An Old Olive Favourite

Old Olive has always been, and will probably always be one of my favourite Stampin' Up colours. Over the years we've seen many textures of card stock in this lovely shade, and countless patterns of Designer Series Paper featuring Old Olive either on its own or in combination with other colours.

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For this card I reached back into my retired DSP and found two patterns from completely different packages that seemed to flow nicely together. I based the card's layout on a recently created Christmas card because I liked the idea of featuring the patterned DSP as the top layer's focal point instead of a stamped image, and I think it turned out beautifully, really allowing the Chocolate Chip satin ribbon to take centre stage on the card.

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My Favourite Robot Friend

I do love this little guy... and if you're a long-time reader of this blog you may have seen him pop up on a previous card or two. From the set "Lots of Bots", he's perfect to watercolour in whatever fun shades pop into your head, and the accessory stamps in the set never fail to make me smile.

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The versamarked nuts & bolts shown at the bottom of the card are great for backgrounds, and I've inked the binery code stamp (00110100101) with StazOn to customize the grosgrain ribbon around the centre of the card. Layers of Whisper White, Basic Grey, Going Grey and a lovely now-retired colour called Pacific Point round out the colour palate, with a hint of vibrant Pumpkin Pie just for fun.

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Deal of the Week October 26th - 31st

Throughout the month of October Stampin' Up has been offering great weekly deals - new and versatile products for up to 40% off with no limits or minimum purchases required. This week's special offer is sure to appeal to all the moms out there like me!

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The Pirate Party Kit and Princess Party Kit, each regularly $21.95 are on sale this week only for $13.99

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The Pirate Party Kit (left) offers your little buccaneer everything he or she needs to invite their mateys to a great party, including invitations, decorations, eye patches and little chests perfect for swashbucklers searching for buried treasure! With the Princess Party Kit (right) you can make your little princess's birthday fantasies come true with invitations, decorations, purse boxes and crowns for her and her ladies-in-waiting to wear! Everything from banner ribbon to envelopes are included, and everything is perfectly coordinated to take the guess work out of your birthday party preparation.

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This deal-of-the-week only lasts until October 31st and will be popular I'm sure... contact me to place your order by phone at (519) 672-5482 or via email at summer.burton@sympatico.ca.

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Teen Challenge

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When presented with the challenge of designing a card for a teenage boy, you sure can't fall back on your floral stamps and delicately patterned Designer Series Paper! For this card I pulled out some of my "retired" DSP, finding some fabulous patterns in the Halloween paper featured in the Fall/Winter 2008 Catalogue. The grey and black pinstripe, scull pattern, and bolder Kiwi Kiss striped paper all came from that great package, and then ripped, layered and alternated with some sponged Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black and Going Grey card stock. The result is a rockin' card that even a too-cool-for-crafts teen would be happy to get.

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Silhouettes and Buttons

Silhouette stamps are all the rage right now, and one of my favourites is from the set called "Upsy Daisy" which features a row of daisy stems at different heights and states of blossoming. The use of silhouettes as a focal point on an earth tone card just works so well, especially when you introduce other layers and textures to the card.

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I've started with a Close to Cocoa card stock base and have layered Basic Black under a Creamy Caramel front that was cut with the Top Note die in the Big Shot die cutting machine. The top layer is raised to give the card some dimension, and once stamped with daisy silhouettes and a greeting was embellished with several buttons for a bit more texture.

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Fundraising Fun

I, along with a couple hundred other crafty ladies, attended at GI Cancer Fundraiser at King's University College this morning. Organized by the creative powerhouse that is Heather Summers, we spent the morning (or afternoon, depending on the session attended) making a great set of Christmas cards and gift tags in support of Cancer research, and I thought I would share some of the crafty goodness with you right away!

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These gift tags are made with the Two Tag die run through the Big Shot, layered with different prints from the Christmas Cocoa Designer Series paper, and finished with a snowflake from the Serene Snowflakes set mounted on a scallop circle base.

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This earth-tone card is given a shot of colour with Dotted Red grosgrain ribbon, a Real Red punched circle, and of course Rudolph's red nose! The neutrals are a combination of Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, and another pattern from the Christmas Cocoa Designer Series paper... it really is so versatile!

