Advanced Brayer Workshop Cards

Another busy week has come to an end, where does the time go? 

Today I’m sharing the cards I made last weekend in Michelle Zindorf’s Advanced Brayer Workshop.. simply stunning!

The picture doesn’t do it justice… wait until you see it in person, the card (above) uses three stamp sets:  Branch Out, Lovely as a Tree, and Nature Silhouettes.  Sadly, Stampin’ Up! has retired the beautiful Branch Out stamp set :(  I really do love that set!

Kind of reminds me of the recently demolished Old St. Augustine Bridge of Lions…  Michelle taught us how to use embossing with our brayering… really cool!

The last card is a serene Florida scene, with the moon dancing over the water and reflecting bamboo.

I now have a whole new appreciation for those brayers in my stamp room… such a cool tool!  Michelle also gave us a very handy tip during her workshop:  store the brayer roller side up to avoid flat spots.  That was a real DUH! moment…   How have you stored your brayer?

Stamping Hugs,

Technorati Tags: zindorf,brayer,branch out,stamping

Making Cards 101 - Standard Card Sizes and Cutting

I’ve been quite busy this week and have had very little time for posting.  So today, I thought I’d share a resource which I put together for my beginning card construction classes.  I hope you find it useful!

Cutting Measurements and Envelope Sizes

·         Standard (A2) card size is 5 ½” x 4 ¼” (or a half sheet of 8.5 x 11” cardstock)

o   Cut 8 ½ x 5 ½” and score at 4 ¼”

o   or 4 ¼” x 11” and score at 5 ½”

o   Stampin’ Up! Ultra Smooth Envelopes

§  #107301 Whisper White (40) $6.50

§  #107300 Very Vanilla (40) $6.50

§  #107297 Kraft (40) $6.50

§  #107302 Naturals Ivory (40) $6.50

§  #107303 Naturals White (40) $6.50

§  #102619 Clear Translucent (50) $4.95*

·         Gift Enclosure Card

o   3 7/8” x 2 ¾”

·         Note Card

o    5” x 3 ½” and scored at 2 ½”

o   Stampin’ Up! Note Cards and Envelopes are Pre-Cut for You!

§  #107311 (20 envelopes & 20 Cards) $5.95

·         Mini Square 3x3 Card  

o   Cut cardstock to 6” x 3” and score at 3”

o   Stampin’ Up! Ultra Smooth Envelopes

§  #107309 Whisper White (40) $7.50

·         Medium Square cards, usually 5 ¼” x 5 ¼” 

o   Cut 10 ½” x 5 ¼” score at 5 ¼”

o   Stampin’ Up! Ultra Smooth Envelopes

§  #107289 Whisper White (20) $6.50

·         Small Rectangle Cards to Match Stampin’ Up! Small open-end envelopes

o   Cut 6 ½” x 3 ¼” and score at 6 ¼”

o   OR to conserve paper, cut 12 x 12 cardstock into (4) 6x6 squares and score at 3”

o   Stampin’ Up! Ultra Smooth Envelopes

§  #107286 Whisper White (20) $7.50

·         Standard Business Size Envelope

o   9 ¼” x 8” scored at 4”

A NOTE ABOUT ENVELOPE SIZES AND POSTAGE:

Due to mechanization, the USPS may charge additional postage for non-standard envelope sizes and clear envelopes.  Check with the Postal Service before mailing your cards to ensure that the postage is correct for card size, weight, and depth.

Order your ultra-smooth envelopes and card stock in my online Stampin’ Up! Store Here!

Have a great day!

Technorati Tags: cards,measurements,cutting,directions,order online

Zindorf Nirvana: 3 Workshop Cards

WOW!  Let me say WOW again!  And these were just the beginner cards I MADE!

This weekend, I had the pleasantly phenomenal pleasure of hosting THE Michelle Zindorf for both Beginner & Advanced Brayer workshops!  Psst… the advanced class was FABULOUS too!

THAT was the “warm up card”.. WOW!!!!

I grew up in Michigan, so I can totally appreciate the beauty of the snow scene in the next card…

As well as the changing colors of the season… we don’t see much of that in Jacksonville, Florida (but we do see a little bit!)

I couldn’t believe we made so many beautiful cards in JUST the beginner workshop!!! Can you believe it? 

I learned so much in just a couple hours… and highly recommend Michelle Zindorf Workshops to everyone/anyone thinking about hosting one, or two, or three, or four!  You can contact Michelle through her site:  zindorf.blogspot.com

I will be updating my calendar soon with new  techniques and classes and new card creations... hope to see you there.

Hugs, Michelle, and thanks for teaching such a fabulous class, being such a phenomenal guest, and for a wonderful workshop!

