SHARK ATTACK INVITE...

The other day Barbara, one of my customers, emailed me about needing a Shark invitation for her 10 year old son's birthday party. Hmmm... the only thing I could come up with was punch art. So I started playing with punches. Let me tell you a shark is HARD!  Barbara didn't want too complex a card as she has to make a lot of invitations.  I am not completely happy with this one, but it will do in a pinch.

For Barbara, I suggest a "You're Invited" stamp like the one in the new Inviting (cute, cute font), Sincere Salutations or Wedding Sweet stamp sets or the adorable Party Here stamp from the new Party This Way set right where my watermark signature is.  I left mine blank as I think I will use this for one of my nephews' birthday and will put the "look who's turning ( )" stamp from the On Your Birthday or Look Who's Turning stamp set there.  Enjoy!

SHARK ATTACK INVITE SUPPLIES:

• Card stock – Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight
• Ink – Basic Gray, Bashful Blue, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie Classic, Whisper White Craft, White Signo Gel Pen
• Accessories – Mono Multi, wiggle eyes
• Punches – 5 Petal (#119880 $16.95), 2" x 1-3/8" Oval XL (#119859, $16.95), 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Large (#119855, $15.95), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle XL (#118874, $16.95), 1-3/4” Circle (#119850, $16.95), 3/4" Circle Medium (#119873, $10.95), 1/2" Circle Small (#119873, $5.95)
• Tools – Stampin' Sponges, Sanding Block, Brayer

SHARK PUNCH ART DIRECTIONS:

• Sky:  Use the Large Scallop Circle to punch out a cloud mask.  Bray Bashful Blue over the entire card including the masked cloud.
• Sun:  Punch one Scallop Circle from Daffodil Delight.  Place on the sticky side of a post-it.  Re punch the Scallop Circle again lining up the space between the scallops in the middle of the scallops already punched to result in a "zig zag" edge.  Punch a 1-3/4" Circle.  Distress each with More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie.  Layer together and place on the edge of the card.  Trim the sun along the card base edge.
• Ocean Waves:  Alternate using 1/2" and 3/4" Circle Punches and punch approximately one half of the punch on the edge of the Marina Mist cardstock.  Sponge the wave edge with Whisper White Craft Ink.  Do this to two layers and when cutting down to fit the cards, offset the two layers.
• Shark Tail Fin:  Two petals cut from a 5-Petal Punch from Basic Gray. 
• Shark Back (Top) Fin:  Large Oval (1-3/4" x 7/8") from Basic Gray, cut as shown and sanded with a sanding block.
• Shark Body:  One Large Oval from Basic Gray.
• Shark Head:  One Wide Oval (2" x 1-3/8") from Basic Gray.  Glue wiggle eyes wide set with Crystal Effects.  See the first picture above on how to adhere the body together (looks strange that way but much of the head will be below the water) before adhering to the card below the waves.  After the body is put together, distress the outline of the entire body with Basic Gray.  The Jaws will be adhered after the card is finished.
• Shark Jaws:  One Wide Oval from Whisper White, one half of a Wide Oval from Basic Gray and one Large Oval from Basic Black.  Gray half Wide Oval goes on the back of one half of the Whisper White Wide Oval.  On the opposite side, adhere the Basic Black Large Oval.  Draw shark's teeth with White Signo Gel Pen.  Fold the Jaw in half.  Glue only the folded edge to the head with Multi glue so that the jaws open independently.  See the close-ups above.  Click pictures to enlarge.

LAST CHANCE FOR THE SUMMER MINI...

Today is the LAST DAY to order from our Summer Mini Catalog!

You don't want to miss out on any of our fabulous products!  There were some really fantastic stamp sets and, of course, my favorite Designer Series Paper that you can be sure I stocked up on!  Don't miss out on the summertime fun!

