SNEAK PEEK: Thoughtful Branches

Before I share today’s project, I want to thank Joanne James at The Paper Players for selecting my Christmas in July project from last week as her “A Cut Above” last week.  I love the inspiration these online challenges offer – that’s the win!  It’s always nice, though, to be recognized by the design team.  If you missed my Christmas Joy card, you can see it here.  Thanks, Joanne!

I’m super-crazy about Thoughtful Branches – the new stamp set and Framelits bundle that Stampin’ Up! is releasing in August.  This bundle will pop right to the top of your wish list.  During the month of July, Stampin’ Up! demonstrators are able to purchase this bundle so we can create begin promoting the set.  That’s just what I’ve done.  This week’s color challenge at The Paper Players gave me a beautiful palette of colors to make a gorgeous hydrangea with this amazing new set.  Here’s my card:

And here’s the banner for Nance Leedy’s challenge that inspired my card:

Tips, Tricks and Reminders

• Thoughtful Branches.  Ooooh eeee!  I was instantly in love with this bundle when it was revealed to us last week.  What’s NOT to love about gorgeous sentiments in an incredible font and beautiful images that can be used for all types of cards?  What’s NOT to love about these intricate dies that are sure to be a classic.  I express shipped mine (couldn’t wait to spend time playing with the bundle) and spent my entire weekend making projects.  I’m in love with it and look forward to sharing more projects with you in the weeks to come.  I’m excited for you to be able to purchase this bundle in August (or in July if you are a demonstrator).  Here’s a peek at the amazing new bundle:
  

  Thoughtful Branches Bundle, Stampin’ Up! Available August 2, 2016

  

  Thoughtful Branches, Stampin’ Up! Available August 2, 2016

  

  Beautiful Branches Thinlits Dies, Stampin’ Up! Available August 2, 2016

• Dressing Up the Hydrangea.  I love that the die for the leaves of the tree double as a gorgeous hydrangea.  While the shape is obvious, there was a bit of the “wow” factor missing when I cropped out my flowers.  To grant it the luxury it is due, I stamped the hydrangea with speckles from the new Touches of Texture set – it gave the flowers a bit of depth they were, otherwise, missing.  I also lathered the petals with my Wink of Stella glitter brush (I’m not ashamed to admit that I actually used glitter – the proof is below).  That still didn’t give me the depth I wanted, so I cropped two more hydrangea flowers with the die and layered them one-on-top of the other.  That gave the flower the lift I wanted (there’s no way I could trim Stampin’ Dimensionals that small!)
• Turn Your Head.  The entire card was perfectly planned so that I could have “thank you” or “your kindness makes a difference” in the lower, right corner.  Maybe “perfectly planned” isn’t the right term because the sentiment wouldn’t fit the way I had planned it.  C-.  I reached for my Vertical Greetings set to save the day but ultimately decided I would stamp my “thank you” from Beautiful Branches sideways.  You might have to tilt your head to read it, but you have to admit that it’s gorgeous.  Am I right?!

Stamp Sets:  Thoughtful Branches, Touches of Texture  Papers:  Sweet Sugarplum, Island Indigo, Mint Macaron, Whisper White  Inks:  Sweet Sugarplum  Accessories:  Beautiful Branches Thinlints, Wink of Stella Glitter Brush, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Thoughtful Branches Photopolymer Stamp Set – 143539

Price: $27.00

Beautiful Branches Thinlits Dies – 143538

Price: $31.00

Thoughtful Branches Photopolymer Bundle – 144328

Price: $52.00

Touches Of Texture Clear-Mount Stamp Set – 143251

Price: $33.00

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush – 141897

Price: $8.00

Sweet Sugarplum 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 141418

Price: $8.00

Island Indigo 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 122923

Price: $8.00

Mint Macaron 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 138337

Price: $8.00

Supply List

Get Thoughtful Banners Now!  You don’t have to wait until August 2 to buy Thoughtful Banners – Stampin’ Up! demonstrators can order this amazing bundle now.  AND starting August 2, Demonstrators will be able to pre-order from the upcoming Holiday Catalog.  We’ll get an awesome Sneak Peek at the Catalog at the end of July.  That’s three great reasons to sign up to be a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator – most of my team members are hobbyist who enjoy the discount with no pressure to sell to anyone.  Please reach out to me at [email protected] if you’d like to set-up a chat with me – I’d love to introduce you to my group!

I hope you’ll pop over to The Paper Players site to see the cards by the design team members and to play along with this week’s challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

BONUS DAYS in July.  Stampin’ Up! is introducing a Bonus Days promotion in July – for every $50 you spend between July 7 and July 31, you’ll receive a $5 coupon to redeem in August.  To read more about how you can earn these coupons, CLICK HERE.