Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Leadership swaps with Doily Die


This first card is the card I am going to use as inspiration for the wedding cards that I STILL need to make to send to my grandmother.  LOL! The cards below were great examples of the Delicate Doily die that works with the Big Shot.  I keep giving mine away...sniff!


The doily on the card above is made from Designer Series paper.  The stripes create an optical illusion that the doily is corrugated.  I keep touching the doily to double check.  LOL!

Happy Stamping!
Stefanie

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Scallop Oval Punch Flowers

Yes, you read that right.  I saw a punch art flower done by talented Australian punch artist Valita of Valita's Designs & Fresh Folds.  She used the scallop oval punch.  She made the flower in two sizes and I added the middle size.  I included a couple of pictures as sort of a pictorial.  (She has done a video that you can look up on You Tube.)  In the first picture you can see what is cut away.  The oddball green piece is there to show you how to make a template for easier cutting.  Notice the dot on the full scallop oval.  Your cut lines intersect thru the dot.  (I am probably making it harder sounding than it really is.)

Sponge the edges in coordinating ink.  Then use the side of your piercing tool to "draw" veins in the flower.  (Do not use the very sharp tip; use the side.)  You will lay the petal on an old mouse pad or a piece of craft foam...something with some "give" to do this step.  This step makes the petal look almost real and cause it to cup/have some shape.  Start between each scallop and pull straight toward the inner point of the petal.  Be careful not to intersect the lines...it won't look as natural. 



Adhere the petals with Tombow to a 3/4" circle.  I like finishing out the centers with a brad.


I will make something with some of these and do another post...Julie

Monday, February 27, 2012

Packed For Mom stamp


 Our church is having a Ladies Conference and a group of us went out shopping on Saturday to find deals for the door prizes (instead of doors we were looking at purses and purse stuffers...lol).  One lady picked up these little pads at the dollar store.  I slipped them out of the pile and put little covers on them.  I stamped the purse from the collage and then colored it and popped it up on a dimensional.  The pad was Wisteria Wonder so it was perfect!  The pads will look so much nicer with a hand stamped cover!  I did not get too adventurous because I had a stack to create and not much time.  Enjoy!  I had so much fun that I found more pads in my stash and doubled the number that I handed back to Megan.  LOL!

Colors:
Wisteria Wonder or Island Indigo or whatever color matches your pad
Whisper White

Supplies:
Big Shot
Polka dot folder
Packed for Mom stamp (I converted to clear)
Markers for the purse
Dimensionals
Sponges

Enjoy!
Stefanie



Sunday, February 26, 2012

Simple Perfect Punches Card

Whenever I lose my mojo/creative ability, I find myself going back to this little card format.  It is a springboard for me. 






Simple, right?  But it makes me say, "Oh yeah, I remember how to do this!"

If you would like to create this, you will need the following:

Sets:  Perfect Punches
Paper: 4 1/4 x 11" Blushing Bride, scored at 5 1/2" (also shown in Peach Parfait); scrap of Whisper White;  scrap of Pear Pizzazz (for the little tiny leaf by the flower)
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz
Punches:  Curly Label, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
Other:  Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Basic Pearl Jewels, Snail adhesive and 2 Way Glue pen


Do you have a layout that you go back to in order to jumpstart your creativity? 

Let us know, we would like encouraging comments...
Julie

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Take It To Heart card

Yes...it is well past Valentine's Day but I had to share a card that my friend, Merle sent to me.  (-:  It is very cute!  I love the pairing of the Doily die and the heart die.  Great job, Merle!

Supplies:
Paper Doily Die (125592)
Adorning Accents -dots at the top of the card (125601)
Satin ribbon
Hearts Collection (125599)
Big Shot and accessories
Take It To Heart stamp set (125522 clear or 125520 wood)

Colors:
Blushing Bride
Very Vanilla

Have a great Saturday!
Stefanie

Friday, February 24, 2012

Snowman punch art and Shamrock punch art

Hello!  It is a good day to live in Missouri; my mother said that Iowa had lots of snow over the past 24 hours.  Brrr...their temps were below freezing and we were running around without jackets yesterday!

A few days ago I made a cute little 3x3 card for St. Patrick's Day; I also made a larger version to send to my grandmother; I wish that I had not run out of the Lucky Limeade In Color brads for the center of the shamrock.

Both of my grandmothers (paternal and maternal) were born hours apart and on the same day...leap year day!  Below is one of the cards I made as Grandma S's birthday gift; she loves sending out cards for each specific holiday.  Keep posted for the cards I made for Grandma Dixie.

