'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

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

Is it really November already???

Oh my! How time flies! Did y'all miss me? :) I did not intend on ignoring my blog for so long. I guess it's the same old excuse... life got away with me. I do have some projects to share with you. We made these at my Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack class last week:

Stamp Sets: Pattern Pines (hostess) & Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Top Note Bigz Die, Big Shot, Modern Label Punch, 1/16" circle punch, Silver Encore Ink, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool & Silver Elastic Cord



Stamp Sets: Holiday Best (Hostess) & Baroque Motif
Accessories: Scallop Edge, Wide Oval, Scallop Oval & Double Rectangle Punches; Sanding Block; Sleigh Bells Ribbon (Holiday Mini); Texturz Plate; Big Shot & Stampin' Write Markers.


This last card was inspired by a make-n-take project we did at the Stampin' Up! Convention last summer.

Stamp Sets: Tree Trimmings & Sweet Season
Accessories: Silver Brad, Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon & Merry Moments Designer Series Paper.

I didn't have the same ribbon we used for our make-n-take, so I changed it up for some Designer Series Paper and narrower ribbon. I also used a silver brad, instead of the rhinestone brad we used on the original project. These are simple changes you could make to any project you see in a magazine, the Idea Book & Catalog or online that you'd like to use as inspiration. The same goes with stamps. For the ornament card, you could easily use another style of ornament stamp. Or how about just punching a couple circles or ovals out of holiday colored papers to use as ornaments? You could also use real string or simply draw a string. The possibilities are endless!

Check out the holiday themed classes I have coming up at the events calendar on my Stampin' Up! website.

Happy Stampin!

Hoard No More! ...well, at least for this Pop-Up Graduation card.

How many of you buy things on impulse and then are either afraid to use them because they cost "a lot" and it has to be a pretty special project or once the items arrive, you just can't figure out what to do with them? Well, I have a stack of stuff like this... mostly accessories. Coincidentally, before I found out this item was going to be retiring, I decided to break into my long hoarded pack of Hooray Designer Hardware. As a bonus, I also used some grommets (also hoarded) from the Occasions Mini on the same card! Check it out:

I saw the idea of using the Top Note die to create a gift card holder on the inside of a card on Shelli Gardner's blog. She mentioned that Stampin' Up! gave their employees cards that actually had a place for 2 gift cards inside (dinner & a movie). Neat idea, huh?! I only needed a slot for one gift card for the graduate I plan to give this card to, so I had to attach it differently that it was on my inspirational card. Here's what I came up with:

It's pretty simple... I folded a 5" piece of card stock in half (the length doesn't matter, but should be at least 4", depending on how deep you want to make the slot that holds the gift card) then set the folded edge 1/2" - 1" in on the short side of the Top Note die and ran it through the Big Shot. At this point, you can decide how much of the gift card you want showing and then score the same distance in on both sides. This creates the flaps that hold the card slot in place. I then used Mono Adhesive to attach those flaps to the inside of the card. I also added a little adhesive inside the edges of the folded area (beside the card slot), so the card would fit more snuggly. Clear as mud?

Happy Stampin!

A Pretty Card and Altered Journal... and final farewell to SAB!

Today is the last day of Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotion of the year: Sale-A-Bration! Here's one last card I made using a stamp set I received FREE: Polka Dot Punches.

I made this card for my niece, Carrie's birthday. The flower is from the Pretties kit and was colored using Baja Breeze ink and a dauber.

It doesn't coordinate at all with the card, but I also made Carrie an altered journal:

As you can see, I used another flower on the cover--I left this one white. You may recognize the patterned paper from another project I recently posted. It's from a retired scrappin' kit and I thought the sage shadow and brown combination would be perfect for my niece.

Here's the inside cover:

I used a Top Note die to frame a gift card on the inside front cover. Several layers of scallop circles from the Birds & Blooms Sizzlit dies are attached (with a jumbo brad and adhesive) to the bottom of the ribbon bookmark.

Happy Stampin!

A Work of Butterfly Art!