To see all the Summer Mini products, Click HERE and then click "Shop Now" on the lower right and then "Summer Mini" on the left menu of the pop-up window.  Remember to enter THROUGH my direct website rather than choosing me at the end.  That way, you are eligible for lower minimum shipping cost and FREE Stampin' Rewards (free stamp set and $15 free merchandise with orders of $150 or more). 

Here are a few of my favorite Must-Have items:

Island Oasis DSP (#117173, $9.95)  - My absolute favorite!  Transport to a tropic locale with the vivid colors and lively patterns of our Island Oasis Designer Series paper. With our coordinating Tropical Party stamp set, Island Floral Bigz die, and Island Oasis party favor boxes, you’ve got everything you need to throw a luau that won’t soon be forgotten.

Polka Dot Album (#119833, $10.95) - A small album, like our fun-loving Polka-Dot 6" x 6" post album, is the perfect way to store a snapshot of time, whether it’s memories of your teenager’s summer of sixteen or any other season of coming of age. Decorate its pages with our coordinating Island Oasis Designer Series paper to keep fun experiences vibrant through the years. There is also a Blue Herringbone 6" x 6" post album as well.  These are fantastic prices on these albums!

 All a Flutter Stamp (#118284, $6.95)  - This intricate and life-like sketch of a butterfly is all a flutter to make a graceful landing on a card or scrapbook page. It’s an image that complements all kinds of expressions, and is the perfect canvas for many of your favorite stamping techniques—including watercoloring and Poppin’ Pastels. Available in wood-mount only

July Fourth (W #118523 $18.95, C #120063 $14.95) - Burst onto the scene of your Fourth of July barbecue with the dazzling images of star-spangled fireworks in this set. Whether its invitations, party favors or other décor, or a scrapbook layout dedicated to your family’s celebration of the land of the free, you’ll be showing some big time patriotism with these big bold symbols. Available both in wood-mount and clear-mount.

Motorcycle (#117657, $8.95) -  Our Motorcycle single stamp is sure to get some engines revving on your projects—especially for the men in your life. For those of you with a road-rider in your circle or a son or father who is into bikes, the sketch-like look of this stamp will be a cool addition to a scrapbook page or card for a lot of different occasions. Available in wood-mount only.

Sentimental Journey (W #118513 $23.95, C #120075 $17.95) - Capture the adventure, romance, and even intrigue of your world travels with our trendy distressed and stylized silhouettes in the Sentimental Journey set. There’s an image suitable for all the different ways you get from point A to point B—and you can pair these images with our Travel Journal Designer Series paper to give each of your layouts or projects dedicated to your excursions the same fashionable look. Available in both wood-mount and clear-mount.

Sweet Scoops (W #117078 $18.95, C #120078 $14.95) -  I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Put together your own ice cream social with our Two-Step Stampin’ Sweet Scoops set. Complete with hard or soft serve options, your choice of a cake cone or sugar cone, and some tasty toppings, you’ll be able to create a different ice cream delight for each of your projects. Get scoopin’ with this set on your next scrapbook page, birthday card, or party invitation. Available in wood-mount and clear-mount. Also available in French.

Watercolor Trio (W #117050 $22.95, C #120084 $16.95) -  Paint some beautiful floral watercolors on your projects with a few simple stamps from our Watercolor Trio set. These silhouette images were artistically designed to imprint the look of watercolor. So, though we know you still love to watercolor, you can still get the watercolor look you want when you’re in a pinch to make a card quickly. Three common occasion expressions accompany this set, making it a core piece of any stamp collection. Available in wood-mount and clear mount. Also available in Spanish and in French.

If you do a search of my blog (in the right sidebar of my blog) for many of these products, you can find projects I have made using these products.  Enjoy!

Five More Card Stock Colors Available for My Digital Studio!...

Last, but not least!  Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Pink Pirouette, Bravo Burgundy, and Elegant Eggplant are now available for FREE download for My Digital Studio.  Keep your My Digital Studio card stock collection complete and up-to-date by downloading these five favorites today!

Click here to download:  http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/16011.asp
                                   
It is important that you have the most recent version of the My Digital Studio software prior to installing the color updates.

