamp set Item 117136. 

 

If you are ready to get your Easter Cards done, or just want this beautiful set to add to your collection, you can shop 24/7 at my website. www.hilarysmith.stampinup.net.

Final 4YO Challenge

And as you can see, at this point in the Color Coach challege with my four year old, I was going in circles!  I was faced with Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant and Sahara Sand this time.  I still had the Oh Hello stamp set on my desk. I saw the chevron stamp above (zigzag) and then my brain saw circles. So I stamped the ovals and punched circles out. And following the style of a fellow stamper, I let the pieces fall wherever they wanted and that is where they stayed.  I stamped the "thank you" from the Especially for You stamp set onto Melon Mambo and punched it out with the Modern Label punch. 

I hope that you have enjoyed this series - inspired by my child. You never know where your next card idea will come from - just remember to run with the idea when it comes to you!

Oh Hello - Color Coach Challenge

Here is another card in the Color Coach Challenge. With the combination of Cajun Craze, Pacific Point and Sahara Sand, the colors really pop! The stamps are from the Oh Hello stamp set in the Spring Catalog.  The oval is not patterned paper, it was stamped and then cut out using the Oval Framelits.  I hope you are enjoying this series of challenges. There is just one more card left, so check back again for the final color combination!

Secret Garden

Here is card number three!  The Color Coach Challenge continues!  Thank goodness for the Secret Garden bundle - which includes the stamp set and the framelit dies to cut them out.  I was not sure what to do with Almost Artichoke, Sahara Sand and Pink Pirouette and then instantly I could see them as soft pale petals and rich dark leaves.  I grabbed the Secret Garden stamps and ran (stamped) with it.  I confess, I was out of my comfort zone with this color combination. But that is why I like to challenge myself this way. It makes me experiment with colors that I might not normally be working with. I can't imagine that all of you reading this love the same colors I do all the time. Of course every loves Pool Party though right?  Using new colors just stirs the creative mind and keeps things flowing. 

By the Tide - 4YO challenge

Yes, here is the second card in the Color Coach Challenge - selected by my four year old. If you missed the Bloomin Marvelous with Frogs post, I let my son select five color combination from the Color Coach. It was my job to come up with the cards.  This is the second card in the series.

Here I layered, Bashful Blue, Midnight Muse, and Cherry Cobbler. I stamped using the By the Tide stamp set from the Spring Catalog.  For an additional layer, a piece of Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding ribbon was added.  Remember to check again for the next color combination!

Ears To You

Did you miss this stamp? I thought it was as cute as a bunny! Okay, had to say it and get it out of my system. Here I stamped them in Chocolate Chip to turn them into tasty little critters.  I added Certainly Celery and Very Vanilla to the mix.   The stamp I used, Ears to You, was part of a single stamp release.  Check out the flyer below in case you missed it!  These are only available for a short time as an experimental program. 

 

 

If you are interested in the Ears To You single stamp or any of the others, you can shop 24/7 at my website www.hilarysmith.stampinup.net 

Bloomin Marvelous with Frogs

 

Some days I need a little inspiration to let my brain wander and create the next card. Other days, I will let outside sources influence me. A little while ago, I let it be my four year old.  I was browsing through my Color Coach. My four year old loves the Color Coach and flipping through it too. He decided I should do a card in Old Olive. I asked him to flip over the card and chose the color combinations.  He chose the Old Olive, Melon Mambo, and Elegant Eggplant combination. So you can thank him for the card above.  I stamped first using the Bloomin Marvelous stamp set, which is only available as a Sale-A-Bration item.  The frog was created using oval and circle punches as well as the Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack.  I have seen a lot of "punch art" on the sharing boards and had to try one. 

If you don't have a Color Coach, add it to your next order (item 120148). It has samples of all the Stampin' Up! colors, and on the back you get two color combination suggestions. So if you are ever stumped about which colors might look good with other colors - it is a great tool to help you along.

I have four more challenges coming because you know a four year old is not going to stop at just one choice when they get the Color Coach in their hands.  You never know where your next card idea is going to come from... just let it happen!

Best of Series

So to celebrate their twenty-fifth anniversary, Stampin' Up has gone back through their stamp sets and are presenting to you a "Best of" series this year. Each month they will offer a new set.  There have been so many great promotions this year, I am afraid these may have been lost in the announcements, and wanted to make sure you were aware of them. 

First off is the January Best of Birthdays set  (Item 132929)

Next is February's set is the Best of Love Stamp set (Item 132987). 

