A Sorry Card

Hello stampers!  Wow... it's Friday again and the weather is making me sad.  And sorry.  So today I have a sorry card for you. 

This is one set you simply must add to your stamping stash--- the thoughts are that good!  The only thing missing is a sentiment that says "So sorry the weather is still gloomy."  Or perhaps "So sorry that you are growing webs between your toes" or some other reference to the ever-present gray skies and rain.  Enough already!  It is almost July!! 

OK, enough with the ranting and raving about the weather.  Here's the card...





This might be a little too cheerful and bright for a sorry card.  If you think that a more subdued color would suit the sentiment better, you could always tone down the color.   Check out this great stamp set on page 137 of the catalog I gave you for FREE.  If you haven't received your free catalog, all you have to do is attend one of my stamping parties and place an order and the catalog is yours!  Or you can come to one of my stamping classes, place an order, and I'll give you a catalog.  It's so easy to get a catalog and so much fun to have your own copy.  That way you can get comfortable in bed, propped up on pillows, with perhaps a favorite cup of tea nearby. and browse to your heart's content, while listening to the late June rain on your windowpane.  Will it never stop? 

Here's a short, short list of what I used (I think these lists are boring, so I'll make it quick)
Stamps:  Pleasant Poppies
                So Sorry
Ink:  Black Staz-On
         Calypso Coral marker
         Lucky Limeaid marker
Paper:
        Whisper White
        Calypso Coral
        Basic Black
Accessories:
       Square Lattice Embossing Folder for the Big Shot
       Lucky Limeaid Ruffled Ribbon

It is always good to have a stack of cards like this on hand.  Just stamp the "so sorry" sentiment on the front and leave it at that.  Then you can customize the card by adding the inside greeting later, depending on what you are "so sorry" for... the loss of a pet, an illness, that times are tough, for a death, etc.
Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you'll have a lovely weekend and that you'll make time to stamp something pretty!
Susan

A Mojo Monday Sketch

Hello stampers and welcome to Wednesday at The Classic Card!

Where do YOU go for inspiration when you need to come up with a layout for a card, but your creative "mojo" is just not working?  Well, thank goodness for Mojo Monday, a great sketch challenge site!  Each Monday a new sketch is posted and then you have the opportunity to respond to the sketch with a card of your own, following the layout (or "sketch") of the week. 

I'm attending a demonstrator meeting tonight and I needed to come up with a nice layout for my swap cards, so I turned to Mojo Monday and found a sketch that I liked.  You might want to print out some of the sketches and put them into a notebook for future reference.  To check out Mojo Monday, go to www.mojomonday.blogspot.com  This site makes designing a card so easy!

Here's my card---

Does this card look familiar?  I used this cute hostess set a few posts ago, but today's card is quite different.  I wanted a nice warm summery look so I chose Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango to warm things up a bit.  A touch of Lucky Limeaid adds a nice citrusy note.  Hmmm--- reminds me of a summery drink with lemons, oranges, and limes--- Sangria anyone??
Here's a quick list of "ingredients---"
Stamps:
Four Seasons (hostess set)
Friendly Phrases
Ink:
Daffodil Delight
Lucky Limeaid
Paper:
Whisper White
Tangerine Tango
Daffodil Delight
Lucky Limeaid
Designer Paper Stack (Brights)
Accessories
Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder
2 1/2 inch circle punch
2 3/8 inch scallop circle punch
3/4 inch circle punch
1 inch circle punch
Curly Label punch
Dimensionals
Tangerine Tango Scallop Dots ribbon

Thanks for stopping by today!  Don't forget to come back on Friday for another Classic Card.
Stamp something pretty today!
Susan

Classic Summer Colors

Hello there Stampers!
Golly, how did it get to be Monday so quickly?  Those weekends just don't last long enough!  If you attended Cheri's party on Saturday or Kristine's party on Sunday, then you got to make this fun summery card--- just right for the 4th of July!  What's that you say?  No one makes cards for the 4th?
Well, yes they do!  Stampers make cards for any and all occasions.  Any excuse to make a card will do! 