True Friend Butterfly 6x6 page
Originally uploaded by bbstampin

Have I mentioned that True Friends is one of my favorite stamp sets? Well, here's another project I made using it. This 6 x 6 scrapbook page is a project we did at a workshop the other day. Aside from True Friends, we also used a stamp from Yummy (a Sale-A-Bration set) on the bottom edge of the Top Note. If you don't know, this stamp also has "a little something for you" above the swirls. We used a Rose Red marker to ink just the swirls to create a border for a picture that will be added later.

The process of coming up with the perfect butterfly was like a mini science experiment. At first I tried the rock-n-rock technique on regular Whisper White card stock--which was nice enough, but lacked a little something (no pun intended). I also tried coloring the entire stamp with markers, stamping on various types of card stock, spraying the stamp after doing the rock-n-roll technique, etc.

And after many other variation, I ultimately inked the butterfly in Pink Pirouette ink, used a sponge dauber with Rose Red ink around the edges to add dimension to the wings, colored the body using an Old Olive marker and, finally, I spritzed the stamp with a little water and stamped it onto WATERCOLOR PAPER. I have to tell you, the watercolor paper made all the difference in the world! When I stamped the water spritzed image onto regular card stock, the colors blended into a mucky mess. But on the watercolor paper, it's like a work of art!

Go ahead, give it a try! ...and you'll be Happy Stampin!

Let the Sale-A-Bration Begin!

Today marks the start of Stampin' Up!'s much anticipated annual promotion, Sale-A-Bration! If you don't have one in hand, check out the brochure online. There's a link over there ----->.

Here's a card I made using the Sale-A-Bration set called Yummy:

Stamps: Yummy
Card Stock & Ink Colors: Naturals Ivory, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, So Saffron & Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note bigz die, Stampin' Up! Flower Burst embosslit die, word window punch & 5/8" grosgrain ribbon

The "a little Something for you" stamp is made to coordinate with the Top Note die. Of course, it would look just as nice on any shaped card front. The flowers are made with the Flower Burst embosslit die. These are new to the Spring-Summer '09 catalog and this is the first project I've made with them. I have to say that I'm in love! It cuts and embosses one of these sweet little flowers all in one roll through the Big Shot. I used a sponge dauber to add some So Saffron & Pumpkin Pie ink to create depth. What do you think? There are 4 other embosslit designs available. Check them out! (pg 202 of the catalog or on the shopping page of my website)

ONLINE ORDERING SPECIAL: Would you like a FREE Spring-Summer 09 catalog? Well, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST, you can get a FREE catalog when you place an order through my website! Don't wait too long, supplies are limited!

Thanks for checking in... I hope you're Happy Stampin!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

As I said the last time I posted, I was off to play with my new toys... errr... I mean, important business tools that had just arrived. By the way, when I refer to "Mr. Brown's deliveries", I'm talking about the UPS guy... his real name is Carlos, but I figure most of you have heard of the slogan "What can Brown do for you?", thus the nickname Mr. Brown. Well, I can say that "Brown" made me really happy with all the new catty goodies! :) On to my creations!

I have found my new favorite stamp set--Simple Friendship! Here are a couple of cards I've made with it:

Other new stuff used: Texturz Plate (w/Big Shot) & Button Latte

This card's color combination was inspired by a friend's purse--Garden Green, So Saffron & Chocolate Chip. I think the yellow on the purse is actually more like YoYo Yellow, but I liked the softness of So Saffron. Anyway, here's the purse (thanks for letting me take a picture, Sarah!):

Here's another card:

The background is created with the new jumbo wheel, Friendly Words. You are also getting a sneak peek at one of the Sale-A-Bration items--So Saffron grosgrain ribbon. It actually comes bundled with Certainly Celery poly-twill ribbon (10 yds of each). Both are 5/8" wide and gorgeous! By the way, Sale-A-Bration starts on February 1. I will be posting the brochure here on that date. If you'd like to see it now, let me know and I can email you a copy. If you're one of my regular customers, you should be receiving a copy of it in the mail any day now.

