Thursday, June 30, 2016

Sunset Anniversary card with the Best Birds Bundle

Hi everyone.  Today I wanted to share another card I made with the new Best Birds stamp set and Birds and Blooms thinlits dies.  This card is a copy of one that's been done many times with Stampin' Up's Owl Builder Punch or the Bird Builder punch.  I thought I would update the idea with the new Birds and Blooms Thinlits dies as well.  The Stamp set comes with the Happy Anniversary stamp and so it just makes sense to have a set of love birds don't you think?




The background is sponged with Crushed Curry, Pumpkin pie, Tempting Turquoise and Night of Navy.











I made a video showing how to make the card step by step.  Check it out below! 

I am just getting the hang of the whole video thing, so bear with me as I work out all the kinks :)
Thanks for stopping by!!

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Just 2 days left for 2 FREE stamp sets!!

There are just 2 days left to take advantage of this amazing deal.  Joining is always a great idea for anyone who loves stamps and paper crafts,  (seriously it is, minimum 20% discount on products you love with no obligation to stay for any length of time) but right now it is even better than ever!  I have been with Stampin' Up! for over 10 years and I think this is one of the best join deals I have seen.   In June new demonstrators can choose any 2 stamps set in the catalog for FREE!!  This is in addition to the great deal on the starter kit!  The starter kit is just $99 for $125 worth of the products you choose.  If your a scrapbooker, maybe your starter kit is mostly Project Life or 12 x 12 paper, maybe alphabet stamps?  Card maker?  You may want to choose occasions stamps, ink and ribbon.  Crafter?  You may want some of the great dies like the Curvy Keepsake box and new Popcorn box!  There is something for every crafter.  You can customize the kit to kit you.  And your kit ships FREE too, no shipping charge on the starter kit!  Now add your two free sets on top of that and you can get almost $100 more free if you choose the new Letters for you and Touches of Texture stamp sets (that's what I would choose, both great and on the pricey side).   

No Obligation!  There is no obligation, you can drop your demonstrator ship at any time.  We're hoping you wont want to of course.  Once you are a demonstrator you will get a 20% discount to start.  If you decide to grow your business, you will earn a higher discount and lots of other rewards as well, such as points that can be used on products or business supplies and logo merchandise. Demonstrators also have access to on online site called Stampin' Connections where you can get lots of ideas in the gallery, or discuss various topics in the forum.   You will also get weekly emails with class planning ideas or other helpful hints.  Demonstrators also get sneak peeks at upcoming catalogs and can prepurchase a lot of products before they go live.  Stampin' Up! also hosts events throughout the year with make and takes and presentations that you wont want to miss.  I love these events and go when ever I can.  The next one is in Madison Wisconsin in November! 

You've got nothing to lose!  Join now and give it a try.  The new Holiday Catalog is right around the corner (amazing I know!) and you will want to see what's coming and get started on your Christmas cards!  You've got nothing to lose if you decide to drop.  Click the Join button under my blog header to get started or to see more information.  Or please feel free to contact me, I am happy to help you! bethrush@issinternet.com

More Birds~ Best Birds Stamp set

Hi Everyone!  I decided to take yesterday's Best Birds card and kick up the background a notch.
I love the Hardwood background stamp and I particularly like it stamped on Pool Party!  I used Early Espresso on the Hardwood stamp, then distressed it a bit with a sponge and Crumb Cake ink.














The bird image was also stamped in Early Espresso, then watercolored with Crumb Cake, Pool Party and Calypso Coral.  The leaves are in Garden green.

The stamp set included the branch with just a few leaves, but there are also the flower stem as I have used in my card here, or berries to add to the branch, depending on the season.

When I cut out the images and placed them onto the card I thought that the outline around the images was too bright.  I softened them up a bit by using a sponge and some Crumb Cake ink around the outline.









I decided to use the new Thoughtful Banner Bundle to make a thank you sentiment to add to my card.

















A double bow in linen thread is the perfect accent for this card.





I hope that you like today's project.  Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks for stopping by!




Check out this video if you would like to see the watercoloring process step by step...











