I am seriously in love with Falling In Love Designer Series Paper from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog!  In most sets of designer series papers, I have a clear favorite piece or two that I hoard and use every single inch.  With Falling In Love DSP, every single sheet is a favorite.  So many creative possibilities with these gorgeous papers in soft, trendy colors!

For today's free tutorial share, I teamed up Falling In Love Designer Series Paper with Kinda Eclectic rubberstamp set and Suite Sayings rubberstamp set, both from the main Stampin' Up! catalog.  I absolutely love the versatility of Kinda Eclectic--the sun is a favorite image of mine.  You can see another handmade card using the sun from Kinda Eclectic here and here.  

The color scheme in this card is what really makes it.  Blushing Bride and Copper Foil plus Copper Embossing Powder are a perfect trio.  The copper picks up the warmth of Blushing Bride.  I don't normally stamp a sun image with Blushing Bride Ink.  But here I did, and combined with a bit of Peekaboo Peach it creates a soft and lovely sunrise.  That is perfect imagery for Easter!

The other little feature I'd like to share is the Copper Foil Paper underneath the Very Vanilla Lace Trip.  I actually ran it through the Big Shot with the Falling Petals Embossing Folder.  I made sure I put my strip of Copper Foil paper at the bottom of the embossing folder--where there are lots and lots of petals/hearts.  By doing that, it creates a lovely effect when the light hits the Copper Foil Paper peeking out from underneath the lace trim.  It's soft and pretty which is the look I was going for in this Stampin' Up! Easter card.

The complete free tutorial is available here.  Just click!  All the products used in this project are listed and linked below.  Click on any photo to see more and/or order.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

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I featured a card earlier in the week in which I created Emerald Envy, one of the 2016-2018 In Colors, using Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils.  The only green in the Watercolor Pencils is Old Olive.  So how did I do that?  Here's a short video to show you my special (but oh-so-easy) technique to create custom colors with your Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils.

I've listed and linked all the supplies below for your convenience.  The Dragonfly Dreams stamp set, Emerald Envy Ribbon, and Watercolor Pencils are all from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog, and the fabulous Inside the Lines Designer Series Paper is a FREE Sale-a-Bration item available only through March 31st, or while supplies last.  Hurry and get yours before it's too late!  Shop Now!!!  Click here to email me if you need a hard copy of the Occasions Catalog

Welcome to the RemARKable Blog Hop where a number of us Stampin' Up! Demonstrators are sharing creative inspiration for you to dive into One Last Temptation of Sale-a-Bration!  You are at Candy Rattray aka Sweet Stamper's blog. There are awesome demonstrators on this hop.  Check out the full list below in case you get lost along the way. 

For today's share, I actually used 3 different Sale-a-Bration items in this handmade card:  the Carried Away Designer Series Paper, Metallic Ribbon, and Reverse Words rubberstamp set.  If it's one last temptation you need, I'm giving you 3 awesome products to choose from! 

My handmade card uses Reverse Words rubberstamp set, one of the 2nd Release 2017 Sale-a-Bration items.  It is a versatile stamp set.  I like that it's just 2 big words.  Each of those words, Cheers and Hooray, can stretch to many occasions.  Inside this card, I stamped a Happy Birthday greeting.  You could easily change that to Congrats or Happy Anniversary, etc.

This is super quick and easy to make.  Lots of simple layers makes it look like premium pretty!  I stamped the Hooray with Delightful Dijon, one of the 2015-2017 In Colors.  It will be retiring in May.  Boo!  I love that yellow!  It's not just for fall--at all!  Pair it with So Saffron, like I did here, for a soft, feminine look.

Remember we are in the final days of 2017 Sale-a-Bration. That means that free, exclusive Sale-a-Bration items are only available through March 31 (one for every $50 you spend, no limits on free items). Have no regrets. Get yours now!  All items used in today's handmade card share are listed and linked below for your convenience.   Shop Now! 

Thanks so much for hopping in!  Now, head over to the other blogs on the RemARKable Blog Hop, Sale-a-Bration:  One Last Temptation where you will be treated to even more creative inspiration!

Janet Wakeland

Narelle Fasulo

Katrina Wolfe

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Guy Greetings

Flourishing Phrases rubberstamp set (Sweet Stamper)

Sprinkles of Life

Welcome to the Thailand Achievers Blog Hop for March where Stampin' Up! demonstrators from all over the world are showcasing 2017 Sale-a-Bration products.  You may just be starting the blog hop here at my blog – sweetstamper.com (Candy Rattray) or may h ave come from the person previous to me in the list. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all the projects. At the moment you are visiting Candy Rattray, sweetstamper.com.

We are showcasing Sale-a-Bration products one last time.  2017 SAB ends March 31, and it's been a grand promotion this year!  One of my favorite products is Inside the Lines Designer Series Paper.  Talk about versatile!  I love how you can chose to add color...or not.  Choose a small pattern...or a large one.  Every choice you make will bring a slightly different result; but all your results will be lovely!  You can see some other cards I made here and here using Inside the Lines DSP.

