Get your Mojo on Monday!

I thought I'd share with you today a different kind of "inspiration".  Do you ever stuggle to come up with the perfect layout for your card and/or project?  You just sit and stare at your stamps and papers not knowing where to start?  Here's a suggestion ... check out MojoMonday on Blogspot.  This site provides a new layout every Monday.  Here is last Monday's sketch on the right.  You'll notice I used the "square" sketch on my I {Heart} Hearts card below.  (I might just have to do the round one too ... LOL!)  So with a layout and our fantastic Designer Series Papers to pull out the colors (something I LOVE about Stampin' UP is that all of our colors are coordinated through out our products), add the right image to convey your message and you have a beautiful work of art handmade by YOU!  What could be better to give a friend?

Thanks for visiting!

Hearts for Haiti

On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope.  From now until February 28, 2010, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set purchased (see image below) to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Who doesn't {heart} hearts? Especially the hearts in this delightful set. You'll love them even more when you discover they coordinate with our heart punches!  The I {heart} Hearts stamp set coordinates with Stampin' Up!'s Full Heart Punch (#113693), Small Heart Punch (#117193, Occasions Mini Catalog) and Heart to Heart Punch (#113694).

The I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (p. 8, Occasions Mini Catalog) is a classic for almost every occasion. Think valentines, birthday, wedding, anniversary, or better yet  - RAK (random act of kindness). How about a baby card with pink or blue floating hearts?

Order on-line today .. click on the Shop Now link to the left.
 

• I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount ... Item #118571 $18.95
• Recommend Block Size D ... Item #118485 $8.50
• I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount ... Item #117010 $26.95

Here's my latest project using our I {Heart} Hearts set.  I used Pretty In Pink, Mambo Melon, and our fabulous Sending Love Specialty paper.  I admit the pink background paper is retired SU product from last year.  The ribbon is Mambo Melon polka dot.  Our new Pinking Hearts border and Small Heart punches are perfect.  See the little heart in the upper right corner?  Well, that little gem was punched out of a larger heart that I stamped in Mambo Melon.  Just wiggle your punch into the center of the stamped image and punch out the small heart.  Mounted on a dimensional it's so cute!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you visit again soon!

Welcome Baby Girl!

I did it!  I finished the Baby Girl gift box tower!

The kids delivered the gifts to the deserving Grandma's at school.  They were very pleased and my children felt good too.  I'm so glad I made these.  I'm already thinking of other "towers" I would like to create.  Try it for yourself ... they are really simple and super fun!  I used a box template from Papertreyink.  They have lots of box templates there.  Of course there are numerous other sources for templates.  If you find a box you like, take it apart and trace it!  You can use just about any shape/size box, just so long as you can stack them!

This is also a great idea for background paper scraps!  Who cares if they all match?  As long as they are from the same general color family and coordinate well with each other, then by all means use them!  These strips are only 1 3/4" wide and 7 1/2" long.  I had to use two on each box to make it all the way.  My seams are hidden on the sides under the ribbon.  Shhhh!  No one even knows they are there!

I hope you enjoy your evening.  I got a HUGE box of goodies from Stampin' UP on my porch today.  (Happy dance!!)  Unfortunately it's not all mine but I like digging thru it anyway!  I pull things out and say "ooohhh, I wish I had this!"  It's dangerous, I admit.  But the good news is that SOME of the contents ARE MINE!  So you'll be seeing new things in the next couple days - be sure to visit again soon!

Welcome Baby Boy!

Sabrina and I went to see The Blindside today.  What a great movie!   And it's a true story!  Of course, I cried.  I'm a sucker for emotional movies.  (sniff)  It made me wonder "What have I done lately that helped someone or made them smile?"  Surely I have never done anything so giving as she did.  Her compassion for the boy was so humbling.  The lesson that acts of kindness help us all, the giver and the reciever, really struck home with me.  Did you see how the whole family was involved?  I nearly cheered when the daughter went to sit next to Mike in the library!  (smile .... sniffle) 

So, interrupted by the movie, I only got one of the baby gift towers done today.  What do you think?  Not your typical color combination but pulled from the Sweet Pea paper were Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, and Close to Cocoa!  The gifts inside required me to make the boxes a little larger.  Stacked on top of one another and tied up with our wide striped ribbon (Pumpkin Pie on this project), makes for a pile of presents!

