Catalog Inspiration: Stitched Stocking

One of the questions I get a lot as a demonstrator is where I come up with my ideas.   For those of you who visit frequently, you know I love participating in various challenge blogs.   I really enjoy starting out with a sketch and have quite a few of them printed out to use as a reference.   If that sounds like too much work, you have inspiration right at your fingertips!  If you look at the front of your Stampin' Up! catalog, you should notice that it doesn't just say catalog; it is also an idea book!  There are so many gorgeous samples that you can copy or use as inspiration.   You might like the design of one, the colors of another, and an embellishment you find on yet another one!   I kept it simple with this one and copied a card from the Holiday Mini catalog.  You can find it on page 34 of your catalog and here's what it looks like:

I did change mine to a normal A2 card and, but other than that, it is pretty much the same!   Cool, huh?

Stamps:  Stitched Stockings, Bright Hopes
Ink:  Real Red, Old Olive
Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, Brights DSP stack, Flirtatious DSP
Tools/Accessories:  Stocking Builder Punch, paper snips, White baker's twine

Club Project #3: Stockings!

Whew....I finally finished preparing for my clubs this week!  I was so used to prepping for 4 or 5 people, so going up to 12 was a wow moment for me.   I hope the ladies will enjoy them all.   I had to pull out my new favorite Stitched Stockings stamp set and its matching punch.    I also got in some fun new designer paper, Frostwood Lodge.  Isn't it cute?!   I can't wait to cut into the woodgrain paper in that one!   :)

Stamps:  Stitched Stockings, Petite Pairs
Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Garden Green
Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, Garden Green, Frostwood Lodge designer paper
Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Houndstooth embossing folder, Stocking builder punch, Mini Clothespins (TOO CUTE!), Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine

Try It Thursday!

I had my first Try It Thursday event last night and I loved it.  I hope the ladies attending did as well.  I had two new people join me and they were wonderful!   I love meeting new people that enjoy being creative, especially nice ones that make me laugh.  :)

As a treat, I whipped up some sugar cookies and used the new cookie press stamps that will be available starting tomorrow!   Don't they look yummy?   They are so cute and a blast to make!   

This was one of the projects that we made.  I love it so much that I'm thinking it might be my Christmas card this year.   I was bad and didn't get any sent out last year, so I'm hoping to do a better job this year.   (I know, what kind of card maker doesn't send out Christmas cards!  Geesh!)  

Stamps:  Warmest of Wishes, Stitched Stockings

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green

Tools/Accessories:  Stocking builder punch, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones

How cute is this?    I never know if people might need a boy or girl card, so I decided to go with pink AND blue and it can be for everyone!    :)   I love those little booties!

Stamps:  Stitched Stockings, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Marina Mist
Paper:  Pretty In Pink, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Subtles Designer Paper stacks
Tools/Accessories: Stocking Builder punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Big Shot, Basic Pearls, White Baker's Twine, Marina Mist 3/8 taffeta ribbon

Finally, we made a little gift tag using the Top Note die.   I love this one; I was going for a bit more rustic (or maybe manly?) look with it and I think the colors are perfect!   Can you picture a gift wrapped nicely in brown paper, tied up with some Early Espresso Baker's Twine, and this little tag?   I can and I'm loving the idea!

Stamps:  None
Ink:   Early Espresso Marker
Paper:  Confetti White, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake
Tools/Accessories:  Houndstooth embossing folder, Snow Burst embossing folder, Big Shot, Top Note die, Stocking Builder Punch, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Crumb Cake 3/8 Taffeta Ribbon

If you have any questions about any of the projects, be sure to email me.   :)

More Stitched Stockings

I was playing around with my Simply Scored tool today and decided to try my hand at making a fireplace for my stockings.  I think I actually like it!   I'd noticed a few different fireplaces with this set, but none that used scoring for the bricks.  This did take some time and a lot of sponging, but it was fun.   What do you think?   Does it look like a fireplace?  Can you see the score lines and the woodgrain on the browns?    I even sponged the base with white craft ink; I was a sponging fool on this one!

Stamps:  Stitched Stockings, Woodgrain background
Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Early Espresso, Real Red, Whisper White (craft)
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Real Red, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Tools/Accessories:   Simply Scored, Stocking builder punch, Blossom Petals punch, sponges, paper snips, white baker's twine

Stitched Stockings

Thursday will be the first of my new "Try It Thursday" events, so I've been working on some ideas today.   This month I'm featuring the Stitched Stockings stamp set and the Stocking builder punch.  Aren't they awesome?    I have had so much fun playing with them today!   I'm sure I'll change my mind a million times before Thursday on the actual projects we'll do, but it's always good to have plenty of ideas to show.  :)   

This was one of today's projects, a cute gift tag.   Wouldn't this be adorable on a Christmas package?   I LOVE the silver glitter paper.   It is so sparkly and pretty!  

My second project was this adorable baby card!   When they introduced us to these products at Convention, they showed uses other than just Christmas.  Using them as baby booties was one idea and I think they work perfectly for that.   

Finally, I HAD to make a Christmas card.  :)  My score lines didn't photograph that great, but they add some nice elegance to this card and the top one serves as a perfect place to hang stockings.  

I hope you enjoyed my projects!  Stay tuned for more tomorrow along with my card for Freshly Made Sketches.  If you have any questions about any of the cards or Stampin' Up! in general, give me a call or send me an email!  

It's time for club!

Thursday is such an exciting day!  Not only do I get to spend time with some of my great customers, but it is also the first day of the Holiday Mini catalog!  Are you excited??!!   I'm excited to show off some of the new products that Stampin' Up! is featuring in this fun new catalog!

Aren't those score lines lovely?    How exciting is it that in just 2 days, you can order your very own Simply Scored and make this card!?!   Score lines can add so much detail to a card while allowing it to remain flat and easy to stick in the mail with a regular stamp.  I did some sponging and color spritzing on my card to give it a more vintage, distressed look; Nature Walk is such a perfect set to show off that style. 

Even though it is still over one hundred degrees every day here in Texas, I think it is time to get started on some ideas for fall and the holidays we have coming up.   I love this card by Connie Babbert and was inspired to make my own pumpkins and ghost.   CUTE!   My husband always comments that I gravitate towards "cute" Halloween things rather than scary ones, but I'm okay with that.  Who doesn't like cute?  :o)

Now for the hard one...  The card is not hard, but coming up with Christmas ideas while wiping sweat from my brow sure was!    If anyone has cooler weather, please send it this way.   Last night I was so excited to see 88 as a high for later this week but it was back up to 92 today.   *sigh*   Between the heat and water restrictions, I think this is the worst summer ever.  Anyway, back to Christmas.   This card shows off yet another new product from the Holiday Mini.  Who doesn't LOVE stockings?!  And did you see the mini jingle bell?   Love, love, LOVE it!   I'm not a big fan of gifts, but I love filling stockings and grabbing mine off the fireplace on Christmas morning to see what goodies Jason has picked out for me.   There's just something about sticking your hand down in there to see what is next!  

I hope my club ladies will enjoy making these projects this month.   I do have a few spots open in my clubs, so let me know if you are interested and would like more details.