A Passion for Stamps

CARD & BOX USING RETIRING STAMPS

I pulled out a stamp set called All Through the Year which will be retired from Stampin' Up!'s 2008 Spring-Summer Collection after August 10. I really love the Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper which is two sided so I used the cherries from All Through the Year with it and came up with a card and this matching 2-4-6-8 box:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I am really going to miss the set and I'm sure the paper will probably be on the Retired Accessories List coming out on July 21....

The "gift package" was made simply by folding over the top of the designer paper to reveal the design on the other side of this two-sided decorative paper! Then I wrapped the ribbon around it, tied it in a bow (can't do bows? See this post HERE for bow tying help!) and attached it to the Real Red cardstock with SNAIL Adhesive.

I think it would be helpful to do a tutorial or two showing how to get that sparkling cherries affect on both the card and box using Heat and Stick powder (makes a great embelllishment), and how to make a 2-4-6-8 box! But it's very late so that will have to wait till another day! Don't forget to check back again soon!

Happy Stampin'!

Winner of the Blog Candy!

Good Morning! Big thanks to everyone who has visited and posted comments to my first Blog Candy offer...thank you for all the wonderful compliments and the helpful suggestions for  features you would like to see on my blog.  There were so many good ideas that I do intend to follow up with and implement, so check back soon to see what I do!  I think the most common feature requested is more tutorials-I'm so glad to hear you enjoy them!

OK.........let's get on with the winner of this terrific Stampin' Up! Blog Candy:

If you left me a comment stating one thing you like about my blog, and one thing you would like me to add, plus a post on your website referring to the blog candy  or side link to my blog , (or e-mail to friends with a copy to me if you don't have a blog) has been entered in this drawing. The winner has been randomly selected.......................

and the winner is.............................

Giovana! CONGRATULATIONS!

Giovana, I hope you enjoy this fine selection of Stampin' Up! products! Please e-mail me at dvanstamp@embarqmail.com with your address so I can send you this Blog Candy! If you don't contact me within 2 days, I will have no choice but to select another winner randomly!

Thanks to everyone who participated! Come visit me often for more great stamping and scrapbooking, home decor and gift ideas!

Boatload of Love Box in the Bag-a downline gift!

I really enjoy making these Box in a Bag projects (and this is what it is called, because there really IS a box in the bottom of the bag-see the photo below as proof!). To learn more about these, read THIS POST.

Here is another one I made as a gift (shhhhhhh!) for Jan (one of my first level downline) who has been an inspiring leader to her team, a supportive downline member, and most importantly-a dear friend for many years. I hope she doesn't see this before she receives it in the mail! Even if she does, what's IN it will still be a surprise (so I'm not telling you what I'm putting in it!) I'd love to hear your suggestions though!

 

                                                    IMAGES © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I had so much fun making this one! I try to make gifts with nautical themes for my downline, because our team name is S.O.S. Team (for S.aving O.verwhelmed S.tampers)..I use images of lighthouses, beachy ocean, tropical, fish (starfish), and boat type images such as life rings and anchors. Sooooo....having explained that, you'll understand why I had to have the Boatloads of Love stamp set  from Stampin' UP! (love that Boat with the life rings and anchor!). As I was going thru my vast assortment of Designer Series papers, I knew as soon as I saw this Cutie Pie paper that this was THE one I wanted to use and the ideas just flowed from that point on... (Its amazing how different the colors and designs are in this package!) I love it when that happens...

Here is the INSIDE-as you can clearly see, there IS a box on the inside at the bottom which explains the name of this project:

Pretty cool, huh? Ok-on to some of the details up close:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

The boat is watercolored with Aqua Painters and Classic Ink Pads on Watercolor Paper, then cut out and added above the scalloped edged bottom. The boat, life rings and anchor are all stamped again, tediously cut out and raised with Stampin' Dimensionals and Crystal Effects for a fun 3-D effect.

