Spring is almost here and now you have three new digital downloads to help add new life to all your My Digital Studio projects! You will love these new ribbons, Designer Series papers, and 3-D box patterns, and they’ll make the perfect addition to your My Digital Studio library.  Don’t forget that you do not have to have My Digital Studio to use the downloads.  They come in png/jpg form as well for use in your favorite graphics program. 

	Satin Ribbon Digital Download #121063 $3.95 These classy satin ribbons, now available as a digital download for My Digital Studio, are the perfect embellishment. These ribbons come in nine exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors and can be used as knots, bows, and straight ribbon in all your digital projects.
	Mini Project Boxes Digital Download #120171 $1.95 You get the best of both digital and paper crafting with the Mini Project Boxes digital download for My Digital Studio. With this fun download, you get two Designer Series paper patterns and two box template stamp brushes that you can lay over the top. Even better, these patterns can be used with any other paper in your My Digital Studio library. Just stamp, print, cut and fold and you have beautiful boxes that can be used for any occasion!
	Spring Shades Designer Series Paper Digital Download #120172 $4.95 Put a little spring in your step (and your digital projects) with the Spring Shades Designer Series paper download for My Digital Studio. These beautiful papers can be used as backgrounds or embellishments, and are sure to put new life into your creative projects.

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

I wanted to do a quick blog post to let you know that I am still alive and kicking and getting ready for the Easter Bunny!

I was in a spring mood yesterday – will it ever get here?  Anyway, I whipped up these little goodies to set out for pretty.

I used the Chocolate Bunny stamp set and made a few bunnies for the bucket. I also decorated some plastic eggs using the rubons and bling from the Eggcellent Eggs kit on page 23 of the Occasions mini catty.

On the spring flowers tree, I used various Stampin’ Up! designer papers, punches and several of the Sizzix dies and the Big Shot.

I changed my outside decorative flags today. I took down my snowbirds and put up my Happy Easter flags. I am “past ready” for the snow and rain to be out of here.

Spring – bring it on!

Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator
Tarboro, NC

We have a winner everyone!  For those of you just joining us here at CARDScraps, we had our first blog candy contest start last week.  It was easy to enter.  All you had to do was upload any card, scrapbook page, or altered item to our gallery.  You can read all of the details here.

Drumroll – our winner for our first Blog Candy is jacq4209 for her upload of her altered water bottle.

Congratulations jacq4209 – watch for a private message coming your way!

For those of you who would like another chance to win the Happy Moments stamp set, click here to learn how!

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

With all of the snowstorms happening lately here in the US, it’s no wonder I’m starting to long for Spring.  Just last weekend, we had 6″ of snow here around Charleston, SC.  I know you’re thinking that 6″ of snow isn’t that big of a deal, but we only get snow about once every 10 years so this was a huge deal to us.  Our power was out for almost 24 hours and some people were without power for 72 hours. Anyway, just a week later and we have 70 degree temps and I’m running around in shorts.  So YES, can you say Spring fever?

Today I’m showcasing a card I created using the Flower for All Seasons stamp set.  This is actually a stepped up version of a card that I designed for Brenda to teach the ladies at the nursing home in March.

We’re starting something new here at CARDScraps – Project Sheets!  What are Project Sheets, you ask?  Well, Project Sheets are downloadable, printable instructions to create the projects we’re showing.  Not all of the projects and cards we show will have project sheets, but we’re going to try our best to give you tons of instant downloadable inspiration!

We’ve created a new section in our Resources just for our Project Sheets.  Right now, there is only one in there and it just so happens to be for this card.  You can check it out and download it using the link at the bottom of this post.

Something else I’d love for you to check out is our new video channels!  We now have our own channel at Vimeo and YouTube.  You can subscribe to our video channels on either one as we’ll be uploading to both of them in the future. 

I’m also very excited to announce that both Brenda and I are making videos now.  Brenda had been making them all by herself and I finally got my camera setup so that I could do some too.  So far I’ve added 3 new videos to our Videos section (and both video channels).  The latest one actually shows you a super fast way to make the cute bow I have on today’s card which I’ve included below.  For those of you reading via email subscription or RSS reader will need to click through to view the video.

So, I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s post.  I know it’s been a little while since our last post, but as you can see, we’ve been super busy behind the scenes!  If you have any questions, just let us know.

