The Sweetest Thing Celebration

I'm excited to begin showing new products and bundles

from the upcoming Occasions and SAB brochures,

which go active January 3rd.  These releases always

make for a fun New Year!

This set features the Sweetest Thing Bundle 

(on Occasions page 15), comprised of the Sweetest Thing

set and Jar of Sweets Framelits Dies.  The candy jar

illustrates my favorite way to celebrate!  This bundle

enables creation of images that are fun to color and 

sweet to share with family or friends. As in this example,

I think that I will celebrate the new year with 

chocolate, rather than booze!

Please have a safe and happy New Year. 

Stamp Off So Hoppy with Butterfly Gala

We are recovering from a wonderful Christmas

and headed for the new year!  This will be the last

Stamp Off Challenge with Buffy, Susan and I for 2018.

But never fear, we will be back next year.

Our challenge this week is a celebration card.

I didn't go with the traditional New Years card, and I'm

wondering if I need to apologize because this is such

a simple card... except for the sentiment.

I combined the "Celebrate" from Beautiful You, with
a portion of the sentiment from the new Butterfly Gala
set on page 35 (2019 Occasions Catalog).  Although
I don't always come up with a New Year's resolution,
I felt that Celebrating the good things was a 
good idea for 2019.

January 3rd begins the new Occasions catalog and 

SAB (Sale-A-Bration) season, so I think that this card

will get you in the mood.  That darling frog comes from

the SAB set So Hoppy Together (p 13).  I find this set

extremely useful because it is cute, AND, all of the frogs

seem to be indicating to something with their little arms.

This makes it really intuitive to place a sentiment 

where they are "pointing".

Thank you so much for finishing up 2018 with us.
Please click on to check out Buffy and Susan's 
celebration cards!

It's a Cling Thing!!

It's a Cling Thing

This is an exciting change for Stampin’ Up! and you are going to love the new functionality of the stamps. Cling stamps feature the same quality rubber stamps you’ve always loved and they now come with highly adhesive image labels. The benefit is that they will cling like crazy to clear blocks so you don’t have to worry about your stamp image shifting or falling off of the block. Cling stamps make stamping easy.

These exciting new cling stamp sets will be available in the 2019 occasions catalog and Sale-A-Bration brochures.

Occasions and SAB begin January 3, 2019!! 

Another option to help remove cling stamps, is to adhere

a small bit of washi tape or painter's tape

 to one section of your cling stamp.

When you want to remove the stamp, just begin by lifting

the part of the stamp with the tape and you will have no problem

removing the cling stamp from your block or stamp case.

Merry Christmas

Some More Detailed Deer

Happy Christmas Eve!

We're reaching the end of Christmas card season.

I decided to follow up Friday's Detailed Deer Thinlits

die card with another.  I love copper foil with 

Tranquile Tide paper.  In person, the combo

is yummy.   The sentiment comes from the 

Christmas Pines set on page 96.

Here is one more card featuring a die cut deer

from the Detailed Deer Thinlits and Christmas Pines.

Detailed Deer Thinlits Dies

The Detailed Deer Thinlits Dies (p 9) are an elegant

collection of images.  These dies also enable quick

cards, because you are layering textures, via

Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, colored paper

or foil.  I love the shiny effect! 

Beautiful Blizzard

This is another card using the Beautiful Blizzard set, on page 39

of the Holiday Catalog,   The background

elements, including splotches, snowflakes and crosshatch,

that are kind of monochromatic, with a few Blackberry Bliss
highlights.  I think my love of this set has to do with
the easy way in which it lets you create a
watercolor look.

Lovely As a Tree with Detailed Deer

Lovely As a Tree has been around for about a million

years.  That's because it is an elegant card that makes

it easy to create, using different techniques.  In this 

example, I inked up the tree with markers and then

spritzed with water.  That created a bit of a watercolor look.

I added sponged deer from the Detailed Deer

Thinlits Dies on page 9 of the Holiday Mini.  

The sentiment and sparkles come from

Star of Light on page 98 of the annual catalog.

