So, for my first blog post this month I would like to share with you  a make-n-take from my “New Catalog Open House” on the 1st, which was supposed to be posted here before I went on vacation. This card was inspired by a card created by Dorothy Cates.

The card base is Basic Black, layered with Rich Razzleberry, and black again. Each layer is ¼” shorter than the one below. The main whisper white layer is stamped randomly using Staz On Ink (Staz On prevents bleeding when coloring with markers). The small circles are colored in using the NEW Rich Razzleberry Marker.

Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon was tied around the Whisper White layer. The greeting was stamped with Rich Razzlebery ink on whisper White Card stock and punched out with the Small Oval Punch, and layered over a Basic Black Large Oval. This was adhered to the finished card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

That’s it! This is a very quick and easy card and a very versatile stamp set…I can’t wait to show you the other make-n-take!

If you would like to recreate these projects…here is the recipe:

Stamps: Circle Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Staz On, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Dimensional, SNAIL Adhesive, Rich Razzleberry Stamp n Write Marker

Click Here to Order your Stampin’ Up! Products Online 24/7

Happy Stamping!

Happy Stamping!

Check out these cute projects! I made them recently at a Demonstrator Extravaganza in Framingham, MA. These projects were all created by Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and Artisan Award winner, Robin Desko. I love everything about this set for a summer party. The invitation is so easy to put together and it is so bright and cheery that everyone will HAVE to come to the party!

Here is a close up of the pinwheel. Let me just tell you that this was a lot easier to make than I originally thought. This is just a decorative pinwheel and doesn’t actually spin, but so cute to use in a centerpiece at your party… I’ll have to make up a tutorial for that one real soon!

Last but certainly not least…the cute little party favor made with the Big Shot. The bucket was created using the Baskets and Blooms die.

Here you will see a close up of the decorative strip that runs through the center of the basket/pail. I used Crystal Effects to accent the sunglasses that were stamped across the Pumpkin Pie strips.

Check out this cute little shovel which was created entirely with Stampin’ Up! punches…

The handle of the shovel is created with the Word Window punch and the Horizontal Slot punch. That piece is glued to a strip of paper, which is then glued to a piece punched using the Tag Punch. The shovel is tied onto the basket/pail with a cute bow. Finally the sun is accented with Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

All of these projects were very quick and a lot of fun to make. Thanks Robin for my new summer party set up!!

If you would like to recreate these projects…here is the recipe:

Stamps: Life’s A Breeze, Hugs and Wishes
Paper:Barely Banana, Ballet Blue, Whisper White,
Ink: Barely Banana, Ballet Blue, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: 1/4″ Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Lazy Days Jumbo Wheel, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, Paper Piercing Tool, Paper Trimmer, Silver Brad, 3/4″ Punch, Wooden Skewer/dowel, Big Shot, Baskets and Blooms Die, Small Tag Punch, Word Window Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch

Click Here to Order your Stampin’ Up! Products Online 24/7

Happy Stamping!

I ordered the “Crazy For Cupcakes” stamp set special for her birthday this year after I learned this really cool technique from Donna Centamore a while back to make puffy frosting or snow. I thought this technique would be perfect for Emma because she loves to eat the frosting off cupcakes! She really got a kick out of the puffy frosting!

How about a tutorial?

Supplies:

• Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Set (#111618)
• Hugs and Wishes Stamp Set (#109383)
• Chocolate Chip Card Stock (#102128)
• Pink Pirouette Card Stock (#111351)
• Whisper White Card Stock (#100730)
• StazOn Ink Pad Jet Black (#101406)
• Pink Pirouette Classic Stamp Pad (#111838)
• Close to Cocoa Classic Stamp Pad(#10139), re-inker(#102444), or Marker (#100072)
• Creamy Caramel Classic Stamp Pad(#103220), re-inker(#101478), or Marker (#100078)
• Going Gray Classic Stamp Pad (#103274), re-inker(#102521), or Marker (only in neutral pack #109126)
• Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker (#100052)
• Aqapainter (#103954)
• Pink Pirouette re-inker (#111843)
• Heat Tool (#100005)
• Salt and All-Purpose Flour

Gather your supplies and Pre cut your card stock pieces as follows:

• Pink Pirouette (5.5″x8.5″)
• Whisper White (5″x3.75″) and (2.75″ x 4″)
• Chocolate Chip (3″ x 4.25″)

Step 1: Random stamp balloons all over card front using Pink Pirouette Classic Ink.

