Stamp with Me!

More New Stamp Sets!

My new stamps came Wednesday, and I didn't have time to play until today.  Sad, huh??

I dithered about this one.  I really like it, but had decided not to "pre-buy" any more hostess sets.  Now that they last a whole year instead of just six months, though....well, obviously, I gave in to the voices.

My first layer needs to be a little taller.  I think the crimped piece got stretched a little between the time I measured and the adhesive!

The images are stamped in StazOn on Whisper White, and I watercolored with stamp pads, markers and an aqua painter.  Then I used a VersaMarker and clear embossing powder over the flowers and dragonfly, and added glitter to the dragonfly with a 2-way glue pen.  Finally, I colored around the image (Bashful Blue and Crushed Curry) and then crimped.

After crimping, I sponged very lightly with Dusty Durango over the crimped "hills." 

Here's the complete list:
Stamp Set:  Asian Artistry
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Stampin' Write Markers:  Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Mellow Moss, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede; Bashful Blue, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pads; VersaMarker
Paper:  Whisper White, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay card stock; Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Accessories:  Aqua Painter, clear embossing powder, crimper, ticket corner punch, 2-way glue pen, dazzling diamonds glitter, stampin' sponges, wide oval punch, scallop oval punch, heat tool, stampin' dimensionals

I have a couple other cards I made today, but I'm going to try to space them out.  Last week started off so well with several blog days in a row, but then I dropped the ball.  So maybe this week you'll have more to look at!!

Later!

Back in the ice cream....

Sock Monkey sure loves his ice cream!  That's probably why he's such a favorite around here.  I have three ice cream lovers (four, if you count the dog) in this house, so we have to hide it from the monkey.  He found the chocolate mocha, though.

This was my second attempt at the watercolor pencils/sansodor watercoloring technique.  I actually used the right paper this time, and, you know what?  It does make a difference!  The colors blend so much better on Whisper White paper.

Here's the supply list -
Stamp sets:  Sock Monkey, Sock Monkey Accessories
Ink:  Basic Gray, So Saffron classic; Watercolor pencils; Going Gray Stampin' Write Marker; VersaMarker
Paper:  So Saffron, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  Ticket corner punch, crimper, Photo Corners punch, Crystal Effects, Fine Supernova glitter, clear embossing powder, heat tool, Basic Black grosgrain
Non Su! - Blending Stumps, Sansodor

I also scored along the waffle lines on the ice cream cone, but you can't tell.

So, I'm off to see if Mr. Sock left any ice cream for me.  Starbucks Mocha Java Chip is my fave!

This is supposed to be a gift.....

I hate it when I make something to give away, and then I don't want to give it because I really like it.  Like this notebook.  (I'm a notebook junkie.)

This is one of the art journals in the Stampin' Up! catalog.  It's 5x5", and the perfect size for card sketches and notes.  But, alas....I have to give it away.  *sigh*

It's kind of a hodgepodge of techniques.  I knew I wanted to use Smackin' Acetate for the cover.  Here's how to do it:

Take a transparency sheet and scribble on it with markers.  I used Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry.  Then spritz it with water.  When the colors are melded like you want, smack your paper down in the mess.  It looks really neat, but it wasn't quite bold enough for me. So....

I took Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry refills and dripped them down into the schmutz on the paper.  Then  I dipped the card stock again.  I really like the "artsy" look with the blobs of ink.  I was going for more "kitch" than pretty. 

The flowers are stamped in StazOn on Whisper White card stock.  I used the Sansodor/Stump watercoloring on them with the Watercolor Pecils, but the background was so bold, they got lost.  So I recolored them with an aqua painter and ink pads.  (Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry)  Looking back, I'd use different colors, because now they kind of blend in with the background.  Although, they look a lot cooler in real life.  I'm actually happy with the way they look. 

I cut them out and embossed them with clear embossing powder. 

