Stamp with Me!

Make Merry with Glitter

Here's one of the cards we'll be making at workshops next week.  I copied it from the cover of our Stampin' Up! trade magazine - Stampin' Success, but, of course, I changed a couple things.

The example on the magazine used kraft card stock, but I'm running low, so I used Sahara Sand.  I like the look of that with the Whisper White.

The original used a red button, but my button stash is also depleted.  (I hoarde and hoarde and hoarde, then finally use everything up and need it!)  I took a small grommet, dipped it in Real Red craft ink, then embossed with clear powder.  After I set it in the card stock, I added a little Crystal Effects to the center and dumped on some Fine Supernova glitter.  After shaking off the excess, I let it dry.  I realized we made all those cards at the Stamp-a-stack and not one had glitter.  "Say it ain't so!!!!"  I have to catch up now!

The professional sample also had pleated grosgrain ribbon across the bottom of the layer, but that was a bit of a pain.  So I just crimped some card stock instead.  So there you go.  Super easy. 

I'm trying to think of a way to say, "common man" without being offensive.  Our oratorio society is singing carols and familiar songs at our Christmas concert, but "songs for the common man" just sounds a little condescending, don't you think?  And I seriously don't mean it that way.  I considered saying it was for the "hoi polloi," but I think very few people would know what that meant.  Darrah would, though, and that's why I love reading her material.  She actually used "hoi polloi" in an e-mail today.  Not surprising; Darrah's one of those people with bits of random knowledge floating around in her head, and, amazingly, she can even insert it into a conversation and it makes total sense.  Amazing woman.

Here's the complete supply list:
Stamp Set:  Berry Christmas
Ink:  Soft Suede classic; Old Olive, Soft Suede Stampin' Write markers; Real Red craft
Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red, Old Olive, Crushed Curry, Sahara Sand card stock
Accessories:  Scallop edge punch; crimper, paper snips, small grommets, stampin' dimensionals, clear embossing powder, Crystal Effects, Fine Supernova glitter, heat tool, Big Shot, Petals-a-plenty embossing folder

Berry Christmas

This is the fourth of the "stamp-a-stack" cards.  It's one of the make & takes from the Front Row Regional that we'll be holding in December.  I modified it a bit, because I didn't have all the regional supplies on hand.

I love this set!  It's going to be really fun to use it with the Petals-a-plenty embossing folder. 

The Certainly Celery jumbo brad at the bottom was made with a white brad; I dipped it in Certainly Celery craft ink, then embossed with clear powder.  And I made sure my "faux stitching" was not any neater than my real stitching!  My mom is an incredible seamstress.  She can sew anything.  She would look at a top or dress in the store, draw a picture, then go home and put several patterns together and make the item herself.  (And most of the time, it was better than the original!)  But my stitching...not so great.  I think I'm just impatient.  The stitches on this card, however, are paper piercings connected with a white gel pen. 

Here's the complete list:

Stamp Set:  Berry Christmas  
Ink:  Certainly Celery, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Soft Suede classic; Certainly Celery craft; White gel pen
Paper:  Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Soft Suede card stock
Accessories:  Boho Blossoms punch, jumbo brads, paper piercer, mat pack, tweezers, clear embossing powder, 1/16" circle punch, vintage brads (the old ones that are now retired; the new ones don't have silver diamonds), paper snips

Later in the week, I'll post the projects we'll be doing at workshops this week.  I'm really excited about them!

Serene Snowflakes

Sometimes,a card is just so good, you don't want to change anything.  This is another Diana Gibbs inspration, except this is almost a total copy.  All I changed was one color card stock, and I added snowflakes where she had ribbon (because I'm out of white organza - my favorite!).

I realized I was almost out of Kraft card stock (how did that happen?  I thought I had enough for the next millenium!) - so I used Sahara Sand.  Isn't this soft and pretty?  The snowflakes are stamped in Creamy Caramel, Bordering Blue and Whisper White, and the sentiment is Basic Brown. 

This is the third of four cards we'll be making at the Stamp-a-stack.  I'll show you the last one tomorrow.

Here's the supply list:

Stamp Sets:  Serene Snowflakes, A Cardinal Christmas
Ink:  Basic Brown, Bordering Blue, Creamy Caramel classic; Whisper White craft
Paper:  Sahara Sand, Brocade Blue, Whisper White card stock; DSP - Sahara Sand
Accessories:  1/16" circle punch, brads (retired; we have silver, but the diamond ones were the first I found in my brad bin), mini glue dots, snowflake punch (non-SU!)

