Stamping my Art Out

Elegant Bouquet - Quick and Simple, too

I finally got time to play with some of my newest Stampin' Up! stamps and accessories yesterday.  I have a deadline to meet to prepare my masterpieces projects for the Royal Blog Tour later this month.  Check out the link on the right, and mark your calendar to come back on one of the days of the tour, July 26, 27, and 28.  In fact, because there will be four simultaneous tours going on, you might want to come back all three days!

In the meantime, however, I had a gift to complete for my Mother.  Her 90th birthday party is on Saturday, and I wanted to make her some Thank You cards to send out afterwards.  I didn't have a lot of time to dedicate to the project, because I am still finishing up the banner (made with the Stampin' Up! Sizzix SL Pennant Die) and the favors (made with the Sizzix Bag with Scallops die).  I'll take a picture of those when they are actually in place at the party - they're not very impressive folded up in the box I'm transporting them in.  Anyway, back to the Thank You cards.

I picked up the new Elegant Bouquet embossing folder (item # 115964- a Stampin' Up! exclusive and hard to resist at only $7.95) and cranked out a dozen cards in no time at all.  All I had to add was the simple but elegant "Thank You" from the Fresh Cuts stamp set and they're done, ready to send.

But I had to try out something else with the embossing folder while I had it out.  As lovely as the simple cards are, I wanted to add some layers, color, visual interest.  This is the result:

The coloring was done with Stampin' Pastels, applied with tiny pom poms and an alligator clip I have.  It allows me to apply the chalk very precisely.  A Q-tip would probably work, too, but I have better success with the pom poms.  The Greeting is from Oval Alls, punched and layered with two coordinating oval punches, and the butterfly is from Flight of the Butterfly (the white layer is cut out with scissors, and the turquoise layer is punched with the new punch.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've already colored a couple of others using different color schemes, and I will probably use this design as one of my Convention swaps.  What do you think?

Happy Stamping!

Carol Taggart

Movers & Shapers Die Cuts Without The Card

Once you've discoved the fantastic layering possibilities you'll have by combining the Stampin' Up! punches with the Movers & Shapers shapes, you'll be using them over and over again, I am certain.  But I'm equally certain that you won't want every card to be made with the die - and it's not necessary to cut out the card just to get the little shape you want for layering.

These are the materials you'll need to make the card I posted yesterday.  Notice that the smaller black rectangle has the shape cut out of it.  I used the rectangle for the mat for the stamped image, and the black shape as the mat for the punched greeting.  The white piece covers up the "hole", so nobody is the wiser.  You save a little card stock, but that is minimal.  If you're making multiples of the same card, you'll save lots of time this way, because the die can cut 3 or 4 layers at a time!

Follow these simple steps.  You'll need one extended cutting pad, the Movers & Shapers die (base), a magnetic shape insert for the Movers & Shapers, and a smaller acrylic cutting pad for the top, and scraps of paper just big enough to cover the magnetic insert.  Pictured here is a cutting pad made for the Sizzix Sidekick, a little bitty machine just for Sizzlits.  You can also use the standard cutting pad.  But there's no need to use the extended pad for this cutting method, and two reasons NOT to: cutting will be faster and easier with a smaller pad on top, and a small cutting pad is less expensive when time comes to replace it. 

Lay the Movers & Shapers die onto the extended cutting pad.

Insert the magnetic piece into the "well" on the Movers & Shapers die.  The placement is not important.  In fact, you could get two different shapes into the die and cut them both out with this method.

Carefully place the small pieces of card stock (large enough to comfortably cover the insert) on top of the foam portion of the insert.

Cover it with the small cutting pad.

Roll it through the Big Shot.  It will not be necessary to roll the entire length of the long die, just enough to get the upper cutting pad passed through.  You'll hear a click and pop, but don't worry - that's normal.

Remove the upper cutting pad and lift off the die cut(s).  As you can see here, I made three at one time.  Also notice that the rest of the card stock pieces got pushed down over the foam portion when the die passed through the machine.