Beautiful Blizzard with Seasonal Layers Snowflake

Whoooo Hooooo!  We are speeding towards

Christmas and the end of 2018.  Today, Susan,

Buffy and I are doing Christmas.

As soon as I saw the Beautiful Blizzard set, on page 39

of the Holiday Catalog,  I was sold.  The background

elements, including splotches, snowflakes and crosshatch,

enable a textured background for stamping

those lovely sentiments.   The sentiments are 
fresh, new and oh so eloquent.  

I just love this set.

The color combination for this card is Balmy Blue

and Tranquil Tide.  I really like this color combination,

which is kind of an off-beat winter blend.

I created a Sparkle Glimmer Paper (p 192) snowflake

with the Seasonal Layers Thinlits.

I am so happy to share my Christmas card with you,

and can't wait for you to see what Buffy and Susan

have created for their Christmas Challenge!!  

Seasonal Chums with Seasonal Tags

I love the cute Christmas images from the 

Seasonal Chums Stamp set (p 103) and coordinating

Seasonal Tags Framelits (p 219).  They are 

simply warm and wonderful.  This little deer is

colored with Stampin' Blends and Layered on some

Real Red card stock.  I attached some bling, to add

interest to the focal image.  

The sentiment comes from Night of Bethlehem

on page 99.   This is a quick card, for

those who enjoy coloring with Blends!

Starlight Bethlehem Oversized Card

This project leads into the little video at the end, 

about glitter!  The video just makes me laugh.  This project is full

of Glimmer Paper, to make things pop.

Periodically I make oversized 10x10 cards for people at

church, so that the entire congregation can sign the cards.

This card uses retired DSP, and several current

framelits/thinlits.  The Bethlehem Edgelits (p 215) form the city

with multiple layers creating the sparkle.

I used the Starlight Thinlits (p 220) to make the star.

Were I to do this again, that darn star would be straight,

but the glue was set by the time I tried to change it.

I used the retired Little Letters to create the name.  

I saw this video on FB and thought it was a total hoot.

I will admit that glitter can be challenging to get

off your face or hands, but it still has it's 

place in the craft room!!

Sponged Dandelion Wishes

This is Dandelion Wishes on page 118.

I just love that big sentiment that stands out

for the recipient!  

Postcard Pals Christmas

I mentioned a while ago that I wanted to make a 

Christmas card with the Postcard Pals set (p 49).  

That little otter has to be holding a Christmas card,

right?!   I added the sentiment and branches from

Christmas Pines on page 96.  The Otter is colored with

Stampin' Blends.  He makes a pretty cute Christmas 

greeting, doesn't he?! 

Starlight Thinlits in White

Last Friday, we had a Monochromatic Stamp Off Challenge.

I decided to create the MOST MONOCHROMATIC card

that I could...  an all white Christmas card.

I used the Starlight Thinlits on page 220 to combine

Whisper White components with Sparkle Glimmer

paper (page 192).  It looks a tad bland in the picture,

but in person, it is a very sparkly card!

Stamp Off Monochromatic Pretty Pines

It's another Stamp Off Friday, with Susan, Buffy

and Jackie!

This week, we are doing a monochromatic challenge.

When I first started stamping, I only made monochromatic

cards, because I had limited amounts of colored 

cardstock, and I really didn't know how to combine colors.

This is kind of a strange card, but it is what was in

my head, so I went with it.  Years ago, Paper Pumpkin

had a Christmas card kit that had a string with round

"dangles" on it.  I loved that card, because it was active,

without being confusing or busy.  That was the inspiration

for this monochromatic card.   I went with two greens;

Mossy Meadow and Soft Sea Foam.  The sentiment

comes from the Beautiful Blizzard set on page 39

of the Holiday Mini and is stamped on a Stitched Shapes 

Framelits layer.  The pine branches come from the

Pretty Pines Thinlits on page 219.  The only change
I'd make in this card, would be to make two strings
of dangles.

Now please click on over, to visit Buffy and Susan
to view their beautiful monochromatic creations.
After looking at their lovely creations, I realize
that I did not get the memo that white is a color.
I love when our technique challenges bring
about new awareness!

