Close as a Memory, Sympathy Card

Here is another very quick and easy card that is very elegant. If you look at the card I posted on Friday, you'll see that they are basically the same, only they use different stamp sets and card stock. I used Close as a Memory stamp set and the Jumbo Watercolor Vine Wheel and Handle. Using a River Rock textured card, I added Not Quite Navy, Pumpkin Pie and Confetti Cream Card stock for layering and stamping. Other accessories were River Rock Double-Stitched Ribbon, Stampin' Write Markers, Earth Elements Brads, Mellow Moss cartridge and Not Quite Navy ink pad. Have a great day and take time to make and then send a card.

Never Ending Joy

I think the set Never Ending Joy could be used for just about any kind of card, Easter, birthday, get well, sympathy, Mother's Day and I'm sure you could think of other occasions. The saying on this card came from the set, Holidays & Wishes. I started out with a Pretty in Pink card, added Gable Green Textured card stock and Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon. Coloring direct to the stamp with my Stampin' Write Markers, I stamped the image onto Whisper White card stock and then layered it onto Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip. I stamped the saying in Chocolate Chip and added Brads from the Bold Bright Collection. Needless to say, all products are from Stampin' Up!

Rub-Ons, Eastern Elegance

I started collecting teapots soon after I was married 34 years ago. When I saw these Rub-ons in the new Stampin' Up! catalog, I knew I would be trying them on a few of my plain jane pots. On this black teapot, I put the fine stitching all along the bottom, I then added the flower in the middle, adding a smaller flower to the lid. It was perfect having both black and white rub-ons to use.

Now on this green tea pot, I just added the flower burst in the center with two smaller bursts on each side. I have several of this style teapots, and will have to pull out a few more to do.

This white teapot I just picked up in a pottery store last week in Greenville, SC. I bought it with the intentions of giving it away after decorating it. It was only .89 cents and I only bought one. What was I thinking?

Hope you've enjoyed these samples. What fun it was designing them and very easy to apply. I'm looking for a pitcher to do next. Thanks for looking and leave me your comments. I would love to here what you think!

A Valentine Mini Photo Album

This is a mini photo album I made for my husband on Valentines Day last year. I used 3 1/2" coasters for the cover. All of the stamps and papers used are Stampin' Up! Many or should I say most of the sets used are now retired. The LOVE on the cover was a hostess appreciation set, "Love is a Great Thing". It is from the 2001 Winter Mini Supplement. This was one of my first Stampin' Up! sets and one of the many reasons I signed up that February to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. I used Craft ink on white shrink plastic for the love, cut it apart and then used my embossing gun to shrink it.

All the other stamping is done with our Classic Ink pads or Stampin' Write Markers. After stamping the images or sayings, I covered them with the Versamark Pad and then with Clear Embossing powder. After heat embossing them it left a shiny finish which will protect them for many years to come.

To make the inside pages I used a 12 x 12 sheet of Basic Black card stock. I saw this technique on The Scrapbook Lounge, on TV Weekly.com

You can see that I had pockets where I added special notes. The tabs for these notes are stamped images that I also did with shrink plastic.

Also used on many of the pages are Punches. These pictures were taken in those vintage photo booths that were everywhere in the 70's. You would go in the both, pull the curtain shut and get 4 photos for $1.00. As you can see, more shrink plastic!
On these pages I used the highlighting technique. I like doing this to help the eye be drawn to the main image. Punch out the image with a smaller punch then punch out a coordinating piece of card stock 1/8" bigger and then layer onto picture.

These were all pictures of me from larger 4 x 6 in prints. Again I used the 1 1/4" punch and then the 1 3/8" punch for layering.

On this last page, here's Me and Ted at Stampin' Up!'s Manager's Reception in Houston, Texas last year. He went to Leadership with me in January, 2007. We took in other sights of Texas while there which included the Alamo.

