Stampersjoy

Cute Baby Card

Sweet Bunny Baby Card

When the new 2018-19 Annual Catalog came out the beginning of June I couldn’t resist buying the Best Bunny Bundle, including the stamp set and punch.  It’s so sweet, and I immediately saw baby cards coming to life!

                                                                                                     

This is my first baby card using this set . . . I’m sure there will be many more before I lay this little guy to rest.

Materials

Stamp Set

* Best Bunny

Card Stock

* Whisper White Thick Card Stock (8-1/2” x 5-1/2” for card base)

* Whisper White card stock (4-1/4” x 3” for layer; scraps for punches)

* So Saffron card stock (5-1/4” x 4”)

Designer Series Paper

* Share What You Love Specialty DSP (4-1/8” x 2-7/8”)

Ink

* Memento Ink Pad

* Smoky Slate Classic Stampin’ Pad

* So Saffron Classic Stampin’ Pad

* Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker

* Powder Pink Stampin’ Write Marker

* So Saffron Stampin’ Write Marker

Accessories and Tools

* Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

* Tufted Embossing Folder

* Bunny Builder Punch

* Balloon Bouquet Punch

* Detailed Trio Punch

* Aqua Painter (filled with water)

* Whisper White Solid Baker’s Twine

* Adhesives: Mini Glue Dots; Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue; SNAIL Adhesive; Stampin’ Dimensionals

Assembly

1. Score 8-1/2” x 5-1/2” Whisper White Thick Card Stock at 4-1/4”; fold away from score line to create card base.

2. Use Big Shot and Embossing Folder to add texture to 5-1/4” x 4” So Saffron card stock. Use Flower side of Detailed Trio Punch to cut flowers in each corner, then turn punch to Corner Rounder side and punch each corner again.  Use Aqua Painter and So Saffron Ink to add shading around edges of So Saffron card stock.  Use SNAIL Adhesive to adhere to card front.

3. Use Corner Rounder Corner of Detailed Trio Punch to round corners of the card base, 4-1/4” x 3” Whisper White card stock, and DSP.

4. Stamp grass as shown near bottom left of DSP. Use SNAIL Adhesive to adhere DSP to 4-1/4” x 3” Whisper White card stock; use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere to card front.

5. Use Memento Ink Pad to stamp bunny head, body, tail, paws, and gift package on scraps of Whisper White card stock. Use Powder Pink Stampin’ Write Marker to color in center of ears and tummy; use So Saffron Stampin’ Write Marker to color ribbon on package; use Aqua Painter and Smoky Slate Ink to shade in gift package, bunny body, head, tail and paws.  Punch out images with Bunny Builder punch.(NOTE:  Gift package will need to be fussy cut.)  Assemble bunny head, body and tail with Liquid Glue; adhere to card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.  Assemble gift package and paws; adhere to bunny with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

6. Stamp sentiment on scrap of Whisper White card stock; punch out with Balloon Bouquet punch. Shade balloon with Aqua Painter and So Saffron Ink.  Lightly run side of brush end of Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker around edge of balloon.  This will create a very thin line to define the outer edge of the balloon.  Adhere to card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

7. Cut about 1-1/2” of Whisper White Solid Baker’s Twine. Use Mini Glue Dots to adhere one end under balloon; adhere other end under bunny’s paw.  Make a small bow with Baker’s Twine and adhere to balloon with rolled up Mini Glue Dot.

That’s it, you’re finished!  Hope you enjoy making this sweet little bunny card as much as I did!

A Tool You Must Have for Stamping!

The Stamparatus is a tool you must have!

                                                                                                     
                                                                                  

Want straight greetings every time? Want perfect ink coverage every time? Want to stamp multiples easily? Want to try fun new techniques? Then you need the Stamparatus!

It’s very easy to use the Stamparatus, no special skills required. But there are a few tips and tricks that will make your stamping experience extra special.

• The back of the Stamparatus has special indentations to hold two very special magnets. Man these things are strong! Rare earth magnets are great but are brittle by nature. So keep the magnets away from each other. Fold a piece of washi tape around the middle of each magnet and back on itself – this creates a handle to make it easier to pick up.
• Use the foam mat when stamping with photopolymer stamps. Placing a silicone craft sheet under the foam mat may also be needed if your photopolymer stamp is placed really close to a hinge.
• Use the rulers on two sides for quick measuring.
• Use all four surfaces of the acrylic plates to speed up stamping.

 

• Place your cardstock up in the corner for perfect placement every time. If you need to place cardstock in the middle because of the design of your card, make an L-shaped shim with cardboard and place it in the corner, then place your cardstock in the new artificial corner and hold it in place with one magnet for perfect placement.
• Or turn the card around so the image you want to make is in the middle rather than against the edge (in other words, you can leave the paper edged up in the corner but stamp the corner that is now in the middle of the tool).
• There is a gap by the hinges between the plate and the platform of the Stamparatus. If you are stamping near these edges, you may need to push a bit harder (the plates are flexible, so pressure can be applied).
• Press on top of the stamp itself and not just on the edge of the plate.

• Use ink spots to ink up your stamps. You can create beautiful rainbow color effects much easier than using a full-size ink pad.
• Place a clear mount stamp case under the open acrylic plate to create a level surface before you ink your stamp.
• Use a silicone mat to keep the acrylic doors from touching when storing your Stamparatus. Do not store with plates attached.
• Create a repetitive background with hinge stamping: Ink and stamp once. Pick up acrylic plate and move down one hinge if your stamp is under 1” in height. Ink and stamp. Repeat as many times as you’d like to create perfectly even rows of stamped images. NOTE:  If your stamp is more than 1” in height, move down 2 hinges.
• Use the silicone mat for the mirror or reflection technique. Place silicone mat on bottom of Stamparatus. Ink stamp and stamp image on silicone mat. Lay cardstock on top of stamped image and rub.
• Use for template stamping (when you need multiples of a stamped cut out image: Cut out however many of the shapes you need with the Big Shot and thinlit. Then cut one more of the shape out of scrap cardstock. Line up this piece of cardstock in corner of Stamparatus. Position coordinating stamp over the cut out template and pick up on acrylic plate. Position a blank shape in the template.Ink and stamp. Repeat until all cutouts are stamped.

Shammy, is it a Dance or a Tool?

INTRODUCING SIMPLY SHAMMY!!

One of my favorite products in the new Stampin’ Up! 2018-2019 Annual Catalog is the Simply Shammy.

                                                                                                     

What’s so great about this product?  It’s a quick and easy way to clean your stamps.  And, it works hand in hand with the Stamparatus. 

If you have the Stamparatus, you no longer need to clean your stamps with wipes (which can leave fibers that will affect your stamped images) or remove your stamps from the Stamparatus and place them on blocks to clean them using the Stampin’ Scrub.  Just wipe them down with the Simply Shammy and they’re ready to go.  It’s also great for removing any extra ink you might get on your Stamparatus plate when you’re inking your stamps.

My shammy has been through five classes this week, and now it looks like this.

                                                                                                          

All that staining doesn’t affect its performance at all.  It still works perfectly.

But, the best part?  There are no cleaners or chemicals involved.  It works with plain old water.  Just rinse it, wring it out, and it’s ready to go.  I keep mine in a standard stamp case which keeps it from drying out, so it’s ready to go at all times.

If you don’t have one of these, put it on your next order.  You won’t regret it!

Marriage is a Journey

Marriage is a Journey

I am so happy that the Flourishing Phrases stamp set and it’s coordinating Flourish Thinlits Dies have been continued over for another year. You can see it on pg. 18 in the 2018-2019 Annual Catalog. I turn to this set often for elegant cards for various occasions. There are sentiments for wedding sympathy, congratulations, get well, and general cards.

                                                                                                     

Today I am sharing a wedding card I created using this set. The directions are below. If you need any of the products to make this card or any other supplies, contact me.