This red, white, and blue card looks very 4th of July-ish, but red, white, and blue aren't just for the 4th of July. There are many red, white, and blue things to love about summertime. Think of blue skies, white clouds, red cherries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, red and white checked picnic tablecloths, white sails on sailboats, vanilla ice cream, watermelon, sun-ripened tomatoes... I guess I could go on for quite a while.  But you get the idea... red, white, and blue just say summer to me--- my very favorite season of the year.  It's not surprising, since I was born in July!

Guess I'd better quit with the jabbering and cut to the card!  Here it is...

The new In-colors Raspberry Ripple and Midnight Muse look so gorgeous together, don't they? This little tricycle reminded me of our neighborhood's annual Fourth of July parade.  It is so fun to see all the little kiddos on their decorated bikes and trikes riding proudly down the street behind the big fire engine.  Of course there are lots of sweet babies in strollers, wearing hats and sunglasses and being pushed by moms and dads.  Oh, and don't forget the dogs.  They're wearing red and/or blue bandanas around their necks and one year we saw a little mostly white Jack Russell that the owner had stencilled with red and blue stars.  Maybe that's going too far??

Let me give you a quick list of the products I used so you can order the supplies to create this little gem.

Stamps:
Moving Forward (the Ronald McDonald set for 2012-2013... a portion of the purchase price goes to the Ronald McDonald House Charities to help fund Ronald McDonald Houses around the nation).
Fabulous Phrases (for the sentiment)
Ink:
Raspberry Ripple
Midnight Muse
Paper:
Raspberry Ripple
Midnight Muse
Whisper White
Accessories;
Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder for the Big Shot
Scallop Squares Duo die for the Big Shot (for the scalloped square behind the tricycle)
Large Oval Punch
Scallop Oval Punch
Stitched Satin ribbon in Midnight Muse
Dimensionals

Check out the Moving Forward set on the inside back cover of your new Stampin'Up! catalog.  It is only $14.95 and $3 of the purchase price goes to Ronald McDonald House Charities. With your help, Stampin'Up! has donated over a million dollars to this worthy cause!  From baby cards to birthday cards, you'll find that this set is very versatile.

OK stampers, that's it for today.  I've got a lot on my list, so I need to get started. 
Thanks for stopping by today!  I'll see you back here on Wednesday for another Classic Card!
Happy Monday, everyone!
Susan

It's Officially Summer!

Hello my stamping friends!

We arrived home Wednesday night, after a 12 hour drive from California and it is so nice to be home!  Of course the weather there was amazing and I enjoyed the sunshine immensely.  I got to go swimming in an outdoor pool and we sat outside for lunch and dinner almost every day.  It was such a welcome break from the gray skies of the Northwest.

In honor of the first official day of summer yesterday, I have a summery card for you... one that I'll be using as a swap card at convention.  I'll probably end up making about 50 or so of this design and I'm sure by the time I'm finished with those, I'll be really sick of this card.  But right now, I still love it.  Here, take a look and let me know what you think...

I just love the look of this card and hope you like it too! Here's a little list of what I used:

Stamps:
Summer Silhouettes
Papillon Potpourri

Paper:
Crumb Cake
Very Vanilla

Ink:
Lucky Limeaid
More Mustard
Pumpkin Pie
Crumb Cake

Accessories:
Fancy Fan Embossing Folder
Elegant Butterfly Punch
Crumb Cake Seam Binding
Basic Pearls
Sponge
Dimensionals
Labels Collection Framelits

Please leave me a comment if you have a spare minute.  Comments let me know that I'm not just wasting my time writing this blog. 

Hope you'll all enjoy a great Friday and a relaxing weekend, despite the showers that the weatherman says will pour down on our poor little soggy noggins!  Hang on... summer will get here!
Thanks for being my faithful readers!
Susan

Your Creative Coach

Hello there stamping friends!

We've been in California since last Friday, but through the magic of technology, I'm still able to keep in touch with you through The Classic Card.  We're making a run for the border today... in fact, we plan to drive all the way home today... just a short 12 hour drive!

One of the ways that Stampin'Up! suggests we market our services is to refer to ourselves as "your creative coach---"  that person who can help you create memorable cards, scrapbooks, party favors, invitations, etc.  I love being your creative coach, especially when asked for assistance with items like wedding or anniversary invitations or even shower or birthday invitations.  Call me a "party animal"if you like, but I love planning events from the invitation right through the food, table setting, flowers, etc.  In my next life I'd like to be an event planner!  So if you've got a special event coming up, let me know and we can put our heads together to come up with something spectacular.

