Another Sneak Peek…..Well, Not Really

I think tea parties are lots of fun, not only for little girls, but for women too! That was one of the motivations behind me joining a Red Hat group.  There’s nothing quite like putting on my pink hat (I don’t get to wear the red one for a few more years) and getting together to chat over tea. 

This really isn’t a sneak peak because you may remember the stamp set, Tea Shoppe, from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I’m happy to say that the set made it into the new 2012-2013 Idea Book & Catalog.  Here’s one of the cards I made with the set.  I liked adding the little “tea bag” made out of vellum that could be moved in and out of the teacup.

 

Pretty Doily

Here’s a pretty, but simple idea for using the doily die.  I hesitated to buy it because it takes some work to punch out all the little pieces after it’s been cut, but I’m glad I got it.  I think it makes a beautiful card without spending much time doing other embellishments.   

Sneak Peek #2

Here’s a pretty card made with the Forever With You stamp set, Comfort Café designer series paper and fabric, Oval Accents die, and the new Naturals buttons (love these!)  I think this stamp set will be great for using on scrapbooking pages too.

Happy Stampin! 

Foam VS Felt Ink Pads

I got one of the new foam style ink pads and tested it against my old felt style for a comparison.  Here’s my personal opinion. 

I felt that my image was a little darker with the foam and it was easier to get complete ink coverage with it.  My stamping style will need to change with the foam pads, however.  On my felt pads I rub my stamp across the surface and then tap it.  I found that rubbing rather than just tapping gave me more complete coverage.  You cannot rub on a foam pad.  It’s much too sticky.  I tried just tapping, but I wasn’t getting complete coverage, so then I started doing a twist and then tapping.  It worked and I got lots of ink.  The ink did, however, get onto the edges of the stamp, so I’ll need to be more cautious when using it.  I stamped the same image repeatedly using both the felt pad and then the foam.  The images are show below.  The first generation was a little darker with the foam and then the 2nd and 3rd generation images look very similar.  The only real problem I had was with the “rock-n-roll” technique.  I just couldn’t get it to work with the foam pad.  I think it looks MUCH better with the felt. 

I think I’m going to stay with my felt ink pads for now.  First of all, I already own them, so that’s less money I need to spend to keep stamping.  I do think however, that I will get some of the new foam style when I know I’m going to be stamping a solid image.  For example, I know I’m using a big solid image on one of my convention swaps, so I’m ordering the new foam pad in that color to make it easier. 

Sneak Peek

Here’s a card made with two of the stamp sets from the new catalog.  This card features Memorable Moments (for the numbers and sentiment) and Papaya Collage for the images, which I particularly love.  This is one of the stamp sets I’ll have on display at my Open House on June 1st.  Be sure to RSVP so I’ll know you’re coming. 

Happy Stampin’ 

Marker Madness

First let me say that I have the BEST customers!  One contacted me recently about the situation with the retiring markers.  Specifically she wanted to know which markers would still be available individually in the new catalog.  Since I didn’t know, I called Stampin’ Up.  I spoke with a really nice representative who told me that she didn’t know.  So, I sent that information along to my customer.  Well, my customer also contacted corporate, and she got an answer!  That said, I now have the answer to the question.

The following markers will still be available individually, in addition to being part of a set.  All other markers will only be sold in sets starting June 1st. 

Daffodil Delight
Old Olive
Pumpkin Pie
Real Red
Rich Razzleberry
Pretty in Pink
Marina Mist
Certainly Celery
Cherry Cobbler
Night of Navy
Crumb Cake
Early Espresso
Basic Black

Thank you, Gretchan, for getting the answer for us!  You really should be a demonstrator. 

Season of Friendship

Of all the stamp sets on the retiring list, I think I am most sad to see the Season of Friendship go.  I used this set often because it was good for so many different types of cards.  I used it for Spring, for Fall, for Father’s Day, for missing you cards.  It was also a great set for new stampers because of it’s simplicity and easy of use.