A Fitting Occasion

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Have a new addition on the way? Or know someone who does? Here is a cute little card using the A Fitting Occasions stamp set found on page 140 in the Annual Catalog. This set is one of those that is great for year round use. Just change out the images and sentiments to create cards for almost any occasion.

And this card has a soft feel to it, perfect for baby, since it uses two of our 2013-2016 In Colors, Coastal Cabana and Crisp Cantaloupe.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: A Fitting Occasion (131952/127049) and Label Love (130619/130622)

Inks: Crisp Cantaloupe (131176) and Coastal Cabana (131176)

Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe (131297), Coastal Cabana (131298), and Whisper White (100730)

Accessories: Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder (129984), Artisan Label Punch (130920), 1 1/4″ Scallop Circle Punch (127811), and 1″ Circle Punch (119868)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code KGM3XHTJ

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, July 14th 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Blendabilities are here – Click HERE to get yours today!

By the Tide

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Summer is in full swing and I’m thinking of the beach – so here is a swap with a beachy feel to it, using the By the Tide stamp set and one of our items from the Clearance Rack, the Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack.

I love the way the card uses beach themed colors too – Island Indigo, Pool Party and Calypso Coral. Sounds like a day at the beach, right? So while it is heating up outside you can spend a little time cooling off at the beach inside stamping! LOL

Supplies:

Stamp Set: By the Tide (131910/129120)

Inks: Island Indigo (126986), Calypso Coral (126983), and Pool Party (126982)

Paper: Pool Party (122924) and Whisper White (100730)

Accessories: Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (130812) and Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code KGM3XHTJ

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, July 14th 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Get your favorites Designer Series Paper in July – Sale ends July 31, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Blendabilities are here – Click HERE to get yours today!

NEW Coffee & Card Kit

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

If you weren’t able to make it to my June Coffee & Cards now you can make my Coffee & Cards at your convenience and at home. No muss or fuss, just have fun stamping!

Have a supply of cards to have on hand when you need them? These cards are clean and simple designs and are easy to complete in about a hour. And cards are designed so that you can easily choose your sentiment for all kinds of occasions. But these kits won’t last long since I only have a very limited number available – so why not get yours today?

Coffee & Cards Kits

Coffee & Cards Kit Fee: $18 for 6 pre-cut card kits (Kit price includes postage/PayPal fees)
US only (mailing addresses)
Available while kits last
All sales are final
Click the Buy Now button to purchase your Coffee & Cards Kit
Kits will be mailed within 48 hours of your purchase by USPS; and your PDF will be emailed to you.

Fine Print:
 You receive 2 each of the three cards shown. (Designer Series Paper patterns and accessories may vary.)
 Card kit includes envelopes, pre-cut card stock and accessories for you to complete your cards. (Adhesives, Glue Dots, and Stampin’ Dimensionals are not included.)
 Die cutting and shapes will be punched for you (no stamped images are included). Textured embossing will be done for you, except when stamping first is required. Border punching typically is not include.
 The PDF will be emailed to you when kit ships by USPS. Detail instructions are not included. A PDF includes a photo and supply list, along with measurements for each card.
 Stamped images are NOT included in the Coffee & Card Kit. This is in compliance to Stampin’ Up! Policies. Don’t have a set? Stamp sets can be purchased in my Online Store or through me directly. You may also substitute similar sized images or sentiments you currently have.
 A supply list and measurements are provided. If detailed instructions are needed, my Coffee & Cards Kit may not be right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at [email protected]

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code KGM3XHTJ

Six Sided Sampler

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

With convention next week I thought I would share with you some of the great cards that I’ve received in the past during my swaps. Today’s card is made with the Six Sided Sampler stamp set (130953/130956) and it is done in shades of Bermuda Bay.

Don’t you love how our color families work together to create shades of the same color? And of course all the choices we have for the latest hexagon trend.

