Creativity With Stamps

Liebster Blot Award, New Layout & Updates

Wow!  I just realized today that I let a month pass before posting something on my blog...I guess I didn't even realize that I had been away from my blog for that long.  I don't know about how anyone else feels but I feel like everytime I blink it's a new month or a new season or a new year...time seems to be going by faster and faster.

I went to Florida with my whole family to see the in-laws.  It turned out to be a really nice family reunion and one that was way overdue and needed.  Florida's weather can be pretty unpredictable though and I think next time we go, we will go in April when we can enjoy the real Florida weather.

Since I am busy taking my kids to all of their activities and paper crafting is not such a portable friendly craft, I have taken up an additional hobby... crochet! and I have crochet three scarves in two months and I will be finishing my fourth one this week.  Next will be a really nice throw/blanket for our couch.

I have also given myself time to focus on my health and have gone to the gym on a regular basis...in just two weeks, I have seen and felt tremendous changes...all good...and I am going to keep at this even though it means less time for crafting.

While I have not taken any photos of my scarves yet, I did manage to take a photo of my latest layout that I finished last week.  It had been two weeks since I had a chance to go in my studio and stamp and I was so happy to finally have some time to do it.

 

All Supplies are Stampin'Up

Stamps: Pennant Parade (see the black stars in the background paper?); Fabulous Phrases

Cardstock/Paper:  crumb cake, whisper white, basic black, Just Add Cake DSP

Ink:  craft basic black

Accessories:  spritzer, smooch spritz, island indigo berkers twine, petite pennants builder punch, Stars #2 bigz die, stampin' dimensionals, subtles designer buttons, retired black cord and retired chipboard from Stampin'Up

Last week I received a super nice comment and award from Susan who nominated me as one of the lucky people to receive the Liebster Blot Award. 

 

Visit Susan in her blog http://craftroomwindow.blogspot.com/

and check out all of her really cute crafty creations!!!

this award is intended to encourage and showcase bloggers with less than 200 followers.

Here are suggestions that come with the Liebster Blot award:

*Thank the blogger who presented your award on your blog, 

and link back to them.

*Show the Liebster Blog badge on your blog 

(copy and paste from the presenter's blog).

*Present the Liebster Blog award to 5 blogs that have less 

than 200 followers.

*Let them know they have been chosen 

by leaving a comment on their blog.

Ok so here are the 5 blogs I read on a frequent basis that have less than 200 followers (all from Stampin'Up demonstrators):

Robin:  A super talented Stampin'Up demonstrator (who I secretely admire) that inspires me with her art work and MDS pages

Petronela:  Another uber talented Stampin'Up demo who resides in Australia.  Her Valentine projects this year blew me away!!!

Tara:  You need to check this girl out!!! She does amazing art work with Stampin'Up products and the photos of her art work is sooooo beautiful.  Her latest post is a different technique that I have never seen of coloring your ribbon.

Katie:  This girl has so much eye candy in her blog that by the time you are done looking at her blog you panic realizing that you just spent an hour looking at everything.  Very inspiring!!!

Heidi:  I love her romantic style and all the soft colors she uses in her work.  You must check out her easter bunny box it's out of this world!!!

I hope I can check in a little bit more often than I have this past month but I can't promise anything for now...I am going to start preparing for the Artisan Award projects so I will be very busy in my studio creating up a storm.

New Layout, Valentine Card & 3D Puffy Hearts Video Tutorial

Is that a packed title or what?

I have finally made a video tutorial featuring 3D puffy heart embellishments that can be made from scraps of paper and that are so cute to add a little extra something to any paper crafting project.

Here is a layout I made with these little puffy hearts

 

And here are some closeup pics

Supplies (All Stampin'Up)

Stamp Sets:  Perfectly Penned, Tiny Tags, Love Bandit (retired)

Cardstock: Island Indigo, Very Vanilla, Soft Subtles and Neutrals Patterns Designer Series Paper Stacks, Peach Parfait

Ink:  Craft Black Ink

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight taffeta ribbon (retired), white bakers twine, Island Indigo bakers twine, toothpicks (for the little flag posts), Framed Tulips textured impressions embossing folder, dazzling details

 

And here is a Valentine's Day Card I made for my hubby using these little hearts as well

Supplies:  

Cardstock:  Soft Suede textured cardstock, First Edition DSP, whisper white

Ink: Real Red classic ink

Accessories:  cricut machine (wild cards cartridge), cherry cobbler bakers twine, rhinestones, dazzling details

 

So are you dying to know how to make these super cute 3D puffy hearts?  Sorry to keep you waiting(lol)....here is the video tutorial

 

Valentine's Day is right around the corner...go ahead and make these little embellishments for your last minute cards and gifts...they are fun, fast and easy!!!

