Feels Like Frost in the North West

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my blog today. I thought it would be appropriate to share a bit about the beautiful Feels Like Frost Designer Series Paper found in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog. We have a cold front coming to us in Washington state and will even drop into the 30s this weekend and in to next week. BRR!

If you follow my blog, you know I love Designer Series Paper. This has got to be the most beautiful papers I've seen! Stampin' Up! took pictures of some fantastic scenery and then created this paper. It is stunning! What I really like about it is that you can use the DSP as a layer and simply add a sentiment. It's card making so easily! You can coordinate your projects by using the Frosted Frames Dies and Frosted Foliage Stamp set. The Frosted Frame Dies add another texture of frost to you designs. 

These snowflakes were cut using the Frosted Frames Dies. The sparkle comes from the Ice Stampin' Glitter. WOW, is all I can say!

Isn't this card beautiful?! This is what I mean by using the DSP as your focus of your project. Take a look at this beautiful Suite. My stamping friend Jackie Bolhuis made a great video creating six simple cards. Check it out.

Weren't these cards so quick, easy, and beautiful? Really, I can't get enough of this paper. Thanks so much for stopping in. Today has inspired me to stamp more using this beautiful paper. 

Don't miss out on your chance to win a stamp set and when you place an order, you receive the Jingle Bells Embellishments. Don't hesitate, because it ends in 2 more days!

There are 2 days left to participate in my giveaway for a free stamp set. On my last blog, I shared projects from the Birds of a Feather set and am giving a set away to 1 lucky winner. Everyone is a winner though when you place an order. I'm sending a packing of the Jingle Bells Embellishments for every order. Simply check out my blog post for that. Hurry thought, there are just 4 days left.

Well with that news, aren't you glad you stopped in today. I hope you participate in my giveaway today. You just might be the lucky winner! 

Be sure to check out the current specials being offered. There are great deals on the Clearance Rack and more. If you are ready to shop, you can place your order online. I appreciate you choosing me as your demonstrator. Be sure to use the current hostess code#DK3MPGNY when placing your order. Remember to get your order in by Sunday, September 29th to get Jingle Bells embellishments and get in for the drawing to win the Birds of a Feather Stamp set. 

  If you need a holiday catalog, I'm happy to send one to you. Just let me know. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you if you win or to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper

Come to Gather Suite

by Stampin' Up!

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Wednesday, Hump Day, or middle of the week day. Thanks for stopping in today. I wanted to share a couple of projects I've created using the Come to Gather Suite by Stampin' Up! These products are so rich in colors and help you create wonderful fall crafts. For my first project, I really let the Come to Gather Designer Series Paper be the star. I die cut the leaves from the Gathered Leaves Dies. 

The greeting on this card was taken from the Word Wishes Stamp set. It is perfect for this card. The Nested Label Dies are perfect as well. I seem to be using these dies a lot in my projects. 

I was very happy with this card when I finished it. The colors are stunning. I used Pretty Peacock to pull that out of the DSP. I think the leaf stamp from the Gather Together Stamp set is beautiful. I paired Mint Macaron with the Pretty Peacock color and used the label die from the To a Wild Rose bundle. The Blessed greeting comes from there as well. 

Another thing for this project is that I spritzed over the front with Wink of Stella. I'm not sure that it shows very well, but it does have some sparkle to it. 

Remember that insides are just as important as the outside of a card. I simply stamped the leaf in the two corners and then the grateful sentiment. Although my projects are similar in layouts, they are completely different because of the color combinations and greetings. Just a little change and you have a completely different card.

The weather out west is certainly beginning to feel like fall with blustery winds and cooler temperatures. It really put me in the mood for fall stamping. I'm hooked on the Come to Gather Suite and plan to create more projects soon. Be sure to stop back again. I hope you enjoyed these cards as much as I do.

There are 4 days left to participate in my giveaway for a free stamp set. On my last blog, I shared projects from the Birds of a Feather set and am giving a set away to 1 lucky winner. Everyone is a winner though when you place an order. I'm sending a packing of the Jingle Bells Embellishments for every order. Simply check out my blog post for that. Hurry thought, there are just 4 days left.

