Product shares have been mailed out, and I am up-to-date with my swatch books.  Fifteen days into the month, it was such a joy to sit down and start playing with some of these new papers yesterday.  I am in love with this year’s Designer Series Paper designs, and I have a feeling you are going to see a lot of them this year.  I held onto paper last year, not wanting to cut into it.  If I use it now, I won’t have it later.  For the next 11-1/2 month, I can order more, so I’m going to use this paper.  Same with the Designer Series Paper Stacks.  You’re going to see them because I’m going to use them.  Promise.

Here’s a sympathy card I made using Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper:

I am in love with this color combination (all 2013-2015 In Colors).  Tomorrow I am going to share my process around the color selection.  Today, I want to show you the step-by-step process for cropping the sentiment with my Chalk Talk Framelits and Big Shot Magnetic Platform.  I cannot say enough about the new magnetic platform.  What a difference it makes.  Here’s a rundown:

• Presenting the Magnetic Platform.  I can’t say enough about this product.  Did I already say that?  Well, it bears repeating because I can’t say enough about this platform.  Oh, gosh!  I can’t stop.
• Add a Standard Cutting Pad.  As you work with standard cutting pads, you know they start to curl up a bit, becoming more and more bent.  The magnetism of the platform is strongest with newer, unbent cutting pads, so when you order the Magnetic Platform, be sure to add in a cutting pad or two.
• Add your paper.  Simply set your stamped piece in the center of the cutting pad.  Nothing is sticking yet, so don’t get too excited.
• Now, for the fun part.  Once you add the framelit, your paper piece is sandwiched between the framelit and the magnetic platform.  You can slide it around on the platform if you want, but that bad boy is pretty much stuck.
• Want Proof?  Want to see it for yourself?  Here’s the platform, turned on its side.  No sticky notes, no tape.  Just add a second cutting plate and run the sandwich through the Big Shot.

You have to admit (well, you don’t HAVE to…I’m not going to force it on you) that this platform is really cool. 

The sentiment I used on this card is a never-before seen sentiment from this month’s  Best of…series of stamps (monthly collections of old – and new – sets to celebrate Stampin’ Up!’s 25th anniversary).  Check it out here:

To purchase the Big Shot Magnetic Platform and additional cutting plates, please click here.  You deserve a treat – and this is it.

Stamp Sets:  Best of Greetings  Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar  Papers:  Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla  Venetian Romance  Accessories:  Chalk Talk Framelits, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

Are you getting your swap card together?  Don’t forget about my Summertime One-for-One Swap.  Click the picture below to see the details about how you can join-in on the fun:

Boy, oh, boy! Thursday night was strange. No power means no air conditioning and no fan blowing down on me while I (try to sleep). In other words, I was drowzy all day Friday. When I awoke yesterdar morning, I left my stale, dark house for an air conditioned, fully lit office. When the work whistle rang at the end of the day (OK, there’s really a whistle that sounds – it’s just the “ba-da-dum-dum” song as my laptop shuts down at 4:00), I rushed home to a hot, electricity-less home. Such a contrast.

Here’s the card I made by the light of a Coleman’s propane lamp, which, by the way, puts off a good light. Incidentally, it also puts off a good amount of heat (if you are looking for that – I was not.). Anyway, here’s my card;

There are two meanings behind this very immaculate cards:
1. Parts of Atlanta are in chaos as we figure out how to return service to neighborhoods. When I say “we”, i do not really mean me – I take no credit for the restoration of lower. Some parts (even just down the street) are fine. I’ve seen a number of fire trucks and service vehicles yesterday, though. Every time I saw one, my stamping-obsessed mind went right to “Weeeooo Weeeooo”.
2. I have some good news today that also made me shout “Weeeooo Weeeooo,” and I want to share with you. I have had a crazy-amazing year this year. I joined Stampin’ Up a little over a year ago, and my first year has been CRAZY! I have a very talented group of readers and club members and customers and team members – and I adore them all for very different reasons. Yesterday, I received an online order that put me over my goal of earning Stampin’ Up!’s grand trip next year, a Caribbean cruise. Weeeooo Weeeooo! I couldn’t have earned this prestigious award without the help and support of those around me.

