Map It Monday - Baby Peaches and Pears

Can it really be the last Monday, even the last day, in January?  Time flies.  Here's the Map It Monday idea for today!

The Stampin' Around jumbo wheel called "Baby Tees" is the stamp for the main design.  It's one of my favorite images to color when I wish I had a coloring book & crayons again!  The coloring on this particular card is done with a blender pen and Pear Pizzazz and Peach Parfait Classic inkpads, as well as with Stampin' Write markers in So Saffron and Tempting Turquoise.  Basic Black cs is layered underneath.

On a Whisper White card, I adhered a strip of Pear Pizzazz cs across the top.  Using a 1 3/4" circle punch, I punched two circles each from 2 sheets of the Designer Series Paper In Color Hostess Level One Pack.  The polka dots looked like fun for this card!  I adhered the four circles, overlapping, across the card front & trimmed the sides of the card.

Next, I stamped the "so happy for you....congratulations!" image from the Goody-Goody Gumdrops stamp set.  This set is retired, so you could substitute the Baby Bundle stamp set on page 78 of the current IB&C, or perhaps you could mask the Baby Steps a la carte stamp so only the "congratulations" is stamped.  It is helpful to find more than one purpose for a stamp!

The baby tees piece is adhered to the card front with dimensionals & Basic Black Satin Ribbon is tied around the card front.  Stampin' Up's satin ribbon sure creates a touch of elegance!  Remember the days when we used safety pins and cloth diapers?  A little safety pin attached to the ribbon ties the baby theme together!  Have you seen the Vintage Trinkets in the IB&C?  It includes little safety pins and mini vintage metal buttons!

Have a great day!  Snow storm is on its way.........brrrrrrr!

Linda

Fast Friday - Falling Birds Just For You

This week's Fast Friday card is stamped with that Aviary stamp set once again!  I stamped the bird cages so it looks like they are toppling over.  They could be stamped in any color.


The birds and message are stamped with Poppy Parade ink.  The gorgeous patterns designer series paper available in the current "in colors" serves as a mat for my message.  Have you noticed that not only can we purchase 12 x 12 packs of this beautiful paper, but we also can earn it as a Level One Hostess gift in the 6 x 6 size?  You gotta love it!

Linda

Hurry, hurry! Be Chic on Friday!

Hi ladies!

There is still a few spots remaining if you'd like to attend tomorrow's one hour afternoon Punch Chic Stamp Camp!  I am finishing off the plans & just know you will miss out on fantastic ideas!  Cost is $10 to bring home four cards, or to bring home 2 cards plus 2 elements for your scrapbook pages at home.  You maybe never have seen what I'm gonna show you!  Time is from 2 until 3pm & cost if $10.

Email lahinks@gmail.com or call my cell up until noon on Friday.  My phone number is at the bottom of my monthly newsletters.

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Crumbcake

 

 This week's color combination:  Crumbcake, Melon Mambo, and Tempting Turquoise

That Aviary stamp set is at it again!  I have so many cards stamped with this Aviary stamp set to share with you in the near future.  Here is a duo that certainly will make two people smile.

Both cards are stamped with the tall Aviary birdcage and heat embossed.  I stamped the birdcage with Versamark ink and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.  After heat embossing, the birds are stamped in Melon Mambo Classic ink.  A tissue or paper towel comes in handy to gently wipe away the ink remaining on top of the embossed cage bars.

The card on the right also has a "happy bird day" image from the retired 2010 Occasions Mini Catty stamp set called "Picture This".  I hope you purchased this stamp set when it was available, because it pairs nicely with the Aviary stamp set!  I also remembered that the Very Punny stamp set from the 2007 Sale-a-Bration stamp set had a little bird that said "Chirp Up!".  I love pairing my Stampin' Up stamps from past years!  One can never have enough rubber stamps! hee hee

I also pierced a design in the corner of the card on the right, using the mat pack and paper piercing tool.  The card on the left has some different detail on it.... I scored several lines in a row with a paper cutter (you may often hear me refer to it as a paper trimmer) & scoring blade.  You also could use a bone folder or stylus in the groove of your paper trimmer instead of a scoring blade.

The dsp shown on both cards is a small piece of In Color patterns dsp.

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Hide the Adhesive

Valentine's Day will be here in less than three weeks!   Make sure to email me to register for my Valentine Stamp Camp on February 9 at 7pm!  We'll make Valentine cards (suitable for other occasions as well, if you don't need Valentine cards) and gift items.  If you cannot be at my stamp camp, why not make Valentines at home?  Get out your valentine or love themed stamps & stamp a card like this!  The stamp set I have used for this card is called Valentine Defined, on page 9 of the current Stampin' Up Occasions Mini Catalog.   It is a very unique stamp set that includes cute little flamingos "in love", among other unique designs.

It is not easy to see, but this card has a window sheet on the front.  The adhesive that sticks the window sheet onto the card front is hidden under the punched photo corners.  A window sheet can soften a card's appearance or give a card that oomph of shine, depending on how it is used.  I don't particularly like to see where adhesive is applied under a window sheet, so hiding adhesive under card front elements is a great way to solve this unwanted problem.  I punched with the Photo Corner Punch into Old Olive cs and adhered each photo corner over the two spots where I had adhered the window sheet.

Colors on this card are Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Whisper White.  The heart tree in the middle section of the card is stamped with Whisper White Craft ink onto the window sheet.

Adhesive can be hidden under a message element or ribbon or a strip of cs or designer series paper.  Get creative with how you make that adhesive disappear!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Baby Tees Wheel

There's something so fun about making a new baby card every once in awhile!  Roll this adorable Stampin' Around Wheel of baby onesie t-shirts across white cs and transform it into a sweet baby card!  The wheel is called Baby Tees and it could not get any cuter.

If you use black ink, this wheeled image looks great with just a touch of color.  Choose a few Stampin' Write marker colors and pull out the card stock to match!  As you can see, I have dotted in color on areas like stripes, polka dots and collars.

Simply adhere a punched message piece and you have the most adorable baby card!

Linda

Map It Monday - Cherry Bird

The card map for this week shows the beauty of the Friends 24-7 stamp set from the current IB&C.  This stamp set is part of the Shelli Signature Collection.  Stampin' Up's Cofounder and CEO, Shelli Gardner, adds products to her Shelli Signature Collection when a product she loves captures her personal style and taste.   In some cases, Shelli even had a part in developing the product.

I have stamped with both Cherry Cobbler and Crumbcake Classic ink.  The card is Crumbcake card stock.  The message, "Here for you", is stamped with Cherry Cobbler Classic ink onto Very Vanilla cs and punched with the designer label punch.  A strip of Cherry Cobbler cs is adhered first to the card.  A 1 3/4" punched Cherry Cobbler cs circle is matted behind the "Here for you" designer label.

This stamp set creates such gorgeous sympathy and thinking of you cards!

Linda 

Fast Friday - Better with Two

Several months ago I borrowed a friend's stamp set.  I created some delightful anniversary cards with these precious stamps.  The stamp set is a very old, retired set, but I wish it was mine!

I shared my friend's scrapbook paper and supplies (thanks, Annette!), and some of them are not Stampin' Up products, but I thought I'd share the card with you.  It was a fairly quick card.  Perfect for Fast Friday!  You can make a similar card with so many stamp sets in our current Stampin' Up catalog!
I think this layout would be especially pretty with the "Have a Seat" stamp set in our current catalog!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, and Old Olive

Well, I've been on a roll with creating Valentine cards.  Guess what colors?

Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, and Old Olive!

Such a happy punch of color in this combination!  The stamp set I have used for this card is called "Filled With Love".  It premiered in the recently retired Holiday Mini Catalog, although this stamp set will be available for purchase for a few more days, until February 24.  It comes in a bundle with some adorable designer paper too!

AND......FREE WITH THE BUNDLE!.......

Description of Filled with Love Bundle Promotion	Wood-Mount Item	Clear-Mount Item
Filled with Love Bundle: Filled with Love Stamp Set, Love Patterns Designer Series Paper, and FREE Bitty Buttons	124380 $32.90	124381 $26.90
Love Patterns Designer Series Paper (non-bundled) 12 sheets total: three 12" x 12" sheets of two double-sided designs in Real Red and Pretty in Pink	124156 $9.95

If you want this bundle of fun, shoot me an email  & I will make it happen!

