My Dad's Valentine Tradition

My dad is the best.  He has a tradition of gifting me with a Valentine's gift each year.  When I was growing up, it was always a funny card plus a stuffed animal or other such item.  When I got married, he continued to send me a card each year, but they were more serious in their messages.  After my three girls (his granddaughters) were born, he started the Valentine's tradition with them.

Well, this year he sent us a box of chocolate-dipped strawberries and they were fancifully decorated with swirls and hearts!  Emma is away at college, but he didn't forget about her - she got her own box of strawberries delivered to her dorm!  My dad is the ultimate gentleman, always spoiling his girls, holding doors for us, letting us go first, etc.   

Since today is the day we celebrate love, this card is perfect!  It was one of our Make-N-Takes at the Las Vegas Stampin' Up! Onstage.  Soft colors, a beautiful script font, and gentle touches of elegance mean this card could be given at a wedding or to your one true love.

The greeting is from the Forever Blossoms stamp set and was stamped in Smoky Slate ink on Whisper White cardstock.  A length of Petal Pink Metallic Edge Ribbon was folded back and forth and adhered beneath the greeting with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels sprinkle the card with understated bling.

The larger flower image is also from Forever Blossoms and is stamped on a piece of Parisian Blossoms Designer Series Paper in Smoky Slate ink.  Light & Dark Old Olive and Light & Dark Petal Pink Stampin' Blends markers were used to color the image.  I colored lightly and quickly to avoid smearing the ink, using the bullet point of the marker.

There's a bit of Vellum cardstock peeking out from underneath the DSP.  I love how both pieces are slightly tilted.  It matches the feel of the folded ribbon underneath the greeting.  It's little details like that that make a card interesting!  And isn't it great that you don't have to fuss to make your layers straight?

You Can Make It!

• Forever Blossoms stamp set
• Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper
• Champagnes Rhinestones Basic Jewels
• Petal Pink Metallic Edge Ribbon
• Vellum cardstock
• Pool Party cardstock 
• Whisper White cardstock 
• Light & Dark Old Olive Stampin' Blends
• Light & Dark Petal Pink Stampin' Blends
• Stampin' Dimensionals

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

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• High-quality stamping products make your crafting experience better so don't cheat yourself!  Shop my store for your crafting supplies!
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Thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator!  I appreciate your business!

Free 4"x5" DSP Sampler Special from The Joyful Stamper

4"x6" Designer Series Paper Sampler Special from The Joyful Stamper Order any of the featured bundles or suites below and you'll receive a 4"x6" Designer Series Paper Sampler from me.  To receive your free DSP Sampler, your order must be placed through my online store with Nicole Steele as your selected demonstrator.  Your DSP Sampler will be mailed separately.  This offer expires Monday February 17, 2020 at Midnight ET.   
Stampin' Up! heard every stamper's plea for more masculine sets, paper, and embellishments.  Flip through the Mini Catalog and you'll find several fantastic bundles and suites suitable for those MAN cards.  Let's take a closer look at a few.

By The Dock Bundle
Found on page 49 of the 2020 Mini Catalog, it's a stamp and die bundle (also available separately).  It's outdoorsy with a relaxed, peaceful vibe and the line art makes it wonderful for those who love to color.  But the coordinating dies cut out almost every image in this set, so you could skip the coloring by stamping on colored cardstock and die-cutting.  You also can build a scene with the stamps and dies!  Take a look at the Stampin' Up! video below:

Card samples found on page 49 of the 2020 Mini Catalog
A Make It Simple card sample on page 49 of the 2020 Mini Catalog (just the stamp images were used, no dies)

Mountain Air Bundle This is another great outdoors set, using the mountains and forests for inspiration, found on pages 52-53 of the 2020 Mini Catalog.  The word "majestic" comes to mind when I look at these images.  A unique feature of the Mountain Air set is its ability to be stamped using both the front and back sides of each image.  Ink up one side to get the fabulous detail and ink up the other side to add solid color to the detail.  No coloring skills (or patience) required!  The coordinating die set makes simple work of cropping trees, clouds, and mountains for great scene-building effects.  Watch the Stampin' Up! video below to see it in action: 

Create shadow and silhouette effects with the solid side of the stamp images.
Stamp the Mountain Air trees in all of Stampin' Up!'s green shades, then die-cut and layer for an unusually multi-toned look.

Outdoor Barbecue (my personal favorite!) Fire up the creative grill!  It's time to make an awesome man card!  I love that "Holy smokes it's your birthday" sentiment.  You could use the flame to tell your man you think he's smokin' hot, too!  😉  Oh, the fun to be had with this set!  You can find it on page 50 of the 2020 Mini Catalog.

Create pocket card invitations to your next backyard barbecue or "light up" your greeting with that flame.

