WARM MY HEART SHELTERING TREE SWAPS...

Today I have the third swap card I made for the OnStage Local Baltimore event last November to show you.  I wanted to wait until a bit closer to Valentine's Day to share.  Since I had already done a masculine swap and a fancy fold sway, I went for a more feminine look this time with one suitable for Valentines, Anniversaries and more!  I used one of my favorite stamp sets, Sheltering Tree.  I hope you love it as much as I do!

A closeup of the focal piece:

I loved the Venetian Crochet Trim around the oval, but I ended up omitting it from my swaps.  I underestimated the amount of time it would take to glue all the little hearts (the different size hearts in the Confetti Heart Punch are perfect for this!) and glitter each tree and I did have to make 30 of them to swap!  Although I have to say that the Fine-Tip Glue Pen is AMAZING and certainly makes the job easier!  Here is a video on it:


WARM MY HEART SHELTERING TREE CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sheltering Tree (P#137163, $25.00)
• Card Stock – Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Very Vanilla
• Ink – Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo
• Ribbon – Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine (#138411, $3.50), Venetian Crochet Trim (#134581, $7.00)
• Punches – Confetti Hearts Border (#137415, $22.00)
• Accessories – Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (#133751, $5.00), Silver Mini Staples (#135847, $4.00), Fine-Tip Glue Pen (#138309, $7.00), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $4.00)
• Tools – Big Shot, Happy Heart Embossing Folder (#137364, $7.50), Oval Collection Framelits (#129381, $27.00), Handheld Stapler (#139083, $10.00)

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING CORNER FLIP FOLD...

Saturday, I have my downline meeting and I will be doing a demonstration of the Corner Flip Fancy Fold.  Originally, I had planned to use my Sprinkles of Spring card for the presentation and my swap card.  However, one of my sidelines stole my original card right off the swap boards at the OnStage event (bad, Sarah!), so I came up with this version to keep her from having a duplicate.  Aren't I nice???  I used the same sketch/template though, so not too much reinvention.

For this version, I made it more of a generic card that could be used for several occasions: Get Well, Thinking of You, Encouragement, etc.  It is difficult to see in the photo, but I did sponge Pool Party on the background of the Whisper White for the sky.  I needed a bit of whimsy though with my rainbow colored raindrops!  Enjoy!

EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING CORNER FLIP CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sprinkles of Life (P#139971, $21.00), Over the Rainbow (P#138770, $21.00)
• Card Stock – Watermelon Wonder, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Pool Party, Whisper White, Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper Stack (#138443, $8.00)
• Ink – Crushed Curry, Pool Party
• Ribbon – Bermuda Bay Thick Baker's Twine (#138413, $3.50),
• Punches – Tree Builder (#138295, $18.00), Banner Triple (#138292, $23.00)
• Accessories – Silver Embossing Powder (#109131, $5.00),  Fine-Tip Glue Pen (#138309, $7.00), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $4.00), Mini Glue Dots (#103683, $5.25)
• Tools – Stampin' Trimmer (#126889, $30.00), Sponge Daubers (#133773, $5.00)

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

SPRINKLES OF SPRING CORNER FLIP CARD...

I'm headed off to Baltimore in the morning for the OnStage Local Event!  I'm so excited!!!  Before I head out, I wanted to share the second of my swap cards I did--this time for a SUDSOL group swap at the event.  For this swap, we try to step it up a bit, so I wanted to do a fancy fold.  I chose the Corner Flip Fold.  No time to do a picture tutorial since I'm leaving, but there are general directions following the card supplies list.

I wanted to use a Thinking of You theme as I will use this swap for my downline meeting next week as well, but there wasn't an appropriate sentiment in the Sprinkles of Life stamp set, so I borrowed one from the Sheltering Tree set.  I decided to use some *happy* colors - looking forward to the Spring already!  Too soon???  Here is a view as you open it and then the inside:

 

  
SPRINKLES OF SPRING CORNER FLIP CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sprinkles of Life (P#139971, $21.00), Sheltering Tree (P#137163, $25.00)
• Card Stock – Watermelon Wonder, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper Stack (#138443, $8.00)
• Ink – Watermelon Wonder, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Cucumber Crush, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black
• Ribbon – Bermuda Bay Thick Baker's Twine (#138413, $3.50),
• Punches – Tree Builder (#138295, $18.00), Banner Triple (#138292, $23.00)
• Accessories – Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (#133751, $5.00), Fine-Tip Glue Pen (#138309, $7.00), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $4.00)
• Tools – Stampin' Trimmer (#126889, $30.00)

CORNER FLIP FUN/FANCY FOLD DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut card stock for regular A2 card base (4-1/4” x 5-1/2”).   Score in the landscape position at 4-1/4”. 
2. Place the card base in the Stampin’ Trimmer in the landscape position, aligning the left edge at 3”. 
3. Cut FROM 2-1/2” to 4-7/8” (using the numbers on the slider). 
4. Rotate your card stock 90 degrees (to the right). 
5. Again align the left edge of the card stock at 3”.  Cut FROM 3” (should meet the previous cut) to 5/8”. 
6. Fold your card base on the score line. 
7. Push the lower left corner of the cut square inward while pulling the upper right hand corner towards you -- down and towards the opposite corner.  Gently ease the folds so that everything lines up square.  Use your bone folder to sharpen the crease. 
8. Dress up the front square with a 2-3/4” square mat and a 2-1/2” square focal piece. 
9. For the inside use a complimentary color mat (this will show from the card front) of 4” x 5-1/4”.  For your inside sentiment focal piece, you want to use a small enough piece that it will not show from the front.  I use 2-7/8” x 4-1/8” or less.

