Parisian Blossoms Magnificent Adventure + Free Tutorial

Good Monday morning, friends!  I have a sweet story for you that hopefully starts your week off on a happy note.  My grandmother fractured a disc in her back and has been in the hospital almost three weeks.  Friday was her 89th birthday (yes, she's a Valentine's Day baby) and when I called her hospital room to wish her a happy birthday, it was noisy and sounded like a party was going on.  I asked her about it and she told me my parents were there, both my aunts and uncles (her other son and daughter and their spouses), and my cousin.  They'd brought a cake with plates and utensils, balloons, and flowers.  PLUS the hospital staff came around to sing to her and give her a cake.  PLUS a volunteer group sang to her and gave her cupcakes.  My grandma - bedridden in the hospital for almost three weeks with a fractured disc and several infections and turning 89 years old - said excitedly, "This is the best birthday I've ever had!"  Isn't that cute?

It was a marathon stamp session Saturday and this is one of the projects that came from it.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP)!  There was no way to pick a single pattern so I chose three and created a block layout to highlight them.

Each DSP piece is cut to 2-3/4" x 2-1/8" and adhered with Multi Purpose Liquid Glue to a 4-1/4"x11" Thick Very Vanilla cardstock base.  

A 3"x4" Champagne Foil piece is  tucked behind a 5-1/2"X2-3/8" piece of Vellum cardstock.  I love how the Champagne Foil picks up the champagne on the ribbon edge and in the rhinestone!  The Eiffel Tower is a die from the Parisian Dies that coordinate with the Parisian Blossoms stamp set (bundle them together and save 10%).  I used Cherry Cobbler cardstock to cut this out.  If you use this trick, the little pieces pop out easily.

The greeting is from Parisian Blossoms and is stamped on a strip of Petal Pink cardstock in Pool Party ink.  I used a Bone Folder to curve the greeting strip and adhered it with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The Petal Pink Metallic Edge Ribbon is tied in a bow and anchored to the sentiment strip with a Mini Glue Dot.  A Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewel adds a simple hint of sparkle.  **I'm just now seeing I left one little itty bitty piece in the die-cut.  I realize some of you are itching to reach into the screen and poke it out and I'll apologize right now for that bit of stamping indiscretion 😊**

Click any of the images below to shop for these pretties!

Read on for the free tutorial I have just for you!

Click the image for a tutorial you can pin, download, or print.

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Thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator!  I appreciate your business!

5 Ways To Use Peaceful Poppies Elements Facebook Live Projects

I'm making a separate post for today's Facebook Live so that the resources are easily found in one spot.  If you couldn't watch live, I've posted the replay below.  Make sure to follow me on Facebook to get notified when I go live and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

You can find the project sheet here.

Remember, any order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) receives the project kits to make both cards demonstrated during today's Live!  Use Host Code 349VN7VY and be sure to place your order by Midnight ET this Friday!

Thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator!  I appreciate your business!

Another Ooh La La Card!

Can you ever have too much of Paris?  Emma and Caitlin would say "no!"  They went last April with a group from their school.  Emma was especially in love with Paris and confessed to me that she was sad to leave (and they'd been gone 10 days).  Well, I don't want to leave this Parisian Blossoms suite.  And today, I DID stamp on my card, using Parisian Beauty (my last post's card used no stamping, just dies).

Lots of fancy details on this card!  

I stamped the Eiffel Tower image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Pool Party cardstock, then used the solid outline Parisian die to cut it.  The "merci" sentiment is die-cut just once and adhered to the card base with a Fine-Tip Glue Pen.