 

 

 

Sale-A-Bration & Pennant Parade Birthday Page

Today is the day!!!  The day that Sale-A-Bration begins with Stampin'Up!!!

You can click HERE to see the Sale-A-Bration catalog.

For those of you unfamiliar with Sale-A-Bration, here are all the details:

ORDERS INCLUDE MERCHANDISE FROM ALL ACTIVE CATALOGS AND CLEARANCE ITEMS

 

 

BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!

Take your stamping skills to the next level and SAVE up to 60% with the Sale-A-Bration Starter Kit Deal!   

• SAVE $50 on the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit (NOW $125).  Includes up to $340 in products and ships FREE.  Choose and customize either the Standard Starter Kit or Digital Starter Kit.
• SALE-A-BRATION STARTER KIT BONUS!  Receive your choice of either FREE Designer Series Paper (you pay for shipping) or a FREE My Digital Studio Download (no shipping charge) EVERY MONTH that you are active, from Feb. through Dec., 2012.  Up to a $120 value!

YOU CAN SEE SOME VIDEO SHOWCASING SOME TECHNIQUES USING THE ITEMS IN YOUR STARTER KIT HERE

TO JOIN, SIMPLY CLICK HERE AND THEN CLICK ON THE "JOIN NOW" ICON

I am so super excited with all the new  FREE items available in this 2012 Sale-A-Bration catalog.

On a side note, I recently finished a mini album for a girl at my church who just turned 16.  Some of us took her out for dinner and I took the opportunity to shoot some pictures with my new Nikon lens I got for Christmas.  I used a plethora of stamps and a paper collection I have had in my stash for 6 years (yes people, I am on a mission to use my stash this year).  Here is a picture of one of the page using the Pennant Parade stamp set.  I think this stamp set is one of the newer stamp sets that I really love and will keep for years and years.

 

I will be posting a few photos of a recent swap showcasing the sale-a-bration catalog as well as the Occasions Mini catalog in the next few posts so check back soon for some creative inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mini Album with Beaded Binding

During the holidays, I made a special little mini album for a very dear friend of mine who visited me this past summer with her husband.  We managed to take quite a few pics so I made her a little album and decided to try a new binding technique using beads I had seen in a YouTube video.  Since I didn't have a lot of time, I made somthing pretty simple but nonetheless I really liked it:

Like I said before, I plan to use my stash of goodies on hand a lot more this year but I think I started doing this before the new year started because the only thing I had to go get for this album that I didn't have already were the beads.  It's so liberating to use my stash of papers and embellishments I have collected over the years. 

 

November Workshop & Big Shot Promotion

Just wanted to take a moment to show you all a few photos of the projects I made for a workshop.  The hostess wanted me to feature the Big Shot so what better die than the Top Note Die and to stay with the theme of Fall.

Here are a few close up photos of each individual item

 

Did you know that all my hostesses get to keep all of the projects I make at the workshop?  Did you know that you can get the Big Shot for free this month if you join the Stampin'Up family?

Here is Shelli Gardner, the founder of Stampin'Up with a message about this month's promotion

 

 

If you've been looking for an opportunity to do what you love, while getting a 20 discount on your favorite products, now is the perfect time! During October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot (or $100 in free product) when you join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator.*

Use the Big Shot die-cutting machine and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive dies**  to create uniquely beautiful projects in a flash.

In addition, the new-demonstrator Starter Kit--a steal at just $175--contains over $345 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies-everything you need to start your new business.

There are so many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, including

• A 20 percent product discount!
• A free monthly issue of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine, Stampin' Success!
• Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
• Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events!
• Regular get-togethers to stamp!
• Free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!
• Plus, access to an exclusive video and training for your new Big Shot!

What do I need to become a demonstrator?

Our Starter Kits, created exclusively for new demonstrators, contain Stampin' Up!

essentials you'll need to get started in your new business. You can choose between

the standard Starter Kit and the Digital+ Starter Kit. Both Starter Kits are customizable

allowing you to choose products that you want to run your business your way.

The standard Starter Kit includes Four complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and clear-mount block) A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge Assortment of Designer Series Paper and card stock White envelopes (40) Four Classic Stampin' Pads Two Stampin' Write markers VersaMark Pad Blender pen Whisper White 5/8" satin ribbon Textured embossing folder of choice One ink refill of your choice Adhesives Color Coach Cupcake Punch or one of your choice Stamping sponge Stampin' Mist Box of Idea Book & Catalogs Business forms and tools

or

The Digital+ Starter Kit includes

• My Digital Studio digital designing software
• His & Hers Digital Content Collection DVD
• One clear-mount stamp set (including a clear-mount block)
• Assortment of card stock
• Note cards and envelopes (20)
• Four Classic Stampin' Pads
• Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Brights Designer Buttons
• Always Bird Décor Elements and applicator
• Adhesives
• Blender Pen
• Stampin' Mist
• Box of Idea Book & Catalogs
• Business forms and tools

Choose the Starter Kit that best matches your stamping and paper-crafting interests, and

get over $340 of Stampin' Up!'s high-quality products for just $175.

