Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Cute MDS Downloads

I don't usually post the new My Digital Studio weekly downloads, but the downloads for this week are really cute! If you're going to be doing any canning or making berry jam this summer, the "Creatively Yours" digital stamp set would be great for making your personalized labels and the "Summer Happiness" digital kit would be perfect to create a girly scrapbook...hmmm, I'm thinking about that one for myself.
FYI...every Tuesday new MDS downloads are available. Visit MyDigitalStudio.net to view the catalog and other recent downloads.
If you're new to digital stamping, you can give My Digital Studio ExpressFREE 30-day trial.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Hybrid Masculine Celebrate


This card was a lot of fun to make. I think this is the first pennant banner card I've made. I've had the Petite Pennants Builder punch for awhile, but hadn't gotten around to creating a card with it until recently.
I created several of the card parts using My Digital Studio and then printed them out and built my card. I created and printed the digital DSP using the Write Stuff II. The digital "Celebrate" sentiment is from the 2012 Sale-A-Bration CD's Outlined Occasions digital stamp.
One of the benefits of My Digital Studio is that none of my digital purchases end up getting retired...everything is always current. Love that!

Thanks for visiting!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Hybrid Masculine Sail Away

I don't know about you, but I'm usually short on masculine cards. I have tons of florals and pastels, etc. So this month I focused on creating some "manly" cards. Last week I shared the fun punched wrench card and tutorial, which was inspired by Chris Twing. Today I'm sharing a more nautical themed card using the direct-to-paper technique, along with My Digital Studio's digital stamp "Sail Away". (As a side note, Stampin' Up is offering a 30-day free trial of My Digital Studio Express, if you'd like to try out digital stamping or hybrid cardmaking.) 
I used the Stripes embossing folder and Cherry Cobbler baker's twine to add a bit of interest.  
So glad that you stopped by!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Tool Time Tutorial

My theme for this month's card class is masculine with a bunch of other fun techniques thrown into the mix. I chose punch-art for one of the cards and used these punch-art wrenches for the focal point. This makes a perfect Father's Day or Fix-It guy's birthday card. Chris Twing gets credit for the cute wrench idea. When I saw them I couldn't wait to try them out for myself. If you'd like to make these for yourself, I've posted a How-To tutorial below. They're easy and a lot of fun to make!

Supplies:
Punches: Itty Bitty - scallop (118309), 1-1/4" Circle (119861), 3/4" Circle (119873), Word Window (119857), Handheld punch (101227)
Cardstock: Basic Gray (2) 1/2x2" - Wrench Handles; 2x5-1/2" punch piece for wrench parts
Ink: Basic Gray
Additional Supplies: 2-way glue pen (100425), Sponge dauber (102892), Silver brads (104336)

Punching:
  • Word Window -  Punch 2 slits in (2x5-1/2) Basic Gray punch piece, about 1-1/2” apart.
  • 1-1/4” circle - Center circle punch over one of the slits, leaving an even thickness around the sides and bottom of slit and punch. Repeat for the second slit. This creates the wrench head.
  • Itty Bitty Scallop - Punch 2 scallops in remaining Basic Gray punch piece about ¾” apart.
  • ¾” circle - Center circle punch over one of the Itty Bitty punched scallops, leaving an even thickness around the scallop and punch. Repeat for the second scallop.This creates the Wrench bottom.

Sponging:
  • Basic Gray Ink –   Sponge around edges of wrench pieces: handle, wrench head, wrench bottom.  (Disregard stamped sentiment)
Assembling:
  • Snail wrench heads to one end of wrench handles.
  • Snail wrench bottoms to the other end of wrench handles.

  • Overlap and glue wrench handles as you like and add a couple of silver brads.