 

When you order your set, you will get a little card to track your "Best of" purchases. The sticker is on your stamp labels sheet, so look carefully and don't throw them out accidentally!  If you decide to purchase six in the series, you will get a free selection from the "Best of" stamp sets with a value at $14.95. What a great way to celebrate twenty-five years. 

 

Don't forget you can shop for these sets or any other products 24/7 on my website www.hilarysmith.stampinup.net. 

Boutique Boxes - Plan B

I really love the colors in the Boutique Boxes Designer Printed kit. Basic Gray is one of my favorites, and then they blended it with Saraha Sand, Summer Starfruit and Very Vanilla.  Yum what a wonderful mix.  The patterned paper behind the doiley piece is actually from a little note card that was included in the kit. It was the right size for that place so I used it. The other side of the note card was Basic Gray and ended up layered behind the lacy embellishment to make it stand out a little more.  For those of you looking for masculine cards - this would be a good one.

Find sometime for you today and be creative!

Boutique Boxes - Plan A

 

I admit I rarely get to follow through with Plan A. Most often, I end up with Plan B or C. It just seems to be who I am. I don't mind, I tend to just roll with it and call it good. So when I get a kit like the Boutique Boxes where Stampin' Up! makes it so easy for me (and yes, YOU too!) to make a cute product without much time or worry about what goes where - I have to celebrate the Plan A factor. Yes, I took the materials out of the package, popped out the box, folded it up and added some adhesive. The hardest part was choosing which embellishments to use.  I added a few, and poof, I had a finished product with tons of time to spare.  So with that extra time, I returned to my true self and sampled Plan B and C.... stay tuned for those projects. Anyone who has been following the blog, should understand that I couldn't just make these all into boxes!  Checck out page 25 in the Spring Catalog to see the Boutique Boxes Designer Printed Kit if you are not familiar with it. 

 

Happy Stamping and always remember to take whatever plan you get and run with it!

Spread the Love!!!

I love my job! Today I played Valentine Elf about town. I set out this morning with this stash of treats. I love being able to surprise people by delivering unexpected gifts. It also shows that it doesn't take a whole lot to brighten another person's day.  So even if you missed Valentines day - pick any random day and challenge yourself to surprise someone for no reason in particular.  Maybe someone you come in contact with every day - a teacher, or mail person, or co-worker. Or have more fun with it by choosing random people you may never see again.  You will be amazed with the results.  Spread the love - every day!

Happy Stampin' and Happy Living!

Paper Pumpkins - Join the fun!

 

So you want to be doing crafty stuff but you…..

1.  Don’t have time

2.  Don’t have the space to store all the stuff

3.  Don’t have supplies handy

4.  Aren’t sure where to start

Well, those days are over!

Introducing Paper Pumpkins – the craft kit that will magically appear on your doorstep once a month!  In your box you will receive stamps, ink, papers, accessories and more. All you need is adhesive. Kits may be cards, 3-D items, or home décor. 

Here's a sneak peek at the first month's kit!

Sign up at www.mypaperpumpkin.com.  The monthly fee is $19.95 which includes shipping.  You need to sign up by the 10^th of the month to get that month’s kit. Otherwise you will get the following month’s kit. After that it will renew automatically. There is no fee if you decide not to continue. Remember to list me as your Demonstrator to be eligible to participate in free events just for Paper Pumpkin participants.

Running out of time? Easy Valentines

 

So you didn't make it to the Last Minute Valentines class on Saturday.. and you still aren't ready for Thursday. Here are some quick ideas that you can do easily and brighten someone's day. First up, just wrap a strip of cardstock around a box of conversation hearts. Add a couple punched out Full Hearts. I added the Modern Label tag using the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. For a little sparkle, add some Rhinestone Basic Jewels. 

 

 

 

Super Easy Idea number 2. Grab some flat lollypops. Add the Full Heart and the tags and poof you are on your way! 

 

 

 

Oh look - you are probably catching on here aren't you? More Full Hearts and Labels.... but on candy tubes.  So you see where I am going with this. Valentine's don't have to be larger than life, they don't have to be all fancy and sparkly. The fact that you attempted to make something yourself to express your love is so much more important. And isn't that what it should be all about? 

 

Happy Valentine's Day and go out and show the world some LOVE!!!

MDS Valentine

 

So I stumbled upon a lot of Valentine's Pencils - everywhere I turned there seemed to be Valentine's Pencils. So yes, I just ran with it. Here are the treats I came up with for my son's preschool class. I used the background paper from Sunshine and Sprinkles Designer Series paper. Yes, just like the "regular" paper you buy from the catalog, you can download it. Then I added some embellishments from a kit called On The Go!  If it flies, rolls, or sails - they've  got you covered. I added the words to the banner, but this you could easily save as a template on your computer and change depending on the occasion. 

