New Release from Catherine Pooler

Catherine Pooler has come out with a new release just in time for Christmas.  Pick up some new goodies to gift yourself or perhaps stuff a happy stampers stocking.

New Inks and Zen Garden

Sorry I have been a little MIA on the blog recently.  I've taken a creative break while I work on starting up a new business.  But, I wanted to pop in here today to let you know that Catherine Pooler has released 8 new ink colors in her spa line and the Zen Garden collection she revealed at Creativation are both available today!!!

Click on the pictures to shop today with my affiliate link at no cost to you.  Thanks for continuing to support my blog.   I miss crafting with you and hope to be back very soon!

New Release ~ Paradise Found

Have you caught any of the new release videos Catherine & Ingrid have been doing over on Facebook?  She has a new collection of earthy spa colors of ink, plus stamps and dies. Today's cards feature the new Plaid Background stamp along with the Winter Woodland stamps & dies.  I managed to use all but 2 colors between these two cards.

This first card was a happy accident.   When we designers get these products we have NO samples to go off and it can be quite tricky trying to figure out how the designer intended the stamps to go together.  I played around with the greenery and using the heart and bird together.  I wasn't sure which was supposed to be in the center, but it doesn't really matter because they both look great.  Earlier I had stamped out the plaid background in both Rockin' Red (Party Collection) and Peppermint Scrub (Spa Collection) to see how the two reds compared.  This paper happened to be on the table when I set the bird on top.  Later when I was looking for something else I saw the small doily and the birdie gift tag on top of the plaid background and almost squealed it was so cute.  I stamped the arrangement on the center of my doily and put this quick card together.

Stamps: For Everything, Plaid Background, Winter Woodland (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Eucalyptus, Rockin' Red, Peppermint Scrub, Royal Treatment, Green Tea (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Paper: Premium White (CPD)
Accessories: Small Doily Die (Catherine Pooler Designs) 

This second card came when stamped out the deer and other images, then die cut them.  I couldn't find a matching die to the greenery that the bird is sitting on.  I had used that stamp to make a wreath on yesterday's card.  I had thought perhaps they were supposed to be in the place of antlers, tough there are antlers in this stamp set.  So, I grabbed the green stamp I had used on the cards above, then grabbed the die to cut it out and I couldn't get it to match.  There was all this extra white space sticking out that side.  That's when it dawned on me that the 2 greeneries were designed to be stamped over each other.  Pretty cool, eh?! 

One I put that die cut "bouquet" on my deer's head, I had to jazz up his background too.  I would have grabbed the gold glitter embossing powder I've been seeing Catherine use, but I don't have it in my hot little hands.   I do have sand dunes, and decided to experiment to see how it would look.  Originally I was going to just have it be a small background like it was on the card I made yesterday, but I loved it too much to cover up, so I pulled out the small doily die instead to anchor my deer.  This happy accident turned out to be one of my favorite cards from this collection.

Stamps: Plaid Background, Winter Woodland (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Eucalyptus, Peppermint Scrub, Juniper Mist, Green Tea (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Paper: Premium White (CPD)
Accessories: Sand Dunes Embossing Powder, Small Doily Die (Catherine Pooler Designs) 

The entire spa collection, plus new stamps and dies along with the Naturally Inspired collection is on sale now.  Hurry before the initial supplies sell out.  Check back in here all week for inspiration on the new releases.

CLICKY TO BUY ALL THE NEW THINGS

Catherine is doing 3 days of blog hops, so be sure to head on over to her site to see how some of the design team was inspired.  A little birdie told me there might be prizes.  <wink-wink>

Tilly's Magic Garden and Craft Room Essentials

There is a tiny little release today that is making a BIG impact at my stamp table.  One stamp set, one die a few sheets of paper and BAM 5 cards, right out of the gate.  Fun times at the North home.  The best part?  This stamp set and the craft room essentials are available NOW in the Catherine Pooler shop.