Click Here to visit the rest of My Crafty Picks this week

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Masculine Card Tutorial Available

  • Masculine Card Tutorial features three cards using punch art, faux metal, watercoloring, sponging, Big Shot embossing, and digital stamping. Cards featured use the stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes  and My Digital Studio digital stamps Sail Away and Outlined Occasions.
  • You will receive detailed step-by-step 18-page illustrated instructions with pictures, supply list, and cutting guides for each card. The cost for the Masculine Card tutorial is $3.95 and can be purchased below by clicking on the "Buy Now" button. The PDF tutorial will be emailed to you within 24 hours.
Masculine Card Tutorial - $3.95



  • Demo-to-Demo option- If you're a Stampin' Up! Demo, please feel free to teach any of my tutorials using verbal instruction. If you would like to give a copy of the Masculine Card tutorial to your class guests, as a fellow Stampin’ Up! demo, I have made this option affordable for you. Upon receipt of payment I will send you a copy of the tutorial without my name and contact information (I will retain my copyright information on the bottom of each tutorial). The additional charge for this privilege is $5.00, which allows you to print or send out e-tutorials to your class guests. I use the honor system. Click on the "Buy Now" button for $8.95 ($3.95 PDF tutorial + $5.00 demo-to-demo class tutorial) and your PDF tutorials will be emailed to you within 24 hours. 
Demo-to-Demo
Masculine Card Tutorial - $8.95

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

May Stamping Newsletter

My May Stamping Newsletter has been posted. You can view it HERE or by clicking on the Newsletter link on the right side bar. It features upcoming news and pictures of this month's cards, which are Masculine-Themed. We've got something for everyone this month...punch-art, faux metal, digital stamping and watercoloring. I will be teaching this class at Tumbleweed Recreation Center and at my house this month. I've posted the dates and times below.
The tags were created with My Digital Studio. Digital colors: Barely Banana, Basic Black, Whisper White. Digital Stamp: Upsy Daisy.
May Classes
Creative Cards: Flower Fest Cards ($15)
Tuesday, 5/8 – 10 AM-Noon; 7-9 PM at Tumbleweed Recreation Center
Tuesday, 5/15 – 10 AM-Noon; 1:30-3:30 PM; 7-9 PM at Heidi’s House

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Big Yellow Flower Fest


Don’t you love this BIG Flower Fest flower. We were trying to decide what type of flower this really is in one my classes. I think we finally all decided it was some type of Chrysanthemum. Whatever it is, I love it! It’s the perfect size to be a focal point. This stamp set has great leaves, too.
I chose my leftover Bashful Blue Paisley Petals pattern for this card. The neutral Crumb Cake and Whisper White CS makes a nice subtle background for the bold red, black and yellow. The Old Olive leaves also soften the bold colors. I used the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set for the sentiment.
 Hope that you’re having a wonderful day!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Organic Flower Fest


So what makes this card “organic”? My son! I always get my family’s response and input to the cards I make because they’re pretty honest and aren’t worried about hurting my feelings. I appreciate the truth! When I set this card out for some input, my son told me he liked the organic look to the card, so the “organic” name stuck :-)
This is the third card we made in April’s stamp class. I stamped the BIG flower from the Flower Fest stamp set onto the peachy colored Paisley Petals DSP to create the focal point for this card. The Stripe embossing folder on the card front and Pool Party band gave the card some texture. I love texture!!

I’m going to miss this fun stamp set…I hope that the new catalog has a great replacement for the Flower Fest stamp set.
See you next time!!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Word Play Flower Fest


In my last post, I shared with you the Scalloped Card I made with the Flower Fest stamp set that didn’t make April’s class. Well today I’m posting one of the cards that DID make the class using the three So Saffron stamped and watercolored roses. My layout for this card was inspired by another stamper. Unfortunately her card didn’t include her watermark, so I can’t give due credit :-/. My apologies!!

My challenge for this month’s class was incorporating my leftover Paisley Petal DSP with the Flower Fest stamp set to create three different styled cards. This is the elegant card which the green floral DSP gives a soft feel to.  I used Old Olive grosgrain ribbon to create the little ribbon leaves.

