Tool Time Tuesday - Mat Pack!

Good morning!!  Sorry for missing yesterday's posting, the day started out with the internet being 'out' on our street, to getting extremely busy!

So I'm back, and it's Tool Time Tuesday!  This wasn't a suggestion by someone on the Facebook Page contest for your favourite tool.  However, it is one tool I have sold a lot of, and use frequently!!

Punch holes and set eyelets on a mat to protect your tabletops. With the Mat Pack, you'll set eyelets and create beautiful pierced designs in card stock or projects without harming your stamping surface. Mat, paper-piercing pad, and paper-piercing template are each are 4" x 4".

I don't use eyelets that often, and we don't even sell them anymore... but I know lots of you have them in your stashes!  I use mine for paper piercing, a LOT!  I use it to put holes in projects to insert brads easier.  I love how the template lets me pierce holes with precision, and symmetry!  Now all my brads and eyelets, and faux stitching line up wonderfully!! :)  It's a tool I would not be without in my paper crafting world :)

Have a happy day!
See ya!

Hobby Horse Stitched Stocking

With a tip of the hat to Jackie T. for inspiring this great idea!!  I'm not one to see a different idea with a punch, but when I saw the Stitched Stocking stamp set and the stocking punch turned upside down, WOW!!!!  How cool was that?! :)

This would be great for a baby card, a little boys birthday, or a vintage style card too :)

SUPPLIES:
Stamps:  Stitched Stocking (upcoming Holiday Mini)
Cardstock:  Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede, Early Esspresso, Very Vanilla, Whisper White
Ink:  Not Quite Navy, So Saffron (marker for mane), Crumb Cake, Basic Black
Accessories:  Stocking punch, gold brad, chocolate chip polyester twill ribbon(sadly, retired), square lattice embossing fold for the Big Shot








I just love this guy!!  I can't wait to make more for craft shows and baby cards! :)


Just a reminder that the Summer Mini is coming to a close this month, and the 1.25inch ribbon share, and DSP special are also closing this month!

Sign ups for clubs are happening as well :)

Have a happy day!
See ya!

Stitched Stocking with Faux Flocking

Good afternoon!!  Ha ha ha, I totally didn't intend for that blog post title to rhyme!  But it does, so we'll just move on :)  According to my friend, Lynn, it's less than 4 months till Christmas now!  Yikes, better get a move on for the Craft Shows, and Christmas cards to be sent out :)

This stamp set and punch are from the upcoming Holiday Mini!  Gotta love 'em!!:)

SUPPLIES:
Stamps:  Stitched Stocking (from Holiday Mini), Christmas Greetings
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler/White bakers twine, stocking punch, dots embossing folder, paper snips (for flocking), stampin' dimensionals, paper piercer

Here's a close up photo of the faux flocking.  I loved flocking, but it retired.  So one day I was distressing the edges of my paper and I was getting this fine 'snow' like stuff piling up on my work surface.  So I put it to use!  Today I did it on purpose :)  It just adds that little 'pop' to a stocking, don't ya think?

STEPS FOR FAUX FLOCKING
1.  Select a scrap piece of cardstock, in this case, Whisper White
2.  Using the back of your paper snips just rub the edge of the cardstock until you get a small pile of paper fluffs.
3.  Don't sneeze, or you'll have to begin again ;)
4.  Use a thin layer of Mono Multi glue where you want to adhere your faux flocking.
5.  Dip your sticky item into the flocking and adjust as necessary, or pinch up a little bit and drop it on, whatever suits your needs/project.

Now you have some faux flocked stockings!  The possibilities are endless... various browns will get you a dirt or sandy look, you can faux flock some flowers to add dimension or pollen!  I'd love to see what YOU do with faux flocking! :)

Have a happy day!
See ya!

A Couple of Classes :)

CARD CLUB

 

Date: THURSDAY September 1st
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: $8

We'll be making 2 cards again this season... Autumn themed! We'll be using some stamps from the new Idea Book & Catalogue. We'll be making the Sunflower Card plus one other Fall themed card :)
 

Please bring a basic tool kit to class - sharp/pointy scissors, wet/dry adhesive, and paper trimmer.

 

FABULOUS FUN FOLDS - ENCORE!

Date: Saturday, September 10th
Time: 2-5pm
Cost: 15$
Description: The first class was a huge success, and some ladies wanted to attend but could not due to scheduling, so I am having an encore performance! We'll be making the dresser, a never ending fold, a tri fold card, and one simple card to relax our brains after all the folding!

Please bring a paper trimmer and sharp pointy scissors to class, as well as wet and dry adhesives!

 

Have a happy day!
See ya!

Tool Time Tuesday - Stampin' Scrub!

I thought I would take some of the 'favourite tools' from the facebook fan page contest, and feature them on Tool Tuesday!

April H. said this " I would have to say my stampin' scrub because I loathe when my stamps get dirty LOL. I love being able to clean them super fast and super well. I might be a geek ;)"  

Stampin' Scrub102642 $20.95
Stampin' Scrub Refill Pads 101230 $12.25
Stampin' Mist 102394 $5.50
All can be purchased in my online store! 

I had to laugh out loud, because I too can be geeky about cleaning my stamps!  The Stampin' Scrub is amazing for getting into the nooks and crannies and detailed parts of your rubber stamps.  The scrub pads have a nap to them, so they get into those grooves and get the ink out.  The Stampin' Scrub is easily cleaned as well.  Depending on how often you stamp, will dictate how often you will have to clean your scrubbing pads.  I do it on an 'as needed basis'... as in, it needs washing as my stamps are not coming out clean! :)  You can just pop the pads right out of the scrubber case and wash them with a gentle hand soap in the sink, and let them dry over night.  Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use the heat gun to speed dry your scrubbing pads.... don't ask ;)  You can speed it up with a hair dryer as it doens't get nearly as hot as the heat tool. ahem.

To use your Stampin' Scrub, just spray it with some Stampin' Mist on the side labeled "wet" (it has raindrops on it!), rub your inked up stamp on it, and the mist will suds up just a bit.  Then rub it on the dry said (it has an umbrella marked on it!). VOILA!  You are done :)  I like to clean all over the pads so as to not wear them out in one spot. 

I LOVE my Stampin' Scrub!  It makes cleaning your stamps easy peasy, and the Stampin' Mist also conditions the rubber to keep it in excellent stamping shape! :)


Have a happy day!
See ya!

Ribbon Share - with a sample!

So, since I'm offering the fabulous ribbon share for the 1.25 inch striped grosgrain ribbon, I thought it would be prudent to share a project using this ribbon! :)  I used to find it difficult, with it being so wide... but not so much anymore!  It adds such a flair to a card or scrapbook page, or altered project! :)

This is a great masculine birthday card, quick and easy too! :)  Please excuse my finger... the lighting was terrible everywhere I took a photo, and so this was the best one! LOL!

SUPPLIES:
Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Ink:  Night of Navy
Stamps: Perfect Punches
Accessories:  Big Shot Top Note Die (awesome!), night of navy wide striped grosgrain ribbon, hemp twine






Have a happy day!
See ya! :)

Embossing folders and Stampin' Pastels (aka Chalk!)

Sorry I was AWOL yesterday.  It was a busy day with the kids at VBS, swimming, getting ready to head to the trailer, Piranhas practice that got rained/thundered out, and then capping the day off with a Family Fun Night at the VBS the kids have been at this week!  Phew... so I had the picture ready to go, but no time till late to put it up, so I saved it for today :)

I got this embossing folder out of the Summer Mini.  When I first saw it in the mini, it had no appeal.  I mean NADA.  I was not wowed, nor moved to quickly add it to my order!  Then I started seeing a few samples that I loved... and then a few more, and then I had to have it.  :)

So we did this simple card at the August Card Club.  The other card was time consuming, so it was nice to have something easy to go with it!  The girls all used different colours... Tempting Turquoise, various pinks, and oranges, and each was beautiful! :)

SUPPLIES:
Cardstock:  Whisper White
Ink:  Melon Mambo
Embossing Folder:  Flower Garden
Accessories:  Stampin' Pastels (chalk) - Garden Green, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight
Stamps:  On Your Birthday (love it!)

Have a happy day!
See ya :)

Decorative Label Punch - Mat tutorial

 This is the completed project.  For those who left comments and reminded me that the punch is the DECORATIVE label and NOT Designer Label... THANK YOU!!! :)

The consensus is to do more pictorial tutorials :)  So I will work on that:)


 



 

These are the materials you will need.
Decorative Label Punch
Paper Snips
2 colours of cardstock

Tombow Mono Multi Glue
Punch 3 Designer Label punches - 2 of the matte colour and one of the focal colour










Cut one of the matte punched pieces in half length wise, from tip to tip.  You will need to snip off the points so that they do not show.  I do this after I have adhered the two cut pieces to the focal punched piece so as to avoid cutting too much off and losing the look on the front.  Adhere to the back of the focal piece.

 This is what the front will look like when the two matte pieces are adhered using Mono Multipurpose Glue.

 Cut the second matte colour as shown in the photo.

Cut the points off of each cut piece so they do not show on the front.  Adhere as shown.

The finished product!!  You can see this particular label in use on this sunflower card!











Have a happy day!
See ya!

Tool Time Tuesday - Paper Snips!

I know I said I'd do the tutorial for the matte from yesterday's card... but it's late, the lighting is not very good... so I'll do it later this week, when the natural light abounds :)  In the meantime....

I had a little contest on my Facebook Fan Page for favourite tools for paper crafting.  Lots of variety that's for sure!!

One of my MUST HAVES for paper crafting are my Paper Snips!  Seriously, these scissors are AMAZING!!!  I have two pair.  One pair is for cutting paper only.  It cuts so clean, and sharp, and gets into the little crevices, and makes teeny tiny cuts when you need them too!  My second pair is for ribbon only... and seriously, don't cut paper with my ribbon scissors or you will feel the wrath ;) LOL  It's a running joke at my classes that you use the right scissors for the right materials :)

I cannot live without these scissors!  The price for these bad boys is $14.95, and the item number is 103579.  You have not lived until you have used them!!


Don't forget about the ribbon share and the DSP sale!


I will do the tutorial for the designer label punch matte later this week, with good light for picture taking!! :)


Have a happy day!
See ya!

Sunflower!

I love Sunflowers, and have been dying to play with this stamp since I got it a few weeks ago, but was not feeling 'fallish' and that is how I think of sunflowers!  Anyway, our good friends Aaron and Ada and their darling children are moving to Barrie next weekend.   How sad for us, but happy he has finally found a teaching job!!  We'll miss them terribly!  We had a going away soiree for them after church this morning,and I was asked to make a card for them.... catch is that it had to be big enough for everyone to sign!!  I don't generally make cards that large... but I did it :)  I had to go with the biggest envelope in my stash and measure to that.

SUPPLIES:
Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight
Stamps:  Sunflower, Whimsical Words (retired, SAB from last year!)
DSP:  Newsprint
Accessories:  Stampin' Write Markers, Designer Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

This photo shows the inside.  I put some Daffodil Delight cardstock inside, to coordinate,and make it easier to sign! :)  Thoughtful, I know ;)

I will show a tutorial tomorrow on how I made the matting for the Designer Label punch!  It's fun and easy and adds so much to that punch!

Don't forget about the DSP special going on right now... plus signing up for clubs this fall!! :)

Have a happy day!
See ya!

A Christmas sneak peek!!

Along with all the ribbons I ordered for the ribbon share... I also ordered some Sneak Peek items from the upcoming Holiday Mini!!  Now, while I cannot show you the entire stamp set or tool, I can show you a product of that!! :)

So at last night's Fun Folds Class, which was lots of fun... we wound down with one card that was simple and easy to complete for our foggy brains after all the fun folding and creating! :)

SUPPLIES:
Cardstock:  Whisper White
Ink: (Stampin' Write Markers) Cherry Cobbler, Pacific Point, Marina Mist, Basic Grey, Tangerine Tango, Jet Black StazOn
Stamps:  Snow Much Fun (from upcoming Holiday Mini)
Accessories:  Aqua Painter

Sorry that the photo isn't better, but it's late, and no natural light, and probably the light behind from the computer screen wasn't such a good choice... but, did I mention it's late, and I have been cutting ribbon for quite some time now?! ;) LOL!  Ok, back to the ribbon....

Have a happy day!
See ya!

The ribbon has arrived!

The ribbon has arrived :)

I am spending the evening unrolling and cutting this awesome, amazing, fun ribbon into yard lengths!  I hope to have it all pkg'd up by the weekend, and ready for posting for those that are far, and for pick up for those who are near... Near... Far... I sound like Grover from Sesame Street! LOL!

Anyway, there are a couple spaces left in the 2nd group if you missed out!

Have a happy day!
See ya! :)

Gate Fold Card - Fun Folds Class

This is one of the cards we are making tonight at the Fun Folds Class!  I LOVE pink and brown... :)  I am also loving stamping on DSP!  Who knew?! ;)

SUPPLIES:
Cardstock:  Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, Early Esspresso
Ink: Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, Always Artichock, Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette
Stamps:  Awash With Flowers, On Your Birthday
DSP:  First Edition
Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Don't forget about the August Ribbon Share and DSP special going on right now, as well as the Facebook Fan Page draw!

Have a happy day!
See ya!

Preparing!

I'm up to my eyeballs in fun folds... so no exciting posts today! :)  I will probably get to another post tonight, or tomorrow, once I get these darn folds figured out on this one card :)

Have a happy day!
See ya!

My Digital Studio Contest!

SU! announced a new contest today!!  I love contests :)  I also love My Digital Studio!!  I find I use it to get some scrapbooking done... I have yet to print something, but at least my photos are in `books` :)  So to speak they are anyway :)

Win big with Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio Contest! Try your hand at digital designing using Stampin' Up!'s fabulous My Digital Studio products, and you could win $500 in FREE My Digital Studio downloads! (Finalists will win $125 in downloads.) Winners and finalists will also receive a digital pin for their DBWS site, personal blog, or Facebook page.

The contest is open to all demonstrators and customers who have access to My Digital Studio in the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada (excluding Quebec) and will run from September 1 to October 15. Demonstrators and customers will be judged separately; ten finalists--five customers and five demonstrators--will be chosen by Stampin' Up! judges, and the public will determine six winners--three customers and three demonstrators--via online voting.

Contest information and flyers will be available on MyDigitalStudio.net on September 1, 2011. So get ready to design!

HOW FUN IS THAT!!!???

Call me today to place your order for My Digital Studio, or go online to my business website  to place your order and have it shipped directly to you!! :)

Have a happy day!
See ya!

Sweets for the Sweet!

I got this stamp set with my first order of the new catalogue year!  It's so much fun to use, summery and whimsical looking. :)  So much use for fun cards and scrapbook pages! :)

SUPPLIES:
Stamps:  Sweets for the Sweet, Birthday Greetings
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories:  Silver brads, white taffeta ribbon, Dots Embossing Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Don't forget about the 1.25 inch Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Share that is going on right now.  Also the Designer Series Paper special on till the end of August!!  Also the Facebook Draw is also ongoing!

Have a happy day!
See ya!

Bonjour!

When SU! gave their demonstrators a sneak peek at the new catalogue in June, I knew I just LOVED this stamp set called "My Friend" :)  However, I also loved the French version!  I just didn't need to own two sets with mostly the same stamps in them.  I had posted to a board I belong to, and someone had ordered the French by mistake, so she kindly parted with her French words, and I will purchase the English set today! :)

So last night at card club we used the Bonjour stamp for our card :)  The above card was my sample for the class.

SUPPLIES:  ALL SU!:
Stamps:  My Friend
Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Versamark
DSP:  Mocha Morning Specialty DSP
Accessories:   Heat Tool, Detail Black Embossing powder, basic rhinestone jewel

So when the girls were completing their cards, someone asked for the matching ink of the card, so I got out the Cherry Cobbler ink pad.  They inked, and edged, and did some wonderful things their "Bonjour" :)  So the card I made last night with the class, I added some Cherry Cobbler sponging.  This is what turned out :)  I also used a different paper from the Mocha Morning DSP... the black swirls are flocked!! It's soooo pretty!!!

So you can see from these two samples, they are the same layout, change out the paper, add some colour, and you have a new card!  What a great way to use DSP!!  Don't forget about the DSP Buy 3 Get 1 Free special!!! :)

Have a happy day!
See ya!!

Tool Time! - Colour Coach

Last year Stampin' Up! introduced a new Colour Coach.  The old Colour Coach was a wheel, the colours were small samples, and the wheel was not compact, even though it was flat.  It served its purpose, and served us well.  Then SU! introduced the New and Improved Colour Coach!!

The Colour Coach is now 2x4 inch swatches of full colour on the back, with colour combinations on the front. It has a full card for each SU! colour, a quick reference for all the colours in each collection, and blank cards to make your own combinations!   It encourages colour combos that I wouldn't normally use, and has become one of my most valuable tools!!  Isn't it pretty!? :)

The new Colour Coach is also very versatile, compact, and easy to take with you places.  Because of the new style with the removable metal fastener, you can add in the In Colours to the Coach, and remove the old ones when they retire.  You can rearrange your Colour Coach according to your own needs.  I have mine arranged by Colour Family, while I know others have them by colour, or shade.

The Colour Coach is a valuable resource, available for purchase for only 18.95 (order number 120148).  Each of the two In Colour Collections can be added for a cost of 3.25 each (pg 174).

I look forward to assisting you with your purchase of the Colour Coach!

Have a happy day!
See ya!

Facebook page!

I have a Facebook Fanpage.  I post things there that don't get posted here, or at different times. I will run contests there that are not happening here... It's a great little community!

So...I'm going to run a contest on the Facebook Page. I'm coming up with some ideas for prizes... 1 free month of card class for the winner, if you are not local I will mail the card kits to you! When the fan page gets to 125 people I will do the draw using random.org. I will do a second contest/draw after we reach 125!! So get sharing with your friends, and family :)

The kit will be reflected on the season... Autumn, Winter, Christmas, or birthday... will be themed.  I am MUCH better these days at mailing things out!!  The business is blooming, and so am I! :)


Thanks for checkin' out the facebook page :)


Have a happy day!
See ya!

A New Ribbon Share and Designer Series Paper Promo!

 WOW!!! I love Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Papers (DSP).  They offer versatility, colour challenges, and fun for any project - cards, scrapbook pages, altered art and more!  They coordinate beautifully with all of our cardstock and ink colours as well!

From August 1st - August 31st SU! is offering a great special!  Buy 3 packages of DSP and get one free!  WHOOHOOO!!  What a great way to increase the variety of your paper stash!  The card shown here was created by Judy E. at our card club last month.  It features the Nautical DSP from the Summer Mini Catalogue.  It is one of the many sets of DSP you can choose from!

The July ribbon share was a HUGE success!!  Thank you so much to all who participated!!  We are now into August, and another ribbon share is ready! :)

Sign Up by Date: August 25th

Cost: $20.00

Participants: 10 

Description:  Get 1 yard of each colour of ribbon.  

Colours* are:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Melon Mambo, Not Quite Navy, Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede, and Wild Wasabi.    

*Colours shown in picture are to indicate ribbon style and do not reflect the colours listed. 

Have a happy day!
See ya!

Boy Birthday Card

I find I struggle with boy birthday cards, now that Zachary is getting older.  The dump trucks just don't cut it anymore!  I can whip up a girly sparkly card in minutes for Julie-Anna who is almost 11, and Sophia who is almost 7, NO PROBLEM... It's almost like 'stump the chump' when it comes to the boys!  Sadly, the skateboard stamp retired in June... doesn't mean I won't use it, but it became my go to stamp for the boys of all ages :)

However, if you use just the right colours, you can do a lot with Create A Cupcake and the co-ordinating punch, even for boys :)

SUPPLIES:
Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red,Whisper White, Pacific Point
Designer Paper:  Celebrations Scrappin' Kit/DSP pack (retired)
Stamps: Create A Cupcake
Ink:  Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red
Accessories:  Stampin' Dimensionals

See, a fun boyish birthday card :)  Bling it up and/or change the colour scheme, and it's fantastic for a girl!! :)

Just a reminder about next weeks FABULOUS FUN FOLDS CLASS!

Have a happy day!
See ya!

Wisteria Wonder

With the release of the new catalogue, came 5 new In Colours!  The five new colours are:  Wisteria Wonder (a lovely light purple), Island Indigo (a very cool blue), Calypso Coral (reminds me of a cameo brooch), Pool Party (what a fun name!  It's a great light blue), and Lucky Limeade (a very fun colour of green).

The card I made here features Wisteria Wonder.  I'm so loving this colour, and the Build A Blossom Punch!  What does this flower remind you of?  If you make a guess, I will send this card along to you, blank, so you can use it yourself!  I will close the draw on Friday, August 5th at 8pm!  Sorry it's so small!

SUPPLIES:
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, Lucky Limeade
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, So Saffron
Accessories:  Big Shot Dots Embossing Folder, Build a Blossom punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, 1/2 inch circle punch, sponge

Have a happy day!
See ya!