Happy Stamping

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

I love the new framelit dies, especially the labels collection. I wish I could take credit for this card, but I can't. My friend Cheryl designed it.

I made these two cards at the Inkerbelles demo meeting I attended in Jan and thought they would be good to share with you today. I wish I had photos of the cards we made in Vacaville because there were a couple cute heart ones, maybe I'll just share them late. Anyway, hope you have a loving day! My hot date is to watch my son's Freshman basketball game. Then we'll stay to watch the JV and Varsity games, too. Go College Park High School!

Buttoned Up Heart

2012-02-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

My upline sent me this card and I thought I'd share it with you today. You can get the brights designer buttons FREE as a Sale-a-bration item. I hit my nogan this morning and boy did that hurt! At least no stitches were required and I don't have a concussion. I didn't do anything today but sit around and read, which was good on a rainy day! I have a great Valentine to share with you tomorrow, so be sure to check back!

Mary

SUO Valentine Challenge

2012-02-12T21:46:00.000-08:00

The SUO Challenge this week was to make a Valentine using two colors. Well, I also needed to make a Valentine for a friend's 2 year old grandson who is very ill with a rare disease. My mom suggested I make a pop-up one, which I thought was a good idea. I pulled out one of my favorite retired stamp sets (Unfrogettable) and some retired paper (green galore and pink passion). Unfortunately, I had to get it in the mail before I had a chance to take a photo. So I decided to make a similar card for my two boys. I'll give them on Valentine's Day with some See's candy (which will probably be their favorite part). I used the 2-3/8" scallop circle punch so the frog looks like hes on a lily pad. I also used the 2-1/2" circle punch in white to set it off and the heart to heart punch. It was fun and I hope you enjoy it. Now I have to see if I'm not too late to submit it to the SUO challenge!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Designer Frame Window, portrait

2012-02-09T23:00:00.000-08:00

This is a card I made using a technique I don't use very often ~ coloring with pastels and blender pens. You dip the blender pen in the corner of your pastel and color in your image. - It gives the soft look of pastels but allows for just a bit more precision in your coloring. I love to punch a window and then stamp through it. This card took it one step further ~ I punched the oval window and then embossed around it using the designer frames textured impressions embossing folder. You can get the e.f. for FREE with a qualifying S.A. B. order! Originally I made this card for an SUO challenge, but I didn't get it posted in time. This week's SUO challenge is to make a Valentine card using two colors... /can I get it done by tomorrow?

Supplies:
sets- elegant thank you, bordering on romance
cs- whisper white, twitterpated dsp
ink- island indigo
access- blender pens, pastels, pearls, big shot, designer frames textured impressions embossing folders, extra large oval punch, blushing bride pleated satin ribbon (I love this ribbon!), sticky strip (the best way to adhere the ribbon)

Happy Stamping! Mary

February Club Projects

2012-02-02T00:35:00.001-08:00

Project 1

Supplies:
sets- I (heart) hearts, Pursuit of Happiness
cs- whisper white, wisteria wonder, concord crush
ink- concord crush pad
access- big shot, stripes ef, heart to heart punch, pinking hearts border punch, flirtatious fabric, dimensionals, pearls

Project 2 Hexagon Box

See earlier post for supply list and tutorial

Happy Stamping! Mary

Hexagon Box Tutorial

2012-02-01T22:45:00.000-08:00

We made these fun hexagon boxes using the Mini Milk Carton die and the Big Shot in Club Wednesday. They hold about 25 chocolate kisses. Of course you could easily fill them with something other than candy. You can use any color card stock and embellishment to meet your needs. Wouldn't they be cute as a bridal shower or baby shower place setting favors?

Supplies:
sets- none
cs- wisteria wonder, concord crush, whisper white
ink- none
access- big shot, mini milk carton die, stripes embossing folder, crop-a-dile, sticky strip, dimensionals, liquid glue or two way glue pen, pearls, heart to heart punch pinking hearts border punch, small oval punch, 2-1/2" circle punch

Start by cutting out 2 of the Mini Milk Carton die. I save card stock by only cutting out three panels, being sure to include the side tab on each piece. Note: If you cut out the full milk carton die you will need to cut off the panel without the side tab on both pieces.

Score the center panel of both pieces to match the outer panels (upside down "v"). I found it easiest to use a ruler and my bone folder.

Add sticky strip to the side tab of each piece on the outward facing side (right side). Add sticky strip to five of the bottom flaps on the inward facing side (wrong side).

Remove the protective layer of the sticky strip and adhere the two "milk boxes" together so you now have six panels.

Using your Crop-a-dile, punch 1/8" holes just above the narrow scored line at the top of the box. You can fold over the card stock and punch two at a time. You'll have to punch the last two after the final tab is adhered (forming the cylinder).

If you are decorating the six panels, it's easiest to do that now while you still have a flat shape. If you are going to add a single strip of dsp that wraps around the entire box (about 1-3/4 x 11") you can do it after the box is formed.

Adhere the other side tab to make a cylinder.

Turn your box upside down. Being careful to keep the hexagon shape, fold in and adhere the bottom flaps. Start with the flap that has no sticky strip on it and the flap opposite that one. Continue with the flaps that are opposite each other, lining them up parallel and overlapping the ends about 1/4" helps keep the hexagon shape.

Weave some kind of string or ribbon through the holes to close your box. I used Wisteria Bakers twine, about 24", but the 1/8" taffeta ribbon works well, too.

I used the handle for the Sweet Pressed Cookie stamps from SU to press a 2-1/2" circle into the bottom of the box for added strength and a cleaner look.

Happy Stamping! Mary

New Product Class Cards

2012-01-26T19:30:00.000-08:00

There were two versions of this card that class attendees could choose from because I couldn't make up my mind! lol. The colors are perfect plum, blushing bride and sahara sand card stock. It uses the same colors of ink along with elegant eggplant. We used the Bordering on Romance set as well as Teeny Tiny Wishes. The adorning accents edgelits were a fun way to cut the edges.

colors ~ blushing bride and riding hood red

tools ~ pinking hearts border punch, heart of hearts and fashionable hearts embosslits, pleated satin ribbon (I just love this ribbon!). Adorning Accents embossing folder adds a fun heart texture to the inside.

The light pink layer is from the twitterpated designer paper

Sentiments are from Teeny Tiny Wishes and Delightful Dozen.

Our next project was a fun maze birthday card made with the new A-maze-ing set. The colors are white, pacific point and tangerine tango and early espresso. The maze actually works! I found the best way to adhere it to the card is with Tombow liquid glue. I used the 1" square punch to create the forked edge on the sentiment banner.

Our final card was so elegant! I think pink pirouette and basic gray look great together. The flowers are colored with certainly celery, pink pirouette and regal rose. I just love that Apothecary Art set with the Labels Collection of framelits. Again, the Adorning Accents edgelits and embossing folders help create a unique edge.

Hope you enjoyed looking at the cards as much as we enjoyed making them! Please see the calendar link on my right side bar to find out when my next class is - you won't want to miss it!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Get Well Mark!

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

My dear older brother Mark had a spill on his bike on Friday the 13th. He thought he could take a 20mph curve at 40mph - NOT! His serious lack of judgement landed him in the hospital with a concussion and broken ribs. When we got together for coffee last we we argued over who should pull mt walker out of my car. He stated that I am more disabled, even if he is in more pain. Well, I hope you heal well bro!

~ Mary

Framed Window

2012-01-23T19:28:00.000-08:00

I made this very simple card to send my in-laws last week.

The flower images are from the Occasions Mini set Bordering on Romance. I colored them with blender pens and pastels for a nice soft feel. The sentiment from the Thank You Kindly set is shown through a punched window. I used the designer frames embossing folder to add texture around the window. These embossing folders are in the SAB brochure and you can earn them for FREE! Finally I added some pearls to add a touch of elegance.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Sale-A-Bration with Dyed Velvet Ribbon

2012-01-20T21:52:00.000-08:00

Sale-a-bration starts next week. This card is made with one of the exclusive sets you can get for FREE with a $50 order. It's made with the luscious Mocha Morning specialty designer paper and vanilla velvet ribbon that's been dyed black. The images are embossed in black on crumb cake paper. Thanks Cheryl for sharing this card with me. I'm putting in an order next week, so let me know this weekend if you'd like to add to it. If you spend $50 you could get this SAB set for free.

Happy Stamping! Mary

So Sweet!

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

This card uses the Sweet Cake set from the Occasions Mini catalog and a host of other new product. It was made by my friend, Cheryl.

I went to an Inkerbelles demonstrator group meeting on Saturday and it was sooo much fun! I can't wait to show you the cards we made.

Happy Stamping! Mary

More Telescoping Circles Cards

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Do these cards look familiar? They are basically the same as my project 2 card from my Jan Club, but I changed the sentiment and card stock colors. The anniversary one I'm giving to my good friend, Cheryl, who's celebrating 20 years (or 21?) of marriage this weekend. Congrats, Cheryl and Pat!

