Heather's Wedding favors

Hi Stampers!
Remember Heather (of the early morning text featuring stamping)?  I received a text photo last night that looked like this:

Aren't these little boxes so sweet?  They are for her wedding this week!  She made these little boxes using the 2-4-6-8 box.  Here is how it works.  Take a half sheet of card stock 5-1/2x8-1/2 inches and line the 8-1/2 inch side along the top of your Simply Scored tool.  Now score at 2,4,6, and 8 inches.  Turn the card so the 5-1/2 inch side is along the top edge and score at 2 inches.  Cut the score lines along the bottom edge to this 2 inch score mark.   Fold it all up to make a box!  If you have more questions please contact me, I'm happy to help!  This makes a box that is 3-1/2 inches high.  You can make the box as tall as 9 inches depending on the size of your card stock- the 9 inch box would use a full sheet.  Heather folded hers like a mini milk carton- a cute presentation- and used Four Frames stamp set to add tags.  I think she used a stamp from Sale-a-bration for the background.  I wonder what she has stashed inside?  Wish we could be there Heather!  Have a lovely wedding day beautiful girl!

Just a reminder that this is the last 2 days to order from the Occasions mini catalog .

Thanks for stopping by!
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Mojo Monday Challenge #238

Hi Stampers!
Another day, another challenge!  I was excited by the sketch over at Mojo Monday this week so I decided to play along.  The theme is quilt like and made me think of a quilt I made with my daughter a few years ago:

She wanted a homemade quilt to decorate her dorm room and even though she had never used a sewing machine, she thought it would be a great project for the two of us to tackle during her week home.  I was thinking simple 9 patch, not being much of a quilter myself, but of course she had grander plans!  I recruited my dear friend Jan to give us a hand, and with her help, the 3 of us completed the quilt in time for her to take it back to school.  So this quilt was my inspiration for my card:

It is quite a bit simpler than my daughter's quilt but it still evokes the same qualities to me.  I hand cut the squares and glued them onto a piece of cardstock, then trimmed the edges to make them clean.  The hearts are punched and glued on.  The greeting is from the hostess set Happiest Birthday wishes, soon to be retired.  Have you checked the retired list?  It now has the accessories listed as well as the stamps that are going to be retired- and some of those accessories are on sale- so check it out!
Thanks for stopping by!
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Gnome sweet gnome

Hi Stampers!
Today I want to use a stamp set that is going away with the Occasions mini catalog.  There are so many great sets in this catalog I wish I had them all!  However, I don't, but I do want to use the ones I have for the next couple of days before they retire.  This is the card I originally made for the Create with Connie and Mary sketch Challenge CMCC198.  

I love the details of this card.  Sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference, like the cute flower brad on the tag, and the way the words are stamped.

I've got a confession to make: I'm a hoarder.  I've hoarded these flower brads- I can't remember when I bought them, but this is the first time I've used them!  Such a shame!  USE those things you are hoarding!
I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the words.  On the stamp they appear in a straight line.  I used a marker to omit (or select) the words in each line and then used the SAMJ to place them where I wanted them.  Same with the grass and mushrooms.  Check the tutorial from yesterday's post to see how to work the SAMJ.
I also added to glitter to the lamp to make it sparkle- that may be hard to see in the photo unless you look very closely...
I saw a resin garden gnome today at a store and was tempted to purchase it- but the price tag was a bit too high for me, so this little guy will have to do!
Thanks for stopping by!
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Stamp-a-ma-jig

Hi Stampers!
I promised you a tutorial on how to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig and today is the day.  It's hard to get exactly the right photos but I hope this an introduction for you to this fantastic tool.
The SAMJ has 2 parts- the Positioner and a Transparency square:

 The first thing to do is line up the transparency in the corner of the positioner

 Ink up the stamp with a NON-PERMANENT ink, line it up in the corner of the positioner, and stamp.

