Get "Black Friday" Deals All Week Long!

Whether you're still in the market for supplies for your holiday crafting projects or looking for a gift for that special someone, Stampin' Up! is offering an Online Spectacular Sale that may just help you save some money!  Consider it Stampin' Up!'s version of "Black Friday"... but 9 days long!

Just one example of the amazing deals... My Digital Studio software is 50% off... that's just $39.98! 

A selection of Fabric, Dies, Stamps, Embellishments, Decor Elements, Digital Downloads... anywhere between 20% - 50% off!

There are too many great deals to list them all on my blog, so click HERE to check them all out and start shopping!  In case you didn't notice on the above photo, there is also FREE SHIPPING on online orders of $150 or more.  AND, don't forget!  All orders of $150 or more earn hostess benefits! 

If this is just too much exciting news to take in and you have any questions, feel free to call me!  My contact info is on my official Stampin' Up! website.

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

'Tis the Season... to get stampin' and become a demo!

Wow, have I been negligent with my blog or what?!  Sorry about that!   To make it up to you, how about I share the projects we made at my recent Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack classes?  Here you go:

I hope these cards inspire you to get started on your own Christmas cards, if you haven't started working on them already.  If you have any questions or would like more details about any of the cards, feel free to ask... either comment on my blog (ALWAYS APPRECIATED) or email me at: bbstampin at yahoo dot com. 

In case you haven't already heard, there's an awesome demonstrator starter kit promotion going on right now (Nov 15-30)--50% off the regular starter kit price!  That's only $87.50 for over $310 worth of stampin' and business supplies!  That is such a great deal, I wish I could sign up again to take advantage of it!  Check out what you get with the Digital+ Starter Kit... just the My Digital Studio software retails for $79.95.  So, for another $7.55 you will also receive 2 wood-mounted stamp sets, a clear-mount stamp set, 2 packs of card stock, 4 Classic ink pads, 2 markers, buttons, ribbon, dimensionals, Stampin' Scrub and Mist, Glue Dots, Snail... SEE WHAT I MEAN?!!!  Here's the flyer:

Or click HERE to go directly to my website for additional details.  If you're ready to take the plunge or have any questions, be sure to contact me before this awesome deal ends on November 30!  Just so you know, signing up is super simple and can be done right on my website!  All you need is my special password to get started!  Call or email me!  My phone number is on my website.

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

Clearance Rack Blitz!!!!

Check out what's been added to the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack!  Lots of recently retired products are being cleared out of Stampin' Up!'s warehouse at rediculously discounted prices!  Be sure to place your order online at my website!  Once there, click on SHOP NOW and then Clearance Rack to get started! 

Don't wait!  These items are only available while supplies last... and word has it they are zooming off the shelves!

Happy Stampin!
Brenda

Owl Together Now... Happy Belated World Card Making Day!

Here's a little belated World Card Making Day inspiration for you:

The tree is just free-form cut from a piece of textured card stock and then I added a few braches from the Two-Step Bird Punch.

Here's a close-up of the owls:

Instead of trying to position the little pieces of punched out dots for their pupils, I decided to use the 1/16" circle punch to make them.  I first layered the white and crumb cake circles and then punched a 1/16" circle thru both layers.  The chocolate chip from the owls' bodies show thru.  To give them a little dimension, I used a dimensional (pop-dot) behind their heads before attaching them to the card.  I just love these little owls.

Happy Stampin!
Brenda

Crappy Gift Certificate Dilemma

About a month ago, we were invited to a new friend’s birthday party. Not knowing exactly what kind of stuff he likes, we decided to go to a local restaurant to get a gift card. We had never been in this particular bagel/coffee shop, but the ads we've seen for it make it sound pretty hip and cool… and they recently started offering pizza… who doesn’t like pizza?! So just a few hours before the party, my hubby and I went to the shop and asked if they had gift cards. The young woman behind the counter said “Sure!” So we asked for one for $20 and I also ordered a bagel sandwich meal (YUMMM!). We went and sat down while we waited for the order to be ready. Eventually, I got my meal in a to-go box and we were still waiting on the “gift card”. Several minutes later, a manager (or maybe it was the owner) came over to our table and handed us a wad of 4 pieces of paper and said “We were having a hard time getting the $20 certificate to print, would this be okay?” Then we looked down and noticed that he had handed us four $5 gift certificate like things that had obviously been used—they were a bit crumpled. We looked at each other a smidge perplexed, but said “Okay” and walked out, happy to get on with our day. On our way home, my hubby and I contemplated going back to return the certificates… instead, since it was a rainy day and I was ready to get home so I could eat my sandwich, I told him I would do my best to make them look more presentable…. after LUNCH!


