Have you noticed the This Little Piggy Stamp Set (item 143922) in the annual catalog (US/CA)? If you are anything like me, it did not take you long to add it to your wish list.

I happen to know lots of people who love pigs, including my brother, who inherited the “piggy” nickname when he was little. My husband also loves them with a passion.

Needless to say, I could not pass up on getting this stamp set. So without further ado, let me show you what I created!

I love the flying pig and the little kisses from this set, so I started by putting together a Cupid-themed card, with a pig in place of the cherub.

If you like background stamps but aren’t sure how to use them, here’s an idea: stamp the image on Vellum 8-1/2″ Cardstock using VersaMark ink (item 102283) and heat emboss with the powder of your choice. The patterns really stand out and the Vellum Cardstock adds a wonderful touch to your project. I used the Tree Rings Background Stamp with the wood rings. (I love the circles of various sizes!)

For the circle embellishment, die cut the biggest one from the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (item 145372) and use the new Pattern Party Decorative Masks (item 144103) and a Stamping Sponge (item 141337) or a Sponge Dauber (item 133773) to make the clouds. By moving the mask and sponging, you’ll get a sky full of clouds. (Try to make the clouds on top a little darker.)

I wanted a rounded shape for my gift tag, so I used only half of the Stitched Shapes Framelits large oval and ran my cardstock through the Big Shot (item 143263); in keeping with the theme, I added a hole using one of the cloud dies from the Up & Away Thinlits Dies (item 142748). For the background, I used the new Marbled Background Stamp (item 144772).

Do you like the 1/4″ Copper Trim (item 144179)? I don’t know if it’s possible to appreciate its true beauty by just looking at the catalog, but the mesh trim gives you all kinds of different options. Here I stretched the wiring to create a little copper net. Fast and easy!

I considered two different types of paper for stamping the pigs: Shimmery White Cardstock (item 101910) or Watercolor Paper (item 122959) (used on the project). In general, I prefer Watercolor Paper, but the shimmer of the cardstock can really add a nice touch to small surfaces like the pigs. It’s just a matter of personal preference.

Here’s another tip for background stamps, which are large and tricky to handle: ink the whole surface (or part of it) with the ink pad, then place the paper on the part of the image you’re interested in. Use your fingers to apply pressure on the whole surface without moving the paper. It’s that simple!

For the gift packaging, I created a Whisper White Cardstock (item 100730) pocket using the Gift Bag Punch Board (item 135862) (size M/ 6″ tall). To get more volume, I played with the 1/4″ Copper Trim bows to make them wider. I wanted to make the pig look as if he were leaping, so I cut out the grass and placed it all around him.

We should always keep embellishments in mind when finishing projects. I used the new Metallics Sequin Assortment (item 144214) to add shine. As for the small hearts, they come from the Everyday Jars Thinlits Dies (item 141490).

Those little piggies seem so blissful! I hope they will make you as happy as they make me!

Have a nice day!

Aurélie FABRE
2017 Artisan Design Team

Hello, stamping friends! It’s Rochelle Blok here coming to you all the way from Melbourne, Australia. I’m so very excited to be showing you my creation today and the love (obsession) that I have with the ribbons that Stampin’ Up! has to offer this year in the new annual catalog (US/CA).

If you’ve been following me on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll know that my first order from the annual catalog was pretty much all Stampin’ Up!’s new ribbons. Swoon!!! They’re just stunning and I for one am a very happy girl with what they’re offering. There’s something for everyone and every occasion. So with that I’ve made two ribbon photo mobiles and accented them with the Daisy Delight Stamp Set (item 143669) and the Daisy Punch (item 143713).

I made the blue version first and then thought: Why not make a pink one, too? My original idea when I first started thinking about this mobile was to create a blue one and accent it with the Daisy Delight Bundle (item 145361).

Making the mobile is pretty straight forward.  Find a stick from your backyard, cut it to the desired length, and sand it down with some sandpaper until you get your desired look and feel. Cut the ribbon to the desired length. I just measured three times the Stampin’ Up! Grid Paper (item 130148) for the length of each ribbon. This ended up being 3.9 feet for each length. I then found the middle of each length and tied the ribbon on to the stick.

