Bird Cage Basics

I know that several of you have recently ordered the Aviary set, and so I'm posting this card by fellow demo Karen Herrmann as just one example of what you can do with it. Clean, simple and charming - a perfect combination! -Kathy

Thank Ewe!

Ever notice how sometimes you just have to have or do something because every time you look at it, it makes you laugh? These guys do it for me!

They're part of a set called Pun Fun, and of course since sheep usually occur in flocks it's appropriate to stamp them multiple times. But how do you avoid inking the sentiment that's attached to the image? This can be very frustrating! Wait... here's an idea.

Technique Tip: Before mounting these stamps (and others like them), cut apart the image and the sentiment. Attach the image as usual, but mount the sentiment on the end of the block! By doing so you can use them either separately or together. If you're working with clear stamps, of course, you'll just store them and mount whatever combination you need for your project.

When stamping the sentiment, remember to stamp first and then work from the back of the punch to center the sentiment in the opening. Makes placement much simpler!

And finally, note how the scalloped edge on the inside panel echoes the fluffy sheep shape. Serendipity. -Kathy

Stamps: Pun Fun, Kind & Caring Thoughts
Ink: Basic Black, Pink Pirouette (marker)
Paper: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White CS
Accessories: Scallop Edge Border and Word Window punches, Beautiful Wings Embosslit die (Balloon punch - retired), Stampin' Dimensionals

Christmas is Coming...

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but it's time to get serious about those holiday gifts and greetings! Monique sneaked in a couple of ideas way back in July (did you catch them?!), just to light a spark, but we'll be posting from here on out with increasing frequency as we collect ideas to spark your creativity.

To ease you into the mode, I want to continue the recent theme of "switching up" a good design from one purpose to another. When I conceptualized this card, I was thinking of 1940s aprons and tablecloths, can you tell?! I began with pair of returning color favorites, Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette. And then, because I just love it, I added the shimmery Presto Patterns DSP, cut with the Big Shot using our Top Note die. I stamped and "stamped off" several times on the pattern paper, then added additional color by sponging, pulling in a little olive.

Next I chose a sentiment and stamped repeatedly on the base for visual interest (and to reinforce the message), then glued down the DSP. Digging out a bunch of white scraps, I made the flowers. Those two-step stamps are such fun! And being me, I sat and reveled in cutting out every last one of them. My first grade teacher would be so proud! I also cut a few little leaves with the Big Shot to combine with the flowers. I grouped these in one corner, popping some of them up on dimensionals, and interspersed some leaves.

Finally, I stamped a sentiment to go opposite the flowers. In the first instance I gave it visual weight by gathering ribbon onto the back of the oval (which I edged in sticky strip), and attaching a red button. On the Christmas version, I simply used Riding Hood Red for the sentiment and the matting, since a strong color calls attention to itself and has "visual weight".

Now, I admit this card is not suitable for mass production, but it's a great idea for a grandma, aunt, or any special person who appreciates vintage linens. And the beauty of it is that as you're producing, you can make a couple for both your birthday and your holiday card stashes! Kathy

Stamps: Greenhouse Garden, Elements of Style, Grateful Greetings
Inks: Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive
Paper: Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White CS; Presto Patterns DSP
Accessories: Little Leaves Sizzlet, Top Note die, Stampin' Dimensionals (vintage button and seam binding)

S'mores Kits

S'Mores Kits for my DD Haley's Mother/Daughter Sleep-over were so easy to make:

1 bag of Chocolate Chunks (you can also use chocolate chips but the chunks look like bars)
1 Box of Teddy Grahams (reg flavor)
1 Bag of Mini Marshmallows

I printed sentiment using the computer on Address labels.
Punches:
Wide Oval 2"x1 3/8"
Large Oval   1 3/4" x 5/8"
Small Oval1 3/8" x 5/8"


Card Stock
Chocolate Chip
Tempting Turquoise

Melon Mambo

Big Shot
With the Scallop Envelope Bigz die
Small Cellophane Bags
Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Family Heritage

See the cute little guy in the overalls front and center? That's my father-in-law, turning 90 on the 25th! This photo was taken in about 1925 near Dwight, Kansas, and how many stories they would find to tell in the coming years.

Once again, Mary Brown was the inspiration for this project. I began with a sheet of our amazing Presto Patterns specialty paper, then studied the photo to see what colors were hidden in the sepia tones. I decided yellows, browns, and pinks, so began sponging on thin layers, beginning with the lightest color. It was magic watching the design from the Presto Pattern sheet emerge! I worked back and forth, here and there, with a general idea where I wanted my photo, keeping in mind that in this case the "white space" that would rest the eye and make a contrast to the other techniques meant leaving the ink off.

When I thought I had enough color, I finalized the placement of the photo and used an x-acto to mark where the edges intersected with large swirls on the Presto Patterns paper. I removed the photo, and used the x-acto to cut around the printed pattern out so that I could slide the photo underneath. When I finished, I secured the photo.

Next, I stamped the floral spray from Elements of Style three times on Naturals Vanilla and watercolored it using Rose Red and Old Olive to represent the wild roses that grow along the stone fences in the area, built by a great-grandfather. I then cut out these rose sprays, cut them apart, and tucked them here and there on the page to add some detail and color.

Now, how to add text that I don't have stamps for? I used Word to create a file with the family name and and a few other details, turning the letters a dark brown that approximates Chocolate Chip. I then ran a sheet of vanilla CS through the printer and cut out around the elements I needed, popping them up on dimensionals so they would cast a shadow for interest. The only handwritten element is the "Circa 1925" on the little round Mini Vintage Tag, which hangs from a satin bow tinted pink here and there with marker and aqua painter. And voila!

I love the concept of framing a scrapbook page. You can display it for as long as you want on the wall, then tuck it into a protective scrap book and put up something new on your wall. Hope you've enjoyed this little trip down memory lane with me, Kathy

Stamps: Elements of Style
Ink: Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Old Olive classic (* just retired); Pink Pirouette marker
Paper: Presto Patterns DSP, Naturals Vanilla, Very Vanilla
Accessories: aquapainter, 5/8" vanilla satin ribbon, Mini VintageTag, Styled Vanilla hardware (shadowbox frame from local clearance rack)

Night Owl

This Card was the start of My Halloween. Just putting it together made me feel like getting all dressed up to go out and buy big bags of candy.

Simple, Simple Card to put together.

Stamp Set:
Afterthought - Hostess Set

Ink:
Soft Suede - Classic
Pumpkin Pie- Classic

Paper:
Perfect Plum - for the Web
Basic Black for the tag and card base
Old Olive for the branch
More Mustard for the Moon
Very Vanilla for the Tag

Accessories:
Owl Punch
Bird Punch
Spider Web Textured Impressions Folder
Big Shot
Stampin Sponges
Glue dots
Stampin' Dimensionals
Snail Adhesive

August 2010 Stamp Club

If you haven't tried the embossing plates available for the Big Shot, you've missed out on a huge time-saver! In fact, several club members marveled, "I can't believe how fast this went together!" In the first photo above, I've shown the two versions of the card we made at club (one using Elegant Lines, the other Manhattan Flower embossing folders). Note the slight variation in embellishments that dress it up or down to your preference (Antique Brads, Designer Buttons). Inside the card and on the sentiment "medallion" you can see that we used Stampin' Pastels to give a soft look and add color. This is a great technique for beginners, very forgiving. Finally, I've added an idea for a quick-change approach that easily turns this card from a general encouragement theme to a wedding/anniversary card. As you can see, the "Just Believe" stamp set is incredibly versatile!

If you missed club, be sure to schedule a make-up session. You'll be glad you did! Kathy

July 2010 Stamp Club

Well, I'm trying to do a little catching up here. At stamp club in July, we made a gift card holder from a sheet of 8.5 x 11" card stock, and it's a wonderfully flexible design. The cover features a crayon resist technique and uses the Artistic Etchings set, while inside is stamped with elements from Sentimental Journey (in the summer mini catalog and no longer available, sorry!). Kathy

Vintage Vogue

I love this set. You can make so many different looks with it and it's super easy to work with! To get this one, I simply colored onto the stamp with a Real Red and Basic Gray marker and stamped repeatedly on a Very Vanilla square, which I then layered onto Basic Black atop a standard card base of Real Red (the 3/16" corner punch made the nice rounded corners). The sentiment is stamped in Basic Black craft ink - I like the boldness of the craft ink.

The thing that really makes it pop, of course, is the amazing 1 1/4" Basic Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. I simplified the bow by just folding the ribbon into a bow shape and tying it with linen thread, then slipping a Real Red Big Designer Button (Holiday Mini catalog) over the ends and tying a bow on top of the button.

Thanks to fellow demo Mary Brown, whose design inspired mine. Kathy

Sparkle!

Have you seen the jewelry that Stampin' Up! has? I got this Simply Adorned charm and chain last Christmas, intending to make it as a gift for someone, but somehow it never happened... and now I'm glad it didn't. Here's the story...

While Ginny and I were on our travels, I asked her one day if she felt she'd gotten to know me in new and different ways on our adventure - more as an individual. She thought for a moment, then said "You're a lot quirkier and more sparkly than I realized." This stopped me in my tracks. What was she seeing on a day to day basis? Was I being my best self? Or was I allowing my roles and responsibilities to smother the uniqueness of me?

The comment stayed with me and I found myself recalling it long after we returned home. I decided I needed to make myself a reminder, and here it is - I give myself permission to sparkle!

These charms take a 1" square, onto which you can stamp just about anything that will fit. The elements here are mostly from Tiny Tags and I've added one of our basic rhinestones. I like the toggle style clasp of the chain, as I can easily put it on by myself.

Need to remind yourself or someone you love of an important message to live by? Create a one-of-a-kind charm yourself! Kathy

Holiday Mini Catalog

Get Ready-Get Set-Happy Holidays
Click on Catalog for the PDF file
Click Here for Supply List