Here Comes Spring

 

For Stamper's Club we always do three projects. Usually a 6x6 scrapbook page, a card, and a 3D item of some sort. This month we did a bigger page and 2 cards...one packed full of techniques!

An 8.5 x 8.5" scrapbook page. I punched a stamped image from Enjoy Every Moment with the 3/4" Circle Punch and it made a perfect center for this flower from the Pretties Kit, then I also punched the center of the journaling image so I could edge it in Certainly Celery first. The butterfly was just punched using a nice stripe from Welcome Neighbor before edging it in Pixie Pink!

Stampin' Supplies:
PAPER - Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery, Welcome Neighbor DSP*
INK - Basic Black Craft, Pixie Pink Craft, Always Artichoke Craft, Certainly Celery Craft, Crushed Curry
STAMPS - Enjoy Every Moment
OTHER - Crushed Curry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Butterfly Punch, Pretties Kit Flower

*Get yours for FREE when you spend $50 on anything!

I try not to use more than one stamp set when I make a card (aside from sentiments). But on this card I wanted different foliage to go with my birdie so I pulled out Paradise again. I really LOVE this set! :)

Stampin' Supplies:
PAPER - Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
INK - Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay
STAMPS - Paradise, Oval All, Cheep Talk
OTHER - Scallop Oval Punch, Markers

This little card is packed with techniques. After a good rub with my Embossing Buddy, I stamped the flower petals on Bravo Burgundy Card Stock and heat embossed them with White Embossing Powder. Then I bleached out the flower petals with some household bleach and a Q-tip. After some drying time I scribbled on the darker areas with a Perfect Plum Watercolor Pencil, and inside the flower with Pixie Pink. I used an Aquapainter to disburse the color and soften the look. The center of the flower is dry embossed as well as the pink card stock layer...I used my Big Shot of course!

Stampin' Supplies:
PAPER - Gable Green, Pixie Pink, Bravo Burgundy, Summer Sun
INK - VersaMark, Basic Black
STAMPS - Pick a Petal
OTHER - Textured Impressions Perfect Polka Dots, Textures Plate Kit #4, White EP, 1" Circle Punch

Marking the Territory

I've been having fun using my markers lately to ink up stamps and add detail. These particular projects are for Ladies Night tonight and we're gonna have FUN!

I love the Good Neighbors Stamp Set* from the Sale-a-Bration Mini. This is such a sweet little card to show it off too! I stamped the two story house in StazOn so I could watercolor it, and since I used a marker for the little yellow roof, I was able to make the chimney brown!

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - *Good Neighbors,  All Holidays

INK - More Mustard, Old Olive, Real Red, Close to Cocoa, StazOn
PAPER - Kraft, Real Red, Very Vanilla

OTHER - Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Scallop Edge Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Corner Rounder

*Get yours for FREE when you spend $50 on anything!

 

What can I say about this? I really enjoy 6x6 pages because they are so easy to whip up and my brag book is filled with a large variety of different pages. The square of card stock in Cameo Coral is exactly 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" and when using an embossing folder for your Big Shot, this is the maximum width. It was designed with greeting cards in mind. You can emboss an entire card front lickity split!

Stampin' Supplies:
PAPER - Tempting Turquoise Textured Card Stock, Cameo Coral, Welcome Neighbor DSP*
INK - Basic Black Craft, Basic Black Marker
STAMPS - Stem Sayings
OTHER - Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Textured Impressions Perfect Polka Dots, Oval Punch, Corner Rounder

*Get yours for FREE when you spend $50 on anything!

Ladies Night is every month on the THIRD Thursday from 7-9PM. You can join my Meetup group to get email reminders of all events, and it makes RSVPing a snap!

It's Not 2009 Anymore

...and it's not January anymore either! lol

That was one of the projects for Stamper's Club last month, and I should have posted it sooner, but I had it "packed away" in a pile of crafty stuff and it was overlooked! You'll be happy to know it is unearthed from it's hiding place and now happily resides on a shelf where I can see it every day! :)

I used cardboard drink coasters and covered the surface. Then stamped a large image from the Brocade Basics Stamp Set in Rich Razzleberry...YUM! The calendar pages are each also stamped with another image from the same set, but this time I stamped off before I stamped the page, then I went ahead and stamped it two more times without re-inking. I love that look!