 

 If you haven't tried MDS (My Digital Studio the software from Stampin' Up!) its about time you did!  Go to www.MyDigitalStudio.net and download a free thirty-day trial if you wish. Not sure you are even ready for that? Then contact me and we can sit down and go through it together sometime. I use it for so many things - scrapbooking, cards, flyers, brochures, newsletters, and yes my blog. Take a look around the page and see what I created with MDS.  

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing what can be done with the digital side of Stampin' Up! I found I really enjoy mixing the two together. It allows me to be creative even in short bursts of time, when I might not be able to get into the office to make a big mess the traditional card making way. 

Delicate Details Lace Tape

 

Have you tried this Delicate Details Lace Tape yet? So not only is it beautiful when you add it to your cards, it adds the lace look without the bulk or wrinkles of actual lace. Think starched lace as compared to the fluffy look we want with other lace like in the Artisan Embellishments kit.  But here I have not left it on my card, I actually used it as a stencil. And what is even better? After I used it, I just put it back on the plastic backing to be used over and over again!   To stencil, just apply the tape to your cardstock. I used my dauber (item 102892) to apply the Pool Party in a small circular motion.  Then you just remove the tape slowly and replace it on the plastic backing. Here I also added the Island Indigo Satin Ribbon from the Sycamore Street ribbon and button pack in the Sale-A-Bration flyer. The stamped words come from the Curly Cute set.

 

Here's a simple set to make at least forty cards with envelopes:

 

Item 100730 Whisper White Cardstock (40 sheets)    $8.50

Item 107301 Whisper White Envelopes (40)    $6.50

Item 102892 Sponge Daubers (set of 12)    $10.95

Item 130966 Delicate Details Lace Tape    $ 9.95

Item 120510 Curly Cute clear Stamp Set    $14.95

This comes to $50.85 which means you can select item 130812 Sycamore Street Ribbon pack FREE

 

If you don't already have ink - select a Stampin' Pad for only $5.95 more or dress up your card by adding the matching cardstock at $6.95 as a base like I did above. 

 

Even better than the amazing price when you realize how inexpensive it is to make your own cards, is that you are giving someone something that you made yourself.

 

Happy Hello Simply Sent

 

Yup, that's a card. At least according to the Sale-A-Bration flyer! I really do love the Simply Sent card packages created by Stampin' Up!  First of all - with the kits, you know you always have a quick card that you can whip up in just minutes. Fold, stick, stick, stamp and tie and you are out the door.  The kits come with everything you need, base cards, self-stick embellishments and ribbon.  Right now, check your Sale-A-Bration flyer, you can get this Happy Hello Simply Sent kit free after a qualifying purchase of $50.

 

On the above version, yes, I turned it into a little box, and I added the Daffodil Delight ribbon and candy bag (those are not included). Something closer to the original design is below. Half the cards come pre-stamped as well saving you another step on that rush job.

 

 

Here I took an unstamped one and added my own embellishments. I stamped with Bloomin' Marvelous which is another Sale-A-Bration item.  I added a 1/8" Daffodil Delight ribbon over the Basic Gray strip. For flowers I added some Boho Blossoms in Daffodil Delight and Basic Gray.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this set. I realize a lot of people feel they don't have time for stamping a home made card. Stampin' Up! has made it so easy for you with their Simply Sent kits.

 

I hope you find some time today to take a moment and do something creative!

Artisan Embellishment Kit

 

So I found this stuff very intimidating! Really? Yup. So I did what any normal person would do... I challenged myself to tackle my fears and offer a class as well.  On February 23, I will be offering a class for this kit. Class fee includes your kit and additional materials. Here are some of the samplings so far... (hey I gotta keep some secret so you show up for the class!)

 

I love the simplicity of this card which draws your eyes exactly where they should be, the beautiful lace and flower.

 

 

If you have been following my blog, you know that  Crumbcake card stock is one of my favorites. It works beautifully with this kit. Here I have stamped it with a wonderful background stamp from the Creative Elements set. After adding the punched Early Espresso heart, all the other embellishments were added from the kit.

 

And here is what is hidden inside!

 

 

 Here I used the Natural Compositions Specialty Designer Series Paper as the background. I sponged it in Primrose Petals and then spritzed it with a little Early Espresso. 

 

The final sneak peek is the gift card holder below. The top piece slides out to attach a gift card to. 

