June Techniques and Fancy Fold Class

Whoooeee, the new catalog is ready to unveil on June 2nd!  While I can only post the link to it on that day, I can show you what we'll be making in stamp class this month!

In the first picture, you can see two cards that are folded flat to fit into an envelope.  When opened in the lower picture, they can be popped-up to stand dimension-ally on their own, isn't that just so cool!?  The card on the left uses the new Work of Art stamp set and features three of the new 2014-15 In Colors: Blackberry Bliss, Mossy Meadow, and Tangelo Twist. The Stair Step card on the right is made with Lost Lagoon and Hello Honey colors, and is also decorated on the reverse side so it looks great coming and going!  You can even slip a gift card or paper money inside to make your gift complete. Since this card is a little larger than our standard size,  you'll also be making an envelope to match with the Envelope Punch Board.

The file tab on the top edge of the lower card is quickly done with the new File Tabs Edgelits Die.  Even more impressive is the color shading done with the brand new Blendabilities pens (see previous post). And since this is a Techniques class, you'll have printed instruction cards that include tips and the 3 types of blending we'll use in class plus measurements for making both of the dimensional cards above. Save the date and your spot, this is one time you'll really want to be here!

Dates:
Sunday, June 8; 2:00 - 4:30pm (Minimum 2)
Friday, June 13; 7:00 - 9:30pm

Deadline to reply: Monday, June 2.

Techniques Class Fee = $15 or FREE with any $45 order!  Better yet, order $50 and get the new 2014-15 Stampin' Up! catalog for FREE too, yay!!

Fully assembled Card Sets and instructions = $20, or $5 with $45 order/$50 order includes catalog.

Hostess Code = CEVPYGMD (See top tab for details about credit towards Free class!)

June Accessory Pack

(Counts towards Free Class, see Top Tab for info.)

 24 - 4.5" x 6.5" sheets of Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack -2 each 12 double sided designs

10 yards of 2014-In Color 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon - 2 yards ea of 5 colors

20 sheets of 2014-In Color 8.5" x 11" card stock - 4 sheets ea of 5 colors

Cost = $18.22 (plus shipping and tax)

Hope you can come; bring a friend and come together to create some wonderfulness!

Blendabilities--shading with beautiful color is easier than ever!

One of the biggest new product lines to come with the new catalog on June 2nd are the Stampin' Blendabilities markers: sets of 3 pens in light, medium, and dark shades that color very smoothly because they are alcohol based.  Most markers, including the classic Stampin' Up ones, are water-based and do well for most coloring needs.  But alcohol markers enable you to smoothly blend colors in a way you never thought possible.  In  nutshell, here are some of their distinctive properties:

1. No streaks when coloring--you can cover large areas and not see a single hard edge or those tell-tale coloring lines. Shading lighter/darker tones or different colors is super easy and blend seamlessly.
2. Markers come in 2 tips--fine and brush.  The fine tip is larger than in the classic water-based markers; I find I'm using this a lot for better control.
3. You must use a water based ink to stamp your images, not alcohol (like Staz-On).  The new Memento Black Pad is great for this; allow 30 seconds for the image the dry and go for it!
4. Images will be colorfast and not fade over time (like water-based colors).
5. Standard Whisper White or other colored card stock is fine, special watercolor paper is not needed. You will be blending color over the same area repeatedly and not see any shredding or pilling of the paper.
6. Blendabilities tips are made from nylon and won't fray as with other types of pens.
7. Pens have rectangle barrels and tight caps, so they won't roll off the table or dry out.
8. You can color most any surface: rhinestone jewels, pearls, buttons, ribbons, clear window sheet, etc.  Imagine what you can color to match your Stampin' Up cardstock and Designer Series Prints!

 Like any new tool, it takes a while to know how to control the pen and get the look you want.  I stamped some line images here and enjoyed some therapeutic "playtime":  coloring in different ways to see how the shading with the pens worked. The first butterfly was done with 3 shades of Coastal Cabana, dark in the center and shading out to light on the edges.  But look what happens when I used the medium Coastal Cabana to shade the center, and then blended with Light Daffodil Delight in the middle to the edge--a nice shade of green betwtween them!  Remember your color theory in school?  It will come in handy as you blend your tones! 