I want to clarify something from yesterday’s cell phone post – I mentioned that we were downstairs in the basement when the storm hit and that Bandit as upstairs by himself. Just wanted to clarify that we had no idea the storms would be what they were. We weren’t in the basement for cover – that’s where my stamping stuff is. Mom and I were crafting and got stuck there by a surprise (to us) storm. Bandit is not allowed in the basement (he would have too much fun with my ribbons as supplies), but we certainly would have brought him down there if we were taking shelter. I just don’t want you to think I am an irresponsible pet owner – and I certainly don’t want PETA to show up at my unlit front door.

Stamp sets: You’re My Hero Papers: Real Red, Polka Dot Parade, Whisper White Inks: Jet Black StazOn, Real Red Accessories: Blender Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Thank you for stopping by my blog today. Hopefully I’ll have proper light tomorrow to provide you with a proper project.

Brian

I’ve been a busy little bee for the past week.  The first round product shares have been mailed out (if you listen carefully, you might still hear the cheers of joy resounding from my fungeon).  Then, the swatch books became top priority.  I was prepared and organized (and had some assistance from a laborer who like me to call her Mom) the first batch of these books were mailed out yesterday evening.  Want proof?  This is the first batch – and there are 13 books in each envelope.  Yee gads!

Tuesday night was Ronald McDonald House night.  Pam, Anne and I went to the house to host craft time for the families who were there.  Some repeats from last month, some new.  As tired as I was, I am grateful I was able to spend this time with my friends and these families.  Truly a wonderful experience.  Here are the cards Pam designed for the event using Storybook Friends:

And here’s a quick shot of the three of us as the evening wrapped up (you can’t really tell from this photo, but Pam was wearing a Quatrefancy blouse.  Very ahead of trends, that Pam!  I just look goofy, and Anne looks as sweet as she is.

So, when it was time to sit down and make a card to share with you, I knew I needed to make something simple and quick, but I also knew you wouldn’t accept shoddy and thrown together.  That’s why I reached for Million & One, a new stamp set from the 2013-2014 Annual Catalog.  WIth a gorgeous script like this, it’s difficult to make an ugly card.  I embossed it in Tempting Turquoise on black, added a couple of layers and then scored three lines in the background before adding three Basic Black candy dots.

Stamp Sets: Million and One  Papers: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise  Accessories:  Stampin’ Dimensionals, Neutrals Candy Dots, Tempting Turquoise Stampin’ Emboss Powder

Swatch books. There’s still time to order up a set of Designer Series Paper swatch books. Mary Fish calls them a must have. My Mom really wants you to get a set. Bandit says, “Meow” and rolls over to look really cute for you. Click here to buy them now!  I’m also ready to close off my product shares, so if you want a brilliant amount of paper and a sample of the goodies in the new catalog, sign up now for a seat in my next share.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

It’s time for another One-for-One card swap! After I displayed the cards from my last three swaps, you told me you wished you had participated.  “I will definitely participate in the next swap,” you said.  Now’s your chance!

Summer’s almost here (it’s technically still spring for another week-and-a-half), and we’ve just welcomed the new annual catalog.  Let’s celebrate our new things by sharing (…and receiving) a summery card.  It’s simple.  Send a beautiful summer card, receive a beautfiul summer card in return.

Here’s how it works:

You mail the following to me:

• a handmade card (a standard 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ card) designed by YOU. Please make every effort to use products from the current Stampin’ Up! catalog. 
• a self-addressed, stamped envelope (just fold one in half and include it with your card).
• a little information for me if you want to share: your name, your email address, your level of interest in stamping (are you a light hobbyist, a serious hobbyist or a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator?), and your website address (if you have one). I will share your name and city/state on my blog and with the person who receives your card. The other information WILL NOT be shared with anyone else. I just want to get to know you better.

Please don’t write on the inside of your card so that the recipient can use it (if they choose to).  I will gather the cards I receive and will mix them up and mail them out so that everyone who sent me a card will receive a card in return. As long as I receive a card from you by the deadline, then you will receive another card in return.  Oh, glorious day!

