Showing posts with label stamps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stamps. Show all posts

Monday, November 19, 2007

Back at it Again


I just can't seem to stay away from making Fall/Thanksgiving themed items! As you know, Thanksgiving is only a few short days away and I've still got a list of things to make. This little number is part of my holiday centerpiece and was inspired by a similar project shared by Karen Gibson.

So far I've made just this one, but plan on making another. I would like to have made three, but have run out of jars. I'm also thinking about how to make this same project with Christmas paper and stamps, wouldn't that be cute?! Anyway, here is my supply list!
  • Outlaw DSP
  • Creamy Caramel CS
  • Really Rust CS
  • Close to Cocoa CS
  • Close to Cocoa Ink
  • Glue dots
  • Rhinestone brads
  • Paper crimper
  • Votive Candle
  • Small Mason Jar

Now I'm off to stamp up a table cloth! Wish me luck!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Christmas Card

Tonight I have another Stampin' Up! workshop and I am so excited! I just love sharing the Stampin' Up! experience with new people and making new friends in the process. Since my hostess tonight is one of the sweetest people I've met in a long time I'm sure that we'll just have a blast.

I thought I'd go ahead and share the card I've prepared for tonight's Make n' Take. My hostess Patty asked for a Christmas theme for our cards so I'll present this card along with a few variations on it in different themes to show how versatile both these stamp sets are! How fun!!

Anywho... the products used on this card are as follows:

  • Always Artichoke CS
  • Certainly Celery CS
  • Soft Sky CS
  • Wintergreen DSP
  • Always Artichoke Ink
  • Soft Sky Ink
  • Word Search Background Stamp
  • Circle of Friendship Stamp Set
  • Round Metal Edge Tag
  • Paper Crimper
  • Pencil Eraser
If you have any questions about how to make this card or any other on my blog please feel free to EMAIL me. I'd be happy to help! If you'd like to schedule a workshop so I can teach you a great card like this one you can reach me through email as well.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Glass Charms


As promised - here is a sample of the glass charms I made for my Thanksgiving table. This one is actually Davy's. I made one with a flower for myself and one with leaves & an acorn for my husband.


After stamping and shrinking the plastic I covered them with micro beads so they will glimmer in the candle light!

To attach these to the glass you can put a jump ring through the punched hole and string it on a ribbon. Last year I used gold cord, this year I used our tan gingham ribbon.


If you need instructions, email me and I'll be happy to help you out.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Happy Harvest Card


As promised in my November 2007 Newsletter, here are the instructions on the Happy Harvest Card. This card is simple to make - despite the long supply and instruction lists. If you're not great at water coloring you can substitute markers or colored pencils for the Water Color Wonder Crayons.

Supplies:
  • Old Olive Card Stock
  • Really Rust Card Stock
  • Pumpkin Pie Card Stock
  • Very Vanilla Card Stock
  • Basic Brown Ink
  • Pumpkin Pie Ink
  • Really Rust Ink
  • Loads of Love Stamp Set
  • Canvas Background Stamp
  • Tag Corner Punch
  • Earth Elements Buttons
  • Natural Hemp Twine
  • Watercolor Wonder Crayons
  • Aqua Painter
  • Paper Trimmer
  • Adhesive

Instructions:

  1. Cut your Old Olive card base.
  2. Cut Really Rust Card stock to 5.5" by 2"
  3. Using Really Rust ink, stamp canvas on to Really Rust card stock. Rough up one edge with fingernail.
  4. Using Basic Brown ink, Stamp image of truck, pumpkins and girl on Very Vanilla card stock. Cut out - I didn't measure, I stamped then cropped as needed to center the image.
  5. Mat Very Vanilla with Pumpkin Pie card stock - about .25" wider all the way around.
  6. Color in truck, pumpkins and girl using Water Color Wonder Crayons and Aqua Painter.
  7. Adhere Really Rust strip (rough edge in) and stamped image to card base as shown.
  8. Stamp "Happy Harvest on small scrap of Very Vanilla card stock using Pumpkin Pie ink.
  9. Punch two corners with Tag Corner Punch
  10. Cut piece of Pumpkin Pie card stock to be .25" wider than scrap Very Vanilla
  11. Punch two corners of Pumpkin Pie and adhere to back of "Happy Harvest" tag.
  12. Tie a bit Natural Hemp Twine through the button holes, trim ends, and adhere button to the Happy Harvest tag.
  13. Adhere tag to card base as shown.
If you like this card and would love some one-on-one instruction for other great holiday cards, contact me today to set up a class or workshop! I look forward to hearing from you, but until then, happy stamping!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Tumbled Marble Trivets

