Stamped with Love for Baby

It must be the grandmother in me, but I just love stamping sweet baby cards. Stampin' Up! has a great collection of stamp sets suitable for babies and youngsters.  And of course, in SU style , there are coordinating punches and framelits.

I think this card is one of my favorites ~ it uses a clever fold, bright DSP, sweet images die cut with framelits and a delicate doily. I could make these all day using the Something for Baby stamp set.

What's REALLY exciting about this card is that it is the sample I made for a NEW CLASS I am offering on Monday, June 6 at The Velveteen Rabbit children's  store in Harbour View. It begins at 11 AM; class fee is only $10 for 3 cards.

Please  make your reservations early as space is limited. Call The Velveteen Rabbit at 757-483-0750. AND plan to come early or stay after class to shop for seriously sweet summer clothes.

Check out the website: www.thevelveteenrabbit.com and follow them at www.facebook/thevelveteenrabbitstore.

I can't wait to meet new stampin' friends, especially making this cute card; but of course, my 'old' stampin' friends are welcome, too!

We Are Family, Sort Of ...

It was a family reunion of sorts Sunday at the Stillwater House Tea Room in downtown Suffolk.

A group of regular stampin' friends met at the tea room for a Stamp & Tea Party. I was excited to offer the event because I knew the tearoom served delicious tea trays, and who does not enjoy scones and raspberry bars and creamy pimento cheese and ... and I knew the stampers would be up for creating unique and attractive cards. An equation for success if ever there was one.

I enjoy learning new techniques, too, so I asked a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator friend if she would show me, and my friends, some collage ideas using a variety of stamps.

The stamp sets used were Gorgeous Grunge (an odd name, yes?) and Timeless Textures. Punched flowers and punched leaves and lace ribbon built up one card for several layers of whimsy.

New Stampin' Up! In-Colors, available on June 1, were used with new Designer Series Paper for a second, similar card. Peekaboo Peach and Flirty Flamingo (colors) proved to be a terrific combo. Butterflies were punched out for embellishments and with the DSP, everyone's card was a unique design.

Celebrating together as family ~ Mary Kay brought a daughter and two granddaughters as guests. None of her girls had stamped before Sunday; you would never have known! Our instructor Sarah welcomed all of all experience levels and graciously provided encouragement as well as directions.

Mary Kay's youngest granddaughter confidently sat at a table across from her grandmother and immediately found her crafting mojo ~ Jeanne helped with questions, as needed. And across from them were Jeanne's girls, also first time stampers.

Mother and daughter stampers Catie and Cay joined us for the afternoon. (Catie has already received her new catalog in the mail and was busy putting together her wish list!)

The 'orphaned' stampers gathered together in an adjoining room ~ but by now, we are all family! And how thankful we are for that!

Thanks so very much to Stillwater House Tea Room proprietress Dianne: tea was delicious, the setting welcoming, your hospitality gracious.

Can You Smell the Salt Air?

I have unpacked all of the pre-order goodies ~ some of them are for BINGO ~ but I need to finish up some old business before I can jump into all of those new in-colors and stamp sets and ...

I meet with Demonstrator colleagues today for a team meeting, which always includes a card swap. Our directions for this swap: must use new and/or carry over product. That didn't seem too harsh until I realized that most of the Designer Series Paper does not carry over. I LOVE my paper.

Pinterest to the rescue, again.

I found a neat card at wickedlywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com. It used a lot of my favorite elements: the fabulous window frame from Hearth & Home Framelits; wood grain embossing folder; and Wetlands stamp set.

I modified the original design a bit, but kept the overall design of the card. 

I slipped in a piece of DSP Neutrals crumb cake, and the reverse for the flagged 'ribbons.'

Do you recognize the new color? Peekaboo Peach. It is the color of the base and a few of the sea oats. It is also the color of the 'sky' outside the rustic cottage's window. There's a touch of golden sun in the metallic thread wound around the greeting's banner.

Can you smell the salt air? I sure can!!

Cut, Score & Fold

Today's work was good therapy ~ I managed to measure and trim and fold with few mistakes.

I have been watching tutorials on Pinterest. Searching for favors, I found the directions for covering mini-sticky note pads with scraps of DSP.  Sandra Ronald at http://sandraartecardare.blogspot.com provided the instructional video with her lovely UK accent that had me heading to the kitchen for a cup of tea.

The pieces needed for mine were only 2 X 6. It was not hard to find plenty of paper that size for seldom do I toss scraps of paper. I also broke out the Simply Scored Scoring Tool (board) today. These covering wrappers need to be scored in 6 places; it was far easier for me to score with the stylus and the grooved board than to use the scoring blade and the Stampin'  Trimmer. 

Here is a closer look:

And why would I need a dozen sweet little clutches of sticky notes ~ to flag all the exciting new products in the new catalog!! I probably don't need all of these, so maybe my dear stampin' friends would like them? (I don't need to flag the items I want; I want them all!) 

