Tag Archives: Big Shot

Four calling birds

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I’m not much of a morning person.  If there was no outside influence on my schedule, I would be up late into the night and sleep well into the morning.  Life, however, has determined that I need to be up with the birds most mornings, and thank goodness for those birds.

If I’m awake early enough, the first bird to sing in my neighborhood is a cardinal.  It’s usually a male perched in the top of a tree – often the tall coconut in my neighbor’s yard – calling out to the rising sun.  His brilliant red color makes him easy to pick out, and his distinctive song is enough to banish the fog from my brain.  Soon the doves add their cooing, the mynahs start to scold, and the francolins…well, if you’re not awake by the time the francolins start in, they’ll do the job.

This little quartet doesn’t sing out loud, but I think there’s music here all the same.

Four_Berry_Birds_crop

  • All Holidays stamps and Cornelli Lace wheel
  • Chocolate Chip, Bermuda Bay, and Very Vanilla cardstock;  Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper
  • Rose Red Classic ink
  • Big Shot and Merry Details Sizzlet
  • Scallop Square punch

This little fellow is found as both an exclusive Stampin’ Up!  Sizzlet (Merry Details, 116823, $5.50) and a stamp (Berry Christmas, 116509, $22.95).  I think he performs well outside the holiday arena, don’t you?

A generous soul

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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!

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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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.

Maybe I’m not cut out for Mojo…

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I dunno…I’m finding these Mojo sketches really challenging.  I guess that’s the idea, but sometimes it’s a little tough on my ego.

I confess, that’s Wild Wasasbi Designer Series Paper from a couple of years ago.  It’s true:  I hoard paper.  Scraps, sheets, even the odd package or two.  I’m trying to use it up, so when you see it, think creatively!

Mojo 106

Mojo 106

  • Barely Banana, Summer Sun, Very Vanilla, and Chocolate Chip cardstock; retired Wild Wasabi Designer Series Paper
  • Summer Sun, Wild Wasabi, and Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin’ Pads and Stampin’ Write Markers
  • Wings of Friendship and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp sets
  • Champagne Mist shimmer paint
  • Clear Embossing powder, heat tool, Fire Rhinestone Circle brads, double rectangle punch
  • Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz

Maybe I’ll give the Mojo another week.  Can’t hurt.

Stretching in new directions

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Trying something new is almost always a good thing.  (Let’s be reasonable here – some things should never be attempted – like the stuff with the caption “professional driver on closed course”.)  Sometimes the result isn’t what I expected, but in the process I invariably learn something.  It’s easy for me to continue doing the same thing – another time I’ll torment you with the trials and tribulations of growing out the haircut I’ve worn for oh, 30 years – but you shouldn’t have to do something the same way for 30 years before you try something new.

I’ve seen these Tri-fold (or shutter, or whatever-you-want-to-call-it) cards in a number of galleries and went looking for a starting point.  Bonnie at the Craftiblog posted a beautiful tutorial with a number of adaptations, and though I’m not sure she was the first to do so she has certainly done an outstanding job.  This format has infinite variations and goes together much more easily than you would imagine by looking at it.

Thoroughly Modern Tri Fold

Thoroughly Modern Tri Fold

I prepared this card for my hostess club last week.  When I showed them the sample of our project, I got the reaction I expected – half  “oooh, ahhh” and half  “you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me!”  The cardstock was cut and scored and they all had a little package of pieces.  By the end of the evening, the cards were all finished and everyone headed out to solicit their own “oooh, ahhh” reactions.

  • Sahara Sand 12×12 Textured cardstock; Whisper White, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay and Rose Red cardstock; Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper (and yes, a teeny scrap of Cool Caribbean – my precious stash)
  • Bermuda Bay Classic Ink pad; Rose Red, Bermuda Bay, and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Markers
  • All Holidays, Oval All, Wings of Friendship, and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Sets
  • Big Shot, Daisies #2 Bigz Die, SU Little Leaves Sizzlet
  • Butterfly, Large Oval, 3/4″ circle (base for daisy), 1/2″ circle, Word Window and Modern Label punches
  • Build-a-brad, Aquapainter, Stampin’ Sponges, Pop-Up Glue dots, Bone folder

Try something new today!

A cute little box

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Are you tired of seeing cards yet?  This is a simple project that makes a cute small gift.  The box is made from two Scallop Envelopes – exclusive Stampin’ Up! dies – and a couple of small rectangles to fill in the sides.  If you don’t have a Big Shot, you could…well, I just don’t see how you could make something this cute without a Big Shot!

Just for You tote 003_wmk_crop

The cards are 3 x 3 and very simple – stamp, mat and attach.  The box is quick too – attach the envelopes to each other across the bottom, add a couple of sides and voila!  Stamp a sentiment for the front, wrap the ribbon around and attach with a little sticky strip, glue or sew the button on and you’re done.  The envelopes are Stampin’ Up! mini square envelopes.

  • Choo Choo, Teeny Tiny Wishes and Branch Out stamp sets and Right on Track wheel
  • Real Red, So Saffron, and Brocade Blue Classic ink and Close to Cocoa ink cartridge
  • Real Red, So Saffron, Brocade Blue, and Basic Black Stampin’ Write Markers
  • Whisper White, Real Red, So Saffron and Brocade Blue cardstock
  • Big Shot and Scallop Envelope die
  • Oval and Scallop oval punches
  • Real Red narrow grosgrain ribbon, Playground Designer Buttons

Indispensible tools

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Sometimes the best tools are the ones you never see.  Oh, I love that Big Shot.  I love the shapes and letters and boxes.   I really love the textures it creates. But the tools that I love are the ones that make me look good.  Tools like the bone folder that give me smooth creases.   Tools like the piercing tool and template that give me nice, straight lines of evenly spaced holes.  Tools like the Stamp-a-ma-jig that enable me to put images and words (especially words!) right where I want them.  I especially love to pick out just a couple of words or a phrase to personalize my message and the only way to do that is with the SAMJ.   What’s even better, each of these tools can fill in for a number of outside-the-box purposes and none of them take up a whole lotta space.  So there’s my commercial for the un-sung heros of the Stamping Universe.

Embossed_Embrace_Life_crop

  • Embrace Life, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Best Wishes and Teeny Tiny Messages stamp sets
  • Pumpkin Pie, Dusty Durango and Mellow Moss Classic Ink
  • Very Vanilla, Dusty Durango, Mellow Moss, and Pumpkin Pie cardstock, So Saffron DSP (patterns have changed)
  • Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder and Big Shot
  • Piercing tool and template, Linen thread, Stamp a ma jig
  • Fresh Favorites Buttons, 1/2″ circle punch

Happy Hallow-Roo!

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I have had this cut-out Roo sitting on my desk just waiting to be loved for a good 6 weeks.  About two weeks ago I spotted THIS CARD and thought I might have found a use for my Roo.  I’ve never quite made peace with that bear (What?  You didn’t go look at the card?  Go see…) because, well, there’s something about his unibrow that bothers me.  But I love the Roo so the substitution seemed natural.

Halloween_Roo_crop

Happy Hallo-Roo

  • Build-a-Roo, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Pocket Silhouettes, and Holiday Best (hostess) Stamp Sets
  • Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie and Kiwi Kiss (ret) Classic Ink
  • Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive Stampin’ Write markers
  • Naturals White, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede and Kiwi Kiss (ret) card stock
  • Small oval and Slot punches
  • Kiwi Kiss stripe ribbon (ret)
  • Big Shot and SU Backgrounds 1 Texturz plate
  • Stampin’ Sponges, Dimensionals, Aquapainter

First, I apologize (I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry already!) for using Kiwi Kiss.  I couldn’t resist.  It was there on my desk, whimpering about being neglected, and whispering to me that it would be SO perfect.  You could use Old Olive and I’m sure it would be wonderful.  The Kiwi Kiss made me do it.

Second, I have to confess that there was surgery involved.  In fact, I had to cut the Roo in Two.  The pumpkin was too big and I would have had to hide those exuberant arms or those fabulous roo feet.

Third, the pumpkin in the patch is marked from the Trick or Treat stamp in the Holiday Best hostess stamp set.

There.  I think that’s enough commentary.

Happy HalloRoo to you!

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Banana

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Did I mention that Crystal makes an absolutely divine banana cake?  Some of you who were at our class on Saturday obviously think so, because I’ve had multiple requests for the recipe.  Without further ado…

Crystal’s Best Ever Chocolate Chip Banana Cake

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 box instant banana cream pudding
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup mashed bananas (3 – 4 bananas)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Grease a 9 x 13 pan.  Combine all ingredients and pour into pan.  Bake 35 to 40 minutes.

This recipe got me thinking about chocolate and bananas, which is a very dangerous thing for me to be doing.  To remove myself from the kitchen, I headed for the Chocolate Chip and Barely Banana cardstock and ink.  (Yes, I know, it’s a very cheesy connection.)  Of course, with all this food on the mind I immediately pulled down my Crazy for Cupcakes stamps.  However, this was NOT a “before you know it the card was done” kind of creation.  I did a lot of fussing and fiddling which does not show in the final product, but the one thing that does show is my Amazing Discovery for Today:

Chocolate Chip with Champagne Mist Shimmer paint

Chocolate Chip with Champagne Mist Shimmer paint

Can you see the shimmer?  It’s hard, I know, but imagine a gorgeous bronzed look with a little sparkle.  This is equal parts Chocolate Chip Classic ink refill and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.  When I mixed it together I couldn’t believe my eyes.  I used my Aquapainter to brush it on.  Of course, I couldn’t leave well enough alone – I seldom can – so I tried the same combination using Barely Banana Classic ink refill.  You be the judge:

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Banana cupcakes

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Banana cupcakes

  • Very Vanilla, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip and Naturals Ivory cardstock
  • Retired Designer Series Paper
  • Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Barely Banana, and Sahara Sand Classic ink
  • Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint
  • Texture Jumbo Stampin’ Wheel (run through the Sahara Sand ink pad)
  • Versamark ink, Clear Embossing Powder and Heat Tool
  • Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker
  • Big Shot and Stampin’ Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plate
  • Double rectangle punch and Chocolate Chip Taffeta ribbon

My faithful but not very sophisticated little point-and-push does not do justice to these colors.  You will have to use your imagination to appreciate how glorious this is!

Somehow, the entire thing reminds me of an ice cream parlor.  This is not the best thing for someone who needs to stay out of the kitchen and away from the chocolate chips and bananas (oh, all right, it’s just the chocolate chips.  we knew that.)  Hope you enjoyed the card.  I’m going for a long walk!

Cutting paper for the Big Shot

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I had a MAJOR a-ha! moment last night.  I was cutting out a long decorative sizzlet strip for a swap and I needed positive and negative images.  A bunch of my strips kept cutting in half – the image at the very end was cut off just a smidge and the negative image was split.

Big Shot with Decorative Sizzlet

I finally went in and measured a piece of 12 x 12 cardstock.  Whoa!  One side was just short of 12 x 12 and one side was just long of 12 x 12.  I am talking about a hair – literally – but it was enough to make all the difference in my sizzlet strip.

I didn’t do a scientific analysis here.  It was late and I just wanted to finish my cranking so I cut the strips I needed from the hair-long side instead of the hair-short side and finished.  But next time I’m using those long strips you better believe I’ll pay attention.