• Download the You’re Too Kind Project Sheet
• View the video on YouTube
• View the video on Vimeo

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  A Flower for All Seasons, Whimsical Words
• Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Whisper White and So Saffron card stock, Shades of Spring designer paper
• Ink:  Basic Black
• Other:  Scallop Trim Border Punch, 3/16″ Corner Rounder Punch, Glue Stick, Dimensionals, Silver Brads, Stampin’ Write Markers, 5/8″ So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack

It’s been one of the hottest trends lately – using the Big Shot with fabric!  You may recall the too cute Rag Bags that we made a few months ago.  Well, that’s just the tip of the iceberg!  Stampin’ Up! recently gave all of the demonstrators at the Stampin’ Up! Leadership Convention one of these divine quilted squares.  Not to mention, they had quilts and other examples showing many of the cool ways you can use your Big Shot with fabric.  Oh – and did I tell you that the Big Shot can cut through up to 8 layers of fabric at one time?  How’s that for fast and precise cutting!

The flower quilt block you see here uses two different Sizzix dies – the 5-Point 3D Star (#113473) for the flower petals and the Scallop Circle #2 (#113469) for the flower center and leaf.  Click on the image to zoom in.  Can you imagine a whole quilt made from these squares?  LOVE IT!  You don’t have to be a seamstress either.  These are meant to have that shabby, rustic appearance that is all the rage right now, so your frayed edges are going to look fabulous!

Hopefully we’ll be able to show you some more great ways to use your Big Shot with fabric to create one-of-a-kind gifts and home decor in the near future.  I know I’m super excited about trying several different projects.

So – are you ready to make your very own quilt block?  Well, you can download the instructions right here.  Just click on the image below to download the pdf that contains the pattern and instructions.

Click here to order your Big Shot today! 

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

Yes – you heard me right!  There are still some items available from the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog.  In fact, these items are going to be carried over into the next Idea Book & Catalog that will be coming out in July.  I’m very excited about a few of these items, because I didn’t get a chance to get them previously and want to make sure I add them to my arsenal of rubber stamping supplies.

I just recently got a couple more of the Shimmer Paints and have made my very own Shimmer Mist!  I LOVE the way the shimmer paint works as a shimmer mist, so we may have to give you a little tutorial on how to do this.  You’re gonna love it too!

	Ornament punch #116794 $15.95
	Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint #116806 $5.95
	Frost White Shimmer Paint #116854 $5.95
	Platinum Shimmer Paint #116807 $5.95
	Decor Elements Blocks #116829 $9.95
	Stampin’ Up! Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty #116824 $7.95
	Stampin’ Up! Holiday Windows Magnetic Movers & Shapers #116821 $29.95
	Stampin’ Up! Table Setting Bigz XL die #116819 $42.95
	Stampin’ Up! Embosslits Merry die #116820 $11.95
	Stampin’ Up! Sizzlits Merry Details die #116823 $5.50
	Stampin’ Up! O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Bigz XL die #116822 $42.95
	Stampin’ Up! Tree Decorations Sizzlits die #118140 $5.50
	My Digital Studio #118108 $79.95
	Charming stamp set #116519 $19.95

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

I made up this adorable card for an upcoming “Punches” card swap at CARDScraps. Isn’t the owl just precious!

I used Chocolate Chip for the card base and layered a piece of Kraft CS next and then attached a piece of the Welcome Neighbor DSP Pack.

Next, I punched out all of the pieces for the owl – Head: Round Tab Punch, Chocolate Chip; Wings: Scallop Circle Punch, 1-Chocolate Chip, 1-Kraft; Body: 1-3/4″ Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip; Eyes: 1/2″ Circle Punch, Regal Rose; Feet and Nose: Boho Blossoms Punch, Only Orange.

Then I began the process of putting the owl together. I attached the feet to the back of the body and adhered it to the DSP. Then I put the wings together by offsetting them a bit and adhered them to the body. Next I adhered the nose, face and eyes. I used a couple of wiggle eyes to give it some added pizzaz! I applied some white dots on the wings with the Signo Gel Pen. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment.

The Welcome Neighbors DSP Pack is only available during Sale-A-Bration. HURRY, this offer ends March 31.

Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator
Tarboro, NC

Stamp:  Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:  Only Orange, Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Regal Rose CS, Welcome Neighbor DSP Pack
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Punches:  Round Tab, Scallop Circle, 1-3/4″ Circle, 1/2″ Circle, Boho Blossoms
Accessories:  Signo Gel Pen, Snail, Glue Dots, Wiggle Eyes – Stash
Technique:  Punch Art
Inspiration:  Brandy Cox

Well, kinda.  We decided that we wanted to jump on the blog candy wagon and give our readers an opportunity to win a stamp set.  But when we got to thinking about it, we decided that rather than just hear from our readers and ask them to leave comments, we want to see what you’re making!  So with that being said, our blog candy is more like – hhhhmmmm – Upload Candy!