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I cannot say enough about the lovely reindeer stamped on the front of this card. His name is Dasher and he's one of the few "stand alone" stamps that we offer - selling for only $10.95. If you buy only one stamp this year for your cards, this should definitely be the one. Here, he stands on a bed of snow created with Dazzling Diamonds glitter, and is layered over both Real Red and Close to Cocoa cards stock, followed by more patterned paper (the bottom one is actually flocked) from the Christmas Cocoa DSP.

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Very pretty, very simple... the texture of the Whisper White card stock was achieved using the Petals a Plenty embossing folder in the Big Shot, and the central pattern once again comes from the Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper. The greetings shown in all four of the projects shown here were from a single stamp set called "Four the Holidays", which sells for $18.95.

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If any of these cards inspire you, now is a great time to place your supply order for the upcoming holiday season! Feel free to contact me with questions you may have about the "recipes" for these cards, for help designing a unique card just for you, to place a merchandise order, or to sign up for one of my upcoming classes. By the way, this fundraiser is an annual event so if you're interested in attending next year do please contact me and join the fun... the more the merrier, and the more money is raised for a great cause.

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Deal of the Week October 19th - 25th

Every week during the month of October, Stampin' Up will offer special discounted products as our "Deal of the Week" with no limits or minimum purchases required. This week embellishments take centre stage, with four fantastic brads, clips and grommets sets on sale!

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Shown from left to right: The 1/2" Library Clips regularly $9.75 are now only $5.49, the Basic Jumbo Grommet kit regularly $9.50 is now only $6.49, the Circle Designer Brads kit regularly $8.50 is now only $5.49, and Mini Library Clips regularly $18.95 are now only $12.99

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To take advantage of these great deals on some of Stampin' Ups most versatile embellishments, your order must be to me by midnight on Sunday October 25th... contact me at summer.burton@sympatico.ca or (519) 672-5485 to order yours today!

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Thinking Christmas (already!)

I've always been the plan-ahead type, and that part of my personality really shows as the holidays approach. I've already designed not only the card we'll be making for my annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack, but also my "personal" card - the one I send to friends and family from my husband, daughter and myself. I hope you're ready for a sneak peek... here's the card I'll be sending out this year:

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Based on a design by fellow Stampin' Up Demonstrator Karin Sylvester, this card features Santa and his reindeer (from the Wandering Words stamp set) sailing across a brayered and sponged night sky. The moon is created with a mask, which allows the reindeer image to be stamped on top without any holes created by a raised or depressed surface. The tree line was created with one of the many wonderful stamps in the Lovely As A Tree set. I absolutely love it, and have decided that it will be worth brayering 60+ cards just to share this magical scene, complete with twinkling stars care of Dazzling Diamonds, and Rudolph's shining red Fine Cosmo Glitter nose (because who doesn't like a little bit of a shimmer at Christmas?) I feel the holiday spirit building every time I catch sight of my sample card... what about you? Are you starting to "think Christmas"?

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Falling Leaves

If the first card featured in my upcoming "Inspired By: An Autumn Walk" class wasn't enough to make you smell the hot apple cider and hear the crunch of leaves under your feet, perhaps this one will!

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Multicoloured leaves pepper the background of this card, which is framed by Really Rust card stock that's been cut with the Top Note Die and then mounted on an Old Olive card stock base. With so many autumnal colours to choose from you can customize this card to suit your mood... perhaps all your leaves will be green and we can pretend that fall isn't upon us already!

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The inside of the card is embellished with the same leaves that decorate the front, but is left without a sentiment for your own personalization. It's like peeking through an autumn forest to see the message you've written for the recipient!

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Ready for the Trick or Treaters!

Who wouldn't love to receive one of the 6 fanciful Halloween greeting cards we'll make at this class?

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You can treat a lot of special tricksters with a set of six of these yummy treat bags!

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You're invited to join me a week from today for some spooky fun at my Halloween Handiwork class! Whether you're hosting a Halloween bash, getting ready for Trick-or-Treaters, or just want to send a spooky little greeting to a friend, this class is a perfect way to be prepared. We'll make a set of six Halloween cards and six sweet and spooky treat bags... join me for the frightening fun on Tuesday October 20th from 6pm to 8:30pm! The cost for this class is $20.00, but I'll offer it for FREE to anyone submitting a $25.00+ Stampin' Up merchandise order - RSVP today!