 You can see the stamp on the transparency:

 I stamped this image and I want to line up the stick in the racoon's hands

 So I put the transparency over my image and line it up where I want to stamp it

 Time to bring in the positioner and line it up in the corner of the transparency

 Remove the transparency keeping the positioner in place

 Now line up the stamp in the corner of the positioner

  This is what it looks like stamped before I remove the positioner (after it's been stamped)

And here is the final project:

Don't you just love the bear?  This stamp set, Under the Stars, is one of my favorites.  I'm so sad it is on the retired list so I'm going to use it a lot in the next month!  I'm also going to add this to a challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary, the CCMC198 Sketch challenge.  It's a bit loose on the sketch but I think it works!  I hope they do to!  Instead of layering the bear OVER the bottom belly band, I layered him UNDER the belly band, keeping the location and balance of the original sketch.  Okay, it's a stretch, but it was my inspiration!
Thanks for stopping by!
Shop 24/7 by clicking HERE!
You can check out the Summer smooches promotion at the same place!  And the clearance rack!  Wow!

Faux Patina with Nature's Walk

Hi Stampers!
I was cruising over at Splitcoast stampers and this Faux Patina tutorial caught my interest.  I thought it was so beautiful I couldn't wait to try it!  I followed the colors and embossing folder exactly and I'm thrilled with the results:

It looks like an old, worn, tin ceiling or container, very metallic.  The vintage mood dictated the style of card I made, and Nature's walk stamp set is one of my favorites for the vintage style.  I copied the layout from one of the cards at the splitcoast stamper gallery, I didn't get the name of the person but you will find it at the faux patina gallery over there- thank her/him if you stop by!  I have just the person I want to send this to...
Thanks for stopping by!
SHOP 24/7 BY CLICKING HERE!
Nature's walk stamp set #121925w 121997c
Crumb cake card stock #120953
Crumb cake stampin' pad #121030
Early Espresso card stock#119686
Early Espresso stampin' pad #119670
Marina Mist stampin' pad #119668
Always Artichoke card stock #105119
Always Artichoke stampin' pad #105219
Always Artichoke Stampin' write marker #105113
Very vanilla card stock # 101650
Color spritzer tool#107066
cutter kit #106958
Gold embossing powder #109129
Versamark stamp pad #102283
Heat tool#100005
vintage wallpaper embossing folder #120175
Crumb cake seam binding #122332
Snail adhesive #104332
Dimensionals #104430
Antique brad # 117273
 
 

Packed for Dad

Hi Stampers!
I've been stamping up a storm lately but I've had a funny dilemma- the cards I've stamped have been for people/occasions coming up, the recipients may read this blog, and I don't want them to see the cards BEFORE they receive them in the mail!  It's made posting a little difficult!  So I stamped more!  That's not a bad thing.
I stamped a card for the SUO Challege #43, Occasions mini catalog goodbye.  It is time for a more masculine card so I used my Packed for Dad stamp for a father's day card.  This is a stamp that either stands alone, or if you want all four Packed for... stamps, you can get a 25% discount.  You can check these out here.  Here is the card I came up with:

I cased the layout from the card on page 90 of the catalog, but of course I gave it my own twist.  If you look closely  you can see that I used the Packed for Dad stamp as the background.  I usually go for random stamping but I thought is was important that the background look uniform so I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to really line things up.  I used the SAMJ again to line up the "happy father's day" since I was on a roll.  This is such a great tool to use that maybe I will try to do a tutorial for you all to see how well it works later in the week.  Check back for that!
Now is the time to check out the Occasions Mini before it goes away- you can download it HERE, as well as the other catalogs.  Our 2011-2012 is retiring on May 30th this year instead of June 30th so you may want to check that out as well!  Did you download the retiring list yet?  You can get that HERE.
Thanks for stopping by!

New Technique

Hi Stampers!
The wonderful stampers over at Handstamped Sentiments selected my "Mom" card as one of their top 3 for the challenge last week!  I'm so excited!

 I decided that I needed to join their challenge again this week!  What is the challenge this week?  A new technique they are calling "black magic".  Basically, it is a way to stamp on your black card stock and let your colors show through.  It looks really neat- you can check it out:

To get the look you stamp your image onto the black card stock with the craft white Stampin' Pad (or another light color), let it dry (if you are more patient than I am) and then color over with your watercolor pencils.  Pretty, isn't it?  Well, I cheated.  I wanted a more vibrant look than the watercolor pencils were giving me we I pulled out my handy dandy Stampin' Pastels and had at it.  Let me show you the difference:

When I look at the photograph uploaded onto my computer I can see that the watercolor pencil draft on the left is really quite pretty and tidier than the pastels on the right.  In the poor lighting in my workshop you could barely see the color, hence the use of the pastels.  If it would ever stop raining here maybe I'll get some better lighting!  Until then, pastels for me!
I will get back with my supply list in the morning so please check back!  I also have the retired stamp list available for you!
Thanks for stopping by!
Shop 24/7 by clicking here
Button Buddies stamp set #122735w 122737c
Heard from the Heart #111644w 120006c
Craft White Stampin' Pad #101731
Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker #100082
Real Red Stampin' Write Marker #100052
Basic Black card stock #121045
Whisper white card stock #100730
Real Red card stock #102482
Lucky Limeade card stock #122926
Stampin' Pastels #120962
Square Punch #119865
Scallop Punch #122735 
Snail adhesive #104332
Dimensionals #104430

Golf Anyone?

Hi Stampers!
Before I show you my card I want to let you know that Stampin' Up! has added many new items to the clearance rack that you might want to check out! There are some of the circle punches I used today among the offerings.
Today we're off to a birthday party for a dear friend who is turning the big 5-0.  He is a golf enthusiast, and as I am not, surprisingly, I do not have any golf stamp sets so I needed to improvise.  Here is the first card I made for him:

The ball is pretty important in this card!  I used the 1 3/4" circle punch and then I used the texturz plate with the Big Shot to give it the dimples.  I hand cut the hills (and ran them through the crimper for texture), the grass, and the Flag.  The clouds are from the cupcake punch, lightly sponged to give them a bit more depth, and the greeting is from my favorite hostess set.
After I finished this card, set it aside for this evening, and started doing something else, a new idea popped into my mind and I had to go back to the craft room and try it out.  Here is take two:

The look is cleaner, which I like, but you still have the feel of the flag with the background, and the ball is in the hole.  Here is the inside:

I made the tee using a slim piece of card stock and punch the oval punch on either side.  I guess I'll let my husband choose which card he likes best!
Thanks for stopping by!
Shop 24/7 by clicking here!
Happiest Birthday Wishes hostess stamp set #122615w 122617c
Early Espresso card stock #119686
Marina Mist card stock #119682
Marina Mist Stampin' pad #119668
Certainly Celery card stock#105125
Whisper White card stock#100730
Basic Black Stampin' Pad # 101179
1 3/4" circle Punch #119850
1 3/8" circle punch #119860
1" circle Punch #119868
Cupcake Punch #121807
Oval Punch #119859
Square Punch #119865
Texturz Plate basices #114512
Crimper#101618
Stampin' Sponge #101610
Dimensionals #104430
Snail adhesive # 104332

split coast color challenge

Hi Stampers!
I wanted to join a color challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers but I was techno challenged again so I'm posting this solely for you.  The colors for the challenge are Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive.  I am a HUGE Old Olive fan, but the other two colors are truly a challenge for me!  What do you do when that happens?  Use smaller amounts!  The colors are really quite beautiful in small touches- check this out!

