Monday, July 30, 2007

Another Pattern Paper Example

Here is a simpler example that uses pattern paper. The layout is simple and can be used with just about any stamp set. You can easily put a picture image where I have the sentiment. You could also turn it 90* counterclockwise for a whole new look.
I really do like the "Dashing" Designer Series Paper. This is another one of the prints that comes in the pack. The colors are wonderful and reflected in the cardstock colors I have used. The main background is Old Olive. This is a standard (4.25" x 5.5") sized card. The pattern paper is placed with some of the card base showing on the left to create it's own mat. To show off the right edge I placed a piece of 5/8" red grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment is from the "Merry, Merry" stamp set. Stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla and layered on Real Red cardstock it reflects the colors in the pattern paper. The snowflake is from the same stamp set. It is stamped in Old Olive and layered on River Rock, also in the pattern paper. This quick simple card can have lots of uses. The word "Baby" with small rattle image on blue or pinks would be perfectly simple for all your baby needs.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Using pattern paper

I encourage you to work pattern paper into your next project. Pattern paper can be a nice way to add dimention and focus the eye of the main image on the same time. When designing your next card use pattern paper on one of the layers. Add a strip behind your main image.

To help clean the lines between your pattern paper and main background or images, be sure to mat your pattern paper also. Just as with any layer, matting helps to define the area.
Here is todays example.
This Halloween card uses two pieces of pattern paper. They are both from the Creepy Crawly Designer Collection. I helped to define each piece by matting it in either Whisper White or Basic Black. The colors within the paper are More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black and River Rock.
The main image here is created with the "Carved & Candelit" stamp set. I masked the images so the pumpkins would overlap each other a little. The faces in the set are interchangable and there is also a scary face to choose from. Both pumpkins are stamped in Pumpkin Pie with Basic Black faces. The stems are stamped in Old Olive. It is actually the same stem stamp turned a different direction for each pumpkin.
Again I matted the main image on Basic Black cardstock. The "Happy Halloween" is from "Holidays & Wishes". The words actually come as one line, but by inking onvly a portion of the stamp at a time, I was able to have the words one under the other. The words were punched out with a 1 1/4" circle punch and layered on Pumpkin Pie cardstock cut with the 1 3/8" circle punch.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Toile as Inspiration

It has been awhile since I've had the chance to stamp. I found a few hours yesterday and will show you my cards over the next few days.
The card I have to show you today is not the first card I made last night, but it is one of my favorites. I got the inspiration of Toile from SCS. Basically, stamping toile means one color ink and paper onto a neutral white or cream. A few basic accessories that also match in color.

Here I used Purely Pomegrantate and Whisper White. The ribbon is also Purely Pomegranate. A little ticket corner punch and white gel pen on the corners of the main image to add something simple. The stamp set I used is "Lovely as a Tree". I earned this set for free from Stampin' Up for consistant sales.

If you want to make toile cards with your family and friends or are interested in learning how to earn free stamps by being a demonstrator, please contact me today.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Just a momment

Unfortunately, there are times in every stampers life when you just can't find time to stamp. These last few days have been one of mine. We are constructing a shed in our backyard. We have spent two days now getting permits and laying the foundation.
When we finish at night (because we can no longer see in the dark), my arms are too tired to brush my hair, much less stamp a card.
I hope that this break in my stamping will be over soon and we will have a beautiful new shed to store our outdoor things. I am half way through the MEGA swap I am working on.
I thank everyone who has been checking here for new ideas. I will be back soon with some great new things.
Meanwhile, check out these great blogs.
http://www.atouchfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
http://www.stamping101.blogspot.com/
http://www.thestampingspot.blogspot.com/
http://www.paisleyscraps.blogspot.com/
http://papercookies.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Jumping Birthday

I have been very busy with some personal things the last couple of days, but I found this cute card in my archives. I had wanted this stamp set for the longest time. I was glad to see that they kept it in the new catalog. My favorite part of this card is that the frog jumps over the mushroom. He is connected by a strip of cardstock to the center of the mushroom that pivits on a brad in one of the mushroom spots. ENJOY!
Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

There are not many layers to this card. The background is Soft Sky that I sponged with a little White Craft Ink for clouds. The bottom strip is the "Daisy" wheel rolled in Basic Black ink on Whisper White cardstock. The scan is really bright, but the bottom is colored in with various green Watercolor Wonder Crayons. I then used a blender pen to blend the colors together and shade the grass area.
The flowers, mushroom and from are colored in with various Earth Element Markers. The spots on the mushroom are colored Bashful Blue and I used a Bashful Blue brad to connect the frog to the strip. The frog, mushroom and words are from the stamp set "Unfrogettable".
Have a "Hoppy"Day!!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Choose Your Purpose

Sorry this came so late today. It has been busy here. I am working on a massive swap. My hand is cramped from punching cardstock over 450 times.
Todays project suites multiple purposes. It is a quick and simple scrapbook page, or an equally simple 6x3 card. The picture is on the scrapbook page. If you don't scrapbook simply score the card horizontally at 3" and fold in half for a cute long card.
Images Copyright Stampi' Up! 1990-2007
The background of the card is Certainly Celery. The motifs swirl in the right hand corner is made with the versamark ink pad. It shades the cardstock one shade darker creating a watermark. I then added the Barely Banana strip at the bottom and stamped "cherish" from the "Baroque Motifs" stamp set in Basic Black ink.
The flower image is stamped in Cameo Coral to match the photo mat in the center of the page. I cut the flower out with paper snips and layered it on a piece of Rose Red cardstock. It held in the center with a brad.
If you want a card eliminate the Cameo Coral photo mat and move the swirls down so they cover more of the front of the card. Score at 3" and fold in half. Now you have a quick, simple, elegant 6x3 card that fits perfectly in a small open end envelope.

Monday, July 16, 2007

I've Been Tagged

Today you get two posts from me. Scroll down for today's cards and instructions.
I've been tagged! Acording to the rules I have to give you 7 random things about me, Tag 7 people and leave them a comment that they have been tagged.

7 Random things about me:
1. I am 9 years older than me WONDERFUL husband!
2. I used to teach music in the Catholic School systems in Toledo, Ohio.
3. I no longer hate living in the state of Oklahoma.
4. I LOVE NASCAR! Go Jr!!
5. I can also crochete. I have made a blanket for each of my children.
6. I have been a proud member of the mini van club for 4 months now. One day hope to be a full-fledged soccer mom.
7. I like to read. I am now re-reading the Potter books before my new book 7 arrives on Saturday.

I know the rules state that I am supposed to tag 7 more bloggers. I hate to be the one to break the chain. I know part of the purpose is to learn more about other people. I guess if I listed 8 things about me, the last would say that I like to tell people about me, but hate to ask strangers about themselves. I have only been blogging for two weeks now and don't know anyone else. Maybe I will tag people another time, for now please settle for learning about me.

-------edit-------
OMG! I just saw that my counter went from 29 to 98 in one day. I thank all who are visiting. I will trace some of them back and tag some people for tommorow.

New Ribbons!!

Who doesn't like new ribbon? I LOVE new ribbons. SU! got several new types of ribbon in the new catalog. They still have the 1/4" grosgrain in the most popular colors, but have now added a 5/8" grosgrain in several colors. They did get rid of the organdy ribbon, but have a wonderful new taffata ribbon. Last year they had a single stitched ribbon to match 3 of the In Colors. This year they have a double stitched ribbon to match ALL 6 In Colors. The New Ribbon Originals are wonderful and got with several types of themes.
Here are two cards using the new ribbons. The first also features the new Pretties Kit flowers.
Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007
I am really loving this stamp set. "Priceless" has so many uses. It goes wonderfully with the new Pretties Kit also.
I started with the flowers. There are actually two. The first one is the small one in the center. It came on a small stick with the bead at the end for the center of the flower. Using my aqua painter and the ink from the lid of my classic pad I dyed the flower Soft Sky. The second flower is the second largest flower in the kit. I started by dying the outer edges Groovy Guava. I then dyed the center and some of the vein areas Purely Pomegranate. I place the little flower stick through the center of the larger flower and then through a small 1/16" hole I punched in the card to adhere it on the back.
The main card base is Groovy Guava in the standard 1/4 sheet size. The Soft Sky is cut 1/4" smaller in both directions and centered on the Guava. I stamped the small swirls on the corners of the card is Soft Sky onto the Soft Sky cardstock. This gives a nice subtle watermark look. The large swirls on the Whisper White cardstock is stamped in Groovy Guava. The butterfly is in Purely Pomegranate. Before stamping it, I colored the outline and body of the butterfly in basic black marker. I cut it out and attached it with dimentionals. "So Kind" is stamped in Basic Black. The ribbon is the new double stitched ribbon in Purely Pomegranate.


