Stamping with Michelle

One more day.....

Well, here we are.  June 30.  Today is the very last day to order from the current catalog.  There are wonderful stamp sets that will no longer be available, and I'd hate for you to miss out!  Make sure you get those last orders placed. 

Tomorrow, begins a brand new catalog!  I've given you a few sneak peek looks at some of the products that I could preorder, but let me tell you that this is probably one of the best catalogs I've ever seen.

To distract you until you can view the catalog for yourself (About 2:00pm our time), here is one final sample with this year's In Colors.

Materials: Eastern Blooms
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Confetti White, and Riding Hood Red DSP
Ink: Baja Breeze and Versamark
Accessories: Clear Embossing powder, Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, clear buttons, Scallop Circle punch, 3/4" Circle punch, mini glue dots

The image on the Kiwi Kiss cardstock was embossed using clear powder.  I often forget this technique, but it is a pretty cool one.  The resulting image makes for a nice glossy background.

Happy Stamping everyone!

Michelle

Bold Birthday Card

As we continue our march towards the end of one catalog and the beginning of another, I wanted to share with you another sample created with a retiring stamp set.  This one features the set Big Bold Birthday and is a happy card done in bright colors perfect for a child's birthday.

Materials: Big Bold Birthday
Cardstock: Gable Green, Pixie Pink, Yoyo Yellow and Whisper White
Ink: Pixie Pink and Yoyo Yellow

It is fairly simple card, but it makes a bold birthday wish!  The pixie pink background was created by repeatedly stamping the little happy birthday stamp all over it.  You could add a little glitter to the candles if you wanted to spice it up a bit, but it doesn't need really need it.

Make sure you place any last orders for stamp sets that are retiring.  Tuesday is the last day to order from the current catalog, and I don't want you to miss out on something that you've really wanted!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

A Father's Day Card

Sunday, being Father's Day, I sat down to create a card for my father-in-law.  I was quite pleased with it, and I know it is a bit late, but I thought I'd share it anyway.

Materials:  Thoughts and Prayers; Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: In Color Textured Cardstock, More Mustard, Soft Suede, and Confetti Cream
Ink: Soft Suede and Dusty Durango
Accessories: Twill Tape, Designer Label Punch, Word Window Punch, 1/16" circle punch, Antique brads, Library clips

My focal point image for this card comes from the Thoughts and Prayers set.  I love this tree and I've seen some really great cards created with it.  The "Happy Father's Day" stamp is from a new set that will be in the new catalog called Teeny Tiny Wishes.  It is a set of 24 really useful phrases and I know you are going to love it.  If you look closely, you'll see that I personalized the twill tape by stamping Happy Father's Day along both sides of it.  It's a fun technique that can really dress up a card.

Don't forget you've only got another week to order any of the retiring stamp sets before they are gone for good!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Beach Scrapbooking

Well, school is finally out for the summer.  Maybe now some of the craziness will slow down!

Summer is coming, and, with it, great opportunities to scrapbook long, lazy days at the beach.  This is the spread that we made at my last scrapbooking club night.

Materials: Seaside, Life's a Breeze, and Big Deal Alphabet
Cardstock: Kraft 12x12, Bashful Blue 12x12, Bashful Blue, Creamy Caramel, and White Naturals
Ink: Brocade Blue, Creamy Caramel, Ruby Red, and Crushed Curry
Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle punch, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain, Stamping Sponge

All of the stamp sets on this page are slated for retirement when the new catalog comes out on July 1.  They make fantastic beach pages, and I'm going to miss them!  Make sure you head on over to my website and click on the "shop now" button and order these sets before they are gone for good!

I created the water on the pages by taking 3" x 12" strips of cardstock, tearing them lengthwise, and then sponging the edges.  And, if you look close, I've given you another In Color sneak peek.

Finally, I am excited to announce something new that I've been working on.  Many of you have seen my dabbling with beaded jewelry for sometime.  I have decided to open an Etsy store to sell my jewelry.  You can find it by going to www.katalidesigns.com and you will be automatically redirected to my store.  I'm still working on filling it up and I list 2-3 or items every couple of days, so be sure to check back often!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Wow Gift Boxes!

