BLOGGING HIATUS

Hi Stampers and Scrapbookers,


My blog is on hiatus for an undetermined amount of time.  If you follow my blog, you have noticed that I have not posted much for several months. Why? I have gone back to "school" and have been spending most of my time studying.  This life change does not give me frequent opportunities to stamp in my studio. 


You can certainly check my blog occasionally; however, my blogging for the upcoming months will be sporadic, if not infrequent. This is a sad announcement to make, since I truly love sharing my love of stamping with you.


I plan to continue stamping, when I can, and I continue to be a Stampin' Up Independent Demonstrator. You can continue to place your product orders with me directly via my email. You also can still attend my stamping events, though there will be fewer events. Planning, preparation, setup, and cleanup take quite a bit of time, and at this time in my life I must cut back somewhere.  Unfortunately, my hobby business takes the hit.


So, until I am back on track, I hope to remain in contact with you and I hope you check my blog occasionally to see when I return on a regular basis.


I hope you find time in your days to stamp!


So grateful for you,
Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Lucky Limeade, Concord Crush, Pumpkin Pie, and Daffodil Delight or Crushed Curry

Hello!


That lucky day is approaching!  St. Patrick's Day!  Can you tell that I am Irish?  My post for today honor's that corned beef & cabbage day with a cheerful color combo:


Lucky Limeade, Concord Crush, Pumpkin Pie, and Crushed Curry.


Crushed Curry is a retired Stampin' Up  "In Color" from a couple years ago.  If you do not have this color in your collection, a nice substitution would be Daffodil Delight.  Daffodil Delight is a current Stampin' Up color.  


Here I have decorated the card front with selections of polka dot designer series paper within my color combination.  The card stock is Sahara Sand.


The stamped image {from the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog's Gift Givers stamp set} has been done with black Stazon ink onto watercolor paper.  A combination of Stampin' Write markers and an Aqua Painter were the tools for coloring.  A little trick I used for the stripes on the trousers was to color a Concord Crush stripe, then pull the color across the adjacent stripe with an Aqua Painter to create two shades of Concord Crush.  I like how it created both light and dark coordinated shades of purple! 


Do you recognize the ribbon that is tied through the button?  It is one of the products contained in the current Stampin' Up Sale-a-Bration Everyday Enchantment Ribbons and Brads Pack, which you can get FOR FREE with a $50 product order through the end of this month!  Let me know if you'd like to place an order. 


Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Fresh Sprinkles

Hello!


You have another couple of weeks to contact me in order to place a Stampin' Up $50 product order so you can get {FOR FREE!} either the Fresh Vintage stamp set (the little postage-stamp style image on today's card is one of the stamps in this set) or the Sprinkled Expressions stamp set (the "You Make My Whole Face Smile" stamped image above is included in that stamp set)!  Contact me today for more information!


The color scheme for today's card is so cheerful and bright!  Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, and Rose Red.  If you are attending my March Simple Yet Stunning card camp this evening, you will be stamping this card!


Have a great day!


Linda

Tuesday Tips - Stamp a Scene

Today's card features a Stampin' Up 2011/2012 "In Color" called Lucky Limeade.  On Friday I posted a card that had just a taste of Lucky Limeade as well.


Notice the "scene" that is stamped on today's card?  The little girl is collecting Easter eggs and looking at the bunny.  Stamping a scene is a nice change of pace and a fun way to create a card, particularly for a holiday!  I designed this layout so the girl, who is looking down, would be looking down at the bunny.  The bunny needed to be placed in the lower left area of the card front to "set the scene".  Give it a try!


This card was another swap card that I created for last weekend's Stampin' Up Regional Convention.  It is a simple card using regular stamping and no coloring.  It can be made in a jif!

NOTES:
cs:  Lucky Limeade, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
dsp:  Lucky Limeade patterns
stamp sets:  Heaven Blessed and Mixed Bunch (both available from the current Occasions Mini Catalog until March 31, 2012!), Teeny Tiny Wishes
inks:  Classic Stampin' Pads - Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede
Punches: Circle – XL Oval, Curly Label, Word Window, Modern Label, Ticket Corner

Enjoy the day!