Here are the supplies:
Stamp Set:  Embrace Life
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn; Watercolor pencils; Classic pads, Stampin' Write Markers & Refills - Melon Mambo & Rich Razzleberry; VersaMark
Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo (inside covers), Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  5x5" art journal, clear embossing powder, spiral punch, sticky strip, stampin' dimensionals, heat tool, aqua painter
Non SU!-Transparency sheet (yeah, I could have used one of our window sheets, but I really didn't want to waste one!), sansodor, blending stumps

Off to convince myself I don't really need another notebooki!!

Sip by Sip all day!!

We have four coffee drinkers in our office, and everyone talks about firing up the old coffee pot, but no one's doing it.  So....I'm going to take my individual packs of coffee with me and just nuke a cup now and then.  And here's how I'm going to store them on my desk.

The idea is straight from the new 2009-10 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog.  Isn't is just too cute?  I took a picture with tea bags in it, but it wonked out the cup and made it look a little funky.  So here it is....sad and empty.

Looking back, I should stamp something or texture the card stock for the cup, but I was just too excited that my template actually WORKED!  Here's all you do:

I cut an 8 1/2" x 4 1/2"  piece of Dusty Durango card stock and scored at every inch.  (So, you have 8 - 1" sections and a 1/2" flap.)  Then score along the short side at 1".  On each of the 8 long score lines, cut up to the 1" mark.  The little 1 x 1/2" flap you can cut off - JUST TO THE SCORE LINE!  Don't cut the whole thing off.

Then just fold it and glue it together.  The bottom flaps don't quite come together in the bottom of the cup, so I added a circle of cardboard for stability so stuff won't fall through.  Not that a coffee or tea bag would fall through.  It's just a tiny little hole in the center.  But if I filled it with, oh, say, M&Ms, I'd have a mess.  Not that I'd leave M&Ms out for everyone to put their dirty fingers into....I mean, with Swine Flu going around (or H1N1, or whatever.  Seriously, pig farmers aren't that sensitive!  And does anyone really think you can catch it from eating pork?  Even trichinosis isn't that prevalent any more....and while I was looking up how to spell trichinosis, I found this interesting tidbit....There's an internet rumor that you can dump a can of Coke in raw pork and little worms will come crawling out.  How cool is that?????  Just when I was tempted to try it, though, I found out it's not true.  Drat.   But I digress.  This is what happens when you have boys growing up in your house.)....Anyway, with all the stuff going around, I don't want anyone licking their fingers and sticking them back into my M&Ms, you know?

Here are all the supplies for the project:  (And aren't you glad my rambling diatribe is over???)

Stamp set:  Sip by Sip  (Yes, you can still buy it; it's just on the dormant list.)
Ink:  Basic Brown classic; Stampin' Write Markers - Blush Blossom, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede
Paper:  Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, Sahara Sand
Accessories:  Punches:  1 3/4" circle, scallop circle, 1 3/8" circle, wide oval, small oval; Big Shot, Texturz Plate, Impressions Pad, Silicone Rubber, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

Have a great day.  Wash your hands often!!  And don't waste Coke on raw pork.

4th of July and Dormant Lists

I love July 4th celebrations.  You can't be a member of my family and not absolutely love this country and the freedoms we enjoy.  So take a few minutes today and think about the sacrifices so many have made to secure our freedoms.  From the soldiers who have fought so bravely over the past 233 years to the signers of the declaration of our independence from England, there are so many Americans who deserve our gratitude.

By signing the Declaration of Independence, 56 men stood in direct defiance of the British government.  Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence:

     Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
     Twelve had their homes burned to the ground.
     Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army.
     Two more had sons captured.
     Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War.

Makes our problems today sound a little trivial, huh??  I often wonder if I'd have that much courage in the face of torture or death. 

Take a minute to read the declaration today.  It's very powerful!  What a gutsy crew those guys were.  My favorite July 4th activity is to watch the musical "1776."  It's fun, but also shows the "behind the scenes" turmoil that went on so we could be free.

Now - on to stamping.......

As long as I've been stamping with Stampin' Up! products (and it's been a while!!), the catalog price has not gone up.  To keep the price from increasing, Stampin' Up! started a "Dormant List."  That's a list of stamp sets that are available for purchase, but not listed in the current catalog.  That way the catalog can stay the same size  (or maybe shrink a little), but remain $9.95 and be jampacked with great stamp sets and accessories. 

Here's the list of sets and wheels you might not see in the catty, but you can still buy them.

Stamps Item # Stamp Set Last Publication this Set Appeared in Page # 113407 Backwoods 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 102 114492 Beautiful Baby 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 208 114486 Birthday Wish 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 208 113200 Branch Out 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 100 114496 Celebrations 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 208 113732 Central Park 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 106 113206 Classic Sketches 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 119 113226 Classy & Fabulous 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 51 113750 Easter Beauty 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 29 114024 Bella Pascua 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 29 114498 Flowers in Silhouette 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 208 113405 Font of You 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 46 113216 For the Bride 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 61 114028 Para la novia 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 61 114494 Forever 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 208 109425 Friend by Definition 2008 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog 135 114488 Fun Flowers 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 208 113716 Garden Greetings 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 55 114490 Glad Friends 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 208 111580 Grand Soiree 2008 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog 126 113242 Hit the Road 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 103 113710 Lexicon of Leaves 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 101 113236 Man's Best Friend 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 72 114423 Ocean Commotion 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 97 113728 Playful Petals 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 99 109276 Polka Dot 2008 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog 135 111544 Putt Putt 2008 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog 81 113240 Quilt Quips 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 53 113754 Really Retro 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 132 113403 Sip by Sip 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 51 113726 Sweet Stems 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 99 113250 That's Funny 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 63 113688 Wonderful Watercolors 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 85 114032 Acuarelas Maravillosas 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 85 Wheels Item # Wheel Last Publication this Wheel Appeared in Page # 113836 Fashion Forward 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 51 111259 Pinch Me 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 28 107559 Spot On 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 120 107560 Watercolor Vine 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog 84

I'll keep a link to the page with the list on the left column of the blog, so you'll be able to see it whenever you want. 

Have a wonderful Juily 4th!!

I love holidays!

I got to stamp as much as I wanted today!  And I have a new wishlist for an order....(Maybe that wasn't a good thing!)

Here's what I did today.  Diana Gibbs has a great tutorial on her blog showing how to use watercolor pencils with low odor mineral spirits and "blending stumps."  Check it out if you have a chance.  She's a fabulous artist, and one of this year's Artisan Award winners!  She's also very, very funny - which is another reason I love her blog.

This card uses new In Colors - Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo.  The watercolor pencils match the new In Colors really well. 

For the sky, I punched a scallop circle, then sponged around it to make clouds.  The hardware is dyed Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware with a stamped piece of Razzleberry Lemonade underneath.  The scallop oval is the reverse side of the DSP.

Here's the complete list:
Stamp Sets:  A Kind Word, All Holidays
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn; Soft Suede & Melon Mambo Stampin' Write Markers; Regal Rose Craft ink (to dye the hardware); Bashful Blue classic, Watercolor pencils,
Paper:  Razzleberry Lemonade DSP; Watercolor paper; Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo card stock
Accessories:  Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, So Saffron ribbon, Scallop oval punch, small oval punch, eyelet border punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop circle punch, Clear embossing powder, heat tool, Stampin' Sponges
Non-Su! supplies - Sansodor, blending stumps

Here's another card I made today using the same techniques.  The sketch is a Diana Gibbs one.  It's very easy, but elegant.

That's twill tape tied around the card.  I stamped on it using Watercolor Wonder crayons.  The "Official Instructions" from SU! say to color on the stamp, spritz your tape with water, then stamp on the moist twill.  That didn't work really well for me.  After stamping one or two times, the stamp was wet as well as the tape, so the image was kind of a blob.  I always have better results if I spritz the stamp with a little water first, then color it with the crayons, then stamp on dry twill.  The image is much cleaner.  But - that's what works for me.  For others, it might be easier to spray the tape (or card stock, or whatever you're stamping on) first.  So - play around and see what works for you!  I heat set it (actually, I used the heat tool to dry the tape faster, but the added benefit was heat setting!), and I sprayed it with cheap aerosol hair spray. 