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Deal of the Week October 12th to 18th

Every week during the month of October, Stampin' Up will offer one discounted product as our "Deal of the Week", with no limits of minimum purchase required. This week three fantastic dies for the Big Shot die cutting machine are on sale at amazing prices:

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From left to right: The "Flower Burst" Embosslits die (regularly $15.99, now only $7.49), the "Perfect Setting" Bigz XL die (regularly $57.95, now only $34.99), and the "Pop Up Three Tier Cake" Bigz XL die (regularly $53.95, now only $34.49).

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The Flower Burst Embosslits die makes beautiful embellishments as it both cuts and embosses at the same time, and the Perfect Setting Bigz XL die cuts the perfect cupcake wrappers and napkin rings. The Pop Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die is amazingly versatile, allowing you to make amazing cards with pop-up cakes, ice-cream cones and boats on the inside... the ideas are as limitless as your imagination!

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Stampin' Up has never sold Big Shot dies at such a discount! To take advantage of this sale, your order must be to me by midnight on Sunday October 18th... contact me at summer.burton@sympatico.ca or (519) 672-5485 to order your new Big Shot Dies today!

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Inspired By: An Autumn Walk

One of the cards we'll be making on Sunday October 18th

At the third class in my "Inspired By" series, coming up on Sunday October 18th from 1pm - 3pm, we'll celebrate the colours of autumn while making three beautiful leaf-themed cards and a coordinating decorative candle. For only $15.00, why not join me for an afternoon of crafting and a cup of hot apple cider?

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Fall / Winter 2009 Class Schedule

With autumn upon us and winter just around the corner, I invite you to warm up in my ‘Creative Corner’ with some fun and inspiring craft classes. With the changing seasons in mind we’ll express ourselves with everything from glass etching to card making, and we’ll plan ahead for some great Christmas creativity as well.

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Inspired By: An Autumn Walk

Join me for the third in my series of “Inspired By” classes, where we find inspiration for card making and crafting in the everyday world around us. Who doesn’t love the sound of leaves crunching under their feet as they enjoy a brisk autumn walk? In this class we’ll celebrate the sounds, smells and colours of autumn while we sip hot apple cider and make a series of three beautiful leaf-themed cards and a coordinating decorative candle.

Dates: Sunday October 18th from 1pm – 3pm

Cost: $15.00

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“Halloween Handiwork” Class

Hosting a Halloween bash, getting ready for trick-or-treaters, or just want to send a spooky little greeting to a friend? This class is a perfect way to get ready for the soon-to-be-materializing ghosts and goblins in your neighbourhood! Join us as we make a set of 6 Halloween cards and 6 sweet & spooky treat bags!

Date: Tuesday October 20th from 6pm – 8:30pm

Cost: $20.00, or free with a $25.00 merchandise order

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Coffee, Tea, and Time for Me

Get away from it all with a couple of hours of caffeinated creativity! During this class we’ll use paper punches as a basis for glass etching, decorating three dry-good storage containers perfect for coffee, tea, sugar and more. We'll continue the theme as we make a beautiful coffee-inspired card to give to a friend (what a great way to suggest a coffee date!), and as an extra bonus, while we get crafty we'll enjoy lattes and espresso from my own personal coffee bar.

Dates: Thursday October 22nd from 3pm – 5pm and Thursday December 10th from 6pm to 8pm

Cost: $15.00

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“Wine-y” Wednesdays

The middle of the work week can make us all a bit whiney… why not think “wine-y” instead and make the most of it? Join me as we uncork a bottle of wine and toast our crafty selves while we use paper punches as a basis for glass etching, personalizing a set of 2 wine glasses perfect to take home for yourself or to give as a gift. We’ll then continue using punches, this time with Designer Series paper, to make a set of 6 sweet wine charms to help your guest pick out their wine glass from the crowd at dinner or a party.

