Reading = Happiness: Corner Book mark

Last year, I made this cute little corner book marker. It's super easy to make and fits snugly on the corner of a book's page. A few weeks later, my mommy bought me a Kindle Fire for my birthday. Since then, I haven't read many physical books. I love reading books on my Kindle Fire. I thought about just setting this cute little corner bookmark in my Kindle cover, but a physical book mark is pointless.

Needless to say, not everyone has moved on from physical books, so book marks are not yet obsolete. So, if you do know someone who still would appreciate a bookmark, here's how you can make it:

1.  Start with a 4" x  4" piece of card stock and a 4" x 4" piece of DSP.
   
   
2. Use  the Simply Scored took and the Diagonal Plate to Score diagonal lines from the top middle to the middle of each side of the cardstock. Fold the cardstock on the score lines.
   
   
3. Take a piece of 4" x 4" DSP and Cut the top corners of the DSP to match the shape of the bookmark. Save one of the corner pieces.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Fold the corners back and adhere the DSP corner piece to keep them together.
   
   
   
   
5. Decorate your DSP to your liking. For my bookmark, I wrapped around Pool Party ribbon. I used the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set (now retired) to stamp the butterfly in Pool Party ink and then cut out the image using snips. Finally, I stamped "Happiness" from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set and used the Word Window punch to punch out the word. 

 Have you jumped on the Digital bandwagon and switched over to e-books? You know, sometimes I do miss the feel of a book, but I still get my fill of books as I read all the kid books to my daughter. And I still occasionally read a physical book. Although, I love the portability of the Kindle.

Happy Stampin',
~Cita

Time to Say Goodbye: Stampin' Up! Retired Lists

Each year, Stampin' Up! released the highly-anticipated, but sometimes dreaded retired lists, a list of all the stamp sets and accessories that will not be carried over to the new catalog. Today, SU! released that list. As I was going through the list I felt like playing Andrea Bocelli's "Time to Say Goodbye" in the background.

Anyways, here are the important details about retiring products:

• Retired lists will be valid through June 3 or while supplies last
• Some items are discounted up to 60% off. 
• Retiring accessories are available only while supplies last. This list will be updated daily. 
• View the Retiring Accessories List
• Retiring stamp sets will be available through June 3. 
• View the Retiring Stamp Sets List

Make sure you order any stamps or accessories before it's too late! Head on over to my website to place your order.

Happy Stampin'
~Cita 

Perfect Chalkboard

The chalkboard technique is all the rage these days, and it's super simple to create. One thing I love about the chalkboard technique is how a simple card can look so glamorous. In this card, I've just used one stamp and added a piece of Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon for a little embellishment. 

To create the chalkboard technique, do the following:

1. Stamp your image in Whisper White Craft Ink or VersaMark Ink on Black Cardstock. 
2. Heat emboss your image using Whisper White embossing powder. 
3. Lightly Sponge Whisper White Craft Ink around the black cardstock to create a chalk powder effect. 
4. Use the Uni-Ball Signo White Gel Pen to draw lines about 1/4" in to create a frame. 
5. Layer your black cardstock on another color and add embellishments.   

The Sale-a-Bration 2013 Vintage Verses stamp set is perfect to use with the chalkboard technique and offers a variety of sentiments for all occasions.

Although you can no longer purchase the Sale-a-Bration exclusive stamp set, there are a variety of other stamp sets that are perfect for the chalkboard technique. Here are a few of my favorites.

You're Amazing Stamp Set

Amazing Family stamp set

Seasonal Sayings stamp set

Happy Stampin'
~Cita

Get Dolled Up!

Stampin' Up! just announced a new card kit: The Dolled-Up Birthday Kit created by Chris G. of Ohio! This kit is super cute and comes with enough supplies (minus the adhesive) to make six beautiful birthday cards. Or, change the greeting and make a Mother's Day or Sympathy card.

The Dolled-Up Birthday kit includes the following:

• Dolled Up Birthday Photopolymer Stamp (1)
• 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Crumb Cake Cardstock (6 pieces)
• 2" x 4-1/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock (6 pieces)
• Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (6)
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies (6)
• Dress Up die-cuts (6)
• Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Spot (1)
• Vanilla 5/8" Flower Trim (6 pieces)
• Sponge Dauber (1)

Get all this for $15.95 US/ $17.95 CA!