Have a fantastic day!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Wet Watercoloring Technique

Just a quick post today....Today's cards are created using the "Wet Watercolor" technique.


I have applied Watercolor Wonder Crayons directly to the rubber stamp, spritzed the stamp with water, and stamped the image onto watercolor paper.


I really enjoy stamping onto watercolor paper!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Stampin' Up Classic and Craft Inkpads 101

I love, love, love this card. I hope you can see it well, though its beauty isn't captured in a photograph....you just need to see it in person.    I created this card for a class I am demonstrating this week.  I have already received a request to make the card at my Valentine Stamp Camp in early February.  You know I love requests, so it just may happen.  The ink I used on this card is a Very Vanilla Craft Stampin’ Pad.  That got me thinking about………

Stampin’ Up Classic Inkpads vs.

Stampin’ Up Craft Stampin’ Pads

If you have ever wondered whether to stamp with a Classic or Craft inkpad, this post is for you.    When I stamp on an unusual surface, I usually need to refresh my memory about which ink would be suitable.  Next time we wonder, we can refer to this “Tuesday Tip” to assist us in choosing the ink to suit our needs for any project!

Stampin’ Up Classic ink

Water-based, Acid free, nontoxic, dye ink

Availability:  Purchase a specific Color Collection Set of Classic Stampin’ Pads, Stampin’ Spots, or Classic  ink refill bottles, or purchase any single color Classic Stampin’ Pad or Classic ink refill, except Whisper White and Very Vanilla (those colors available only as Craft ink).   Stampin’ Write markers available in all colors except Very Vanilla and Whisper White.    I recommend the uni-ball Signo Gel Pen (sold by Stampin’ Up) as a water-resistant, intense, opaque, white pigment marker.

Cleaning:  Cleans easily from stamps using Stampin’ Mist and Stampin’ Scrub

My Ink of Choice:  This is the type of ink I use at my stamping events most of the time.

Drying Time:  Dries quickly because it is easily absorbed into the paper

Heat Embossing not recommended:  Can be heat embossed only if you work at lightning speed

Basic Black & Basic Gray Classic inks are waterproof inks  (Though I do recommend Stazon ink  for stamping techniques that use more than a drop or two of H2O)

Stampin’ Write markers :  These are made with dye ink too!

Stampin’ Up Craft ink

Acid free, fade resistant, nontoxic, Pigment ink

Availability:  Purchase a specific Color Collection Sets of Craft Stampin’ Spots or purchase the Craft ink refill bottles separately in any color or in a specific Color Collection Set.  Full size Craft Stampin’ Pads currently available in Basic Black, Very Vanilla, and Whisper White as well.  I do recommend the uni-ball Signo Gel Pen (sold by Stampin’ Up) as a water-resistant, intense, opaque, white pigment marker.

Cleaning:  Cleans easily from stamps using Stampin’ Mist and Stampin’ Scrub.  Clean stamps immediately after stamping to prevent staining of rubber.

Drying time:  Takes extra time to dry because the ink is thick, sits on the paper surface & does not absorb into the paper quickly like our Classic ink.  Heat setting can be helpful.

Scrapbookers Prefer:  Recommended and preferred by many for scrapbooking for its fade-resistant properties (although my scrapbooking customers prefer classic ink, so we go with the flow)…..craft ink requires extra patience J

Heat Embossing:  Great for heat embossing  because it doesn’t dry quickly – gives you plenty of time to cover with embossing powder.  If you use clear embossing powder, the shiny embossing will be the same color as the inkpad color.  

Slick Surfaces?  No.  Not recommended for stamping onto slick surfaces, even if heat set.  Heat embossing may work on some slick surfaces, though that doesn’t necessarily mean its permanent.

Chipboard’s Friend:  The best choice for coating “On Board” chipboard.

Onto Wood:  Craft Stampin’ Pads  work well on smooth raw wood and on wood already painted with a water-based paint, as long as it is heat-set. After heat-setting, you may choose to spray it with a fixative to add protection. 

For Chalkboard Stamping Technique:  White, Very Vanilla, or a light colored Craft Stampin’ Pad is great for stamping onto dark cs for the “chalkboard technique”

For Fabric:  You’ll get better results on fabric if Craft Stampin’ Pad is well inked.  Hold the inked stamp on the fabric for at least 30 seconds. For best results, use a tightly woven or smooth finished fabric and heat set. Hand wash & line-dry stamped fabrics to avoid fading. Always pretest the ink on a small swatch of fabric, as fabric finishes vary greatly. Be sure to prewash all of your fabrics before stamping.

Make Custom Brads:  Can be used to create your own custom brads.  Simply hold brad pronged end with a tweezer, dip the brad “head” into craft ink, sprinkle with clear embossing powder & heat set.

Stampin Write journaling markers contain craft ink - permanent , nonbleeding, scrapbookers prefer.

Get a Reinker:  Craft Inkpads need more frequent re-inking:   Stampin' Up's Craft ink is thicker than the Classic  ink, so you use more each time you stamp;  an ink refill comes in handy so you can re-ink your inkpads more often.

Now, register for the Valentine Stamp Camp on 2/9 & you can create this card yourself!  Email to register - see the sidebar on my blog for information.  Details were in my January Stampin' News. 

If you do not currently receive my monthly stamping news, you can email me and I will be glad to add you to my email list.

Linda

Map It Monday - I Loaf Hearts

It's Monday again!  Today's post turned into a jackpot.  I started stamping one card, and then I kept stamping, and stamping, and stamping!  You will be seeing a handful of cards posted in the near future that have the same color combination and theme.  It sure was fun!

The cute retired hostess stamp set called Comfort Food jumped off the shelf to me today.  The "I loaf you" stamped image fits nicely in the heart punch that I just bought!  This card could be a cute Valentine card!


Either a punched piece, such as the hearts in today's card, or stamped images, would each be a suitable main element for this card map.

Linda

Fast Friday - Pacific Caged Owl

In keeping with the Aviary stamp set theme (I have been mentioning it quite a bit lately!), here's a fast card for today's Fast Friday post.  This was the fastest card made at this week's stamp camp.

The owl and birdcage from the Aviary stamp set are stamped on a piece of Whisper White cs that is cut to 3.75" x 5".  Stamp the birdcage in Black Stazon ink, then the owl with Pacific Point classic ink. 

The message image is included in the Apply Blossoms Level 2 Hostess Stamp set in the big Idea Book & Catalog.  You can get this set too if you'd like to host a stamping workshop in your home and invite friends, neighbors and family and have $300 in sales at your workshop!  Contact me if you are interested!  I am currently scheduling workshops (I call them Funshops, because they are nothin' but fun!) for late January, February and March.  Those months are THE best time to hostess a Funshop because Stampin' Up's annual Sale-a-Bration sale takes place at that time.  What that means to you is that you and your customers get more free merchandise!  Every $50 order also earns a free product from our upcoming Sale-a-Bration brochure!

Back to the card post (commercial is over - did I mention how much free stuff you can get in late January, February, and March when you place an order?).....so, I wrapped Pacific Point striped grosgrain ribbon around the white cs, then matted it onto Pacific Point cs.  The Pacific Point cs measures 4" x 5.25".  I also tucked a small piece of Old Olive designer ribbon (retired) through the loop in the double knot.  The last step is to adhere the entire piece to a Whisper White card!

I'll be back on Monday (the big question is:  will she show us more Aviary ideas?).

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, Whisper White

The color combination I can suggest to you today is:

Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, and Whisper White

This trio of cards is among the many cards I have been creating with the Aviary stamp set.  If you recall, the stamp camp that I hosted this past week was focused around this stamp set.  I have not made a card with this stamp set that I did not like!

This color combination blends two neutrals, Whisper White and Soft Suede, with the bright, happy Poppy Parade color.  Love it!

Have a great day!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - You Need a Good Man{ly Card}

Recently my children were in need of thank you notes to send for Christmas gifts they received.  I rallied up some of the Christmas themed notes and some neutral themed thank you notes I had on hand, yet I noticed I didn't have many masculine thank you notes.  As I looked through various occasion cards in stock, I noticed this same dilemma across the board - where were all the masculine or gender-neutral cards?  I know I've made plenty, but apparently not enough.  So, you will be seeing more masculine cards than in the past.  We all need handsome cards to send to men, whether it be birthday, thank you, get well, retirement, or whatever the occasion.   I also have men in the family that ask for cards from the "card store" (aka my studio).  You, indeed, may have men in the family that occasionally send greeting cards.  Here is the first of many.

Today's card is a masculine or gender-neutral thank you card.  Best of all, you can use scraps of cs that you have in your scrap bin.  Choose three colors from your cs scraps, and then choose a card color.  The card might be complimentary card color, one of Stampin' Up's Neutral Collection colors, or one of your scrap cs colors.

Notice the plaid strip that is adhered with dimensionals across the card?  It is created with Crumbcake cs that has been stamped with the Canvas background stamp in Night of Navy classic ink, then rolled through the Stampin' Up crimper.  Isn't it handsome?  I love the rugged expression of that element!  I think I will try it on some other things!

A few punches, an antique brass brad, and a thank you message turn some cs scraps into a thing of masculine beauty!  The message stamp is called Elegant Thank You, an IB&C a la carte stamp.  I punched only part of the stamped image for the message element with the Modern Label punch and matted it with a Night of Navy Designer Label punched piece.  The finished thank you element is adhered with dimensionals.

Aviary Stamp Camp this evening!  Woo hoo!  Looking forward to it!  Perhaps I will post some of our camp cards at a later date.

Linda

Butterflies in a Winter Storm

There is a winter snow storm outside of my window today, so here are some butterflies that make it easy to think of Spring!

I started this card with stamping the a la carte butterfly accent stamp from the last year's (2010) Occasions Mini Catalog onto the back of three different colors of card stock.  After cutting around the butterfly shapes, I then stamped onto the front of the butterflies.  The patterns on the butterflies are made with the background stamp from the Fresh Cuts stamp set (current IB&C, page 135).

Dry embossing gives this card elegance.  The coordinating colors are used as mats for the butterflies.  It's so nice having Patterns dsp available in so many Stampin' Up colors!  I was able to kick up one of the layers of color a notch in this pretty coordinating patterned designer paper. 

The message is stamped onto coordinating cs and punched with the modern label punch.

It's great to be back stamping!

Linda

Map It Monday - She's Back Stamping Again & It's a Love Bunny

Well hello!  The new year is here, I'm feeling much better than last week's Cleveland Crud illness, and I am ready to stamp! This week I will be hosting a stamp camp focusing on the cheerful Aviary stamp set.  We will make six cards for $15 and every card is sweeter than the last.  I didn't think I was a fan of birds until I played with this stamp set!  The class was offered in two ways:  you could either pay $15 for the class, or you could pay $25 for both the class AND the Aviary Stamp Set (clear mount).  That was a great deal!  If you ordered the stamp set, my fingers are crossed that it will arrive before Wednesday evening's class.  Just waiting for Mr. Brown to arrive - he is scheduled to bring my box TODAY, so I hope you are one of the lucky ones with something in it!

On to today's card posting.......Valentine's Day is only a month away, so it's time to begin stamping your valentines!  Why not stamp one each day?  Then, you won't need to "fit it in" to your busy schedule!  A few minutes to relax each day! Ahhhhh, sounds like heaven!  The map layout today would be nice for a large square image alone or a small image with a ribbon or cs strip embellishment beside it.  The colors are Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, Basic Black & Whisper White. The stamp set is called So Cute (page 89 of the current IB&C).  A Top Note die cut from some retired Rose Red dsp peeks out from underneath the stamped image piece.

I hope you have a fantastic day!

Linda

It's a Sick (and Not in the Good Kinda Way) New year

I didn't forget about you.  I've been sick.  Boo.  Finally starting to feel better.  The bright side is that I'm leaving those germs behind & the remainder of the year should be healthy!  Maybe Monday I shall return to the blogosphere?

Linda