So, here’s what I came up with:

And a peek inside:

I already had the card made, so I used that for inspiration. Instead of settling for a simple legal sized envelope, I decided to get out a handy dandy paper lunch sack and snazzy it up. I trimmed it down to size, leaving a little extra so I could punch the scallop edge and fold it over. To make it look less like a lunch sack, I cut a 3/4” x 12” strip of Old Olive Textured Card Stock and wrapped it around the top of the bag and secured it in the back. I simply stamped all over the bag. For the inside (most important snazzying part), I cut two 2” (or maybe 1 ½”) x 12” strips of the same card stock. From there, I just folded one of the strips at about 1” or 2” to wrap around one end of the wad of certificates and then attached the other strip to that flap to create the other side. I trimmed them down to about an inch or two longer than the certificates—so just a bit stuck out from the bag. Then I stamped and handwrote the labels, attached them and tied a ribbon to hold it all together. The card on the front of the bag is in a Clear Translucent Envelope, attached with some Glue Dots.

Since I’ve been a bit lax with posting on my blog, the stamp set I used on this project, Tropical Party, is no longer available for you to order. It’s from the Summer Mini… But the cool new Decorative Label punch that I used on the insert is available in the new Holiday Mini! As you can see, it mats the Wide Oval Punch nicely. Check it out on the SHOP NOW page of my website.

So, if you ever need to snazzy up a wad of recycled gift certificates, feel free to use my idea! Please note that I made sure to put the least crumpled certificate on the outside of the wad. :)

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

Sweet Baby Rag Quilt

Our extended Bromen family is growing by leaps and bounds.  The newest addition is my sweet baby niece, Elizabeth.  Here's the flannel rag quilt and tag I made for her.

The pieces of the quilt were cut out using the scallop square die and the Big Shot, which happens to be what I also cut the tag out with. The quilt is 10 x 10 rows and measures just under 36".

If you've never made a rag quilt, you basically sandwich a smaller piece of batting (3 1/2" square for this project) in between 2 layers of fabric and sew diagonally in both directions (creating an X).  Once you have all of your pieces X'd, sew them together into rows with a 1/2" seam allowance.  Then sew the rows together to create the final quilt.  You'll have one side that has the raw edges and the other side that is smooth.  So that the raw edges will fray and create the cool ragged look, you will then need to clip all the edges every 1/4", which works out to be in between each scallop and then in the middle of edge scallop.  After you've clipped all the edges (being careful not to clip through the seams) wash the quilt with some jeans (not towels or they'll end up with lots of fuzzies).  Be sure to check your dryer's lint trap because it gets quite full. 

In case you were wondering about the tag, I used Pick a Petal, Fabulous Phrases & Just Perfect Alphabet stamp sets.  The designer eyelet in the center of the flower is from a retired kit from awhile back.  You could definitely use one of the many designer brads in our current catalog to get a similar look.  And finally, the ribbon is tied around one of Stampin' Up!'s cool library clips. 

Another baby is expected to make his or her grand entrance into the world in the very near future.  I'll be back to share another handmade baby gift with you very soon! 

Not sure if you can tell, but I love crafting for babies!

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

Color Challenge--Give Those Unused Colors Some LOVE!

A fellow Stampin' Up! demo of mine, Ellie, put out a challenge to use a color that you rarely (if ever) use on a project.  I took her up on that challenge and chose the color Peach Parfait.  It's a new In-Color and a very vibrant color of orange.  Orange is not one of my go-to colors.  I eased into the challenge with my first card.  It was SUPER simple and actually a CASE'd layout from another fellow demo (can't recall her name). 