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

 The clouds are stamped in White Craft ink and embossed. I painted the chipboard letters with white acrylic paint, then used the aqua painter and reinkers to color them blue. The Life rings, anchor and clouds as well as the On Board Lots of Letters Chipboard are all finished off with Crystal Effects to make them "pop".

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I LOVE embellishments and this time I need something more nautical....so here is what I came up with...
I used Textured Wild Wasabi Cardstock and the Round Tab punch, then added eyelets with the Crop-o-dile and looped (retired) Bella Fancy Fibers loosely thru them, knotting them at the ends.  I decided to made the nautical knot with roping (instead of using ribbon) to add to the seafaring touch! 

I am pleased with how this project it turned out!  So--what do you think?

I truly had so much fun making this..I should have made two! As difficult as it will be to give this one-of-a-kind creation away, it was made with love, for someone I admire who is very deserving of special recognition-in case Jan doesn't realize it, she has been a loyal, caring friend and I just want her to know how much I have appreciated our friendship over the years.

Here are the supplies I used to make this project:

Stamps: Boatload of Love
Ink: Wild Wasabi, White Craft, Ballet Blue, Brocade Blue,Versamark Pad, Black StazOn
Paper: Cutie Pie Designer Series, Bashful Blue, TEXTURED Wild Wasabi, Watercolor
Accessories: Crop-o-Dile, Eyelets, 1/4" Circle Punch, Round Tab punch, Crystal Effects, On Board Lots of Letters, Sanding Block, Ballet Blue Ink Refill, White EP, Heat Tool, Aqua Painter, Slit Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Snips, SNAIL adhesive, (retired) Bella Fancy Fibers

Non-SU: white acrylic paint, roping

To view all Stampin' Up! products used in this project, visit the Stampin' Up! ONLINE CATALOG. Just click on the photo link on the left sidebar. Fortunately for me, the Boatload of Love stamp set is NOT on the retirement list!!!  It's a great set!

I'd love to hear your comments...don't forget my BLOG CANDY posted awhile ago will EXPIRE at midnight on June 29! Follow the instructions in THIS POST to be in the drawing to win this awesome Stampin' Up! candy I'm giving away at 9:00 a.m. EST on JUNE 30!

Happy Stampin'!

Here's my Box in a Bag for a Birthday Gift!

Check out this adorable "box in a bag"! Or...is it a bag in a box? (I saw this posted both ways so I'm not sure which is correct-I'm going with Box in a Bag.) These were created by Paula Goff:

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

When I saw these, I knew I had to give it a try and make one!

NOTE ADDED NOVEMBER 2 2008: I just learned that the credit for the Box in a Bag creation actually goes to one of my INKredible Impressions (my upline Tina's Stampin' Up! group) friends from Arizona-none other than Diana Gibbs, an awesome stamping gal! Diana won a contest with Stampin' Up! for this creation! She wrote a terrific tutorial which you can find HERE.

Pat, a good friend of mine, had a birthday last week, so I thought this was an adorable way to package up a gift! Paula asked that we share our creations, so I will be sending mine to her. I noticed others have already sent her some and she has posted them on her site here. You can find the tutorial here.

I had just been talking to Pat earlier and she said she loves the colors aqua and apricot together, so can you guess which Stampin' Up paper I used? If you guessed Bali Breeze Designer Series papers, you are correct! To coordinate with the paper, I chose Apricot, Pumpkin and Taken with Teal. I also decided that the colors were perfect to use the Flower Fusion as accents with aqua Rhinestone Brads in the center. It just occurred to me that I used a bunch of punches again (I always seem to use them in most of my projects!)

Do you know which punch was used to make the scalloped base? The Slit punch! It's really very cool!

