Stampin-Style

PPA149 - Christmas Is For The Birds

Stampin' Up! Festival of Prints DSP & Greetings of the Season

It's the 3rd Thursday and time for the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge.  I love sketches as they really hone my skills as a paper crafting artist.  And this sketch was no different.  But I have a confession to make.  For over a year I've wanted to use Aviary as a Christmas ornament.  I FINALLY am going to use it that way.  Every time I looked at this set I thought what a great ornament the one cage would make.  A few pearls and rhinestomes and there you have it!  Part of making good use of your stamps is repurposing them.  Remember when I used this set and the oak tree from Lovely As A Tree as a fern?  It's all in perspective!

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Aviary Wood Mount (116956)
• Greetings of the Season Clear Mount (128033)

Ink -

• VersaMark® (102283)
• Cherry Cobbler Classic (126966)
• Lucky Limeade CLassic (122935)

Paper -

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Cherry Cobbler Card Stock (119685)
• Lucky Limeade Card Stock (122926)
• Festival of Prints DSP (126904)

Accessories -

• Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129)
• Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Emboss Powder (122949)
• Lucky Limeade 3/8'' Puffed Ribbon (122977)
• Basic Pearls (119247)
• Basic Rhinestones (119246)

Tools -

• Fancy Fan Folder (127751)
• Labels Collection Framelits(125598)
• Blender Pen (102845)

Putting It Together Tips:

• The best tip I can give you is to think out of the box - the clamshell box!  Take each stamp and turn it in different directions and see what it looks like.  Always keep in mind the shape or item you're looking for and don't be limited by what the item is “suppose” to be!
• You've heard this before from me but it bears repeating.  Use your DSP color chart to determine the color palette for your project.  You'll find the color chart just below the photo in the annual and mini catalogs.
• I love using embossing powders when I'm using either my Blender Pens or my Aqua Painter.  Ther embossing creases a little reservoire to keep colors from bleeding together.
• The easiest way to perfectly position small rhinestones and pearls is to remove them from the sheet using the tip of an exacto knife.  You can thyen place them perfectly in place and push down with your index finger to secure them to the design.

Have a happy and safe Holiday
And a prosperous New Year!

PPA148 - Old Fashioned Christmas

Stampin' Up! Greeting Card Kids &
Paper Doily Sizzlet

There's something about Christmases of long ago that holds a fascination for me.  Strung popcorn and cranberries on the tree, big multicolored lights decorating the roof line, the smell of a fresh spruce, and of course, hand made ornaments all tug at my heart strings.  As a child I was an expert in multicolored paper chains - remember those?  Our Be Of Good Cheer DSP would be perfect for that.  But for my Pals Paper Arts challenge this week, which is a color challenge using Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, and Crumb Cake, I decided to put it to another use.  I tried to capture the elaborate ornaments that decorated the traditional Christmas tree in the 1930s and 40s.  With the glitter of gold and simple string hanger, it brought the feeling of those Christmases right back to me.

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Greeting Card Kids Clear Mount (120633)

Ink -

• Crumb Cake Classic (126975)
• Cherry Cobbler Classic (126966)
• Always Artichoke Classic (126972)
• Early Espresso Classic (126974)
• Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Marker (120967)

Paper -

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Champagne Glimmer Paper (127885)
• Crumb Cake Card Stock (120953)
• Regals Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (117154)
• Be Of Good Cheer DSP (126896)

Accessories -

• Linen Thread (104199)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
• Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon (127841)

Tools -

• Color Spritzer Tool (107066)
• 2 3/8'' Scallop Circle Punch (118874)
• 1 3/4'' Scallop Circle Punch (119854)
• 1 1/4" Circle Punch (119861)
• Simply Scored (122334)
• Sponge Daubers (102892)
• Paper Doily Sizzlets L (125592)
• Scallop Circle Bigz (113468)

Putting It Together Tips:

