More fall fun

I’m still waiting for chilly weather to reach Texas, but it’s not keeping me from enjoying all the fun to be had in the SU’s holiday mini.  One of my favorite new sets is Happy Blessings.  The little scarecrow is oh so cute, and a load of fun to color in.

(all images copyrighted with Stampin’ Up)

Stamp Sets: Happy Blessings

Paper: Bella Rose dsp, tangerine tango, always artichoke, SU watercolor paper, very vanilla

Ink: Timber Brown Staz On, Riding Hood Red

Other: SU Markers, blender pen, aquapainter, Stampin’ Sponge, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 circle punches, stamping dimensionals

I had so much fun making this card.  SU’s watercolor paper makes watercoloring a breeze.  I blended the colors using blender pens in the more detailed areas (like the wheat), and the aquapainter in the bigger areas like the scarecrow’s body.  And, I love the fact that I was able to get this vibrant effect with SU’s markers!!!!

My love affair with the bella rose dsp continued with this card.  I find that designers series paper finishes off cards and projects so nicely, and bella rose is an excellent example.  The chocolate polka dot pulled the whole card together, and took it from looking like any old card.  It made the card look more professional.

Finally, I stamped the greeting, and used my 1 1/4 inch circle punch to cut it out.  Then I sponged riding hood red ink around the tangerine tango layer that cut out using my 1 3/8 inch circle punch. I place the sentiment on the card with a stampin dimensional so that it gave the card more depth.

Writing this post is making me want some yummy candy corn.  I may have to go out and get some.

Stamping as Therapy

If you’ve spent any decent amount of time with a group of stampers you have probably heard the phrase, “It’s cheaper than therapy.” It’s usually a lovely joke expressed towards those that need an extra push to buy the latest big thing or towards non-crafters that gawk at what some will spend on a “hobby”. I never thought I’d actually look to stamping to get me through a hard situation.

If you’ve noticed this blog has been lacking posts as of late. My family and I have been through a personal tragedy, and this blog, amongst other things, has moved to the back burner. But, as the weeks have moved on I’ve found myself moving more and more towards my stamps. Not, because stamping is actual therapy (if you need help you should most definitely seek professional help, and I don’t mean emailing Shelli), but because it’s an activity I love. And, while I’ve had the wonderful support of friends, family, and my amazing husband I needed something to keep my hands busy and calm my mind. And, the simple act of stamping brought me such a simple joy. Slowly but surely my life is beginning to radiate with joy and happiness again. I owe that to my family and friends, but also to this simple hobby. When my mind gets too busy and talking to someone doesn’t seem to help I can pick up a stamp and make something beautiful. And, on the days when the world seems anything but beautiful that’s a gift only God could have given to me. I have experienced His grace in abundance this past month, and I’m glad that He gave me the gift of a craft that allows me to share that grace with others.

I received my holiday mini preorder last week, and I’m having so much fun playing with my new stamps. I firmly believe this is our best mini catalog yet!

Here’s the card I made today:

(all images copyrighted at Stampin’ Up)

Stamp Set: Season of Simple Grace

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Gold Encore

Paper: Baja Breeze, Confetti White, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Ride, Kiwi Kiss

Other: Riding Hood Red Taffeta, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, crop-a-dile, stamp-a-ma-jig

I love how this card came out. I’m a sucker for religious stamp sets, because it’s how I started stamping. I was sick of trying to find a Christian Christmas card that didn’t look boring or old fashioned in a bad way. So I started making my own, and the next thing I know I was hooked. So, when I saw this set in the mini catalog I knew I had to have it.

First I cut out the baja breeze, and adhered a piece of torn confetti white to the bottom of the piece of cardstock. I then stamped the holy family in chocolate chip. You may have to use a marker/blender pen to color in brown if there are any gaps along the confetti white and baja breeze border. I then used the stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the star in gold. There is something about Christmas Cards that just screams for gold. In fact if I make this card again I will probably sponge gold along the chocolate chip border. After the star was dry I mounted it onto the chocolate chip layer, added the kiwi kiss strip to the card and mounted it to the card base. I then punched out a circle in kiwi kiss, folded it in half, and glued it to the card. I then punched two small holes with the crop-a-dile, and tied some taffata ribbon to the card. I find the taffata ribbon the perfect color and feel for Christmas. I also like the simple not for this card, because it doesn’t overwhelm the design and is easy to do. Easy is always good if you are looking at doing multiples of a card.

In Love with my new stamps

I’m loving all my preorder stamps and colors.  I have been doing tons of stamping!

Here’s a card I made with my new favorite color combination: Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette

(all images copyrighted at Stampin’ Up)

Supplies:

Stamp Set- Dreams Du Juor

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze

Paper: Bella Rose DSP, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze

Other: Scallop edge punch, square punch.

This card is simple, but think wonderfully shabby chic.  I cut a strip of Bella Rose DSP, and adhered it to the card.  Then, I stamped the love stamp by rock n’ rolling in pink pirouette and baja breeze.  Then I punched out each love image with our square punch.  I then mounted them on baja breeze squares, and lined them up on the card.  Finally, I used our scallop edge punch to make some rick rack by punching out a line of scallops, and then turning it upside down and putting it through the punch again.

Dreams Grow…. with the new in colors

I got my new shipment of preorder goodies! By far one of my favorite things about being a demo is that I get to sneak peak products that customers won’t be able to buy till the new catty is out. I was super excited to get new stamps sets, and even more excited to get the new in colors.

This card uses the new set Dreams du Jour.

Supplies:

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, and Pink Pirouette

Other: Stampin’ Dimensionals

(all images © Stampin’ Up)

Aren’t the new in colors beautiful! I used the Riding Hood Red for my card base. I then stamped the small butterfly stamp onto the cardstock with Riding Hood Red ink to create a nice background. Then I made faux suede paper by rubbing my Kiwi Kiss cardstock along a bone folder until it started to separate at the edge. Then, slowly peel the paper in two. The inside of the separated paper will look like suede. I then stamped the Dream stamp onto Pink Pirouette cardstock, and mounted it onto the faux suede Kiwi Kiss cardstock. Once that was mounted to the card, I stamped three butterflies onto Pink Pirouette and cut them out. Then I mounted each butterfly onto the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals so that they look like they are flying.

Speaking of In Colors, have you stocked up on all this year’s In Colors? If not, make sure you stock up on all your favorites, because they will be gone for good after August 10th. And, don’t forget a reinker for your ink pad!

I actually made a card!!!!

So, when I moved to Texas I could really only take what I absolutely needed, and the rest is coming August.  So there I sat in my stamping area deciding what had to come and what could wait.  I was clearly out of my mind from packing, because other than my new stamp sets I only packed: paper (lovely lilac and confetti cream), snail, bone folder, scissors, bright ink pads, staz on pad.  That’s it!  I didn’t even pack a paper cutter!  Was I insane?  Luckily, I had some Great Rewards (one of the many programs to benefit demos) so I got a free paper trimmer from SU.

But, being so limited in supplies reminds me why I got into stamping and SU.  I loved their images and I loved their matching paper and ink.  So I did the best KISS (Keep It Simple Sister) card I could, and remembered that it takes as much time to put together a simple beautiful card as it does one filled with ribbon, brads, and other goodies.

So here’s the card:

Supplies:

Paper: Lovely Lilac, Confetti Cream

Ink: Lovely Lilace, Staz On, Gable Green, YoYo Yellow, Pink Passion

Stamps: Boho Backgrounds, God is Love

Other: Blender Pen

(all images are ;copy& Stampin’ Up)

This card is pretty simple.  I stamped the confetti cream card with the flowers from Boho Backgrounds in lovely lilac.  I then stamped three of my favorite images from God is love, and cut them each into squares.  I colored them fun girly colors with my bright ink pads and a blender pen.  Then I mounted them on a lovely lilac strip, and mounted it to the right side of the card.  This card was give to a friend of our for her daughter’s baptism.

And, while I enjoyed stretching my mind with limited supplies I can’t wait to order new stuff on July 1st!  Demos get to preorder from a sneak preview, which means in about two weeks I’ll have all the new in colors to play with!  And, I’ll get two free stamp sets as part of another SU demo reward program.  I love being a demo!

A Regal Wedding Card

No, these aren’t my wedding invitations. This is a picture of a card I made for my fiance’s friend’s wedding. It uses two of my favorite colors: Regal Rose and Rose Red.

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: To have and to hold, Together Forever
Paper: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla
Ink: Rose Red
Other: tag corner punch
all images © Stampin’ Up

I matted Rose Red on top of Regal rose. On top of that, I placed a piece of very vanilla paper that I had stamped in Rose Red using the swirl stamp from to have and to hold. I left space in the right hand corner to place the sentiment Together Forever from the together forever stamp set. I then made tags using my tag corner punch in Very Vanilla and Rose Red. I stamped the bride and groom onto the very vanilla, mounted it to the Rose red, and then mounted it onto the rest of the card.

