Idyllwilde Studios

Treat Package Remake - 1

2012-02-08T10:59:00.002-06:00

You remember the elegant chocolate treat packages that Lori made up for our Holiday Open House in October? I liked them so well (both aesthetically and actively with my taste buds!) that I decided to do a re-make for Valentine's Day.

It just so happened that I had some scraps of paper left from the Holly Berry Bouquet paper I bought at Christmas. It's all sparkly and eye-catching, just begging to be released from scrap pocket jail! Here's a thrifty tip: When choosing your holiday colors or shopping the after-Christmas sales, red and white patterns such as stripes, checks, plaids and polka dots can extend into Valentines Day and (with the addition of a "true blue" patriotic picnic decor for the summer months.

For each chocolate bundle you'll need:

a cardstock base 1.75" x 2"
two strips of DSP 1" x 3"
two 1 3/4" scallop circle punches of contrasting DSP
about 14" of seam binding tape (the wider/stiffer the ribbon, the longer it needs to be)
Tombow Multi-Purpose glue, clear Scotch tape, and glue dots
two Hershey Nuggets, flavor of choice

1. Wrap the 1x3" strips around the belly of the nuggets and secure on the bottom with tape.
2. Position the scallop circle punches on the base with the side you want to show facing DOWN. Just under half the scallop circle overlaps the base. Secure with Tombow and allow a moment to set up.
3. Position glue dots on base as represented by white dots.
4. Press nuggets onto glue dots as you snuggle them onto the base.
5. Center ribbon/seam binding tape (in this case Cherry Cobbler) beneath base and slowly cinch sides together as you tie your bow.
6. Optional: Of course, if you want to add a little tag or sentiment, our baker's twine and Jewelry Tag punch would tie on perfectly!

They're cute alone, but twice as nice in pairs. Enjoy! -Kathy

Artistic Etchings

2012-02-07T13:32:00.001-06:00

I Want It All Occasions Mini Share

2012-02-06T06:00:00.003-06:00

You have probably looked through the Occasions Mini catalog by now and fallen in love with the products for yourself. But to help you get your hands on a "little bit of everything" I've put together a collection of lovely things that coordinate with the Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper (pictured lower left). There is coordinating card stock for card bases, ribbon and baker's twine, laser cut cards and envelopes, brads, hat pins, pearls, sparkly paper... even a sticky-back maze game that will make a truly unique card for a kid you know... no matter how old he or she may be!

If this looks like something you'd like to play with, just get in touch with me. It's $13.oo (tax and shipping included). I'll be happy to put a set together for you. -Kathy

Sale-a-bration Sundays: Kite Card

2012-02-05T00:11:00.003-06:00

I am having so much fun with the Sale-a-bration products, I decided to preview a project with you each Sunday through the end of March to get you thinking about some of the things we'll be doing in the class I'm planning for my customers who place a qualifying order ($50) during this SU! promotion.

I'm starting with this adorable kite fold card, spotted on the web site of demo Brenda Quintana. We will definitely be making this one! It will lend itself so well to kid cards and a variety of uplifting themes. It pops open with space for a message inside, as you might imagine. Just think of the fun you could have embellishing the tail... -Kathy

Love You Truly Card Class

2012-02-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

Here's a great basic card class to build your stash! We'll spend a relaxing couple of hours recreating four versatile designs; wedding, anniversary, Valentine’s Day, and “just because”. Two each of 4 card designs will equip you to say it often and well!

Saturday, February 11, 2-4pm. ($12)

Shoot me an e-mail if you'd like to participate! -Kathy

catalina_los_ojos@hotmail.com

Furry Folk Valentine

2012-02-01T06:00:00.001-06:00

Have you got your Valentines made yet? If not, let me encourage you to consider a non-traditional stamp set! Little animals have cuteness-factor built right in, and when paired with a heart-felt sentiment, they make the perfect image for a variety of occasions!

Furry Folk has lots of little images. If you stamped each individually, it would be pretty involved. The way to speed up production of multiple cards like this is to set up more than one image on your stamp block (another very nice option with the new clear stamps). I paired the two animals, and on another block the flower and ladybug. The sentiment was already a unit. I chose three hearts from the new Fashionable Hearts Embosslit Die, popped them up on dimensionals, and drew the strings on with a Stampin' Write marker.

The card measures 4.25" square, with the panel a 3.75" square (also popped up on dimensionals). I'll hand out most of these personally, but if I need to mail a few, they'll fit in our standard sized envelopes easily. -Kathy

The Love Swaps

2012-01-30T06:00:00.005-06:00

The swap theme for our January demonstrator meeting was "Love or Valentine". What a great selection of cards that generated!

In addition, I've remade some of my favorite treat packages in new DSP, so you'll be seeing a selection of these up close and personal in the coming days. If you see one you like, better make multiples ASAP - Valentine's Day will be here before you know it!! -Kathy

Scrap Book Page with Edgelits

2012-01-25T06:00:00.004-06:00

Some years ago my girls just blew through a roll of film for fun, and I've been enjoying the results ever since!

Did you notice that the card from Monday's post is incorporated as an element on this page? I added two more blocks, one for narration and one as a photo frame, then tied them all together with SU! paper daisies and leaves from the bird builder punch. The Baroque Borders wheel provides some background texture and further ties the individual elements together.

I'm going to have to work on my photography technique for 12x12 pages. It's not nearly as simple as you might think!! -Kathy

The "Stinkin' Cute" Award

2012-01-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

I just had to include one "catch-up post" from before Christmas when I disappeared from sight with a most unpleasant infection... Monique and I have a standard for projects that just make you say, "Awwww...!" We call them "stinkin' cute". This swap of Deloris' (demonstrator from Topeka) certainly meets the criteria! The stamp set is Sweets for the Sweet and she's used a bit of designer paper. Wouldn't this be darling tweaked for Valentine's Day or birthday?

To make the candy "tails", she's taken a scallop circle punch (1 3/4") of DSP and scored it like a pie. Cut this in half, then fold - beginning with a "mountain" fold. Secure under candy body with Tombow Multipurpose glue.

Way to go, Deloris! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us. -Kathy

Stamp Club Olathe - January 2012

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

We covered so much ground in both clubs this month! For these gals, I designed a card that featured one of the new edgelits dies and coordinating embossing folders, and we threw in a little two-tone stamping technique plus a few accent lines on the Stampin' Score! They echo the embossed lines from the folder nicely. I think this scheme of Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette and Wisteria Wonder is a nice alternative to the usual Valentine combo, don't you? The floral image is from a Sale-a-bration stamp set called Fresh Vintage, and you'll find the sentiment in Delightful Dozen.

But wait, there's more! In the next post I'll show you how we took this single element and used it on a scrap book page... -Kathy

Big Shot: Beyond Basics Class

2012-01-20T22:06:00.005-06:00

Here's one of the projects I'll be teaching in the Big Shot class next Saturday. (Haven't signed up yet? There's still time, but don't delay!)

It all began with hammering out my resolutions for this year. I find that I like to give them form, to work with them and make them my own. For the class, I wanted to demonstrate some different ways to use the new Edgelits and Framelits dies. When I saw a similar project on another blog, I knew our materials would provide the perfect upgrade! So I made up a few of these little cards, thinking what an adventure it would be to give some away... but the project also modifies beautifully into an invitation, a birthday greeting with gift pocket, a photo holder with note... and with the Big Shot they go together double-quick.

I've got lots more up my sleeve for you, so don't miss out. Even if you don't own a Big Shot yet, you can use these tips and techniques here in the studio on work nights! -Kathy

A Gift for the New Year

2012-01-17T06:00:00.002-06:00

I'm always bragging on the group of demonstrators I get together with each month, and here's another reason why! Not only are they talented, they're so very generous. Here's a gift I received last month from Lisa, who convenes the group. A little calendar pad is attached at the bottom - I'll just tear off each one as the year flies by and it will be just the right size for reference in the studio.

Practical, yes - but the beauty of little gifts is simply how special someone feels when they receive "a little something" made just for them, for no particular reason! -Kathy

Stamp Club Lawrence - January 2012

2012-01-15T23:43:00.005-06:00

One of the scrumptious new products in the Occasions Mini Catalog is a pack of laser cut cards in two designs (the other is a heart). They come with Blushing Bride envelopes. After seeing a sample on Mary Brown's blog (her banner featured four letters, requiring the sacrifice of an additional card!) I came up with this modification, which I taught at the Lawrence club this month. Let's see: JOY, HUG, LUV, YOU, the recipients MONOGRAM... think of any other appropriate 3-letter words that might work?!

We also used the tip from Patty Bennett about coloring your basic pearls or rhinestones with Sharpies to make them any color you want!

I can hardly wait for February, when I'll be using the heart version of the Designer Cuts cards with the Olathe ladies. -Kathy

2012 Event Schedule

2012-01-14T10:17:00.005-06:00

Idyllwilde Studios

2012 Event Schedule

I love to meet new people. Bring along someone new to stamping and receive a coupon for $3 off your next class!

Big Shot: Beyond Basics ($20) Saturday, January 28, 9-noon. A great tool has many uses. Learn how to make shaped cards, a matching butterfly cupcake stand, work with unexpected materials and master “drop-out embossing” (class fee includes device). Who’d have thought?!

Love You Truly ($12) Saturday, February 11, 2-4pm. Wedding, anniversary, Valentine’s Day, and “just because”: 2 each of 4 card designs will equip you to say it often and well!

Asia Inspired VIII ($18) Saturday, March 10, 1-4pm. Subtle elegance. Exotic materials. Touchable artifacts. Unexpected projects. More than a class, it’s a travel opportunity. Don’t miss it!

“SAB for Free” (FREE event) Sunday, April 15, 3-5pm. Did you place a qualifying order ($50) during Sale-a-bration? (January 24–March 31) If so, you received a certificate in your order bag entitling you to attend this class as a gesture of appreciation from me! I’ll provide all the materials for 3-4 cards and you can bet there will be some new tips and tricks in the mix – including how to make the fabric flower on p.12! Please RSVP so I can prepare materials!

