Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Oh my goodness, I've been so consumed with moving that I nearly forgot to post today. So sorry everyone!

This project from Maria Williams uses one of my favorite DSP packs from the Spring/Summer Catalog - Good Morning Sunshine. Boy, am I going to miss it!



This is a CASE of a Leadership swap I saw here:

http://designwithink.blogspot.com/2009/03/look-what-i-got.html

These pages just talked to me and I HAD to do them right away! I saw this as a great boy page. I have a hard time thinking "boy" just because girl pages are so much easier to dress up! I didn't have Good Friend, so I used Cheep Talk instead. There are a few slight changes but pretty much a straight CASE. I added a title with Serif Essentials Alphabet dies in Chocolate Chip cs. The size of the picture on the first page is 5x7, and the size of the pictures on the second page are 4x6.

Stamps: Cheep Talk

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Good Morning Sunshine DS

Ink: VersaMark, Pacific Point

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Scallop Circles #2 Die, Baskets and Blooms Die, Serif Essentials Alphabet Dies, Naturally Serif Decorative Strip Die, Circle Scissors Plus, Pacific Point Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, White Gel Pen, Stampin Write Markers - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun


Maria - thank you so much! I'm always looking for layout ideas on boy pages. I agree with you 100% - girls are so much easier, LOL. I love the way you accented your scallops with the white gel pen - very cute!


Saturday, June 27, 2009

Sketchy Saturday (#36)

Time for your Saturday sketch. Here's what members of the team came up with........enjoy......




Hope you are able to participate in our sketch today. Would love to see what you come up with. Leave a comment with a link to your creation.

Take some time for you this weekend and do something you enjoy.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Finally Friday -



Hello all!!! Here we are at another Friday! This week we have 2 projects to show you from Gretchen Barron!!!! She a quick and easy card for us and wonderful gift idea using the On Board Chipboard!!
Here's what she has to say:

Isn't this a fun project and oh, so quick to put together. I did the entire piece in less than 10 minutes - no kidding! I used an On Board Small Book Basics Chipboard piece and covered it with scraps of Tea Party DSP and the Anywhere Glue Stick. I quickly sanded down the edges to make sure they would adhere. I tied ribbon (retired SAB Poly Twill) across the board to hide the "seams" and tied bows on each side. Using a Jumbo Paper Clip at the top, I attached a Embosslet Flower using Stampin' Dimensionals! I tied some scraps of coordinating ribbon around the clip handle and added a Cordurory Button. The Paper Tablet was found at the Target Dollar Spot (gotta love that place). The holes were already punched so I just ran some more ribbon through and tied in a bow. What a great, quick, inexpensive and useful gift this would be for almost anyone! Details can be seen on my blog post HERE.
It seems this month before the new catalog comes out there is always a rush to use favorite Stamp Sets and Designer Papers just a few more times before they retire forever.
This card is a full 5 1/4" square and uses the wonderful Urban Garden DSP. I love the blue and green together! Stamp sets are Echoes of Kindness (Level 2 Hostess) and God's Beauty (Level 1 Hostess). Accessories include: Eyelet Border Punch, 3/8" Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon; Blender Pens and re-inkers; sponges; Stampin' Dimensionals; 1 3/4" Circle Punch; the Big Shot and Pennant Die (for the Scallop Circle). Details can be seen on my blog post HERE.


Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Diva Inspiration Challenge #49

This is the last challenge with the current catalog and the current In Colors. As sad as I am to see these colors go, I am very excited to welcome the new batch of In Colors! :)
This week's picture comes to us from Sz-Wholesale. I thought it was perfect to start getting us in the holiday spirit for next weekend!

To see what my creative team came up with, just click on their name:
Maria
Elizabeth
Carol

Katy

To view the submissions on SCS click here.

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or SCS gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to SCS be sure to put DivaIC49 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

Inspire Stampin' happiness wherever you go!! :)
~~Maria~~

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Cherries on top!