Here are the supplies:
Stamp Sets:  A Kind Word, Kind & Caring Thoughts (level 3 hostess)
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Bashful Blue classic, Watercolor Wonder crayons, Watercolor pencils
Paper:  Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry card stock; watercolor paper
Accessories:  Eyelet border punch, twill tape, Big Shot, Texturz plate (daisies), Silicone Rubber, Impressions Pad, Scallop circle punch, heat tool, Stampin' Sponges
Non SU! - Sansodor, blending stumps, hair spray

I just remembered that Diana said on her video to use Whisper White or Very Vanilla card stock with this watercolor technique.  Oops.  I already had the images stamped on watercolor paper (thanks, Sandy!!), and didn't even think about it.  I just grabbed them and started coloring.  No wonder I was having a little trouble getting everything to blend.  Hmmmm......Now I'll have to try again with the card stock formerly known as "Ultrasmooth."  (That's what Whisper White and Very Vanilla card stock used to be called.  Just a little trivia from the SU! archives.)

Another note.....If you don't have low odor mineral spirits (I used "Sansodor;" another is "Gamsol," and there are a bunch of others out there) or blending stumps, you can use baby oil and a dried up blender pen.  Or even a tightly wound piece of card stock, but that's a pain.

So that's it for today.  Happy stamping!  Don't forget the special of the week.  I'll be placing an order on Sunday or Monday, so if you want the Scallop edge punch and would like to "share" shipping, let me know and I'll add it to my order.  (Call or e-mail me by Sunday noon.)

Summer Fun Deal of the Week

CURRENT DEAL OF THE WEEK  (beginning July 1)

Item #	Description	Special Price
112091	Scallop Edge punch	$10.99

SUMMER FUN!!

There's a lot of fun in store for you this summer!  First - tomorrow the new 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog goes live!  You're gonna love it.  It's my favorite catalog so far - and I've seen a bunch!  Beginning at noon Mountain Time, you can place orders through me or online from the new catalog.

But wait.....there's more!  All through July, Stampin' Up! will be offering the "Deal of the Week."  It starts tomorrow - and demonstrators don't even know what the deal will be!  I'll post it here later tomorrow, but I won't get to blog until about 3 p.m. or so.  If you want breaking news, check my Stampin' Up! web site.  The information on this week's special will be there as soon as you can order - which will probably be about noon Mountain tomorrow because of the new catalog start time.  The other specials this month will begin at 10 a.m. Mountain.  And, again, you can order online on my web site - or call or e-mail me with your order.

But wait.....there's even more!  There's a mini starter kit that will be available July 15 - August 31.  For only $85, you'll get the following:

Item Code	Page #*	Description	Retail Value**
115360	118	For All You Do stamp set	$28.95
115658	155	Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115656	155	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115659	155	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115654	155	Dusty Durango Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115655	155	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
115657	155	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.95
100730	155	Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$7.50
115315	155	In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$7.95

*All page numbers refer to the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog
**All products may be substituted for like items; see Mini Starter Kit order form for details.

You'll also get the same business supplies (8 catalogs, order forms, and stuff like that) that come with the regular starter kit.  It's a pretty sweet deal.  You'll get 20% off all orders, plus an extra 10% off your first qualifying order.  There's no obligation to hold workshops or sell products, but it is nice to share the addiction, um, I mean, fun, with friends.  And, of course, if you want to join and get the "regular" $199 starter kit, that's always available.  You can easily sign up online.  Just contact me for the password.

And there's even more!  Stampin' Up! is partnering with Country Living magazine again and offering a Country Living Summer Cookout Kit.

Here's the product number and what the kit contains:

Item #	Description	Price
118070	Country Living Summer Cookout Kit	$24.95

The exclusive Country Living Summer Cookout Kit includes the following products:

• 8 die-cut table tents (2 each of 4 colors)
• Die-cut components, bamboo skewers, and envelopes to create 8 shishkabob invitations 
• 12 die-cut coasters (3 each of 4 colors) 
• 16 die-cut tags (4 each of 4 colors)
• 24 12" x 12" printed food wrapper sheets (12 each of 2 colors)
• 4 printed recipe cards
• 5 yards linen thread 
• Ruby Red Classic Stampin' Spot 
• Night of Navy Classic Stampin' Spot
• Dig In stamp set (item number 116700)

Note: the kit does not include tablecloths, plates, or flatware. 