• All the pieces were edged with Crumb Cake using Sponge Daubers.  This softened the edges a bit and also gave them that aged look.
• The pleated scallop circle was created by pinching out two 2 3/8'' scallop circles.  I used the Simply Scored tool to create score lines and cut each circle to the center.  They were pleated and attached together.
• The Cherry Cobbler tulle circle was created by cutting a 8“ length of ribbon.  A running stitch of the Linen Thread was stiched down the center using a large eye needle, and then gathered and the ends were tied together.  Those two ends were then passed through the center of the pleated scallop circle and through the cebter of the 1 /3/4'' scallop circle and held in place by a Dimensional.  The image circle was attached to the other side of the dimensional and the whole component was attached using a second dimensional to the lace doily.
• Although every Big Shot is different, the secret to getting my Lace Doily to cut through was a sheet of Very Vanilla card stock.  Another tip is to make sure you are using flat cutting pads.  The old set I had was curved and although they still work great for large dies, the Sizzlets seem to require a more consistent shape.

From November 1 through December 16 Stampin' Up! is including your choice of Brights, Subtles, or Regals stamp pad sets when you purchase the Starter Kit!  That's a $49.95 value on top of the great deal on the Starter Kit.  Test drive the products with no obligation to purchase anything more.  Ask me for details

For a limited time you have the opportunity to purchase single stamps from three of our most popular sets plus some individual stamps from multiple stamp sets!
Check out the SINGLE STAMPS section of my store to see the sets and the individual stamp pricing!

 

PPa147 - The Happiest Season Ever

Stampin- Up! More Merry Messages &
Lovely As A Tree

This week is a sketch challenge at Pals Paper Arts.  Although the sketch is square, the challenge is more about the components, than the shape.  One of my class attendees made a comment at the Half & Half class saying that she thought the card would have looked great with a red ribbon on it.  I happen to agree so here's a modified version with a red ribbon and sentiment.  After all it's not always black and white!

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• More Merry Messages Wood Mount (126400)
• Lovely As A Tree Wood Mount (115026)
• Four Seasons Hostess Set Wood Mount (126830)

Ink -

• VersaMark® (102283)

Paper -

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Basic Black Card Stock (102851)
• Basic Gray Card Stock (121044)

Accessories -

• White Stampin Emboss Powder (109132)
• Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Emboss Powder (122949)
• 3/8'' Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070)
• 1/4'' Real Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (126875)
• Dazzling Details Glitter Glue (124117)

Tools -

• Northern Flurry Embossing Folder (120902)
• 2 3/8'' Scallop Circle Punch (118874)
• 1 3/4'' Scallop Circle Punch (119854)

Putting It Together Tips:

• Creating a card with three adjacent panels and adding texture can be challenging.  I wanted snowflakes, but I was afraid stamping them would make the card too busy.  I cut three paneLs and positioned them in different places in the embossing folder.  I created interest without being too matchy matchy.
• I knew I wanted a mat of some sort arungf the sentiment.  (Honestly the sentiment kept switching back and forth between the circle and rectangle)  I used the winter wreath from the Hostess set to create a subtle mat and then punched it out with the 2 3/8'' scallop punch.  Then I printed the sentiment with Cherry Cobbler embossing powder and punched that out with the 1 3/4'' scallop punch.  Perfect!
• The red ribbon I had was too narrow, so I layered it on the Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon to create the width I needed and the color I wanted! 
• Although you can't really see it, I used the Dazzling Details Glitter Glue to enhance the trees.  It's the perfect glistening touch to light up snow covered trees in the moonlight!

From November 1 through December 16 Stampin' Up! is including your choice of Brights, Subtles, or Regals stamp pad sets when you purchase the Starter Kit!  That's a $49.95 value on top of the great deal on the Starter Kit.  Test drive the products with no obligation to purchase anything more.  Ask me for details

For a limited time you have the opportunity to purchase single stamps from three of our most popular sets plus some individual stamps from multiple stamp sets!
Check out the SINGLE STAMPS section of my store to see the sets and the individual stamp pricing!

