Stamping 101

My Blog Has Moved!

2009-05-18T13:04:00.003-05:00

I am now blogging at www.stampingfun101.com

Exclusive projects, contests & Fan Candy also available; join me!

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See you soon!

Fairle
Stamping Fun 101

Stampin' Up! Sale

2008-11-26T15:37:00.012-05:00

Holiday Extravaganza!

Get up to 50% off select Stampin' Up! products November 26-December 1.

Order now; these are only available while supplies last!

Perfect presents for friends!

Order online at www.fairle.stampinup.net and enter to win fabulous prizes!

The first online order I receive will win the Hostess Level 1 stamp set Best Yet.
The largest online order I receive will win the Hostess Level 2 stamp set Deer Friends.

*Orders must be placed on my Stampin' Up! website between November 26-December 1, 2008.

The penguin card uses the Punch Pals stamp set, the Riding Hood Red Classic Ink Pad and the Tag Punch; three components of the Bags & Tags Bundle.

I masked the penguins, sponged Baja Breeze Ink and added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter with a 2-Way Glue Pen.

Are they ice skating? Imitating the Rockettes? Taking the Polar Plunge?

I want to hear what you think my penguins are doing!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Embossed Autumn Leaves

2008-11-11T21:02:00.006-05:00

This is a very simple-looking card with a whole lot of ink on it!

Last Saturday was the Stampin' Up! Regional here in Virginia Beach and we received the new stamp set Best Wishes and More; yea!

I busted out nearly all of my Earth Element ink pads for the leaves.
First I inked the stamp in Versamark ink so I could emboss the leaves. Next I inked in a light color, for example, Summer Sun. Third, I rolled the edges of the stamp in a dark/bright color, for example, Ruby Red. (Rock & Roll technique).
Stamp image, cover with Clear Embossing Powder, tap off excess and emboss. That particular color combo was my favorite; the third leaf from the top in the card shown above!

The background of the leaf panel is Faux Woodgrain, yet another technique.
To create the look of wood, begin with a piece of More Mustard card stock. Swipe your entire More Mustard ink pad directly across the card stock, from one edge to the other (Direct to Paper). Repeat this process in the same direction with increasingly darker colors; Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, maybe a small amount of Chocolate Chip, until you achieve the look you want. The last color you will use is Whisper White Craft Ink. If you want to add details such as lines for boards, use the fine tip of a brown marker.

Here are two more examples with the embossed Rock & Roll leaves. The background stamp is Sanded and the sentiment Thanks is from the set Thank You Kindly.

Hope you're enjoying the falling leaves outside as well!

Holiday Card Stamp-A-Stack

2008-11-11T20:42:00.004-05:00

Shown are three of the five card designs we will create.

Finished your Christmas cards yet?

November Holiday Stamp-A-Stack dates are this weekend; Friday, November 14 at 6:00 pm and Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 pm.

Stamp 15 cards; 3 each of 5 designs for only $25, including envelopes! Bring a new friend and you both receive $5 credit toward a purchase on the day of the event. Snacks and drinks will also be provided.

Reserve your space today: create@stampingfun101.com or 757-663-1301.

- New -
Twelve Weeks of Christmas projects on Stamping Fun 101!

World Card Making Day Projects

2008-10-02T23:00:00.003-05:00

Saturday is World Card Making Day!

Here's a peek at the projects we're making at my free Open House on Saturday, October 4 from 11:00 - 3:00.

Stop by and make three cards; two for you and one to donate to a family residing at our local Ronald McDonald House in Norfolk.

All three cards use Stampin' Up! exclusive dies cut with the new Big Shot die cutting machine.

The Peace card on the left will be featured as the first project in my 12 Weeks of Christmas Tutorials beginning October 3.
Check my new website: stampingfun101.com

Flower Fusion Notebook

2008-08-10T11:56:00.000-05:00

This week has been almost as crazy as last!

I'm recovering from Convention, of course. Takes longer as I get older...
Cleaned my craft room which it desparately needed and rearranged it.
Prepped for the Open House this weekend.
Priced all my retired sets and realized I buy way too much stuff.
Mr. Brown delivered my new Big Shot and I made lots of new samples which meant I didn't go to bed AT ALL on Friday night! My DH came in yesterday after the Open House and I was asleep here at the desk, waiting on a phone call. He sent me to bed!

With the purchase of the new Big Shot, the realization that I buy too much and the relief from purging, I've decided to have an all-out Craft Sale next weekend and get rid of everything that's not current Stampin' Up! Kinda scary, isn't it?

For the project:

This is a felt notebook; what else could I put on it but felt Flower Fusion? I love the new colors they introduced in these; Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze & Chocolate Chip.

There are Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads in the centers, the Hodgepodge frame is Styled Silver and the "wishes" is stamped in Real Red ink. I used a marker and inked only part of the stamp from the new set Heard from the Heart.

The white flower on the bottom right is actually part of the notebook; the flower was die cut on the cover and the paper is showing through.

Starfish to Sand Dollar

2008-08-03T09:09:00.001-05:00

Oh, my! What an exciting, intense, exhilarating week.

I was walking around yesterday during a break in General Session, trying to soak up the excitement to last me another year! Standing alone was Mary Jo Albright. I told her I loved her blog, that she was one of my favorite artists and thanked her. She asked my name and was incredibly gracious and modest. I say this because hundreds of people everyday must say to her what I did, but maybe somewhat more eloquently.

It was then that everything hit me and I had to say goodbye to the lovely Ms. Albright before I burst into tears in front of her and embarrassed myself further. I went back to my seat and burst into tears but I didn't know why I was crying.

Happiness, excitement, sensory overload and lack of sleep all rolled into one is my best guess! And this is my third Convention! But is has been the most fun; I've socialized and met more people this trip than before which is fun and helpful; I've learned so much.

These swap cards use the sets Seaside, One of a Kind and Sanded. On subsequent cards I did put the Chocolate Taffeta ribbon across the whole front of the card.

Colors are Kraft and Baja Breeze for the base, the sand dollar is Naturals Ivory. Ink is Chocolate Chip and Sahara Sand; I outlined and colored the 'holes' on the sand dollar with a Blender Pen and Sahara Sand ink.

Everyone received the new Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set for free, Say it with Scallops which fits our new Scallop Square punch! I also won an adorable new Halloween set, Tasty Sweet. So these combined with the other three Convention sets and the new tote bag everyone talked me into buying... I'd better start creatively packing my suitcase!

Breezing by Pacific Point

2008-08-02T01:58:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow is the last day of Convention and I've just finished stamping my swap cards ;)

Of course our group talked and laughed as much or more than we stamped tonight! Did you realize if you forget the 'V' for LOVE, you can just spell OLE? Maybe you had to be there...

This is a simple swap I made highlighting the gorgeous new In Colors, Pacific Point and Kiwi Kiss. The sail on the boat and grosgrain ribbon are Tempting Turquoise and the card base is Sahara Sand. Life's a Breeze stamp set and Something Fishy Jumbo Wheel.

Exciting news announced today; Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix to sell the Big Shot with our own exclusive dies!
There were so many amazing samples on display; it was sensory overload! I never realized how many different materials it can cut; fabric, felt, chipboard, cork, vinyl, stencils, lots more. The stenciled walls and decorated room were adorable!

I don't want Convention to end...

Christmas in July Convention Swap

2008-07-31T08:15:00.000-05:00

Hello from beautiful Salt Lake City!!!

I'm so excited to be here at Convention; today is the first official day and I better keep this brief or I'll be late...

Yesterday we picked up our very chic bags (Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise and Kiwi Kiss!) with the new catalog -FABULOUS- and three of the best stamp sets that I would have bought anyway! As I keep hearing, it's a great day to be a Stampin' Up Demonstrator!!!

This card uses a new hostess set, Window Dressing. There are various things you can add in the windows, a kitty, pumpkin, flower vases, etc.

I made 30 these for an organized Artist Trading Card swap, just the window image on a piece of Riding Hood Red card stock. The other colors are Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip.

Images are watercolored and Dazzling Diamonds glitter for snow.

I really need to go Celebrate with Stampin' Up!, now!

Convention Swaps with New Stamps!

2008-07-29T00:55:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, 2:04 am

I'm leaving for the Stampin' Up! Convention in 3 hours and still haven't gone to bed!

Maybe next year I'll start on the swaps a bit earlier...

Here's my midnight creation; the color combination is courtesy of baby bedding I was drooling over at a department store. I don't need any baby bedding, I just loved it!

Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Basic Black and the new In Color Pink Pirouette. Accent is punched with the Five Petal Flower and Boho Blossoms Punches; inside of punch stamped with matching One of a Kind set. The sentiment is from a new stamp set, Heard from the Heart.

If I don't fall asleep and miss my connection, I'll be in Salt Lake by lunchtime!

2008-07-21T15:06:00.010-05:00

Father's Day with Hardware Store Finds

2008-05-30T07:00:00.015-05:00

Happy Friday!

Inside, the card reads, "I love that you always make time for me." printed with the Journaling Fonts CD in the Woodward Script on Bashful Blue card stock.

These projects have only taken me a year to make... and you thought you were a procrastinator!

I intended to create a class making simple Father's Day cards and gifts, each would incorporate things from the hardware store. Apparently, a year was not enough time, Father's Day is rapidly approaching and I have just now finished!

Although I don't have time to schedule it, I'm offering this as on online class with the following options:

Option #1
Order the directions for $25, sent via email.
Five projects including four cards & one frame with step-by-step photos.
Mostly beginner level, some intermediate; includes measurements.

Option #2
If you'd like to save time hunting the aisles of Home Depot and Lowe's, order the directions and the hardware store items; $55 plus postage.
Includes enough supplies for a class of ten; 50 projects.
Fits in one Flat Rate envelope.

Email me and I will send you my Paypal information.

I'm not selling any of the Stampin' Up! items as part of this kit but you are welcome to place a Stampin' Up! order with me if you do not have a demonstrator.
You can also find a demonstrator near you on the Stampin' Up! website, http://www.stampinup.com/

Monochromatic Desk Frame

Patriotic Dad Card

One of a Kind Seashell Card

Circles & Stripes Card
Please check the www.usps.com site and email me for international, larger quantities or other questions regarding postage. Shipping choices are Flat Rate Priority or Express.

Postage Rates per the USPS website:
$4.80 - U.S. Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope (usually 1-3 days)
$9.80 - U.S. Priority Mail Flat Rate Box
$16.50 - U.S. Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope (most locations overnight)

$9.95 - Canada Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope
$23.95 - Canada Priority Mail Flat Rate Box
$23.95 - Canada Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope

$11.95 - Other Countries Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope
$38.95 - Other Countries Priority Mail Flat Rate Box
$25.95 - Other Countries Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope

I will begin emailing & shipping on Monday, June 2.

(out of town this weekend.)

Email me and I will send you my Paypal information.

BONUS: the first three paid orders will receive three free sample cards!

Have a great weekend!

Enjoy the Little Things

2008-04-23T15:19:00.003-05:00

Sometimes, the best way to scrap the 6" x 6" brag book pages is to keep them as simple as possible. Not the most popular option with all of the embellishments on the market!

This page is definetely back to the basics and I'm not apologizing for it! No designer paper, ribbons, brads, buttons or flowers. Just stamps, ink and card stock. And a white gel pen.

My son knew he needed to get away from the excitement on the beach and spend time alone building a sand castle for a while. I hope he never loses that ability.

Purely Pomegranate, Bashful Blue and So Saffron card stock.

Sample for the Cards, Pages & Chopsticks! class

Life's a Breeze

2008-04-23T14:43:00.003-05:00

Here are a few more samples for my Cards, Pages & Chopsticks! class this weekend.

I'm having fun with this set and wheel, scrappin' photos of my son at the beach. Here's an inside page of the Chopstick album:

I added light blue Fine Cosmo glitter to the water on the card (top photo) and layered River Rock over Pomegranate for a striped beach ball!

Only one week left to get this jumbo wheel Something Fishy free with the purchase of the stamp set Life's a Breeze.

Here is a list of all the sets in the Free Wheelin' Promotion.

Cards, Pages & Chopsticks!

2008-04-18T21:14:00.005-05:00

Here are a few samples for my Stamp Camp next weekend; Cards, Pages & Chopsticks!

I hope to get more samples posted by the middle of next week. There are so many choices for this Camp; you can choose to make two cards and a Chopstick Album or six 6" x 6" scrapbook pages.

The first stamp set choice is Enjoy Every Moment and Dashing Daisy wheel shown above with the colors Pomegranate, Saffron, Bashful, Celery and Olive.

Here is the set Life's a Breeze with the wheel Something Fishy.
Too cute with beach and summertime photos! (This is my son at the beach last summer building a sandcastle!) The colors are Ballet Blue, Groovy Guava, River Rock and Rose Red.

Both of these sets and wheels are part of this month's Free Wheelin' Promotion; get a free jumbo wheel when you purchase a preselected coordinating stamp set.

You know you want to learn how to make this Chopstick Album...

Happy Heart Day!

2008-01-28T16:52:00.000-05:00

Only three days left to get free ribbon in the

Valentine's Day Bundle promotion!

The Happy Heart Day set isn't just for Valentine's Day; use it for projects for a Friend, Thank You, Love or just to say Hello! Very cute for kids cards, too.