Updating your software:

• If you have installed the initial update (version 1.0.1), simply click Help and select Check for Updates in the My Digital Studio software. The update will be performed automatically.
• If you have not completed the initial update, download and install version 1.0.1 first, and then complete the steps listed above to get the most recent update.

If you have any difficulties in updating your software, please let me know and I will assist you!

BRAND NEW CLEARANCE RACK...

Lots of new products have been added to the Clearance Rack including several colors of cardstock!  Some really FABULOUS prices - you can't beat Stampin' Up! products for up to 60% off!  Please check out my website to see the available great retired products at amazing prices!  Be sure to shop soon as they are available while supplies last and many of the items sold out quickly last time.  More Designer Series Paper for under $4, more Rub-ons, more ribbons, etc.! 

To shop, Click HERE and then click "Shop Now" on the lower right and then "Clearance Rack" on the left menu of the pop-up window.  Remember to enter THROUGH my direct website rather than choosing me at the end.  That way, you are eligible for lower minimum shipping cost and FREE Stampin' Rewards (free stamp set and $15 free merchandise with orders of $150 or more).  To view pictures larger in this post, just click on them.

LAST CALL FOR OWLS & CRITTERS...

Last call for my Owls & Critter Class!  This class is perfect for your introduction to Punch Art.  They are very easy cards featuring our new Owl Punch.  Let me show you how to unleash your inner punch diva!  We will be making four or five 3x3 cards as well as one A4 card.  Info for the class follows.

Owls & Critters Punch Class

Sunday, August 29 ~ 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Have you seen our newest punch - the Owl Punch?   It is absolutely adorable for owls, but that's not all. Wait until you see what else you can make with it! Pigs, Cats, Tulips and more!  This is the perfect class for beginner Punch Art! Included in this class is your very own 2-Step Owl Punch to keep.  Since this punch is $19.58 (with tax and shipping), you are getting the class for only $10!

Class Fee: $30 - since the deadline for preorder has past, your punch will be delivered when it arrives.  If you are a demonstrator, have the punch already or don't want the punch, the class fee is $15.  Includes all paper, ribbon and supplies as well as refreshments.  RSVP by 10:00 AM Saturday morning.

CHRISTMAS CLUB CLASS, Sparkly Flurries...

This is the final card from my Christmas Club Class. It features three Sneak Peek products from the upcoming Holiday Mini.  I used the Northern Flurry Embossing Folder for the main focus along with plenty of bling!  At the center of the largest snowflake is a silver Glimmer Brad.  At the center of the other snowflakes are our Basic Rhinestone Jewels.  The punch that you see peeking out from behind the 2" x 1-3/8" Oval sentiment piece (featuring the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique) is the upcoming Decorative Label Punch.

I hope you enjoyed seeing all the Christmas Club cards.  Join us next time to make a dozen of your own beautiful Christmas cards!

SPARKLY FLURRIES SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – All Holidays (#114916 $34.95)
• Card stock – Glossy White, Marina Mist, Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry
  
• Ink – Whisper White Craft, VersaMark, Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink, Marina Mist Markers 
• Ribbon – Whisper White 5/8" Organza  (#114319, $5.95)
• Punches – 2" x 1-3/8" Oval XL (#119859, $16.95), Decorative Label XL (#120907, $16.95 coming Sept. 1)
• Accessories – Glimmer Brads Basic (#121003, $4.95 coming Sept. 1), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder
• Tools – Big Shot, Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#120902, $7.95 coming Sept. 1), Sponge Daubers

DAZZLING DIAMOND TECHNIQUE:

1. Stamp your images on glossy cardstock and color as desired. Allow to dry completely.
2. Press the VersaMark pad on your stamped piece using the “direct-to-paper” method covering the entire piece of cardstock.
3. Cover with Iridescent Ice Embossing Power. Tap off the excess and heat emboss until it appears shiny and brighter.

