Craft Buddy!

This is my craft buddy - Suz - and me at a scrapbooking fest last weekend. We had fun working on our never ending scrapbooks. We also made these cute bracelets using patterned paper and beads. I also learned how to spend a bunch of $2 bills! Seriously, who uses these? TTFN!

Suz is the ultimate crafter! Go check out her crafts at http://www.craftsbysooze.blogspot.com/. She and her husband are Waiting for Caroline to come from China. She uses her talents as a crafter to feed their adoption fund. Check out http://www.waitingforcaroline.blogspot.com/ for more of her cute crafts!

Friendship Blooms

I've had these tins in my basket for a while and decided I needed to use one! I still have 6 left! I used the Sale-A-Bration set called Friendship Blooms for this image.

I started with the flower image. I stamped it using Basic Black on Whisper White Cardstock. I then stamped the same image on a Post-it Note. I cut the image on the Post-it out and covered the image on my Whisper White. I then used the swirl image and went right over the flower image to get the swirls as close to the flower as possible. Neat huh?! This technique is called masking - because you create a mask with the Post-it.

To color the image I used my Aqua Painter and my Rich Regals Watercolor Wonder Crayons. These Crayons are so awesome. I highly recommend them! I started with the Rose Red on the large petals. After I had painted the color on the petals, I went back with the Crayon and colored in the center of the petals and the center of the flower. I then used my Handsome Hunter Crayon on the swirls.

More bling was in order here. I used my 2-way glue pen in the center of the flower, and sparingly on the black part of the flower. Then sprinkled some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on.

If you have Watercolor Wonder Crayons sitting on your shelf - go get them. You won't be disappointed!

Ouch!

I received this image from a crop that I attended on Sunday. It is from a new set in the Spring-Summer 2008 Catalog called Pinch Proof. I thought it needed a little bling. So I used my Versamark pad over the top of my image, and sprinkled Iridescent Ice over the top. Then I gave it a quick blast from my heat gun. That's where the ouch came from! Seems no matter how many times I heat emboss something - I always burn myself. Duh! It's hot! Guess I need a little more luck.

So Sweet of You

That's the cute sentiment on this stamp from the So Many Scallops set that you can earn for FREE from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.

I used Purely Pomegranite for my base here. I stamped the image in Versamark and randomly stamped it on my base. I used a strip of Taken With Teal and layered it with a piece of Whisper White Taffeta ribbon.

I stamped my image again in Whisper White Craft ink onto my Taken With Teal cardstock. I then painted my flower with my Stampin' Pastels while the ink was wet. Punched out the image with my Scallop punch. Then added a little knot to the center of my main image.

Not quite what I had pictured in my head - but then it doesn't happen very often that something turns up on paper like I had dreamed. I'll give it another shot soon.

A Deal Worth Repeating!

Even if you have no interest in being an active demo, this deal is too good to pass up!


Join between now and March 15 and get the starter kit and so much more for only $159!

During Sale-A-Bration, anyone who joins can choose ANY stamp set--a value of up to $47.95--from the Spring-Summer 2008 Collection!

This kit is a fabulous purchase for anyone interested in adding to their stamp supplies!

You will receive 30% off your first order over $150.

And 20% off all future purchases!

Monthly magazines full of great project ideas.

The first look at all new catalogs and stamps.

Bulk buy options.

Access to demo only resources included great ideas and templates.

And of course...
Me! To help you with whatever you decide to do with your kit!
Whether you just want a bunch of supplies to use, or you want to grow your own business,
I will be here to support you!

Still not sure? Contact me today for more information!

Feeling a bit "punchy"

So after blog surfing today, I was feeling a bit punchy. I saw so many cute things made with Stampin' Up! punches that I wanted to try a few of my own.

Thanks Easter Bunny!

The bunny was created using my 1-3/8" circle punch, my 1/4" circle punch, and my large oval punch. The pink was added to his ears and cheeks using some Stampin' pastels. I drew the mouth and whiskers using my Basic Black Journaling Marker. A couple google eyes finish his face.

It's the luck of the Irish!

What a cutie huh? I used my scallop circle punch for his hair, my 1-3/8" circle punch and 1/4" circle punch for his face and nose. His hat was created using my round tab punch, and my small tag punch. I trimed the end of the tag down so it wasn't quite so tall. I added a little strip of black cardstock and with a Stampin' Pastel yellow buckle. His cheeks were created by dipping the tip of a pencil eraser into my Stampin' Pastels.

So the faces aren't the best. Wouldn't it be great if Stampin' Up! created a set of faces that could be used with our punches?!

What can you create with your punches?

Photo Coaster

This is a picture of my oldest son taking a jump on his quad. You're probably wondering how much I paid to have it put onto this coaster, right? Well let me tell you - it was less than $1 - and I did it myself. You can do it too!

Using a digital photo studio you need to change your picture to black and white. Adhere plain white tissue paper (the kind you stuff gift bags with) and secure it to a piece of regular printer paper using tape. Then print it! Simple enough.

Separate the tissue paper from the printer paper. Trim your tissue photo to fit the way you want onto your 4x4 unglazed tumbled tile. Then brush a light coat of Mod Podge directly onto the tile. Place the tissue photo onto the tile, starting with the middle. Remember - you are using thin tissue so be gentle as it will tear easily. Smooth the tissue to lay as flat as possible.

Then brush another coat of Mod Podge over the top of the tissue photo and allow to dry. Again - remember to be gentle!

The Mod Podge will give it a little protection, but if you plan on heavy use of these tiles, I recommend sealing it once more with a coat or two of polyacrilic clear spray.

From start to finish - about 30 minutes!

Let me know if you give these awesome gifts a try!

Scratch n' sniff!

Can you smell it? Mmm... I sure can! It smells like a strawberry! Really! I used the scratch n' sniff technique on this strawberry.

You can purchase this strawberry in the Tart & Tangy set that will be available on March 1.

First, I stamped the image in Real Red Craft Ink, on Whisper White cardstock. Then to make it scratch n' sniff, I mixed unsweetened strawberry kool-aid and clear embossing powder. The mix ratio was about 1:1. I then stamped the strawberry using Versamark onto Glorious Green cardstock, and trimmed the top off. I adhered it on the red part using Snail adhesive. I then cut out the whole strawberry, and attached it to a Whisper White scallop using 2 Dimensional dots.

Using my 1/16" handheld punch I went around the outside of the scallop. Then used Snail adhesive to attach the White scallop to a Real Red scallop. The back is identical to the front, minus the strawberry.

I didn't have any Real Red ribbon - so I made it! Using Whisper White ribbon and a Real Red marker! Too fun!

We will be making one of these yummy treats at our Hostess club on March 10th!

Jumbo!

I made this Jumbo Paperclip/Bookmark in a matter of minutes (despite the fact that I've had these Jumbo clips for over a month)! I used my scallop punch and Whisper White cardstock to punch 2 scallops for the base. Then I used my 1-3/8" punch on Real Red cardstock for the center circle. I added a Rub-on from the Eastern Elegance collection and a black brad. I used a little Crystal Effects to secure the clip to one of the scalloped circles and then placed the layered scallop on top. I added a little gingham ribbon to finish it off. Done!

You can find these Jumbo clips in the office supply section of your store.

Sweet Dahlia

I saw a few of these beautiful flowers on SCS, and thought I would give them a try. They are actually quite easy!

Would you believe that it only takes 8 circles to create this beautiful flower? Just 8!

I'd try to explain the directions, but am afraid I would lose you! So check out the directions here - there's even a diagram to follow! http://www.cardsandcrafts.freeservers.com/dahlia.html If you still need help, let me know!

Materials used:

• 1-3/8" Circle punch
• Build A Brad with 1/4" punch
• Designer Prints paper in Rose Red
• Black & White Gingham ribbon
• Whisper White cardstock
• Black cardstock
• Rose Red Cardstock (Base)
• Snail Adhesive

It's Sale-A-Bration Time!

It's here! February 1 starts off a great Sale-A-Bration time at Stampin' Up! For every $50 you order between today and March 17 you will earn an exclusive set from the brochure posted above!

Contact me to place your order and receive your FREE stamps!

One of a Kind

The One of a Kind stamp set featured on page 109 of the Spring-Summer catalog is temporarily unavailable. SU! is looking into quality issues with the way the stamp lines up with its coordinating punch - Boho Blossom.

This set was on my list too - but I'd rather wait for the corrected version than have a set that isn't as perfect as it should be!

Wow! What an awesome deal!

Do you have at least 5 stamp sets on your wishlist? Are you interested in getting great Stampin' Up! products at a discount?

Now is the perfect time to sign up as an Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

Join between February 1 and March 15 and get the starter kit and so much more for only $159!

During Sale-A-Bration, anyone who joins as a demonstrator can choose any stamp set--a value of up to $47.95--from the Spring-Summer 2008 Collection! Plus, new demonstrator recruits get 20 percent off the Demonstrator Starter Kit--over $350 of Stampin' Up! products and business supplies for only $159!

Don't have the time to devote to being a demonstrator? No problem! You are under no obligation to stay active. This kit is a fabulous purchase for anyone interested in adding to their stamping collection!

Did I mention that as a new demonstrator, you will receive 30% off your first order over $150? And 20% off all future purchases!

Still not sure? Contact me today for more information!