Above is a "purse" full of pink & red M&M's; this is quick and easy:

cut 1/2 sheet of cardstock vertically so that it measures 4 1/4" x 11"
score at 4 1/4", 6 1/4" and 10 1/2"
punch holes and tie a ribbon handle
adhere velcro to the flap
fill cello bag with candy and adhere inside

Card stock is Purely Pomegranate & Kraft. DSP is Bali Breeze. Ribbon is Purely Pomegranate and Whisper White. Scalloped DSP is created with the Slit Punch.

I cut a Stampin' Dimensional in half to fit under the butterfly's wings.

This card has a little window with a tag inside. (Make windows easily with your square punch!)
I inked only part of the tag stamp with a marker. The two hearts on the tag are the wings from the butterfly.

Card stock is Wild Wasabi and Pretty in Pink. Embellishments include Pink Gingham and Pretty in Pink Grosgrain ribbons, Pewter HodgePodge Hardware and a Pretty in Pink Brad.

This set begs to be paper pieced!

The elephant was stamped on Almost Amethyst Prints DSP, the heart image on Rose Red Prints DSP.

I've had this Basic Gray colored card stock since July and this is probably the first time I've used it! Love trying to come up with color combos a bit out of the ordinary!

Butterflies are embossed in white; brads are Rose Red.
Card stock is Basic Gray, Confetti White, Rose Red and Almost Amethyst.

Happy New Year! ~2008~

2008-01-01T09:20:00.000-05:00

Happy Anniversary, too; I began this blog one year ago!

Just a quick post, I'm still prepping for my new catalog Open House today...

This is a 4" chipboard coaster covered with the new Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom.

Stamp set is A Beautiful Thing from the new Spring-Summer 2008 Collection.

Accessories are Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon and Linen Thread.

Calendar is attached by punching holes with Crop-A-Dile and tying with Linen Thread.

Here's a tutorial to make an easel for the back of the calendar with a second piece of chipboard.

Have a wonderful 2008!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little...Dryer Sheet?

2007-12-20T07:57:00.001-05:00

I tried and tried to get a photo showing how sparkly this is!
(It's very sparkly!)

We were all festively glittered after making this at our last Technique Club!

This technique is very simple;

stamp
cover the entire stamped card stock with a thick layer of glue from a glue stick
smooth a used dryer sheet over card stock
sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds glitter on top of dryer sheet and tap off excess

A new dryer sheet may smell better but it won't work for this! The glitter sticks in the little holes that a used dryer sheet has. Use a very fine glitter, like Dazzling Diamonds ;)

I don't iron clothes but I do iron my dryer sheets for this! If you refuse to iron, maybe you can leave a heavy book on your dryer and flatten the sheets as you pull the laundry from the dryer?

The ornaments are from the retiring set Hung Up on the Holidays.

The images from Lovely As a Tree are also gorgeous with the technique.

My tree branches are made with the set Peaceful Wishes.

Color combination is straight from the Color Coach; Garden Green, Brilliant Blue, Rose Red and Bravo Burgundy.

From Checkbook to Scrapbook!

2007-12-13T09:34:00.000-05:00

Only twelve days 'til Christmas?!

I suggested using a checkbook cover to make a mini scrapbook and Zoe was curious how she could do that.
Thank you for asking, Zoe!

This would make a nice stocking stuffer, it's easy to mail, you can quickly scrap an event or make a themed brag book for a relative...

Cut a piece of patterned paper 6 1/8" x 6 3/4" for the cover.

I've used the retiring Wintergreen Designer Series Paper.

Insert the cover piece in the checkbook cover.

Cut three pieces of card stock 6" x 6 1/2" for the inside pages.

To coordinate with the cover, I used Always Artichoke, Soft Sky and Sage Shadow.

Score each piece of card stock vertically, in the center at 3 1/4."

Center and stack card stock pieces inside the open check book cover.

Hold pages in place with a large paper clip.

With a Crop-A-Dile, punch two holes through all pieces along the fold, approximately 1" from either end.

Bind your book with ribbon, cord or twine. I doubled and tied a length of elastic Silver Cord.

Retiring background stamp Word By Word is inked with Always Artichoke.

Snow Flurries and Many Merry Messages are also used.

Accessories include Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, Vintage brads, Cutter Kit and 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch.

Retired Accessories List

2007-12-10T21:07:00.000-05:00

Here is the list!

Retiring Accessories List

2007-12-10T18:26:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday!

Here is the Retiring Accessories and Wheels List.

Please note that the retiring accessories and wheels are only available while supplies last! If you want something on this list, order it now!

Another good reason to order now; my Twelve Days of Christmas Promotion ends soon!

Updates will be posted as items are no longer available.

Retiring stamp sets are available until January 1, 2008.

Chipboard Ornament Card

2007-12-02T15:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Thursday!

Here's a holiday card and gift all in one; the flower/star chipboard piece slides off and is an ornament!

WARNING! Some of the products in this sample are no longer available; they were featured in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini. Please don't be upset with me because you can no longer order them! I'm very sorry I didn't get this posted before November 30 as I had planned. Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging, KWIM?!?

I hope you can still use the ideas and substitute other products that are available!

I stamped the flourish stamp from Baroque Motifs with Always Artichoke ink on the same color of cardstock.

Adhere a 2" x 4.25" piece of patterned paper to the bottom of the card stock and a strip of 1/2" contrasting patterned paper to the top of the 2" piece.

Cover the front of the chipboard with patterned paper (glue stick works best) and adhere (red) Sticky Strip to the back of the chipboard as shown:

Fold 8" length of metallic cord in half and knot about 1/4" up from the bottom leaving a small loop.
Thread the two loose ends of the cord through a pearl from the Pretties Kit.
Remove the red liner of the Sticky Strip and adhere the cord ends to the back of the chipboard.
Loop a second 8" length of cord and adhere it to the back of the chipboard also, across from the first. This will be the ornament hanger.

Apply a Stampin' Dimensional to the back of the chipboard and adhere a small piece of card stock, hiding the cord ends.

Slide the large loop of cord, the hanger piece, around the front of the card.

Ornament hanging:

Another card with the flower attached to the card front, gold brads in center of "poinsettia":

Twelve Days Of Christmas!

2007-12-01T05:44:00.000-05:00

Our first semiannual retired stamp list is here!

Stampin' Up! does not discount retiring stamps, however I am offering the following promotion:

Twelve Days of Christmas!

December 1-12, 2007

Order in time for Christmas Delivery

10% off retiring stamp sets, wheels & accessories!
10% off orders of $150 or more, plus Hostess Benefits!
Free gift wrapping for Wish List orders!

Check back on December 10 for the list of retiring wheels and accessories.

10% off and $150 order amount are before tax & shipping.

Here is a quick card using one of the retiring Hostess sets, Perfect Presentation:

This is a Shaker Card made with a clear envelope, fast and easy! Here is a tutorial.

Card stock is Blue Bayou, Bashful Blue and Wild Wasabi.

Also used Real Red grosgrain 1/4" ribbon, Silver Cord; Micro Beads inside the shaker.

Have a great weekend!

Holy Triptych Luminary

2007-11-30T07:16:00.000-05:00

I made this luminary for a hostess gift last month.

I kept it simple, without extra embellishments like ribbon, because I was worried about it being near an open flame.

Cardstock is Bravo Burgundy cut to 8.5" x 10.5" and scored hrizontally at 3.5" and at 7."

Three frame images were stamped on each "panel," with gold ink and embossed with gold embossing powder.

Cut out the inside of the frames with a Hobby Blade first, then use Paper Snips around the inside edges for the finer detail areas.

Holy Triptych images were stamped on vellum card stock with Black StazOn ink.

On the back of the vellum card stock, color in the images with markers.

Apply adhesive to the back of the burgundy cardstock around the edges of the cut out areas and adhere the vellum.

Candle behind the luminary is in a glass votive, not too close to the paper!

Today is the last day to order this stamp set and others from the Holiday Mini Catalog!

Christmas Book & Craft Fair

2007-11-28T14:56:00.000-05:00

I made these Holiday Blocks for a Craft Fair that began today, my first one!

This is an annual fundraiser for my son's school library.
Come out and shop for stocking stuffers, books, Discovery Toys; it's for a good cause!

I first wrote all the words I wanted to spell and figured out which letters would go on which blocks to get the most words possible with five or fewer letters. Combinations include peace, merry, angel, love, noel, joy, jolly...

The letters were stamped with the lowercase Typeset Alpha with Encore Gold ink, embossed with Gold embossing powder. I punched 1.25" squares from the gorgeous Holiday Harmony Designer Series Paper (only two more days to order this from the Holiday Mini Catalog!), adhering with Mod Podge.

I inked the edges of the blocks in the gold ink and embossed those, too.

I applied a thin layer of Mod Podge to all sides and that's it!

*****************************

Virginia Beach Friends School’s 28th Annual
Christmas Book & Gift Fair

November 28th – December 1st

Wednesday & Thursday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Gifts for all Ages
Best Selection of Children’s Books
Educational Toys & Software
Crafts – Jewelry, Stained Glass, Pottery, Candles,
Ornaments, Miniature Pottery, Soaps, Fabric Art, Knitting
Winter-Blooming Daphne
BAKE SALE

Special Guest: Folk Musician and Singer, Skye Zentz
(daughter of musicians Bob Zentz & Kathleen Fogerty)

Wednesday, November 28, noon to 4 pm
Friday, November 30, 3 pm to 6 pm

Location:
Friends Meeting House
1537 Laskin Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Stuff the Stockings with Checkbook Covers

2007-11-25T10:22:00.001-05:00

Look, no stamping!
I love how patterned paper makes everything so fast and easy!

The Designer Series Paper is Petals & Paisleys; I also used Certainly Celery Ribbon, the Scallop Circle Punch and a Fire Rhinestone brad. The ribbon is "gathered" with Sticky Strip! Just apply a line of it to the paper, then create little folds with the ribbon, adhering it as you go!

Here I've used Outlaw Designer Series Paper with a strip of Creamy Caramel faux suede and Vintage brads.

To create faux suede;

Cut your card stock to size. Strips work best.
Run the edge of a bone folder along both sides of the card stock, similar to how you would curl ribbon. This breaks down the fibers.
After a few times, you will see the ends of the card stock separating. Gently pull apart the card stock, revealing the textured inside.
Adhere the two pieces of card stock back together with the textured side out.
Sponge shades of brown ink on textured "suede."

Use high quality card stock for best results; for example, Stampin' Up!'s is 80 lb.

The card stock must be dyed all the way through; not white core.

**********

These make great gifts:

Personalize for checkbooks or calendars.
Create mini scrapbook albums with added card stock pages.
Give them in stockings, to teachers, co-workers, etc.

Wrapping Up the Holidays Promotion

2007-11-23T07:18:00.000-05:00

Just in time to wrap up your holidays; tags, ribbon and stamps!
From November 23 through December 15, you can save on the following products:

Color flyer can be found here!

Holiday Tag Bundle makes creating tags and cello bag toppers fast & easy with pre-cut textured card stock, Designer Series Paper and Real Red zigzag twill tape.

As you may notice, some of these products are from the Holiday Mini Catalog. These products will be available while supplies last or until the end of the promotion, December 15. All other Holiday Mini items will be available until November 30.

There is no limit to the number of items you may purchase. Select any combination of the Purely Pomegranate and Chocolate Chip satin ribbon.

The Tin 3-Pack contains three empty Accents & Elements tins and has never been available for purchase separately.

Dashing 3-D Tree

2007-11-22T16:30:00.000-05:00

Wow!
My friend Alison posted this on Splitcoast and everyone loves it!
Check her blog for instructions as well; she did a great job with the diagrams!

The measurements shown here allow it to fit in an A-2 sized envelope when taken apart. You can easily make them in all sizes; create a beautiful centerpiece "forest"!

If you plan to make many trees, you may want to first make a triangle template with paperboard:

Cut a rectangle measuring 4.25" x 5.5"
Mark the center of one short side, 2 1/8"
Draw lines from this center point down to the opposite corners, creating a triangle.

Cut one circle (4.25" diameter) and two triangles (4.25" x 5.5") with double-sided paper. Dashing Designer Series Paper is shown.

Cut a slit in each triangle:

Find the center on the base of one triangle and cut straight up 2.75" (photo Slit 1)
Cut the next triangle from the top corner point straight down 2.75" (photo Slit 2)

Slide the two triangles together through the slits and turn the pieces perpendicular to each other to stand upright.

On the back of the circle, find the center. Draw a 1" circle around the center.
Spiral out from this center circle, between .25" and .5" between each revolution and end on the outside edge.
Now cut on this spiral, leaving the 1" center circle.

Don't worry if it isn't perfect, you won't be able to tell later!

Punch a 1/4" hole in the center circle.

Place the spiral around the tree with the top points of the tree fitting in to the 1/4" circle.

Merry Christmas is stamped with Real Red Classic ink on River Rock card stock, layered on Real Red and Old Olive card stocks.

The stamp is from the level 1 Hostess set Party Punch.

Gold Elastic Cord is tied on the tag then wrapped around the spiral.

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing You Cheer at 20% off

2007-10-28T12:05:00.000-05:00

Last week we were applying sunscreen in Orlando, tomorrow we'll be freezing in Indiana; they're predicting frost!

Wishing You Cheer
Only one week to take advantage of this promotion!
Wishing You Cheer stamp set of 4 is 20% off through November 3.
Create winter, Christmas and New Year cards with this versatile set, only $11.16.

