See This Hug?

It's a beautiful day here in Texas!  A brief but welcome break from colder days, but not quite to the point of having my studio door open ... close ... but that's it.    No complaints here, though!  My sweet friend + fellow stamper up in Kearney, Nebraska said she's expecting 1-15" of snow tomorrow!  OMGosh ... I'm just fine where I am, thanks.

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I welcomed some stamping time for pure pleasure today.  The result is my card for the Stamp, Ink, Paper Challenge #32.   The SIP32 challenge is a fun tic-tac-toe choice in which you choose your own tic-tac-toe line of 3 items as in this diagram ... a fun twist!
It's also drawn from today's Featured Stamper challenge over at Splitcoaststampers, featuring SCS member 'MochaFrap'.  Although I don't know her in person, it didn't take long at all to find inspiration for stamping! 

Not likely to be included in next weekend's Stampin' Saturday class, but now that I have the finished card in hand, I already know who needs to receive this one.  Sometimes, the card just 'tells you'.   Don't you love it when that happens?  Tex's Tip:  Card-making and sharing literally shares a part of you!

The Bear Hugs stamp set and Bear Hugs Framelits dies are available separately, or at a 15% savings in a bundle altogether in the Occasions catalog.  A purchase of the Little Letters Thinlits from page 172 in the annual SU catalog puts you over half-way to earning a free Sale-A-Bration item!

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"HUG" was cut from the front designer series paper panel using the Little Letters Thinlits dies.  Since I had the had the cute positive images from die cutting, I decided to let them spread a smile on the inside of the card.   I simply recreated a bit of the front design for staging the lettering on the inside.
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Psssst!   Did you know that If you would like to join us this coming weekend for 1st Saturday Stampin', please just RSVP via email here, or through my Events schedule, or on my Texas Rubber 'n Ink! Facebook page - Events tab.

I'm ready with answers to any questions via email any time.  Hope to hear from you or stamp with you soon!  Need help setting up your own happy stamping gatherings?  I'm happy to help!

Inky (((hugs))),

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Wisteria Rose

Here's a card from one of my earliest January studio classes ... simple enough to make the same day you realize you need to send it.  

3 card stocks, 1 ink pad, 1 stamp set, and its coordinating die set ... no embellishments necessary!  (Although of course, I did use my beloved Stampin' Dimensionals behind the sentiment layer.)  I'm actually in need of a few thank you cards ... and as I'm writing this text with the photo above, I'm inspired to recreate the idea with a simple change in words!  #gladIthoughtofthat  

Hmmmm ... you could choose a few different colors and whip up a stash of these with your favorite stampin' buddy and some girl-time chatter!

Purchasing the Rose Wonder bundle (Occasions page 18) of the stamp set and coordinating Rose Garden Thinlits dies saves you 15% over single pricing ... plus, you're just $0.75 away from earning a free item from the Sale-A-Bration catalog!  Add-ons to make it qualify for the $50 SAB order could include: 

• a refill for your favorite ink color,
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• cardstock
• designer series papers
• or even my favorite new tool in the Occasions catalog - the Big Shot Die Brush from page 19!  

Any way you play it ... you will enjoy creating with the Rose Wonder stamp set and coordinating Rose Garden Thinlits dies for a very long time to come.

Tex's Tip:  Another excellent option to consider when purchasing this bundle includes:

• Rose Wonder stamps + Rose Garden Thinlits bundle = $49.25
• plus ... choose $49.75 products from any SU catalogs
• That totals $99 value so far.
• Then add on another $56 in SU products of your choice.
• Now the total value is $155.
• Purchase all of the above for $99.
• Free shipping applies
• This is a starter kit example.    It comes with no obligations.  You receive your choice of $155 total products, free shipping ... and a discount on future products for as long as you choose to use it.   Here's how to purchase.
• Email me if you wish!  I've finished classes for today and am just revving up with a cup of coffee.   