Once all the ribbon is on, you then decorate and embellish it how you want. I cut some Designer Series Paper and cardstock to the size of a Polaroid photo so I could clip it to the ribbons later with the new Gold Library Clips (item 144130)—or you could use the Gold Binder Clips (item 141673).

The blue version was inspired by the colors in the Delightful Daisy Designer Series Paper (item 144137). The ribbon colors for the pink version came from a picture of a baby blanket that I saved on Pinterest because I love the color combination so much. I did try to use this color combination for another creation a while back but I just couldn’t get it quite right. I think it looks stunning in this instance, though. I may be a bit biased, however!

The ribbons used here from left to right:  Daffodil Delight 1/4″ Double-Stitched Ribbon (item 144116); Night of Navy 1/2″ Gingham Ribbon (item 144232); Pool Party 3/8″ Shimmer Ribbon (item 144152); Whisper White 3/8″ Classic Weave Ribbon (item 144159); Old Olive 3/8″ Mini Chevron Ribbon (item 144196); Linen Thread (item 104199); and Night of Navy 5/8″ Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon (item 144189). I just love the array of color!!

On some of the “Polaroids” I added some Gold Glimmer Paper (item 133719) hearts to make it a bit more pretty. The heart comes from the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies (item 137547). When making this project I realized that I don’t have any heart Framelits except that one. Time to rectify that!

I stamped four of the daisy images from the Daisy Delight Stamp Set in Daffodil Delight ink (item 126944) on Shimmery White Cardstock (item 101910). I then punched them out using the Daisy Punch. Tip: To give each daisy a fuller, more realistic look, bend each petal back by running the side of the Bone Folder (item 102300) along the back of the petal. (This breaks up the fibers in the cardstock a little.)

Once the petals are curled, adhere two of the daisies together with Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755) to make a fuller daisy. For the daisy centers, I stamped on Daffodil Delight Cardstock (item 119683) with Daffodil Delight ink, punched them out using the 1/2″ Circle Punch (item 119869), then glued the punched circles to the flower centers. So that the “white” parts of the petal didn’t look so stark, I used a Blender Pen (item 126185) to pull a light wash of ink over the petal.

Don’t you just love the colors in the pink version? This one I thought I might give to my daughter to hang in her room and then she can add photos of her friends as she wants. I used the following ribbons from left to right: Calypso Coral 1/4″ Ombre Ribbon (item 144235); Basic Black 3/8″ Shimmer Ribbon (item 144129); Powder Pink 1/2″ Finely Woven Ribbon (item 144134); Peekaboo Peach 5/8″ Crinkle Seam Binding Ribbon (item 144192); Basic Black Solid Baker’s Twine (item 141682); Flirty Flamingo 3/8″ Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (item 144227); and Silver 3/8″ Metallic Edge Ribbon (item 144213).

I wanted the daisies for this one to look a little bit more like gerberas. I stamped Powder Pink Classic ink (item 144084) on Powder Pink Cardstock (item 144244), again making sure that I curled the petals with the Bone Folder. I love the soft, pretty look of the tone-on-tone ink and cardstock. The centers this time are the new Clear Faceted Gems (item 144142). They’re super gorgeous and are available in gold, as well.

To make this one a bit more fun I stamped the letters for the word “Friends” using the Letters for You Stamp Set (item 141968) and Flirty Flamingo Classic ink (item 141398), then die cut them using the Large Letters Framelits Dies (item 141712). You can change the letters or leave them off altogether as I did with the first mobile.

Again, I used cardstock to make some “Polaroids” and then (when my daughter is ready) she can add the photos she wants. This time I used Smoky Slate Cardstock (item 131202) for the “Polaroid” backing and flicked the Smoky Slate Stampin’ Write Marker (item 131261) over it for some fun splatters. The hearts are again from the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies, this time die cut from Flirty Flamingo Cardstock (item 141416). So fun and so pretty!

Thanks so much for joining me today. If you have a love for the Stampin’ Up! ribbon and trims but hoard them away in a drawer because they’re too gorgeous to use . . . don’t! Get them out and use them!! I’m sure they’ll be that thing that you were looking for that your creation was missing and they’ll give it a lift. Or get them out to make some sort of mobile. Its superfun to do and you’ll be surprised by how quickly it comes together.