You might wonder where I go when I need creative inspiration.  Well, I've got my own creative coach in the Color Coach.  If you haven't purchased one yet, you need one of these amazing tools!
You can find the Color Coach on page 151 of the new Annual Catalog.  It costs only 14.95, but it will give your cards and projects a boost that you won't believe, as it coaches you on the most striking color combinations ever. 

Today's card is by my talented downline member, Janet Jones and Janet turned to the Color Coach for her simply beautiful color combination on this card.  Check it out...

Aren't these colors just great together?  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have thought of them on my own, but my friend the Color Coach suggests them and sure enough, they look beautiful together.... Elegant Eggplant, Summer Starfruit, and Baja Breeze. 

Here's a quick list of what Janet used:

Stamps:
Betsy's Blossoms
Petite Pairs (foar the sentiment)
Wood Grain

Ink:
Baja Breeze
Elegant Eggplant
Summer Starfruit
Basic Black

Paper:
Baja Breeze
Elegant Eggplant
Summer Starfruit
Whisper White

Accessories:
Dimensionals... that's it!  No ribbon, buttons, or brads required!  No punches either.  It just proves that you can make a clean, simple, and great-looking card without a lot of accessories.  But it sure helps to have a creative coach!

Thanks for stopping by today friends!
I'll hope to see you here again on Friday, provided I can get my act together after our trip!
Stamp something pretty today!
Susan

Sweet Monday

Hello my stamping friends!  Welcome back to my blog.  Well, that weekend sure flew by didn't it? But then that's how it seems to go with weekends--- we relax, have fun, and then---whoosh--- it's all over and we find ourselves back at work.  If that is the case for you, I have a little something to sweeten your Monday.  Check it out...

Doesn't this make you just want to run out the door to the nearest candy shop? My favorite is See's and Bordeaux is my variety of choice just in case you ever want to send chocolate :)  I know... how "middle class" of me... most people would pick something high-end like Moonstruck Chocolates, but  good old-fashioned See's Candies are good enough for me.  I think they're just scrumptious!  And I think this card is yummy too.  You can't see it in the photo, but the dome over the candies is stamped in Versamark (clear) ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder to give it the shiny look of glass.  Some things just aren't captured very well in a photo--- sorry about that!

If you want to make a cute card like this, full of chocolatey goodness, why not sign up to host a stamping party?  Then you can get this charming set, called A Cherry on Top, absolutely free. You can see this great set on page 201 of the new Annual Catalog. 

Here's a list of what I used:

Stamps:

A Cherry on Top (free hostess set)

A Word for You ( for the sentiment)

Ink:

Early Espresso

Primrose Petals

Versamark Pad

Paper:

Early Espresso

Primrose Petals

Whisper White

Accessories:

Clear Embossing Powder

Heat Tool

Early Espresso Baker's Twine

Cupcake Builder Punch (for the cherry)

All this writing about chocolate is making me hungry!  Guess I'll go get a bite of my favorite kind.  Thanks to a wonderfully generous customer named Shirley, I have a box of the aforementioned beauties that I'm slowly savoring, one by one!  Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  Don't forget to come back on Wednesday to see what I have in store y

Finally Friday!

Good Morning Stampers!  It is finally Friday and I know a lot of you have been looking forward to this day.  For some of you, school is over, your students are gone, and you'll soon be in "summer mode."  And the weather is looking good too... how nice is that?!?

I have a sunny card for you today to go with our sunny day.  It shows off one of the new hostess sets from the new annual catalog.  This fun set, called Four Seasons, can be found on page 203 and features 4 seasonal birds inside 4 different seasonal wreaths.  It coordinates with many of our punches and that makes it easy to create some cute cards in very little time.  Of course you can get this set FREE when you host a party, so what are you waiting for?  I need parties on my calendar and you need new stamps to play with, so let's work together and we'll both be happy. 

Here's the card...