Monday, June 27, 2016

Birds and Blooms Watercolor card

Hi Everyone! Today I want to share a pretty card made with the new Best Birds stamp set and Birds and Blooms thinlits dies.  I really like these pretty little birds and knew I wanted to watercolor them. Any stamp set that lets me use my Aqua Painters is a favorite with me :)  
I'm not a bird expert and didn't know exactly what sort of bird this stamp is, so I decided that I would just use a color combination that I love, Pool Party, Calypso Coral and Crumb Cake.










I stamped the bird in Early Espresso onto watercolor paper, and then used my Aqua Painter to add the colors.  I let the initial layer dry for just a bit, then added a little more Calypso Coral to the birds tummy, and some more Crumb Cake to the outlined areas of the birds wings and face.   I used more Crumb Cake on the branch, along with Garden Green.














The Best Birds stamp set comes with several sentiments.  I love when a set is versatile like that.
I choose the Happy Birthday for this card.   The set also comes with a great background stamp in a texture like burlap.  I know that stamp will see a lot of use!







To bring in a little more color, I stamped a flower from the set in Calypso Coral and watercolored it as well.  The matching Birds and Blooms thinlits dies cut all the parts out perfectly.


I added some linen thread tied in a bow to complete the card.


I hope that you like the card!! I really enjoyed watercoloring the bird! Here is a video if you would like to see the watercolor process step by step...


Product List

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Rapunzel Birthday Card

Hello everyone!  Today I wanted to share a card I made for a birthday party my daughter went to.  The party had a Rapunzel theme and so I decided to create a card to go with the theme. 
A few years back I made a Rapunzel Valentine's Day box for Jillian and this card was inspired by that.
Here is Jillian with her Valentine's Day box. You can see that post here.














To make the tower I used the Brick Wall embossing folder.  I embossed a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock and then used a sponge to add more dimension of color on the bricks.
The window was cut out with a die from the Baker's Box Dies, which was sitting out on my desk.  You can use so many shapes to make the window.  I then split the cut out piece in half for shutters, stamping them with the  Hardwood background stamp.
I made Rapunzel's hair with the new Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine.  Thanks Stampin' Up! for coming out with that color just in time!!











I hand cut the roof, then embossed it with the new Seaside embossing folder.  I added some Vellum clouds punched out from the Tree Builder punch.
The little flowers and leaves were also punched out with the Tree Builder punch.  I used Calypso Coral, Blushing Bride and Garden Green for the flowers.


I made the Happy Birthday Banner with the new Thoughtful Banner Bundle.  This stamp set has over 50 stamps to work for many occasions.  The punch cuts out two different shaped banners.  This is a must have bundle, I have used it several times already and I have only had it a month.

I had to make an envelope with the envelope punch board since my card was 4 by 8, I wanted it to be tall for the tower.






Jillian decorated the inside of the card. 
















Product List











Sunday, June 19, 2016

Father's Day Pop Corn Favors

Hi everyone! Today I wanted to share a fun favor that I made up for Father's Day, which I know is tomorrow and so you wont be able to make one of these in time, but at least its an early idea for next year :)
I make the favors for various events at church and I am asked to make 60 so I need to make things a bit simple and inexpensive. This project was great because I was able to use up quite a bit of retired Designer Series Paper. 
This is the only version that used a current paper, Floral Boutique!  As I was making it I thought it would have been great as a baseball jersey so maybe I will give that a go soon.






















The Tux has a fun bow tie made from the Bow Builder Punch!





These boxes are so easy to change for any season or occasion.  Make them Santa Suits or an elf for Christmas, decorate with fall colors and stamps for Thanksgiving.  You can fill with just about anything so really the ideas are endless.  




I filmed my first video tutorial at the urging of my sons.  I mentioned the idea to them a few weeks ago and they have been asking every day of summer vacation when we are going to make a video for YouTube so here it is!  It wasn't too bad!  I hope that you will give it a watch.  I give a step by step and measurements, hopefully in a clear way that is easy to do. Let me know what you think!

See if you can remember some of these older papers! 

I bought the popcorn at my local Mariano's grocery store who made up special jumbo packs for me with just 24 hours notice, and at a great price.  When I went back to pick up the bags the next day I could not believe how large the bags were!  I had enough for my 60 favors and my family will be eating the left overs for several days I am sure.
Jillian was very happy to help with this project!






























