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Aloha, all!

Of course I have to have a few Independence Day cards for you this week!  There’s been so much else going on, but I couldn’t forget the 4th of July.

One reason is that I bought the new Sizzix Stampin’ Up! Movers and Shapers Punch Windows die to show it off as soon as the new catalog was ready!  And one of the dies is a star.

Let me tell you how this set of dies works.

• First, you have to have a basic Movers and Shapers frame with which to work.  You can purchase that with the Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Die, Movers and Shapers Curly Label.
• Each of the small pieces in the Punch Windows dies, as well as the curly label piece in the Movers and Shapers Curly Label, is just a little bit larger than an associated Stampin’ Up! Punch!
• The punches that coordinate with these five pieces are: Curly Label, Scallop Oval, Modern Label, Full Heart, and Large Star.  Actually, the Star punch is an added bonus, as I’m showing in this card.
• When you use the Movers and Shapers dies to make a window/aperture in the front of a card, you can place a piece punched with one of the punches on the INSIDE of your card neatly centered in the window/aperture created by the Movers and Shapers dies.

With this card, I cut a diagonal on both Real Red and Brilliant Blue, and adhered them together on a card made of Whisper White card stock.  Then I put this card front through the Movers and Shapers die with the star cut into the diagonal.  I punched a Whisper White star and adhered that to the inside of the card, centered on the star made from the Sizzix die.  Finally, I punched a Crushed Curry Star to place in the middle of the Whisper White Star, finished it off with the Circle Rhinestone Brad and a bit of 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon in Crushed Curry.  There are two small Red Circle Rhinestone brads on the "Celebrate" tag made with the Modern Label Punch.  Oh, and the mat for the Modern Label punch was also made with the Movers and Shapers Die--I placed the Modern Label die piece in the Movers and Shapers base with just a small piece of Brilliant Blue card stock, and ran it through my Sizzix Big Shot.  Presto–mat for the label!

I really hope that’s not too confusing!!  But I do a really good job of making projects such as this seem just as simple, well, as Apple Pie (isn’t that a summer picnic staple?).  Just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me, and I’ll go through it with you step by step!

Aloha, all!  And, no, at my age, it’s not a baby!!

It’s a puppy!!!  In the whole scheme of things, a puppy is a LOT easier than a baby, though it’s easier to diaper a non-potty-trained baby than a non-house-trained puppy.

Our puppy is not really a puppy.  He’s probably about a year old, and we’ll call him that until some vet somewhere says differently.  We have adopted him from a shelter for neglected and abused animals here in East Hawaii–Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary.  Our new guy is thin as a rail, was found tied to a tree, and may not ever have had the chance to live in a house. Starting just a few days after we return from our trip to Minnesota, he will definitely be living in a house.  Is he housebroken?  Hard to tell, as he is living in an outdoor pen at Rainbow Friends for the time being.  We just didn’t feel right bringing him home then leaving him for two weeks.  So they will care for him until we get back.

His name is Hoku, which means Star in Hawaiian.  He is a golden retriever mix, with the red coloring you might associate with an Irish setter–and a bit of the wave associated with that breed, too. 

To introduce you to him, I’ve made this photo card using the Stampin’ Up! stamp set, Man’s Best Friend.  I originally bought this set to help me in making our scrapbook for our last (9 year old) puppy, Cedro, who died from an infection about a year and a half ago.  I’ve still not done that scrapbook.  Maybe it will be easier to do it once we have Hoku home and a part of our family.  I’ve noted that the stamp set is not on the retired list, but is also not in the new catalog. So I’m hoping that it will be on the Dormant List, which will be published this week when the new 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog is introduced.  (Oh, and the other person in the photo is my DH, Harry, who is really looking forward to having a jogging buddy before too very long!)

To make this photo frame, you don’t have to be really judicious in the way you cut out the figure in the corner, because all that’s behind it is going to be hidden by the photo.  So cut away!!  If you’d like some more specific instructions, just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me, and I’ll be happy to give you a lesson over the phone or by e-mail!

Aloha, all!

One of my very favorite stamp sets, and one that’s been around a long time, is Voila!  I’ve used it inumerable times to decorate bottles of wine to give as hostess gifts, and I just love using Designer Series Paper to make something other than a white cloak for the cook in the set.

Today I used two stamps from the set for a Challenge Card.  The Challenge Sketch was posted on the blog, Stamping 411. 