The photo didn't come out great, even after editing, because the colors just don't seem as pretty as they were in person...and I wished I had taken a photo BEFORE I stuffed the gift inside...but here is my Birthday Box in a Bag:

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

 

So-what do you think? My friend Pat LOVED it! She couldn't believe I made it...she thinks I have the patience of a saint-but I told her these are SO EASY and quick to put together! Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps: NONE (?!)
Ink: NONE(?!)
Cardstock: Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal
Accessories: Bali Breeze Designer Series paper, Flower Fusion, Aqua Rhinestone Brads, Large & Small Tag Punches, Round Tab Punch, 1 16" Circle Punch, Slit punch, grosgrain ribbons, Teal Stampin' Write Marker

All of these products can be found in the 2008 Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer Collection. You can view the ONLINE CATALOG HERE.  Email me  if you are interested in purchasing any of these products...

Now it's YOUR turn! Give it a try! I'd love to see YOUR creations! Send me your photos and I'll showcase yours here! Or leave a link here in the comment section when you make your own!

HAPPY STAMPIN'!

registration deadline almost here: CLASS: "MAKING THE FRESH CUTS"

SIGN UP BY JUNE 27!

If you aren't on my customer mailing list, but you live in the Sussex County NJ area, you may be interested in this upcoming class being held in Hardyston on two dates:

CLASS SPECIAL: If you purchase both the Fresh Cut Stamp Set and the Fresh Cut Notes from me, you will be eligible to attend my 'MAKING THE FRESH CUT' Class on Friday, July 11 (7-9pm) or Saturday July 12 10am-12pm for only $15 more! (if you have the set and notes and want to attend, the class is $25-rsvp by June 27). You will make 10 cards (2 each of 5 designs) with matching envelopes at this class using these products! RSVP and payment deadline to attend this class is June 27 (so I have time to order supplies).

Email me at dvanstamp@embarqmail.com for a PayPal invoice and specify which date you would like to attend. No refunds if you cannot attend class, but I will reserve your supply packet.

 So what's all the fuss about this Fresh Cut Stamp set and Notes? It's a little "sneak peek" of products that will be released in the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog coming out August 10! Stampin' Up! is providing this advance purchase opportunity for you-but ONLY UNTIL JUNE 30! This is what the Fresh Cuts Stamp Set and Notecards (adorable pre-cut flowers!) looks like:

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

The stamp set is DIE-CUT! (this means the images are pre-cut) You simply pull the pre-cut images apart, press them onto the wood blocks, then peel off the image labels and stick them on the other side of the wood blocks-and you're ready to stamp! Fresh-Cut Notes include (15) 4" x 4" laser-cut notecards with envelopes!

This offer is perfectly timed (TWO MONTHS EARLY!) for all your upcoming summer projects! These 4" x 4" cards are sized perfectly for a note on a gift, a hand-delivered thank you, dinner name place holders, and many other uses.

Until June 30,  you can purchase these two products the following ways:

• Buy the Fresh Cut stamp set and get the Fresh-Cut Notes for just $5 (limit 1 Fresh-Cut Notes at $5)
• Buy just the Fresh Cut stamp set for: $21.95
• Buy just the Fresh-Cut Notes for $8.95 each

Orders may be placed anytime and shipped directly to you.
Note about shipping: minimum shipping is $6.95 or 10%-whichever is greater

WANT TO EARN both the Fresh Cut stamp set and Fresh-Cut Notes for FREE? It's not too late to host a catalog party  before the end of June-with sales of just  $400, both of these are FREE TO YOU, (a value of $30.90!) in addition to the Stampin' Up!'s other wonderful hostess benefits! OR, if you can't do a party until July, I can pre-order this set & notes for your guests now, then we can use them to make projects at a JULY workshop. All products would have to PRE-PAID in advance by your guests by JUNE 27.

..give me a call at 973-827-2893 or shoot me an e-mail dvanstamp@embarqmail.com if you'd like to take advantage of any of the above offers!

HAPPY STAMPING!