Country Club Suite Argyle and plaid are prominently featured in the Designer Series Paper and 3D Embossing Folder in this suite.  Wood Accents and a Twine Combo Pack in bright classic colors let you add fun embellishments and still keep the card masculine.  The Wood Accents can be colored with Stampin' Blends, heat embossed, covered with Designer Series Paper, or stamped with ink.  See it all on pages 46-48 in the 2020 Mini Catalog.  Get a close-up of the Country Club Designer Series Paper in the Stampin' Up! video below:

Do you spy the shaker card made with Country Club Elements and tufts of grass die-cut with the Golf Club dies?  Love the unique way to use those pieces!
4"x6" Designer Series Paper Sampler Special from The Joyful Stamper Order any of the featured bundles or suites above and you'll receive a 4"x6" Designer Series Paper Sampler from me.  To receive your free DSP Sampler, your order must be placed through my online store with Nicole Steele as your selected demonstrator.  Your DSP Sampler will be mailed separately.  This offer expires Monday February 17, 2020 at Midnight ET.   

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Want a catalog and don't already work with a demonstrator you love?  Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or via this form.
• Never miss a beat in the stamping world - subscribe to The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News, a weekly email that specially delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Sign up and get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a thank you!
• High-quality stamping products make your crafting experience better so don't cheat yourself!  Shop my store for your crafting supplies!
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

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

Splitcoaststampers Card Sketch 788 & Blog Candy

Today's my mom's birthday!  I wanted to make her an extra-special card, customized exactly to what she loves.  ***Alert: throwback Stampin' Up! products ahead!  If flashbacks make you dizzy, do not look ahead!*** 😊

I started with this week's Splitcoaststampers card sketch because...well...that's how I usually begin a card!  It amazes me that every Wednesday the sketch artists come up with something fun and original.  It always lights my creative fire!  And anyone is welcome to upload and post what s/he creates with the sketch.  So jump in!  You are welcome here!

My mom loves her cats so when thinking of how to let her know, via a birthday card, that the Steele clan KNOWS their momma/grandmomma, my mind went to a retired Stampin' Up! set - Pretty Kitty.

Those kittens were/are the sweetest!  Raise your hand if you have this set - ✋  

I used watercolor paper and watercolor pencils to color those cuties.  An Aqua Painter or Blender Pen can be used to blend the pencil colors, but always use Jet Black Staz-On ink to stamp when watercoloring (the image won't bleed).  The kittens are popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals on circles die-cut from the Layering Circles dies and Rich Razzleberry cardstock.

I distressed and sponged with Soft Suede ink and a Stampin' Sponge many of the layers on this card.  The paper is the retired Share What You Love Designer Series Paper.  That was a monster pack and I have quite a bit left.  The Pearlized Doily peeking out from the Mint Macaron layer adds a bit of fancy and glimmer to the card.  I like how the scallops of the Doily match the scallops on the Layering Circles die-cut pieces.  I think my mom is really going to love this card!  

What older Stampin' Up! products do you love to use still?  Let me know in the comments and I'll draw a name to win a 4"x6" sampler pack of some of this Share What You Love Designer Series Paper.  Blog Candy drawing ends Friday February 14, 2020 at Midnight ET.  Name will be drawn and announced Saturday February 15, 2020.

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Want a catalog and don't already work with a demonstrator you love?  Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or via this form.
• High-quality stamping products make your crafting experience better so don't cheat yourself!  Shop my store for your crafting supplies!
• Never miss a beat in the stamping world - subscribe to The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News, a weekly email that specially delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Sign up and get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a thank you!
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

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

Happy (Half) Hour Facebook Live Stamping Class

Every Tuesday at 2 PM ET I go live on The Joyful Stamper Facebook Page.  Everyone is invited - those of you curious about stamping, new to stamping, experienced at stamping, or already a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!  

Today I'm using the gorgeous, brightly colored Painted Poppies suite of products.  I especially love the Designer Series Paper and Elements pack!  

You can watch the replay below.  Make sure to follow me on Facebook to get notified when I go live and subscribe to my YouTube channel (hit the bell, too!).

You can find the project sheet for today's Happy (half) Hour Live projects here.

Remember, any order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) receives the project kits for today's Live!  Use Host Code AHKD9ZWS and be sure to place your order by Midnight ET this Friday!

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Want a catalog and don't already work with a demonstrator you love?  Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or via this form.
• Never miss a beat in the stamping world - subscribe to The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News, a weekly email that specially delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Sign up and get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a thank you!
• High-quality stamping products make your crafting experience better so don't cheat yourself!  Shop my store for your crafting supplies!
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

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

The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News

There's a new way to get your Stampin' News!

Starting today, you can get The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News delivered straight to your inbox!  

• Stay better informed and in a more timely fashion (no more missed Clearance Rack Updates) 
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You'll never have to hunt for these or wonder if you missed seeing them on my blog!  It's personal service, delivered straight to you.  And as a thank you for subscribing, a free pdf exclusive to Stampin' News subscribers will be delivered to your inbox.  I'm so grateful for YOU and I love showing my appreciation!

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Want a catalog and don't already work with a demonstrator you love?  Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or via this form.
• High-quality stamping products make your crafting experience better so don't cheat yourself!  Shop my store for your crafting supplies!
• Never miss a beat in the stamping world - subscribe to The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News, a weekly email that specially delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Sign up and get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a thank you!
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

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