So, you might be asking... where is the Peach Parfait?!  Well, it's peeking out from behind the circle on the far right side.  Oh, yes, and at the top of the teeny tiny cupcake.  I also used my Peach Parfait marker on the sayings. 

Although this is a very cute card (if I do say so myself), I didn't feel quite right about putting this card out there with the color challenge.  So, I pulled out a different stamp set (Grunge Rock) and checked my new handy dandy Color Coach to help me come up with another color combination with Peach Parfait.  Right away I was drawn to the top combo suggestion: Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz (another new In-Color) and Peach Parfait.  If you haven't noticed, blues and greens ARE my go-to colors!  I don't think that's cheating though, do you? 

It took me a whole day to put this card together.  I got so far with it yesterday and then got busy doing other stuff.  To tell you the truth, I sort of got stuck with the design process.  So I walked away.  They say that if you get stuck while creating something, it helps to walk away and take a nap.  Your mind supposedly does much of your creative thinking while you're sleeping.  I didn't actually take a nap, but I did eventually go to bed last night.  Well, that worked!  Here's what I came up with:

Along with Grunge Rock, I used the letter U from Jayne's Type Alphabet stamp set.  I think those sets work perfectly together!

Okay, now I'm going to challenge you to dig thru your card stock and ink pads and find a color that you haven't used in awhile.  And show it some LOVE!

Happy Stampin!
Brenda

CASEing the card on the cover of the new Catty

You've probably seen the cover of the new Stampin' Up! catty.  If not, scroll down the blog page a little ways and look on the right sidebar.  There it is!  Click on it to open the pdf file and get a closer look.  Or, if you have good eyesight, just look at the card with the striped Top Note die on the front.  What a fun card, don't you think?!  Well, all of the idea in and on the IDEA BOOK & catalog are there for you (& me) to use for IDEAS and INSPIRATION.  So, I CASE'd the card.  What does that mean, you might ask?  Copy And Share Everything!  So here I am, copying it and now sharing my version with you!

As you can tell, it's a baby card.  I used papers from a retired kit.  Can't recall the name at the moment.  On the base of the giraffe layer is a new die shape--Scallop Rectangle.  It's a Clearlit Die.  I also used the Big Shot to add the texture to the So Saffron layer with a Texturz Plate.  I love those things! 

Aside from the inspiration from the card on the front of the catty, I actually pulled the colors I used from the knitted baby gift I also made.  I guess I got lucky that I had a kit in my stash that included pretty much all the colors that worked perfectly with the hat and booties.  See what I mean:

So, page through the catalog, look around your house, keep your eyes peeled while you're out in the world... inspiration is all around us!

Happy Stampin!
Brenda

EXTRA, EXTRA!!!! Hostesses can earn EXTRA $25 until August 31!

Host a workshop that totals at least $350 (before s/h) and you will earn an EXTRA $25 in hostess benefits!  This is on top of the $40 worth of products and free hostess set you would earn for reaching that level in sales!  Book/email workshops placed directly through me also qualify for this promotion. 

Contact me today to schedule your workshop!

Brenda
bbstampin@yahoo.com

Personalizing Birthday Cards

We were invited to a new neighbor's birthday party a couple weeks ago.  It was actually for a little boy turning one.  I sat down to make a birthday card and quickly came up with this fun monkey card:

But then I remembered the invitation we received had a sealife theme with a crab and decided to stash the monkey card away and make a new card with the crab from the Summer Mini hostess set, It's a Thought.  If you've seen this set, you might be wondering how a frowning crab with the saying "sorry i was crabby" could be useful on a birthday card.  Well, I used the marker to stamp technique to ink just his body (not his frown or the words).  Then I drew in a smile and cut him out.  Here's the card I came up with:

I also used the Tropical Party and Fabulous Phrases stamp sets.  Oh, yeah... and the Calendar Alphabet set to spell Eli's name.  Cute, huh!

Well, about 30 minutes before the party, I was putting the gift in a gift bag and got to thinking... this bag looks pretty boring.  It needs something!  So I came up with this cool crab tag:

The crab tag was made up of a lot of punches and attached to a scallop circle die.  His name was stamped using Just Perfect Alphabet set.  What do you think?  I think it turned out super cute! 