Dates: Wednesday October 28th, Wednesday November 18th, and Wednesday December 16th, from 8pm – 10pm

Cost: $20.00

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Stamp a Stack of Christmas Cards

The holidays are a perfect time to send greetings to friends and family… and how better to do it than with your own beautiful hand made Christmas Cards? Join us to create colourful and festive layered Christmas Cards by cutting, stamping and punching your card elements in sets of 10. This assembly-line style of card making gives you fast results, and allows you the opportunity to either assemble your cards during the class or take them home to do at your leisure. With Christmas music playing and eggnog to sip, this fun morning, afternoon or evening will really get you in the holiday spirit!

Dates: Sunday November 8th from 1pm – 5pm, Monday November 30th from 6pm – 10pm, and Saturday December 5th from 9am – 1pm.

Cost: $25.00 for 10 cards. Want to impress even more people with your craftiness? Additional sets of 10 cards cost only $10.00!

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Tag… You’re It!

Personalized gift tags are a quick and simple way to add a unique touch to the presents you give friends and loved ones this holiday season. Why use store-bought when you can dazzle them with home made? In just over an hour we’ll make a set of 16 layered gift tags ready to fill out and attach to the gifts waiting under your tree.

Date: Wednesday November 25th from 8pm – 9:30pm

Cost: $10.00 or free with a $15.00 merchandise order

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Decorative Holiday Tins

Will the smell of fresh baked goodies be wafting through your home this holiday season? Make sure you edible gifts look as good on the outside as they taste on the inside by presenting your home-made sweets in beautifully decorated tins! These versatile tins are also a great alternative to gift baskets for your smaller gifts – you’ll want several on hand over the holiday season.

Date: Sunday November 29th from 10am – noon

Cost: $15.00 for a set of three tins

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Little Gifts That Mean a Lot

The holiday season offers us many opportunities to say a little “thank you” to the people whose work we appreciate all year ‘round, and what better way to do it than with a little home made gift? Perfect for your child’s teacher or daycare provider, a favorite co-worker or boss, or any service provider who’s earned a little something extra, these small-scale 3D gift items and gift card holders are sure to delight.

Date: Friday December 4th from 7pm – 9pm

Cost: $15.00 for a set of four little gifts / gift card holders

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Christmas Open House

Have you considered taking a card making, scrapbooking or other crafting class, but weren’t sure where to start? If you’ve got the creative urge but aren’t sure how to express it, why not join me at my annual Christmas Open House to try your hand at several techniques absolutely free? Try your hand at stamping, using rub-on transfers, embossing and more, and be one of the first to pick up the newly released class calendar for Winter 2010. I hope you’ll drop in any time during my Open House for a cup of tea, a cookie or two and some free “play time” at the craft table…

Date: Saturday December 12th from 1pm – 4pm

Cost: Free – please RSVP in advance

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Get Popping: Home-made Christmas Crackers

We’re all familiar with these fun paper-covered tubes which often make an appearance on the table at Christmas dinner… popping them open with a partner and checking out the goodies inside has become a long-standing tradition for many families. Choosing to make your own Christmas Crackers instead of using store-bought gives meaning to the little gifts you find inside… they can be personal, specific to one intended recipient, or even home-made. This year I invite you to join my Christmas Crackers class, where you can make 6 of these lovely crackers to

take home and share with family. Each cracker will be decorated with Designer Series paper and finished with coordinating ribbon, and I will provide treats and slips of paper with jokes or seasonal quotes to stuff in your cracker along with an idea sheet of small, inexpensive and charming gifts you can add if desired.

Date: Sunday December 13th from 2pm – 3:30pm

Cost: $10.00 for a set of six Crackers

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There is limited seating at each class, so please contact me to reserve your spot in any of the above events. I look forward to crafting with you this Winter…

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Feeling Crafty?

After letting craftiness take a break for the last part of the summer (I wanted to devote my time exclusively to being with my daughter before she began school for the first time), I'm back in the swing of things again. I find autumn incredibly invigorating... the scent of the falling leaves, the colours, and the smells in my kitchen - oh, those kitchen smells are the best! As soon as the cooler weather arrives I start cooking and baking, and it's a process that doesn't let up until well after Christmas... luckily as my kitchen creativity goes into overdrive so does my creativity in other areas. To that end, keep your eyes on Summer's Creative Corner this week - you can expect several new projects to be posted in addition to my fall class schedule, which is chalk full of fun holiday crafts. Thinking Christmas already? Don't worry, so am I! I've got several Christmas card designs in the works, including a great ornament-themed card for my annual Stamp-a-Stack class... I hope to get crafty with you some time soon!

