Stampin-Style

Random Acts of Kindness - Jazzy Jess

One of the amazing perks of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is the wonderful friend you have the opportunity to make.  Jessica is one of those amazing women who I have had the honor of “meeting” via my blog.    Jessica lives in South Carolina and has religiously commented on every one of my blog posts since we “met” several years ago.  We've shared happy times and tragedy, sickness and heath, and birthdays!  On Monday my mailbox was filled with a manilla envelope.  When I opened it, this beautiful birthday card and decorated notepad popped out.  A beautiful note accompanied it.  Thanks Jess, for making my birthday - just a little late - memorable.



Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit and become a Hobby or Career Stampn' Up! Demonstrator. 
For $175 $125 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340 plus a free pack of Designer Series Paper of your choice or a digital download valued at up to $10.95 every month for a year.

Sneak Peek for Thursday

This week's Sneak Peak will be different as it's not a Pals Paper Arts challenge.  But let me say that the peek is a direct result of something that will be over very soon.  Tune in tomorrow and view the whole amazing creation.

PPA131 - Welcome Hostess

Stampin' Up! Up In The Air &
Elegant Lines

This week our Pals Paper Arts Challenge is a sketch challenge from our own Margaret Moody.  I always look forward to a sketch.  They are a bit more of a challenge for me but they really make me think about the tools I have to use and how I can make the sketch my own.  For this challenge I used a Sizzlits die cut and a paper punch to duplicate the image in the stamp set.  I hope you like it!

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Up In The Air Clear Mount (122477 - Occasions Mini)

Ink -

• Basic Black Classic Ink (101179)
• Basic Black Stampin' Write (100082)
• Pretty In Pink Stampin' Write (100045)
• Certainly Celery Stampin' Write (105106)

Paper -

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Basic Gray Card Stock (121044)
• Basic Black Card Stock (102851)
• Certainly Celery Card Stock (105125)
• Pretty In Pink Card Stock (100459)

Accessories -

• 5/8'' Pretty In Pink Grosgrain Ribbon (Retired)
• 2-Way Glue Pen (100425)
• 5/8'' Organza Ribbon (114319)

Tools -

• Lace Ribbon Border Punch (122362)
• Itty Bitty Shapes Punch (118309)
• Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119277)
• Little Leaves Sizzlits Die (114511)

Putting It Together Tips:

• Although it's not that obvious in the picture, the design from the Elegant Lines embossing folder carries seemlessly through the black and gray card stock.  By doing this it gives the background continuity while maintaining the sketch criteria.  It also looks pretty cool!
• To create the Cherry Blossom branch I die cut the Little Leaves in Certainly Celery.  Using the Basic Black Stampin' Write marker I colored the branch with the broad tip, and veined and outlined the leaves with the narrow tip.  Next I punched several flowers using the 8-petal punch from the Itty Bitty Punch set.  I outlined the flowers and created petal lines using the Basic Black Stampin' Write marker.
• I used the 2-Way Glue Pen to glue the flowers to the branch and the branch to the ribbon.
• Although you also can't see it, there is a strip of 5/8'' Organza Ribbon (114319)behind the Lace Ribbon Border Punch to give it dimension and some textural interest.

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit. 
For $175 $125 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340 plus a free pack of Designer Series Paper of your choice valued at up to $10.95 every month for a year.

Contact me for details!  I'd love to have you become part of my team!

Pals Paper Arts Challenge 131 - Sneak Peek!

It's time for the sneak peek of my upcoming sketch challenge.  Every other week the Pals host a challenge with alternating color and sketch subjects.  This is the week!  And I thought I'd share with you a quick peek at mine.  As always a little hint that this post is for the birds!  It's so easy to play and you could earn the prestigous honor of being the PPA Pick of the Week.  Use whatever supplies you have on hand.  Any company's products will work.  Check out the Pals Paper Arts website tomorrow for our next exciting challenge.

Mike's Minute - DIY Custom Envelope Addendum

Stampin' Up! Simply Scored &
Diagonal Scoring Plate

Hi everyone,

I'd like to start by thanking everyone for all your positive feedback on this tutorial.  I knew there would be an interest in this topic, so thanks for proving me right!  One of my blog readers, Christy Q, suggested that I might want to add text comments highlighting the important items of the video for my hearing impared followers!  What a great idea!  I am so sorry I didn't think of that sooner.  Unfortunately I cannot add those comments to the existing video for several reasons, so I'm including a video log here with the time on the video followed by the point I am making in the video.

Hope this helps!

• 1:00 - For this project we will use a standard A2 card measuring 4 1/4'' x 5 1/2'' but you can make any size envelope using this technique.
• 1:12 - Place your card in the upper left corner making sure the measurement for both the horozontal and vertical rulers are the same.  In this case 3''
• 1:38 - Using the diagonal plate flush against the vertical ruler and touching the lowest tip of the card, the measurement is 7''  Add 1/2'' and cut your card stock 7 1/2'' square.
• 2:43 - Add the Diagonal Plate and reposition the card back in place. 
• 2:48 - Add one tick mark or 1/8'' to the 3'' mark and score at 3 1/8''
• 3:10 - Repeat for the opposite side.  This createws an envelope about 1/4'' larger than your card.
• 3:20 - Repeat the process for the long side of the envelope - 3 7/8'' + 1/8'' = 4''  Score.
• 4:00 - Using the 1 1/4'' Square punch, punch out all four notches where the score marks cross and one of the corners.
• 5:25 - Fold away from the score valleys.
• 5:50 - Apply SNAIL or other adhesive.  Fold and secure.

