Hi everyone!  LOOK - here's my dining table after I picked out my order and it's always like christmas when you put in a nice-sized order!  CLICK on the picture to see it better!

 The best part of this one is that several items shown here are FREE because of the SALE-A-BRATION rewards going on at STAMPIN' UP!  So if you want to have your own goodies - and your dollars stretch real well - then contact me with your order!  You still have to March 31, so you don't want to forget that - 'K? OK!

I haven't scratched the surface on this one yet - but we are definitely going to have a blast in March's classes!

First - I want to show you up close what the new clear blocks look like - so here's a pic I took....and you can see that they have a groove around their center and the edges are rounded, ...and I can tell you that it really makes a big difference...they are so smooth! Lovin' that :)  I know from experience that you want a) thick blocks so that your fingers don't touch the ink pads...and b) a good grip which is where the indented sides of these come into play - you won't be dropping these and get your paper all smooched up with ink! .....and c) the edges are smooooth - which is much better than the blocks I have with their sharp edges - always bothered me but no more!!!  AND finally, d) they have labels - so you know which size you grab (just in case you don't have to think about it - they are clearly labelled by size, and have the Stampin' Up! logo.

So you have heft due to their thickness, yet lightness of touch due to the nice grip and comfort so you won't be nervous each time you go to use them ....in fact, THESE ARE A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH!!!  Thumbs up Stampin' Up!

And they just look lovely too - don't they?

Alright - here is another tip I want to pass on....the clear blocks can be ordered as a 'bundle' for a 10% discount (for us Canadians, it's $94.95 plus tax & S/H, item # 118491).  But what I did was this - I sat for a moment and thought what sizes do I really need right now?  And also, what sizes will come in most handy?  

So here is what I came up with....instead of ordering the complete bundle - I decided to order the sizes I knew I would use the most PLUS order duplicates of the ones I thought I need at one time!  So, if you take one set of stamps - size C or D will cover the larger flowers, and size A and B will cover the smaller stamps. Size G or H will take care of greetings. 

But sets can have several stamps the same size - and knowing that it would bug me to take one stamp off a block and replace it with another, I decided to order TWO OF THE SAME SIZE in a couple of sizes......my order therefore went like this:  A - 1 block; B - 2 blocks; C - 2 blocks; D - 2 blocks; G - 2 blocks; H - 1 block.  

And sure enough it worked great!  I used my new Vintage Vogue stamp set and I was able to put every stamp in that set on a block all at the same time, and used them through out the night without having to stop to change a stamp.

I know it may not be your first consideration if your budget won't allow it - but you might want to consider this way if you stamp a lot. Or like me - give classes. 

Teeny, Tiny Stamps & Blocks

First - let me say, I am really enjoying working with Pretty In Pink....paper, ink, ribbon - its never boring because it is such a refreshing colour!  Name suits it to a tee! 

But tiny stamps and small blocks - I must say that the small block, block A is so adorable and so is G.  Here is another interesting development that happened ....when I had to do a tiny, tiny heart stamp, I naturally thought of using A - the smallest square block. [picture above]

 But it occurred to me that G block, a small, narrow rectangle block might be better by putting the heart on the very end.  By putting the small heart on the end of  G works because you have better hand/eye control. {just be sure it has the width to equal your stamp size}

This is a consideration when using Stampin' Up!'s CRAFT INK PADS - because they are moist - and any real pressure dips the stamps & block right into the pad - which leaves you with ink where you don't want it.  When I put the tiny heart on the end of G Block - it was less block surface, and the shape was easier to work with -almost like working with a dabber.  A block is working great with other small stamps - you'll find your own methods. I recommend both!

Tiny stamps - tiny problems - what can I say? LOL!.

Well - I hope I gave you something to think about today!  Any questions - just give me a shout!
xxoo everyone! Have a great day!

*************************************************************************** :)

Block A = 1 1/4 x 1 3/16 inch, $ 5.95 # 118487
Block G = 3/4 x 2 1/2 inch, $ 6.50 # 118489
Block B = 1 5/8 x 1 15/16 in. $7.95 3 117147
Block C = 2 x 2 1/4 in $8.95 # 118486
Block D = 2 7/8 x 2 11/16 $ 11.50 # 118485
Block E = 3 7/16 x 4 7/16 in $ 15.95 # 118484
Block F = 4 7/8 x 6 in. $ 22.95 # 118483
Block H = 1 5/8 x 4 7/16 in. $ 11.50 # 118490
Block I = 2 1/4 x 5 7/8 in. $ 15.95 # 118488
Block Bundle = Blocks A - I  $94.95 # 118491

Clear Blocks are made from high-quality, sturdy 3/4" acrylic.  Etched for identification with each corresponding letter.  Each ' Clear Mount ' Stamp Set comes in a handy storage plastic case - about the size of a DVD - storage is a cinch! Case front will display an insert with all stamp images at 100 percent and spine shows thumbnail images of all stamps - making it easy to find your stamp set. Extra Clear Mount Stamp Cases for sale. $6.95/4  #119105

While doing my bridal line-up for the upcoming show, as you know by now, I was finishing up a set of inivitation designs and turned to thinking of Thank You cards - for when the newlyweds, have returned and must tend to thanking their generous friends and family for all the great gifts.

