No, I don’t play favorites.  He’s my ONLY son!!  But he’s still my favorite, especially now that he’s married and has provided me not only with a grandson, but with a step-grandson.  How cool is that!! 

For his birthday card this year, I figured that candles had to be the key, for this is his first (of many, I hope!) 39th Birthday.  I settled on a candle in one of the new stamp sets in the 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up! Idea Book & Catalog is On a Pedestal.  Believe me when I tell you that this is not a set that I would have had on my "must have" list for the new catalog.  So why, you might ask, do I have it?  Because it was a bonus given to those who attended a regional seminar this past spring with their first $400 order after the regional.  Having that kind of an order was no problem with my great customers and my own "need" for all things new in Stampin’ Up!  The Occasions Mini-Catalog (just past) helped with the order, too.

So–On a Pedestal has been sitting idle in the Craft Room every since March.  And now I had this July Birthday card to make.  The little candle was perfect for making a couple of rows of candles that add up to 38.  The candle on the "cake" is number 39!

To make this card, I stamped the rows of candles on Very Vanilla and cut them to fit on either side of the center motif.  The "cake" in the center motif is made up of 4 of the stamps in the On a Pedestal set.  I stamped the plate and the cake image in Brilliant Blue, and Brillian Blue cardstock is the main background color card stock for the card.  I punched some Real Red cardstock with the Scallop Edge Punch and adhered that behind the Very Vanilla layer that had the stamped image.  The "flame" (lots of quotation marks in this description, huh?) on the center candle is from the Fire Circle Rhinestone Brads set, and the brads along the scallop of the cake plate are Real Red from the

Starting today, Stampin’ Up! is offering a VERY SPECIAL STARTER KIT for a limited time only!

While anytime is a great time to join the Stampin’ Up! family as a demonstrator, joining during July and August is especially sweet!

Starting your own Stampin’ Up! business means free and discounted products, plus a little extra cash–and who couldn’t use that? Plus, from July 15 – August 31, you can become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator for only $85!

The special, limited-time Mini Starter Kit contains many of the items you need to get started in your new business, including

• For All You Do stamp set (it’s on page 118 of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog if you’d like to see a larger photo)
• In Color Classic Stampin’ Pads (6) (that’s all SIX of of the new In Color colors)
• Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11") (it’s the assortment that I first ordered so I could see which colors I’d be using most–it turns out ALL of them )
• Business forms and tools, including 8 copies of the new Idea Book & Catalog AND the Holiday Mini-Catalog.  You’ll get 8 copies directly from Stampin’ Up! if you sign up on or after August 1st.  I’ll be sure to get those copies for you if you sign up earlier.

You can find more information on the Stampin’ Up! website or by clicking on the "Join My Team" tab above.  And, of course, if you have any questions, please be sure to call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me and I’ll make sure you get an answer right away!

Once you decide to sign up, it’s easy to do that online.  Just call or e-mail me, and I’ll get you started!

I’m still in a bit of a jet-lag-induced fog.  So I continue to look to challenges to get me going on some designs in the Craft Room.

This challenge was posted on a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator group forum, SUDSOL.  The challenge was to make a Chriistmas Card in July, and use red and green – ANY red and green.  When I think Christmas Cards, I don’t necessarily think red and green.  But when I DO think red and green, I think Handsome Hunter (the green) and Bravo Burgundy (the red).  

The stamp set that I used is one of my favorites, and has been on Stampin’ Up!’s "dormant" list for the past 6 months.  I was so happy to see it back in the 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up! Idea Book & Catalog.  Now only that, there’s a new Sizzix Texturz Plate, Stampin’ Up! Perfect Details, that seems to go with the "swirled" part of the gold embossed Christmas Tree.

One of the stamps that I really like in the set is the one with the saying that I used in today’s card.  The reason I like it is that it gives me a chance to accent the swirly first letter with a color than the main color with which I stamped it.  To do this, I ink up the stamp (in this case with the Handsome Hunter Classic Ink Pad), then use a Blender Pen to REMOVE the Handsome Hunter ink from the "M."  Finally, I ink the "M" with a Bravo Burgundy Stampin’ Write Marker, give the whole stamp a "huff," then stamp on the Very Vanilla cardstock.