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Darling Drawers

The Stampin' Up Matchbox die (used in the Big Shot Personal Die-cutter) can be used for so many creative projects. Just looking at the die you know it would make perfect holders for wedding favours or tiny Christmas gifts (there's a pair of earings I've had my eye on that would fit perfectly inside...), but with a little creative thinking it can be so much more. How about a little chest of drawers? Made by stacking three matchboxes on top of one another, wrapping the stack in Designer Series Paper and adding corduroy buttons for handles (although rhinestone brads would look wonderful too) it's such a sweet little piece of faux furniture! Although a dimensional project like this could have a hundred uses, I keep thinking that placing it on the table next to the tea pot and cups with tea bags inside each drawer would be such a fun way to spruce up tea time...

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Razzleberry Butterflies

The new "In Colours" released with the 2009/2010 Idea Book and Catalogue are a combination of vibrant and bold shades that make me feel inspired, and one of my favourites is called Rich Razzleberry. Its the colour used for the accordion fold of this dimensional card, and the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper features it in combination with several other In Colours. The sweet, layered butterflies were created with the Beautiful Butterflies die in the Big Shot Personal Die-cutting machine, and the whole thing ties together with a band of Crushed Curry polka dot grosgrain ribbon to help it slide easily into an envelope. Wouldn't you love to untie the ribbon to find these fanciful butterflies floating towards you?

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The New "My Digital Studio" Starter Kit!

With the launch of the Stampin' Up "My Digital Studio" software, anyone wishing to become a Demonstrator can purchase an exclusive Starter Kit that includes "My Digital Studio" in addition to stamps, inks, and accessories. The price for this new Starter Kit is $239 (for merchandise valued at over $385!)

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The Digital+ Starter Kit Includes:

* My Digital Studio software

* Party Hearty and Petal Pizzazz stamp sets

* Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")

* Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")

* Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Tempting

* Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pads

* Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red

* Stampin' Write markers

* Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

* Real Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon

* Button Latte Designer buttons

* Stampin' Dimensionals

* Mini Glue Dots

* SNAIL Adhesive

* Business supplies (product catalogues, order forms, training DVD, and other supplies)

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If you've ever considered becoming a Demonstrator to help "support your hobby", now is the perfect time... Contact me today if you would like to hear more about how you can join Stampin' Up!

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Deal of the Week October 1st to 11th

Every week during the month of October, Stampin' Up will offer one discounted product as our "Deal of the Week", with no limits or minimum purchase required. This week our amazing deal doesn't feature a single item, but three:

From left to right: The 5-Petal Flower, My Way, and Trio Flower punches. Each regularly retails for $22.95, but is on sale for $15.99 this week only!

Punches are a quick and easy way to add interest, dimension and colour to your cards, tags and scrapbook pages. You can glue punched shapes directly onto your projects or layer a sheet of card stock that has been punched over a coordinating colour of card stock for a reverse effect. Since both the My Way and Trio Flower punches feature more than one punched shape, the possibilities keep expanding!

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To take advantage of this sale, your order must be processed by midnight on Sunday October 11th... contact me at summer. burton@sympatico.ca or (519) 672-5485 to order your punches today!

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Deals-of-the-Week Return!

What exciting news! Stampin' Up has announced that the popular "Deal of the Week" sale that ran this summer will be returning for the month of October. There were 30% sales on some of our most popular punches and accessories, so I'm excited to see what will be featured this month. Stay tuned for the first Deal-of-the-Week, and check back every Monday to see what the latest and greatest sale is!

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A Little Something Earthy

Creating a card that's both floral and completely earth-toned can present a challenge, but I quite like the overall look of that kind of neutral-on-neutral theme. Here I've used Chocolate Chip card stock for the card base, then layered Creamy Caramel card stock for both of the next two layers. The first layer was sponged with Creamy Caramel ink to help distinguish it from the top layer, which was cut using the Top Note die in the Big Shot personal die-cutting machine. I used a selection of flowers from the Itty Bitty Buds stamp set, stamped in Whisper White, Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel inks, then finished the layer with a sentiment from the Yummy stamp set inked in Chocolate Chip. A quick taffeta bow adds a touch of shimmer to this very earthy card...

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