This N That Florida

I promised some scrapbooking but have been working non-stop at the Royals, squeezed out a few pages tonight.  Love this BUNDLE.  Last Day to order at BUNDLE price April 30th!!  The Epic Day paper is my new favorite!!

I started out this book with my Florida trip.  Above is the Morning before I left, 8 more inches of snow!!  Snoopy did not even want to step in the snow, she was not a Happy Kitty.  But I did not feel so bad leaving her house bound for 6 days, since the weather was so wintry!

My Dear SU demo friend Mona posted this picture on my Facebook page and I knew I had to snag it for my Album!  Perfect, thank goodness my flight was on time and I did not need to put my stick arm out and hitch a ride!

The colors in this album are fabulous and all the pages are ready to accept your pictures.  I added a couple of the thought bubbles from the embellishment stickers for my journaling.  And the Washi tape as picture corners.  All these items will be available in the NEW catalog to purchase separately. 

This N That

Item	Description	Price
131268	Epic Day This and That Journal	$10.95
130814	Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper	$10.95
130133	Remember This and That Rotary Stamp	$5.95
131271	Epic Day This and That Designer Stickers	$4.95
131269	Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape	$4.95
133350	Epic Day This and That Bundle Includes the five This and That products listed above. Only available in a bundle until April 30.	$32.08 15% Off Retail Value!

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Use Hostess code E72XAT4Y  thru May 4th and have a chance to win Mystery Hostess Benefits!!

Fabric Flowers

I love our Stampin' Up Fabric and I have been trying to come up with more ways to use fabric on cards.  This Tea for Two Fabric was cut with a hearts embosslit and folded.  I used the flower and stems from "Love and Sympathy" stamped in Lucky Limeade.  I use Apothecary Framelits for the Lucky Limeade shape.  The Sentiment from "Wonderful Mother" was stamped in Calypso Coral and punched with the Large Oval punch.  I used the same punch to snip a calyx for the bottom of the Fabric Flower.  I used glued dots to form the flower and then a dimensional to pop it up over the Flower.  I used the Framed Tulips embossing folder on a Whisper White card base.  Simple and clean.

Another version using the Secret Garden Framelits and the Flower Garden embossing folder.  The center of the Daffodil uses a single piece of Flower trim and a Very Vanilla brad and one of the fluted paper circles.  I used the Calypso Coral marker to outline the flutes.

Love and Sympathy  122795 Wood $15.95,  122797 Clear $11.95

Wonderful Mother  126505 Wood  $11.95,  126507 Clear $8.95 *Retiring June 3rd*

Framed Tulips embossing folder  121809  $7.95

Flower Garden embossing folder  123113  $7.95

Secret Garden Framelits  129372  $24.95

Hearts Framelits  125599  $26.95

Apothecary Arts Framelits  127003  $24.95

Pop Up Posies Kit  131395  $12.95  ***Mini****

Large Oval punch  119855  $15.95

Whisper White card stock  100730  $8.50

Lucky Limeade card stock  122926  $6.95 ***Retiring***

Tea for Two Fabric  129308  $9.95 ***Mini***

Lucky Limeade ink  126984  $5.95 ***Retiring***

Calypso Coral ink  126983  $5.95

Mini items available until May 31st.  Retiring stamps until June 3rd, Accessories while supplies last!!

Shop online 24/7:  www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Whalecome Baby

One of my customers, Diney saw an adorable card using Hair gel by another SU demo.  I had to share a story with her about this hair gel card I made in 2005 using Silly Sea life.

 My current Upline Laura showed us this technique way back and I sent the card to my Brother in Texas.  Needless to say it leaked!!  And arrived as a slimy mess!  He called asking me what had I done to this card?  I was new to the Hobby and he was convinced I needed to go back to knitting!!  This card was hard to make, we used the coluzzle to cut the ovals, not easy.  Here is a picture of the inside, minus the Hair gel which has dried up long ago.....

