Stampin' Celebration #22

Look at this fun inspiration piece from Stampin' Celebration!  I had fun using it as my inspiration to create this card:

For some reason I wasn't feeling the bee theme, so I went with the bottom left photo as my inspiration.  I used my Flower, Daisies #2 Big Shot die for the flower (two layered on top of each other).  For the center of the flower I started with a 1/2" circle punched from Early Espresso and then daubed it with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.  Next I added a layer of Crystal Effects.  I know the picture doesn't capture the amazing shimmer of it, so you'll just have to try it for yourself!  

I sponged just the tips of the daisies, as well as around the Daffodil Delight layer and the Crumb Cake card base with Early Espresso ink.  I added the Hemp Twine around the Daffodil Delight layer to add a little more interest, and then stamped the sentiment (from the set Just Believe) with Versamark and heat embossed with White Stampin' Emboss Powder.  

And there you have it!  Make sure to head over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the other members of the Design Team have been up to this week. 

Stamps:  Just Believe

Ink:  Versamark, Early Espresso

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Accessories:  Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Crystal Effects, Hemp Twine, Daisies #2 die, Big Shot, 1/2" Circle punch, White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, dimensionals

Birthday Star

Today I have a masculine card to share.  Is it only me, or is it hard to make cards for guys?  I really wanted to add more to this card (at least some sparkle to the center star) but I tried to leave it simple.  

I used my Big Shot and the Movers & Shapers die to cut the star from the Not Quite Navy layer.  Next I added some Paper Piercing and distressing around the edge of that layer.  I punched a More Mustard star with the Extra Large Star punch and a Cajun Craze star with my (retired) star punch.  The entire Not Quite Navy layer and the More Mustard star are up on dimensionals.  

I stamped the sentiment (ironically from the set Messages for Mom) with Jet Black StazOn ink directly onto the Twill Tape and added the More Mustard brads.  One of my club members had the wonderful idea to add the star (extra from when we used the Movers & Shapers die) as the closure on the envelope.  

Check back tomorrow to see what I created for the this week's Stampin' Celebration challenge!  

Stamps:  Messages for Mom

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn

Paper:  Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, Cajun Craze

Accessories:  3/8" Twill Tape, Regals Brads, Big Shot, Movers & Shapers die, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Extra Large Star Punch, Star Punch, dimensionals 

Owl Birthday

 

Isn't this the cutest little owl?  He debuted in the new catalog in July and although I was able to resist for a few months, (I don't need everything, right?)  I finally bought him after I had seen so many creative ideas using this punch.  The Extra Large Two-Step Owl punch actually punches nice pieces at once.  All of the pieces (body, eyes, vest, heart) came from the one punch. 

The idea for this card (just a few minor adjustments) came from the July 2010 Stampin' Success--a monthly magazine packed with ideas that you receive as a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  I've also seen many other cute ideas from creative demonstrators who have used this punch to create roses (trim the feet and layer a few 'bodies' together) and ghosts (flip the body upside down and trim the legs) among other great ideas.   

The colors are Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso.  I stamped and then hand cut the sentiment into the little banner that is slightly curled to give some dimension.  I stamped the small Bashful Blue layer with the Dot, Dot, Dot stamp and Versamark.  I tied a bit of Hemp Twine (use a mini glue dot to keep it in place) around the Antique Brass Mini Library Clip.  

Stamps:  Dot, Dot, Dot

Paper:  Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Whisper White

Ink:  Versamark

Accessories:  Mini Library Clips, Two-Step Owl Punch Extra Large, Scallop Edge Border punch, 1 3/4" by 7/8" Oval Punch, Cutter Kit, Hemp Twine, dimensionals

Gratitude & Appreciation

Isn't this a pretty card?  Even though I didn't make this card, I thought it would be fun to show it.  This is the card that Shelli handed to me as I was walking off stage after my presentation at the Fort Worth Regionals.  It is a thank you note from Mark Jessen thanking me for helping out.  

This card shows off several new items from the Holiday Mini Catalog--the new 2 1/2" Circle punch, the Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper, and the sentiment is from the set Seasonal Sentiments.  I love how the stamp is actually a Thanksgiving stamp, but the creator of the card just didn't include the "sending Thanksgiving wishes" part of the stamp.  

Finished card size is 3" by 6".  Have a great weekend!

Stamps:  Seasonal Sentiments

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  More Mustard textured, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Autumn Spice DSP

Accessories:  Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, 2 1/2" Circle punch, pearls, 1/8" Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon, cutter kit, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #21

It's Thursday, so we have another great inspiration piece from Stampin' Celebration!  I love several of the pictures here, but I was intrigued by the bottom right photo and the ribbon/flower combination.  So you'll see I incorporated that concept into my project: 

I thought this could be a fun party favor for a baby shower, bridal shower, or wedding.  I used a Thick Window Sheet to create the box with my Big Shot and the Pillow Box Die.  I added the ribbon to the box using thin strips of Sticky Strip, and I overlapped the ribbon on the front of the box--where I knew the flower would cover everything.  

The only downside is that I realized (after adding all the ribbon) that this treat holder isn't very practical.  You'd either have to take off all the embellishing or cut the ribbon to actually eat the candy.  Opps!  

Next I wanted to add a ribbon flower.  At convention Carrie Cudney showed us how to make these pretty ribbon flowers.  She is an amazing presenter, and I loved her idea.  She actually cut all the scallops by hand when she made her flower, but now we have the new Tasteful Trim die which does all the work for us.  :-)  

So, I took a 13" piece of Pretty in Pink satin ribbon and ran it through the Big Shot with my Tasteful Trim die.  The next step is to take your Heat Tool and heat the ribbon.  It melts the ribbon just a bit, and 'crinkles' it.  Just be patient as you are doing this step as it takes about a minute of heating before you see any results.  The picture below shows the difference between before and after heating the ribbon.  

Next take a piece of Sticky Page (page 205 of the catalog) and run it through the Big Shot with the Circles #2 die.  For this flower I used the very smallest circle on that die.  I peeled off the backing, and then started adding the ribbon, with little tucks, to the Sticky Page circle.  

I kept doing that until I had reached the center of my circle.  

And now I have a fun embellishment to add to any project!  This was actually very quick--it took me much longer to write up the directions than it did to make the flower.  :-)  Now usually I'm not a fan of adding anything too bulky to my cards, but I wouldn't have a problem adding this to a card.  This little flower is more flat that it initially appears, and it is also lightweight.  

So there you have it!  I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial!  Make sure to head over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the other member of the Design Team have been up to this week.  And then make sure to play along yourself.  We'd love to see what you are inspired to create!  Just upload your project and link it to the Stampin' Celebration website.  

Spooky Treats

As you can see, I've had fun playing with my new Candy Wrapper Die to create some Halloween treats.  :-)  This die is a new one that can be found in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  This fun die is the perfect size to hold a small handful of candy or other small gift.  To give you an idea of the size---the overall width of the box is almost 4 1/2".  The 'box' part measures 2 1/8" by 1 3/8". 

There are a couple of things that I love about this die.  First, it is sized so that you can get two boxes out of one sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 card stock.  Also, other than the one strip of adhesive you will need, the box actually holds itself together.  The ribbon on the ends are purely for show, they don't need to be there.  :-)  I did find THIS video by Barb Mulikin to have some helpful assembling hints. 

Starting with the top box, I used Rich Razzleberry for the box, and the stamp set Wicked Cool.  I stamped the spider webs on the box (before I assembled it!) and used the 1 3/4" by 7/8" Oval punch and Scallop Oval punch for the sentiment.  The ribbon on the ends is the 1/2" Raven Lace Trim--also found in the Holiday Mini Catalog. 

The next box is Pear Pizzazz and uses the Wicked Fun Specialty paper.  The sentiment is also from the set Wicked Cool, and the bat comes from the new Bitty Bat punch.  The ends are tied off with Basic Black grosgrain ribbon.  

The box on the bottom is Basic Gray.  I used the Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and we found at my Big Shot class that is best to fold along your score lines and then run your box through the Big Shot with your Embossing Folder.  The sentiment is from the stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes, and is punched out using the Word Window Punch.  The 'spider' on the web is one of the Black Flourish Designer Jewels from the Holiday Mini, and again I used the Raven Lace Trim. 

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you've enjoyed these Halloween Treats!  

Fort Worth Regional Conference--Part 2

 

 I'm finally back with the remaining projects I showed on stage at the Fort Worth Regional Conference!  In case you missed the first post, see HERE.  The technique I showed for my Workshop Wow presentation was how to add a decorative edge to your ribbon.  

The get the decorative edge on this ribbon, I ran the Marina Mist grosgrain ribbon through the Big Shot with the Perfect Setting die.  I layed my ribbon along the edge of the napkin ring to get this fun decorative edge.  I ran Sticky Strip along the card and then gathered the ribbon a bit as I added it to the card.  I also added the pearls and some Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.  

Here is a close up of the ribbon: 

I took this close up picture before I added the Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink to the ribbon.  The ribbon on the card I showed on stage was sparkly because I had added the Smooch.  The snowflake image is from the stamp set Jolly Bingo Bits, and the sentiment is from the set Four the Holidays.  

Another card I showed on stage also used the set Jolly Bing Bits from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  This is the poinsettia image, but I was hoping it looked just 'daisy-ish' enough to use for a non-holiday card.  I stamped with Versamark Ink and then embossed with White Stampin' Emboss Powder. 

For this card I took my Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon and ran it though the Big Shot with the Pennant die.  I just layed my ribbon along that scallop edge of the pennant to get this fun edge. 

And a close up:

I hope you've enjoyed learning more about this fun technique!  I know I will definitely be using by Big Shot and ribbon together a lot more now.  :-) 

Oh, and one last photo--here's me on stage during my 5 minutes of fame.  :-)  

Look at this fabulous challenge over at Stampin' Celebration this week! This week we're celebrating the birthday of our very own Design Team member Candace!  I don't have anything to share with you this week, but make sure to take a minute and go check out what the other members of the Design Team created with this inspiration piece.

And then it's your turn! Create something inspired by these pictures and upload it to the Stampin' Celebration website.

Fort Worth Regional Conference

So one post would be way too long to show and tell everything about the Fort Worth Regional that happened this past Saturday, so I'll be breaking it up into a few posts. But first, I wanted to thank everyone for their kind comments and good luck wishes--it really means a lot to me! 

Overall though, how fun!!  I had a wonderful day, and very much enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the activities, meet demonstrator friends and several Stampin Up employees from the home office (including Shelli of course!), and last but not least present on stage.  I ended up being the second to last Workshop Wow presenter, so that means I had to be nervous most of the day, :-)  but once I was on stage I really did have fun.  Now, that I've done this once, I'd definitely be excited to present again should the opportunity ever present itself. 

So what "WOW" did I share?  I showed how to add a decorative edge to your ribbon.   It's really a very simple technique, but with tons of potential.  All you need to do is run your ribbon through the Big Shot--seriously that's it! 

I found it best to use the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (from the Holiday Mini Catalog) to back the ribbon, and then run it through the Big Shot.  Then you peel away the backing and you have a ribbon sticker ready to adhere directly to your project.  How cool is that? 

So here is the first sample I demonstrated.  I showed how I ran the Whisper White Grosgrain ribbon through the Big Shot with the Tasteful Trim die (also new in the Holiday Mini Catalog).  After I ran the ribbon through I added Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink directly to the ribbon (allow time to dry) as well as the pearls.  A simple card with a lot of wow. 

Here's a closer view of the ornament:

A few hints:  I did pre-treat all the ribbon I used on stage with Fray Check.  I also added one shim to my Big Shot sandwich when I ran the ribbon through (to get a cleaner cut on the ribbon). 

During my presentation I also showed that you can use this technique for your fabric projects as well.  Instead of using the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, you'll just want to use the Fabric Adhesive Roll.

So after I ironed the Fabric Adhesive to my ribbon, I ran my Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon through the Big Shot with the Tasteful Trim die to get some fun custom Grosgrain Ric Rack.  And here's what I created with it--a baby onsie and coordinating headband.   

And a close up of the flower and ribbon:

This baby onsie also features the Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric and the coordinating Big Designer Buttons from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I love this project because I didn't need a sewing machine, only a needle and thread to add the button. 

Well, I'll be back later with the other two projects I showed on stage as well as with some pictures of the event!  

Christmas Treat and News!

I can't believe it's already time to start thinking about the holidays, but Christmas will be here before we know it!  This is another project using the Paisley Prints stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  It's a very simple project, and it perfectly holds a mini candy bar. To see another example (Easter treat) click HERE. 

I ran Crumb Cake card stock through the Big Shot with the Top Note Die. I scored 1/2" from the middle point of the top note--on both sides. That gives me one inch total for the flat part on the bottom. Although depending on what treat or small toy you add, you can easily change those measurements. 

I stamped two trees with Old Olive ink, and just cut off the bottom layer of the tree on one of them.  The sentiment is from the set Teeny Tiny Wishes.   

Stamps:  Paisley Prints, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Old Olive, Early Espresso

Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Accessories:  Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Top Note Die, Big Shot, Crop-A-Dile

And for the news. . . . Well, today I'm headed off to Fort Worth for the Stampin' Up Regionals that happen tomorrow.  I always love attending SU events, and I'm sure this will be no exception.  Although I am quite nervous this time. . . . for the first time I will be ON stage, not just watching comfortably from my seat.  

Yep, not too long ago Mark Jessen from the home office called to let me know that based on some sample I had submitted, I was picked to be one of the Workshop Wow presenters at the Saturday session of Regionals!  I am of course super excited, but that doesn't mean I won't be a little nervous with the cameras and every one's attention on me for my presentation (not something I usually aspire to--just ask my family!).  

Anyway, wish me luck and I'll be back next week to show you what fun technique I'm going to share on stage! 

Stampin' Celebration #19

It's already Thursday!  I can't believe how time flies!  I (again) love the fun inspiration piece over at Stampin' Celebration.  I was reminded of a wedding reception, so I went with a wedding/anniversary card.  I actually loved the red and yellow combination, but I couldn't quite get myself to put them together on the same wedding card.  So, I just went with Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White.  :) 

This is really a simple card using the set Paisley Prints from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I stamped the heart image with Cherry Cobbler, and then added a little bit of Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds to the heart for some sparkle.  The paisley heart is hand cut, and the Cherry Cobbler heart it is layered onto was punched using the Full Heart punch.  

The sentiment and '&' are from the set Fabulous Phrases.  I used the 'forever' stamp twice.  I stamped 'forever', then washed my stamp, and markered just the 'ever' part and stamped again.  Remember to look at words that can be found 'within' your sentiment stamps--just one way to get more use out of your stamps.  :)  

The finished card size is 3 1/2" by 4 1/2".  

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure to go over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the Design Team has created this week!  And then make sure you play along too!  We'd love to see what you are inspired to create.  :-)

Stamps:  Paisley Prints, Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler (and marker)

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White

Accessories:  Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Full Heart Punch, dimensionals

Paisley Wedding

I have another card to show you that uses the Paisley Prints stamp set that is from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I just love how versatility of this stamp set!  I love that this could be a wedding, anniversary, or even Valentine's Day card. 

I started by running a piece of vellum card stock through the Big Shot with the Perfect Details texturz plate.  Then I added the sentiment--from the set Fabulous Phrases.   I stamped the sentiment and the hearts with Versamark ink and heat embossing with Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder. 

To finish the card I added the Whisper White Organza Ribbon and the Clear Rhinstone Brads.  The finished card size is 3" by 6". 

Stamps:  Paisley Prints, Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Versamark

Paper:  Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Card Stock Vellum

Accessories:  Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Big Shot, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Brads, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #18

The lazy days of summer. . . . at least that's what I thought of when I first saw this inspiration photo.  And then somehow I ended up with a baby card.  :-)  Not sure exactly how that happened, but it was definitely one on those times that the finished product looked exactly nothing like what I had imagined in my head!  

So here it is. . . . I loved the top left photo that had the blue with a little pop of yellow, so that's what I went with.  You may recognize the layout from one of my Holiday Mini Blog Hop projects.  I pretty much made the same card with different colors and a star instead of a heart. It is a good reminder though that you can always take a layout or color scheme from a card, and then just change a few elements to really make the card your own or fit it to a particular occasion. 

And here's a close up of the detail on the card.  The star is punched from So Saffron paper, covered with Versamark ink, and then heat embossed with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.  I stamped the sentiment and then hand cut the little banner.  I added a little curl to the banner to give a little more dimension.  The large scallops in the Baja Breeze card stock are from the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die that can be found in the new Holiday Mini Catalog.    

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Make sure to go check out the Stampin' Celebration blog to see what the others on the Design Team have created this week.  AND a warm welcome to Erica of Pink Buckaroo Designs who has joined our Design Team!!  Erica has consistently wowed us with her creations for the weekly Stampin' Celebration challenges, and we're so excited that she agreed to join the team.  :)  

Stamps:  Nursery Necessities (discontinued)

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Versamark

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, So Saffron, and Whisper White

Accessories:  Star Extra Large Punch, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Hemp Twine, Heat Tool, Iridescent Ice EP, Big Shot, Tasteful Trim XL Die, 1/8" Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, dimensionals, glue dots

Holiday Mini Catalog!

Click here to see pdf of Catalog

The Holiday Mini Catalog is finally here!  If you haven't see it already, take a minute to browse, you won't be disappointed!  There are lots of fun new Holiday stamp sets, designer papers, and other fun new accessories--including fabric!  How fun!  I'm also so excited about the new Big Shot dies and embossing folders in the Mini. 

 This card showcases one of the new stamp sets Paisley Prints.  Paisley Prints is a fun set because it has images for many different occasions throughout the year.  I stamped the leaf twice--once with More Mustard and once with Cajun Craze.  I cut them out and then popped them up on dimensionals.  I lightly sponged the edges of the Whisper White paper and tore the bottom edge.  The More Mustard layer has a row of paper piercing, and the Cajun Craze card base is stamped with Versamark and the Sanded background stamp.  The sentiment is from the set Fabulous Phrases. 

Thanks for stopping by!  

Stamps:  Paisley Prints, Fabulous Phrases, Sanded BG

Paper:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Whisper White

Ink: Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Versamark

Accessories:  1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool. sponge, dimensionals