Ink Pad Case Redesign

Stampin' Up! redesigned it's Ink Pads and I wanted to show you what they look like and answer some questions that you may have. 

Here's the old case on the left and the new case on the right for a side by side comparison.  The new case is a little shorter and see those little dents in each corner?  They are there so they can stack on top of each other.

Here's last year's In Colors stacked up on the left next to this year's In Colors stacked on the right.  They stack so nicely together and are much neater than they used to be. They take up less room too!

Why did we change the case?

The case’s manufacturing mold was about to expire. We can only use a mold a limited number of times before we need to replace it, so we had to decide if we wanted to order more of the same molds or try to improve the design. We chose to improve it!

What's better about the case?

• It's less confusing to open. Opening the new ink pad case is now more simple and intuitive—just insert your thumb in the “lip” at the front of the case and lift it to open.

• They have a tighter fit between the lid and the base. With the new design, the lid doesn’t accidentally become disconnected which was a common problem with the old case style. With use, the lid will be easier to slide open and close.

• They're stackable. The ability to stack the cases makes them easier to store and transport. We designed a nub in each bottom corner that fits nicely into the “dimple” on the top of another case.

• There's improved labels and stickers. Here are a few of the ways we’ve done that:

  • We’ve redesigned the front label with a cleaner, bolder design and larger color swatch, making it easier to see the ink’s color.

  • We’ve included a new In Color icon.

  • We’re continuing to provide color stickers that you can place on the end of each case to easily identify the ink’s color at a glance.

  • We’re providing a new color sticker you can place on the inside of the pad, so your customers can easily distinguish the ink’s color when the case is open.

Is the ink different?

• Since we were improving the case we decided to make improvements to the ink as well!

  We added defoamer to the ink ingredients because we noticed that our old ink would sometimes bubble (especially on new pads and with lighter colors). When this happened, the ink wasn’t as even and smooth when stamped as we’d like to see it.

  The added defoamer will:

• Reduce ink bubbles
• Help you get an even coating of ink on the stamp
• Help the stamped image have a smoother, solid look

Another change we made is that Archival ink will no longer be part of our ink offering. Basic Gray will now be offered in Classic ink. Your best options for black ink are the Tuxedo Black Memento Pad and the Jet Black StāzOn Pad.

Do you see that the colors I'm showing are all the new In Colors?  Aren't they beautiful.  Which one is your new favorite?  Lovely Lipstick, Blueberry Bushel, Call Me Clover, Grapefruit Grove or Pineapple Punch? 

 

Painted Harvest Mother's Day Card

Today's card was made using a sketch from the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge.  This is the first time I've done a challenge like this and it was fun.  It pushed me a little to try something new, which is a good thing!  

Here's the sketch.

This is the card I made to follow along.

I used the Painted Harvest Stamp Set with Peekaboo Peach and Daffodil Delight to create the flower. I love this set! The pearls were colored with the Dark Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Marker. The top banner is a piece of Burlap Ribbon and then some Crushed Curry Bakers Twine wrapped around it.  

Here's a peak at the inside.

You can follow along by watching my video.

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order. You can also click directly on an item to order.

Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack - Save 60%

Go to my Online Store and shop the clearance rack and save 60%.  There are some great products out there including some of my favorite Designer Series Paper.  

2018 Color Revamp

When Stampin' Up! unveils the new catalog, they announce the new In Colors that have a 2 year life cycle.  This year, they also did a color revamp, bringing back some old colors, retiring some and adding new ones.  I'm sad to see some favorites go like Marina Mist and Wisteria Wonder but I'm so happy to see some colors returning colors like Flirty Flamingo and Mint Macaron.  Here are the In Colors for 2018-2020 and the New Colors added to the Color Collections.

These are the new Color Collections.  Aren't they beautiful!!!

On May 31, 2018, these colors are retiring.  If you want any of these colors, order them before they are sold out. 

Whenever colors are retired, there is always some confusion about the status of various products in those colors. We wanted to be sure that our demonstrators and customers have a chance to buy retiring ink pads and refills before they are gone. We have worked with our vendors to ensure that we have a period of guaranteed stock before the retirement date. This means that even if an ink pad/refill goes on backorder during that guaranteed time, those orders will be fulfilled. 

However, after that guarantee date has passed, those products in retiring colors are available while supplies last. Please see the chart below that details this. It also shows how other products with retiring colors will be handled.

If you have any questions concerning the color revamp, please leave a message or email me patti@pspapercrafts.com

Thanks A Bunch - Basketful of Lemons!!!!

Isn't this a fun, cheerful card? I made 51 of these for swap cards at the Stampin' Up! OnStage Convention in Atlanta. The Lemon Zest Bundle is a great one! It will retire as a bundle so if you want to get it and save 10%, you need to order it soon.  You can purchase the stamp set and punch in the new catalog, just not as a bundle.

Embossing the Wood Textures Designer Series Paper with the Basket Weave Embossing folder really makes it look like a basket. Each one is a little different due to the wood grains on the DSP.

This card is horizontal with 5 lemons. I wrapped Linen Thread around the basket 3 times and then used 2 strands to make a bow and attached with a glue dot.

For this one, I decided to make it vertical and only use 3 lemons. I added the Venetian Crochet Trim around the top of the basket. It reminds me of a Longerberger basket I have with the fabric insert folded over the basket.

Take a look at the video.  Which one do you like better? 

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order. You can also click directly on an item to order.

Stampin' Up! Retiring List Announced

Stampin' Up! has released its retiring list to make room for all the goodness in the new catalog. These products will be available from April 9 - May 31, 2018 or while supplies last.

• Due to high demand for retiring stamps, we'll keep producing retiring stamps until May 25

• Retiring Accessories are available while supplies last

• Some bundles are no longer available at the discount but you can purchase the items separately so if you want to save 10% on a bundle, order before they retire (check the *** on the list)

If your planning on spending $100 on retiring items, you should consider purchasing the starter kit.  You spend $99 and get $125 worth of products plus free shipping.  Then you get a 20% discount on future orders.  Its really the best deal.  Let me know if you are interested.

I just returned from the Stampin' Up! OnStage Convention in Atlanta. I had so much fun spending the day with 600 paper crafters and seeing all the new products.  These are some of the lovely ladies I'm on team with.  We had a great time together. 

We all received the new catalog and it is awesome!!!  There are new tools, stamp sets, thinlits, a color revamp, updated stamp pad cases and so much more. As a demonstrator, I get to pre-order and I'll be sharing with you as I get my order.  I also received some freebies at the convention that I will be sharing on my blog so be on the look-out.   

Here's a sneak peak of the catalog cover! 

Let me know if you need a catalog.  I'll be putting my order in and sending them out in May for ordering in June.

Beautiful You - Faux Tile Technique

I'm on my way to the Stampin' Up! OnStage convention in Atlanta.  The day before, I'm attending an event with a top demonstrator and we're doing a shoebox swap.  I've never done this, or even heard of it but I'm excited.   I'll be making 10 kits with all you need to make this card. 

This card features the Beautiful You Stamp Set which has some gorgeous images and great sentiments.  I'm calling this a faux tile technique, not sure if that's a real thing or not!!!  You basically stamp the image and then cut it into squares and adhere it with dimensionals.

The colors are Night of Navy and Daffodil Delight which is a great combination.  This was an easy card to make.  You can create it with any image or group of images.  Give it a try.

Dimensions:

• Night of Navy Card Base - 5 1/2 x 11 score at 4 1/4
• Daffodil Delight - 3 3/4 x 3 3/4
• Night of Navy 3 1/4 x 3 1/4
• Whisper White backing - 3 1/16 x 3 1/16
• Whisper White for Stamped Image 3 x 3
• Whisper White for banner - 3/4 x approx 3

Check out the video to see how I made it.

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.

Beautiful Sympathy Card using the Gorgeous Springtime Foils DSP

There's only a few more days left of Stampin' Up!'s Sale-A-Bration Event.  One of my favorite products you get for free with a $50 order is the Springtime Foils Specialty Designer Series paper.  

I cut out the flowers from the DSP and then colored them with the Dark Pink Pirouette and Light Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers. The background layer of DSP has beautiful foil dots that just sparkle.  

The sentiment was embossed with Copper Embossing Powder and then layered on a strip of Copper Foil Paper.  This card is very elegant and sweet.

Check out the video below:

The dimensions for this card are:

• Card base - Pink Pirouette 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 (scored at 4 1/4)
• Layer of dotted DSP - 4 1/4 x 4 1/4
• Strip of Copper foil - 3/4 x approximately 3 3/4, then cut to size
• Strip of Whisper White - 7/8 x approximately 3 1/4, then cut to size
• Whisper White for Label Layer
• Cut out of flowers and leaves from DSP

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  

Don't forget its Sale-A-Bration ends March 31, 2018. Be sure you don't miss out on earning free products for every $50 you spend.  Let me know if you need a catalog and I'd be happy to send you one.

Sweet Blossoming Basket Card

There is a new bundle that you can get for free with a $100 order until the end of March, 2018....its a Sale-A-Bration product. The stamp set is beautiful and the embossing folder is a great addition to my collection. Its always nice to have choices for embossing a layer on your project. 

The card base is Crumb Cake Cardstock and I embossed the front with the Basketweave Embossing Folder. The layer of Rich Razzleberry behind the Whisper White really makes it pop.  

I made one card using the sentiment from this Blossoming Basket set. 

