Stampin’ Up! Thoughtful Branches In My Heart

Happy Hawmp Day, y’all!  Hope you’re cashing in your Bonus Days coupons and grabbing up the Thoughtful Branches Bundle (if you’re not sure how to redeem them – keep reading, I’ll show you)!!  I spent my Bonus coupons yesterday – on my 2016 Holiday Catalog Pre-order!  Whooooo-hoooo!  I indulged myself and got the Priority 2-day shipping, so….hopefully I ‘ll see a big box o’ goodies on….Thursday?  I’m going to try to contain myself and take pictures of everything for y’all before I tear into it and start making cards!

I make no promises.  It’s going to be like…Christmas in August!

Right this very second, though, I want to tempt you again with the Thoughtful Branches stamp set.  This one just uses the stamp set – not the Beautiful Branches Thinlits.  Add in a little Serene Scenery DSP and that’s all that I needed.  Take a look-see:

This one is headed to my friend in Colorado – I’ve mentioned her, I think.  She’s that friend – the one that when you get back together with her, it’s like you were never apart.  You just take right back up where you left off.  We all have one.  Well, she’s going thru a tough spot right now, so I wanted to just drop her a note reminding her that I’m always here.

I got some help with the layout from this week’s Mojo Monday sketch challenge #459:

The second challenge is one of my favorite kinds – the Tic Tac Toe challenges from The Paper Players.  This one, #309:

I think this one could go on either of the diagonals, really…. 🙂

I started by cutting a piece of the Serene Scenery DSP stack paper into three panels.  Then I adhered them, using Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue, to a panel of Chocolate Chip card stock and then added a second mat of Island Indigo.

My center panel is a simple Whisper White rectangle, double matted on Chocolate Chip and Island Indigo card stock with SNAIL.  I stamped the bare-branch trees image from Thoughtful Branches in Crumb Cake ink, twice – re-inking between each stamp.  I added some “ground”  in Island Indigo – it could happen! – across the bottom of the panel.  Then I SNAILd it to the card front.

My sentiment is also from Thoughtful Branches – this is really the ultimate stamp set – it’s got a little bit of everything!  I wanted to use Vellum card stock so that the trees would be visible behind it, so I figured it needed to be heat embossed.  I also wanted it to be in my Chocolate Chip color, but – as you’re aware – we don’t have Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Emboss Powder!  So I kind of made my own – it’s easy and works for any color!  I inked my sentiment with Versamark Ink and then went right into my Chocolate Chip ink pad.  Don’t go the other way – it’s pretty hard on your Versamark Pad.  Don’t ask me how I know, just take my word on it. 😉

Then I stamped my Vellum card stock and quickly sprinkled it with Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  When I heated it up, I had miraculously created a Chocolate Chip embossed sentiment!  When it cooled, I used a scalloped oval die from the Ovals Layering Framelits and cut it out.  Using my Island Indigo Stampin’ Write Marker, I edged the scallops.

I cut a longish length of the new 5/8″ Burlap Ribbon and doubled it.  Then I used my Handheld Stapler to staple the vellum oval to the burlap ribbon and then I stapled it to the card front!

I used little smears of Liquid Glue on the underside of the ribbon to stick it down without the glue showing thru.

For my little embellishment, I made a small bow with – get ready for it – 4 lengths of Linen Thread and 2 lengths of new Copper Metallic Thread.  I definitely had to hold my tongue just right on that one, folks!!  But – I did it – and used a Glue Dot to adhere it to a Classy Designer Button and another Glue Dot to stick it to the Vellum oval.

I added a few Island Indigo Enamel Shapes and that was it for the card front!

On the inside, I stamped the second sentiment from Thoughtful Branches, in Chocolate Chip in the center of a Whisper White panel.  I also added a few more of the bare-branch trees in Crumb Cake and some Island Indigo ground images.  To finish it off, I added an Island Indigo heart Enamel Shape…

I double-matted the panel on Chocolate Chip and Island Indigo and then into my Whisper White card base.  The front is popped on with Stampin’ Dimensionals to complete the card.

My Whisper White Medium Envelope got more Crumb Cake trees and Island Indigo ground….plus a few Island Indigo heart Enamel Shapes on the front…

…and a custom envelope flap with a little more of the Serene Scenery DSP Stack paper.

Et Voila!  I think this is a lovely, quiet card – that will perfectly express what I need to say.  The Thoughtful Branches is so versatile – I’ve made several cards with it already and it’s so easy to make them all completely different.  With just this one set!

Scroll on down for the card cuts and all the goodies you need to make this for yourself! 

