#simplestamping – Stamp with MJ

Jan’23 Paper Pumpkin=>>Key to my Heart

Have you finished your January Paper Pumpkin? No? Well- I’m here to help- with tips from the kit cards & alternative ideas. Plus, a gentle, little, loving nudge to push you to pull it out & open it up. It won’t make a mess & if you’re not done you can load it back into you Paper Pumpkin box.

I’ve set a new goal this year- complete at least one set of the PP cards. This month, there are three card designs in a set. Honestly, the cards are super easy to complete but I haven’t always been the greatest about completing a set or even open the PP boxes. So the goal will be a bit of a stretch but I love our PP Kits & I want to encourage you to give it a try. A 3 month subscription at $67.50 will give you a Sale-a-bration reward. Bump your order up to $100 in product (before tax & shipping) & you’ll get two $50 rewards or one $100 reward.

Over the next few days, I will share alternative cards using the kits contents & stamps plus Annual Catalog and Mini Catalog products. For the most part, I chose to stick with the kit’s colors: Calypso Coral, Fresh Freesia, Mango Melody, & Petal Pink. Gold looks great so add some gold paper, trim or embellishments to spice it up.

Here’s my cards; just as the SU! instructs with the easy to follow directions with great graphics. Perfect & just in time for Valentine’s Day. I’m aiming to get my Valentine cards completed & in the mail by this Tuesday 2/7 so there’s a full week for delivery.

January ‘23 Paper Pumpkin cards v. MJ a-la SU! Instructions

The kit cards come together easily. I always like to make at least one set of the original design using the pictorially detailed instructions from SU! This allows me to give you any hints or tips. Although this month, there is nothing special, I did want to share the graphics definitions or what we called in my professional life- The “Legend” or the decoding of the graphics.

On our kit instructions, you will see three dots & three hexagons. These shapes represent glue dots & Stampin’ dimensionals, respectively.

SU! Paper Pumpkin Instructions with
MJs Legend/Code

Here’s a picture of everything you received.

If you didn’t get this month’s PP kit, you can still order next month’s “Sunshine & Smiles” kit by the 10th of the month. This kit perfectly coordinates with the Rain or Shine Suite Collection (#160556). That Balmy Blue will coordinate with the Mini Catalog’s Country Gingham 6 x 6 DSP (#160388) and Country Floral Lane 12×12 DSP (#160375)- at least I think so. More on that kit later.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s alternative cards. Have a great Sunday! Happy Stamping! Marilyn (aka MJ)

Adorable Owls

Have you seen the Adorable Owls Sale-a-Bration stamp set? There are so much creativity with this set. I think because it is truly adorable. For my next three posts I will be sharing cards made with this set & the same sketch- my Sketch 2.

There’s a casual card (today) an avid card & an artfully avid card. Basically it’s a simple card that’s stepped up some in version 2 & stepped up even more in the third version. Nice to have options. Here’s the casual card.

Chose three pieces of coordinating double sided Designer Series Paper (DSP). Cut to 3.75 x 4.5″. TIP: If you use 12 x 12 paper you can get 6 sets. Then cut the 4.5″ side at 1.5″ and 3″. Now there are 3 pieces that are 1.5″ by 3.75.

Pick a coordinating color of cardstock & cut a 4″ X 4.75″ piece to serve as a mat. Mine is Calypso Coral. Mount the three 1.5″ x 4″ DSP pieces equal distance on the cardstock. Set aside. TIP: Align the two outer pieces approximately the same distance from the edges & then center the middle piece between the two outer pieces.

Using a scrap piece of coordinating cardstock, stamp the owl in Basic Black. Stamp your sentiment using the same color of cardstock. Also cut a 1/2″ X 4″ piece of the same color of cardstock & add dimensionals to the back. Tie a piece of ribbon in a coordinating color around the cardstock strip.

Punch out the stamped owl using the Decorative Circle punch. Color the owl according to your taste. Since this is a casual card, I didn’t color much & this is also why I used a light colored cardstock in Fresh Freesia. The non-white background gives the image some fun without adding a lot of time for coloring.