Inky (((hugs))) to you!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Got Smiles to Send?

Hi everyone!  Today I'm sharing a creation that's actually a mix from the new Occasions Catalog with one of the free items you can choose from the Sale-A-Bration event.  Remember, Sale-A-Bration is in effect only until March 31!

I spotted the PPA284 sketch challenge on the last night before it ended ... but finished this project even though it was too late to be submitted for the challenge itself.  Hey ... no reason there to stop the creative enjoyment!  

The circle of designer paper is from the Sale-A-Brations Wildflower Fields DSP collection (p. 12 SAB).  The mix of colors is lovely, and my color palette for the card was chosen from this paper.  Easy decisions .... gotta love'em!

The blossom was cut with the Botanical Builder Framelits dies, (Occasions p. 26).  This time I cut the blossom from Whisper White c/s, and added Lost Lagoon ink to the center and outer edges with a Sponge Dauber.  There's a bitty flower die cut from Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper and a Rhinestone Jewel to finish off the center of the blossom.  The leaf was stamped with its coordinating stamp from the Botanical Blooms set (Occasions p. 27) ... which I swear is going to be a long-time favorite here for my personal stamping!

Check out this video featuring the entire bundle of products featuring the Botanical Builder Framelits Dies, Botanical Blooms stamp set, and the beautiful Botanical Gardens DSP!  

Pssst!  The complete bundle comes at a 15% savings over single pricing, and ... it qualifies you for a free Sale-A-Bration item all at the same time!  I've included it in the product list below.  

Questions?  Please feel most welcome to contact me!  

Is your 'wish list' adding up to a little more than you thought?  Purchase the starter kit for $99 ... but get $155 product of your choice plus free shipping!  

Inky (((hugs))),

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Forever Shimmers

Did you ever try to look ahead into your future, trying to visualize, imagine, or conceptualize 'if' and 'who' you would marry some day?  Alas, we are not granted the actual vision or knowledge, but imagining and romanticizing that possibility is the topic of many a young girl's dreams for sure.   

I can tell you right now ... the Bloomin' Hearts Thinlits are for much more than just Valentines.  I'll be using it year-round ... and here's why:

    

I've had a long love affair with stamping by now ... and honestly ... this will be the wedding card I give in the foreseeable future ... maybe even all of my future.   Over the years I've given wedding creations that I really liked, and a couple that I didn't really like at all, but it was "time to leave".  

If you've never used Stampin' Up!'s Shimmery White card stock ... why not?   I've adjusted the lighting here a bit to show the fascinating beauty of this specialty card stock.  When you seek to create elegance, this is an option worthy of consideration indeed.

As you can see, the Bloomin' Hearts Thinlits dies includes 2 blossom dies that match the blossom stamps from the Bloomin' Love stamp set.  Here, I've layered the die cut blossoms atop the Bloomin' Hearts cut out and added tiny Pearl Basic Jewels with our Fine-Tip Glue Pen.

This beautifully written sentiment is found in the Suite Sayings stamp set from page 41 of the Occasions catalog.  This set really has some lovely messages within.  You'll want to be sure to check it out.  

Not only is this a terrific time to gather new lovelies for your stamping table and get free goodies from Sale-A-Bration ... but it's also a most exciting time for all of you who would like to purchase the starter kit for your own discount shopping pleasure.  Check out the possibilities right here, and feel welcome to contact me with any questions at any time.  

Inky (((hugs))),

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

So Sweet!

You're So Sweet!

This is just a one-third of the cute, simple images and sentiments in the 'Honeycomb Happiness' Sale-A-Bration stamp set ...

As soon as I spotted this week's sketch, SC576, at Splitcoaststampers, I reached for this set.  Don't you love it when something instantly inspires so easily?

The darling confetti paper is part of the Birthday Bouquet collection, along with the yummy-fun Honeycomb Embellishments, both on page 9 in the Occasions catalog.    

