Something Old, New & Blue for a Sketch

April 21, 20231 Comment

This is the great clean-out week in the Creative Juice Stampin’ Studio as I prepare for my New Catalog Carnival & BOGO Sale on May 6th!

As I was sorting through things, I found a few items that were retiring which I wanted to combine with a new bundle coming in the 2023-2025 Catalog: A piece of By the Bay Designer Series Paper and the Seashells 3-Dembossing folder. So when I saw the Freshly Made Sketch #FMS582 for the week, I knew exactly what to do!

Using a sponge dauber and my Whisper White Craft ink pad, I made the embossed background stand out a bit by rubbing the ink over the shells and seaweed, then pulled colors from the Designer Series Paper (Balmy Blue, Crumb Cake, Night of Navy and Soft Sea Foam) to use as my color palette.

If I had a “spirit shape” it would be a circle (I don’t like corners), so the Circle Saying stamp set – which coordinates with a new 2-3/8″ circle punch – was part of my first demonstrator pre-order from the new catalog, which you will be able to shop from starting May 2nd. HOWEVER, if you want to combine them with the embossing folder or pretty paper, you’ll need to snag them now in the LAST CHANCE SALE:

The Circle Sayings Bundle (photopolymer stamp set + 2-3/8″ circle punch) will be available on May 2nd, and here are the other supplies to collect NOW for this card:

Product List

Seashells 3 D Embossing Folder

$9.00

By The Bay 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

$15.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

$30.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$125.00

Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Soft Sea Foam 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill

$9.50

Sponge Daubers

$5.00

Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Real Red & Burlap Ribbon Combo Pack

$9.00

Spend Time With a Friend: TGIF Sketch

March 14, 2023Leave a comment

Yes, this is the second sketch challenge in two days, and one that I dreamed about. So to stop obsessing over it when I should be sleeping, I had to stamp it to get it off my mind.

It started with the #tgifc411 sketch last Friday:

Then I looked at my stamps and saw the Warm Welcome set on my shelf that needed some attention. The door is just so inviting and the sentiment is ideal for welcoming friends into your home, so I imagined an open door and hot cocoa.

Take a look at the Enjoy the Journey Designer Series Paper and see it in a new way: through a window or door, it makes a great background! And the patterns on the opposite sides of the scenery are fun for wallpaper or accents. I even used a piece to stamp the “Hello” sentiment on.

The Warm Welcome bundle includes all sorts of dies that make creating an open-door policy fun…and you can color the small pieces (like the hands holding the mugs) with any markers. I used Stampin’ Blends (not listed in the supplies), but the images are tiny enough a Stampin’ Write marker would work as well.

Don’t miss the new BASICS 3D Embossing Folders (new to my online store); as a set of 3, you can choose from flowers, hobnail-glass dots or this very nice crosshatch design. It gave the background a subtle texture that helped pull the design together. Surely these patterns will be showing up in my crafting often.

Send this card to a friend and invite them over to craft and chill sometime!

Product List

Warm Welcome Bundle (English)

$50.25

Enjoy The Journey 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

$8.75

Sahara Sand 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Soft Succulent 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Polished Pink Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

$30.00

Basics 3 D Embossing Folders

$30.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$125.00

Three Twine Combo Pack

$7.50

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

$4.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Mini Glue Dots

$5.25

Sometimes it helps to see a few more samples with a stamp set, so here are some with the Warm Welcome bundle:

Radiating Stitches In Color Birthday Card

March 13, 2023March 13, 20231 Comment

Have you taken the time to explore the new Online Exclusives in my Stampin’ Up! Store? Some things have been so popular, they are already backordered and we are waiting for more!

One new item I wanted to share with you is the Radiating Stitches Dies…these cutting tools will take ANY stamps you already have and give them a pretty frame or add a bit of whimsy with a layer of “stitching” around the edges of your layers:

I chose to follow the Freshly Made Sketch #576 during my Live Crafting today and used two In Color Combinations to demonstrate the versatility of starting with a sketch, and the ease of using a combination of colors curated in a color “family”.

It happens that from today through Mid-April, I have 10 family birthdays (and about 15 friend and team birthdays) to celebrate, so this was an opportunity to get prepared!

This version I turned sideways and used the 2022-2024 In Colors as my palette. A sketch can be turned any which-way!

And this card followed the portrait layout of the original sketch, plus I used a base of Very Vanilla with my colors from the (retiring) 2021-2023 In Colors. All supplies listed below to make it easy to add to your cart!

