Stamping With Friends – Gift of Giving

Happy Saturday! Today I’m hopping with my Stamping with Friends group and featuring the new Gift of Giving stamp set from the new Sept-Dec mini catalog. We were to create a project using projects from the new mini catalog, so I immediately picked up this new stamp set. It was the very first on my wish list when I saw the new book…after all, it has a mug, and I love all-things coffee! Be sure to check out the Roll Call at the bottom of this post so you can carry through and see the other creations of my talented stamping friends!

Here’s my card:

In addition to the Gift of Giving stamp set, this project also features two other new products — both that are a little bit hidden in the catalog: the “perfect for the season” DSP called A Walk in the Forest, and the Deckled Circles Dies. (You can see all supplies used at the bottom of this post).

I say these products are “hidden” because they are tucked in corners of the new booklet. Stampin’ Up catalogs are not only product sales tools, they are books for inspiration (hence why I’m always “CASE-ing the catalog, like today!) They have to cram so much into these books, so sometimes products aren’t highlighted so prominently. This happens — so be sure to check the index in the back of the book too as sometimes that helps you find these hidden gems. Let’s look at all of these products:

The Deckled Circles are a little pricey – $37 – but WOW, they are worth it. Again the catalog does not do these justice. The largest circle measures 5 3/4 in diameter and is HUGE! These are a great addition to your stamp collection.

Also, something special about A Walk in the Forest DSP? $3 from each sale of this paper pack will be donated by Stampin’ Up! to support organizations dedicated to spreading cheer and providing support to those in need. This is part of SU’s “Making a Difference” program.

My card was inspired by a card on that page of the mini catalog:

If you saw my post from Wednesday where I mentioned Case-ing the catalog, this is where those card designs also came from. Love this layout – simple, yet effective! Let’s take another look at my card for today:

Love how this turned out, and will be making more with the other images in this stamp set!

Be sure to hop along using the links below. Thanks for looking today, and happy stamping!

Kelly


Roll Call


Shop the Supplies

Around the World on Wednesday Blog Hop – Let’s Go For A Walk

Happy Wednesday! I’m excited to report that I am now a member of the Around the World on Wednesday (AWOW) Team! I am so honored to have been chosen to join this amazing group of stampers. Huge thanks to Angie McKenzie from Central US for reaching out to me and asking me to join when a spot opened up on the East Coast. This is so exciting! Here’s a photo of us:

This month’s Blog Hop theme is “Let’s Go For a Walk.” I can’t wait to see what my new stamping friends came up with for this theme. The instructions were pretty wide open, so I have no doubt you’ll be inspired. Grab a cup of coffee and take a trip around the World with me!

As soon as I read about the theme for this Hop, I knew I wanted to use the new All About Autumn suite in the Sept-Dec 2023 Mini Catalog, featuring the new All About Autumn designer series paper. Let’s take a look at these papers:

I grew up in eastern Pennsylvania, and then lived in Massachusetts for 20 years, taking a walk or a hike in the fall was something we did often because the fall leaves are just so beautiful! The new DSP in this suite is so pretty and these images immediately took me back to crisp fall days in the Northeast. Now living in eastern North Carolina I crave the foliage. We get a little of it down here, but not quite like in the mountains.

Here are my cards:

Let’s take a closer look:

For these cards, I used the exact same layout – inspired by a card on page 4 of the Mini catalog (more on that later this week when I do a Case the Catalog post). In addition to the All About Autumn dsp, I also used the Autumn Leaves bundle, the new Distressed Tile 3D embossing folder, and the GORGEOUS Oxidized Copper 12 x 12 Specialty DSP. These photos do not even do that paper justice. Holy moly it is so pretty. Shop the supplies below.

The first card of the three is my favorite — and makes me feel like I’m walking along that path. Here it is again:

I’m curious to hear what would you do for this “Let’s Go for a Walk” challenge. Let’s see what my new Around the World on Wednesday friends did. Next up in the Hop is Shel Anderson from Canada.

Happy Stamping friends! Kelly


Roll Call:

Jan Clothier – AU

Leonie Stuart – AU

Rochelle Laird-Smith – AU

Cheryll Miller – AU

Danielle Kassing – NL

Aurélie Fabre – FR

Mikaela Titheridge – UK

Annette Ball – CA

Angie McKenzie – US

Kelly Taranto – USYou Are Here!

