Sparkly Seasons Snow Globes

Happy Friday!!!!

Wow - where did the week go??  I can't believe it's Friday.  I also can't believe it's 2:02 pm and I've done "square root" (as my Dad would say) today!  Heck, I just finished eating lunch!  dishes aren't done, dinner isn't planned …. so …. why start anything now, right?  Let's just chat here for a while instead, shall we??

Last night I wanted to get to the Craft Cave before my brother came over.  Alas - I got into placing an order and 1 1/2 hours later he was here, drink in hand, watching the hockey game before I managed to go down and even say hello!  Oh well .. the boys were watching hockey so I hit the Craft Cave, as I could still see the couch and eavesdrop on any conversations I may have needed to jump in on lol.  I dug out another new Christmas set I've been wanting to play with … Sparkly Seasons.  It was one of the first ones I bought from this catalogue.  It has SO much potential, especially since it is bundled with some corresponding thin lets at 15% off.  Here is the stamp set and thinlits ...

… and of course here is what I made with them …

Love!!!  Notice yet another strong black presence??  Yup - just can't get enough black these days!!!  I tried to keep them simple, hoping to use them for my Stamp-a-Stack but I dunno.  I like the second one better but there is more colouring involved.  Coloring = time = not REAT for a SAS … but we'll see …

For the first card I stamped the globe base (and the snow) in Smoky slate ink.  he globe and snowman are in the Archival Black (yum).  The sentiments were punched out with the thinlits and the new precision cutting mat/plate thingy.  I'm still undecided on that thing.  Do you *need* it?  No.  Is it nice to have - ya I think so.  I didn't need wax paper to run these through … and from what I understand using this plate eliminates those annoying little "bumps" that you get when you use the magnetic plate.  Hmmm - jury is still out.  Anyway!  Glued the sentiment on with the Fine Tip Glue Pen.  Added some of the new white glitter ribbon (page 29 of the holiday catty if you missed it - you get a roll of white AND a roll of gold in the pack!) to look like fallen snow.  I coloured the hat and scarf with my Real Red Marker and the nose with Pumpkin Pie.  For the second card I did virtually the same thing - minus the ribbon … and added an enamel dot and three rhinestones.  I also omitted the snow falling in the globe - just gives it a REALLY clean look.

Love 'em.  Recommend the bundle!

Guess I should go put away the breakfast dishes.  Pfthththth.  Whatever you get up to, hope you have a stampy afternoon!

Tam

Elegant Embellished Ornaments

Happy Thursday!

Oh.  Em.  Gee. It's SUCH a beautiful day out there today.  I freaking LOVE fall!  It's not EVERY Oct 15th you can walk the dog without socks.  I'll take it as long a I can get it!

So last night I had some time on my hands (what??  When does THAT happen??  I must have been procrastinating on SOMETHING … but I can't think of what!) - anyway … *found* some time and wanted to make another Christmas Card for my upcoming Stamp-a-Stack … so off I went.  I had a few ideas in mind … but they quickly were relegated into the "nah" pile … and then THIS happened …

Right??  Do I even have to SAY it??  Yes?  ok ….. freaking LOVE it!!!  Seriously.  Black.  White.  Grey.  Bling.  Clean.  Quick.  Simple.  Awesome.  What's not to love?????

It actually took me about 45 minutes to strike on the black/white/grey.  I kept trying to make it work with a coloured big ornament. Alas, my Blackberry Bliss got gummy (long story) - my Rich Razzleberry reinker threw up all over my fingers so I got mad and grounded it from being used for a week …. and then my new favourite black sat there looking sad and lonely … kind of like a puppy blinking at me … and it had to be.  I've mentioned before how much I LOVE this dark dark dark black ink and that hasn't changed.  I ordered 3 more of them today.  Yes.  It's THAT awesome.  But I digress ….

Stamped the large ornament from Embellished Ornaments set in the Archival Black, punched out the smaller ornament in Smoky Slate using the corresponding Delicate Ornament Thinlits (if you buy them as a bundle you save 15%!), stamped the sentiment from "Jolly Christmas" in Archival Black, added 3 rhinestones to the sentiment and a string of 5 rhinestones to the grey ball (which was glued down with the Fine Tip Glue Pen) and Wa-low!  one freaking awesome card!

Oh - the black mat measures 5" x 3 3/4" and the white top layer is 4 3/4" x 3 1/2".  Kind loving that sizing lately … or did you notice?

So I think that's it for today.  I want to design one more card today … before my brother pops over for a visit (he's here from BC and leaves Saturday morning).  So off I go.  Thanks for popping in.  enjoy the beautiful weather and have a stampy afternoon!!!


Tam

Creating Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Tuesday!

Yawwwwwwwnnnnnnn - I'm SO tired today.  I went to the Madonna concert last night.  It was so freaking AWESOME!!  Alas …. I didn't get to bed until almost 1:00 am.  I somehow managed to haul my tired butt out of bed and to the gym … and walk the dog … but now I am dragging.  I see a 20 minute nap in my future!  So no major post today - just an interesting video on how they make the DSP at Stampin' Up!

Enjoy … and have a stampy afternoon!


Tam

Wonderland Beauty

Happy Sunday … and Happy Thanksgiving!