Once I had edged the image layer with the new Confetti Textured Impressions Embossing folder, I just couldn't resist adding Dazzling Diamonds!   Two-way Glue is just right for this application ... quick to dry, easy to just streak it around or put it right where you want it.     

Here's to a delightful, creative weekend m'friends!  I'll be sharing stamping fun with friends and friends I haven't met yet ... I consider that a blessing.  Please contact me with your stamping needs.  It's a privilege to be your Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

Inky (((hugs))),

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Product List

Honeycomb Happiness Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[141291]

$0.00

Birthday Bouquet Designer Series Paper

[140557]

$11.00

Confetti Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

[140592]

$7.50

Honeycomb Embellishments

[140566]

$5.00

Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter

[133751]

$5.00

2-Way Glue Pen

[100425]

$4.50

Glue Dots

[103683]

$5.25

Is Elvis in the House?

Don't you love it when there are new goodies in your stampin' zone?   
Today's project combines of one of the new items from the Occasions catalog plus a couple of  sentiment stamps from one of the free Sale-A-Bration items.

Lots of new goodies on this one, beginning with the wonderful Botanical Builder Framelits Dies.  Confession:  I can hardly stop reaching for this jam-packed die set!  There's a beautiful stamp set to coordinate with the dies (Botanical Blooms - page 27 Occ.), and it's all offered as a bundle for 15% savings as well.  

But today, I've simply used 3 of the dies to create the blossom.  Ta-dah!  Such easy dimension due to the special flower die I've used from the set.   Here's a closer look:

I did add a little circle punched from Gold Glimmer Paper for the flower center ... lots of irresistible sparkle.  See?  This is the reason you've been saving all those little left-over glimmer paper pieces!  Perhaps we're related?  ... 

Now the 'Thank You' .... clean, easy-to-read font ... a nice size to partner with something that requires a bit of space, such as my blossom.  It's from the free Sale-A-Bration stamp set, Perfect Pairings.  It's partner for the 'pairing' is the 'Kindly' stamp I've used inside the card.  These are 2 separate stamps ... I just stamped them close together for the inside.  The 'Misti' positioning tool made this process just as easy as can be.  

Read the card aloud ... It sort of brings Elvis Presley to mind, doesn't it?  Okay ... So it doesn't say,  "Very much" ... but it's pretty close!   ;)

Thank you kindly for having stopped by today!  If you have questions, please feel welcome to contact me.  It's my hope and my privilege to be your Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  

Inky (((hugs))),

Hearts, Hugs, & Kisses -- No Glitz!

Today's valentine features texture without glitz ... 
You know I love the glitz ... but of course, we all have many people in our lives who do not subscribe to glitter.   (Reminds me of the saying, "Can't live with'em, can't live without'em!)  LOL

One of the cool new things Stampin' Up! offers is cardstock packages that contain specific color combinations designed to perfectly coordinate with various designer series collections of 12" X 12"s.  This card features the Love Blossoms Cardstock Pack (140549) from page 17 of the Occasions catalog - 8 sheets each of Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, + Rose Red.  

I adore the size of the Little Letters Thinlits.  Not only are they fun for personalization, but they're also fun for short words or acronyms, etc.  For added dimension, I stacked 3 of each X and O die cuts, adhered them together with eency dots of Multipurpose Glue, and aligned them vertically, leaving a perpendicular space for the "Be Mine" greeting.  Notice that banner die?  OMGosh ... That die is in the Large Numbers Framelits, but has matching stamps in the Number of Years stamp set and also in the Bloomin' Love stamp set!  I used the coordinating banner stamp from Bloomin' Love for this greeting. 

How did I get the greetings to be so deeply inked?  I re-stamped them ... using my beloved Misti!  Iliana has just won the paper crafting "Hot Product" award at Winter CHA in Anaheim, CA ... and I couldn't be more tickled for her giant success with this remarkable positioning tool.  Congratulations, Iliana!

