What are the chances!?

When Linda tucked a piece of Watercolour paper in her kit, three out of five of us chose the same stamp set to watercolour! Two are even the same image!

Linda also challenged us with the Tulle, at least me! I'm the one that couldn't ruffle it and ended up with a flower/bird's nest... Seems I also lost my Crochet Trim, since all the other's have it.

In the end, they are all lovely.

Happy Stamping!
Carol

The Strength of Pastels

Sandi's card kit included some beautiful, but retired, DSP (does anyone know the name?), plus Designer Series Paper Pack in Baja Breeze, card stock in Very Vanilla and Old Olive, and Victoria Crochet Trim and Linen Thread. She also included the punched Circle and punched Scallop Circle.

I think this is the most similar set we came up with, and I'm not sure if it's because of the colours, or the circles. What do you think?

Happy Stamping!
Carol

The results of Maree's 'card kit'.

Today we are looking at the cards designed with Maree's card kit.

She sent each of us DSP from the Orchard Harvest pack, plus card stock in Island Indigo, Early Espresso,and Whisper White. She also included a button, and a piece of Linen Thread.

Here are the results:

You can see strong elements that tie them all together - the button, the small section of green DSP, and the thread - but yet they are all really different.

Tomorrow we'll take a look at the results of Sandi's card kit.

Happy Stamping!
Carol

Louise's Great Idea

As part of our Atlantic Stampers Ink team we take turns choosing a theme for a swap each month. You may have noticed  in other posts where we've used a colour inspiration, or season, or stamp set, and then we design a card and send one to each of our team members. It's lots of fun to receive 'real mail' in our mailboxes and we look forward to it every month.

Last month it was Louise's turn, and she had a fabulous idea! She suggested that we send a 'card kit' - including card stock, Designer Series Paper, and embellishments - to each member. Then each person would create a card using the supplies and bring them to our quarterly meeting.

Well! It was challenging, inspiring, fun, and exciting. And what a thrill to see how each of us interpreted the supplies in different ways! In the next few posts I will show you all five sets that resulted from the challenge. But today - in honour of her idea - we'll start with Louise's.

She sent us a collection of  cardstock - More Mustard, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, along with some beautiful retired DSP, a paper clip and a metal frame.

Here is what resulted:

Someone (who shall remain nameless!!) :0) got carried away with the Early Espresso Tulle, but otherwise, the top three cards are quite similar considering we had no idea what the others would be doing.

Be sure to check back and see the other results!

Happy Stamping
Carol

The Twelve Weeks of Christmas for 2012!

Only one week to go! The first mailing takes place next Wednesday at 1pm!

I'm so pleased to be offering the Twelve Weeks of Christmas Program again for the third year as my gift to you.

I'm planning to WOW you with ideas and samples of new cards, gifts, tags, bags, and wrap to help you enjoy preparing for your Christmas celebration.

You can look forward to receiving a new email each Wednesday from October 3rd to December 19th with ideas and instructions to inspire and motivate you to enjoy your holiday preparations.

However, to receive the Twelve Weeks of Christmas emails you must be on my mailing list by Wednesday, October 3 at 1 pm. (Those of you already on my list will automatically receive the mailings every Wednesday). You can sign up by simply adding your email to the Mailing List box in the column on the right.

The Holiday Season is a time for joy and celebration and I'm so glad I can share a gift with you through the Twelve Weeks of Christmas Program.

Happy Stamping!
Carol

September Hostess Club

Our 2012-2013 Hostess Club started this month and I'm really excited to be working with a wonderful group of ladies. We have nine in our group and each person takes a turn hostessing the meeting at their home and collecting the Hostess benefits. It's a great way to build up your supplies and have fun at the same time!

Each month we make three cards using new products, designs, or techniques and I wanted to share the cards we made this month:

This card is based on a design by Sandi MacIver.

This card was inspired by Sage Kimble - I really like the pop of Lucky Limeade.

And this card was my own creation using the pocket card design. I could be used as a regular Christmas card, as a Christmas invitation, or you could even attach a gift card to the pull-out section for an extra surprise!

If you think you and your friends might be interested in starting a Hostess club in the Truro area, just give me a call or zap me an email!

Happy Stamping
Carol

Hallowe'en Treats

I'm going to let you in on a little secret... my husband loves candy... You may say 'big deal', but the thing is he can eat candy until it comes out of his ears and he doesn't gain a pound!!! I've been married to him for 40 years this fall and he's gained less than 10 pounds since I've met him. (Yes, I cook meals!)

Meanwhile, I just have to think about chocolate and I gain 5 pounds (and I've thought about chocolate a lot!!)

Anyway, the reason for this big admission is that I had to steal this candy from him to take photos and he was hunting it down even as the camera was flashing!!

I just wanted to show you how I used the Bootiful Occasions Stamp set to make a tag, along with the Owl punch. It just doesn't have the same impact without a bag of candy to go with it.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, Naturals White 
Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade, White Gel Pen
Accessories: Two Tag Die, Owl Builder Punch, 2 1/2" Round punch, 1 3/4" Round punch, Basic Gray 1/4 stitched grosgrain ribbon.

Happy Stamping!
Carol

Easy card with LOTS of sparkle!

It's hard to stay away from the new Christmas stamps and dies so I simply gave up!!

Today's card uses the new Bigz die "Snow Flurry" and as I sit at my desk typing I can see it sparkling in the sun - just like the sunny day after a winter snow storm!

The card base is 5" x 10". TIP: When you use this much of the glimmer paper for a mat, be sure to cut out the centre where it doesn't show! I used one of the larger Window Frame Framelits dies, and now I have it for another project.

The corner details are made by cutting the 'sprouts' from the medium sized snowflake in the Snow Flurry die.

I used a 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" square of Whisper White, embossed it first and then punched with the corner and border punches.

This card went together in about 10 minutes, and here are the products I used:

Cardstock: Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
Embossing Folder: Lacy Brocade (p. 6 of Holiday Mini, #127819  $9.95)
Miscellaneous: Rhinestones, Scallop Trim Border punch, Scallop Trim Corner punch.

Hope you like it!

Happy Stamping!
Carol

Monochromatic Triple Time Stamping

Hello!

I have a card using the Triple Time Stamping technique to share with you today. It's a popular technique at the moment, and so easy and fun to do!

Here is my interpretation:

The colours I used are Pretty in Pink (ink) and Regal Rose (ink and card stock). The ribbon is the 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain in Pretty in Pink.

I used three different stamp sets for this card. The background is En Francais, the flowers are from the Fabulous Florets set, and the sentiment is from Kindness Matters.

If you would like to see a video tutorial on how to make a card like this one, check out Dawn Olchefske's blog here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping
Carol

You're Invited to the SUDSOL Blog Tour!

Hello Everyone - I'm so glad you've stopped by on the tour! I've got some easily demonstrable projects to show you!

All of the projects are made with product found in the Holiday Mini Catalogue.

The first is a card box, and I found the tutorial on the SUDSOL site (there are tons of tutorials, templates, and ideas there and many of them are unique to SUDSOL).

I wanted a box that would hold quite a few cards and this one will hold 20 simple cards and envelopes or 12-15 cards and envelopes that have several layers and embellishments.

It's a sturdy box too as it has 3 layers of cardstock on each side and top and bottom. 

I plan to make another 'year round' box and fill it with a variety of cards for a Christmas Gift.

Here are two matching cards to go inside

 

I love this Scentsational Season Stamp Set and the matching Holiday Collection Framelits Dies. 

Supplies used: Big Shot, Holiday Collection Framelits Dies, Scentsational Season, Snow Festival Designer Series Paper, Greetings of the Season Stamp Set, Champagne Glimmer Paper.