The bags can be purchased at a Hobby store, add just enough gel to fill the bag and allow a few air bubbles. Use scotch tape to hold down the bag of gel and make sure your top mat is large enough to cover the bag.
Here is my new gel card.......Whalecome Baby!

This Sunshine & Sprinkles designer paper is perfect for this card.  Whales swimming in the background and Clouds embossed with the Cloudy Day embossing folder floating by for the top layer.  The Marina Mist cards base is 5 1/2 X 4 1/4.  The Baby Whale paper is cut at 5 X 3 3/4 and adhered to the card front.  I stamped the Whale in Pacific Point ink on Pacific Point card stock.  Cut out with the Happy Whale Clearlit die and added a Rhinestone for the eye.
Adhere the whale to the card front. Fill a bag with Hair gel and tape on top of the whale.  The top layers are Marina Mist 5 1/4 X 4, Cloud Paper 5 X 3 3/4.  Emboss the cloud paper with the Cloudy Day embossing folder.  Frame and adhere to the Marina Mist mat, use Oval Framelit and cut out Oval.  Way easier than that coluzzle thing, we've come a long way baby!!!
Use dimensionals and pop up the entire frame over the card base,  Stamp Whalecome in Pacific Point on Marina Mist and punch with the Word Window punch.  Stamp Baby and punch with the Jewelry tag punch.  I added a Rhinestone to the tag.

Cute and ready to HAND deliver!!  If you mail gel cards make sure they are in a padded envelope inside a larger box or container.  Avoid the slimy mess and embarrassment!!

Ingredients:

Oh Whale  129129 Wood $22.95,  129132 Clear $16.95 ***Mini***

Pennant Parade  122740  Wood $21.95,  122742 Clear $16.95

Baby Whale Clearlit 129403  $7.50  ** *Mini***

Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer paper  126922 $10.95  ***Mini***
Marina Mist card stock  119682  $6.95
Pacific Point card stock  111350 $6.95
Pacific Point ink  126951  $5.95
Word Window punch  119857 $15.95
Jewelry tag punch  117190  $12.95  ***Retiring***
Cloudy Day embossing folder  127022 $7.95  ***Mini***
Rhinestones  119246 $4.95

I have BOLDED  all the retiring items.  Stamps will be available until June 3rd because they are made in Utah.
Mini catalog items until May 31st.   Accessories are while supplies last!!

Shop online 24/7:  www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Take Care Baby!

We are having a Baby Shower at work next week and I was asked to make a Baby Boy card.  I used the "Take Care" stamp set tree branch again and added a cute little chicklet from "Flock Together".  You will see more of this set in the next few days.  I had not used it, and how sad would that be if it retires and all I have inked is this little chick?
The card base is Whisper White 4 1/4 X 5 1/2.  Bashful Blue mat 5 1/4 X 4 1/4.  This gives you room to punch the Scallop Border punch.  Bashful Blue Subtles Paper stack was cut 5 X 3 3/4 and ran thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder.  The nest was stamped in Crumb Cake ink on the 4 X 3 Whisper White mat.  I colored the leaves on the nest in with Old Olive marker, then embossed with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder.
The tree was stamped on a scrap of paper using Early Expresso and Old Olive markers.  I cut this out and used glue dots to adhere.  I stamped the Chick with Marina Mist and Daffodil markers and cut out and popped up on the nest.  Baby from Tiny Tags was stamped in Marina Mist inside the Daffodil Delight tag and punched with the Jewelry Tag punch.  A large pearl anchors the tag on the branch.

Lot of Little details for a cute little Baby Boy card.

