Monday, January 31, 2011

Greeting Card Kid with Inlaid Technique

Hi there!  Been busy with preparations to "hunker" down for the ice/snow storm the weather people have been forecasting.  I just hope their prediction of power outages won't become a reality!  Fortunately, I went to the grocery store on Friday because some stores now have empty shelves of staples such as bread.  I remember the blizzard of 1982 and that is what this storm system is being compared to - the last I heard.  OK, enough weather talk.  Let’s get on with the card for today.

I decided to try the inlaid technique that I read about on Glenda Calkins blog here .  I had some Chocolate Chip triangle pieces left over from another project.  A triangle was paired up with the Certainly Celery card base since those are the colors used on the little girl and to create an interesting look (hopefully).  Pretty in Pink and Very Vanilla hearts were punched out with the Heart to Heart punch and glued to the Chocolate Chip triangle. After all the hearts were adhered, it was placed in the Square Lattice embossing folder, then ran it through the Cuttlebug (don’t have a Big Shot….. yet), and voila!  You end up with this cool inlaid technique! The really neat thing about this technique is that you can use ANY shape to create the inlay. Give it a try.  Stay warm and thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Word Play
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, watercolor paper
Ink: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, black StazOn
Tools: Heart to Heart punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Mat Pack
Other: Vintage trinkets

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Another Valentine


Hope you’re enjoying your weekend so far.  The midnight oil has been burning in my studio making Valentine cards.  Below is the one for today.  (You didn't think I'd show them all in one day did ya? lol)
The key and sentiment are from the Artistic Etchings stamp set.  I cut out the key after embossing with gold embossing powder. Then I had a light bulb moment (love when that happens – and when it works!) to use hole punches for the tiny areas on the key.  The 1/8” hole punch was used for the top and the 1/16” worked for the bottom area. The heart is popped up on dimensionals.  It just seemed to get lost with the spritzed background so I carefully ran the brush tip of the Cherry Cobbler marker around the edge of the heart. That really made it pop.  It’s amazing what a little ink can do!
 Here's a close up of the key embellishment:
You can't tell that the bottom portion of the key has been punched out. Sorry that it blends in with the white.

Recipe:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Punch Potpourri
Paper:  Very Vanilla, White, Cherry Cobbler, Black
Ink: Black, Cherry Cobbler - pad and marker
Tools: Full Heart punch,  Framed Tulips embossing folder,  1/8” & 1/16” hole punches
Other: Color Spritzer tool, Vintage trinkets, Black 1-1/4” striped grosgrain ribbon, gold embossing powder, dimensionals

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Artistic Etchings Valentine

Whoo hoo! We’re finally having a heat wave and the snow is melting. 
Speaking of heat waves, today’s Valentine card has more of an “adult” 
look than the one posted yesterday. The background was made using the 
“spindle” type stamp from Artistic Etchings.  Using the medallion from
the same set, I first stamped the image onto Real Red cardstock then 
punched out with the Full Heart punch.  I didn’t have any lace trim from 
the Holiday mini so hem tape was used around the heart – giving it an 
undergarment look. (How could you NOT get that look with black lace? Lol)

 
Recipe:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Paper:  White, Real Red, Black
Ink: Black
Punches: Pinking Hearts border, Full Heart, Curly Label, 1-1/4” circle
Other: Hem tape (non-SU!)

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by. 

Friday, January 28, 2011

Greeting Card Kids Valentine

Happy Friday!  I’ve been working on some Valentines. Here is one made
from the Greeting Card Kids set.  This set is just soooo cute  - reminds
me of the Campbell soup kids.


Recipe:
Stamps:  Greeting Card Kids, Got Treats
Paper:  Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, watercolor paper
Ink:  Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Black
Tools:  Framed Tulips embossing folder, Heart to Heart punch, Medium Jewelry Tag punch
Other:  Victoria crochet trim, Vintage trinkets, Crystal Effects (to make her shoes look like patent leather Mary Janes)

Thursday, January 27, 2011

3x3 Note Cards

Hi there!  Just wanted to pop in a minute today to show you the little 3x3
thank you note that is included in my customers order bag this month.
The Owl punch makes the cutest little owls for your projects! So versatile -
and all of his body parts are on the punch.


Recipe:
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Retired DSP – Sending Love
Tools: Owl punch, Full Heart punch, Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch
Other: White Signo gel pen

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

SALE-A-BRATION BEGINS TODAY!!!

Sale-A-Bration, starts TODAY (Jan. 25 - March 31)!  This is Stampin' Up!'s biggest sales event of the year.  Please check out these three ways to benefit:

FREE PRODUCT:
For every $50 in product you order (before shipping and tax), get a Sale-A-Bration gift FREE.  (Benefits apply to on-line orders, too.)  Download the Sale-A-Bration catalog from my web site here or contact me for a copy.


STARTER KIT SPECIAL: 
If you’re a hobby stamper or ever wanted to become a Demo, now is a great time to order the Starter Kit – either standard or digital.  During Sale-A-Bration, the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit (worth over $300) will be 15% off (that's $148.75 and includes free shipping)!  You'll also receive a BONUS product bundle worth $50 - absolutely FREE! (and who doesn't like free?)  Enjoy Demonstrator discounts and benefits through June 30, 2011 with no obligation to sell or purchase anything further.  (After this date, the minimum quarterly requirement applies.)  Another benefit is that your first order of $150 will be discounted an additional 10%.



