Stampin-Style

The Open Sea's Birthday Wish

Stampin' Up! The Open Sea

Monday night was my monthly Card Club and I so wanted to come up with a project that was more neutral in color palette and - well - more masculine.  Today's post is the card we created.  Although one of my gals suggested it was boring in color palette, she still liked the design and will probably duplicate it in her own favorite colors.  Sponge Daubers and a pair of Paper Snips help to add that distressed look.  Although this card is designed as  birthday card it would also make a beautiful Father's Day card for June 17th!

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• The Open Sea Clear Mount (123032)

Ink -

• Soft Suede Classic (115657)
• Crumb Cake Classic (126975)
• VersaMark® (102283)

Paper -

• Crumb Cake Card Stock (120953)
• Basic Gray Card Stock (121044)
• Chocolate Chip Card Stock (102128)
• River Rock Card Stock (108640)

Accessories -

• Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129)

Tools -

• Heat Tool (100005)
• Paper Snips (103579)
• Sponge Daubers (102892)
• Embossing Buddy (103083)

Putting It Together Tips:

•  I love the Paper Snips.  They make short work out of intricut cutting.  But did you know they can also be used to distress?  Simply open the blades so the tips are about 1/2'' apart and drag the edge of the paper through where the blads meet.  Several passes = more distressed.  This is the technique that I used to rag up the edge of the ship's log done in River Rock.
• I love to emboss, but that darn powder gets everywhere and especially where you don't want it - or see it - on the project.  That's where the Embossing Buddy comes to the rescue.  A few passes with this great little life saver before you apply the VersaMark ink eliminates static electricity and hand oil to help prevent the stray dust from sticking where you DO NOT want it!
• Sponge Daubers are a great tool to add to the aged look of an item.  In this case both the ship's log and the picture of the ship have a shaded edge compliments of the Sponge Dauber and Crumb Cake  Classic Ink.  Here's a tip.  Always start with a lighter color than you think you'll need and build the intensity through multiple applications.  You can always add to make it darker, but if you start out too dark, well....you know the rest!

Starting May 1st purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit for only $99.
You'll receive product and business supplies valued at $190.
Contact me for the details

PPA135 - I'm Looking For Something In (Gumball) Green

Stampin' Up! Love & Laughter
& Gumball Green

Welcome to Pals Paper Arts Challenge.  Twice a month we provide inspiration for card making.  This week it's a sketch challenge by our own Design Team member, Margaret Moody!  So grab your bag of creativity and get stampin!

One of my favorite country western songs is Lorrie Morgan's “Something In Red”  When I saw this stamps set originally featured in the Occasions Mini and soon to be released annual catalog, I couldn't help but think of that song.  Especially with one of the new colors being Gumball Green!   One of the verses says “I'm looking for something in green...”  And this new In Color is just what ticket.  And the new design stamp pads are incredible.  No longer do you have to push the stamp into the pad.  I light even touch gives a perfect even image.

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Love & Laughter Clear Mount (125477)

Ink -

• Gumball Green Classic (126861)
• Certainly Celery Classic (126958)
• VersaMark® (102283)

Paper -

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Gumball Green Card Stock (126840)

Accessories -

• Certainly Celery 5/8'' Poly-twill Ribbon (Retired)
• White Stampin Emboss Powder (109132)

Tools -

• Heat Tool (100005)
• Petals-a-Plenty Folder (116824)

Putting It Together Tips:

• The Petals-a-plenty background was created by rubbing Certainly Celery on the flat side of the embossing folder.  Carefully lay a pieve of Whisper White card stock on the non-inked side and close the folder being careful not to move the card stock.  Pass it through the Big Shot and there you go!
• There are several sentiments in this stamp set.  I mounted both sentiments on the same block at the same time.  I tested an image on a piece of scrap paper before to make sure it was straight.  It's the perfect way to reduce your card making time!

Starting May 1st purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit for only $99.
You'll receive product and business supplies valued at $190.
Contact me for the deatils

Retiring Products - Time is Running Out!

