Saturday, March 30, 2013

Fridge Grocery List

I ran out of paper in my grocery list pad.  I decided to make my own and have it match my kitchen.  I just bought a package of legal pads and had Staples cut them right down the middle.  Then I covered the cardboard at the top with DSP and then tied ribbon around it.  Then I peeled the corner up and used my cropadile to make a hole.  I then cut a small piece of matching DSP, rolled it up and put it inside my rsvp pen (staples).  I tied some baker's twine under the pen clip and added a sheet of magnet to the back.  The roll of magnet I had wasn't very strong so I covered the whole thing.  If you have a stronger magnet, you won't need nearly as much.  Here is where I tell you what I did wrong.  I would advise tying your baker's twine around the other end.  The way the pen is hanging now, the ink is draining the wrong way and my pen is usually dry.  So, hang it upside down.  This would be a fun class project or even club :)  Very inexpensive.



Friday, March 29, 2013

On to the next promotion

I hope everyone had  a great Sale-A-Bration experience this year.  I know I enjoyed it very much.  But, just with all over promos and holiday cards, I am ready for the next thing.  So, 2 SU! videos and then a card for you at the end.  Remember, if you are checking this with your smart phone, you'll need to click on the post title to go to my blog to view the videos.


And your project for the day.  This is a really cool technique.  You use the stripes embossing folder and ink one side up with a brayer and then run it through the big shot.  Then, repeat the inking and put your paper in the embossing folder but turned 90 degrees before embossing.  This gives you the adorable gingham look.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Baby Prints, Friendly Phrases
Paper: Early Espresso, White, pretty in pink
Ink: Early Espresso, pretty in pink
Tools: Big Shot, Apothecary Accents framelits, stripes embossing folder, 1/2" circle punch, vintage wallpaper embossing folder
Accessories: doily, glue dots, dimensionals, designer builder brads, early espresso 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

Here's a quick video on how to ink your embossing folder :)

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Matilda Jane All Dressed Up

Having a little girl is very expensive especially if she loves to dress up and be Fancy Nancy :)  One of my dearest friends in town just became North Alabama's newest Matilda Jane Trunk Keeper.  You may not understand what that is.  These are HIGH quality clothes that only trunk keepers have.  They literally bring a store's worth of adorable ladies and little girls' clothing into your home.  I had 15 friends come and bring their little girls and we played fashion show from 8-4pm.  If you are in Alabama and would like to have a trunk show, please contact Stephanie Koswoski  (stephaniek@matildajaneclothing.com) to book your show.  I earned $450 of clothing for me and Katie for $175.  It helped that I know about the in home company lifestyle and what makes a good show.  Here is one of the outfits I got for Katie.  Check out the site: www.matildajaneclothing.com.

 
You may be wondering why in the world I am sharing this with you.  I do have a point here.  I was so inspired by the fabric and ribbon combos that I had to immediately make a thank you gift for her using the Dressed up Framelits.  I tried to copy this dress.  Not quite, but still soooo fun!
 
Supplies:
Stamp Set: All Dressed Up
Paper: First Edition DSP, Calypso Coral, Tea for Two DSP, early espresso, very vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso
Tools: Big Shot, dressed up framelits, woodgrain embossing folder, decorative label punch, itty bitty punch pack, boho blossom punch
Accessories: Island Indigo ribbon, crochet ribbon, 1/8" very vanilla ribbon, calypso coral ruffled ribbon, dimensionals, glue dots
 

Need a kick in the pants?

I issued a challenge to my stamp club last month to try a mojo Monday sketch.  It's basically a sketch to get the juices flowing to create a one of a kind card.  It usually takes me 2 hours.  I put so much into those.  I was very proud of all who tried.  Many said they didn't like it b/c it took too much thinking.  I understood, but were excited they tried.  I have a feeling they'll try again.  Not just because I gave them free SAB products for trying :)

This is the sketch I chose for them.