Linda

Fast Friday - Bunny and Chicks

So, I had hoped to post a few times this week but I've been extra busy.  I've also been stamping to get ready for the Regional Stampin' Up convention.  I am very excited to be attending and have been making swap cards.  Today I finally finished them, so here's a blog posting!

My Fast Friday post this week is one of the convention swap cards I made.  It is quick and easy because stamping is done with only one inkpad, Early Espresso Classic ink.  The cutting is easy because all that is cut are strips of card stock and designer series paper.  Speaking of dsp, the dsp on today's card is from the Sale-a-Bration Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  You can get the 12 x 12 packer package FOR FREE when you place a $50 Stampin' Up order thru March 31, 2012!  Let me know if you'd like this beautiful paper!


The 1 3/4" circle punch is used for the three stamped images and the 1" circle punch creates the Tempting Turquoise circle under the bow.


Have a great weekend!


Linda

Fast Friday - Shabby Birthday Gift Box

This has been quite a busy week, so today will be my only post until next week.  The quick card this week is an unstamped card.  That's right.  No stamping.  A happy birthday message might be an appropriate message to stamp inside the card.  I adhered a Whisper White background, and then only a designer series paper square and rectangle and coordinating ribbon to create a gift box.

The gorgeous 1 1/4" double striped ribbon becomes the bow for a gift-wrapped box!   I simply cut the ribbon to make it narrower and tied a bow.  A few glue dots secure the ribbon to the card front.  You can give the ribbon a shabby chic look or remove the frayed strands for a neater appearance.  This gorgeous ribbon is available currently in a variety of Stampin' Up's colors. 

Linda

Fast Friday - Crumbcake Heart

Happy Friday!

Valentine's Day cards are so much fun to create!  I've been quite heart happy.  Today's quick card of the week is a stew of several types of hearts.

I punched the full heart punch into a Crumb Cake square of card stock and backed it with designer series paper.  Any of Stampin' Up's dsp in a shade of pink will do.  Consider using up a scrap!  You can make an entire set of these cards using dsp scraps!  I also inked the edges of this Crumb Cake square element with a Crumb Cake Classic inkpad.

Other hearts in my heart stew are the tiniest heart from the 3 heart punch and two die cut hearts.  The new Fashionable Hearts Embosslit Die from the current 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog makes it so easy to make these little hearts!

Happy Weekend!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Whisper White and Shades of Pink

This week's blog color combination is:


Whisper White and Several Shades of Pink!  {Of course, in honor of Valentine's Day!}

To make this card, die cut Top Notes in both Whisper White and a coordinating designer series paper (This dsp is a Rose Red patterned paper from a retired "Cutie Pie" Designer Series Paper - you can use any current Rose Red shade of dsp or any of Stampin' Up's shades of pink!)  I stamped my message, "thinking of you", repeatedly onto the Top Note dsp in Whisper White Craft ink, stamping off the Top Note so it looks like the "thinking of you" is part of the pattern on the designer paper.


Adhere both Top Notes to the card, slightly offset so you can see both colors of top note.
Next, punch circles from the various shades of pink that you have chosen as your card's color palette.  Adhere the circles overlapping across the card.


Carve out a small sliver from the fold of the card with paper snips so when you open the card, there is a narrow hole which is the perfect size for inserting ribbon.  The little paper snips scissors, or trimming scissors, should just follow along the fold every so slightly.


Now, slide Pretty in Pink satin 5/8" ribbon through the ribbon slit; tie it around the card - a double knot or even a pretty bow would look nice.


Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Twitterpated Petite Pocket

At a recent stamp class the gals made this petite pocket project.  The slider on the inside could be simply a message card or it could be a bookmark.

The project is simple to make with the Petite Pocket Big Shot Die!  I've decorated the Petete Pocket with the new Occasions Mini Catalog Twitterpated Designer Series Paper and the recently retired Holiday Mini Catalog's Gift Givers stamp set!

I made a "belly band' to keep the pocket envelope closed.

Enjoy the day!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Hide the Velum Holiday card

Vellum can look so soft and pretty on a card.  Adhering vellum to a card can be frustrating once in a awhile because we certainly do not like to see adhesive through the vellum, yet adhesive cannot always be hidden under embellishments like buttons and ribbons.  Today I offer you another solution if you are ever in this quandary.

