Stampin' room on the way!

My older daughter got married and moved out, bittersweet! Will miss having her around but the bonus is I get her room! I am making it my Stampin' room. I found some cute baskets at Michael's on clearance that fit the bookcase perfectly (going back today to get a couple more. The stamp sets on the top shelf are just the current "in catalog" sets I have a huge box of retired and non-SU stamps that will reside in the closet. (And I have 40% coupons to buy some of their modular storage pieces next week!)

These are some racks that were in the closet. I have all my inking supplies stashed on it. (only until I get the stamp pad storage item from SU) I have a lot of organizing and putting away to do - good thing I am off on Monday. Can't wait to get to stamp in my new area and the dining room is free of the clutter (should take a picture of it too !)

Bookmark Card

I saw a card with attached bookmark by Lisa Curry and just had to try it myself. Mine does not incorporate the bookmark into the card image but for a quick card I think it looks pretty good.


The bookmark is the square in the upper right corner. I used the Medallion stamp and Melon Mambo ink. It is mounted on Rich Razzleberry - I'm so glad those IN colors are now part of the Core Color Collections. The small image is from the new Level 2 hostess set Cute by the Inch.


The card looked a little plain so I decided to do a little embellishing. I added the Rich Razzleberry grosgrain ribbon which is not available currently but there is a 5/8 inch grosgrain ribbon available in 13 colors and Rich Razzleberry is one of them. The pearls are the largest of the Jewels - Basic Pearls. I used the horizontal slit punch to make an opening for the ribbon in the fold of the card. That could be done with a hobby blade or paper cutter (the slit punch is retired).


This photo shows the card and bookmark as separate items. I'm going to have to try more of these with different stamp sets. What a thoughtful little addition for those friends and family that are avid readers!

Friends Never Fade

One of the new stamp sets in the 2010-2011 catty is Friends Never Fade. I had to play with it a little (it arrived Friday but with all the wedding activities, playing had to wait until this week)
This card uses Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade (2010 IN colors)

This one also uses the Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade - added the DSP (which coordinates perfectly with the stamp set) and a Pear Pizzazz label (another IN color) . I am always running out of anniversary cards :-)

This is another stamp from the set. This uses Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz - and the jumbo eyelets.

Yet another of the stamps in the set and the Newsprint DSP. I cased this card from Debbie Henderson. I never think to use the library clips but she had used one on her card and it just seems to fit in with the newsprint.

Announcing - New Catalog and My Calendar Blog

The 2010-2011 Stampin Up Big Idea Book and Catalog is now available - - full of new products and ideas. Order yours from me and I will give you a year of monthly coupons (redeemable only through me).
(If you can't wait to get your hands on a copy - don't forget the online catalog and store. They are updating everything this morning but should have it all ready soon!)

############Calendar Blog###########

Check out my new blog - a list of my Stampin Up events so you can see what I am offering and
check dates and times more conveniently.
Mary's Stampin Up Calendar

Black Magic Fireworks

Okay- I am getting a late start on Fourth of July cards - probably won't get any sent out but wanted to play with the stamp set. I just had to do some black magic with these. This one is on Night of Navy with Real Red and Bashful Blue accents.



So, what to do with the fireworks after this weekend - birthdays or any celebration are a good time for fireworks. This one is on Not Quite Navy with Cherry Cobbler and Sahara Sand.


And this one just screamed Happy New Year at me. I used Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz and Poppy Parade with this one. The fireworks could also be flowers (like dandelions in bloom). Just think of all the things you can do with this set after July Fourth. It is available in the Summer Mini Catalog until August 31.

Color Coach and a New Technique

I wanted to try a new technique using plastic wrap and shimmer paint. Tonight I did - and I like it.


I took Marina Mist and used the white shimmer paint and champagne shimmer paint to make the background. Then I took my Color Coach and looked at the color combination. The first one is the Dynamic Duo of Marina Mist and Bashful Blue. I used Champagne Shimmer Paint.


This one is the Getting Started Combination. It uses Real Red and Old Olive with Marina Mist. I used the white shimmer paint on this one. I would have never combined these on my own but I kind of like it.


This is the Creative Combination of Marina Mist, Cajun Craze and Crumb Cake. I did an applique technique on this one.


Here is a little different angle to try to show off the shimmer paint. Just doesn't do it justice. To apply the shimmer paint I took a piece of plastic wrap, crumpled it up and dipped it in some shimmer paint. Then I dabbed it on the Marina Mist paper. The technique I was used Glossy White paper and used a brayer to add ink after shimmer paint, but I just used colored paper.


And these are some Fancy Favor boxes that I had for the wedding so I put a few little buttons, ribbon or individual stamp in each one and will give these away to anyone who books a workshop. A good way to use up older products.

A few more wedding pictures

Here I am before the ceremony.


A closeup of the beading on her dress.



The dress bustled, still beautiful!


Our family "hee-haw" picture. One of my brothers teaches the little kids to do "hee haw" and wave their fingers during pictures so it has become a tradition to get a picture of the kids doing it whenever we are together - this time we got everyone :-) I think the groom's family was getting a little concerned at this point. Too late now!