Okay, so fast-foward to a my workshop last week.  Eli's mom, Kristina, came to the party and was browsing my sample table.  When she came across the monkey card, she picked it up and just had to say how cute it was!  I laughed and told her how that was the original card I made for Eli.  She told me that she had been going back and forth between the crab theme and a monkey theme.  How funny is that?! 

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

Rediscovered Inspiration Journal - Cool Color Combo

While unpacking my craft room, I came across a lot of stuff I forgot I had.  One thing in particular that I was excited to find was an inspiration journal where I had stored pictures from magazines and ads that inspired me in some way.  Paging through the journal, this picture jumped out at me:

I love the colors!  Baja Breeze (a former In-Color that has been brought back by Stampin' Up! and is now part of the core color collections), Crumb Cake (formerly known as Kraft) and Early Espresso (NEW).  I quickly pulled out the ink pads and paper and went to work and here's what I came up with:

 

Here's a card I made with a new Level 1 Hostess Set called Because I Care: 

To get the two-toned flowers, I first inked them with Crumb Cake and then sponged around the edges with Early Espresso. I used the marker to stamp technique on the sentiment. Yes, Baja Breeze now comes in a marker!

These next two cards were actually the first complete cards I made while playing with the color combination.  Notice that I was also inspired by the outfit in the picture for the layout of the cards (pattern on top, Whisper White on the bottom, with an Early Espresso strip separating the two).

This first one uses just stamps (Circle Circus & Because I Care), card stock and ink:

Then I spiced it up a bit with some punches (Scallop Edge Border & Itty Bitty Shapes), Bitty Buttons and Linen Thread:

I love how inspiration is all around us.  Taking the time to cut out a picture or sketching an idea into a journal is a great way to capture those inspirations.  That journal got my creative juices flowing after I had a bit of a stampin' dry spell.  (Moving will do that to ya!)  If you don't already have one, consider starting your own inspiration journal.  It doesn't have to be fancy.  Any old notebook will do.  Of course, you can always decorate it to make it pretty if you want. 

Until then, use my inspiration and get stampin!

Happy Stampin!
Brenda

P.S. Please excuse the funky layout of this post.  I'm getting used to the "new" editing features of Blogger.

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE!

The NEW 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog IS HERE!

Click HERE to download the PDF version or contact me to buy your very own copy. There are so many great new products! You can also check them all out on the SHOP NOW page of my website.

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Happy Stampin!

Brenda

bbstampin@yahoo.com

Farewell to Friends

The hardest part of every move we've made throughout the years is saying good-bye to friends. It's hard leaving them behind! I considered myself lucky to some extent with this move. My best friend, Genean was moving too! Somehow it seemed better that I wasn't leaving her behind. Of course, I don't miss her any less. Here's a little gift I made for her, so she wouldn't forget me. (Yeah, right! Like that would ever happen!)

If you'd like to make your own little banner, cut two 4" x 12" strips of card stock, score strips every 3", accordion fold them and then overlap the 2 strips by a 3" section and adhere. To get the diagonal cuts at the top uniform, cut one corner and then create a template with a scrap piece of card stock. Use the template to cut the rest of the corners. Decorate as desired!

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I already had this little scallop envelope box made up and it worked perfectly as a gift box for the banner!

Sizzix Dies: Serif Essentials, Birds & Blooms, Scallop Envelope

Embellies: Fleurettes, Rhinestone Brads, various ribbon scraps, Bella Rose DSP (retired)

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Happy Stampin!

Brenda

I've moved again... (check out my new mailbox!)

This is turning into an annual event... we've moved yet again! That's one of the reasons why I've been lax in posting on my blog lately. Hopefully that'll change now that we're in our new house and the end of wrangling boxes is in site.

Driving through our new neighborhood I noticed that all the mailboxes looked alike--Whisper White mailboxes sitting on Sahara Sand colored posts trimmed with a little Chocolate Chip... or is that our new Early Espresso? Yes, I see the world in Stampin' Up! colors! Don't you?!

Well, one of the first things that came to mind was how easy it would be to add a Decor Elements image to give our box a little personality. Here's what I came up with:

I used the Flourishes DE in Sahara Sand (117756/$14.95). It comes with 3 flourishes and 3 flowers. I chose to use just the flourishes. What do you think?

