3.28.2009

Train Trip & Vacation!



I am off on my train trip and vacation so I won't be posting for a week or two. I tried to smuggle stamps, ink, cardstock, etc. into my luggage but I just couldn't make it fit. We already had too much stuff with us (the joys of traveling with kids). So alas, I am going through stamping withdrawal as I am writing this. Sigh. If you want to see more of our journey on the train than click here and in I will see you in a couple of weeks!

3.24.2009

Easter Egg Hunt

This was a fun and easy Easter Card we also made at Stamp Club. The eggs are made using the Wide Oval Punch. We stamped the designs onto the eggs using the "A Good Egg" stamp set and than sponged the edges of the "eggs". To make the sky we sponged over a scallop circle to get the clouds.

RECIPE: Stamps-A Good Egg; Ink-Bashful Blue, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, So Saffron, Apricot Appeal, & Chocolate Chip; CS-Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum & Whisper White.

Thank you Meaghan for the picture!!

3.23.2009

Faux Alligator

Okay before I get into the "Faux Alligator" technique, I wanted to let you all know that we got a camera. Apparently my whining about not having a camera to take pictures with and update my blogs (yes that is plural, I have a couple of bogs) and our upcoming vacation, paid off. Saturday my husband took me off of the Island to get my dream camera. I am so excited!



I was a photographer in high school and took quite a few photography classes in college. Unfortunately with the innovation of digital photography came the demise of my old, film SLR camera. I was heart broken but at the time could not see investing thousands of dollars into a new digital SLR. So I bought a few cheaper digital cameras until we could afford another SLR. Well I finally got it. Yippee!! I am so excited. But since I am having to get familiar once again with aperture, shutter speed, program mode, light meters, etc. I am going to borrow a few pictures from one of my best customers!

So for this months technique for Stamp Club we learned "Faux Alligator". This may look complicated but it is so simple. I first saw this technique on Jackie Topa's blog. Here is a PDF file of hers that you can download or just scroll down below the picture for directions. For my Stamp Club members you will receive your instructions and sample with your orders this month.

We made very cute little purses using Chocolate Chip Cardstock. These are so fun. You can make this same purse a "manly" briefcase by adding some hodgepodge hardware to give it a masculine appeal. Or add a flower or some of our decorative brads to dress it up.



Technique:
1. Cover area with versamark.
2. Cover versamark with embossing powder (we used clear).
3. Use your bone folder to draw lines diagonally across the cardstock through the embossing powder. Don't worry about keeping them straight. If they are crooked they look more realistic.
4. Emboss with the heat tool.
5. Voila! Faux alligator skin!

3.22.2009

Perfect Princess

I know of a precious little girl who just turned 5, today! She is a special little princess and I had to come up with the perfect card for her. So of course I used "Perfect Princess". This is such an adorable set. I CASED the idea for this card from here. It was such a cute idea. So here is my take on the card...



RECIPE: Stamps-Perfect Princess; Ink-VersaMark & Pale Plum; CS-Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Pink Pirouette & Brushed Silver; EP-Silver; Embellishments-Round Fire Rhinestone Brads; Ribbon-White Taffeta; and Punches-1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Edge & Scallop Circle.

3.21.2009

Classy & Fabulous

I have only purchased one new stamp set this year (I know, hard to believe) but I am trying to be good! Plus I have been purchasing lots of paper, embellishments, tools and other goodies. But this stamp set, I knew I had to have -- "Classy & Fabulous" on page 51 of the S/S Catalog. It is just too much fun. I love stamps that have a bit of a sassy streak, just like me! This was the first time I got to use this set. I wanted to showcase it in some fun girly colors. This is a new color combination for me but I just love it!!

Both of these cards were made at my March Stamp Club. Here is a 3"X3" Love Note we made to go with our Chocolate Chip Alligator purses we also made (I will share those later).

RECIPE: Stamps-Classy & Fabulous; Inks-Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss & Perfect Plum; CS-Pale Plum, Very Vanilla, & Chocolate Chip; and Ribbon-Mellow Moss 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Here is the second, standard-size, card we made. I know the perfect person to give this card too!! =)

RECIPE: Stamps-Classy & Fabulous; Inks-Pale Plum, Chocolate Chip, Perfect Plum, Blush Blossom & Mellow Moss; CS-Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla & Mellow Moss; Ribbon-Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain.

3.20.2009

Shadow Effect With Bleach

After trying to get pictures off of the camera all day, I finally got a few to download.

We learned about stamping with bleach at my January Stamp Club. It is a fun technique but the smell can be a bit much. I recommend doing this either outside or in a well ventilated room. I used the "Upsy Daisy" stamp set for this card. I wanted to bleach out the flowers but have a bit of a shadow effect to give some detail. This is very easy to do...

Shadow Effect with Bleach:
1. This works better with lighter colored cardstock. Stamp the image with the same colored ink as the paper (So Saffron in this instance).
2. Make a stamp "pad" with a plate or bowl. Place paper towel in the bottom damp towel with bleach. ***Note: Bleach is only really active within the first 20 minutes of pouring it. So don't make your bleach pad until right before you go to stamp.
3. Press stamp into the bleach and stamp it onto the paper slightly off of the first image. This will give the "shadow". It will take a couple of minutes for the paper to bleach out.
4. Finish card. ***Be careful: The bleached cardstock is still active for 20-30 minutes after you bleach it. Meaning, if you lay it on another piece of cardstock, it will bleach it out.


Once again my picture isn't great quality. The shadow is a bit hard to see but it is there.

RECIPE: Stamps-Upsy Daisy; Ink-So Saffron, Ruby Red, & Bleach; CS-Ruby Red, So Saffron, Mellow Moss, Baja Breeze & Chocolate Chip (scrap); Ribbon-Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain; and Punch-Heart to Heart.

3.19.2009

Camera Issues


I am sure you are wondering why I haven't posted any projects lately. My camera is completely on the fritz. It is so frustrating. I am having a hard time taking decent pictures and getting them uploaded before the camera dies on me. We are going to go camera shopping soon but until I get a new camera, new projects and photo posts may be few and far between! I am so sorry.

Anyone have any camera suggestions? =)

3.16.2009

Join Stampin' Up! in 3 Easy Payments



During economically challenging times, most of us tighten our budgets. Some expenditures that were once comfortable might now stretch a budget thin. We don't want anyone's efforts to budget wisely to become a barrier to joining Stampin' Up, especially considering the wonderful benefits--personal and economical--being a demonstrator can bring. This is we've introduced a Three Easy Payments option for the Starter Kit. For a limited time, (March 13-April 30, 2009) with a partial initial payment, when you sign up to be a demonstrator, you can receive the Starter Kit right away and get your business running. Two subsequent monthly payments take care of the rest.

If you're concerned about the up-front cost of the Starter Kit, now is the ideal time to sign up as a demonstrator. You can take advantage of both the discounted Starter Kit (15% off) as part of Sale-A-Bration and this great Three Easy Payments option! That's two great financial benefits--not to mention an additional stamp set free from the current catalog for signing up during Sale-A-Bration.

How it Works

Contact me to answer any questions you may have and help you submit your paperwork. We will mail off your application and your first payment installation. And your kit will be mailed to you and you can start your business right away. On or around the 15th day of the two months following, Stampin' Up! will charge the subsequent payments using the same credit card information you provided on the Three Easy Payments form, and the Starter Kit will be paid in full. Stampin' Up! will only accept the same credit card for all three payments, as provided on the Three Easy Payments form. Checks or money orders will not be accepted.

Details and Restrictions
To qualify for the Three Easy Payments option on the discounted Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit price of $169, Starter Kit paperwork and an accompanying Three Easy Payments form must be received by Stampin' Up! (not postmarked) on or before March 31, 2009. Paperwork received after this time will be processed for the regular Starter Kit price of $199.
After Sale-A-Bration, to qualify for the Three Easy Payments option on the regular Starter Kit price of $199, Starter Kit paperwork and an accompanying Three Easy Payments form must be received by Stampin' Up! (not postmarked) on or before April 30, 2009. Any Three Easy Payments forms received after this time will not be processed. Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Support will contact you to determine how you would like to proceed.
Any applicable state taxes will be charged with the first Starter Kit payment. (The full amount of taxes applicable to the total Starter Kit amount will be added to the first payment. No taxes will be applied to the second and third payments.)
If you wish to add the Stampin' Memories Starter Kit add-on for $50.00, this full amount, including any applicable taxes for the add-on, will be added to your initial Starter Kit payment.
Any commissions you earn during the payment schedule will be held until the final Starter Kit payment is successfully completed. At that point, Stampin' Up! will release any commissions you have earned to you. In the event that the second or third payment is unsuccessful, Stampin' Up! will satisfy the payment from your commissions and if necessary continue to hold commissions until the full Starter Kit payment is satisfied. Any remaining funds will then be released to you.
The Three Easy Payments option is not available through the Online Independent Demonstrator Application. If you who wish to take advantage of this offer, you must submit your paperwork by mail to Demonstrator Support.
If you plan on participating in a regional seminar recruiting promotion, you are not eligible for the Three Easy Payments option.

Payments Breakdown for the Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit Price (March 13-31, 2009)

Payment 1 (charged at time kit is entered) $56.34 (+ sales tax)
Payment 2 (charged around April 15th) $56.33
Payment 3 (charged around May 15th) $56.33
Total Payment $169.00

*Payments indicated are for the cost of the Starter Kit, including shipping. They do not include and any applicable state taxes.

Payments Breakdown for the Regular Starter Kit Price (April 1-31, 2009)

Payment 1 (charged at time kit is entered) $66.34 (+ sales tax)
Payment 2 (charged around May 15th) $66.33
Payment 3 (charged around June 15th) $66.33
Total Payment $199.00

*Payments indicated are for the cost of the Starter Kit, including shipping. They do not include and any applicable state taxes.

All of this information can be found on the Stampin' Up! website if you would like more information.

3.10.2009

Stamping & Scrapbooking

You know, I signed up to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator so I could work on my scrapbooking. That is a laugh, especially since I haven't gotten much scrapbooking done since I signed up to be a demonstrator. I have gotten sucked into making cards. Well, that and the fact that with three kids my crafting time is at a premium and cards are quicker to make than a scrapbook page. But a few weeks ago I did finally get a page done.

I started out with a 6"X6" layout. I used the Stamp-a-Majig to keep the letters straight.

RECIPE: Stamps-Lovely Letters; Ink-Chocolate Chip; CS-Chocolate Chip & Kiwi Kiss; and Ribbon-Chocolate Chip Taffeta.

Next I moved up to a 8.5"X11" layout. This is actually the size that I first started scrapbooking in. It is still a very comfortable layout for me since I was so used to it.


Finally I moved up to 12'X12" layout. This is the size that I currently scrapbook. Since I love to put lots of photos on my pages this size is great.


I hope this page inspires your creativity a bit and you can get scrappin'.
RECIPE: DSP-Bella Rose.
RECIPE: Stamps-Inspired by Nature; Ink-Chocolate Chip & Kiwi Kiss; CS-Chocolate Chip & Kiwi Kiss.

3.09.2009

Wedding Invitation Overload!!

Hmmm....What have I been doing lately?

Making Wedding Invitations. And more Wedding Invitations. Creating Wedding Favors. Making Wedding Decorations. The list seems endless. And no, this is not for my wedding =). My parent's are renewing their wedding vows on their 30th Anniversary. Since my mom didn't get a real "wedding" this is her chance at all the fun, joy and work! I don't mind doing it (it has been quite fun) but I am starting to get tired of Brilliant Blue and Brushed Silver!! Here is a sneak peak at my wedding overload...



I will post what the invitations look like once they are actually in the mail in a couple of weeks. We are also decorating sparkling cider bottles, making matchbox candy holders (with the Big Shot of course), conversation starters, programs and...I think that is all. I will share pictures as we get closer to the event.

3.07.2009

I Need Just One More Stamp Set!

I am not sure where this came from but I just had to share it with you. This is SO me!! My husband is convinced that my stamps multiply like rabbits, every time he looks at my stamp shelf he swears there are more!

THE STAMPER

I started out with just one stamp
and when I bought some more
I decided that a shoebox
would make an ideal store.

Then as I added inks and pens
My stamping collection grew
So I bought a roomy plastic crate
It would last for years, I knew.

Embossing then became my thing
with powders and heat gun,
metallics, tinsels, pearls and clear,
I soon had every one.

By now my lovely plastic crate
was spilling everywhere
And my glitter glue collection
lay scattered on a chair

My husband started muttering
and said things had to stop
So I bought a huge old wardrobe
at the local charity shop.

But after just a little while,
I couldn't shut the door
and I put shelves up in the spare room
To accommodate yet more.

Our house is now for sale,
something larger being sought,
By the way, did I show you
the latest stamp i bought...... ........

(Sound familiar anyone????)