I'm Back!

I must apologize for my disappearance over the last two months. We went on vacation in May and I never seemed to recover! Now that I am getting into the summer routine, I am ready to get back into the blogosphere. I am also taking an online scrapbooking class over the next month, so plan on seeing some extra scrapbook pages over the next few weeks. To start things out, I decided to check out the Mojo Monday sketch challenge for this week and this is what I came up with. I decided to mix a little old with a little new. I used some of our retiring Designer Series Paper, ribbon, and buttons along with some materials in our new core colors, Daffodil Delight and Baja Breeze.

Here are the ingredients:
Stamps: Inspired By Nature, Just Buzzin' By
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip DSP, Green House Gala DSP
Ink: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Blush Blossom and Baja Breeze Markers
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta, Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Curly Label Punch

Two Steppin'

Today's card features one of our two step stamp sets. Two step stamps are an easy way to apply multiple colors to your stamped image without a lot of hassle. This month you can get several two-step stamp sets at 20% off the retail price or purchase a sneak peek two step stamp set, Awash with Flowers.

Qualifying stamp sets with their discounted price are listed below:

113824 Greenhouse Garden $20.76
113734 Fifth Avenue Floral $19.96
111578 Flower Fancy $29.56
113258 Trendy Trees $14.36

Click on my link to purchase online or email me if you would like me to place an order for you.

Here are the details for my card:
Stamps: Trendy Trees
Paper: Taken with Teal, So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Sweet Pea DSP
Ink: Taken with Teal, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Word Window Punch

Fluttering On Bye

I must say I will be sad to see some of our great long standing colors flutter away like butterflies this summer, but I can't wait to try out the next hottest batch of colors. It is like a super In-Color release, except they'll be around a lot longer...even better. Speaking of In-Color, the hot news on those is that they will now be around for two years instead of one and 5 new In-Colors will be released annually!

So today's card pays tribute to some of our parting colors: Summer Sun, Taken with Teal and Sage Shadow. What a better way to pay tribute than with beautiful butterflies (not to mention that I just got this embosslit and had to use it!). So here are the ingredients for this oh so simple card:

Stamps: Well Scripted
Paper: Summer Sun, Taken with Teal, Sage Shadow, Whisper White
Ink: Taken with Teal
Accessories: Sizzix Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Mini Glue Dots

The Color Renovation Unveiled

Many of you may have already seen the color changes that will be occurring. From what I hear, many stamping sites are a buzz with the change. In case you have not been privy to these changes, I wanted to make sure you have a place to see what all the excitement is about. As I think I mentioned the other day, I can't wait to get them in my hands! Feel free to email me with any questions regarding the Color Renovation.

Birthday Sketch Challenge

Recently, we had a demonstrator sketch challenge and this was my sample I contributed. I so love these colors together! I used them in a couple samples that I did for my display board and fell in love with the combo. I think this combo will also start making an appearance in my kids' scrapbooks!

Are you wondering about the diagonal striped paper? I used the striped paper from the Thoroughly Modern DSP and cut it at an angle to get diagonal stripes. It is a great way to add additional variety to your designer series papers.

So here are my ingredients:
Stamps: Party Hearty
Paper: So Saffron, Soft Suede, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Thoroughly Modern DSP
Ink: So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie Classic Pads, Taken with Teal and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Corduroy Buttons, Linen Thread, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Sizzix Big Shot, Lots of Tags Die

Color, Color, Color!

I am so excited to share with you the news that Stampin' Up! released today. As of July, we will have a "Color Renovation". In this Color Renovation, we will say farewell to some old favorites but be welcoming back some of our favorite In Colors from the past few years. I know some of you are going to be so excited to see what will be returning! We also will be introducing several new colors. I can't wait for you to see them. You will see them popping up in my blog early this summer! Watch for some hints in the samples I post before then to see which In Colors we will be welcoming back.

Spring Is In the Air

As I listen to the birds singing their song in my backyard, I think a nice spring card is appropriate for today. I made this card for my aunt last week. All of a sudden, I had a desire to try Pretty In Pink, Ruby Red and Barely Banana together. Love what I got!

Here are the ingredients:
Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly
Paper: Pretty In Pink, Ruby Red, Barely Banana Whisper White
Ink: Pretty In Pink, Ruby Red, Barely Banana
Accessories: Butterfly Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Mini Glue Dots

A Simple Page with Stamps

This post is long overdue. I have been wanting to post a scrapbook page for a while. This page is so simple! This is actually my second of this style. I took my grandparents wedding photo for the page. The Bella Bleu Designer Series paper is great for heritage pages. The ribbon I used is retired, but there are other ribbons that would coordinate just as well with the page. I will eventually use the area below the "Love" to journal. Here are the details:

Stamps: Lovely Letters Alphabet
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper
Ink: Not Quite Navy Craft
Accessories: Dressed Up Ribbon Originals® (Retired), Long Board, Big Shot Die Cutter, Serif Essentials Alphabet Die

Creativity Rut

First, I must start out by saying I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to post. I have been in a bit of a creative rut, and I don't like to post CASEd work on my blog. With spring somewhat in the air, it has given me a bit of a creative surge. I already have my next 2 posts ready to go after this. So you should expect some new material next week :). My current creative state seems to be in the simple stage. So I think the things I will have to offer will be easily duplicated for you all. Also, be on the look out for my first scrap post.

This card gave me the opportunity to try out a set I purchased this winter and just could not break out until the buds began to bloom. The colors for this one came from a demonstrator color challenge of Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery and Whisper White. I used the Cameo Coral subtly...see if you can spot it!

Stamps: Herb Expressions
Paper: Apricot Appeal, Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery
Ink: Certainly Celery Classic Pad, Cameo Coral Marker
Accessories: Color Spritzer Tool, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Frame Oval Scallop Die, White Uni-ball® Signo Gel Pen

Hostess Gift

I am feeling bad that it has been a while since I last posted. Today you may notice some changes in my blog template. I am still working on making the background appealing without taking away from the content, which is most important. So please excuse the background while it is "under construction". I wanted to let you know that you can now view my blog directly from my Stampin' Up! website at www.amyhoffman.stampinup.net

Today, I thought I'd share the gift that I gave to my hostess this past weekend. The flower that I used on the bag will be one of the flowers featured in my May Flowers class. If you are interested in the class, let me know and I will work with those interested when scheduling a date.