Garden in Bloom for CCMC363

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Chris Slogar

This week’s Create with Connie and Mary Challenge a fun sketch with a column of elements down one side. I couldn’t decide on a repetitive shape to use, so I went with a group of related shapes.

I used Thick Whisper White for my base, and I added a layer of original Whisper White embossed with our new brick embossing folder. My flowers, butterfly and bee are from “Garden in Bloom”, stamped on Whisper White and fussy-cut. I used Mint Macaron, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Blushing Bride, Pool Party and Tip Top Taupe.

I wrapped the card front with Linen Thread to break up the white space, and the greeting is stamped in Tip Top Taupe and attached with dimensionals.

The sketch shows an embellishment on each element, and I didn’t forget that – it’s just hard to see! I added Dazzling Details to each of the flowers and to the wings of the bee and the butterfly.

Please check out the other cards created by the talented Challenge Team at Create with Connie and Mary. You’ll get some great inspiration and hopefully play along!

Build a Birthday Cake

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Chris Slogar

I made these cards for our Team Swap last month. “Build a Birthday” is a fun and versatile set, and I especially love the script sentiment. I CASEd the layer cake from Stampin’ Up! Artisan Keith Rueda. See her original card here.

I used Cherry on Top colors and paper for my cards. The lighting is a little off in this picture – the background circle is Watermelon Wonder. The layers of the cake are Pool Party, Cucumber Crush and Crushed Curry. I stamped each layer on Whisper White, and then cut them out with scissors, leaving extra length for folded tabs on each end.

I attached Tip Top Taupe Dotted Lace Trim to the underside of the Pool Party layer with sticky strip. I forced some gathers in the lace as I attached it to the sticky strip. The layer is attached over a fussy-cut cake pedestal (also part of the stamp set), and the bulk of the lace forces a slightly rounded cake layer. The other layers are almost flat on the card, but they are also attached to allow a slightly rounded shape.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

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Weekly Deals

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Chris Slogar

This week’s Weekly Deals are shown below. Please contact me if you would like me to add any items to my order this week, or click here to shop online. Please note that discounts are available in limited quantities before the items return to retail prices.

	Confetti Hearts Border Punch Item # 137415Regular Price: $22.00 US/$27.00 CANDiscounted Price: $15.40 US/$18.90 CAN
	Timeless Elegance 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock Assortment Pack Item # 139008Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CANDiscounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.56 CAN
	Merry Moments 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock Assortment Pack Item # 139007Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CANDiscounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.56 CAN
	Whisper White 3/8″ Stitched Satin Ribbon Item # 138429Regular Price: $9.00 US/$11.25 CANDiscounted Price: $6.75 US/$8.44 CAN
	Mossy Meadow 5/8″ Striped Cotton Ribbon Item # 138419Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CANDiscounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.56 CAN
	Crumb Cake 3/8″ Stitched Satin Ribbon Item # 138428Regular Price: $9.00 US/$11.25 CANDiscounted Price: $6.75 US/$8.44 CAN
	Floral Frames Collection Framelits Dies Item # 127012Regular Price: $27.00 US/$33.00 CANDiscounted Price: $20.25 US/$24.75 CAN
	Night Of Navy 1/2″ Seam Binding Ribbon Item # 134571Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CANDiscounted Price: $5.25 US/$6.56 CAN
	Ornate Tag Topper Punch Item # 137416Regular Price: $23.00 US/$28.00 CANDiscounted Price: $16.10 US/$19.60 CAN
	Hamburger Box Bigz Xl Die Item # 133724Regular Price: $43.00 US/$53.00 CANDiscounted Price: $30.10 US/$37.10 CAN
	Kraft Tag A Bag Gift Bags Item # 138315Regular Price: $3.50 US/$4.50 CANDiscounted Price: $2.63 US/$3.38 CAN

Zoo Babies CASE

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Chris Slogar

This started out as a CASE of the cute “Zoo Babies” card on page 32 of the Annual Catalog. I wanted an easy option for a pink or a blue theme, though, so I pulled out my retired Lullaby designer paper and the retired colors that match – Crisp Cantaloupe and Coastal Cabana.

For me, this set is a “go-to” set for baby cards. I am particularly fond of the elephant because I love to fussy-cut an extra ear piece to add for dimension. You can easily substitute a different animal, designer paper and colors to use what you have. That’s what I did with my Catalog CASE.

Have a great day!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Stars and Stripes

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Chris Slogar

I have one last card inspired by the Fourth of July, though the greeting could be used as a congratulations, birthday, or thank you sentiment. It actually doesn’t even need an occasion.

I already had these colors on my mind because of this week’s Create with Connie and Mary challenge (yesterday’s post). I created that pinstriped piece but didn’t end up needing it for that card. I really wanted to use it, though – does that ever happen to you?

The pinstriped piece is our new Corrugated Paper. I used my brayer to add Lost Lagoon to the raised portions. This is a great way to make that paper coordinate with any color scheme. My banners are staggered in size 1″, 1 1/2″, and 2″, and I used the Triple Banner Punch to trim the ends. I am using that new Metallic Thread here again, too – love that stuff!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend and Happy Fourth of July!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Challenge Color Butterflies

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Chris Slogar

These are the colors for this week’s Create with Connie and Mary Challenge. I have been loving our new “Watercolor Wings” set, and I didn’t want to put it away.

I used the ghosting technique on the Crumb Cake panel, stamping the small butterflies in Craft White first. After they were dry, I stamped over them with Lost Lagoon, and they are purposely offset a bit for effect.

