Rubber Stamping & Card Making with Yapha

Tonight is my nephew Leo’s very first Rosh Hashanah, and I wanted to make a special card for him. I combined the apple and honey lunch box from the Season of Hugs stamp set with the adorable baby bear from Bear Hugs to make a sweet Rosh Hashanah card. I inked up the bear with a Stampin’ Write Marker to get rid of the B on the bib and the rattle in the bear’s hand.

Stamps: Bear Hugs, Season of Hugs, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Sahara Sand
Paper: Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Whisper White
Other: Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

The little lunch box is cut out and popped up on a Stampin’ Dimensional. I made the “Sweet New Year” phrase by combining the “Sweet Treats” and “Happy New Year” stamps from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set. Amazing what you can do with a Stampin’ Write Marker and a Stamp-a-ma-jig!

How cute is the smiley little bee from the Every Little Bit stamp set? Combined with some apples, it makes a super cute Rosh Hashanah card! (I picked the apple from the Season of Hugs set in the Holiday Mini Catalog.) I used this week’s sketch from Stamping 411 to create this card.

I have to say, I was fairly uninspired by this sketch, until I saw Sara’s card that she made with it, then something clicked! Which is interesting, because the two cards are nothing alike. Minds are funny that way.

Stamps: Every Little Bit, Season of Hugs, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green
Paper: Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Other: Real Red 5/8″ Grosgrain, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

The bees’ wings looked kind of boring when they weren’t colored in, so I added some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. It just perked them right up!

This weeks Pals Paper Arts Challenge is to create a clean and simple card using pearls. I absolutely love Stampin’ Up’s new Basic Pearls (and the Basic Rhinestones, too) so I was super excited to try this! I used this week’s Color Challenge from Stampin’ Addicts to lay the groundwork on my card as well. This card would be great for either an engagement or wedding, or maybe even an anniversary.

Stamps: Medallion, A Word for You
Ink: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso
Paper: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Other: Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, Basic Pearls

Have I mentioned how much I love these pearls? They come with adhesive already on them, and you get over 150 pearls for $4.95!

I can’t take credit for this one — it is Stampin’ Up’s September Project of the Month. It is just too gorgeous not to share with you! Here’s their description:

The gorgeous flower and leaf designs in rich autumn colors make this card a picture perfect Thanksgiving greeting. Tone-on-tone leaves stamped in the background on a print from our Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series paper give it wonderfully-worn look that complements the rustic floral focal piece splendidly.

Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Ink: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Old Olive
Paper: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Naturals Ivory, Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper
Other: Distressing Essentials, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Color Spritzer, Paper Piercing Tool

Isn’t it beautiful?

There are four new embellishments available for My Digital Studio! Aren’t they gorgeous? I am so excited for that Taffeta ribbon! And since it is digital, I can use as much as I want and it never runs out!  These downloads work with My Digital Studio and any other digital scrapbooking program that allows you to import PNG and JPG files.

Item Description Image Price 122156 MDS DWNLDA TAFFETA RIBBON COLOR PACK $4.95 122158 MDS DWNLDA CROCHET TRIM RIBBON PACK $1.95 122163 MDS DWNLDA VINTAGE TRINKETS PACK $1.95 122164 MDS DWNLDA ANTIQUE BRADS PACK $1.95

You can purchase these or any other digital downloads through my online store. They great news is that they are available for immediate use, with no shipping or tax! Just click on Digital Crafting, then Digital Downloads, then Newest Downloads to see all of the recent additions!

Finally! The rest of the card stock! Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Pink Pirouette, Bravo Burgundy, and Elegant Eggplant are now available for free download for My Digital Studio.  Keep your My Digital Studio card stock collection complete and up-to-date by downloading these five favorites today!
Click here to download:  http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/16011.asp

It is important that you have the most recent version of the My Digital Studio software prior to installing the color updates.

Updating your software:

• If you have installed the initial update (version 1.0.1), simply click Help and select Check for Updates in the My Digital Studio software. The update will be performed automatically.
• If you have not completed the initial update, download and install version 1.0.1 first, and then complete the steps listed above to get the most recent update.

I also added a My Digital Studio tab to the top right hand corner of this blog. It is a handy reference to a variety of My Digital Studio resources, including a list of all of the downloads and a break down of the printing costs.

Happy September! And with September comes… no, not the first day of school, that was yesterday for me… instead, it is the start of the Holiday Mini Catalog! You can click on the link to download a PDF of the catalog. Wait until you see the amazing new products!!

There is also a sign up special for the month of September — become a Stampin’ Up demonstrator and receive this beautiful tote for free!

Imagine sharing your love of Stampin’ Up! with this stylish and practical tote, patterned after the Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper and large enough to carry 12″ x 12″ card stock and a Paper Cutter, as well as punches, ink pads, and accessories. And with two Starter Kits  to choose from–Standard and Digital+–at a new lower price, there’s never been a better time to join the Stampin’ Up! family.

