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

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 - 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 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

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

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

Think About Color Thursday - Concord Crush, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive

This week's color combination is a rich Christmas trio:

 Concord Crush, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive.

The neutral card is Very Vanilla; the richness of the color combination here required a light color to soften it.  Here are my notes if you'd like to give this card a try at home.

NOTES:

Stamp Sets:  Tags Til Christmas, Heard From the Heart

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad

Cs:  Very Vanilla, Concord Crush, Cherry Crush, Old Olive

dsp:  Patterns dsp - Concord Crush

Punches:  Ornament, 1/2" circle, snowflake

Ribbon:  3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon - Cherry Cobbler

Other:  Snowflake Embossing Folder, Vintage Mini Tags, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Decorating the house for Christmas today FINALLY!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Matchbox "Double Drawers"

Here's a great way to give jewelry as a Christmas gift!  {Or anything else of similar size!}.....make a darling little two drawer gift box and add a special something in each drawer!  It is so easy to make this gift box if you have the Stampin' Up Bigz Matchbox Die and a Big Shot diecutting machine!  This little box is one of the projects the gals made at my recent "Christmas Buffet" stamp camp!

You will need to die cut two sets of the matchbox and sleeve.  The Riding Hood Red little tag is actually one of three tag shapes that are also cut in the matchbox die!  So that matchbox die is really both a matchbox AND a tag shape die!  I love the curvy shapes of each of the tags on that die!  Here I layered tag shapes and topped it with a round message!  Cute as a button!

Be sure to insert and secure the buttons {mine are pearly brads!} before assembling the matchbox if you want to hide the wings of the brad.  Adhere the two box "sleeves" together, then wrap around a strip of cs.  A wide ribbon secures everything!

Wouldn't it be terrific to hide a pair of earrings in one drawer and a necklace or bracelet in the second drawer and give it as a gift?!

Linda

Fast Friday - "Hi" on Stampin' Up Card Stock

Love the card, Hate the cheap non Stampin' Up card stock

Happy Fast Friday and Happy Black Friday!  I must be in a time warp because I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas season is upon us!  Time sure flies!

This week's Fast Friday post serves two purposes:  (1) to offer you another quick card idea, and (2) to display the benefit of Stampin' Up quality card stock.

First, the card stock........  I accidentally stamped this card onto white card stock that was not Stampin' Up cs.  Do you see how the Lucky Limeade "hi" scallop square image is mottled and blotchy?  That is the result of poor quality card stock.  There is a definite difference between the quality of an image stamped onto Stampin' Up's Whisper White cs and that of an image stamped on other cs.  Isn't it astounding to see?  I wish I had stamped another image on Stampin' Up cs to show you its visual distinctive quality, but I'm sure you can imagine a perfect looking Lucky Limeade stamped image just the same.

I also want to point out that using Stampin' Up cs is of even more importance when using a solid image stamp {line image stamped image quality is important too, but you can notice the quality difference much more in a solid stamped image}.  The difference is remarkable.  So, make sure you always have Whisper White Stampin' Up card stock {and Very Vanilla} on hand for your most beautiful, professional-looking stamping!

Stampin' Up card stock high-quality benefits:

Super smooth

Cuts cleanly

Creases well
dyed with pure color all the way through

No white core

80-lb. Weight

acid free, lignin free, and buffered

Now, on to the card design.  What could be quicker?  Punch a bright strip of cs with a border or edge punch, and stamp one image on the card!  This card will take two minutes!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, Regal Rose, Whisper White

Add caption

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you and your family have a blessed, healthy and happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.  True friends are just one of my many blessings.  Today's card post is a shout out to those friends to say "you are a blessing".

The color combination:

Cherry Cobbler
Night of Navy
Regal Rose
Whisper White

This card was a swap card at a recent Stampin' Up meeting.  Stampin' Up's new denim ribbon is featured on it, along with two current stamp sets from the 2011/2012 IB&C, Lean on Me and Charming {the tiny butterfly}.  I wanted more than solid color, so I substituted a little piece of both Night of Navy and Regal Rose Patterns dsp instead of plain solid card stock.  I love how easy that is to do with Stampin' Up's color collections! 

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Simply Soft Espresso

Room design to card design

My inspiration today comes from a beautiful warm bedroom on the I-Village website.
I have transferred the colors, shapes, and lines from the room design to an anniversary card design.

I used the Hostess Stamp Set called Simply Soft for the first time on today's card.....and I SIMPLY love it!  This 2-step stamp set really does give a softened effect to your stamped flower images.  Here I have stamped the line image stamp with Sahara Sand classic ink and stamped the solid image with Peach Parfait classic ink.

Various paper strips of card stock and designer series paper in the color scheme of Early Espresso, Peach Parfait, and Sahara Sand pull everything together.  The message of "love" from the Pennant Parade stamp set is stamped in Early Espresso classic ink onto Peach Parfait Patterns dsp and punched with the small oval punch.

A clear bitty button in the shape of a heart, on a glue dot, embellishes the message.  Stampin' Dimensionals have been used under both the message and the cameo element.

I hope you have a happy day!

Linda