Retro Fresh Mouse Trap Magnets

These magnets are not quite finished, but I just couldn't wait to share them. They are inspired by Frenchie @ Frenchie's Stamps. Be sure to check out her video.

My rendition uses the new Retro Fresh DSP, which will be available in the Occasions Catalog on Jan. 2, 2013. I used the 2-3/8" & 1-3/4" scallop punches to make the flower. I still need to make the banner to cover up the spring, but I left my bitty banner framelits at home. :(

25% off 25 Stamp Sets

This week is Stampin' Up!'s 25 Anniversary Week, and they are celebrating in style! The following Stamp Sets are 25% off until October 28th.

Bone Folder

So, I've been watching all these YouTube demonstrations on different paper crafting techniques, and I noticed other demonstrators using their Stampin' Up! bone folder. They made creasing look like slicing butter with a hot knife. I was curious if these demos just had folding paper down to a science, or if it was the bone folder that made everything flow so smoothly. For $6.95 I couldn't resist, so I bought one.

Up until now I've always used my Martha Stewart plastic bone folders that came with my two different score boards. NEVER AGAIN!!! My Stampin' Up! Bone folder arrived on Friday. I have only used it for a couple of projects in the past two days, but I must say that this is the best thing on the planet. My other folders would sometimes leave some marks on the paper. Not the SU! folder. It is made from actual bone, and it is so smooth. It really does make creasing and scoring paper, feel like slicing butter with a hot knife!!!

Stampin Up! Bone Folder  (102300, $6.95)

Gated Fancy Fold Card

This card uses my favorite bundle, Festive Flurries, from the new Holiday Catalog. The magnetic Platform came in handy for making both the gate and the snowflakes.

Card base is Coastal Cabana (131297, $6.95) cut to 11" x 4-1/2"
Score the card base at 2-3/4" and 8-1/4"

The decorative sides are Winter Frost DSP (132341, $12.95)  2-1/2" x 4" 

The gate is made using the Framelits Labels Collection (125598, $26.95)

The snowflakes are made using the Festive Flurries Stamps & Framelits. You save 15% by buying the Bundle (W-133284, $54.95 or C-133285, $46.95)

The greeting is from Petite Pairs (W-128706, $28.95) or (C-122497, $20.95). 

Ink is Costal Cabana (121175, $5.95) and Bermuda Bay (131171, $5.95)

I used the Frosted Finishes Embellishments (132150, $6.95) on the Snowflake in the front. They come 12 to a pack. I also dabbed some Dazzling Details (124117, $2.50) on the tips of the snowflakes. 

Sunburst

After going to a card class hosted by my creative upline, I came home and still had the itch for crafting. I made two cards. The first card uses the Star-burst or Sunburst technique. I had been wanting to try this technique for some time.

To make this card you need:

• 4 pieces of Designer Series Paper (DSP) that measure 1-1/2" x 4"
• 1" x 5" piece of DSP 
• 3-1/2" x 4-1/2" Scrap of Paper
• 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Cardstock 
• 3/4" x 5-1/4" piece of Cardstock
• Glue Stick (104045, $3.95)

1. Cut each of 4 pieces of DSP diagonally (top left corner to bottom right corner). This Creates the rays. 
2. Use the Glue Stick to cover one side of the Scrap piece of paper.
3. Place two different triangles on the middle of the Scrap Paper so that straight edges are butted up against each other, and the tips over hang just a tad. 
4. Continue adding the triangles to the scrap piece of paper until it is completely covered. It will look really messy as some rays will become shorter or longer depending on how you line them up. 
5. To trim down the rays, first cut the bottom so that  you have a straight edge to work. Next, cut one of the short sides. Now you need to pay attention to the measurements. The rays on this card were cut down to 2-1/2" x 5".
6. Punch the Scalloped Circle out of the middle of the large piece of cardstock. 
7. Now, assemble the card based on the picture. 

Here are the products that I used to make my card:

Paper: Modern Medley (126926, $10.95)

           Basic Black (121045, $6.95)
           Very Vanilla (100730, $8.50)
Punches: 1-3/4" Scallop Circle (119854, $16.95)
              1-1/4" Circle (119861, $15.95)
Stamp: Petite Pairs (wood 128706, $28.95; clear 122497, $20.95)
Ink: Basic Black (126980, $5.95)

Paper Pumpkin Promotion

Offer Dates: July 18, 2013 -August 31, 2013
Offer Details: Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $10 a month (plus tax) for the first two months.Shipping included!

The Fine Print:

• For new subscribers only.

• Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After two month's, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.

• Visit https://mypaperpumpkin.com?demoid=2121839 to join.

• You must click "Add Promo Code" and enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL to take advantage of this promotion.

• Join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

My first design challenge EVER!

Here is the card I submitted for Mojo Monday's Sketch Challenge! 

Card Stock: Pear Pizzazz, Crisp Cantaloupe, & Baked Brown Sugar.

Stamp Sets: One in a Million & Secret Garden

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe & Baked Brown Sugar

Die: Secret Garden

New Magnetic Platform

I'm really looking forward to the magnetic platform for the Big Shot. Click the play button to check out the tutorial to see how to use the new magnetic platform.

Grab Your Greeting Promotion
Get 25% off selected Greeting stamp sets from now till June 28, 2013

Fancy Friends

Get everything you need to make six cards for only $15.95 (item 132319)! If six isn't enough, add Note Cards to your order (item 107311)-we've already included extra rhinestones in the Fancy Friends kit.
To assemble the cards:

1. Stamp the doily image in Daffodil Delight or Old Olive ink three times on the card and once on the envelope, re-inking between uses.
2. Stamp "Friends" in Daffodil Delight or Old Olive ink on the front of the card.
3. Adhere the flowers to the card. Adhere Rhinestone Basic Jewels to the center of the flowers. 

Paper Pumpkin

Every once in a while I go through crafter's block. This usually happens when I don't craft for a certain period of time. One sure way to get rid of my crafter's block is to do a quick kit. Stampin' Up has just started a kit subscription called Paper Pumpkin.

Get Started
It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. Every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep. Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family#every month!
Of course, you'll want to know more. So here's the nitty gritty:

• Each month we send you a unique, surprise kit with a project-cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.
• Each kit gives you and your customer a 30-minute creativity escape.
• We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month. 
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on May 10, we'll send your kit around May 15. If you sign up on May 11, we'll send your first kit around the June 15.)
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95 per month (and shipping is included!) The commissionable amount is $14.95 for each Paper Pumpkin.  There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.
• Starting in early March, we'll offer a Try-It kit if you'd like to try Paper Pumpkin for one month.

One small step...

I've taken a giant leap! At the end of March, I signed up to become a Demonstrator for Stampin' Up! I've developed this blog to share some of the projects that I've completed using Stampin' Up! products.