Stamps, Paper, and Ink

How many SNEAK PEEKS can you find?

I'm so excited about the new products in the Sale-A-Bration and Occasions mini catalogs, including Clear Mount stamps!  These will be coming soon on January 5th. I woke in the middle of the night and just had to try out the new stamps, and of course, I'm here to share with you this morning. Ready?

Here's a sneak peek at the new I {Heart} Hearts stamp set, Well Scripted set, and Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack. There's more, but I don't want to overly tantalize you. See what you have to look forward to?

Just want to say - love you much!

 

My Favorite Sets: Winter Post

Winter Post is another one of my all-time favorite sets for Christmas! 
For today's card~

• I combined the Winter Post set with Serene Snowflakes and the sentiment comes from All Holidays. 
• I stamped the skaters in Soft Suede ink, then covered the image with a mask to stamp the snowflakes
• I sponged Sahara Sand around the edges using an oval mask
• Colored the skaters' clothing with markers, and I added glitter to her hat and sleeves
• The red card stock is textured. Don't forget about this option, it adds so much elegance to your projects!

I'll list the supplies in a minute - but, speaking of supplies - my order from the Sale A Bration brochure and Occasions mini arrives today. I can't wait! I love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator! If you'd like to find out how you can get 30% off of your stamping supplies this month - just send me an e-mail and ask!

You know, I so appreciate every one of you that faithfully visit to see what I've been making. Thanks for your support and kind comments. Have a great day!

Edited to add: Since I've already received requests for specific information about how I made this card, I've added them below.

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Winter Post, Serene Snowflakes, All Holidays
Paper: whisper white, real red textured, soft suede
and Ink: soft suede, sahara sand, real red

Accessories: Square rhinestones, Mistletoe ribbon, 1-3/8", slot and Designer Label punches, sponges, Top Note, Big Shot

How I made the focal image using the masking technique, step by step:

•  Cut the Top Note. Cut an oval  - I used the Nestie Ovals and cut the oval out of a transparency, so I could see to center it on the Top Note .
• Next you need to cut a mask of the skaters. Stamp the skaters (in soft suede) and cover with the mask.
• Center your oval mask and randomly stamp the snowflakes. I stamped the large snowflake first. Sponge lightly around the edge of the oval to define.
• Carefully remove the mask over the skaters.
• Assemble the rest of the card.

E-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

A Special Christmas Card

This is my kind of special Christmas card - old fashioned and elegant, with rich warm colors. Inspired by the Color Combination challenge to use very vanilla, soft suede and black. Our "dessert" option was to add glitter, which I was delighted to bring out and sprinkle liberally!  This will be one of those days, no doubt, when I'll be out and about and someone will find traces of glitter on my face. (don't you LOVE my new makeup look?)  Of course, my craft area is gritty too. Here's the card!

I love crafting for the Christmas season because I make cards that I really send  - and I know they will be appreciated so much more than a store bought card! I also have ample opportunity to dip into my retired stash of stamp sets and bring out some of my old favorites, like the Christmas Cardinal set that I used here. 

More about how I made the card~

• On the background panel I used the French Filigree background stamp and embossed. I added Heat n Stick powder and Dazzling Diamonds to add sparkle.
• The main image was stamped on Very Vanilla card stock with Soft Suede ink. I stamped a second time on a vanilla scrap and embossed in gold. Two of these flowers were cut out and popped up to add a layer of dimension. The mats behind the image panel are Brushed Gold and Basic Black card stock.
• A hint of rose was added to the flowers with an aqua painter and Watercolor Wonder crayons.
• Fine Cosmo Stampin' Glitter was added to the berries.
• It's all wrapped up with two rows of vanilla taffeta ribbon.

I hope you'll get out your Stamps, Paper, and Ink and use them to bless someone today!

Happy Christmas colors!