Just gently pry them off and either discard them or use them as a bottom layer/ mat.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My Mother is celebrating her 90th birthday today.  We're having a party, but not until later this month.  In her honor, I'm sharing two cards today.  The first is the invitation I made to send out for the party.  You'll recognize the very popular Top Note Die Quilted Card, and maybe you'll also remember the DSP as the one from Sale-a-Bration.  Mom loves to quilt and always has, so I thought this was very appropriate.  On about half of the cards, I actually used my little sewing machine and stitched the "seams".  On the rest, I used faux stitching (with stamped stitching lines).

The second card I'm sharing today was just created an hour ago.  Once a month, my upline Connie Heisey has a Stamp and Share at her home here in Hanover, PA.  We do a shoebox swap, with everyone bringing the stamps, accessories, tools and supplies for everyone else to make their card or project.  I wanted to use something new - you know how much fun it is to play with your new toys, don't you? 

 The stamp set is a new Level 2 Hostess set from the 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog.  It's called Oriental Art (or Arte Oriental.... I ordered the Spanish set by mistake, but that's okay.  The images are just the same.)  The simple oriental style called for a clean, simple design, but I didn't want it to be boring, either.  The "sun" is created by punching out a card stock "stencil" with the 1-3/8" circle punch, and stippling color onto the card with a brush.  Markers accent the bamboo and color the bird.  The background (and bird) are in the new Dusty Durango color.  I love it!  And to add just enough texture to the large, unstamped background, I used a texture plate.

The greeting is from the set called "Embrace Life", punched out with the new Fancy Label Punch and matted with a cut-out made with the new set of add-ons for the Movers & Shapers Die.  The four dies are perfect matches for Stampin' Up! punches --- and you just HAVE to get them, they are wonderful.

I'll be sharing a tip tomorrow on how to cut out just the mat without cutting out an entire card with the Movers & Shapers die, and also sharing a paper-saving technique.

This isn't a birthday card, but I don't know too many people who truly embrace life like my Mother does.  So as they say, "This one's for you, Mom!"  Love you lots.  See you soon, and we'll party hearty!

Ride The Royal Blog Tour

Good Evening everyone! Happy Fourth of July weekend! I am very excited to announce that our blog tour is only a few weeks away and the team is hoping to bring you a fantastic tour of creativity and fun! If you haven't signed up to ride the tour yet, you should stop by the blog as we have posted some fantastic interviews of some of your favorite stampers! There will be more to come and lots of surprises, so make sure you sign up to follow the blog today!   http://www.RoyalBlogTour.blogspot.com

Happy New Year! (A New Stampin' Year, That Is)

There is much to celebrate this July 1.  A new Idea Book & Catalog, a new Definitely Decorative brochure, a fabulous Summer Fun deal on the Demonstrator Starter Kit, and new summer entertaining ideas from Country Living Magazine.  The links to more information on each of these is on the sidebars, right and left.  Scroll down and click on the buttons, or visit the Stampin' Up! homepage for all the details.

Each month in July, there will be a Deal of the Week, too, beginning with a 30% discount on the Scallop Edge Punch. 

You'll also find four new projects to try: the Project of the Month, a Card, a Scrapbook Page, and a Gift.  Those will be updated monthly.  And be sure to try the new Color Combination Machine on the left-hand sidebar.  That's a tool you'll be sure to come back to again and again.

The biggest news, of course, is the gorgeous new Idea Book & Catalog.  You can access it online by clicking here , but you can get your very own copy by contacting me.  I'd love to share this great publication with you. 

It's full of new samples, tips, techniques, and so many new products that you will just have to see it to believe it.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be showing you some of the things you are in store for when you host a workshop, join a club, attend a class or just order online.  Come share the fun.  I know you will love it!

In Colors Sneak Peek

I'll admit that this isn't the usual project you've come to expect on blog posts.  But I assure you that this is going to be a tool I used over and over again in the next 12 months.