More details:

• The script image was stamped on Petal Pink cardstock in Petal Pink ink for a subtle background that doesn't compete with the two beautiful patterns (from Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper).  What makes it a specialty paper is the champagne foil in the various patterns in the pack.
• Notice the Very Vanilla Scalloped Lace Trim edging the left side of the card.  It adds a sweet touch!
• Using Basic Black cardstock for a card base and mat makes all the other details of this card stand out.  I also love the sophistication and class it adds.
• Champagne rhinestones!  I LOVE THESE!!!!  The metallic edge of the Petal Pink ribbon is even in champagne!
• Soft Suede ink and a Stampin' Sponge were used to create a slightly vintage look to the Parisian Blossoms papers.  It's a look I never tire of.

See the Parisian Blossoms suite here.

To help you make this card, here's a tutorial for you!  Just click to save and print.

See my other Parisian Blossoms tutorial.

Today's card was based on the most current sketch challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.  You are always welcome to upload what you make with this sketch.  We love seeing it!

Don't forget about my Facebook Live special!

Any order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) receives the project kits to make both of the

candy holders!  Use Host Code 349VN7VY and be sure to place your order by Midnight ET Friday, January 10, 2020!

shopwithnicole.stampinup.net

Video and post here

Ooh La La!

I'm an armchair traveller.  Yes, I go places (Alaska and Las Vegas in the last 4 months) but my strong preference is to stay home.  Everything I love most is here!  The great thing about this personality quirk is that I will listen to your travel stories and look at your travel photos for as long as you like because I genuinely enjoy hearing about others' adventures.  So set that projector up, load up the slides, and invite me over!  

Wait, I think I'm in the wrong decade with that sentence.  Not having a cell phone, I get confused at times and think I'm back in the '80s.

Parisian Beauty is all the Paris I need.  It's part of Stampin' Up!'s Parisian Blossoms suite, found on page 14 in the Mini Catalog (don't have a copy?  Click here to see it online or to request a free catalog package).  My card today features this suite and uses last week's Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge.

I just realized I did not stamp at all on this card!  I did, however, use the Parisian dies, which coordinate with the stamp set.  Look at the detail of the Eiffel Tower die!  I die-cut it with Champagne Foil paper to match the Champagne Rhinestones Basic Jewels.  I also sprinkled in a few Holiday Rhinestones Basic Jewels in Pool Party.  ❤

The "merci" is also a die from the Parisian set.  I cut three from Petal Pink cardstock, then glued them together using a Fine-Tip Glue Pen.  I like the lift and attention that trick gives.

A swirl die-cut with Pool Party cardstock and a sweetly tied Petal Pink Metallic-Edged Ribbon add elegant detail.  I also used a Stampin' Sponge to apply Soft Suede ink to the edges of the Parisian Blossoms Designer Series Paper.

Don't forget about my Facebook Live special!

Any order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) receives the project kits to make both of the

candy holders!  Use Host Code 349VN7VY and be sure to place your order by Midnight ET Friday, January 10, 2020!

shopwithnicole.stampinup.net

Video and post here

If you enjoy my blog, tutorials, videos, and tips, please consider choosing me as your demonstrator.  My goal is to give you a fantastic stamping experience!

Projects From Today's Catalog Launch Party on Facebook

Happening today on The Joyful Stamper Facebook page!

After each Live demonstration, I'll post the projects here, along with the supply list.  Make sure to check in throughout the day if you can't make the Lives!  You can always watch the replay from my Facebook page.

Ordering Special through Monday, January 6 at midnight ET using Host Code 349VN7VY

Any Size Order - free mega tutorial of all 9 projects shown at the Catalog Launch Party (photos, and step-by-step instructions); $20 value!

$50 - $74 Order - Free Level 1 Sale-A-Bration (SAB) item PLUS mega tutorial

$75 - $99 Order - Free pack of 4"x6" Designer Series Paper Sampler PLUS Level 1 SAB item PLUS mega tutorial

Over $99 - Your best deal is the Starter Kit!  You get $125 of product of your choosing, a free mini paper cutter, free 6"x6" Paper Sampler Pack, free stamp set of your choice, and free shipping!  

Shop my Online Store here to snag your free items!

