Isn't this a lovely card? The flowers are water colored with two shades of blue on the flowers themselves and crumb cake water colored around the edges of the stamped images. The background is lightly sponged in blue and all of this together creates a "simply soft" look! Notice the interesting shape of the bright blue card stock. Do you recognize that die? Its actually the Top Note Die (not on the retiring list) run through the Stampin Up Big Shot twice! Run it through the first time, and then turn it on its side and run it through a second time and this is what you get!

The Crumb Cake Card Stock layer was run through the Houndstooth Embossing Folder (not on the retiring list) for a nice complimentary background for the card.

Did you notice that this card also uses both the Top Note Die and an Embossing Folder?  This time, its the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder. This card has a very different look, even thought it also has a "soft blue" look. Notice that the Top Note Die has two distinct halves, one the solid blue and the other the First Edition Specialty designer series paper. The sides are anchored with Basic Pearls.

Simply Soft is a two-step stamp set with three inside stamps that coordinate with three outline stamps. On this card, the inside stamp was colored directly on the stamp with green and blue and stamped inside the black outline stamp. It has a water color look to it and you will notice that it doesn't need to fit perfectly to create a pretty look!

I hope you enjoyed this look at Simply Soft Stampin' Up! Card Ideas!

Technorati Tags: Big Shot Embossing machine, embossing folders, stampin up big shot, stampin up card ideas

Isn't this an adorable card? Its from the Ain't Love Grand stamp set. The car is actually cut out of Brushed Silver Card Stock. I love the cans dragging on the ground and the word "love" on the license plate. The Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder was used on both background pieces along with the Scallop Border Punch. Notice how the Decorative Label Punch is used behind the oval car card stock.

The Ain't Love Grand stamp set also includes stamps for birthdays, get well, valentines, and babies!

Where would you like to go for your honeymoon (or any other vacation)? How about here?

This palm tree is from the Plant Hope stamp set which also contains a beautiful stamp with three evergreen trees and a bonsai tree. The palm tree is colored with Stampin' Write Markers directly on the stamp.

I love the sun showing behind the trees. To make this, punch out a circle of the size you choose from a paper scrap and lay that over your card. Sponge the opening, starting with the yellow, and then adding as much orange and/or red as you choose. Each time you do this, the sun will turn out a little bit different and that adds to the charm.

Add a little blue watercolor and the picture is perfect!

Vacation to me means relaxation and a mini vacation at home always hits the spot! Just give me a park bench, some shade from a neighboring tree, a cup of tea, and a good book to read……….and its vacation!

I love the setting of this card, with the tree showing through the large circle cut out, made with the Stampin Up Big Shot Die Cutting Machine. The stamp set used is Pendant Park. "Bonjour" means "hello" in French and you get to choose whether you would like the French or English version! This is one of the few French words probably everyone knows and it has a great, relaxing sound to it!

I hope you enjoyed these Stampin' Up! card ideas for weddings and vacations!

Technorati Tags: palm tree stamp, stampin up card ideas for weddings and vacations, stampin up wedding card ideas, vacation card ideas

Send me an email or call me at 612-929-1277. Give me your phone number and a good time to call you. After a short chat, I will mail the complimentary catalog to you immediately. Then, after you have had it for a couple of days, I will call you to see what you think of it and to find out if you would like to place an order! That is all!

I look forward to talking with you.

(If you are already working with a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please go to her to request your catalog.)

I have saved a Stampin' Up! Catalog from each year that I have been stamping, which is each year since I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. (I am one of those rare people who became a demonstrator without having stamped first!) That makes 15 catalogs for me and I'm looking forward to the 16th coming out now!

I find myself going back to my old catalogs many times for ideas on color combinations, card lay-outs, and other stamping projects. Its also a fun journey through time, looking at how the styles of stamps and projects both have evolved.

How many years of the Stampin' Up! catalog do you have? Did you realize that in the early days, Stampin' Up! didn't even have its own stamps? I remember the year when they introduced two step stamping and what a new look that was! (I still love that look.) And…..do you remember Button Bear and Nice and Easy Notes?

When I joined, we didn't get to pick the stamps in the starter kit. Much has changed with Stampin' Up! over the years, but one thing remains the same: Stampin' Up! continues to be wonderful company to be working with.

I encourage you get the 20120-2013 Stampin Up Catalog for FREE!

Technorati Tags: free 2012-2012 Stampin Up catalog, stampinup catalog

Three years ago, the only year that Karen was close to earning the cruise in May, but hadn't achieved it yet, I was very concerned.  I sent an email to all of her customers telling them I wanted to go to Alaska so much that I was going to do my part to make it happen. I invited them to dinner at our house with my famous chicken salad, and I promised them the recipe too! I added that …by the way…Karen would provide some stamping projects and some specials. Dinner was fun and yes, we earned the trip!