If you don't know what Sale-A-Bration is, it's an awesome special that runs from February 1 until March 31. Here's how it works: with every $50 you spend (before s/h & tax), you get to pick one of the wonderful items in the brochure. There are also extra hostess and recruiting specials. This time there are several stamp sets, the ribbon bundle and a pack of designer series papers to choose from.

Back to the card... here's a close up:

Yes, I cut the butterfly out--a little tedious, but sooo worth it! I want to point out how I mounted him on the card. Honey, get your mind out of the gutter ;-) I put a couple pieces of dimensionals on the end of each wing, but used Tombo adhesive on his middle section... making it looks like he's flapping his wings. At least I think so. :)

Thanks for checking out my blog. I really appreciate when you leave me comments! It reassures me that I'm not just "talking to myself". I suppose looking at the number of hits on the counter should give me a clue I'm not alone. :) By the way, I can't believe I'm about to hit the 5000 mark! I'm thinking I should plan some blog candy. Let me think about it and get back to you.

Happy Stampin!

Brenda

Fruity Cheers!

Fruity Cheers card
Originally uploaded by bbstampin

Yikes! I can't believe it's been so long since I posted a project! I guess I've been preoccupied with the excitement of a new catalog coming out in the very near future. If you don't know what I'm talking about, the Spring-Summer 09 Idea Book & Catalog will be released on January 19. Demonstrators who went to the Stampin' Up! Leadership conference (that's going on as I type this) received the first copies on Wednesday and a few demos in Canada received them on Thursday... and, well... I've been glued to their blogs! LOL! I'm hoping my boxes of catties arrive sometime next week... so I can drool over my own!

Since we are still in the shadow of New Years Eve and all (hopefully you've recovered from your celebration), I felt sharing a "cheers" card would be in order. This card was made using the Cheers to You stamp set (appropriately named) and the coordinating wheel, Cheers. I also used the Top Note die. If you're wondering "Hey, that doesn't look quite right!", I created a smaller version by cutting off about an inch from each end and sliding those end pieces together. The ribbon covers up the seam.

Anyone interested in coming over for a fruity drink with me?

Happy Stampin!

Pretty in Pink!

Has it really been almost a week since my last post?! Time flies when you're having fun... being creative! I want to share one of the cards I made using a WOW technique I saw at the San Antonio Regional seminar:

Here's a close-up:

As you can see, there are many glittery layers. I will give you the basic directions for creating the flower.

1. Make each petal by punching small oval out of card stock and then punch large oval directly over the hole created (you'll need 10 petals (pink pirouette) and 2 leaves (certainly celery). I punched them off centered so one edge is a little wider than the other.
2. Arrange 5 petals on paper vellum in a circle (overlapping middle edges) and adhere (make 2) and then arrange 2 green ovals (overlapping ends) on vellum for leaves and adhere. I used Mono Multi Adhesive very sparingly.
3. Carefully put liquid adhesive (Mono Multi or Crystal Effects) on flower parts and sprinkle with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. Tap off excess and let dry.
4. Cut around the outside of each of the 3 shapes.
5. Layer the 2 pink flowers as pictured onto card front (use small bit of glue in center between layers to hold in place), poke small hole in center (I used paper piercing tool) and attach Filigree Brad.
6. Add a bit of glue on end of leaves and tuck under flower as pictured.
7. Complete card as desired.

Happy Stampin!

Pocket Silhouettes

Have you checked out the Never-Before-Seen Stamps Sale? There are 10 great stamp sets at 15% off until September 30--see the link on the right for the complete list. One of the sets I have been playing with lately is Pocket Silhouettes. It's on sale for $16.11 (reg. $18.95). I have 3 cards to show you!

The first card uses the stamp off technique, where you stamp one image with a fully inked stamp and then stamp again without re-inking, creating a lighter shade of the original color. It's a simple card using Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant and Always Artichoke card stock, classic ink pads and ribbon... can you say "COORDINATE!"? I distressed the strip of Elegant Eggplant card stock by crumpling it up (a great way to get out any frustrations of the day) and inked the creases, then sponged around the Very Vanilla layer with Always Artichoke ink. For the ribbon, I wrapped a piece of Always Artichoke ribbon around the front of the card stock strip and then tied on small pieces of the three colors of ribbon.


This is another relatively simple card using the Top Note Bigz die in the Big Shot. The base of the card was folded and sent through the die-cut machine leaving the folded edge intact. The front of the card is just adhered directly to the base. Along with the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set, I also used the square background stamp from the Fresh Cuts set with Whisper White Craft Ink. "Thanks so much" is stamped directly on the white taffeta ribbon using Basic Black classic ink.


My final card has a creative fold that creates a pocket inside. I "cased" this fold idea from a card I saw on splitcoaststampers.com.

It's a 3" x 3" card. I started with a 3" x 9" piece of card stock, scored and folded it at 3" & 6", then I opened it up and scored from the top of the 3" scored line diagonally to the bottom of the 6" scored line. Here's the tricky part: on that diagonal scored line, fold the right half of the card back (away from you), then fold the last 3" section up. This should create the diagonal pocket. Now all you have to do is use your favorite adhesive to secure the non-pocket edges and decorate.

I used the Round Tab Punch for the... tab on the pocket insert. Of course, the ever versatile Scallop Circle Punch and 1 3/8" circle punch work perfectly for the focal point on the front of the card. The Chocolate Chip arrow type accent came from a scrap of the Bella Rose DSP I had leftover from another project using the Top Note Bigz die. The colors used are Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red, Naturals Ivory/Very Vanilla.

As you can see, with these 3 cards, I'm set for thank you cards. :) The other saying that comes with this set is "friend to friend". If you like the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set, be sure to take advantage of the special price! You can either contact me directly to place an order, or go to my official Stampin' Up! website and place your order ONLINE! I'd love to send you one of my thank you cards for placing an order. ;)

Happy Stampin!

Top Note Accordian Book

Another reason why I had such a wonderful day on Friday.... I had a play date with my stampin' friend, Jennifer. Boy, what an experience to have 2 creative minds working together!

Soon after Jennifer walked through my door, she couldn't wait to try an idea that came to her on the drive over. Finding some "scrap" paper, she went to town with her idea on my Big Shot... Her brilliant idea was to accordian fold paper just small enough to fit between the edges of the Top Note Bigz Die and then punch it out to create an accordian style book or card. Between the two of us, this idea evolved over the 4 hours she was at my house. You could say we were Happy Stampin! :)

Here is the book I made:







You would not believe all the different things Jennifer and I came up with to make out of the Top Note Bigz Die! It's another one of those "thinking out of the box" moments. When you have a chance to give the Big Shot Die Cut Machine and Top Note Bigz Die a try, be sure to take a closer look at the scrap pieces! Check out the cover of my book and you'll see a couple scraps that made the brackets on the sides.

Happy Stampin!

Top Note Bigz Book

Check out my latest craftin' project! After finding this awesomely creative idea from the brilliant Lisa Somerville (a fellow demo), I ran to my craft space and created this little book using the Exclusive Stampin' Up! Big Shot Top Note Bigz Die (which happens to be available for you to purchase starting tomorrow, Sept 1).

The front and back covers are cut out from chipboard coasters and covered with Bella Rose Designer Series Paper and Chocolate Chip cardstock. The stamp set I used is Dreams du Jour. I used whisper white cardstock for the inner pages, but you could use copy paper for a journal or additional pieces of chipboard for a more sturdy album. My crop-a-dile came in handy to punch through the chipboard and all the layers of the inner pages for the binding holes.

In order to make some pink satin ribbon, I rubbed white ribbon over the Pink Pirouette ink pad. Makes for inky fingers, but looks oh so good! Just be sure to clean your fingers before going on to the next step.

By the way, who says you have to get dressed before noon on a lazy weekend morning???

Oh, hey, don't forget to leave a comment sometime this week to be entered in my drawing for blog candy!