Ingredients:

Take Care  126310 Wood $17.95,  126312 Clear $13.95

Flock Together  123730 Wood  $15.95,  126732 Clear $11.95  *Retiring June 3rd*

Tiny Tags  118091 Wood $22.95,  118592 Clear $16.95 *Retiring June 3rd*

Jewelry Tag punch  117190  $12.95  *Retiring*
Whisper White card stock  100730  $8.50
Bashful Blue card stock  105120  $6.95  *Retiring*
Subtles Designer paper stack  117152  $21.95  *Retiring*
Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder  117335  $7.95
Early Expresso marker  119680  $3.50
Old Olive marker  100079  $3.50
Daffodil Delight marker  119677 $3.50
Marina Mist marker  119679  $3.50
Crumb Cake marker  120967  $3.50
Pearls  119247  $4.95

Order Online 24/7:  www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Bolded items retiring soon!  Stamps available until June 3rd.  Accessories while supplies last!!

Dress Up Bitty Box

I have seen several ideas using the Dress Up Framelits as a Bitty Gift Box.  Here is my version:

This box is 1 inch square and will hold a lipstick, a thin body splash, rolled up $$$$ or candy.  Cute for Mother's Day, Birthdays or Party Favors.

Step by step directions:

Cut 2 dresses in Solid card stock and 2 in Designer paper.  Emboss the Designer paper with your favorite Embossing folder.

Cut a piece of card stock 4 1/4 X 2 1/2.  Score every inch, turn and score at 1/2 inch.  Cut slits as shown, these form your box flaps.  You can make a larger box, but it will show more between your dress forms. Add a piece of Sticky Strip to the 1/4 inch flap.

Fold on 1 inch score lines and adhere the flap inside the box.  Fold in 2 bottom flaps.  Add Sticky Strip to the remaining 2 flaps and press down to form box bottom.

Use the cropodile to punch holes for ribbon ties in box sides.  On the Front and Back add Sticky strip.  Adhere card stock Dresses to the Front and Back.  Use Tombow adhesive to adhere Designer paper Dresses.

Tie 1/8 Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon thru side holes, or leave ribbon off.  I used a single piece of Flower trim on each side.  Love it!!

Here is a flip side of the same sheet of paper with Marina Mist card stock....

Ingredients:

Dress Up Framelits  130101 $24.95  *Mini*
Cherry Cobbler card stock  119685  $6.95
Parker's Patterns Designer paper  131021 $10.95  *Mini*
Chevron Embossing folder  127749  $7.95
Very Vanilla 1/8 taffeta  119960 $5.95  *Retiring*
Flower trim  126869  $6.95  *Mini*

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Betsy's Blossom Border

One more simple card using Betsy's Blossoms small flower stamped as a border in Daffodil Delight.  I cut these out on both sides and popped them up on the Whisper White card base.  First I stamped the Tree Branch from "Take Care".  I colored the stamp with the Early Expresso and Old Olive Markers.  The Bird was stamped in Midnight Muse and cut out.  An extra wing was stamped, cut and popped up.  The Sentiment from "Word Play" was stamped in Midnight Muse.  Rhinestones were added to the Bird and Flowers.

Ingredients:

Betsy's Blossoms  126004 Wood  $28.95.  126006 Clear  $21.95

Take Care  126310 Wood  $17.95,  126312 Clear $13.95

Word Play   120308 Wood  $41.95,   120651 Clear $28.95  ***Retiring***

Daffodil Delight ink  126944  $5.95
Midnight Muse ink  136860  $5.95
Old Olive Marker  100079  $3.50
Early Expresso Marker  119680  $3.50
Rhinestone Basic Jewels  119246  $4.95

Shop Online 24/7:   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Bolded stamps retiring June 3rd.  Accessories while supplies last!!

Retired List is here!!

Hop on over to my online store to view the Retired List!! Select the SHop now button and you will see all the goodies!!   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net  Some items are 25%, 40% off and 60% off digital discs.  Accessories will go the soonest, so keep that in mind.

Check your email box for a printable attachment so you can mark your catalog and compare your list of "Must Haves" before they are gone!!

I have set up a Hostess Code so your Online orders will count toward the May Mystery Hostess Contest.  HOSTESS CODE is  E72XAT4Y.   Please enter this code on the Check out page to qualify for prizes!!

