Oh Honey!

Oh Honey! 

Being a tried and true Georgia Tech fan, I couldn't wait to play with this set! It is called Honey Bee from th 2020 Spring Mini catalog. There are dies that can be purchased also. The star of the show however is the beautiful Designer Series Paper that goes with the set! Amazing! 

The layout I chose was actually a cased project from Kylie Bertucci's International Highlights Tutorial www.kyliebertucci.com, submitted by Rachel Tessman https://stampyourartout.com. The shaker element uses gold Tulle I happened to have on hand along with some various sequins in my stash. I stamped the bee hive in VersaMark and embossed it using Shimmer White embossing powder. I used a bit of gold foil paper with the dies to make the hexagons to apply to the front of the card. I finished it off with he black and silver organdy ribbon. This ribbon is sort of hard to tie into a bow though. I used white seam binding ribbon, died with my black blends marker; I splattered some gold paint on the bow to tie in more of the gold. For the bee, I needed just the right gold, so I pulled out the Delicata gold refill and added a tiny bit of water to it and painted it on with a small brush. I ended up with a blob of gold dribbled on the wing, so I purposely splattered more so it wouldn't look so random. The sentiment is embossed with white embossing powder to make it POP. 

In memory of Amanda

In Memory of Amanda

At Amanda's funeral service the church was adorned with absolutely huge gorgeous hydrangeas. The pastor who spoke was a really good friend of Amanda's and she mentioned many times Amanda's love of the beautiful blue and purple flowers. I wanted to do cards for her family, but I  had a hard time finding just the right simple stamp set to use. I did several other cards from various sets, including Thoughtful Branches with watercolor and sent them to each of her children. This one, however, was the most simple but truly the most appropriate. I ask my SU! community's forgiveness upfront because this is a retired set from MANY years ago called The Best of Flowers. The dies used were a special gift to me from my good friend Katie; they are an intricate set called Marianne Squares. I couldn't use the dies much prior to getting my Gemini cutting machine; it cuts and embosses the paper like a dream with this set. I cut 2 of the largest squares and scored the back piece about an inch and a half from the top, used Tear-n-tape to secure the two squares together to form a shaped card. The Balmy Blue and Black card stock really helped this image pop. I used blends to color the image. I included some Highland Heather, Purple Posey, Seaside Spray, Old Olive and even some Granny Apple green to compliment the Balmy Blue. Our Moreland community will miss Amanda and I think each one of us will think of her when we see those pretty blue flowers begin to bloom this summer. 

French Countryside

Image Close up

This stamp set is from the Spring 2020 Mini catalog, entitled French Countryside. As far as demonstrator use from around my circle of interests, it hasn't received much love. Of course since antique country is sort of my theme in life, I just love it!

This is one of those sets that is very detailed and quite frankly can be a challenge to color. I embossed the image since my initial idea was to use watercolor. I canned that idea after a few experimental tries. I found using the Stampin' Write markers within the image worked much better; the colors were more vibrant and a lot less messy. The images are so pretty even without coloring! I almost left it naked, but I wanted to redeem myself from the debacle of watercoloring mess I had already made, so I persevered. I used Pool Party blends around the outer aspect of the image to give it some depth and a Crumb Cake Blend to dot in some details. I die cut it with the largest Stitched Shapes oval. While it was still in the die, I used Smokey Slate on a sponge to apply a little more color around the image. I used the Layering Oval die set to layer the image on Basic Black. The sentiments are from the Power of Hope stamp set.

This set also does not get much use around the hierarchy of You Tube popular demonstrators. I think it has potential to be very versatile and I look forward to using it more in the future. It is bundled with the Stone 3D embossing folder which is stunning all unto itself. The Ornate Label dies have several stitched images that would fit the sentiment, but I chose the smaller for the outer sentiment.

I turned again to the Golden Honey DSP from our Sale-a-bration rewards to set the scene. To hide the seam, I used a retired punch called the Scalloped Border punch💖, but there are many in the Annual Catalog that would work well too, such as the decorative ribbon punch or even some of the linear dies, like one from the Stitched Layer set or the Budding Blooms dies. It still needed a little something-something....sparkle! I used the Glittered Organdy Ribbon to add a little POP. In true Sally form, I had a smudge on the sentiment, so I used rhinestones as the "fix all" cover up.