Since then, my recipe has passed through many hands. I keep hearing about where its been served, at special events like graduations as well as for daily meals. Any new customers that hear about it ask for my recipe too! So ….here it is:

Tim’s Famous Chicken Salad Recipe

1½ cups uncooked tricolor spiral pasta
3 cups cubed chicken
¼ cup chopped green pepper
3 chopped green onions
1 diced celery rib
¾ cup mayo
6 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1½ teaspoons cider vinegar
¾ teaspoon lemon juice
¾ teaspoon salt
1 cup cashew halves

Cook pasta according to directions and drain. Add chicken, celery, green pepper and onions.
In a separate bowl, combine mayo, sugar, vinegar, salt, and lemon juice. Mix with pasta.
Refrigerate 2 hours.
Add cashews right before serving.
Makes 6 servings.

Please leave me a comment and tell me what you think of my salad if you try my recipe. Thats it for Tuesdays with Tim: My Famous Chicken Salad Recipe!

Technorati Tags: stampin up demonstrator blog, tuesdays with tim

The flower stamp itself and the background words stamp are my favorites. The lines of
the flower stamp are truly elegant and its an easy one for coloring directly on the stamp
to get this pretty look. The words stamp make a lovely soft background. On this card, the
oval is bordered with glitter which is hard to see in the picture. Notice the background pink l
ayer is stamped in the words stamp and another stamp from the set. Vellum card stock
is used for two of the layers.

This card uses a larger accent piece with the flowers and background each stamped
three times. The eyelet border punch and Organza Ribbon finish it nicely. Many color
combinations would be pretty done this way.

Stamping the flowers in black always gives a dramatic look as this So Saffron and
Basic Black shows. The Lattice Die gives a bit of a "garden" look. Both the Lattice Die
and the Square Lattice Embossing Folder are, thankfully,  not retiring!

If you have any of the Simply Adorned Charms (on the retiring accessories list), this
stamp set is perfect for making inserts for them.

Its also a great set if you like doing gift cards, place cards for dinners, or 3 x 3 cards.
I hope this makes you think of lots of possibilities of charming things to make.

May is winding down quickly, and with it comes the end of  any of the stamp sets on
the discontinued list. To see the list and/or to order anything on it, you can email me
or click here, whichever is easier for you to do. I hope you have enjoyed these
Charming Stampin' Up! card ideas!

Technorati Tags: card gallery, card making ideas, charming stampin up card ideas

I made as free gifts for everyone attending the May Card Making Extravaganza in Minnesota tomorrow!
Don't they look pretty all lined up and made with a wide variety of Designer Papers?

There were easy to make. Each purse is made with one sheet of 12 x 12 Designer Series Paper and
the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate. There is only scoring and folding involved! After a couple more
pictures, you will see a video about how to make it.

Here is a close up view of the purse:

Here is a side view and the inside view:

Watch this video to see the entire process:

Directions:

1. Lay the 12 x 12 sheet of Designer Paper on the Diagonal Scoring Plate. Score
down the middle, and again at 1 inch and at 7 3/4 inches.

2. Repeat on the other side of the paper.

3. Fold the paper as shown in the video.

4. Turn the paper 90 degrees on the Diagonal Scoring Plate. Score at 4 1/4 inches.

5. Turn paper around and repeat.

6. Fold into the final form. Its easy to figure that out when you watch the video.

7. For the clasp, score a piece of card stock ( 1 inch by 4 1/4 inches) at 2 1/4 inches and
2 1/2 inches. Use the Corner Rounder Punch on the corners of the front and add an
Antiques Brad. Attach to the purse with Sticky Strip on the back and a Velcro dot on the
front.

You are finished! Make a few of these to have on hand when you want to give someone
a gift of cards and you have a great package to present them in! I would put either four
or six cards with envelopes in each purse.

Look again at all of these Stampin' Up! Purse Card Containers! If you like this project idea,
please click the "like" button below.

Technorati Tags: stampin up card box, stampin up gift idea, stampin up video tutorial, Stampin' Up! Purse Card Container, stamping up box pattern

Now we will look at some more retiring stamp sets. These first two cards are made with the Faith in Nature stamp set. The first card uses the Lace Ribbon Border Punch which is also retiring. It makes a pretty accent on this card.

This card is beautifully water colored with reds and greens. This was done with ink refills and the Aqua Painters. The background uses one of the Letterpress Plates which is also retiring.

Pocket Silhouettes is another of my favorite stamp sets on the retiring list. It is a  set of six stamps, four plants and two words ("thanks so much" and "friend to friend") and is great for masculine cards. On this card, the image was embossed in white and then the area around the stamp was sponged in certainly celery. That gives it a soft, pretty look.

This card also uses the white embossing but it gives a totally different look! If you look closely, you will see all four of the plant stamps. Three are obvious because they are embossed in white, but do you see the one used as a background in the middle panel? That makes a really striking effect. I like the combination of the three colors on this card as well as the scallop accents, both with the Scallop Border Punch and the Scallop Circle Punch.