Why join my team?  I offer monthly downline meetings, training, support, friendship, and

more!  Join on my website HERE

Birthday Layout - Last Non-Winning Artisan Award Layout

This was the last layout I created for the 2011 Artisan Award. 

Stamp Sets:  Seeing Stars

Paper/Cardstock:  In Color DSP Paper Pack (retired), Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, whisper white, real red, Peach Parfait, very vanilla

Ink:  real red, versamark

Accessories:  In Color DSP Paper Pack (retired), white EP, melon mambo pom pom trim, top note bigz die, small star punch, toothpicks

 

Artisan Award Entries - Heart Layout & Tree Card

I've been busy getting ready for a long road trip with my family.  We will be visiting the coastal southeast states and are getting really excited to finally go on vacation...I think my whole family needs it!

I should have the video on the origami dress sometime this week, in the meantime, here is the first non-winning layout (I was inspired by Jennifer McGuire):

All those little punched out hearts were made by using one of the presto DSP and sponging it with three different inks...the entire sheet was then punched out.  Some of those hearts are attached directly to the crumb cake heart and others are popped up with dimensionals.  This is a photo of my kids...they are only 17 months apart and always together.

Stamps:  Cheep Talk

Cardstock/Paper:  Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Newsprint DSP, cherry cobbler, very vanilla, Presto Patterns DSP

Ink:  basick black, marina mist, baja breeze, bashful blue

Accessories:  Vintage Type Rub Ons, Antique Brad, hemp twine, Heart To Heart punch, Full Heart Punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlit Die

 

Here is my third non-winning card.  I wanted to use those awesome wood and cork sheets and make this card very earthy.

Stamps:  Thoughts & Prayers, Woodgrain

Paper/Cardstock:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Ink:  Early Espresso, Old Olive, Versamark

Accessories:  Vintage Trinkets, wood sheet, cork sheet, seam binding ribbon, Lots Of Tags Sizzlit Die, Scallop Oval Punch, 1 3/4 X 7/8 oval punch, clear ep, 3/16" corner punch

 

 

Scrapbook Page in a Frame

Hope everyone has had a nice Memorial Day weekend!

I spent the weekend with the kiddos since hubby took a short trip to Florida for his sister's graduation and we had a ton of fun with all the nice weather we've been having....biking, hiking, eating ice cream watching Kung Fu Panda 2, getting our car wash and playing UNO...so fun!!!

Last week my friend Ellen hosted a workshop.  I normally do one scrapbook page using a photo or two that my hostess wants me to use but this time I turned my 8 1/2 X 11 layout into a frame.  This is Ellen's niece with a smile that just lights up everything around her.

 

All supplies Stampin'Up

Stamp Sets:  Fabulous Florets, Defining Alphabet, Woodgrain

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Crub Cake, Daffodil Delight

Ink:  Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Early Espresso

Accessories:  Dazzling Diamonds, Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

The journaling on the bottom of the photo was just something I created with my computer.

 

Woodland Walk & Shutter Speed

So, here is another layout I did with the Woodland Walk DSP....isn't it completely different than the one I showed you in my previous post?  I told you this paper was versatile.  The thing about papers is that you can play with colors and make them warm/cool and fit them to whatever need you may have at that particular time.

I used gray and blue to give a cool effect to this layout.  Ok, the shutter speed thing...I took this online photography class by Elisha Snow and one of the lessons was on shutter speed so I took the opportunity to take an action shot of my hubby jumping...or at least, that is what I asked him to do.

Honey can you just jump in the air for me so that I can take a few action shots?

Sure thing Laura....and there he goes...I thought I was having another one of my crazy dreams because those jumps did not look like normal human jumps but more of grasshopper jumps..but seriously, my camera is complete proof that those jumps were real and that I do have a little bit of a crazy husband (lol).

Stamps:  Circle Circus (sure there is stamping, check out the stamped baja breese cardstock; btw..this stamp is one of my most versatile stamps and I tend to grab it often), Trendy Trees (yes, you can use those pieces for more than building trees)

Carstock/Paper:  Woodland Walk DSP, Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Going Grey (retired), whisper white

Ink:  Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, white gel pen

Accessories:  Vintage Type Rub-ons, Bitty Buttons, hemp

 

Woodland Walk Layout

Now that my holiday cards are done I can finally catch up on a few other things in my "To Do" list.  One of which is to upload photos of my creations on the computer so here goes one of them.