I am so happy that I became a Stampin’ Up demonstrator! Just think, not only do you get a discount on the products, but you get them before everyone else! You can get a behind the scenes look at all of the fun new stamping ideas!  A few perks of being a demonstrator :

• Seeing and ordering new items before the general public
• Getting your copy of the Idea Book & Catalog and Mini Catalogs early
• A subscription to Stampin’ Success, the exclusive monthly magazine packed with samples and business tips
• Access to Stampin Connection, an online community with over 70,000 stamped samples
• Access to the demonstrator sides of Stampin’ Addicts and Splitcoast Stampers
• A minimum 20% discount on everything you order, 30% off your first hostess order
• An upline who is there when you need her — I am just a phone call, email, or text away!
• Opportunity to earn fabulous FREE trips

My husband’s aunt’s mother passed away this week, and I wanted to make a card for her. As I looked at this week’s Curtain Call Color Challenge, I realized that the colors would work well for a condolence card.

Of course I grabbed the Thoughts & Prayers stamp set. Since I wanted a feminine card I used the flower stamp. For a more masculine card I could have used the tree. I don’t know if you can see them, but there is a tiny pearl inside each of the flowers. You can try clicking on it to enlarge in. It looks amazing in real life.

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Ink: Pear Pizzaz, Concord Crush, Crumb Cake
Paper: Pear Pizzaz, Concord Crush, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, In Color Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack (Pear Pizzaz)
Other: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Pear Pizzaz 1/2″ Stitched Poly Ribbon, Concord Crush 1/2″ Stitched Poly Ribbon,, Top Note Bigz Die, Big Shot, Basic Pearls

I hope not to have to make another condolence card for a while.

Hello and welcome to the Stampin’ Addicts Holiday Mini Blog Hop, where we are featuring a variety of the products in Stampin’ Up’s new Holiday Mini Catalog. You may have just arrived here from Lisa’s blog, where she showed you the adorable Merry Crittermas stamp set, or you may be starting here. Either way is fine, the blog hop will take you in a complete circle.

I am excited to show you the 15 piece stamp set, Season of Hugs, the latest stamp set in the Build-a-Bear line. This set is designed to work with the bears from the set Beary Best Friends, as you will see in my projects below. Like the other Build-a-Bear stamp sets, it is only available in the wood mount.

My first project is a Back to School card. Look at this little bear, all ready for school with a honeybee lunch box and an apple for the teacher! I think I’ll send this with Eve to give her teacher on the first day of school next week.

Stamps: Season of Hugs, Beary Best Friends
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Other: Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Clear Circle Bigz Die, Stamp-a-ma-Jig, Big Shot

My next project is a Halloween card. How cute are these hats? And the goodie baskets? Love them! The pirate hat and the eyepatch are one stamp, and are designed to work perfectly on the bear. (I highly recommend using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect position.) The little witch bear’s dress is paper-pieced – you can click on the picture for a closer look.

Stamps: Season of Hugs, Beary Best Friends
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Basic Grey, Real Red, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White, Sweet & Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper
Other: Paper Snips, Stamp-a-ma-Jig

My third project is a Thanksgiving card. I used a few other new products on this card, including the gorgeous new Fall designer series paper. It is a textured, heavy-weight card stock.  I was tempted to make it the base of the card, it’s that thick! The largest scallop square has been in the catalog awhile, but there is a new Bigz Die with two more scallop squares on it! I used the larger of the two to mat my bear. It measures 3″ x 3″.

Stamps: Season of Hugs, Beary Best Friends
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Elegant Eggplant
Paper: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper
Other: Scallop Square Clear Bigz Die, Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die, Big Shot, Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, More Mustard Brads, Stamp-a-ma-Jig

My final project is a cute little Christmas Matchbox. I was amazed at how perfectly this tree fits on the front! I opted not to use one of the bears with this. Although the paw prints aren’t quite the same, I thought this would be perfect for the dogs to give Christmas treats to all their doggie friends. The top of the Christmas tree is one of the new glimmer brads. Although it looks gold, it is actually the So Saffron brad from the Subtles pack.

Stamps: Season of Hugs
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Garden Green, Real Red, Soft Suede
Paper: Garden Green, Whisper White
Other: Matchbox Bigz XL Die, Big Shot

As you can see, the Season of Hugs stamp set is a very versatile addition to Stampin’ Up’s Build-a-Bear Workshop line. The super cute stamps cover Fall and Winter wonderfully! Thanks so much for stopping by! Next up on the blog hop is Candace, who while be showing you the beautiful single stamp, Christmas Postcard.

Well, the weather outside here in Southern California may not seem anything like Autumn, but today is my first day back at work for the 2010-2011 school year! I thought it only fitting to post a nice Autumn card for the occasion. My friend and downline Samantha came over to stamp with me one day a couple of weeks ago, and brought this great stamp set with her. I love these leaves so much and was super excited to use it!

Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, More Mustard
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Whisper White
Other: Pumpkin Pie Satin Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Matchbox Bigz XL Die, Big Shot

That great tag is from the Matchbox Die. Whenever I die cut one of the matchboxes, I always try to do a few extra tags to have on hand. Happy new school year to everyone, whenever you start.

Here’s a second card I made at my friend Beth’s workshop. It uses a super easy but really cool looking technique! See how there is a blank space between the embossed dots? You run your card stock through the Big Shot twice, each time with just 1 1/4″ inches of it in the embossing folder. Doesn’t it look great?

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Marina Mist
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango
Other: Basic Rhinestone Jewel Elements, Butterfly Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Do you see how sparkly those rhinestones are? They are amazing! And a really good deal, too — 150 self adhesive rhinestones for $4.95! Thanks so much, Beth, for a great time and a cool new technique!