Inking It Up With Cathy

Stampin' Up!'s Zoo Review Set .... The Giraffe

2012-03-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

This card was CASE'd from LeeLa Smith although I changed the color of the giraffe and the "spots" on the background. I also added the "Wish Big" and the mini brads. Aren't they so cute? I really thought it was clever how the Curly Label punch looks like the spots on a giraffe, don't you?

Stampin' Up!'s Zoo Review Set ... The Lion

2012-03-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

We made this card during my recent Zoo Review class. Thank you Cristy Butzen for the inspiration for this card. I often go to Stampin' Connection or Splitcoaststampers for card ideas but always try to add a little twist to a card that I see there. In this case, I added the sentiment to the card.
The card uses the Mosaic technique. If you have not seen this before, this is done by taking the left over rubber from a wood mount set and cutting it into little pieces and placing them onto a wood block in a mosaic pattern.
After stamping and coloring the lion, we stamped over it using the mosaic block and versamark ink. We then heat embossed it using clear embossing powder. Finally, we used a sponge and Soft Suede ink and went over the entire area. The ink colored the areas that were not embossed. A baby wipe was used to clean up the embossed areas. Pretty cool!

Technique Tuesday - Punch Frames....

2012-03-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

In today's technique, I am going to show you how to make frames using Stampin' Up!'s border punches. They add a great accent to your cards.

Here's what you will need:

Cardstock - Cut to 3" x 3"
Border Punch - shown are all four available from Stampin' Up!

First I will show you using the Scallop Border Punch. Place your cardstock in the punch with the right side of the cardstock matching up with the point of the first scallop on the base and punch.

Turn your card 90 degrees and line up the right side of the cardstock with the point of the same scallop on the base. Punch it out and continue with all four sides.

With the Scallop Trim Border Punch, you will line it up with the inside point of the base as shown. Turn to each side and punch.

With the Pinking Hearts Border Punch, you will line it up along the corner printed on the base of the punch. You can't see the corner on this photo since the cardstock is covering it but you will just see the two "V"'s as shown. Again, continue around the four sides.

If you want your image on top of your frame, you are done! If you want your frame on top of your image, here is how to cut the center out. Place your frame in your cutter lining up the cutting groove with the edge of the punched edges at the top and bottom. Cut between the punched top and bottom on on the left.

Continue around all four sides. Use a pair of snips if your cut lines do not meet.

Here's what you will end up with.

Here's what the frames will look like with the various punches.

Finally, here is a card that I made using the Sprinkled Expressions stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. The card is made with Whisper White, Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral cardstock. The ribbon and brads are from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brads pack.

Stampin' Up!'s Zoo Review Stamp Set...

2012-03-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I held a class using the Zoo Review stamp set. I saw a cute box with cards at the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference and thought I would copy her box and cards for the class. I ended up doing a different box and completely different cards too but I am glad I used the Zoo Review stamp set. It is so fun to work with and is great for masculine cards which we are always needing, aren't we?

Here is the box that we created. Over the next week or so, you will see the cards that we made at the class and also some other cards that I made using this very versatile set!

Here's what you need to create the box:

Simply Scored & the new Diagonal Plate
12"x12" cardstock - cut to 11" x 11"
Ribbon
2 1/2" Circle Punch
XL Scallop Circle Punch
Ribbon
Texturz Plate
Sticky Strip

Place Diagonal Plate in Simply Scored with arrow on back at the top.

Cut your cardstock to 11" x 11". and place it in the Simply Scored using the Diagonal Plate.
Score at 3 1/2" and at 5 1/2".
Turn Paper 180 degrees and score again at 3 1/2" and at 5 1/2". (This is opposite sides.)

Turn paper 90 degrees and score at 4 1/2" and 6 1/2".

Turn paper 180 degrees and score again at 4 1/2" and at 6 1/2".

On each side of your paper, you will see two little "V"s which you need to cut out.

Place your paper with the corners up and down with the box being in the landscape layout. Trim the tabs down from the top and up from the bottom as shown in the picture.

To texturize your flap, you need to fold the tabs down and the sides in. Once you begin to roll your cardstock in the Big Shot on your texturz plate, you need to make sure to press the sides down because they are a bit wider than the opening of the Big Shot. Stop rolling through the Big Shot when you get to the score line of the flap. DECORATE YOUR BOX AT THIS POINT BEFORE ASSEMBLY. Make sure you have your stamps facing the correct way on the box.

Place sticky strip on your tabs and bring the bottom of your box up to secure. Make sure that you keep the sides at a 90 degree angle. You can use the corner of your Simply Scored for this.

Put Sticky Strip on the bottom edge of the sides and secure bottom flap to make box. Fold the pointed center behind and secure with sticky strip or a glue dot. Attach your ribbon, stamp the Zebra on a piece of cardstock, punch it out and attach it to a punched Scallop Circle. Place dimensionals on box where you want your Scallop Circle Zebra to be and secure.

Stampin' Up!'s Fresh Vintage stamp set

2012-03-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here's the final card from my Occasions/SAB stamp camp. I used the Simply Scored to create grid lines along the background paper and used the Fresh Vintage stamp set and the 1 1/4" Square punch and the Bitty circle punch for the main image and the banner from the Take It To Heart stamp set. The sentiment came from the Thank You Kindly stamp set.

Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini - Cool stuff!!!

2012-03-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here's another card from the Occasions/SAB stamp camp. Can you find all these items?

Elementary Elegance designer series paper
Fresh Vintage stamp set
Elementary Elegance ribbon
Twitterpated Buttons
Take It To Heart stamp set
Loving Thoughts stamp set
Hearts Framelits

Stampin' Up!'s Take It To Heart Stamp Set...

2012-03-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here's the final card that I will show you from the Occasions/SAB WOW swap and it is the one that I submitted. I chose the Take It To Heart stamp set and also used the new Hearts framelits. I also used the Twitterpated DSP and the bottom is the Twitterpated fabric.

Here's the inside of the card. Here, I used the Labels framelits and the Bordering on Romance stamp set. I am not sure if you can see the flowers in the bottom left and top right but those are from that stamp set. The sentiment is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set.

What do you think? Is it a WOW card?

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Stampin' Up!'s Mixed Bunch stamp set...

2012-03-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here is another card from my recent Occasions & SAB stamp camp. It uses several items from the Occasions Mini catalog and also from the SAB catalog. Can you find these?

Blossom Punch
Mixed Bunch stamp set
Elementary Elegance designer series paper
Elementary Elegance stamp set
Adorning Accents embossing folder
Adorning Accents Edgelit
Elementary Elegance ribbon & brad pack

Stampin' Up!'s Outlined Occasions Stamp Set...

2012-03-07T09:00:00.001-08:00

Here is a card that we made at a recent stamp camp. All the items on this card with the exception of the Very Vanilla cardstock and the ink was from the Sale-A-Bration catalog and you can get one of these items with each $50 in ordered merchandise. Can you find these items?

Outlined Occasions stamp set
Stripes embossing folder
Elementary Elegance Designer Series Paper
Elementary Elegance Ribbon & Brads Pack
In Color Cardstock

Technique Tuesday - Making Dahlia Flowers....

2012-03-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning on another Tuesday! I know you look forward to a new technique each Tuesday and I think I have a cool one for you today - we are going to make Dahlia flowers.

Here's what you will need:

Piece of Designer Series Paper (I used Stampin' Up!'s Everyday Enchantment (SAB)
Piece of cardstock (it doesn't really matter what color as it won't be seen.)
1 1/4" Circle Punch
Piece of Multipurpose Adhesive sheet (or other strong adhesive - sticky sheets would work but they do not punch easily)
Bone folder

Punch a circle out of the cardstock and one out of the Multipurpose Adhesive. Remove one side of backing and adhere to cardstock circle. Fold in half, open and then fold in half so you make an "X".

Punch out EIGHT circles from the designer series paper.

Fold each piece in half.

Open and then fold so the fold lines meet (like you did with the cardstock) except do not crease the top half - just the bottom half.

Open it up. Fold circle inward from the crease at the bottom to the horizontal crease at the center of the circle. Repeat on the other side.

Turn it over. Take each side and fold in along straight center line.

This is what your piece should look like. The bottom of the small flaps may be folded back but you can bring them forward as they are here.

Repeat with all eight circles.

Remove adhesive backing from cardstock circle. Place first "petal" along fold line matching bottom point of the petal to the center of the circle.

Continue to add petals until all eight are placed and you have your flower! Now you can punch a hole in the center and place a brad or use one of the new large pearls or jewels.

Here's how to make a bud if you would like a bud to go with your flower. You will need a piece of green cardstock, the adhesive and two petals made from your designer series paper.

Place the adhesive on one side of the green circle and fold the sides in as shown.

Open flaps and remove adhesive backing. Place the two petals inside overlapping them and press the side flaps in to hold together.

Here is another flower that I made using a different piece of the Everyday Enchantment designer series paper.

Finally here is my card that used Pool Party cardstock for the card and more of the Everyday Enchantment designer series paper, Poppy Parade cardstock for the matting and the ribbon and brad are from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack which you can choose for a $50 order during Sale-A-Bration. Remember - it ends March 31!

Stampin' Up!'s Send Me Soaring stamp set...

2012-03-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

This card was made by Deb Prante using the Send Me Soaring stamp set from the Occasions Mini catalog.

Deb made this into an accordion card but lengthwise. Very clever!

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Stampin' Up!'s Hearts Framelits & Messages For Mom

2012-03-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a card made by Deb Townsend, the hostess of the swap that I have been posting the last week or so. I think she did such a beautiful job on this card. I haven't purchased the Messages For Mom stamp set but I just might put it on my list after seeing this beautiful card.