Rochelle Blok
2017 Artisan Design Team

Hello, dear stampers! I am a huge fan of both home décor items and handmade things. So why not combine the two? A picture frame is great for adding pizzazz and a pop of color to a room.

However, this time I didn’t want to use a boring standard frame and then just decorate it. After a little bit of thinking, I remembered the beautiful kraft packaging used for the Soft Sayings Card Kit (item 145466) or the Oh Happy Day Card Kit (item 142725)—which is often left over after creating the cards!

I decided to use the bottom half of the card kit box and turn it into a “picture frame.” The best thing about it is that you can color and customize it however you want!

First of all, I used a piece of Designer Series Paper for the background. The one I picked was a Night of Navy sheet from the Delightful Daisy Designer Series Paper (item 144137). I simply trimmed it to the size of the gift box and adhered it directly to the inside of the box using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

As I didn’t want to use a photo for this picture frame, I went for a gorgeous butterfly instead.  But before I got started on this one, I created some more elements and details: I took a piece of Powder Pink Cardstock (item 144244) and punched the left and right sides using the Ticket Tear Border Punch (item 143718). Then I stamped the words “You are my” from the Sunshine Sayings Stamp Set (item 141594) on the same piece of cardstock. I also used the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (item 145372) to cut shapes from Basic Black Cardstock (item 121045) and Vellum Cardstock (item 101856). Additionally, I die cut the word “Sunshine” from Gold Glimmer Paper (item 133719) using the Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies (item 141489).

Then I went to work on the butterfly. Using the Watercolor Wings Stamp Set (item 139424), I first stamped a pattern on Whisper White Cardstock (item 100730), which I then cut out using the coordinating Bold Butterfly Framelits Dies (item 138135). I also die cut a second butterfly of the same size from Powder Pink Cardstock.

Now I just needed to layer all these pieces on top of each other. To adhere them, I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue and Stampin’ Dimensionals (item 104430). After arranging everything where I wanted it to be, I just embellished my frame with some Gold Faceted Gems (item 144141) for a final touch. And then I had my own customized picture frame!

I hope you like my idea and feel inspired to re-create your own picture frame using this concept. What theme would you choose for it? Let your creativity run wild! I hope you have fun and enjoy making this project!

Maike Ulbrich
2017 Artisan Design Team

I love a good party. It’s also no secret that I love hosting them! Today I really want to show you how anyone can easily create a Pinterest-worthy party using Stampin’ Up! products.

The tropical theme is on trend at the moment—which means you can rest assured that Stampin’ Up! will have a stamp set to help! I used the versatile Pop of Paradise Stamp Set (item 141578) with the fun pineapples, flamingos, and tropical leaves to create a cheerful party table setting.

This little cutlery pocket is a quick and simple project to make—and even the kids can help! I used the perfect color for this theme, Flirty Flamingo Cardstock (item 141416), one of the 2016–2018 In-Colors; I then cut and scored the cardstock using the Stampin’ Trimmer (item 126889) and adhered the sides using Tear & Tape (item 138995), leaving the top open to insert the cutlery.

I stamped the flamingos with none other than the Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin’ Pad (item 141397) and used my Paper Snips (item 103579) to cut them out; after that I adhered them to straws with Mini Glue Dots (item 103683). These are so cute! LOL.

I made the pineapple “Party” banner using the Large Letter Framelits (item 141712) and colored the pineapples with Daffodil Delight and Old Olive ink from the Brights Collection Stampin’ Write Markers (item 131259). Using the 1/16″ Handheld Circle Punch (item 134363) I made holes at the top and threaded the banner together using Whisper White Solid Baker’s Twine (item 124262). Tip: Use a needle to help you thread the holes quickly and easily.

No party is complete without a party favor, right?! These cute Clear Tiny Treat Boxes (item 141699) were the perfect finish to this party table. I stamped the “Hello” from the Pop of Paradise Stamp Set and used the coordinating 1-3/8” Circle Punch (item 119860) to cut them out. I adhered it to the top of the box using Stampin’ Dimensionals (item 104430).