I will leave this code open until the next Mystery Hostess Stamp a Stack on May 4th.  So you can win BIG, Hostess Benefits and/OR FREE Retired product packs to 3 lucky winners.  $25,$15 and $10!!  I receive an email when you order on my website and will enter your name in the drawing.

4 more kit cards........

Here are  more cards using the ingredients from the April Paper Pumpkin kit.  I cut this card in half and still have enough of the Night of Navy Background for 1 more card!

This Masculine card uses some Washi tape from the This N That album and en embossed watch from Dapper Dad.  I used the twine and stamped the sentiment from "Word Play" on the kit Banner.

This card used 1/2 piece of the kit paper, twine, button, banner and the Booty sentiment.  The Boot from "Bootiful Occasions" was stamped with the Cherry Cobbler stamping spot.

Another Boot below from "Bootiful Occasion" was paired with the other 1/2 piece of kit paper, twine and button.  The Daffodil Delight Sun was punched with the 1 3/4 scalloped circle punch and all is on a Crumb Cake card base.

My last card used the Dress Up framelits.  I cut the Night of Navy paper from the kit for the dress form and punched the edge with the Scallop Trim Border punch and tucked inside the Very Vanilla card base.  I stamped En Francais in crumb cake for the background.  Silver Glimmer paper makes a sparkly Prom dress embellished with Flower trim and Pearls.  Seriously from the kit was stamped in Night of Navy directly to the background.  Fabulous was stamped in Night of Navy on the last kit small banner!
I hope you see all the possibilities with these kits.  They are simple, but you can use them to stretch your imagination.  Or give them as gifts to new stampers!

Back to regular cards tomorrow using favorite stamp sets that may be retiring soon.  The Retired List will post April 24th.  Make your list and check it twice, cause this stuff goes fast!  And rumor has it there will be discounts!  So stay tuned.......The Hostess code to be entered in the Mystery Hostess party is E72XAT4Y.
This code must be entered at checkout for your ONLINE order to count for the Mystery Hostess Party.
I will be closing this code at the May Stamp A Stack, but many items may be sold out, so I advise to order ONLINE.

www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

A new My Paper Pumpkin gadget is on the right sidebar if you want to check out the monthly kit program.

Paper Pumpkin, FOUR more!

I am having fun with this kit and still have not used the "Love your guts", maybe with a Fish......we'll see.

Here are my 4 creations, leaning masculine .........

 The card base is patterned on the front and back, so I cut them in half and added the base to a Very Vanilla card.  See how easy it is to make this kit go farther?  The half piece of twine, a different button and A Best of Birthday Sentiment stamped and punched with the Scallop Circle punch make this Seriously cute!

For this card I cut the Not Quite Navy piece in half again!  Adhered it to a Very Vanilla card base and outlined it with my More Mustard marker to imitate the More Mustard thought Bubble.  I used the Cherry Cobbler ink spot for the Best Dad Ever sentiment and used the kit stamp also!  And added the Shoe
embossed in Early Expresso on Very Vanilla and snipped it out.  I laced the shoe with some scraps of twine.   Be nice or Dad may kick your Booty!

 I used the "Up Up and Away" with a "Best Of Birthday" sentiment.  I stamped the Balloons directly to the patterned paper from the kit and sponged the edges.  I used snips of twine and poked holes and tied on the baskets.  I cut out a Very Vanilla Balloon and stamped the sentiment in Not Quite Navy and popped up.  "Celebrate" was stamped with the Cherry Cobbler ink spot and popped up.  All adhered to a Very Vanilla card base.

I dolled this one up a bit with a Baja Breeze 2 3/4 Scallop punch and two Flower trim flowers.  I added the other half of the Night of Navy kit piece and used the Thought Bubble with the Cherry Cobbler ink spot on a Crumb Cake card base. Seriously cute and I made these 4 cards in less than 30 minutes!  And I actually have enough to make 4 more, for a total of 10 cards!!  Stop back tomorrow........

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Check out Paper Pumpkin at :  www.mypaperpumpkin.com

Paper Pumpkin April Edition!