You can also see tea bags in something of an envelope. The envelope/pouch is referred to as the 'diaper fold.' Square sheets of paper is all you need; another great use for the convenient 6 X 6 paper stacks, and you'll find some in the new catalog. 

For an upcoming tea party, I think these will be lovely. They are easy to construct, need no adhesive and a 6 X 6 square will fold up nicely to hold a tea bag, or a square of chocolate, or BOTH! I think I will add a small detail on the front - a die cut cup, a label with a sentiment, a flower ...  I  can't wait to craft these for the next baby shower ~ not that all mothers today need to master the diaper fold themselves, although it actually might be easier than swaddling.

Anytime that you are scoring and folding, use your bone folder for crisp, flat folds. It really does make a difference.

And more more item to mention: I had a plastic coil, a clear cover and a hard back added to my catalog at my close-to-home office supply store - for about $5, it allows the catalog to open flat and protects the edges from constant wear. 

I would love to give you some of these favors; please sign up for upcoming classes and events. And please use the ideas yourselves ~ make someone smile.

Which Will Be Your Favorite?

Oh, what a beautiful morning, 

Oh, what a beautiful day;

Oh, what a  beautiful morning,

when the brown UPS truck comes my way!

And you know what was on the UPS truck today ~ new catalogs and pre-order items, including the new In-Colors!! So, catalogs coming your way; watch your mailbox out-of-town stampers and 

in-town stamp friends, there are THREE upcoming special events where you will find your catalogs.

When? Check the Events listings at www.upallnight.stampinup.net. 

I stamped bookmarks using the new in-colors ~ which do you think is my favorite?

Woo! Hoo!

Let's stamp!

Look What Washed Up on My Shore

These starfish are easier to stamp than to find. I haven't had much luck finding starfish on the beach, or sand dollars either, now that I think about it ... but this guy is hands-down THE easiest stamp in the Picture Perfect stamp set.

Two stamps in two shades ~ that's all it takes. I put out Delightful Dijon and So Saffron for the Monday Stampers to use and it's a terrific combination. I took my cue from Cindy at Nutmeg Creations and offered up this as a sample. Does the patterned paper look familiar? It is from the 'Valentine's' Love Blossoms paper stack. Thankfully, I won an extra package at my upline's team meeting last month!

Think beach, nautical, seashore for any combination of inspiring colors that please you. 

There is no framelit for the starfish, but it is very easy to cut out, especially with the SU snips.

I offered a selection of ribbon and twine and bling and each of the stampers added her own special touch. Most of us remembered how to tie a square knot, and it's been a while since we were scouts and scout leaders!

I also used this design with the United Methodist Women at Wesley Chapel UMC in a stamping session we had last week ~ we crafted stamped cards for prison ministry. We had a delightful morning stamping and prayed that the cards will provide blessings for the senders and their recipients.

I guess you can tell, I am sold on Picture Perfect, and not just for the starfish (my original lure, no pun intended). The font and the sentiments are sweet.  I will get a lot of mileage out of this set for many occasions, for cards for guys as well as gals and for my Project Life projects. 

I hope you'll try it!

Easy and Stunning Hummingbirds ~ The Stamped Kind

If there is anything easier than stamping the perfect rose from the Picture Perfect stamp set, it is stamping the hummingbird.

This was only the second hummer I stamped and it's pretty close to perfect. See how clean my grid paper is - just one other wild beaked guy . E.A.S.Y.

I have never been drawn to hummingbirds, perhaps because I have never made an earnest attempt to attract them. Wild bird seed and a feeder from the hardware store has always been my experience with backyard birds. And I do love my birds, the familiar and regular visits from the cardinals and blue jays and finches, the wrens in their birdhouse, and the ground feeders. 

I do, however, recall lounging away one morning on a friend's poolside patio and noticing an almost invisible zip of something through the air from the pool's fence into a neighboring tree. As one bird zipped by and up into the tree, another zipped down and out of sight. I was mesmerized by this constant zipping of what I discovered was hummingbirds. 

Not only was the fence covered in red blooms, but there was also a red plastic feeder close by at the kitchen window. Were the birds chasing each other? Was there room for only one at the feeder? I have since learned that the males (with the ruby red throats) are very aggressive over food sources.

I do not have a hummingbird feeder out in my 'woods,' so I will be content with just stamping them. 

There is more variety on the coloring of the small birds than just Pear Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi, Old Olive and Real Red, but that's the color combination I chose after looking at bird photos and at demonstrators' suggestions.

My Monday Stampers spent their entire morning with the Picture Perfect set.

Jeanne's hummer is nosing in on an attractive vine created with the flourish stamp from Timeless Textures stamp set. The blooms were free-handed in Watermelon Wonder and Daffodil Delight. 

Beautiful! 

And there's one more stamp in the set to see, so stay tuned ...

I Did It!

Ever have one of those days when absolutely EVERYTHING went RIGHT?! You thought I was going to say WRONG, didn't you?

Well, I do mean right. Of course it came with some help from my friends, friends I don't even really know this side of cyberspace. The Stampin' Up! community is such a wonderful one, truly. I reach out to demonstrators across the screen and they are always responsive and generous, and they don't me, either. And that doesn't even include all of the inspiration found on idea sites and facebook.

One of my favorite products from Stampin' Up! is Paper Pumpkin. You have heard me say it before, many times in fact, I love receiving the surprise craft kit in the mail each month - all pre-packaged with everything needed to complete the project, and usually with leftovers to use on additional projects.

And typically, SU offers refills on the kits, so if you really like the paper and craft, you can order more and keep going.

I loved the paper and designs and color combination in the March kit. I wanted more of that paper, just to use, just to have, just to hoard. It's not going to stay around long enough to hoard. On one of my favorite sites, Paper Pumpkin Fan Club on facebook, I spied the sweetest z-fold card. I wanted to try it. I asked for directions and then went to it. I was a little nervous because it called for measuring, and I don't always do numbers well.

I did it! The card is referred to as a Z- fold because of the obvious Z that it forms when folded. I needed to have a white panel inside, I am just like that, and that proved a bit trickier - that number and measuring thing again. It's not that tricky, but you do need 12 X 12 paper.

So, I count this a success! I will be making more and teaching my stampin' friends how to create this card.

This represents only one fourth of my successful day ~ another neat fold of a card I found and mastered, another three-stamp technique card that was really easy to execute and a new stampin' venture scheduled for next month.

Stay tuned ~ I have more to show you.

In the meantime,

Let's stamp!

A Lot of Fun (a little mess)

Messiness is in the eyes of the beholder. Seriously, when I make a mess, I am creating and having fun, for the most part. Sometimes my mess is made up of seven ink pads scattered across the table because I just cannot decide which shade of blue I like.

Project Life is a little like that for me. PL is designed to be an easy and efficient way to organize and preserve memories using your photographs, memorabilia and a bit of pizzazz. So, it starts out nice and easy, but then I keep going to add that little touch of 'me ' ~ a stamped sentiment, a sticker, an overlay, a candy dot. I can't be the only one who acts like this because PL by Stampin' Up! creates Accessory Packs of just such embellishments for the Card Collections.

Last weekend another PL friend and I got together to use the Memories in the Making Card Collection for a twist on the typical PL albums. The collection is featured in the spring Occasions Catalog (p.42-43). Think spring and sherbet, hydrangeas and almond blossoms, Easter bonnets and strawberries. These are the predominant colors and the perfect complement for photos of spring and summer events ~ Easter parades, children's birthdays, the first rose blooms, picnic in the park.

THESE PRODUCTS ARE RETIRING AT THE END OF THE MONTH! Even if you do not need them right now, or are still working on your Christmas photo album and scrapbooks, this collection is way too pretty and sweet to pass up.

We decided to concentrate on memories, long ago memories, for our Spring & Summer Days Album project. Judy wanted to journal a bit about her mother and grandmother and the memories that always come to mind when remembering them: strawberry pie, iced cold lemonade, roasted corn on the cob, flower gardens. She included her recipe for Strawberry Pie on a PL card which featured a border of hearts. Know how you turn a heart into a strawberry? A Garden Green 'cap' on top and some Basic Black Write Marker 'seeds.' The itty bitty flower punch and Daffodil Delight candy dots created white and yellow blossoms to glue in between the berries. 

She also remembered her mother as taking extraordinary care to be well dressed ~ so we played paper dolls with Designer Series Paper and ribbon and pearls.

I changed my mind on what to include in my album - a couple of times - and decided to take recurring spring events and document them through the years.

Luckily for me, I chose my grandchildren's activities and as they are 5 years old at the oldest, it's not overwhelming and I knew just where to find the photos. For the last three years I have taken my two boys to the Easter Egg Hunt at church. This year my young granddaughters joined in the fun, too. So, I will keep adding to this journal of pictures and memories as they grow up.

There are two birthdays in May and coming in June ... (see the baby carriage?)  All of the base cards above are from the Memories in the Making Card Collection and I embellished here and there, using stamps and cards from the Occasions catalog so they were all right within reach (Happy Easter lamb stamp, Baby's First stamp set and framelits, Number of Years stamp set and framelits, Love Blossoms Embellishment Kit). 

This just may be easier for me than keeping up with an ongoing PL album covering an entire year in the life of us.

There will be new Project Life Collections in the new annual catalog and I will develop a project or two using them. It is a great help to pull out a card collection and make foundation pages for your album ahead of the actual events. Wow - what if you had an album with pocket pages all ready for upcoming birthday photos, Fourth of July, family reunion, first day of school, Halloween .... ???

I'm ready! Let me preview the new Project Life Collections in the new catalog and we'll get together with a new project.

In the meantime, 

Let's stamp!