Here’s what is included in the Bonus Bundle:
121620 Color Coach
120806 Something Special Simply Sent (or any Simply Sent kit)
117114 Live, Laugh, Love Stamp Set (or any Simply Sent Stamp Set valued at $12.95 or less)
119883 Heart to Heart Punch (or any punch valued at $16.95 or less)

HOSTESS BONUS GIFT:
Stock up on goodies for yourself by hosting a workshop.  If that doesn’t suit your lifestyle, team up with a friend(s) to place an order (with me or on-line) of $300 or more and earn a Sale-A-Bration hostess bonus gift (in addition to Sale-A-Bration and Hostess Rewards).  

If you'd like to sign-up as a Demo or place an order, please go to my web site here.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Today's Stamp Camp

Here are the projects that were made at today's Stamp Camp.

 Stamps: Things I Love   Paper: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
 Ink: Chocolate Chip  Other: Real Red satin ribbon, small heart punch  Inspiration: Shauna O'Dell and my friend & upline, Pam D'Urso

Stamps: Grateful Greetings  Paper: White, Black, Rose Red, Vellum, Regals DSP Stack, Pretty in Pink  Ink: Black  Tools: Owl punch, Bird punch, Heart to Heart punch   
Other: Perfect Polka Dots EF, green embroidery floss (non-SU!)
Inspiration:  Patrice Herrera on Stamping Connection (an exclusive site for Demonstrators.  You can obtain access to this wealth of creativity by joining!)






Stamps: Silhouette Sentiments (Level-1 Hostess set), French Script (retired - use En Francais), Elements of Style  Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla  Ink: Blushing Bride, Always Artichoke pad & marker, Bravo Burgundy marker  Tools: Scallop Trim border punch, 1/8" hole punch, 1" and 1-1/4" circle punches  Other: Always Artichoke seam binding, non-SU brads  Inspiration: Stasia Sloma's Dec 29, 2010 post on http://stampzone.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html




Stamps: Friends Never Fade  Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, White  Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, and Certainly Celery  Other: Certainly Celery 5/8" satin ribbon
Inspiration: Maxine Conrad's Aug 30, 2010 post on http://stamptothemax.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html




Stamps: Just Believe  Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Black, White  Ink: Black, Pear Pizzazz  Tools: 1-1/4" circle punch, My Way arrow punch (retired)  Other: Pear Pizzazz 1/2" stitched poly ribbon, Basic Pearls, Vintage Wall EF  Inspiration: Debra Currier's Aug 3, 2010 post on  http://artfeltimpressions.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html

That's all for today. I need to get to bed. Thanks for stopping in and have a great weekend - what's left of it.

I'm Baaaack..... and Sale-A-Bration's Around the Corner!

Sorry for the silence lately. Life just got busy. First there was the five-day stamping retreat with my friends.  We had a lot of fun stamping, eating, watching movies, eating, staying up LATE, lots of chocolate, and good ol' laugh-til-you-cry moments! Did I mention that sometimes the margaritas were flowing? A girl's got to stay hydrated. LOL  When I get home from these quarterly trips, it takes a couple of days to recover (I'm not in my 20's any more ya know!).  Oh if the walls in that house could talk.... so glad they can't!
Next was dinner with the Pieces of Heart Stampers, time with the grandchild, and Stamp Camp preparations.  Oh yeah - we also had 10" of snow in there, which is unusual for the St. Louis area.  You'd think this is Michigan or Minnesota. Another 2-3" is in the forecast for tomorrow or Mon.  I'm ready for Spring!

Sale-A-Bration begins Tues, Jan 25.  Yeah!  For every $50 spent in product you get to choose a free stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. It's a great time to become a demonstrator, too.

Would you like to fill your Stampin' Up! wish list and enjoy a discount on all your purchases? With the launch of the Sale-A-Bration promotion on Jan. 25, Stampin' Up! is offering a special Starter Kit just for YOU.

Choose either the Standard Starter Kit or Digital Starter Kit and save $15% ($148.75)
PLUS: You get the bonus bundle (listed below) absolutely FREE (a $50 value).

119883 Heart to Heart punch (or any punch), on page 202 in the Idea Book & Catalog (IBC)

120806 Something Special Simply Sent (or any Simply Sent kit) on page 183 in the IBC

117114 Live, Laugh Love stamp (or any Simply Sent Stamp) on page 183 of the IBC

121620 Color Coach on page 165 of the IBC

DETAILS:
Save 30% on your first product order of $150 or more (placed within 45 days of signing up as a Demo), plus earn hostess rewards AND receive a minimum of three Sale-A-Bration sets (1 for every $50 in product purchased).

GOOD TO KNOW: There's no penalty to drop and you keep the kit and everything you purchased at a discount! You'll enjoy full demonstrator privileges through March 31, 2011. To remain active beyond June 30, 2011, $300 in product sales is required each quarter - including your own purchases!

Starter Kit ships FREE.  Please contact me at
www.jsumner731@sbcglobal.net if you'd like to join my team or would like more information. 

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Flower Cards

Happy Friday everyone.  It's been such a gray day.  We even had snow flurries this morning.  A great day to stamp (and to have a steaming cup of tea or coffee within arms reach)!  Today was the day to ink up my Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set (finally!) and try the watercolor technique inspired by Rochell Gould at www.istampicreateihavefun.blogspot.com/2010/11/dark-roses-scic28.html 
Her card is gorgeous!  This was a time consuming project and since I was just playing, I left my card plain.  This will NOT be a technique to use at my upcoming Stamp Camp.



I pretty much followed Rochelle's directions/colors to watercolor the roses except I substituted So Saffron for the Daffodil Delight.  Regal Rose was used on the pink flower in addition to Blushing Bride & So Saffron. The watercolor focal piece was matted onto Early Espresso then onto a More Mustard card base.  Still deciding if I should add a sentiment to the top left area.  I'm thinking maybe punch out an oval shape and pop it up with dimensionals.

The following group of cards wasn't as labor intensive.  I used Fast & Fabulous (a Level-2 Hostess set) and Pocket Silhouettes (such a versatile set) for the group.  The inspiration came from Donna Centamore's blog http://butternutsagedesigns.blogspot.com/.  What a wonderful gift set and I love the clean and simple look. 

SU! supplies used unless otherwise noted
Stamp: Fast & Fabulous, sentiment from Kind & Caring Thoughts (retired Hostess set)
Paper: White, non-SU! navy blue that was in my scraps  Ink: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy  Other: Nestability oval to make masking template, Elegant Lines embossing folder



Stamp: Pocket Silhouettes, sentiment from Kind & Caring Thoughts (retired Hostess set)
Paper: White, Night of Navy  Ink: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy


Stamp: Pocket Silhouettes, sentiment from Because I Care (Level-1 Hostess set)
Paper: White, Early Espresso  Ink: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede

Although I really like how this group of cards turned out, they won't make the cut for Stamp Camp either.  Lining up the embossing folder would be a bit tedious for some of my customers.  Oh well, it was fun but back to the drawing board - or blurfing (blog surfing) - to find more inspiration to CAS (copy and share).

Oh! I had such a brilliant idea IMHO (in my humble opinion).  Someone wrote on their blog that they used a storage cube as a photo box.  I don't have any plain cubes - let alone an empty one!  Then I had a light bulb moment.  I purchased a canvas storage cube (on sale of course) that was still in the package.  Opened that puppy up and voila - a light box!  Doesn't help with my photography skills but hey...Rome wasn't built in a day. LOL

OK friends, it is time to go to bed.  It's past midnight.  Been staying up waaay too late this week.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Occasions Mini Catalog Goes Live Today

Hi, it's me again.  Today the Occasions Mini goes live!  There are so many items on my Wish List already!  This promotion runs through April 30th.  If you would like to place an order or book a workshop, please contact me.
www.judysumner.stampinup.net  (Sorry - having a little trouble uploading the link. I'm still learning this stuff!)

The Filled with Love Bundle promotion is available until Jan 24, 2011.  The Filled with Love Stamp Set will be available through this promotion ONLY, even though it was featured in the Holiday Mini, which expired Jan 3. The Bundle includes the stamp set, and exclusive Love Patterns Designer Series Paper in either Wood Mount (124380) for $32.90 or Clear Mount (124381) for $26.90.  You may purchase just the Love Patterns paper for $9.95 (124156).  The pack contains 12 sheets total: three 12 x 12 sheets of two double-sided designs in Real Red and Pretty in Pink.

OK, this girl needs some beauty sleep since I didn't get too much last night.  Way too excited about this new adventure!  Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Trendy Trees Gift Set

Hey there. Here's another post and it hasn't even been a whole day - although it's the next day!  I've been re-arranging, cleaning, and organizing my stamp room/office for a couple of days now.  Whew! Lots of stuff to sort and purge.  The purging is near completion so I thought I'd post a little gift set that I CASE'd (Copy And Share Everything) from Carol Taggert. (Click here to see her project.)  I made a few minor changes.  Sorry for the dark photos.  Hmmm, guess I'll be checking into other lighting options.  Did I mention photography is not my thing? LOL 



All supplies used are SU! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps - Trendy Trees
Paper - Old Olive, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Ink - Old Olive and Soft Suede
Other - Perfect Polka Dot & Square Lattice EF's, Soft Suede grosgrain ribbon (retired), 1-3/8" circle punch, and scallop circle punch

OK really need to get some sleep.  Lots to do tomorrow - uhhh today.  Thanks for looking.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

A New Year Means.....

A new blog!  Thought I'd start off 2011 with a new adventure.  (This will really blow my kids' minds - first Facebook, now blogging. LOL)  I hope to share my love of stamping by blogging and posting photos of some projects for your viewing pleasure. (hopefully you'll enjoy)  No promises as to how often blog entries will be made.  It should be an interesting ride.  Won't you please join me?  Well, here goes.... off and running!