Oh my goodness! The lists of Stampin' Up! products that are retiring the end of June are up and I am really shocked. Not only has Stampin' Up! revised their color palette, but they must be revamping all their punches. Now I have had time to adjust to the color revision and look forward to it but the revision of their punches is a big surprise. I own almost all of the punches in this year's catalog and ALL of them are retiring. I have used my punches as much as my stamps on the cards I make. If there were some punches you intended to purchase but just haven't gotten around to it, you must order them right away! Retiring accessories are available only as long as current inventory lasts and will sell out quickly. 

 

Today is the last day you can take advantage of Stampin' Up!'s National Scrapbooking Month special! By ordering one of the stamp sets listed below, and some of them are actually on SALE, you get your choice of four different packages of designer brads for free! Don't delay or you might miss the deadline. Click here to place your order!

May you be having a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend,

Sue

*From Summer Mini Catalog
**Last Chance stamp set!

My Digital Studio software

*From Summer Mini Catalog

Designer brads

Welcome to my  craft corner of the internet! This is my first post as I am just beginning the process of building this blog. I will be featuring scrapbook pages, cards and 3-D items created using My Digital Studio created by Stampin' Up! I will also be posting articles and items of interest to digital crafters. Do come back often to see how this blog grows.

Blessings,

Sue

Here is another card using the Go, Graduate stamp set. This time I used it to create a money holder/card. The high school colors are red and black. Have you ordered your set yet? It is very easy. Just click here then click on 'Order Now' button. The item numbers are 118519 for the wood mount and 120054 for the clear mount set.

Stamp Sets: Go, Graduate and Live Your Dream (retired)

Inks: Basic Black and Whisper White Craft

Paper: Real Red and Basic Black card stock

Other: Black satin ribbon and white grosgrain ribbon

Inside of card

Thanks for coming to visit today. Leave a comment and let me know you were here.

Blessings,

Sue

Can you believe it? We have a National Postcard Week! In honor of this week and in honor of National Scrapbooking Month, I have created this scrapbook page for you using the My Digital Studio program from Stampin' Up!. The postcard is from Salt Lake City where Stampin' Up! holds their annual convention for Stampin' Up! demonstrators. I have included scenes from the 2006 convention where I had the exciting opportunity to walk across the stage in recognition of my five years as a demonstrator. My friend, Trish Brunkhart, was so excited that she…and I practically ran onto the stage….and…off the stage. We were in the spotlight for maybe 10 whole seconds…LOL! At least someone did get a picture of us.

Now…if you would like t o join me at convention as a demonstrator on my team, I would love to have you. This is the best business! Where else can you set your own hours, your own level of business activity, get great support and training from the home office, and have FUN while you are doing it? Now is the perfect time to sign up! The starter kit that includes the My Digital Studio program in addition to stamps, paper, ink pads and markers is only $185 (an over $295 value). But you must sign up by June 30 to take advantage of this offer. Contact me at sue@soggystamper.com for more information.

Thanks for visiting me today. Please leave a comment so I know you were here and do come back again soon.

Blessings, Sue

Check out the fresh, new color palette coming July 1! Stampin' Up! recently announced to us demonstrators that beginning July 1, we will have new color families. This revision is the result of over two years of market studies and a desire to stay up to date with color trends in fashion and home decor. Many of our old favorites are going to be retired, some of the best selling In Colors from previous years are going to be included in the color families and we are getting five new colors. In addition, there will be 5 new In Colors which will be current for two years. Next year, five more new In Colors will be introduced which will also stay current two years. This way, after two years, five In Colors will retire and five new ones will be introduced. Click on the buttons on my sidebar to see color charts in pdf form. Now is the time to stock up on your favorite colors which will be retiring! Visit my online store to place your orders! Thanks for stopping by today! Blessings, Sue Erickson

Over on Utah Diva's International, we had a contest during April called "Spring Into Spring." Congratulations to the winner Gretchen Barron. Here is her card. Unfortunately, I didn't reread the directions before making my card and made a standard 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" card. When my card was finished the night before the postmark deadline, I rechecked the directions. Oh no! The card was supposed to be a 5" square! Needless to say, I didn't have time to remake my card so I didn't submit it. Here it is in all it's glory. The butterflies are 'floating' on spirals cut from overhead transparencies.

Here it is closed                                                    and here it is opened.