I went with a 3"x3" card size, you know, the kind you place in an order for your customers!  You could also insert this in a gift for a friend!  So many possibilities!  Maybe I'll do both!
So I used Raining Flowers again, I'm becoming quite attached to this set.  The Thanks is from a longer saying "Kind thanks" from Thank you Kindly stamp set but I used my trusty black Stampin' Write marker to use only the part of the stamp that I wanted- neat trick!  You could call it masking, but it is really omitting.
Another tip for those of you learning to photograph your work- white on white is too hard to photograph!  Change up the background to get the detail of the card to show up- you will be so much happier.  I am.
Thanks for stopping by!
Shop 24/7 HERE!
Raining Flowers #122765w 122767c
Thank you Kindly #111700
Whisper White Card stock # 100730
Basic Black Stampin' Pad #101179
Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker #100082
Basic Black Card Stock #100730
Tangerine Tango Card Stock #111349
Tangering Tango Stampin' Pad #111834
Daffodil Delight Card Stock#119683
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Pad # 119667
Old Olive card stock #100702
Old Olive Stampin' Pad #102277
1 3/8" circle Punch#119860
1 1/4" circle punch #119861
 

Mom

Hi Stampers!
Today I wanted to join a challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments, HSS Theme Challenge #113, all about Mom.  Mother's day is coming up and I want to be prepared!  This card will be for my MIL so don't tell...
To add the challenge I used a new to me color combo.  A customer recently emailed me that she was in a bind- she was making invitations and ran out of So Saffron, Bashful Blue, and Perfect Plum.  She had placed an order but didn't think it would arrive on time.  Could I help her out?  I did, and Sarah, I'd love to see what you came up with using this color combination.  I thought I should try it out!  Here is what I came up with:

As an aside, I used the color spritzer tool with my Perfect Plum marker, and I think this marker, of the old style, dates back to when I first purchased my Stampin' Write markers back in 1998!  These are some great markers!
I wanted to go for a shabby chic look, which I achieved with lots of layering and distressing.  I have found a great way to efficiently use my distressing tool.  Line up your card stock along the edge of your table letting it hang over the edge 1/4 to 1/2".  Hold card firmly and run the distressing tool over the edge very quickly without bending your card stock!  Go ahead and try it- it really works!
I used Field Flowers, Creative Elements, and Family reunion for my stampsets.
Thanks for stopping by!
Shop 24/7 by clicking here!
Field Flowers stamp set #122760w 122762c
Family Reunion stamp set #122710w 122712c
Creative Elements stamp se #122645w 122647c
So Safron card stock #105118
So Saffron stampin' pad #105213
Bashful Blue card stock #105120
Bashful Blue stampin' pad #105209
Perfect Plum card stock #101889
Perfect Plum stampin' pad #101437
Perfect Plum Stampin' write marker #100035
Basic Black Stampin' pad #101179
Whisper White card stock #100730
Vintage Trinkets #118764
Antique Brads #117273
Color Spritzer tool# 107066
Stampin' Sponges #101610
Mat Pack #105826
Paper Piercing tool #116631
Cutter Kit #106958 
Square punch #119865
Stampin' Dimensionals #104430
Snail adhesive #104332

Perfectly Penned Birthday wishes!

Hi Stampers!
Another birthday card for those many April birthdays!  My friend Jan and I bought several packs of Designer Series Paper and split them up so we would have a larger selection to choose from between us.  I find that I don't usually go through a whole pack during the catalog year, and there are always many I would like to work with so this made double the fun for both of us!
For Jan's birthday I decided to use one of the DSP's that she chose- Beyond the Garden.  I went all out for Jan- she is a fellow Demonstator and the friend that got me hooked on Stampin' Up! in the first place! Here's what I came up with-

Are there things in your life that you purchased because it was a good value, but you weren't really sure that it would be useful?  That is me and Big Shot (my sizzix machine).  Who knew we would become such good buds?  I used the Edgelit dies, the Framelits dies, the Embossing folder- it's so easy to get carried away with Mr. Big (shot)!  My color palette was again dictated by the DSP except I cheated and used Lucky Limeade instead of Kiwi Kiss for the green.  I didn't think anyone would mind, and I really wanted to use the cute ruffle edge ribbon.  Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, and Tangerine Tango make up the rest of the colors.  Do you have some special April Birthdays too?
Thanks for stopping by!