Good Wednesday morning! Since I have nothing from the design team to post today, I thought I'd share some projects of my own. ;)

I think these 2 purses are just the cutest. My daughter is actually using the Top Note purse for her cell phone. LOL The directions for the Top Note purse come from UDI's own Becky Roberts and can be found here on her blog. The circle tote was made from 6 inch circles which I cut with my new Circle Scissor Plus. I cut 2 circles from cardstock and 2 from DSP. After I adhered the DSP to the cardstock, I used the tabletop trimmer to cut off just a bit from the bottom so it would stand up on its own. The handles are a Large Oval punch framed by a Scalloped Oval punch. I didn't have any small craft bags for the inside, so I used a Box #2 diecut with the top flaps cut off of it. I embellised the tote with some cardstock and DSP strips, a sentiment, some bling and some ribbon.





Top Note purse: Supplies(all SU!): Stamps- Tart & Tangy. Ink- Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Ruby Red. Paper- Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Rockabilly DSP. Accessories- Big Shot, Scallop Circle die, Top Note die, Scallop Circle punch, Coluzzle (I made this one before Mr. Brown dropped off my new Circle Scissor Plus), Kiwi Kiss ribbon, Pewter jumbo eyelets, Crop-a-dile.







Circle tote: Supplies(all SU!): Stamps- Oval All. Ink- Ruby Red. Paper- Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Rockabilly DSP. Accessories- Big Shot, Box #2 die, Circle Scissor Plus, Large Oval and Scalloped Oval punches, Ice Circle rhinestone brad, Kiwi Kiss ribbon, dimensionals, Sticky Strip.





Until next Wednesday...
Happy Stampin'!
Elizabeth

Monday, June 22, 2009

ConGRADulations


Happy Monday Everyone!
Here is a cute card made by Brenda Taylor. It has been the season for Graduations. Here are the products Brenda used :

Great Grads stamp set
Bravo Burgundy & Whisper White card stock
Bravo Burgundy ink pad
Bravo Burgundy 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/8" punch & Scallop circle punch
Big Shot & diamond plate background
pop dots
Have a fabulous day!
Max

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Sketchy Saturday (#35)

Happy Saturday!! Take some time and try out the sketch for this week.

Adriana

Alicia

Michelle

Tammy

Leave a comment with the link to your creation. :)
Hope you have had a wonderful week and your weekend is full of blessings.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Diva Inspiration Challenge #48


This week's bit of inspiration is the Fleur Soft Tote from Brighton. Not only is this purse cute, but very workable for this challenge. Right away I was drawn to the In Colors - Riding Hood Red, Pacific Point, and Kiwi Kiss. I am very eager to use the new In Colors available on July 1st, but I am having a hard time pulling myself away from these ones. :) I hope you enjoy today's samples!

To see wh
at my creative team came up with, just click on their name:
Maria
Elizabeth
Karen
Katy
Tina

To view the submissions on SCS click here.

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or SCS gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to SCS be sure to put DivaIC48 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

Inspire Stampin' happiness wherever you go!! :)
~~Maria~~

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday! I have a gorgeous project to share with you all today. It comes to us from Maria Williams, who is also the host of Inspiration Thursdays.

Here is a Pop Up card I was inspired to make from an awesome blog:

http://stampwithheather.typepad.com/stamp_with_heather/2009/04/pop-up-flower-pot.html

I was interested in the pop up cake die, but wasn't ready to spend the money - that was until I saw what else could be done with it. I love being able to utilize my resources in many ways, not just one. There were some other real cute samples made with the pop-up cake die on Heather's blog, too. Let me tell you, I couldn't get my hands on this die fast enough!!!

This is a fantastic Big Shot project - used lots of dies. Now even though I didn't stamp anything on this project, I did sponge ink around each layer of the flower, the butterflies and the greeting section of the card.

Paper: Bashful Blue, Garden Green, Lovely Lilac, Lavender Lace, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal.

Ink: Lovely Lilac, Garden Green.

Accessories: Very Vanilla Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Sponges, Big Shot, Sizzix Dies - Pop Up Cake, Flower Layers, Beautiful Butterflies, Build a Flower #2.

I'll be sure to share my next creation with you all soon!!


Thanks for sharing this one with us, Maria! I can't wait to see what you come up with next!




Until next week...

Happy Stampin'!

Elizabeth

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Talc Embossing

Hello everyone! I'm excited to show you this technique from Adriana Benitez - it's called Talc Embossing. How very cool - I never would have thought of this. Take a look and see how she did it:

The background of the card was made using a technique called "Talc Embossing". It's a great way to add texture that was completely new to me, thought I'd pass it along.

