Thursday, June 30, 2011

Look! It's a bird!


A while back, we noticed a trend of Birds. Birds everywhere. Kind of odd, and not my favorite images. But they just keep showing up. Cute stamp sets of flowers and a bird. Cute sets of frames and a bird. Cute sets of birthday greetings and a bird.  I can't avoid them any more! So, here is a card with the new embossing folder highlighted, and a bird showcased in a metal tag.

If you can't beat 'em, join em!

Happy stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Last Chance Day

Don't you love the paper in this quilty card? This was super easy, made with 1 1/4" squares of DSP (designer series paper) from Stampin' Up!

Today is your last chance to let me know what retiring items you want. After this, they will be gone forever. Check the retiring list by going here and clicking on SHOP NOW then LAST CHANCE.

Many fabulous stamp sets, DSP, ribbon and more will leave the collection. Of course that means lost of NEW product will join the collection as of July 1. If you need a catalog, just let me know!

If you would like to see what used products I have available, stop by on Saturday July 9 at 9 am for the annual SU garage sale. A couple demonstrators and I clean our closets and offer it all at great discounts!  Leave a comment or shoot me an email for the details.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, June 27, 2011

Triple Layer Punch

Have you seen the new Triple Layer Punches? This is the flower version, there is also a doily version. This tool allows you to create a solid daisy, a detailed daisy and a smaller daisy. All with one punch. You just move a little lever to select which version you want, punch your paper and go again.

They nest perfectly and one tool gives you three options! Gotta love it!

The DSP on this card is retiring in 2 days, so remember to pull out your current Idea Book & Catalog and check if there is anything you absolutely must have before it goes away forever!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Many Thanks

Do you own a rubber stamp? With just one stamp, a bit of ink and some random scraps we created a colorful card at class this week.   As a matter of fact, this stamp is retiring in a week. It is one of the stamps sold individually in the Stampin' Up! catalog, making it very affordable.  The buttons retired last year and the ribbon is Poppy Parade and I have no idea if we will still offer it starting July 1st.    The punched pieces could be anything that strikes your fancy, they add a bit of color and texture to the card.

Don't forget to mark your calendar for Saturday July 9. Come to the Garage Sale and grab up some great deals on retiring stamps and accessories from Stampin' Up! Multiple demonstrators are gathering and marking down everything! Great bargains!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, June 20, 2011

Dazzling diamond butterfly

I sure wish this gorgeous butterfly was making the leap from the current mini-catalog into the new Idea Book & Catalog, but it isn't. So, if you love it as much as I do, order now! Just a matter of weeks, and it becomes permanently retired, never to be seen again.

I stamped in elegant eggplant ink, twice. The first one I cut out, the second one I punched a big ol' 2" circle, retaining the antennae and half the butterfly. On the cut bug I loaded up with Dazzling Diamond glitter using the 2-way glue pen. It gives a fine line of glue so you can decide exactly what you want to sparkle.

Even though the design of the card is very "clean and simple," the bit of sparkle makes it special.

Call me to get this Hope & Strength stamp set added to your order AND $2 from every purchase goes toward cancer research. Awesome, right?

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Peachy

Watercoloring. . . have I mentioned my new favorite way to color? Using the watercolor crayons is so fun. I resisted purchasing these, I already have markers, ink, pencils and pastels, do I really need these crayons? Yes. Duh. Well, need is really a funny concept when it comes to a hobby, right? So, yes, I need these crayons. They are so dense with color. I can add just a hint, or a shadow, or I can really lay it on there.  It takes some practice and this is very much a beginner's effort, but I LOVE the technique!

Come on over and try these fun crayons. It isn't like coloring. You don't actually ever put the crayon to paper. Using a paint brush or aquapainter, just pick up the color from the crayon and then paint with it. So cool.

Leave a comment or give me a call, let's paint together!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Pastels and Crystal Effects

Okay, so the summer mini catalog rocks, right? This stamp set is perfect for coloring. Get out your pencils or chalks or, as seen here, watercolor crayons. Add the good ol' aqua painter or an old fashioned paint brush, a bit of water, and it is time for coloring fun.

Then we have the new punch from the mini catalog, that makes these awesome flowers. It will make 3 different versions of this flower for layering, but I have used the most detailed version here, well, like six times.

After I had fun water coloring, I added crystal effects to the flowers. It is a clear glue that dries to an acrylic finish. Makes the flowers shiny and gives the card texture.

It is one of those cards that was simply fun to make. Want to try it for yourself? Just leave me a comment and we can schedule a get-together!

Happy stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Hope & Strength

Did you like the butterfly in yesterday's post? This filigree curlicue is in the same stamp set, and I just adore curlicue images. And white on kraft (crumb cake, if you want to be correct) is just awesome.

Truly, this card will have to be given to the recipient. The post office would just shriek with joy and charge me a bundle, but I plan to put a nice gift card inside and hand it over personally. Probably to someone who will cherish it forever, because I LOVE this card!

Hope & Strength stamp set will be available for just a few more weeks in the summer mini catalog. Come on over for a peek.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Sparkle Strength & Hope

A gorgeous stamp set and $2 from every purchase goes to cancer research, gotta love it!

These butterflies have been embossed with shiny black embossing powder then markers are used to add color to their wings. On the blue layer I added a border of glue and dazzling diamonds, just to jazz things up. Then a little bit of seam binding ribbon, all backed with a black base. The black seems to just make everything POP, don't ya think?