We made this cute card last night at my Wednesday Wow event.  We had such a good time stamping and eating chocolate together.  Hope you can join me for my next event.  Be watching your inbox for an evite.   The card starts out with a card base of Tangerine Tango, cut into the usual 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inch rectangle.  The card that opens is a 4 by 4 inch square.  The front of the card is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder and then the cicrle is cut out. 

Here's a list of the supplies used:

Stamps:
Four Seasons (free hostess set)

Ink: 
Daffodil Delight
Tangerine Tango
Marina Mist, Lucky Limeaid, and Early Espresso markers, for coloring the bird.

Paper:
Tangerine Tango
Whisper White
Brights Designer Paper Stack (for dotted Daffodil Delight printed paper)

Accessories:
Tangerine Tango Dotted Grosgrain Ribbon
Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder for the Big Shot
2 1/2 Inch Circle Punch (to punch hole in the front of the card and for the Tangerine Tango circle behind the wreath)
2 3/8 inch Scallop Circle Punch (to punch out the wreath)
1 1/4 inch Circle Punch (for Tangerine Tango circle behind the butterfly)
1 inch Circle Punch (to punch out bird and butterfly)
Dimensionals

Well stampers, that is my post for today. Hope you'll all get outside in the sunshine and soak up some of those warming rays!  Have a great weekend, everyone, and I'll see you back here on Monday for another classic card!
Susan

What Makes a "Wow" Card?

Hello stampers and welcome to Wednesday!  Tonight is my first Wednesday Wow class and I'm excited to show the attendees some new and different cards featuring some new goodies from the brand new 2012-2013 Annual Catalog.  Speaking of the catalog, if you don't have yours yet, please send me a quick email at sjrstamps@gmail.com and we'll figure out the easiest way to get one to you.

If you'd like to be the hostess of your own Wednesday Wow class, all you have to do is let me know and I'll plan some projects that are a bit different, a bit more complex, and that have a "wow" factor to them.  You can have your Wednesday Wow class at your home or mine.  Having it at my house is definitely easier for me... no packing up all of my supplies and driving.  And it is easier for you too... no cleaning, organizing, and setting up. 

Well, what makes a card a "wow" card you might ask.  Here's my definition of  a "wow" card.  First of all, it has a different fold or shape than the traditional card that has the fold on the left and opens on the right.  Next, it features products that you haven't seen or used a million times before... so it is something new.  A wow card usually has "extras" on it, such as designer paper, buttons, ribbon, and perhaps punched shapes, plus most likely it includes texture.  The colors and layout blend into a harmonious whole.  The net effect of everything taken together just makes you say "wow" when you look at it. 

Here's a card that we're doing tonight at the Wednesday Wow.  I know I'll be making this again and again in different colors for different occasions.  I  took the idea for this card from the monthly magazine that Stampin'Up! demonstrators receive in the mail---"Stampin' Success."  It is loaded with  ideas that we can use in our businesses, plus it has great card and project ideas as well.

Here's the card...

This is a combination card and money/gift card holder.  Oh, I suppose you could tuck other little surprises into the pocket as well... tickets to a play, a gift certificate for a spa treatment... you get the idea.  The first photo shows the front of the card with the flap lifted up.  The second photo shows the inside.  That's play money peeking out of the pocket, in case you thought it looked strange. 

Here's what I used in the creation of this project:

Stamps:
Mixed Bunch
Curly Cute (for the sentiment)

Ink:
Daffodil Delight
Gumball Green
Real Red
Basic Black

Paper:
Real Red
Gumball Green
Daffodil Delight
Whisper White

Accessories:
Oval Accent Bigz Clear Die--- NEW
Fancy Fan embossing folder-- NEW
Blossom Punch
Brights Designer Buttons
1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Daffodil Delight
Polka Dot Parade Designer Paper--- NEW

This card would be perfect for graduations, but with other colors and stamps it could be a great wedding card or birthday card.  I'm sure you creative customers of mine can come up with lots of ideas to tweak this basic design and make it suitable for all sorts of occasions.

Hope you're all having a great week--- it is all "downhill to the weekend" after Wednesday!
Thanks for stopping by today... don't forget to come back on Friday for another classic card.
Happy Stamping!
Susan

More new goodies for you!

Hello stampers and happy Monday!