Retired Llama Birthday

Sometimes, you just have to bring in retired product,

for that special family member.  My nephew and I go around

and around teasing each other.  He is VERY tall and teases that he

gets cramps in his neck looking down at me.  I'm not short,

but he likes to rub it in.  That means that his birthday card

needs to be "extra special".  Bring in the llamas!

He lives in AZ, so the llama and cactus work well

together.  I did get a call, saying that he appreciated the card,

so mission accomplished!

Healing Hugs Wreath

I really like being able to make a wreath out of 

random leaves and images.  In this example, I used

images from Healing Hugs on page 110.   I drew a pencil

line initially, in order to keep things "even".

The sentiment comes from the Dandelion Wishes

set on page 118.

The bow and branches come from the Bouquet Bunch

Framelits on page 216.

Stampin' Up! Black Friday Style!

Shop Stamping.com to see the new specials each day!

Picked For You Apple

I realize that this is not a traditional Thanksgiving card,

but since I eat an apple every day, it will be part of my menu.

The Picked For You set, on page 171, makes use of the

Stampin' Up! tradition of layering stamps in order to

give an image depth and color variation.  This set

is a perfect example of that process. 

We have so many lovely green (and red) inks, that it is

fun to pick and choose different colors in order to

see the depth emerge.  Being an educator,

what's not to like about a really beautiful apple!  

Seize the Day Deer

There are a couple of annual catalog sets that are

perfect for family.  Hailing from Wisconsin/Minnesota,

it's hard to get enough of green trees and deer, like the images

depicted in the Seize the Day set (p 157).  I will note

that the Mule Deer at my Mom's place are not as dainty as these!

The sentiments in this set are also perfect

 for a host of occasions.

I used my Stamparatus, so that I could get the desired depth 

of color.  It's a nice deal, because you can start light and

build as much or little color as you want, or layer different

colors to get a nice watercolor look.

Stamp Off Country Home Thanksgiving

Welcome to another Stamp Off Challenge.

This week, Buffy, Susan and I are doing fall/Thanksgiving.

This is our last challenge before the Thanksgiving

holiday, so we wish our viewing audience a

wonderful time with turkey, friends and family!

I always enjoy the challenge of combining products, 

so this card features Country Home (Holiday p 43),

with the Everyday Jars Framelits and Jar of Love

Stamp set (pages 217 and 51).  I was going for kind of

a terrarium concept.  I wrapped the jar with some 

Silver Mini Sequin trim (p 201) to add sparkle.  

I love the foliage from

Country Home and enjoy trying to use it in different ways.

I did some masking after stamping the jar, and then colored the foliage with Stampin' Blends! (p 205)

Now please pop on over to see what Buffy and Susan have 

created, to get you into a Thanksgiving mood.

All the Good Things with Stamparatus

I really do enjoy using the All the Good Things (p 151)

set with the Stamparatus (p 207).  It allows you to blend

colors with your markers, until you are happy with

the outcome.  In this example, the tree top combines

Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay.  You just keep coloring

the rubber with your marker and stamping it.   

Since the stamp comes down in the

same location when you use the Stamparatus, you have

the opportunity to create highlighting and low lights,

by using contrasting colors of inks.  

For the pot,  I used Blackberry Bliss, with Basic Gray.

Signs of Santa

This card features the Signs of Santa set,

with coordinating Santa's Signpost Framelits Dies

on page 19 of the Holiday Mini.  It's such a cute set,

with all of the elves and signs!

This suite also has Santa's Workshop Specialty

DSP, so that you can cut out additional images.

Lastly, the Santa's Workshops Enamel Shapes can

also be found on page 19 

Bouquet Bunch Framelits with New Colors

Well, I finally seem to be over the effects of last week's

stomach flu.  Do yourself a favor and stock up on 

electrolyte drinks.  If you get the flu, you will be too

sick to go out for them, and you will be in desperate

need of hydration.  Your main need will be to rehydrate,

trust me.   That is my public service

announcement for today!

