I participated in a swap this summer featuring stamp sets from the Holiday Mini. I plan to share the cards I received over the next week or so. Since Halloween is the first holiday, I'm starting our with Halloween cards. This one was created by Amanda Harbison. She used the Googly Ghouls stamp set (c-128063, w-128060); Midnight Muse, Basic Gray and Lucky Limeade card stock; the Spider Web Textured Impressions embossing folder (120889); Fancy Flower punch (retired); and the Googlies (127539). To order these supplies, visit my online store here.

Thanks for coming by to visit today. Please feel free to share my blog with your friends and be sure to come back tomorrow to see another of the swap cards I received.

Until next time…blessings,

Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

Supplies: Stamp Set – Joyous Celebrations (w-128066, c-128069); Card Stock – Whisper White (100730) and Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations (127846); Inks – Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler; Other – Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859), Holiday Frame Textured Impressios Embossing Folder (127820)

When I received the Holiday Mini catalog, I immediately was drawn to this embossing folder. I love dry embossing and using embossing folders and the Big Shot die-cutting machine make quick work of dry embossing. For a couple of years now, I have read discussions and seen samples of sanded core'dinations card stock. I was delighted to see that Stampin' Up! now carries some in their exclusive colors. You first emboss the card stock and then sand the raised portions. Core'dinations card stock had a core that is different from the outside layers and sanding it brings out a slightly different color. Stampin' Up! card stock is the same color all the way through the paper so sanding it will only rough up the paper, not show a different color core.

Since I didn't keep the Extra-large oval punch out of storage, I had to improvise so I stamped the JOY with Gumball Green ink onto the Whisper White card stock and cut it into an oval by hand. I did order another punch so I could make more cards with this stamp set and embossing folder. I added the little rhinestone to the center of the O for a little bling.

Now is the time to be starting your Christmas cards. Visit my online store to order supplies to make this card or a Christmas card of your own design. As a heads-up, I will be starting a Twelve Weeks of Christmas promotion for my The Soggy Stamper Newsletter subscribers. Each week, I'll send out a project for you to make starting with 5 weeks of Christmas cards. The promotion begins in October so subscribe now by filling out the box in the upper right-hand corner of this blog. You will love the exclusive projects I have chosen for you.

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

…take advantage of…no…it isn't either the last day! This offer has been extended until September 14 to give you more time to create Christmas photo books, calendars, cards, and tags. Just think of the pleasure your family will receive each time they look at that photo book of your darling kids or the memories renewed by looking at photos of that trip you took together. I know that grandparents will love, love, love a calendar with photos of their grandkids on each month. This would be the perfect gift for them since they usually have everything they need. Once you finish creating your project, send them off by email to Stampin' Up!'s professional printer for high quality paper and exact formulations of ink colors. Click here to view the 31 downloads that have been discounted.

It is the last day to sign up for your own paper crafting business and receive this darling kit to create a unique Halloween decor.

After Halloween, change out the papers and embellishments to make a Thanksgiving decor item and then change it out again for Christmas. I have such fun running my Stampin' Up! business and would love to have you join me in the fun. Contact me so we can discuss how owning your own business can meet your needs. The special Halloween craft kit is only available through tomorrow but the business opportunity is available all the time.

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

Supplies: Stamp Sets – Four Seasons (w-126830, c-126832) and Wacky Wishes (w-126410, c-126412) both are hostess sets; Inks – Gumball Green stamp pad,Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, and Basic Gray markers; card stock – Midnight Muse, Whisper White; other – Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854), Northern Flurry embossing folder (120902)

I apologize for the size of this card. I had to pull it up from a website because the original is at home and I am in Colorado. I made 44 of these for the SUSDOL card-front swap. The base is Midnight Muse. I then added a layer of Whisper White card stock that has been run through the Big Shot with the Northern Flurry embossing folder. I stamped Merry Christmas from the Hostess stamp set Wacky Wishes with Gumball Green ink. I sponged Frost White Shimmer Paint on the winter stamp from Four Seasons and stamped it on Midnight Muse card stock. Then I cut it out using one of the Apothecary Accents Framelits. I used Early Espresso, Basic Gray, and Cherry Cobbler markers to color the bird and circle of that same stamp and stamped it on Whisper White card stock. Then I punched it out with the 1" circle stamp and layered it over the punched piece with a Stampin' Dimensional. The new Illuminate Glimmer Watermark Stampin' Pad found in the Holiday Mini will ceate the same effect without having to sponge Shimmer Paint on the stamp. Of the three cards I created to swap at convention, this is my favorite. If you need any of the supplies I used to make this card, just click here to enter my online store. If you would like to receive Hostess benefits to get the two hostess sets, contact me to schedule a workshop. The workshop can be in your home if you live on Prince of Wales Island or can be a catalog party…or….you can place a $150 (before shipping and taxes) order through my online store.