Give your stamps and cardstock a workout and create your own themed party with Stampin’ Up!’s fabulous products. The sky’s the limit!!

Now all I need to do is get my grass skirt on and stop eating all the party food before the guests arrive! Thanks for visiting today. I hope I’ve inspired you to get your party on with Stampin’ Up!

Hugs,

Louise Sharp
2017 Artisan Design Team

It’s finally June and time to get our hands on the new products in the 2017-2018 annual catalog (US/CA). I’m a big fan of anything cute, so the Pick a Pattern Designer Series Paper (144163) is high on my list.

Stampin’ Up! makes my life easier by offering product suites since they allow me to coordinate my projects quickly. The Pick a Pattern Designer Series Paper is part of the Pick a Pattern Product Suite. #gofigure

The first order of business was to cut out as many of the cute little forest friends that I could before my favorite television show ended. As I cut, I was creating a pile of animals. It wasn’t long before I knew I wanted these creatures to be the focal point of the card.

Next I began embossing some sentiments with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109132) on Basic Black Cardstock (121045). Because the animals are so small, I decided to use the Tabs for Everything Stamp Set (143907). It couldn’t have been a better fit as “Happy life” is certainly a motto for many campers.

In order to allow the background to look like a soft sky, I used Watercolor Paper (122959), Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill (101041), and an Aqua Painter (103954) to quickly brush a watercolor sky. Once dry, I adhered the cuties and added a layer of Sahara Sand Cardstock (121043) as well as a piece of patterned paper from Pick a Pattern Designer Series Paper.

My second card uses the moose cut out from the Pick a Pattern Designer Series Paper as well as the sentiment from the Pieces & Patterns Stamp Set (143843). With the help of the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (145372) I was able to add several layers to create a simple and fun card. These Framelits are a favorite of mine so I have plenty of extras cut out; that way I can grab them whenever I am working on a project.

How cute is the little raccoon in the Adirondack chair? That cute little chair was die cut using the Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies (143751). It’s the perfect size for our little pals.

With plenty of creatures to spare, I’ll be sure to whip up some more cards soon.

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Cathy Caines
2017 Stampin’ Up! Artisan Design Team

Hello, my friends, and welcome! I’m Canadian Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and Artisan Design Team member, Allison Okamitsu. It’s a thrilling experience to be a guest blogger for Stampin’ Up! and I’m very excited to share my deep love for the new kid on the color block, Lemon Lime Twist. This bright, bold, and beautiful color is new to the Stampin’ Up! family, and I’m here to show you how this electric green fits in perfectly with the existing family of colors.

I’ve had a great time experimenting and have come up with three fun color combos to share with you.

This first combination is bright, flirty, and fun. Lemon Lime Twist, Flirty Flamingo, Tempting Turquoise, and Smoky Slate team up to create a super-fab card.

I used the Bike Ride Stamp Set (143716) and Lift Me Up Stamp Set (142893) to make an uplifting card for a long-distance friend. The bright color combo will put a smile on the face of anyone lucky enough to receive it. What better way to show your out-of-town bestie that you’re thinking of them?

Next up, I reached for a selection of Brights colors to complement Lemon Lime Twist.

Real Red, Tangerine Tango, and Pacific Point look even more bold and brilliant than usual next to Lemon Lime Twist.

This card features a Lemon Lime Twist dinosaur from the Pieces & Patterns Stamp Set (143840) and bold vertical stripes from the Banners for You Stamp Set (141710). It’ll be a hit with my nephews, for sure!

Last but certainly not least is what I think is my favorite color combination of all.

It’s rare for me to use so many colors on one project, but somehow this combination just works without looking overdone.

Because Stampin’ Up! has such a large selection of colors, it’s easy to create a card with a range of blues and greens, and it’s the perfect way to showcase the Feather Together Stamp Set (141597). I love that Lemon Lime Twist can go from loud and electric (see the previous card) to beautifully bold on this card. It just depends on what other colors it’s partnered with.

Thank you so much for visiting today. I hope I’ve inspired you to embrace the Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin’ Pad (14486) and Lemon Lime Twist Cardstock (144245) and come up with your own innovative color combinations. This color has become a fast favorite of mine, and one you’ll be seeing a lot of in my upcoming projects.