I have always loved the color shading on fall leaves, and really look forward to using the Blendabilities to do that.  Here I've done a couple of shadings with the Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Daffodil pens to get some really nice fall colors.  Very easy to do, and no worries about color transfer between pens -- it won't happen here. Imagine how much more I could do with a bigger leaf!

Stay tuned for the June class pictures, you'll have the chance to see how great these pens look on one of the cards that we'll be making. And wait until you try them out in person, you'll be impressed at how artistic you really are! 

Stamping Bargains galore!!

Want the latest on some great stamping/crafting deals?  Here are a few tips for you!

• Be sure you check out the Stampin' Up Retired List online, as there is a Blowout Sale offering 25%-50% on many retiring products from 5/22 until 6/30 or until they're gone, whatever happens first!  If you want to order now and still get some credit towards my next stamping class, ($45 or more and it's FREE!) be sure you include the Hostess Code CEVPYGMD in your online order.  

• To Paper Pumpkin subscribers (who receive a new craft kit each month by mail):  have you ever missed a kit from the past that you really want, or want a refill of a favorite kit?  For current Paper Pumpkin members only, you can now order refill kits from select months! Check out the 3 page flyer here or at my June Stamp Class to see what you can get! (Offers good while supplies last.)
• Not a Paper Pumpkin Subscriber?  If you are SUPER QUICK and subscribe by Friday, 5/23, you can join and get the June Kit for half off! This was supposed to be a deal for Demos only, but you can get it too if you act fast.  Go to MyPaperPumpkin.com/signup or call 1-800-STAMPUP and enter the promo code SHELLIDEAL. Members have been giving their input, so the Kits have been upgraded to include even more goodies and with better instructions.
• Did you know that you can order Paper Pumpkin kits for someone else to receive?  It's like giving them a gift month after month, and you don't even need to wrap it!  Here are the options:

  Item	Paper Pumpkin Prepaid Subscription	Price (Shipping Included)
  137858	1 month	$19.95
  137859	3 months	$59.85
  137860	6 months	$113.70 -- save $1 per month
  137861	12 months	$215.40 -- save $2 per month

Coming up next: my "play time" with Blendabilities markers -- ooooh, they are really nice!

Stamp Class Reminder

Please note that the Deadline to sign up for the May Stamp Class is Tuesday, April 29. Looks like we may have more folks interested on Sunday than Friday this month, let me know what works best for you.

FREE shipping almost over!

Did you have a chance to check out the Stampin' Up! Retired Stamps and Accessories lists yet? Even the Hostes-Only stamp sets are available for sale! Quantities are only available while supplies last, and with the FREE Shipping offer this week, that may not be too long!

If you don't have some of my favorites that will be retired, check them out again below; and remember if you order $45 or more with the May Hostess Code (W7JZ9CFJ), I'll credit you for a future FREE Stamp Class!  Gotta love it!

Things I think you should have before they retire:

Stamps:

Create a Cupcake--goes with the Cupcake Punch - pgs. 13, 181

Bring on the Cake--birthday word stamps - pg. 14

Pennant Parade--goes with the Pennant punch - pgs. 18, 181

Delightful Dozen--sentiments for all year - pg. 27

One in a Million--front and coordinating inside words - pg. 58

Backyard Basics--matching die cuts out all images, last month's gorgeous tulip card-pgs. 79, 187

Hearts a Flutter--cute pennants and hearts, matching die - pg. 124, 187

Accessories:

Birthday Basics Designer Series paper-- bright colors for everyone-pg. 153

Silver Glimmer Paper -- So sparkly!! Hoard this, it's gorgeous and versatile!-pg. 156

Sponge Daubers--use one per color group (blues, greens, etc.), great for blending -pg. 164

In Color Dahlias and Boutique Details--the perfect touch-pg. 169

Flower Garden Embossing folder--one sided embossing, classy -pg. 191

Clear-Mount Perfectly Placed Guides--for your clear blocks & straight stamping - pg. 197

Don't delay, check it out today!