What 2 Stamp

Re-Work Wednesday: Page 138

2010-02-03T16:34:04-05:00

This week's Re-Work Wednesday is an easy but cute project that gets its detail from a Top Note die cut that has been embossed with a Texturz Plate. And yes, I know there's no stamping on it (it's all made with the Big Shot), but you can stamp a message on the inside!

I made this card last week, for my hubby's birthday. I think the colors are great for a man or a woman. I love cards that are "uni-sexy," as one stamper I know calls them! The thing I wanted to point out is this: When I needed a card, I took the same advice I give all of you--I opened up the catalog and found something I could make my own. The original card I used for inspiration is shown below:

By the way, this card (my version) is one of the projects you can make at my Card Cafe, scheduled for Feb. 13, 9 a.m. to noon, at my house. Email me if you want to get in on the fun!

Card Cafe on Feb. 13

2010-02-02T16:40:28-05:00

I've been having great fun creating new projects for my first Card Cafe, which will be Saturday, Feb. 13, 9 a.m.-noon, at my house; contact me if you need directions. With this new class format, you can come whenever you like during that time slot, as long as you're done by noon. I do ask that you RSVP by Feb. 11, by emailing me.

I'll have a variety of projects to choose from; you get to make your own picks! Cards are priced at $3 each, other projects will be priced according to time and materials involved. If you want more cards than you have time to make, you can purchase kits to take home--they will come with photos to help you assemble.

This delightful card is one of the projects that will be available at the Cafe. It features the Oval All stamp set and uses Big Shot die cuts and glitter for a little pizazz. I hope you can stamp it with us!

Stamps for Paper Piecing

2010-01-14T08:00:00-05:00

This week, we've been reviewing new ways to use your stamps. My last tip (for now!) is to use your stamps to create paper-pieced images. This requires stamping the same image multiple times on different colors of cardstock, then cutting them out and and gluing them together.

I used the Good Friend stamp set and stamped the bird's body on Pink Passion, the wing and beak on Pumpkin Pie, the tail feathers on Old Olive. What on earth could have inspired this bright color combination? Why, the Flower Fusion collection, of course! The tin comes filled with more than 130 flowers, enough to keep you in business for quite some time.

OK, I've given you lots of options for using those stamps. So get working!

Re-Work Wednesday: Page 63

2010-01-13T08:00:00-05:00

It's not too early to start thinking about Valentine's Day--I can't BELIEVE I'm saying that! Anyway, today's Re-Work Wednesday project is inspired by page 63 of the Idea Book & Catalog. And, as promised, this project shows you another way to use your stamps--this time, as a template for piercing.

When I saw the original project shown below, I wanted to recreate the large pierced heart, but didn't have a template that size.

No problem, I just stamped the large heart from the Love You Much set and cut it out, then placed it on my card and used it as a template, to pierce all around the edges:

Piercing a card, using the piercing tool and mat, is a fun way to add some detail to your cards. And now, you have yet another way to use your stamps!

Using a Stamp as a Cutting Template

2010-01-12T15:55:46-05:00

I've been stamping and scrapbooking quite a bit over the past couple of weeks, trying to get "caught up" on some of my photos--at least I'm into last spring now! While doing that, I started thinking of different ways I use my stamps, so I thought I would share some of those ways with you this week.

The first method I'll describe is using a stamp as a cutting template. I know we all have stamped an image and cut it out, then placed it on our card. But, for this card, I wanted a large cut-out flower (that I could stamp the Tres Chic background image on), and I didn't want a solid image stamped underneath. So, I stamped the large flower from Petal Pizazz onto Blush Blossom cardstock, then cut it out and flipped the cut out over, so that I had a plain side to work with. I then stamped the Tres Chic image in Rose Red ink. For the Rose Red flower in the back, I stamped onto Rose Red cardstock and used the stamped side.

I'll show you some ways to look at your stamps tomorrow and Thursday, so keep checking back!

A Fresh Start to a New Year

2010-01-12T15:48:28-05:00

Yes, I know the New Year has been going on for 12 days now, but I think I'm just now ready to return to regular life! If you're like me, it takes a few days of getting past the holidays before I'm ready to dive in head-first again. We've gotten down the Christmas stuff, the kid has baseball practice tonight (even though it's freezing here!) and suddenly, life is starting to seem normal again. Which, luckily for you, gets me back to posting on this blog on a more regular basis!

While I was in "downtime" mode over the holidays, I took some time to think about how I would like to organize my stamping business in the coming year. I finally decided that I would like to re-work my monthly events, to a concept I have long considered. I'm calling it "Card Cafe." Basically, at each Cafe, there will be a small buffet of cards (and some 3-D projects) you can choose from. The projects will be priced according to complexity and supplies used. You can make just 1 project or multiple ones, depending on your time and budget. Projects will be available for purchase, if you would like to take them home, and leftovers may reappear in subsequent months. Cafe events will take place in my home, giving us a chance to have an intimate gathering.

I'm still working on a date for the first Cafe--gotta check that baseball schedule, you know! Stay tuned for more details and if you aren't already on my newsletter list, sign up using the little box at the top left of this page. Then you'll be sure to get regular updates. I look forward to working with you in the blessed New Year.

New Goodies for a New Year

2010-01-06T10:14:55-05:00

I love that January always brings us a fresh start: a promise to lose those holiday pounds, a commitment to be more organized and the annual white sales (!). But my favorite is the start of a new Stampin' Up! year, which brings us Sale-a-Bration and the new Occasions Mini Catalog.

For those of you new to Sale-a-Bration (we call it SAB), it is Stampin' Up's annual customer appreciation period. For every $50 in merchandise purchased, you will be able to choose either a special SAB item, or one of many stamp sets in the catalog. To view the SAB items, and the list of eligible stamps in the big catalog, click here.

You can order online at any time by clicking the red button at the top left of this page. That will take you to my official SU site, and you can click Shop Now at the top of the page to make your selections, which will be shipped directly to you. Email me if you have any questions and have fun shopping!

Birds of a Feather

2009-12-31T08:00:00-05:00

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone! I'm back with one more Berry Christmas sample, although I may churn out some more before it's over with! The Holiday Mini Catalog ends on January 4, and that's your last chance to order this fun set.

This is a package of small cards, using the little bird in the set. When the "berries" are stamped on him, he looks kind of like he belongs on the Partridge Family, doesn't he?

I'm reserving this fun set of cards as a hostess gift. It could be yours if you book in January, to take advantage of Sell-a-Bration and the new Occasions Mini Catalog, which begin on January 5. Email me today to get in on all the fun!

Berry Christmas--Again!

2009-12-28T08:00:00-05:00

Yes, I know Christmas is over, and I sure hope you had a great one. We certainly did. But, now that Christmas is past, I wanted to show you that you don't have to relegate your Berry Christmas set to the back of your stamping drawer.

For this card, stamp the poinsettia image in Bashful Blue onto Whisper White, then stamp again on a scrap and trim it out, then mount to the first image. Stamp the berries on a scrap of Certainly Celery and punch with the Trio Flower Punch. Insert a brad and mount to the center of the flower. With a few color changes, you'll see how easily this stamp set can stay out all year long!

Christmas Tree Week-Part 4

2009-12-17T08:00:00-05:00

It's time for my last offering of Christmas Tree week. I hope you've gotten some ideas for unusual trees you can make quickly and easily.

Today's tree is made using the Photo Corner Punch and the Designer Series Paper pack you can receive for free as a hostess. Punch 5 of the large photo corners and stack them to make your tree. The birdie at the top comes from the Merry Details die for the Big Shot. The Round Tab Punch makes a great embellishment for the right-hand side.