How does it work?  Simple!  All you have to do is upload your cards, scrapbook pages, altered items, etc. to our gallery.  Every project you upload earns you another chance to win!  Now, you do have become a registered member of our site in order to upload, but registration is free and there are no strings attached! 

What can you win?  Up for grabs is the adorable Happy Moments stamp set shown below.  Right now, the only way you can get this stamp set is either win it, or earn it through Sale-a-Bration!  You can’t buy it!

So, now that we’ve tempted you with free stamps – here are the details.

All gallery uploads must be completed no later than next Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010 by 11:59pm.  We will draw and announce the winner by Friday, Feb 26, 2010.

Although not a requirement, please help your fellow stampers by including the details about your project including the materials used.  Your project does not have to use Stampin’ Up! products to win.  If it does utilize Stampin’ Up! stamps, please upload it to the appropriate gallery.  If the SU! stamp set used is not listed, just upload it to the main SU gallery.

If you have any questions, please let us know.  Just click Contact Us at the top of the page.

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

As we wrap up the last few days before Valentine’s Day, I wanted to show you a quick card I made today.  Although it is very simple, I think it turned out beautiful – in fact, I think this may be the one that I give my sweetie this year.  He’s not fancy, so the card for him shouldn’t be fancy either. 

This card literally took me about 10 minutes to make.  It took me longer to decide what paper I wanted to use than to make it.  I was inspired by a card created by Michelle Wooderson – at least my layout was.  The rest just kinda fell into place.  I still have some of the printed circle embellishments that we gave away in the last CARDScraps Gazette newsletter, so that’s what I used for my main embellishment. By the way, you can sign up for in the top left corner under Newsletter Signup.  I simply punched out a larger circle from Real Red cardstock and then cut a Kraft circle with the Circle Scissors Plus.

I used the new Sending Love Specialty designer series paper and then embossed hearts from the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set on the Real Red cardstock strip on the left side. The bottom image here shows the sparkly Iridescent Ice embossing powder really well.  I finished it off with a beautiful Real Red satin bow.

I hope you like it and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  I {Heart} Hearts (WM #117010 – CM #118571)
• Paper:  Kraft, Real Red, and Very Vanilla cardstock, Sending Love Specialty designer paper
• Ink:  VersaMark
• Other:  Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Circle Punches, Circle Scissors Plus, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Stick, Scallop Trim Border Punch, I {heart} you embellishment (printed from free download in February CARDScraps Gazette newsletter)

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday afternoon.  Yesterday, the first issue of our newsletter went out.  I have received some great feedback about it so if you haven’t already, I invite you to sign up in the top left column of the blog under Newsletter Signup so you don’t miss out on any future issues.  As well as getting a first look at our spotlight technique examples, subscribers also received an exclusive printable download to use in their paper crafting.

I created a card that fits into two different weekly challenges.  First of all, the sketch I used was a Mojo Monday sketch.  Brenda shared a card earlier this week that she created for this week’s Mojo Monday sketch challenge which you can check out here.  For mine, I also decided to combine the sketch challenge with a weekly challenge from the Late Nite Stampers Yahoo Group which was to use butterflies and 100% current Stampin’ Up! product.

My color choices and some of my design elements were inspired by a card by Tessa Wise.  I still want to do a direct CASE of her card, but for this one, it was just inspired by hers.

I love how all of these colors work together.  The designer papers all come from the new Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog.  There are such a vast array of beautiful papers in that collection – perfect for card makers or scrapbookers.

I paired the Sweet Pea paper with a few other new items – the Old Olive Satin Ribbon (which is to die for) is so sleek and smooth and easy to tie into beautiful bows; the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt embellishments which are too cute and add instant charm to any card; the Scallop Trim Border Punch which you can get FREE right now during Sale-a-Bration; and of course, the Vintage Vogue stamp set which I seem to be reaching for quite often these days as it has become one of my favorites!

If you have any questions on how I did something, just let me know.  I didn’t do a tutorial on this one since it has so many details.

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Vintage Vogue (WM #117690 – CM# 118598)
• Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Old Olive, Whisper White and So Saffron cardstock, Sweet Pea designer series paper
• Ink:  Chocolate Chip, VersaMark
• Accessories:  Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers, White Embossing Powder, Curly Label and Scallop Trim Border Punches, Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Big Shot, Mat Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool, Sponges, Glue Stick, SNAIL Adhesive