Here are more cards that are reminiscent of my Jan Club Project 1 card with a few color changes and more hearts. I'll probably send these as special Valentines.

Happy Stamping! Mary

p.s. I just saw this version of a telescoping card (with the new tea set) that is really neat. Check it out!

Jan Club - Telescoping Circle Cards

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

These are the two projects we made at my club on Wednesday. Both use new sets from the Occasions Mini Catalog. We water colored on one and embossed the heart image on the other.
For Telescoping Circle Cards you need:
one scallop circle (big shot die)
two 3-1/2" circles (big shot die); one can be out of dsp
one 3" circle (big shot die)
one 2-1/2" circle (punch)
3 brads
a small piece of ribbon (2-3")
and stamps/ink of choice
embossing folders, optional

Project 1 - Telescoping Circles Card
Supplies:
sets- Totally Amazing, short & sweet
cs- rose red, whisper white
ink- rose red craft & classic pads
access- big shot, scallop circle & 3-1/2" circle & 3" circle dies, fashionable hearts embosslit, perfect polka dots & adorning accents textured impressions embossing folder, 2-1/2" circle punch, 1/16" punch, paper piercer & mat pack, silver brads, rose red seam binding, heat tool, embossing buddy, clear embossing folder

Project 2 Telescoping Circles Card
Supplies:
sets- Bordering on Romance, Teeny Tiny Wishes
cs- blushing bride, whisper white, twitterpated dsp
ink- Blushing Bride, pad & marker, Basic gray, riding hood red, pear pizzazz, and island indigo pads
access- big shot, scallop circle & 3-1/2" circle & 3" circle dies, adorning accents textured impressions embossing folder, 2-1/2" circle punch, 1/16" punch, paper piercer & mat pack, gold brads, blushing bride stitched poly ribbon, aqua painters

These are really easy and fun to make. Be careful they're addicting!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Sneak Peak Card for 1/19

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

About a week ago my friend Cheryl and I were playing with our new mini catalog products and I made this card. Isn't it lovely? We will be making it at my upcoming class on 1/19. The edgelits are a little tricky to use, but the framelits are soooo easy. Come try them out and see what you think.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Framelits Labels & Apothecary Art by Cheryl

2012-01-08T22:51:00.000-08:00

My friend Cheryl made this card using the new Apothecary set and the new Framelits Labels collection from the Occasions Mini catalog.

Occasions Mini Catalog is Live!

2012-01-05T19:03:00.000-08:00

I had SU mail the Occasions Mini Catalog to many of you. If you didn't get one let me know so can get one to you. Also, I'll have a class on Jan 19th using a lot of the product in the new mini. Come to the class so you can try before you buy!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Soccer Coach Thank You Cards and Gift Boxes

2012-01-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

My son's soccer coach sent out an e-mail that she wanted to get the team together to hand out trophies and pictures at a pizza party a couple weeks before Christmas. No one had collected for the coaches so I sent out an e-mail that I'd make cards for the boys to sign and little boxes for cash donations. I pulled out my retired and well used, "I love soccer" and "wonderful words" sets and made these thank you cards and boxes. Everyone brought cash to the end of the season party and I divided it between the two boxes (which were the perfect size). It was the easiest coaches thank you I've ever done! The best part was that the coaches were female and really seemed to appreciate the handmade gift box and card.

Last Fri I went to my friend Cheryl's and we played with product from the upcoming mini. Unfortunately I have been sick with a flu bug, but am starting to feel better. I have photos to post in the next few days.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 25 Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't normally think of putting these colors together, especially for Christmas (I like more traditional red and green), but I like how it came out. The Concord Crush, which is regal, seems appropriate for the three kings and the mustard and cajun craze look desert-like.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Enjoy the season and the peace that only Christ can bring. Mary

Countdown, Day 24, Telescoping Circles Cards

2011-12-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

I love these telescoping circles cards. They are so much fun to make! They are also a lot easier than I thought they would be. We will be making a different telescoping circles card in my January Club. Would you like to see a sneak peak? If so, leave me a message.

Supplies:
sets- short & sweet, greeting card kids
cs- night of navy, whisper white, bashful blue
ink- night of navy pad, bashful blue, sahara sand, blush blossom marker, wild wasabi, daffodil delight
access- big shot, 3" circle die, 3-1/2" circle die, scallop circle die, snow burst ef,
northern flurry ef, 2-1/2" circle punch, 1/16" punch, whisper white organza ribbon, silver brads, dazzling details, aqua painters

This card has most of the same supplies, with the addition of Thoughts & Prayers set instead of Short and Sweet, bashful blue cs, cherry cobbler pad and seam binding and pink pirouette marker. I sent this card to my mom last week to thank her. She gave me the 3-1/2" circle die so I could make these cards. We'll be going to her house for Christmas and I'll stay a few days.

Only one day left! Tomorrow is my last "Countdown" post.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 23, Gift

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Winter
Winter Detail

Spring

Summer

Fall

All Season

I made this frame for a birthday gift for a friend. It has five different scenes that you can switch out to coordinate with the various seasons. Or you could just use the All Season scene all the time. I like the mica flakes and dazzling diamonds on the Winter scene. There's also dazzling detail spots added to the center of the snowflakes. The sentiment is on the matting, so it always is there.

Supplies:
set- season of friendship
ink- Chocolate chip, riding hood red, cajun craze, more mustard, bashful blue, marina mist, daffodil delight
cs- garden green, whisper white, very vanilla, retired dsp
access- dazzling details, dazzling diamonds, mica flakes, two-way glue pen, 3/4" circle punch, eyelet border punch, dimensionals, sponge

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 22, Frosted Lodge

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is the card my upline, Tami, made that inspired my Dec. Club project. Can you find the tiny pearl on the end of the clothespin? I love little details like that. The nice thing about this card is that it only uses one set ~ Frosted Lodge. Colors are Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler.

Only three days left until Christmas! I have some great projects to show you in the next couple days, so don't forget to check back. Mary

Countdown, Day 21, Dec Club Project

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

This was our other club project. I copied it from a card Tami gave me, only I used product I own. I love the peekaboo frame. The Sincere Salutations images fit perfectly behind the rectangular frame. And after Christmas, who doesn't need to send thank you cards? It's hard to see in the photo, but there are mica flakes all over the tree image. I used Concord Crush and Always Artichoke. The color combo may seem a little unusual, but I thought the purple looks so rich and royal.

Happy Stamping! Mary

More Box Pleat Skirts

2011-12-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

I rreally like this card. It was inspired by my "upline" Tami. It uses the gorgeous Mocha Mornings specialty dsp, as do a couple of these other cards.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 20, Christmas Stocking Turns Baby Booties

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

We made this card in my December Club. It's another example of using the Stitched Stocking set and the stocking punch to make baby booties. We also used the peekaboo frame die from the Holiday Mini and created a box pleat skirt. To create the box pleated skirt we scored a strip of IC (Blushing Bride) dsp in a pattern of 2/8", 4/8", 2/8", 5/8" with the Simply Score tool, Then we folded the strip into box pleats and stuck it to the card with sticky strip. I have more samples of box pleated skirts that I'll show in another post later today.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 19, Alternatve Use of Stocking

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Stocking punch turns "hobby horse". I love alternatve uses for punches. This isn't exactly a Christmas card, but you can see what can be done with the Stitched Stocking set. This card uses soft subtles dsp in girly colors, but could easily be made for a boy with brights dsp.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 18, Frosted Lodge

2011-12-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

I made this card at our demonstrator get together in Walnut Creek a few months back (when I didn't have a working camera). I love those designer frames texture embossing folders. Especially the oval one that you can punch out an image with the extra large oval punch and it will fit in the framed area perfectly.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 17, Bigz Stocking Card

2011-12-17T08:01:00.001-08:00

This time the stocking is made as a card! You simply put the folded edge of the card stock in a little on the die so the left side isn't cut out completely. The doilies are stamped in real red craft ink and heat embossed in clear embossing powder. They look like snowflakes. Aren't they pretty? Again, this is one of the projects I made at our Vacaville demo event a few months back. I think it's the last, other than some fall and Halloween cards that I didn't get a chance to post.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 16

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is made from the big stocking die in the Holiday Mini catalog. I made this at our Vacaville demo event a few months ago. I love the way the letter to Santa tucks away in a mini envelope (contraband, it's smaller than the mini envelopes from SU) on the back. The stocking is given lots of texture thanks to the Big Shot. The body uses the stripes embossing folder and the heal,toe, cuff use the snow burst embossing folder.

