Make Mine Stamps

Just Believe - Workshop Card

I adore the set in the new catalog entitled Just Believe.  I think these nine images in one set absolutely work so well together, but all of these images are fabulous on their own.  Here is a card I developed for a workshop I held over the weekend.  I wanted something easy that would be pretty for any occasion.  Kaci asked for a birthday card and although this works, it is also a great card for many other occasions.  As a matter of fact, I have four sets of supplies left and I am going to make each of the cards for use myself.  I am very happy with how this turned out...the colors remind me of fall.

We started with a Soft Suede Card base.  Next, we used a Versamark Pad to ink En Francais and stamp on So Saffron (this is my absolute favorite color EVER!).  We let the Versamark ink dry and then used an oval frame which I cut with my Coluzzle.  We used sponges to add So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie lightly inside the oval frame. 

Next, we inked the image stamp with an Old Olive and Cajun Craze marker, stamping the image directly onto the cardstock to the left of the oval.  Pearls were the perfect accent for the flower stamen.

I will use a couple of these to stamp a sentiment on the outside in Soft Suede and then will leave the others as they are on the outside, stamping my sentiment on the inside only.

I should get to stamp a bunch today and I'm excited.  I've got several ideas flowing in my brain and I'm hopeful they don't leave before I get to try them out. 

I pray you have a blessed week! 

Pulled Pastels - An Oldie but Goodie!

Tonight is my library class on the Versatile Versamark pad.  If you didn't purchase your Versamark Pad from Stampin' Up!, odds are very good that you don't know many of the fabulous ways to use this inkpad.  We are making three cards tonight and here is one of them.

This technique WOWd me when I first learned it, and then I never repeated it.  I recently made Thom's birthday card using this technique and I could hardly wait to give it to him because I was so pleased with how it turned out.  It is truly gorgeous.  However, it took time to create and I don't have time in these classes so I've "easied it up" for the class so I can ensure my ladies get three cards and six samples made.  Yep, I'm aggressive in my thinking -- hope it works!

I started with a piece of Night of Navy cardstock and used three different retired chalks to create my skyline.  Next, I inked the stamp from Upsy Daisy in Versamark Ink and stamped it in the unchalked area, but made certain it bled into the chalked portion of the card.  It pulls the chalk off that portion which is why this technique is called Pulled Pastels.  I cleaned the stamp again, reinked and stamped and repeated that step once more. 

The chalk needs to be set and I found that homemade shimmer spray (shimmer paint and alcohol) will set the chalks, glitter the card and just flat make it gorgeous!  You can see the simmer in the card. 

I used another retired cardstock, Pink Passion, to frame the Night of Navy piece and then adhered it to Whisper White cardstock.  The inside image for this card is a birthday sentiment that comes with the stamp set.

I think they will like this technique and everyone can use a birthday card at some point.  Hopefully, I'm right on target and we can get all three cards made within our 1 hour and 45 minute framework.  On Thom's card, I used the Inspired by Nature Set and created water ripples with Crystal Effects and a toothpick.  Sorry, can't show you that card because I used it as a Design Team card and it's an exclusive.  If you attend Card Club this month, you'll get to see it, but we will not be making it. 

Glad to be back from vacation and glad to be teaching again.  I love sharing my stamping passion with those who want to learn.  Have a fabulous day -- I'm hoping I can slide home early today and get something made for tomorrow, but I'll be honest -- that ironing is calling to me and my guilt is starting to overwhelm me...again!  Domestic Goddess -- that's me!

For You -- Easy and Bright

Recently, I needed a card for a class of new stampers.  I didn't want to overwhelm them with too many techniques but I did want them to be able to complete a card that was pretty and useable.  As I put it together, I thought it might be too bright, but they loved it and I was glad!  When you see new stampers put together a card they are proud to say they created, it is one of the best feelings in the world -- it takes you back to the first few times you stamped and saw the possibilities -- truly awesome!

The basecard is Poppy Parade, one of our 2010 In colors.  I stamped "for you" from Great Friends in Poppy Parade on a Daffodil Delight panel.  I embossed this in the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and layered on a piece of the Designer Series Paper from the Sunny Garden paper packet.  I love how the bright colors just all pop together!

Next, I wrapped a piece of Whisper White Satin Ribbon around the DSP and adhered this entire panel to the base card.  This is a cheater ribbon -- my style! -- and I added a knot to the front.  It allows me to save on ribbon and I get a nice knot each time.  Plus it will slide so if I add anything across the ribbon as I added the focal image here, I can move it back and forth for perfect placement.

I stamped the large flower from Flower Fancy in Brown Staz-On Ink onto a Whisper White panel and used a blender pen and my ink pads to color the image in Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight.  As a final touch, I used a Chocolate Chip marker to color in what I'm calling "seeds".  This image was mounted onto a Poppy Parade mat and added to my card with dimensionals.  Nice and bright, this card could be used for any occasion when you want someone to know you're thinking of them because they are important to you.  My kind of card...

Much to do today -- I'm working on multiple projects and keep bouncing around.  When I get an idea, if I don't act on it immediately, I am always afraid I won't remember what I was thinking.  So I bounce around and have lots going on at one time.  Probably not the most effecient way to stamp, but I love it anyway.

Enjoy your day.  Fall is my favorite time of year and I don't even mind the rain.  We need it so desperately and when it is all said and done, it just makes everything smell so crisp!  God Bless!

Paper Pals Arts Sketch Challenge

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.  I consider this one a loss because this card is not as pretty on paper as it was in my head.  I love the sketch and will have to try again, but I got something in my head and couldn't let it go.

I love the elegance of Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Gold together.  When I saw the sketch, I wanted to use this stamp set, Gifts of Christmas, because I love this image.  I'm working designs for a class on the Versamark Pad and wanted to use the embossing technique and thought Gold would really make this pop.  It fizzled!

I embossed the image and then needed the piece across the bottom of the sketch.  Originally I thought I would use ribbon, but nothing looked right.  So, taking a cue from the dotted portion of the image, I used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder to emboss a piece of the gorgeous brushed gold cardstock.  I think I even managed to take away the beauty of this brushed gold cardstock.  If you haven't seen it, you need to -- it rocks!

The last thing I did was to stamp my image from Teeny Tiny Wishes and emboss it, then mount it on a scallop of Basic Black so it would show up across the Brushed Gold cardstock.  Not one of my better cards, but I'm blogging it anyway.

I worked much this weekend on some creative sketches, design team cards and some other challenges I'm in later this week.  The one thing I realized is that I cannot share my design team cards online with you -- you'll have to attend classes if you want to see them.  I've designed two cards that I am really over the top with and although you won't see them here, you will see them in card classes if you are local.  I'm also working on a Christmas Stamp-A-Stack (SAS) where we'll do five different designs, four cards each or vice versa.  This card didn't make the cut so don't worry -- if you sign up for the SAS, you'll get sizzle -- not fizzle!

Have a blessed day! 

Sketch Challenge - Scenic Season

I'm starting to work on Christmas designs -- is it too early?  Not at this pace!  I'm also working on a class I'm doing for the library on embossing.  That class is Monday, September 13 from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.  If you're interested in attending, please call the library (453-0391) and register.  Cost is $8 and you'll learn several techniques of embossing, you'll create a reference sheet for home use AND you'll create three cards that you can use!  What is better than that?  All supplies are provided too -- and you can't beat that!  And the absolute best part?  It's here in Zanesville and there is no driving an hour to and from Columbus -- no gas money!  What's not to love?

I did stick with the sketch this time and I'm very happy with this card.

This is one of the new colors that resulted from the Color Renovation Stampin' Up! recently went through.  I love it -- Cherry Cobbler!

The base card is Cherry Cobbler and I stamped Scenic Season in Versamark Ink.  Once it was stamped, although I liked the look, I decided to emboss in clear embossing powder.  Love it!