My take on the sketch uses one of the new 2009-2010 In Colors, Rich Razzleberry, along with standard colors, Garden Green, Apricot Appeal, and Whisper White.  I used the Scallop Edge Punch for the strip of Garden Green behind the Rich Razzleberry, and the Scallop Circle Punch for the piece behind the stamped image.  Finally, I added a strip of the Rich Razzleberry 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, which comes in all of the 2009-2010 In Colors.  I think that the polka dots are a nice accent for the Whisper White card stock on which the image is stamped.  On the Apricot Appeal card base, I stamped one of the images from the Itty Bitty Backgrounds set in VersaMark.

I used Stampin’ Write Markers to color in the stamped image:  Rich Razzleberry, Garden Green, Apricot Appeal, and just a teensy bit of Real Red to make the Italian style bistro table cloth.  There’s also just a touch of Creamy Caramel and Sahara Sand for the final accents.

Mmmm.  I may have to go have some wine and cheese!! 

And nothing in this card is retiring this year!  If you’d like anything that’s a part of this card, you can order online any time, or just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me, and I’ll help you place an order.

Bon Appetit!!

Aloha, all!

As promised, here is the right page that goes with the left page in the scrapbook layout I introduced  yesterday.  This is my grandson, Quin, who had a blast at the Oregon Zoo.  I wanted him to stand in front of the Black Bear because it had the ruler markings.  But Quin wanted to stand in front of the Sun Bear, because they’re the same size.  Of course, both photos turned out well enough to make the scrapbook.

Again, I used the Circle Scissors Plus, and this time I double-matted the photo with Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze Card Stock.  In this case, the bear was real, though thankfully behind glass.  And that cute, cute Bear from the stamp set, Under the Stars, adds even more fun to this page.

Now I have to go get packing for yet another trip across the ocean.  Come to think of it, my destination fits right in with this theme:  It’s a place called Bear Lake in Northern Minnesota.  Hmmm, think I’ll get to use this stamp set there??  Believe me, it’s packed.

In fact, I’m packing lots of my Stampin’ Up! supplies just in case of rainy days.  Our little granddaughters will be there, and grandma is going to try to get them hooked on stamping at a very young age!   Yes, you call me a "pusher"

Aloha, all!

I spent most of last weekend putting together a scrapbook of photos I took when I visited my son and grandson, son’s significant other and her son.  We had two wonderful days out and about in Portland, Oregon.  On a Saturday we visited the Oregon Zoo, which is a delightful place to spend a day.  Then on Sunday we visited the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.  I couldn’t imagine trying to please an 8 year old and a 6 year old - both boys! - at a flower garden.  Wrong!!  This garden has lakes and ponds, and the lake and ponds have ducks and geese.  The first order of the day was to buy a very large bag of goose and duck food (of course).  Believe me, no one was bored!

I thought I’d share a couple of the scrapbook pages with you.  The scrapbook uses Stampin’ Up! products exclusively throughout.  For awhile I thought I was going to have to use non-Stampin’ Up! alphabet stickers.  But then I found some Avery Label sticker paper, and used one of the Sizzlit Alphabets that Stampin’ Up! offers in its catalog to make my own stickers.  When I priced things out, I definitely saved a lot of $$$ (not counting the Sizzix die because I’ve used that a lot already for other things).

This is the left page of a two-page spread.  I had the most fun using the Circle Scissors Plus on most of the pages in this scrapbook.  I could adjust it to just fit the image I wanted to cut, then adjust it slightly larger to make the mat behind the photo.  Most of the papers here are all papers that are going to be retiring at the end of this month.  The Baja Breeze was just the perfect color for this set of photos, and went well with the Kraft card stock, punched with the Photo Corners Punch, as an accent.

The printed papers are from the retiring set of Designer Papers, Parisian Breeze.  The stamp is from the set, Under the Stars, and another stamp from that set is on the right page (which I’ll share tomorrow)

The sticker letters are from the Sizzlit Naturally Serif Alphabet die.  It’s a long strip die with all the letters of the alphabet–upper and lower case–on one strip.  It was very, very easy to cut the sticker paper with it, and all the letters separated from their backing with just a bit of a push from the tip of a straight pin.  It’s just the perfect alphabet set for this size scrapbook page (8-1/2" x 11").

Are YOU ready to do some scrapbooking?  Beginning this fall, I’ll be offering Scrapbooking Classes in my Craft Room. Let me know if you’d be interested. 

Aloha, all!

I cannot believe it’s Wednesday already!!  DH and I are getting ready for a trip across the big pond next week, and there is SOOOO much to be done! 

But, as always, I have to have some time in the craft room!  I made today’s greeting card in response to a challenge on one of the Yahoo groups to which I belong:  Stampin’ Up! Late Night Stampers (StampinUpLNStampers. com).  The group was formed before last year’s Stampin’ Up! convention, and has continued and grown and now even has two groups–one for Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators only.  While I belong to both, I shared this card in the open group (and yes, you can join the group, too!)  There are lots of ideas for cards floating around in that bunch of creative women (haven’t seen any men posting so far).

This card is, once again, a mix of the old and the new.  But none of the old products in this card are going to retire this year.  So you’ll still be able to purchase them for the next 12 months!

The background is one of the new Stampin’ Up! colors, Crushed Curry, and the ribbon is a matching 1/2" Polka Dot Ribbon.  The smaller strip of card stock is also a new color, Dusty Durango.  The Corduroy Buttons, however, are in one of Stampin’ Up!’s standard colors, Summer Sun.  But don’t you think they go together nicely?  The Crushed Curry is just a tad bit softer than Summer Sun, and I think that the corduroy texture of the buttons softens them up to make a pretty close match!  I’ve used two stamp sets here, again one old and one new.  The new is the "Thinking of You" stamp from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set, and the old is the butterfly from the stamp set, Dreams du Jour.

The fun part of this card was cutting the Dusty Durango strip with the Stampin’ Up! Exclusive Movers and Shapers Curly Label die.  Then I punched the butterfly (stamped on Very Vanilla in Dusty Durango ink) with the Curly Label punch.  I assembled all and placed it on a Very Vanilla card.

This is just a nice, simple card, and I think that I’m going to enjoy sending it out to someone special.  I’ll have plenty of time to write letters and notes to friends while I’m on vacation, and I’ll be packing lots of cards!

If you’d like more information about how to design and assemble a card–or even how you might go about trying to respond to a design challenge!–just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me!

Aloha, all!  And a special Aloha to the fathers in my life:

My DH, Harry, who is a wonderful father to Carrie, stepfather to Andrew, and father-in-law to Jay

My DS, Andrew (aka "Gus") who is just the greatest father for our grandson, Quin

My Step-son-in-law, Jay, who has his hands full–but lovingly!–with his three wonderful children

This card continues with my "something-old-something-new" theme as I get ready for the brand new 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up! catalog.

The old is the great "masculine" Designer Series Paper, Manchester (oooh, it even has the word "man" in it!)  If you’ve been thinking about buy this paper, you’re just about out of time!  I still have a few sheets left–hoarding them in case of an emergency!

The new is three-fold:  First, the brand new, soon to be released Modern Label Punch.  Then, to go along with it, I’ve used the Sizzix Movers and Shapers Punch Windows Die that coordinates with the punch.  You see, the punched paper with the greeting on it is INSIDE THE CARD!  It’s the Movers and Shapers Punch Windows Die that makes the aperture in the front of the card so that you can see the greeting from the front as well as from the inside.

The third new product is the "Happy Father’s Day" greeting from one of our new stamp sets, Teeny Tiny Greetings!

It’s all finished off with some pewter brads from the set, Vintage Brads, and some of the Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, and set into some luscious Handsome Hunter card stock.  These are both old and new–they’re continuing from the last catalog into the new!

Now, isn’t that a nicely put together card?

By the time you read this, it’s undoubtedly too late for a Father’s Day card this year.  But it’s not too late to get products from Stampin’ Up!s Last Chance list.  You can order these online or by calling (808.854.6145) or e-mailing me with questions–or your order!

Aloha, all!

No, it’s not anything to do with a wedding.  But it does have to do with what is about to become an "old" Stampin’ Up! product, along with a few things that are definitely "New!" products!

First the old–I just love the Designer Series Paper, Walk in the Park, which is in the 2009 Occasions Mini Catalog, which has only two more weeks in its short little life!  So, if you’ve been thinking that this would be wonderful paper to have, now’s the time to buy it.  It has so many wonderful colors in it that are part of the 48 standard Stampin’ Up! colors.  For this card, I used some Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue and Regal Rose.  Isn’t that a great combination? 

Then in the card is a sneak peek at three NEW products that will appear in the Stampin’ Up! 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog, which will make its first appearance online on July 1st. 

• One of the products is one of the newest Stampin’ Up! punches, Modern Label.  I used it to cut the Very Vanilla label that’s stamped with
• A new stamp set, Teeny Tiny Wishes.  This set has 24 greetings that cover most holidays and special occasions, and a few simple greetings, such as "just for you."
• And behind that Very Vanilla Label is a larger label in Regal Rose cut with the new Sizzix Stampin’ Up! exclusive Punch Windows, which are part of the Movers and Shapers set offered by Stampin’ Up exclusively.

