Epic Teacher Appreciation

  The week before last was Teacher Appreciation Week for both boys schools.  I had fun making a quick little notecard and matching envelope to go with a gift card for Ryan's first grade teacher.  I forgot to take a "real" photo of it before heading off to school so my cell phone photos will have to do.

  I had a bunch of random supplies out on my desk from various other projects and I just grabbed a few things and got going.  The Simply Scored and SS Diagonal plate are awesome when you want to make your own envelopes out of DSP.  Seriously, it's so easy!

 

  I used the Epic Day DSP that is in the new catalog in the This and That journaling suite for the envelope.  The chevron pattern is so fun.  I made a belly band to close the envelope and then accessorized with a Pop Up Posies paper flower and tag (kit is still available in the Spring catalog).  The "Thank You" stamp is from the Dude, You're Welcome kit.

 

 For the insert I stamped some of the little ink spot splatters (stamped off once) from the first My Paper Pumpkin kit and the "Seriously" from the second My Paper Pumpkin kit.  I used the retired round tab punch for the little pull and adhered it using a staple.

  A really quick project to make a gift card seem a little more special.  It took me longer to type this post than it did to make this notecard and matching envelope!  

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Dude, You're Welcome, My Paper Pumpkin Kit #1, My Paper Pumpkin Kit #2

Ink: Early Espresso, Gumball Green

Paper: Epic Day DSP, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Pop Up Posies kit, Simply Scored + diagonal plate, round tab punch (retired)

Hey There! Baltimore Regional Swap

TGIF!  I hope you all have lots of fun plans for the weekend!  We have a few things planned to keep us busy.

  Today I'm sharing a card I made as a swap at the Stampin' Up! Baltimore regional in April.  It's really fun to swap different cards with other demonstrators at theses events.  It's a great way to see samples using sets you don't own and to get layout and color ideas.  The Baltimore Regional came at a hard time in the Stampin' Up! catalog year as the retirement list wasn't out yet but they did tell us about the Color Refresh.  You always want to use products that are current but at the end of the big catalog it's hard to know what will be staying!

  I tried to play it safe and used the newer Designer Typeset Photopolymer set along with colors that I knew were sticking around.

  I think this color combination was from a challenge back in April but I have no idea which one now!  If it looks familiar just let me know and I'll update my post.

  The photopolymer sets are pretty cool in that they are totally clear (different from the clear mount rubber stamps).  It's super easy to see exactly where you are stamping.  I arranged the letters on my clear block and then tested on scrap paper and just adjusted if necessary.  I didn't use the Stamp-a-ma-jig at all and I think it came out pretty straight.  Also the photopolymer stamps can bend.  Check out my 2 arrows….they are actually straight but I bent the stamp a bit on the clear block to get a curved arrow.  Neat huh?

  For the background letters I just lined up all the alphabet and number stamps on my large clear block and stamped it several times.

*****Local ladies:  If you want to come to stamp club on Tuesday the 21st (9:30am or 7:00pm) please let me know by tonight so I can start to prepare the project supplies*****

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Designer Typeset Photopolymer

Ink: Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Blushing Bride, Soft Suede

Paper: Soft Suede, Calypso Coral, Blushing Bride, Whisper White

Accessories: button, baker's twine

Fun Mail!

  As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I make a lot of cards to send out to people but I very rarely get any hand stamped items in my own mailbox.  Whenever I do I get super excited and want to show it off.

  Here are a few projects that I've received in the last few months!

  The first one I received from one of my former stamping ladies who moved to another state.  We still keep in touch and I was excited to get her change of address card in the mail.  How fun is this pocket card?  I haven't made one of these in a long time but it's so cute I'm going to make one soon.

Fun pocket card by Marie H.

  I love this sweet and simple card from my friend Kristen.  A few cranks of the Big Shot and you've got yourself a lovely card to pop in the mail.  Remember you don't have to go crazy with techniques and accessories to make a statement!

Made by Kristen S.

  And last but not least look at these cuties that I received in a few recent Stampin' Up! order boxes.  It's so fun to open up a box of Stampin' Up! goodies anyway but to find a fun little note inside the box is even better!

Made by Julia at Stampin' Up!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Nature Walk in Purples

  I hope all you moms out there had a fantastic Mother's Day yesterday.  My day was pretty relaxing and I got a clean car and a yummy dinner out of it.  Though I think I need to teach Alex some of the things I do for our family.  He made a Mother's day card at school and it said, "I love my mommy because she washes the dishes for our family."  Hmmmmm…  I would rather it said something like, "I love my mommy because she makes pretty hand stamped cards" or even, "because she's the most beautiful mommy in the world".  At least his little picture of me washing dishes was cute!

  I did get some time in the stamp room yesterday but I was working on my projects for hostess club on the 21st so I can't show them to you yet, that and the fact that they aren't photographed!  In the meantime you'll have to take a look at this purple card I made for my mother in law.  She loves purple so I always try to incorporate it into her cards.  This was a fun one to make as I used a lot of different embellishments and tools to make each panel unique.

 Like the card I made for my mom HERE on Friday, I used Nature Walk.  I was late to the party on this stamp set and now I'm kicking myself that I didn't use it more often or get it sooner.  If you love this set get it now as it is retiring and June 3 will be the last day to order it.

  Other items on the retiring list are: scallop square punch, First Ed. Specialty DSP, Vintage Wallpaper and Elegant Lines e.f.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Nature Walk

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla craft, Illuminate

Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, First Ed. Specialty DSP, In Color DSP stack, Very Vanilla

Accessories: scallop square punch, postage stamp punch, Itty Bitty shapes punch, butterfly punch, pearls, rhinestones, Vintage trinket brad, Vintage Wallpaper e.f., Elegant Lines e.f.

Fab Vintage Flowers

  Happy Friday!  Another busy week is coming to a close!  Teacher Appreciation for 2 schools, regular volunteer work and Field Day makes for a very full week.  But I always make time for the Fab Friday Challenge and Mindy has a sweet color combo for us to work with this time!

  Check it out!

 So many ways to go with this group of colors!  I decided to go vintage and sponged up a storm on all of my layers.  I also used the Mojo Monday sketch for this week for inspiration.  I didn't follow it exactly but most of the elements are there.

  I've been trying to use up some retiring products as well as give a little bit of last love to some stamp sets that we are saying good-bye to.  But I couldn't resist my new Chalk Talk set for the sentiment on this one; look for this great set in the new 2013-2014 catalog coming out on May 31.  Only a few more weeks left to be able to order the Nature Walk stamp set, if you love it buy it now!

  Now it's your turn!  Get busy creating an awesome card using our Fab Friday Challenge colors and then share it!  I can't wait to see what some of my readers can come up with!  If you need some more inspiration check out what my fellow design team members came up with!  Are they a bunch of all stars or what?

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Nature Walk, Chalk Talk

Ink: Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit, Raspberry Ripple

Paper: Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit, Raspberry Ripple, Very Vanilla, Patio Party DSP, First Ed. Specialty DSP

Accessories: Apothecary Accents framelits, circle punch, Antique brad, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, pearls

Lovely Sympathy

  Sympathy cards are the hardest aren't they?  Trying to make a card that conveys all those things you want to say but don't really have the right words for…I struggle with these the most.  

  I used the current Fab Friday challenge as a starting point for my layout.  I just flipped it around the other way.  I apologize for the poor photo; my stamp room floor must have been sloping the night I took it!

  I was very relieved when the retirement list came out that Lovely As A Tree has made the cut once again.  It will continue to be available in the new catalog!  This is a great basic set to have on hand for any occasion.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Thoughts & Prayers

Ink: Basic Gray, Gumball Green, Pool Party, Versamark

Paper: Basic Gray, Epic Day DSP, Gumball Green, Pool Party, Whisper White

Accessories: distressing tool, Scallop Edgelit, scallop trim punch, Chevron embossing folder, white embossing powder, taffeta ribbon, baker's twine, dimensionals, brads, hole punch

Moving Bicycle

  Here is one of the other cards we did at my Moving Forward card class.

 This one uses a fun and easy technique to make an object look like it's moving.  Just ink up your stamp and then continue to stamp without reinking moving away from your first image.

Stamps: Moving Forward

Ink: Real Red, Crumb Cake

Paper: Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Whisper White

Accessories: Cloudy Days e.f., scallop circle punch, , Decorative Label punch, mini brads, Itty Bitty punch pack, pearls, Tasteful Trim die

  And here is the card folder we made to put our Moving Forward cards into.  It's the perfect size for 3 or 4 cards and envelopes.

Paper: Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue, Pool Party, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Tasteful Trim die, Simply Scored tool, organza ribbon

Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Birthday Blimp

  Still trying to get current on sharing some recent projects.

  A few weeks ago I had a class featuring the Moving Forward stamp set.  The ladies that signed up each got their own Moving Forward stamp set and made 2 cards each of 3 designs and then 2 card folders; one to keep and one to give away.  The Moving Forward stamp set is a special one because Stampin' Up! designed it for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.  Every year Stampin' Up! has one special stamp set for the RMHC that they donate $3 to the charity for each stamp set sold.  They have given over $1 million to date to RMHC!  So I try to do my part to raise awareness of RMHC and the important roll they have in supporting families with children in the hospital by having a class each year centered around the RMHC stamp set.

  Check out this cutie:

 There are only a few weeks left to order the Moving Forward as it is on the retirement list.  Don't wait!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Moving Forward

Ink: Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo

Paper: Baja Breeze, Floral District DSP, Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Accessories: Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon, rhinestone, dimensionals, Word Window Punch