Thank you for coming in to my site to look. As the sentiment says, "Today is the day for new beginnings." There is a hymn I love called "This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on." When I saw that sentiment in the Power of Hope set, I couldn't help but start singing the beloved hymn. I am really glad I wasn't on You Tube Live! Check the song out here in this link.  Lyrics for "This is a day" As Briscoe Darling says to Andy, "Got time to breathe, got time for music."

WOW.... February 2020 Paper Pumpkin

PAPER PUMPKIN has recently upgraded their packaging; the box closes more easily and it is wrapped completely in plastic so the shipping label is on the wrapping, and not directly on the box. This is such a benefit to those of us frugal individuals who want to reuse the boxes! Although it was not mentioned in the promotional material, I couldn't help but notice the card stock seemed to be a thicker weight than previously. Honestly I usually used the previous paper as a layer and applied the paper to thicker cardstock; I was a little embarrassed to  send the flimsy paper to anyone as a card. The cards I made from the February 2020 kit was not at all like that! I would (and will) send those out just "as is."

Next month's kit looks adorable!

Check out Paper Pumpkin in my online store today! You can order on a monthly basis, but you can also do a 3 month, a 6 month, or a years subscription. The Paper Pumpkin subscription is $22 a month; if you choose the 3 month subscription during Sale-a-bration, you will qualify for a free level one item! It brings hours of enjoyment to you every month.  It also will give you several cards ready to send as you need them. The stamp set in clouded can be used over and over again, as well as the acrylic block and the ink spot which are provided. The kit for March helps celebrate the 7th birthday of Paper Pumpkin, so they have included 2 stamp sets! What an exciting time to become a member! The kit can be taken on the go; I take it to my children's homes the I go babysit so I can work on it during the little's nap time. There are also many tutorials offered on You Tube from experienced demonstrators showing various card/project alternatives for the kit. As Andy says, "There's a lot of different ways of figuring things." (Episode 215)

I keep the Paper Pumpkin stamp sets on my desk readily available. They contain so many concise sentiments that can be used for any occasion. I catalog the sets in a small index card flip file so I can quickly search to find any sentiment or image I need. I store the sets in a full size case (the old wood mount sized case) located in the annual catalog on page 182, #127551, for only $7 (USA) for 4 cases. 

Wedding Card from the Happy Birthday to You Sale-a-bration set

Welcome back! Sale-a-bration is a special offer from Stampin' Up! which allows you to choose free items after spending at least $50 US dollars; some items are offered after spending $100 US dollars. This year's Sale-a-bration is phenomenal! The Happy Birthday to You set is so versatile. From February 4, 2020 until March 31, 2020, while supplies last, the  dies are available in the new Coordination release. The dies not only cut out the cake, but also have a cake plate and one which isolates the flowers. Pop the flowers and the cake plate on dimensionals, and the results are stunning! The paper used on the side panels are also a Sale-a-bration item, the Golden Honey Specialty Designer Series Paper. See the entire Sale-a-bration catalog for details and the Coordination release over in the right hand column.

GRACE'S GARDEN

I had the opportunity to attend my first On Stage in Atlanta (only about 30 miles from home) in November 2019! What a treat! Numerous great opportunities happened that day: I was in the company of my incredibly talented and hilarious cousin/sister/friend Kathy (@ Kathy Bohannon Creatively Blessed) and our sweet friend Karen, I received many beautiful swap cards and 3D projects, on-site training from the best of the best from SU!, we made fun cards with a room FULL of fellow demonstrators, we were blessed with new stamp sets and product from the Spring Mini Catalog along with a cool backpack filled with fun stuff, I received an additional stamp set as a gift from a total stranger, and we saw many demonstrations and displays of new stamp sets with card examples....and then... there it was.....the Grace's Garden display. It took my breath away!

The other day I watched a You Tube from the marvelous Linda Bedinger using that fabulous stamps set and dies. I thought I would simply perish before I had a chance to get in my craft room to whip out a CASE of her card. Well, truthfully, there was no "whipping" it out.....it took a while to do, but the result was so pleasing!