This card uses the Honeycomb Embossing Folder along with our Hexagon Punch to create this fun bold design. And check out the Smoky Slate Chevron Ribbon – it’s part of the Weekly Deals so you can get it at a great price this week.

NEW CLEARANCE RACK ITEMS

Speaking of great deals, you’ll want to stop by my Online Store tomorrow since Stampin’ Up! will be adding NEW items to the Clearance Rack on Thursday, July 10th– Yippie! You’ll want to be sure to stop by early since some items will go quickly.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Six Sided Sampler (130953/130956)

Inks: Bermuda Bay (131171) and VersaMark (102283)

Paper: Bermuda Bay (131197), Smoky Slate (131202), Pool Party (122924), and Whisper White Car stock (100730)

Accessories: Smoky Slate 3/4″ Chevron Ribbon (131152), Bermuda Bay 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (131206), Hexagon Punch (130919), Honeycomb Embossing Folder (129378), 1/8″ Mini Brads (122941), Paper Piercing Tool (126189) and Mat (126199), Smoky Slate Embossing Powder (129396) and Heat Tool (129053)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code KGM3XHTJ

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, July 14th 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Get your favorites Designer Series Paper in July – Sale ends July 31, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Blendabilities are here – Click HERE to get yours today!

3 New Stamp Sets & NEW Weekly Deals

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Stampin’ Up! has given us two new Photopolymer Stamp Sets to choose from today.

Dear Heart (138157) – the boy version of the very popular Sweetie Pie Set! Check out these fun projects made with the set.

Cute huh? What a great set for that guy in your life. Click on the flyer below for all the details.

TWO NEW HOLIDAY SETS –

And how about a NEW set for the Holidays? If you want to work on your holiday projects early you’ll want to look at these next two sets? Check out these fun projects made with our NEW Christmas Bliss set.

Christmas Bliss (138897) is a the second of our Photopolymer Stamp Sets introduced today. Don’t our Photopolymer stamps make lining up those images and sentiments soooo easy?

You can click on the flyer below for more information.

And for us cardinal lovers – available today is the nature inspired set, Beauty of the Season (135776/135779). I think this would be a great set to watercolor with!

What are you waiting for? Now you can get your holiday cards done at your leisure or even while chillin’ on the deck watching the kids play.

Click Here to see the Beauty of the Season flyer with details.

NEW Weekly Deals for July 8th

It’s Tuesday and that means NEW Weekly Deals – why not check them out today when you are looking at the new sets? There may be something you’ve been wanting on your list.

And if you need a fast way to journal those summer memories? Why not get the Retro Fresh This and That Journal to organize your summer fun! They make a great gift for those young people in your lives who are always on the go –

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code KGM3XHTJ

Get your favorites Designer Series Paper in July – Sale ends July 31, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Blendabilities are here – Click HERE to get yours today!

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, July 14th 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Blended Bloom Flash Back

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

I hope everyone had a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our country on the 4th of July. Here in Clarkesville we got together with family to not only celebrate the 4th but also two birthdays. Larry’s mom turned 89 on the 5th and a brother 67. So there was lots of celebrating going on here in the Merck house hold.

Ma loves loves flowers and rubies so I thought I would start there for her birthday card. Of course I couldn’t resist using the Blended Bloom stamp and my new Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Blendabilities Markers!

She really loved the card and that made me happy. After all at 89 what do you need? I knew of course, spending time with her boys and their families was what she would want. We had a good turn out, although not everyone was able to make it. It’s pretty hard getting together seven families now a days with everyone scattered and grandkids raising their own families too.

Here is a picture of Ma with her boys, that’s my hubby on the right, he’s the baby of the family.

I also made a card for Larry’s brother, Dan (He’s standing right behind Ma in the photo). Dan likes anything collectible but of course cars and trucks are always a hit with this group of guys. So I reached for an old faithful stamp set, Classic Pickups. It has been retired for awhile, but it was one of those first sets that I bought when I started stamping, and so I still enjoy using it. And I was itching to try coloring the images from this set using the NEW Blendabilities!