I created this card and used it for a couple of my events this month because I love it so much and it's so much fun to make!  I stamped the dragonfly with Emerald Envy ink and then stamped the inside of the wings with a second stamp using Pool Party to give a fairly realistic dragonfly look.  The wings are finished off with Wink of Stella for a bit of subtle shine, and I colored a single rhinestone with a green Sharpie marker.

I used the FABULOUS new Watercolor Pencils with Blender Pens, and oh my.  They are fun to use!  Now there are only 13 colors, but have not fear.  You can blend them for ultimate customization to create your own custom colors with Stampin' Up! watercolor pencils.  How fun is that??!!!  I chose to color in just the larger leaves, a few small ones, and some of the larger flowers.  My color scheme uses Emerald Envy, and the only green Watercolor Pencil is Old Olive--way too yellow for my crisp, clear Emerald Envy.  So I simply used Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, and a touch of Pacific Point to achieve a bluish green and am so happy with the results.  In addition to getting a good color, I like the variation in the green--which I think looks more realistic.  

Here's a quick video I did to show you my technique to create custom colors with the Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils.

My super quick and easy card is made special with Dragonfly Dreams, a really gorgeous stamp set, and just a bit of coloring.  All Stampin' Up! supplies are listed and linked below for your convenience.  

Thanks for hopping along on our Thailand Achievers blog hop for March. There are so many amazing ideas and inspiration you don’t want to miss, and they will help you figure out which remaining Sale-a-Bration items you want to scoop up before they are all gone forever on March 31st! Remember that currently you are at my blog  Candy Rattray, sweetstamper.com, so check the blog hop line up list to see who is next in the list.

Stampin' Up! offers exclusive host stamp sets every year.  They are always wonderful designs in addition to being phenomenal value.  I have listed and linked all of the current host stamp sets below for your convenience.  

At $9-$18, they are incredible value (the market value is $15-$30).  So what's the catch?  Can anyone purchase them?  The answer is no.  They are special stamp sets for special people:)  But anyone can qualify!  Simply place an order of $150 or more and you will qualify for access to host stamp sets.  That can be your order alone, or you can gather orders from a few friends.  (email me if you need help)

You must use host dollars aka host rewards to purchase these special stamp sets.  And you get free shipping on them, too!  So that is additional value Stampin' Up! adds to make them an even better deal:)

Here is a simple card I made with Time of Year host stamp set.  This is my personal favorite of all the host stamp sets this year.  It actually coordinates with Bunch of Banners Framelit Dies.  But for today's sample, I just used the stamps. 

Once again, I used my favorite color combo of Sweet Sugarplum (2016-2018 In Color) and Rich Razzleberry.  Add a splash of black and a blank canvas of Very Vanilla and you have a simple, classic handmade card.  Since I didn't list and link the card supplies below in lieu of sharing all the host stamp sets with you, here are the supplies:

• Time of Year host stamp set
• Rich Razzleberry and Sweet Sugarplum ink pads
• Sweet Sugarplum, Very Vanilla, Basic Black Card Stocks
• Playful Palette DSP
• Sweet Sugarplum Ruched Ribbon
• Metallic Enamel Shapes

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Click here to shop now, and get some host stamp sets. Shop Now!

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Guy Greetings

Awesomely Artistic

I'm so excited to offer a few day passes for my upcoming Crafting Retreat in Texas!  If a crafting retreat is in your dreams but you can't swing a full weekend away or your budget won't stretch that far, this is perfect for you!

Join us for a full day of crafty fun to rejuvenate your spirit, lift you up, and give you the break you deserve and long for.  You won't want to leave...but when you do, you will have a spring in your step, a bag full of new Stampin' Up! products and COMPLETED projects on your arm, and a smile on your face as big as Texas!

Day Pass Ticket includes:

• 3 chef-prepared meals
• Stampin' Up! products swag bag
• free class
• your own large table space to spread out and work
• time to do what you want:  scrapbooking, card-making, journaling, reading, knitting, etc. in a distraction-free, positive environment
• beautiful grounds in Wimberley, TX (just far enough from home to get away but close enough to get there quickly:)
• 2 retreat hostesses, Stampin' Up! demonstrators Candy Rattray and Melissa Thomas, to spoil you and help you
• access to all games and challenges plus gifts for the day that our full weekend retreat ladies get to enjoy
• 2 optional add-on classes

We only have a few of these day passes, and registration closes on April 8th or when we sell out.  So don't delay.  Just do it!

Complete information and registration are here.  Just click!

Can you believe that 2017 Sale-a-Bration is OVER on March 31??!!!  Boo!  Make sure you get all your favorite FREE 2017 Sale-a-Bration products before they are gone forever!

For today's post, I'm sharing a fancy handmade card featuring Make a Medallion stamp set--one of three 2nd Release items available.  For reference, the main Sale-a-Bration brochure is here and the 2nd Release items are here.  You need to see them all!

Although I have created a fancy card, it's not hard or time-consuming.  The Big Shot makes quick work of dry embossing both the So Saffron panel and the Urban Underground Designer Series Paper.  BTW:  that DSP is decidedly masculine.  But by running it through the Big Shot with Lovely Lace embossing folder, it takes on the look of lacy black fabric.  Notice how the embossing makes the white back side of the DSP come through a bit, adding even more interest.