PPA146 - Christmas Blessings

Stampin' Up! Christmas Blessings

Okay, so I've held off as long as I can.  It's November 1st and it's time to start making Christmas cards.  I love this set because it reminds me of stained glass, so I thought I'd enhance it a bit by doing water coloring on the card to soften the look.  Gold Stampin' Emboss powder was the color of choice for the “leading” but Pewter or Silver would have worked just as well.  I think black would have been to harsh.

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Christmas Blessings Wood Mount (123807)

Ink -

• Riding Hood Red Classic (126968)
• Crumb Cake Classic (126975)
• VersaMark® (102283)

Paper -

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Riding Hood Red Card Stock (111348)
• Crumb Cake Card Stock (120953)

Accessories -

• Crumb Cake 3/8'' Taffeta Ribbon (122966)
• Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129)

Tools -

• Heat Tool (129053)
• Blender Pen (102845)
• Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)
• Adorning Accents Edgelits (125595)

Putting It Together Tips:

• I LOVE Blender Pens.  We all know they can be used to apply classic inks to card stock from the lid of a stamp pad.  It's a great way to get shades of a particular color like I did with the poinsettia.  But did you know they can also be used to remove ink from a stamp.  After tapping the end of the border stamp in VersaMark ink, I used the Blender Pen to remove the ink from the areas of the rubber stamp I didn't want the ink to be.  That's how I got the sprig of holly on the sentiment tag.
• Punching out two Riding Hood Red labels and cutting each one in half - one vertically and one horizontally - I was able to create the perfect mat for my sentiment.
• Lining up a 1 1/4'' strip of Very Vanilla card stock with my Stamp-a-ma-jig made it easy to perfectly position the border stamp along the edge of the card.  The inverted Edgelit accents the holly perfectly.

From November 1 through December 16 Stampin' Up! is including your choice of Brights, Subtles, or Regals stamp pad sets when you purchase the Starter Kit!  That's a $49.95 value on top of the great deal on the Starter Kit.  Test drive the products with no obligation to purchase anything more.  Ask me for details

 
For a limited time you have the opportunity to purchase single stamps from three of our most popular sets plus some individual stamps from multiple stamp sets!
Check out the SINGLE STAMPS section of my store to see the sets and the individual stamp pricing!

PPA143 - Silent Night

Stampin' Up! Ornament Keepsake Bundle
& Back To Spool Promotion

It's time for the bi-monthly Pals Paper Arts Challenge.  This week it's a sketch challenge from our own resident sketch artist, Margaret Moody.  You know it wasn't until I looked at this sketch sideways that I decided what to do with it.  And the fact that two special priced items were used was a bonus.  The Ornament Keepsakes Bundle saves you 15% if you buy both the Ornament Keepsake stamp set AND the Holiday Ornaments Framelits die set.  And IF you buy the bundle, you automatically get a free spool of 2012-14 In Color Ribbon valued at $8.95.  How sweet a deal is that!?  That's a savings of more than 25%  I always cringe when I see the gathering technique used with the ribbon because I think “All the ribbon!”  It's easy to do it when the ribbon is free!  LOL

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Ornament Keepsakes Clear Mount (128051) (Clear Mount Bundle - 129950)
• Evergreen Wood Mount (127970)

Ink -

• Cherry Cobbler Classic (119669)
• VersaMark® (102283)

Paper -

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Gumball Green Card Stock (126840)
• Brushed Silver Card Stock scrap (100712)
• Be Of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper (126896)

Accessories -

• Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129)
• Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder (109131)
• Gumball Green 3/8'' Stitched Satin Ribbon (126848)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
• Sticky Strip (104294)

Tools -

• Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies (127816)
• Heat Tool (100005)
• Embossing Buddy (103083)

Putting It Together Tips:

• This project is really straight forward.  I cut a piece of Sticky Strip the desired length and positioned it on the DSP following a stripe.  That makes sure it's straight.  Tuck the cut end of the ribbon either under the card face or fold it under and attch it first to the Sticky Strip  to prevent fraying.  I made longer loops at the other end to look like a bow at the top of the ornament.
• The Embossing Buddy is a must have if you work with embossing powder.  It neutralizes static electricity and oil to prevent stray powder from ruining your perfect project!
• Here's a tip on when to buy wood mount and when to buy clear mount.  I will invest in the slightly more expensive wood mount if the set is a two-step stamping set like Evergreen.  I use a small piece of vellum to make my master impression with my Stamp-a-ma-jig cutting the vellum the same size as the wood block.  I store the maser in the box with the stamp set.  Whenever I need to align the image, the master is always ready.