The card is all set off with some Very Vanilla Tafetta Ribbon and three Pretty In Pink brads from the Soft Subtles collection of brads.  These products, as well as the Very Vanila card stock, continue into the new catalog from the current one.

Unfortunately, this is a sympathy card that’s not just for the card stash.  I made this card for a neighbor who’s mother passed away last month.  And, while I was posting to this blog, I learned that the mother of another good friend just passed away last Friday.  So I’ll be making another card, too.

I personally feel that a handmade card, such as this, is so much more meaningful than one purchased at a store.  Each card is unique, and each is an expression of your own feeling for the person and event involved.  As always, I can help you figure out what you might want to purchase in the way of Stampin’ Up! products to make YOUR own very special handmade cards.  Just call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me and let me know how I can help.

Aloha, all!

Ever since I first saw the new 44 cent Love Stamps, I have been eager to try them out with the Stampin’ Up! stamp set, Card Games. 

THEN, when I saw the new In Colors for 2009-2010, I really couldn’t wait to see what I could do with them.  This is my first try at making them work together.  While I may try some more to get a better design, at least this got the whole idea out of my system–for now…

The In Colors that I used you’ll be seeing in the new catalog starting July 1st.  The orange color is Dusty Durango, and the yellow color is Crushed Curry.  The ribbon is a new Polka Dot 1/2" grosgrain ribbon that will be available in all 6 of the new In Colors–no other colors, sorry!  But there will be a 3/4" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon in Real Red.  Ooooh, start thinking Christmas!!  And then there’s Valentine’s Day. 

But I digress.  The background color for all of this is Whisper White, and the saying is from the stamp set, "Simply Said," which is one of my favorite sets that will be continued in the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog.

So herewith another Sneak Peek at the new catalog!!!

For those of you in East Hawaii who would like to SEE the new catalog, I’m having a "play date" in Robin’s Craft Room (newly decluttered and cleaned, I might add!) on Saturday, June 20th.  So bring your stamp sets and other Stampin’ Up! toys and come play with some of the new In Colors!  I’ll have them all ready for you to use in your own projects for the day.  Just call to let me know you’re coming!  (808.854.6145).

Aloha, all!

Now after all that cleaning and tossing of clutter, I can get back to my crafting!!! 

While I have quite a few of the new products from the soon-to-be-released 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up! Idea Book and Catalog, today I’m focusing on a set–one of my favorites!–that’s in the Occasions Mini Catalog, which still has a couple of weeks to go before it’s history.  The stamp set that I used here is called, Soft Summer.  You may recall that I used it once before and wondered why a set with a spring flower such as Dogwood would be in a set with the name of "summer."  Now only that, I had forgotten what a real Dogwood looked like, being here in Hawaii where there aren’t any. 

On my trip to the mainland last month, I found myself on a walk with my son in Portland, Oregon, and there were Dogwoods all around!  I snapped a few shots, and feature one of those pictures here, along with the Dogwood Stamp from Soft Summer.  The color of the Dogwood almost perfectly matched Stampin’ Up! cardstock in the color, Regal Rose. 

But the first thing I had to do was to figure out how to use the photograph.  I finally settled on using the Circle Scissors Plus to cut the photograph and then two circle mats behind it.  The Circle Scissors is GREAT!!

Soft Summer is a two-step stampin’ set, and I used Regal Rose on the under color, along with Garden Green for the leaves and stems.  Then I used Handsome Hunter (almost said Forest Foliage–showing how long I’ve been using Stampin’ Up! products!) and Rose Red for the outline stamp.  I also used Rose Red for the "Thanks" stamp.  THAT is a sneak peek at a new hostess set, Kind and Caring Thoughts, in the 2009-2010 catalog!

The final touch is a bit of the lovely 1" Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon.  I’m so glad that this ribbon will be continued in the new catalog!  I haven’t used it nearly enough!

If you haven’t placed an order from the Occasions Mini Catalog yet, or there’s something else that you really want from that catalog, there’s only two more weeks to do it!   So call (808.854.6145) or e-mail me if you’d like to place an order–of if you have any questions about any of the products in the mini.  I’ve bought most of the products (except for the Easter stamp sets) so can probably answer any questions that you have.

Later this week, I’ll be showing off some more of the Sneak Peeks at our newest catalog!!