To see Stampin' Up!'s full line of Decor Elements, go to the SHOP NOW page on my website and click on Decor Elements.

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

Scrappin' Recipes

As I continue with the National Scrapbooking Month theme during May, I'll show you a fun way to organize your special family recipes. Unless you're a Bush (from the baked bean company), then you'll want to add a lock and key to this idea. :) Since my recipes are not secrets, I like the idea of creating a pretty book and scrapping mini recipe pages.

I started with a 6x6 ring bound scrapbook. This is one of Stampin' Up!'s albums and I'm predicting it will be soon retiring, since it's Mellow Moss--a retiring color. So, if you want this exact album for your own recipes, order it now (105391) through my website! I chose a ring bound album so that I can add and rearrange my recipes easily. A post bound album would make that more complicated.

The cover is decorated with Decor Elements. The flower is a Demo sample. If you were to host a workshop with me, I could start the process of decorating your recipe album with one of these. Give me a call! The title was cut out using the Timeless Type Junior Sizzlits Alphabet Dies (115951) and a roll of Chocolate Chip Decor Elements sheet (114337).

Now for the pages. I used the From the Kitchen of stamp set (114964) for the recipe cards. The rest of the pages are decorated with card stock, designer papers and stickers from a Simply Scrappin' Kit. There is really no wrong way to do this. Treat your recipe like a photo and SCRAP IT! Since they're small pages (6x6), they are fun and easy to create. It would also be a great way to use up scraps you have leftover from other projects.

I will say that this Recipe Book only contains my very special recipes. They may not be secret, but they are definitely tried and true recipes that my family loves. Who wants to spend all that time and energy scrappin' a crappy recipe?! NOT ME!

Happy Stampin & Scrappin!
Brenda

I'm Scrappin Again!

Since May is National Scrapbooking Month, I set a goal to get scrappin' again. Here's a simple page I recently completed:

It's hard to see in the picture, but I created a background paper with the Red, White & Blue Jumbo Wheel in the Summer Mini Catalog. I used an uninked cartridge filled with Versamark ink to create a subtle watermark look.

To create the title box, I used a combination of the Rough Type alphabet (Summer Mini), Calendar Alphabet & Numbers, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Sizzlits Dies, Service & Sacrifice, Large Star & 1" Circle Punches and sponging around the edges.

I love using alphabet stamps on my scrapbook pages. There are so many styles to choose from! And, better yet, I never run out of letters!

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So, tell me, have you been scrappin?!

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Hope you're Happy Stampin & Scrappin!

Brenda

Happy Mother's Day!

This will be a relatively quick post because my family is making me breakfast this morning and I don't want to miss out on a nice hot meal... that I didn't have to make! :)


The boxes that come with the Simply Adorned charms & chains just scream to be decorated. They are like little chocolate chip colored blank canvases. Here are a couple that I decorated--one for Mother's Day and one for a birthday gift:

Supplies: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Flower Designer Brads, 1 1/4 & 1 1/2 Square Punches, Tag & Small Tag Punches, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon and Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper.


The belly bands were actually made to go around 2 boxes (one with the charm and one with the chain) side-by-side. The ribbon sort of hides that fact. Here's a peek at one of the charms:

The J is stamped with basic black craft ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I had to use tweezers to hold the small square while embossing it. I suppose it would have been a smarter idea to stamp and heat set it before cutting it into a 1" square. However, I did stamp & emboss a J on the opposite side which is a Tempting Turquoise pattern, so it's reversible.

Supplies: All Holidays, Simple Friendship, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die (from the Occasions Mini, which is still available to purchase), Big Shot, a retired designer paper that I had in my stash and the same punches as the other project.

I hope y'all have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

Mini Post-It Note Journal Cover

As promised, I'm back with a project idea to share. This was a project we did at my Spring Fling class last month. Covering post-it notes is by no means my original idea, but I can say that I painstakingly figured out the measurements to this cute little journal-style post-it note cover:

I used half of a pad of mini post-it notes. The measurements can be adjusted depending on what size and the amount of post-it notes you use. Starting with a 5" x 2 1/4" piece of chocolate chip card stock, score the card stock at 1 1/2", 1 3/4", 3 5/16" and 3 9/16". Yes, the 16th's of an inch matters. I tried using more standard measurements, but the post-it note pad just didn't fit right. You really want it to fit snugly in the book.