This technique works best with a simple bold image stamp. I used our single stamp Flowers in Silhouette. (This stamp is currently available, but will be moving to the "dormant list" with the release of our next catalog on July 1st.) Instead of loading the stamp with ink, I dabbed Tombow liquid glue onto it and then stamped it onto Very Vanilla cardstock. I added more glue for each stamped image then cleaned the stamp before proceeding. An old toothbrush can help you get any extra glue out of the recesses of the stamp.


I then poured talc (baby powder) onto the glue-stamped images making sure to cover them well. Tip the paper, tapping the edges, to get the excess off. Set aside to dry - depending on the size of the image it doesn't take very long. Next, I pressed one of my Stampin' Sponges onto So Saffron Classic ink and lightly rubbed the sponge over the embossed images. I wanted to keep the background subtle so I only went over the images a time or two; I'm sure going over more or with more pressure would give you a bolder image.

That's all there is to the technique. After that it was just a matter of finishing the card; I left it simple so that I wouldn't draw too much attention away from my "hard" work. lol

Hope you enjoy this technique. Try it - I'd love to see what you come up with!


Seriously, how do people come up with these ideas? I'm always amazed at the variety of ways we can use our rubber stamps. I'm definitely "Wowed" Adriana - thanks so much for sharing this technique!


Monday, June 15, 2009

Good Morning Sunshine!


Happy Monday Everyone!

Todays project comes from Stephanie Gittins from Brigham, (soon to be Nibley) UT.

Good Morning Sunshine page/card
Not all of my Club members like to scrapbook, so when we do a scrapbooking project I like to offer them an alternative card design. This is a 6x6 scrapbook page, but there is also the option to use the same supplies to create a 3x6 page. I love the bright, happy colors and designs in the Good Morning Sunshine paper; I think it's great for kid pages!

A tip with the Jumbo Grommets: If you are trying to put the grommet through more than one layer of paper, I suggest using the Paper Piercing mat & tool from your Crafter's Tool Kit. Place the project over the mat, and then press the grommet down just until you get little indents on the paper. Then use your piercing tool to pierce the holes all the way through the project. It will be a lot easier to get your grommet through after you've made the holes.

Stamps: Petal Pizzazz, Contempo Alphabet, Little Flowers, Family PhrasesInks: Kiwi Kiss, Summer Sun, & Chocolate Chip Classic PadsPaper: Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, and Kiwi Kiss CardstockAccessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin' Dimensionals, Jumbo Grommets, Crafter's Tool Kit, 1/2" Circle Punch, Bone

Thanks for sharing such cute projects with us Stephanie and sharing your cute kids with us too :)
Enjoy your day
Max


Saturday, June 13, 2009

Sketchy Saturday (#34)

Here's the sketch for today. Enjoy!

Adriana

Alicia

Carol

Michelle

Ruthie

Tammy

Play along with us. Leave a comment with a link to your creation.

Have a great weekend.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Finally Friday with Becky Roberts!!


Hello all!!! It's Finally Friday again, and where has the week gone! I'm still patiently (LOL!!) waiting for my newest grandson to be born!!! Any day now!

This week our inspiration comes to us from Becky Roberts! As you can see she has worked her magic and once again come up with a delicious template and tutorial to follow!!

This purse tote and cards is the newest of her tutorials she has for sale on her blog, http://www.inkingidaho.blogspot.com/ . This 39 page tutorial contains step by step cutting instructions and color photos for completing the Purse-onally Perfect purse and all 4 note cards.

Check it out!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Diva Inspiration Challenge #47

Something a little different today for the inspiration challenge. Once again as I was wandering around on the internet I came across this digital flower pattern on DryIcons. I thought it was cool enough and can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!


To see what my creative team came up with, just click on their name:
Maria
Elizabeth
Carol
Karen
Katy
Tina

To view the submissions on SCS click here.

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or SCS gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to SCS be sure to put DivaIC47 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

You may notice the list has grown under my creative team. I am excited to announce the newest team members: Karen F, Katy Z, and Tina M!! Be sure to not only check out what these ladies have come up with, but also leave a comment so we know you stopped by! ;)


Inspire Stampin' happiness wherever you go!! :)
~~Maria~~

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Happy Scrappy Wednesday!

Hello! Today's project comes to us from Courtney Carpenter of Kansas! I was able to meet Courtney at last year's Convention. We even sat together on one leg of our plane trips home! Hi, Courtney!

I have been doing lots of scrapbooking lately! I just finished a scrapbook for a senior that graduated last week. I was also invited to do a 30-45 min. presentation on scrapbooking at a local retirement community. My husband jokingly asked if he needed to pay me to work on our family scrapbook b/c I do everyone else's but ours! :) He is a funny man. LOL I decided to go with a progressive scrapbook page to show the elders. I think breaking it down by 6x6, 8 1/2x11, and then 12x12 was easier for everyone to see the complete page done. Sometimes when you present a 12x12 page done it can be intimidating to new scappers. It was a fun time and I loved all the smiles, oohs, and ahhhs when I showcased my scrapbook of my little boys. Too cute. I had 7 ladies and 1 man. It was so neat to see a man there, and he was the only one that brought his album. Back in the day, he would fish a lot and make toy cars, airplanes and wood furniture. As you can see I had a great time! Here's the page I completed for them.

Paper: so saffron, certainly celery, bashful blue, saha
ra sand, sunshine garden designer paper,sweet slumber specialty designer paper Ink: bashful blue Accesories: sunshine garden stickers, dress up ribbon originals, and scallop edge punch.


Your pages are great, Courtney! You have just inspired me to get a page or 2 done in my kids' neglected "school years" scrapbooks. :)

Until next week...
Happy Stampin'!
Elizabeth

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Gotta love Simply Scrappin!

Take a look at this adorable project idea from Ruthie Burkey -

Hi there! I did a tin and some matching cards for one of my groups this past Thursday and thought it might be fun for the blog. It was made using the Simply Scrappin' Bulk Buy, two sheets of Whisper White cardstock, one sheet of Old Olive cardstock and, of course, a DVD tin (same size as the tins our Accents and Elements used to come in).







What a fun way to use the Simply Scrappin' kits - thanks for sharing this with us Ruthie!


Monday, June 8, 2009

Happily Ever After !


Happy Monday Everyone!

Today's project comes from Maria Williams from Katy, TX. SO CUTE. Maria is one of our blog coordinators and she posts our inspiration challenges on Thursdays. We have 'recruited' more people to her team! Be sure to check them out on Thursdays.

Here are a few of the pages from the Top Note Scrapbook I made to give you an idea of what I did with the inside.

I first cut out 7 Top Notes on the Long Boards which is the base of the book. After that I cut out more Top Note shapes in the Urban Oasis DS and glued them on the Long Board pieces with the Anywhere Glue Stick.
Next, I took my Crop a dile and punched a hole in the top left corner of one of the pages of the scrapbook. After the first hole is made, I line up each additional page and punch a hole through it so all the holes are the same. I added a Jumbo eyelet to the first and last page of the scrapbooks. To keep the pages together, I just added a Loose Leaf Ring and then prettied it up with ribbons tied on it. The front was decorated with a strip of Baja Breeze Striped Ribbon and one of the frames from the On Board Essentials. I dabbed the frame with Whisper White Craft Ink and then embossed it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.

For the inside pages, I stamped on some the pages with sayings and also used various rub-ons. Picture size I used for this album were wallets. I converted my pictures into black and white so the colors wouldn't clash with my background papers (plus I'm a sucker for b&w pictures).

Stamps: Yummy, Once Upon a Time, Full of Life
Paper: Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White Craft Ink
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, On Board Long Board, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Anywhere Glue Stick, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Whisper White, Kraft, and Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Crop a dile, various Rub-Ons
Enjoy your day!
Max

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Sketchy Saturday (#33)

Welcome to Saturday! Here's the sketch.

Adriana

Leonie

Michelle

Ruthie

Tammy

Don't have time to participate in the sketch challenge?? Here's another challenge for you.....take a moment and send a card to someone just to let them know you appreciate them. It will lift you up and will do so much more for the recipient.

Have a wonderful weekend. :)

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Diva Inspiration Challenge #46

CHEERS! To many, school has ended and summer vacation has begun. So pull up a chair, pour yourself a refreshing ice tea and get inspired for this week's inspiration challenge!

To see what my creative team came up with, just click on their name:
Maria
Elizabeth

To view the submissions on SCS click here.

