Birthday Card Stamp-a-Stack

It's a chilly night in Kansas and the mercury is dropping, but when I saw this it warmed my heart! Saturday is the Birthday Card Stamp-a-Stack at Idyllwilde Studios (10:00am-2:00pm), and Monique is way ahead of me designing her share of the cards! I've got a couple of young friends that will just love this plump little guy.

If you've never attended a stamp-a-stack before, here's how it works. We (Monique will be providing some of the designs) will have the pieces all cut and ready to go, so you can make as many of each design as you like - we're keeping production time to 10 or 15 minutes per card. The six birthday designs will cover cards for kids, men, and women, plus I'll have a thank-you card design made up in case you still need to send out a note of appreciation to holiday hostesses and gift-givers. (The thank-you card will feature a couple of the retiring stamps currently on the dormant list - these stamps will not be available after January 4th). You'll pay $1 per card for what you make (envelopes not included, although I have some on hand if you want to purchase them at cost).

A stamp-a-stack is a great way to prepare for the coming year. You know you always mean to have those cards ready ahead of time, but so often it turns into a last-minute scramble! Personally, I'm just going to have my birthday card box out and start stuffing it as I work! (If you weren't in stamp club last year to make this project, ask to see mine.)

Although I don't require advance payment nor registration for this event, it would be helpful if you could let me know that you'll be dropping by. I'll put the kettle on for you!

Kathy

Mice Treats

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

Paper: Whisper White and Summer Sun.

Ink: Real Red and Versa Mark.

Stamps: Best of Cluck and Winter Post.

Punch: Boho Blossom and Circle Scallop.
Ribbon: Red Gingham.

Misc.: Oreo, Chocolate Covered Cherry (with stem), Chocolate Kiss, Colored Frosting, Mousetrap and Curling Ribbon (non-Stampin' Up!).

Stinkin' Cute! That pretty much sums it up! Aren't these little guys so much fun! I wish I could claim the mouse treat idea as my own, but unfortunately it's not. Not sure where it originated but I 'cased' it from a reception we had at my church a couple weeks ago knowing I had to make it for the "Cool n' the Gang" girls.

So, not sure how I was going to package him up, I was trying to figure out how I picture mice when I think of them, and other then in heaven from a tasty meal of Decon, you guessed it, mouse traps! So after messing with it for a little bit, I noticed that the Oreo cookie fit perfectly on the end of the trap wedged in between the spring and the locking bar. Then I added a little ribbon and bow to dress him up and gave him a little cheese treat and voila!

Disclaimer: No mice were harmed or otherwise mistreated in the making of this blog... but a few were eaten! :)

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Monique.

Make Merry!

Materials: All materials are Stampin' Up!
Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery and Soft Suede.
Ink: Certainly Celery, Soft Suede and Real Red.
Stamps: Berry Christmas.
Punches: 1/2" Circle.
Ribbon: Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon 3/4".

Hello there,

This cute card also comes by way of the Stampin' Up Regional in Wichita. Except, it wasn't a swap but a card we as Demonstrators got to make. This set is only available for a short while longer (Jan. 4th) in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini. A quick and easy way to add color/texture to a card is to of course, add ribbon, and what a treat you get with this one as it's double sided. White stitched edging on one side and polka-dotted on the other. It's like two rolls for the price of one! Can't beat that! We also stamped a wreath on the envelope, always a nice way to let the recipient start appreciating the card even before it's open.

Thanks for visiting!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Blessings,

Monique.

A Cardinal Christmas Set Sampler - 5x5 in Blues

I love the fact that 5x5" and 3x6" cards will go for the same postage rate as the standard 4.25x5.5" card. Variety is the spice of life, as they say!

I embossed these guys in black on naturals cardstock, then colored with an Aqua Painter filled with denatured alcohol just as I did for the note pads (if you squish the ink pad against the lid before opening you'll have plenty of ink on the inside of the lid for watercoloring). Reminds me of being a kid and just coloring inside the lines... only better, because the ink flows so nicely and you can intensify colors with more layers and just play! Although the DSP is from last year, I included the card to give you an example of this set in a non-Christmas card.

You'll note some direct-to-paper action with the white craft pad, and a row of piercing that simulates yet another layer! I like the Curly Label punch parts just peeping out from behind. (I apologize for the photograph, I tried several times to get the color to show accurately but it just wouldn't!)

Remember to put some food out for our feathered friends today. You can watch them out your window so that when you watercolor them, you'll get it just right!

Kathy


All supplies Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas
Ink: Versamark, white craft (Real Red and Sage Shadow used for watercoloring)
Paper: Going Gray, Night of Navy, DSP; Whisper White scrap
Accessories: 1/4" Not Quite Navy grosgrain ribbon, 3 brads, Aquapainter, Paper-Piercing Tool and mat

A Cardinal Christmas Set Sampler - Post Card

Here's a quickie I designed for our "Christmas in July Stamp-a-Stack" just right for those of you who want to use the laser printer for your holiday message! Stampin' Up Whisper White and Very Vanilla will go through just about any printer, and if you have a way to feed straight through (without the rollers having to pull the paper around a roller) you can use the heavier weight naturals or colors for your project.

As you're setting up your message side, remember to leave room for an address! Once you've printed what you want, cut the card stock into quarters and stamp. This design uses the "ghost stamping" technique for a little added depth and interest (stamp fully inked, then stamp again without re-inking). I've also used the 1/4" punch for the red "berries" or faux brads... just attach with a dot of glue then add a dot of Crystal Effects on top and allow to dry.

No extra postage required!

Kathy


All Supplies Stampin' Up!

Paper: Naturals White CS (real red scraps)
Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas
Inks: Real Red, Always Artichoke classic
Accessories: 1/4" hand held punch, Crystal Effects

A Cardinal Christmas Set Sampler - Note Pad/Planner

In our next set sampler adventure, I want to introduce you to a group of images that's perfect not just for Christmas, but for bird and nature lovers in all seasons. It's called "A Cardinal Christmas", and for the next four days I'll be showing you a variety of projects made primarily with this set. I'll begin with one of my favorite things, a holiday organizer.

You can probably tell that I haunt the $ bins in various locations. The trick is to add that special handmade touch that takes your project out of the common way. When you add a cover and a pocket to this pad, you have a place for coupons if it's a grocery list; a place for stamps if it's a list of folks to whom you want to send Christmas cards; or a place for receipts in case of return if it's your gift list. I'm sure the possibilities are much more varied than my short list, but you get the idea.

The cover takes a single sheet of 8.5x11 card stock. Turn it on the horizontal, and trim it to the same height as your note pad. Beginning on the right, measure the width of the pad, and score a top-to-bottom line into your card stock measuring from the right edge. Now measure the thickness of the pad (the fingernail marker system is just fine!), and score a second line that distance from the first line. Finally, score a third line that represents the width of the pad (this is the top cover) once again. The left-over folds under, creating your pocket and a nice sturdy edge for your notebook. Use Sticky Strip to secure the pocket flap at top and bottom.

I heat embossed the cardinals onto naturals white CS and colored with an Aquapainter filled with denatured alcohol for clear, vivid color.

Don't forget to sign your name on the back - you've just created a work of art!

Kathy


All Supplies Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Paper: Real Red, Sage Shadow, Basic Black, Naturals White CS
Ink: Real Red, Sage Shadow classic; Black Craft or Versamark for embossing
Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas, Baroque Motifs (for you, Michelle!)
Accessories: (Note pad from local retailer) Sticky Strip, Tombow Multi-Purpose glue, Black embossing powder, Aqua Painter, Stampin' Dimensionals

A Cardinal Christmas Set Sampler

Here is a selection of items made with A Cardinal Christmas, a set that my sister (a fan of feathered things) purchased immediately on its release! I had at first thought that it might not work as well as some sets, having only two images and two sentiments, but I find myself borrowing it regularly! I love the fact that although "Christmas" is part of the title, there is nothing in the images themselves that limits it to the holiday.

There is one item that didn't make it into the photo of the group (lost somewhere in the media transfer, don't you just love the way that technology makes our lives easier?!), and I'll be starting my "close-up" posts with this mystery project tomorrow.

Stay tuned,
Kathy