Season of Simple Grace Holy Family

I really like this card - the best yet. It was quite a process of evolution for it is nothing like the card that I envisioned when I planned to use this stamp. I wanted to emboss in white and I wanted to use these colors, but the first samples that I made were so boring. Really. I had to let it sit for a couple of days and simmer. Even then, once I started working on it, it kept changing Isn't it funny how the creative process works sometimes? Of course, some people are more creative than others. I'm definitely in the "other" category. But, I am very happy with this card.

Stamps: Season of Simple Grace
CS: Bravo Burgundy, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy
Ink: Whisper White Craft, Versamark
Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Bravo Burgundy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Brocade Blue 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, scallop punch, corner rounder punch, paper piercer and pad.

Joy Journal

This altered Composition Book was intended to be made for the church Bazaar but, as you can see, I missed by just a skosh when fitting the cover. Unfortunately, it was not repositionable. I don't feel comfortable putting it on the sale table with the error, so decided to keep it for my own Joy Journal. The bow got a little squashed in the scanner but you get the idea. This example uses last year's Christmas DSP as well as Letterpress Alphabet stamps, also retired, and retired ribbon. The retired products are just fine for a sale item or a personal item. I will make another journal to donate. I also plan to make a set of cards using this lovely paper from last year. Because these are retired products they are no longer available for purchase, but I hope the sample gives you a starter idea for your own creation. It's a very simple template but the pretty papers make it attractive.

Loads of Love Spinner

My youngest grandson turns nine this coming weekend, so I had fun today making his card. He'll be much more interested in the package than the card, to be sure, but perhaps the novelty of the spinner will get his attention for a moment, anyway. The truck is colored with our water color crayons. Have you used them? I love playing with them. The truck runs on a Word Window cut-out track for most of the "hill". The truck really is more red than it looks here. I used the Really Red crayon and colored it several times to get a deep color.

Stampin' Dimensionals on the road. The foreground hills are adhered only at the edges so they also stand out to give room for the truck to move. I should put a snowcap peak in the background so it looks like going up to our Mt. Rainier. Hmmmm- maybe next time.

Stamps: Loads of Love and Loads of Love Accessories

CS: Bashful Blue, Glorious Green, Naturals White, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Always Artichoke, Black StazOn, Stampin' Up! Watercolor crayons

Accessories: Signo white pen, watercolor brush, Word Window punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

P.S. No comments about driving the wrong side of the road! (chuckle) Must be a two lane road up that mountain. He's not looking where he's going either. Yikes! I think I'll walk.

More Gift Card Holders

The last - at least for now. The gold embossed wreath is from Keep Christmas and Santa from Deer Friends. If you've been following this blog, you've seen these sets before. They are so versatile. The wreath gift card holder is the same style as the candle one on the inside - a panel with slits to hold the card. The Santa one is a pocket - very quick to make. For now, these are just samples for the gals to choose from if they would like.
We need to make some gift card holders that are not for Christmas, too, so I think I will start with Crazy for Cupcakes set. Watch for one or two of those in the near future.

The second set of cards the gals made - also embossed. Didn't they do a nice job? You'd not know they were first timers, would you?
Just as in the Snow Swirled holder, these have an internal pocket page to hold the gift card. The blue one has a white pocket and the white one has a blue pocket.
The stamp set is retired Snowflake Spot. We could have used the images from Snow Swirled and had the same nice effect.

Gift Card Holders

We're making Gift Card Holders for my church's Christmas Bazaar. Here are some samples of ones that we have made and others that we might make. The Christmas Tree is in the lovely
Snow Swirled set. The gals learned to emboss the evening we made that one - magic! What fun it is to see someone learn a new technique and get so excited! The packet opens up to find pocket page inside for the card.

The candle is from Keep Christmas. By now, you know that is a favorite set of mine, don't you?
Inside is a yellow panel with slots for fitting a gift card. I used Stampin' Up! Slit Punch.

Sock Monkey Card by Jane Giggy

Isn't this just the cutest? Did you have a sock monkey when you were a child? My brother and I did. Brings back all kinds of memories - all good! This delightful card was created by Jane Giggy, who generously sent it to me for my birthday. It makes me smile every time I look at it. Thank you, Jane.

Season of Simple Grace Card

Season of Grace is a lovely set and here is my first card. Again, I used retired colors and ribbon, but it is close to Ruby Red. The images are embossed with Versamark and gold embossing powder. You can see that I am still having fun with our scallop punch. The sentiment inside is stamped with Ruby Red.

Keep Christmas Card 2008

This week I have been working on my personal Christmas Cards and so have not posted for a while. My friend, Jane, chided me for that today, so here are two of my cards. I've hesitated to post them for two reasons. One - because some of my family and friends will be receiving them and, second, because they use some retired Stampin' Up! products.

Cranberry Crisp was one of our former In Colors. I liked it so much that I ordered several packages of it just before it was discontinued, knowing that I would use it for Christmas cards. So, here it is, along with the ribbon that is also retired. The image is actually embossed using Bravo Burgundy, which works just fine. I sprayed the card base with gold Pearl-Ex and hairspray mixture to get the shimmer effect. The sentiment inside embossed in gold on the Cranberry Crsip and mounted on Apricot Appeal. Looks nice. I will sign these cards with a gold pen. I think it is an elegant card and am very happy with it. Happy enough to make 30 of them.

Deer Friends - Infant Jesus Tag and Card

Here is another Christmas card with the stamp that I like so much. This one has a removable tag in the pocket. The recipient may use it as a gift tag or a tree decoration. Again, I believe that the stamp calls for a card with clean and uncluttered lines to emphasize the Christmas message. The same template is easily adapted to any stamp that is the right size. I will probably make some of these with the angel stamp that comes with the set, too. I can't believe I didn't start with the angel!

Batty For You Pumpkin

Here is the "kind" sentiment in the Batty for You set. Isn't it delightful? Often with glitter, the card looks better in real life than in a scan. In fact, the scan does not do the card justice for I think it is much nicer than it appears here. Enough so that I am making more to send to friends. The first card I made was with the Old Olive card base and it is OK but I like the Certainly Celery card base better. What do you think?

Stamps: Batty for You, Hauting Halloween

Card stock: Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Accessories: Scallop punch, Square scallop punch, Crystal Effects, glitter

Batty For You Scallop Punch Medalions

I'm taking a bit of a break from making tags to getting some cards made. Did you see the Splitcoast Stampers tutorial this week on the Scallop Punch Medallion? Here it is:Http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/scallopedgemedallion

I haven't made any Halloween cards yet so decided to use Batty For You and get started. I'll post my pumpkin one tomorrow after the Crystal Effect dries. Tart and Tangy stamps fit well in the medallion, too. I made an apple one today but have not made the card yet.


Stamps: Batty for You, Haunting Halloween
Card Stock: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Black Staz-On
Accessories: Scallop punch, Square scallop punch, Pumpkin Pie striped ribbon
The sentiment says, "Witching you..." and on the inside of the card: "...a Haunting Halloween" Cute.





Frankinstein
Card stock: Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White

Check back tomorrow for the pumpkin.

Deer Friends - Infant Jesus Tag and Card

I think this tag makes a beautiful card, so I will put cord in just a few and leave the rest unpunched.

I like the simplicity of the card for it emphasizes the message. It is more elegant than it appears in the scan. Both the image and the word are embossed.

Stamps: Deer Friends, Tres Chic background stamp

Card Stock: Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla, Confetti Cream

Ink: Creamy Caramel Craft Pad

Accessories: Clear embossing powder, 1 1/4 circle punch, scallop circle punch, corner rounder, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon

Still Learning......

About how to use my scanner and the blog. Today I figured out how to make the photos brighter and more accurate. I was frustrated at what seemed like washed out colors. So, I've gone back through the photos already published and corrected them. They look so much better. Still don't have the copyright thing figured out, though. I'd welcome your ideas. I don't have extra software, just what comes with my Canon printer and Windows.

Deer Friends - Beaded Christmas Tree Tag

Here are several versions of the Christmas Tree stamp in the Deer Friends stamp set. All of the trees are beaded with clear beads, using Crystal Effects. This one sparkles and is very pretty.

Because the CS is dark and might be a challenge for addressing a tag, I added a Whisper White piece on the back, using the large oval punch. You can see that it just fits the scallop circle punch. I don't have any current stamps with a To and From sentiment, so have left it blank for the photo, but will probably go back and use stamps from a retired set. Shhhh. Have you used the Stampin' Up! micro beads? If not, you should give them a try. For some reason, I just started playing with them this past summer and have learned a few things. The most important - to get a nice sparkle, pick up a few beads betten your thumb and finger and just sprinkle lightly on the Crystal Effects covered image. When I first started using the beads, I poured on too many and didn't much like the result. You may prefer the heavier coverage. Try it both ways. Or, perhaps the particular design element will dictate how heavy we want our beading to be. I'm stilll learning.

All images are copyright Stampin' Up! Projects are created by Betty Vene McConnell

Deer Friends - Snowman Tag

Poor snowman's hat got crunched in the scanner, but you wil get the idea. Colors used are Brocade Blue and Whisper White. The entire stamp is stamped with classic ink and then I stamped hats with Brocade Blue Craft ink and embossed with clear EP, cut out the hat and adhered it with a Dimensional.

Deer Friends-GingerbreadMan Tag

I've been busy this weekend making tags with a some of the stamps from the Deer Friends stamp set.

This little guy is one of the stamps in the Deer Friends set. Here he is just stamped in Close to Cocoa on Whisper White CS, colored with Stampin' Write markers, punched out with the small tag punch and adhered to Chocolate Chip CS punched with the larger Tag Punch. You see him with the gold elastic cord and with the caramel gingham. I like them both, but the gingham might be less useable with most Christmas wrap, so I only made a few with the ribbon. The rest are corded.

Designer Paper Angel Tags

Aren't these cute? I have been having the greatest time playing with these little angels. They are made with Holiday Treasures Designer Series Paper.

I am a long time angel collector and had been thinking about what to do for an angel tag. So, when I first saw Tammy Howell's, I knew I had to learn how she made them. She ws gracious and sent photos of her angels along with the address of the blog that inspired her. You can see an excellent tutorial for making the angel by Jen Clendineng at http://www.crazystampgirl.com/?s=angel

Tammy added her own touch and, typical of stampers and paper crafters, I have, too.

As you can see, each one is different. As I played, the more combinations I tried, the more seemed to suggest themselves. I used pieces from only three of the papers in the package, but with two sides to each paper, the design combos seems endless.

My original intent was to make tags, but then I realized that these little gems can be an element on a card as well, so that is why many of them have halos instead of longer loops. Wouldn't a rhinestone brad be pretty at her waistline? I also think that I will add glitter to the wings of future angels.

See what you started, Tammy and Jen?

Cardstock: Holiday Treasures Designer Series Paper and coordinating solid colors cardstock
Accessories: Circle scallop punch, 5-Petal punch, 3/4" circle punch, gold elastic cord

Keep Christmas Wreath Gift TAg

Here is another Quick and Pretty tag using the same stamp set, Keep Christmas. So easy, that I just kept stamping and embossing until I had 32. That's when the cardstock ran out without cutting into another sheet. It is a fold-over tag, book style. I left some of them without punching the hole, knowing that we don't always want to tie our tags on to our packages.

If you don't have the Craft ink, you can use Versamark and Classic ink.

The challege is that you have to clean the stamp off each time before you use the Versamark. The technique: Cover the clean stamp with Versa Mark and then with the colored Classic ink, stamp the image and emboss with clear or Iridescent embossing powder. The image is not a bright, but it can be done if you are making just a few. This process also deposits some Versamark on your Classic ink pad. A little bit doesn't hurt.

There will be tags using other sets - promise! But, I'm probably not done with this one yet. I love the candle arrangement stamp, too.

Card stock: Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Glorious Green Craft
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, red gingham ribbon, Real Red Stampin' Write Marker

Keep Christmas Gift Tags 2

Here's another version of Scrooge and Tiny Tim from the Keep Christmas stamp set. Colors are Bravo Burgundy and Apricot Appeal. The light colored, my favorite, uses the corner rounder punch, Bravo Burgundy Craft Ink and clear embossing powder while the other uses Versamark and gold embossing powder.

For a fast tag or card, this can't be beat. It is almost embarrassing how fast these were to make - less than an hour to cut the card stock and make 18.

Keep Christmas Gift Tags

This first two, from the set Keep Christmas, has been a lot of fun. It has taken me the better part of two days to make 18 of them, mostly because I kept experimenting with colors and form. I intended to make just 10, but it is so easy to get carried away - especially when playing.

Both tags are embossed in black. The lamps glitter with Crystal Effects and clear glitter. Scrooge's trousers and top hat are watercolored. His coat in the right one is also watercolored. The rest of the coloring is done with markers.

The cardstock for the tag on the left is Bordering Blue, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White.

The tag on the right is a fold over tag, book style, using Naturals White cardstock.

I know these colors aren't truly Dickensonian, but it was the combo that I liked the best of the several I tried.

Tomorrow's tag will show the same stamp, but will be a quick tag to make.

This is a delightful set. I will probably use the rest of it as well - a candle arangement and a wreath, along with a Dickens quote. I haven't planned that far ahead yet. If you are a stamper, you know that what we plan isn't always the final product, is it?

Christmas Gift Tags

I'm challenging myself to make gift tags for both the church bazaar and for gifts. Ideally, I will make a new set each day. Realistically, I'll aim for three times a week. My goal is to make 12 different tags., some very simple and some more complex. If I make this announcement, that might be what I need to keep me on track. You think? Let's see how it goes. Here's the first one.

Online Ordering is Here

Did you know that you can now order Stampin' Up! products at 3 a.m. if you wish? Just click on "My Stampin' Up! website on the right column" under the Contact Me heading and it will take you to that website. Then, click on "order now" and place your order. It will be sent directly to you and the sale credited to me. A nice arrangement for both of us, especially if you don't live close to me.

A Light Unto My Path

This stamp set, A Light Unto My Path, is destined to become a classic. At least in my personal stamp "wardrobe". I've used it for such a variety of reasons, from Sympathy to Friendship. The colors in this particular one are last year's In-Colors and so are retired. I'll have to start making more cards with current cardstock and colors. But, I did want to share it with you.

A Light Unto My Path is a two stamp set. The sentiment is the Scripture verse. "Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105"

I've also used a secular sentiment about lighthouses that is not Stampin' Up! when that seemed more appropriate to the occasion.

Cards for the Troops

As many of you know, I have been actively collecting and making cards for the troops. My fellow Demonstrators and stampers have been very, very generous in providing hundreds of card fronts and full cards. Some arrive with envelopes, which is especially welcome.

The cards are sent to our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and the wounded warriors hospital in Germany. Some have messages written in them to the troops and those go directly to Chaplains to distribute to those men and women who don't receive as much mail. Or - they may be put in the goodie boxes sent to the troops.

Most of the cards are left blank so that they can be made available for our troops to use to send to their friends and loved ones. Of course, we need envelopes for those, so that is why we appreciate donations.

Here are some of the cards that we have made in multiples of 10-20-30, depending on how much card stock and designer paper we have available. These are all made with retired papers, so I won't list those. The patriotic stamps are among my favorites but will be available only until January. I'm sorry to see them retire, but maybe there will be something just as nice to replace them. Let's hope so.

You can check the website of the organization I work with at: http://www.supportamericasarmedforces.com/. It is an excellent non-profit organization that was started by a Mom in the community where I used to live when her son was deployed in Iraq. If you look at the website, you will see how it has grown and the many, many people it serves. Amazing!

Here are some of the cards that we have made.

Covered Notebooks

I need a little notebook for phone numbers to keep by my phone. It seems everyone has a home number, a work number, a cell phone number.... well, you get the idea.

This is one of those little 8/$1.00 spiral notebooks that come on sale occasionally. When I get the Trio punch, I'll add a bouquet or two of Perfect Plum to the side strip. I used the Friendship stamp from Think Happy Thoughts because most of my phone calls are with family and friends. The Designer Paper, Parisian Summer, is lovely and much prettier than shows in the photo. It looks washed out here, probably because it is so subtle.

The second notebook is one that I tore off the wire binding and used the Crop-a-dile to punch holes in the top. The alphabet is Brushstroke Alphabet, which is retired, but I still like it.

Here's Frankie!

He looks a bit distressed,don't you think? Maybe he needs a pal.
That's not difficult to do.
It takes longer to get the supplies out than it does to make him.

I copied this from someone but don't remember who. If it is you, let me know and I'll be most happy to give you credit. I wish I could have thought him up, but I didn't.

Card Stock: Old Olive , Perfect Plum, Basic Black, Whisper White
Punches: small oval, 1 1/4 inch circle, 3/4" circle
Black marker, white Signo pen, Dimensional (nose), paper snips and adhesive

My Swap

Somehow this got lost in the first post, so I'll try again. I told you I am new at blogging! For some reason, the photo and info were placed in the Welcome, so if you click there, you will see the same card but with blue brads. The card recipe is listed there, too. It was a fun card to make, but I won't be mass producing it - too many steps. I made 10 and that was plenty! I really do like the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set, though, and will be posting some more creations using it.
The scallop punch is so much fun to use - you can produce a tremendous variety of effects with it. It will be a staple in my punch wardrobe - along with the circles and squares. Here are just two examples. You will be seeing more in future posts.

Punchy Owl

copyright Stampin' Up! Card design by Betty Vene McConnell. Owl design by Sharon Field.

Isn't he cute? The owl, that is. I'm not crazy over bats, especially after having one in my house for a couple of days. Not a welcome house guest!
The owl, made completely from punches, was designed by Sharon Field, who graciously gave permission to post my card with him as the focal point. Thank you, Sharon.

The bat is from Batty for You. I just colored him with Pumpkin Pie marker. Some glitter on the moon might add a bit of a bling.

Julie Alberda's Swap

Julie has created this elegant Sympathy card by embossing Beautiful Borders with black EP and then coloring the images. See the beauty of her shading of the leaves and flowers? Of course, the ink colors and the cardstock were made for each other.

Stamps: Beautiful Borders

Ink: StazOn Black, Versamark

CS: Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Lovely Lilac, Very Vanilla

Access: 1/4" Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, Earth Elements buttons, Linen thread, Black EP,

Markers in Lovely Lilac, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, and Always Artichoke

Sarah Beddow's Swap

Here is Sarah's lovely card. The scan doesn't do it justice. Can you see that the grasses have been embossed to create the effect of the flowers hiding in a field of grasses? She has distressed and sponged two edges. She's used the Silhouette color scheme on p. 10 - that's why it is an Idea Book as well as a catalog.

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Define Your Life

CS: Sahara Sand, Sage Shadow, Basic Gray

Ink: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Versamark, White pigment ink

Acc: Clear EP, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware

Joanne Travis's Swap

An elegant card using a beautiful stamp and delightful Designer Paper. The silver Hodgepodge Hardware is a great touch.

Stamps: A Rose is a Rose

Ink: Pale Plum and Perfect Plum

CS: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Parisian Summer Designer Paper

Accessories: Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Apricot grosgrain ribbon

Janice Massa's Swap

Look how Janice used the scallop punch differently from the way that I did. She punched both layers and then made a peek-a-boo effect. I like it! The rhinestone brad gives it a real bling. Her background on glossy white is polished stone for a nice effect.

Sharon Graham's Swap

Sharon is my upline. Our demo group, Inkellectuals, had a worskhop and swap last week. Sharon's card shows off some fun images created with the new Big Shot.
Stamps: Thank You Kindly
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette. NQ Navy, Kiwi Kiss, Bella Rose Designer paper
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, NQ Navy
Accessories: Big Shot, Dies: Birds & Blooms, Top Note, Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, Gold Brads

Welcome to my blog

I'm excited to be joining the world of blogging and to share with you

Here is my swap at our recent Inkellectuals demo workshop. Don't you just love the new In Colors? Some cards used the blue brads and others the red ones. I prefer the red ones.


All images copyright Stampin' Up! Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
CS: Pink Pirouette, Pacific Point, Red Riding Hood, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Ink: Black Stazon
Accessories: Scallop punch, pink glass mixed beads, Haklogram Highlights EP, Crystal Effects, Bright Bold (red) or Soft Subtles (blue) brads, Dimensionals