I know this is going to break your heart, but I will have to limit this to two cards per person (if you choose to make more than one).   It just makes it easier for me to sort through them and distribute them back out.  Thanks for understanding.  Also, please make sure you include a return envelope for each card you send.

Mail your card and return envelope to:

Brian King

1758 Colt Drive

Atlanta, GA 30341

Please mail them as soon as you can – but make sure they arrive by Friday, July 5. That’s when I will sort them and then mail them out. I will also include photos of the cards on my blog (giving proper credit to the creator, of course).

Who’s in? Email me if you have any questions. stampwithbrian@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

Grab Your Greetings

This promotion couldn’t be nearer to my heart.  Almost every card requires a sentiment, right?  I don’t have Sassy Salutations, but you can find Sweet Essentials and Petite Pairs on lots of my cards.  They are necessary.  What better time for Stampin’ Up! to offer these sets at 25% off?  Here’s the information you need to add these sets to your order:

More Amazing Greetings

While we are talking about greetings, Stampin’ Up! has been rolling out some great compilation stamp sets each month in honor of its 25th year – and this month’s is Best of Greetings.  Yippee!  Click on the image below for more information – you can bet I won’t pass on this set:

Want to check out the other “Best of” Compilation set?  Click here.

New Photopolymer Stamp Set

Stampin’ Up! has been introducing lots of great, new photopolymer stamp sets.  This one is perfectly suited for this time of year, a travel-themed set with lots of great images.  Check it out by clicking the image below – and then be sure to add it to your order: 

Maybe I am a bit behind the curve on this trend, but before Stampin’ Up! offered Washi Tape (a couple of months ago in the Epic Day This & That Kit), I’d not heard of this crafting accessory.  “What’s the big deal?” I thought. Why is everyone so excited about a roll of tape that has designs on it. I ordered the Epic Day This & That Washi Tape as a part of the bundle, and when we could order the Gingham Garden washi tape, I added it to my list. It was a “must have” that I wasn’t sure I’d use. Well, I finally popped open the tape. Now I get it! Now I know what all the fuss was about. Here’s a card I made with Gingham Garden Washi Tape:

More about the washi tape. If you have never used washi tape before, then you are curious like I was. The tape has a very different texture from gift wrapping tape. It’s almost like the thinner, prettier version of floral tape (in my novice estimation). It’s repositionable and easily torn from the roll – no need to fiddle around with scissors. I wonder what the origin of “fiddle around” is…sure seems disrespectful to bluegrass musicians who spend their lives mastering their instrument.

Tips, Tricks and Reminders:

• The design. I knew I wanted to lay down layers of washi tape. and then crop them from one of the shapes in my Floral Frames Collection Framelits. So that I could avoid wasting washi tape (I don’t always have a good frame of reference for these things, I laid down the framelit and made four little dots on the paper outside of the frame area. Just gave me a good guideline.
• Pop of color.  Don’t forget that these washi tapes are paired with Stampin’ Up!’s colors, so you can match the tape to your paper and ink just like you can with DSP.  When I was done with my flower and card base, I was left with a lot of pink and yellow.  I decided to add a little green (Pear Pizzazz) with the Betsy’s Blossoms leaves.  They added a third color and grounded the flower a bit.
• I don’t always take my own advice. I generally think it’s a good idea to have the darkest color on a card as the base of the card. I think it grounds the image on top of it. As I finished my flower for the center of this card, though, I felt that it was heavy. I decided to not take my advice and made my card base Daffodil Delight. I think it lightens the card a bit. What do you think?

Stamp Sets: Happy Day, Betsy’s Blossoms Inks: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz Papers: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White Accessories: Gigngham Garden Washi Tape, Floral Frames Colletion Framelits, Basic Jewel Pearls

Swatch books. There’s still time to order up a set of Designer Series Paper swatch books. Mary Fish calls them a must have. My Mom really wants you to get a set. Bandit says, “Meow” and rolls over to look really cute for you. Click here to buy them now!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian