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Yesterday, at our Little Library in the Woods, here in Mi Wuk Village, CA, we made this charming card. And huge thanks goes to my sister and fellow demonstrator, Janet, for helping me with the idea. My brain was not cooperating with me when it came to planning.
This is really an easy card. I have to confess right here that I could not locate my 1-3/8" circle punch yesterday. I really wanted a layer of Soft Suede between the Basic Black scallop circle and the Very Vanilla stamped piece. So, instead, I sponged the edges to get that Soft Suede color layer.
SUPPLIES:
STAMP SET: Lovely Letters Alphabet
CARD STOCK:
Basic Black: 5-3/8" X 4-1/8"
Soft Suede: 8-1/2" X 5-1/2"
Very Vanilla: 5-1/4" X 2-1/8" (TIP: cut a piece to 5-1/4 x 4-1/4, run it through the Big Shot with the Finial Press Folder, and then cut it in half, thus prepping for two cards at one time)
Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper: 2" x 5-1/4"
TIP: For seam binding, layer the 2 different card stocks onto the Basic Black card stock, then wrap seam binding around the pieces, over the seam, and secure, with SNAIL adhesive on the back side. Then attach this Basic Black layer to the card front.
I hope you enjoy this basic card. If you have any questions, please let me know but I think it's pretty much a follow the bouncing ball type of card. Just start from the bottom layer up in recreating it. Reuse the template to change up colors, ribbons and the sentiment for any occasion.
I'll be back tomorrow with another great (I hope) idea to share with you. It's great for me to be back in the rhythm of posting! :)
Just click on the link above to go to my Online Store and check it out. Sometimes I'm in a pastel mood or an autumn mood or a bright and wreckless mood. Now I can just click on the SHOPBYCOLOR line on the left sidebar of my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator's Website Shopping pages.
Just for example, let's check out the BRIGHTS Color Family:
You get a quick image of all of the colors in the color family. Now let's click on one of the colors:
If you click on the photo above you can easily see both the textured and smooth card stocks.
Now you'll have to go to the actual page to all off the offerings in Real Red.
Décor Elements
Ribbons
Smooth Card Stock
Photo Albums, ring and post
Classic and Craft ink refills
Classic Stamp Pad
Stampin' Write Marker
Just for the fun of it, I checked out another color: DAFFODIL DELIGHT
Click on any color, in any color family, and you'll be able to see everything that is currently available in that family. This includes the 2010-2012 and 2011-2013 In Colors. WOOHOO!!! Then click on the individual color to see what's offered in that color.
No, I didn't know this before. Amazing what you can learn when you poke around! Now it's your turn to go check these out! Believe me, I've just been clicking on a bunch of them.
Have fun checking out this great feature available when you're Online Shopping!
Today's TIP is really simple but it saves sooooooo much time.
Each time a new Designer Series Paper or Simply Scrappin' Kit comes into my house, before it goes into my Paper Holder (p. 226, bottom right, Idea Book & Catalog), I go to my Idea Book & Catalog (pgs 183-189) or Mini Catalog, locate the particular DSP or Simply Scrappin' Kit and then, with a permanent marker, write the coordinating card stocks right on the back of the wrapper. That way I still have the wrapper to hold the DSP, and scraps that I create, in a neat and tidy place but I always have the coordinated CS information right there.
It's absolutely nothing fancy-dancy but it sure makes for easy card stock collection when working on a project. Above, you're seeing the Frightful Sight (122351) Designer Series Paper that I've used in an upcoming nugget project. Stay tuned.
NEXT TO LAST REMINDER: The Buy 3, get one FREE Designer Series Paper Promotion ends tomorrow. It's a great time and way to stock up. (The offer doesn't include the Specialty DSPs.)
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow with another of my fun nugget projects.