So what do you think? Larry loved it when he saw it – a very good sign indeed. I just wish I’d done the wheels to match the truck. Since I didn’t have my Smoky Slate Assortment yet, I tried the Skin Tone Assortment. It’s ok, but next time I’ll try doing the wheels maybe the Cherry Cobbler and Pumpkin Pie combo like I did the flames on the front of the truck.

I wanted to create both a masculine and feminine card using the same Designer Series Paper and I think I did a pretty good job of it. Even though the cards are very different, it just goes to show you how versatile our Designer Series Paper is. Do you recognize the Designer Series Paper from these cards?

Well it’s the Flash Back Designer Series Paper pack. And all of our designer series paper part of our Buy 3 Get 1 FREE promotion during the month of July – Check out the details by clicking HERE.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Blended Bloom (135906) and Four You (130535/130538)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black Pad (132708)

Paper: Flashback Designer Series Paper (133699), Basic Black (121045), Crushed Curry (131199), Pool Party (122924), and Whisper White Card stock (100730)

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler (130995), and Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blendabilities Markers (130998), and Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code KGM3XHTJ

Last Day for Weekly Deals

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, July 7th 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Get your favorites Designer Series Paper in July – Sale ends July 31, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Blendabilities are here – Click HERE to get yours today!

4th of July Work of Art

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Were celebrating the 4th with a good old fashioned family cookout here in Clarkesville and it looks like the weather will be perfect for it. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone again and getting to meet new family members too. Some we haven’t seen in years, along with marriages and babies. What fun.

And since it is the fourth of July I thought it would be fun to do a little something for the kids. So I’ve put together this fun bucket of items for each family.

And created this cute little tag that I attached to it with our Metallic Silver Baker’s Twine (132142) that is part of our Weekly Deals this week.

What do you think? Cute? I’m hoping these will be a hit with everyone since it contains a little something fun for all ages that can be used all day and even until the fireworks!

What’s inside? Well I’ve got some bubbles, a beach ball for the pool, bug boxes for catching the fire flies, glow sticks, sparklers, poppers, and other goodies for the evening.

I’ve got the one done – now just to put the others together. LOL Larry’s got a big family!

Home improvements – oh my!

Today I thought I would also share with you what I’ve been doing lately with my free time. I think I’ve shared with you I’ve had the home improvement bug this spring, my love of painting trim….. and so the projects continued.

Larry and I have “discussed” painting the stairs for years, or should I say I have. He just didn’t think it was necessary and I thought it would be a big help to protect the pressboard and make cleaning easier too.

Well on June 3rd I decided I’d jump in. I’ve never painted stairs so I was a bit intimidated, but after reading up on it I figured what the heck – it couldn’t be that hard, right?

I tried stain first at the suggestion of my sister, unfortunately it didn’t cover up all the spots that had been created from spills over the years. And apparently my brain wasn’t functioning well either, because I didn’t think of solid color stain that the gal at Home Depot had recommended before I started to kilz. Oh, well. I guess paint was meant to be.

So here is the first picture I took – Seems I always forget to take the before photo – caulked, Kilzed, and first coat of trim.

I know it looks a little strange with only part of the stairs done to this point, but I figured I wanted to see how it went. And I wanted to get the color on the tread to see how I liked the color we chose to go with the wood landing. LOL – Like I’d have a choice once I started.

The biggest challenge was making the stairs usable since my guys are always up and down them and of course my classroom is downstairs too. I sure didn’t want to go long without getting to stamp!

So I learned if I started first thing in the morning they’d be dry enough for everyone to go up and down when they got home and the trash and dirt from their shoes would not stick. (It seemed to rain a lot so going around wasn’t really an option Johnathan wanted to deal with.) I also did every other step and added the green paper to keep things clean.

Here is the finished project now after I finished all the touch ups and door trim this week. Yea!

