Hope everyone had a great weekend!  Ours was a bit hectic but we did find time to see Men In Black 3 Friday afternoon.  It wasn't my choice but I ended up enjoying it.  Unbelievable how realistic everything on screen is now a days.  My favorite Men In Black movie is still the first one but this one runs a close second.  Lets move on to today's project.....

Stampin' Up! has a lot of great videos for demonstrators and I went browsing the other day to see what might be a fun technique for my club this month.  The project I want to share with you today is one that my club members will be making this month.  It uses a technique that I actually hadn't tried yet...Faux Silk.

The card is made with the Papaya Collage stamp set.  It's on page 72 of the Brand New Stampin' Up! Catalog.  I'm using two colors from the new In Colors...they are:

• Gumball Green
• Summer Starfruit

I'm a big fan of the new In Colors and love the new Firm Foam Ink Pads.

  

The faux silk technique uses crumpled tissue paper and an Anywhere Glue Stick.  It's really very simple and actually looks a lot like silk.  

If you live in Jasper or the surrounding areas (Canton, Ellijay, Dawsonville, Fairmount, etc.) I would like to invite you to come join us for class.  We will be making this card, a cute slider card, and something else I haven't finished cooking up yet. :)  It's a great place to learn paper crafting techniques, meet new friends, relax, and have fun!  And...the club is for all skill levels. 

I have three days scheduled for club this month... June 8, 10, and 12.  Click Here for more details and to register to attend.  Better yet...call a friend or two and see if they would like to join you! If you have questions feel free to give me a call or send me an email.

Stamp Sets:  Papaya Collage (C126612) (W126610),  Loving Thoughts (C125845) (W125843)

Ink:  Gumball Green (126861), Summer Starfruit (126991), Rose Red (126954), Chocolate Chip (126979)

Paper: Crumb Cake (120953), Gumball Green (126840), Rose Red (102544), Whisper White (100730)

Tools: Scallop Edge Border (119882), Stampin' Trimmer (126889) 

Accessories:  Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Anywhere Glue Stick (104045), Tissue Paper

My customers and club members will be receiving their catalogs this week. If you need a new catalog and don't have a demonstrator please contact me to see how you can receive one free.  (Shipping is Extra)

Have a great day and stop back soon!

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Stampin' Up!'s Triple Treat Flower - Bleaching Technique

I've been under the weather this past week and just haven't felt like being in my stamp room.  I know that's hard to believe...but is't true.  All week long I have had Hand Stamped Sentiments' colors on my table with the Mojo Monday Sketch and it's still sitting there today.  I've decided to put it all away and later today take a look at this week's challenges.  I encourage you to enter a challenge this week and leave me a comment with the link to your entry.  I would love to take a look.

Today let me show you a project that my Club will be doing this month. We will be stamping and removing color with bleach.  Yes it's an old technique but many of my club members are new to stamping.  And...I remember how in awe I was the first time I applied bleach to my card stock.  Plus some of them haven't embossed yet either.  It's going to be a fun class.

• Stampin' Up!'s Triple Treat Flower has been a favorite this year.   It is an al a carte stamp that is being retired.  :(  If you haven't purchased it yet you might want to think about adding it to your "retiring must have list" and make sure you order it before the end of the month. 

• The Triple Treat flower was heat embossed twice on Rose Red card stock using versa mark and black embossing powder.  You could also get the same effect using black craft ink and clear embossing powder. 

• The first flower was then punched with the Fancy Flower Punch and put aside.  The second flower is where the bleach was used.  Using an Aqua Painter ( or you can use a tiny paint brush) I carefully applied everyday bleach to the inside petals.  Like magic it removes the color.  When dry I punched the flower with the 5 Petal Flower Punch and added it on top of the full flower with a dimensional. The 5 Petal Flower Punch is also on the retiring list but it's a keeper for me.  

• When you work with bleach you need to test it on your card stock to see what color you end up with when the color is removed.  When I tested it on three colors of green I got a different color each time.  Old Olive turns yellow, Certainly Celery a creamy color and Lucky Limeade more of a gray. It's a fun an interesting technique.

If you live in the area (45 to 60 minutes from Jasper Ga)  and would be interested in stamping with us this month either contact me by phone, text, or email or click on my club/class tab at the top of the page for more information and to register.

My order of new catty products will be arriving tomorrow!  I am so excited to begin creating and sharing with you.  Stop back soon...I'll be here since I'm feeling better!

If you are a club member or place a $50 online order by May 31 you will receive a Free 2012-2013 Catalog.  It will ship separate from your order. 

Have a marvelous Monday!

Stamp Sets: Triple Treat Flower (122909) Retiring - order by the end of the month, Friendly Phrases (C126151) (W126149)

Ink: VersaMark (102283)

Paper:  Rose Red (102544), Lucky Limeade (122926), Basic Black (121045), Very Vanilla (101650)

Tools & Accessories: Fancy Flower Punch (118073), 5 Petal Flower Punch (119880) Retiring - order by the end of the month, Black Embossing Powder (109133), Aqua Painter (103954) or small paint brush,  Basic Rhinestones (119246)

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Mixed Bunch Love Notes

Oh my gosh... how I have missed sharing the past couple of days.  I have been busy with clubs, a workshop, and an awesome day Saturday at a My Digital Studio retreat followed by our demo PAWS (play alot with stamps) meeting.  It's so much fun being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator !

Today I would like to share one of the make and takes we did at the PAWS meeting.  I know many of you have already purchased the Mixed Bunch stamp set ( C125537,W125535) and are asking to see more projects using it.  This one is a "bunch" of love notes (3" by 3" cards) using the newest In Colors all "mixed" up.

Cindy Shuster is the demo that designed this make and take.  She was able to take a pack of the assorted In Color card stock, coordinating ink, and brads and come up with dozens of these cute little cards. The coordinating Blossom Punch (125603) makes mass producing these notes quick and easy!

The sentiment on each card is different.  The Fabulous Phrases (120501) stamp set has 30 words that you can use separately or group together.  It's a set I go to often.  On the inside we actually used a business stamp set  for demos but with Stampin' Up! the possibilities for sentiments on the inside are endless! Wouldn't you love to have a bunch of these love notes on hand?  Use them for birthdays, get well, or just I'm thinking of you today.

How many of you have a stash of cards to choose from when you need one? Or do you rush around at the last minute making a card before you walk out the door?  I know...I've been there. :)

Before I leave you today I would like to remind you that the Hoppers are giving away a blog gift on Easter Sunday.  All you need to do is visit each blog and leave a comment to be entered.  We would love for you to play along. Check it out HERE.

And over the next couple of days I will be sharing some of my swaps from the PAWS meeting.  Today's share was made by Anne Arnold and I have to say it was one of my favorites.  She doesn't have a blog right now so I'm sorry that I can't direct you to other samples of her work. 

She used the KISS technique with this card.  The two stamps that she kissed together are Inspired by Nature and Weathered.  Sorry to say I don't have the Weathered stamp and it's retired. :(  

I'm thinking that maybe the Wonderfully Worn background stamp may create an interesting effect.  Have you tried this technique and do you have another suggestion of a stamp to use with Inspired by Nature?

Remember that Sale-a-bration ends on March 31.  Every $50 you order earns you a free product from the Sale-a-bration catalog.  It's a great time to stock up on products!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

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Up in the Air - Stampin' Up! Hostess Stamp Set

Today I would like to share another card that my club members are making this afternoon.  In a previous post I mentioned that the two techniques I would be sharing this month are masking and reverse masking.  This Clean and Simple card uses reverse masking.

The idea behind reverse masking is to create an area where you are going to stamp your image and cover up everything around it.  I like to use a post it note or if I need to cover up a larger section, like in this card, I use a piece of copy or printer paper.  I find that works much better then using another piece of card stock because your stamped image close to the mask stamps cleaner and clearer.

To make the mask I used a piece of printer paper close to the size of the white layer and then punched a 1 3/4" circle approximately where I wanted the image.   I just held the mask in place ( you can use re-positional Dotto if you would like) and sponged in the circle.  Still holding the mask in place I then stamped the image.  

I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the sentiment so I could get it perfectly straight...well, nearly perfect. :)

I decided to stamp and color the full image on the inside. 

One more thing...did you notice the little blue rhinestone "egg" in the nest? How cute is that!  If you didn't - go back and take a look.  

You may already know that you can color our rhinestones but if you don't let me tell you how.  Just lightly touch any color permanent marker to the rhinestone and voila ! And the best part is...they still sparkle.

Have you colored any of the rhinestones in your projects yet?  Or is this something new you learned today?  Please leave a comment - It makes my day. :)

Stamp Set: Up in the Air (C122477), (W122475),  Three Little Words (W113254)
Ink: Baja Breeze (111833), Chocolate Chip (100908), Old Olive (102277)
Paper: Baja Breeze Card Stock (111352), Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
Accessories: 1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Blender Pens (102845), Basic Rhinestones (119246)

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Posy Punch - Technique Masking

It's Friday!  Hope you're having a great one.  Do you have fun plans for the weekend?  Do they include stamping?  

I had a club meeting this morning and have another on Sunday so I will definitely be in my stamp room.  The best part is that I get to hang out with some of my favorite people. :)

I teach a technique or share a product each month which is fun because I get to watch my new stampers as they discover all you can do with stamps, paper, and ink.  They are often quite surprised when they see their finished creations.  

This card uses the hostess set Posy Punch and it is a fun way to teach masking.   I know all you advanced stampers out there use this technique often but most of my stampers are seeing it for the first time.  The real red flower is stamped first in the center of the card stock and then again on a sticky note.  Cut the one on the sticky note out and stick it on top of the one on the card stock.  Use some re-positional Dotto if you feel the need. Then when you stamp the Daffodil Delight flowers it looks like you stamped them behind the real red one.  I remember when I learned this technique...and what an ah-ha moment it was!

Some paper piercing, rhinestones, and the simple Hello popped up with dimensionals and you have a cute clean and simple card that can be used for many occasions.  

Stamp Set:  Posy Punch (C122482, W122480)

Ink:  Real Red (103133)  Daffodil Delight (119667, Basic Black101179)

Card Stock: Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730)

Accessories: Paper-Piercing Tool (116631, Mat Pack (105826),Basic Rhinestones (119246)

Here's a sneak peek of tomorrow's card using the same set but this time with reverse masking. 

So...is masking a technique you use often?  Is it one you learned early on or is this the first time you've seen it and did you have that ah-ha moment when you discovered that's how you get this look?  Please leave a comment...

Remember...during Sale-A-Bration it's only $125 to become a new demonstrator!  This is a package valued over $340!  

Customers Enjoy Fabulous Products, Hostesses Enjoy Free Products -

  Demonstrators Enjoy These and So Much More!

• Product Discount
• First to buy Products
• Lasting Friendships and Fun
• Extra Money

Join my team today!  

Feel free to email or call me to get answers to your questions and to learn how I will support you to reach your goals.  No matter if those goals are for the free starter kit, product discounts, or to earn extra money. 

Send Me Soaring - Regional Swap

Hi Stampers!

Today I would like to share one of the Make and Takes from the San Antonio Regional.  Since I was already in San Antonio for Leadership I decided to spend an extra day and it was well worth it.

This cute card actually uses the stamp set Send Me Soaring from the Occasions Catalog.  But the stamps in that set are actually kites!  And as you can see there are no kites in this card.  We took the polka dot kite  and stamped it on whisper white card stock and then punched out the hearts and the leaf.  Clever idea to use your stamps in this way.  And the flower stem is the kite string. :)

We used the 1 1/4" circle punch to cut the leaf and to round the corners on the card.  I love when stamps and tools are so versatile. 

Stamp Set: Send Me Soaring (C125442), W125440)

Ink: Pool Party (122938), Calypso Coral (122939), Lucky Limeade (122935)

Card Stock: Calypso Coral (122925), Crumb Cake 120953), Whisper White (100730), Berry Blossoms DSP (122350), Sweet Shop Specialty DSP (125408)

Accessories and Tools: Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (122975),Bitty Buttons 118761), Blossom Bouquet Punch (122464), Scallop Edge Punch (119882), Small Heart Punch (119881), 1-1/4" Circle Punch (119861), 1-3/8" Circle Punch (119601), Dimensionals 104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683)

So, I was asked to do this card for a make and take today for demos that didn't get to go to Leadership.  Problem is... I didn't order that stamp set, I don't have the small heart punch or some of the other products used to make this card.  I decided I would go through what I had and see how close I could get and still use the same technique.  This is what I came up with.  

I pulled out the polka dot stamp from For All You Do and the smallest heart from the Heart to Heart Punch.  Used a different Early Espresso DSP and sentiment and added a large pearl.  So when you see a card in a magazine know that you can recreate something similar using your Stampin' Up! products.

Stamp Sets: For All You Do (115360), Friendly Phrases (C126151), (W126149)

Ink and Paper are the same as the first card.

Accessories: Basic Pearl (119247) in place of Bitty button, Heart to Heart Punch (119881) in place of the small heart,

How about creating your own card using the Regional make and take as inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by...hope to see you tomorrow.

Stampin' Up! Regional Workshop Wows

I was hoping to post this week while I sat in my mother's hospital room but discovered all the pictures I wanted to share with you never actually transferred to the USB stick.  I came home tonight to get a good night's rest and decided to stop here before going to bed.

Last Saturday I attended the Stampin' Up! Regional in Birmingham AL and had a great time.  It is fun to learn, share, and hang out with others that share your same love for paper crafting and Stampin' Up!.  Actually that's some of the same reason's I love to stamp with many of you that are local. And...it's just fun!

I wanted to share a couple of what we call workshop wows.

The first one is a project presented by Monika Davis.  Monika is the leader of our PAWS (Play Alot With Stamps) demo group.  Can you guess what paper this treat bag is made from?  It's the brown packing paper  that all Stampin' Up! orders are packed in.  So when you get your next web order or you host a workshop save that paper.  Or maybe if you would like to make some for this Christmas you should place an order real soon!

Isn't it adorable?  And I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the goodie inside.  She made shortbread cookies and stamped them with our new Cookie Stamp.  The one with the snowflake of course.  Makes me want to place an order.  No...not for the packing paper.  I have tons of that.  For the Cookie Stamp and the Sweet Season stamp set.  I love the sentiment.

The next three cards were difficult to photograph and I wish you could see them in person.  They are popup cards that make you say...Wow!  The front side of the card was rather plain so when you open the card you aren't expecting the Wow.  The snowflakes, boo, and hearts are all on acetate strips that pop up and wiggle around when you open the card.  A perfect card for someone special.

The last technique uses shaving cream to color your card stock in unique patterns.  It's fun to do and you can make some interesting background paper to use both on cards and in your scrap booking.

So if you would like to come to the next Stampin' Up! event with me as either a business or hobby demonstrator think about ordering the Starter Kit this month.  What a deal!  You pay $175 for $345 worth of products PLUS you get a FREE Big Shot or an additional $100 worth of products.

Call or email me if you have questions.