As a stamper or scrapbooker, having supplies ready at any time, for any 'down time' or spare time, is a must. If you're in the path of Hurricane Irene, you might heed this list:
1. Overnight any necessary stampin’ supplies needed to lock yourself inside, safe from the storm.
2. Purchase battery operated lamps for craft room.
3. Stock up on batteries.
4. Purchase necessary crafting sustenance – water or juice, Shaklee meal and/or snack bars, munchies, pre-cut fruit and veggies, popcorn.
5. Download and print ideas saved from your computer in case the power goes out.
6. Charge cell phone.
7. Wash most comfy sweats so they are ready to live in for the day.
8. Charge camera battery (consider purchasing extra camera battery) because you know we need to take pictures of the storm to scrapbook it!
9. And remember.........the Big Shot does not need a generator! Just your own power and dies.
Please bear in mind: I am NOT making light of threatening Hurricane Irene. It is serious and requires attention, but you know there are crafters and scrapbookers for whom these tips are quite appropriate!
Can you really make bling blingier? At least, perhaps you can make it splashier or more colorful--or dyed to match your project anyway.
All you need is a package of Stampin' Up's Jewels: Rhinestone (124296, $4.95) and some permanent pens, such as Sharpies. Simply color the top of the rhinestone, let it dry (just takes seconds) and you are good to go! Pretty cool huh? Get yours here!
• Small, self-adhesive rhinestones • 150 rhinestones per package; 50 each of 3 sizes (3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm) • Each package also includes three 2-5/8" strips of connected rhinestones, perfect for borders
The Watercolor Wonder Crayons are now available for purchase. Their availability has been delayed due to the relocation of Stampin' Up!'s supplier. Now they have inventory and you can start ordering today!
Sorry I couldn't come up with a larger picture!
You might notice that when you receive your Watercolor Wonder Crayons, some of the crayon sleeves feature old artwork on them. This does not affect the quality of the crayons. Stampin' Up! is simply depleting inventory of crayons with the old artwork before using crayons featuring the new artwork. I'm thinking that some of the packages might have mixed sleeves---collector's items.
Here are the item numbers to purchase your Watercolor Wonder Crayons:
If you've never used Watercolor Wonder Crayons, let me tell you a little bit about them:
They are
Artist-‐quality, highly‐pigmented crayons.
Water soluble and easy to blend, allowing for an unlimited range of shades.
They coordinate with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors.
They're available in each color collection assortment: 1 each of the 10 colors
They can be used in many ways:
--Color directly on paper or card stock, and then watercolor using an Aqua Painter or Blender Pen
--Take color directly off the crayon using an Aqua Painter or Blender Pen, and then apply it to paper or card stock
--Color images without using water
Quick Trick:
Try coloring directly onto your stamp, misting lightly with water, and stamping onto your paper. You will get an instant watercolor image! You can also take the pigment directly off the crayon with your Aqua Painter to color a stamped image.
And a few FYI Tips:
For best results, use Watercolor Paper (105019, $6.95/20 sheets) for watercoloring. It is specially designed to resist buckling and pilling.
Use a hand‐held pencil sharpener to sharpen Watercolor Wonder Crayons; do not use an electric pencil sharpener.
Avoid storing crayons in extreme hot or cold temperatures or in direct sunlight.
Stampin' Up! and I both thank you for your patience! A location move just isn't fun and I'm sure we've all been there at one time or another--with all of the unexpected pitfalls that occur along the way.
Well, I know I'm ready now to order my new color kit. If you're ready to order your favorite color collection group, send me an email via the button on the left sidebar or click on the Shop Now button on the upper right side bar (or on my name below).
Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.......
STUMPED FOR WHAT COLORS (MIGHT) WORK WELL TOGETHER?
Well, check out this website: http://colorlab.mycreateink.com/
On the left column are all of Stampin' Up!'s current colors. OR, if you click the other button you can see retired colors in addition to current colors. On the main part of the page are color combinations created by other stampers. And on that very first line under "Create, Ink, Color Lab", you can click on colors from the left column, and they'll appear in that bar, as you're searching for colors that you'd like to use together.
You can always find the link to this page in my left sidebar as well. You'll never be 'color stuck' again.
Have you ever found yourself ready to package up a little something but needing some "shred" to cushion it or to fill out the box? Well now you can be ever-prepared.
Use up all that brown paper packing material that comes in your Stampin' Up! order.... cut it in small strips with the Stampin' Up! Tabletop Cutter (106959, p. 199). It makes great 'shred' to fill in your box projects and you're recycling, too!
You could also crinkle up some tissue or wrapping paper and send it through the Table Top Paper Cutter, creating colorful or color coordinated shred. Win. Win. Win.
I have a class coming up shortly and of course I need to get myself in order before stampers start to arrive in less than an hour. So......tomorrow I'll share the project for which I made the shred. You'll like it. I just completed it but can't possibly post it the way I'd like in 25 minutes. :)
If you have the Two-Step Owl Punch and the Two-Step Bird Punch, you're really going to want to make the awesome owl. You know how darned cute he is normally. Well this is just another of his many outfits.
I 'found' him in the blog banner of my friend, Patty Bennett's blog. I'm pretty sure Patty used My Digital Studio to create her owl but I chose to use my punches and Designer Series Paper. I just love those punches!
CARD STOCK: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive (scrap), Whisper White (scrap), Soft Suede (scrap), Basic Gray (scrap), Wicked Fun Specialty Designer Series Paper
INK: Basic Black and Basic Gray Classic pads
ACCESSORIES: Punches: Two-Step Owl (118074), Two-Step Bird (117191), 1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval (previously known as the small oval), 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval (formerly known as medium oval), 1" Circle; Paper Piercing Tool, Flower Brads: Brights: Pumpkin Pie, Stamping Sponge, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Big Shot Die-cut Machine, Top Note SU! Exclusive Die
This is pretty much a 'follow the bouncing ball' card.......just copy each bit that you see. Three TIPS however:
1- On the edge of a piece of Basic Black card stock, punch out about a half circle using the 1" circle punch. Then push your punch up about 1/8" and punch again, creating a narrow arch. Lay this little piece on the top of the 'hat brim' trimming off excess where it hangs over the edges. Top that band with the TAIL from the Two-Way Bird Punch.
2- Trim a bit from the lower edge of the Basic Gray oval used to create the hat brim if you want. I thought it was a little bit too big.
3- Although you can hardly see them, I used the bats from the Wicked Cool stamp set. After inking them, I stamped them off on my grid paper and then stamped over the word BOO. Then I sponged the edges of the oval with Basic Black ink.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Have a lovely Sunday. It's a nice drizzly autumn day here in the Northern California mountains.
I don't know about you, but I love ribbon on my cards. Not all of them. Just most of them it seems. Ribbon adds a nice touch. But----I know I also get tired of little frays on the ends. So here's a quick and easy way to remedy those little pesky fraying ends.
You've tied your knot or bow and cut off the ends.......with very good/sharp scissors. Enter my little commercial: the Craft & Paper Scissors (p. 199, 108360) are fabulous. I have put a Pixie Pink (retired) piece of ribbon on my scissors. And I've written RIBBON ONLY on the ribbon. Woe be unto the person who uses them on paper. Like those frayed ends?!
Once in a while they're right next to my work space and my hand twitches to grab them to just snip a small bit of paper. And next thing I know it'll be a bigger piece of paper. Nope. I slap my hand and reach instead for my Paper Snips or Craft & Rubber Scissors for cutting paper.
Back to today's tip: Cut off the raw ends of the ribbon with Craft & Paper ribbon only Scissors. Then..........take your Heat Tool (p. 196) and seal the ends by heating them ever so carefully. Most of Stampin' Up!'s (and others') ribbons are made of synthetic material and they'll only need a teeny bit of heat to melt the ends. Don't be holding the ribbon end with your finger tips!!! Use a pair of tweezers so you don't burn your fingers.
This step isn't always necessary, but when you really want a nice, unfrayed end, try it. I think you'll be quite pleased with the outcome.