The second best part?  I have some of those cards and a video to share with you today too!

Clicky to view this video on youtube

This stamp set was created by Lydia Evans and it is her first for Catherine Pooler Designs.  I'm so excited to see a fellow card designer branch into new creative adventures.

Stamps: Tilly's Magic Garden (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink: Garden Party, It's A Girl, Mint to Be, Party Dress, Tiara, Pixie Dust (CPD) Versamark
Paper: Midnight, Premium Bright White (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Accessories: Concentric Circles Dies, Dotted Circle Dies, Hello Die, Large Doily Die (CPD) Clear Embossing Powder (SU) Stencil Brushes (Clarity)

Stamps: Tilly's Magic Garden (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Garden Party, It's A Girl, Mint to Be, Party Dress, Tiara, Pixie Dust (CPD) Versamark
Paper: Midnight, Premium Bright White (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Accessories: Concentric Circles Dies, Dotted Circle Dies, Hello Die, Large Doily Die (CPD) Clear Embossing Powder (SU) Stencil Brushes (Clarity)

Stamps: Tilly's Magic Garden (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Black Jack, Garden Party, It's A Girl, Mint to Be, Party Dress, Tiara, Pixie Dust (CPD) Versamark
Paper: Midnight, Premium Bright White (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Accessories: Concentric Circles Dies, Dotted Circle Dies, Large Doily Die (CPD) Clear Embossing Powder (SU) Stencil Brushes (Clarity)


Don't forget to check out the Craft Room Essentials category for several new goodies every stamper needs.




Want to see even more goodies created with this set?  Check out my Creative Blessings page on Facebook where I will be sharing links to other designers as I find them.  You will also want to stop by Catherine's blog and see what she has to share!

Surround Yourself With...

Catherine Pooler has a new release, and you know what that means?  I get to play with new stamps and dies and ink and stencils!!!!  So much good stuff to enjoy!

One of the stamp sets comes with this saying "Surround yourself with those who bring out the best in you."  This quote has special meaning because Catherine gave her design team members a bracelet with this inscription on the inside at our first dream team retreat.  You may have seen this silver bracelet on my wrist, Catherine's or one of the other dream team members.  It holds a special place in my heart and I wear it almost daily.

Clicky to view in HD on youtube.

Click on the picture below to see all the new products. 

Stamps: Best In You (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink: Fiesta Blue, Garden Green, Sweet Sixteen, Midnight (CPD) Versamark
Paper: Basic Black (SU) Bright White (CPD)
Accessories: Large Doily Die Perfect Vine Stencil (Catherine Pooler Designs) Twine (Doodlebug)

Perfect Pair

Second card for today.  Isn't this just a fun card?   Today Catherine Pooler is doing a SURPRISE release!  Say what?!  Yep, she is at it again with a fun new release filled with goodies every stamper will love.  I used the new I Pick You stamp set from Catherine Pooler Designs and paired it with her new Large Doily Die.  And then...drum roll please... one of the new INKS released is on this card too!

The background was created by stamping the pear in Melon Ice in the center of the card, and then stamping pears all around it, changing the direction of the stamp each time I stamped it.

 

Stamps: I Pick You (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink: Icing On the Cake, Melon Ice, Tiara (CPD)
Paper: Bright White (CPD) Vellum (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Mini Stapler (Stampin Up) I Pick You Dies, Large Doily Die (Catherine Pooler Designs)

SOA Naturally Inspired Blog Hop

Today is blog hop day 3 for the soon-to-be-released Naturally Inspired Stamp of Approval by Catherine Pooler.  If you aren't on the waitlist, you will want to be. Go to www.cpstampofapproval.com

My first card is inspired by a summer sun splashed meadow.

