Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Teaching an Old Salt to Stamp

My father is retired Navy. My father wants to make cards(!). My father also happens to be in New Jersey, spending the winter with his sister. I am in southern California, which presents somewhat of a challenge....long distance learning and all. So, my solution to this challenge is to create a series of short videos uploaded to YouTube (available to him only), showing him the basics of stamping. I've already sent him my old Paper Cutter, a spare bone folder and an adhesive tape runner (with refill).

The first video was on how to use these tools, and the different types of stamps (clear polymer, rubber, clear mount rubber), the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how to use SU wood mount and clear mount stamps.

The second video delved into ink types, the uses of each, how to open the Stampin' Up! ink pads, the different types of cardstock, and how to navigate the catalog.

Next, we got into the heart of the craft with inking up stamps, basic stamping techniques, trouble shooting, marker-to-stamp, coloring with ink pads and blender pens, and cleaning the stamps.

The last one covers adding effects with basic tools; different ways to make background paper (background stamps, block stamping, dragging ink pad over cardstock, VersaMark stamping) and effects like sponging edges, distressing, and using dimensionals.

These are the simple cards I made from demonstrating the techniques. When he's ready to take on more challenging techniques (Brads! Tying bows!), I'll make some more videos. I hope he's inspired by them. Next on the agenda - Dad choosing cardstock, ink and stamps!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Muchas Gracias!

Many thanks! These are a few of the Thank You cards I made to tuck in customers' bags. They are much prettier than the picture shows. I am so grateful for the friends I've made through stamping - such a lovely, creative, diverse group of people!!!


Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Day of Gratitude
Cardstock: Whisper White
Ink: Concord Crush, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler and Wisteria Wonder Baker's Twine, Buttons, Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder, Blossom Punch

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

So, What is YOUR Favorite in the Mini?

That's the theme of this week's challenge at SUO Challenges! Create something using your favorite stamp set or item from the new Occasions Mini. Well, as much as I love nearly EVERYTHING in that catalog (except the gnomes....I just don't get the appeal), I was head-over-heels ecstatic when I saw the Framelits and Edgelits. I've been longing for thin metal dies, made by our very own company, for like, EVAH!

And, apparently, so has much of the rest of our Design Team, because most of us used them, one way or another, in our cards this week, tee-hee! Hey, we know a good thing when we see it.  I was really tempted to use the Bordering on Romance stamp set, too.....so glad I didn't, now that I see what my peeps designed! Long-time followers know that I have to gear up for all the February birthdays coming up, so I went with Crazy for Cupcakes instead.

Thanks for stopping by, and I can't wait to see what YOU choose as a fave from the mini. Maybe one of you can convince me that gnomes are awesome.
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, Bring on the Cake
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip, White Cardstock Vellum
Ink: Cotton White Staz-On, Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede, and Basic Black Classic Pads, plus Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Little Leaves Sizzlits die, Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, Boho Blossoms Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon, Circle Rhinestone Brads, Blender Pens

Friday, January 20, 2012

CASEing Rosalie's Swaps

My upline, Rosalie, is at the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference as I write this, and I am sooooo bummed I didn't go. This is the first year I've qualified, but I had to choose between Leadership or Convention in July. So I'm sitting here at home, feeling sorry for myself, when I see all the fabulous fun they are having in San Antonio.
This card is pretty much a direct CASE of the swaps Rosalie made to take to Leadership. She made 100 of them! The only thing I did differently was the greeting, and instead of the Small Heart Punch, I used the smaller heart from the Owl Builder Punch. Isn't it fab?!

Oh!  And the SU roving reporters have been posting pictures on Facebook, and in one of them a demo is holding up one of Rosalie's swaps! They're famous!

Stamps: You're My Type
Cardstock: Basic Black,Whisper White, Basic Gray DSP (Neutrals Collection Pack)
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Real Red Classic
Accessories: Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Gold Brad, Owl Builder Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Faux Tile, Real Love

The theme this week at SUO Challenges is to try a new technique, or one you haven't done in a while. My friend Jennifer Timko's Faux Tile card inspired me to try this technique. It was easy-peasy with the Simply Scored scoring tool, and most of the elements are things you can get for free when Sale-A-Bration starts!!! How cool is that?!

Using the small end of the stylus, score each "grout" line several times - you want a deep impression. Then stamp your image over it, being careful not to press too hard or you'll get ink in the grout (and we all know what a pain it is to clean grout, lol).