Thanks for stopping by! 
For information on the Flower Fest tutorial or kits, Click Here

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Retired Accessories List is here

Get them before they are gone! The retired accessories and Definitely Decorative (including Décor Elements) lists are now available and won't stay around for long--these items are only available while supplies last!

When you look at the retired accessories list, you'll note that all of theStampin' Pads are listed. This is for two reasons:
(1) Craft Stampin' Pads will now only be available in black and white
(2) Stampin' Up! is introducing a new Firm Foam pad in their Classic Stampin' Pads with the 2012-2013 annual catalog. The Firm Foam pads offer better ink coverage and, in turn, better stamped images.



Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Scallop Flower Fest


Today I’m sharing a card using the soon-be-retired Flower Fest stamp set. I was disappointed to find out that this set was going to be retired, as I love it’s open and whimsy art. It’s the perfect set for watercoloring …and many of the stamp images fit a bunch of my punches (2-3/8” Scallop circle, 5-Petal Flower, 1-3/8” circle, Fancy Flower, Butterfly).
One of my classes last year was the Scrapbook in a Box class which used the Paisley Petals DSP to decorate the scrapbook. I only used half of the DSP designs for the scrapbook, so I had the other half leftover and decided to challenge myself to use it and the Flower Fest stamp set to design April’s card class. This fun Scallop card was one of my ideas. I loved it, but since I could only pick three cards for the class, this card ended up not making the cut. But good news, here’s a few card details to share with you: I stamped So Saffron CS with Black Stazon and watercolored the stamped rose images with Calypso Coral ink. The “Happy Birthday” sentiment is from the stamp set Bring on the Cake. I made the banner flag ends using the square punch.

Thanks for visiting…have a wonderful day!!

Supply List:
CS: Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, Whisper White, Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Paisly Petals DSP
Ink: Black Stazon, Calypso Coral, Old Olive
Big Shot: Scallop Circle (113488), Perfect Polka Dots EB folder (117335); Labels Framelit (125598)
Punches: Curly Label (119851), Scallop Edge Border (119882), 1-1/4” circle (119861), Itty Bitty Shapes-scallop (118309), Square Punch (119865)
Accessories: Circle Scissor Plus (125303), blender pen (102845), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Sponge daubers (102892)

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Stampin Up! Retired List

I'm late in posting the Retired List...but better late than never, right? So, here's the details:

Now through May 31, 2012...hundreds of stamps (accessories are coming soon and will be available April 25 - May 31, 2012, or while supplies last) from the 2011-2012 catalogs are retiring, and this is your chance to get them before they're gone. Many products are only available while supplies last, so be sure to get your orders in early!


      Friday, April 13, 2012

      Simple Flower Fest

      Today I'm sharing a fun and simple card using the Flower Fest stamp set. I love the whimsy, open feel of this stamp set. I stamped the flower with black Stazon on So Saffron CS. I used Calypso Coral and my blender pen to color in the flower and Old Olive to color in the stem and leaves. The sentiment is from Petite Pairs (another one of my favorite stamp sets). Poppy Parade is the card base and border around the Whisper White front panel.

      A pretty simple card, which showcases the fun Flower Fest water colored flower.
      So glad that you stopped by!

      Sunday, April 1, 2012

      April Newsletter Posted

      ...and I ain't foolin'

      The April Stamping Newsletter has been posted. You can view it HERE or by clicking on the Newsletter link on the right side bar. It features upcoming news and pictures of this month's cards, which focuses on one of my favorite stamp sets, the  Flower Fest. With it's fun and whimsy images it makes the perfect set for our bold watercoloring this month. I will be teaching this class at Tumbleweed Recreation Center and at my house this month. I've posted the dates and times below. If you live long-distance and would like to get in on this class, you can click here for more information on purchasing the Illustrated PDF Tutorial or a Class Kit To Go.
      This cute punch art purse is created with the Cupcake punch, the 1/2" and 3/4" circle punches
       Here's what's going on this month:
      April Classes
      Creative Cards: Flower Fest Cards ($15)
      Tuesday, 4/10 – 10 AM-Noon; 7-9 PM at Tumbleweed Recreation Center
      Tuesday, 4/17 – (FULL 10 AM-Noon); 1:30-3:30 PM; 7-9 PM at Heidi’s House