Colors:
Lucky Limeade
Whisper White

Goodies:
Snowburst impressions folder
Big Shot
Full Heart punch
Go Green stamp set (retired)

This card is for the demonstrator swap via mail.  The theme was winter punch art and I fell in love with this little guy when Julie emailed me about finding this one.  I combined different ideas to make the card uniquely mine.  (-:  It looks like the snowman is looking up at you...cute!!!

Colors:
Marina Mist
Whisper White
Basic Black (marker for eyes and mouth also)
Cherry Cobbler
Peach Parfait (scraps for hand cut nose)
Chocolate Chip (scraps for hand cut arms)

Supplies:
Tab punch (half for the hat)
Trio flower punch (flower for the hat)
Snowburst impressions folder
Big Shot
Modern Label or Word Window punch (fold in half and snip ends for scarf)
Circle punches-1 1/4", 1 3/8", 1 3/4"  (stacked for body)
Pearls (hat)

Happy Stamping!
Stefanie

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Posy Punch Thanks

If it is a set that you can punch out, I will almost always love it.  When I saw Posy Punch, I knew it was going to be mine.



I had some friends over to stamp on Saturday and I wanted to feature some of the newer In Colors.  It is a little busier than some of my cards, but my husband OK'd it.  (haha)

In case you were curious:

Stamps:  Baroque Motifs, Posy Punch, Thank You Kindly (sentiment)
Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral
Paper:  Pool Party (4 1/4 x 11, scored at 5 1/2), Island Indigo (3 1/2 x 4 1/2), Whisper White (3 1/4 x 4 1/4 plus scraps for flower and center), Lucky Limeade
Punches: 3/4" circle, Fancy Flower
Other: Swirls Scribbles sizzlet, snail, dimensionals, 2 Way Glue pen

Bonus Tip:  Replace your paper trimmer blades on a regular basis.  Ragged edges detract from an otherwise pretty card.  (I just did mine, and it hadn't been done in a while...too long.  I figured I'd remind you, in case you were forgetful, like me.)

Hope you are having a good day,
Julie

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

St Patrick's Day 3x3 Card



Hello!  This little cutie is the 3x3 card that I will be giving to everyone who places a $50 or more order this month.  These are simple and fun to create.

Colors:
Lucky Limeade (had to use it...the name is perfect!)
Whisper White

SU Tools:
Heart to Heart Punch
In Color Brads
In Color Markers
Sponges
Dimensionals
Square Lattice Embossing Folder
Big Shot

Happy Stamping!
Stefanie

Monday, February 20, 2012

Array of Sunshine Birthday Card

Imagine my surprise...yesterday it was 50 plus degrees and this morning it is snowing!  Anyway...

This is the card that I made for my twelve year old.  She loves purple.



Sets used: Happiest Birthday wishes (hostess) and Array of Sunshine
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Calypso Coral, and Lucky Limeade
Ink: Concord Crush and Wisteria Wonder
Other: Basic Pearls Jewels, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Elegant Bouquet TIEF, dimensionals,  the lace oval die and the fancy flourish are non-SU

Thanks for stopping by......
Julie


Friday, February 17, 2012

Mixed Bunch Tea Light Box

I am thrilled that Julie is posting now and that you will be able to get to know her.  We have had lots of fun and lots of escapades through the years.  LOL!

Last fall I went to a Stamp Fest in Iowa; Jen Higginbotham did an amazing job with it.  Jen had us make these cute tea light boxes and I loved them.  This week I made a few changes to the design (not all Walmart tea lights are the same size...Waz' up with dat?) and liked the end result.  I will most likely add a tag because it just seems like it needs a little something to balance the top.

Stampin' Up! supplies:
Baja Breeze Cardstock, Classic Ink, In Color Brads, and Ruffled Ribbon
Big Shot and Cutting Pads
Bigz L Fun Flowers Die
Crop-a-dile (for hole)
Sticky Strip (a must for keeping the box together)
Sponges
Heat Tool

Non-Stampin' Up! supplies (gasp):
Tissue Paper
Tea lights






Have a fun weekend full of stamping adventures! 
Stefanie

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Punch Art Favors

I am so excited to do my first ever blog post.  It was hard to choose which project to debut first.  I have done several projects lately.  (Which is amazing in and of itself...)


How about some punch art favors.  I gave these to my children with their valentines. 

These rocket ships for my two boys...


and these little owls for my two girls.


They are mounted with glue dots on Pearson's mint patties (available at Walmart) which are still foil wrapped.  (They are similar to York Peppermint Patties.)  Since they are wrapped in foil, the wrapper doesn't show when viewed from the top.  The kids have really enjoyed these little favors.


