December Stamp Club: Snow Day

Happy December!  Happy Holidays!  It's not quite winter, yet we've had two snow storms this week with another one headed our way this weekend!

I don't really like snow, but can't resist a cute snowman.  Don't get me wrong--I like snow, but hate that the husband has to work in it!  

This month's project was inspired by a card in the Holiday Catalog on p. 11 using the Snow Day Stamp Set. 

The card base is made up of the 12x12 Textured Cardstock in Smoky Slate (Holiday p. 28) and Island Indigo Cardstock (8 1/2 x 11).   Cut Smoky Slate Cardstock to 10 1/2 x 4.  This will give you 3 cards from one sheet of 12x12. Fold in half and mount onto 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 Island Indigo Cardstock.  

Strip of Winter Frost DSP is 2 x 5 1/4. 

Stamp snowman from Snow Day Stamp Set on WW CS cut out with xxx Framelit. 

Supplies used:

Snow Day Stamp Set

Island Indigo, Smoky Slate, Pool Party Ink

Island Island, Smoky Slate, WW CS

Winter Frost Specialty DSP

Sponge Dauber

Window Frames Framelits (3rd largest)

Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (small circle)

Warm Wishes to you and yours!

Bye for now,

Maria 

Organizing Card Stock Scraps

If you've been stamping or paper crafting for a while, you end up with tons of paper scraps.  What to do with all of them?  I organize my card stock scraps by pairing up scraps that look good together.  That's the great thing about Stampin' Up!--even if it's been retired all their colors still coordinate and look good together!! 

The scrap bundles are held together by these little binder clips--purchase those at your favorite office supply store. 

These little bundles will one day be made into beautiful cards one day--that's the plan anyway! 

November Stamp Club: Gift Bow Angel

Don't you love when you buy something, and it has more than one purpose?  Like the Gift Bow die!  Trolling Pinterest the other day, I saw the most adorable angel, and upon closer view it was made with the Gift Bow Bigz L Die.  ADORABLE!!!

The Gift Bow Angel was our project for November.  These are so easy to make!  Here's what you need....

To create the halo, punch Gold Foil Sheet with the 1 1/4 Circle first.  Then, punch that circle out with the 1 3/4 circle.  You will have a circle punched within a circle.

I left the angel's face blank, because I am not gifted in drawing--that's why I stamp!

Supplies used:
Mixed Bunch Stamp Set (Annual Catalog)
Gift Bow Bigz L Die
Gold Foil Sheets
Very Vanilla and Blushing Bride CS
Cherry Cobbler Ink
Linen Thread
Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Tombo Liquid Glue

Punches:  7/8" Scallop, 1" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, and 1 3/4" Circle

These would be the cutest gift tags EVER!!!  And, they would like so pretty hanging on a Christmas tree.  Happy Stamping!  Bye for now, Maria

Inspiration Journal

As a rubber stamper and demonstrator, I always get asked, "where do you come up with your ideas?"  This is the one question I get asked the most.  Most of my ideas come from Stampin' Up!'s annual convention--being able to attend is a demonstrator perk.  Between the swaps and displays, I see more than enough to carry me through the entire year.  I must take at least 1000 pictures when I'm there--so glad they invented digital cameras!  Our demonstrator magazine and online community have soooooo many ideas, pics, tutorials (yes, another perk, wanna sign up?).  So many ideas, so little time! 

Paper-crafting magazines (there are still a few of them around), blogs, websites, Pinterest, and even google, are great places to get ideas. The Stampin' Up! catalogs have tons of samples.  Feel free to CASE--that's copy and share everything!   When something flashes across our screen, we "pin it!"  What did we ever do before Pinterest?!  But, what do you do with a magazine clipping, or an old post card that inspires you?  How about placing these items in an Inspiration Journal? 

Inspiration and ideas can come from lots of places--think outside of the crafting/stamping world.  Think about your favorite things, places and stores.  What is about it that you love so much ?  Is it the color, textures, graphics, color combos?  Jot those down in your journal.  When you're stuck for an idea, pull out your journal.  Those ideas can be a spring board in your card-making and scrapbooking. 

Where do you look for inspiration?  Bye for now, Maria

Flower Pins & Bottlecaps

Saw these flower bases at the craft store made of fabric and burlap.  They're just begging to be decorated and made into pins!  

So, I got out the bottle caps from an earlier catalog.  One bottle cap I flatten with the Big Shot, and the other is left the way it comes in the package.  Stamps from Collage Curio fit perfectly inside the bottle caps.  I stamped on Very Vanilla in Basic Black ink.  Added Crystal Effects and a rhinestone for extra dimension and sparkle.  The square charm is something I found in the jewelry aisle of the craft store. 

Once the Crystal Effects is dry attach to your flower base with hot glue.  The only thing left to do is to attach the pin back with hot glue as well. 

