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Do you prefer ladybugs or bumblebees?  In real life, definitely ladybugs. But in Stampin' Up! world, I like both of them. 

I was excited to use the Ladybug Builder Punch in club this week.  Doubly excited to make a bumblebee out of it!  

The bumblebees themselves are super easy to make.  Punch the body.  Make 1/4 inch strips of Daffodil Delight; adhere them  to the body of the bug and you have yourself a bumblebee.  

Oh, don't forget the vellum wings.  

​I almost put some leftover black rhinestones on the end of the antenna.   Almost.  It would have been cute.

Fora while, I've been seeing these hexagon shapes on other cards and wondering "Where the heck are they!!"  I consider them a hidden gem in the Stampin' Up! catalog.  They are called Beautiful Shapes dies.  They can be found in the Mini Catalog and have carried over to the new Annual Catalog.  I looked right over them in the Mini Catalog because they are paired with a stamp set I really don't care for. 

But look at all the shapes you get with this set!  The circles and rectangle-ish shapes also have some scoring around them.  You will be seeing them on another card later this week.  

Now, back to the card.

A helpful hint when making the hexagons.  Cut out the shape first and then use the Hive 3D embossing folder.  If you emboss them first, the those details are lessened when going through the Cut & Emboss machine.   So, you get a blah embossed hive shape.  Go for the dramatic!

We also brushed some Daffodil Delight ink on the hexagons.  That also really helps to bring out the embossing detail.

The Basic Black is only a single piece of card stock measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  It's the Daffodil Delight card stock that is attached to the Basic Black and opens up.  You can see in the next picture what I am talking about.  And as usual, I couldn't leave the inside with just a sentiment.  Since honeybees like flowers, I thought thought to stamp some flowers were more than appropriate!  

Don't forget to take a look at the Beautiful Shapes dies.  Now I want to use the ladybug punch to make a ladybug!

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Hello Ladybug Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [157693] $18.00	Beautifully Penned 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [156630] $0.00	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045] $9.25	Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119683] $9.25	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25
Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101856] $10.00	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $8.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Hive 3 D Embossing Folder [157955] $9.00	Beautiful Shapes Dies [158046] $29.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $125.00	Ladybug Builder Punch [157698] $18.00	Black 3/8" (1 Cm) Glittered Organdy Ribbon [147897] $8.50	Blending Brushes [153611] $12.50	Paper Snips [103579] $11.00
Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.25	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00	Fine-Tip Glue Pen [138309] $7.00	Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755] $4.00

 

 

 

 

We went from Winter weather, skipped Spring, and went directly to Summer.  I don't think we ever had the air conditioning on in May!At least, not in recent memory.  I miss the Spring!  My ideal weather temperature is in the 70s.  There were none.  I was gypped!  I can't believe that despite the hot weather, I still planted a few flowers, spread weed killer, trimmed my Climatis plant and spread 4 bags of mulch.  Talk about me being crazy.  

This card was last months Thank You card for my club peeps.  I completely forgot about these doilies and wanted to use them while I still had cardstock that matched.  

The flowers are stamped in Smoky Slate and I used the Blending Brushes to color with Misty Moonlight.  I used the brush edge to get a few darker areas.  It gives depth to the flowers.  

Want to add more zing?  Use Wink of Stella on just the flowers.  

So, I used up almost all the Misty Moonlight doilies.  I only had a few Hexagon enamel dots left, so I used them up.  Talk about a great feeling using up what I have in my stamp room.  

Helpful tip:  keep everything at your fingertips.  Don't store embellishments and such in drawers where they will be shoved to the back and forgotten.  Use what you have.  That's why you bought it.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Blessings Of Home Cling Stamp Set (English) [157930] $25.00	Special Moments Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [158081] $0.00	Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153081] $8.75	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131202] $9.25
Heart & Home 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [157928] $11.50	Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [153118] $7.50	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [147113] $8.00	Flowers Of Home Dies [157938] $32.00	Tasteful Labels Dies [152886] $31.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $125.00	Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [150673] $63.00	Heart & Home Doilies  [157956] $5.00	Blending Brushes [153611] $12.50	Misty Moonlight 1/4" (6.4 Mm) 2020–2022 In Color Ribbon [153624] $6.00
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] $4.25	Mini Glue Dots [103683] $5.25	Adhesive Backed Hexagons [158148] $7.50

 

 

 

 

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all your Mother's.  

We have had some upsetting news the past several days.  Friday, we had to put our cat down.  Clyde was over 15 1/2 years old, but I said he would live forever.  He lived a long and pampered life because of Megan.  They have been in separable since she has been working from home.  Where she was, you would find him.  He actually followed her around the house lately.  It was actually comical.  We will miss this "Damn Cat" so very much.  

