Pat's Stampin' Place

The Look of Toile With Elements of Style...!

One of my favorite stamp sets, Elements of Style, thankfully will be around for another year! I have loved this set from the first time I saw it.  Remember when we had the Toile background stamps? Well, this is a look back at that design. The idea came from one of our recent Stampin' Success Magazines. (I always look forward to that--it's only for demonstrators---hint, hint...)  

This look is achieved by inking first in a light color (Daffodil Delight) and then taking a Stampin' Write Marker (Tangerine Tango) and highlighting portions of the flowers -- just a random look -- so each card would be different. I've added some Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon, a few score lines from the Simply Scored tool, and a sentiment. I'm not sure you can see it here, but one sentiment was stamped with the NEW firm foam ink pad, and the other was with the old style. There is a huge difference--and the old style was reinked just before I used it. What a difference.  The new style is definitely more crisp. Can't wait 'till you can see the difference for yourself!  Be sure to watch the video HERE to see all about the new style of ink pad!  Enjoy...!

 

Stamps: Elements of Style, Perfectly Penned. Ink: Early Espresso. Paper: Whisper White. Baja Breeze (butterfly).  Accessories: Big Shot:  Wonderful Wings Embosslit. Stampin' Write Markers: Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango; Simply Scored; Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Shimmer Spray (shimmer paint with alcohol).

 

 

 

Only Three Days Left and NEW INK PADS!

I can't believe only three days are left for the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.  It's hard to believe.  I guess it's because this catalog only lasted 11 months instead of the usual 12. I know you will like the new look and all the new stuff inside! Did you know there are newly designed ink pads? They are a "firm foam" instead of fabric and won't get little strings on them.  There is definitely a learning curve to using them as there will be no more "smooshing" to get a good impression.  They are fabulous...!  Here is a video that tells you all about them.  No--you do not need to get new ink pads, but when it's time to replace any, this is what you will receive.

 

You can still place an order HERE until Thursday night and then those stamps will have to say "bye, bye."

Trifold Birthday Card

Good morning everybody!  Finally have had the opportunity to create a card for my good friend, Fran, who is celebrating a birthday tomorrow. Of course, I obsess and want the card to be perfect...! Quite a while back I saw a trifold card and thought it would be perfect with our new Labels Framelit dies for the Big Shot.  These have been carried over from the Occasions Mini!  WOO HOO! This is how the card turned out. I'll give some directions and dimensions below.  Oh--and the envelope was made with the Simply Scored tool and the diagonal plate.  

I got the directions from a video on Splitcoast Stampers and modified it to suit my project with the Framelit.  The card uses a piece of 5 1/2" x 11 5/8" piece of card stock.  It's scored at 4 3/4" and 8 1/2" which leaves a 5/8" border on the side. (Note the score lines using the Simply Scored tool)!  I placed the Framelit in the center section and then marked the cardstock on the opposite side to make sure the flower image would be positioned correctly.  The stamp sets used will be retired in just a week -- the flowers are from the Simply Soft hostess set, and Wish Big is from one of my favorites:  Short & Sweet.

There are a couple of other things going on with this project, too -- like the new Bitty Banners Framelits shown on the front of the card.  This is going to be the Workshop WOW for my June workshops -- that means only the hostess gets this card.  Get on my calendar soon and get your NEW catalog, too! Enjoy...!

Need something before the current catalog retires?  Just click on the link below and head over to my Stampin' Up! website!

 

 

 

A Milestone Birthday and Catalogs...!

Good morning -- thanks for stopping by.  Hopefully I'll get back on track over the next several days and get back to regular blogging...! First of all, the 2012-2013 Catalogs have arrived.  I was so happy to see the brown truck pull up yesterday and drop them off. The new catalog is fabulous--you will love the fresh new look even though it is just a bit smaller than past catalogs. I've even used one of the new DSP patterns on today's card, and here it is:  

My grandson is turning 20 on Saturday.  Now let me tell you--he may be getting older, but I sure don't know where all those years went.  It has been a joy watching him grow to be a fine young man and I am so proud of him. I found this card idea on another blog--so it is shamelessly cased from Jill Hilliard. It's so clever I just had to recreate it with a few changes because I don't have everything she used on her card.

Zane's Birthday Card! Happy Happy!!

The designer paper is a new one called Comfort Cafe that I got in my sneek peek order.  I love it because there are options for masculine cards as you see on this pattern. The background in Early Espresso has a diamond pattern using the Simply Scored diagonal score plate (LOVE IT)!!!  The whole card is mounted on Crumb Cake. I used the Blossom Builder Punch for the flames on the "candles" -- now that is so clever.  I'm sure he will love "blowing" them out!!  The sentiment is from a retired set (can't remember which one) that I use for narrow places!  Enjoy, and please stop back soon for more creations...!

Announcing MDS 2! Late 2012??

I am so excited that an updated version of My Digital Studio is on the horizon!  Watch this video and learn about some of the great new features that we can expect.  I'm excited already!  Even though they are saying "late" 2012, it might just be sooner than later...!  Now would be a great time to get the current version  and then the upgrade for only $19.95 when it becomes available.   

