For the Birds!

Have you ever seen a craft project and been drawn to sit right down to make it yourself? That happened to me the last time I was browsing the 2013-2014 Annual Catalog and came across the birdhouse on page 85:

 

 

Here's my version:

It's made using the Milk Carton Die (with a Big Shot, of course) and the Bird Builder Punch.  Texture is added to the roof to give the look of shingles sending a piece of Early Espresso Core'dinations cardstock through the Big Shot in the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder. Embossing half of the roof at a time by sticking the cardstock only half way in the folder will make the shingles the same on both sides of the roof. Sanding the cardstock adds even more depth, bringing out the lighter core color.

 

By the way, I don't have the Polka-Dot Pieces stamp set that was used in the catalog. Instead, I simply punched the bird and branch shapes out of different pieces of paper from a pack of This and That Epic Day DSP.

It's funny, even though I've poured over the catalog many a times since it first came out, I still seem to discover something new almost every time I browse its pages! If you haven't had a chance to check it out, click HERE to see the PDF version. It's also available for FREE through Google Catalogs on your iPad. You can also order one from me by emailing me at bbstampin at yahoo dot com or through my shopping page HERE. 

 

Happy Stampin!

Brenda



FREE Downloads and 50% OFF Digital Kits!

Have you given digital scrapbooking a try?  Would you like to?  How about for FREE?!  Stampin' Up! is giving you the chance to test drive the My Digital Studio 2 software FREE for 30 days!  Click HERE to give it a try!

 

AND, for a limited time, you can also receive the following 3 digital downloads for FREE!  

Enjoying Everything Kit

Enjoying Everything Kit

A Split Second Designer Template Pages

Days In December Kit

You can use them with MDS or any other program you may use for digital scrapbooking!

Click HERE to get your 3 FREE downloads by November 5!

 

And while you're there, check out the digital kits that are all 50% OFF!

 



Happy Digital Scrapbooking!
Brenda

Sketchin' Mojo

There's nothing like a sketch to get the creative juices flowing when you've been in a creative mojo drought.  What's a sketch, you may ask... it's the basic outline of a card layout idea.  It gives your mojo a little nudge that hopefully turns into a storm of stampin'!  Here's a sketch that my friend, Bente posted on her new blog:

Bente actually found the sketch on another blog dedicated to, none other than, sketches! Check it out: Freshly Made Sketches.  If you want to really challenge yourself, create a card using the sketch and then enter it in their contest.

Since I've been in a creative drought, this could not have come at a better time!  Thanks for the inspiration, Bente! 

Once I made the bed, dropped the kid off at school, ran the dog (while I biked) and fulfilled my 2 cup of coffee quota, I sat down at my craft desk and got to work.  I knew exactly what set would work perfectly for this card and what pack of paper I would pull from.  They are both from the new Holiday Mini... err... I mean Catalog.  It's not exactly "mini" anymore... it's big!  I used the Friendship Preserves Bundle (which includes the Friendship Preserves stamp set & Window Frames Framelits Dies) from page 30 and the Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack from page 20.  You can view the catalog online through my website. 

Here's what I came up with:

I also used the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Victoria Crochet Trim and 3/8" Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon.

Now it's your turn to put your spin on it! 

Happy Stampin!
Brenda

My son's graduation is in the pocket!

I have to make this post a quicky.  My oldest son is graduating from high school this afternoon.  My, how time flies! 

I wanted to show you the graduation cards I've been making.  I'm getting lots of mileage out of the Pocketful of Posies DSP.  There are so many gorgeous papers in the pack that are good for all sorts of occasions--both masculine and feminine. 

The stamp is retired from a few minis ago.

Paper/Ink: Pocketful of Posies (RETIRING), Basic Black, Whisper White, Baja Breeze

Punches: Crop-A-Dile (RETIRING), 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" circle

Accessories: Eyelets (retired), Black Satin Ribbon (RETIRING)

It's the same pocket design as yesterday's card, just a little smaller.  I started with a 6" x 10" piece of card stock, scored at 3" & 6".  This size card fits in our Small Open-End Envelopes that are retiring from the current catalog. 

You can check out all the retiring products on my website!  Don't forget, all the retiring accessories and decor elements are only available while supplies last, so get them while you can!

If you're interested in getting a copy of the NEW 2012-2013 Annual Catalog, let me know! I can either have one mailed to you for $5 or you can pick one up from me (in Pensacola) for free!  It goes live at noon on June 1!   

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

850*466*3585

bbstampin.at.yahoo.dot.com

A Pocketful of...

Well, I stamped again yesterday... and the day before that and the day before...  You could say I'm on a roll!  It helps that there are so many card giving occasions in May and that I've scheduled a stampin' farewell party on May 24!  BTW, you're invited!  My house in Pensacola (email me for the addy) between 1-3pm!  The make-n-takes will be featuring some of the retiring Stampin' Up! products.  If you can't make it but would like to place an order, contact me or order online.

I'm not going to show you the make-n-take projects (yet), but I will show you the birthday card I made for my hubby...

Stamp Set: Delightful Dozen

Paper/Ink: Pocketful of Posies (RETIRING), Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Crumb Cake

Punches: 1 3/4" & 1 1/2" circle, Decorative Label

Accessories: Night of Navy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (RETIRING), Mini Library Clips (RETIRING)

Big Shot Die: Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Sizzlits (RETIRING)

I didn't realize it while I was making it, but it's fitting that I used the paper I did on this card--Pocketful of Posies.  No, my hubby isn't a posy... what is a posy anyway?  No, because inside the card I made a POCKET!  See!

I needed to design the card around being able to fit an 8 1/2" x 11" folded piece of paper.  So I trimmed a 12" x 12" piece of cardstock down to 10" x 8 1/2" and scored it at 4 1/2" 8 1/2".  To create the window, I punched the Decorative Label punch twice, overlapping about 1/2" to create a longer opening.  The pocket edges are secured with eyelets (long retired), set with the Crop-A-Dile (RETIRING).  You could also use brads or staples.

Well, I hope you've been on a roll with stampin' lately too!  If not, come to my party next week and I'll do my best to inspire you!  I have a few other events scheduled for June & July too.  Check MY CALENDER for the details.

Happy Stampin!
Brenda

I STAMPED!

You may have read the title to this post and said "Well, DUH! You're a Stampin' Up! demo, don't you stamp in your sleep?"  Or perhaps you thought "It's about time!"... considering how long it's been since my last blog post. 

I'm going to dispel the myth that us demos stamp in our sleep--well, at least I don't!  I wish I could!  Maybe then when I find myself in a creative rut, I could harness all the creative energy I seem to have while I'm running around in my dreams to actually get some stampin' done! 

Instead, I have to look around in the real world for inspiration. 

Here are the cards I came up with:

Stamp Set: Delightful Dozen

Papers: Pocketful of Posies (retiring), Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, Early Espresso, Poppy Parade (retiring), Lucky Limeade and Daffodil Delight

Ink: Whisper White Craft and Night of Navy Classic

Embellishments: Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retiring), Basic Pearls

Punches: Decorative Label, Itty Bitty Shapes, 1-3/8" & 1-3/4" circle

Big Shot Die: Beautiful Wings

Stamp Set: Nature's Nest (retiring), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Papers: Pocketful of Posies (retired), Soft Suede Textured (retiring), Naturals Ivory, Baja Breeze

Ink/Coloring: Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Blender Pen

Embellishments: Twill Tape Ribbon (retiring), Hemp Twine (retiring)

Punches: Round Tab (retiring), 1-3/4" & 2-1/2" Circle

I can't say exactly what it was that pulled me out of the creative rut I was in.  Perhaps it was out of necessity... needing to make some cards for Mother's Day and my dad's birthday.  Or perhaps it was working with the gorgeous paper and accessories that I'm going to miss when they retire at the end of May.  Whatever it was, I'm grateful to have spent some zen time stamping again. 

There's a box of goodies from the new catalog (coming out June 1) on the way, so I know I will be happy stampin' again soon!

If you're interested in checking out what's retiring from the current Stampin' Up! catty, you can view the lists on the promotions page of my official Stampin' Up! website HERE.  If you see something(s) you just can't live without, click on the SHOP NOW button to start shopping... NOW!  The retiring accessories and Decor Elements will only be available while supplies last! 

I hope you are HAPPY STAMPIN' too!

Celebrating 5 Years of Happy Stampin!

Look what I've been up to:

Crafting some post-it note projects! 

If you look carefully at the photo, you'll also notice something else...

MY 5-YEAR PIN!!!! 

It arrived in the mail today!  How exciting!  Yesterday (March 21) was the 5th anniversary of me signing up to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!  I signed up during Sale-A-Bration way back when and have been happy stampin' ever since!  I love sharing my love of crafts with people and being a demo lets me do just that, earning money in the process! 

If you've ever thought about becoming a demonstrator, now would be a great time!  During Sale-A-Bration, the starter kit is on sale for $125!  That's $50 off the regular price!  AND, new demos will also receive their choice of a pack of designer series paper or a digital download every month for the rest of 2012!  Signing up is easy and can be done online through my website!  Click HERE to see all the details and then click on the JOIN NOW button on the left side of that page to sign up! 

If you're not quite ready to take the plunge but would like to take advantage of the Sale-A-Bration promotion and earn FREE products, you can contact me to place your order or shop online through my website shopping page HERE! 

To celebrate my anniversary, I'm holding a Mystery Hostess event and special drawing for online orders. Here are the details:

• Local orders (Pensacola, FL area): Local orders I receive between now and March 30 will be entered in a drawing to win the hostess benefits. The amount of benefits will depend on the number of combined sales. If sales reach the $400 mark, I will draw 2 names—one person will win the hostess dollars ($65) and the other person will win the SAB Fresh Vintage Hostess Bundle.  Call or email me with your order.
• Online Orders: Those who place an online order with me between now and March 31 will be entered in a separate drawing to win a free stamp set! I will let the winner choose between several new/un-mounted retired hostess sets. Click HERE to start shopping.
• Everyone who places an order will get a little something from me as a party favor of sorts to say thank you for your continued support of my business.

Sale-A-Bration ends March 31!

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

850.466.3585

bbstampin@yahoo.com