Step 2: Using StazOn, stamp images on Whisper White Card Stock (2.75″ x 4″). I used Timber Brown StazOn, which has been retired from our catalog. the StazOn resists bleeding when you watercolor the cupcake bottoms. You can also use Basic Brown Classic Ink or Jet Black StazOn for the cupcakes and Chocolate Chip Classic for greeting.

Step 3: Stamp invitation information onto whisper white insert (5″ x 3.75″) using Chocolate Chip Classic Ink.

You can barely see it in the picture, but I also stamped a large cupcake in the center with Pink Pirouette Classic Ink. This will look like a watermark behind your writing.

I used my Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write marker to write in the rest of the information.

Step 4: Now for the fun part! Take a small container and add equal parts of All Purpose Flour and Salt. I used a Sponge Dauber to measure. Mix well.

Add a few drops of water and mix to the consistency a little thicker than school glue. Add 3 drops of Pink Pirouette Classic Ink to this mixture.

Step 5: Color each cherry with a Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker. Color the stand with Going Grey, and the bottoms of each cupcake were watercolored using an aqua painter, Creamy Caramel, and Close to Cocoa Classic Ink.

When watercoloring, I very quickly and lightly colored each bottom with creamy caramel starting at the top left hand corner and working to the right. You want white spots here and there so don’ worry about that. Then do the same with Close to Cocoa Classic Ink to add a shadow. You can see the detail in the next picture.

Step 6: Using a small spatula or screwdriver, carefully place the salt and flour mixture on each cupcake. You only need a little frosting on each cupcake, just make sure you push it from the center out to the stamped outline.

Using a heat tool dry the backside of the card stock until the mixture turns from shiny to matte finish. Then use the heat tool on the front of the card stock and heat each cupcake until the frosting puffs up.

Step 7: Assemble your card, and don’t forget to use your personalized name stamp on the back of your card so the receiver knows it was handmade by you!

I hope you have fun playing around with this technique. I suggest using some of those card stock scraps that you have lying around to play with this. If you add too much mixture It might not dry in the middle. If you add too much water the puffy accents might crush because they are too delicate.

Come back for more tutorials soon!

Happy Stamping!

This is a card we made at the first Stamp-a-Stack in September. “Merry and Bright” is one of my favorite Winter stamp sets! Isn’t the little snowman so stinkin’ cute?

Details, Details, Details….

The Card Base is Real Red Card stock random stamped with snowflakes using Whisper White Craft Ink. (The Craft Ink takes a little while to dry, so after stamping you can hit it with the heat tool or just set it aside while you complete the rest of the card.)

The little guy is stamped with Basic Black Classic Ink and his scarf and hat are both colored in with a Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker. His carrot nose is colored with a Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Write Marker. Did I ever tell you that I LOVE the circle punches and Scallop Circle Punch? They are so easy to use to create a focal point and I use them together all the time. I used the 1 1/4″ circle punch for the little guy, 1 3/8″ circle punch for the Real Red Layer, and the Scallop Circle Punch for the outer Whisper White Layer. I used the Paper Piercing Tool (from the Crafter’s Tool Kit) to punch a hole in each scallop. ****Punch Tip – Stamp your image first.Flip the punch over so you are looking at the bottom. Insert paper so you can center the image in the bottom of the punch and then punch away!****

I attached the scallop circle to the card front with Dimensionals. Black Gingham Ribbon was tied around the front and the greeting is from the Warm Words Stamp Set and stamped with Basic Black Ink.