Once again I used the 1 1/4", 1 3/8", and our Scallop Circle punches. This time I used a little bling with orange colored rhinestones found in my craft room. I think they add just the right amount of pizzazz!

I hope you find time to stop back tomorrow to see my Welcome Baby Girl project!

Boxes full of Thanks!

Isn't this a wonderful way to say "Thanks"?!  Each box holds a little gift for a dear friend of my daughter.  Isn't it cute?  I think she will be thrilled as she opens each box! 

The Designer Series Paper is from our Occasions Mini Catalog and is called "Sending Love".  You can't see it well in the photo, but it glitters!  I just love it!  I also used one of our retired alphabet sets on this project but our new alphabet fonts are perfect for gift boxes too.  Three punches, 1 1/4", 1 3/8", and the Scallop Circle draws your eye to the letters.  I layered Whisper White, Pretty In Pink, and Real Red to coordinate with the papers.  Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon holds it all together!  It's a brighter shade of pink and really gives this project a "splash"!

So, what do you think?

We have friends who have recently become Grandma's.  One of them for the first time - how exciting!  Be sure to stop by tomorrow to see the BABY towers!   (grin)

In the meantime, Stamp Your Art Out! 

 

Corner punch - tutorial!

Look at what I found on one of my favorite blogs - Stamping 411!  They have wonderful layout and color challenges and today it's a tutorial on how to use Stampin' Up's new corner punches!  With these step-by-step instructions, I'll be posting projects soon using my new toys!

Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us Gretchen!

Gretchen wrote: "I finally finished today what I started quite some time ago, figuring out the dimensions to use when you want a square or rectangle cut with the new Stampin' Up! Scallop Trim Border Punch and Stampin' Up! Scallop Trim Corner Punch. These punches have a larger cutting surface and a sleek new body which makes them easier than ever to punch. You can use them on the table or hold them upside down so you can see what you are punching. And, they lock closed which means you can store them upright in a very small space.

Because of the way the punch is designed and the spacing of the scallops, it is possible to cut quite a variety of squares and rectangles and get the scallops to line-up and be even. As you can see in the photo below, I cut 7 different sized squares. You could even go larger than these, for a scrapbook or other project, but for card-making purposes, I thought these would serve us well. The very smallest square that you see on the top of the pile in the photo, began with a square of Whisper White cardstock that was 1 15/16" square. That's just a pinch, maybe only half-a-pinch, smaller than 2". For this smallest square, you only need the corner punch. Holding your corner punch upside down so you can see what you're doing from the bottom, slip each corner of the square right to the corner of the cutting edge (the "v" shape). After you've done the first corner, just make sure that each corner lines up with the previously punched ones. It's a little difficult to show in the photo but once you do it, you'll understand what I mean. By working from the bottom of the punch, you will be able to see where each scallop lines up with the ones previously punched.  When you cut this smallest square, you will be able to layer on pieces that are punched with the 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" square punches, as I did in the example above (click on the photo to enlarge it). Don't you just love it when everything fits together so easily!

For all the rest of the scallop squares and rectangles that I'm going to show you today, you will need to use both the Border and the Corner Punches. You can see in this photo the size square to begin with.

• 4 3/4" makes a square that has 10 scallops along each side  
• 4 1/4" makes a square that has 9 scallops on each side  
• 3 13/16" (just a hair bigger than 3 3/4") makes a square that has 8 scallops along each side. This is the size that fits perfectly into the guide that is printed on the Scallop Trim Border Punch and therefore makes this a great size to practice on. Once you get this size down, it will be easier to branch-off and make your squares smaller or larger.  
• 3 1/4" makes a square than has 7 scallops along each side.  
• 2 7/8" makes a square that has 6 scallops on each side  
• 2 3/8" makes a square that has 5 scallops on each side  
• And then, the original smallest square that I described above begins with a square that is 1 15/16" and uses only the corner punch.