Silhouette Stamps II ($15*) Saturday, May 5, 9:00-11:30. Yes, there’s more! Learn how to think about using these distinctive images in a variety of ways. We’ll learn background techniques and a new heat embossing approach. You need not have taken SSI to participate. 2 each of 4 projects.

*Special offer: Pay $30 and receive both the class and clearmount Baby Prints stamp set (Occasions Mini p.38) which will be used for one of the class projects.

Retirement Stamp-a-Stack (still just $1 per card!) Saturday, June 9,10am-2pm. Every year at this time, it’s “goodbye” to many favorites from the current catalog. We’ll use some of these stamps/ accessories on cards for you to recreate - in about 10 minutes each. Make as many or as few of each design as you wish. Materials cut and prepped for you – what a luxury!

Christmas in July ($18) Saturday, July 21, 9:00am-noon. Like the idea of a less hectic, less commercial holiday? Start now to make it happen. Two card designs (with table setting place card option), some tag magic, a gift card holder and small gift – you’ll be all set!

Please note date change. I will be taking a class on July 14 (original class date) to learn new things to share with you!

Holiday Open House (FREE event) Saturday, October 6, drop in between10am-2pm. Save the date!

Prefer a different date for a past or present class? Gather five or more participants – I’ll teach it again.

e-mail me at catalina_los_ojos@hotmail.com or call 785.841.9211

Note: We reserve the right to cancel a class if less than five persons register. In this event, a certificate for alternate class attendance will be issued to those who have pre-paid.

The Pleasure of Small Gifts

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

I wanted to give you a peep at some very beautiful packaging on a gift I received just before Christmas, and the thank you note and envelope I created to acknowledge it. Don't the colors just make you think of spring?? I was challenged by a comment of Mary Fish's that we actually need to USE the beautiful collections of papers we have, so these cards feature part of my stash from last year paired with images from a new stamp set in this year's catalog called Nature's Pace.

And YES, I am so proud, I actually got the note written and into the mail, the final step after "good intentions" and "design idea"! -Kathy

Stamp Club Olathe - December 2011

2011-12-11T23:11:00.005-06:00

I'm really not trying to "cheat" by dating this post in December. I was working on it when I was struck down by a nasty infection, and slept away about 10 days of December in a medication-induced haze. I'm back in the saddle again, but I just wanted it in chronological order!

We were planning for some guests at our December meeting in Olathe, so I selected a supersimple thank you note and matching envelope project (thanks to Monique for bringing this simple layout to my attention recently). Aren't they striking? And the beauty of it is, that you can so easily make a gift of your thanks by packaging several blank cards together so that the recipient can keep the gift of gratitude going.

These cards measure 4.25" and can be mailed in our standard-sized envelope (decorated to match) or hand-delivered in an envelope made from coordinating DSP - watch for future posts!

-Kathy

Stamps: Daring Adventure and Thank You Kindly
Ink: Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler classic
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Cherry Cobbler CS; Timeless Portrait DSP
Accessories: Basic Pearls

Stamp Club Lawrence - December 2011

2011-12-05T00:12:00.000-06:00

This is such a creative use of Pocket Silhouettes! And of course I always like the fresh look of a "clean & simple" approach. I CASEd and tweaked from something I saw on Joanne Friend's post on our demonstrator web site. The sentiment from Welcome Christmas was perfect, suggesting a medallion with a single, simple impression. Cherry Cobbler has become my favorite color this year, but even if that weren't so a simple knot of the scallop dots ribbon gives the composition "pop".

I hope you can find simple solutions to your many tasks in the coming days. -Kathy

Festival of Trees - Auction

2011-12-01T00:03:00.000-06:00

Thank you to my faithful and generous club members who gave their time and skill in helping me create the decorations for our tree, and to my husband Mark who helped me haul it to the display site. I am thrilled to report that our efforts brought $500 dollars to the total of nearly $38,000 raised to benefit The Shelter, Inc. As a former foster parent, I am thrilled to be able to help maintain the existence of a safe place for kids who have to be removed from their homes suddenly and often without basic necessities.

May it one day become unnecessary. -Kathy

Festival of Trees 2011 - Schedule

2011-11-27T16:47:00.005-06:00

Want to reclaim that sense of childhood wonder for just a bit? Get yourself to the Lawrence Festival of Trees! Located in the historic former Opera House (now Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts in downtown Lawrence), the darkened auditorium absolutely sparkles with all manner of visual sugarplums. Admission is just $3 (kids are free) and there are 56 trees to inspire you, from our traditional sparkling snow-in-the-forest look to a mosaic from broken dishes, a tree made from retired street light globes, a moving sculpture tree, a tree of stars, and many themes in all colors - plus 25 wreaths/small objects! I could hardly bear to leave when set-up was done, I just wanted to sit down in the middle of it all and soak it in.

Viewing:
Monday, November 28 10am-8:30pm
Tuesday, November 29 10am-5pm
Wednesday, November 30 10am-8:30pm
Thursday, December 1 10am-8:30pm

Auction:
Tuesday, November 29 7:30pm
(admission $35-50, I have two free passes to share if you want to see what our tree brings and report on it! We're #15)

Proceeds from auction and viewing benefit The Shelter, Inc., which provides emergency services for youth in the Lawrence community.

And don't forget the traditional Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade, Saturday December 3, 11:00am. Owners of antique horse-drawn conveyances from as far away as Texas bring their decorated horses and buggies along with costumes for themselves. Such a charming tradition and a great way to get in the mood! -Kathy

Festival of Trees 2011 - Folded German Bells

2011-11-27T16:39:00.003-06:00

I know you've been wondering what our folded German bell ornaments would look like. I finally finished them last night as I was working on our Festival of Trees Entry, so here's a close-up, all painted and accented with ivy and berries. Let this be a lesson to you skeptics who thought yours wouldn't look good...! They were the perfect contrast in shape and size to the petal cones we made first.

Apologies to the Olathe gals, I managed to forget the materials we needed so they didn't make bells. However, you can find the instructions at http://www.allthingspaper.net/2009/12/folded-german-bell-tutorial.html and make your own! We used 6x6" squares of DSP, which I then spray painted a pale green. -Kathy

Mocha Morning Aux Elegantes

2011-11-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

I'm going to post this one for Lori while their family gets settled into a new house. Did you notice these items at the Open House in October? I thought they were definitely worth a second look!

These papers are from the Mocha Morning specialty designer series paper pack. It is simply scrumptious. I'm thinking of using it for all my holiday themes from here to the new year!! On the left is a little "pocket" - you can make it any size that meets your needs - with the seam up the back and a little crimp at the bottom edge. It could hold napkin, cutlery, a name for the Christmas gift exchange, poem/message, photograph of guest, packet of tea/chocolate... any number of things, all dressed up.

On the right are two Hershey nuggets wrapped in strips of paper, then attached via glue dot to two scallop circle punches and tied with 1/4" satin ribbon. I just happen to be putting together table settings for a banquet in two weeks. Give you one guess what I'm going to CASE! -Kathy

Pretty Cute Packaging!

2011-11-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Look what's under the tree! Have you noticed those little craft-colored fold-up boxes in the holiday mini catalog? They are one of my current favorite products! They are just the right size for a stack of gourmet cookies or homemade candies, 4 scented votives, a squatty jar of preserves, and... But wait! I can't tell you yet what's in mine, it's top secret!! But I WILL tell you how I put together the wrap.

Fold up one of those cute little boxes (they come 4/pack for less than $1 each). Cut a 2x12" strip of card stock and wrap around the box (won't quite meet on the bottom, but who's looking?!). Rip a strip of fabric 1" wide and tie around the box with a double knot (this happens to be from our holiday set so it coordinates perfectly with the DSP I used on the tags). Stamp your sentiment and punch out w/ the 2 3/8" scallop circle punch; sponge edges. Punch out a background circle of DSP with the 2 1/2" circle punch. Glue these two together, then punch a 1/8" hole at the top. Thread a double thickness of baker's twine through the hole, and tie onto the fabric knot.

Ta Da! Super simple. Don't you wish all your gift wrapping could be so painless? -Kathy

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Delightful Dozen
Ink: Cherry Cobbler classic
Paper: Naturals Ivory and Early Espresso CS; Holly Berry Bouquet DSP
Accessories: Holly Berry Bouquet Designer fabric; 1/8" handheld, 2 3/8" scallop circle, and 2 1/2" circle punches; sponge; Tombow MultiPupose liquid glue; Cherry Cobbler baker's twine

It's Good To Be The Hostess

2011-11-02T09:24:00.005-05:00

It's Good to Be the Hostess Promotion

Get an additional $35 in FREE Stampin’ Up! products when you host a $350 workshop November 1-December 15! This is in addition to all the other benefits you get as a Stampin’ Up! hostess.

If your workshop sales total is	You earn hostess dollars		It’s Good to Be the Hostess	Total Free Stampin’ Up! Merchandise	Plus, you earn full-priced items at 50% off
$350	$50	+	$35	$85	---
$400	$65	+	$35	$100	1 item
$500	$80	+	$35	$115	2 items
$750	$120	+	$35	$155	3 items
$1,000+	$160 plus 15% of amount over $1,000	+	$35	$195 plus 15% of amount over $1,000	4 items

Schedule a workshop today and get set to create for the holidays with all of the exciting hostess rewards you’ll receive!

Visit Here

Festival of Trees 2011 - Petal Cone Potpourri Recipe

2011-10-31T23:22:00.000-05:00

My sister Karen has generously agreed to share her original potpourri recipe with everyone. Thank you for patiently waiting while I pulled together photos and such!

Some of you asked if she would sell it ready-made. The answer is yes, for $17/quart. The expensive part of the mix is the essential oils, especially if you're starting with none. We bundles ours in organza scallop circles from the wedding section at the Dollar Tree (25/pkg) and tied with gardener's twine from the Target dollar bin.

Autumn-to-Winter Potpourri

1-2 qts assorted "gatherings" such as:
-small acorns, preferably green*
-seed pods (e.g. Illinois bundleweed, buttonweed)*
-garlic chive flowers*
-1 qt cedar tips with blue & green berries attached*
-1-2 c red rose petals**
-1/2 c hawthorne berries**
-1/4 c whole cloves

Mix gently in large glass (not plastic!) container, then sprinkle over top:

-2 T orris root (binds scent)**
-10-15 drops each essential oils of clove, balsam fir, pine
-20 drops cassia (cinnamon)
-5 drops peppermint
-20 drops cedarwood

Seal container and set to "cure" in dark place about 2 weeks. Makes about 1 gallon.

