Stampin’ Up! June 2024 Promotion!

BIG NEWS!!!

💥 June 5 – 30, Stampin’ Up! is having a HUGE “Bundle” promotion! There are so many great bundles in the new catalog!

💥 Get an additional 10% discount on stamp and die bundles only. Not applicable on suites or stamp and punch bundles. Stamp and die bundles are normally 10% off, and in June you get even MORE off!

💥 Save 10% on BOTH the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (White or Boho Blue)!!! THIS is a great deal! The machine comes with all plates and is ready to go! You only need to attach the crank handle and you can die cut and emboss to your heart’s delight!

💥 The 10% discount will automatically apply. There’s no special codes needed for the promo! Please, though, do use my June Host Code, which will be available on June 1!

💥 Get your shopping list ready for June 5! Shop early, as products go FAST, FAST, FAST!

👉 Please note: Close To My Heart products are not included in this sale

#creating #createandblessothers #stampinopolous #stampinup #cards #cardmaking #papercrafts #salesalesale

Paper Pumpkin April 2024 Unboxing

Companion video on You Tube

Hello, hello!

I filmed a live unboxing on Friday of the April 2024 Paper Pumpkin kit, Delicate Wings, which as you can imagine, if full of glittering, gold foiled butterflies! It was so much fun to open up the kit live with everyone!

When you purchase a Paper Pumpkin subscription ($25 per month) your kit arrives in a sturdy orange box that is shrink wrapped. When you open it up, everything you need to create the three card projects inside is all included. You can make three of each design, which gives you nine total cards. You cannot purchase nine cards of this quality from the store!

The kits are a great option for someone who is new to paper crafting and card making, who would like to dip their toes in. They are terrific for those of you who are on a limited budget or have limited space to store crafting supplies. They are also fun for the kids or grandkids to create cards with! You can pause your subscription at any time with no penalty and pick up whenever you would like to.

The first kit you purchase will include a clear acrylic block for your stamp set…don’t lose it! 😉 All the Paper Pumpkin stamp sets will use this sized block. You can purchase extras from Stampin’ Up! or purchase a sized D block. The size difference between the blocks is about 1/4 inch in the thickness, and the Stampin’ Up! block has the rounded comfort edges. (SU block shown is a different size) I have extra Paper Pumpkin blocks to use at my in-person card classes.

This kit didn’t include any embellishments because the cards themselves are so amazing! The foiled backgrounds on the card bases are amazing and really stand out with the Basic Grey and Lost Lagoon backgrounds. Here are the 3 samples I put together in the video. I added the gold dots to the butterfly with embellishments that I had.

I hope you enjoy the video! Please subscribe if you’d like to see more.

Till next time, God Bless and happy crafting!

Barbara

Crafty Thursday #13: Dry Embossing

*FEBRUARY 2024 HOST CODE: YH7YXNSK

Hello Crafty Crew!

There are a few ways to achieve texture on your cards. Adding elements such as ribbon, embellishments like rhinestones or pearls, layering papers or vellum. All of these are fun and add lots of pizzaz to a card.

Let’s discuss embossing. Embossing creates texture on the paper using either a pressure method (embossing and die cutting machine) or special ink and powders added to an image to enhance it (raise it up from the paper). You can also use decorative masks and embossing paste. So many fun choices!

I like dry embossing using different patterned folders to create patterns on your papers. You can use about any paper you have, including vellum. Vellum is a bit tricky, but it can be done. 

Here are some embossing folders that I have, some are made specifically  for the mini machine and all may be used in the big guy. My two youngest granddaughters, ages 6 and 2.5, love to emboss paper with me!

In these examples I left the cards fairly plain so you can see the difference the embossed piece makes. I used the same stamp set, Softly Said, for all of the cards. I just love the large sentiments and the distinctive brush stroke type font. I will add some ribbon or bling to them before I send them out. 

Adding an embossed background layer to a card elevates a simple design to elegant, especially if you use the same color. Using white-on-white somehow makes a card appear very elegant. (Sorry the Very Vanilla one doesn’t show as well)


Adding an embossed strip for accent can bring out other design elements used on the card.

Showing the difference between a layer of Designer Series Paper and an embossed card stock background. (I realized after I had already stuck the sentiment down with dimensionals that it should have been a horizontal card…ooops! Happy mistake!)

Now, with this last one, I got a wild hair, and not only embossed the card stock and the DSP, but I also die cut the sentiment from the embossed background layer! I know, I’m so crazy! 😅You have to stamp prior to embossing.

I hope you enjoyed this look at how embossed layers and strips can elevate your cards in just a few simple steps. Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Next week I’ll feature some embossing with powders. Below is a list of all products I used on these projects. You can find them all in my online store. If you don’t already have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I would love to be yours! You can contact me through the website or at stampinopolous@gmail.com

Thanks for popping in! Till next time stay crafty and get your hands inky!

Blessings, Barb

Did you know that the Bible says that Jesus is the exact imprint of the Father?

He (Jesus) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:3, ESV

Read more about Jesus being the imprint of God here on gotquestions.org

*any links provided are for my online store through Stampin’ Up! I earn a commission on any sales from those links.

*Please use the February 2024 Host Code at the top of the post when ordering. This helps me earn products to show you! If your order is above $150 in product, don’t use the code, as you will enjoy your own rewards! 

*If you join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator during February 2024 Sale-A Bration, you can get the Glass Mat Studio as a sign-on bonus for free. Email me for details!

Products used:

Basics 3D Embossing Folders (set of 3) 

Geometric Patterns Embossing Folders (set of 2, works with mini machine)

Stampin’ Up! Card stock: Blueberry Bushel, Gorgeous Grape, Bubble Bath, Basic White, Very Vanilla
Stampin’ Up! Ink Pads: Blueberry Bushel, Misty Moonlight, Pebbled Path, Gorgeous Grape

Facebook LIVE Card Class February 9

Hello crafty friends!

Join me on the Stampinopolous Facebook page on Friday, February 9th at 1PM, Mountain Time for a live card class. I’ll walk you through making three cards, two fun ones and one that can be considered elegant. I’ll be using products from the Bee Mine Suite, the Perennial Postage bundle and the beautiful Most Adored Specialty Designer Series Paper. The Most Adored paper is a Sale-A-Bration exclusive, available free with a $50 or more product purchase.

Kits to craft along will have everything needed to create the cards except the STAMPED IMAGES/STAMP SETS*. This includes all die cut pieces, card bases, DSP*, any embellishments and dimensionals. Below is a list of other supplies you may want to consider purchasing. 

*Bee Mine and Most Adored DSP designs may vary

Available for several purchase options:

~ Purchase Option #1: Place an order for the Bee Mine Suite Collection (#162560), $75 by Friday, JANUARY 26, using the Valentine Live Host Code AVDT69RX , and I will send you the kit and instruction sheet via email. You will qualify for a Sale-A-Bration $50 level free product with this option. The highlighted LINK or HOST CODE must be used, as it is specific to this live class. That is how I will know who to send the kit to. Supplies for 6 cards, 3 different designs (2 each).

~ Purchase Option #2: Place an order for the Perennial Postage Stamp and Die Bundle  (162608) $51.25, by Friday, JANUARY 26, using the Valentine Live Host Code AVDT69RX, and I will send the kit and instruction sheet via email. You will qualify for a Sale-A-Bration $50 level free product with this option. The highlighted LINK or HOST CODE must be used, as it is specific to this live class. That is how I will know who to send the kit to. Supplies for 6 cards, 3 different designs (2 each).

~ Purchase Option #3: Place an order for the Bee Mine Stamp Set and Punch Bundle (#162554), $38.50, by Friday, JANUARY 26, using the Valentine Live Host Code AVDT69RX, and I will send you the kit and instruction sheet via email. The highlighted LINK or HOST CODE must be used, as it is specific to this live class. That is how I will know who to send the kit to. Supplies for 4 cards, 2 different designs (2 each).

~ Purchase Option #4: You may purchase a kit from me for $40 PPD. Supplies for thee cards, one of each design. Contact me: stampinopolous@gmail.com, Valentine Card Kit in the subject box.

I’m excited for you to join me!

Blessings,

Barbara 

*Stampin’ Up! policy: Images are the copyright property of Stampin’ Up! and may be purchased through Stampin’ Up! or a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. Individual stamped images are not for sale.

Most Adored Specialty Designer Series Paper, #162976, Sale-A.Bration $50 Exclusive Free Item

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad, #132708 – $6.50

Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Ink Pad #147094 – $9.00

Real Red Stampin’ Ink Pad #187084 – $9.00

Clear Stamp Blocks I #188488 (5 7/8 in x 2 1/4 in) $13;

                                 C #118486 (2 in x 2 in) $8.00; 

                                 D #118485 (2 7/8 in x 2 11/16 in) $9.50

Simply Shammy Stamp Cleaner #147042 –  $8.50

Bone Folder #102300 – $7.00

Stampin’ Seal + #149699 – $12.00 (

Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755 – $5.50

Mini Glue Dots #103683 $5.75

Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430 $4.25

Crafty Thursday #12 Extra: New catalog and Sale-A-Bration!

*January 2024 Host Code: M6C34D2G

Today is THE day! Let’s talk Sale-A-Bration and the NEW Mini Catalog! There’s so many fun, new products and fun new products to get for FREE with Sale-A-Bration going on. 

I am so excited to show you more projects with all the great new products. I have some (not all! 😉) and the ideas are endless; I’m planning on making a planner for the year, using  some of the ab-so-lutely beautiful new papers. 

Sale-A-Bration is the biggest promotion of the year, and it runs Jan 4-Feb 29, 2024. There are 2 tiers of free gifts you can earn from shopping:

Tier 1: for every $50 you spend in product, you earn free product. There are lovely papers and stamps sets that are only available during SAB. That’s for every $50 you spend, you can pick a free, exclusive product!

Tier 2: For every $100 you spend in product, you can earn a different choice of product. Again, lovely papers, stamps sets with dies, all exclusive to SAB. You can also combine, and pick a $100 freebie and a $50 if you spend $150, or 3 $50 freebies. There’s really no downside!

If you’re interested in joining as a demonstrator during SAB, you get $125 worth of products as your starter kit (YOUR choice, there are no pre-set kits) PLUS the new Glass Mat studio all for $99. 

This is a hot, hot item, so IF you’re considering choosing this as a join option, hurry! The generous glass mat (17″x14″) comes with a cleaning cloth and a silicone multiuse mat that you can use to mix inks, hold your Stampin’ Spots inks and so much more. This is a great offer and I’m a little envious 

If you saw my post from last week, I featured the Rock and Roll Suite from the new Mini Catalog, which is available today! Products in the new mini are available Jan 4-April 30, 2024. Some of them, like the Perennial Lavender Suite, is going to go fast! I used some of them on my Dozen Notecards in today’s regular post. I love the Postage Stamp dies that are part of the suite; they make such unique cards.

The Bee Mine Suite is going to be the focus of my February card kit and demonstration. The kit will include supplies to make 3 cards, including embellishments and an instruction sheet. I will let you know in next week’s post about the kit’s availability and price.

I hope you decide to try some great products, make some cards and spread joy! I’d love to help you in your crafty journey. Contact me for any help or information you need: stampinopolous@gmail.com

*My January 2024 Host Code is M6C34D2G. Thank you for using it when you order. If your order is over $150 in product, don’t use my code, you will be able to enjoy your own rewards benefits! If you order $50 or more in product, you will receive a thank you gift from me personally.

Crafty Thursday #11 The Rock and Roll Suite Sneak Preview!

Good morning, crafty friends! 

Today’s cards feature a preview of  the Rock and Roll Suite, and man, oh, man! This is a fun group of products! This suite will be available for purchase January 4th – April 30th, 2024 from the new Mini Catalog. The December 2023-January 2024 Host Code is M6C34D2G *

Just take a look at all those fun things! The 12×12 Designer Series papers are all black and white themed, so you can use them for many different occasions, not just Rock and Roll birthday greetings!  The stamp set is red rubber, and there are coordinating dies with a few extras thrown in. I love the big guitar pick, and with the right DSP, it looks perfect! 

What suite would be complete without some embellishments? The stars and lightning bolts really complete your cards. On a few of the samples I also used the Gold Faceted Sequins, since the larger ones looked like guitar picks. 

To make my sample cards, I used a simple layout that shows both sides of the DSP. I will put the measurements at the end of the post. I created one simple card that you can create with minimal supplies, then I made a few stepped up versions with die cuts and embossing folders. You do not need a lot of tools to make beautiful cards…but they are fun to use!

For the simpler card, I used a 2 3/8 in circle punch for the focal point, stamped in black on white card stock. The decorate strip on the left side of the card is a coordinating piece of DSP. All of these patterns work well together as they are all black and white.

The only embellishments on the front are a few of the Gold Faceted Sequins. Inside I used the “Thanks for Being an Icon” stamp from the set, that sentiment just makes me smile! Nothing fancy, just some black ink and white inside, on a black card base. I wanted  to emphasize “simplicity” with the layout and supplies

For the stepped up versions, I used some colored card stock, embossing folders and dies. The strips on the left have been embossed, and the focal points all use different die cuts, some that are in the matching set, and others are from the Nested Essentials and Stylish Shapes die sets. Some of the cards have a few points of color using the handy sponge daubers to create highlighted areas on the DSP or the inside sentiment. A few of the focal points have been heat embossed. I used Wink of Stella  on some of the cards to highlights the records on the DSP for a bit of shine! 

Today (Dec 28) is my brother’s birthday, and his card has ALL the fun stuff on it, and was also a jumbo sized card. 

I used  a similar layout as the featured cards, as well as the matching die cuts, and some markers to color the guitar to match his. You can also see the lightning bolt and star embellishments, as well as a few of the star die cuts that are extras in the set. The banner is from the Nested Essentials die set. Inside was more or the same, I added the large die cut guitar pick and microphone, more lightning bolts…It was a pretty full card! He said it was “the best birthday card ever,” and that makes me a very happy card making sister! 😁 

Schnibby, if you read this, Happy, Happy! 

Here are the measurements for the featured cards, which fit in a regular, A2 envelope.

Card base: 5 1/2 in x 6 in, scored at 4 1/4 in

DSP front: 3 in x 5 1/2 in

Decorative strip on front: 1 in x 5 1/4

                                                                Inside blank: 4 in x 5 1/4 in

I’d love to know if you made this card or used this template with other colors and Designer Series paper.

 You can read about singing a new song to the Lord at this gotquestions link.

Thanks for taking some time to spend with me today. Have a wonderful and blessed New Year and I’ll see you again in 2024! 

Blessings,
Barb

*My December 2023-January 2024 Host Code is M6C34D2G. Thank you for using it when you order. If your order is over $150 in product, don’t use my code, you will be able to enjoy your own rewards benefits! If you order $50 or more in product, you will receive a thank you gift from me personally.

Crafty Thursday #9 Pleat Fold Christmas Cards

*December Host Code M6C34D2G: see below for details 

Hello friends!

I appreciate you coming along on my crafting and card making journey. I have found such joy in creating cards, and I hope that I inspire you to get your hands a little inky, get some glue in your hair and create, too!

Believe it or not, I’m done with my Christmas cards! *release confetti!* Of course, I have a few spares, just in case I may have overlooked someone. I was so excited when my order with the Heartfelt Hexagon bundle, the Boho Blue Mini emboss and die machine, and the Cheery Patterns embossing folders arrived, because I was able to finish up my cards! The Hexagon punch was perfect to use with my favorite Christmas stamp set, too. 