Allison Okamitsu
2017 Artisan Design Team

The long days of summer are here, and for some of us that can only mean one thing: more hours to spend crafting! Paper Pumpkin can go anywhere you do, so whether you’re on your way to the beach (or heading to your lounge chair in the backyard!) be sure to bring this kit with you. You’ll feel refreshed just looking at the designed paper with its watermelons, pineapples, lemons, and limes; then there’s the fun of putting together our yummy, summer-themed projects! Check out the how-to’s below.

Each One in a Melon kit comes with 6 printed card bases, 4 printed bags, 6 white envelopes, 2 sheets watercolor die-cut pieces, 2 sheets white die-cut pieces, 1 sheet laser-cut leaf stickers, 4 sheets printed cotton paper, 4 yds. pink baker’s twine, 4 green mini clothespins, 100 dimensionals, and 100 adhesive dots.

We’re pretty sure this kit will be the pine-apple of your eye (wink, wink) once you start playing with all of the elements inside! And the creative possibilities are endless. Check out the projects above for some sweet alternate ideas—like our stamped fruit slices tied to Crumb Cake envelopes and secured with White Baker’s Twine. Wouldn’t they make great gift card enclosures?

You could also fussy cut a few pineapple images from the designed paper and pop them up with dimensionals on one of the kit’s die-cut banners. For a perfect finishing touch, embellish with a pink baker’s twine bow.

Or make the Hooray card using Pool Party Cardstock and some of the fun die- and laser-cut pieces included with this month’s kit. With the sunny yellow banner as a focal point, it’s the perfect summer birthday card.

And don’t forget to check our Pinterest page for more fun ideas!

I can’t get over how quickly the time has come for another annual catalog launch. The new catalog always brings so much excitement to the stamping community with its fresh new In Colors, stamp images, and accessories.

Each year I love to put together a collection of cards that showcases the new In Colors along with other coordinating products. I chose the Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper Stack (item 144131) along with the Dare to Dream Host Stamp Set (item 143769) to create a fun set of cards.

This year’s Host stamp sets are fantastic, but the Dare to Dream Stamp Set stood out for me because of the beautiful greetings and fonts. I love when I can create my own greeting from a collection of words in a set. The Dare to Dream Stamp Set gives you this opportunity and so much more.

Keeping a monochromatic theme made these cards quick and easy to duplicate. While I kept the added accessories simple, they added just enough “WOW” to the card.

Each card starts with a Whisper White Thick Cardstock (item 140272) base (4-1/4″ x 11″). Then I added two layers from the Fresh Floral Designer Series Paper Stack measuring 3-1/2″ x 5″ and 3-1/8″ x 4-3/4″.

The adventure image was stamped on each of the five new 2017–2019 In Color Cardstock (item 144247) pieces measuring 1″ x 4-1/4″. I added a 1″ x 4-1/4″ strip under the greeting using the Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper Stack.

I wanted to break up some of the patterns from the Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper so the greeting would remain the focal point. To do this, I added a piece of Whisper White Cardstock (item 100730) and stamped the fun floral spray image from the Dare to Dream Stamp Set using each of the five new In Colors.

Lastly, I added a few new embellishments to each of the cards such as the 1/2″ Finely Woven Ribbon in Berry Burst (144133), Fresh Fig (item 144132), and Lemon Lime Twist (item 144135). I also added the new Glitter Enamel Dots (item 144200). The Glitter Enamel Dots are unique because the many ombre shades coordinate with the new In Colors.

I hope this inspires you to create a collection of cards using the new 2017–2019 In Colors products. The possibilities are endless with these fun new products!

Kimberly Van Diepen
Artisan Design Team 2017

Hello, friends! I’m thrilled to be writing for the Stampin’ Up! blog this week. I’ve been playing with some of my new favorites from the 2017–2018 annual catalog (US/CA) and I’m bursting at the seams with my excitement over these new products!

If you’ve been stamping for a long time, you may have been as thrilled as I was to find that Glossy White Cardstock (item 144240) has made its triumphant return! The glossy surface is non-porous, which lends itself to some amazing techniques with ink.