I think it'd be fun to make a garland of stockings using this die to decorate for the holidays!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 15

2011-12-15T06:54:00.000-08:00

My friend Cheryl designed this card for our Vacaville demo event a few months back.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 14

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

The interesting texture on this card was created by folding it like a diamond and feeding it through a crimper. it uses the Stitched Stocking set and the stocking builder punch. A layer of Frosted Lodge dsp and then a layer of white creates a beautiful matting for the main image. The colors used are dictated by the dsp ~ cherry cobbler and garden green. The finishing touch is a mini jingle bell, held in place with a mini glue dot.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 13

2011-12-13T07:15:00.001-08:00

Here's another card made with the Come to Bethlehem set, but it's still not our Christmas card. The card base is Concord Crush. I used the designer frame embossing folder and then punched out an oval window. Through the window the image is stamped with more mustard and rocked and rolled in cajun craze. The greeting on the outside is stamped in silver.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 12

2011-12-12T07:05:00.000-08:00

This card uses the set I'm using on my Christmas cards. but isn't my card. Come to Bethlehem set, artichoke, cajun craze and mustard cs. cajun craze and mustard ink; rock n roll technique. Snow burst ef, rhinestone.

Mary

Countdown, Day 11

2011-12-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Another project from our Vacaville demonstrator shoebox event. We made these boxes out of the white heavy paper that comes in the back of the dsp. Then we layered real red card stock and designer paper. The tag is from the Grateful Greetings set. I can't remember now, but I think it was sized to hold 8 Hershey Nuggets. I just love boxes, especially ones that hold chocolate!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 10

2011-12-10T08:05:00.001-08:00

I made this simple card at a demo event in Vacaville. Lots of possibilities for this design.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 9 and Happy B-day Shelagh!

2011-12-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is a card I made at my friend, Cheryl's (her design). She wanted the pearl ornaments to match the cobbler card base, but since you can't color them with our water based marker, she came up with the creative idea to use two colors of permanent markers to get a better match; we colored them first with a purple permanent marker and then went over them with a red permanent marker. Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla look so good together on a Christmas card. Don't you agree?

Happy Birthday Shelagh! It's my friend Shelagh's b-day today, but I can't show you her card because I haven't given it to her yet. So instead I am showing you the card she gave me for Thanksgiving. Isn't it beautiful? She used the 2 step bird punch in Cajun Craze, on a Very Vanilla Top Note with the poppin' pastels technique layered on a Cajun Craze card base.

Happpy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 8 - Making a Difference

2011-12-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Since 2005, Stampin' Up! has been honored to participate in the TODAY Show's Holiday Toy Drive. This year, Stampin' Up! will be donating over $500,000 worth of stamping and paper crafting products to the following organizations:

Action for Boston Community Development Inc.
Alliance for Children's Rights
Boys & Girls Clubs Harford County
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
Community Partners of Dallas - Rainbow Room
Diocese of Saint Augustine
Friendship Project
Help USA
Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN)
Kids In Need Foundation
National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section - The Dignity Project
Operation Homefront
Puerto Rican Family Institute
St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital
Stephen Siller Foundation/Katrina Fund
Welcome House
Youthbuild USA

I'm proud to be part of this generous company. I'll be back tomorrow with more cards!

Mary

Countdown, Day 7 - Baby Booties

2011-12-07T22:50:00.000-08:00

This card sure doesn't look "Christmassy". Well, it uses the Stitched Stocking stamp set and the stocking builder punch in a non-Christmas way. Aren't these cute baby booties? I made this card at a demo event in Vacaville a few months ago. We made a girl baby card using the same booties idea at my club today. I have to photo that card and post it soon. However, I will be at a retreat most of the day tomorrow.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 6 - More Boxes

2011-12-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is like the boxes we made for the October Holiday Stamp Camp, but I cut off the back upper center tab and folded the front center tab down. Then I added a little medallion on top. This medallion is scored at 1/4" increments instead of 1/2" increments so it has a much lower profile.

This is the same pattern box we made in the stamp camp using crumb cake card stock and wheeled in always Artichoke ink with the Bright Blessings jumbo wheel.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 5 and Oct. Holiday Stamp Camp part 3

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

This adorable box has a removable medallion Christmas ornament. The box is made from a single 8.5"x11" sheet of card stock. What was it filled with? Yummy "stamped" sugared shortbread cookies using the "sweet pressed cookie stamps" by SU of course! The box size is very adaptable to many occasions and great for holding a multitude of gifts. I have often used it for teacher or coaches' gifts. I found a pattern on the demo website years ago and adapted it for our new simply scored tool. Now I don't have to print the box pattern on card stock, so all the markings don't show on the reverse side. I just love our new Simply Scored tool. It made making the medallion ornament a snap, too.

Box Supplies:
cs - real red
ink- real red jumbo ink cartridge
access- jolly jingles jumbo wheel, small oval punch, sticky strip, corner rounder, simply scored tool, paper snips, real red grosgrain ribbon

Medallion Ornament Supplies:
sets- word play
cs- real red, very vanilla, brights dsp
ink- real red
access- tombo liquid glue, simply scored tool, 1/16" hole punch, linen thread, stocking builder & 1-3/4" circle & 2-3/8" scallop circle punch, big shot, snow burst embossing folder

This is the Halloween card we made at the stamp camp.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 4 and Oct. Holiday Stamp Camp part 2

2011-12-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

We made this adorable stocking with the Big Shot back in Oct. There's a front and back layer. A white "just for you" tag pulls out so you can write a note on it and/or add a gift card to it. The tag pulls out easily because of hidden "gussets" (strips of folded cs running lengthwise between the front and back layers).

Supplies:
sets- teeny tiny wishes, pines and poinsettias
cs- cherry cobbler, frosted lodge dsp
ink- basic black pad, cherry cobbler and garden green markers
access- holiday stocking bigz die, big shot, mica flakes, 2-way glue pen, mini jingle bell, mini glue dots, quilted satin ribbon

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 3, Oct. Holiday Stamp Camp part 1

2011-12-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

I originally made this card at a demonstrator get together. I changed it so I could use 8.5" x 11" card stock & added the inside. We made it in my holiday stamp camp, along with a couple other cards and a couple more Christmas projects I'll show in the next couple days. My good friend Cheryl came from Livermore with some of her customers to hold a stamp camp with me back in Oct. It's so much fun to stamp with friends!

Supplies:
sets- perfect pairs, stitched stockings, word play
cs- cherry cobbler, wild wasabi, whisper white, silver glimmer paper
ink- cherry cobbler & wild wasabi pads
access- cherry cobbler baker's twine, mini jingle bells, mini glue dots, stocking builders punch, scallop edge punch, paper piercer & mat pack

This was the Thanksgiving card we made at the Oct Holiday Stamp Camp. We used the beautiful Mocha Mornings specialty dsp. The other colors we used were soft suede and crumb cake. We also used the decorative label and wide oval punches, the stripes embossing folder and pearls.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 2

2011-12-02T08:42:00.001-08:00

This is the sweet treat holder we made in my Nov. Club. At first I just made the punch art santa on the bottom left, but then I saw a sample of the one on the top right. I thought he was much cuter, but I gave my ladies the choice of which one they wanted to make. Wed. my friend Shelagh and I made a bunch of these (that she's filling with M&M's) for table decorations at a Christmas breakfast.

Supplies (for top right Santa):
long cello treat bags, white scallop oval for hat trim, 1 red wide oval for hat texturized with snowburst ef, 1 white boho blssoms for pom pom popped up with dimensional, mini jingle bell attached with mini glue dot, blushing bride large oval for face, 1/4" circle punch - 2 pacific point for eyes & 1 blushing bride for nose, 1 red itty bitty punch pack circle for mouth, 1 white ornament punch for beard (optional to texturize with elegant lines ef - I cut off top part with large oval punch before glued to face) and 2 white bird wings for mustache popped up on dimensionals. Also, 1 totally tags greeting stamped in red ink on white cs and punched out with 1" square punch then layered on a red scallop square for tag. Tag is attached with Cherry Cobbler Baker's twine threaded using a dental floss threader through a 1/16" hole punch. Cello bag is filled with Cinnamon Almonds from Trader Joe's.

Here are a couple more treat bags that were much simpler to make.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Countdown, Day 1

2011-12-01T07:30:00.001-08:00

I will be counting down the days until Christmas by posting a card or project (mostly related to Christmas) every day! I hope you will join me. Leave a comment if you can; I really appreciate it.

This is a center step card we made in my November Club. I copied it from a card I saw on Stampin' Connection (an online community just for SU demonstrators where we can share our projects). It's a perfect project to use the new Simply Scored tool.

It features the Delightful Dozen set, Curly Cute set and the Stitched Stockings set (punched out with the stocking builder punch and popped up on dimentionals). It's great because you can get two cards out of one piece of card stock. It uses Frosted Lodge dsp, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White cs, Garden green ink, mini jingle bells and cherry cobbler Baker's twine. The side panels are given texture with the Big Shot and Petals A Plenty embossing folder.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Poppy Parade Glimmer Paper

2011-11-29T23:05:00.000-08:00

Here's a card I designed for my good friend's birthday. I wanted to experiment a little more with the technique of coloring the silver glimmer paper. It's really easy to do. You just squirt a few drops of a classic ink refill onto a plastic lid, dip your aqua painter into it and "paint" your silver glimmer paper. The color will lighten a little as it dries. It's best to let it air dry. If you blot it you will lose a lot of the color. You can speed up the drying time with your heat tool or the microwave (about 30-50 seconds). I didn't have any poppy parade ink refill, so I used tango tangerine and that seemed close enough for me.