.         

Back to business.  

This card might be simple, but I really like it.  Very simple. Very fun.

New In-Colors Parakeet Party and Orchid Oasis together in a card.  I had to see it before I could believe it.  I like them together!!

For the bottle, I stamped the lines directly on Orchid Oasis cardstock and embossed with the white embossing powder.    No fun stamping the color all the time!

Want to bling it up more than just the Brass Butterflies?  I almost added some rhinestones in the center of  some of the flowers.  That would really bling up the card.  

I honestly couldn't figure out how a ribbon could be put on this card.  But I don't think it needed anything else.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions an instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Bottled Happiness Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [158684] $23.00	Vintage Bottle Punch [158689] $19.00	Bottled Happiness Bundle (English) [158690] $37.75	Orchid Oasis 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159267] $9.25	Parakeet Party 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159259] $9.25
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25	Orchid Oasis Classic Stampin' Pad [159214] $8.00	Parakeet Party Classic Stampin' Pad [159208] $8.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $9.50	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] $6.00
Heat Tool (Us And Canada) [129053] $30.00	Brushed Brass Butterflies [158136] $10.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.25

 

 

It's finally here!  The new catalog launched today!  

How long is your Wish List?  Mine is way too long.  

I was playing yesterday with the new set, Nature's Prints.  I'm sure you've seen it already.  A lot of other demonstrators have been posting cards already.

I knew when I saw this set, it was going to be mine without a doubt.  I love the ferns and all the botanicals that are in this set.  The dies have a wreath included so I can't wait to play with that die.  

What do you think of the sentiment?  It's so fresh looking with the two different fonts.   I love it!  

Notice the pearls.  They aren't offered in the new In-Colors.  Want my secret?  Color them with the Stampin' Blends!  You can make any pearl the color you want with the blends.  And you don't have to wait for them to dry.  But, it only works when using the blends.  The Stampin' Write markers doesn't work.

Don't forget to work on that Wish List!

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Nature's Prints Cling Stamp Set (English) [158793] $25.00	Sun Prints 12” X 12” (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [158790] $12.00	Starry Sky 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159263] $9.25	Sahara Sand 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121043] $9.25	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $10.25
Starry Sky Classic Stampin' Pad [159212] $8.00	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [147110] $8.00	Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad [147117] $8.00	Starry Sky Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [159222] $9.00	Natural Prints Dies [158800] $37.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $125.00	Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [150673] $63.00	Pearl Basic Jewels [144219] $6.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.25

 

 

 

 

 

Today is the last day of the Retirement List! 

Did you get everything you want?  Don't forget about those retiring colors.  For me, I'll be missing Misty Moonlight the most.  Which color will you miss the most?  The items from Retirement List are still live.  They are available until tonight, or while supplies last.  

But get ready.  Tomorrow the new Annual Catalog goes live!  I'm excited for it.  The new In-Colors are gorgeous!  I thought 3 new blues was unusual, but they are completely different from each other.  I can't wait to see how you feel about them.

Say good-bye to Just Jade and Magenta Madness.  They will be forever missed.

I'm glad the Better Than Nothing stamp set is be carrying forward to the next Annual Catalog.  It's one that needs to be used more often.  It's such fun to use.

What' so fun is that the cocktails can be stamped using any color.  Make them fun!  Can you image a blue cocktail?  I sure can.  I went for the summery lemonade this time.  

I couldn't help myself.  This stamp just had to go on the inside.  Don't we all feel this way some days?  I know my girls would agree with this sentiment.  Between jobs and apartments, it's been a crazy time for both of them.

Click on the above pictures for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

Product List

 

Nothing's Better Than Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [152507] $22.00	2020–2022 In Color 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [153070] $11.50	Just Jade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153079] $8.75	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $9.75	Just Jade Classic Stampin' Pad [153115] $7.50
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $7.50	Magenta Madness Classic Stampin' Pad [153117] $7.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Love You More Than Dies [152698] $30.00	Tasteful Labels Dies [152886] $31.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $120.00	Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [150673] $60.00	Adhesive Sheets [152334] $10.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00

 

 

 

 

 

What a weekend.  I helped with a rummage sale on Friday.  It was cold, windy and not the turnout we had hoped.  Saturday, we set up again and the wind was even worse.  We were afraid of it taking the tent.  Winds and tents so freak me out!  So, after setting the sale up, we turned around and closed it back up.  I had advertised on Facebook Marketplace - Rain or Shine.  That was correct.  We would have been open if it was just that.  It was the wind that scared us into closing.  

