All Snowed In!

Did I ever mention that I love snow days? Being forced to spend a whole day inside during a blizzard leaves me with plenty of free time to stamp. This set uses one of my favorite stamp sets from the Idea Book and Catalog, Artistic Etchings and Tiny Tags.

Now that the Holidays are winding down, I am thinking ahead to Valentine's Day and this set would make a perfect gift item. If you would like to make one of your own, you can join me on January 22nd for the class. Class begins at 1:00 and the cost is $12. In this class I will show you some uses for the new Stampin' Up! Distressing Kit. Paper supplies are included in the cost, but please bring your basic kit plus a bone folder, Glue Dots and Sticky Stip Adhesive. A printed tutorial will be available so you can recreate this project at home.

Sale-A-Bration begins the following week, so I will have some sneak peek items on hand, as well as the new Mini-Catalogs. Order both stamp sets, plus the distressing kit used to make this project and choose a free Stamp Set or Accessory from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. Can't wait to see you at class!

Call me to reserve your space and for more details!

One More Pink Christmas Card

Pink Christmas Cards are among my favorites! This card was CASEd but when I tried to go back and find it, I couldn't locate the original. If you're stopping by to visit and it's yours, please "lay claim"!!

Christmas Cards

It might not look like much in this picture, but this card is stunning with Santa's hat completed in red glitter. Santa was stamped using the Jolly Old St. Nick Stamp Set, the candy cane is found in the Bingo Bits Stamp Set, and the verse comes from Just Believe.



This snowman is also one of the images in the Jolly Old St. Nick set. The snowflakes come from the Northern Flurry Die and are covered in silver glitter from the Fine Galaxy Glitter collection. Doesn't it all fit so well with the Marina Mist color scheme and the Tinsel Trim?

Recordable Accordion Album

How do you make the most adorable Accordion Album ever?

First you start with a cute kid:



Have her (him or them) say something especially adorable! Next use a piece of 5 ½ x 4 ¼ Card Stock and estimate where the play button will be when you adhere this sheet to your card, and adhere a Big Designer Button over the play button. Stamp “Push Here” above the button using the Got Merry Stamp Set and a marker. Adhere to the inside of the card using Sticky Strip:


Score one 8 ½ x 5 ½ piece of paper at 4 ¼ and 4 ½. Adhere it to the outside of the card. One side will be a little short for the card, make sure this side is on the front, cover it with the second piece of 5 ½ x 4 ¼ cardstock:


Adhere two 8 ½ x 5 ½ pieces together accordion style. Adhere the accordion strip to the inside cover of the card. Sponge the white edges with matching ink:


Embellish as desired:

A Season of Peace

You might notice a theme among my holiday cards each year - I love Pink Christmas Cards! They have a bit of a contemporary feel to them, and even though I love the vintage look when it comes to the holidays, I guess it's a little bit of wild and crazy that's sort of fun!

I used the Vintage Wall Paper Embossing folder, Platinum Shimmer Paint for the Dove, and stamped the image in Mambo Melon.

Enjoy!

A Quick Tuesday Tutorial

This is one of the most recent cards made at Cindyrae's Stamp Club. This is called an emerging color technique.

First you would stamp an image or your verse onto your card stock. We used Presto Patterns Specialty Paper. This DSP comes already embossed, and you can add the colors of your choice using sponges, spray bottles, etc.

Here I stamped Peace On Earth in Soft Suede. The next step is to stamp a larger image over the image you want to show through in Versamark ink and emboss using Clear Embossing Powder with your heat tool. Lastly you would cover your entire image in a contrasting ink color. I used the Silver Foil Smooch Spray liberally here, then rubbed in the color using a sponge. You could also use a brayer and ink pad instead of spray and a sponge, it's really up to you and the tools you have on hand.

Hope you enjoyed this card and directions today. Have a great day!

Happy Halloween!

More Halloween Projects can be found on my new blog - paperinkandmagic

Play Date Projects

I have really been having fun with the Play Date DSP. This is a set of picture frames I created using frames bought at the Dollar Store. The frame with the four animals was cased from a card I found on another blog - silly me did not save the link.

I love the Lollipop Flowers on one of the pages in this sample, but didn't want t waste an entire 12x12 sheet from this pack to cut one out - so I made my own using the Circles #2 Die from SU and Sizzix. I have a few workshops to prepare for this week, so it might be awhile before you see me back here :)

Have a great week everyone!

