Stamping Fun 101

Background Bleaching Technique

We are visiting family in Indiana now and I love to go antiquing here; much less expensive than in Virginia! 

This card features two background techniques that give it an antique feel. 

The Basic Black card stock is embossed with the beautiful new Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, #120175, $7.95

For the second technique, I folded paper towels together and poured on bleach, creating a temporary stamp pad. 

The crown image from Artistic Etchings stamp set is stamped repeatedly with bleach on Rich Razzleberry card stock. 

If you would like a more distinct impression using bleach, use a solid image stamp (crown is outline image) and apply the stamp to the card stock for a few seconds longer than you would with ink.  

It is important to clean the bleach from your stamp immediately; use Stampin' Mist (#102394, $4.50) which will clean and condition the rubber to keep it from cracking.

The embossed crown is mounted on an Extra Large Oval Punch (#119859, $16.95) and ornate Lots of Tags Sizzlit Die (#114508, $21.95) cut with the Sizzix Big Shot. 

Color combination:

• Cajun Craze
• Rich Razzleberry
• Basic Black
• Old Olive

Order these products online.

American Flag Card with Embossing

Happy Fourth of July!

We are celebrating with friends later (I still need to make deviled eggs, better hurry!)  I hope you enjoy your holiday; don't forget to share the meaning with your children.  My son was surprised that a 234-year old country is young!

Thanks to the original creator who posted this on our Stampin' Up! online board.  I was asked yesterday where I get my ideas and I am grateful that Stampin' Up has created a place for us to share our ideas as well as sending us a monthly magazine. 

Maybe you are interested in joining Stampin' Up! but didn't realize there are resources like these available.  Email or call me; I can answer your questions, send you information to read, no pressure to join. 

The card stock is textured with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder, used with the Big Shot and multipurpose platform.

HINT: Tombow Multi Purpose is the absolute best adhesive for deeply textured card stock like this!

Using the Direct-to-Paper technique, run the Whisper White Craft Ink Pad over the Night of Navy card stock.  Apply Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and heat emboss to create shimmery stars.

To create the the look of movement, I cut wavy lines free-hand with the scissors tool on the Cutter Kit.  (Protect your work surface with the Cutting Mat.)

Flag is adhered to Early Espresso card base with Tombow Multi on left side, then Stampin' Dimensionals in the center and finally a row of double Dimensionals on the right to add to the look of movement and depth.

  Inside with Large Star punch and Modern Label punch; Celebrate is from the stamp set Fundamental Phrases.

Watercolored Hummingbird Card

It was a joy water coloring the hummingbird image from the stamp set Spring Song; unfortunately this is one of the hundreds of products retiring NEXT WEEK!  

There are only 6 more days to order from the Last Chance Lists, retiring stamps are available through June 30 but retiring accessories are available while supplies last.  

Practice, practice, practice if you love the look of watercolor!  Proper tools are essential; use high quality watercolor paper made of 100% cotton, stamp the outline image with permanent Jet Black StazOn ink and my absolute favorite: apply color with an Aqua Painter. 

The Aqua Painter's handle can be refilled with water, the tip is a brush.  With practice, you will learn how to control the amount of water you are applying. 

With the water contained in the handle, the Aqua Painter is portable and versatile.  You can pick up and move color with ink from markers or ink pads, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, pencils.    

Order these products online and recreate this project or begin your own water coloring art adventure! 

• Aqua Painter, $16.95 set of 2, #103954
• Watercolor Paper, $6.95, 20 sheets 3.75" x 5", #105019
• Jet Black StazOn Ink Pad, $7.95, #101406
• Finial Press Textured Embossing Folder, $7.95, #115963 

• Spring Song stamp set, $15.95, #115074 - retiring

• One of a Kind stamp set, $19.95, #113624 - retiring

• Bloomin' Beautiful stamp set, $25.95, #111490 - retiring

Folk Flowers Stencil on Burlap Bag

Everyone is talking about recycling these days but don't forget to reuse as well!  Reusing items you already have, things you find and buy from others.

Garlic cloves came in this little burlap bag; after planting I re-purposed it to hold a set of six cards for a gift.

The Folk Flowers Decor Stencil is from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  You might recognize the flower image, it is the same as one of our stamps, Razzle Dazzle!   

Stenciling was quite easy, I inserted a piece of cardboard in the bag so the ink didn't bleed through and sponged Chocolate Chip ink over the stencil, the ink dried quickly.

You can use the same technique for stenciling the image on cards and scrapbook pages, use more ink on the sponge for the burlap bag than the card stock. 

Create a beautiful focal image or a subtle patterned background paper for a layout.  Use the smaller imaged portions of the stencil to create embellishments.  Stencils have a great deal of value!

I love the Stampin' Up! Lots of Tags Sizzlits Dies I just received.  Two of the five tags in the set are shown here, in Ruby Red and Naturals Ivory card stocks.

Stamps sets are Vintage Vogue from the Occasions Mini and Great Friend.

Want to re-create this project?  You can order these products online:

• Folk Flowers Decor Stencil, $12.95, Item #118139
• Chocolate Chip Ink, $2.95, Item #101065
• Sponges, $3.50, Item #101610
• Stampin' Up! Lots of Tags Sizzlits Dies, $21.95, Item #114508
• Ruby Red card stock, $5.50, Item #102030
• Naturals Ivory card stock, $7.50, Item #101849
• Vintage Vogue stamp set, $23.95 , Item #117690
• Great Friend stamp set, $17.95, Item #113792
• Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, $7.95, Item #109051

Bird Punch + Butterfly Die = Easy Decorating

Birds, butterflies, flowers, hunting bargains at yard sales... I'm loving the warm weather! 

This little bird house was a found treasure at a sale that I quickly and easily decorated with a few goodies from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

The Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch has three pieces in one punch; the bird's body, wing and the branch - love it!

(Cut your card stock in strips when you punch if you don't want to waste any, then you won't be left with blue branches when you punch the birds)

Stampin' Up! Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die cuts and embosses FIVE fabulous butterflies in about four seconds flat! 

Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper made this project even faster, the butterflies are a beautiful shade of Cameo Coral with a floral design, I simply adhered them with Stampin' Dimensionals.

If you enjoy decorating, check out even more ideas on my new Home Decor Projects page!

Order these products online:

• Extra Large Two-Step Bird, $15.95, Item #117191
• Stampin' Up! Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, $11.95, Item # 118138
• Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper, $9.95, Item #113976
• Simply Said stamp set, $28.95, Item #115066
• Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, $4.95, Item #109035
• Stampin' Dimensionals, $3.95, Item # 104430
• Pop Up Glue Dots, $3.95, Item #104183

Flower Fancy Watercolor Card

Flower Fancy Stamp Set with Watercolor Wonder Crayons

Today was such a beautiful sunny day, spring is here! 

I'm planning to build a spiral-shaped herb garden so my son and I went down to the ocean and scavenged rocks from the beach.  I would love to have a fountain at the base of the garden but I'm not sure that is going to happen.

It's a new month and we have a new promotion with fun floral stamp sets!

Receive 20% off the following Two-Step Stampin' sets from our current catalog:

Item	Page	Description	Reg. Price	Sale Price
113824	94	Greenhouse Garden	$25.95	$20.76
113734	98	Fifth Avenue Floral	$24.95	$19.96
111578	101	Flower Fancy	$36.95	$29.56
113258	112	Trendy Trees	$17.95	$14.36

   

Also, you can purchase the brand-new Awash with Flowers Two-Step Stampin' set--or get it FREE when you host a $350 workshop!

    

Item	Description	Price
117062	Awash with Flowers (wood mount; set of 18)	$39.95
120549	Awash with Flowers (clear mount; set of 18)	$27.95

Scrapbook Layout with Wood Sheet Frame

Only two more weeks left of Sale-A-Bration! :(

I love that we can choose stamp sets from the Idea Book & Catalog that are $15.95 and under this year; like the set D Is for Dog on this layout.  

I also used the Sale-A-Bration reward Designer Series Paper Pad Welcome Neighbor for the trees along the border.

Wood Sheets (page 158) were used to make this frame, I simply cut out the center with the Top Note Bigz Die and stamped on the wood with Classic Ink. 

The wood is thin enough that I was also able to round the edges with my Corner Rounder Punch! 

The Wood Sheets are sized to fit in the Big Shot without cutting, 5-3/4" x 13-3/4" and four sheets are only $9.95.

The title is cut with the Big Shot Bigz Stampin' Up! Alphabet Simple Letters, a useful sans serif alphabet for scrapbooking with a matching numbers die set available.

I rolled the Ballet Blue background with the Stampin' Around Wheel P Is for Paw with Versamark Ink (if you only buy one ink cartridge, make it that one!) and then I rolled again with Chocolate Chip ink on Kraft paper. 

I cut out four smaller paws with the 1/2-inch Circle Punch and adhered them in the Antique Brass Build-A-Brads.

101 TIP: Wheels are a great way to create backgrounds and make your own Designer Paper on scrapbook pages, cards and other projects.  Wheels are quick, simple to use and economical as well. 

There is an area for journaling under the bottom right photo on the second page.  The Kraft-colored piece with stamped bones is popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals and a 2.5" x 4.25" tag is slid in behind it. 

The journaling tag has a Round Tab Punch adhered on the right side so you can easily pull it out.

The colors on the layout are;

• Ballet Blue
• Pumpkin Pie
• Chocolate Chip
• Kraft

Isn't our new little Beagle a cutie?  We rescued her from a local shelter last month.  She's about 6 years old and other than stealing food left out within her reach, she's a little angel!

Sneak Peek from Easter Class

Isn't the Chocolate Bunny stamp from the Occasions Mini Catalog so cute!

The detail is fabulous, he looks just like the real thing! 

I stamped every combination of brown ink on various colors of card stock and my favorite is Chocolate Chip ink on Creamy Caramel card stock. I recommend you do the same, what colors are your favorites?   I admit this doesn't look the most "chocolate-y" but you can see the most detail with this combination!

It's not too late to RSVP for one of my Easter Classes this weekend!  If you are in the Hampton Roads area join us Saturday, February 20 or Sunday, February 21 at 10:00 am.

Create three Easter cards and a 3-D project with the Eggcellent Eggs Kit and other Occasions Mini Catalog products.  

Cost: pay what you think the class was worth. Really!

Contact me to save a seat!

Stamping & Scrapbooking Projects for Kids

It's a blizzard here and the kid's are out of school today and tomorrow.  We've been snowed in all weekend with an incredible eight inches of snow!

Yes, you read that right, eight inches shut down our city!  Of course there are only a few snow plows, Southerners don't have to deal with ice and snow very often. 

This is a fun project for you and the kids to make when the cabin fever sets in this winter.   Kids enjoy talking about themselves; they can journal, draw or just color in this book depending on their age. 

Ask them questions to get them started; what is your favorite room, which window in our house gives the best view, where is the best place to read a book?

The Welcome Neighbor Designer Paper is perfect for this project.  Adhere a piece of the brightly colored Designer Paper to card stock with a glue stick. 

Cut pages with the Scalloped Square Clear Die.  A clear die is great for a project with Designer Paper; you can line up exactly where you want the die to cut, don't worry about slicing off an element near the edge!

Stamp the house and trees with the coordinating Good Neighbors stamp set.  This stamp set and the Designer Paper are both free Rewards available in the Sale-A-Bration Brochure.

Punch holes through all layers with the Crop-A-Dile and tie Bermuda Bay Ribbon through to bind your book.

• Big Shot Die Cut Machine, #113439
• Alphabet Simple Letters, #115960
• Scalloped Square Clear Die, #115950
• Crop-A-Dile, #108362
• Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, #115610
• Bermuda Bay card stock, #115317
• Crushed Curry card stock, #115319
• Wide Oval Punch, #112082

If you would like to order any of these or other Stampin' Up! products and earn free Sale-A-Bration Rewards, you can order online at anytime. 

I {Heart} Making A Difference

This is my favorite image from the stamp set I {Heart} Hearts, I love the vintage look of it!

I also love that Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from the sale of each stamp set to the American Red Cross' Haiti Relief and Development Fund.

Learn more about making a difference when ordering I {Heart} Hearts HERE

Who doesn't love polka dots?  The new Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Item #117335, embosses deeeep dots for lots of texture on your projects! 

You can find this folder on page 35 of the new Occasions Mini Catalog.  Use it with the Sizzix Big Shot Machine, standard cutting pads and multipurpose platform, Item #113439.

Product Name	Item #	Price
I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount  (block D recommended)	118571	$18.95
I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount	117010	$26.95

Order any of these products online or contact me to place your order.

Have a great Sunday.  Go Colts!

Free Shipping Today Only!

Place an order today, November 30 by contacting me via email or phone* to receive FREE SHIPPING on your entire Stampin' Up! order!  

*Free shipping does not apply to online orders.  Phone (757) 663-1301.

No need for Stampin Up! Free Shipping Coupons or Free Shipping Codes, simply contact me before 10:00 pm ET!