Starting May 1st purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit for only $99.
You'll receive product and business supplies valued at $190.
Contact me for the details

PPA124 - The True Spirit of Christmas

Stampin' Up! Snow Swirled
& Borderlines

Today is Thursday and it's time for the Pals Paper Arts weekly challenge.  Today it's a sketch challenge by our own Margaret Moody.  I took one look at this sketch and I thought PRESENT!  Maybe it's just that time of year.  But a small present to you is the preview of a new Dazzling Details color - Cherry Cobbler.  Now you can have the same glitzy finish in red that you have in the original Dazzling Details in white.  Gorgeous.  Watch for it availabler January 4th, just in time for Valentine's Day! 

Stampin' Stuff:
 

Don't forget!
Clicking on the Featured items will take you right to my store.
Clicking on the images will display a larger image. 

Stamp Sets -

• Snow Swirled (111690)
• Borderlines Clear Mount (122642) <-Featured item

Ink - 

• Real Red Classic Ink (103133)
• Old Olive Classic (102277)

Paper - 

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Cherry Cobbler Card Stock (119685)
• Red Glimmer Paper (121790) <-Feartured item
• Dashing DSP (109938 - retired)

Accessories -

• Red Dazzling Details (125585 - 2012 Occasions Mini)
• Brights Glimmer Brads (121006) <-Featured item

Tools -

• Simply Scored (122334) <-Featured item
• Scallop Circle Punch (119854)
• Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (122464)

Putting It Together Tips:

• I love the new Simply Scored.  The stylus has two tips so you always have the correct tip and the scores are always crisp.  The pleated base was created with two Scallop Circle punches scored, slit to the center, pleated and joined.
• The Borderlines set is fast becoming one of my favorite sets for adding detail to projects.  Now with the addition of the Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details it creates the perfect Christmas border.
• True Confessions!  I try never to use retired products in my posts, so when I grabbed this sheet of Dashing, I thought it was actually part of Letters To Santa DSP.  You could use thaty striped pattern in place of this one.  
• I found that combining Cherry Cobbler card stock and Red Glimmer Paper for the "bow" gave me a bit of interest and helped define the different layers.  Does't that Real Red Glimmer brad put the cherry on the cake?

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit.  
For $175 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340.

PPA123 - Ritzy Reindeer

Stampin' Up! Winter Post & Petite Pairs

It's Thursday and time for the Pals Paper Arts weekly challenge.  This week is a fashion inspiration challenge themed "Putting On The Ritz."  And any time I hear that phrase I think of Fred Astaire for no one epitomizes class more than ol' Fred!  I hear Fred Astaire and I think black and white films and black and white tuxedo shirts and tails - and of course a little sparkle!  Also this week is our annual blog candy.  Some luck random winner will receive a package of goodies from each of the Pals Paper Arts Design Team members.  If there was ever a time to play, this is it!

Stampin' Stuff:

Don't forget!
Clicking on the Featured items will take you right to my store.
Clicking on the images will display a larger image. 

