Making Your Own Designer Series Paper

One of the things I love about stamping is how much it has opened up the world of scrapbooking for me. I no longer have to search far and wide for paper that contains images just right for my pictures. I only have to pull out a piece of 12×12 cardstock, my stamps, and my craft ink.

Here is a scrapbook page I created for a Cardinals vs. Astros game my fiance and I went to:

Recipe:

Stamp set: Just Baseball
Paper: Very Vanilla, Real Red
Ink: Real Red Craft Ink
Extras: Basic Black Stampin Write Journaler
(all images © Stampin’ Up)

I had so much fun making this paper, and it was so simple. I took one stamp from the stamp set at a time, stamped it in real red craft ink, and stamped off the page until I got my desired look. I know some people don’t use craft ink in their scrapbooks, but I really can’t more highly recommend it. Yes, you have to put it aside to dry or get a heat tool to help it dry, but the craft ink is designed specifically for long lasting scrapbooks. I make up the time waiting for my ink to dry by working on my journaling during that period. I wanted to add something a little extra to my journaling box so I stamped a baseball in the corner and matted it in real red paper. I also matted the picture of my fiance and I in real red, because I wanted that to be the focal picture.

Stamps provide you with limitless options for your scrapbooks. You can make your own accents, journal boxes, and designer paper.

More fun with Nursery Necessities

A friend of mine and my fiance’s cousin are both having babies so I’ve been having fun making baby cards for them. I’m quickly falling far the Nursery Necessities set I received in my spring catalog preorder. It is such a fun set to play with, and could easily be used for more than just baby cards. The boat, for example, fits in great with Stampin’ Up’s Crew Classic style watch that will be featured in the new catalog.

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Bundle of Joy, Nursery Necessities
Ink: Versa Mark, Regal Rose, Lovely Lilac
Paper: Regal Rose, Very Vanilla, Lovely Lilac
Extras: Sponge daubers, Stampin’ dimensionals, large star punch
(all images © Stampin’ Up)

I created the first layer with regal rose cardstock, and gave it a background with the small star from the nursery necessities stamp set in versamark ink. I then cut out an additional layer in lovely lilac, and stamped the sweet heart stamp from Bundle of Joy and the little star again in versamark. I placed the greeting for the card in the lower right corner in black, and used my sponge daubers to create more visual interest to the card by sponging on some lovely lilac around the edge of that layer. Finally I stamped the star letter stamp onto very vanilla paper, punched in out with the large star punch, and mounted it to the cards with a stampin’ dimensional. I chose to pop the star up, because I thought the card would look too flat without it. You could add even more dimension to the card by adding addtional punched stars (maybe in lovely lilac?) to the regal rose layer. If I were making this for a boy baby I would probably use brillant blue, real read, and yo-yo yellow.

I’m having so much fun playing with all the new catty stamp sets I preordered, and from the looks of the new catty I’m going to be ordering plenty of stamps in the new year as well.

A Simple Card for a Simple Stamp

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. Mine was busy, but lots of fun as it was my first with my fiance. Of course, now I’m ready for the new year and the new SU catalog. I’ve been pouring though my demo copy, and am absolutely in love with it.

I made a card using another one of the amazing stamp sets I received through my demonstrator preorder. It features the darling doodle birdies that have become so popular amongst stampers. I wanted the card to be simple and play up the child like fun of this simple stamp.

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: A Little Birdie Told Me, Nursery Necessities
Paper: Bashful Blue, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla
Ink: Black Staz On, Versamark
Extras: SU watercolor crayons bold brights
(all images © Stampin’ Up)

I discovered this color combo while making a baby card for my friend. Her nursery is the most adorable combo of blue and pink, and I felt the regal rose was the closest match to the pink in her nursery. And, I felt the bashful blue and regal rose was such a beautiful combo that I keep using it. I stamped my blue cardstock with the small star from the nursery necessities set in versamark. The star is just the right size to make backgrounds with. I then stamped the birdie on very vanilla paper, and stamped the birdie in black staz on. Because, I wanted to keep with the child like quality of this stamp set I used the watercolor crayons, and used more than one color of crayon to fill in the bird. Instead of flawlessly blending the colors together, I made the line between the colors a little more clear to look more child like. I found it more interesting visually to offset the very vanilla against the regal rose. It also seemed to give the image more movement as it looks like the bird is moving up as opposed to just stuck in place.

This card was oh so simple to make and lots of fun. You can earn this set for free by hosting a qualifying workshop in the month of January.

Will you be my Valentine?

Amongst my preview stamps was Happy Heart Day an adorable Valentine set. It’s a great set for scrapbooks and little kid Valentines (or a card to an adult recalling the old valentine swapping days).

Here’s the card I made:

Recipe:
Stamp Set: Happy Heart Day
Ink: Black Staz On, Versamark
Paper: Real Red, Regal Rose
Extras: Rose Red Designer Series Paper, Build-a-brad, SU watercolor paper, Crystal Effects
(all images © Stampin Up)

I had so much fun coloring in this little guy. I used my SU watercolor paper, which I am quickly getting addicted to, and colored it in with the following SU markers: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Bordering Blue, Ballet Blue. I stamped a small flower and heart stamp from the set with versamark on the Real Red cardstock. I then used the build-a-brad to decorate the corner of that layer. This was the first time I’ve ever tried the build-a-brad. I love them! They are a super easy way to make an unique embellishment. I punched out a half-inch circle with the SU circle punch, adhered it with crystal effects, and placed the clear bubble on top. I thought it added a little pop to the card.

You can earn this set, or one of the others from the preview brochure, for free by holding a qualifying workshop in January.

A side note: Did you know St. Valentine was a priest? He was killed, because he refused to stop preforming christian marriages. What a heroic priest! He died so that the sacrament of marriage could continue. So maybe you could send your priest or minister a card this Valentine’s Day, and let them know how much your appreciate their service to God and to you.

I’m heading down to Texas tomorrow to see my fiance! Needless to say I’m going to be a busy bee having tons of fun so I might not be able to post for a few days. Enjoy your Christmas, and enjoy celebrating Our Savior’s birth with your friends and family.

A Glimpse of Spring

No, not out my window, but with my stamps. I received my preorder from the Spring/Summer SU catty. Getting to play with the stamps before the catalog comes out is just one of the benefits of being a demonstrator.

Here is a card I made using the beautiful Embrace Life set:

Recipe:
Stamp Set- Embrace Life
Paper- Regal Rose, Rose Red, SU watercolor paper
Ink- Black Staz On
Extras: SU brads, sponge dauber, aquapainter, cropadile
(all images © Stampin Up)

This flower set just screamed for color so I took out my markers, aquapainter, and watercolor paper. First I stamped the large flower onto the watercolor paper. I then masked it by cutting out a piece of scrap paper in its shape, and placed it over the image. I then inked up the smaller flower stamp, and stamped it on both sides of the flower so that it appears to be one large stamp. Masking is a great way to get a variety of looks from just a few stamps. I then colored in the image with the following SU markers: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Summer Sun, Garden Green. I then took my sponge dauber and added Regal Rose ink to the edge of the watercolor paper to add dimension without adding another paper layer.

Now, my first temptation was to mount the watercolor paper in the center and call it a day, but instead I place it to the side, and added some SU brads for visual interest. I marked, with a pencil, where I wanted my holes to be, and then used the small hole punch on the cropadile to punch them out. Finally, I added the Embrace Life sentiment at the bottom of the card in Black Staz On.

Never Say Never

When I first saw the watercolor paper in the SU catalog I said, “Why would anyone buy that? Confetti Cream should work great for watercoloring. I will never buy that.” Then I heard the siren call of the watercolor paper, and that it was supposed to work well with the SU markers. I had to try it. And, so I ordered it with all my preview stamps–that’s right I get stamps early just for being a demostrator. I love it! Here is one of many cards I made using it and my markers today.

Recipe:
Stamp Sets- Bundle of Joy, Nursery Necessities
Ink- Timber Brown Staz On, Versamark
Paper- Regal Rose, Lovely Lilac, Watercolor Paper
Extras- SU Markers, Aqua painter
(all images © Stampin Up)

The Bundle of Joy set is just one of the many retiring stamps sets, and I new I had to get it before it was gone for good. I took the sweet heart stamp from that set and the star from Nursery Necessities (one of my new preview stamp sets), and stamped them in versamark on the Regal Rose cardstock for the base of my card. I then stamped the giraffe from Bundle of Joy onto my water color paper, and colored it in with the following SU markers: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Lavender Lace, and Lovely Lilac. The watercolor paper is perfect for the markers, because the ink really soaks in showing no streaks. I backed the giraffe on lovely lilac cardstock, and with just a little coloring and paper I had a lovely card for a new mommy.

If you love the Timber Brown Staz On ink pad or the Bundle of Joy stamp set make sure to place an order for them before the end of December as they will be retired in the new year. And, if you already have a timber brown staz on pad remember to order a refill.

Say Goodbye to the Outlaw

That’s right, the Outlaw Designers Series Paper will be no more after December. This paper works so well to create cards with the BOHO/Western look that is so popular right now. And, since my fiance lives in Texas you can believe I have had a lot of fun with this set.

Recipe:
Stamps- Bronc Buster
Ink- Groovy Guava, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Paper, Groovy Guava, Sage Shadow, Confetti Cream, Close to Cocoa, Outlaw Designer Series paper
Extras- SU brads
(all images © Stampin Up)

This card was all about recreating the dusty and aged appeal of western style. I chose groovy guava and sage shadow, because they both brought me to the southwestern color scheme. And, the striped paper from the Outlaw Designers Series Paper which is slightly aged looking went perfect. I stamped the star and flourish stamp from Bronc Buster in groovy guava ink onto the cardstock, and sponged close to cocoa ink onto the sage shadow paper to age it as well. I then added brads to add a hard, more masculine element to the card. And, finally the main image. I used a split negative technique (if you would like to learn more about split negatives be on the look out for my class on them in the new year) in close to cocoa on the confetti cream and whisper white on the close to cocoa. I didn’t emboss the split negative, because I wanted it to have a more dull aged appearance instead of shiny and new.