Off to work!  "The man" is very thrilled that I am no longer employed outside the house.  He feels his mission now is to keep me busy.  I am quickly disabusing him of that notion.

Home for Christmas

This is an inspiration from Diana Gibbs.  I changed a few things, but overall, it's her design.

I used an aqua painter to blend the Soft Suede ink, then added a little red to the bow and berries.  And, of course, the light is always on for you when you go home. 

I love the Real Red / Soft Suede combo!  We'll be making this card at the Stamp-a-Stack.

Here's the complete list:

Stamp Set:  Home for Christmas
Ink:  Soft Suede, Real Red, Yoyo Yellow classic
Paper:  Designer Series paper (Kraft; retired); Card stock:  Whisper White, Real Red, Soft Suede
Accessories:  Aqua Painter, 1/16" circle punch, vintage brads

I'm off to warm up!  There's a fire and hot chocolate in my immediate future.

Christmas Cardinal

Here's the card we'll be making at Wednesday's technique class.  It uses the "embossed foil" technique.

I used two different embossing techniques on this card.  After I embossed the card, I ran some Whisper White card stock through the Big Shot in the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  Then I turned it over and added ink to the card stock.  It almost looks like velvet in real life.  I didn't use a brayer; I added the ink directly to the paper.

Here's the complete supply list:

Stamp Set:  A Cardinal Christmas (thanks, Dad & Mom!!  This was one of my Christmas gifts last year)
Ink:  VersaMark; Classic-Handsome Hunter, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard
Paper:  Real Red, Handsome Hunter, Whisper White, Confetti White card stock
Accessories:  Blender pen, brads (retired), stampin' sponges, 1/16" circle punch, modern label punch, wide oval punch, ticket corner punch, silver cord, stampin' dimensionals, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder, Big Shot

Stamping in the Kitchen

Here are the techniques we're doing this Wednesday.  Everything uses kitchen items.  (Hey, since I have them, I guess I should use them for something!)

This one is "Faux Snow."  It's really not as easy as the directions made it sound.  The technique is simple; grating the paper isn't.  Or maybe my grater is just old.  I couldn't find my new one, so the grater I used is probably older than I am. 

I'm going to try grating the paper in the food processor.  It's either going to be brilliant or make a huge mess.  

I won't give directions now; you have to come to class for instructions!  Maybe after Wednesday I'll post some deets.

 

This is the second.  I love the look on this one.  It's "Embossed Foil."  We'll also make a card with this technique, but I haven't designed it yet.

Please let me know by Tuesday if you're coming to the technique class on Wednesday morning.  If there's enough interest, I'll add the Wednesday evening class back in, but for right now, we're only meeting at 11 a.m.

Have a happy Monday!

Patterned Pines

I have the best stamping friends!  This card is for Karen, because she's letting me borrow her Patterned Pines stamp set for the Stamp-a-stack on Nov. 8. 

I was going to add a little swirly flower at the  bottom left corner, but after it was all ready to assemble, I wasn't sure there was room. 

I stamped the three trees in Going Gray, then used markers to color the trees, stamped them again and cut them out.  (So you don't need your eyes checked; there is a "shadow effect" here!)

Here's the complete supply list:

Stamp Set:  Patterned Pines
Ink:  Going Gray, Not Quite Navy, Blush Blossom classic; Stampin' Write Markers:  Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow, Not Quite Navy; Shimmer Paint - Platinum
Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Sage Shadow, Handsome Hunter, Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  Stampin' Sponges, Plenty of Petals embossing folder, Big Shot, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimensionals; Merry & Bright rub ons (inside sentiment)

This is one of the cards we'll be making at the Stamp-a-stack.  Be sure to get your deposit in by Wednesday, Nov. 4 so I'll have supplies ready for you.

Holiday Gift Giving Guide

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Click here to see the guide.  You can order online any time you want!  Be sure to enter through my web site to get the best prices on merchandise and shipping. 

Deal of the Week - Week 4

Here's the latest "Deal of the Week."  Call or e-mail me to order, or order online 24/7!  Go to my web site and click shop now. 

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Special Price
116214	174	Princess Party Kit	$15.95	$9.99
116213	175	Pirate Party Kit	$15.95	$9.99

Deals of the Week #3

Take advantage of these great discounts!

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Special Price
114348	179	Basic Jumbo grommets	$6.95	$4.49
109857	179	Mini Library clips	$12.95	$8.99
112571	179	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$3.99
112581	179	1/2" Library clips	$6.95	$3.99

Go to my Web site and click "Shop now!" or call or e-mail me to order.  Hurry!  Discounts end Oct. 26.