Technorati Tags: zindorf,brayer,stamps,ink advanced

Sharon Field

From my Garden… My 2 swap cards!

Good morning to you all!  I’ve been so excited to share the featured/guest stamper swaps, and awaiting the arrival of Michelle Zindorf for the beginner and advanced brayer workshops… SO, while I’m in class today, I thought I would share the two swap cards I made!

The first card featured the From the Garden stamp set which is found in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  This was a really fun card to make… but after mailing them, I realized that I left the brown scalloped edge off many of the swaps I had mailed (I know this because… I found them on my table as I was cleaning up my scraps!!)

I wasn’t feeling very well when I made my swaps, it’s been a really rough winter here in Jacksonville, Florida!  Anyway, this is what I intended the card to look like:

I used a sponge dauber and chocolate chip ink to enhance the dotted embossed background of the card.. kind of fun, isn’t it?

The second card… featured the Occasions Mini Catalog stamp sets Happy Moments and Whimsical Words.  I love the pretty Designer Series Paper used in both samples, don’t you?

It’s amazing how just a little dazzling diamonds can really ‘kick up’ a card a notch or two!  The pretty in pink background on this card was stamped with the floral image from the Happy Moments Stamp set, and Pretty In Pink Classic ink.. giving it a little more texture.  Hope the swap recipients liked my cards, I promise to do better next month!  

Stampin’ Supplies My Swap Card #1

Stamps:  Garden from the Heart (mini catalog)

Classic Inks:  Chocolate Chip

Card Stock:

• Certainly Celery
• Barely Banana
• Very Vanilla
• Chocolate Chip

Accessories:

• Sponge Daubers
• Watercolor Wonder Crayons
• Aqua Painter
• Scallop Border Punch
• Dotted Textured Embossing Folder
• 5/8” Satin Chocolate Chip Ribbon (mini catalog)
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper (mini catalog)
• Curly Label Punch
• Movers & Shapers Curly Label Die

My Swap Card #2

Sale-A-Bration Stamps: 

• Happy Moments,
• Whimsical Words

Classic Ink:  Basic Black, Pretty in Pink

Card Stock:

• Whisper White
• Pretty in Pink
• Orchid Opulence

Accessories:

• Stampin’ Write Markers:  Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, Yo Yo Yellow, Pretty In Pink
• Certainly Celery Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon
• Soft Subtles Brads
• 2-Way Glue Pen
• Dazzling Diamonds
• Tombow Mono Adhesive
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Curly Label Punch
• Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper (mini catalog)

See you tomorrow with more stampin’ fun shares!

Technorati Tags: sale a bration,rubber stamps,cards magazine,swaps,featured stamper,guest stamper

Michelle Zindorf Workshop Tomorrow… an Altoid Tin Inspired Green Galore Card!

Tomorrow is a really big day… I am hosting a Michelle Zindorf brayer workshop here at my home in Jacksonville, Florida!  I can’t wait to learn first-hand all her fabulous brayer tricks and techniques.  I’ve been planning for this event since late last spring and now it’s finally here… well almost!  Enrolled in both the beginning and advanced classes, I’m sure I’ll have lots and lots of wonderful things to share with you in the forthcoming week!  Stay tuned for NEW class offerings too!  Can’t wait to sponge up all that knowledge, and maybe do some sponging too! 

Did you happen to see this Altoid Tin in the local grocery not too long ago?

It’s the inspiration for today’s card share… hmm.   The Altoid Tin features Green Galore, Brushed Gold, Barely Banana, Basic Black and Whisper White colors.  I swapped out the Basic Black for Soft Suede… and with the help of the Very Vintage Occasions Mini Stamp Set, here is what I came up with.. What do you think?

Yes, each of those Barely Banana blooms were fussy cut… leaving  a bit of white around the edges with Soft Suede Classic Ink.  Here is a close up of the card if you’d like to view it…

After taking the photo, I went back and added some Dazzling Diamonds to the flowers and vine images…. I think I’m going to add some Soft Suede Ribbon to the Friends Image too.. we’ll see, call it a work in progress or creative opportunity!  

I can’t wait to meet so many of you this weekend!  I’m looking forward to meeting so many other stampers and demonstrators from around Florida!  We’re going to learn so much, and have so much fun!

Don’t forget to check back for more shares and talented friends… and of course pictures from the workshop next week too!

Hugs to all of you! 

Technorati Tags: zindorf,raks,workshop,brayer,ink,rubber stamps,jacksonville,fl

Two Beginners Cards, and a Re-Do too!

I love to teach beginning stamp classes!  The excitement and sense of accomplishment they feel is so very contagious!  And their eyes just light up with delight when they realize there are no mistakes in stamping… just creative opportunities! 

My beginner classes are taught here in Jacksonville, Florida at my home… and at the University of North Florida as well!  Of course, if you would like to host a beginners class, I will be happy to come to you and your friends as well.. now, how cool is that?

Here’s the first card… we used a large background stamp (‘Sanded’) and versamark to add texture and pattern to the background close to cocoa card base.  This is a great way to use double sided designer paper too… both sides are shown by scoring and dropping a canopy over the bird in the window!

The card features the Sale A Bration catalog stamp set Happy Moments, and the open scallop edge punch.  Isn’t it fun?  It’s really very easy to use the new punch too… and stamp clean and neatly in a straight line… it really adds quite a bit to the card!

The second card is a re-do of one of my swap team submissions this month… changing up the ribbon treatment and adding a brad truly simplified the card quite a bit, don’t you think?

Still a fun card, Dazzling Diamonds almost always add a ‘wow’ factor to an otherwise simple card, don’t they?  The original can be viewed in last Tuesday’s post (2/16/10).

See you tomorrow, thanks for stopping by!

Technorati Tags: rubber stamps,paper,ink,stampin up,sale a bration,occasions mini Catalog

Recipe Request and Share… Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

The first Wednesday Card Club ladies enjoy a fabulous feast and dessert while stamping the morning away…. one could say they are a bit spoiled!  This particular card club is held at my home here in Jacksonville, Florida.  I do have openings for two more clubs each month too… if you have a couple of friends who would like to meet on a monthly basis at my home (or yours) perhaps you’d like to think about a club.  Minimum orders are required ($150.00 mdse. / # members), it’s a lot of fun, and a great way to get together and catch up with friends while making something useful too!  (A typical stampers’ 10 group agrees to 10 months of rotating hostess benefits and a minimum $15.00 merchandise purchase monthly…. a stampers’ 5 will commit to 5 months and $30.00 mdse. monthly.)

This is the salad I made for the First Wednesday Card Club in February… the ladies just loved this Asian Chicken Pasta Salad, and I promised to share the recipe… so here it is!

Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

Mix together:

1 lb. cooked angel hair pasta (al dente)

1 deli chicken, boned and cut into 1” cubes

1 cup of frozen baby peas (thawed)

1 carrot, shredded

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

6 green onions, cut diagonally into 1/2” pieces

1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds

In a separate bowl, whisk together Dressing ingredients:

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar

2 TBSP sesame oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 TBSP light brown sugar

2- 3 drops hot chili oil

1 TBSP grated fresh ginger

1 tsp dark molasses

Pour on top of salad ingredients, toss to combine and chill for 2 hours before serving.

Note:  I served with Chung’s Chinese Chicken Egg Rolls… and it was a real hit!

My DD is leaving for Poland this afternoon… she’ll be there through May 2010, at which time she’ll move on to China.  It’s been an expensive venture… but quite educational on many levels.  Not only will she obtain two Masters’ Degrees (International Communications, and Business), but she has also learned to negotiate rental contracts, facilitate group dynamics, and thus far communicate in German.  This time she will be gone for 6 months :(  We will miss her a bunch…

See you tomorrow!

Technorati Tags: asian chicken salad,pasta,recipe,stampers 10,club

Featured Guest Stamper – Rosemarie Diehl’s 2 Cards

Good morning, I hope it’s a beautiful day wherever you are… the sun is shining here in Jacksonville, Florida (for a change!) 

Today, another guest/featured stamper, my good friend Rosemarie Diehl!  Rosemarie and I have been corresponding online for a couple of years now… and I met her 2 1/2 years ago at the Stampin’ Up! Convention too.  She is yet another terrifically talented Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, and resides in Rancho Palos Verdes, California!  Both her cards feature some fabulous bows… and clean/crisp design.

Don’t you just love the upside down heart?  It mirrors the flip-flopped house images in the Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper!  The popped up roof (and of course the bow) on this card are fabulous too, aren’t they?  The open scallop punch edges are so clean, neat, and crisp on both her swap cards too!

The next swap from Rosemarie features the Vintage Vogue Stamp set and ever-so-pretty Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper.  The paper is featured on page 33 of the Occasions Mini Catalog, and has 48 sheets of double sided paper in the pack.. wow!

Visit Rosemarie’s fabulous blog:  Rose’s World to see more of her special talent!