Stamp Sets -

• Winter Post (111780) <-Featured item
• Petite Pairs Clear Mount (122497) <-Featured item

Ink - 

• VersaMark® (102283)
• Whisper White Craft Ink (101731)

Paper - 

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Basic Black Card Stock (102851)
• Brushed Silver Card Stock (100712)
• Silver Glimmer Paper (124005 - Holiday Mini) <-Featured item

Accessories -

• 1/4'' Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon (109034)
• Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Emboss Powder (122949)
• Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder (101930)

Tools -

• Lace Ribbon Border Punch (122362) <-Featured item
• Word Window Paper Punch (105090)
• Scallop Trim Corner (118870)
• 1 3/8'' Square Punch (119877)
• Northern Frost Sizzlit Strip Die (120901) <-Featured item
• Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

Putting It Together Tips:

• The most labor intensive part of this project was the square reindeer nedallion.  The  reindeer was stamped several times with the Whisper White Craft Ink.  The use of the Stamp-a-ma-jig is crucial for this.  I let each layer dry and then stamped again using the VersaMark ink and dusted it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  Heat set!  Click on the image to see the true sparkle!
• The Scallop Trim Corner punch created the perfect background.  I started with a square 2'' x 2'' and simply rotated the square in the corner punch to create the Brushed Silver background.
• Who would have thought that Cherry Cobbler embossing powder would show up so well on the Silver Glimmer paper!?  That paper is GORGEOUS!
• After I ran the Glimmer Paper through the Big Shot with the Northern Frost die, I found the use of a pencil really useful to pop out all the little pieces.   Lay the strip of die cut paper on a hard work surface face down.  Place a pencil point on one of the removable cut-outs and lift the whole strip.  This separates the two cleanly with a minimum of effort.

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit.  
For $175 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340.

 

PPA122 - From Our House To Yours

Stampin' Up! Sweet Season
& Field Flowers

This week the Pals Paper Arts Challenge is a color challenge using Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, and Very Vanilla.  What a great palette for Holiday cards.  But I thought I'd try something a little different and use a flower stamp that is not usually associated with Christmas.  I jazzed it up a bit by adding the detail in gold embossing powder for some Holiday glitter.

Stampin' Stuff:
 

Don't forget!
Clicking on the Featured items will take you right to my store.
Clicking on the images will display a larger image. 

Stamp Sets -

• Sweet Season (116471) <-Featured item
• Field Flowers Wood Mount (122760) <-Featured item
• Borderlines Clear Mount (122642) <-Featured item

Ink - 

• Cherry Cobbler Classic (119669)
• Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write Marker (119681)
• Always Artichoke Classic (105219)
• VersaMark® (102283)
• VersaMarker® (100901)

Paper - 

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Cherry Cobbler Card Stock (119685)
• Always Artichoke Card Stock (105119)

Accessories -

• Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129)

Tools -

• Scallop Trim Border (118402) <-Featured item
• Extra Large Oval Punch (119859)
• Ovals Big Shot Originals Die (114525)
• Heat Tool (100005)

Putting It Together Tips:

• Whenever I buy a new stam set I always look to see if it's available in Clear Mount.  I've become a big “space saving” fan of these compact little sets, with ONE EXCEPTION.  I believe two step stamps are better wood mounted and here's why.  In order to position the detail stamp in the proper place I always make a small vellum square of the image.  But if I have the stamp set in Clear Mount that impression is going to change every time I mount it on an acrylic block.  But with wood, it's always in the exact same spot.  That way I can save the vellum to use again and again.
• I edged several of the components with VersaMark and gold embossing powder.  It added a little pizzaz without adding an additional layer of card stock.  I also added some gold accents with my VersaMarker and gold embossing powder on the leaves.
• Borderlines is a great little set for adding the detail of ribbon without actually adding ribbon.  In this card I used the set in conjunction with the Scallop Trim Border punch for add punch.
• Even though Sweet Season is intended to accompany baked treats, I thought it also went well with a holiday card as a sentiment.  The punched oval is tipped in gold embossing powder and matted on a small oval die cut.

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit.  
For $175 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340.

 

PPA121 - Winter Wonderland

Stampin' Up! Lovely As A Tree &
Heard From The Heart

This week's Pals Paper Arts challenge is an element of style.  I'm always put off by pearls.  Never know how to use them.  Maybe is a guy thing.  But give me the Holiday theme and I can use almost anything!  I know you all must be getting sick of Lovely As A Tree but this just demonstrates the set's versatility!  Yet another Holiday card from my favorite set!  Enjoy!