Seriously......this is cute!  Today I am showing 2 cards using all the Elements of the kit which is designed to make 4 cards.  But I am going to make 8!  Double your cards, double your fun with this kit and use leftovers from other projects.  Kits do not include adhesive or Clear Block.  I am not too keen on the "Love your guts" sentiment, but I am sure someone may find it humorous!

Here is a picture of the kit contents and original card:

 I stuck to the plan on the first card, but switched it up a bit on card 2 using the Thought Bubble alone and adding a sentiment from Best Dad Ever stamped with the Cherry Cobbler stamping spot.  Love the spots, so easy to get total ink coverage and a great way to collect multiple ink colors!  I cut the length of twine in half on the above card, which leaves more for tomorrow!!

Check out Paper Pumpkin at:  www.mypaperpumpkin.com  and enroll in the monthly kit program.  $19.95 monthly plus tax.  Shipping Included in the price!

 Select me as your demonstrator!  And stay tuned every month to see what I do with this kit!  You can stop kit shipments at anytime and skip a shipment if you decide by the 10th of each month.  All the details are at the Paper Pumpkin site!

Regular shopping Online 24/7 at:  www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Betsy's Blossoms Mother's Day

Mother's Day is just around the corner and even tho the weather does not feel like Spring, this card Screams Spring!  This card was inspired by a swap from Convention 2012.  I changed the colors and the focal stamp, but used the Border idea which drew me to this swap.

The card base is Daffodil Delight.  The White mat is cut at 4 1/4 X 5 1/2.  You will trim it down after stamping the flowers so it fits on the card base leaving a frame of color.  The Flower from Betsy's Blossoms was stamped in Calypso Color down the side of the Whisper White card stock.  Trim the flowers with paper snips and then even off the bottom and top with your paper trimmer.  The Sentiment from "Wonderful Mother" was stamped in Calypso Coral.  The large Butterfly from "Best of Butterflies" was stamped on the white card mat in Daffodil Delight ink.  The Butterfly was stamped again using the "Rock N Roll" technique on a scrap of Whisper White card stock.  Ink the Stamp with the Daffodil Delight ink and then Roll the edges on the Calypso Coral ink pad.  Stamp and then cut out this Butterfly.  I popped it up with a glue dot and added a strand of pearls as the body.  I added 2 mini Calypso Coral Butterflies cut from the Beautiful Butterflies Embosslit.  Larger pearls were added to the center of each flower.  Great card for Mother's Day, Birthday, All Occasion!

Ingredients:
Wonderful Mother    126505  Wood  $11.95,  126507 Clear $8.95

Betsy's Blossoms  126004  Wood $28.95,  126006 Clear 126006

Best Of Butterflies  133345  $14.95 Clear only

Beautiful Wings Embosslit  118138 $11.95
Calypso Coral ink  126983  $5.95
Calypso Coral card stock  122925  $6.95
Daffodil Delight ink  126944  $5.95
Daffodil Delight card stock  119683  $6.95
Whisper White card stock  100730  $8.50
Basic Pearls  119247  $4.95

Shop online 24/7 at:   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Father's Day, Finally!!

As promised I re-created my Father's Day cards mailed to the troops and here they are.  Three different versions!!

This card is so simple and can be created in any color combo and paper choice.  Here I used a Sahara Sand card base.  The shirt is a 4 X 5 inch piece of Early Expresso card stock.  I ran it thru the Big Shot with the Stripes Embossing folder.  Leave about 3/4 inch out of the embossing folder to form the collar.  Use paper snips and cut in 1 inch on each side along the line where the embossing stops.  Fold in to form collar.  Round the shoulders with paper snips.
I used the Tie from Dapper Dad stamped in Early Expresso ink on Very Vanilla.  The sentiment from Best Dad Ever is also stamped in Early Expresso on Very Vanilla and flagged on the ends using a Square punch.  Crumb Cake Buttons were cut with the Sweet Buttons Embosslit.  I love how the embossing folder gives the shirt dimension!