Okay ... now I'm off now to start studio tidy 'n prep, etc. for Saturday's Valentine class.  This class has already filled, so I'm happily adding a second round during the week next week.  If you're in the area and you'd like to come, pop an email over to me to RSVP by/before Sunday, please!

Inky (((hugs))),

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sale-A-Bration Items to Love!

Check out the free Sale-A-Bration items today!

No limit on your choices ... Choose 1 free item with every $50 product on your order !  

Confession and a Calypso Thanks!

Confession:  I love being back in the stampin' zone after the Christmas holidays.  Time for new focus on stamping themes, time to relax from the holiday hustle, bustle, buying, wrapping, and cooking.  Time for a new year and renewed "everything" it seems!  Apparently a lot of stampers and scrappers agree, as the turnout for the first stamp show of 2016 here in the North Texas area was very popular on Saturday's opening.  We love to "get out there", see new products, enjoy make 'n takes, chat and share (((hugs))) with friends from nearby areas and nearby states!  Happy 2016, my stampy friends!

Here's the first new card I've created since unpacking from the show:

Outside it's gray on so many days, that I simply need to create with color!  Calypso Coral is actually the first coral color that I've purchased over and over.  It's a happy color, without being overly orangey, and is nicely related to its pink cousins .... just my opinion {JMO}, of course!

The 'Thank You" stamp is from the Rose Wonder stamp set ... while the blossom and foliage is all cut with the new Botanical Builder Framelits dies from the Occasions catalog, page 26.  The complete supplies list will be shared below.

The newest Weekly Deals are now showing over in the right-side column here at Texas Rubber 'n Ink ... so be to take advantage of this week's newest offerings.  Even these sale items and Clearance Rack items count toward a free SAB item with each $50 purchase during Sale-A-Bration!

Please let me know if I can be of help in any way ...  I'm just an email away!

Inky (((hugs))),

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Grapevine, Texas ... Ready? Set? Yes!

Heirloom's Grapevine Rubber Stamp + Paper Arts Festival!

Doors open Saturday, January 9 @ 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 10 @ 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Come to booth #18, share a Howdy & a Texas Inky (((hug))) with me, enjoy a free Make n' Take,

and sign up for upcoming classes!

Exclusive Show Special from Bev (me!)  for everyone who purchases a starter kit, with Sale-A-Bration benefits too.

$99 kit includes $155 products - plus exclusive Bev-Bonus!  

Here's a peek at 1 of the 3 projects we're making in my class on Saturday and again on Sunday, both at 12:30 p.m.

My 3 class projects will include elements from the 

new Botanical Blooms and Botanical Builder Framelits, 

Bloomin' Love stamp set, and more!  

Purchase your class tickets at the door.

*Retired stamps + retired products will be available for cash purchase, along with Stampin' Up!'s variety of adhesives.

Hope to see you in Grapevine, Texas!

Y'all come!

Inky (((hugs))),

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Sunshine Wishes 'n Shiny Fishes

Winter... it's here ... bringing plentiful cloudy days, snow, and more.  

So, send some sunshine wishes!

And how about a bonus of shiny fishes?!

Here's my first creation featuring the new Bear Hugs stamp set and it's coordinating Bear Hugs Framelits dies!  This guy is stamped with Archival Basic Black ink on Sahara Sand card stock.  I haven't brought out the Sahara Sand in quite a while ... but while playing around with colors, this combo shouted out a happy "Yes!" just as soon as I stamped it out.  

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Just a few Stampin' Write Markers make it a snap to color a stringer full of fishes, and add just a bit of tone-on-tone dimension to bear's face.  Tex's Tip:  If you prefer coloring with your Aqua Pen, that will work just as well when stamping with Archival Basic Black ink.

That sparkle on the shiny fishes?  It's a quick brush-on of our new Wink of Stella - Gold.