Stampin' Stuff:

Don't forget!
Clicking on the Featured items will take you right to my store.
Clicking on the images will display a larger image. 

Stamp Sets -

• Lovely As A Tree (115026) <-Featured item
• Heard From The Heart Wood Mount (111644) <-Featured item

Ink - 

• Basic Black Classic Ink (101179)
• VersaMark® (102283)

Paper - 

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Always Artichoke Card Stock (105119)

Accessories -

• 5/8'' Organza Ribbon (114319) <-Featured item
• Dazzling Details Glitter Glue (124117) <-Featured item
• Basic Pearls (119247)
• White Stampin Emboss Powder (109132)

Tools -

• Heat Tool (100005)

Putting It Together Tips:

• I'd like to buy Dazzling Details Glitter Glue by the case!  It is super easy to use and is perfect for this time of year!  We used it for my card class at Espresso Cielo and everyone could hardly wait to get their hands on it.  Just remember it is a water based glue and a little goes a long way.  The more you add to your project, the more likely you are to have your paper ripple.  I had no probem with the volume I used.
• The White Organza ribbon was perfect for this project as the edging picked up the embossed sentiment and enough of the background color shown through the ribbon to really make it look delicate.
• The scant 1/16'' mat of Always Artichoke that frames the card is just enough to break the mass of Whisper White without taking over the project.  This is my favorite way to add color to a white background.
• I added the pearls first and then filled in with the Dazzling Details Glitter Glue to create fully decorated trees!

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit.  
For $175 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340.

 

PPA120 - Merry Melon MAMBO!

Stampin' Up! Christmas Lodge &
Teeny Tiny Wishes

Avant-garde (French pronunciation: [avɑ̃ɡaʁd]) means "advance guard" or "vanguard".^[1] The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics.

This week's Pals Paper Arts challenge is a sketch challenge by our own Margaret Moody.  I love sketches as they challenge me to create around a layout I might never have thought of.  This week is no exception.  But on top of the sketch challenge, for some reason the 1950's color scheme of hot pink and turquoise jumped out at me.  Coupled with the industrial feel of the Brushed Silver card stock, this is no traditional Christmas card, that's for sure.  Send one to your avant garde friends!

Stampin' Stuff:
 

Don't forget!
Clicking on the Featured items will take you right to my store.
Clicking on the images will display a larger image. 

Stamp Sets -

• Christmas Lodge Clear Mount (123769) <-Featured item
• Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370) <-Featured item

Ink - 

• VersaMark® (102283)

Paper - 

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Melon Mambo Card Stock (115320)
• Tempting Turquoise Card Stock (102067)
• Brushed Silver Card Stock (100712)

Accessories -

• Silver Brads (104336)
• Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder (123223)

Tools -

• Heat Tool (100005)
• Mat Pack (105826) <-Featured item
• Paper-Piercing Tool (116631)
• Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976)
• Lots of Tags Sizzlits Die Set (114508) <-Featured item
• Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

Putting It Together Tips:

• Call me chicken, but any time I use Teeny Tiny Wishes, I use my Stamp-a-ma-jig.  This tool is invaluable when trying to precisely place any stamp anywhere!  And placing Merry Christmas in the center of that tag called for precision!
• Always align the tabs of brads in the same direction.  In other words if you want your brads to align perfectly vertically, then make sure the flat tab sides all face left/right.  This gives the brads a small variance between each other but the line of brads will be perfect.  Using the Mat Pack gives you a template to evenly space your brads.
• Textured Impressions Embossing Folders are perfect for addingh interst without adding attention grabbing details.  The focus in this card needed to be the tree.  Te tecture adds to it with out detracting from it!
• Lots of Tags is a great die set to buy if you like selection.  % different styles of tag meet just about any need for sentiment or small image.  Great bang for your buck.

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit.  
For $175 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340.