Back to Stamping!

It was a small group tonight, but even I got to stamp! What fun! I used one of my new stamp sets - Upsy Daisy. And guess what? The only time I touched Bella Toile tonight was to pass it to someone else! I didn't stamp it on anything! But if someone else asked me what they should stamp, it was usually one of my first suggestions!

Here's my card:

Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Ink: Perfect Plum, Close to Cocoa (markers - handsome hunter, elegant eggplant)
Paper: Perfect Plum, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Barely Banana
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Scallop Border Punch, White Gel Pen

And guess where I got this beautiful fall color combination? My Color Coach! I wanted to use Perfect Plum, so I started with that color. The other colors are all the colors that were chosen to go with it. And I think it's a pretty amazing combination! I'm really recommending it - a must have!

I made some other cards too, but you'll have to come back to see those!

HAPPY STAMPING!

Best Wishes & More!

Today I played with one of the new sets I got for the Demo Extravaganza - Best Wishes & More. Ever since I first got it, I could just imagine it with the Bella Toile. So.... guess what I did?


Stamps: Bella Toile, Best Wishes & More
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Square Scallop Punch, Sponge, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon

Thanks for visiting! HAPPY STAMPING!

Pocket Silhouettes

I'm still playing with new stamps!! And I did promise you another post today! I'm just sorry it was so late - I had a date with a cute five year old!


Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel Watercolor Vine
Paper: Mellow Moss, Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla
Ink: Mellow Moss, Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: Scallop Square Punch, Bravo Burgundy 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Sponge

Thanks for stopping by! HAPPY STAMPING!

Upsy Daisy!

I am just having so much fun playing with my new stamp sets! Today's choice is Upsy Daisy! I was feeling rather pink today! I made it a Gatefold card that opens up and down instead of sideways.


Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Pixie Pink
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Pixie Pink
Accessories: Cutter Kit, Rhinestone Brad (Circle Fire)

As you can tell, I like simple cards!

HAPPY STAMPING!

Inspired by Nature

And so I was! Inspired by Nature, that is. I went grocery shopping today (all by myself - that's always a treat) and they had a bunch of plants for sale out front. I was sorely tempted to by one of them - a cone flower plant. And not because I really needed it! I wanted it because it matches my new stamp set!!! Inspired by Nature!


Stamps: Inspired by Nature
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Very Vanilla
Ink: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Orchid Opulence
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponge Daubers
Technique: I stamped off on the grass. I used the sponge daubers to apply the different color inks to the flower stamp.

I hope you enjoy my card as much as I enjoyed making it!

Do you see the final step in my blog make-over? Check out the watermark on my picture! Michelle Laycock (www.laycockdesigns.com) is just soooo talented! I am having so much fun!

I hope to see some of you next Sunday evening for a fun evening of just plain stamping - $10 and you bring whatever projects you are working on - you can use my stamps, stamp pads, punches, etc. Bring your own consumables - adhesives, paper, etc. Let me know if you plan on attending!

HAPPY STAMPING!

WOW! What a Day!

I had such a great day! I went into this not expecting to know anyone at this Demo Extravaganza but almost right away I saw the name of someone I had met on-line - and she lives right here in CT. So I got to sit with a great group of women from right here in Connecticut.



I swapped my cards and got some awesome samples to share! AND, I won a prize! I got a Stampin' Up! travel mug! It was awesome! I took pictures of some beautiful samples they had there too.

We had three make & takes. Here are pictures:

This first one used the pillow box die cut from the Sizzix Big Shot and Batty for You. The ribbon is the Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain. Isn't it cool looking - so easy to make! I'm really going to have to get one of those Big Shots!


The second one was a card using the Top Note die cut from the Sizzix Big Shot (I really need that Big Shot!). We also used a chipboard frame (which we covered with Kiwi Kiss Patterns designer paper. We used the Best Wishes & More stamp set and the Thank You Kindly stamp set. The ribbon is the 5/8" Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain ribbon.


The third and final project is a 6X6 scrapbook page using the Inspired by Nature stamp set and the Best Wishes stamp set. We also used the Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain ribbon again and the Kiwi Kiss designer paper again.


It was such a great day - there was a wonderful speaker, and some talented demonstrators that shared some great techniques with us!

I'm so tired now, though! 5:00 a.m. was really early for me!

HAPPY STAMPING!

Am I Swap Worthy?

So, I'm attending a "Demo Extravanganza" on Saturday with approximately 60 people in Framingham, MA. I am SOOOOO excited about going! There will be speakers, new techniques, make & takes, and SWAPPING!

It's the swapping that concerns me right now. Do you think this card is worthy of swapping? Do you think other demonstrators will want to swap with me?



The rules of the swap are that we have to use at least two layers, new stamp set(s) from the Fall Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog, using only Stampin' Up! supplies, doing your best work so that it can be used to show the ideas to customers.

So what do you think?

HAPPY STAMPING!

My First Card for Sketch Challenge #3

So I decided it was time to start doing my own cards for Sketch Challenge #3! They're due on September 20th and I normally do mine ahead of time to help give some inspiration to my stampers! My club members usually participate in this challenge, but I would absolutely love it if anyone else wanted to participate! Here, again is all the info:


We added a twist this time because it seemed rather simple and I want people to start using the Color Coach! I am offering four different color combinations from the Color Coach, you need to use one in your card.

First possible color combination: Main color: Gable Green; Coordinating Colors: Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Bashful Blue; Complementary Color: Pixie Pink

Second possible color combination: Main Color: Ballet Blue; Coordinating Colors: Real Red, Creamy Caramel, Always Artichoke; Complementary Color: Pumpkin Pie

Third possible color combination: Main color: Perfect Plum; Coordinating Colors: Ruby Red, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa; Complementary Color: Barely Banana

Fourth possible color combination: Main color: Pumpkin Pie; Regal Rose, Rose Red, Ballet Blue; Complementary Color: Ballet Blue

So here's my first card! I used the first possible color combination.

Stamps: Floral (Background), Close as a Memory, Hugs & Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Gable Green, Cameo Coral, Bashful Blue
Ink: Pixie Pink Craft, Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal
Accessories: Certainly Celery Marker, Sponge Daubers, Sponge, Coluzzle with Circle Template, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Crimper

I used a technique that I've been hearing about lately where you daub different classic ink colors onto the flowers with sponge daubers to get a variegated effect. I LOVE IT!

HAPPY STAMPING!

Sneak Peek of Black & White Camp Cards

I will be holding a Black & White Card Camp in September. There will be a morning session on Thursday, September 25th at 9:30AM here in my classroom and an evening session on Sunday, September 28th at 6:30PM also here in my classroom. The cost of the camp is $20 for 8 cards. If you bring a friend (someone new to me), you will receive $5 off your camp fee. If you place an order (minimum of $35), you will receive $5 off your camp fee. Currently, I am posting half of the cards. I will add the other four cards soon.


The card on the left was partially CASE'd from "cobbco_stamper" on SCS; it uses Fresh Cuts (such a versatile set!). The card on the right uses Embrace Life.


The card on the top was CASE'd from a card by "bksjones" on SCS; it uses Baroque Motifs (a favorite, very versatile set!). The bottom card is similar to a card made by "scrown8301" on SCS. I just love the Paisley background stamp!

This should be a rather fun camp! I hope you'll join me! Please RSVP to me by e-mail if you would like to attend.

HAPPY STAMPING

A Beautiful Thing in Pink Pirouette!

I wanted something different from the same cards I've been doing, so here it is!

Stamps: A Beautiful Thing
Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch

It's very simple, but I like it! I hope you do too.

HAPPY STAMPING!

Tag Card

I actually made this tag card quite a while ago, but I just came across it and thought that I would share it. I think I saw them originally on SCS.

Stamps: Simply Said
Paper: Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom
Accessories: Word Window Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, 1/16" Circle Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Vintage Brads, Circle Rhinestone Brads, Rich Regal Brads, Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

The card is 11" X 5 1/2"; it is scored at 2 3/4", 5 1/2", 8 1/4".

I had to snip the corners myself and that's always tricky, but otherwise - it's actually a very simple card!

The ribbon is adhered under the top matted design.







HAPPY STAMPING!

Christmas in August - Card Details - Part II

Here's the other half of the cards from the Christmas in August camp on Monday night. These four cards were made with actual Christmas sets.



This card I cased from "mendiolat" on SCS.

Punch Pals JOY
Stamps: Punch Pals, Big Deal Alphabet
Paper: Glorious Green, Handsome Hunter, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Handsome Hunter
Accessories: Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots


I didn't case this one!

SNOW Card
Stamps: Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel SNOW, Wonderful Words
Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Bashful Blue
Accessories: Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2-Way Glue, sponge


Another one I didn't case!

Merry & Bright Window
Stamps: Merry & Bright
Paper: Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark, Stazon Jet Black
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle Punch


I cased this card from "ckreege" on SCS.

Santa Gatefold
Stamps: Jolliest Time of the Year
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Stazon Jet Black
Accessories: Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen, Ticket Corner Punch, Cuttlebug with Snowflakes embossing folder

HAPPY STAMPING!

Christmas in August - Card Details - Part I

So, I thought I would break it down some and give you the details for half of the cards we made at the Christmas in August camp on Monday night. We had a great crowd! I wanted to keep at least most of the cards simple so that if people choose to copy any of them for their Christmas card, it won't be an overwhelming task.

I am going to start with the cards that are not made with actual Christmas stamp sets. One of them, Crab & Company has a couple of Christmas stamps that come as part of the set, but the overall set is not a Christmas set.


This card is done based on a technique on Amy Celona's blog. She is an amazingly talented Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I'm hoping to one day get to meet her! Every person that did this card at Camp came out with a card that looked different, but equally GORGEOUS!

Lovely as a Snowy Tree (titled as Amy Celona titled hers - I couldn't resist!)
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Sanded
Paper: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Craft Very Vanilla
Accessories: sponge, sponge dauber, hemp twine


This card I CASE'd (Copy And Share with Everyone - in case you were wondering) from "abcde" on SCS.

Jingle Shells
Stamps: Crab & Company
Paper: Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla
Ink: Always Artichoke
Accessories: Spiral Tab Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Real Red Marker


This card I cased from "Jova29" on SCS.

Happy Holidays Mistletoe
Stamps: Fresh Cuts, Happy Everything
Paper: Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Bravo Burgundy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon


I LOVE THIS CARD (it's one of my favorite stamp sets)! I cased this one too - I got this one from "samswindle" on SCS.

Baroque Motifs Christmas
Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Holidays & Wishes
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla
Ink: Mellow Moss, Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: NONE

HAPPY STAMPING!

Can You Say "WOW!"?

So, we had our club yesterday - we only had one person who couldn't be there - so there were 13 people there! That's a WOW too! The big thing that I want to share with everyone is the results of the latest Sketch Challenge that I gave to the group. Their creativity is flowing and the "challenge" part of it has really kicked in. You just have to see what they came up with. Here is a slide show (first you'll see the sketch and then my three samples):



Aren't they amazing!? So, "WOW!"

PS - If you click on the slide show, it will take you to the actual album where the pictures are and you can see who made which card!

Getting Ready for August Parties & Clubs!

I am having so much fun getting ready for my parties and clubs for August!! I can't resist giving a sneak peek of what we're going to be doing! No directions or details yet - maybe on Sunday (after a party and my club)!! I know I have just too much planned, but I can't resist! I am just so excited about this new book and so ready to be stamping again!

This giftcard holder is inspired by a fellow demonstrator - thank you Patty! There is actually a tutorial on her blog. We're making this tonight and on Saturday - and I'll be giving out a one-page direction sheet. I used the colors out of the new Idea Book & Catalog for this stamp set!



Giftcard Holder Card
Stamps: Simply Said
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery
Paper: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Sticky Strip, Word Window Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon


Love that Sock Monkey - I couldn't resist. I saw two similar cards to this on Splitcoast (momof2lilboyz & Tracy Altemose). This is my take on their idea! And I used the new Kiwi Kiss paper!

Evil Sock Monkey Card!
Stamps: Sock Monkey, All Holidays
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Kiwi Kiss
Paper: Kraft, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Accessories: Word Window Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen, Write Me a Memory Volume II Journaling Font CD


And of course - my new favorite Baroque Motifs! I used the Baby Wipe Technique with Baja Breeze and Pacific Point.

Baroque Motifs - Baby Wipe Card
Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Ink: Pacific Point reinker & stamp pad, Baja Blue reinker
Paper: Baja Blue, Pacific Point, Whisper White
Accessories: Baby Wipes, Dimensionals, Silver Brads
Technique: Baby Wipe Technique


HAPPY STAMPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You for My Cards!

So my birthday was this past weekend and I got some beautiful cards! (I also got a Scor-Pal from my husband!) I wanted to share with you some of the awesome cards I received! Forgive the poor scanning - they are much better live and in person!


This first card was from Jan, one of my club members. She never forgets my birthday! And I *always* get an amazing card from her!



This card is from another club member (also a friend & neighbor), Sandy. She also never forgets my birthday - she always brings me a birthday cake too! Notice the use of the Cuttlebug in this one - and it's a Gatefold too!


This last card is from my niece Kelsey. She's seven. She's a child prodigy. Knowing how talented and artistic she is, I really am not sure that her mother helped her at all. Her mother, Julie is one of my club members as well (and also my sister-in-law).

I also received many e-mails wishing me a Happy Birthday - so to everyone - THANK YOU!!! I had a wonderful birthday. A friend of ours even took all three kids overnight and my husband and I got to go out and stay out LATE (and sleep in)!! WOW!

My Samples for Sketch Challenge #2

So, I'm a day late, but I did promise a sample for the Sketch Challenge! I have three! I combined my Sketch Challenge #2 with a color challenge from SUDSOL - SDC 5.


Card #1: Punch Pals
Stamps: Punch Pals
Paper: Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Bravo Burgundy
Ink: Garden Green, Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: NEW Scallop Border Punch, Scallop Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 3/4" Square Punch


Card #2: Perfect Princess
Stamps: Perfect Princess, Floral Background, Hugs & Wishes
Paper: Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom, Almost Amethyst
Ink: Blush Blossom, Basic Black
Accessories: Rhinestone Brad, Dazzling Diamonds, 2-way Glue, Tag Punches, NEW Scallop Border Punch



Card #3: All in the Family
Stamps: All in the Family, Polka Dot Background, Short & Sweet
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, Sage Shadow, Whisper White
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Basic Black
Accessories: Taupe Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Designer Label Punch

Happy Stamping! Good luck with the challenge!

Camp Cards Continued!

I promised that I would post the remaining four cards from Camp last night - so here they are!


Card #5: Froggy Film Strip! I cased this card from a fellow demonstrator on SUDSOL - Amy Dietz.
Stamps: Background Basics, Unfrogettable
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Gable Green
Ink: Gable Green, Stazon Black
Accessories: Spiral Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Gable Green Marker, Key Tag Punch


Card #6: Sweet Shapes Spinner. I cased this card from a fellow demonstrator on SUDSOL - Trista McCoard
Stamps: Daisy Field Wheel, Sweet Shapes
Paper: Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom
Accessories: Certainly Celery Marker, Blush Blossom Marker, Word Window Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Dimensionals, Pennies, 2-way Glue


Card #7: Peaceful Wishes Christmas Card - Inspired by a card from lea_65 on SCS
Stamps: Peaceful Wishes
Paper: River Rock, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla
Ink: River Rock, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: 2-way Glue, Pink Fine Cosmo Glitter, Ticket Corner Punch


Card #8: Blossoms Abound Birthday. This card was cased from bensarmom on SCS - check out those scalloped corners! What a cool idea for the scallop punch!!
Stamps: Weathered, Blossoms Abound, It's Your Birthday
Paper: Almost Amethyst, Mellow Moss, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss
Accessories: Scallop Punch, White Gel Pen, Sponge, Black Gingham Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots

Thanks for looking! Happy Stamping!