One of my favorite tricks with Glossy White Cardstock is to use alcohol to blend the ink. I’ve filled a Stampin’ Spritzer (item 126185) with isopropyl alcohol for this purpose—it has a permanent home in my craft room!

After spending several days playing with ink, I am covered in stains and happy to share three of my favorite techniques with you.

Technique #1: The Brushstroke

This technique couldn’t be easier, and it results in an amazing layered background that looks like it was painted by a master. How perfect to pair with paint brushes! These stamps, from the Crafting Forever Stamp Set (item 143955) and the Just Add Text Stamp Set (item 143931) fit this artistic technique to a tee.

To recreate this technique, start with a dry sheet of Glossy White Cardstock and an ink pad of your choice. I used a Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin’ Pad (item 131171) and an Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pad (item 126953). Holding your ink pad at a 45-degree angle to your cardstock, simply drag the ink along the surface. Varying your pressure and angle will change the look slightly. Adding a variety of layers and textures with your ink will perfect the “painted” look!

Technique #2: The Fade

The fade is so easy with Glossy White Cardstock, and it creates a subtle effect of a spotlight on a stamped image. Start by embossing the image of your choice. I used White Stampin’ Emboss Powder (item 109132). Heat-set with your Heat Tool (item 129053). Choose three Classic Stampin’ Pads in the same color scheme—I used Pool Party (item 126982), Bermuda Bay (131171), and Island Indigo (item 126986); then, using Sponge Daubers (item 133773), sponge the ink in a circular motion, starting with the lightest color in the center. Continue adding colors one at a time to the outer edges, proceeding from lightest to darkest. When your colors have been added, add some isopropyl alcohol to a clean Sponge Dauber and blend the inks.

I used this technique to spotlight the scissors from the Crafting Forever Stamp Set and added the coordinating sentiment die-cut using Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (item 145372). Accented with a background stamp from the Tabs for Everything Stamp Set (item 143907) and Bermuda Bay 3/8″ Mini Chevron Ribbon (item 144198), this card makes a great clean-and-simple note for a friend.

Technique #3: The Faux Watercolor

Talk about wow factor! This background technique is SO easy but it packs a major punch. You’ll need Glossy White Cardstock, isopropyl alcohol in a Stampin’ Spritzer, and a Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill in your choice of color. Shown here is Berry Burst (item 144089.) And there’s a little bonus! This technique yields TWO background pieces, so you have half the work per card!

To create this background, start by cutting two pieces of Glossy White Cardstock to your desired size (mine are 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″). On ONE sheet of your cardstock, spray thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol, then drip your Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill over the surface. I recommend around 8–10 drops in various locations. Spray your cardstock again (it should be very wet) and tilt it in various directions until the ink runs. Set it flat on your protected surface, then place the second piece of Glossy White Cardstock shiny-side-down on the wet surface. You may want to slide your top piece of cardstock slightly to achieve a more blended look. Separate the two pieces of cardstock and your background design is finished; set it aside to dry and you’re ready to go!

If you find your ink didn’t blend as desired, simply add more alcohol while it’s still wet (since the alcohol is what helps it blend).

The focal point of this card was created with the Color Theory Designer Series Paper Stack (item 144193), Crafting Forever Stamp Set, Berry Burst 1/2″ Finely Woven Ribbon (item 144133), and a sentiment from the Wood Words Stamp Set (item 143928). Layering these elements in the corner lets the background shine.

Speaking of the Crafting Forever Stamp Set, in addition to the fabulous stamps used here, there’s one more great stamp included in this set that’s a must-have for every crafter.

The Stampin’ Up! Angel Policy means you can sell projects you’ve made with Stampin’ Up! copyright images as long as they include “© Stampin’ Up!” on them. Each catalog has one of these sets, and this year’s is Crafting Forever! How fabulous is that?!

Thank you so much for joining me today. I hope this blog inspired you to get out your new Glossy White Cardstock and start playing. Enjoy those inky hands!

Cheers,

Shannon Lane
2017 Artisan Design Team

Hello, crafty friends! I’m excited to share some my favorite things with you today and the Eastern Palace Suite Premier Bundle (147207) is at the top of my list right now.