Stampin' Up! Retiring Stamps & Accessories

It's May 14.  That means less than 3 weeks left until all the retiring products go away.  I thought I would feature some cards I have posted in the past with retiring products.  This card probably features more retiring products than any other creation.  It was one of my favorite cards with TWO of my favorite stamp sets.  So perfect for pet owners and they both actually have sentiments for the loss of a pet.

On June 1st, my next newsletter will go out with the DSP and Simply Scrappin' chart listing the colors that are used in each.  To get yours be sure you have signed up for my newsletter!

Stamps sets are guaranteed until May 31, but the retiring accessories will only be available while supplies last.  Click here to view the lists.

 

Stampin' Stuff: 

Stamp Sets - 

• C Is For Cat (120210 - Retiring May 31, 2012)
• D Is For Dog (120211 - Retiring May 31, 2012) 

Ink - 

• VersaMark® (102283)
• StazOn® Jet Black Ink Pad (101406)

Paper - 

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Bermuda Bay Card Stock (Retired)
• Melon Mambo Card Stock (115320)
• Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad (Retired) 

Accessories -

• Pinking Hearts Border Punch (117649 - Retiring May 31, 2012)
• Full Heart Paper Punch (119883)
• Stampin' Up! Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die (117332)
• Black Stampin' Emboss Powder (109133)
• Crimper (101618 - Retiring May 31, 2012)
• Gold Brads (104337- Retiring May 31, 2012)
• Paper Snips (103579)
• SNAIL Adhesive (104332)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) 

Putting It Together Tips:

• I love my new Paper Snips.  They're so small they get into the tiniest of places, even tho for my larger hands, they're a bit hard to jam my fingers into!  LOL  Big tip I learned - I don't even remember were or when - is when you are cutting objects out, move the paper, NOT THE SNIPS, for smooth edges.
• Okay, don't you love how the Pinking Hearts looks like a picket fence?  I wish I could take credit for this, but my Stampin' Pal Barbara mentioned that it reminded her of a picket fence.  I naturally couldn't be happy with that and had to pass it through the crimper!  SNAIL Adhesive is the best for attaching crimped paper.  I ran a couple of strips on the card stock and applied the crimped paper to it.  FIRST matching the two ends and then easing the middle into place.  Otherwise the paper stretches as your applying it and ends up longer than the card.  
• Apply the patterned heart to the smooth side of the Embosslits Heart of Hearts image and the Stampin' Dimensionals to the textured side for the best adhesion.

GO TO MY STAMPIN' UP! WEBSITE

 TO PURCHASE ALL THE SUPPLIES FOR THIS PROJECT!

 

 

 

Retiring Stamps - Happy Mother's Day!

Stampin' Up! Triple Treat Flower
& Baroque Motifs

It's May 10th.  That means exactly 3 weeks left until all the retiring products go away.  This is the first in a series of cards created from retiring products.  This will be your last chance to get these stamp sets and punches.  Take advantage of them while you can still get them!

On June 1st, my next newsletter will go out with the DSP and Simply Scrappin' chart listing the colors that are used in each.  To get yours be sure you have signed up for my newsletter!

Many of you may remember my friend Jill's 4th grade class.  Last year I taught them how to make Mother's and Father's Day cards.  This year is no exception.  And in fact as you are reading this, I am at the school teaching them how to do it.  This is the card we'll make for Mother's Day.  I hate it when I make a card - or in this case, cards - that I absolutely LOVE with products that will be retiring soon!  Triple Treat Flower has so many options, but I never thought to counter place them for twice as much bang for your stamp.  Then I took the scraps (you know, the punched out pieces that I didn't think I was going to use?) and made an even cooler creation.  I hope you agree!