This would be a very simple card to create for your Christmas Cards this year. For your convenience I will be adding a shopping list to the bottom of each of my Christmas card samples. You can order right online by clicking on the link at the top of this page.

Shopping List:

• Real Red Card Stock #102482
• Whisper White Card Stock #100730
• Black Gingham Ribbon #104832
• 1 1/4″ Circle Punch #104403
• 1 3/8″ Circle Punch #104401
• Scallop Circle Punch # 109043
• Paper Piercing Tool (Crafter’s Tool Kit) #104310
• Basic Black Classic Ink Pad #101179
• Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker #100052
• Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Write Marker #105115
• Whisper White Craft Ink Pad #101731
• Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430
• SNAIL Adhesive #104332

Happy Stamping!

Erin’s wedding colors are Chocolate, Celery, and Gold. The gold is just an accent color, and I was looking for a way to add just a hint of gold in her invitations, but couldn’t figure out where. I don’t know if you can see it in the picture, but the Monogram is attached to the Certainly Celery Ribbon with Gold Cording. It seems to have just the right touch!

I would also like to direct your attention to the nicely tied bow! Yes, you guessed I tied 140 of those babies! I used to be very inconsistent with my bow tying. They would come out different every time. Well, lets just say I don’t have that problem any more…LOL! At some point in time I am going to create a bow tying tutorial with a little tip for how to tie a nice tight bow! They would always slip on me before, but not any more!!

Here is a picture of the inside of her invites. Sorry, I had to distort some of the information since the wedding hasn’t happened yet. Everything you see here was printed at home. I formatted all the inserts and invitation in Microsoft Word and printed in Chocolate Chip Ink to match the Chocolate Chip Card Stock!

SO, what do you think? I just wish I knew how to do this when I got married (way back when…LOL!)

Oh, I almost forgot! Here is what 140 Pocket Fold Invitations looks like when they are done! I hope you enjoyed following me throughout my Adventures with Wedding Invitations.

I would love to hear what you think, so leave a comment below!

Happy Stamping!

First of all there are a few basic supplies you will need (all products can be found in the Stampin’ Up! Idea Book and Catalog and I have page numbers listed for you):

• Card Stock (pages 162-166)
• VersaMark Ink (page 193)
• Embossing Powder (page 190)
• Embossing Buddy (page 190)
• Heat Tool (page 190)
• Powder Pal Tray (page 190)
• Rubber Stamps (can be found throughout the catalog)

Step 1: Rub the Embossing Buddy across the Card Stock to reduce static. This prevents the Embossing Powder from sticking where you don’t want it to.

Step 2: Stamp the image on Card Stock using VersaMark Ink.

Step 3: Hold your stamped Card Stock over a Powder Pals tray. Pour Embossing Powder over the stamped image, then shake off the excess.

Step 4: Heat the stamped image, using a Heat Tool, until it turns shiny.

Here is a better picture displaying the raised, shiny image…

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, and that it inspires you to try heat embossing. If you would like to see the items used in this tutorial Click Here to view the Fall-Winter Idea Book and Catalog.

As always contact me anytime if you would like to place an order. I can ship your embossing supplies directly to your door anywhere in the U.S.

Happy Stamping!

I am making Pocket Folder invitations. This is what the finished portfolio will look like:

I am using one full 8 1/2″X 11″ piece of Chocolate Chip to make each portfolio. The stamped image is from the “Together Forever” stamp set, and is heat embossed with VersaMark and Clear Embossing Powder. (I will be posting a separate tutorial on embossing)

And here is what 140 Invitation Portfolios look like before they are assembled:

I am using Sticky Strip to adhere the tab you see on the bottom of the picture, in order to make the pocket.

Well, that is the first step on my Invitation Journey. Check back soon for a tutorial on embossing as well as more pictures of my Sister-In-Law’s Invitations!

Happy Stamping!