Cutie Pie 6x6 Scrapbook Page

I wanted to use some Designer Series papers I haven't done much with (before it ends up on the retired accessories list!)  Here's a simple page I came up with for a Stampin' Up! workshop, using the Cutie Pie paper. I love embellisments, so this time I combined the Boho Blossoms punch and cardstock, with the Flower Fusion and a brad for the floral embellishment. To make the Rose Red corners where the photo goes, I used the Photo Corners punch and layered these UNDER the top So Saffron piece, instead of on top-for a different look!

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Supplies:

Stamps: God's Blessings, All Holidays
Ink: Rose Red
Cardstock:Whisper White, So Saffron, Rose Red, Bashful Blue; Cutie Pie Designer Series paper  Accessories: Brads, Flower Fusion; Punches: Photo Corners, Boho Blossoms & 1/16" Circle                     

Happy Stampin'!

passionstamper

HOW TO TIE BOWS & KNOTS for cards, projects and paper crafts

I'm so thrilled with the comments my blog candy is receiving! I especially appreciate hearing what you would like added to this blog so it can be a place you want to return to again and again, and refer your stamping/scrapbooking friends to visit! Your feedback is invaluable to me.I am going to respond to one request I received from Fiona Whitehead, who left me this comment: "I'd love to see some features with ribbons on them - they seem to be a bit of bane of my life tying them correctly..."

Fiona, I just sent my Stampin' Up! customers a newsletter this month with a segment on Bow & Knot Tying! Since you have specifically asked about this very subject, I am happy to pass along the same information here-I'm sure there are others who have been challenged by tying bows as you have. Enjoy-and keep the comments coming...

Debbie's TIP of the Month: Bow & Knot tying!

Are YOU bow or knot-tying challenged? Well, I have a solution for you! When you come to my Stamp Studio again, you will notice this addition to my bulletin board-a poster I created showing various bows & knot tying samples. Stampin' Up! shared some of these in our latest Stampin' Success magazine-a monthly publication Stampin' Up! provides for its Stampin Up! demonstrators! I was so thrilled to see this information-and can't wait to share it with you, because over the past 12 years I've been a demonstrator, bow tying is probably the one thing that many people find frustrating! Many of my customers over the years have asked me to help tie those bows at Card Camps and workshops you've attended! I hope that these tips will be helpful to you! (click on poster to see it larger)

(click on Bow Titles to see an example-ARTWORK copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2008)

CLASSIC KNOT
Want to tie the perfect knot? Ask any boy scout to teach you how to
tie a square knot, and you've got it!

1 Start with your ribbon around your card or project with ends
pointing away from you.
2 Cross left end over right end, wrap around, and pull through. Make
sure to pull gently to avoid twisting or wrinkling your ribbon.
3 Place your finger in the middle to hold ribbon tight. Cross right
end over left end, wrap around, and pull through. Pull knot gently,untwisting and arranging ribbon as needed.
4 Trim ends.
Tip: Wrap your ribbon around an object to tie your knot. Then just
slide it off the object and you've got a loop to work with.

CLASSIC BOW (alone)
If you simply want a bow without tying it around anything, the
concept is rather simple.
1 Fold the ribbon back and forth to form two loops (or bunny ears).
2 Tie the two bunny ears together, left over right.
3 Pull gently, and trim ends as desired.

This classic bow is an easy way to add an accent to your project
without wrapping the ribbon around an element of your project.
Tie this classic bow, and adhere it to your project with Glue Dots.

To make a Classic Bow (around a card or object):
1 Start with your ribbon around the card or object. Cross left end
over right end, wrap around, and pull through.
2 Make a loop with the ribbon that is now on the right side. Bring
left end toward you and around the loop.
3 Push left end through hole forming a second loop.
4 Pull loops gently.

Once you've got the classics down, you'll want to add some diversity to your projects by trying these variations. And honestly, you might find these variations easier than the classics. Experiment a bit and see what you discover!