Stampin’ Supplies for Rose’s Swap #1:

Sale-a-bration Stamps: 

• Good Neighbors
• Whimsical Words

Classic Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal

Cardstock: 

• Pumpkin Pie
• Whisper White
• Taken With Teal

Accessories:

• 5/8” very vanilla satin ribbon
• Linen Thread
• Open Scallop Edge Punch
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Sherbet Designer Buttons
• Welcome Neighbors DSP (sale-a-bration catalog)

Stampin’ Supplies for Rose’s Swap #2:

Stamps:  Vintage Vogue (mini catalog)

Classic Inks:  Pretty in Pink

Card Stock: 

• Pretty In Pink
• Whisper White
• Kraft

Accessories:

• 5/8” Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon
• Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper (mini catalog)
• Open Scallop Edge Punch (Sale-A-Bration Catalog)

Hope you enjoyed my featured stamper today, see you tomorrow with more stampin’ good ideas!

Technorati Tags: featured stamper,guest stamper,stamps,paper,ink,catalog

Featured Guest Stamper: Sandi MacIver

Good Morning everyone!  Today, I’ve got another very talented Featured Guest Stamper, my friend Sandi MacIver.  Sandi lives in Milwaukie, Oregon… where it is almost as cold as it is here in Jacksonville, Florida!

I’m sharing two swap cards from Sandi.. the first one features the very popular Occasions Mini Stamp:  Vintage Vogue.  The second card features the FREE Sale-A-Bration Stamp set:  Good Neighbors, and matching Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper too!

 

Don’t you just love the flowers and crisp, clean images of Sandi’s black/white/yellow card?  The colors are fabulous too… pretty special card, isn’t it!! Can you believe she hand-cut all four tiny flower images?  I love how she curled and sponged all the flower edges too, don’t you?

Here’s Sandi’s second swap card… the punched and tied hearts are really very cute… and this card reminded me that I should use the sizzix oval dies more often!  They nest together so well.  Love how she used the Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper as grass in the focal image too.. really cute!

Visit Sandi’s blog:  SandiMacIver.com and be sure to leave a comment!  You’ll find great 10 minute cards on both Sandi’s and Carole Anne’s blogs (yesterdays’ featured stamper)… be sure to check them out!

Supplies for Sandi’s first Swap card:

Stamps:  Vintage Vogue

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Basic Black

Classic Inks:  Basic Black, Yo Yo Yellow

Accessories: 

• 5/8” Satin Basic Black Ribbon
• Stampin’ Sponges
• Birds and Blooms Sizzlit Dies
• Very Vintage Wheel
• Jumbo Wheel Handle
• Open Scallop Border Punch
• Basic Black Brads
• Clear Crystal Brads
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Dotted textured embossing folder

Sandi’s Swap Card #2

Stamps: 

• Good Neighbors
• Whimsical Words

Cardstock:

• Old Olive
• Whisper White
• Pumpkin Pie

Classic Inks:

• Old Olive
• Pumpkin Pie

Accessories:

• Linen thread
• Pumpkin Pie narrow grosgrain ribbon
• Welcome Neighbors Designer Series Paper
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Ovals Original Sizzix Die

See you tomorrow with more fabulous talent and card shares from my Stampin’ Fun Friends!

Featured Guest Stamper – Carole’ Anne Sluchinski

Good morning everyone, and a very Happy Valentines’ Day to all of you!

Today, I’d like to share two cards which are the beautiful work of Carole’ Anne Sluchinski… my Featured Guest Stamper of the day!

This card is so beautiful in person… the Shimmery White cardstock sparkles beneath the water-colored bonnet… difficult to capture in the photo.  Here’s a close up:

I love how Carole’ Anne stamped the bonnet’s ribbon onto a separate sheet of Elegant Eggplant Cardstock, cut out and attached to the bonnet on the card.. an extra dimension and special touch which really makes the image pop!

I’m sure you can’t wait to see the second card from Carole’Anne… this one features the Occasions Mini Catalog stamp set “Whimsical Words” and you’re going to love it too!

I love the color combinations on both cards.. Carole’ Anne did a beautiful job of combining color, texture, and stamped elements to create wonderful swaps don’t you think?  Be sure to stop by and Visit Carole’Anne’s Blog:  Stampin Stressaway.  Be sure to leave a comment and tell her I said hello ;)

Supplies for Carole’ Anne’s Swap #1

Stamps: 

• Garden from the Heart
• Define Your Life

Classic Inks:

• Elegant Eggplant

Card Stock: 

• Basic Black
• Elegant Eggplant
• Shimmery White

Stampin’ Up! Accessories:

• Satin 5/8” Ribbon Basic Black & Whisper White
• Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die
• Basket & Blooms Bigz XL Die
• Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder
• Aqua Painter
• Summer Sun and Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker

Supplies for Carole’ Anne’s Swap #2:

Stamps:

• With All My Heart
• Baroque Motifs

Classic Ink:

• Barely Banana
• Chocolate Chip

Card Stock:

• Barely Banana Textured
• Cameo Coral
• Chocolate Chip
• Very Vanilla

Accessories:

• Sending Love Epoxy Brads
• Pinking Hearts Border Punch
• Little Leaves Sizzlit Die
• Daisy Flower Sizzlit Die
• Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch
• Flower Layers w/Leaf Bigz Die
• Sponge Daubers
• 1/2” circle punch
• Crimper
• 5/8” Satin Chocolate Chip Ribbon

Hope you enjoyed the featured guest stamper!  See you tomorrow!

Technorati Tags: featured stamper,guest stamper,stamps,rubber,ink

Take 2… Taking a simple card from plain to Wow!

Sometimes we all have kind of an “off” day, don’t we?  Sometimes that occurs when we haven’t allowed ourselves to play at our craft, work, or job.  Other times, it can be due to illness or lack of energy.  Whatever the reason, how about re-addressing the blahs, and re-creating them with more of a wow factor?  I’ll call it “Take 2”… taking the first version and remaking it into more of a Wow.

Here’s the first card I made the other day…  I thought the clean and simple lines would be enough to carry the masculine design of the card.  The stamping/embossing was neat and clear, no sloppy and messy stray embossing powder boo boos… But the card definitely needed something more.. I decided to ‘sleep’ on it and try to find a way to step it up a notch. 

The card was for my beginners class, so I didn’t want to over-complicate it… and the very next day decided to spruce it up with a little distressing and dragging.  The photo doesn’t quite do it justice… but the card was much better than the original design while maintaining it’s masculine theme.  Take a peek…

The edges of the whisper white cardstock were dragged through our soft suede classic ink pad, and then we used the Stampin’ Up! Distressing tool to distress the edges of both the Whisper White and Basic Black Cardstock.  What a difference such a subtle change can make to a simple card!

Yesterday, I posted a lovely RAK from Celeste DuBose… but I forgot to share her website (oops).. want to make sure stop by her site:  KRAFTYCARDS and say hello, she’s got a lot of talent to share!

Have a great day, and stay warm!

Technorati Tags: rubber stamps,sale a bration,cards

Need A Really Quick Valentine Treat? And a gorgeous RAK share!

As easy as 1-2-3, this quick little Valentine treat pocket holds a Ghirardelli or Hershey’s chocolate square.  Made with the Sizzix Petal Card Die, and the Premium Crease Pad, it goes together quickly and is tied shut with a bit of satin ribbon!

Supplies:

Stamps: 

• With All My Heart
• Well Scripted

Cardstock / Paper: 

• Pretty In Pink
• Very Vanilla
• Sending Love Specialty DSP

Classic Inks: 

• Chocolate Chip

Accessories: 

• Petal Card Die
• Stampin’ Up! Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit
• Large Heart Punch
• sponge daubers
• stampin’ dimensionals
• Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon
• Chocolate – YUM!

Speaking of Valentines… I received this drop dead GORGEOUS RAK (Random Act of Kindness) in the mail this week from Celeste DuBose!  What a lovely surprise, I love the colors, the elements of the card.. and that fan stamp is to die for!  Thanks Celeste!

It’s always a nice surprise to receive an unexpected and pretty card in the mail, don’t you think? 

I’ve been getting some pretty interesting swaps in the mail lately.. and a couple really beautiful and stunning works of art too… Of course, when you join a swap it is expected that you will do your very best work, right?  I’ll be sharing the best of them with you later next week once I acquire permissions.

Have a great weekend… stay warm, and dry!

Technorati Tags: Valentine,candy,treat boxes,rubber stamps

Peek Into My Stamp Room

With room for 12, my personal stamp room and classroom is often in a state of creative frenzy… with paper, ribbon, and stamps piled high.  The door is often closed, and we use the Great Room for classes instead :)

The past few days were devoted to re-organizing and re-purposing the room to provide a more effective and less cluttered space.  A few items were cut from the clutter… my Cuttlebug, the old sizzix machine, some retired cardstock and DSP.  If you’ve seen it in it’s glory, this room was quite a challenge!  Are you ready for the Stamp Room and Classroom Reveal?

Do you see that fancy handy-dandy tool in the middle of the table?  Not the paper towels… the LINT ROLLER! 

 

Wow!   My DD helped re-organize and clean up before last weeks’ downline meeting… and decided to use the lint roller to pick up all the tiny bits and scraps of paper and ribbon from the plastic table coverings… Wow!  What a time saver!

As you can see, I’ve just about run out of active stamp shelf space.  It’s a good thing that Stampin’ Up! now has clear stamps!  They store easily in the bookshelf.. more room for more stamps!

Here’s another view… guess it’s time to take down the Christmas “Joy” Banner… didn’t realize it was there until I looked at the photo!

 It’s been a crazy couple of weeks!  Our DD has been home from Europe for a break and returns to Poland next week (she’ll also travel to China in late May.)  My beginner classes at the University of North Florida were quite a hit, but creating and designing so many projects in preparation for teaching the classes has been quite intense.  I miss teaching from my classroom and will re-visit that venue as these UNF classes wrap up.

Michelle Zindorf will be here next weekend to teach beginner and advanced brayer classes.  I’m looking forward to having her as a guest, as well as learning all that she has to share!  I understand that the classes are full, and she has ‘wait-listed’ a few of you… it should be a really wonderful weekend workshop!

Sale-a-Bration benefits will be available for another month and a half… and I’m going to invest in some vitamin C this week too!

Hugs to all,

Technorati Tags: stamp room,classroom,rubber stamps,stampin up,ink,zindorf,brayer,sale a bration

Begin Scrapbooking with three quick and easy 2-page layouts!

Customizing your scrapbook pages is easy with rubber stamping!  Your scrapbook becomes a unique work of art, personalized by you!

Here are three two-page layouts recently facilitated in my beginner scrapbooking with rubber stamps class.  Each of the pages is in a convenient 8 1/2” x 11” format, suitable for family photos, traditions, stories, and/or recipes!

The first, done in a classic Black and White theme… using the stem sayings and hope happens stamp sets.  The rubber stamping was kept to a minimum on this beginner layout... quick and easy to complete!

This layout featured last years’ sale-a-bration DSP :) and the Party Hearty Stamp Set.  Beginners also stamped assorted images, used punches, the crop-a-dile tool to set jumbo eyelets, and sponge daubbered edges of cardstock too!

The last 2-page scrapbook layout featured Stampin’ Up! Bella Bleu DSP (current), and Baroque Motifs Stamp Sets.  The left page is upside down in the photo.. just noticed that, sorry :)  Students/attendees were quite pleasantly surprised to learn they could stamp on DSP to both enhance the paper, and make it match the rest of the colors in their pages and projects!

Can you believe I was sick and could barely hold my head up when designing this class?  I was quite worried about how they actually would turn out.  I’ve got a little crooked stamping here and there, but decided to adopt an Amish philosophy for this beginners’ class…  Borrowed from quilting, “every finished project must have a small error… because only God is perfect.”  You see, the Amish quilters cleverly hide a mistake in each finished quilt!  My error is not so cleverly hidden :) but we’ll call it Amish Scrapbooking anyway… and/or a Creative Opportunity in Rubber Stamping!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: rubber stamping,scrapbooking,beginners,quilting

My Cuttlebug is History!

I finally did it… I gave away my Cuttlebug!  The machine has been sitting on the shelf gathering dust for quite a while now, overpowered and over-shadowed by the versatile, and mega useful Big Shot machine! 

I really don’t know why I held on to it for so long… for some reason, I had an emotional attachment to the tiny and somewhat antiquated embossing and cutting machine.  But, the other day one of my club ladies was asking about using some of the phenomenal Bigz XL exclusive Stampin’ Up! dies in her cuttlebug… and I had to break the sad news.. NOT!  They won’t work! 

I brought my Big Shot to the table, and demonstrated:

• The low platform and center of gravity provide a stabile cutting surface… no suction or lack of suction issue. 
• The multi-purpose platform easily adjusts and adapts to different layering needs (no need for A, B, and C plates).
• The multi-purpose platform also adapts for different dies (and different manufacturers’ dies as well.)
• The multi-purpose platform has printed instructions right on it, and is included along with two standard cutting plates.
• The large center handle opening is wide, easy to grasp and hold when rolling or transporting the machine.
• Cutting multiple layers of paper and/or cardstock is no problem.
• Cutting up to 8 layers of fabric is a whiz!  (QUILTERS REALLY LOVE THIS OPTION!)
• Embossing is just as easy too… with Texturz plates or Exclusive Stampin’ Up! embossing folders, your projects will look absolutely beautiful!

Reflecting on the day, I realized that I have not used the Cuttlebug since the Big Shot arrived in my Stamping Room!  I asked a room full of ladies if they would like to have the machine… and sadly, there were no takers.  Then, I asked if there were any grandchildren who would like to have the machine… one lady finally said her Nieces might like it, and she would check!  I couldn’t even give away this little toy/machine… Wow! 

The next day, I did get an email, and the Nieces will happily adopt the tiny Cuttlebug.  So, good-bye Cuttlebug, my old friend… You were a fun toy… and I’m sure the kiddies will enjoy playing.  You’ve known it for a while, but I’ve moved on to the grown-up die cutting and embossing machine….