There’s so much that’s new in this year’s new catalog.  But there’s also so very much that’s classic that helps make wonderful cards and scrapbook pages.  If you don’t have your new catalog yet, I’ll be glad to give you one if you’re in the East Hawaii area.  If you’re not within driving distance of Robin’s Craft Room, I’ll be happy to send you a copy for the cost of postage.  Just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me!

In an effort to keep myself awake (hey, it’s a 5-hour difference between Hawaii and Minnesota–and Minnesota time says it’s almost bedtime as I write this!), I’ve done some more digging into my box of new Stampin’ Up! products.

And, as I’m still somewhat brain dead from all the traveling, I’m letting the Stamping 411 gals lead me to yet another take on this week’s challenge.  It’s also my first try at a birthday card for my DS, who will have his first 39th birthday this coming week (as DH just said, "Unbelievable!").  So maybe I’ll have to try something with a "39" in it for this year’s card, huh?

OK–the new products.  Some I’ve already shown you, including the new Sizzix Stampin’ Up! Punch Windows Movers and Shapers die.  This time, I’ve used the scallop oval, and I just punched the top two layers, so that the back layer–one of the new In Colors, Soft Suede–shows through.  The top layer is a sheet from one of this year’s Designer Series Papers, Thoroughly Modern.  At first I was taken by the floral designs in this pack of paper.  But I can see that the stripes are also going to be a favorite.  I’m really happy to know that I’ll have this set of papers available for a whole year!  I can already see some holidays designs with it.  Hmmm.

The ribbon is the new 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon in another of the new In Colors, Bermuda Bay.  The Scallop Oval Punch insert uses card stock in the Bermuda Bay color, and I stamped the Happy Birthday greeting from the stamp set, Voila (yes, you’ve seen that a bunch here lately!) using Soft Suede Ink.  The other colors in the DSP are Rose Red and Sahara Sand.  I may have to get out some Rose Red Ribbon and play with this a bit more this week.  Stay tuned!

Now that I’m all unpacked, I’m more than ready to help you start to think about what you’d like to order from the new Stampin’ Up! catalog!  If you’re in East Hawaii, I’ll be calling you this week to try to set up a fun get together to play in the craft room.  If you’re NOT in East Hawaii, I can still help you with your decision-making as you go through the new Idea Book and Catalog!  Just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me, and we’ll have a virtual get together!

After 10 days away from Hawaii, I am SOOOO glad to be back and enjoying my husband’s gorgeous Hawaiian garden.  While the back woods of Northern Minnesota were definitely stimulating (had to be with 3 young grandchildren around!), there is just nothing like a garden in paradise, with all the bright and bold colors, not to mention all the varieties of green.

And, within an hour of my return, my favorite FedEx truck pulled into our driveway with my first box of new Stampin’ Up! catalog "stuff."  The good news is that my Craft Room looks out on two views of the garden; so I had the best of both worlds! 

But what to do with all these gorgeous new products!?  Well, after two days in airports and airplanes, I didn’t last long enough last night to get past that first question.  And then, this morning, the Stamping 411 gals came to my rescue with their Saturday Sketch Challenge!  Here is the challenge sketch.

My take on the challenge uses two brand new products from the Stampin’ Up! 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog:  The new Butterfly Punch, and one of the sheets from the Designer Series Paper, Cottage Wall.  A long time ago, one of my favorite Stampin’ Up! colors was Orchid Opulence.  With this new paper, I think it’s about to get back into the favorite category again.

To make the larger butterfly in the lower right corner, I first stamped an image from the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set on Orchid Opulence card stock using VersaMark.  I then embossed the image using White Stampin’ Emboss powder.  After I used the new Butterfly Punch to cut it out, I trimmed the image close to the stamped dots.  Then I punched a scrap of Old Olive cardstock with the Butterfly Punch, layered them together, and attached them to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.  To add a bit more interest, I stamped another image from the Flight of Butterfly set using Orchid Opulence ink on Whisper White card stock, trimmed it up, and attached it near the center of the DSP.  The accent ribbon is Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Of course, I had to take the photo out on our lanai near the front garden.  It is SOOO good to be back!

I’ll be sharing more of my new goodies with you during the coming week.  I’m going to try to get as much done in the next few days as possible, because our new puppy (well, he’s a year old) arrives on Tuesday, and all bets are off for awhile after that .