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Stampin' Up!'s Apothecary Art stamp set...

2012-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

There is a card made by my friend, Lela Meinke who also participated in Deb Townsend's Occasions/SAB swap. This is such a pretty card and uses the new Labels Framelits.

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Stampin' Up!'s Heaven Blessed Stamp Set

2012-02-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today's card was made by Lisa Hensley as part of the WOW swap. She did a wonderful job coloring the little boy. That is something I want to get better at - watercoloring.

What you will need for this card:
Stamps: Heaven Blessed
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Whisper White and Attic Boutique DSP.
Ink: Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral and Blush Blossom
Metallic brads
Calypso Coral Ruffled ribbon
Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta ribbon
Framed Tulip embossing folder

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Technique Tuesday - Gradation Technique....

2012-02-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have trouble blending colors or trying to make your images appear more realistic with their color? If so - like I do - here's a great technique for you. This technique works on solid image stamps.

Here's what you need for this technique:

Solid image stamp - I used the flower in the bottom right of Stampin' Up!'s Field Flowers stamp set.
Two coordinating colors of markers - I used Blushing Bride and Poppy Parade.
Sponge Dauber
Cardstock

First, color your entire image with the lighter of the two colors.

Then color the areas that you want to be darker.

I colored around the entire outside edge of the stamp as you can see in this picture.

Take the sponge dauber and gently press along the area where the two colors meet. Since my stamp was fairly small, I used the edge of the dauber as opposed to the center of the sponge.

Huff on the ink and stamp your image. Doesn't that look pretty?

I then stamped the stem and finished it by doing the same technique on the small flower.

Here's the card that I made with the technique. I think it is a great way of transitioning between two colors in your stamping. Enjoy!

Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Cake Stamp Set

2012-02-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

This card was made by Linda Henry as part of the WOW swap. It is such a cheerful card. Perfect for a young person's birthday. The cupcake is embossed with the vanilla scented embossing powder and it really does smell like vanilla!

Here's what you will need to make the card:

Stamps: Sweet Cake
Paper: Pool Party, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Red Riding Hood, Red Glimmer and Sweet Shop Specialty DSP.
Ink: Pool Party and Soft Suede (marker)
Red Riding Hood PleTed Ribbon
Small Heart and circle punches
Vanilla Scented embossing powder

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Stampin' Up!'s You're My Type Stamp Set

2012-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today's card was made by Lisa Kay Musil. This was the stamp set she chose for the WOW swap. It is a cute pocket card. I love the color combination.

Here's what you will need to make this card:
Stamps: You're My Type
Ink: Versamark, Wild Wasabi, Wisteria Wonder
Paper: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White and Sweet Shop DSP.
Wild Wasabi embossing powder
Ruffled Ribbon in Pool Party and Wisteria Wonder
Pearls
Vanilla Smooch Spritz
Fashionable Hearts embosslit
Pinking Hearts Border punch
Stapler

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Stampin' Up!'s Bordering on Romance Stamp Set...

2012-02-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here is another WOW swap card made by Jeanne Harris. I saw this card at Leadership and took a picture of it. When I got home and received my swap cards, I couldn't believe my luck! This is one of my favorite cards at Leadership and my favorite set from the Occasions mini.

Jeanne did the cracked glass technique on this card. So pretty!

One of the requirements of this swap is that the inside needs to be "finished" as well as the outside. I love the way she finished off the inside as well.

Here's what you will need to make this card:
Stamps: Bordering on Romance
Paper: Baja Breeze, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment DSP
Ink: Baja Breeze, Lucky Limeade, Blushing Bride, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Black Stazon
Adorning Accents Edgelits and Textured Embossing Folder
Ovals die
Clear embossing powder
Everyday Enchantment ribbon
Pearls

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Stampin' Up!'s Baby Prints Stamp Set

2012-02-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today's card was made by Doris Mikolajczyk as her contribution to the WOW swap I participated in. These ladies did such a beautiful job on their cards that I thought you might like to see some of them. Doris used the faux silk technique which is hard to see in a photograph but is quite beautiful.

I wanted to also show you the inside of the card because it is just about as cute as the outside!

Here's what you will need for this card:
Stamps: Baby Prints
Ink: Blushing Bride
Paper: Blushing Bride and Whisper White
Blushing Bride Pleated ribbon
Twitterpatted buttons
Smooch Spritz
Scallop Trim Border Punch
White tissue paper

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Technique Tuesday - 3 Tier Pull Card....

2012-02-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

In today's technique, I am going to show you how to make a 3 tier pull card. It is not a difficult card to make as long as you score and cut it properly. Let's get started.....

Here's what you will need to make the card:

3 Coordinating and 1 Whisper White/Very Vanilla Cardstock (I used So Saffron, Regal Rose & Baja Breeze)
Simply Scored
Paper Cutter
Round Tab Punch
Paper Piercer & Mat (not shown)
Sticky Strip
Antique Brads

Cut your three pieces of coordinating cardstock as follows:

Level 1 - 8.5" x 5" (Baja Breeze)
Level 2 - 8" x 3 7/8" (Regal Rose)
Level 3 - 8" x 3" (So Saffron)

Place your Level 1 piece in the Simply Scored in the "landscape" position - meaning the 8.5" side is horizontal. Score at 4" and 8".

Turn the paper to the "portrait" position and score at 1/2" and 4 1/2".

Take your Level 2 paper and place it in the landscape position and score at 7/8", 4" and 7 1/8" (This step is not shown). Turn the paper into the portrait position and score at 3/8" and 3 1/2".

Take your Level 3 paper and place it in the landscape position and score at 1 3/4", 4" and 6 1/4". (Again, this step is not shown.) Turn the paper to the portrait position and score at 3/8" and 2 5/8".

Cut along center (4") score line on each piece as follows:

Level 1 - Slice from 7/8" in on the left to 4 1/8". (This should leave 7/8" on each side uncut.)
Level 2 - Slice from 3/4" in on the left to 3 1/8". (This should leave 3/4" on each side uncut.)
Level 3 - Slice from 1" in on the left to 2". (This should leave 1" on each side uncut.)

Trim the pieces as shown in the picture above.

Level 1 - Make sure you trim off the corners on the side with the 1/2" score line. Also, trim along the score lines of the sides of the bottom half up to the 4" score line.
Level 2 - Trim off the top sides along the score line between the 3/8" score line and the 4" score line.
Level 3 - Trim off the sides along the score line between the 1 3/4" and 6 1/4" score lines.

Place sticky strip on the pieces as shown in the picture:

Level 1 - Outside of card facing up - Sticky strip along the 3 tabbed sides.
Level 2 - Inside of card facing up - Fold in the long pieces at the bottom and place sticky strip on the outside part of tab. Place sticky strip on the small tabs at the bottom.
Level 3 - Inside of card facing up - Place sticky strip along bottom.
Round Tab Punch piece (Just punch this from left over cardstock) - Place a small piece of sticky strip at each end on one side.

Using the paper piercer, make a hole near the center line of the tab.

Place brad in hole in tab. Place small piece of sticky strip inside, remove backing and fold to stick together.

Carefully slide the tab and brad into the Level 3 piece of cardstock and pull up into position.

Remove sticky strip from round tab and at bottom of Level 3 piece. Fold over Level 3 along center, carefully lining it up. Stamp a 2" x 3" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock with your image and attach to Level 3. (Not shown in this picture - please see below.)

Carefully slide the Level 3 piece face down into the slot cut in Level 2. Leave most of Level 1 down near the bottom as shown. Fold tabs in at the sides, remove sticky strip backing and fold in half, carefully lining it up.

This is what you will see. Here you can see the image I stamped from the Bordering on Romance stamp set. I stamped it with Early Espresso ink and used Regal Rose, So Saffron, Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzazz markers to color the image.

Take a 2 3/4" x 3 1/2" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and stamp your second image on it. Make sure not to stamp too low on the piece so it will show. My sentiment comes from the Friendly Phrases stamp set.

Place Level 2 face down into the Level 1 piece. as shown. Fold in the sides and bottom. Remove sticky strip and fold top portion over carefully aligning the sides and bottom.

Finish the card with a matted image (mat is 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" and the Very Vanilla is 3 1/2" x 3 1/2".)

Finally, here is the card when it is all pushed down. Isn't that adorable!!!!

Stampin' Up!'s P.S. I Love You Stamp Set

2012-02-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

Today's card was made by Tina Taves and was part of the WOW swap I participated in. It was a perfect card to give a few days ago on Valentine's Day. Guess I will need to hang onto it until next year!

Here's what you will need to make this card:
Stamps: P.S. I Love You
Inks: Cherry Cobbler and Blushing Bride
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Island Indigo, Blushing Bride and Twitterpatted Designer Series Paper
Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle and Full Heart
Scallop Heart of Hearts Embosslit Die
Red Riding Hood Pleated Ribbon
Twitterpatted designer buttons
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Stampin' Up!'s Mixed Bunch Stamp Set...

2012-02-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

I recently participated in an Occasions mini/Sale-a-Bration WOW swap hosted by Deb Townsend. Here's the card that was submitted by Andrea Hurlbert focusing on the Mixed Bunch stamp set. I love the color combination!