Ahhh... My husband is off to work, Davy is off to school, and I'm toasty warm in my bathrobe and socks. Even the dogs are cooperating by taking a peaceful snooze behind me. The only thing this morning needs now is a new post on my blog followed by some stamping time in my craft room!
As promised, here are some of the trivets I made yesterday. It is so super simple I thought I'd go ahead and walk you through it one time just for the fun of it.
Supplies:
  • Tumbled marble tiles - available at your local home improvement store
  • Craft ink pads - various colors
  • Stamp set of choice - I used Bud Basics
  • Oven - preheat to 250 degrees
  • Small felt pads - also available at your local home improvement store
Instructions:
  1. WASH your tiles and allow to dry completely. I did this the night before so I would be SURE they were dry and ready to go.
  2. Stamp your images using Stampin' Up!'s craft ink pads.
  3. Pop in the oven for about half an hour or until it looks like the ink is completely dry. This will heat set the ink so it should not fade or run.

See? How easy is that? These two trivets will grace my Thanksgiving and Christmas table, but I'm thinking about making another set for my mother and sister.

Same supplies and instructions apply if you are making coasters from the smaller tiles. I'd love to see what you make. Email them to me and I will post them here for everyone to see and enjoy!

Monday, November 5, 2007

Getting Ready for Giving Thanks




I am so excited about Stampin' Up!'s Paper Party Promotion. I've gotten four sets of designer series paper for the price of three! One of the sets I got was the Fall Flowers papers, and they are too cute for words. It is SO easy to make great gifts with Stampin' Up!'s Designer Seriese paper that it is almost a no brainer!


Today I'll share the gift set I've made for Davy's teacher Mrs. Lea. I've put together a paper purse, note pad and decorated pen. I'm thinking about adding in a little bit of candy or something like that, maybe I'll get to that tonight after dinner.


For this gift set I used: Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper, Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon, Natural Hemp Twine, Really Rust eyelets, Old Olive card stock and marker, Sahara Sand Card stock, Really Rust card stock and marker, Shrink Plastic (non-SU! product), Scallop punch, large and small tag punches, and a metal edged tag (retired). I used the Pick a Petal and Tagger's Dozen stamp sets.


Tonight I'm finishing up work on the trivets I'll be using on our table this Thanksgiving. There are some finishing touches to be done there, but I will be sure to share just as soon as they're ready to be photographed. Until then, happy stamping and don't forget to call me with your Paper Party order!

Sunday, October 7, 2007

New Covenant Crop

Yay! After a ton of hard work the New Covenant Crop has come and gone! I had so much fun. The other vendors were great - as always - and the croppers were wonderful! Friday night I set up my booth and put inspiration sheets in the gift bags for all the croppers. Saturday started early and gave us a few moments for a few last minute things.

I was placed next to Rosalinda with TLC and she was such a hoot. There were of course old friends there as well. Miss Rachel was there with Party Lite candles, and the Scrapbooking Mommiez were there as well as DeDe Vest with Creative Memories. I was so excited to be there with these wonderful women that I was nearly bouncing off the walls.

While at the crop I offered a Basic Stamping class. It was so much fun to see these women learning these new techniques. I love the look of discovery on their faces - and the giggles when they did something well! This is truly my FAVORITE part of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator - helping people to find unknown areas of creativity within them selves! For this class we completed a "cheat sheet" pamphlet with nine basic stamping techniques and then made a post it note cover and a card utilizing these new techniques! Congratulations ladies on a job well done!

In addition to this class I offered free Make and Takes through out the day. I presented a clear card and it really was a big hit. It was easy to assemble and was popular enough that I had to open two more make and take sessions in order to accommodate all those who wanted to make it. Happily I remembered from the last Mega Crop and brought with me extra card stock and supplies so I could cut extra if I ran out of anything! Yay!

On top of all that I took along all my retired stamp sets. I sold all but 10 sets - about which Tim is thrilled about because now they can be stored in my craft room rather than the garage!

Oh boy, I'm pooped now though. Thank goodness I don't have anything to do today - it will give me time to recover from yesterday! I hope that if you didn't come this time that you will attend at the next crop in March! It was a wonderful experience and I would really hate for you to miss out! If you WERE there and came in to read my blog THANKS!!! I had so much fun with you ladies and I hope to see you again next time!! Don't be a stranger though - email me!!