Stamps: Simply the Best, Wild Garden

Ink: Melon Ice, *Mystery Ink*
Accessories: Best Die

Direct link to youtube video: https://youtu.be/zm63Aow_LEg

If you have never heard of Stamp of Approval, it is an exclusive quarterly collection curated by Catherine Pooler.  Each product in the collection is designed to work with the rest of the collection.  These boxes are limited edition and only available while supplies last.  Once they sell out you won't be able to order them for months, and never again bundled together at this price.  Get yourself on the waitlist at cpstampofapproval.com to be one of the first notified when this release goes for sale.

My second card was inspired by the picture above.  I saw it months ago on pinterest and I've been wanting to make a card inspired by it ever since.  I just needed some dandelion stamps.  :)  As you can see I used the same basic layout, but came out with 2 completely different cards.

Stamps: Birds of A Feather, Wild Garden
Ink: *mystery ink*, Aquatini, Midnight, Versamark
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up) Wanderlust Embossing Powder (WOW)

This collection is called naturally inspired.   We were each asked how we are naturally inspired.  Honestly, I am inspired by almost everything in the world around me.  I'm very visual, so I see color, pattern and design everywhere I look.  I love being inspired by nature, though I'm not really an "outdoorsy" kind of girl.  So, what inspires you?  Answer in the comments below for your chance to win one of these boxes for free!  If you've already ordered yours, Catherine will refund the money.

Then hop along the rest of the hop and do the same.  Next up is: Cynde Whitlow  If you missed the first 2 days of the hop I will link you to the start of those days below.   Good luck!

Catherine Pooler

Taheerah Atchia

Laurel Beard

Lydia Evans

Ingrid Blackburn

Heather North -you are here

Cynde Whitlow -NEXT STOP- Day 1 Day 2

Spring Fling Blog Hop

I absolutely love the colors of Spring.  Flowers everywhere, green grass and leaves budding out.  If you are like me you are going to fall in love with the new ink colors being released by Catherine Pooler.  These inks a full saturation and coordinate beautiful with her first collection of inks, they are just a few shades lighter.

I had to use all the colors on my cards today and even came up with 3 different versions to share with you.  :)

Direct link to youtube: https://youtu.be/jwtNrRDpHTg

Step One

Stepped Up

Stepped Up More

Close up so you can see the embossed circles from the Dotted Circle Dies.

Now on to the blog hop where you have a chance to win your own collection of the new inks just by leaving a comment on each stop of the hop.  :)  I'm the last stop on the hop, so if you started with Catherine you can now go shopping.  If you started here or somewhere in the middle, head to Catherine's blog CLICKY to finish up the blog hop.  

• Catherine ---Go Here Next---
• Lisa 
• Kristie
• Laurel
• Maureen
• Taheerah 
• Ingrid
• Chrissie 
• Melissa 
• Deepti 
• Lydia
• Heather -you are here-

Ordering is open today for these fabulous new products!  If you have not yet signed up for Catherine's reward club, clicky for a special code on your first purchase.  ;)

Stamps: Simply Stated (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Bellini, Garden Party, It's A Boy, It's A Girl, Melon Ice, Midnight, Mint to Be, Pixie Dust, Sweet 16 (CPD)
Paper: Bright White (CPD) Vellum Cardstock (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Circle Dies, Dotted Circle Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs) Distress Ink Blending Tool (Tim Holtz) Mini MISTI

Party Collection Blog Hop

Today is an exciting day for ink lovers everywhere.  Catherine Pooler is rolling out the rest of her first line of ink colors and it is a Party!  Vibrant colors with full coverage inking.  Who could ask for more?

Stamps: Still Smiling (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink: Aquatini, Flirty Fuchsia, Party Dress, Tiara (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Paper: Bright White (CPD) Basic Black (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Friend Fri-Die, Friendly Flowers Fri-Dies (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Harleen Stencil (Winnie & Walter)

I just had to make a rainbow card with these luscious colors.  Can you blame me?  Here's a video showing you how I achieved the shadow rainbow look.