So, once you've scored, then you fold it up like a book with the shorter of the 2 flaps on the outside. Like this:

If you'd like, punch the 2 outside corners with the Corner Rounder Punch. Add extra adhesive on the post-it note pad before attaching it inside the book so it won't go anywhere. To get the Velcro lined up just right, put the 2 sides together and attach the rough side to the flap. Then remove the backing for the other side and simply close the flap and press firmly to adhere in place.

I decorated the cover by cutting a piece of designer series paper to the size of the outside flap--about 1 3/8" x 2 1/4". BTW, I used the Sweet Pea paper from the Occasions Mini on this project, which is no longer available. The bunny is from the Forest Friends stamp set. He's punched out using the large oval punch and layered with a Scallop Oval.

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These make wonderful little gifts and are a great way to use up some of your scraps. Be aware, once you start making them, they will multiply like rabbits!

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Happy Stampin!

Brenda

May is National Scrapbooking Month

I can't believe a whole month has gone by since my last post... and that my last post was "just another" sale flyer. Please forgive me! I don't want you to miss out on the opportunity to get more free stuff, so I'm sharing the May promotion flyer:

Click HERE to see PDF version.

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To take advantage of this promotion and see our entire selection of products, go to my website and then click on SHOP NOW.

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As you may know, my hubby is in the Air Force. Well, we are getting ready for yet another move. Can you believe this will be my third move in my three years as a demo?! Last year's move was just a few blocks away... but when you have to go through the packing and unpacking process, a move is a move! Anyway, this time we'll be moving to Pensacola, Florida. As you may imagine, things have been a bit crazy with all our preparations for the move along with keeping life in Texas going as normal as possible. I can't promise I'll magically stop being busy, but I do promise that I will make time to post actual projects and share some of my creative ideas with you in the very near future.

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Happy Stampin!

Brenda

Two-Step into Spring Promotion

Here's Stampin' Up!'s April Special:

20% off of select spring-themed Two-Step stamp sets and a hostess special where you can earn a sneak peek stamp set--Awash with Flowers--with a workshop total of $350 or more.

If you'd like to host a workshop, contact me soon. I have a few dates left for later this month. You can also host a catalog/cyber workshop. Contact me for more info.

Happy Stampin!

Brenda Bromen

Eggs in a basket...

Here's a project I came up with for my Spring Fling classes this week.

It's an Easter spin on the flower pot pocket card. If you've never seen that type of card, instead of the eggs, there are flowers. Since I don't have a large flower punch or die, I decided to use the wide oval punch to make a basket of eggs instead. Here's what the tag looks like pulled out:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch (SAB), Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Organza Ribbon, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP & Paper Trimmer with scoring blade


Basic directions for making the basket:

• Score a 8 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of card stock at 1 1/2" and 5".
• Fold the shorter flap forward to create the brim of the basket and the other flap back.
• Punch edge of brim with border punch.
• To create the side angles of the basket: Mark at 1/4" from each side at the bottom fold. Unfold brim (keeping the rest folded) and then use a paper trimmer to cut straight from the fold of the brim to the marked edge.
• Fold the brim back down and run entire thing through Big Shot with texturz plate.
• Punch a bunch of wide ovals out of designer series paper--I used 7 on this card.
• The outside layer of the tag measures 2 3/4" x 4 3/4", inside layer is 2 1/2" x 4 1/2".
• Place tag inside basket and arrange eggs as desired--keeping in mind the size of a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card so you will be able to use a standard envelope. Using a piece of grid paper or template under your card will help with that.
• Carefully remove tag holding all the eggs in place and then attach eggs to tag starting with the eggs in the back, being careful to only put adhesive where they will attach to the tag. Be sure to remove any excess adhesive so the tag doesn't get stuck in the basket forever.
• Tie a 15" piece of ribbon around the brim of the basket, this holds the whole thing together. Embellish as desired.
• Tuck your tag in the basket and enjoy!