Thanks for checking out my Challenge card! You can see all of the Challenge Team inspirations and entries at Create with Connie and Mary. Hope you have a chance to take a look and play along!

Happy 4th!

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Chris Slogar

The 4th of July is just a few days away, and of course I have a couple of cards for the occasion! These were part of last week’s Card Buffet, and they rely heavily on our Banner Punch.

The banners on this card are punched from designer paper. The stamps and most of the designer papers are from the June 2014 Paper Pumpkin kit. I have mixed in a few retired papers, too. This is a “use what you have” kind of card. If you have the banner punch, you can come up with something cute!

This is a CASE of Brenda Keenan’s card that I saw on Pinterest. I love how our “Hardwood” background stamps looks in blues! The banners on this card were stamped with a retired stamp set.

Thanks for looking! Have a great day!

Weekly Deals

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Chris Slogar

Here are this week’s Weekly Deals. There are also new items on the Clearance Rack – click here to go to the store.

	Build A Banner Kit Item # 138379Regular Price: $23.00 US/$28.50 CANDiscounted Price: $17.25 US/$21.38 CAN
	Pretty Petals 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock Assortment Pack Item # 139001Regular Price: $7.00 USDiscounted Price: $5.25 US
	Silver Sequin Trim Item # 138399Regular Price: $5.00 US/$6.25 CANDiscounted Price: $3.75 US/$4.69 CAN
	Brights Sequin Assortment Item # 138389Regular Price: $5.00 US/$6.25 CANDiscounted Price: $3.50 US/$4.38 CAN
	Smoky Slate Thick Baker’s Twine Item # 138415Regular Price: $3.50 US/$4.50 CANDiscounted Price: $2.63 US/$3.38 CAN
	Fun Flower Punch Item # 133785Regular Price: $18.00 US/$22.00 CANDiscounted Price: $13.50 US/$16.50 CAN
	Classy Designer Buttons Item # 138393Regular Price: $6.00 US/$7.50 CANDiscounted Price: $4.20 US/$5.25 CAN
	Calypso Coral 1/2″ Seam Binding Ribbon Item # 134569Regular Price: $7.00 US/$8.75 CANDiscounted Price: $4.90 US/$6.13 CAN
	Fuse Fast Adhesive Item # 129026Regular Price: $10.00 US/$12.50 CANDiscounted Price: $7.50 US/$9.38 CAN
	2014-2016 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers Item # 133654Regular Price: $15.00 US/$19.00 CANDiscounted Price: $10.50 US/$13.30 CAN
	2″ Circle Punch Item # 133782Regular Price: $18.00 US/$22.00 CANDiscounted Price: $13.50 US/$16.50 CAN

Christmas in July and Announcements

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Chris Slogar

I know it’s not July. I was going to show these in a “Christmas in July” post next week, but since the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits are on sale this week, now seems like a better time. The thinlit set is on sale through today for $30.00 (Reg Price $40.00).

I made these mini treat bags with Merry Moments designer paper, and the card that pulls out holds a gift card. I did a similar design for birthdays here.

Here’s what the inside looks like – the gift card tucks into the folded up Cherry Cobbler card stock.

These are a cute way to deliver a gift card, or you can make the insert without a pocket as I have done here. The completed treat bag fits inside an A2 envelope.

On the Mossy Meadow plaid version, the stars along the bottom are cut with a thinlit that is included with the Mini Treat Bag. The solid Cherry Cobbler part of the pocket shows through those stars when the insert is in place. I did trim away a bit of the side flap as shown below so that it would not block the mini star window.

The Christmas Tree version is shown below with its card.

And now for the announcements…

Tomorrow (June 30) through August 3, Stampin’ Up! is adding more items to the Clearance Rack and to the Weekly Deals. You can save up to 30% on even more Weekly Deals, or up to 60% on extra items in the Clearance Rack, while supplies last.

Also, tomorrow is the last day of the New Demonstrator Promotion. If you have a Wish List anywhere near $100, this is for you!

For $99 + tax (shipping is included), you can choose any products that total $125 AND two additional stamp sets of your choice. This is your “Starter Kit”.

As a Demo, you will always buy with at least a 20% discount. Newbies who sign up by June 30 also get 45 days to use a one-time 30% discount on a $150 (or more) order. This new demo perk will no longer be offered after July 1.

You do not have to sell, and there is no obligation beyond the Starter Kit. We do have new demo deals occasionally, but here is why I like this one:

Two extra stamp sets could add $80+/- value to your Starter Kit.

The one-time 30% discount is still available – and it stretches into Holiday Catalog preorder time!

Please contact me if you have any questions about this. I would love to have you on my team! We are an active group with regular meetings, rewards, activities and swaps. It is a fun group for either a hobbyist or a business demo, local or long-distance. Have a great day!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Watercolor Wings for SIP2

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Chris Slogar

As I started this card, I was following this week’s challenge sketch at SIP. I had to modify the mat to be round and lacy for this delicate butterfly, so I veered off course at some point, but I think it is still close enough to enter. What do you think?

I am happy with it because it was one of the favorites in Card Buffet this week. I used the new “Watercolor Wings”, inked in Mint Macaron and Lost Lagoon. This is a fun multi-step set. There are four stamps that make up my butterfly, but I inked three of them in Lost Lagoon. I wanted a soft subtle look. Imagine the possibilities though – you’ll find a ton of them on Pinterest! You’ll find more here as time goes on, too 🙂

You can see all of the entries into this challenge at the StampInkPaper Challenge site. You can also vote for your favorite entry – there will be a Fan Favorite each week as well as the Design Team picks.

Have a great weekend!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog