Stamping with Noel

5 Minute Mondays: Happy Day Stamping With Kids

2013-06-17T09:26:38-07:00

Are you looking for a simple stamping technique for stamping with kids? Then this 5 Minute Mondays project is for you!

This is a little tweak on using your clear blocks as a stamp for shaded background (seen here). Today I've tweaked the technique a little and had the children ink only the edges of the clear block for a framed, rather than a solid, background.

Combining this technique with the new Happy Day stamp set is a winning combination. Those of you who attended my new catalog open house this weekend will recognize this stamp set from your make and take - hopefully seen as a more grown up use of this set. But, young girls can enjoy the greetings included in this stamp set too. My girls love them! And, in less than 5 minutes, even the youngest stamper can have a collection of notecards ready to use!

Purchase your Happy Day stamp set today!

Part 4: Activity Journal for Kids - Pattern Power

2013-06-15T07:00:00-07:00

It's been almost a year since I shared my first three Magnetic Activity Journal pages for kids with you! My daughter and I still play with the book, but with some updates:
(click on the page titles below to see the original pages)

I no longer win every game on the Tic Tac Toe Page
the Alphabet Page has now progressed from letter recognition to taking turns spelling words for the other to read
the Additiona/Subtraction Math Page now holds her attention for a much longer time span
and we've recently added a new Pattern Play Page!

But enough talk, here is my daughter helping to create her new page and playing with the finished Pattern Power Page:
(and, yes, you should be singing along with Team Umi Zoomi right about now!)

This page couldn't be easier. I simply lined a sheet of magnet with designer series paper from the Quatrefancy Specialty Designer Series Paper line (using both sides of a single sheet) and die cut my shapes using the Big Shot machine and four dies (Circles #2 Die, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die, and Fun Flowers Bigz L Die). You could use any dies you choose for this project!

Project Tip:

By using two different colors for my shapes, my daughter and I can create patterns by both shape and color ... I thought it might take awhile for a my daughter to catch on and understand that the shape doesn't matter when working with color patterns, but evidently I've done well teaching her patterns and this rendition didn't make her blink!

So, go on, enjoy your summer with your kids - and put your paper crafting supplies to work for you at the same time! The children in your life live outside of your home (grandchildren, nieces or nephews)? Create a special handmade gift to give them when they come visit this summer!

Thursday Tool Tip: Storage With New Wood Mount Cases

2013-06-13T07:00:00-07:00

For todays tool tip, I want to share with you this video from the Stampin' Up! home office hightlighting our new Wood Mount Storage Cases!

As you can see, these boxes can be used to store a wide variety of Stampin' Up! supplies (although I wouldn't really advise the sandwich!). For those of you who purchased your Stampin' Write Markers over time, rather than in the marker case, look how well they fit in these boxes! And, the uniform size of these cases allows them to stack perfectly with your clear-mount stamp set cases, and they are DVD-sized to fit in your existing shelves. I've got a few on order to add into my storage as seen here (picture from a year ago):

Purchase extra cases for your existing wood mount stamps and supplies:

Full Wood Mount Cases

Half Wood Mount Cases

Chalk Talk Tag Goes Up a Notch!

2013-06-12T07:00:00-07:00

Today, I want to take my very simple Chalk Talk gift tag from Monday "Up a Notch". While I was happy with the tag as it stood for a quick addition to a wrapped gift (and yes, I needed the tag right away!), it really doesn't take much more effort to make the same tag a bit 'fancier'.

Adding detail to the gift tag:

First, if you want to add more depth to your tag, you might choose to mount the punched greeting with Stampin' Dimensionals
And, while you are at it, why not run a banner strip behind (mine is an extra cut for a previous project)
Finally, cutting out your embossed frame provides a more interesting overall tag shape
(see below for information on coordinating framelits)

Just a few extra steps and my tag has a lot more depth and visual interest.

Don't forget to Bundle! If you purchase the Chalk Talk stamp set and coordinating Chalk Talk Framelits Dies together at a 15% discount. Click here for the clear mount bundle or click here for the wood mount bundle. Otherwise you are going to be stuck cutting out your frame shape with scissors as I've done! I was searching high and low for my framelits, only to find that I purchased the stamp set without them ... there goes some extra spending money I could have saved.

5 Minute Mondays: Skip the Stamp-a-ma-jig!

2013-06-10T09:49:09-07:00

For today's 5 Minute Monday project, I would like to share this gift tag using the new Chalk Talk stamp set and avoiding the use of the Stamp-a-ma-jig!

There are times when I wish to quickly align two individual stamps perfectly, such as this frame and greeting stamp, but just don't want to take the time to get out my Stamp-a-ma-jig. For these occasions, I often turn to my punches! In this specific instance, the 1 3/8" Circle Punch fits the greeting perfectly and allows me to mount it cleanly in the middle of the frame. However, I still get the cohesive look I'm going for by embossing both stamps in White Stampin' Emboss Powder on Basic Black card stock!

This simple gift tag can be created in minutes and could easily be used as a card or scrapbook page embellishment as well.

Check out other new stamp sets in our new Idea Book & Catalog:

Download a copy of our catalogs here!

Or, contact me to make arrangements to receive a hard copy of the catalog or to attend my New Catalog Open House this coming Saturday in Santa Barbara!

Thursday Tool Tip: Working With Small Punch Pieces

2013-06-06T08:18:56-07:00

Last week of school, last week of school ... you wouldn't believe the chaos on my calendar this week - well, unless you are a teacher or parent of school age children! Graduation, Baccalaureate, appointments, parties, performances, and a sick kid ... you name it, it is on my schedule! I'm looking forward to next week when my calendar is EMPTY.

In the meantime, here is a quick little tool tip for when you are working on punch art cards with small punch pieces for cards like these:
(for more information, you can see the original posts for each of these cards simply by clicking on the image!)

Or,

or,

TOOL TIP: Create a Tool!

Simply add some of our Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive to the tip of a toothpick and let dry thoroughly. The tip will now "grab" small pieces of card stock and hold them as you position them on your project!

Here's to surviving year end, and finding time in the craft room over the summer! There should be a lot of crafting with kids posts on my blog this summer ... and adult crafts for when I sneak away.

Playing With New Product: Simply Pressed Clay

2013-06-02T07:00:00-07:00

Today I want to share with you this cameo greeting card I did with one of the new products in the the 2013-2104 Idea Book & Catalog - Simply Pressed Clay. I'm having a lot of fun with this air dry clay. It has a pliable consistency I have not experienced with other air dry clays in the past (not dry and crumbly at all!).

Shaping: While I have used this clay with a silicone mold I previously made from a cameo button I owned, Stampin' Up! is also selling a set of two silicone molds for the clay - Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds. This is a set of 2 molds: 1 with 3 flowers, 1 with 3 buttons; each 2-1/4" diameter and 3/8" high. Now even the most novice user of air dry clay can get started right away!

Coloring: I've chosen to paint my cameo with acrylic paint after drying the clay (in order to keep a portion white and to only color the outer frame black). However, this clay can be easily colored with our classic ink refills prior to using in molds - thus keeping in line with one of Stampin' Up!'s strengths and making color coordination on your projects a snap! Whichever way your color your clay, you might choose to add a layer of Crystal Effects to the dried surface for extra sheen as I've done here.

The Details: The musical not designer series paper I've used on this piece is from the brand new Modern Medley DSP - a great collection of 12 designs all done in a combination of Basic Black and Very Vanilla. Also, while I've chosen to add black lace details using a retired punch and Basic Black card stock, you could create a similar look with our self adhesive Delicate Details Lace Tape which comes in to designs in white and is easily colored to match your project. And don't forget a few Rhinestone Basic Jewels for a little added card 'jewelry'.

I think even the most novice user of paper clay will find this product easy to use and the final product is light weight enough to be used on any project!

Buy yours today: Click here!

Q&A: Catalog Transition Dates

2013-05-31T10:00:00-07:00

Today is a big day with Stampin Up! Catalogs and I wanted to give you all of the order deadline information in one place:

2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog

Orders can be placed starting today May 31, 2013!

2013-2014 Celebrando Creatividad

Order from this catalog starting today May 31, 2013!

2012-2013 Idea Book & Catalog

Order retiring items from this catalog through June 3, 2013

CLICK HERE! for retiring merchandise in store!

2012-2013 Celebrando Creatividad

Order retiring items from this catalog through June 3, 2013

2013 Spring Catalog

Place orders from this catalog only through today May 31, 3013!

Click here to order from the Spring Catalog.

Click on any of the catalog links above to view the catalogs. If you would rather have a hard copy of the new catalog please contact me to make one of the following arrangements:

RSVP for my New Catalog Open House
Saturday June 15th, 2-4pm

Drop by and pick up a catalog

Have a Catalog mailed to you

I can't wait to get this catalog into your hands - so much eye candy! Contact me today!

Update: I am in the process of creating my handmade gifts for attendees of my New Catalog Open House. Be certain to RSVP so that I can have your gift(s) waiting for you!

Thursday Tool Tip: Stamping With Big Shot Dies!

2013-05-30T07:00:00-07:00

Today I took this stamped dish towel out of the drawer (made using my Big Shot and the Lattice Bigz Die at one of my Focus on the Big Shot classes last year) and hung it on my oven. I have to say that just seeing it brought a smile to my face. I love to have items around the house that I have created within the depths of my craft room.

The technique of 'creating stamps with your Big Shot dies' is actually quite simple:

Pick a Big Shot Die of your choice - it must be a standard or Bigz die; sizzlits and framelits do not work for this process as they can not cut through the thick material required.

Die cut your shape from fun foam or other material (like Cut-n-Dry stamp pad foam from Inkssentials) available at craft supply stores or even leftover rubber scraps (see blog post link below!).

Mount your shape on a wood block or, if cutting from fun foam, you might even choose to create a clear mount stamp - simply die cut a second shape from our Clear-Mount Cling Foam (keep both layers of backing material on the foam until after you have cut your shape!) and attach to the fun foam shape!

Now you are ready to stamp with acrylic paint mixed with a fabric medium (also found at your craft supply stores).

I love to make my tools do double, or even triple duty! Don't limit yourself to the obvious. Make your tools work for you.

For another take on creating stamps with your Big Shot and the Lattice Bigz Die, check out this post:

Stamps with Leftover Rubber and the Big Shot

Or, how about using your Big Shot and the Lattice Bigz Die for the masking technique:
(Done with the Doily Sizzlit below ... this technique works with sizzlits as you only need to cut through paper!)

Masking with Big Shot Dies

Have fun putting your tools to work!

5 Minute Mondays: Patriotic Card for Memorial Day With My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up!

2013-05-27T07:00:00-07:00

I would like to wish you all a happy Memorial Day! Hopefully the BBQ's are fired up and you are enjoying a day outdoors with friends and family.

In honor of Memorial Day and our fallen soldiers, I decided to create a quick and easy patriotic card. Today's version was done in MDS for my digital fans out there. Projects like these can be created quickly and posted to facebook or sent via email, or printed out and used for paper projects too (cards, scrapbook pages, party decorations, etc.).

A couple quick MDS Tool Tips that make this card possible:

Coloring Tool:

I quickly modified the Land of the Free Digital Stamp Brush Set Digital Download image using the coloring tool. Simply place your stamp on your project, click on the coloring tool and using the brush tool color as you choose. The more detailed the stamp, the smaller the digital brush head you want to use when coloring! For my postcard, I was able to use the largest brush size.

Recoloring Designer Series Paper:

The striped papers I used at the top and bottom of my postcard are from the Downtown Grunge Designer Series Paper available in the Downtown Grunge Photobook Template Digital Download. All of the papers in this set are done in shades of Basic Black, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla. I simply clicked on the recolor tool, and clicked on Midnight Muse - now my designer series paper coordinates with my colored stamp!

If you haven't yet delved into the world of digital, I strongly recommend you take the FREE 30 Day Trial - or leap in feet first, for only $20 how far wrong can you go?

Purchase MDS here!

Big Shot Embellishment on Sewn Coffee Sleeve

2013-05-25T07:00:00-07:00

The inspiration for this handmade end of the year teacher's gift is a sort of compilation of past projects (click on the title links for a closer look at any given project):

My Felt No Sew Big Shot Coffee Sleeves -

This original project is one of my highest viewed projects on my blog - I guess there are a lot of you out there crafting handmade gifts for coffee addicts like myself. While I still use one of my original coffee sleeves, this time around I wanted to break out my sewing machine. This allows my finished product to be machine washable. I also chose to line my sleeve with fusible fleece for added heat protection.

My Fabric Flower Book Mark

I love folded fabric flower embellishments for a feminine touch. I used the same technique used to create my bookmark flower, however this time around I used my Circles #2 Die and the Big Shot to create my simpler denim flower. I was also inspired by the use of hair ties for some stretch on this book mark, and used one on my coffee sleeve too!

My Upcycled Baby Clothes Art Journal

I am enjoying upcycling my children's outgrown baby clothes into giftable items - nothing goes to waste and the fabrics themselves bring back a variety of wonderful memories!

I usually give sets of thank you cards for end of the year teacher gifts - I don't know a teacher out there who doesn't have a use for them with all the other gifts that come piling in! And, they can be as quick and easy or as detailed as you have time for!

What are you doing for end of the year teacher gifts?

Thursday Tool Tip: More Stamp Vandalism

2013-05-23T07:00:00-07:00

From my past posts, you know that I love the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. I use it at all turns - but, there is one stamp I have failed to use until recently ... the {friend to friend} stamp. I guess I've just never quite understood the fascination with putting parenthesis around text like this. What is the purpose?

So, since I'm not opposed to vandalizing my stamps (see here and here), I decided to take action and alter this stamp to my liking! A couple passes with my exacto knife, and I now have a 'useable' stamp:

I hope you will keep this tool tip in mind if you have a stamp in your collection that is just not quite right. With the smallest bit of altering, you may find you bring new life to the stamp!

Time Is Ticking On These Items!

2013-05-21T07:00:00-07:00

My calendar is looking like a patchwork quilt right now - and not just because it is the end of a school year for my three children. Stampin' Up! currently has so many offers, catalog changeovers, etc. that many of you have questions.

Here are some dates to keep in mind so that you don't miss anything!

Spring Catalog Product Sales:

While some of the product in this mini catalog will carryover to future catalogs, other items will leave us with the close of the catalog sales on May 31, 2013

2012-2013 Idea Book & Catalog Product Sales:

Originally sales for this catalog were through May 31st, but Stampin' Up! has extended the dates... purchase retiring products through June 3rd, 2013

However, while retiring stamp sets available through the end of catalog, retiring accessories available only while supplies last!

Hostess/Recruit Offer:

Host a qualifying workshop ($350 or more in product orders) through May 30th and receive an additional $30 in hostess benefits!

Have a large wish list of your own?
Personal orders also qualify for this benefit - but maybe, if your wish list is that large, you should contact me about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator ... you'll receive an additional $30 in your $99 starter kit, and continue to earn product from your wish list over time!

25% Off Digital Offer:

Get 25% off select digital content and print product through June 15, 2013.

2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog:

The newest idea book and catalog goes live a day early on May 31st!

Have you RSVP'd for my New Catalog Open House? Join me June 15th from 2-4pm. I'll have finished projects using new product on display and the make 'n take will get new product into your hands!

Can't make the Open House? Please contact me to make arrangements to get your copy of the new catalog!

5 Minute Mondays: Tea Shoppe Get Well Card

2013-05-20T08:25:01-07:00

I've been fighting a horrible flu/cold for weeks, and struggling to keep up with everything on my plate - so today I sat down and made myself a get well card with the retiring Tea Shoppe stamp set:

The inspiration for this card?

I've been drowning myself in thyme tea from my garden (thank you Jennifer, Natural Herbalist, for the suggestion!). It is straight from my garden, free, and replaces all of the store bought teas - which, by the way, I had already exhausted! And, best yet, I found I like the taste.

Technique:

I guess the only 'technical' detail on this card is the tea bag tag itself. To create this simple element:

I simply folded a piece of cardstock in half, stamped the front of it with a portion of the tea cup stamp, then cut to a square to make the tag.
(It would be a rectangle if unfolded!)

To make it appear that it came out of the cup, I pierced a tiny hole through the top of my cup, as well as the center of my tag, through which I inserted my baker's twine.

Lastly, I used a Stampin' Dimensional under both layers of my tag to give it more dimension.

The multiple stampings of my Teeny Tiny Wishes get well sentiment are not aligned, but this is 5 Minute Mondays afterall - if it bothers you, take a few minutes longer and get out your Stamp-a-ma-jig!

Oh, and I'm feeling better already ... well, I'm smiling as I always am when I finish a project.

Shop the retiring stamps and accessories - CLICK HERE!

Happy Monday!

Featuring Nature's Pace Grapes & the Big Shot

2013-05-15T07:00:00-07:00

As I continue to highlight my favorite sets from the retiring stamp list, I realized that I had never used the grapes from the Nature's Pace stamp set! In all honesty, I purchased the set for the bee stamp. And I knew that I could use the thistle stamp for scrapbooking my Edinburg Scotland trip, but the lovely grapes have just sat there unnoticed ... until now!

Technique Tips:

Stamps like this one scream to be colored with the Stampin' Write markers! I don't think the image would be near as successful if stamped in a single color - and you try lining your green and purple ink pads up just where you want them (although it can be done if you are careful and use the corner of the pad). Also, the marker technique allows you to add a little shading, as I've done in the leaves using two separate green markers.

Just remember to huff on your stamp after coloring and before stamping. The hot moist air will revive any ink that has started to dry on your stamps.

To shop the retiring stamp collection - click here!