 

If you are enjoying these cards and would like to spend an afternoon exploring the possibilities of this kit - please sign up for the class on the 23rd. And no, I will not be having you make a bunch of Valentine pieces after the 14th! :o)  Please RSVP by Saturday Feb 10, by emailing MightyOakStampers@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook. More details are on my events page. I hope to see you then!

Sycamore Street Sampler

 

I just love the colors in the Sale-A-Bration Desiger Series Paper Sycamore Street. Okay, looking at my Blog  you probably already realized that. Yes, one of the selections is the digital version of all the Sale-A-Bration items. I was able to create my items for my blog and facebook page using the materials in MDS the design software from Stampin' Up! If you haven't tried it yet, visit www.mydigitalstudio.net to get started on your thirty day free trial. 

 

This card was simple enough to put together and great for all occasions. The stamps are from the Petite Pairs set. A papers were punched out with the Postage Stamp punch. All were layered on a Pool Party cardstock base.

 

If you love the Sycamore Street paper, it is free with a fifty dollar purchase during Sale-A-Bration.  Shop now so you don't miss out! www.hilarysmith.stampinup.net

 

 

 

Seashells - By the Tide

 

Maybe it is the winter months and the cooler temps that have me thinking of the beach.  I keep going back to the By the Tide stamp set. I can almost hear the roll of the surf looking at these conch shells.   I just love the versatility of the set too. Most of the samples I have done or seen with this set lean toward the pastels or Pool Party/Island Indigo combo (one of my favorites though). Here I used it with Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy and Old Olive and I think it works pretty well.

 

So if you can't make it to the beach, just get the By the Tide stamp set, and stay inside stamping until the weather cooperates. You can daydream while you stamp!

Lovely As A Tree with Woodgrain

 

I just love this color combination of Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy and my favorite Crumb Cake. Here's is card number two in the masculine series. The stamp is from the Lovely as a Tree set. I am not sure how clearly it comes over in your image, but the background has been embossed with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions folder. It really changes the whole look of the card.  The embossing folder was continued from the Holiday catalog and can be found on the last page of the spring catalog item 127821.

 

If you are enjoying the ideas for cards for the men in your life, please let  me know and I will try to provide more samples in the future. Don't worry, I still have a few more up my sleeve. 

Natural Compositions Valentine

 

Have you played with this paper yet? If you don't remember seeing it in the catalog, here's another view below.

 

 

Yes, it is the Natural Compositions Specialty Designer Series Paper.  It is perfect for the emboss resist technique where you add ink to your page and then wipe off the excess. Stampin' Up makes it easy for you since they have already done the embossing.

 

One of the many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is that I have the opportunity for going to special events to learn new techniques and meet other demonstrators. I had seen this technique online, but after seeing it demonstrated yesterday I just HAD to try it. So easy and as you can see, it makes beautiful backgrounds. This card was "cased" from the one I saw yesterday by Tamara Davis. I followed her lead with the Early Espresso, but I paired mine with Primrose Petals and Raspberry Ripple. The Stamp s from the Delightful Dozen stamp set which is a great set for all the holidays of the year. I added 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in Primrose Petals and 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon. 

 

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.  I know I was in the middle of the "masculine" series, and will return to it tomorrow, I just had to share this!

By the Tide - Masculine

 

I am always hearing from customers and fellow stampers, that we need more masculine card ideas. So my next few posts are to help you out with this. Yes, a lot of the card samples are flowers and butterflies; nothing wrong with that. However, the men in your life might not be as excited. Fishing on the other hand..... that might make them smile.  The fish are from the By the Tide stamp set in the Spring catalog. Love that set, but you probably already knew that if you have been following this blog.  I used the color combination of More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Not Quite Navy. The sentiment is from the Made for You set. I added a little bit of linen thread for another dimension as well. 

 

I hope you enjoy this first sample for a masculine card. Just because I have displayed it as such doesn't mean you can't swap out the fish for flowers or butterflies. That is the fun with card samples - you can take them and turn them into anything your mind can create!

Sent with Love

 

Wow - another great deal from Stampin' Up! They sure are serious about celebrating all year long for their 25th Anniversary! 

 

You can order the Sent with Love Stamp set or Designer Series Paper - or you can bundle them together with Calypso Coral Baker's Twine and get 20% off! 

 

Here is the stamp set.

 

 

If you are ready to order, go to my website www.hilarysmith.stampinup.net and use the following item codes to purchase. 

 

 

 

 

If you would like a PDF file with all the details, just email me at MightyOakStampers@yahoo.com and I can send one to you. Happy Friday everyone - what a great way to end the week and start the month of February!