Sign Up here for the best deal and to be part of My Joyful Stampers team!  I welcome both hobby and business demonstrators (most demos sign up just for the discount and have a blast with it!).

Peaceful Poppies Suite 

See the Live demonstration here and share to be entered into a drawing for a jar of Shimmer Black Stampin' Embossing Powder!  Type "shared" in the comments of the video.

Peaceful Poppies suite

Sending You Thoughts Sale-A-Bration Level 1 Free Item (order the Peaceful Poppies bundle or suite and get this set for free)!  Share the video to be entered into a drawing for a Ribbon Share package (share, then type "shared" in the comments of the video)!

From My Heart Suite

See the Live demonstration here and here (my phone shut off so it's in 2 parts)!

From My Heart suite

Stitched So Sweetly Dies

Under My Umbrella Bundle

See the Live demonstration here and share to be entered into a drawing for a free Metallic Twine & Sequins pack!  After you share, type "shared" in the video's comments.

Under My Umbrella Bundle (10% discount)

Stitched So Sweetly Dies

Metallic Twine & Sequins Pack (buy the two items above and choose this as your free Sale-A-Bration item)!

Request your catalog package here!

Click below to see each catalog online

Happy New Year From The Tropics!

Well, not really.  I'm not in the tropics.  Brian wishes he was in the tropics.  I wish there was a foot of snow on the ground.  But it has felt like spring the last week here in Pittsburgh, PA and it's the end of December so that's pretty tropical in my book.  

My point is Happy New Year!

Did you stay in?  Go out?  Years and years ago, Brian and I went to Times Square to watch the ball drop.  The crowd was sectioned off in "holding pens" for safety and once you were in, you were in until midnight.  We got there around 6pm and quickly realized the smart, experienced celebrants wore adult diapers - no joke!  The confetti that rained down at midnight was spectacular.  That feeling of finally being a part of something huge you've only witnessed on TV for years was incredible.

The Tropical Oasis suite took my breath away when I first saw it in the 2020 Mini Catalog (request a catalog package here).  The MANY bright colors caught my eye first, quickly followed by the stamp and die images.  I actually felt my heart beat a bit faster as I pored over the suite pages.  Let's check out all the details on this card!  

Yes, these flowers in the stamp set have a die, so if you don't like fussy cutting, yay!  I frayed the ends of the Braided Burlap Trim so that it would stand out more.  To do this, gently pull the sides of the trim with your right and left hands until it's separated to your liking.  I used Mini Glue Dots to stick the trim down on my card. 

Can you see the subtle woven background?  I tapped a Soft Suede ink pad on the raised pattern side of the Coastal Weave 3D Embossing Folder, then laid a piece of So Saffron cardstock on it.  Lightly pressing the paper with my fingers transferred the pattern.  I love how some spots didn't transfer as strongly as others - that variation is wonderful!  

I used the Coastal Weave 3D Embossing Folder in the more traditional way here.

In addition to dies for the flowers in the Timeless Tropical stamp set, there are dies to cut palm tree fronds.  I cut a bunch in Pear Pizzazz and used Stampin' Dimensionals to tuck them behind the flowers.

To color the flowers, use Sponge Daubers.  Slip one on your finger, tap it on the ink pad of your choice, then apply the color in a circular motion, using a light touch.  You can layer color using this method, going darker with each application, or use multiple colors.  

I went too dark with the flower centers, so I added Gold Faceted Gems to hide it a bit.

It tickled me to no end to find the "thank you" sentiment in Timeless Tropical fit inside this leaf die!  I stamped the leaf in Pear Pizzazz ink on Pear Pizzazz cardstock, then die-cut it with the coordinating In The Tropics dies.  

And do you see that paper?  *sigh*  Tropical Oasis it's called.  It's lovely, and it's available January 3, which is THIS Friday!

Speaking of January 3.......

You're invited to my Catalog Launch Party!