      See inside newsletter for registration information

      Saturday, March 31, 2012

      Flower Fest Watercolor Card Class Tutorial and Kits

      • Flower Fest Class Tutorial features three cards using watercoloring, sponging, Big Shot embossing, masking and punching. Cards featured use the stamp sets Flower Fest, Word Play and Teeny Tiny Wishes.
      • You will receive detailed step-by-step 22-page illustrated instructions with pictures, supply list, and cutting guides for each card. The cost for the Flower Fest tutorial is $3.95 and can be purchased below by clicking on the "Buy Now" button. The PDF tutorial will be emailed to you within 24 hours.
      Flower Fest Class Tutorial - $3.95




      Friday, March 23, 2012

      Domestic Goddess Apothecary

       Here's the last of the three cards we made in my Stamp Club this month featuring water coloring and the Apothecary Art stamp set. I also had fun using the new Labels framelit, the Framed Tulips EB folder along with the Designer Frames EB folder on this card...too fun!
      Domestic Goddess is the name of the DSP used on this card. It's one of my favorite paper collections because of its great color combination. What am I going to do when Poppy Parade gets retired? (And to think that I wasn't really that fond of it when it was introduced a couple of years ago, now it's my favorite red.)
      Supplies:
      Cardstock:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight
      Ink:  Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Black Stazon
      Punches: Extra-Large Oval (119859), 1" circle (119868), Itty bitty Shapes (118309), Scallop Edge (119882), Handheld Punch (101227)
      Big Shot: Labels framelit (125598),Designer Frames EB folder (123130), Framed Tulips EB folder (121809)
      Stamp Set: Apothecary Art (125527) 
      DSP: Domestic Goddess(122355)
      Thanks so much for visiting :-)

       If you'd like to purchase the PDF tutorial or a kit for this class, you can click here for more information.

      Friday, March 16, 2012

      Apothecary Vellum Birthday card

      Patty Bennet posted a cool tutorial on her blog using a water coloring on vellum technique. I used this technique to water color one of the embossed Apothecary Art stamp set images and the result is beautiful!
      This is one of the cards I put together for my Stamp Club ladies this month. The theme for this month's cards was water coloring using the Apothecary Art stamp set. We also included one of the new framelits and edgelits, which added some fun details to the cards.
       If you'd like to purchase the PDF tutorial or a kit for this class, you click here for more information.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Saturday, March 10, 2012

      Razzleberry Apothecary Art

      Here's a long overdue post...and yes, I'm still here :-) Today I'm excited to be sharing one of the cards we're making in this month's Stamp Class and Club. It features the beautiful Apothecary Art stamp set along with watercoloring, which is one of my favorite techniques...I love to color! This stamp set is perfect for watercoloring. I also added a sentiment from the Petite Pairs stamp set.
      The Adorning Accent edgelit and embossing folder created a beautiful accent for the Crumb Cake panel and Whisper White trim. I'll be sharing more cards from this month's class throughout the month, so I hope you stop back in soon! Have a great day:-)

      Supplies:
      Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Crumb Cake,Melon Mambo
      Ink:  Soft Suede, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry
      Punches: Eyelit Border (119853), Boho Blossom (119858), Corner Rounder
      Big Shot: Labels framelit (125598), Adorning Accents edgelit (125595)and embossing folder (125601); Sqaure Lattice embossing folder (119976)
      Stamp Set: Apothecary Art (125527), Petite Pairs (122497)