All boxed up and ready to go! 

Friday, June 17, 2016

June 2016 Paper pumpkin kit ~ So fun!

Hi Everyone!! I wanted to share what the June Paper Pumpkin kit is!  It is so fun!  The kit makes cards and cute mini banners that you can use on their own or with the cards as in the video. 

So fun!!  The kit has TWO ink spots, Mint Macaron and Tip Top Taupe, a nice quantity of sequins, a roll of Washi tape, twine, 35 cello bag pennants (to make cute shaker banner) gold foil alphabet stickers, 6 cards and a cute stamp set! check out the video to see!!
Did you know that Paper Pumpkin subscribers can purchase refills of past kits?  Stampin' Up! offers refills and sometimes full kits to subscribers.  You can see what is available at the online store here.
The new kits generally appear in the store around the 25th of the month.  Contact me to learn more about Paper Pumpkin, or click the link to the right to join!! 

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

So Glad you are here! Made with Love Stamp set.

Hi everyone, I thought I would share a little frame I made to go with a gift for a friend who had twin boys!  This is her first baby and I remembered going through lots of onsies with my babies, so that is what I gave her, lots of onsies in several sizes! I made a matching card, which I forgot to photograph before giving it all away but it looks pretty much the same as the frame.
Just a quick post today as I am running running running today!  But better a quick post then none at all right?  And next time I will remember to take more photos before bagging up my gifts :)

Supplies: Made with love Stamp set
Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango ink, soft sky in the background.  Stamped on Watercolor paper and colored with Aqua Painters.

Thanks for stopping by!









Friday, June 10, 2016

Retired Products Sale and New Catalog kick off Tomorrow!

Hi everyone! If you live in my area I invite you to stop by my Annual Retired Products and New Catalog Kick off Saturday June 11 from 9:00 AM to noon.  I am using a room at my church for this event and you can stop by anytime. Sale and catalog premier is at the Lombard Church of the Nazarene at 536 North Route 53, Lombard Illinois (just south of North Ave).  Head upstairs to room 202. Browse through my retired products and pick up some great deals.  Stamp sets are reduced from 30% to as much as 70% off! Designer series paper is $5 for a full pack, less for open packs.  I also have Ribbon, Buttons, and more.
There will be a FREE Make-and-Take project and some displays of new items.
I will have a raffle for all attendees and extra tickets for those placing an order from the new catalog.
  I hope to see you there!!

Can't make it?  I will update my list of  retired products here after the sale so you can find some great deals too!

Today Only ~ Sneak Peek and a Raffle

OK, I realize this is not much of a sneak peek but it does let us know that the colors for this months Paper Pumpkin are bright and fun!  This showed up on the Paper Pumpkin Facebook page this morning to give us a little hint of what we will be getting in this months kit! Shaker cards maybe?  or sequins to add as a scattering across a card. Not sure, but I do like sequins!! 


There is a special for new subscribers below, but continue scrolling to see my special for those who subscribed before and want to try a kit again.




This amazing offer starts Thursday, June 9 at 5:00 PM (MT) and ends Friday, June 10 at 11:50 PM (MT).
 This is only for new subscribers.
  • The price of the kit ($5 USD/$7 CAD) is commissionable.
  • This offer is open to first-time subscribers only. Discount applies to one kit for June 2016. After the first month, the price for the subscription will return to $19.95 USD/$26.95 CAD.
  • Offer starts on Thursday, June 9 at 5:00 PM (MT) and ends Friday, June 10 at 11:50 PM (MT).
  • Available for month-to-month subscriptions, not prepaid subscriptions.


 This cute little garbage can is my offer to those of you who can not take advantage of the promotion because you have your email already in the system because you have purchased a kit in the past.  Sign up again for Paper Pumpkin and I will put your name into a drawing for this cute collapsible garbage can!  It is about 10 inches tall when you pop it open.  Great to keep on your craft table or to take with you to a crop for all those little scraps. 
You must act quickly though because these sale and raffle offers end at 11:50 Mountain time!
Click the link on the right of my blog, be sure you designate me as your Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I will have my daughter draw the winner when I get order confirmations on Monday. 
Contact me with any questions!