Monday, October 1, 2007

You Call This Work?

Oh boy! I've been a busy little bee this weekend! It occurred to me on Friday that OMG! I only have THIS week to finish getting ready for the NCA Mega Crop! So I checked my to do list and added like twenty things and then turned on the TV - plenty of time - RIGHT?! Yeah.... SURE... Right...

So finally about six last night I get off my duff and get to work. I stamped my contact info on Inspiration Sheets and Mini Catalogs. I printed and folded Technique Pamphlets for my class. I removed all the retired cards from my display board. And then finally, once my husband and sweet boy were in bed I got down to work.

I made this Frap Bottle set and had a wonderful time making it! I was SO excited about how it turned out. The bottles are filled with hand made bath salts made by yours truly. I'll give the recipe below in case you'd like to make your own!

For this project I used River Rock, Blush Blossom, and Very Vanilla Card stock; Blush Blossom, River Rock and Pretty in Pink Classic Ink pads; Pink Organdy (I just LOVE this ribbon!), and Pink Grosgrain Ribbons; Polka Dots and Paisley Stamp Set; See You Around, and Petals Wheels, Large Oval, Scalloped, and 1-1/4" Circle Punches; and Signo White Gel Pen.

Milk Bath Recipe
Ingredients:
  • 2 C Dry Milk
  • 1 C Epsom Salt
  • 1/2 C Baking Soda
  • 1/2 C Dead Sea Salt
  • 1/4 C Citric Acid
Directions:
  1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
  2. Cover tightly to retain integrity of ingredients!
Could that be simpler?! Oh, and to use this stuff is SO nice! If you're inclined you can add extra special ingredients like chammomile flowers or even some Essential Oils. If you're not used to using these though, I hope you'll find a reputable website to learn how to use them.
For Chocolate Milk Bath the directions and ingredients are the same as above, except you need to add 1/4 C Cocoa Powder. Couldn't be easier right?!
Yummy - but don't drink either of these please! It will give you the trots and really they wouldn't taste good at all!!

Alright now, time to get back to the craft room and get some more stamping done! I can't wait till Saturday! I hope to see you there! Remember to come by my booth to sign up for my door prizes - a free catalog PLUS a gift certificate!!

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Envy Flower

You just never know where you'll get inspiration! I was watching Trading Spaces this morning and one of the designers was working on a little girl's room. This particular team made some really cool flowers to hang from the ceiling and the following tutorial is my take on her idea.


Supplies

  • 5 #10 Envelopes
  • Jumbo Wheel of Choice
  • Jumbo Wheel Handle
  • Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad (or cartridge)
  • Dotto Adhesive
  • Oval Punch
  • Paper Trimmer
  • Craft and Rubber Scissors


Instructions


  1. Seal all envelopes.
  2. Wheel both sides of all envelopes
  3. Cut all envelopes in half – at the 4¾ inch mark.
  4. Punch the two corners on the OPEN edge of the envelope using the Oval Punch
  5. Trim off excess of corner with paper snips.
  6. Run adhesive down the middle and across the bottom of each envelope, stacking one on top of another until all are adhered in a pile.
  7. Run adhesive on the top envelope just as you did the previous nine.
  8. Attach the top envelope to the bottom envelope to make a complete flower.

I would absolutely LOVE to see any examples you make with this! Email me at stampinmerr@email.com!!

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Thanks to some of my favorite local customers I managed to get rid of a bunch of my stamp sets and acessories. Here's a list of what I have remaining. I will have these with me at the Mega Crop on October 6, and they will be at a discounted price just for this event!

Hostess Sets
All-Around Argyle $20
Basket Full of Fun $20
Blooming with Happiness – Unmounted $10
Love It – Unmounted $15
Reason to Smile $10
Tags So Much $10
The World Over $10
Warmest Regards $10

Occasions
First in Fashion – Unmounted $14
Swell News $14Sentiments
Bubble Queen $14
Olive You $12
Stampin’ Fun for Everyone $16
Under the Weather $12Flowers
Roses in Winter $20

Nature
Bold Butterfly $22
Ruff Day $14
Sparkling Summer $20

Vintage
Mostly Flowers $9

Borders & Backgrounds
Crosshatch $13

Say it With Stamps
All Year Cheer II - $20

Sell-A-Bration Sets $10
Each Big Blossom – 2 Unmounted, 1 Used
Delight in Life – 1 Unmounted, 1 Used
Very Punny – 1 Used
So Very – 1 Unmounted, 1 Used
Just Delightful Simply Scrappin’ Kit – 3 Unopened

Mini Catalog Sets
Small Sayings $9
Like it a Latte $18
Cowboy Kid $20
Sassy and Seasonal $12

Misc. Sets
Haute Couture (05/06 Hostess Set) $12
Pocket Full of Posies (05/06 SAB) $7
Send a Celebration (05/06 SAB) $7

Monday, August 13, 2007

Excitement is in the Air!