Event Full October
Doesn't it seem as if October is always a very eventful month?!
For every $50 order in merchandise (before shipping, tax) placed with me in the month of October, you will be entered into a drawing to win the Hostess Set Event Full. This adorable set makes quick and easy cards to have on hand.
*I will be out of town this week, winner will be announced when I return.

Paper Party Promotion
From November 1-30 you can purchase any three Designer Series paper packs and get a fourth pack FREE! No limits, no restrictions.

Purely Holiday Wrapping Paper
Although the Purely Pomegranate-colored rolls of wrapping paper are no longer available, you can still order one-roll packages with the River Rock base color for $8.95; item code 111995.
The paper coordinates beautifully with the Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon (109863), Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (109862), and the "Hand-Selected" Accents & Elements (110228).

Wish List
Save everyone the trouble of guessing your size.
Keep hubby at home on Christmas Eve.
Get what you really want this year!

Print copies of this Wish List for your spouse, family and friends.
Local Wish List orders of $50 or more qualify for free gift wrapping and card!
Order by December 7 to ensure arrival by Christmas.

12" x 12" Card Stock
Beginning with the upcoming Spring-Summer Collection 2008,
12" x 12" card stock in individual color packages will return to the Stampin' Up! product offering in addition to the color family assortments! Available for purchase beginning January 1, 2008

Updated policy change will be in effect on November 15, 2007:
Angel Policy - Article 4 of Stampin' Up!'s Angel Policy has been revised to allow the sale of hand-stamped items in permanent retail locations. The seller must clearly indicate that the items were created by hand, and not a product of the company. The seller may indicate that the supplies used to make the items are from Stampin' Up!, but the company logo may not be used in any way for the sole purpose of promoting the sale of these items.
Winter Color Combinations
Tired of Real Red & Glorious Green?
Try a few of these fun alternatives!

Pretty in Pink, Soft Sky & Certainly Celery
Pretty in Pink, Soft Sky & Purely Pomegranate
Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Wild Wasabi & Bashful Blue
Pretty in Pink, Rose Red & Garden GreenPretty in Pink & Chocolate Chip
Gable Green & Real RedGable Green & Pixie Pink
Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery & Pixie Pink

Real Red, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla
Real Red, Old Olive, River Rock
Real Red, Night of Navy & Wild Wasabi
Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel & Old Olive
Bravo Burgundy, Handsome Hunter, River Rock & Very Vanilla
Purely Pomegranate, River Rock & Chocolate Chip
Soft Sky, Old Olive & Sahara Sand
Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Purely Pomegranate & Old Olive
Bashful Blue, Ruby Red & Close to Cocoa
Bashful Blue, Real Red & Old Olive
Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate & River Rock

Soft Sky, Certainly Celery & Always Artichoke
Soft Sky, Blue Bayou & Old OliveElegant Eggplant, Pale Plum & Sage ShadowNight of Navy, Soft Sky or Bashful Blue & Whisper WhiteCertainly Celery, Almost Amethyst & SilverLavender Lace, Almost Amethyst & Silver
Perfect Plum, Pale Plum & Silver

WCMD Challenge: Using Fabric & Shabby Tag Card

2007-10-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

WHEW!

I just finished making a bunch of cards for a World Card Making Day contest!
I had to upload and enter before midnight; thankfully it was midnight Pacific time or I wouldn't have made it!

This card was inspired by Emily's challenge; to use fabric and Kim's challenge: to create a shabby chic card.

I have plenty of fabric and have always wanted to try adding some for embellishments. This is a piece of homespun sponged with a bit of Walnut ink.

I bought a package of metal tags over a year ago and now I have finally used one!
The tag was much too shiny; I painted a bit of acrylic paint on, wiped some off and when it was mostly dry, I sponged on Walnut ink.

A small piece of the fabric is tied on the tag with linen thread; hemp twine tied in the middle.
Cardstock is Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive and Naturals Ivory.
Stamp is from Hugs & Wishes.
I paper pierced in the bottom left corner but it doesn't show well in this photo.

If you haven't ever tried a challenge, you must try one!!!
Try any kind, it doesn't have to be for a contest.
You will break out of your box and learn new things, you will find you are using stamps and tools and products that you had forgotten.
You will grow and get better and you'll have fun!
Now go find a challenge!

I will finish adding details to the other challenge cards tomorrow (or later this week...)
I'm in need of sleep!

WCMD Challenge: Using Recycled Items

2007-10-07T23:58:00.000-05:00

WHOO HOO!!!
I won the random drawing for this challenge, yippee!

Kim's challenge was to use recycled items on your card, aka trash! She suggested something I'd never thought of; cutting a soda can with a die cut machine; interesting.

I recycled the leaf from a magazine cover before tossing it; I love autumn leaves!

Cardstock and ink is Really Rust; I also used Naturals Ivory card stock and the sentiment is stamped with Bravo Burgundy ink. Hemp twine.

Stamps are Weathered background and Close as a Memory.

Thanks, Kim, for hosting the challenge!

WCMD Challenge: Printed Text

2007-10-07T23:55:00.000-05:00

Here's a technique I've not tried before; Teresa's challenge: using printed text on a card!

I'm going to get an old dictionary at a thrift shop to have on hand for this, I like the look of it.
The sample here is torn from my husband's Mustang magazine; the smallest print I could find; rules for a contest!

I sponged it with Walnut ink; wish I had crumpled the paper and maybe burnt the edges, it could stand more aging!

Cardstock is Bravo Burgundy stamped with same color of ink and the Well-Worn Words background stamp.

The Wild Rose images and the frame were stamped long ago, salvaged from my box of UFO's (unfinished objects). The frame is now retired, stamped and embossed in gold.
I think the roses were stamped with retired Cranberry Crisp ink as well as Bravo Burgundy. There was Apricot Appeal ink in the center, I sponged Walnut ink on too, then rubbed off a bit of the top layer of the paper.

Sentiment from Sincere Salutations is stamped with Bravo Burgundy ink on Brocade Background Designer Series Paper.

The lace is from a bag of fibers I bought at a yard sale!

WCMD Challenge: Watercoloring (Paint)

2007-10-07T23:50:00.000-05:00

Julie's challenge for WCMD: using paint!

I stamped the Queen Anne's Lace images from Garden Silhouettes with black StazOn ink on watercolor paper.

Using a flat watercolor brush, I applied a light wash with Soft Sky, Apricot Appeal and Certainly Celery ink. As it dried, I painted with a medium brush, applying more ink and less water, for darker and brighter colors.

"Hello" is from the Fundamental Phrases set; stamped in Basic Black ink on Soft Sky cardstock. Small and Large Oval punches also used.

Thank you to those who have emailed & commented; I appreciate it!
I really want to master watercoloring and keep practicing!

WCMD Challenge: Monochromatic Card

2007-10-07T23:41:00.000-05:00

WCMD Challenge: Fun Folds

2007-10-07T23:36:00.000-05:00

WCMD Challenge: My favorite stamp

2007-10-07T23:33:00.000-05:00

WCMD Challenge: Earthly Elements

2007-10-07T23:30:00.000-05:00

Kerry's challenge: stamp a card and incorporate earthly elements; water, fire, air, land.

I watercolored with inks from the Earth Elements color family: Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie and Ruby Red. The main image is matted on Cameo Coral and Ruby Red cardstocks.

The Garden Silhouettes images were stamped with Black StazOn ink on watercolor paper.
Using a flat watercolor brush, I painted a light wash of Summer Sun over the entire image.

I then painted a dark swath of Pumpkin Pie ink in the center and Ruby Red ink on the bottom edge, using little water. With a medium brush, I blended the colors, adding more Summer Sun ink as needed.

Thank you very much to those who have emailed and commented; I hope my watercoloring skills are improving!

WCMD Challenge: One Layer Card

2007-10-07T23:24:00.000-05:00

WCMD Challenge: Three different stamps and Glitter

2007-10-07T23:19:00.001-05:00

WCMD Challenge: Bleaching & Color Blocking

2007-10-07T23:10:00.000-05:00

Simply Sent Kits 20% off through October 8

2007-10-05T15:19:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!
I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend and of course, World Card Making Day!

Here are a couple of examples made with the Simply Sent Kit Simple Delight.

These are not the cards you will receive supplies for in the kit. You can view those on page 14 of the Fall-Winter Collection.

I wanted to show what elegant cards this stamp set makes after you've used your supplies!

I saw this gorgeuos card by a talented demo on SCS, Kelly Lunceford.
I was amazed at how she lined up those stamps; I had to try it!

The instructions in the kit make it pretty simple; the Delight in Simple Things card above was my second try and it's pretty even!

Colors are River Rock, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip (on the first card) and my favorite new ribbon: Satin Purely Pomegranate!

The other Simply Sent Kits on sale until October 8 are:

Shop early for the holidays! These make great gifts for anyone needing a quick card as well as beginning stampers because everything is included!

Simple & Spooooky!

2007-10-02T14:42:00.000-05:00

I've been busy making simple cards with the gorgeous Designer Series Paper Creepy Crawly. Actually, the stamping was an afterthought on a couple of the cards!

This one is another with the Z fold (thanks to 2swans848 for confirming that is it actually called this!)

The cats stamped along the bottom are from the hostess set Party Punch.

I love the versatility of Autumn Harvest to make fun jack o' lanterns or pretty autumn scenes.

The sketchy style pairs well with watercoloring, a technique I've been practicing.
Beginning watercolorists: don't be shy! Get messy and call it abstract!

Try this "Faux Two-Step Stamping" technique:

stamp image with a colored dye ink. Not black; use Pumpkin Pie, etc.
watercolor
allow to dry completely
stamp again over the same image to add back outline details that blended with the watercoloring. Don't worry if it isn't lined up perfectly!

Pyramid Box

2007-09-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!
While shopping with friends last week, Kristen picked up a little pyramid-shaped box and asked, "Teach us how to make these!"

Here you go!

You know the white piece of paperboard that comes in packages of Designer Series Paper, for stability? You don't throw those out, do you?!
I used one for my template here:

1. Draw two horizontal lines and two vertical lines, at 4" and 8" dividing a 12" x 12" sheet equally into 9 blocks.

2. Disregard the four corner blocks. Create triangles as shown above. Measure 2" along the outer edge of the outside blocks. From this middle point, draw lines to the corners of the center block.

3. On one side of each triangle, measure approximately 3/8" out and draw a flap as shown. Be sure all of the flaps are on the same side of each triangle; mine are all on the right side.

4. Cut out and score on dotted lines as shown. Fold box on scored lines.

5. Punch holes near tips of two opposing triangles if you'd like to attach ribbon for embellishment or to hang.

6. Attach Sticky Strip to the outside of each flap. Flaps will adhere to the inside of the adjacent triangle. Don't forget to put a treat inside before finishing!

Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper

Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon

Holiday Blitz stamp set

In the Loop Alphabet stamp set

Really Rust and Very Vanilla cardstock

Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Basic Black Classic ink.

Just had a thought; this would be very cute with the Booglie Eyes mummy...

Gift Notes: M&M's fit perfectly!

2007-09-21T06:47:00.000-05:00

Need some quick and easy Halloween treat holders?
These little precut and scored Gift Notes are perfect!

The Fun Size M&M's fit perfectly and the side slits hold them in place (peanut M&M's are too bulky to fit in the envelope). Try other small treats that are approximately the size of gift cards, what the Gift Notes are made to hold!

I wheeled Spooky Skyline on the front and added strips of Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper along the bottom. I stamped images from Booglie Eyes, cut them out and ran them through my Xyron "X" to get even adhesive in all the tiny spaces.

I applied Crystal Effects to the eyes and let dry overnight.
For a dimensional, laquered look, apply a thick layer of Crystal Effects.

To make this a more kid-friendly project or just faster for you, stamp directly on the card instead of cutting out your images. Try stamping the Booglie Eyes mummy and add some highlights with the White Gel Pen.

The Gift Notes come in Old Olive, Sahara Sand and So Saffron, 10 of each color, with Confetti White envelopes.

World Card Making Day! Saturday, October 6

2007-09-19T06:39:00.000-05:00

Do you know about World Card Making Day?

Paper Crafts Magazine began this holiday last year in order to "celebrate the creativity of handmade cards and the personal connections that they create between friends and family."

I'll be demonstrating watercoloring on this card at an all-day crop with 63 other scrapbookers on WCMD! You can find a Stampin' Up! WCMD event near you on their website.

Do you know if this type of fold has a name? I always think of it as a Z fold!

I'm enjoying playing with this sketchy set, Autumn Harvest, from the Holiday Mini Collection. I love the versatility; it's a pretty autumn set and the jack 'o lantern stamp makes it fun! There's also a gourd stamp included I didn't use on these samples. And like all of the Mini sets now, it's die cut; love it!

Cardstock is Really Rust, Old Olive and Naturals Ivory.

Ink is Black StazOn and Really Rust.

Watercolor Wonder Crayons in Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust and Old Olive.

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon is the new Pumpkin Pie.

Stamp-A-Stack!

2007-09-17T06:35:00.000-05:00

I love this holiday color combination; Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Pretty in Pink and Bashful Blue!

The first photo shows a few examples close-up; below are all 32 cards we'll be making with the Simply Scrappin' Kit Winter Bright.

This is a Stamp-A-Stack event for Sunday, October 7 at 2:00 pm.
I'm extending World Card Making Day to World Card Making Weekend!

The best-priced card class of the year, less than $1 each!