Here is what I was able to make.  It's just a suggestion.  I took some liberties.
Supplies:
Stamp Set: Swallowtail, collage curios
Ink: midnight muse, gumball green, summer starfruit, crumb cake
Paper: midnight muse, summer starfruit, print poetry dsp pack, vanilla
Tools: Big Shot, stripes embossing folder, edgelits, distressing tool, paper piercing mat and tool, 1" circle punch, banner framelits
Accessories: summer starfruit ribbon, soda pop tops, basic pearls

There might be 2 things on this card you may not recognize.  The silver accessory is the pop top run though the big shot and flattened out.  I love it!  The other thing that may have boggled your mind is the ink technique I used.  It's called the thumping technique.  I inked up the swallowtail with crumb cake and then took the paintbrush end of our stampin write marker and thumped it all over the stamp.  I did find that thumping in the same direction looks better.  Give it a try :)

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Baby Dedication Invitation

My sweet friend asked if I could make some baby dedication invites for her little girl.  I am always so honored when my friends trust me to make things for them for important milestones in their lives.  Here's what I came up with.  I thought I would give you a break from adult dresses today, but did end up with a baby dress. :)

Man, I am really seeing how important it is to use my lightbox when taking pictures of my projects.  This is another bad one.

Supplies:
Paper: Very Vanilla, Vellum cs
Tools: Big Shot, vintage wallpaper embossing folder, 1-1/4" circle punch and coordinating circle scallop punch, scallop trim border punch
Accessories: white organdy ribbon

Sunday, March 24, 2013

AM & PM Spring Card Class

My next card class is a Spring Fling...all different occasions.
Monday April 8th @6pm or Tuesday April 9th @9:30am
I'm excited to offer a spring card class to you.  We will be doing a father's day card, a masculine birthday card, a baby shower card, mother's day, birthday and thinking of you.  6 cards this time!  Only 1 of each.

This class will cost $30, but will include all 6 cards and a pkg of soda pop tops, cute clips and the pinwheel die.

As always, you may exchange sentiments on the cards to make them for whatever occasion you need them for.

Sorry for the late notice, but the RSVP is due this Wednesday the 27th.  Please note if you are coming Monday or Tuesday in your rsvp.

Bring a friend and you will get a fun surprise.

Please bring adhesive and any other glue dots, dimensionals, or sticky strip you may have.

This is going to be so fun!!!  And as usual with an expensive class like this, any orders you place that night/morning will be 20% off :)

AND AS A NEW BONUS...ANY DEMONSTRATOR IN MY FAMILY MAY COME TO THIS CLASS FOR $15.

New Jr. Demonstrator

Last Thursday while I was putting the finishing touches on stamp club projects, Drew looked at one of my stamp images and said it looked just like an easter egg.  I'm not sure why I didn't notice, but he did and ran with it.  He did such a great job that I allowed him to demo his technique during club.  The ladies were so cute and so patient with him.  He is a natural teacher.  Here is the card he made all by himself.  Even used the big shot!  So proud of him!!

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Another Pop Up Dress

If you remember the little lipstick holder we made at my All Dressed Up Class this week, we realized it was cute, but not very functional.  So, I dressed it up.


Supplies:
Paper: Pool Party, Black, blush blossom (retired), Comfort Café DSP, Very Vanilla, brushed silver cardstock, window sheets
Ink: soft suede
Tools: Big Shot, all dressed up base and die cut and framelits, designer frames embossing folder, medium oval punch, ticket punch
Accessories: pool party ruffled ribbon, sponge dauber, basic rhinestones, jumbo pearls, designer faceted buttons, doily


Friday, March 22, 2013

Chalkboard Technique

Well, here is the latest hot technique out there.  The Chalkboard technique.  Could be intimidating, but I'm here to tell you, it's soooo easy!  I got this technique from Becky Roberts and here is the tutorial.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: yikes....can't remember :(
Paper: Soft Suede, Basic Black, comfort café DSP
Ink: White craft ink
Tools: Big Shot, woodgrain embossing folder
Small curly punch (SAB, available after), heat tool
Accessories: summer starfruit ribbon, glue dots, dimensionals, white bakers twine, white embossing powder, 1/16" circle punch

Here's another card I made using this technique.



Here's a video teaching this technique.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Bunnies Bunnies Everywhere :)

I wish every SU! demo had the privilege to have a stamp club.  I feel so lucky to have these women (and David :) in my life.  Stamp Club night is my favorite of the month.  I honestly care about these people and they are the people who know the most about me.  They put up with my kids running in and out during our club time :)  Here are my friends.  Scroll to the bottom to get the recipe of an awesome corn dip that Faye made.