So I had a few of the neighborhood kids over the house this week. Tyler and David sure have a great group of friends to play with, but with two of those boys come older sisters who have to keep an eye on them.

All four of these kids are great. The two boys play with my two boys, one of the sisters stays on my Internet for hours if she's allowed to and the other girl - the oldest - has a love of genealogy and enjoys being crafty. This week I tried a few of my techniques on her and I was very impressed with Miss Beth's craft-itude! She's promised to allow me to practice on her again! Anyway, here is my version of the cards that we worked on together.

The first was a variation on the card in the last post. I turned it on its side and added the dingy but everything else - ink and card stock colors and stamp set remained the same though we went ahead and left off the ribbon this time. We used Prisma Colored Pencils with some odorless mineral spirits - called the gamasol technique. Other techniques include: two step stamping, and masking.

Our second card we used Blue Bayou, Apricot Appeal and River Rock card stock, Blue Bayou ink, and the Au Natural stamp set. This is a stamp set that I bought at the end of the last Stampin' Up! year and have just now gotten around to using. I used the flower, she used the butterfly. This card started out as a spot light card, but I decided that I wanted the entire panel colored in instead. I also used holographic highlights glitter with the two way glue pen to get the glitter exactly where I wanted it. Lastly we died the new Stampin' Up! taffeta ribbon. The color is gorgeous on this ribbon!! What a treat!

Our last card was taken from a card I made at Gwen's house not too long ago. She and I sat down and copied a card from a book - I don't know which book, and if she reads this blog before I put up a new post I'm sure she'll let me know the name of the book! Anyway she was working with a Halloween theme for her card, and I chose an "In Color" theme for mine - in other words there's no rhyme or reason to it! I used Big Pieces and Little Pieces stamp sets, Purely Pomegranate, Blue Bayou, Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, River Rock and Wild Wasabi card stocks and inks. I still don't like the Wild Wasabi color but I hope that the more I use it the more I will grow to like it - no good so far! Oh, and in addition to all the products listed above we used every size circle punch Stampin' Up! offers!

So now that you've seen all my recent cards here's another one - that I didn't make! I received this as a RAK from AJ Otto (willosmama) from Splitcoast Stampers! I was thrilled to receive such a sweet card, I love the colors and her use of the patterned paper with this stamp set! How awesome!! Thank you so much AJ, I hope you enjoy the card that I've sent you in return. (Should look familiar when it arrives as it's one of the ones listed above!!)

The last thing I wanted to say before I sign off for the night is to let you know that I may be MIA for the next week or so. Many of you may know that my wonderful husband Tim has been serving our country on his third deployment to Iraq and has been gone since June of 2006. Our long wait for his return is nearly ended however as he is expected home sometime before Monday!
I'm sure you can understand our excitement and anxiety as our reunion draws closer. I hope you will pray for our family during this time of transition - especially for the children who now have to readjust yet again. I will post after a while about our reunion and all the wonderful things that are in store for us!
Here's the last picture I shot of Tim before he left home in June. You can tell by the look on his face he was tired of the camera at this point, but I couldn't resist one last shot! I'm lucky he loves me!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Missouri Sales Tax Holiday!

Good news! Several states' legislatures have passed a special sales tax holiday during specific dates in August. During this period, sales tax does not apply to school supplies. The participating states typically define school supplies as any item normally used by students in a standard classroom for educational purposes.

Missouri: August 3-5

By placing your orders during these dates, you can take advantage of this tax holiday and make purchases without sales tax. What a wonderful opportunity to save some money on stamping and paper crafting supplies!

Based on state statutes, we've identified the items that will be exempt from sales tax in these states during the period. Stampin' Up! will not charge sales tax for these items ordered during this sales tax holiday.