The last steps are building your card. Adhere your DSP-cardstock panel to the card base. Adhere the ribbon-cardstock strip across the center of the DSP panel. Adhere the Owl and the sentiment to the outside. Add a sentiment to the inside.

It’s a very basic card that’s easy to mass produce. I always like the clean & simple designs for a swap group that I belong to. But these stampers are so experienced that I don’t want it to be boring. In my next post, I’ll show how to take it up a notch.

Supplies: from Annual Catalog unless otherwise stated
Stamps: Adorable Owl #160269 (Sale-a-bration ’23) ; Sentiment- Something Fancy #160416 (Jan-April ’23 mini Catalog)
Cardstock: Fresh Freesia #155613, Calypso Coral #122925
Designer Series Paper (DSP): Dandy Designs #160836 (Sale-a-bration ’23)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black #132708; for coloring: Fresh Freesia #155611, Calypso Coral #147101, Gray Granite #147118
Tools: Decorative Circle Punch #159174, Blender pen #102845
Accessories: Fresh Freesia Open Weave Ribbon #155615

Come back soon for the second card- the Avid version. Thanks for stopping today. Happy Stamping, Marilyn (aka MJ)

Petal Park & Regency Park

Hi friends! I hope you had a great weekend. Today I’m sharing the new stamp set & punch bundle called Petal Park. It’s part of a Suite Collection called Regency Park. The Suite has two stamp sets, a punch & dies plus Designer Series Paper, textured Shimmer paper, Embossing Folder, ribbon & Milky Dot embellishments. All perfectly coordinated in true Stampin’Up style.

You’re going to love this fresh & trendy suite. The colors are so crisp just in time for our spring creations. Here’s a look at the Designer Series Paper (DSP).

REGENCY PARK 6″ X 6″ DESIGNER SERIES PAPER • 160559 | 48 sheets: 4 each of 12 double-sided designs

The DSP was cut at an angle & mounted on a 4”x 5.25” of Night of Navy cardstock. Then the new Night of Navy Bordered Ribbon was wrapped across the connection between the two angled pieces of DSP.

Using the Stylish Shapes dies, a stitched circle was cut in Sweet Sorbet and another in Basic White. The leaves stamp was inked the Shaded Spruce & stamped off onto scrap paper & the stamped on the stitched circle.

The trio of flowers stamp was inked in Sweet Sorbet & then punched out. Three leaves in “full strength” Shaded Spruce we’re stamped & punched out. Last Milky Dots in Mango Melody were added to the center of the flowers.

Here’s one last look. Have a great day! Marilyn (aka MJ)

Enjoy the Rhythm & a Throwback Sketch

Hi friends! Today I’m sharing a card that uses the new Enjoy the Rhythm stamp set. Drums, keyboard & guitar work perfectly for my musical family & friends. So last week I made this card but wanted to keep it on the QT because it’s for my “drummer” nephew. He’s such a fantastic young adult & in addition to many great things, he plays in his church band.

Here’s a picture of the stamp set. How awesome, right?!

# 160361
ENJOY THE RHYTHM CLING STAMP SET

I used a sketch from Splitcoaststampers.com. You don’t hear about that site much anymore but it’s a great resource for all things Stamp-y. The sketch was introduced in 2007- a real flashback yet it hasn’t become outdated.

The DSP is from the Ready to Ride suite. It has a black foil on many of the pages. It’s a little hard to see but it’s obvious in real life. Very Handsome! My card’s cardstock colors are Basic Gray, Smoky Slate & Basic Black.

# 160752
READY TO RIDE 12″ X 12″ SPECIALTY DESIGNER

I hope you like my drum card & this new set. Have a great day! Marilyn (aka MJ)

Dainty Flowers meets Something Fancy

Happy New Years Eve! Are you doing anything special? We’ll be low key with my Sister & Brother in Law… lots of football & food.