In case you can't read the titles, it's a Color Combination Chart for the 2009-2010 In Colors.  It consists of four pages of possible combinations to use when creating projects with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors.  The chart was created and shared by Deann Oliver on Sudsol, a wonderful demonstrator group I belong to.  Thank you, Deann!

Members of my Stampers Six Club will receive a copy of the chart at the first meeting.  There's still time to join - we'll resume meetings in August.  It's a great way to buy on a budget, learn new techniques, try before you buy, socialize with other stampers, and have fun.  Each month one of the members is the "hostess" and will enjoy the benefits - free hostess goodies! 

Box Turned Basket

I've ready about some Stampin' Up! demonstrators using the Sizzix Bigz XL die "Box #2" to create a little basket and decided to give it a try.  What fun!  Just make two of the boxes (takes just a few seconds using the Big Shot), cut off the very top flap of the lid, then adhere the two together back to back.  The lids of the box form the handle of the basket.

The materials I used are all retiring, sadly:  Soft Sky card stock and ribbon, and Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper.  I had my doubts about that paper -Basic Gray?  Well, I grew to really love it and will miss using it.  The good news is that the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog for 2009-2010 (which goes into effect tomorrow!) is full of wonderful new ribbons, Designer Series Papers, stamps and accessories.  The new In Colors are so beautiful!  And I've given you a sneak peek here of one of the new accessories, the Fancy Label Punch.  I used it to punch out a little finger hold on the handle.

Farewell to Wonderful You

ell, today is the a bitter; sweet day - the final day of the Stampin' Up! catalog year.  Among the stamp sets slated for retirement is Wonderful You and the coordinating Jumbo wheel.  Both were on the dormant list for the past six month, and I must admit that I've neglected them.  But I brought them out of storage to use at the June Stampers Six Club meeting to make this Gate Fold card.

Wonderful You is one of many Two-Step Stamping sets.  It consists of solid images and matching outlines.  Here we used the large flower, stamped the solid image with white craft ink onto Lavender Lace card stock.  After it dried, we dabbed on color with two shades of Stampin' Pastels, then stamped the outline with Basic Black ink.

The background is subtle, tone-on-tone, stamped with the coordinating wheel.  The Jumbo wheels are perfect for the gate-fold card, because the 2' width of the roller covers the panels perfectly.

And look!  We used the roller inside those panels, too!  What fun to open the card and see a pretty pattern stamped.  I haven't added a sentiment inside yet; I'll wait until I need to send the cards and add an appropriate one then.

By the way, the darker shad is Elegant Eggplant.  The greeting on the front is attached to the flower panel with dimensionals and is punched out and layered with three oval punches.

I'm a Princess!

Maybe you noticed the crown in the right-hand sidebar.  I'm excited to be a part of an upcoming Blog Tour, featuring the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog (coming your way on July 1).  I've selected a brand-new stamp set  (Razzle Dazzle) to use to make samples to share with you.  I'll also be using some of the new In Colors, new accessories, and new embellishments.  Be sure to come back to visit during the tour, July 26, 27 and 28.  We're going to knock your socks off!

A Big Shot at the Beach

Transform a lowly pair of flip-flops to designer footwear (okay, so it's a bit of a stretch to call them that) with your Sizzix Big Shot machine, dies, and some inexpensive Fun Foam from the craft store.  Won't these be fun to wear?  I'm even going to decorate some little flip-flops for my two granddaughters, Ava and Charlotte.  They love to wear them in the summer,  as do I.

For the flower adornment above, I used bright magenta and orange fun foam and two Bigz dies from Stampin' Up! - Build a Flower (113471) and Flower Layers w/ Leaf (113470).  The Orignal and Bigz dies cut a huge variety of materials, including Fun Foam.  I punched a hole through the center of the flowers with the Crop-a-Dile, stacked the layers and glued them together, then attached them to the sandals with grosgrain ribbon and hot glue.  Fast, easy, inexpensive and fun.  Give it a try!

By the way, we'll be making these as one of the projects at the August Stampers Six Club meeting.  Bring a pair of plain flip flops and have fun decorating them.