Nutz about Stamping

Sundays with Sizzix: Houndstooth

This week's video tutorial shows you a stamping technique using your Houndstooth textured impressions embossing folder and a cool tip using your 1 3/8" square punch. Judy had a Stampin' Up! workshop in her home and all her guests made this card using the technique:

Fabulous Florets card

Stamp set: Fabulous Florets

Ink: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler (ink pad & marker)

Card stock: Cherry Cobbler (4 ¼ x 11, 2 ½" square), Whisper White (4 x 5 ¼, 2 ¼" square, 1 x 3 ¾"), Basic Black (2 3/8" square)

Accessories: 1 3/8" square punch, Big Shot, Platform, Standard cutting pads, Houndstooth textured impressions embossing folder, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Paper Piercing tool, Brayer

And now for the video tutorial. Thanks for watching!

 

Try this technique with all your other embossing folders to create a variety of unique and beautiful cards. If you wish to add the Houndstooth folder to your Big Shot collection, contact me at [email protected] and I will help you place your order. And if you would like to host a fun workshop for you and your friends (and earn LOTS of free Stampin' Up! products) contact me for my open dates and we'll plan a fun stamping party together!

Raining Flowers

Here's a cute and very easy 3x3 card that has several interesting details on it. This card uses the two-step Raining Flowers stamp set and is one of my Stampin' Up! Convention make-n-take cards.

What is a two-step stamp set? There are two cases in the Raining Flowers stamp set. One case contains outline stamps and the second case contains solid images that you stamp inside the outline image.

I used the new Lace Ribbon Border punch and some Natural Hemp Twine wrapped through the Lace Ribbon to add texture and dimension.

If you like 3x3 cards watch my Calendar of Events for details of a 3x3 card Class posting soon!

Easy Events

The customers who came to Judy's party the other night loved their make-n-takes. As I was showing them the new Easy Events stamp set (and card they would make) and talked about how it can be used for eight different occasions I realized I could also show you some other ideas using the same layout they used at Judy's party.

So I took out my In Color designer series paper stack and inks and created this thank-you card:

This time I used Concord Crush and Poppy Parade along with Basic Black. You can't see it in the photo but I added a touch of Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the center of each flower image.

Why not use my card layout as a card map and try this idea at home? And if you want to add Easy Events to your stamp collection, I'd be happy to place that order for you and provide you with some more fun ideas to try.

Only 4 more days to join Stampin' Up! for only $99

This is such a great time to consider joining Stampin' Up! and my growing team of demonstrators!

Why should you join Stampin' Up! now? I can think of three great reasons!

1. Through July 31, you can purchase a specially-priced Starter Kit for just $99! Click here to see the Starter Kit flyer.

2. You will get an exclusive Christmas Keepsake Project Kit for FREE!(comes with a stamp set!)

3. The new Career plan - there is a new plan to compensate demonstrators.
    a. Stampin' Start -
        1. Free stamps for sales
        2. Free stamps for sharing the opportunity
        3. Product gift certificate of $50
        4. Cash bonus of $175 (regardless of which Starter Kit you buy)
    b. RISING STAR
              a. Chance for ONLY new recruits to earn an ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO STAMPIN’ UP! – this is not a competition – I have a great Rising Star focus gr0up and will do my best as your upline to help you acheive this if it’s a goal.
            b. $1000 Cash Bonus as part of the RISING STAR AWARD

When you join Stampin' Up! and my team  you get me to go along with your new business. I (along with the rest of my team!) am here to support you with business and stamping ideas and will help you get your new business of the ground to a great start!

Contact me today ([email protected]) for more information or to join my team!

 

Easy Events

In the new catalog there's a new stamp set that is perfect for a variety of occasions. It's called Easy Events and you can check it out on page 57. I love this set (2 cases of stamps!) and know I will use it over and over this year because it is very versatile and the images are super cute.

Judy is having a party tonight at her home and has 12 friends coming over for a fun time. They are going to feast on a potato & salad bar (Judy knows how to throw a party huh!) and then each guest will make two hand stamped cards.

One of the cards they will create tonight uses Easy Events. Here's the card I designed just for them:

 

This card also uses the Paisley Petals designer series paper and the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch. The tree image is colored using a blender pen and ink pads.

I am really excited about tonight as I have a fun **surprise** that the guests are going to also make for Judy to thank her for inviting them to her event. I will share this surprise with you on another blog post soon, I promise.

Why not host a fun party for your friends too? Themed parties are really fun and I am full of neat ideas to help with if needed. Contact me soon as my August dates are almost completely booked!

Join a Stampin' Up! Club

Now that the new catalog is unveiled and we have all had a chance to "ooohhh" and "ahhh" over the new products I am happy to announce three new clubs for this Stampin' Up! year.

Techniques Card Club

- Ten members meet once a month for ten months

- Each month the members will learn a new stamping technique

- Each month the members will make three different card projects. 

- There is no cost for the meeting or the products used each month - instead the members agree to a monthly commitment of a $25 product order of their choice.     

- Each member will be the hostess for one of the club months and earns all the benefits!

        You get:

1. A catalog (if you need one)
2. At least $40 in free products (when you are the hostess)
3. Three amazing cards each month!

There are only two spots left in this club - email me immediately to join!

Scrapbook Club

- Ten members meet once a month for ten months

- Each month the members will create three 12x12 scrapbook pages (add photos at home)

- Each month the members will use designer series papers and accessories to enhance the page designs

- There is no cost for the meeting or the products used each month - instead the members agree to a monthly commitment of a $25 product order of their choice.     

- Each member will be the hostess for one of the club months and earns all the benefits!

        You get:

1. A catalog (if you need one)
2. At least $40 in free products (when you are the hostess)
3. Three amazing scrapbook pages each month!

Anything but a Card Club

- Ten members meet once a month for ten months

- Each month the members will make three different 3D projects (boxes, bags, frames, etc) that are perfect for gifts or to enhance home holiday decor

- There is no cost for the meeting or the products used each month - instead the members agree to a monthly commitment of a $25 product order of their choice    

- Each member will be the hostess for one of the club months and earns all the benefits!

        You get:

1. A catalog (if you need one)
2. At least $40 in free products (when you are the hostess)
3. Three amazing 3D projects each month!

If you want some stamping fun each month and a fun time out with new stamping and scrapbooking friends, contact me at [email protected] to join my clubs! All clubs will begin when spots are full.

Just Believe & Petite Pairs

Tonight is our time at Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill and I am excited that I will be joined by three other demonstrators this month. The residents at the house are in for a really big stamping treat as we each will be bringing a card for them to create with us.

Here's the card I created to take - it uses two stamp sets: Just Believe and Petite Pairs. I love the new Petite Pairs stamp set (page 164 of the new Idea Book & Catalog) as it has sets of matching phrases that can be used together or separately.

These phrases can be easily punched using the 3/4 x 15/16" oval punch. Did you notice the Houndstooth embossed layer? I predict many more layers using this new embossing folder - I love the textured look this folder creates.

If you want to support Ronald McDonald House Charities, you can do so by purchasing this year's exclusive set called Turtle & Co. on page 16 of the new catalog. Every time this set is purchased Stampin' Up! will donate $3 to Ronald McDonald House.

Sundays with Sizzix: Houndstooth

In honor of my New Catalog Open House this afternoon I decided to not only share my video tutorial on how to create the My Friend card my guests will be making but also to share the step-by-step instructions with you too.

This card features the My Friend stamp set along with the brand new Houndstooth textured impressions embossing folder  :

 

My Friend Card

Stamp set: My Friend #122587

Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron

Card stock: Whisper White (4 1/4 x 11, scraps), Basic Black (4 1/2 x 2, scraps), Daffodil Delight (3" square, scraps)

Punches: Modern Label, 1" circle, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle, Lace Ribbon Border #122362

Accessories: 2-Way Glue pen, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot, Platform, Standard Cutting pads, Houndstooth textured impression embossing folder #123134, Snail Adhesive, Paper Snips, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta ribbon (4 1/4" strip), Clear Block D

And now for the video tutorial. Thanks for watching!

 

As promised, I have the instructions to make this card posted here. (click to go to instructions page)

If you would like a new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog for FREE, all you have to do is email your request along with your contact information to: [email protected]. And if you'd like to place an order for the supplies used to make this card, click here to go to my Online Store.

Pennant Parade

Today's the BIG day - it's my New Catalog Open House and I am ready, waiting and excited! My guests are going to create two beautiful cards, eat some sweet treats, sign up for my clubs, get the new catalog (for FREE!), and enter to win both a door prize and a raffle drawing for a free stamp set!

I thought that you might like to see one of the cards everyone is going to make today. I used Pennant Parade and the Petite Pennants Builder punch. The card may look quite complicated but it really is super easy to make:

If you live in the Raleigh (NC) area and somehow missed my Open House announcement, here are the details:

Saturday, July 23rd
Time: 9:00am - 6:00 pm

and

Sunday, July 24th
Time: Noon to 5:00 pm

 

Why attend?

 

- To get a FREE 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog (only for those who RSVP by July 1st)
- To create two different projects using new stamp sets & accessories - for free!
- To participate in my door prizes
- To earn tickets for my FREE new stamp set drawing (bring a new friend and get an extra draw ticket)
- To sign up for my year-long clubs
- To sign up for my classes
- To meet new friends
- To see my Convention swap cards (bring your camera!)
- To shop in my Stampin' Store - bring your Customer Loyalty Stampin' Bucks!

 

Why don't you come on by and participate in the fun? Email me at [email protected] for directions to my Stampin' Spot!

What is your favorite color combination?

When sitting down to create a card I often have a layout idea in mind but occasionally struggle with what colors to use. Sometimes the occasion for the card dictates the color choices, sometimes the age of the recipient does and sometimes the season of the year can affect my choices. With our fabulous designer series papers color combinations laid out for us - coordinating colors are even listed under the name of each paper pack in the catalog!

We can also turn to the Color Coach which is a quick reference to all the colors Stampin' Up! has available and suggested coordinating colors for each. There are 50 double-sided cards in the Color Coach including blank cards for you to create your own favorite color combinations.

I have a few favorite Stampin' Up! color combinations that I often use. Do you?

Survey question:

What is your favorite Stampin' Up! color combination?

Anyone who responds to the survey by Sunday night will be entered into a drawing to receive a Thank You card from me using the winning color combo!Enter your answer in the comments section right under this blog post.

Raining Flowers

Today I have a second make-n-take card to share with you. I love its simplicity and how we layered the ribbons for an eye catching look. We used the Raining Flowers stamp set (page 111 in the Idea Book & Catalog) which is a set of 13 stamps that are used for the two-step stamping technique. I also used the It's Your Day stamp set for the phrase.

 

This is a quick and easy card to create and I can't wait to send it out to one of my workshop hostesses. If you are attending my New Catalog Open House this weekend you will see this card as a smaller part of a larger project idea.

If you live long distance and would like a new catalog for FREE, please contact me at [email protected] with your mailing address and phone number and I will mail one out to you early next week.

Best Friends Forever

One of my goals for this new Idea Book & Catalog year is to create cards that use fabric on them. I have seen so many super cute samples using fabric and know that you, my wonderful customers will love to explore fabric designs too.

Much to my surprise and delight I discovered that one of our Stampin' Up! Convention make n take cards used a piece of the Timeless Portrait fabric (check out page 196 for all our designer fabric choices). It was so much easier than I thought to use fabric on my card. My card below also uses one of the brand new catalog stamp sets called Best Friends Forever (page 90):

I have a ton of other ideas for using fabric on cards. While attending my New Catalog Open House this weekend, look for my Raleigh Techniques Club sign up. This club will explore fabric on cards this year as one of their fun, new techniques!

Project 52 - Week 18

Last time I posted my Project 52 it was a before photo of a significant change in my living room and dining room. Today I have the second phase of this change. Although it's still a "before" photo this page marks the beginning of a dream I have had for the past 8 years.

I saw a similar layout in a scrapbooking magazine and decided to copy it but make my own changes as I got into the design.

I used a combination of designer series papers and embellishments to draw focus to the title of my page. Once I created the title I moved its position to run vertically which adds a new touch to my project pages.

Have you tried My Digital Studio yet? It is so easy to use and the printed results are of an exceptional quality. Contact me at [email protected] for a private lesson. (it's free!)

What crafting questions do you have?

After 1000+ blog posts in the past few years it finally hit me: perhaps I am missing the mark here. So for today's blog post I am asking for your input:

What crafting questions do YOU have for me? I am sure that each and every one of you have questions you'd like answered. Perhaps you have questions about a technique, a product, a stamp set, a new tool...etc. And remember, all questions are welcome here. If you have something you have been wondering about chances are someone else out there has the exact same question!

Here's what I'd like you to do. Post your question(s) in the "comments" section right under this blog post. That way we can all see the questions coming in and maybe when you read what someone else asked that will prompt you with a question or two of your own.

I promise to answer each and every question I receive. Some will be part of my newsletter Q&A articles (so make sure you are my newsletter subscriber - it's free!) and some will be actual blog posts here on my blog.

I anxiously await my first question comment post. So let the questions begin!

Sundays with Sizzix: Elegant Lines and Posy Party

I thought you might like to see one of my swap cards that I made for Convention this year. I used my Big Shot and Elegant Lines textured impressions embossing folder to create a Clean & Simple card. You just might like to try making it at home if you own any of the Builder Wheels. If this is your first time seeing a Builder Wheel I have included how to set it up and create a wheeled image on my video tutorial.

Elegant Lines greeting card

Ink: Wisteria Wonder reinker

Card stock: Wisteria Wonder (8 ½ x 5 ½), Concord Crush (4 ¼ x 1 ¾), Whisper White (4 ¼ x ¾)

Accessories: Jumbo handle, Uninked cartridge for jumbo wheel, Builder wheel spindle and spacers, Posy Party Builder Wheel, Big Shot, Platform, Elegant Lines textured impressions embossing folder, Snail Adhesive, 2-Way Glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

And now for the video tutorial. Enjoy!

If you'd like a private lesson on how to use the Builder wheels, please contact me and I'd be happy to show you some different card and project ideas.