I continue to find excuses to pull out my Bouquet Bunch

Framelits on page 216.  It is just such a great product

for creating a quick WOW card.   I also wanted to play

with some of the new colors, so this card features 

Gray Granite, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape,

and Soft Sea Foam.  I really liked how dramatic

these colors looked together.

I ran the background layer through the Subtle 

Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (p 223)

to make this card even more dramatic.  

I hope that you enjoy.

Spirited Snowmen Colored with Stampin' Blends!

I haven't posted many Christmas cards, because I hate to

jump the gun, before we've even celebrated Thanksgiving.

However, I like to squeak one in periodically.

This image and sentiment come from the Spirited Snowmen

set on page 38 of the Holiday mini.  This is a darling set, 

especially for those of us who love a cute snowman.

I colored this snowman with Stampin' Blends 

and embossed the card base with the 

Tin Tile Dynamic Textured Impressions 

Embossing folder (p 43).

Swirly Scribbles with Country Home

This is a Swirly Scribbles Thinlit (page 220), with

some 5/8" ribbon (page 200) layered behind the heart.

The sentiment was taken from Country Home,

on page 43 of the Holiday Mini. 

Stamp Off Build A Bike Color Challenge

Welcome blog hoppers.  This week, Buffy, Susan

and I are doing a wonderful challenge, 

thanks to Buffy.

This is a Tic Tac Toe color challenge.  I selected

the horizontal row in the middle; Pumpkin Pie,

Shaded Spruce and Daffodil Delight.

I hate to start on a negative note, but it has been a frustrating 

week.  We've had steady rain for a week now 
(ok, rain is better than snow, I will agree), and I

had a nasty bout of the stomach flu Monday night.  I think

that I got the flu from Buffy's granddaughter Amelia, even if

there is no evidence that germs can hop from blog to blog.

I needed something to pick me up, so immediately

grabbed my Build a Bike Framelits on page 216. 

I knew that I wanted to use the splotches from Beautiful

Blizzard on page 39 of the Holiday Mini, behind

the bike.  I added Shaded Spruce Wheels from the
Chase your Dreams Framelits (p 216) and star hubs
on the bike from the Starlight Thinlits on page 220.
Lastly, the sentiment comes from Varied Vases
on page 45.

Hopefully I haven't depressed readers with this post!
Please keep on hopping over to check out what
Susan and Buffy have done with this challenge!

Snowflakes Showcase

Let it snow! Or at least, create a snowy wonderland using this incredible assortment of products. With two stamp sets, 
paper, accessories, and dies, the only limit is your creativity!

Dates: November 1–30, 2018

• Products available while supplies last until November 30, 2018. This means products will only be available until November 30 or while supplies last, whichever comes first. If a product’s supply is depleted before November 30, it will no longer be available for purchase.

Flourish Thinlits

This is a sympathy card that I sent to my aunt in Utah.

My uncle went out into his back yard, sat down on his

glider and passed away.   He obviously was looking at the

different nut trees that he had raised; especially pecans.

It was a good life and personally, that is how I'd like to go.

I realize that this is not a Halloween card, but my uncle 

and his family have

been on my mind, so here you are.

Trick or Tweet Elephant

As the year speeds by, we are almost to Halloween.

There were some cute Halloween offerings in the Holiday

catalog, but Trick or Tweet on page 50 was one of

my favorites.  Lots of great images to color with your

Stampin' Blends, aqua painter or blender pen.

I paired my Blends with some Vanilla card stock.

The bat images was created with the Spooky Bats Punch

on page 51.

Postcard Pals Otter

Who doesn't love Postcard Pals on page 49? I mean this set

is seriously cute!  Given that my blog name is

jackotterstamp, it seem necessary for me to get this 

set and post this cute little otter.   He is so easy to color

with the Stampin' Blends.  You can use innumerable different

color combinations, so the fun just keeps going.

I think that this could be made into a Christmas card, with

some holiday accessories, so look for that use of this

set in the future.  I think that I "otter" make it happen

don't you?!

Buffy's Buffalo Check Birthday

Well, I hit the birthday jackpot!  This is a birthday card

that I received from my friend Buffy Cooper.  She created a

wonderful card, featuring the Buffalo Check stamp on page

38 of the Holiday Catalog.    The sentiment comes

from the Cake Soiree' set on page 78.  This is such

a warm and elegant card.  I'm not positive, but I think
Buffy added an extra touch to the Buffalo check, by 
drawing in the green lines.  By taking this extra step,
Buffy elevated this card so that it would coordinate with
the Garden Green layers.

I appreciate my two Stamp Off Challenge friends,

Buffy and Susan so much.  They push me to get

creative and continue to love stamping and 

good friends!

Birthday Bouquet Bunch

I had a birthday a couple weeks ago.  We won't focus

on my age, suffice it to say I can still manipulate a

stamp and acrylic block.

I received some beautiful birthday cards and I wanted

to share one of them.

My friend Susan Horr sent me this fabulous card.

I love the Bouquet Bunch Framelits and Susan certainly

did them justice!  I love her colors and clean and simple

layout.  I thank Susan for her delightful gift of friendship.

Stamp Off Vellum Seasonal Layers Thinlits

Hey friends, it's another Stamp Off Challenge Friday.

Today Buffy, Susan and I challenged each other to

use vellum on our projects.  Vellum cardstock, on page 192,

is a great product, that often slides between paper packs

and gets forgotten.

I decided to use a technique with my vellum cardstock.
I colored the vellum with Stampin' Blends and then 
blended the colors with cotton balls soaked in alcohol.
Since the Stampin Blends are alcohol based, the alcohol
moves and blends the colors.  I cut out the vellum leaves
with the Seasonal Layers Thinlits on page 219.  I decided to
layer the full leaf with the cut out leaf, to emphasize 
the vellum and color contrasts on the card.

The sentiment, inked in Cajun Craze, comes from the 
Painted Harvest set on page 139.   You can see a bit of a
So Saffron in the background, which was created with the
"splotch" from Beautiful Blizzard on page 39 in the
Holiday Catalog.

I appreciate your visit, and strongly recommend that you click
on to Buffy and Susan's sites, to see their vellum samples.

All the Good Things Tree

This is another card made with the images from

All the Good Things on page 151.  It is simply a dandy

set to play with on your Stamparatus.  In this example,

I used Mint Macaron, Pear Pizzazz and Mossy Meadow

on the tree, with Calypso Coral and Poppy Parade,

with a little Crumb Cake for the pot.  Thanks to this

technique, I have fallen back in love with my 

Stampin' Write Markers!

All the Good Things Carp with Stamparatus

All the Good Things, on page 151, is a great set,

and works well in conjunction with the Stamparatus.

When you use the Stamparatus, you can ink up small portions
of the image, and keep adding color

until you are happy with the results.  

Patty Bennett did a really great video, showing this

technique here

 All of the images in this set lend themselves to this

technique.  Whether you use markers or spots, it is

very satisfying, as you are able to make color adjustments.

It is more forgiving than watercoloring, which is a

bonus for me!

Beautiful Blizzard Country Home

There several Holiday catalog sets that I absolutely adore.

What is even better is that they can be combined in different

ways.  In this example, I paired Country Home on page 43 with

Beautiful Blizzard on page 39.  I love using the "splotches" 

from Beautiful Blizzard with other images.  In this example

I didn't color the watering can because the splotch worked

well as a coloring component.   I did color the foliage with

Stampin' Blends, but I think that the delicate plant life

works well with the mysterious watercolor splotches. 

Serene Garden Dove

Ah yes, the lovely Serene Garden set (on page 166)

and coordinating Garden Scene Framelits, are so

striking.  This bundle creates the kind of patterns that

you'd see in a mid century modern home, with the lines

and angles.  I really like the dove, which can work back

to Christmas, or a garden theme.  I also like the fact that

you can color the images with blends, or watercolor,

or leave them as is.  It seems to look good with little

to no effort!