Here’s a close up of today’s card.  Note that there’s just a 1/16" sliver of a mat of Old Olive cardstock between the Orchid Opulence card base and the Cottage Wall designer paper.  It’s a nice touch that the Stamping 411 challenge encouraged.

You might recall that, earlier this week, I showed off all the papers in the Jackpot Designer Series Paper pack.  Last week I used an "old favorite" stamp set of mine, Voila!, in a challenge card.  Well, today I’m putting both of those together!

I told you that I love dressing up the chef in Voila! in Designer Series paper.  So here he is–in some Jackpot paper!  To make sure that the diamonds, hearts, spades and clubs were nicely distributed on his coat, I first stamped him on Card Stock Vellum, using the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  I then put the vellum on the DSP, and moved it around until the coat looked like it had a nice balance.  Then, using the Stamp-a-ma-jig again, I stamped him on the DSP.  I used the same technique to stamp the Chef’s Hat to place the heart right in the middle of it.

I next stamped him on Real Red Card Stock.  I trimmed away the neck line on the DSP, then attached it over the stamped image on the Real Red Card stock.  Then I cut the whole figure out.  Next I stamped the image on the background Very Vanilla Card Stock card front.  Finally, I adhered the Real Red/DSP piece and the Chef’s Hat to the card front. 

The game pieces and "Game Night" are from the stamp set, Game Night.  I stamped the various game pieces on Very Vanilla, using Basic Black, So Saffron, and Real Red ink, and cut them out to place on the Chef’s Tray.  I needed something in the lower left corner, so attached some black brads from the Vintage Brads set.  "Game Night," on Very Vanilla with Real Red ink, is punched out with the small oval punch, and the Real Red card stock behind it with the larger oval punch.

And, Voila!! (sorry…I just had to write that). The card is done!!  Now all I have to do is plan the party and get the invitations out.

Do you have a game night planned for this summer or fall?  If so, you might just consider using these two great stamp sets.  You can order them online or just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me, and I can place the order for you!

Recall that the last time I was here discussing Stampin’ Up! products I was showing off one of the Designer Series Paper set, Jackpot.  My problem with that is that I only have a use for it that relates to bridge.  But I don’t want the rest of the papers to go to waste.

So here is a try at using not only the DSP, but also one of the stamps in the set, Game Night, that I figured I’d probably never use.  It took me awhile to stare at the stamp set and figure out what to do.  But now that I’ve done that, I can see where I might be able to use lots of the stamps in that set!  I won’t bore you with any more of this right now.  Not everyone is into card and board games.  But if you are, don’t forget that there are quite a few products in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog that you could use for party nights!

To make the front of this card, I used a background of Real Red Card Stock, layered with Jackpot DesignerSeries Paper, and some Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon.  On it I stamped the word, "Wow!" using the Jumble Alphabet, along with the Exclamation Point from the alphabet set, Taffy Alphabet.  Finally I stamped LOTS of the 6/5 dominoes from the Game Night set, and layered them up as I thought one might get a line of dominoes to fall.

I’ll use this card to send to someone who has big news (I think I know someone, but the news may not yet be out!!)

If you have someone with some big news, maybe this is an idea for you!  And think of all the other projects you could make with these stamp sets and papers!  The possibilities go on and on.  Just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me, and I’ll help you choose the sets that will be just right for you!  Of course, if you already know what you want, you can order online anytime 24/7/365!

No, I haven’t been to Las Vegas–though we were close as we made our way to Minnesota early last week.

But there’s games and cards and all kinds of stuff in the Craft Room related to what goes on in Vegas!  There are two stamp sets related to cards and games, as well as some Designer Series Paper called, what else, Jackpot!  And they’re all in the Craft Room.  You might well ask, "Why?"  And the answer would be (as perhaps I’ve mentioned here before) that DH is the manager of our local Duplicate Bridge Club, Hilo Duplicate Bridge Club (what an original name, don’t you think?!)  And, of course, I play in the club’s weekly game (keeps me from ordering more SU "stuff" on Sunday afternoons!)