You will need the following to make this card:
Stamps: Mixed Bunch and Loving Thoughts
Ink: Basic Gray, Island Indigo and Versamark
Blossom, Modern Label and Boho Blossoms Punches
Framed Tulip and Square Lattice Embossing Folders
Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon
Fun Flowers Bigz L Die
Pearls and 8 mm large pearls

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Stampin' Up!'s The Open Sea Stamp Set

2012-02-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

This is a card from a workshop last weekend which uses the Herringbone technique which I showed you last week. It uses the Nautical DSP which is now retired but I just love it and it works so well with the stamp set, The Open Sea which is still available.

Here's what you will need to make this card:

The Open Sea Stamp Set
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Classic Inks: Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler & Soft Suede for aging
Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Sanding Block, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine & Gold Brads

Here's the inside of the card. Most of the images were stamped after stamping off once - except for the compass rose. The sentiment comes from the Happiest Birthday Wishes stamp set. I love this stamp for masculine cards! I am going to really miss it when it retires at the end of May. If you want to get this stamp set, contact me about scheduling a workshop since it is a hostess set and cannot be purchased.

Stampin' Up!'s Mixed Bunch Stamp Set....

2012-02-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

Today's card has an interesting (or maybe not) story to it. Every month when I prepare for workshops, I always make one or two extra sets just in case someone needs a new piece while making the cards. When I get home, I set them in a basket for making them up over the next couple of days. Or at least that is the plan! I now have a basket with about 20-25 cards in it - all cut and ready to assemble. The problem is that sometimes I don't remember what they originally looked like! This card is one of those.

I made this card using the Mixed Bunch stamp set from the Occasions mini catalog and the Blossom punch. The sentiment is from the Party This Way set and punched with the Modern Label punch. The card is called a diorama or tunnel card. After making the card up, I found my blog entry of the original card which you can see by clicking here.

Technique Tuesday - Half Fold Window Card....

2012-02-14T09:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day to you! Today, I am sending you a Valentine via Technique Tuesday which shows you how to create a window card using Stampin' Up!'s Movers & Shapers die. I hope you enjoy it!

Here's what you will need for this technique:

The Big Shot
Movers & Shapers Die (Heart from Punch Windows Add-On)
One Regular Cutting Plate & One Extended Cutting Plate
Cardstock - Cut to 11" x 4 1/4"

Score Cardstock at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2".

Fold in half at the 5 1/2" score and fold the 2 3/4" score line back to the left.

Place extended plate on Big Shot and then the Movers & Shapers Die with the Heart window die.

Place your cardstock on the die - lining it up on the left side just inside all of the cutting lines.

Fold the right side of the cardstock back along the score line and line up the Heart die so the half way point of it matches with the fold line. In other words, the bottom point and the "V" of the top of the heart are lined up with your fold line.

Lay the cardstock back down flat.

Place the regukar cutting plate on top with the edge lined up along the fold line.

Run it through the Big Shot. You will end up with your cardstock looking like this. Isn't that cool? Only half of the heart is cut out.

If you want to mat your card, place a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" piece of cardstock down in the side of the die that has the Heart. You do not want to move the Heart between cutting the card and cutting the mat so they will line up. Run it through the Bit Shot and check how it lines up with your card. Then trim each side down to the proper matting side.

Here's my card from the outside.....

And from the inside! I used the Full Heart punch and the Brights Pattern Pack in Real Red for the center of my heart and the Delightful Dozen stamp set for the sentiment and small heart which was punched out with the small heart punch.

I sn't this a great technique for a cool card? You can use any of the magnetic dies made for the Movers & Shapers die but it works best with those that have a punch to coordinate so you have the inside punched piece to show the full shape.

My Evolving Craft Room...

2012-02-10T13:02:00.001-08:00

Today's post is a bit different but I thought I would share what I have been up to this week. I got tired of my craft room being a mess so I decided to fix it up. I purchased a new desk, hutch and shelf unit to go along with the other pieces I already had. Here's some pictures of my room.

This is to the left when you walk in the door. It is my Big Shot station. All of my dies are in the wall unit and scrapbooking supplies and various totes are in the new shelf unit. The two drawer file cabinet holds all my cardstock and business supplies. The Big Shot sits on top and my embossing folders are in the box that we made at convention.

Here's my new desk. The online reviews on the desk said most people took two days to put the desk and hutch together but I managed to do it in under 6 hours by myself. Of course, I love doing these types of things. Don't ask about how my fingers faired the assembly process though!

These are the two shelf units that I have had for a long time. My mom gave them to my daughter but I took them over when we purchased a new bedroom set for her about 6 years ago. All my current stamps are on the left side.

This is the area that I am still working on organizing. Hopefully I can get that done next week. I plan on repainting the room and we are putting hardwood floors in which I cannot wait for! Much easier for cleanup! Let me know what you think and if you have any great storage ideas.

Thank You Kim!!!

2012-02-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple of gifts that I received from Kim Sinclair, another wonderful Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Kim and I met through another demonstrator, Becky Roberts, and have become friends. Our daughters are both attending Montana State University in Bozeman and when we took Cassidy up to Montana, we spent the day on Yellowstone Lake with Kim and her husband Brad. Mike & Brad both flew down to San Antonio to spend the weekend and we got together to watch the 49ers lose (boo hoo!) and have dinner on the Riverwalk.

Here is a box of chocolates that Kim gave me. They look so cute boxed up in a jewelry box - what a great use for these boxes! Of course, this will sit right next to me in my craft room as most of you know that your creative juices just won't flow as well without a little chocolate!

Kim also gave me this beautiful Journal that she made using My Digital Studio! So pretty and very useful. I am always looking for a piece of paper in my craft room so this is perfect. Thank you again Kim, you are so thoughtful!

Thank You Linda!!!!

2012-02-03T08:56:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of the lovely gift I received from my 5th level upline, Linda Gutierrez, at Leadership this year. She and I had a great dinner on Tuesday night when we arrived. It was the first time either of us had been to San Antonio and it was fun to walk down on the Riverwalk at night. Linda stayed at the Menger Hotel which is supposed to be haunted although she didn't have any unwanted guests in her room! The hotel is beautiful and Linda said her room was gorgeous although I didn't get a chance to see it.

This adorable necklace and the matching gift box -- what a great gift! Here's what you will need to make one:
For the Box:

Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper from Sale-A-Bration catalog
Very Vanilla & Calypso Coral Cardstock
Calypso Coral Ribbon from Ribbon & Brad Pack from Sale-A-Bration catalog
Jewelry Tag Punch
Bitty Box & Envelope Die

For the Necklace:

Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper from Sale-A-Bration catalog
Crystal Effects
Metal Washer from hardware store
Leather Cord

Stampin' Up!'s Take It to Heart Stamp Set....

2012-02-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for Valentine's Day? Is it one of your favorite holidays? I love celebrating my love for my friends and family but I am still pretty burned out from the holidays when Valentine's Day comes around. Also, my husband's birthday is two days later so gift giving is a challenge! Here's a card that I CASE'd from Leadership to use for Valentine's Day. I really like how it uses the Adorning Accents Embossing Folder...

Here's what you will need to make this card:

Take It to Heart & Delightful Dozen Stamp Sets
Real Red, Basic Black & Whisper White Cardstock
Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black & Real Red Classic Ink
Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine
Framed Tulips, Houndstooth & Adorned Accents Embossing Folders
Scalloped Heart Embosslit
Hearts Collection Framelits OR Full Heart Punch
Heart to Heart & Small Heart Punches

Stampin' Up!'s Packed for Dad Stamp...

2012-02-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

Here is another card using the "Packed For...." stamps although this one uses the Packed for Dad stamp. If you are like me, I am always looking for masculine cards and this stamp is perfect for that. The top left and bottom right edges of the Crumb Cake cardstock were actually lit on fire using a candle and then put out and the edges cleaned off using a baby wipe. Please use caution when doing this technique - I also recommend doing it outside if you are sensitive to fumes.

Here's what you will need to make this card:

Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake & Cherry Cobbler Cardstock
First Edition Designer Series Paper
Packed for Dad, Party This Way and Bring on the Cake Stamp Sets
Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray & Soft Suede Classic Ink
Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler & Baja Breeze Markers
Modern Label & Word Window Punches
Silver Brads & Always Artichoke Denim Jean Ribbon
Stripes Embossing Folder
Distressing Tool
Blender Pen

This card was CASE'd from one at Leadership Conference as well. I always put a twist or two of my own in them but the credit belongs with the wonderful demonstrator who made the original.

Technique Tuesday - Clear Block Stamp Hints & Tricks...

2012-01-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today's Technique Tuesday is a little different but I think will be very useful for you. Today, I am showing you how I mount my clear block stamps and store them. Trust me some of this has been learned the hard way. You may have some ideas too and I would love to hear them!

Stampin' Up!'s Clear Mount stamp sets come boxed in a DVD style case with the stamps in a sheet and a sheet with the labels.

First, I remove all of the stamps from the backing. Wait! Hold on! Don't throw that backing away!

Remove the paper backing and place it in the bottom of the DVD case. The back side will be sticky and will hold it in place. This way when you place your stamps back in the case, you know that you have all of your stamps plus they won't move around and you do not risk losing one. How do I know this? Before I started keeping the backing piece, I purchased the Friends Fur-Ever set. Do you know that set? It's 19 little pieces which slide around all over in my DVD case and when I open it .... they fall out everywhere!

For the stamps, removing the paper backing and expose the foam. If you care if the label is on them, this foam backing is quite sticky on the clear blocks and is the best way for it to stick to the block. However, I like having the label so here's what I do.

Remove the label from the sheet.

Trim extremely close to the edge of the image.

Here's the star image of this set completely cut out. I would probably also trim the points from the star so they won't be so pointed.

Attach the label to your stamp. You will see that you end up with about 1/8" around the entire edge of the stamp which will help you to adhere your stamps to the clear block.

For stamping with your clear blocks, you will need the right size block, your stamp and the Stampin' Up! cleaning cloth.

Rub your block to remove the oils picked up from you handling the block. I also repeat this process on the label of the stamp.

Place the stamp on the block and press firmly.

I then pick up the block and, using the ball of my thumb, press in the center of the stamp image. This helps create a good bond between the block and stamp.

You can't see it here - maybe someday I will begin doing videos - but I shook this block before I took this picture to show that the stamp was sticking well. I hope these tricks on the clear block stamps are useful for you!

Stampin' Up!'s Packed for Birthday Stamp...

2012-01-30T11:25:00.000-08:00

Today's card is from last weekend's workshop. Have you seen these stamps on page 39 of the Occasions Mini Catalog? I must admit that I couldn't really see a use for them when I first saw them. After receiving them from Stampin' Up! and seeing some samples at Leadership, I think they are really cool and very versatile! I CASE'd this card from one that I saw at Leadership.

Here's what you will need to make this card:

Packed for Birthday, Crazy for Cupcakes & Bring On the Cake stamp sets
In Color Pattern Pack Paper (Island Indigo Stripe), Lucky Limeade, Pool Party & Whisper White Cardstock
Island Indigo & Basic Black Classic Ink
Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade & Pool Party Markers
Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon & 1/8" Ribbon from Sale-A-Bration Ribbon & Brad Bundle
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

The inside of the card uses the Crazy for Cupcakes and Bring on the Cake stamp sets and the corner punch.

In the next few weeks, I will be posting more cards using these "Packed for ...." stamps so keep an eye out for them. If you decide you cannot do without them too, make sure to order them as the "Packed for Everything Stamp Bundle (#127337). That way it ends up being a Buy 3, Get 1 Free!

Stampin' Up!'s Bordering on Romance Stamp Set...

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here's another card that I swapped at Leadership. I used the Bordering on Romance stamp set as well as the "thanks" from Thank You Kindly. The card itself was Pretty in Pink cardstock embossed with the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder. Layered on that was Pear Pizzazz cardstock run through the Big Shot with the Adorning Accepts embossing folder and edgelit. I colored the Silver Glitter paper by rubbing it on my Regal Rose stamp pad (make sure that you don't fray the edges of your stamp pad) and then punched it out using the Lace Ribbon Border punch. I ran some 1/8" taffeta ribbon through the punched border and stamped the roses onto Whisper White cardstock using Regal Rose and Pear Pizzazz markers. I then used a blender pen and ink to color in the roses. Finally, I placed a small and two medium pearls on the roses. This card "sold out" fast - I only made about 10 of them and they were swapped out almost immediately Everyone liked the colored glitter paper. Keep your eyes out for a tutorial on several different ways to color your glitter paper in an upcoming Technique Tuesday!

Stampin' Up!'s Summer Solstice Stamp Set...

2012-01-26T16:39:00.000-08:00

Here's one of my swap cards for Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference last week. I was so busy with other things that I didn't really get much of a chance to make swap cards so I had to get them together on the Monday before I left. I made this card in several different color combinations. It is a very simple card but it was really well received by the people I swapped with. Here's what you will need to make the card:

Summer Soltice Stamp Set
Versamark, Perfect Plum and Old Olive Classic Inks
Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze and Whisper White Cardstock
Adorning Accents Edgelits Die and Embossing Folder
Rhinestones

I cut the cardstock, ran the edgelits through the Big Shot and did the stamping on Monday before I left. I assembled the cards on the airplane while watching Bridesmaids on my iPad. There were 4 other demonstrators on my flight who were laughing at how I was assembling all my swap cards on the airplane. I even had a woman ask me about Stampin' Up! after she saw what I was doing!

New Upcoming Product from Stampin' Up!

2012-01-24T14:20:00.000-08:00

I love attending leadership conference for so many reasons but one of the coolest is that we are the first to know about new products that are being introduced. This year's conference was no exception, except that instead of a new product, it is an addition to an existing product. Here it is (drum roll,please)....

I know, you are thinking, "hey, that's the absolutely wonderful Simply Scored which was introduced last year!". But look closer -- those grooves are no longer straight - they are diagonal! Starting March 1, you can purchase this terrific add-on to the Simply Scored for the price of $11.95. It sits directly in your Simply Scored and has the same grooves at 1/8th inch increments. Rubberized pieces on the back hold it in place as shown below.

Now I am sure you will want one of these to go with your Simply Scored so calendar for March 1 and click on Shop Now on my blog to order yours. Better yet, contact me and schedule a workshop and perhaps you could get these as part of your hostess benefits!

Technique Tuesday - Herringbone Technique....

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

It is Tuesday and I am back with a new Technique for you. Today, I am going to show you the herringbone technique. This technique is great for masculine cards because of its' geometric look. Let's get started....

Here's what you need:

Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet (mine is cut to 5 1/2" x 2 1/2")
Cardstock cut to the same size
Several pieces of coordinating Designer Series Paper (I used Well Worn)
Scissors (not pictured)

Cut your DSP into strips of any width - I would recommend that they be 1/2" or less in width for the best effect. You will not need as many as I have pictured here. Two of each paper will be all you need for the 2 1/2"x 5 1/2" piece.

Attach the adhesive to your cardstock piece and remove the backing so the top of the cardstock is sticky. (I found that rubbing the adhesive using a bone folder before removing the backing helps make the adhesive adhere best.)

Take one of your strips and place it at an angle on the sticky side.

Trim the DSP along the edge of the cardstock and use that same piece to butt up to the prior piece. (You want to use the same strip so the width is the same.)

Take another DSP strip and place it inside the "V" created by your first strip.

Trim that piece along the cardstock edge, turn it around so you have the square end and place it down against the other strips.

Continue to do this with other strips of DSP until you fill that portion of your herringbone design.

Take another strip and place it to run along the other side of the herringbone. Again, trim this piece, turn it around to the square end of the strip and place it to create the "V". Continue to do this until you have completed the entire area.

Trim off any strips left.

Here's what you will end up with. Doesn't that look cool?

Here's the card that I made to highlight this technique. The truck image is from Countryside and I used Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso scraps for an unusual matting. I used the Houndstooth embossing folder on the Early Espresso layer and the scallop border punch with Cajun Craze cardstock behind the Herringbone piece. A 5/8" jumbo brad completes the card.

Stampin' Up!'s Best Event - Sale-A-Bration

2012-01-23T12:35:00.000-08:00

Stampin' Up!'s annual Sale-A-Bration event begins tomorrow! It is a great time to buy and an even better time to host a workshop! For every $50 in merchandise that you spend, you receive one item from the Sale-A-Bration mini catalog for FREE.... that's right, free. Stampin' Up! even pays your shipping on the free item. When you host a $150 workshop, you receive a free tote - host a $400 workshop and you receive a special hostess bundle which includes a stamp set, designer series paper, ribbon and brads!

This year there are lots of great items to choose from - exclusive stamp sets that you cannot get any other way, select sets from the main catalog, a ribbon and brad bundle, an exclusive designer series paper group, embossing folders, My Digital Studio content and more!

What are you waiting for? Contact me to book a workshop or place your online order beginning tomorrow.

Click on SHOP NOW to order any of the items used in this card.

Stampin' Up!'s Heard from the Heart...

2012-01-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

Ah, the wonders of technology! If you are reading this post just after it showed up on my blog, I am probably up in an airplane on my way home. But I didn't want you to miss out on all the great cards that I have to show you, so I made sure you'd have one for today.

This card was also from a workshop last week. My hostess chose this card directly out of the Idea Book & Catalog. I just added a twist or two to the card. The card uses the Heard From the Heart and the I {Heart} Hearts stamp sets. The card in the catalog had the card stamped with the wood grain background stamp but I wanted to add some dimension and used the Finial Press embossing folder instead.

Here's where I added my twist on the card! The small hearts are punched out at the bottom and a melon mambo strip of cardstock was added behind it. The sentiment comes from the Delightful Dozen stamp set.

Click on SHOP NOW to order any of the items used in this card.

What a Great Way to End Leadership 2012...

2012-01-22T06:34:00.000-08:00

Stampin' Up! is such a great company to work with and have some of the nicest people working there! I attended a class Friday afternoon called Engaging and Retaining Your Downline that was presented by Donna Griffith. Patsy Waggoner told us how she changed the way she communicated with her downline and how it changed her business. It was an amazing class and I can't wait to get the materials she is providing to us next week so I, too, can help my downline be more successful in their businesses!

They ended our general session with another generous all-attendee give-a-way! A stamp set and pack of designer paper! Come join me in the Stampin' Up! Opportunity and you can share in the fun of Leadership with me!
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Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference...

2012-01-21T06:14:00.001-08:00

Here's to the dreaded "after lunch" class with Bonnie Thurber! The toughest class for the attendees and the presenter. But Bonnie Thurber rocks! She made us laugh (several times), gave us great information and truly inspired me. Thanks to Bonnie and her Title benefits class, I now have a six month plan! I am spending the weekend in San Antonio but a part of me really wants to get back and begin putting that plan in place. What more can you ask for from a Leadership Conference?

Valentines - Stampin' Up! Style...

2012-01-20T06:52:00.000-08:00

I am still hanging out in San Antonio until Monday but thought I would share a card from last Saturday's workshop.

This is a center step card featuring the Take It To Heart stamp set and the Hearts Collection framelits from the Occasions mini catalog. Here are all the items you will need to make this card.