  The butterflies and the centers of the larger flowers are punched out of card stock I first sprayed with Log Cabin Smooch Spritz. Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Blessings,

Sue

Stamp Set: Something Sweet

Inks: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, and Summer Sun marker

Card Stock: Old Olive, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Always Artichoke

Other: Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Trio Flower punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Top Note Bigz die, Garden Wall Designer Series paper, clear overhead transparency

So many people have rediscovered the art of making tissue paper flowers but with a new twist. They are using the wonderful punches and dies that Stampin' Up! carries to cut out the flowers. Last Friday I held a workshop featuring three different styles of paper flowers made with punches.

This last card features a tissue paper flower made with the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch. I don't remember who created this flower but I am pretty much following her directions for the flower. If you know who created it, let me know and I'll be happy to give her the credit. Now, I originally didn't see what was so fancy about this punch until I saw what this demo made with it. I then had to have it! LOL!

To make this flower I wheeled the new Very Vintage jumbo wheel using a Pretty in Pink cartridge on 8 pieces of tissue paper and stacked the papers together. I then punched the flower out using the punch. I punched a hole in the center of the layers with a Crop-o-dile and put a rhinestone brad in the middle. From that point, I just scrunched up the flower, layer by layer to fluff it up. It was so easy! The leaves were made using the Stampin' Up! Little Leaves Sizzlet die. I used a layer of Shades of Spring Designer Series paper that has been cut out with the Bigz Top Note die behind the flower. I spritzed a little Certainly Celery onto the edges of the white card base and added a white butterfly sponged with Pretty in Pink as a final accent.

As always, if you want the supplies to make this card, visit my online store to place your order or you can email me at sue@soggystamper.com. My store is open 24/7. Thanks for stopping by to visit today. Do come back again soon.

Blessings,

Sue Erickson aka The Soggy Stamper

Stamp Set: Whimsical Words

Paper: Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper, Whisper White card stock, Always Artichoke card stock, white tissue paper

Ink: Pretty in Pink jumbo cartridge, Basic Gray

Other: Extra Large Fancy Flower punch, Stampin' Up! Little Leaves Sizzlet die, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Stampin' Up! Top Note Bigz die, Certainly Celery Stampin' Write marker, Color Spritzer Tool

Here is the second card we did. I taught the stampers how to make the rose that Chera Wiest created using the ornament punch. Her tutorial can be found here. Instead of putting another tightly curled petal in the middle, we finished off the flower with a rhinestone brad. We sponged around the edge of the petals using a sponge dauber to give more depth to the petals and make each individual one stand out a little more. A folded piece of Old Olive satin ribbon serves as the leaves. The scallop circle is the larger of the two scallop circles on the Bigz Scallop Circle #2 die. Love that Big Shot! If you don't have one yet, why not??? You can order it from my online store. When you do place an order for one, I will send you five free tips or techniques you can do with the Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping here to visit me. Please leave me a comment. I'd love to know you were here.

Blessings,

Sue Erickson aka The Soggy Stamper

Stamp Set: Well Scripted

Card Stock: Mellow Moss, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White

Ink: Regal Rose, Basic Black

Other: Ornament punch, Sizzix Bigz Scallop Circle  #2 die, Old Olive Satin ribbon, rhinestone brad, bone folder, sponge daubers

What can be a better sign of spring than blooming tulips? While the weather outside is nothing like a sunny spring day, this card will bring spring to your heart. The tulips are made with 3 of the wings from the Extra Large Two-step Bird punch from Stampin' Up! I drew the stems and leaves by hand using an Always Artichoke Stampin' Write marker. The vase is the ornament punch trimmed a bit and then run through the Big Shot using the Finial Press embossing folder. I added a touch of bling with the self-adhesive rhinestones from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit found in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I never dreamed I would be so addicted to using the Big Shot on cards! I previously associated die cutting machines with scrapbooking, yep. This is one of the cards we made at our Punchy Flowers workshop last Friday. Click here to order the supplies needed to make this card. Thanks for visiting my site and come back tomorrow for another of the cards we made at that workshop.

Blessings,

Sue

Stamp set: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Shades of Spring Designer Series paper, Bashful Blue card stock, Close to Cocoa card stock, Regal Rose card stock, Whisper White card stock

Ink: Always Artichoke

Other: Scallop trim punch, Extra Large Two-step Bird punch, Ornament punch, Modern Label punch, Finial Press embossing folder, rhinestones from Eggcellent Eggs Kit, Always Artichoke Stampin' Write marker, organza ribbon

I have been intrigued by so many creative ways to use Stampin' Up!'s punches to make paper flowers. I taught a workshop on Friday where we made three cards all with flowers using different Stampin' Up! punches. I will share them with you over this coming week. Be sure to stop by for a visit often so you don't miss any of the beautiful cards.

