AUTUMN DAYS WREATHS

Now you see another another delightful way to use the foliage in the Autumn Days stamp set.  Stamping the wreath is quick and easy. Just punch a 1 3/8" circle for a mask to create the center of the wreath, adhere it to the center of Whisper White card stock with Dotto or another temporary adhesive and stamp your images. Remove the mask and there is room for a sentiment using Teeny Timy Wishes.  I've used this card this Autumn for Get Well, for Birthday, for a Thank You, and, of course, it is perfect for a Thanksgiving card. 

AUTUMN DAYS VASES

 

Autumn Days is a great stamp set.  It is so versatile that it will carry you through Autumn and Christmas with ease.  I'll be posting a number of cards using it.

This set of cards uses oval and circle punches for the vase and, except for sentiments, all the stamps are in the Autumn Days stamp set. 

Card stock and ink:  Whisper White, Naturals White, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Versamark
Punches:  1 3/8 " circle, large oval, Word Window, Phto Corner

In case your are wondering about the multicolored circle in the bottom card - that was an afterthought.  Tomorrow, I will show you Autumn wreath cards made with this set. The circle was the mask for the center of the wreath and when I finished using it, it was just too interesting to toss out. But, then, I don't toss out very much!

CHRISTMAS GIFT TAGS

 

Here are two of the packages of Christmas gift tags that were sold at a Holiday Auction silent auction. Again, I've used retired products as well as current ones. The bells on the heading of the one on the left are from the wonderful stamp set Bells and Boughs in the current Holiday Mini Catalog. I used markers to color the stamp and then cut out the images to adhere to the heading. The bags are Stampin' Up! medium cello bags. The perfect size.  Each tag in that bag is different, some embossed, some beaded, some booklet form, some simple tags.  All of the tags in the bag on the right are punched from retired Designer Paper wtih the Ornament punch and the scallop circle punch.  If you don't have those punches, you should.  They are so  versatile, not just for punching Christmas tags.

Packaging the tags this way, the buyer will have a nice gift for a hostess or office Santa, or ....

I can't believe that it is nearing mid-November and this is the first Christmas stamping I've done this year. I'm still working on autumn and Thanksgiving. I'll show you a few more of these and then get busy on Christmas.  Hmmmm - wonder if I'll get my own cards made this year?

EXTREME SKATEBOARDER

Doesn't he look like he is having a great time?  No question that that my 11 year old grandson does.  In fact, his father built a half pipe in the driveway for him.  It's fun to watch him, especially when I wouldn't even be able to stand on a skateboard, much less perform on one.

The skateboarder here is stamped with the now retired Brilliant Blue ink; Night of Navy would work well.  Except for the Whisper White, all the cardstock is of retired colors, but there are plenty of wonderful new colors to create a stunning card for your favorite skateboarder. I used brads for the embellishment, thinking that an 11 year old boy who had a Fear Factor birthday party probably wouldn't appreciate ribbon!. 

PUNCHED PUMPKINS

Wow!  Has it really been so long since the last post?  I'll try to make up for it for I have been busy with many projects. Halloween and one Holiday Auction down and another Bazaar coming up. Many of my projects for those events are created from retired materials, so I've been hesitant to post them, but just may change my mind yet. Other projects are outright CASEing of some stampers who are so very talented. In some, I can credit the original creator and in others, I would if I had taken the necessary step to record the originator.  Ah well. Let's get started .

Thanksgiving is fast approaching. Have you made your cards yet?  Punched pumpkins are so easy to do. Just punch out 3 or 5 cirecles or ovals, sponge the edges and assemble, keeping one full image for the top.  Here, I've used the branch from the 2 Step Bird Punch for the vine. I curled the stem around a pencil to give it some dimension.  You can see that the one on the left got crushed in the scanner, which is probably what will happen in the mail.  So, to mail it, it would be a good idea to glue it down.  I love the dimension, though. 

POPPIN' PASTELS

I've been playing around with my Stampin' Pastels this week and re-visited one of the old favorites - Poppin' Pastels. Vintage Vogue stamp set lends itself well to the technique.  Here, I've used a combination of current and retired colors.  Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink are current.  I have three packages of Sage Shadow, now retired, so I used it on the 6x6 technique page.  You may see more of it in the future - I do like that color and was sorry to see it go. The text for the technique page is copied from Margo Kelly's Technique Book.

Sorry the one bow got crushed in the scanner. I tried several times to lay it flat, and it just likes to pop up - and then gets crushed.  You get the idea.  It's pretty in real life.

Here's a tip -that I learned the hard way - as we learn many of ou tips - and you can see the problem on the technique page.

Tip:  When combining the die cut oval and the scallop frame from the  Big Z Scallop Oval Frame die:

The oval does fit perfectly inside the frame, but .....  glue down the oval first, if it needs to be straight, as this one should be.  Then, place the frame so that it is straight.  You see that I didn't do it that way on this page and the frame is slightly skewed in order to fit the oval.  Perhaps I'll do another one correctly for display.  And then again, I probably won't.  It'll just be a good teaching tool, don't you think?

Stay tuned. I'm going to play with the Stampin' Pastels some more in the next few days.

CARDS FOR THE TROOPS DAY

WOW!  If you weren't here for a terrific day of creating cards for the troops and writing heartfelt messages - you missed out on all the fun!

Our goal was to prepare 300 cards, most to be given to incoming troops who will be coming home through Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The majority of cards were created today, but some were cards which were completed using card fronts generously donated by many stampers and Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.  Some of those will be more appropriate to send to the troops who are still deployed for them to use. 

I truly thought that 300 was stretching it - but we completed just under 450 cards!!!!   325 of those had handwritten messages written in them, another 100 were taken for members of the Puyallup Valley Lions Club members to inscribe, leaving just a few to still be written in, or sent with the group to those who are still deployed. 

The youth of St. Peter's United Methodist Church were, once again, nothing short of phenomenal.  They met the evening before to prepare snacks for everyone and then spent the entire day working on  cards. They and their leaders, Jennifer and Scott. What a bunch!                               325 cards ready to be           
Their enthusiasm and their dedication is contagious and inspiring.                     delivered
Thank you- to each one of you. 

L. Cindy and Sue - from Puyallup and Lynwood.  They were here all day long - and then had the  long drive home. Talk about dedication!        

R.  Marilyn, Dorothy, Jane, Karen from Puyallup Valley Lions club.  Another long drive.


At one time, we had so many people working that we ran out of chairs.  That didn't stop anyone from continuing.  Some just stood up and wrote cards or took care of some go-fer tasks. 

Here are some samples of our cards.  Enjoy the creativity of both the teens and the adults. What a delight.

Unfortunately, I didn't get photos of everyone who attended - but here are a few more.  Again - thank you, each and every one.  It was a wonderful, wonderful day.

I still haven't figured out how to locate pictures on the page or how to get the titles just where I want them.  I'm always surprised when it works right,  And, now the last photos aren't going where I want them nor are the captions, so here are the  people in the photos starting top left and going clockwise:

Jane and Terry

Pastor Tom

Rebecca and Sydney

Julie

Marissa and her Dad and Adora

The two photos at the top of the page - I also couldn't get titled. On the left are Erica and Kaity and on the right is Blue, with Karen in the background

TODAY'S THE DAY!

Oh my goodness!  I can't even get a good night's sleep. Here it is 3:00 a.m. and I'm wide awake trying to make certain I remember all the details. Today is Cards for the Troops day and, if all goes as expected, there will be a nice number of people coming to prepare cards.  The flag is ready to be put out, scrap bags ready to "install" at the tables, sign in sheet is ready..... the church youth will put in the table leaves and set up the card tables.....  Details, details.  I just hope I haven't forgotten something major!  Stay tuned.

PREPARING FOR CARDS FOR THE TROOPS EVENT

It's been way too long since I have posted.  Thank you for checking. The time will come when I will do so again. I've been busy preparing for a Cards for the Troops Event on June 26th and am using supplies from my pre-Stampin' Up! days for the most part.  It's all good product, but doesn't fit well on a Stampin' Up! based blog.
The goal for the day of stamping and pasting and signing is 300 cards. I will have enough prepared for 500, I hope.  The ones we don't finish will be available for future stamping sessions. 

Check back for photos after the 26th.  We're looking forward to a good day.  If you live in the Bellevue area, or nearby, and would like to contribute cards or come help, let me know.  We'll never have too many.

STAMP CAMP PROJECTS

Here are four of the five projects at today's stamp camp.  You can see that each stamper expressed her own personality and style in each of the projects.  That's one of the things that I enjoy about having a group working on the same project - to enjoy the creativity and to learn from one another. Don't you think the Floating Re-inker roses  (Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set) are gorgeous?  Every one of them. Thanks, gals.

And thanks to Cat for the bookmark calendar template - http://www.catscreativeplace.com/

FIFTH AVENUE - FLOATING RE-INKER COLORING

Here's another Fifth Avenue Floral in Cameo Coral and Mellow Moss. This time, I've added Apricot Appeal cardstock as the base. Another color that we'll say good-by to at the end of June. The time is now to stock up on those favorite colors. Of couse, we will be getting some luscious new ones and some of those will surely become favorites.

These flowers are colored using the Floating Re-Inker technique. There are other names for this technique, but I think Floating Re-Inker best describes it. It is exactly how the coloring is done. We will be using this technique at our Stamp Camp on Saturday on a project that is still a secret - just in case any of you are trying to get a sneak peek. Hee hee.

The rose doesn't look quite this splotchy in real life. Can you tell that the Mellow Moss has been run through the Big Shot with a texture plate? What a nice background it makes.
One more Fifth Avenue Floral card will appear tomorrow - it will be a "10 Minute" card. Then, on Saturday, after the Stamp Camp, I'll post those projects

SYMPATHY CARD IN VELLUM

Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set is such a lovely set to use to make beautiful cards. Here is a Sympathy card, using the lily stamp.  I stamped the lily on vellum card stock using black Staz-On ink and colored the centers using a blender pen and Mello Moss and Summer Sun re-inkers. The lilies are cut out and then attached to Whisper White panel using Snail. Whisper White is mounted on Mellow Moss.  The base is Cameo Coral. The ribbon is Certainly Celery organdy. 

The sentiment is from the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set and is stamped inside with Ruby Red Classic Ink.

I intended to position the bow a bit lower but once those glue dots hit the card stock - they were there to stay.  I'll be more careful next time. This is a design that I will definitely repeat. And - I'll use these colors as long as my supplies last. We're losing the Cameo Coral and Mellow Moss at the end of June when Stampin' Up's Color Renovation is in force.  I'm going to order another package or two of the Coral for my own use. It is a favorite color - especially for the roses. Check back tomorrow to see another sample.

CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES EASEL CARD

I've been having fun making easel cards lately. Here is one using a favorite stamp set, Crazy for Cupcakes.  See that cupcake that fell to the ground even before it got to the cupcake stand?  It's serving a purpose. Stampers know that "A mistake is an excuse for an embellishment".  Wouldn't you know, I had the card all made and then got a bit of ink on my finger and, of course, discovered that only after I'd transferred it to the card front. Thus - the cupcake cover-up.  I know the photo is a bit blurry. I'll try taking another one tomorrow and see if I can get a clearer one for you.

Would you like to learn now to make an easel card?  We'll be doing one with a different stamp set at my Stamp Camp next Saturday.  There's still room for you to join us.

Happy Stampin'

BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS

Sorry, I couldn't resist that title.  It's because I am happy. This will be one of the cards we will do at my Stamp Camp on May 8th.  The rest of the projects are under wraps until then. 

As long as I was punching birds, and using the BigZ Oval Scallop Frame die for the stamp camp card, I thought I might as well actually punch another bird and use the frame.  The frame was cut from Whisper White and that looked a bit too bland, so I sponged it with Old Olive and Bashful Blue.  There probably isn't any such bird in nature, but it fit the color scheme.  So, I'll claim artist's choice. Not that I fancy myself much of an artist, but I actually do like the way that it turned out.  The base is Crushed Curry.

The card goes together very fast - especially since the frame was already cut.

The 2-Step Bird punch is way too much fun to work with. So is the Butterfly punch. ( Oops. Could that be a hint?)

Here's a tip:
When glueing down tiny pieces like the leaves or the stem of the branch, it can be a challenge to get just a little bit of glue on the piece.  Too much and it runs outside and leaves a glue shine where you don't want it.   Try using a plastic container lid, dropping a small dollop of glue onto the lid.  Pick up just enough with a toothpick and apply it to the image you wish to glue down.  Easy as pie and no mess to spoil your lovely creation.

Asian Artistry in Pastels

This card was created for a very special friend.  She "has no use for computers", she says, so she won't see it here first. That gives me the opportunity to share it with you before sending it off.

Are you familiar with the technique, Poppin' Pastels?  It's one of the first techniques I learned and I still enjoy playing with it. It's fun watching the design pop out when the pastels are applied. The final result is a soft, understated appearance. That is, unless you want it to be brighter  Then you can both use brighter colors and apply more pastels to the image. You don't have to color inside the lines.  In fact, it looks better if you don't. If you get color where you don't want it, a handy little pastels eraser that comes with the set will take care of that for you.

Asian Artistry is a lovely stamp set and I will be sorry to see it retire at the end of June. It is available only as a hostess gift and will be retired when the new line is introduced on July 1st.  If you would like to earn this free set and some free Stampin' Up! merchandise, let's schedule an event for you to hostess.  We have to do it before the end of June. 

Here are the supplies used to make this card:

Stamps: Asian Artistry, Curvy Verses

Cardstock: Kraft, whisper White, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel, Handsome Hunter

Ink: Basic Brown, Versamark

Accessories: Stampin' Pastels, Circle Scissors Plus, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Glue Dots

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN ALUMINUM

Here is a card that I hadn't planned to post, but my grandson laughed so hard when he opened it, I just have to share it with you, along with his comments.

This young man, who just turned 11, has grown up stamping and using his mother's stamping supplies. He's used the Big Shot since it was first introduced in the Stampin' up! line.  So, because my friend, Mimi, sparked the idea by showing me some samples using Big Shot textured aluminum foil, I thought that might give my grandson a chuckle. Did it ever!  His first comment as he pulled the card out of the envelope was, "Designer foil?  He laughed so hard at the idea that his mother and I got the giggles laughing at him. When he caught his breath, he asked what the gold faux buttons were cut from.  Candy wrappers. That information sent him into another paroxysm of laughter. His mother's comment later, "I guess he's been listening when he hears me talk about Designer Paper". 

It is a silly card but it generated such a reaction, I thought you might enjoy it, too.

The stamp set is Happy Everything

If you decide to run aluminum foil through your big shot with a texture plate, I would suggest that you use heavy duty foil and, for a little deeper impression, layer a piece of printer paper with the foil. I may still experiment with some card ideas, but not using a whole large panel like this, unless it becomes an under-panel.  Stay tuned for some other adventures with the Big Shot.  It's amazing what this little machine will do.

CHURCH YOUTH EASTER CARD MAKING DAY

What a great way to spend a Saturday!  Six teens, their leader and three women from United Methodist Women filled my living room, dining room and kitchen with enthusiasm, laughter, moments of concentration on their task, eating, and prayer.  The end result?  A wonderful day of fellowship and a service to the church.  They created these Easter and All-Purpose cards to be sent out to shut-ins and others.  The daffodil cards are bookmark cards and were fairly complex.  The cards in the foreground provided the most opportunity for their creativity, as you can see. Of course, they enjoyed using the Big Shot. Everyone does.

They had a sample to work from but it is always interesting to see how stampers take the same basic idea and materials to express their own creativity. Teens are very good at that. They created beautiful cards - and gave me some new ideas as well.  Thanks. Scroll down to previous entries see clearer pictures of their samples.

Naturally, before they go to work, they have to have a snack.  After all, they are teens. 

Hard at work. They wanted their creations to be just right for those who will be receiving them. So - there's a time to be serious and ...

There's a time to play....  and they know how to play! It is such a joy to see how they enjoy one another.

The youth and their outstanding leader, Jennifer, (center back). Unfortunately, one of the girls had to leave before the photo was taken, so you don't see her, but she was a busy card maker right to the end. We had such fun. I hope they will want to do it again before too long.

Wonderful women from United Methodist Women who know teens need to eat - before, during, and after... Jan, Dianna, and Shirley were great!  Some of the cards you see are their creations, too.  Thanks so much.  You helped make the day so successful! 

TEEN STAMPING - THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Here is the sample I gave the teens for their third card. The stamp set is Thoughts and Prayers. They made this card for the church to send out to shut-ins, people having surgery or illness or for any other reason that a card might be especially welcomed.

However, the teens' cards didn't look like this one. They chose to use the other tree in the set and they chose to use the "Thinking of You" sentiment instead. Further, they used the same colors but truly showed their creativity in the designs of their "swipes" for the background. The background  base is glossy white cardstock They used inked sponges to color the background. I hope some of their lovely cards will show up well when I recieve the photos from their leader.

Of the three designs, I think they had the most fun with this card.

Stamp set:  Thoughts and Prayers
Cardstock: Sage shadow, Night of Navy, Glossy White
Ink:  Sage Shadow, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Lavendar Lace, Basic Brown

TEEN STAMPING

Oh my goodness!  Six teens and four adults, plus me - stamping today to make Easter cards for the church to send.  What a bundle of energy, laughter,and creativity as the young people took the three designs I gave them and made them their own. A fun group and a fun day.  They finished 32 Easter cards and some quick little treats of  covered chocolate mint patties for themselves or to give away. The morning began with snacks of bagels and juice and cookies and finished wtih a soup and cheese/cracker lunch.  Check back later when their leader sends me her photos. 

BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES EASTER CARD

Another card for the teens to make when we get together in a couple of weeks. They will have fun with the Big Shot making these Beautiful Butterflies.  Aren't they fun? I plan to cut several different combinations of coordinating Designer Series Paper (DSP) and card stock (CS) as well as pieces for them to run through the Big Shot to make the butterflies.  It will be fun to watch them get creative for we can be sure that not one of the cards will look like the sample. 

The theme for our Lenten study at church is personal spiritual transformation with the butterfly as the symbol of transformation. So, the timing of the Beautiful Butterflies sizzlet couldn't have been better.

The idea for this card was inspired by a card shown by Gretchen Barron.  Of course, now I can't find her sample on her website, but here is her blog. You will enjoy seeing her super creations. http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/   and maybe you will find the card that is somewhat like this one.  Enjoy!

BOOKMARK EASTER CARD

I'm working on some designs for the teens in my church to use to make Easter cards for the church to send out.  Once again, the scan isn't as clear as I would wish but the images are clear in "real life".  The pocket is dry embossed using the basket weave texture plate in the Big Shot.  The daffodils are embossed and then colored with Stampin' Write Markers. The sentiment from the set is stamped on the inside in Garden Green.

Stamps:  Abundant Hope
CS: YoYo Yellow, Garden Green, Whisper White, Naturals White.
Ink: Garden Green, Basic Black, Versamark
Accessories:  Big Shot, Stampin' Write Markers, Clear EP, corner rounder punch, Crop-o-Dile, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon,

HAPPY LEPRECHAUN

Doesn't he just bring a smile to your face? When I saw him on Kimberley Morris's blog, I just couldn't resist.  She generously gave me permission to show on my blog what I've done with him.  You can see her original one, with instructions, at http://procrastistamper.blogspot.com/2009/03/lair-of-leprechauns.html

She suggested adding the Summer Sun circle in the O of "GO" to tie the colors together. It does add the finishing touch. Thanks, Kimberley.

The top card uses Naturals White as the base card.  The bottom card uses Summer Sun as the base card. It is a bit more gaudy, don't you think?  It is tempered somewhat by the Certainly Celery cardstock, which is a current color. The top one - I'm using up some of my stash of a retired color.  Mint Mist, I think it was called. I really do like the color and would love to see it come back, but it has been out of the line for several years, so - probably not.

I did another card like these but in my hurry to get it in the mail to beat a deadline, I forgot to add the ribbon before pasting down the sentiment, so I tied a knot in the center and placed it under his chin as a bow tie. That was cute, too. 

What you can't see very well here is that the green CS has been textured using my Big Shot.  It's a nice touch. The Leprechaun is made entirely with punches except for the strip of Basic Black and square of Summer Sun of the hat band.

Happy Stampin'

PRAYER DIARY

I needed a new Prayer Diary where I keep my prayer lists and follow-ups along with notes about cards sent and other communications that apply.  This is an altered Composition book using Rose Red Designer Series paper from a year or two ago.  The alphabet is the retired Brushstroke Alphabet.  The ribbon looks that looks white in the photo is actually Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain. The darker ribbon is Rose Red.

If I use this template to make another covered journal, I will make the panels a little larger to show off the variety of designs in the papers.  My original thought was to leave the larger space and sprinkle small hearts on it, but when the rest was assembled, they made it look way too busy, at least for my taste.

The back cover is plain Rose Red CS while on the inside covers, I used the additional patterns of the designer papers.  Now that I've used most of the retired Rose Red DSP, it is time to order the current one. I can't believe that I will actually order some more DSP - I have way too much in my stash.  You'll be seeing more of it as I continue to use it up. 

Happy Stampin'

Shades of Spring

Shades of Spring Designer Paper is so beautiful. If you've seen my recent posts, that is what I'm using.  I just couldn't let these flowers all be cut up to use the background designs on the reverse side of the paper. So, I've saved a few to make one-of-a-kind cards with them. On this card, the lower flower is raised using Stampin' Dimensionals.  Both flowers have Dazzling Diamond glitter on the center petals. That never shows up in scans, but it adds the zing that the card needed.  The card is quite elegant and will be used for a special occasion.  You'll notice, there is no stamping at all on this card. What???

• This Designer Paper, it is shown in the current Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog and available only through April. so, you see why I'm using it a lot.
• The corner punch is available in the Occasions Mini Catalog through April 30.
• The border punch is available as a free choice during Sale.a.bration with a $50 order through March 31.

Card stock: Orchid Opulance, Elegant Eggplant, Shades of Spring Designer Paper

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Elegant Eggplant 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch.

I probably won't be posting for the next few days.  I had a bunch of books on hold at the library and was way down the waiting list on all of them.  Eight arrived at the libe this weekend and I picked them up this afternoon.  So, you know what I will be doing for a while, in between watching the Olympics - especially the figure skating. Why, O why, do we need to spend so much time sleeping?

Happy Stampin'

Onsies for Baby

The Onsies I've seen posted are adorable and, because I know of several new Moms-to-be, I'm having fun playing with baby cards and ideas. The Onsies, once you've made your template, are quick and easy to do, depending on how you embellish. Just like cards - some are quick and some take longer to make. When I get permission from the originator of the template (I'm sure she will give it), I will share the link with you.

As you can see, I got carried away with the pink one.  I had put the Rose Red embellishments on the legs before I decided to make a little dress.  When the dress was added, the card was so garish that I cut more embellishments from Pretty in Pink but, knowing that I might not get it totally covering the original scallops, I decided to offset them. It does tone it down a bit, but if I were to make this one again, it would be with the pink only on the legs..

Both the pink one and the green striped ones are shaped cards with the fold at the shoulders.  The mounted card is Barely Banana even though it looks pinkinish in the photo. The body of the Onsie is texturized  by the Big Shot using the diamond patterned plate.  The texturizing with that plate gives the garment a quilted look.

Enjoy!