Today’s post features the Dainty Flowers Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the Sale-a-bration catalog which begins on 1/5/23. Demonstrators get to order early & we’re happy to post some preview pictures. Another reason to be a demonstrator is early order & catalog view (More later about Sale-a-bration & benefits of being a demonstrator [it’s ok not to sell or hold parties]).

With that, I have a super simple card for you today. I need to make 3 sets of 12 cards over the next week. So I need super easy but I want pretty and simple (& not plain). I’ve got some family ‘irons in the fire’ that are going to keep me very busy for the next 3 weeks; its all good things but I need to keep it simple right now.

Stampin’ Up is so versatile that it lets us do both “Clean & Simple” otherwise known as CAS & an artisan or stepped-up creation, showing lots of embellishments or techniques. Or anything in-between. Whatever way you choose, you have wonderful cards.

My card today uses the free sale-a-bration DSP pack called Dainty Flowers. I picked the paper with six (6) oval floral wreathes. I cut them down to 3.5 x 4.75. It’s little tricky- I cut to 4″ wide & then cut 1/4 ” off each side. I also centered the wreath vertically. The vertical panel wasn’t quite as precise as the width, but I tried to keep the top & bottom border equivalent. I’m a math/numbers/grid girl so this was logical to me. One hint I can say: Use our grid paper to help with alignment.

In Old Olive ink, the sentiment “May the Good you do come back to you” was stamped in the center of the wreath. The sentiment is from the Something Fancy stamp set . I just love that phrase! So many people deserve this card. The sentiments in this set are worth purchasing alone but you’ll want the dies too, right?! Next, a Old Olive bow was added; the ribbon is from the Old Olive & Sahara Sand Twill Ribbon combo from the Annual Catalog (AC).

The DSP panel was mounted on Old Olive and then, with dimensionals, it was placed on a Blushing Bride card base. I left the inside blank so I could write a personal message.

It’s really simple and I hope you think it is pretty too! I hope my card swap group likes it!

You can get this paper by placing a $50 product order (before s/h & tax). Also demonstrator sign-up specials will begin soon…stay tuned for more info. Bottom line, it is a no lose situation…free product with no obligation.

Happy New Year! Have Fun & Stay safe! Marilyn (aka MJ)

Peace to You & Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I hope you & yours have a wonderful day.

I’m sharing my favorite card of the year. Like many of you, I make many different cards throughout the season so to pick a favorite is a challenge.

I do like making faith related cards for my prayer & church friends. I loved this Peace to You set from the minute I saw it in the July-December’22 Mini Catalog. Unfortunately this set is now retired & no longer available.

The gorgeous new in color ink, Starry Sky, was inked up & stamped on Basic White. I used our blending brushes & Starry Sky ink on the Silver & Gold Specialty DSP from July-August Sale-a-bration. Elegant trim from the Annual Catalog was wrapped twice & knotted on the image panel.

It was an easy card to duplicate & it’s “mail friendly”. The last card (below) was an even easier alternative- no blending & a Starry Sky card base.

Enjoy you holiday, Christmas or Hanukkah. Thank you for your continued support! Marilyn (aka MJ)

Friends make this season special

I LOVE this sentiment from the Stamp Set Christmas to Remember” which is found in the Annual Catalog. My friends are a very special part of my life & I thought a card with that sentiment would be great!

We made this card at my December 2nd Stamp-a-Stack. I wanted something not too difficult but would have a big WOW factor. I think this Snowflake Specialty Vellum, the White Glittered Organdy ribbon and the Opal Rounds do just that.

The Stamp Set and Dies are from the Annual Catalog (AC) and therefore still available. No longer bundled because it was in last years Holiday Mini Catalog. The cardstock is Orchid Oasis, one of the ’22-24 In-Colors & it was embossed with an Annual Catalog embossing folder called Wintery 3D.

The Speciality Snowflake Vellum was on the Last Chance List & discounted so it sold out fast. That’s my cue to remind you to check out that Last Chance List & the Clearance Rack.

Some of the products are shown below.

Have a great Tuesday & Merry week, Marilyn (aka MJ)