Score vellum 1/4" on both the top and bottom edges, and then apply  "Sticky Strip" onto both the top and bottom edges of the underside of the vellum between the score line and edge along the length of the vellum.  Simply remove the red backing from the Sticky Strip and attach the vellum to your card.  You will notice the top and bottom scored panels, however, it does not appear to be the adhesive showing through because the adhesive is applied along the entire length of the vellum and covers the entire width of the scored panels!

The bottom scored vellum panel is further camoflouged by Stampin' Up's new breathtakingly beautiful Blushing Bride 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon.  This ribbon is, in my opinion, THE MOST GORGEOUS ribbon I have ever held in my hands!  I highly recommend that you purchase some of it while it is available (thru the end of April, 2012).

I also stamped onto the vellum before applying Sticky Strip.  Ink stamped onto vellum tends to smear and smudge if handled before dry, so give it a minute or two to dry before applying the vellum to the card.  A heat tool can help out when you want to speed up the ink drying.  Be careful, though, to not burn the vellum.  Stamps used on today's card are from the current Occasions Mini Catalog, P.S. I Love You stamp set.  I also stamped with the "friend" heart stamp from I Heart Hearts stamp set in the current Idea Book & Catalog.


Hope you enjoy playing with vellum on your next card!


Linda

Map It Monday - Flirtatious Doily

Have you seen Stampin' Up's Flirtatious Specialty Paper?  Two of the paper designs in this package are actually laser cut doily pages.  In other words, bunches of doilies all intertwined!  They can be cut apart for use separately or placed as an awesome backdrop on a scrapbook page!  On today's card I have adhered a section of the Melon Mambo doily paper to my card front for interest.  The designer series paper that sits atop the doilies is also a page from the same dsp package.

The beautiful scrolled "Happy Valentines Day" message stamp is part of the You Are Loved stamp set in the Holiday Mini Catalog, recently retired.  I liked the idea of strong contrast from the 5/8" Basic Black Satin Ribbon on the card, so I also stamped my message with Basic Black Classic ink.


Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Christmas Snowman Scrapbook Layout

Oh, it has been quite a while since I posted a scrapbook layout.  If you've been reading my blog for a few years, you may recall that I previously used to post some scrapbook pages on Scrapbook Saturdays.  The glitch in that routine is that often I wouldn't post my favorite layouts because I would save those page designs exclusively for my scrapbooking group classes.

Well, last night I hosted a scrapbooking night and this is the two page layout that the ladies created.  Their finished layouts looked so pretty!

Colors on this layout are Real Red, Old Olive, retired Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake, and Whisper White.  I drew the snowman freehand and the gals used it as a template.

We also embellished the tree with Stampin' Up's Mica Flakes, which is a product that was featured in the recently retired 2011 Holiday Mini catalog.  Dazzling Details glitter glue drips on the snowman's head give her an icicle appearance.

The Tasteful Trims Big Shot Bigz XL die and the 1/2" circle punch work well together to style the colored strips and attract attention.

I created the snowman nose with the star punch (only one of the points on the star)!  Two kinds of Stampin' Up Real Red and Whisper White ribbon also help to decorate the layout.

Let me know how you like the layout!  Next month on Wednesday, February 22, at my scrapbooking class, we will create a lovely mini vintage styled album.  This album makes a fantastic gift if you are looking for a special present for a special someone too!  You can register now with an email to lahinks@gmail.com.

Linda

Whatever Wedesnday - Packed For Twitterpated Baby

Hi Stampers!

Today I'm sharing with you a fun card I made to swap with other Stampin' Up demonstrators at a recent meeting.  Had you noticed the "Packed For Baby" stamp on page 39 of the new Occasions Mini Catalog?

There sure is quite a bit of empty space on the stamp design and it will be a pleasure to color on another day.  Today was not one of those days that I could have the pleasure of coloring at my leisure.  I decided to just lightly color in a few of the images within the larger stamped image.  I chose a primary color combination of blue, red & green - Marina Mist, Riding Hood Red, and Certainly Celery (I couldn't find my Pear Pizzazz inkpad at the time, which was my first idea). 