The Color Combo challenge last week suggested the colors of Pretty in Pink, Bermuda bay and Old Olive. This is the second card I made for the challenge. I'm not going to show you the first right now because I really didn't like how it turned out. But I love this one!  I discovered the key to this color combo is to use LOTS of white. We had the option of using plaid paper too, so I found this cute plaid in the Pawsitively Prints series. Sponging on the edges adds a bit of depth to the circle layout which uses the Scallop Circle #2 die. I sponged the white punched snowflake with Pretty in Pink ink.

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Patterned Pines, Season of Joy
Paper: whisper white, pretty in pink, bermuda bay, Pawsitively Prints DSP
and Ink: pretty in pink, old olive, bermuda bay

Accessories:Scallop Circle #2 die, snowflake punch, Button Latte collection, 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

Classic Comfort with Of the Earth Set

Hi friends, Hope you had a blessed time of Thanksgiving! Welcome back to my blog!

Over the weekend, I needed a Sympathy card and I wanted just the right colors: to be soothing and hopeful at the same time. I was inspired by the soft hues in the Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper, especially the So Saffron and the Sahara Sand patterns. I paired them with Brocade Blue, since that's the ribbon that I wanted to use. I just LOVED these colors together and then I realized - these shades of yellow and blue (with red accents) are the main colors of my living room, dining room and kitchen! *happy sigh*

The ribbons are layered with a classic looped bow peeking out from behind the main image panel. I adhered them with sticky strip, so they don't shift around in the mail. You can click on the photo to see the detail.

I used an emboss resist technique on the bird image. I stamped the bird in versamark on the designer paper and embossed with clear powder. Sponging added the blue color to the bird and edges of the square. I punched it out and layered it over a mat of the DP punched with the Scallop Square punch. Rounding the corners and embellishing with two half pearls from the Pretties Kit were the last touches.

Some of you took advantage of the GREAT deals during the Holiday Extravaganza sale. If you are reading this early, there's still time today to order (you'll find that info HERE.) Be watching for more fun opportunities to save from Stampin' Up!

I've had quite a few chances to stamp over the weekend, can't wait to show you over the next few posts!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Of the Earth, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Bella Bleu, whisper white, so saffron, brocade blue
and Ink: versamark, brocade blue

Accessories: Pretties Kit, 1-1/4", corner rounder, scallop edge and scallop square punches; clear embossing powder, 5/8" brocade blue grosgrain ribbon

Note Card Box and Ribbon Rosette tutorials

Want to know what I did today? I invited a delightful thirteen year old friend to help me make those table decorations I showed you a couple days ago.

Know what I didn't do?  I didn't post my tutorial that I promised you - yet. But here it is! 

First I want to show you how I altered the Stampin' Up! Box #2 die to hold my note cards that I posted HERE.

I ran the Box #2 die through the Big Shot machine to cut. I cut off the two small tabs on the box top, leaving the larger one.Then, I added a strip of designer paper and adhered it, being sure to crease the folds first. At this point, my box looks like this:

 

To support the 3.5 x 5" note cards, I needed to add two layers of card stock. Cut one
3 - 3/4" x 5 - 1/4"  panel to place inside the box. This is the piece that makes your box taller! Cut another panel at 3-3/4" x 2- 1/4". This piece goes behind the box at the top, with the bottom edge tucked under the ribbon for the purpose of covering the score line. These two pieces are even at the top and make a sandwich with the box tab in the center.

Adhere the panels with sticky strip and decorate your box as desired.

To make a ribbon rosette is really fun and our Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon makes it easy! Cut a small length of ribbon - about 3 to 4". All you need to do is wiggle a bit of the white stitching loose and gently pull this thread until your ribbon gathers.

Think of it as if you are sliding the ribbon along the thread, like gently moving hangers along a closet rod. As you go, form a circle. When I liked the size, I knotted the loose threads together, tucked the raw edge of fabric under and secured it with a few stitches done with a needle and thread.

I made two of these circles and attached them with just a couple of hand stitches. You could use Tacky Glue if you don't sew. Then add a large brad or button in the middle to anchor, and you've made a cute embellishment of your own!

Here's the finished project, try your hand at making your own.

 

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial. It's my way of saying how much I appreciate you!

I want to wish my U.S. readers a very wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  I'll be taking a couple days off from posting to celebrate with my family. I'll be back soon, see you then!