If you would like to create them, here is what you need:
Rocket
Punches: Wide oval, 1" circle (to do cut out at the end), 1/2" circle, 1/4" circle (which is a standard handheld), small oval, 1 3/8" circle for the back (helps keep it closed if you are passing these out)
Paper: Brushed Silver, Daffodil Delight (shown sponged with Tangerine Tango ink), and Real Red or Tangerine Tango
Other: Pearson's Mint Patties, Paper snips to cut the flame detail, 2 Way Glue pen, glue dots

Owl
Punches: Wide oval, 1" circle (to cut out portion between the "ears"), small oval, 1/4" circle (halves form the feet), 1 3/8" circle to keep back closed
Paper: Early Espresso, Melon Mambo or Concord Crush, Pink Pirouette or Wisteria Wonder, Tangerine Tango
Other: Paper snips, Square Lattice TIEF, 7mm Wiggly Eyes, 2 Way Glue pen, glue dots, Pearson's Mint Patties

Bonus Tip:  I find that reverse tweezers are really helpful in positioning small punch art pieces.

Let us know if you have any questions...Julie



Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine' Day

Happy Valentine's Day! 

This jar was another project that we made at Leadership (or were supposed to make but ran out of time...lol!)

The card below is from the Sweet Shop Suite and is super yummy looking.  If you smell carefully you can tell that it is embossed with the new scented embossing powder...lol!


This clever box was made with the new diagonal plate for the Simply Scored.  The cute "lollipop" on the top is also made with the Simply Scored.  I can hardly wait to pre-order the new plate...anticipation!!! 


Saturday, February 11, 2012

Totally A-Maze-ing

This card combines the Serigraph technique with the fun new Totally Amazing stamp set and the maze games.  This is one of my club projects for the month.  I had so much fun messing around with this design; I have to admit...the maze game is addicting as well.  I might have gotten distracted a few times with it.  Shhh...don't tell!


Club members will also get envelopes for these fun cards!  Hooray!

Happy Stamping,
Stefanie





Thursday, February 9, 2012

Leadership swaps and neat quilt


These first pictures were my friend Suzanne's Leadership swaps.  Aren't they lovely?  



 The lady sitting behind us in one General Assembly meeting had this pinwheel card as a swap.  I loved it but had no swaps left. 

This quilt was on display in the Meeting Place.  All of the detail pieces were cut with the Big Shot!  Gorgeous!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Leadership Projects...at last

Happy Monday!  I was able to sit down and work on the make & takes from Leadership so they are completed and ready to be admired!  Hooray!  I had so much fun putting them all together...don't ya wish you were here stamping with me?  LOL!

Stamps used:
Mixed Bunch set
Loving Thoughts set
Thank You Kindly set

Other goodies:
Blossom Builders kit (wow...loved this one!  It has pink rhinestone jewels in it...wow!)
Fancy Favor Die for Big Shot
Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine
On Board Merry Medley
Twitterpated DSP
My Digital Studio (for the 8 1/2 x 11)



     There were three of these cards and they fit inside a cute jar.                                                       


 There are two of these cards; one is for the Ronald McDonald house.
                                                           Scrapbook page...cute!

                                                                    Fancy Favor box

Stefanie


Saturday, February 4, 2012

Happy Saturday!  Today I am making time to stamp all of my Leadership projects...finally!  They gave us so many projects that Suzanne and I decided to just stamp, punch, etc. our projects and then assemble them at home.  I will post them when they are completed.  Can't wait to show them off!!!  Hooray!

In the meantime, here are more fabulous ideas from Leadership.  Enjoy!  The carpet was disgusting so I tried to squat to catch the black background curtain once I realized it was showing up in the pictures.  This year all of the demonstrator's cards were hung on clotheslines...how clever!  We were able to hang them ourselves and later a winner was posted for each stamp set in the Occasions mini catalog. 













Friday, February 3, 2012

Stampin Up fabric pillows

Hello and happy Friday!  I promised to post these pics from Leadership and things got busy.  So many ideas and not enough time to post...lol!  (-:

Terrible picture of me(left) but Suzanne(right) looks lovely!  We had to test the pillows before deciding to take pictures of them.  Kind of like the squish test for bread?  Woops...did I say that out loud?  Teehee!

Word of Warning: I really liked these pillows so there are a BUNCH of pictures.  If you like them then don't forget that Stampin' Up! is offering an exclusive line of fabric that matches our favorite Designer Series Paper.  Wow!  Isn't that too cool?  (-:  During Sale-a-bration you can get one set of fabric for free with every $50 purchase.  Don't ya just love free?

Sale-a-bration mini catalog, page 10...Firtatious Designer Fabric (Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, and Wisteria Wonder)