Poppy Parade was used first, then Crumb Cake was ever-so-lightly burnished on the edges of the tiles to really make 'em pop. Not that you'd want tiles popping in real life, but you get the picture.

This also qualifies for Shelli Gardner's Simply Stunning Challenge. Simple? Yes, definitely! Stunning? I think the color combo is stunning, so yes to that, too!

Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB), Outlined Occasions (SAB)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink: Poppy Parade and Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pads, plus Poppy Parade Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Decorative Label Punch, Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Sponge Dauber, Stampin' Dimensionals

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The "Practice" Stamp

The image used on this card was the practice image that was stamped for this card. It turned out so well (they frequently don't the first time), that I couldn't just throw it away so it, combined with another practice scrap (the frame), turned into a birthday card. Birthday cards are another item I need to stock up on, so this will be a good start!

Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB), On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black Classic, plus Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Holiday Windows Movers & Shapers dies, Basic Black Striped 1-1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Monday, January 16, 2012

Simply Thanks

Sometimes, simple packs a more powerful message than elaborate, and that's what I really hope this card conveys. This card on Pinterest was the inspiration when I sat down to make a bunch of Thank You cards. One of my (many) goals this year is to send more cards, especially ones that express my gratitude. I really must stock up on them so they will be handy when I need them, since I am blessed with so many people in my life to which I know I'll owe a debt of gratitude, in one way or another, this year.

Shelli Gardner's theme for this month's So Shelli Challenge is a "Simply Stunning" Creative Challenge, so I think this qualifies. Well, it's simple, anyway......don't know about the stunning part. Maybe if it whacked you on the head you'd be stunned. ;-)

The name of the card is "Simply Thanks" because I used my Simply Scored Scoring Tool to highlight the embossed hearts from the Adorning Accents embossing folders set. Zip, zip and done!

I LOVE creating cards (no surprise there, right?) but the problem in the past has been actually sending them, once they were made. Operation Write Home has helped find good homes for many of them, but I want to spread more RAK around.
Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net
So don't be surprised if, out of the blue, you find a little something in your mailbox (that is, if I know your address, lol)!

Stamp: Pocket Silhouettes (inked just the 'thanks' on the sentiment)
Cardstock: Whisper White Textured, Rose Red, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette
Ink: Rose Red Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Heart to Heart Punch, Tombow Mono Multi Adhesive

Friday, January 13, 2012

Fresh Vintage Birthday

One of the new stamp sets from Sale-A-Bration (starts Jan. 24th!), is called Fresh Vintage, and is an absolutely lovely little set, all by itself. The fact that you can get it for FREE is icing on the cake! This card was inspired by another card I saw on Pinterest. I liked the way the frames were die cut into the layers, and knew it would be perfect for this birthday card.
Coloring is so much fun, whether it's coloring in a stamped image, or coloring on the stamp itself with markers, as was done here. The butterfly is made from Very Vanilla cardstock sprayed with Gold Smooch Spritz and cardstock weight vellum. The layer of vellum between the Very Vanilla layers gives it a somewhat ethereal look, but you can't really see it in the photo.
When using the Labels Collection Framelits dies, I cut both the DSP and the cardstock at the same time with the smaller frame (using Dotto to keep the layers from shifting). That made it easier to center the larger frame on just the DSP layer to make everything line up nicely. Both layers are popped up on dimensionals for extra depth.

Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB item), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Pool Party, Very Vanilla, White Vellum Cardstock, Attic Boutique DSP
Ink: Soft Suede Classic plus Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Gold Smooch Spritz, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Big Shot, Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

And yes, I know the DSP is upside down. Shhhhh, maybe no one will notice!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

SUOC36 - Try a New Technique!

The theme at SUO Challenges this week it to try a new, or fairly new, technique (or one you haven't done in a while). Emboss resist has been around for quite some time but, for some reason, I've only tried it a couple times. So I think this falls under the "fairly new" (to me) category.
The tea cups were heat embossed on the DSP with VersaMark and white EP, then lightly sponged over with Rose Red Classic ink. It really makes the cups pop! If the color sticks too much to the embossed image, lightly buff with a dry tissue, or do what I did - barely moisten a cotton swab and carefully remove the excess ink.

It's funny, when I got to preview the new Occasions Mini catalog, the Tea Shoppe set didn't really appeal to me.  I thought "Meh, take it or leave it." But the more I saw it, and saw things made with it, the more I grew to love it. Now I think it's my favorite new set! Same with the Attic Boutique DSP.