I’m especially loving the Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper which is included with this awesome product collection! As soon as I saw it, I knew its rich fresh colors would be perfect for just about any occasion. Today I wanted to share a couple of cards that will be perfect for the guys in your life!

Aren’t these colors so yummy together?! I may be seriously crushing on Lemon Lime Twist at the moment. Lol!

I wanted to make sure the papers were the star of the show so I grabbed my Large Letters Framelits (141712) and  used the fabulous sentiments in the Eastern Beauty Stamp Set and the Eastern Medallion Thinlits to bring it all together.

Since I wasn’t about to toss any part of that beautiful paper, I decided to use the negative cutouts to create a great focal point for my “Dad” card. If you’re a little . . . uh . . . fussy about things being just right, here’s a tip for lining things up perfectly.

So all you have to do is lay the cutouts back into the shapes and add adhesive to the ones you want to stay in place. Then just remove the letters and everything should look just right.

Hope you’re inspired to use this amazing product suite to make a few cards to celebrate all the dudes you know!

Mercedes Weber
Artisan Design Team 2017

I can’t get over how quickly the time has come for another annual catalog launch. The new catalog always brings so much excitement to the stamping community with its fresh new In Colors, stamp images, and accessories.

Each year I love to put together a collection of cards that showcases the new In Colors along with other coordinating products. I chose the Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper Stack (item 144131) along with the Dare to Dream Host Stamp Set (item 143769) to create a fun set of cards.

This year’s Host stamp sets are fantastic, but the Dare to Dream Stamp Set stood out for me because of the beautiful greetings and fonts. I love when I can create my own greeting from a collection of words in a set. The Dare to Dream Stamp Set gives you this opportunity and so much more.

Keeping a monochromatic theme made these cards quick and easy to duplicate. While I kept the added accessories simple, they added just enough “WOW” to the card.

Each card starts with a Whisper White Thick Cardstock (item 140272) base (4-1/4″ x 11″). Then I added two layers from the Fresh Floral Designer Series Paper Stack measuring 3-1/2″ x 5″ and 3-1/8″ x 4-3/4″.

The adventure image was stamped on each of the five new 2017–2019 In Color Cardstock (item 144247) pieces measuring 1″ x 4-1/4″. I added a 1″ x 4-1/4″ strip under the greeting using the Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper Stack.

I wanted to break up some of the patterns from the Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper so the greeting would remain the focal point. To do this, I added a piece of Whisper White Cardstock (item 100730) and stamped the fun floral spray image from the Dare to Dream Stamp Set using each of the five new In Colors.

Lastly, I added a few new embellishments to each of the cards such as the 1/2″ Finely Woven Ribbon in Berry Burst (144133), Fresh Fig (item 144132), and Lemon Lime Twist (item 144135). I also added the new Glitter Enamel Dots (item 144200). The Glitter Enamel Dots are unique because the many ombre shades coordinate with the new In Colors.

I hope this inspires you to create a collection of cards using the new 2017–2019 In Colors products. The possibilities are endless with these fun new products!

Kimberly Van Diepen
Artisan Design Team 2017

Are you in the mood for spring? This project contains three gift ideas with florals and spring in mind!

For this card I used the Diagonal Stripe Stamp (141917) and the new Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin’ Pad (144086) to create my background. I am so in love with this new In Color! Did you know that you are able to order it in May? This color is the definition of spring for me!

The little flowers are from the Jar of Love Stamp Set (141587); I stamped them in Lemon Lime Twist (of course), Flirty Flamingo (141397), and Peekaboo Peach (141398).

The little bumblebee is from the Dragonfly Dreams Stamp Set (142924); I fussycut this little one out. For the sentiment I used the Dutch version of the Florishing Phrases Stamp Set (141531), Recht uit het Hart (143204). It says in English “For you, from me.” How cute is that!

And because I really love gift packaging, I made my own little box with the Gift Box Punch Board (135863). I used the measurements L and S to create this box. The final sizes are 8.3 cm x 8.3 cm x 4.4 cm. A perfect size for Mother’s Day chocolates, right? The blue paper is from the Tasty Treats Specialty Designer Series Paper (142770). The Pool Party background really stands out behind the flowers.