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Brocade Basics
INK - Rich Razzleberry
PAPER - Rich Razzleberry, Welcome Neighbor DSP*

OTHER - 1/2" Library Clips

*Get yours for FREE when you spend $50 on anything!

Felt Flowers Make EVERYTHING Better!

Isn't that the cutest thing? These flowers are called Sweet Pea Stitched Felt. You get a package of 52 pieces for $7.95, it's a GREAT value!
I thought this was the perfect accessory for this little handcrafted photo frame I did. I was able to use some of the paper I got FREE from the Sale-a-Bration promotion! Totally simple, totally easy to make. Don't you just love it!?

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Stem Sayings, *Good Neighbors (leaf in center)
INK - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
PAPER - *Welcome Neighbor DSP, Certainly Celery, Bali Breeze DSP (polka dot, retired)

OTHER - Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Sanding Block

*Get yours for FREE when you spend $50 on anything! (s-a-b mini page 6 & 7)

A Page for the Season

I've had these brads from the Occasions Mini for over a month now. They're called Sending Love and I think they are really cute! Apparently so does my 8 year-old Sydney, she helped herself to about 8 of them when I hadn't even opened the package yet.
If you look at them in the mini you'll noticed they have a silver rim...they're brads. Well I guess she wanted to use them differently because she pried the Epoxy centers off the brads and had them fixed in fours on bottle cap embellishments. Yes what she did was cute, but I was not too happy to make this discovery since she did not have my permission.
I managed to recover 5 of the brads and put them back together, but three of them no longer had a brad that I could find. Fortunately they still had plenty of "stick" so I was able to use them like stickers and put them right on my page! So I guess the lesson here is that you can use them either way, and they are a little less bulky this way!

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Jumble Alphabet, Rough Edges Alphabet
INK - Real Red, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip
PAPER - Real Red Textured Card Stock, Whisper White, Love Sparkles Simply Scrappin Kit 

OTHER - Big Shot Top Note Die, Clear Embossing Powder, Sending Love Epoxy Brads (Real Red 1/2")

P.S. It's Friday, so how about another sketch? I'd love to see what you do with this layout. Leave me a comment with a link if you use this one! :)

January Sales

I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who placed an order with me last month. I sold three I {Heart} Hearts stamp sets as well as raised an extra $61 to send to the Red Cross for the people in Haiti. It may be just a drop in the bucket, but I'm glad I can help! The I {Heart} Hearts stamp set is available through April 30th, but to make it count and have Stampin' Up! contribute $2 from the order you need to get yours before February 28th (see this post for more info).
Again, thank you!!!
Crafty hugs,
Sally

Austin Adventures

Friday's sketch came in handy at my crop yesterday. I made it into a double page spread using 6 photos from 2003. I wish I had done a better job writing the title, but it's done and I'm ready to move on and tackle some more old pictures!!!

This is the page that follows the sketch. I used a background stamp to kiss the solid images from the Pardise stamp set. This gave them the same texture as the leaves stamped right on the page. I think my photo is a little too bright. The paper on the sides has a stripped pattern and the leaves are all different shades of green.

The title page is just a standard linear design that works well anytime you have three photos cropped to 4x4!

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Paradise
INK - Green Galore, Certainly Celery, Garden Green
PAPER - Certainly Celery Textured Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Just Delightful Simply Scrappin Kit (Striped Card Stock)
OTHER - Rose Red Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Rose Red Marker

 

The Paper Lantern Technique

I've been playing around with the paper lantern technique. It's so easy and I love cards with texture!
You can stamp any repeated image, like I did with this flower in Melon Mambo and then pass the card stock through a crimper. After that gently pat the whole thing with a black ink pad, or drag the ink pad to get more dramatic stripes. I actually did both! lol

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Love You Much, Vintage Vogue*
INK - Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Basic Black
PAPER - Melon Mambo, Old Olive, So Saffron, Whisper White
OTHER - Yellow Polka Dot Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Paper Crimper, Scallop Trim Corner Punch*
*NEW inside the Occasions Mini Catalog

 

Here also is a super simple 6x6 scrapbook page. This Designer Series Paper is so yummy! I haven't found the perfect picture for it yet, but I will! :)

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS -  Razzle Dazzle (It's Good To Dream)
INK - Whisper White, Brocade Blue
PAPER - Brocade Blue, Razzelberry Lemonade DSP, Regal Rose
OTHER - 1/4" Blue Grosgrain Ribbon

More to the Story

When you purchase the cute I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (pictured below) Stampin' Up! will donate $2 to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Product Name	Item #	Price
I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount  (block D recommended)	118571	$18.95
I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount	117010	$26.95

I'm glad I didn't get this set yet!! I'll be placing an order for my club next Friday and guess what I'm going to buy!?

*You can click on the flyer to enlarge it*

Hurricane Relief

I am really touched by the generousity of the people who have dropped everything to help the people in Haiti. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to go and offer my support in person, but I hope to make a nice contribution with your help.
For every Stampin' Up! order I receive through January 31, 2010, I plan to donate 100% of my commission to the Red Cross disaster relief.  All orders will qualify...you can use my website, call me, email me, or attend a workshop this month and place an order, you will be making a difference!
I'll post a follow up in February and let you know how much we raised. Thanks in advance for your help!!!

It's CLEARLY Possible

Hopefully you have a copy of the new Occaisions Mini by now! If not, you can download a .pdf version here on my blog. Just click on the image in the sidebar! You also won't want to miss the S-A-B mini. For every $50 you spend until March 31st you can choose something free, see the catalog for the full details!

I'm posting today because I want to introduce you to the wonderful world of Clear Mount Stamps. Many "stamp enthusiasts" have unmounted their stamp sets from wood blocks so they can be used with clings and acrylic blocks. This is certainly a space saver when it comes to storage, but another REAL advantage is simply the ability to see through the block. This helps you place what you're stamping in pretty much just the right spot!

"Starting with stamps in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and the 2010 Sale-A-Bration Brochure, Stampin' Up! now offers our exclusive stamp art in both traditional wood-mount, and the new clear-mount option. Our new clear-mount rubber stamps are the result of extensive research with the intent to maintain the very best image quality in the stamping industry, while at the same time offering the ease-of-use and storability inherent in repositionable clear-mount rubber stamps."

Clear-Mount Rubber Stamp Features

• Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.
• Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.
• Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist.
• Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
• Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
• Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
• Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy. 

I'll be uploading a little beauty created with my first set of "unmounted" SU! stamps...stay tuned!

Also starting with the new 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and continuing with all new punch designs going forward, Stampin' Up! has adopted a new body style for our punches! I am really excited about this one, this is going to make traveling to a crop so much easier!!! lol

A few features of the new punch style:

• Low-profile, rectangular punch body allows for easier stacking and storing
• Punches lock shut for easier storage and transport
• Dual labels on top and end allow for easy identification and selection when stored
• Available in three sizes: small, medium, and extra-large
• New punches allow for larger punched images and more intricate designs while providing greater ease of use.
• Extra -large punch images also allow for two-step designs like the Two-Step Bird punch in the Occasions Mini Catalog
• Corner punches allow you to punch a corner design along the inside edges of a page, not just corners
• larger, whole-hand handle design provides better leverage for easier use

Are you excited?  I am!!!

One for the Money

This is a fun way to give someone a "non present." I really like how simple this gift card holder is to make and you could easily adapt it for birthdays and other occasions as well.

Start out with a piece of card stock that measures 4-1/2 x 7" and score it twice to create the pocket and the cover. The fold lines should be at 2-1/2 at one end, then 1-1/2 at the other. Use a bone folder to get a nice crease and secure the pocket with Sticky Strip to make sure it can handle the stress of a gift card.

I secured a ribbon on the back to tie it shut and decorated the flaps with patterned paper. The front also features the ornament stamp from Delightful Decorations. It has a coordinating punch too...so easy!

