Halloween Branches

Posted on by
Reply

My kids are old enough now that they don’t do those little goodies bags of candy for their classmates.  They don’t come home with backpacks stuffed full of sugary loot, either, and then head out as soon as the sun goes down for more.  It’s a good thing, because like all devoted mothers, I felt obligated to save them from all of that candy, especially the dark chocolate.  Well, and the Butterfingers.  And maybe a Snickers or too.

Oops.  Chocolate Detour.  Back on track.

I don’t buy Halloween stamps much anymore because I just don’t use them.  A couple of cards and I’m done.  I have friends (not to mention any names, Robbie – you too, Claudine) who adore anything and everything Halloween, and I can enjoy Halloween cards vicariously through them.  All the same, as October rolls in I start to think about stamping a Boo or two.

Were you paying attention yesterday?  Didn’t I tell you Branch Out was an all-purpose stamp set?

Halloween_Branch_Out_crop

  • Branch Out and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie Classic ink pads;  Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive Stampin’ Write Markers
  • Naturals White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black and Old Olive cardstock
  • Old Olive 1 1/4″ stripe grosgrain ribbon
  • Slot punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

This card was inspired by one that Claudine brought to share at our last club.  She had spiders in the tree, which I actually liked better.  But the bird from Branch Out is a raven today and that will have to do.

Trick or Treat!

How can I stamp thee?

Posted on by
Reply

Let me count the ways!

I think Branch Out is one of the most versatile stamp sets Stampin’ Up! has produced.  I have used it for all four seasons, multiple holidays, and a variety of “just because” occasions.  It’s not currently in the catalog, but it’s on the dormant list (113200, $22.95)  and you can order it.  Matter of fact, I wish you would – I would be thrilled if  Stampin’ Up! would choose to take it off the dormant list and return it to the Idea Book and Catalog next July.

I saw a beautiful card – and I confess I cannot remember the location – where the crafter used another tree set with the In Colors to create a vibrant autumn card.  I’ve made a few changes but I’m pleased with the results.

Autumn_Branch_Out_crop

  • Branch Out Stamp Set
  • Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry , Crushed Curry and Rose Red Classic ink pads
  • Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, RIch Razzleberry, and Apricot Appeal cardstock; Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper
  • Big Shot and Stampin’ Up! Perfect Details Texture plate
  • Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon
  • Stamp-a-ma-jig

This is as close to Autumn Colors as we’ll see here on Maui.  It’s nowhere near the same as seeing the colors change in real life, but it makes me think of Autumn all the same.

Branch_Out_stamps

Branch Out 113200 $22.95

A generous soul

Posted on by
Reply

My wonderful friend and upline Crystal is one of the most generous people I know.  I think “Give” is her middle name.  If that isn’t enough, she’s also more fun than a case of wine, a full box of chocolates, and the entire Stampin’ Up! catalog rolled into one! (OK, maybe not the entire catalog.)  When we get together to stamp, we always laugh more than anything else.

This card is one of a number of samples she made for me when the Idea Book and Catalog preview came out.  That’s how she is – if she makes a card for herself, she’ll make one for me too.  She makes the cutest cards and I’m always thrilled when I show up at her door and she holds out a little stack just for me.

Little Fat Owl Just for You

Little Fat Owl Just for You

  • Animal Stories and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Melon Mambo, So Saffron, and Whisper White cardstock; Tall Tales Designer Series Paper
  • Chocolate Chip Classic Ink pad
  • 1 3/8″ and Scallop Square punches, Soft Suede polka dot ribbon
  • Big Shot and Stampin’ Up! Backgrounds I

Can I tell you a secret?  It’s her birthday today.  Happy Birthday, Crystal!

Keeping track of stamps

Posted on by
1

Keeping stamps with their respective sets used to drive me crazy.  I realize that driving me crazy isn’t a difficult thing to accomplish.  There are a number of people in this world who are experts at it (and may or may not be living in my home).  The point is that when I take a stamp out of it’s cozy little plastic box and mix it up with a bunch of other stamps on my workspace, when it’s time to put everything away my brain inevitably shorts out.  Where does this “thank you” belong?  Is that snowflake from Snow Swirled or Delightful Decorations?  And worst of all,  how do I get all these stamps back into that box???

I found a trick, a simple trick designed to avoid such a minor crisis.  Before I assemble my new stamps, I photocopy the sheet of decals that identify the set.  I trim the image to the size of the box and put it in the bottom facing out.  If I’m looking for particular stamp I can flip the box over and see what should be there, even if it’s not where it belongs.

Pattern_Pines_Stampset_crop

I can’t tell you how often this simple step has saved me.  I’m kind of picky about organization.  I like to be able to find things.  Strange, I know.  Having a record in the box works for me.  I hope it will work for you, too.

Spooky Expressions

Posted on by
2

I’ve always decorated for holidays.  It started when the kids were small and would bring home seasonal projects from school.  I’d put their projects up, then little by little add to them as the month wore on.  I’ve actually saved some of my favorite projects through the years.  Now that they’re nearly all grown, I have to make my own projects!

I almost missed these goofy pumpkin faces in the Decor Elements catalog.  Three great faces for $4.95 – you can hardly beat that, can you?  It was a 5 minute project to put a face on my candle jar – and that included washing and drying the glass first!

Spooky_Expressions_candle_crop

  • Spooky Expressions (117568) $4.95
  • Decor Elements Applicator (114285) $1.95

Kinda reminds me of the Koolaid Pitcher.  You remember that, don’t you?

This would be so easy to do on so many things…a window, a bowl, a notebook….shoot, even a pumpkin!    Trick or treat!