This card has the new Taffata Ribbon in Chocolate Chip. The "Happy Father's Day" is also stamped in Chocolate Chip onto Blue Bayou cardstock. The pattern paper is from the Designer Series Brocade Backgrounds. To help soften the edge from the pattern to the main card, I put a strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock behind the pattern to stick out about 1/8".
The image if from "Baroque Motifs". It is in two parts. The large part is stamped in River Rock. The smaller piece is stamped in Blue Bayou and cut out. I layered them together and held them in place with a vintage brad. They are layered on a square of Chocolate Chip adhered to the card with dimentionals.
This card layout is simple and quick. The colors can easily be changed to match any theme you need.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Smackin' Acetate

Yesterday I was tagged in a comment left on my post, but when I went to the link it was "Unavailable". I don't know how else to find the person who tagged me.
I also wanted to thank those of you who have been linking people to my blog. I am honored that you find it helpful and interesting.

Last night at our monthly club workshop we did the smackin' acetate technique. For full instructions on this technique visit the SplitCoastStampers technique resources page. Here are several of the cards that I showed them as examples of what you could do with the technique.
The information for each card is under the picture.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions about how each card was made.
ALL Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

I colored the image over the technique.
Stamp Set(s): Baby Jesus is Born, Sanded
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Brocade Blue, Hunter Green, Brilliant Blue, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, So Saffron
Accesories: Hemp Twine, Winter White EP, Dimentionals


This is also colored over the technique.
Stamps: Thouroughly Thankful
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Old Olive, Really Rust, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Earth Element Markers
Accessories: Hemp Twine, Eyelets, Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter


The images are stamped on top in the same colors as the technique.
Stamps: In The Spotlight, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Eyelets



The image is stamped in black ink over top of the technique.
Stamps: Garden Silhouettes, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Taken With Teal, Pretty in Pink, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White
Ink: Taken with Teal, Bravo Burgundy, Basic Black
Accessories: Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Designer Label Punch, Photo Corner Punch

Saturday, July 14, 2007

NEW HOUSE!!

Many of you know we moved about a month ago. We have been waiting for some final repairs to be done to the property before the VA would allow us to close on the house. Well, Friday the 13th was our lucky day. It all came together at the last minute and we are now officially HOMEOWNERS. Without going into all the details, our realtor worked very hard for us. I made her this card to thank her for all she has done.

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007
To hightlight the perfect house she helped us find, I only colored in one house on the street. The image is from a new jumbo wheel called "Neighborhood". It is a complimentary wheel to a stamp set called "All in the Family" with little stick people you can build. I think the wheel is wonderful by itself though. I colored the house with markers (Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Summer Sun and Garden Green).
For the sky I did a watercolor technique. Using my aqua painter I took some of the ink from the lid of my Brilliant Blue classic ink pad. I dabbed it on my paper to run out the bold part of the blue color and then colored in my sky behind the house.
The corners of the Whisper White were cut with the ticket corner punch. After layering it on the Summer Sun cardstock, I used my mat pack piercing template to punch little holes in a pattern. Using my Ruby Red marker I connected the dots to simulate the stitching on the card. Then layered the entire thing on my Brilliant Blue card. Since the inside was so dark to write on, I did cut an insert for the card, just smaller than the entire inside of the card.

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007
Here is another card with several of the same techniques. Again I wheeled out the "Neighborhood". You can see other houses on the wheel here. I colored all the house with various markers, mostly Bold Brights. The sky is again colored in with the aqua painter and Brilliant Blue ink. I layered the image on Brilliant Blue and cut some matching corner pieces with the new Photo Corner punch.
The "just moved" is from the "Loads of Love Accessory Set" and punched out of Whipser White cardstock with the 1" punch, and layered onto Real Red cardstock cut with the 1 1/4" circle punch. I attached them to the card with an eyelet using my crop-a-dile. The background is Gable Green cardstock. The lines were produced using Gable Green ink on my "Sanded" background stamp. (Sorry if it is hard to seen on the scan--it shows better in real life.)

Friday, July 13, 2007

What fun!

This week has gone fast. New rubber makes life so enjoyable the time has flown since the Big Brown Truck visited my house. It has been nice to have things before many others for a change. I normally look at what others have done and then place my orders, but this has been good for me. People are leaving me comments on SCS that I am influencing what they buy. It feels good. So here is some more of my work today.

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

Both cards today are from the same stamp set, "Jolliest Time of the Year". It comes with three images (tree, snowman, and santa) and a verse saying. The designer paper shown here is "Dashing". That is the name of it, though I do think it is dashing in the other sense of the word. It contains the colors Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock and Very Vanilla. All of SU! Designer paper is double sided. I took a strip of this pattern from the collection and layered it on Old Olive Cardstock. I wrapped a price of the NEW Double stiched ribbon around the edge. This is the River Rock. It also comes in the other In Colors.
The tree image was stamped in Basic Black ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock. I colored it in with Old Olive, Real Red and Summer Sun markers. It is layers on a piece of Real Red cardstock and then attached with dimentionals.
TIP: I have found that when mounting an image over top of ribbon, it is best to mounting it on dimentionals. It keep the image from bending to adhere to the card and gives it a little POP!
The sentiment "Merry Christmas" is from the "All Holidays" stamp set. It is stamped with basic black ink.

The second card is one I am making for a MEGA Swap. I have to make 112 of these. You can be certain you can make one quickly if I am going to make so many of them in a few days. (When making tons of cards the same, it helps to work factory style. Cut all the cardstock pieces first. Stamp all the images. Color all the images. Punch any holes you need and cut any ribbon necessary. Lay out all the pieces and assemble.)
The main background of the card is Real Red. The small white snowflakes are from the "Snow Flurries" stamp set. They are stamped here in White craft ink to help them show up on the cardstock. The sentiment is from "Holidays & Wishes". It is stamped in basic black ink. I encourage you on your next card to put the sentiment sideways.
The snowman image, from "Jolliest Time of the Year" is also stamped in basic black ink onto Whisper White cardstock. I then colored in parts of it with Real Red, Glorious Green, Close to Cocoa and Basic Black markers. He is layered onto a piece of Glorious Green cardstock. The edge has been punched with the spiral punch. The Brilliant Blue snowflake in the corner is from the hostess set "In The Spotlight". It is a level 2 stamp set and can be earned by holding a $300 workshop. There are several flowers and burst looking images in the set along with several words to use as flower or burst centers. This particular one fits the New Snow Blossom Punch as used here. The snow blossom is adhered to the card with a brad. I used gold here, but plan to replace it with a silver one (when my next order comes). I also accented one of the white snowflakes with a brad.

I hope you enjoyed these two Christmas cards. May they cool off your hot summer days.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

New Accessory!!

The stamp set featured here is not new to this catalog, but the accessory is. My son's 1st birthday is coming up and we are having a truck theme. This stamp set was perfect and it gave me the prime opportunity to try out the new JUMBO BRADS.

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

The "By Land" stamp set comes with three vehicles, the dump truck, a tractor and a car. It also comes with a stop sign, a stop light, and the word "beep". I stamped the truck three times in different inks, Real Red, Yo-Yo Yellow and Basic Black. I cut and layered the parts together to give a little dimention to the truck. Using my new Crop-a-Dile I attached the NEW JUMBO BRADS where the wheel centers were on the image.
The tire marks at the bottom were created with the companion wheel "Making Tracks". I rolled them out with basic black ink on the new Basic Gray cardstock. The title sentiment is stamped in two parts. The "happy" is from "Polka Dots & Paisley" and the "Birthday" is from "Sincere Salutations". The Whisper White cardstock is layered onto Yo-Yo Yellow cardstock. I attached small pieces of black gingham ribbon on the back. The holes at the top were created with a push pin. I used the piercing template from the mat pack to make sure they were even and straight. This card took less than 10 minutes to make.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

NEW STUFF!!