Head on over to my online store to get this beautiful kit and see the instructions on how to make this dolled up card. 

Happy Stampin'
~Cita

Ladybug Ink Blog Hop: Birthday Style

Welcome to the April Ladybug Ink Blog Hop!
My birthday is this weekend, so it's awesome that our fearless Blog Hop organizer, Ruth, chose the birthday theme for this month's theme. I feel like I can continue to celebrate my birthday as I look at all the amazing birthday projects that these talented Ladybug stampers have come up with.
Anyways, my card is CASEd from a swap I received from a very talented demonstrator, T. Butts at the 2012 Stampin' Up! Denver Regional. Thank you for the inspiration.

I love this birthday card because of it's clean, simple look and the bold birthday colors (Pacific Point, Real Red, and Daffodil Delight).
The gift bags are simple to make, but takes longer than you may think.

• Take pieces of Real Red, Pacific Point, and Daffodil Delight cardstock and use the Chevron embossing folder to emboss each color. 
• Use the 1-1/4" Square Punch to punch out the squares in each color. 
• Use the stampin' sponges to sponge each square's respective color over the chevrons. 
• Cut a little piece (about1-1/2") piece of baker's twine and attach it to the back of each square using scotch tape. Using scotch tape better holds the twine in place. 
• Sponge each color on white tissue paper. Fold or crumble the pieces and attach to the back of each square using scotch tape. 
• Attach the newly assembled gift bag to your card using Stampin' Dimensionals. 

I stamped  "Happy Birthday" from the Sassy Salutation stamp set in Pacific Point ink. You may not be able to see this very clearly in the picture, but I also added a little more chevron embossing between the "Happy Birthday" and the gift bags by using the Borders Scoring Plate and the Simple Scored tool.

Isn't this a fun card? I like it so much, I think I'm going to give it to myself for my birthday this weekend. :-D

Head on over to Cassie's blog to see what kind of birthday awesomeness she has in store for you!

Happy Stampin',
~Cita 

Blog Hop Roll Call:

 Ruth Norton http://ruthsstampingcorner.blogspot.com

Amber Wilson http://amberladybugink.blogspot.com/

Nichole Gonzales Jaramillo http://nicholesu.blogspot.com/

Kay Jantz http://ktmyldyandlife.blogspot.com/

Liz Kay http://www.kraftasticmrskay.blogspot.com/

You are here: Camelita Wasson http://carmenacita.blogspot.com/

Cassie Rogers http://lucyslovelies.blogspot.com/

Michelle Carrion http://www.ilovecrafttime.blogspot.com/

Introducing New Wood-Mount Cases!

I've had a really bad day. But this......this makes me smile.

Stampin' Up! just introduced that starting with the new 2013-2014 Catalog (which comes out on May 31), they will be introducing their new wood-mount stamp set packaging! These new cases are similar to the clear-mount boxes and fit perfectly on the shelf right next to them. They also have the images and stamp set name on the spine to make your search for the right set even easier.

That's something to smile about. :-) Check out the video!

Happy Stampin'
~Cita

Announcing the Color Refresh

Stampin' Up! loves color and they know that we do too. And that's why everyone is excited about the upcoming 2013-2014 annual catalog Color Refresh, which will include 10 new colors (most of which are returning In Colors from previous years)! We are welcoming back some of your favorites, moving some colors around, and introducing one brand-new color, so take a look!

 Here's a few things you should know about the Color Refresh:

1. There is one new color called Smoky Slate. Additionally, there are nine returning In Colors as core colors: Bermuda Bay, Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Soft Sky, and Wisteria Wonder. 
2. There are 11 retiring colors: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Bravo Burgandy, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, and River Rock  
3. As of April 4, all retiring color producs (inks, refills, ribbon, markers, cardstock, etc.) will only be available while supplies last. This means that some retiring products may not be available through May 31, which is the end of the current catalog's period. 
4. The retiring colors will not retire in My Digital Studio and will remain in your color pallette. 
5. Additionally, a My Digital Studio download will be available on June 1 to add the new colors free of charge. 

You excited? You sad? You confused? If you are like me, there are a mixture of emotions as I'm excited to see some of my favorite colors returning (such as Bermuda Bay), and sad to see some of my favorite colors retiring (Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery). 

I'm curious to hear what you think about the Color Refresh! Leave a comment.

Happy Stampin'!

Carmelita