HOST CODE FOR 1 AUG – 15 AUG:  2WGEWYF6 

Use this host code when you order and receive a free gift from me! But, if your order is over $150, please don’t use this code (you’ll miss out on your own Stampin’ Rewards if you use it) but you’ll still get the free gift – your choice of any item valued up to $8.00 in the 2015-16 Annual Catalog.

It’s Time to Start Spending Your Bonus Days Coupons!

It’s time to start using those Stampin’ Up! Bonus Days Coupons that you earned in July!  The coupons are valid on any type of order from now through the end of August.  Here are the details:

• There’s no limit on the number of coupons you can use on an order during redemption.
• Bonus Days coupons codes can be used in the checkout process during the redemption period.
• All order types qualify for this promotion.  Coupons can be redeemed on any order type.
• Bonus Days coupon codes can be redeemed for any product, excluding Starter Kits and Paper Pumpkin subscriptions.  New prepaid Paper Pumpkin codes can be redeemed.
• During the redemption period, shipping and tax will be calculated based on your order total after your coupon codes have been applied.
• Coupon codes may only be redeemed once. Codes are redeemed when an order is closed using the codes. If a closed order using a code (or multiple codes) is cancelled, the coupon code(s) cannot be “un-redeemed” for use on a new order.

Dates:

Redemption Deadlines:  August 31, 2016 by 11:50 PM (MT)

Here’s how to redeem your coupons in my Online Store when your order!

Online Store Coupon Redemption

• Add merchandise to your order.
• Enter your coupon code in the Coupon Codes box and click the “Apply Coupon” button. Repeat this step if you have multiple codes.

• If you want to remove a coupon code, simply click the “Remove” button.

• Before you close your order, verify that your discounts have been applied.

There are 12 US states having state sales tax holidays for school supplies. What does that mean for you? Stampin’ Up! products that fall under that category will be tax free for a limited time! If you live in one of the lucky states, make sure to take advantage of the holiday!

You can click on the picture below or check out this PDF to see which states are offering the holiday and relevant information for each state including holiday dates, products that qualify, and dollar limits per item.
You must place your order with Stampin’ Up! during the tax holiday period in order to receive these items tax-free (midnight on the first day to 11:59 PM on the last day of the tax holiday).
Keep in mind that this is a state sales tax holiday and may not apply to additional county, city, and special jurisdiction taxes. Lastly, Massachusetts normally participates in this holiday but they are not participating this year.

ALABAMA, ARKASAS, FLORIDA, LOUSIANA, NEW MEXICO, OHIO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS AND VIRGINIA

– YOUR TURN IS THIS WEEKEND! 

If you need Trimmer Blades (Item #126995) for your Stampin’ Trimmer – we received a shipment and they’ll be available to order (limit of three) TODAY 3 August, at 8:00 AM (MT).  Keep in mind that when this supply of blades is depleted, they will return to “not orderable” status until we receive the next shipment. We expect that the blades will run out quickly since they haven’t been consistently orderable for several weeks.

Before I leave you with the admonition to GET THIS SET…I wanted to share a little exciting news!  The card I did the other day using the Best Birds and Sunshine Sayings bundles, was selected as the Queen of Clean winner at Freshly Made Sketches!!  What an honor that is – cuz there were lots of bee-you-ti-ful cards submitted!  Thanks to Shannon and all the ladies for picking me!  Here’s the card – click on it to see how I made it.  And be sure to head over to FMS and see all the winning cards! 🙂

TTFN

Mary

STAMPIN’ UP! PRODUCTS USED IN THIS PROJECT:      

CARD CUTS FOR THIS PROJECT:

Whisper White Card Stock: 4 1/4″ x 11″ (card base, scored and folded at 5 1/2″); 2 5/8″ x 3 5/8″ (art panel on front); 3 7/8″ x 5 1/8″ (inner liner)

Island Indigo Card Stock: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″  (mats for card front and for inner liner); 2 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ (mat for art panel on front)

Chocolate Chip Card Stock: 4″ x 5 1/4″ (mats for card front and for inner liner)

Serene Scenery DSP Stack: 5/8″ x 5 1/8″ – 1 5/8″x 5 1/8″ – 1 1/4″ x 5 1/8″ (panels on card front); envelope flap

Vellum Card Stock: 2 7/8″ scallop oval (sentiment)

If you need any stamping supplies, I’d be very happy to be your Demonstrator. Just click on the Order Stampin’ Up! Online Now button on the right side of the screen to go directly to my online store or drop me an email if you have any questions. Happy Stamping!