Supplies:
sets - happiest birthday wishes
cs - whisper white, poppy parade cs and dsp, silver glimmer paper
ink - poppy parade pad, tango tangerine classic ink refill
access - ic glimmer brads, scallop border punch, lace border punch, blossom bouquet triple layer punch, mini glue dots, two way glue pen, dimensionals

Happy Stamping! Mary

SUO Stockings

2011-11-29T12:26:00.000-08:00

The Stamping Up Only (SUO) challenge today is to use your favorite Christmas colors. Well, I'm traditional and like green and red. This card is very traditional, from the colors to the layout. It starts with a whisper white card, layered with real red and stockings punched out of Old Olive dsp using the stocking builder punch. I also stamped the center stocking in Real Red with the Stitched Stocking set and punched it out. There's a strip of Frosted Lodge dsp which reminds me of a mantle. The silver glimmer paper punched with the scallop trim border punch makes it look like the mantel is trimmed with a garland of tinsel. There's also silver glimmer paper on the heal, toe, and cuff of the center stocking and a rhinestone. All three stockings are popped up on dimensionals. Finally, mini jingle bells were attached using mini glue dots. The sentiment is from Christmas Greetings.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Technique Class

2011-11-28T15:45:00.000-08:00

Christmas Wreath Card. This was my favorite of the cards. I saw it on Stampin' Connection, an online community for SU demonstrators.
Supplies:
set - medallion background stamp, jolly jingles jumbo wheel
cs - confetti cream, cherry cobbler, always artichoke
ink - always artichoke pad, cherry cobbler pad and marker
access - sponge, shimmer paint mist (mix a few drops shimmer paint into a small spray bottle of rubbing alcohol), cherry cobbler seam binding, antique brad, 2-way glue pen. scallop circle punch, small circle from itty bitty punch pack, corner rounder

Elegant White & Silver Christmas Card. I got the idea for this beautiful card from my "upline" demonsrator mentor.
Supplies:
sets - curly cute
cs - silver glimmer paper, whisper white, shimmery white
ink - silver pad
access - 2-3/8" scallop circle punch, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" & 1-3/4" circle punches, vanilla velvet ribbon, mini jingle bells, basic glimmer brads, itty bitty punch pack, basic pearls, mini glue dots, Big Shot, stripes embossing folder, petals a plenty embossing folder.

Birthday Card I love how simple this card is! My friend Cheryl designed it. You can easily change the color of the silver glimmer paper with an aqua painter and a classic ink refill. Tomorrow I'll show you another sample in a different color.
Supplies:
sets - perfectly penned, happiest birthday wishes
cs - whisper white, tempting turquoise, silver glimmer paper
ink - tempting turquoise pad and ink refill
access- Big Shot, top note, polka dots embossing folder, aqua painter, mini glue dots, blossom bouquet tripple layer punch, rhinestones

Grateful/Thanksgiving Card. I wanted to show how to do paper quilling and thought the pumpkin vines would allow people to be creative as they tried out this surprisingly simple technique.
Supplies:
sets - grateful greetings, teeny tiny wishes
cs - soft suede (textured or smooth for the card base), very vanilla, brights dsp, pumpkin pie, old olive
ink - soft suede, pumpkin pie and old olive pads
access - paper piercer (for the paper quilling, you could also use a toothpick), big shot, pumpkins embosslit, little leaves embosslit, dimensionals, multipurpose liquid glue

Happy Stamping! Mary

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T19:49:00.000-08:00

I hope you are all having a Happy Thanksgiving. This is one of the cards we made in class last week. I finally figured out how to upload my photos onto my new laptop. Right now I want to put up my feet and watch the 49er game. I'll try to start blogging regularly really soon.

Did you all stuff yourselves on turkey and the fixings? Don't you just love this card? My customer, Peggy shared it with me and I just love it.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Free Big Shot or $100 SU Merchandise!

2011-11-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

Get a FREE Big Shot or $100 of free product in addition to the regular product you choose in the Demonstrator Starter kit by signing up to become an SU! Demonstrator. This is a special offer from SU! and is only available until Fri, Nov. 11, 2011.

Here is what you get for $175:
$24.95 Stamp set
$28.95 Stamp set
$22.95 Stamp Set
$9.95 A la carte stamp
$6.95 standard size wheel
$6.95 clear block
$21.95 Designer Series Paper Pack
$6.95 Assorted Color Smooth Card Stock 8 1/2 x 11
$6.95 Card Stock
$8.95 ribbon
$7.95 Ink pad
$5.95 Classic Ink Pad (4)
$3.50 Stampin' Write Marker (2)
$2.95 Classic Ink Refill
$6.95 Adhesive
$4.50 Stampin Mist Cleaner
$23.95 Punch
$8.95 Embossing Folder
$7.50 Envelopes
$14.95 Color Coach

Total value $254. If you ordered this as a customer you would also have to pay tax and shipping but when you sign up as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator you get all this for $175. No tax and shipping.

Plus you will get business supplies and Catalogs. Then, after you sign up you get to order either your Big Shot or $100 in additional product of your choice from either the Holiday Mini or Idea Book & Catalog.

As a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator you will have the ability to order with an immediate discount of 20%. You will also receive a monthly magazine filled with samples and ideas. You will also have access to online extras including patterns and instructions for projects in this magazine. In addition you will be able to join the online Stampin' Connection Community for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators Only. This community has videos, samples and lots more!

To stay active you will need to turn in $300 a quarter - but if you decide to do no more than sign up that is ok too! No pressure and no bugging you to meet minimums. But if you do stay active there are some great benefits.

When you sign up under me, you have additional benefits. Every time I have a class (usually monthly) I send you the projects we make and a direction/supply sheet so you can recreate them in your own class! Or you can come to my class for free and make the projects yourself! Also, I am in a great group and you will be invited to attend quarterly meetings (in Walnut Creek) with fun make & takes as well as Shoebox Events in Vacaville.

Some of the other great benefits are that as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator you get to see the Mini- Catalogs and Sale-A-Bration catalogs EARLY! Yep - You will get to see these in December and place orders from them and receive your 20% discount and hostess benefits!

It really is as simple as it looks. Please contact me if you have any questions.

3 BIG PROMOTIONS!

2011-10-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies,

Well, I had a great birthday yesterday, with lots of calls and cards from friends. Guess what? I got a new digital camera from my DH as I hoped I would. As soon as I learn to use it I'll begin posting photos again.

In the meantime, I want you to be aware of three great promos from Stampin' Up! Check out the promotions page on my website for all the details.

1. You can get a FREE Big Shot (or $100 in free merchandise) when you sign up to be a demonstrator during the month of October 2011.

2. The Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are available for $16.95 Oct. 1, 2011 through Jan. 3, 2012. We'll be using this set at my Fall Holiday Stamp Camp on Oct. 8, 2011. They're so much fun!

3. Get a FREE stamp set when you purchase 2 Simply Sent Card Kits during the month of October 2011.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Awesome Quote in the New Mini

2011-09-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

The new Holiday Mini Catalog is now live, What's your favorite product in this catalog? The Spice Cake DSP is gorgeous! I haven't purchased the set "Always Thankful", but I really like it. What I like most about it is the sentiment, "There's always something for which to be thankful," by Charles Dickens. That's a quote to memorize and uplift you!

I got the Holiday Stocking Bigz L die, but left it at my friend's house and haven't used it yet:( I also got the Stitched Stockings set with the coordinating Stocking Builder punch. Wow! That's fun to use:) I'm making a card with it to make at the Vacaville Shoebox demonstrator event I'm attending on Sat. Oh, if only my camera wasn't broken!

There's also silver glimmer paper and dazzling details. The latter is really cool and we'll use it at my Technique Class next Thur. Come and see all my fun samples!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Free Designer Paper!

2011-08-03T23:32:00.000-07:00

In August Stampin' Up! is giving a FREE package of Designer Paper when you buy 3. How cool is that?! Click the link on my side bar for all the details.

New Product!

2011-07-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

I just love this card! It uses a lot of product from the new catalog and we'll be making it at my class on July 21st. Go to my calendar of events on my side bar to sign up!

This is the more masculine version.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Flirtatious Door Prizes

2011-07-13T22:31:00.000-07:00

The door prize matched the make-n-take card project. Two lucky winners got these cuties (and the yummy M&M's they held! I used the new In Color "Island Indigo" textured card stock to cut out the fancy favors box with the Big Shot. But first I adhered a strip of Flirtatious designer paper with Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive sheets. Next I added a doily popped up on a dimensional and various circles also popped up on dimensionals. The top circle on the pumpkin version has an image from the Circle Circus set stamped in Versamark ink and sprinkled with tangerine tango embossing powder and heat set. I then added a pearl. On the mambo version I punched a flower out of the indigo cs using the Boho Blossoms punch and added a rhinestone. Finally I used our beautiful new lace border punch to make a handle that I then attached with brads.

Our third door prize winner received a package containing some gold embossing powder and glassy glaze embossing powder (now retired).

These are fun and easy to make, hope you like them! ~ Mary

P.S. My camera quit on me. I even added new batteries, but that doesn't seem to be the problem. Don't know when I'll get to post again. Maybe I can scan my cards & post them. I can have my 13 year old help me!

A Little Risque ~ Happy B-Day Dave!

2011-07-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

front/she's saying: "Honey, I have something really wonderful planned for your birthday . . . Remember that thing you asked for the other night?"

inside: "Well, that's Not what it is. Happy Birthday (anyway)"

Ok, It's my husband's b-day today. He always gets me funny cards on my b-day and I always hand stamp his. This year I wanted to make a funny one. I pulled out my retired Wanda's Wit & Wisdom set. I computer generated the verse and made this card. Her dress is the new Wisteria Wonder In color and I don't know what colors I used on the balloons.

My camera quit on me, so I scanned it with my son's help. However, I don't know how to change the orientation.

Take care! Mary

New Catalog Open House Cards

2011-07-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

People could make the pumpkin or the mambo version of this flirtatious card at my New Catalog Open House last Sat. We are also making it at my class on July 21st. Yippee! The box in the last photo was one of the door prizes. I'll tell more about those tomorrow. The new lace border punch is so gorgeous! It's about an inch wide and can be used many ways. I can't wait to create with it some more.

Supplies:
sets- circle circus, swirls & curls verses
cs- pumpkin pie or melon mambo card bases (8.5 x 5.5"), island indigo textured 4" square, flirtatious specialty designer paper (3 @ 1 x 3.75"), whisper white
ink- versamark and basic black pads
access- heat tool, melon mambo and tango tangerine embossing powder, 2 way glue pen, white grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge border punch, lace border punch, dimensionals, 1" & 1.25" circle punch

Happy Stamping! Mary

Happy Birthday Ray!

2011-07-09T20:16:00.001-07:00

My good friend & neighbor Shelagh made this adorable card for Ray's 13th birthday, which was Wed. I hired her son, who turns 18 on Sat, to give guitar lessons to Ray.

My good friend Cheryl made this card with the new Petite Pennants Builder punch. Her son was at the party; he's on the left in the photo below. Next week is his birthday and I'll have to make a great card for him!

Here's the motley crew. They had a great time bowling & having pizza. They had even more fun playing Nerf gun wars. It was so hot out that they didn't even want to eat the cupcakes and ice cream ~ not normal for 13 year old boys!

Tomorrow or Mon. I'll post pictures of the card we made at my New Catalog Open House and the door prizes I gave away. Be sure to check back!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Get Well, Jim!

2011-07-09T20:01:00.000-07:00

Jim, my mom's boyfriend, had a root canal last week. I made him this card with the Pick A Petal set while I had it out from my June 30th class. The sentiment is from Thoughts and Prayers. I love these grumpy old man cards. I stamped the face on whisper white and layered it onto a piece of Sahara Sand. I stamped the nose with River Rock because it has a greenish tinge to it. I added it to a More Mustard card that I had run through the Big Shot with the square lattice embossing folder. I finally made it to the post office today to buy stamps and send it off. My little 10 year old niece had a root canal last week, too! I sent her a card (not a grumpy old man card), but didn't take a photo of it.

~ Mary

Kiss-It-Good-Bye Open House Sweet Treat Card

2011-07-02T01:46:00.000-07:00

We made this at my open house, also on Thur.

Supplies:
sets- petal pizzazz, fundamental phrases
cs- wild wasabi textured, whisper white, daffodil delight, pumpkin pie, real red
ink- real red, basic black, wild wasabi, & pumpkin pie pads
access- 1-3/4" circle punch, scallop dotted ribbon punch, sweet treat cup, cutter kit and M & M's

Happy Stamping! Mary

Retirning Sets Class

2011-06-29T19:50:00.001-07:00

Here are the cards we made Thur. at my technique class using mainly retiring sets.

This first card is so fun! You can put the greeting under the flap, but still have room to write something on the inside. I got the idea from this card. I thought it would be fun to add a bunch of little pearls to the center of the main flower, but I chose to add Crystal Effects instead. Do you like it?
Project #1 Supplies:
set-Eastern Blooms, herb expressions
cs- rose red, sahara sand, whisper white
ink- rose red and sahara sand pads
access- rose red seam binding, scallop edge punch, dimensionals, crystal efects

The pink squares were made with the scallop duo die. The purple pieces began as squares and I rounded the 2 opposite corners. I gives a cool effect! I first saw it on a scrapbook page here. I've shown a couple different options you can stamp for the inside. I'm sad that the Simply Said set is retiring since it has so much to offer.
Project #2 Supplies:
sets- simply said
cs- white, pink pirouette, elegant eggplant, perfect plum
ink- elegant eggplant & perfect plum pads
access- white organza ribbon, ice square rhinestone brads, 1/16" handheld punch, 1-1/4" square punch, corner rounder, big shot & scallop squares duo die, dimensionals

This is a CAS (Clean And Simple) one layer card. I'm so excited that the colored embossing powders (ep) are going in the new catalog! There will be more colors, too.
Project #3 Supplies:
sets- pick a petal, hope happens
cs- white, daffodil delight, cherry cobbler thin strip scraps
ink- versamark pad, wild wasabi pad, daffodil delight pad, tempting turquoise pad
access- mambo 7 tangerine ep, powder pal trays, heat tool 3/4" circle punch, clear buttons, mini glue dots

This last card is made with the beautiful Always set. I love the bird! I embossed it and the little flowers, then punched out the flowers and popped them up. Don't they look like special designer brads?
Project #4 Supplies:
sets- always, sincere salutations
cs- crumb cake, chocolate chip, brocade backgrounds dsp, not quite navy, very vanilla
ink- not quite navy craft pad, chocolate chip and crumb cake classic pads
access- 1/2" circle punch, chantilly crochet trim, corner rounder, sponge, heat tool, clear ep

Happy Stamping! Mary

Pick A Petal Card

2011-06-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

I was playing around with the retiring Pick A Petal set the other day and made this card. On the inside I stamped the sentiment "Whoever is happy will make others happy, too- Anne Frank" from the Hope Happens set (which is also retiring). Enjoy!

Supplies:
set- pick a petal, hope happens
cs- tangerine tango, daffodil delight, tempting turquoise, wild wasabi textured
ink- versamark pad, tempting turquoise & wild wasabi pad
access- tangerine tango ep, big shot, square lattice ef, daffodil taffeta ribon, crop-a-dile (for hole to do stay-put knot), scallop edge border & 3/4" circle punch

Happy Stamping! Mary

Always Bird Card

2011-06-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

Here's a card I made a couple years ago at one of the shoebox swaps I attended in Vacaville. We will be making a similar card in my June 30th class (different dp, ribbon, etc). I added Happy Father's Day, so I could enter it in this month's SUO challenge. It uses the Always set which is retiring at the end of this month. I love that bird!

Supplies:
sets- always, something to celebrate
cs- very vanilla, chocolate chip, not quite navy, crumb cake, ?dsp
ink- chocolate chip and not quite navy pads
access- chocolate chip taffeta ribbon, sponge, dimensionals, 1/2" circle punch, corner rounder

UPS just came and brought the MDS album I made and had printed. I'm so excited! I'll have to figure out how to share it with you. Until then. . .

Happy Stamping! Mary

More Cards from Cheryl

2011-06-04T01:21:00.001-07:00

Here are some more cute cards Cheryl showed me last week when she stopped by my house. The "thinking of you" one has crystal effects on it.

Happy Stamping! Mary

The Last Chance List is Here!

2011-06-01T00:06:00.000-07:00

You can view all the Retiring Stamps, Accessories, and Decore Elements by going to my website and clicking on the Promotions Page. If you click on the link to the right on my side bar you'll go right there. The stamp sets are usually available until the end of June, but the accessories are available only while supplies last. Some of the items are offered at a discount! This is a first for Stampin' Up!

Please let me know if you are interested in an item or want to place an order.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Cheryl Cards

2011-05-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

My good friend Cheryl stopped by and showed me some cards she has been making. Here are a few of them. Aren't they cute? I'll show some more in a couple days. The retired list comes out tomorrow! I can't wait to see what's on it.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Many Thanks!

2011-05-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I helped Kathy make thank you cards that her husband (the head of the CYO track program) can give out. I liked what we came up with and decided to use the same design for the primary coaches (every year I make the primary Track Coaches thank you cards). Hers were a pop-up card that held a gift card. Mine were plain so the kids could sign them. I also made little gift bags to hold the gift cards. We used the three colors that match the track teams in the program (red- CTK, yellow- St. Stevens & navy- St. Catherines). We had our end of the year picnic on Sun and the coaches seemed to like their cards & boxes.

Supplies:
sets- So Many Thanks, I love soccer (retired)
cs- whisper white: 1-7/8" square, 4-1/4 x 11" & 4 x 10-3/4" (pop-up version) or 8-1/2 x 5-1/2" (reg card), Night of Navy 2-1/8" square, 5-1/2 x 12" (box, 2 square punch out real red, 2 square punch outs summer sun
ink- night of navy pad
access- dimensionals, 1-3/8" square punch, word window punch, Big Shot, Fancy Favors Box die, 9" real red grosgrain ribbon, crop-a-dile

This was the card all the parents signed for Carl since it's his last year as director of the program. It's kind of ironic that I had the parents sign the cards with kids on it! ha ha
Supplies:
sets- crayon kids, all year cheer 1, 2 or 3
cs-whisper white, real red
ink- brilliant blue, basic black, misc markers

Happy Stamping! Mary

Great Cards Class

2011-05-27T06:00:00.001-07:00

Card #1 Isn't this gorgeous? I got the idea from Nelie Harper. I liked it so much that I changed very little.
Supplies:
sets- thanks for caring
cs- vanilla, crumb cake, vellum
ink- crumb cake pad
access- big shot, fun flowers die, framed tulips, elegant lines, perfect polka dots, & square lattice embossing folders, antique brads, paper piercer & mat pack, white organza ribbon

Card #2 My friend Cheryl designed this fantastic card. I think it looks great even if you don't emboss the front with polka dots.
Supplies:
sets- fabulous florets, fabulous phrases
cs- pacific point, white, beyond the garden dp
ink- pacific point & wild wasabi marker and pad
access- big shot, perfect polka dots embossing folder, small oval punch, rhinestones, dimensionals

Card # 3 I love this bright and cheerful card that I copied from Ruth Norton. I changed very little on this one, too.
Supplies:
sets- cottage garden, fabulous phrases
cs- daffodil delight, peach parfait, white, in color paper pack
ink- daffodil delight, peach parfait and poppy parade pads
access- daffodil delight taffeta ribbon, corner rounder, rhinestones

Card #4 I made this card for my shoebox card and used the same layout as Ruth's. They may be the same layout, but the looks are totally different!
Supplies:
sets- the open sea, sincere salutations
cs- basic gray, white, cherry cobbler, nautical expedition dp,
ink- basic gray and cherry cobbler pads
access- cherry cobbler baker's twine, corner rounder, 1/16" handheld punch, silver brads

Happy Stamping! Mary

Sooooo Darn Cute and He Isn't Even A Card! ha ha ~ Happy Graduation, Jessie!

2011-05-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

I had to go to Livermore today to borrow a stamp set from Cheryl for tomorrow's class. So, I visited my nieces and great-nephew. Isn't he cute as a button?!

How do they discover the remote at such a young age?

Those cute little toes!

Leah says Jacob is always hungry ~ kind of like my two teenage boys!

Jacob, you sure look mischievous! My niece Grace is in the background.

My great-nephew, Jacob, with my hat.

My nieces Jessie & Leah (Jacob's mom)

My niece Jessie just graduated from the University of Hawaii. Congrats! That's one graduation ceremony I should have attended! Oh well.

Mary

Scraps

2011-05-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

I turned scraps that were on my table into this card. I think it came out pretty nice. It's hard to see in the photo, but the yellow flower layer bends upward and the small purple flower is curved down.

Supplies:
sets- thank you kindly, petal pizzazz
cs- white, daffodil delight
ink- concord crush, black ink cartridge (not well inked so it looks purple)
access- big shot, fun flowers die, triple layer blossoms bouquet punch, frost white shimmer paint, brayer, musical notes wheel, scallop trim corner punch, dimensionals

Happy Stamping! Mary

Rainbow Embossing

2011-05-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is kind of a clean and simple (CAS) card. I wanted to try out my colored embossing powders from the new mini so I did a little "rainbow embossing". I stamped the solid flower image with Versamark ink on white card stock. First I held it over one tidy tray and added a little Tangerine Tango ep; then I held it over a second tidy tray and added a little Melon Mambo ep. After embossing those flowers I added the other flowers and sentiment in colored classic ink. I'm not sure I like those colors together, though. What do you think?

Supplies:
sets- fabulous florets
cs- whisper white, garden green
ink- versamark pad, daffodil delight pad, garden green pad, pacific point pad
access- mambo and tangerine embossing powders, heat tool, eyelet border punch

Happy Stamping! Mary

Summer Mini Cards from Class

2011-05-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

Here are the cards we made at my Summer Mini Technique class today. I completely copied three of them from the April issue of Stampin' Success (a monthly periodical SU demonstrators get free!). I designed the last card, using the faux mother of pearl technique which I learned from the same magazine. It's such an easy technique! See my previous post for directions.

Card #1 uses the new triple layer punch and stay put knot.
Supplies:
sets-bold blossom
cs- cherry cobbler, very vanilla, early espresso, old olive, daffodil delight, peach parfait & crumb cake
ink- cherry cobbler, early espresso, old olive pads
access- early espresso grosgrain ribbon, crop-a-dile (for the stay-put knot), blossoms bouquet triple layer punch, itty bitty punch pack, 3/4" circle and wide oval punches, 2-way glue, rhinestones

Card #2 uses colored embossing powders and water coloring.
Supplies:
sets- fabulous florets, silhouette sentiments
cs- wild wasabi, whisper white, beyond the garden dp
ink- daffodil delight, wild wasabi, tangerine tango melon mambo & versamark pads
access- melon mambo and tangerine tango embossing powders, aquapainters, dimensionals, white organza ribbon, corner rounder, 1/2" circle punch

Card #3 - The Open Sea set is perfect for collage type stamping. I use the square punch to create the points on the sentiment banner.
Supplies:
sets- the open sea, thank you kindly
cs- not quite navy, whisper white, nautical expeditions dp
ink- not quite navy, crumb cake, more mustard, basic gray & versamark pads
access- silver ep (anchor), early espresso baker's twine, 1/16" handheld punch, 3/4" square punch, antique brads

Card#4 has a flower cut with the Fun Flowers die, a carryover from the Occasions Mini catalog (yes, you can still order it!)
Supplies:
sets- teeny tiny wishes, petal pizzaz, thank you kindly
cs- rose red, whisper white, beyond the garden dp
ink- rose red, pear pizzazz and so saffron pads
access- big shot & fun flowers die, frost white shimmer paint, rose red seam binding, brayer & sponges, dimensionals

Happy Stamping! Mary

Wild Florets Card

2011-05-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

here's a little card I made yesterday. I used some Wild Wasabi textured card stock that was part of a promotion package when it was an In Color. I love how the "stay put" knot really stays put!

Supplies:
sets- fabulous florets
cs- textured wild wasabi, whisper white, beyond the garden dp
ink- wild wasabi & pacific point pads
access- 1-3/8" square punch, scallop border punch, crop-a-dile, white grosgrain ribbon

Happy Stamping! Mary

Mom & Me Class Cards

2011-05-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

I copied Kristin Moore's card, but used the Fun Flowers die and a fun technique. The Faux Mother of Pearl Technique is really easy, and looks great! Just dab a little white shimmer paint onto card stock with some scrunched up plastic wrap, let it dry, then brayer over it with ink color of your choice. My black ink cartridge should be re-inked, but I like the way it looks purple so I let it be!
Supplies:
sets- thank you kindly
cs- whisper white
ink- concord crush pad, basic black ink cartridge
access- filigree brads, mat pack & paper piercer, music notes wheel, frost white shimmer paint, big shot & fun flowers die, scallop trim corner & 1-1/4" square punch, brayer, dimensionals
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I just love this card. I copied it from Ruth Norton. However, I didn't want to cut out those antennae, so I stamped it on the white circle and on a scrap of white. When I cut out the butterfly I just cut off the antennas and they show up on the layer beneath.
Supplies:
sets- hope and strength, sentimental sentiments
cs- crumb cake, melon mambo, pretty in pink, whisper white
ink- melon mambo pad, pretty in pink pad
access- big shot & 3" circle die, crumb cake seam binding, paper piercer & mat pack, pearls, dimensionals

I thought of this card myself, lol. I wanted a CAS (Clean And Simple) card and I think this one fits the bill. It's easy to make with the two step stamping sets and the butterfly punch. I used the Swirls and Curls hostess level-1 set from the Summer Mini catalog on the inside. It's such a great set! Call me if you want to book a party and earn it for free.
Supplies:
sets: bold blossoms, flower fest, swirls & curls verses
cs- whisper white, scraps of tangerine tango, regal rose, real red
ink- versamark pad, basic black, daffodil delight, pear pizzazz and tangerine tango pads; various markers
access- butterfly punch, natural hemp dimensionals

I made this paper purse with my stamp club in March. There's a link on that post to a video showing how to make them.
Supplies:
sets- oval all
cs- poppy parade cs and dp, whisper white
ink- poppy parade pad
access- large oval and scallop oval punch, 116" handheld punch, itty bitty punch pack, bone folder, sticky strip, self adhesive velcro dots

Happy Stamping! Mary

Vacaville Shoebox Demonstrator Event, part two

2011-05-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Joanne's card was everyone's favorite. It had crystal effects. We watercolored by outlining the image in markers and then using an aquapainter to "bleed" the color.

I like the way the letters from the "Hello Blossoms" stamp are in the center of the punched flowers. You don't have to hand color the stamp!

I really liked MaryBeth's imbedded embossed card. The color combo and that rich satin ribbon are so pretty!

Sharon's card is so fun. I can't wait to try out this layout. I don't have these sets, so I have to think about what sets I have that will work.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Vacaville Shoebox Demonstrator Event, part 1

2011-05-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the other demo's cards from our shoebox event. I'll show you the rest tomorrow.

Happy Stamping! Mary

I'm a Winner! Woo hoo!

2011-05-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

I won this stamp at the shoebox event we had. I love getting free stuff! I want to use it to make simple thank you cards for the track coaches.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm at my mom's and have been here since Wed (I am typing this on her laptop). Friday we met my sister at the Amador County Flower Farm. They have many beautiful flowers and a really cute gift shop. Hope all you mother's have a great day! Mary

Samples & Prizes from Shoebox Event

2011-05-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

These are some of the door prizes people made for our shoebox swap. I love those mum flowers. Sharon is very talented. Also, I liked these samples Denise had on display.

Happy Samping! Mary

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?

2011-05-03T22:27:00.001-07:00

Last week when I went to my Shoebox Swap in Vacaville, Denise showed us how to make these bracelets out of SU designer buttons. I'm not really a button bracelet kind of gal, but it was really cool! It matched what I was wearing, so I bought a package of buttons and will attempt to make it when they arrive. You can get 2 bracelets out of 1 package of designer buttons, plus have one color group left over.

lay out the buttons

add them to the elastic string.

back side

front side

Happy Stamping (or jewelry making) Mary

My Shoebox Card

2011-05-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

Last Sat our group of demonstrators got together and made cards. Every one creates a card sample. Then she puts it in a "shoebox" with all the stamps, ink, card stock and supplies to make the card. We set up the shoe boxes on tables and spend the next few hours making each others cards. It's great fun, but can leave you exhausted! The above card is what I shared with the group. Check back tomorrow to see more!

SUPPLIES:
sets- the open sea
cs- basic gray, cherry cobbler, whisper white, nautical expedition dsp
ink- cherry cobbler and basic gray pads
access- corner rounder, cherry cobbler baker's twine, mat pack & paper piercer, silver brads

We'll make this card at my May 26th class. I hope you can join us!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Stampin' Scrub Now Available!

2011-04-28T22:11:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! After dealing with some quality issues, the Stampin' Scrub (item 102642) and Stampin' Scrub Refill Pads (item 101230) are now available for regular orders.

Contact me if you'd like to place an order for anything.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Happy Easter!

2011-04-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

A few gals came over this morning for some "stamp therapy" and made these projects. I just love the Easter basket and cross cards designed by my friend, Cheryl. Dawn O has a great video tutorial on how to turn the lattice die into a cross. She also has a great video tutorial on how to turn the petal Cone die into a take out box. The Eat Chocolate set from the Occasions Mini catalog is perfect for the take out box, but it's only available until the end of April! Aren't these fun projects?

Below is a sympathy card and an Easter card Pat made me. They are awesome! I love the way she used crystal effects on the flowers of the sympathy card. Unfortunately it doesn't show really well in the photo, but trust me, it's cool!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Stamping Up! is Green!

2011-04-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth day stampers . . . so, did you know how awesome Stampin' Up! is about being green? I'm so proud of them for trying hard to be kind to our world and conserve energy too!

Rubber . . . they donate excess rubber from manufacturing to "Courage Reins"! A non profit group that provides horseback riding therapy to physically and mentally challenged children. This awesome group is able to fund their programs from sales of the rubber used in playgrounds and horse stables.

Wood blocks . . . these are created from renewable sources using sustainable practices. This maple wood tree farms grows them specifically for the purpose of harvesting wood.

Card stock and paper . . . paper used for shipping is 100% recycled and our card stock contains recycled paper too! In fact, Basic Black is our greenest color! Darker shades use the most recycled paper in them . . . and, our paper brokers are certified to help ensure that our paper uses paper from sustainably managed forests. These mills take steps to lessen their carbon footprint. One of the mills even generates their own power!

Building . . . Stampin' Up! facilities use geothermal wells to reduce the consumption of heating oil or natural gas. Lights are on sensors and timers to reduce the use of electricity, filters are in place to reduce any air pollution that stamp production may create. And native water wise plants are using in the landscaping and sprinklers minimize evaporation.

Carbon footprint . . . shipping practices are designed to reduce the carbon footprint. including using non-peak traffic hours with UPS and carpooling stamp facility transfers with otherwise empty Sysco food delivery trucks! Now, don't you love that!!

BAM Fundraiser Class Cards

2011-04-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

These are the six cards we made at my Build A Miracle Fundraiser Class. We raised $329 for B.A.M. from the class fees and the orders (I'm giving 20% of the net order). Thanks so much everyone! The money we raised plus what I'm donating will pay for 18 square feet of a house to be built!

I copied the first card from my good friend Cheryl. Isn't it gorgeous?

The second card used the Create a Cupcake set and the Build a Cupcake punch.

Card #3 used the Eat Chocolate set. I've been doing a little too much of that lately, tehee.

The 4th card used a simple and basic layout. You can apply this layout to almost anything!

The 5th card I copied, but I can't find it in my notes. I just love the color combo and how it changes the Framed Tulips embossing folder from a rectangle to a square.

This last card used the imbedded embossing technique. I was inspired by this card.

I'm not listing all the supplies, but if you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Aunt Anita's Passing

2011-04-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

Last Thur I went to Sylmar with my mom and sister for my aunt's rosary and funeral. Anita was my dad's younger sister. She and my uncle John were married for 64 years! That's inspirational. There must have been 300, maybe 500 people at the funeral (standing room only at the old San Fernando Mission). I can't imagine being 83 years old and having that kind of turnout for my funeral! That just shows what an amazing woman she was. Anyway, here are a few cards I received and just wanted to share with you. I'll post photos of the cards we made at last class in a couple days. Thank you to everyone for being flexible so I could attend the funeral. It was really nice to see all my relatives.

Warm regards, Mary

Perpetual Folding Card, Feminine version

2011-04-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I made this card to give my goddaughter for her birthday, but changed my mind. I wanted to keep it as a sample, lol. I'll give it to her next year.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Never Ending Card, larger size

2011-04-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is a larger Never Ending card I made using different directions. I like the 6x6" size, but it doesn't fit in a regular size envelope! I used the new Bring on the Cake stamp set (from the Occasions mini), black card stock, and Love Letters DSP (from the regular SU catalog). Let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Never Ending Card, first attempt

2011-04-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

This was my first attempt at the Never Ending card. I tried following Tami White's directions (see post from a few days back). I started with the "back" of the card (the side that has the vertical opening) instead of the side with the horizontal opening (cake image above). I realized after making a few cards, that the back should be more plain, otherwise the recipient might start there and then some of the images will be upside down when you open to the other sides.

I started with Pacific Point card stock and used the Ice Cream Parlor dsp and Bring on the Cake set. The S.A.B. dsp package had self adhesive colored die cuts which helped make the card a little easier. The cake was stamped in Pacific Point and colored with markers.

Happy Stamping! Mary

More Masculine Perpetual Folding Card

2011-04-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

This Card is for my son's b-day in July. I didn't color in the numbers for how old he will be in case i forget to give it to him! I used the Ice Cream Parlor dsp. The base card is out of pacific point card stock. The stamp sets are the new birthday set (Bring on the Cake) from the Occasions mini catalog and the Extreme Surfer.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Perpetually Folding Card for Club

2011-04-03T23:02:00.000-07:00

At my Jan Club, Billie showed us the coolest "never ending card". It was a card that you just kept opening up and it basically had four sides. Everyone thought it was pretty neat and we wanted to try it. The next month the Stampin' Success magazine (a free periodical that SU demonstrators get) had directions for a "Perpetually Folding Card" that was very similar to what my customer showed me. I tried out the instructions on the link my customer gave me (that she used to make her card), and I tried out SU's version using the magazine instructions and a link another customer gave me from Tami White's blog (which is basically the same as the SU instructions). These cards are so addicting! You start folding and don't want to put it down!

