Easy Events Baby Cards

Just cleaning up last night from the well-attended 6x6 DSP class.  Thought I'd share with you blog followers one of my favorite cards and how I used up the demo ducks ...

Get Ready for Holiday Mini...

Wait til you see the new Holiday Mini Catalog ... just a few days and you will be able to order from it!  The Fall collection, Spice Cake DSP and Gently Falling Stamp Set will get you ready for fall.  Here's a

DSP

Not too late to order 3 sets of our Designer Series Paper (DSP) on Pages 184, 185 and top half of 186, and get one FREE.  Here are a few other ideas to use this beautiful paper ...

Embossed Vellum

Hard to believe Hurricane Irene is causing so much damage going up the East Coast.  It was beautiful here today in SC!  I saw a news show today where a couple got married a day early on Friday, instead of Saturday, along the coast because they were going to be evacuated Friday night.  Can't remember the coastal town, but it reminded me of this beautiful card I made recently at a Stampin' Up! demonstrator share night at Donna's house. 

6x6" DSP Class - One more idea!

The two-day 6x6 DSP class has just wrapped up ... 30 total participants ... what a fun time!  Hope you gals had as much fun as I did learning new ways to use your 100 pieces of all our Designer Series Papers!!!  And, learning to use your Stampin' Write  Markers (pg 202)  with the Blender Pens and Aqua Writers (pg 203). 

Still time to sign up for our 6x6 Christmas Album class on September 13th ... but I need to hear from you before August 31st so I can order all the supplies for you.

During a recent card swap, I received this fun card from LaMuir ...

Buy 3, Get 1 Free --- ends soon!

Only a few days left to buy 3 Designer Series Papers and receive ONE FREE PACKAGE ...

One More Lace Ribbon Border Punch Idea

Okay, the dust has settled from Saturday night, I got caught up on some rest on Sunday, did my cooking fingers class on Monday, now it's back to more creating.  Before I get onto something new, I just have to show you a few more fun things to do with my new favorite punch ... Lace Ribbon Border Punch.

Present at the Saturday night event were three of my uplines in Stampin' Up! who made the top 100 in demonstrators in Stampin' Up!.  What a thrill to be in the presence of these creative, inspiring minds.  They are constantly motivating and coaching us to succeed and recognizing us for our achievements.  Thought it was time to acknowledge them.

Strength & Hope

Give me strength .... if you've been wondering where I've been ... you wouldn't believe it if I told you!  Stampin' Up! is having their Regional Event (a mini convention) here in Charlotte yesterday and today.  What started out as hosting four of my fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators from the Savannah, GA area to spend the night at my home while attending the event,

Hershey Miniatures in a New Way

While at convention, they demonstrated some fun uses of punches ... and Hershey Miniatures.   Had to come home and play!

Christmas Album Class

I'm putting together a class for our Scrapbook & Cardmaking Club here at Sun City.  I tried (twice) sending an email out to the club members with a lot of information about this class being offered September 13th at the Lakehouse; but as of this posting, not sure it went out. 

Home Decorating with Stampin' Up!

While I was in Salt Lake City at the Stampin' Up! convention, I was lucky enough to take a tour of Stampin' Up!'s headquarters in Riverton, UT.   W-O-W!!!   What an impressive facility!!!

In the building was a section set aside for crafting/decorating ideas.  I will feature some of these ideas from time to time.  Here are just a few that really stood out to me. 

Unique Lace Ribbon Border Card

 Here's the unique card I promised.  This was my first attempt.  Now that I've done one, I'd do my next one a little different, but I wanted to get this to you so you, too, can play with your Lace Ribbon Border Punch (pg 211). 
 Here are two other views.

Woven Lace Ribbon Border Punch

If you visited yesterday's blog, I mentioned weaving the 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in the Lace Ribbon Border Punched piece.  Well here are some finished projects:

Thanks to the new issue of Stampin Success, an exclusive monthly magazine sent  to all Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  This magazine is filled with ideas ... just another benefit of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Call if you'd like to learn how you, too, can be a part of my Divine Divas team.

The DSP paper is from our Hostess selection (pg 11) which is only available to Stampin' Up! hostesses.  It's so easy to match colors when using our DSP.  Stampin' Up! gives you all the colors.   Here I used Melon Mambo, Concord Crush and Whisper White Cardstock.  I used the Old Olive 1/8" taffeta Ribbon and our Basic Pearls (pg 198).   The Happy Birthday Circle sentiment was stamped with Melon Mambo using our Happiest Birthday Wishes, also available to Hostesses (pg. 10). 

The two punches used were the Lace Ribbon Border and Fancy Flower (pgs. 210 & 211).  I punched 3 flowers from Concord Crush cardstock and just layered them.  The circle sentiment was attached with Dimensionals.  If you'd ever like to have a party and earn these two Hostess sets FREE, just let me know!

Here is another fun idea to use your Ribbon and Lace Ribbon Border Punch:
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This cute little party favor uses a 6x6" piece of DSP and will be featured in my 6x6" DSP class August 24th and 25th.   Love the woven ribbon and bow on this basket!   The decorative brads used here are from our Designer Brad collection -- Filigree (pg. 198). 

Come back tomorrow for a cute Card idea using the Lace Ribbon Border Punch.   It's unique!

1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Share

As promised yesterday, here's my next Ribbon Share:  1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (pg. 195-center of page).  There are ten different colors (Baja Breeze, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Regal Rose, Marina Mist and Very Vanilla).  This thin ribbon works so well with the new Lace Ribbon Border (pg. 211) where I've woven this through the holes of the punched piece. 

Cost:   1 yard of each of the 10 colors = $7
           2 yards of each of the 10 colors = $13
           Shipping and handling for out-of-town buyers = +$3

If you are interested in participating in this ribbon share, email me separately at bzstampin@live.com.  Remember, I'm not getting all of the emails from this blog.   I will reply to your email to confirm your order.  If you don't hear from me, please email me again.  Thanks.

I don't have a PayPal account yet so out of town buyers will have to send me a check.  Deadline for orders is AUGUST 15th.   Don't forget to let me know if you want the one-yard or two-yard option.  Thanks ...

Ornate Blossom with Converted Wheel

I love this card!  I hope you do, too.  I wanted to use some of the new in-colors.   Since I'm not too familiar with them yet, I pulled out my handy-dandy Color Coach (pg. 174) and my newly purchased In-Color Cards (#124886).  See below:

On the back of each colored card, are combinations of colors.  I just fell in love with the Dynamic Duo of Island Indigo and Pool Party (two new in-colors).   So what could I put with these two colors ... look at the bottom ... There's Rich Razzleberry.  I tried it and it works well!  Notice at the bottom of the card, there is my newly converted Fabulous Foilate Wheel stamp (pg 235) stamped with Island Indigo ink on the Pool Party Cardstock. 

Okay, so you came back to see what I mean when I say, "We can save every card-making boo-boo, usually!"  Well my stampin buddy from PA who got me started making cards and I use this saying a lot.  We've learned how to "adjust" boo-boos and not waste the card.   Here's an example on this card:

The background pool party cardstock was the front of the card.  When I went to use my newly-converted wheel stamp to stamp the front bottom border, it slipped and went crooked.  I simply re-folded it so this "front" is now the "inside".  Then I cut a piece of whisper white cardstock to fit exactly inside and stamped that piece.    No one will ever know ...

Now you are probably wondering how I got that beautiful two-toned Ornate Blossom (pg. 107) image ... This is called the Rock N Roll Technique.  To get this effect I simply inked the Ornate Blossom stamp with Pool Party Ink.  Then I rolled the edges in Rich Razzleberry and stamped the image on Whisper White Cardstock.  

The ribbon is the new 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (pg. 194) that was part of my recent Ribbon Share.  A ribbon share is where I buy all of the colors of a particular style ribbon, cut them in one-or-two yard pieces and bundle them up.   This gives you, the client, a chance to get all of the colors to have on hand (vs. buying one roll of each), I get the sales, and I usually save one cut for me to play with so I don't have to buy every roll either.  It's a win-win for all.   I charge my out of town buyers $3 extra for postage.  Ribbon Shares are a hit with my Divas.  Stop back tomorrow for this month's Ribbon Share offering.

The pretty Designer Printed Brad comes in all the new In-Colors, too (pg. 199).  How do you like the brad instead of a knot with the ribbon?   Works for me! 

Remember, stop back tomorrow for my next Ribbon Share offering ...

Converting Rubber Stamps

As promised, I want to share with you a new product from Stampin' Up! and converting wheel stamps to regular, long clear-mount stamps.    Clear-Mount Cling Foam (pg. 205).  See a partially used piece of it below:

What I did here was find the seam in the wheel.  I took a utility knife and cut along the seam.  Then it was very easy to remove the rubber stamp from the wheel.  Once removed, I attached it to one piece of the Clear-Mount Cling Foam.  Next I simply cut around the entire stamp, removed the backing and ... wahlaaaah ... I have a clear mount stamp.  You will need Clear Block "I" or "F" to use with this longer stamp. 

If you are a big scrapbooker, this may not be to your benefit.  Wheels are designed to be able to stamp long, long areas (i.e., 12x12" scrapbook pages), especially if you use the inked cartridges (pg. 204).  We also sell a Wheel Guide to help make the stamping straight.  Expert scrapbookers do wonders with these tools.

For me, a non scrapbooker, I wanted a simpler way of using my wheels.  Wheels are a great buy for what you get.  From $4.50 to $8.50 per wheel (see all wheels on pgs. 235 & 236), you can get many stamps from one wheel.  And when they are not on the wheel, it is very easy to place them exactly where you want them and only "ink with markers" those parts of the stamp that you want.  Another benefit of converting these wheels is that they take up less storage space.  You can save many converted wheel stamps in one empty Clear-Mount Stamp Cases (pg. 205).

The real purpose of Clear-Mount Cling Foam is to convert your wood mount stamps into Clear Mount Stamps.  To do this, simply put a few of your wood mount stamps into a microwave oven for a few minutes.  Take one out at a time and simply pull off the rubber stamp.   I found this works very well for about 90% of my wood mounted stamps.  There were a few I just could not get off.  I left those as wood-mount stamps.  By doing this, I was able to save a lot of my favorite wood stamps in a very small space.   I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!  -- Clear-Mount Cling Foam - pg. 205 - #124236 - 2- 8 1/2 x 11" pieces for $10.95.

While you're on this page, check out the Clear-Mount Perfectly Placed Guides, too.  These guides attach easily to your Clear-Mount Blocks.   You can attach your clear mount stamps (from rubber stamp side), lining up the image/words along a line.  Then when you ink and stamp, just make sure the line is straight and your image is perfect every time!

Stop back tomorrow to see the finished card and why I say, "We can save every card-making boo-boo, usually!"

We're getting a New Great Nephew!

Just received an invitation to my special neice, Susie's, baby shower.   Carson will be arriving in October.  So, I just had to go play and make a card for the gift.   Need your help ... Which do you like better?   A or B?

Card A

Card B

Card A was the first I made.   I liked it.  Then I thought I'd play a little more and put some pizzazz in it.  I used the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die (pg 221) and ran the Marina Mist Grosgrain ribbon through it to get the rick rack trim.  I adhered it with Tomboy adhesive.  Then I used the Two-Way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds glitter (after I colored in the Star with a Marina Mist Marker) to give it glitter.

Anyone who comments and votes for Card A or Card B will be entered into a drawing.  Some lucky winner will win a stamp set (I have a few options for you to pick from).

Thank you for taking time to visit and voting.  Come back soon.  I have a cool thing to show you about converting Wheel stamps to regular stamps as I've done above with the Baby Tees Jumbo Wheel (pg. 235).

What a Birthday Week!!!

Wow...what a fabulous last few days!!!  If you've been wondering where I've been, well let me tell you.   My Ricky Z worked so hard to throw a surprise 60th birthday party for me on Saturday AND ... he got our three girls and three grandkids down from PA for an extended weekend.   It's all a blurr now, but I can tell you that it was one of the best birthday gifts EVER ... Thank you so much, Rick!!!

Okay, back to business.   Just had to show a few more of my special home-made cards.   AND ... how about this for an awesome Wine Bottle attachment:

Thank you Carol ...  And for a good laugh ... the wine bottle was to reiterate a lesson my Southern Divas are teaching me about being a true Southern Lady ...

You all will get this inside message ... thank you again, Carol.  What a Hoot!

In parting, just a few of my favorite moments this weekend.  My apologies to my girls for posting this photo.  They were ready to leave for the 8+ hour car ride back to PA and I insisted on a group photo.  They were not "ready" for a photo, but in my opinion, they are always beautiful!!!!   Thanks again girls for taking time to join me for this special event in my life!!!   I love you!!!

Left to Right:  Val & Ryka, Angie & Elijah, Tina & Kyle

And for my last two very special moments this past weekend ...




Grammie, Elijah, Ryka and Kyle!


Thanks to all who attended, who gave me special homemade cards and gifts and ... Thank you, thank you, thank you ... Rick!!!




Me and My Ricky Z!  Could he be talking?????:-)    xoxoxo



Fabulous Florets & Embossing Again!

Another card made with one of my favorite stamp sets, Fabulous Florets ( pg. 107)  Here, instead of using Clear Embossing Powder, I used two of our newest colored Embossing Powders (pg. 201). Tangerine Tango and Wild Wasabi.

A closer look shows what happens when you forget to use the Embossing Buddy.  See the specks of Wild Wasabi emboss powder under the raised flower?   

To get this raised flower, I simply stamped and embossed the flower two times on scrap black cardstock.  Cut one whole flower out, then cut a smaller section out.  I used Dimensionals to pop up each piece.

  Basic Rhinestones (pg. 198) add pizzazz to this card! 

Happy August 1st!  I'll be busy today pre-ordering from the new Holiday Mini Catalog today.  We received a package of the Holiday Mini Catalogs at Convention and I want it all!!!  Wait until you see what will be available for sale starting September 1.  One of the advantages of being a demonstrator is that we get to see and buy early ...  Wahooooo!

Where's the summer going?