Create 32 cards for only $30; everything will be provided including adhesive and envelopes! You will receive one half of the Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit (4 sheets of 12 x 12 textured cardstock, 3 sheets of 12 x 12 double-sided patterned paper, 3 sheets of self-adhesive die cuts), 8 additional sheets of colored cardstock, 16 open-end envelopes and 16 standard envelopes.

Use any of my holiday stamps or simply embellish with the patterned paper and die cuts!
We have some cute paper punches this year that make this even easier; Scallop Circle, Snow Blossom, Star and Three For You.

I used the stamp sets Perfect Presentation, Snow Flurries, The Snowflake Spot, Many Merry Messages and Punch Pals. The images in Punch Pals were created to fit many of our punches!

Please register with prepayment no later than September 26 to allow time for the supplies to be ordered.

If anyone is interested but unable to attend, I can provide you with the materials (cardstock cut and scored or not, your preference) and instructions with photos for creating cards on your own.

Clear Envelope Album

2007-09-14T16:15:00.000-05:00

Beginning is easy, continuing is hard. - Japanese proverb

Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. - Spanish proverb

These quotes sum up my blogging experience quite well!

Posting isn't hard, it's just very time-consuming. And that easily leads to the procrastination...

So, I just wanted to say 'thanks' if you've stuck with me through the long absences this summer!

*******

Here's a little project for you; a mini scrapbook made with clear envelopes that serve as page protectors!

I used the Simply Scrappin' Kit Friends & Flowers, a hostess kit that retired in July.
(My apologies, of course I intended to post this 3 months ago...) You can easily decorate with stamps as I did on the example in the last photo, but the SS Kits make it super easy!

Supplies:

6 Clear Envelopes
4 Cardstock Covers, 5" x 8"
6 Cardstock Pages, 4.25" x 6.5"
4 Cardstock Spines, 3" x 5" (Chocolate Chip cardstock used)
Ribbon or hemp twine for binding
Round Tab Punch and extra cardstock for 6 tabs

1. Adhere two pieces of the Cover Cardstock together for stability. Now you will have 2; a front and a back cover.

2. The 3" x 5" pieces of cardstock will be the "spine," what the covers and pages adhere to. Score these in half lengthwise and fold.

3. Stack these spine pieces (Image 2) and punch two holes on the scored lines, about 3/4" from the top and 3/4" from the bottom.

4. Thread ribbon/twine through the holes with ends on the outside and tie to bind.

5. Adhere the covers to the outside of the outermost spine, about 1/4" from the fold. Adhere the front, then use it as a guide to align the back cover.

6. Adhere 1/2" only of the clear envelope flaps to the front of the remaining spines. Center in the middle of the spine and line up subsequent envelopes with the first.

7. Punch Round Tabs and adhere to the page edges, on one of the shorter ends (Image 3). These will help you remove your pages from the page protectors/clear envelopes.

8. Decorate and embellish your covers and pages!

To add more pages, increase one spine for every 2 additional pages.

Image 2

Image 3

No decorations needed on this patterned paper:

A gift for friends that visited us this summer:

Petals & Paisleys Designer Series Paper

Tempting Turquoise cardstock

Retired stamps Fishy Friends and Whimsical Alphabet

Have a great weekend!

Wanted: A Refrigerator Calendar!

2007-08-22T19:48:00.000-05:00

I love this Calendar stamp!

This project makes a great back to school gift for lockers or hang one on the fridge.

The top is a piece of cork board; you can find these at the Dollar stores, now.

I stamped the Wanted set with Craft Ink then distressed it by applying some ink directly to the cork.

Twill tape is looped and stapled to the back of the cork for a pen holder. Adhere the cork to a piece of chipboard with Sticky Strip. Adhere a magnet strip to the back of the chipboard.

Stamp Calendar onto Outlaw Designer Series Paper and mount on Chocolate Chip cardstock. Apply laminate to this piece so dates can be wiped off with dry-erase pen.

Cut two pieces of hemp twine in equal lengths, knot loops on all four ends of twine and adhere to back of cardstock. Apply Pop-Up Glue Dots on back and mount on Really Rust cardstock.

The calendar can be turned upside down if needed depending on the days in each month. The knotted loops allow calendar to be hung with thumbtacks, and they look like tiny lassoes!

Punch images from Outlaw paper and Wanted stamps, back with cardstock for durability and cover with laminate. Adhere to thumbtacks with Crystal Effects or Mini Glue Dots.

Back to School Organizer

2007-08-21T13:16:00.000-05:00

Organizer Class on Saturday, August 25 at 10:00 am

Reserve and prepay $25 in advance; there are a few spots left!

Create a trendy file folder project for the upcoming school year.
This convenient organizer has 8 inner pages and includes 10 monthly calendars, a notepad, pockets and plenty of space to record everything you need to remember!

I used lots of new stamps on this: ABC Alphabets Upper & Lower, My ABC's, Calendar, Holiday Blitz and Simple Serif Mini Alpha & Numbers.

The organizer is easily altered to different styles. Feel free to customize it to your taste!
Makes a wonderful memories keepsake gift.

Preserving Pet Memories Scrapbook Class

2007-08-04T20:43:00.001-05:00

Isn't Chloe adorable?

I borrowed a friend's dog photos to create these for a pet scrapbook class I'll be teaching at a library. (Thank you, Karin!)
The class will be making this 6"x6" page with the Yappy Day stamp set and the Good Dog wheel.
Colors are Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue, Creamy Caramel and Naturals Ivory.
I daubered blue Pastels (chalk) to the doghouse sign for an easy title.

Class samples:

These are two pages, each 6"x6." Each page is mounted on chipboard and the back is covered in Kraft cardstock with quotes about reading.

The stamps sets are ABC Alphabet Upper & Lower and My ABCs wheel. I love the combination of Soft Sky and Purely Pomegranate with Wild Wasabi & Kraft!

Fun new accessories used here; Pomegranate Double-Stitched Ribbon, Trio Flower Punch and the Jumbo Eyelets which are so easy to set with the new Crop-A-Dile. I won a package of these at Convention and they are fabulous!

I have always loved close-up photos!

Yappy Day again and Letterpress Alphabet for the page title. I drew the bone free-hand on scrap paper for a template. There is a slit on either end of the bone and another bone piece slides in behind the title for hidden journaling.

Colors are Bashful Blue, Really Rust and Naturals Ivory.

If you're near Chesapeake, Virginia, the class is this Thursday at 7 pm at the Russell Memorial Library! Call to register, there may be a few spots left.

Sales Tax Holiday, Virginia: August 3-5

2007-07-19T11:59:00.000-05:00

Good news!
Several states' legislatures have passed a special sales tax holiday during specific dates in August.
During this period, sales tax does not apply to school supplies.
The participating states typically define school supplies as any item normally used by students in a standard classroom for educational purposes.
Based on state statutes, we've identified the items that will be exempt from sales tax in these states during the period.
Here is a list of tax-exempt items for Virginia from August 3-5, 2007:

Please note: this applies to items shipped to Virginia.

Other states that are participating in the sales tax holiday:
Alabama: August 3-5
District of Columbia: August 4-12
Florida: August 4-13
Georgia: August 2-5
Louisiana: August 3-4
Missouri: August 3-5
New Mexico: August 3-5
North Carolina: August 3-5
South Carolina: August 3-5
Tennessee: August 3-5

The tax-exempt items vary by state.
Please contact your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for more information.

Sketch Challenge

2007-07-08T17:59:00.000-05:00

I adore this card layout and with over 360 samples on SCS, lots of you like it as well!

It's Sketch Challenge 124; there is a template you can print and cut out if needed.

Stamp set is Petals & Paisleys; colors are Whisper White, Basic Black and Rose Red.

To obtain the lighter colored flower I stamped the flower on the left, re-inked only the stem, then stamped the second flower.
Don't forget to breathe on the stamp before stamping again to re-moisten the ink!

Simply Scrappin' Kits

You may have noticed an increase in price for the Simply Scrappin' Kits in the Fall-Winter Collection.

The following "cost analysis" was figured by a wonderful demo in Kansas, Belinda King.

Belinda is always so helpful on SCS; check out her blog, Belinda's Stamping Space.

Happy Birthday, America!

2007-07-04T10:27:00.000-05:00

I wish the photo showed how sparkly this really is!

I LOVE In the Spotlight, a new Hostess set that makes gorgeous fireworks!

The images are stamped in Silver Encore ink and embossed with sparkly Hologram Highlights embossing powder.

Romantic Red Glitter adds some extra color and shine.

Cardstock is Real Red, Brilliant Blue and Whisper White.

HAVE A VERY HAPPY AND SAFE FOURTH OF JULY!

Pocket Bookmark

2007-06-23T19:00:00.000-05:00

Add this set to your collection before it retires!

Pocket Fun is quite versatile:

pop up the pocket on dimensionals like I did here and tuck in a photo, bookmark, calendar, notepad, money or a gift card
stamp the frog image for younger kids
stamp the girlfriends image for older kids
the pocket makes a great masculine card

Colors are Buckaroo Blue, Barely Banana and Pretty in Pink.

Color Spritzer Tool was used with various blue markers.

"Thanks" is from the set Everyday Flexible Phrases.

Say "CHEESE!"

2007-06-22T09:57:00.000-05:00

Here's a little beach fun for all of you far from the sea shore!

The Spiral Punch makes a great filmstrip with Basic Black card stock.
The "photos" are stamped on Naturals Ivory card stock and punched with the 1 1/4" square punch.

Sandy Shells was wheeled on Creamy Caramel card stock with Whisper White Craft Ink.

"Smile," from the Be Happy set, is stamped with Real Red ink on Naturals Ivory card stock and layered on Basic Black.

The bottom layer is Buckaroo Blue card stock.

My sister and her family visited this week. Our boys are only four months apart; they had great fun together!
My nephew, Gabriel and my son, Tristan at the beach:

When we tell Tristan to "Say Cheese" he pretends to smile so I tell him a joke to get a genuine smile!
Where does a sheep get his hair cut?
At the Baa Baa shop!

Have a great weekend!

Scalloped Round Card

2007-06-16T14:21:00.000-05:00

Here's another fun idea demonstrated at the Stampin' Up! Regional: round cards!

The ladybug was adorable but my favorite was a basketball card.
The Canvas background stamp was clear embossed to create the ridges, very realistic!

The card opened:

Create the scalloped edge with the Slit Punch:

Score and fold cardstock in half. I used Cameo Coral.

Through both layers of cardstock, cut a circle with the Coluzzle leaving an uncut space for the fold of the card.

Cut a second, smaller circle inside the first. This is necessary for the Slit Punch to slide up through to create the scallops.

Cut four circles of contrasting cardstock slightly larger than the holes.

Adhere the circles to the scalloped frame, creating a sandwich.

In addition to the two circles of Certainly Celery on each side of the card, I also layered a piece of Basic Black on the front.

Large scalloped flower:

Coloring on Vellum

2007-06-12T23:11:00.000-05:00

Please post a comment if you know the name of this technique; I can't remember if there is one!

This was presented at the Virginia Beach Regional by the most charismatic and sassy staff member that Stampin' Up! has for us at events...Jaron Winder!

Like myself, Jaron is somewhat vertically challenged! But he more than compensates for it with attitude; he's everyone's favorite!

First, begin with vellum cardstock. This is my opinion; I never bother with thin vellum.

Stamp an image.
The Wild Roses set is stamped with StazOn Black ink on vellum cardstock.
Give the ink a minute to dry on the vellum.

Second, turn the vellum over.

Color with Watercolor Wonder Crayons on the opposite side that you stamped on.

This does not need to be neat!

Scribble some color on and leave some blank space.

Turn the vellum back over and you can't see that you didn't color neatly!

Adhere the vellum to a piece of Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock.

Use Mini Glue Dots placed in a few areas that were colored, so they don't show through the vellum.

Voila!

This photo doesn't do it justice; it is a beautiful effect and simple!

I layered Narrow Olive Organdy on Wide White Organdy to achieve the striped look on the ribbon.

Blogger's Swap: Leslie Brown

2007-05-31T16:09:00.000-05:00

The simplicity of this card really shows off the beautiful Petals & Paisleys Designer Paper.

Leslie folded down 1.25" of the Cool Caribbean cardstock, punched the edge with the Spiral Punch and adhered it to the front, over the Designer Paper.

The top of the card is stamped with the dots from Polka Dots & Paisley set then pierced with the paper-piercing tool from the Crafter's Tool Kit.

The sentiment is from Amazing to Zany, stamped with Cranberry Crisp ink on Regal Rose cardstock and punched with the Round Tab Punch.

Leslie tied Rose Grosgrain ribbon and Light Pink Gingham ribbon around the top 1.25" before adhering it.

See more of Leslie's cards in her Splitcoast Gallery and at her blog Continuing to Create...

Thanks to everyone in the Blogger's Swap for such wonderful cards!

Blogger's Swap: Mimi Hornberger

2007-05-29T16:03:00.000-05:00

This card is just adorable!

Mimi chose Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue, wonderful Soft Subtle colors for a baby!

The diamond print is from Rebecca Designer Series Paper.

The Bashful Blue is layered on a piece of Whisper White stamped with the versatile Fontastic background stamped in Certainly Celery. With us for only one year, don't forget to order this stamp before it retires on June 30!

The giraffe is part of another retiring set, Little Hellos; one of my first sets!

The sentiment is part of a set from the last Winter Mini, Small Sayings. I'm holding on to mine in hopes it makes it onto the Fall/Winter Collection 2007.

Accessories include Light Blue Gingham ribbon, the Word Window punch and the two larger square punches. To create rectangles, punch a square then punch another overlapping the first!

Mimi's blog is Stamps-a-Latte Stamp Cafe and see more of her creations on her Splitcoast Gallery.

Blogger's Swap: Anna Zuniga

2007-05-28T15:58:00.000-05:00

I love this color combination, it is so calming, it would be a great choice for a new baby card!

Anna used So Saffron, Bordering Blue and Certainly Celery accented with Whisper White cardstock and French Blue Grosgrain ribbon.

The focal image is colored with Pure Color Pencils. Crystal Effects was added to the frog's eyes and the hearts on the background for dimension.

Stamp set is Unfrogettable, which will NOT be retiring; yippee!

Check out Anna's blog: stampanna.

Blogger's Swap: Michelle Laycock

2007-05-27T15:42:00.000-05:00

The colors in this photo are a bit off; the cardstock is Very Vanilla, Night of Navy and Certainly Celery. Inks are Regal Rose, Night of Navy and Certainly Celery.

Michelle used the Polka Dots & Paisley set from the Spring Mini, Everyday Flexible Phrases and the retiring Expressive Flexible Phrases.

Accessories include Celery Grosgrain ribbon, Celery & Navy Narrow Organdy ribbons, Celery brad, Hodgepodge Hardware, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Word Window Punch and Ticket Corner Punch.

I like how Michelle used the Ticket Corner Punch on the Night of Navy cardstock; it appears that there are slits in the Certainly Celery cardstock framing the flower image.

See more of Michelle's work on her Splitcoast Gallery and her blog, Ink Artist.

Blogger's Swap: Donna Baker

2007-05-24T01:46:00.000-05:00

Hidden Message Slider

Here's a very Spring-y card and a fine example of a Hidden Message Slider!

If you've not tried one of these, you can find instructions for this technique here.

The butterfly is from Winged Things and the other stamp sets Donna used are Season by Season, Canvas, Beyond the Basics, Everyday Flexible Phrases and That's Nice.

This is a very pretty color combination; Regal Rose, Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery and Petals Designer Series Paper.

There are sparkly Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the butterfly and it's propped up on dimensionals.

Donna's blog is Serenity in Stamping and you can see more of her work in her Splitcoast Gallery.

Blogger's Swap: Amber Porter

2007-05-24T00:20:00.000-05:00

More cards from the Blogger's Swap!

I really like the way Amber highlighted the Cool Caribbean with Basic Black!

The matching Polka Dots & Paisley stamps and Petals Designer Series Paper are both from the Spring Mini.

Check out Amber's Splitcoast Gallery and her blog Ramblings of a Sassy Stamper!

Blogger's Swap: Julie Purdum

2007-05-16T08:34:00.000-05:00

I Just Love You

I was in two groups in the Blogger's Swap and fortunate enough to receive two creations from Julie Purdum!

Here's a peek of a set available in the Fall/Winter 2007 Collection; Double Line Doodles.

This is a beautiful color combination; So Saffron, Certainly Celery and Brocade Blue.
The striped paper is Sarah Designer Series Paper.

The sentiment may be a bit difficult to see in this photo; "I just love you" is embossed in the bottom right corner with blue embossing powder from the Regals Embossing Stack.

Resisting Crayolas

Julie did a great job with the Crayon Resist Technique!

First, she stamped the Doodle images with Black StazOn ink on Glossy White cardstock.

"To achieve the look I wanted, I had to color everything (with crayon) that I did not want to be turquoise. I also wanted some outline in white around my images.
After coloring everything white (crayon), I brayered with turquoise, let dry completely, then color in with markers and let dry again."

For step-by-step instructions, check out Beate Johns' tutorial on the Crayon Resist Technique.

Julie used the stamp sets Doodle That, Itty Bitty Backgrounds and Much Appreciated.

The colors are Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and YoYo Yellow.

Check out Julie's blog, Rubber Room Ramblings and her Splitcoast gallery for more ideas!

Happy Mother's Day!

2007-05-13T07:15:00.000-05:00

In honor of Mother's Day, here are a few photos of the precious children that make all the work worthwhile.

Congratulations to our family's newest Mommy, Sara!

This is Sara's beautiful daughter, Monroe.

Monroe will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow, she will be one week old!

We can't wait to meet you, Sweetie!

This is my three and half year old son, Tristan!

Words cannot express how much I love this child.

Brotherly Love

These two cuties are Gavin and Garret, sons of my friend Kelly.

Kelly does such a great job; I can't imagine having a 17 month old and a 4 month old...at the same time!

Happy Mother's Day!

Blogger's Swap: Kirsten DuBosque

2007-05-12T23:00:00.000-05:00

MUST STAMP!

I love the sentiment on Kirsten's card; and the name of her blog, Confessions of a Naptime Stamper! All of us with toddlers completely understand!

Kirsten used the Office Accoutrement stamp set from the Spring Mini as well as Rough Edges Alphabet.

I'm so happy the Round Tab punch will be in the new catalog!
Okay, I don't know for certain that it will. But, some of the new Hostess stamps are the exact size and shape of the punch...

You can see more of Kirsten's work on her Splitcoast Gallery.

Blogger's Swap: Chris Smith

2007-05-11T14:44:00.000-05:00

Isn't this adorable?

I recently participated in an online swap for bloggers, hosted by the talented Sarah Moore!

I must admit that this cookout invitation is my very favorite! Chris is extremely talented and I adore her blog, from my inkpad to yours You can view more on her Splitcoast gallery.

Chris writes, "This card was inspired by some linen products I saw when I was at the Shedd Aquarium gift shop a few weeks ago. It just shows that you can work on your stamping wherever you go! Though I designed this as an invitation, it would also be a good birthday or Father's Day card."

Stamps: Crab & Company, All Year Cheer II, Flannel Plaid

Paper: Ivory Naturals, Ruby Red

Inks: Buckaroo Blue, Black Stazon, Ruby Red, True Thyme, Night of Navy marker

Accessories: Twill tape, Ruby Red brads, 1/16" punch, Aqua Painter

I've been wanting the Flannel Plaid background stamp for a year, now I must get it!

Trifold Card Holder

2007-05-10T10:10:00.000-05:00

Happy...

...to welcome my very first downline, Kelly Dale!!!

...that I registered for Convention before it sold out! I can't wait to go!

...that my husband had enough Hilton award points to pay for all 5 nights in Denver during Convention! All those trips the Navy sends him on finally pay off for me!

...that I've finished all 35 Mother's Day cards!

...that I've finished this tutorial that has taken me a month to get online!

I found a note card holder, altered it to add a front cover and came up with this design.

Inside are two pockets, each holds 6-10 cards or envelopes.
Keep some birthday cards handy or make some monogrammed cards and give as a gift.

Here's a view of the inside with envelopes and cards in the pockets:

Begin with two pieces of cardstock, 8.5" x 11" for the Cover Piece and 12" x 12" for the Inside Piece.

This template shows the dimensions for the Cover Piece:
-cut Cover Piece to 7" x 10.75"
-score at 5" and again at 5.75"

Cut Inside Piece to 10.5" x 11.5"
Cut on solid lines and score on dotted lines as shown below.
The 3 1/8" bottom strip will fold up to form the pockets.

Apply red Sticky Strip to the left side of the Cover Piece as shown.

Flip Cover Piece over to stamp and embellish. The left side (side without Sticky Strip on reverse) will be the front cover of the Card Holder. You may want to trim and inch or two off of the left side/front cover if you'd like to attach a scalloped border as I did on both finished Card Holders (shown in first and last photos of this post).

Adhere 6" to 8" pieces of grosgrain ribbon to opposite sides of the cover piece.
Ribbon will tie the Card Holder together.

The Inside Piece is shown here; pockets are stamped with the Jumbo Petals wheel:

To form the pockets, fold in the 3/8" pieces on the right and left edges of the Inside Piece; adhere with Sticky Strip.

Side view of the pockets:

Adhere the left side of the Cover Piece to the right side of the Inside Piece with the Sticky Strip that was applied in the first step. The grosgrain ribbon that is attached to the left side of the Cover Piece should be sticking out when pieces are adhered together.

The Card Holder will have three sections: left side with a pocket, middle section has a pocket and is attached to the Cover Piece and right side is the front cover with a ribbon.

To close the Card Holder, fold in the left piece with pocket, then the front cover over it.

The scalloped edge covers the spot where the grosgrain ribbon is attached. Cut a piece of cardstock 1" wide and 7" long.

Using a slit punch, create a scalloped edge and adhere it to the edge of the front cover.

Products used in the above examples:

Polka Dots & Paisley stamp set

Petals Jumbo Wheel

Petals & Paisleys Designer Series Paper

Pretty in Pink, So Saffron and Taken with Teal cardstock and Classic Ink

White Grosgrain Ribbon

For the flower under "happy," I stamped the outline flower from Polka Dots & Paisley three times in a circle, lining up the center each time to get one large flower!

Very little stamping on this one, the Au Chocolat paper doesn't need much embellishing!

Rough Edges Alphabet

Au Chocolat Designer Series Paper

Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla cardstock

Chocolate Chip Classic Ink

Cream Grosgrain Ribbon

Copper Metal Edge Tags

Birthday card from a friend

2007-05-02T18:20:00.000-05:00

My friend Jennifer Gramza sent me this card for my birthday, thank you!

Love this color combination; Almost Amethyst, True Thyme and Very Vanilla.

She used the retired sets Bulbs in Bloom and Hello Spring.

Allergies and this sinus infection are still kickin' my butt.

I'm putting a new tutorial together and hope to get it up soon; thanks for hangin' in there!

Wheels are rolling away!

2007-05-02T07:06:00.000-05:00

Wow! The retiring Stampin' Around Wheels are selling so fast, Stampin' Up! already has a list of fifteen that are in limited supply!

Because wheels are manufactured by a third party, there is a limited amount and they are only available while supplies last.

There will be a red-yellow-green list; red means there are no more available, yellow means the supply is limited and green means there is an ample supply.

The following are currently YELLOW:

Adoring Hearts Jumbo
Baby Rattle Jumbo
Builder Bits
Farmyard Jumbo
Flitting By Jumbo
Great Outdoors
Hand Prints
Millinery Jumbo
Party
Pounce
Square Pegs Jumbo
Star Studded
Sweet Feet
Swirling Stars Jumbo
Wash Day Jumbo

All other retiring wheels not listed above are GREEN.

Check back for updates!

Going Out In Style: 233 sets & 45 wheels!

2007-05-01T10:06:00.000-05:00

Retiring List (alphabetically by set name)

Retiring List (by Catalog page number)

Who has the most retiring stamps?

Thirty-eight of my sets and eight of my wheels are retiring!
So that means I get to buy 38 new sets on July 1, right? :)

Stampin' Up announced that while the retired list is longer than in years past, they do not anticipate future retired lists being this size.

I can't wait to see what new goodies will be coming out! Crossing my fingers for more scrapbooking supplies, especially a Pretty In Pink album!

Check out Caroline's blog for some sneak peeks that debuted on the Stampin' Up! cruise, including the new punch so we can make our own Prima-like flowers!!!

Items in the current Spring Mini catalog are not included on the retiring list.
They may or may not be available after June 30; order before July 1 if there is anything you want!

The list of retiring accessories will be available online June 20.
Retiring products will be available only while supplies last so don't wait too long!

The Dormant List contains stamp sets that, while they have not been retired, will not be listed in the Fall/Winter Collection 2007. These sets are still available for purchase from July 1 through January 1, 2007 and may or may not be listed again in future catalogs.

Palette O'Prints Promotion, May 1 - May 31, 2007

Do you love getting a sneak peek of something new?
This month only, you will have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive sampler of Designer Series paper from our Fall-Winter Collection 2007!

For every $35 you spend, you will qualify to purchase an exclusive Prints Designer Series paper 6" x 6" sampler pad (item #109673) for only $9.95!
Hostesses with workshops of $400 or more in sales, will automatically receive the 6" x 6" sampler pad absolutely FREE!

What is the Sampler Pad?

6" x 6" sheets of Prints Designer Series paper
48 total sheets
12 sheets of each color, 2 of each pattern in a particular color
4 colors: Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, and So Saffron

Once the new catalog begins in July, you will only be able to purchase each color of our Prints Designer Series paper individually.

Don’t miss this opportunity! These papers are GORGEOUS!

Free Stamps for Recruits!
When you join Stampin' Up! through May 31, you will receive two hostess sets from the upcoming Fall-Winter Collection 2007.

The sets are:

In the Spotlight (level 2 hostess set)
All about Occasions Bundle (level 3 hostess set)
All about Occasions stamp set
All about Gratitude jumbo wheel
All about Birthdays jumbo wheel

The Starter Kit is a great value at only $199, a savings of up to 44%!
I am committed to providing in-depth training for recruits including free attendance at all of my classes.

Join soon and you will be able to attend the annual Convention with me in Denver, Colorado!
Contact me for more information regarding benefits of becoming a demonstrator!

Name Frames Class on April 28

2007-04-24T11:56:00.000-05:00

I'm going to be an Auntie again!

My sister Sara is scheduled to deliver her daughter Monroe Eilise, on May 10.
Instead of the typical pink, Sara said she preferred yellow and green stripes when I asked her for colors.

The background paper is from the Spring Mini Catalog Designer Paper Petals & Paisleys.

I traced the "m" using the On Board Simon Lower chipboard onto Spring Flowers Designer Paper.

The other letters in her name are stamped with the Big Deal Alphabet.

The "o" is stamped with Certainly Celery Craft ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, on Petals & Paisleys paper. It's cut out with the Coluzzle and has a So Saffron brad in the flower.

The "n" is stamped with Certainly Celery ink on Whisper White cardstock, layered on Certainly Celery Cardstock. The flowers are from the set Simply Said; Certainly Celery and Barely Banana ink.

The frame from Label Classics and the "r" are stamped in Old Olive ink on Sarah Designer Series Paper.

The second "o" is stamped with So Saffron ink on Whisper White cardstock. The polka dots are from the set Polka Dots and Paisley, stamped in Barely Banana. Circles cut with the Coluzzle and the dots on the So Saffron "flower" were made with the White Signo Gel Pen.

The "e" is stamped with Whisper White Craft ink and embossed with Winter White Embossing Powder on Certainly Celery cardstock. The frame from Label Classics is stamped with Old Olive ink.

I love the illusion of the letters hanging with the white grosgrain ribbon!
If you are a member of the Splitcoast Fan Club, check out another example of this featured in April's Dirty Dozen Gallery by Taylor VanBruggen. And if you aren't a member: JOIN!
It costs less than seven cents a day!

One of my Hostess Club members asked about making a Name Frame with this saying; it's one of my favorites!

The Recollections Designer Series Paper and coordinating stamp set Wild Rose are used.

Words are stamped in Cranberry Crisp ink with Typeset Lower and Letterpress Alphabets. I stamped on a piece of the Designer paper and matted it with Cranberry Crisp cardstock.

Roses are stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock with Cranberry Crisp and Mellow Moss inks then cut out and adhered.

Accessories include Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, Earth Elements Colored Buttons, Linen Thread, Moss Grosgrain Ribbon and Cranberry Stitched Grosgrain.

The Stitched Grosgrain Ribbons are still available for purchase through June although they aren't pictured in a current Catalog. The three colors available coordinate with the In Colors Cranberry, Thyme and Violet.

Don't forget to order these when you stock up on the retiring In Colors!

There is still time to sign up for the Name Frame Class, this Saturday, April 28 at 11:00 am.

You can use any of the Patterned & Designer Series Papers, cardstock, ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware and any other accessories and stamps that I have to create your custom Name Frame!

I have the following alphabet stamp sets: Big Deal, Headline, Letterpress, "T" Monogram, Rough Edges, Typeset Lower and Whimsical Lower.

Happy Birthday...

2007-04-24T08:15:00.000-05:00

...to me!

Here's a gift to you: new catalog goodies!

The 2007-2008 In Colors were shown last week to the Demos who earned the Panama Canal Cruise, along with a few other products coming out in the new Catalog.

I have only seen the colors online, the true shades may be somewhat different than the following descriptions.

In Colors:

Soft Sky - a pale blue, very close in color to Cool Caribbean I am told!

Purely Pomegranate - appears to be similar in color to magenta.

Wild Wasabi - a shade of green; Wasabi is a spicy Japanese plant, traditionally served with sushi.

Groovy Guava - two parts Apricot Appeal and one part Cameo Coral; GORGEOUS!

Blue Bayou - a medium blue along the lines of Brocade, Ballet and Buckaroo Blue.

River Rock - think beach sand. Lighter and brighter than Sahara Sand, this will be a beautiful complement to almost every color we have!

We will also have a new neutral color called Basic Gray; a charcoal shade between Going Gray and Basic Black.

Want more?
How about new chipboard, rhinestone brads and punch box!?!?!?!

The chipboard has many different sizes and shapes of flowers, petals, leaves and circles.

The rhinestone brads are called Fire & Ice; available in three sizes of circle brads and two sizes of square brads in eight different colors.

I don't have the scoop yet on the punch box :(

Have a piece of cake today for me!

At last...

2007-04-20T16:46:00.000-05:00

After seven long weeks, my husband will FINALLY be home tonight!
Now I can get some serious stampin' and bloggin' in!
Of course, it will be after tomorrow's Regional! ;)

Just found this on Cambria Turnbow's blog:

www.stampsurveys.com

The Stampin' Up! customer panel is a volunteer group of people who provide feedback on Stampin' Up! in exchange for a generous free goodie box every 3 months from Stampin' Up!. Panelists participate by answering a 6-minute online survey about stamping and crafts every one or two weeks.

-You will receive a free goodie box from Stampin' Up! when you are first admitted into the panel and then every 3 months after for as long as you actively participate on the panel.
-We never share any of your information—including personal contact information—with any third party.
-You can quit the panel at any time
-There is no cost to you to join the panel
-Your only duty as a panel member is to answer a short survey every one or two weeks
-You will never be asked to purchase anything or be sent offers based on how you answer
-The panel is managed on behalf of Stampin’ Up! by Volt Marketing, an independent market research firm
-Not everyone who applies to join the panel can be admitted, you will be contacted if you are selected

If you would like to join the panel, please start by telling us a little about yourself. You will be selected as a panel member if your background is a match for our research needs.

HOW COOL IS THAT!

Sparkling return...

2007-04-14T08:27:00.000-05:00

My sincere apologies for the extended absence:

I've been ill from allergies, apparently three different allergy medications isn't enough for Virginia pollen. Besides the cost of housing, allergies is about the only drawback to living in Hampton Roads!

The bad news: my husband has been gone 6 weeks and being a single mom is tiring. The good news: he returns home next Friday!

I was absolutely, without a doubt, positive that my child would be potty trained at age 2.
He is now 3 1/2 and we have been struggling for a week now with not one diaper! The first couple of days were trying, then it got better and we went to a friend's to play. This was a mistake. Staying home naked seems to be the key; other places and clothes distract him.
At least he's stopped asking and trying to bargain with me for the return of his diapers! At times, it's been hilarious; he waves and tells it goodbye as it flushes!

And so my vacation from blogging has been anything but a vacation but I'm happy that I feel like stamping and writing once again!

"Sparkle" is from the Warm Words set, on sale this month with five other sets at 20% off.

The Petals jumbo wheel is inked with Bravo Burgundy and wheeled on Pretty in Pink cardstock. This combination was a Color Challenge on Splitcoast last summer.

I wheeled a whole sheet of cardstock then cut it up to make four cards. They call this One Sheet Wonder (OSW) and it's an effective method for quick cards, especially using a jumbo wheel!

I added some polka dots with the white gel pen and colored the inside of the circles with silver Pearl Ex. To apply the Pearl Ex, I squirt some Future brand floor wax into a plastic lid and mix in a bit of Pearl Ex. Then just paint it on with a small watercolor brush and you have subtle sparkles!

The tag uses Shimmery White cardstock and the small flowers are from the set Polka Dots & Petals. Accessories: Burgundy Grosgrain ribbon, Silver Cord, Ticket Corner punch.

Spring Bouquet

2007-04-02T22:14:00.000-05:00

Spring has sprung!

I spent my morning cleaning leaves and pine needles from the flower beds and planting! I've gone back to buy more flowers at least three times in the last week!
I'm still undecided about putting in a garden. I detested picking green beans and canning tomatoes while growing up, I can't believe I'm considering this!

These colorful flowers are stamped with the Office Accoutrement set.
The leaves are made with the Oval Punches.
The stems are lollipop sticks from the craft store, found in the baking section. I rolled them on a Green Galore ink pad to color.
The bucket is from the Target Dollar Spot.
There is floral foam inside, I think that's what it's called; the green stuff you stick cut flowers in! Grass is crimped cardstock.
Ribbon is white grosgrain dyed Almost Amethyst with a reinker.
Colors of cardstock and ink include Almost Amethyst, Regal Rose, Blush Blossom, Apricot Appeal and Green Galore.
Stamp sets: Polka Dots & Paisleys, Label Classics, Season by Season
Accessories: Light Pink Gingham Ribbon, Clear Button, Soft Subtles brad, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Rose & Apricot Grosgrain Ribbons

Almost everything is adhered with Mini Glue Dots; I love those babies!

April Promos, Fabulous Contest and Surprises; OH MY!

2007-04-02T08:32:00.000-05:00

Say It With Stamps April Promo:
Stampin' Up! is offering 20% off six different stamp sets until April 30!
There is no minimum purchase, buy as many as you want!

Share What You Love Promo:
Would you rather get 20% off ALL stamps sets (and cardstock, ink, accessories...) ALL the time? Sign up to be a demonstrator! Sign up before May 31 and in addition to all of the other fabulous benefits, receive two free hostess sets from the upcoming Fall-Winter Collection 2007 before ANYONE ELSE!
(New terminology: The Fall-Winter Collection 2007 is the new catalog coming out in July!)

Learn More about Stampin' Up!
If you'd like to see first hand how fabulous it is to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, join me on Friday, April 20 from 7:00-9:00 pm for Opportunity Night. Hosted by Stampin' Up at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, this is a fabulous opportunity!
Please contact me in advance so I can sign you up!

Sarah's Contest:
Leave a comment on Sarah's website before midnight and you'll be entered to win fabulous prizes!

Cool Doodles!

2007-03-30T09:19:00.000-05:00

I am so grateful for all of the wonderful emails I've received; thank you for taking the time to send your compliments!

I love this color combo, Splitcoast Color Combo Challenge #95: Cool Caribbean, Basic Black and Whisper White.

Doodle This and Doodle That are stamped with Whisper White Craft ink on Basic Black cardstock. I accented the dots with the Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen.

Thanks is stamped with the Doodle Alphabet (upside down 'i' for !); layered on Basic Black cardstock and Petals & Paisleys patterned paper.

The word is colored in with a homemade Cool Caribbean marker. Sadly, Cool Caribbean is a limited edition In Color and there is no marker available from Stampin' Up! but you can easily create your own. Simply add a few drops of ink from a reinker to the tip of a Blender Pen. Thanks to Amy Rysavy for this brilliant idea!

Punch a 1/8" hole and tie a piece of White Grosgrain to finish this easy but striking card!

Receive 50% off one of these sets from the Spring Mini Catalog with the Spring Fever Promotion!
Promo expires TOMORROW!

Pinwheel of tags!

2007-03-26T18:00:00.000-05:00

I had a busy weekend; a class on Saturday and a workshop on Sunday, whew!

I was fortunate to meet three new people; 'Hello' to Deborah, Cindy and Rebecca!

I remember being somewhat skeptical when I first heard other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators talking about being rewarded with new friends they met through their businesses.
I thought getting a discount and having a reason to buy new stamps would be all the reward I needed! ("I have to buy this so I can demonstrate it!")

Meeting new people can be very difficult, especially when you are a military family moving every few years and a stay-at-home parent! I am grateful that I have Stampin' Up! as an outlet and it provides the opportunity to meet new people. I am rewarded!

This cute pinwheel idea is CASE'd from a fellow demo, Phyllis Johnson.

Punch 7 tags from double-sided paper. I used the larger tag punch, either will work.

Each tag has two folds. If you choose to score first, remember to do so lightly. The paper is not as thick as cardstock; the scorer can cut through it!

The following directions reference the four lower corners on the tags.

Fold each tag as shown. The first crease is from top right corner to bottom left corner, folding bottom right corner up. You now have a triangular area standing up with the reverse pattern showing, here the flowers:

Fold this triangular area making a crease from the bottom left corner to the center of the side that is opposite that corner. Now you can see the front striped pattern on the lower right of the tag with only a small area of the reverse (flower) pattern showing:

Apply adhesive to the back of the folded tags but don't firmly adhere to your project until you have them arranged and centered.

For the center, punch a 1/2" circle, insert a brad in the center and adhere with a Mini Glue Dot or Stampin' Dimensional.

Happy Spring card uses the Petals Jumbo wheel, Petals & Paisleys Designer Paper and Polka Dots & Paisleys stamp set; all part of the Polka Dots and Paisleys Bundle in the Spring Fever Promotion!

Only 5 days left to save 50% on any one item in the Spring Mini Catalog with this promotion!
"Spring" is from the set Alphabits, punched with a 1/4" punch.

Thank You card also uses the Polka Dots & Paisley set as well as Circle of Friendship.

Doodle Memo Board

2007-03-21T16:25:00.000-05:00

I get so inspired while browsing through Target!
There was a memo board with this basic concept and I thought, "I can make that!"

This is a wooden tray from a craft store, they come unfinished and cost $4 or $5. The green stems are actually one long piece of very thin, covered Nylon elastic from the fabric section.

My husband drilled tiny holes in the tray, along the top and bottom.

I painted the tray with white acrylic paint. After it dried, I stamped the Doodle This and Doodle That flowers with black StazOn ink.

Using ink from Craft reinkers, I painted the flowers with a small brush. Only a thin coat of the Craft Ink is needed.

To color the elastic, I "smooshed" it into my Craft pad! This is more time consuming than dying grosgrain ribbon. Both the thickness of Craft ink and the nylon covering on the elastic make it necessary to apply pressure and work the ink in. Let the elastic dry thoroughly, overnight at least.

Tie a knot in one end and thread the elastic through the holes beginning on the back of the tray. Thread on the front side top to bottom. Pull through on the back of the tray and thread through the next hole on the bottom. Then on the front, thread bottom to top. Continue to the end pulling elastic taut as you go and knot on back of tray.

The elastic holds memos and notes:

I used less than one package of elastic, approximately 2 to 3 feet.