Post a link in the comments section with your blog entry or SCS gallery showing us what creation you were inspired to come up with!! If you upload to SCS be sure to put DivaIC46 (no spaces) as the keyword. Have fun!!

Inspire Stampin' happiness wherever you go!! :)
~~Maria~~

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Wonderful Wednesday

Today's project comes to us from Maria Williams.

Butterfly Serenity

I made this for one of my monthly stamp club projects. It took me a little while to find the frame that was "just right" for this project.

I needed some room between the back of the frame and the glass - there's probably 1/4" between the back of the frame and the glass on this frame. I used my Big Shot and the Beautiful Butterflies die to cut out the butterflies in In Color Textured card stock. I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink and then layered a small butterfly on top of a big butterfly adhering it together with a mini glue dot. After that, I added some thin silver wire and twisted it to make the body of the butterflies. I took a strip of Chocolate Chip cs and punched the bottom with the Scallop Edge Punch and layered a strip of Pink Pirouette and Kiwi Kiss on top and glued it to the Urban Garden background. The butterflies were then added on with glue dots so they can still flit their wings. After I had all of that done, I ran a Chocolate Decor Elements Sheet through the Big Shot using the Natural Serif Decorative Strip Die so I could spell "Serenity" on the frame front. I lined up my letters with the top of the Chocolate Chip strip and rubbed them down. It was fairly easy to make. and everyone loved the finished project.

Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, and Pink Pirouette Texture CS, Urban Garden DS, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Die, Natural Serif Decorative Strip Die, Chocolate Decor Elements Sheets, Scallop Edge Punch, Sponge, Mini Glue Dots, Metal Wire, Frame.

Thanks for sharing an absolutely gorgeous project, Maria!

Until next week...

Happy Stampin'!

Elizabeth


Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Custom Colored Dew Drops - Who Knew?

I'm so excited about this card from Adriana Benitez! I'm always looking for new ideas to share with my stampers and I can't wait to try this one. I think I'll try it out for my next Girl's Night Out - Thanks Adriana!


This card has a little "concertina" fold out on the front. It's made by cutting a piece of cardstock to 2 5/8" x 11"; score this paper at 2 3/4", 5 1/2", and 8 1/4". The Whisper White layer on each section is cut to 2 1/2". Once assembled, attach the concertina to the card front with your length of ribbon sandwiched between; you can then close the book and tie the ribbon over it with a knot or secure it with a library clip. *Note that the color of the ric-rac is "Tangerine Tango" - meaning it will be retiring in June along with the rest of the "In-Color" inspired supplies. (wah!)


The colored dots in the corners of the card are homemade "dew drops" - a great idea from Michelle Tech (see link below). I used a small dot of Tombow to secure them to the paper since they are smaller than our glue dots.

link for Michelle Tech's video on how to make the "dew drops" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKsihwMrpgU

Supplies:
Stamps: Sock Monkey, Crazy for Cupcakes
Classic Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point
Cardstock: Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point
Other: Tombow adhesive, Dimensional Adhesive, Ribbon Originals Pig Tails, Top Note Die and Big Shot


Adriana - I'm really going to miss this year's In Colors too! In fact, I was just complaining to Steph G about it the other night :) I also have to say that I watched the video on Dew Drops and I can't wait to try this technique. I've made faux brads before using Crystal Effects and my small circle punch, but I never thought to use Re-inkers. I'm going to have to use this in my class too!


Monday, June 1, 2009

A Cuppa Thanks



Hello Everyone,
I am hoping you like our new blog look. Change is a good thing right? Speaking of which, starting July 1st, you will be able to order out of our new Stampin' Up! catalog. Woohoo!

These cards were made by our Blog Manager, Becky Roberts from ID. She is so very talented. Here is what she used to make these cute cute cards.



Cardstock: Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP
Stamp Set: Pun Fun, Thank You Kindly
Accessories: Top Note Die Cut, Big Shot!!! (you soooo need one of these!) SAB Ribbon that better be in the new catalog!,
Heart to Heart Punch, Large Oval Punch, Coluzzle Oval Cutting System, Corner Rounder, Stampin' Dimensionals
Contact your demonstrator today and ask for the Last Chance List. This is a list of lots of fabulous stamp sets and accessories that will not be in our new catalog.
Have a wonderful day
Max