Lovely Little Labels Kit (131231)

We have another terrific Tuesday download. You can see them here and order any you want. I haven't order any today, I'm still thinking on it. However, I did order the Lovely Little Labels Kit last week and haven't shown you a creation using it yet. My business coach is always telling us that we shouldn't buy new product until we have shown the product we already have so I am right on target this time. However…my creative muse has fled the house so I don't have a project to share today.

My husband's sister is critically ill and has been given up to two weeks to live so we are on our way to Denver to see her. I will do my best to keep up my blog posts while we are traveling.

It is also our 48th anniversary and we have done something very unique. We toasted each other for 48 years together with champagne at 30,000 ft! In the course of discussion with the flight attendent in the first class section of the plane, it came up that we were celebrating our anniversary and he gave us complimentary glasses of champagne.

Thanks for coming to visit today. Check back throughout the week to see how well I do with posting daily.

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

Lovely Little Labels Kit (131231)

We have another terrific Tuesday download. You can see them here and order any you want. I haven't order any today, I'm still thinking on it. However, I did order the Lovely Little Labels Kit last week and haven't shown you a creation using it yet. My business coach is always telling us that we shouldn't buy new product until we have shown the product we already have so I am right on target this time. However…my creative muse has fled the house so I don't have a project to share today.

My husband's sister is critically ill and has been given up to two weeks to live so we are on our way to Denver to see her. I will do my best to keep up my blog posts while we are traveling.

It is also our 48th anniversary and we have done something very unique. We toasted each other for 48 years together with champagne at 30,000 ft! In the course of discussion with the flight attendent in the first class section of the plane, it came up that we were celebrating our anniversary and he gave us complimentary glasses of champagne.

Thanks for coming to visit today. Check back throughout the week to see how well I do with posting daily.

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

This weekend, a wonderful customer placed a nice order online. However, she didn't get the hostess benefits she was due because she placed the order through www.stampinup.com. To get hostess benefits, you must first go to my website http://creationsbysue.stampinup.net. You will see the front page of my website as the picture shows. Then click on the 'Shop Now' button to access the products and place your order.

Ordering online has several benefits.

• You can order whenever you are ready, you don't have to wait for a workshop or come to my house with your order.
• You can order in your pjs. If you wake up in the middle of the night thinking about a certain stamp set or punch you want, you can go to your computer and order it.
• The order comes directly to you so you don't have to wait for a hostess to deliver it.
• You can be your own hostess. Go to my online store as described above and with a qualifying order of $150 or more before shipping and taxes, you get hostess benefits.

I always appreciate your business. If you have questions or prefer to have me order for you, just send me an email.

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

Good news! The 31% off 31 digital products for 31 days promotion has been extended to September 14. This gives you a little more time to finish those projects and get them sent off to Stampin' Up!'s professional printer. Have you tried them out yet? At 31% off printing of photobooks, scrapbook pages, cards and tags, what have you to lose? Think of all the great Christmas presents you can create and give that will be treasured forever. Click on the link for a list of the discounted digital downloads. http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryid=1132&dbwsdemoid=33458

I have decided that I really love this Scentsational Season stamp set and its coordinating Holiday Collection Framelits set. This is the third card I have made using this set. This time I am featuring the gingerbread men. I added Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details to their buttons for a little glitz. I used my black pen to color their eyes. I added a couple strips of Snow Festival Designer Series Paper. I love the colors in this house pattern. The greeting comes from Tags til Christmas. Of course, I didn't keep the scallop square punch out of storage. Go figure! I can't decide which image from the set I like best. I guess I like them all. Which one is your favorite? Leave your vote in a comment. If you need any stamping supplies, ordering is as easy as entering my online store, clicking on the items you need, and checking out. The order is shipped directly to you. Or you can email it to me if you prefer.

Supplies: Scentsational Season Stamp Set (w-121026, c-121190), Tags til Christmas (w-120847, c-121169), Holiday Collection Framelits (127814), or Scentsational Season Bundle (w-129945, c-129946), Snow Festival Designer Series Paper (126908)

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

Thanks, Jane!

Here is a card that uses the Scentsational Season stamp set and the Holiday Collection Framelits but doesn't say 'Christmas'. I love this saying from the From My Heart stamp set and used two mugs to suggest just sitting and having hot chocolate together. It could be a very romantic time. This card would be a great winter anniversary card. The candy cane that comes with the stamp set seemed to be too big for the mugs so I cut it in half and used the end as a peppermint stick in the second mug.

Supplies: Stamp Sets – Scentsational Season (w-121026, c-121190), From My Heart (w-126555, c-126557)
Inks: Pacific Point (126951), Real Red (126949), Early Espresso (126974)
Paper: Crumb Cake (120955) and Whisper White (100730) card stock, Snow Festival Designer Series Paper (126908)
Other: Holiday Collection Framelits (127814) or Scentsational Season Bundle (w-129945, c-129946)

Scentsational Bundle

To order any of the supplies used in this card, just click on the links to be taken to my online store. I hope you like this card. Come back again soon to see other cards I made with this stamp set.

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

Supplies: MDS2+ (130646), MDS2 (130644), MDS2 upgrade (130650), or 30-day FREE trial of MDS2 (130910), Thoughts and Prayers stamp brush set (comes with MDS), Fan Fare Designer Series Paper (127200), Labels Collection Framelits (125598)

Welcome to My Digital Craft Corner this Friday. I have a hybrid card for you today. A good friend's mother passed gently away in her sleep last night and I needed a sympathy card. I have the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set but it is in storage so I turned to my trusty MDS2+, my stamp room in my computer. There, nothing becomes retired and storage space is not a problem. I even used the new recoloring feature to change the Fan Fare designer series paper from this

to the lighter Baja Breeze because this color was too bold for my purposes. I wanted to cut the greeting out with one of the Labels Collection Framelits so I printed out the greeting as a layer and the recolored designer series paper as a layer. I then added them to Soft Suede card stock and added a bow. This is an example of how MDS2 can be a help to those who prefer the traditional stamps, paper, and ink method.

Thanks for coming by to visit today. If you haven't signed up for my News from My Digital Craft Corner yet, please do. I am working on the September issue which is filled with great projects and tips. Just fill out the box in the top right corner. Then when you get an email asking you to confirm, please also do that.

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

With the new 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! catalog, Stampin' Up! introduced firm foam stamp pads. The above pictures show what they look like. Since Stampin' Up! is in several countries now using several languages, the labels for the stamp pads are printed labels which you peel off the bottom and place on the end of the stamp pad where you open the pad. I love this feature rather than having no name on the end. Notice how smooth the surface of the stamp pad is. There is no linen fabric to leave the pattern of the weave on your stamped image nor are there threads fray. All you need is a light tap to get a perfect image. You need to know that Basic Black does not dry well on Whisper White and Very Vanilla card stock. Stampin' Up! recommends using black Stazon ink for those two colors of card stock. It dries rapidly and is also perfect for watercoloring or coloring images with blender pens.

Here are a few Q & As you will need to know:

Q: Why did we switch from felt pads to firm foam pads?

A: We have worked very hard to improve the functionality of our Classic Stampin’ Pads. The firm foam allows for better ink coverage; plus it stays juicer and lasts longer.

Q: Do old Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills work with the new firm foam pads?
A: Yes, with the exception of Basic Black, Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, and Tempting Turquoise, which have been reformulated to work with the new foam pad material. We do not recommend using old ink refills in these colors with the new firm foam pads.

Q: Before I use my firm foam pad, do I need to tap it and massage the ink around?
A:  No. The firm foam pads are ready for use immediately. The best stamping technique with the firm foam pad is light tapping.

Q: My pad is too wet. What should I do?
A: The closer to the manufacture date, the juicer the pad will be. As the pad ages, this problem will fade. In the meantime, very light tapping will reduce the extra ink on the stamp. You can also use a paper towel to blot the area of the stamp pad that you will be using.