Then for April's Club we made one! For the card base we started with two 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" pieces of Perfect Plum card stock and sticky strip. The branch image is stamped with classic Elegant Eggplant ink. When you apply water with an Aquapainter, it bleeds, thus coloring the flowers very easily and nicely.

Supplies:
set- Easter Blossoms
cs- Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum, and Elegant Eggplant
ink- Crumb Cake, Perfect Plum, and Elegant Eggplant pads, Always Artichoke marker
access- sponges, eyelet border punch, crumb cake seam binding, pearls, aquapainters, itty bitty punch pack, scallop oval and large oval punches, tombo multipurpose glue

I'll show you some of my other attempts in the next few days.

Happy Stamping! Mary

and the Mystery Hostess Winner is. . .

2011-03-31T23:34:00.000-07:00

Pat Schulte! Congratulations. I had some last minute Sale-a-bration orders. Everyone who submitted a qualifying SAB order ($50 net) was put into a drawing. The winner, Pat, was the recipient of the hostess benefits. I hope you enjoy your new merchandise, Pat! Congrats to all those who submitted orders because they got a FREE item from the SAB catalog.

Finding Joy

2011-03-30T22:24:00.000-07:00

I went on a retreat last month in Santa Cruz and it was wonderful! The speaker talked about what blocks our joy and what facilitates our joy. I was part of the planning committee and one of the other planning team members thought it would be fun to hand out "Almond Joy" candy bars. OK, bad pun, but it's kind of cute at the same time, right?

Of course, being an avid stamper I immediately thought about how I could package them. I came up with these little treats to hand out after one of the sessions. Note to self: these are easy if you are just making a couple, but 64? Really, they are pretty easy!

I started by cutting two tags out of Cool Carribbean card stock with my Big Shot and the "Two Tags" die (which I just had to buy so I could make these, lol). I Stamped the outside of each and then adhered them together. I put in a little candy bar, adhering it in place with snail. Then I tied it up with a little turquoise ribbon. All the supplies are retired and it felt good to use some of my stash!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Muhlenkamp Sign and One More Pansy Card

2011-03-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

These pansy cards are so much fun to make! You just punch two pieces of shimmery white card stock with the butterfly punch, spritz them with water until it pools, touch an Aquapainter in Elegant Eggplant ink refill and then on the edges of the butterfly. It is so cool to watch the way the ink spreads. Touch a clean Aquapainter in Daffodil Delight ink refill and then in the center of the butterfly. When they are dry, draw lines with an Elegant Eggplant marker and curl the edges a little with a dowel. Put the two punches together with a brad and add to card with a dimensional. The greeting on this card is from "Bring on the Cake" from the Occasions Mini. I'm happy to have another birthday set. I also used the flower images from the hostess set "Because I Care."

These are signs I bought at my son's school as part of a fundraiser for his wood-shop class. My husband thought they needed to be painted so the words would show up better. I painted the first one when I got it back in December, but didn't like the way the Basic Brown ink refill spread through the grain of the wood. Today I finally painted the 2nd sign. I used craft chocolate chip ink and it worked better. I heat set them, so hopefully they won't run when it rains. Now I just need to ask Dave to hang them on our house. I'm so glad I can finally cross that item off my "TO DO"list. Sometimes when somethings on my list too long I just throw away the list! lol.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Wild Turkeys on St. Patrick's Day & a TY to Billie!

2011-03-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

This is the actual card we made at my Technique Class on March 18th. I gave it to Billie who fixed a magnetic bracelet for my son. You are so wonderful and talented with jewelry, Billie. A HUGE Thank You to you!

On St. Pat's Day we had wild turkeys on our roof! Did they want some corned beef and cabbage? Or was it the Irish soda bread that they wanted?

Mary

Technique Class Projects

2011-03-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

I held my techniques class today and here are the great projects we made. I will try to add more details next week, but at least you can see the photos. NOTE: the supplies have now been added.

We used a different sentiment on this card, but I don't have a photo of it yet. I think the ladies liked this sentiment, which is from a retired set. ADDED NOTE: See post on 3/24/11 to view the card we made in class.
Supplies:
sets- well scripted, (Hodgepodge Happiness is what we used on the actual card)
cs- very vanilla, shimmery white
ink- elegant eggplant pad, refill, and marker, daffodil delight and perfect plum ink refills
access- butterfly punch, wide oval punch, designer label punch (on actual card, shown here, big shot, top note die, manhattan flower embossing folder, vanilla grograin ribbon, aquapointers and mister bottles, hobby blade, mat pack, paper piercer, brads, dimensionals

Supplies:
sets- easter blossoms
cs- rose red, springtime vintge dsp, pear pizzazz, very vanilla
ink- pear pizzazz pad, rose red craft & classic pad
access- rose red seam binding, clear ep, vintage flower adornments, mini glue dots, big shot, tulip frame embossing folder, saning block, pinking hearts border punch

Supplies:
sets- create a cupcake, a word for you, punch bunch
cs- pacific point, basic black, whisper white, old olive, melon mambo and tempting turquoise scraps
ink- pacific point, old olive, melon mambo pads
access- ice crea parlor ribbon, crop-a-dile, tombo all purpose glue, dimensionals, big shot, square lattice embossing folder, build a cupcake punch, scallop square punch

Supplies:
sets- optional greeting from something to celebrate (not shown)
cs- whisper white, old olive ice cream parlor dsp
ink- basic black pad
access- 2-3/8" scallop circle punch, ice cream parlor ribbon and flower buttons, 5/16" neutral brads, dimensionals

If you'd like to learn all the fun techniques we used on these cards and more, you can schedule a workshop. Also, I can hold a class for you and friends where you each pay a $12 fee and make these 4 or a different 4 other cards.

Happy Stamping! Mary

Card & Envelope Portfolio with So Happy for You SAB set

2011-03-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love it! The So Happy for You set has sentiments and images which makes it perfect to create a set of cards for my current card and envelope portfolio. Plus, you can earn these products FREE during SAB, including the ribbon! I used the colors in the ribbon to decide what colors to use for the cards. Aren't they bright and cheery! It makes me want to smile :)

Supplies:
sets- so happy for you
cs- whisper white, daffodil delight, old olive, pacific point, melon mambo
ink- daffodil delight pad, old olive pad, melon mambo pad and marker, pacific point pad and marker
access- big shot & perfect polka dots embossing folder, 1-1/4" circle punch, wide oval punch, dimensionals, ice cream parlor ribbon

Happy Stamping! Mary

Card & Envelope Portfolio with Mini Messages Retired SAB set

2011-03-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, here's the card and envelope portfolio that used the retired Mini Messages SAB set. When I originally made these the products were not retired. Tomorrow I'll show you a prtfolio made with current SAB items!

More Card & Envelope Portfolios

2011-03-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

This was the original card & envelope portfolio I received and duplicated for my hostesses when I was first a demonstrator. All the supplies are now retired. It had a lot of layers, so later I created a simpler 2-step stamped one that I'll show you tomorrow

March Club Projects

2011-03-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Our first club project this month was a little purse made out of a 6"x6" piece of dsp. It closes with a little velcro dot and is perfect for holding a gift card, lip balm, cash, or whatever! This photo shows the front side of one and the back side of another. Frenchie has a good video that shows how they're made.

Here is the purse open.
Supplies:
sets- so happy for you
cs - night of navy dsp and cs, whisper white
ink- night of navy
access- velcro dot, sticky strip, itty bitty punch pack, large & scallop oval punches

Our second project was a card and envelope portfolio complete with four cards. I learned how to make these from my upline years ago (I'm pretty sure Michelle created the pattern for them). I gave them to my hostesses my first year I was a demonstrator. I'll show other samples over the next few days.

Supplies:
sets- a flower for all seasons (FREE as a SAB item!)
cs- whisper white, certainly celery, daffodil delight, perfect plum, real red
ink- basic black pad
access- watercolor pencils, blender pens, celery grosgrain ribbon, sticky strip, big shot & embossing folders - elegant bouquet, petals-a-plenty, perfect polka dots, framed tulips

Happy Stamping! Mary

Ornament Punch Can Be Ordered!

2011-03-09T23:21:00.000-08:00

You can order the ornament punch now since it's issues have been resolved. The 3-D flower above was created with it. Click here to see more ways to use the ornament punch - It's not just for Christmas!

Happy Stamping! Mary

Cards for a Friend with Cancer

2011-03-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

A good friend had breast cancer a number of years ago. She was cancer free for 5 years and then it came back. She has battled the recurring tumors a number of times and is undergoing chemo again. What a brave women. I pray daily for her healing. Another friend suggested that we make her some thank you cards for her to give when people bring her meals. Well, I thought that was a great idea. We got together last week for a couple hours and made these simple cards. They were inspired by cards in SU's IB&C. I brought them to her tonight with a meal. I hope she likes them. She does beautiful stamping herself, but hasn't been up to it too much recently.

Prayers for you, Kathy! Mary