Painting the stairs really brightened up the space and I really love the look. They are so easy to clean now!

However, I am still thinking about stamping on the risers. I’ve had this great two step stamp set I’ve always wanted to use for that, but for now I’ve got other things on my list I want to do first.

Everyone who has been to my classroom before noticed the new look immediately and made my day by commenting about how great they looked. Thanks guys!

Funny thing is my husband, Larry asked me what took me so long to paint the stairs! (He’s a hoot.) They don’t squeak any more which is the part he loves. Of course that means my “alarm system” for the kids is gone since I always knew when someone was coming up the stairs. I’m not sure what made them stop creaking and squeaking, but I’m glad my husband likes the end result too. Now I’ve just got to get him to put trim up where the concrete and sheet rock meets. That little space drives me nuts. After all who knows what can live in that space – eek!

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Work of Art (134111/134114), Fabulous Four (134171/134174), and Something to Say (134177/134180)

Inks: Pacific Point (126951), Real Red (126949), Melallic Silver Encore Ink (132142), and VersaMark (102283)

Paper: Pacific Point (111350), Real Red (102482), Basic Black (121045), and Whisper White (100730)

Accessories: Silver Baker’s Twine (132976), 1/8″ Handheld Circle Punch (134365), Black Embossing Powder (109133), and Heat Tool (129053)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code KGM3XHTJ

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, July 7th 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Get your favorites Designer Series Paper in July – Sale ends July 31, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Blendabilities are here – Click HERE to get yours today!

Timeless Talk

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

The Timeless Talk stamp set has some wonderful images and coordinating sentiments that cover your basic needs. And for those of us baby boomers bring back images from our childhood too.

Why not check out this set? You can find the Timeless Talk stamp set on page 128 of the 2014-2015 Annual Catalog.

New Digital Downloads for July

Three new downloads have been introduced for July.

Flower Patch Stamp Brush Set (138100)

Flower Pot Designer Series Paper (138109)

And Many More (138110)

Love My Digital Studio? Click HERE to see all the digital downloads currently available. Or if you want to give it a try? Why not check out the 30 day free trial available by clicking HERE.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Timeless Talk (126605/126607)

Inks: StazOn Jet Black Pad (101406)

Paper: Soft Suede (115318), Marina Mist (119682), and Whisper White Card stock (100730)

Accessories: Tea Lace Paper Doilies (129399), Fancy Fan Embossing Folder (127551), Word Window Punch (119857), and Marina Mist Stampin’ Write Marker (119679)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code KGM3XHTJ

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, July 7th 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Get your favorites Designer Series Paper in July – Sale ends July 31, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Blendabilities are here – Click HERE to get yours today!

Patriotic Dotty Angles

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Fourth of July is Friday this week and so I’m thinking Red, White and Blue. How about you? So today’s card has a patriotic feel today.

This card can be easily made into any occasion since I’ve used the sentiment from the And Many More stamp set. And Many More is one of our new sets that contain 23 sentiments that work perfectly with our Word Window Punch. What a great deal, right? And this one set covers pretty much any occasion you can think of through out the year!

Did you notice the pop of gold on this card? Well it is our Gold Sequin Trim (132983).

Just pull a few off the string and adhere. Sooo easy to do! And great news the Gold Sequin Trim is part of this week’s Weekly Deals – so why not check it out along with the other items too?

NEW Weekly Deals start Today!

On a personal note – I’ve spent the day yesterday processing goodies from the garden and so I didn’t get to post. I got my first batch of summer squash in the freezer along with some other items I baked using the blueberries we picked.

I’ve got three strainers this size and with all the rain we’ve had it has been tough to pick at times. A good problem to have for sure. LOL Unfortunately our blueberries are bursting from all the rain – they just don’t seem to be able to grow as fast as they need to, so they end up splitting which is kind of a bummer.

So as a special treat I’ve got another recipe for you Blueberry lovers. This one is a favorite of mine. Light and cool – give it a try and see what you think. Why you could even put strawberries on the top for a red, white, blue look for the 4th!

When put into a clear bowl – it is rather pretty. I’m sorry to say I had a hard time getting a good picture of that and this one was the best I could do. Hopefully you get the idea.

Blueberries in the Snow

½ c. sugar

½ c. milk

1 pkg. (8oz.) cream cheese, softened

1 ctn. (16 oz.) whipped topping

1 ½ c. fresh blueberries

1 lg. Angel Food Cake, prepared

1 can (21 oz.) Blueberry Pie Filling

Combine sugar, milk and cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat until blended. Fold in whipped topping and fresh blueberries. Crumble Angel Food cake into small pieces and add to cream mixture. Mix well and pour into a large bowl packing mixture down and spreading evenly. Pour blueberry pie filling on top and spread evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

If you’d like to see more recipes that I’ve shared in the past? You can find them under the Categories section by scrolling down the right hand column of my blog. Just look for recipes and click.

Enjoy!

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Dotty Angles (133658) and And Many More (134273/134276)

Inks: Pacific Point (126951)

Paper: Real Red (102482) and Whisper White card stock (100730)

Accessories: Gold Sequin Trim (132983), Gold Baker’s Twine (132975), Real Red 1/4″ Cotton Ribbon (134563), Modern Label Punch (119849), and Word Window Punch (119857)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code KGM3XHTJ

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, July 7th 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

New Digital Downloads

Buy 3 get one FREE, Weekly Deals, and Blendabilities

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

BUY 3 Designer Series Paper, Get 1 FREE!

Whoo hoo! Who doesn’t love Designer Series Paper, right? I know I do and during the entire month of July, when you purchase three Designer Series Paper packs, you’ll get one FREE! That’s like getting $10.95 off your purchase AND receiving an extra — did I mention FREE? DSP!

Here are the details:

Choose from any of the 8 Designer Series Paper packs found on pages 186 &187 of the 2014-2015 Annual Catalog
There is no limit to the number of free Designer Series Paper packs you can receive. For each three purchased, you will receive one free.
To get your free DSP, enter it in your order separately from the three packs you’re paying for. For example, if you want four packs of the same type of paper, put in the three you’re paying for and enter the fourth as a separate item.

These items don’t qualify for the offer:

Designer Series Paper Stacks
Specialty Designer Series Paper

Fine Print:

Orders may be placed on any order type (customer, workshop, or online order)
Check out our Designer Series Papers in the annual catalog pages 186 &187
Promotion Dates and Deadlines: July 1-31, 2014
deadline: Thursday July 31, 2014; 11:55pm (MT)

BLENDABILITIES GO LIVE TODAY!

Yippie! Our Stampin’ Blendabilities Markers are available to order today – Check out all the items that are available to purchase.

Available Products starting July 1:

Cherry Cobbler (Item #130995 – $11.95)
Coastal Cabana (Item #131000 – $11.95)
Daffodil Delight (Item #130998 – $11.95)
Old Olive (Item #130999 – $11.95)
Pumpkin Pie (Item #130997 – $11.95)
Rich Razzleberry (Item #131003 – $11.95)
Skin Tone Assortment (Item #129370 – $22.95)
Memento Ink Pad (Item 132708 – $5.95 )
Memento Ink Refill (Item 133456 – $4.95 )
Color Lifter (Item 129369 – $4.95 )

Check out my two new Video Tutorials on the Blendabilities – click HERE

And great news – I’ll be giving a Camp Blendabilities starting in July to help you learn the basics of using your Stampin’ Blendabilities Markers. Watch for details coming soon.

Please note that the remaining 6 colors will be available starting August 1, 2014

NEW Weekly Deals start Today!

What a great time to be a Hostess! Why not check with me and choose a date and time for your private party or even a book party! And start earning your Hostess Benefits today!

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code KGM3XHTJ

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, July 7th 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

New Digital Downloads