Q: The firm foam on my lighter color pads looks blotchy. Is this normal?
A: Yes. The blotchiness is caused by the characteristics of the pad material. It does not affect the stamped image.

Q: How long will the pad last before I need to re-ink it?
A: The amount you use it will affect how often you need to re-ink. Please keep in mind that these pads release a lot more ink onto your stamp, resulting in a crisp, solid image. Since the pads release more ink, they will need to be refilled more often.

Additional features of the new stamp pads are:

• The firm foam is nice and flat and will not become wavy.
• The firm foam material does not imprint on the stamp images like the felt pad sometimes did. However, because the firm foam material is a foam base material, the stamp image can momentarily leave an imprint on the pad, which can transfer to a second stamped image. By inking your stamp on different areas of the pad or waiting momentarily for the ink to rise back to the top, you can easily avoid this situation.
• The firm foam material is soft and has a nice bounce to it. It’s not hard like the felt is.
• The ink lay-down (how the ink is absorbed into the card stock) is even, not blotchy, and dries quickly. It has an increased opacity and stamps solid images beautifully.
• Please note: We do not recommend using the Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad on Whisper White or Very Vanilla Card Stock. Instead, we recommend you use the StazOn Ink Pad.

I know that some of you have received the new stamp pads with your recent orders. I just wanted to share this information with you so you would understand more about the pads. I know you will love them as much as I do. The old style stamp pads are still perfectly fine to use so you don't need to throw them all away and get the new ones. If you want to switch over, that is fine. I suggest you do it by purchasing a color family at a time. The Stampin' Spots are still the linen covered style.

As always, my online store is open 24/7. Ordering is easy and the product is shipped directly to you. I appreciate your business. The September issue of The Soggy Stamper Newsletter will be coming out September 4. If you aren't a subscriber already, why don't you take time to subscribe right now so you don't miss this issue. Just fill out the sign-up box in the upper right-hand corner.

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

                                    (Click on image for full-size image)

How are you coming with your creations you want to send in for professional printing? I really want you to be able to take advantage of this promotion and see how wonderful your projects look when printed by Stampin' Up!'s professional printer. The inks are calibrated so they are an exact match to the ink in your stamp pads. Why is this important? Because if you want to add embellishments like ribbons or brads to your printed project or mount it on card stock to convert it to a hybrid, you need to have the colors match. Your home printer probably does a good job but there is no guarantee of a perfect match.

Don't forget that selected stamps brush sets and designer kits are also 31% off during August. Time is running out so don't procrastinate longer. Check out this list of downloads and place your order through my online store.

I mentioned in Monday's post that I am working on a video showing some shortcuts I used in creating the card. I am working on the video. I am learning in the process so it is taking time to get the editing right. I am eager to share it as soon as it is ready. Keep tuning in. :o)

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com

Supplies: Stamp Sets – Scentsational Season (w-121026, c-121190), Mixed Medley (Hostess set in Holiday mini w-128054, c-128057); Inks – Gumball Green, Illuminate Glimmer Watermark Stampin' Pad (126857), Real Red; Card Stock – Soft Suede, Whisper White, Pacific Point; Other: Holiday Collection Framelits Dies (127814), Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (127821), 1 1/4" Scallop Circle punch (127811), 3/4" circle punch (119875), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439)

Welcome to The Soggy Stamper blog. A good friend and fellow demonstrator inspired me to finally use this Scentsational Season stamp set and the corresponding Holiday Collection Framelits Dies. You can buy them separately if you want but this year, Stampin' Up! realized the economy is not very good and has bundled these together at a discount. The bundle number is129945 for the wood mount stamp set and 129946 for the clear-mount set. The framelits are designed to cut out the stamps…no more hand-cutting! I embossed the card front with the Woodgrain embossing folder. I love the texture of the embossing.

Click on the links to order these exciting stamps and framelits. If you don't have a Holiday mini catalog yet, send me an email with your phone number so we can have a conversation on how you can get a FREE copy mailed to you.

Thanks for checking out my blog today. I appreciate your visit. If you like this card, feel free to share it with your friends. I just ask that you give me the credit.

Until next time…blessings,
Sue
sue@soggystamper.com