I took liberty and experimented with a few techniques while I was in the "zone." You know, the zone.....when you are creating and all time and space in your world seems to stop. Some might call it Zen...but to me, Zen is passive; however, the "zone" is far from passive. It is creating in a fury so this 61 year old brain doesn't forget the idea I just had. Admit it, you know it....the "zone."


  Please shop the Stampin' Up website at https://sallymillians.stampinup.net

Special techniques: Emboss with the brick folder using one of the whisper white 4 x 5.25 panels after die cutting the arched opening. Lightly sponge the bricks using a combination of cherry cobbler, cajun craze, and glycerin (one drop each). Apply the Matte glue by dabbing it on with your finger; this gives the bricks a little bit of shine and texture. Let it dry thoroughly. Stamp the sentiment using Staz On; the Stamparatus might be helpful here (I wish I had used it). Cut the gate and arch from white card stock and glue in place. On the other white panel 4 x 5.25 sponge on balmy blue (2 drops of re-inker and 2 drops of glycerin) on the top 2/3 and the same proportion of pear pizazz on the bottom 1/3 of the panel. The glycerin helps the color glide across the paper making the blending flawless. To make the walkway, die cut a "swoop" pattern of Whisper white (or gray granite) using the curved long die from the In the Woods dies; emboss it with the Stone folder. Color with Gray Granite blends brush tip. Add shading as desired. Stamp the sentiment and the flowers on the blue/green panel and color foliage with blends or with Stampin' write markers. Glue on the walkway, trimming the excess. Apply the brick panel to the blue/green panel using dimensionals. Stamp and die cut the other elements and color as desired. I reverse stamped one of the birds, just to get another effect. Layer the panels to Balmy Blue panel and attach to card base. The 3 1/4 x 4. 3/4 white panel and the other Balmy Blue panel are for the inside of the card.

HERE WE GO! WELCOME! What is Newstalgia?

My focus here at Newstalgia (southern Georgia pronunciation, Nu-stile-ja) Stamping is creating innovative projects with the high quality of Stampin' Up products, from both past and present. Like you, I worked hard for many years in my profession and my income came at a high personal price. That is why I make it a point to purchase my craft items carefully. With this in mind, I enjoy using my stamps and supplies from the past as well as our trendy, fun, new ones that are currently available to purchase. I welcome your suggestions, your ideas, and mostly your prayers for this new endeavor. Come along with me, see projects using old and new stamps and products, think about joining my team, and we will carve out special creations together. I will value your time and your budget by providing interesting alternatives for projects that you can use  with supplies you may have on hand and introduce you to fun new items that will gain a hallowed spot in your craft space.  

I love working with many types of media, mostly to hide my lack of artistic ability... I can just say , “ oh this piece is mixed media; it’s supposed to look like that!” Seriously, I can’t draw a stick man to make it look like a stick man. My first stamp set was an old SU! Christmas set “Mr. Twigster”...., you guessed it ... a stick man snowman. He sits on my shelf to remind me of my beginning as I continue on this crafting journey through the last trimester of life... if I’m lucky.  I quickly learned I have no eye for correct color combinations, hence my love of the old SU! Color coach. I drift into singing the Doxology every time I pull it from my top desk drawer.  There is a current SU! color coach available on-line. A Google search of Stampin' Up color coach will display many different views. You may want to bookmark this handy-dandy tool!

Other personal interests I have are piano, flute, handbells, knitting and crochet, stained glass, soap making, teaching Sunday School, my pets and first and foremost , my family (Jesus, my husband, my children, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren !) I am a southern country girl, and I will always stay that way. I have moved only once in my life and that was when I married; even then, the move was three miles away to a pasture on my grandfather's farm adjacent to my dad’s childhood home place. I used to think all that was a bad thing; in my older years I realize what a blessing it has been. Colossians 3:23

If you want to shop the Stampin' Up website, please shop with me at https://sallymillians.stampinup.net

Samples from the breath-taking Parisian Beauty Bundle, order number 153778;  the second image is the same bundle coupled with the beautiful retired Artistic Etchings set.