I hope you enjoyed this mini album and I hope you give it a try. The hardest part to this entire album was going through all the photos looking for pictures of me. I'm the photographer in our family and there weren't to many to choose from. I would love to here from you, and as always, would love to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to E-Mail me!



Nursery Necessities, Another Baby Card

Here is yet another card using the new Nursery Necessities stamp set and Nursery Letters jumbo wheel. The is also made from our Textured Bashful Blue card stock. I used Real Red & Whisper White card stock along with Apricot Appeal Textured card stock for layering and stamping. I used my Stampin' Write Markers for coloring in images. The star is done using Whisper White Craft ink, White Embossing Powder and then heat Embossed. I punched it out with the new Large Star Punch. Other punches used for this card were Round Tab, 3/4" Circle and the 3/16" Corner Rounder for making the scalloped edge. Stampin' Dimensionals and Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon were also used. I hope I didn't leave anything out, and as usual, feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Have fun stamping!!

Nursery Necessities, Baby Card

Once again I've been away. We were in South Carolina visiting our two sons Ted Jr. and Steve and their families. They live about 2 miles from each other and it is great that we can make one trip (640 miles) and visit both. We have 10 grandchildren and 5 live in South Carolina. Our girls live right here in West Chester and between them we have our other 5 grandchildren. I'm now back, and ready to stamp!

This card was made with yet another "new stamp set" from Stampin' Up!®. The set is Nursery Necessities and I also used a new jumbo wheel, Nursery Letters. I started out with a Bashful Blue Textured card stock and embossed the stars with Whisper White Craft ink and White Embossing Powder. I roller stamped the letters using a Bashful Blue Classic pad. I stamped the moon and boat using Stampin' Write Markers and then cut them out. On the moon I added stitching with a White Gel Pen. I added a strip of Whisper White card stock which I scalloped using a Corner Rounder Punch and then daubed the edges. On the 5/8" Brocade Blue Grosgrain I stamped the saying using a Whisper White Craft pad. I love the way this turned out. Any questions, feel free to ask!

Embrace Life, Card

I love the way this card turned out. I used a new set from Stampin' Up's!® Spring - Summer 2008 Collection called, Embrace Life. I used Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Basic Gray & Very Vanilla Card stocks. I stamped the card with Pretty in Pink & Whisper White. I used my Basic Gray pad to stamp the flowers & leaves. I used my blender pen to color in the images by lifting the color from my ink pads. The white is also from my Whisper White Craft Pad. I added Taffeta Ribbon to finish off the card. I love to here your thoughts on this one.

Have a Heart, Box with Flap

Another Happy Heart Day Project. This time I did a Valentine box. There is a great tutorial on Splitcoast which you can link to from here. 2-5-7-10 Box with Flap

As you can see, I first roller stamped a sheet of Pixie Pink Card stock using my Love Wheel with a Pink Passion ink cartridge. Stampin' Up! sells the un-inked cartridges and you just add a re-inker in the color of choice. You can basically have a cartridge in all of our 48 Colors, our In Colors & the Neutral colors if desired. I stamped the mouse with Basic Black on Whisper White Card stock & colored in with Stampin' Write Markers and a Blender Pen. I added Certainly Celery Card stock in my layering, scalloped the flaps using my corner rounder and added a Whisper White grosgrain ribbon to finish off the box. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Happy Heart Day, Party Favor

Whenever I think of elephants, peanuts always come to mind, so using these Circus Peanuts was just what I needed to make this valentine favor from the new Happy Heart Day stamp set. Using Whisper White, Real Red & Bordering Blue Card stock I stamped images with Basic Black and colored in using my Watercolor crayons and Aqua Painter. I also used Circle Punches, a Medium Flat 4 x 6 Cellophane Bag, Groovy Guava Double Stitched & 5/8 inch Real Red Grosgrain Ribbons. I also put Red Hots in the bag for added color.