Make a card, send a card

Posted on by
1

Today is World Card Making Day.   I would hasten to add that I don’t need a designated day to make a card.  It’s something I enjoy doing (I know, News Flash!) and it’s something that I especially enjoy teaching others to do.

If we’re brutally frank about the matter, World Card Making Day is  a marketing idea.  It’s a great idea, but in my opinion, there should be more to making a card than selling cardstock, ink and paper.  Everyone makes cards for different reasons and with different motivations.  Some make cards for their own pleasure, satisfied with participating in the creative process.  Others make a card with a recipient in mind, carefully selecting colors and images that are designed to bring happiness, comfort or inspiration to a special person.  Some people may even choose to make a card simply because it’s more economical, although if you were to inventory my card making supplies you might question that premise.

In the end,  it doesn’t matter why you make a card.  The important thing is that the process satisfies you.  It’s a very forgiving craft, with near-infinite options.  The basic materials are inexpensive enough that if you finish your card and you really don’t like it, you can let go of it.  It’s just paper.

Your hand made card, whether simple or complex, holds the potential to bring you to someone else.  Make a card – and send it.  A card is really just paper and embellishment until it is given away.  Then it becomes a message of love and caring straight from your heart to another.

Inspired_by_Nature_cc238_crop

  • Inspired by Nature and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Sage Shadow, Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White card stock
  • Sage Shadow, Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink and Rose Red Classic Ink pads
  • Sponge daubers, Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Champagne Mist shimmer paint, and Stamp-a-ma-jig

Happy World Card Making Day.

How do you choose?

Posted on by
Reply

I love this bird from the Always set.  It caught my eye the first time I saw it.  The other images in the set complement it well, and are especially useful when you need to give some texture or design to a solid piece of cardstock.

Plant your feet firmly and let your heart have wings

Plant your feet firmly and let your heart have wings

  • Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Old Olive and Naturals Ivory cardstock; Retired Designer Series Paper
  • Always and Hope Happens stamp sets
  • Soft Suede and Bermuda Bay Classic Stamp pads
  • Embossing powder and heat tool

Over the years, I’ve learned to be more critical when I select a set for myself.  If it’s for me, of course I have to love the images, but I also look for versatility.  I’ve bought my share of “one hit wonders” and to be honest, I begrudge the room they occupy in my little bitty stamping space (known to the rest of the family as the laundry room…sigh).  As my style develops, I have to watch that I don’t select the same thing again and again- natural images like birds, flowers, and trees.  Sure, I have some holiday stamps, and a few that would work as baby or wedding items in a pinch, but maybe it’s time to branch out to something new.  Ha.  Maybe I’ll get Season of Friendship.  I’ve been looking at that tree for the longest time.

Deal of the Week is Back!!

Posted on by
Reply

Stampin’ Up! is bringing back a customer favorite – the Deal of the Week! Deal #1 is only available through Monday, October 12 at 9:50am (mountain time) – that’s 6:50am Hawaii Standard Time.  Go to my Demonstrator Website to take advantage of these great prices on 3 Stampin’ Up! punches.

triopunch

  • Trio Flower Punch 109183 page 186 IBC
  • Special $10.99 (regularly $15.95)

5petal

  • 5 Petal Flower Punch 109041 page 187 IBC
  • Special $10.99 (regularly $15.95)

my-way_punch

  • My Way Punch 110709 page 187 IBC
  • Special $11.99 (regularly $15.95)

Come back on the 12th to see the next great Deal!

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on by
3

Look familiar?  I wanted to take the same images and do a simpler layout.  I love these flowers, whatever they are.  They have to be wildflowers – they just have that La Dee Dah look about them.  Bloom where you’re planted and all that.  Clearly for the First of October they had to be pink.

Pink Wildflowers for October

Pink Wildflowers for October

  • Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Whisper White, and Kraft cardstock
  • Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Summer Sun Classic ink
  • Wonderful Watercolors stamp set
  • Big Shot and Texturz plate
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals, Aquapainter, and Dazzling Diamonds

I love to watercolor.  It’s relaxing to me and for some odd reason I can let go of my otherwise obsessive need for perfection.  Perhaps that’s because I really don’t know anything about the technique, and so I just dive in with my aquapainter and my ink refills and play.  We should all play more.

One more thing: it’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.   Check your breasts.  Do it once a month.  Don’t make excuses.

Happy Watercolors

Posted on by
Reply

Have I mentioned that I don’t understand the Dormant List?

This is a happy card.  It’s a happy birthday card.  It’s a sunny yellow card.  And it’s a Dazzling-Diamonds-sparkle-your-heart-out card.  How could it not be happy?

Working with the various shades of Stampin’ Up! yellows – Barely Banana, So Saffron, Summer Sun, even (once in a great while) Yo Yo Yellow always lifts my heart.  This year we even have Crushed Curry, an intense, saturated, Smell The Spices kind of yellow!  A card like this shouldn’t wait to be sent.  It needs to be on its way in a hurry.

Sunny Banana Watercolors

Sunny Banana Watercolors

  • Naturals White, Summer Sun, Old Olive, Soft Suede and Barely Banana cardstock
  • Soft Suede, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, and Barely Banana Classic ink
  • Wonderful Watercolors, Teeny Tiny Wishes and En Francais stamps; Textures Wheel
  • Aquapainter, Dazzling Diamonds, Stampin’ Dimensionals, and Stamp-a-ma-jig

I fought this layout for a while – it’s a Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge.  I couldn’t figure out what to use for the back panel – everything was too dark or too light – nothing was Just Right.  The Texture wheel by itself was too light, but when I grabbed the paper and sponged the dickens out of it I decided it would work.  The cardfront also has the Texture wheel, but you may have to trust me on that.

Why don’t you pick up some yellow and brighten your day?