Then it's just a matter of stamping the image, running it through the Big Shot, and layering up with a Metallic Foil Doily and a Delicate Doily, and adding a bit of Silver Glimmer Paper and a couple rhinestones.  Glitzy, fancy, shiny, pretty--and simple to make!  All those layers of different texture make this card have a lush, fancy feel.  

All the Stampin' Up! supplies are listed and linked below for your convenience.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Remember that you receive a free Sale-a-Bration item for every $50 you spend through the end of March (while supplies last on the free items).  Don't miss out!  Shop now!

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This simple yet elegant card is the swap I made for my Stampin' Up! demonstrators team meeting this month and it features two FREE 2017 Sale-a-Bration items:  Inside the Lines DSP and Designer Tee rubberstamp set.  My design was very much inspired by some similar cards by Katina Martinez.  

I made a lot of these cards, and all the designs from Inside the Lines work well with this.  You just have to cut your panel in such a way that the design will make sense.  The cuts for this card are super simple:

• 11 x 8-1/2 Soft Sky
• 5-1/4 x 4 Basic Black
• 5 x 3-3/4 Inside the Lines DSP
• 4 x 1 Basic Black

I literally just stuck down the layers, stamped my greeting on the slim black piece of card stock--which I did pop up on Stampin' Dimensionals, and then added the butterfly.

The butterfly is a die cut from the Butterflies Thinlit Dies and sponged tone-on-tone using Soft Sky ink on Soft Sky card stock.  The butterfly is popped up with a single dimensional and then finished off with a few little rhinestones.  Simple.  Elegant.  I love it!

Remember that 2017 Sale-a-Bration is over on March 31.  I can't believe it!  All 2017 Sale-a-Bration items are now on a "while supplies last" basis, and the card tins are already completely gone.  So if you like Inside the Lines Designer Series Paper and still don't have it--or want another pack so you can make simply elegant handmade cards like this--head to my online store and get you some!  LOL!  That's a little southern talk for you:)

• Click here to see the main Sale-a-Bration brochure.
• Click here to see the 2nd release Sale-a-Bration items.

Shop Now!

This is a blue version of another card I did for my team meeting in February.  You can see the other version here where I used Sweet Sugarplum.  I love how changing up the Glimmer Paper (free 2017 Sale-a-Bration item!) can be the springboard for a totally different color scheme of an already great card.  They both feature that lovely bold Happy Birthday from Big on Birthdays stamp set in the 2017 Occasions Catalog. 

Although the Glimmer Paper I used here--a free 2017 Sale-a-Bration item--is Pool Party, I paired it with Island Indigo for deep, rich beauty to show off all that gorgeous glimmer paper shine!  Stylish Stems Thinlet Dies make that beautiful flower in just seconds with the Big Shot.  Quick, easy, and fabulous!  It will bring a smile to anyone receiving it:)

The other change I made was to go with the wider Very Vanilla Stitched Satin Ribbon.  I think it goes nicely with the large, bold Happy Birthday from Big on Birthdays stamp set.  Once again, I used a small strip of Blooms & Bliss Designer Series Paper.  The colors in that DSP are gorgeous and so easy to use!

That's it for today, just a short and sweet share.  As always, the Stampin' Up! supplies used here are listed and linked below for your convenience.  Please remember you earn a FREE 2017 Sale-a-Bration item for every $50 you spend through the end of March, so top up your order and get something free!

I think this glimmer paper--which comes in a 6 x 6 stack with Sweet Sugarplum, Pool Party, and Mint Macaron--is a must-have item!  I can hardly believe it's free!  The choices of free items are here and here. Let me know if you have any ordering issues or questions at all. I'm glad to help! 

Shop Now!

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Big on Birthdays is an all greetings photopolymer stamp set in the Stampin' Up! Occasions catalog, and I think it's a must-have!  Its bold images make quick and easy birthday cards a cinch.  They are also versatile as all but one can be used for boys and girls, men and women.  (There is one stamp that is decidedly feminine.)  You can see another card I made with Big on Birthdays here.

I created this masculine birthday card for my recent Stamping Bingo Night.  I love Emerald Envy, one of the 2016-2018 In Colors, for masculine cards.  It's a cool green that is bold, clear, and crisp.

My balloon is full of touchable texture with a clean, bold, and modern look.  I punched out the larger balloon from the Ballon Bouquet punch and then layered over it a die cut from the Balloon Pop Up Thinlet Dies (which do come as a bundle with a coordinating stamp set--for this card I used just the dies).  I love how the dies and punch work together!  If you have the Balloon Bouquet punch, I highly recommend this die set to take your balloons to greater heights (no pun intended:)  

I finished off my balloon with a bit of Emerald Envy Bakers Twine held in place with a mini glue dot and a tiny bow made from a scrap of Silver Glimmer Paper and the Balloon Pop Up Thinlet Dies.

All the Stampin' Up! supplies are listed and linked below for your convenience.  There are lots of Stampin' Up! Occasions catalog items on this card!  

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