Combine free shipping with the other current Stampin' Up! Promotions:

1. Holiday Mini Hostess Promotion (ends November 30)
2. Holiday Extravaganza (ends November 30)
3. Holiday Gift Giving Guide (ends January 4)

This quick and easy Christmas card uses the following products from the Holiday Gift-Giving Guide, earning two free Decor Elements!**

• Dasher Single Stamp - #116816 - $8.95
• Note Cards - #107311 - $5.95
• Top Note Bigz Die - #113463 - $21.95
• Earth Elements Card Stock - #105566 - $7.95
• Whisper White Card Stock - #106529 - $7.50
• Real Red Polka-Dot Ribbon - #115608 - $8.95
• Circle Scissor Plus - #112530 - $29.95
• Glass Mat - #112531 - $19.95

**Earn one Decor Elements (up to $16.95) for every $50 spent on products in the Holiday Gift Giving Guide.

The Whisper White Note Cards are a must if you haven't started your card-making yet!  

For only $5.95, you receive 20 cards and envelopes measuring 5" x 3.5" -large enough to send through the mail!

Other products on this card include:

• Merry Moments Designer Series Paper (#115672)
• Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set (#115370)
• Word Window Punch (#105090)
• Modern Label Punch (#116630)
• Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023)

Deals of the Week #4

Our final week has arrived and the Deals of the Week are the Princess and Pirate Party Kits! 

Both of these kits have coordinating stamp sets; Pirate Time (116718) and Princess Time (116720).

You can even order personalized name stamps that read "Captain James Fraser" or "Princess Brianna," fill in your own child's name, of course!

See pages 74 and 75 of the Idea Book and Catalog to view these fun sets!

Order online by Saturday, October 31:

Week 4 Deals of the Week

Item	Description	Special Price
116214	Princess Party Kit	$9.99
116213	Pirate Party Kit	$9.99

The Spooky card is a quick and easy one using the Cast-A-Spell Designer Series Paper (#115677) and the Stampin' Up! Alphabet Simple Letters Bigz Die (#115960). 

To create the scalloped edge along the bottom, punch with the top edge only of the Curly Label Punch (#112208).

Deals of the Week #3

It's a Big Shot Jack-O'-Lantern; isn't he cute?!

Jack is mounted on a single piece of Brilliant Blue card stock, the Scallop Circle die (113468) opens for the card.

The eyes, mouth and stem are die cuts; Leaves #2 Originals Die (113459).

His Summer Sun-colored triangles for the eyes and teeth are from the 5-Petal Flower Punch (109041).

Stamps sets include Autumn Days (115452), the maple leaf image and Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370), the sentiment. 

I wheeled Dotted Lines Jumbo Wheel (111256) with Pumpkin Pie and the "stem" leaf is stamped with Old Olive ink and the Sanded background stamp (109294).

Here are this week's promotional items, place an order online or contact me.

 Week 3 Deals of the Week

Available through Monday, October 26, 11:50 AM (ET)

Item	Description	Special Price
114348	Basic Jumbo grommets	$4.49
109857	Mini Library clips	$8.99
112571	Circle Designer brads	$3.99
112581	1/2" Library clips	$3.99

Deals of the Week #2!

WOW!  Sweet deals on Sizzix dies and an Embosslit this week!  

The Perfect Setting Bigz Die, a Stampin' Up! exclusive, includes an adorable scalloped cupcake holder and napkin ring. 

With various materials, you can decorate for any occasion; a birthday party, a baby shower, a wedding.  Check out page 49 in the Idea Book & Catalog for a photo of wedding cupcakes!

The second deals of the week begin today October 12 and end October 19 at 11:50 AM (ET).

Order online or contact me to order.

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Special Price
115961	200	Perfect Setting Bigz XL die	$42.95	$25.99
114515	195	Flower Burst Embosslits die	$11.95	$5.99
116760	201	Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die	$39.95	$25.49

Love the Lattice Bigz Die

It's that time of year again; birthday season!

You will need an abundance of birthday cards over the next few months.  Count back nine months and I'm sure you will figure out the reason why so many people are born this time of year ;) 

 The Stampin' Up! Lattice Bigz Die (Item #115958) makes a wonderful focal point on this card although it also serves well for creating backgrounds and numerous other uses!

• Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper
• The sentiment is a Rub-On from the Chit Chat pack
• Circle Circus stamp set
• Bermuda Bay card stock
• Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Top Ten List of Favorites: 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog

  Open House Make & Take sample card using new In Colors Rich Razzleberry & Crushed Curry, Razzle Dazzle stamp set, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper and Modern Label Punch

It was fun visiting with everyone at the Stampin Up! new Catalog Open Houses last week!  I know many people were on vacation with the holiday weekend; therefore I will offer one additional Open House next Saturday, July 11 from 12:00 - 4:00.  Stop by to pick up your new catalog, stamp a card and shop my retired products sale.

Open House Promotions
- Extended through July 11 -

I love listening to everyone as they excitedly tear into the new Catalog and share their favorites with friends!

10.  Foiled Specialty Paper (page 158) is available in White, Black & Vanilla in pin stripe and damask patterns.  Gorgeous 12" x 12" card stock for weddings and elegant events.

9. Updated Personalized Stamps (page 136) with current images to match our stamp sets.  NEW: Pirate, Princess and Wedding Personalized stamps!

8. A Flutter of butterflies in motion, the vinyl Decor Elements (page 193) are available in six different colors including Rose Red, So Saffron and Tempting Turquoise! 
Stampin' Up! released a new Definitely Decorative book with many new vinyl images and fun stencils.  Request a copy or view it here.

7. Storybook Specialty Designer Series Paper (page 163) is TOO fun; another product I'm going to be hiding from my five year old! 
Actually, this doodle-themed card stock would be perfect for you and your child to make a project together.

6. Party Kits (pages 74 & 174) include everything your little Princess or Pirate needs for a fabulous themed birthday!  Invitations, eye patches or crowns, pennants, treasure chest or purse boxes and many other decorations at a reasonable price.  Of course, there is a matching stamp set and don't miss the personalized name stamp (see #9)!

5. Wood Sheets (page 158) sized to fit through your Big Shot and they are the approved thickness; thank you Stampin' Up!  Stamp on the wood with bold images like the Season's Greetings card shown on page 158 for a simple yet elegant look. 

4. Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die for your Big Shot (page 199) will make fun frames and mini albums. Because it is a clear die, you can precisely cut out photos and patterns on Designer Paper with ease.  A Stampin' Up! exclusive die, you won't find this in stores.

3. Punches are the most popular tool and Stampin' Up! introduced three new punches in this Catalog; Modern Label, Jumbo Snowflake and Butterfly (page 186). In true SU! fashion, there are stamp sets that coordinate with all three of these punches to make creating easy!

2. Medallion background stamp (page 133) is my absolute favorite new stamp!   The greetings set Teeny Tiny Wishes (page 145) covers every occasion I can think of (and fits perfectly in the Modern Label punch). It was unanimous; the squirrels on the bench in Pendant Park (page 118) are adorable!

Everyone has their favorite In Colors; I find it interesting how tastes change as we play with different color combinations during the year!
Check out the new In Color products 8.5" x 11" Textured Card Stock (page 155) and the Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (page 182), however...

1. The absolute favorite; In Color Markers!

Order online through my Stampin' Up! website  or contact me to place an order, (757) 663-1301.

Designer Series Paper; how many uses?

 
Creating elegant Father's Day cards is simple when using the beautifully organic patterns of Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper. 

Both of the samples shown here illustrate how you can stamp on patterned paper for a more dramatic effect than using plain-colored card stock. 

The first card uses a piece of patterned Kraft-colored paper, cut with the Big Shot and the Matchbox Bigz XL die.  Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig, line up the outline from the set Great Friend and stamp the sentiment from the set Holiday Blitz. 

The second card also uses  a tag cut with the Big Shot and the Matchbox Bigz XL die.  The stamp is from Eastern Blooms and also has black brads on either end.  Kraft Taffeta ribbon ties it together.

Two stylish cards that incorporate stamping on Designer Series Paper.

But what else can you do with DSP? 

• Cover chipboard
• Make envelopes or line the inside of envelopes
• Cut it into small pieces and adhere it to make a paper quilt
• Emboss it
• Dry emboss it
• Sand it
• Die cut shapes and letters
• Scrapbook, of course!
• Place behind Vellum for a softer look
• Stamp an image, cut it out and paper piece
• Cover stamping mistakes with it!
• Punch a shape and place behind a clear button
• Place inside a cello bag or box with a treat
• Put behind the new Stampin' Up! Printed Window Sheets (Occasions Mini Catalog)
• Cut a long strip and make a 'belly band' to go around a card, box, gift

This is NOT a comprehensive list by any means!

Post a comment with a different idea of what to do with Designer Series Paper and you will be entered to win Blog Candy!

Receive one package of Designer Paper for free when you order three! 
Place your order today.