I love the To Have and To Hold stamp set. There are so many uses for it beyond weddings. You could use the heart for a Valentine’s Day card or general love card, the rose and swirl stamps for any background or accent on a card, the frame stamp for any card, the champagne for new years or for any celebration card, etc. And, of course, the bride and groom can be used for many many wedding purposes.

A Little Birdie Birthday

So, I got all my new goodies on Friday!!!!!! Just looking at my box of brand new sets has been so much fun. I was busy cutting out cardstock for my wedding invitations today, but I thought I’d post the card I made for my nephew’s first birthday.

Recipe:

Stamp Sets- A Little Birdie Told Me
Paper: Taken with Teal, SU watercolor paper
Ink: Black Staz On
Extras: SU bold bright watercolor crayons, SU buttons, mini glue dots
(all images © Stampin’ Up)

I love the ease of using the watercolor crayons for watercoloring, because it creates a nice soft watercolor look and super quick to do. I also thought it added a little more childish fun to a card for a 1 year old. Once I got done coloring the birdie scene, I mounted it to the left, and put three buttons to the right. This card was super easy and quick.

Zoofari meets Celebrate Everything

Zoofari and Celebrate Everything are both great sets that can be used a million different ways. So when I was trying to think of what to make for my nephew’s birthday it seemed like a good idea to combine the two. And, of course using Zoofari means I get to pull out my SU markers and watercolor paper.

Recipe:
stamp sets: Zoofari, Celebrate Everything
Ink: Black Staz On
Paper: Brocade Blue, SU watercolor paper
Extras: Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon, mini glue dots, su markers, aquapainter
(all images © Stampin’ Up)

Piling the animals on top of each other is one of my favorite ways to use the zoofari set. I think it ups the playfullness of this set a notch. I colored the animals in using the following SU markers: Bordering Blue, Ballet Blue, Black (journaler), Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel, and Chocolate Chip. I then stamped Celebrate down the side, and added a happy birthday sentiment on the inside. I mounted the watercolor paper off to the side, and then tied the pumpkin pie ribbon on the left side. I didn’t tie a bow, because I wanted it to be more boy like. To keep the ribbon from moving around I put some mini glue dots under it.

I love the zoofari set. It’s great for cards and scrapbooks. And, Celebrate Everything is one of the sets you can earn for free by holding a qualifying workshop in January.

Mistakes are a girl’s best friend

So, I am still busy scrapbooking, but this time for my nephew and godson. I am making him a 6×6 album for his first birthday. I know not every scrapper does them, but I love title pages in my scrapbooks. And, this one I made without a single picture.

Recipe:
stamp set: Word on Word, Nursery Necessities
paper: bashful blue, very vanilla, barely banana, and wild wasabi textured
ink: real red craft, fashful blue craft, handsome hunter craft
extras: large star punch, slit punch, sponge daubers
(all images © Stampin’ Up)

I started this design knowing I wanted to use my hostess set, Word on Word, from last fall and make a scallop with the slit punch. I decided to combine the two into the title for this page. The title of this post begins right there. I mount the paper to my page, and I find that I had a smudge of red in the corner so I stamped the small star in each corner, which I think adds more visual interest to the page. Without the mistake I may have missed the opportunity to add something a little extra. My mistakes continued as I carefully punched each star, and inked a letter from the Nursery Letters wheel, and stamped it on to each star. I got each individual letter to stamp by putting masking tape on the area around it and just putting ink on the letter I wanted. But, I must have had a pit of residue on the stamp, because I had a slight watermark of the other letters on my page. I fixed that by sponging (with a sponge dauber) bashful blue craft ink around the star. I didn’t think to do that until I was trying to get rid of the smudge, and it added so much to the page.

And, one more mistake increased my creativity. I went to place the stars on the page, and found they didn’t fit! I had taken all that time and for nothing. Then I thought to line the stars up and overlap them, and cut off the edges of the a and the n. It worked oh so perfectly, and gave me the space to put the little elephants on the bottom of the page.

This page looks nothing like I had originally planned, but I love it so much more. You can earn Nursery Necessities for free by hosting a qualifying workshop in January.

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.