I used the sentiment for this one from the Perennial Birthday Stamp Set from the Occasions Catalog.  I'm going to use this for a birthday.  I think the sentiment goes well with the basketful of flowers.

You can see how I made these by watching the video below.

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  

Don't forget its Sale-A-Bration ends March 31, 2018. Be sure you don't miss out on earning free products for every $50 you spend.  Let me know if you need a catalog and I'd be happy to send you one.

God Is Love Easter Card

Today I'm using the Hold on to Hope Bundle that Brandi Cox designed for her Million Dollar Sales Achievement.  I actually met Brandi in Utah, what a beautiful person she is. 

The cross was cut out in Silver Foil paper and and backed with Basic Gray Cardstock.  I love the Powder Pink and Basic Gray color combination and then to add the silver cross really pulls it all together.  

I pulled out an old retire stamp set to get the Happy Easter sentiment on the inside.

Here's an alternative inside using the scripture stamp from the set.  It really is beautiful.  I love the sentiments in this set. 

This was an easy card to make.  Take a look at the video.

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  

Don't forget its Sale-A-Bration ends March 31, 2018. Be sure you don't miss out on earning free products for every $50 you spend.  Let me know if you need a catalog and I'd be happy to send you one.

Sale-A-Bration Ends March 31!

Just a reminder that Sale-A-Bration ends March 31, 2018. During Sale-A-Bration you can earn free product for every $50 or $100 you spend.  This is a great deal!  If you're not sure what to purchase, let me suggest that you stock up on cardstock and envelopes or purchase some of the Stampin' Blends or items that are in the Occasions Catalog.

Another way to earn Sale-A-Bration items is to purchase -pre-paid Paper Pumpkin subscriptions by March 31.

This is also a fantastic time to join my team as an Independent Demonstrator. 

If you've ever even considered joining as a demonstrator, why not try it now.  What do you have to lose?  Many demonstrators are considered Hobby Demonstrators where they enjoy the discount and don't really run it as a business.  If you want to take it the the next level, you can get share your craft at classes, workshops and/or online to build your customer following.  Either way, you become part of a wonderful community of papercrafters.  We have a FaceBook group that shares and encourages and have become like family to me.  Here's some of the team I'm on from the Stampin' Up! OnStage Convention in Utah last November. 

Fun Watercoloring With Brusho

Today I had fun playing with the Brusho Watercolor Powders and I really like how my cards turned out. It was very easy to use these powders, even if you're not an artist!

I created the background by sprinkling some of the blue Brusho powder on Watercolor Paper and then spritzed it with water.  Isn't it cool!

The butterfly is from the Beautiful Day Stamp Set.  I stamped it with Versamark and Black Archival Ink and then Heat Embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder.  Putting a drop of water on a clear bloc and sprinkling some Brusho Powder for each color gave me my palette to paint with. Using an Aqua Painter, I painted the wings of the butterfly.  

Painting and mixing colors brought me back to art class in elementary school.  I used the blue and yellow to make green.  Using the watercolor paper really allows for mixing of colors and blending. 

Take a look at the video below to see how I created these cards.

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  

Don't forget its Sale-A-Bration ends March 31, 2018. Be sure you don't miss out on earning free products for every $50 you spend.  Let me know if you need a catalog and I'd be happy to send you one.

Super Simple Epic Birthday Card!

Today's card very easy to make, its just ink and cardstock. This would be great for a guy or a teenager. The best part is this is a free set you can earn this month during Sale-A-Bration.

The background was created by stamping the guitar in Early Espresso randomly on a piece of Crumb Cake Cardstock.  I sponged the edges of the Whisper White Cardstock and added a piece of the Night of Navy Corduroy ribbon.  

The guitar makes a nice platform for the sentiment inside the card.

Take a look at the video below to see how I made it.

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  

Don't forget its Sale-A-Bration ends March 31, 2018. Be sure you don't miss out on earning free products for every $50 you spend.  Let me know if you need a catalog and I'd be happy to send you one.

Barn Door Birthday Card!

I made this card for my daughter's birthday.  She absolutely loves the barn door look.  As soon as I saw this bundle I knew I would use it to make her card and I know she will LOVE it.

It's so cool how the door slides back and forth.  You can put a sentiment or image on both sides and then slide the door to see each one.  

Here's a closer look at the hardware.  I cut out the pieces in Basic Black and then coated them with Wink of Stella.  Doesn't it look like its metal?

It looks like this would be difficult to make but it wasn't.  The card opens up like a regular card so you can write in it and add a little something (i.e. cash, check). 

Slide to the right and you get this sentiment!

Slide to the left and you see the other sentiment!

Take a look at the video to see all the steps to make this type of card.  Give it a try!!!

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  

Don't forget its Sale-A-Bration time where you can earn free products for every $50 you spend.  Let me know if you need a catalog and I'd be happy to send you one.