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  The Bear Hugs stamp set offers lots of fun images and truly delightful sentiments.  I've paired this sentiment with the banner stamp and matching die from the new Number of Years stamp set and coordinating Large Number Framelits.

Both of these collections are available in the brand new Occasions Catalog either separately as stamps and/or dies, or save 15% immediately by purchasing either in bundles!   Just let me know if you need guidance or assistance!  I'm an email or a phone call away!  
Tex's Tip:  Wishing you had a beginning 20% discount on these darling stamps 'n dies?  I've got a free stamp set waiting for everyone joining my team right now!  

Inky (((hugs))),

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Time to Sale-A-Brate!!

Time to Sale-A-Brate, my friends!

Shop!  Here's the deal: for every $50 you spend (before tax and shipping), you get a FREE Sale-A-Bration product. That means it's the perfect time to purchase those products you've had your eye on while earning more products for free.

Note: Pages 4-15 of the Sale-A-Bration brochure show products available throughout the entire Sale-A-Bration sales period (January 5-March 31 2016); Pages 16-19 show limited-time products available only until February 15.* Watch for another batch of limited-time products coming February 16!
*Based on inventory, availability may be temporarily extended.

Host! Need another excuse to get together with friends? Just host a qualifying party with at least $250 in sales during Sale-A-Bration and you'll earn $25 more Stampin' Rewards! *You can even apply your Stampin' Rewards toward a Starter Kit and become a demonstrator yourself!

Let the Sale-A-Bration begin, my friends!

Questions?  I'm right here ... contact me any time.  I'm tickled to be able to help in any way.

Inky (((hugs))),

Put a Little Bloom in Your Heart! & See Ya Soon?

The very first day that Stampin' Up! allowed demonstrators to pre-order items from the Occasions Catalog (which "opens" tomorrow!!!!!), I ordered the new Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper.  It just seemed to have my name written on it.  Know what I mean?

During Saturday's class here in the studio, I showed some of the upcoming new stamp sets and the glimmer paper ... and happened to have this heart cut with the Bloomin' Heart Thinlits Dies in a bag of trial cuts.  This glimmer paper heart hadn't found its home on a card yet.  

So, on Sunday afternoon I took a peek at the Featured Stamper challenge over at Splitcoaststampers ... and this card was on its way.  By the way ... Congrats to Kathy LeDonne on being the first Featured Stamper of 2016, FS465!  Here's Kathy's card that inspired mine.  

That fabby banner stamp and sentiment are both part of the Bloomin' Love stamp set, available starting tomorrow in the Occasions Catalog, and the matching banner die is from the new Large Numbers Framelits!  (I've already got another card that uses that same banner die with a completely different set ... you'll see it this week also.)  

How did I adhere the vellum circle?  With Glue Dots placed directly behind some of the larger elements on the beautiful heart die piece.   The same applies to adhering the glimmer paper heart to the vellum.  Easy-peasy!

 I'm presenting a booth and teaching classes at the upcoming 
Heirloom's Grapevine Rubber Stamp 'n Paper Arts Festival this coming weekend in Grapevine, TX ... so it's time to get back to labeling, cutting, and prepping!  And, I'll be having a show special for all of you who drop by to chat, make 'n take, sign up for upcoming classes, and check out lots of samples!  And yes, 
Sale-A-Bration benefits will apply to all orders of $50+ too ...
... ... including new team member kits!

Inky (((hugs))),

Product List

Bloomin' Love Photopolymer Stamp Set [140643] $17.00	Bloomin' Heart Thinlits Dies [140621] $25.00	Confetti Hearts Border Punch [137415] $22.00	Pearl Basic Jewels Embellishments [119247] $5.00
Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [131172] $6.50	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101856] $8.00	Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper [140550] $5.00	Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131198] $8.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.00	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755] $4.00	Big Shot Die Brush [140603] $11.00	Precision Base Plate [139684] $25.00
Big Shot [143263] $110.00