October Stamp Club: Truly Grateful Circle Thinlits Card

For October's Stamp Club we created a flippy card using the Circle Thinlits.  These card dies cut and score your cardstock in one swipe through the Big Shot, and creates a card where the center will flip when you gently pull on the sides of the card.  All the guess work is gone!!  The Thinlits also come with other die such as the scallop circle used here.   

Here's the other side...

Supplies used:

Circle Card Thinlits Die

Truly Grateful Stamp Set (Holiday Catalog)

Very Vanilla CS, Crumb Cake CS, Witches' Brew DSP

Summer Starfruit and Basic Black ink

1 3/4 Circle Punch

September Stamp Club: Markers and Clear Block Technique

Hi Stampers!

I saw markers applied directly to a clear block, and then using the block as the stamp at the Baltimore Regional back in the spring. Can you believe its September already?  I can't believe it took me this long to try out this fun technique!  For September's club project, we're trying this technique. Swipe Pool Party and Pear Pizazz markers on clear stamping block C. Mist with water. Press block onto Whisper White CS (3 x 2 3/4).  Allow ink to transfer before lifting block.  Let dry. Stamp with butterfly from Best of Butterflies and "just because" from A Dozen Thoughts with Island Indigo ink. Layer on Island Indigo CS (3 1/2 x 3). Emboss strip of Pear Pizazz CS with Woodgrain embossing folder (5 1/2 x 1 3/4). Add to Pool Party card base, cut to 4 1/4 x 11, folded in half.  Add butterfly to front of card with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Stamp another smaller butterfly on the front of your card in Island Indigo. Happy Stamping!  Bye for now, Maria

Thank you so much!

I'm always in need of a thank you note and this thank you so much card is perfect!  The thank you stamp is from Lots of Stamps.  The stamps in this set are ALL thank yous.  Like "thank you for caring" or "thank you doesn't begin to say it all."  

Also used on this card:  Pacific Point Cardstock and Ink, Wild Wasabi Cardstock, Rhinestone Jewels, Flower Garden Embossing Folder, Perfect Pennant Die (scallop circle), Fabulous Florets stamp set and some retired DSP (don't know the name). 

August Stamp Club: Butterfly Gorgeous Grunge

 

Pam Morgan from Stampin' Up! demoed a card very similar to this Butterfly card at Convention. Gorgeous Grunge stamp set is used for the background.  Die cut Beautiful Butterflies with Whisper White card stock. Stamp butterfly with Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush ink with Gorgeous Grunge stamp set--just randomly. The center of the butterfly is Simply Pressed Clay and Blossoms Clay Mold--colored with Crisp Cantaloupe marker after the flower dried.  "Hello There" is from Happy Day Stamp set. 

At August's Stamp Club, I was asked how to fix stamping mistakes. Well, there really are no mistakes in rubber stamping or paper crafting--just a chance for embellishing or layering. On the top card, you'll notice a little smudge above the "hello there."  So little you might not notice it. To cover up the smudge, cut an additional piece of card stock to stamp on and place on top of your boo-boo.  Happy Stamping!  Bye for now, Maria

Poppy Parade Thank You

Oh, Poppy Parade, how I miss you. Found some Poppy Parade DSP scraps (don't know the name, sorry). This thank you card is a mixture of old and new.  Thank you so much is from Lots of Thanks stamp set (annual catalog). The maple leaf is called Magnificent Maple is in the Holiday catalog (new). 

The maple leaf stamp is magnificent, isn't it?!

Also used:  Rhinestones, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Perfect Pennant Bigz L Die, Chocolate Chip Ink

Happy stamping!  Bye for now, Maria

Convention Quality Swap (CQS)

Lyssa's Convention Quality Swap is my favorite swap I have ever participated in!  The cards are always absolutely beautiful!  Lots of criteria, but it makes for a great swap, and it really does help me do my best work since the focus is on quality NOT quantity!

Supplies:

Label Love, Artisan Label Punch
Backyard Basics Stamp Set and coordinating Framelits
Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding Cardstock and Ink

Chevron Embossing Folder

Fun Flowers Die and cheap satin fabric shrunk with a heat tool

Simply Pressed Clay and Molds

Stampin' Spritzer and Isopropyl Alcohol

Sponge Daubers

Convention 2013: Over the Top Tags Group 3

I've always loved tags, either gift tags or as an accent on a card. First organized swap I participated in at convention this year was the Over the Top Tags Swap (Group 3 & 4). Over the Top means they had to be at certain size, embellished, layered, and/or spritzed. I enjoyed stamping for this swap a great deal. Each group was limited to 8 swappers--makes it easy to keep the quality top notch.

Card stock is cut to 6 x 8 1/2

Scored at 2 3/4, 5 1/2 and 

Create a belly band to hold your tag together

Supplies:

Backyard Basics Stamp Set and coordinating Framelits

Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla CS

Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana Ink

Primrose Petals, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon

Stamping Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponges

Convention 2013: Over the Top Tags Group 4

Here's my swap for the Over the Top Tag from Group 4.

The size layers are 6 1/2 x 3 1/2, 6 1/4 x 3 1/4 and 6 x 3

Supplies:

Clockworks, Really Good Greetings Stamp Sets

Simply Pressed Clay & Molds

Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (sprinkle into mold before adding clay)

Fun Flower Die and satin fabric (the cheaper the better)

Organdy Ribbon

Very Vanilla CS

Venetian Romance DSP

Pistachio Pudding, Indigo Island, CRISP Cantaloupe Ink 

Spritzer with Pistachio Pudding Ink Refill and Isopropyl Alcohol (70%)--it's very light and might not show up on screen, but it's on there

Convention 2013 Very Vintage Swap

Shelli (CEO of SU!) is fond of a "vintage" look.  Her stamped work is always so beautiful!  Here's my idea of vintage for the Very Vintage Swap.

Supplies:

Creative Elements Stamp Set

Very Vintage Buttons, Linen Thread

Tea Lace Paper Doilies

Very Vanilla, Early Espresso CS, Soho Subway  DSP

Woodgrain Embossing Folder (I used this because the lines on the DSP reminded me of the texture)

Fun Flowers Die with cheap satin fabric 

CRISP Cantaloupe, Early Espresso Ink
Label Love, Artisan Label Punch

Sponge Daubers

Convention 2013 3D Swap: Satin Fun Flowers

3D swaps are cool. They are anything besides a card or a scrapbook page. Think pins, tags, boxes, candy holders, notebooks, etc.

I love making these layered satin flowers with the Fun Flowers Die.  You shrink the fabric with your heat tool, glue several layers together, and use to make pins, etc. or to embellish stuff.   They're extremely versatile--great for the front of a card, magnet, pin or bag tag.  You'll see a lot of these on my convention swaps. 

Making a spritz is easy. Add 70 percent isopropyl alcohol  to a Spritzer bottle. Drop in Ink from a refill bottle. The more drops, the darker the intensity. Lighter colors will take more ink. I probably spritzed the Pistachio Pudding flowers  3 or 4 times to get the color the way I wanted it.

The centers of the satin flowers were flowers made from the Simply Pressed Clay and the silicone molds.  They were so easy to make.  I got about 140 flowers from one pack.  Half of my clay flowers have glitter on them--just sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds glitter inside the mold before adding the clay.

Supplies:

Satin Fabric (the cheap stuff), Heat Tool, Hot Glue

Fun Flowers Bigz L Die

Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Molds and Clay

Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding Ink Refills

Stampin' Spritzers, Isopropyl Alcohol (70%)

Pin backs, pin tacks, magnets, key chains etc.

I made ALOT of flowers for my convention swaps. My Big Shot really got a workout.  How do you know when you need new cutting plates?  When you crack the plates!!!!  How many passes can one set of plates take?  I don't know, but these were my original plates, and I'm sure it was hundreds if not thousands of passes through the Big Shot!  It was loud, and I thought I broke my machine.  Bye for now, Maria

Convention 2013 Salt Lake City

Here's my swap tote full of cards, tags, pins, 3D items just waiting to be traded for other equally nice items. Card swapping/trading is one of the hi lights of Convention for me--it's exciting to swap ideas and be around other demos who are equally as excited about stamping as you are! I like every part of trading--planning, creating, and trading!  It's the sharing part of the hobby that makes it so much fun!  If I have an idea and you have an idea--we each have just ONE idea. But, if we share our idea with each other, then we have TWO ideas (or 6000--that's how many people will be in SLC this year!).  Two, ideas are better than one!  No, I'm not making thousands of swaps--is that even possible!?  The bag is from Thirty One--it's one of their organizing totes.  Stayed tuned to see what's inside--I will be posting my convention swaps during the week.  Bye for now, Maria

July Stamp Club: Adorable Folded Box

Isn't this little thing adorable?  I don't know what its called, or where it originated, but I received it in a swap at Baltimore's Regional event this past April.  It will fit two Hershey Kisses or one Nugget candy. 

Here's our July Club version...

Start with a 4 x 4 piece of DSP

Score at 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 on one edge

Score lines are enhanced with a red sharpie so you can see them

Score at 1" and 3" on the other edge

And, you need to score the corners like shown in red

Fold up on score lines

Add two punch outs with an oval punch and clip together

Here's the grown-up version...

This one will hold a whole lot of chocolate, a handful of tags or even a few notecards.

Start with 12 x 12 piece of DSP

Score at 3" and 9" on one edge

Score at 5" and 7" on the other edge

Score in the corners as shown

(Ignore the score lines that are NOT in red--those were boo-boo's)

Crease and fold up

To close your box, create a topper that is 4 x 6 folded in half

Add ribbon and stamping as you wish 

Supplies:

Label Love, Petite Pairs Stamp Sets

Gumball Green, Early Espresso Ink

Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Summer Starfruit Cardstock

Soho Subway, Epic Day DSP

Extra Large Oval, Artisan Label Punch

Summer Starfruit, Natural Trim Ribbons