Supplies:

Stamp set – Flourishing Phrases (wood mount – 141531, clear mount-141534)

Ink – Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad (132708)

Paper including cutting measurements –

Petal Pink 8 ½” x 11” cardstock (146985) 8 ½” x 5 ½” plus scrap for bottom sentiment

Champagne Foil Sheets (144748) 3” X 4 ¾”

Accessories –

Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (143263)

Magnetic Platform (130658)

Petals & More Thinlits Dies (145655)

Flourishing Thinlits Dies (141478)

Big-Shot Die Brush (144262)

Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755)

Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Calypso Coral ¼ Ombre Ribbon (144235) about 6”

Directions:

1. Fold the 8 ½” X 5 ½” piece of Petal Pink in half for your card base.
2. Cut the large flourishing flower stem of the Flourish Thinlits Dies out of the Champagne Foil Sheet with the Magnetic Platform and the Big Shot. Run the die back and forth through the Big Shot several times to be sure that the die cut clear through the foil sheet. Remove all the little pieces from the die with the die brush.
3. Apply very tiny dots of Multipurpose Liquid Glue to the back of the diecut and adhere to the card front as shown.
4. Stamp the ‘Marriage is a Journey’ in the upper left corner of the card with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.
5. Stamp ‘good thing you get to bring your best friend along’ on the scrap of Petal Pink cardstock and cut it out with the label frame of the Petals & More Thinlits Dies and the Big Shot.
6. Adhere to the lower right corner with Stampin’ Dimensionals. (Here’s a little secret. I originally stamped it directly onto the card front but the ink smudged. The label is how I ‘fixed’ my boo boo. I think the raised label is better than what I had originally planned.)

Enjoy!

Tip for the Day: Coloring Ribbon

Coloring Ribbon

Have you ever wished that you had ribbon to coordinate with your project, but it wasn’t availablein the catalog? You can color any of the white ribbonsusingone of the coloring options listed below.

There are many different ways to color ribbon. Using Classic Stampin’Pads, Classic Stampin’ Ink Reinkers, Many Marvelous Markers, and Stampin’ Up! Blends are just a few of the different tools that you can use.

Coloring Ribbon Using Stampin’ Blends

Let’s start with the least messy. Cut a piece of white ribbon slightly longer than the length you need.  Lay it flat on top of a piece of grid paper or scrap paper and ensure there is nothing under the paper that might be damaged if color leaks thru.  Use a Stampin’ Blends Marker in the color of your choice. Use either end of the Blends to color the ribbon, however I prefer to use the brush end.

Coloring Ribbon Using Many Marvelous Markers

This method is performed in the same manner as the Stampin’ Blends. Use the brush end of the marker to apply color to the ribbon, however, since the markers are water base, allow the ribbon to dry completely before handling it or placing it on a project.  If the ribbon is still wet, the ink will transfer to your fingers and your project.

Coloring Ribbon Using Classic Ink Pads

Open the ink pad and slide the lid into place. It is helpful to wear disposable latex gloves to keep your hands and fingers clean.  Lay the ribbon on the ink pad. Place the index finger of one hand directly on top of the ribbon – pressing the ribbon into the pad. Use the other hand to slowly pull the ribbon across the pad. Reverse the ribbon and repeat until you get the color you want.  Allow the ribbon to completely dry before handling it or placing it on your project.

Coloring Ribbon Using Classic Ink Refills

Place a few drops of reinker in a small container.  Add water or rubbing alcohol.  (Rubbing alcohol will dry faster.)  Place ribbon in container and thoroughly soak the ribbon.  Add reinker as needed to get the desired color.  Again, allow the ribbon to dry completely before placing it on your project.

1/8” Sheer Whisper White Ribbon colored with the
Dark Daffodil Delight Blends mark

3/8” Whisper White Metallic Edge Ribbon colored with
the Light Night of Navy Blends Marker

 

The 1/8” Sheer Whisper White Ribbon
 on this card was colored using the Grapefruit Grove Classic Ink Pad.

When is it to early to start making your Christmas Cards?

When is it to early to start making your Christmas cards?  

The summer months when living is more easy, grab those days when it is a hundred degrees outside or it is raining cats and dogs and pull out your Christmas Stamps.  Still not quiet in the mood, grab a CD and put on your favorite Christmas music.  Not to loud, or the neighbors will hear and think you are crazy!

Make it even more fun and get a couple of your stamping buddies together to join you.

The sooner you start on your cards, the more apt you are to get those cards made in order to send your friends and loved ones in December.  Remember last year when you promised your self that you were going to make a special card for your friends to show them how much you cared.  A hand made card is like a gift and it will be displayed so when your friend sees it, they will think of you.  You promised yourself last year that you were going to do this, but then found yourself out buying commercial cards in November.

If you do not have your cards finished by the end of September, chances are they are not going to get finished.  By then the holiday hassle has begun with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then it is Christmas.

Remember, your cards do not have to be so detailed that they take hours to do.  Choose a simple pattern and get some great designer series paper, and you can make ten within a hour or two.

Here is a sample.  This set and paper is from Stampin'Up, but it is discontinued.  There are some great sets and ideas in the current catalog and the new Holiday Mini will be out the first of September. 

                                                                                                

This card took only about fifteen minutes to make.

Christmas in July

Christmas in July

Who says you can’t have Christmas in July? July is the perfect time to start planning your Christmas cards, then you won’t be rushed in November and December.

To get my creative juices flowing, I started by CASE-ing a card on page 100 in the catalog using the stamp Stylish Christmas.

I cased the cardwithout any changes because I really liked it. 

I made my card on Whisper White framed with a layer of Real Red on a base of Old Olive.

I decided to fussy cut one of the flowers to add a bit of dimension to the card. Then I wrapped the card with a thin Real Red ribbon and placed red rhinestone berries to add bling.

To top it off, I thought a nice little goody box would go perfect with it so I created that with the Petite Treat Framelits using the designer series paper Under the Mistletoe.

What a nice combination.

Don't you love a bundle that you can do so much with?

The Nature’s Poem Suite in the new Annual catalogue is a natural winner! A perfect complement to our long-running Lovely as a Tree stamp set, the Rooted in Nature stamp set has a total of 16 rubber stamps – 12 of them with matching dies in the Nature’s Roots Framelits Dies. Even better – you can buy them as a Bundle, and save 10%!

NATURE’S ROOTS FRAMELITS DIES

This set is unique in that along with the 9 cutting dies, it has 3 embossing dies! You can create beautifully embossed leaves that add a ‘wow’ factor to your project.

This card is created using both the stamp set and the dies, along with some new colours.

DETAILS

Start by creating a colour was background on a panel of Watercolour Paper. First, wet the paper with your wet Aqua Painter. Next, pick up ink from the lid of the ink pads; use Mint Macaron, Pool Party and Soft Suede Classic Inks.  After creating the wash, set aside the panel to dry.

On a separate piece of Whisper White cardstock, stamp the tall single tree image in Mossy Meadow ink, and 2 of the leaf trio images; once in Merry Merlot and once in Crushed Curry ink. Next, stamp the trunk round image in Crumb Cake ink, and the medium leaf in Cajun Craze ink.

Use the Nature’s Roots Framelits Dies to die cut all of the stamped images. Die cut an extra leaf trio from Merry Merlot cardstock, and a large leaf from Cajun Craze cardstock.

USING THE EMBOSSING DIES AND EMBOSSING MATS

You want to die cut your shapes before embossing them, otherwise when you run them through the Big Shot to cut after embossing, the embossing will be flattened.

First, create your ‘sandwich’.

• If you have the ‘old’ Base Plate, flip open Tab 1.
• Add the first Cutting Plate.
• Place the embossing die on the cutting plate, face up (embossing area facing you).
• Place your die cut in the embossing die. It will ‘sit’ inside the lip of the embossing die. You can hold it in place with a bit of Washi Tape, or a Post-it Note, if you like.
• Place the Blue Embossing Mat over top of the embossing die/cardstock.
• Place the white Impressions Plate on top, and then run through the Big Shot.

You can do all of your embossing at once – one piece of cardstock per embossing die at a time.

LAYER IT TOGETHER

Hand cut the round tree trunk die with your Paper Snips, then attach it to the right bottom corner of your colour-washed paper. Use Multipurpose Liquid Glue to attach it. Next, layer on the die cut tree and leaves, with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Finish off the card front by tying a double bow with the new Nature’s Twine in Crumb Cake, and attach it with Mini Glue Dots to the front of the leaves. Add 3 of the Faceted Dots in the upper left hand corner. (I used one Blackberry Bliss, one Mint Macaron and one Grapefruit Grove).

Create your card base of Soft Suede cardstock. Next, create 2 banners, one from Merry Merlot cardstock and one from Nature’s Poem Designer Series Paper. Use the Banner Triple Punch the create banner tails on one end of each, then glue to the card base with liquid glue.

                                                                                                                 

Fun and Easy Little Gift

This quick and easy small gift item is something that every woman can use!  I gave this little gift to everyone who attended my classes in May, as well as to the demonstrators who participated in my stamp camp at the end of April.

One of the great things about this little gift is that you can use items you probably already have in your stash!  It's a great way to use up old Designer Series Paper (you can cut 8 of these from one sheet).

Materials

Paper

* Designer Series Paper ("DSP") -- any pattern (6" x 3")

Tools and Accessories

* Scoring Board and Stylus

* 3/4" Circle Punch

* Linen Thread

* Small Button

* Nail File

* Adhesive: Tear and Tape; Glue Dots

Instructions

1. Referring to diagram above, cut 1" from top of 6" x 3" DSP to use as Belly Band.

2. Score lengthwise at 1" and 2", then turn sideways and score at 1/4".

3. Use 3/4" Circle Punch to cut a half-circle at top of center panel.

4. Working on back side of DSP, fold up at 1/4" score line.  Apply Tear and Tape to the outside of the folded up section.

5. Remove backing from Tear and Tape, and fold at 1" score line, adhering the bottom folded edge at the same time.  Apply Tear and Tape to right edge of DSP.

6. Remove backing from Tear and Tape and fold at 2" score line, securing both the bottom and the back of the nail file sleeve.

7. Insert nail file (I found the purple one at Walgreens), and wrap Belly Band around sleeve, securing on the back with Tear and Tape.

8. Wrap a piece of Linen Thread around Belly Band and tie in a bow on the front.

9. Use a Glue Dot to add a small button from your stash (the one shown is a retired Stampin' Up! button).  That's it!  You're finished! 

How quick and easy (and inexpensive!!!) was this?!  Everyone who received one from me this month was delighted to receive such a cute and practical gift!

This is a great little gift to give as a Thank You for special services or for club or group members.

Need a great stamp set to make fast and easy cards?

A beautiful bundle in the new 2018-2019 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog is the Abstract Impressions Bundle.  I really enjoyed experimenting with the different colors. 

At first I started off simple.  I used the Petal Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder for the background layer. Then I stamped the flower image and topped it off with a pearl center for each flower. The flowers here are a two layer stamp with Powder Pink and Petal Pink. 


  

Next I stamped the single flower that is a three layer stamp.  The leaves here are made using a two layer stamp that I used for a butterfly in another project.  This flower is a three layer stamp. The first card used Powder Pink and Petal Pink and the second I used Pineapple Punch and Daffodil Delight. 
  


Then I stepped it up and used, for the first time, the new Big Shot Embossing Mat.  Using the big flower die, I embossed the background layer then placed my stamped images on top. The colors here are Pool Party and Coastal Cabana. 


  
Here is a closer look. 

  

I really like the effect. 

Here is another card I made with Real Read and Poppy Parade.  I also used the beautiful butterfly which is another thinlit in the bundle. The colors here really make the card pop. 
  


I also made these small pictures on canvas.