Let's begin with the 3 13/16" square with 8 scallops on each side since this is the one that will fit perfectly into the guide that is printed on the Scallop Trim Border Punch, making it easier for you to see and line-up your scallops perfectly every time! First, you will want to punch all 4 corners, as described above, holding the Corner Punch upside down so that you can see what you are doing. Make sure and stop your cardstock right at the edge of the cutting blade so that your finished piece will end up square and not lop-sided. Once each of the four corners have been punched, line up two of the scallop corners over the printed guide on the Scallop Trim Border punch, and simply press down, using the ball of your hand -- easy, schmeesy! Repeat this step for each of the four sides and ... voila! You have a perfect Scallop Trim Border Square. Practice a few times with this size and then you'll be ready to begin making all different sizes.

Okay, now that you've got the punching mechanics and technique down, you can begin to make larger and smaller squares. Simply use the dimensions that I've given you above, punch each of the four corners as described above and then, line up just one corner (as opposed to the two corners that you did for the 3 13/16" square above), punch first one side and then slide your cardstock over and line up the opposite corner and punch the other side. As long as you line up your corners, you should come out fine each time.

For squares that are smaller than 3 13/16", you will probably find it easier to turn the border punch upside down so that you can see to line-up your scallops. Once the scallops are in-line with the blades, simply punch!

Now, squares are great, but sometimes you want a rectangle. No problem, simply use the same dimensions as above for two sides and use another dimension for the other two sides. In my examples here, I've begun with rectangles that were 3 13/16" x 4 3/4"; 3 1/4" x 5 3/4"; and 2 7/8" x 1 15/16". Any combination will work, as long as you stick with the measurements that I gave you above.

Okay, this is turning into quite a lengthy post but I do have time for a quick card. And I do mean quick -- once you're practiced these techniques, you will be amazed at how quickly you can punch out squares and rectangles!

For this card, I punched a Rich Razzleberry Rectangle that began as 3 1/4" x 4 3/4" and a Melon Mambo that began as 2 7/8" x 4 1/4". I attached them together using SNAIL adhesive. The Whisper White mat was cut at 2 1/4" x 3 5/8" and quickly stamped with the valentine stamp from the Wandering Words stamp set (from the Holiday Mini Catalog) and Rich Razzleberry ink. I centered this on layers of Melon Mambo Print and Rich Razzleberry and attached a quick bow with Crystal Effects. That was it -- this entire card probably took me less than 5 minutes to make, start-to-finish!

So there you go! Experiment ... practice ... have fun ... and create!"

Thanks again, Gretchen!  Don't have your new Scallop Trim Punches yet?  Order today from our Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration catalogs!

Thank you so much!

When you gotta' make a lot of them, you need something simple and this card "fits the bill".  As I said in an earlier post, Brendan's birthday party was a medieval theme.  See the little crowns on this paper?  Aren't they cute?  And it's glossy too!  I know my kids are thrilled when they get something in the mail.  I think that Brendan's guests will be thrilled too when they get this Thank You!

The Designer Series Specialty paper is retired and I had a few sheets left.  Just enough to cut strips for this card.  I love when I can dig into my older stock and use it up ... more room for the new stuff!  (grin)

And to finish it off with a focal point, the layers of circles (Whisper White, Basic Black, and Real Red) go well with the polka dot papers.  The greeting is from our Sale-A-Bration event years back. I think the sentiment works great for this card.  It's young, fun, and expresses Brendan's gratitude perfectly!

Love You Much!

This is such an easy card!  The layout is perfect if you have to create gobs of them and quick when you need a greeting in a hurry!  On this card I used our new Sending Love Speciality paper found in our Occassions Mini Catalog.  It's gorgeous and it sparkles!  I combined it with Real Red Polka Dot ribbon and used my new Pinking Hearts border punch.  I LOVE IT!

The dotted heart stamp is included in I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.  I think it coordinates well with the ribbon.  I stamped it on a scrap of Very Vanilla cardstock and cut it out.  The "love you much" is from Well Scripted.  I bought it as a clear mount set and it fits perfect on my D sized block.  Having the ability to see through the block made stamping the words inside the heart ... easy peasy!  I inked it and stamped again on a piece of Pretty In Pink cardstock.  The Small Heart punch is sized to work with the small heart image in our I {Heart} Hearts set and as you can see it's just right for "much" too!

Check out all we have to offer in our Occassions Mini Catalog.  Click on the cover at your left and shop today!  Be aware that a $50 merchandise order earns you a FREE Sale-A-Bration item of your choice!  Yep, that's the other link on the left.  Stop back soon to see the adorable thank you cards for Brendan's birthday guests!

More Candles and Big Wishes!

OK, I have to admit I LOVE our new re-positionable stamps and clear blocks!  I used our new set Whimsical Words (which I got FREE through Sale-A-Bration) along with our D sized clear block for this project.  It was so GREAT to be able to see exactly where I was stamping!  I can definitely see myself using clear mount stamps in the future - I'm hooked!

For the focal point I used various sized circle punches (1 3/4", 1 3/8", and 1").  I wadded up the larger circle and then smoothed it out before using it.  I thought that little trick added texture without "bulking up" with another layer.  The twine ties a short piece of Pumpkin Pie striped ribbon (don't throw out those 3" scraps!) to the top of a  Pumpkin Pie corderoy button.  That cute do-dad is mounted with a glue dot to my stack of circles.  The background papers in our new Sweet Pea collection are wonderful!  Don't you agree?  The Taken with Teal and Pumpkin Pie combination really make this project happy and cheerful - just like birthdays are suppose to be!  Add wide striped Pumpkin Pie ribbon and a couple buttons - Voila!

Stop by tomorrow to see another idea using our Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration products!  You can view the contents of these catalogs by clicking on the cover image to the left.  Yep ... right over there!  If you want your own copy to leisurely browse while snuggled in front of the fire ... leave me a comment or send me an email - I'll get one out to you via "snail mail".  Place an on-line order through my website (also on your left) and have your goodies sent directly to you!  Gotta' love those "boys in brown" when they're coming to your door with a Stampin' UP box!

Baby, It's Cold Outside ...

Sorry it's been so long since my last post.  We've had a busy week!  Brendan turned 9 on Tuesday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENDAN!  We went to see Avatar in 3D.  I hate wearing those silly glasses but the movie was soooo cool.  If you haven't seen it yet I'd recommend it.  I know it's long but both our kids were glued to the screen the entire movie.  There are definately battle scenes but there is no blood.  Some poor language too but I think Brendan was too busy with the visuals.  The special effects are fantastic ... I wish my garden looked like that, minus the scarey creatures of course!

Yesterday was Brendan's Medieval Birthday Party.  What possesses me to have the party at the house every year is beyond my comprehension.  And in January I can't exactly plan on sending them outside.  We had 18 third graders and 1 first grader.  It was utter chaos!  Thank goodness we had a stockade ... just kidding.  Everyone had a great time and Brendan is so lucky to have such wonderful friends! 

After the party and a short nap, Mom desperately needed some stamping therapy!

Here is what I came up with...

What's more relaxing than coloring?!  I stamped the image with Jet Black Stazon ink and used my Water Color Crayons on Watercolor Paper.  The Aquapainter makes it so easy!  Just a gentle squeeze and I've got fresh water on my brush.  A quick wipe on a paper towel cleans my brush between colors.  These frozen friends are from our Holiday Line Up stamp set!  The Designer Series Paper is from our Sweet Pea collection (Occasions Mini Catalog) and our Tail Tales collection.  I'm sure you recognize our Bold Brights brads.  The "Thanks So Much" greeting is from our versatile Trendy Trees set.  I hope this inspires you to color your world!

If the shoe fits ...

IT'S HERE!  THE NEW OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG IS LIVE!  Click on the link to the left to view our FANTASTIC new products!  Then go to my website to order - my store is open 24/7!

 

I'm LOVIN' our new toys!  This card features our Sweet Pea Designer Series papers.  It's the biggest package of background paper that we have ever offered!  All sheets are 12 x 12 and double sided.  The patterns and colors are gorgeous!  You get 48 sheets total 2 each of 24 different designs.  WAHOO!