Sprinkled Expressions

Stampin' Up! Sprinkled Expressions

On Sunday I posted a tutorial on how to make ANY size envelope using our Simply Scored & Diagonal Plate.  You can view that tutorial HERE.  I had several compliments on the card I made the envelope for so I thought I'd show you the complete set.  I used Sprinkled Expressions from the Sale-a-bration Mini.  Its a great set with sentiments that could either be an addition to the front of the card or the sentiment inside.  Definitely a free set I'd recommend with your $50 purchase.

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Sprinkled Expressions Wood Mount (125130 - Sale-a-bration Mini)

Ink -

• Basic Black Classic Ink (101179)
• Pool Party Classic (122938)
• Island Indigo Classic (122937)
• Rose Red Classic (101778)
• Pretty In Pink Classic (101301)

Paper -

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Basic Black Card Stock (102851)
• Wisteria Wonder Card Stock (122922)
• Rose Red Card Stock (102554)

Putting It Together Tips:

• This stamp sets is perfect to create your own Designer Series Paper.  I usually would have made many more impressions but thought I'd keep it simple.   The main image makes a perfect background as well as a focal point.
• This card series is the perfect example to demonstrate that you don't need a complex design - or a new one for that matter - to create a great creation.  I used this design a few weeks ago.  You can view it HERE.  These are portrait.  The original was landscape.
• The cost for supplies for these three cards - and many more of course - cost $59.10 and you'll get the Sprinkled Expressions stamp set for free.
  • 5 Classic ink pads @ $5.95 = $29.75
  • 2011-13 In Color Card Stock Assortment $6.95
  • Subtles Card Stock Assortment $6.95
  • Neutrals Card Stock Assortment $6.95
  • Whisper White Card Stock $8.50
  • Sprinkled Expressions Stamp Set = FREE

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit. 
For $175 $125 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340 plus a free pack of Designer Series Paper of your choice valued at up to $10.95 every month for a year.

Sneaky Sprinkles

Sale-a-bration Continues!

Thought I'd give you a little peek at my cards for tomorrow.  Yup, CARDS!  There are three.  The perfect set.  And the stamp set is free!  How can you beat that! Check out my post tomorrow to find out how!  And of course a few construction tips as well.

This is also a great time to join Stampin' Up!  with no further obligation  Test drive our fabulous products at a greater discount than we usually offer.  50% off a great selection of card making and scrapbooking supplies and the opportunity to get a free pack of Designer Series paper or a free My Digital Studio downlead each and every month for a year.  I'd love to have you join my team.  Contact me and I'll answer any questions you may have.

Mike's Minute - DIY Custom Envelope

Stampin' Up! Simply Scored &
Simply Scored Diagonal Plate

As I'm sure you all know by now, Stampin' Up! has released their Diagonal Plate accessory for their Simply Scored scoring tool.  This latest addition is everything I had hoped it would be.  The silicone pades make it virtually slide proof on the Simply Scored table and the 1/8'' marks work wonderfully.

One of the things I've noticed about many of the envelope tutorials on the web is they address specific sized envelopes.  But many time the card you create is not the same size as the tutorial.  The attached tutorial gives you the steps to creat ANY size envelope with a few VERY easy measuring steps.

Enjoy!

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit. 
For $175 $125 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340 plus a free pack of Designer Series Paper of your choice valued at up to $10.95 every month for a year.

PPA129 - Forever And Always

Stampin- Up! Loving Thoughts & Apothecary Art

This week's challenge is a color challenge using two lucious greens and a color of your choice.  I chose to use Daffodill Delight to accompany Always Artichoke and Lucky Limeade.  The Occasions Mini provided both stamp sets.  I was thrilled to see that even the longest sentiment in Loving Thoughts fits nicely in the Apothecary Art medium label.  What a gorgeous combination and the colors can easily be swapped out to match the bride's color palette.

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Apothecary Art Clear Mount (125527 - Occasions Mini)
• Loving Thoughts Wood Mount (125845 - Occasions Mini)

Ink -

• Basic Black Classic Ink (101179)
• Always Artichoke Classic (105219)
• Daffodil Delight Classic (119667)
• Lucky Limeade CLassic (122935)

Paper -

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Lucky Limeade Card Stock (122926)
• Always Artichoke Card Stock (105119)
• Regals Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (117154)

Accessories -

• Daffodil Delight 5/8'' Grosgrain Ribbon (Retired)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Tools -

• Framelits Labels Collection Die Set (125598)
• Blender Pen (102845)
• Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

Putting It Together Tips:

• I used Lucky Limeade Classic Ink with my Blender Pen to add color to the leaves.  The lighter color ink worked well with the Basic Black shaded leaves.  At first I was thinking the flowers were apple blossoms, but when I looked closer I figured they must be roses.  That made a coloring choice not only easy but much broader.
• I stamped the image first and the used the Framelits die to cut out the image.  Much easier than the other way around.  I was actually not too smart in that I hand colored the whole image before I die cut it out.  Good thing the Framelits are so easy to use!
• If you're not familiar with the Color Collections DSP stack, check them out!  Four patterns in each of the 10 colors gives you a great selection.  I don't know if it's the guy in me or what, but I really gravitate to the stripes.
• Watercoloring can be a challenge.  If you've never done it before I highly recommend starting with the Blender Pen.  It gives you much better control of the color without saturating your card stock AND you don't need to use watercolor paper.  Any card stock will work.
• Of course I couldn't have placed my sentiment so perfectly without the help of my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig!

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit. 
For $175 $125 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340 plus every month for a year you'll receive a free pack of Designer Series Paper of your choice valued at up to $10.95 or a Digital Download.