Product List

Radiating Stitches Dies

$30.00

A Grand Kid Cling Stamp Set (English)

$21.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$125.00

Parakeet Party 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Starry Sky 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Orchid Oasis 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Sweet Sorbet 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Tahitian Tide 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.25

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.25

Soft Succulent 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Fresh Freesia 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Evening Evergreen 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Polished Pink 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Pale Papaya 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Starry Sky Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Tahitian Tide Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Evening Evergreen Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Fresh Freesia Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

2022 2024 In Color Matte Decorative Dots

$8.00

Iridescent Rhinestones Basic Jewels

$7.50

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Stampin' Seal+

$12.00

Sending Healing Thoughts

January 14, 2023Leave a comment

We are in the mid-winter months, when illness seems to linger just around the corner and we take our vitamins in the hopes that we can stave off a cold or flu. But when someone does fall sick, a message of love and support can let in a little ray of sunshine.

The In the Country Sale-a-Bration stamp set is a “sleeper” you may have overlooked, but it’s truly so artistic, it makes you look fancy. My image is watercolored on watercolor paper (go ahead and let the colors run together!) and I love that you can add any sentiment you already have to these drawings!

I paired my image with another Sale-a-Bration product, the Dainty Flowers Designer Series Paper. Originally I had thought to use some of the delicate floral patterns, but as I was putting my card together, I felt that the Starry Sky lattice design was the best choice.

Apparently TGIF Challenge designer Kayla McCreadie had the same thoughts for #TGIFC403, for you can see her take on the sketch using the same stamp here; isn’t it nice to have two ideas to use?

Will the “In the Country” set be a product you earn free before February 28th? Unleash your inner-artist and set the scene for any occasion with this exclusive offering you could choose complimentarily with a $50 order.

Product List

In The Country Cling Stamp Set

$19.00

Inspired Thoughts Cling Stamp Set

$19.00

Dainty Flowers 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.00

Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper

$9.00

Jet Black Stāzon Ink Pad

$10.00

Tailor Made Tags Dies

$22.00

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$63.00

Water Painters

$13.00

Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Starry Sky Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Gold & Vanilla 3/8" (1 Cm) Satin Edged Ribbon

$8.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Holy Guacamole, It’s Your Birthday!

December 20, 2022December 20, 2022Leave a comment

Do you ever get overwhelmed with all the options in your craft room? This quote, which I heard on a podcast recently, really resonated with me, and for crafters, it’s GOOD ADVICE:

“Creativity THRIVES on LIMITATIONS” – Sarah Jane Wright

It got me thinking about what helps me to be creative, and she was correct: When I have parameters to work within, I’m always more productive and imaginative! For instance, a card sketch is a limitation:

A sketch constrains you to stay within the prescribed boundaries, with a few options for making it your own, as I did by twisting the background for the Global Design Project sketch #gdp374 a bit for my card:

I also “limited” myself to (mostly) the 2022-2024 In Colors as my color palette. It seemed the best choice for a FIESTA!

I “sprinkled” the images from the Taco Fiesta stamp set (item #167032, available 1/5/2023) across the glimmer paper 2-3/4″ square to capture the feeling of a party (with chips & guac). You can watch the creation of the card in my video replay:

Product List

Hues Of Happiness 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.00

2022–2024 In Color 6″ X 6″ (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Glimmer Paper

$12.00

Sweet Sorbet 8 1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock

$9.25

Parakeet Party 8 1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock

$9.25

Tahitian Tide 8 1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock

$9.25

Crushed Curry 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock

$9.25

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

$6.00

Sweet Sorbet Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Orchid Oasis Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Parakeet Party Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Soft Suede Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Tahitian Tide Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

2022–2024 In Color Baker’s Twine Pack

$15.00

Stampin’ Dimensionals

$4.25

Basics Embossing Powders

$18.00

Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill

$9.50

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

$30.00

An Apple A Day

September 13, 2022Leave a comment

…keeps the boredom away! The Apple Harvest bundle is sure to inspire your creativity as it has mine; To be honest, the stamp set from the July-December catalog wasn’t really on my radar at first, but when the Perfect Partners Promotion introduced coordinating dies for the Apples, I perked up and paid attention! Fair warning: You may be feasting on many apple-inspired projects over the next few weeks.

Thanks to the #tgifc385 sketch, this was an idea that woke me up at 3 am:

Aside from the dies that cut out the apple images, there are LOTS of leaves (making it easier to cut out many at one time), a branch, different sizes of flowers that can be used on their own, a long label (I cut mine down to fit the THANKS sentiment), and my favorite: A double scallop! The scallop can cut a scalloped edge or a fine detail…like I used on my card.

Also being used a LOT in my current projects are the Iridescent Rhinestone Jewels…they pick up whatever color you stick them on and add a rainbow sparkle. Who can resist that?

There’s my inspiration – and to get you inspired, check out ALL the Perfect Partners pairings…but don’t hesitate! The coordinating dies (and thus, the bundles at a discount) are only available during September 2022 (or while supplies last).

Product List

Apple Harvest Bundle (English)

$53.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.25

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Gingham Cottage 12" X 12" (30,5 X 30,5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$30.00

Stitched Greenery Die

$32.00

Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Shaded Spruce Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$9.00

Bronze Stampin' Blends Marker

$4.50

Iridescent Rhinestones Basic Jewels

$7.50

Linen Thread

$5.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$125.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Mini Glue Dots

$5.25

Start with a Sketch: Sweet Candy Canes

August 15, 2022Leave a comment

If your stumped about how to start a card, start with a sketch!

On my Facebook Live Lunchtime Crafting video today, I followed the #tgifc381 sketch:

And here is the card I created, using the Sweet Candy Canes bundle:

Following a sketch really gets me excited because you can start with what you have and make something completely unique!

Product List

Sweet Candy Canes Bundle (English)

$51.25

Sweetest Christmas 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.00

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.25

Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Regals Stampin' Write Markers

$30.00

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$63.00

Linen Thread

$5.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Mini Glue Dots

$5.25

Stampin' Seal

$8.00

With You I’m Never Lost

June 11, 2022Leave a comment

Cody and I recently returned from a 6+ week road trip back to see our kids and grandkids in Maryland. He joked that we planned to drive out together, but if things didn’t go well, one of us could fly home 😂 Luckily, we did remarkably well, and enjoyed discovering so many amazing places across the US:

It seems fitting for our relationship that he’s the person I love to “get lost” with– but with him, I’m home.

This week’s #gdp346 sketch from the Global Design Project blog was perfect for a card I’m going to save for our Anniversary:

Cody teases me that “every day is an adventure” together, so the compass stamp was fitting. I LOVE the die cut pieces in the Designer Series Paper and I used one of them as the focal point.

Product List

He's All That Cling Stamp Set (English)

$22.00

He's The Man 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

$15.00

Sahara Sand 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Soft Succulent 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$9.25

Soft Succulent Classic Stampin' Pad

$8.00

Black & White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Gingham Ribbon

$7.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Stampin' Seal

$8.00

Shake & Shine at Christmas Time

November 12, 2021December 31, 2021Leave a comment

The first idea that came to mind was a shaker card when I saw the #tgifc342 sketch, and the second idea was that it would be lovely in the #gdp317 color challenge:

I am participating in Stampin’ Up!’s virtual convention #onstageathome so as I was listening to a class, I had time to put my ideas to paper, so to speak!

I used Faux Snow from Dollar Tree inside my shaker and colored the white seam binding ribbon with my dark Mint Macaron Stampin’ Blend marker. Sometimes you have to pull pieces from multiple stamp sets to create what you imagined in your head, so the. sentiment is from the Banner Year stamp set (all supplies listed below) and stars came from the beloved Seasons of Fun set (remember to choose it as part of your host rewards when your order is over $150).

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all my stamping friends who have supported my business. I earned the following awards this year and it’s all courtesy of your friendship and loyalty. YOU are the best reward I could ever ask for!

Product List

Perfectly Plaid Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

158335

$17.00

Banner Year Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

153464

$17.00

156576

$12.00

138337

$8.75

131198

$8.75

159276

$9.75

Whimsy & Wonder 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

156329

$15.00

151770

$35.00

142314

$5.00

147106

$7.50

153118

$7.50

Whisper White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon

151326

$7.50

154889

$9.00

154289

$7.50

141825

$8.00

103683

$5.25

144108

$4.00

110755

$4.00

Wild Time Crafting

August 28, 2021Leave a comment

I’m attending a virtual leadership event this weekend with Stampin’ Up! demonstrators from around the world and as I listen, I’m also able to do a little stamping!

I’m combining the #tgif331 Inspiration Challenge with the #CCMC679 sketch for my card showcasing the Counting Sheep stamp set and Sheep Dies…both of which you could earn free during Sale-a-Bration!

You could get most of these products FREE by hosting an online party before September 30th (I don’t have any open in-person dates left, sorry) or placing a $150 order and choosing the stamps, dies and Designer Series Paper as a host! Book early, as the sheep dies are only available while supplies last!

Product List