Don't forget, Sale-A-Bration ends on March 31! If you like the border punch I used on this card, be sure to take advantage of this promotion to get it for FREE before it's too late! If you don't know what Sale-A-Bration is, check out the link to the brochure----> Basically, you get to choose something for free out of the brochure for every $50 you spend!

Sale-A-Bration is also an awesome time to take the plunge into becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator! The starter kit is discounted 15% and you also get to choose an extra stamp set (up to $47.95 value)! Contact me if you would like more information about becoming a demo.

Happy Stampin!

Brenda Bromen

Peeking through the window on a Country Morning

A couple weeks ago I had a card class where we made 6 card--2 each of 3 different designs. One of the cards spotlighted a "new" technique for many of my customers. Watercoloring with Stampin' Up!'s Watercolor Wonder Crayons! I've had my watercolor crayons for awhile now, but for whatever reason hadn't showcased them at a class yet. Perhaps it was because I am not a watercoloring expert and the idea of teaching the technique sort of intimidated me. Somehow I got beyond that and started playing around with them. I have to say that using the watercolor crayons, Aqua Painters and our Watercolor Paper makes watercoloring a breeze! Here's my sample:

There are many ways to use the watercolor crayons, but the way I showed was by using them directly on the stamped image (using Staz-On ink). Draw fairly light lines of color along the edges of the objects you're coloring. Then take an Aqua Painter filled with water and simply blend the color towards the middle. The more you go over the crayon lines, the lighter the lines will become. If you feel it needs more color, you can always dip the aqua painter directly on the crayon and add more color that way.

Another technique that's featured on this card is the ruffled eyelet edging. Here's a close-up look at that:

Here are the steps to get that look: Punch the edge of a strip of card stock that is about twice as long as the layer you're planning to attach it to with the eyelet border punch. Take a bone folder and run it along both sides of the strip of paper, like you would to curl curly ribbon with scissors. This breaks the fibers of the card stock and makes the strip bendy. Then the fun begins! Simply bend the strip back and forth to make your ruffles. At my class, this is where I commented on the "art of being random". Hold your ruffled strip behind the layer you plan on attaching it to, to make sure you have it just like you want it. Then run a strip of Snail adhesive along the back of that layer and attach your eyelet ruffles, trimming excess. You'll then want to use Dimensional adhesive so that the ruffles don't get squished. I put a couple pieces right on the edge of the ruffle and then several more around the rest of the edges.

My friend, Genean, commented that this card looks like an old country farmhouse window and I think she's right. In case you were wondering, the stamped image I used was from the Country Morning hostess stamp set. If you're interested in trying some other "new" techniques, I have a Spring themed technique class coming up later this month--March 25 @ 7pm or March 26 @ noon. Check out the details on the Events Page of my website.

Happy Stampin!
Brenda Bromen

Super Sweet Notecard Set

Need a super sweet gift idea? How about making one of these:

I've posted a similar type box in the past. It's made with two scallop envelope diecuts and two 2-1/4" x 1-1/2" strips of card stock for the sides. The notecards are 3" x 3" (3" x 6" card stock folded in half).

Stamps: Fox & Friends & Tiny Tags (both from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog)

Accessories: Sweet Pea Designer Paper PAD, Corduroy button, Linen Thread, Jewelry Tag Punch, 1/16" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Scallop Envelope Die.

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If you live in the San Antonio area and would like to get a few of your friends together to make this super sweet gift set, give me a call to schedule your own private class (at your house or mine).

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Happy Stampin!

Brenda Bromen

210.451.8731

Baby Boy Blue Knit Hat & Coordinating Card

It's been awhile since I've shared a knitted project with you. So I'll show you a super quick knitted hat that I made for a friend who just had her 7th child. It's a simple 2x2 rib pattern--if you knit, you know what that means. Of course, I couldn't just give her the hat without a coordinating handmade card now could I?!

While I was at it, I thought, Hey! This card is turning out super cute! Why don't I make another one for a sample? So, I DID! I changed the second one up a bit... can you see the differences?

These cards were just as quick and easy to make as the hat. Here's a list of all the punches I used: 1 1/4" & scallop squares, the modern label, word window and scallop edge. I dusted off my Nursery Necessities stamp set to use the cute elephant & saying. There are little dots around the edge of the elephant image--kind of like stitching. After stamping him in Bashful Blue, I used the fine tip on the black stampin' write journaler (marker) to highlight that stitching.

I love the 4 square card layout. It's great for highlighting pretty papers or using up scraps. Here's another version of this layout:

We made this card at my last class. I actually CASE'd it from another demo's card idea, but changed it up by adding the little Jewelry Tag hanging from the ribbon. It's hard to see, but it says {love} on the tag.

If you ever get stumped when sitting down to make a card, consider using this basic layout. If you don't have square or heart punches, consider using flowers, stars or circles...

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

Our Hero's Homecoming...

Like I said in my last post, my husband recently came home from a deployment in the middle east. You might not have guessed, but I made a sign for his homecoming! Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of my son holding it as we were waiting for my hubby to come off the plane. So you'll get to see it as it sits to this day on our mantle instead:

The letters were cut out with my handy Big Shot and the Serif Essentials Alphabet Dies, the stars were punched out using the Large Star punch and the bottom border was stamped with, fittingly, the Hero jumbo wheel.

As we were standing there waiting for the first glimpse of Our Hero, a few other passengers walked by and my son (13 yrs old) was a bit embarrassed to hold up the sign. I encouraged him to hold it up so that his dad would see it as soon as he came around the corner. At that moment, a woman walked by and said "Tell him thanks from me!" As I type this, I'm getting choked up. I have to say that those were common sentiments I heard throughout the entire time my husband was deployed. Even though many of them came from strangers, like the passing lady, I felt the love and appreciation from each and every one of those people. It truly made me proud to be an American and, of course, proud to be married to my wonderful husband!

Happy Stampin!
Brenda

Catching Up... New Stuff Party Make-N-Takes

Time sure has gotten away from me with my blog posts... I guess I have a good excuse with my husband coming home from his deployment and all. :-) He gets 2 weeks off before he has to go back to work here, so we've been taking advantage of that and going on fun day trips--lunch and margaritas on the Riverwalk, touring caverns and panning for gems, touring the Shiner Brewery... and sampling some new brews, of course! We were lucky enough to be the first of the public to taste their newest beer, Shiner 101. Yumm! This morning, my hubby and I took a drive over to Comfort to visit my favorite Texas yarn shop, The Tinsmith's Wife. We ate lunch at a little bistro around the corner that happens to have the best burger ever and browsed through some of the quaint antique shops.

I explain all of this so that you understand my delay in posting pictures of the make-n-takes we made at my New Stuff Party a couple weeks ago. Here they are:

The Friends card was made with the Vintage Vogue set from the Occasions Mini. The striped paper is from the Sweet Pea Designer Paper Stack. Notice I said STACK, not pack. The Sweet Pea Stack has 48 sheets (2 each of 24 double-sided designs)! This paper is GORGEOUS! The bookmark was made using the Vintage Labels stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration brochure and the Medallion background stamp from the IB&C. Everyone had the chance to try the clear mount stamps. They make it easy to see exactly where you're stamping!

When I finally got around to unpacking from the party a few days later, I noticed I had a some extra supplies from the projects and decided to make them up. Here's how they came out:

The top one is the original card. The middle 2 cards were made with the Fox & Friends set in the Occasions Mini. The vine on the monkey card is from Baroque Motifs. I made the bottom 2 cards using other stamps in the Vintage Vogue set and embellished them with some brads. Here's a closer look:

This brad is from the Silver Hodgepodge Hardware kit. It says Genuine.

The flower was stamp using the rock-n-roll technique, cut out, embellished with a So Saffron Brad and mounted on the card using a dimensional. I added some texture to the backgrounds of all the cards using the texturz plates and my Big Shot.

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I'm not sure what fun trips we'll be going on this coming week, but I know I will need to sneak some time away in my stamp room so I can start working on the projects for my upcoming All-Occasion card class on February 9. If you're interested in attending the class, we'll be making 6 cards (2 each of 3 designs). The class fee is $10 and all you have to bring is adhesive and scissors. There are 2 times available: 9am-noon and 6:30-9:30pm. Contact me by February 2 to sign up.

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Happy Stampin!

Brenda

bbstampin@yahoo.com