Stamping 411

There was a fun little sketch posted at Stamping 411 this weekend, and I couldn't not play along. I think the deadline is fastly approaching, so excuse the crummy photo, it was dark when I got home last night!
I made quick work of the sketch by using the Sweet Pea stitched felt. I stamped a sweet message from Teeny Tiny Wishes. A quick sponging made sure the white banner didn't get lost on the white background. I curled the banner and used a square punch to notch the end of the banner! I added some rustic linen thread tied on the left side. The background was run through the big shot and the polka dots textured impression die! I layered the white on Old Olive on Kraft. A very quick card to compliment this beautiful sketch. Take a look:


Have a good one.


Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Old Olive
CS: Kraft, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: Sweet Pea stitched felt, linen thread, sponge, Big Shot, polka dots textured impression

Snow.

Mission Organization: Tackle the Recipes

Since it's a snowy weekend, I decided to clean up my recipes. Last week I cleaned my (gasp!) Junk Drawer and realized why it's called the junk drawer! Anyways, I found some recipes that I had scratched down on backs of receipts, napkins, and ones I pull off cans and packaging. Today I've been dilligently recording them on notecards. This little box was a gift for a recent hostess. I used a 3"x5" index card box (found the school supply aisle for about $2). I made 3"x5" cards in Certainly Celery, rounded the corners and added the divider stamps. I used a 1" circle punch to punch of the images and matted them on a 1-1/4" Basic Black circle.
The box was a bit plain, so I quickly used a scrap piece of Certainly Celery, adhered with Sticky Strip and a 5/8" Basic Black satin ribbon.

Now go get organized (or sit infront of the fire with a good book!). Enjoy your weekend.
SHERRI

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: From the Kitchen
Ink: Basic Black
CS: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Accessories: 1" circle punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, corner rounder, dimensionals, Basic Black satin ribbon

Many Thanks

Literally, many. I needed to get caught up on my thank you notes, so I whipped up a batch of Clean And Simple cards (CAS for short). The greeting is from a retired set, Warm Words, but I love the font and size and I will never give up the set (you can't make me!). I used pieces of Real Red DSP for the large petals. They were quickly cut with the Big Shot and the Flower Folds die! The centers are an image from Circle Circus, punched out with 1-1/4" circle, matted on a 1-3/8" Soft Suede circle which was layered on the DSP flower.

These are simple and quick and I adore them. Not all cards have to be art-masterpieces filled with techniques and layers!

The hostess level 1 DSP pack is perfect for these matching card sets. Look for more of these in the future at Sweetest Designs!
Have a great Friday!
SHERRI

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Circle Circus, Warm Words (retired)
Ink: Real Red
DSP: Real Red Designer Series Pattern Pack
CS: Soft Suede, Whisper White
Accessories: 1-1/4" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch, big shot, Flower Folds die

You & Me Friends

A shabby card today that is mostly out of my comfort zone! I started wheeling Friendly Words on Soft Suede with versamark. I layered Soft Suede on a Soft Suede base. I’ve been seeing this a lot recently, and wanted to try. I don’t know how I feel about it yet!
Then I added some paper lace. I used Very Vanilla, trimmed with the eyelet punch, edges sponged in Soft Suede.
The top panel is Perfect Plum. I stamped Friends from Vintage Vogue in versamark. On the left, I made a crinkled flower from the Petals Big Shot die – one in Elegant Eggplant and one in Perfect Plum. The center is circles (1” Soft Suede, ¾” Perfect Plum stamped with Circus Circles in versamark, topped with a clear button, tied with Linen Thread. The stem and leaves are punches from the Large Bird Punch. So cute. I added a half-pearl in the upper right corner from the Pretties Kit. We didn’t have any ribbon that I liked, so I dyed the 3/8” Whisper White taffeta ribbon.

I'm also happy to report this card is IN THE MAIL and heading to a wonderful friend. Will it be you? :)

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Circle Circus, Friendly Words, Vintage Vogue
Ink: Soft Suede, Versamark
CS: Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Petals Big Shot die, big shot, 1” circle punch, ¾” circle punch, large bird punch, half pearl, 3/8" whisper white taffeta ribbon, perfect plum reinker, eyelet punch, sponge, clear button, sticky strip (for the faux lace)

February Calendar

I'm back with the February calendar.This was quick and simple with the aid of DSP and punches. I used several new and old punches to create this simple layout. Let me know if you have any questions about this calendar. Remember to check back as I transform this calendar into a scrapbook page! Easy.
Weather report for the greater Washington, D.C. metro area:
Have a good day,
SHERRI

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Well Scripted
Ink: Pretty in Pink
DSP: Sending Love Specialty
CS: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Very Vanilla
Accessories: 3/8" Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, pinking hearts border punch, small heart punch, scallop heart of hearts embosslit, big shot, full heart punch, heart to heart punch

Sponging and Distressing 101

Happy weekend to you! Here's the video I promised about sponging and distressing!
Enjoy!

Please let me know if you have any questions.
SHERRI

With All My Heart

It's been over a week since I last posted. Where does the time go? I miss you guys! Todays card could be for any occasion, and most supplies come from the New Occasions Mini Catalog! Did you all receive your catalogs (both the Occasion Mini and the Sale-A-Bration catalog)? Although my stamping time was limited this week, I was still able to create a gorgeous card. "How?" you might be asking....by using DSP of course!

Three panels, layered on distressed Very Vanilla, layered on distressed Pretty in Pink, layered on a Chocolate Chip card base. To break up the horizontal DSP panels, I placed a Chocolate Chip satin bow across the top third of the card. The bottom right is offset with a flower (we're all about balance here at Sweetest Designs). To achieve this color-variation flower, stamp the flower in Pretty in Pink ink first, turn the stamp up (rubber facing you) and take a sponge or dauber in Chocolate Chip and go over the edges. Give the stamp a little huff to moisten the ink, and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch out with the Scallop Circle Punch, layered on 1-3/4" Pretty in Pink circle. When I finished, I added a Chocolate Chip 1/4" epoxy brad in the center. I thought it was still "missing" something. (Does that happen to you??) As you know, there isn't a larger circle punch than 1-3/4" so I used TWO tab circle punches and layered them together to form a larger circle. You can try to find the seams - but they're difficult to see. Charming!

I layered Very Vanilla inside (edges sponged with Chocolate Chip) and stamped FRIEND in the corner. I again stamped the image with Pretty in Pink, and dabbed the edges with Chocolate Chip prior to stamping the image.

I will be adding a video to better illustrate the sponging, the distressing, and the tab punch.

Now, here's the best part! You can purchase elements to make this card and earn FREE Sale-A-Bration sets! Whoooo. I've developed three options:

Option 1, $62.00 (includes tax, shipping and handling to your door step):
With All My Heart (Clear Mount)
Sending Love Specialty DSP
Cutter Kit
5/8" Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon
EARN ONE FREE SAB set (or punch or DSP pack!)

Option 2, $62.00 (includes tax, shipping and handling to your door step):
With All My Heart (Wood Mount)
Sending Love Specialty DSP
5/8" Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon
Stampin' Dimensionals
8-1/2" x 11 pack cardstock Pretty in Pink
EARN ONE FREE SAB set (or punch or DSP pack!)

Option 3, $115.00 (includes tax, shipping and handling to your door step):
With All My Heart (Wood Mount)
Circle Scallop Punch
Tab Circle Punch
1-3/4" Circle Punch
1 pack Daubers
Sending Love Specialty DSP
5/8" Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon
Stampin' Dimensionals
EARN TWO FREE SAB set (or punch or DSP pack!)

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: With All My Heart
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink
DSP: Sending Love Specialty DSP
CS: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla
Accessories: 5/8" Satin Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Tab Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1/4" Chocolate Chip Epoxy Brads, Cutter Kit

I will send a special Thank You to the first five to purchase Options 1, 2 or 3 from With All My Heart. You must contact me directly for Options 1, 2 and 3.

Making a Difference

I really do work for a wonderful company....

From now until February 28, 2010, Stampin Up! will set aside $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts Stamp Set (it was in the Clear Mount video!) and donate it to the American Red Cross' Haiti Relief and Development Fund.

I {Heart} Hearts - clear-mount, Item #118571, $18.95
I {Heart} Hearts - wood-mount, Item # 117010, $26.95

The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

The I (Heart) Heart stamp set is the perfect Heart set – it will be useful far beyond Valentines…
a. Send thanks from the Heart
b. You touch my Heart
c. Weddings
d. Anniversaries
e. I love and miss you
f. You stole my heart
g. Scrapbooking
h. Valentines
i. Baby Love
j. I LOVE (top 10 lists, what I do, etc)
k. Heartfelt Greetings
l. and so much more…

In addition, please know Stampin' Up! packaged and sent thousands of packages personal items such as soap and hand sanitizer. They urged their vendors to donate many of the products packaged and sent.

Oh Baby!