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White
Inks: Basic Black Craft and Pretty in Pink, Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede and Chocolate Chip Classic inks
Stamps: Take It To Heart, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ribbon: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain
Punches: Scallop Border, Modern Label, Word Window, Small Heart
Other: Silver Glitter Paper, Rhinestones, Clear Embossing Powder

If you haven't done a center step card before, keep an eye out in the next few weeks for a Technique Tuesday to show you how. In the meantime, happy stamping!

Click on SHOP NOW to order any of the items used in this card.

Technique Tuesday - Smoothing Out Stamped Images...

2012-01-17T09:09:00.000-08:00

Hi there and welcome to Technique Tuesday. Do you ever stamp an image on your card and it just doesn't end up smoothly inked? Don't you hate that? Do you wad up that cardstock, throw it away and start over? Now you won't have to - I will show you how to easily smooth out those splotchy images. Let's get started.....

Here's what you will need:

Your solid stamp (I used the flowers from Upsy Daisy)
Classic Ink of your choice (I used Not Quite Navy)
Blender Pen
Cardstock

Ink your stamp and stamp your image. Here's the point that you say "Oh rats!", wad up that cardstock and throw it away. But wait! Keep reading and you won't be wasting that piece.....

See here where my image isn't very nice. In fact, there are several areas of this image that are not inked well. The first thing to do - although you need to do it BEFORE you stamp - take your sanding block and gently sand the rubber working left to right and then up and down. This removes a light coating on the top of the stamp image and the ink adheres better.

Take your ink pad while it is closed and squeeze the center of the pad so you place some ink into the lid of the ink pad. Open the ink pad and pick up some of the color with your blender pen. Color the image where you need to fix it.

Here you can see that the four flowers in the top left have been fixed.

Continue working until your entire image has been fixed.

Here's my completed card. On More Mustard cardstock, I stamped the same image using Versamark to get the subtle repeat of the image. I used the new Edgelit die and Adorning Accents Embossing folders from the Occasions Mini Catalog at the bottom. A button from the Regals color family and some pearls finish this card off.

Adorable Hobby Horse Using Stitched Stockings

2012-01-12T09:08:00.000-08:00

Today's card is the final card from the December workshop. I hope you ordered the Stitched Stockings stamp set and the Stocking Builder punch from the Holiday mini catalog because this adorable welcome baby card is made using the stamp set and punch. Thank you to Jackie Topa for seeing a hobby horse in a Christmas stocking!

Here's what you will need for this card: Stitched Stockings and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, Soft Suede and Cherry Cobbler Cardstock Beau Château designer series paper Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon 3/8" Twill Tape Square Lattice Embossing Folder Vintage Trinkets Cherry Cobbler 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Stocking Builder, Word Window and Scallop Border punches

Up, Up & Away Stampin' Up! Way...

2012-01-11T08:58:00.000-08:00

Today's card is another from a December workshop but is a birthday card for anyone.

The card was made using the Up Up and Away and Happiest Birthday Wishes stamp sets. The card is a Top Pocket card which I will show you in an upcoming Technique Tuesday. Here's what you will need to make this card as shown: Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz & Wisteria Wonder Inks: Wisteria Wonder, Melon Mambo, & Pear Pizzazz Stripes Embossing Folder Fancy Fan Letterpress Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon Pear Pizzazz Marker Punches: 1 1/4" circle, 1 3/8 circle", 2 3/8" scallop circle Circles #2 Big Shot Die

Technique Tuesday - Satin Ribbon Flowers...

2012-01-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

I am back with a new Technique Tuesday for you. Over the holiday, I compiled a list of several techniques and cards to show you so - hopefully - I will have something for you each Tuesday this year!

Today, I am going to show you how to make flowers from Stampin' Up!'s 1/2" satin ribbon. These are really beautiful and easy to make so let's get started......

Here's what you will need:

Heat Gun
15" of Stampin' Up!'s Satin Ribbon (I used Real Red)
Circles #2 Die
Sticky Sheet (not shown) and coordinating color cardstock (not shown)
Vintage Brad
Paper Piercer & Mat Pack

Start by cutting your ribbon at 1" intervals up to but not all the way through the ribbon widthwise. Leave about 1/8" as shown.

Your ribbon will end up looking like this.

Cut a circle from the Circle #2 die out of the Sticky Sheet and the cardstock. I used the second to smallest circle which is 1 1/2" wide. Remove one side of the sticky sheet circle and begin placing your ribbon around the circle starting at the outside, folding the ribbon to make a circle.

Continue moving inward with your ribbon.

When you are finished, trim off any excess and your ribbon should look something like this.

Remove the other side of the sticky sheet backing and place your cardstock circle on the sticky sheet. You will need to do this before heating your ribbon; otherwise, your flower will not stay round.

Using your paper piercer, make a hole in the center and add your brad. You can do this step at the end but I found it worked better to place it before I began heating the ribbon.

Beginning at the outside of the flower, begin heating the edges until they melt and fold up a bit. Continue to move around the outside of the ribbon until the entire outside is melted and folded up.

Then begin to move inward and melt the other portions of the ribbon. As you can see in my example, one portion of the outside didn't fold up much and isn't round.

Just return to that area and heat it some more. You can use your paper piercer to guide the melting process as well.

Here's the card that I made using the flower which I think turned out beautifully. Thank you to Dawn Olchefske for showing me this technique. For this card, I used Cherry Cobbler cardstock and the 1 1/4" Cherry Cobbler Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. The embossing folder is the Elegant Lines folder and the sentiment comes from the Thank You Kindly stamp set. Note: I did not tie a knot in the ribbon as that would add too much bulk with the flower. Just lay them next to each other and use a bunch of glue dots to hold it in place!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. I certainly did! We just sent Cassidy back to Montana last night so now I am back to blogging for you. To catch you up, today's card is one from one of my December workshops. You probably are tired of Christmas cards but this card can be altered for any occasion. The cool thing is that you can add a picture to personalize this card. Thank you to my friend Becky Roberts for the inspiration of this card.

The card is made using the Pines & Poinsettias stamp set and the Holly Berry Bouquet designer paper. Both of these items, unfortunately, are no longer available but I am sure that a creative person like you can find another set and paper that will work.

When you untie the ribbon, you open the Top Note portion of this card. Here, I stamped a sentiment from the Snow Swirled stamp set but here is where you can use a photo by just running the photo through your Big Shot using the Top Note die.

Finally, here is the inside of the card which includes a sentiment from the Delightful Dozen stamp set.

Twelve Days of Christmas - 12th & Final Gift....

2011-12-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

Here's my last gift to Stella for the Twelve Days of Christmas swap.....

Here's my last gift to Stella for the Twelve Days of Christmas swap. This gift wasn't right for Diane, my other recipient so I made her a tissue box cover (which I forgot to photograph). Pictured is the front of the picture album which is held together with a ribbon bow on the side behind the flower.

Here's what it looks like when you open it up. Stella just started a new job and had way too clean of a desk when I met her for lunch recently. I figured she could use something to put on her desk with her kids' pictures in it. Each section is for pictures for each of her four children - that worked out just perfect! I was fortunate that the "Three Little Words" stamp set had all of the letters of her kids' names so I stamped each letter and punched them out with the 1/4" square punch.

On the Twenty Fourth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

Two Gifts! A set of note cards with little Christmas stockings and a Z-fold Christmas card. I love these and they will come in handy for those last few gifts that I need to wrap today.

Big Hugs to Stella for all of my wonderful gifts!

I hope that all of you are having a wonderful holiday season.

Twelve Days of Christmas - 11th Gift.....

2011-12-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

Here's the second to last gift I made for the Twelve Days of Christmas swap....

A set of six bookmarks in the petite pocket! Holly Lunsford inspired me this year at convention with this idea and I thought it was a great one for those who read and share books. If you have a book that you are going to lend out to someone, you place one of these on the inside cover of the book. There is a bookmark for the person to use while reading the book which also says who to return the book to when they are done. Sometimes I don't get to a book right away and cannot remember who gave the book to me. These would definitely solve that problem. There are several people on my Christmas List who are receiving these this year!

Here's a close up of the bookmark and the petite pocket. Just place a few pieces of sticky strip on the back of the pocket and let the recipient know that they just need to peel the top layer off and stick them in their books. I suspect that I may get requests for more of these from some of my family members who are big book readers which is just fine because they are easy! The bookmakr was created in My Digital Studio and the petite pocket was stamped.

On the Twenty Third Day of Christmas...

2011-12-23T10:19:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

A Candy Cover using the Frostwood Lodge DSP. What a cute little gift to hand out at Christmas to your friends.

On the Twenty Second Day of Christmas...

2011-12-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

A Beautiful Covered Journal using the Paisley Petals DSP. I was just talking the other day with someone who said I needed to carry a journal because I lose the little notes that I write things I need to remember on so this is perfect. This is now my "To Do Journal". It should be big enough that I won't lose it!

On the Twenty-First Day of Christmas....

2011-12-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

A Box of TicTac Mints Covered With A Snowman! The snowman from the Punch Pals stamp set is the perfect cover for these mints. After all, you get that cool minty feel in your mouth when you eat these, right?

On the Twentieth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-20T10:07:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

What is it? This one was wrapped up in Stampin' Up!'s Spice Cake DSP with a Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon bow. I knew this would be special...

And it was! It is a Simply Adorned charm placed on a pin covered with Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon. A little butterfly from the Beautiful Wings embosslit sits inside. So pretty....