Just look at these beauties! And, they did not require extra postage! 🙂

I have loved creating with this gorgeous Winter Meadow DSP, which is staying in stock! Yay! Hurry and grab some! I was a bit intimidated by the 12×12 sheets at first, but once you slice into it, the inspirations abound. I’ve made quite a few Christmas cards with this paper, and I still have some left for other wintery projects.

Speaking of wintery projects…I am so very ready for bright colors and fun new papers…and that is exactly what will be coming via UPSanta today! So many beautiful new papers, fun dies and stamp sets, all from the new Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration, which both begin availability on January 4, 2024. One of the perks of being a demonstrator is getting the chance to pre-order and start playing with all the new products. There are plenty of others, too, and I’m happy to talk to you about it more!

I’m so looking forward to making new, fun projects to share, and the very first video will be…
Ah! You’ll have to subscribe to the channel to see the premier! 😁 Trust me, it will be a rockin’ good time. I’m planning to be on mid-January, barring anything urgent that comes up and I can figure out the whole tripod, 2 screen thing. 

All of my personal shopping links are above in the post, if you’d like any of the products I used for these cards. Instead of an instruction sheet, I refer you to the Suestampfield blog post , who is the designer of these lovely cards.

Thanks for joining me today! Have a blessed and wonderful weekend. Let me know in the comments if you went to any Christmas parties! 🎄

Barbara

*By using the Host Code at the top of the post, I have the opportunity to earn some free products. You can host an online class and earn free products, too. Email me with any questions and we can set up an online class. stampinoplous@gmail.com

If you use my Host Code, and spend $50 or more in product, before tax and shipping, you will receive a thank you gift from me personally. Code on this post is valid for December 2023 only.

Crafty Thursday #7, Corner Flip-Fold Card

Happy Crafty Thursday on Friday! I hope you all had a great day, watched the Macy’s parade, and didn’t eat TOO much. My hubby and I had a quiet day and enjoyed the parade, and old favorite movie, March of the Wooden Soldiers, and ate stuffed shells, meatballs and garlic bread. I’m making some turkey over the weekend, when I’m sure we’ll see some or all of the grandkids and kids who live here in Colorado.

*NOVEMBER 2023 HOST CODE AUJPKKWY

I received my happy mail, and oh, what fun I’ve been having! I can hardly wait for my next happy mail, coming from my terrific team leader, Lorraine. She takes such good care of us all, and I hope to build my team as well as she does for ours! My featured card today, the Corner Flip-Fold is one that I CASE’d from her You Tube and blog. (CASE: Copy And Share Everywhere)

Aren’t they cute?

I had a great time trying my hand at this fun fold. I was a bit nervous cutting the first one. One of my first (failed) attempts at a fun fold card still sits in my file basket, and I try not to look at it too often. I think that in my exuberance and inexperience, I tried one that was a bit too complicated. This one looks a bit advanced, but it’s really not that difficult at all. The biggest part was overcoming the nervousness of cutting into the card base. 
I started with some of my fun new papers, the Inked Botanicals designer series paper. The patterns and colors in this series is so beautiful, and I wanted to dig in right away. This card is perfect to really let that DSP shine!
It matched really well with the Azure Afternoon and Poppy Parade card stock as the card bases. Those are both in the Brights collection, which has all the matching inks, etc. If you get the assortment package, you get 2 pieces of each color, for a total of 20 sheets. It’s a great price to try out all the color options! And, here’s a tip: when you shop, you can look in the description for the colors that SU uses in their designer series papers, so you can then order the coordinating card stock, ink, and markers. In the catalogs, there’s a color bar somewhere on the page when you shop for bundles that include DSP. 

When you do your flip corner, you see some of that gorgeous paper on the inside of the card. On two I chose to let it ride, and the other two I chose a coordinating paper to feature. I love to bring some of that fun to the inside of the card as well. I even added an extra strip on one card.