Yesterday was fun. I made index cards for 3 sets for the SCS website. That took sometime, but I was glad to contribute. I then set to make a few new cards. Here is one of my favorites. I know it is a little early for Halloween, but I love this new stuff.

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

I rolled the "Batty" Jumbo Wheel on Whisper White paper and cut out the "Scaredy Cat". The emblem is in several quick parts. Starting from the outside in......
basic black cardstock punched with scallop punch,
pumpkin pie cardstock with 1 3/8" circle punch,
"Batty for You" cat stamp in basic black on whisper white cardstock cut out with 1 1/4" circle punch,
"Batty for You" in Pumpkin pie cut out with 1" circle punch.
All layers are then held together in order with snail adhesive.
The main cardstock page is Really Rust. The designer paper at the bottom is the new "Creepy Crawly" double sided paper. This print contains, Whisper White, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black. Other prints also have River Rock in them. The ribbon is white grosgrain to clean the line between the designer paper and cardstock.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

The Big Brown Truck

He finally came a little after 7:00 pm last night. The first half of my new catalog order is here. I spent three hours last night mounting 13 stamp sets. Be sure to check back tomorrow for some new things.
All I can tell you right now is, how did I live this long without a crop-a-dile. I am going to be eyelet crazy now. So much easier and I love the depth gage on the side.
See you tomorrow.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Cards without works

Sometimes all we need is a simple card to write a quick message to the teacher or neighbor. It is not necessary to have words on the outside or stamped on the inside. Here is a simple card for just that very purpose.

Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

I used a level 2 hostess stamp set. Demos were allowed to purchase one last month, but you can earn it by hosting a $300 workshop. "Garden Silhouettes" has several flower stamps and two small words. You can color all the different parts with markers, but I chose to just use the silhouette look. I stamped the image in Rose Red on Whisper White cardstock. I like the scallopped look that is popular today, but I wanted my scallops to be different colors. I punched Rose Red and Brocade Blue cardstock with the 3/4" circle punch. I lined them up on Regal Rose cardstock to simulate a scallopped edge. The left side corners are punched with the ticket corner punch. The white grosgrain ribbon is thread through holes made by the slot punch and tied in the front. The background cardstock is also Brocade Blue.
Try making some simple note style cards without word today.
Happy stampin'

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Here's Another

I am on the "Pick-a-Petal" kick and using it for other items than flowers. Here is another.
Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

The concept it the same as the butterfly from yesterday, use the petals to make the wings of the bug. The wings are stamped with the same outline doodle stamp in the set. This time I stamped them onto Rose Red cardstock. The body was formed with 3/4" circles cut from Old Olive cardstock. The antanea are drawn on with a black journaling pen.
The sentiment at the bottom is from the "Much Appreciated" stamp set. It is stamped in Basic Black on to the Whisper White paper. Using the color blocking technique from last week the final area of the card was filled in with a strip of designer paper from the Polka Dots & Petals collection. The dots on the paper are the same colors as the dragonfly and background cardstock.
Everything is then layered onto Tempting Turquoise cardstock.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Pick-a-Petal Butterfly

I mentioned yesterday that you can make more than flowers with the "Pick-a-Petal" Stamp Set. Here is another example of that.


Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

I used the doodle line petal to make the wings. I simply stamped in basic black ink on Pale Plum and Pretty in Pink cardstock. I cut them with my paper snips. Wa-La WINGS! The body of the butterfly was punched from River Rock cardstock using the word window punch. The head is also river rock. I advise using the 1/2" hole punch, though I did cut mine by hand. The face and antenea are drawn on with the black journaling pen.
The butterfly in attached to the half circle cut from Whisper White cardstock using the circle Coluzzle System. It is then layered onto Soft Sky cardstock. The sentiment "sweet little one" is from the "Holidays & Wishes" Stamp Set.
This simple card is perfect for a little girls birthday or a baby shower card. The butterfly could easily be used as an embelishment on a coordinating scrapbook page.
Happy Stampin' Everyone!