Now granted, I was looking down at the stamp set, WONDERFUL FAVORITES, and seeing all the words I could match up with "Wonderful"....21, in fact. Words such as cousin, nephew or combos like 'to a' or 'in-law'....and that's when I thought, "wouldn't a newly-wed bride like to thank her Mother-In-Law with her own special card?  I mean, we can always find "Mother" cards just like we do when we want "Father, Daughter or Son, Aunt." etc. But "Mother-In-Law"?....well, not so often.  So that decided that and this is what I dreamed up.

I turned to my Circle Scissors Plus and made a matching ring to go with the circle. I didn't really have a size of circle in mind, but that's the beauty of the Scissors Plus because I stamped the words Mother-in-law, and then positioned the paper under the Scissors Plus and gauged my circle size 'insito' !  The ring just adds another accent. 

Next, I chose some patterned paper in green because I think greens and pink-to-purple tones always look nice together.  Two minutes of hard thinking for the embellishments....okay, maybe five mins. - you got me! (wink) .....ah yes, the 5 Petal Flower Punch to the rescue! So punch...punch...punch....glitter, glitter, glitter...and the hardest part, sewing a button on.  Well, a little bit of drudgery for such a nice effect - and there it is! 

In my haste tonight, I forgot to take the picture of the inside which says Thank You and room for the bride to write a nice note to her new mother-in-law....oh I don't know, what would you write?

Catch the flavour of summer with this card to send to a friend!

Roller wheels were used in two ways here – to add a flowery border on the card and envelope – and then again, to roll out star shapes which were trimmed and become the focal point.

Choose your greeting, add more colour with markers – another quick and simple card!

Hello!

I started to fool around with my new JUMBLE ALPHABET - and also wanted to do a Father's Day Card. This card literally "fell together" because I just experimented as I went along.

I know that paper quilting is a favourite trick for card-making so I thought I'd give it a go using up scraps of Delicate Dots paper from who else, but Stampin' Up!, lol! AND....I used an extra TOP NOTE die-cut I had lying about and snipping away I soon had it covered with the scrap papers. I layered it on to another paper, Kiwi Kiss (soon to retire) - and - then just cropped around the die-cut shape to get the extra border. I didn't even glue just used a brad.

I cut out my alphabet letters using my Circle Scissors Plus - which worked beautifully - (just remember to secure the paper down with some Dotto Dots so it won't slip on you :)). Made some larger circles in Sahara Sand which I covered in ink using a cloth. Then created that important word...DAD! Just to make sure he knows he is extra special, I turned a coffee mug with a heart stamp into a beer stein (draw & cut out the beer foam) and penned #1 on the heart. Cute! On to the next step!

Here's where I must admit I went out of my norm! I thought it would be boring to just slap it on the front of a card since I do that so often....no, I wanted to try to come up with something different. Picking up a couple of strips of Bashful Blue paper, I was holding them with both hands and they sort of created a V shape - and then I thought of a ladder! Thinking that was 'fatherly-like' - cuz, we don't want all frills, right! But then - whoop - a giant "A" - you know, Dad is an 'ace' or gets a "A" for being the 'best dad'! So I happily went in that direction!

The Top Note shape has a point and would be troublesome to stand on its own, and soon I realized I would make the 'A' into an 'easel' - it could be both. Plus it could stand on its own like a card. So I created a shelf on the A, and a supporting leg behind it. {I made everything double-thickness plus glued a thin wood stir stick for added support} You could add a string running between the front to the back leg for limit its ability to 'open' if you run into problems.

Anyways - I put my DAD assemblage on the 'A-turned-Easel ' and used a clip to secure it in place AND FINALLY I got to use my tin star! I have had this baby for a couple of years and didn't know when I'd use it.

Hope you like it! B :)

Good Morning!

'Fundalicious' 6 in. scrapbook layout!

Candy Lane Designer Papers

Love this because:

- small size is cute

- secret spot for journalling {or hiding unsightly handwriting}

- circles are easy with Circle Scissors Plus

- 30 min project!

The ' girlz ' last night all made a slightly different layout - still easy to do with this size!

Great fun for embellish-ing - it all looks good!

[all supplies Stampin' Up!]