* Dry ingredients individually before adding. Cedar may be fresh.
**Purchased

Note: Other possible ingredients might include broken cinnamon sticks, tiny pine cones, dried orange peel, straw flower heads, dried statice.

What a great activity to look for "gatherings" while you're on a country walk! You'll see so much more than you ever imagined when you're on the hunt... -Kathy

Festival of Trees 2011- Petal Cones

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Each year Lawrence hosts the Festival of Trees, the proceeds of which benefit a local shelter. The Lawrence and Olathe stamp clubs are working to help me create a tree for this event which will then be auctioned to raise funds.

Our first project uses the Petal Cone Die. It's cut from Baja Breeze CS on the Big Shot and then rolled with a vintage wheel for visual texture, then we've added a holiday wish to the flap and sponged the edges. Gardener's twine "dresses it down" to coordinate with the woodsy feel of the entry (each entry has to have a name and a theme).

My sister developed a unique potpourri of local "gatherings" to fill the little organza bundles (she has promised to share the recipe in a future post, so stay tuned!). They smell simply wonderful! As I began to hang them on the tree, I realized there was another obvious use for these beauties: they would be perfect to hang on the posts or backs of chairs, or on doorknobs, or from lamps either as home decor or as a little gift for guests to take along as a memento of tea or dinner at your house.

We'll be making another festival entry project next month, and I'll post viewing times and locations so you can see the finished tree! -Kathy

All Supplies Stampin' Up'! Unless Otherwise Stated

Stamps-Very Vintage (jumbo wheel), Delightful Dozen (sentiment)
Inks- Soft Suede and Crumb Cake classic, Creamy Caramel cartridge (retired)
Paper- Baja Breeze CS
Accessories-Big Shot, Petal Cone die, jumbo stampin' around handle, Sticky Strip, 1/8" handheld punch, Gardener's Twine (Target dollar bins), Organza Scallop Circles (Dollar Tree)

Stamp Club Olathe - October 2011

2011-10-20T07:43:00.004-05:00

Our topic for club this month was a technique I call "Foreground/Background". It's a way to get a whole new look from your stamps, adding dimension without a lot of layers.

The concept works by understanding the way our brains interpret what our eyes see. Things in the distance/background are typically softer, less detailed, faded in color, and smaller; conversely, things in the foreground are crisp, full of detail, brighter, and larger. You can recreate these contrasts by varying your supplies and, in this case, using only part of your stamped image in the "background" to create "smaller" elements, as I've done here using the large pine tree from the set Lovely as a Tree.

You're also seeing "Faux Snow", a mixture of white embossing powder and Dazzling Diamonds applied over Tombow glue for sparkle and dimension. A little touch of Cherry Cobbler in the ink and ribbon gives it "pop". The sentiment is from Delightful Dozen.

Next time you take a walk, pay attention to the differences in how you see what's close at hand, and what is distant. You'll gain a new appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us! -Kathy

Holiday Open House Drawing Winner!!

2011-10-12T11:43:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to Lara B., our winner in the drawing at the October 1st Idyllwilde Studios Holiday Open House! We hope she enjoys her stamps and rub-ons.

We also want to thank each one of you for stopping by - we had a great time, and hope you did too. Those of you who ordered holiday designer series paper at the event will find an instruction sheet with pattern for the snowman soup bottles pictured above, including the recently-perfected hot chocolate recipe I used in the recycled frapuccino bottles. Isn't the Frostwood Lodge DSP just perfect for the little vests?! And the Northern Frost strip die makes cutting snowflakes a breeze!

(Tip: I prefer "off brand" frap such as Aldi's because the label is shrink-wrapped onto the bottle, leaving no sticky residue behind. Not to mention the cost savings! However, if you're a Starbucks devotee, you can remove the sticky residue after peeling the label by using lighter fluid and a paper towel.)

Have fun with your own holiday plans... now is the perfect time to start! -Kathy

A Soft Glimmer

2011-09-28T06:00:00.002-05:00

The soft glimmer of Arla Ogle's swap card immediately caught my eye. It's a process with bleach, pastels and shimmer paint. Here's how she did it:

Stamp using bleach on Early Espresso CS. When dry, use cotton balls or q-tips to apply pastels. Wipe the whole thing down with a tissue. Apply more pastel to reach desired color intensity.
Use a sponge dauber to apply a thin coat of shimmer paint to stamp (Arla used champagne mist), stamp over pastel image by "eyeballing it" or use a Stamp-a-ma-jig for greater precision.
Stamp with Versamark on Very Vanilla card base. Use cotton balls or Q-tips to apply pastel, wipe down. Overstamp with shimmer paint, as described above.
With the extra shimmer paint left on the dauber, Arla accented the greeting.

I can hardly wait to try this myself! I've always been fascinated by alternate uses for household products. We appreciate your letting us CASE your project (that's demonstrator talk for Copy And Share Everything!). -Kathy


All Supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Gently Falling (Holiday Mini)
Ink: Versamark, Early Espresso
Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard
Accessories: Stampin' Pastels, Decorative Label punch, Champagne Shimmer Paint, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimensionals

Emboss Resist of Many Colors

2011-09-26T06:00:00.002-05:00

Today I want to introduce you to a demonstrator of only a few months, Joy Robinson. She has been working very hard to master new techniques and grow her confidence in composition, and I'd say we're seeing the beginning of a real success story, wouldn't you?! Note how she has repeated her colors multiple times to tie together the composition, the creative use of punches, and the subtle visual texture she achieved by embossing the Cajun Craze with the new stripes folder. Subtlety was important so that the complex pattern of the stamped image could shine! And speaking of that embossed image, I want to point out how, simply by the choice of colors, Joy shifted it into an autumn theme. You could easily sponge on blues and it would be wintry, or pastels for spring... General, flexible images like this are great to have tucked away in your arsenal for when nothing else seems to quite match the theme you had in mind for you card. Way to go, Joy! -Kathy

All Supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Inks: Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Summer Sun, Old Olive
Paper: Night of Navy, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla CS
Accessories: Stripes Embossing Folder and Big Shot; Lace Border, Decorative Label and XL Oval punches; Black Stampin' Emboss powder and Heat Tool; Stamping Sponges; Stampin' Dimensionals

Adding Fabric to Your Cards

2011-09-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

Good morning! While I am busily making surprises for the upcoming open house, I wanted to show you some of the lovely swaps from our most recent demonstrator meeting. This one comes from Julie Schmitz, who cleverly incorporated a strip of SU! fabric in her design as a ruffle by underlaying it with sticky strip and wrapping the ends around to the back of the embossed cardstock strip. The fabric gives such a nice tactile element to the card, as well as dimension.

Great job, Julie! -Kathy

Birthday Wishes

2011-09-17T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hey there,

Here's another card I CASED but did a little tweaking and added my own touch. I made it for my 9-year-old niece for her birthday last month and she absolutely loved it. She's a bug catcher to the core and always has something in a mason jar hatching. She didn't inherit that from me, because believe me, I'm the first to stomp on anything creepy crawly! :)

Enjoy,

Monique.

All materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Stamps: Birthday Bakery (Hostess 2010-11)
Ink: StazOn Black and Versamark
Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, and Old Olive DSP

Accessories: Watercolor Pencils (Red, pink, green, brown, and gray),* Circle and Modern Label punches, Dazzling Diamonds.

* Non-Stampin' Up! product.

You Are What You Eat...

2011-09-16T07:55:00.001-05:00

Hello there,

Unfortunately I can't claim this creation, but when I saw it I had to CASE it, too cute! My picture isn't the best but hopefully you can see the scalloped awning and ledge. Easy to make with lots of 'wow' factor.

Thanks, Monique.

All materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Stamps: Birthday Bakery (Hostess 2010-11)
Ink: StazOn Black
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, and Pretty in Pink DSP

Accessories: Watercolor Pencils (Red, pink, brown, green and gray),* Scallop Edge Border punch,

Ribbon: Pretty in Pink Satin ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds.

*Non Stampin' Up! product.

Lawrence Stamp Club - September 2011

2011-09-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

If you've never made a stamped candle, you are missing out on a world of possibilities! You can choose the color, theme, designs... the whole shebang, in fact. And each time the recipient gets a look at it, the light of friendship glows brightly all over again.

I began with a basic vanilla pillar candle, adding subtle colors in drifts and (although it didn't register well in the photograph) with a wheel. Did you realize you can get uninked cartridges for our wheels and apply any color of reinker? Then I stamped my main image from Always Elegant in that yummy Cherry Cobbler shade.

We added some elements from the Big Shot, and voila! Great gift for all kinds of occasions... wouldn't it be nice presented with a coordinating tile to set it on?!

Of course, the standard caveats apply: Always place candle on a non-flammable surface; never leave candle unattended; and do not burn below paper embellishments. But really, who would want to burn this beauty, anyway?! -Kathy

Holiday Open House Saturday, October 1

2011-09-13T20:26:00.004-05:00

We would like to invite you to an open house at Idyllwilde Studios on Saturday, October 1. This is a drop-in event (10:00am-2:00pm) with all the essentials: stuff to look at, stuff to eat, stuff to do, stuff at deep discounts, and free stuff!!

We will have displays for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas that cover treat packages, table settings, hostess and themed gift ideas, cards and decorations. You'll be able to try out a couple of Stampin' Up! tools that you may never have had the chance to use, and you can make your very own project to take home with you (along with that free stuff I mentioned and, if you choose, some of that deeply discounted stuff that will be on the "garage sale" table). If you bring a friend who has never been to the studio before or if you place an order of $15 or more, you will be entered in the drawing for a free stamp set! Oh, and the snacks... did I mention there would be snacks?

We think this will be a lovely way to kick off the holiday season, and hope that you can join us at 1012 Pennsylvania.

-Kathy, Monique & Lori

Olathe Stamp Club - September 2011

2011-09-13T00:40:00.007-05:00

The gals in Olathe were fascinated by the idea of adding movement to stamped images, so we looked at two ways of doing this for our September project. One method involves touching down and then dragging the stamp; the other relies on a series of images stamped without re-inking. It's not quite as easy as it looks, but it sure is fun playing around with these effects!

By now there are numerous examples of the faux brad technique on the blog, but this time I added a stamped pattern before I punched them out and coated them with Crystal Effects. A tweak here and there keeps the work fresh, don't you think?!

And for those of you paper savers, note that on the second example I have used a double row of 1/4" strips of cardstock to echo the stripes so often found on team uniforms. I just happen to have soccer-crazy nephews who have birthdays every year... -Kathy

Angry Bird Birthday

2011-09-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hello again,

I made this card for a co-worker's birthday who's addicted to Angry Birds and is playing it on his phone any chance he gets. I've not played the game myself (probably a good thing...) but I hear it's all the rage! Happy Birthday Justin!

Monique.

All materials are Stampin' Up!

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Paper: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive, and Daffodil Delight. Certainly Celery and Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Word Window, Scalloped Oval, Large Oval, Owl Builder, Various Circles and Boho Blossoms punches; linen thread.

Autumn Days

2011-09-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hey there,

This is a 'just because' card I made for my hunny. Earned me a foot rub! :) Think I'm going to have to make a few more!

Monique.

All materials are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Autumn Days
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Handsome Hunter (retired)

Ink: Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke and Versa Mark

Stampin' Write Markers: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke and Handsome Hunter (retired)

Accessories: Linen Thread, Mini Polka dot Texturz Plate

Holiday Mini is HERE!

2011-09-02T09:32:00.002-05:00

Good Bye to Summer and bring on the Holiday Mini!

Love Those Demonstrators!!

2011-08-25T19:11:00.004-05:00

It has become a much-anticipated tradition that the group of demonstrators I hang with stages a "mini-conference" each August. We all create a project for the others to do, and go home with a dozen or more great ideas/samples for the price of one! Not to mention, there is a super pot luck lunch, lots of laughter, and chocolate. Now, don't you wish YOU were a demonstrator, too?! (You could be, you know - just talk to me about that secret longing...)

This is the card I prepared to share with the group. I wanted to highlight the fact that Stampin' Up! is an international company, and many of our stamps are available in Spanish and French as well as English! Sooo, here is the marvelously elegant My Friend stamp set in French, stamped in black craft ink on River Rock CS. We used En Francais with Versamark Ink for some background visual texture. The sentiment is also stamped in craft on River Rock - give it plenty of time to dry before you "fussycut" that thing, or for some deep shine try embossing the foliage and the sentiment with black embossing powder. For a little zing, I introduced some Cajun Craze "lace" made with the new Lace Ribbon Border Punch - takes just half a strip per side. The card base is Basic Black, and the technique for the faux brads can be found in the Noember 18, 2009 post. Inside, we masked off part of a stamp from the On Your Birthday set for a more general sentiment. The foliage is stamped again in Versamark, and the corners are nipped with the Ticket Corner Punch.

It's pretty simple, but striking, don't you think? Stay tuned for more samples using this set - I can just feel that it's going to be a favorite! Kathy

Olathe Stamp Club - August 2011

2011-08-25T18:57:00.005-05:00

I promised the girls in Olathe that I'd tell them the secret to instant weight loss. They got really excited - especially when they each mastered it for themselves in the space of an hour! We worked with sponges and layering and drop shadows using markers and multiple colors on solid stamps and masks. The really great thing is that these techniques can be applied equally to card-making and scrap booking, and use only basic tools & supplies that almost everyone has in their arsenal.

Just think how much less cards and scrap book pages would weigh if they could be completed with a single layer of paper - without giving up visual interest! -Kathy

Summer at the Shore

2011-08-11T22:05:00.006-05:00

Couldn't resist posting a handful of pix from our time in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in late July. The first shot is from the dock at our quirky little cabin, about eight feet from the lake shore! Isn't it breathtaking?! Of course we saw lighthouses (picture #2 is a lens for a light), and we discovered the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the southern tip of Lake Superior. The colors you see are from minerals that leach into the groundwater and leak out the edges of the cliffs. On the way home, we paused in Hayward, Wisconsin, for the International Lumberjack Competition. These guys are in the air about 90 feet, preparing to "freefall" to mats at the bottom of the poles as fast as they can to shave seconds off their time. Hooooo-eee. Just one of a number of things I will likely never feel compelled to do. It was fascinating to watch.

Here's wishing each of you time to watch a sunset or plan an experience just outside the familiar. -Kathy

Katelyn's Bouquet

2011-08-03T06:00:00.002-05:00

Katelyn is the niece of one of my stamp club members. She paid a visit to the studio while she was here, and I showed her the peeled paper flowers. Before long, she had completed almost 40 of them, using just about every color under the rainbow. Isn't this a sight for sore eyes at a time of year when the heat is leaching the color out of just about everything else in the landscape?!

Good job, Katelyn! You certainly met the challenge for the month of using these flowers in a new context. -Kathy

Lawrence Stamp Club - August 2011

2011-08-01T21:00:00.001-05:00

I was excited when the hostess for club this month requested we use a letterpress plate, since I just hadn't got round to trying them out yet (although I have used some of the texture plates in a similar manner). The project I designed uses the new Fancy Fan design, which I inked in white craft before printing onto Calypso Coral. These plates emboss slightly while transferring the ink to the paper. It's just like helping my dad on the little printing press he used to use for engraved invitations!

Atop some Little Leaves sizzlet shapes in Certainly Celery is a collection of soft punched and "peeled" flower clusters on the right, accented with Basic Pearls. The sentiment is from Word Play, with a card base in Poppy Parade.

Enjoy what blooms remain in you garden this month. -Kathy

August Promotion -Buy 3, Get 1 FREE

2011-08-01T13:04:00.001-05:00

Buy 3 Packs of the New Designer Series Paper and GET 1 FREE!

Sale is only through these dates August 1-31, 2011

Spice Up Your Embosing

2011-07-27T06:00:00.002-05:00

I discovered heat embossing early on in my stamping career, and fell instantly in love with it! It's still my favorite "wow" technique, giving me a thrill each time I watch those granules change from tiny colored grains into a smooth, shiny image.

As with many things, I bought all kinds of brands and types of powders before I learned to simplify! How to store this collection efficiently when only two were alike to begin with? I saw an idea somewhere for putting the powders into spice jars. I commented at stamp club one evening that I was looking for a wall-mount spice jar rack, and my friend Lori came bringing me this from a garage sale a couple of months later. I LOVE IT. Most of the colors I had accumulated just got dumped into the spice jars, and I ran lid labels onto Whisper White and punched them out. A couple of the jars had lids missing. Amazing as it seems, the lids from the SU! embossing powders fit perfectly, completing my set.

Want to learn from my mistakes as you start out? Here's what you need to know when you can't find anyone to ask in the craft store aisles:

When you first begin to heat emboss, invest in a good quality heat gun. Tool temperatures can vary by as much as 300 degrees, and you don't want to be disappointed because your powder won't melt! Be sure the metal tip of the gun is not exposed so you avoid burns (it's hotter than your curling iron, gals!). It's also nice to have a tool that comes with a guarantee - think Stampin' Up! here. This is an investment for the long haul, not worth the "savings" when you have to buy two or three cheaper heat guns over the same period of time that one quality tool will last.

Next, you'll need a way to stick the embossing powder to the paper until you can melt it. Here's where the amazing VersaMark ink comes in. It remains tacky for about 10 minutes, giving you plenty of time to work.

Of course, you'll need some embossing powder. Did you know it comes in three grades? Fine or "detail" is good for those really delicate images, medium (most readily available and not usually labeled as to grade), and thick/heavy (sometimes used for an overall coating, such as the clear "Glassy Glaze" which makes such an interesting cracked or stained glass effect). A one ounce jar will last...and last...and last! To keep your powder true to color, make sure you shake it into a clean receptacle to return it to the original container.

Top Secret Tip: You do not need one of every color embossing powder. You need black, white, metallics (including Ver-de-gris if you like that), and clear. This is true with very few exceptions and simplifies things so much! Here's what to do: Coat your stamp with Versamark. Next, stamp into the classic ink color you want your embossed image to appear. Now stamp onto your cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat set. Your finished image will appear to be whatever color ink you used! This saves you so much space and $$! And it will not damage your ink pads (just be sure to clean your stamp before you put it on the Versamark again).

An embossing buddy isn't essential to the actual process of heat embossing, but you'll be especially glad you have one in the winter or if your crafting space is carpeted. It's a little bag filled with a powder that cuts static electricity, which can cause rogue granules to stick to your project where you don't want them! This little gizmo will save you lots of time and angst and ensure a clean, clear finished image with just a simple swipe across your card stock before you stamp the image.

Speaking of those receptacles. I started with flexible paper plates. These work okay, and it's what I could afford at first after I bought the above. You can just fold the plate in half to create a channel and send those unused granules back into the jar for the next time. However. Once the plate has uncooperatively "popped" on you a couple of times, showering embossing granules all over you and your work area, you may want to rethink the decision to purchase a set of the Powder Pals. Their shape helps control the flow of the powder, and the little removable plugs in the narrow end let you keep control of what falls out, when!

Finally, I keep a couple of tiny paint brushes and a larger brush (for cleaning my work area) nearby. The small brushes work well if I want to remove embossing powder granules from part of the image before heat setting.

Hope you find this helpful as you work with this very rewarding technique! -Kathy

Butterfly Ring Notepad

2011-07-26T06:37:00.006-05:00

Stamping supplies:

Asst. Stampin’ Up Card Stock

Rose Red Ink

Stampin’ Up! Sponges

Background Texturz Plate

Basic Black 1-1/4” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Blushing Bride -½” Stitched-Poly Ribbon

Marina Mist 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon
Basic Pearls Jewels
Glue Dots

*Sticky Notepad

*Ring Clip

Pennants & Fun Folds

2011-07-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today I have a couple of examples from a recent swap with other demonstrators for you.

The first showcases the new Petite Pennants Builder punch and mini clothespins that you'll find in the 2011-12 IB&C. Thanks, Deloris!

The second is called a "center step" card/fold. I think it makes a great presentation for a little piece of cardstock - wouldn't it showcase a photo or some really nice watercoloring well? This is the quick version, letting some beautiful DSP do the work for you (Beyond the Garden). The new Four Frames stamp set guides the eye to the sentiment. Good choice, Lily - I'm a bit of a "fun fold junkie" and I'd never seen this one before.

Be inspired! I sure was... -Kathy

Corraling the Small Stuff

2011-07-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

When Ginny turned twelve, she began to sort through the accumulation of childhood and toss. Beads, barrettes, buttons, feathers, "jewels", shells, bits of ribbon and string, little flowers and lots of miniature items once deemed suitable for beanie baby tea parties. Both the sentimentalist and the recycler in me were horrified (and somewhat envious of her ability to simply let go). Much of it did make it into the trash, but I intercepted a number of things and then of course I had to answer the question, "Now what?!"

Any storage system is only as good as your ability to retrieve an item when you need it! I followed four guidelines:
1. I would use storage containers I already had.
2. With so many tiny things, I needed to be able to see them.
3. I decided to sort by color as the most likely way to find what I would need in future.
4. I must be able to easily add new items to the collection so that I could remain organized!

These canning jars have worked beautifully for me, pints in the front row, quarts in the back. In the end I eliminated the lids I had originally envisioned using, to remove one more step to getting at/putting away the collection. I can easily see if I'm running low on a color or need to stop collecting a particular color for awhile.

Hope this sparks an idea for conquering some of your storage/retrieval challenges. -Kathy

Birthday Florets

2011-07-19T06:00:00.002-05:00

Can't say enough about the Fabulous Florets set! Here's a classic black and white composition (the card base is black, hard to tell against the black background) "popped" with a single red flower. The simplicity is the strength of this design, as well as alternating between outline and solid images.

Watch for more samples using this set in upcoming posts! -Monique

It's a Wrap!

2011-07-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

My youngest daughter just had a birthday, and my oldest created this gift presentation for her. I thought you deserved to see it!

The base is the carrier carton for a particular beverage (cool brand graphics remain visible on the other side). It's hand embellished with Sharpie, then four vinyl records have been adhered. These are decorated with SU! rub-ons. A couple of key tags concealing the hole in the center 45s mask a ring dangling there. Chocolate bars are adhered to the outer two discs, and jars of various items (two also featuring rub-on decor) are strategically placed. I love the way you can get just a little idea of what the gifts might be but full disclosure requires further investigation... There is also a fabric-covered bundle enhanced with a feathered hair clip and a couple of chicken feathers donated by this years' young hens (so okay, my daughter prefers non-traditional pets. Raise your hand if you're surprised?!).

The entire thing became the center piece for the dinner table, and it was such a fun and interactive way to present an assortment of little items while recycling. Maybe I'll get something like it in a couple of months?! -Kathy

Lawrence Stamp Club - July 2011

2011-07-13T13:00:00.002-05:00

We continued with the "embellishments" theme at the Lawrence club, using these little gathered ribbon flowers and some knot stitches (like candlewicking, if you happen to remember that Colonial revival craft from the '80s!) with Baroque Motifs to replicate the look of the morning glories in my yard!

I also taught them the peeled flower in the last post so that I could issue the same challenge of creating a project to showcase the embellishment - can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! I'll be making a very special reward for those that meet the challenge... -Kathy

Olathe Stamp Club - July 2011

2011-07-12T20:17:00.004-05:00

Look what's blooming in Olathe, Kansas! (Carnations, chrysanthemums, dahlias...? Choose your color and change your flower!)

The gals voted this month to have me show them a variety of embellishments that could be used on cards, scrap book pages, or 3D projects, and these peeled paper beauties were a favorite out of the half dozen or so that we tried.

I left them with the challenge of designing the perfect project to go around the embellishment - now, how's that for a reversal of roles?! -Kathy

2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog

2011-07-02T20:40:00.006-05:00

Click Here to Look!!

Stripz: Tear into it!

2011-07-01T06:00:00.002-05:00

With Independence Day just around the corner, I'm posting another quick idea for using up those long, narrow scraps - tear 'em! Here's a quick representation of the flag on a 3x6" card. I've punched out large and small stars (lightly sponging the edges of the stars for a dimensional look) and thrown in some mylar sequins for a little bling. Miss getting the star punch? Check out the star die for the Big Shot on p.220 of the new Stampin' Up! catalog. It's got several sizes of stars just perfect for this project. That's it - super simple! Plenty of time left to enjoy the fireworks. -Kathy

Listing Thanks: Notepad Project

2011-06-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Toward the end of May I was asked to facilitate a women's retreat drawn from the material in a book I have referenced before, 1,ooo Gifts: A Dare To Life Life Fully Right Where You Are. There were several activities, but of course there had to be stamping! And it needed to reinforce the theme of the book, which is the essential practice of giving thanks, of learning to see all the good gifts around us from a great God. These little notepads were perfect, requiring just some scraps of patterned paper and a button, but with several different options for assembly.

These little jewels are just right for slipping in your purse or pocket, and can be used for many types of lists. Make up a stash of them to have on hand for yourself or for giving friends. The notepads are available via internet from Papertrey Ink. -Kathy

Birthday Pop-up

2011-06-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a peep at a card that my youngest daughter made for her very best friend's birthday. It's a pop-up, so the figures stand out from the background when the card is opened, but fall on their faces when it's closed. The bunnies crack me up! In case you wondered, the figures do look like the girls they represent, and it's all original art. Good job, Ginny! -Kathy

Stripz: Collected Ideas

2011-06-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've been cleaning out the bulging paper scrap packets in the studio lately - those of you who know me well know what a painful process this is for me. I had decided I was going to be really hard on myself, and throw away those fistfuls of half-inch strips that somehow accumulate... and of course immediately I needed a bunch of them and they weren't there!! So I decided instead that I would collect ideas that specifically use those half-inch scraps. And, I thought I'd share the results with you. I'll post something on this theme every couple of weeks for awhile, until I feel satisfied that I've accumulated the majority of good ideas in one place. From this point on, you can find them all together by clicking on "Stripz" in the sidebar.

I'm going to begin by revisiting a card I made using 1" strips of DSP as the background, because it also features the star punch which is retiring June 30th. I like the fact that this card can be used for Independence Day or simply as a nautical theme for a guy or kid birthday... or anyone who enjoys sailing or is a Veteran. I've made the sentiment general, too - on the small star beneath the word "celebrate" it's just possible to pick out the word "YOU".

Simply collect together a fistful of likely-looking strips. Sponge the leading edges (in this example I used Night of Navy to sponge red and white patterned papers). Cut a piece from a scrap of card stock slightly smaller than your card base. Glue all your strips onto this piece, overlapping slightly and allowing them to hang over the edges. When it's covered, flip it over and use the edges of the CS to trim against. Ta da! An interesting background that uses up loads of those little strips. -Kathy

Stamp Club June 2011

2011-06-22T05:58:00.000-05:00

We did an "explosion card" at both stamp clubs this month. They're so much fun! The fold is deceptively simple, with the surprise on the inside. Guys and kids especially love 'em, and you can attach banners and all sorts of things that move to enhance the "wow factor". Our two-sided designer paper is the perfect weight for the inside sheet - both sides show as the card pops up. -Kathy

Anchors Aweigh!

2011-06-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Monique and I fell hard for this nautical paper in the SU! Summer Mini catalog, but she beat me to the draw in making it into a fabulous card! Note the baker's twine, which is all cotton so it easily ties and holds a knot or bow... and you could dye it if you wanted.

The summer mini is in effect through the end of August, and many delightful products will become unavailable when it expires, so take a look if you haven't yet (there's a handy-dandy link to the left).

See you on the high seas... Kathy (for Monique)

Lots of Luminaries

2011-06-20T06:00:00.009-05:00

I wanted to share with you some wonderful swaps I received at a demonstrator meeting last week. The challenge was for each of us to make a luminary, and we could interpret the details from there. As usual, this creative group of ladies came up with loads of lovely ideas, as you can see above. Amazing what you can do with a little paper, vellum, and ink! I'm sure I don't need to say this, but I will: these are not designed for use with open flames! We had the little battery-operated LED tealights, and they even flicker.

Mine is the green one shaped like a rocket ship. It's made from three 4" squares of card stock, each scored once on the diagonal, then folded and glued. I got the idea from http://stephaniejomayne.blogspot.com/2009/05/pyramid-card-tutorial.html

Just be sure if you're overlapping two layers, that you punch your holes before you glue them together - punches don't like to go through two layers at once! I made a quick little template from scrap cardboard to ensure that I'd get the punch in the same spot every time. I ran some scraps of cardstock vellum through the big shot to emboss the poppies, then used a sponge dauber to give some quick color "inside the lines" from the back to add a bit of interest. I glued the vellum between my layers of CS as I was assembling the luminary, solving the difficulty of adhering vellum and making them neat and pretty. I eliminated the tucked slit on this project because they didn't need to be mailed, and simply glued everything.

Hope you'll take the time to sit outside some evening soon with twinkling luminaries and fireflies and stars in the summer sky. -Kathy

Retirement Stamp-a-Stack 2011

2011-06-19T17:00:00.000-05:00

Did you miss out on the chance to whip up some of these quickie cards? Each year as Stampin' Up! retires some sets to make room for new ones, Lori and Monique and I create a selection of cards that you can assemble in about 10 minutes each - and at the bargain price of just $1 each! Most of them can be modified to fit several occasions (based on your needs) simply by altering the sentiment stamp,

We have a few sets of materials remaining, so if you missed out on Saturday's session, give me a holler and we'll see if we can set up a time for you to make your very own. -Kathy

Easter Retrospective

2011-05-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

This "Bunny Brigade" marched through my mother's house back about Easter Sunday... she enjoys cute things and making a little something for the grandkids, so I try to come up with some projects we can share. She kept asking where they came from?!