To finish it off, I used a piece of the Flirty Flamingo 3/8″ Ruched Ribbon (141426) and, of course, (because I love bling and sparkle) some little Rhinestone Basic Jewels (144220) available in May!

This picture frame was very easy to make and is a perfect gift for Mother’s Day! I used my leftover paper scraps and flowers that I didn’t use on my previous projects. This picture is an old one of my hubby and me. It sits on my scrap table now . . .

Enjoy spring and let it inspire you to create something beautiful!

Miriam van Eyden
2017 Artisan Design Team

Mother’s Day is coming up and I’ve put together a pretty manicure gift set for a mom—or for any amazing woman who could use a little pampering! I love putting gifts together in fun packaging and of course they must coordinate! But that’s easy to do by just making sure you use all the same elements for each item.

Do you have a few of the Mini Egg Cartons

(item 142776) left over? Don’t let them go to waste. They are great gift holders for treats any time of the year. I decided to use them to hold little mini nail polishes. They fit perfectly!

I used some of the items from the Eastern Palace Premier Bundle

(item 147207)—which are available to customers now from the new 2017–2018 annual catalog (item 146113). I decorated the outside of the carton with an Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 144147) belly band. This gold paper is to die for. (I will be using it up quickly!) A 2″ x 12″ strip of this paper just fits around the carton—with a little wiggle room to take the belly band on and off. I used a small piece of Very Vanilla Cardstock (item 101650) to adhere the ends of the Designer Series Paper together. This way the Designer Series Paper can touch and you don’t have to overlap the paper to adhere it. You also don’t have to worry about the seam because that will be covered by the medallion.

Then I added two medallions to the belly band using the new Eastern Medallions Thinlits Dies (item 143725). The large medallion was die cut in Basic Black Cardstock (item 121045) and the smaller one uses the polka dot Designer Series Paper from the Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper.To make the larger medallion you will need to use one of the large Layering Circle Framelits Dies (item 141705) to cut it into a circle shape as shown below.

The medallion is decorated with flowers from the Jar of Love Stamp Set (item 141587). I stamped the flowers in Sweet Sugarplum (item 141395), Pink Pirouette (item 126956), and Tranquil Tide (item 144085) ink on Whisper White Cardstock (item 100730). First I stamped off the image once on scrap paper which gives you the lighter color on the flowers. (For the Tranquil Tide flower, I stamped off twice on scrap paper before stamping on Whisper White Cardstock.) The leaves were stamped in Lemon Lime Twist ink (item 144086). This is already my new favorite color! I love this time of year when you can experiment mixing the old and new colors. The rest of the egg carton is decorated with a Basic Black Solid Baker’s Twine (item 141682) bow and a gold tassel from the Mini Tassels Assortment (item 144154).

Also, included in this gift set is a Glassine Gift Bag (item 141700) filled with a nail file, lotion, and manicure set. I die cut two additional medallions with the Gold Foil Sheets (item 132622) and Basic Black Cardstock. I stamped and die cut another flower and a couple of leaves. I found the best way to adhere the leaves and flowers is to put Mini Glue Dots (item 103683) on the back of each one and arrange them how you like.

Finally, you can’t give a gift like this without a pretty card. (Mom or any other woman deserves one, after all!) I decided to use one of the sentiments from the All Things Thanks Stamp Set (item 143089) as the focal point of the card. I stamped the sentiment with Basic Black Archival ink (item 140931) on a die cut Whisper White Cardstock circle. I used another piece of the polka dot Designer Series Paper and a strip of the gorgeous gold Designer Series Paper from the Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper for the card background. I mounted this on Basic Black Cardstock and Whisper White Thick Cardstock (item 140272). Then I stamped and die cut more flowers using the same technique that I employed for the egg carton and glassine bag. The two-step stamping with this set along with the coordinating dies makes creating multiples of an image quick and easy. The final touches for this card were another Basic Black Solid Baker’s Twine bow and gold sequins from the Metallics Sequin Assortment (item 138390).

I hope you can see how using the same elements across all these projects makes everything look coordinated—and that this inspires you to make coordinating gift sets!

Jennifer Sootkoos
2017 Artisan Design Team