The elastic is colored with Green Galore Craft Ink.
Flowers are Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Orchid Opulence and So Saffron.

I have another tray painted and ready to stamp with the chef from the stamp set Voila for a recipe holder!

Email me if you'd like to make your own Memo Board and I'll schedule a class!

Name Frames!

2007-03-19T09:25:00.000-05:00

Hail to the Queen!

My friend Zully is the Queen of our local crop group!
Queen Zully loves polka dots and the Doodle stamps and her craft room is painted pink; I hope she likes her name frame!

Name Frame Class

Join me on Saturday, April 7 at 11:00 am and make your own special name frame!

Everything is included!
Choose between a black or brown wooden frame measuring 7" x 14".
Customize it with your choice of alphabet stamps, patterned paper and colors of cardstock.
Embellish with colored brads, ribbon and Hodgepodge Hardware.
This is a wonderful opportunity to sample many of the accessories carried by Stampin' Up!
RSVP and prepay $20 by check or Paypal.

A belated birthday gift I made for my nephew with the Big Deal alphabet and stamp set By Land. The stitched grosgrain ribbon made a perfect "road" for these little cars!

Name Frames make wonderful gifts!
Make one with a last name or one of the following words:

WELCOME
PEACE
LAUGH
LOVE
FAITH
HOPE
JOY
DREAM
BELIEVE
MIRACLE
CHERISH
FRIENDS
FAMILY
BLESSED
BEAUTIFUL
PRECIOUS
Give Thanks
Bon Appetit!

Shaker Card Tutorial & Masking Technique

2007-03-18T08:52:00.000-05:00

Here is a double; a technique and a tutorial all in one!

Supplies:

Paper cutter with scoring blade

Square punch

Mini glue dots

SNAIL adhesive

Something to shake! Sand, confetti, microbeads, seeds, tiny buttons...

Clear envelope

8 1/2" x 11" cardstock (Kraft used here)

Cardstock for inside the shaker:

The cardstock inside the Shaker needs to measure just less than the width of and at least half the height of the clear envelope you are using.

Stampin' Up! Medium Clear Translucent envelopes measure 4 1/2" x 7" (including flap).

The Naturals Ivory cardstock I used for the crab image measures 4 7/16" x 3 1/2".

Masking

Masking an image is simple and only takes a few minutes yet makes a dramatic difference.

Your stamped image will look much more professional and realistic.

Masking is especially effective when stamping objects that are touching such as flowers in a vase, eggs in a basket, leaves behind flowers, and objects being held.

Stamp your image on cardstock, leaving room at the bottom.

Stamp same image on a Post-it note or scrap piece of paper. The temporary adhesive on the Post-it note will help your image stay in place.

You can apply Dotto repositionable adhesive if using scrap paper.

On the Post-it note image, cut it just inside the lines. This is important!

You don't need to cut out the entire image, only what will be overlapping other stamped images.

Stick the mask onto the stamped image on the cardstock.

Stamp present, hat and cake images. Remove the mask.

Now it appears that the present and cake are actually being held in the claws!

Save the mask in the container with the stamps and reuse it!

Continuing with the Shaker Card Tutorial:

1. Score an 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock in half vertically (at 4 1/4") and horizontally (at 5 1/2").

2. Cut out one quarter of the cardstock.

3. With paper positioned as it is in photo above, stamp on the lower left quadrant. This will be the front of your card. (Sandy Shells wheel used with White ink cartridge.)

4. Flip cardstock over as shown in next photo:

5. On the back of the piece that you stamped (card front), mark out an area to be cut.

The inside of the piece to be cut away measures 4" wide and 3" tall. The edges remaining will be the frame with 3/4" on each side and 5/8" on both top and bottom.

I made a template of this size frame to reuse.

6. You can cut the frame with a paper cutter, scissors or with a paper punch.

Any size square punch will work. Turn over your punch and line up the corners.

Continue to punch the entire area out.

The stamped images were colored with markers. The starfish and shells were watercolored with an Aqua Painter and Sahara Sand ink.

7. Insert the cardstock in the clear envelope with the stamped image facing up. When the excess envelope is folded over the cardstock, it will adhere to the back.

8. Pour approximately 1 tablespoon of sand in front of the cardstock. Don't worry that some will be behind cardstock.

9. Fold excess at top of envelope tightly over cardstock, pull off strip and adhere.

10. Apply SNAIL adhesive to the back of framed area and adhere clear envelope. Check on other side that image is centered on front of card.

11. Place Mini Glue Dots on frame edges.

12. Fold the piece over and adhere, firmly pressing glue dots.

Finish card with ribbon tied at top!

Crab & Company stamp set is available in the Spring Mini Catalog through June 30.

Sandy Shaker Card

2007-03-16T09:06:00.000-05:00

Today is my nephew's birthday; Happy 3rd Birthday, Gabriel!

This is the first birthday of his we've missed and my son is quite upset. The last two years we've traveled home to Indiana in the spring and fall but this year we won't visit at all. Military life can be difficult but we only have 8 more years until retirement!

This is a super easy Shaker card with sand inside. (Sand from the craft store, don't use beach sand!) Instead of making a box of foam tape and a window sheet, try using a clear plastic envelope; much faster and easier!

I used a Medium Clear Translucent envelope, inserted the stamped cardstock (Naturals Ivory) then poured approximately 1 tablespoon of sand in. Fold the open end of the envelope over the back of the cardstock and adhere.

For now I'll list the supplies and tomorrow I'll post a tutorial with photos.
We're going swimming this morning!

Cardstock: Naturals Ivory & Kraft
Stamps: Crab & Company and Sandy Shells wheel
Ink: White ink cartridge for wheel; Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Real Red and mostly Bold Bright colors for hat, etc.
Mini Glue Dots

***Sincere apologies to my dear husband for not crediting him in my last post. He was the carpenter responsible for cutting and sanding the wood blocks I referenced. If you are in need of wood blocks and do not have a wonderfully talented husband like mine, simply search the internet for "stamping wood blocks." In addition to the foam mounting cushion, some sizes of wood blocks are also available at Cornish Heritage Farms.

Sweet Cupcake!

2007-03-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

The Round Tab Punch is SWEEEET!

As I mentioned, you can make lots of cool things with this punch!
The cupcake is Pretty in Pink cardstock with crimped aluminum foil for the baking cup.
I recommend metal sheets instead of aluminum foil for sturdiness when crimping.
The foil lost the crimped ridges as I attached the cupcake to the card; I had to add a second layer.

The sprinkles on top were made with the Signo Gel Pen. I then dotted Crystal Effects and added Dazzling Diamonds glitter for some sparkle!

My son is all about having a cherry on top of everything these days! This cherry is a Rose Red button from Fresh Favorites II with Pink Gingham ribbon.

"Sweet" is from the Sew Sweet Jumbo Wheel.
I prefer to use the images on this wheel separately. Instead of wheeling it and cutting them out each time, I removed the rubber from the wheel, bought foam mounting cushion and mounted the images on wood blocks.
You can buy blocks, use children's building blocks or cut your own.
I stamped the images on copy paper and adhered it to the top of the block. Another option is to stamp directly on the wood block with StazOn ink after adhering the rubber to the foam but before adhering it to the wood!

Polka dots on background made with Itty Bitty Backgrounds. I hope this set never retires!

Cardstock: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Rose Red

Paper piercing made with the Crafter's Tool Kit

A Bunny and a Basket

2007-03-11T23:23:00.000-05:00

Isn't this bunny adorable?

He's from the baby-themed set A New Little Someone, so sweet!

This basket is made from the wonderfully versatile Round Tab Punch!
I stamped the So Saffron cardstock with the same color ink on the Aida Cloth background stamp to get the basket weave pattern.

The basket handle is made by punching first with the Small Oval Punch, then lining up the Large Oval Punch on top of the hole made by the Small Oval. The eggs are all Petals & Paisleys Designer Paper, made with the Small Oval Punch.

Thanks to Forget-me-not on Splitcoast for compiling all the Round Tab Punch ideas!

The bunny is stamped on Whisper White cardstock and colored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons; Pretty in Pink and Old Olive.

The background is Cool Caribbean tone-on-tone, stamped with Polka Dots and Paisleys stamp.

The sentiment is from All Year Cheer I, Rose Red ink on Pretty in Pink cardstock.

5" x 5" Art Journal & Note Card Class

2007-03-08T12:24:00.000-05:00

Notations Designer Series Paper

Join me Saturday, March 24 at 1:00 pm to create a 5" x 5" Art Journal and a Tri-fold Note Card Holder with six notecards and envelopes.

Class fee includes the pre-order of your 5" x 5" Art Journal from the Spring Mini Catalog ($6.95 + S/H & tax).

RSVP and prepay $20 by March 20.

Indicate your preference of patterned paper from the Spring Mini Catalog; Au Chocolat, Petals & Paisleys or Notations.

Au Chocolat Designer Series Paper

In this class we will be embellishing an adorable 5” x 5” Art Journal.

Create a recipe book, an address directory, mini album, book of quotes, birthday calendar; the possibilities are endless!

Using the new Spiral Punch, you’ll learn how to make additional pages and pockets without removing the wire spiral binding!
Create tab dividers for your book with the new Round Tab Punch.

Petals & Paisleys Designer Series Paper

The second project you’ll learn to create is a Tri-fold Note Card Holder.

Stamp six note cards and envelopes to coordinate with your Note Card Holder.

Have cards ready for any occasion, or give as a gift for Mother’s Day!

Samples shown here are only examples; you will have the opportunity to express your own creativity with your projects!

Note Cards embellished with Au Chocolat Designer Series Paper

Petals & Paisleys Note Cards and Tri-fold Note Card Holder

Prepayment with Paypal to fairleandmike@yahoo.com

Or mail a check to Fairle Carroll, 1413 Maharis Road, Virginia Beach 23455.

Invitation to an Easter Workshop

2007-03-08T11:05:00.000-05:00

My friend and fellow T-Cup cropper Zully Walls is hosting a workshop on Sunday, March 25 at 2:00 pm.
She kindly asked that I extend an invitation to others who would like to learn more about stamping! We'll also be playing with some new Spring Mini Catalog products! The workshop will be held at my house in Virginia Beach; RSVP.

This is one of the projects we'll be making at the workshop, a criss-cross card with a fun Easter recipe. The Round Tab Punch was used for the tab at the top to pull the recipe card out. I LOVE this new punch, it is so versatile! In addition to tabs, you can make a basket, a cupcake, parentheses...check back this weekend for more ideas!

This project can easily be altered for any occassion; share family recipes for any holiday or occasion, insert wishlists, fond memories or something other than a recipe. Attach it to a scrapbook page to hold souvenirs, extra photos or journaling.

Just in time for Spring, the colorful Petals & Paisleys Designer Series Paper creates beautiful projects. It is one of three products in the Spring Fever Promotion bundle. This promotion lasts until March 31; don't miss out on 50% off!

Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley, All Year Cheer I
Cardstock: So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Petals & Paisleys Designer Series Double-Sided Paper
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Certainly Celery

Stamps by Mail

2007-03-01T19:26:00.000-05:00

Introducing Stamps by Mail Kits for the Spring Mini Catalog

Stamps by Mail is an exciting new option I'm offering this Spring!
Three Kits, three months and virtually everything you need to create beautiful projects in minutes!
Each month you will receive coordinating products: stamp sets, ink pads, patterned paper.
The best part? Precut cardstock, ribbon, hardware, instructions and envelopes for fast and easy crafting!

Each month of each kit costs $40, tax and shipping is included.

Please pay by the first day of each month; orders will be placed after payment is received.

Include with your payment your choice of color for ink pads, etc, if applicable.

Some products may be shipped directly to you from Stampin' Up!; I will mail some products including the cardstock and embellishments to you.

Respect of the three month commitment is appreciated!

Polka Dots Mail Kit

March

Polka Dots & Paisley stamp set
Petals Jumbo Wheel
Petals & Paisleys Double-Sided Paper

March Spring Fever Promo!

Get 1/2 off ANY item in the Spring Mini Catalog when you purchase this three item bundle!
All costs for 1/2 off item are in addition to $40 Mail Kit. This promotion is offered through Stampin' Up! and is available independently of the Stamps by Mail Kit.

April

Two Classic Ink Pads OR One Craft Ink Pad & One Stampin’ Write Marker
Jumbo Wheel Handle OR Grosgrain Ribbon
Jumbo Wheel Ink Cartridge
Cut cardstock, instructions, embellishments & envelopes for four cards

May

Polka Dots & Petals stamp set
Cut cardstock, instructions, embellishments & envelopes for ten cards
Cut cardstock, instructions, chipboard coasters & embellishments for two Mini Coaster Books

Doodle Mail Kit

March

Doodle This stamp set
Stampin’ Write Marker

April

Doodle Alphabet stamp set
Cut cardstock, instructions, embellishments & envelopes for four cards

May

Doodle That stamp set
Doodle Numbers stamp set
Cut cardstock, instructions, embellishments & envelopes for four cards

Office Memos Mail Kit

March

Office Accoutrement stamp set
Classic Ink Pad

April

Notations Double-Sided Paper
On Board 5 x 5 Art Journal
Spiral Punch
Assortment of die-cuts from Pockets & Pieces, Idea Book & Catalog page 216
Instructions & embellishments for decorating Art Journal

May

Round Tab Punch
Little Reminders Accents & Elements
Cut cardstock, instructions, embellishments & envelopes for four cards

Pictured are some of the projects included in the Polka Dots Mail Kit!

Spring Fever Promotion!

2007-03-01T09:14:00.000-05:00

Do you have Spring Fever?

You will have after seeing the delectable patterned paper in the new Spring Mini!

This card went together lightning fast; only "happy" is stamped, the rest is one piece of the Petals & Paisleys Designer Double-Sided Paper!

Get 50% off ANY one item in the Spring Mini Catalog from March 1-31 when you:

purchase the Polka Dots & Paisley Bundle!

host a workshop totaling at least $400 (before tax & shipping) with no purchase required!

....................................

Polka Dots & Paisley Bundle: $34.85 ($40.74 with 5% tax & shipping)

The long card measures 3 1/4" x 6 1/2" and fits in the Small Open End Envelope.

Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley
Cardstock: Taken with Teal, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Taken with Teal
Petals & Paisleys Paper, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware

This is one of the projects in my new Stamps By Mail Kit!
Check back later for more details!

And the winner is...

2007-03-01T08:46:00.000-05:00

Jennifer Gramza!

Congratulations, Jennifer! Choose any one of the Sell-A-Bration sets for your prize!

Jennifer's inspiration; "I was listening to Kenny Chesney's "Summertime" and kept wishing to be on the beach somewhere." She included a photo of the CD but I don't want to break any copyright laws so here's a link to the album instead: Be as You Are: Songs From An Old Blue Chair

To be honest, I just couldn't decide on a winner so my son chose! A big THANK YOU to all who entered, this was fun!

Handmade Holidays #2: Letters to Santa

2007-02-28T18:27:00.000-05:00

February's Handmade Holidays project is easy enough to make with children. Basically, this is just a tube of cardstock! Make it small and hang on the tree or large and hang it with the stockings. Your loved ones can write their wishlists on light colored patterned paper that has been cut to fit. Later you can use the lists for embellishing scrap pages!

Cut your cardstock to desired size. Overlap the two shortest ends 1/4" and lightly mark with pencil the middle area that will be stamped. Lay flat, stamp and embellish. Because the cardstock will be rolled, layering with cardstock will not hold well. If you must, use thinner, patterned paper to layer. Adhere it along the whole length of the cardstock rather than just in the middle.

Overlap and adhere the two shortest ends with Sticky Strip. Punch 1/16" holes in the top, approximately 3/8" from either end. A reinforcer on the hole is a good idea. Make your own with a small circle of cardstock.

Thread wire through the holes and bend up ends.

Stamps: Typeset Alphabet Lowercase, Hung Up on the Holidays

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, 8" x 5.5"

Ink: Real Red Classic

Accessories: 20 gauge brass wire from Wire Works, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 1/16 hole punch

Last Day to Enter Challenge!

2007-02-28T18:18:00.000-05:00

Wow, a week since my last post?

I have been busy...making samples for the Spring Mini Catalog, which begins TOMORROW!

Today is the last day to enter the Shoebox Challenge, a big thank you to all who entered!!! Check in tomorrow for the winner.

Is that a tag in your pocket or...

2007-02-21T17:19:00.000-05:00

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Just the facts today; the kiddo is begging for M& M's, it must be dinner time!

Cardstock: Basic Black, Cranberry Crisp, Summer Sun, So Saffron, Vellum cardstock for pocket

Ink: Cranberry Crisp, Black StazOn on Vellum, Summer Sun on flower

So Saffron buttons, hemp twine, Black Gingham ribbon, black brad from Vintage brads

Classy Brass embossing template Love It, 5-in-1 envelope template, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, both tag punches

Stamps: Love It Hostess set, Be Happy

Flower on tag is dry embossed then ink was sponged onto the embossed area.

Vellum cardstock pocket was made with the 5-in-1 envelope template.
I shortened the length of the small envelope on the template to the same length as the tag, omitted the envelope flap and punched a half circle from it. Adhered with Sticky Strip.

After adhering the main image, I couldn't decide what else to add.
I asked my son what the card needed and he told me, "Put buttons on it, Mommy!"
He's so smart!

Woodgraining & Wild Roses

2007-02-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

I found this tutorial for the Woodgraining Technique by Gina Krupsky, a fellow SCS-er who makes her own line of stamps, Gina K Designs!
Gina's blog is called A Day in the Life... Recent posts include a wonderful tutorial on masking, an adorable pot of clovers stamp and don't miss learning how stamps are made!

Cardstock colors are Marigold Morning, Close to Cocoa and Cranberry Crisp.
For the woodgraining I used Close to Cocoa Classic and Whisper White Craft inks.

I inked the Weathered background stamp with Close to Cocoa ink, turned the stamp upside down and placed the cardstock on top of the stamp.
Then I walked my fingers over part of the cardstock so that not all of the image would stamp onto the cardstock.
Wild Rose is stamped with Cranberry Crisp and Always Artichoke Classic inks.
The sentiment and leaf in the top photo are from Fancy Flexible Phrases in the Winter Mini Catalog.
Metal embellishments on both cards are Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware.

It's a bit bright!

2007-02-18T18:50:00.000-05:00

I wear my sunglasses at night...

Now that everyone over 30 has that song stuck in their head!

I'll admit that this is different; do you like the 3-D look of the flower? I can't decide.

On Whisper White cardstock, I stamped Big Blossom with Cool Caribbean ink.
Cleaned stamp and inked with Versamark. Stamped again, slightly off from the first image. Embossed with Clear embossing powder.
I watercolored the whole paper with Real Red Classic ink with an Aquapainter.
Because there was such a large area to cover and I wanted it to be as bright as possible, I squeezed ink from the reinker bottle onto a plastic lid and used as little water as possible from the Aquapainter.

The ink was resisted in the embossed area, which was partly on the Cool Caribbean blossom image and partly on White cardstock; giving the flower a 3-D or shadow effect.

The sentiment is from the Sell-A-Bration set So Very. The heart is from Small Sayings in the Winter Mini Catalog. I highlighted the saying by layering on Basic Black cardstock. I wish I would have layered the entire top layer on black cardstock as well!
Ribbon is white grosgrain.

Merci!

2007-02-17T21:07:00.000-05:00

MERCI!
I'm thankful that I finally got a true color photograph!
I took this in late afternoon and the window is behind me; even better than the ones I shot outside.

This is another watercolor emboss resist project; I love the different looks you can achieve.
The watercoloring really stands out in this with the black embossing.

The background stamp French Flair is stamped with Bordering Blue ink on the same color of cardstock. Merci and the flower image are stamped with Basic Black Craft ink and embossed with black embossing powder.
The flower is watercolored with Classic inks; Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke & Bordering Blue. It is layered on Basic Black and Bravo Burgundy cardstock. Finish with White wide organdy and Black grosgrain ribbons.

I really hope these stamps, Carte Postale and French Flair, are in the new catalog in July.
I was sure they would make it since there is a matching set, wheel, background stamp and patterned paper...but now the Spring Mini has LOTS of matching goodies, too!
If you haven't received your new Mini yet, it should arrive soon.
I'm putting together some exciting new things for the release of what will be our last Spring Mini
Catalog! One year from now, we'll be calling it the "Occasions 2008 Mini Collection."
Doesn't that sound sophisticated?!?

But March has not arrived and we still have NINE days left for Sell-A-Bration and ELEVEN days left for the Winter Mini Catalog.

Do you have everything you want?

Out of the BOX!!!

2007-02-15T14:29:00.000-05:00

Not only is the style of this card out of the box for me, it was inspired by a Stride Rite shoebox in which I store my adhesives!

This was a very easy project and a great way to use scraps of cardstock.
Using a glue stick, I adhered 14 strips of different colored cardstock to a base piece of Pumpkin Pie. The strips are varying widths, all less than 1 inch wide. I applied Dotto temporary adhesive on my paper cutter to help hold the tiny strips in place while cutting. Dotto easily rubs off, by hand or with a pencil eraser.

The Friends stamp and punched window are from the Designer Label Punch Box.
I love that punch and now that I have dusted it off, I resolve to use it more often!
The flower in the center reminded me of a flower in the Looks Like Spring stamp set, which of course has a fabulous matching Spring Bouquet punch!
I stamped the flowers in various color of Classic ink on Whisper White cardstock; with so many colors, the card needed some white!

See below for the inside of the card, the colors are a bit off in the photo above. I have tried so many tips for taking better photos of my projects but success eludes me.
Maybe the Pumpkin colored cardstock is reflecting on the white cardstock in the photo above?
The inspiring shoebox! This fits well in my desktop organizer from Target, there are similar organizers sold at craft stores.
I also save the bottom box from Velveeta cheese to use for storage! I have lots of these little faux drawers, very handy!

The inside of the opened card with Designer Label punched window.
The cardstock is Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White, Garden Green Classic Ink for the stamped image.

Although this isn't my typical style, it was refreshing to try something new!

What's your shoebox?

Now it's your turn!
I challenge all of you to find something around the house for inspiration!
Email me a photo of the inspiring object and the project it inspired by February 28.
On March 1, I will post the most original project and send the winner a free stamp set!

The more unusual your inspiring object is, the better your chances of winning!
Project can be a card, scrapbook page or other paper craft.
Because projects will be posted on the internet, please only use photos of your immediate family on scrapbook pages.
Take precautions against image theft by including a watermark with your name and copyright information. I have not figured that out yet with the software I use but you can read about it here!
One entry per person, please.
Email me with "Shoebox Challenge" in the subject line. Include your name & address.

GOOD LUCK!

Watercolor Emboss Resist

2007-02-09T10:43:00.000-05:00

I really like this color combination; Certainly Celery, Cameo Coral and Basic Black!

There is a lot of embossing on this card with Whisper White Craft ink and Winter White embossing powder. Actually everything is, except the sentiment! It is from the set Small Sayings; a very useful set to have, I reach for it often! It's only available through the end of the month; I can't believe the Winter Mini Catalog expires in less than three weeks!

Emboss Resist

After embossing an image, you can apply or remove color and the area that is embossed will resist the new color. The embossed image will be the color of the ink, the color of the embossing powder or the color of the cardstock if you stamp with Versamark and emboss with Clear Embossing Powder.

The small flowers were stamped on Whisper White cardstock and embossed. I then colored Cameo Coral on the cardstock with a Watercolor Wonder Crayon and watercolored with an Aquapainter. The small flowers resisted the Cameo Coral and remain white!

Emboss Resist with methods other than watercoloring:

Apply ink with a brayer, sponge, sponge dauber or direct-to-paper
Apply Stampin' Pastels
Remove color by applying bleach with a stamp, blender pen, sponge or paintbrush

Delight in Life

I'm still in awe of how versatile this Sell-A-Bration set is!

To make the leaves, I stamped the flower on Certainly Celery cardstock, embossed and cut out. I left three petals intact, cut one petal off and layered it behind and discarded the fifth petal. You can easily mask the images or layer them to make new kinds of flowers. They look great whether colored or stamped on colored cardstock.

There's even a Simply Scrappin' kit that matches; it couldn't be any easier!

Have a wonderful weekend!

My First Sketch Challenge!

2007-02-07T09:26:00.000-05:00

Have you participated in any of the challenges on Splitcoast?

Many of the best artists on SCS participate regularly. The challenges are a great way to stretch your wings and improve your skills. This is Sketch Challenge 108, I'm only two weeks behind on this one! There are over 200 samples in the gallery with this layout.

There are Color Challenges on SCS also, but I found this combination in a thread discussing favorite colors for spring and summer. Word on the street is tangerine and citrus colors will be hot this summer!

Cardstock & ink: Pixie Pink, Green Galore, Apricot Appeal and Very Vanilla.
Stamps: Happy Harmony Sell-A-Bration set
Accessories: Apricot grosgrain ribbon, Apricot brads

SCS Daily Challenges:

Monday: Try a new Technique
Tuesday: Color Challenges
Wednesday: Card Sketches
Thursday: Ways to Use It
Friday: Limited Supplies?
Saturday: Scrapbook Sketches
Saturday: Inspiration Challenge

Happy Harmony Framed

2007-02-05T23:02:00.000-05:00

I'm so very sorry it's been a week since I last posted!
I'm feeling better now and plan to post much more regularly.

I can't remember the last time I used the Print Pattern background stamp. I was inspired to ink it up by a photo of a shadow box in a magazine. The inside of the shadow box had this pattern but in black and white. Love the simplicity and such a striking difference so I stamped first with Basic Black ink on Whisper White cardstock.

Simple and striking, yes. But I could not get it to work for me. With all of the beautiful, one-layer, simple cards on Splitcoast lately, I've really been trying to create this look. Simple can be rather difficult!

Finally, I stamped on Vintage Violet cardstock so my frame would stand out. I love this saying from the Sell-A-Bration set, Happy Harmony. The frame is from Finials & Frames, a set that I had to have when it came out in the new catalog last July. I tend to forget I have this set, need to use it more often!

I stamped the frame with Silver Encore ink and embossed it. I then "painted" the frame with Silver Pearl Ex powder and Future floor wax. The Pearl Ex looks darker in the jar than it appears when applied to white cardstock. I should have colored the frame with black marker first to attain the antique color I wanted.

I also outlined the word 'Big' with the silver Pearl Ex. For such a fine line, paint on scrap paper until the brush is almost dry. Using only the tips of the bristles, carefully dab along the line. Then slowly go over all of it, slightly blending.

Narrow white organdy ribbon was tied then adhered to the back of the frame. The frame is popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals; the brad is from the Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware kit.