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Baroque Motifs (113490 - retiring May 31, 2012)
• Triple Treat Flower (122909 - retiring May 31, 2012)
• Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Ink -

• Island Indigo Classic (122937)
• Calypso Coral Classic  (122939)
• Lucky Limeade CLassic (122935)

Paper -

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Calypso Coral Card Stock (122925)   

Accessories -

• 2-Way Glue Pen (100425)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Tools -

• 5-Petal Punch (119880 - retiring May 31, 2012)
• Fancy Flower Punch (118073)
• 1/2'' Circle Punch (119869)
• Modern Label Punch (119849)
• Word Window Paper Punch (119857)

Putting It Together Tips:

• Oh my gosh!  Where do I begin?  First I used a 3“ x 3” piece of Whisper White card stock to imprint each of the flower images.  Position the image in the lower right corner.  That gives you something to hold on to when punching.   There is also space to imprint the sentiment.
• Also punch out the 5-Petal Punch first.  Then if you want to punch out the Fancy Flower punch like I did for the portrait card on the right, you still have something to hold onto.
• The circle punch does not quite reach the center of the 5-Petal punch out, but close enough.  If you're a perfectionist, you might want to stamp a partial image just for the center like I did with the Lucky Limeade center.  The Calypso Coral center is actually a hole showing the Calypso Coral 5-Petal Flower from below.
• Teeny Tiny Wishes is my fave sentiment stamp set.  Any of the sentiments can be used in the Word Window, so this card - with a swap of colors - could work for just about any holiday or celebration.

Starting May 1st purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit for only $99.
You'll receive product and business supplies valued at $190.
Contact me for the deatils

PPA134 - My Thoughts Are Happiest

Stampin' Up! Field Flowers &
Stamp-a-ma-jig

This week's Pals Paper Arts challenge is a color challenge.  Use So Saffron, Baja Breeze, and Calypso Coral in a sentence - or a creation!  ;-)  This is an amazing color palette and while I expected these rich colors to take me in the direction of summer, they actually ended up in a more tapestry environment.  I am a sucker for nature stamps!  Leaves (French Foliage), Trees (Lovely as a...) all grab my attention.  So when I saw Field Flowers and saw that it was a two step stampin' set, I was doubly glad.  (No pun intended!)  But it is amazing how many folks do not know how to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Here is a perfect example of why you need to learn. 

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Field Flowers (122760)

Ink -

• So Saffron Classic (105213)
• Calypso Coral Classic  (122939)

Paper -

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Baja Breeze Card Stock (111352)
• So Saffron Card Stock (105118)
• Calypso Coral Card Stock (122925) 

Accessories -

• Calypso Coral 3/8'' Ruffled Ribbon (122976)    

Tools -

• Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976)
• Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)   

Putting It Together Tips:

• I love the Square Lattice Embossing Folder, but I always have to remind myself to emboss first and then measure and cut to size.  The length can loose as much as an eithth inch in the embossing process so if you measure and cut first you could end up with a finished product that's too small.
• When using the Stamp-a-ma-jig I always make a master using vellum.  That way you can store the master with the stamp setr and be ready next time you have to use the set.   Of course this will only work if you have wood mounted stamp sets.  I make it a practice to purchase my sentiment and 2-step sets in wood format so the image is always in the same place on the block.

Starting May 1st purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit for only $99.
You'll receive product and business supplies valued at $190. 
Contact me for the details.

Only 4 Days Remaining...

Occasions Mini &
Summer Smooches Promotion

 

PPA133 - So Long, Farewell

Stampin' Up! Triple Treat Flower &
Borderlines

Welcome to the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge.  Remember what it felt like May of your graduation year from high school.  It was exciting to think about the future and new adventures, but at the same time it was sad to leave your friends.  Some friends just from your senior year and some that may have gone back as far as grade school.  Well that's how I feel every May when we anticipate the new Stampin' Up! catalog.  I know that there will be many new adventures and exciting stamp sets unveiled.  But I also know I will be saying goodbye to some very dear “friends” as well as we prepare to retire a collection of our stamp sets.  Some have been around a short time and some for many years.  This is my hommage to our dear friends leaving us.  Clicking on the “Retired List” in the upper left column of my blog will take you to the complete list.  But here are just a few that will be leaving us May 31st, 2012.