I absolutely fell in love with the Woodland Walk DSP as soon as I laid my eyes upon it and I just knew it was going to be a versatile pack.  I made a couple of layouts with it.

Here's one of them:

 

We are loving the New England and this fall we went to the White Mountain region in New Hampshire to experience the fall foliage and it truly was breathtaking.  We had a chance to see the wonderful park in this region full of waterfalls and gorges...it was so spectacular!!!

Stamps:  Trendy Trees

Cardstock/Paper:  Woodland DSP, Newsprint DSP, whisper white, cardboard

Accessories:  Little Leaves sizzlits, Naturally Serif sizzlits, Eyelet border punch, designer buttons

 

Come back again sometime this week to see my other layout!!! TFL!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Layout - A New Beginning

As promised, here the layout I finished yesterday morning...it took me a week to finish all the details since I almost never do sketches and I start with a picture/s and go as I please...never planning what stamps or accessories I am going to be using....just photos, colors and papers...then everything else comes later...

 

And here are a few close ups:

Can you guess how I made that tree???  I used the chocolate waffle paper in the Holiday Mini catalog.  The waffle paper is fantastic in a sense that it can be shaped easily into anything you want.  I adhered the different molded pieces with my beloved crystal effects.

I hand-drew the bubble windows for the owls.  Here's a full list of all supplies (all Stampin'Up):

Cardstock/Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, very vanilla, whisper white, vellum, Newsprint DSP, Early Espresso waffle paper

Stamps:  Autumn Splendor, Notably Ornate, Fox & Friends

Ink:  Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Versamark, Black StazOn, Distress inks from Distress Kit

Accessories: Gold EP, Dazzling Diamonds, Antique Brads, Peach Parfait Poly ribbon, Naturally Serif die, basic rhinestones

 

Another Layout - "Marvelous"

I got tested positive for strep throat on Friday and all I have been able to do is stay in bed and look at my computer.  Fortunately, I did do another layout this past week using some new goodies and some old ones.

My friend Gio' gave me a little tutorial on watercoloring since I am not good at accentuating light and shadow in my coloring.  She had stamped a few images on water color paper and gave them to me so that I could practice...so after I colored my first one, I decided to do layout with it.  Here's the result:

 

I did get to use my new Greenhouse Gala DSP and Gold Smooch Spritz which is probably hard to see it in these pictures.  I have been on a kick with glitter lately...not sure why...

I still have a lot to learn and practice a lot with watercoloring...

Friends Layout

So I am back creating in my beloved scrap room.  I tell you that it was a challenge getting back into scrapbooking...not creating for an entire month just made my head go blank.

I am now finishing up a mini album with all the pictures I took in Sardinia and then I will start my album for the rest of my vacatin in Italy.  Then it's off to creating my Christmas cards...that's right, I start super early because I have to make over 100 of them and because once September rolls in, the kids will keep me busy with their school, ballet, piano lessons, voice lessons, etc...not to mention all the holidays that roll one after the other and I also will have the pleasure of having guests over my house in October...so yes, I am starting now to do all the things I need to do so that I don't lose my sanity later on.

Without further ado, here is my first layout...a quick one but one I will cherish forever.

 

Stamps:  Paradise

Cardstock:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Basic Black, Greenhouse Gala DSP

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: (my favorites...all Stampin'Up) pearls, scallop punch, black striped ribbon, black glitter, scallop punch

Here are a few more detailed pics:

 

By the way, don't forget you only have three more weeks to order from the Summer Mini Catalog before all those goodies are gone forever.

Love Bandit Scrapbook Page

This is a scrapbook page I made with the Love Bandit Stamp set...can you tell I love this stamp set?

Sorry for the bad pics lately but I am not having a lot of time to play around with my camera and figure out what I am doing wrong. 

 

Supplies:  Love Bandit Stamp set, Wild West Alphabet Set, Scallop Swirl border punch, Curly Label Punch, Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon, ink pad and cardstock, Crushed Curry polka dot ribbon and cardstock, whisper white cardstock, SAB Home Designer Series Paper, Timeless Type Bigz Die, Chocolate Chip carstock and ink, melon mambo cardstock, white signo gel pen.

A New Scrapbook Page

I told you there would be a scrapbook page coming!!!  Same stamp set as before "Party Hatty" coupled with the "Text & Textured" stamp set.  Of course I used the Bella Rose papers and I used the new Scallop Edge punch to create the scalloped bordered page.  Other accessories:  star chipboard, small star punch, scallop circle punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, pink bead duos.

I love the versatility of these stamp sets and how the punches add so much to the paper hobby. 

Well...it's 7:30AM here and I better get up and make some breakfast.  Have a great day!!!