TIERED BOW
1 Choose two or three widths and types of ribbon. We've used
Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon and the wide Chocolate Chip
satin ribbon from Theater Ribbon Originals®.
2 Cut the widest ribbon the longest (Theater Ribbon Originals) and
the narrowest ribbon the shortest (Chocolate Chip grosgrain).
If you're using a third width of ribbon, cut it to a length in between
the others.
3 Trim ends as desired.
4 Layer the ribbon with the longest and widest ribbon on the bottom
and the shortest and narrowest on top. Tie the stacked ribbons in
the center with another piece of ribbon.
5 Trim and conceal the ribbon tails or use them to secure the bow to
the card or package.

TAILORED BOW
1 Cut a piece of ribbon or paper twice the desired length of the
finished bow. We used Old Olive Prints Designer Series paper.
2 Form into a loop and secure ends together. Flatten the loop and
secure in the center.
3 Wrap another piece of ribbon around the center, and adhere the
ends to the back of the finished bow.

With a little practice, you can master a variety of knots and bows, adding beauty and diversity to your projects. Have fun with it! Feel free to share this blog with your friends!

SUMMER DAYS-6X6 SCRAPBOOK PAGE

Is scrapbooking something you would love to try, but you are intimidated and get lost when you look at all the myriads of scrapbooking papers, embellishments, gizmos and gadgets available out there and it appears you need it all to complete the task?

It may surprise you, but you can make beautiful pages that are quick and easy to produce without alot of fuss-with Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin'® kits! Each kit provides 12x12 cardstock and pages of images which are self-adhesive die-cuts-many of which coordinate with matching stamp sets! Each kit also comes with several terrific layout ideas, so to create the scrapbook pages, just cut, copy and add your own photos! You can finish complete albums using these kits, in just a few hours!

Here's a cute 6x6 scrapbook page (compliments of Stampin' Up!) This page is made with the Simply Scrappin' Summer Days Kit on page 175 of the current Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer 2008 Collection, SNAIL Adhesive, Paper Cutter and Stampin' Dimensionals:

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Isn't this a bright and cheerful page? So-how do you make it? (remember-all papers are included in the kit!)

Instructions

1. Adhere dotted Summer Days Designer Series paper (2" x 6") to Bashful Blue textured page.
2. Adhere photo to Real Red textured card stock (4-1/2" x 4-1/2"). Adhere self-adhesive die cut border from Summer Days Simply Scrappin’ to textured card stock. Adhere to page.
3. Adhere “Lazy summer days” self-adhesive die cut to page using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
4. Layer Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Bashful Blue die cuts using Stampin’ Dimensionals. Adhere to page.
That's it! You are done! Now wasn't that FUN? Simply Scrappin' Kits will save you time and enable you to get those precious photos into memory books that will be treasured for years to come...

Now that you are feeling much more confident, when you are ready to be more creative and spruce up your pages, you can add other little products and embellishments such as colored or Rhinestone Brads or Eyelets (page 189), Buttons or Beads (page 192), Flowers & Pearls (Pretties Kit) or Hodgepodge Hardware (page 188) or Ribbon and bows (190-191). If you want to make a complete album, these can be found in Linen or Leather on page 176, along with page protectors.
 
If you would like more information about any of these products, or would like to place an order from our online catalog, please email me at dvanstamp@embarqmail.com

Please let me know in the comment section after this post, if you want me to provide more scrapbooking ideas and posts in the future. Would you be interested in purchasing ready made kits with pages, instructions, supplies and photos to make a complete scrapbook-by mail?

There are many techniques and ways to embellish not only scrapbook pages, but cards, and other items to make your own home decor, garden decor, fashion statements and so on. But-I don't want you to feel overwhelmed again...so we'll save those teachings for other posts!  If you live in the northern New Jersey area consider hosting a party OR I can bring a class to you and your friends-if interested, please e-mail me!

Have a great stampin' day!

passionstamper

June 2008-MY FIRST BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY!