Today I want to share with you a 3-D item I created that was inspired by Amanda Coughlin, a watering can made from the mini milk carton Sizzix die. After I ran the card stock through the Big Shot with the die and after I folded all the score lines, I embossed it with the Finial Press embossing folder. I inserted a small cube of dry floral foam in the watering can so I could stick the flower stems into it to hold them. I used clear crystal brads to attach the handle. The flowers were made using Julie Williams' technique. You can find her tutorial here. I twisted two strands of green wire and glued them into a hole in the bottom of the rose with Crystal Effects. The leaves are the wing of the Extra Large Bird punch from Stampin' Up! I stuck two together with the wire running between them with glue dots. Of course, I just had to place a few butterflies from the Beautiful Wings embosslit on this project and finished it off with a bow on the handle. I hope you enjoy it and thanks to Amanda and Julie for the inspiration!

Blessings,

Sue

Stamp set: none

Card stock: Shimmery White, Blush Blossom, Regal Rose, Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue, So Saffron

Inks: Regal Rose

Other: Finial Press embossing folder, Sizzix Bigz L mini milk carton die, Stampin' Up! Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Extra Large Fancy Flower punch, Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Mellow Moss Taffeta ribbon

I needed a birthday card for our daughter Erin which gave me a perfect chance to create a card for this past Saturday's Stamping 411 Challenge. Here is the sketch

This is my card for Erin

Stamp: Well Scripted

Card Stock: Certainly Celery, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White, So Saffron

Ink: Basic Black

Other: Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper, Finial Press embossing folder, apricot grosgrain ribbon (retired)

I was inspired by a card Jackie Topa had created using the heart treat cups that Stampin' Up! sells. I wanted to make the card reloadable so I put a tag in the card that pulls up to open up the treat cup. Follow this link to Jackie's blog for many more punch animal ideas. She is definitely queen of the punch! Here is my version of the card.

Stamp set: Inspired by Nature

Card stock: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Crushed Curry

Inks: Bashful Blue, Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel

Other: Scallop circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch, Basic Black marker, Signo White gel pen, heart treat cup, brayer, sponge

Are you a demo and planning to attend convention this year? Are you not a demo but would like to attend the greatest stamping event of the year? Do you love Stampin' Up! stamps and aren't a demo? Now is the time to join my team! During Sale-a-Bration, you can become a demonstrator for only $169 for a standard starter kit or $157 for a digital + starter kit. In addition, you will receive a stamp set of your choice from any of our current catalogs, (up to $47.95) absolutely FREE! Contact me for more information about joining my team of demonstrators. I hope you will join me and be able to come to convention with me.

I recently joined LNSDemoOnly Yahoo group for support in my business efforts. They are holding numerous events before, during, and after convention. Life doesn't get much better when you are STAMPING with a group of wonderful, friendly stampers.

Here is the information about these events:

Plan to attend Stampin Up Convention 2010 with us on July 21-24, 2010

OUR LNS events start on Monday July 19th and end on Saturday July 24th with Patsy's WOW event after convention is over.

$180 gives you the "I want it all package"

or you can pick from the events below

Send your payment to istmpnv@aol. com using pay pal

or mail a check to

Sherrill Graff

605 Kendrick Place

Boulder City NV 89005

if you are sending a check e-mail me and let me know so I can hold your spot.

 Monday July 19th will be a 8:30 AM stamp camp 8 great projects $90 OPEN

we supply everything except adhesive

Monday Stamp Camp projects are the same on both days

Monday 2 PM shoe box swap $35 OPEN

Please bring a project to share with 6 people and a finished project to enter into the contest

 Monday Night 7 PM WOW  event by Tami $10 OPEN

Bring your camera and a note pad

the WOW demonstrations are different on both days.

all at the Radisson

 Tuesday July 20th will be a 8:30 AM stamp camp 8 great projects $90 OPEN

 Followed by a Tuesday 2 PM shoe box swap $35 OPEN

Please bring a project to share with 6 people and a finished project to enter into the contest

 Then the Tuesday Night 7 PM Reunion party 3 fun projects$35OPEN

We supply everything except adhesive all at the Radisson

Wednesday July 21 Anything New Swap 75+1 at the Radisson behind Convention on sign in day

Wednesday Sign In Day 2pm-4pm Shoe Box Swap

Hosted by Mary and Brenda $35 OPEN

Please bring a project to share with 6 people and a finished project to enter into the contest

at the Radisson

Then a Saturday July 24th 6 PM WOW event by Patsy $10 OPEN

Bring your camera and a note pad

at the Radisson

the WOW demonstrations are different on both days.

 All events have prizes and give-a-ways.

Blessings,

Sue Erickson