Variations: 

• Use a brayer and cover your cardstock with one color. Add powder and emboss. Use that for a great sparkling background. 
• Using a Stipple brush, stipple ink on for a different look.

CHRISTMAS CLUB CLASS, Elegant Tree Ornament...

This is card #3 from my Christmas Club Class.  This one is a very easy, but elegant card.  It features two Sneak Peek products from the Holiday Mini that will be beginning September 1.  The ornament stamp is from the fabulous Tags til Christmas set.  And the brad shown on it is one of the new Glimmer Brads.  They are so gorgeous and come in four beautiful color collections.

Anyone who has requested a Holiday Mini Catalog should be receiving them in the mail this week!  They are chock full of exciting products, so be sure to set some time aside to read it cover to cover and then let me know what you think.  Enjoy!

ELEGANT TREE ORNAMENT CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Tags til Christmas (W #120847 $30.95 C #121169 $22.95 coming Sept. 1), Lovely as a Tree (#115026, $27.95), Snow Swirled (#111690, $24.95)
• Card stock – Cherry Cobbler, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla
  
• Ink – Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler
• Ribbon – Gold Elastic Cord (retired)
• Punches – Ornament (#119847 $16.95)
• Accessories – Glimmer Brads Basic (#121003, $4.95 coming Sept. 1), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Paper Piercer & Mat

CHRISTMAS CLUB CLASS, Christmas Magic Pocket Card...

This is card #2 from my Christmas Club Class.  This one is a simple pocket card.  It would be great for tucking in a gift card or candy cane, etc., as well.  For the pull-out card, I used a sentiment from the hostess Occasional Quotes set and the adorable gingerbread men from the Got Treats set.  That set is just too cute!  See all the images following the card supplies.  Enjoy!

CHRISTMAS MAGIC POCKET CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Got Treats (W #119114 $24.95 C #120627 $17.95), Christmas Greetings (#115448, $10.95), Occasional Quotes (Hostess Level 3)
• Card stock – Whisper White, Wild Wasabi Textured, DSP Patterns Stack - Brights Collection
  
• Ink – Real Red Classic, Chocolate Chip and Real Red Markers 
• Ribbon –Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain (#109052, $6.95)
• Punches – 2-3/8" Scallop Circle XL (#118874, $16.95), 3/16" Corner (#119871, $6.95)
• Accessories – Rhinestone Circle Fire Brads (#109110, $10.95), Sticky Strip
• Tools – Big Shot, Top Note Die, Paper Piercer & Mat, Stampin' Sponges

CHRISTMAS CLUB CLASS, Merry Little Penguins...

Today was my first Christmas Club Class.  For this class, we are meeting once a month during August, September, October and November to create 12 Christmas cards each class—4 each of three designs—for a grand total of 48 cards at the end of the four classes.  For the first month, I had 4 designs as a treat.

For the first card, we made a very simple, but oh, so cute Penguin card.  Penguins are my youngest daughter's favorite, so I always like to work some in every Christmas.  This little penguin is from the adorable new Ronald McDonald House set Tags Along.  I just didn't color the to and from.  See all the images after the card supplies.  Enjoy!

MERRY LITTLE PENGUINS SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Tag Alongs (W #117018 $17.95 C #120513 $13.95), Four the Holidays (#116921 $13.95)
• Card stock – Whisper White
  
• Ink – Real Red Classic, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Real Red and Garden Green Markers

DOWNLINE SCRAP PAGE SWAPS...

On Tuesday, I shared my January Snowman Scrapbook Page that I made for my swap at my downline meeting.  As promised, I have the rest of the pages from the swap to share with you.  If the person marked their name, I shared it.  They all turned out lovely and I can't wait to put them in an album to share at workshops and classes!

Here is February (Kathy Winter), March (Debbie Hall), April and May (Leslie Holston):

Here is June (CJ Summers), July (Sarah Williams), August (Linda Manning), September (Shirley Black):

Here is October and December (Billi Parus):