Well with that news, aren't you glad you stopped in today. I hope you participate in my giveaway today. You just might be the lucky winner! 

Be sure to check out the current specials being offered. There are great deals on the Clearance Rack and more. If you are ready to shop, you can place your order online. I appreciate you choosing me as your demonstrator. Be sure to use the current hostess code#DK3MPGNY when placing your order. Remember to get your order in by Sunday, September 29th to get Jingle Bells embellishments and get in for the drawing to win the Birds of a Feather Stamp set. 

  If you need a holiday catalog, I'm happy to send one to you. Just let me know. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you if you win or to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper

Birds of a Feather + Prize Patrol

Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad you stopped in today. I had a wonderful specialty class yesterday with one of the most fun stamp sets called Birds of a Feather by Stampin' Up! This set has the cutest types of birds for different holidays through the year. I wanted to share each of the seasons with you and treat one of you with your very own stamp set from me. Read on for more details.

We are gearing up for the Halloween fun and this pirate duck is so cute! The pumpkin bucket is so funny! I took the Kraft Pillow boxes and sponged them with Gorgeous Grape. The little bats came from the Every Season Punch Pack from the Holiday Catalog. Many projects today have pieces from the punch pack.

Okay,  I think I can smell that pie the turkey is holding. He is so cute with the apron on!. This project uses the Come to Gather Designer Series Paper that coordinates with Cajun Craze and Mint Macaron. For all the projects I share today, they all have been colored using Stampin' Blends. 

This Christmas card was inspired by Lisa C. The jingle bells embellishments are great. Can you see the puffy parts of Santa's hat? That's using the Snowfall Accents Puff Paint.

This special Valentines holds a surprise. It's a pull tab flip. I was also inspired by fellow demonstrator Lisa C. She created a similar card using the wire background stamp. I had some heart DSP and decided to use that. 

Sending love shows once the tab is pulled. It is so fun! The card does open up as usual as well with another greeting or place to write your message. There are so many great ways to use this stamp set. Why not try the pull tab flip with each of the birds for all the holidays. 

As you can see, this set has great sayings as well as the cutest characters. Now how would you like to win this stamp set? I thought you might. Here's how:

• Place a minimum $25 order online using the hostess code #DK3MPGNY
• For every $25, your name is placed into the drawing. There is no limit to the number of times your name is put in.
• Hostess code must be used to count towards your chance to win. Be sure not to mark "no contact" because I won't be able to contact you if you win.
• If you place an order of $150 or more, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits.
• Place your order no later than Sunday, September 29th to qualify.

I have one more surprise for you. Anyone who places a minimum $25 order using the hostess code will receive a package of Jingle Bells Embellishments free!

24 bells (8 of each color)

These are the most wonderful jingle bells! They are the perfect size for your projects too. I'm happy to send a package to everyone who places a minimum $25 order. Remember though, orders have to be placed no later than Sunday, September 29th by 11:00 PM (PST).

Well with that news, aren't you glad you stopped in today. I hope you participate in my giveaway today. You just might be the lucky winner! 

Be sure to check out the current specials being offered. There are great deals on the Clearance Rack and more. If you are ready to shop, you can place your order online. I appreciate you choosing me as your demonstrator. Be sure to use the current hostess code#DK3MPGNY when placing your order. Remember to get your order in by Sunday, September 29th to get Jingle Bells embellishments and get in for the drawing to win the Birds of a Feather Stamp set. 

  If you need a holiday catalog, I'm happy to send one to you. Just let me know. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you if you win or to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper

Finding Inspiration Friday

Va-Va Vellum

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for joining me today. I really needed some inspiration lately and bringing out my vellum did the trick. This was part of my Technique Tuesday class where we focused on the different techniques you can do with vellum.