They look happy, don't they?  I exhaust them!  I just can't help it.

Here is the adorable project we spent the most time on.
 


 Supplies:
Stamp Set: Wacky Wishes
Paper: Espresso, white, primrose petals, pirouette pink
Tools: Big Shot, woodgrain embossing folder, 2-1/2" circle punch, large and medium oval, 3/8" circle punch and 1/4" circle punch (retired)
Ink: Primrose Petals
Dimensionals

cute....but wait, there's more!

Supplies:
Paper: Primrose Petals, white and black, pink pirouette
Tools: ears (large oval, medium oval)
Head (ornament punch)
eyes and mouth (3/8" circle punch itty bitty punch pack)
Nose: heart punch
Cheeks: 3/4" circle punch
Accessories: primrose petals ribbon, googly eyes (retired:(), dimensionals, glue dots


Saw this, but won't have time to make it.  I hope you will.

 And here is a video :)
 
 





Monday, March 18, 2013

Never too old for Paper Dolls

A few weekends ago I was summoned home to come get my childhood junk.  I spent hours putting all my Barbie doll toys together.  The McDonald's, the hotdog stand and the 4 poster bed gave me so much joy.  I remembered where every hotdog went and what sticker used to be there.  My daughter is almost 3 and I can't wait to play Barbie with her.  I love playing legos with Drew, but I am really excited about showing her how to make the Barbie town.

But, until then, I have the Dressed Up framelits!  It's like playing paper dolls all over again, but now I'm smarter and have the internet.  You will not believe what all I've found made from other very talented ladies.

My last friend just left from my All Dressed Up class.  I could tell they really had a great time.  One of my ladies asked if she could buy my samples she loved them so much.  After she was gone, I realized I had a class the next morning for my AM batch and have no samples....whoops :)

Here are the projects we made tonight.

Supplies:
Paper: Print Poetry DSP, Tea for Two DSP, Midnight Muse, Calypso Coral
Tools: Big Shot, dressed up framelits, polka dot embossing folder, corner rounder
Accessories: basic pearls,  hanger paper clips, In Color brads, dimensionals

I got the frame at Target

Supplies:
Paper: Very Vanilla, Tea for Two DSP, soft suede
Ink: Soft Suede
Tools: Big Shot, apothecary accents framelits, decorative label punch, dressed up framelits, paper piercing tool and pad, simply scored, paper cutter
Accessories: sponge dauber, brads, dimensionals, basic pearls, rose lace, glue dots

Supplies:
Paper: Pool Party, Basic Black, (blush blossom on clearance rack)
Tools: Big Shot, dressed up framelits, medium oval punch, small curly punch
Accessories: Sticky Strip, pool party ruffled ribbon, glue dots, basic pearls

These are the dimensions to make the little box inside.  It was advertised as a lipstick holder.  As we were making it tonight, it was so cute....but what would we do with it?  I don't know :)

And to round the evening out...
Supplies:
Paper: Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Brushed silver cardstock, Tea for Two DSP

Tools: Big Shot, dressed up framelits, oval framelits, lacy brocade embossing folder, stripe embossing folder
Accessories: Window sheets, basic pearls, 1/8" vanilla ribbon, 1-1/4" two toned ribbon, 2-way glue pen

To ruffle the ribbon, just find 1 thread close to the top of the ribbon and gather it.

Good Night

If you want to see all the other awesome ideas I didn't have time to make, click here :)  Don't just look at the top post...scroll down for so many more ideas!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Wedding Shower Thank Yous

Spring Surprise
Just when I started to get comfortable with all the products in the spring catalog, SU! starts teasing us with sneak peeks from the new annual catalog coming out June 1st.  And here it is and it is available to you! 
Dates: March 15 - May 30, 2013
Price
Description
Item #
$23.95
Spring Surprise Bundle* (English; clear)
133899
 
 
 
 

What if you already have the punch? Don't fret! Just buy the set!
Price
Description
Item #
$14.95
A Round Array Stamp Set* (English; clear)
129090
 
 
 
 
 Spring Surprise Clear-mount Bundle
 My Father-In-Law is getting married to a wonderful lady in 3 weeks.  Her friends had a shower for her today up in Nashville, so Katie and I made the trek.  Brenda really appreciates all the things I make and maybe I can get her hooked and by association, her friends :)  But, here are the gifts I made for her.