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

MASCULINE TWO TICKETS TO THE TOP...

This is a card I designed for a shoebox swap using Sale-A-Bration and Spring Catalog products at my downline meeting this week. I wanted to do do a masculine card this time around - it seems we always have so many beautiful feminine cards at swaps.  The boys need cards, too!

The Feeling Sentimental stamp set is one of my favorite Sale-a-Bration stamp sets   I just love the Vintage style!   And the That's the Ticket set from the Occasions Catalog pairs beautifully with it.  Enjoy! 

TWO TICKETS TO THE TOP SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – That's the Ticket (W#131946 $22.95, C#128075 $16.95), Feeling Sentimental (W#129627 C#129630 - FREE with $50 purchase)
• Card Stock – Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory
• Ink – Chocolate Chip
• Punches – Ticket Duo (#126883, $15.95)
• Accessories – Sponge Daubers (#102892, $10.95/12)
• Tools – Stampin' Distress Tool (#127562, $4.95), Color Spritzer (#107066, $12.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95) 

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

SWAPPIN' SUNDAY, Winning Swap Entry: Woodgrained Autumn Leaves...

Today I have one of the swap cards I created for the Providence Regional Event yesterday.  This one was for an organized swap with SUDSOL members.  I also submitted this card for Stampin' Up!'s swap contest.  And... I won!  A $50 shopping spree--YAHOO!  I can't wait to get home and plan how to spend it!  A FREE mini tutorial follows for how to make the "woodgrained" veining on the leaves.

The background of the card features our new Core-dinations card stock!  The outside layer is our exclusive Early Espresso color.  The inside layer is light colored.  By embossing it with the Woodgrain embossing folder and sanding the raised areas, you reveal the light colored core giving you a fabulous two toned effect.

For the leaves, I first tried just embossing them with various folders.  They came out very pretty and I am sure you will see them in a future project.  However, they weren't quite what I was looking for with this swap card.

In the past, I have used the Spider Web Embossing Folder on the old Leaves #2 Die leaves.  When lined up just right (with one vertical line up the middle of the leaf), they look like the veining of leaves (left leaf).  However, the largest leaf (maple, right leaf) on the Autumn Accents Die doesn't fit right on the embossing folder.  No matter how you position it, you end up with more than one vertical vein.  The maple leaf in the photo was actually upside down in the folder.  The horizontal lines should angle up.

So, I decided to try out the Woodgrain embossing folder.  I began by scoring each leaf down the middle with the Simply Scored Scoring Tool and then I folded the leaves in half.  Then I placed the leaves in the Woodgrain folder, being careful to place them in an area with only vertical lines and no "knots".  I placed them with the folds toward the bottom of the folder at an angle so that the lines are running at an angle up towards the top of the leaf.

When you remove the leaves and open them, you will notice that one half is embossed and the other side is "debossed".  This is fine as the opposite lines still appear embossed.  (see picture at the top)

If you want to color distress the edges of the leaves, you should sponge them BEFORE embossing.  Otherwise, they can rip easily.  Enjoy!

WOODGRAINED AUTUMN LEAVES SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Day of Gratitude  (W#120835 $26.95, C#121148 $18.95)
• Card Stock – Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock (#127848, $6.95)
• Ink – Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard Classic, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Markers
• Punches – Extra Large (Wide) Oval (#119859, $16.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Autumn Accents Die (#127812, $21.95), Labels Collection Framelits Dies (#125598, $26.95), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (#127821, $7.95),  Square Lattice Embossing Folder (#119976, $7.95), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (#122334, $29.95), Stampin' Sanding System (#129367, $3.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sponge Daubers or Stampin' Sponges

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

SWAPPIN' SATURDAY, New Downline Swaps...

Today I have swaps from this morning's Downline Meeting to share with you.  Hope you enjoy them!  Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the Retiring Stamp List announcement!

By Susan Elise Morton

By Linda Hammond

By Kim Munden

By Linda Sharritts

By Sarah Williams

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

ONLY 8 DAYS LEFT OF SALE-A-BRATION, More Downline Swaps...

As promised, I have more of  the swaps from this week's Downline Meeting.  Most of  the swaps feature products from the Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-a-Bration Catalog.  Enjoy!

By Kathy Winters

By Lewis

By Dawn DuVal
Featuring the Fresh Vintage Stamp Set (FREE with $50 Order thru March 31)

By Kim Munden

ONLY 8 DAYS LEFT TO GET YOUR FREE SALE-A-BRATION PRODUCTS!  Earn FREE products starting with a product order of $50 or more.  OR Join My Team for only $125!  Don't miss out   CLICK HERE for Sale-A-Bration Details!

LOYALTY REWARDS  When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!