Beautiful Peacock, What More Can I Say!!!

Today's card features the Beautiful Peacock Stamp Set. This is a free item during Sale-A-Bration when you spend $50.  

The images included in this stamp set are so delicate and beautiful. They can be used as flourishes, without the peacock. I added a strip of the Eastern Palace Designer Series Paper. This DSP reminds me of peacocks!

I added some Rhinestones for a little sparkle. This is such a simple card but turned out to be so elegant.  

Here's what I did in the inside.

Watch the video below to see how I made this card.

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  

Don't forget its Sale-A-Bration time where you can earn free products for every $50 you spend.  Let me know if you need a catalog and I'd be happy to send you one.

Waterfront - Beautiful, Peaceful Island

Today is the last of the 3-day series featuring the Waterfront Stamp Set from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog.  This looks like a pretty, little island with the cool water and the sun shining down. Can't you just feel the warm tropical breeze?

The Pool Party water image and strip of card stock gives the cards an inviting look. I used a piece of Burlap Ribbon just to add a little texture.

One is a birthday card using the sentiments from the Picture Perfect Birthday Stamp Set. 

This card has a sweet sentiment from the Lovely Wishes Stamp Set. You can send a card like this to a special person in your life.

Take a look at today's video below.

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  

Don't forget its Sale-A-Bration time where you can earn free products for every $50 you spend.  Let me know if you need a catalog and I'd be happy to send you one.

Waterfront - Peaceful Mountain Scene

We're on day 2 of my 3-day series featuring the Waterfront Stamp Set. We went from the beach to the mountains. Doesn't this look like a watercolor painting. This set has all the pieces to pull off a beautiful scene like this.  

I used a sponge brayer to give a slight background color to the scene.  I used Marina Mist on the top 2/3rds and Pool Party on the bottom 3rd. The Brayers are so easy to use. Just a light touch and you can create a soft background.  The rest was just stamping. I layered the scene on an Early Espresso card base.  

Take a look at the video to see how to do the background and create this peaceful scene.  This card is great for a guy!

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the item below or the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  

Don't forget its Sale-A-Bration time where you can earn free products for every $50 you spend.  Let me know if you need a catalog and I'd be happy to send you one.

Waterfront - Life at the Beach

I'm featuring the Waterfront Stamp Set this week. This set is so versatile, I just love it. You can make beach or mountain or forest scenes so easily. Stay tuned the next few days to see more cards with this stamp set.

I really like how these came out, the colors make them so beachy....is that even a word :)  I used the Seaside Embossing folder with a strip of Pool Party to get the waves.  The scene was stamped on Whisper White Cardstock with a scalloped layer of Marina Mist behind it.  

This card uses a sentiment from the Waterfront Stamp Set.   I have the embossed side showing on the Pool Party strip.

The sentiment for this card is from the Perennial Birthday Stamp Set in the Occasions Catalog. I used the de-bossed side of the Pool Party strip to give it a different look.

Take a look at the video to see the steps to make these cards. 

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  Need a catalog?  Leave me a comment and I'll get one to you.

Lots of Lavender Thank You Card!

The Lots of Lavender Stamp Set is so pretty and has all the stamps needed to give a watercolored look. And you can get this set FREE during Sale-A-Bration. That's right, if you spend $50, you can get this stamp set for free. 

The nice thing about this stamp set is that there are stamps for each part of the image so you can easily add different colors, like the leaves and the bow.   

I used the Burlap Stamp for the background.  I inked it with Crumbcake and then stamped off and then stamped on Crumbcake Cardstock.  This gave it a subtle rustic look.  The sentiments are from my "go-to" set, Beautiful Bouquet.  You can change it up to a Happy Birthday or Thinking of You sentiment.

Here's the video....

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.  Need a catalog?  Leave me a comment and I'll get one to you.

Easy Peasy, Pretty Birthday Card!

Today I'll show you how to make this beautiful Birthday card.  It's quick and easy, but very pretty.

The Perennial Birthday Stamp Set has some really nice sentiments and some pretty flower images.  I used Powder Pink Cardstock and layered a strip of Marina Mist and then a pop of color from a strip of Sweet Soiree Designer Series Paper.  If you stamp using the same color ink as the cardstock, you get a watermark look.  That's what I did for the background. 

Did you notice the label.  I used the Pretty Label punch and punched one label with the sentiment on Whisper White Cardstock and then punched a second with Marina Mist Cardstock.  I cut the Marina Mist in half and then glued it to the Whisper White label to give it a border.

You can see how I did this in the video below:

If you want any of the products I've demonstrated today, just click on the Shop Now button and it will bring you to my Online Store. Please use the current Host Code when you go to checkout your order.  You can also click directly on an item to order.