Shel Anderson – CA

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert – US

Chris Smith – US

Brenda Nelson – CA

Tricia Butts – US

Theresa McEntee – US

Bree Renwick – US

Lori Willcox – CA

Teri West – US


Shop the Supplies:

NC Demos Blog Hop: To Die For

It’s the last Sunday of August, so that means time to Blog Hop with my NC Demo Friends! This month’s theme is “To Die For” and the challenge is to feature a standalone die or bundle that featured a large die. I am choosing the Paper Florist Dies from the annual catalog. This post also will kick off a Product Feature Week so expect to see more projects using these dies throughout the week. You may have come from my friend Laurie Meier’s Blog, or you might be arriving here first. Be sure to “hop” along through the Roll Call below so you can see all of the projects with this fun theme!

Okay, so let’s look at these dies because you may have missed the Paper Florist dies in the catalog!

This die set is a standalone set in the Annual Catalog, meaning it doesn’t have a coordinating stamp set. It can be found on page 165 if you have a hardcopy, and it is $37 for a set of 18 dies. Boy, is this die set full of wonderful dies — well worth the money! You might be looking at this thinking, what are all of these dies? Well, there are 4 leaves – three leaves for flowers, and one 3-stem cut for tulips. They are circled here:

Then, there are 4 main dies for petals to make different styles of flowers (including the tulip heads!)

Finally, the rest of the dies can be mixed and matched to make a variety of things — mostly the centers for the flowers, but really anything — so many options!

Okay, enough already, let’s take a look at these dies in action! For my project today, I used these dies to make home décor items. The first is a little sign I have above my stamping desk.

Since this is in my craft room, I of course used The Late Night Stamper brand colors, as well as a coffee mug to hold all of my flowers. I also used the new “More Dazzle” 6 x 6 Specialty Paper for some of the flower centers to give it a little bling. The saying looks Balmy Blue in this photo, but it is actually embossed in Basic White embossing powder using the Alphabest stamp set.

Once I got a few flower building under my belt, I made these larger décor items. These will make great gifts. I imagine putting a little saying in the blank space, or even a person’s name. Let’s first look at one made with the same colors as above:

Here’s a closeup of these flowers so you can also really see the flower center that is made with that long die that looks like it makes fringe (the navy center of the big yellow flower, and the coral center in the big blue flower):

Then, I was on a roll and had a bunch of cardstock in various yellows sitting there, so I made a yellow version:

And again, a close-up:

You’ll see I used a variety of greens for leaves, some early espresso for some of the centers, and some specialty papers to add some shimmer. I imagine this bright yellow frame of sunshine will brighten someone’s day!

Hope these items give you an idea of what this die set can do. Stay tuned this week for more projects using these dies on cards. Note: if you shop my online store, you’ll see these dies are currently unavailable. They will be back in stock for ordering the week of September 11th.

In the meantime, let’s see what the others have done with this challenge. Click the next arrow to hop over to Tracie Langley’s Blog!

Happy stamping! Kelly


August 2023 Blog Hoppers
Tina Lesson  
Jo Anne Hewins
Toni Campana
Laurie Meier
Kelly Taranto You are here!
Tracie Evans Langley, the Sassy Stamper

Stampin’ With Friends – Beautiful Balloons Shapes

I’m closing out my birthday week stamping with my friends, and joining in their Blog Hop today that has a “shapes” theme. I chose to use the Beautiful Balloons bundle for my shapes. Be sure after reading through my post today to click through the Roll Call at the bottom of this post. to see what everyone else has done with this “fun-shaped” (pun-intended) theme!

This card is a fun-fold, and not one you would mass produce if you need a lot of birthday cards. It is one you would make for a very special birthday. Here is the front. Pretty basic — I actually used two cards from the Bright & Beautiful Memories & More Card Pack and added a balloon cut from the Birthday Balloons dies, and of course some twine for the balloon string.

Now, let’s take that belly band off…

Here we go!

Wow! This card packs a punch — the photos do not even do it justice. Here’s a side view:

Closer-up front view:

This Fun Fold is called a Pop-Up Wave Card. I was introduced to this fold from my stamping friend Nancy Legate and here are her directions:

I also found a You Tube video on this card pattern produced by Pam Elliott. Have fun creating with this one! And, again, be sure to hop along with my stamping friends using the Roll Call below, and if you want to know all supplies used, click on the supply list below!

Happy Stamping! Kelly


Roll Call:


Shop the Supplies:

Kylie Bertucci’s Demo Training Blog Hop – August Customer Cards

It’s blog hop time with Kylie and Bruno and their Demonstrator Training Group! Each month demonstrators around the world participating in the Bertucci’s training program come together to share their customer cards for the month. This month’s cards are fun and festive — take a look! Also be sure to visit the Roll Call below to keep “hopping” along to see what my fellow Demonstrators have made this month!