On the Nineteenth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

A Butterfly Box with LifeSavers Inside. Here's another cute way of decorating the Big Shot Die boxes that Stampin' Up! sells. What a cute gift this would make. This box is large enough to put a pair of earrings or necklace in as a gift to someone special.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 10.....

2011-12-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

Here's my gift for the tenth day of the Twelve Days of Christmas swap....

This pen holder is made from chipboard coasters covered in our Designer Series Paper. Just break out that Crop-A-Dile for punching all the holes on the sides to keep it together. The pink side has a piece of acetate so you can use a Dry Erase Marker on it. You can't see inside but I included one in the gift too.

Here are the other two sides of the pen holder. Those elusive post-it notes are right where you need them and a small corkboard finish this off. Because it is large, this would be perfect for holding all your tools like an exacto knife, pens & pencils, paper piercer, brushes, gel pens, bone folders, etc.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 9....

2011-12-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

Here's the gift I made for the 9th Day of Christmas....

It is a pretty little post-it note holder for your desktop - complete with a little pen.

Here's the inside where you keep your post-its. I never can seem to locate them on my desk or in the drawer. I just might need to make one of these for myself!

On the Eighteenth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

Two Decorated Candy Wrappers with Christmas Candy Inside. These are quick and easy and are perfect for stocking stuffers. The Tags Til Christmas stamp set is perfect for these candy holders. You can find the wrappers in the current Holiday Mini Catalog on page 11. You receive 50 of these for $2.50 - a pretty awesome deal!

Twelve Days of Christmas... Day 8

2011-12-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

Here's my eighth gift for the Twelve Days of Christmas swap and one that will definitely try your patience! These beauties are completely covered with Dazzling Diamonds by placing a sheet of the multipurpose adhesive on a piece of cardstock and covering it with the glitter and then punching it out with the Blossom Petals Builder punch. Each poinsettia has 10 petals that were then glued together with a red glitter center and placed onto rings made with the red glitter paper and the chunky silver glitter edging them. You must use a glue gun for this project. Oh, and have your husband laugh at you for having glitter all over your face! Start early if you have more than 8 at your Christmas table this year!

Twelve Days of Christmas... Gift Seven

2011-12-17T10:00:00.000-08:00

I found this little easel note pad at the Dollar Store, took it apart and covered it in the Paisley Petals DSP. I then fired up My Digital Studio and created these personalized note pages. Thank you Mom for letting me borrow your Bind It All to punch the holes and put the binding back together. The great thing about this gift is that I can print out more sheets and Stella will never run out!

On the Seventeenth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-17T09:54:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

A Personalized Luggage Tag. This will be going on my Leadership bag in January for sure. Too cute!

I also got another wonderful gift today - my daughter! She is home for the holidays - three whole weeks. Don't worry, I will still be able to post my gifts each day because Cassidy won't be getting up before 10 or 11 am each day so I will have plenty of time to share my gifts with you.

On the Sixteenth Day of Christmas.....

2011-12-16T09:50:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

A Post-It Notepad Holder. I absolutely love these colors together! The Rich Razzleberry pops right off the pale yellow notepad. Gorgeous! I love the way the butterfly lays over the notepad but is only connected at the top so you can pull the notes off. This will be sitting right next to my work area in my craft room - definitely.

On the Fifteenth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-15T09:45:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

Lots of Chocolates Covered with the It's A Wrap Occasions and It's A Wrap Holidays Stamp Sets. What a great little gift to hand out. And it is chocolate so there's nothing better!

On the Fourteeenth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

Three Sparkly Note Cards with Coordinating Envelopes. I love these! Very simple but so pretty. Perfect for my Christmas presents to those I love.

On the Thirteenth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-13T09:38:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa (Stella) Made for Me....

Some Trident Gum in an Adorable Box made from the Beyond The Garden DSP. So cute. Another great purse item to show people when they ask what I do with Stampin' Up! I don't have this Box #2 Die yet but it sure is cute and having seen it, I can think of all kinds of uses for it. How about you?

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa Made for Me....

A Fabric Tote Made From the Spice Cake Designer Fabric and the Scallop Square Die! Is this adorable or what??? It is the perfect little tote for carrying some Snail, Snips and other small items. I will definitely be using this little bag!

A BIG THANK YOU to my Secret Santa for all of the gifts she has given to me. Every day was exciting to open a new gift and she has given me lots of ideas for gifts for the holiday.

Now, I should be sad because the Twelve Days of Christmas are over BUT they aren't! Not for me or for you! I have another 12 gifts to open from my second Secret Santa who I actually know is my wonderful friend Stella MacKay. So keep checking back each day from tomorrow through the 24th to see what Stella made for me.

Twelve Days of Christmas ...Gift Six

2011-12-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

We are half way through my gifts today with this little tag set for the Twelve Days of Christmas swap. I saw this box made several years ago and thought it was so clever how it immediately made you think of Santa's red suit. I finally decided to make one of my own and I think it turned out pretty well. The little box holds 16 tags.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Gift Five....

2011-12-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

Here's my fifth gift for the Twelve Days of Christmas swap. Again, the idea came from Becky Roberts who created a template for these cute little purses. The Flirtatious DSP and Delicate Doilies stamp set were perfect for this gift set.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas....

2011-12-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa Made for Me....

An Intriguing Gift from the Start.... Relaxing during the holiday season - is that possible.

Here's the gift inside. It is a Butter Biscuit and an adorable holder for tea bags.You are also getting a sneak peek at a new item coming out in the Occasions Mini Catalog which is available on January 5, 2012. It is the Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die! This is only a portion of the die - it is actually about 4 1/4" in diameter and is gorgeous! Something for your wish list.

Today you will find me on the couch with a cup of tea and a butter biscuit watching soap operas.... Ha! More like football since it is Sunday!

Twelve Days of Christmas... Gift Four

2011-12-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

Here's my Day Four of the Twelve Days of Christmas gift swap. It is a Christmas card with a secret surprise. I even decorated an matching envelope by stamping on the flap and placing some DSP on the inside of the envelope

Here's the secret surprise - another spot to open with a picture inside. One of my gift receivers will recognize these three kids! Again, thank you to Becky Roberts for the design of this card. Becky has such great ideas!

Twelve Days of Christmas - Gift Three....

2011-12-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

Here's my third Twelve Days of Christmas gift which is a little notebook and pen set. It is small enough to fit in a purse and if you are like me, you always need a piece of paper and a pen when driving around. A lot of intricate cutting went into that little flower at the bottom! I stamped it three times and cut it out in different layers and stacked them. I think this turned out pretty cute!

On the Tenth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa Made for Me....

Two Emery Boards in an adorable Christmas Stocking made from the Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die. Too cute! First, I am out of emery boards so on a personal level, this gift is great. Also the stocking is so cute and gave me the idea that this would be perfect for putting gift cards into. Now I just have to order one of these! Thanks Santa.....

On the Ninth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-09T09:01:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa Made for Me....

A Rhudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Candy Wrap! Isn't this adorable? Do you recognize how she made Rhudolph? It is the Stocking Builder Punch with the heel portion used for his ear. So cute! Another great stocking stuffer...

On the Eighth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-08T08:48:00.001-08:00

My Secret Santa Made for Me....

A Peppermint Soap in a Holder made from Stampin' Up!'s Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper! Check out those adorable little mittens - they are from the Winter Wishes Stitched Felt in the Holiday Mini Catalog. They are so cute! What a great stocking stuffer this is.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

2011-12-07T10:29:00.001-08:00

My Secret Santa Made for Me....

A Tissue Holder made from our Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric! Did my Secret Santa know that I was just getting over a cold or that my husband has one now? Probably not but it was a safe bet that I would need these sooner or later! Another thing to put in my purse! Boy, is that purse going to be heavy.....

On the Sixth Day of Christmas...

2011-12-06T08:45:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa Made for Me....

A 2012 Calendar and a candy tube of "Jolly New Year" Candy! What a clever combination gift - candy for the new year and a calendar of the new year! This calendar will go perfectly in my kitchen and will reside right next to my computer where I am always needing a calendar. Thanks Santa!!!! If you would like to make some of these, Santa found the calendar template at http://www.calendarlabs.com/. Price? Free!!!

On the 5th day of Christmas....

2011-12-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa Made for Me.....

An adorable Grocery Shopping List! This will be going up on my refrigerator today. Mike and I keep a running list on our refrigerator so this is perfect. The outside is our DSP over chipboard and the list is made from a lined legal pad cut lengthwise to fit.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas....

2011-12-05T08:35:00.001-08:00

My Secret Santa Made for Me....

Two Caramel Chocolates in a Cute DSP Purse! How did Santa know that I've been craving chocolate lately? This is a simple project that could be made up in a few minutes for anyone that you want to give the gift of chocolates. Inside are two little Ghirardelli chocolate squares.

Twelve Days of Christmas....Gift Two

2011-12-04T18:00:00.000-08:00

Here's my second Twelve Days of Christmas gift. A little cake to keep and light for anyone's birthday through the year. Thanks to Anne who created the tutorial on SplitCoastStampers and all those who posted their cakes there for inspiration.

Here's a close up of the cake. I found a package of these little lights at Cosco at a great price if you go looking for them and have trouble finding them.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Gift One....

2011-12-04T13:54:00.000-08:00

Here's my first gift for the Twelve Days of Christmas swap. It is a simple little gift but the smell of the cinnamon is wonderful. Thank you to Becky Roberts who I got this idea from.

Twelve Days of Christmas....

2011-12-04T12:39:00.000-08:00

Here are my 12 Days of Christmas gifts that are going to my friend Stella. She graciously granted me a bit of an extension on getting them to her (we were supposed to ship them by Nov. 10). I shipped out gifts to Diane in Florida who is my other recipient by the deadline but was working on something special for Stella and just couldn't get it done before my trip to Bodega Bay. We were supposed to meet last night so I could give them to her (and celebrate her birthday) but we both have colds and decided it was best to put it off until next week. So Stella is still waiting for these goodies!
I love these little bags which I found at CVS Pharmacy - the "No Peeking" Santa works perfectly for this swap. And how about that ornament? I saw that and immediately thought of Dasher - Stampin' Up!'s resident reindeer. I couldn't pass up including that in with her gifts.
Keep checking my blog as I post the gifts I receive as well as the gifts I made. I will be posting the gifts I made on the weekends.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Holiday Season -- Happy Shopping! Of course, you can do your Stampin' Up! shopping right here from my blog. Just click on the Shop Now! button and order all kinds of Stampin' Up! goodies for Christmas. If there are things that you want, just direct your friends and family to my demonstrator website and they can order for you in time for Christmas!

On the Second Day of Christmas.....

2011-12-03T12:40:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa Gave to Me......

A Cute Penguin Chapstick in a Petite Pocket! This little guy is going directly into my purse. I am always looking for some chapstick during the cold winter months so this is great. It is also a perfect idea for my daughter's Christmas stocking. Since she is up in Montana, she will be in need of chapstick and she already indicated that she is having trouble keeping track of them. How could you lose a cute little guy like this? Now I just need to go on the hunt to find another one like him because he is MINE!!!!!

I goofed up on the timing of this post so it posted late!

On the Third Day of Christmas....

2011-12-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa Gave to Me...

A decorated pen and notepad on a ring! Very cute! I can definitely use these. What a great advertisement for what I do that I can carry in my purse with me. It is also a great little gift for those extra people on your gift list like your hairdresser, mailperson or teacher. I think I need to get started on a few of these myself!

On the First Day of Christmas....

2011-12-02T13:50:00.000-08:00

My Stampin' Up! Secret Santa Sent to Me......

Two Kimono cards!!! Aren't they adorable? Several of the Stampers for Others group signed up for a Secret Santa gift exchange for Christmas. We each made 12 gifts to send to two other members of the group. I received one set of 12 gifts from a Secret Santa (I hope I learn at some point who she is!) and one set from my friend Stella. I am opening one gift each day over the next 24 days and the best part is that I will be sharing them all with you. Just leave me a comment or email me if you have any questions on how to make any of these goodies and I will do my best to provide instructions.

Also over the next few weeks, I will also include pictures of the 12 gifts that I sent out so you can see those too.

This is like the best Advent Calendar I have ever had. As a child, I liked peeling back those little windows and getting a tiny piece of candy but this is so much better. Check back here each day and you too can use these gifts as your countdown to Christmas too!

Boy, Do I Have Some Catching Up to Do!!!

2011-12-02T12:10:00.001-08:00

Wow, it has been too long since I posted, hasn't it? So much has gone on that my blogging just took a back seat to everything else. Since I posted last, I held my annual 30 Christmas cards class, helped another demo put the class together for her customers, spent 17 days in Bodega Bay and had Cassidy home for Thanksgiving! The best part - definitely having my daughter home for Thanksgiving. I knew I would cry a bit when I saw her come down the escalator at the airport but in actuality, she barely made it to the bottom before I was running up and grabbing ahold of her to give her the biggest hug ever. Man, have I missed that girl! Fortunately she will be home again on the 17th for three glorious weeks!

And now to stamping business! Technique Tuesday is on hold until the beginning of the year. Later today I will be posting the first of 24 gifts I have received so those will fill up the month of December. Until then, here's three cards that we made at an October workshop I held. Each of the cards was CASE'd from cards I saw on Splitcoaststampers with my own little twist added to them. Thank you to the lovely ladies who inspired me!

Supplies Needed:

Early Espresso, Island Indigo & Very Vanilla cardstock.
Vellum
Gently Falling & Hand Penned Holidays stamp sets
More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Pool Party & Island Indigo Classic Ink & Chocolate Chip Craft Ink
Gold Embossing Powder
Spice Cake Designer Button & Gold Brads
Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon & Linen Thread

Supplies Needed:

Very Vanilla, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade & Basic Black Cardstock
Basic Black Classic & Craft Inks
Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade & Old Olive Classic Inks
Happiness Shared & Nature's Pace stamp sets
Brights Glitter Brad & Pearl
Framed Tulips Embossing Folder
Dazzling Diamonds

Supplies Needed:

Pear Pizzazz, Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush & Whisper White Cardstock
Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie & Concord Crush Inks
Fabulous Florets & Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Sets
Versamark & White Embossing Powder
Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon & Antique Brads
Scallop Circle, 3 1/2" Circle, 3" Circle & Beautiful Wings Dies
Oval, Scallop Oval & Modern Label Punches
Pearls

Stampin' Up!'s Pennant Parade Stamp Set...

2011-10-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

I CASE'd this card from one I received as a swap from convention. I would love to give credit to the creator but there wasn't a name on the back so to whoever designed this card, thanks! I can just see giving this card to a young boy or girl. Here's what you will need to make this card:

Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo and Peach Parfait Cardstock
In Color Patterns Designer Series Paper
Pennant Punch
Pennant Parade Stamp Set
3/4" Circle Punch
Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon
Hemp Twine
Pearls
Post-It Notes & Sponge for making clouds
Bashful Blue Classic Ink

Technique Tuesday - Buttons from Stampin' Up! DSP....

2011-10-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

Today I am going to show you how to make your own buttons using Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Papers. What is better than being able to coordinate your embelllishments on your cards?

Here's what you will need to create your own buttons:

Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper
1/2" or 3/4" Circle Punch (Whatever size button you wish to make)
Crystal Effects
Anywhere Glue Stick
Sanding Block
Paper Piercer & Mat

First, punch out 4-5 circles from the DSP and glue them together using the Anywhere Glue Stick. If you want your button thicker, add more layers.

Once the glue has dried, use your Paper Piercer to punch the button holes in your button.

Use the sanding block to sand the sides of your button so they are smooth. You may also need to sand the back of the button so it lays flat.

Pour a little Crystal Effects onto a scrap piece of paper and run the edges of the button in the Crystal Effects to seal the sides. Let them dry - it should only take a few minutes.

Cover the top of the button with Crystal Effects, making sure that you do not clog the holes. If you do, you can always go back with your Paper Piercer to open them back up. Set them aside to dry.

Here's what they look like when you are all done. On the right, I added Linen Thread and on the left, I took the white Baker's Twine and colored it using a marker to match the color of the button.

Here's the card I made using the buttons. I used a large and small button on the card which I CASE'd from Linda Heller. Now pull out all those scraps of DSP and get started making your buttons too!

Stampin' Up!'s Field Flowers Stamp Set....

2011-10-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

I CASE'd this card a swap I received from Mary Ellen Byler and made a change or two to make it my own and I really like how it turned out. I used the Perfectly Penned stamp set for the sentiment and feel like any of the sentiments from this set would work perfectly on this card. What you will need to make these card is:

Field Flowers and Perfectly Penned Stamp Sets
Very Vanilla, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder and Pear Pizzazz Cardstock
First Edition DSP
Beautiful Wings Sizzlit Die
Framed Tulips Embossing Folder
Pear Pizzazz, Wisteria Wonder and Concord Crush Classic Inks
Crochet Trim Ribbon
Pearls

Stampin' Up!'s Best Friends Forever & Nature's Pace Sets

2011-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Today's card is another card from my Stamp A Stack. I CASE'd this card from Dawn Olchefske. I purchased the Designer Frames Embossing Folders recently and wanted to use one on a card and when I saw this card, I thought it was perfect. Look for a tutorial in the next couple weeks on how to use these folders. For this card, you will need:

Best Friends Forever Stamp Set (Ivy)
Curly Cute Stamp Set (Sentiment)
Nature's Pace Stamp Set (Grapes)
Basic Gray, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock
Oval Designer Frames Embossing Folder
Basic Gray 1/2" Satin Ribbon
Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder
Wide Oval Punch
Basic Gray and Basic Black Classic Inks

Stampin' Up! Uncharted Territory Stamp Set

2011-10-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

Today's card is from last Friday night's Stamp A Stack and was cased from Gary Jensen, a fellow demonstrator that I swapped cards with at convention. I love swapping with Gary because he always has great masculine cards. Here's what you will need to make this card:

Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, and Not Quite Navy Cardstock
Uncharted Territory Stamp Set
Basic Black and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Whisper White Craft Ink
Decorative Label Punch
Baker's Twine
Neutrals Buttons

Stampin' Up!'s Delicate Doilies Stamp Set

2011-10-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here is another card from last Friday night's Stamp A Stack. I CASE'd the card from one that I received as a swap from convention in July from Chat Wszelaki. I loved this color combination using two of last year's In Colors and one of this year's In Colors, showing that the colors coordinate even though they are from different years' color families. Here's what you will need to make this card:

Blushing Bride, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder and Whisper White Cardstock
Delicate Doilies Stamp Set
Word Play Stamp Set
1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch & 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch
Blushing Bride, Wisteria Wonder and Concord Crush Classic Ink

Stampin' Up!'s Lace Ribbon Border Punch

2011-10-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

It's Technique Tuesday and I've got something really cool for you today. I am not actually showing you a technique; I am showing you several looks that you can get using your Lace Ribbon Border punch. There's nothing better than finding out more ways of using our crafting tools, is there?

Here's the border that you create using the Lace Ribbon Border punch but you can get so much more by just adding a couple of other punches!

Using the 3/4" Circle punch, you can change the look of the border and also end up with some pretty flowers for using on your projects.

Using the 1" Circle punch - and a steady hand - you can create this border and also the larger circles. You have to be very careful that you are in the exact center since the edge is very small.

Using the 1/2" Circle punch, you can get this look and these funky flowers for your projects.

Finally, you can incorporate the the flowers you made with the 3/4" circle punch with the border you created with the 1" circle punch to get this look. You didn't realize that you could get so many looks out of one punch, did you? So what's stopping you? Click on my "Shop Now" button and order your Lace Ribbon Border punch today!

Stampin' Up!'s Always Elegant Stamp Set

2011-10-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of the cards that was made at my Stamp A Stack last Friday night. I saw this card on SCS and CASE'd it for the SAS. I would love to give credit to who made the original card but I cannot find it now.
I love the flocked paper which is a part of the Mocha Morning Specialty DSP by Stampin' Up! Here's what you will need to make this card:

Basic Black & Crumb Cake cardstock
Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate
Basic Black 1/2" Satin Ribbon
Mocha Morning Specialty DSP
Always Elegant Stamp Set
Scallop Oval Punch
Large Oval Punch
Antique Brads
Basic Black Class Ink

Brayer Class - Stampin' Up!'s Plant Hope Stamp Set

2011-10-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Our final card at my recent brayer class is this card which I CASE'd from Shannon West of Stampin' Up! She demonstrated this technique and I added a few of my own touches. This card is done best on Glossy Paper.
To make this card, you need River Rock and Crumb Cake inks for the sand and Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze and Marina Mist inks for the sky. First, you take a post-it note and tear it down the center so you have some stickiness on both pieces. Place one side along the horizon line at the top. Ink up your brayer with River Rock and cover the bottom portion of your cardstock. Then ink up your brayer with the Crumb Cake and run it along the bottom 1/4" or so. Move up while rolling back and forth to get rid of the noticeable line.
Remove the post-it note and take the opposite piece of post-it note and cover the sand portion of your cardstock. Ink your brayer with Bashful Blue and cover the entire top of the cardstock. Next ink your brayer with Baja Breeze and roll along the top half of the blue area. Again move up slightly as you roll back and forth to remove the line. Finally, ink in Marina Mist and run only at the very top and move down a little to get rid of the line.
Remove the post-it note and stamp the palm tree from the Plant Hope stamp set with StazOn ink.

New Holiday Items on Clearance Rack!

2011-10-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

Stampin' Up! just announced that some items from last year's Holiday Mini catalog have been added to the Clearance Rack, including rub-ons and ribbon. Make sure that you visit the Clearance Rack by selecting my Shop Now! button on the right and that my name shows up in the top right of the Stampin' Up! website.

While Supplies Last - so Shop Now!

October Promotions from Stampin' Up!

2011-10-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

Stampin' Up! just announced two great promotions for this month. Here are the details:

Buy Two Simply Sent Kits

Get a Free Stamp Set

Dates: October 1-31, 2011

Buy two Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set! Our Simply Sent Kits are the ideal choice for the beginning crafter. The card kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it's easy to create cards for any occasion. Buy any two of the following Simply Sent Kits:

Page    Item           Description                                  Price
192     122375      Simply Sent Great Day                 $12.95
193     122377      Simply Sent Everyday Elegance    $11.95
193     122376      Simply Sent Sweet Moments        $13.95

And get a FREE coordinating stamp set:

Page    Item           Description                                  Price
192      123682     It's Your Day                               $8.95
193      123686     Everyday Wishes                         $9.95
193      123684     You're Cherished                         $8.95

Contact me for more information or place an order at the right.

Join the Stampin' Up! Family

Receive a Big Shot FREE!

Dates: October 1-31, 2011

The Big Shot is a big deal! During October, when you sign up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, you will get a FREE Big Shot (or up to $100 in free Stampin' Up! products).
      • If you sign up online via my website, you will be sent an email within one hour of signing up with the information on how to select either the Big Shot or $100 in free Stampin’ Up! products.
      • Products can be chosen from any current catalog and shipping is free!
      • Make sure that your free total comes as close as possible to $100 without going over since the Promotional Product Bonus order type will not allow items beyond $100 to be added to the order.
      • If you wish to sign up using the mailed forms, please contact me.
      • You will have until November 30, 2011, to redeem their product bonus.
      • You may purchase the standard or Digital+ Starter Kit, and may add the Stampin' Memories, Definitely Decorative, or My Digital Studio Software Add-On for the regular add-on price.
      • You may substitute a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder ($7.95 or less; see pages 218-219) for the Always Bird Décor Elements (p. 233) that comes standard in the Starter Kit.

Brayer Class - Stampin' Up!'s Gently Falling Stamp Set

2011-09-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

We made this card during my recent brayer class too. This time, we ran the cardstock through the Big Shot using the Finial Press embossing folder and then inked our brayers and lightly ran it over the raised image. You do not want to press too hard; otherwise you will get ink in the debossed areas. Keep reinking your brayer and adding color until you like the contrast. Some of the attendees turned it over and saw a very different look by inking the back side so try both ways and see what you like!
We then took the solid images from the Gently Falling stamp set from the current Holiday Mini catalog and inked them with the More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Garden Green and Riding Hood Red markers. Using Early Espresso ink, we stamped the outline images over the solid images. We finished the card with some ribbon and Bitty Buttons.

Brayer Class - Stampin' Up!'s Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder

2011-09-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

This has to be one of my favorite embossing folders. While the image is relatively simple, it is quite stunning and I am finding lots of ways to use it. For this card, I showed everyone how to brayer the embossing folder directly with your ink and then place your cardstock inside and run through the Big Shot. I am not sure how to describe which side of the embossing folder that you need to ink except to say it would be the "valley" side. The "mountain" side would be the raised image side and the "valley" side is the one that drops down in the shape of the image. Clear as mud?
One other hint on this card is to place a VERY small piece of double sidede temporary tape to the back side of the cardstock and place the cardstock on the "mountain" side of the embossing folder and then close the embossing folder. This way you do not risk it moving around as you close the folder and cause the ink to smear.
I finished off the card with the Happy Birthday stamp from the Happiest Birthday Wishes hostess stamp set in Melon Mambo and Old Olive.

Brayer Techniques - Stampin' Up!'s Creative Elements Stamp Set

2011-09-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

I recently held a brayer class where we made this card. Can you tell where the brayer was used?
I started with a piece of Pool Party Patterns Pack DSP and embossed the butterflies with clear embossing powder on the patter that has the small words. I then used Wisteria Wonder ink on the brayer and covered the DSP, virtually making the pattern disappear except on the butterflies. After brayering, I used a tissue to remove the excess ink from the embossed area.
I then ran another small piece of the opposite side of the DSP through the Elegant Lines embossing folder for the bottom of the card. A crinkled ribbon, a button and a few pearls completed this card.

Ribbon Rosettes using Stampin' Up!'s Morning Cup Stamp Set

2011-09-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to Technique Tuesday! I know, I was the one missing and not you. But I am back and today I am going to show you how to make a ribbon rosette. The 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon in the 2010-2011 In Colors works great for this technique because of the contrasting edge and center.
Here's what you will need:

Big Shot
Sticky Sheets
Circles #2 Die
18" of Ribbon
Pearls/Rhinestone or Brad

Using the second to the smallest circle on the Circles #2 die, cut out a 1 1/2" circle of Sticky Sheet using your Big Shot.

Peel off paper from one side of sticky circle. Fold one end of your ribbon in half lengthwise.

Press the end of the ribbon into the center of the circle. If you are off a little, it will not matter. You will just end up with a smaller rosette.

Twist the ribbon tight and begin to press it down on the sticky strip in a circular motion. The tighter you twist the ribbon, the easier it is to do this.

Continue to press it down into a circle, stopping often to twist the ribbon tightly.

Once you fill the sticky circle or run out of ribbon, trim off any excess of ribbon leaving a little to tuck in the back. As you can see at the bottom of my rosette above, there is a little sticky circle exposed. Turn your rosette over and trim off any of this excess.

Peel the other side of the sticky strip back and tack down the ribbon end.

Place a pearl, a rhinestone or a brad in the center of your rosette and attach it to your card.

Here's the card that I made at a recent workshop where we made the ribbon rosettes. They were a hit with everyone. I hope you have fun making these as well!

Boys And Their Toys Card - Stampin' Up!'s Loads of Love

2011-09-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I never have enough masculine cards. Here is one that I CASE'd for a recent workshop that will work well for a number of the men in my life. I think they all have the thought that "he who dies with the most toys, wins" -- including my husband! Although his toys are mostly boats instead of ATVs and motorcycles. Using the Loads of Love and Loads of Fun stamp sets, this is a perfect card for that guy in your life that has lots of toys.
Here's what you will need to make the card:

Early Espresso, Baja Breeze & Very Vanilla cardstock
Early Espresso ink
Watercolor pencils, crayons or chalks for coloring
Sponge for aging edges
Simpy Scored - I LOVE this new tool! (Introduced in the current Holiday Mini Catalog)

One hint if you make this card, crinkle the Baja Breeze cardstock into a ball in your hands to "age" it well. Then run it through the Big Shot to flatten it out well. Otherwise it will end up being a bit shorter than the other pieces. Also, when assembling the card. Attach the Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla to the Early Espresso on the left side only at first. Use a very strong adhesive. Fold your card several times and use your bone folder to press the fold well. Then adhere the center sections and repeat the process of folding and pressing before attaching the right side.