July Group Swaps!

I was the host for our monthly swap for July and the theme I picked was Christmas in July! I thought, craft stores and such are always doing specials for holiday things since so many people who like to make items for Christmas do get a jump on them early! So I figured this would help me as well get some ideas for doing my own cards and classes!

So this first card is mine. I kinda got the idea from the next card. Then I did a brief search on Pinterest, my go to place. I can't remember if I found something there or googled, but probably Pinterest.  I don't recall who I cased this from but some of the items they used are no longer available or I just didn't have them. Can you believe that! Well anyway, I did a base of Whisper White and a layer of Smokey Slate. I heat embossed the phrase in Copper Embossing powder from the Christmas Pines stamp set. That round thing in the back is from the Swirly Bird thinlits. I die cut that in the Copper Foil paper. The snowflakes are from seasonal Layers, the larger one is also in the Smokey Slate and the smaller one is in Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper. The other to things sticking out are from the Pretty Pines thinlits. I added a few rhinestones for added interest. I really like how this all came together. I hope you do too!

Here is where I got my idea from! I saw this and was going to do a different card and thought what a great idea! So I put my thinking cap on and above is what I did. Vicki made this card and think it's just beautiful! She used a few items that are very non holidayish! Vicki started with a layer of Very Vanilla and used a piece from the Bundle of Love Specialty Designer Series Paper. On one side they are all gold the other side is either Blushing Bride or Soft Sky. She die cut one of the medallions from the Eastern Medallions thinlits in gold foil, used the 1/8" gold ribbon to hang the ornament and tied a bow out of the new 3/8" Metallic-Edge ribbon, also in gold. She stamped the phrase and snowflakes in Garden Green from the Christmas Pines. I think what a great way to use some non-traditional products!

I hope you enjoyed these first two cards. I'll share the rest during the month. I can't thank all the women who participate in this swap each month! They are all just so talented! Next month we have a new member, I can't wait to see what she makes!

To purchase any of these products, you can find them in my STORE. While shopping, don't forget to to the Host Code in to earn FREE stuff from ME! I so appreciate you taking the time to stop by my blog. I look forward to reading your comments and sharing any of what you're making!

Eastern Palace Suite!!!

Have you seen this Suite? It's fabulous and as a customer you can now order it before the catalog comes out next month! I've only played with this a bit and LOVE IT! There are two different bundles to choose from.

This is the Starter Bundle #147196 $60.50

Perfect for the beginning crafter!  Includes the following:

• Eastern Beauty Photopolymer stamp set
• Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper
• Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers
• Fresh Fig Classic Stampin' Pad
• Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad
• Tranquil Classic Stampin' Pad
• Very Vanilla Note Cards & Envelops (FREE)

This is the Premier Bundle #147207 for $103.50

Perfect for the avid crafter!  Includes the following:

• Eastern Beauty Photopolymer stamp set
• Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper
• Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers
• Fresh Fig Classic Stampin' Pad
• Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad
• Tranquil Classic Stampin' Pad
• Eastern Palace Cardstock Pack (Tranquil Tide, Fresh Fig, Dapper Denim)
• Mini Tassels Assortment
• Eastern Medallion Thinlits
• Very Vanilla Thick Cardstock (FREE)
• Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (FREE)

*NOTE:  If you're looking at purchasing the premier bundle, and you've thought about joining Stampin' Up! and my stamping family...

Now might be a good idea to join!

• with the Starter Kit only $99 - you can select $125 in merchandise
• with the premier bundle at $103.50, you can still select an additional $21.50 worth of product) and only pay $99
• sale tax applies - however, shipping is FREE (another savings)!
• PLUS - as a new join, you'll have access to the new 2017-2018 Annual Catalog (and can start preordering new products beginning May 2nd - woohoo!
• if you have questions about joining, feel free to contact me.
• if you're ready to join with the Eastern Palace Bundle (Monday, May 1st) - then join here!

When you purchase either bundle, I'll have a FREE PDF for you to create projects right off the bat! When you purchase the premier bundle, I'll have a FREE Class for you to attend at the end of May (date to be deteremined) or $10 when purchasing the starter bundle! Either way you get the class! If you can't attend I'll send you PDF with images for you to create your own at home! I'll also have additional samples for you to keep on creating with this great product suite! We'll make 4 cards using the items in your bundle! Contact me to help set the date for this great class!

Eastern Palace Sneak Peek!!!

So have you seen the Eastern Palace? As a demonstrator, we are able to purchase this month to begin making samples and put together classes. It will be available to customers starting May 1 (not too far away). I finally had a chance to play with it a bit. I'm also working on putting together a class to have at my studio and as a "to go" package. So stay tuned for that! This suite uses new In Colors that will be available starting June 1!

This suite is called Eastern Palace and uses Fresh Fig, Tranquil Tide, and Lemon Lime Twist. In this card it only use two of those colors. As you can see, they have some new tassels too! They come in the gold, Tranquil Tide, & Fresh Fig.

Here is a closeup of the area that was die cut. I love the dimension, don't you? You can also see the new vinyl stickers that are a part of this suite. The one in the center on top and another underneath. I could have just attached it to the layer underneath, but used some dimensionals to lift it a bit more.

This card uses three other dies in the set. The dies are really different then anything we've had before and feel you can do so much with it. Here you can see the Lemon Lime Twist color. It's very bright so you don't need to use a lot of it.

Here the card uses the same die as above but has an added one to the center to give it another look. This card also uses the Fresh Fig tassel and another vinyl sticker.

Here's a close up of the image. Again I used a bit of Lemon Lime Twist along with the Fresh Fig and Tranquil Tide.

I hope you've enjoyed these cards. I'll be making some more and figuring which ones I'll be using for class. If you have any opinions, please leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you!

Remember this will be available May 1 and look for details about a class using this suite!

In the meantime, don't forget about the retirement list and all the stamps, inks, paper and embellishment that are retiring. There are so many items that have been reduced, they won't last! You can check out everything HERE!