By The Tide Bookmark Card

Happy Thursday!

Wow ... That's February done, then!  My how the time flies!  ... it's all good, though ... now that we are heading into March the snow will soon be gone and we can all come out of hyberation up here in the Great White North!

So today is my fourth and final project using By The Tide.  As I mentioned yesterday this one almost killed me.  In the end I got there, though!  Here the picture:

When you open the card the inside reads "aren't things".  My family struggled to "get" this one.  I thought I was so clever!  You know ... reading a book ... smelling the flowers ... taking a bubble bath ... watching your children at the park ... THESE are the best things in life.  "So why are you putting a book mark in it then?  Isn't that a thing?"  Sigh.  Can't they just accept that I'm a creative genius and my vision for this card and gift in is beyond brilliant???? 

Well ... whether you "get it" or not ... her are the instruction on how to make it *lol*  (get comfortable ... it's not an easy ... or fast ... read ... then again, how many of my posts are??  Part of my charm, right?  RIGHT??!!)

PAPER: Very Vanilla, River Rock, Soft Suede

STAMP SETS: By the Tide, Feel Goods

INK PADS:  Sahara Sand, River Rock, Soft Suede

ACCESSORIES: Petit Pockets Bigz XL Die (and Big Shot), Labels Collection Framelits, Natural 7/8” Cotton Ribbon, Two Tags Bigz Die, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, 3/16” Corner Rounder punch, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, 1 ¾” Scallop Punch

INSTRUCTIONS: 

·         Cut Very Vanilla card base measuring 8 ½” x 5 ½”
·         Cut River Rock Layer measuring 4” x 5 ¼”
·         Cut Very Vanilla Layer measuring 2 ½” x 5”
·         Cut Soft Suede Petite Pocket using Petite Pocket Bigz XL Die
·         Cut (2) Soft Suede bookmarks using Two Tags
·         Cut a Very Vanilla piece measuring 1 ½” x 3” and round the corners using corner rounder punch
·         Create your own DSP on the Vanilla pieces using By the Tide.  For my project I stamped the coral in Sahara Sand, the sea shells in River Rock and the script and “Nantucket” circle in Soft Suede.
·         Attach your DSP to one of the bookmark pieces and to the card base.
·         Fold the Petite Pocket piece on all score lines and keep it “closed” to run it through the Fancy Fan embossing folder. 
·         Using Sticky Strip tape the pocket closed.  TIP:  Fold the “top” flap of the pocket down first and tape it down – then fold the side pieces and tape them down (using sticky strip) on the OUTSIDE of the pocket.  This seems to allow slightly more room for the bookmark to be inserted easily.
·         Cut a strip of cotton ribbon approx 4” long.  Tie a knot in the middle of it and attach it to the Petit Pocket (snail works fine)
·         Attach the pocket to the card front.
·         Using your Soft Suede marker, directly color “The Best Things In Life” stamp and stamp it on Very Vanilla card stock.
·         Punch your sentiment out using your framelit and attach it to the card front using Sticky strip (along the left hand side) and dimensional (along the right hand side)

For the Bookmark:

·         One of your bookmark pieces has your DSP attached to it.  Trim the second bookmark piece so you only have the top scallop piece.
·         Stamp the sea horse image in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla card stock and punch it out with the 1 ¾” scallop circle punch:

·         Attach the Scalloped sea horse piece to the half scallop Soft Sued piece.  Only apply snail to the LOWER HALF of the sea horse scallop

·         Attach the seahorse scallop to the bookmark – applying snail only to the UPPER HALF of the sea horse scallop.  This will allow for the book mark to hook onto the page of the book when in use:

·         Insert bookmark into pocket – complete sentiment inside (by using your “marker direct to stamp” technique and punching out sentiment and mat accordingly) and you’re done!

"Oh!  Is THAT all" I hear you cry!  Never mind ... just take your iPad or laptop down to the craft room with you and copy whay I did.  You'll know what I mean *lol*

So those are my 4 projects.  I truly hope you enjoyed them and maybe even got some inspiration from them.  I really liked that it stretched me creatively to use a set that I wouldn't normally gravitate towards.  It was an awesome challenge and opportunity.  I'm thrilled and honoured that I was asked to contribute to the one magazine I read cover to cover ... the day it lands in my mailbox.  Until next post ... have a stampy day :)

Tam

By The Tide Birthday Card

Happy Wednesday!

Today I'm sharing my standard card using By The Tide (page 19 of the spring catty).  This is a great card to make at a workshop or party - quick, easy and nice :)

It's very simple to make ... and was the first one I designed for the article.  I really struggled with what sentiment to use.  I settled on Happy Birthday ... although Craig did mention that "fish, coral and shells don't really scream HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to him.  Humph.  Guess he's not getting THIS card for his birthday *lol*.  Here is the recipe:

PAPER: Very Vanilla, Basic Grey

STAMP SETS: By the Tide, Family Reunion
INK PADS:  Basic Grey
ACCESSORIES: 1 3/8” Square Punch, 1 ¼” Square Punch, Dimensionals

Need I say anything more?  *lol*  Didn't think so.  It's pretty straight forward.

Tomorrow I'll share my final project.  This one almost made my mind explode ... and took the longest for me to design.  Alas I did it!  Pop in to check it out ... have a stampy day :)

Tam

By The Tide Envelope Gift Card Holder

Happy Tuesday!

Thanks for coming back to check out my second project from the Stampin' Success article :)

I just LOVE these gift card holders.  I decided to make one for the magazine because when I reviewed the statistics of the hits on my blog I found that the Envelope Gift Card holder was in the top 3 looked at posts.  So I figured everyone would want to see another version of it ... this time a masculine version ... using By The Tide (page 19 of the Spring catty - $24.95 clear; $33.95 wood).  Here's the project:

I have posted the instructions for making these twice before (see the side bar on the left).  I made a Christmas one ... and just a few weeks ago I posted my Valentine one.  Now we have a Father's Day / Male Birthday one.  Here are the instructions (if you want full pictures to help you out check the post for the Valentine Gift Card Holder)

PAPER: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy

STAMP SETS: By the Tide, Family Reunion, Best Dad Ever, Wonderful Mother
INK PADS:  Not Quite Navy
ACCESSORIES: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Medium Very Vanilla Envelope, Labels Collection Framelits, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder (and Big Shot), Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots
INSTRUCTIONS: 

·         Start with a standard 8 ½” x 5 ½” piece of Very Vanilla card stock

·         Score the long side at 2 ½” and 5 ¾” and fold along score lines
·         Attach a 1” x 5 ½” strip of Not Quite Navy card stock to the 2 ¾” section of the Very Vanilla base with snail adhesive
·         Close the card base and run it through the Fancy Fan embossing folder.  It will be a tight fit due to the 3 layers that are being embossed but it will fit and the paper won’t crack
·         Take a Medium Very Vanilla envelope and seal it.  Fold the envelope in half (so it is 4 ¾” long x 2 14/16” wide). 
·         Using your Table Top cutter, place the fold of the envelope on the 2 ¼” mark and cut off the top of the envelope.  Flip the envelope – place the fold on the 2 ¼” mark again and cut off the top of the envelope.  You will now have the envelope measuring 4 ¼” x 4 ½” with two open ends.
·         Tape the two half of the envelope together.  You now have an envelope with two “openings”.  (These are where your sentiment card and gift card will go).
·         Attach the envelope to the inside of the Very Vanilla base with Sticky Strip (along the flap that does NOT have the Not Quite Navy strip attached to it).  It is important to use Sticky Strip rather than snail.  Snail won’t be strong enough to keep the envelope stuck to the embossed base.
·         Stamp your “dad” sentiment in Not Quite Navy and punch it out with the Large Oval punch.  Pop it up on your Scallop Oval Punched Not Quite Navy piece with dimensional.  Attach to the base with Sticky Strip.
·         For the envelope inserts, cut (2) pieces of Not Quite Navy card stock measuring 4” x 2 ½”.
·         Cut out (2) labels using the smallest Label Collection framelit and attach to the Not Quite Navy pieces.
·         Cut (2) pieces of Very Vanilla card stock measuring 3 ¾” 2 ¼”. 
·         Stamp or write your sentiment on the Very Vanilla pieces and attach to the Not Quite Navy pieces.
·         Attach (2) mini glue dots to one of the inserts and attach your gift card.
·         For the Belly Band – Cut a piece of Very Vanilla card stock measuring 1 ½” x 7 ½”.  Don’t score the Belly Band – simply close your gift card holder (WITH the inserts and gift card inside) and wrap it around the holder.  The thickness of the holder may vary and this method ensures the Belly Band is neither too loose nor too tight.  Secure the Belly Band with Sticky Strip (again, this ensures it will stay closed over time.  Snail may “give” over time due to the pressure).
·         Stamp the fish image in Not Quite Navy and punch it out using the 2^nd smallest Labels Collection framelit.
·         Punch a Not Quite Navy framelit piece using the same size – turn it and layer it with the “fish” piece.  Attach to the Belly Band.

Ta Da!  I said it before, I'll say it again ... LOVE these gift card holders!!

Tomorrow I'll post my easiest project ... the standard card.  Until then ... have a stampy day!

Tam

By The Tide Easel Card

Happy Monday!!

Woo Hoo!  Monday!  I'm not sure which makes me happier ... Fridays or Mondays *lol*.  Soooo ... did you check out my Stampin' Success projects?  Here again are all 4 projects that are featured in the magazine:

Didn't see the article yet?  Here is the link (I THINK it will work ... I'm not sure if you have to be a demonstrator to access it or not ... my article is on page 16 ... and 17)

http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/US_SS_03_04.pdf

I love how these projects all turned out ... despite the fact that it resulted in 3 week of sleepless nights!  It really was a challenge to come up with these projects.  The stamp set just screams SCRAPBOOK ME! ... but I'm not a scrapbooker ... and I didn't want to make projects that weren't "me" ... so I come up with a standard, quick and easy card, an envelope gift card holder, a card that has a bookmark in it and an easel card.  It really stretched my thinking and creativity and I'm really proud of what I came up with.  Today I'll share how I made the Easel Card.  Here is close up of it ...

Love it!  This is a picture of my Rebecca when she was about 4 years old ... in San Diego.  That was her "signature hat" ... I still have it *sniff*.  But I digress ...

I had never made an Easel Card before ... so this was a learning process for sure!  Thank goodness for all the talented card makers out there ... and Google!  Here is the "recipe" to make the card ... I hope it makes sense ...

PAPER: Sahara Sand, Basic Grey, Pink Pirouette, Vellum

STAMP SETS: By the Tide, Word Play

INK PADS:  Sahara Sand, Black Staz-on

ACCESSORIES: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Labels Collection Framelits, Big Shot, Mini Glue Dots, Black Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Neutrals Designer Buttons

INSTRUCTIONS: 

·         Start with a piece of Sahara Sand card stock measuring 8” x 5 ½” and fold it in half.

·         Take what will be the front of the card and score it from the top right hand corner to bottom left hand corner fold line (look at the picture to understand where the score line is).  I used my Simply Scored Scoring Tool – I placed the angled card on the very edge of the tool and scored it using the very last groove.  I found this more accurate than using the diagonal plate.
·         Fold the front inwards.
·         Stamp a piece of Sahara Sand card stock measuring 1 ½” x 5 ½” with your By the Tide images in Sahara Sand ink.
·         Attach a strip of Basic Grey card stock measuring 1 ¼” x 5 ½” to the Sahara Sand strip and attach to your card base.
·         Cut your photograph using whichever Labels Collection Framelit best fits your picture best.  For my picture I used the two largest framelits – the larges for the Pink Pirouetts mat and one size smaller for the photograph. 
·         Attach your photo and mat to the card base but ONLY the lower right hand portion.  You need the upper right hand section to be loose so it will “stand up” when the card is open.
·         Stamp your sentiment in Staz-on, sprinkle it with Black Embossing Powder and heat set.  Punch it out using the appropriate size of framelit.  Attach to the photo with snail.
·         Attach buttons using mini glue dots making sure to apply the inside buttons at a height that will prop the front at an appropriate level when open.

 So that's the first project!  I hope you like it ... and that the instructions make sense!  Come back tomorrow for the second project.  Until then ... have a stampy day!

Tam

Honeycomb Embossed Embossing

Happy Sunday!

I couldn't wait to share this card with you!!!  I just LOVE it!  It really is one of those cards you need to see in person to get the full effect ... I'm not sure the pictures show the shimmer sufficiently but ... here goes ...

Ok ... I can't see any shimmer on that one ... let's try this one ...

A little better.  Well ... you're just going to have to take my word for it ... it's FABULOUS (yes, I love myself *lol*).  The outline of the honeycomb shapes are all shimmery ... and remind me of golden honey ... mmmmm ... honey ....

This is the card we will be making at my Technique Class in March.  I'm calling it "Embossed Embossing".  The colors used are Very Vanilla and Soft Suede (apparently Soft Suede is my new "go-to color this month!!) and So Saffron.  I applied Versamark directly to my honeycomb folder (on the NON bumpy side) put the vv layer in the folder (making SURE to use my embossing buddy on the cs first!!) and ran it through the big shot.  (**NOTE:  I was making this card again and I found that you want to use an OLD Versamark pad if you have one ... if your pad it too new ... or too "juicy" you get Versamark ... and subsequently powder all over the inside of the honeycomb ... which I don't think looks as nice.  If you use an older, less juicy pad it seems to only stick on the outline of the honeycombs.  If you DO get powder all over the inside of the honeycomb just take a small paintbrush and brush awy the powder where you don't want it before you heat set it**)  I then sprinkled it all over with Iridescent Ice embossing powder ... is that how you spell iridescent?  Looks wrong ... hang on ... hmmm .. yep, that's how you spell it ... Right!  Then I heat embossed it.  The embosing powder only sticks to the bumpy parts of the honesycomb shape and gives it a fabulous golden shimmer.  LOVE IT!!!  I ran some scrap pieces of Soft Suede and So Saffron through the honeycomb folder as well (after cleaning the folder off with a wet baby wipe) and then used my paper snips to cut the shapes out (I DO hope Stampin' Up! is planning to release a honeycomb punch in their next catty ...while it isn't a LOT of work to snip the shapes out life is a little too short to be making too many of them!!)  I stamped the bee from Collage Curios (page 24 of the mini - $19.95 clear; $25.95 wood) in Soft Suede.  Stamped the Thank You in Soft Suede (from Lacy & Lovely - page 99 of the catty - $21.95 clear; $30.95 wood) and punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch.  I used a finger dauber with Soft Suede to color the edges and popped the whole thing up on dimensionals.  Can you see the itty bitty pearls on the bums of the bees?  Hee hee ... I crack me up :))  I added one more, medium sized pearl on one of the honeycombs ... you know ... just to be wild and crazy :)  I popped 3 of the snipped out honeycombs on dimensionals.  DO you like it?  Do ya, huh?  I do ... a LOT :)

That's it for today ... check back tomorrow for my Stampin' Success projects!  Have a stampy Sunday!

Tam

Madison Avenue Case ... from Shelli!!

Happy Saturday!

Can I just say I had a FABULOUS time last night with my stampers??!!  ... and can I just say (once again) I LOVE MY JOB!!!  Sharing what I love with others makes my heart smile.  Stampin' Up! demonstrators are always saying "the best part of being a demonstrator are the relationships I've formed through stamping".  For the first few years of hearing that again and again I thought it was a little cheesey ... but ya know what?  The longer I do this ... and the more people I meet ... and the more friends I make ... I gotta say ... they are all 100% right.  I truly cherish the friendships I have made (and am making!) through this passion of mine.  Stamping truly is more than just crafting ... and stamping parties are SO much more than making a few cards.  They really ARE like the quilting bees from days gone by.  Most of my customers, club members and stampers don't come over to learn something new (but they often do!) ... I believe they come from the fun night out ... the escape ... the girlie yick-yack ... the "just be"ing.  I'll say it again ... I love my job :)

You know who else loves her job?  Our mighty leader, Co-Founder and CEO Shelli Gardner.  She has such a genuine passion for stamping ... and an even more genuine love for her demonstrators and employees.  You know that everything she says and does is truly from her heart.  She's an amazing, inspirational lady in SO many ways.  The card I'm posting today is HER card - 100% cased ... I just added a few rhinestones for some shine.  She created hers digitally on her MDS system.  I made mine the old fashioned way ... with paper and ink (and my stamp-a-ma-jig).  Her it is:

Isn't it great?  I was struck by it's simplicity ... it could be used for any occasion.  Love it!  It uses the Madison Avenue SAB set - and I grabbed the sentiment from Best Dad Ever.  The inks are Island Indigo, Crumb Cake and Rich Razzleberry - all on Sahara Sand cs with a Whisper White base.  Quick, easy and striking.  Love it.  Thanks Shelli for sharing what you love :)

Pop back soon to check out my By The Tide projects.  They make me smile :)  Until then ... have a stampy weekend!

Tam

Bloomin' Marvelous Case

Happy Friday!!

Woo Hoo!  The weekend!  ... you'd think it wouldn't matter to a SAHM whether it was Monday or Saturday but mentally there is just something about the weekend that puts you in a good mood!  Perhaps for me it's because Friday nights are usually my Stamping Classes/Parties .. or maybe it's because I somehow give myself permission to eat really "bad" food *lol*  Whatever the reason I'm glad it's Friday ... and yes, I DO have a party tonight ... my OWN party!  This was a bit of a stretch for me and oddly took me out of my comfort zone!  I'm very good at telling OTHER people what to do but not so great at doing it myself.  This party is a case in point!  I'm very good at telling my potential hostesses to "invite EVERYONE" but when push comes to shove it's not an easy thing to do!  However, do it I did ... after all ... I didn't want to look like a real goat by having my own party and then having no one show up, now did I?  I'm thrilled that I asked all different friends, aquaintances, customers and stampers ... and that 8 said "yes"!  I have a great mix of seasoned stampers and complete novice stampers (our favorite kind!!!) coming to play tonight.  Eeeeeee!  So excited! 
So!  What projects are we making?  Well .... with a little help from my friend Mary (hi Mary!) I've decided on these 3 (The first 2 you've seen before ...)

This one is new ...

I can't take credit for it ... I cased it from fellow demonstrator Linda Pasmore - great card Linda!  I'm SO ready for some bright, spring cards (although you really wouldn't think so given that all my cards lately are vintage and/or earth tones!!)
For this card I used Whisper White with a layer of Old Olive to mat it.  The stamp set is Bloomin' Marvelous (one of the Sale-a-bration sets) stamped in Tangerine Tango.  The dark flowers are inked then stamped ... then stamped again to get the softer orange flowers.  The leaves are old olive and the sentiment is in Early Espresso.  The butterly uses the Bitty Butterfly from the spring mini and the ribbon is from the SAB Sycamore Street Ribbon/Button bundle.  I added a few rhinestones to some of the flowers and to the butterfly body.  Wa-low!  Super quick, easy and pretty.  This set has really grown on me ... hope you like it too!

Pop back tomorrow ... I have another case ... from none other than Co-Founder and CEO Shelli Gardner! ... AND ... make sure you check back next week to see the projects that I had published in our magazine - Stampin' Success!!  I'll have full pics and tutorials on them ... yay!  I've been published :)))  Until tomorrow ... have a stampy day!

Tam

Oops!

Oops *lol* ... looks like I forgot to schedule my Friday post for Friday!  (I'm not used to being a day ahead of the game!!)

In the meantime ... let's see if the link to my Stampin' Success article works!  The article where I'm the Featured Guest Artist is on page 16 and 17 ... :)

http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/US_SS_03_04.pdf

Here is a picture of all four projects I made ... the details and tutorials will follow starting Monday :)

Have a stampy day!

Tam

Postage Due Thank You

Happy Thursday!

Another "quick" post today ... I need to finalize my projects for my class tomorrow night (SO excited to see some old friends!!)

This is the third card I made using Postage Due ...

I like it!  So!  How do you think I got the vanilla image on the Soft Sued card stock?  Yes ... it DOES look like I used Vanilla Craft Ink ... or maybe that I used vanilla embossing powder ... but I didn't!  I actually started with a piece of 5" x 3 3/4"WHISPER WHITE card stock.  I stamped the image in Versamark and used CLEAR embossing powder to emboss it.  I then broke out my brayer (haven't used that in 100 years!!) - inked it up with Soft Sued ink and completely and uterly saturated the whisper white with it.  When I wiped the image with a dry baby wipe it is a real vanilla shade - who knew?!?  I added a piece of vanilla to layer it (4" x 5 1/2") and used the eyelet border punch along one side.  The whole thing is then mounted on a Soft Suede base.  Before taping the layers down I stamped "Thank You" - from "Essentails" - page 22 of the mini - $8.95!!! in soft suede on the Natural 7/8" Cotton Ribbon (page 36 of the mini - $9.95) - wrapped it around the corner and used an In Color Designer Printed Brad for an accent (page 152 - $9.95).  Oh!  and I added a little piece of Calypso Coral cs (1 1/2" x 3 3/4" plus 2 ticks *lol*) behind the image layer for a little pop of color.

Well?  Have I convinced you that the Postage Due set is one worth ordering?  I think I will bring it out more often and challenge myself to use it in a new way.  You should do the same!

Until next time - have a stampy day :)))

Tam

Postage Due - Monochromatic

Happy Wednesday!

I'll get right to it today as I have a VERY busy day ahead (well ... when Isay "busy" I mean I have a lot of coffee dates lined up for the day *lol*)

This is the second card I made using Postage Due.  It took me quite a while for me to be happy with all of the little details on this card ... but I AM really happy with how it turned out (I seem to be on a bit of a monochromatic roll this month!)  Here it is:

Eeeee!  Love it!  So crisp and clean!  I stamped the main image with White Craft Ink on a piece of  3 1/2" x 4" piece of Soft Suede cs.  After having the strip of white Details Lace Tape (page 3 of the mini - $7.95 ... LOVE this stuff!!) in every conceivable position I settled on it being down the LHS of the suede piece.  Perfect!  The stamps are all in Soft Suede and punched out with the Postage Stamp punch.  To get the "writing" along the background I simply used my Crumb Cake marker to color JUST the writing on the stamp and stamped it in various positions.  Of course AFTER I made the card I realized there is a Builder Wheel called Travel Journal (page 108 - $5.95) that I will use next time to make the job a lot faster (of course I don't really USE my wheel any more - I now always cut the rubber image down the seam and then peel the rubber OFF the wheel (it's just stuck on with double sided tape) and then use the rubber with a clear block.  I find this method a lot more accurate and a lot less frustrating than wheeling - one day I'll take some pictures of how I do this!)

S o that's it for this card!  It's much quicker than yesterday's card *lol*.  Come back tomorrow to see my third and final card using this set.  Until then - have a stampy day!

Tam

Postage Due Vintage

Happy Tuesday!

I hope those who had the day off yesterday had some fun!  I realized this morning that not everyone in Canada HAD the day off - some provinces have "Family Day" ... but not all!  I failed in my mission for a "tech-free" day.  In fact I spent a LOT of time on the computer placing orders, doing the paperwork and so on - it was a very productive (and relaxing) day!  We DID spend time together as a family - Craig built a snow fort with the girls and later in the day we played a family game of Charades.  It's actually FUN playing games with the girls now that they are a little older.  Alicia is still at the "I always want to win" phase but at least she doesn't have full-on tantrums if she loses anymore *lol*! 

Now ... crafting.  I've gotta say I'm actually feeling on-top of things in that regard!  Rather than being a week BEHIND in my Stamp Set of the Month projects I'm actually a little ahead of the game!  I've designed my three projects ... now I just have to mass-produce them!  The set for February is "Postage Due" - page 108 of the catalogue - $20.95 clear; $26.95 wood.  This is yet another set that I just HAD to have ... but hadn't used!  I love the challenge of the Stamp Set of the Month Club in that it forces me to sit and make at least three cards with a set.  It really stretches my thinking and creativity - something I don't force myself to do very often - I generally want the "quick wow" rather than just letting my mind quietly create.  Well Friday I did just that and came up with three cards that I love.  The first one I came up with I LOVE!  It's looks complicaed (and yes ... it probably took me well over an hour to come up with it) but it really doesn't take long to put together.  Check it out:

I probably should have taken the photo against a darker carpet - the colors really strike you in person.  I stamped the main image with Crumb Cake ink on a 3 1/4" x 4" piece of Very Vanilla cs.  I then cleaned the stamp and used my Soft Suede marker to color directly on the bicycle image on the stamp.  I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig tool (an absolute MUST HAVE tool!!!) to stamp the darker bike on top of the lighter one.  I cleaned the stamp and used my Pool Party marker (which I discovered desperately needs re-filling!!) to color the number 3 on the stamp ... again - the stamp-a-ma-jig to line it up and stamp in on the VV piece.  Cleaned the stamp - used my Calypso Coral marker to color the flower image directly on the stamp - stamp-a-ma-jig to line it up on the main image.  The VV piece is matted with a 3 1/4" plus 2 ticks x 4" plus 2 ticks (technical, huh?) of Pool Party cs.  I then stamped the 2 cent postage stamp image in Soft Suede ink, punched it out with the Postage Stamp punch and layered it with a 1 1/4" square punch in Pool Party.  I inked the Tower stamp in Crub Cake, wiped off the "1932" with a blender pen and then colored the 1932 with my Coral marker.  It's layered with Coral cs.  The truck was stamped in Crumb cake, I colored OVER the truck image with my Soft Suede marker, wiped off the "10" with a blender pen then colored the "10" with my Pool Party marker.  Finally I used a piece of Sticky Strip to tape down some of the new (and FABULOUS) natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon for that "final touch".  Ok ... maybe it isn't the quickest card to make ... but it really isn't that hard ... just lots to type *lol* ... hope it makes sense!  I love that the Coral and Pool Party stamped images are "faded" - they aren't as bright as they would be if I just stamped those images directly on the vanilla card stock.  It is softened and made more "vintage" because of the Crumb Cake that is underneath it.

So that's the first of my three creations.  I hope you like it!  Leave me a comment - I'd love to hear what you think! 
Pop back tomorrow when I'll show you my second card using this set!  Until then ... have a stampy day!


Tam

Bumblebees and Valentines

Happy Monday!

It's "Family Day" here in Canada ... and I think it's President's Day in the US ... I hope everyone has lots of fun planned for the day!  I'm hoping to have a "Technology Free" day for ALL of us ... so I'm actually typing this 2 days ago :)

I wanted to post the Valentines that I made for the girls ... and for Craig.  Of course I didn't make them until 2:00 pm ON Valentine's Day ... but they were OK with that.  Craig doesn't get home until 5:00 pm and Rebecca doesn't want to open anything without the whole family being together so it didn't matter that they weren't ready bright and early.  I can't believe how much I like these quick, clean cards!!  I usually manage to whip something up quickly when it's for the kids.  I suppose it's because I know all I have to do is make it sparkly and they'll love it.  Mission accomplished!  Here is the one I made for them:

Love it!  I simply used my Scalloped Squared punch for the silver glimmer paper ... and the Hearts A Flutter framelits for the red glimmer hears.  Hmmm ... you can't see the detail but under the swack of rhinestones I dry embossed a scallop border using the new Simply Scored Borders Scoring Plate (page 26 o fhte mini - $19.95).  The rhinestones are in the middle of each scallop.  I stamped the little XO from the My Little Valentine Bundle set in Real Red.  Oh!  And I added one larger rhinestone on the middle heart.  So quick, easy and sparkly!

I wanted to make a card for Craig too ... and to be honest I just couldn't give him the chalkboard card I made.  I like it ... but don't love it.  I figured I could do better (even though I knew he wouldn't care!)  So I took the same layout as for the girls' card, changed the colors and the border and came up with this:

LOVE it!  I used Crumb Cake and Midnight Muse for his.  I changed the scalloped embossed border for some straight lines (just using the "normal" scoring plate).  I HAD to add one rhinestone.  Yep - love this one!

Moving on ... Friday night I had about half an hour to play and decided to crack open my Spring Sampler set.  It was 7 degrees on Friday and I certainly was feeling some Spring Fever!  I fell to the same quick, simple layout as the cards above ... a few minutes later I had this:

Hmm .... lousy picture.  You can't see the layer of white ... or the embossed cloudy.  Here is a close up ...

Hmmm - a little better ... well ... suffice it to say it's quite cute in person.  See the little stingers?  Hee hee - love that part!  I used the new Cloudy Day embossing folder (page 28 of the mini $9.95).  The bees are from the Spring Sampler (mini page 23 - $33.95 clear - $47.95 wood) and are punched out with the 1" circle punch and layered with the 1 1/4" circle punch in Daffodil Delight.  The bees are stamped in black Staz-on and cololred with the DD marker.  The Happy Day to you is from the Friendy Phrases (page 137 - $17.95 clear; $22.95 wood) and are popped up on dimensionals.  Quick, easy and cute!

That's it for now ... I think I'll head down and see what else I can come up with.  Until next time ... have a stampy day off!

Tam

French Foliage "Thoughts"

Happy Sunday!

Another quick one just to bring me up-to-date on my projects ...

Here is another card I made with the "French Foliage" set (page 86 - $17.95 clear; $24.95 wood)

Hmmm ... my lighting is off a little so the colors aren't "true" but still pretty, no?  I used a hint of Always Artichoke as a layer behind the whisper white panels.  I stamped the leaves in More Mustard and then used my Cajun Craze marker to color around the edges and the stems to add a little hint of fall to them.  The splotches are in artichoke, as is the sentiment.  I used the sentiment from Word Play (page 135; $35.95 clear; $51.95 wood) - I don't personally like the full phrase "You're in my thoughts you're in my heart" ... a little to cheesey for my liking ... but I do like the You're in my thoughts part ... so I used my artichoke marker to color just that part of the sentiment before stamping.  I used some of the Naturals Designer Buttons (page 176 - $6.95) with mini glue dots for accents.  I really like this card - it's very calm .. just what you want when you are telling someone you are thinking about them.

So that's it!  I think I'm up to date on my projects!  Let's see what I can come up with next, shall we??  Have a stampy day :)


Tam

French Foliage - Black & White

Happy Saturday!!

I thought I'd post another project that I made over the last few weeks.  Just a quick post - short, sweet and to the point (I KNOW!!!  NOT the way I usually roll ... but I gotta maintain that work / life balance, right??!!)

Last month my Stamp Set of the Month was French Foliage (page 86 - $17.95 clear; $24.95 wood).  I only bought this set this year but I positively LOVE it and don't know how I lived without it for so long!!  Seriously!  The "splotch" is great for masculine cards or to add a distressed or vintage look to projects ... and of course the leaves can be used for so many occasions!  Part of my Stamp Set of the Month "deal" is that when you pay $35 for the clear set you also get (3) full cards using that set.  Here is the first card I made (feel free to gasp with shock over how lovely it is *lol*)

Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!  Don't you love it??  I love it!  So clean and simple ... LOVE it!!  I used black Staz-on for the ink since the Basic Black still smudges when used on Whisper White or Very Vanilla cs (SU is still working on the chemical reaction / technical reason why this is happening ... they're on the case!)  There isn't much to report about this!  I simply used the large ( 1 3/8") Square punch to punch out basic black cs ... stamped the images on some scraps I had lying around and punched them out with the 1 1/4" square punch and popped them up with dimensionals.  The sentiment is from Loving Thoughts (page 136 - $28.95 clear; $36.95 wood)  That's it!  Quick, easy and "WOW"!

I have one more to share ... pop back tomorrow - until then ... have a stampy day :))

Tam

Tea Bag Thank You

Happy Friday!!!

Did y'all have a nice Valentine's Day?  I had a relaxing day ... once I walked the dog (and CHOSE to skip the eliptical!!) I picked up the girls - one headed to my mom's for a play date - the other had a friend over to our house for a play date so I tidied up, did a LITTLE work and a little crafting.  I went to yoga with a girlfriend for a little excercise and relaxation (I suppose I SHOULD have spent the night at home snuggling with my husband on the couch but ... well ... maybe tonight ;) )

So I thought I'd pick up the pace a little on my blogging!!  Today I want to show you the "Thank You" treat my club girls got this month.  They were SUPER quick and easy to make.  This is MY KIND OF TREAT!!  Check it out:

I LOVE these!!  Seriously - SO quick and easy to make!!
Take a piece of cs 10 1/2" x 3 1/2" (I used Soft Suede) - score at 3 1/2" and 7".  Fold  Then cut the end panel from corner to corner (I found using my NEW Stampin' Up Paper Trimmer worked better for this than my big cutter - more precise ...)

Then you simply decorate as desired!  For mine I grabbed my From the Heart set (page 139 - $35.95 clear; $48.95 wood) and stamped it on a 3" x 3" piece of vanilla c.s. (in soft suede).  I used a strip of sticky strip along the bottom and attach some of our delicious Victoria Crochet Trim (page 173 - $9.50) in a "scrunchy" manner (yes, it's a word!!).  I then added an Antique brad (page 174 - $7.50 ... I go through these things like Tic Tacs!!!).  For the inside I used a little tick of sticky strip at the point of the fold ... and snail along the rest to keep it closed.  Snail alone is not enough - gravity pops it open every time ... trust me ... I've tried it over and over and over again ... and every time I resort to sticky strip!  I used "A Cup of Thanks" in soft suede from the Tea Shopped set (page 57 - $33.95 clear; $42.95 wood) ... I FINALLY got to ink up this set!!!  I punched the sentiment out with the Modern Label punch.  On the right hand side of the inside flap I stamped a little cup and tea bag from "Morning Cup" (page 56 - $20.95 clear; $26.95 wood).  Again!  I got to ink up a set I HAD to have ... but that has sat unused for months!!! (Sound familiar???)  And that's it!  Tuck a tea bag inside and you have a SWEET little Thank You gift!

I hope you like it as much as I do!  Until next time ... have a stampy day!

Tam

Envelope Gift Card Holder - Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Hmmm ... I've made over 80 valentines for the girls' friends ... perhaps I should make a card and/or a treat for my girls!!  *lol*  WHY is it that EVERY holiday, birthday and special occasion my family is last on the list to create for???  I guess on the upside the girls didn't have one for me either :)

So!  What's new in my world??  Not much!  And that's GREAT!  I'm thrilled to say that since holidays I have managed to keep that work / family balance just perfect!  I've been VERY relaxed, VERY calm and VERY happy!  I don't fly off the handle very much (and if I do it isn't nearly as quickly as "usual"), I'm much more patient and I'm much more focused on what is important to me.  I'm sure you are all familiar with the "put the large rocks in the bowl first, then the smaller ones, then the smallest, then the sand" story.  No?  Essentially, if you put the rocks in a glass in that order they will all fit ... but if you put them in any other way (like sand first) then there is no room for the large rocks.  Of course the large rocks are suppose to be the "important things in your life".  In my instance the biggest, most important rock is SUPPOSED TO BE family ... THEN work.  I realized I had it the other way around ... I was putting work first and there was no time ... or ENERGY left for family.  SInce my return I HAVE put family first ... then I've put ME second ... THEN work ... and I've been MUCH better off!  That's why this post didn't happen Monday ... or Tuesday ... or Wednesday.  I simply took things slowly and calmly, focused on the family, making a healthy meal, spending QUALITY time with the girls AND Craig ... and THEN I would work.  Needless to say, not a LOT of work actually got done *lol* ... but that's OK.  This morning I woke up and realized I really DO need to put work a little higher on the list today ... so here I am (well, that and I really don't feel like getting my butt on the eliptical yet ... yay for procrastination! *lol*)

So that's what's new with me.  A new focus, a new balance, a new happier me :)))  Now!  What's new in my projects??  Quite a few, actually ... while I haven't been blogging I HAVE been crafting ... like CRAZY!  Aside from the 80 Valentines I made I also made 50 of those cute little Collage Curios cards I posted last week ... that took a bit of time! I am also making up the extra templates from my classes last week so I can increase my stash of cards.  Last night I made the time to take pictures so I could share a tutorial with you.  So here we go ...

I shared a tutorial on how to make these littel envelope gift card holders quite about a year and a half ago ... and it is one of my most popular (and requested) posts.  This year I made a Valentine version .. and since it's Valentine's Day here it is:

LOVE it!!!  Here are some more pics of the inside:

 (OK ... ignore the "Merry Christmas" sentiment ... same inside, different season *lol*)

I got this idea from Tamye Dunbar way back when and I just LOVE how quick and easy it is to put together.  Here are the details ... and lots of pictures to help ...

Start with a standard sheet of card stock - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Score at 2 1/2" and 5 3/4" and fold on score lines:

The shorter flap is the inside ... the longer flap the outside ...



 

Take an old, used envelope (I have LOTS of these lying around!!) and lick it closed - then fold it in half.  Placing the fold lione at the 2 1/2" mark on your paper cutter trim off the envelope.  Flip the envelope around - again place the fold on the 2 1/2" mark and cut the side of the envelope off.  You will now have an opening on both ends of the sealed envelopes: 

 

The next picture doesn't show it very well, but you are going to apply snail to the inside fold of the envelope so you tape the two folded halves together (you are taping the envelope to itself so you have now created two seperate compartments to hold your little notes and/or gift card): 

Run the front of the base through the Big Shot with the hearts embossing folder and a 1" x 5 1/2" strip of Cherry Cobbler through with the xxxxx strip (from the new Needlepoint Border folders in the Spring mini). Tape the cobbler strip to the base:

 Tape BOTH sides if the envelope to the inside of the base - this picture shows one side taped down ... and the stripes of tape so it stickes to the other side as well ...

 Here it is all taped up and closed ...

 Next make your little inserts.  Mine use Early Espresso measuring 4" x 2 1/2" and a layer of Vanilla card stock measuring 3 3/4" x 2 1/4".  I added punched hearts using the large heart punch for little tabs.  The sentiment is from You are Loved (FINALLY broke down and bought it - love this set!) and I attached a gift card holder using mini glue dots:

 Here it is all put together ...

Now for the belly band.  For these I cut a 1" x 7 1/2" strip of cs but I don't "formally" score it.  You don't want the band to be too tight or too loose so I just put the note and gift card IN the holder and THEN take the strip of cs and just wrap it around ... this way you get just the right fit ...

 

 

 

I punched out a heart using my Hearts a Flutter framelit (page 11 of the mini) and stamped the sentiment (from the SAB set Smarty Pants) in Cherry Cobbler afterwards.   

Ta da! 

  There you have it!  It really only takes about 10 minutes to put together!  Quick, easy and fun to give!  OK - that's enough "work" for now.  Off to walk the dog, hit the eliptical then pick up the kids (half day today).  I have 3 or 4 more projects to post so keep popping back to check them out.

Have a balanced, stampy day :)

Tam