The Jackpot Designer Series Paper actually has a lot of patterns that I can use in helping prepare materials for the Bridge Club.  Here’s a sample of all the prints in this DSP pack.  I made this as part of swap in which I’m participating, where each of us takes a pack of DSP and cuts some of the papers into little squares and then sends it off to the coordinator, who divides all the goodies up into nice, neat piles, and sends samples of all the OTHER DSPs back to us.  So this is my contribution to the group.

Oh, and the squares that we’ve made of each of the papers in each DSP set are 1-1/4" square.  When you line them up 4 by 3, you can cut them with the Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Sizzix Die, Top Note.  Way cute!!!  And I’m going to have a sample of each of the new catalog’s DSPs in the Craft Room by the time of my New Catalog Open House in August!

Now, about those papers that don’t go well with the game of bridge…  I’ve decided I’m going to try to figure out something to do with each of them!  In a day or two I should have at least one greeting card design to show you that uses at least one of these!

Meanwhile, if you’d like to see some samples of any of the DSPs that are in the brand new catalog, just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me, and I’ll get some samples out to you as soon as I can!  And if you already know that there’s a set of DSP that you’ll just love to have, you can order online any time 24/7.  Or, again, call or e-mail me, and I can help you place your order.

You didn’t think I was going to let the other half of that Real Red and Brilliant Blue card stock that I cut on the diagonal yesterday go to waste, did you?!  Of course not.

Here, then is the other half.  And did I get carried away with the punches!!!

I ran this card through the Sizzix Movers and Shapers die with the Star Punch twice.  To do that, you just place the Star piece in one location the first time through, and then another location the second time through.  In this card, the stars do not make a window.  I just used them to help make a layered star look, with Whisper White background. 

The color I used for an accent here is one of the new In Colors for 2009-2010, Crushed Curry.  Everything else uses the same punches and materials that I used in yesterday’s card.

As I write this, DH and I are at a lake in northern Minnesota–Bear Lake–with our daugher and her family and one each niece and nephew.  I’m hoping that we’re having a nice sunny day so that our granddaughters can be out playing.  But if they’re not, I’m going to be working with them today to try to make some cards to send out to the neighbors here on the lake.  And I’ll definitely be sharing some of those cards with you here in Robin’s Craft Room! 

Happy 4th of July to all!!

Of course I have to have a few Independence Day cards for you this week!  There’s been so much else going on, but I couldn’t forget the 4th of July.

One reason is that I bought the new Sizzix Stampin’ Up! Movers and Shapers Punch Windows die to show it off as soon as the new catalog was ready!  And one of the dies is a star.

Let me tell you how this set of dies works.

• First, you have to have a basic Movers and Shapers frame with which to work.  You can purchase that with the Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Die, Movers and Shapers Curly Label.
• Each of the small pieces in the Punch Windows dies, as well as the curly label piece in the Movers and Shapers Curly Label, is just a little bit larger than an associated Stampin’ Up! Punch!
• The punches that coordinate with these five pieces are: Curly Label, Scallop Oval, Modern Label, Full Heart, and Large Star.  Actually, the Star punch is an added bonus, as I’m showing in this card.
• When you use the Movers and Shapers dies to make a window/aperture in the front of a card, you can place a piece punched with one of the punches on the INSIDE of your card neatly centered in the window/aperture created by the Movers and Shapers dies.

With this card, I cut a diagonal on both Real Red and Brilliant Blue, and adhered them together on a card made of Whisper White card stock.  Then I put this card front through the Movers and Shapers die with the star cut into the diagonal.  I punched a Whisper White star and adhered that to the inside of the card, centered on the star made from the Sizzix die.  Finally, I punched a Crushed Curry Star to place in the middle of the Whisper White Star, finished it off with the Circle Rhinestone Brad and a bit of 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon in Crushed Curry.  There are two small Red Circle Rhinestone brads on the "Celebrate" tag made with the Modern Label Punch.  Oh, and the mat for the Modern Label punch was also made with the Movers and Shapers Die--I placed the Modern Label die piece in the Movers and Shapers base with just a small piece of Brilliant Blue card stock, and ran it through my Sizzix Big Shot.  Presto–mat for the label!

I really hope that’s not too confusing!!  But I do a really good job of making projects such as this seem just as simple, well, as Apple Pie (isn’t that a summer picnic staple?).  Just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me, and I’ll go through it with you step by step!