Did you enjoy your weekend?  I sure did!  It was a little wild and crazy with the grandchildren here from Seattle, but they are so much fun!  I love being a mom, but being a grandmother is even better, because I can leave all the un-fun things to their mothers and just enjoy all the funny things they say and do. 

I've got a super busy week ahead of me... babysitting, 2 classes, and then going to California, so I'm pretty sure I won't be here every day.  But I plan to check in once more before I take off.  I'm slowly starting to catch up with all of my Stampin'Up! work.  I've got most of my new stamp sets assembled and now that the ribbon shares are done, I'm starting to play with some of my new things.  I realize that I'm not very objective when it comes to my cards, so you may or may not like what I have for you today.  I guess it all boils down to this... do you love or hate the new In-Color, Summer Starfruit?  I love it and I hope you do too.  If not, try to visualize this card done in another one of the new In-Colors, such as Raspberry Ripple or Primrose Petals.  Changing out Summer Starfruit for either one of those colors would make for a beautiful card.  So here's my latest creation, made a couple of nights ago when I was in a creative mood...

This card opens in the middle, just for something a little different.  Here's a quick list of what I used.

Stamps:
Blooming with Kindness (this set has some great sayings, along with that stunning chrysanthemum)

Ink:
Summer Starfruit
Early Espresso

Paper:
Summer Starfruit
Very Vanilla

Accessories:
Fancy Fan Embossing Folder for the Big Shot
Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon
Linen Thread
Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons ( I love the look of these gorgeous buttons... they remind me of old glass cabinet pulls or doorknobs).

I hope this card gives you a bit of inspiration and that you'll get out some stamps, ink, and paper and play! Whatever your week has in store for you, I hope it's happy!  Thanks for visiting today.
Susan

I'm in Love!

Hello Stamping Friends!

It is good to be back at The Classic Card.  I've been crazy busy with my big garage sale, assembling all the new stamp sets I ordered, plus cutting and winding 250 yards of ribbon (200 for the Stitched Grosgrain ribbon share and 50 for the In-Color Stitched Satin ribbon share).  That was a lot of cutting and winding, but I think you're going to love having a nice assortment of ribbon colors without having to purchase multiple rolls.

Yes, it's true... I am in love and you will be too, once you try out the new firm foam stamp pads!  I wasn't prepared for their superior stamping quality, so when I first tried one, I was bowled over by how much better they stamp than the older cloth-covered pads we've had for years.   There is no pounding or twisting required to ink up your stamp.  Just a couple of light taps will do it, so I'm not sure how I'm going to work out my stress now that I can't pound anymore!  Maybe I'll save a few of the old pads for when I feel the need to pound something.  If you would like to try out these great new stamp pads, I have a fun event planned for next Wednesday, June 13th at 6:30 pm--- The Wednesday Wow.   If you'd like to attend, please email me at sjrstamps@gmail.com and I'll give you all the details.  I will tell you that there's going to be some yummy chocolate involved!

The card I have for you today shows how saturated or maybe "opaque" is a better word to describe the strength of the color in these new pads--- whatever you want to call it, you've got to try them to see what a difference a pad can make in the quality of your stamped projects.  Here's the card...

Do you notice how black the bird is?  He has no light spots on him at all... he's completely black.  And look how the black leaves cover the flower underneath... amazing!  I made this card for a demonstrator meeting a few weeks ago .  Let me give you a quick list of the new products I used.

Stamps: 
Betsy's Blossoms

Ink: 
NEW In-Colors-- Summer Starfruit and Raspberry Ripple
Basic Black

Paper:
Summer Starfruit
Raspberry Ripple
Whisper White

Accessories:
Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
Blossom Punch
Scallop Circle Punch
1 " Circle Punch
Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
Black Brad
Basic Black Scallop Dots Ribbon (turned so the dots don't show)

There have been LOTS of comments about the new chartreuse-y Summer Starfruit color.  It seems to be one of those colors that people either hate or love... no middle ground.  Personally, I love it!  I've seen this color quite a bit in clothing and home accessories and I think it just has a warm yet contemporary look.  I love the way it looks with the Raspberry Ripple and Basic Black on this card, but it also looks wonderful with the new Midnight Muse. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you'll come back soon.  I can't promise that I will be blogging every day, but my official vacation from posting is now over and I'm back in the saddle again!
Happy Stamping!