AHHHHH...what a terrible picture.  Didn't get a chance to take the picture under the lights.  I showed you the digital wedding invites I made for her a month ago.  I was staying with the same Coral/Gray combo.  It worked.  I used glossy white (Amanda) cardstock for the dress and tea for 2 DSP.  The gray and pink ribbon in the spring catty is very high quality.  I still stand by what I said earlier.  The oval framelits are essential in your arsenal of products.

I was very proud for her to show this off to all her friends.  I got this frame at Target.  They have some really fun ones right now.  I just traced the cardboard piece inside the frame and cut it out from our newspaper DSP.  The rest is adhered to the front of the glass.  I used Soft Suede and very vanilla cardstock along with our brushed gold paper in the mirror.  I stamped the sentiment on a window sheet with black stazon and then punched it out with the large oval punch.  I love the sentiment from 'Trust God'.  It gives some directions for life, but leave the rest to God.  No better advice for a newlywed :)

Then I had to make her thank you notes.  I used one of our single stamps that I think is ADORABLE!!!  It's called Towels for Two.

Towels For Two Clear-Mount Stamp Set
#132665 $5.95
Click here to see the other cute ones in this assortment.  Here's what I came up with...didn't have to think too hard.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Towels for Two
Paper: White
Ink: Calypso Coral, Basic Gray, versamark
Accessories: pewter embossing power, dimensions
Tools: Heat Tool

I just embossed the top of the stamp with the pewter and then put the towels on top with dimensionals.

Ok, enough from me today.  Have a great day!!!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Feeling Sentimental?

As usual, I wasn't drawn to this SAB set.  But, over the weeks I have seen some beautiful things done with it.  I'm always thinking of those stampers who don't have the access to as many products as I do.  I look at the list of my supplies for each project I share and feel the frustration of those who don't have it.  I'm happy to share this project that my friend, Brian, made.  7 products and two (cardstock and stamp set) could be free with a $50 order.  As a bonus, this is a great masculine card.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Feeling Sentimental, Sweet Essentials
Paper: Black and White
Ink: Red and stazon black
Tools: corner rounder

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Smarty Pants

As a demonstrator, I get a monthly magazine with all kinds of great ideas.  If you'd like to see what they showed this month, go here.  Also, I don't know if you have seen the new customer website.  It's almost as addicting as Pinterest.  Check it out.  One more thing.  Because of our 25th anniversary, remember, we are releasing some of our favorite past stamps.  Each set will have one image that is new.  We will release one set a month, but all 12 sets will be available til March 2014!!

January:  Many years ago, my mom made me an adorable card with this first little present.  It came with a little bear and she learned how to use the blender pen.  Oh the memories :)
Best Of Birthdays Clear-Mount Stamp Set
February:  I remember all these.  The lips one is the new one.
Best Of Love Stamp Set
March: Good Times
Best Of Flowers Clear-mount Stamp Set
Ok, here is your Smarty Pants.  I used my color coach to help me pick my color combo.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Patterned Occasions (SAB), Petite Pretties(SAB)
Paper: Soft Suede, white, pirouette pink
Ink: Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Pink Pirouette
Tools: Big Shot, cloud embossing folder, petite curly punch (SAB)
Accessories: basic rhinestones, white bakers twine, glue dots, dimensionals
 
 
 




 

 
 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

More SAB samples



I will be the first to admit that if I get a blog that only has a SU ad in it, I delete it quickly.  I guess that's because I already know about it.  But you don't.  So, I do have some ads for you today, but I will also share 2 more SAB samples we made at my SAB morning class.  But first this from Stampin' Up! and me :)

Have you looked into the Paper Pumpkin yet?  I can't wait to get my first box.  You've missed the deadline for the March Box, but there is always next month.

Paper Pumpkin is the perfect introduction to Stampin' Up! We designed it for crafters that want to create a project each month, but aren't quite ready to build a stamp collection (yet).