Same concept using a Sahara Sand base and Sahara Sand striped paper from the Neutral paper Stack.  The  Tie is stamped in Early Expresso ink on Gumball Green card stock and Early Expresso Buttons.  The Sentiment is stamped directly on the base in Early Expresso, also from Best Dad Ever.  I outlined the entire shirt with the Early Expresson marker so it would pop off the card base.  The Designer paper was embossed with the Stripe folder, but is difficult to see on this picture.

And here is my last shirt using Parkers Patterns from the Mini catalog.  I love the contrast of the reverse side of the paper and the Crumb Cake Buttons!  The card base is Not Quite Navy and the Happy Birthday was stamped in Not Quite Navy ink on Very Vanilla card stock.  Sentiment from Best Dad Ever!

More Dad cards coming......

Ingredients:

Best Dad Ever  120399 Wood $18.95,  120681 Clear $14.95

Dapper Dad  129195 Wood  $18.95,  129198 Clear  $14.95

Parker's Patterns  131021 $10.95
Various cards stock and ink
Stripes Embossing Folder  123128 $7.95
Sweet Buttons Embosslit  121813  $11.95

Shop 24/7 online at:  www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Dolled Up Birthday!

DOLLED-UP BIRTHDAY KIT  

Another exciting kit from Stampin' Up!!  

The Dolled-Up Birthday kit includes the following:

• Dolled-Up Birthday Photopolymer Stamp (1)
• 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Crumb Cake Cardstock (6 pieces)
• 2" x 4-1/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock (6 pieces)
• Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (6)
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies (6)
• Dress Up die-cuts (6)
• Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Spot (1)
• Vanilla 5/8" Flower Trim (6 pieces)
• Sponge Dauber (1)

Get everything you need to make six cards for only $15.95 (item 133913)!*

To assemble one card, follow the instructions below:

1. Place the stamp on clear-mount block D or H rubber side up and ink with the Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Spot.
2. Stamp "Happy Birthday" at the bottom of the card front.
3. Ink the Sponge Dauber with Soft Suede ink and gently antique the doily and the edges of the dress form.
4. Adhere the pieces to the card front in this order:
   
   • Doily
   • Very Vanilla Cardstock
   • Dress form
   • Flower

*Adhesive not included

Many of you have purchased the Dress Up Framelits.  The First Edition paper was used for these die cuts and then stamped with Elements of Style  120045 Clear $19.95,  118611 Wood $27.95.  Doilies and Flower trim can be found in the Mini catalog if you want to create your own look using this as a card sketch!!

Shop my Online store 24/7:  www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

This kit was designed by  Stampin' Up Demonstrator Chris Gilmore.  Do you have a kit idea?  Let me know and we can get it submitted and you could win a fabulous prize!!

Where is Stampin' Kat?

I know I have been missing from the daily blog for a few days and what can I say, I am working on it!  I shipped 100 cards yesterday to From our Hearts for the troops.  Half Father's Day cards and the other half re-purposed swaps.  I thought I took pictures and.......I thought wrong, so the 2 Father's Day designs will have to be made again before I can post.  I am planning a card making fest tomorrow night so I can get back on track.  Royals games,cutting grass and a Funeral last night put me way behind on my crafting.

I have a question for my followers.......is there a technique or Stamp set you would like to see me feature on the blog?  Or do you have a card "ALL" SU that you would want to feature on my blog?  Leave me a comment or email me.  kswanson46@comcast.net

I do have news that the Retired List will be posted April 24th, I have added a Hostess code so you can hop online and place your order ASAP and not miss any of the popular items.  Sadly most of the retiring color items are gone from last weeks color refresh announcement.  But until the 24th we will not know what Stamp sets and accessories will retire this year.    Hostess Code is E72XAT4Y   These orders will count toward the May Mystery Hostess Benefits.  www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Here is a great Beach picture from my Florida trip, will it ever be warm in KC?  I hope so!!