Friday, July 6, 2007

Paper Piecing

Paper Piecing is the art of taking small pieces to make an object. "Pick a Petal" from the new Fall/Winter Collection is a prime example of this technique. The stamp set includes several pattern petals in two different sizes to make flowers or objects of all kinds. The set also has several flower centers to complete the look.

Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007
This card is a prime example of paper piecing to make what the stamp set was intended to do. I stamped the petals with Brilliant Blue onto Whisper White carstock and cut them out with my sissors. The leaf is a different petal design that I stamped in Old Olive ink.


I punched the flower center out of Tempting Turquoise with a 3/4" circle punch. I used a scrap strip of Tempting Turquoise to make the band on the flowerpot and folded another piece for the bow. The stem is a scrap of Old Olive. The flower pot itself is pattern paper from the Polka Dots & Petals Designer Series Collection. I also added a rhinestone brad to the flower center for decoration. The rhinstone brads come in Fire or Ice and Circle or Square. This is an ice circle.


Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007
This card uses the same stamp set. The wings and body of the ladybug are also flower petals. The flower the bug is going to is one of the flower center options. The wings are stamped in Purely Pomegranate and the flower is Groovy Guava. The head is basic black punched with a 1 3/4" circle punch that was cut to make the flat edge and layer on the wings.
The center of the flower is a neutral button tied with linen thread. It is on a glue dot and placed atop of the vines from the "Baroque Motifs" stamp set in Wild Wasabi ink. The "thanks" is from the "Much Appreciated" stamp set in basic black ink.

The "Pick-a-Petal" stamp set is also perfect for making butterflies and bumble bees. You can layer up the petals to make huge flowers or one last petal on a stem. The ideas are endless.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

The Red, White & Blue



I hope everyone had a good 4th of July. Here are two cards that I was inspired to make yesterday.




Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007


For the first card I wanted some fireworks and to represent the flag. The fireworks are actually snowflakes from the "Snow Flurries" stamp set. They are stamped in white craft ink on Brilliant Blue cardstock.

I don't have a number set yet, so the 4 is hand drawn. The "th" is stamped in Brilliant Blue using the "Rough Edges Alphabet" The "Happy" is from "Polka Dots & Paisley" stamp set. It is also stamped in white craft ink onto a piece of chipboard that was covered in Real Red ink and edged in basic black.

The stripes at the bottom of the card is made with Real Red Grosgrain ribbon. They add a nice textured effect to the card without having to be a bow.

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007


For the second card I wanted to stick with the Red, White and Blue theme. I used a level 2 hostess stamp set "Garden Silhouettes". I colored the stamp with my markers to get the multiple colors. I then "huffed" on the image and stamped it on Whisper White cardstock. The "Welcome" from the "Warm Words" stamp set is stamped in white craft ink and them embossed with Winter White Embossing Powder. I tied a piece of white grosgrain ribbon around the Real Red cardstock scrap piece to create a little dimention to the card.
This card could be used to welcome someone to the armed services or group you belong to. My favorite use would be to "WELCOME HOME" a troop from overseas. Stamp "HOME" in large letters on the inside of the card.




Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Happy 4th of July

I don't have any 4th of July items right now. Maybe I will try and make one later to celebrate the day. So, how about a change of pace today and we'll have a scrapbook page.

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

This page is 8 1/2" X 11", but the border strips could easily be put onto a 12 X 12 page to allow for more pictures. The stamp set I used was carried over from last year into the new catalog. It has two coordinating wheels with it, also pictured here. One wheel has the "Daisy" flowers and grass blades at the bottom and the other is the "Lily Pads" with flowers at the top. Both were rolled out with basic black ink onto Certainly Celery cardstock.
I then stamped several images from the stamp set "Unfrogettable" onto whisper white cardstock and colored them in with various Earth Element Markers. I then cut the images out and attached them with snail adhesive.