August is a celebratory month for me. First, it is my birthday month (tomorrow is the day!) and it is also my anniversary month with Stampin’ Up!. This year, I am celebrating 20 years being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.

There is a lot to celebrate this month, and today I’m celebrating my customers…because without them, there is no way I would still be a Demonstrator all this time. I’m running a special all this month to thank my customers — if you order $50 or more, you’ll receive a brand-new pack of gems, as well as a small special surprise from me that you can use to dress up your envelopes. How fun!

Let’s take a closer look at the customer card:

For this card, I used Patchwork Pieces Dies, paired with the Radiating Stitches Dies. The Patchwork Pieces die has a little learning curve, but I think I’ve got it now. For the sentiment, I’m using two sentiments from the Circle Sayings stamp set, and of course the 2 3/8″ circle punch that is part of that bundle. All supplies used are listed below for a one-stop click to shop.

Love these cards — and can’t wait to thank my customers!

Happy stamping! Kelly


Blog Hop Roll Call:


Supplies Used:

It’s FAUX-tasic! Trucking Along Masculine Card

Two blog hops in a row, but today’s hop is my monthly Blog Hop with my NC Demos Group. The theme is “FAUX-tastic.” The only rule is that we had to use a Faux Technique — anything from Faux Suede, Faux Metal, Faux Silk, Faux Tile, Faux Shaving Cream, Faux Leather, etc.. I chose the Faux Suede and Faux Metal technique to make a masculine card, using the Trucking Along bundle. As always with a blog hop, you’ll want to “hop along” to the next Demonstrator to see her amazing projects. Click the Next Button below to see a project from the talented Laurie Meier or follow along using the Roll Call below.

Let’s talk FAUX. There are so many “FAUX” techniques, and since I was planning a masculine card, I wanted to use the Faux Suede and then thought of the Faux Metal technique too. Here’s an explanation of what these are.

Faux Suede

For Faux Suede, you simply need to break the fibers of the cardstock, either by rubbing on the edge of a table or rubbing with your bone folder, and then you can peel the cardstock apart to reveal a textured, “suede” looking piece. Take a closer look:

Faux Metal

For the Faux Metal technique, you use multiple layers of embossing powder (I embossed 4 layers). After the last layer, you heat up the layer one more time with your Heat Tool and then working quickly stamp your image into the embossed layer, or, in my case, I ran it through my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine with the Metal Plate 3D Embossing Folder. Trim the image if you need to and add to your card. Take a closer look:

This technique is amazing with this embossing folder!

My Faux-Tastic Project!

Let’s take a close up look of both “Fauxs”:

The greeting stamp is from He’s All That — I used an Early Espresso marker to ink up just the top curve with the saying, stamped, cleaned, and then did the same for the bottom. That way I could stretch out the saying wide enough to fit my truck. And, of course, the truck is filled with a heart as this is a birthday card–perfect for a significant other (maybe this could be my hubby’s birthday card for September…ahead of the game!)

Here’s my card again so you can see the whole thing together:

Here’s the inside of the card. I used the truck stamp from He’s All That and an extra piece of Faux Suede at the bottom.

These techniques are oldies but goodies and I love how this turned out. To shop the supplies so you can make this, check out the link to my Online Store at the bottom of this post.

Let’s Hop!

Thanks for stopping by, and hope you learned a little about two techniques! Now, let’s see what the others have done with this challenge! Click the next arrow to hop over to Tracie Evans Langley’s blog!

Happy Stamping! Kelly


Roll Call:

Tina Lesson
Jo Anne Hewins
Laurie Meier
Kelly Taranto – The Late Night StamperYou are here!
Tracie Evans Langley, the Sassy StamperNEXT!

Shop the Supplies:

Stamping With Friends – Online Exclusives

Truck Week continues, and this time I’m Stamping With Friends and we are Trucking Along through the seasons! Today’s Blog Hop theme with this group is Online Exclusives. I’m, of course, featuring the Trucking Along bundle that was released with this most recent Online Exclusive release, as well as the Gold & Silver 1/8″ Trim Combo Pack that was released last winter.

Be sure after reading through my post today to click through the Roll Call at the bottom of this post.

The Trucking Along stamp set is so versatile — you can truly use it year-round. First, let’s look at this stamp set more closely:

There are multiple images for you to use in the back of the truck — each representing a different occasion or time of year. I decided to make 4 cards with this bundle, all the same design, so that you can see all four seasons represented in this stamp set.

Now, let’s take a closer look at these cards.