Happy Heart Day

Today I stamped with a new Stampin' Up!® set, Happy Heart Day. I used Really Red, Whisper White & Bordering Blue Card stocks, along with the Basic Black Ink pad. I used my Water Color Crayons and Aqua Painter for coloring in. I added ribbon from the Jersey Ribbon Originals along with Black Gingham ribbon & a Black Brad. Once again, this is a new set from Stampin' Up!'s® Spring - Summer Collection, 2008.

A Beautiful Thing

Happy New Year! It has been awhile since I've posted, but I'm back and I hope to be adding new cards and projects on a regular basis again.

I've been stamping with new sets from the Stampin' Up!® Spring - Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog. Contact me for your copy! They are $5.00 or free when you set up a date for a workshop.

Both cards use A Beautiful Thing stamp set. I used Old Olive, Ruby Red & Whisper White Ink and Card stocks. After embossing with white powder I cut out the flower and added a ruby red brad. I punched out the saying with the Key Tag Punch, daubed it with Old Olive and added a Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad.



 

This is a 3 x 3 card that uses the same set, card stocks & techniques. I did add Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper and the saying is from Mark the Date.

 

More Christmas Cards

Today I'm adding two more stamped Christmas cards we've received. This first one is from Martha F. who is in my 3rd level down-line. She is a hobby demonstrator, buying for herself and sister. I think she did a great job using the All in the Family stamp set. As you can see from the card, they have four boys. I love, love love this card. Great job Martha!

Valerie W. made this really cute card. She used the Snow jumbo wheel and one of my favorite sets, Merry & Bright, which were both featured in our Holiday Mini Catalog. Once again, this card shows simplicity but with the ribbon and glitter it adds elegance. Valerie, I give you 5 stars. Beautiful!

Christmas Cards from Family & Friends

I've had no time to stamp but have received some beautiful hand-stamped Christmas cards, so I'm sharing them with you. Debbi F. made this beautiful card. Using the Big on Christmas stamp set, she embossed the Noel with black embossing powder, colored it in and added the gold Zig Painty for an extra special touch. Another great addition is the striped paper from the Dashing Designer Series Paper. I also love how she made it into a tag. The finishing touch was punching out a piece of River Rock using the Small Oval Punch, folding it, and attaching with a gold brad. I love it, Deb!

This next card was made by Charlotte A. She used the Snowflake Spot and Many Merry Messages stamp sets with Whisper White, Bashful Blue, and Night of Navy card stocks. It was stamped using Night of Navy ink along with silver embossing. She also added silver organdy ribbon. I love the simplicity and elegance of this card. Great job, Charlotte!

Seasons of Joy, Decorated Tin

Here is another tin that will hold a gift card. Again it uses the Season of Joy stamp set. As you know, it was in the Holiday Mini catalog, which is no longer available so I apologize for using a retired set. I've had this set for 2 months, and this is the first time I've used it. Maybe Stampin' Up!® will put it in their Fall & Winter 2008 catalog next year.

Yesterday we spent the day at the Winterthur Mansion and gardens in Delaware. If you are visiting the area, or live close by, I recommend their Yuletide Tour. The tour along with the snow we are getting today, really put me in the Christmas mood. Also this past week we visited Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. We have a yearly membership here and they too are decorated for the Holiday Season. Both of these places are worth visiting. Check out their websites if you want to know more. Have a great week and Happy Stamping.

Season of Joy, Altered Altoid Tin

Today I played with some tins I have been saving for quite a few years. This one shows an Altoids tin. I used Dashing Designer Series Paper along with the Season of Joy stamp set and a few of our Punches to alter it.

