Joy at Christmas

We're baking in unrelenting heat and humidity but I am really thinking Christmas! I'm an advocate of having handmade greetings completed months ahead of time. Really, December can be so busy.

This week I'll be sharing some of my upcoming designs for the Christmas in August Stamp-a-Stack -- August 16th and 17th.
20 cards. 5 designs. You make 4 of each. $25.00 with envelopes. $20.00 if you make a purchase at class time.

This card features several new Stampin' Up! products. The Extra Large Scallop Punch is a great addition to the punch lineup. The stamp set is the brand new " Perfect Punches" and that deep, rich red is the new color, "Cherry Cobbler". Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive make a striking Christmas combination!

Stamp Set: Perfect Punches (Wood 117022 Clear 120516)

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler (1196850, Old Olive (100702), Very Vanilla (101650)

Ink: Cherry Cobbler (119669), Old Olive (102277)

Accessories: Extra Large Scallop Circle Punch (118874), 1 3/4" Circle Punch
(119850), 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon(109055) , Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335)

Order online, anytime by clicking HERE!

EXTRA Free Merchandise for August Hostesses!

Stampin' Up! is offering even more in hotess incentives for the entire month of August. Host a qualifying party and receive another $25 in "you choose" merchandise. That's on top of the standard free merchandise allowance AND the free hostess stamp sets. Read all about it HERE and grab a few friends and let's stamp this month.

Tart and Tangy

 

I've been spending a lot of time going through the brand new Stampin' Up! 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog because I really use it for ideas. And every time I flip through I am inspired to try something new.

Today I landed on page 136 and based this card on a sample in the book. The summer fruits in the "Tart and Tangy" Stamp Set pair so nicely with the vibrant trio of Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie. Almost good enough to eat!

Stamp Sets: Tart and Tangy (111514), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Cardstock: Melon Mambo (115320), Daffodil Delight (119683), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Whisper White (100730)

Ink: Melon Mambo (115656), Daffodil Delight (119667), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Wild Wasabi (109014)

Accessories: Modern Label Punch (119849), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109030)

New Color Mojo!

 

Welcome Back, Baja Breeze! Nice to meet you Pear Pizzazz! Taking a little time today to experiment with some new color combinations -- the ones featured in the Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper.

I popped over to Mojo Monday for this week's sketch and inspiration. My oval is that nifty, new 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch. I love my new stuff!

Stamp Set: Great Friend (113792)

Cardstock: Baja Breeze (111352),Pear Pizzazz (119795), Chocolate Chip(102128), Pumpkin Pie (105117),Very Vanilla (101650)

Designer Paper: Greenhouse Gala (117167)

Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908)
Accessories: 2 3/8" Scallop Circle XL Punch (118874), Scallop Square XL Punch (11988)

Order stamps and supplies online, anytime by clicking HERE!

Happy New Colors!

 


My paper holders are reorganized, and my ink pads are as well. I've settled in to play with my brand new Stampin' Up! colors!

Two of my VERY favorite new colors are featured in this card -- Marina Mist and Daffodil Delight. I paired them with an old favorite, Pretty in Pink, because my brand NEW Color Coach (121620) suggested it! I used the NEW Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder and a NEW stamp set, Perfect Punches.

Cardstock: Marina Mist (119682),Daffodil Delight(119683), Pretty in Pink (100459)
Ink: Marina Mist(119668)
Stamp Set: Perfect Punches (clear-120516 wood-117022)
Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder(120175) , Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder(117335) 2 x 1 3/8" Oval XL Punch (119859), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117289)

Click HERE to order anytime -- and UPS will deliver your Stampin' Up! order to your door!

Birthday Card Bonanza!

Here's what we're making at the Birthday Card Bonanza on Tuesday, June 1st at 7:00 pm.

20 cards -- 5 designs -- 4 of each. And those super wonderful Stampin' Up! envelopes.

Also available as a kit by mail!

Sweet Scrapbook Page

 


National Scrapbook Month is coming to a close, but don't let that stop you from making more pages! This is one of those fast 6 x 6 pages for my little album of favorite shots. The stamp set is the BRAND NEW "Sweet Scoops" that becomes available in the summer mini catalog on June 1st. I used a summery color scheme of Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay with a "touch" Crushed Curry.

Water for the Teachers

 


I don't know exactly what you call these -- water bottle "jackets" maybe ???? -- but I made a few of them for Teacher Appreciation Week on the day we were supposed to bring snacks and beverages. The stamp set is "Wow, Flowers" and the patterned paper is a sneak peek at something coming up in Stampin' Up!'s new Summer Mini Catalog -- it's called Island Oasis.

Lots of Dots

 


I was working my Stampin' Up! Dots embossing folder overtime on this card. I embossed the Regal Rose cardstock layer and some Whisper White that I used to punch circles. I finished it with a sentiment from my workhose "Teeny Tiny wishes" set --truly a set for everyone!




This card was inspired by the wrapping paper I used for the gift. I love to do that and place the card in a clear, cellophane envelope on the front of the package. Love the pink and black combo!

Decor Elements!

 


We've almost reached the six month mark in our new house. I have been busy trying to personalize the space and take it from "Builder Beige" to "Colorful Carla".

My 7 year old daughter is our "Owl Girl". She loves anything to do with owls, we even had live owls from a wildlife refuge at her birthday party! I painted the room a springy, girly green to coordinate with her owl themed bedding. And I used Stampin' Up! Decor Elements to decorate the walls.