I'm so excited about the January - June 2020 Mini Catalog that I'm devoting an entire day to showing off the stunning projects you can make with its new products!  January 3 is the day it goes live, along with the 2020 Sale-A-Bration catalog.  Follow my Facebook page and set your notifications to alert you when I go live so you don't miss it!

What is Sale-A-Bration? It's a special brochure with tons of fun product that you can earn for free.  Level 1 items are earned with every $50 order and Level 2 items are earned for every $100 order.  There are no limits to what you earn.  

• Order $50-->earn one Level 1 item
• Order $100-->earn two Level 1 items OR one Level 1 item
• Order $150-->earn three Level 1 items OR one Level 1 item plus one Level 2 item PLUS Stampin' Rewards (free product of your choosing)!
• And it just keeps going!

Need your own copy to follow along with during my Catalog Launch Party on January 3?  Request a catalog package here or email me at nicole @thejoyfulstamper.com with your mailing address.

Thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator and giving me the opportunity to earn your business!

Using Leftover Packaging to Make Halloween Decor

This will be my last Halloween project.  I spent Saturday creating Christmas cards for an upcoming local class and it was so exciting to play with all of it!  If you are in the Pittsburgh, PA area, I invite you to the 5 Cards of Christmas at the Sewickley Public Library on November 12.  Event details are found here.  I am IN LOVE with the cards we're making!

When I opened my package of Coffin Treat Boxes to make this treat holder, I was impressed with the sturdiness of the chipboard backing.  I saved it, knowing I wanted to make something out of it.  This is that something!  

It's quirky, it's weird, but I adore it!  The images were cut from a sheet of the Monster Bash Designer Series Paper and added with Stampin' Dimensionals.  This particular sheet stumped me when it came to cards, but it was perfect for this project.  I randomly sponged Memento Tuxedo Black ink on the tissue paper.  Follow along with the photo tutorial as I show you how to create the foundation.

Gather your supplies - Mod Podge, foam brush, chipboard piece, and tissue paper.  Start with tissue much larger than the chipboard piece, but there are no exact measurements for this.

Using the foam brush, cover the chipboard with Mod Podge.

Lay the tissue paper on the Mod Podged side of the chipboard.  Gently scrunch to create wrinkles.  If it accidentally tears, push more tissue paper over that spot.

Flip the chipboard over and add Tear 'N Tape along all four sides.

Trim the tissue paper and clip the corners on a diagonal (this makes for neater folded corners).  Remove the Tear 'N Tape liner.

Fold over the tissue paper edges and press onto the adhesive.

Punch some holes in the finished piece and run Basic Black Scalloped Ribbon through them, knotting it at the top, to create a hanger.

I made a second decor piece using the same process.  I accidentally deleted the photo of it but I do have the side-view close-ups. 

For this one, I die-cut a bunch of frames from the Ornate Frames dies set and added them with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Some images were stamped (from Spooktacular Bash), colored with Stampin' Blends, then trimmed with Paper Snips.  I added some retired Pumpkin Pie Glimmer Paper and stuck on the crows from the Monster Bash Enamel Shapes pack.  You can make any color glimmer paper by using a sponge dauber and ink pad to add color to Sparkle Glimmer Paper.

It's great when we can make decorative pieces from things we would ordinarily toss.  I have a weakness for sturdy chipboard.  Here are two other fun uses:

• Make a mini album - of a vacation, senior portraits, school pictures, Christmas through the years, your baby month-by-month.....there are tons of ideas!
• Run it through a Xyron with a magnet cartridge for homemade die storage

You'll find the supplies for these projects in my online store.  Just click on the link and it will take you straight to it.  I appreciate your business!

Coffin Treat Boxes

Basic Black Scalloped Ribbon

Spooktacular Bash Bundle (10% discount)

Monster Bash Designer Series Paper

Monster Bash Enamel Shapes

White Chalk Marker

Stampin' Blends

Stampin' Dimensionals

Sweet 'N Simple Monthly Card Class

Local live teaching (Pittsburgh, PA area)

Event details here