12 x 12 September Club Page #2

I am absolutely in love with the new two step Owl Punch and the Playdate Designer Paper! This was the 2nd 12 x 12 page that we made at the other night's club. I am pretty fond of the retired Epoxy Brads too, sure wish those had made it into the new Idea Book and Catalog....

A Wicked Cool Halloween

As a true New Englander when I first saw (sawr!) this new set by Stampin' Up! I had to get my hands on it right away! :) Love it! Still waiting for my new paper order with my Halloween DSP ~ the reason for the non-SU paper....I just can't hold off any longer!

Design A House

Here is my first attempt at the new Design A House from Stampin' Up!

I am still waiting for my most recent paper order to arrive but couldn't wait to give this house a try, so I used paper I had on hand from a previous class. The plan is to gift it to a friend who seems to be in need of cheering up. Cards are great to get in the mail, but haunted houses are even better at this time of the year! I am still working on the Gingerbread house that will be far more involved and detailed so is taking a bit longer to complete, but pictures will be up soon.

I had a little trouble getting the Sticky Strip to adhere in the humid New England heat wave we had last weekend, so had to try a couple different techniques to keep it together. My next attempt will definitely involve the hot glue gun. My favorite thing about Stamping is how easy it is to cover mistakes. Once it was completed, you can hardly tell where the boo-boos are.

Thanks for stopping by today to see what's new!

Stampin' Up!'s Table Setting Die

This place setting was created for a class I am offering in October. The set includes a gift box, a place setting for six including napkin rings, place cards, and favor tags along with enough die cut leaves to scatter across your table or use to accent a centerpiece. Class will be held on October 2nd at Life's Memories and More. Call to reserve your space!

BIrthday Party Ensemble

Today is Emma's 7th Birthday! It is a bittersweet thing to watch your baby grow up! I am so proud of her new accomplishments, but know that time flies so quickly and it will only be a matter of time before she doesn't want to cuddle before bed each night - although she tells me differently.

Anyway before they were all gone I wanted to post a picture of the fun things we made - the card toward the back was her invitation. I bought the bright green paper at Life's Memories and More because I didn't think my SU colors were bright enough. When it came time to make the favors though, all I had on hand was Certainly Celery and Pear Pizzaz. We went with the Pear and I guess I like the look after all...I will definitely keep that in mind for the next time!

The Mini Milk carton was made by running the paper through the Big Shot to cut out the milk cartons, then I had to run it through twice more using the embossing folder. It's fairly easy to line up those dots for a second run through the machine, and I only made a boo-boo on one of them! We filled them with Sour Watermelons and used the 1 3/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches to punch the watermelons on top of the box. The white was drawn on with a Gel Pen, and we drew the teeny seeds with a Stampin' Write marker in Basic Black.

The Thank You Cards were made using the new 2 1/2" circle punch that will be available on Sept 1st, and the 1 3/4" circle punch, along with the Sweet Treat Cups, and Sweet Treat Stamp Set. The little gifts inside the balloons are Silly Bands. (This was so much fun to do, I think I will keep my eye out for Halloween Silly Bands to make Halloween Treats for Emma's Class this year - we have a wellness policy so we can send actual treats - but it sure makes coming up with new ideas lots of fun!!)

The invitation was made using my Circle Scissors Plus to cut out the bigger circles, and the Tiny Tags Punch and Stamp Set from the new IBC. The ribbon used was the last of my Mambo Melon from last year's catalog. I love those polka-dots!

Enjoy your weekend everyone :)

Hello Kitty Class

Have I shown you these yet? I made them awhile back, and wanted to use them for a class, but the opportunity never came around. Now I need a project for September at Life's Memories and More - so here it is! The dies were ordered directly from the Sizzix Website - and I got them on clearance! Who can resist a bargain!?!

12x12 September Club Page #1

If you are joining my 12x12 Scrapbook Group - Beginning September 8th - you will be making this Tropical themed page using the Island Oasis DSP from the Summer Mini. It was case'd from Buffy Allen's Blog. The design is based on the page below, that was originally created by another member of Love at First Stamp - Mabel Marello



If you want some of this paper for yourself it will need to be ordered before the first class, as it's only available until August 31st. I do have a small stash I would be willing to part with, but when it's gone it's gone!!

First Day of School Pencil Holders

Earlier today I saw pencil holders on Jennifer Campbell's Blog:
Happy 2 Scrap 4 Life

I couldn't wait for her to come back and post the measurements, so I did a little research and found one similar SCS. Unfortunately when I went back to do a search to link it - I couldn't find it :(

So to make a long story short - it's not my idea!

On another note, I am thinking positively! As the Summer is winding down, I decided to send out a few applications for some classroom teacher openings nearby. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will have a group of First or Fifth graders to share these with at the beginning of next month. And if not well....I am sure I have a group of new Kindergarteners at my After School Program who will like them! Wish me luck!

Late Night Stampers Blog Find of the Day

My back to school gifts made it to the Blog Find of the Day.

Thank you Kelly!

Back to School Teacher Gifts

I had so much fun making the Holiday Memo Holder, that I put the leftover precut card stock to good use and made a couple of Memo Holders for Emma's teachers!

Customer Appreciation Open House

Here is one of the items we made at my Open House yesterday. I think I need to lighten the load when I hold these events. We only made two projects and it took two hours - I had originally planned on three!

A Big Shot Halloween Class

At one of my recent classes customers were asking for a Big Shot Class. I thought what a better way to prepare for the upcoming fall holidays (my favorites!) than with lots of sweet gifts for the season? These projects will be made at an upcoming class I'll be teaching at Life's Memories and More. The matchbox covers were made using paper she had at the store - she lets me use my Stampin' Up! Supplies for my classes, but I thought I would make something using her papers for one of the projects. I am really looking forward to this class scheduled for the end of August - it's going to be fun!

New 3-D Club's Free Tutorial

Anyone who knows me as a Stamper and Paper Craft Artist knows that my favorite things to make are 3-D items. Since the classes seem to be wildly popular, and everyone asks for the directions to my projects, I thought I would start a 3-D Club! This club will meet once a month on the 3rd Wednesday of each month to create a new 3-D Project. Space is limited to 6 people, but additional clubs are always possible.

Tutorials and the materials to create your own sample project will also be available by mail each month for those club members who can't attend in person.

Each club member will receive a basic kit containing a 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog, a role of Sticky Strip, a Glue Stick and a sheet of Stampin' Dimensionals as my gift to you for joining.

In addition each club member will take turns reaping the Hostess Rewards, which will include a minimum of
*$15 in FREE Stampin' Up! Merchandise
* a Level 1 Hostess Set from current catalogs
(free products and Hostess Sets may be increased with additional orders)

The cost of belonging to this club is a minimum order of $25 per month before shipping and tax for the 6 months the club will run. Join me for a barbecue dinner and first club meeting on Wednesday August 18th at my house @ 7:00.

Please call me at 413-388-3022 if you are interested or want more information! Hope to see you there!





Here is the Free Sampler Tutorial for my upcoming 3-D Club.

Supplies needed:
(1) piece of 6 x 9 1/2" Card Stock or DSP
(2) pieces of 4 1/2 x 7" Coordinating Card Stock
(1) piece of 3 1/2 x 6" Coordinating Card Stock

Bone Folder, Sticky Strip, Ink Pads and Stamps of Choice



Outside of the Book:
Begin by scoring the 6 x 9 1/2" at 4 1/2 and 5 as shown in the picture




Inside Pockets
Score each 4 1/2 x 7" Piece of Coordinating card stock at 1/4" and 1/2" on each of the 4 1/2" sides and one of the 7" sides, and fold on the scored lines. These are the two sides and the bottom.

Use a 1 1/2" Circle punch in the center of the pocket on the top side lining up the edge with the notches at the center point.

Cut away the two bottom corners as shown.



Stamp and embellish the pockets as desired.

Attach the bottom and sides of the pockets to the inside of the book, lining them up as shown in the picture below, using 1/4" Sticky Strip.



Cover Flap:
Score the 6 x 3 1/2" AT 1 1/2" and 2"
Use your Corner Rounder on one side of the flap as shown.
Embellish as Desired and attach to the back of the Outside Book.

The top pocket will hold 4 finished 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" greeting cards, and the bottom will hold 4 envelopes.

Have fun trying your own!

Cindy's Brayered Card

Cindy shared this card with us at our Stampin' weekend. It is my first attempt at using a brayer...I suppose I should get one and get better at it! But anyway I love the way the gel pen creates the moonlight reflecting off the tree.

Wonderful Friends

I will soon be putting these two items together! Isn't this page the coolest? It was designed by Mabel Marrello and I made it last weekend at our Love At First Stamp get-away. We used just about all the new colors in SU!'s Regular Color Line including Pear Pizazz, Poppy Parade, Early Espresso, Marina Mist and Daffodil Delight. The stamp sets are Friends Never Fade from the new IBC, and Wonderful. The Log Cabin Smooch Spritz was not intended to be there, but was over spray from my color catcher which was right beside it. Not sure if I like it there or not but it sure does make it unique!