The Original Balloon, Blog Candy, and Super Sales

It's not often that I repeat designs, but I really loved this card which I created while a member of the Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen. It was, of course, the inspiration for my recent Christmas Balloon card, which can be viewed here. As you can see, I CASED myself, changing only the Designer Series Paper. Enjoy!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:

• Punch Power! Balloons are so easy to create with the 2" x 1-3/8" Oval Punch. I simply punched five ovals using various patterns from the Newsprint Designer Series Paper collection. To add depth and dimension, the top three were adhered to ovals punched from the cardboard that comes with the paper! After adhering to the cardboard, the edges were rounded with a Sanding Block and distressed with Basic Gray ink.
• Layer your Top Notes! The Top Note Die and Big Shot were used to create two die cuts, one from Very Vanilla card stock, the second from Basic Black card stock. Paper Snips were used to trim the patterned Top Note at the perforation lines.
• Spritz and Daub! The Color Spritzer Tool was paired with a Basic Gray Stampin' Write Marker in order to speckle the Very Vanilla Top Note, while the edges were distressed with Basic Gray and a Sponge Dauber.
• Snip! Snip! The "Balloon Gondola" from Sweet Centers was stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed using Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder. It was then snipped out with Paper Snips and adhered to the Top Note base.
• It all in the details! Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon is adorned with three Basic Pearls. An Antique Brad accents the Fan-Fold Flower, while a Basic Rhinestone adds a touch of bling to the balloon's basket.
• Finish with a kiss! Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz adds a beautiful patina to the fan-fold flower!

Blog Candy

In celebration of Thanksgiving, and the fact that I am thankful for all of my on-line stamping friends, I am offering a chance to win this scrumptious blog candy! Here is what it includes:

• Northern Hearts Clear Mount Stamp Set, which will arrive in time to make holiday cards
• Over 140 sheets of 6" x 6" retired Designer Series Paper
• Over 150 retired Stampin' Up! buttons
• 10 yards of Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, perfect for Christmas or Valentine's Day
• One On Board Bird Book
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Basic Rhinestones
• One Thank You card

All you need to do is leave a comment on any of my posts this week, beginning Monday and ending Thursday...Thanksgiving Day...at 11:00 PM CST. After that time I will tally up all of the comments. A random number generator will be used to determine the winner, whose name I will post on Friday. The winner will then have until Monday, November 29th to email me their name and address so that I can mail their package.

Stampin' Up! Specials!

For one week only, from now until November 30th, Stampin' Up! is offering a fantastic sale! Take advantage of discounts from 20 to 50% off AND receive free shipping on qualifying orders of $150 (products before shipping and handling). Anxious to see what is on sale...wait no more! CLICK HERE to see the list of discounted products.

CLICK HERE to order.

Take advantage of the 50% Off Starter Kit for even greater savings! Why not take advantage of all of the perks and benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator at the no-risk price of $87.50 for over $300 worth of products and business tools! Click here for more details. Have questions? I am just an email away!

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think about today's card. And as always, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time...

Click Here to Order Stampin' Up! 24/7

Stamp Set: Sweet Centers (116521); Inks: Basic Gray (109120), Basic Gray Stampin' Write Marker (120966), VersaMark (102283); Designer Series Papers: Newsprint (117166); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Basic Black (121045); Tools: Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Top Note Bigz Die (113463), Big Shot (113439), 2" x 1-3/8" Oval Punch (119859), 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (119854), Sanding Block (103301), Heat Tool (100005), Sponge Dauber (102892); Glitz and Glam: Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117285), Basic Pearls (119247), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118772), Antique Brads (117273)