I was toying with a 10 minute "meditation" while I wait for my pumpkin spice cake to finish cooking alas … thought I'd post a project instead :)  .My brother and SIL (and their schnauzer Olive!) are in town (they come every Thanksgiving) so we're heading to Mom and Dad's for the annual big turkey feast.  This year mom actually let me BRING something!  I'm on brussel sprout and dessert duty.  I've been wanting to try a brussel sprout recipe I found on pinterest so this is my big chance.  Dessert?  Home made lemon pie (my FAVE!) … store bought pumpkin pie (not a fan of pumpkin pie but the others are so … and I WOULD have made it from scratch but Craig used my pie dough last month so I only had enough for one pie!)  I found another recipe I wanted to try - a pumpkin spice / toffee cake with cream cheese icing … so we now have 3 desserts to choose from.  Wa-hoo!  lol

So today I'm going to share a stunning card I CASEd from fellow CANADIAN demonstrator Cynthia Millan over at www.stampwithcynthia.blogspot.ca.  I deviated very slightly from hers but she gets ALL the credit.  Check.  It.  Out!

Isn't it FAB???  It looks SO awesome in "person"!  Pop over to her website to see a video on how she created this, if you are a visual learner.  I'll give you the jyst of it here …

The star of the show is the Woodland Embossing Folder.  Seriously.  This is a MUST have folder for all your masculine cards, sympathy cards and scenery cards.  It really is awesome!  The back-up star is the "Wonderland" stamp set in the 2015 Holiday Catalogue

Oh sure - you probably COULD use the trees from the Lovely As A Tree set but … well … oh just buy the darned set - it's new and pretty … and has elk antlers!  lol

OK so this technique is super easy.  you simply open your embossing folder.  Apply Soft Sky ink directly to the inside of the folder (on the flap that has the black Sizzix logo on it).  You can ink it with a brayer, a sponge or the ink pad itself.  It all works.  I like just a light inking … and actually removed some of the ink in some spots to make a cloud-like effect.  Too juicy = too dark for my liking.

Once you have the Soft Sky applied grab your trees and your Mossy Meadow ink pad, ink the stamp and then stamp directly on the folder (on the same side as you did the blue).  I like to make sure I get the tips of the trees on the flat spaces of the folder.

Once inked place your 4 3/4" x 3 1/2" Whisper White card stock on the NON-inked side and close the folder tight.  You don't want to lay the card stock on the inked side as it will likely move and smudge when you close the folder.

Keep a tight grasp on the folder as you slide it through your Big Shot.  It took me a few tries to get this part right.  My Big Shot wasn't a tight enough squeeze to make a nice, crisp embossed image - it came out blurred and quite horrible, really.  I had to add a shim … a piece of the backing from our Designer Series Paper cut to 6" x 5".  I place the shim under the cutting pad just to make it a "little" tighter … but not too tight (or it cracks the whisper white card stock!).  You may have to experiment just a little to see what works best with your machine.

Once you open the folder you have this beautiful, water-colour picture look.  It's fabulous!

To bring out the details of the trees a little more very gently sponge a little soft suede on them.  It makes the bark stand out.

I added a 1/2" strip of Whisper White and 3/4" strip of Soft Sky for the sentiment … which came from the Crazy About You set, inked in Mossy Meadow.  I finished it off with an enamel dot (2015 Holiday Catalogue) and popped it up on dimensionals.

If you want to make more than one of this card you need to run your folder under water to clean it off.  As the ink is water based you just hold it under the water - no scrubbing required!

I matted the scene on a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Mossy Meadow Card stock and wa-low!  A beautiful card … that yes, I will likely be using for my Dad's birthday next month.  Love it!

Thanks to Cynthia for sharing this little beauty with us.  And thanks for popping in.  Whatever you get up to today I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones.  Have a stampy day!


Tam

Tips and Tricks for the Precision Base Plate

Happy Tuesday!

Right.  Today I'm sharing a video on the Precision Base Plate.  I dunno.  I've used it a few times.  Sure it's nice to have.  It is a "must" have?  The jury is still out on that one.

Check it out … and have a stampy day!


Tam

Season to Season Wreath Project Kit by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Monday!

Season to Season Wreath Kit.  This is a great project to have if you are a "wreath person" - you can use it all year round.

Have a stampy Monday :)


Tam

Peaceful Pines Bundle by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Sunday!

Another bundle for you to drool over!

Have a stampy Sunday :)


Tam

Happy Scenes Photopolymer Bundle by Stampin’ Up!

Happy Saturday!

These bundles are by far two of the most popular items in the 2015 Holiday Catalogue.  I believe they are currently on backorder so if you want yours well before Christmas make sure you order one sooner rather than later!

Have a stampy day :)


Tam

Fast Fuse Adhesive by Stampin' Up!

Happy Friday!

Thought I'd post some videos put out by Stampin' Up!  First Up … Fast Fuse.  I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this stuff.  When I get a new one I love it … but you HAVE to keep the cartridge clean and free of tape build up or you're hooped!  … and you can't press too hard or you will crack the tip of it and it will be broken beyond repair :(

Check this out … and have a stampy day!


Tam

Monarch Butterfly Note Card

Happy Thursday!

How about a video??  I made this card back in July when I needed one super quick for my Mom's birthday.  Yup - took mere minutes!

Thanks Brenda for the video and a stunning card!



Have a stampy day!


Tam