"O is for Owl" is two separate pieces -- the scallop frame in Chocolate Chip and the owl in Tempting Turquoise.

The tree above her bed is also two pieces -- the tree itself, and the Thoreau quotation with the flying birds that is called "Flutter".

The key to applying the Decor Elements to the walls is to work slowly and carefully. If you can apply a rub-on to a scrapbook page or a card, you can put one on your walls as well!

The Craftin' o' the Green

 


Here's a snappy St. Patrick's Day greeting! You may remember how excited I was that "Teeny Tiny Wishes" had a St. Patrick's Day stamp in it -- the first I'd ever owned! I just used a punch to craft a four leaf clover (not a shamrock, I know)! That's a rhinestone brad in the center, a piece of Cottage Wall DSP, and some Old Olive Ribbon for fun!

Two Weeks and Counting.....

February is here and the Valentine's Day countdown is on! One of my favorite sets in the new Mini Catalog is the "Love Bandit" -- available in wood or clear-mount. I opted for the clear -- I love the compact storage!

Stamp Set: Love Bandit (118577 for clear mount, 117086 for wood mount)
Paper: Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive
Ink: Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Large Oval Punch (107305), Modern Label Punch (116630), Word Window Punch (105090)

Teeny Tiny Wishes

We have been stampin' up a storm here with the Teeny Tiny Wishe Stamp Set and the fabulous Modern Label Punch.

If you opted for a kit your supplies are on the way. You can refer to these photos to make the five gift cards in the kit. The "bling" is all together in a snack-sized plastic bag. If I had any questions about the colors of ink you had purchased, I went ahead and stamped all the sentiments onto Whisper White cardstock. Feel free to use them or stamp your own!

And don't overlook the envelopes. They are in your bag and are the "stampable" ones -- feel free to add an extra touch of stamping to the envelope itself!

It's Time to Sale-a-brate!

It's Stampin' Up!'s biggest and best sale of the year. Spend $50.00 in merchandise with me and you qualify for one of the special gifts in the Sale-a-bration brochure OR for the first time ever, you can pick from a list of catalog items that are also Sale-a-bration rewards.

Host a party with me between now and March 1st and earn even MORE free stuff!

RSVP now for the return of the Teeny Tiny wishes class (includes Teeny Tiny wishes Stamp Set, Modern Label Punch, and class/class kit to go with the materials for 5 mini cards). I'm discounting the price to $50.00 for the class and supplies AND you'll qualify for a Sale-a-bration reward!

Teeny Tiny Wishes, The encore
January 25th 7:00 pm
January 26th 10:00 am

RSVP by January 12th to qualify for the special!!!!

Teeny Tiny Wishes

This is a stamp set that you NEED to have! 24 sentiments -- everything from Happy Birthday to Happy St. Patrick's Day with a whole lot of happiness in between! It's even better paired with the Modern Label Punch.

So here's what I am going to do! Buy the Stamps and the Punch together at a discounted price and you'll have the option of coming to a class or taking as a "kit to go" all the makings for 5 gift cards and envelopes. I'll send you home with a bonus template sheet so you'll always be able to whip together sweet but simple cards!

The class date is Tuesday, December 1st, at 7:00 pm at my NEW Stampin' Spot. If you can't make it to class, I'll deliver a kit with your supplies.

It's one flat price of $50.00. Discounted product. No shipping charges (hooray!). And a class.

Here's what you have to do. RSVP quickly by Friday, November 20th, so all the stamps will be here in time. Let me know if you're coming to class or need a kit. And skip online ordering this one and only time. This is a super secret Carla only promotion. But feel free to tell anyone -- and everyone!

Pretty Fair Stampin'!

 

I'm turning our blue ribbon stampin' these days! I picked up one blue ribbon and one second place ribbon at the North Carolina State Fair. The winners are entirely made from Stampin' Up! products. (I get them back in a week when the Fair closesd, and I will post some closer pictures.)

Entering the competition was one of those things I would think about every year when I walked through the exhibits, and then never actually do anything about. This year I kept up with the registration deadline, filled out the forms, and carried my entries in past the Security Guard who "reckoned I didn't look like no terrorist".

There's a lot to love about NC!

Deal of the Week!

There are three great punches on special this week during the return of Stampin' Up!'s Deal of the Week! These great prices are good through October 12th. Place your order ONLINE anytime!





Week 1 Deals of the Week

109183
Trio Flower punch
$10.99

109041
5-Petal Flower punch
$10.99

110709
My Way punch
$11.99

Summer Memories!

 

It's still in the 90s, and the humidity is ferocious this week, but the pool season is now a thing of the past. I put together a quick layout using the In Color Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry combo. The letters in the title are from "Defining Alphabet" and the stamp set is the (sadly) retired "Fun in the Sun".

School Supplies

 



Some of our "Traditional Calendar" friends began a new school year today. I fancied up a few basic pencil cases because I find school supplies irresistible!

I used a retired Stampin' Up! set called "Elementary Essentials". As long as I have children in elementary school, I will probably reach for this set again and again.

The boy combo is Bashful Blue/Brilliant Blue.

The girl combo is Melon Mambo and Basic Black.

You're on my Mind

There are three things I love about this card.

1) It is a very simple design that can be duplicated over and over again.

2) It makes use of the "Upsy Daisy" stamp set. I think the main focal image of this set, when stamped in light and dark, looks fabulous!

3) It makes use of the new In Color Melon Mambo which I am pairing often with Pretty in Pink. Love them together!

Stamp Set: Upsy Daisy
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Melon Mambo Polka Dotted Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals