Stamp your Mother's Day card(s)!

Hello -

This is a quick and simple card to reproduce! I used the Doodle That from SU!, the 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" punch by SU! to punch out the squares for the flowers. I used blush blossom, cameo coral, basic black, whisper white for cardstock colors. For markers.. cameo coral, so saffron and certainly celery.

You can customize this card to be for any occassion - get well, anniversary, birthday - and now that I am looking at it...Mother's Day! I think I have just found my card - Ya-hoo.

So..for those who may be a little behind for making Mother's Day cards - you have two days to stamp a card. I don't want to hear about anyone buying one. This is a quick and simple enough card to be reproduced. Look around the stamp room...you have punches or an x-acto knife you can use to cut the squares.

So go forth and stamp!

Stamp Camp Fun!

Hello everyone ~

April 28th was Stamp Camp! It was a fun and relaxing time.

One of the projects used Big Blossom from the Spring Mini Catalog found here: http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampinup/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&fsid=2bec9ab1-2e05-4df3-8c50-75be9c850ce8&storeid=1038724&circularid=10126.

This is not the actual card that was made. This was my show and tell. I don't do this usually (only because I don't think to do it!), but it was fun to show an alternative. The base of the card was found in the Target $1.00 spot. I used the chocolate chip and tempting turquoise colors from Stampin' Up! I also used the polka dot stamp from Polka Dot and Petal stamp set, also found in the Spring Mini Catalog. I used the 3/4 " punch to punch it out and it fits perfectly as the center of the flower. I did use recycled rubber to pop it up.

On the edge of the flower petals is dazzling diamonds.

Here is the great part. If I did not want to use the note card size (smaller than an A2), I could cut the note card in half and mount it onto an A2 size card. The back of the card is chocolate chip and the tempting turquoise polka dots as you see on the far left of the card. I could basically have two cards from one note card. There are 8 notecards and envelopes in this pack for $1.00 (or 16 cards if you cut them in half). There was another color - black, white and red. But it did not trip my trigger at the time I was looking so they were left behind. I know a couple of you from Stamp Camp went to Target to find them. For the rest of us...we may be out of luck, or have to wait and see if Target gets another shipment.

This was an easy peasy card!

Polka Dot & Paisley

This card was inspired by Debbie Olson - she is a very talented stamper and very inspiring (obviously). I used Stampin' Up! Designer papers found in the Spring Mini Catalog. The green polka dots is on the opposite side of the bottom sheet with the flowers on it. It was a quick card using the Designer Papers.

I used Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, and Old Olive.

I used a little Bling for the center of the flowers. I adhered these crystals with Dazzling Diamonds.

I had resisted purchasing the Ticket Punch, but am glad I did now. I did try and use a 1/4" hand held punch, but it took my a while to align things up. With the Ticket Punch it has a guide built in so you can turn it over and make sure the paper is in the guide and voila!

Dollar birthday present

I was perusing in the local craft store - Pat's, when the dollar stamp bin reached out and grabbed me - literally. I was innocently walking by when the stamps had linked themselves together long enough to reach out and grab my arm. This image stood out to me. I immediately thought of quick and easy. Before I knew it, it was in my basket! I used Prisma color pencils and gamsol odorless blending solution. After that I added Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin'Up!) to the bow, dots and slashes on the purple section. The 2-way glue pen from Stampin' Up is what I used to adhere the glitter to the card. The "Happy Birthday" is a hero arts stamp which I stamped in black and mounted on Pale Plum and then Perfect Plum from Stampin' Up! The Background paper is from a Mat Stack I picked up at Jo's. It is called the Glitter Stack and you cannot really tell, but the white dash lines have glitter on them.

Baby Card and Crate Paper.

I know someone who recently had a baby, so I wanted to make a card. I really like this set, Little One, from Stampin' Up!, but it has since retired.

I used some scraps from the Crate paper I actually cut into. I used a strip for the border, and the second sheet to mat the sleeping baby on.

The card base is Barely Banana. I used Black Staz-On ink for the baby image and the sentiment. I then used Stampin' Up! watercolor pencils and blender pen.

I stamped, watercolored and cut out the giraffe. I used a pop dot so I coudl add dimension. I considered this my embellishment. This is an original of mine. I did have a hard time deciding what color to use on the diaper cover and shirt. I needed a color to match the patterned paper and have it be neutral.

I think this card turned out okay. I just need to send it out now!

No stamping today

Okay, no stamping today. I used those yummy Crate papers. I used barely banana for the scalloped oval. The brown is from the flip side of one of the patterned papers. I put the brown paper through the printer and used the SU Font CD.
I used the Stampin' Up! small slit/oval punch. and chocolate grosgrain ribbon.
I thought this would be a great card to give from my son to his grandparents.

Sailboat - Simple Design

Simple design like yesterday's post. I think there is something missing. I plan on putting a sentiment on the front, but I wanted to leave it blank so I could grab it and use it for whatever occasion I needed it on my son's behalf.