Adhesives

  • 2-Way Glue Pen
  • Liquid Glue
  • SNAIL Adhesive
  • SNAIL Refill
  • Dotto
  • Dotto refill
  • Anywhere Glue Stick
  • Sticky Strip
  • Stampin' Dimensionals
  • Mini Glue Dots
  • Pop-Up Glue Dots
  • Greeting Glue

Scissors

  • Paper Snips
  • Craft & Rubber Scissors
  • Craft & Paper Scissors

Brushes

  • Stipple Brushes
  • Flat brush
  • Medium brush
  • Small brush

Pens and Pencils

  • Metallic Art pencils
  • Pure color pencils
  • Watercolor pencils
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen
  • ZIG PaintyBlender pen

Water Color Wonder Crayons

  • Bold Brights
  • Earth Elements
  • Rich Regals
  • Soft Subtles
  • Neutrals

Markers and Jorunalers

  • Stampin' Kids markers
  • Stampin' Write markers - You can purchase these individually, but not as the set.
  • Basic Black Stampin' Write journaler
  • Basic Brown Stampin' Write journaler

Call or email me today to place your order and I will hold that order until the tax holiday!

Monday, July 16, 2007

As Promised...

OK, so last night I got a later start than I had anticipated. That's OK, because I was still able to get a few cards done.

If this Bud Basics card looks familiar it's because I had all the card stock cut and the wheeling done at one of my workshops and this was left over. I changed it a tad by adding some of our chipboard covered with some self adhesive die cuts from Stampin' Up!'s "Build a Flower" Accents and Elements. For the center of the chipboard flower I used our Cropadile to punch a hole for a rhinestone brad. Cute cute cute. Add to that the double stitched grosgrain ribbon in Purely Pomegranate and you're set to go!

My second card here is using the Oh, So Lovely hostess stamp set. I have a few friends who are gaga for it, and sure enough it's a treat to use! I was a little worried when I was cutting it apart that I would hate it, but honestly it's great! I used River Rock, Elegant Eggplant and Pale Plum card stock and ink. Stamp sets: Oh, So Lovely, Canvas, and Hugs & Wishes; Paper: River Rock double sided designer paper. Accessories: Metallic Art Pencils and sponge daubers.

So I'm SUPPOSED to be visiting with Gwen today to play some more with our new stuff, but we'll see if the children let me. They seem pretty intent on us staying home today. But, as Tyler will remind everyone he comes across, Mom has VETO power - the greatest super hero power of them all!!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Cleaning Out!

All sets are mounted and used unless otherwise indicated. I only have one of each set (except the SAB sets, and I’ve indicated there how many I have of each.) This list is first come first serve. If you're interested in any of these go ahead and email me: stampinmerr@email.com

To get a better view of the stamp sets click on the image!

Hostess Sets
All-Around Argyle $20
Basket Full of Fun $20
Blooming with Happiness – Unmounted $10
Both Way Blossoms $15
Love It – Unmounted $15
Measure of Life $15 - PENDING
Reason to Smile $10
Tags So Much $10
The World Over $10
Warmest Regards $10

Holidays
Merry – Cut Unmounted $18

Occasions
First in Fashion – Unmounted $14
Swell News $14

Sentiments
Bubble Queen $14
Espressoly for You $16 - PENDING
Olive You $12
Stampin’ Fun for Everyone $16
Under the Weather $12
What’s for Dinner $21

Growing Up

Birthday Beauty $12
Power Up $14 - PENDING

Flowers
Roses in Winter $20 - PENDING

Nature
Bold Butterfly $22
Ruff Day $14
Sparkling Summer $20
Winged Things $17

Vintage
Mostly Flowers $9
World Tour $16

Borders & Backgrounds
Crosshatch $13
French Script $13

Say it With Stamps
All Year Cheer II - $20 - PENDING

Sell-A-Bration Sets $10 Each
Big Blossom – 2 Unmounted, 1 Used
Delight in Life – 2 Unmounted, 1 Used
Very Punny – 1 Used
So Very – 1 Unmounted, 1 Used
Just Delightful Simply Scrappin’ Kit – 3 Unopened

Mini Catalog Sets
Small Sayings $9
Like it a Latte $18
Cowboy Kid $20
Sassy and Seasonal $12
Fancy Flexable Phrases $15

Misc. Sets
Haute Couture (05/06 Hostess Set) $12
Pocket Full of Posies (05/06 SAB) $7
Send a Celebration (05/06 SAB) $7