Although I didn’t play with my Big Shot last night, I did create a bookmark card for the “And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street!” Challenge (AUG08VSNC). I decided to create a bookmark with Flight of the Butterfly (pg. 99 in IBC*) but couldn’t decide on a layout or color combo. SO, where did I go for inspiration? My Fall-Winter IBC of course! When I am stuck for ideas I turn to the page that the stamp set is displayed and see what I can find. In this CASE I used the layout from the card and the scallop butterfly idea from the swizzle sticks. If you don’t have the most recent Idea Book and Catalog yet contact me and I would love to send one out to you!

The card base is Rose Red Card stock(4 1/4″ x 11″). The greeting is stamped on Whisper White card stock with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink. The sample in the catalog had an Old Olive brad at the end of the greeting, and I don’t have any. So, I punched out a circle with Old Olive card stock and added Crystal Effects to the top! It looks just like a brad! I cut the Pumpkin Pie Card stock 3/4″ larger than the Whisper White Card stock, then used the Scallop Edge punch on the bottom. Whisper White is adhered to Pumpkin Pie and then Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon is tied around the top. Before attaching this layer to the card base create the bookmark first.

The bookmark is made with a Jumbo Paperclip I purchased from Staples. I punched out 4 Old Olive scallop circles with my Scallop Circle Punch. Tombo Multipurpose adhesive was used to adhere two scallops together, so now you have two thicker scallops (like chipboard)instead of four. The Rose Red center was punched with the 1 1/4″ circle punch.The butterfly was stamped with More Mustard classic ink on Whisper White card stock (stamping off on scrap paper first to make image lighter). The flowers were stamped with Rose Red Classic Ink. I adhered the center of the butterfly to the rose red circle with Tombo Multipurpose, and the wings with Dimensionals. Four Pop-UP Glue Dots were used to adhere the two scallops together at the top of the bookmark.

To put the entire card together I added sticky strip down both sides of the Pumpkin Pie Layer. Then placed the bookmark where I wanted it to be on that layer. I added Sticky Strip once more on the other side of the bookmark, to create a pocket. I removed the red liner and placed the layer onto the card base and added my bookmark to the card! All this while watching “Pearl Harbor” on my computer!

I had such a great time making this card. Try it yourself and attach a link to your card, I would love to see it!

Happy Stamping!

This “Note of Thanks Box” was fun to make. It is a basic box with scallop punched DSP added to the top. Very basic, no big deal. The fun part was making the rosette. It is made with our new Pink Pirouette 1 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon. Using linen thread I stitched along the edge of the Ribbon with stitches about 1/4″ apart. Then I pulled the thread and gathered the ribbon into a circle to make the rosette. I tied a knot at the end to hold it together. The glitter is added to the end of the ribbon with crystal effects!

This is project #3 which I didn’t get to finish putting together at the MNT session. I just barely stamped everything, LOL! This is the “For You Mini Album” made with Love Notes Cards and Envelopes! LOVE IT! This is going to be one of the projects at my open house this weekend. This picture does not show it clearly, but there are little orange beads attached to the front with crystal effects. I swear I don’t use that stuff enough! Lots of great ideas at Convention this year!

OK, so this project was not even made by me! My friend Kathy White completed the dry embossing for me because we really had to go. The image is created by lightly using the brayer on the debossed side and accenting with the white signo gel pen. Thank you Kathy for stamping this so I could put it together later!!

You may be asking yourself…why didn’t you get to finish your projects? Well, I played mother hen for a little while. I went to convention with a wonderful group of women that love to spend time with! Most of them live an hour away from me and we don’t get to stamp together very often. I was trying to get everyone together at the same table to stamp together. (Staying together is virtually impossible at Convention without a cell phone. Then if you have a cell phone it is almost that impossible to hear it ring over the 5-6,000 people that are there!) Anyway, I started stamping a little later than everyone else because I was trying to find everyone that was separated from the group. I really had a great time at Convention this year and hope we can do it all together again next year! You guys ROCK!!

Happy Stamping!