The patterned paper is by PaperLoft again. The sailboat is from ToyBox by Stampin' Up!. I used colored pencils to add color. I thought about adding ribbon, but thought it would be too much.

Hmmmmm...

Fun Stamping

People think that I am creative with my cards. I CASE a lot of them. I am trying to figure out my creativite process. I e-mailed some of the stampers whose blogs I like to read - call it my daily newspaper. I have read that finding your creativity is a process. It has been a bit painful, because I would like my originals to look like many cards of the stampers I admire for their ability and talent. I am finding there are several parts to designing a card. The basic design or layout, colors, embellishments, techniques, etc. It can be overwhelming and because of this I have a new appreciation for those who are able to put it all together and come up with those WOW cards.

This Thanks card is an original of mine. You would think because of the simple design it would not be that painful on the brain to come up with this. I was in a craft store and this train set was on clearance. I could not resist them because of my son. The Thanks is a diecut. I used black ric rac from Jo's. If I remember correctly, the paper is from Paperloft. I have to say that I am proud of myself because I actually cut into some patterned paper.

Okay, believe it or not I will have a post tomorrow. So check back.

My how time has flown by!

Nothing goes as planned does it? I had hoped two weekends ago to be able to do some stamping, but that was not the case. I needed to finish a project I signed up for with my upline. Everyone who signed up was to make an ATC - Artist Trading Card - with something that reflects something about themself. Liking my coffee and tea, I used the Like it a Latte set from the Winter Mini Catalog (that is no longer available). I also used the Designer Series paper also from the Winter Mini Catalog. I stamped the whip cream on shimmery white cardstock. For the "Love him a latte" I used the SU font CD. I finally finished this two weeks ago and mailed it in. I am eager to see everyone else's. I will post once I have them.

Addiction

I am going to let you all in on a secret....

I LOVE ribbon and patterned paper.

Since scrapbooking has done so well, the variety of papers out there is awesome. I remember the day when we had to make our own background paper to use with stamping. Now the choices are limitless it seems.

So, every so often I go on a binge of hunting and buying ribbon and patterned paper. Really, I think it is the hunt that is most exciting. Because when I get home, I put the ribbon and paper aside because of time. At the store, I could sit right down and start creating. Hmm..maybe I need to develop a portable stamp table so I can do this.

I am going to a haunt that I have not been to in a year I bet. So, I am not doing to bad am I? I am just on this kick to seek out paper and ribbon. Jacques may go with me. He is a good shopper. I know he has had enough when he is bending over in his umbrella stroller, running Thomas the Tank Engine on the store floor. I am hoping Paul will watch him this AM so I can go, but if not, I don't mind taking Jacques with me.

What paper do I like best?? In addition to Stampin' Up's!
Basic Grey - LOVE it!
Crate - soft and yummy
Fancy Pants
Rhonna Farrer - through Autumn Leaves

Basic, Fancy, and Rhonna - are somewhat abstract, with great design in them. They are definitely different for me, and there is just something about them that grabs me and pulls me in. I have thought about hanging the paper in the Stamp Station just because I like the colors and design and I would like to look at it instead of putting it away. I draw inspiration from looking at it. HMMMMM....

I was very excited to read that Basic Grey came out with their line in a 6x6 pad. Jo's has a couple of the pads on the older line, but the new line - 5 of them - I found online. What is great about this is Basic Grey took their paper and shrunk it down to a 6x6 size. So you have the 12x12 image size, just shrunken - great for card making. I found the 6x6 pads at http://www.eclecticpaperie.com/basic-grey.html

Those are my top four as of now. The list can always grow right??

I said that I would do some stamping this weekend and I am going to do my best to do that and post.

Here I go.

Bad Blogger

Hello -

Not writing on my blog has been on my mind alot. You could say daily. Why didn't I get on and write???? I can some it up in one word - and you all know it well - LIFE!

My mini-camp was last weekend, so that is behind me. This weekend I plan on stamping. at least that is going to be my goal. To stamp and post!

So tune back in and see what pops up!

Going International!!

Well, this is what has been on my plate the longest and it is the largest. For the past few years my dad has asked me to make him Chinese New Year cards for acquaintances and friends he has made in China. Each year, except for one, I have handcarved the stamp. I base it on the postage stamp that the USPS put out years ago. They published a stamp each year in accordance with the Chinese New Year. This year it is the Year of the Boar.

Just to give you an idea, here is the starting point:

A blank piece of eraser. At least that is what I call it. I use the Speedball brand - obviously. It is easy to cut through. No sneezing, being nudged by dogs, or pulled on by child is recommended when carving!

I transferred the image I wanted to cut and after some cutting I finished with this:

In this photo I have already carved out the boar and added a frame. I have cut out the Chinese characters before, but was a little time constrained to take the time to decide how I was going to carve out the character that aligned itself on top of the image. So the areas in the corners will be "white space".

Here is the finished card. You can see what I mean by "white space". I am going to suggest to my dad to either sign his name in the "white space" or attach the postage stamp image to the space. It just did not come to me about what to do with the space. I walked away from it and slept on it, and that is what I came up with . Oh and I forgot to leave a space to adhere the stamp image to it! It was supposed to be in a spot that you will see in the next image.

The year of the Boar is 4703 - used the computer for that and my Zipemate diecut for the tab.

I did this double slider card at my February Stamp Camp. I thought it would be a good design and something different than a traditional card. I decided this card would not open up, although it could with a little modifying. At Stamp Camp I spoke of how this could be made into a traditional card if you wanted to.

Okay...see where it says "Happy New Year" that is where the Postage stamp of the Boar was to be put. This morning when I woke up it hit me - hard! That and where was my dad going to sign his name????

So I have a couple of options. There are always options.

Option 1: Adhere the stamp to either upper right or lower left of "white space".

Option 2: Sign name in opposite corner.

Option 3: Sign name on back of card.

So, with that off my plate and onto someone else's...I am off to begin looking at Mini Camp ideas.

More Valentines..

Hello -

I know I have not posted in about a week. I have had a few things on my plate. One of the items on my plate you will see today. Last week, after making the valentine cards I went on to make a Valentine card for my parents from Jacques. My mom calls him her little monkey, as well as other names of endearment, and my friend Shelly owned this stamp set. (So thank you Shelly for letting me borrow it and make this Valentine.) I of course CASED it, and cannot find where I CASED it from to give due credit. So I apologize for that. I was able to use the paperlicious designer papers from SU! found in the Winter Mini Catalog.

I have been showing these papers at stamp camp and home shows, but finally got to tear into them. They are nice quality - cardstock weight. So they handle well and hold up.

The next item I CASED from two people: "stamping goddess" and "a mama that stamps - stampin mama".

You cannot see it but on the inside is the saying from Like it a Latte - Nothing is better than a good friend with chocolate. I stamped that in the White Craft Ink pad. I did not have the stamps they used, but I CASED the design and overall concept. I used the Pocket Notes from the Winter Mini as well as those Paperlicious designer papers. A glue dot holds the candy in place. :)

Jacques' Valentine Day cards

Happy pre-Valentine's Day everyone! I was given a list of names that is in Jacques' class at daycare. I was so excited and overcome with giddiness because you know what that means!!!

I could stamp the valentine's for Jacques!

I can say these are Dee Dee originals! I used the Cute as a Bug and Toy Box stamps. I punched the hearts out with a small punch and popped the heart out on the spider. The cards are a 3x3 size. Perfect for a Valentine's exchange. Now, I am reality based with this. These were quick and simple because I know some may not last the night when they are taken home. BUT I made an extra one for a scrapbook page. I have not begun on that, and it may take me some time.

The inside I printed on the computer with the Stampin' Up! font CD. I cannot remember if the fonts came from the 1st or 2nd CD -or one from each! The heart is from Like it a Latte from the Winter Mini Catalog.

I am sorry I did not get these posted sooner, but since I am lying around with a sinus infection (my coworkers diagnosed me) I thought this would be a good time.

Happy V Day to everyone!

The building of the Stamp Station

Hello everyone!!

I am excited about beginning a blog. Many of you that know me are saying...like you need another thing to do! Well, I thought if I cannot stamp daily like I would like to do maybe I could write about it.

I know reality is...I will not post every day. But I am learning that I can post pics and other fun stuff - stamping or not related.

Today I really thought I could spend some time stamping, but thus far I have put things away in my stamp area - are you proud of me Elizabeth? I had two very wonderful people help me with the building of the Stamp Station. I wanted an area that was functional and was easy and fun to put things away. It really is fun to put things away when they have a home! I also wanted an area that my son could play in and we could be around each other without a problem.

This is where my friends stepped in. Marcy helped me move and eliminate furniture. After that, she would not come back - and I could not blame her - LOL - but she still speaks to me - wink. And that is where Elizabeth came in. She is good at categorizing and MAKING YOU THROW STUFF OUT. There were times I was ready to throw her out, but I have to give her credit for being willing to come back. It was a lot of fun and it made me think! The room is not quite finished, but it is very functional. I can now have mini camps in my basement!! Wa-hoo. My husband and son can have the first floor and not be disturbed with playing.

I had a home show yesterday, and I have a powerline meeting this Friday night. I need to get things put away and straigthened up so we can meet in the Stamp Station.

Well, back to straightening up. I gave away a computer desk and hutch that I was using as my stamp table and now have to rig something up temporarily to stamp on. I have my eyes set on something cool - that I have to build. Thought has gone into this, and I would like to see it happen. I know reality is, it will not be built in a weekend. So for now, I make do and others will too. The best part is..I can have people over to stamp and scrap! That makes me happy :)

Have a good day!