Happy Hanukkah, and Merry Christmas! I hope you all enjoy being with your families and have a WONDERFUL holiday season!!!

Glitter and Shine, you are MINE

These are fun...take some clear glass ornaments and transform them into sparkly little beauties. Just put 20 or more drops of any ink color you wish inside the ornament and turn it over to let it coat the inside and drip any excess out. Then add a teaspoon or so of Dazzling Diamonds to bring out the BLING! Just make sure you shake the glitter inside to prevent clumping. You can also take this idea up a notch and add rub ons or Decor Elements on the outside on the ornament. I tried several colors and LOVE them all!


102023 Dazzling Diamonds $4.50 

Back into Groove

I developed these pictures last week and put them to good use with my newest sketch, yay me! To see more pages done with this sketch and/or to use it and share, look at THIS. Actually I think this was another form of procrastination, but it was nice to take my time with a page and I'm pretty stisfied with the outcome. One page down...4 million 200 seventy-seven to go! hahaha

Journaling says:
September 2009
Natalie cried after her right ear was pierced.
...but she left the store smiling!

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamps: Cheep Talk, Jumble Alphabet

Paper: Windsor Knot DSP, Pink Flamingo DSP, Orchid Opulence, Pacific Point

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: White gen pen, Sizzix BIGZ Flower Dasies #2, Scalloped Border Punch, Perforating Tool, Corduroy Buttons, 1/16" hole Punch, Corner Rounder, white acrylic paint

Techniques: machine stitching

Making Holiday Plans

The holiday season can be overwhelming, and without my multitude of lists I would be LOST! Every year I tote around my shopping list, a list of who to send cards to, and a list of those who shall receive chocolaty goodness from my kitchen! I also tend to keep my Christmas stamps and any receipts with my lists. This helps me stay on top of things...or so I delude myself to believe! lol

Originally I carried an envelope around with all my lists and such, but since that's not very crafty I made myself a little "pocket folio" one year that's held up pretty well. It was super simple, made from an 8-1/2x11" sheet of cardstock decorated with pretty papers, and it has been well loved!

This year I've decided to make a new one. I saw a version done with a standard manila file folder sometime in December last year, so I knew that's what I'd be doing in 2009.The photo above is the front when it's all tied closed. Below is how it looks when it's opened up.
The design is really simple and easy to duplicate. Mine is a letter sized manila folder with a center tab. I opened it up, scored and folded the bottom up 4". Then scored each side at 4-1/4" to create the additional panels with pockets. I decorated most of it with Designer Series Paper sandwiching in some ribbon so the whole thing can be tied shut. Of course I've also included some fun stamped images! For more details on the colors and products used to make this organizer, visit my website.

My First MDS Project

I've been dabbling with digi scrapping for almost two years now and even though I still have a deep love for true paper crafting, I just HAD to get myself a copy of My Digital Studio, from Stampin' Up! As a demonstrator I went through a certification process so I could learn about it and have the knowledge to help others. It's so easy to use; I can see myself doing many projects with it. Some all digital and a few hybrid things.
As part of my certification I had to create something using the software, so I decided to make a 2010 calendar. It's not only practical, but it came together quickly. The elements available are so easy to drop in and there are even templates you can use to help you with your layout. Here's a screen shot:


It's the lead in page for the month of June. The pictures folder is on the left side and I just dropped my photo in, selected some "stamped" images, and added a ribbon. The small preview images along the bottom are all the pages of the calendar, and you can simply click on any of them if you need to make an edit. This image below is the calendar page itself that coordinates with the one above.


There are designer papers to use as well and I incorporated them into several of my other pages, but I didn't want every page to be "the same." I'm super excited to get it. The printing/shipping service is really fast. I uploaded it for printing on Saturday evening and it'll be here tomorrow. I can't wait to hang it in my kitchen!

Want to know more about My Digital Studio? Watch the video on my website! There are also two great promos this month that include My Digital Studio:

• Get 50% off My Digital Studio when you host a workshop totaling $400 or more
• Spend $50 on anything in the Gift Giving Guide and receive a free Decor Element ($16.95 value)