Thanks for stopping by...I'm off to create--finally!

 

 

It's Been a LONG Time...

since I bought a new car! My mind has been focused elsewhere for the past few weeks.  I knew the day was coming when I would be forced to buy a car.  Not that I don't just love having a new car--I just didn't want to have to pay for it!  :)  But my wonderful 2000 Honda Accord was starting to be a money pit and the time was right...!  So now maybe I can get back to business at hand and work my Stamping business!  

New Car...! WOO HOO!

Today marks the countdown to the new Catalog.  It seems strange to be a whole month earlier while scrambling to end the catalog year on a high note.  There is time to schedule a workshop or catalog show and snag those things before they are gone.  Check the right side bar for the lists. I've seen a sneak peek of many of the new things, and I think you will be happy to see them, too.  The new In Colors for 2012-2013 are delightful; however, I'm sad that we won't have a true PURPLE with the passing of Concord Crush.  If you want some of those products--get them while you can.  As you know, retiring accessories are only available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!  

Thanks for stopping by -- I'll catch you soon with some new creations that will focus on the sets that won't be here much longer...!

 

 

 

 

It's Here....soon-to-be retired ACCESSORIES

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO GO THERE NOW!

Hi Everybody -- Today is the day that Stampin' Up! has released the accessories that will be retiring in the upcoming catalog.  As you know, that catalog will be just a bit smaller, AND lots of things will be reconfigured...!  With that said, this list is HUGE!  Don't panic, though -- there are some great deals there for you, and if you have been waiting to purchase, this will be the time before these products are gone.  As for the ink pads--DON'T PANIC ON THIS ONE!!  They are being changed to a new hard foam base--the colors will remain the same!  I won't be replacing my ink pads any time soon and will only have a few of the new ones to show--perhaps in the new In Colors...! 

I'm off to a meeting and then to look at buying a new car (UGH), so I better get this off to you now.  Here is a link to the list or the image above.  As always--products on this list are AS SUPPLIES LAST!  SOME ARE DISCOUNTED, SO THEY WILL GO FAST...!

 

My Digital Studio Hybrid in 5 x 7...!

Hi Everybody -- You might have guessed I've been spending more time at the computer than in  my "Stamp Studio."  As mentioned before, I'm doing an online My Digital Studio class, and the challenges are daily! Some days I just need to step away from the computer and get busy with my house chores...easier said than done!  Anyway, I thought  you would like to see today's project which is a hybrid card from a recent download called The Earth Laughs in Flowers. It's a "printable" design, which means it's designed to be a framed project.  I knew it could be made into a card, but to do all the elements justice, the card needs to be bigger than the traditional 5 1/2 x 4 1/4.  How did I get that to work without losing the shape of the 11 x 8 1/2 size?  By saving the whole image as a jpeg and then importing it into a 5x7 photo box--worked like a charm. I removed the Earth Laughs text and added my own greeting.

Now to the envelope! With the new Simply Scored diagonal plate, envelopes can be made for ANY SIZE card following instructions from Michael Funke's Site HERE!  Click on the Mike's Minute link to find the video.  It's amazing.  Now I can have a Designer Paper envelope to match any card, no matter what the size.

NEWS FLASH!  DO CHECK BACK TOMORROW, APRIL 25 TO SEE THE LIST OF RETIRING ACCESSORIES!  

 

The Earth Laughs in Flowers Digital Download

My Digital Studio: More Magic...!

Hi Everybody -- Well, I have no excuses for not posting recently, so I'll just jump in with today's project. It was a "labor of love" -- but gave me an opportunity to learn some new techniques with My Digital Studio.  I signed up for an online class with Heather Summers, a very bright young lady from Canada. It is absoutely amazing.  There is a technique video (or sometimes two) each day for a month.

I thought I knew a lot about this program, but I'm finding my skills are sorely lacking!  Consequently I've been spending a lot of time with the laptop so I can share some of the ideas with you. This technique is called COLORED SQUARES.  Once I got the hang of it, it was "smooth sailing."  I know you've seen this picture before of my lovely grand daughter, Grace.  This is such an easy picture to work with and brings back great memories of our trip to Kansas last fall.  

 

Grace at Emporia, KS Zoo; October, 2011

 

Retired List is Released...!

 

Hundreds of stamps and accessories from the 2011-2012 catalogs are retiring, and this your chance to get them before they're gone. Many products are only available while supplies last, so be sure to get your orders in early!

When you view the retiring stamps list, you may notice it's longer than in years past. During this transition to the new annual catalog, there are a higher number of stamps being refreshed and replaced than usual. While many stamps are going away, most are being replaced so that the breadth of our stamp lines is every bit as broad as ever!

Watch as Shelli shares her thoughts on retiring and upcoming stamp sets and a practical way to approach all of the exciting changes this time of year brings. 

 

 

After watching the Video, Click HERE to see the list and then make your wish list of favorite stamps that will be gone at the end of May!  I have plenty of open spaces on my calendar so you can take advantage of this wonderful promotion before they are gone!  

The accessories list will be posted on April 25...!