 

The next card uses the Frosty Friends Single Stamp. They are such a happy group of snowmen I couldn't resist them!

 This card would be easy to use at a workshop as there isn't a lot of colouring but it would give participants a chance to try out the Marvelous Markers.

And of course they need some glitter!

Supplies Used: Frosty Friends Stamp Set, More Merry Messages, Snow Festival Designer Series Paper, Basic Black and Whisper White Card Stock, Markers: Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue, Dazzling Details.

Finally I have two tags I want to share.

These tags use the No Peeking Stamp Set, another adorable and versatile set.

Supplies Used: Big Shot, Two Tags Die, Snow Festival DSP, No Peeking Stamp Set, VersaMark, White Embossing Powder, Black Embossing Powder, Dimensionals, Gumball Green Stitched Ribbon, White Organza Ribbon, White Baker's Twine.

If you're a Stampin' Up! Demo I encourage you to check out SUDSOL, and you can sign up for a two week Trial FOR FREE! 

It's a wonderful, supportive, demo community that loves to share ideas and help out with business questions and concerns. Plus all the tutorials, templates, business info, samples, etc. etc. etc. Check it out and see for yourself!



 



I hope you enjoyed your visit, and come back again soon!

Happy Stamping!
Carol

CONTINUE on the Blog Tour
Melissa Hedine-Tootle	Leanne Gorsuch

Rubber Boots

Hello!

I have discovered there are many names for what we Nova Scotians call "Rubber Boots"... Names like Gum Boots, Galoshes, Wellies (Wellingtons), Rain Boots. Whatever you want to call them, the boots in this tag made by Maree are cuter than any I've worn!

Maree (www.inkymoose.com) is all about the details - and I love how she has pierced the sun and cloud, and her choice of background paper!

These boots are from the Bootiful Occasions Stamp Set, and the background paper is from Comfort Cafe.

If you have another name for Rubber Boots please let me know!

And don't forget the upcoming SUDSOL Blog Tour!

There are 25 blogs on tour so you will see lots of samples filled with inspiration for you! I'm lucky #13 so be sure to visit on Thursday, September 6!

Happy Stamping!
Carol

Back to "Spool" Time!

My next order is going in on September 4th - just contact me with your order before then!!

Happy Stamping!
Carol

Carol's Card Kits To Go! September Kit

This month's Card Kit to Go! 

 is a set of three whimsical Christmas Cards 

and three Card Tags.

Quick and easy, but sure to bring a smile! 

Why should you order them?

If you have a hard time attending classes, prefer to do your card making in your Pj's, or just want to make one card at a time, these kits are for you.

- If you want to get together with two or three friends during lunch time at the office, or at home on the weekend, these kits are for you.

- If you want to make a set of cards but don't have all the papers, die cuts, embellishments, or embossing folders, these kits are for you.

- These kits are also for you if you want to give a gift to a crafting friend or relative.

What you will find in your kit*:

ALL the card stock and Designer Series Paper you will need to complete the project – already cut to size and scored if necessary!!

EVERYTHING requiring die cuts, embossing folders, punches, etc. has already been done!

ALL of the brads, buttons, ribbons, and other embellishments are included!

A PDF of DIRECTIONS AND PHOTOS (11 pages, 32 photos) to help you complete the projects.

You need only use your own favourite adhesive, ink and stamps*

If you wish to purchase the die cuts, embossing folders and other products that I used, you will find a list included with the Pdf.

Stamp sets and ink to match the kit:

Stamps: More Merry Messages (#126400 W, $40.95; #126402 C, $30.95)

Ink: Gumball Green Classic Ink Pad (#126861 $7.25) Raspberry Ripple (#126859 $7.25)

*As an Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator I am not permitted to sell unfinished stamped images.

The cost for this kit including 

3 Cards, 3 Card Tags, and 
an 11 page Pdf with instructions is

$25.00 

If you wish to purchase the Pdf with Instructions only

$7.50

Happy Stamping!

Carol