Does that ever happen to you? Maybe one or two of the new In Colors don't make you swoon, but after a sort while, all of a sudden, those are the only ones you're grabbing for nearly every project? Or you see a stamp set and think, 'Gah! What were they thinking?!' and it ends up being a "must have"?  Well, let me tell ya.....it happens to me ALL. THE. TIME.
Stamps: Tea Shoppe
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Attic Boutique DSP
Ink: VersaMark, Rose Red Classic
Accessories: White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Stampin' Sponges, Rose Red 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Mini Glue Dots

Monday, January 9, 2012

Tea Party

Did you ever play tea party when you were little? I know I did, probably under the same tree where I played house at my great-grandmother's. Which, I've since learned, was not a willow, but a weeping mulberry. Interest in botany didn't come until much later, lol.

But when I grew up, coffee became my hot beverage of choice. Guess I needed the extra caffeine kick.  Anyhoo, the stamps in the new Tea Shoppe set remind me so much of tea sets I played with as a child. And the Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper is a perfect match. The combination transports me back to a more innocent, genteel time.

Stamps: Tea Shoppe
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Attic Boutique DSP
Ink: Soft Suede Classic
Accessories: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies, Adorning Accents embossing folders, Baja Breeze 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Scallop Oval Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Just My Type...


...of card; quick and easy!!  This was the card we make at yesterday's Occasions Mini Open House. It was inspired by Adriana's card here, and was the perfect make 'n' take, because it went together very quickly!

Stamp: You're My Type
Cardstock: Naturals Ivory, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Real Red, Attic Boutique DSP, First Edition DSP
Ink: Basic Black Classic
Accessories, Boho Blossoms Punch, Real Red Brad (Brights Collection)

Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Other Baby

Here's the other card I made for baby baby. The Daffodil Delight really pops on the Marina Mist Background! Same layout as before, so it went together really quickly.

Stamps: Packed for Baby, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Marina Mist DSP
Ink: Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Poppy Parade, Pacific Point, Peach Parfait, and Basic Black Classic
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots folder, Square Lattice folder, Marina Mist 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Mini Brads, Decorative Label Punch, Blender Pens, Crystal Effects

Friday, January 6, 2012

I {Heart} Hearts

This card on Pinterest (so many great ideas, so little time to do them all!) inspired me to make something similar. The way the Heart-to-Heart punch was used was so clever.

Not having red cardstock with white polka-dots wasn't a problem - I simply used the Dot-Dot-Dot stamp and made my own!

Stamp: Sweetheart, Dot-Dot-Dot
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic, Whisper White Craft
Accessories: White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon, Heart-to-Heart Punch, Oval Punch (retired), Large Oval Punch

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Baby, Baby!

Two people that I know had babies recently, and since I just got the Packed for Baby stamp, it was the perfect time to ink it up and play! I love that you could pick out any of the elements, and just cut them out if you wanted to. But I didn't. No time for fussy cutting right now!

The baby bottle has a layer of Crystal Effects over it to make it look glassy, as you can see in the close-up!

Well, gotta go plan the make 'n takes for this Saturday's Occasions Mini Open House! Looks like the turn out will be good.

Stamps: Packed for Baby, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Pretty In Pink, Whisper White, Pretty In Pink DSP
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Poppy Parade, Pacific Point, Peach Parfait, and Basic Black Classic, plus Whisper White Craft
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots folder, Square Lattice folder, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Silver Mini Brads, Decorative Label Punch, Pearls Basic Jewels, Blender Pens, Crystal Effects

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Organizing!

Here's a super-easy card using the Sweet Moments Simply Sent kit. I needed a quick card to tuck into a customer's bag, and this went together in less than ten minutes, including the embossing and bow-tying!

You may not hear from me much this week, because I'm trying to make my craft room organized and more efficient.  You have no idea what a monumental task that is going to be! If you don't hear from me within a week, send in a search party, okay?
Stamp: Workshop Words (available to 2011 Convention attendees only)
Cardstock: Sweet Moments Simply Sent
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic
Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Satin Ribbon (included in kit), Pearls Basic Jewels (included in kit), Mini Glue Dots

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy New Year!

And the winner is..... The Random.org random number generator came up with lucky number 8. Apparently I don't have a snipping tool on my laptop (which will be remedied soon), so you'll just have to trust me on that! Anyhoo, the eighth comment was:

Charlene said...
Love it all! Everything is so creative!
December 30, 2011 10:43 AM

Congratulations, Charlene! Please contact me with your mailing address so I can send your 3x3 cards and Scallop Envelope Box.