Next, I embossed the Whisper White strip in my Big Shot with the Petals Aplenty embossing folder.  I very tediously colored all the petals in Cherry Cobbler with my marker and then used a painty pen to color all the dots and centers gold.  I adhered this to a scalloped layer of Crumb Cake and then added it to my base card.  I stamped very merry from the Small Script set and punched it out with the small oval.  This is matted on Cherry Cobbler punched with the large oval and then added to a scalloped oval punched from Crumb Cake.

And to top it off, the entire card has been shimmered!  Christmas does call for bling, doesn't it?  Here's a shot of the shimmer...

I've got a very full day ahead of me preparing some documents for our accountant.  Can you say BORING?  OR  should I say frustrating?  At this point, I'll need some stamping therapy when I get home from work.  I believe I'll be doing another sketch challenge and I've already got the sketch working in my brain.

Have a blessed day!

FINITO! It's Finally Finished!

I've been working on my Jolly Holiday Scrapbooking class for a couple of weeks.  I finally finished the pages and mounted the book.  I've had several requests for the instructions and I'll be posting them to the demo website in a week or two.  I want to make certain they are correct before I toss them out there!

Here are the pictures!

This is the book laid out on one side.

 

 

Here's the other side.

And here are the pictures of how the book will look while on display.  It will look fabulous on my mantle!

These are the first four pages on one side.  The other four pages are on the other side (yeah, like you couldn't figure that out, right?)!

Do you see those cute little packages on that page? 

It's late and I'm glad to be finished, already prepped and ready for Becky's class and Wipeout is on.  I'm off to watch!  Have a fabulous evening and an incredible, blessed Wednesday!

Jolly Holiday Scrapbooking Continued

I'm almost done with all eight pages.  I wasn't able to work as long as I wanted yesterday because my hands are silently protesting and begging for a rest -- I listen to my hands and when they complain, I give them rest.

Here are a couple more pages I've completed.

I love this gentle stripe in the Jolly Holiday DSP!  It's soft but still has color to work with and it is also very easy to look at -- my eyesight is such that I wear bi-focals and when things are to glaring or too busy, it actually hurts my eyes to focus.  This stripe is just so calm that I adore it!

I started with the gentle strip, added an Old Olive strip to which I had added a Cherry Cobbler scalloped strip and then finished with the Old Olive dotted paper (again, a personal favorite!).  

One of the things I like to show people who scrap is that stamping can be a big addition to a scrapbook.  And since these pages don't go in page protectors, it is easy to add dimension -- as much as I want.  Here, I've stamped a couple of images from the new Holiday Mini set, Bells & Boughs.  I watercolored with blender pens using Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler, then cut the images out.  Both are added to panels of Very Vanilla with dimensionals.  I used Crystal Effects on the berries on the top swag.  The top panel is 4 1/4 x 6 1/4 and will hold a 4 x 6 picture with plenty of room to spare.  The bottom is a 3 1/4 x 5 1/4 panel and can be either journaling or another picture.  If you choose to add a picture to this panel, you can add a journaling page underneath the top photo as it is added to the page with dimensionals. 

Notice the Cherry Cobbler diecut, Swirls and Scribbles?  I would have liked to have added another swirl, but just didn't feel like the page could handle it.

I so wanted to add lettering cut with the Big Shot to the bottom of this page, but decided against it in the ease of time.  In a class setting, that would take forever -- stamping is much easier and that made my decision that much simpler as well.

This page is designed for a full family picture which could actually be 5 x 7 or even larger.  The bottom of the page is a pocket which can be used or not.  A picture can be slid under the torn paper, but it can also be adhered to the Cherry Cobbler mat if you so desire. Notice how I've used different sides of the paper and it makes it appear that I'm using lots of different patterns -- the glories of double sided paper with everything matching -- the beauty of Stampin' Up!  I didn't have to go out looking for different pieces of DSP, my inks all match, my ribbons all match and I'm a happy camper -- saved time and money by shopping from my seat and not my feet!

Tomorrow is Blogger's Challenge and we've got a Birthday Theme.  I'll have to come up with something tonight but I'm up to it!  See you then -- God Bless!

Start to Finish Stamping - Bonus Card

Finally!  It's the fourth card in the series and we didn't get to it in class.  I am always way too ambitious!  The class was designed to teach effecient and accurate cutting and two cards would have been plenty.  The idea is to cut so that you have very little waste and don't keep creating scraps.  Scraps are great -- I use them all the time, but the larger the piece you have to work with, the more options you will have.  So, here was the bonus card and this was made with the left overs of the supplies each participant received.

Because I'll probably give these away, I haven't decided what to put on the front, but I did spritz it liberally with Shimmer Spray and it sparkles in real life.  I know you can't see it and I apologize that I can't figure out how to photo the picture so you can see it.  Just another challenge.....

The basecard is Ruby Red and this is the last strip of the DSP.  I've decorated the inside as well to mirror the outside with a thin strip and a scallop and it is really quite pretty inside too!

I used the LIttle Leaves Sizzlet in the Big Shot, as well as one of the #2 Flowers Sizzlet to create my flower.  I also rolled the edges of the flower to give it some dimension.  Colors are Certainly Celery, Ruby Red, Ballet Blue, and Crushed Curry.

Quick and easy card and I can add a sentiment when I'm ready.  I like to have a few cards ready for any occasion just laying around -- you never know if inspiration is going to strike when you need it!

Tomorrow, I'll share one of my scrap layouts for Andy's Graduation.  I'm in the process of scrapping his sporting events and once I'm done with that, I'll be scrapping some of his awards.  I'm hopeful I have the pictures I need, but if I don't, I'll try to borrow them from his father.  And if not, well....I guess some things we'll just have to remember without any photos.

If you are looking at the possibility of purchasing any of the retiring colors:  Cardstock, reinkers, ribbons, brads, buttons, etc., JUMP ON THAT NOW!  The backorder situation that already has occurred is not pretty and some of these colors may be gone already.  The first thing to go seems to be the cardstock.  Ask yourself what good a stamp pad is without a reinker.  When it is dry, it has to be pitched -- you can't water them down to get a good impression.  And remember -- there are lots of techniques you can use with reinkers and ink pads.  In fact, my Blogger's Challenge for Friday uses the Polished Stone techniqe with reinkers.  What did we do before we had patterned paper?  We made our own.  And you can continue to use your inkpads for a good long time without ever having paper to use them with -- just using coordinating colored cardstock.  Besides, I'm sure you are using patterned paper you find out there at Big Box stores -- those colors will continue to exist.  Why waste an inkpad?  I don't intend to get rid of mine and if you come to me looking for a reinker when they are all gone, trust me on this -- I don't care how much I love you -- I'M NOT SHARING!  I absolutely am not an equal opportunity sharing stamper when it comes to my supplies.  Perhaps I should be, but I'M NOT and I don't intend to start now!  Yep...consider me selfish!

I'm ordering on Friday so give me a call if you want anything from the new Occasions Mini or any of the retiring supplies.  See you tomorrow!  God Bless!

Start to Finish Stamping - Card 3

I did find some time to stamp yesterday (Mr. Brown brought me a box!) but I made my card for Blogger's Challenge for Friday.  That means you are getting to see Card 3 from the Start to Finish Stamping Library Class.  This one is basically a case from a Stampin' Success magazine published for demos (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS PUBLICATION!).  I made it an A2 card, used different colors, and tweaked the design the tiniest bit, but basically, it is a CASE of a Stampin' Up! card.

The basecard is Ruby Red and the other colors are Ballet Blue, Certainly Celery and Crushed Curry.  This one was done with the Circle Circus stamp set.  Everyone seems to love this set and when I first got it, I wasn't inspired.  But it has really grown on me, and it is very versatile.  I guess Stampin' Up! does know a few things!

Just in case anyone wonders, I got the name for this class "Start to Finish Stamping" from a demo group to which I belong.  I didn't check out their class but thought this would be a good name for a class that involves talking about tools, how to efficiently and accurately cut cardstock and some basic stamping guidelines. 

I need to go pack for the class and will pray tonight that I remember everything!  I'll double check before I leave tomorrow too -- nothing worse than not having something you need and having ten class participants know that you screwed up! 

By the way, if you love the neutrals carstocks that Stampin' UP! offers, we were informed today by a demo who had spoken with the Home Office that the neutrals cardstocks are going to be packaged differently in the new catalog.  You'll save some dollars if you order your neutrals (page 159) prior to the new catalog debuting.  Currently sold in packages of 40, these neutrals cost $0.1875.  In the new catalog coming in July, they will be offerred in packages of 24 and will cost you $0.2291.  Knowing that, and knowing there are new colors with all their corresponding accessories, not to mention new stamps and other new toys, it might be worth thinking about.  At least you've been warned.....

See you on Friday with Blogger's Challenge!  It's Mother's Day Cards -- I'm excited already!

God Bless You!

Easter Card - Do You Get It?

Last night at Card Club, we did four cards.  Four cards is the norm but I had originally decided I wanted to toss in an extra.  I'm glad I didn't -- the cards took a bit more time than I realized but I think everyone had fun.  It is important to me that they have fun while getting an opportunity to use lots of different products and tools in different ways, and that they like the cards they are crafting.  The best part is that they get to personalize their cards for their gift and card giving opportunities -- and they do!  They also are welcome to change the design with the supplies presented and I love to see what they create.  Sharing what you love is joy!

I am a lover of spiritual cards -- especially for Easter and Christmas.  This card was designed with the Baptism of Christ in mind.  Remember how the Bible tells us that when Christ was baptized and He came up out of the water that God's voice echoed through the heavens as He said, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."  We also read in the Bible about Christ and the doves.

I haven't really taken advantage of the Movers and Shakers Die -- I have all of the inserts.  My original intention was to use a Cross on this card, but then I recalled the dove that could be put through the Big Shot using the Movers and Shakers die.  This card is the result.

I started with a base card of Pretty In Pink.  We stamped the upper right corner in Rose Red using the Wedding Sweet set (I warned you that this would be used a great deal -- love those flourishes!).  We scalloped a Rose Red panel and then cut out the dove using the Big Shot and the Movers and Shakers Die.  Next, we stamped the vellum with the Wedding Sweet flourish and used our heat gun to dry it quickly.  Once this was done, we adhered the vellum to the Rose Red panel top and covered the adhesive seam with the White Satin Ribbon -- YUMMY!  Using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, we placed the greeting over the dove.  We used two pearls from the Pretties Kit on top of the vellum and placed a glue dot on the underside of the vellum, hiding this under the pearls, to adhere the vellum on the bottom right.  We placed this entire piece on the base card with adhesive and voila!  I think it is a beautiful, simple card.  It takes time because of all of the steps, but there was nothing difficult about the card.  And to me, it's a WOW!  I hope you like it too!

Tonight, I'm working on my 3x3 cards for the Senior Center.  I've already gotten about 320 of these cards ready, minus the greeting on the inside.  I had a special stamp made for their sentiment and received it yesterday so I need to finish these 300 with that insert before I move on to design and make the final 80 cards.  I have to complete this project this week so I can deliver these cards on Friday.  I don't expect to have any problem getting this done, but I doubt seriously I'll have enough time to get many other projects completed this week.  And even though I'm enjoying this project and know that it will bring lots of smiles to people receiving Easter meals, I'm tired of it and ready to move on.  Trust me, four-hundred of anything is about 380 too many -- my creative mind (what little bit I've been blessed with) is ready to start on some regular sized cards.  There is only so much you can do with a 3x3 .  At this point, I've got about 30 designs because I have to keep changing things ups to stay interested -- would you say I have the attention span of a gnat? 

Have a blessed week and I hope to see you tomorrow!