I found some "To Go" drink mix packets you can add to bottled water. We wrapped them in typing paper, then punched out feet and all the rest. You could attach cotton ball tails to the back side. Aren't their expressions hysterical? -Kathy

Tiles Two: Another Technique

2011-05-18T06:00:00.006-05:00

This series of tiles is created using craft inks and clear embossing powder. The tiles are then baked in the oven - if you try using your embossing gun, it will take you forever and a day, as the tile absorbs and equalizes the heat faster than the embossing powder melts. I was very pleased with the range of color I achieved, the "painterly technique" I tried on the second example, and the fact that this technique works equally well on glazed and unglazed tiles. The first and third examples are 6x6", but the second tile measures 12x12". If you wanted to do coasters, I suggest the 4x4". -Kathy

Olathe Stamp Club - May 2011

2011-05-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

The hostess for this month in Olathe has been waiting since the first of the year to learn this technique! We stamped on 6x6" tiles with a permanent ink and then added color with chalk pastels. I also pioneered a new technique that I haven't seen elsewhere using the amazing Versamark ink to create subtle background images. Of course we sealed everything to protect the pastels. This is a very effective approach - those of you who have visited the studio know that there is a row of tiles created in just this way that are installed in the shower at about head height (didn't want them exposed to TOO much water and cleanser). They're holding up fine, and all without baking or other heroic measures.

The first tile had some amazing texture and color variations, which I tried to incorporate into the design. The second and third were very plain to begin (although they did have some dirt stains that wouldn't come out - I stamped right over them!), so all the color you see has been added with the pastels.

I'll be posting a few more examples of tile art soon - it's such fun that it's addictive, especially when you shop for your tiles at the Habitat ReStore. Tiles for just 25 cents! What a great hostess gift, whether as a trivet, or a presentation base for a bottle of wine or a candle. These also make nice pieces of semi-permanent artwork when displayed on an easel. -Kathy

Mortarboard Gift Card

2011-05-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

Seems like they come in waves: babies, weddings, graduations... This year is one of those graduation waves in my world. I've seen this little card on several sites and made my own modifications. It always gets good reviews from folks who see it up-close-and-personal, so I am making them en masse and simply changing out the colored card stock to represent the school colors for each recipient. The mini tassels are a craft store find; buttons from my stash attached with pop-up glue dots, which also hold the tassel in place.

The inside pocket can contain cash/check, gift card, or even the graduates' information if you want to use them as announcements.

Want to learn how to make them yourself? I'll be demonstrating this project at work night in the studio on May 19. Come join in the fun! -Kathy

Lawrence Stamp Club - May 2011

2011-05-09T08:41:00.005-05:00

Of course we had to do something with flowers! I got to pick the topic this month, and I chose to use the gorgeous new "Flower Garden" embossing folder from the summer mini catalog, paired with the faux mother-of-pearl technique and a little trick we've used before about adding color to the embossing plate itself... Despite the number of techniques layered together, it was still a quick card!

Sentiments are from the Word Play set, which I've been drooling over for months now. Patience has its rewards! ;o) Inside, it says "Worth the Wait". I thought this would make a nice wedding OR anniversary card. -Kathy

Organization: Stamp Index

2011-05-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hi friends. I thought I'd share a quick idea today about keeping your stamps together. If you're still working with the wood mounted sets, take just a moment before assembling to photocopy the sheet of decals. Trim it and adhere to the inside of your case with snail adhesive or glue dots. This way, when you're working with friends or cleaning your space in a hurry, you have a visual reference so that you know exactly what stamp goes in what case! Much easier than having to find it in the catalog to doublecheck...

Of course, if you've transferred your allegiance to the clear mounted stamps, there is already a visual index on both front and spine. Now isn't that convenient?! -Kathy

Waterfall Bear

2011-05-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

When I was preparing for the April stamp club in Olathe, I kept thinking of all the great waterfall cards I could make with this or that stamp set. I'm stashing this one in my birthday card box for my brother, whose birthday is on the 4th of July - I know I won't have time to make it then! I've just collage stamped images from Under the Stars for my background paper, and I'll add a note at the top of the pull tab something to the effect "Hope your birthday is..."

Included a couple of shots of what the card looks like as you keep pulling, but really, you need to see it work. If you haven't, drop in at a work night sometime and I'll show you how it goes. -Kathy

New Catalog and Carryover Flyer

2011-05-02T12:42:00.003-05:00

Click on Catalog to See all the New Products!

Did you forget to order something from the last Mini Catalog?
Click to see if Stampin' Up! still has it in stock!

Pocket Silhouettes

2011-05-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

As promised, here are a couple more examples of how you might use Pocket Silhouettes. As you can see, the images can easily be featured individually or in a group, and lend themselves to unlimited color combinations (although I must confess that Not Quite Navy with Old Olive is my personal favorite). Both use ribbon in a very similar way, but it's interesting how different the overall look can be.

Thanks to fellow demo Lisa for prepping the pieces for the second card design as we worked with this set one afternoon. -Kathy

Olathe Stamp Club - April 2011

2011-04-27T06:00:00.003-05:00

The Olathe hostess for April fell in love with waterfall cards, and I can certainly understand why... it's not everyday you find a card that can do somersaults! Guys and kids are especially impressed with these. You can find a nice little review tutorial at dawn griffith waterfall card.

To make a landscape background, we used the branch from Easter Blossoms, the humming bird from Elements of Style, and - did you recognize it? - Pocket Silhouettes for the foliage along the bottom. If you thought you noticed a bit of shimmer there as well, you're correct - I demonstrated the faux mother-of-pearl technique using Stampin' Up's versatile Shimmer Paint on glossy cardstock. It adds just the right amount of subtle shine. IMHO, of course! -Kathy

Lawrence Stamp Club - April 2011

2011-04-26T15:58:00.005-05:00

Our hostess for April asked if we could do two things: First, focus on ways to use the stamp set "Pocket Silhouettes"; and second, create some thank you cards to make available to cancer patients. So we made three cards this month.

The first example uses a quick template created with a punch and a scrap of chipboard to anchor the images in a patch of color applied directly to the card. These single-layer cards are so quick to whip out that we made two, one to keep and one to give away.

We also made the card in the second photograph (using buttons in place of grommits), adding a bit of layering in different colors to give it another look entirely.

Stay tuned and I'll post a couple of additional examples of cards made with this very versatile set.

-Kathy

Sale-a-brate 2011: Vintage Look

2011-03-28T12:05:00.003-05:00

Anyone else wearing mittens today?! It's a real shock to my system as I just returned from Dallas, where the Arboretum was awash in blooming tulips, pansies, azalea, rhododendron, fuschia, dogwood, redbud... and the temperatures reached nearly 80 degrees. Well, go figure.

I'm posting one last example made with Sale-a-bration products. This was a birthday card for my daughter, and it was supposed to look "vintage 50s". What do you think? The polka-dot DSP sure seems to me to fit, and the big button... as to the rest, at least the message made it through and that's the most important thing!

I do especially like the button extending a bit beyond it's usual limitations. You'll find that most envelopes have a bit of extra space that gives you the freedom to design "outside the box!" Just remember to measure... -Kathy

P.S. Remember that Sale-a-bration ends March 31. If you like free merchandise, don't let this deadline slip by you!

Ribbon Cupcake Box

2011-03-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Isn't this just adorable?! They make me want to stick out my finger and take a swipe. I saw them on Sandy MacIver's blog (where you can find a link with printable instructions) and had to make my own version, using a juice lid instead of a paper lid (the holes punch easily with your crop-a-dile or paper piercer, hammer and mat pack). I also doubled the cupcake liner for sturdiness.

I am imagining these for table decorations or favors at a baby/bridal shower, filled with candies, girlie hair stuff, safety pins, potpourri... whatever seemed appropriate to the recipient. They're surprisingly quick to make, especially if you get set up in an assembly line fashion with several sets of hands busy.

Calorie-free cupcakes, how about that! -Kathy

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Paper: card stock to match your ribbon
Accessories: Big Shot and Perfect Setting die; Elegant Lines embossing folder; 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon; coordinating 5/8" satin ribbon; scrap of 3/8" taffeta ribbon; linen thread; coordinating Big Designer Button; needle and thread; clean metal juice concentrate lid; cupcake liners

Olathe Stamp Club - March 2011

2011-03-21T08:17:00.004-05:00

My hostess for this month in Olathe saw some bookmark cards (see post from November 3, 2010) and decided she wanted to do that for this month's project. I changed them a bit for spring, featuring some two-step floral sets (Greenhouse Garden and Flower Fancy) and used an alcohol and reinker technique on shimmery white CS for a little something different.

If you haven't tried this layout yet, what are you waiting for? It's super simple and lends itself to a variety of techniques (you could even use DSP for the background square). -Kathy

Fun Fold Challenge

2011-03-19T13:02:00.008-05:00

The March challenge for our 'Cool n' the Gang' Demo Group was to create a card using a fun fold technique. There are a lot of great ideas out there online, but I came upon one that had and angle fold instead of the traditional horizontal or vertical fold and thought I'd give it a try. I tweaked the original idea a little bit and this is my finished product. Hope you like!

Thanks for stopping by!

Materials: All materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Paper: Whisper white, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Grey, Pretty in Pink Patterned DSP.

Ink: Black Staze On, VersaMark, Pretty in Pink and Rich Razzleberry.

Stamp Set: A Slice of Life, Short and Sweet and Background Basics.

Punches: Scallop Edge Border, Boho Blossoms, Scallop Oval, Oval Large, and Modern Label.

Ribbon: Basic Grey and Rich Razzleberry Taffeta.

Misc.: Stampin' Dimensionals and Silver Brads.

Lawrence Stamp Club - March 2011

2011-03-18T22:14:00.006-05:00

We made these little chests using the "Faux Metal" technique I taught at stamp club this month. Aren't they darling?! My original idea was that they would be a sort of "story chest". I read this in a book - a grandmother put a selection of small items in a chest and whenever her grandkids visited her, they would be allowed to select one item from the collection and she would use it as the springboard for a story, either imaginary or about her life/childhood. We did a little brainstorming, and they'd also be perfect for office miscellania (paper clips, tacks, push pins, erasers, stamps), presentation of Hershey nuggets, jewelry, buttons, baby hair thingies, spices, garden seeds... you take it from here.

Oh, notice how all the drawer pulls on the 2nd sample are different (way to go, Jsca!)? I'll be showing you an organizational tip in a day or two that makes it easy to retrieve such a variety of objects.

The drawers are made from the matchbox die, and for chipboard I've attached my "faux metal" card stock to cereal box cardboard using that amazing Tombow multi-purpose adhesive. -Kathy

Sale-a-brate 2011: Birthday Bliss

2011-03-07T01:16:00.005-06:00

As promised, here is an entirely different look using the same stamp set and card fold as the pink Mother's Day card.

Here, I've used a black base and a single element from the "Bliss" Sale-a-bration set. On the back panel of the card, I stamped repeatedly in Versamark and clear embossed. On the front fold, I evenly spaced rows of sticky strip, covered these with clear embossing powder, and heat embossed. The focal piece on the front was stamped in Versamark, then gold embossing powder was applied. This was matted with brushed gold CS.

I cut the sentiment panel slightly smaller than the front panel. Stamping in Versamark here creates a subtle image behind the sentiment, which is applied in black craft (be sure to let your craft ink dry thoroughly before adhering). A couple of Vintage Brads finish off the look.

I think this card looks very masculine (it would make a very elegant wedding/anniversary card, too). Isn't it amazing what a slight shift in color can do?! -Kathy

Sale-a-brate 2011: Mother's Day Bliss

2011-03-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

I like cards with unexpected folds, so my next project using Sale-a-bration materials was to try out this simple variation on a standard sized card. The "Bliss" stamp set was the first one that caught my eye (those of you who know me well will not be surprised!), and I decided to pair it with a color I don't often use - pink - because this designer paper (also a Sale-a-bration option) was just so lovely. I've added some dimension using a product called Crystal Effects, as well as by cutting out one of the butterflies from the set.

Watch for a totally different look (very formal/masculine) using the same fold and stamp set in the next post! -Kathy

Sale-a-brate 2011: Tulip Time

2011-03-05T23:18:00.005-06:00

I took time earlier this week to play with some of the goodies available through the Sale-a-bration promotion going on just now at Stampin' Up! Here's the first project, using an oval punch on the limited edition DSP and the "Sweet Summer" set. I've decorated the envelope and the inside of the card with the same elements.

Hope you're planning to place a qualifying order ($50) before March 31 so that you can attend the free class and make one of these for your very own - it's a cinch to put together and I think it's a design you'll return to time after time using different materials! -Kathy

Secret Club - But You Can Join

2011-03-02T20:00:00.001-06:00

Passwords.
Insider trading.
Giggles at the lunch table.
Preferential treatment.
Luxury business trips and tax deductions.

Yup, I bet you guessed: The life of the Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

I was thinking about what fun I have as I gloated over the projects I acquired at our last day-long "conference" (samples above). Always something new to learn, someone to praise your work, someone to cheer you on to your goals. I tell people that I became a demonstrator because it was a way to put something I love - paper crafts - on my calendar. I'm the kind of person who would feel I had to wipe out the refrigerator or sweep the front steps rather than allow myself to get out paper and stamps. Don't get me wrong, a clean fridge is great! But I just never got around to what I really loved, and that wasn't good.

If you're realizing that you need some structure to do what you love and it happens to be paper crafting, talk to me about becoming part of this great group of gals. Your reasons and goals will change over time - the beauty of it is that being a demonstrator adapts to fit YOU.

Through the end of March there's an extra special opportunity: the starter kit is 15% off AND you get a bonus bundle filled with over $50 in free products. If you're curious at all, give me a call. 785.841.9211

-Kathy

I Want it All: Cuties Up Close

2011-03-01T16:05:00.006-06:00

Had to split the post when it became cumbersome, so this is just to give you close-ups and interior views. -Kathy

I Want it All: 3x6 Cuties

2011-02-28T13:37:00.005-06:00

I really like 3x6 cards. They're not so big that it's hard to get enough stuff on them to make them seem full, but not so small that you have trouble fitting anything. And if you're a scrapbooker, cutting your 12x12" sheets of paper into 6" squares gives you 4 card bases with zero waste!

But wait. This set of materials provides 8.5 x 11" card stock. Hey! Let's think outside the limits! I've cut a 6x11" length from one of my sheets of CS (the Naturals Ivory), then cut this in half, forming two 6" x 5.5" squares. Score these at the 3" mark to fold into 3x6" cards, with one side measuring just 2.5" x 6". This "short side" is going to form a "springboard for creativity", as I like to call situations that push you to work with something that didn't turn out the way you planned, or that isn't the way you've always done it before.

And by the way, the leftover strip is perfect for stamping sentiments and punching them out.

I cut 2x6" strips from a couple sheets of DSP. I also cut 1x6" strips from some coordinating DSP. These 1" strips I ran through the eyelet punch (beginning in the center and working to either end so that the punched design is centered on the strip), then glued them to the underside of the card front. Glue the coordinating 2x6" strip to the card front about 1/16" back from the original edge, so that you have a narrow strip of card base showing. Sponge edges of paper eyelet if desired.

Stamp your cover sentiment onto the leftover strip of Naturals Ivory CS and punch out. Remember to work from the back side of the punch, centering the opening over the sentiment so it's all nice and straight. Sponge edges. Use Stampin' Dimensionals to "pop it up" and adhere. Add a bow (I used 7" of seam binding tape for the red bow, and tied two 3" lengths together for the green one) or other dimensional element, adhering with a glue dot. Add 3-5 faux brads (see "Technique Tips-Faux Brads).

When I stamped a coordinating sentiment on the inside, I decided it would be fun to do a little something unexpected. I used the thin strip of DSP that was left from punching the 1x6" eyelet like an arrow to draw attention to the sentiment (sorry these are a bit fuzzy - tired eyes!).

That's it! Very simple, despite the length of the post. Just trying to show you everything you need in pictures and in words... close-ups of the individual cards to follow in the next post. -Kathy

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Sincere Salutations and Full of Life
Ink: Rose Red and Always Artichoke classic
Paper: Naturals Ivory CS, Springtime Vintage DSP
Accessories: 1/4" handheld, Eyelet Border and Decorative Label XL punches; Rose Red and Pear Pizzaz Seam Binding Tape; Tombow MultiPurpose liquid glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, glue dots; Crystal Effects

Spring 2011 Class Schedule

2011-02-23T21:51:00.002-06:00

I wanted to let you know about the upcoming classes I'll be holding at the studio:

Single Layer Simplicity ($12) Saturday, February 26, 9-11am. Perfect for beginners with few supplies and for those who like the elegance of simplicity. I'll be teaching you four ways to achieve a rich, dimensional look on a simple card base with no added layers of paper. These techniques transfer well to scrapbooking! You'll take home 8 cards, two each of four designs.

Asia Inspired VII ($18) Saturday, April 2, 9am-noon. If you appreciate serenity and art that's inspired by the natural world, you'll love the projects you'll make in this 3-hour class. Some will feature Stampin' Up! products, while others will incorporate materials collected in China or Japan for a truly unique and beautiful result. Five projects total.

"SAB for Free" (No charge!) Sunday, April 17, 3-5pm or Thursday, April 21, 7-9pm. Did you place a qualifying order ($50) during Sale-a-bration? (January 25-March 31) If so, you received a certificate in your order bag entitling you to attend this class as a gesture of appreciation from me! I'll provide all the materials for 3-4 cards and you can bet there will be some new tips and tricks in the mix. Just let me know which session you'd like to attend.

Say it with Flowers ($15) Saturday, April 30, 1:30-3:30pm. Whether you're looking for a fun mother-daughter activity, need a Mother's Day gift, or just want to make some lovely floral-themed cards for the ladies on your list, this class is designed for you. Six cards (two each of three designs) and two identical 3D projects.

Retirement Stamp-a-Stack (still just $1 per card!) Saturday, June 18, 10am-2pm. Every year at this time, it's "goodbye" to many favorites from the current catalog. We'll use several of these stamps and accessories to provide a selection of cards (including Father's Day) for you to recreate, in about 10 minutes each. Make as many or as few of each design as you wish. Materials cut and prepped for you - what a luxury!

If you'd like to participate or have questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

-Kathy (catalina_los_ojos@hotmail.com)

Olathe Stamp Club - February 2011

2011-02-21T06:00:00.001-06:00

If you thought to yourself that this card looked slightly familiar, you were right! Take a look at page 25 in the Occasions Mini Catalog, and you'll find my inspiration (SU! catalogs are a marvellous place to get ideas for projects!). Our hostess was interested in doing more with dry embossing using the Big Shot, so we used an embossing plate AND a couple of sizzlets that emboss and cut in a single pass through the Big Shot.

Note how the Newsprint DSP is stamped for some added color, drawing attention to the simple white "hi" embossed oval. And that striped grosgrain ribbon - you gotta love a product that does the work of ten all on its own!

Thinking green and growing, Kathy

Lawrence Stamp Club - February 2011

2011-02-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

We needed a little bit of spring last week, so the easel card I designed for the Lawrence ladies this month features birds and bees and warm colors! We used a technique called stampin' mist resist on the saffron background, and the colors were drawn from several designs in the wonderful Botanical Gazette DSP, with matching images from the Nature Walk stamp set. A single big designer button provides the "stop" that forms the easel effect.

Inside and out of sight at first glance, bees flit through the hand-written message.

Must have been right on schedule... it's supposed to reach 60 degrees this week! -Kathy

Gifts of Love

2011-02-14T21:43:00.004-06:00

I've been thinking a great deal of late about gifts of love - in fact, I'm "on safari" to find and record as many as I can. I've taken a dare to look for meaning in the moments of my life by counting to 1,000 on a list of things I love, simply by taking the time to see. These things I love are in fact gifts placed there for me by the One who loves me best, love made visible, and I have missed so many of them by walking through too many days on auto-pilot.

The way that geese never leave an injured friend alone.
The sweet-salty-crunchy-tang of Nutella on Ritz with fresh strawberry slices.
The titian color that blazes out of my youngest daughter's hair when the sun strikes it.
The way that music unifies my parts into momentary grace.
Words like frisible that sommersault off the tongue and make me laugh.
Friends who make the time to make a little something pretty just for me.