To purchase your grown-up Die Cutting and Embossing Big Shot machine, simply Click Here to visit my online Stampin’ Up! Store!  You’ll also get to choose a free Sale-A-Bration set when you purchase the Big Shot Online!

Stampin’ Hugs!

Technorati Tags: big shot,cuttlebug,online store,rubber stamps,supplies

Valentine and Chocolate… Duh!

Truly, what would Valentines’ Day be without Chocolate and flowers?  My DD doth protest… and so I stand corrected:  What would ANY day be without Chocolate, and who wants to eat flowers anyway!

It’s February, so what would our 1st Wednesday Card Club Monthly Meeting be without Chocolate??  I found some cute Whitman’s Chocolate Heart Boxes while shopping locally… YUM!  At 4” they weren’t really big, but I have to admit I was a bit disappointed when I opened one up and discovered there were only three pieces of candy inside!  Remember when the chocolates were crowded inside the box, and you couldn’t possibly eat them all at once?  Not so today!

The cello wrapping was removed from the box, and the box lid (heart) was traced onto real red cardstock.  After adding a bow, the real red heart was attached to the top of the box with Tombow Multi Adhesive.

Isn’t this fun?  The Chocolate Chip Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon was attached to the box with glue dots, gave it a finished look we all preferred over the shiny foil red edge the box originally came with! 

I have to tell you several boxes were missing Chocolate before they left the club meeting! 

Here’s another view of the flower embellishing the Chocolate Box…

Punches and die cuts were used to make the flower, and a jumbo brad was inserted in the middle to hold the blossom together.  The edges of the flowers were curled with a stylus or piercing tool.  The Very Vanilla Cardstock flowers were stamped with the dot-dot-dot background stamp from the Occasions Mini Catalog, and image from the Friends 24/7 Stamp set featured in last Saturday’s post.

Of course, our Chocolate Hearts had to have a stamped message… this was Stamp Club, after all!  With a little help from the Holiday Best Hostess Level 1 stamp set, and the scalloped oval punch, our Valentine Chocolate Box was complete. 

Supplies

Stamps:

• dot-dot-dot
• friends 24/7
• holiday best

Classic Inks:

• Chocolate Chip
• Real Red

Punches:

• Scalloped Oval Punch
• 5-Petal Flower Punch

Accessories:

• Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon
• Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker
• Jumbo Brads (Very Vanilla)
• Mini Glue Dots
• Chocolate Chip Wide Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
• Tombow Multi  Adhesive
• Mat Pack & Piercing Tool
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Sponge Daubers
• **Exclusive “Blossom Party”** Stampin’ Up! Originals Sizzix Die

** The Blossom Party Die is exclusive and available only through Stampin’ Up! To order yours at my online stampin’ up store Click Here.

Hmm… I think there’s a box of Chocolate calling for me… See you tomorrow!

Technorati Tags: chocolate,valentine,stamping,rubber stamps,card making

Staples… Baroque Motifs, Ink, and Cardstock!

Yet another quick and easy card using the fabulous staple for stampers:  Baroque Motifs!  The swirling image has been popular ever since it’s debut in the Stampin’ Up! Idea Book and Catalog!  I’ve used this image for elegant Thank You Cards, Wedding Invites, Graduation Announcements, and more.  The stamp set wreaks versatility, for use in stamping, embossing, and rubber stamping techniques as well. 

Isn’t this fun?  The supplies for this card are very minimal… one stamp set, two ink pads, a gel pen, and cardstock!  Another perfect and quick and fun stampin’ up! workshop card.  Picture yourself and 6 or 7 friends gathering together and creating beautiful cards… When you host a Stampin’ Up! workshop, you and your guests get hands on stampin’ experience.   Everyone goes home with something they made, and with a qualifying workshop, you earn free stampin’ up! merchandise too (cardstock, ink, ribbon, stamps, and more.)

Supplies:

Stamps:  Baroque Motifs

Classic Inks:  Chocolate Chip, Ballet Blue

Card Stock:  Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Signo White Gel Pen, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon

Of course you don’t have to host a workshop to get the supplies, and there is NO minimum order requirements.  Click Here to visit my Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Website and Online Store.  Get started making your own fabulous cards today!

Stampin’ Fun to All!

Technorati Tags: stampin' up,rubber stamping,card making,workshop

A Little Bashful… Blue

Well, Bashful Blue and Basic Gray that is!  Clean and Crisp, this card was also quick and easy to create.  It is the perfect Stampin’ Up! workshop card… a real WOW!  The card uses only a few supplies, and is easy to cut and prepare for too!  The card features the forever favorite stamp set:  Baroque Motifs, with a little help from the Friends 24/7 stamp set too.  Another bonus, one Classic Ink Pad:  Basic Gray!