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Triple Treat Flower (122909) Retires May 31, 2012
• Borderlines Clear Mount (122642) Retires May 31, 2012
• Upsy Daisy (111710) Retires May 31, 2012

Ink -

 

• VersaMark® (102283)    

Paper -

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Cajun Craze Card Stock (119684)
• Basic Black Card Stock (102851)
• Well Worn Designer Series Paper (122359) Retires May 31, 2012    

Accessories -

• Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129)    

Tools -

• Fancy Flower Paper Punch (118073)    

Putting It Together Tips:

• I love the look of metallic embossing powder on black card stock.  I think it is such a rich look.  The Embossing Buddy is the perfect tool for preventing stray bits of embossing powder from adhering to the crad stock.  This tool, unfortunately, is not currently available for purchase.  I'll be sure to let you know when it is.
• I love coordinating punches for stamped images.  The Triple Treat Flower stamp is perfect as it coordinates with three different punches, Fancy Flower, Five Petal, and 1/2'' Circle punches.
• Finding the right color to match with Designer Series Paper is as simple as referring to the Stampin' Up! Catalog.  Under the DSP name is the list of coordinating colors.  If you haven't already signed up for my newsletter, you should do that soon.  I will be posting the DSP matrix that lists all the 1012-13 DSP choices with the coordinating colors in the form of a QRC that makes it a snap to determine the perfect color choice.
• Although Borderlines was only available for a year, I will really miss this stamp set.  It's the perfect economical substitute for ribbon when you're making a lot of the same card.   

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit.
For $175 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340

PPA131 - Birthday Wishes

Stampin' Up! Itty Bitty Shapes & Little Leaves

This week Pals Paper Arts Challenge is a color challenge.  And what beautiful spring colors ther are.  The rich warm soil color of Chocolate Chip, and the cherry blossom colors of Certainly Celery and Pretty In Pink.  How can you go wrong with this palette?  You may remember the post I did a few weeks back called Welcome Hostess where I recreated a cherry blossom branch using Little Leaves die and the Itty Bitty Shapes punch.  I warned you that you might see it again!  This time I decided to place them in a frosted vase!

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Perfect Punches Clear Mount (120516)

Ink -

• Chocoilate Chip Stampin' Write Marker (100071)
• Chocolate Chip Classic (100908)

Paper -

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Chocolate Chip Card Stock (102128)
• Certainly Celery Card Stock (105125)
• Pretty In Pink Card Stock (100459)
• White Vellum Paper (101839)

Accessories -

• Basic Pearls (119247)

Tools -

• Extra Large Oval Punch (119859)
• Ornament Punch (119847)
• Itty Bitty Shapes (118309)
• Little Leaves Sizzlits Die (114511)
• Simply Scored (122334)
• Simply Scored Diagonal Plate (125586)

Putting It Together Tips:

• This project appears to be very heavy on the Tools end, but I always tell my friends when we're creating cards like this that purchasing tools are an investment.  Purchasing a punch or a tool like Simply Scored is a one time investment and you'll always have it.
• I had one of my readers ask how to do the quilted effect on the back of the card.  This is created using the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate.  I scored in both directions at 1“ marks.  You will need to rotate the paper 4 times - once for each edge of the paper to complete the pattern.  But here's a tip.  If your paper is not evenly divisable on all edges by the space between your score lines, it will be more challenging to get these marks even.  So if you sometimes have trouble with fractions on a ruler, cut a piece of card stock a size that is evenly divisable by your score space and then cut it to size afterwards.  For example, this card uses a piece of 4'' x 5 1/4'' Chocolate Chip card stock for the background.  The score space is 1'' So cut the card stock 4'' x 6''  Score it on all four edges and then cut it to size.
• I used the Chocolate Chip mrker to create both the petal definition on the flowers and the leaf veins.  For the flowers, I simply created four partial circle flower petals and then outlined the edge of the other four scallops in the punch to create the illusion they were petals behind.
• Placing the pearls on the cross scores was a piece of cake using my Paper Snips.  I simply opened them, picked up the pearl from the sheet and placed the pearl on the score marks.  Another tip.  Place your pearls AFTER you position your focal point.  That way you don't waste pearls behind the focal point where no one can see!

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit. 
For $175 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340.

Ask me how!

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.

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!