To view video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfciZwO6GQA

Which new color will you be picking up?  I'm going to be ordering the re-inkers and some more paper.  If you've never shopped CP's store before, click on this link to get a special code for your first purchase.

StampNation will also be getting a special code for the Birthday Bash going on this week.  If you are a StampNation member, be sure to go over there first and pick up your code.  The birthday bash starts tomorrow!!!

Are you ready to party with the rest of the design team?  Leave a comment on each stop along the hop for your best chance to win one of the $25 gift certificates Catherine is giving away (2) $25 gift certificates to her store.  Be sure to comment by 6pm EST on Thursday for your chance to win.

The more blogs you comment on, the better your odds of winning. Up next is the incredibly talented Taheerah Atchia.

• Catherine Pooler
• Laurel Beard
• Chrissie Tobas
• Heather North *you are here*
• Taheerah Atchia <<<go here next>>>
• Kristie Goulet
• Deepti Stephens
• Lydia Evans
• Ingrid Blackburn
• Allison Cope
• Melissa Miller
• Kelly Griglione
• Maureen Merritt
• Lisa Harrolle

So, what's your favorite new ink color?

Photo courtesy of Catherine Pooler

Smitten with Mittens

Last week we had our first snow of the season and I was filming and coloring these adorable mittens as the snow fell outside my dining room table.  Many people moan when the snow starts, but I get excited!  We get the perfect amount here, usually.  It covers everything in a beautiful blanket of white, then melts away in a few hours to a few days, depending on how much we get.

Aren't these mittens sweet?  They are part of a new mini release from Catherine Pooler Designs. It's called Holiday Wrap-Up the stamps, dies and sentiments are made to put the finishing touches on your holiday cards, tags, and notes.  They also make a great gift for any card maker you know because they are not Christmas specific.  They are products you can use all season long, and beyond.

Would you like to see how I made my card?  Check out the video below or watch on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6SkQJkktUk

The sentiment on the inside is exactly what I would write.  I LOVE it!  I finished it off my adding a few snowflakes.

Below is a picture of the Holiday Wrap Up collection.  You can buy the set of 3 stamps and a coordinating die, or you can purchase each item separately.  How cool is that?!

I didn't use the Still Smiling stamp set today, but you can check out my coloring page card I used it on here.

Stamps: Holiday Mittens, Sending Blessings (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Lost Lagoon, Soft Sky (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Distress Watercolor (Tim Holtz) White (Neenah)
Accessories: Birthday Journal Tag (Sugar Pea Designs) Masking Marker (Molotow)

Molotow Grafx Art Masking Pen, 2mm

Black Velvet Watercolor Brushes, Short Round 6

My Sweet Petunia Mini MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool

Hero Arts Embossing Gun

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Heavyweight, Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb, 25 pk

Tim Holtz, Crinkle Ribbon

Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy

Thermoweb Adhesive Pick-Up Square

Inspired By Butterfly Quilt

It's been awhile since I've done a video for my Inspired By classroom at StampNation.  The design team had been busy playing "Tag, You're It", but now we are back to our regular schedule.  My inspiration this month comes straight from a quilt by Shabby Fabrics.

Honestly, I cannot tell you how many times I have used this quilt as inspiration for design.  From the colors, to the flow, to the tulips and the butterflies.  There is so much to pull from this piece.  I think I may need to buy the kit and make one of these for myself to hang on the wall.

Here is a sneak peek of my card.  If you would like to see the full card, along with the video tutorial and other inspiration pieces from Melissa Miller and the rest of StampNation, clicky.    You must be a StampNation member to view it, but at just $9 per month, it is worth the investment in some "me time" for yourself.  :) Clicky to find out more and join now.

Supplies from the Foundations Box
Stamps: For Everything (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Fiesta Blue, Grass Skirt, Orange Twist, Rockin' Red, Midnight (CPD)
Paper: Bright White (CPD)