For more information, go to my website and click "Shop Now."  You don't have to buy anything, just click on the "Specials" tab on the left side, then click the Country Living button.  That will bring up pictures of the stamp set and other components of the kit.  Of course, if you want to start shopping, that's fine too!

That's it for now.  I'm totally psyched about the new catalog merchandise.  So psyched, as a matter of fact, that I caved and ordered a couple more stamp sets and a punch.  So we'll be using Lots of 'Bots in July!

I'll bring you more news as I get it.  Have a great day!

Big Shot Bonanza

Here are the projects we're doing at Sunday afternoon's Big Shot class.  I love this one.

Isn't this cute?  I got the idea from Patti Lee. She has several really cute little matchboxes that she's decorated.  This one is, of course, a teapot.  It's made with Pink Pirouette card stock and Tea Party Designer Series Paper.  The spout is hand-drawn, the handle is made from large and small oval punches and the lid is two large ovals and a 1/4" circle.  It's pretty simple to make.  Patti has great instructions with pictures on her blog, so I'm not going to "reinvent the wheel" and recreate them.

Here are the supplies:
Stamp Set:  Matchbox Messages
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss classic; Rose Red Stampin' Write marker
Paper:  Pink Pirouette card stock; Tea Party DSP
Accessories:  Large & Small oval punches, blender pen, 1/4" circle punch, mini glue dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Matchbox die, Big Shot

This one is lifted from Jan Tinklenberg.  I can't show you the original, because I don't think it's been on her blog yet; I saw it on the "Stamper's Showcase" area of the Stampin' Up! demonstrator web site.  But here's mine.  I changed hers a little.  I used the Big Shot Movers & Shapers die with the Scallop Oval instead of punches.  And my colors are different.  But the sketch and idea are totally hers.

Supplies: 
Stamp Set:  Friends 24/7
Ink:  Basic Brown, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss classic
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Movers & Shapers Die, Scallop Oval attachment, Scallop oval punch, Very Vanilla wide grosgrain, Stampin' Dimensionals, Aqua Painter

Here's the last project we're making.  It's an older one, but I changed the colors a bit.

Stamp Set:  Friends 24/7
Ink:  Regal Rose classic; Rose Red, Regal Rose Stampin' Write Markers
Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Manhattan Flower die, Stampi' Sponge, corner rounder punch

This one is quick and easy.  Just run the card through the Big Shot in the embossing foler, cut away the excess at the top and stamp the sentiment on the inside layer.  Round the corners, put it all together and you're finished.  It's so easy to create an elegant card in very little time.  And wait until you see what's in the new catalog!

Remember - you only have a few more days left to order from the 2009 Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog.  After that, the In Colors and lots of stamps and accessories will be gone.  Contact me or order online today!

If you'd like a 2009-2010 catalog, contact me!!

Autumn in June?

I know....it's not even summer yet, and I'm making fall cards.  But this is actually a "man card," so I used fall colors.  I'm not sure if it's for my dad, Mike or Mike's stepdad, but one of the fathers will get it tomorrow.

This is a brand new set you'll get to order in July called "Autumn Days."  It works really well with the new In Colors.

Here's the supply list:
Stamp sets:  Autumn Days, All Holidays
Ink:  Whisper White craft; Classic:  Dusty Durango, Soft Suede; Stampin' Write Marker - Dusty Durango
Paper:  Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  Punches:  Large, scallop and wide oval, scallop edge; White embossing powder

I got the idea from the new catalog.  There was a little box that used the bird (pheasant?) and the white embossing on the Crushed Curry card stock.  I love that look!

Our dear dog is over his embarrassment from the trash can episode.  He seems to be back to normal now, and was waking up the boys with kisses this morning.  Ick!  What a way to wake up.  They didn't seem to mind as much as I would.

Have a happy weekend!