But that’s not all!  Check out the elegant interior of the card!

Now, isn’t that a WOW?  I love the larger image from the Friends 24/7 Stamp set which was used alongside the inside edge of the Whisper White cardstock above.  It was also used along the bottom edge of the card front as well!  Book your Stampin’ Up! workshop and learn how to make this fabulous WOW card with your friends.. your friends will love you for it too!  Visit my Stampin’ Up! Site for more information and to find out how… Click HERE Now!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Baroque Motifs, Friends 24/7

Cardstock:  Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Basic Gray

Classic Ink:  Basic Gray

Accessories:  Sponge Dauber, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon

Been a bit under the weather battling yet another sinus infection (TMI?)  It is amazing how something like a sinus infection can put serious brakes on life!

I do believe I have had enough of the wintery cold weather here in Florida, and am ready for a hearty and bright spring!  The only upside to a long winter in Florida of course is that creepy crawly population seriously suffers… and that’s good news for the summer!

Stay warm and healthy!

Technorati Tags: workshop,rubber stamping,card making,stampin up,basic gray,WOW! Card

Shimmer Paint Video for you!

Today, I'm going to share a special shimmer paint video with Stampin' Up's own Shannon West! I showed you the shimmer spray technique and the recipe last September... I called Stampin' Up! and spoke with the creative department about this last September too... they seem to have forgotten who gave them the recipe... but I will share the video with all of you anyway.. more great ideas, and the shimmer paints are still available as a write in item on your stampin' up! merchandise orders!
Find more videos like this on Stampin' Up!

The finer things in life… Fine Flourish is a winner!

Fine Flourish is a palm sized wood mount stamp set offered in the Stampin’ Up! Occasions Mini catalog.  As you may be able to tell from prior posts, I just love this tiny $9.95 stamp!  It’s perfect for stamping backgrounds, adding interest, or punching!

Here’s another card I made for my Seniors Center!  We’ve used the extra large two-step bird punch, the full heart punch, and of course the coordinating scalloped heart embosslit too!  In classic Red and Vanilla, this card was quite a hit!

Sometimes I’m a bit hesitant about using a large printed Designer Series Paper (DSP) on a card, aren’t you?  The Sending Love Specialty DSP seems to work quite well on this card, however… and I loved the way it turned out!  If you’re wondering why it’s called a ‘specialty’ DSP, it’s because many of the designs have glitter embedded in them… wow!  Another pattern from the same paper pack was also used to punch the bird’s wing which was then popped up with a stampin’ dimensional!

I’ve gotten a LOT of use from my Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die… A beautiful accent for a card or scrapbook page by itself, or layered with a stamped image and full heart punch.. it’s all good! 

Wow.. and I just realized this card has NO RIBBON… unusual for me, I really love the matching ribbons… but this card did not seem to need it.  What do you think?

Stampin’ Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Well Scripted

Classic Inks:  Real Red, Old Olive

Paper/Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Real Red, Sending Love Specialty DSP

Punches:  Extra Large Two Step Bird, Full Heart

Accessories:  Sponge Daubers, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit*, stampin’ dimensionals

*Used with the Big Shot die cutting machine!

Thanks for stopping by!

Technorati Tags: cards,rubber stamping,crafts,big shot

Things I love… a special scrapbook 2-page layout

This was another 2-page 8.5” x11” layout featured in my UNF classes last week.  The two page spread may be used to commemorate a special Valentines Day memory, a special person, or even better yet… that favorite chocolate recipe ;)

These pages were very quick and simple to create, and I still managed to sneak in the Heart of Heart Embosslits Die too… isn’t that simply amazing?

 

The Designer Series Paper featured on both these pages is once again from the Sending Love Specialty Paper pack… I love the added interest that can be created just by flipping a corner and pinning it down with a Pretty in Pink Corduroy Brad, don’t you?

Have you touched the new satin ribbons featured in the Occasion Mini Catalog?  I thought I was just going to buy one or two colors.. but when I actually touched them, I was a goner… they are so smooth and of elegant hand… there went my ribbon budget!  Good thing I’m a demo (I get all my supplies at 20% off or more…)

Stampin’ Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Things I love, Fine Flourish

Classic Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Paper / Cardstock:  Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pretty In Pink, Sending Love Specialty DSP

Accessories:  Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, Full Heart Punch, Heart of Hearts Embosslit*, Pretty in Pink Corduroy Brads, Soft Subtle Brads. Stampin’ Dimensionals; Latte Buttons, Mini Glue Dots, and Pretty in Pink Gingham Ribbon (retired)

*for use with the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine

See you tomorrow with another creative project or card… hmm, I wonder which it will be!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: big shot,rubber stamping,scrapbooking,recipes