Thanks for visiting my blog and posting your comments..in celebration of 10,000 hits to my blog, I'm giving away my first BLOG CANDY!  I'd like to hear what features you would like me to add to my blog. Here is the Blog Candy:

 

These are all Stampin' Up! products:

1. A Perfect Day Rub-ons! These are easy to apply and add depth to any cardstock, patterned paper or stamped image! Use rub-ons on paper and most nonporous surfaces, including glass, photos, clipboards, candles, etc.  Eye-catching images are designed to coordinate with many of Stampin' Up! sets. (2 sheets per pkg; 1 ea black and white 5 7/8" x 12")
2. Boho Friend standard wheel-this delightful decorative wheel coordinates with many stamp sets and background papers! Use it with a standard handle and regular ink cartridge (self-inking wheel)
3. Small Script Stamp set: this hostess set came out several years ago and still one of my favorite little saying sets (words:always, grateful, joy and wish) It cannot be purchased and is no longer available.
4. Dazzling Diamonds Glitter-my absolutely FAVORITE ultra-fine glitter that goes with everything!
5. *District Ribbon Originals-these ribbons are  no longer available(approx 2 yards of each-10 yards total of 5 different colorful ribbons-perfect for summer projects!)

*June 19-CORRECTION: Don't know what I was thinking!  #5 (District Ribbon Originals) IS a CURRENT ribbon which is still available for purchase until August 10, 2008!  Get it while you  can!!!

To enter the giveaway, this is all you have to do:

• Post on your blog about my Blog Candy Giveaway

• Link from your blog back to mine
  

• Leave a comment to THIS post and a link to your blog-tell me one feature on my blog that you enjoy and suggest a feature you would like to see added to my blog

That's it! Be sure you leave your name! If you don't have a blog, you can participate by sending an e-mail (and cc me at dvanstamp@embarqmail.com) inviting your friends to visit my site so they can have a chance at winning the BLOG CANDY too!

A winner will be selected by random drawing on June 30 at 9:00 a.m. Thanks for visiting! Remember to leave your comment to this post...Good luck!

passionstamper

STAMPIN UP 2008 SPRING-SUMMER RETIRED STAMPS LIST SPECIAL!

Well, the RETIRED STAMPS LIST is out!  (the Retired Accessories List won't be available until July 21).  It's time to say goodbye! Some of these sets I will truly miss...how about you? Take a look at the stamp sets that are retiring and be sure to order those you must have because they will not be available for much longer! To help you get as many as you want, I am doing this special until JUNE 28TH:

***B3G1F!!! ORDER THREE STAMP SETS (they don't have to be on the retired list) and get the FOURTH SET FREE! (the FOURTH set will be the lowest price of all four sets) Applicable state tax and shipping will apply. Please e-mail me  at dvanstamp@embarqmail.com to place your order! (NOTE: this offer is good only with this demonstrator)

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Don't want to buy three stamp sets? Check this out:

Buy 1 stamp set-add to your order any color Stampin' Write Marker OR CLASSIC or IN Color ink refill-FREE!

Buy 2 stamp sets-add to your order any one item in current catalogs up to $4.95-FREE!

Buy 4 Stamp Sets-add to your order any item(s) in current catalogs up to $9.95-FREE!

BOOK A PARTY! Now would be a great time to host a HAPPY RETIREMENT Stampin' Up! party! The demonstration and Make & Take projects can all be done with retiring sets! If you book a Happy Retirement party with me in June or July, I'll extend my B3G1F offer (above) for all hostesses AND YOUR GUESTS!  So get out your calendar,  select a few dates-then let's decide on one that's good for you and me! We can have it at your house OR MY STAMP STUDIO!

Don't wait to get what you want, because these sets will only be available while supplies last...the links are here and also on the sidebar:

2008 SPRING-SUMMER COLLECTION RETIRED LIST BY PAGE NUMBER

2008 SPRING-SUMMER COLLECTION RETIRED LIST-ALPHABETICAL

Look up the stamp sets in our ONLINE 2008 SPRING-SUMMER COLLECTION CATALOG or the OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG COLLECTION  then send your wish list via e-mail to me at:

dvanstamp@embarqmail.com

HAPPY SHOPPING!