This beautiful stamp set will be available only in the summer mini catalog, it will not make the transition to the new catalog, so grab it while you can. Just click over to my Stampin' Up! site www.dtollaksen.stampinup.net  to purchase on-line or leave me a comment and I'll give you a call!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, June 13, 2011

Bunny is retiring

OMG so cute. I kinda copied this, but when I added the pink scallop circle, it became all mine! This darling bunny and fantastic pink DSP (designer series paper) are both retiring as of June 30, so come on over next Wednesday June 22 to make this cutie patootie. I am offering a class focusing on retiring products, get 'em before they're all gone!

Just shoot me an email or leave a comment here to sign up at 1 pm or 7 pm. Hope to see you here.

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Happy Graduation

What a fun graduation season. We have a couple young friends graduating and going on to Northern Il Univ next year. I made them each a hanging tag style card featuring the school colors and the Husky that is the school mascot.  Of course there is a little gift tucked inside.  This is the kind of tag I might hang on a wine bottle for a hostess, but these are 18 year olds, so no wine!  How 'bout a bottle of smart water? You need to be smart to go college, right? I thought it was cute, I hope the grads both find it amusing.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Gratitude Journal


Have you heard of a Smash Book? It is a new product concept designed to help you keep a journal, make it pretty and easy. Pretty Easy!  Gotta love that!

The idea is that you can jot down your thoughts, ideas, lists, glue in any pictures that you want to remember, copy, or buy. Staple in a sample of fabric, ribbon or paint you want to remember or to provide inspiration. After a while, the book should be nice and lumpy and fat (no personal comments, please) and requires that you "smash" it all down. Fun, right?

My take on this concept is Gratitude. All the things in my life that I need to remember are blessings and to document my gratitude. I have used a bit of FANTASTIC ribbon that has jillions of buttons attached that I purchased as a local "hobby store." After that, it is all goodies from Stampin' Up! featuring the new bright colors of embossing powder seen in the summer mini catalog. So awesome!

Order an art journal from me and I'll help you decorate the covers to suit your taste and get you started on your own Smash Book!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Lucky You

Today we have a few retiring items and my favorite trend. I love seeing banners on cards (and scrapbook pages and doors and windows) These are simple scraps of paper that have been nipped using a square punch so they look like little flags. Then a bit of bakers twine turns them into a banner! Most of the elements here are from Play Date DSP and Play Date Quick Accents. So quick and easy to use! Just love a bright cheerful card!
Happy Stamping!  Dee Tollaksen

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Fresh Flowers

It's fun to be trendy, especially when I don't have to go shop for something new and the trend is just my style.  Mason jars, everywhere! I have one from my Nana that is exactly this blue color, so when I have a bunch of posies, the water always looks fresh and beautiful!

This set is found in the new summer mini catalog from Stampin' Up!  Another trend in stamping is coloring. Not that it was ever gone, but it is hugely popular right now. I used my aqua painter and ink pads to color this image, during the next week you'll see me color with SU's watercolor crayons. So fun!

I bought a whole new pad of watercolor paper, it makes a big difference in this style of stamping. I would love to have you come on over and try it out. Just shoot me a line and let's make a date!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Monday, June 6, 2011

Spring Shoebox Swap Finale

Have you any June weddings to attend? This awesome card from Vicki might be just the perfect item!  Everyone loved this sweet creation. Vicki designed the shapes and we used a few punches to make it all happen, but nothing too complicated.  The bride required a template that Vicki created and the scallop border punch. The groom's shirt is made from the tag punch with a bit of snipping, and the bowtie and pocket are just free-hand cut. The self-adhesive pearls absolutely "make" this card.

Love it!

This is the grand finale of cards from the spring shoebox swap. Hope you enjoyed and were inspired by them. If you weren't in attendance, we hope to see you next time!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Spring Shoebox Swap #24

Jamie is another of the "most faithful" members of the shoebox swap attendees. She and her stamping buddies come from Coal City, the far far southwest outlying area of Chicagoland. And they bring some of the most outstanding cards, every time!

This is a gatefold card, meaning it opens to both the left and then to the right, like a double gate or double doors.

Besides the unique fold, it is beautiful, the DSP (designer series paper) sets the color scheme and Jamie works right with it, staying with the swirly flowers and adding just the right amount of bright ribbon. Fabulous!

We are almost finished with viewing all the shoebox swap cards. Just one more for tomorrow! Then it will be all about the summer mini catalog and sneak peeks and retiring goodies. Just so you know what to look forward to!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Spring Shoebox Swap #23

Such a cheerful card! Adrienne took advantage of a really well coordinated stamp set to create this snappy little project. I think the color choices lean toward the masculine side, but not so far that you couldn't use this for a woman or girl.

 While it is a card that can easily be duplicated, it isn't lacking in detail and composition.

Really nice work!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Friday, June 3, 2011

Spring Shoebox Swap #22

OMG so elegant, and a new technique that is so easy!  Joan brought this lovely card to the shoebox swap, and credit needs to go to Dawn, because Joan CASEd Dawn's lovely card!  After adding the bitty flower and reworking the color and sentiment, the card looks similar and both versions are fabulous!

The main element here is a 3 x 3" square of shimmer paper. The ribbon border punch is used to create the die cut. Just center the 3x3" square in the punch and cut, turn the square and repeat, repeat, repeat. Super easy and super awesome result!  Come on over and try it with my punch, you'll love the ease!

Just a couple more cards and we will finish the whole shoebox swap share!  Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Last Chance List

Just one month to go, and we will all have the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog! For now, we have a sneak peek coming, and we have the last chance list. Here are the stamp sets that we know will be retired.  Click on my Shopping link www.dtollaksen.stampinup.net to see the retiring accessories and their availability. They are available only as supplies last, so if there is something you want, grab it quick!
Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen