Thursday, September 30, 2010

Embossed Medallion

Today's card idea reaches into the archives from last year.  The background medallion stamp is embossed using the Very Vanilla craft ink pad and clear embossing powder.  The image was then sponged with classic ink in Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Soft Suede.  The sentiment is from the Grateful Greetings stamp set and the embellishments are part of the Very Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware kit. 

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Suspension Card

This is one of the swaps that Kira made for our Convention activities back in July.  It is a suspension card, so the sentiment is attached using fishing wire and spins around inside the punched out scalloped circle when the card is opened - very cool!  The stamp set is a level 2 hostess set called Fast and Fabulous.  The background was embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. 

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Magnetic Owl Card

This was one of the swaps we made at Convention, designed by our wonderful friend Kevin!  At first glance, it looks just like any other card; however, the oval piece with the owl is backed with our magnet sheets, so it can be used on the refrigerator.  Doesn't that make a handmade card even more special?!  The layered ovals were cut using the Sizzix oval die.  You can also see that the background was embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  The branch is from the bird punch and the sentiment is from the Word Play stamp set.  The card is finished off with some Early Espresso 1/8" taffeta ribbon.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Day of Gratitude 8 1/2 x 11 Scrapbook Page

This is one of the make & take projects we did at the Regional seminar in St. George last weekend.  It's a very simple and clean 8 1/2 x 11 scrapbook page.  The sentiment was punched out using the new Decorative Label punch from the Holiday mini catalog.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Just Believe In Color Notecards and Envelopes

This idea was CASE'd from Jill Hilliard.  We loved her simple use of the Just Believe stamp set with the notecards and envelopes in all five of the In Colors.  We added some coordinating ribbon and basic rhinestones to each side of the sentiment, adn of course stamped the envelopes.  Watch for a class coming soon featuring this stamp set and the notecard and envelope packs!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

A Day of Gratitude

This card features the Day of Gratitude stamp set that was included in our fee for the Stampin' Up! Regional seminar that we attended in St. George last weekend!  The set is from the Holiday mini catalog.  The edges were roughed-up and pierced to give it a rustic look.  The 5/8" satin ribbon is Night of Navy, and it is coordinated with the same ink color for the stamped sentiment.  The ribbon is tied off to the side with hemp twine.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Everyone Loves Dasher

We were THRILLED to see the return of Dasher when we received the 2010-11 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog!  AND...it's an a la carte stamp, so you can buy it individually!  Who wouldn't love such a beautiful reindeer image?!  This card was one that we did last year; however, it is so worth posting as a repeat idea!  The original idea came from our AMAZING friend Patty Edwards.  The Dasher image was embossed using Bravo Burgundy craft ink and clear embossing powder on to Regal Rose cardstock.  We then brushed a coat of Champagne Mist shimmer paint over the whole piece.  The ticket corner punch was used on the top two layers.  The Make Merry stamp is from the Grateful Greeting set (so glad that set found it's way from last year's Holiday mini into the new IB&C too!) and was of course punched out using the tag punch.  The snowflakes in the background were from a retired hostess set; however, there are some great snowflake images in the Serene Snowflakes set.  We finished it off with some coordinating 3/8" Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon and gold mini brads.  You're probably thinking it's too early to worry about Christmas, right?  WRONG!  We can certainly understand though, because we are procrastinators too.  So what are you waiting for...GET BUSY!  

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Butterflying by with a Birthday Hi

This card was made at the request of one of our loyal customers (and wonderful friend).  She wanted a birthday card for little girls.  Well, rather than making it specific for "little" girls, we decided to make it versatile for "any" girl.  Once again, although this card uses retired DSP and ribbon, any patterned or stamped background and thick ribbon will work - let your creativity be your guide.  It's a simple design using the Flight of the Butterfly set and coordinating butterfly punch (yes, we agree, EVERY stamp set should come with coordinating punches!).  We used the retired flower trio punch (sorry), but you can substitute flowers from the Itty Bitty Bits punch trio or the Boho Blossoms punch (as artists, we ALWAYS have options!).  The centers of the flowers were done using our awesome white uni-ball Signo gel pen.  The sentiment inside is from the Curly Cute set.  The color combo is Baja Breeze, So Saffron, and Soft Suede - just perfect for birthday wishes to "girls" of ANY age!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Elizabeth a la carte

We must confess, we are not huge fans of the Victorian style; however, this a la carte stamp caught our attention immediately!  Yes, it is available as an individual stamp and works perfectly with your existing sentiment stamps, like the Teeny Tiny Wishes set, to make a quick and elegant card.  Although this uses discontinued colors (Mellow Moss and Blush Blossom), you can easily substitute your favorite colors.  Add a touch of ribbon and you are all set!  This card was also done using our package of Whisper White pre-scored notecards and envelopes (they come 20 to a package for only $5.95), so you can whip out a stack of them in no time - what a perfect gift idea!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Wicked Cool Stamp Set is Wicked Cool!

We just can't get enough of this great set!  We've incorporated a whole bunch of punches too - bat, scalloped oval, scallop edge, 1/4" handheld, large oval, 1" circle, 1 1/4" circle, and the NEW 2 1/2" circle and the decorative label.  The colors used are Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, and Basic Black.  The ribbon is 1/4" grosgrain in Basic Black.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Beautiful Birthday

Don't you LOVE the Just Believe stamp set?!  We do too!!!  Here is a swing card using the set.  We searched online for the directions for a swing card, and had to alter them a little to suit our "perfectionist" nature.  The photo shows the same card, one closed and one open.  The center part "swings" around once opened.  The Color Coach is laying out because you got it...another beautiful combination that we wouldn't have used if it weren't for that awesome tool!  The three colors used are Basic Grey, Melon Mambo, and Old Olive.  Unfortunately the Basic Grey 5/8" satin ribbon is discontinued (sad face); however, Old Olive satin ribbon would be just as beautiful (happy face).  The Fiskars paper cutter came in very handy for this card, but there's not a lot of other tools except a 1 1/4" circle punch.  Have a "b-e-a-utiful" day! 

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Stamps, Punches, Cardstock, and Ribbon, OH MY!


Many times, we are asked how we store our supplies (or how we keep track of everything - which is something that should probably be discussed in a therapy session sometime - HA!), such as cardstock, stamp sets, punches, and ribbon.  Here are some photos from Scot's storage area (you don't get to see the many areas in it that are disorganized!); however both of us actually use the same methods for these four categories.  All of our cardstock is organized by color collection (as indicated by the "map" on the inside of the door).  Scraps are kept in labeled file folders by color collections (each color has it's own scrap file).  We both recently put up our IKEA towel racks to store our "old style" punches - what a HUGE DIFFERENCE it makes to have them displayed and ready to use!  If you have the space for this, we highly recommend it, no more rummaging through drawers to find the right one!  The new punches can be done this way too, if they are left open rather than locked.   They also stand up like books when in the locked position, so it's easy to organize them on a shelf or desk.  We keep our stamp sets standing upright in drawer cubes, both the wood mount and clear mount can be done this way.  Ribbon is rolled and stored in plastic divided containers, which haven't been labeled yet since the color renovation, but soon will be!  Our ink pads are easily accessible in the color caddy (which is pictured in the Idea Book & Catalog).  Keep in mind that you have to find what works best for your personal space, but having your most frequently used tools accessible will encouarge your creativity! 

Friday, September 17, 2010

Just For You, Your Majesty!

This card is totally CASE'd from a swap received at Convention from fellow demonstrator Jan Burnett.  There was one color alteration made - the original card base was Basic Black instead of Bravo Burgundy.  It's hard to see, but there are three basic rhinestone jewels on the crown.  The sentiment is from the Just Believe stamp set and the crown is from Artistic Etchings.  The strip of paper behind the crown is from the Newsprint DSP collection.  The Crumb Cake background is embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  Several punches were used including word window, modern label, 1 3/8" circle, 1 3/4" circle, and the 2 3/8" scallop. 

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Another Early Halloween Idea

Like we said (and we'll probably say it a million more times - HA!), it's NEVER too early to start on your holiday cards!  Here is another Halloween card idea using the new spider web embossing folder along with the Batty for You stamp set and the Top Note die.  The new 2 1/2" circle punch from the holiday mini was used to punch out the area for the spider.  You'll notice some of the great new 1/8" taffeta ribbon tied on the side - LOVE that new thin ribbon, it is so versatile!  The sentiment is from one of our favorite sets, Teeny Tiny Wishes and layered on the small oval and modern label punches.  The texture on the Top Note was done with the Wonderfully Worn background stamp. 

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

World Card Making Day Class

These are the card samples for the class that we'll be holding on World Card Making Day, which is Saturday, October 2!  There are six coordinating cards and box.  The idea was CASE'd from LeeAnn Greff  The project features the Awash with Flowers stamp set and lots of other fun Stampin Up materials - Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Fabulous Phrases stamp set, scallop trim border punch, and the coordinating In Color 1/2" stitched-poly ribbon.  The colors used are Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, and Whisper White.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Inspired by Nature Picture Frame

This was one of Kira's shoebox swap projects for Convention this year, and she also made a few of them for our wonderful friends as gifts.  She used the Top Note die to cut the photo mount out of chipboard and cardstock.  The grass is from the Inspired by Nature stamp set and the sentiment is from the All Holidays stamp set. 


Sunday, September 12, 2010

Happy 18th Anniversary Scot & McCall!

Today is my (Scot) anniversary - 18 years!!  This is the card that Kira made for McCall and I - isn't it awesome!  She did a great job!  It features the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, the Two-step XL Bird Punch, the 2 3/8" XL scallop circle punch, the 2 1/2" XL Circle Punch, the Modern Label Punch, Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, and the Basic Pearls Jewels.  Thank you, Kira!
Have to share a photo from our celebratory night out, here we are toasting with champagne at Le Reve at the Wynn Resort last night.  McCall won tickets on the radio for a VIP package, so we were treated like celebrities with special plush seats, champagne, and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and truffles.  We really enjoyed the show and had a very nice time!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Caught In Your Web Halloween Card

The new Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing Folder is a MUST HAVE for every Big Shot owner!  This card features the embossing folder, which can be found in the Stampin Up Holiday Mini Catalog.  Can you see the shimmer?  Well, the spider web cardstock piece is sprayed with Silver Foil Smooch Spritz.  The Happy Halloween sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set and is stamped with Basic Black ink directly on to 3/8" twill tape.  The additional shimmer you see on each end of the twill tape are our new Glimmer Brads, which can also be found in the Holiday mini catalog.  The spider is from the Batty for You stamp set and is layered on an altered scallop circle.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Wicked Cool and Fun Halloween Card

This card uses the Wicked Cool stamp set and the Wicked Fun Designer Series Paper.  The great design idea came from fellow demonstrator Mary Brady.  The sentiment was punched out with the 1" circle punch, and is layered on multiple shapes: 1 1/4" circle, 1 3/8" circle, curly label, and the modern label.  It's finished off with some 1/4" Old Olive grosgrain ribbon and Basic Rhinestones.  The hats and stockings are colored in using an Old Olive Stampin Write Marker.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Just Believe

Here's one of the cards that we created in our hotel room during this summer's Stampin Up Convention.  We received the Just Believe stamp set as part of our Convention registration fee, and it is an awesome set!  This was done by sponging a piece of Whisper White cardstock with Marina Mist ink and then the flower image was stamped on top with Basic Black ink.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Builder Wheel Birthday Page

Here's a 12x12 birthday-themed page using our Stampin Around builder wheels.  The great thing about the builder wheels is just that - you can "build" the combination of wheels that you like best!  This layout uses three of them - So Many Stars, Birthday, and Candle Crazy.  In addition to the builder wheel, stamps from the Party Hearty set were used.  The "splatter" on the Early Espresso photo mount is vanilla shimmer Smooch Spritz.  

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Owl Post-It Notes


Here's one of the projects we'll be doing for our September clubs.  The idea was shamelessly "stolen" from Becky Roberts' website: http://inkingidaho.blogspot.com/2010/07/owl-punch-post-it-notes.html (we LOVE her ideas and the quality of her work!).  We have to be honest - we tried really hard to resist the owl and bird movement, but we finally gave in to temptation when we kept seeing such amazing ideas from our fellow demonstrators and other creative stampers out there!  The background border and the crest of the owl is patterned paper from our Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper.  Thanks again Becky for your inspiration and great ideas, we appreciate them and we know so many others do as well! 

Monday, September 6, 2010

Life is a Matter of Moments Notepad Holder

Here is one of our projects for this month's Big Shot club.  We are focusing on texture in our club workshop this month, so we used the Beautiful Wings embosslits die and the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  The Basic Pearls were the perfect accent for the scalloped edge and the Victoria Crochet Trim added beautiful texture.  The stamped images are from the Elements of Style set. 

It's NEVER Too Early to Prepare for the Holidays!

The new Bigz L Candy Wrapper die from the Holiday mini catalog is awesome!!  It takes a few tries to figure out how to fold it up, but then it's fairly easy and very cool!  The best tip we can offer is to make sure to fold back and forth on ALL of the score lines before assembling it, and definitely use sticky strip to secure the sides together.  We wrapped it with a 1-1/2 inch strip of basic black cardstock that was run through the Big Shot using the Vintage Wallpaper textured embossing folder.  The image is from the Batty for You stamp set and it is framed with that altered scallop circle.  The ends of the candy wrapper are tied up with 1/4 inch  Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Simple and Clean Card


Sometimes the occasion calls for something simple and clean - like this thank you card.  This card uses the Punch Potpourri level 1 hostess stamp set along with the basic rhinestone jewels for the flower centers.  The new Daffodil Delight satin ribbon gives it a beautiful accent.  You can earn the Punch Potpourri or any other hostess sets by hosting your own Stampin Up workshop, so contact us today to schedule your own private crafting session with your friends!

Friday, September 3, 2010

It's Getting Spooky


Here's a card that we did for a Las Vegas Late Night Stampers shoebox swap, which is coordinated by our wonderful friend and fellow Stampin Up demonstrator Sherrill Graff, and occurs here in Las Vegas on the first Thursday of each month.  We always share lots of great ideas.  The idea for the altered scallop circle came from Sandi McIver's blog http://www.sandimaciver.com/sandi_maciver/2010/08/whicked-cool.html - I immediately knew I needed to use it!  The card also features the new bat punch and the Wicked Cool stamp set.  Halloween will be here before you know it, so make sure you're prepared with cards and treats galore!

Thursday, September 2, 2010


These pages showcase the Presto Patterns Specialty Paper.  If you haven't used or seen the paper yet, it's as though the patterns are embossed in the same color and they appear once you add color.  We sponged ink on to these pages prior to placing the elements.  Two of the three colors used in these layouts are retired, Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry.  The third color is Basic Grey, and the ripped out Crate & Barrell catalog photo shows where the color inspiration came from.  The butterflies are cut using the Beautiful Butterflies Sizzix die, the title was stamped using the Lovely Letters alphabet set, and the inspire definition is from the Define Your Life stamp set and is stamped on a die-cut from from the Sizzix ovals die.  The Top Note die was used to make a photo mount. 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Holiday Mini Catalog Starts Today - Scot's Favorite Set

The 2010 Stampin Up Holiday Mini Catalog starts today!  Scot's favorite set from the mini catalog is French Foliage - just about ANY stamp set with leaves makes it to Scot's favorites list!  This is a simple card that was done for a shoebox swap for the August Las Vegas and Late Night Stampers group.  The colors used were Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, and Early Espresso - once again the Color Coach came in very handy!  The dotted scallop ribbon border punch was used for the element across the middle, along with the Grateful Greetings stamp set (so happy this came back after being featured in last years Holiday mini catalog), and the oval and scalloped oval punches.  As the card says, we both share thankful thoughts of you, as we appreciate your interest in sharing this enjoyable hobby of stamping. 

Snowflake Wishes Thank You Card

Everyone needs to say "thank you" during the holiday season. The Snowflake Wishes bundle makes it easy! The die-cut image creates ...