This card was so much fun to make, and this stamp is a perfect set for cards and scrapbooks.
But, remember you want to stock up on the Outlaw paper before the end of December or it will be gone forever.

Wedding Card

I made this card for my fiance’s parents, and gave it to them on their anniversary. I had so much fun making it, and got to use lots of fun stamping toys.

Recipe:
Stamp- Fairy-tale Wedding, Baroque Motifs
Paper- Designer Series Paper from old Sellabration kit, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Pale Plum
Ink: Certainly Celery, Basic Black
Extras: Soft Subtles Watercolor Crayons, Hodgepodge Hardware, Paper Crimper, Priceless Classy Brass Template, Apricot Appeal Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals
(all images © Stampin’ Up)

This card was so fun to make. It was all about layers. I started by using my trusty light table (yep there are still some of die hards that don’t use Cuttlebug) to make my heart cardstock. If you don’t have the Empressor Stylus I would recommend you get it as it makes dry embossing so much easier. I then put my strip of Certainly Celery through the paper crimper, added a smaller layer of pale plum, and then used the apricot appeal to attach the hodgepodge hardware in antique brass to the card. The cherish was stamped on whisper white paper. To continue the layering idea I started by using the large stamp from the baroque motif set, and applied it to the whisper white in certainly celery. Putting a lighter color under a darker word or image is just one way to create texture without adding paper.
And, finally I stamped the flowers from the fairy tale wedding set onto whisper white, colored it with the watercolor crayons (so I could have layers of different colors), and mounted onto designer series paper. I then applied the image to the pretty in pink card stock with a stampin dimensional to finish off the layered look.

I think the overall effect was very pretty and delicate despite layer after layer of stamping fun. On the inside I posted the message from the fairytale wedding set: And, they lived happily ever after. I thought that was the perfect sentiment to celebrate such a wonderful marriage.

More Time Well Spent

I can’t get enough of this fun new set. It’s wonderfully girly, and has limitless possibilities. Nestled between the flowers and butterfly stamps was a beautiful heart. The heart stamp is just one of the stamps that carries this stamp set beyond another flower set.

Recipe:
Stamp Set- Time Well Spent
Ink: Versamark, Pink Passion, Lovely Lilac, Orhcid Opulence
Paper: Pink Passion, Confetti Cream, Lovely Lilac
Extras: SU brads, Lovely Lilac Prints Designer Series Paper
(all images © Stampin’ Up)

With this card I wanted to make use of the simplicity of the lines in this set without coloring. I started by making my own patterned paper. I took a small flower stamp from the set, and stamped off the page in Pink Passion, Lovely Lilac, and Orhcid Opulence. I love stamping off the page, because there is really no way you can go wrong with this technique. I also stamped a larger flower in versamark on the lovely lilac cardstock to creat a background for the card.

How did I choose the extras? I chose to place brads, because the card seemed plain to me without them. I wasn’t sure if brads would work, but I wanted to try it. I then decided to move my square on an angle to add more interest visually. Finally, instead of coloring the flower in the hear purple I stamped just the flower onto a piece of design series paper, and cut it out. I then placed it where the flower would have been colored in. It’s just one of the many ways to use the designer series paper.

Fun with Free Stamps

There are ton of advantages to being a Stampin’ Up demo. I get 20% off all my purchases, an official magazine only for demos with ideas and quality articles, chances to see and buy stamps before they come out in the main catalog, and most importantly free stamps! Stampin’ Up recently sent all of their demos a free stamp set to thank us for all that we do. The set will be a level 3 Hostess Set in the Spring/Summer catalog.

Time Well Spent is sooooooooo much fun to play with it. It is my favorite new set. It’s the great doodle style, and it just cries out for color and glitter.

Here is one card I made with my new set:

Recipe:
Stamps: Time Well Spent
Ink: Black Staz On
Paper: Lovely Lilac, Glorious Green
Extras: Bold Bright Watercolor Crayons, Aquapainter, Paper Crimper, Stampin Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds, Two Way Glue Pen
(all images © Stampin’ Up)

I wanted this card to have lots of texture, and really play with the fun of the child like doodle stamp. I stamped the butterfly and flower, colored them in with the crayons and aquapainter, and cut them out. I then traced the two way glue pen along the edges and other accents, and poured on the dazzling diamonds. After that I cut into the glorious green strip at odd angles, and put the whole strip through the paper crimper to make it look like grass. I nestled the flower in the grass, and put the butterfly on with a stampin up dimensional to make it look like it was flying.

Finally I added the thanks a bunch sentiment at the bottom of the card. To earn this beautiful set contact me about setting up a workshop in the New Year.