For the top border I rolled the wheel onto whisper white to color in and cut out the flowers. The larger letters are made with the "Headline Alphabet" and the smaller letters are "Rough Edges Alphabet" Again they are stamped onto Whisper White cardstock and then cut out to adhear to the page with snail adhesive. The main page background color is Summer Sun from the Earth Elements color family.

I didn't add any other ribbon or embelishments as I felt there was already a lot going on here. A little piece of hardware would look nice on the egde of the journaling block. There is also a dragonfly image in the stamp set and several sayings.

I hope everyone has a "Hoppin" 4th of July.

Happy Stampin'

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

As promissed here is an example of a hostess set. This is the "Vogue Vases" from level 3. I wasn't too sure if I really liked it at first, but it has become useful in making simple cards for thank you's and general notes.


Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

I used a color blocking technique to showcase the image and saying. "Vogue Vases" is a two step stamping set. There are three vases and several flowers stems to choose from. Using the masking technique I put the flowers in the vase with basic black ink on whisper white cardstock. I colored in the vase bottom and flowers with a blender pen and the ink from the lid of my groovy guava ink pad.
The dots on the right were made with the new "See You Around" jumbo wheel. I don't have a jumbo white cartridge, so I inked up my wheel by running it over my white craft pad. It is rolled onto Goovy Guava cardstock. The whole thing is pieced together on Soft Sky cardstock.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Another Example

I really like the "Baroque Motifs" stamp set I showed you yesterday, so I thought I would show you some more of it.


Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007


These images are also from "Baroque Motifs". The larger image on the strip is stamped in Blue Bayou on Whisper White cardstock. I cut it out the my sissors, but SU! now has a scallop punch that fits this shape. (It's on my order this week.) The smaller ones are stamped in Purely Pomegranate and cut out like yesterdays flowers. This time I layered them on a basic black circle cut with the 3/4" circle punch. They are then adheared to a strip of black gingham ribbon.
The word "kind" is also part of this stamp set. The offset of the layers gives the card a little dimention and allows the room for the decorative dots. The dots are made with the white signo gel pen. I just eyed them this time, but the mat pack w/piercing template is on my order also, to make this much easier in the future. The main card color is also Blue Bayou to match the larger image. The pattern paper is So Saffrom Designer Prints now available in 16 colors in a 12 X 12 size.



Check out this blog again tomorrow for more new catalog stamp sets, hostess sets and In Colors.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

WELCOME STAMPERS!!

With the new Fall/Winter Catalog coming out today, I thought this would be a great time to start a stamping blog. My goal is to post several times a week, with new cards, instructions, techniques, tips and news from Stampin' Up! and my workshop.


To get us started here is the cover of the new catalog. I enjoyed opening my shippment of them on Friday night with several friends. I have gone through it many many times since receiving it and can honestly say it is the best idea book and catalog yet. The pictures are brighter, the layout is easy to follow and the project samples are fabulous. There are new products including all new double sided designer paper and jumbo eyelets to textured paper and TONS of new stamp sets.






The New In Colors are wonderful. I personally like them more than last years. The bright colors just speak to me. The Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate are perfect for Christmas and the Soft Sky and River Rock have a nice calming way to them. How could you not like colors with names like Blue Bayou and Groovy Guava?


Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007


Here is the first card I made when I got my new catalog preview order. The scanner does pick up greens well. I hope to fix that soon. The stamp set used is "Baroque Motifs". The vines the large stamp makes is perfect for flowers or just as a background. It is stamped here in the new Wild Wasabi. The flowers are stamped in Purely Pomegranate, cut out with paper snips and then attached with dimentionals to make them stand out on the vine. The ticket corner punch adds a nice touch to the Whisper White layer on Purely Pomegranate Cardstock. The "cherish" is stamped in basic black ink.
This stamp sets is one of my favorites already. It can be dressed up for weddings or used for all sorts of everyday cards like thankk you's. The vines make a wonderful decoration to a scrapbook page.

I hope you will enjoy this blog as much as I will.