I would love to have you join us this Saturday for a fun stamping day. Please email me if you would like more details on this May Card Making Extravaganza Day in Minnesota!

Technorati Tags: Card Making Extravaganza, Card Making Extravaganza Day in Minnesota, card making ideas, stampin up card ideas

Today's cards are all created by Nikki Ryks, a very talented stamper in my
down line group, the Fine Line. Isn't this a beautiful Mothers Day card?
She embossed the curvy stamp and added Whisper White Organza Ribbon
and an edge strip of card stock using the Scallop Trim Border Punch.
The words "for my wonder mother" are from the Delightful Dozen Stamp Set
(p. 167  #122650w $32.95 #122652c $24.95). The Decorative Label Punch
was used to punch out those words.

Now look what the very same card looks like just by changing the colors!
All of these use black embossing except for the Soft Suede Card which
uses white embossing. The other colors are Melon Mambo, River Rock,
and Certainly Celery. Doesn't this make you want to try this idea of doing
the same card in different colors today?

There are words in the Baroque Motifs stamp set – "kind" and "cherish".
"Kind", of course, is perfect for thank you cards, and I love to use
"cherish" for wedding cards! Its more unique than "happy wedding day"
and I think it says a lot.

Speaking of weddings, this card is from the Wedding Sweet Stamp Set,
also on the Retired List. It has a similar look to the other cards. Notice
the added rhinestones and the cute little bow!

Wedding Sweet includes a beautiful "thank you" stamp with some curvy
lines accents. Other words in this set are "congratulations", "RSVP",
"you're invited", and "Save the Date". As you can see from the sample,
this set is great for many occasions other than weddings too!

Thanks fo Nikki Ryks for sharing these Stampin Up card ideas with
Baroque Motifs and Wedding Sweet.

Technorati Tags: 2012 stampin up retired sets, card making ideas, stampin up card ideas, stampin up cards

My husband is a big part of my success with Stampin' Up! in almost every area except stamping! He cooks for my customers and downline, plays host constantly, runs errands, gives opinions on my projects, and helps with meetings. One of the perks he gets for his unofficial job is the FREE annual incentive trip we receive from Stampin' Up! We have traveled to Hawaii (twice), Alaska (twice), Bermuda (twice), the Panama Canal and we have been on many Caribbean Cruises. So…here are his thoughts on the Disney Trip we just returned home from:

Its great being a kid. rescuing Karen from the rolling rock (hardly!). We were treated to a beautiful evening dinner on the back lot of the Indiana Jones Set. These great pictures came from there.

We got to stay on Disney property at the Boardwalk Resort where we could walk to Epcot in five minutes. We could also watch the fireworks in the evening from our balcony. Stampin' Up! treats us like royalty on these trips. Here are the three bags we got. I say "we" because I'm usually left holding the bag, which I prefer to call my "murse". (man purse)

These are some of the other "pillow gifts" that Karen received, at least the ones she can post.  (She got lots of new Stampin' Up! products too but she can't post those.) The art is by Thomas Kincaid who just died this week.

I love being pampered, especially when its paid for! I have enjoyed getting to know Shelli and her family and the Corporate Team. I look forward to many more years of these trips! Thats my Tuesdays with Tim: Thanks, Stampin' Up!

Let me know what you think! Tim Titus

Technorati Tags: stampin up demonstrator blog, stampin up incentive trip, Stampin' Up!, tuesdays with tim

That stamp set is Autumn Days and its retiring! I have used this stamp set

over and over and over again.

This card uses the Top Note Die with Designer Series Paper covering

the bottom half, giving a grounding to the picture. The pheasant is

beautiful and the other stamps add to the setting. The colors used

in this card are pulled out from the stripes.

The "ground" effect on this card is created with torn paper and a

sponge. Just move the torn paper to get different layers and shades.

The pheasant is stamped in Cajun Craze and then accented with

Not Quite Navy. The roughed up edges add to the rustic feel.

And now for something totally different! This is a beautiful wreath

made from the same stamp set! This card uses Christmas colors

and, when done in autumn colors, it makes a great card for any

occasion! I draw a light circle in pencil (around a small drinking

glass) to give shape to the wreath. The first time I tried making a

wreath, I didn't use a guide line and I had the strangest looking

oval wreath you've ever seen!

Using just the pine cones stamp makes another nice any

occasion card, like this sympathy card. The wheat or berries

stamps would also work for this idea.

As much as I like the pheasant in this stamp set, I use the

other stamps in it even more! If you have men on your card list,

or nature lovers, you will love this set.

Today I have shared some Stampin Up card ideas with a

favorite stamp of mine! What favorite stamp sets of yours are

on the 2012 Retiring Stamps List? Please comment below.

Technorati Tags: Autumn Days, card making ideas, masculine card ideas, stampin up card ideas