Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Showcasing the Berry Basket Die

This weeks weekly deals are awesome! My favorite is the awesome Berry Basket die so I am going to showcase just a few of the many many reasons WHY it is a must have in your crafter's kit. 

It is SO versatile! I love any product that can be used over more than once occasion and for more than one use! These are the type of products that make it to my must have and must never resell no matter how packed full of goodness my craft room gets list!

Not only can it be used as shown in this cute little video from Stampin' Up!

 
 It is AMAZING just how creative paper crafters can BE with transforming it into other uses!
Find more info on this gorgeous wheel barrel here
 Or use it to create amazing party decor
Find more about this cool Hot Air Balloon decor here
Create a 'pot of gold' basket with it for St Patrick's Day!

See more here

 Easter is coming ~ seriously how cute would THESE be? 

Find more here
Double them up to make some stunning gift wrap packaging! 

See more here
 Or if you need extra room 'width wise' double them up the other way!
See more info here
 Seriously how awesome is THIS for a summer time party favor or backyard picnic wedding theme?
Get more details here
Do you have tiny treasures you want to package up? Check out the awesome 'liner' tutorial on how to keep them contained in the berry style box! 




See more here
Honestly the possibilities are endless and thanks to Pinterest and generous paper crafters who share tutorials and ideas with others you are never without inspiration for how to use these for your upcoming special occasion!

Happy Stampin'
Margaret

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Love Blossoms

I am must in love with this stamp set from the new Occasions Catalog ~ there is so many ways it can be used to bring stunning pop to your paper crafting! 

Stampin' Up has put together a great little TIP video that I highly recommend anyone purchasing this gorgeous set takes a minute to watch ... my favorite tips are how to make it work with the glimmer paper (aka place the glimmer side down so it cuts from the back first) because you totally do not want to waste your paper trying to figure this one out on your own and showing why you need to get the Big Shot die brush to help with make the weeding of these intricate dies so much easier!!!


You can bundle this gorgeous die with the Stamp set Bloomin' Love and save 15% verses buying them separately!

Close up of the Stamp Set images

Plus it is SALE-A-BRATION this month so grab the bundle and add on some accompanying embellishments like these and you can choose a FREE item from the Sale-a-bration flyer!
Embellishment package
Blushing Bride Glimmer paper
Plus as always the wonderful thing about paper crafting with Stampin' Up! is the never ending inspiration on how to use their products. There is no end to the amazing and stunning creation demonstrators and customers are creating with this set! Plus it is so versatile and can be used all year long to create wonderful pieces!

The stunning look of the Blushing Bride glimmer paper against the black is breathtaking! 

Pam's sample
Plus I am just in love this Easel card creation ~ easel cards make a lovely piece of home decor for your office or bedroom that IMO can stay up long past your occasion!
Corine's sample
 Plus it makes a great 'Valentine' inspired card as well! 
Mary's sample
 I am so looking forward to playing more with this set ~ I have a couple upcoming classes where we will be show casing how fun and versatile it can be!

Happy Stampin'
Margaret





Sunday, January 10, 2016

Breath Taking Botanical Gardens




I love FLOWERS ... there is something extra lovely about flowers from their pretty array of colors to their often intoxicating scents! 

If I could afford it I would have fresh cut flowers around my home ALL the time. Once upon a time I use to actually struggle with the ethical challenge of fresh cut flowers ~ the whole they start to 'die the minute you cut them from their plant' but than a friend who is a florist and lover of flowers themselves put it in a way that made sense to me. A Flower starts to die the minute it buds. You can leave it to open and blossom and wilt and die alone in the field or you can carefully prune it and place it a vase in a place of honor in your home and cherish it for the duration of its life span but either way its life span is going to pass. So now I treat myself to fresh cut flowers as often as my budget can afford it. 

In the meantime I enjoy PAPER flowers cause they have a much longer lifespan and they too can be scented by infusing the paper with essential oils! So win win! 

 I am just loving this new stamp set and die bundle from Stampin' Up!  The Botanical Garden set suite has so many awesome cool things with it! From the Stamp set, the Die cut to gorgeous designer series paper and coordinating embellishments with the washi tape and jewels! 
Bundles at a discount!

Jewel Embellishments





 
Coordinating cardstock
Stunning Designer Series Paper
Coordinating Washi Tape
The amazing Botanical Gardens Suite set can be made to use so many gorgeous pieces for home decor, celebrations and gift accents! Also love that the artisans of Stampin' Up! are so willing to share their designs and they encourage those who need a little help to 'copy and share everywhere' the stunning work they do!
 Here are some amazing samples inspired from fellow demonstrators .... just so versatile the looks and creations you can get depending on what colors and items you choose to put together. I LOVE that they designed the coordinating paper so that you could stamp on it too!



One of the challenges though with working with so many small pieces is getting a pattern you like laid out and than having to 'adhere it' without loosing your pattern ... the crafting community to the rescue again with amazing tips, tricks and tutorials for making crafting easier! Love this one which would work PERFECT with placing the Botanical Gardens suite elements on your card! 

Another great thing about Stampin' Up! that I love is all the coordinating pieces take the guess work out of choosing color palettes that coordinate when it comes to ink and papers ... everything matches and goes well together, Including this cool Vellum from the Sale-a-bration catalog shown here! 


Between January 5th and March 31st did you know for every $60 you spend with your Stampin' Up demonstrator you can buy the Botanical Gardens bundle and earn the Vellum shown in the video for FREE! Who doesn't love FREE stuff specially when it coordinates so dang well?

So what is making YOU smile today? 
 
Happy Stampin'
Margaret

Monday, January 4, 2016

Handstamped Coasters and more

So I have been busy over the holidays and neglecting the blog ~ my apologies! I have had an opportunity to showcase my work in a local consignment shop so have been busy prepping some stock! Plus I am working on a prototype for a new style of card I am very excited about! 

Here are some samples of what I will have available at the Local and Lovely Unique Boutique shop come January 9th! 

Hand stamped 4x4 marble coasters - 4 to a set

They come in the following options so far but I have a whole whack of ideas on what I want to stamp on my next set!
Awesomely Artistic stamp set used in this set
Variety of Butterflies used in this set from Best of Butterflies set and Swallowtail
Variety of Floral themed used in this set
Feeling Sentimental stamp set used in this set 
All coasters are stamped and than sealed with a matte waterproof sealer and have a cork backing to protect surfaces

Hand stamped 2x2 marble magnets - 4 to a set
Awesomely Artistic stamp set used in this set
Elements of Style Stamp set used
Upsy Daisy Stamp set
Pocket Silhouette Stamp Set used
Herb Expressions Stamp Set used

Hand stamped 2x4 Marble tile Paperweights
Butterfly inspired quote paperweight

Floral paperweight
Dragonfly paperweight
Floral paperweight
The paperweights are sealed and cork backed as well ~ going to try to source a magnet strong enough to make magnets out of these as well! 

 Also working on some hybrid digitally designed and than hand stamped and embellished home decor for the boutique ... these can also be made custom order with your own quote or wedding or birth announcement starting at $15 unframed.




What have you been up to in the craftroom? Feel free to share your link in the comments!

Happy Stampin'

Margaret