I've had these Soft Pastels for quite some time and never used them.  I'm the only one who does that right?

To start out, I tried a super easy card.  I chose three colors to work with.  Bermuda Bay, Granny Apple Green and Daffodil Delight.  I colored my Basic White paper with the three pastels.

With the largest water painter, just color over the pastels to blend them together.  This is what my paper looked like after I blended the colors together.  Make sure you let it dry before you stamp the dragonflies.

The simplicity of the black dragonflies against the color was my intention.  They almost look like dragonfly silhouettes.

The sentiment is from the Sensational Swirls stamp set.  Simple and sweet.  Just like the card.

Click on the above picture for dimenisions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

tams# 70952

Product List

 

Dragonfly Garden Bundle (English) [156224] $36.75	Sentimental Swirls Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [157996] $22.00	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131197] $8.75	Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990] $8.75	Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119683] $8.75
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $9.75	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Soft Pastels Assortment [154585] $9.00	Water Painters [151298] $12.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $9.50
Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder [109130] $6.00	Heat Tool (Us And Canada) [129053] $30.00	Tasteful Labels Dies [152886] $31.00	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $120.00	Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [150673] $60.00
White 3/8'' (1 Cm) Glittered Organdy Ribbon [156408] $8.50	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] $4.00	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00

 

 

 

Pink is one of my favorite color of tulips.  It just makes them a happy flower.  

We did this card in April's club.  I wanted to use this stamp set, but having every row of tulips a different color just wasn't a possibility.  So, that is why you see the field of Polish Pink tulips.

Some of my people decided they as much as they liked this stamp set, they didn't want to own it.  And that is what club is about.  Using things you normally wouldn't choose to.  It gets people out of their comfort zone and making them try something new.

The blades of the windmill was hard challenging to keep the waste of the Basic White paper to a minimum.  I hate wasting paper.   The tulips are stamped on one piece of Basic White and this is matted on a second piece of Basic White.  I had my club people cut the blades from the mat, second piece of Basic White.  If you put it on looking like an "X" the cut out pieces won't show when you adhere the stamped tulip piece.

I did this stamp set when cutting the base of the windmill.  Cut the base from the Early Espresso the Basic White is adhered to.  No one will know those pieces aren't solid cardstock.  

What's the best way to adhere the Crumb Cake windmill piece to the base?  Adhesive sheets!  Add some to the Crumb Cake  and then cut out with the Cut & Emboss machine.  Instant sticker.  

For the inside, stamp the sentiment and also a few rows of the tulips.  

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

tams# 70803

Product List

 

Tulip Fields Photopolymer Stamp Set [157682] $18.00	Flowering Tulips Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [157672] $23.00	Polished Pink 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [155710] $8.75	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [119686] $8.75	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [120953] $8.75
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $9.75	Polished Pink Classic Stampin' Pad [155712] $7.50	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105] $7.50	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090] $7.50	Windmill Fields Dies [157683] $33.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $120.00	Round & Square Brads [155570] $7.00	Blending Brushes [153611] $12.00	Adhesive Sheets [152334] $10.00

 

 

 

 

For a change, we had great weather this weekend!  It felt so good turning off the heat and opening the windows and doors.  My husband even went outside and got some stuff done too.  So, if he's outside doing that, it has to be decent weather!  Megan spent Saturday sanding one of the table she bought for her new apartment.  Now the hard part is deciding how to finish the table.  She's painting white on the inside, but debating on the outside.  Stain, paint, one or both.  Decision making is not her forte.  

I hope you haven't forgotten about the Retirement List!  There are some products on the list that are 50% off!  That is a fabulous deal.  

Product List

 

Just Jade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153079] $8.75

Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock [153077] $8.75

Magenta Madness 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153080] $8.75

Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153081] $8.75

Cinnamon Cider 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153078] $8.75

 

 

Stock up on your In-Color products that will be retiring too.  I will be mourning the loss of Misty Moonlight the most.  Just Jade will also be sorely missed and  Cinnamon Cider was growing on me more and more the past few months.   That's just my luck, starting to really like a color and it goes bye-bye.   Grab the cardstock, ink pads and even blender pens while they last!  

The Retirement List goes through May 2nd.  Or while the products last.  Which ever comes first.  Some things have already sold out, so don't wait.  So many products that include the retiring In-Colors usually don't last till the end.

Have you received you new Annual Catalog?  I still have some available if you want to contact me.  There's nothing better than getting a brand new catalog in your hands to look at.  Definitely isn't the same as looking online either. 

Mark your calendars.  This new catalog goes live starting on May 3rd.  

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper