Hi, my name is Marla and I'm a swap-a-holic!

Hello! Is anybody out there still checking my blog? I have been terrible about blogging lately. I really thought that once summer came, life would slow down and I'd have more time to stamp and blog and well, that just hasn't happened! I'm no longer used to having two kids here full time and my kiddos have kept me hopping! As some of you know, I just returned home from Salt Lake City where I attended my first ever Stampin' Up Convention. It was an awesome trip and something that every demonstrator should experience at least once! These are all of the cards that I made to swap with other demos at convention. I got some wonderful cards in return and I hope to share some of them with you very soon!



I made the card above for an organized technique swap. Does it look familiar? I have made this card over and over again because I love it so much. I just change a little something about it each time. This card uses two of the brand new in colors- Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade. I absolutely love Wisteria Wonder, which shouldn't surprise you too much if you know me. I am a total purple freak!!!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Precious Butterflies (new hostess set)
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Sahara Sand, Versamark
Accessories: clear embossing powder, heat tool, large oval punch, scalloped oval punch, Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon
Techniques: emboss resist, sponging




I made this card for the same technique swap. It is loaded down with techniques- wax paper resist, faux suede, and fork bow. I also sprayed it with homemade shimmer spray to give it a little sparkle. I love these colors together!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Precious Butterflies (new hostess set)
Paper: Basic Gray, Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder, Glossy Cardstock
Ink: Basic Gray, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Fun Flowers die, 3/8" Taffeta ribbon, antique brad, large oval punch, scalloped oval punch, champagne mist shimmer paint
Techniques: wax paper resist, faux suede, fork bow, sponging


I made this cute (if I do say so myself) card for a swap that was organized by Lyssa Zwolanek, who is an awesome demonstrator. I received the BEST cards from this swap and can't wait to participate in it again! It took some time to make fifteen of these cards, but I was really happy with how they turned out and LOVED the cards I got in return, so it was totally worth it! This card uses colors from the subtles collection, but I used the least subtle colors in the collection for this fun color combo.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Bring on the Cake, Create a Cupcake
Paper: Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Extra-Large Oval punch, Scallop Edge border punch, whisper white 3/8" taffeta ribbon



This card was one of my general swaps. I used the new set called, "Pennant Parade" as well as the new scalloped dots ribbon. I think that this card will definitely be one made at my Christmas card classes. I made the background by embossing the Crumb Cake cardstock using the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder and then brayering Cherry Cobbler ink over the raised flowers.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Pennant Parade, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink: More Mustard, Lucky Limeade (pad and marker), Cherry Cobbler (pad and marker), Early Espresso (marker)
Accessories: Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder, Modern Label punch, Word Window punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 2 1/2" Circle punch, Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scalloped Dots ribbon, brayer
Techniques: dry embossing, brayering, marker to stamp


I used the same brayering technique on the background of this general swap card. I embossed Melon Mambo cardstock in the brand new houndstooth embossing folder and then brayered Basic Black ink over the raised parts. This card also uses the new hostess set called "Happiest Birthday Wishes", which I love. I make tons of birthday cards, so I am a sucker for a birthday set! The sentiment has several punched out layers that are popped up with dimensionals. It gives a fun effect!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes
Paper: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Big Shot, Houndstooth embossing folder, Fun Flowers die, 1 3/4" Scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Melon Mambo Scalloped Dots 1/2" ribbon, brayer
Techniques: dry embossing, brayering


This last card is a pretty simple one that I CASED from the Spanish edition of our catalog. I love this set (especially the little bench with the squirrels) and I haven't used it much, so when I saw this card in the Spanish catalog, I had to make my own version. This card combines two of my favorite things- squirrels and purple!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Pendant Park
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Elegant Eggplant, Early Espresso
Acceories: White baker's twine
Technique: torn edge

Well, that's it for now! I hope that this extra long post will make up for the fact that I'm only averaging one blog post per month. I promise I will try to do better! My mind is swimming with incredible ideas that I can't wait to try. Have a great day!

~Marla Pin It