On this card I have used our Humor in High Heels set.  The saying cracks me up ... because it's soooo true!  (At least that's what I tell myself when I'm out shopping.)  The dress is paper pieced with another of our Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper, of course.  I just had to hang up the dress - wouldn't want it to get wrinkled because you know I don't like to iron (see previous post).  So, I just used my little needle and poked a couple holes then strung up a "clothes line" with chocolate brown floss.  Cute, huh?

The felt flowers are our Flower Fusion collection and the centers are from our Designer Button collection.  Put some floss thru the holes and then adhere them with Sticky Strip.  They make a wonderful embellishment!

Yep, that's our new Scallop Trim border punch again!  I can see myself using this toy A LOT!  And it's FREE through our Sale-A-Bration event!  Can I hear another WAHOO!?

Check back later - I've got more to show you!

Occasions Mini Catalog Sampler

I LOVE MY NEW TOYS!  Ok ... so do you think I over did it a little?  Is it too much?  Laurie Schmidlin is one of my all time favorite stampers and she created a layout similar to this.  I followed her lead but used my new Stampin' UP goodies from our Occasions Mini Catalog.  Products are available for order beginning January 5th.  You can get a sneek peek inside by clicking on the catalog cover on the left.  And if you order $50 in merchandise (from any of our catalogs) you get a Sale-A-Bration item FREE!  Order anytime and have everything sent directly to your home.  Just click on my website to order on-line!  SWEET!

Let me tell you about the card.  I used our new Sweet Pea Stiched Felt flowers/leaves.  They are soooo awesome!  You get lots in a package but I'm going get my self some more.  Stamp Campers ... you'll be seeing these soon!  I topped them with Pretty in Pink Designer Buttons from our Sherbert collection tied with a piece of pink yarn/floss in each.  So cute!

The polka dot ribbon is Melon Mambo (one of our In Color shades this year).  I think it goes well with Pretty in Pink and Rose Red, don't you?   The background is our Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper.  The hearts are punched from the same and embellished with little rhinestones (a girl can't resist a bit of sparkle on Valentines Day - like Edward for instance).

Now for the best part...like it could get any better.  Look at my new Scallop Trim Border punch!  WAHOO!  I LOVE IT!  And the very bestest part (don't laugh-when you're this excited it's a word) is that I got it as a Sale-A-Bration item so it was FREE!  I ordered the corner punch that goes with it too so you'll be seeing that soon I'm sure.  Our new punches are FANTASTIC!  They lock shut and you can store them upright on the shelf.  Yep, like books lined up in a row.  So cooool.  Check it out for yourself - the catalog links are on the left.  You can see this border punch in the Sale-A-Bration catalog and our other new punches in the Occasions Mini catalog.  Yeah, you guessed it, I got them ALL!  (teehee)

Time to go play ... check back later for more samples of our new products!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!  May all the Peace, Love, and Joy of the new year be yours in 2010!

I just can't get enough of this Night and Day Designer Series Paper.  It's available in our current Holiday Mini Catalog but that offer expires on January 4th.  Click on the link to the left and order an extra pack today ... don't miss this wonderful paper!  Black and white is a classic.  Use it with Real Red for Valentines Day, or add some Pumpkin Pie/Only Orange for Halloween, and alone it is PERFECT for a wedding.

On this card I paired it with Rose Red.  The Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon is tied with our Basic Grey Corduroy Button and some black hemp.  The thin rings were made with 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" punches.  Wonderful for making a 1/8" ring!  I used Dimensionals to raise the white/ribbon piece and the scalloped circle greeting.  I know it doesn't say HAPPY NEW YEAR (and would you believe that I don't have a stamp for that!?) but it does express my heartfelt wishes for you.

Here's a quick peek at the inside.  I sent the Whisper White cardstock through the machine only until I got some dot texture on one end and then backed it out.  Adding the designer paper matted on Basic Black cardstock defines the space to the right where you add your thoughts.

I hope you like it!  : )






You will want to visit again later.  Look at all my new toys!  YIPPEE!  Yes, all this and much more is available to you starting January 5th.  Click on the Occasions catalog at the left and start your Wish List!

Our new Mini Catalogs!

Click on the catalog images to the left to start your Wish List today!
Ordering begins January 5th!