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

Hope you like these! Be sure to check out the Online Exclusives section of my Online Store — these products are not found in any printed catalog. Full supply list is below.

Blog Hop time!

Looking forward to seeing what products my friends are working with in their projects in today’s Blog Hop Challenge. Be sure to click “Next Blog” below in the Roll Call!

Happy Stamping! Kelly


Roll Call


Shop the Supplies

Christmas Trucking Along

Another Trucking Along bundle sample – this time a Christmas card!

The striped piece in the background is a piece from the Vellum Basics Specialty DSP . In addition to the Trucking Along Bundle, this project also uses two other products that are Online Exclusives: the little DSP piece under the truck is from the Hello, Irresistible 6 x 6 DSP pack, and the red and gold polka dot ribbon. All supplies are below.

Happy truckin! Kelly


Shop the Supplies:

It’s Truck Week! Trucking Along Scene Card

Happy Sunday and happy new week! So I lost a whole week somehow. How does that happen? Last week was super busy with work and shuffling our youngest around for camp, etc, so that meant by 8 pm at night I was turning in early – no late-night stamping for me! This week is going to be just as crazy, but I’m hoping to share some fun Trucking Along projects throughout this week. Let’s start with a scene card!

In case you missed it…the Trucking Along Bundle, an Online Exclusive, broke the internet when it was released on July 6. It was heavily anticipated and when the release hit, it was sold out in hours, then restocked, then sold out again. At the time of this posting, the truck punch will not be available again until the week of October 16th. WHAT?

Well, the Trucking Along stamp set is still available – it’s the punch that is currently sold out. The punch will be back! In the meantime, we can make beautiful cards with this stamp set.

Let’s take a closer look at the stamp set:

This stamp set is a two-step stamp set. So you don’t even have to color if you don’t want to! And, with the trees, fencing (that can also be bumpers for the truck bed, clouds, road, you can make adorable scenes.

Here’s my card making a scene with this stamp set:

(Note: this not my design — this is case’d from a card made by Melissa the Stamping Ninja.)

Isn’t this adorable!? I love how this card–love the sunflowers in the back, and the scene. Hope you like it too. To shop the supplies, shop below!

More truck projects coming, and happy stamping! Kelly


Shop the Supplies:

Color Refresh with a Bird’s Eye View

It’s blog hop time with my Stamping with Friends group and today’s theme is “Color Refresh.” We were to use the new in-colors, or one of the new colors with the color refresh that happened with the new annual catalog release in May. I’m using Wild Wheat (a new In-color), one other new color and two returning colors, and this adorable stamp set called Bird’s Eye View. I mean…what a better way to celebrate new colors than using a set that features books and birds in glasses! Be sure after reading through my post today to click through the Roll Call at the bottom of this post. Up next is the amazing Deb Schultz!

Okay, let’s take a look at these cards.

Aren’t these the absolute cutest!? I LOVE LOVE them. Okay, so let’s talk about these. First, I used Wild Wheat from the new in-colors, but I’m also featuring one new color that came to us in the Refresh: Pecan Pie, as well as two colors that returned to us in the refresh: Fresh Freesia and Misty Moonlight.

I Love all of these colors together. And, you know I love Stampin’ Up!’s designer series paper (DSP) and in these cards I’m using the DSP 6 x 6 Color Assortments: In-Color, Neutrals, and Subtles. These DSP packs are a must-have for your collection, and I love the patterns this year (they had me at polka dots!) Now let’s take a closer look at each card.

Card #1:

This first one I used the books – repeated and stacked for a little perch for this little guy:

I added a big label from the Nested Essentials Dies to help break up the busy polka dot pattern. The greeting is from the stamp set called Happy Labels. All products used are listed below the Roll Call in the Shop the Supplies section below. The wing of this bird was cut from the Pecan Pie 6 x 6 DSP.

I stamped the bird on DSP and then cut out pieces. Let’s look at my next card so you can see some more of that.

Card #2:

I mean…come ON. That tiny bird with the giant glasses -so cute. And a monocle…that is actually what sold me on this set. Note: I have seen samples online where the creator used the monocle as a balloon…so lots of options. Again, to break up the busy background, I used a big white label from the Nested Essential dies, a strip of complimentary DSP and these two guys are perched on a branch. Their wings and the big guy’s belly, as well as the branch are all cut from DSP. Again, the sentiment is from Happy Labels.

Blog Hop time!

Looking forward to seeing what my friends came up with and what colors they featured in today’s Blog Hop Challenge. Be sure to click “Next Blog” below in the Roll Call!

Happy Stamping! Kelly


Roll Call


Shop the Supplies

%d