I know several of you have thought about being a demonstrator b otherut have several reservations about it.  Many say you don't know enough people, you compare yourself to the classes I have, you don't have time even though you'd really love it.  The Paper Pumpkin is the perfect product for you.  If you join SU!, find 3 friends who would love a 30-minute monthly get together.  You don't have to prepare anything.  Your friends sign up and bring their red boxes with them and you have a blast with zero preparation.  3 friends will get you half the way to your quarterly quota.  6 friends will cover it completely.  So, 6 friends to play with and you get all the benefits of an SU! demo with all the perks, but no effort :)  Sounds perfect to me!  Ok, enough about that.

Here are the cards I promised you.

Supplies
Stamp Set: Feeling Sentimental (SAB), perfectly penned

Paper: White, Pool Party, Basic Gray
Ink: Black
Tools: Big Shot, Cloud embossing folder, corner punch
Accessories: dimensional

See how fun the corners are on the main image?  You don't always have to use 90 degree corners.  Go crazy!!!  Round opposite corners for pizzazz.

Ok, because I had a long ad at the front, here is one more SAB project.



This is the simply sent kit we are offering through SAB this year.  The kit comes with everything you need to make 8 of these.  The only thing you need is adhesive.  Goes right along with the Paper Pumpkin idea.  Snatch it up.  Takes no time.  Poke around online and you'll see what other people are doing differently with these supplies.  I've seen boxes and altered cards.  Even though this is the sample given, it's just a suggestion.  Go Crazy!!!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

T-minus 12 days

In the 9 years I have been doing this, Sale-A-Bration has always been a fun time of year.  In the beginning, there was a small catalog that had 6 stamp sets of varying style so suit all types of stampers.  I usually liked about 2 of them.  Then after about 5 years, they started offering some other products.  It was exciting.  Last year, they starting offering suites of products with so many more possibilities.  This year has been the best year ever.  I have enjoyed all the products offered this year and haven't even scratched the surface of posting all I have made.  In addition, I want to thank all the other bloggers out there whom I follow everyday.  As many of you have experienced, the picture of the stamp set isn't always one that instills the need to get that set.  So, I thank all the different types of stampers who have shown me how to get out of my bubble of stamping and try new things.  I hope my blog inspires some of you to try new things too.  You have T-minus 12 days to get your hands on these products until they are gone forever!!!

I thought I would share a CAS card today.  In our world, that stands for Clean and Simple.  This is another form of masking.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Bloomin' Marvelous
Paper: White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse
Tools: Big Shot, designer frames embossing folder
Accessories: dimensionals, basic rhinestones

The reason this is called masking is the clean edge where there is no ink.  I ran this through the big shot.  If you use the designer frames folder, sometimes the edge of the folder itself gets embossed.  If that is the case, remove one tab from the accessory plate.  If that doesn't work, you may put a piece of cardstock b/t the plates to keep the paper from getting embossed.  Then I cut a rectangle the exact size of the picture in the frame.  I stamped the rectangle where the image would fall off the side.  Then when I put it on with dimensionals, it looks like a picture.  Very clean :)  Good Luck.  Try it with the oval frame folder too!



Monday, March 11, 2013

Get out your tissues...

This is the last project we made at club last month.  It is so stinkin' cute, I can't wait to make more of them.  Just in case you can't tell, that is a real tissue inside that little box.  If I was sick, I know this would put a smile on my face.  Give it a try.  LeeAnn Greff is the gal I got this from.  Here is her tutorial.
 
 
 

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Patterned Occasions (SAB)
Ink: Calypso Coral
Paper: White, So Saffron, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Bashful Blue, Tea for Two DSP
Tools: Big Shot, honeycomb embossing folder, vineyard embossing folder (SAB), oval scallop punch, medium oval punch, apothecary accents framelits, small heart punch, paper piercing tool, simply scored tool
Accessories: dimensionals, 1 tissue, glue dots, 2 way glue pen, calypso coral ruffled ribbon, mini brads



On the same note, here is another tutorial I found and loved.  I haven't had a chance to make it yet, but it fits perfectly with the tissue card.  Here's the video on how to make this cute gift.



Saturday, March 9, 2013

Candy Clovers

Last week I shared the Easter Easel card we made at club.  Brenda Quintana was the creator of that tutorial.  She is a very creative artist and has really gotten into these cute little Hershey kiss gifts.  Here is the one we made at club last month.  This is one of the best examples of what you can make with your simply scored tool!  So cool!
Here is the tutorial on how to make these cute candy treats.  And while you are there, look for these tutorials.








HAVE FUN!!!!!