Perfectly Penned Stamp set #122890w 122892c
Labels collection framelits dies #125598
 Adorning accents edgelits dies #125595
Adorning Accents Textured Impressions embossing folder #125601
 Beyond the Garden DSP#122342
Basic Black Stampin' pad #101179
Melon Mambo card stock #115320
Daffodil Delight card stock #119683
Tangerine Tango card stock #111349
5 petal punch #119880
Scallop Circle punch #119854
Boho Blossoms punch 119858
Basic Pearls #119247
Flower brads #119734
3/8 " Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon #122977

Cupcakes

Hi Stampers!
Is it me or are there a lot of birthdays this month?  I realized I'd better get stamping on some of those cards.  The Technostamper is having a monday lunchtime sketch challenge #215 blog hop and I thought I'd join.  The layout is simple, 3 off center frames.  I like it!

There are some details that might be missed if you don't look carefully.  I used some crystal effects on the cherry to make it shiny, I added some rhinestones to add some sparkle, and I used the Simply Scored tool to make some score marks on the Pink Pirouette band.  Hopefully this card will make some person's day happy!
Thanks for stopping by!

Ain't easy being green

Hi Stampers!

I'm up to a new challenge today!  Shelli Gardner, Stampin' Up! Co-founder and CEO has a monthly challenge on her blog So Shelli and I thought I'd step up my game this week by coming up with a project for this month's challenge: Green and Growing.  Now I've told you here in the Redwood forest that spring comes slowly, but we do have green and growing.  The rainforest is ALWAYS green.  A couple of weeks ago I stamped a card with the tiny yellow violets that were just peeping out, the first of our spring flowers.  This week Forget-me-nots are dotting the perimeter under the giant redwood trees.  They are so cute and perky!  Isn't it funny that the giant redwoods have the tiniest flowers?  This project is a tribute to them:

 Oh, and the Easter Bunny.  I started with a clear plastic cup that I traced for a template by rolling it along my scratch pad with a pencil.  How come "Red Solo Cup" is now rambling through my brain just by typing the words "plastic cup"?  And will it ever go away?  I wanted the grass to be lush so I cut a second row of grass and added that as well.  Our grass here is infilled with moss so I used Lucky Limeade for the fill, cutting thin slices and running it through our Crimper tool.  I LOVE this tool- it is one of the older things I have in my tool box but I use it regularly.  The egg is from my hen house.  I wish I had Aracauna chickens so I would have blue green eggs, but don't tell my Rhode Island Reds- they have been staunch layers for 3 years now!

As an aside (another one) I have to tell you that I'm amazed that I don't have any colored plastic Easter eggs lying around here.  When my girls were small the plastic Easter eggs provided WEEKS of entertainment for them.  I'd get a bunch of plastic eggs and a couple of Easter baskets and they would take turns hiding them from each other.  Surprise and delight were not just limited to the filled eggs left by the bunny on Easter Sunday.  Of course that meant weeks of finding errant eggs post said holiday, but the rewards were worth the inconvenience.  My little darlings are grown and gone now, and the last of the plastic eggs disappeared.  Sniff.

The bunny is an assortment of punches and some daubing of Pretty in Pink ink to color the back of the feet.

Thanks for stopping by!
Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set #115370
Basic Black stampin pad #101179
Pretty in Pink stampin pad #101301
Garden Green card stock #102584
Lucky Limeade card stock #122926
Pool Party card stock #122924
Daffodil delight card stock #119683
Whisper White card stock #100730
Large oval punch#119855
Extra large oval punch #119859
Scallop circle Punch #119854
1 1/4" circle punch  119861
 1 3/8" circle punch #119860
Owl punch #118074
Boho blossoms punch #119858
5 petal flower punch #119880
Sticky Strip #104294
Dimensionals #104430
Crimper tool # 101618