On the inside I used Wild Wasabi card stock along with some tissue paper. I also used the Tags for All stamp set. These tins are perfect packaging for your holiday gift cards. I'm playing with a couple more and will try and finish them up tomorrow. If you need more details, E-mail me and I'll be sure to get back to you. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Office Accoutrement, Mini Notebook

This is a small composition style notebook, and they are great to cover, especially with our Office Accoutrement stamp set. I used So Saffron Card stock, but first stamped it with the Canvas background stamp using So Saffron Ink. Once again I used my Craft ink pads on the flower, leaves and saying and once again clear embossed them. This helps the outside of my books to look great for a long time. I also used Petal & Paisleys Designer Series paper on the spine. To adhere it to the note book, I ran everything through my Xyron® machine. If you use this, make sure you have your paper in the right spot the first time, because there is no second chance. I also have used Stampin' Up's!® Anywhere Glue Sticks, and they also work great. Thanks for looking and have a great week!

3 Cards using "Festive Favorites"

December has arrived and so did the cold here in the northeastern part of the USA. We live in southeastern Pennsylvania and cold for us is anything around 32 degrees. No snow yet, but calling for freezing rain tonight. Yesterday I stamped most of the afternoon and here are 3 cards I finished using the Festive Four stamp set. The card is Real Red and using my Real Red craft pad I stamped the Print Patterns stamp on the top half of the card. I added Clear Embossing Powder and Heat Embossed it. One of the things I remember as a child was our families Christmas Cards. It was so exciting seeing the many different cards and who sent them. I remember the cards that had raised embossed pictures or lettering and thought, wow the people who sent these must be rich! Well when you raise emboss on any card, it does add a little richness.

I stamped the 3 images using our Basic Black Classic ink on to Whisper White card stock. I cut each of them out and colored them in using my Stampin' Write Markers. I punched out the smaller images using Tag Punches. I used either the All Holidays or Holiday & Wishes stamp sets for the sayings. These too I embossed using a Craft pad and clear embossing powder.

To finish off each of the cards I added Stampin' Up'!® Ribbons. Other card stocks used were Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky and Wild Wasabi. I would love to here from you, so tell me what you think and if I left something out, feel free to ask. Click to E-mail Me!

 

Bundle of Joy

Our neighbor's have a new little baby boy, Robert Marshall. He was born November 20th and is a real cutie pie. As you can see, I'm finally getting the card made. I used the Bundle of Joy stamp set with Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Barely Banana card stocks & Ink. I also used the Large Oval punch & Light Blue Gingham ribbon. Any questions, just e-mail me and I'll do my best to answer.

With Gratitude, Thanksgiving Card

It's been a busy week. Our son Steve, daughter-in-law Amanda and their 2 daughters, Evelyn and Amelia were up from Greenville, South Carolina for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We had a total of 17 for dinner. Unfortunately our other son Ted Jr., daughter-in-law Stephanie and their 3 children Jordan, Teddy & Baylee shown here in the picture did not make it up. They too live in Greenville, but due to a new job, was unable to take off. Stephanie also is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, very creative and a great stamper. She sent these Thanksgiving cards out to friends and family, which I think turned out beautiful! Since I have had no time to stamp, I'm adding the card to my blog. She used the With Gratitude stamp set, Sahara Sand & Pumpkin Pie Card Stocks, Always Artichoke Ink Pad, More Mustard & Pumpkin Pie Re-inkers with an Aqua Painter and then tied on some Black Gingham Ribbon. I hope you all had a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. I'm going to try and get some stamping in this coming week. Thanks for looking and if you have any questions, please e-mail me.

Glittering Candle, Peaceful Wishes

I love stamping on tissue paper and

applying the image to a candle. Here I used the Peaceful Wishes stamp set. I inked the pine sprig with my Always Artichoke Marker, because I only wanted to use half of the sprig. I used my Close to Cocoa & Chocolate Chip marker on the pine cone. After stamping on the tissue paper, I wrapped it around my candle and then used my Heat Tool to melt it to the candle. I rolled the candle on wax paper as I applied the heat, constantly rolling the candle so it didn't melt too fast or too much. As the tissue paper turns clear, you will know it is done. I then applied White Liquid Applique, which Stampin' Up!® no longer carries, but I think can be bought at your local craft store. While the applique is still wet, I sprinkled our Dazzling Diamonds glitter on it.