PASSIONSTAMPER

Blog Candy Is Coming Soon...

GOOD MORNING!

I just noticed my blog will be registering its first 10,000 hits in the next day or so! To celebrate this major milestone, I'm going to be giving away my FIRST STAMPER'S SUGAR (a/k/a/ BLOG CANDY)!  I'll announce what the Blog Candy is once the counter hits 10,000 and what you have to do to be entered in the drawing....so pass the word around to all your stamping/blogging friends, and check back soon to find out what it is!

Guess what else is happening? Tomorrow, June 15, Stampin' Up! will be releasing it's 2008 Spring-Summer RETIRED STAMPS list! Be the first to know what's on the list as these stamp sets will be available for a LIMITED TIME ONLY!

I'll also have a "SIZZLIN' SUMMER DEAL" for you in conjunction with the Retired List-so check back on Sunday for details regarding all these goodies!

HAPPY SATURDAY,

PASSIONSTAMPER

Beautiful Spring Flowers--and Sneak Peak of 2008-9 Stampin' Up! IN Colors

Here's a different post for a change! I love some of the flowers that are blooming so beautifully with all the rain and warm temps lately...so here are a few photos from around our yard and garden...

The Dogwood is loaded with "Pixie Pink" blooms this year! We have tried growing a Dogwood three times now...the first one got a blight which killed it.

Then about three years ago,we planted another one, which did well until we needed a new septic system the February after we planted it-and it was dug up-but it didn't make it.

After the septic was finished, we decided to try one more time...last year it hardly bloomed-but this year it is gorgeous!

This is the shot of the two different Clematis varieties we planted around our mailbox (it is faded, but yes, the mailbox is stamped!).

The next photo will show the flowers up close...

This is the solid purple one..."Lovely Lilac", wouldn't you agree?

and this one is a lovely striped variety....definitely "Orchid Opulence"! Aren't they beautiful? The plants are literally loaded with these huge 6" flowers!

This is the miniature "Pink Passion" rose bush that my husband gave me for Mother's Day...sorry-it' very blurred! I love

these-I always plant them in the yard and each year they come back bigger and better!

In case you are not familiar with Stampin' Up!, all the colors in italic are actually Stampin' Up! ink and papers colors! You can view all 54 of Stampin' Up!'s colors (including 6 IN Colors that change every year, plus neutrals too-one pages 163-164 of Stampin' Up!'s Spring Summer 2008 Catalog Collection or view them online HERE.  (I had to be sure that SOMETHING in this post is stamping related!) I feel some inspiration coming on to use these beautiful colors together for my next card! I love getting inspiration for card-making from the beauty around us...The current IN Colors will be retiring with this catalog and six brand new In Colors will be coming out in August! Here is a SNEAK PEAK of the 2008-2009 IN Colors that will be in the Fall-Winter Stampin' Up! Catalog:

It's tough to make out the pink from this photo, but it's definitely a pale pink...aren't these colors great?

That's all for now...I have more but my card isn't being recognized by the computer for some reason...I'll try again later.

It's going to be a hot one today...in the upper 90's! The family is going to check out the happenings at our town's annual outdoor event called Hardyston Day at Wheatsworth Field...it's a fun day with rides, food, variety shows, craft tables etc. (I'm glad I'm not a crafter this year-it's going to be a hot, hot day!). Our son is an EMT so they have a booth there...we told him we would stop by and say hi!

Tomorrow is our annual church picnic at the Franklin Pavilion...we actually have our church service there first, with a keyboard and amps...along with some members who play brass instruments. The kids get their annual awards, then it's food galore and games all afternoon! 

So we have a weekend of fun ahead...hope yours is great too!

Passionstamper