Well, the school year is coming to a close (say a prayer for me next week!), and I have another set of teacher gifts to share with you.  I also made jewelry sets for these two teachers, but it is the boxes that I want to show you.

Aren't they just the cutest thing?  I know this picture probably isn't the best one which is why I also took individual pictures.

This box makes use of the Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper.  I used the Sweetest Stems stamp set, and my Big Shot to cut out the scallop edge.  Here is the other box I made:

This one uses the Candy Lane Designer Series Paper.  My favorite part is how the Jumbo Brads create a nice finished look for the ribbon.

I could retype the directions for these boxes, but instead, I'm going to just link you to the blog that I copied them from.  You can find the directions here.  Thanks to Sandy Hancock for sharing.

Enjoy and happy box making!

Michelle

Top Note Gift Box

I have a project here that I don't think I ever got around to showing you!  It showcases Tangerine Tango and Pacific Point, current In Colors that are soon to be gone for good.  Let me show you:

Materials: Eastern Blooms
Cardstock: Tangeringe Tango, Pacific Point and Vellum Cardstock
Ink: Tangerine Tango and Basic Gray
Accessories: Top Note Die and Big Shot, Simple Flower Embosslit, Small oval Punch, Pacific Point Striped ribbon, Fire Rhinestone Circle Brads, 1/16" circle punch

Isn't it cute!  The top notes make a fantastic front and back for a fabulous package.  Let me show you the side view:

The Pacific Point is the actual box.  I don't have the measurements in front of me, but I took a rectangle, scored it a bit on all four sides, cut on the ends and folded the tabs in to create a little box.  This is the perfect size packaging for any small treat, from candy to jewelery.

Don't forget that if you would like to attend my Inspirations Plaque class, I must have your prepaid reservation by this Friday.

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Happy Birthday, Alex!

I'm a couple days late, but Alex's birthday was this past Wednesday.  The card that I made him used a couple of stamp sets that are on the Last Chance list, so I thought it would be a great sample to share with you.  Don't forget to take a look at that last chance list and get any of those fabulous stamp sets before they are gone for good!

This card uses the Big Bold Birthday set and Time to Party set.  I really like the layout design, and it will probably be one that I'll go to again.  The white ribbon makes a nice accent and then the antique brads really finish it off.

Now...I'm wondering...how many of you eagle-eyed observers noticed the colors?  Yeah...I'm giving you a sneak peek at a couple of our new In Colors!  My box arrived on Wednesday just as I was sitting down to make Alex's card, so it gave me a good chance to play with them.  The yellow is called Crushed Curry and it is actually a bit brighter and less mustardy than it is appearing on the screen.  The rusty brown is called Dusty Durango and the blue is called Bermuda Bay.  Having been to Bermuda twice, I can tell you that it is pretty darn close the exact shade of the beautiful waters around Bermuda.  The other three colors are equally beautiful and I know that you are going to love them; however, don't forget that you still have a chance to stock up on the current In Colors before they are gone for good.  These products tend to sell out, so be sure to place your order right away.  You can click on the catalog link on the right hand side of the screen to go straight to my order entry page.

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Last Chance Opportunities

We are winding down in the Stampin' Up year, and, Monday, Stampin' Up released the last chance list of stamps.  You can view the list here.  These stamps are available until June 30 after which time, they will be gone for good!  In addition, we will have six brand new in colors when the new catalog comes out.  That means that if there are any products in the current in colors that you would like NOW is the time to get them.  And I do mean NOW.  The accessories that are retiring are only available while supplies last, and the in color products do tend to sell out.  You can view all the accessories that are retiring by following the catalog link on the right side of the screen.  Many of the retiring accessories are available at discounts of up to 50% off!

Here is a sample I made last summer using the current In Colors, Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette:

Materials: Wow Flowers
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue, and Brushed Silver
Ink: Versamark and Baja Breeze
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

Make sure you check out those last chance products before they are gone for good!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle