Nutz about Stamping

Customer question: how do I allow myself to be creative?

When crafters sign up for my customer newsletter I send them three card ideas as a thank you but I also send a follow-up email asking them to share their number one burning question?

This week Cindy responded with this question: How do I allow myself to be creative?

I thought I would share my answer with Cindy as some of you may be asking the same question: 

1. Schedule time for yourself to craft each week. Sometimes we let our busy lives get in the way and we all need to understand that if we take of ourselves first we will be much more efficient taking care of everything else. When my son was young I got up a half hour earlier each morning so I could quietly craft before making breakfast and heading off to work. Even though this idea may shock you I had a calmer approach at work each day!

 

2. Spend a bit of time on Pinterest or viewing my blog - when you see an idea you like, save it and then try it using the supplies you already own. You will feel much better about crafting if you use up products that are sitting there ‘looking’ at you. Hint: don't let Pinterest suck you in to wasting hours of time. When you spot a card idea you love, save it, close out Pinterest and give it a try - you will feel very productive as a result. 

 

3. Try card maps! Each week I post a card map idea (I have stored them all on my card map Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/nutzaboutstamps/card-maps/ ) to help give inspiration. Sometimes creativity is difficult and we need a little boost. Here's one to give you inspiration:

 

 

4. Get a small group of friends together to craft. It is always more fun and a girl's night in can be less expensive and healthier too! Share your supplies with each other rather than letting them gather dust in your craft closet. I remember scrapbooking photos one Friday night each month when I was a beginner - I got great ideas and suggestions from my more experienced crafty friends and felt such satisfaction after our times together. 

 

5. Consider crafting kits! That way you save time on ideas, finding products to use, and creating layout ideas. Stampin' Up!s Paper Pumpkin kits are a fun way to start and each kit now comes with a stamp set that can be used after the kit is created. Right now there is a promotion that will save you $$ and time!

 

 

6. Join my team! If you want to meet a bunch of super fun and creative women and make a ton of new friends, join Stampin' Up! and my team. Your creativity will grow by leaps and bounds and you will get a permanent discount on all your crafting supplies. Go here to learn more!

How card kits can help you craft in mere minutes: card three

Have you seen the Oh Happy Day card kit? This is an all-inclusive kit for making 20 unique cards for a variety of occasions, and the kit comes with the photopolymer stamp set (13 stamps) included!

Over the next several weeks I am going to show you each card in this card and the steps I took to create it. That way when you purchase this kit you will not only have a photo of the card in the kit box, but additional step-by-step photos to go with it. 

Here's card three:

I love hearing from you - please post your comments under this blog post!

1. Gather all the pieces from the kit. Wait on cutting the Baker's Twine in the kit until you determine how you want it to look on the card:
   
    
   
   
2. Stamp the phrase onto the tag - hint - stamp on the right side as you will be attaching an embellishment on the left side:
   
   
   
   3. Cut a length of Baker's Twine - I decided how it would look before cutting it off the bolt:
   
   
   
   4. Attach the phrase. As you can see I used 2 dimensionals on the left side. These will help hold the Baker's Twine in place and I also used my Fine Tip Glue Pen to add dots of adhesive under the twine to secure it in place:
   
   
   
   5. Add the floral embellishment using Stampin' Dimensionals. Stamp the envelope to complete card three!
   
   
   
   
   
   *** Next week I will be back to share how I created card #4 in this super fun card kit!

 

Let things around you inspire your next card

Today I have a fun card idea that was inspired by a piece of tissue paper. The resulting card was created using my Botanical Blooms and Mixed Borders stamp sets, along with the Botanical Builders framelits. I have provided a list of products used, card stock measurements and a video tutorial to show you how I created this cards. 

Click on any of the images below to place an order at my Online Store:

Botanical Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

Botanical Builder Framelits Dies
$33.00

Mixed Borders Photopolymer Stamp Set
$21.00

 

I love hearing from you - please post your comments under this blog post!

Botanical Blooms Inspired

Stamp sets: Botanical Blooms (140757), Mixed Borders (141932

Ink: Basic Gray

Card stock and measurements:

     Basic Gray: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 1 3/4" x 3"
     Whisper White: 4" x 5 1/4", scraps for die-cutting

Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Botanical Builders framelits (14625), Layering Circles framelits (141705), Fine Tip Glue Pen, Silicone Craft Sheet, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals

And now for the video tutorial - enjoy!

Living in and loving the beautiful Netherlands

Today I want to post something completely different - a peek into the country that I currently live in. I am not sure that you know this but two years ago I was offered an amazing opportunity to work and live in the Netherlands for a non-profit global education organization. I just couldn't turn down this experience so I took my Stampin' Up! business totally online (thanks to all who have still supported me!), packed my bags and jumped right in.

Recently I decided that I had better explore this amazing country so I have no regrets. Two weeks ago I jumped on the train to head to Dordrecht, a city in the south part of the Netherlands. 

Here's my view of this experience - soon to become a series of Project Life pages and memories to preserve forever:

My advice is to take chances in life and see what comes your way. Maybe you, like me, will have amazing experiences too!

 

How to create a nautical card layout

Today's card is quick and easy - featuring a nautical theme that would be perfect for a masculine card. Read on for a list of supplies and step-by-step instructions. 

Click on the photos of the products to order them at my Online Store:

Seaside Shore Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$21.00

By The Shore Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Very Vanilla Thick Baker’S Twine
$3.50

I love hearing from you - Please add your comments under this blog post!

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Seaside Shore (C: 141625  W: 141622)
• Cardstock – Very Vanilla (101650); Dapper Denim (141414), Calypso Coral (122925)
• Designer Series Paper – By The Shore (141640);
• Stamp Pads – Dapper Denim (141394); Calypso Coral (126983)
• Misc. – Very Vanilla Thick Baker’s Twine (138411),
  Paper Snips (103579), SNAIL (104332, Refill: 104331), Fine Tip Glue Pen (138309)

 

Measurements:  

• Dapper Denim: 11” x 4 ¼”
• Calypso Coral: 3 ¼”” x 2 ½”
• Very Vanilla: 3 x 2 ¼” & Scrap
• By the Shore DSP: 5 ½” x 2 ¼”

 

Instructions:

1. Using Dapper Denim Ink to stamp anchor at an angle, in center of Vanilla Layer
2. Stamp Ahoy, There! Onto Vanilla scrap using Calypso Coral ink.  Cut out with Paper Snips
3. Adhere all layers together using SNAIL
4. Make a loose loop with Baker’s Twine and adhere with Fine Tip Glue Pen…slightly fray edges after the glue is dry and twine is secure.

Are you ready to take an unusual card map challenge?

I have a doozy of a card map challenge for you this week, compliments of the Paper Craft Crew! This challenge was particularly...well....challenging for me too, lol. Guess that's why they call it card map challenge huh!

Here's the challenge map - looks easy but is quite deceptive....

 

And here's what I created using this map along with the Best Birds bundle. Click on the photo below to order it over at my online store!

Best Birds Photopolymer Bundle
$43.00

 

I love hearing from you - please post your comments under this blog post!

And now it's your turn - try the card map and consider entering what you make over at the Paper Craft Crew website. 

Are you looking for crafting inspiration?

If you are looking for monthly crafting ideas delivered directly to you, I have the perfect idea for you to consider: my Find Your Inspiration Club!

Learn more here - including FAQs, club requirements and how to sign up!

What is this club about? Good question!

THE FYI CLUB IS A HIGH-VALUE SUBSCRIPTION MONTHLY CLUB FEATURING THE BRAND NEW PRODUCT SUITES IN THE RECENTLY RELEASED 2016-17 STAMPIN’ UP! ANNUAL CATALOG.

Each month club members will receive a PDF document highlighting unique and exclusive project ideas featuring one of the catalog product suites. Each PDF will contain full color photos, a list of supplies, cutting measurements, and step-by-step instructions for each project idea.

Club members will learn:

• how to take the guesswork out of crafting through using the product suites
• product tips and tricks to help make crafting easier
• layout ideas to add visual interest to your projects - including designs inside and for envelopes
• how to incorporate accessories to take your projects from basic to ‘wow’
• stamping techniques to ramp up your crafting creativity

*** Special Offer - join for August only to see the benefits of a longer term subscription! (standard order requirement applies)

Here's a peek at the August product suite: By the Shore!

 

How card kits can help you craft in mere minutes: card two

Have you seen the Oh Happy Day card kit? This is an all-inclusive kit for making 20 unique cards for a variety of occasions, and the kit comes with the photopolymer stamp set (13 stamps) included!

Over the next several weeks I am going to show you each card in this card and the steps I took to create it. That way when you purchase this kit you will not only have a photo of the card in the kit box, but additional step-by-step photos to go with it. 

Here's card two:

I love hearing from you - please post your comments under this blog post!

1. Gather all the pieces from the kit. Wait on cutting the Baker's Twine in the kit until you determine how you want it to look on the card:

2. Stamp the phrase onto the speech bubble - hint - you don't have to choose the one indicated - choose to match your needs as long as it fits!

3. Adhere the paper bits. I used the dimensional provided in the kit for the star and used SNAIL adhesive for the other pieces:

4. Attach the Baker's Twine. As you can see I used a dimensional for the starter end but then also used my Fine Tip Glue pen under some of the twine here and there, just to hold it in place:

5. Add your stamped phrase speech bubble and other embellishments where you want them to be. And card #2 is done. 

 Next week I will be back to share how I created card #3 in this super fun card kit!

Up your crafting skill level for free!

Have you been crafting for a while and are looking for some unique ideas to up your skill level?

I have the perfect solution: join my FREE newsletter mailing list! (next issue emails tomorrow!)

 

Join my Stampin' Up! newsletter list!

Why subscribe? Here are just a few great reasons:

- exclusive Stampin' Up! card samples: with photos and step-by-step instructions!
- stamping techniques
- tool tips featuring brand new Stampin' Up! products or my all-time faves
- customer Q&A's - perhaps some you have been secretly asking too!
- information on upcoming classes with registration and payment links
- card maps and challenges
- special offers and surprises sprinkled in
- it's FREE! 
- and much, more

I send out a short newsletters by email every week - each contains a creative project idea, including a photo, a list of supplies used and a set of step-by-step instructions! I will also keep you informed about Stampin' Up! promotions, new products I love and stamping tips and tricks.

So how do you join?

• Look for the Join My Mailing List heading in the top left-hand corner of this blog page
• Type your name and email address in the boxes supplies
• Choose which newsletters you want to receive: Stamp only, Scrapbook only or both!
• Click "Sign-up"
• As soon as you do you will hear a voice recording advising you to watch for a confirmation email
• In a few minutes, check your email. I use a confirmed opt-in subscription process to guarantee that you do want to subscribe. Please watch your email and respond to the confirmation notice that you will receive.
• You will receive a welcome email with an exclusive project idea as a thank you gift!

Let all your crafty (and crafty wannbe) friends and family members know about my free newsletters and join my mailing list today to let the stampin', scrappin' and paper craftin' fun ideas begin! 

 

Have you been crafting for a while and are looking for some unique ideas to up your skill level?

I have the perfect solution: join my FREE newsletter mailing list! (next issue emails tomorrow!)

 

Join my Stampin' Up! newsletter list!

Why subscribe? Here are just a few great reasons:

- exclusive Stampin' Up! card samples: with photos and step-by-step instructions!
- stamping techniques
- tool tips featuring brand new Stampin' Up! products or my all-time faves
- customer Q&A's - perhaps some you have been secretly asking too!
- information on upcoming classes with registration and payment links
- card maps and challenges
- special offers and surprises sprinkled in
- it's FREE! 
- and much, more

I send out a short newsletters by email every week - each contains a creative project idea, including a photo, a list of supplies used and a set of step-by-step instructions! I will also keep you informed about Stampin' Up! promotions, new products I love and stamping tips and tricks.

So how do you join?

• Look for the Join My Mailing List heading in the top left-hand corner of this blog page
• Type your name and email address in the boxes supplies
• Choose which newsletters you want to receive: Stamp only, Scrapbook only or both!
• Click "Sign-up"
• As soon as you do you will hear a voice recording advising you to watch for a confirmation email
• In a few minutes, check your email. I use a confirmed opt-in subscription process to guarantee that you do want to subscribe. Please watch your email and respond to the confirmation notice that you will receive.
• You will receive a welcome email with an exclusive project idea as a thank you gift!

Let all your crafty (and crafty wannbe) friends and family members know about my free newsletters and join my mailing list today to let the stampin', scrappin' and paper craftin' fun ideas begin! 

A quick and easy way to say thank you

Sometimes I get inspiration from a combination of places. Today's card is one example; the colors were inspired from a wedding card design that I helped a customer create a few weeks back and the layout idea was inspired from a website I stumbled upon. 

What's really neat about today's card and video tutorial is that there is no stamps or ink involved! I created the entire card using my Big Shot, Hello You thinlits and Layering Circles framelits. (click on the product photos to order at my online store)

Hello You Thinlits Dies
$25.00

Layering Circle Framelits Dies
$35.00

I love hearing from you - please post your comments under this blog post!

Hello You thank you card

Stamp sets: none

Ink: none

Card stock and measurements:

     Very Vanilla: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 4" x 5 1/4"; 5 1/4" x 2"; scrap for circle
     Night of Navy: 2 1/2" square
     Delightful Dijon: 1 3/4" square
     Calypso Coral: 1 1/2" square

Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Layering Circles framelits #141705, Hello You thinlits #137363, SNAIL adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Fine Tip Glue pen

And now for the video tutorial - thanks for watching!

 

Celebrate summer with a stunning card

The weather outside has been absolutely gorgeous and so to celebrate I have a fun summery card idea for you to try, using the Flourishing Phrases stamp set. Click on the image below to order this set at my Online Store!

Flourishing Phrases Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$37.00

 

I love hearing from you - please post your comments under this blog post!

Supplies: 

Stamp:  Flourishing Phrases Clear-Mount Stamp Set [141534] 

Card Stock:  2016-2018 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack [141408], Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper [135315], Peekaboo Peach [141417], Tangerine Tango [111349], Pear Pizzazz [131201], Whisper White [100730] 

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz [131180], Peekaboo Peach [141398] 

Misc:  Flourish Thinlits Dies [141478], Rhinestone Basic Jewels [119246], Stampin' Dimensionals [104430], Glue Dots [103683]

 

Measurements:  

Pear Pizzazz CS:8 1/2” x 5 1/2”, 3 ¼” x 4 ¼ “

Whisper White CS: 3” x 4” 

Designer Paper: 4 x 5 ¼ “

Glimmer paper ¾ x 4”

Peekaboo Peach and Tangerine Tango scraps.

 

Instructions:

• Create your card base by scoring a pear pizzazz cs piece at 4 ¼”. Adhere designer paper to card front and glimmer paper in the center.
• Stamp large flower in Peekaboo peach in top right corner of whisper white cs. Stamp sentiment in pear pizazz toward the bottom and 3 sets of the leaves around the flower. 
• Adhere stamped white piece to the 3 ¼ x 4 ¼“ pear pizazz cs. Attach to the card with dimensionals.
• Cut medium flower from peekaboo peach and larger from tangerine tango scraps using thinlits and Big Shot. Layer on top of each other and adhere to card with glue dots. Add rhinestones to the center of 2 flowers. 

The modern and colorful perfectly playful product suite

The Playful Palette suite is a unique combination of products designed to help you create modern and colorful paper crafts. I used one of the Paper Craft Crew card map challenges for inspiration to create today's card:

In case you haven't seen Stampin' Up!s Playful Palette product suite, here's what they are. Click on any of the product photos to order them at my online store:

Painter's Palette Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$18.00

Playful Palette Designer Washi Tape
$8.00

Playful Palette Designer Series Paper Stack
$10.00

 

And here's the card I created using these fun products:

 

I love hearing from you - please post your comments under this blog post!

And now it's your turn - try our card map the next time you craft and feel free to share your card over on our Paper Craft Crew website. 

How to impress your friends at work

Last week something very unique happened at my workplace. I hosted a crafting Lunch & Learn session!

What is Lunch & Learn? Typically it is an hour long session to support learning about all aspects of international education. It could be a researcher sharing a summary of a recent study, it could be a group of high school students sharing the impact of their education so far, it could be a colleague from another division sharing the work they do, and it could be a member of the senior leadership team sharing progress on company projects. 

Apparently word has gotten out that I am a crafter and that I love to make cards. Several of my colleagues have asked for help in creating wedding invites or have asked me to make special cards for friends and family. Recently, a colleague mentioned that it would be really fun if I hosted a Lunch & Learn to show everyone how fun and relaxing card making can be. He felt that we focus so much on academic information and perhaps a session that focuses more on well-being should be proposed.

And his idea worked! We limited attendance to 15 colleagues and my session enrollment announcement filled up in 10 minutes with a growing waiting list. And here's some photos of my event: 

 

So what did I plan for this event? Here's one of the cards my colleagues made:

The session got RAVE reviews and we will certainly be crafting together again soon!

How card kits can help you craft in mere minutes

Have you seen the Oh Happy Day card kit? This is an all-inclusive kit for making 20 unique cards for a variety of occasions, and the kit comes with the photopolymer stamp set (13 stamps) included!

Over the next several weeks I am going to show you each card in this card and the steps I took to create it. That way when you purchase this kit you will not only have a photo of the card in the kit box, but additional step-by-step photos to go with it. 

Here's Card One: 

1. Gather all the pieces from the kit. I created a bow from the Baker's Twine in the kit as part of getting my pieces ready:

2. Stamp 'Hello" onto the star, using the Basic Black ink spot that came with your kit:

3. Ink the heart stamp from the kit and stamp onto the two plain white stars: 

4. Adhere some of the pieces onto the card front. I used SNAIL adhesive for these paper pieces:

5. Add the remaining pieces to the card front. I used my Fine Tip Glue Pen for the chunky pieces and for the bow. Add the star using the dimensionals that came in your kit:

Envelopes are also included in your kit. Don't miss the opportunity to stamp your envelope:

I will be back next week to show you how I prepared and assembled card number two!

Try a different card layout featuring a phrase

Today I have card that features a phrase as the focal point, using the Seaside Shore stamp  set. I have also included a video tutorial showing you step-by-step how to make this card!

By the Shore is a new product suite in Stampin' Up!s Annual Catalog and it features several products including the Seaside Shore stamp set and By the Shore designer series paper. I used these two products in today's card. (click on one of the product photos to order them at my Online Store)

Seaside Shore Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$21.00

Layering Ovals Framelits Dies
$35.00

 

Seaside Shore Friendship card

I love hearing from you - please post your comments under this blog post!

Supplies

Stamp sets: Seaside Shore (w 141622, c 141625)

Ink: Dapper Denim, Calypso Coral, Soft Sky

Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Dapper Denim (141414), Mint Macaron (138337), Calypso Coral, By the Shore designer series paper (141640)

Accessories: SNAIL adhesive (104332), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247),  Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Layering Ovals Framelits (141706)

 

Measurements

•     Very Vanilla: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2”; scrap for fish; 3 1/4 x 2 1/4" for oval
•     Dapper Denim: 3 x 5 1/4"; 3 3/4 x 2 3/4" for scallop oval
•     Soft Sky: 2 strips: 1/4 x 5 1/4"
•     By the Shore designer series paper: 1 strip that is 1 x 5 1/4"; three strips 3/4 x 3 1/4"

 

Instructions

1. Create card base.
2. Add layers - solid card stock and designer series paper strips. 
3. Stamp and cut out fish.
4. Stamp phrase and die-cut using Oval framelit. Stamp Soft Sky starfish.
5. Die-cut Dapper Denim scallop oval. Adhere under phrase oval.
6. Add phrase layer to card front.
7. Add fish using Stampin' Dimensional. 

Here's the video tutorial - thanks for watching!

 

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