I kept the sentiments simple: I didn’t use any on two of the cards fronts, and just a small one on the other two. I used my favorite stamp sets, and, yes…that cute little heart showed up again! 
Speaking of papers, inks and stamp sets, Stampin’ Up has released their lists of carryover and retiring products. If you have seen anything in the September-December 2023 Mini catalog, NOW is the time to shop! Many products are retiring, and will only be available while supplies last. Some items have been marked down as much as 60%. Some bundles are being retired, but the products will still be available, but not at the great discount price. I just ordered the Heartfelt Hexagon bundle, stamp set and punch, that I’ve had my eye on for a bit. Both products will carry over, but not as a bundle. You can also shop the Clearance Rack and Online Exclusives for more terrific items that aren’t in the catalogs, or won’t be coming back. Lots of new kits are available, as well as the Paper Pumpkin subscription boxes. It’s a good time to grab a few gifts for that crafter in your life. 
It’s also a pretty good time to join as a demonstrator. You’ll get a big discount on your starter kit, and a special thank you gift from me, personally. You don’t have to sell, write blogs or appear on You Tube. You can simple enjoy the discount on products. I would love to have you on Team Stampinopolous if you are a beginning stamper or want to create your own team. You can email me at stampinopolous@gmail.com for more info. I am here to help you in whatever your goals are. 
I’d LOVE to see your card creations! If you go to my Facebook page, Stampinopolous, you can add your photos under the post featuring this card. 
COMING IN JANUARY:
➤ Newsletter sign ups: I will publish a monthly newsletter with card tutorials, Stampin’ Up news and maybe ever a recipe or two!
➤ If all goes well, my You Tube channel will go live. With more than the 16 second trial video that’s on there right now. 🙂
As always, a free instruction sheet is available at this link. I added pictures to help you “see” the cuts and fold.
Thank you for stopping in, reading and commenting. I appreciate you all!
Till next time, be blessed beyond measure!
Barb
*This week is the last week to use the NOVEMBER 2023 HOST CODE when you order. All orders of $50 or over in product before taxes receive a thank you package of embellishments from me personally. If your order is over $150 in product before taxes, do not use the host code and enjoy your own Stampin’ Rewards!

Saturday Stampin'

Happy mail today! 🎉
Remember my order that I almost ordered the day before the sale? Well, I ordered the correct day, and got my new supplies today! Fun new DSP, inks, and card stock colors!
Supplies used:
》DSP: Zoo Crew
I wasn’t sure I would like this DSP: oh, my, it is SO MUCH FUN!
Stamped With Love stamp set
This stamp set is fun, too! I love, love, love that tiny heart!

》Inks: Lemon Lime Twist, VersaMark for the tone-on-tone, Memento Tuxedo Black, and Melon Mambo for that adorable heart!!

I’ll be experimenting more tomorrow, and I have a few other cards to show you. Two sets of cards, using the pre-made card bases. One set was very simple, the other a bit more. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,
Barbara 
*All Stampin’ Up! links are mine, and I make a commission

Read about the seal of the Holy Spirit on your heart  

#creating #createandblessothers #stampinopolous #stampinup #cards # cardmaking #papercrafts #newsupplies #happymail

Surprise Sale! 🥳

Hey, friends! That’s my 16 pages of post-it notes Stampin’ Up! wish list…and, guess what??

November 14-16, 2023 is a SALE!!! 🎉🥳
⭐️ 10% off ribbons and trim
⭐️ 15% off inks
⭐️ 20% off paper
All from the 2023-2024 Annual catalog!
Discounts are automatically applied when items are added to order. Some items may sell out due to high demand; sale will not be applied to items that go on backorder. Keep in mind that the distribution center might fall behind due to high order volume.
This is a great time to shop for quality Stampin’ Up! products. Maybe I can knock a page or two off that list 😉 How about you? 
Please use the following:
November 2023 Host Code: AUJPKKWY
*Orders over $50 get a freebie thank you from me personally!
If you’re order is over $150, don’t use the host code, enjoy your own shopping rewards! 

Happy Shopping!