Stampin' Up! Sale!

Holiday Extravaganza begins today and it is exciting!  Huge savings available for online orders through November 30.

Check out the sale items at one time only prices! I've created this blog page - click HERE - to make it easy for you to see all the offerings and prices. You'll find find great bundles for cardmaking, scrapbooking, beginning stampers, accessories, and Decor Elements. These would make great gifts for crafty people on your list, including you!

For every order over $25, receive a Free gift from me!

 Click HERE for my online store or e-mail me to place your order.

Hello Baby!

I've posted quite a few holiday projects lately and today I found it so refreshing to make this baby card. Best thing is, it will be in the mailbox tomorrow for a special young couple who just had their fourth girl. 

I remembered the Beary Best Friends set and the darling dress for the girl bear. I watercolored the dresses using my Aqua Painter and reinkers, cut them out and used them for this cute card. Who says you need a baby set?

 

I love the kraft and retro feel of these colors!  I was totally inspired by the Sweet Sunday Sketch by Karen Giron for the layout. I love her sketches!

I'll be back tomorrow with the post I promised during the blog tour. Have a wonderful day!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Beary Best Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: kraft, whisper white, Pink Flamingo, Melon Mambo Designer Prints
and Ink: Black Staz On, Melon Mambo, Orchid Opulence, Cameo Coral

Accessories: Eyelet border punch, white taffeta ribbon, Button Latte, Lots of Tags die

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

Last Minute Holiday Blog Tour: Day 4

 It's the last day of the blog tour, and I know I've enjoyed seeing the variety and creatively fun projects of our group. As I told you yesterday, I saved my favorite project for last. When all the gifts and goodies have been opened, what could be more needed than a boxed set of Thank You Notes?

While I wanted the notes to look festive, I wanted a box that was not just for Christmas so that it could be used again by the recipient.

Here's a surprise - this tall box was made with the Box #2 die, which is typically long and short. I'll share a tutorial for that and tell you how I made the darling ribbon flower this coming week in my blog posts. So be sure to bookmark me and subscribe if you haven't already so you can head on back!

Here's a photo of the 3.5 x 5" notes and matching envelopes that are inside, and a close up of the flower. I used the Very Thankful set for this classic and elegant look, and the image fits perfectly in the Build A Brad for the flower center.

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Very Thankful
Paper: whisper white, real red textured, Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper, Soft Suede textured
and Ink: markers

Accessories: polka dot ribbon, Build A Brad, Box #2 die, Big Shot, corner rounder and scallop edge punches

Thanks so much for joining in our blog tour fun! I've enjoyed every minute!

 

Last Minute Holiday Blog Tour: Day 3 Super Easy Big Shot Project

I know on Saturdays we all have precious little time for blog reading, so the project I have for you is simple and quick. I have always loved involving my children when they were young in holiday preparations, especially for Thanksgiving. They often helped to make place cards for our guests and pretty table creations to make the meal festive. Here's an idea to do just that for you and it's easy enough to do with young children too.

 
I made a place card and matching quick wrap for the silverware at each place, featuring the Square Scallop die which was quickly run through the Big Shot. Folding the card stock in half and extending it past the center of the die makes an extra width across the bottom so it stands up by itself. It would also be great for wrapping up peppermint sticks or other sweet treats.

Here's a photo to help you visualize how I ran it through the Big Shot, lining the edges of the card stock up with the arrows.

 

For the name card, I used the Two Tags die and the Scallop Oval punch. When the bottom of the tag is folded under, it stands alone as well. Give it a try, and have a great weekend! Thanks for your comments and sweet notes!

I saved my very best project for last, so I know you'll want to come back tomorrow!

Have fun with your Stamps, Paper, and Ink,

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Holiday Best, Pocket Silhouettes
Paper: whisper white, apricot appeal
and Ink: only orange, certainly celery

Accessories: markers, Mistletoe Originals ribbon, Big Shot, Two Tags die, Scallop Square die, Scallop Oval punch, Crop A Dile, Jumbo eyelets

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have