I also embellished with the Twitterpated designer fabric and in the Occasions Mini catty.  If you make a small snip in the fabric and tear in one direction straight down, you can make fabric ribbons!

If the "heaven blessed" stamp doesn't look familiar, it is because I borrowed a few words from a stamp in the Heaven Blessed Easter stamp set!  I used the Omitting stamping technique and colored onto the rubber stamp with a Marina Mist Stampin' Write marker, being careful to color only the words I wanted to use.  I stamped it onto Bashful Blue cs.


The main image is stamped onto watercolor paper and adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The bling of the adhesive backed Basic Rhinestones finishes the card off.

It just so happens that I have a need to send a new baby card today, so I can cross that task off my list! And, I had fun making it!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Crumple!

My tip for cards today is to do paper crumpling on a project.  That's right.....just crumple it up like you are going to throw it away.....but, wait, don't throw it away!  Instead, open it back up and semi-flatten it again. Today's card utilizes a Pear Pizzazz cs that has been crumpled as a mat for the snail image.

Why should you crumple?  Crumpled paper is a method of distressing paper.  The crumpled paper adds texture and dimension to the project.  It also adds a new design element.

If you are aiming for a project with vintage, romantic or masculine style, the crumpled element will exaggerate that style.  As a matter of fact, if you stamp a background stamp in second or third generation before crumpling, you can add another layer of interest and the distressing or aging affect is enhanced.


Other ways to use your crumpled elements:

• Try stamping on the card stock AFTER you crumple and flatten the paper
• Crumple a cs strip and adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals down the edge of a card
• Rub a distressing ink spot on the crinkled paper & you will see those crinkle lines pop!

It's very engaging to play with this technique.  You may even discover additional ways to use this technique on your projects!

NOTES ON TODAY'S CARD:

stamp set:  Easy Events
inks:  Black Stazon; Stampin' Write markers - Marina Mist, Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede
cs:  Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz
dsp:  Marina Mist Patterns
other paper:  watercolor paper
punches:  Decorative label, scallop trim border
ribbon:  1/4" grosgrain ribbon - Marina Mist, non S U polka dot ribbon
other:  mini library clip, aqua painter


Have a great day!

Linda

Fast Friday - Twitter Elements

Happy Friday!

I bring you a breath of Spring again today.

NOTES:

card:  Very Vanilla

dsp:  Blushing Bride Patterns dsp, Twitterpated dsp
stamps:  Elements of Style
ink:  Riding Hood Red Classic Inkpad
other:  Twitterpated designer fabric, Stampin' Dimensionals

The card is straight forward and simple to create.  Tie a strip of designer fabric in one knot & adhere it with a few Stampin' Dimensionals.  Fun!

Have a great weekend!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Basic Black & Very Vanilla

Hi there,

It seems like I have seldom blog posted for the past month, so I will try to do better.  This week I feature the beautiful color combination of Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Basic Black and Very Vanilla.

This card is one of the "Thrilling Three" projects that guests made this evening at my stamping class.  How could a card made with both the Stampin' Up's new Labels Collection Framelits Die and Apothecary Art Stamp Set not be gorgeous?! 

The Very Vanilla card is the backdrop for the stamping the large flower spray from the Elements of Style stamp set.  The Apothecary Art image is made into a beautiful focal point with Stampin' pastels.

The message stamp is from the new Loving Thoughts stamp set in the Occasions 2012 Mini Catty as well.  The striped ribbon is actually a torn strip of the Twitterpated designer fabric from that Mini Catty.

Today's floral-styled card would be a lovely birthday card too!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Punch Art Mommy and Baby Polar Bear Valentines

I love the snow.  I just cannot relate when people complain about it.  It deserves a tribute with today's valentine card.  There's no love greater than a momma and a baby, right?

Baby polar bears are the cutest things ever.  I made the bears with circle and oval punches!  The face can either be created with black cs and punches or with a black marker.

Here's the recipe:
Snow:  Cut white cs to the size you want & simply tear it to create a snow bank.


mama bear:
head & body =two 1-3/4" circles
snout=large white oval (cut in half & rounded)
ears=two 3/4" white circles  
nose= 1/4" black circle
eyes=marker

baby bear:
body & head=two 1" circles
snout=small white oval (cut in half & rounded)
ears=two 1/2" white circles
nose=the smallest little punched circle you can find or draw it with a marker!
eyes=marker


Have a nice day.


Linda

Fast Friday - Alternative Easy Apothecary Art

So, have you seen the new Stampin' Up Occasions Mini Catalog?  Click on the link on this blog's sidebar to check it out!  It is absolutely gorgeous and I want many products in it!  One of the things I ordered first is the Apothecary Art stamp set.  The stamp set has new Big Shot dies that coordinate with it!  Awesome!

Today, I am posting a card we stamped at last night's Siimple, Yet Stunning stamp class.  The card offers an easy peasy card front alternative for using this stamp set.  I have simply repeat stamped the beautiful label stamp on a card front in first and second generation stamping.  How easy is that?!

I tried to capture the bling in the photo & perhaps was denied, but I have applied dabs of 2-way glue pen to the flower centers and then sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds glitter on it.  The glitter gives the card a romantic, chic look.

The tag is made with the curly label punch and the large oval punch.  Defined by Life is the stamp set.

Lovin' the snow today!

Linda

Map It Monday - Tangerine Scallop

Happy Monday!

Today I share with you a card that a customer has asked me to bring back.  We stamped this card at a stamping class and it quickly became a favorite. 

NOTES:
stamp set:  Flower Fest, Teeny Tiny Wishes
inks:  Classic Stampin' Pads - Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango
cs:  Tangergine Tango, Whisper White, Bashful Blue
ribbon:  Tangerine Tango Double Striped Grosgrain, Bashful Blue
other:  Big Shot, Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, non S U tag die


Have a great day!

Linda

Fast Friday - Elegant Striped Thank You

Today's Fast Friday post is a thank you note card that I made recently.  The professional, sleek styling is just right to use as a business thank you note.  It also would be a fine style for both masculine and feminine personal notes.

The Whisper White card is dry embossed in the Big Shot machine using the Stampin' Up Stripes embossing folder.  Only the bottom portion of the card front is embossed.  A simple "Elegant Thank You" stamp image is stamped with Black Stazon ink centered on the front of the card.  Some nice alternatives to the stamp I used here might be the "Just Thank You" A La Carte stamp, one of the stamps in the "Thank You Kindly" stamp set, or even one of the messages in the timeless  "Sincere Salutations" stamp set.  A monogram would be an attractive design, as well.


Linda

Masculine/Feminine Note Card Duo Gift

Happy New Year!

I have taken some much needed relaxation time but I'm ready to blog again!  I have so many stamping ideas for the new year and I am very excited to share them with you.  My stamping events for the next few months will consist of 3 events each month:  

A stamping class called "Stunning, Yet Simple" - Stamp 6 uncomplicated but stunning cards.

A kicked-up stamping class called "Thrilling Three" - Create 3 exceptional projects and/or cards.  These projects might be a more detailed, lavish card with many layers, techniques and embellishments, or perhaps a gift set of cards in a box or even a decor item for the home.  Stay tuned.  My wheels are turning.

The "Latest" Layout - Every month I will offer a scrapbooking class.  The project will vary, with some layouts being a two page 12x12 spread and some classes making mini "portable" giftworthy scrapbook albums of all sorts.  Some pretty things are on the way!

On to today's project post........I made this gift for the host and hostess of a dinner party we attended recently.  I wanted to stamp monogrammed cards for both of them and then decided to put them in a little handled box.  One side of the box is embellished with the man's initial and the other side is embellished with the lady's initial.  Then, it's fitting to simply slide the feminine cards into the lady's side of the box, and vice versa.  I like how it all turned out.

The dsp I used is the "Night and Day" dsp (retired).  The cards were quick to stamp and I embossed each one in the Big Shot with either the Houndstooth embossing folder or the Manhattan Flower embossing folder.

I definitely think I will make some more of these card gift sets.  I'd love to hear your comments on what you think of it.

Linda