It's been a while since we've had an OH BABY! card (plus, I was asked to make a baby card for my mom). I preplanned this card and sketched out a layout. I grabbed Nursery Necessities off my shelf but when I sat down to start the card - I went a different direct. For example, I didn't even use Nursery Necessities. I had perused the gift registry to get a "feel" for the new mom-to-be and when I sat at my desk, I was drawn to all my NEW goodies from the NEW Occasions Mini. I'll have to use the sketch for some other time.
If you look closely, there's just a little bit of stamping on the front of the card. I started with Nursery Letters in versamark on Soft Suede. Isn't that lovely? Really - give it a try. I'll be using more versamark here! Then you'll notice the Sweet Pea DSP. Gorgeous. I let it do the work for me (you know that's one of my favorite tricks). I layered the vertical piece on a piece of Rich Razzleberry and the horizontal DSP was mounted on Old Olive. I used the Beautiful Wings embosslit (it CUTS and dry embosses at the same time!!) to cut out Pretty in Pink and Barely Banana butterflies. I popped them up on dimensionals. A piece of Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta brings balance back to the right side of the card.
For the inside, I sponged Pretty in Pink around the edges of the Whisper White panel. In Barely Banana, I stamped the Butterfly Accent in the upper left. I then (without reinking), stamped the butterfly two more times at an angle down the panel. These are faint enough that the message will be read easily. I used my most favorite font set, Well Scripted, in the upper right in Soft Suede.

Also, in a what's-to-come update, I'll be scrapbooking! I finally got my pictures printed. Whooo hooo! I have a wonderful weekend planned :)

Also, if you're a demonstrator and joined Stampin' Connection - find me and friend me or leave a message on my wall! (And if you're not a demonstrator - you're missing out! It's Facebook but for Demonstrators Only. We're sharing ideas and projects and templates and business tips. And it's only been availabe for 24 hours - who knows where this is going to end up. Sale-a-bration is an AMAZING time to join my team!)

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Butterfly Accent, Nursery Letters, Well Scripted
Ink: Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Versamark
DSP: Sweet Pea
CS: Barely Banana, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Versamark, Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit, 3/8" Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, dimensionals.

Mission Organization, Week Two

Good Monday morning! I'll keep this quick today since you have TWO projects to look at.

I really don't know what happened to the rolodex. Check it out here. It's cute.

I realized I needed a new calendar at the new house. I'm usually a magnet on the refrige kind-of-gal, but I can't stick things to the shinny stainless steel appliances. So......I settled for a NEW system.

These are 6"x6" pages, slid into page protectors, hanging from binder rings. I used the Big Shot to cut out the words in Brushed Gold cardstock. I really enjoy this heavy weight shimmery cardstock! I cut apart the words - the die connects them all. The background is the (now retired) Cocoa Speciality DSP. I used a wide wide strip of cardstock at the top and a strip of whisper white satin ribbon at the bottom. (Don't forget - you can get your fingers on this BEAUTIFUL ribbon from my ribbon share). An image from (retired) Serene Snowflake is lightly stamped in Sahara Sand on the calendar.

Best of all, AFTER the month is over, I'll be trading out the calendar portion for a scrapbook page. I'll be sure to show you the transformation. Look at me, multi-tasking! I love it when a plan comes together.

Look forward to next month's page (I'll be sure to show ya ahead of time)...

Have a creative week.


Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Serene Snowflakes
Ink: Sahara Sand
CS: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Accessories: 5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Big Shot

Friday Love

Happy Friday. Did you survive your first 5 days in 2010? I feel like it was the longest. week. ever. Phew. (There's a video and a card today - scroll to see both. If you're reading this from a RSS feed, you may need to visit the blog to see the You Tube Video.
The video is approximately 5 minutes long. It's mostly me just babbling :) in an attempt to explain the differences and similarites between traditional wood mount and our NEW CLEAR MOUNT stamps. I'll also show you the way to assemble this new type of stamp.

I don't mention it in the video, but if the cling loses it's cling and a damp cloth doesn't do the trick, wash the stamps and blocks with mild dish soap and water let them air dry. This will reactivate the cling. "Keep the cling CLEAN." Let me know if you have any questions about these new stamps :)

Here's a QUICK QUICK card. It could easily be used for an anniversary card. It's not too girlie either :)
The paper is retired - the Cocoa Specialty DSP. I miss it already.

Sweet Deets (all supplies Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Love You Much
Ink: Soft Suede
CS: Real Red, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Playground Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Heart to Heart Punch, 1" Double Stitched Real Red Grograin Ribbon, Big Shot, Top Note Die.