It turns your world around, this gratitude first approach to the moments. And it somehow anchors them in memory, keeps life from sliding through your fingers like so many grains of the sands of time. If this idea intrigues you, may I recommend to you the book

1,000 Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voscamp.

You could sample her writing style at www.aholyexperience.com.

Happy Valentine's Day. You are loved. Look! -Kathy

I Want It All! - Three 3x3s

2011-01-31T06:00:00.000-06:00

I decided that for my next set of projects with my "share", I'd make some little Valentines. You can get three little 3x3" cards (3x6" before folding) from a sheet of 8.5 x 11" and still have some scrap left over for future projects. You can ALSO get envelopes to fit, which makes this size ideal for little gift cards! And of course, there is the "cuteness factor" that automatically attaches to miniature things.

I chose to use the Rose Red sheet of CS, cutting a piece 6x9" as illustrated above. I scored down the center of this before cutting it into 3 pieces, each 3x6". Stick one edge of each card in the eyelet or scallop punch, so that the little strip of stripes will show.

From the stripes and rosebuds piece of DSP, cut a half inch piece off one side (work from the stripey side and pay attention to the direction the stripes are going!). Half of this will make two of the cards, so cut another half inch strip for your third card if you wish (you'll have a bit left over). Attach these about 1/8" inside the edge of the card, as shown, using the Tombow. Next, you'll need a strip 1 3/8" wide. When you've cut that, turn it into two pieces, each 2 3/4" in length. Attach these, rosebud side up, to the card fronts, as shown.

All Holidays provided the simple sentiment (what a great set, it covers so many occasions!), stamping with Rose Red classic ink onto a scrap of Naturals Ivory CS. I then used the large oval punch (work from the back to center the sentiment in the opening, then punch) and the scallop oval punch for a "mat" out of a corner of Perfectly Pear CS. I layered these together using Tombow Multi-purpose glue, then popped it on with Stampin' Dimensionals. Note that you can play a bit here, going vertical or horizontal, using roses or knots of seam binding tape (you can adhere either with glue dots or Tombow if you can leave them for a few minutes to dry) or even buttons.

Have fun tailoring to your tastes! -Kathy

F.Y.I.- Here to Stay Carry-Over Items

2011-01-26T09:31:00.001-06:00

F.Y.I.- Here to Stay Carry-Over Items

2011-01-26T09:28:00.002-06:00

Occasions Mini Catalog 2011

2011-01-26T09:15:00.002-06:00

Occasions Mini Catalog pdf

Sale-a-bration Catalog

2011-01-26T09:10:00.000-06:00

Sale-a-bration PDF

I Want It All! - Standard Sized Card

2011-01-25T23:00:00.010-06:00

Let's make a standard-sized 4.25 x 5.5" card to begin. Choose your base color and two coordinating sheets of designer series paper (DSP). I selected Always Artichoke and the papers you see here.

Begin by cutting a 2" strip from the side of the lighter piece of DSP. It will be 6" long, so cut a bit off so that you are left with a piece 2"x 4 7/8".

Cut a 3/8" strip from the darker DSP, and trim it to 5 1/4" long.

You will divide the Always Artichoke card stock in half, forming two pieces 5.5"x 8.5". Score one of these in half as shown to create a folded card 5.5 x 4.25". (Set the other piece of Artichoke aside for future projects.) Position card horizontally on work surface with hinge at top. Using Tombow Multi-purpose Adhesive, layer on lightest color as shown, placing the left edge of the strip against the left edge of the card. Note that the space below and at the end of the strip are equal. Next, layer on the darker strip just below half way.

Take a moment now to sponge color onto the edges of the card for some depth and interest. I used Not Quite Navy. Using the Tombow, position a large button near the right side of the narrow strip of DSP as shown. This can set as you complete the rest of the card.

On a scrap of Naturals Ivory card stock, stamp desired sentiment in Not Quite Navy classic ink. Work from the back side of the XL Decorative Label punch to center, and punch out. Sponge edges with Not Quite Navy. Punch two more shapes from coordinating scrap to form "mat". Assemble and affix with Tombow.

Finally, look on the remaining piece of light DSP for a large flower and two sets of leaves near an edge. Cut out using Paper Snips, leaving about 1/8" to 1/16" margin around elements to provide stability. Attach with Stampin' Dimensionals. If you are easily frustrated or don't really enjoy cutting with scissors, this step may be omitted.

Voila! You've just completed your first card using "Share" materials. Check back tomorrow for some "Three for One" Valentines. -Kathy

I Want It All! Spring Share System

2011-01-23T22:38:00.000-06:00

Has this happened to you?

A new catalog from Stampin' Up! arrives. You flip through the pages and start circling or turning down page corners. By the time you get to the back cover, you realize: You want it all!! One of everything, thank you very much. Then you start adding up the numbers...

I had seen some other demonstrators using a clever approach to this dilemma. They'd choose some items, see how they'd divide out, then invite that number of people to purchase a "share" of the items so that everyone could have some of all of it. I love this kind of thing, where in sharing... you actually get everything you want. So I decided to try it. I chose my favorite new products from the Spring Mini, divided by eight, and asked my stamp club ladies if they'd be interested. Between the two clubs, we had exactly the right number. So for just $13.00, including tax and shipping, a share provided:

6 sheets 6x6" Springtime Vintage designer paper (Mini p.15)
6 sheets 8.5 x 11" card stock in coordinating colors
3 Adornments Roses, 1 each color (Mini P.15)
3' each Baja Breeze, Rose Red and Perfectly Pear Seam Binding Tape (Mini p.16)
3 mini vintage tags (IB&C P.186)
4 big buttons, 1 each color (Mini p.16)
3 Antique Brads (IB&C p.187)
8 Bitty Buttons, clear, 2 each style (IB&C p.186)

I will be posting a series of ideas of what one might do with these materials, so check back often. And if you're not in a stamp club but you still want it all, watch for the next offer here at the blog or in your e-mail. -Kathy

Nature Walk

2011-01-22T16:53:00.006-06:00

I saw this card created my Lisa Young on the Stampin' Up website and thought it was so pretty.
Just my luck I had one piece of Marina Mist left, but no worries it looks great with Cajun Craze and Always Artichoke as well. Enjoy!

M.

Materials: All materials are Stampin' Up!
Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Early Espresso and Botanical Gazette DSP.
Stamps: Nature Walk.
Ribbon: Jute Thread.
Misc.: Button.
Ink: Early Espresso and Watercolor Crayons and Pencils.

Birthday Wishes

2011-01-21T08:00:00.002-06:00

Butterfly wishes for friends Birthday. Hope you had a great day Alex!
Monique

Materials: All materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.
Ink: Rose Red.
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, and Sweet Pea DSP.
Punches: Eyelet Border, Circle and Scallop Circle.
Ribbon: Old Olive Satin Ribbon.
Misc.: Butterfly Wings Embosslit.

Inspiration is Everywhere

2011-01-19T06:00:00.002-06:00

Customers sometimes ask where I get my inspiration. All over the place! From other demos, Stampin' Up! publications, blogs, magazines... even junk mail. It's just one more good reason to pay attention to the details of your life. This card started out as an ad for a computer manufacturer. I just liked the proportions and the way the "swirlycues" flipped from positive to negative. Hey, I thought, I could make that with our product line! So I ripped out the page and headed up to the studio.

An interesting thing often happens when you stamp in white craft on black. The white ink takes on or "reflects" the color nearby - especially if it's a light color. Here it seems to be blue, but I've seen it turn pink and yellow, too.

Technique Tip: When you want to feature a small image as your focal point, give greater visual weight to it by placing it in front of a punched "medallion". Here I've layered a white and a Bashful Blue circle to reinforce the color scheme of the card, and placed it behind the bird (which is attached with Stampin' Dimensionals).

And don't forget to give a little attention to the inside of your card. The impact is well worth your time! -Kathy

All Supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Elements of Style
Ink: Basic Black and Bashful Blue classic; White craft
Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue and Basic Black CS
Accessories: ticket corner punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches; Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive; Stampin' Dimensionals; narrow gingham ribbon (now retired)

January 2011 Stamp Club Project

2011-01-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

My friend and fellow demo Lisa made the first "circular rotation card" for a Christmas swap, and as I was showing it off one of my club members liked it so much that she chose it as the project she wanted me to teach this month. *I* like it so much, I'll be doing it for the gals in both my clubs! The two pieces of the card are cut out with the Big Shot, and then instead of being folded/attached at a "seam" as a traditional card is, the front and back are held together by a brad which allows the card to rotate open. We used those gorgeous Antique Brads and the new Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper (usually abbreviated DSP). And see the little bows? They're simply torn strips of the coordinating fabric in the mini catalog, tied with linen thread. Speaking of stamp club, I have just a few spaces in both the Lawrence and the Olathe groups. Let me know if you'd like to be part of the fun! -Kathy

September 2010 Stamp Club

2011-01-13T22:33:00.006-06:00

I fell in love with the "Black Magic" technique instantly. It is always striking, the colors "pop", and it's a great alternative approach to using your silhouette stamps. Here are a few examples of what we did at club this month - each person really tweaked the design to come up with their own signature style. I love teaching this stuff and seeing what you all do with it!! -Kathy

Tea & Sympathy

2011-01-12T23:19:00.004-06:00

I think I'm on a roll here... I'm loving this mixy-matchy vintage look and moreover I'm finding that I can cover an unexpectedly wide variety of occasions with the Greeting Card Kids stamp set! Here's a "get well" card with a hidden treasure teabag, the perfect way to send "tea & sympathy" through the mail! I've decorated a Crumb Cake envelope to match. No chance anyone will mistake this for a mass mailing! -Kathy

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids and Tiny Tags
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Crumb Cake classic (Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede and Bashful Blue for tinting); Black Staz-On
Paper: Naturals Vanilla and Basic Black CS; Love Letter DSP
Accessories: Petal Card die (sorry, this one's retired - but now there's an XL Petal Card handheld punch to try!); scallop and 1 3/8" circle punches; mini vintage tag; 1/4" black grosgrain ribbon