One of my favorite ways to use vellum is to run it through your die machine with an embossing folder. Two of my projects today show this. For this Nature's Beauty card, I embossed the vellum using the Woodland embossing folder. This folder is the perfect layer for my card. For the images behind the vellum, I used a scrap piece of copy paper and tore it to create a slope (mask). I then used Stamping Sponges to color the twilight sky. My colors are Balmy Blue and Smokey Slate. My images were stamped in Early Espresso. I also shaded in some details with Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends.

You may notice that I also colored the trunks of the trees. I used the Light Crumb Cake Stampin' Blend to color the back side of the vellum. Another great technique.

Here is another project using the same embossing technique. This time I used the Tin Tile 3-D Embossing Folder. This was simply then layered onto Old Olive Cardstock so the embossed vellum would show up more. I used the Word Wishes Dies with Copper Foil and the Gather Together Stamp set from the Holiday Catalog. 

Many people struggle to adhere the vellum to projects. I always put the adhesive where I have layers to cover the tape. Also the tape is usually hidden when you have embossed the vellum. I simply tack small amounts in each corner and then where I put things over it.

I was very happy with this project. I first stamped the Magnolia flower, from the Good Morning Magnolia Stamp set, using Tuxedo Black Memento ink. Then I sponged using Petal Pink and Mossy Meadow. From there, I laid the vellum piece right on top. I re-inked the flower using Versamark ink and embossed the flower in White Stampin' Embossing Powder. Vellum can be quite delicate, so hold the embossing gun at a distance.

You can see the great affect that embossed magnolia flower gives. One thing you can do, is to turn the vellum piece over and use your Stampin' Blends to color the backside of the flower. I chose to color the image below, but this is another way you can do it. 

Wow! I hope I have inspired you to try out some techniques using vellum. It is the perfect thing to use as the holidays are approaching. We really had a great time at my class. I really want to use my vellum more, so I think I'll create one of my projects for the Holiday Stamp-A-Stack using vellum. 

Be sure to check out the current specials being offered. There are great deals on the Clearance Rack and more. If you are in need of any products you can place an order online. I appreciate you choosing me as your demonstrator. Be sure to use the current hostess code#DK3MPGNY when placing your order. If this is your first order placed with me, I will send you a special gift just for placing an order with me.

  If you need a holiday catalog, I'm happy to send one to you. Just let me know. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper

Make it Monday

with Playful Penguins

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to a new week of work and fun I hope. Today I'm sharing a couple of fun projects featuring the Playful Penguins stamp set by Stampin' Up! Whenever a new catalog comes out, many demonstrators participate in swaps. I recently got some of these swaps back from one I participated in and I wanted to share these cute cards.

This card was created by Ann Quattrin. I love the icy colors of this project. When you look up close at the penguin, it looks so cold and icy. This is because Ann used a combination of Shimmer Crystal Effects and Frost White Shimmer Paint. I love how the penguin is holding the garland of Snowflake Sequins. That was a lot of work to string those together. The is very cute!

Who doesn't love a pair of pails hanging out. This card was created by Roxie Geiser-Weaver. She mixed and matched our wonderful Wrapped in Plaid Specialty DSP. The added scarf and hat for the penguins is great! 

Another nice part of this set is the font of the sentiments. I love the easy cursive. The other thing that's great? Is that shadow stamp that you can put under the penguins. You see that in Roxie's card. It grounds the penguins. I love this. When I try and create my own shadows, I don't feel I do very well. 

Thanks again for stopping by today. I hope you have enjoyed the Playful Penguins projects. I will share more swaps with you. I like to show lots of ideas for 1 stamp set. Read on for a great promotion that is happening. 

During September 4th-30 you can enjoy a free package of select DSP when you purchase 3. There is no limit to the number of free packages you earn. If you love designer series paper, here is your dream! I know I'm stocking up for my projects. Click to see the papers that are included in the sale.

  If you are in need of any products you can place an order online. I appreciate you choosing me as your demonstrator. Be sure to use the current hostess code#DK3MPGNY when placing your order. If this is your first order placed with me, I will send you a special gift just for placing an order with me.

  If you need a holiday catalog, I'm happy to send one to you. Just let me know. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper